《The Transmigrated Author》 Chapter 1: The Transmigrated One [Edited]

Chapter 1: The Transmigrated One [Edited]

Authors Note: Before reading this I advise you to read the prologue before starting this chapter :D unless you like skipping chapters but I''m not stopping you tbh -?¡¥\_(- ^ -)_/¡¥ __________________________ Tat, Tat, Tat I typed endlessly on my keyboard for hours on end the sun had dipped below the horizon hours ago, leaving me bathed in the blue glow of myptop screen. Coffee fueled my veins, and my eyelids were heavy with exhaustion, but I couldn''t stop. Not today. This chapter, the finale of my web novel "I Was Reincarnated to Stop a World-Ending Threat," held the weight of a thousand revisions, countless stolen hours, and a dream I desperately wanted to realize. Jan, the hero reborn to face Nero, the embodiment of destruction, had be more than just words on a screen. His struggles, and his victories, echoed in my own heart, fueling the relentless pursuit of the perfect ending. Endlessly I typed as each sentence scrutinized, each paragraph polished until it gleamed. I felt a slight doubt fearing failure in my ear. Would this ending be perfect for the readers? Suddenly, a sharp scent pierced the coffee haze. ncing down, I could see the stain of spilled caffeine spreading on my chair cushion. A familiarugh escaped my lips, tinged with self-deprecation and the exhaustion of writing. Another loss of my tunnel vision, a small price to pay for the ending of this story. Ding!, Ding!, Ding! Just then, a notification rang from myputer, shattering the silence. [Hello there, fellow Novelist! We are offering testing trials to promising authors for this new POWERFUL writing tool assistant that will guarantee to change your novel for good! If you are interested, please click the link below the drop-down box! From, ORW.Org] A scoff escaped me. The nerve, these spammers, trying to peddle shortcuts to a craft that demanded blood, sweat, and tears. Brushing off the email I had received earlier, I took a good look around the state of my room, and honestly, it could be worse... Even though I was struggling to make it to the top 1000 rankings in terms of novels, my room proved that even with some time to myself, procrastinating a clean room would almost be impossible for someone like me. Well, since it was Sunday, I guess today wouldn''t be bad to keep my room from looking like aplete dumpster factory. Carefully, I cleaned parts of my room from my clothes on my bed to the leftover bowls on the floor, and afterwards, my written drafts on my desk that covered my PC. [2 hours after cleaning...] Grrrrrrr My stomach growled, I couldn''t be hungry and tired at the same time, so I think to celebrate today''s final chapter submission, I could make Egg fried rice. Excited to have a good meal for once in a while, I opened my fridge to see that there was nothing but a bowl of expired cereal and milk on the side that had one more day left from also expiring. Haaah With a grumble, I heated the leftover rice and whipped up a simple meal. As I ate, the email about the writing tool crossed my mind. Could this tool be what it says it is? The temptation was almost irresistible, I mean it''s a free trial so I guess trying it out won''t hurt. Ctrl + W (Closed Tab) Clicking back to the email, I quickly signed up. ] - Open - Upon clicking on the website, there wasn''t anything that stood out. The background was in ck with the signup option, which didn''t take too long. [Enter Beta Code] Oh, I''m sure they gave me a code somewhere inside the email. I scrolled down for a few minutes, passing over the terms and conditions, and arriving at the bottom of the email they had provided me, there was a code. [OpenReader444] Click, Click, Click This website seemed to be more on the hidden side since I searched on the inte for any kind of website rted to this organization but apparently, there were none. The tools included in the beta showed that I could one-click import my convenient novel. I did end up testing some parts of the tool and exploring its features. The interface was sleek and user-friendly, allowing me to navigate effortlessly. As I clicked through the various options, my curiosity grew. Tap, Tap, Tap I decided to take advantage of the one-click import feature. In seconds, my entire novel was transferred into the mysterious writing tool. It felt like I had handed over a piece of my soul to an unseen force. Hours flew by as I immersed myself in the tool''s capabilities. It suggested plot twists, enhanced character dialogues, and even proposed alternative endings. The convenience was undeniable, but an uneasy feeling lingered in the background. Tap, Tap, Tap The notifications kepting. The writing tool offered to refine my writing style, optimize pacing, and predict reader engagement. It was like having a literary genie at my fingertips. But with every tap, I couldn''t shake the growing sense that I was relinquishing control over my creation. As I looked deeper, a realization hit me. The tool was altering the very essence of my story. The characters'' voices started to sound less like mine and more like a calcted form for sess. Ding, Ding, Ding! Another notification. The tool promised to skyrocket my novel''s visibility and climb the rankings. It tempted me with shortcuts to literary fame. But beneath these promises, I sensed a price that wasn''t explicitly stated. [1:26 am] Looking at the time It was gettingte, so it was best if I slept now. I can always work on the novelter. Rising from my chair, I hurried into bed, and like a teething baby, I drifted into sleep. *** RING!!!!!!! RING!!!!!! A jolt ripped me from sleep. dazed, I blinked, As I tried hitting the snooze button on the nightstand. When I realised that that my phone wasn''t the rm going off my vision adjusted to a room that wasn''t mine. Looking to the side was an unfamiliar rm clock that I had never seen before. There was also no familiar mess of clothes and discarded drafts, just modern furniture and an unfamiliar silence. Panic wed at my throat as I scrambled upright, the bed softer than memory. Where was I? Did I get Kidnapped? Looking around the room, my PC wasn''t facing the front of my bed; instead, it was reced with a modern desk with a bow hanging from the wall. To my right, there was a sliding wardrobe that probably contained my clothes, and there were empty frames alongside the window. That wasn''t the most of my concerns as of now. Where am I? Getting up from my bed, I jumped a few times and pped myself a few times, and reality struck me. This couldn''t be a dream. On the desk, there appeared my sses and a wallet which had money inside of it. Putting on the sses, a whole new world seemed to have opened up for me. AHHH! My voice screamed like an 18-year-old teenager. It was a bit deeper and soothing to an extent. But that wasn''t the scariest part... There appeared a system before my eyes. [Wee! Axel Saint Rel Laurence] You have been transported inside your novel: I was reincarnated to stop a world-ending threat As the author of your novel, the system has decided that you are able to choose 3 main abilities out of the 5!] Me? Inside of my own novel? No... It can''t be. Haah, Haah, Haah, Each time I was breathing in I could feel the air shortening each time I thought about the situation. Impossible. I can''t survive this world. There was just no way... As I carefully tried to calm myself down from the situation, I quickly regained myposure as I saw another message appear in front of me. [The System is kindly asking you to choose 3 abilities out of the 5 please Mr Axel :D ] Oh, sorry, System. I''ll choose it right now. I bowed, apologizing the system also has feelings as well. Fwang! ________________________________ [Abilities Selection:] {Sixth sense:} - This ability is a heightened perception beyond the five traditional senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. This extrasensory ability enables an individual to perceive and interpret information that goes beyond the scope of ordinary sensory perception. {Dead-eye:} - The ability to enter a state of heightened concentration, enhancing the main character''s precision and focus. While time doesn''t slow down, the user gains an acute awareness of their surroundings, allowing for precise aiming and target tracking. This skill demands significant mental stamina and bes more effective with continuous practice. {Mana Affinity Mastery:} - The character has an innate mastery over a specific type of mana (fire, water, air, etc.), making them exceptionally potent when wielding spells rted to their chosen affinity. {Aura Concealment:} - The ability to mask presence, making it challenging for others to sense or detect them unless they actively focus on doing so. {Mana Overflow} - Excess mana spills over from the user, creating a protective aura that absorbs and nullifies iing magical attacks. ] ________________________________ Wow, I was amazed at what this system had offered me, and I needed time to think if I wanted to survive in this world. First of all, I needed to see what my ''Talent'' was. "System, If you may. Can I please see what my stats are?" [Sure!, Here you go, Mr. Axel!] ___________________________________________ {Axel Saint Rel Laurence STATS:} Age: 17 Talent: Marksman Of Weaponry [Grade 8] - You are able to use all types of weaponry that can fire. - You have improved precision with bows - You have 10% increase in fire rate Affinity: me, Water Health: 50/50 Strength: 12 Stamina: 10 Speed: 55 Intelligence: ? Mana: ? Special Stats: Archer: 2/10 ???: ? / ? ???: ? / ? ???: ? / ? ???: ? / ? Special Abilities: (None) Abilities: Piercing Shot Grade 10, Vulnerability Reader Grade 8, Quick Shot Grade 10, ___________________________________________ Fuck... A moment of realisation had hit me I was a sharpshooter in my swordsman-based novel. This situation just got worse. Having a sharpshooting talent was the worst type of talent to get. Still, I had to make do with what I had, and why am I so weak? I expected to at least be stronger than the average individual. Jeez, whoever was in this body blew it by handing me such a weak body. But I knewining wouldn''t do me any good, so there was no need to get greedy. The skills the system showed were all pretty good for my current state. I''ll think of this as a nobody getting an upgrade. "System, I''ll choose Deadeye, Sixth Sense, and Aura Concealment." [Confirmed! Abilities will now be ced in the special category.] A sudden change had spiked throughout my body. It was clear from all the goosebumps I felt that my senses were aware of everything that was in front of me and everything that was behind me. As this ability upgrade went to my eyes, my blind self felt like the vision impairment I had was just improved by 2 fold, wait no, 10-fold. I thought it was all in my head but all of this was real! I could see properly without my sses! Now, I needed to know the situation I was in so I knew the right person to ask, "System? Could you please tell me what to do next or give me some advice?" I asked with a polite voice. [Sure! Since it''s your first timending here, the information provided will be free. :D ] "Free?" [Yes! Free! Since it''s part of a set of rules we follow, we will only provide you with sets of information such as hints, a person''s thoughts, locations, and plot advancements. There are many things we could list, but as you know, there is a cost.] Well, my novel wasn''t a system genre, unless we got to a certain part of the story. So I guess I''m the only one who has this kind of special and unique system. But I was confused since I thought the system was supposed to be a loyal free tool given to those who have it, but I guess someone like me, who isn''t the main character, doesn''t deserve free things, huh? "What''s the cost?" I asked curiously. [It would be our special currencies called: QP (Quest Points), PPP (Performance Poprity Points), and BP (Battle Points). Each of these has specific functions that only exclusively benefit you, the author. Since this world, is extremely difficult to live in, we have prepared a specific scaling system depending on the settings of the plot. :3 ] Even with the assistance of this system, I wouldn''t be able to reach the heights of the main characters at the end of the story but even so, I had to at least try my best for now. It does make sense logically, so I could assume that I can benefit a lot from this if I work hard enough. "Continue, please," I asked politely. [Okay! With the currencies, it''s very simple: QP is earned bypleting our quests! PPP is earned by making a name for yourself in this world, aka bing someone important to the plot of the advancing story. Be aware there can be changes made to the novel due to scaling and bncing. BP is earned by battling with easy or difficult enemies or even duelling with the main characters of the story! This is all the starting information I can provide you, so I''ll tell you the final piece of information that you need to know. For a bonus ~ {Pinnacle Academy Saga} You stand at the beginning of the main story. For the initial 2 or 3 years, alongside other main characters, you can choose whether to remain within the academy or venture outsideter. Proceeding... you have enrolled in the most challenging and respected institution, The Pinnacle Academy, known for producing exceptional heroes. Your current rank is 985 out of 1102 trainees. You have one month before you enter; please make sure to train diligently to keep pace with the main story. A map will be provided for your whereabouts; just think ''map'' inside your head, and it will activate alongside othermands such as ''stats.'' That concludes the information, Mr. Axel! :D Best of luck on your journey. FWANG! "Thank you very much system." If I knew a debrief like that would be very tiring, I wouldn''t be lying. And with that, the system had disappeared, although I wasn''t sure if they appeared with my sses off. So I did what any other person would do; I took off my sses and said, "System. Stats." FWANG! ___________________________________________ {Axel Saint Rel Laurence STATS:} Age: 17 Talent: Marksman Of Weaponry [Grade 8][...] Affinity: me, Water Health: 50/50 Strength: 12 Stamina: 10 Speed: 55 Intelligence: ? Mana: ? Special Stats: [...] Special Abilities:[...] Abilities: [...] QP: 0, PPP: 0, BP: 0 ___________________________________________ Amazing... This is how it feels to have a system of my own. The possibilities felt endless, yet I was still empty of hope; there was no way I would make it out the first year with a base stamina of 10. I''d probably die from walking. The overall stats weren''t too bad, though. However, I don''t understand why my mana and intelligence stat isn''t revealed maybe it was because I''m so overpowered that the numbers are immeasurable, or rather I was too stupid and too weak to have numbers be registered for that stat. So I had to n at least 3 months, no... 6 months in advance for the first few main events toe. As curious as I would always be, I had to see what I looked like. Exiting out of my room, I found the bathroom which was across my room. Stepping in front of the mirror, my initial take was...surprisingly normal. Messy ck hair with that "just rolled out of bed" charm, dark blue eyes that mirrored the same confusion back at me, decently tall, and ¨C okay, the face wouldn''t win any "most handsome" awards, but it''d do. That much I could admit. It wasn''t like I could judge based on this novel''s beauty standards. The heroes probably glowed with otherworldly radiance or something. Yet, I felt disappointed... It wouldn''t it be hrious if, even in a fantasy world, I remained average? A thought bubble appeared above my head ¨C "Guess even magic can''t work miracles" ¨C making me snort into the silence. Maybe in my high school days, I could''ve passed for "not bad looking," but those prime years were long gone. Returning back to my room, I had to change clothes since all I was wearing was a in white tee and bedtime pyjamas. It was time to explore the world created by my imagination. I opened the wardrobe to see that there was a uniform for the Pinnacle Academy provided with the school dressing code. There wasn''t any room for formal clothing since it heavily focused on training the students'' ability to fight and understand essentially the theoretical side of things. But as expected, the clothing looked better than I thought. Carefully observing the clothing, a screen popped up. [Pinnacle Academy Uniform, Grade: C - Has resistance to low-grade monsters below C and has an enhancement feature that adjusts to the person''s size.] So I also have the ability to appraise items as well, huh? That means I can make a fortune out of this hehe. A mischievous chuckle had escaped my mouth but was stopped shortly after hearing a knock on my door. "Hello, are you Mr. Axel Laurence?" A guy who looked like a postman was standing before me; he didn''t have any redeeming features; he just looked normal. "Yes, I am." I said this in a casual tone, hoping that it was okay to speak like this since this novel had a different ng or way of speaking. The postman looked at me after confirming with his clipboard. Tak, Tak, Tak, "Okay! I''ve confirmed the residency of the person, and here you go." He handed me an ID card, which meant that this was my ess to the Pinnacle Academy. The postman left after handing me the card. Stepping outside of this surreal world for the first time, I could feel that I was definitely in another world because Earth had never felt this good before. So this is what air filled with mana was like. I took another step, out to see a beautiful city that unveiled the settings of my world. There was no doubt I was in Seoul. With a good idea of my location, I contemted navigating my way to ces I wanted to explore. "Map." Fwang An image of a 1920 x 1080 map appeared before me on my screen. There were points of interest and guides on how to quickly get to ces, but outside of it, I would have to discover certain ces first to unlock their location on this map. So, for the first time in a while, I went outside to walk. Chapter 2: Pinnacle Academy

Chapter 2: Pinnacle Academy

[Pinnacle Academy] Pinnacle Academy had earned a reputation as the training ground, for aspiring heroes. The selection process was a bnce of merit and ability ensuring that only the promising individuals ascended its grand staircase. The merit system, a tapestry woven from the threads of aplishments provided an overview of each student going beyond just physical strength to epass the full range of their abilities. However, amidst the triumphs and glory, there were also shadows lurking. The academy''s esteemed image was tainted by the influence of privilege and wealth. Those who couldn''t navigate the path based on merit had alternative routes avable to them ¨C those who were affluent could secure their entry into this sanctuary for heroes. Families with status, known for their power and authority also found themselves having reserved seats at Pinnacle''s prestigious tables. Yet perhaps the biggest contradiction existed within the core of the academy itself ¨C its faculty members. These mentors are responsible for shaping the future and are not immune to biases and corruption. Stricter regtions enforced with a grip dictated not only the curriculum but also influenced teaching philosophies. The staff members themselves held differing loyalties and motivations creating a mosaic of mentorship that would ultimately shape the destinies of those, under their guidance. Pinnacle Academy, with its contrasting blend of principles and hidden realities, served as a reflection of the world it aimed to safeguard. Inside its captivating premises, where magic intertwined with wisdom the individuals destined to be the heroes of humanity would be shaped, challenged and maybe even transformed forever. *** haah, haah, I haven''t been this tired since the glory days of middle school. I was catching my breath while exercising around the city of Seoul. I tried increasing my stats for stamina since the first year of school would be a living hell for me. Fwang! A sudden notification on my system popped up. As I stood still in the middle of the pathway I checked to see what the system had for me. [Your Stamina has slightly improved! 1.5 points have been added.] Fwosh Dismissing the screen, I was left dissatisfied. Two points added to my now 13.5 stamina felt underwhelming after three hours of relentless running in the park. My soul seemed ready to ascend to the heavens, panting continuously as I rested my hands over my head. I wasn''t here to train and pass the time. A more crucial matter awaited ¨C the introduction of our main character. I didn''t know when he would arrive, but the central park was his favoured running ground. For a while, I waited... quite a while. Engaging in a workout near a tree across the pathway, I might''ve looked like some lunatic doing 15 to 20 reps of push-ups, but my focus remained on raising my stats. An hour would slowly turn to another 3 and I realised that today, at least, I decided to give up on waiting for the main character. Assuming he''d always be here since he enjoyed running around the central park. Luck wasn''t on my side today. It was probably best to buy some groceries and head back to the apartment to assess my capabilities. Fwang [A small event will ur, please be aware of your surroundings] After seeing the system notification this probably had to be my first quest. my first quest seemed close. [Deadeye has been activated!] Activating deadeye, I scanned the surroundings for any suspicious activity. Counting the number of people in the area ¨C 24 of them ¨C I remained alert as the sun descended. "Steal her belongings!" From afar, I detected two low-life thugs closing in on ady. As she began running, I realized my fatal mistake ¨C I was a sharpshooter with no weapon. Panic set in momentarily. Recollecting my thoughts, I had to act. Without time to think the woman ran straight towards me, the thugs focused on her. I had about 3 seconds to put up a fight. ncing at the ground, I spotted a few pebbles. Activating my ability ''Quick Shot,'' I flicked the pebbles with enough speed to hit the two thugs in the head. The impact left a small dent on their foreheads, blood trickling down. Surprised, they turned their attention to me. "Dak, that pimp just threw pebbles at our foreheads." "Let''s get him, Zee." Both thugs charged at me. I wasn''t strong enough to knock them out, but that was expected. While they approached, my special ability ''Sixth sense'' kicked in. For a brief moment, I could dodge their attacks with ease. As the thugs closed in, their intentions clear, I weighed my options. No weapons, but I had Deadeye, Sixth Sense, and Aura Concealment. I activated Aura Concealment immediately, attempting to blend into the surroundings. The system confirmed my sessful concealment. The thugs hesitated, looking around as if trying to pinpoint my location. Their confusion bought me precious seconds. I moved silently, picking up all types of rocks. Instinctively, I identified a potential escape route and calcted their movements. I aimed for a nearby tree, distracting them momentarily. They turned to the sudden noise, giving me the opportunity to maneuver. I considered my next move as dodging them wouldn''t suffice for long. I activated ''Vulnerability Reader.'' Identifying weak points, As sparks of light blinked around their body parts, carefully I aimed for the weak points on their bodies. TAK, TAK, TAK, In rapid session, Iunched pebble strikes. The thugs were getting assaulted by the rain of pebbles. "ACK! IT HURTS! ZEE WHERE IS THIS GUY? "STAY CALM WE WILL FIND HIM IN NO TIME." realizing that my pebble tactics were working I hope they realised they were dealing with more than just a random bystander. As I tried moving away to another position they found me and started closing in the distance between them and me, now angrier and more cautious. they hadnded a blow to my lower stomach. This was the first time in a while since I''ve felt pain. Fwang! [Warning you''ve received a critical hit! HP is now 25/50] I grabbed a hold of my lower stomach and looked towards the health stat in my system window. I can''t believe I''m a ss cannon without the canon. Just ss. Now I was desperate; I needed to end this quickly. The only ability I had to actually damage them was Deadeye, so I decided to target their legs, aiming to disable rather than injure them. As Iunched my assault, one thug managed to grab me, but my speed allowed me to slip out of his grip. The other, affected by my pebbles earlier, stumbled. It was a narrow opening, and I seized the opportunity. Pulling more rocks from my pocket I unleashed another flurry of pebbled strikes to their legs, hindering them without causing severe harm. TAK, TAK, TAK! "AHHH! STOP!" The thugs were screaming in harmony as I kept shooting pebbles at them with my fingers. I didn''t stop until a notification was on my screen and I relentlessly shot them until I ran out of pebbles the thugs on the ground were crying helplessly. FWANG! [Quest Completed: Protect the Innocent - Reward: 10 QP] _____________________________ [Fighting Skill Increased: Quick Shot levelled up! Grade 10 -> Grade 9 Stamina Increase: 13.5 -> 15.5 (+2.00) Strength Increase: 12 -> 12.2 (+0.20) ] _____________________________ The thugs were crying in pain and I couldn''t help but let out a bit ofughter. I wasn''t a hero, but I did fulfil a quest. But that sure was draining, and I felt my head feel a little hazy was this mental stamina? I was spinning around trying to maintain my bnce and I fell towards my knees. I sighed in relief;ying on the ground contemting my next move the woman whom they were chasing earlier looked to approach me as she stared in awe. "Thank you so much for helping me," her voice shaky but sincere she bowed her head in thanks. "No problem. d I could help," I replied, sitting down on the ground exhausted. She looked at me for some time like she was lost and suddenly snapped out of her trance "Oh! You''re hurt. Come on, let me take you to the nearest medical centre." She held her hand out to me. I hesitated, not wanting to be an inconvenience to her, but she urged me to ept. She offered a supportive arm, and together we made our way to the medical centre. Upon arrival, the receptionist recognized her and immediately directed us to a doctor. The medical staff attended to my wounds, stitching up the cut on my forearm and providing some basic first aid. The doctor advised rest and cautioned against any strenuous activity. The woman stayed by my side throughout the process, expressing her gratitude once more. "I can''t thank you enough! By the way, I work for the Virtue Guild as a receptionist. If you ever need assistance or a ce to stay, consider this as a token of my gratitude." She handed me a small card with the guild''s emblem and her contact details. I took it gratefully as it''s pretty rare in the novel to receive things like this. "I appreciate it. thank you for helping me." I said, still processing the events of the day. As we left the medical centre, the night air felt cooler, and I sensed a mix of emotions. She offered to apany me back to my apartment, but I insisted I could manage. "Thank you again," I said, genuinely grateful for her help. [Alert! you have earned 25 PPP.] Amazing. Who knew that helping out strangers could get me some points, But I still needed to figure out how I''m supposed to spend these things. I walked all the way back to my apartment which was only 10 minutes away from the central park and 15 minutes away from the Instant Destination Stone the IDS. Finally, in the cozy part of my new apartment home, I needed to figure out the actual functions of these points. "Excuse me System, what can I do with these points I have?" I asked in a polite tone. [Quest points can be used to alter or change the scenario of an event or questpletely but the downside is that the reward could be greatly affected by this. It also goes the same way with rewards as well, If you want a really good reward, the amount spent could be a lot or the quest could be even harder than before via difficulty scaling.] Interesting... As I stroked my chin in thought, So not only would I be able to get better rewards from dungeons with this currency but I could also be able to change the way a quest could be used. "What about PPP?" [yer Performance Points can be used to improve the appearance, relevance, and aesthetics. Here are the following: Cosmetic Enhancements: Spend PPP to unlock exclusive outfits, essories, and visual effects, allowing the MC to stand out aesthetically in the world. Social Influence: Strengthen alliances with influential factions, boost charisma temporarily, and influence interactions by investing in PPP strategically. Special Quests and Events: Unlock unique quests and limited-time events reserved for high-PPP characters. Influence on the Story: Shape the narrative by spending PPP on influencing the story!, unlocking alternate story paths, and altering oues based on the points you have. Skill and Ability Enhancements: Improve poprity-linked skills, gain advantages in social situations, and enhance strategic capabilities using PPP. ] I realized the potential of the yer Poprity Points (PPP). It wasn''t just about appearance; it was a key to shaping my experience in this world. As I contemted the possibilities, the system continued. [It''s essential to use PPP strategically. You can decide how you want to be perceived in this world, be it a charismatic leader, a mysterious figure, or anything in between. Bnce is crucial, as overspending might lead to unforeseen consequences.] The system''s advice made sense, and I decided that I needed to be thoughtful about how I spent my PPP. My mind buzzed with ideas, but I needed to prioritize. Appearance mattered, but so did social influence and the ability to customize my surroundings. "Thanks for the info, System. I''ll keep that in mind," I said with a sense of determination. [You''re wee, Mr. Axel. Remember, your choices shape not only your character but the entire narrative of this world. Enjoy!] The system''s words lingered in my mind as I sat in my cozy apartment. I nced at the guild card the woman had given me. The Vitrue Guild wasn''t a guild I created so I assume this was the choice of the assistant tool. But this is sure to be a potential ally or a resource for the future. With this in mind, I decided it was time to explore more of this fascinating world. "Map." Fwang The map materialized before me, and I scrolled through the points of interest for some time and I realised that I had no phone, no watch, and no PC. So the first thing I''d do tomorrow was to buy one of three. Chapter 3: Introductions

Chapter 3: Introductions

[Church Of the Holy God''s] "I''ll be off now Auntie!" I said goodbye to the woman who had taken care of me since I was a baby, even though she wasn''t my biological mother, she showed me how it felt to grow up as a child with a parent figure. "Be safe Jan, Make sure to always eat and make tons of friends." My Auntie Natalie waved as I ran off from the church. This feeling of my warmed heart made me reminisce about the 16 years I''ve spent with her and as the muscles of my face began to stretch I turned to give her a reassuring smile, I nodded at my aunt''s advice as I waved off into a distance. She had always been my pir of support, and leaving home to attend Pinnacle Academy was a significant step for me. "I will, Auntie. Don''t worry. I''ll make you proud," I said, determined to excel at the academy. Taking a deep breath, I shouldered my backpack and headed towards the IDS Station (Instant Destination Stone) which would transport me to the front entrance of the academy. As I made my way towards the Instant Destination Stone with a mix of excitement and nervousness. The guard at the entrance, a stern-looking figure, eyed me as I approached. "ID card and destination please." He said with an authoritative voice. "Destination Pinnacle academy" I replied swiftly as I handed over my ID card, and he inspected it with a practised gaze. "Jan Ates confirmed. Proceed to teleportation, and wee to the Pinnacle Academy," he announced, giving me a nod. "Thank you," I replied, taking a deep breath as I stepped onto the designated teleportation pad. WANG! The magic enveloped me once again, and within moments, I arrived at the academy''s main courtyard. The academy grounds were awe-inspiring. Towering structures adorned with magical runes, lush gardens, and students bustling about created a vibrant atmosphere. I marvelled at the architecture and the sheer scale of the academy. Navigating through the courtyard, I noticed other students arriving, each with their unique aura and talents. The ce was significantlyrger than Heroes Prep Academy, nearly two or three times the size. In the crowd, familiar faces from the Entry exams emerged. In the middle of the crowd, I spotted the friends I made at Heroes Prep Academy¡ªCamilia, Valencia, Bazz, and Lyra. Excitement welled up within me, and I shouted, "Yo, guys!" waving my hands through the bustling crowd. THUMP Suddenly, a force pushed me back, and I found myself eye-to-eye with someone who I didn''t quite understand¡ªLouise De Valerion. He and hisckeys stared at me with an intimidating intent. "Well, look who it is. It''s Mr. Rank 1 himself!" Louise spoke in a calm yet angry tone, spreading his arms out to make him seem bigger than me. "Ah, Hello Louise, it''s nice to¡ª" I began, but he cut me off. "Don''t call me by my name, Ates. Someone like you wouldn''t have the right to address me and you in the same sentence EVER," he snarled, grabbing me by the cor in an attempt to intimidate me. If he was going to take things this far then I wouldn''t mind showing him. TAK! "I grabbed the wrist of the hand that was holding me with my right hand and gave Louise a serious look. ''Let go, Louise,'' I said as I began applying pressure slowly. Despite my efforts, Louise refused to back down as he smiled from ear to ear. "Oh are you finally showing your true colors, Jan?" he said as he tried to lift me up. "Enough." Saved by the bell, Valencia stepped in, positioning herself between us. With a stern look at Louise, she spoke in a casual yet respectful tone. "Louise, we''re here for the entrance ceremony. Let''s not spoil the asion with unnecessary conflicts." He backed off, staring at Valencia with a mix of frustration and understanding. "Whatever. Just know that I''ll be number 1 soon," he muttered before turning away, hisckeys following suit. Valencia turned towards me, her expression exhausted yet full of energy. "Sorry about that, Jan. Louise can be a handful. It seems he still can''t get over the fact that he lost to you in both Theory and Practical." I shrugged it off, "It''s fine. You''ve known him long enough for him to listen to you withoutining. Thanks for stepping in, though." Camilia chimed in, "Ignore him, Jan. We''ve got better things to focus on, like the entrance ceremony and making the most out of our time here." She was right. This was a new chapter in our lives, a chance to grow stronger and forge new friendships. Bazz added with a grin, "Speaking of which, we better head to the ceremony. Don''t want to bete on the first day." "By the way, we should go head to the presentation hall now~," Lyra spoke in a cheerful tone. Stareeeeeee As we nodded in agreement and made our way through the crowd toward the central area where the ceremony was taking ce, I couldn''t shake the feeling that someone was watching me from afar. Turning around, I scanned the courtyard, but there was no sign of anyone overtly watching me. The sea of students, each preupied with their thoughts and conversations, Maybe it was just my imagination ying tricks on me. *** After a month of non-stop training and 0 spotting of our main character Jan, it was like I had been forbidden not to meet this guy. I checked in the usual locations of where he should be but to my avail, I had not seen him once. But I had a slight improvement in my stats though. ___________________________________________ {Axel Saint Rel Laurence STATS:} Age: 17 Talent: Marksman Of Weaponry [Grade 8] [...] Affinity: me, Water Health: 62/62 Strength: 12 -> 17.5 (5.50+) Stamina: 15.5 -> 25 (9.50+) Speed: 55 -> 58 (3.00+) Intelligence: ? [Unlocked after theory exam] Mana: ? [100 BP required.] Special Stats [...] Special Abilities: Dead-eye [Grade 10], Instinctive Targeting [Grade 10], Abilities: Piercing Shot [Grade 10], Vulnerability Reader [Grade 8], Quick Shot [Grade 9], QP: 10, PPP: 25, BP: 0 ___________________________________________ I stillcked the preparation to survive the looming first main event of the first-year arc, but at least I knew I''d manage the initial weeks. Arriving at the front of Pinnacle Academy, the sight mirrored my expectations. Stepping off the IDS tform (Instant Destination Stone), I admired the academy''s towering structures, an expansive outdoor area with exclusive training equipment, and unparalleled facilities that towered over my head. Also apanied by the best types of teachings in this world. Although I knew the answer to almost everything there''s no reason for me to be here. but I had to since there were changes I wasn''t aware of. But the first thing I had to do was to see what Jan looked like. Amid the burgeoning crowd of freshman students pouring out of the numerous Destination tforms, I positioned myself in the courtyard, eyes fixed on what could only be described as the perfect human. ck hair, sky-blue eyes, ideal height, a robust yet lean physique¡ªundeniably, it was Jan. I weaved through the crowd, my eyes fixed on the perfect human silhouette. As I slowly moved my way in closer to see the imagination of my thoughts bing a reality. But as more freshmen flocked out of the Destination tforms, I was getting pushed away from seeing one of my creations, and after a while, I spotted him with his rival Louise, someone who was just as strong as Jan. The golden blonde hair and his emerald green eyes were certainly standout features; he also looked just as good as Jan, certainly befitting for a rival like him. Carefully, I focused on what they were saying to each other, and just like the same lines of the first story, they were supposed to have a little physical contact with each other until I stood still, seeing something out of ce in my eyes. Her cascading aureate gold and sterling silver hair flowed down her shoulders, and the enchanting amethyst blue reflected the richness and warmth in her eyes. She looked almost as tall as me, but she was wearing shoes that supported her height. Valencia? I was confused by what she was doing here in the first-year area, but there was no way she could be a first-year since she was supposed to graduate after the 2nd semester. Valencia¡ªwas it her? It can''t be. If she were here to assist the first years, it would make sense, but she was wearing the first-year badge on her uniform, which only heightened my concern about the situation. Originally, she was the strongest third-year in the history of Pinnacle Academy in the novel. She was the golden prodigy of Pinnacle, the only sword saint who could wield any type of weaponry with absolute control and perfection. But did I make a mistake? Did the assistant tool change her character to be a first-year? While Jan possessed an adaptive ability greater than any other person on Earth, allowing him to learn things with a single nce, he was perfect in every way. His mana reserves seemed bottomless, and his swordsmanship matched that of the sword saints. In contrast, Louise was the heir to the weapon known as the ming Terror. Blessed with the purest fire attribute and exceptional physical strength, he never missed a day of training or study in his life. With Valencia''s unexpected presence, the entire first-year arc seemed poised for a significant shift. Undoubtedly beautiful, Valencia stood out among the other characters: Camilia, the silver-haired maiden; Bazz, with his fuzzy red hair; and Lyra, with her dark brown hair. As I stood there, trying to make sense of Valencia''s out-of-ce appearance, my thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the announcement of the introductory ceremony. Considering Valencia''s status as the strongest third-year in Pinnacle Academy''s history in the novel, I couldn''t help but wonder if the assistant tool had altered her character or if there was a deliberate reason behind this change. Heading towards the presentation hall, I observed the interactions between Jan, Louise, and others, sensing the impending storm. The colossal hall with magical patterns adorning its walls hosted students in hushed anticipation. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, and the murmur of conversations filled the hall. As the lights dimmed, the academy''s emblem illuminated on a massive screen, capturing everyone''s attention. The headmaster, a wise-looking figure with a long, flowing beard, stepped onto the stage. His presencemanded respect, and the hall fell silent. He began his speech, by weing the new students to Pinnacle Academy, emphasizing the importance of unity, growth, and the pursuit of excellence. During the speech, my gaze wandered over the familiar faces among the crowd of 1100 students, There was Alice who was Ennd''s representative not just as royalty but as a student you could also mistake her for Valencia''s Sister just by their appearance familiarities. A few other standouts were future powerhouses that be importantter on in the story Miya Takeo, Noah Davies, and Jae Yoona. many students from all over the world wanted to attend this academy but a few select would make it. Obviously, for me, I was an exception but by no means people in this academy weren''t weak. However, my attention kept returning to Valencia. Her eyes, a captivating amethyst blue, held a certain depth and intensity. She listened attentively, her posture radiating confidence. The golden and silver hues of her hair caught the ambient light, creating a mesmerizing effect. The headmaster concluded his speech, and the hall erupted in apuse. It was time for the freshmen to be sorted into their respective sses. As the names were called, I couldn''t help but wonder how this unexpected twist, with Valencia being among the first-year students, would alter the dynamics of the story. Jan, Louise, Camilia, Bazz, and Lyra were in the same ss, just as the story went. Yet, what seemed like luck was on my side as well. It appeared that Valencia, Alice, Miya, Jae, Noah, and I would be joining their ss, this meant that this first-year ss would probably be the mostpetitive yet. I observed the interactions between the characters, Jan and Louise, with their rivalry, now shared a ss with the Saintess Valencia. The addition of Alice, Miya, Jae, Noah, and myself to their ss made the atmosphere even more intriguing. As the ceremony concluded, the students split off into their respective dormitories. Males and females branched out from the huge intersectionbelled "male dorm." The only items I needed for my new dorm were my newly acquainted bow, some clothes, and the holographic MK 1 smartwatch that had be an integral part of my daily life. As I made my way toward the dormitory preparing for our first day of ss. _________ Authors Notes: - Jan and Bazz first met when Jan was eight years old. They were at a bakery owned by Bazz''s family and got into a fight over a piece of bread to feed a dog. Jan easily won the fight and from that point on, Bazz and Jan became best friends.?( ?? ? ?? )? - Before bing an author Axel was a tri-athlete in three sports! (????? ) - Jan and Louise''s rivalry began when Jan first joined the Prep Academy for Heroes. He identally bumped into Valencia, and Louise defended her fiercely. Thanks to Valencia''s intervention, a fight was narrowly avoided, but ever since then, Louise has harboured a strong hate for Jan as he was way too good at everything as if he was reincarnated from another world. (¤Ã o - o ?) Chapter 4: Class In Session

Chapter 4: ss In Session

The lecture hall unfolded as a grand expanse, its orderly rows of seats and colossal holographic screen at the front buzzing with the lively chatter of students finding their ces. Choosing a seat near the centre, my eyes swept the room in search of familiar faces. One by one, the protagonists of the novel enter the room. Jan, with his confident stride, Louise exuding fiery confidence, and the unique personalities of Camilia, Bazz, and Lyra, all took their designated seats. The room was filled with the vibrant hues of their distinct characters. "Oh, another thrilling year awaits, doesn''t it?" Louise scoffed, yfully bumping his shoulder into Jan''s as he passed. Jan, unfazed, continued as if nothing had happened. Valencia, however, watched Louise with a subtle hint of concern in her eyes. "It''s wonderful to be reunited with everyone from the Prep academy," Jan greeted with a warm smile, the relief evident in his expression. "Argh, I guess there is no escape from being your ssmate Jan." Bazz sighed walking up the stairs with Jan. As expected, the interaction sparked a mix of emotions in the room. I maintained myposure, having anticipated every nuance of this reunion. "Hello, Cam! Hi, Lyra! Can you believe we''re in the same ss this year?" Valencia''s excitement radiated as they took seats near the centre, beside me. I caught a glimpse of disdain in her expression, I could feel a little pressure just from the look but it was the reaction I hade to expect. Valencia, after all, was crafted to embody such characteristics. "mmm, I wonder who our teacher is I hope he isn''t strict," Cam spoke rxingly she seemed to look lost. "I hope he''s extra nice~" Lyra added with her sweet tuneful voice "I just hope the teachers at this academy live up to the standards," Valencia spoke as she chuckled. Shortly after, Miya and Noah made their entrance, and following them were Alice and Jae, who, as anticipated, shared a familiarity that hinted at the bonds they would forgeter in the story. "So many monsters in one ssroom," Noah mused, his eyes lighting up with an unmistakable spark. "This year is certainly gonna be interesting" Miya walked by with a smile elegantly walking. As we patiently awaited the arrival of our teacher, the minutes ticked by, setting the stage for the unfolding narrative within the walls of the lecture hall. The other students around me seemed to shift ufortably in their seats, a palpable tension lingering as the intimidating presence of the main cast settled in, casting a shadow over the room. It was evident that the reputation of these remarkable individuals had preceded them, leaving an indelible mark on the atmosphere within the lecture hall. shaaaaa Smoke entered the room and with each step he took no sound escaped his feet and by the looks of his standout belly, I knew exactly who it was. Kolek strode to the front of the room, not bothering with a roll call. "The name''s Kolek," he spoke, "If you haven''t heard of me, you''ve been living under a rock. Now, let''s see if you''re worth my time or just another batch of washouts." A tremor of anticipation rippled through the room. Whispers of his name rose and fell like a low tide. Even as the author, I couldn''t deny the jolt of recognition. Kolek. Reputation aside, the man radiated an unwavering integrity that felt rare in this world. Students might crack jokes about his serious side, but I guess they secretly admired it ¨C the way he seamlessly shifted from witty asides to holding them to a higher standard. His presence filled the room, with a quiet intensity that demanded attention. "Knowledge and heroism," Kolek continued, his voice low and resonant. "This year won''t just be lessons and tests. Prepare yourselves for a true journey, if you''ve got what it takes." The students exchanged eager nces, and the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Kolek''s sses were known to be both enlightening and entertaining, a rarebination in the world of Pinnacle Academy. Before starting his lecture he did the role call of intimidation, the reason why I''m saying this is because of how scared everyone gets, the reality sets in that they will never be able to amount to what the people in this ssroom would do. With each name called one by one the reality set in deeper for those around me, They knew that they wouldn''t be able to beat these guys atbat or theory either and as Kolek called my name. "Ax-" "Sir." I stopped him from saying my name in order to cause no confusion amongst the others. "Can you just call me Rel, please, if you don''t mind." The ssroom looked at me with confusion they were probably thinking about who I even was but I knew he was an understanding person. Sure, if you would like to be addressed that way, then I have no problem doing so, Rel. I could feel the whispers going around the room it must feel a bit cringe doing something like this but there''s a good reason. For my middle name additionally with Saint Rel people would believe I''m a descendant of a hero to whom I have no direct lineage and having the word saint in your middle name would mean you were destined for something great so I''d rather not piss off Valencia in any other way. Fwang! [You caused a smallmotion in the ssroom! 15 PPP Added.] With the system notification, this definitely would be a good way to farm PPP so that''s another good reason. Kolek finished with the rest of his role call for a total of 55 students. As he started the lecture, I settled into my seat, I wasn''t really inclined to listen since there wasn''t any point in me trying to study for things and such. I kicked back, earning myself res from the characters, adding a touch of mystery to my character. [Valencia looked at you in confusion 10 PPP!] [Jan looks at you concerned 20 PPP!] Kolek lectured on the art of nning and executing a dungeon raid for monsters. The characters from the main cast leaned forward, absorbing every word. Jan, Louise, Camilia, Bazz, Lyra, and the others were all ears, fully engaged in the lesson. "Remember, a sessful dungeon raid requires not just individual strength but cohesive teamwork, strategic thinking, and adaptability. You''ll be facing a variety of challenges, from traps to powerful adversaries. It''s your chance to apply everything you''ve learned so far," Kolek emphasized, his eyes scanning the room. As the lecture progressed, Kolek shared insights into past dungeon raids, both legendary sesses and cautionary tales of failure. The students scribbled notes, exchanged whispers, and asionally shared knowing nces. Upon concluding the lecture, Kolek revealed the first assignment that would set the stage for the first advancement of the story. a dungeon raid. "The dungeon raid will be your first assignment in the uing lesson. You''ll be divided into groups for this mission, each facing different challenges. Consider it a test of your abilities and teamwork. Prepare yourselves for the adventure of a lifetime!" Kolek dered, igniting a spark of anticipation in the students. In the novel, the dungeon raid assignment what originally should''ve happened, was that Jan and Louise were ced in the same group, not by chance but by the unseen hand guiding the story. Theirpetitive spirits were unleashed as they blitzed through the dungeon, facing monsters of a ss above their ssmates. To their surprise, they stumbled upon the supposed boss area, defying the norm. Here, they had their first encounter with a Devil worshiper''s servant, attempting to recruit Louise with the potential to shake the world. The worshiper, after giving the boss a special amp buff, left hastily, and Jan and Louise faced the formidable foe together. Despite their distinct fighting styles, they synergized effortlessly, defeating the boss while theirrades sumbed to the monster''s overwhelming pressure. Along those lines, after they defeat the monster Louise leavesst as the worshipperes back to offer him once again before leaving giving him a tempting offer for the future that would lead him to be the main viin for the middle part of the story but I wasn''t going to let that happen. With Kolek finishing up the students left the lecture hall, and the air crackled with excitement. The prospect of a dungeon raid fueled both anxiety and determination among the students. Groups would be chosen in the next lesson, and the first-year arc at Pinnacle Academy was about to kick into high gear... The first day at Pinnacle Academy had been boring for me since I didn''t particrly need to take any notes for the irrelevant information that I was supposed to learn so I kinda just sat there ying games on my watch. But with all of that in mind, I already knew what the groups were gonna be but there was no way in hell I could be in the main character group so I used this chance to switch a few things up. "System. I''d like to use my PPP please." I asked politely Fwang! [Sure what would you like to use PPP for?] "I would like to alter the groups for the dungeon assignment for my next ss." *** "Valenciaaaaa!" Cam''s exuberant call echoed through the corridor as she rushed toward Valencia, wrapping her in a warm, tight hug. Lyra followed closely, her gentle steps bringing her into the circle of their impromptu embrace. "Hey, Valencia," Lyra greeted with a soft smile, joining the warmth of the moment. Cam, bursting with energy, immediatelyunched into her next question. "What are you doing after school?" Valencia returned the hug, her expression thoughtful. "I''m going to see my father today." Cam''s eyes widened with excitement. "Wuhhhh, you always want to see your father. Also, why were you staring at that uhh? What''s his name? Reed, the guy in ss today?" Lyra, embodying her sweet and caring nature, added, "Yeah, did he do something you didn''t like?" Valencia''s demeanour shifted slightly, a fleeting moment of contemtion in her gaze. "I just don''t like being surrounded by someone as weak as him." Cam and Lyra exchanged knowing nces, familiar with Valencia''s tendency. They shared an unspoken understanding of her superiorityplex. Cam, with her boundless energy, often found ways to uplift Valencia, while Lyra''s gentle demeanour provided aforting presence. Instead of expressing concern, Lyra simply smiled, her sweetness acting as a balm to the asional sharpness in Valencia''s words. "He''s not on your level, Val," Cam remarked, nodding in agreement. Valencia bid farewell to her friends, theirughter lingering in her ears as she made her way through the bustling halls of Pinnacle Academy. The golden hues of her hair shimmered under the artificial lights, and her steps carried the grace of a seasoned warrior. Her thoughts, however, were already transitioning to the familiar hum of the Instant Destination Stone. Navigating the winding corridors, then to the outdoor courtyard area Valencia arrived at the Instant Destination Stone. Its surface hummed withtent magic, ready to transport her to her destination. With a determined look, she activated the stone, its energy enveloping her in a fleeting glow. In an instant, the grandeur of Pinnacle Academy melted away, reced by the familiar sight of her father''s estate. [Freya''s Estate, home of the guild leader Gerrard Freya] Valencia glided into the opulence of her family''s estate, her steps echoing against the marble floors of the sprawling luxury mansion. Each footfall seemed to resonate with the elegance that permeated every corner. High ceilings adorned with intricate chandeliers cast a warm glow over marble floors that gleamed like polished silver. The walls were adorned with priceless tapestries, depicting the proud history of the Freya family. The entrance hall greeted Valencia with its dual sweeping staircases, leading to various wings of the mansion. To the right, the grandiose dining room boasted a long, mahogany table adorned with silverware and crystal, the aroma of a freshly prepared meal lingering in the air. Beyond it, a vast library held shelves upon shelves of ancient tomes and magical scrolls. The soft rustle of pages turning and the faint scent of aged parchment filled the air, a testament to Freya''s long-standing lineage of knowledge. To the left, the drawing room beckoned with plush velvet sofas and gilded furnishings. A magnificent firece crackled with enchanted mes, casting a cozy warmth across the room. "Wee back, Valencia," a soothing voice greeted her. Her father, a distinguished figure with Dark blonde hair and a regal presence, emerged from the estate. His eyes, mirroring hers in colour, held both warmth and wisdom. "Father," Valencia acknowledged with a respectful nod, a subtle warmth softening her usuallyposed expression. "Valencia, my dear, join me." he beckoned, gesturing to a chair opposite him. As they sat down at the heart of the estate, her father inquired, "How was your day at the academy?" "Routine," she replied, Upon reaching the heart of the estate, she couldn''t contain her curiosity. "Father, what news do we have about the subjugation of the S-Graded dungeon?" Valencia''s sharp eyes scanned the assortment of documents spread across the table, each parchment detailing the meticulous preparations of the Miracle Guild. The Miracle Guild, once led by her father during his prime, retained its prestige under his watchful guidance. "The Heroes Association has entrusted us with this task, and I''ve assembled a formidable team. The best our guild has to offer," her father exined, pride evident in his voice. As they delved into the strategic details of the subjugation, Valencia couldn''t help but marvel at her father''s tactical acumen. A glimmer of pride reflected in her eyes as she absorbed each calcted move discussed. The Miracle Guild''s reputation rested on the shoulders of its members, and Valencia keenly felt the weight of her familial legacy. "Father, do you believe our guild''s team is prepared for the challenges within the S-Graded dungeon?" Valencia asked, a mix of concern and determination in her gaze. He met her eyes with a reassuring nod. "Our preparations have been meticulous. we won''t lose no matter the cause," he had a reassuring kind smile on his face that put Valencia at ease. Rising up from her seat her father asked her where she was going. "I''m going to train." she gave a genuine smile straight back to her father. _____________ Authors Notes: - Gerrard Freya is the full name of Valencia''s father, and he holds the leadership position in The Miracles Guild, the number one guild in the world. ( ?? - ?? ) - Valencia appreciates spending time in her dorm, but due to concerns about her father''s mental health, she asionally visits home, even staying overnight. - The trio, consisting of Valencia, Camilia, and Lyra, has known each other since childhood. Their families, initially close, have evolved into family friends over the years. ( ? ?¦Ø?? )? Chapter 5: Training Session

Chapter 5: Training Session

[Pinnacle Training: Aetherium Nexus] {Jan''s POV} In the heart of Pinnacle Academy''s new training facility, the Aetherium Nexus, I confronted a holographic version of myself. The room was filled with advanced holographic projectors that breathed life into a near-perfect replica of my fighting style. However, a subtle sense of ipleteness remained. The simted Jan mirrored my every move with precision, creating an echoing symphony of des shing within the facility. The Aetherium Nexus, a technological marvel, aimed to push students like me to their limits. A relentless duel ensued between me and my holographic counterpart. Each strike and parry met calcted precision, turning the confrontation into a true test of my swordsmanship. The holographic Jan countered with a skill level that demanded quick thinking and precise execution. Choosing to tap into only a fraction of my talent, I unleashed "Absolute Swordsmanship." The atmosphere quivered in response as a radiant aura enveloped me, transforming my de into pure energy a mix or qi and mana. The holographic counterpart, a mere reflection of my true prowess, stood defenseless against the overwhelming force. The sh connected with unparalleled force, shattering the illusion into radiant fragments. Luminous remnants dispersed through the air, leaving a lingering trail of vanishing light. Exhaling, I mused, "Technology has yet to reach the ability to mirror someone''s utmost talent. Impressive, indeed." Unlike my other world, obtaining such training equipment would''ve required saving the whole world. The Aetherium Nexus provided real-time analysis and feedback, dissecting my every move. It wasn''t merely a physical exercise; it was a mental challenge, forcing me to explore new tactics beyond relying on my talent. Exiting the Aetherium Nexus, Bazz awaited me outside. Yo, Jan, wanna grab some food at the academy''s food court? There''s a cafe I want to try out." "sure." Bazz and I strolled through the bustling courtyard of Pinnacle Academy, the echo of our footsteps mingling with the lively chatter of students. The academy''s food court was a popr gathering spot, a ce where students from various sses converged to share meals and stories. The aroma of different cuisines wafted through the air as we approached the food court. The lively atmosphere hinted at the diverse backgrounds of the students at Pinnacle Academy, each bringing their unique experiences and talents to the table. We slipped into a cozy caf¨¦ tucked away from the food court. The smell of freshly brewed coffee was everywhere. A low hum of chatter filled the air ¨C perfect for a quiet catch-up. We found a corner table, and the ce just felt... right. As we settled by the window, I spotted Camilia and Lyra deep in conversation at a nearby table. Bazz gave them a little wave, and they came over to join us. As we chatted about our day, Camilia, with both her hands under her chin, turned her attention to me. "So, Jan, did you dazzle the holographic world with your sword skills today?" I chuckled, "Well, I wouldn''t say dazzle, but I did hold my own. The holographic Jan is no slouch." Camilia smirked, her tone casual, "I''m sure you were amazing as always." Bazz, on the other hand, recounted the training session with a touch of excitement. Camilia''s eyes, however, seemed to shift to a colder demeanour when directed at Bazz. It was a subtle change, but one that hinted at an unspoken tension. While we sipped our drinks, Lyra, with her sweet and childlike voice, chimed in, "Hey, Jan, do you think the dungeon assignment is going to be as exciting as they say?" I smiled at her innocence. "Well, Lyra, dungeons are full of surprises. It''ll be a great opportunity for us to put our skills to the test." Camilia, still yful, leaned in. "Jan, you''re always so calm about everything. Are you sure there''s nothing that gets your heart racing?" Bazz interjected, "Except for maybe a challenging opponent. That''s when Jan reallyes alive." Lyra, wide-eyed, added, "Like a hero from a story!" As our meeting at the cafe came to an end, Lyra, with her childlike voice, suggested, "Hey, why don''t we exchange our student numbers? We can create a group chat for our ss. It''ll be easier to coordinate and share information about the dungeon assignment." Jan, always practical, agreed, "That''s a good idea, Lyra. It''ll help us stay connected and n more effectively." Camilia, still maintaining her casual tone, teased, "Well, Jan, looks like you''ve got a fan club forming already." Bazz, rolling his eyes, added, "Enough with the fan club talk. Let''s just get this group chat set up." Lyra, with an innocent smile, said, "I''ll start. Jan, can I have your number first?" The rest of us followed suit, exchanging numbers and creating a virtual space for our ss to connect. With virtual ties established, we headed back to our dormitories. On my way back, a gentle breeze carried their voices from the distant courtyard bench. The murmur of their conversation echoed quietly through the courtyard. My eyes weren''t deceiving me; it was Louise and Valencia. What could they be talking about around this time anyway? My feet moved slowly around the bushes, and I strained to catch a few words, hoping to decipher the undertones of their exchange. Their words reached me in fragments, snippets of a conversation that hinted at a tension I couldn''t quite grasp. "Why did you call me here today, Louise? You know I''m very busy." Valencia''s voice filled with a hint of impatience. "I just wanted to ask how your day was today," Louise replied with confidence, "Louise, our families may be close but that is no means of a reason to call me out here without a reason. If you were here just for small talk then talk to me in ss." Valencia sounded a bit pissed off but her replies were pretty formal. "Okay, okay, I''ll get straight to the point. do you wanna team up for the dungeon assignment groups? I could rig the assortmentation of the groups if you want." Louise''s tone of voice changed into a business-like manner. "No. I''d rather not take an easy path even if it means being in your group but I''ll kindly decline." Valencia got up from her seat but a stretched-out hand grabbed her by the wrist. I was about to jump out of the bush it was until then. "Let go," Valencia said with a bit of authority in her voice Louise held on for a few seconds but let go a few seconds afterwards. "Right. I''m sorry." Louise seemed to rub his hand on his head in apology but Valencia walked off back into the dorms and Louise left shortly after. *** {Rel''s POV} [8:38 PM] haaaahhhh I''m exhausted to the bone. The gym schedule I''ve been following to a strict routine had an overload increase in reps and sets. I''m at my limit for today, but it seems my points only went up by 1. ___________________________________ > Strength: 17.5 -> 18.5 > Stamina: 25 -> 26 > Speed: 58 -> 59 ___________________________________ Nothing beats the feeling of improvement over the month. I started from being absolute garbage to just garbage, and now I''ve been improving my abilities ever since I got here. Today, I tested out my skills in archery, and the results were much better than I expected for a sharpshooting talent. Not only can this talent handle the way of the bow, but I can use guns as well. Though I don''t see the practical use of a gun in battle, I''d rather stick to a bow for now. Since it''s still the first day of school, there are many more things that need to be done for this story to progress. 1. Jan and Louise must be in the same group for the assignment for them to clear the B ss dungeon. 2. The first infiltrators of Pinnacle will begin to plot on the students with the highest potential shipping them off to corrupted guilds. 3. Jan MUST acquire the sword of hope. /A while ago, I tried to change the ''fate'' of the groups being decided. [The Alteration of the groups has been randomised! A special stat has been unlocked.] [Special Stat: Luck: 0.08% - A stat that defies the naturalws of numbers!] HOLY SHITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT My voice echoed through the hallways of Pinnacle Academy, and shortly after, a teacher followed up with the disturbance I caused. I was told off for causing amotion as other sses went on for longer. Here I am now walking down the corridors of the dorm, and suddenly I was knocked to the floor by a slim yet strong figure I wouldn''t forget who he was no matter if I tried to forget. It was Louise, and he seemed somewhat angry. "Get the fuck out of my way, dipshit," he scoffed at me angrily, but what happened? Following from behind our main character Jan seemed to have stumbled in front of me in surprise, but he extended his hand out, offering to help me up, and I took up on his offer. "Ah, thank you, Jan. I appreciate your kindness," I said in a casual yet kind tone. "It''s no problem, Rel," he smiled as he continued walking down the corridors of the dorm. Wow, he really remembered my name. So this is how his kindness is described¡ªthoughtful and tender. As the night descended upon Pinnacle Academy, Jan and I parted ways in the dormitory corridors. The encounter with Louise was still fresh in my mind; I headed towards my room, ready to call it a day. Themon area was rtively quiet, with only a few students scattered around, engrossed in their own activities. In the solitude of my room, I received a virtual message on my holographic MK 1 smartwatch. It was the group invitation to K-1''s ss? [Student Lyra U t has invited you to K-1''s GC] I wouldn''t have thought in a million years that Lyra would send me an invitation to a ss group chat. But I guess I don''t have a choice either, so I''ll ept it and probably try and increase my PPP to tamper with some other plots for the story. ___________________________________________ **{Axel Saint Rel Laurence STATS:}** Age: 17 Talent: Marksman Of Weaponry [Grade 8] - You are able to use all types of weaponry that can fire. - You have improved precision with bows - You have 12% increase in fire rate Affinity: me, Water >Health: 62 >Strength: 18.5 >Stamina: 26 >Speed: 59 Intelligence: ? [Unlocks after theory exam] Mana: ? [100 BP Required [Special Stats:] Archer: 2/10 Luck: 0.08% ???: ? / ? ???: ? / ? ???: ? / ? [Special Abilities:] Deadeye Grade 10, Sixth Sense 9, Aura Concealment Grade 8 [Abilities:] Piercing Shot Grade 10, Vulnerability Reader Grade 8, Quick Shot Grade 10, [Currencies] QP: 10, PPP: 13, BP: 0 __________________________________________ Authors Notes: - Rel follows a strict schedule, with sunday being his only day of rest to prevent physical setbacks. - Jan can quickly replicate techniques. - Bazz is a fighter who relies on his fists to win battles. Chapter 6: Weapon Selection

Chapter 6: Weapon Selection

Here on what I call the ''Perfect Earth,'' a realm where the bnce between good and evil is delicately preserved. Forged by the very typing of my keyboard, it''s a world where the strength of viins can only be matched by the mightiest of heroes and where a cmity will strike there will be one equivalent to the same force of its own. our main protagonist, Jan Ates secures a second chance at life to stop the impending threat that obliterated his world once before, I find myself entangled in the same struggle, fighting for the preservation of my existence. The danger in this world is scary. Many groups of evil were waiting to attack the world or parts of the world soon like the devil worshippers, Syndicates Organisation, and the Salvation tribe these were right now the things I should be worrying about. Mainly the final threat is still in hibernation, waiting to deliver the final, devastating blow that will tip the dangerous bnce. And even if the timees I know I''ll have to resort to ''that'' method if ites to the worst. Its origins and consequences are shrouded in unknown, ''that'' method remains thest, desperate gambit against all evil. The ''Perfect Earth'' isn''t just a world for heroes and viins; it''s a dynamic, ever-shiftingndscape. A futuristic society where advanced technology shes with ancient mysticism, the very fabric of the world contributing to the bnce that rocks on the edge. A utopian face that hides the constant struggle beneath, where heroes fight against the darkness threatening to engulf everything. [Saturday 5:32 am] BEEP!, BEEP,! BEEP!, AHHHHH This is seriously pushing my limits. Deja vu hits hard with that dream where I''m exining my novel over and over ¡ª Well, that''s how deep the rabbit hole goes... for now. But hey, it''s the weekend, and the more I wonder how things could spiral into chaos, it reminds me of that one wild Friday night, back when life had a touch of unpredictability. Ah, the good old days. Yet, this week has been relentless, keeping me on the edge with non-stop training and the constant change of character was far from the novel writing I initially expected. And as for a good night''s sleep? Seems like a distant memory, slipping away like sand through my fingertips. BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! [K-1 ssroom GC] Guys are we ready for this week''s assignment :3 Lyra it''s 5 in the morning go back to sleep Bazz that''s not a nice thing to say be more polite. Apologies Valencia. Lyra can you pleaseeee. go to sleep. So everyone''s a morning person now huh? Are these people clinically insane? this is the 4th conversation in a row that has happened in the morning. Why did I make them all like this? why? \Here''s a recap of what happened in the past week/ ______ [Tuesday 9:30 am] [Pinnacle''s Selection Weaponry] "Weapon Selection is today. These are your partners for the year, so choose wisely. Sign the sheet by the exit with your choice. Assemble at the Team IDS room immediately after. We''ll be putting those weapons to use." As I scanned the expansive weaponry room, the attention to detail stood out. The four corners were an impressive array of weaponry, from des crafted from rare enchanted metals to the most intricately designed firearms. The materials used in the weapons caught my eye. Firearms seamlessly blended advanced polymers with magical enhancements, creating a harmonious fusion of modern technology and ancient craftsmanship. Interactive holographic simtions dotted the room, allowing students to preview the performance of the weapons. Some even offered augmented reality scenarios, enabling students to virtually wield the weapons inbat situations. The room buzzed with activity as students engaged with these elements, making choices based on their preferences andbat styles. The room was well organized, with dedicated sections for different weapon types. The melee weapon section showcased an impressive collection of swords, axes, and maces. Another area catered to ranged weaponry, disying an assortment of crossbows, magical staves, and intricately designed firearms. This thoughtful arrangement heightened the diversity of choices avable, ensuring students could find the perfect weapon for their skill set. At the centre of the room stood an instructor''s station, elevated for a clear view of the entire arsenal. An experienced instructor, dressed in the academy''s distinguished robes, offered guidance to students, answering questions and providing insights into the nuances of each weapon. The central station served as a focal point for the selection process, enhancing the educational aspect of the weapon-choosing ritual. Magical barriers shimmered around particrly dangerous weapons, preventing students from essing them without proper authorization. Clear signs and guidelines were disyed, emphasizing the importance of responsible handling. These safety measures reassured students and added an element of realism to the potentially perilous room, underscoring the academy''smitment to preparing its students for the challenges thaty ahead. As each member of the main cast approached the designated sections, ready to make their selections. Jan, embodying the essence of a pure swordsman, confidently reached for a standard longsword. The shining de reflected his determination, a timeless choice that spoke to hismitment to mastering the art of swordsmanship. Valencia selected a standard katana. The elegant curve of the de mirrored her precision, a nod to her preference for swift, precise strikes inbat. Louise, exuding strength and ferocity, opted for a polearm axe. The formidable weapon matched his bold personality, signalling his intent to dominate the battlefield with powerful, sweeping strikes. Alice, choosing a sabre, embraced the finesse of a weapon known for its swift and precise strikes. The shining steel seemed to resonate with her agile and strategic approach tobat. Cam, the only mage in her year group, embracing a more mage-like path, decided on a wooden staff. Lyra, excitingly, chose fans who suited someone like her with her lethal wind attribute. Bazz, always seeking to amplify his strength, chose for Brass Gloves. The metallic gloves added both offence and defence to his fighting style, reflecting his straightforward approach tobat. Noah, with his imposing stature, confidently wielded arge longsword reminiscent of those from tales of old. The weapon''s sheer size matched his raw power, promising devastating blows in the hands of the massive figure. Jae, a picture of precision, chose a bow. The elegant weapon symbolized her preference for engaging foes from a distance, showcasing a strategic and calcted approach tobat. Miya, also selected the long katana. The extended de hinted at his penchant for shy yet effective maneuvers, promising a captivating disy in battle. In the sea of students selecting their weapons, I stood out like a sore thumb as I confidently opted for the Crossbow. Confusion and disbelief echoed around me as my unconventional choice drew puzzled nces. "Is this guy crazy?" "A crossbow? Seriously?" "Isn''t a regr bow way better than a crossbow?" "I always knew he was a lunatic." Their scepticism was not unfounded, and I couldn''t me them. The practicality of a bow over a crossbow was evident, but my decision was rooted in a stark reality¡ªIcked the physical strength to effectively wield a bow in prolongedbat situations. You see, drawing and maintaining the tension on a bowstring requires a considerable amount of strength, especially in situations that demand a series of rapid and sustained shots. Unfortunately, my current strength level doesn''t allow me to execute such movements effectively. Hence, the crossbow became the obvious choice, offering apromise between range and the demands of my physical capabilities. While it might not be the traditional or preferred choice, it is a weapon I can handle more effectively in the heat of battle, ensuring I y to my strengths rather than sumb to my weaknesses. But I know in the future I will be able to wield the bow when the timees probably soon. Fwang! [You''ve Stunned the ss in surprising fashion! 25 PPP added.] That was worth the points. On my way out the huge double doors of the weapon, the room had closed shut and in my hand, I clenched onto the Silver material of a crossbow but thanks to the ''Perceptive mind'' I was able to read information of artifacts, objects and even a person''s emotions. [Academy Silver Crossbow: A sturdy bow that''s able to withstand the rigours ofbat, specially crafted for the use of Academy students. This crossbow, adorned with intricate silver engravings, is designed to facilitate precision and ease of use. Ites equipped with a built-in scope for improved uracy. Precision Stat is required to enhance a specific feature.] With the Academy Silver Crossbow in hand, I made my way towards the designated Team IDS room, the halls filled with students, each discussing their weapon choices and the excitement of the uing test. Upon reaching the Team IDS room, Arge sign above the entrance read, "Team IDS: Strategies for the unforsaken." I pushed open the door, revealing a spacious room with electronic disys and interactive tables. With many tforms of Instant Destination Stones across the room, it was clear that this practical session was the practice for the first assignment perhaps. In one corner, Jan was deep in conversation with Bazz, both discussing their weapon choices and likely strategizing for the uing test. Louise stood nearby, examining the edge of his polearm axe with a focused expression. The room buzzed with activity as students formed groups, preparing for the first challenge of the year. In the holographic Team IDS room, Kolek our teacher stepped forward, his stern gaze scanning the assembled students. Arge screen flickered to life, disying a list of names arranged in groups. "Wee, students, to your first practical lesson of the year," Kolek began. "Before we proceed, let me rify that the groupings have been randomized for this exercise. As you can see on the screen, your teammates are chosen based on abination of factors to ensure a diverse and challenging experience." [Team 1: Jan Ates, Cam Diana, Rana [???], Nick [???] ] [Team 2: Louise De Villerion, Miya Takeo, Jae Yoona, Dean [???] ] [Team 3: Valencia Freya, Bazz Wong, Noah Davies, Alice Elizabeth] [Team 4: Lyra t, Rel Laurence, Pedro [???], Danny [???] ] Ah, you''ve got to be kidding me. I''m stuck with the rich girl and the one with the worst personality of all. She''ll probably just toss me aside as she did with her guild colleagues. If I were to make a list of people not to piss off, number one would definitely be Lyra. She was clearly one of those characters who had that super soft side on the outside and then she''d murder you without hesitation if she found out that her act would be exposed. With this selection, it couldn''t get any worse, but I guess being apanied by other background characters as well would help heaps. Maybe I could get on her good side. The randomness of the selection was evident as the students exchanged nces. Some were excited about the unexpected partnerships, while others faced the challenge of adapting to new teammates. Louise didn''t seem to mind, and the others appeared indifferent, but Team 3 was stacked, especially since they''d probably clear their monster within 20 minutes. The other eight teams would likely have trouble keeping up, as the main characters are always destined to shine. "If everyone is done looking at the screen, I''ll continue. Your goal is to work together, strategize effectively, and repel the monster in a specified area. Choose your positions wisely, and remember, teamwork is key," Kolek emphasized, gesturing towards the detailed scenario unfolding on the holographic disys. "Now the number on the tform corresponds to the number of your team. I''m sure you know what that means. Everyone now moves off into teams, and if your timer exceeds the time limit, the gear you''re wearing will transport your squad out of the designated location and back into the room." Taking all the information into ount, I went up to the tform, awaiting my teammates. One by one, they all arrived as I greeted them. Pedro squinted at me, a frown creasing his brow. "Wait, you''re... uh, Rel? Right?" "That''s me." I managed a smile, despite the awkward start. Danny gave me a friendly nod. "Sup, pleased to meet you." Lyra, spoke in her sweet tone. "Hi there!" Her voice held a bright, weing warmth that helped ease some of the tension. With a polite nod, I acknowledged my peculiar assembly of teammates, each with their own distinct personalities. Pedro seemed a bit befuddled, struggling to recall my name, while Danny exuded a casual vibe. Lyra, on the other hand, radiated an innocent charm with her sweet and friendly demeanor. As our small group assembled on the designated tform, I couldn''t help but feel a mix of uncertainty and curiosity. We were an eclectic bunch¡ªPedro, seemingly still puzzled, Danny with hisid-back attitude, and Lyra, a potentially unpredictable force beneath her gentle exterior. It was a concoction that intrigued me. Our attention shifted to the holographic disy, where Kolek continued his instructions, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and strategic nning. The challenge was clear: kill the monster in the specified area within the given time limit. I observed Lyra''s enthusiasm, her eyes shining with a determination that hinted at a depth beneath her innocent exterior. As the countdown to the practical began I checked if everything was all good and we were transported to another ce on earth. SHWANG! The IDS Beamed, and in an instant, the surroundings transformed. We found ourselves standing in a vast, grassy biome with rolling hills and scattered trees. The air was charged with an unfamiliar energy, and the distant buzz of the monster signalled the imminent danger we were about to face. The timer on our watches started ticking down, adding a sense of urgency to our mission. Lyra, true to her enthusiastic nature, took the lead without hesitation. With a nce at the team, she outlined a quick n, emphasizing the need for coordination andmunication. As the grassy expanse unfolded before us, our group set off in pursuit of the elusive monster. However, despite Lyra''s proactive leadership, I soon found myselfgging behind. The crossbow in my hands felt slightly unwieldy as I struggled to maintain pace with the others. The uneven terrain and the unfamiliar weapon made it challenging for me to keep up, and I could sense the subtle frustration building within the team. Lyra nced back, her eyes widening in concern. "Rel, are you okay? We need to stick together!" I nodded, trying to conceal my struggle. "Yeah, just getting used to the crossbow. Go ahead, I''ll catch up." With determined expressions, the rest of the team pressed forward, leaving me to navigate the grassy expanse at my own pace. The distant buzz of the monster served as a constant reminder of the ticking clock, urging me to ovee the hurdles and rejoin my teammates before it was toote. ________
  • Im not really bothered puttingst names for these characters aka background characters.
    •  Chapter 7: Monster Hunter

    Chapter 7: Monster Hunter

    Argh, this is unbelievable. Why did I end up with the dead weight on our team? I could''ve had Valencia, Jan, or even Louise, but it seems fate has a twisted sense of humor. Perhaps this is the first test of perseverance that I need to conquer, a challenge to prove myself, especially to my parents who questioned my decision to attend this academy. Dealing with dead weight usually involves removing it, but in this case, we can''t just leave him behind. ncing back, I notice that Rel is already falling behind. Despite rumours of his non-stop workouts, the reality is different ¨C he''s struggling to keep up. It''s surprising, considering he wasst in all the fitness test examinations. I had hoped for improvement, but it seems my expectations were misced. "Rel, are you okay? We need to stick together!" He nods and replies, "Yeah, just getting used to the crossbow. Go ahead, I''ll catch up." Well, that was unexpectedly easy. Perhaps he''s aware of his limitations. It''s no surprise, though; he holds one of the lowest ranks in our year. "Let''s advance forward then." With my other two teammates in tow, we leave Rel behind as we approach the looming forest. The distant sounds of the monster''s presence be more pronounced. BZZT!, BZZZZZZ! "Remember, stay on your feet. We don''t know what this monster can do." I offer this caution as we move forward, assessing our surroundings. At the center of the forest, our targetes into view. BEEP!, BEEP! [ you have located the monster! Hornsby: Grade: C+ ] [Time Remaining 36 Minutes 21 Seconds] The watch signals that thisrge creature, Hornsby, is our opponent today. It''s the first time I''ve faced a monster without my usual guild members, so I''m curious to see what my current teammates can bring to the table. The towering monster, equipped with drills for hands and a stinger on its back, poses a significant challenge. We''ll need to strategize carefully to keep it grounded since it can fly. I pulled out my weapon, the Academy Fans, Dealing with this monster should be easier with the advantage of using my wind attribute. Now, with my team and our diverse set of skills, we stood ready to face Hornsby, the looming C+ grade monster in the heart of the biome. "Alright, team," I dered, taking the lead, "we''ve got Hornsby, a Grade C+ monster, to deal with. Pedro, Danny, make sure you''re prepared. Pedro, what weapon did you choose?" Pedro, a bit hesitant, showed me his choice, a sturdy iron staff. "It''s the best I could handle," he admitted. "That''s fine. Danny, what about you?" "I went for dual short swords," he said confidently. "Good choices," I nodded. "Now, here''s the n. Hornsbee is airborne, so we need to ground it. Pedro, use your staff to create obstacles and divert its attention. Danny, aim for its wings with your short swords. Since Rel isn''t here yet, we''ll have to adapt. I''ll take the lead and use my fans to deal damage. Keep an eye on the time; we have to finish this ASAP." The monstrous silhouette of Hornsby came into view, its wings buzzing ominously as it prepared to take flight. I took a deep breath, my fans at the ready, and the n set in motion. "Pedro, Danny, on my mark," Lyramanded. The forest echoed with the ominous buzzing of Hornsby as we advanced. Pedro created barriers with his staff, effectively disrupting the monster''s flight path. Danny, dual short swords in hand, skillfully aimed for Hornsbee''s wings, causing it to momentarily falter in the air. The initial moments gave us hope, a sense that we could control the situation. I unleashed the power of my wind attribute fans, creating sharp currents to damage the Hornsby. We seemed to be in control, dodging its attacks and slowly pushing it towards the ground. The monster, initially agile, struggled against our coordinated assault. "Great job, team! Keep it up!" I encouraged, my voice cutting through the disarray of the battle. Pedro and Danny nodded, their determination matching mine. However, as the minutes ticked away, the toll on our stamina became apparent. Hornsby, resilient and enraged, retaliated with intensified attacks. Its drills whirred dangerously, and the stinger on its back posed a constant threat. Pedro and Danny started showing signs of fatigue. The initial momentum we had begun to wane, reced by the harsh reality of the prolonged battle. "We need to finish this, now!" I urged, charging at the monster to its limits. But the monster, fueled by instinct, fought back fiercely. Our coordinated movements became disjointed as exhaustion set in. BZZT, BZZZZZZ! The timer on our watches continued its relentless countdown. With every passing second, the battle became more desperate. The situation now seemed precarious as Hornsby''s strength appeared to surge. Despite our efforts, Hornsbee managed to break free from our attempts to ground it. It soared higher, gaining an advantage in the fight. The tides had turned, and the realization of our impending defeat loomed over us. "We can''t let up! Stay focused!" I shouted, trying to rally the team. But the strain on our stamina and the relentless assault from Hornsby proved too much. The initial hope had transformed into a bitter struggle for survival. The intense battle with Hornsbee continued, and the initial sense of control slipped away. The dynamics of the fight had shifted, and exhaustion crept into our every move. In the chaos, Hornsby managed to corner me, its menacing drills whirring dangerously. Attempting to evade, I twisted my ankle on uneven ground. Stifling a cry of pain, I stumbled, realizing the dire situation I was in. Hornsbee, seizing the opportunity, lunged forward, its stinger poised for a fatal strike. I closed my eyes hoping I''d get teleported back to the IDS room... But it never came. "Are you alright?" Rel''s voice cut through the chaotic sounds of battle, his concern evident in his eyes. I had realised that he saved me from the Hornsby''s attack and I could feel the weight of his arms holding me. "Yes," I affirmed as he gently ced me back on the ground. "Can you still fight?" Axel asked. "Of course." "Then keep fighting the Hornsbee; I''ll cover you." Rel''s words seemed to have brought me a little relief. *** Haah, haah, haah... I''m puffed... I can''t run anymore I just need a few more minutes and I''ll be good. I looked at the timer on the watch as I kept moving towards the centre of the forest [29 Minutes 34 Seconds] Ding!, Ding!, Ding! [Quest: First Impressions, Save Lyra from trouble and beat the monster: Hornsby Grade: C+, Reward: Precision Stat, 5+ Stamina, 2+ Strength,] Damn, I had hoped to sit this one out, but it looks like the monster isn''t a walk in the park. With a C+ grade, and considering Lyra''s strength is on par with C-grade monsters, I''ll need to help them. As I went deeper into the dense vegetation, the chaotic sounds of the battle grew louder. Suddenly, through the thick foliage, I had seen Lyra, backed against a tree, and the Hornsby charging at full force. Without hesitation, I ran as fast as I could, closing the distance in an instant. Luckily for me, I was faster just by a millisecond and as I carried her into my arms I had let her down softly. "Are you alright?" I asked in concern about her ankle "Yes," she replied immediately "Can you still fight?" "Of course." "Then keep fighting the Hornsby; I''ll cover you," I said knowing that my match-up with the Hornsby was well anticipated. As the Hornsbee shifted its attention from the other teammates to us, I seized the opportunity. With agility honed through relentless training, I darted towards the monster, my crossbow poised for a precision strike. With impable timing, I unleashed a barrage of bolts at the Hornsbee. The projectiles whizzed through the air, finding their mark with a satisfying thud as they embedded themselves into the monster''s tough exoskeleton. A triumphant surge of points shed across my vision. Meanwhile, Lyra seized the moment, her eyes reflecting a fierce determination. Ignoring the pain in her ankle, she lunged forward, wielding her Academy Fans with a speed that belied her delicate appearance. Each strikended with precision, a dance of des and wind that left the Hornsbee reeling. The Hornsbee, now injured and disoriented, attempted to retaliate, its monstrous drills whirring dangerously. In a strategic move, I positioned myself between the Hornsbee and the rest of the team, absorbing the brunt of the monster''s assault with my crossbow. With teamwork and strategy, our coordinated assault continued. Pedro and Danny, sensing an opening, attacked from the sides, distracting the Hornsby and creating opportunities for Lyra to unleash more devastating blows. Yet, as the battle unfolded, it became evident that the Hornsby was more formidable than anticipated. Its stingershed out unpredictably, forcing us to adapt and dodge. The initial optimism began to wane, reced by a growing sense of urgency as the monster revealed new, dangerous tactics. Despite our efforts, the Hornsby''s relentless assault took its toll. Lyra''s agile movements became strained, and Pedro and Danny faced increasing difficulty avoiding the monster''s attacks. The battle wasn''t in our favour from the beginning. "shit," I muttered to myself. As the situation grew more dire, I knew we needed to rethink our strategy and find a way to turn the tide. The Hornsby, pushed to its limits, unleashed a surprise counterattack. As it retreated, the back of its monstrous drill split open, releasing a swarm of miniature bees. The tiny, aggressive creatures darted toward us, a relentless wave of stingers poised for attack. In that desperate moment, the swarm closing in felt like a manifestation of my failure, a consequence of my misjudgment. The weight of responsibility pressed down on me, and I knew I had to act swiftly to save my team from the impending threat I had unwittingly unleashed. A surge of self-me and urgency echoed within me. "This is my fault," I thought, my mind racing for a solution. The swarm, a product of my miscalction, was inching closer, and I needed to find a way to protect us. In that intense moment, an unfamiliar force responded to my desperation. The system''s voice, normally distant, resonated in my eyes, [Dire moments require strong wills! You''ve met the requirement for a hidden ability unlocked deep within the soul! Clockwork of Time. The ability to see the perception of time much more slowly!] As if a veil had been lifted, time-warped around me, granting me a surreal rity. The impending swarm slowed to a crawl, and with a profound sense of responsibility, I realized I could navigate this imminent threat. "I can''t let them down," I muttered to myself. "I need to save them." The Clockwork of Time activated, plunging me into a surreal dance with impending doom. Time itself became anguid stream, and with a crossbow in hand, I embraced the urgency of the slowed moment. Bolts flew from my weapon, a frantic symphony against the suspended chaos. Swarm after swarm, the countdown ticking mercilessly in my mind, I had mere seconds to navigate this temporal puzzle. Five, four, three¡ªeach heartbeat amplified the urgency. With relentless focus, I aimed and shot, the arrows finding their targets with a hair''s breadth of time to spare. I danced from one swarm to the other, a desperate race against the impending danger. The crossbow became an extension of my will, a lifeline to snatch my team from the jaws of peril. Each shot carried the weight of a split second, and with a near-bottomless supply of arrows, I fought against time itself to shield Lyra, Danny, and Pedro. As the final swarm dispersed, the chaotic dance slowed, and time resumed its normal pace. The team, spared from the encroaching threat, looked at me with a mix of disbelief and shock. The revtion of the Clockwork of Time left my eyes feeling as if I were going blind, an unsettling side effect. Wasting no time, I rushed towards the injured Hornsby. In a mere two seconds, I soared into the air, positioning myself in front of the Hornsby with my bow aimed at its head. "See ya, you fucker." A surge of power manifested within my body, an unstoppable force desiring to be released. With a decisive pull of the bowstring, a st of fire erupted from the arrow, creating a dazzling explosion of light. [Critical Hit!] [Luck has manifested within the arrow; me Attribute has activated!] [Hornsby has been defeated!] [Time Completion: 24 minutes 32 Seconds] [Quest Completeled! Rewards: Precision Stat, 5+ Stamina, 2+ Strength, 50 Quest points have been added.] Huh, not bad hey? A flood of notifications was stacked in front of me but suddenly I could feel my body giving up and my world turned ck. _________ Author Notes: - When I was brainstorming monster names, the name Hornsby came to mind. Interestingly, I got inspired to use this name from a suburb in Sydney while I was drafting names for a flying monster. ???? ¡¥???¡¥?? )? - Rel''s speed stat is multiplied by 0.25 when jogging and 0.50 when running. Chapter 8: Results

    Chapter 8: Results

    Am I seeing things right? In a blink, a vast swarm of bees appeared before my eyes. Counting them seemed an impossible feat¡ªit was in the thousands. The sheer magnitude of it all was unbelievable. In a matter of moments, they vanished. But who could''ve dispatched such a multitude of bees within a mere half-second? It couldn''t be him. Someone at the bottom of the academy''s hierarchy couldn''t pull off something like this. It just wasn''t usible. I strained my eyes, desperately trying to make sense of the situation, but darkness enveloped my vision. As the haze lifted, I turned to witness Rel already positioned in front of the Hornsby, his voice slicing through the air. "See ya, you fucker..." An explosion rocked the forest, sending shockwaves through the air. The Hornsby disintegrated in the aftermath, obliterated by the force of the st. ncing at my teammates, I noticed they were sprawled out, exhausted. However, they managed to rise, shaking off the weariness that momentarily overtook them. Beep! Beep! [Congrattions! You''ve subjugated the Hornsby hybrid archetype! you will be transported shortly...] "Wow, that was close. Thanks to Lyra, we were all saved," Danny chimed in. Wait, did Danny not realize what he had just aplished? Didn''t he catch even a glimpse of what he just did? "Thanks, Lyra. You saved us back there. Looks like Rel has been knocked out cold; we should make sure he gets treated afterwards," Pedro added. Hold on a second. What are they talking about? Rel was the hero here. Sure, his stamina seemed to take a hit, but it should be him getting all the praise. Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted. "Sorry, what are you tal¡ª" Before I could finish my sentence, beams of light distorted around us, and suddenly, we were back in the IDS Team room. "Congrats on subjugating the monster, Team 4! There areplementary healing items if you''ve sustained any damage. Also, help your teammate up," Kolek pointed to Rel knocked out cold. As we helped Rel up, who was unconscious, Kolek looked at him, pulling out his watch. "Can we get a medical officer here to transport an unconscious student?" A faint "Roger" was heard, and shortly after, the medical officers took Rel away to the medical facility. ncing at the holographic board, the results of our time run were disyed. [Team times and contribution rankings] 1st ce [Team 3 time: 13 minutes 40 seconds] [Contribution] Valencia Freya: 35% Noah Davies: 30% Alice Elizabeth: 25% Bazz Wong: 10% 2nd ce [Team 2 time: 13 minutes 49 seconds] [Contribution] Louise De Villerion 45% Jae Yoona: 28% Miya Takeo: 25% Dean: 2% 3rd ce [Team 1 time: 13 Minutes 56 seconds] [Contribution] Jan Ates 65% Cam Diana: 25% Rana: 5% Nick: 5% 4th ce [Team 4 time: 24 minutes 32 seconds] [Contribution] Lyra t: 70% Danny: 15% Pedro: 13% Rel: 2% What the... isn''t the contribution rate wrong? It must have been an error. But the time wasn''t bad either; the top 4 out of 14 groups is good." As the holographic disys showcased our team''s ranking, I couldn''t shake off the sense of being misunderstood. The victory felt bittersweet with the misattributed credit. Was Rel''s true strength overlooked? I couldn''t dismiss the nagging doubt, but the time constraints prevented me from dwelling on it for long. "Wow, Lyra, I knew you had it in you. It seems you were the anchor of the team, as expected of the sessor for the Guild of Visionaries Syndicate." Valencia''s praise did little to ease the lingering uncertainty. "Your team cleared the monster with ease, Val. It''s unbelievable; you guys were so quick." "Well, if it wasn''t for Brazz knuckles, we would''ve been 6 minutes quicker if he had just followed my instructions." Valencia probably was right; she had a strong sense of intuition that wouldn''t ever wrong her in any type of situation. "What monster did you guys go up against?" Cami had arrived to chime into our conversation. She looked like the monster didn''t even graze her. "My team went up against a ho and bee hybrid. He was so tough!" I said, talking in my normal voice. "We went up against a 4-headed Red Ogre; He immediately got wiped since everyone wanted to be the first to kill him, I wasted no time. Like grahhhh. And chomp chomp, we destroyed him because I destroyed all 4 of his heads." Valencia exined it like a child when says things like this, but she''s not stupid either. But it was usible enough. "Ah, our group fought this magician goblin witch that tried to zap us into mini versions of our own. But I was supporting Jan with all my amplification buffs, and we made quick use since the other two of our teammates got caught in the spell and after the fight, I reverted them back luckily." Yeah, well, I guess being the only mage in our grade came with benefits like that. I wonder if he''s okay. *** Argh, my eyes throbbed with difort. Did I forget to wear my sses again? The room enveloped me in pitch darkness. I gradually realized I hadn''t even opened my eyes yet, and when I finally did, a bright light weed me. "Oh, you''re awake, Rel." Beside me stood a nurse in a crisp white uniform, diligently observing my condition. I recognized this as the medical facility in the academy. "How long was I out for?" I asked, squinting through the soreness in my eyes. The nurse appeared almost a blur without my sses. "For about 13 minutes and 22 seconds. We ced you in the Hyperstasis chamber, which healed all your status problems but not the gic issues you have." Ah, I remembered incorporating a healing chamber into this novel. Originally considering it overpowered, I limited its functionality to a status heal rather than a full healing chamber. "Oh, thank you so much." Initially expecting a prolonged recovery, I was surprised by the efficiency of the academy''s medical facilities. "During one of our diagnostic tests, we detected a sudden vision impairment. Our facility has provided you with prescribed sses for your eyesight. Wearing these will slowly heal your problems, but it won''tpletely clear the vision impairment." She handed me the sses, and I utilized my ability, Perceptive Mind, to read the sses prescription. [sses of healing, Enchanted effect: Vision regeneration: III, This Spec can heal visual impairment slightly] With no reason to doubt her, I took the silver lining specs and felt small strains on my eyes heal. The regenerative effects were effective, though the long-distance blur persisted. "Okay, so I''m good to go back to ss then?" "Yes, you can. Take care now." Politely nodding, I left the medical facility, As I made my way back to ss, the sses of healing perched on my nose, I couldn''t tell what I looked like but I had forgotten the use of my sses back in my dorm since my eyesight had improved but now everything was back to the way it was. Entering the ssroom, my ssmates greeted me with res and stares. I took my seat, adjusting my sses, and as Kolek continued the lecture, I went back to just lounging around not paying attention to the theory lesson and he got on to the topic. "Alright, guys the marks on the practical here will count towards your main grade for this first semester." 4th ce [Team 4 time: 24 minutes 32 seconds] [Contribution] Lyra t: 70% Danny: 15% Pedro: 13% Rel: 2% The holographic disy projected our team rankings. what... 2%? never mind that I should just kill myself at this point. how did I get 2% is that even possible? 2%. me?, 2?, hahahaha. I think I need a break I could''ve sworn I killed the Hornsby and its underlings or am I some delusional girl from the club? "We will also have a theory exam on week 8 so prepare your studies well, Go over the notes on the sybus and memorise each little detail." Ipletely ignored what Kolek had said, haah I sighed feeling frustrated but what''s the point of dwelling on a result that cannot be changed? it''s probably best to just ept this result as my failure. The bell''s echoes reverberated through the ssroom, and I found myself lost in my thoughts as the others shuffled out, their lively conversations blending into the background. The events of the day remained, and I couldn''t shake off the questions that had been silently trailing me. As I stared out the window, the door creaked open. I expected it to be a teacher, but to my surprise, Lyra entered, her determined gaze fixated on me. It wasn''t a look of judgment but curiosity, and I couldn''t help but wonder what prompted her to seek me out. "Rel," she called, breaking the silence that had settled around me. I turned to face her, offering nothing but my poker face. "Yes?" She closed the distance between us, and her next words caught me off guard. "Rel, back when we faced the Hornsby, how did you manage to defeat it so effortlessly? You destroyed all swarms within 5 seconds. It doesn''t match up with what everyone thinks about you." The weight of her question hung in the air, and I hesitated for a moment before responding. Is she just oblivious or stupid? "I... well, it''splicated," I began, choosing my words carefully. "I don''t really know what you''re talking about? maybe you were just seeing things." Lyra''s expression contorted not believing a single word I had said. She wasn''t here to use me; she genuinely wanted to understand but that wasn''t something I was willing to tell her. "I''m not going to pry in terms of what kind of strength you hold but it seems that I''ve doubted you," she said nonchntly. I sighed, thinking about her unique characteristics. "Good let''s keep it that way then," I said with a calm look on my face. She took my words at face value, her eyes reflecting understanding rather than judgment. It was a rare moment of connection, and I appreciated the sincerity of her consideration. "And... Thank you for doing that for us." She couldn''t turn to face me but I could her thanks were genuine, and for the first time, I had never thought someone like her would say that. I stayed silent not replying to her and she left the room afterwards. [Lyra is now interested in what your strength offers! 35 PPP has been added.] Well, that went better than I had expected, Now it''s time to leave to go chill back in the dorms and see what kind of abilities I''ve got. As I entered the quiet halls of the dormitory, my mind raced with thoughts of the uing days. The academy had proven to be more unpredictable than I initially thought. The incident with the Hornsby was just a taste of what was toe had I been a bit more careless then something bad would''ve happened. Entering my room, I found it surprisingly empty. Just my bed, desk and bathroom huh? I took a moment to appreciate the solitude, allowing the day''s events to sink in. My attention turned to the notifications blinking in the corner of my vision. Performance yer Points (PPP) had increased, courtesy of Lyra''s interest in my abilities It was a curious system, this PPP. It seemed to gauge not onlybat prowess but also the impact one had on their peers. With a casual gesture, I summoned the holographic interface, revealing my current stats: ___________________________________________ **{Axel Saint Rel Laurence STATS:}** Age: 17 Talent: Marksman Of Weaponry [Grade 8] [...] Affinity: me, Water >Health: 62 >Strength: 20.5 >Stamina: 31 >Speed: 59 Intelligence:? [Unlocks after theory exam] Mana:? [100 BP Required] [Special Stats:] Archer: 2/10 Luck: 0.08% Precision: 45% - your shots are more likely to hit opponents in critical areas, If shots end up missing your current percentage will be cut in half to re-direct to attempt another hit. ???: ? / ? ???: ? / ? [Special Abilities:] Deadeye Grade 9, Sixth Sense 9, Aura Concealment Grade 8, Clockwork of Time Grade 3, [Abilities:][...][Currencies] QP: 60, PPP: 48, BP: 0 ___________________________________________ It wasn''t the highest, but considering the recent events, it seemed like the numbers were on the rise. But I was nowhere near the top-tier level characters. Jan probably had triple my stats with his additional 30% luck; this man is insane. To put it into perspective, if my strength stat was 20.5, Jan would probably have 15 times what I have. But considering his position as the main MC, he had to hold back the majority of his strength since all he wished for was to live a peaceful, normal teenage life. I could estimate that Louise was a bit weaker than Jan at the start of the story, but he would get stronger eventually. What made Louise special was that he had the highest resilient stat out of everyone else. He kind of reflected me from when I was high and arrogant, so I can understand a lot of where hees from, apart from the high-ranking family being of nobility; that''s something I cannot rte to, lol. And Valencia''s strength can be estimated as where Jan should be right now, but all I can think of is how she''s Jan''s perfect equal, where she is the main hero of the world, Jan is the main character of this novel, and Louise is the main rival. Originally, Valencia would end up being the world''s strongest at the end, but many questions and problems arose inside my head. Who''s going to kill her father if she''s a first-year now? It was nearly impossible for me to reach the lengths of killing a Prime All-time hero like Gerrard. Her father was a good person who eventually turns to the devil worshippers'' side as they promised to bring back his dead wife, which he didn''t believe at the very start, but it was then until Talbis showed a glimpse of his true deceptive imagery to deceive Gerrard, as those who looked at his illusions saw it as the reality. But the one who killed Gerrard, the one who had lost all his sanity and moralpass, would''ve been the 3rd year Valencia. She was made to be strong-willed and learn to have conviction, but now having her as a first year is the part that would hurt me more. There''s no way I''d be close to her from the start, so what''s the point? Should I just get stronger and go for max stat padding to kill him? Because if no one can kill that overpowered geezer, the devil''s future army would only grow stronger. Haah, my brain feels like throwing up. I should just rest and trainter, but I did gain heaps of stats today, though. Sitting on the edge of my bed, contemting many events, a sudden wave of exhaustion washed over me. The adrenaline from the battle had faded, leaving me feeling drained both physically and mentally. Deciding to lie down for a moment, I closed my eyes, letting the quiet ambience of the dorm room envelop me. So, this is rxation? I haven''t felt this in a while. Should I just leave this academy now? No, no, I can''t because if I do, I''d be as good as dead. Even if I leave and remain getting stronger from now, there are many things that could possibly happen: 1. The Tool Assistant modification to the story has put more danger aimed at the main characters. I recall the tool changing apart the main plots of the storyline. 2. Even if I encounter one of the main viins, there''s no guarantee that I''ll walk out alive since I''d need special attributes to kill them. 3. I know everything about this novel... well, almost everything. There are also events I can change if something were to happen, but I can''t interfere with the more important events, also known as canon events, things that were meant to happen. Haah, shit, this is really bad for my health. Maybe I should just go for a walk outside. *** [Pinnacle Training Facility (North Side)] {Louise POV} Calmness, the cornerstone of sess. To sacrificeposure is to sacrifice sess. Obsession, the potent force of inner desire, defines my very essence. I cracked open my eyes, only to be greeted by the holographic version of the guy I despise the most. Calling him a rival would be too generous; he''s more like a straight-up enemy. The hologram looked so much like him, it was tempting to imagine tearing him apart, piece by piece. But I had to keep those urges in check, and aim for ''understanding''. RAH [!!!] The sh echoed through the holographic training room, each swing of my polearm axe apanied by sounds of shes, swishes, and impacts that filled the virtual arena. I aimed precisely for the holographic representation of Jan, my despised enemy. Each strike pushed him back, but he kepting back stronger. "Come on, Jan! Show me what you''ve got!" I called out, my voice filled with a mix of challenge and eagerness. The holographic Jan moved with an uncanny resemnce to the real one, dodging, parrying, and countering with fluidity. It was like fighting a ghost, but I wasn''t one to back down. I pressed on, each swing carrying the weight of my desire to surpass my virtual opponent. In the midst of the sh, my mind was focused. I analyzed Jan''s movements, looking for patterns, and adapted my own tactics. The holographic Jan, programmed to mimic the real Jan''sbat style, responded with a diverse set of attacks, keeping me on my toes. As the battle unfolded, the room simted the tension of a real fight, each move calcted and executed with precision. My determination radiated as I pushed myself to match the holographic Jan blow for blow. The onomatopoeic sounds of shes and impacts intensified with each strike. My attacks became more strategic, aiming not just to hit but to disrupt Jan''s rhythm. I aimed for openings, testing the limits of the holographic opponent. The simted Jan, however, proved to be a challenging adversary, countering with a mix of speed and technique. The holographic Jan lunged forward, and I skillfully sidestepped, retaliating with a swift counterattack. The polearm axe sliced through the air, leaving a trail of virtual afterimages. It was a dance of des, a test of skill and reflexes. "Holograms or not, you won''t hold me back, Jan!" I dered, my determination unwavering. The battle raged on, each sh bringing me closer to understanding and mastering the intricacies of Jan''s fighting style. The holographic Jan, though just a projection, mirrored the real Jan''s prowess, pushing me to my limits. As the virtual dust settled, I stood there, catching my breath. The holographic Jan vanished, leaving the training room silent once more. My face reflected a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction. The training session had been intense, a step toward unlocking my true potential. "Hmph, if that''s all he has in his arsenal, then he''s in big trouble when he goes against me in the future academy tournaments." As I exited the training facility, I met eye-to-eye with Valencia. "So you''re still obsessed with your little crush?" She smirked, hinting that she heard everything I was saying. "Shut up, like you''re the one to talk. I was just trying to get the full immersion of my training." I couldn''t look at her eye to eye because, God knows, the sheer pure beauty she has. "Ohhhh, I get it, I get it! So you''ve been wanting to ask him out for ages." She stroked her chin as if she were some mind-reading genius. "Are you stupid?" My face contorted in difort hearing such vile words. "I''m joking, Louise, rxxx," she said, holding her hands up and looking in the other direction. "What are you doing here anyway?" "Ah, well, I was looking for Lyra, so I thought she would be around here, but I guess not." "Why don''t you just text her then?" "It''s no fun when the seeker knows where everyone hides." "As you can see, I''m not Lyra." "It appears so..." She paused for a moment to look at the notification she got from her watch, "Well, looks like I''ve overextended my stay! Goodbye." "Wai-" But before I could say anything, she disappeared without a trace. Damn... haah, there''s no point in cursing at her. Ipletely forgot to ask her if she was going to enter thepulsory event. Well, I can always save it for conversation tomorrow. *** [Visonary Guild''s film room] {Lyra POV} There was no way he pulled all of that off... Could he be an SS agent? That could be possible showing that his strength was off the charts but how could a mere teenager make out to be one in the first ce? in that fight, If he had been a secondte we would''ve been sent back to the IDS Station. How could someone with this much power go under the radar of this academy? He had to be hiding something, His speed and agility were off the charts and for his precision, he was a surefire talent for the sharpshooting role for guilds. He could be used at our guild as well hmmm. I''d need to dig for background information on him but It would be easier for me to ask him myself I need to fully confirm what he''s capable of as I will be the sole sessor to our guild''s future he could also be a future piece. With footage I''ve retrieved back from the Academy I couldn''t help but wonder how he pulled 10 to 20 thousand shots off with a single trigger, he''s an interesting one. _____ Achoo! wuh is someone talking about me? _____ Ding! Lyraa you want to study with me and Cam tmrw >:3 Sure!! You wanna meet in the cafe before we head off to the library :D? YEESESESES I want to try a new drink there. okayyy I''ll see you two tmrww! Valencia''s in a good mood I wonder what happened today maybe it was because she ced first over everyone in the ss... *** [Wednesday 9:10 am] {Rel POV} Ugh, these sses are a real drag. What was I even thinking when I wrote the first arc? No wonder readers said the sses were hot garbage. "Alright, everyone, brace yourselves for today''s thrilling theory lesson and quiz. We''ll be diving deep into the captivating world of defensive strategies," Kolek announced, As Kolek delved into the intricacies of defensive-based theory, I halfheartedly tried to engage with the material. It had a glimmer of interest, but my attention wavered. The real challenge came from Lyra, a persistent member of the Guild of Visionaries Syndicate, who kept shooting res my way. Lyra''s stares felt like unspoken questions, probing for something I wasn''t willing to reveal. I kept my focus on Kolek, trying to absorb the defensive strategies he wasying out. The air in the ssroom crackled with underlying tension, a silent dialogue between Lyra and me she just wouldn''t stop pestering me. She nced at her watch, then at me, and back down again. Ding! What abilities did you use to pull off that incredible power yesterday :D? not telling... Eh? I could hear a small surprised voice, undoubtedly Lyra''s. As she looked back at me, she pouted, and I returned my attention to Kolek''s lesson. Shortly afterwards, he handed out a test. "Alright, this is the quiz for today''s test. Ensure you attempt every question, as I hate people who leave nk answers. Once you''re finished, you''re all good to leave," Kolek announced as papers fluttered onto each desk. Observing the expressions on our characters'' faces, they seemed ready to throw in the towel. I nced at the paper, slightly puzzled by itsplexity. Then, an idea struck me¡ªI could use the system to secure perfect marks for this quiz. Heh. Though nobody could see it, a smirk crept across my face as the system assisted me in concocting the answers. I breezed through the 25 multiple-choice questions and 5 short answers in 10 minutes, handed the paper to Kolek and exited the room. Everyone stared at me for a solid second, perhaps assuming I''d given up. Kolek, after ncing at the paper, looked up at me. "You''re good to go, Rel." I knew the system window was invisible to others, and each time I asked the system in my head, it provided the answers without requiring any points. It seemed this was a privilege exclusive to me. Chapter 9: Club Enrollment

    Chapter 9: Club Enrollment

    [Lyra is frustrated with your responses earlier, 10 PPP has been rewarded.] [The ss has noticed your abnormality during lessons... 32 PPP has been rewarded.] Hehehe... suckers. I couldn''t wipe the smirk off my face as I strolled down the hall; nothing could dampen my mood today. As I headed out towards the academy cafeteria there was still quite an amount of people there but my ss hadn''t even left yet. But I''m curious what can I also do to get the most out of these point features? if PPP influences the change in how the story originally goes can I also use that to gain more power in the middle of canon events and such. But with QP I can modify the rewards of a quest but the scaling of the quest would grow more difficult so I would need to find a loophole to change some rewards that I get especially since the characters would need their main weapons. It would be best if they get them early. Stepping into the main academy cafeteria for the first time, I was overwhelmed by the array of cuisines on offer. I had envisioned an opulent setting for the cafeteria,plete with menus boasting rich-kid fare, Starbucks, boba shops, and more. As I scanned the area, my gaze settled on "Allen''s Cafe," the establishment where all the main characters tended to convene. In the novel, it was portrayed as a special sanctuary that eased the mind of anyone who crossed its threshold. Although it provided temporary relief from worries and stress, the looming spectre of reality would inevitably return. However, that wasn''t my primary objective today¡ªI simply wanted to experience it for myself. _______________________ Espresso Creations: Espresso Americano Mhiato Cortado Today''s coffee Specials! Caramel Mhiato Vani Latte Hazelnut Mocha Honey Lavender Latte Iced Beverages: Iced Coffee Cold Brew Iced Matcha Latte Raspberry Mint Iced Tea Specialty Teas: Chai Latte London Fog Blueberry Green Tea Peach Passionfruit Herbal Tea ------------------------------ Breakfast Options: Avocado Toast with Poached Egg Smoked Salmon Bagel Greek Yogurt Parfait with Gran and Berries Breakfast Burrito with Spinach and Feta Sandwiches and Wraps: Turkey and Cranberry Panini Caprese Wrap with Pesto Chicken Caesar Wrap Veggie Hummus Wrap _______________________ Oh my God. I never imagined I''d find myself in heaven. The menu, the ce, the aesthetics¡ªeverything is simply wonderful. If I could, I''d sample everything on the menu, but for now, I''ll rein in my hunger. "Wee to Allen''s Cafe! What can I get you?" the attendant chirped. "Can I get a Large Vani Latte and, uh, a Smoked Salmon Bagel, please?" As she jotted down my order, I couldn''t help but admire the overall ambiance of this ce. I felt the weight of stress and worry lifting from my shoulders. "Sure, that would be $10.30, or 8745 won. Will that be cash or card?" "Ah, card, please." I tapped my watch onto the presented scanner. Ding! "Thank you, sir! Here''s your table number, and your order will be out in 10," she said with a polite voice. I settled at a table by the window, where I could watch students streaming out of their sses. A few minutes passed, and before me appeared the epitome of perfection in my eyes. I gazed at the salmon bagel before me, and suddenly, a window popped up. Fwang! [Peaceful Salmon Bagel. Effects: Eating this will calm all your nerves for an hour.] [Perfected Vani Latte. Effects: Drinking this will enhance your awareness for 2-3 hours.] "Is it possible for me to replicate these recipes'' system?" [You certainly can! To copy a recipe, the cost would be 10 ppp :D.] "Sure, I can do that." [You have spent 20 ppp on recipe replication! By doing this, the recipe of the item will be stored within your memory.] Wonderful, nom... nom... nom. I savoured my meal peacefully and left the cafe feeling satisfied. On my way out, familiar faces traversed the hallways¡ªJan and Bazz appeared to have finished their quiz, followed by the infamous trio: Valencia, Cam, and Lyra. "Oh, Jan, are we joining a club this year? I heard some of the clubs offer opportunities to travel abroad." "Hmm, that sounds interesting. Should we go see what clubs there are after school and apply for one?" "Eh... sure." Bazz''s tone suggested reluctance, but he relented, knowing Jan would drag him along anyway. As I passed Jan and Bazz, our eyes met, and Jan offered me a kind smile. I nodded in return; Jan truly was one of a kind. Oh, that reminds me¡ªI have to join the same club as the main characters, but I''ll likely need a solid application to secure my spot. I''ll have to pull some strings. But who could help me get in? As the trio also walked by me, Valencia once again gave me the biggest side-eye, but I don''t really think she does that on purpose¡ªprobably just a reflex. Without making eye contact, I could tell Lyra was still ready to pester me at all costs. Wait a minute. Lyra was also a member of the club Jan joined since she was an exclusive member. It would be best for me to try and ask her for help. but how? I''ll figure it out next week since applications close next week on Wednesday. [Pinnacle Students, In the afternoon there will be a Club Expo at the front courtyard of the academy if you''re interested I urge you to participate or join a club for your student resume.] Oh, that reminds me that after our main characters graduate from Pinnacle Academy they would all split off to their respective guilds and by joining clubs this would also be boosting their student resume. For now, I''ll just wait until the evening hits so I can join ''that'' club. *** [3:30 pm Wednesday] The sses dragged on as usual, but the prospect of making a good first impression on my seniors propelled me out of my seat and towards the front courtyard. As I stepped into the lively scene, the air was filled with the buzzing excitement of students eager to join various clubs. The aroma of cooking from the food clubs wafted through the courtyard, creating a pleasant atmosphere. Navigating through the vibrant scenery, I immediately recognized the stand I had envisioned back in my high school years ¨C the "Histories Breakfast Club." It seemed normal among the others, but the reason for its uniquenessy in its focus on exploring the history of heroes, artifacts, and renowned ces worldwide. I threw in the "breakfast" aspect for food enthusiasts like Valencia. Themon thread binding our main cast was their shared interest in heroes. Observing from a distance, I saw them all lined up, standing out conspicuously without a single extra in sight. Clearly, they were all here for the same reason. The club was led by a third-year named Lan Villerion, Louise''s cousin, soon to be the second inmand for the Villerion heritage Trinities Centurion''s Guild. Louise, too, was destined to rise through the ranks and eventually be the sessor. Focused on the present, Lan exined the details of the Histories Breakfast Club to the interested members... "Oh, and at Histories Breakfast Club, we go on frequent club excursions! This year, our destinations include France, Italy, and Australia, so if you guys want to join, it would be my pleasure," Lan''s voice carried enthusiasm. Tension hung in the air as Jan and Louise shared the same vicinity, but they paid no mind, engrossed in Lan''s words. Valencia, as usual, posed a nonchnt question, "Ah, why is it called breakfast club?" Lan answered, "Good question! The reason is that we always bring the best freshly made breakfasts from around the country, and all the costs will be covered, of course." "Ohhhh, I see," Valencia nodded in understanding. Lan turned to the group, "So, are all of you here to sign up for the club?" "Yes," they all responded in unison. "Ah, me too, please," I chimed in, raising my hand. Lan handed me the application form, and I felt the gazes from my ssmates. Showing up unannounced might not have been the best idea. Tch. Did someone click their tongue at me? ncing at Valencia, her face revealed a contorted expression. She must hate me a lot, hehe. Well, there was no other way, and keeping it this way was much better. I filled out the application without much trouble. I handed thepleted form to Lan, who epted it with a nod. Everyone else busily filled out their forms, and as I stared into space, I coincidentally locked eyes with Valencia. "Is there something to be looking at?" She said in a serious tone. "Sorry, I was just looking at the food stall from across you," I replied nonchntly. Valencia turned to see there was nothing to her left, leaving her a bit embarrassed. "Pfffttt," Jan stifled augh, seeing Valencia easily deceived. Her face reddened, and she gritted her teeth, but I figured she deserved it for treating her creator this way. "Ehem," Lan let out a fake cough to break the tension while collecting everyone else''s forms. "Alright, wee to the Histories Breakfast Club! You guys are the only first years to join our club, so congrats," Lan announced with enthusiasm, and the tension dissipated. "As you know, we advise that you attend the club once a week in the morning for information about our travels, as we also provide breakfast made straight from our Academy''s top chef." He continued, giving us information about our room location and our first trip, which was to France, promising a challenging foe yet to reveal himself. Jan, always resilient, would undoubtedly ovee whatever challengesy ahead. _____________ [Thursday 8:58 am] "Morning ss! Today, I will be revealing the rankings for the quiz you did yesterday. Please don''t take these rankings to heart but use them as a way to motivate yourself to do better," Kolek announced, projecting all the rankings and marks on the board. As the numbers appeared, I felt the muscles on my face involuntarily flex into a smile. I couldn''t allow anyone to see it. I must not. I had to remain calm, acting as if I was expecting the mark. With everyone''s eyes now focusing on me, a silent uproar echoed within the ss, just as I anticipated. ________________________________ [Defense ss Quiz: Rankings and Marks] 1st - Rel Laurence: 50/50 2nd - Alice Elizabeth: 48/50 3rd - Valencia Freya: 45/50 4th - Louise De Villerion: 43/50 5th - Jae Yoona: 42/50 6th - Miya Takeo: 41/50 7th - Jan Ates: 40/50 8th - Cam Diana: 39/50 8th - Lyra t: 39/50 9th - Noah Davies: 37/50 ... ... ... 28th - Bazz Wong: 31/50 ________________________________ "eh?" A small gasp reached my ears, and looking to the very right, I saw Alice''s surprise. She kept stealing nces at me. While it wouldn''t really affect her, she should have been the only one topping everyone in terms of theory. But now that I''m here, there was no way she would be able to beat me. I also noticed Valencia''s surprise at the sight of my marks. She wore a confused, shocked expression that seemed to say, "Is that even possible for a first quiz exam? We had only just touched base on the material." Though doubts lingered in my head about disrupting the main storyline, I had to be good at something in this academy to be noticed. However, this was only a quiz, and the real challenges for the students in this academy had yet toe. With Kolek finishing up the discussion on answers and marks, he advised us to study and train hard for our uing first assignment. "So today''s lesson is 1 On 1 Scenario," Kolek dered with crossed arms. "Everyone here will spar with one person, so make sure you find someone worthy of your strength. Follow me out as we are heading to the training grounds," his authoritative voicemanded attention, prompting everyone to get up. Argh, I could feel my face shrinking at those words. "What the actual fuck? If I get matched up with the main characters, I''m gonna die," I mumbled to myself. Chapter 10: Training Grounds

    Chapter 10: Training Grounds

    [Pinnacle Training Grounds (East Side)] With everyone gathered around the massive training field, Kolek instructed us to line up. As everyone arranged themselves in lines of twelve, I couldn''t help but feel a kick of nervousness running through my body. The anticipation of facing someone in this sparring exercise kept me on edge. The scariest match-up I could get was with Louise or maybe even Valencia, but I was secretly praying that I''d be paired with Jan, at least he had a semnce of sympathy. Positioned in thest section of the line, I found myself anxiously staring at the ground, silently praying to discover my opponent. Slowly lifting my head, I looked to my right, and there she was¡ªthe second blond beauty of the academy, Alice. "Alright, ss, I''m gonna make it short and simple. The person lined up to the right will be your matchup for the odd-numbered lines, and for the even-numbered lines, look to your left, and voil¨¤, you have your opponent. Now, there''s no need for introductions, so have your weapon ready, and I''ll set a time of one minute. You must either knock your opponent to the ground within that time, and if you don''t, it''s a draw. A win is 1 point, and a draw is 0.5 points. This will not go towards your marks for the semester grade, so rest assured that you won''t be deducted. Take this lesson as an understanding of your opponent''s strength and prowess. Find your partner and try to beat the living hell out of each other." There was no avoiding it, and to think the monster scenario was worse. Maybe I could try my best and lose on purpose against Alice? Wait, I couldn''t do that because she would just beat me down harder. Since I crafted Alice''s personality to be silent and prideful, yet kind and understanding, there was no getting through to her when she was paranoid with anger¡ªan unstoppable force with no immovable object. She seemed pretty calm today, so I hoped I wouldn''t tick her off like with Valencia. Approaching her with a friendly smile on my face, I stuttered, "Hello. I''m yo-r your p-partner." Her response was more confused than surprised. I couldn''t tell if it was her beauty that was more mesmerizing or if I had put her mood a bit under the weather. "Hello, let''s try our best." Alice said nonchntly. Gulp... This was bad. Who in the world came up with the idea of writing such an unpredictable personality? In our spot near the outskirts of the field, I held a crossbow while Alice had her saber. I focused on it carefully, and blue-like liquid flowed around the sword, emitting a faint blue. I assumed this was what I described as mana aura, a different version of aura. Mana aura took the form of your elemental attribute, whereas pure aura was created from the willpower of the soul, depending on the strength of a user. For example, Jan can wreak absolute havoc just by creating massive forms of light from his willpower, which I had initially nned on having since he was the main character of the novel. But since Alice focused more on spell casting, wouldn''t it be better for her to achieve the Apostle''s Spirit Staff early? It would be best for her to use staff from the beginning since most sword or melee users outmatched her in raw strength. However, since her mana was strong and sharp, she''d be able to keep up with them with just that. But it wouldn''t be like I''m downying Alice. She was around the level of EOS Louise; it is without a doubt she would be among the strongest in this world someday. But right now, she was greatly disadvantaged for many reasons, having only be adept at using her sword in practised scenarios and not in real battleground-type fights. Fwang! A notification shed on the screen, indicating a new quest. [Quest: 1 for 1. Win against Alice Once and Draw Once against her!] [Rewards: 2.5 Speed+, 2 Stamina +] I frowned as I stared at the rewards, feeling that they weren''t quite befitting a duel with a main character like Alice. However, the idea struck me that I could potentially enhance the rewards. "System, can you increase the reward in exchange for QP?" I asked within the confines of my mind. [Sure! That would be 28 Quest points (QP) to enhance the reward, or would you like to invest more for a better reward?] Curiosity piqued, I wondered what these enhanced rewards might offer. If they didn''t significantly surpass the current quest rewards, it might be better to stick with the original. "Can I see the rewards for both, please?" I inquired. [Okay! here they are...] >[Base Rewards: 2.5 Speed+, 2 Stamina +] >[28 Point Rewards: 2.50 Speed+, 2.00 Stamina+, Archer Point 1.00+, 5.00 Health+] >[60 Point Reward: 3.00 Speed+, 2.50 Stamina+, Archer Point 1.00+, 5.00 Health+, New Stat: Evassiveness base stat: 3.25%, (???) will be unlocked.] It seemed like a gambling system, reminiscent of my past experiences with in-game items and real money. Remembering the saying, "You can win 2000% of your money, but you can only lose 100% of your money," I decided to take the gamble. "System, I''d like to go for the 60-point reward," I dered with a determined look in my eyes. [60 Quest Points have been used to enhance the reward! Difficulty Scaling of opponent: Alice Elizabeth... Scalingplete! Quest updating... Quest Updated Complete!] With the system updating everything, a surge of motivation coursed through me. Although the odds of winning against Alice were slim¡ªrequiring perhaps a thousand matches¡ªI needed to reduce that to just one in ten battles. [Quest: 1 for 1. Win against Alice Once and Draw Once against her! RESTRICTIONS: You cannot use the following: Clockwork of Time [Grade 3], Quick Shot [Grade 9], and the following stats have been lowered ordingly: Precision 45% -> 25%, Speed 59 -> 39] [Additional Content for Character: Alice Elizabeth, She is angered at the thought of being second in a test. This is the first time she has felt this way since [???] urred. Her stats have been amped by 10%, and if you are hit within 3 consecutive strikes of her sword, you will be knocked out.] huh? So I guess I''m going headfirst into a pit of spikes? this is unfair. how unfair is this? very! VERy! UnFAir... ah I''m having another mental breakdown again. While Clockwork of Time seemed reasonable since it slowed down my perception, the stat reductions posed a different problem. Suddenly my body weight adjusted to a slower speed, and my hand shook slightly. Was I scared? No. Was I afraid? Yes. "Okay, everyone, there will be a countdown that you will hear over the speakers. After I finish speaking, the countdown will immediately start." I muttered curses under my breath as cold sweat formed on my forehead. The expression on Alice''s face wasn''t detailed, but I had written a special trait for when she was mad¡ªher right eyebrow would lower, and she would squeeze her grip on the sword every 3 ticks to ensure she remained calm. 3 2 1 Start! As the countdown reached zero, I gripped my crossbow tightly, feeling the cold metal against my palms. Alice stood before me, her sabre gleaming with a faint blue aura. The stage was set for a sh of abilities, and my heart pounded in my chest. Without hesitation, Alice lunged forward with remarkable speed, closing the distance between us in an instant. Her sabre sliced through the air with a precise arc, leaving trails of the mana-infused blue light in its wake. I swiftly raised my crossbow, aiming for her midsection, but Alice deftly parried the bolt with a flick of her de. She retaliated with a series of quick shes, each one calcted and aimed with precision. I dodged and weaved, narrowly avoiding the lethal edge of her weapon. The speed and fluidity of her movements were impressive, and I could sense the power behind each strike. Luckily, I at least had an understanding of the use of the sixth sense, allowing me to anticipate her attacks just one move ahead of time. In response, I decided to create some distance. I backpedalled, firing bolts from my crossbow to keep Alice at bay. However, she deflected each projectile effortlessly, closing the gap once again. Her eyes remained focused, and determined, and a faint glint of anger shed across her face. I knew I couldn''t rely solely on ranged attacks. As Alice closed in, I switched tactics, summoning a burst of energy to enhance my speed. Darting to the side, I narrowly avoided a sweeping sh from her sabre. The adrenaline surged through my veins as I tried to outmaneuver her. Yet, Alice adapted swiftly. She anticipated my movements, countering with a swift kick that caught me off guard. The impact sent me stumbling backward, my crossbow ttering to the ground. Before I could recover, Alice closed in,unching a flurry of strikes. I blocked and parried as best as I could, but her strength and precision were overwhelming, and I realized I had fallen on my back. The tip of her sword was now in my face as she stood victorious in the first battle. W-D-L 1-0-0 Alice 0-0-1 Rel 9 more matches remain. As the countdown initiated the second match, my nerves were on edge from the previous defeat. Alice''s determined expression remained unchanged, and she wasted no time in advancing. The sh began anew, but this time, Alice''s movements were even more calcted. Her attacks flowed seamlessly, and I found myself struggling to keep up. Despite my efforts to adapt, Alice''s enhanced stats proved to be a significant challenge. Her strikes were faster, and the power behind each blow had increased. I tried my best, but the oue was inevitable. The battle concluded with Alice''s victory, leaving me with a sense of frustration and determination. W-D-L 2-0-0 Alice 0-0-2 Rel 8 more matches remain. In the third round, I approached the duel more cautiously since I lost within 29 seconds. I observed Alice''s movements more closely, attempting to decipher the patterns within her attacks. Although the result was another defeat, I could sense a trace of understanding forming. Alice''s unique fighting style became slightly more predictable the more I observed. W-D-L 3-0-0 Alice 0-0-3 Rel 7 more matches remain. The fourth encounter proved to be another harsh reality check. Alice''s relentless assault left little room for recovery. Despite my best efforts to discern her strategies, the gap in skill remained apparent. The defeat only fueled my determination to unravel the mysteries of herbat prowess. W-D-L 4-0-0 Alice 0-0-4 Rel 6 more matches remain. Tension hung in the air, but this time, a quiet determination burned within me. As the battlemenced, Alice surged forward with unmatched speed, her de slicing through the air with deadly precision. I dodged, parried, and countered, each movement fueled by the lessons learned from the previous encounters. Alice''s attacks were a relentless storm, but I could sense the ebb and flow of her strikes. There was a rhythm, a cadence that my instincts began to decipher. The sh of my crossbow and her sabre echoed through the training field, a symphony of steel meeting steel. In the midst of the chaos, my senses heightened, allowing me to perceive Alice''s movements before they urred. A flicker of intuition guided my responses, and the dance of adaptation began. As Alice lunged, I sidestepped with uncanny precision. The de whistled past where I stood just a moment before. A grin tugged at my lips; the shadows of her attacks became visible to my senses. I counterattacked,nding bolts that had hit her exploiting the brief openings in her assault. With the battle intensifying, each movement was a calcted response to the other. It was a dance of strategy, an intricate intery of offence and defence. Alice, too, sensed the shift in the battle. Her attacks became more deliberate, like her swings saying I wasn''t going to draw to a mere nobody. Time silently ticked as if an hour could go by. And as it reached its final moments, the battle hung in the bnce. A draw, a testament to the progress made. I met Alice''s gaze as she looked surprised at me keeping up. W-D-L 4-1-0 Alice 0-1-4 Rel 5 more matches remain. The sixth battle unfolded with Alice now taking me a bit more seriously. The previous draw had sparked a fire within her, and sheunched into the fight with mana-infused shes. My stamina, however, proved to be a limiting factor. Fatigue set in faster than anticipated, and Alice seized the opportunity, pushing me to the brink. Each strike felt heavier, and my movements grew sluggish. In the end, my back ended up touching the floor after her second strike. W-D-L 5-1-0 Alice 0-1-5 Rel 4 more matches remain. As the seventh battlemenced, I could feel my body protesting against the continued strain. Fatigue weighed down on every limb, and my reactions slowed. Alice exploited this weakness, pressing her advantage. Despite my best efforts, the battle became a struggle against the impending shutdown of my body. Every swing of her sword felt like a crushing blow. The fight ended with another defeat as my stamina reserves reached a critical low. W-D-L 6-1-0 Alice 0-1-6 Rel 3 more matches remain. *** W-D-L 8-1-0 Alice 0-1-8 Rel 1 more match remains. After losing the eighth battle and the ninth, it was now thest match to earn one over her. I had lost again and again, but I couldn''t give up just yet. There had to be a way to get around her, just somehow... The final battle the culmination of the exhausting encounters. Weariness clung to me like a second skin, each movement a testament to the toll of our relentless sparring. Facing me, Alice, an unyielding force, prepared for the conclusion of our series of duels. As the countdown dwindled, the weight of our previous shes pressed upon me. Alice, undeterred, advanced with precision, her mana-infused shes leaving luminous trails. In the waning seconds, a flicker of inspiration emerged from the depths of my fatigueden mind. Feigning vulnerability, I executed a deceptive stumble, luring Alice into what seemed an opportune opening. Her instincts propelled her forward, eager tond the decisive strike. But I should''ve thought of her earlier weaknesses within the story was that she was too ignorant to look into the meaning of her opponent''s moves, which was her downfall. The battlefield concealed a surprise crafted from weariness and insight. With a deft move, I transformed the crossbow''s string into an improvised snare, encircling Alice''s ankle in an unexpected web of resistance. I held my breath¡ªa delicate bnce between anticipation and revtion. Caught off guard, Alice stumbled forward, her poised assault unravelled by the unforeseen twist. She tried to swing at me trying tond a blow against me but it was futile. Alice, unbnced and bewildered, I used the remaining stamina I had to finish the job and trip her onto the floor. As I did, I kicked my leg behind her ankle. As she was about to fall on the ground, I grabbed her arm and pointed the crossbow at her head. I gave her a half grin and a half smile. But in her reaction, I could see that she was? actually...I don''t even know myself. What face was she making? It looked like a semi-surprised, awe, infatuated face. But as graceful as she was, she had sumbed to the unexpected grace of defeat, and I had sumbed to a massive reward that I could happily ept. To put it simply. I came, I saw, I was victorious. W-D-L 8-1-1 Alice 1-1-8 Rel Match Complete... Winner: Alice Elizabeth Maybe I''m not so victorious after all. Haha... ___________________________ [Quest: 1 for 1 Complete!] [Rewards are now being transferred... Transfer Complete!] [Here are the following rewards] >3.00 Speed+, >2.50 Stamina+ >Archer Point 1.00+ >5.00 Health+ >New Stat: Evasiveness base stat: 3.25% - Stat will trigger only in situations when the chances of an attack that is deemed improbable to dodge urs if so Speed stat is enhanced by percentage 3x. >(???) -> Tenacity 2.45% - Stat will trigger in dire situations that are deemed too much to handle increasing your willpower [Hidden Stat] and mental health 5x. Alert! Sixth sense has now levelled up. Grade 9 -> Grade 8 All handicapped stats and abilities have been reverted to normal... ___________________________ Chapter 11: Weekend (1)

    Chapter 11: Weekend (1)

    [Pinnacle Academy Training Grounds] {Alice''s POV} The vast training field stretched out before me, and I gripped my sabre tightly, contemting the recent matches with him. The memories yed in my mind, puzzling and challenging the usual rity I had inbat. Initially, frustration and a tinge of anger fueled my every move. How could someone seemingly experienced inbat be so unpredictable? His attackscked the precision I expected, yet an undeniable effectiveness lingered, I felt so irritated. However, as the battles unfolded, I only felt more confused. Rel''s movements were getting more unpredictable, and his tactics were unorthodox. It was as if he danced on the edge of chaos, weaving through my attacks with a strange grace-defying exnation. But it was the final bout that left me bewildered. I had underestimated Rel, assuming victory was assured, but he outsmarted me. The deceptive stumble, the improvised snare¡ªit was a calcted move that caught me off guard. Even as I fell to the ground, the confusion persisted. Our eyes met, and in his gaze, I saw a mixture of surprise and respect. It mirrored my own sentiments. Was this a loss or a draw? The lines between victory and defeat had blurred, leaving me in uncharted territory. This was the first time I felt this way¡ªquestions swirling in my mind. Who was he? Where did hee from? "Hey. I don''t know if it''s just me, but personally, I think you have a talent for magic instead of using a sword." He didn''t even look at me, scratching the back of his head and gazing in the opposite direction. I pondered how to respond, but his words triggered a moment of misery, a memory reying through my mind. I couldn''t save them that time. If only I had been better back then. My magic power wasn''t enough, so I thought it best to wield the sword. I had given up on being the mage I initially dreamed of to be stronger, to avenge my family. "But you don''t have to, because after all, you''re strong, and I believe in you." Budump! I stared in awe at the words he uttered, ''I believe in you''¡ªwords I hadn''t heard since the calls of my mother and father. What was he even saying? I tried to respond, but the words didn''t escape my lips. Somehow, he seemed to understand the expression on my face and extended his hand. "You won anyway, so there''s no need to be mad at me." Taking his hand, I wondered if he thought I was angry. I couldn''t deny the hint of frustration, even if it was just a quiz. I had never felt the sting of being second to first ce. Kolek''s words echoed, leaving me standing in contemtion. The battles were a revtion, an unexpected challenge. I found myself wondering who this person truly was. As students dispersed, my gaze lingered on Rel. He walked away, swaying slightly from side to side. I wondered if that was just his fighting style or if he didn''t know how to fight at all. Still, I had to acknowledge that he had defied expectations in a way I hadn''t thought possible. With a sigh, I moved on from the initial frustration. Losing, let alone drawing, wasn''t something I was ustomed to, but this experience humbled me. Perhaps joining this academy was worth the trouble after all. *** [Rel''s POV] [Alice has acknowledged you! 55 ppp has been rewarded.] After concluding the exhausting 10-game stretch against Alice, my body sumbed to fatigue, rendering me too tired to string coherent thoughts together. Although the rewards from the battle were ample, what I needed most was rest. My body wobbled side to side, and I pondered whether I could sleep through the remaining sses for the day without inviting trouble. My thoughts were scattered, contemting whether to attend ss, skip it, or even work out. The decision to skip ss gradually crystallized in my mind, as the allure of much-needed sleep overshadowed my initial intention to bnce rest and responsibilities. The weariness clinging to my every step made seeking sce in the dormitory an increasingly appealing prospect. My path diverted from the academic buildings, leading me back towards the dormitory. The weight of recent battles lingered, and the promise of a brief respite beckoned me towards the sanctuary of my dorm room. The moment my body sank into thefort of the bed, exhaustion imed me swiftly. Sleep enveloped me in its soothing embrace, and the outside world faded into a serene oblivion. Unbeknownst to me, hours slipped away in the realm of dreams. BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! AHHHHHHHHH [Saturday 5:32 am] [K-1 ssroom GC] Guys are we ready for next week''s assignment :3 Lyra it''s 5 in the morning go back to sleep Bazz that''s not a nice thing to say be more polite. Apologies Valencia. Lyra can you please. go to sleep. So everyone''s a morning person now huh? Are these people clinically insane? It''s too early for this kind ofmotion. ncing at the time and date, I blinked in shock, realizing I had been asleep for two days. But it was clear that I was asleep for two days due to Exhaustion Overload. The system confirmed my body''s shutdown as a response to the phenomenon. "System, do you know why I was asleep for so long?" [Of course! Your body has gone through a phenomenon called Exhaustion Overload, which is why your body has shut down.] "Okay, thank you." Disoriented and groggy, I rubbed my eyes, attempting to shake off the lingering effects of deep slumber. Dragging myself out of bed, hunger overpowered my worries, propelling me towards the 24-hour haven of fast food¡ªMcDonald''s. d in dishevelled clothes, I stumbled through the academy''s hallways and, now at the IDS tform, scanned my student ID onto the portal, setting my destination for the closest McDonald''s. Zzzzpt! Suddenly, I found myself in Australia. The IDS station worked its mysterious magic, transporting me to Sydney. Surprised but seemingly unfazed, I continued on my quest for fast food. On my way out of the IDS station, a guard checked my ID, allowing me to pass through without issue. Setting my sights on the city streets, memories of past visits to Sydney flooded back. "Map." Fwang. Squinting at the tiny dot on the systems map, I realized the nearest McDonald''s was practically within walking distance ¨C sweet! The golden arches practically glowed, and my stomach rumbled in anticipation of that ssic greasy goodness. After a way-too-long debate with myself over the menu, I went with the cheapest (and most delicious) option: pancakes and a bacon egg muffin. Forget fancy kiosks, I basically shouted my order at the counter and tapped my watch to pay. I ended up devouring the whole meal down like a starving cartoon character. Concerns about the longevity of my money lingered, but for now, I relished the satisfaction of a good meal. As I finished, I headed back to the IDS station, WHOSSSSH! A gust of wind blew past and suddenly thrust an A4 sheet of paper against my face. Ouch! As I took the paper off my face, I read the words: "Arena Duels! Hide the anonymity of your identity and fight for special prizes! T''s and C''s Apply." Arena duels, a challenging opportunity nudging me to figure out the rest. Aware of the stringent regtions overseen by the Dawnde Org, I knew this could be a chance to win prizes. Thest lingering taste of a McMuffin clinging to my grin, my thoughts raced ahead to the Arena Duels. A ce where all heroes, viins, adventurers and mercenaries fight, and with a weekend eventing up, it felt like the universe was giving me a sign. Walking back to the IDS station, every step felt a little surreal ¨C like I was navigating a world I''d only dreamed of as a writer. The guard checked my ID again, the routine already seeming less foreign, and then appointed me back towards the academy. The system whooshed around me, and suddenly I was standing beneath the familiar arches of the courtyard. Sunlight washed over the campus, painting everything in that warm morning glow. I made my way towards my room, the ce a weird blend of reality and fiction, like a setting from one of my stories hade to life. "System, guide me to thetest Arena Duels Event." *** [11:35 am Central Australia, Dawnde''s Arena] I stepped out of the IDS station, greeted by the sight of a sizable arena that loomed in the centre of the Australian outback. The structure, while not colossal, possessed an impressive stature reminiscent of a football Champions League stadium. The area surrounding the arena was transformed into a bustling marketce, a carnival of colours and sounds. Stalls lined the periphery, showcasing a diverse array of goods and services. Merchants peddled their wares, hawking everything from weapons adorned with enchantments to armour that promised protection in the arena. The air resonated with the chatter of mercenaries d in various armours, exchanging stories of past battles and discussing strategies for the duels ahead. Heroes, recognizable by the glint of legendary weapons and distinctive attire, moved through the crowd with an air of confidence, their reputation preceding them. The scent of exotic spices wafted through the air, emanating from food stalls that offered a culinary journey around the world. As I navigated the lively scene, my senses were inundated with the sights and sounds of a world alive with anticipation. In the midst of this vibrant marketce, a billboard disyed the uing duels and featured the names of renowned participants. The stakes were high, and the promise of special prizes beckoned both seasoned. In my novel, the adventurers who believe not in being a hero but rather frencers walk the earth freely without restriction, whereas mercenaries are the ones paid for taking on the stronger and high-risk difficulties in missions and those seeking to make a name for themselves. As I ventured deeper into the lively marketce, the mour of merchants seeking potential customers grew more pronounced. Each stall seemed to beckon with promises of power and extraordinary items. I couldn''t help but attract attention, my presence drawing the interest of eager merchants eager to make a sale. A charismatic merchant with a flowing robe approached me, a glint in his eyes as he showcased an assortment of sparkling gemstones. "Ah, the discerning customer! Behold these rare crystals, said to enhance your magical prowess. A must-have for any aspiring duelist like yourself!" I regarded the gemstones with a scrutinizing gaze, easily recognizing them as decorations [Coloured Stone: Red Enchantment: Shining Glow] "Interesting," I remarked, feigning intrigue. "But I''m more interested in practical enhancements. Do you have anything that can boost agility or resilience?" Undeterred, the merchant shed a knowing smile. "Of course, my discerning friend! Feast your eyes upon these enchanted boots, crafted from the feathers of mythical birds. Wear them, and you''ll dance through the arena with unmatched grace!" I inspected the boots, acknowledging the intricate craftsmanship but recognizing the exaggerations for what they were. [Grade 9 Eagle Boots - Condition: Extremely Poor - Enchantments: Shining Glow] "Impressive workmanship," Imented sarcastically. "However, I''m seeking something more... substantial. Perhaps a weapon that can truly turn the tide of battle?" As I engaged in these interactions, I couldn''t help but maintain a sly smile. I relished wasting the merchant''s time. Their persuasive pitches and carefully crafted narratives painted vivid pictures of the supposed benefits of their wares, but I was not someone easily fooled. Some merchants tried to y on my perceived inexperience, while others sought to impress with grandiose tales of the origins of their items. A burly cksmith, muscles bulging beneath his apron, approached me with a hearty grin. "Looking for a weapon, eh? Feast your eyes on this de, forged in the heart of an otherworldly forge. It''s said to cut through defenses like a hot knife through butter!" I humoured the cksmith, examining the de with a critical eye. [Grade 10: Steel de - Condition: Okay - [Enchantments: Guard Block I] "Ah, this is, uhm, good craftsmanship," I said, trying not to contort my face. "But I''m not really interested in the de since I''m an archer." The cksmith''s confident demeanor faltered for a moment, and he quickly recovered with a heartyugh. "An archer joining the arena, how foolish could you be? Have you not seen the probability of an archer winning a battle in this arena? It''s pretty low. So, it''s best if you go home and not waste anyone''s time, little boy." I stared at him with a nk look, acknowledging the truth in his words. It was indeed a challenging path for an archer, but It''s worth giving it try. "You''re probably right, but I''m still going to go anyway," I said, walking away from the stand. "Oh, and your sword is absolute garbage, by the way. I don''t think anyone would be willing to spend money on such a low-grade item." "Tch, bastard." I couldn''t see his face, but I knew I had pushed a button. Throughout these interactions, I maintained a bnce between scepticism and courtesy. The merchants, though persistent, eventually recognized that their usual tactics wouldn''t easily sway me. Travelling through the bustling marketce, hidden away from the more conspicuous stalls, I stumbled upon a discreet and somewhat run-down setup that seemed to defy its surroundings. The wooden shelves, though worn and weathered, showcased an assortment of items for sale. The mysterious merchant behind the unassuming stall exuded no trace of mana as if conducting business from the shadows was second nature. A tattered robe obscured their features, adding an extrayer of mystique to the entire scene. With a casual flick of the wrist, the merchant beckoned me closer. Chapter 12: Weekend (2)

    Chapter 12: Weekend (2)

    The merchant, seemingly unfazed by the worn appearance of the stall, spoke with a tone that dripped with mysterious charm. "Wee, Customer. Here, within my shop, lies an array of wonders waiting to be discovered. Pay no mind to the humble exterior; true value often hides in in sight." The items he had for sale were absolutely insane. There was no way a ce like this could have something like this. [Grade - 4 Book: Projectile Disarm: The Projectile Disarm ability is a precision-focused skill that allows the user, to actively deflect or parry iing projectiles with remarkable uracy.] [Grade 2 [???] Cloak of Invisibility - Condition: Very Good - Enchantments: Evasive Charm: IV, Thornmail: III, Elemental Shielding: III] [Grade 4 Frostbite Lance - Condition: Perfect - Enchantments: Swift Draw: II, Sturdy Grip: IV,] [Grade 3 cial Ward - Condition: Very Good - Enchantments: Calm Mind: III, Bnce Enhancement: II, Energy Absorption: I Oh my God... Could this be the ck market''s hidden merchant Merk? In the novel, he was a source of all major weaponry and Armory. He was an immortal doomed to walk the ends of this earth with only the sole purpose of creating and selling items to those who had the potential to end his misery. [Assistant Tool Modification: Merk the Hidden Merchant now appears in the Pinnacle Academy Saga.] Fuck. That''s not good, not so good at all. To top it off, if these itemsnd in the wrong hands, the progression of this story might be altered since I prefer not to sway off from the original storyline early on. But this was all pure luck. For him to appear before me was not just a string of fate but a calling from him. So maybe he sees something in me or, like I said earlier, just pure luck to have found him by chance. "How much are the items you have for sale?" I asked in a polite manner. "Ah, well, for you, today will be a highly discounted price since you are the first customer I''ve seen in a while." Wait a minute, I know this line. This is the same line he used back then when Jan discovered himter on in the story... "Oh, hello there! What are you doing all the way here deep in this dungeon?" Jan asked with a curious look. "Are you the boss of the dungeon?" Jan gripped his sword tightly. "Ah, no, I''m not a boss, sadly. I''m just someone who walks this earth. But since you are here, Ie with selling items at a very low price." "Items in a dungeon? Wow, I guess I''m extremely lucky, then. What do you have?" Jan looked at the man in the mysterious robe without questioning his existence. He provided him with an assortment of items... "Woah, these items look expensive. How much are they?" "Ah, well, for you, today will be a highly discounted price since you are the first customer I''ve seen in a while..." Hmmm, this is the same exact quote. So I guess, by my current understanding, his one-item-per-customer policy is voided, so I can at most buy two of these items. "So what''s the price for the items?" He seemed to stare at me for a moment before speaking. "It seems that only two of these items are befitting of you. I will allow you to purchase two items, on one condition." One condition? Seriously... But I had noints since he''s the equivalent of hitting three jackpots in a row. "Sure. What is it?" I kept my polite tone. "I will allow you to purchase one item of the two I will suggest, and you can get the other free. But I want you to obtain an item that can only be won in the arena duel tournament." "Okay, that''s fine. So what payment do you ept?" I asked already knowing the answer as he kept his stern gaze at me. "I take special energy harnessed within the soul, but I keep having doubts, there''s something strange about you. Instead, I''ll take your five years off your lifespan as a hold for payments, and if you return the item I ask of you, I''ll return those years back to you. So, what do you think?" Oh shit. Five years off my life? I can''t really afford to do that, and there''s no guarantee I could win a tournament the way I am right now. But if I do win, then I could get on good terms with him as well. "Okay, I''ll do it." "Good. The item is called the Natural Stone of Light please bring it back before then. Now shake my hand." He extended his hand out towards mine, and I took it without any doubt in my head. "Interesting... You aren''t afraid, nor are you scared at the thought of me having such a terrifying ability," he said out loud as he kept analyzing me. "I trust you are a good person." He let go of my hand after absorbing my lifespan, even though I felt nothing, there was something I couldn''t shake off. But I guess this is just the way it is. "Please choose one of the two." He disyed the Projectile Disarm book and the Cloak Of Invisibility, but I had already assessed the usefulness of both items, so I think it''s better for me to have more abilities in my arsenal rather than being stacked in items. "Thank you, valuable customer. I''ll be here for two days, the 2nd afternoon will be the final day." Suddenly a door from behind opened, and I was pushed out by a gust of wind. "I wille and find you if you seed so do your best... Rel." How the... actually, never mind. There''s no use. I guess he has his ways for an immortal being. So, how do I use this book? Do I have to read it or what? Fwanggg! [The Item you hold can be absorbed. Would you like to consume the item to your memory? 200 PPP is required.] That is impossible for me to get. I only have 65?? I guess I need to figure out how I''m going to gain PPP but it''s best if I head towards the arena now. *** [Enterance A: Front Gate of Dawnde''s Arena.] The entrance itself was a grand arch, adorned with intricate carvings that told stories of past glories and fierce battles fought within the arena. There was a booth stationed in the centre of the gate, and inside stood ady who I assumed was in charge of today''s event. "Hello, sir. Are you here for today''s event?" she asked, her gaze sizing me up. "Yes, I am." "Okay, so this tournament has a 2-day duration as there are 360 participants in each rank. I''d like some identification and rification on what league you should enter for the tournament." I handed out my student ID. She inspected it with the same stern look Merk gave me. "Okay, so there''s no need for me to evaluate ability. You will fight in the D-League," she said as she typed on the holographic keyboard in front of her. Luckily for me, I was entering what I call the ''farmers league.'' The participants here were probably around my level, but some opponents could hide their abilities or ''restrict themselves'' to enter lower leagues. Most of Dawn''s Systems would detect that before the first match, but it did have some ws and loopholes. I hoped I wouldn''t face a smurf in the weekend league tournament. "What name would you like to use?" she asked, handing me a tablet. Contemting several options, I decided on one. I returned the tablet, and as she recited my chosen username, "ShadowWriter," I felt a sense of satisfaction. The same name I used when I uploaded my content in the dead of night. "Alright, I''ll make this clear. Once you enter the arena, you''ll be transported to a waiting room with clothing to disguise your identity. As for weapon choices, there''ll be a tablet on the wall with a category of weapons for you to choose from. Before each fight, someone wille to your door to escort you to your battle. Now, happy duelling..." she exined in a matter-of-fact tone. __________________________ {Axel Saint Rel Laurence STATS:} Age: 17 Talent: Marksman Of Weaponry [Grade 8] [...] Affinity: me, Water_ >Health: 67 >Strength: 20.5 >Stamina: 33.5 >Speed: 62 >Evasiveness: 3.25% Stat will trigger only in situations when the chances of an attack that is deemed improbable to dodge urs if so Speed stat is enhanced by percentage 2x. >Intelligence:? [Unlocks after theory exam] >Mana: ? [100 BP Required] [Special Stats:] Archer: 2/10 Luck: 0.08% Precision: 45% - Your shots are more likely to hit opponents in critical areas, If shots end up missing your current percentage will be cut in half to re-direct to attempt another hit. Tenacity: 2.45% Stat will trigger dire situations that are deemed too much to handle increasing your willpower [Hidden Stat] and mental health 5x. ???: ? / ? [Special Abilities:] Deadeye Grade 9, Sixth Sense 9, Aura Concealment Grade 8, Clockwork of Time Grade 3, [Abilities:][...] Passive Abilities: Perceptive Mind Grade: 3 __________________________ Chapter 13: Weekend (3)

    Chapter 13: Weekend (3)

    The waiting lounge was a magnificent disy of luxury and grandeur, where heroes, mercenaries, and adventurers could keep their identities hidden from others. The walls were decorated with intricately woven tapestries that depicted legendary battles, and the floor was a polished marble mosaic, reflecting the soft glow of concealed lighting. To the left, a group of stoic mercenaries crowded together, exuding an air of battle-worn experience. On the right, a pair of mysterious figures conversed in hushed tones, wearing dark, hooded cloaks with a strange symbol on their back. It could be one of the cults participating in a certain item for the arena. In the center of the lounge, a leaderboard stood tall, showcasing the most victorious duelists and tournament champions on its holographic disy. Names flickered and shifted in real-time, a testament to the ever-changing hierarchy of the arena. [Global Elite - League: 1. CelXste1, 2.NXExplorer30, 3. ckCainSSS, 4..., 5..., ...] [A- League - 1. StormBreaker, 2. deXdrainer, 3. Frostbite, 4. VoidWalker99, 5. TyphoonShinobi, EclipseFury42] [B- League - 1. LunarRanger, 2. TidalBard, 3 ..., 4 ... ,5 ...] [C- League - ...] [D- League - 1.JasperTheStrongest As I scanned through the list of top performers, my eyes rested on the D-League group. While I recognized most of the names in the top group, I was curious about the person on the top spot in the D-League group. My mind raced to identify the name of the person who held this position - Jasper, Jasper, Jasper? Despite my familiarity with the novel''s lore, I sometimes struggled to remember the characters who made ae backter in the story. Strangely, I couldn''t even recall writing a character by the name of Jasper. Beep! Beep! Beep! [Setting Intervention has been created!] [Character: Jasper [Background Viin] has been changed - Background Viin -> Minor Viin] [System has now received an update... Update Completed!] [You''re now being adapted and perceived into the main storyline. To increase your impact on the story, you must increase your influence on the main characters and the major plot points of the storyline. Intervening in main events can also lead to great rewards, but be aware that saving a character from certain death or changing an event that cannot be changed will have significant consequences.] [The Intervention System Guidelines:] 1. **Saving Characters:** - Characters can be saved, but challenges or conditions must be fulfilled. - A ripple effect urs, leading to unintended consequences elsewhere. 2. **Canon Events:** - Major events should be carefully treated. Changing themes with significant challenges or sacrifices. - The concept of a "fixed timeline" exists, where some events are destined to happen. 3. **Rel''s Existence:** - ??? 4. **yer Influence:** - Different levels of influence exist. Small interventions have minimal consequences, while major changes reshape the story. - Limitations are in ce; the yer has a set number of interventions and faces challenges to unlock significant alterations. 5. **Consequences:** - Clearly defined consequences for interventions. Positive changes have negative side effects to maintain bnce. - A cause-and-effect rtionship is established, ensuring every action has a reaction. [Proceed with caution, and remember that your choices will shape the destiny of the story. May your interventions be wise and your consequences be bearable.] Wow, that''s a lot of information to take in, but I need to keep it in mind. If I save a character from death, it could be influential, but it might also impact the storyline. I assume there will be ripples that I''ll have to deal with if I make such a decision. I have a few names in mind of who I want to save or change, but I''ll have time to think about itter. As I walked further into the lounge, I noticed a group of adventurers with diverse attires, revealing a spectrum of fighting styles. A nimble rogue, wielding dual daggers, exchanged banter with a spellcaster adorned in arcane robes. Theirughter echoed in the expansive space, creating a backdrop of camaraderie amidst the anticipation. In a corner, a solitary hero leaned against a pir, his gaze fixed on the bustling activity. He wore distinctive armour adorned with intricate engravings, a mark of his past victories. A murmur of recognition swept through the room as others acknowledged his legendary status. The lounge buzzed with chatter, and the air was thick with excitement for the impending battles. Background characters, insignificant to the overarching narrative, went about their business. Some engaged in animated discussions, while others studied their weapons with focused intent. The ambience resonated with the sh of personalities and the unspoken challenge that hung in the air. In this extravagant waiting lounge, the line between hero and adversary blurred, and the journey into the arena promised not only physical battles but also a test of wits and strategy. As I stepped into the bustling waiting lounge, a sudden hush fell over the crowd, and the ambient chatter gave way to the authoritative voice of the arena''s announcer. "Ladies and gentlemen, Winners and challengers, wee to the grand spectacle of Dawnde''s Arena! Today, we embark on the journey of the D-League Tournament, where warriors from all walks of life will sh for glory and honour. May the battles be fierce, and the champions emerge victorious!" The announcement echoed through the opulent waiting lounge, prompting a surge of excitement and anticipation among the participants. I felt a ripple of nervous energy coursing through the crowd as we all prepared for the battles ahead. Following the announcement, a team of attendants, dressed in uniform ck attire with the emblem of Dawnde''s Arena, ushered participants toward their respective sections. With a subtle nod, I joined the stream of challengers heading towards the designated area for the D-League. *** [D-League Section: Waiting Rooms] The D-League section was a sprawling expanse, meticulously organized to amodate the influx of participants. Each waiting room was a self-contained unit, ensuring privacy and focus for the challengers within. T The corridor leading to the rooms was adorned with holographic disys showcasing the participants'' chosen names and their past achievements, creating an atmosphere of friendlypetition. The attendants guided me to my waiting room, a futuristic chamber equipped with minimalistic furnishings. The walls disyed a serene backdrop of a virtualndscape, providing a calming contrast to the imminent battles. As I entered, the room automatically adjusted its lighting to afortable level. "Your weapon selection interface is ready," one of the attendants informed me. "When you''re ready, you can choose your preferred weapon for today''s matches." I nodded in acknowledgment, and with a wave of the attendant''s hand, a holographic disy materialized in the center of the room. The options ranged from swords to staves, but my eyes lingered on the bow category. It seemed fitting for my preferredbat style¡ªswift and precise. As I made my selection, the holographic interface shimmered, confirming my choice. The attendant smiled and gestured towards a teleportation pad in the corner. The waiting room I found myself in was surprisinglyfortable and equipped with the necessities to ensure the challenger''s well-being during the waiting period. Apact but cozy bed beckoned in one corner, offering a moment of respite for those seeking rest before their matches. The adjacent desk held a holographic screen disying the ongoing matches, providing a means to strategize and scout potential opponents. A fridge stocked with an assortment of foods and drinks stood against the wall, ensuring that the participants remained energized throughout the tournament. The room was a haven of tranquillity amid the impending chaos of the battles. As I settled into the room, a voice emanated from the hidden speakers. "Wee to your waiting room, ShadowWriter. Please make yourselffortable. There is a waiting time before your scheduled match." I nodded, appreciating the chance to gather my thoughts and observe the ongoing matches. The holographic screen disyed various people engaging in fierce duels, each showcasing unique styles and abilities. It was a fascinating. "There she is once again the one that remains undefeated amongst all ranks across, 350 Wins 5 Draws and 0 Defeats! Ladies and Gentleman it is CelXste1.!!!!!" In the midst of a crowded arena, a single figure stood out from the rest. Argh, with her short white-silver hair glinting under the bright arena lights, moved with a fluid and graceful quality. Her small, agile frame suggested a concealed strength, and her piercing dragon-like blue eyes constantly scanned her surroundings, betraying the power that emanated from her every calcted move. Despite standing at a mere height of 5 feet 2 inches, Argh possessed an undeniable force that surrounded her. Her identity was obscured by a mysterious mask that concealed the finer details of her face, adding to her intrigue. Nevertheless, I was able to recognize her as Aurelia Draxen, also known as The Celestial One. Her reputation as the Heroes Association''s number 1 seat preceded her, and as the author of the novel, I was familiar with her abilities and powers just by her appearance. It was a reminder that I was now an integral part of the world I had once only created. As I switched from each league match the TV mounted on the wall also allowed me to switch between different perspectives, providing aprehensive view of the arena. The cheers and roars of the audience in the background added to the atmosphere, creating a sense of immersion. Time passed, marked by the countdown disyed on the screen. As the moments dwindled, the anticipation in the room grew. I found myself engrossed in the matches, And I found out that I could bet money o. The fridge offered a convenient distraction, and I selected a few snacks to apany the unfolding spectacle. Eventually, a notification blinked on the screen, indicating that my match was approaching. The voice returned, "ShadowWriter, your duel is about to begin. Please proceed to the teleportation pad for transport to the arena." With a final nce at the ongoing matches, I made my way to the designated area, ready to step into the arena and face whatever challenges awaited me in the D-League tournament. The worker pointed towards the IDS station and said, "Step on the IDS, and you''ll be transported to the inner gate of the arena. Your match awaits." With a determined nod, I stepped onto the IDS tform. The world around me distorted, and in an instant, I found myself at the inner gate of the arena, bow in hand and a sack of arrows on my back. "What are the odds of the bet today?" "Who knows, but there''s no way that scrawny-looking fe is winning." "He''s holding a bow; there''s no chance he''s winning against that guy." "I''ll put $165 on the feller with the ming sword." Chapter 14: Battle Arena (1)

    Chapter 14: Battle Arena (1)

    Fwang! [Battle Quest: Win the tournament. Rewards: 10+ Strength, 2.5+ Stamina, Standard Ability Upgrade (1+),100 Battle Points] [Special Conditions: Your finishing move against your final opponent muste from your fists.] Standing at the gates of the arena, a system notification suddenly went off, catching me by surprise. The quest notification appeared on my screen, and I couldn''t help but feel excited at the prospect of testing the limitations of the system points if I win. Creaaakkkk The gates began to creak open, and I assumed it was my turn to walk through. As the bright lights of the arena shone upon me, a man wearing a quirky bow tie and an all-brown outfit stood before me with a cocky smile. "Hello, ShadowWriter," he sneered, a smirk ying on his lips. "Prepare to be humiliated in front of everyone. I hope you''ve practised losing." I chuckled, readying my bow. But his remarks weren''t enough to shake me; this guy was simply a nobody in this world of my creation. The holographic announcer''s voice echoed through the arena, "Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for an exciting match in the D-League tournament! In the left side of the arena, we have ShadowWriter! And in the right corner, his opponent, who''s on a 15-game win streak for the D-League Regr Season and now here for promotion to win the arena tournament, zeBringer!" The countdown initiated, and as the signal chimed, zeBringer surged forward, executing a powerful downward sh imbued with his me attribute. His movements exuded confidence, convinced of an impending victory. With calcted precision, I skillfully evaded his strike, but a lingering feeling persisted. Was he genuinely weak, or was it just his sluggishness? He followed up with another series of shes, each one missing its mark ¨C once, twice, thrice. His attackscked speed, and I effortlessly dodged them without even needing to rely on my enhanced abilities. zeBringer''s frustration surfaced, his attacks growing more erratic. "You''re just lucky! Luck won''t save you!" In response, I seamlessly disarmed him, tossing my bow into the air before delivering a swift one-two punch directly to his face. The crowd erupted in surprise as the tide turned decisively in my favor. ACK! A well-timed kick followed, and with the bow back in my hand, I took careful aim. Launching three arrows towards him, two found their mark, but it was clear that my strength in dealing with damage wascking. Undeterred, zeBringer rose once more. Determination flickered in his eyes as he extended his hand, summoning his sword back to him with a mesmerizing grace. "It seems I''ve underestimated you, Little Marksman," heughed, attempting to regain the upper hand. "You talk too much," I remarked. "Tch, I''ll shove these words I have up your ass." He lunged towards me with ferocity, unleashing a flurry of shes that seemed toe from every direction - left, right, center. It was an onught that I couldn''t avoid. To create an opening, I charged a shot in the middle. But zeBringer wasn''t done yet. Within the mes that obscured my vision, heunched a relentless assault that caught me off guard. I acted quickly and activated the Clockwork of Time. Time seemed to slow down and everything around me appeared to be in slow motion. With a burst of speed, I narrowly dodged his arcs of shes and pushed him back. I then resumed normal time and showcased an awe-inspiring reversal that left the audience stunned. The holographic announcer''s voice echoed through the arena, "A stunning turn of events! ShadowWriter dominates the match! Can anyone stop this marksman''s advance?" The crowd erupted in cheers, and I knew that victory was within my grasp. I activated the Vulnerability Reader and spotted small sparks of light that revealed a potential weakness - his ankle. With zeBringer pushed back, I swiftly shot arrows towards his sides. zeBringer, charging up his sword for another attack, found himself vulnerable once again. I activated the Vulnerability Reader a second time, spotting small sparks of light indicating a vulnerable spot - his ankle. With zeBringer still pushed back, I quickly shot arrows towards his sides. As he charged up his sword for another attack, he found himself exposed. I took advantage of the opportunity and aimed for his ankle, exploiting the weakness. The crowd gasped as the calcted strike hit home. zeBringer''s movements faltered, and I could see the tide of the battle tilting further in my favor. The holographic announcer''s voice echoed with excitement, "ShadowWriter continues to capitalize on every opportunity! The match is firmly in his control! Can zeBringer mount aeback?" However, there was no reprieve for zeBringer. I followed up with a series of meticulously nned moves, dodging his desperate attempts to regain momentum. zeBringer stumbled backward, and I closed the distance between us. In a sudden burst of agility, I aimed a precise kick at his lower ankle, causing him to lose bnce and fall to the ground. With zeBringer now on the floor, I pointed my bow at him, asserting my dominance. The holographic announcer''s voice filled the arena, "A stunning turn of events! ShadowWriter wins!" As zeBringery defeated on the arena floor, I maintained my stance, bow aimed and victory undeniable. The crowd erupted in cheers, witnessing the unexpected conclusion of the battle. The holographic screens updated with my victory, solidifying my position in the D-League tournament. zeBringer, humbled and defeated, gritted his teeth, knowing that he had been outmatched by a superior opponent. "This... this doesn''t count! It was a warm-up!" he protested, attempting to salvage some semnce of dignity. The holographic screens updated the leaderboard, disying my decisive victory. The crowd erupted in cheers, and I acknowledged their support with a nod. The holographic announcer''s tone turned firm, "There''s no warm-up in a tournament, zeBringer. You faced an archer as a swordsman and fell short." I raised an eyebrow, firing a parting shot. "I never knew you were so good at losing!" I smiled as I walked looking at the holographic screen disying the tournament bracket. As zeBringer begrudgingly epted his defeat, the holographic announcer''s voice filled the arena once more, "An impressive disy of skill and strategy from ShadowWriter! Can he maintain this momentum in the uing rounds?" The anticipation in the air was evident as the crowd eagerly awaited the next bout. hearing all sorts of chatter walking back from where I came from. "This is surprising who knew an archer could beat a swordsman like him in the tournament." "ARGHH I LOST MY $165!!! THAT WAS A SURE FIRE WIN." "Truly impressive for an archer of his caliber indeed." I acknowledged the cheers with a nod and headed off the arena floor, back to the waiting area. The worker who guided me earlier approached with a congrattory smile. "Well done, ShadowWriter! That was quite a performance out there. Your next match will be within the D-League section. Follow me, and I''ll take you to the corresponding waiting room," the worker said. I followed the worker through thebyrinthine corridors of the arena, catching glimpses of other battles and the diverse array of participants. The waiting room in the D-League section was equally luxurious just as the other rooms. A worker handed me a tablet, disying the avable weapons for my next match. Staying true to my archer skills, I opted for an enhanced bow with improved uracy and fire rate. The worker then directed me to my waiting room,plete with afortable bed, a desk, a fridge stocked with various foods and drinks, and arge screen broadcasting the ongoing matches. Settling into the room, I nced at the leaderboard disyed on the screen. The names and rankings scrolled by, and I noted a few familiar usernames, including those from the D-League battles. It was clear that thepetition would only intensify as I progressed through the tournament. With time to spare before my next match, I decided to review the abilities and stats of some notable participants in the D-League. The arena was a battleground where heroes, mercenaries, and adventurers shed for supremacy. The holographic announcer''s voice echoed once more, signaling themencement of the next set of D-League matches. The crowd''s cheers and the electrifying atmosphere was amazing who knew this many people were such gamblers? as I stepped onto the IDS tform and was immediately transported to the arena. *** After a series of hard-fought battles within the D-League, I found myself standing at the threshold of the quarter-finals. Victories had marked my standing in this tournament, each match was just as easy as the other, The holographic announcer''s voice resonated in the arena, narrating the recap of my conquests. "Incredible performances from ShadowWriter have defined this D-League tournament. From the initial sh against zeBringer, where he showcased unparalleled skill and adaptability, to a series of impressive victories against formidable opponents, ShadowWriter has emerged as a force to be reckoned with." The recap disyed the names of my defeated adversaries: SwiftStriker, a lightning-fast dual-wielder whose agility proved no match for my precision; IronWall, a heavily fat tank who crumbled under the relentless barrage of arrows; and Phoenixde, a fire-wielding swordsman whose mes were extinguished by the calcted shots from my bow. The holographic screens updated the tournament bracket, showcasing my progression to the quarter-finals. The anticipation in the arena reached a fever pitch as spectators eagerly awaited the next match in the D-League tournament. As I prepared for the uing battles, the worker who had guided me before approached with a congrattory smile. "You''ve shown remarkable skill and determination, ShadowWriter. The quarter-finals await, and I''m sure you''ll continue to captivate the audience with your prowess. Follow me, and I''ll take you to the next level of the tournament." With a nod of gratitude, I followed the worker, my mind focused on the challenges ahead. The D-League had been a testing ground, but the quarter-finals promised even greater trials. The cheers of the crowd echoed in the corridors. As I stepped into the arena for the quarter-finals, I was taken aback by its size. It was muchrger than any of the ones I had fought in before. The stands were crowded with anonymous people, and many were cing their bets. It was clear to me who my opponent was, and I couldn''t help but feel a sense of nervousness. It was one of the main characters of the story. [Urgent Storyline Change!] [Change: Main character member Bazz Wong is now in the tournament!] [A Quest Has Been Added...] [Main Story Quest: Knock Bazz out of the tournament! Rewards: 1+ Across All Stats!] I''m screwed... Chapter 15: Battle Arena (2)

    Chapter 15: Battle Arena (2)

    The holographic disy flickered, and the unexpected change in the storyline sent a jolt through me. Bazz Wong, one of the main characters of the story, now stood as my quarter-final opponent. The cheers of the crowd took on a new intensity, and the weight of the added quest for the main storyline quest reverberated in my mind. I took a deep breath, steadying myself against the surge of nervousness. This wasn''t just another battle in the D-League; It was Bazz ¡ª soon to be one of the strongest in this world. But the possibility of winning seemed very slim. The stakes were high for me as the pressure intensified. The holographic announcer''s voice cut through the tension, "Good evening Ladies and Gentleman, we are here to announce the final match for today''s tournament with the semis being held at 1:30 pm tomorrow and finals being at 3:00 pm. Now today we have 2 challengers reaching the finals. One, a highly renowned bruiser with Gloves to show the daunting beauty of brawling, BadAzz!" The crowd was screaming and shouting towards Bazz as the announcer continued. "And here on the other side is the One that walks along the shadows where the arrows ask for his permission. Ladies and gentlemen, the underdog and Super Rookie! Shadow....Writer!" his voice echoed with a dramatic twist that had me questioning the very foundations of the tournament. The crowd''s excitement heightened, as their chants were directed towards us. I nced toward Bazz, who wore a confident smirk that spoke volumes about what he was going to do. 3 2 1 Fight! Bazz, my unexpected opponent, closed the distance with speed. His fists blurred in a flurry of strikes, forcing me to dodge and weave with every ounce of agility I possessed. The crowd''s cheers reverberated in the colossal arena as the sh of archery and hand-to-handbat unfolded. "Thought you could get away from me, didn''t ya?" Bazz sneered, a grin on his face as he lunged forward, using his attribute of wind to create a shockwave that made powerful winds. I tried avoiding the attack, narrowly avoiding his strikes, but his knuckles grazed my side as he closed in again, leaving a stinging reminder of the force behind each punch. Internal thoughts raced through my mind as I dodged and countered, "This isn''t just a battle; it''s a dance with death. I can''t let nerves get the better of me." The holographic screens disyed the ongoing battle, detailing our every move. The announcer''s voice heightened the drama, narrating the intensity of the confrontation. "Incredible agility from ShadowWriter! BadAzz, the powerhouse, shows no mercy in this unexpected sh. Can the archer withstand the relentless assault?" Despite my efforts, Bazz''s blowsnded, and I could feel the toll of his fists grazing. The crowd''s roars intensified with every exchanged blow, and the atmosphere charged with anticipation. I gritted my teeth and retreated to create some space between us. The pain pulsed through my body, aching from the hits. "Focus, You fuck." I immediately began shooting arrows, but the sides of my body were aching so badly. I needed some space, but Bazz anticipated my movements beforehand; he kept countering me. His relentless pursuit forced me into close-quartersbat. With each swing of his fists, shockwaves of wind rang out, banging against my shielding bow. I tried to kick him during irregr patterns, but it was no use; his body was too sturdy. I used clockwork of time to shoot more arrows towards his body but they would just bounce off him like he was using part of his mana to shield his body from attacks. it was nearly impossible to prate through his defenses; he would be able to brush it off like it was nothing. What could I do? I needed luck. "ShadowWriter has been pushed into a corner! How will he get out of this situation this time?" The announcer said with shock. That''s when it hit me. As his fist knocked me towards the edge of the arena, I felt the adrenaline now kicking in. I had this realization that if I had the stat ''luck,'' all I needed was to keep shooting him until something ''lucky'' happened. But my body wouldn''t let me get up. Everything was hurting so much... there was already a lot of blooding out of me. Fwang! [Tenacity has been activated! your willpower has been increased! Let your current worries fade and fight with all your might!] [Evasiveness has been triggered! Your speed will be enhanced...] Ah, the migraines and the pain on my sides were fading; my vision was a bit shaky, but I could still see Bazz right before me. I had to survive... haah, I took a deep breath as I steadied myself. Bazz stood there with a smile on his face, seeing that he was interested in how I was still standing. "heh, nice! You can still fight, archer. Then be prepared for what''sing." He lunged forward towards me immediately, and I wasted no time in shooting my arrows as I activated Piercing Shot, Tak!, Tak!, Tak! With immense speed, the arrows were released before I could let go of the string. The first shot hit him directly in the chest, the second arrow hit his lower left thigh, and the other grazed his shoulder. I could tell that the damage was nothing to him, but I just had to keep damaging him little by little. He followed up with his signature move, enforcing mana into his legs and arms, dashing at such speed. But since I felt slightly faster, his Left, right, and right hook goodnight were avoided barely. Luckily for me, I was able to recognize such abo since I was the one who wrote that. Looking at his reaction, I could see that he was surprised at the way I avoided his attack so I kicked myself off his body to create more space, shooting more arrows towards him. Tak, Tak, Tak, It seemed that he wasn''t looking to dodge my attacks and kept running head-on towards me. But little by little, the arrows were certainly working. With each attack, Iunched several arrows that stuck onto his body, in hopes of procing the ability. Our battle unfolded across the arena, pure precision against raw strength. I managed tond a few calcted shots, causing Bazz to dodge my hits. But it seems the pain has caught up to him after 35 shots. Then suddenly he appeared before me again, a swift uppercut left me reeling, and a follow-up kick knocked the bow from my hands. What was I gonna do now? As my bow was knocked from my hands, I found myself on the defensive, desperately trying to regain control of the situation against Bazz''s relentless assault. Internal thoughts raced, "Should I just give up?" Bazz, confident and relentless, closed in for another strike. I needed a n but I can''t think of one. Maybe if I could force him to use his ultimate ability... I focused on evading Bazz''s attacks, using quick movements to create distance. The holographic disys captured the dance ofbat, and the crowd''s cheers rose with each nimble dodge. I spotted a few loose arrows on the arena floor. Without my bow, I grabbed them, and a n began to form. I had to keep pushing him to use his ability if I just made him impatient. Bazz, momentarily surprised adjusted his stance. I darted around him, feinting left and right, making him struggle to predict my movements. The crowd, sensing a shift, roared with anticipation. As Bazz lunged forward, I expertly dodged, leaving him momentarily off-bnce. In that split second, I unleashed a rapid sequence of arrow throws. Each shot, imbued with my me attribute, aimed at exploiting weaknesses in his defence. The holographic announcer''s voice echoed, "ShadowWriter has used an attribute for the first time since entering this arena!" Despite Bazz''s attempts to counter, my swift and calcted movements kept him on the defensive. The crowd''s excitement reached new heights as they witnessed the unexpectedeback. Realizing the need for a decisive move, Bazz unleashed a powerful wind attribute-enhanced strike. I narrowly avoided the direct hit, feeling the force of the wind grazing past me. As he recovered, I seized the opportunity to reim my bow. With bow in hand, I infused my arrows with thest remnants of Evasiveness, enhancing their speed and precision. The crowd fell silent as Iunched a barrage of arrows, each one aimed with deadly uracy. The holographic screens disyed the unfolding drama, and the announcer''s voice heightened the intensity, "Incredible marksmanship from ShadowWriter! Can Bazz withstand this relentless barrage?" Bazz, now facing a hail of arrows, struggled to evade every shot. The pain in my body was still there, but my focus was unwavering. I pressed the attack, each arrow bringing me closer. As the battle unfolded on the t arena floor, Bazz, realizing the difficulty of breaking through my speed was useless, and he decided it was time to unleash his ultimate skill, Gustful Fist. I knew he was using it as he stood still for a moment with a frustrated face, with heat rising from the top of his head, The atmosphere tensed as a colossal manifestation of his fist materialized, its sheer size making it an almost unavoidable force. My body was screaming to move but I had a n to beat this guy. With precision, I timed my response to coincide with Bazz''s attack.
  • Proc is Process for short Proc-ess. It also means to activate something.
    •  Chapter 16: Battle Arena (3)

    Chapter 16: Battle Arena (3)

    Bazz, with a fierce roar,unched the Gustful Fist toward me. The ground trembled as the massive form of a fist hurtled through the air, threatening to crush everything in its path. In that critical moment, I activated ''that'' ability. Lunging towards the oing fist, my hand radiated an eerie glow¡ªa dark lightning that crackled with an intensity, Sparks of crimson outlined the shadows, dancing with each surge of the ck lightning. A shockwave rippled through the arena, and for a moment, it seemed as though time itself had frozen. The impact resonated through my arm, but my grip held firm. one second went by and another passed, as I kept holding onto the fist that could''ve beaten me long ago... it felt like a year. and the system response echoed in my consciousness, [Sessful Parry!] [Luck has manifested! The parry has been sent back 2x stronger.] I couldn''t believe it. As the Gustful Fist, now redirected, soared back toward Bazz. His eyes widened with surprise as his skill became a weapon against him. The holographic screens captured the dramatic turn of events, and the announcer''s voice boomed, "Unbelievable! Absolutely BREATH TAKING! ShadowWriter turns Bazz''s power against him with what looks like the perfect counter! Are you guys seeing this? He''s just an Archer???" In a split second, the manifestation of power crashed into Bazz, sending shockwaves through the arena floor. Bazz caught off guard, attempted to stop his attack, but the sheer momentum proved insurmountable. The moment of impact was chaos. The Gustful Fist, a swirling maelstrom of unleashed power, crashed into Bazz with a thunderous roar. The arena reverberated with the force of the collision, sending shockwaves through the air. For an instant, the gusting winds merged with Bazz''s aura, creating a breathtaking disy of elemental fury. Spectators could almost feel the sheer force of the wind, a tornado in the form of a fist, as it shed against Bazz. Despite his strength, he wasn''t strong enough in the face of his ability. The impact sent him staggering backward, his attempts to resist the force proving insufficient. The crowd, witnessing the spectacle, held their breath as the Gustful Fistunched Bazz straight towards the wall and crashed towards it. As the winds subsided, leaving only echoes of the wind, Bazzy sprawled on the arena floor. With just a small ounce of luck, the creations of what was my imagination were now unconscious, I had beaten A Main character. The holographic screens blinked, and the announcer''s voice dered the victor. The arena fell silent. I stood there exhausted, hurt, and bloody. Breathing heavily, I stood victorious, bruised and Injured. The crowd erupted in cheers, And I could barely walk as the workers of the Organization escorted Bazz and me out of the arena. [Main Story Quest Completed. Quest: Knock Bazz out of the tournament!] [Rewards are now being transferred... Transferplete!] [All Stats with numerical value have been given a 1+! (Percentage) or (Point)] [55 Battle Points Have Been Awarded.] I was really pleased to see how far I''de, but I don''t think I could survive against Bazz, who was weak at the beginning of the story. I knew I could manage, but I still needed to get even stronger if I wanted to return home one day. The workers, d in their ck attire, approached. One of them, a technician, spoke up, "ShadowWriter, amazing work out there. We will be taking you to the Hyper Stasis Chamber." he said in a formal yet serious tone as he put my right arm over his shoulder and walked me out. "Ah yes thank you," I said in a polite tone, acknowledging the workers who were now escorting both Bazz and me out of the arena. As the crowd''s voices disappeared we walked through the D-League Lounge room and straight down the corridor. As we reached the hyper-stasis chamber, the workers gently guided Bazz into the healing room. The technician spoke to me, "You did something incredible in there. We''ll take care of BadAzz, and you should get some rest too." With a simple nod, I entered my healing chamber. The cool embrace of the technology enveloped me, and the healing process began. The workers initiated the sequence, and I could feel the injuries gradually mending. As the healing chamber worked its magic, I wasying on the bed they provided as each part of my body healed quickly I was able to get back moving again. Exiting out the room another worker was waiting for me. The worker, dressed in ck, escorted me to the waiting room. The atmosphere was now quiet as the day''s matches had concluded. The worker shared some details with me, "The matches are done for today. The semifinals and finals are scheduled for tomorrow. You can stay here for the night, and all expenses are covered, including food and living. Feel free to use the training facilities we have here." I expressed my gratitude, "That''s generous. I appreciate the offer." The worker nodded, "It''s our pleasure. You''ve proven yourself today, and the Dawnde Organization takes care of its participants. Follow me; I''ll take you to a different lounge room and to your room where you can rest." As we walked through the vast corridors of the arena, he continued, "This lounge room is reserved for participants who are staying overnight. You''ll find everything you need here, and the training facilities are open 24/7 if you wish to prepare for tomorrow''s matches." We entered a different lounge room, distinct from the D-League lounge. The atmosphere here was quieter, with a more rxed ambience. Comfortable seating, refreshments, and various amenities were avable for the participants. "Here is the main lounge we will be starting our Dinner buffet section shortly, so please dig in for the food while we go find you a room." the worker informed me before taking his leave. After enjoying a satisfying dinner, the worker returned and said, "Now, let me take you to your temporary apartment room. It''s within the Dawnde''s Luxury Complex area, providing you with convenience and privacy during your stay." We walked to a separate section of the arena, and he guided me to a well-appointed temporary apartment. "Here you go. If you need anything else, don''t hesitate to ask. Good luck for your semi-final match tomorrow," the worker said before leaving me to rest in the cozy surroundings. After settling into my temporary apartment, I decided to take advantage of the 24/7 training facilities avable at the Dawnde Arena. I was curious to see what kind of state-of-the-art equipment a multi-billion dor organization like this would have to offer. As I made my way to the training area, I was excited to continue improving my skills. Upon entering the expansive training facility, I was impressed by the wide range of high-tech equipment avable. The sound of machinery and weights nging in the background created a perfect environment for anyone looking to enhance their abilities. As I approached the weights section, I knew that today''s training would be focused on my shoulders and arms. The holographic disys on the equipment allowed me to customize the intensity and focus of my workout. I began with a set of dynamic warm-ups to ensure that my muscles were ready for the uing session. *** My consciousness slowly returned, and I found myself in an unfamiliar ce. The antiseptic smell and the soft hum of medical equipment filled the air. Opening my eyes, I realized I was in a Hyperstasis Chamber within the Dawnde Organization. Every part of my body ached, and my head throbbed. I tried to sit up, but dizziness sent me back onto the bed. Memories of the fight flooded back¡ªthe Gustful Fist, my ultimate skill, deflected? No way... he shouldn''t have been able to dodge it. Damn it, even with our identities hidden behind masks, I could tell he was around my age. An archer deflecting an attack with his bare fist? There was no way someone like him existed, Isn''t an archer supposed to be a support? like what even was that? Maybe he was a smurf in the tournament, But security should''ve caught him before that. Was it just luck? Ack! My hand instinctively went to my chest, feeling the soreness from the impact. Holographic disys in the room flickered, showing my vital signs and monitoring my condition. The subdued lighting added to the clinical atmosphere, casting an eerie glow on the sterile surroundings. The door slid open, and a Dawnde Organization medic entered. Dressed in a crisp white uniform, they approached with a reassuring smile. "Good to see you awake, Bazz. How are you feeling?" the medic inquired, checking the readouts on the holographic disy. I grunted in response, the soreness evident in my voice. "What happened? Did I lose?" The medic nodded, "Yes, ShadowWriter managed to redirect your Gustful Fist, and it hit you back. You took quite a hit, but the healing process is going well. Physically, you''re all healed up, but you might still feel the injuries from the battle. It''ll take some time for everything to settle." I scowled, the bitter taste of defeat lingering. "I never expected an archer to pull off a move like that." The medic chuckled, Yes, I don''t think anyone expected to see an archer pulling that off in broad daylight. There are many rumours of him being a smurf within the arena, but many analytic experts doubt this, so it''s safe to assume he''s probably an Academy Star Prospect from somewhere." The medic paused to check her clipboard, ticking off items as she stared at me, then looked back at her list before continuing. "The Organization''s boss watched the match in awe. He was impressed by young talents like you and that Archer. But don''t let it get to your head. Just take it easy for now, and when you''re ready, you can leave anytime." As I rested my head, I wondered if he went to our academy. If he did, I needed to see his true power upfront because nothing leaked out of him during that fight¡ªno faint traces of mana or qi. Who could be such a talented archer? Maybe it was Jae Yoona, but that''s impossible. I''m certain Shadow Writer is a guy. Perhaps it''s the lunatic in our ss? No, he uses a crossbow, so it couldn''t be him. I chuckled andughed it off. There''s no way a low-performing student could be as strong as Shadow Writer, that damn skilled Archer. *** [Dawnde''s Main Stage Arena] "I am proud to announce that Shadow Writer has advanced to the D-League''s Grand Finals! A triumph for a rookie who uses the bow and arches like Robin Hood himself. Incredible!" eximed the announcer. After winning my semi-final round, I faced off against Silent Phantom. Though he was tricky to figure out, he was a no-named character, so I knew I could dispose of him with ease. All I had to do was spam vulnerability reader to find his weaknesses and defeat him. It was already hard enough to beat Bazz with just sheer luck, but I already knew who my final opponent was. As I watched the fight that followed, I saw an imposing figure standing six feet tall with a muscr build that spoke of countless hours spent honing his body. He carried a long broadsword that seemed almost as tall as me. It was Jasper, one of the fodder viins, who I created as a stepping stone for the main characters. However, it was way too early for them to meet Jasper since he would be over at the first destination of the breakfast club''s activities, France. But the time wasn''t right now since I had a week to think about the ns of Jasper. As the hour approached for my confrontation with Jasper, I found myself in the waiting room. Looking at the final part mission for my quest. The air was thick with anticipation, and it would be wise to rest and gather my thoughts. ______________________ New Ability Learnt!: Projectile Disarm: The ability is a precision-focused skill that allows the user, to actively deflect or parry iing projectiles with remarkable uracy. >Health: 67 -> 68 >Strength: 20.5 -> 21.5 >Stamina: 33.5 -> 34.5 >Speed: 62 -> 63 >Luck: 0.08% -> 1.08% ______________________ Chapter 17: Battle Arena (4)

    Chapter 17: Battle Arena (4)

    [Sifters LTD Foundation underground base of operations] 5 Weeks Before the Tournament... The undergroundir of Sifters LTD Foundation emanated an eerie ambience, with dimly lit corridors leading to various nefarious corners of the ndestine base. In the heart of their covert operations, nestled in the ndestine nning room, Jasper, a loyal operative, stood before his enigmatic boss. The nning room, adorned with high-tech surveince screens and holographic disys, buzzed with an air of secrecy. The walls, d in dark metal, absorbed the faint hum of machinery. The central holographic table flickered as Jasper''s boss, concealed in shadows, outlined a mission of utmost importance. "I have valuable intel, Jasper," his boss began, eyes gleaming with malevolence. "The D-League tournament holds a coveted prize¡ªa relic of immense power. We need it, and you''re our best chance to secure it." Jasper, his silhouette merging with the dimly lit room, listened intently. The boss continued, "You''re an official dueler at the arena. You''ll participate, and you''ll win. At all costs." A holographic image materialized on the table, disying the coveted item. It glowed with an otherworldly aura, its significance known only to those of higher power. "We also offer you ourtest doping equipment," the boss added, tempting Jasper with an edge. "It will enhance your abilities, ensuring victory." Jasper, however, exuded confidence. "I don''t need it. I''ll win, with or without your enhancements." His boss nodded, acknowledging the unwavering determination. "But remember, Jasper, failure is not an option. If you can''t win it, steal it. Bring it back to us." With a silent nod, Jasper exited the Base of Operations room... emerging onto the west side of the entrance, shrouded in the shadows of impending darkness. The information provided by Infra Tech''s Guild wasn''t so useful in the least. The traces led to an academy student, a mere appearance profile in the extensive database and with close to no reports on this person actual identity couldn''t be revealed either. Yet, the privacy protocols of Dawn''s Org shielded the true identity of every participant that entered Dawnde''s Arena even "Shadow Writer." As I stood at the entrance, I couldn''t help but wonder about my opponent. Archers were usually considered as support for the front lines, so why was one participating in a tournament meant for one-on-onebat? I began to have doubts about this guy but I''m one of the sessors to the boss''s guild there was no way I was losing to someone like him. On the other side of the gate, my opponent was also waiting. I tried to detect any sign of energy emanating from him, but my usually sharp senses failed me, leaving me uncertain. I focused on the arena gate, hoping to catch a glimpse of Shadow Writer, but there was nothing to see. This made me question the true strength of the "Shadow Writer", and whether he was strong or too weak to conceal his aura. However, I knew that he had beaten BadAzz, who was one of the favorites to win the tournament. Although I might have had some trouble dealing with BadAzz, I was confident that I would emerge victorious. As I stood waiting for the gates to open, the sound of the crowd murmuring enveloped me like a distant symphony. The air was electric with anticipation, and every spectator held their breath in expectation of the uing duel. Just before the gates opened, giant screens lit up the perimeter, disying the animated faces in the crowd. One of the screens showed the real-time fluctuations in the betting ratios, revealing the excitement and spection that flowed through the spectators. [Shadow Writer Vs JasperTheStrongest] [Bets ced: 1 - $100 million vs $185 million - Bets ced: 1095 ] As per your request, I have rewritten the text to make it clearer. I have also corrected any spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Here''s the revised version: "I can''t believe someone bet 100 million on that archer. They must be crazy!" Suddenly, I felt a wave of pressure hit me and I fell to the ground gasping for air. My body was crawling with fear and then it suddenly disappeared. I thought it came from the other side, but then I saw a woman in a VIP box. She had sharp, calcting eyes and was watching the drama unfold. She made a discreet nod, signalling an understanding with someone out of sight. A few rows across, a man in a tailored suit observed the proceedings with an unreadable expression. The insignia on hispel hinted at affiliations beyond the surface, and the subtle gestures he made were signals understood only by those in the know. In another section of the stands, a figure draped in a cloak observed the proceedings from the shadows. The glint of sharp eyes hinted at a mysterious agenda, the details of which remained obscured. As the screens continued to disy the animated faces of the crowd, the arena lights dimmed, casting a spotlight on thepetitors. A surge of strong energy and auras emanated from various corners, creating an electrifying atmosphere. The faces in the stands became mere silhouettes, yet these silhouettes carried with them the weight of untold stories and hidden agendas, waiting to unfold in the drama of the D-League tournament. The roaring crowd in the colossal arena reached a fever pitch as the announcer''s voice reverberated through the stands, "Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for the sh of titans! In this corner, we have the towering giant, the bruiser with a de, Jasper!" The crowd erupted into cheers as Jasper, standing at an imposing 6''8, stepped into the spotlight. "In the opposite corner, the enigmatic archer who defied the odds to reach the finals, the one and only Shadow Writer!" The spotlight shifted to Rel, the 5''11 archer, whose presence seemed to defy the expectations of many. Both contestants eyed each other down, their identities hidden behind masks, adding an air of mystery to the impending battle. The hushed murmurs of the crowd spected on the unlikely matchup¡ªDavid versus Goliath in a modern-day arena. As Guild leaders and other special figures observed from their exclusive seats, their attention was undeniably drawn to Shadow Writer. The fact that an archer had made it this far fueled curiosity and skepticism alike. Whispers echoed through the elite spectators, questioning the nature of Shadow Writer''s abilities. "Does this kid possess any trace of mana or qi?" The query lingered in the minds of those witnessing the unfolding spectacle. The arena, a vast expanse of grandeur, became the stage for a battle that defied conventions. The sh of styles, the intrigue surrounding Shadow Writer, and the sheer scale of the event made it a spectacle not to be missed. Theparison to the ssic tale of David and Goliath hung in the air, underscoring the dramatic nature of the impending confrontation. With both contestants now standing a mere 15 meters apart, the tension in the arena was palpable. The crowd held its collective breath, eager to witness the beginning of a duel that promised to be unlike any seen before in the D-League tournament. *** The towering figure of Jasper loomed before me, and a knot of nervousness tightened in my stomach. Seeing him in person, he seemed even more colossal than on the holographic disys. The weight of his presence was intimidating, and the thought of facing a giant like him with a massive sword sent shivers down my spine. How could I, The Author, stand a chance against someone like him? I needed to shake off the nerves and regain myposure. This wasn''t just about personal survival; it was a quest, just a quest... I whispered to myself, feeling delusional at the thought of convincing my jittery mind that it was merely for the quest, not about the potential obliteration that loomed over me. Despite the inner turmoil, my expression remained stoic. I refused to betray my emotions to Jasper, maintaining a serious gaze. The weight of the impending battle pressed upon me, but I couldn''t afford to show weakness. As the announcer introduced us, the crowd eagerly anticipated the sh between the towering Jasper and the nimble archer, both shrouded in masks concealing their identities. The stark contrast between the 6''8" giant and the 5''11" archer fueled spection and bets among the spectators... [Aurelia Draxen: Ranked 1 Hero For the United Heroes Association [Internationally] dubbed as the strongest of this generation and in the world. Age 26.] "Aurelia, what''s drawing you to that archer?" A man draped in a brown robe, concealing his identity, asked. "That Archer is something else, Fredrick. Can''t you see? There''s a hidden strength about him, something we can''t quite figure out by just watching." [Fredrick Bronze: Ranked: 3rd Nationally for Australia] "Hmm, you''re right. But why the fascination? Oddly, he takes hits he could''ve easily dodged." Fredrick turned to Aurelia, who remained fixated on the Archer in the distance, her intrigue evident. "For all we know, he might be intentionally letting them hit him. Human or superhuman, we all have limits. The damage here is recoverable, but fatal blows are prohibited. If someone were to kill intentionally, the match would end instantly. But I can''t decipher his motives. I had to find out who he was. Even with Infra Tech intel, the top archer is Gagher, but it can''t be him." "Maybe you''re overthinking this." "What do you mean, overthinking?" Aurelia''s aura vibrated, identally knocking out spectators nearby. "Do you dare call me wrong, Fredick?" "Aurelia, calm down! I was kidding." Fredrick, initially standing tall, struggled under Aurelia''s rage. "Good. Now be quiet; the match is starting soon." Aurelia''s aura subsided, tension easing. "Oh, and put 10 million on Jasper." "Yes." Fredrick feigned a cough, attempting to downy the earlier incident. Somewhere on the other side of the arena... "Eh? How pitiful. Can she do as she pleases in this ce?" With quiet authority, he leaned back, his steel-grey hair lending wisdom to his presence. His stormy grey eyes keenly surveyed the scene below, dressed in a well-tailored navy zer andfortable beige chinos, striking a bnce between style and elegance. "Sir Navi, you''re on vacation. I''d advise against causing amotion; enjoy your week off." -> [Navi Columbus: Adventurers Organization''s President] <- "You''re right. I was here to bet a few million on talents that wouldn''t disappoint, but that Archer disyed tactical brilliance on the field." Navi sighed, gazing at the ceiling with an iced coffee in hand. "Assistant, how much have I spent in the past two days?" Navi inquired. "Yes, Sir Navi, you''ve spent 8.9 million dors on bets alone in thest two days," she replied, presenting the expenditure records. "Interesting. Perhaps I should go on solo dungeon raids to recover all the money I''ve lost. But there''s a special eventing up, so no time for that now." Navi sipped his iced coffee, eyeing the announcer introducing today''s fighters. "Are you betting on today''s candidates, Sir Navi?" the assistant asked. "Yeah," Navi answered swiftly. "Put 100 million on the Archer," he smiled, captivated by the mysterious figure known as Shadow Writer.
  • Aurelia purposely calls Fredrick, Fre-dick in her fit of rage.
    •  Chapter 18: Battle Arena (5)

    Chapter 18: Battle Arena (5)

    The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as the announcer likened our encounter to the legendary David and Goliath battle. The distance between us was marked, a mere 15 meters, but the weight of expectations hung thick in the air. In those crucial moments, nervousness gripped me. Jasper''s imposing figure loomedrger than life, and thoughts of facing such a formidable opponent overwhelmed my senses. I reminded myself that this was not just a personal challenge; it was a quest, a task to be fulfilled. I suppressed my fear, focusing on the quest''s objective rather than my own survival. 3 2 1 GO Across the arena stood Jasper closing the distance with ground-shaking steps. His longsword, a gleaming menace, poised for the impending battle. Recognizing my disadvantage in reach, I swiftly drew my bow, unleashing a precise volley of arrows. Jasper, surprisingly agile for his size, evaded with ease, setting the tone for an unconventional match. Closing to just 5 meters away, his sword''s aura extended, making it challenging to evade. sh after sh, I maneuvered with grace using Clockwork of Time, avoiding each curved arc. In the slowed time, I shot steel arrows with my ability piercing and quick shot, attempting to break through his mana armament defence. Despite my efforts, the arrows bounced harmlessly. Taking steps back, Jasper closed the distance within 3 seconds. With slowed time now resuming to normal I took a few steps back but it was no use Jasper could close the distances within 3 seconds of me getting away. RAH A powerful sh barely missed my foot, triggering my Vulnerability Reader, revealing no weaknesses. Feeling the weight of the situation, desperation fueled my decision to attempt something I hadn''t dared before ¡ª infusing mana into my bow. As I channeled mana into the bow, a transformation urred. Streaks of arrows ignited with mes, creating a mesmerizing disy. The first arrow pierced the air, colliding with Jasper''s barrier in a burst of energy, a sight that not only shattered his defense but marked the first time I sessfully executed such a maneuver. "Shadow Writer has turned the tide! What an unexpected move, catching Jasper off guard!" The announcer eximed. Yet, Jasper''s formidable skill allowed him to dodge the rest of my arrows seeing what they were capable of, showcasing an agility that defied his massive frame. I kept shooting and shooting endlessly with the ignited arrows, but they wouldn''t seem to work. They weren''t particrly fast or strong; they were just arrows being shot precisely, as he could deflect them with his sword or avoid them altogether. But a sudden idea came to my head: What if I used aura concealment to seal the bow attribute in the arrow? As I activated my aura concealment ability, I created illusions of attribute-less arrows. The deceptive projectiles found their mark, causing minimal yet significant damage. "What just happened?" Jasper suddenly muttered to himself. He looked towards his now heavily bruised shoulder, bleeding from the aftereffects of the arrow. The arena witnessed such a scene as the crowd began cheering even louder. Then it was a game of cat and mouse. While Jasper chased me relentlessly to stop me from releasing arrows, I was stuck running and attempting to shoot precisely at Jasper, but my aim was shaken mid-battle due to his ground-shaking running, throwing my aim off. Jasper, unwavering, initiated aura shes with killing intent. I used my ability Projectile Disarm and parried the initial strikes, but the third blownded with brutal force, ripping through my attire and creating a line down the right side of my inner shoulder down to my waist as it bled and stung. Critical Hit! [HP: 28/68] [Warning! If you are struck with a weapon 2 more times you will be knocked out.] Seeing the notification on my screen, I realized that this situation was far worse than facing Bazz. "I''ll kill you for hurting me like that, brat. I was nning on taking it easy on you, but now there was no way I''ll let you continue to evade me." I quickly began tracking backward as I used Clockwork of Time once again. I could feel my stamina depleting. I conjured a streak of arrows imbued with my me attribute and fired all that I could as soon as Clockwork of Time ran out. Jasper was quick enough to reinforce the extent of that attack with his mana shield, but luckily for me, a few of the arrows found their mark, impairing his vision. The tournament atmosphere intensified as I saw Jasper in a fit of rage, screaming, and suddenly he activated his amplification ability, a dark aura surrounding him. A powerful sword strike sent me into the air, but I countered with a barrage of arrows, some decoys, others ming streaks. As the ground weed me back, stamina waned, and Jasper''s vision deteriorated. Fueled by anger, his blind charge and shouts echoed in the arena. Throwing every type of sh he could as I evaded his unbridled swings, I retaliated with precisely timed streaks of ignited arrows. "The tension in the arena is clear! Jasper''s Vision is now impaired!" The announcer dered. With the crowd in awe, they were standing on their feet, witnessing the spectacle as I saw Jasper still swinging within arm''s reach of me. Then I saw the Quest special condition. [Special Condition: Your finishing move against your final opponent muste from your fists.] Dropping my bow, I approached Jasper, transitioning to hand-to-handbat. "Shadow Writer shifts tactics! A daring move into close-quartersbat!" The announcer''s voice echoed. Despite theck of force behind my strikes, I activated the Vulnerability Reader. Sparks of light emanated from Jasper''s body, guiding my blows with precision as I exploited the weaknesses revealed to me. In his blindness, Jasper swung wildly, unable to discern my movements. A rapid session of strikes unfolded¡ª10, 20, 30, 40 times¡ª I had punched him. Deceiving his senses with my bow, I threw it at him. Without hesitation, he swung and smiled, believing he had secured his triumph. Jasper stood motionless, wearing a triumphant smile. "Heh, It''s a shame that you''re only a puny little archer," he chuckled, theughter following suit. "Finally! It''s over." Maintainingplete silence as the crowd hushed, and as hisughter subsided, I spoke out loud right behind him, "Not yet, pal." Clenching my fist, I felt a surge of energy, a burst of ck sparks and lightning. The impact created a shockwave that echoed through the arena. Jasper, caught off guard, was sent sprawling to the ground, unconscious. [Luck has hit the mark.] [Critical Hit!] The announcer''s voice boomed over the loudspeaker, "And there it is, folks! What a turn of events! Shadow Writer hasnded a stunning blow, and Jasper is down for the count!" The tournament crowd erupted into cheers and gasps, the arena vibrating with the intensity of the moment. The announcer continued, "In an incredible disy of skill and determination, Shadow Writer has emerged victorious, oveing the seemingly insurmountable odds in this tournament. This is a moment to remember, folks!" The camera panned to Shadow Writer, standing tall amidst the cheers, his breath visible in the tournament''s charged air. The victory was hard-fought, every move calcted, every arrow shot with precision. In the annals of the tournament''s history, Shadow Writer''s name would be remembered for toppling the giant and achieving triumph against formidable odds. Chapter 19: Unexpected encounter (1)

    Chapter 19: Unexpected encounter (1)

    "WHATTTTT! Did I see that correctly?" Aurelia was too stunned to speak; her mouth dropped further than the time she lost her favourite pillow on the floor. "HE KNOCKED HIM OUT WITH HIS FIST??" Inside the VIP box, Aurelia leaned towards the railing, her eyes fixed on the Archer who had conquered the giant. "That was quite impressive," Fredrick said. "The Archer used those small punches to deceive his opponent and finished him off with a powerful blow," he added, surprising Aurelia. "Not only that... But that was a month''s worth of sry." Aurelia began to sulk as she had lost her money to gambling once again. "DAMN IT, I KNEW THE ARCHER WAS GONNA BEAT HIM. WHY DID I HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT HIM!" Aurelia''s feet stomped the ground as her tantrum was causing earthquakes in the arena; people thought that monsters were invading Central Australia... "HAHAHAHAHA, I knew he had it in him!" Navi, who was watching the match carefully, observed it with genuine interest. "An archer who uses his fist to humiliate a swordsman is one of the most interesting matches I have watched in this arena!" RUMBLE, RUMBLE, RUMBLE Looking from afar, my box suite was shaken by an angry little girl standing up from the box across from me. Oh? Is Aurelia angry again? The arena is shaking so suddenly; maybe she ced her bets on that Jasper guy. Pffft. Kekekeke, that kid sure has promise. "Assistant," Navi called her as she appeared swiftly. "Yes, Sir Navi?" The assistant replied promptly, her tone respectful. Navi, intrigued, inquired, "How much did I win from that bet?" "You''ve won $480,135,000 from that," the assistant responded, delivering the news with aposed demeanour. Navi got up and put on his beige zer with a smirk on his face "It''s time to leave I''ve seen enough and I''m not interested in seeing any other match here for a while now." He said, "However, if possible, I would appreciate it if you could keep an eye on that kid''s activities, but don''t pry too much into his life. I just want to know what he''s up to." *** Fwang! [Quest: Win the tournament. Status: Completed] [Rewards are now being transferred... Transfer Complete!] [Rewards: 10+ Strength, 2.5+ Stamina, Standard Ability Upgrade (1+),100 Battle Points] __________________ Strength: 21.50 -> 31.50 (10.00+^) Stamina: 34.5 -> 37 (2.50+^) __________________ Ding! Ding! Ding! [Standard Ability Upgrade Selection:] [Piercing Shot: Grade 9] -> [Grade 8] [Quick Shot: Grade 9] -> [Grade 8] [Projectile Disarm: Grade 4] -> [Grade 3] [Vulnerability Reader: Grade 8] -> [Grade 7] The system notifications kept appearing one after the other, and I felt that winning this battle was worth all the energy I had expended. After evaluating my options, I am convinced that Vulnerability Reader yed a significant role in carrying me through thetter half of the tournament. However, I believe that if I upgrade my Projectile Disarm skill, I can parry almost any reflective projectile, even the ones that seem almost impossible to parry. Although I learned Projectile Disarm before the quarter-finals, I was able to earn all of my PPP during the earlier rounds. I managed to earn about 345 PPP from the hecklers who were angry about my victories being "scripted." or "Rigged." They even threw food and drinks at me. Exhausted and unable to decide what was best for me, I stood still in the arena as the crowd, was upset about my win. They were throwing all sorts of things at me, and it wasn''t even food at this point. Was I getting stoned? As rocks pelted against my head, I politely asked my system a question, "Can I save the upgrade forter?" [Sure! Just make sure to make a decision as soon as possible :D] [-0.1 HP] [-0.1 HP] [-0.1 HP] [-0.1 HP] Awe on I have feelings too... As staff members rushed in to protect me, they shielded me from the outburst of the crowd. They screamed, saying, "Give me my money back!" A man shouted, and some others called it a ''fixed match,'' but I was too exhausted to care. "Mr. Shadow Writer, you can collect your winnings and rewards at the top floor called Victory Hall. There''s a special reception where people will greet you and safely hand the award. If you need help guarding your rewards, we will grant you safe protection." I nodded in response as I was escorted out of the arena and into the Hyperstasis chamber to heal. The worker in ck spoke to me ear to ear and handed me a specific ck card before I entered. When I wrote this part of the novel, I didn''t expect to describe such a luxurious ck card, but as I stood there being healed by the chamber magic, my ns moving forward would probably be to get around the top 20 in the ss for the assignment rankings so I don''t get singled out and kicked out because of how weak I was. After being healed by the Hyperstasis chamber, I quickly navigated my way through the arena, but I couldn''t help but feel like I was being followed. The presence felt slightly eerie yet undiscoverable, but each time I turned around to check, there was no one behind me. Was I tripping? I couldn''t tell if there was anyone near me, but I finally arrived at the special reception of Dawndes Arena. I only had to take an elevator towards the top floor, but there were two guards on standby in ck tuxedos and ck shades, both holding a sword on their back. I approached them, and one stepped forward. "Do you have some sort of identification with you, sir?" The man with a bald head approached me. I showed him the ck card, and he took it, inspecting it closely and running it through a scanner in his pocket. "You''re good to go through. Proceed carefully and try not to break anything." The two of them opened therge doors leading to a ce so familiar, as if I''ve yed this from somewhere in my childhood. This ce looked like none other than the Pok¨¦mon Centre but more extravagant. There was ady dressed in white behind the counter, and the sign above her said, Receptionist. As I looked at my surroundings, there were two staircases to the side of the receptionist station and a bunch of photos, trophies, and name engravings on both sides of the room. This was Victory Hall, as I had originally described it. I assumed behind the ck curtains behind the receptionist room was the vault that connects to all the treasures from every main arena across the world. Then there was a suddenmotioning from outside the doors... "Who are you? This reception is for those with special ess only. No freeloaders allowed." "Oh, I have special ess, alright." "Where''s your proof of ess?" The man behind the doors chuckled. "Right here." I felt the surge of power and a burst of energying from the door. I heard the guard say something like, "What''s with those horns? Are you some kind of monster?" "Monster? No, my friend, I''m just getting started." "This is yourst warning. Leave or we will kill you on sight." "Kill on sight, huh? I think you''re the ones who should prepare to be killed." BANG, BANG, BANG, "What in the name of the gods is happening?!" "Just a little boost, courtesy of a friend," he beganughing loudly. AHHHHHH I couldn''t tell who was behind those doors, but the voice sounded way too familiar not to know. Opening the doors I saw Jasper now in a different type of transformation. His once ordinary human features contorted into a visage that seemed to blur the lines between devil and human. Chapter 20: Unexpected Encounter (2)

    Chapter 20: Unexpected Encounter (2)

    Out of Jasper''s forehead, two imposing, obsidian-hued horns spiralled upward, They glistened with an eerie iridescence, casting subtle shadows on his transformed expression. His eyes, once mundane, now glowed with pure hatred, as if an infernal me burned within, reflecting his personality. Looking at his skin it underwent a dramatic alteration, transitioning from the ordinary palette of flesh tones to a more darker shade. A subtle, crimson undertone seemed to pulse beneath the surface. Jasper''s once unassuming physique now bore the marks of supernatural transfiguration. Sinewy muscles rippled beneath his transformed skin, lending an aura of demonic energy. His limbs elongated slightly, bestowing upon him an uncanny feature of half human and half devil. "Oh, It''s the champion of the tournament!" Jasper''s voice sounded demonic with a tinge of his normal voice within. "Perfect timing! I didn''t think I would have to resort to n B in the first ce but I think it''s best if you die where you stand." The tension in his voice shook my body, and my legs were trembling with fear. He looked like my ideal vision of a devil, and I was just a human, not a superhuman. I couldn''t think of a way to get out of this situation, so what could I do right now? My mind and body were torn between running away or fighting. However, Jasper has already blocked the main hallway exit. I realized that if I gave up without a fight, all my efforts so far would be in vain, which is why I have decided to give it my best shot. I grabbed my bow, which had helped me during the tournament, and prepared for the battle ahead. "Are you still trying to fight? Can''t you see how strong I am I''ve been reborn into a new person!" Jasperughed as he gazed at my bow. I didn''t want to respond to his answers, but I had to fight somehow. So, I began charging up my shots and prepared for the worst. "How foolish," Jasper said as he extended his hand out towards me and shot a medium-sized fireball with immense speed. But, I was able to parry it thanks to Projectile Disarm. Jasper''s wickedughter echoed, reverberating off the walls of the corridor as he revelled in his strength. The flickering mes from the previous fireball still danced in the air, casting an ominous glow on his horned and semi-demon like form. "Come now, Archer, show me what you''re made of!" Jasper taunted, his voice a haunting melody of malice. I tightened my grip on the bow, with a mix of fear flickering in my eyes. Without a word, I unleashed a barrage of arrows, each aimed with precision. Jasper effortlessly dodged, his agility now faster than before as he danced between my arrows. "You think those feeble arrows can stop me now?" he sneered, his eyes aze with demonic fervour. I swallowed my saliva, and continued my assault, strategically cing shots to limit his movements. Yet, with every evasion, Jasper seemed to be enjoying dodging my attack, his demonicughter taunting my efforts. Suddenly, he lunged forward, his speed defying his devilish form. A powerful strike from his transformed arm aimed directly at my chest. I quickly sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the blow. The corridor seemed to close in, bing a tough ground for me to move through. Sparks of mes flew as I shot more arrows from my bow, Jasper''s strength was overwhelming, each blow he parried from my arrows were resonating with an unnatural force. Despite my best efforts, I found myself pushed back, the corridor''s walls closing in. "Give up, Archer! Your feeble resistance means nothing in the face of true power!" Jasper''s demonicughter echoed, an eerie soundtrack to my struggle. With each exchange, I felt the weight of his demonic energy around him. His attacks were relentless, and my energy waned with every attempted evasion. The corridor felt like a cage, and Jasper, a malevolent force determined to break me. "Your futile attempts amuse me!" Jasper proimed, revelling in the apparent ease of our battle. Cornered, my options dwindled. Jasper''s taunts echoed in the confined space, his demonic form casting an intimidating shadow. The struggle had escted into a desperate dance, and the oue hung in the bnce as we shed in the narrow corridor, the very air pulsating with the intensity of our struggle. A powerful strike from Jasper connected, sending shockwaves through my body as pain red. I staggered my grip on the bow loosening for a moment. The relentless assault had taken its toll, and fear wed at the edges of my consciousness. Jasper seized the opportunity, closing the distance with unnatural speed. Horns protruding menacingly, his demonic form loomed over me, casting a shadow that eclipsed any hope of escape. "You''re finished, Archer!" Jasper dered, his voice dripping with triumph. Fear gripped me. with no room to evade his demonic onught. Every attempt to counter his relentless attacks met with overwhelming force. His strikesnded with brutal precision, each one draining my strength. The walls of the corridor seemed to close in, amplifying the dread that coursed through my veins. The dance of arrows had given way to a desperate struggle for survival. I could hear Jasper''s taunts, his demonicughter ringing in my ears as he smiled at me gruelling in pain. That''s when the realization hit me¡ªI might not make it out of this alive. The fear of impending death gnawed at my resolve, clouding my thoughts as I grappled with the overwhelming force before me. As he closed in for what seemed like the final blow, I couldn''t shake the chilling certainty that this might be the end of my journey. "Halt, demon!" The sound of a woman in the hallways spoke up, It came from the entrance of the elevator, She wore an elegant white and gold dress that flowed gracefully with every movement. The attire entuated her silver-white hair, and even amid the impending confrontation, she retained an air of regality. The golden mask concealed her identity but I already knew who this was. The intervention shifted the dynamics of the corridor, and I watched as Aurelia Draxen, One of the strongest in this world, confronted Jasper. Jasper stopped mid-attack against me and answered in response. "Well, well. If it isn''t a self-proimed hero. Move along little girl; this ce is for adults." Aurelia''s eyes shed in surprise, and she looked like she was reddening up with anger behind the golden mask. "What did you say to me? You ugly bastard-looking fuck." In his overconfidence, Jasper chuckled. "Oh, forgive me. I assumed a kid stumbled into the wrong ce. My mistake." Aurelia, now fuming by Jasper''s condescension, raised her voice at him. "You picked the wrong person to mess with today, ugly bastard," Jasper, wasn''t shaken by her words which made me think, Is this guy insane? He''s standing before one of the strongest characters I''ve created in this story? Are all my characters like this? If they are I must have failed as an author... Then he took a step forward. "Wrong fight? I assure you your feeble attempts to provoke me won''t work against me, kid." Aurelia, unfazed by Jaspers'' appearance began walking forward towards him as a sword of Light began to form from her hands, unleashing the power of her ability Divine Radiance. "I''ll show you who to not call kid." Jasper smiled as he started walking towards Aurelia and Iy here spewing out blood that came out of my mouth. In the narrow corridor, the sh between Aurelia Draxen and the demi-human Jasper began. A massive mutted fist appeared from the side of the wall aiming towards Aurelia''s side but A bright shield or barrier appeared to have stopped the attack, I knew it was one of her passive abilities... Divine Justice. A crusader-shaped symbol shined with a golden light as Jasper was blinded for a short moment Aurelia dispelled her sword and used her fist instead. hup! she took a deep breath and a golden trace of light was imbued around her fist in quick session she hit Jasper 10 times in the span of 2.3 seconds pushing him back towards the elevator as Aurelia''s back was facing towards me now. "Impressive, impressive! A child who can wield the power of light," Jasper eximed, putting on a brave face. However, his devil form was in grave danger as Aurelia''s Attribute of Light continued to strike. If the attacks persisted, his devil form would eventually be erased and he would be cleansed, causing excruciating pain. The powerful impact of Aurelia''s light attacks would cause internal blows and make the pain unbearable. But since his devil form would be absorbing the attacks, Jasper himself would not suffer any damage. Jasper prepared for more attacks, lunging with a demonic aura that released a surge of arced shes aimed at Aurelia. However, they passed her, heading straight for me. Wait... It was heading straight for me? My Jaw dropped in fear and I could see shes of my childhood memories pass right before me. Oh fuck, I guess I was cut out for this after all! Mother, I''m sorry I should''ve just took that nursing course instead of trying to pursue a dead dream of mine and Father I wish I tried a little harder in school. THUD Then, I felt a bang reverberate against the wall. Something warm enveloped me, and it wasn''t the wet pants either; it was a barrier of light that protected me and healed my injuries slowly. I looked at Aurelia, who caught a glimpse of my relieved self as I covered the special ce of mine that was now wet... "You devil! How dare you y unfairly!" She sounded quite furious, but I''m not too sure if she was being sarcastic or not. "What are you talking about? I just happened to miss, and the archer just happened to be perfectly positioned behind you." He shrugged at her, acting as if his attack wasn''t intentional, that damn demon. Then, as she extended her right hand, the form of light began to appear again. The sword of light created from the very essence of her attribute had manifested. "Alright, demon or demi-human, I''ll make sure you eat your words." Jasper chuckled outughter once again. "You''re nothing against me." Jasper charged at Aurelia once again and Aurelia, with divine grace, danced around Jasper''s attacks effortlessly. Her movements were a harmonious blend of elegance and power as she parried every demon strike with finesse. The Sword of light, shimmered with energy, creating a mesmerizing disy of radiant arcs with each swing and she shed Jasper once with her sword creating a light that scarred his body. "You thought you stood a chance against me? How amusing," Aurelia taunted, her voice dripping with disdain. "Tch." he clicked his tongue and Jasper, fueled by arrogance and his demonic strength, struggled tond a single blow on the strongest hero. He tried using his demonic energy to grab Aurelia from everywhere but all of his attacks were met with a wall of barriers, each strike effortlessly deflected by Aurelia''s ability. "Did you get more stupid or stupider? I expected more from someone who sides with the demons," Aurelia mocked, her golden mask concealing the smug smile beneath. Struggling and angered, Jasper retorted, "YOU''RE NOT STRONG!" Dark energy surged around him as he intensified his assault, but Aurelia''s divine barrier held steadfast, repelling the malevolent force. "You''re like a child throwing a tantrum." Aurelia''s taunts echoed through the corridor. Growing frustrated, Jasper''s attacks became more erratic, fueled by anger and desperation. Yet, Aurelia''s sword, bathed in celestial light, deflected each strike with ease. Jasper lunged towards Aurelia with a hardened fist but Aurelia stood still and blocked his full-thrown attack with her sword and swung it back pushing Jasper back once again. "WHY ISN''T IT WORKING!" He was screaming and shing against the countless barriers Aurelia had put up like a rabid dog trying to get out of his cage. As Aurelia deftly parried Jasper''s demonic onught, a flicker of humanity manifested in the subtle quiver of his stoic features. His eyes, once filled with unbridled rage, betrayed a momentarypse¡ªa glimpse of fear and recognition that went beyond the confines of his demon-like fa?ade. The furrowed brow, etched with frustration, softened briefly, revealing the vulnerability hidden beneath. As Aurelia continued to mock and taunt, the mask of confidence that Jasper wore began to crack. His facial expressions, usually shrouded in demonic intensity, wavered with uncertainty. The corners of his mouth twitched, betraying a hint of desperation, and his eyes, which initially held an unyielding re, momentarily lost their fierceness. With a final surge of power, Aurelia disarmed Jasper, causing him to stagger backward. The Sword of light gleamed brighter as she prepared for the decisive strike. "You''re so weak; I couldn''t tell if you were human in the first ce," Aurelia dered with a hint of disappointment. With unparalleled precision, she raised her sword ready to strike Jasper down. "Please, spare me," he pleaded, a hint of humanity breaking through his devilish facade. "Huh?" Aurelia looked at him with confusion, as if she hadn''t heard those wordsing out of a demi-human''s mouth before. But yes, she wasn''t fully aware of the after-effects of her abilities. Instead of using her sword to kill Jasper, Aurelia delivered a swift punch to his sr plexus that knocked Jasper into the wall, rendering him unconscious. The corridor returned to silence. There was no doubt in my head that Aurelia would lose. Why? She was the strongest. Chapter 21: Class assignment

    Chapter 21: ss assignment

    Aurelia''s power disy stunned me speechless. Gratitude swelled within me, a wave I hadn''t even noticed until it crashed over. Instead of obsessing over my creation, I simply basked in her presence. The barrier around me dissolved, and Jaspery unmoving, He looked more dead than alive. My injuries, before that demon form of Jasper, was gone as if they''d never been. Seeing Aurelia she just stood there, eyes fixed on Jasper, lost in a moment of reflection. Knowing her well, I could almost hear her internal debate: "This demon, even after taking that pill, showed a flicker of sympathy. Is it right to kill someone who still harbors human emotions?" Her descent into vulnerability had gifted her with empathy, an emotion rarely experienced by such an overpowered character. In her position, she was likely the most isted soul on earth. She was a prodigy who felt disconnected from the world. She lost her parents at a young age and awakened her powers early on. The association took her in to teach her proper morals and education before she could be tainted by evil. Now, she lives her life as a hero, protecting others not by choice but by necessity. However, in her mind, she has nothing and is the loneliest person on earth. She is both strong and weak - strong on the outside but weak on the inside. Snapping out of her contemtion, she marched towards me, finger pointed like a lightning rod. "You!" her voice boomed, echoing in the stillness. "Be grateful I showed up to save your sorry butt!" Arms crossed, she scanned the area, a hint of paranoia clinging to her like a bad smell despite the whole heroplex thing. One of her quirks ¨C apleteck of direction. "Oh, uh, yeah! Thanks a bunch, um, Golden Mask!" I knew mentioning her real name would raise eyebrows, but in this world, powers were basically calling cards. Aurelia, the world-famous "Celestial One," wielder of light and The divine Sorceress. Though, was I imagining those pointy ears? Did I maybe add some elfiness writing her character description? My words seemed to melt the frost a little. "Yes! Yes! Just as you should be!" But the warmth didn''tst long. "Now, to repay your debt... you''ll be my assistant for costing me a month''s sry on a stupid bet!" She shrugged, a smug grin stered on her face. Me? Not exactly thrilled. "Excuse me?" I yed dumb, buying time to figure out this sudden curveball. "You heard me! Assistant duty!" Her finger stabbed usingly as I sat there, bewildered. "Ah, no." My reply was quick and firm. "WHY NOT?" she screeched, like a kid denied candy. "Well, saving people isn''t exactly a paid service, and you''re strong enough to handle yourself. Why would I be your assistant when you''re old enough to look after yourself?" Undeterred, she kept pushing. "Come on! It''s easy! Plus, I saved you, so a little help is only fair." Her confident grin couldn''t hide the flimsy logic I saw right through. In my mind, I couldn''t help but think she was a bit of an idiot. Saving me didn''t automatically entitle her to my assistance, and I had no intention of bing her assistant, especially in repaying her lost sry from a bet. did she even need an assistant anyway? I paused for a moment to think. Oh. Right. Her high-maintenance tendencies exined it all. Before I could voice my revtion, the mood shifted. Staff, recognizing their hero, swarmed the scene. Duty calling, she reluctantly excused herself, but not before shooting me a look that said, "This isn''t over." I slipped away unnoticed, the doors closing silently behind me. The woman in white remained, unfazed by the drama. "Wee to Dawndes 1st ce Rewards Section! Let me scan your yer data," she chirped, a bemused smile ying on her lips. *** [Pinnacle Academy Male Dorm Rooms] Thementator''s booming voice echoed through the speakers, amplifying the electrifying buzz in the student lounge. - Oh!!!! It''s an absolute upset! the little archer has conquered the giant of the D-League! Unbelievable he knocked him out with his fist! he is not just your ordinary archer! The students in the dorm room erupted into cheers and exmations, sharing a collective sense of awe and disbelief at the unexpected turn of events. Jan and Bazz absorbed thementator''s words, their attention fully captivated by the unfolding spectacle on the screen. Jan turned to Bazz, his eyes reflecting amazement. "That Shadow Writer guy is amazing. Don''t you think, Bazz?" Bazz nodded, but his voicecked the usual enthusiasm. "Yeah, I guess." His gaze, downcast to the floor, hinted at a darker mood. Jan recognized the shadow lingering over him ¨C the memory of his recent defeat against Shadow Writer in the league. As the cheers continued around them, a subtle wave of embarrassment and mncholy washed over Bazz. The memory of his recent defeat against Shadow Writer in the league lingered in his mind, casting a shadow over the excitement of the current match. Despite the lively atmosphere in the dorm room, Bazz couldn''t shake the tinge of depression that apanied thoughts of his past performance. As the tournament concluded, the buzz of conversation filled the room. Students exchanged thoughts and opinions on the match, discussing bets and specting on the identity of the skilled archer. Jan and Bazz found themselves drawn into the ongoing chatter. "I had my money on Jasper, can''t believe he lost to an archer," one studentmented, shaking his head. "But that archer''s skills were crazy! Knocked out the giant with his bare fists. Did anyone catch his name?" another chimed in. The whispers started swirling like smoke signals. "Rumor has it, he''s from our academy, maybe even the Pinnacle!" "No way! Who could it be? A top-tier archer in our own grade?" This mention of a skilled bow user sparked a thought train in Jan and Bazz. They mentally flipped through their ssmates, searching for a possible match. "Jae Yoona?" Jan suggested, remembering her impressive archery skills. "Nah, doubt it," Bazz countered. "Shadow Writer''s a dude, and Jae Yoona''s all about pure archery, from what I''ve seen." He paused, then added with a yful smirk, "Unless... she pulled some sneaky disguise to throw everyone off." Jan chuckled, dismissing the oundish theory. "Then who? Rel? He uses a crossbow, andst time you told me, Rachel wiped the floor with him during their one-on-ones. I heard he got lucky once or twice, but..." _________________ ACK CHOOOOOOOOO! hmm, I feel like I''m under the weather when I''m walking through the corridors here. _________________ Bazz chuckled again. "True enough. And speaking of sloppy,I caught a glimpse of him during the matches, let''s just say there was zero finesse." Suddenly, a realization dawned on them like a sunrise. "Wait... what about Derrick Song?" Jan gasped. Bazz''s eyes widened. "Ooo, now that''s a hot take. Top student in the second year, aces everything, record-breaker in dungeon clears..." A silent understanding passed between them. Derrick Song, the unlikely candidate, suddenly seemed like a real possibility. *** The following day... [Pinnacle First Years Male Dorm Residency] [Monday, 7:30 AM...] BEEP!, BEEP!, BEEP! ARGHH! I woke up to the sound of my rm clock and quickly checked the time. After brushing my teeth, taking a shower, getting dressed, and having cereal with crunchy nuts for breakfast, I looked out the window and saw students leaving their dorms for sses. Today was a special day because I found Merk, the hidden merchant at the darkest side of Dawnsde arena, after the tournament. I gave him the Stone of Suspicious Light, which was a light attribute amplifier, even though I had no use for it since I had no way of using light. In return, he restored my lifespan and gave me a special item: a cloak of invisibility that looked like an ordinary ck robe. Curious to see how it worked, I tried on the cloak and a system notification popped up. Fwang! [The following item -> [Grade 2 [???] Cloak of Invisibility - Condition: Very Good - [...] - ] Has special functions inside of them would you like to use 50 PPP to know these functions?] So the invisibility cloak has special functions? well, it wouldn''t hurt not to know what these are so I paid 50 PPP for the information for these functions. [You are now the rightful owner of [???] - Invisibility Cloak, whiches with the following functions: 1. The Manual Cloak of Invisibility allows you to activate or deactivate the cloak onmand. For example, if you say "Cloak on," the parts of the cloak covering you will disappear, and if you say "Cloak off," it will immediately reveal itself. 2. The cloak can also change its appearance. For instance, if you want a full robe, you can request it by saying "Cloak, turn into a robe for me, please," and the cloak will transform ordingly. 3. The enchantment function is permanently applied to the cloak, regardless of how you use it.] I think this cloak would be my best friend in terms of clothing, it''s a special item for me. I held the cloak and wore it around my school clothing. I said, ''Cloak on but don''t make any of my clothing disappear, and only you hide within the confines of invisibility.'' wang! Suddenly, I heard a weird warping sounding from my cloak and it fully obeyed mymand. As I looked in the mirror, my clothing looked perfectly normal. Another plus to this cloak was that it felt so lightweight despite having enchantments on it. Niceeee this thing is incredible. Oh, the many uses I had for you would go beyond the creativity of my imagination! And with that, I left for ss... "Good morning, ss. As you know, today marks our first ss assignment. You had a full week to prepare for this moment, and many of you emailed me questions regarding this assignment. I will now let you in on what this assignment is." Kolek spoke up on the podium, disying diagrams of our assignment. "To answer the first obvious question, our assignment is dungeon subjugation. We will be going out as a ss in the Team IDS station to a dungeon owned by Pinnacle Academy. The level we are subjugating is a C-ss dungeon. The purpose of this is not to destroy the central crystal of the main dungeon system but to see how fast you can clear these dungeons as a group." "Now, to answer the final part of this assignment prep, these are the teams." [Alert! Your request for a mix of teams has taken effect.] [1st Year''s Assignment: Dungeon teams] [Team: 1] [Jan Ates /Louise Vilerion] [Valencia Freya / Rel Laurence] [Team: 2] [Camilia Diana / Lyra t] [Bazz Wong / Pedro [...] ] [Team: 3] [Noah Davies / Lin [...] ] [Danny [...] / Ray [...] ] [Team 4:] [Miya Takeo / Jae Yoona] [Alice Elizabeth / Josh [...] ] Team 5: [...], Team 6: [...], Team: 7 [...], ... I stared at the holographic disy, my eyes stuck on Team 1. The words seemed like a blur to me and I had felt lost in thought about how I thought: Oh! today''s gonna be a good day! but I could feel the seat feel ufortable warm. I took a deep breath in and muttered to myself "I''m finished..." *** [Pinnacle Academy: Land Owned Dungeon located around the east coast] Kolek''s instructions resonated through the clearing as we gathered. "Alright ss, the dungeons we are at have already been checked and secured. There are no boss monsters in this dungeon so these monsters you encounter are at best C ss tier. I''ve ced gs at the end of each cave. Your task is simple ¨C bring them back to me ASAP, and that will mark your time split for the end of your assignment. This is a group assignment, so contribution rates are disregarded in this matter." As we stood in our groups I positioned myself next to Jan to avoid any conflict with the now-Grumpy Valencia and Louise who seemed to be more frustrated that he had no one topete with. He seemed to be holding his arms crossed muttering "How is this possible?" Louise needed to see a therapist or something this guy does have a loose screw. but I couldn''t help but feel someone intently staring at me with boiling anger. So I hid myself behind Jan so I could at least avoid this Valencia the Grinch. The cave entrance loomed ahead, and the uneasy silence between us was almost suffocating. Jan tried to lighten the mood and spoke up first. "So, Uh should we get going now?" Louise shot him a withering nce. "Shut up, as if I''m going to follow you." Louise scoffed at Jan trying to provoke him. Valencia, her expression neutral, intervened, "Louise. Let''s go and move on forth." I nervously looked towards Valencia who spoke, sensing the simmering dirt given the look she gave me right now I thought it was best if I just followed them from behind and not do anything. apart from that, we got on moving through into the dungeon. After crossing the threshold, a strange sensation overcame us. The world seemed to warp and twist for a brief moment before stabilizing. Kolek''s holographic projection reappeared, addressing us once more. "As you enter, remember that the spatial distortion will separate you into your original groups. Each team will face its own set of challenges within a designated pocket dimension. Time flows differently in each, so coordination is key." The entrance greeted us with a stone archway that broke the many paths of the dungeon off into multiple sections. Dim torches flickered along the walls, casting elongated shadows that danced with every breath of air. The air within the dungeon carried a musty scent, a blend of damp earth and the remain oder of dead monsters in previously byst year students. As we ventured deeper, the temperature dropped slightly, a subtle reminder that we had crossed the threshold into a realm untouched by the sun''s warmth. The tunnel branched into various paths, and each one had monsters that resided deep within the cave. "So the path breaks off from here. I assume we could just split off and go into a path of our own to find the g much faster-" "Let''s not do that. I think we should just try and stick together so that we could clear the monsters much quicker." Jan cut off Valencia''s suggestion trying to consider teamwork first before anything. but it seemed to work since Valencia was thinking for a moment as she put her hand on her chin. "Like I said I''m not-" "Louise..." Valencia shot Louise a look that quickly put him back into his ce. He seemed to hesitate just a bit at just a nce at her and Louise was silenced with just a single word. Jan looked at me amazed with Valencia shushing Louise up and I just stared at him like nothing happened. "Let''s get moving." Valencia signaled us to move down the middle. As we continued down into the deeper end of the cave I wondered if the presence of Valencia made things much easier in keeping Louise and Jan together. after all, I recalled writing a few chapters about them not being able to get along during the dungeon assignment so I guess I was lucky enough to get someone like her to stick the two of the idiots together. Since the ce isn''t entirely owned by Pinnacle they shared the dungeon with Sifters Foundation, one of the main organizations for cult activity. After seeing Jasper with an already-developed DM Dopper it''s scary thinking about how early it was to already have the drug developed earlier in the story. RWAK, RWAK! The cave was filled with strange sounds as we were stopped by monsters that flooded our path. An ominous energy filled the air as distorted and grotesque creatures emerged from the shadows. There were about a hundred of them, including goblins, trolls, and ogres, blocking our way through the cave. Valencia unsheathed her Katana, which shone brightly as she imbued aura into her de. "Let''s get this over with," she said. Louise brought out his polearm axe and stood up straight with his weapon on the ground, saying "tch, don''t hold me back." Jan only replied with a generous nod, smiling as he pulled the Longsword out from his back. I stood behind the front three, realizing that I was nowhere near their level of strength or skill I would only get in their way. But I felt pure joy seeing theme to life from the thoughts and ideas of my imagination. GAR! As the monsters began charging full force, Valencia stepped forward as the silhouettes of monsters appeared. Before the first monster could reach, she spun, a silver blur radiating waves of her Azure Aura. A goblin, ws bared, stumbled back as Valencia''s foot sent it sprawling across the cavern floor. Two trolls, lumbering behemoths with eyes like glowing embers, charged. Valencia sidestepped their ponderous swings, her de singing a whispered song as it disarmed one, then the other, the azure glow momentarily blinding them as their weapons ttered uselessly across the stone. She moved with the fluidity of a windblown leaf, each strike precise and imbued with her Aura. A kick, imbued with the force of a rushing torrent, sent another attacker flying into the darkness. Her de, a brush dipped in liquid sapphire, traced intricate patterns in the air, deflecting ws, severing tendons, whispering death with each graceful arc. The cavern, a gaping maw, pulsed with the guttural symphony of snarling monsters. Jan surveyed the scene with chilling calm. His sword, humming with his energy, sang a whispered promise of retribution. He wouldn''t waste time on theatrics; these creatures deserved respect, but not courtesy. Jan who took after Valencia''s onught continued. The first goblin tasted cold steel as his de, a blur in the dim light, carved a crimson line across its throat. Two more lunged, ws bared, but Jan, his Eyes of Adaptation granting him preternatural perception, pirouetted on the balls of his feet. His sword, a shimmering arc, deflected their attacks connecting his de to the throats of his opponents. RUMBLE, RUMBLE, RUMBLE, An ogre, twice Jan''s height and with eyes like smouldering embers, roared and charged. Its club, a knotted tree trunk, aimed for Jan''s head. He didn''t flinch. Instead, he parried the blow, as the club crashed harmlessly into the cavern ceiling. In a sh, he was behind the beast, his sword shing across its hamstrings. The ogre roared in pain, stumbling back, giving Jan A final, elegant thrust to the heart sending the monstrous brute crashing to the floor, its roars dissolving into a gurgling sigh. From another end to the wave, a whirlwind of molten gold and emerald erupted. Louise brandished his polearm axe with the unwavering confidence of a sun god. The axe head, a crescent of polished steel, pulsed with a searing crimson glow, whispering promises of fiery annihtion. Louise didn''t struggle. He didn''t need to. Goblins, quick and twitchy, skittered around him, ws like needles against his boots. He met them with a flick of his wrist, the crimson de of his axe singing a silent song as it dipped and twirled, leaving streaks of unlife in its wake. A troll, a mountain of bone and drool, charged him, club swinging like a drunken battering ram. Louise sidestepped, the haft whistling harmlessly past his ear. In the blink of an eye, the axe reversed, finding its mark in the troll''s fleshy neck. Pure me, an echo of another realm, erupted from the wound, consuming the creature from within. The troll roared, a wet gurgle, before copsing in a smoldering heap. Ogres, hulking and brutish, lumbered forward, eyes like embers in the gloom. Louise didn''t falter. His axe, a crimson pendulum, arced through the air, cleaving one ogre''s skull in two, spraying gore like macabre confetti. Another charged, its club aimed for his chest. Louise spun, the axe meeting the blow with a thunderous ng. The force sent the ogre reeling, and before it could recover, the crimson de found its mark, carving a fiery furrow across its belly. He moved with the precision of a predator, each strike calcted, each movement effortless. The cavern floor became a canvas of gore and ash, painted by the strokes of his deadly dance. His eyes, like burning embers, held no hint of fear, only the cold thrill of mastery. Goblins twitched underfoot, trolls smouldered on the ground, and ogresy broken and still. The dust cleared the aftermath, as Jan, Louise, and Valencia stood there having not broken a sweat, there wasn''t a doubt in my mind about them losing at all. Me? I just stood there a silent observer caught in the beauty written from the depths of my novel. This was their battle, after all, This was supposed to happen anyway. Yet, a bitter ache gnawed at my gut, the feeling of helplessness kinda made me feel guilty. maybe I should have done something and joined the fight, but there was no need to. "useless..." Valencia, a whisper of Golden hair and storm-cloud eyes, kept her distance. In her silence, I felt the sting of unspoken judgment, aimed at how much I contributed to that battle. I don''t me her since she obviously despises the useless types of people and here I am standing out as being more useless than a cover for a Nokia phone haha. Valencia spoke up first, shattering the stillness with a voice like tempered steel, aimed not at everyone. "Let''s go," she boomed, the word amand, not an invitation. "I''m sure everyone would''ve been done by now." No room for debate, no space for anything else. This was a future leader after all. Jan, a mask of weariness put the de back into his back as we all began walking and turned to me. "Those monsters didn''t feel like C-ss monsters?" he rumbled, the warmth in his voice reaching his eyes. "hmm maybe you''re right." I didn''t hesitate to agree with Jan, Since his instincts were right on point about them not being C-ss as they were actually C-high ss monsters but they were way to strong not to recognize that." Jan seemed to feel relived, as if I understood what he meant "Hey, Rel," he asked, "Did you happen to be at the Dawndes arena event on the weekend?" His smile reached his eyes, as he asked politely. "Ah, Yes. But I was only there to watch the matches." I said quickly after thinking of a reasonable response. however, the cave seemed to have. A tremor, a whisper at first, escted into a violent roar. The floor bucked and twisted, a monstrous serpent writhing beneath our feet. Panic wed at my throat as walls groaned and stctites danced a deadly ballet. Valencia, darted away, a falling shard missing her by a hair''s breadth. Louise, reflexes honed like his axe, rolled right, the earth-spitting rock just shy of his outstretched hand. But me? A sudden hand shoved me aside, the force of his push sending us both sprawling. Dust coated my vision, the taste of fear thick on my tongue. When it cleared, my heart stuttered to a stop. The path, carved into the side of the cavern, was no more. Valencia was right next to me and I realized that we were now split up just how the story originally went. Chapter 22: Distorted Lair

    Chapter 22: Distorted Lair

    [Sifter''s Foundations Distortion Cave] Shit... well I guess it was expected that we would be split up one way or the other. Originally what happened was that Jan would save the extra character by shoving them and Louise jumped out of the way to Jan''s side to dodge. As the story would go they''d continue fighting monsters, eventually getting distorted into air of Sifters Foundation with one of theirckey''s experimenting with the DM Doping Drug. But I realised of all the people who had to be here with me, It was Valencia who stood there silently pondering on what to do next, She had her Katana sheathed by her side and I thought it was best if I left her alone so I tip toed down the path leaving her behind. tap, tap, tap, [5 minutester] Lost. Utterly, fucking lost. Each carved archway mocked me with its distorted "wanggg?" mirroring the disarray in my head. Each path I went through twisted and turned, spitting me back out into the same dank hall every few turns. I felt really stupid to think of how easy this distorted walk would be but It seemed that I had underestimated my knowledge as the author. This cave pathing began to annoy me so I tried to go through paths where the sounds were more evident but I would just end up going down the same way each time. Then, a chill. A prickling on my neck like eyes boring into my skull. I froze, every instinct screaming. Something watched me, The air crackled with unseen tension, my breath a shallow rasp in the cavernous quiet. Swallowing hard, I spun, scanning the shadows like a trapped animal. Nothing. But the feeling persisted, a cold weight on my chest. This wasn''t just paranoia. Something was out there, waiting. But as I looked closer using deadeye I realized the person hiding was Valencia who was just following me. So I eased up a bit and continued to walk down another set path hoping to have some sort of breakthrough in this stupid cave. wangggg! After marking ces I''d been to for continuous minutes, this part of the cave was the one I had yet to discover, and there weren''t any markings on the wall. So I grabbed the closest rock and marked the side of a cave with an X. Closer. Something on my skin crawled, and the heavy breathing of something towering overshadowed the mark, making it invisible. GARRRR. [Evasiveness Stat has been triggered! your speed will temporarily be enhanced for the remainder of the fight.] The echoing growl signaled the arrival of a massive bear. Its fur was as dark as the shadows on the cave''s walls. The bear lunged at me, aiming for my torso with its ws. However, I was able to dodge the attack using the evasiveness stat boost. The bear''s ws missed me by inches, creating deep gouges in the cave floor. But my advantage was short-lived. Five more bears, equally menacing, emerged from the shadows, growling in unison. I was outnumbered, and the confined space of the cave left me with no room for maneuvering. "Shit," I muttered to myself as I pulled out my crossbow. These were the same grizzly bears that the extras had faced in the story. They were eight feet tall and had hardened skin like natural armor. The grizzly bear''s attack was deafening, as its massive paw shed through the air like a deadly arc. Its ws were sharp as obsidian des, aimed at rending flesh and shattering bones. I dodged with a dancer''s grace, narrowly escaping the attack. The cavern echoed with the sh of feral might against the calcted finesse of a protagonist. I then activated the Vulnerability Reader, which revealed the bears'' potential weak points. However, the information was iplete, leaving me to rely on intuition. The first grizzly bear disyed a peculiar reaction near its forelimb. I took a gamble and used the Piercing Shot, imbuing the arrows with my ability. The projectiles streaked through the air, finding their mark with precision. As the bear''s side was pierced, it slowed down to a near standstill. I quickly finished it off with a shot to its head and moved on to the next ones. Two bears rushed at me as my movements synchronized with the rhythmic pulses of the cave''s unseen currents. Another Piercing Shot, this time infused with my fire attribute, jolted through the air, delivering a small st of fire that pierced the second and third grizzly bear. Thest two followed suit from behind as I activated the Vulnerability Reader once more. It revealed only sparks of potential weakness. The Grizzly bear came at me again, trying to sh down towards my torso, but I sidestepped the close-range encounter and shot at its feet. I panicked and fired countless arrows in slowed time by activating the Clockwork of Time. As the bear fell victim to my ming arrows, it fell into a rage and tried to pin me to the side of the cave. I dodged countless times thanks to my invisible robe and the passive stat of Evasiveness. With the angry Grizzly bear swinging downwards, I kicked off its arm and aimed my crossbow towards its head, firing it and sending the bear back to the afterlife. "shit." I muttered to myself as I pulled out my Crossbow. I knew these were the same exact bears that the extras faced in the story. Grizzly bears. eight feet of pure, brawny menace, their formidable presence emphasized by the darkness that clung to their coarse, grizzled fur. Hardened skin, like a natural armour, The Grizzly''s attack unfolded with a thunderous roar, its massive paw shing through the air like a deadly arc. ws, sharp as obsidian des, aimed to rend flesh and shatter bone. I pivoted with a dancer''s grace, narrowly evading the brutal assault. The cavern echoed with the sh of feral might against the calcted finesse of a protagonist. Seizing the moment, I activated the Vulnerability Reader. Sparkling motes of light danced across the bears'' forms, hinting at potential weak points. However, the information gleaned was far fromplete, leaving me to rely on intuition and experience. The first Grizzly, muscles rippling with power, disyed a peculiar reaction near its forelimb. A gamble, but my fingers ced over the Crossbow, imbuing the arrows with my ability as I used Piercing Shot. TAK, TAK, TAK, The projectiles streaked through the air, finding their mark with precision. As the bear''s sides was pierced, slowing its movements to a near standstill. I quickly finished the bear off with a quick shot to its head and moved on towards the ones that were rushing at me. 2 of the bears seemed to close in as my movements synchronized with the rhythmic pulses of the cave''s unseen currents. Another Piercing Shot, this time infused with my fire attribute, jolted through the air, delivering a small st of fire piercing to the second and third grizzly bear. As thest 2 followed suit from behind I activated Vulnerability Reader once more revealing only sparks of potential weakness. GARRRR With the Grizzlying in close he tried to sh down towards my torso but I luckily sidestepped the close-range encounter shooting the feet of the bear as I panicked. and as I readied my arrows once again the onught of fire rained towards the bear I fired countless arrows in slowed time by activating Clockwork of time. TAK, TAK, TAK As the bear fell victim to my ming arrows, the Grizzly bear fell mad into anger as he rushed hitting the walls and trying to pin me to the side of the cave. I dodged countless times thanks to my invisible robe and the passive stat of Evasiveness I could move much faster when it came to closebat. With the angry Grizzly bear swinging downwards I kicked off his arm and aimed my crossbow towards his head firing it and sending the bear back to the afterlife. The cavern fell silent, the lifeless bodies of the Grizzlies serving as testaments to the narrative''s unfolding drama. In this dance of calcted moves and fictional vulnerabilities, I emerged victorious and continued down the path hopefully finding the area with the g or maybe Jan and Louise''s whereabouts. Jan and Louise are probably fighting hordes of monsters since this ce was a testing ground for Sifters Foundation... Valencia, emerging from the shadows, stumbled upon the lifeless Grizzlies strewn across the cavern floor. Her features were filled with awe and disbelief as she surveyed the aftermath. "Did he do all of this?" she mused, a tone of incredulity threading through her words. *** The cave seemed to close in on us with every step, our footfalls echoing in the damp silence. Louise''s discontent hung in the air; he kept nagging about being stuck here, but I simply ignored him, trying to figure out this cave''s weird barrier change. "Why am I stuck with you?" Louise grumbled, bitterness evident in his voice. I responded cautiously, trying not to bite his bark. "Sorry, let''s find the g and get out of here," I said, attempting to shift our attention to the assignment. The cave''s eerie soundtrack, a mix of growls and echoes, added an unsettling backdrop to our uneasy partnership. Haah, I guess there''s no helping it. I don''t want to fail this assignment because we got split up, so I think we should be fine now that Valencia is with Rel. But in all honesty, I can only pray that Rel can deal with Valencia, knowing what kind of person she''s like. Moving through the cave felt like navigating a confusing puzzle. The repeating pattern of the design slowly revealed that we were going in circles. The cave trek went on, and every time we stepped into a new spot, weird noises like ''wham'' or ''wang'' hit our ears. It was like a signal that we''d entered a different part of the cave, messing with our sense of direction. These sounds made navigation trickier, keeping us on our toes as we tried to figure out where the heck we were going. "AHHH, WHAT EVEN IS THIS CAVE?" Louise yelled out in frustration as he hit the side of the cave with his fist in anger. "We just need to find a pattern where the sounds be smaller, which means we are heading in the right direction," I tried to calm him down, but he seemed to wander in his frustration. Wham! The cave seemed to shift once more, and down the very end of the cave, there was a massive door and a ton of monsters in front of it. Louise''s eyes seemed to light up, judging by how our cave seemed to have an end. [Sifter''s Foundations Front Entrance.] Chapter 23: Monster Overhaul (1)

    Chapter 23: Monster Overhaul (1)

    [Sifter''s Foundations Front Entrance.] Jan and Louise were standing 100 meters away from two doors in an eerie cave. Hordes of monsters were guarding the double doors, aimlessly walking. The dim lighting from the torches on the wall made it difficult to see, but their eyes glowed ever so slightly in the darkness. "Our exit is here." Louise smiled out loud as he brought out his polearm axe. Louise was excited at the thought of seeing an ''exit'' to the assignment but Jan knew that this horde was going to be difficult to clear. Jan withdrew his longsword from his back as he carefully analyzed the area for potential dangers... HWANG! [Lost Archives has calcted: 350 monsters - 50: C+ ss, 200: C ss, 100: Low C - ss.] With monsters swarming the entrance of the double doors, revealing the nightmarish assembly of Massive Ogres were swinging their clubs, venomous Spiders with sharp fangs were crawling around, slimy creatures that oozed with acidic fluid, fire-breathing Lizards, Goblins holding crude weapons, and Trolls pounding the ground with their tremendous strength. Louise, fueled by the Purest me, darted into the chaos with his Polearm Axe, mes dancing around him. A group of Spidersunched venomous bites, but Louise skillfully twirled his axe, parrying each attack with precision BANG! In the middle of the moshpit Louise incinerated the monsters that touched his mes. Meanwhile, Jan engaged the Ogres, his sword slicing through the air as he executed a dazzling disy of acrobatic moves. He swiftly dodged the swinging clubs and retaliated with powerful strikes and equivalent force. [320 monsters remain.] During the fight, the infamous duo maintained silence and seemed to be continuously monitoring each other''s movements. They supported each other secretly; while Louise recovered mana, Jan would deflect any ranged monster attacks aimed at Louise. If Jan was surrounded by too many close-range monsters, Louise would use his Purest me to weaken or eliminate them so that Jan could have some space to recover. [280 monsters remain.] As the battle unfolded, Slimes seeped towards them, attempting to engulf the duo. Louise''s Purest me incinerated the Slimes on contact, creating a fiery barrier around him. Jan, using his sword aura, created a sh capable of cutting through seemingly anything called impossible. The Lizards, sensing an opportunity, unleashed torrents of fiery breath. Louise somersaulted through the air, narrowly avoiding the mes, while Jan used his agility to sidestep the attacks. Seizing the moment, Jan executed a quick counter, that even caught the attention of Louise himself. "Cleaving Arc." A massive amount of energy seeped into Jan''s sword as if he was absorbing the environment around him, with both hands on his sword he unleashed a powerful reaching swing aimed at all monsters within his proximity, as a flowing grace of azure-like aura flowed through his sword a manifestation of a dragon walking in a garden appeared, killing a total of 50 monsters with just a swing of his sword. [200 monsters remain] That''s when Louise at that moment understood the difference in their abilities, Not only that Jan did not just have pure talent but his technique and form were the epitome of pure hard work. As goblins began swarming from all sides, their erratic movements acted like a decoy but Louise ced his hands on the ground. "Scorching embrace." Louise embraced the earth from the ground and fire of the highest degree came scorching the ground of goblins that surrounded them as Jan reinforced himself in mana avoiding Louise''s Fiery feud. Jan came in and cleaned up the remaining monsters that weren''t affected by Louise''s Fire utilizing his sword''s agility, leapt and in a powerful overhead swing the Goblins, slimes, and Lizards were crushed by the impact of Jan''s swing. [150 monsters remain] Trolls, with their massive strength, attempted ground-pounding attacks. The ground shook as Jan and Louise evaded the powerful strikes. Louise exploited the Trolls'' slow movements, using the Burning Polearm Axe to carve through their tough hides. Jan, with his sword, targeted vital joints to incapacitate the imposing foes. [100 monsters remain...] The battle raged on, and each monster eviscerated at the hands of Jan and Louise, through a seamless fusion of their abilities, fought to survive and clear a path towards the double doors. The air crackled with energy as they faced the onught, clearing them within 1 minute and 45 seconds. "Hah, these monsters put up a stronger fight," Jan remarked, wiping sweat from his forehead. Louise could only look at Jan in envy, opening his mouth, to perhaps respond, but he turned abruptly and headed through the double doors. The room beyond wasn''t what they had expected for an assignment¡ªinstead, it resembled a macabreb experiment. Cages lined the space, some containing dead monsters, while others housed agitated, still-living creatures. The room was spattered with blood, and workbenches and bins held syringes and pills. Jan and Louise noticed arge cage that was as big as two giants put together. Despite their curiosity, they decided to ignore it and not investigate further. They knew that uncovering ominous things often leads to unwanted consequences. "What is this ce? It doesn''t look like the room where the g could be," Jan stated, concerned about the living conditions in the room, eyeing an IDS tform in the corner of the room. Louise''s expression twisted in disgust at the sight of theb equipment. He had a firm underlying belief that corrupted experiments should stop entirely but he had not expected to see such a gruesome sighting. "Disgusting... Does the academy own such a ce like this? This should be illegal." Louise muttered, while observing the benches he went to one of the work benches observing the purple-like fluid of syringes that sparked furiously, creating a static that shocked his finger. TANG! "Fuck." Louise dropped the syringe from the sting. Jan turned towards Louise to see that a syringe that split onto the ground slowly drifitng towards the covered cage... "Louise I think we have to report this to-" PWANG! The IDS tform was activated in a heartbeat and what followed was an ominous energy as the air grew tight the duo turned not in curiosity but in fear that the person behind them surpassed both the strengths of the twobined. A man in a ck robe, adorned with a cross marked out with a crimson X, stood before them. His face remained concealed, shrouded in mystery. "I wasn''t expecting visitors here today. Who could you two be?" the man''s voice was deep and intimidating. resonated through the tense air, tightening the atmosphere even further. The pressure he exuded wasn''t just physical strength; it hinted at a force not to be messed with. *** Checking my watch, a few silent minutes slipped away as I navigated the familiar routes within the cave. Finally, I reached the designated spot where the g, marked with the academy''s emblem, clung to a stone. I secured it in my side pocket alongside my bow, stealing a nce at Valencia further down the cave. She maintained her distance, her demeanour radiating an unspoken hostility. When is she gonna quit with this hatred for weak people act? it contradicts her character hmm... but I don''t have time toin since the main fight of this assignment would begin soon. FWANG! [Alert! Anomaly [???] has been caused. The difficulty for the monster [???] has been scaled.] With the notification appearing in front of my eyes, I felt ovee with a sense of worry. If I could ask myself to God for one break, it would''ve been nice if things were kept on pace for this story, but too many things areing in earlier than expected. I couldn''t help but think if Jan and Louise would pull through with the monster fight, but they''re the main characters, so they shouldn''t be able to die because of the plot, right? Then I was ovee with a sudden realization of why these things kept happening. If Valencia being here might''ve been the intervention of ''cause and effect,'' then that means she might be the cause of an anomaly and the uprising of the scale in difficulty. So theoretically, if characters that have been changed to appearter on in the story pop up now, that means that certain stages will ur muchter, buying me so much time for the future. Could it mean that I may have underestimated the timestamps for the future of this story? Also, there''s a possibility that the ending may have been dyed by a good solid year. I''m not too sure myself to confirm this, but I hope this is true. But too much curiosity will kill the cat, and I know that focusing on the future isn''t good. And concern after concern came to me like wildfire. Jan hasn''t awakened his ultimate skill yet, and Louise probably hasn''t either, so the best choice isn''t to wait for the fight to finish; rather, I''d need to figure out how to get into Sifter''s Lair and pray that Valencia will somehow follow me. _______________________ Author notes: - Lost Archives: The ability to analyze information quickly and absorb it via the user''s memory. The information stored will trigger automatically or manually if the user desires the information. Uses for this ability can be used inbat or general learning. - Lost Archive is a unique system that ispletely different to the system Rel has. - Before Jan reincarnated he retained 3 unique abilities from his previous life. - Louise can use his ''Pure mes'' as armour if he wants to. Chapter 24: Monster Overhaul (2)

    Chapter 24: Monster Overhaul (2)

    k, k, k, Running through the endless paths of this cave, I quickly left small marks of rocks to memorize certain patterns to figure out their of the cave and to think that the rushing tactic was working, Valencia''s footsteps could be heard as she followed me throughout the remainder of the cave travels. What proved difficult was seemingly finding the perfect coincidence to retrace Jan and Louise''s footsteps, with the patterns they left behind and the carcasses of monsters thaty on the ground I was somewhat getting closer to them. wang! Another cave distortion sound and to think Valencia followed me all the way here but we met a dead end to our pathing. I was lost for words to see that there was nothing here but aplete rock-solid wall in front of us and suddenly Valencia appeared out from behind. "What are you doing we need to go deliver the g back to Kolek now." She said in a distasteful tone. I realized that she wasn''t following me because she was clueless in this dungeon, she followed me because she thought I knew the location of the g this entire time and that she was following me because I had the g. "We can''t go back yet we need to go find Jan and Louise first." I said in a calm tone. "I''m sure Jan and Louise wouldn''t struggle in this cave even if they were together or alone." She retorted. She was right, Even though this cave was supposedly qualified and ranked as a C-ranked dungeon what the people didn''t know when they analyzed the cave was that there were different sections of distortions which changed the original ranking of what a dungeon should be. Because the analyzers said that this cave has no boss was most certainly correct, when I was writing the novel during its early stages I made a principle that all dungeons will always have a boss after you reach a certain room the boss inhibits. It was obvious that they hadn''t found the boss room after searching through and through but this stage of the dungeon only required our main characters to enter. So I''m not sure if we could enter or not but I can''t see why we shouldn''t try. The air suddenly got tighter and the pressure of someone exerting pressure in this cave was clear as I got to my knees I tried to tilt my head towards Valencia who seemed to be angered at this as her expression was in between anger and concern. I could feel the pressureing through the dead end of this cave. This person who was doing this shouldn''t be the fodder viin I had in ce. There shouldn''t be any top-tier character that appears this early into the story. Then Valencia walked towards the wall as she was slowly resisting the enormous amount of pressure engulfing this cave as the man behind the walls shouldn''t be someone who should be fought. Valencia ced her hands onto the wall and began exerting pressure into the wall pressing on it, BANG, the wall shook as she struggled to pour out mana into the wall, BANG, she kept trying as small cracks began to appear, BANG a hole set wide open dead centre. As the pressure was removed I got up to see the mess behind the rubble caused my Valencia''s surge of anger. Standing next to her I could see Jan and Louise who were frozen in stone as if they were staring at someone with fear. I turned towards the man who stood there looking at the two of us in surprise, A ck robe with the symbol of a cross marked out with an X. My head began thinking who this person could be. But then I activated Perceptive mind to see the name of this man... FWANG! [Due to limitations and the Strength level of the user being analyzed, only the name can be revealed...] [System Analysis: Name: Gavin Stone (Previous name: Mordred Ashbourne) Titles: [...] Strength:???, Speed: ???, Endurance: ???, Mana: ???,] I really couldn''t catch a break after seeing the terrifying characters I made from just a keyboard 4 years ago... But to think it was Mordred would be a long shot, And if we were to tick this man off he probably would''ve killed us without hesitation. He was one of the Anti-Viins in the story, he was also a previous reincarnator of Jan''s world and one of the strongest viins I''ve made. I wasn''t just fearful; I was shocked to see things change so much. "There''s 2 more that have arrived? Interesting..." The tone he spoke in was a sophisticated manner and he oddly sounded different to what I had originally imagined his voice to be. He doesn''t sound as intimidating as I thought. FWANG! [Automatic trantion for the voice has been adjusted urately. You''ve Gained passive resistance to the ability: Vocal empowerment] To think the system would pull a kind move for me was strange. Isn''t it supposed to be a bnced, scaled kind of system? Shouldn''t that make me immune to attacks rted to speech? Sounds good to me, honestly. It would save me a ton of time dealing with users who rely on intimidation and pressure. Most importantly, Mordred stood there, eyeing me and Valencia. "Hmph, the potential of this world is interesting indeed. Daughter of the Ex Sword Saint Freya, the eldest son of the billionaire Villerion family, and the irregrity top prospect watched by all the guilds, Jan Ates." He looked at each one of them while speaking, and for a moment, his gaze met mine, and I froze. "You, the one holding that silver crossbow." He said oddly. "Who are you?" Eh? Well, I''m the author and your sole creator, you idiot. But I can''t tell him that; there''s no way they''d believe a teenager near adulthood. "I''m just a crossbow user," I responded swiftly with a disdainful expression. "I see. If a no-mana person is using a crossbow in this world, it''s for the best if I end you here." His voice deepened, and fear crept up my spine. Jan and Louise had still reactions. Louise seemed less concerned about my safety, but Jan''s teeth was gritted, audibly grinding together, He looked at me with a look of desperation and concern trying to take a step forward, then freezing up under Mordred''s gaze. "Wait! Don''t kill him, please." Jan pleaded, shaking his head slightly. He fumbled his sword as he was unable to maintain his grip. I could give him props for trying to save me, but I knew how much this pressure was getting to us. It seemed useless trying to move at this point. Valencia on the other hand seemed like she was getting ready to block the attack but I doubt she could do anything me, there was one person who could help my situation, and I knew damn well Mordred wasn''t the type to bluff. "Farewell then, user of the ''bow''," Mordred retorted, pouring dark energy into his right hand and extending it towards me. Dark energy began to rise, twisting and turning into the shape of a flying lizard. Its obsidian scales glinted with malicious light as he fired it straight at me, Valencia''s eyes widened at the attack, and she began to shake slightly. I watched her mutter under her breath, "Can I stop that attack?" But thanks to the Clockwork of Time, I had time to think. Time was slowed for a bit. If only there were a way to block it. A way to block... it. Oh, right. I can block any projectiles flung at me and deflect them with near-perfect uracy. But this attack seemed no different than any other. However, it felt more like a test; it emitted a lot of ominous energy, but overall, it was just a lizard sticking its tongue out like some idiot. I feel like he purposely held back on that attack since Mordred could obliterate any mid to low-high-tier character in my story. As my arm began to glow with coiling shadows, the energy flowing to my hands swirled, pulsing with crimson-red lightning. I slowly watched the attacke towards me, and even with this pressure, all I had to do was touch the attack in a state where my hands and fingers would connect with it. Time it... I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins as the attack slowly neared. As if luck seemed to be on my side, time returned to normal, and my hand mmed into its open maw. I was praying for a miracle to happen, and a sudden faint spark of light began emitting from the force between me and that lizard... [Parry sessful!] [Attack is now being redirected at 2x speed...] HRAH! As my heart pounded with urgency, the system''s message shed in front of my eyes. I sent the attack back towards Mordred, although the force nearly ripped my arm from its socket. The parry wasn''t perfect, and I was lucky that I connected with the attack just in time. My chest heaved in relief as I took a deep breath, and Mordredpletely absorbed the attack back into the sleeve of his ck robe. Jan''s eyes widened, his grip tightening on his sword. Louise, usuallyposed, couldn''t hide a flicker of astonishment. They exchanged a nce, and a silent acknowledgment passed between them. Valencia nced at me in shock as I stood there, heavily breathing from the exhaustion of using two heavy abilities. "I''ve never seen such a thing from an archer. Interesting. Deflecting is one thing, but to redirect with equal force..." Mordred looked at me as he stroked his chin in a contemtive manner. "Then you''ve proved yourself worthy to live. You guys will do." My stomach twisted. His gaze lingered on the cage, still shrouded in shadow. With a sigh that rattled the cavern walls, the obsidian bars retracted with a shuddering groan, and the full horror of Mordred''s creation unfolded. Light glinted off a chitinous carapace, towering ten feet high and spanning half the cavern''s width. It was a Frankensteinian nightmare, stitched together from every monstrosity we''d encountered in this cave so far: the muscled bulk of an ogre, the serpentine head of a lizard dripping with slimy drool, the razor-sharp ws of a spider skittering nervously on its armoured limbs, and the guttural growl echoing from a goblin-like maw. The very air crackled with the thing''s raw power. Its eyes, mismatched orbs of glowing embers and reptilian malice, locked onto us with a hunger breaking open the cage keeping him away from us. The floor trembled with each ponderous step it took, the stone groaning under its monstrous weight. This was no mere beast; it was a monstrous amalgamation of every nightmare I''d written onto a page. Mordredmanded the monster to walk towards him as he injected the syringe into the monster. It began rattling in anger, the mouth foamed, and its arms swung everywhere in the room¡ªBANG, BANG, BANG¡ªit mmed its arms heavily against the sides of the cave. GAHHHH! The monster was transforming Its arms iled, clutching its head in agony, a guttural RAHHHHH tearing through the air. Covering our ears to muffle the piercing sounds, the hybrid monster underwent a semi devil like transformation. Weird spikes sprouted from half of its arms and head, and a sinister horn emerged from the side, releasing a foul odor of demonic energy. Mordred casually strolled onto the IDS tform, his figure framed against the monstrous scene. The oppressive atmosphere began to ease. Standing before the tform. "Good luck. If youe out alive the next time we meet, I will spare the life of you four." he waved at us leaving. HWANG! I swallowed hard, gripping my crossbow so tight my knuckles cracked. The fear hung heavy in the air, but through it burned a defiant spark. I just had to support the three of them until Jan awakens his ultimate skill. ____________________ Author Notes: - Rel was 0.95 seconds away from missing the parry. - Rel has been using his Aura Concealment ability to hide his mana and presence, although not aware that he has been using it, it is likely to be revealed very soon. - Vocal empowerment is a type of speech where you can put ''pressure'' or ''fear'' within the user''s words. So if this is used on a character, they tend to feel a sense of belittlement usually. - The monster Mordred reveals is abination of all the monsters in that cave: Slimes, Goblins, Trolls, Ogres, Spiders, and Lizards. - Mordred and Jane from the same world. Chapter 25: Monster Overhaul (3)

    Chapter 25: Monster Overhaul (3)

    GRAWKK! The dungeon itself seemed to quake under the monstrous roar, a wall of sound that vibrated through bone and marrow. Valencia wed at her ears, her vision momentarily white from the shockwave. Jan flinched, reflexively reaching for his de, his eyes flickering between the gaping cage, Louise seemingly stood there resisting the monster''s screams and Rel''s unnervingly calm face covered them not being pushed back by the winds it drew. "We need to wrap this up and report to the academy," Valencia shouted, hands pressed firmly against her ears. With the creature now free from its cage, it surveyed the room before devouring the lifeless carcasses within other cages. GWAK! A faint purple glow enveloped its body as it consumed the five nearest cages. Rel stood unfazed, watching with a calm gaze, as if anticipating a significant development. "Rel, are you okay?" Jan rushed to Rel''s side, ready to shield him from potential danger. The looming threat of the unleashed monster now overshadowed the earlier spectacle of Rel''s defensive maneuver. Louise, without hesitation, positioned himself near the hole created by Valencia. The quartet, now in a battle-ready formation with three at the front and one at the back, braced themselves for an impending confrontation. "I believe we should leave and report this immediately," Jan suggested, his gaze fixed on the approaching monster with a mix of caution and uncertainty. DUN, DUN, DUN. "It''s no use; ourmunication has been cut off by some signal jammer," Rel remarked as he attempted to contact Kolek. "If we let this monster roam freely in the cave, who knows if it will encounter our ssmates? We need to try and stop it at all costs," Valencia said, her hands shaking with a hint of hesitation and fear. As they began drawing out their weapons Louise snarked at the monster. "That fucker is enormous, for sure. If the academy is associated with something like this, I''d get it shut down," Louise dered, drawing out his polearm. And with that seemingly innocuous remark, the battle began. The monstershed out, a swipe of its w aimed at Rel. Valencia threw herself into the path, deflecting the blow with a burst of lightning that parried the w out of the way. In the dimly lit cavern, the monstrous hybrid roared, unleashing a cacophony of abilities inherited from the creatures it hadbined with. mes erupted from its gaping maw, mirroring the ferocity of a lizard, while its haunting scream echoed the fear-inducing howl of a troll. Silken strands shot forth, ensnaring everything in their path like the webs of a giant spider, and the sheer force behind its blows mimicked the strength of an ogre. The quartet faced the relentless onught, and Louise initiated the fight with a zing assault. However, the demon''s resistance to fire repelled his scorching onught, pushing him back with an unnatural resilience. "Was he unaffected by my attack?" Louise was confused as the burn marks seemingly had no damage but the marks remained onto the monster. Seizing the opportunity, Jan unsheathed his sword, dashing towards the monster, "Horizontal sweep" massive arcs of cleaves that danced through the air hit the monster slicing the upper part of its body and creating x marks everywhere. Despite the precision of his strikes, the demonic entity seemed to be unfazed by the attack. Valencia quickly followed up with a fluidity that belied her fierce determination, she engaged the monster with a disy of swordsmanship. Each stroke of her de was a masterful dance, aiming for the vulnerable spots that emerged during the creature''s frenzied attacks. The monster fired webs onto the ground with its hands and breathed fire simultaneously Yet Valencia''s true power was in the unique ability she was born with, Chain Reaction. Chain reaction was a unique ability that allowed Valencia to initiate a sequence of interconnected attacks against 2 targets or more. If there are no ''targets'' for the reaction to hit the damage would double against the singr target. As the half-demon sustained the onught, Valencia harnessed the lightning within her, each strike of her de triggering a surge of energy. SHING, SHING, SHING. The cavern crackled with electrifying tension as the monster, unable to evade her attacks, sumbed to the damage. The calcted strikes left the creature reeling, its monstrous form now visibly battered and scarred. Desperation engulfed the monster as it unleashed a torrent of fire, a desperate attempt to halt Valencia''s lightning-infused assault. Yet, Jan, ever adaptive, shifted his stance. Drawing from the otherworldly techniques he had mastered, he invoked the power of the wind, infusing it into his sword technique: Diagonal sh: Sweeper. In a breathtaking disy, Jan swung his sword in a sweeping motion, arcs of wind blending with his azure aura. The resulting onught sliced through the air, creating a vortex of cutting force. With each pass, deep wounds manifested on the monster''s body, revealing the potency of this technique. As Jan''s wind-empowered strikes left an indelible mark on the once-mighty creature. The fight raged on, an intricate dance of elemental prowess and relentless determination, as the quartet faced the half-demonic monster with a fervour that refused to waver. *** Sitting there in surprise after parrying that attack I couldn''t tell if the notification before my eyes was true. I was simply to stunned to speak. FWANG [Main Quest: Awakening Requires Sacrifice! help Jan awaken his Ultimate Skill. Rewards: 500 QP, Luck [Roll], Stamina: 5.00+, Archer Mastery: 1+] Huh? Sacrifice? Is this system being serious? Does it expect me to die for the sake of Jan''s awakening? Forget that. It seems almost impossible for Jan to awaken Divine Conqueror. How the hell am I supposed to push him to gain an understanding of his purpose? Just how... I value my life. sorry, Jan. I''m just going to pray that Valencia can make a difference in this fight since Louise can''t damage demonised monsters with his purest me... [3 minutes into the fight...] It looks like we''re winning. Though the monster hybrid recovers after our attacks, we are finally breaking through. Jan shed the monster countless times with different techniques, from cleaving sh to spamming horizontal sweep afterwards. Valenciaplemented Jan by using her ability chain reactions to multiply the attack damage, creating a constant source of damage to the hybrid monster itself. The only problem was that none of us had the attribute of light to execute this monstrosity, but there was one person in this room who could pull this off, and it was Jan. Although I''m not entirely sure what it meant by sacrificing, I''m guessing I have to do something worthy of a sacrifice. I''m just praying that I don''t lose a limb in the process. "Rel, WATCH OUT," Jan warned me to move out of the way as the monster aimed a breath of fire at me, mes erupting out of its mouth. It was already toote for me to move. Then suddenly, a tall figure popped in front of me. Enveloping the mes that could not burn hotter than his, Louise stood there countering the demonic fire with his purest me. "Move, you gimp!" he warned me as I moved out of the way to position myself on the side of the cave. Even though I''m not doing any real damage. I''m at least shooting the monster in any part of the body with all my crossbow''s might. TAK, TAK, TAK. And even if the monster couldunch anything at me, I could just block it, but I need to stay stationary to recover all that lost stamina and energy. Haah, haah, haah, My breathing felt quite off. I couldn''t tell if it was the monster''s demonic aura, but I was getting thrown off. I felt drowsy, tired, and weak; just lifting my crossbow and constantly shooting and imbuing fire into my attacks was already making me feel much more tired. While the three of them were taking turns dealing damage and then dealing damage simultaneously, Valencia stopped for a moment as if she had some idea to beat this thing. Then energy began manifesting around her, charging up her elemental attribute as sparks of white lightning began emitting around her. "Jan and Louise, try and catch the monster off guard. I''m going to try something," Valencia shouted as she stood still amid battle. "Are you crazy? Who would be trying something in a time like this?" Louise replied to Valencia''s historical idea with contorted face GWARK The monster screamed in agony as it took another round of countless attacks from Jan and Valencia. It began grabbing the pirs of stctite and began throwing them recklessly at everyone. As I saw the pir heading towards Valencia, I froze up watching as years worth of developing her character shed through my eyes. My body wouldn''t let me move at all. Then a short gust of wind passed through my eyes. SHING! Jan''s de shed, reducing the stctite to harmless dust. Relief washed over me as my heart felt like it was going to explode from the torment this girl had put me through when it came to writing her character. Ah, who am I kidding? Jan is here he would save anyone who is in danger. As we stalled for Valencia, the sudden change in the air turned thick with anticipation, buzzing with an electric hum that danced across my skin. My breath hitched as Valencia raised her katana, her golden aura erupting into a corona of crackling lightning. Each spark arced and snapped, casting dancing shadows across her determined face. she stood poised to unleash her ultimate skill: Stormshroud. If Valencia activated her ultimate skill this early into the fight, then she would be out for the entirety of the fight. The lightning''s dance mirrored the enchanting beauty of Valencia; it fit her description just as I thought. There was that certain spark of hope that I could see in her eyes, as if her body was saying, "I won''t lose this no matter what." Holding her katana with conviction, the de emanated an extended golden aura, increasing her reachpared to before. Crackles of lightning danced around as electricity now permeated the entire room. The gamble for Valencia to win would have her fight at 100%. ______________ Author''s Notes: - Valencia''s Ultimate Skill is called: Stormshroud. - Fun fact: Valencia learned her ultimate skill at the age of 7 when she got angry at her parents for pranking her, pretending they forgot about her birthday. Suddenly, her anger affected her surroundings, causing lightning bursts. - Stctite is a mineral that hangs from the top of caves, forming in an icicle-like shape. - Any archetype of demons possesses high resistance to fire, which exins Louise''s ineffectiveness with his fire attacks against them. Chapter 26 Awakening Chapter 26 Awakening My heart pounded against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat apanying the crackle of electricity coursing through me. For the first time, I unleashed the storm simmering within, my body thrumming with a power I''d only dreamt of. "Get out of the way; I''ll take it from here now," I said to Jan and Louise, waving them off. "Valencia, what''s that surrounding you?" Jan asked out of the blue as he pointed at the electrical energy that sparked around me. "I''m not too sure; this is the first time I''ve properly used it." I shrugged it off. "Are you sure you can fight that thing on your own?" Louise questioned me, and to be honest, I wasn''t sure, so I wanted to give this a try. "Yeah," I replied swiftly without hesitating as Louise seemed to put his polearm to the ground, indicating his agreement. CRACK, CRACK, CRACK Jan and Louise scrambled back, eyes wide with a mixture of awe and terror. Good. Fewer idents won''t happen if they don''t get struck by thunder. The room began to echo with torrents of electricity flowing through it as my body was enveloped with my lightning attribute and my aura. I''ve never gotten the chance to use this special ability I had since I was young because my parents always told me that this could only be used in the worst-case scenarios if I felt I was in danger, and that feeling came. That feeling of when my hands trembled for the first time, knowing I wasn''t able to beat a monster within 10 swings of my sword, and that was when I knew I was facing great danger. Everything I touched was electrified by my ability; though this was the first time I''ve ever properly tapped into this, I felt unbeatable. As I lunged at the monster with unparalleled grace, my every step leaving trails of electricity, I began speeding up. The lightning storm I was causing danced around me like ethereal fireflies. With a swift, fluid motion, I raised my katana, and the crackles of lightning intensified. The first swing was a spectacle of precision and power. The golden aura around my de extended, leaving a trail of residual lightning in its wake. DAGON! Connecting my sword against the monster''s right limb, thunder struck down from above as I cleanly cut the arm off the monster and then followed with a downward sh as electricity followed, triggering shocks within the body of the monster. "Damn," Louise''s voice, surprisingly steady, cut through the roar. "Was Valencia always this shy?" The monster tried to regenerate the damage it had taken from its lost limb, but I followed up with another attack. SHING! I unleashed another sh, a surge of electrical energy bursting forth from my katana. The luminous arc, charged with the intensity of my lightning attribute, seamlessly blended with the glow of my aura. With precision, the electrified arc found its mark, striking the monster directly. The cavern walls were illuminated with each powerful strike, the sparks creating a mesmerising disy of lightning. The air crackled with energy as arcs of lightning-painted streaks hit the monster. The monster caught off guard, roared in response. Its monstrous limbs iled in an attempt to ward off my electrifying onught. Undeterred, I continued my assault with a series of acrobatic maneuvers. I leapt and spun, the golden aura extending the reach of my katana, leaving vivid arcs of lightning suspended in the air like frozen bolts of electricity... /----\ Jan and Louise watched in awe as the movements of Valencia became a blur of electrifying grace. Her attacks were a symphony of destruction, each strikending with a thunderous impact. The room echoed as the lightning danced against the monster''s demonic energy. \----/ The seconds ticked away, and my movements became more fric as the fifth minute approached. I unleashed a flurry of strikes, the golden aura intensifying with each swing. The monster, battered and scorched, seemed on the verge of defeat. With the monster turned to a charcoal ck it sustained a huge amount of damage from all the lightning that struck in this room and as it stood still in front of me I held my katana up to the ceiling as electricity flowed into my sword once more. As the final strikended, the lightning erupted in a blinding disy. The cavern was bathed in an otherworldly glow for a moment as the monster fell on its back absolutely cooked as I stood amid the aftermath of my electrifying onught. "she actually did it." Louise''s face watched Valencia stand victorious against the demonised monster who couldn''ty a single finger on her. I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. The strain of channelling such immense energy through my body became clear, and my limbs felt like lead. Despite the victory, the room began to blur around me. As the cheers of Jan and Louise echoed in the distance, I stumbled backward. The monster, seemingly defeated,y smouldering on the cavern floor. However, my vision wavered, and the edges of my consciousness began to fade. Reality became a hazy dreamscape, and the cheers transformed into distant echoes. I realized the toll of using this ability had taken its toll on me. The electric high that surged through my veins was reced by an overwhelming fatigue. In that vulnerable state, I heard a sudden, guttural growl from the seemingly vanquished monster. "VALENCIA, DODGE!" Louise and Jan screamed at the top of their lungs as I watched the monster I burnt to a crisp rise from the smoke. My instincts screamed at me, but my body refused to respond. It was as if I were trapped in slow motion. Just as the monsterunched a surprise attack, a strong force pushed me aside. I felt the rush of air as I tumbled away from the imminent danger. It took a moment for the reality of the situation to register that the monster wasn''t dead. But who pushed me aside? But all I could hear was the impact of the attack, someone must''ve saved me. Then slight echoes of screaming became even louder. But. I can''t keep awake. [Valencia has fainted...] *** Haah, what a relief to think that Valencia defeated it so easily seemed too good to be true. But at the very least, the demonized monster never manifested its demonic abilities. But why couldn''t it use the abilities anyway? I nced at Valencia, her shoulders sagging with exhaustion. It was time to move. But as I took a step forward, a vicious migraine exploded behind my eyes. My knees buckled, and I clutched my head, gasping for breath. The world spun in a sickening kaleidoscope of colors. Then, my system screen flickered to life. [Due to- Error... Error-] Each glitching message felt like a hammer blow to my skull. I watched in horror as the familiar blue hue of the screen twisted into a menacing blood red. [Error, Error, Error] N?v(el)B\\jnn [SYSTEM OVERIDE!] [you... will... suffer...] [System... Tool... Intervened.] My heart pounded a frantic tattoo against my ribs. What was happening? What was A.T? [A.T INTERFERENCE. MONSTER: SPECIAL HYBRID DEMONFIED M-5. SECOND PHASE HAS BEEN ADDED.] Despair washed over me as the final message seared into my vision. [ALERT! ALERT! ALERT!] [System will be temporarily down.] [Please survive Mr. Axel.] A deafening p of thunder split the air, followed by a blinding sh. The room shuddered, smoke billowing from the spot where the monster had once stood. My ears rang with the silence that followed. Panic wed at my throat. I choked out a desperate plea, my voice trembling. Something was intervening with the system I had. "System..." I called for it once. "System, System, SYSTEM." I repeated the plea many times in my head, and I realized that what I saw was not a joke from the system itself but A.T had to be the assistant tool. But why did this happen, and why the FUCK does it have a second phase? Is this some Dark Souls game bullshit? Shit, Shit, Shit. GROAR! A roar pierced the ears of the room; the transformed monster, now more menacing than ever, rose from the dead. With a guttural roar, it lunged towards Valencia. I didn''t know why, but my body had never moved so quickly before. Time felt slow as I began running towards Valencia, struggling to stay conscious as she couldn''t move from the impending attack. I collided with Valencia, shoving her aside with a grunt that tasted like blood. The monster''s ws, dripping with some slick, oily darkness, raked across my chest. Pain mmed into me, a white-hot explosion that sent me flying like a broken doll. Dust choked me, the metallic tang of blood filling my mouth. My vision swam, the world a broken mirror reflecting my agony. My cloak''s shield was gone. I looked below my chest to see a crimson-red X carved into my skin by those damn ws. Clockwork of Time, my double-edged savior, had sucked me dry. My head spun, consciousness a flickering candle me in the wind. And there, hanging in the air like a cruel joke. F-W-ANG! [HP: 1.2 -> 1.0 -> 0.9] *** The message across the screen flickered, and I saw that the system even when down tried to show me something. Augh hacked its way out of my throat, choked on blood and despair. This close, so damn close. Fear felt like nothingpared to dying, the drowned-out numbness was slowly creeping up my limbs. Regrets pricked at the edges of my mind. But with the darkness closing in, I closed my eyes and slowly prayed I''d be in a better ce than this. *** \----/ Jan stood there, frozen, as the room crackled with the aftermath of Valencia''s electrifying battle. The air was thick with the scent of burnt ozone and lingering adrenaline. /----\ I watched in stunned silence as Rel pushed Valencia out of harm''s way, taking the full force of the monster''s attack. The room seemed to close in on me, and the weight of the moment pressed heavily on my shoulders. My mind raced, and a torrent of emotions flooded my being. The echoes of the past haunted me, and I couldn''t shake the feeling that this was a cruel d¨¦j¨¤ vu. - "RUN, JAN, QUICK, DON''T LET THEM CATCH YOU." Jan''s mother''s voice echoed in his head as he recalled a tragic event from the past. - "JAN, WATCH OUT." Jan recalled an event from the past where his best friend was pierced in the stomach by an evil being. - "Go, Jan... you need to live." Jan recalled the event of [???] pushing him away fromsers aimed at them. Ouch... it hurts... so much... it''s all the same. Is this the same thing that had happened before? My heart dropped the moment I recalled that moment when she did that for me to live. I felt broken. What even was my purpose of living a second life if people kept dying right before my eyes? I wasn''t fast enough to save Valencia, and Rel had to do something to stop her from being killed, and now he''s just standing there lifeless. I couldn''t feel any more guilty like this. Why? The question rasped in my throat, raw and bitter. Why does it always have to be me? Why do they keep dying? A cough, wet and bloody, shattered the silence. Rel''s head lolled, eyelids fluttering open. "AhHck." A pile of blood came out of Rel''s mouth "Please. Win this... I believe in you." Rel''s breathing was heard from across the room. _ A spark flickered in the ashes of Jan''s despair. Valencia, though hurt, was alive. Hope, a fragile ember, red within him. If he could save her, if he could do for someone what those others had done for him, then maybe¡­ maybe that was it. His purpose. _ Everyone was okay. I felt relieved. So if I could do all those people a favour back then, if I could save someone for once in my life, I needed to do it now. I''ll save everyone no matter what. I think I''ll be okay now. Thank you, Rel. As I drew my sword once more I slowly approached the demonic monster that stood still gazing down at me. I understand now, This had to be it, This feeling, what was it? As I looked around me, a shimmering particle of energy glowed around me. Then Blue particles rose, weaving through the air like a celestial dance. A sudden power surged within me. HWANG! [The God of this world has given you their blessing... Special Ability: (ultimate skill) has touched the depths of your memory.] [Ultimate Skill: Divine Conqueror (Unawaken): Attribute: Light has been added to the archive. To make space for this information, you will no longer possess the following attributes: Water, Earth, Fire, Wind, Ice, Darkness.] The Lost Archives, a unique ability within me, triggered. The Information flooded my mind, a profound enlightenment washing over me. This power of ''light'' will help me extinguish this evil. _________ Author Notes: - Axel had terrible vision before entering his novel, but after receiving prescribed sses to heal his vision, he asionally doesn''t need to wear his previous sses that he wore before. He only wears them as a fashion trend when he goes out in the streets or during academy sses. Rel when readers don''t tell their friends about TTA ( ¡ä-¦Ø?)¦î©ß©×¨T¨T©¥Ò»[Readers] - As long as Valencia''s sword hits a target, the electricity built up from her surroundings would strike down. This happens every time her sword connects with something. To enhance Valencia''s talents, her ability chain reaction would activate passively. This urs because her abilities have an automated function connected to them duringbat. (¡ä,,?¦Ø?,,)? <- Valencia when Rel is not around. - Divine Conqueror is Jan''s Ultimate skill, but due to his Lost Archive not being able to fully grasp the knowledge handed down to him, it remains unawakened for that reason. (¨i_¨i) - Jan when he can''t awaken but awaken. - The reason Louise stopped attacking mid-fight was that he realized his attacks were useless against the monster. Even if his weapon, a polearm axe, was able to damage the monster, it would immediately recover afterwards. This was because Louise was born with the sole attribute of Fire (Grade: Legendary) hence the purest me. (¨s¡ã¡õ¡ã£©¨s¦à ©ß©¥©ß - Due tozy writing Jan''s original name from his other world is also Jan! what a coincidence ( £Þ?£Þ)¤Ã ? <- Axel when he was thinking of Jan''s past... Chapter 27 Recollection of the past Chapter 27 Recollection of the past My vision cleared as the monstrous threat before me had inflicted unspeakable harm upon my ssmates. It will die at by my sword; I was determined about that. Channelling mana within me, the surroundings were touched by the emergence of blue particles of energy, a manifestation of my focused power. In my hands, the Light attribute hummed, its radiant energy taking precedence after losing the six elemental attributes I once had. The absence of those familiar elements felt strange, yet the unique charm of Light enveloped me. Since I wasn''t born a mage with the aptitude for handling multiple elements, my sword didn''t need the multiple attributes anyway. As I stood in the cavern, the monster let out a deafening roar, indicating its intention to crush me. To defend myself, I raised my sword, a shining de that emitted pure light, and prepared for the impending sh with the creature''s ws imbued with dark energy. The monster''s dark ws collided with my de, sparking a luminous confrontation. Eerie shadows danced across the cavern walls as sparks of darkness and light scattered through the air. The resounding sh of elements echoed, each strike resonating through the room. SHING! A burst of light stopped the monster''s attack, causing severe damage to its demonic form. I realized that controlling light was more challenging than the other elements. It couldn''t be channelled using the qi method like the others. In my past life, I met a person named Ra¨²l n, while subjugating the final tower of destruction. He was a light user and incredibly powerful despite not relying on it much. I only witnessed him use it once, but I remember him saying something about it long ago... /----\ [Tower Of Destruction: [???] Floor 91] "How did you do that?" I asked Raul who destroyed an A+ Grade Wyvern on the 91st Floor. "Kiddo you''ve still got a long way to go!" He smiled at me as his face grinned from ear to ear hearing my praise. smack! "Ack! Why did you do that?" He hit me on the head as he shrugged off all the dust off him. "It''s nothing Jan! I just felt like hitting ya." He chuckled quite a lot for someone who was in his middle age. "Did you say something?" I think he read my mind or felt I was talking bad about him his face seemed to gotten serious. "nope... it was nothing." I rubbed the top of my head and asked him something. "Ra¨²l why can''t you use light all the time you could''ve conquered this tower by now." He looked surprised,ughed again, and exined, "Jan, those who wield the power of ''Light'' are of pure heart or born prodigies. But I am neither. Using the power of lightes from within the soul. If the soul rejects the light, not only will you lose the ability to harness qi, but you''ll also lose all five senses. Light isn''t static; it''s a living force that chooses those who align with its nature..." \----/ So does that mean the light epts me? If what he said is true, the light attribute I have now has chosen and blessed me. I CLANG! As the monster''s ws shed with my de, I struggled to release light in my swing. The monster inhaled, then unleashed fiery breath towards me. I leapt backward, narrowly escaping its range. SHAW! firey breath began flowing out of it''s mouth towards me. I quickly leapt backwards barely escaping its range. The monster countered with astonishing speed, appearing in front of me, as it mmed both hands towards my de pressing and overpowering me with sheer force. Gripping my hilt tightly, I instinctively ced my other hand on the t part of the de, using all my leg strength to stop it from being crushed, feeling shockwaves reverberate through my entire being. Energy surged from my right foot, and I used it, WHAM! A roundhouse kick created a burst of Azure like energy, forming a thin crescent sh from my foot. Leaping to the side, the ground trembled as the monster lost its foot. Realizing I couldn''t let it regenerate, I ran towards it. SLASH! The first swing manifested sparks of light, creating an arc that shed its right arm. Leaping forward to avoid it''s fiery breath, it tried to grab me with its ws. A burst of energy from Light and aura manifested in my sword, and I bounced off its body,unching myself into the air. SLASH! Holding my sword high, my sh formed a space azure cut, splitting the monster in two. The cavern fell into stunned silence as the lifeless body crumpled to the ground. Finally gone for sure, I stood there, exhausted. This was the first time I took something so seriously. N?v(el)B\\jnn I''m d I could save someone''s life for once. *** [3 dayster...] [Pinnacle Academies Medical Centre] It''s dark once again, my head hurts so much. Where am I? Did I finally die? Thank God... [You are actually still alive Mr. Axel :D] The system interface appeared in this dark room right in front of me, the screen UI still looked the same with the colour light blue. Does that mean Jan won? [Correct! Topensate for the system breach and injuries caused, your rewards will be adjusted ordingly for the disruption caused.] This put a smile on my face, but I couldn''t tell if I should be happy that I was still alive or that I might be getting something good for a mistake that was made. However, I still couldn''t believe that Jan could awaken Divine Conqueror this early since there wasn''t a situation strong enough for him to realize what he was doing in this world in the first ce. Originally, Divine Conqueror would''ve awoken when Sifters Organization would attack the 1st year group at the end of the first-year arc, which Jan would then awaken for the first time andpletely decimate Jasper and the other fodder viins heh. But at that moment when I said something like "I believe in you" made me cringe so hard, but that was just a desperation from the other half of my mind begging me to live.(¤Ã ? ?o - ? ?o ?) [Yes Mr. Axel? :D] How long am I going to be here? [You''ll wake up soon! I''m just trying to fix your HP circuits, and then I''ll also give you your rewards!] Um... Quick question, system? [Yes Mr. Axel? :D] Are you like a one-person or an AI thingy? or are you like a collective systemprised of more ai''s put together? [Oh, you''ve never asked me this before! Well, I''m one being! There''s no other person you talk to in your head besides me, Rel! or the voices created from your schizophrenia if you count those as talking to yourself! :D] So it does hear the things I say in my head. [Not at all! I can simply read you through your bodynguage and small mannerisms!] Whatever, so are you going to give me rewards soon? [Unfortunately, I can''t give it right now as your body is undergoing a healing process, but I can promise you that you''ll have your rewards very soon!] [Oh surprise! you''ll be waking up 3 seconds from now! :D] Wait wha- HAAH!, HAAH! My eyes flocked wide open as I was gasping for air. What the f- "You''re awake, Mr. Rel. It seems you woke up 2 days earlier than expected." The nurse in the school''s white uniform looked at me with an expressionless face. "I''ll go get the doctor to have you go through some diagnosis; please hold on for a bit." She left the room swiftly, and I''m here left contemting on life. The soft hum of medical equipment filled the air, and the sterile antiseptic scent reached my senses. My gaze wandered, taking in the white walls and sanitized surroundings of the academy''s medical centre. A sense of relief washed over me as I realized I was alive. I shifted, feeling the crisp sheets beneath my fingertips. The rhythmic beeping of a nearby monitor served as a reminder that I had returned from the brink of death. Ouch! A gentle soreness resonated through my body, as my stomach felt like my organs could fall at any moment. As the sunlight reached my very room, I turned my head towards the remote next to the stand that was by my bed. Click! *** [Breaking News! Pinnacle Academy Dungeon out break!] ording to the report of the guild, Visionary Syndicate head informant and investigator Dempsey te has a lead on what happened in the dungeon. "Analyzing the data retracing, there was a certain monster considered a ''boss'' level that had evolved within the dungeon, leaving the group of students to confront it alone. Yet, they faced it with strength and unwavering conviction," Dempsey reported, his voice resonating with authority. As the reporter pressed for more details, a confident smile yed on Dempsey''s lips. "Nothing else urred of significance. The students handled the situation admirably. Their courage ismendable." That''s all for today''s news station! *** Dempsey was correct about the info, but I know that he didn''t reveal the rest of the information because his ability, Decipher, made him an almost unbeatable opponent when it came to information and tracking. But did he always look that young? I mean, he wears the usual long brown coat with his brown hat, acting like he''s Sherlock Holmes, but did I give him such a young face? I moved to sit up as my surroundings came into sharper focus. I took a moment to gather my thoughts. My hand instinctively went to my chest, where the memory of the monster''s attack lingered in the form of a crimson-red X carved into my skin. "Rel, you''re finally awake," Jan said, a genuine smile breaking through the worry lines on his face. He approached my bed. I managed to give him a nod as I smiled, envying his good looks... damn bastard. "Yeah, survived by the skin of my teeth, it seems." Jan chuckled, though the relief in his eyes betrayed the gravity of the situation. "You had me worried there for a moment. The monster went berserk, but thankfully we managed to beat it." We? Who''s we? Well, I can''t me his character; he''s always so inclusive when ites to group work, and everyone did something but me. I shifted, testing my body''s response. "Valencia," I began, "How long did it take her to wake up?" Jan nodded. "She''s recovering. Louise left the battle with you and Valencia in his arms. You did a hell of a thing back there, saving her like that." Eh? What? I could feel the cringe in my body consume me as the reels kept reying in my head. AHHHH GET OUT OF MY SKIN!!!! My gaze turned to the window, a silent contemtion filling the space between my thoughts. "Yeah, whatever," I replied nonchntly to his response. I mean, I couldn''t allow a character like her to die; if she died, I''d probably kill myself too. She''s like the queen piece on a chessboard, so I was just a pawn making a sacrifice to make a brilliant move. Jan''s tone softened. "Well, it worked, and thank you for those words from before." Eh? What? I could feel the cringe in my body consume me as the reels kept reying in my head. AHHHH GET OUT OF MY SKIN!!!! In my head, I was internally screaming, but on the outside, I smiled awkwardly and changed the subject, asking a different matter. "Oh, what was our time for the assignment?" "We ced second behind Camilia''s group, with a time of 37 minutes and 31 seconds. They finished much earlier than us since Lyra understood the pathing of the cave." Lyra was an obvious giveaway for them getting first; well, the groups didn''t matter regardless since the top 3 would always be the same. "Ah, interesting...and what''s that in your hand?" "Oh, this? It''s a key. The monster dropped this as a reward, but I''m not good with these dungeon things myself, so I was thinking of giving this to you." He held out the keys in his hands as the ck obsidian-like colour stood out like a sore thumb, and I activated my perceptive mind to scan the object. [Scanning Item... Scanning Complete.] [Item: Silent Abyss Key Rarity [???]] A quiet moment passed before I looked at Jan, surprised; my body was feeling lightheaded; I could easily faint. I met Jan''s gaze and kindly took the key. "Thank you so much, Jan! I mean it." My bowed my head until hit the bed sheet covers "No problem, this was just my thanks." He smiled at me and got up, leaving the room as we exchanged goodbyes. The doctor quickly ran checkups on me afterwards, and I ced the key into my pocket. Was this just taking advantage of his kindness? Ah, I feel guilty doing this. ______ Author Notes: - In the novel''s world, people born as mages can use multiple elements simultaneously, but casting spell-less incantations is a challenging task. ???? ¡¥???¡¥?? )? - Jan first met Ra¨²l when he was only 17 years old! ( ? ?¦Ø?? )? - As previously mentioned, Jan possesses six elemental attributes: Water, Earth, Fire, Wind, Ice, and Darkness. Despite being aware of his possession of all six, he struggles with using technical attributes like Darkness, Fire, and Ice into his arsenal. (?_?") <- Jan''s face. - Axel also dreamt of having bubble tea in his dreams, only to discover the taste to be IV liquid (Saline Solution) (? ??¥î??) - Axel when the taste was actually IV liquid (Saline Solution) - Louise carried Rel in his arms while Valencia was on his back. hint: he enjoyed the bumps...( ??? ) <- Louise - The system is capable of reading Axel''s thoughts, even when he tries to hide them. (? ?? ? - ? ) ? <- System Chapter 28 Club Meeting Chapter 28 Club Meeting Warning: This is a big info dump for the story so if you want to know a bit of the history of the novel then proceed by reading if not you can skip where the asterisk lines appear. (¨i©n¨i) I do rmend you read it for some understanding and context for why things happen but I''m not your mother or father or any other type of rtive that there is to exist so enjoy the read!?^???^? ->***<- Asterisk line is this btw if you didn''t know | \(???")/ __________________________ 100 years ago When the world had reached a certain state of peace, they had no idea what wasing ever since that day came. January 1st 1922, The sudden appearance of dungeons on this fateful day thrust humanity into a perilous era. These mysterious domains initially believed conquerable through technology, proved to be far more challenging. Creatures from the world of web novels emerged, and the fairy tales that were told to children became a grim reality. As monsters began running rampant outside of their dungeons they began to popte areas that hadn''t been touched by human hands and yet humanity struggled in fighting these creatures that towered them in both size and strength. The world was in desperation and aid tobat these so-called monsters and as if a God from above answered their calls a phenomenon urred as unfolded artifacts from history began to surface within the dungeons, individuals around the world also experienced a transformation as they gained powers from a dream that manifested their power from their souls. This divine blessing, a manifestation of unique aptitudes, marked the dawn of humanity''s first users of power. As people grappled with the dangers lurking in dungeons, artifacts became both a lifeline and a coveted treasure. These relics, ranging from ancient weapons to famous armour, offered the means to harness the powers granted to individuals. The pursuit of artifacts changed the necessity of this world as those who weren''t blessed with the right powers could use artifacts as the second best option for their arsenal, as those who possessed these objects gained the power of their previous holder. The year 1922, while witnessing the birth of dungeons, also became the genesis of humanity''s evolution. January 1st 1972 As humans progressed and became stronger, the world needed associations to maintain order and bnce of power. To solve this problem, they created a global association for all heroes around the world. Each country harbors a branch that connects to the Global Heroes Association United. Many groups were formed not only to fight over the power of the rights of dungeons but also to maintain a high status for those who have reached peaks that this world has never seen before. The great heroes of the Old Golden Era were often said to be unbeatable in terms of strength, power, and influence. During their time, they could easily beat A-ss dungeons as that was the highest level of dungeons on Earth. The powers during this era depleted drastically, and humanity never needed any more heroes during that time. January 2012 As time passed, the old heroes'' power was said to have weakened. Even though their skills and techniques remained, the world witnessed a second wave of dungeon outbreaks. This happened when it was believed that all the dungeons across the world had been conquered. During the Towerfall Crisis, dungeons rapidly expanded, and the monsters evolved into a more primal form, making it harder to fight them directly. This crisis led to the outbreak of monsters that rampaged through the cities worldwide. However, the heroes of this world were able to stop them, and three main figures stood out as the most prominent among them. As a result of this crisis, new names for this generation emerged. Aurelia Draxen became famous for her performance on the big stage in Korea, particrly in the capital city of Seoul. She demonstrated her incredible ability to use light to eliminate a total of 32,250 monsters within just three hours of arriving at the battle. This achievement earned her the titles of The Divine Sorceress and The Celestial One. Navi Colombus also earned his prestige through his sess in safeguarding London during a battle thatsted for 10 hours and 20 minutes. He was able to hold down the battle and y two S-ranked monsters that attempted to invade the city. As a result, he was given the title of The Invincible Titan. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Jaxon Cain disyed great bravery as he fearlessly fought an endless horde of monsters that were summoned through portals scattered throughout the streets of New York. His efforts bought crucial time for the area''s evacuation and secured him the enduring title of the strongest mercenary. These three individuals were awarded medals of honour by the world for their heroic actions during an event in which many lives were lost. Thanks to their efforts, the number of casualties was significantly reduced. Their bravery also earned them top rankings in both guilds and social status at the time. Following the world''s battle against the second catastrophic outbreak, a new crisis unfolded with the sudden appearance of four towers globally. Humanity, gripped by panic, united once more to decipher the mysteries of these towers. Countries dispatched their best guilds to see the purpose of these structures. Onemon feature stood out¡ªthey all possessed a unique window dashboard. These interfaces, found within the towers, assisted individuals in enhancing their power and conquering the tower itself. Reports from guilds around the world revealed that each tower had a designated name. The four names assigned to these structures were: The Tower of Destruction, The Tower of Chaos, The Tower of Evil, and The Tower of the Abyss. Within the confines of these towers, the interior diverged significantly from their external appearance. A whole different world awaited within, each with its unique objectives. The primary goal for adventurers within these towers was to ascend to the top and defeat the looming threat. It was rumoured that failure to conquer these towers within the next 15 years would trigger a catastrophic event. *** [Pinnacle Academy Lecture Room 1-A] [Thursday, 2:00 pm] "Alright, ss, just a reminder that the theory we will be learning for the next 3 weeks will be in the uing exam for this semester for school, so make sure you get all the information down or you will be getting sent home to your parents as a failure." Kolek''s voice echoed throughout the room as everyone seemed to have locked in, getting theirptops and notes ready for this crucial lesson. Stareeeeeeeeee However, I couldn''t help but feel like someone was staring at me for some reason. I turned around and nced towards the section where Alice was, and she seemed to be whistling in a mindless tone¡ªfidgety for a calm andposed character? "REL!" Kolek yelled. "Just because you returned from injury doesn''t excuse you from wandering your eyes off to Alice however you like!" Kolek''s tone remained serious as usual. Huh? My face turned to Kolek as I clearly heard him stating the obvious, but I wasn''t doing that on purpose. Then a murmur of talk began emerging from the ss. "Does Rel like Alice?" "There''s no way someone like him is good enough right?" "Alice is smart after all so it''s only obvious he likes her that way lol." [Quite the embarrassing moment, Mr. Axel D: 25 PPP has been added.] Tch, you don''t say, huh? I could die right here and still feel nothing since I was the only one who didn''t have anything out, so you could say that I had nothing to do but look around. [50 minutester] RINGGGGG "Okay, students, ss is over for today. If you have club activities today, be sure to attend their meetings," Kolek said. Oh, that does remind me, the breakfast club travel event should be a week from now, so I would need to prepare luggage in advance. DING! [You''ve got a message from WhatsApp, Would you like to open the message?] Click! [??¡ã? Breakfast Club GC ??¡ã?] Hey everyone, I wanted to remind you that we have our first mandatory meeting at 3:30 for the club. If you can''t attend, please provide a valid reason why you can''t make it. For everyone else, I''ll see you at the meeting! ? x 9 (J.Ates has liked the message), (Val.Freya has liked the message), (LV.Heat has liked the message), (Ly4ra has liked the message), (BadAzz has liked the message), (Alice.Elizabeth has liked the message), (2SwordTakeo has liked the message),(NoahTheArk has liked the message), (Jae.Yoona has liked the message), These guys really are high schoolers huh? well, whatever. Click! [ASRL.4444 has liked the message), [Breakfast Club room] Sunlight streamed through the club room''s expansive windows, casting long shadows on the polished floor. I pushed open the door, its creak the only sound in the silent haven.As I looked around at how big this room was I would pay to live in this ce. The monster t screen in the corner, its dark surface reflecting the pristine room like a mirror. The club meeting table stood on the right side, nked by whiteboards waiting to be written on about our trips around the world. A row of gaming Pc''s hummed their quiet vigil in the corner, their screens dark. There was also a snack bar, usually groaning under mountains of pizza pockets and gummy bear empires, Even a mini-fridge as well holy shit. This wasn''t the club room I wrote but I''m notining either. I snagged a chair at the oak table, As I waited for the others toe in. FWANG! [Mr. Axel your rewards are ready!] I could get them now since it''s quiet. Sure I''d like to see what additional things you added to my rewards. [Sure!] [Main Quest: Awakening Requires Sacrifice! help Jan awaken his Ultimate Skill. Completed!] [Rewards: 500 QP, Luck [Roll], Stamina: 5.00+, Archer Mastery: 1+] + [ Additional rewards: HP: 25.00+, Stamina: 25.00+, Luck [Roll] 2x, 150 QP, (Information to [Item: Silent Abyss Key Rarity Location] [Rewards are being transferred... Transfer Complete!] What''s luck roll system? [Luck roll is a gambling system where you spin to increase the percentage of your luck. However, this spin the wheel game won''t be affected by your luck. Would you like to give it a try?] Uh, okay? HWONG! As a massive wheel appeared before my eyes it felt like I was in a gaming show where they answer the questions with a buzzer but I''m only here to bet on my luck. [Wheel of Luck!] ck = Jackpot! Luck rolls: 25 - 50% White = 1 Upgrade Special Ability Light Blue = 5.00+ Speed Dark Blue = 2.50+ Strength Yellow =10.00+ Stamina Green = 100 PPP Orange = 100 BP Purple = 100 QP Red = 2.50+ HP Ah, shit if he''s on a jackpot always bet on Hakari... ______ {Axel Saint Rel Laurence STATS:} Age: 17 Talent: Marksman Of Weaponry [Grade 8][...] Affinity: me, Water >Health: 68 >Strength: 21.5 >Stamina: 34.5 >Speed: 63 >Evasiveness: 3.25%_Stat will trigger only in situations when the chances of an attack that is deemed improbable to dodge urs if so Speed stat is enhanced by percentage 2x. > Intelligence:? [Unlocks after theory exam] > Mana: ? [100 BP Required] [Special Stats:] >Archer: 3/10_ >Luck: 1.08% >???: ? / ? Precision: 46% - Shots are more likely to hit opponents in critical areas, If shots end up missing your current percentage will be cut in half to re-direct to attempt another hit. Tenacity: 3.45% Stat will trigger dire situations that are deemed too much to handle increasing your willpower [Hidden Stat] and mental health 5x. [Special Abilities:] Deadeye [Grade 9], Sixth Sense [Grade 9], Aura Concealment [Grade 8], Clockwork of Time Grade [Grade 3] Abilities: Piercing Shot [Grade 10], Vulnerability Reader [Grade 8], Quick Shot [Grade 9],Projectile Disarm [Grade 4] Passive Abilities: Perceptive Mind [Grade 2] Items owned:[Grade 2 [???] Cloak of Invisibility - Condition: Very Good - Enchantments: Evasive Charm: IV, Thornmail: III, Elemental Shielding: III] Chapter 29 Club Meeting (2) Chapter 29 Club Meeting (2) __________________ [Wheel of Luck!] ck = Jackpot! Luck rolls: 25 - 50% White = 1 Upgrade Special Ability Light Blue = 5.00+ Speed Dark Blue = 2.50+ Strength Yellow = 10.00+ Stamina Green = 100 PPP Orange = 100 BP Purple = 100 QP Red = 2.50+ HP [Spins - 3] [Press button to spin] [Button] __________________ [Histories Breakfast Club, Club room.] I gazed at the jackpot, knowing that hitting it would not only bring me luck but also make me a lucky charm on the streets. With my percentage of luck boosted everything good that could ever happen would seem more likely to happen Sess was within my reach. Alright,e on! game face, game face! I pped my face a few times as I prepared to y the gamble of a lifetime. Click! The wheel whizzed into motion, a blur of vibrant colors whipping past my eyes, ck, white, green, red - My heart was pounding out my chest as I waited for this spin that began slowing down. It slowed... slowed... almost there.... and stopped! [Congrats Mr. Axel! You''ve got the colour Red! HP will now be increased by 2.50+] Fuck... A sigh escaped my lips as my shoulders dropped back in disappointment. Well, it doesn''t matter I''ve got two more right? [Yes you do. Spin again whenever you are ready Mr. Axel :D] Click! The wheel whizzed into motion, a blur of vibrant colours whipping past with speed, yellow, green, dark blue, orange. It slowed... slowed... almost there.... and stopped! [Congrats Mr. Axel! You''ve got the colour Orange! 100 BP has been added to your currencies.] Watching that made me quite literally lose 10 years off my life span none of the colours were anywhere near the fucking colour ck or white either. This wheel had to be rigged. [Spin again whenever you are ready Mr. Axel :D] Fuck whatever... Click! The wheel whizzed into motion, a blur of vibrant colours whipping past with speed, Purple, yellow, light blue, dark blue. It slowed... slowed... almost there.... and stopped! [Congrats Mr. Axel! You''ve got the colour Dark Blue! The stat: Strength increases by 2.50+] No... this. This can''t be. Defeated, Rel was on his knees, having lost all hope in himself and in this world. He came to a realization. His true inner feelings, the so-called gambling addiction, grew within him as the seconds went by, and an idea appeared in his head as if something had clicked within the inner tail of his soul. Anger, disappointment, and resentment were created just for this moment. The man who gritted his teeth and tightened his hand felt every type of negative emotion that flowed through his bloodstream. An ability was created just for this moment. [Author''s Hidden Ability... Gaslighting.] "System..." [Yes, Mr. Axel? :D] "Remember that time when you almost put me in danger, and I was this close to dying?" A pinch of his finger showed the distance of how close he was to dying. "Not only was I mad, but I was going insane for not winning." [I certainly do, but I promise it won''t happen again.] "No, but the fact that this went through only meant that you should''ve had measures for this even if it did happen." Rel pressed forth, trying to corner the system. [I''m deeply sorry that it did happen, but I''m sure this was only a mistake :(] "A mistake? My life that you previously put into danger, a mistake? I don''t think I could ever forgive you for that." [Mr. Axel... Please forgive me. I didn''t think my system would ever breach, but this was only just a pure coincidence that it even happened.] The system pleaded to stop Axel from getting any more anger. "If you want me to forgive you, system, then you could... make it up with a few more spins." [Okay, fine. Just as long as you forgive me :D] That was the extent of shithousery Rel was as a human being. [5 minutester...] [Congrats, Mr. Axel! You''ve gotten ck. The percentage you got out of 25 was... 50%! The jackpot was hit to the max! The wheel closes in 3 seconds... The wheel has been closed.] FWOSH Hehehe, I chuckled out loud, and what began as chuckling turned intoughter. HAHAHAHAAH, I DID IT, I''VE WON! I felt my body ascend into the air and as if information flowed through my head I felt I was floating through the skies. Throughout heaven and earth... I alone, am the transmigrated one. As the wave of sunlight hit my face as if the heavens were praising my name in its glory. Then a flush of guilt hit the back of my spine bringing me back to reality as I didn''t know what kind of person I had be in that moment, and I just guilt-tripped the system into doing such a thing for me. I don''t think I''ll ever do that again... As I sat in the chair waiting, One by one everyone came in. The first person would be him. "Oh! I didn''t think that anyone would waltz into the room like this" Lan replied as he looked at me with a surprised look on his face. "Afternoon, club president." I quickly got up from my seat and politely bowed to Lan who brought out food from what looked like to be from Allens Cafe. "Would you like me to help you set up the food for the meeting?" I asked eyeing the food he had brought. It seemed that he bought a whole lot of fresh food from the cafe since the aroma was leaking out of the bags he was carrying. "Yes please then, Rel." He handed me a few bags as I brought tes out of the kitchen and I beganying out the tes I ced Turkey and Cranberry Panini onto them while also adding the Caprese Wrap next to them in front of each seat. Lan also ced sets of drinks in the centre I used perceptive mind to analyse the drinks quickly to see the benefits. [Analyising drinks... Analysingplete.] [Caramel Mhiato: Energizing Boost: Sipping this brings a subtle energy lift, improving mood and focus. (5 hour duration)] [Vani Latte: Soothing Serenity: This imparts a calm and rxing feeling, reducing stress. (5 hour duration)] [Hazelnut Mocha: Velvety Indulgence: Enjoy a smooth,forting texture for a pampering experience. (5 hour duration)] [Honey Lavender Latte: Floral Harmony: Experience a pleasant floral aroma, promoting inner peace and bnce. (5 hour duration)] Not much of a difference now that I look at the sets of drinks, so I''ll just take the caramel mhiato. Getting back into my seat, I took the drink from the middle and waited for the next few people. As expected, Jan arrived 10 minutes early. "Hey Rel, how''s it going?" Jan smiled as he took a seat next to me. "Not bad. You?" I replied to Jan as I watched Lan begin writing down some things on the whiteboard. As Jan and I conversed about the tests for theory, shortly after, everyone came into the room with looks towards the food. The same usual suspects came in bunches as always: Cam, Lyra, and Valencia went through the double doors first, followed by Alice and Jae Yoona, then Noah and Miya. Maybe not Bazz, though he came in alone and Louise followed through afterwards. "Oh, this breakfast club certainly lives up to its name," Valencia said to Lyra and Cam as she eyed the food on the meeting table. Cam and Lyra looked uninterested in the food, but they looked at the drinks on the table and excitedly sat across from Jan and Bazz as Valencia walked over to sit with them as well. "Aye, Miya, ain''t that the drink you''ve been wanting to try out?" Noah pointed towards the Hazelnut mocha drink. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "Yes... I guess you''re right," Miya agreed as the two sat down next to Rel on his right. Alice and Jae Yoona sat in the seats next to the club president, and everyone settled down, ready. Lan, who stood up with all his drawings of France, Australia, and Italy on the board, was ready to be presented at today''s meeting. With a fake cough to cut the noise, Lan began, "Okay, guys, wee to the first meeting of the year of Breakfast Club!" Lan in front of the whiteboard greeted us with a weing gesture as his hands spazzed in the air. "''Yay...''" Like everyone at the table, the ten of us in unison apuded our president''s wee as we chowed down on our food. "This food is pretty good. What the hell is in this?" Noah spoke out loud. "Noah, your manners," Miya told him off as he silently chewed on his food. "Hmph! I like the first-year energy in here." Lan nodded, impressed by the actions of the group. "Anyways, let''s get started with today''s meeting! So, here in the Histories breakfast club, we like to visit all sorts of ces around the world. And since we have a bigger club than usual, they upgraded the room because of the membership increase. But judging by the look on your faces, it doesn''t seem to be something out of the ordinary." Lan looked around the room as everyone ate politely. "This just looks like one of those unused rooms I have back at home," Louise pointed out as he took a sip of his drink. "Yeah, this room looks pretty normal," Valencia said while eating her wrap. "Eh, whatever, anyways, since you guys joined this club, we also have a lot of benefits as being HBF Members! We get discounts on foods all around the world! Ain''t that cool?" Lan pointed towards a paper and ripped out the 25% discount that was written on the board, and everyone, seemingly reading the room, apuded. p, p, p. "So the first thing on the agenda today is our first trip will be in France where we will go visit A famous museum in France and write a report about your favourite item or collection that you saw there. Afterwards, we will head to a Michelin-level restaurant to discuss our findings!" Lan seemed to pitch everyone in with the words France, which caused quite amotion, and he was just standing there proud. "This trip will be in 2 weeks from now, so I''d like you guys to prepare before then. And if you''d like, you guys can stay around in the club room to the game or just study and chill. We have all the basic things for a club room, but anyways, you guys are free to go now that our meeting is done." ___________ Authors Notes: - The ability: Gaslighting is not visible to the system, so it won''t be able to detect what ''gaslighting'' is, but it is effective. (?¨i?©n?¨i?) - Bazz waited at the usual spot where he and Jan meet after sses, which is at the front gates of the academy, but he forgot that they had a meeting, which was why he showed up alone. (.???) - The reason 3rd years and 2nd years don''t appear in the breakfast club is that there was a horrific event that happened to the previous students in the club, which led to its renaming as Histories Breakfast Club. ( ¡ä?` ) - Lan uses his yearly tactic of providing food at the start of the meeting to make sure everyone stays to hear his meetings. ???? ¡¥???¡¥?? )? - Axel is a gambling addict. (*?????) Chapter 30 Valencias Mindfulness Chapter 30 Valencia''s Mindfulness Tap, tap, tap Panting, Lyra''s sneakers screeched on the polished floor. "Val! Val!" she yelled, her hair bouncing with each stride. "Meeting time, then study session, remember?" "Right," I stood there watching Lyra catch her breath, "We''re just waiting for Cam." "Okay!" Lyra still acts like a cute puppy dog around us. Looking at her she kinda does resemble a golden retriever for some reason. Her hair kind of wags when shes talking with us because of how jumpy and energetic she is. yet around men, she''s so serious for no reason but that''s not my concern anyway. well, whatever we can wait for Cam near the club room. As we made our way to the club room, we spotted Jan turning the corner. "Oh hey, Lyra and Valencia are you not going to the club room right away?" Jan who looked to be in no rush asked. "Not yet, we will see you there soon though," I said as I waved him off. "And that reminds me. Have you recovered since then?" Jan looked at me with genuine concern and that reminded me about what happened that time. I can''t remember much of it but there was one thing that I still kind of hate for what he did back then. My body was overworked. To think that my special ability wasn''t enough to take that monster down made me realize how weak I was, I thought after slicing till it died finally killed it the monster got back up once again, but I couldn''t move because of the exhaustion that built up on my body. I thought I was done for, but still, I couldn''t think of any other good-for-nothing person who would do such a thing. I could see the desperation on his face as he pushed me out of the way. Maybe he had an ulterior motive, that disgusting freak. My body felt creeps as I grabbed a hold of myself. To think he would probably ask for a favor too, god damn it. "You should thank him." Jan''s voice snapped me out of my trance. "Why should I do that?" I replied to his response. Because he saved you," Jan said in a serious tone "No, he didn''t," I responded with a dismissive shake of my head. "Yes, he did," Jan insisted, his eyes holding a hint of sincerity. "No-" I began to protest. "He did," Jan interrupted, his voice firm and unwavering. My eyebrows furrowed in frustration as I continued to reject the idea. I don''t even know why, but I could feel my face twist in disgust thinking someone like him would save me from such a thing, but it kept reminding me of that moment that happened years ago. The acrid bite of smoke, the searing heat, the taste of fear thick on my tongue. All leading back to my promise, whispered in the ashes of that nightmare. /---\ [shback - 10 years ago.] [Monster Outbreak 2012] There was a huge invasion that broke out and monsters started showing up out of nowhere and I was just a kid who was shopping with her mother. "Mom!" I screamed, my voice swallowed by the din. There, amidst the swirling carnage, she stood a whirlwind of silver hair and zing fury. Each swing of her sword was beautiful pushing back the tide of monsters. "Valencia it''s okay sweetie Mommy is gonna protect you." She smiled petting my head and then another huge shadow stretched along the ground covering us. SHING! My mother had killed another monster with the swing of her sword. I just wanted to be like her. "Valencia, hide behind the car. Mommy will put these creatures to sleep," her voice rang out, unwavering even as sweat drenched her face. Tears welled in my eyes, but I nodded bravely, clutching the teddy bear tighter. "Promise you''lle back?" I choked out, the words rough with fear. Her smile was a beacon in the smoke. "Always, sweetheart. And remember, no matter what happens, promise me you''ll stay alive." She then went back to fighting the endless waves of monsters that appeared throughout the streets. "Little girl... help me please." A man was asking for help and I needed to help him so I could be like momma. Instinct, prickled with suspicion. My mother''s voice echoed in my head, "Stay alive." But with that voice came the memory of her smile, her unwavering courage. What would she do? Before I could decide, the air erupted. A monstrous roar ripped through the smoke, and a creature the size of a building lumbered out, its maw dripping with ichor. My scream died before it left my lips as Mom stumbled back, her eyes wide with a terror I knew all too well. Panic wed at my throat, but before the monster could strike down on me a silver streak blurred past me. Then, with a swiftness born of a mother''s love, she shoved me aside, the world tilting as I was thrown through the air. Inded hard, the teddy bear flying from my grasp, the taste of copper blooming on my tongue. And through the smoke and tears, I watched, frozen in horrified paralysis, as the monster''s ws met their mark¡­ /---\ p! The sharp crack echoed through the empty hallway, making me wince even before the heat blossomed on my cheek. Cam''s hand lingered for a split second, her eyes zing with a blend of concern and fury. "Valencia snap out of it." Cam pped me across the face with hardly any emotion. ouch... My hands touched against the sting, I blinked, disoriented, unable to shake the sudden image of that day. "You creeped Jan out and he walked away just a few minutes ago." Cam looked at me with a worried look. "Is it... that moment again?" Cam''s voice softened, her brow furrowed with worry. Her gaze, now gentle, searched mine for answers I didn''t have. "Nah, just lost in my own world again. Spacing out is my superpower, remember?" Cam huffed, a ghost of augh escaping her lips. "Yeah, your super-annoying superpower." "Hey, hey! No negativity before club room adventures," I chimed in, a desperate attempt to lighten the mood. "Okay let''s go then." As we steered towards the club room, my steps felt sluggish, I couldn''t understand it. Why did he save me? [Histories Breakfast Club Room] The aroma of fresh pastries and coffee greeted me as I pushed open the club room door. Vintage posters adorned the walls, casting a warm glow reminiscent of Allen''s Cafe, our usual weekend haunt. Across the room,ughter bubbled around a tableden with breakfast spreads. My eyes darted to the corner. there he was, ''him'' he was nestled in a chair, conversing with Jan,Looking to the right the table set of food wasid out and my eyes followed towards the chatter. As they were talking I couldn''t help but catch a few glimpses of them wondering when I should tell him ''thanks''. But I can''t bring myself to do it maybe I''ll do it another time. But this room''s food does have such an attraction... Ehem I let out a fake cough,"Breakfast club living up to its name, eh?" I quipped, my voice a touch louder than necessary. "Dipsticks! Let''s im our seats before the pastries disappear," Lyra chirped, pointing across from Jan. I swallowed, my pulse quickening. Would closeness make it easier or just amplify the awkwardness? Cam''s eyes, however, were fixated on the drinks table. "Ooh, Allen''s specials! It''s the Honey Lavender Latte!" she gushed, her gaze turning into a heart-shaped constetion. I chuckled, momentarily distracted by her infectious enthusiasm. We settled in, the meeting progressing in a blur of announcements and trip logistics. When Lan finally dered us free, my feet remained rooted to the chair. My eyes flickered towards Him, he was paying attention earlier but now he''s blissfully asleep. Had he been narcoleptic all this while? "Val! Val!" Lyra tugged onto my shirt, her puppy dog eyes pleading. "Me and Cam are heading to the library now." "Okay, I''ll catch you guys there. Just gotta do something quick." "Mkayy!" Lyra and Cam scurried out, soon followed by the rest of the club. Within minutes, only Rel and I remained. SNOREEE ugh... how disgusting. "Hey" I tugged his shirt trying to wake him up. SNOREEEE His reply was another snore. "HEY, WAKE UP!" I eximed, louder this time. He stirred, stretchingzily as his eyes met mine. I instinctively backed off keeping my distance from him. "What is it?" His voice was raspy, still clinging to sleep. "Look, uh¡­" My teeth ground together, frustration battling with gratitude. "I just wanted to say... thanks." I couldn''t bear to look at him, my gaze flitting across the room. "Thanks? For what?" His brow furrowed in confusion. "For that time you know uh," I mumbled, avoiding his eyes. "When you did that... for me." A soft smile curved his lips. "hmm I don''t know how to exin this." He paused, then added, "Besides, shouldn''t you thank someone by name, Valencia?" His voice, unexpectedly gentle, confused me. I met his gaze, surprised by the flecks of gold dancing in his blue eyes. Was he¡­ flirting? My mind scrambled suspicious of such a sudden shift. Putrid boys and their underhanded tactics¡ªI wouldn''t be fooled. deep breaths, haaah, maybe I should just practice in my head something like ''Hey Rel, just wanted to say... thanks for, uh, you know...'' See? Pathetic, I thought, picturing him smirking as I slunk out of the room. "If you''re just gonna stand there daydreaming," he said, rising from his chair and brushing past me, "I''m leaving." The creak of the door triggered something inside of me. Words I had never thought came out before I could think. "Hey Rel!" I called, my voice croaking. "He nced up, his eyes sleepy pools in the sunlit room. My gaze darted away, then snapped back, a desperate plea burning in my throat. "Look, about that day... Thanks," I blurted, the words exploding from me. His face softened, a genuine smile recing the yful smirk I expected. He shrugged, his voice surprisingly sincere. "See? Not that hard, was it?" His hand reached out, not a cockymand, but a hesitant offering. "Can''t we be friends?" _________ Authors Notes: - The song I was listening to when writing this was Blue Butterflies - Sped up by JHIN. (Good song btw) ?^ >¥î<^? - Valencia was only 7 years old in that shback! ???¨®©n¨° ??? n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om - The term "narcoleptic" refers to a condition where a person has an extreme tendency to fall asleep or experiences excessive daytime sleepiness. (?>????) Chapter 31 Valencias Mindfulness (2) Chapter 31 Valencia''s Mindfulness (2) My stomach twisted; gratitude and annoyance sat uneasily side by side. The words "Can''t we be friends" hung heavy in the air, an unexpected olive branch from a boy who, until a few days ago, I''d categorized as... well, let''s be polite, non-friend material. My fist clenched, not in physical anger, but in a desperate need to reim some control. Before my brain could catch up, my hand shot out, knocking his away with a sharp smack. The sound echoed in the sudden silence, a punctuation mark on the tension-filled room. p! His eyes, those same blue eyes that usually seemed lost in daydreams, met mine without flinching. There was no spark of anger, no hint of hurt. His expression remained an unreadable mask, as impassive as a Greek statue. Theck of reaction somehow ignited a different kind of anger within me. "I only stayed to say thank you," I hissed, my voice trembling with a mix of frustration and something vaguely like... disappointment. Why did I care if he understood my reasons? "Don''t even think you have any right to ask such a thing." He shrugged, a movement so slight it almost wasn''t there. "Guess I did overstep... Acquaintances then, I suppose." His voice was t, an empty echo in the space between us. "Think whatever you like," I spat, turning on my heel and marching towards the library. [Pinnacle Academy: Library (Central)] The library doors swung open with a soft sigh, releasing me into the familiar hush of towering bookshelves and whispered conversations. My stomach still churned from the echo of Rel''s offer, his impassive face a puzzle I couldn''t solve. My gaze flitted down rows of leather spines, searching for the usual haven ¨C Lyra and Cam''s corner tucked beneath the giant window. Sunlight streamed through stained ss, casting kaleidoscopic patterns on the polished floor. There, tucked in the sun-dappled corner, they were. Lyra, was a whirlwind of energy as always, her eyes lighting up like startled owls at my arrival. "Val! Finally! We were about to look into this mana theorem," she announced, her voice bouncing off the shelves. Cam, smacked Lyra''s head to hush her up. "No screaming in the library." The ever-so-calm Camilia greeted me with a warm smile and a pat on the worn wooden table. "We saved you a seat," she said, her voice like a soothing balm. Guilt pricked at me. I meant to join them straight after Rel, but the weight of his unexpected words had kept me adrift in a sea of confusion. Now, their familiar faces, their easyughter, felt like a lighthouse in the fog. Why would he want to be friends with someone like me? I smiled at them and pulled out my copy of the tables for mana theorem, settling into the chair beside Cam. As Lyra''s dramatic reading filled the air, my gaze drifted back to the window. The Academy grounds were bathed in golden sunlight. Students meandered on the manicuredwns, theirughter echoing in the crisp summer breeze, creating an idyllic scene of peace. For a while Lyraunched into a dramatic retelling of the morning''s lecture, and my mind stumbled to catch up. Mana Theorem, with its swirling forms and perplexing principles, seemed anguage from another worldpared to the tangled emotions stirring within me. "um, Lyra the form you used for spell optimization you did it the other way around..." Yet, slowly, as the discussion flowed, the rhythm of their voices and the familiar logic of the theorem began to work their magic. Mana efficiency, the curse of most first-year exams, was the topic du jour. Mana efficiency was one of the harder topics to study for this semester''s exams; everyone was struggling to grasp the basics today. Alice even seemed troubled while taking notes. Her usually calm expression seemed to steam up from the effort of copying the presentation. On the other hand, herpetitor, Rel, didn''t seem to pay attention in ss. Either he was ying something on his watch, or he appeared to be talking to himself. He never bothered to jot down notes during our ss sessions, making me wonder, Does he even study at all? I mean, he aced every quiz Kolek surprised us with, but he never seemed to care. He was always the first one out of the ssroom by then. "Valencia, zoning out again?" Cam''s yful poke with her pen brought me back. "Hmm, maybe a little," I admitted, sheepishly removing the pen. "We won''t be top marks if you keep daydreaming, Val," she teased, a twinkle in her eye. "Top marks!" Lyra snorted, brandishing a book with a diagram so convoluted it rivalled a spider''s web. "This? We''ll be lucky to scrape a passing grade with this mess!" Cam and I exchanged a nce. The diagram was wrong, terribly wrong. The form for spell optimization? was reversed. "um, Lyra the form you used for spell optimization you did it the other way around..." "SERIOUSLY?" Lyra''s eyes looked at the book scanning over the diagram. "WE"RE GONNA FAIL" Lyra''s face crumpled as despair threatened to engulf her. "Hey, it''s okay," I interjected, gently guiding her hand. "Just a simple reversal, that''s all. See, here¡­" My exnation flowed, fueled by the familiar logic of the theorem. As Lyra''s face lit up with understanding, a genuineugh bubbled up from my chest, the first one in what felt like forever. "ohhhh! I get it." Lyra apuded at my exnation. "Well, they don''t call you Smart Valencia for nothing!" Cam chuckled, her eyes sparkling. In the mean time, we looked at many other forms for mana efficiency. Cam scribbled notes withser focus, the tip of her pen moving like a hummingbird''s wings, while Lyra sketched diagrams, transforming pages into intricate spiderwebs of understanding. The hushed murmur of voices and rustling pages formed a familiar feeling. "Where in the fuck is this..." His voice trailed off, followed by a muttered string of curses that would put him in jail. A voice, unmistakably Rel''s, drifted through the stacks,ced with frustration. Lyra, ever the curious one, peeked over the edge of the bookshelf. "Is that¡­? Sounds like someone''s lost in the literary jungle." Cam, followed and tugged at Lyra''s sleeve. "What are you doing Lyra?" peaking over her shoulder. "Isn''t that the person that got top for ourtest mock exam?" Lyra pointed at him as she and Cam hid from him. But I couldn''t ignore what they were doing and maybe this will answer the question if he studies. But he''s wandering lost in the library? It was confusing. "Just a peek," I whispered, "Then we''ll get back to studying." As I moved in closer with us stacking. With a mischievous glint in their eyes, we stealthily trailed Rel''s voice, slipping between towering shelves like ghosts. He muttered and grumbled, asionally punctuating his ramblings with the sound of bumping into books or tripping over his untied shoes. "So it was here?" he dered, his voice silently analysing the book in his hand. "You''re one cheeky little one. Why didn''t you tell me earlier?" He seemed like he was talking to himself. Was he schizophrenic? we peeked around the corner. Rel stood there before¡­a book called: how to mana for beginners. My lips twitched. Was this guy really looking for such a book? Lyra stifled a snort. "How to mana for beginners. Isn''t that like a children''s book?" "Maybe he wants to change his profession into a mage," Cam quipped, trying to stifle a giggle. Their whispers reached Rel''s ears. He spun around, eyes wide, brow furrowed. "huh? I could''ve sworn I heard someone." We froze, and as we quickly moved out of the way of his vision we ended up in a bunched-up human ball. Rel, after a tense moment, scratched his head and mumbled, "I should''ve brought my sses I can''t read this." He nced around, seemingly oblivious to our hidden presence. I exchanged a relieved look with my friends. I couldn''t help but be amused by his paranoia. He was lost in a library, looking for a book on the basics of mana, and he was convinced that he didn''t see us. I can''t tell if he was real or not. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om We retreated to our corner, chuckling under our breath. The tension from the Mana Theorem eased, reced by a lightness born of shared secret amusement. [8:00 pm] The afternoon dissolved in a flurry of diagrams, calctions, and heated debates. Outside, the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the floor. "Finally!" Lyra stretched, her spine popping like a book unbent. "Mana theroem was an actual pain." Cam snorted, gathering her belongings. "Yeah, pain like a cockroach you only stunned. We still have three more topics to cover." "Tomorrow''s another struggle," I sighed, shoving my notes into my bag. "We still have another in-ss test to do." Checking the time on my watch it was already eight. We left the library and outside the streetlights hummed to life, casting the cobblestones in pools of honeyed gold. At the dorm, hugs were exchanged and mumbled promises made about breakfast at Allen''s Cafe (Lyra''s non-negotiable rule). Climbing the familiar stairs, silence draped over me like a cool summer sheet. Moonlight streamed through the oversized windows, painting my room in silver stripes that danced across the plush carpet. The air, usually alive with the campus chorus, had finally settled, except for the soft whirring of the air conditioner, pushing the warm air intozy swirls. I copsed onto my chair, exhaustion clinging to me like a second skin. But then, a realization sparked - two free hours stretched before me, a nk page in my week. But I realised that today I had 2 more hours to myself so I had free time for the first time in weeks. My gaze drifted to the VR Gaming Capsule beside my PC, a sleek, chrome egg that had been gathering dust since my father gave it to me as a present. It was a technology I never understood, so maybe now is the time to try it. I stood up and walked towards my desk. I remembered a new free-to-y game that was released this month and switched on the capsule from its side. It powered on just like any other brand-new system. Flick! I sat down on the egg-like chair and felt my body rx as the chrome egg enveloped me. The headset slowly lowered before my eyes. I think the game was called Crownfall. Lyra had mentioned it was a famous PvP game that relied on real-life abilities. Maybe I should give it a try. ______ Authors Notes: - Valencia''s Dorm room was the biggestpared to any other first-year girl living in the women''s dormitory - De jour is a French term meaning "of the day". In English, it refers to a dish served in a restaurant on a particr day. - when Axel received a p from Valencia he lost 2 health points. Ouch... Chapter 32 Inside Of A Game Chapter 32 Inside Of A Game As I felt the headset consume me everything was pitch dark ck. My breath echoed inside the sealed world, the only sound besides a faint hum somewhere near my ears. Then, a flicker of light pierced the darkness, blooming into a holographic screen. [Would you like to create a character?] a soft voice said. I tried to find the "yes" button, my fingers searching the empty air before I remembered the power of spoken words. "Yes," I said, my voice sounding unfamiliarly bold in the silence. [Character Customization process loading... Loading Complete.] For the first 20 minutes of the game, I spent making my character. She had no resemnce to what I looked like but I felt strangely connected to this woman. Pale skin, violet eyes with electric blue pupils, long dark violet hair ¨C none of it me, yet somehow, all me. Dressed in the default armour and breastte, she looked ready to poke an eye out with her oversized breast. Maybe I spent too much time customizing someone who wasn''t even me, I thought, but the process had been oddly satisfying. [Please Enter Your Desire Username] the voice chirped again. Hmm, maybe Val¡­ Nah, too boring. this one should do... Click! Click! Click! Ding! [Confirming username: Val.Nessa444... Username checkplete!] [Would you like to go through the tutorial?] Oh? I assume this is where the game shows me how to y, I guess it wouldn''t hurt to go through a tutorial I hope this won''t take long. "Sure" [Transporting Character...] SWANG The world swirled back into existence, reced by the emerald glow of an alien forest. Towering ferns brushed against my metallic armour as I took in the scenery. Unfamiliar noises thrummed ¨C buzzing unseen insects, rustling leaves whispering secrets on the unseen wind. DING! [Character ss Selection] [ss 1: Knight ss: Knights are valiant warriors specializing in close-quarterbat. They serve as the frontline defenders, using their shields and swords to protect allies and mitigate damage. Knights excel in maintaining aggro and drawing the attention of enemies away from more vulnerable party members.] [ss 2: Mage ss: Mages harness the power of magical forces, unleashing devastating spells to decimate enemies from a distance. Masters of elemental magic, Mages can cast spells of fire, ice, lightning, and many more!While physically frail, their ability to control the battlefield with powerful AoE (Area of Effect) spells makes them indispensable in group encounters. [ss 3: Healer ss: Healers are the heart of any adventuring party, dedicated to mending wounds and restoring vitality. Armed with potent healing spells, they ensure the survival of their allies in the heat of battle. [ss 4: Brusier ss: Bruisers are versatile warriors who blend elements of offence and defence. With a focus on dealing with damage while maintaining survivability, they can adapt to variousbat situations. Bruisers excel in disrupting enemy formations, engaging in sustainedbat, and delivering powerful blows. [ss 5: Tank ss: Tanks are the indomitable fortresses of the party, absorbing damage and protecting their allies. d in resilient armour, they specialize in drawing enemy aggression and mitigating iing attacks. [ss 6: Ranged ss: Ranged sses excel in attacking enemies from a safe distance, avoiding direct confrontation. Skilled marksmen and archers, deliver precise and deadly strikes with bows, crossbows, or magical projectiles. [Not Rmended for beginners] [ss 7: Assasin ss: Assassins are masters of stealth and precision, specializing in eliminating targets swiftly and silently. Armed with deadly daggers or concealed weapons, they excel in ambush tactics and infiltration. Assassins are agile and elusive, capable of bypassing enemy defences and delivering critical strikes.] Looking at these sses I think it''s only right I go to the knight ss since it''s the only thing close to using a sword but the assassin ss doesn''t look bad either. "I''d like to go with ss 1: Knight ss" [Selection Confirmed... The tutorial will begin in 10 seconds] The holographic world began loading once again and I found myself positioned elsewhere at the edge of the dense forest. {----------} [Items Received] Standard de (Common) 5 Health Potions (Common) Ability: Empowered sh (Upon activating this ability, receive a 10% attack increase on the next sh) (Umon) {----------} [Tutorial Quest: y the goblin camp!] [Rewards: 100 xp, 50 CP (Crown Points)] The notifications around me started popping up like wildfire, items that were stored in my inventory appeared out of nowhere, and now I have a quest to kill a goblin camp? this game really is confusing... As I navigated through my inventory, it was challenging, especially when equipping this standard de of mine. When it finallynded right in my hands, it was reced by a clunky longsword that felt more like Jan''s style than mine. Using a longsword is fine with me, as long as it''s notrger than my body. When I tried lifting it, the weight wasn''t too bad and I could hold it up quite firmly. Compared to the weapons at the academy, the sword felt quite light. But I do have to take into ount that this isn''t real life; it''s virtual reality. Now that I got this whole sword prep out of the way my eyes glued back on the quest screen, I plunged into the forest, in silence moving in like a tangible weight. Tap, tap, tap, my boots echoed on the dusty trail, every rustle of leaves amplifying the emptiness. Was this the entire game? An unsettling thought. Walking down the dirt trail of this forest there was considerably no life around me so it made me question if this was purposely made to creep new yers out. Then, a wisp of smoke snagged my attention. It curled like a mischievous finger from behind a thicket. I remained stealthily as I edged closer, eyes peeled for the closest goblin. Through the foliage, I glimpsed a gaggle of them huddled around a campfire, chattering away like overcaffeinated gremlins. They were blissfully unaware of my presence, lost in their goblin world.so I think it''s best If I just end this quickly. I gripped the hilt of my Standard de and focused on the goblins closest to me which were the ones sitting by the campfire. In one swift motion, I swung my de and lightning sparked as its energy enveloped my sword, activating Chain Reaction. As the de cut through the air, a series of lightning erupted, striking the initial goblin. the lightning arced to the next goblin in line. The interconnected chain of energy continued, a mesmerizing dance of electric currents that leapt from one goblin to another. [2.5 dmg!] [2.5 dmg!] [2.5 dmg!] [2.5 dmg!] [2.5 dmg!] GYAK!!!!!! The goblins, caught in the web of lightning, convulsed with each sessive strike. The energy surged through their bodies, chaining together in a relentless assault. [2.5 dmg!] [2.5 dmg!] [2.5 dmg!] [2.5 dmg!] [2.5 dmg!] But the problem was I was only doing 2.5 damage to their 100 hp I wondered if it was because my damage in real life doesn''t apply here. or I needed to hit them with my sword since it deals 10 damage per hit to their 100 hp.how sad... As the current of lightning dealt countless damage to the goblins I ran straight towards them to finish the job. SHING! SHING! SHING! As the lightning chain had no more targets to deal with I shed all the goblins into bits as their holographic bodies faded into small blue particles. {----------} [Tutorial Quest Completed:] [Rewards Earned] Goblin Marauder''s Ear (Common Crafting Material) 100 Experience Points 50 Crown Points {----------} [You will now be teleported to the yer lounge shortly...] After Valencia was teleported shortly into the yer''s lobby the scene that she saw uncovered her love for gaming. [Crown Falls Main City: Eternity Falls] [Location: Eternities za] Many NPCs and yers roamed the city of Eternity Falls; this ce alone had 1/4 of its yer base. As those who started their journey and those who hade back from a long one lived in Eternity Falls, this ce was a medieval world with a mix of almost everything. Towers of polished marble scraped the sky, their windows reflecting the holographic neon that pulsed through the streets. In front of Valencia, a holographic map of this game''s world formed in front of her eyes. [Crownfall''s Map] [For new yers and returners here are the following points of interest you should visit - Developers] [Auction house - Located North of Central Townhall.] [Martin''s Weaponry - Located on the East Side of Central Town Hall] [Verk the Merchant - LocatedSouth Side of Central Townhall] [Merchant Markets LocatedWest Sideof Central Townhall] [Your current location: Crown Fall Spawnpoint] The crowd around her was a living tapestry of yers. Short, tall, stacked with armour, or decked in flowing robes, everyone looked like they''d stepped out of their wildest fantasy. A hulking Orc warrior with an axerger than Valencia herself bumped shoulders with her, then winked and boomed, "Wee to the game, newbie! May your loot be plentiful and your deaths be few!" Yeah, she realized it''s different from the grocery store back home. Valencia looked around the ce for a bit and came to a sudden stop after hearing a conversation drift by. "That raid was brutal! Can you believe ''Ran'' cleared it in six minutes t? We barely scraped through in thirty-two!" Her ears perked up. Ran, who''s that? "Ran is one of the fastest-growing yers in Crown after all; he even beat level 30 guards when he was only level 2!" "I can''t think of any other pro who''s equal to him as of now." N?v(el)B\\jnn Overhearing the conversation, Valencia remembered why she was here in the first ce, and it was to train, so she pulled up one of the help UI screens. NWANG [For Quest to level up, farm, or to do the main storylines for the game''s progression there''s an area up in the north where you''ll discover the main quest givers in the town called the Town of Beginnings] _________ Author''s Notes: - The game Crown Fall allows yers to manifest their IRL abilities in their virtual game which was a genius design made by a certain character... - Valencia''s ability chain reaction: it''s a unique ability to initiate a sequence of interconnected and devastating attacks of lightning. Each strike sets off a reaction, allowing her to overwhelm multiple opponents at once with a flurry of precise and powerful blows. - Information on Valencia''s ability, Chain Attacks: This skill enhances Valencia''sbat attacks by enabling her to seamlessly string together a series of attacks with one target or more if it''s a single target the damage will multiply by 2x, if there is more than one opponent Valencia''s chain of attacks will create a fluid and continuous shes until the targets perish. Chapter 33 Dungeon Hunt Chapter 33 Dungeon Hunt [Pinnacle Academy 1-A] [8:45 am] Sunlight speared through the ssroom window, bouncing off Cam''s inquisitive brown eyes and into mine. A groan escaped me, muffled by my hand. Sleep clung to me like a tenacious fog, weaving through my brain, making thoughts sluggish and sentences a distant dream. "Is something wrong, Val?" Cam''s voice cut through the haze, sharp as a morning bird''s call. "Uh, no," I croaked, forcing my eyelids open. They felt like sandpaper against each other, each blinking a herculean effort. "Just, uh, early morning energy dip." A believable lie, I hoped. Kolek strode into the ssroom, papers piled high, reminding me of the in-ss quiz today. Suddenly, a blur of dark brown hair flew past me. It was Lyra, radiating energy even at first nce. She plopped down beside me, eyes sparkling with curiosity and concern. "Val, are you okay? You look like you haven''t slept in years," she said, genuine worrycing her voice. My cheeks flushed. Busted. "Alright, alright," I grumbled, a tired smile pulling at my lips. "I tried gaming yesterday¡­ and I got carried away ying Crownfallst night." Lyra''s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Crownfall? Isn''t that that new game everyone''s talking about? You''re ying it too?" "Mhm," I admitted. "But I didn''t y for too long..." Cam''s gaze narrowed. "Hmm, for someone whose dorm kept emitting strange noises at 2 am, your energy is remarkably good today." My cheeks flushed again. "Okay, fine," I grumbled. "Maybe I did y until, like, 2:30 am." A hint of a smile yed on Cam''s lips. "Oh, I bet. That game must be so addicting you look like you could sleepwalk through ss right now." I slumped further in my chair, defeated. "Don''t judge. Some of us need free time once in a while." While I was being relentlessly teased a certain person had walked through the entry of the ssroom doors. His ck hair passed by it wasn''t like my mind was tugged on what happened yesterday but I definitely wouldn''t forget it. The words ''Can''t we be friends?'' echoed through my head, irritating me. I kept thinking about it, but I couldn''t help feeling like there was something behind his words, even though the look on his face said otherwise. Perhaps I was overthinking things. *** "Okay, ss, today is another theory lesson on Mana Theorem and Defensive Mechanics," Kolek''s voice droned on about the finer points of the presentation, each syble bouncing off the ssroom walls like a particrly dull ping-pong ball. As he used his magic attribute of wind to pass out the sheets of paper presented I couldn''t help but push it to the side.For me right now learning these things was allpletely useless, I mean I did have a cheat sheet inside my head so I could pass all my exams without studying and still get 100% However, for everyone around me, it looked so unfair on how I''m thriving off a system. I guess even under the humble presence of their author they have yet to find out. they won''t. Still, it was kind of a bummer after yesterday''s incident with Valencia, Out of all people who could ever say thank you for saving their life I had never expected her to say such a thing to me But I guess asking her to be friends was already too much for cause it was clear she wasn''t willing to allow any more friends than she has now. She does have a good point, I don''t me her having severepse of trust issues with people but I guess this is a good start. However, I wanted to try to poke her to see her current mental state of now so I could try and calcte if she could bear the responsibilities of what she was meant to do. h, h, h Kolek''s voice yapped on about this being on an exam, but right now, I just wanted to rx. And as his voice became a sound that faded into nothingness, my new AirPod Max Pros that I bought with the tournament money were now sittingfortably in my ears. Tap!, tap!, tap! [ying - Boredom by Tyler the Creator ft. Rex Orange County, Anna of the north] [Your ssmates are pissed off at the thought of your carefree style. 12 PPP has been added.] n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Yes, I can bathe in their tears and listen to true music. haah what a relief. As I carefully closed my eyes, many thoughts had begun circling through my head, as my body began to transcend. Up until now, I''ve just been trying to get stronger so I can defend myself from danger and also protect characters from death itself. Though I was a terrible author for trying to kill off a lot of characters, it seemed like a horrible way of saying that these characters no longer had any use. The main events for these stories have yet to arrive, but at this point, the biggest thing to address was Valencia''s father, Gerrard. Arguably top 20 in the strongest characters in this novel itself, he was basically a mid to high-tier character. But obviously, the difficulty of stopping him from trying to do the impossible was also impossible. I won''t know if his mind is set on that one goal of trying to do such a thing, but I know that one thing for sure: the deciding factor of him living will depend on Valencia. She had to kill her father. I couldn''t see any other option, as he''s written out to be a stubborn old bastard, but this Valencia 3rd year could stop many things. However, I don''t think ''her,'' now, would have the mental capacity to withstand such a fate to bear on her back. So there''s gotta be another way to do it instead of killing him. I just have to convince him not to join that side. But I also have to get close to Valencia in some way, then try to get on Gerrard''s good side, and then show him the other good things about life. Then, boom, I saved an important character in the story. But if he doesn''t agree, I''ll just figure out how to get him around it all without fighting him. Or the better option is to join the Mercenaries Corporation instead, and I''ll build my connections off from there. Still, I find it troubling enough that Valencia is now a first-year instead of a third-year. Which wasn''t as bad but the worst thing about her was that she was severely nerfed, Most of the stats she has were reduced to about 90% of what she was capable of doing now so I assume that her skills and techniques were the same but her strength and attack power was just severely week. FWANG! [Item: Silent Abyss Key Rarity: [???] - Would you like to reveal the location?] The system stopped my train of thought, and the notification had my attention. I pondered a lot about what I could use this key for. This key could make me even stronger, and maybe I could protect those characters that I intentionally killed off. So, I should be greedy and grab all that I could from the dungeon. So without hesitation, I replied with "Sure" and the location showed the coordinates appeared through a map and the specifics of the location. [Location: The coordinates to use this key are within Dobong Mountain in Seoul. The front entrance to the dungeon is hidden within trees that cover a secret cave entry. For further instructions, please arrive at that location.] Dobong Mountain? I don''t recall making a dungeon in that area. The only dungeons with keys should be the ones to get the material for Alice''s staff. So why are there so many things being added to this novel world? zowji Chapter 34 Unlucky Planning Chapter 34 Unlucky nning DING, DING, DING! "Okay, ss, time''s up. Please hand in your papers here, and you''ll receive your marks for today''s quiz by tomorrow," Kolek announced as his stopwatch timer projected onto the massive screen, indicating 00:00. As I stretched my arms afterpleting the quiz within 15 minutes, I closed my eyes and patiently waited the whole hour out. Getting up from my seat, I could see everyone around me feeling dreadful about this quiz. Many people had hunched backs and tired eyes after tackling what should have been a simple quiz. What surprised me even more was that I could see Alice''s face looking more lifeless than a dead body. Thanks to the system, I could never fail a theory exam for as long as I lived. All the questions in the quiz were about theorizing concepts and solutions to mana resonance and how it intertwines with defensive mechanics, so I guess theplexity of it does sound quite...plex. (joke) But right now, my priority lies in how I''ll approach this dungeon. This Silent Abyss key was something I wasn''t aware of; in fact, I didn''t create any of this. I recalled making a key rted to an abyssal dungeon, but this key didn''t fit any of the descriptions of a dungeon I haven''t heard of. The part that made me ramble about this key was that it was in a ce I had never been to before. Since I wrote all the settings and plots, they were all based on things I''ve travelled to before. It would only make sense that I, the author, would be familiar with such a ce, but I guess not. Still, I had to consider all the possibilities that could happen in this dungeon. If it does get tough, I''ll pull out of it halfway through to get some assistance. But my only option to help me right now is Jan, but I don''t want to take advantage of this man''s kindness, and I want all the rewards for myself. So, I''ll go solo first and then see how things will go. Heading out of the hallways, I went straight to the cafeteria to have something for lunch, and I''ll n things out after filling my stomach with Allen''s Cafe''s exquisite foods. Arriving at the front doors of the cafe, I could smell the freshly baked aroma of their foods, causing my body to reflexively rx. Da Ding! "Wee to Allen''s Cafe!" The waiter bowed to me signalling to follow her as she appointed me a table. As she handed me the menu, I couldn''t decide on something specific. The menu was superb, and anything I ordered would taste good, but the choice was up to me. "Would you like to order now, perhaps?" She pulled out her pen and notepad. As I thought of what to say I felt like a spark of lightning hit my head and the idea of getting my favourite go-to meal in a cafe had unearthed from the very depths of my memories. "Could I please get a Ham and Cheese Croissant and, oh! a Mocha Frappino, please?" "Sure, is that all?" She asked while writing down my order, and I replied with a swift yes. She walked back to the kitchen, handing the order to the chef at the back. While waiting, I looked at the appetiser menu, considering anything else I might want to order. That was until I heard familiar voices approaching the door, and it was clear that my luck was no good even against the main cast. Bazz, rubbing his neck and still reeling from the quiz fatigue, questioned with an exaggerated groan, "Why was that quiz so tiring?" Jan, trailing behind, didn''t waste a moment to point fingers, "It''s because you don''t pay attention in ss, Bazz. Ever since you turned 18, you''ve been texting so many girls on those dating apps." Bazz, refusing to let the usation slide, turned to Jan with a smirk, "Well, what can I say? The women love me!" Jan, unimpressed, begged to differ, "I don''t think that''s true." Walking in thoughtfully, he stroked his chin, adding a dramatic touch. "The women don''t love you, Bazz... I don''t think any girl in this academy would ever date someone like you," Cam chimed in, delivering a fatal blow to Bazz''s ego. Lyra joined the roasting session of Bazz Wong, "Didn''t you start going for foreigners after you got rejected by the majority of people on that app?" She tilted her head, her confusion adding insult to injury. "I... Shut up! You guys are supposed to be supportive friends," Bazz couldn''t help but express his pain. With Bazz''s pride now shattered, the infamous trio ¨C Valencia, Lyra, and Cam ¨C strolled into the caf¨¦. Bazz, contemting an inconspicuous exit, pondered the life choices that led to this very moment. "Hmm, what should we have today, guys?" Lyra''s energetic voice woke up the tired Valencia. "Well, I''m not hungry, so I''ll just have a drink instead," Cam said, looking towards the drinks menu, and scouting for her ideal drink. "I''ll have a coffee... and pancakes with bacon," Valencia muttered under her breath, wiping her eyes, trying to stay awake. Why was she tired anyway? Could it be that she was studying all night, or maybe she was traveling to visit her father? I guess. Stare. A shiver went down my spine as my head whipped away from the table. An unsettling gaze had fixated on me like a spiderweb catching its first fly. Then I realized that Jan had been staring at me, even though I was holding up the menu. His gaze darted so hard at my menu that Ipletely overlooked how quickly he turned towards me. "Alright, let''s sit, guys!" Lyra pointed at the table 15 meters away from me. They paid everything that they wanted at the counter. That was when I realized I needed to get the hell out of here. I don''t feel toofortable being here after what happened yesterday. I know Valencia was the type to spill people''s ''tea,'' and I could not face embarrassment head-on. So, I think it would be best if I get my food and go somewhere else. Watching them settle at a table two away, I found my eyes glued to the menu. They chatted about the uing exam in a few weeks, but I wasn''t too interested in tuning in on their conversation. As the time ticked away I really wished the waiting process wasn''t this long and after what felt like a long time the waitress finally returned my order, she handed me my Ham and Cheese toasty with my Mocha Frappino. Holding the menu close to my face, I asked her kindly if I could pay now, and then words couldn''t help but ruin a moment of peace. "Sure Mr. Rel thank you for your continued patronage to our cafe!" The waiter smiled at me as I tapped my watch onto the EFTPOS pad... "Rel?" Jan appeared and stood up, looking at me with an innocent smile on his face as he waved his hand over at me. Shit... what should I do now? I''ve been caught, and their whole table was looking at me. "Who is it Jan?" Cam looked at him confused. "Oh, he''s from our ss, you guys know him, right?" He pointed at me, still trying to signal me to sit with them. Then followed by his endless signals he said those words. "Rele sit with us!" he patted the imaginary seat right beside him, smiling brightly. I''m not your friend yet you idiot but just because I helped you awaken doesn''t consider us any closer than acquaintances. haah... well It leaves me with no other choice since it''s better to develop rtionships with a few of the main cast now thanter so I took my seat and carried it and brought my food over to the table sitting next to Jan. The person across me facing towards me was Valencia who was asleep. As I looked towards Jan with an awkward smile on my face I just stayed quiet as the members of their friend group stared me down. "Ah it''s the top nerd in our ss I remember his name of course! was it uh... Rel?" Bazz said my name out loud acting proud for remembering my name and Jan smacked him on the head. "OUCH! Whyyy Jan" Bazz seemed to pout at the thought of being hit by his best friend which was deserved since you should be much more respectful to your creator. Cam and Lyra chuckled at Bazz getting hit, seeing that this was pretty much normal for the two of them. "Oh yeah, Rel was it? We''ve seen all the results from you during the past quizzes. Have you heard about the rumors?" Cam looked at me with a discerning gaze. "What rumours?" I asked out of curiosity. "There''s been a rumor going around that you''ve been using an external artifact to help you get answers for theory." I was confused as to why someone would say that, but I''d agree with that rumor. If some guy became smart out of nowhere, it is believable for someone who got perfect marks. However, I would have to deny this, of course. The System was not an artifact; it was a part of my abilities. "Well, all those rumors are false. You shouldn''t believe them." I sighed, trying to think of an excuse. "I mean, it''s almost impossible to cheat in an exam or even a quiz at this academy, no? With all the technology and detectors around, I would''ve been caught by now if it were true." I shrugged and shook my head, denying these allegations. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "That is true..." Cam thought to herself after I made up a good excuse. Then Jan changed the subject from cheating rumors to the quiz itself. "So what are your thoughts on the quiz, guys?" Jan let out a fake cough, trying to break these allegations. "It was pretty hard. I thought time felt like it was working against me when I was using one of the forms for one of the questions," Cam replied. "What was the question?" Jan asked. "It was the one on how to optimize the limitation of mana and spellcasting. What did you get for that answer?" Cam asked. "I said to get the most out of your mana, you''d have to use a selection of spells to distribute for the spellcasting or something like that." Jan, who sounded pretty confident in her answer, was somewhere on the right track, but she was wrong. I was about to open my mouth about the topic, but I couldn''t resist the food that was sitting right in front of me. And quickly, I ate my food and drank my mocha, enjoying every crunch and sip of my meal, alternating like a conveyor belt. As the food arrived in front of me, Valencia awoke at the smell of pancakes right before her. _____________ Chapter 35 Broke For Nothing Chapter 35 Broke For Nothing Valencia''s eyelids twitched, drawn by the smell of butter and maple syrup wafting from her te. She was about to rejoin thend of the living, and I didn''t want to make the situation to awkward so I should just quickly leave. I thought, the chill of dread creeping up my spine. Jan, who saw Valencia wake up tried to continue what we were talking about earlier. "So, Rel," he drawled, with a curious look in his eyes, "you gonna leave us hanging on that mana optimization theory? You were about to say something but you stopped?" Valencia stirred, a soft cough hacking into the silence. Panic mped down on my throat. Exining mana optimization with her awake was like juggling nitroglycerin. I was fidgeting in my seat, searching for an excuse to leave, but nothing came to mind. Panic gnawed at me. "Uh... um, I forgot something at my dorm I have to leave. Goodbye!" My hand clenched around the edge of the table, knuckles white. Before anyone could react, Iunched myself towards the cafe exit. Jan''s muffled "Wait!" echoed behind me, but I didn''t dare look back. My feet pounded on the pavement, fueled by a primal urge to escape. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om ... ... ... [Pinnacle Academy Dorm] Momentster, I copsed onto my dorm room floor, panting like a hunted animal. The adrenaline subsided, left a wave of exhaustion and a strange mix of relief and frustration. This wasn''t how I''d nned my day but of course, my luck isn''t so lucky. [You''re Speed has increased! 63 >>> 64.2 (1.20+)] "System," I croaked, the word rasping in my dry throat. [Yes? Mr. Axel :D] "What''s with the sudden stat points?" I asked, still processing the absurdity of my adrenaline-fueled sprint. [A minor reward for exceeding physical limitations!] That is quite confusing, to say that I pushed my physical limitations, but okay, it''s always a good feeling to earn more stat points. Sweat piled onto my forehead and all over my body as the heat rose. From my head, I could tell how exhausting that run truly was; the students in the male dorm even looked at me like I had left the dryer on. Upon arriving at my dorm room, I noticed it was still in the same condition as always. I had never taken the time to clean it. Well, it was nice to be in the same old room that hasn''t changed at all in this past week. It even looked the same as my old apartment back when I was just Axel. The leftover clothes from the battle arena were scattered all over the floor, and my bow, a prize from Dawnsde, hung on the wall above my desk. I guess this dorm room did need a change, and to say that it didn''t was an overstatement. It was an empty bedroom; without my bed and desk, there was simply nothing there. Luckily for me, my earnings from the tournament had juste swooping into my bank ount. The results of the earnings made my mouth drop and had my soul leave my body the moment the 8 digits rolled over my eyes. [Commonwealth Bank: Axel Saint Rel Laurence] [Savings: $123.22] [Ie: $46,250,000] [Spending ount: $45.22] I''m rich? Me? Rich... Well, there''s no mistake that the paper that flew into my face was not a coincidence but a thread of fate leading me to be the richest person alive! What should I do with this flock of money? Maybe I could use a partial amount to gamble and earn more money, or I could buy my own house to live in, invest in stocks, buy cars, and live a luxurious life! The urges in my head to leave everything and go to another ce on the other side of the country will only make my will stronger to leave. But I had an idea first. Since I''ve been sticking to the whole Mk II watch for a while, I''ll go out soon to buy aptop. Oh, and another thing came into my mind as well. I still don''t know what BP does lol... "System" [Yes? Mr Axel :D] "What can I do with BP anyway? I have like 685 Battle points but I''m not sure what I could do with them." [Oh! Well, BP can be used to enhance, upgrade, or change any skill set of your abilities! If you want examples, I shall provide them here.] [If in any choice you want to upgrade your base stats, there is an amount that you use that will scale depending on how much BP you spend and the value of a stat will also be applied if a stat has a higher numerical value than others, such as speed. Speed is much more valued than health in terms ofbat.] [With Special Stats, the numerical value of each stat is multiplied by 2.5x, meaning you would have to spend double the amount of BP depending on how much you want to upgrade a certain stat.] [Example: Upgrading Luck: 51.08% + 5.00% = 56.08% (BP value 500 BP points per percentage amount: 6,250 BP cost.) [Each special stat has its value that depends on its current numerical value and the upgrading value.] [Special Abilities and Abilities will have their own upgrade value, only given that special abilities will have a 2.0x upgrade value, being more expensive than the standard ability. As each ability upgraded will have a cooldown, upgrading means that you have to wait a certain period before the ability can be upgraded again.] [Creating Abilities and Modifying Abilities: Creating Abilities will have two important factors.] 1. The strength of an ability directly influences the Battle Points (BP) required for its creation. Abilities vary in potency, and as their strength increases, so does the investment of BP. This dynamic ensures users must strategically allocate their BP, making decisions that bnce power and resource efficiency. 2. The impact of a certain ability can inherently change the way how a story goes, so if an ability you achieve is greater than the strength of the characters, it can cause the advancement of a plot, scaling in the difficulty of an event that will ur within the story. You are aware of this. [Modifying abilities is more costly. Depending on how you would want to change an ability, an example will be shown.] [Example 1. Chosen Ability: Dead Eye [Grade 9] - Function: The ability to enter a state of heightened concentration, enhancing the user''s precision and focus. While time doesn''t slow down, the user gains acute awareness of their surroundings, allowing for precise aiming and target tracking over a 5 km radius.] [Additional Modifier: [FIRST TIME ACTIVATION ONLY - Until the duration of a battle is over the modifier will reset.] Activating Dead Eye grants the user increased speed and a brief period of untargetability, allowing for quick repositioning and evading iing threats during intense battles. (Cost: 500 BP - 1000 BP)] As the system disyed multiple screens showcasing the examples and functions of what I could do with BP, it became evident that BP held greater value than anything else. Well, perhaps QP might be equally valuable, but maximizing BP could potentially make me stronger than even the main cast. Maybe Jan wouldn''t have to bear the entire responsibility of saving this novel himself. I could probably be of some use to him but not right now of course. Still, a question remained... what could I get out of this right now? Or maybe I could look at potential abilities that I could achieve in the future. With that in mind, I asked the system a question. "System can I check with your ability creator?" [Sure you can! here you go.] [> Ability Creator | > Ability Modifer] - [Select which editor you''d like to use.] DING! As I selected the ability creator this was like a whole newyer of things unfolding before me and the first 4 abilities came into mind as I typed in the functions of each. [-[Special Ability] - [ Grade: Unapplicable ] World Ender - the ability to stop time itself each second consumes 200 stamina per second.[Cost: 1,000,000 BP]-] [-[Special Ability] - [ Grade: Unapplicable ] Limitless Healing - The ability to recover from any phenomena that are considered physical or spiritual damage to one''s body or soul.[Cost: 1,000,000 BP]-] [-[Special Ability] - [ Grade: Unapplicable] Absolute Reversal - Any past action that has urred such as sustaining damage or surprise attacks can revert time 5 minutes earlier. [Cost: 500,000 BP]-] [-[Special Ability] - [ Grade: Unapplicable] Technique Replication - The ability to perfectly replicate an attack or technique of any target of the user''s desire the ability can be performed to work at its peak or however the user wishes to use it.[Cost: 250,000 BP]-] I wouldn''t even bother thinking of how I''m going to reach any of these special abilities let alone achieve 250,000 BP... Why are the expenses always so much? with 650 BP to spend, I guess there''s nothing I could do to get the most out of this so It would be best if I save... ______________ Chapter 36 Evergreen Forest ?Chapter 36 Evergreen Forest [Pinnacle Male Dorm Room] [Friday, 3:30 PM] "System" [Yes Mr. Axel? :D] "I''d like to unlock my mana stat." [Sure! 100 BP has been spent on unlocking mana stat... Mana Stat has been unlocked!] [A Special reward has been given after unlocking Mana stat...] FWANG! [Special Reward: Special stat has also been unlocked... The Wielder of anything that throws!] [Special Stat: Precision Control - This stat represents your proficiency in manipting objects into projectiles and urately controlling their trajectories. A higher value allows for more control over a certain amount of projectiles,plex maneuvers, increased precision, and the ability to recall projectiles at will.] The screen shed Blue. As I saw the mana stat my jaw dropped. Months of grinding, sweat, and near-death experiences finally paid off. A surge of exhration coursed through me, almost tangible in the stale dorm air. But that wasn''t all. Precision Control unlocked. I tapped it, heart pounding. The ability to bend projectiles to my will? This was game-changing. So, thinking about it, if I were to throw an object, such as a rock, I could control how it''s thrown in mid-air and have it returned to me with ease. Maybe I could try it right now? Picking up one of the empty notebooks on my desk, I tossed it towards my window seal. As I moved the hand I threw it with, the book spun gracefully before hitting the window. Slowly, the book changed its trajectory and started flying back toward me, gaining incredible speed. BANG! OUCH! What the fuck? The book had hit my face and I could feel my nose running after that one. Shortly after, I changed into my all-ck outfit-a ck shirt, ck pants, and a ck robe that acted as a cape, carrying my school ID along with my bow. I swiftly left for Pinnacle''s IDS station, eager to test these abilities in the monster-hunting areas in Korea, [Southern Evergreen Forest front entrance] Upon arriving at the Evergreen Forest entrance, it felt more like a military checkpoint than a portal to adventure. Barricades and burly guards greeted visitors, while booths overflowed with adventurers verifying hunting grounds. Rest areas hummed with chatter and food stations tempted weary warriors. The scene buzzed with Friday''s peak-hour fervour, making me realize I''dpletely forgotten about the hunter''s rush. So many people looking to get rich here huh? Well unfortunate for them I knew simply everything from this ce haha. Oh, and this ce was also a merchant hotspot in the area. Merchants sold many types of things to the adventurers here including potions, swords, clothing, and many bordering scams and treasures alike. Though looking at one of these stands I saw One arrow, gleaming with faux-gem glitter and paint, which caught my eye for a moment before I met the seller''s slimy grin with a disgusted scowl.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om These guys were Hall of Fame scam artists... A murmur rippled through the crowd, "Look at that!" someone hissed. Heads swivelled towards the gates, whispers snowballing into excited murmurs. I glimpsed a swaggering figure nked by a boisterous crew, theirughter grating against the tense anticipation. From their bulging bags, goblin ears peeked out, confirming the whispers: "Big one today!" But that wasn''t why everyone was excited; it was the person to the right of them, and it was a shocker to see one of the notable figures of my novel. It was Navi Colombus, the head of the organization for adventurers and one of the strongest characters in this world had to offer. His stormy grey eyes looked puzzled as the many adventurers came around to greet him, yet he still looked the same in my head dressed in a well-tailored All ck zer andfortable ck chinos. He was a vital piece in terms of plot progression for this story, but I wouldn''t have guessed to see him at this ce untilter on in this story. Well, a lot of things have changed, so I guess I shouldn''t be surprised anymore. Why was he here? There can''t be any good reason thate with someone like him here unless there was an artifact or dungeon that came out in this forest. Other than that, he wouldn''t even be here. But it''s just the influence of changing events that probably causes dungeons to start popping out in the first ce. However, it made me realize why I made adventures and heroes two separate groups in the first ce. First of all, I believe that the story would be more interesting having twopletely different organizations for different purposes. Adventurers were the only people who went out into the wild to find artifacts, kill monsters, sell them, and get rich. Whereas heroes are people who save the world from the domination of dungeon outbreaks and monster invasions. It was simply a good dynamic thinking about it in the first ce. Interestingly enough, heroes could also be adventurers, and adventurers can also be heroes, but I''d say they were about the same either way. Since all groups would have to unite as one to destroy the four towers that were spread across the main parts of the world. "Excuse me, you''re in the way." The voice sliced through the noise like a knife through cheese. My heart hitched, a tremor coursing through my gut. Before I could even turn, a shadow loomed over me. the silver-haired man that was just being swarmed earlier. My mind scrambled, adrenaline buzzing in my veins. Was this a coincidence? Or some twisted greeting card from fate, cing me smack dab in the middle of his path? My eyes darted towards Navi, the Guildmaster, standing a few paces away, a silent observer just looking down at me. "Oh," I stammered, stumbling back and feeling the heat of a hundred curious eyes prickling my skin. "My apologies, sir." The bow I offered felt wooden and awkward, like a puppet''s forced gesture. His gaze, cold and sharp as an icicle, pierced through me. "Boy" he rumbled, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down my spine. "What weapon do you wield?" The question hung in the air, a grenade dropped into the already simmering tension. Every worn-out veteran, every cocky newbie, all eyes turned towards us, waiting for my pathetic answer. I clutched my crossbow tighter, The silver metal pressing against my skin and digging into my palm. "I... I use a crossbow, sir," I managed, forcing my voice to stay steady. My cheeks burned as I met his unwavering stare. Then as if all tension dropped in between us, "Oh, I see. You go enjoy your hunt then." He then walked passed me with a smile, following from behind was his assistant who I assume was Jane with her raven hair and ck formal attire. as he entered by the sleek ck limousine that awaited him, I watched them fade into the distance, my body finally releasing the tension it had coiled itself into. But the unease lingered, a persistent itch I couldn''t scratch. Jesus... seriously what is with these character''s problems with me? [...] "Sir Navi, here are the reports on the new dungeons in the Evergreen Forest." Jane handed him the book as he satfortably in the limousine''s back seat. He flipped through the pages, each turn a silent rustle against the leather interior. "So many new dungeons risingtely..." he mused, a hint of concern colouring his voice. "It''s almost unnerving." He paused, eyes drawn to a picture of a warped opening wing its way out of a giant tree trunk. Another image showcased a massive portal, pulsating within a ring of ritualistic stones. Each one fueled his intrigue. "Have we assessed the market value of the others yet?" he asked, ncing at another page showcasing different dungeons. Jane, efficient as ever, stepped forward. "Not yet, sir. Monster ssifications are pending, and the artifact evaluators are still in Australia." Navi nodded, leaning back into his seat. "Understood. This will do for now." "Sir Navi, that boy from back there... was it?" Jane was cut short as Navi smirked. "Yes, it had to be him. That was the boy from the arena," Navi responded in a formal yet. casual manner. "How can you be sure?" Jane asked curiously. "He matched all the information provided by Infra Tech when they were tracking him during the arena matches. Coincidentally, who knew we''d meet by chance?" He shrugged it off, but Jane noticed his lingering interest in the boy. "Should we send our intelligence agency to gather more information on him?" Jane suggested. "No, it''s fine. If fate has it, then we''ll meet again soon. I don''t even know the boy''s name yet, but I could tell at first nce it was him back at the arena." [...] [Evergreen Forest Entrance Booth 1] "Academy student, eh? Well, that''ll be a 20% discount on your Adventurer ID. Comes to, uh..." The woman at the booth peered at the screen, her fingers tapping rhythmically. "$25, it is." She thrust the EFTPOS machine towards me, and I tapped my watch against it with a practised flick of the wrist. "Thanks," I mumbled, pocketing the receipt. "No cement test for rankings, then?" "Nope," she confirmed with a grin. "E-Rank for everyone, fresh-faced recruits and seasoned veterans alike. Starter Gate''s your only option till you climb up to D-Rank." With a click and a whir, she swung open the gate beside her booth. I strode past, the forest path swallowing me whole. Gripping my crossbow tightly, I gazed at the silent expanse before me. The E-Rank area wasn''t what I had expected, but I''ll see if I can find this ce first. Authors Notes: - Navi as the president/head of the adventurer''s organization owns 50% of all the dungeons around the world. - Rel''s nose bled for almost 5 minutes straight! Chapter 37 Exploring a hidden place | Under The Depths (1) ?Chapter 37 Exploring a hidden ce | Under The Depths (1) Sunlight rippled through the thick top, painting dappled mosaics on the ground. Squirrels chased each other through rustling leaves, and Every leaf, every twig seemed to whisper, "Harmless! Cute! Perfect for beginners!" Well, the space of no monsters was expected. That exins the empty plot gap with no one being able to climb to D-Rank because of theck of monsters in the area, you might as well call this ce a zoo. My boots crunched the worn path, a bitterugh bubbling up my throat. This starter area, supposedly overflowing with monsters, felt eerily silent. No goblin packs, no slime trails, and not even a sleeping bat. It was like walking through a meticulouslyndscaped garden, empty of the exciting abilities I wanted to use. Well, this kinda exins the logic to why nobody climbs to D-Rank, I muttered under my breath, the words tasting like ashes in my mouth. They might as well call this ce a ZOO. My eyes scanned through the forest, my enhanced vision searching for any flicker of movement, any glint of w or fang. Nothing. I cursed under my breath and lunged towards a thick oak, using its bark as leverage to propel myself onto a low branch. Branch by branch, I ascended, hoping for a vantage point, a glimpse of even the most pathetic monster pack. The top of the trees unfolded beneath me, a verdant tapestry stretching to the horizon. Mountains etched against the sky, valleys cradled by rolling hills - it was a breathtaking vista. But all I saw was the deste expanse of the E-Rank area, an infuriating void of monsters. Frustration gnawed at my gut. Those damn adventurers that passed through earlier must have cleared the ce out like locusts, leaving me with nothing but silence and boredom. "Boring" I spat, the word echoing through the stillness. But I wouldn''t be defeated. I came here for this special ce I was looking for. Deeper into the forest I ventured, the rustling leaves my onlypanions. The river beckoned, a silver ribbon snaking down from the eastern mountains. I wasn''t a hiker, by any stretch, But I knew I was on the right path to that ce. As I followed the water''s murmur upward, I finally found it: the overflowing waterfall, nked by two colossal stone pirs etched with cryptic symbols. This was it. Behind the cascading curtain, a concealed dungeon awaited. Although no adventurer was aware of this ce at the story''s outset, I alone possessed this knowledge, having crafted the setting. Though no adventurer knew of this ce at the story''s outset, I possessed this knowledge, having crafted this very setting. Approaching the waterfall, I waded into the churning pool, the icy water biting at my skin. I recalled the location''s discoveryter on in the story, an item crucial tobating the ''rise''. But Jan, our main character, might not need I now and instead, I''ll be taking it away from him. I mean what could go wrong anyway? It''s not like it was his in the first ce. Extending my hands towards the gushing downpour, I felt the heavy rain soaking me before I even entered the curtain. One part of writing this waterfall, I regretted, was the small crevice entrance meant to appear by pure chance. I knew how problematic it sounded, and the readers''ints were still fresh in my mind. FSHHHH! The waterfall relentlessly pounded onto my head as I struggled to navigate through the small entryway that was meant to appear. The water forcefully pushed my body down, but I resisted persistently, moving forward and sideways as if engaged in some lunatic mental training under the cascading water. ARGH Shifting my hands blindly, I felt a sudden pull, an invisible hole swallowing me whole. I tumbled through the churning void,nding with a grunt on the cold stone floor of the dungeon. fuck... cough! cough! Spitting out thest drops of waterfall spray, I mbered to my feet drenched from that horrible experience. The cavern floor tilted beneath me, and for a moment, My head felt a little dizzy after getting up. But then, my eyes adjusted, taking in the breathtaking spectacle thaty before me. Towering above, almost scraping the unseen ceiling, stood a colossal temple. Its intricate stonework, though weathered by time, whispered of vanished grandeur. This ce was how I described my ideal version of the temple of Artemis Columns like petrified giants ringed the vast space, their fluted surfaces carved with scenes of battles and mythical beasts. The sheer scale of it brought a gasp to my lips. The cavern floor, smooth and worn like an ancient arena, stretched towards the temple''s towering doorway. A path, paved with bs of polished ck stone, led the way, nked by giant pirs. Each column stretched skyward, disappearing into the shadows above, their capitals adorned with stylized griffins, their wings spread in silent wee or warning. The air hummed with palpable energy, the hum of magic coursing through the very stones. This was very well the dungeon I wrote as the Temple Of Artemis. But I knew that the monsters here were extremely strong. "System" I spoke, my voice echoing in the cavernous space. [Yes Mr Axel? :D] "What''s the dungeon evaluation for this ce? and the monsters as well what grade is the overall ce?" [To answer your question the Dungeon: Temple of Artemis - Grade: A+ - Monsters Grade: A+^] My goodness, there wasn''t anything I wouldn''t have expected if I was going in blind. However, all those monsters were way too weak for EOS Jan. I think in the novel, he cleared this ce within 22 minutes or something like that. I wasn''t too concerned about this dungeon anyway. If I knew that there were high mid-tier monsters in this ce, I wouldn''t have even thought about touching it until I was strong enough. Fortunately, I had prior knowledge of an easy pathway entry to the side of the temple, which acted as an exit. However, it was not an exit for me. Recalling my memory, I knew that if I simply turned towards the right side of the staircase, there should be pirs in between the secret pathway around here. Turning to the right side of the staircase, I scanned the towering pirs, searching for the telltale gap that marked the hidden entrance. My memories stirred hazy outlines of forgotten illustrations that were in my head. After some time, I found it! Between the second and third pirs, etched with the symbol of a coiled serpent,y the narrow crevice leading to the passage towards that sweet-like reward. A smirk tugged at my lips. "It''s like taking candy from a baby" I muttered, slipping into the concealed entrance. Looking deep at the darkness that swallowed me whole, the icy fingers of fear momentarily numbing the thrill of discovery. This was the path that the old Jan overlooked, my shortcut into the heart of that room. The passage was tight, a ustrophobic tunnel winding its way deeper into the temple''s core. My enhanced senses strained against the darkness, picking up the low growls and distant screams of monsters emanating from the unexplored floors. These weren''t the piddly goblins and slimes Jan breezed through; these were the peak of monsters, the true danger inside of this temple. Luckily for me studying archeology was one of the greatest decisions I have made in my life since my memory was pretty good I knew Every twist and turn, every hidden trap, every fake room, I knew them all. After walking endlessly I had reached the very end of the tunnel which opened into a hidden chamber, a forgotten relic of my creative process. The cobwebs that draped the dusty statues, and the ancient murals that whispered forgotten tales of heroes and monsters, indicated that I had finally reached the real Temple of Artemis. It was untouched by the hands of adventurers, especially by Jan. Therge room had no treasures, except for a coffin ced in the very centre of it all. I approached it, knowing that there was something very important inside. The big, old, dusty coffin was just part of the design, and as I lifted the coffin cover, my expressionless face turned into a big white smile.N?v(el)B\\jnn Yes, I had found the book that I was looking for... *** Somewhere under the Pacific Ocean... [The Sanctum Decree] A ndestineir nestled at the centre of the Pacific Ocean, a meeting concealed from the world''s prying eyes. Persisting in the dim, opulent room, filled with the luxuries of money and gold, four men sat around a table. These Four figures, cloaked in the opulent darkness, sat around a table piled high with gold and jewels. Each emanated an aura distinct as the cardinalpass points, yet bound by a web of shared ambition. shrouded in crimson red, his voice raspy from a thousand whispered schemes broke the silence. "What is this urgent meeting you wanted so badly, damir?" [damir Bane, Devil''s Worshippers Cult Head Pressident] damir, his silver hood casting a stark contrast to the rich surroundings, chuckled. "Impatience is your vice, Morwen. But satisfy my curiosity. What whispers stir from Infra Tech?" [Morwen [???] Leader of the group: Syndicate] "Tremors," Morwen rasped, "unease across the 4 towers around the world. A ''reset, they call it. it''s the world''s final gambit. right, Cyran?" [Sifters Organization''s Big Boss: Cyran] a figure of elegance in a dark sapphire robe, his masked face betraying a flicker of anticipation. "Ahhh! Yes! ording to sources, the tower had reset due to a certain number of failed floor attempts, and now we are on ourst life." The man in a dark sapphire robe spoke, revealing his face half-covered by a white devil mask. "HAHAHA! IS THAT SO CYRAN? THE FUTURE REALLY DOES LOOK LIKE THE FUTURE!" The man in a brown robe shouted unable to stay still, fidgeted in his seat,ughing like a lunatic. [Drakon Leader of the Salvation''s Tribe] damir, eyes glinting like cold stars, silenced the room with a gesture. "The towers is now at it''s final stage so in the next 3 years the prophecy will beplete. Until then we will resume activities in the mean time" Authors Notes: - Drakon has dark brown hair, brown eyes, and sideburns on his face. - damir has long ck hair and red eyes with his hairstyle like a wolf-cut-like appearance. - Cyran has Light blue hair and dark blue eyes - Morwen has Red hair, green eyes, with also a scar line going down the right side of his eye Chapter 38 Under The Depths (2) ?Chapter 38 Under The Depths (2) It is without saying that the world I wish for is a world where a new superior race reigns above all. Those filthy humans that walk around in broad daylight will cease to exist. Heroes of old and new won''t be able to stop us once we have achieved our final goal. Nothing will get in the way of my dream. Nothing will be able to stop me. I will crush those who will get in the way of my dream. For I will not fail. As I was destined to seed. Our new race will mark both a beginning and an end. The divine call echoes through thepletion of the four towers, beckoning our God. His intervention shall bless us, the chosen ones, as we im absolute purgatory. Justice will rain upon those who dare oppose our saviour. *** [Oxford Street, London] The bustling street of Oxford shined brightly on a sunny day, it was the very breeze that made a Monday afternoon so beautiful. As the honking horns of traffic echoed through the dense buildings of the markets and the babble of a thousand conversations being made throughout the entirety of London, a small boy, no older than five, clutched a bright red balloon, its string bobbing in his chubby hand. "Where shall we go today Mr. Ballon?" The breeze tugged north, and the boy, ever obedient, followed. he weaved through the crowds of adults as he always stayed on the left side of the path remembering the words of his mother, then a sudden moment slipped and one thing led to the other. A candy wrapper, discarded out on the streets. had the boy stepping on it as he misced his foot and he found himself on the cold ground of the floor with his ballon out of his grasp. His joy that was wiped on his face grew with a furrowed brow as he chased the balloon endlessly, his heart hammered against his ribs scrambling after the floating object that once brought him joy. "haah, haah WAIT MR BALLON!" he screamed as the many bystanders watched as he chased after his ballon. He went sprawling missing the string each time and another strong wind caught The balloon as it soared away, drifting toward the chaotic flow of traffic on the street. As those around him watched him chase after his ballon voices and screams of witnesses everywhere telling him to move out of the way. Time seemed to slow down as the world watched this boy happily chase an object he so loved. He didn''t see the behemoth of steel bearing down on him, its brakes a desperate shriek against the asphalt. The people shrunk to the terrified pupils of his eyes, focused solely on the oing vehicle. WHOOSH Then, a blur of silver and ck. A figure that moved faster than the air, snatching the child from the road''s embrace in a single, fluid motion. The truck thundered past, horns wailing like wounded beasts. The boy''s eyes blinked, disoriented, now cradled in strong arms, a warm breath tickling his ear. His saviour stared down at him, his crimson red eyes were fearsome yet beneath their surface, a glimmer of kindness flickered. "Well, hello there, little one," the man inquired, his voice flowing with a sweet tone, a soothing calmness made the boy feel at ease. "Are you okay?" he looked at him with genuine concern as he carefully let him down. The boy, still disoriented, shook his head, fear melting into the man''s warmth. "Yes... and thank you, mister" he mumbled, the words small and awestruck. "Here I think you forgot this." He handed the ballon to the little boy whose eyes widened in joy as the man watched him happily take the ballon from him. "Thank you!" The boy smiled brightly, "Can you help me find my mommy?" He knelt before him, hisrge hand offering silentfort. "Of course, young one," he replied, his tone woven with silk and concern. "Let us find your mother together." Thus began an odd walk, the boy skipping to keep pace with the man''s long strides. The street seemed hushed, its usual noise dulled as if under an unseen hand. A strange calmness settled around them, a world rocked slightly on its axis. "What''s your name?" the boy finally asked, curiosity oveing his lingering fear. The man''s lips curved in a hint of a smile. He looked down at the boy, innocence nestled within confusion. "Call me dimir," he said, the name rolling off his tongue like a whispered promise. "Oh! okay, damir! My name is Theo!" As he smiled back they continued their walk to find the boy''s mother. "Well, it''s nice to meet you, Theo." dimir smiled For the remainder of the afternoon, the boy skipped excitedly beside dimir, clutching the crimson balloon that now seemed a little bit smallerpared to his newfound saviour. They reached the bustling marketce, a sea of faces swirling around them. "There, mommy!" the boy cried, pointing eagerly. dimir gently gave him a little push, a reassuring smile gracing his lips. "Go, little one," he said, his voice like warm honey. "Run to your mother." The boy hesitated for a moment, his gaze flitting between dimir and his mother. Then, with a shy smile, he turned and dashed into the crowd, the red balloon bobbing cheerfully as he ran. dimir watched him go, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. Relief flooded the woman''s face as she engulfed her son in a hug. Then, confusion furrowed her brow. "Where did you go?" she asked, tracing his flushed cheeks. The boy pointed once more, but the spot was empty. "A tall man, mommy," he whispered, eyes wide with wonder. "He saved me." The woman scanned the crowd, her fear returning like a tide. "But where is he now?" The boy''s face washed in disappointment and worry for the man he shook his head as the memory of him would never forget who he was, he clutched the balloon, as a silent reminder of the man whom he met. damir reached out for the stray candy wrapper in his pocket, the one that had caused the near tragedy, tossing it into a nearby bin with a flick of his wrist. "Why do people litter?" he muttered angrily, as he continued down the street and turned into a dark alley where three figures had cornered someone. damir went towards the scene to see a young woman her back pressed against the grimy brick, standing defiantly against the advances of three men, theirughter grating in the stillness of the night. "Come on, love," one of them slurred, a greasy grin stered on his face. "Just a little chat, eh? We won''t bite... hard." The woman, her chin held high, spat back, "I said no. Now leave me alone." But the trio, fuelled by cheap liquor and misced rizz, only moved closer. One reached out, fingers brushing against her arm, sending a shiver of disgust down her spine. In that split second, the world seemed to freeze. Then, a whisper of silver and ck sliced through the air. A figure, tall and imposing, emerged from the darkness, moving with the swiftness of a panther. Before any of the men could react, he stood behind them and grabbed the shoulders of the two men to his sides. "Gentlemen," dimir rumbled his voice a low growl that vibrated in the night air. "Let''s dispense with the pleasantries. I suggest you take your... amusement elsewhere." The woman, heart hammering against her ribs, whipped her head around. A flicker of hope sparked in her eyes, chased by a flicker of fear at the imposing figure behind them. "Run," dimir repeated, his eyes focused solely on her. "Now." He didn''t move, didn''t threaten the men directly. His stance, however, radiated a raw power that made the hairs on their necks stand on end. Slowly, hesitantly, the woman turned and bolted. Her footsteps echoed in the night, a receding melody of freedom against the backdrop of dimir''s silent vigil. He waited until her scent faded, her echo dissolved into thebyrinthine maze of the city. Only then did he turn his gaze to the men, a chilling smile ying on his lips. The men, taken aback by the sudden arrival, blinked in confusion. For moment, they turned around and faltered under the intensity of dimir''s gaze. But the alcohol soon restored their belligerence. "Who are you, mate?" one snarled, stepping forward. "This ain''t your concern." as they backed away from him. dimir''s eyes narrowed, a dangerous sh reflecting the moonlight. "It bes my concern when I witness the harassment of an innocent woman," he said, his voice dropping to an even more chilling tone. "I suggest you guys leave now." "Or what?" another sneered, pushing forward, emboldened by the dubious courage of hispanions. "You don''t know us?" one of them smiled his breath wreaking of booze. "No, I do not. I also n not to know." dimir said in a dark tone. "We''re the group that defeated the 500 goblin horde back at Evergreen Forest." The otherpanion snarked as they began raising their weapons. He looked at them amused and started grinning from ear to ear. "Now tell me." damir paused. "How would you like you like to die? Perhaps cut into pieces? have your head sliced off? Or would you like to take my special bonus of instant death? no... fight to live actually." His face smiling at the idea of them fighting him. Ice crackled around dimir''s words, each syble a shard piercing the night. The three men flinched, fear twisting their faces. "Fight," his voice thundered, "Or I''ll kill you." RAHHHHH! The leader, a scarred mountain of muscle unsheathed his longsword with a sh of silver. He charged a whirlwind of fury, aiming a brutal downward stroke. dimir, calm as a cialke, met the de with his bare hands, the metal flexing like y broke from being touched. The archer, eyes wide with disbelief, loosed a volley of arrows, eachced with searing me. TAK! TAK! TAK! They found their mark, tearing through dimir''s flesh, blood flowed out of his body, but as quickly as it flowed, it vanished, the wounds knitting themselves shut before their very eyes. A primal terror, raw and suffocating, choked the air, tightening its grip on the men''s hearts. The bruiser, eyes bulging with a mix of fear and desperation, charged in, brass knuckles glinting like vicious teeth. dimir caught his fist with a single finger, stopping the man''s momentum in its tracks. The air crackled with tension, silence broken only by the ragged gasps of the three trapped predators. Their limbs felt weighted, their shadows stretched as if trapped in an unseen web. The leader his voice a strained whisper. "What... what are you?" The archer''s arrows ttered to the ground, her eyes wide with a primal fear. "Monster," she choked out, the word a venomous prayer. The bruiser''s voice evaporated, reced by a whimper. "Please... mercy..." "I warned you," dimir rumbled, his voice a low tremor that shook the very fabric of the area. what beaded on the leader''s brow, the archer''s hand trembled on his bow, and the bruiser''s gaze darted wildly, searching for an escape where there was none.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "But you wouldn''t listen." As he walked towards the archer he lifted him by the neck squeezing it with a tight grip the neck snapped off as he pulverized the entire body into oblivion with blood sttering everywhere. "Yes... Despair. Feel the fear creep into your minds as you die." dimir unfroze the other 2 and without wasting time they ran as fast as they could to the end of the alleyway. "HELP! PLEASE! THERE''S A KILLER AFTER US!" The leader screamed as hispanion ran from behind. Reaching the end of the alleyway there was a dark dome that surrounded the area not allowing anyone to escape. "WAIT!" The leader begged "I''m sorry. PLEASE I''LL DO ANYTHING." He turned towards damir pleading on his knees. "Hmm, Okay. On one condition." damir paused to think of a condition. "You and your friends shall fight to the death and the winner will live" As the two looked at each other the bruiser still had his gloves and the leader only had his fist to fight against. BANG! that was when a punch had followed through to the stomach of the leader. the fight ended after 15 minutes a bloody gruesome battle to the death, the ultimate winner was the leader who lived just barely. "n-n-now..." he coughed out all bloody unable to stand up straight. ''let me go please." he pleaded. "No, I said all of your friends." damir pointed towards the dead archer that rose from the ground. "Please... I can no longer fight." His eyes were all teary as he fell to his knees scared and fearful of the man before him. "Then die." without hesitation, dimir unleashed numerous shes of blood ughtering and slicing the leader into pieces until nothing remained of him. "You shouldn''t have lived in the first ce you filthy human." dimir absorbed all the bodies dead bodies and disappeared shortly after. Authors Notes: - dimir is an environmentalist so he very much has a love for nature. - This was a very difficult chapter to write because the introduction for this character is extremely important to me so this was the perfect way to do it hopefully... /^\/ Chapter 39 Under the depths (3) Chapter 39 Under the depths (3) [New South Wales, Australia] [Location: Goulburn Correctional Centre (Supermax)] [Section D - Cell: 5] The dark depths of the maximum security prison of Australia house one of the world''s worst offenders. From viins who have attempted to overtake the country, to those who turned to the other side known as demi-humans Built like a modern-day fortress with heavy steel doors and air-locked passageways, every outdoor space is sealed with ultra-strong steel mesh. An eerie silence in the dimly lit, high-security prison cell hung in the air, broken only by the distant sounds of imprisoned souls. "Tch... Fuck I can''t believe I failed the big boss''s mission and who would''ve thought I went up against Aurelia of all people?" Jasper gnawed on his lip, the metallic tang of blood mixing with the acrid taste of defeat. Aurelia''s mockingughter still echoed in his skull, a painful reminder of his humiliation. SWANG! A crimson portal tore open the sterile air of the cell. From it stepped a cloaked figure, the swirling portal behind them casting an eerie glow on the cold metal walls. Jasper''s muscles coiled in fear as his stomach twisted. He thought to himself "Who dared breach the Supermax''s defences?" The figure stepped forward, the ck robe rustling like dry leaves. An air of quiet power emanated from them,ced with an edge of irritation. Jasper held his breath, his senses straining to pierce the shadows concealing the visitor''s face. "So," the figure rasped, voice tinged with gravel and annoyance, "this is the renowned Loser of the D-league, reduced to gnawing his flesh in a cage?" Jasper flinched, his heart hammering against his ribs. A whisper of fear brought him shbacks before Aurelia''s mocking victory. But this voice, this presence, was utterly unknown. Who dared speak to him with such familiarity, let alone contempt? As if in answer, the hood fell back, revealing a face etched with a scar going down his right eye and a stare that brought fear into anyone''s eyes like emeralds in the dim light. Jasper gasped, recognition mming into him like a physical blow. "M-Morwen?" he stammered, disbelief warping his voice. The name seemed to hang in the air, heavy with unspoken implications. Morwen, Syndicate''s Sole Undefeated Leader stood before him. Jasper''s mind raced. Why was Morwen here? Was he sent to kill him, or is he here to save him, or maybe... something more? The possibilities, each more difficult than thest, swirled in his head, leaving him adrift in a sea of uncertainty. Morwen studied him, a smirk ying on his lips. "Surprised, Jasper?" he chuckled, a dry, humourless sound. The crimson portal hissed shut behind Morwen, casting the cell back into dim, oppressive silence. Jasper remained frozen, eyes locked on the figure cloaked in shadow. Fear, thick and suffocating, clung to his throat like a phantom hand. Morwen tilted his head, the emerald glint of his eyes cutting through the gloom. "So, Jasper," his voice was deep, a low rumble that sent shivers down Jasper''s spine. "Does being in this cell still hold appeal?" Jasper swallowed, his throat dry and constricting. "M-Morwen, I¡­ I don''t understand." Morwen chuckled, once again making Jasper even more scared. He stepped closer, the shadows swirling around him like hungry beasts. "Oh,prehension isn''t your forte, is it, Jasper? But let''s say your current¡­ predicament has sparked a flicker of interest in me." Jasper''s heart hammered against his ribs. Interest? Or an amusement born from his downfall? He dared not hope. "You¡­ you wouldn''t dare harm me," he stammered, voice barely a whisper. "Boss Cyran wouldn''t allow it." Morwen''s eyes narrowed, His gaze pierced through his fear of Jasper as he flinched. "You presume too much, Believe me, your pathetic failure earned you a swift end. But be d Cyran¡­ for reasons even I don''t know, has forgiven you for your mistake." Jasper''s blood turned to ice. Forgiven? Or simply a longer leash before the inevitable execution? No one could understand Cyran''s motives, but the fear was a cold fist squeezing his heart. "So consider this," Morwen continued, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper, "your continued existence hangs by a thread, spun from the whims of a fool. Be grateful I haven''te to kill you myself." Jasper, choked by the weight of Morwen''s words and the icy gaze upon him, could only nod numbly. "Now," Morwen rasped, a hint of amusement ying on his lips, "shall we see if you can redeem your pathetic performance? Or will you prove yourself unworthy of even the scrap of life you''ve been granted?" The choice,ced with poison and uncertainty, hung before Jasper. Morwen''s offer, if it could be called that, was a gamble with death as the stakes. But the alternative, rotting in this steel tomb, seemed no better. He took a shuddering breath, the shackles biting into his flesh. "I¡­ I choose to leave," he whispered, the words tasting like ashes on his tongue. Morwen''sughter echoed through the cell, a chilling sound that sent a shiver down Jasper''s spine. "Wise choice. But remember, Cyran is watching. And failure isn''t forgiven twice." Grabbing the shackles of Jasper they were erased like they had never existed, a dark pulse of shadows had consumed the Anti Mana Material like it was a rubber toy. The crimson portal pulsed, As Morwen conjured another portal. Jasper, his fear a cold knot in his stomach, took a step forward. He closed his eyes, the silence broken only by the echo of his ragged breath, and stepped through the gateway. The cell, once again empty, stood as the cameras failed to capture the encounter. This was the first break out of Goulburn Correctional Centre in its history of holding the most evil of humans, even the top crime investigators couldn''t solve how Jasper had escaped andter on this would be called the Supermax Incident. *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy Male Dorms] [Thursday, 11:30 pm] [New Ability Acquired: Mitigation''s Phenomena:the ability allows the user to predict and redirect iing attacks. This creates bright ring portals, and if they urately predict the attack''snding point, the damage is redirected through another portal, effectively mitigating harm. The size of the portals adapts to the gravity of iing attacks. However, absorbing potent attacks may lead to temporary mana overload or portal instability. Mechanics: Calcted Defense: Mitigation''s Phenomenon relies on a detailed understanding of spatial mathematics and the maniption of mana. The user can predict the exact location where an attack willnd in the defined space between themselves and the opponent. Portals: Bright circle-like portals manifest in the air, visible only to the user. Each portal corresponds to a potentialnding point for an iing attack within the predetermined space. Redirection: If the user urately predicts the portal where the attack willnd, Mitigation Phenomena will proc. All damage from the attack is redirected through another portal, appearing elsewhere in the defined space. This redirection urs instantaneously, allowing the user to evade harm. Size Variations: The size of the circle portals dynamically adjusts based on the scale and gravity of iing attacks. Larger portals are employed to mitigate the impact of formidable orrge-scale assaults. Mana Maniption: The user employs mana to sustain and manipte Mitigation''s Phenomena. The ability demands a continuous flow of mana for effective portal cement and redirection.] Haah, Well I was fortunate enough that I came out alive through that stupid dungeon. I can''t believe that I was able to set off booby traps around that tomb it almost cost me my life. I hadpletely forgotten that opening the grave would''ve caused a massive boulder to drop from the sky and there I was running for my life not trying to get crushed. Like in that one opening from Indiana Jones. But I came out there as a happy man. the book in my hand was probably one of the best abilities I''ve ever created. N?v(el)B\\jnn There''s a good reason for that and why I went for this ability in the first ce, but now that it''s in my hands I felt like no one would be able to stop me but there was always a downside to all of these abilities I made while writing this novel. 1. Is the ability is only limited to the user''s mana. I know I''m not Jan but I think I could sustain this ability for at least 2 minutes maximum. 2. Each cement for a portal has to be specifically ced in a spot guaranteed to hit an attack and redirect it elsewhere. 3. The excessive use of summoning portals will weaken, causing the portals to be temporarily unstable which could lead to unpredictable redirects and it could potentially harm me in the process. But I think I could get around the limitations of these barriers so I''ll be using this from now on and luckily for me, I could potentially sell an ability to gain more BP and improve the current status of my abilities. I should just sleep this all off but I was still sad there were no monsters at the starting gate, I could understand why there was a plot hole. in the first ce... [Pinnacle Academy Hallways] [Friday, 8:35 am] My stomach clenched the moment I turned the corner. Jan was surprised like any other person, standing right in my path. Great. Just what I needed, a walking reminder of my sheer luck being applied to this world. "Oh hey Rel, are you on the way to ss?" Jan asked "Why''d you run away yesterday, Rel?" his voice held a yful edge like he knew something I didn''t. "Stuff," I mumbled, trying to sidestep him. "Ah, yes, stuff," Jan''s face contorted into a knowing smirk. "Did Valencia not thank you for that time?" "Oh, she did," I said, forcing a casual tone as we walked through the bustling hallway. "Of course, she reacted exactly like herself." Jan raised an eyebrow. "Herself, huh? Care to borate, Rel?" His teasing glint flickered, and I realized my words had tumbled out like pebbles. He leaned in, eyes sparkling. "Are you, by any chance, a dedicated observer of her fascinating ssroom antics?" A sudden sh of Jan''s face, illuminated like a cartoon light bulb, apanied his next outburst. "Don''t tell me... you... have a thing for her?!" Each word was drawn out, a yful jab that pricked my nerves. "Well, you have a lot ofpetition, that''s for sure. But, since we''re friends, I''ll give you some information for free," Jan said with a smile, leaning in to tell me some absurd words. "So, recently, Valencia has been receiving notes from guys who are interested in her. There are first-, second-, and even third-year students who are trying to date her! Honestly, it''s not her thing, but if you''re interested, I can help you out." He gave me a thumbs-up, but I couldn''t help but feel the urge to hit such a pretty guy in the face. "Don''t be ridiculous," I scoffed, I could feel my face twisting in irritation. "I''m not interested." Besides, Jan and her were destined for each other. What chance did I have? Jan chuckled, the sound echoing through the crowded hall. "The mind might say one thing, Rel, but the heart can tell a different story." He winked, leaving me flustered and questioning my own story. "Oh! I guess we''ve made it. Why don''t you sit with us, Rel?" Jan asked me offering me to be a part of them. "I like to keep my peace and Bazz stares into my work too much, It would be more ufortable If he was within kissing distance," I said as we walked through the automatic doors. "Ah is that so?" Jan paused as he was stirring up one of his schemes. "Then I''ll make sure he doesn''t do that." He clenched his fist like he would do anything for me. "I''ll consider it though, thanks for the offer Jan," I said as he walked up the staircase sitting at the top row where he and Bazz usually sit. ________ Chapter 40 Training Up! Chapter 40 Training Up! [Lecture Hall 1: ssroom 1-A] Kolek''s voice sliced through the morning chatter. "Silence!" The room snapped to attention, murmurs dying in throats like startled frogs. His gaze, swept the ss, pinning each student with the weight of his announcement. "Before we go into today''s lesson, I have news regarding your academic calendar." A collective exhale rippled through the room. Some faces brightened with anticipation, others contorted with dread. Kolek savoured the moment, a predator studying his prey. "Next week," he drawled, "you''ll face the annual First Years Open''s Invitational Scouting Event. Mandatory. Consider it like a practice exam for your uing practical assignment for this midterm." Disbelief crackled in the air. "What?!" A studentined, "There''s nothing on the schedule except the midterm evaluations!" Voices of simrints echoed, as the sudden uproar of students felt uneasy. Kolek''s gaze swept across the room, cold and calcting not caring for theints of the students. "Your performance will be observed by representatives from various guilds. Impress them, and you may secure an early offer for a top guild. Fail to meet expectations, and you''ll get no offers." Kolek shrugged as he read the information off hisptop. "But sir," a timid voice piped up, "on such short notice?" Kolek''s gaze flicked to the student, a fleeting flicker of annoyance in his eyes. "The board''s decision," he said curtly. "Beyond our influence." The First Years open scouting event is the most anticipated asion for Guild leaders to search for potential members for their guild. Some guild leaders in particr are looking for future heirs to their guild, while others are interested in high profitability in terms of abilities. However, for Jan, this event is where his name will start to catch the eyes of recognition worldwide. Jan the prodigy who''s been chosen to be an emperor among kings. This event is made purely for him alone and to announce to the Hero''s world that this person will be the next big thing and will soon be the number one hero seeding Aurelia. Kolek cleared his throat, dispelling the simmering tension. "Enough chatter. Today''s lesson," he announced, his voice regaining its professorial cadence, "will be a practical crash course in teamwork and opponent analysis. Two-on-two battles, showcasing your abilities and forging strategies in the crucible ofbat." "Obviously It wouldn''t be fair for the top students of the ss to pair with each other so I came up with another genius scheme of pairing." [2 on 2 Pairs] Pair 1 > Rel Laurence [Rank 55] - Jan Ates [Rank 1] < Pair 2 > Valencia Freya [Rank 4]- Miguel N [...] [Rank 50] < Pair 3 > Miya Takeo [Rank 6]- Cam Garcia [Rank 22] < Pair 4 > Louise Villerion [Rank 2] - Luigi T [...] [Rank 54] < Pair 5 > Alice Elizabeth [Rank 3] - Mark C [...] [Rank 53] < Pair 6 > Jae Yoona [Rank 7] - Carlo T [...] [Rank 51] < Pair 7 > Noah Davies [Rank 9] - Lyra te [Rank 15] < Pair 8 Bazz Wong [Rank 10] - Danny [Rank 30] < ... n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om ... .... [Matchups] Pair 2 Vs Pair 4 Pair 1 Vs Pair 3 Pair 5 Vs Pair 8 Pair 6 Vs Pair 7 ... ... .... Miya and Jan? That''s like trying to light a fire with wet paper I muttered, a wry smile twitching at the corner of my lips. Jan, bless his heart, still looked dazed, probably picturing Miya''s storm of steel cutting through his defences like butter. Me? I nced toward Camilia, who was preening like a peacock at the screen. Luckily for me, I''m not gonna be the guy who will be facing him and if I wasn''t paired with Jan I''d be better off dead. As Kolek stood up, we all followed him to the Academy Training Grounds. [Pinnacle Academy''s Main Arenas (West Side)] Kolek, who appeared on a holographic screen, "Five years in the making," his booming voice echoed, "and you guys will be the first to test this fresh turf. This is the newly built Arena Side!" "So what''s the n, Rel?" Jan looked at me as he whispered into my ear gazing at Miya and Camilia. I''m not sure how I''d be able to throw off Camilia in any case but I can guarantee I could shake her off in terms of ranged ability. If I could practice using Mitigation instead of Projectile Disarm it would be better for the practicality of getting better at it. Since Projectile doesn''t require using any type of energy and Mitigation does I''ll have to learn how to manage my mana in these types of special cases. "You can take on Miya one-on-one right? All you have to do is just catch him off guard from each parry use your feet if you have to." Jan looked at me with a confused look but nodded in response. He''ll figure out what I meant when Miya''s overwhelming samurai arrogance brings to his personality. "What about Cam?" "Don''t worry I''ll take care of it." [5 Minutes Later...] [3rd Person POV] Rel and Jan took their positions across the white square tform. Sunlight streamed through the domed ceiling of the new Pinnacle Academy arena, casting sharp shadows on the polished floor. Behind them, the colossal West Sideplex hummed with advanced technology, Kolek''s watchful eyes looking through every holographic screen like hungry spiders. Jan, barely containing his eagerness, bounced lightly on his feet, eyes flickering between Cam and Miya. "Hey, Miya, you got the n memorized?" Cam said as she positioned herself behind Miya. "Yes," Miya replied swiftly and shortly. Camilia wasn''t so ustomed to people''s mannerisms and behaviours like Miya but he acts like a tight ass in her eyes. "I''ll make sure to cover you from all of the archer''s attacks." Cam pointed as she prepared her Staff in hand. "Okay." Miya nodded. Cam, lost in thought, gazed intently at Jan. She believed that Rel was nothingpared to what Valencia had said about him. She sneered at him from across the tform, her fingers twitching with barely contained power. Miya, a statue of stoic steel, stood in front of her, long katana shing in the sunlight. Rel, however, remained calm. He wasn''t worried about the fight at all, their strengths and weaknesses were already known to him from the very beginning. "Cam is powerful but arrogant, prone to overextending her magic," Rel said to Jan "Miya is precise and disciplined, but predictable in his samurai routines." He continued. As they waited for the countdown from Kolek his voice boomed through the arena, shattering the tense silence. "Begin!" Jan shot forward, a blur of silver as he charged towards Cam. Miya reacted instantly, his katana sweeping in a lightning-fast arc to intercept. Jan, his eyes shing with anticipation, twisted his de like a willow branch, the de held still in the air. "You will not get past me Mr. Rank 1." Miya''s de shed once again with Jan''s as his face turned into an excited smile. mes erupted from Cam''s Staff, arcing towards Jan like enraged serpents. Rel, eyes narrowed, saw the attack''s trajectory before it even left her fingertips. His keen mind, amplified by his Water affinity, traced the path of the fire like a river''s current. With a flick of his wrist, Rel knocked an arrow, not on his bow, but against his boot. He stamped his foot, a silentmand, and the arrow shot upwards, propelled by a pulse of water channelled through his veins. It met the first fireball mid-air, exploding in a shimmering cloud of steam, effectively snuffing out the mes before it reached Jan. Cam snarled, "Show off" frustration contorting from her face. She unleashed another volley of mes, this time aiming for Jan''s feet. BANG!, BANG!, BANG! Jan, a blur of quicksilver, danced around Miya''s katana. The polished metal whispered with a deadly hiss as it shed through the air, but Jan was a person built for this type of battle. He caught each second of Miya''s strikes, beginning to understand the anticipation of his attacks and evading every strike. Miya, frustration etching lines on his calm face, unleashed a barrage of attacks, each stroke more fierce than thest. "Galeforce!" Miya yelled as a charged-up tornado unleashed from within him as forceful winds manifested from his de and fiercely charged towards Jan. In perfect timing with the Galeforce and the volleys of fire, a blur of speed unfolded. The attacks disappeared and reappeared elsewhere. A figure from the centre caught Miya''s attention. The power of his wind suddenly shot from above as Jan and Rel stood side by side, and with a kick from Rel''s right foot, a sh of strength propelled Miya backwards, sending him back towards Cam. He sustained considerable damage from Rel''s kick alone. As Jan charged forth towards them, Miya quickly regained his bnce and charged back towards Jan. A gasp escaped Cam''s lips as she watched Miya sh back with Jan. "What? How did he do that?" As the fight continued, Miya couldn''t help but wonder why Rel wasn''t attacking him or Cam. Was it because Rel had cheated his way through the academy with connections? Or was he waiting for the perfect moment to strike? As Miya watched, Rel disappeared from his vision. Miya realized that Jan was only a decoy to dy their duel. He flipped backwards using his Wind attribute to backpedal to Rel. Miya understood that mages were more effective in battles with multiple teammates, so he had to prevent Rel from reaching Cam. With focus, Cam channelled mana into her staff. Bright trails of fire sparked out as her mana enveloped it. With a confident look, she unleashed a spell that zed with a breathtaking intensity. "Fire Ball." "Steel force wind!" From behind, Miya unleashed a vortex of wind, the howl amplifying the inferno''s wrath. Jan''s scream tore through the air. "REL, WATCH OUT!" Cam''s lips stretched into a grim smile. "A double assault, impossible to evade. Surely, even Rel..." BOOM! The fireball and wind vortex detonated in a blinding sh, engulfing Rel in a dust cloud that choked the arena. WHOOSSSHHH The dust cleared, revealing Rel standing still amidst the debris, not even a single scratch had was shown on his clothing. Miya''s face contorted in disbelief. "That should''ve been enough to knock him out." he snarled, frustration twisting his voice. "How... did he do that?" Cam was confused by Rel''s arsenal of abilities but continued to throw more attacks at Jan. As a sense of relief washed over Jan, he took the opportunity to quickly disarm Miya but he wouldn''t give out as their des shed once more sparks erupting like miniature novas. Jan, his footwork a mesmerizing counterpoint, weaved through the storm, a willow bending before the gale. Jan kept dodging and dodging as Rel hadpletely given out as he sat on the ground watching Jan dance from Cam''s attacks and shing with Miya''s de Jan hadpletely understood Miya''s attack pattern as His Eyes of Adaptation had devoured all of his movements, turning Miya''s precision into a predictable ballet. Suddenly, Jan saw it. A flicker in Miya''s eyes, a subtle shift in his stance. The next attack, he knew, would be aimed not at his front, but at his blind spot. With a daring spin, Jan ced himself face-to-face with Miya, their des inches apart. Miya''s katana stopped, frozen in mid-strike, confusion momentarily clouding his gaze. Jan, who hadpletely adapted, anticipates Miya''s final, desperation strike. With a precise counter, he deflects the blow with his foot, the katana spinning through the air, ttering harmlessly away. Miya, disarmed and defeated, stands frozen, the tension thick enough to cut. Across the tform, Cam and Rel witness Miya''s downfall. Cam raised her hand to signal to both Rel and Jan that she surrendered after seeing Miya lose to Jan. Chapter 41 Shopping (1) Chapter 41 Shopping (1) [Damage has been Mitigated] [Damage has been Mitigated] [Damage has been Mitigated] [Luck has been struck! Critical Kick!] My screen exploded with notifications the moment I unmuted it. "Nice job Rel!" Jan pped me on the back, momentarily straightening my hunched posture. "You were unbelievable! How''d you block those attacks without a scratch?" His eyes widened. "Wow, Rel, are you sandbagging? Saving the best forst?" The thought of him even thinking that sent a pang through me. "No, no," I stammered. "I''m pretty weak actually... You''re just overpraising me." An unconvincing smile stered across my face. "But I''ve never seen anything like it! The way you anticipate attacks... I want to learn how to do that!" Jan''s enthusiasm was infectious, his puppy-dog eagerness quickly drained my already low social energy. "Maybeter," I hedged, desperate to get away from him. "If I''m in the mood." "Really?" Jan beamed, and for a moment, his excitement chased away my anxieties. "Jannn! Wait up!" Cam''s voice sliced through our chatter, pulling Jan''s attention away from me. He turned, a confused smile splitting his face as he watched her jog to catch up. "You''re like a whole grade above everyone else. Were you even trying Jan" Cam chimed in praising Jan for his effort. I don''t think Cam appreciated the fact that she didn''tnd a single blow on me or Jan but that was just a skill issue on her side If she wanted to she could''ve. Adjusting my back, I forced myself to move, trailing slowly behind them. Cam and Jan were walking together joyfully and it made me realize something Was Cam into Jan? FWANG! [Alert!] [Story Change!] [Character: Cam has been updated... Side character -> Romantic interest -> Jan Ates.] Well, this doesn''t add up. Is there any reason why this change happened? [This is an A.T. matter, There was a change that has been made to the story!If more changes ur I will try to let you know ASAP Mr Axel (? ?? ? - ? ) ?.] "Thanks a bunch, system," I replied kindly my head still confused with the concerning change. Cam and Jan? Valencia and Jan? I guess there''s nothing I could do about it but this change was shocking to me, to say the least, but should I care about it since there''s only 1 sole winner in that man''s heart? Plus I don''t want to spend any PPP either on fixing this so there''s no point. As we made our way back to ss, I felt a prickling sensation on the back of my neck as we were walking. Each time I turned my neck I could see that Miya was looking elsewhere. Turn Tutu... Tutu... Tutu Miya that F**ker what could he want from me? As we went back and fourth with his constant stare and me turning back to look at him I finally had enough of this guy''s games. "Did I do something wrong?" I turned my head backwards, his unwavering mindlessness wandered. "No," he replied, but his eyes continued to stare into me, examining, analyzing. "Rel... this might seem out of ce, but... do you ever take these fights seriously?" huh... Is this guy serious? His question caught me off guard but was he always this brain dead? "I do," I said, turning to face him. "I don''t see why I wouldn''t" I averted my gaze, "Those attacks... It felt like I hit a wall when it was charging towards you." He said nonchntly. "Maybe you''re just overthinking things and didn''t aim right." quickening my pace I left my truthful lie hanging in the air in case he had more questions. I couldn''t deal with this guy''s behaviour... *** During the battle, I hadn''t realized how taxing summoning the portal had been. It was a gamble trying to conjure it before the match even began. But once the fight kicked off, focusing on manipting the portal felt like it was draining my life force. It appeared, smaller than expected, and erging it while shifting it with my body was a tremendous effort, leaving me exhausted, especially after deflecting those simultaneous attacks. My positioning wasn''t perfect, but it gave me a rough estimate of the mana cost for summoning, moving, and erging the portals. based on my calctions, the mana percentages seemed to hold: 15% per portal summon, 10% for movement, and 25% for ergement. Thankfully, I had enough reserves, and the fight ended quicker than I anticipated. *** [Pinnacle Academy ssrom 1-A] "Good job with today''s practice session guys I''ll see you all in the next period when we do theory so if you forgot your textbook, I advise that you get it before the start of next period," Kolek said as he waved everyone to get up from their seats. RINGGGG! After that exhausting session, I quickly headed towards Allen''s Cafe to grab my go-to meal: a Chicken Caesar wrap and an iced Vani Coffee. Once I had my meal in my hands, I left the cafeteria and settled down at my usual spot near the IDS station. I nned to skip the rest of my sses for the day, go shopping and check out the auctions. "Hey." I lifted my head to see Lyra, her dark hair braided neatly, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Rel, You''re always here." N?v(el)B\\jnn I mumbled a grunt, more interested in my food than conversation. As I munched on my Caesar wrap, I silently nodded in response to her answer. I couldn''t tell if she was still looking at me or not, but it didn''t really matter since I was leaving anyway. "nning on ditching ss again?" she prodded, curiositycing her voice. munch, munch, munch, Why are people asking me so many things today it''s annoying. I couldn''t tell the expression I was making but I could feel my tired face sneer at her question "I am," I muttered, wiping sauce from my cheek. She looked at me confused at my answer. Lyra leaned closer, her gaze unwavering. "Why skip, though? We have a lot of content for our sses you know?" Hmm, I skip because I am better than anyone else at theory without looking at the content.(With the system) Though I''m not willing to tell her that I''ll just say this instead. "I study in my free time" I replied my voice confident with my answer. "Also I''m pretty sure you''re not here to ask why I''m not attending sses, so if you have a question for me, please ask now before I leave." "Okay, Okay, Okay. I''ll get straight to the point" Lyra said as she faced in front of me. "Have you gotten any early entry offers from any guilds so far?" She asked with a business-like look on her face. Is she scheming something? "No. Why?" "Well, I was just asking since there will be a lot of the top guildsing in the next week, I wanted to know how many offers you had, but for a top student in theory with no offers is quite an interesting situation to be in." "You did forget to consider about me beingst in the Practical side of things," I said. But could this be that she might be willing to offer me a spot at her guild in the future? This might be a possibility but with her current status as a member of the Visionary Syndicate, she has yet to make any moves inside of the guild to make her presence known. Although her family owns a portion of thatpany it will soon be hers in a few years. Lyra is an influential person who will be very important in the future. However, she needs a lot of help to climb the ranks of her guild. In the main story, she faced toughpetition as she had many enemies and spies who tried to bring her down by ming her for various guild ventures. Despite the challenges, she used this as an opportunity to prove her worth and showcase her skills on the big stage. In those few years, she became the youngest guild master at the age of 20, and her achievements were immortalized. "Oh, I did forget that after all. But I''m sure a guild out there wants you." She sounded like she was looking down on me rather than reassuring me, But after saying that I realised how worthless next week''s event would be since there was no point in me being there I could just drop off in the first round. "Yeah, you do look like one to forget." I snarled at her as I finished myst bite of my Caesar wrap. "That''s quite rude for someone who hides his abilities." Lyra seemed to look at me with a poutful face. "What could you be hiding to sit at thest ce for our academy practicals." "I have nothing to hide," I said as I took a sip of my Iced coffee. "If I wanted to reach rank one for both theory and practical I would''ve done so by now." Getting up I walked away from Lyra as I had better things to do than to talk to her. At the IDS station of Pinnacle, the station was operated automatically without the need for any guard or attendant. To use the station, students simply had to scan their student ID using the scanner in the room. Once scanned, a holographic UI screen would appear, allowing them to select their desired destination. However, the system had some limitations as students could only travel within a restricted range of locations. Click! [Wee Student: Axel Saint Rel Laurence. Where would you like to go?] _____________ Authors Notes: - The term ''sandbagging'' is basically a term of saying,"Are you holding back?" Chapter 42 Shopping (2) Chapter 42 Shopping (2) [Destination: Seoul IDS Station.] The Seoul IDS station shined under the sterile re of overhead lights. Unlike the bustling chaos of a traditional airport, an air of quietness upied the silence that went with this Station. Attendants, dressed in crisp white uniforms, stood calmly around consoles, their movements echoing with the quiet efficiency of the automated systems. There''s still a point in travelling by ne as transporting many shipments at once through an IDS Station would only create disruptions through the travel path that''s used to locate The Starting Point and The ending point. (Nerding out) As I approached the counter, the attendant, offered a courteous smile. "Wee, Sir. Where would you like to go today?" "734," I breathed, barely containing my excitement. Dawn Frisk''s auction house awaited. The attendant''s fingers danced across a tablet, the gates swirling with energy before solidifying into shimmering portals. "Step through, sir," she gestured, her voiceced with a touch of awe. "Have a wondrous journey." [Dawn''s Estate: Golden Horizon Auctions] The Golden Horizon hosted one of the most eye-catching auctions globally, where Dawn Frisk, a now-retired hero, sold and auctioned many items from his glory days of subjugating dungeons and Journey of the Towers. Despite being an old man, he was remarkably strong and swift, standing as the richest person in the world at one point he was considerably the strongest hero back in his day. Thankfully, he was also known for giving back through his years as a hero and an adventurer. The auction house he created was a ce where the highest luxuries could be sold, and he expanded his benevolence by establishing other Auction Houses such as Silver Horizon and Bronze Horizon for those with tighter budgets. These ces housed numerous rare weapons and items, and today, my visit was driven by curiosity rather than a specific purchase. Since the Golden Horizon''s house was a 35-minute walk from Seoul''s IDS Station, I opted for an Uber to get there. Standing before the golden gates, luxury was apparent at first sight. My equipped cloak concealed my features, aligning with the masked passersby. "Afternoon, sir. What entry ticket are you purchasing today?" The attendant presented a screen with tiers of the auction popping up. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om ????????????? [Golden Horizon''s Tier System] [Tier 1: tinum Ticket] Exclusive Auction ess: - ess to all auctions, including exclusive tinum Room auctions. Priority Bidding: - Ability to ce bids before other tiers. VIP Priority Seating: - Reserved seats in the most premium locations for all auctions. Artifact Insider: - Exclusive ess to pre-auction previews of uing artifacts and materials. ????????????? [Tier 2: Gold Ticket] Premium Auction ess: ess to Gold Room auctions and all auctions in lower-tier rooms. Priority Bidding: - Ability to ce bids before lower-tier passes. - Reserved Seating: Designated seats for Gold Room auctions. Material Maven: Early ess to information on newly avable materials. ????????????? [Tier 3: Silver Ticket] Silver Room ess: - ess to Silver Room auctions and all auctions in lower-tier rooms. Standard Bidding Privileges: - Standard Bidding: Equal footing with other Silver Pass holders. - Open Seating: Firste, first-served basis for auction seating. Artifact Explorer: ess to a curated guide on potential artifacts for bidding. ????????????? [Tier 4: Bronze Ticket] Bronze Room ess:ess to Bronze Room auctions and all auctions in lower-tier rooms. Equal Bidding Ground: - Standard Bidding: Equal footing with other Bronze Pass holders. - Open Seating: Firste, first-served basis for auction seating. Novice Collector: - Basic insights into entry-level artifacts and materials avable for bidding ????????????? "The highest one," I responded swiftly. "tinum?" The attendant purred, eyes glinting as they raked over me. "Rare choice, sir. Most patrons find the Gold tier sufficient." A hint of something ¨C suspicion? Envy? ¨C flickered in their gaze. It was more wise to enter the auctions anonymously than to be known in the crowd since this ce only opens 3 times every month and it''s open until 3 am There was no doubt that going here at this time would be the best time for me to avoid all the strong people. "Alright, sir, the total for today would be $100,000." The holographic screen projected the total, and I swiftly tapped my watch to make the payment. "Are you a member by any chance, sir?" The attendant handed me the ticket, and I wondered about the mention of membership. "No, sorry... But a member of what?" "Oh, since you bought a tinum ticket, I assumed you were a member with us in the Dawn''s Exclusive Membership (DEM) program!" The attendant presented the program, revealing an unexpected opportunity. "Dawn''s Corporation has recentlyunched an exclusive program that allows instant entry across all buildings owned under Dawn Frisk! That includes all arenas globally, along with the auctions and special events hosted by our cooperation. If you''d like, we can register you under our exclusive membership program for free since you''ve already reached the payment threshold required to be a member." If it makes watching and gambling much easier, then a fat yes it is. "Sure," I replied. "No worries! So first of all, we need to verify some information with you. It can be filled in through an app that you would need to download. I''ll write it down for you." He handed me a sheet of paper as more people streamed through the gates, preparing for the day''s auctions. The app was named "Whitelist." Though this wasn''t something I had created I ended up creating an ount and sending all the necessary information to get the membership anyways. "Okay! Thank you very much, Mr. Shadow Writer. Here''s your card, and a piece of advice: it''s much more appropriate to wear a mask over your face instead ofpletely concealing it. There have been instances of people with robes trying to steal from this auction house, especially at this hour. I''ll give you this mask to wear instead ofpletely hiding your features." The attendant handed me an obsidian-ck card with a V-shaped shield and the letter D in white at the centre. "You''re good to go through, and if any bodyguards need inspection checks on you, please cooperate with them withoutint; it makes their job much easier." I nodded, ced the ck mask on my face, and flicked my hood backward as the wind blew against my hair. I made my way through the gates and into the building without much fuss. The automatic doors swung open, showing another world lined with shimmering gold. The main lobby wasn''t just a room it was a cathedral of wealth, disying the skulls of monsters Dawn Frisk had in as Crystal chandeliers, each a miniature neb, cascaded down, casting multicolour reflections on the polished marble floor. The air buzzed with a symphony of whispered conversations and clinking sses. Wealthy customers, dressed in fabrics that seemed spun from moonlight and stardust, glided like exotic fish through the crowd. Jewels winked from fingers and necks, whileughter, as brittle as spun ss, danced on the edges of the room. "Greetings, esteemed patrons!" An announcer spoke over the speakers in the room. "For this evening''s auctions please listen to today''s announcement for any re-arrangements and alerts for on-going bids." As a holographic map shimmered into existence above the crowd, showcasing the mansion''syout. "Straight ahead, with Pure Gold outlines on the doors, lies the Gold Auction Hall. Here, a total of 10 items will be sold from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm and afterwards,plimentary food will be handed out at the end of the auction. for more information on the next gold auction schedule please refer to our website for any inquiries" "To your left, lies the Bronze Auction Hall. Here, A total of 250 items are on for bidding today times will be split into an hour of per 50 items and allplimentary food and drinks are provided as well over the long period of the bronze auction." "To your right, lies the Silver Auction Hall. Here, A total of 210 Items are on for bidding today with times being split into an hour per 50 items and as alwaysplimentary food and drinks are provided." "Last but not least the tinum Auction is located above the Gold Auction hall all information provided will be on the website for the exclusive members..." The announcer gestured towards two gleaming staircases nking the Gold Auction Hall''s entrance, spiralling upwards to the tinum Auction Rooms. A hush fell over the crowd, whispers rippling like mes amidst the anticipation. ___________ Author''s Notes: - damir Bane is a stakeholder in the Golden Horizon''s Auction as he also goes through dungeons to sell items that are deemed useless to him. - Those of the recently turned Demi-Humans (Demon humans) have also been locked up in maximum security prisons for further measures. They''re also being used as test experiments to supposedly try and revert them into humans. - The Mercenaries Cooperation has been one of the most sessful businesses after beingunched by Jaxon Cain when he was 21 years old. With one of the more reliable businesses, the mercenary''s corps has also been hired to celebrate a kid''s birthday one time. ___________ INFORMATION DUMP: Functions of the IDS Station Purified Mana Stones: The core of the tform consists of a medium-sized circr tform made of Purified Mana Stones, each resonating with a unique magical frequency. These stones are meticulously arranged in concentric circles, creating a harmonized field of magical energy. Central Conduit Chamber: At the centre of the tform lies a conduit chamber, where the skilled conductor interfaces with the teleportation system. This chamber is equipped with aser emitter, capable of projecting a focused beam that resonates with the mana frequencies of the stones. Laser Conductor Activation: Upon activation, the conductor''sser (Harmless) emits a focused beam into the array of Purified Mana Stones. Theser serves a dual purpose: it repels mana particles within the enclosed space and generates a negative wave effect that initiates the teleportation process. Negative Wave Effect: The negative wave effect, resembling ripples in a magical pond, begins its journey from the centre of the tform. It travels outward, creating a subtle repulsion of each mana particle present. This controlled repulsion is crucial for inducing ''Particle eleration'' and guiding the user through the quantum ce called ''travel path''. User Encasement: As the negative wave effect spreads, it envelops the user standing within the tform. The user experiences a gentle repulsion, feeling as though carried on a wave of pure mana energy. Particle eleration and Quantum Travel Path: The conductor''sser, working in harmony with the negative wave effect, propels the mana particles and the encased user with precision. This process initiates ''Particle eleration,'' propelling the individual through the quantum travel path an invisible yet controlled route. Reassembly at Point B: At the destination (Point B), the conductor''sser assists in the precise reassembly of the transported individual. The negative wave effect disperses, ensuring a smooth transition from one point to another. Chapter 43 Shopping (3) Chapter 43 Shopping (3) I was tracing the path to the tinum room above. Every fibre of my being hummed with anticipation as I strode towards the twin staircases. Reaching the top two imposing figures nked the ascent, their ck tuxedos blending seamlessly with the surroundings. Shining ck sses masked their eyes, but I felt the weight of their scrutiny as I approached. With a practised flick of my wrist, I presented the tinum ticket to the two. "tinum ess, eh?" One of the guards, a woman with a voice like polished steel, tilted her head, assessing me. "Don''t look like a tinum holder. You sure you''re in the right ce, buddy?" "I''m precisely where I need to be," I replied, my voice firm. The other guard, a man with a scar slicing across his cheek, grunted. "Listen if this ticket is a fake we will detain you on sight" The guard took the ticket off my hands verifying it with his phone. I watched them go through stupid procedures for a few minutes and the woman her eyes boring into mine through the dark ss. "We apologise for the inconvenience we''ve fully verified your ticket you may proceed" a hint of respect in her voice. "Wee to Dawn''s tinum Floor Sir." The guards stepped aside, the heavy doors humming open as I passed through many rooms from what I could smell was food being prepared in one room and the moving and transportation of artifacts through the other rooms. Walking down the hallway it felt unnecessarily long to walk down and I wondered if I was closer to the exit than the actual door. But I had to admire the many disy cases lining against the walls housed with many golden luxuries of Dawn''s adventures. Then after the 5-minute walk down the hallway, the double doors could be seen at the end,belled "tinum Auction Hall" in a swirling, holographic screen. Inside, the murmurs of many wealthy customers, decked in fancy dresses and suits sipping glowing cocktails and eyed each other with a mix of desire and suspicion. The auctioneer, a mboyant man who looked to be in his 40s with eyes like polished gemstones, held the room spellbound as he unveiled the evening''s pi¨¨ce de r¨¦sistance I settled into my plush seat in the tinum Ring. Diamond-encrusted booths, each housing a patron more glittering than thest, surrounded me like polished inds in a sea of velvet darkness. Across the space, the stage shimmered like a holographic oasis, bathed in cascading light that yed upon a velvet-draped pedestal like a spotlight on a forgotten god. "Wee, distinguished patrons, to the Golden Horizon''s Auction! Today, we unveil treasures from Dawn''s collection!" His words whipped the crowd into a frenzy. A bored hairless man with a punctured eyebrow raised a bored hand. "Five million dors for the first artifact," Basically, the auction house was just for filthy rich people who had nothing to spend their money on. The auctioneer chuckled. "The helmet of Alexander?" he held aloft a Golden Corinthian helmet that looked like the helmet of Alexander but I''ll be the judge of that. FWANG! [Item: Helmet Of Parmenio [Grade 2] - Condition: Very Good - Enchantments: None] Helmet of Parmenio? I think he was Alexander''s second inmand during his conquest of Persia. But the helmet was overall good in terms of grading and condition so whoever buys this is going to get scammed for its overpriced name. The first few Bids flew like butterflies. "Seven million!" boomed a voice from a man dressed in a golden tuxedo suit. "Ten million!" shouted a group of ck-coated men. With no voices cutting through the crowd''s chatters, the Auctioneer spoke up once more. "Ten Million!... Going once... Going twice... Sold to the group of ck coats over in the top right section!" The auctioneer shouted as he signalled the workers to bring the next item to auction. As ten minutes turned into 30 I saw some pretty good artifacts go up for sale but none were to my liking, to say the least. I came across some interesting items, such as the Cda sword, a Grade 1 wood material Mahogany, and the Ancient Spell Book of Jafar. But for the spell book toe to me I was as close to a swordsman as to a mage, so I was hesitant to buy it just to keep them away from others. I wondered if it was worth the trouble if those items had no use for me. Probably not. After the constant appraisal for items watching each authentic high-tier item being sold at such high prices even I couldn''t stand a chance at the hands of rich people so I was left with my sighs. Disappointment bit me, but before I could slip away, the auctioneer''s voice, dripping with drama, cut through the air. "And now, the crown jewel of Dawn''s expedition in the towers, it''s an artifact whispered of in legends, sought by our very government and the board of heroes for hundreds of years¡­" He paused, letting the anticipation stretch like a cobweb across the room. "The Dragon''s Tear!" Velvet robes sank away, revealing a teardrop-shaped gem, liquid fire trapped within its facets. My breath hitched. Could it be¡­ The Dragon''s Tear? My fingers itched to see if this was the dragon tier I wrote. "System," I whispered my voice tight with anticipation. "Analyze the item on stage." Fwang! [Sure! Mr Axel :D] [Analyzing Item... Analyzingplete!] [Item: Tier Of Mother Wyvern [Grade 2] - Condition: Perfect - enchantments: None] Another fake, another waste of my time and hope. What were these so-called appraisers even thinking? Frustration bubbled within me, Tier of Mother Wyvern... such a scam artist. "Fifty million to start!" the auctioneer roared, echoing through the hall. A bored voice cut through the air,ced with disdain. "Sixty million," drawled a woman draped in emerald silks, her diamond-encrusted fingers tapping impatiently. A gruff chuckle from the opposite side. "Seventy million! Do you think jewels grow on trees, idiot?" Another old man with a long beard, his robe attire glinting under the lights, mmed his fist on the table. "Eighty million, and not a piece more!" The woman''s voice tightened, betraying a flicker of desperation. "Ny million, and I suggest you remember your ce," the old man countered, his voice dripping with malice. The tension crackled like electricity. Whispers rippled through the crowd, fueled by greed and anticipation. A person dressed in all white, his eyes glowing with confidence, leaned forward. "One hundred million! This artifact belongs to true knowledge!" The Old man roared withughter. "One hundred and ten million! Show me a spellbook that can outbid such an item!" The crowd of bidders broke out into a riot as the bids rose to higher numbers and It finally came to a stop at 450 million dors for a tier... Though I believe that was the current market value of a Wyvern tier I kinda hoped the bids spiked 100 million more so they could get scammed, but I have to remember that being kind is free. I only stayed for a few more minutes for one more item but I realised I was only wasting my time. So I stood up, left the room, and headed to the staircase... Disappointment clung to me like a shroud as I descended the staircase of the tinum hallway. If the Dragon''s tier were actually at The Golden Horizon I would''ve known exactly where to get it but It was only false hope for myself. I had sidestepped myself into thinking the dragon tier would even be at such a ce when I know damn well that it''s on the highest floors of the tower. Today''s auction was just another dead end. As I made my way to the main lobby floor I realised that there were bodies knocked unconscious and the bodyguards from the top floor were also on this floor as well. Sniff, Sniff, Sniff, That smell... What is that? I stood near the entrance door looking to call for help as I covered my nose to stop inhaling that strange smell which made me feel dizzy. Then as looked at the shadows stretching across the polished marble floor, Three figures masked by dark hoods and a gas mask, sprinted towards the main entrance as they dashed out of the three auction areas, arms heavy with plundered treasures. "Oh man, did we pick a good day or what?" one of the thieves cackled, his voice hoarse with adrenaline. "Best payday ever, Ricky!" another chimed in, his loot bag bulging dangerously. "Move it, Dicky! Heroes could be on their way!" a third urged, brandishing a gleaming machete. Suddenly, the thieves screeched to a halt, their gazes locking on me. My ck robe, billowing slightly in the draft from the smashed entrance doors, and the half-mask obscuring the upper half of my face seemed to momentarily stun them. "What the ¨C who''s this?"The thief spat, his hand tightening around the grip of his pistol. The other thief the machete-wielder, scoffed. "Some wannabe hero ying dress-up? Pathetic." But there was a tremor in his voice, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. My silence and the unsettling stillness emanating from me were unexpected variables in their escape n. Unfazed by their initial reaction, I stepped forward, my voice calm but firm. "Leave the treasures and I''ll act like nothing ever happened." The thieves exchanged nces. My unexpected calmness unnerved them more than any confidence they might have. "Yeah, right," scoffed they, though his boldness sounded strained. "Like you could stop us." "Three against one," the machete-wielding thief sneered, his voice dripping with false bravado. "Easy pickings!" ___________ Authors Notes: n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om - The pi¨¨ce de r¨¦sistance: means the most important or remarkable feature of a work. - The Dragon tier is a material made from the tears of a dragon. This material is highly valued because it is believed to contain an immense amount of power and mana, which can multiply anyone who consumes it fivefold. Chapter 44: The Unlucky Thieves [The Golden Horizon''s Auction house] [Main Enterance] {Rel''s Pov} [Story Side Quest!: 3 for 3! Defeat The Infamous Theifs of Golden Horizon!] [Rewards: 5.00 Strength, 25 QP, 2.50 HP] A Quest? Well it''s been a minute since the system has given me one but is it worth using QP on this? "System what are the reward enhancements if I add QP to the side quest?" [Here are the following reward enhancements!] [Current QP: 185] >[Base Reward: 5.00 Strength+, 25 QP+, 2.50 HP+] >[45 Point Rewards: 8.50 Strength+, 15 QP+, 6.00HP+] >[Maximum Reward 100 Points: 11.50 Strength+, 10.00HP+] This is not really what I was expecting... But I think the base reward already looks good enough. I also don''t want to be facing them with restrictions so It''d be better to just to defeat them now and probably use the QP for better rewardster. "Let''s just keep it to the base reward system..." I said while carefully watching the thiefs movements. [Sure! Mr. Axel ?? and Also you still have the 1+ Upgrade for the standard abilities.] [Would you like to use it now?] Oh... I hadpletely forgotten about that. Well, I haven''t been using Vulnerability Reader as ofte but I should''ve just upgraded Projectile Disarm much sooner than needed. "Can I upgrade projectile disarm?" I asked. [You sure can!] [Processing Standard Upgrade... 25%... 50%... 100%... Upgrade Complete!] Like a standard loading bar in the game I just looked at the window slowly progress like the system couldn''t just instantaneously move it up a grade. [Standard Ability: Projectile Disarm [Grade 4] -> [Grade 3]...] [Projectile Disarm: The ability is a precision-focused skill that allows the user, to actively deflect or parry iing projectiles with remarkable uracy.] [Your ability can now parry weaponry onmand upon activating the ability: projectile disarm.] This definitely makes it more than just a disarming ability but now I can deflect weapons and maybe even Jan and Louise''s attacks... Actually that sounds like a stretch. As the trio dropped their bags, weapons shing under the dim glow of the remaining chandeliers a pistol, a sword, and the menacing glint of cold steel. [Tenacity has been activated!] [You''ve gained a strong resistance to the sleeping gas.] This does answer the question to why I was able to stand against them in the first ce. I was unarmed and hopelessly outnumbered, I didn''t have my bow or crossbow on me either. I''m useless against these guys. I felt a small thump hit the back of my heel as I moved away towards the front door as my footnded on an unconscious guard crumpled at the entrance, a discarded pistol lying beside him like a forgotten toy. I quickly took the pistol and my fingers closed around the cool metal of the weapon, a strange sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu washing over me. Though I help it this feeling felt familiar somehow... Suddenly, a deep roar shattered the tense silence. "Let''s teach this wannabe hero a lesson!" The pistol-wielding thief raised his gun at me but I had nothing to worry about. CHING! Focusing on the build-up of mana within me I had manifested a lot of my mana to summon a medium-sized portal that was about the size of my head and luckily it was able to turn transparent since the bright light would''ve been a hindrance to my vision and I had nothing to worry too much apart from the melee range criminals. "Die wannabe hero!" BANG! BANG! BANG! As the thief pulled the trigger, I activated the clockwork of time just to be safe so that the bulletsnded towards my portals, with time slowed, the bullet''s trajectory etched in an agonizingly clear line. Safely the bullet made its way through the portal exiting out the other portal I had ced at the back of my head. his face smiled as if he waited for my head to be blown off but I was still standing looking at him like I was waiting for something to happen. A flicker of doubt reced his earlier sneer. "Did... I miss?" he stammered. "Ricky! You idiot how could you miss an open shot like that?" Mitigation is my knight in shining armour... Still holding this gun, there are bullets loaded into this clip and even if this is a novel I don''t think killing is right. But they could always get their injuries healed since there are machines that could fix what couldn''t be done back on my earth. I held the gun pretty firmly but could I shoot someone and not feel anything? Images shed in my mind of monsters that I had fought, driven by instinct and survival. Were these criminals any different? My stomach felt uneasy. No, they weren''t mindless creatures. They were people, capable of feeling and understanding. There were too many questions to ask but my hands were shaking at the thought of harming a person. The acrid scent of smoke and sweat filled my lungs as the thieves moved, weapons shing in the dim light. My ck robe felt heavy, suffocating, under the weight of their gazes. They saw a hero, a potential threat and I just needed to render them unconscious so I couldplete this quest. But instead of drawing the gun against them, I let it tter to the floor with a resounding ng. Their gazes snapped to my empty hands, surprise looks on their faces. "I don''t need this," I said, my voice steady despite feeling a little scared. "I''ll beat you three with my own two hands." I needed to trust myself that I could win without a weapon. "Did the wannabe hero forget his toy?" the pistol thief, cackled, gesturing towards the discarded gun on the floor. "Guess he learned his ce after all." the hulking machete wielder, snorted. "Yeah, right. Do you think you can take us all on, barehanded? That''s rich!" The third thief, the silent short swords, remained impassive, but a smirk tugged at his lips. The unspoken message was clear he thought I was naive foolish person. I''d like to show them that I''m not just an archer... But an archer who could throw these hands. With a burst of speed, I closed the distance on the shooter, using his surprise to my advantage. My foot shot out, connecting with his gun hand. The pistol flew across the room, ttering harmlessly against a fallen statue. The man with the machete roared, his blur of steel as he swung down. I leaned back avoiding the de, feeling the wind of its course kiss my chest. As he stumbled in his attack, I sprang up, delivering a sharp kick to his knee. He bellowed in pain, dropping to one hand, momentarily incapacitated. With a fist that connected to his face hended face t onto the ground. [Sixth Sense Passive Has Been Activated!] Then a sharp feeling had my senses on edge and as I saw the twin des shing. My body reflexively moved on it''s own with my right hand a sh of ck lightning enveloped around me as I saw the man with the short swords strike down from above my hand in one strike connected with the two des. [Parry Sessful!] I had parried the two swords and returned with a kick to his leg. He stumbled, dropping one of his swords. "AHRH!" He screamed in pain from my kick. SHING! As the man with the machete got up once more he swung at centre of my chest and a loud force of wind blew into his face looking at me in confusion as if his weapon had hit a brick wall. "What the?" He looked at me confused and a wide grin was put on my face. (I had two sandwiches ready for him.) ESH, ESH! I struck his right cheek with my right hand with and then followed with an uppercut to his jaw and he was sent flying with a boost of power... [Critical Hit!] Seconds after 2 des appeared before my eyes and I could see that the duel wielder recovered and I followed with a right jab to his chest. [Critical Hit!] As a another spark of ck lightning appeared out of my fist he was sent flying away into a wall. Wondering where the shooter went he was crawling onto the floor trying to reach for the gun after I had defeated his two fellow friends. "Don''t MOVE!" He grabbed the gun after pointing it straight at me. But I didn''t even bother listening as I slowly walked towards him. Tap... Tap... Tap... "IM BEING SERIOUS I''LL SHOOT YOU!" Still I had not listening and then I could see the shaking fear of his hands pulling the trigger. BANG! BANG! BANG! All the shots fired were useless against me. The bullet tracers disappeared into thin air and with a face twisted in a mask of desperation. his hands shook, betraying his fear. His weapon which had no ammo left to shoot, reced by a whimper of defeat. "Look," he rasped, voice hoarse, "we messed up, alright? Just let us go, and we''ll disappear, I swear!" Part of me wanted to leave them be and just go but since they had already wasted my time here I might as well finish them off and get the rewards for this quest. "Yes," I said, my voice barely a whisper, but carrying the weight of conviction. "I''ll Disappear once you''re asleep." Clenching my fist with all the strength I swung at him and a sh of ck lightning poured out from my fists once more. [Critical Hit!] I could feel my body only get more exhausted after beating these guys up. My mana reserves feel over-exhausted from using Mitigation. haah.... taking a deep breath of relief I think after today I''d probably just chill out for the rest of the weekend. I couldn''t see any reason why I would need to go outside. [Quest Complete! Story Side Quest!: 3 for 3! Defeat The Infamous Theifs of Golden Horizon!] ___________ Authors Notes: - Everyone is born with an essence or a core of mana it is up to the dedication of the person to learn how to use it which is the reason why some people know how to use their talents or not. - Rel back in his earth was a dan 2 ck belt in taekwondo during his prime years as a teenager. Chapter 45: Jaxon Cain | Scouting Invitational Tournament (1) [Quest Completed!] [Story Side Quest!: 3 for 3! Defeat The Infamous Theifs of Golden Horizon!] [Rewards are being transferred... Transferplete!] ________________ The following stat points have been updated: |Strength: 24.00 -> 29.00 (5.00+) | | Health: 95.50 -> 98.00 (2.50+) | _______________ The noxious fumes of this sleeping gas stung my nostrils like a thousand angry bees. Thanks to tenacity It didn''t have much of an effect on me so I opened the door to let out the sleeping gas hoping that the people affected could wake up quicker. WEEWOO, WEEWOO, WEEWOO, The wail of approaching sirens shattered the tense silence and I just sat down looking at the thieves knocked out cold after I beat them to a pulp. Peering through the doorway, I saw a swarm of blue and red lights pulsing towards me. It was the police and Heroes, thank goodness. A collective gasp filled the room as the pungent odour hit them. I watched, nose wrinkled, as they fumbled for handkerchiefs or covered their faces with sleeves. Even the stoic police chief, a woman with steely eyes and a jaw permanently set, winced as she pulled out a mask. While I crouched beside the door I removed the gas masks from the faces of the three thieves revealing their faces. One by one, the masksnded beside me as I looked at the three idiots. "Hold it right there!" A barkedmand snapped me to attention. A young officer, eyes wide and gun drawn, pointed it at me. "What are you doing?" I straightened, meeting his gaze withposure. "Officer, I''m the one who called you. These individuals used sleeping gas and I subdued them before they could harm anyone." He didn''t lower his weapon, but his eyes flickered to the masks at my feet. "And those?" "Evidence," I exined, my voice calm even under the scrutiny. "They belong to the perpetrators." Then out of nowhere a man in a brown coat and a ck suit appeared. It was clear to see who he was and I wouldn''t ever be mistaken by the appearance of his ugly-shaped hat. [Vice leader Of the Visionary Syndicate (Guild Rank: 2 Globally) Dempsy te] He was one of the greatest detectives and if not the greatest detective of all time. His ability ''Decipher'' was able to pick up specks of information from a crime scene and generate an almost near infinite amount of possible scenarios which shows what could''ve and would''ve happened. I made this character the best version of what Sherlock could''ve been and judging from his confident aura he gestured for the officer to stand down as his gaze swept over me. He looked at my clothes (slight blood stains), my demeanor, and the masks on the floor. His right eye which held the ability to decipher glow a bright violet as it analyzed my clothing. A few seconds after he had a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "Alright," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. "Tell me what happened here." He acted to me like he didn''t know what happened but he''s a man of reassurance so he knows that the possible ''scenario'' he saw matched with what he saw in his ideal possibility. As I recounted the events, the heroes and police were around, murmuring amongst themselves. They had checked the camera footage to see what had happened but there was someone skilled enough to disable them for a short period and the footage they had saw was Rel sitting down after beating down the criminals. "Intriguing," he finally said. "Theck of footage is... concerning, to say the least." The scene unfolded, questions answered, and statements were taken. The heroes eventually dispersed, leaving the police to process the scene and the criminals. As they loaded the unconscious figures into a waiting van, Dempsy stayed behind. "I haven''t made a habit of doubting those who call me," he stated, his voice surprisingly gentle. "But as you said, evidence matters. That''s where Ie in." He held out his ID, the name ''Dempsy te'' embossed in gold. "Detective te," he introduced himself with a nod. "And let''s just say, I excel at finding what''s hidden." Yes, I know that already dumbass. So I just smiled. "Oh, I forgot to ask," he said, his voiceced with curiosity. "Were you the mercenary hired from Jaxon''s Corps?" Jaxon''s Corps? Did he seriously think I was from his mercenaries corps? Well, the theme of having all ck did match the attire of my robe but I only used it to cover my school clothing. "No. I''m not a part of any type of organization." As Dempsy stroked his chin confused by my answer he looked at me from up and down again thinking of what to say. "Really? That was unexpected... But judging from what you look like you''re an academy student right?" A prickle of unease crawled up my spine. Perhaps my disguise wasn''t as seamless as I''d hoped. Well it was expected he figured me out sooner but I didn''t think it would be this fast. "Could you take off your mask and show me who you are?" A tant answer indeed but I like to keep my identity a secret to all those guild informants especially him. "um... I think it''s best If I just keep the mask on"I said nodding like he was gonna forcefully rip it off my face. Dempsy shrugged a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Suit yourself, kid. But trust me, your secret won''t stay hidden forever, especially considering¡­ well, let''s just say you''re a first year attending the same academy as my nephew." He climbed into the waiting limousine, muttering something about him saying he''ll figure me out under his breath. As the car pulled away, a deep, gravelly voice sent shivers down my spine. "Hey." I turned my head around slowly, my heart hammering against my ribs. A towering figure d in ck and a mask that he breathed out of, the unmistakable emblem of the Mercs Corp shining on his chest. [Jaxon Cain Leader Of The Mercenary Coorperation] It was Jaxon Cain in the flesh someone who I didn''t want to meet and would never want to see... Though his broad shoulders are rxed, his gaze is steady but devoid of hostility. He seemed too calm, "You seem troubled," he remarked, his voice surprisingly smooth, almost¡­ gentle. I swallowed hard, unsure how to respond. This wasn''t the intimidating mercenary I''d envisioned. But before I could fully think of what to say, Jaxon''s voice cut through the silence. "You aren''t from my ward are you?" He asked changing his calm look to a more intimidating expression, "My men were hired to guard this building today, and three of them seemed to bepletely absent." Jaxon''s gaze sharpened, "Did you happen to see¡­ a swordsman, an archer, and a bruiser? Anything at all?" My mind raced. Were the missing mercenaries the ones I''d fought earlier? Wait but that''s impossible because the two had swords and the other had a gun for a weapon so I answered his question without hesitation "No, sir. I didn''t see anything out of the ordinary." Jaxon didn''t seem entirely convinced, but he grunted in dismissal. "Keep your eyes peeled, then. If you see anything unusual, anything at all, report it immediately." "Were you watching that fight the entire time?" I asked, curiosity and suspicion mixing in my voice. The pressure intensified as he turned around to look at me. "Yes. You are certainly different from what I had expected," he admitted, avoiding specifics. "You may not look like one of my men, but you possess a certain... resourcefulness." He said. My stomach felt beyond ufortable from hearing those words. Jaxon''s gaze held mine, unreadable. "Perhaps not," he conceded. "But the world, for a kid like you, isn''t ck and white and if you ever think of bing a mercenary then go to this address." He took a step back, extending a hand with a silver business card... I was stunned and confused by the sudden offer. Could this day get any weirder? With a curt nod, Jaxon disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving me alone with the business card in my hand. ... ... ... [3 dayster...] [Monday, 6:30 AM] [Pinnacle Academy 1st Year Male Dorm Rooms] [Before the start of the Scouting Invitational Tournament] RUMBLE, RUMBLE, RUMBLE Tremors rattled my sleepy brain. Groaning, I burrowed deeper into my pillow, desperately clinging to thest ounce of sleep that I had. But It was useless... The sounds of grunts, thumps, and ngs emanating from every direction were relentless. I know today''s first-year dorm students were preparing for the uing Scouting Invitational Tournament with the enthusiasm of a rampaging herd of elephants. Peeking out from under the covers, I squinted at the clock. 6:30 AM. Was it really necessary to start this pre-tournament ritual at the crack of dawn? Did they think the judges awarded points for early morning noise pollution? I just wanted a sound sleep in my newfy pajamas... ____________________ Authors Notes: - Jaxon Cain''s Main ability: ''Mother Earth'', granting him affinity and control over the four fundamental elements: Air, Rock, Water, and Fire. This unique power allows him to harness the forces of nature simultaneously, enabling a seamless blend of elemental maniption. - Dempsy''s Main Ability: Decipher grants him an exceptional talent for extracting and processing information from any type of scene, With this power, he can pick up minuscule details and reconstruct a myriad of possible scenarios, providing invaluable insights into the events that urred. Chapter 46: Scouting Invitational Tournament (2) Dragging myself out of bed, I shuffled to the window and threw it open. The sight that greeted me was almost as impressive as my transmigration here. The first-year dormitory grounds were swarmed with even more early birds than usual, all engaged in various forms of pre-battle stretching, shadowboxing, and weapon polishing. It was enough to make me regret writing in the first ce... It was quiet for the 5 hours I slept in It makes me wish I could''ve just bought an apartment and travelled all the way here.. With a sigh, I resigned myself to facing the day. Tournament or not, a decent breakfast still held the power to improve my mood. Luckily during the weekend, I went grocery shopping to prepare the set of meals I''ve been having so I could gain more muscle and put on a bit more weight. "System." I called. [Hello Mr Axel! What can I do for you today?] "Can I see the copied recipes I''ve bought with PPP?" [Sure! :D] [Loading Copied Recipes... Loading... Complete!] FWANG [Axel Saint Rel Laurence Copied Recipes and Effects Menu:] [Peaceful Salmon Bagel. Effects: Eating this will calm all your nerves for an hour.] [Perfected Vani Latte. Effects: Drinking this will enhance your awareness for 2-3 hours.] [Allen''s Special Caesar Wrap. Effects: Eating this will boost your strength attribute by 2.5%] [Omu Fried Rice. Effects: Eating this will recover 20% of your missing stamina] [Warning: Recipes with effects made by a user who is not knowledgeable in cooking can cause a decreased variation of the effect such as the only applicable value for Omu fried rice being 20% could decrease to 10% depending on how it''s made but the effect would remain the same regardless.] With all the prep I''ve been doing for these past 2 weeks I think cooking these would go pretty well. A smug grin stretched across my face as I donned my apron, ready to cook these copied recipes I''d snagged with my hard-earned PPP. The first thing for breakfast today was the Omu Fried Rice, which had a 20% stamina boost when cooked perfectly. [Recipe Replication Has Been Activated!] I followed the instructions of how the recipe was supposed to be made, cracking eggs, prepping the rice, and even flipping the omelette with an almost professional ir. Confidence bloomed in my chest like a perfectly risen souffle. Then came the moment of truth... the fried rice sauce. As I poured it in, a pungent odour, a bizarre mix of burnt caramel and regret, assaulted my nostrils. "Oh shit..." I muttered, peering into the now-charred pan. The optimism that was practically my middle name battled with the undeniable evidence of culinary disaster. Maybe just¡­ a little overcooked? Surely it would still work, just¡­ differently. With a forced smile, I ted the rice, the once-fluffy omelette clinging stubbornly to the te. I took a tentative bite. UGH My face twisted just a bit, but from what I could tell the texture was off, dry and chewy, a sign of things toe. The vour¡­ oh, the vour. The burnt sauce ruined everything, a bittersweet assault on my taste buds. As I analyzed the omelette the system didn''t lie at all about the decrease in numerical value. [Omu Fried Rice [Overcooked]. Effects: Eating this will recover 10% of your missing stamina.] I sighed as I dismissed the screen, the effect was diminished by a small mistake. Still, I finished the te and proceeded to cook the other foods preparing them into my bento lunch box. My confidence might be slightly hurt, but at least the others didn''t end as badly when I cooked them apart from the drink. I just ced bottles of water in my bag instead. With a determined grin, I grabbed my battle uniform, the familiar weightforting in my hands. Unfolding the clothing, I was surprised at how it looked on me. The oncefortably loose white sports shirt, ented with dark blue, seemed¡­ tighter. I slipped it on, the fabric straining faintly across my chest and arms. looking in the mirror, I couldn''t deny it my relentless gym sessions had indeed paid off. My once skinny and lean teenager from a few months ago. Now, had my almost defined muscles peeked through the fabric. A satisfied smirk crept onto my face. Running a hand through my slightly messy hair, I adjusted the dark blue pants, ensuring they were secure and I''d be on my way out. RINGGGG After I finished dressing up and constantly checking myself out my MK II watch buzzed. [You''ve Got A Notification: First Year ss 1-A Announcement] [Sergio Kolek] <7:00 AM>: Good morning, My First Year ss, Please head to our normal homeroom ss for a roll call. Be sure to be there at 8:45 AM so I can hand down further instructions before we head down to the Main Arena lobby. Make sure you have lunch packed or have money ready to spend at the food vendors at today''s event, other than that please don''t bete and as always have a great day. Looking at the message it seems that everything is going as nned just like in the novel and all I wanted to do today was forfeit out on the first round and watch who would be second ce against the likes of Jan. [Pinnacle Academy Lecture ssroom: 1-A] [Monday, 8:25 AM] As I entered the ssroom there was a lot of chatter filled with friendly curiosity and others with barely concealedpetitiveness. Among them, Valencia''s face lit up like a beacon. Despite the distance, I could almost hear her and her group''s enthusiasm radiating towards me. "Did you see the bracket yet?" Lyra practically shrieked, leaning closer to Valencia, her voice barely above a whisper. "Anyone here could face Jan in the first round! Imagine..." Cam chuckled, shaking her head yfully. "Calm down, Lyra. You''re getting ahead of yourself. We haven''t even seen the bracket or the official announcement yet." Valencia nodded in agreement, but her own eyes were excited with anticipation. "Cam''s right, Lyra. But even for someone like Jan I just wonder if he''ll be number one again." I couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow at their conversation. Yes, Jan was made to win this tournament but was I missing something here what did she mean by number one? Well, I shouldn''t care too much about it so I made my way to my usual spot, near the second row on the right, close to the windows that streamed in the morning light. But before I could drop down in my seat, my gaze settled on another corner of the room. Jan who was sitting down surrounded by our ss of admirers, looked towards me in a friendly gesture. To my surprise, he patted the empty seat beside him with a wide smile. was he inviting me to sit with him? yeah... nah. I''m not walking all the way there just to join him so I just smiled and nodded saying not today. Then looking at the 2 rows above me Alice and Jae, looked like usual peace amidst the pre-tournament buzz. Alice, who could or should fall during the semi-finals against the likes of Louise seemed to be caught up in her reading habit as her nose was buried in a text, while Jae, who sat right next to Alice her expression calm and serene. As I settled in, Kolek strode into the room, his booming voice momentarily silencing the chatter. "Good morning, ss," he addressed us, as he ced hisptop down on the podium. "I know you''re all excited today, judging by the early morningints from the second and third years." Laughter rippled through the room, the tension momentarily dispelled. These were the same peopleining about it happening on short-term notice. Hypocrites... "Today is a special day," Kolek continued, his voice turning serious. "The Scouting Event. Many top-tier guilds will be present, observing your skills and potential. I won''t spoil any surprises, so keep your eyes peeled." A wave of excited murmurs broke out as Kolek outlined the tournament format. "There will be fifty groups, each with twenty students, participating in a round-robin tournament. It willst over a week depending on how quickly the fights go, considering therge size of our first-year batch." Kolek''s lips twitched slightly. "A thousand students ¨C can''t say I haven''t seen a sight like that before. Now, remember, this is more than just apetition. It''s a chance to showcase your abilities, impress potential sponsors, and pave the way for your future within the guild system." Kolek continued with the announcement, outlining the group formation process and the first round matchups and we proceeded to head out towards the main arena side. _____________________ Authors Notes: - Pinnacle Academy had a high entry eptance after changing principals and the exams for theory and practical. - The Hero Prep Academy held all the prolific students who went on to enter the Pinnacle Academy. Jan was the previous winner of the previous Little Heroes tournament which had the likes of Louise, Valencia, and Alice. Jan earned his schrship to the Pinnacle Academy by winning the tournament. - Jae Yoona''s main ability is called: Overclocked Eyes this ability allows her to see opponents with or without mana signatures in a 5km radius. This ability also assists in marksmanship aspared to Rel''s ability to clockwork time she can overclock her eyes to see time slower but not to the extent of how Rel uses his ability. This ability also allows for effortless adaptation to fast-moving targets or any target that can move faster than the superhuman eye giving her a boost in strength, muscle memory and eye tracking. Chapter 47: Scouting Invitational Tournament (3) Authors Note: Okay just a reminder there are a few repetitive parts that may ur such as a lot of important names being revealed in bold italics such as this: Example: [ (Name) + (Affiliation) + (Additional Information) ] please let me know if you''re not a fan of it so I can take notes for introduction purposes. Zowji - ???? ¡¥???¡¥?? )? ___________ [Pinnacle Academy: Guest Lobby] [9:45 AM] {Third Person POV} The air buzzed with nervous excitement, guild leaders and their representatives adjusting cufflinks and straightening ties. Despite the formality, there was a real sense of anticipation beneath it all ¨C the Scouting Event was a rare opportunity to secure the next generation''s brightest talents. A deep voice,ced with irritation, cut through the murmur. "Sir, there has to be an exnation for this!" [Fredrick Bronze 3rd Captain Of The Miracle Guild. (Rank 3 Hero Nationally for Australia)] Fredrick Bronze, an imposing vice-captain for the Miracles Guild, walked beside him, his brow furrowed in a thundercloud. "You had a vital business call scheduled ¨C the Ironforge deal -" The old man chuckled a dry rasp that did little to appease his Vice-captain. "Fredrick, business dealse and go. But talent like this? It only arises once in a generation." He raised a hand, silencing Frederick''sints. "Besides, you know I wouldn''t miss my daughter''s big moment for the world." [Gerrard Freya Leader Of The Miracle Guild (Rank: 1 (World Wide)] Fredrick sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. Gerrard could hear the unspoken understanding in his tone. Valencia, Gerrard''s daughter, was not just any participant. She was their legacy, the heir and sole sessor to Freya''s Guild. Her performance wouldn''t just affect her future; it would shape the guild''s trajectory. They reached the double doors of the meeting room, engraved with the insignia of the Pinnacle Academy. Gerrard pushed them open, his weathered face hardening into a mask of stoicism. "Mr. Freya! An honour to have you grace us with your presence," Idris greeted, extending a hand. "Please, take a seat, the meeting will begin shortly." [Milio Idris President Of The Heroes Association] Ahead of him stood Milio Idris, President of the Heroes Association, his youthful features belying his sharp political sense. A warm smile lit up his face as he spotted Gerrard. Gerrard took his hand in a firm shake, his gruff voiceced with amusement. "President Idris, ttery will surely get you ces ¨C if not today, then perhaps in the next election." Idris chuckled, gesturing towards the head table. "Indeed, politics never sleep, even for a day," he winked. "Though today, the focus is on the future ¨C and our first meeting in a while." Gerrard nodded, his gaze sweeping across the room,nding on Kang Villerion, leader of the Trinity Centurions. Kang, younger than Gerrard by a mere year, was already sporting a weary smirk. Fredrick was going to follow suit but he ended up being dismissed by Gerrard leaving the meeting room. "Kang, old friend!" Gerrard''s voice boomed across the room tinged with joy. "Fancy seeing you here. Thought you''d be too busy rotting away in that old chair of yours!" [Kang Villerion Leader Of Trinities Centurions (Rank 3)] Kang''s lips stretched into a sly grin. "I''d rather be outside than be an elderly rotting in my mansion." He patted the seat beside him. "Join me, before these youngsters overrun us with their youthful energy." Gerrard chuckled as he settled into the seat. "Ah, Kang, haven''t we seen it all before? Yet, here we are, drawn back to the arena once more." "Ah yes, Just like in our first year... when we tied after knocking each other out in the final" Kang countered, his smirk fading into a contemtive frown. "But this feels different, doesn''t it? a new generation ready to etch their names in legend." Gerrard raised an eyebrow. "You sound like a worried father, Kang. Has the weight of leadership finally settled on your broad shoulders?" Kang snorted. "Perhaps. But it''s more than that, Gerrard. The world seems...unstable. These prodigies, they could tip the scales, alter the bnce we''ve strived so hard to maintain." A sh of steel flickered in Gerrard''s eyes. "Or they could usher in a new era, one where the lines between guilds blur and true heroism take centre stage. Remember, Kang, we were once those untested prodigies ourselves, shaking the old guard with our dreams." "Indeed," Kang admitted, a spark of his old fire returning. But his grin turned predatory. "Speaking of dreams, my son Louise? He''s been training relentlessly every day. This tournament is his, mark my words." Gerrard scoffed, his amusement evident. "Don''t get ahead of yourself, Kang. My Valencia may not be as shy as your son, but when she puts her mind to it..." He trailed off, a knowing glint in his eyes. "She could crush him if she took things more seriously." "You wanna bet on that?" Kang''s fire reignited. "I''ll make sure you eat your words" Gerrard retorted... Meanwhile, across the other side of the room, other guild leaders mingled, each with their agendas and anxieties. "Ajax," she said, her voice clipped and direct, "The rumours about these prodigies. who are you keeping your eye on in this tournament?" [Ajax Von Jr Leader Of The Visionary Syndicate (Rank 2) ] Ajax chuckled, his smile easy and confident. "Always eager to jump to the action, Yuka. I wouldn''t expect anything less. But let''s not ignore the element of surprise, shall we? This event is full of unknowns, each with the potential to shine." [Yuka Azira Leader Of Legion New Force (Rank 4) ] Yuka narrowed her eyes, unimpressed by his evasive answer. "Don''t y coy, Ajax. You always have a favourite. Spill it." A sly grin spread across Ajax''s face. "Very well, if you insist. My eyes are on Lyra, our newest recruit. Young, yes, but I''m also here for another candidate under her suggestion." Yuka scoffed. "another candidate? So you insist on offering 2 early offers." Yuka stroked her chin modestly "You''re gambling on potential over proven skill, that''s unlike you." "Perhaps," Ajax countered, his smile unwavering. "But sometimes, the greatest discoveriese from those who dare to break the mould. Besides, a little healthypetition never hurt anyone, right?" Yuka snorted. "Healthypetition, or another pawn in your borate guild? Don''t underestimate me, Ajax. I have my prodigy to watch,And that''s Jan. He may not be shy, but his discipline and focus are unmatched." A murmur rippled through the nearby guild leaders. While the name "Jan" resonated, They have yet to see him in action. They knew of him and his previous achievements back at the Prep academy but his skills remained shrouded in mystery. "Jan, of the Legion New Force? An intriguing choice, Yuka. Tell us more about this hidden gem." [Oberon Starcaster Leader Of the Infra Tech Innovators Guild] Oberon Starcaster, leaned closer, his mirrored sses glinting with curiosity. Yuka raised her chin, suspicious that Oberon already knew of Jan but she continued anyway. "From what I heard he''s a top-ss swordsman amongst the first years of Pinnacle. There''s also a rumour that he possesses 6 elemental attributes." With Yuka pointing out that Jan had more magic elements than the current top-ss mage Aeliana Bell there were even small talks about adding Jan to the scouting watchlist. "A swordsman with 6 elemental attributes? Sounds like my kind of hero!" [Hugo Zane Leader Of Runebound (Rank 8)] "Just remember, Yuka, the arena reveals all. Let''s see if your Jan lives up to the expectations." Hugo Zane, the boisterous leader of the Runebound, boomed withughter. "Hidden potential can indeed blossom into greatness, Yuka. But remember, true strength lies not just in power, but in wisdom and understanding." [Ivan Rafael Leader of The Lorekeepers League (Rank 9)] Ivan Rafael, the schrly leader of the Lorekeepers League, stroked his beard thoughtfully. While everyone at the table was bombarding Yuka with many questions and lectures another person entered the conversation "Interesting... Yuka you talk like you''ve already offered the boy a contract?" The double doors opened up and the prodigy mage arrived on the scene. [Aeliana Bell Lotus Society Leader (Rank 7)] Yuka ended up flinching at the thought of the words uttered by Aeliana and she showed a flicker of vulnerability to the guild leaders. "Does that mean yer boy yi call, is up fer grabs?" Avoice boomed across the room. [Dean Fynn Leader Of Glided Tycoon (Rank 10)] There was an outburst concerning whether Yuka secured an early agreement with Jan. Which meant that the guildmasters within the room were certain that they at least had a chance of signing the wonder kid of Pinnacle Academy. BANG! The double doors opened from a strong wind. With everyone looking towards the entrance of the lobby the final guild master had arrived at the meeting. "Sorry, I''mte everyone..." The man announced as he took his seat at the end of the table. "Shall we have our first meeting after 3 years?" [Julian George II Leader Of Van Guardians Forge (Rank 5) _____________________ Authors Note: - Fun Fact: Gerrard Freya and Kang Villerion were a part of the same guild in their younger years. Which was the Guild: Golden Horizon. led by Dawn Frisk who was the strongest in the world at the time. After Dawn retired the two fought over for ownership of the guild. Gerrard and Kang fought for 3 days and 2 nights with the result being a tie. Dawn decided that it wasn''t fair that 2 of the new gens strongest shouldn''t fight for whos 1 and whos 2 so he ended up disbanding the guild leading to the creation of The Miracles Guild and Trinity Centurions. - Dawn Frisk''s Age is (75), Gerrard Freya (58), Kang Villerion (57) - Thest meeting with the top 10 guild leaders was different at the time with the lower 5 being interchangeable throughout those years but the same top 5 remained, constantly changing positions for first ce. - heroes association holds an election for president every 3 years. Chapter 48: Scouting Invitational Tournament (4) Sunlight spilled through stained ss windows, casting vibrant shades on the polished floor of the meeting room. An uneasy silence crackled in the air, broken only by the nervous coughs of young students waiting in the arena below. Around the long round table, ten figures, the guild leaders, sat patiently waiting for the reason they were summoned. President Milio Idris rose, his weathered face now etched with worry. "Guild leaders," he began, his voice echoing through the room, "Over the years the towers that stood dormant after the 2nd outbreak have been closed off ever since." A collective murmur rippled through the hall. Each leader recalled the stories whispered in hushed tones as the previous top-ss heroes of guilds perished in their quest to conquer the 4 towers. "Years of investigation produced very little," Milio continued, his voice heavy. "These structures, immune to external attacks, remained imprable. But now, a chilling message has been deciphered from within a warning .""Should the tower remain untouched within 4 years a great cmity will befall humanity." Yuka Azira, the leader of the Legion New Force, mmed her fist on the table. "Four years to avert a cmity? Why now, after years of silence?" Milio''s expression remained grim. "We couldn''t afford to lose any more heroes after the loss of The Great Hero Garrick." What seemed like an outburst that was about to break out was silenced by a single name. The Great Hero Garrick also known as the first great hero of old, was the first 6 elemental swordsman ever and thest. What Garrick did was something you could only witness once in a lifetime as he could wield and manipte all types of elements at will. Yet the death of the early hero caused an overwhelming concern around the world at the time. During that time of Garrick''s passing, there were stories about his death being rumoured that he had sacrificed himself at the top of the floor to save his guild at the time. But neither of them had made it out of the tower... As sparked debates of who was stronger between Garrick and Dawn, it was only a mere implication that he was most certainly stronger but insisted that Dawn would easily win. Milio continued, "With any information we have on the 4 towers across the world It seems each one is almost different from the others. But from what we''ve gained from each tower we''ve deemed a name appropriate for each one." As everyone tuned into what Milio had for each name he showed a hologram for each tower. "Though all 4 towers look the same from the outside. The inside is where everything changes. the first tower was located Southeast ced in between Australia and Tasmania this was the tower called the Tower of Destruction, The next tower from the top of the world was located Northwest above the United States the Tower of Chaos, At the very centre of the Antic Ocean between South America and Africa was The Tower Of Abyss, and the final towerys in the centre of the Arctic Ocean is the Tower Of Evil." Gerrard Freya, of the Miracles Guild, chuckled softly, his weathered face crossing his amusement. "So they''re basically in the four corners of the world," Gerrard said. "Correct," Milio finished, his voice heavy. "But even so I urge before we open the barriers of these towers. Please make sure that you are prepared for what''s within ensure that if you go now, or in the next few years, make sure that humanityes out victorious." "Me and Gerrard are old after all I think we can still kick the boot around for another year or two" Kang announced as he locked eyes with Gerrard. Julian George II of the Van Guardians Forge, spoke for the first time, his voice deep and unwavering. "And what if we fail, Mr. President? Can we bear the cost of another failure?" "Failure is not an option, Julian," Milio dered, his gaze sweeping across the hall. "The fate of our world hangs in the bnce. We must act, and we must act together. Are you willing to join this pact, to face the challenges the towers hold? Are you willing to ensure the next generation holds the key to our survival?" Silence nketed the hall as each leader weighed the heavy task. The echoes of history whispered warnings and the weight of countless lives rested on their shoulders. The decisions they made today would shape the future, not just of their guilds, but of the entire world. The silence in the room grew heavy, thick with the weight of the President''s words. Each guild leader grappled with the gravity of the decision, the enormity of the task, and the potential cost of death. Finally, Yuka Azira mmed her fist onto the table, breaking the tense quiet. "I say we act, and act decisively!" she dered, her voice ringing with fiery conviction. "The Legion New Force is willing to take the lead. I''ll participate in the towers conquest." A slow nod from Julian George II followed. "I agree with Azira. I think if it''s for humanity then It should only be fair that I go to..." The murmur of agreement spread, rippling through the hall. Yet, some faces remained hesitant. Oberon Starcaster, leader of the Infra Tech Innovators, spoke with cautious scepticism. "While I admire your enthusiasm, President," he began, his voice measured, "we must approach this with careful nning. Rushing into these towers blindly could spell disaster. Perhaps a reconnaissance mission, a team to gather intel¡­" Gerrard Freya ever chuckled with a glint in his eyes. "Ah, Oberon, always the voice of reason, even in the face of impending doom! But fear not, my friend. Where others see danger, I see opportunity. These towers, dormant for so long, may hide secrets beyond our wildest imaginings. Knowledge worth the risk, wouldn''t you agree?" His words sparked a flicker of excitement in some, while others still wore expressions of concern. Milio raised a hand, silencing the chatter. "Your passion ismendable, guild leaders," he said, his voice firm yetced with urgency, "but remember, time is not on our side. We need people willing to enter these towers under harsh conditions, Who among you is willing to dedicate your guild''s finest members to this task?" A tense silence ensued. Each leader exchanged cautious nces, weighing the risks and the potential rewards. Finally, Yuka spoke once more, her voice resolute. "The Legion New Force volunteers for the Tower of Destruction!" she dered, her gaze unwavering. "We will face its challenges head-on and emerge stronger." A murmur of surprise rippled through the hall. The Tower of Destruction not much is known about these towers but their names speak levels to be called such a thing. Julian followed suit, his voice steady. "The Van Guardians Forge will participate in the Tower of Chaos." Gerrard''s old but still kicking with fire. "Leave the mysteries of the Tower of Abyss to the Miracles Guild, President. I''d like to avenge my old instructor from long ago." Oberon remained thoughtful, a frown creasing his brow. He thought to himself as each tower could be assumed as ruthless and maybe even worse than S-ss dungeons, with the most troubling aspect he knew gathering Intel was pointless Yet, he knew inaction was not an option. "The Infra Tech Innovators," he finally dered, his voice firm, "will delve into the Tower of Evil." As each leader dered their intent, a sense of purpose, mixed with trepidation, filled the Room. Milio nodded, a flicker of hope lighting his eyes. "Then it is decided," he announced. "Each guild will prepare for the towers in our next meeting. The date is still undecided so when the timees that we fight for the sake of humanity we do it to pave the way for a brighter future." The meeting adjourned, leaving a charged atmosphere in its wake. Milio smiled faintly. "Today marks the Pinnacle Academies Invitational Scouting event, a day where we witness the next generation of heroes take their first steps. Observe them closely, for among them may lie the heroes who will one day stand at the gates of those imposing towers." A wave of understanding rippled through the leaders. Their focus shifted from the distant threat to the hopeful spectacle below. Gerrard Freya, always eager for a show, chuckled. "Indeed, President. Perhaps a glimpse of these bright stars will remind us why we fight." The other leaders nodded, their expressions softening. Oberon Starcaster adjusted his sses, a spark of curiosity igniting in his eyes. Milio gestured towards the arena. "So, enjoy the festivities, guild leaders. Witness the potential, the raw talent that will one day shape our world. Remember, even in the face of adversity, hope endures. And it is that hope that will guide us through theing darkness." With a final wave, Milio turned left the room, leaving the guild leaders to their thoughts. Each one carried the weight of the decision made. _____________ Authors Notes: - Garrick subjugated over 50+ S ss dungeons during the golden era of dungeons. - When Gerrard mentions he''d like to avenge an old instructor from long ago he''s referring to Garrick who was his instructor back in the day of his youth. *** If you guys want lore of any of the old characters feel free to ask I''d be d to exin them in the auxiliary volume ?? Chapter 49: Group Stage Preparations [Pinnacle Academy: Main Arena Presentation Hall] [Monday, 10:00 AM] The murmur in the hall washed over me like waves on a distant shore, a crowd filled with nervous students ready for today''s event. High above I could see, banners depicting legendary heroes from the novel shimmering from their previous victories with their names engraved onto the massive que following the years of the winner. [First-Year Tournament Winners:] [Derrick Song - 2021] ... [Fredrick Bronze - 2019] ... ... [Yuka Azira - 2017] ... [Aurelia Draxen - 2008] ... [Gerrard Freya & Kang Villerion - 1983] The lore for these guys goes deep... I wonder who wrote all of that hmm? I took my seat in the second row from the front as the main cast sat right in front. The principal, strode onto the stage, his booming voice echoing through the Massive hall. "Morning Aspiring Heroes!" he weed, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. "Today marks a momentous asion - the Pinnacle Academy Scouting Invitational! Scouts from all corners of the world gather to witness the raw talent blooming within our first-year cohort!" A ripple of excitement surged through the students, the main cast exchanging nces filled with ambition. I kept my face neutral, observing the scene with a detached curiosity. I was the author, yes, but here, I was an anomaly a stranger to this feeling of not belonging here. "This tournament," the Principal boomed, his voice serious, "represents a turning point in your young journeys. Top Guild representatives watch with discerning eyes, seeking the next generation of heroes. Unleash your passion, let strategy guide your actions, and remember, honour be your shield!" He raised a hand, silencing the growing buzz. "Each group will have 20 students and with the 4 newly built arenas we can host up to 50 matches at a time, all duels are in single-elimination matches, a winner emerging from each group like a lone sentinel from a smouldering battlefield." Just exactly like he said. Single-elimination. No second chances. But I do say that this is a fixed tournament knowing the oue and results so is there a point in even trying? Probably not. FWANG! [Live Event Quest Alert!] My head snapped up, looking at the system''s screen."A Live Event Quest?" Confused I looked at the information shown to me [A Live event quest is a unique challenge that unfolds in real-time, Unlike traditional quests that can be initiated andpleted at any time, live event quests are time-sensitive and typically coincide with special asions such as this one!] [Would you like to participate in this quest Mr Axel? :D] A live event quest isn''t always good to take part in but I guess under these circumstances what problem would there be If I didn''t gain from this? "Sure..." The screen buzzed with confirmation, disying the quest in front of my eyes. [Live Event Quest: Pinnacle Academy Knockout Stages: For each win throughout the tournament earn BP + Additional Rewards per stage.] [Special Condition: QP cannot be used to enhance the rewards.] *** [Group Stage Rewards:] [Win the group knockout: 500 BP + 10 Points Allocation for Base Stats] [ce top 5 group knockouts: 250 BP] [Lose in the first round or ce lower 6: No Rewards] *** [Round of 50 Single Elimination Phase] [Win The Final: 10,000 BP + 50 Points Allocation For Base Stats + 1 Special Ability Upgrade] [Qualify for the final: 7,500 BP + 35 Points Allocation For Base Stats + 2 Normal Ability Upgrades] [Win The Semi-Final: 5,000 BP + 20 Points Allocation For Base Stats] [Qualify for the Semi-Final: 2,500 BP + 15 Points Allocation For Base Stats] [Win Quarter-Final: 2,000 BP + 10 Points Allocation For Base Stats] [Qualify for the Quarter Final: 1,500 BP 5 Allocation For Base Stats] [Win Round Of 16: 1,000 BP] [Qualify for Round of 16: 750 BP] [Win Round Of 32: 500 BP] [Qualify For Round Of 32: 400 BP] [Win Round Of 50: 250 BP] [Note: These rewards are all stacked and once you win or get knocked out all rewards can be imed after the tournament.] *** My eyes widened, not in surprise, but in a chilling calction. This wasn''t love, not in the true sense. It was an insatiable hunger for control, I could feel a smirk running down my face imagining the taste of new abilities. I think it was time to try and go all in and maybe qualify for the final hmm? I stroked my chin nning how I could get the most out of this but the winner was already determined before it even started. But I wondered if Jan had some idea on how to properly use Divine Conqueror. I stopped for a moment to think and I was ovee with a realisation that sealed my hopes of winning first ce. He has Divine Conqueror... the ability to deal true damage bypassing all forms of defence... So it would hurt to get hit by Jan regardless of how you block his attacks this OP ability couldn''t be countered. Okay, maybe I could settle on in the top 5 if I get lucky with who I get, I''m just praying that It''s not an early matchup of Valencia, Louise, or even Noah... "All your matchups and brackets have already been formed so check your watches on the PBA (Pinnacle Battle App) for your bracket and the location of the arena if you''re not sure where to go there will be assistants that will guide you to an IDS station and help teleport you to the correct arena," the Principal continued, his voice turning stern, "That concludes all the information for this weeks event, True heroes fight not just with strength, but with integrity. Let victory be earned, not stolen." "Let the tournamentmence!" he dered, raising his fist. The hall erupted in cheers, everyone eager to prove themselves on the tournament''s stage. I, however, remained seated, looking at my first-round matchup. *** [Axel Saint Rel Laurence] [Group E] [Matches Completed: 0] [Match number: 2] [Opponent: Christopher Kurtado - [Arena D] ] [Time: 11:00 AM] *Arrive 15 Minutes Before The Battle For Checks* *** Getting up from my seat everyone in the room checked their watches and dispersed and I left towards Arena D which was located South of the Presentation Hall... ... ... [30 Minutes Later...] [10:45 AM] [15 Minutes Until The First Matchup] [Arena D Tunnel Entrance] I felt pretty steady making my way through the arena, This ce felt familiar to Dawn''s arena like the same architectural feel. As I could hear the roar of the crowd surged and decreased like waves, amplified by the echoing dome overhead. Multiple battles raged on, in the multiple stages in each arena. Unlike the students preparing in the lobby, I was lucky to have the tunnel all to myself. I only had one goal in mind and it was to get all the BP I could get. A Pinnacle Academy worker, young and vibrant with fiery red hair, approached, a clipboard clutched in her hand. "Axel Saint Rel Laurence? or... Rel?" she chirped, her voice barely audible over the noise. I simply nodded, my eyes glued to the ongoing battles, There was no one noticeable on my arena side. "It says this is your first in-school tournament, huh?" she remarked, her gaze flitting across me, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Don''t worry, jitters are normal. Just remember, safety first. No lethal attacks, and if things get bad, tap out. We don''t want any students in wheelchairs, understand?" keeping a steady expression on my face I replied, "Understood." As she nodded after my response she did some checks with my equipment. "Alright then, Equipment check? Weapon functional?" With a smooth motion, I unstrapped my Silver crossbow showing the worker, as her eyes widened slightly before she nodded in approval. "Looks good. Remember, honour and integrity on the stage. No dirty tricks, no shortcuts. make sure to fight fair." As I nodded at her words I took a seat at the rear entrance as there was a TV showing all the current matches going on. > - It''s aplete upset! Jan has ovee Jon Jon with a single sh! Incredible! > - The Heir Of Villerion strikes with nobility Louise has won within mere seconds of the round beginning! > - Are we witnessing the generational sword saint of Freya because Valencia has dominated her opponent with her beautiful swordsmanship! > - Jae Yoona is the best first year archer since the arrival of Derrick Song! She has topped her skills in archery and overcame her opponent within mere seconds. As I watched the extras get pulverised by the main cast a booming voice reverberated through the arena. "Attention Students! Match One is nearingpletion! Match Two Students please prepare for entry." With a few minutes passing a hush silence fell over the crowd as the all current matches in Arena D were finished, as I met the worker''s gaze, she opened the gates seeing many students leave the stage. "Seems it''s showtime," she said signalling me to go through. ____________ Authors Notes: -Divine Conqueror bypasses all types of defenses dealing true damage regardless of the target''s invulnerability. True Damage is the purest form of attack, Jan Attained the light attribute as a requirement to use Divine Conqueror although it''s not needed. Divine Conqueror is also an ability that enhances and changes damage outputs. - All the Guild Leaders have exclusive booths to watch all the action from multiple screens in the 4 Stadiums of the arena. - The Scouting Invitational Event also has crowds filled with 2nd years and 3rd years with the exceptions of parents and sponsors of the academy in attendance to watch as well as media to film the events for this special week. - The academy also hires A dozen ofmentators to make the fights sound more immersive. Chapter 50: Round 1 [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 4 - Arena D] [11:00 AM, Monday] Stepping onto the stage, the roar of the crowd exploded, crashing against me like a physical wave. Sunlight streamed through the open dome, illuminating the arena''s vast scale. Multiple battles raged on circr tforms, each a group of chaos and colour. gs decorated with the Academy''s insignia fluttered overhead, adding to the festive, yetpetitive atmosphere. I stood my ground, momentarily overwhelmed by the sensory assault. But even in the massive crowd noises, I realised I had to lock in. A worker in a bright orange vest approached, her smile strained under the pressure of the buzzing crowd. "Stage to your left, Mr. Rel," she directed, her voice barely audible over the roar. "And remember, no unnecessary roughness!" I nodded curtly, my gaze already scanning the adjacent tform. My opponent, Christopher Kurtado, stood waiting, his Gauntlets were shining in the sunlight. Sniff... Sniff... SNIFF But what struck me first wasn''t his imposing physique, but the pungent odour that flowed from him. It was like mixed of sweat, old cheese, and something I couldn''t quite ce. It wrinkled my nose, and my eyes were close to tearing up. Christopher grinned, revealing teeth stained yellow by what I hoped was just cheap tea. "Finally," he boomed, his voiceced with arrogance. "Took you long enough, pipsqueak. Ready to be sent packing?" Packing? I think he should pack some deodorant Jesus... As I met his eyes I blinked a few times getting rid of the tears, "Depends," I replied, my voice calm yet chilling. "Are you ready to lose?" Christopher''s face darkened, after hearing my words. "I don''t think I''d ever lose to a scrawny runt," he spat. "Excellent," I replied, enjoying the opportunity to get under his skin. "Then I suggest toothpaste after this match." "Ready!" The announcer''s voice boomed. ... "Fight!" The moment the announcer dered the start, the air smelled of tension or odour... Christopher charged his gauntlets filled with mana. the smell kept throwing me off but I should be okay. his stench was almost visible that I could see it so I danced around him, avoiding each strike that had an amplified wind attribute that came from his fist. "You smell like a walking biohazard," I continued, wincing at my own words. "Perhaps I should quarantine you with a sleep bolt." "Don''t underestimate me, runt!" he roared, still charging with his gauntlets held high. The metallic scent spiked, nearly knocking me off bnce. But instead of dodging, I stepped aside, letting the reeking wave wash over me. Christopher stumbled, confused by my inaction. His attack faltered, leaving him momentarily vulnerable. Christopher''s face contorted in rage, But I ignored it, focusing on chipping away at his defences. A well-ced kick to the shin, a jab at his elbow, a swift punch to the stomach each blow insignificant on its own, but together, they chipped away at his overconfidence and built my rhythm. "Pathetic attacks, runt!" he roared, charging forward. The stench spiked, and I could feel myself getting more dizzy as time went by. Dodging attack after attack It was hard to aim my crossbow at him because of that eerie smell... "Seems your fumes haven''t quite dulled your reflexes," I wheezed,nding a ncing blow to his chest. Does this guy even get affected by his smell? There''s no way that this man should be allowed in a garden. As fury contorted his face, he closed the distance with surprising speed. The stench became suffocating, my vision blurring at the edges. I fumbled for my crossbow, but it was toote. He was inches away, the smell was way to overwhelming. Panic threatened to consume me, but then, I dropped my crossbow and clenched my fist. With my whole body off bnce, and my eyes unsteady I threw a wild punch, aiming for his chest. Then for what felt like minutes that had gone by my fist connected with a sickening crunch. A cry of surprise erupted from Christopher, his body flying backward. [Luck has amplified the attack!] [Critical Hit!] [Your attack has sent your opponent flying!] He tumbled over the edge of the tform, disappearing with a thud. The silence that followed was deafening. Had I...? The announcer''s voice finally broke the spell. "We have our first winner of the 2nd match by a shocking knockout, Rel Laurence!" As I stood there, the stink slowly dissipating, the enormity of what had happened hit me. I had won, not with arrows no abilities, but with a single punch. huh? I guess I''m lucky after all. But I felt like I could throw up at any moment. Stepping off the Arena D stage, I held my breath, desperate for a single whiff of clean air. My lungs felt like sponges soaked in sweat and stench, and I practically ran towards the nearest exit, ignoring the cheers and congrattions echoing behind me. Reaching the student lobby, I copsed onto a corner bench, inhaling deeply. Each breath was a revtion, a symphony of pure, unadulterated air. I closed my eyes, savouring the sensation, feeling like a drowning man finally reaching the surface. SNIFFFFFFF.... HAAHHHHHHHH "Rel?" A voice was calling out to me but I just kept breathing in the cold fresh air. "Relllllllll" I could hear his voice sounding more annoyed but I couldn''t get enough of it. "Earth to Rel," he repeated, tapping my forehead lightly. "You okay? You look like you just discovered the fountain of youth." I blinked, my eyes stinging from the harsh lighting, and found Jan hovering above me, concern etched on his face. I remained glued to the sensation of cool air filling my lungs, momentarily speechless. "Air," I finally croaked, voice raspy. "It''s... glorious." Jan gave me a puzzled look. "Air? Isn''t that, y''know, the stuff we normally breathe?" I scoffed, though it came out more like a wheeze. "Normally? You have no idea what I just endured. It was like... like..." I struggled to find words to describe the smelling assault I had faced. "Imagine the worst gym sock you''ve ever smelled, fermented tenfold, then add a generous helping of overheated machinery. Then imagine breathing that in for ten minutes straight." Jan''s face twisted in disgust, his amusement dissipating. "That bad, huh? Sounds like a biohazard zone." "Biohazard doesn''t even begin to cover it," I muttered, reliving the fight in shes of Christopher''s smell having an effect on my mental health. But the victory felt¡­different, somehow. It wasn''t just about winning; it was about appreciating the most basic things, the things we often take for granted. Like clean air... Jan kept looking at me hysterically but we talked for a while, the stench fading with each passing minute. Ring!!!! Suddenly, both our watches buzzed the notification for the next round of the tournament. We were in different brackets and thank god I was lucky not to be ced in the same bracket as Jan. "Looks like that''s our queue," Jan said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "But remember, Rel, next time maybe try a less olfactory-based strategy." My face twisted at the thought of Jan saying that, the sound was surprisingly clean and normal. "Yeah... Whatever man." Jan waved off goodbye and I checked my watch for the next match. [Axel Saint Rel Laurence] [Group E] [Matches Completed: 1] [Match number:4] [Opponent: Reece Keffy - [Arena C] ] [Time: 12:00 AM] *Arrive 15 Minutes Before The Battle For Checks* As I checked on the map on where I should go to teleport, it guided me to the hallway to the left which was the location of the IDS station to Arena C. As I approached, a man greeted me from behind the console. "Destination?" he asked, his voice t. "Arena C," I replied, meeting his eyes as I patiently waited. He tapped away on the keyboard his expression betraying nothing. "Standard pre-teleport check?" The usual routine followed: arms spread, sensors scanning for irregrities. Unlike the earlier attendant, this one didn''t even blink. Just a monotone "Clear" when the scan finished. With a reassuring hum, the booth bathed me in blue light. The familiar sensation of shifting realities washed over me, the world dissolving into swirling energy. [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 3 - Arena C IDS Station] [11:25 AM] I was transported to the Arena C IDS Station and I walked down the long hallway until I arrived at the lobby. Shortly after I went to go find a secluded corner in the lobby, I adjusted my equipment, set a timer on my watch for a quick power nap, and closed my eyes. _______________ Authors Notes: - The way critical hits work for Rel is that the damage inflicted fluctuates based on the opponent''s remaining health. If Rel''s opponent has higher health than him, the critical damage scales to a percentage of Rel''s strength stat. - Critical Hits are shes of ck lightning that only Rel can see which is purely for visual effect. - Jan Is currently in first seed for averaging a knockout of 2.3 seconds, Louise falls behind with a time of 2.8, followed by Valencia with 3.2 Seconds. Chapter 51: Round 2 [Pinnacle Academy: Stadium 1 - Arena A, VIP Box Stand - A ] Oberon Starcaster, leader of the Infra Tech Innovators Guild, leaned back in his plush chair, his gaze fixed on the holographic disy before him. It wasn''t just any disy; it was a live feed of the ongoing duel in Arena A, his box offering the best possible view. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest, while the shing sounds echoed from the arena far below. he was ncing at the report on his desk detailing the uing matchups. While Jan showcased controlled power and calcted dominance, something was missing. A spark. This year''s Academy tournament felt oddly...formic. Reaching out, he summoned a holographic window disying the results from Arena D. One match in particr drew his eye: Rel. An unknown archer rose above a top 200 ss bruiser amongst the first years. ording to the report, he beat him with a single blow to the stomach. It was strange to hear an archer do such a thing. This wasn''t the textbook victory he was used to. "Assistant," hemanded, his voice sharp with curiosity, "tell me everything about this person here." His assistant, a woman with sharp eyes and an even sharper mind tapped her tablet''s holographic disy. "Certainly, sir." A momentter, information streamed across the screen. "One match stands out: an unknown archer named Axel Saint Rel Laurence, facing a seasoned bruiser. Rel won with a single punch to the stomach." Oberon''s eyebrows shot up. "Axel Saint Rel Laurence? Fascinating name. Tell me everything you can about him." The assistant''s fingers danced across the tablet. "Unfortunately, sir, information is limited. He''s a first-year student, but his records are¡­unusual. Deadst in all practical assignments, but number one in all first-year theory assignments." Deadst in practical, yet undefeated in theory? It was a strangebination, one that piqued Oberon''s interest. "Deadst, are you sure?" "Absolutely, sir. Hisbat scores are abysmal, bordering on disastrous." Oberon chuckled a low rumble that filled the booth. "Disastrous, huh? And yet, he wins with a single punch? How interesting. Keep a close eye on him, assistant. Monitor his matches, This student might be the hidden gem in this whole tournament." As he kept looking over Rel''s reports he mused, stroking his chin. "Tell me, assistant, when is this¡­Rel''s next battle?" "In 25 minutes, sir," the assistant responded promptly, data scrolling on her tablet. "He''ll be facing Reece Keffy in Arena C." "Excellent," Oberon dered, anticipation dancing in his eyes. "In that case, switch the main feed to Arena C. I wouldn''t want to miss a single moment of this unorthodox archer¡­or crossbow user, is it?" The assistant raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement mirroring his own. "Indeed, sir. However, our records indicate Rel participates with a crossbow." A wry smile graced Oberon''s lips. "Fascinating. Archer, crossbow user, or perhaps something entirely different? Let''s see if hepares to the number one archer Jae Yoona." The holographic disy shifted, showcasing the activity of Arena C. Oberon leaned forward, waiting on the uing matchup: Rel versus Reece Keffy. Would the deadst student with a genius mind repeat his unorthodox victory? *** [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 3: Arena C - Student Lounge Room] [11:45 AM] ZZZZTTTT! huh? Was someone just talking about me just now? or maybe I was dreaming in that nap? The beeping of my wristband jerked me from a broken doze. I sat up, blinking away sleep as I saw Lyra sitting across from me, watching with a sly smile. "Sleepyhead finally wakes up," she drawled, tapping her foot against the floor. "About time the timer did its job," I muttered, stretching with a yawn. "How''d your match go?" Her smirk expanded into a grin. "Piece of cake. Dude couldn''t dodge a feather, let alone the wind." I offered a half-smile. "Figures." We weren''t friends, exactly more like acquaintances, nothing more. As the announcements rattled through the lobby, calling participants to their arenas. The energy shifted from sleepy to slightly awake, ncing at the time right now, As they called up for the 4th match students to start heading to the arena. "Looks like your turn is up," Lyra said, her voice devoid of warmth. "Arena C. Reece Keffy. Heard he packs a punch." "Then let him swing," I replied, shrugging into my gear. "He''ll probably beat me anyway." (An Obvious Lie) Lyra scoffed. "Beat you huh? I''m not sure about that one, But do your best." Getting up from my seat I pushed past her without another word and began my walk to Arena C. [Arena C Hallway] The hallway to Arena C buzzed with nervous energy I almost found contagious. Everyone was prepping: chanting quietly, fidgeting with bulky weapons, and a few even looked close to tossing their breakfast away. Nobody paid me any mind as I approached the equipment checkpoint since all the students here were way too focused on their things. "ID and weapon," the guard at the checkpoint demanded. Standard procedure. I showed my academy ID and handed over my crossbow, the same simple model issued to everyone. He squinted at my ID, then blinked. "Okay, Rel?" He looked back at his clipboard and continued "Alright you''ll be fighting on the centre stage. You versus Reece Keffy. Proceed on through." As the guard handed me back my ID and crossbow the arena doors opened and I stepped onto the sun-drenched tform, the crowd a fuzzy mass. Across the middle tform, Keffy stood Axe slung over his shoulder, a cocky smirk, the same academy uniform as everyone else somehow looking ridiculously shy on him... "I don''t suppose you want to forfeit and save us both some time?" His voice carried easily, dripping with the kind of hate that normally takes people years to perfect. "''Fraid not," I called back, fixing the string on my crossbow. "Though there''s always the chance you knock yourself out with all that posturing." A flicker of annoyance crossed his face. It looks like it wouldn''t take much to push him off with words. It''s just like that stinky Christopher guy from thest match. It made me wonder though? are all my characters cocky, or did I write them like this on ident? "Final check-in for Arena C Students!" A booming voice pierced the arena. "Those not here forfeit...any takers? No? Good! Ready yourselves, the match will begin in...three! Two! One!" "FIGHT!" I raised my crossbow, already loaded with academy-issue blunted arrows. These won''t pierce properly, but Keffy didn''t know that. He charged like a raging bull, axe held high. "Gonna make this quick, loser!" TAK!, TAK!, TAK! His first swing was pure aggression. I sidestepped, sending an arrow thudding into his knee. Pain rippled across his arrogant face ¨C a satisfying sight. Another shot whizzed past his arm, then a third clipped his ribs. He stumbled, that blustering confidence reced by doubt. "Just warming up, pretty boy," I taunted, already circling for another shot. Guys like Keffy were all brawn, no brain ¨C easy to predict, easier to defeat. But there was a flicker of rage in his eyes, something sharper than before. He nted his feet, mana ring as he wrenched his connection to the ground. Rocks erupted from the ground, jagged and uneven. I swiftly dodged between them, gritting my teeth. An extra with tricks? Damn... "Maybe I need to use an ability for him," I muttered. He hurled another rock spike. It grazed my arm, leaving a stinging line of heat. I couldn''t afford to use Mitigation this early it wasn''t worth the trouble of wasting mana for someone like him. Time to finish this. [Vulnerability Reader Has Been Activated!] [Aura Concealment Has Been Activated!] As I activated vulnerability reader lines of stars shined on this Keffy''s weakness. TAK!, TAK!, TAK!, TAK! As Arrows flew, one striking his bad knee, another catching the old shoulder injury. I rained even more shots onto this extra. Keffy roared, staggering under the onught and it looked like he was at his limit. This was it and reloading one more arrow into my crossbow I wasted no time firing. TAK! As the arrow fired the me attribute consumed the arrow travelling at a speed... The shot hit had pierced his unprotected calf and he was no longer able to stand copsing onto the ground from that one shot. Medics hurried onto the field, carrying a stretcher. Keffy gave me onest hateful re "This isn''t over..." he wheezed, "...I''ll make you pay..." It was the usual loser-talk just like in any other novel. At least he didn''t smell. No matter. Another win for me and more BP for my abilities. ___________ Authors Notes: - Aura Concealment can be used to hide the elemental attribute of Rel''s arrows hence making the shot appear unattributed. - Users capable of healing wounds through mana must possess an understanding of mana flow mechanics, which epasses fundamental concepts such as Hemostasis, Inmmation, Proliferation, and Maturation. By channelling specific amounts of mana into each stage of the blood cell recovery process, users can speed the healing process by almost 5 fold. This technique, known as ''Mana Healing,'' allows individuals to harness mana to elerate natural healing mechanisms and facilitate the restoration of damaged wounds. - Each arena has 2 Student lobbies so that students don''t meet theirpetitors until they reach the main stage for their fight. - Oberon Starcaster Main Ability: Ingenious Technomancy allows him to control any type of technology with almost no effort, allowing him with a single thought to interfere with any type of electronic device. He can remotely control any type of device within a 1km radius. - Oberon is also known for creating the most recent technological advancement known as Electromaic shielding allowing it to cast barriers with very little usage of mana. Chapter 52: Observations I exited Arena C, the roar of the crowd reced by a steady hum. Back in the main hallway, students were scattered around some nursing bruises with stubborn pride, others practically bursting with victory. That familiar post-match stress filled the air and I was wondering If I should go have lunch now or after the next match. With the map disyed on my watch, the navigation here was straightforward as I left to go towards the IDS station at Arena C and found myself back at the central area where we had our meeting in the morning about the matches. [Pinnacle Academy Main Stadium - Arena A Waiting Lobby] Rows of screens lined the walls, broadcasting matches both ongoing and highlights from earlier rounds. It wasn''t just about the viewership, though as I saw a highlight of Louise sting a poor extra away with his fists. Looking around the lobby there were stalls lining the edges, not selling the typical junk food vendors offered in the arena, but rather sleekly packaged snacks that gave a boost for mana and endurance. While my next match could pop up soon I checked the current battles going on in Arena C and some students are still fighting it out. I was only here to rx up until my next match and before I settled down onto a lounge there was an enormous glowing board hung towards the back, listing names and their current standings. I scanned the top few: _________________ [Time and Wins] [*Note: Times are used to determine and distribute the rankings for the Round 50 tournament bracket.] [Wins - Time] [Group: A, Jan Ates: 3 Wins - 3.83 Seconds] [Group: B, Louise Villerion 3 Wins - 3.92 Seconds] [Group: F, Valencia Freya 3 Wins - 4.15 Seconds] [Group: C, Alice Elizabeth 3 Wins - 4.45 Seconds] [Group: D, Jae Yoona 3 Wins - 6.73 Seconds] ... ... ... _________________ Of course, The top spots weren''t surprising. Jan and Louise were the expected favourites, speed and power in perfect bnce. But as my eyes drifted lower... The real shock was seeing Valencia over Alice. Though in the original story, it was supposed to be Alice who upied that third-ce spot followed by Jae Yoona who would be fourth, But after many changes, it was expected to see Valencia this high. rumble... Well, there was no doubt In my head that I deserved a good meal after winning two matches but as I checked for the bag that I had I realised that I left my lunch back at the ssroom... I guess I''ll have to eat at a restaurant but I don''t mind honestly. I do have all the money I could ask for. as I scanned the restaurants nestled within the Central Lobby. My eyes snapped to a sh of green and white It was Allen''s Cafe! This was tempting, way too tempting. Maybe a little caffeine boost would be good before the notification... As I stepped inside, a sigh escaped my lips. The familiar, rxing aroma of roasted beans and sweet pastries swirled around me, instantly soothing any stress that I had. That''s the thing about Allen''s Cafe it has this magical ability to melt worries away. Then, with all the coincidences in the world I live in, I ended up seeing Jan Ates, the novel''s protagonist, sitting at a corner table. A surge of... not quite annoyance, but close to it washed over me. Don''t get me wrong, Jan''s a great guy. But I see him way too often... I can''t even enjoy being at Allen''s cafe without seeing a character from my novel and with Jan around, I guess today won''t be my day. There he was again, with that bright smile,"Rel! Over here!" he shouted waving with that effortless charm. For a second, I genuinely contemted turning and disappearing. But Jan... well, ignoring him takes more energy than just grinning and bearing it. Besides, Allen''s Foods was already calling my name. "Screw it," I muttered. At the counter, a cheerful barista greeted me. "Hey there, what can I get for you?" "ck coffee,rge. Extra strong. And...uh, give me one of those ham and cheese croissants as well." She swiftly nodded and began preparing my meal for me, As I leaned against the counter, watching the barista expertly prepare my coffee. Something about the grind of the beans and the soft hiss of steam was interesting. My eyes flickered towards Jan, who was watching me with an amused smile, seemingly waiting for me to join him. With a tired sigh, I offered a half-smile in return before turning my attention back to the coffee-making process. With my tray, I slid into the seat opposite Jan, pushing away the lingering wish for solitude. "You''re the type to drink ck coffee, huh?" Jan remarked, eyeing my order. I snickered lightly. "Yes, for someone like you, I''ll need a whole lot." The retort flew right past Jan''s head, but it felt good to deliver a yful jab for once. We moved on, discussing the first few matches of the tournament. Only three had happened so far ¨C hardly enough time to talk about any good matches. Jan, with his keen analysis, broke down some of his strategies for his potential opponents although he basically wins the battle per second, I mostly grunted and nodded to his yappanese, As I was more focused on getting the croissant down without choking. He paused, tilting his head slightly. "Hey, I saw a rey of your takedown against that bruiser... You knocked him out, clean, in one punch! And here I thought you were a ''support'' type." "Eh, sometimes you gotta switch it up," I mumbled, avoiding his gaze. Jan gave me a yful punch on the arm, "I knew you''ve been pulling your punches, haven''t you?" [-5 HP!] That punch genuinely hurt. did he use divine conqueror on me? Impossible... It made me realise how much stronger Jan really waspared to his Original self in the novel. I rubbed my shoulder, wincing slightly... We shared a few more lighthearted jabs and observations before another vibration echoed through the room. Both our watches were buzzing with the next notification. "Looks like that''s our cue," Jan said, shing a smile. We cleared our trays, leaving behind the remainder of our meal. I nced at my watch, checking who my next matchup was. [Axel Saint Rel Laurence] [Group E] [Matches Completed: 2] [Match number:6] [Opponent: Jazmine Mockerick - [Arena B] ] [Time: 1:30 PM] *Arrive 15 Minutes Before The Battle For Inspection* _________________ Authors Notes: - The central lobby has plenty of restaurants and lounge rooms that have tv''s to watch the ongoing matches. - Rel was genuinely happy when he saw that Allen''s Cafe was inside the central lobby. - Rel''s Current Ranking: 45 - 2 Wins - Time: 9 Minutes, 32 Seconds. Chapter 53: Confusion and Frustration [Pinnacle Academy Main Stadium - Arena A Hallway] [1:13 PM] _______ [Axel Saint Rel Laurence] [Group E] [Matches Completed: 2] [Match number:6] [Opponent: Jazmine Mockerick - [Arena B] ] [Time: 1:30 PM] *Arrive 15 Minutes Before The Battle For Inspection* _______ With a nce at my watch, I couldn''t help but think that my opponent was a girl. It brought me shbacks to words of what my mother had told me as a kid... - "Remember Axel... A true gentleman never raises a hand against a woman." ¨C A core memory had triggered within my head as a ripple of difort passed through me. It made me think If I could hurt a girl or not. But I realised that It wouldn''t matter since this Live Quest was way more important than harming a girl so It''s best if I just don''t take it personally. Shaking off those thoughts, I pushed the intrusive thoughts aside. Now wasn''t the time for philosophical dilemmas. I quickly made my way towards the central stadium entrance. Beside the grand doorway, bathed in the glow of an intricate stone carving, was the main IDS station. A bored-looking woman manned the terminal. "Excuse me," I said, stepping up to the counter. "I need to get to Arena B." She barely nced up. "Name and Arena Please." "Rel Laurence," I mumbled, showing her my student ID. "Destination confirmed. Arena B IDS station. Step onto the stone and enjoy your trip." I took a breath and walked towards the shimmering circle etched into the floor. With a slight hesitation, I stepped onto the Instant Destination Stone. A ripple of energy washed over me, followed by a disorienting lurch as the area around me disappeared... *** [Valencia POV] [Pinnacle AcademyStadium 2 - Arena B Stage] "There she is again! The Miracle Guild heiress delivers! Valencia with another swift victory ¨C that swordsmanship is something else!" The announcer''s voice thundered as the roar of the crowd slowly faded. Suddenly, her father stepped into view at the edge of the Arena B hallway, his imposing figure cutting through the chatter. Valencia''s breath quickened. He rarely watched her matches, growing up he was busy subjugating the important dungeons that had threatened areas of countries. Her eyes scanned the crowd, but he met her gaze directly, a warmth sparking in his usually stern expression. Whispers passed through the crowd, sharp and eager, "Gerrard Freya! Did hee to watch Valencia?" "She''s already at the top, what more does she need?" "Wouldn''t want to disappoint a Dad like that¡­" Face burning, Valencia hurried towards him, the glow of victory dimmed by a prickling uncertainty. "Father!" She kept her voice steady, trying to match his confident stance. "What are you...is everything alright?" His features softened. "Everything is good, Valencia. Thatst maneuver...exquisite. Could Your old man perhaps apany you for your next match?" Warm relief washed over her before dissolving into confusion. "Uh... of course! But it''s only to the lounge, there''s time before-" "Nonsense. Every step holds value." His voice carried authority, tinged with a gentleness that was almost unsettling. A flicker of guilt stung her. Maybe she had been cking in the other parts of training¡­ the mental discipline, the image her family represented¡­ "Of course, Father." An odd sense of formality crept into her reply. His approval, always sought after, suddenly felt heavier than any opponent she''d faced in any tournament. As the Arena B hallway echoed with the sounds of exiting students, a mix of adrenaline-fueled chatter and murmurs of defeat. Emerging from the grand doors, Valencia strolled confidently beside her powerful father, basking in the afterglow of a swift victory. The nearby students parted to let them through, casting whispers and awe-struck nces their way. "It''s Gerrard Freya! Leader of the number one guild!" a hushed voice said. "He''s even scarier in person," someone else whispered. "I can''t believe that''s Valencia''s father..." another voice joined in. Valencia kept her head high, ignoring the stares, and the buzzingments. The usual coolness seemed to slip a bit at that moment, a warmth kindled by victory mixing uneasily with the sudden attention. "Yourst takedown? Simply brilliant, my dear. The finesse, the power...you outssed your opponentpletely!" A half-formed smile twitched at her lips. "Of course, Dad. Thank you... but really, you don''t¨C" "And that counter from the previous match! Pure instinct. Some of it''s academy training, the rest... pure talent." His pride filled the air. "A gift, like your mother. That same spark, unstoppable¡­" He trailed off, wistfulness edging his voice. A bittersweet longing echoed his words within her. As the two travelled along the hallways towards the IDS Station, Valencia''s eyes darted to a figure from afar, It was someone she couldn''t understand why she hated someone like him. It was Rel. Emerging from the dissolving portal shimmer, walking directly towards them. Their eyes met briefly, a jolt of self-consciousness shooting through her. Did he hear her father''s praise? Did Rel See the bubbly, overplimented girl so unlike the one that''s usually in ss? Shame prickled beneath her pride. "Dad, please," she mumbled, feeling her cheeks burn hotter. Gerrard continued, "Remember that disarming technique," Gerrard''s voice rumbled beside her, "the one I showed you? Textbook You should try that in your next match..." Her cheeks med hotter. Valencia thought to herself, Rel probably thinks her entire skillset came from Daddy. "Dad, please¡­ He might have heard..."" "Thatst throw - " Rel walked by. Their gazes briefly touched once more, and then he continued towards the lobby. Just then, her father''s protective instincts red. "Valencia, my dear, is there something wrong? That boy, is he bothering you?" The question echoed in the hallway, startling her. Instinctively, she nced over her shoulder to see if Rel had turned around at her father''s booming voice. But he hadn''t. He continued on his path towards the student lobby, oblivious to the fever he''d created within her. "What? No! I..." Her voice trailed off. "Do you know him?" Gerrard Freya pressed, his voiceced with protective concern. "He''s...no one." Valencia brushed past her father, pushing through the doors to the IDS station. She needed to put some distance between her and this whole...mess. Those few seconds of eye contact with Rel had shattered herposure, making the world inside her head suddenly far tooplex forfort. *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 3 - Arena C Waiting Lobby] Arriving at the student lounge there was a celebratory buzz of a figure that had passed through the area and needless to say it was Gerrard Freya that was being talked about. As I navigated through the lounge, I was unable to fully shake the image of Gerrard Freya seeing that he was much older than expected and his boasting¡­of Valencia, of all people, she was practically begging him to stop. hahaha, that loser. I found myselfughing at the brokenposure of Valencia, fueled by the sheer absurdity of it. She was probably thinking: Oh! The guild leader''s daughter, normally so cool andposed, flustered as her father heaped on likely undeservedpliments. I''d probably feel embarrassed too if my parents did that to me to be honest. "...heard she took out Lars in under a second!" A high-pitched voice drifted over the crowd, followed by a ripple of impressed gasps. "Completely ttened him." "Not surprising. It''s Valencia Freya ¨C everyone says she''s just as strong as her mom was¡­" More whispering, the name ''Freya'' tossed around with a mix of awe and barely suppressed envy. Well I guess Valencia will only continue to grow more popr as time passes especially since she''s a first year there was no doubt that. Butparisons to her mother huh? I know for sure Ariel Freya was one of the strongest characters I''ve written, She was the previous sword saint of her generation having simr abilities to Valencia she was as strong as Prime Dawn Frisk. As my eyes scanned the lounge, settling on an empty table in the corner ¨C just far enough from the Freya fan club. I wanted to rx before my next match... ... ... [9 hourster...] ... ... [Pinnacle Academy Male Dorm Rooms] [Monday, 10:30 PM] haah... Tiredness finally outweighed the aftermath of the first day of the tournament. I''d flopped onto the bed, the softfort of pyjamas recing the academy''spetition gear. In the half-light, my watch''s faint glow fell across the crossbow propped in the corner. The Jazmine girl did put up a decent fight, She was spamming a lot of ineffective magic spells at me. but I just ended up winning from one of her spells bouncing right back into her face... She ended up getting clipped by her elemental attribute which was probably the most funniest thing I''ve ever seen. It was a technical win, a victory as empty as the dorm room silence. I let out a breath, more snort than a sigh, rolling onto my side. The extras I faced afterwards... barely worth recalling. Stepping into the Arena, were all just another overly eager cocky version of male students, I''ve been facing ever since the first round and I just kept using Vulnerability Reader to make the rounds much quicker. One round each, then on to the next. At least it was efficient. I ended up topping my bracket because there wasn''t any important character. Lucky me. FWANG! [Congrats on topping your bracket Mr Axel!] [Here''s your current rewards for the live event: 750 BP, 10 Base Stat Allocation Points] Looking at my potential rewards I knew that I couldn''t afford to be losing in the earlier rounds so I''d have to go all out, "I can''t im them right?" I asked the system, As my body began to rx on my bed. [Correct! All rewards will be imed after the tournament.] "Okay..." Well, that was probably a good thing so I could spend the BP on abilities I needed and because of how quickly the rounds went The Round of 50 starts tomorrow. ________ Authors Notes: - Valencia is a very prideful person!After showing Rel such a sight from her is almost as embarrassing as the time she had said thank you to him. - I was listening to the song: [In My Dreams by Siopaolo] while writing the Rel and Valencia scene harharhar. hope you guys enjoyed that interaction lolool Chapter 54: Day 2 Of the Scouting Invitational Tournament (1) [Day 2 Of the Scouting Invitational Tournament] [Tuesday, 8:45 AM] [Stadium 1 - Central Arena Main Hallway] Yuka was burning with anger with a blend of annoyance and guilt, unable to fully contain her frown. Julian, as always, carried an air of antagonizing calmness. "Stupid meeting!" The words burst from her. "Didn''t they realize a tournament was, you know, happening?! Those rookies probably weren''t even in real danger¡­" She kicked a pebble, sending it skittering through a window. CRASH! Yuka had just shattered a window... "Bet everyone watched Jan just¡­ wipe the floor with thepetition. Now every guild with two brain cells has their eyes on him¡­" A chuckle, low and infuriatingly smooth, drifted from Julian. "Perhaps ack of brain cells in your lower ranks made for particrly gripping viewing." The expected jab came with an additional smirk, twisting the knife deeper. Yuka whirled on him, eyes zing. "Huh? What did you say???? I didn''t catch you on that one?" The usation burned in her throat. Her expression was in between the lines of punching Julian or Kicking him. Julian arched that annoying perfect eyebrow. "A skilled leader would have ensured neither scouts nor guild duties became distractions," he offered. "Regrettably, vision alone seems insufficient¡­" Each word held a sting, a reminder not just of her missed opportunity, but of his disapproval of her impulsive style. "Vision this... Vision that... Why don''t you shut the fuck up, Julian!" The retort shot back, as Yuka desperately tried to think of ways to mock Julian. Jan didn''t represent just some potential recruit ¨C he was an asset of her methods, the proof that instinct had its own power. Losing him¡­it wasn''t simply a matter ofpetition, it was a crack in the foundation of how she led. "Then do something with it, for once," Julian said, his gaze sharp. "Whining over spilled milk makes for a rathercklustre Guildmaster." The taunt hit its mark. She didn''t want pity, didn''t want validation from him. Her frustration ignited, not at Julian, but at herself. Every wasted minute fueled the rising fear of Jan slipping through her fingers. "Fine, let theme drooling." A fierce grin spread across her face, even if it felt slightly forced. "Let''s see What those bastards have to say with my hands¡­" Still fuming under the surface, Yuka rounded a corner in the hallway, Julian trailing beside her. Then, suddenly her annoyance vanished just as quickly as it red. "Jan!" The failed attempt at remaining cool dissolved into a genuine grin. As Yuka along with Julian was just as surprised seeing him in person. Jan offered a respectful bow, then ever so slightly shifted so the figure beside him became fully visible. Yuka didn''t notice him on the initial approach. It was Rel. This person was unknown in Yuka''s books, but now coupled with something different... he looked tired. His eyes were droopy, and he looked like he was on the verge of fainting. "Hello, Miss Azira," Jan greeted, and the warmth in his voice dispelled some of her curiosity. She was here for her prospect, after all. But her attention drifted back to Rel and before she could stop herself. A silent standoff seemed to be happening between him and Julian. The two locked gazes, an invisible sh that was¡­oddlyical? For all their posturing, there was a sense of stupidity as these two seemingly opposite energies silently stared each other down. Stareeeeeee... STARE.... ________ - I''m not losing to this fucker... - I''m not gonna lose to this kid! ________ A smirk touched Yuka''s lips. Why exactly are those two doing that and what caused them to do such a thing? She was never one to let an awkward social situation simmer for too long. Jan watched the strange exchange with a quirk of an eyebrow, then turned back to her. "It''s good to see you again, Miss Azira¡­" He paused, a slight hesitation exaggerating his usual respectful warmth. "I haven''t seen you since that day¡­" The uncertainty was fleeting, but that, or maybe the echo of the Rel/Julian standoff, sparked a memory - uninvited and painfully clear¡­ [shback...] 3 Years Ago [Location: Butchers Buffet, Seoul] The Korean BBQ joint, the neon of the sign humming through her liquor-fogged brain. Jan, unnoticed a few tables away, looked at the menu around the noisy space. Yuka who waspletely drunk, the usual coolposure blurring around the edges as she fended off yet another round of drinks offered by leering men. She wasn''t even slurring ¨C not her best state, for sure, but far from ckout. Just enough to find their persistence less annoying and more¡­threatening. "C''mon, sweetheart¡­just one?" Laughter that curdled beneath the surface. A hand crept out, not subtly, grabbing her wrist. It triggered a surge of anger, not the helpless kind, but oneced with stubborn desperation. Before Yuka could even respond, the words cut off with a gasp of surprise. Jan was suddenly there. "Let. Her. Go," His voice was pure ice, not loud, but a sharpness to it that cut through the drunkenughter. "Now." The thug kept a hold of Yuka''s risk looking at Jan with a disgusted look on his face. "I said, let go." Jan''s re met the leering confidence head-on. Then, it spiralled ¨C "Whatcha gonna do, little boy?" the man mocked, yanking her with surprising strength. Then, it was a blur. Jan didn''t posture and didn''t fall back on fancy practised forms. This was raw, brutal self-defence ¨C a jab to the sr plexus that dropped the first attacker, a bone-jarring crack as a table was sent tumbling into another who rushed up for support. And under it all, Yuka was quiet, eyes wide, witnessing this primal ferocity unleashed on her behalf. "Hey! Watch it, brat!" There was no hesitation in Jan''s eyes, only a calction so at odds with his serious face. An elbow connected and a third cry of panic followed as thest one backed off, fear overriding whatever drunken confidence had fueled him. Jan moved towards the man, who fumbled for something unseen¡­ a knife? But before Yuka could get up and stop him, the weapon was knocked away, Jan pinning the thug by the wrist against the greasy wall... Suddenly, Jan''s tense form seemed to ovey that memory, and now his hesitation made sense. Yuka was embarrassed about her being found drunk at that Korean BBQ that one time. "Oh yeah¡­I remember¡­!" The exmation burst from her, unfiltered, then faded into a low murmur. That night had been shoved far down the ''do not acknowledge'' pile, but now...it all flooded back to her so quickly she regretted ever drinking that night. A flush crept up Yuka''s neck. That memory was better left hidden. "So, Jan¡­seen those tournament highlights of yours," she blurted out, the change of topic forced, yet weed. "Just as expected for a future Legion leader...sharp, clean¡­" She nced sideways, trying to subtly see if Julian had any visible reaction to her praising his rival''s recruit. Then Yuka realised that Julian and Rel hadn''t stopped their initial stare-down. Are those two STILL staring each other down? It was absurd, really, like something out of a bad drama. Jan seemed surprised out of his worry. He offered a slightly awkward smile. "Thank you, Miss Azira. That''s very kind of you to say... " As Jan nced over his watch, his usualposure snapped unexpectedly. "Uh oh. Matches are about to start..." He shifted nervously, ncing towards the silent Rel. "Looks like we were..." "Lost in time? Happens to the best of us," she offered, a gentle smile masking a sudden curiosity. "Well, good luck you two! Knock those opponents out¡­" She waved as Jan and Rel hurriedly headed towards the direction of the arena. As Rel was being dragged away he kept staring at Julian with teary bloodshot eyes and refused to give up until the end, the tension between the two felt weirdly funny as if they knew each other. She turned towards Julian, who resumed his serious face. "Well, that was¡­" Thement trailed off. It almost felt like watching two wolves circling each other. Or maybe that was the leftover barbecue grease talking in her head? Finally, Julian turned away, as if suddenly dismissing the fact that he had a 10-minute staring contest with an academy student. That should have been it. Case closed on ''Most Pointless Competition of the Tournament Award''. Yet¡­ as Julian''s calm mask reformed, she had time to register something odd. Was¡­ was that a tear of water to his otherwise cold eyes? And not like¡­ a warrior''s tears, but a desperate attempt to hold back blinks? Was that the result of this ridiculousness? "That kid¡­ He''s a good one in my books." The words fell in a low, almost hesitant tone. She stared, confused. He wasn''t referring to Jan, but Rel. His gaze remained forward, not meeting hers, but there was something off in his usualposed voice. It hit her with an almost physical impact: Julian''s eyes. Red-rimmed. Tiredness, yes, but Yuka thought to herself What¡­had she missed? Then there was a question she had to ask Julian, "Wait, hold on¡­did the stare-down reduce you to tears?" Now, amused at the thought, she finally had something against Julian. Were they so petty, so ridiculously focused, that it caused eye strain? _________ Authors Notes: - Yuka has ck Short Hair and Blue eyes! The left side of her hair has a braid going down. - After the victory in the Little Heroes tournament Jan celebrated his win at a Korean BBQ which was the first time he tried eating at a restaurant after being reincarnated. - Yuka and Julian are childhood friends. - The winner of the Most Beautiful Female Hero was Yuka Azira winning by andslide against her femalepetitors. Chapter 55: Day 2 Of the Scouting Invitational Tournament (2) [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A Hallway to the Student Section] {Rel''s POV} That damn fucker Julian... He thought I was looking at his childhood best friend wrong. I think he had it all mixed up. The back of my hand swiped across my eyes, wiping away that traitorous dampness from overextending that stupid staredown. Sure, my vision still seemed a touch of the usual, but admitting that, even to myself? Impossible. Maybe some fine grit had blown under my eyelids or something like that. It wasn''t until Julian finally turned away that I realized¡­had Jan seen all of that? The guy shifted awkwardly, the concern on his face making me almost as ufortable as the stinging sensation in my eyes. "Rel, seriously, do you know who that was...standing beside Miss Yuka?" Jan gave me a concerned look as we continued walking. Of course, I knew who Julian was, That smugly assessing gaze had burned itself into my brain, it was as if sizing up some curious exhibit did I look like an animal to him? It left a sour taste in my mouth that made the lingering eye strain less annoying. It wasn''t even that he doubted I belonged. I genuinely believe that this guy was trying to harass me. Even from across the hallway, he exuded that stupid superiority, an unspoken message thinking he could have a staring contest with me. "Of course," I finally replied, the annoyance making my voice even drier than a week in the damn desert. "Julian Geogre. Guild leader of the Van Guardian Guild ranked fifth in the world." The facts held a grounding power against the absurdity of the confrontation. It was, objectively, stupid. And that realization of those pointless minutes was time that I''ll never get back. Jan looked slightly embarrassed. Good. At least something made sense in this surreal morning routine. "Right, of course. I just¡­ it didn''t seem like something idental..." An awkward shrug followed, but his point made an ufortable dent in my attempts to brush this off. ... [5 Minutes Later:] ... [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A Student Section] The student section was roaring with many 2nd years and 3rd-year students gambling on the matches (illegally) a stark contrast to the hush over the VIP boxes suspended above us. It wasn''t just the plush chairs and better view that set them apart. [Deadeye has been activated!] As I activated deadeye I looked at every familiar faces inside the VIP boxes I caught glimpses of figures, their expressions were easy to read at this distance, but I could just about see the names through the system check [Due to limitations and the Strength level of the users being analyzed, only the name and elemental attributes can be revealed...] [Stats Restriction: Strength, Mana, Speed, Durability,] [Name: Oberon Starcaster, Strength: ???, Mana: ???, Elemental Attribute: Lightning, Fire] [Name: Gerrard Freya, Strength: ???, Mana: ???, Elemental Attribute: Metal] [Name: Kang Villerion, Strength: ???, Mana: ???, Elemental Attribute: Fire] [Name: Aeliana Bell, Strength: ???, Mana, ???, Elemental Attribute: Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Lightning, Ice,] The names weren''t surprising ¨C Gerrard and Kang, old powerhouses, were expected here to watch their children shine. Oberon being here was expected, although in my novel I clearly remember he was tied up in some business meeting but I might''ve been wrong. But looking at the very bottom of the list was Aeliana Bell... The God Of Mages. why was she even here? There was no point in her being here. She had a guild to carry on her back, She simply couldn''t let her rankings fall this early in the story. Though I''m unsure about her intentions being unclear I know that Aeliana was the genius mage that the world wished for. Aeliana was one of the more important characters thatsted around the tower subjugation arc, and her fate was sealed the moment she fought the final floor of monsters to allow room for Jan to defeat the first tower. Then another thought slipped through my mind. The God of mages versus the Divine Sorceress who would win? Aurelia was by far the strongest person being gifted the light attribute butparing that to a mage who has 6 elemental attributes and has a bottomless reserve of mana it could be a close battle between the two since they''re parallels in this novel''s universe. Jan''s voice broke through my hypothetical analysis. "Cam''s up!" he pointed, confused. "Still don''t know why she asked me toe here to watch when we could be training for our uing battles¡­" His confused pause drove an irritation to rise in my head. Did¡­did I make him that oblivious? Sure, MCs needed reasons to move forward, but this scene had the subtlety of a sign screaming, "Notice me, love interest!" Was this truly his character, or another example of my ipetence? Jan''s words brought me back to the current match soon to start, "Let''s see what Cam''s Got." His voice held a strange mix of anticipation and excitement for his friend. A pocket of silence spread briefly as Cam took her ce. "And now, let''s wee the Crimson Spark, Cam Garcia!" As many people apuded in the stands the announcer introduced her opponent, "Also give your wee to Vale Bast! As all the students for the first batch of today''s match arrived on the 4 stagespletely ready to fight the announcer began his countdown for the first battle of the day. "3...2...1... FIGHT!" With the fight undergo Cam remained still, her staff held loosely in one hand. She watched her opponent with unnatural calmness. Across the field, Vale drew his wickedly curved daggers - des built for speed, not brute force. A flicker crossed his face, perhaps surprised at herck of immediate action. Did he expect an offensive st on her cue? I doubted Cam would offer such an easy opening. DASH! His feet barely seemed to touch the ground as Vale dashed forward, closing the distance in mere seconds. The sh was inevitable, yet still exciting to watch. DUNG! His first error. Cam caught both his daggers with her staff, sparks showering where the wood met metal. With her free hand, a crimson circle zed to life ¨C not in front of her, but behind Vale. It seemed an unnecessary risk, yet, I knew from experience nothing with Cam was done casually. Before Vale could adjust, Cam wasn''t just blocking, she was attacking. His momentum carried him deeper into the trap as she shoved her staff forward, locking his des for a split second. That sliver of time was all she needed. A flood of razor-sharp ice erupted from the portal at his back, forcing him to disengage with a frantic backward leap. CRASH, CRASH, CRASH, SWANG The shards of ice aimed by Cam missed and as she conjured a blue shield of mana and the ice shards crashed into her shield which she quickly dispelled after weaving it away with a gesture of her hands. With a fluid whirl, the crimson portal vanished. Looking at Vale''s face, his panicked andposed face was in shambles. There was no hope on that dusty battleground, he knew his tournament run ended here. Against most mages who were more support types, this might have been it. But for Cam, this man had to bow down in the face of overwhelming talent. Cam''s unwavering focus wasn''t just about magical prowess... I understood in that moment that even if he retreated, if he fought purely defensively, Cam would never have allowed him to fight on his own terms. This fight was never under his control. SWANG!!! Then that familiar crimson circle zed above Vale, but this was no trap. This was raw, destructive power. From above, not from below, this wouldn''t be a few shards or elemental distraction, but annihtion. It felt wrong making a character like her, even amongst the cheers of the audience. No student could ever wield this power so easily. WHAAAAAM It was the fire that washed over everything, more than just burning Vale she burnt the white stage with ease. At this moment, Cam seemed closer to Jan''s world than Valencia''s. I''d forgotten what she was truly capable of...no, what I, her creator, made her truly capable of. "First Winner of Match 1: Cam Garcia!" The medics didn''t bother waiting for Vale to stand before iming him. And the crowd roaring apuse and shock from the VIP stands. Looking at the person who was impressed most was the God of Mages pping for her soon-to-be disciple. ______________________ Authors Notes: - The staring contest between Rel and Julian was unintentional, Julian was just passing by time looking at Rel as seriously as possible. - Cam''s Elemental Attributes are Fire, Lightning, Water, Ice - Fun Fact About Cam - She''s a mage who can cast multiple incantationless spells at the same time. her current limit is 3. Cam is also special in the sense that she doesn''t require any mediums upon casting a spell, the reason she uses a staff as her weapon is to defend herself during closebat situations. - The reason in the 2v2 battle where Cam gave up against Jan and Rel was that she found it pointless trying to harm Jan knowing well she wanted him to do good in the tournament. (She wanted to injure Rel to the point where he couldn''t move :D) - Casting a barrier and a portal spell requires a lot of mana but being able to minimise the cost is what separates a good mage from a great one. Chapter 56: Awkward Silence [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A Student Section Stands] "Rel, Cam just sent me a message" Jan poked me showing the notification on his watch. [Notifications:] [Messenger App: Cam Garcia (ssmate): Jannnn I would love it if youe see me at the arena tunnel ?^ >¥î<^?] Looking at the message I assume this is Cam''s way of pouncing for praise from Jan and also trying to win his heart. I think it was pretty obvious what she was trying to do. "Oh, I see," I replied uninterested. "Well, Goodluck with that Jan I''m gonna leave." Getting up from my seat I gave my self a little stretch before leaving then I felt the strength of two mountains grab my wrist. "No. You''re going with me." Jan said while gripping my wrist tightly. [Warning! You''re losing -1 HP every second Jan holds his grip on you.] "Okay, okay. I''ll go with you." Shaking off Jan''s grip from my wrist, the aftermath of the pain settled in afterwards. ACK! I followed Jan towards the exit stands, to the tunnel where students emerged after each match. [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A Hallway] There was no escaping him which meant I had to third wheel their supposed meet up and Can''t he read between the lines? Cam wanted Jan to go, not us two. Finally arriving I could feel myself getting a little ufortable since Jan had no idea what Cam wanted. But I don''t know either, so I''m not really in a ce to say anything. As a silhouette that outlined Cam emerged, my eyes found her amongst the scattered groups of students congratting on her overwhelming win. I expected Jan to offer a nod, a few careful words of praise. But what I hadn''t nned for was how she moved when she saw Jan. Her entire energypletely changed, That brief rush of joy and what seemed seconds away from an embrace... all came to a stop when her eyes darted toward me. That open warmth shouldn''t exist yet. Instead of just an embrace, her arms reached towards him...then dropped abruptly. Suddenly, her face seemingly changed into a strained mask of disgust. Her reaction to me was the harsh confirmation. a t tone, "Oh¡­uh, it''s you Rel" held less gratitude and more ''why did you ruin this moment?''. And somehow, Jan only got brighter at the inclusion. Looking at Jan I realised how much I had failed as an author. And then, to add insult to injury, Cam added, "How thoughtful of you to bring a friend, Jan. I didn''t think my invite was enough so you brought another person..." It was polite, but the tone of sarcasm hurt me the most. Jan, the airhead, beamed. "Well of course! Rel did tell me he had a match next, so I thought it was convenient to bring him along." There was no hiddenyer to him, no reading between the lines. That sincerity made it so much worse.my main character simply existed within the narrow world I built. He would always misunderstand. Always miss the subtleties of the emotions swirling around him. Yet, it was also...urate. This was how I wrote him. Cam managed a tight smile, the sarcasm edged in ice. "Is that so? You''re so considerate, Jan." He missed it again. It was a heavenly joke I wasn''tughing at. His genuine "Why thank you, Cam!" almost broke something within me. It was tragically perfect. This entire farce was of my own making. I couldn''t even force a frown. Instead, a helpless chuckle slipped out at the sheer absurdity. That oblivious protagonist, my most important creation, was also the source of such unheroic embarrassment. Then, like the cruel whims of a god mocking its wed creation. BZZZT! BZZZT! my watch erupted with a notification. [Your Uing Match Schedule...] [Round Of 30 Knockout stages:] [Name: Axel Saint Rel Laurence] [Matches Completed: 20] [Match Number: 2] [Time: 9:30 AM] [Opponent: ???] [*Reminder your weapon is still at the reception.] Saved by the watch the alert informed me my registered weapon awaited pick-up from reception. This was my chance to leave the two alone. "I''ve gotta run," I choked out, a weak lie as I slowly moved away from the two. Yet, my escape was swiftly blocked. "Leaving already? Oh yeah! I left my sword at reception as well! I''ll go with you Rel." I swear, his eyes sparkled with an enthusiasm even my impending fight couldn''t evoke. It was the final blow. That "yeah!" like my revtion was some delightful coincidence¡­ it broke something in my writer''s brain. Is he stupid because he''s the main character? Or Is he the main character because he is stupid? I tried to word my reply to Jan as clearly as possible. "Wait - no, don''t follow! You¡­don''t even know what¡­where it is. It''s fine, stay here! I got it!" The desperation must have echoed in my tone even though I barely recognized it. He blinked, confused. "Don''t you need to know which one''s mine? Let''s go together! It''ll be faster like that, right?" My hands clenched; every second in his presence chipped away at whateverposure I tried desperately to maintain. Suddenly, Cam. No longer politely amused, but cold fire. "Why don''t you two lovers just go and get your weapons together already?" It wasn''t gentle teasing, but the sting of someone tired of watching others fail at basic social interaction. And maybe she was right. If anything, my cowardice in running would only solidify whatever bizarre idea her joke had in Jan''s mind. Jan turned toward Cam, the presence of his smile nowpletely absent. With a rity that stung far more than Cam''s sarcasm, he simply stated, "We''re not lovers, Cam." This wasn''t the flustered denial of hidden emotion, but a simple statement born of fundamental disconnect. If there was a fact to be put out there on the inte it would be that Jan is straighter than a pole. "Right, Rel?" Jan turned towards Rel, expecting an agreement but Rel was long gone before anything was said. __________ Authors Notes: - When writing the Cam and Jan scene the song I was listening to was: Catching Feelings - Justin Bieber, It''s a good song tbh. - It is a rule within the academy that no weapons are allowed within the stands so students either leave their weapons back in their dorm rooms or hand them into the office reception. Those who are caught breaking these rules get their weapons confiscated and suspended for 3 days. - For second year and third year students at Pinnacle get 3 days off as the whole Academy sses are paused due to the Scouting Invitational Tournament. - Rel didn''t bother to get Jan''s weapon. Chapter 57: Round Of 32 Knockout Stages [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A: Allen''s Cafe] At Allen''s cafe, the infamous trio of the 1-A ss were enjoying their break before the round of 32 knockouts began. Lyra energetic as ever was humming a tune in her seat, unable to contain her energy even within the cozy confines of Allen''s Cafe. while, Cam slumped against the backrest, a picture of nonchnt boredom. Valencia, usually a bnced blend of the two, stared out the window distracted by the students arguing outside. Arghhh "Honestly," Cam spoke up, "why is Jan such an airhead? I thought I wasying it on thick." She punctuated herint with an exaggerated groan. Lyra and Valencia immediately snapped to attention. "What happened?" they asked at the same time. Cam sighed dramatically. "I texted Jan to meet me by the tunnel." The other girls nodded. "Well, I finally saw himing, and I got all excited¡­." She trailed off, a scowl recing her excitement. "Then guess who he had with him? Rel." "Rel?" Lyra blinked, ever the picture of cluelessness. "What''s wrong with Rel?" Lyra asked out of curiosity. "...!" cough!, cough! While Valencia was taking a sip of her Icette she almost spat her drink out after a certain person''s name was called. "...R-R-Rel?..." Valencia let out a fake cough as if to cover up what happened between the two earlier. She recalled yesterday''s incident with her father, the way the world shattered when she was spotted by Rel and her perfect image shattered. The thought that he might spread rumours of her daddy''s girl persona filled her with dread. "Did something happen between the two of you?" Cam smirked, noting Valencia''s rarepse inposure. Valencia swiftly turned away, a faint red blush on her cheeks as she tried to bury the embarrassing memory. "Hmph! Nothing happened!" Valencia''s voice rose slightly, but Cam wasn''t convinced. "Okay then, if nothing happened, then it''s not worth speaking about, I guess." Cam shrugged, a teasing tone barely concealing her determination to uncover the truth. "Oh! Continue with the Jan thingy, Cam!" Lyra''s cheerful interjection shifted the focus, much to Valencia''s relief. Cam continued her rant."Speaking of shopping, Jan and I did some over the weekend. We were looking for outfits for the club trip to France ¨C wasn''t that sweet of him? He even bought me this adorable keychain!" Cami held up a chibi keychain featuring a character from a popr novel from the novel''s extra. "Isn''t it cute? He remembered I liked the series!" Lyra, oblivious as ever, gasped. "Shopping? You two? Oh, wow! ¨C did he pick out anything nice for you? Did he take you somewhere fancy?" A puzzled frown then crossed her face. "Wait, how did you even get a date with Jan in the first ce?" Cam smirked, enjoying the spotlight. "Well¡­" she began, recounting the tale of how she''d casually suggested the shopping trip to Jan. As Cam talked, Valenciapletely forgot about her embarrassment a few minutes ago and was surprised at how Cam asked Jan. "Wait, so you just asked him directly? Wow, you''re so bold!" A sliver of admiration twinkled in her eyes. *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A: Academy Office Reception] After running away from Jan''s stupidity I found myself at the Academy reception office where all the weapons handed in are stored for the meantime as Students aren''t allowed to have weapons on them in public spaces or the crowd stands. I reached the designated reception desk a polished wooden counter stacked with forms and clipboards. "Rel Laurence," I said, cing my student ID down. "Here to reim my crossbow for storage." The receptionist, a young woman with neatly coiled hair, nodded and tapped a few keys on herputer. "Just a moment, Mr. Laurence." Her fingers flew across the keyboard. "Ah yes, here we are. Please sign here to confirm receipt." She slid a clipboard and pen towards me. I quickly scrawled my signature. The routine was oddlyforting and Just as I finished, she turned and retrieved a sleek case from a shelf behind the counter. "And here''s your weapon, Mr. Laurence." I opened the case, the familiar weight of my crossbow settling into my hands. With a quick nce at my watch, I checked the time and I realised my next match was starting soon. [Your Uing Match Schedule...] [Round Of 30 Knockout stages:] [Name: Axel Saint Rel Laurence] [Matches Completed: 20] [Match Number: 2] [Time: 9:30 AM] [Opponent: Sergio Vex - [Arena A] - ] [Please arrive 15 minutes early for inspection.] If I''m going to secure my spot in the top rounds of the tournament, I need to start taking it a bit more seriously. As I began walking towards Arena A through the bustling student lobby, I figured I needed information beforehand to see what this Sergio Vex guy is like. Anyone who makes it to the round of 32 is no longer a nobody. At least in my head they aren''t. "System." FWANG! [Yes Mr. Axel? :D] "How much PPP would it be to see the battle stats of Sergio Vex?" [That woulde to 165 PPP Mr Axel!] [Would you like to purchase this information?] "Yes," I answered swiftly. [Disying battle information of the opponent: Sergio Vex] FWANG! [Character Role: Background Character, Preferred Weapon: Sword and Shield, Strength: 72, Speed: 47, Durability: 110, Mana: C, Swordsmanship: 4.2/10, Elemental Attributes: Earth] [Would you like me to reveal his abilities for an extra 50 PPP Mr. Axel?] "No, It''s fine I think this is enough..." I ced my crossbow to the side and hurried off, weaving through the crowded halls towards Arena A. It felt good to have a n, an advantage for once. ... [5 minutester...] ... [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A: Hallway Entrance To The Main Stadium] Finally, I reached the designated tunnel entrance leading down into the heart of the arena.they did their regrly conducted inspections, not just for weapons, but for a far more insidious problem: mana doping. The Academy took cheating seriously, and with good reason. Pushing yourself beyond your limits with potions and forbidden magics came with a heavy price. A price a few desperatepetitors were willing to pay... "Student ID" the guard''s voice blunt. I presented my student ID to the first guard. He took a quick nce to confirm against his roster, and I was waved through. Next, weapon check. It wasn''t umon for students to try sneaking in modifications. That''s why all weapons went through review. I held my crossbow aloft. The inspector guard took hold of my weapon, "Standard issue, nothing special," he said as he inspected it carefully. The inspector handed my weapon back. He seemed satisfied probably because of the aesthetics of it I assume. Finally, the scanner. Its light swept across my body, detecting any trace of doping. Predictably, the light remained a nd green. "Clear," the operator called out. I nodded and passed through the tunnel, the roar of the Arena crowd building with each step. _______________ Authors Notes: - The chibi character that Cam got from Jan was a Yoo Yeonha! (Just had to make the reference tbh) - There are only 4 matches that go on at a time in the main arena stadium and when it reaches to quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals the 4 stages willbine to make arger stage for thepetitors to fight on. - Valencia, Lyra, and Cam''s Matches are after Rel''s match! Chapter 58: Round Of 32 Knockout Stages (2) [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A: Student Section Seating] The massivebined stage was an exciting site for all the students within the academy. In the stands, students shook for optimal viewing spots. In the middle of the first-year section, a small group buzzed with conversation. "Dude, those cheating rumours about Sergio¡­" Jan scratched his head, a worried expression recing his usual easygoing attitude. "Do you think they''re true?" Bazz grinned, an impish look in his eye. "Sergio? Topped one of the nastiest brackets in the prelims. Full of those ranked snobs, too. Don''t think a cheater could finesse a run like that. If nothing else, the dude is strong." "But what about his match against Rel?" Jan''s worry wasn''t unfounded. Rel, with all his skill, was still mediocre from what Jan had seen from him and an unknown quantity. "Did you see any of his earlier matches, Bazz?" "Nah, was stuck in my bracket," Bazz shrugged, then yelped and ducked out of the way as Jan flicked him on the forehead. "Ouch! Hey, what was that for?" "Don''t say ''stuck,''" Jan scolded. "Sounds like you made azy exit. What was your record like, anyway?" Bazz rubbed the offended spot, but he was unable to suppress a slightly boastful grin. "Eighteen and two, my friend! Tough loss to Louise, then it was back-to-back-to-back wins¡­enough to sneak in, thankfully." Suddenly, three neers plopped down on the seats beside them. "Honestly, Rel versus Sergio seems like a good matchup to watch," she scoffed. "I bet this will end quickly, one way or another." Jan, ever easygoing, grinned a greeting. "Hey, Lyra! Hey, Cam, Val." The three girls waved at Jan but Bazz barely spared a nce, focused on the pre-match tension below. continuing, "I think this match could be close. Sergio for the long haul, but that crossbow guy might pull a trick or two early on. Who knows." He paused, then pointed towards the arena. "Besides, that Rel dude had it easy ¨C undefeated in his own bracket, right?" Jan shrugged. "You''d think so, but I think Rel''s been pulling his punches until now. I''m sure of it!" Both Bazz and Cam scoffed nearly simultaneously. "No way," Cam retorted. "His bracket was full of no-names. It''s called being efficient, not hiding anything." Bazz chimed in, "Exactly! I tried snooping for reys, but no one was filming the bottom-of-the-barrel stuff. Too busy gawking at the big names throwing around fancy magic..." ____________ ACHOO! Ah, I swear there''s something in the air... ____________ "Speaking of big names," Cam smirked, eyes fixed on the arena. "What''s the over/under on seeing some serious skill from him anyway?" Valencia, usually an active part of the discussion, remained strangely silent. Her eyes seemed glued to the spot where Rel stood, and an uncharacteristic blush dusted her cheeks. It seemed the incident with Rel had left its mark, but clearly, his victories had piqued her curiosity. Before she could find her voice, a wave of anticipation washed over the stadium. The announcer''s voice boomed over the speakers. "Ladies and gentlemen! Wee to the Knock Out Stages! Only the thirty-two finest from yesterday''s matches remain...and only sixteen will advance! Today, we bear witness to Pinnacle Academy''s rising stars. Let''s give a roaring wee to our two students opening up the first round of the knockouts! - Sergio Vex, ranked Fifty-Seven of the ss of 1-B!" A spotlight caught Sergio on the opposite side of the arena, the re of the morning sun reflecting from his shield. Cheers, and the asional boo rose from the student section. "And opposing him - " the announcer''s voice took on a hint of drama - "Don''t let his current rank deceive you! He''s at the knockout stages for a reason! ¨C Rel Laurence! Rank 989! A contender to watch, for he alone, boasts a wless twenty-match win streak from the preliminary stages!" Silence, then an explosion of surprised and degradingments. "989th?" A surprised shout came from somewhere within the stadium. "Is this dude for real?" Another student voiced hisints, their voice dripping with a hint of disgust, "Looks like someone snuck his way through the easy route..." Negative buzz quickly filled the arena. Jan blinked in astonishment, while Bazz broke into slightly strained-soundingughter. He tried to y it off, "You wanna bet if Rel wins?" Bazz suggested the idea to Jan before shortly replying to him with a smirk on his face. "If Rel wins then you''ll be buying me lunch all week and I want you on your knees apologising in the morning before ss begins." Jan stroked his chin grinning at embarrassing Bazz. "Harsh punishment Jan but deal!" Bazz shook Jan''s hand, "If I win then lunch is on you for the whole week!" As the trio of girls looked at the two idiots bantering up bets Cam watched both Rel and Sergio getting ready on stage. "Well?" Cam nudged Valencia onest time, a teasing light in her eyes. "Who''s it going to be, Val?" "..." *** [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A: The Main Stage] Passing through the tunnel, Instead of the usual narrow corridor leading to a specific arena, there was only one path ahead, bathed in blinding light. The roar of the crowd assaulted my ears, louder than before. They''dbined the stages. One massive stage. Now that¡­ well, that changed things. I stepped out into the dazzling glow and onto the cold stone arena floor. Even with the prior day''s matches under my belt, the size of this space was imposing. Tens of Thousands of seats circled around me, filled with chattering students, faculty, reporters, and countless pairs of eyes now scrutinizing me. A chill of unease came down my spine. It felt like the entire academy was watching me... I nced at mypetition, trying to see any advantage ¨C there was only Sergio Vex and¡­ I stopped short. There were many eyes from what I could see in the stands. Especially that all the guild leaders from the top 10 were watching. Looks like Gerrard from afar is looking at me with some discontent. Sorry I guess... Before I could look around at any more special characters, a booming voice echoed over the arena speakers. The crowd hushed instantly... ________________ Authors Notes: - The way the early parts of the tournament works is that the 20 students in each grouppete for wins which is worth three points, draws 1 point and a loss which is 0 points. The top 2 of each group will advance and the third ce of each group willpete in an extra match to earn their spots for the Knockout stages. The 10 students with the most wins out of the 20 advance to the knockouts. For a clear visual this is what it would look like: Group A winners: [Jan - 1] <- Advances to the next stage [Lyra - 2] <- Advances to the next stage [Brandon - 3] <- Has to y an extra game for the qualified *** [Knockout stage qualifiers Standings] [Name 1 - 10 wins - 0 losses] [Name 2 - 8 wins - 2 losses] <- Faster winning time [Name 3 - 8 wins - 2 losses] [Name 4 - 7 wins - 3 losses] [Name 5 - 5 wins - 5 losses] etc... Chapter 59: Round Of 32 Knockout Stages (3) The crowd''s noise hit me like a physical force. 989th. Was it really necessary to announce that bit? I was here, doing my best, the same as anyone else. haaah... A frustrated sigh escaped me as I faced Sergio Vex across the cold stone floor. A sea of confused and jeering faces blurred in my vision. Did a low rank really matter that much? Before I could dwell on it, the starting signal reverberated through the stadium. It was time to move. Pulling out my crossbow I could see Sergio already had his sword and shield, a standardbo favoured for both defence and counterattacking. At least he wasn''t underestimating me because of my ranking. Good. TAK! I let my first bolt fly to gauge his reaction rather than inflict damage. Sure enough, Sergio batted it away with his shield, but with less effort than I expected. "Seriously, dude?" He fixed me with a sceptical face. "I faced tougher opponents, but shooting directly at my shield..." He trailed off, shaking his head with disappointment. "Are you by any chance R****ed?" I gave a dramatic shrug, feigning offence. "Hey, just checking it wasn''t an illusion or something. A little etiquette before the actual fight, you know?" The crowd wasn''t buying my excuse. A ripple of hate reced the earlier amusement. "Who does this rando think he is?" someone snorted. "Trying to get into the opponent''s head? Pathetic." "Really Rel?" Jan looked at Rel confused. "...!" Valencia tilted her head trying to understand what just happened. Now I just made myself look like a fool. But only enough for this Vex guy to feel the need to beat me by andslide. "I''m gonna kill you" Sergio surged forward, fueled by anger as much as a need to regain face. The glow around his shield intensified ¨C time for brute force. He feinted a shing attack with his sword, then lunged low, clearly aiming to knock me off bnce. [Evasiveness (Passive) has been activated!] Instead of retreating, I took a quick step forward feeling a boost in speed, I forced him to eithermit to the lunge or pull back. He wasn''t prepared for that audacity. He pulled back but lost momentum and bnce in the process. His hesitation made him an easy target. I drew two bolts. My first wasn''t meant to inflict damage ¨C it struck the stone tform near the heel of his boot, sending shards of chipped stone flying in his direction. I''ve been practicing for a bit on how to use this ability so let''s hope this works. Focusing my mind on the chipped stones I used my right hand flicking my pointing finger and middle finger upwards. SHAK!, SHAK!, The unexpected stones had gravitated upwards grazing the upper right cheek of his face. "...!" His reaction was reasonable, I knew precision control was broken the moment I learned the ability. Although it hurts my head trying to control the ability it works just like the system said. As long as anything touched by me or touched by an item owned by me means the property of the object would be considered a projectile as long as it has a moving force of its own, allowing control over how I can manipte the object. It wasn''t easy but it was small steps to getting better at it. After his reaction to my precision control, I already had my second bolt thudded into his raised shield. Not a powerful strike, but precise and forceful. With his focus solely on blocking the bolts, I gambled. Closing the distance in a heartbeat, I struck the lower edge of his shield with a solid kick. The echo of metal upon stone rang through the arena. Ow, dammit! Should''ve aimed much lower and braced better ¨C his shield rebounded a bit of that force right back into my knee. Still, that wasn''t what he was focused on. SLASH! With his sword scraping the lower side of my knee a jolt of pain quickly rose from my legs feeling the burn of his sh. "What did you expect? you kicked a shield and felt the force bounce back at you, you idiot." He mocked lunging once more going for another sh. sh! With his sword touching the ground he had missed my body just by a millimetre. The miss felt like a win. But his smirk told me there was more...the entire tform beneath me rumbled. I saw that his foot was glowing with mana and he was constantly tapping the ground with a rhythm. RUMBLE, RUMBLE, RUMBLE, "RISING ROCK!" Sergio roared, swinging his sword at me. With sharp spikes erupted from the stone, forcing me to leap backwards to avoid being impaled. Two bolts flew past him as I jumped, firing more out of instinct than aiming. But as I flicked my hand up, I wasn''t giving up on those shots. DODGE!, DODGE!, DODGE!, It was about redirection, not power. The mental focus was everything. With a groan that felt like a spike in my skull, I willed those bolts to change trajectory... TAK!, TAK! It seemed I''d missed. But wait...he flinched! No explosion, no sound. It made me realise what if a ''deactivated'' bolt wasn''t pointless after all? "...WHAT?..." It was then Vex had stumbled forward from a mysterious force pushing him towards Rel. The confused look in his eyes hadn''t registered the fact that the same 2 bolts he had regarded as missed targets didn''t make a single sound after Rel had seemingly missed. But his body couldn''t process as fast as his mind and as a matter of fact, the bolts had no energy and no element within them. They were attributeless arrows, or so they were and the burning sensation that had erupted from behind rose. "AHHHHHH! IT BURNS!" Vex screamed dropping the sword from the pain. that split-second confusion cost him dearly. In a rush, I closed the gap, five meters turning into zero almost instantly. Before he could fully react, my crossbow was ready to force surrender him... But he reacted faster, he knocked the crossbow out of my hands and seemingly enough I knew this would happen somehow, for what he rejoiced through his annoying grin was met with my fist. SHAAAAA! [Critical Hit!] A Burst of ck lightningpletely erupted from my right fist and with a powerful force, he was sent flying to the very edge of the tform. One more inch and it would have been an automatic forfeit. KEUKKK! The agony in his cry told me my punch had left its mark. ______________________ Authors Notes: - Precision control: The ability allows Rel control over objects that are considered ''projectiles'', For Rel to use this ability requires a lot of mental strength as it is a task of manifesting the movement first and controlling the speed of how fast it goes. - Force surrender is essentially pinning your opponent into a spot where moves are considered ''finishers'' meaning that if a weapon is pointing straight at your head there''s no way out of it. By the rules, you have to Force Surrender, giving up. Chapter 60: Round Of 32 Knockout Stages (4) [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A: Vip Box Suite #1] The brutal impact of Rel''s fist mming into Sergio''s face echoed through the massive arena, followed by a collective gasp from the shocked crowd. It was one thing to defeat a favouredpetitor, but such a disy of raw power from an unranked nobody. Up in the VIP booths, even the most respected guild leaders in the world couldn''t remain unaffected. "Wahahahahaha!" A boisterousugh broke the stunned silence, emanating from a well-built man who despite his silver-streaked hair, radiated a yful aura. "Now that was a hit I haven''t seen in a while! Poor Sergio, eating dirt out there!" Beside him, a slightly leaner figure with a neatly trimmed beard huffed. "It only proves again, that the student ranking system has its ws. Skill can exist anywhere but without proper testing..." "Oh, lighten up, Kang," Gerrard Freya, guildmaster of the Miracles, chortled with delight. "A bit of chaos spices things up! Who would have predicted this oue, eh?" Kang Villerion, leader of the Trinities Centurions, sighed. He tapped a leather-bound folder resting on the ornate table before them. "Still, even surprises follow patterns. It seems this Rel Laurence belongs to the same ss as..." he scanned the sheet, searching for the names, "...your Valencia and my son Louise." Gerrard''sughter cut off mid-note. "Our children? Interesting..." A surprised frown creased his jovial face. Then a sh of memory crossed his mind ¨C That evening... there it was again. The faintest blush crept onto Valencia''s cheek when that certain crossbow-carrying student passed by them. - "Dad, please," His daughter tugged his shirt - "Dad, please¡­ He might have heard..." Suddenly brought back to the present Gerrard had thoughts of the boy named Rel, "Surely not...no, she would have mentioned someone as..." He trailed off. Gerrard felt slightly worried that this student called ''Rel'' Might be bullying his daughter, But the thought of that bing a thing was almost impossible. His daughter was notorious for beating up anyone who tried to bully her. Recalling a moment from many years ago Gerrard tried introducing her to some friends from the heroes association but she ended up bashing the majority of those spoilt kids which was reasonable. - AHH! Get away from me! - YOU''RE A MONSTER! - Don''t talk about my mum like that! The faint memory felt so visually clear... "Ah, I guess she still has that energetic personality of her mother. But she''s much more reserved now." A surge of warmth mixed with unease coursed through him. His daughter, his precious Valencia, was growing up so fast. It would be too early for her to try already dating. Then the doubts that echoed inside Gerrard''s mind became a concern thinking about the importance of ''him''. - "Do you know him?" Gerrard pressed - "He''s...no one." Valencia mumbled. If he is no one then Gerrard can only trust the words of his daughter. *** Rel''s victory echoed through the shocked silence of the arena, but strangely, the roar of triumph Jan expected never came. No celebratory shouting, no jeers of outrage over the underdog''s win. "Uh, did, did he?" Jan blinked, eyes darting through the stands. Where were the excited voices, the groans of disappointed gamblers? All he found was a strange, almost respectful hush amidst the crowd. Baffled, he turned to Bazz. Surely his friend, ever attuned to the social ebb and flow of events, would have an exnation. But Bazz''s attention wasn''t focused on the fight ¨C eyes were glued to some point up high, jaw slightly ck. "Bazz? What''s going on?" Jan snapped his fingers to get his friend''s attention. "What''s everyone so worked up about?" Bazz didn''t even respond. Instead, he grabbed Jan''s shoulder and practically spun him around. "Dude," he breathed, awe mixed with confusion, "you won''t believe this...it''s the Divine Sorceress!" "Wha- " Jan sputtered. Just past the VIP booths, an elegant figure stepped into view. It was a woman, covered in flowing robes of blue and shimmering silver, looking down upon the surprised crowd. A flurry of hushed whispers washed over the crowd. "Divine Beauty! Even from afar!" some eximed. "Oh my, is that truly Aurelia?" murmured others. "AURELIA THE CELESTIAL ONE?" The crowds were shouting, shocked at the presence. Even seasoned instructors abandoned their spots, momentarily stunned by the unexpected appearance. Everyone was moving for a better glimpse, eyes fixed on that single elegant figure radiating a powerful charm. A ripple of movement swept through the stands as they deserted their posts. Jan realized they were witnessing a pivotal fight, and almost no one cared except for him. He settled back on his seat, eyes drawn to the two lone figures on the arena floor. It seems Rel, for all his intelligence, now also held the dubious honour of being the star of an unseen fight¡­all because of a single, extraordinarily unexpected arrival. "I''m so sorry Rel..." Jan was seemingly sad that Rel didn''t get the recognition he deserved. *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] A sense of unease crept over me as a strange hush fell over the arena. Even with my victory over Sergio, this silence wasn''t normal. And then it hit me¡ªa figure in the VIP section, surrounded by flustered staff and stunned onlookers. A ripple of awe and disbelief echoed through the stadium. The Divine Sorceress herself, Aurelia Draxen, The number 1 hero was here seen in public. I couldn''t have ever imagined that she would show up during the tournament arc but was there any reason why? I tried thinking of all the solutions to her appearing at this point of the story but there weren''t any, maybe she was on vacation, but there wasn''t any relevant information I had written for Aurelia to appear so early at this point of the story. I was surprised as well It seemed my underdog victory was earned in peace. After all I wouldn''t be fighting in this tournament if it wasn''t for a quest. Finally, the announcer''s voice echoed through the stands. It was curiously t as if even he hadn''t recovered fully from the sight of such a legendary figure. "...well, our winner is Rel Laurence," he buzzed, the usual enthusiasmpletely absent. The announcement fell upon mostly deaf ears. Almost everyone was fixated on Aurelia, their awestruck whispers almost louder than his amplified voice. Maybe I kind of felt disappointed but this was good for me anyway, As long as no one noticed at least. [You had system notifications off Mr Axel!] [You''ve earned 866 PPP!] WOAH! That''s so much! What did I do to earn this? I felt a genuine smile cross my face seeing this many points, I wondered what I should do with this after. "Excuse me Mr. Laurence, We''re going to have to ask you to get off stage please."a staff member approached me tapping me on the shoulder. I nodded and walked to the edge of the tform. As I followed a security official the whispers continued. There was no talk of my upset victory, instead a murmur spread throughout the audience: "She looks even more radiant up close..." I had to stifle a snort¡ª I didn''t realise how much social influence Aurelia had. Once away from the stands, I could still feel the bruises and pain on my legs as Sergio''s final attacknded a sharp blow to my leg. Two more staff members scurried forward, assessing me with clinical nces. "Stable, no majorcerations," a woman wearing a crisp medic''s uniform murmured, jotting down notes on a tablet. "Let''s take him to the Chamber for a quick scan and regenerative cycle. Standard tests only." "And what about Sergio Vex?" I asked. His limp, though exaggerated, looked worse than my mild burn and his face looked funny. Damn, that facent must have hurt. The staff exchanged uneasy nces. "There''s a stretcher awaiting him. Priority care protocol in case..." one started, his voice trailing off awkwardly. "Fair enough," I said, masking my irritation with a shrug. "Let''s make it a speedrun...There''s a match after this I don''t want to miss." A flicker of surprise flickered across the medic''s face. Before she could answer, we arrived Inside what I assume was the Hyperstasis chamber, it was all cool whites and glowing technology. With practised motions, I was hooked up to a console, the staff murmuring efficiency reports amongst themselves. ZZZZZZZZ! A hum rose as the system activated, tingling warmth beginning to wash over me. The gentle warmth coursing through me had a lulling effect. My bruises already felt faded, a pleasant prickling sensation washing over my strained muscles. This Chamber was something else entirely. Whatever they were pumping into me was pure regeneration magic ¨C more potent than any type of medication ever made. "All clear. Regenerative cycle optimal," a crisp voice broke through my thoughts. Suddenly, the warmth faded away, and the hum of the Chamber silenced. Reluctantly, I opened my eyes and unhooked myself from the console. One of the medics handed me back my crossbow. "We''ve run full diagnostic scans. It seems you''re in perfect shape ¨C ready for another full fight." Herment held a note of genuine curiosity. With a brief nod of thanks, I shouldered my weapon and left the Chamber. Despite the physical healing, it wouldn''t be so easy to erase the other effects of this match. So heading off to the student lobby I sat down on the lounge checking my bracket, to see my potential matchup for the next battle. __________________ Authors Notes: - Gerrard Freya is a magic swordsman, The weapon he wields is a Broadsword. - Kang Villerion is a wielder of the spear, The weapon he wields is a Lance. - Overthinking tendencies run in the Freya bloodline. - At the age of 19 Oberon Starcaster created one of the most revolutionising technologies of the modern-day era, The Hypostasis chamber! - The PPP Rel earnt was from Gerrard and Kang''s acknowledgement of Rel''s existence. _________________ *NOTE - The Hyperstasis chamber excels at rapidly healing external injuries. However, it cannot address psychological trauma or regenerate missing limbs. This limitation rifies the chamber''s specialization in physical repair. Chapter 61: Jae Yoona {Jae Yoona POV} [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A: OfficeReception] hmm...hmm...hmm... A gentle hum escaped Jae''s lips as she strolled along the sunlit corridors of Pinnacle Academy. It was a song without a tune, a melody inspired by the rhythmic tapping of her boots on the polished floor. She had juste back after having her Bow broken from overusage and the staff had made her a new one to use. "Ah, there you are!" A familiar voice broke through her humming, carrying a cheerful warmth. Turning, Jae spotted her best friend, Alice, waiting patiently beside the reception desk¡ªa hint of joy coloured Alice''s everposed features. "Another one of your songs, Jae? It''s a good thing these walls have noise-cancelling walls, you know." Despite the lighthearted tease, Jae grinned back. "I''m cultivating an artistic aura of mystery," she dered, mock-offended. "And you, as my most trusted supporter, should appreciate it." Alice simply smiled, tucking a strand of long, Blonde hair behind her ear. "Of course, of course. I wouldn''t question your artistic genius, especially with another victory tucked under your belt." "Is that so?" Jae nodded agreeing to Alice''s words. Even now, the concept of ''victories'' didn''t sitfortably with her. It was Alice, observant and perceptive as always, who had convinced her to take the tournament seriously. It had been a struggle at first...but somewhere along the way, facing opponents did be interesting for Jae, as an archer aspiring to be a leader of a guild she knew that this event was important for taking those small steps to glory. The receptionist waved them over with a smile. "Ms. Yoona, Ms. Elizabeth, your weapons are ready for retrieval." The woman slid Jae''s designed bow across the counter. They were practically sisters, this bond was forged over years of growing up together since Alice became a sponsored student of Jae''s family while in Ennd. "Speaking of victories..." Alice started, her voice taking a conspiratorial turn. "Your next match against... hmm, let me check..." ncing at her watch she checked to see Jae''s Bracket. [Round Of 32 Knockout Stages] (Left Side Bracket) Rel Laurence (13) ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª| Winner: Rel Laurence Sergio Vex (20) *** Miya Takeo (8) ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª| Winner: TBD Ben Beal (25) *** (Right Side Bracket) Jae Yoona (5) ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª| Winner: TBD Bazz Wong (28) "It''s Bazz Wong from our ss, right?" Alice spoke as she ced her Sabre into its sheath. Jae checked her own watch, confirming. "Ugh, yes. It''s always interesting to try to understand what''s going on inside that noisy head of his," she joked. There was no malice in her words, simply a touch of teasing familiarity about their overly enthusiastic ssmate. Alice hummed in agreement. "His enthusiasm definitely precedes him. Remember those ss quizzes he slept through? The snoring echoed so well with the instructor''s voice, it turned into an improvised duet." A tiny smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. Jaeughed, the image shing in her mind with perfect rity. The pair continued strolling, moving through the less-popted side hallways. Their footsteps were suddenly drowned out by a swarm of chattering male students ¨C most casting appreciative nces at them as they passed by. - Are those girls really from our academy? - Wow... They''re beautiful. - So pretty... - I wished the third years looked like them... "What a bunch of weirdos," Jae muttered, rolling her eyes yfully. Alice changed the topic swiftly, lowering her voice into a near-whisper in Jae''s ear. "Speaking of weirdos, I heard a weird rumour¡­" Intrigued, Jae leaned in closer. "Oh? Let''s hear it," she urged. "Apparently, Bazz participated in a tournament just a few weeks back. One of those lower-tier leagues at Dawnsde Arena. Rumour has it, he lost in the quarter-finals¡­" Alice paused, her voice taking on a dramatic tone. "...to an archer." Jae raised an eyebrow, surprise ying on her features. "Now that is certainly...interesting." An image of brash, overly confident Bazz losing to another archer was hard to think about knowing well that she was versing him next. "Is there footage?" she asked, curiosity piqued. Alice offered her a wry smile. "Naturally, I already dug it up. Let''s find a quieter spot, and then I''ll give you a full tactical analysis¡­" [5 Minutes Later...] "Argh, Dawnsde Arena has these awful camera angles," she grunted with a touch of annoyance. "But watch closely¡­" the scene shifted, and there on the gritty stage was Bazz, facing a lean, looking archer with his hair looking like he just got out of bed. A burst of cheers greeted Bazz as he leapt into action,unching himself across the battlefield with surprising agility. It seemed the arena''s announcer was familiar with his brashness and showmanship. And then, he triggered his Ultimate ability. "Look!" Jae murmured, leaning forward as the air around Bazz crackled with mana. It shimmered,bined¡­until it erupted as a massive, swirling fist, aimed squarely at his opponent. This was ''Gustful Fist'', his Ultimate Skill. The raw power was as devastating as it was striking. There was a collective gasp amongst the audience as the massive ''fist'' tore across the field towards the smaller archer. Surely, with his back against the wall, there was no way to withstand that direct hit¡­ And yet. In a move that could be described as either madness or mastery, the unnamed archer didn''t dodge. Instead, with an unsettling calm, he raised his hand. Just one hand, as if he intended to stop the onught with minimal effort. It seemed ridiculous. However, as the ''Gustful Fist'' came a hair''s breadth away from the archer, His hand perfectly timed the attack. There was a ripple, almost invisible to the naked eye, and then the attack wasn''t just deflected, it was reversed. The monstrous gust became a gale turned against itself, and now it was barreling right back towards Bazz. Jae and Alice watched in fascination. No shouting, no cheering, just an unspoken agreement¡ªthis was unexpected. From across the room, there was a muffled thump sound¡­it seemed even the footage felt sympathy for the way Bazz had been blown back by his attack. With a click, Alice dispelled the video. "So¡­" she drawled, tilting her head towards Jae. "What do you make of that?" Jae stared at the nk space for a long moment. As a long-time archer, she''d been steeped in tradition, honed to value precision and technique. What she had witnessed felt wildly unorthodox...and, she hated to admit it, brilliant. She finally voiced her thoughts. "That moment..." she said, brow furrowed in slight concern and even more admiration. "The skill wasn''t just deflecting Bazz''s attack...it was reversing it. What if," she paused, then a smirk reced her concern, "...what if there''s a hidden rule about ''Gustful Fist'' no one knows?" Alice tilted her head, as her face lit up at the thought. "Are you implying the parry had more to do with technique, an unseen counter to Bazz, rather than pure power?" Jae nodded, apetitive sparkle appearing in her eyes. "Or some magical item...some equipment trick..." Her mind churned. "If we could understand how that archer pulled it off, it might expose a pattern. It has to be something other than luck. Which means that a monstrous attack won''t be what I have to watch out for. " "Hmm...it wouldn''t be unlike Bazz to rely on that attack just a bit too much. That overconfidence is what might trip him up in the end." Alice chimed in, analytical as always. Jae turned towards her friend, a grin of both relief and newfound determination recing her previous contemtion. "Thank the stars¡­ Then I might stand a chance against a bruiser like him. Time for n B¡­" she trailed off, then her voice picked up with resolve. "I just have to knock out Bazz before he''s desperate enough to even try using that gusty punch of his, right?" BZZZT! BZZZT! The silence was broken by a buzz at Jae''s wrist. She frowned, reading the notification shing across her watch. [Your Uing Match Schedule...] [Round Of 32 Knockout stages:] [Name: Jae Yoona] [Matches Completed: 20] [Match Number: 3] [Time: 10:30 AM] [Opponent: Bazz Wong] [*Please Arrive 15 minutes for inspection.] "I have to get ready." She nced at Alice. Despite the sudden change of mood, her voice sounded steadier. That flicker of concern she''d felt wasn''t gone, but now it was mingled with a fiery determination that Alice knew well. "Need thatst-minute mental preparation, do you?" Alice''s own voice held a note of gentle teasing, even if there was a flicker of concern mirrored in her gaze. Jae gave her a yful grin. "Just a quick archery-zen moment of pure focus. That and figuring out what kind of crazy opening move I''ll need to keep Bazz in ce..." Her gaze then snapped directly to Alice, a rare sincerity recing her usual smirk. "You''ll be there watching, right?" A genuine smile broke out across Alice''s face. "Wouldn''t want to miss it," she said simply. "Now go break his wind, figuratively and literally if you have to." Jaeughed, tension loosening with her friend''s unwavering support. With a quick wave, she was already rushing out the door, readying herself for the uing battle. _______________ Authors Notes: - When Jae and Alice were watching the yback of Bazz''s fight against Rel the reason they were saying the ''unknown archer'' was of the distorted audio that was ying through her watch. Chapter 62: Jae Yoona (2) {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A: Food Court] The savoury crunch of thest piece of chicken katsu barely registered as I focused on the screen across the restaurant. It had been flickering in the background while I ate, showing clips of the tournament''s previous matches. Now, though, it held my attention fully as the screen projected the next uing match. [Arena A: Uing Matchup R32] [Jae Yoona (5) VS Bazz Wong (28)] [Match Time: 10:30 AM] ncing at my watch I checked to see how close the time was to the match. [Tuesday, 10:20 AM] "Oh, Shit..." I muttered. I quickly got up from my seat and rushed towards the register paying for my food, leaving the te half-finished. Jae was up? Well, I can''t wait to see her archery skills in person. I recall the days of writing her character as the perfect image of an archer, and the matchup against Her and Bazz is certainly interesting since the path to the quarterfinals was filled with extras but starting with Bazz wasn''t too bad either. I had to get back to the tournament stands to find a good seat, like now. Grabbing my crossbow from the side of my seat. I rushed out, leaving thefort of the restaurant for the main arena. haah... haah... Arriving at the student section, a lucky break led me to an empty spot. Or I thought it was empty. A second toote, I realized a girl ¨C Blonde hair with an air of peace around her ¨C already upied the seat. We bumped shoulders during my rushed,st-second seating maneuver. This wouldn''t have been an issue with almost anyone else in our ss, but this was different. I realized as much when her sharp gaze flitted over me, registering both surprise and something I couldn''t quite solve. I recognized her instantly, even after she beat my ass 8 times ¨C Jae Yoona''s closest friend, Alice. Always present yet unobtrusive, known for her sharp mind and that elusive air of mysterious calm. The exact opposite of a certain loudmouthed ssmate we both expected to see soon. "Uh, s-sorry," "Oh! Uh...sorry," We both apologised at the same time and I almost mumbled under the pressure of her pure beauty. As I locked eyes with Alice for a moment her usualposure seemingly broken for a second. I managed, stumbling a bit in the face of her surprising and momentary shocked expression. I awkwardly took the spot that was empty right next to her. Of course, she was here for Jae. So I wouldn''t be surprised if she skipped out on practice just to watch Jae win. Trying to save some face, I quickly followed up with the obvious observation. "You''re here to watch Jae Yoona, right?" I asked. My question seemed to bring her back to herself. Alice nodded curtly, then quickly shifted her attention away, eyes focused on the arena below. Her answer, despite its simplicity, was really cute. I wasn''t sure what to make of the adorable moment of clumsiness I''d witnessed. Even with the briefpse restored to her usually calm expression, For some reason, I couldn''t tell if she was looking at me or not. nce...nce...nce... I thought it was my imagination, but I noticed that even with her focus outward, Alice asionally stole nces in my direction ¨C nces I had to pretend not to notice. She''s been staring for a while now. Did I do something weird? Oh no... *** {Alice''s POV} "Why of all ces did he have to sit here?" Alice bit back a sigh. Not that she had actively reserved this seat - the student section rarely worked that way. And Rel - was it Rel? Rel Laurence? - hadn''t exactly barged in, either. No, Alice didn''t have a problem with Rel at all. It''s just she knew he was an outlier, someone she had spent the better part of the week secretly attempting to investigate why he was so good at studying. He had all the perfect scores, and the perfect notes, and he was what Alice called plete'' in terms of all sides of theory, she thought she could be the same if she just understood how his study routines worked but she ended up no closer to solving him. A few stolen nces confirmed that not much had changed nearby. Sure, there was something to be said for his focus after he''d gotten over the awkward hurdle of apologizing. Maybe a hint of determination that wasn''t there during everyday sses. It still didn''t exin how he had consistently excelled in the Academy''s theoretical exams. Note-night study sessions were witnessed in the library, and barely a glimpse of him attending extra lectures...all he seemed to do was vanish into his dorm room armed with fantasy novels she had found surprisingly captivating in her own limited investigations. Alice wondered how a mind focused on fictional battles tranted into practical knowledge of mana mechanics and historical analysis baffled herpletely. Perhaps he was hiding his diligence...an underdog tactic after all? As a keen strategizer, the idea had crossed her mind more than once when trying to solve the ''Who Rel was''. She chided herself for the overly dramatic metaphor. Despite the unusual nature of his talent, he wasn''t an opponent to be ovee, so why was she dwelling on this now? Alice shifted slightly, forcing herself to turn her attention away from the unexpected seatmate and fixate on the arena below. Any minute now, Jae would take the stage. The roar of the crowd faded into the background as a voice boomed across the arena. "Wee to the Second Match of the Round of 32! Prepare yourselves for a show, folks!" The announcer''s voice was filled with the practised drawl of someone who thrived on dramatic ir. As both Jae Yoona and Bazz walked onto the massive square tform at the centre of the arena, everyone was on their seats ready for the battle. Alice felt a surge of both pride and a familiar worry that always apanied watching Jaepete. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Rel straighten subtly, his usual air of detachment reced by something sharper and more alert. It wasn''t that he suddenly favoured Bazz, but He was looking at Jae Yoona with interest. A gasp left Alice''s mouth as she jumped straight to a conclusion that no one had ever thought of. Does Rel like Jae Yoona? Alice had thought, But before her thoughts coulde to a conclusion a sudden interruption had cut through, "Our first contestant needs no introduction! A rising star known for her precision andposure, she goes into this battle without a single defeat! It''s Jae Yoona, boasting an undefeated record of twenty wins, zero losses!" Apuse surged over the white stone tform, carrying the familiar admiration and cautious curiosity Jae often inspired. Her calm precision resonated less with the massespared to the sheer visceral appeal of someone like Bazz. Perhaps that was Jae''s strength and an element her opponent could underestimate. The booming voice echoed across the arena once more. "And taking the opposing side, he''s known for power and raw grit! A loss can happen just as easily as a victory if you take him lightly! It''s Bazz Wong, rocking a hard-fought eighteen wins and two losses!" This drew a roar distinctly louder than the apuse for Jae. For those craving brutal shes, Bazz held undeniable appeal. Alice noticed, beside her Rel''s face looked annoyed looking at Bazz waving his hand everywhere. ______________ Authors Notes: No authors notes this chapter D: Chapter 63: That One Archer [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] The hush over the arena felt unnatural, as the twopetitors faced each other across the white expanse of the tform. "Three!" roared the announcer, his voice carrying the weight of the moment. Jae Yoona, hair pulled into a neat ponytail and fingers resting lightly on the surface of her bow exuded an air of serene focus. Every part of her was stillness, an unsettling calm in the face of the storm toe. "Two!" On the other end, a flicker of impatience warred with the cocky, hungry look in Bazz''s eyes. His stance was loose, almost feral ¨C fists wrapped in brutal-looking iron gauntlets. "One!" Then, like a dam breaking, the countdown reached zero, and the energy of the fight shifted. Not even the roaring cheers of the audience could pierce the bubble surrounding Jae and Bazz as they locked in. Bazz roared, fueled by an almost childish excitement for rawbat. Each thunderous stride seemed to send vibrations through the very bedrock of the arena. As Bazz charged, Jae seemed to sidestep with the casual grace of a dancer, always just out of reach of those powerful fists. TAK!, TAK!, TAK! Arrows rained through the air, forcing Bazz back on his heels. "Hold still, dammit!" Bazz roared, lunging again as another arrow whizzed past his face. While his fists met space, reflecting blows from Jae''s attacks hit true, her arrows were designed to slow and redirect rather than inflict major damage. Each hitnded like a p, forcing Bazz to alter his trajectory, breaking his relentless momentum and buying Jae precious moments to reposition. This wasn''t just speed. Bazz realized there was a pattern he couldn''t crack, a strategy tangled into the timing of Jae''s attacks. His usual confidence flickered for a moment ¨C was this...a trap? His gut urged him to continue his brute force assault, but that same gut had screamed victory against the infamous Shadow Writer ¨C and how well had that turned out? Confusion reced pure rage, a speck of doubt worming its way into his mind. - How is this archer beating a bruiser like him? - There''s no way he should be getting outyed like this... - I put 1000 on Parley for that Bruiser he can''t lose. In the stands, the cheers began to shift. This wasn''t the fight the crowd had initially expected. It was like watching a predator circle trapped prey, slow and inevitable. Was Jae toying with Bazz? And just how long could this one-sided disy continue? Every dodge fueled Bazz''s mounting anger like a pumping a forge. With a roar, he smashed his fists together, sending shockwaves through the arena tform. "Running all the time, is that all you''re good for?" he spat, more as an attempt to provoke Jae into breaking her rhythm. "..." The silence was his only reply, Jae''s focus seeming even sharper ¨C if such a thing were even possible - after his interruption. She continued to evade Bazz endlessly as mana circled through her legs to replenish stamina. This one-sided contest had started to scratch on the crowd. It wasn''t that she was too weak, but too strong, and therefore less entertaining. Was she going to keep dancing around him forever? The spectacle needed a shift, some type of action, and a chance for the underdog tond a brutal hit. Anything short was anti-climatic. But it was in the face of a restless crowd and a desperate opponent that Jae''s true weapon ¨C her chilling indifference ¨C wasid bare. While Bazz was wasting breath with frustration, she was calcting. Bazz was a force of chaos, unpredictable...which to her meant predictable in its very instability. "What? Not even going to talk? Can''t think that far ahead while running for your life?!" He continued trying to irritate her, but the same answer he had seen earlier waspletely absent from her eyes. And somewhere around Bazz''s unanswered taunts, her lips moved ever so slightly. Two words were just about audible beneath the noise of the crowd and Bazz''s frustrated growls, "Game over." TAK! TAK! TAK! There was an almost casual finality to the statement. An arrow blew by, then another¡­and one more. Not one arrow. All Ten Arrows. All of them vanished at angles only she could predict with an ability known to give Jae the upper hand in One-on-one fights. The ability of ''Invulnerable Pursuit'' Where her arrows could disappear into mid-air on Jae''smand would make it harder for her opponents to determine where the attack wouldnd. It seemed that, to everyone watching, this fight was going to culminate not in a whimper, but a spectacr finish. It was just like Jae, calcted and almost clinical in her brilliance. That flicker of hesitation in Bazz''s eyes, that momentary uncertainty he failed to conceal¡­it was her opening. Now, his attacks were more obvious than ever before. This knowledge transformed her earlier tactical fire into an overwhelming attack. "Invulnerable Pursuit," Jae whispered again and again. Each of her arrows seemed to defy the limits of archery. TAK!, TAK!, TAK!, With multiple arrows shooting wide, striking seemingly into Bazz without a trace.An invisible rain of death unfolded as his every frustrated lunge and dodge yed right into her hands. No matter how much Bazz twisted and turned against the rain of arrows, He was still getting hit regardless. Every charge seemed to end in emptiness, until a momentter, that emptiness became a sting at his back, a hit too precise for mere marksmanship. He tried feinting, he tried changing stances¨Che even held perfectly still, waiting for her strike ¨C and even that resulted in another shot appearing from nowhere, catching him on the shoulder. The crowd now murmured in fascinated bewilderment as they struggled to track the arrows Jae had shot. But with each sessful hit, a growing horror gripped him. Those harmless deflections now became a harbinger of a much smarter, deadlier y. TAK!, TAK!, TAK! One, two, then three arrows seemed to vanish on impact, not with a puff of energy, but simply disappearing from view. The invisible arrows suddenly snapped to reveal their purpose. In rapid session, a shot erupted from beneath his right leg, throwing him off bnce. As he struggled to regain footing, an invisible arrow caught him square in his lower back, forcing him to stumble forward. And with the precision of a conductor''s final sweep of the baton, the third, final arrow reappeared¨C not from any side, but from above, mming down between his shoulders with enough force to finally ground him. With Bazz kneeling against his will, defeated. While he wasn''t visibly injured, the look in his eyes told the real story. It wasn''t about brute force vs. Pure Archery any longer, but the realization that he never stood a chance. It was a crushing knowledge, the defeat far deeper than any visible bruises. Jae bowed, acknowledging the crowd''s baffled awe with a quiet, icy-calm nod. "Thank you for the match." She spoke kindly and left the stage. ____________ Authors Notes: - Jae''s tactical prowess is number 1 in terms of analyzing an opponent during a battle. - With each shot used with the ability Invulnerable Pursuit the strike is aimed to stop mana flow which exins why Bazz wasn''t able to release proper attacks as Jae was able to stop the core structure of where mana is controlled. Chapter 64: WRONG CHAPTER, PLEASE DO NOT UNLOCK {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A: Food Court] The savoury crunch of thest piece of chicken katsu barely registered as I focused on the screen across the restaurant. It had been flickering in the background while I ate, showing clips of the tournament''s previous matches. Now, though, it held my attention fully as the screen projected the next uing match. [Arena A: Uing Matchup R32] [Jae Yoona (5) VS Bazz Wong (28)] [Match Time: 10:30 AM] ncing at my watch I checked to see how close the time was to the match. [Tuesday, 10:20 AM] "Oh, Shit..." I muttered. I quickly got up from my seat and rushed towards the register paying for my food, leaving the te half-finished. Jae was up? Well, I can''t wait to see her archery skills in person. I recall the days of writing her character as the perfect image of an archer, and the matchup against Her and Bazz is certainly interesting since the path to the quarterfinals was filled with extras but starting with Bazz wasn''t too bad either. I had to get back to the tournament stands to find a good seat, like now. Grabbing my crossbow from the side of my seat. I rushed out, leaving thefort of the restaurant for the main arena. haah... haah... Arriving at the student section, a lucky break led me to an empty spot. Or I thought it was empty. A second toote, I realized a girl ¨C Blonde hair with an air of peace around her ¨C already upied the seat. We bumped shoulders during my rushed,st-second seating maneuver. This wouldn''t have been an issue with almost anyone else in our ss, but this was different. I realized as much when her sharp gaze flitted over me, registering both surprise and something I couldn''t quite solve. I recognized her instantly, even after she beat my ass 8 times ¨C Jae Yoona''s closest friend, Alice. Always present yet unobtrusive, known for her sharp mind and that elusive air of mysterious calm. The exact opposite of a certain loudmouthed ssmate we both expected to see soon. "Uh, s-sorry," "Oh! Uh...sorry," We both apologised at the same time and I almost mumbled under the pressure of her pure beauty. As I locked eyes with Alice for a moment her usualposure seemingly broken for a second. I managed, stumbling a bit in the face of her surprising and momentary shocked expression. I awkwardly took the spot that was empty right next to her. Of course, she was here for Jae. So I wouldn''t be surprised if she skipped out on practice just to watch Jae win. Trying to save some face, I quickly followed up with the obvious observation. "You''re here to watch Jae Yoona, right?" I asked. My question seemed to bring her back to herself. Alice nodded curtly, then quickly shifted her attention away, eyes focused on the arena below. Her answer, despite its simplicity, was really cute. I wasn''t sure what to make of the adorable moment of clumsiness I''d witnessed. Even with the briefpse restored to her usually calm expression, For some reason, I couldn''t tell if she was looking at me or not. nce...nce...nce... I thought it was my imagination, but I noticed that even with her focus outward, Alice asionally stole nces in my direction ¨C nces I had to pretend not to notice. She''s been staring for a while now. Did I do something weird? Oh no... *** {Alice''s POV} "Why of all ces did he have to sit here?" Alice bit back a sigh. Not that she had actively reserved this seat - the student section rarely worked that way. And Rel - was it Rel? Rel Laurence? - hadn''t exactly barged in, either. No, Alice didn''t have a problem with Rel at all. It''s just she knew he was an outlier, someone she had spent the better part of the week secretly attempting to investigate why he was so good at studying. He had all the perfect scores, and the perfect notes, and he was what Alice called plete'' in terms of all sides of theory, she thought she could be the same if she just understood how his study routines worked but she ended up no closer to solving him. A few stolen nces confirmed that not much had changed nearby. Sure, there was something to be said for his focus after he''d gotten over the awkward hurdle of apologizing. Maybe a hint of determination that wasn''t there during everyday sses. It still didn''t exin how he had consistently excelled in the Academy''s theoretical exams. Note-night study sessions were witnessed in the library, and barely a glimpse of him attending extra lectures...all he seemed to do was vanish into his dorm room armed with fantasy novels she had found surprisingly captivating in her own limited investigations. Alice wondered how a mind focused on fictional battles tranted into practical knowledge of mana mechanics and historical analysis baffled herpletely. Perhaps he was hiding his diligence...an underdog tactic after all? As a keen strategizer, the idea had crossed her mind more than once when trying to solve the ''Who Rel was''. She chided herself for the overly dramatic metaphor. Despite the unusual nature of his talent, he wasn''t an opponent to be ovee, so why was she dwelling on this now? Alice shifted slightly, forcing herself to turn her attention away from the unexpected seatmate and fixate on the arena below. Any minute now, Jae would take the stage. The roar of the crowd faded into the background as a voice boomed across the arena. "Wee to the Second Match of the Round of 32! Prepare yourselves for a show, folks!" The announcer''s voice was filled with the practised drawl of someone who thrived on dramatic ir. As both Jae Yoona and Bazz walked onto the massive square tform at the centre of the arena, everyone was on their seats ready for the battle. Alice felt a surge of both pride and a familiar worry that always apanied watching Jaepete. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Rel straighten subtly, his usual air of detachment reced by something sharper and more alert. It wasn''t that he suddenly favoured Bazz, but He was looking at Jae Yoona with interest. A gasp left Alice''s mouth as she jumped straight to a conclusion that no one had ever thought of. Does Rel like Jae Yoona? Alice had thought, But before her thoughts coulde to a conclusion a sudden interruption had cut through, "Our first contestant needs no introduction! A rising star known for her precision andposure, she goes into this battle without a single defeat! It''s Jae Yoona, boasting an undefeated record of twenty wins, zero losses!" Apuse surged over the white stone tform, carrying the familiar admiration and cautious curiosity Jae often inspired. Her calm precision resonated less with the massespared to the sheer visceral appeal of someone like Bazz. Perhaps that was Jae''s strength and an element her opponent could underestimate. The booming voice echoed across the arena once more. "And taking the opposing side, he''s known for power and raw grit! A loss can happen just as easily as a victory if you take him lightly! It''s Bazz Wong, rocking a hard-fought eighteen wins and two losses!" This drew a roar distinctly louder than the apuse for Jae. For those craving brutal shes, Bazz held undeniable appeal. Alice noticed, beside her Rel''s face looked annoyed looking at Bazz waving his hand everywhere. ______________ Authors Notes: No authors notes this chapter D: Chapter 65: That One Archer (2) {Alice POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Studen Section Stands] A wave of shock, both from the spectators andbatants alike, washed over the battle tform. It was an ending most hadn''t predicted. Yet, with the whispers andints, the announcer found the focus in the unusual disy "Well, there you have it, folks! Jae Yoona advances to the next round in spectacr fashion! What in the world was that technique?" He leaned towards the edge of the announcers'' booth, gesturing with both hands in an exaggerated disy of awe. "Anyone recognize what kind of technique she used at the end there? That certainly ain''t your everyday arrow barrage! Let''s get some expert analysis. What say you, Professor?" While thementator scrambled for an exnation, a wave of students were going crazy over the graceful archer. "She finally decided to use it," Alice murmured, as a mixture of surprise and a knowing tension threaded through her usuallyposed aura. Despite Jae''s wless win, Alice had her suspicions, knowing of what Jae had in her arsenal. It was equal parts thrilling and unsettling, a disy of dominance that bordered on frightening. wow... As Alice turned, she was startled by Rel''s reaction. In the harsh sunlight bouncing off the white stone of the arena tform, there was an unusual glow behind his normally straight face. Perhaps it was just a y of shadows and angles, but it felt intense, the focus turning inwards as if analyzing the fight on a level thementators and crowds missed entirely. Rel turned his head to his left seeing Alice''s blue eyes lock with his for a moment. Caught in an unexpected second of staring, Alice averted her gaze, suddenly flushed with an odd blend of embarrassment and curiosity. But what caught her even more off guard was Rel breaking the silence with a slight upturn of his lips. His tone held a curious note that felt distinctly unfamiliar. "Is there something on my face?" Suddenly, the sounds of the stadium turned distant against the sudden beat of her pulse. How in the world could she even respond to that? A ridiculous answer formed, and somehow, she spoke before she could stop herself. "Uh, well¡­your face¡­" she paused, searching for the right way to say what she barely even processed herself, "¡­there''s nothing..." There was a subtle hint of surprise in his expression, confused along his features for a fraction of a second before he masked it behind his characteristic nonchnce. Even through her embarrassment, Alice wondered...did he notice how flustered she was? And was it odd that despite the absurdity of her reply, She couldn''t help but wonder why she was staring at him in the first ce? *** {Rel''s POV} Jae and Bazz...their sh was one of the most interesting fights by far. I still can''t believe it until the end that Jae waspletely toying with Bazz. Though I never expected her to use Invulnerable Pursuit against him It seemed like the best option to use against Bazz since the traces of her arrows can disappear in mid-air as long as she chants it out loud. But for Jae Yoona''s Invulnerable Pursuit it had one weakness,a mage can disrupt the arrow''s path, preventing it from reaching its target. However, her Overclocked Eyes ability provides a unique advantage. She can visualize the precise trajectories needed to pierce magical barriers, allowing her to bypass this defense as long as she remains focused and unpressured. There was a ruthless efficiency in the way Jae uses her ability; she''s perfected everything to the point where the consumption of mana required is lessened because of how she maximizes the output of each shot, she''d only be wasting close to 5% mana in terms of prolonged battles. Jae in this world is the Opitome of the truest and most perfect Archer to exist, She''s ''That One Archer'' Stareeeee But lost in my own thoughts I couldn''t help but feel like I was being stared at... Turning to my left¨C a soft-spoken Blonde girl was once again staring at me again. Did I miss something? The match was over. Surely it wasn''t awe towards Jae on disy there? A faint curve of my lips formed without conscious decision. Maybe a little teasing would shake her from whatever contemtion she was stuck in. "Is there something on my face?" Her reaction took me by surprise. That calmposure vanished into a wave of genuine embarrassment. "Uh, well¡­your face¡­" she seemed lost for words, then managed an answer so bizarre it was amusing, "¡­there''s nothing..." She tucked behind a strand of her blonde hair turning away from me. What was that reaction? I don''t even know what to make of what I had just seen just now. Maybe I was mistaken but even she wasn''t as calm as she appeared. Another mistake on my part as the author... haah BZZT!, BZZT! While Alice seemed frozen mid-thought, a vibration at my wrist broke my focus. A nce revealed a notification [Your uing match details...] [Round Of 16:] [Name: Axel Saint Rel Laurence] [Matches Completed: 21] [Match Number: 12] [Time: 12:00 PM, ETA: 11:45 AM] [Opponent: TBA] [*Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early For Inspection] Hmm, interesting. Looks like a few of the more predictable matches had concluded early, giving me a spot sooner than expected. One problem, though¡­my opponent was just listed as "TBA." Seemed odd, but maybe some unexpected injuries or forfeits had reshuffled things. Guess I''d just have to keep watching closely until the announcement cleared things up. ____________ Authors Notes: - Jae''s Ultimate Ability: "Invulnerable Pursuit," enables her to unleash arrows that defy conventional limits. These arrows possess the unique ability to vanish in mid-flight, only to reappear at Jae Yoona''smand. This remarkable trait not only makes her shots elusive and difficult to evade but also grants her the uncanny ability to change the arrows'' trajectory at will. Coupled with the arrows'' ability tond on any spot of a person''s body, "Invulnerable Pursuit" makes Jae Yoona a formidable and unpredictable adversary in battle. - Bow Users have an automatic reload function for arrows. - If Matches in the tournament end early it is expected that the next match thates after is pushed forward ahead of time to get out as many battles as possible. Chapter 66: A Single Thought {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A: Student Section Stands] [Time: 10:45 AM] A sh of ck hair caught my eye as they revealed the updated bracket. The match times had shifted across the board. This meant not just my own but¡­everyone''s fight order had been affected. [Next Match:] [Right Side Bracket] [Time: 10:55 AM] Alice Elizabeth (4) ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª| Winner: TBD Nevel Tems (29) I scanned the chart and checked for the next uing match... Seeing that it was Alice vs. ''Nevel Tems'' at 10:55 am which was less than ten minutes from now. I turned to see that Alice appearedpletely absorbed in her world, seemingly unaware of her match? Normally, that wouldn''t have concerned me, but her name was literally shing on her wrist saying, "Missing Inspection" "Missing Inspection" "Missing Inspection" Did she miss it? Maybe. Then again, she could be dreaming of something else in her usual calm expression. was she nervous? It seemed uncharacteristic. And with a quick thought I decided to tell her, I leaned forward, tapping her gently on the shoulder. "Um, Alice? Isn''t your match next?" "...!" Suddenly, focus snapped back into her eyes. She blinked, the spell broken, and then her usuallyposed face took on a shade of crimson as she nced at her watch. "Oh¡­oh! Uh¡­you''re right," she stuttered, the words barely audible against the rising crowd murmur. "Thank you for telling me¡­" Her voice trailed off, and there was a distinct urgency in her next motion. Before I could say anything else, she was up and rushing out of the stands, the usual aura of serene control traded for a quick but obvious panic. Well, it seemed not even Alice was immune to my author''s curse. There was certainly more to her than meets the eye¡­and even if it wasn''t intentional, It was a nice side to see from her. The roar of the crowd intensified within the arena, which had started to grind on my ears as the announcer was preparing for the next match between Alice and whoever that guys name was. I needed a break from the energy surging through the stands. With my match still hanging in nothingness, there was little point fixating on potential opponents and There was no point in seeing Alice fight since she wasn''t in my bracket anyway. I needed space to dpress and just rx. "It''s scary how far I''ve managed to get already," I murmured to myself. This whole situation still felt¡­surreal. To think that there was enough stress with the fights. I had to worry about who I could be versing in the next uing rounds. nce... nce... nce... checking the all-around bracket for the right side I was sure it was game over for me so I didn''t want to think about it for too long so a quick walk brought me out of the stadium and out into the open air. ... [5 Minutes Later] ... ... [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A: Outside of the Stadium] Haah... the campus grounds were so peaceful, This silence was much better than hearing hecklers from the second and third-year students. HaaAAAAAH With a relieved sigh, I spotted a bench nestled in the shade of a leafy tree, overlooking a well-groomed stretch ofwn. It was a break from the mess, and it didn''t seem upied. Perfect. whoooshhh As the sway of the branches under the sunlight was¡­almost hypnotically calming. I let the cool breeze wash over me, my body started to rx and the earlier tension finally faded. The world narrowed down to the rustling of leaves and the pleasant warmth on my skin. Eyes closed, I allowed my mind to drift into nothingness. "Rel?" a voice shattered the silence. Just when I felt that peace washing over me, a loud and very familiar voice brought a frustrated look to my face. Snapping my eyes open, I blinked once or twice, momentarily stunned as I adjusted to the abrupt switch from the smiling face of Jan standing above me. "Jan?" Seriously... Why is it that he''s always here around me when I just need the peace, Is it my luck stat or was it that I was unlucky enough to always see him? "Are you a stalker by any chance? Because there''s no way... I''ve seen you for the fifth time this week," I let a note of mock weariness settle into my voice as Jan dropped beside me on the bench. His presence wasn''t exactly unwee, but a part of me wished for just a few more minutes of quiet thinking. Jan smiled,pletely unfazed, as if my question was simply a polite greeting. "Hmm... I''m not a stalker, but we do see each other quite often." Jan Paused, "Maybe, It''s a touch of fate." He looked straight at me pointing towards nothingness. A touch of fate, huh? That thought struck me as oddly as it sounded. Even though some higher power did throw me into this world, my world¡­this story was unfolding in ways I had never thought possible. Although a rough few months had passed, those quiet moments of reflection held a strange satisfaction. The fights, the characters, even the frustrations I faced as this lower ss student known as ''Rel Laurence''¡­there was beauty in the constant struggle. With a nod, I rxed back against the bench, I guess I had to ept seeing Jan as often. although he''s more of a disruption than a main character in my eyes. "Hey, Jan," the words formed unexpectedly, a question that had nothing to do with the tournament like this, "What do you think about¡­demons and devils? Like, do you think they exist out there?" "..." A rare silence followed. Jan stared across the mowedwns, that ever-present expression blinking as he considered my question. The change in tone seemed both startling and confusing to him. Finally, in a voice quieter than expected, he answered, "That''s a weird one, Rel, but sure. If devils and demons are out there, I bet there are angels and heaven, too. Gotta be that bnce, right?" pffft... A warm chuckle slipped from my lips. That was not at all the reply I''d expected. Jan had never been known for philosophical deep dives. Still, his sincerity was strangely warming. "That''s an¡­interesting response," I replied, keeping my face expressionless as I hid a hint of amusement. "Eh? Why did you ask that in the first ce?" Jan squinted at me, the carefree aura finally shaken with a glint of his interest. With a slight shrug, I chose an evasive yet true answer. "Nothing really. It''s just a random thought¡­" Of course, in this world, Demi-humans aren''t well known yet, And Jan would be the first of many students to witness the true nature of what a monster is, as the first sighting to the world would be when we travel to France and afterwards many other outbreaks would follow of these so-called demons shaking the world in fear. The group responsible for the production of these people is The Devil Worshiper Cult, the monstrous outbreaks... all of it overlooked just under the surface of our conversation. The end of the world is far from near, yet here I sat beside the one person who could stop it all. I knew his secret, I knew everything about him, From every small detail, to his character traits, and mannerisms there wasn''t anything I didn''t know about Jan. He was my idea of a perfect person. He was the concept of a true hero. _____________ Authors Notes: - No authors notes today D: Chapter 67: A Single Thought (2) [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A: Outside Of The Arena] Jan suddenly checked his watch, the carefree vibes evaporating with surprising speed. "Oh, looks like they bumped my match forward. I have to go, the inspection time just told me to arrive 5 minutes early. Can''t bete¡­" His usual grin seemed more forced, and he quickly got up from the bench. The mention of matches triggered a memory. " Ah, That must mean Alice''s fight wrapped up quickly," I murmured, mostly to myself. It was expected that whoever went up against her waspletely screwed. But it gave me a data point for what my next opponent might be. But right now, with this new gap in my schedule...taking more time to rx seemed counterproductive. With a quick wave to Jan, who was muttering strategy half-aloud as he exited, I added more casually, "Good luck, Jan. Do whatever it takes to get that win." He shed a grateful grin beforeunching into a hurried jog. Meanwhile, I took another nce at my watch again. [Your uing match details...] [Round Of 16:] [Name: Axel Saint Rel Laurence] [Matches Completed: 21] [Match Number: 12] [Time: 12:00 PM, ETA: 11:45 AM] [Opponent: TBA] [*Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early For Inspection] nothing new to update my fight slot. I might as well use this time. "Might as well head back in¡­" I decided. After the brief talk of calm with Jan, I could feel myself losing the will to keep fighting in thispetition any longer. "system" I spoke, stretching my arms in the air. [Yes Mr Axel? :D] "What are my current rewards as of now?" Immediately, a screen disyed all my current objectives: [Here are your current rewards earned:] [ce top 5 group knockouts: 250 BP] [Win the group knockout: 500 BP + 10 Points Allocation for Base Stats] [Win Round Of 50: 250 BP] [Qualify For Round Of 32: 400 BP] [Win Round Of 32: 500 BP] [Qualify for Round of 16: 750 BP] [Total Reward Earnings: 2,650 BP, 10 Base Stat Allocation Points] Checking the rewards I knew they were pretty good, I just wondered if I need more BP since there''s this ability I''ve been wanting to craft for a while now. But If I just drop out here I wouldn''t mind receiving what I''ve earned, cause I could''ve been using this time to go to the dungeon that required the Silent Abyss Key. But I''m already this far in I might as well try to go even more deep into thispetition. This might be my one chance¡­ I muttered. focusing on the stat point allocation in my rewards. I was thinking the stat I needed most after I got my rewards, my speed was good, above average even for the first year, but was it enough? Probably... I meannnn,Jan is just about as fast as me. (Rel''s Speed Stat - 63) Vs (Jan''s Speed Stat - 56) I knew that my HP and Stamina were at least average for someone like me, I only needed to upgrade my strength stat so my punches could do actual damage. ... ... ... [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Lobby] I stepped into the lobby, and instead of the lobby being filled with students, I was met with the fric energy of a media frenzy. - Louise!, Louise!, Can we hear your thoughts on this topic please! - Louise what is the current situation between you and your father? - Are you going to inherit the legacy of your father? Louise Villerion was trapped at the centre of it all, shes of light and a relentless hook of excited questions surrounding him. It felt surreal as if someone had flipped a switch on the cocky kid I''d gotten used to. By looking at his current situation there could only be two answers to why the media was swarming him. 1. His father had suddenly announced his retirement and stepped down from the guild leader position, handing it over to Louise in the next few years. 2. Louise had beaten a top-tier student at the academy and he''s getting all the praise for it. As I moved closer to the media I could hear them speaking about the rumours of his legendary father, Kang Villerion, which was nothing new. The name evoked an almost mythic persona, leader of the Trinity Centurions, the globally influential guild that consistently ranked in the top 3. I never gave it much thought. But seeing Louise now, it was clear. He was suddenly no longer just a promising talent, he was an heir to a massive responsibility. I moved through the crowd to better hear the questions. I felt almost invisible, the media sharks werepletely focused on their target. The swarm of reporters around Louise resembled predators drawn to the scent of conflict. It was a battle unlike any I''d witnessed in the arena but with just as much potential for damage. Cameras jockeyed for a better angle, I remained on the edge, watching the entire scene unfold. "...but given you haven''t yet imed Grade 3 or 2 as a hero... is this premature?" The question pierced through with a sting that even hardened guild masters would flinch at. It was a direct challenge to his legitimacy. Was this about fair reporting or exploiting doubt? Unphased, Louise responded as if he was swatting away an insect. "Mymitment to Pinnacle and constant training ensures that rising to be a Grade 1 hero is on the horizon. My father wouldn''t stake his own legacy on my potential as it stands." Another reporter, seeing an opening, jumped in. "With so many capable High Graded members in Trinity Centurions, are you the most qualified choice? Some might argue age over ability..." That hit another nerve ¨C one of youth and inexperience. In the face of a cutthroat guild culture, did raw talent and potential guarantee anything? The air turned ufortably still in anticipation of his reply. "In Trinity, session follows legacy and loyalty," the statement turned into the atmosphere like a challenge thrown back at them. But it wasn''t the crowd roaring this time, it was a tense silence in the heart of chaos. "If there was more to leadership than simply a title, if there was about understanding the weight of the crest we all wear...would those qualifications matter then?" He didn''t wait for an answer. The press were momentarily silenced, his final words carrying an undeniable weight as he deftly maneuvered back into unassable ground. I couldn''t help but be grudgingly impressed. Was this how he dealt with that evil side of media? Sure he was smooth, but he was also excellent at deflecting and leading the conversation...and never saying more than he absolutely needed to. A bolder reporter shoved in close, voice cracking with unmasked curiosity. "Does this mean we can assume this transition of leadership has been in the works, or¡­" The pause hung heavy, leaving the implication about internal conflict unsaid. I wanted to see how Louise would answer this question, and he didn''t disappoint. "Family matters will be settled behind closed doors." He stated it as an unshakeable fact. In that small act, he took total control of the narrative. It wasn''t arrogance, but an inherent authority - and this media swarm seemed to sense that same shift in the energy as abruptly as they had descended. __________ Authors Notes: - Speed Stats Comparison 1 - 20 = Normal Human 20 - 30 = Above Average 40 - 60 = Superhuman 70 - 90^ = Super Fast 100 - 120 = Fast as Sound 130 - 150 = Faster than Sound 160 - 180 = Supersonic 200 - 250 = Hyper Supersonic 300 + = Light Speed Think of it as Kilometers a second (K/sec), The Majority of Grade [6] and Grade [4] Heroes have an average speed of 51. Chapter 68: Fear [Country: Novara] Rising from the depths of the Antic Ocean. at its very centre, a new country formed under the name of Novara. A massive formation ofnd that had appeared after the arrival of the 4 towers. The sightings of this ce appeared with nothing but deadnd of grass and rocks, which swiftly turned into 5 cities split across the quarters of the newly made country. It was also and, wherew bends and killing thrives, at its heart lies Eldoria, at the top left is where Crystal Shores is located, and to the top-right of thend where a mountain range built from very itself was Mountain Reach, thend located right across mountain reach was Aurorium Land and to the left of thend was Harmony Springs. Crystal Shores: Shimmering sands on the edge of sapphire waters where the peaceful life urs ¨C this is Crystal Shores. More than a holiday paradise, its famed marine institute draws the rich who dream of living a vibrant sea life. Eldoria City: A Luxury city made from corrupted wealth, Eldoria is a city built on itswlessness and murder. The rich and strong upy living in it as they are not bound by the rules of any government. Mountain Reach: A Mountainpletely upied with countless dungeons, it is said that those who go there nevere back alive, as a rumour of many S-ss dungeons are said to be located at ''Reach''. Harmony Springs: Built by the God of mages Aeliana, this sacred ce draws its power from restorative springs hidden deep within the earth. Lush gardens and winding paths mark the sanctuary, but its heart is protected from an unbreakable barrier. Aurorium Land: Once a fertile region, now a monster-infested wastnd. From lowly E-Grade beasts to the terrifying S-Grade horrors lurking at its heart. Few dare risk entering into thisnd, and fewer still return. *** [Country: Novara, Location: Eldoria, Antic Ocean] [12:30 PM] The harsh midday sun zed on the golden roofs of Eldoria, turning the grimy streets into an oven. It was the scent of decay, not blossoming green life, that filled the cracks between the towering faces of the buildings. This was a city of pure violence not just and of the rich, but one that mirrored the darkness flourishing within thends. It was a ruthless metropolis built on greed and exploitation, and beneath that rich glow, an unseen rot permeated its very foundations. In his tailored suit and long ck coat, he differed sharply against the filth and neglect. Despite looking out of ce, his presence was full of power, revealing silent authority that made hardened evil move aside. His path, a shortcut to a building he recently had constructed, delivered an expected yet useful diversion. Amid mounds of carelessly discarded rubbish, bodiesy scattered - remnants of a vicious power grab between factions beneath his notice. A band of figures picked over the spoils; crude bandits, drunk on a petty victory. This echoed a pattern seen a thousand times: weak creatures wing over each other for scraps. Just as he expected to simply brush past this scene of misery, one of the bandits caught his approach. There was a sh of low cunning in those bloodshot eyes - this wasn''t just a defensive reaction, but a flicker of calction. "Hold up, There Mister! Not see we got business goin'' on here?" It wasn''t aggression, but a mix of annoyance and avarice. They sensed a potential mark, ripe for easy exploitation. Morwen simply continued his pace, regarding them as one would a swarm of insects eating a dead corpse. An unreadable stillness settled like a second shadow over his features. In the depths of his obscured eyes, "Is this guy serious?" The bandit turned to see Morwen moving past him. As the stench of old grease and discarded metal hung heavy in the abandoned junkyard lot and as seconds had passed by Morwen stood alone, Ten rough figures surrounded him, their hungry eyes fixated on him under the harsh re of a distant streetmp. "Where do you think you''re going?"The leader, a scrawny guy with a cocky grin, stepped forward and jabbed Morwen''s shoulder with a dirty fingernail. "..." Morwen barely reacted physically, but the touch had sparked a cold anger within him. He pivoted slowly, meeting the bandit''s gaze. "Did you just touch my shoulder?" His voice was low, barely a whisper, but it cut through the broad daylight. The leader smirked. "Yeah, I did. Whatcha gonna do, rich boy? Ten against one. Your fancy clothes aren''t gonna help you get out of thiswlessnd." The leader moved back away from Morwen showcasing a head of dead bandit to strike fear into Morwen. His eyes hardened. They mirrored the cold light reflecting off the scrap metal surrounding them. "I was raised to kill those who touch me," he said, his voice eerily calm. "Maybe you need a reminder." "You fucker." The bandit snapped,ughter rumbling in his throat. Then, he lunged. Morwen''s hand twitched, as the thugs surrounded him. They were pawns, nothing more, in the cold world of this country. SHAK! Ance of pure ice shot from his palm, piercing the body of the bandit with sickening ease. There was no scream, just a look of frozen shock as the life left his eyes. The body hurtled backward, shattering through a rusted-out car with a metallic screech. A single word rippled through the remaining thugs "Kill him." There was fear now, undercutting their greed. Morwen simply smiled, As he watched a flood of bandits flocking towards him. Dodge, Dodge, Dodge, Dodging was child''s y. Bullets whizzed around him, des grazing the air, all of the attacks were annoyances as he threaded effortlessly between the panicked attacks. SWANG! With every move, he wrenched open shimmering portals. These weren''t simple gateways, As streaks of Dark Energy fired through the air. One by one, with a flick of his wrist, he killed the bandits, their bodies were destroyed by the dark beams. Five remained, huddled together, as their weapons dropped in horror. Morwen tilted his head, confused at their actions. "How many, do you suppose," he spoke, his voice a pleasant whisper over the junkyard''s cry, "have begged for forgiveness? For another chance they didn''t deserve?" "...A-" He didn''t wait for an answer. Pirs of darkness sprouted from the ground, writhing tentacles that consumed the final thugs in an eruption of muffled screams. Silence settled, broken only by a raven cawing from somewhere within the wreckage. Morwen turned, And once again walked through the Junction as if nothing had happened. ____________ Authors notes: - Morwen is one of the very few mages who can cast incantationless spells. - The mercenary''s cooperation headquarters is located in the city of Eldoria. Owned by Jaxon Cain Himself. Chapter 69: Fear (2) | Quarter-Finals {Morwen''s POV} [Syndicate Head Quarters] The headquarters pierced the skyline of Eldoria like a shard of obsidian, its elegant lines and mirrored front reflecting the city''s scheme and its underlying rot. Inside, luxury masked cold efficiency. Morwen''s office, perched at the very top of the building owned under the group Syndicate. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the metropolis. From this vantage point, Eldoria was his miniature kingdom, the city shined like scattered jewels waiting to be gathered. Yet, the room itself was devoid of personal touches. Polished marble floors, walls of austere dark wood, a single massive desk - everything spoke of standing on business, notfort. BZZZT!, BZZZT! The buzzing of his phone broke his trance. He didn''t look away from the window as he answered, the city''s reflection shimmering in his cold gaze as a holographic projection of one of his well known friend in the space. A booming, enthusiastic greeting shattered Morwen''s contemtion, "MORWEN! I finally figured out how to use these technology thingys!" A frown creased Morwen''s brow as Drakon Szar''s holographic projection flickered into existence. His massive body was taking up most of the projection screen, Morwen winced at the man''s noisy tone, the volume seemingly amplified within his polished, sterile office. "That''s¡­ good for you, Drakon," Morwen managed, a sneer ghosting across his features. "But why are you calling? Are you, perhaps, back from ying in the mountains?" Drakon beamed, oblivious to Morwen''s subtle jab. "Yeah! I''ve been practising pulling mountains together in Greece! Did you know you can do that? It''s amazing!" Morwen stifled a sigh. The man was truly all brawn and had no brains, a fact that simultaneously irritated and amused him. "If that''s all, I''m afraid I have more pressing matters to attend to." "Oh, right!" Drakon eximed. "Almost forgot! There''s a rumour, see? About the towers! They say they might open them up to the public soon!" Morwen''s hand tightened. The 4 towers were essentially steps to the end of the world, Information that he confirmed true before the knowledge of being in the tower Morwen was waiting for that moment to happen. "I see," he replied, his tone deceptively calm. "Goodbye then Drakon." "NO WAI-" FINK! He cut the connection without waiting for a response, Drakon''s startled protest swallowed by the abrupt silence. Alone again, Morwen stared out at Eldoria, his mind working furiously. The opening of the towers ¨C it was an unthinkable breach. With a sigh, he pulled the mask away. His reflection in the floor-to-ceiling windows was that of a stranger - red hair the colour of spilled blood, a single jagged scar cutting through his right eye, the surrounding flesh etched with the memory of mes from a certain being. It was a testament to a past he''d both embraced and forever remembered. SHAAAA! as Morwen turned towards the sound - the faintest rustle of cloth. The door to his office opened silently. A figure emerged from the shadows, draped in a ck robe that pooled around him like spilled ink. He knelt, hood obscuring his face, a gesture of practised subservience. "Kayn," Morwen''s voice echoed in the spacious room. "What brings you here?" "Master," Kayn rasped, his voice speaking with conviction, "I have acquired information regarding the annual event held by Pinnacle Academy." Morwen''s interest piqued. "The Scouting Invitational, I presume?" he spoke, Thinking what this information could be. He assumed that the ess to Pinnacle was notoriously difficult. Korea, with its ever-shifting magical boundaries and protected sites, was a stronghold for his kind. Pinnacle Academy, overseen by the mage known as Aeliana, the God of Mages, was the pinnacle of those protections. Kayn raised his head slightly, just enough for the dim light to glint off a single emerald eye visible beneath the hood. "I''ve also obtained¡­ the coordinates to Pinnacle Academy." Morwen stopped for a moment to look at Kayn, "Why bring this to my attention now, Kayn? On such short notice?" A flicker of unease crossed Morwen''s face. "How certain are you, Kayn? Thest time we pursued coordinates for Pinnacle, it resulted in¡­" He let the memory hang in the air, the disastrous bloodbath against the forces of Aurelia ¨C Herself, as their group Quadra and their allies barely escaped with their lives. Anger, hot and sharp, red within him, but Morwen ruthlessly suppressed it. "If this is a lie, Kayn, then I will kill you where you stand," he warned his voice a cold whisper that sent shivers down Kayn''s spine. Kayn shook slightly under Morwen''s scrutiny. "Master, I assure you, the information is reliable. We intercepted a low-level reporter, trapped by Franz''s abilities. He unknowingly stumbled upon Pinnacle''s grounds during the tournament." "Interesting," Morwen mused, tension easing slightly. If true, this was a stroke of luck. "When does this tournament end?" Morwen asked with a curious look. "Franz''s report suggests tomorrow is the final day," Kayn replied. "The spectacle will draw eyes from all over." Morwen''s lips twisted in a long smile. "Excellent. I shall pay this gathering a visit myself." Kayn hesitated. "Master, a word of caution. Word on the street is that this year''s first-year batch is ...exceptional. Guilds of considerable power have gathered, anticipating a grand show in the final." "I shall keep that in mind." Morwen waved a dismissive hand. "Once those self-proimed heroes take their leave, then the target I''ve been pursuing will finally be within my reach." He conjured a holographic image of a young woman with silver-blonde hair and striking red eyes ¨C Valencia Freya. "Thank you for the timely information, Kayn. Ensure you gather theplete details by tomorrow." Kayn bowed. "Of course, Master." He retreated into the shadows as silently as he''d appeared. Alone, Morwen stared at the image of Valencia Freya. "The daughter of the previous sword saint and heir to the most prestigious guild in the world," he murmured, the titles rolling off his tongue with a hint of relish. "And yet, even those des are nothingpared to her true potential." His fingers traced the image, alighting on her crimson eyes. Unlike most mages, his own power wasn''t shy or elemental. His was made of dark magic, being able to consume his opponents and send them to the deepst of voids. And when Morwen had seen Valencia Freya, he saw a potential that eclipsed even his own. "If guided correctly... " he spoke aloud, "she could be the Queen of the Towers. If only she takes this..." His hand drifted to his pocket where a small vial nestled, its contents shimmering with a false glow. This serum, the culmination of dimir''s sacred works, honed over countless years, held the power to unlock a person''s full potential, pushing them beyond their limits. It was dangerous, unpredictable, yet intoxicatingly powerful - worthy of the prize that was Valencia Freya. A low chuckle echoed in his office. "If she bes one of my own, under my guidance... conquering the towers will be but child''s y." envisioning Valencia transformed ¨C a weapon honed to his purpose. *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 2 - Arena B: Centre Stage] [Time: 11:54 PM] [Battle Duration: 4 minutes, 43 Seconds] The Inviligator''s voice boomed through the otherwise silent arena. "Winner of the Round of 16, Rel Laurence!" I let out a sigh, lowering my arm. The tingling sensation of my hand slowly faded as my opponenty on the ground, out for the count. A clean win, but a sad one. I scanned the spectator stands, finding them depressingly empty. "Of course," I muttered under my breath. "Out of all the fights today, they had to stick mine in Arena B." A bitter-sweet taste rolled on my tongue. I''d been informed of thest-minute switch-up just 10 minutes before my match. Apparently, there was an unexpected surge of interest in the battle between Louise and Noah and their match had somehow pushed mine to Arena B for some stupid reason... With ast nce at the empty arena, I turned and headed towards the student entrance of the Main Stadium. ... ... [5 Minutes Later] ... ... [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Main Arena: Entrance To The Student Section] Gone was the oppressive silence; instead, a buzz of excited voices spilled out as I approached. Crowds of students jostled for space, the energy of seeing a highly anticipated battle was reasonable. This was where the real part of the tournament began, the ce to be. Yet, as tempting as it was to slip in with the crowds, I knew I couldn''t afford to lose those front row seats. Pressing against a wall, I surveyed the scene. Just then, a familiar voice cut through the din. "Rel? Why are you here?" It was Lyra, her usual friendly smile now stretched in genuine surprise. "I thought your match was still going on?" "Same reason as you," I replied, keeping a straight face. "To see the quarterfinal. As for my match... well, it was okay." I left it at that. Understated was better, even if a small part of me felt to boast. She blinked. "Just ''Okay''? I expected... I don''t know, more excitement?" She tilted her head confused at my statement. "Not your style to brag, I guess?" Keeping my straight face I nodded, "Thanks." The truth was, I wasn''t used to interacting with others, much less being the focus of anyone''s attention. Being unnoticed wasfortable. __________ Authors Note: - The group quadra consists of the 4 most wanted men in the world: dimir Bane, Morwen Cross, Cyran Gray, Drakon Szar, Chapter 70: Quarter-Finals (2) [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A: Student Section Entrance] Luck seemed to be on my side, for once. I navigated the surprisingly light crowd, managing to im a seat near the front of the arena. Oddly enough, the entire row to my right was empty, giving me a bit more breathing room than expected. Just as I settled in, a flicker of movement caught my eye. Surely not¨C it couldn''t be... My heart sank as I saw Lyra again, of all people, waving at me from the end of that miraculously empty row. I already knew who these empty seats were for. I returned her wave with a strained smile, barely suppressing a groan as a flood of familiar faces began descending the stairs. This was not luck at all... It was torture, Looking to my right I saw Valencia, who was in front, lead the way. Right behind her, Jan and Cam followed, their usual bickering momentarily paused. And bringing up the rear... was Bazz. Of course. My attempt at mentally disappearing was out the window as Jan, spotted me down the row. he waved at me with an enthusiasm that made me cringe internally. My only response was a strained, awkward wave back, hoping it conveyed the appropriate level of ''leave me alone'' energy. "Where there is rain, there is thunder," I muttered under my breath. It felt like some cruel god was toying with me. BANG! (Metaphorical Thunder Sound Insert) Then patiently waiting I had hoped that Jan would at least sit next to me instead of me being self-conscious around Valencia, I wouldn''t feel the need to care what Jan does. Looking from the side of my eyes I could see Valencia settled into the seat beside me, trying my best to ignore her and failing to be subtle about it. She seemed oblivious to my presence, which honestly, was a relief. Yet there was that nice smell in the air. A delicate fragrance tickled my nose, sweet and floral it smelt like the lilies of the valley. My heart clenched ufortably. touch! Suddenly I felt our shoulders touch, Valencia stiffened, then whipped her head to stare at me. A flush of what might have been anger burned across her cheeks, I did it again... I had upset her. My fingers twitched at the unwee look she gave me. (She was reminded of what happened 2 days ago...) She turned away without a word, her usualposure momentarily shattered. I couldn''t read her expression, but my own face was probably doing its best trying to keep it striaght. If you don''t like me, just say something.... The sounds of the crowd faded as I heard a conversation unfolding to my right. "Lyra, why''d you move all the way up here?" Bazz grumbled, his scowl deepening. Lyra''s voice held a sweet, almost mocking, "Because I wanted to sit with Cam. Shocking, I know." "Well, then go sit with her. I don''t wanna be stuck at the end," Bazz whined, crossing his arms. "If you''re going toin, you can find somewhere else to sit," Lyra shot back, the sweetness in her voice evaporating slightly. Valencia stared fixedly ahead, avoiding any eye contact with me. I couldn''t help but sympathize with Bazz... the guy always seemed to be dealing with a heaping te of misfortune. "Psst!" A voice hissed, "Pssssst!" A voice was hissing even louder, "PSSSSSSSSST!" The hissed whisper I had decided to ignore was practically tickling my ear, and I flinched. Not only did I recognize the voice, its owner sounded suspiciously close. Leaning back, I was greeted by Jan''s infuriating grin. His eyes flicked between Valencia and me, and then he winked, a silentment that spoke volumes. Irritation was flowing within my body. Of course, the idiot had done this on purpose. Seating me like this was probably Jan''s idea of a twisted joke. "So, that bastard knew what he was doing," I muttered under my breath, frowning at Jan''s mischievous expression. "Oh, really now? I''ll make sure he pays a thousandfold for this..." *** {Valencia''s POV} The seat beside me was still warm when I sank into it, a flicker of annoyance crossing my mind. "Jan, seriously?" I muttered under my breath. "Could you not have moved?" That guy sitting there ¨C sses, messy bed hair, the definition of unremarkable ¨C was the reason for my frustration. I''d tried to maneuver around him, but Jan had blocked me, a weird smirk on his face. What the heck was he even ying at? Now, the consequence of Jan''s little prank was right next to me. Awkwardness hung in the air as I forced myself to stare straight ahead. My cheeks were still burning, the memory of that stupid hallway incident resurfacing. Ugh, why did I always end up being around him, of all people? I took a deep breath, trying to reign in my emotions. I will forget what happened... I will forget what happened... I will forget what happened... I repeated the lines so much that I couldn''t practically be reminded even more about what happened, So why did this nobody manage to get under my skin? It was infuriating. BZZZT!, BZZZT! Just as I was starting to force my attention towards the match, a faint buzzing from my wrist pulled me away. I looked at my smartwatch, and I felt even more irritated. It was from Louise... [Notifications: From Messenger - Louise Villerion] [Today] [Louise.Villerion: <11:53 AM> Valenciaaa My match is about to start! Cheer me on heaps! (? ?? ? - ? ) ? ] What is this idiot even thinking? I always thought when Louise sent these text messages I assumed that it was on ident, but he even sent the same thing during our entrance exams a year ago and even our Little Heroes tournament. Rolling my eyes, I tapped out a quick ''Good luck'' and resolutely shut off notifications. "That reminds me," I murmured aloud,Even to myself, my tone held an undeniable edge. The memory of the hallway surfaced... [shback] [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Entrance to the main stage.] Louise bounced excitedly, tugging at my arm. "Come on, why can''t you watch my match, Valencia?" I had given him that t look, honed by years of warding off unwanted interest. "Louise, as exciting as the quarterfinal might be, there are matches still happening in the round of 16. Mine, to be precise." The disappointment on his face had been fleeting, a testament to his relentless optimism. Then he''d grabbed my wrist, forcing me to stop. "Wait! Can''t you at least watch mine? Just this once? You never seem interested¡­" "I''m always busy, Louise," I''d said, my voice growing sharper. I had shrugged off his hand, but those pleading eyes followed me even now. "Pleaseeee..." My own sigh ¨C audible even amidst the roar of the crowd ¨C had mirrored his. "Fine. Just this once." My frown had probably rivalled the thunderstorm brewing in Rel''s vicinity earlier. Louise''s smile had been blinding. "Thank you! Now I''ve got SO much motivation to win!" His smirking smile was thest thing I had seen before he left off to go towards the main arena tunnel. [End Of shback :D] The memory faded, leaving behind just the same conflicted emotions I''d battled back then. Annoyance with Louise for interrupting my prep for the uing match and Annoyance with the boy beside me for bringing it all back. ____________ Authors Notes: - Writing this chapter I was listening to - Give You the World, By Steve Lacy Chapter 71: Quarter-Finals (3) {Louise''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Student Section Stands] [Before the start of the match] A surge of excitement coursed through me, I stood at the entrance to the main arena tunnel. Motivated to win for Valencia. The roar of the crowd was reduced to nothing as the soundproof walls cancelled out all sound within the tunnel, First, however, came the routine inspection. With a final nce at my smartwatch, I quickly tapped out a message to Valencia - "Valenciaaa My match is about to start! Cheer me on heaps! (? ?? ? - ? ) ?" Now that she''s finally gonna watch my match there''s no doubt In my head I was gonna lose. Not that I was gonna be losing anyway. DING! [Notification from Valencia] [From Valencia <11:59 AM> Good luck.] I smiled at the message she sent and checked the academy app of my opponent... I knew my opponent was Noah Davies, He was certainly huge for sure. He was about 7ft tall and he handled arge broadsword that was bigger than my Polearm here. A guard stepped forward, looking nervous in his eyes. It was the usual reaction I got. "Identification, please. And uh... the polearm, sir- I meant Villerion, if you will." I handed over both without hesitation. My weapon slid easily into his hands, drawing a surprising awe across his face. I couldn''t help but grin slightly. "Gotta make sure everything''s in order," he spoke, as he ran the axe through a scanner. The machine beeped its approval. "All clear here. Now, if you could step through this sensor, Mr. Villerion." He gestured toward an archway of wires. "Just standard procedure," I assured him. "Wouldn''t want any cheaters ruining the fun." The sensor tingled slightly as I passed through, and a momentter, another green light shed. "You''re good to go, Mr. Villerion!" With a nod to the guard, I pushed through the massive gate into the roaring heart of the stadium. Screams, cheers, the chanting of my name ¨C it was a wave of adoration, and I bathed in it. Girls from all year groups waved and screamed, their eyes alight with favour. "Louise, you''re the best!" "Marry me, Louise!" The energy felt was almost intoxicating. The roar of the crowd was a heady rush as I saw my opponent Noah step through the gates. But my eyes weren''t entirely focused on Noah. As there was one person I wanted to see. As my eyes swept over the stands, searching for a familiar face of my reason to fight I had finally spotted her: Valencia. An unfamiliar emotion of happiness surged through me. She was here, despite her words from earlier. But my triumphant smirk was washed away as a student I didn''t know was sitting beside her. It was a boy. sses, perpetually messy hair... the very definition of unremarkable. A jolt of confusion rippled through me, quickly reced by a surge of anger. Who was that nobody, and why was he sitting next to her? And wait ¨C was her face flushed? Forcing myself to focus, I tried to dredge up the boy''s name. Ran? Ren? No... Rel. "How dare he?" I muttered under my breath. "That¡­ that lowlife has no business sitting next to someone like Valencia. It should be me." A wave of emotions washed over me, stronger than I would ever care to admit. Forget about him. This match was where I would prove myself worthy. That seat beside her, it was mine and mine only for the taking. The announcer''s voice echoed around the arena. "Ladies and gentlemen! Prepare for an epic showdown! On this grand stage, we have the second-highest-ranked student in thepetition, Louise Villerion! And facing him, the seventh-ranked student among the first years, Noah Davies!" CLAP, CLAP, CLAP With the crowd apuding for our match, I started taking steps forward, I crossed the distance to where Noah stood, who seemed ready. The cheers of the crowd faded subtly, allowing a short talk to settle between us. "Thank you for being my opponent, Noah," I said, extending my hand. It was a gesture of respect, a touch of formality along the chaos. "For an amazing swordsman, you''ve certainly shown your potential. I wish you nothing but luck." A surprised smile flickered across Noah''s face, momentarily softening his stance. He grasped my hand firmly. "I always thought you were, well, a bit arrogant," he admitted, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. "Guess I was wrong. Apologies, Villerion. Right back at you ¨C may the best man win." We withdrew our hands, a silent acknowledgement passing between us. As we stepped back, creating the necessary distance for battle, a murmur swept through the crowd. "He''s of the Villerion blood, just like his father," one voice drifted towards us. "Louise is so humble!" another eximed. I soaked in their praise. Their admiration wasn''t just for my power but for my conduct. This was what separated me from the rest. I needed to uphold the pride of the Villerion name, As I know my father was watching this very match in the stands. Still, this match was little more than a formality. A stepping stone on my path to something greater - victory, recognition, the seat beside Valencia. It was also a step against one of the highest-ranking students amongst us first-years, a rival I needed to eliminate. My future, my ambition, my rise to be the guild leader of the Centurions... it all began here. A hush fell over the stadium, a silenceced with anticipation. My heart waspletely steady in my chest, yet my outward demeanour was one of calm focus. "Are both our first-year stars ready?" The announcer''s amplified voice echoed around the arena, building the tension. "Then raise your weapons!" With a flourish, I held my polearm axe high. The weight was familiar, aforting extension of myself. Across from me, Noah raised his broadsword, his stance mirroring my own. "Good!" The announcer''s voice boomed. "Now, let''s get this fight started! Three... two... one..." At the count of zero, a wicked grin split my face as my purest me ignited around my Poolerarm. Simultaneously, I sensed Noah''s mana surge, enveloping his de in a shimmering glow. "FIGHT!" SHING!!!! In a single, explosive motion, we lunged forward. Steel shed against steel, a thunderp that reverberated through the arena. The impact vibrated up my arms, sending a delicious shiver of adrenaline down my spine. We were locked, a whirlwind of energy and intent. This was it. My moment. And I would savor every second. ____________ Authors Notes: - Louise ignores the presence of Jan as long as he doesn''t think about him. - When ites to battle Louise is very respectable towards his opponents, Unless his name starts with Jan then his personality changes otherwise. Chapter 72: Flaming Emperor {Louise''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Main Arena: Main Stage] Our des locked, and I pushed against Noah''s surprising strength. For a big lug with a monstrous broadsword, he held his ground with unexpected tenacity. "For such a heavy weapon, your strength far surpasses mine," I admitted, unable to hide a grudging note of respect. A cocky smirk spread across Noah''s face. His pride was obvious, and suddenly, it dawned on me. The sh of weapons... it was a distraction! His left hand, hidden from my view, was already moving, chanting a spell beneath his breath. A familiar tingle of mana swirled around his free hand, a clear sign of an incantation. It was toote... I tried to twist my Polerarm back, but before I could react, Noah''s left foot surged with power. "Rising Rock!" he shouted. DUNG!, DUNG!, DUNG! Sharp spikes of earth burst from the gleaming tform, forcing me to leap backwards. My heart hammered in my chest as I realized the full extent of Noah''s craftiness. He wasn''t just some brute wielding a giant sword ¨C he was skilled at mana casting as well, capable of chaining attacks in rapid session. "...!" Even as Inded, Noah was already twisting his left hand, guiding the rising pirs of rock with terrifying precision. I cursed my carelessness, my focus on his sheer power blinding me to his magical prowess. Still, I wouldn''t be undone so easily. In mid-air, I shifted my grip on the axe. This me is stronger than any other me. SHAWWW! my elemental affinity ignited within me. With a roar, I channelled my affinity into the weapon, mming it against the ground. BANG! Cracks spread in an instant, fissures zing with the intensity of a methrower, incinerating the stone spikes It charged straight towards Noahpletely breaking his mana cast. Noah''s surprise at my mes was a sweet victory. No longer content to y defensively, I surged forward. HUUUUU My breath hitched as I channelled my speed, my form practically blurring as I closed the distance to Noah in the blink of an eye. HAAAAH! My polearm axe zed with fiery intensity. I exhaled, releasing a torrent of arcing mes directly at Noah. "...!" His eyes widened, but his reaction was just a fraction too slow. He managed to raise a hasty mana shield, yet the flimsy barrier cracked and shattered instantly under the onught. My axe sliced through, raking across Noah''s chest. A pained gasp escaped him, and I saw the flicker of agony twist his features even as he gritted his teeth in defiance. Yet Noah wasn''t done. With a desperate surge of strength, he brought his broadsword around in a whistling arc. HMM! I met the clumsy swing with my polearm, sparks flying as the weapons shed. Another grunt of pain escaped Noah as the vibration of the impact aggravated his burn. But my attacks weren''t fueled by pity. Again and again, I pushed forward, my axe a whirlwind of fire, each ncing blow searing Noah''s skin. He retreated step by unsteady step, no longer the brute force of nature but a wounded animal fighting for survival. The thrill of the battle was fading, reced by a dull ache and a grudging admiration for Noah''s tenacity. Yet, I wouldn''t allow myself to be caught in a drawn-out brawl. It was time to end this. I charged at Noah, and my speed dropped to see if he had any more tricks. I was confused for some reason he wasn''t attacking or moving his sword at all. But there was no sign of him channelling mana either... His face was straight ignoring all the pain I had dealt. As I closed the distance at a pace he clearly anticipated.A wide grin spread across Noah''s face. SHIT... Then, in a move I hadn''t expected, I felt a clear flow of mana rising through his weapon, as he raised his broadsword high and mmed it into the tform. RUMBLE, RUMBLE, RUMBLE, "...!" The earth rumbled beneath my feet, and before I could react, a massive pir of jagged rock erupted from the ground, hurtling me up towards the blue sky. The force of the impact reverberated through my body. This... this wasn''t a distraction anymore. Noah had changed the entire battlefield! As I tumbled through the air, I saw him sprint up the sloping surface of the rock pir, his broadsword shining ominously. Damn it! As I stabbed my weapon into the pir afternding, my axe bit deep into the pir to stabilize myself. The sheer height, the unnatural angle... My usual grace on the battlefield had deserted me. This was Noah''s element, his terrain, and I was dangerously out of my depth. My gaze locked with Noah''s as he approached. Even with the pain etched on his face, his confidence was clear. But I can''t maintain my bnce on this Pir of tilting rock. So how does he do it? Slowly I clenched onto my axe trying not to fall from a height, Observing every part of Noah''s body to see how he kept his from not falling off the nted pir... Slowly but surely I looked extremely closely at all the details and signatures of mana. It was then I noticed the subtle sheen of mana clinging to his boots, the key to his impossible bnce. So he was essentially sticking his mana close to his feet to create a connection between his foot and the rock. Then that would mean he would be able to never fall, due to the adhesion of his boots constantly sticking. Gritting my teeth, I focused, desperately trying to mimic the effect. A thin curl of my mana extended, connecting me to the unforgiving stone. "Focus Dammit!" I muttered as Noah was within striking distance, "FOCUS" ... ... Just as Noah''s attack connected, I was ready. Parrying his blow with a strength born of desperation, I saw the same shock of surprise cross his features. "As expected from one of the strongest," Noah grunted, "you''re just as strong as Jan!" A snarl escaped me. "Don''tpare me to that fraud!" I surged forward, forcing Noah back as we locked weapons once more. The very ground beneath my feet began to tremble, mirroring the rage surging within me. Cracks spread across the pir, not from Noah''s magic, but from the sheer intensity of my emotions. SHAWWWW! With each step, my anger ignited the very air around me. mes sprouted from the cracks of the licking stone, rising higher with each strike of my polearm axe. Noah, his face looked as if he was struggling, he scrambled backwards, barely parrying my relentless attacks while frantically dodging the rising tongues of fire. He was fading, weakening with every blow Inded. My vision narrowed, focused solely on ending this battle. With a final, furious charge, I forced Noah to the very edge of the pir. "This is over." My voice was a low growl,ced with both satisfaction and a hint of disgust. Grasping my axe with both hands, I delivered a devastating blow, knocking Noah clear off the crumbling pir. He plummeted, a desperate cry trailing after him. I didn''t hesitate. Leaping after him, I pointed my polearm directly at his head, a whirlwind of fire and fury. Just as we mmed back into the tform, my axe connected with the ground below, erupting in a blinding explosion of me and dust. When the dust settled, the victor was clear. I stood, polearm still firmly nted beside Noah''s prone body, the tip aimed unflinchingly at his head. The image was absolute - a deration of my dominance. "...!" The announcer''s voice echoed through the lingering haze," Louise Villerion wins by force surrender!" *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Student Section Stands] I was on my feet watching the final moments of the fight unfold. Louise had knocked Noahpletely off the crumbling pir. Then, in a move that bordered on insanity, he''d leapt after his opponent. The impact on the ground sent a shockwave through the arena, a cloud of dust covering the aftermath. Even from my distant seat, I felt the tremors. Humans weren''t meant to survive falls from that height, and to say it simply... Louise was more superhuman than anyone else. When the dust settled, the victor was clear. Louise stood defiant, his polearm a beacon of triumph beside the unmoving Noah. The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers ¨C they adored this sort of spectacle. It was unbelievable to witness such a beautiful fight in person... especially when you''re the one who wrote the very depths of their character, But what can I say Louise was special in his ways, he has a strong undying passion that never blows out. That''s why he is deserving of the name, ''ming Emperor.'' ____________ Authors Note: - Rising Rock is a standard ability that any user with the attribute of earth can cast with ease but requires a mana chant and hand sign in order to manifest it''splete form to do maximum damage. - Mana Casting is a form of spell casting that utilities the form of: Mana chant + Mana Channelling + Mana Hand Signs + Elemental Attribute = ''Mana Cast'' or ''Spell Casting'' - Louise''s battle IQ is second to Jan. - During the Massive Pir of rock created by Noah, Louise solved the imbnce equation within 8 seconds. - Noah and Louise were fighting upside down from the tilting pir at one point. - The Color of Louise''s ''Pure me'' is Blue-White Chapter 73: The Calm Before The Storm {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Student Section Stands] [12:10 PM] Louise''s world, with its focus on power and glory, was so far removed from my own that it felt more like watching a child y with its food than witnessing something to be envied. Turning to the right, Valencia''s reaction was rather calm her expression betraying no hint of being impressed by Louise''s match. I could tell she didn''t want to be here at all. Then Louise spotted her. That smirk when he waved was almost unbearable ¨C like he owned the world and Valencia was just a prize in it. Confusion washed over Valencia as she realized the crowd was watching her, not him. "I think everyone''s staring at you," Cam whispered into Valencia''s ear as a flush crept up her neck, and the student section went wild. Valencia turned, her expression twisting in confusion as the whispers intensified. Murmurs spread through the stands like wildfire. "No way... could Louise and Valencia...?" a first-year girl gasped nearby. "They''d be the perfect couple!" another gushed. "So Louise likes Valencia then? Wow..." Valencia met my eyes for a sed, then abruptly left. I thought about the dating allegations, Her and Louise? PFFT Don''t make meugh. As If in a thousand years that''s happening. For all that I know Louise would never achieve such a feat of earning the heart of Valencia. BZZZT! Unlike Louise, who seemed proud, Valencia seemed to avoid it. Even up until now, she was a mystery to me, always keeping a distance. Perhaps that was what made her so¡­ interesting... ... ... [7 Hours Later...] ... ... [Pinnacle Academy, Aetherium Nexus: Building A - Gym] [Tuesday, 7:30 PM] haah...haah...haah... The ng of weights echoed through the Aetherium Nexus as I finished my final set of bench presses. A gloss of sweat covered my skin, and my muscles throbbed with a satisfying ache. Sixty kilos on either side ¨C it wasn''t a record-breaking feat, but it was progress. Every day, I pushed myself a little harder, sculpting my body into a weapon against the suffocating confines of this ce. "Rel Laurence," the gym''s AI announced crisply. "Time in the gym: 2 hours and 30 minutes." "Thanks," I muttered, wiping down the bench before heading for the exit. The tournament chaos was finally dying down. With the round of 16pleted, the academy had wrapped up events early, granting students a rare leave ¨C which should be used to "rx and study." But as I stepped out into the fading afternoon light, the academy grounds didn''t feel any less different from today. Students milled around, some clearly enjoying their freedom with noisy chatter andughter. Others, like myself, were hitting the weights like a true gym bro. I knew this wasn''t true rxation, just a carefully nned outing that kept my body in check and ensured that I wouldn''t struggle with any lifting task. My usual path led past the main academic building, a hulking structure where all the lessons were held. Instead of staying, I sidestepped the edge of thewn, as I had arrived at the front of the Male Dorms. ... ... ... [Pinnacle Academy, First Year - Male Dorms] Bleach stung my nose as I hit the fourth floor. Voices boomed from below I could hear it was Louise and his new friends that he made the day. Theirughter was nailed on a chalkboard. I crept along the stairs hearing their conversation. "Valencia? Oh man, you''ve got great taste!" Sergio Vex''s voice boomed from the lounge one floor down. He was the loudest of the bunch, always eager to voice his opinions. [Sergio Vex, ss 1-B - Academy Rank 11 / 1000] "Dude, she''s like, the prettiest girl in the entire academy," Carlos Muller added, his enthusiasm bordering on the ridiculous. [Carlos Muller, ss 1-B - Academy Rank 15 / 1000] Thiago Basten sounded amused. "Maybe she''s drawn to his power? Or his family name?" [Thiago Basten, ss 1-B - Academy Rank 13 / 1000] My lips twitched in a smile. This was better than any fight I''ve watched. Louise''s response, as expected, was dripping with arrogance. "Please. As if I need to impress anyone. Valencia was enchanted by my looks and top-tier skills!" Hisckeys immediately agreed enthusiastically, "Absolutely!" and "She''s the perfect match for you, Louise!" Moreughter bubbled up from below, followed by supportive cheers. I shook my head, unable to suppress a full-fledged chuckle. The idea of Louise and Valencia together was so hriously absurd, that I almost felt sorry for him. Her with her icyposure, him with his inted ego¡­ they wouldn''tst an hour in each other''spany, let alone a lifetime. The stupidity of it all fueled my restlessness. I shoved away from the railing, taking the stairs in twos, heading straight for my room. My room, 4-A, was marked on a metal door beside the stairs. With a soft sigh, I keyed in the ess code. The door slid open, revealing a space that, whilecking in personal touch, was far from the room I''d initially described. myfortable bed which was still a mess, my spacious desk filled with my list of to-do things, and my empty closet which was enough to make my belongings look even more empty. As I crossed directly to my desk. I already had a neatly folded checklist, detailing the essentials for the uing club trip to France. [Rel''s France Checklist:] [1x - ck Puffer Jacket] [1x - Red Scarf] [3x - ck Long Tee''s] [1x Pair - Pyjamas] [x1 - Dark Blue Baggy Pants] [1x Pair - Ear Muffs] [1x - Tooth Brush] [3x Pairs - White Socks] [1x Pairs - Nike Off-White Dunks] Scanning the list, I ticked off each item as I confirmed its presence within my carefully packed luggage sitting beside the desk. Everything seemed in order. *** The trip, to France, was a mark for the beginning of the official story, where a demi-human will be summoned to the Heroes Museum to steal a special material called the ''Negative Mana Stone'' this material alone could develop one of the strongest forms of a demon. Allowing them to transform into a demon variation called a ''sub devil'' This can only be done if they consume 1 or 2 Negative mana stones. Sub-devils are iplete forms of a devil but by variation, they are still nothing but demons with amped-up abilities, So if a demon were to get their hands on 1000 negative mana stones and then consume it all. Then there would be a make-or-break process the demon goes through as the price for undergoing the devil transformation. It was a process where the Body and Soul were tested and if the soul broke under the pressure of the umtion of the 1000 stones the soul in this case would die, creating a devil''s empty vessel. The devil''s empty vessel can be used in many ways they could have the body dpressed into a form of negative mana which retains all 1000 stones, rinsing and repeating the process until they have someone who can fully transform. Or have the soul of a person directly transferred to the vessel... This means that regardless of the previous owner''s body, whatever techniques, abilities and knowledge possessed within the transferred soul are retained within the person''s memories, allowing them to also gain the powers of the vessel along with their previous body''s powers. However in the case that both the body and soul survive after the devil''s transformation they retain all the powers they''ve achieved and essentially be a human and a devil allowing them to blend within the norms of society being able to manipte emotions in which they don''t feel and do as they please with the extreme power they''ve gained. At the hands of the demon cult, there was an ability that was rumoured to have existed, The ability was called ''Soul Transfer'' and the problem with it all is that the 1 person who has the ability itself is only 3 years old. I worry a lot because I know she exists but I was unsure if she was necessary when I was writing her character at the time, I ended up scrapping a war arc specifically designed for this character as the demon cult would be way too overpowered if they got their hands on her ability. *** sniff.... sniff... After a lot of thought, I could smell my odour rising to my nose and I have to say that it smells. Bad. It was definitely time for a shower. Stripping down, I stepped into the small, functional bathroom attached to my room. whoooshhhh The hot water beat down, washing away all the exhaustion along with the day''s sweat and grime I even had a rubber ducky floating in the tub. As I dried off, a nce in the mirror told me my medium-length hair, was longer than usual. Strands of hair kept falling into my eyes and I struggled a lot trying to style it. Rummaging through a drawer, I found a ck headband and secured my hair back, giving myself a more practical appearance. murrrrmmm I could feel my stomach turning inside out, So I headed to the small kitchen area in my dorm. It was basic but sufficient. I made a quick dinner with scrambled eggs on my te, quick and sustaining. The thought of tomorrow''s quarter-final twisted in my gut. Sixt of us left, meaning a near-certain match with Jan, Louise, or one of the other main cast who''d leave me in the dust. Forget winning I think just forfeiting seemed like the only sane option. I dumped the dishes in the sink with a tter, desperate for the oblivion of sleep. At least something might go easy for me tomorrow... _______________ Authors Notes Chapter 74: Quarter-Final Draw [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Presentation Hall] [Wednesday, 9:30 AM] [The Scouting Invitationals Final Day] I entered the presentation hall, Seven seats were lined up in a rigid row facing the podium at the front of the hall. Beside it was a simple wooden boxbelled ''Student Names'' in neat, blocky letters. There were no surprises there ¨C This was the method the Academy had been using for many years. Seeing the room was filled with empty seats I could tell that I was probably the only one to arrive on time. I sat at the very end of the row and yed a few chess games while waiting. ... [10 Minutes Later...] ... The hall filled gradually, Six arrived, their voices echoing against the hall. Jae Yoona and Alice slipped in first, their murmurs sounded like they were talking about a show. Jan stumbled in next, still looking a bit dazed even with directions. He shot me a smile before sliding into the seat beside Alice. Louise''sckey arrived after, giving me the side-eye. Then, with a creak of the heavy door, Valencia entered, looking half-asleep. Louise trailed behind her, pestering her like a persistent mosquito. "... honestly, Val," Louise''s voice boomed over the murmur, "The guy didn''t stand a chance. One st and he was cowering." He was addressing Valencia, who was walking with her eyes half closed, looking utterly disinterested in the conversation. "Hm," she replied, her voice barely a whisper. A faint frown yed on her lips. "You should have seen it," Louise continued, oblivious to her disinterest. "He was begging for mercy! But hey, maybe you''ll need all that training if you n on facing me in the finals." My gaze snapped towards them as Louise let out a slight chuckle. Valencia''s expression hardened just slightly, but she didn''t bother him with a further response. Just then, he noticed me staring and his grin warped into a frown. Momentster, he shouldered his way past Valencia and nted himself in the seat between us. Why the fuck was he here? The quarterfinals were happeningter today, his own match was yesterday. Was he just here to flex that he was already in the semi-finals? well buddy I have a thing or two to tell him. But before that, Kolek entered the building calming his weathered face empty of expression as he strode to the podium. "Please, take your seats," Kolek boomed, his voice echoing through the hall. "I''ll draw your names, and the one called after yours will be your quarterfinal opponent. Clear?" A wave of nods answered him. He ced the box on the podium. Silence stretched as he reached inside, fumbling slightly. A slip of paper emerged. Unfolding it, his eyes scanned the name. "The first quarterfinal match will be... Jan Ates versus Alice Elizabeth!" Jan and Alice this early? Another change, but by now, I should''ve expected it. Still, I crunched the odds... If Alice took down Jan, then Louise could likely semi-final opponent... leaving Valencia and Jae to fight it out. Alice twitched her ears, a sh of pure excitement crossing her face. Could she actually pull this off? Anything was possible now... Maybe not Alice winning against Jan, but the opponent for the final could be anyone but Louise. Kolek continued, drawing another name. "The second quarter-final match will be Valencia Freya versus Jae Yoona." Valencia looked half asleep but seemed to care a bit as she straightened from her seat hearing the matchup names. Valencia versus Jae Yoona... that''s a fight I never imagined in the original story. A perfect archer against a sword saint... someone''s bound to walk away seriously injured. With the matchups set, my opponent was obvious. Luck was on my side, but even so, this tournament was no cakewalk. The deeper I went, the tougher it would get. As Kolek prepared the remaining draw he drew the next slip. "Thirdly, Rel Laurence will face¡­" he paused, grabbing the final sheet in the box, "...Carlos Muller." Carlos Muller, One of Louise''s goons. Not much of a threat, but still best to be cautious. He''s one of the more unique characters in the story itself. He would appear for like a few chapters and then disappear for a whole arc. I wouldn''t even be surprised if I didn''t hear from him after this. Still, I''m unsure of this guy''s abilities. So it''s best to just see his current stats from here, rather than asking the system to charge me PPP for information on this guy''s abilities. [Perceptive Mind Has Been Activated!] Quickly I turned my head towards Carlos Muller and focused my eyes on him. I could see his status window formed right before my eyes. FWANG! [Status Window Of Carlos Muller] [Strength: 75, Durability: 90, Speed: 40, Mana: C+, Elemental Attribute: Fire] [Current Thoughts: "Who''s Rel again?"] "Who''s Rel again?" Seriously? This fucker...The audacity of this nobody is getting on my nerves. After everything I''d written, everything I''d been through... Forgettable? I''d show him unforgettable. Ehem... Kolek cleared his throat. "One further note," he said, his voice gruff. "The match times will be randomized now that the draws areplete. We will input your names into a system that will determine the order of the fights. Be on the lookout for a notification on your watches. The first match will be scheduled for 12:00 sharp. I expect your best performance, students. Congrattions on making it this far. You are dismissed." The room emptied quickly. I lingered, the weight of the uing fight settling heavily on my shoulders. This was more than a spectacle now. It was a potential obstacle on my path to freedom, a chaotic variable I needed to navigate carefully. ... ... ... [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1: Outer Hallways] [10:45 AM] The outer stadium was surprisingly peaceful, patches of warm sunlight slicing through the open arches. My footsteps echoed in the stillness, a nice sound to the usual bustle. Then, a high-pitched ring shattered the silence, the sound almost painfully sharp in the emptiness. BZZZZT!, BZZZZT! My watch vibrated against my wrist. looking down, I saw a notification sh across the screen: [Your Uing Schedule Has Been Updated!] [Stage: Quarter-Finals] [Name: Rel Laurence] [Matches Completed: 23] [Match Number: 1] [Oppon: Carlos Muller - (Arena A) -] [Time: 12:00 PM] a smile crossed my lips. "Well, I guess I''m lucky after all," I muttered. The first match meant less time to wait and less exposure to the scrutiny of theter crowds. As I continued walking, I was still thinking of the notes the scouts left on my profile. "...so slow and methodical...", "...uses his fists more than his crossbow...", "... honestly, his fighting style is boring...". A bitter chuckle caught in my throat. They weren''t wrong. My victories weren''t about trying to win I was just trying to get the BP I needed, the fist and crossbow part kind of hurt a bit more than I had thought but I couldn''t care since these lower-ranking scouts had nothing to do with me anyway. ____________ Authors Notes: - None for this chapter D: Chapter 75: A Quick Finish [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Outer Hallway] As I started making my way back to collect my crossbow from the dorm, an unexpected encounter sent shivers down my spine. "...!" Striding down the hallway was a man who, at first nce, seemed like he might be a reporter here to cover the tournament. Yet, there was an undeniable wrongness about him, an oppressive weight to his presence that set my every nerve on edge. Something about this man was monstrously powerful. As we passed, a wave of suffocating energy washed over me, a force far beyond the familiar energy a person usually has. My body was screaming to run. I realised that I was face to face with something dangerous, something I didn''t understand. My head whipped around, fear and confusion twisting in my head. The man walked on, his gaze fixed ahead, seemingly oblivious to my presence. He didn''t even acknowledge me, as if I were nothing more than dust. But I couldn''t help it, This either was a Viin or a hero I haven''t ever heard of yet. [Perceptive Mind Has Been Activated!] [Due to the character''s strength you are unable to see the full status window of their abilities, stats, and current thoughts.] [Stats Restriction: Strength, Mana, Speed, Durability, 2 Special Elemental Attributes] [Name: Morwen Cross, Strength: ???, Mana: ???, Elemental Attribute: Darkness, ???, ???,] This was Morwen Cross in disguise. But... why was he here and how did he get here? This man was an untouchable Viin, powerful and dangerous. His presence near the academy, couldn''t ever be detected by the strongest of heroes because of how good of a mage he was the uniqueness and quality of his powers are different. I searched my mind for answers. What scheme was unfolding? Was he here to take someone? A horrible thought struck me ¨C was he nning another raid on Pinnacle? The desire to warn someone, anyone, red within me, but it was quickly extinguished by a sickening realization. Morwen Cross was no fool. He would have anticipated being discovered, and if so, it meant that even a full-scale alert might do little to stop his ns. My hands clenched into fists, frustration and fear gnawing at me. All I could do was watch and observe. Learn what I could of his true intentions, perhaps find a weakness, an opportunity. It felt like a pathetically small action in the face of such a threat, but survival had taught me that sometimes, the only option was to wait your time. For now, I had to stay calm. Morwen Cross in the heart of Pinnacle... this was far more dangerous than any tournament match. *** {Jan''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Allen''s Cafe] Jan leaned back in his chair, still feeling a little guilty from yesterday''s match against Cam. However, it was tempered by a genuine concern for his opponent. Cam, sitting across from him at Allen''s bustling caf¨¦,ughed good-naturedly, a blush wiping her cheeks. "I mean, you gotta give me some credit, at least," she teased, her tone light and yful. Jan smiled sheepishly. "Aw, sorry, Cam. Didn''t mean to downy it. But... it wouldn''t be any fun if I didn''t at least challenge you a bit, right?" Lyra, her bright hair framing a delicate face, chimed in with a giggle. "I still can''t believe I drew Noah in the round of 32. Talk about bad luck." A frown briefly flitted across her features. "Honestly, I was even happy about getting to the round of 32." "Hey, you did great," Jan said reassuringly. "Noah''s really strong, there''s no shame in that." Cam nodded in agreement. "He was one of the favourites to win it all. You held your own for longer than most would have!" ugh... Valencia, usually soposed, merely grunted in response. She looked exhausted, her eyes half-lidded as she slumped against the table. She felt guilt cross her face... she probably shouldn''t have stayed up sote ying Crownfall after their early dismissal yesterday. Jan checked his watch with a thoughtful look. "First match of the day is up," he spoke, excited for a person he knew wouldn''t disappoint him. "Rel verse Carlos, I''m gonna check it out. Anyoneing?" Cam immediately perked up, "I am! Just let me finish this pastry." Lyra''s eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Rel? sure¡­" Valencia, however, didn''t seem impressed. Her gaze swept over the name ''Rel'' with a judgment bordering on disdain. Bazz shrugged, patting his full stomach. "Gonna pass,ds. Just devoured a feast fit for a king." Jan stood up stretching, "Your loss. If you change your mind,e find me in the stands." Bazz and Valencia nodded and With that, he strode towards the exit, Cam hurrying to keep up. Lyra, motivated by boredom more than genuine interest, trailed behind. Inside the stadium, a new battle was about to begin. *** My footsteps echoed in the dimness of the arena tunnel. The guards, sharp as ever, gave me a short nod after their final inspection. "You''re cleared," one grunted. "Proceed on through." With a steady breath, I stepped out into the blinding light of the stadium. A wave of noise washed over me ¨C a decent crowd, but thankfully, nothing overwhelming. Looking across the stands, I saw a familiar face. There was Jan, perched in the front row seats, waving enthusiastically with that pretty boy smile of his. Next to him sat Cam and Lyra. An awkward smile twitched my lips in response. My attention snapped back to the task at hand as I spotted Carlos, already waiting at the centre of the massive white tform. He looked rxed, a flicker of arrogance twisting his lips. The memory of his sneers back in the presentation hall fueled a cold determination within me. Suddenly, the announcer''s amplified voice filled the arena: "Ladies and gentlemen, wee to the first quarterfinal match! On one side of the tform, we have the talented Carlos Muller!" A smattering of apuse rippled through the crowd. It was polite butcked genuine enthusiasm. The announcer continued, his voice rising with the practised cadence of a showman, "And on the other side,Rel Laurence!" There was a pause, a wave of confusion through the audience, and then a few scattered ps. I couldn''t help but grin wryly. This was the embarrassment I was getting from nobody like me being watched. "Fighters," the booming voice resonated, cutting through the murmur of the crowd, "take your positions!" I walked to my designated spot on the tform, my crossbow held steady. Carlos loosely held his wand, still maintaining that cocky look in his eyes. This wasn''t just about winning, not for him. He wanted to crush me, but I wasn''t going to let him do that so I''ll take it a little more serious from here on out. _____________ Authors Notes: - Perceptive Mind is the ability to see the truest status of any user Rel chooses to analyse but a limitation of this factor is that if the opponent''s strength is greatly above the level of Rel he is not able to fully grasp the extent of their powers and abilities. - Because of how skilled Morwen is as a mage, He can conceal his mana to a point where he cannot be detected - Rel can see the truest forms of physical appearance regardless of how a person disguises themselves this is all thanks to Perceptive Mind''s ability. Chapter 76: A Quick Finish (2) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] I stood on the tform, waiting patiently for the match to start. But looking at Carlos, a smug grin stered on his face, watching me with predatory eyes. As the announcer''s voice boomed through the arena, he moved a bit closer. "Bet you''re regretting stepping onto this tform, nobody?" His tone dripped with condescension. "This isn''t your little practice range - it''s the real deal. Muller versus some rando? Hardly a fair fight." I kept my expression carefully neutral, refusing to give him even the slightest of annoyance. Let him waste his breath, He''ll need all the air he can get from me. The announcer began the traditional countdown, I held out my crossbow armed and ready. "Three¡­" Carlos smirked, his wand beginning to glow. "Two¡­" He mouthed something, a taunt no doubt. "One¡­ BEGIN!" Before the word had fully left the announcer''s lips, Carlos was in motion. Words of power flowed from his mouth, and his wand danced through the air, weaving magical patterns. "mes of fury, heed my call!" he screamed, voice rising in intensity. WHAM! Twin circles red into the air, spitting out sts of crimson fire that seared the air. The heat washed over me, the stench of burnings smoke sharp in my nostrils. [Sixth Sense (Passive) Has been activated!] SHAW!, SHAW! But I was ready. I sidestepped the first st, my body weaving through each st of fire, as I hoped he''d be running out of mana with each shot. As the mes hissed past, missing me by inches. Should I use Mitigation to deflect these sts? Each shot was a projectile... if I could thread them back through my portals carefully, might it create the opening I needed? Fire rained down from the same conjured portals, each st forcing me to move even farther away from him. The tform was soon a scorchedndscape, the relentless assault turning the pristine white surface into a ckened battlefield. "Hah!" Carlos''sughter echoed over the roar of the mes. "I knew you were nothing but a low-rank with a miracle run for the ages! All those sloppy dodges... how long can you keep that up?" His taunts to piss me off were probably working. I gritted my teeth, weaving and twisting, desperately trying to find an opening in this relentless barrage. When is this guy going to hit his limit? Even powerful mages had their mana pools. This frustration was so annoying - just one moment, one slip-up, and I could probably close in on this guy but he was not even allowing me to get any shots off. The moments stretched into what felt like an eternity. Carlos''s attacks, while repetitive, showed no sign of weakening. haah...haah... My breath came in ragged gasps, the heat bing oppressive. Had I underestimated him? This wasn''t about showcasing power, it was raw attrition, a battle to oust the other. My mind raced, searching for weaknesses, for patterns in the rain of fire. But the mes and Carlos''s mocking voice blurred my focus. I''d built my strategies on outwitting my opponents, not ousting them. Was this the end of my quest run? I had to do something or else he''s gonna scorch me when I''m not looking. Instead of maintaining the exhausting evasion, I lunged forward, crossbow raised. Risky... reckless, even. But Carlos''s relentless attacks had trapped me in a cycle of defence, and I needed to break free. TAK!, TAK!, TAK! Arrows flew from my crossbow mid-stride, forcing Carlos to react. He flinched, not expecting the sudden aggression. "...Tch." Two, maybe three arrows found their mark before he reacted, his fingers weaving a hasty shield spell. The rest of the arrows ttered harmlessly against the mana barrier. Fuck... these mages and their ratty tricks. His focus had only been dyed for a moment, but it was enough to see the potential for a counterattack. Instead of retreating, I pressed forward, trying to close the distance before he could cast another portal of me. As I ran towards him a smile suddenly crept up on his face and I realised something... He saw iting. A new portal was summoned directly in my path, ready to unleash another fire st. SHAAAW! [Projectile Disarm Is Ready!] With a split-second decision, I activated my ''Projectile Disarm'' ability, aiming to disrupt the flow of his attack. The timing was crucial, it felt like an edge between sess and failure... [Parry Unsessful... You''ve Missed!] ¡­And I missed it, Shit. WHAM! The st of fire mmed into me with brutal force, the heat pushing me back. I stumbled, feeling my skin burning. Carlos''sughter rang out,ced with cruel satisfaction. "HAHAHA!" cough! cough! "Giving up already?" Damn it. the pain was burning in my chest, but there was no time for self-pity. I was getting sloppy. There''s no way I''m going to get cheesed like this! My eyes stung, my vision blurring from the sweat and smoke. But beneath the pain, a cold resolve hardened within me. I would endure once more. Carlos''s taunts faded and I forced myself to focus. Think, that''s all I had to do, think. There had to be a weakness, a pattern, anything I could exploit. I refused to be simply ousted. Every st, every near miss, it was information... something was there, just out of reach. Carlos once again started firing away with his sting mes leaving me to dodge even more. It was not until a single thought passed through my mind, could the portals themselves be the key? They seemed to be the source of the fire sts, conduits of raw magical energy. If they were somehow disrupted, wouldn''t that stop Carlos''s attacks? As I dodged another st of mes, it hit me. He wasn''t dismantling the old portals. The ones conjured at the fight''s start were still the only reason he was able to maintain his reserves. Carlos was focused entirely on his assault, not on the keeping of his magical constructs. My breath quickened... could this be it? [Piercing Shot Has Been Activated!] [Quick Shot Has Been Activated!] [Mana Percentage: 93%] A desperate n took form. I activated two abilities at once, a risky gamble. ''Piercing Shot'' to imbue my arrows with exceptional force, and ''Quick Shot'' to out speed his attacks. My first shots were aimed not at Carlos, but at the portals. TAK!, TAK!, TAK!, They jerked slightly under the impact of my arrows. Carlos reacted instantly, his face was shocked as he understood what my n was.. Another portal materialized its fiery st aimed directly at me. I was ready. Sprinting forward, I released another volley of shots, these aimed directly at Carlos himself. TAK!, TAK!, TAK! His focus trembled. With a growl of frustration, he deflected my arrows, but the momentary distraction was all I needed. He was struggling to maintain the portals now. His brow furrowed in concentration, and I could see he was sweating under the pressure. This was all I needed. Seizing the opportunity, I stopped dodging and charged forward. My crossbow became a blur, each shot was aimed at destroying the portals. He moved the portals away, a clever maneuver... but it only dyed the inevitable. As his fiery sts resumed, I continued my relentless assault. TAK!, TAK!, TAK!, Enhanced with my abilities, the arrows mmed into the portals, forcing them to shift and move under the strain. Carlos''s hands trembled, the effort of maintaining them clearly growing more difficult. Beads of sweat rolled down his face, his earlier arrogance reced with a desperate focus. TAK! CRASH! One portal shattered under the piercing shot, its mana disappearing out with a hiss. Carlos flinched, as he realised I had figured him out. Another portal was summoned, and then... it too vanished. He was overextending himself, losing control. My relentless focus was breaking his rhythm. Still, he fired desperately with his remaining portals, trying to force me back, to buy himself time... but it was toote. TAK!, TAK! The final portal shattered. A ragged gasp escaped Carlos''s lips. He was vulnerable, by the look on his face it seemed his magic depleted, his eyes widened with a terrified realization. And for the first time since the fight began, it was my turn to advance. He didn''t even try to run. And in that moment, standing before him,I knew I''d won. A cold fury burned through me as I stood across Carlos. He looked defeated, a pathetic shadow of the arrogant mage who had taunted me moments ago. There was a strange sense of satisfaction in seeing him like this, seeing how far I''d pushed him. But this wasn''t simply about winning at this point. It was about the insults, the relentless ridicule... All I ever wanted to do was beat the shit out of him. I''d never been the type for mercy, not in a world as unforgiving as this one. tap... tap... tap... My walk towards Carlos was slow and steady. Every step echoed with all the anger burning within me. All he could do was watch, his battered hand shakily forming the familiar weaving pattern of conjuring a portal. wham! It was pathetic. Another portal was summoned a miniature circle of its former intimidating form. He pushed what little magic he could muster towards it, a desperatest-ditch attack. [Sesful Parry!] With a smile, I activated ''Projectile Disarm'', my hand swatting through the air with disdain. The unstable portal shattered, the fiery st scattering before it could fully form. Horror washed over Carlos''s face, This was the face of his defiance crushing thest remnants of his pride. CLICK! My crossbow ttered to the side, no longer needed. Now, it was time to get close and personal. "Wh-what are you doing?" Carlos gasped, his voice barely above a ragged whisper "I su-" BANG! He started, a pathetic attempt to surrender, but his words were cut short as my fist connected with his jaw, followed by a sh of ck lightning crunched through the arena. [Critical Hit!] "...argh...argh..." He howled in pain, as his attempt at a defensive spell dissolved as he recoiled now on the ground vulnerable. I stood on top of his body I crouched, clenching my fist ready to beat the life out of him. BANG! BANG! BANG! Blows rained down on him, each one fueled by a greater feeling of satisfaction. His face was a bloody mess, his pathetic attempts to shield himself useless. Gone was the arrogant smile, reced with tears of agony and blood flowing out of his face. [Critical Hit!] [Critical Hit 2x!] [Critical Hit 3x!] With every punch, ck lightning shed from my fists that vibrated through his bones and sent shockwaves of pain through his battered body. This was no longer a tournament match, This was just a beautiful feeling. My hands felt the stter of blood dropping onto his face with each strike, continuously hammering him. This was the price to pay for being a dog to a human. BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, My attacks continued until Carlos was nothing more than a whimpering, broken mess on the tform. With a growl of disgust, I dragged him up by his ruined face. A strangled cry escaped his bloodied lips. uggh...uhh...h-h-el-p... The scent of fear mingled with the coppery smell of blood. I saw the guards ready to intervene, concerned. But they hesitated, uncertain of how to react in the face of such rampant brutality. "...!" With a snarl, I hurled Carlos towards the edge of the arena. Hended in a crumpled heap, barely a few paces from the edge. Muttered moans drifted from his direction, along with desperate, scrabbling attempts to crawl away. _________ Authors Notes: - Casting a medium for a portal is the same price for most mages but those who are skilled at summoning portals can use about 1% of their mana. - Regr Mages have to expand about 5-8% of mana each time they summon a portal but maintaining the portal expends a lot of energy and mages tend to lose their control after using 60% of their mana. Chapter 77: A Quick Finish (3) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: VIP Suite 4#] Yuka Azira leaned back in her seat in the VIP box, her gaze locked on the brutal scene unfolding on the arena tform. "Well," she spoke, observing the gruesome scene urring on the tform, "that mage certainly seemed like he needed a good beating. Can''t say I disagree with the kid on that front." Julian George, seated beside her, shifted ufortably. "Yuka, I can''t recall the exact tournament rules, but isn''t this¡­ a bit excessive?" Yuka snorted. "Excessive? Hardly. Tournament rules are clear: a match is over when apetitor is knocked out of bounds, knocked unconscious, or forced into an outright surrender." "But look at him," Julian gestured towards the battered Carlos, "he''s clearly in a position to force surrender..." "A mage unable to patch himself up at least a little, despite all that blood? Please." Yuka scoffed, giving a dismissive look in her eye. "Besides, he''s still moving. Might be in agonizing pain, but that just makes it all the more interesting." As the two watched Rel ughter Carlos they had just seen him pick up Carlos from the ground and hurled him towards the arena''s edge. It looked like he wasn''t going to slow down. Julian winced. "Okay, that¡­ that was intense. But honestly, Yuka, I like the kid. He''s got potential. But¡­" "But nothing like you, is that it?" Yuka finished his sentence for him, a teasing lilt in her voice. "Especially back in our Academy days, that gloomy kid everyone was too scared to approach." Julian scowled. "Hey, what''s that supposed to mean? And weren''t you the one begging me for help on craftingponents for your Dungeon Theory exam back then?" Yuka waved a dismissive hand, her attention already back on the arena. "Ancient history. Besides," she grinned, "this match is almost over. Might as well see how our mysterious underdog finishes the job." "Now, what was his name again?" Julian asked, scratching his chin. "That kid... something about him. He caught my eye back in the hallway, when he was with Jan. Could be an unknown asset for either of our guilds." Yuka''s gaze sharpened. "You think he''s more than just an archer, don''t you? Could be someone overlooked even by Oberon." Julian stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Seems like he and Jan are good friends as well. Maybe you can get two for the price of one, offer the kid an internship..." A sly smile spread across Yuka''s face. "That''s... not a bad idea. Now, don''t tell me you were thinking back to that whole hallway staring contest with him, were you?" Julian''s nk face now seemingly more focused turned to Yuka. "Absolutely not." (He absolutely was.) *** [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Student Section Stands] Jan watched from the stands, with horror twisting in his gut. This wasn''t the Rel he knew. This was a side of his casual acquaintance he''d never seen before ¨C a raw, ruthless brutality he couldn''tprehend. While Jan couldn''t stand watching Rel beat a helpless man without any feelings or regard he tried to jump towards the stage to stop him. "Stop it Jan!" Cam yelled holding him by his arm. "No one''s stopping him!" Jan''s voice cracked with desperation. He leaped forward, trying to break free from Cam and Lyra''s grasp. "Jan, it''s no use!" Cam said, her voice strained as she struggled to hold him back. "There must have been a reason!" Lyra pleaded, her usually bright eyes filled with concern. "Maybe... maybe you can talk to him afterwards, calm him down." Their words barely registered. Jan''s gaze was fixed on the scene below. Rel, relentless and emotionless, was advancing onto Carlos. The crowd was a roaring ocean of noise, a bloodthirsty urging Rel to keep going. Tap... Tap... Tap... He was going to do it. He was going to keep beating Carlos, long after the point of victory. The thought sickened Jan. Could this truly be the same Rel he''d crossed paths with, shared asional smiles and polite conversation? Jan began to feel doubt about Rel. With a final burst of strength, he almost broke free when something he saw stopped him from moving... Rel stopped. His face, twisted in a mask of rage a moment before, seemed to soften. It was as if some sense of reason had returned to those terrifying eyes. Slowly, agonizingly, he unclenched his fist, and his crossbow reappeared in his hand. Jan''s heart pounded in his chest as he watched Rel walk towards Carlos''s crumpled body. He lowered the crossbow, its tip aimed squarely at Carlos''s head. It seemed like an eternity before Rel made eye contact with the announcer. Carlos whimpered, his broken body barely able to utter a sound. Yet the message was clear. The announcer''s voice boomed through the stadium, a jarring note of normalcy amidst the chaos: "Rel Laurence wins by forced surrender!" The tension snapped. Jan sagged, relief and remaining horror washing over him in equal measure. What had just happened? What darkness had taken hold of Rel, the Rel he barely knew? But for now, it was over. The questions, the terrible answers... those could wait. For now, someone needed to be there for his friend, even if he was beginning to question if he knew that friend at all. *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] [ALERT!, ALERT!, ALERT!] [Warning! If any further damage is inflicted on your opponent there''s a possible chance of altering the story!] The system notifications appeared before me when I was in the middle of my beatdown, against this ratty mage. But telling me to stop hitting him sounded like the system was pitying such a person. I don''t know whether I should keep going or not. The blood on my hands was still dripping from all this pent-up rage. His face looked pathetic an absolute mess. I clenched my fist once ready to swing down on his already beaten body. ... ZING! ... Under a sudden restraint, I could feel something stopping my body from any type of movement and I felt as if I was frozen in ce. Why was the system doing this? "System...Stop this." I spoke within my mind, requesting that the system would undo all these restraints and let me continue beating him down. [Mr. Axel... Carlos Muller is closer to death than unconsciousness and if you keep beating him down he will really die if yound another critical hit.] Even when my body was stopped my mind did not. seeing the word ''Death'' was what made me truly think about the situation. But I had forgotten about the fact that people could die and that the concept of death was still real regardless of whether this reality was a dream or not. haah... I had no choice at least. I did let the anger get to me, but If I were to go up against him again. I''ll kill him. "Okay... System. I understand." Looking over his messed-up features it was clear to my eyes how bloody and swollen he looked. A sense of grim satisfaction washed over me. I''d proven my point. With a growl of disgust, I lowered my fist. A forced surrender would be humiliating enough. I took my crossbow out and took a step closer. "...!" His eyes, wide and filled with terror, focused on the weapon now pressed against his temple. My own eyes swept over his battered face. I was capable of this... this ruthlessness. Although that urge to kill him was gone I knew that these feelings would still remain. "I''m... a bit scary," I muttered to myself. Looking towards the announcer''s box, My eyes locked with the startled announcer and he knew the rule that came with this position. The announcer, his voice shocked, boomed across the stadium: "Rel Laurence wins by forced surrender!" The crowd sounded a bit strange there was a mix of cheers and uneasy apuse. There was respect, certainly something else like hate maybe. I ignored them all. As I watched the medical team rushed onto the tform, carrying a stretcher to bring Carlos away to the Hyperstasis chambers. They all shot me a look like they had seen a monster. Who cares what they think anyway, They should be grateful that a healing chamber is capable of healing the majority of external statuses. He may recover, but the fear I had injected in him would remain. With a final, nce at the stretcher, I stepped back and turned away. The fight was over, But I already knew that my loss had been determined after this stage. Valencia, Jae, Louise, or Jan. A lineup designed for maximum humiliation. Sure, I could forfeit, but wouldn''t they take that as an even bigger insult? They''d scoff, knowing I''d saved them the trouble of personally crushing me. Still, the alternative was getting grounded into paste... not exactly appealing. FWANG! [548 PPP Has been added!] Sweet! I Guess Carlos was worth a decent bruise or two after all. More points means more options... maybe even enough to create a whole new ability. Still, better y it smart. I''ll just have to see how far I can get before I go spending crazy. _______________ Authors Notes: - The system has a restraint ability capable of stopping Rel from changing an important crucial factor of the story. However, this intervention would be used in the case that Rel had lost all sense of reasoning when attempting something dangerous. Chapter 78: Aftermath {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Student Lobby] [12:11 PM] After a quick stop at the Hyperstasis chamber, The workers quickly had me go through a process; where they sprayed the burnt areas of my body and had a ray of energy quickly patch things up, I emerged feeling refreshed and surprisingly whole. The burns and bruises were gone, But I was still tired and out of stamina after that match. So I found myself in the student lounge, a nicefortable room usually filled with tons of students before a match but now, it was awfully quiet. I slumped into a corner, away from the few scattered students who shot me weird nces. Since I had some time to myself, I ended up pulling up my stats, and saying I wasn''t impressed would be an exaggeration. in fact, I was disappointed. FWANG! [Base Stats (ONLY)] [>Health: 98, >Strength: 29, >Stamina: 64.5, >Speed: 63,] Ugh. No wonder he took so many hits. That strength stat is pathetic. Health is passable, stamina needs work, but speed... probably my best stat. Maybe dumping the rewards into strength should be good, though that stamina drain... is more concerning than myck of strength I could at best survive about a day and a half in a jungle beforepletely exhausting myself from walking. Regardless, I had to look back on my earlier days in camping... I was quite experienced since I hiked a lot back in my old world. AHHH! A sudden pain of pins and needles washed over me I felt like someone was talking bad about me just now... Then I suddenly recalled what happened a few minutes ago and a wave of guilt washed over me. Despite the rage and frustration that built up in me, I knew I''d overreacted. The idea of approaching Carlos, of apologizing... It wasn''t something I would normally consider. But then again, nothing about today had been normal. And then there was the real threat: Morwen Cross. He didn''t just stroll in here. Pinnacle shifts locations and has an anti-location tracker... Means he had teleport, but even that''s near-impossible without an IDS tracker to lock onto. Someone must have let him in. but that question remains how though. Even under the best type of security in this world. a character like Morwen easily strolling onto campus shouldn''t be an easy task at all, matter of fact he shouldn''t even be here at all. so I needed to know the reason. "System," I asked kindly, "Do you have any information on Morwen Cross''s motives for being at Pinnacle?" [I do Mr. Axel! :D] [The information to answer this question is avable for an additional cost of 2000 (PPP). You currently possess 2034 PPP, Mr. Axel. Would you like to use your PPP for this information?] The 2000 PPP price tag mmed the brakes on my excitement. Months of grinding, down the drain... I could feel the frown twisting the more I looked at the price. "Maybeter," I muttered, dismissing the system with a sigh. The lure of that information was potentially lifesaving although my thoughts remained on one thing, but was it worth bankrupting myself? Decision made, I shoved thoughts of Morwen aside for now. "Next up..." My watch, synced to the tournament schedule, chimed with an update. DING! ______________________ [Match Schedules] [Jan (1) vs Alice Elizabeth (4)] (12:45 PM) [Jae Yoona (5) vs Valencia Freya (3)] - (1:00 PM) ______________________ I scrolled through. Jan versus Alice... on paper, a toss-up, but knowing his true strength, Alice was outmatched.But I already knew how the battle was gonna turn out, knowing Jan was the counterpick against Alice in any type of fight, even without activating his ''Divine Conqueror'' ability. Alice, would probably still lose. And then there was the matchup between Valencia and Jae Yoona. That one was harder to predict. Valencia, with her precise swordsmanship andplete focus, stood in against Jae Yoona''s Perfect archery and almost unnervingposure. A match I wanted to see, so for now I should just rx and wait until their matches start. tap, tap, tap A ripple of unease washed over me, I could sense a familiar presence. Before I even looked up, I knew. It was Jan and he walked around the coffee table to sit in the chair across from me. He should be preparing for his match, not sitting here and staring at me with that serious expression. "...!" Just from the corner of my eye, something crossed my mind, but as my gaze turned towards the hallway, I understood his presence. Cam and Lyra were peeking around the corner, their expressions mirroring Jan''s concern. "Is something wrong, Jan?" I asked, keeping my voice even. Jan hesitated, then met my eyes with unwavering determination. He hesitated. He wanted to understand, but it was his wariness that shadowed his eyes. "Rel, that fight... why?" Not usation, but genuine worry. He was good like that, too good. But it was also his weakness. Empathy... the belief that deep down, everyone could be reasoned with. My lie needed to y on that. Jan''s weakness was his empathy, and his tendency to believe the best in people. I needed a lie, something believable, something that would redirect his sympathy towards me. "He mocked my family," I said, letting a true trace of bitterness seep into my voice. This body I had taken over, had no family, not that I knew of, but they were the soft spot for someone like Jan. I needed him to believe the rage was justified. His shock was instant, clear on his face. The lie flowed too easily. Was I even searching for a family? Didn''t matter. It was working. Silence stretched. His worry bloomed into sympathy. "I understand," he said, voice low. "Family hits hard. But... try to hold it in next time." A gentle smile. "Hope you''re doing... okay. And if you need to talk... I''m here." BZZZT! BZZZT! His watch buzzed then, a reminder of his uing match. "Gotta go," he said, a touch of awkwardness entering his voice now that the serious conversation was winding down. The watch snapped him back to duty. "Gotta go." A hint of awkwardness now, the serious moment broken but still hanging between us. "Later, yeah?" I nodded as he left. I felt a bit guilty manipting Jan like that, even though I knew it was necessary. Jan, with his kind heart and naive trust, was an easy target. But my lie was a bit too much. Did I miss having a family... The family back on my earth? The unsettling thought remained, I just wanted a simple life, some quiet. This whole stuck in the novel thing wasn''t it... ________________ Authors Notes: - Rel refers to his ''old world'' as the previous earth before his transmigration. - The fight between Carlos Muller and Relsted for: 7 minutes and 34 seconds. Chapter 79: Jan Vs Alice [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Hallway Entrance To The Main Stage] [12:20 PM] Jan stood at the entrance to the arena tunnel, Cam and Lyra following from behind with anxious expressions. "Jan, you talked to him, right?" Cam pressed. "What was all that about? Why did he attack him like that?" "..." Jan''s face clouded with sympathy and regret. "I..." he trailed off, uncertainty was all over his face. Should he reveal what Rel had said, or was there a deeper truth in it he shouldn''t betray? "Why are you hesitating?" Cam pressed, her voice filled with concern. "Is it something... personal?" Lyra asked, her tone softer, probing. "Yeah," Jan admitted with a sigh. "It''s... something really personal for him." Cam scoffed. "Well, we''re not exactly strangers, are we? Can''t you at least give us a hint?" Jan held up a hand, his patience thin. They''d interacted a bit, sure, but "friends" was pushing it. Lyra and Cam barely knew Rel. Honestly, even Jan, for all his casual chatter with the guy, wasn''t exactly close either. "It''s about his family," he said, meeting their eyes with a sincerity that left no room for argument. Then, with ast apologetic nce, he turned and disappeared into the tunnel, leaving the girls to puzzle over what he said. As they walked towards the student section, Cam and Lyra couldn''t shake off the conversation. "What could he mean by ''family''?" Cam wondered aloud. "Did Carlos maybe say something about a sister? I don''t think Rel''s ever mentioned one..." "Rel has a sister?" Lyra''s surprise was clear in her voice. "Whatever it was, it had to be bad to push a quiet guy like him over the edge." Cam shrugged. "Beats me. But you''re right, it definitely hit a nerve." Lyra nodded. "Everyone has family... right?" "Of course," Cam murmured, but a look of hesitation clouded her eyes. Then, a chilling possibility struck her. "What if... he doesn''t?" The question hung in the air between them, unspoken but chillingly clear. The secret surrounding Rel, and whether he had a family remained nothing but a mystery to the two. ... ... [10 Minutester] ... ... The white walls of the tunnel pressed in as Jan headed towards the arena.Guards nked the entrance, their expressions patient as they conducted the pre-match inspection. He''d been through this routine enough times now that it felt almost habitual. "Name and weapon, please," a voice instructed. "Jan Ates." He handed over his broadsword, the hilt worn smooth ¨C proof of his dedication. The guard examined the de with practised eyes, checking for any modifications or hiddenpartments. "Clear," the guard said, returning his sword and motioning him towards a metal archway. "Step through the scanner, please." Jan walked through the arch, feeling a slight tingle as it scanned him for any trace of performance-enhancing substances. Doping, while strictly prohibited, He already knew that he''d never take drugs in his life. He was confident the scanner would show nothing but his natural strength and reflexes. Ding! Ding! "All clear," another voice announced, giving him the go-ahead. Jan stepped out onto the massive tform, the roar of the crowd washing over him in a wave of sound and energy. The sun zed over his head, its warmthpared to the cooled air of the inspection tunnel. Across from him, he saw Alice walk outside of her entrance, her grip on her sabre a bit too tight, a hint of nerves showing her usualposure. The crowd''s noise was cut up into cheers, whistles, and particrly loud sounds of high-pitched screams from the upper sections of the stadium. Jan shrinked slightly, recognizing the sounds of the second and third years screaming his name. "I love you, Jan!" "You''re the hottest thing in the academy!" "Marry me!" The grin that spread across his face felt stiff. ttering, sure, but... distracting. Alice was his opponent, not the screaming fans. He forced his focus as he recalled the highlights of her battles from the previous matches... Her swordsmanship was unmatched, her footwork perfect. If she found her rhythm,nding a clean hit would be a nightmare. He''d need to stay patient, let here to him, wait for the opening. Walking onto his designated spot on the tform, The memory of Rel''s fight, Carlos'' blood, stained the pristine white floor in his mind''s eye. As he and Alice positioned themselves, their eyes met for a moment. On impulse, Jan offered her a small wave, a gesture of sportsmanship. "...?" Alice blinked in response, her usual calm andposed face reced by an expression of confusion...almost as if a stray cat had been offered a handshake. A wave of embarrassment washed over Jan as she made no attempt to return the wave. He quickly snapped into hisbat stance, feeling a flush creep up his neck. At least the uing fight would distract him from his social misstep. The announcer''s voice boomed through the stadium, cutting through the awkward silence. "Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves! The next quarterfinal match is about to begin! To our left, the student with the current tournament record for the fastest knockouts wielded by a de! He has maintained a perfect record of reaching this far into the finals! Give it up for Jan Ates!" The crowd erupted in cheers, the roar washing over Jan in a wave of energy. Despite the awkward start, he was excited about the match between him and Alice. The announcer continued, his voice rising with excitement. "And now, his opponent! An absolutely stunning beauty who has also zed a wless path to the quarterfinals! Her swift strikes and persistent focus have earned her the title ''Angel of Death''! Everyone, give it up for Alice Elizabeth!" Alice seemed to be quite anxious about the loud noise in the stadium, hearing the multiple guys barking over her name, making her extremely ufortable as she clutched her sheathed weapon tight to her chest. "Are our two students ready? If so, please unsheathe your weapons!" The announcer''s voice cut through the arena. "...eh!.." Alice startled at the noise responded with a clumsy release, fumbling her sabre. Mana glowed around the de as she channelled it. Jan drew his weapon, its weight grounding. Should he match her mana, or hold back? The opening bell was seconds away¡­ But after a quick thought, he was against the idea for now. He needed to see her abilities, see what other tricks she might have before revealing his full hand. "Three!" the announcer began the countdown. "Two! One...FIGHT!" DASH! Alice exploded forward with tremendous speed, covering the distance between them in a blink. SHING! Within his reach, she unleashed a strike infused with sword aura, a de of concentrated energy extending her reach. Jan reacted instinctively, his broadsword shing to parry the blow. The impact sent a jolt of pain through his wrist, feeling the previous strain from his earlier matches. Yet, a smile spread across his face. He knew Alice was strong and this feeling of waiting for an opponent just like her was what he craved, He knew that she wasn''t one to take his pulled punches for a greeting. so Jan decided that he would take this match seriously. ___________ Authors Notes: Chapter 80: Jan Vs Alice (2) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: VIP Box Suite #4] "Now, this match," she dered with a grin, "this is going to be something special." Yuka Azira was practically shining to see Jan in full action. Julian George leaned back in his seat, his posture rxed and a subtle smile ying on his lips. "Interesting, certainly," he agreed. "But I still have faith in your prospect Jan. He has a way of rising to the asion." Yuka snorted yfully. "Of course, Jan has no reason to lose. Even If Alice pushes him to his limits he would still win. But I''ll admit Alice is impressive, Julian. That girl''s no joke. Her technique, her speed... it''ll take more than brute force and a sunny disposition to get past her." "Ah, but isn''t that what makes it all the more interesting?" Julian countered, his voice smooth. "ording to reports Jan apparentlycks the overt power of some others, but he''s adaptable. Every fight teaches him something." Yuka''s gaze sharpened. "So, you think he''ll hold back against Alice? ...It could work in his favor, but if it doesn''t, he''s toast. Risky move." "Perhaps," Julian conceded. "Or perhaps he has a few surprises of his own. We''ll just have to wait and see, won''t we?" Yuka let out a delightedugh. "I guess you''re right. We''ll see how this fight goes." Julian''s smirk widened. "Possibly... but after this, maybe Alice will be the one everyone''s underestimating." Yuka stared at him, her surprise crossing her face. Julian didn''t often change his thoughts about people, especially about someone he''d previously seemed to favour. A mischievous sparkle shed in her eyes. Was this possibly the student Julian wanted to offer after the tournament? "Oh?" she purred, leaning forward. "Feeling sympathetic towards the lovely Miss Elizabeth, are we? Don''t tell me you find her focus more appealing than her own abilities." Julian remainedposed, but a slight tightness around his lips betrayed a momentary difort. Yuka knew him well, perhaps too well. He''d always had a keen eye for talent, especially for untapped potential... the kind his Ennd-based guild specialized in developing. "Merely an observation," he replied smoothly. "One should never underestimate the power ofposure under pressure." Yuka let out augh, her suspicions partially confirmed. Julian might try to y the detached game, but she knew better. There was a spark of interest there, and perhaps the heir to his guild in a few years. *** [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] SHING!, SHING! Steel shed as Jan and Alice met on the pristine white tform. With each parry, a grin spread across Jan''s face. This was a fight he could truly enjoy. She was slipping through his attacks with ease, her footwork was perfect to the point where Jan was missing clean shes. Her ability to read his attacks was almost unreal. with every attack, she was already a step ahead as if anticipating his very thoughts... "Sly one, this Alice," Jan muttered to himself as they separated after a brief exchange. He''d been forced to parry Alice''s attacks, unable tond a solid blow. On top of her technique, something else was changing... the air itself was growing colder. This was unlike anything he''d seen in her previous matches. huuuuu... As the thickening cold air became more dense, a shiver ran down Jan''s spine the cold winds were blowing directly from Alice''s direction. Could it be... that she has the attribute of Ice? Jan wondered if she truly did, as the ice attribute was most certainly rare, its users were notoriously difficult to engage with in battle. He''d need to tread carefully. His eyes narrowed in concentration as he scanned the tform, looking at Alice''s position. Alice, meanwhile, was patiently waiting and calcting Jan''s next attack. She''d driven Jan enough and revealed enough of his style to shift the momentum in her favour. Now, it was time for her true power to shine. tap...tap...tap... A light tap of her foot, a rhythmic pulse of power was flowing throughout the stage... Jan looked on, puzzled, unsure of her intent. Channeling her mana, Alice focused it entirely into her right leg and as she clenched her Sabre tight she stomped the ground uttering, "Blizzard''s Edge Dance," her voice sharp as a winter wind. CRACKLE With a sudden burst of magical energy, the tform shook. Shards of ice erupted from the ground, jagged and slick, transforming the arena into a frozen wastnd. Pirs of ice surrounded the outer area of the tform generating a thick mist,ced with biting cold, rolling across the surface, hiding their movements. "...!" Jan struggled to maintain his footing, his eyes looking through the swirling fog. Alice was hidden, her presence concealed by the icy veil she''d conjured. He knew an attack wasing, but from where, and in what form, remained a dangerous possibility. Alice was the first to truly outss Jan in technique, proving a real challenge unlike any he''d faced so far and wanted to see this fight to its end. vavavava.... Jan shivered as thest rays of sunlight disappeared, swallowed by the thickening fog. The source became chillingly clear he knew the ice shards themselves were generating the mist and he knew destroying them would only leave him vulnerable. CRACK!, CRACK!, CRACK! So before he could fully process the situation, streaks of ice rose from the ground through the fog, forcing him to dodge the attack by jumping from the ground up. "What!" He barely avoided the attack, the razor-sharp shards nicking his skin. An instantter, Alice emerged within his vision, appearing from the fog as silent as a ghost, her sabre aglow with the blue brilliance of sword aura. SHINNNG! A wide, arcing sh erupted from her weapon, aiming to shred his defences. Jan, reacting on instinct, managed to deflect part of the attack, but the force staggered him, as the pain red through his battered arm. As he watched Alice vanish once more into the thick fog. He stood, waiting, his senses straining against the oppressive cold and the disorienting fog. This was the first time he''d encountered someone capable of such dramatic battlefield maniption. How much more power did she still hide? Was the entire terrain a construct of her mana? A thousand questions swirled in his mind, but he knew they provided no answers. Closing his eyes, he shut out the roar of the crowd and the swirling distractions of the fog. He focused on the subtlest sounds, the most minute vibrations. A twitch of muscle, a ripple of mana... there! A sound of movement, a pulse of energy brushing against his awareness. SHING! Without hesitation, his body moved, his reflexes outpacing conscious thought. His raised de met Alice''s as she emerged from the mist, surprise registering on her face before she adjusted her attack. He''d sensed her, even with his sight denied, the flow of her mana was a weakness Jan had detected. "...!" Seizing the short advantage, Jan pressed forward, swinging his sword without end. Alice caught off guard, was forced to block the attacks by holding the t part of de and gripping tightly on the handle of her sword. With a powerful thrust, Jan knocked her back several paces. worry began to rise from Alice''s usualposure. Desperate to regain control, she extended an open hand, fingers flexing as if grasping an invisible thread. Suddenly, the outer sections of the frozen arena began to rise, chunks of ice ripped free by her pull. These projectiles shot forward, hidden by the fog until it was almost toote for Jan to react. SHAK!, SHAK!, SHAK!, Unable to see the attacking, Jan was struck. Razor-sharp shards pierced his shoulders, his sides, and his legs. A jolt of intense pain seared through him as ice dug itself into his flesh. Gritting his teeth, Jan channelled mana, focusing it on the wounds. He couldn''t fully heal himself, but the basic spell was enough to stop the bleeding. Cuts closed over with a hiss of steam, leaving angry red scars in their wake. As the worst of his injuries were patched, Jan noticed a subtle change within the arena a thinning fade of fog disappearing from the central parts of the stage. That was when an understanding shed in his eyes. Jan had realised that if Alice used the outer sections of her Ice to attack him, Alice was inadvertently weakening the foundation of her ability... This meant that the Icey domain would copse after all the outer shards were used. The fight was far from over, but Jan saw his chance. He couldn''t bet on her clearing the fog but every shard used was another opening. But to exploit that weakness, he''d have to endure this onught, again and again... _______________ Authors Notes: - Ajax is pronounced: EYE- AX(The J is silent.) - Alice''s main ability is called: Blizzard''s Edge Dance, This ability enhances her physical attacks with elemental power but also allows her to control the battlefield, creating barriers of ice and a thick fog of wind to control the flow of battle. In Alice''s hands, the elements themselves be her allies, enhancing herbat prowess to unmatched levels - Alice''s elemental attributes: Ice, Wind - Jan used a skill called Vibrasense: This name reflects its ability to provide a form of sight through sounds, vibrations and mana. This allows them to perceive their surroundings and anticipate attacks. Chapter 81: Jan Vs Alice (3) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] shaaaaa... Jan felt a shift in the air, the fog was thinning just enough to cast faint, distorted shadows. This slight change was all he needed ¨C anticipating Alice''s attacks would be marginally easier. Closing his eyes, he focused his senses, waiting for her next strike. ... ... THUD A thud echoed through the air, an impact muffled by the fog. She''s going for a surprise attack, he figured. SLASH! As his Muscles tensed, he whirled around, his sword slicing through the sound of a crash in the air. "...!" That was when Jan realised something... It was toote! Shards of ice rained down from above, a glittering fall he''dpletely misread. The thud was a decoy of Ice, a clever distraction to hide her true intent. Shaa! Alice emerged from the fog once again, her form dangerously close. SLASH! A sh of steel, a clean sh across Jan''s chest. A split secondter, another, imbued with the brutal force of sword aura. Jan was able to block the enhanced blow, but the impact sent him staggering back. And as he looked up towards Alice, she faded into the icy shroud, leaving him alone with the sting of fresh wounds. Despite the pain, a wry smile touched Jan''s lips. His respect for his opponent deepened with each move. "Quite the challenge indeed," he muttered to himself, the joy of the fight outweighing the sting of his injuries. This was why hepeted, why he pushed himself so hard. TATATATA Jan flinched as another ambush of ice shards left its mark on his body. Alice''s strategy was clear she was using a relentless cycle of attacks and hiding, aimed at slowly wearing him down. Smart, undeniably effective, but... was that all she had? Realising this Jan was in disbelief feeling the creeping doubt. If repetitive attacks were her only weapon, then he''d overestimated her. It was too cautious, too predictable for someone with her abilities. As Alice closed the distance between them, Jan parried another of her surprise attacks. Steam hissed as he focused mana on the newest sh across his chest, knitting the wound closed. Scars wouldn''t slow him down, not now. "If that''s all, Alice..." Jan''s grin spread across his face, "...let me show you what I can do!" His sword pulsed with golden light, aura surrounded the de as if the sunlight itself poured into the de. Deep in his mind, the ability lost archive echoed into the depths. [Lost Archives:] [Ability: Divine Conqueror is now Active!] For the first time since the tournament began, Jan had unleashed a part of his true power, the Ultimate ability known as ''Divine Conqueror.'' The ability to bypass all defences and make all his attacks unblockable and unaffected by any form of defence. While he possessed the ability to use the attribute of light itself, he knew it would be excessive, As the attribute damage output was stronger than the four main elementsbined. Divine Conqueror alone would be enough to beat his opponent Alice who by far has given Jan the best battle he had in a while. Instead of waiting for Alice''s next attack, Jan unleashed a st of golden sword aura. The energy burst through the air, slicing through the fog and shattering several of the outer ice pirs. The muggy shroud began to thin, giving him a clearer view of his surroundings. Alice, sensing the sudden power shift, charged forward. She emerged from the fog behind Jan, her de shing, but this time he was ready. CLASH!!! Their swords shed, and the force of Jan''s blow shattered her guard. The strength difference, amplified by his power, was undeniable. "...!" Alice stumbled back, cing a hand on the ground to regain her bnce. Channelling mana, Uttering a spell. "Shattered Spikes" She conjured a series of jagged ice spikes that erupted from the ground, their deadly tips aimed squarely at Jan. She followed this with wind-like shes from her sabre, sending them hurtling towards him alongside the spikes. SHING!, SHING! Jan responded like any other swordsman. His de moved in stunning arcs, shattering the projectiles before they could reach him. Even as the remains of the fog threatened to cover Alice''s position, he tracked her movements sensing the subtle ripples of her mana. DASH! Dashing through the dissipating mist, Jan appeared before Alice, catching her off-guard. In a move intended to force her to react, not necessarily to inflict serious damage, he aimed a powerful strike. Alice raised her sabre to block, but the force of Jan''s blow was unlike anything she''d felt. Their weapons locked, the air buzzing with the strain. Then, too fast to react, Jan twisted his sword, sweeping Alice''s legs out from under her. Thud! She hit the ground. Before she could recover, Jan''s de shed, its point at her throat. "...!" A shback hit Alice, the image of this exact scene mirrored itself over the present. A boy with a crossbow, not a sword, had her in the same position with the same tactic. It was weird she couldn''t understand why. haah... With a sigh Alice knew she was defeated, she lifted a hand, dispelling the remaining ice and fog. "I surrender," she dered, her voice clear and controlled. "Ladies and gentlemen, it seems we have a winner!" the announcer''s voice boomed through the arena. "Alice Elizabeth concedes the match, giving the victory to Jan Ates! He will now advance to the semifinals!" The crowd erupted in a frenzy of cheers. Jan lowered his sword, offering Alice a hand up. But with her usual shyness, she awkwardly got up, dusted herself off and simply gave Jan a cat-like stare. "You fought well," Jan said genuinely. "Thank you for the match, Alice." With a polite bow, Alice turned and left the stage. The crowd''s enthusiasm washed over him, but Jan''s thoughts were focused on the girl walking out. *** [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: VIP Box Suite #4] "WOOWOO!!!" Yuka''s voice roared, her usualposure momentarily forgotten. "That boy didn''t even break a sweat, even when Alice had him cornered. Pure raw talent, destined for stardom, a future jewel in my guild''s crown¨C" Julian, who normally wouldn''t care about wins like these was slumped in his chair, his face a mask of muted despair. Alice''s defeat had thrown a wrench in his gut. "Yeah, yeah, whatever," Julian grumbled, his brow furrowed, annoyance in his voice. "Don''t pretend you weren''t about to lose it when Alice sliced him up." Yuka, in the middle of her victory dance, paused mid-twirl. "Me? Nooo!" The defiance in her voice was a touch too sharp. "Nonsense. I had faith in my boy!" A sly grin spread across Julian''s face. "Funny," he countered, "you were about two seconds away from sobbing if that ''boy'' had ended up skewered on one of those ice spikes." A flush stained Yuka''s cheeks. she puffed out her chest, he wasn''t entirely wrong. "Boring details! Jan won gloriously! " She resumed dancing, a little less enthusiastically now. "Go sulk, Julian. Winner of this round..." She paused her eyes shing, pointing at him, "...is my guild''s future star, Jan!" _______________ Authors Notes: - Alice can freely dismiss the fog at will. - The main 4 elemental attributes are: wind, fire, air, earth Chapter 82: Inside Thoughts {Alice''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Hallway Of the Main Stadium] [12:55 PM] "haah... I can''t believe it." Alice''s sigh hung in the empty air. Footsteps echoed in the tunnel. "I lost..." The screams of the crowd disappeared through the thick walls of the tunnel. Alice tried reying the battle inside her mind. Though it was her first time facing Jan, she realised how scary he was when it came to him almost adapting to her fighting techniques and abilities. It was amazing to think that he closed the gap in his understanding of her ability within minutes of being in her domain. And Alice knew if it wasn''t for the fog she probably would have lost even sooner than she did. Of course, this was the first time she''d truly unleashed her terraforming ability in an official match. She was confident in that ability being the winning factor, if anyone, in Pinnacle, could have ever countered it... it had to be Jan. His blows had held a power she''d never encountered before as an academy student. Heck, his strength isparable to a Grade 3 hero? Perhaps even a Grade 2? The thought was as harsh as it was impossible. Such levels of power required many years ofbat experience and when she fought Jan it was like she was versing someone with 20+ years of experience. everything he did was so much better than any hero she had ever seen. Alice even thought Jan might''ve reincarnated into this world but a jolt of skepticism cut through her analysis. Was reincarnation even a real thing? The fantasy novels she asionally reads showed drawings of reincarnated heroes, but such stories were mere entertainment... weren''t they? Despite all of her thoughts, she believed that everyone goes to heaven after one life, she disregarded the possibility of reincarnation. As she reached the end of the tunnel. she saw a familiar figure heading to the main stage, her dark purple hair was the biggest giveaway and she knew it was Jae Yoona, her usual expression was nk but changed after the two saw each other. "You fought well," Jae offered, her voice gentle."Guess Jan''s in a league of his own, even among the monsters here." Alice couldn''t help but agree, a bitter taste remaining on her tongue. "Apparently so," she mumbled. Curiosity edged out her disappointment. "Your next fight...?" Jae let out a soft sigh, her grip tightening on the bow. "It''s our revered Academy Queen herself... Valencia Freya." "Yikes," Alice whistled. "Well, if anyone can unleash enough heat to melt her, it''s you." Alice knew the extent of Valencia''s abilities. She was a saint in the making, an ideal person of both power andposure. "Best of luck, then, Jae," she said with genuine sincerity. Jae gave her a soft smile. "Thanks... gonna need it for this one. Can''t get steamrolled without a fight, right?" "Absolutely," Alice agreed, squeezing Jae''s arm. "Now go out there and win!" *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Student Lobby] SNOREEEEEEE... SNO- THUD! I jerked awake, my eyes a blur as I tumbled from the couch.Disoriented, I fumbled for my watch to see the time, fighting to make sense of the numbers. [Time: 1:44 PM] "...!" "No... This can''t be." A wave of nausea crashed over me as I realized the time was farter than I''d nned. Jan''s battle with Alice... Jae Yoona against Valencia... I''d missed them both F*CK! I kicked myself mentally, the frustration sharper than any remaining drowsiness. How could I? No rm, but damn, the Hyperstasis wore me down too easily. Worse, the thought of the fights I''d missed made my head throb. BZZZZT!, BZZZZT! The buzz of my watch cut through the cycle of self-me. [Congrattions Axel Saint Rel Laurence, on reaching the Scouting Invitational Semi-Finals! Please report to the Presentation Hall at 2:00 PM for the Semi-Final draws.] I found it quite interesting that they used my full-full name for an asion like this. haaah... I sighed, the short excitement faded. I guess there was no use dwelling on my mistake. With a few taps on my watch, I checked the results of the earlier matches. [Match Schedule - Quarter-Finals, Match 24#] [Jan Ates (1) Vs Alice Elizabeth (4)] - [Winner: Jan Ates (1)] [Valencia Freya (3) Vs Jae Yoona (5)] - [Winner: Valencia Freya (3)] Of course. Jan keeps winning, Valencia crushes her opponent... the world doesn''t stop for my screw-ups. Damn, I wish I''d seen those matches, especially Jae against Valencia. Probably a one-sided win for Valencia, but Jae was the underdog, I wouldn''t have minded seeing her pull an upset. Exiting the lounge, I smacked straight into a familiar figure. A sigh escaped me. Jan, of course. It''s like the universe has us on a collision course. The same person who had the maic pull of a thousand suns,It seemed like we were destined to physically bump into each other at any given time. Was it tradition or fate? Jan''s smile was wide open, radiating an almost blinding cheerfulness. "Hey Rel! Long time no see." I scratched my head, returning a less-than-enthusiastic "Hello." As Jan stopped to look at me for some time, He tilted his head. "Woah, did you just wake up from a nap? Your hair''s a mess!" "My hair?" My hand flew to my head as if it needed immediate fixing. I shot a quick nce at a nearby window, furiously smoothing back any stray strands. "No, definitely didn''t nap." Jan''s grin widened a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Sure, whatever you say." I fixed thest strand of hair and asked. "So... how was the fight?" "Amazing!" That blinding smile again. Ugh. "Alice was incredible." "That''s good," I mumbled. "So, are you heading to the Presentation Room? For the draw, I mean." His voice took on a teasing edge. "After all, the person you want to see so badly will be there." He winked, then delivered a yful nudge to my ribs. [- 5 HP!] The nudge was surprisingly strong, and I ended up flinching, rubbing the sore spot. "Whatever," I grumbled. "Yeah, let''s just head over." ______________ Authors Note: - There are gradings for a hero. Grade 10 (The Lowest Grade) - Grade 1 (The Highest Grade) There are a lot of requirements for a hero to be qualified as a ''grade 1'' such as achievements, dungeon participation, and monster raids. Chapter 83: Semi-Finals Draw [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Outside Of The Presentation Room] [Wednesday, 1:55 PM] Rel and Jan reached the doors of the presentation room, the 2 were frozen in ce. Standing across the hall, two familiar figures stood opposing the two: Louise and Valencia. Louise''s face was between the lines of anger and a disgusted look directed at Jan. Valencia shot an intense gaze at Rel, showing hostility and twisting her usual serene features. Confused silence was what passed between the two. Jan and Rel exchanged panicked nces. Had they woken up in some bizarre alternate dimension where their enemies were suddenly teaming up? Jan, noticing the tense atmosphere, decided to break the ice. "Hey everyone! How''s it go¨C" Louise cut him off. "Shut up, Jan." His voice dripped with venom. When Rel saw this, he knew he shouldn''t be caught in the crossfire and knew he had to get to the room ASAP. "Well, I''m just gonna¨C" "You''re too loud." Valencia''s words sliced through his sentence, cold and final. Inside their minds, both Jan and Rel screamed in perfect unison, "WHAT DID WE DO?!" Their silent panic was interrupted by the presentation room doors swinging open. Kolek''s familiar figure stood at the entrance, impatience engraved on his face. "What are you four doing? wondering like that? I can feel the tension from here. Get in already." Wordlessly, the four semi-finalists filed inside. The seats were arranged as before, a line of chairs facing the podium. This time, though, it felt like a firing line. Jan and Valencia upied the two central seats, with Louise and Rel moved to the far ends, as the unending hostility separated them. Kolek cleared his throat, his voice echoing in the tense room. "Congrattions on making it this far. The guild leaders in attendance have been very impressed. Now, without further ado, let''s get these semi-final matchups drawn." He moved towards the box on the podium, his hand dipping inside. *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Presentation Room] My heart pounded in my chest as Kolek''s hand plungedinto the draw box. I knew it was death one way or the other. If I got Jan he would make it a quick and easy death, If I drew Louise I''d be eviscerated into literal smithereens, if it''s Valencia well I''d say goodnight at this point. ... ... ... Every second felt like a lifetime, a ticking clock counting down to my demise. Kolek called the first name... Jan. The air grew heavier. "Jan Ates, you will face... Louise Villerion!" The announcement was as much to my demise and here I thought that I could ever step foot into a final for something... "I''ll kill him..." Louise''s voice muttered, I don''t know if it was me but the temperature had suddenly gotten hotter. The hatred radiating from Louise could melt steel beams, and even from my position at the end of the row, I felt the full force of it directed at Jan. My own situation wasn''t much better. When Kolek finally announced, "And our final semi-final match will be Rel Laurence against Valencia Freya," I''m doomed... Every instinct screamed at me to run, to hide. I couldn''t help but steal a nce at Valencia. Turning towards her, I saw that smile, It was so cold I could feel the frost from across the room. It was a smile that promised slow, intentional killing. Jan nudged my arm. "Good luck," he whispered. I could only muster a re in response. Luck? Was he serious? I was about to be incinerated, dissected, or both. All for... existing? Still, I couldn''t understand the intentions of Valencia and it made me question myself. What crime had I possiblymitted that deserved this death sentence? If there was a god in charge of this tournament, they most likely had a twisted sense of humour. I only came here to do one thing and it was just toplete this Live Quest... and on top of all of that, I now have to worry about someone even more dangerous (Morwen), yet I was about to be utterly annihted by some petty grudge I didn''t even understand. Kolek''s voice cut through my rambling thoughts. "The precise match times will be announced through the database shortly. Please keep your watches updated and on alert for further notifications." The dismissal was almost merciful. Anything to escape this room, this crushing dread that had settled in my stomach. The semi-finals were no longer a stepping stone on a hidden path... they were a countdown to my own execution. Now I kind of regret even making it to a stage where I don''t even belong... Is this really the life that I wanted? I simply shook my head knowing that I had dug myself a hole, just because of a simple ''quest'' so all I can hope is to see the light at the end of the tunnel once this is over. From behind Valencia walked side by side with Jan while Louise walked slightly away from them and he appeared to be moulding over the sight of this. So I know for sure I was doing something right with his character. But what was going on in Valencia''s stupid head? I had to know. [Perceptive Mind Has Been Activated!] shing open Valencia''s status was revealed. FWANG! [Status Window Of Valencia Freya] [Age: 17] [>Strength: 105, >Durability: 82, >Speed: 61, >Mana: C+, >Elemental Attribute: Lightning] [Current Thoughts: "I''m Going To Crush Him..."] My stomach sank. Forfeit, and lose the hidden skill... but fight, and risk humiliation, maybe worse. Jan wouldn''t hold back, not if he sensed weakness. Haaah... It all felt so hopeless. I left the oue in God''s hands. Whatever happened, happened. *** [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Allen''s Cafe] "So, Jan! Finally getting a chance to settle the score with your long-lost rival!" Bazz dered, his stupidly loudugh raising eyebrows at nearby tables. Their whole group knew about the years-long rivalry between Jan and Louise. This fight was gonna be legendary. Cam, taking a delicate sip of hertte, "Well, it was inevitable, I suppose. Someone as talented as Louise was bound to end up facing Jan eventually." Lyra, her eyes wide with excitement, bounced in her seat. "But who do you think will win? They both seem unstoppable... I honestly couldn''t say!" Cam shrugged dismissively. "Jan''s just too strong. Louise doesn''t stand a chance." "Hmm," Bazz rubbed his chin, a yful grin spreading across his face. "Poor Louise probably still has nightmares about missing that chance to face him during the Little Heroes Tournament all those years ago. Talk about a grudge waiting to be settled..." khum...khum! Jan moved ufortably. He''d managed to sip his coffee unnoticed so far, but this attention felt suffocating.A well-practised cough bought him time, then he deflected the focus. "Enough about me, how about Valencia''s match..." The question hung heavy. Valencia, caught mid-bite, choked out a startled "Huh?" Pancake crumbs sprayed across the table. With starry eyes, Cam and Lyra pounced. "Spill it, Valencia!" Cam demanded mischief in her voice. "Who''s the unlucky soul?" Valencia grumbled under her breath, ring at Jan across the table. Thanks a lot, Jan, for putting her on the spot. She swallowed thest bite of pancake with a huff and mumbled, "I''m... versing him." Her voice dropped to a near whisper, a clear indication of difort with even speaking the name. "Who''s ''him''?" Cam persisted, tilting her head in yful confusion. A beat of recognition dawned on her face. "Oh right! You''re up against Rel, aren''t you?" Lyra''s surprise mirrored Cam''s. Lost in the Jan-Louise hype, she''d forgotten about that other match. But now, the memory of Rel''s brutal disy against Carlos resurfaced. "...!" As if reading her mind, Cam''s voice dipped to a conspiratorial whisper. "Did you watch the recording of Rel''s fight, Valencia? Things got a bit¡­ intense." Valencia shook her head, curiosity piqued. "No. What happened?" Cam and Lyraunched into a rapid-fire exnation, filling Valencia in on the details of Rel''s fight. Valencia listened, her initial curiosity changing into shock as the full picture unfolded. She hadn''t expected such a disy of raw aggression from the quiet, seemingly reserved student. "He¡­ he did what?" Valencia breathed, her eyes wide. "That''s... unlike him." A frown creased her brow. There had to be a reason. "Did they say why?" Cam shrugged. "Not that I heard of. Apparently, they had to remove the whole match recording from the database today." Jan, who''d been trying to disappear into his coffee cup, couldn''t ignore their conversation. He regretted bringing up Valencia''s match, but with Rel involved, could he have done differently? The beat down was one thing, but Rel''s words from before... Jan wrestled with a sense of responsibility, he wanted to respect Rel''s privacy. With a forced smile, the best he could manage, his voice cut through their chatter. "Let''s move on from that fight, alright?" BZZZT!, BZZZT! Simultaneous buzzes broke the chatter as Jan and Valencia''s watches buzzed like crazy. Notifications filled their screens ¨C the long-awaited semi-final match times had arrived. Jan''s stomach flipped. As the group went quiet over the time. "Well, here goes nothing." Jan opened his watch to see his match time... "What''s your time?" he asked Valencia. She checked. "3:30." "Then mine''s gotta be 3:00." Jan stretched, feigning confidence. "Good luck, Valencia," he said, meaning it. She returned a curt nod, the two knew that they had to leave. Then, with the same kind grace Valencia said her goodbyes stood up and left, Jan who did the same waved and mumbled farewell. _______________ [Match Schedule - Semi-Finals, Match 25#] [Jan Ates (1) Vs Louise Villerion (2)] - [Time: 3:00 PM] [Valencia Freya (3) Vs Rel Laurence (13)] - [Time: 3:30 PM] _______________ *** ____________ Authors Notes: - This song helps me a lot when I''m writing these cafe scenes -Love Letter by Cavendish Music Chapter 84: Derrick Song [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Outer Side Of The Stadium] Morwen walked confidently through the dimly lit corridor, his eyes scanning every crevice, taking notes on the potential exits and traps. This afternoon, he had carefully nned out all the ins and outs of the stadium location, so his target wouldn''t slip away. Now all he was waiting for was the perfect moment when this opportunity would arise. THUD! A sudden, clumsy collision sent a jolt through him. As he turned, ready to unleash a vicious retort, only to find himself face-to-face with three academy students. "Hey, you!" barked one of theckeys, a scrawny boy with a chip on his shoulder. "Watch where you''re going! Don''t you know some of us are important?" Morwen, disguised as a cynical reporter, weighed his options. Killing students was possible, but messy. His goal was infiltration, not a massacre. These kids were beneath his notice, nothing but an obstacle in those eyes of his. Just as he contemted killing them, the leader intervened. He grabbed the scrawnyckey''s arm, his voice surprisingly calm. "Stop. I know this person." He turned to Morwen, a knowing look in his eyes. "Media hound extraordinaire. We''ve crossed paths before, haven''t we?" Morwen''s mind was confused, he was thinking of all the people who knew him but none came to mind, had this punk recognized him? "Oh, really?" he replied cautiously, his voice seasoned with fake indifference. Theckey who''d initially questioned him gaped. "Oh! Well, I didn''t know that." The leader smirked. "He''s a¡­ colleague, shall we say? He covers the world''s darkest corners, wouldn''t you agree?" Morwen inwardly sighed. He''d underestimated these Lackeys. Perhaps they weren''t just mindless brutes. A slow, almost preying smile spread across his face. "Indeed," he said, his voice dripping with calm. "The darker corners often have the most interesting stories." Morwen noticed a subtle shift in the leader''s eyes, something in between the lines of fear and respect. He wasn''t sure what was more unsettling, their blind devotion to this kid or this unexpected connection with one of his underlings. "How about you two go and save me a spot in the student section for the matches," the leader said, a hint of authority in his voice. "I''ll catch upter." Theckeys hesitated, then mumbled something under their breath, disappearing down the hallway. The unexpected encounter left Morwen interested and he knew exactly who this person was. "So, Derrick," he said, a hint of amusement creeping into his voice. "I didn''t know you attended Pinnacle Academy." [Derrick Song - Member of the Devils Cult (2nd Year - Rank 1)] Derrick caught off guard, felt a wave of suffocating fear wash over him. Morwen''s presence was a chilling weight that pressed down on him. Without hesitation, Derrick sunk to one knee, his heart pounding against his ribs. "I do, Mr. Morwen," he stuttered, respect clinging to his voice. "So¡­ what brings you here?" "..." Morwen''s gaze remained cold, his expression unreadable. "A quick business trip," He replied simply. He didn''t borate, leaving Derrick to think in his own uncertainty. Knowing better than to question Morwen, Derrick rose from kneeling, bowing deeply. "My apologies, Mr. Morwen," he mumbled. "I must take my leave." Just as Derrick turned to hurry away, Morwen''s voice stopped him. "Wait," he said, his tone strangely casual. "Before you go, consider this a¡­ gift." He extended a hand, revealing a small, ss vial filled with an unknown liquid. Derrick''s eyes widened. He recognized the vial instantly, the forbidden serum rumoured to grant unnatural power. Never did he imagine receiving such a thing, not this soon. Yet, to refuse a gift from this figure, a man of as both saviour and monster... the consequences were unthinkable. Trembling, he epted the vial. It felt less like a gift, and more like a shackle, the weight of unspoken obligation crushing down on him. "It''s thetest tested form from your leader," Morwen continued, his voice empty of emotion. "Use it at your discretion. However, if you do choose to use it, one of our informants would be most¡­ interested in the results." Derrick understood the implication. This was a test, a chance to prove his loyalty and climb the ranks within The Devil''s Cult. Gratitude flooded him, erasing the initial fear. He bowed again, deeper this time. "Thank you, Mr. Morwen. I will not disappoint you." Morwen simply nodded, his expression returning to its usual stoicism. "Dismissed." As Derrick rushed, tucking the vial safely into his zer, a wave of relief washed over him. He''d managed to steer the encounter without drawing suspicion, even securing a potential promotion. His moment of triumph was short-lived. A familiar voice shattered his calm. "Derrick?" Louise Villerion, apanied by his cousin Lan, approached them, their faces a picture of confusion. Derrick froze, cursing his luck. He hadn''t noticed them approaching. "Who''s this guy over here?" Louise asked, eyeing the stranger with disgust. "He better not be one of those annoying reporters." Derrick scrambled to respond. "N-no, no, he''s not!" he stuttered. "Just a reporter I''ve known for a while. Don''t worry about him, I was just showing him out." Lan smiled. "Oh...Okay! If he needs help, Louise or..." He trailed off, ncing at his cousin. BANG! Louise rolled his eyes, punching Lan''s arm. "I''m sure he''ll manage. Let''s go, we''re gonna bete." Lan, rubbing his arm, gave an awkward wave before hurrying after Louise. The air hung heavy for a moment. Morwen turned to Derrick. "Cousins, are they?" he asked, seeing a familiar look between the two. Derrick, both terrified and strangely confused by the turn of events, nodded. "Yes," he whispered. "Lan''s a third-year, strongest in his grade number 1 in both theory and practical. And Louise¡­ well, He''s one of the strongest students in the golden generation." Morwen''s lips curved into a cold smile. "Interesting," he murmured. "Names I''ve heard before. If you can manage an introduction¡­ at a convenient time, of course¡­ a promotion wouldn''t be out of the question." Derrick suppressed a gasp. This was a chance beyond anything he''d ever considered. But the allure of power, the fear of failure, and the chilling stare in Morwen''s eyesbined to make his choice for him. "Of course, Mr. Morwen," he said, his voice steady despite the anxiety forming in his stomach. _____________ Authors Notes: - Pinnacle Academy Rankings from 1st Years - 3rd Years: [First Years:] > 1st - Jan Ates > 2nd - Louise Villerion [Second Years:] >1st - Derrick Song > 2nd - ??? [Third Years:] > 1st - Lan Villerion - Lan and Derrick are great friends. Chapter 85: Derrick Song (2) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Hallway Entrance To SSS1] The weight of Morwen''s unexpected presence at Pinnacle sent shivers down Derrick''s spine. Everyone in Quadra had been strictly ordered to steer clear of the Academy during the tournament, a precaution to avoid drawing unwanted scrutiny to their operations. So, what was Morwen doing here? Was this a rogue move, or did dimir Bane himself n this risky scheme? Derrick''s mind raced. Could Morwen be nning some bold strike against the Academy? The thought seemed insane. The Scouting Invitational was a global event, the eyes of the world fixed upon Pinnacle, dozens of powerful guild leaders in attendance. Any open attack would be suicidal, even for the Demon''s Cult. He hadn''t received any news from within the cult''swork of informants either and As a member of the Demonic Cult they were always first to reach the news of anything crucial towards the ns of ''changing the world''. Derrick felt frustrated not knowing why his superior was here, he prided himself on his awareness, But this? This was a mystery for all he knew, a move only Morwen could understand. Hoping for rity, Derrick checked the vial. Had this been Morwen''s purpose here? To bestow this ''gift'', a tool for Derrick to deploy as he saw fit? The thought sent a wave of both excitement and unease through him. DD-HV1 (Demonified Drug- Human Variation One). That''s what they called it within the cult. A serum rumoured to give monstrous strength while somehow staying off theplete transformation into a demonic human. Was it truly possible? His loyalty to Bane was absolute. But It gave the idea to Derrick that he could give it to one of theckeys. A test subject, expendable but close enough to observe the results. The importance made him dizzy, he could present both a powerful tool and a detailed case study to Morwen. The promotion he craved practically shed before his eyes. ... ... [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Student Section Stands (2nd Years Only) As Derrick reached the second-year student section, the roar of the crowd washed over him. The first match was going to start in 15 minutes Louise Villerion versus Jan Ates. Both students, ording to the data statistics, were achieving record-breaking victory times. That surpassed his own from a year ago, Of course, Jan and Louise were special. The two even earned high praises from Quadra during the Little Heroes Incidient and were supposedly marked, ''vessels'' with the potential to house a true presence of the devil... Derrick slid into the saved seat beside hisckeys, breathing a sigh of relief. The energy in the student section was exploding with the highest excitement of this fight. "There you are!" chirped a voice to his left. Thomas Wirtz, anky boy with always tousled hair leaned towards him. "So, what was that all about with the reporter? Know him from back home or something?" Beside Thomas, Ben Rover, a burly youth with a shaved head and a permanent scowl, fixed Derrick with a suspicious stare. Peter Junior, the youngest and quietest of the bunch, fidgeted in his seat, ying on his watch to pass the time. Derrick forced a casual shrug. "Nah, just a guy I''ve bumped into a few times. We were catching up, that''s all." He subtly changed the subject. "So, ready for this match? Think Louise will take it, or will pretty boy Jan pose a challenge?" The topic worked like a charm. Hisckeys immediatelyunched into a heated debate, dissecting fighting styles and specting on rumoured hidden abilities. Derrick leaned back, momentarily content to let the conversation wash over him. As a lull settled over the group, he cleared his throat. "Hey, listen," he began, a note of excitement creeping into his voice. "Anyone interested in a little dungeon hunting after midterms? I''ve been itching to clear a few for a while." Thomas immediately perked up. "Hell yeah! What ss are you thinking?" "Something manageable," Derrick replied. "Maybe a B-ss Dungeon. Nothing too crazy, just a chance to unwind and get stronger." Ben grunted his approval, and even Peter Junior nodded enthusiastically. The prospect of an adventure, a break from the redundancy of sses, and the chance to prove themselves to their leader clearly appealed to them. Derrick smiled deviously. His ns were falling into ce. Not only was he securing loyalty through a shared experience, but he also had the perfect opportunity to test out his little gift from Morwen ¨C all under the cover of strengthening his team. *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Male Bathrooms] [15 minutes until the first match of the semi-final...] My knees ached from where they were pressed against the cold bathroom tile. The toilet stall became my prison, the only sanctuary from the dread grinding at my insides. "I''m screwed... I''m screwed... I''m really screwed..." The words fell out of my lips in a silent litany of despair. It was embarrassing, pathetic even, but the crushing weight of my battle was required toplete a live quest. Valencia... The name echoed in my head, each time I thought of her name all I could think about was my ass getting beat into the ground. I should have spent those precious PPP on securing Jan. At least he would''ve given me a quick loss, and a less humiliating one... But noooo, I got that stupid egotistical ice queen. If I didn''t get her I could have slipped back into the normal world as a regr human being. But the gamble was what led me down this self-destructive path. And now? The fallout was immeasurable. Even if I didn''t fight, my reputation with Valencia was already bad. Forfeiting wouldn''t simply be admitting defeat¨C it would be an insult to her pride, both as a student and as a hero. So, was I even bothered to fight? >No. Should I walk out onto that stage only to be obliterated in seconds? >Maybe. Could I fake an injury? >Probably. Or could I disappear iming I''d overslept? >Good option... But thinking about this I realised it was any less cowardly than the pathetic disy I was bound to deliver. haha... A bitterugh escaped my lips. What a mess. My carefully crafted ns, my hopes of handling through this tournament with a sense of control... it was all a damn illusion. And here I was, huddled in a bathroom, contemting my escape like the pathetic, desperate little rat that I was. FWANG! [It seems you''re struggling with your feelings towards this situation, Mr Axel...] Seeing the system pop up before my eyes, I looked at the message window seeing the almost clear reflection of my misery. "What about it then system?" I asked seeing that there was simply nothing I could do. [I''vee up with a simple decision to fix the situation of course!] Looking at the message, I knew nothing came good when a system had a good idea. But it probably won''t be as bad as I think. So what could go wrong? "Sure... I''m all ears I guess." [Good to hear that Mr Axel! ???? ¡¥???¡¥?? )?] [This idea will be sure to fix your resolve in this current ''situation''] [Loading... 25%... 50%... 90%... Loading Complete!] FWANG! [Special Conditions Quest: Can''t Fear Your Own Novel! - Win the battle against Valencia Freya.] [Rewards: 5,000 BP, 5 Base Stat Points, 1 Standard Ability Upgrade, 1 Special Ability Upgrade,] "Huh? What...?" I blinked, rereading the quest. Was I hallucinating? The system''s malfunctioning, right? Beat Valencia? A bitter chuckle escaped me. This doesn''t make my situation any better... But... It was a quest, after all, and to think of this bizarre system''s faith in me. It sounded pathetic, maybe, but... at least it wasn''t defeat before I even stepped onto the stage right. "If I win... Will I be able to im that quest reward straight away?" [Definitely Mr Axel!] Not the answer I expected, but... those upgrades were a lifeline. Hope, as pathetic as it felt I had to try. I stood, leaving the stall. Enough hiding. Enough despair. This motivation probably won''tst, even if the fight was doomed from the start. haah... I knew my limits but there was one definite answer to all of this. "I''m done dreaming." ________________ Authors Notes: - No Authors Notes Today D: Chapter 86: Old Heads | Exchange [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: VIP Suite 1#] The VIP suite buzzed with a different kind of energy than the wild cheers below. Kang Villerion, Louise''s father, leaned back in his seat, a smug expression tightening his already severe features. "That Incident at the Little Heroes Tournament... annoying, for sure," he dered, his voice slick and assured. "Make no mistake, Gerrard. If my son hadn''t gotten sidelined with that injury Quadra had caused, He would''ve won his fight against Jan Ates. No doubt." Sitting across from him, Gerrard Freya, Valencia''s father, was rxed. He sported a more casual sense of style, yet his presence held an undeniable power of its own. "Times change, old friend," he replied. "Three years can make a world of difference. Let''s appreciate this long-awaited rematch for what it is ¨C two rising stars of the Pinnacle going head-to-head." Kang scoffed, a touch of arrogance at Gerrard''s Words. "Rising stars? Please. You''re talking about my son, the one born to lead. He''ll single-handedly redefine the next generation of heroes." Gerrard''s smile was genuine. "Maybe. Or maybe what matters more is that unbreakable spirit. Power can only get you so far, right?" Irritation crossed Kang''s face. "Power is everything, Gerrard. You either have it, or you''re already a loser. The weak are destined to serve. That''s just how the world works." Gerrard leaned forward, his tone deceptively mild. "Life''s never quite that straightforward, is it? Sometimes, weakness hides extraordinary strength of will. On the other hand, You could be strong, but could never have the strength of a strong-minded weakling. Maybe years of sess have blinded you to that simple truth, Kang?" Kang smirked, unfazed, "You and your bleeding-heart idealism. It''s always been your weakness, Gerrard." Gerrard simply shrugged. "I''ll be eagerly watching your son show us what he''s got. Maybe we should even make a small wager..." He trailed off, then nced yfully at Kang. Kang annoyed at Gerrard asks a different question to divert the topic, "Speaking of... who''s your daughter up against?" A sh of genuine curiosity crossed Gerrard''s face. He was well aware of his daughter''s prowess, but there was always a chance for unexpected oues. Gerrard checked the match schedule, his attention snagging on a single name. "Looks like she faces the student named Rel Laurence." Gerrard knew that name... He recalled his daughter and her friends talking about the boy. He''d questioned Valencia about it, but she''d denied knowing him. Still, a nagging concern remained. The roar of the crowd interrupted his thoughts. He stood, eyes on the distant tform. "Seems our much-anticipated match is about to begin," he said. "Win or lose, you wouldn''t criticise your son for this, would you, Kang?" Kang stared back, his expression hardening. "Criticise him? My son hase this far and surpassed all expectations. Even if he lost to someone like... him," a slight hitch in his voice betrayed his unspoken concern, "I wouldn''t be disappointed. He is the hardest worker I know, dedicated to being the best person he could be." A genuine smile broke through on Gerrard''s face. "That''s what I like to hear, old friend. I wouldn''t want to see that fighting spirit of his crushed, regardless of the oue." Kang rxed slightly, mirroring Gerrard''s smile. "Never. I would be proud no matter what." *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Office Reception] The walk to the administration office felt awful. Every step brought me closer to inevitable destruction, yet also to thest shred of hope I desperately clung to. The tournament rules were vague on some things. While they specified that only academy-issued weapons were permitted, there was nothing about switching between weapon types. A loophole, perhaps? Another w I found within my own novel... But why? My crossbow was no match for Valencia''s speed, even with my quick-shot skill It was pretty much useless. So why consider this madness? A bow was pretty much better than what I had... Although my marksmanship wasn''t at Jae''s level. I couldnd enough shots to make her work for it. Defeat was inevitable, but perhaps not a total humiliation. Of course, this absurd n depended on two things: the avability of a bow, and Kolek being somewhere here. But I had given up on searching for someone who couldn''t be found and wasted precious minutes searching, my usually reliable homeroom teacher was a ghost. Which left me, standing sheepishly in the office, praying the usually stern-faced receptionists might disy an uncharacteristic streak of mercy. ... ... Finally, I reached the reception desk. The woman on duty was absorbed in her phone, her face lit by the endless scroll of¡­ was that TikTok? Gods, even during the biggest event of the year, she was cking off. I cleared my throat, the sound startling her. She jerked upright, hastily shoving her phone out of sight. "Sorry!" I blurted out. "Didn''t mean to scare you." "No worries," she mumbled, a flush colouring her cheeks. "Shouldn''t be on my phone anyway¡­ so, how can I help you?" "Um..." My carefully crafted excuse wavered on my tongue. "I was wondering if I could change my weapon. My crossbow, it''s kinda worn out¡ª" The receptionist frowned. "We can get a technician to look at it. Won''t take more than ten minutes." Ahhh my lie didn''t work. I had to think of something else. "I¡­ I just want to use a standard bow instead, if that''s okay. Think it''d be my best bet." I decided to tell her the truth since I couldn''t think of anything else as my Mom always said honesty was the best policy, and it wasn''t like I had time to develop a believable story. The receptionist''s reaction to my words was clearly unconvinced, her scepticism a physical force across the desk. Time to throw myself on the mercy of the Academy gods. "You would need a permission slip signed by your homeroom teacher or an academy staff member for a weapons exchange." Of course. I already knew the answer... "If I could just hand in my crossbow in exchange¡­" I pleaded, grasping at straws. "Absolutely not," she cut me off firmly. "Weapons policy, clear as day. You can''t just swap willy-nilly. Find your homeroom teacher or someone authorized, thene back." My shoulders slumped. Hope, once a burning candle, sputtered and died. The optimism I''d managed to muster earlier evaporated, leaving behind a cold dread. "Okay," I mumbled, defeated. "Thank you for your time." "No problem," she chirped, oblivious to the despair clouding my world. As I turned and trudged away, the weight of the crossbow felt heavier than ever, not just in my hands, but in my spirit. It was a useless piece of metal now, a symbol of my foolishness... *** As Rel had finally settled on defeat a sh of purple caught his eye and he knew exactly who it was her hair was tied up in a ponytail and her usual presence was quiet like usual. Jae Yoona had her bow slung across her back, she waste, maybe, but could she be turning in her weapon? Rel had nothing to lose, even if the odds of this quiet, intimidating girl lending him her bow were slim. "J-J-Jae Yoona..." Rel''s voice was softer than usual, barely a whisper. "...?" She turned her expression a mix of curiosity and confusion. A single, questioning tilt of her head was her reply. Rel''s eyes almost felt blinded. It was breathtaking seeing her up close and He thought of theparison between Alice, Valencia and Jae. It was likely for him to say that the three belonged in a tier of their own. Now, his knees felt weak, the words stumbling from his lips. "If you don''t mind," he choked out, "is there any chance... you would lend me your bow? Just for this one match?" Jae Yoona didn''t answer. Her expression remained guarded, her only reaction was a slight hug of the bow against her chest. Rel sensed her hesitation, She even took a few steps back to prevent him froming closer. Desperate, Rel pressed on, his voice catching. "Please... Just this one time. I won''t ask for anything else. I''ll even pay you to use it, just please... let me use it." His pride was already in shambles, Rel couldn''t stop himself. Words were failing him and it got to the point where he dropped to his knees, an instinctual act of a loser''s desperation. It was humiliating, a gesture he would regret, but the match against Valencia was one he wanted to try to win. "...!" Jae Yoona''s expression was surprised as his sses slipped, revealing a face that looked usually gloomy. He put his sses back on taking a step back, he fumbled once more, ast-ditch offer tumbling out as a counter-bargain. "I-I''ll give you my study notes if you''d like," he stammered. Perhaps that would sway her. It was a firm belief that Rel''s knowledge surpassed even Alice''s. Jae''s face tensed, a sh of indecision crossing her usually emotionless expression. Rel was brilliant, that much was obvious. Alice even admitted wanting to sit by him, to see how he works in ss... A difort of something unfamiliar, a twist of unease, settled in Jae''s chest. She didn''t like the idea of Alice hanging around this... anomaly. but she believed that Rel probably had the answers to every question there was in theory. finally, she met his gaze, speaking. "On one condition." "Anything!" The word burst from him, fueled by relief and desperation. "You''ll be studying with Alice and me," she dered, her eyes unwavering. "In the library, the week before our mid-term theory exam." "Huh?" His world tilted. It wasn''t the bow, but the prospect of studying with Alice and Jae, something he''d never dared imagine. The idea was so absurd he even thought of saying no on the spot. Rel thought to himself thinking why would she need help? Was this a joke? Jae''s motives felt cruel, Yet, his quest was on the line... it was a wildfire in his veins. He wanted this, needed it, consequences be damned. "Okay," he finally choked out. "Fine." Jae Yoona handed him the bow. "I''ll need your contact info. We''ll set up times to meet." Numbly, he shared his details. As she walked away, doubt washed over him. Had he traded one impossible battle for another, stupid one? He stood there in utter regret thinking of what he had done. "Fuck..." _____________ Authors Notes: - Kang''s record against Gerrard in wages Wins: 3 - Draws: 76 - Losses: 45 Chapter 87: Exchange (2) ________ {Rel''s POV} ________ [Student Information Has Been Exchanged!] [Contact: Jae Yoona (ssmate from 1-A) is now your friend on the app: Whatsapp!] Haah... My fingers tightened around the unfamiliar weight of the bow. It''s been a while since I''ve used one after the D-League Tournament. It was almost weird... But to think Jae Yoona, of all people, asking me to study with her and Alice? The irony was almost cruel. I don''t know what runs through that mind of hers, The request sounded almost as stupid as Jan''s density. But here I was, about to face Valencia with borrowed equipment and a borrowed prayer, and suddenly my precious solitude was under attack on another front. haah... A sigh escaped my lips. Midterms were three weeks after the tournament. all the first-year students would stop training as a whole and go out to libraries, or travel to cram sses from all around the world, to study for the most important exam that could make or break their ranks. For me, It wasn''t much of a big deal since I''d score rank one on theory anyway... But I no longer have freedom since helping Alice and Jae meant carving out additional me time for their newly hired tutor aka Mr. Axel. But hey, a deal''s a deal. It wasn''t even my study notes anyway... It was the systems. BZZZT!, BZZZT! ncing at my watch, I jolted. Almost showtime! Jan and Louise''s match ¨C the main event ¨C was about to begin. I couldn''t miss it. This wasn''t just some fight; it was the best opening scene I''ve ever written, Jan should go all out in this fight and Louise would do the same. I had to see it y out, and absorb every detail, every emotion¡­ This wasn''t something any ordinary author would ever get to experience. Luckily for me, I was very close to being an ordinary one. Shouldering the bow, I hurried towards the arena, aiming for the best possible seats. [Sixth Sense (Passive) Has Been Activated!] Stareeeeee... A sudden nervousness prickled along my spine. I just felt the eyes of someone staring behind me. The fact that it was sixth sense activating on its own, I knew the person behind me was dangerous. Was it just paranoia? But that''s impossible. Sixth Sense wouldn''t do this unless I was in battle or if someone strong was watching me. But I could''ve sworn when I turned the corner I saw a pair of shadows that stretched across the hallway. ... ... ... As I slowed my pace through the hallway leading to the student section. Every hair stood on end ¨C I couldn''t shake the feeling I wasn''t alone. Had this tournament finally pushed me over the edge into full-blown paranoia? A nce over my shoulder confirmed the space behind me. Just my imagination, right? A sharp turn and I darted into another hallway leading to the third year''s section, Hearing a burst of whispers echoed through the empty hall, I put all my senses into listening to their voices. "...Damn it Julian!" The voice was bright, and the familiarity of this person sounded way too clear and that was when I remembered that this voice was the same voice of Yuka Azira, leader of Legion New Force. Extroverted to a fault, her reputation for ambition was legendary. What could she possibly want with me? "Perhaps we should''ve just walked up to him, Yuka," Julian Geogre''s reply was measured, his tone calm and thoughtful. The difference in Yuka''s energy was striking. She was a winner of this tournament and She had everything she could ever want... what was she doing ying along with her schemes? "This isn''t some training exercise, Julian," Yuka''s voice softened slightly, "We gotta approach this kid with expertise... you know, a winning smile, a little charm..." Julian let out a sigh. "Look, I only came ''cause you promised me an artifact. Don''t expect me to do the talking for you." His tone remainedposed, but a hint of reluctance seeped through. Now this was even more confusing. Why were two Guild Leaders interested in me? I wasn''t a fighter, wasn''t part of anything interesting. It made no sense. Should I wait for them, try to find out what they wanted? Or slip away and hide? I should''ve been preparing to watch Jan and Louise''s fight, not running from guild leaders on¡­ what? Recruiting me? The absurdity of it all was terrifying. *** As the corner came into view, Yuka practically skipped around it, a wide grin stered on her face. Julian trailed behind his usual patience in ce. But their carefree stroll came to a screeching halt. Right there, in the hallway, stood Rel. Yuka''s eyes bulged. "EEK!" she shrieked, jumping backwards andnding squarely on Julian''s unsuspecting foot. He sidestepped with a sigh, leaving Yuka to fall on the floor. "Owwie!" She rubbed her backside, then saw Rel staring at her with a look of utter confusion. "Can I help you, Guild Leaders?" Rel asked, his voiceced with a lot of suspicion. Yuka scrambled to her feet, brushing off dust that wasn''t there. "Oh! Yes! Um, so..." Her trademark enthusiasm faltered for a moment. Turning to Julian, she hissed, "What was his name again?" Julian leaned in and whispered, "I believe it''s Rel Laurence. Though the database mentioned two additional names." Khum... Yuka nodded, a fake cough escaping her lips. "Rel! So, um, we couldn''t help but notice you and Jan are great friends, right?" Rel''s brow furrowed. "No. We''re just acquaintances." Yuka''s smile faltered for a fraction of a second, but she pressed on. "Okay... But you and Jan seem close!" "We''re not," Rel stated bluntly. Yuka gritted her teeth. This kid was more trouble than he was worth. "Well, regardless," she continued, forcing a bright tone, "I was willing to offer you and Jan a shared early offer proposal on the condition you bring him to us in the guest lobby after the tournament." Rel already knew it was all about Jan but chose to y it safe. "Yeah... I''m good. I''ll tell Jan to meet you two by the guest lobby though." He paused, then added in a tone bordering on disrespect, "But I''m not really interested in joining your guild." Yuka''s eyes narrowed. "What do you mean you''re not interested in my guild?" she exploded. "I''ll have you know there are many students more talented than you out there begging to be a member of New Force! You... you..." Bhum! Before Yuka could finish her sentence, Julian mped a hand over her mouth. "Thank you for listening to her request, Rel," he said smoothly. "I appreciate the tolerance you have for her¡­" Julian quickly trailed off as he dragged Yuka away, her muffled words floating back, "Let me go! I''ll show that brat some respect!" Julian cast a final look at Rel, offering a small, apologetic salute before disappearing around the corner, Yuka''s muffled sounds echoed throughout the hallway. Chapter 88: Exchange (3) | The Battle Of The Ages [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Allen''s Cafe] Alice''s face was concerned looking at Jae. "Your face is practically screaming ''surprise'' at me," she remarked, her voice soft as always. Jae grinned. "Indeed." she chirped. "I just secured the best tutor this academy has ever seen, and for free..." "Who?" Alice questioned curiosity sparking in her eyes. "Rel," Jae said proudly. "He''s helping us study." Alice''s brow furrowed. Confusion battled with a trace of worry on her face. As Jae excitedly exined her deal ¨C trading her academy bow for study sessions... Alice interrupted with a slight tremor in her voice, "Did you really give him your bow, Jae? Just for that?" Alice, normally the picture of quietposure, was on the verge of an outburst. Jae, however, remained blissfully oblivious. "Well, you said you wanted to see how he studies up close," Jae scratched her head. "Get a glimpse into his secret methods and all." Alice felt a flush creep up her neck. "Yes, but not like that!" she flustered. Jae''s smile widened. "Rx, Alice... Think about it. He could help us improve in Dungeon Pathing, Advanced Mana Theory, and even Elemental Theory. We just need a little extra push in those areas, you know? And honestly, they''re the hardest subjects." Alice hesitated. Jae was right... but something felt wrong. Was Rel truly a genius, or was there a chance... a chance he was cheating? "We can figure that out," Jae interrupted her thoughts, tapping her watch. "Got his contact on WhatsApp!" Alice looked at the shing screen, her initial confusion changed into full-blown worry. This wasn''t quite the "study n" she expected. Learning from Rel was one thing, but getting involved in some potentially questionable arrangement by Jae was another entirely. "Let''s learn a thing or two from him," Jae dered, her unusual enthusiasm tenacious. "Maybe then, you can finally snatch that first-ce ranking you were so keen on at the beginning of the year," Alice let out a long sigh, a mix of exasperation and resignation. "You can''t be serious," she muttered under her breath. *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Student Section Stands] Listening to the roaring crowd almost made me deaf, as I entered the student section, My eyes scanned through the entirety of the first years, the collective roar vibrating through the stone. My earlier Incident with Yuka and Julian remained an absurd and unsettling memory. Something seemed off about her offering early contracts, especially a shared one. This was absolutely one of her schemes, where she''d take 2 students and drop the useless one-offter. But I''m not stupid obviously... Early guild offers, especially from the top guilds, practically guarantee a future. The heirs, the big names, they get priority ¨C dungeons, towers, all the action. Yuka had shown the most interest in Jan when it came to seeing the extent of his potential and in the story he joins Legion New Force after they finish their third year in the academy. Moving through the seats, I settled far from Bazz, Cami, Lyra, and Valencia, who''d snagged prime seats. The distance was a bit dodgy, but the view wasn''t bad either. Didn''t matter. The energy was infectious, bets were flying... And a feeling of regret hit, I realised I had nothing good to eat to enjoy this match. The thought quickly faded, though. This ¨C witnessing Jan and Louise''s battle firsthand ¨C was more enjoyable than any food eaten. Settling deeper into the seat, I let the crowd''s roars wash over me, This was it. The main event. The opening scene of the story unfolds right before my very eyes. But the encounter with the guild leaders was still at the corner of my mind. Why go to me? instead of going directly to Jan? What did they see in me that deserved such an oundish offer? Maybe it was the hype surrounding Jan, or perhaps they saw some hidden potential in me¡­ a potential I wasn''t even aware of myself. pffftt... The thought made meugh, Potential? I''d never match their level, not in this lifetime. Shoving the unsettling questions away, I forced my attention to the arena. The announcer''s voice boomed, *** [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] The stadium roared as Jan and Louise emerged. Jan, unfazed, took his ce. Across the arena, Louise strode forward, polearm shining in the bright light, an arrogant grin crossing his face. The crowd''s frenzy bathed them both, a deafening affirmation of their star power. As the two stood far from each other Louise broke the silence, his voice ringing clear. "You don''t know how long I''ve waited for this," he dered, the sadistic edge in his smile widening. "..." Jan remained silent, seemingly unmoved by Louise''s discernible excitement. Louise continued, his words talking over the deafening crowd, "Now that everyone is watching, I can finally show them. Show them how you will lose, to be trampled under my feet." A smirk shed across Jan''s lips ignoring his words from earlier. "Let''s have a great match, Louise." "...!" Fury erupted in Louise''s eyes. "I''ll kill you if you say my first name again," he snarled, the crowd''s cheers fading into white noise. Jan''s smile widened, the deliberate informality was on purpose, to piss him off. "Right¡­ my bad." ... ... As the announcer''s voice boomed through the stadium, cutting through the mounting noise. "Wee students, teachers, guild leaders, and media! This afternoon, we witness a sh between two of the most sensational talents this academy has ever seen... Representing a lineage of power, we have the iconic resemnce of his legendary father ¨C Louise Villerion!" The crowd''s frenzy reached fever pitch as Louise soaked in the adoration, waving grandly as if bestowing blessings upon his audience. A sharp contrast to his disy of confidence, It was evident this fight wasn''t just about winning ¨C it held a far deeper, more personal significance. The announcer''s voice boomed through the stadium once more. "And on the other side, a student with zing speed and incredible power! The record-breaker who shares the fastest victory times with the very man on this stage, everyone give it up for Jan Ates!" A wave of apuse thundered across the stands. Jan, unmoved by the praise or the remaining murmurs of scepticism. "If the Fighters are ready, please raise your weapons!" dered the announcer, a ripple of excitement running through his voice. Jan unsheathed his sword in a smooth motion and raised it in ready. Across the tform, Louise mirrored the gesture, his polearm-axe glowing with an intensity. "Good!" He paused, savouring the moment before the countdown. "Then let the tradition begin! Three¡­" Silence fell. Neither Jan nor Louise channelled their mana, simply holding their weapons aloft in a deceptively casual stance. "Two¡­" "One¡­ GO!" DASH! Louise burst forward,unching himself into the air. SHAAAAA! His body soared, as the polearm-axe transformed into a zinget. Louise''s Sword aura and Pure me fused, painting the weapon in shades of crimson red, amplifying his attack into an inferno. WHAMM! Jan, On the ground, stood still on the spot, imbuing his sword with an aura of his own. his de pulsed with azure light, the purity of his Light attribute swirling around the steel. A breathtaking difference between his stillness against Louise''s zing descent. RAHHHHH! HM! Jan swung upwards, and Louise struck down, both with the force of their entire beings. A deafening roar echoed through the arena. BANG!!!!! The crowd stood on their feet, eyes wide. This was no ordinary sh... Gusts of wind whipped through the arena, cracks snaking across the tform beneath Jan''s feet. Their des should have met, should have CLANGED. But it never came. Their weapons never touched. The impact of their sh sent shockwaves rippling through the air, the sheer force of their aura and elemental attributes created a visible distortion between them. The tform crumbled beneath the invisible pressure, threatening to swallow them both. "...!" ___________ To be continued... ___________ Authors Notes: - Louise''s Sword aura colour is Crimson Red - Jan''s Sword aura colour is Gold + a mix of Light Blue Chapter 89: The Battle Of The Ages (2) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] Jan and Louise''s stalemate turned into a whirlpool of massive winds. Both their Auras shed with unparalleled ferocity, Louise''s crimson fire and Jan''s celestial light locked in a struggle for dominance. CRACK!!!! CRACK!!!! CRACK!!!! The air tightened,pressing under the relentless pressure, until the space between them crackled with raw energy. Lightning snaked through their des, tiny pops and hisses audible over the collective gasp of the crowd. BOOM! Another explosion tore through the centre of their sh. Louise, his teeth clenched, tightening the grip on his polearm, his muscles screaming as he strained to maintain the pressure. Jan''s, eyes zing, mirrored the desperate effort, his knuckles white, where they gripped the broadsword. BOOM! A st of golden wind, infused with an impossible mix of fire and light, erupted upward from the epicentre of their duel. "...!" "No way..." "Did anyone just see that?" "...Monsters..." The beam of energy pierced the heavens, momentarily blinding the entire stadium. A bluster of shouts and panicked screams filled the air as the explosion threw Louise and Jan backwards, shattering their deadlock. ... ... For a heartbeat, silence reigned. Then the dust settled to reveal a scene of devastation. The impact zone of their shy in smouldering ruin, fragments of the tform littering the ground. Jan and Louise, though separated, stood still on the fractured ground, miraculously unharmed from the chaos. Their gazes, locked across the arena, burning with the feeling of determination. The battle had only just begun. As the energy of their sh finally disappeared, Louise with a dismissive flick of his polearm axe, dispersed the clinging dust. "Tch, show off." Jan mirrored the same gesture across the ravaged arena, his brow furrowed in surprise. He''d never experienced anything like the phenomenon that had urred. During the sh, he sensed a strange, almost impossible principle in Louise''s attack. It was something he''d learned long ago, a supposed fundamentalw of aura and mana... When an elemental attribute and mana arebined, they produce a direct elemental output, allowing the user to properly cast spells of their desired element. However, when aura is introduced into the mix, it creates a unique interaction. Aura, being a manifestation of one''s inner energy, acts as a repulsive force whenbined with mana and the user''s elemental attribute. This repulsion output results in an unstable reaction, causing the magical energy to explode outward in a chaotic burst. But somehow, Louise had bypassed that fundamentalw. It took only moments to understand, but Jan realized Louise hadn''t used mana during that sh. What Jan had assumed was that hebined pure elemental energy ¨C Pureset me ¨C with his aura in a way he had never seen. During that moment Jan activated ''eyes of adaptation'' replicating the move exactly on a gamble, an attempt to understand the impossible. But now, it was like a veil had been lifted. Louise, unknowingly, had unlocked a key, revealing a new possibility of how Aura and Elements could bebined. With this discovery, Jan knew this was a chance to push boundaries he''d only glimpsed before. He met Louise''s gaze, now alight with a quiet challenge. This battle though unpredictable, raw, and utterly thrilling ¨C promised to be more than he''d ever imagined. CRACK... Dash! The ground beneath Jan''s feet broke in a heartbeat. Heunched into a sprint towards Louise. Channelling aura into his de, he raised his broadsword and uttered, "Parting sh," SHAWW! With a flick of his wrist, the sword carved an arc through the air, unleashing a wide sh of pure energy. It surged forth, a shining crescent moon of power, slicing through the smoky debris and barreling towards Louise with rming speed. "...!" Louise reacted instinctively. mming his palm against the fractured ground, he channelled a burst of mana, shouting, "Fire Wall!" SHAAAA! A roaring curtain of mes erupted before him, hungry tongues of crimson fire rising to meet the oing aura sh head-on. BANG! The impact was deafening. A burst of light and heat momentarily blinded the crowd once more as the two forces collided, detonating in a dazzling disy of uncontrolled energy. The shockwave sent Louise hurtling backwards, his boots digging into the shattered tform as he struggled to maintain his footing. SLASH, SLASH, SLASH! A collective gasp ripped through the stunned crowd as Jan''s de carved a clean path through the wall of mes. It showed his understanding, a feat that defied established principles. With his momentum unbroken, he dashed towards Louise with an impossible burst of speed. [Divine Conqueror has been activated!] Louise, thrown back by the explosion, was still airborne, vulnerable as he prepared tond hard on his back. But just as Jan closed the distance, Louise performed a maneuver so fast it defiedprehension. Within a 1.2-second window, he dropped his polearm from his hands, unleashing a flood of mana within him. His Purest me pulsed along the mana that leaked out of the ground, crackling and sparking, creating a circle of energy that encircled the entire arena. Jan caught off guard, could only watch, stunned in silence as this technique unfolded before him, a disy of power that defied anything he''d ever encountered. Louise, now in a rapid chant, his voice echoing through the stadium, used an incantation. His right hand, aze with fiery energy, stretched skyward, fingers outstretched in a w-like formation. His left hand was ced on his wrist, guiding the flow of mana around the stadium. His words rang out to the area that transformed around the two. "Eternal Inferno!" SHAAAAAAAAAAAAA! The arena fell silent, the only sound made was the crackling mes that hissed against the fiery barrier created by Louise... Jan who shielded himself from the heat was no less stunned. He could only stare at Louise, now standing tall within the barrier they were stuck in. Louise''s eyes, zing with an unsettling intensity, met Jan''s gaze. A few words escaped his lips. "It''s over." *** [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: VIP Suite 1#] From within the VIP suite, Gerrard burst into a heartyugh of surprise. "Wow! Did your son invent that? That technique... it''s unlike anything I''ve ever seen! I wonder what it could do!" His eyes danced with a mix of excitement and genuine surprise. Kang, hisposure unwavering, watched the me barrier with a cold gaze. "He''s been practising that for several months," he exined. "Now that he''s manifested it, it signifies a certain level of mastery over his elemental attribute." Sizzle... "It''s called an Elemental Zone," Kang continued, his voiceced with a hint of pride. "A technique notoriously difficult to learn, even for the top guild leaders." Gerrard leaned forward in his chair, his curiosity piqued. "Elemental Zone, huh? Interesting. It did look somewhat familiar... reminds me of something my daughter pulled off when she was just seven!" He chuckled, the memory bringing a fond spark to his eyes. "Even with the barrier obscuring our vision," he mused, "my senses can still pierce it to a degree. This battle... it''s far stranger than the audience realizes." A secretive smile yed on his lips, hinting at the knowledge he wasn''t willing to share just yet. Kang turned to Gerrard asking him a curious question. "Who do you think can master this technique in such a short time, given Jan''s situation?" he asked, a subtle change in his voice. Gerrard''s smile widened. "Well, Kang, if you''re putting it so inly, then I''d have to say Jan." His gaze remained fixed on the fiery barrier. "He possesses more potential than even you might recognize. Sure, Jan hasn''t yet unleashed his full power in this fight, knowing him at first hand, he''d probably treat it more like practice more than a true battle." As Gerrard spoke, a wave of nostalgia washed over him, triggering a memory from three years ago. The scene unfolded before him like a vivid dream. ... [shback to 5 years ago] ... [Freya''s Residence, Training Grounds] A younger Jan stood along with his friends ¨C Valencia, Bazz, Cam, and Lyra in the training grounds. A yful smile spread across Gerrard''s face as he addressed them all. "Alright, listen up, Future Freya Guild Members! If any of you cannd a single hit on me, without making me budge, lunch is on me for the next month!" "Father... you know it''s impossible." Valencia rolled her eyes, muttering herints about her father''s style of ''training''. Bazz spoke adding, "Yeah, Mr. Freya! Remember when you flicked me in the head and sent me flying through the trees?" Gerrard chuckled, a twinkle in his eye. "Come on, Bazz, you''re overreacting! It''s all to make yous stronger." Lyra and Cam exchanged nces knowing the beating they had previously received and both said at the same time, "No, Mr Freya..." Cam and Lyra gave Gerrard puppy dog eyes and like so he couldn''t resist. "Okay fine... Lyra, Cam, Valencia, and Bazz are excused..." As Gerrard felt like he was under the rain a boy stepped forward, a determined look in his eyes. "I''d like to have a duel with you, Mr. Freya!" His deration surprised even his closest friends. "J-J-Jan are you crazy?" Cam stuttered looking at him confused. "Let Jan do it! I can finally see his ass get beat for once!" Bazz chuckled cheering Jan on to fight Gerrard. Both Lyra and Valencia looked at each other with a gambling look, As the two had bet on whether Jan would be able tond a hit on Gerrard or not. As Gerrard agreed he looked at Jan intently, his eyes scanning the young boy''s form. "...!" What he saw was a body honed by years of training and a mana flow that was years ahead of his age, indicating exceptional control. A genuine smile graced Gerrard''s lips. "Interesting," he remarked, walking towards the training rack and taking out a sturdy wooden sword. "Alright, Jan. Give me your best shot." _________ To be continued... _________ Authors Notes: - Elemental Zoning is a phenomenon in which a user''s elemental attribute bes a dominant force in their immediate surroundings, transforming the area into a domain infused with their element. The transformations in an elemental zone could consist of the following: A barrier made of their own element, a terrain made of the element, and a zone that can amplify the user''s element. Elemental Zoning grants the user control over their own terrain or area allowing them to easily manipte a certain element with ease. The difficulty of sustaining a zone requires a high level of control over their mana and element, in order to keep the zone together. - It takes an extreme amount of skill to activate an element attribute without the usage of mana. As the result would be a repulsion of force directed towards the user if not done properly. Chapter 90: The Battle Of The Ages (3) [Gerrard Freya shback...] ... ... [Freya''s Residence, Training Grounds] "Alright, Jan. Give me your best shot." Gerrard smiled standing almost motionless in the centre of the grounds, a pir of unwavering confidence, knowing that he wasn''t going to lose. His wooden sword was held high in a guard stance, pointed downwards, his left hand held loosely at his side, ready to react. On the other hand, Jan stood a few paces away, his wooden sword gripped tightly. Unlike Gerrard''s rxed posture, Jan''s body was tight with concentration. His gaze flicked across Gerrard''s body, analyzing every shift in Gerrard''s guard, every trace of expression, searching for a weakness, an opening. However,. No matter how hard he looked. He couldn''t find an opening. Jan understood all too well the limitations of his reincarnated body. Despite his mind being way ahead of its own age, time and time again his body failed to keep pace. Against Gerrard, Jan was brainstorming how he could hit him. Maybe the Qi techniques of his past life, those honed over decades in his old world, could give him the edge he desperately needed. Though he''d spent fourteen years in this world focused on mana, he knew Qi and Aura worked on simr principles. Focusing on the sword, Jan channelled that familiar aura flow. The result was immediate. Light-blue energy flowed along the wooden de, the glow of his own willpower. "Wow..." He breathed, a mix of disbelief and excitement. "They really do work the same..." "I''m ready when you are, Mr. Freya," Jan said, raising his aura-charged de. Even Gerrard, a man well-known in the traditions of swordsmanship, couldn''t hide his astonishment. For a boy raised by the holy church and being able to wield aura so naturally... to achieve what usually took heroes, swordsmen and even mages countless years to learn... it was a feat worthy of the legendary Garrick himself. Gerrard nodded a single, sharp gesture. "Go all in." DASH! Jan without hesitation bursted through the grounds,unching a series of attacks, five in rapid session, each imbued with that aura. SLASH!, SLASH!, SLASH!, Yet, Gerrard remained immovable. The attacks, while powerful, were easily evaded. Were they simply too slow? Or was Gerrard so quick that Jan couldn''t even perceive his movements? Jan retreated to his original position. His initial confidence had evaporated, reced by a sense of helplessness. He looked at Gerrard who simply smiled while looking at him in the same stance he had taken since the beginning of the battle. "How did he block all of that?" Jan muttered under his breath. whaaaaAM Determined to break through Gerrard''s defences, Jan channelled his aura once more, charging as he unleashed a powerful sh from his de. "Cleaving Arc." SWING! A wide-reaching swing infused with his signature aura arced towards Gerrard with undeniable force. "...!" This move garnered a surprised reaction from the Old Head. He finally moved, raising his wooden sword to block the attack. A flicker of hope sparked in Jan''s eyes. He saw it ¨C a minuscule opening, a momentarypse in Gerrard''s defence. Jan, relying on pure instinct and honed reflexes, pushed himself forward with a burst of speed. He closed the gap between them in a heartbeat, His sword arced towards Gerrard''s unguarded chest... ...and Gerrard''s eyes snapped to his, a sh of calction in their depths. Toote, Jan realized. He''d been yed. "...!" But the true shock came when Jan saw Gerrard''s index finger. glow with a faint blue aura, a sight Jan had never seen before. BANG! But it wasn''t Gerrard''s sword that met his blow. A single finger stopped his attack. Shock seized Jan, a shiver running down his spine. Gerrard held his wooden sword loosely, seeing that Jan was full of openings. "You''re pretty good, Jan," he remarked. Still spinning from the revtion, Jan watched in disbelief as Gerrard raised his wooden sword. But instead of delivering an attack, Gerrard used the t side of the de to gently tap Jan''s head. "You''ve lost," he dered with a yful wink. ... ... [End Of shback] Gerrard shook off the memory, his gaze returning to the fiery barrier now shuddering under Louise''s mes. as itshed outwards, casting wild, jerky shadows over the VIP suite. In the sudden hush that followed, Gerrard''s voice cut through, a response to Kang''s earlier question. "If anyone has the potential to reach the peak of this world," Gerrard dered with an air of quiet certainty, "it''s Jan." His eyes remained locked on the dome made of fire. He''d already witnessed a glimpse of the untapped power Jan held. Jan had established himself as a self-made genius, who had learnt Aura without a proper instructor, and from what Valencia had told Gerrard, he even learnt countless functions of mana mechanics such as healing recovery and mana distribution. Perhaps, in time, he might even grasp that ''technique'', that''s been lost for many generations. Gerrard turned to Kang once more continuing"You may not see it now," amusement tugging at his lips, "but Jan possesses a raw fighting instinct surpassing that of any student I''ve encountered. In time, with the right guidance¡­ He''ll be one of the best, if not, the best." *** [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] "It''s Over" The heat within the fiery dome was stifling, the energy of Louise''s mes was pressing in from all sides. Yet, instead of fear, a surge of excitement coursed through Jan. The world had just cracked open, revealing even more new techniques to master. If he could replicate Louise''s dome to some extent he might be able to counter him without sustaining to much damage. Louise emerged his expression grim. In his hands, his polearm pulsed with a fiery glow. Each rhythmic tap against the ground sent ripples of me across the weapon as if the element itself pulsed through its core. DASH! Louise erupted into a dash, his zing polearm raised for a devastating strike. Jan, his senses seemed to react to Lousise''s attack and with Divine Conqueror he dropped into a defensive stance, his sword held at the ready, eyes narrowed in concentration. CLASH! With a thunderous crash, Louise''s me-augmented polearm mmed into Jan''s de, sending shockwaves reverberating through the barrier. The raw force momentarily staggered Jan, yet he held his ground. As they shed, Jan knew that with divine conqueror, he would have non problems stopping attacks from Louise. CLANG! Their weapons locked in a stalemate, and a sly smile crept onto Louise''s face. WHAM Suddenly, he broke the deadlock with a brutal kick to Jan''s abdomen. The impact momentarily winded Jan, forcing him a step back. Seizing the opening, Louise shifted his strategy. As he channelled of mana into his de, the fiery dome above them responded, crackling with intensity. SHAAAAAAW! A blinding beam of fire Shot from the barrier, a concentrated strike aimed directly at Jan. "...!" Prepared for the beam, Jan braced himself. As he perfectly waited for the beam to align, he countered the attack with his own audacious move. "Horizontal sh." SLASH! As his sword was infused with aura. The azure de arced out, amplified by Divine Conqueror, Jan''s attack effortlessly sliced through Louise''s beam of fire. "WHAT?" Before Louise could react, the energy of the sh struck him, sending him stumbling back several steps. A wave of surprise washed over Louise as he got back up after that sh. "Shit... He got me on that one," He quickly withdrew his hand from the wound, channelling mana into it. huuuuu... The injury wasn''t severe, but he couldn''t fully heal it. his mana was drained of maintaining the fiery barrier and using anymore was already a waste. Louise knew he couldn''t afford to lower the dome - it offered him a lot of amplifications to his attacks, But Jan was slicing through his mes ¨C mes that even high-grade heroes struggled against. This anomaly who just kept getting better, was besting him in his own domain. It was frustrating. So he came up with another idea, Instead, he intensified the mes, hoping the increased heat would stop Jan''s advances. Louise caved the barrier in more closer to allow for little space for Jan to make an error he either had to hit Louise or get struck by his mes. The fiery barrier pulsed and roared, the heat radiating inwards with vengeance. SLASH! Jan, however, was unbothered by this move, pressing forward, his sword was on a relentless pursuit, striking at Louise with precision. CLANG!, CLANG!, CLANG!, Each sh of steel seemed to weaken Louise''s defence further. Jan''s power was overpowering him his strikes hitting twice more harder than before Louise gritted his teeth, struggling to keep his footing under Jan''s countless attacks. He couldn''t risk a direct attack while weakened. He needed a new strategy, a way to flip the tables... ___________________ Authors notes: - Aura can be used in many forms but in the simplest of forms is difficult to use even for the strongest of heroes as some heroes refrain from using aura as the belief of them learning it could be a hindrance since mana + aura don''t go well with each other. - Garrick The Great Hero was the one who discovered how to use aura. ___________________ What Are The Types Of Elemental Zoning Type A Zone: Amplification Zone, Barrier, Transformation Zone Type B Zone: Barrier, Transformation Zone or Barrier, Amplification Zone Type C Zone: Amplification Zone Type D Zone: Barrier Zone Type E Zone: Transformation Zone Chapter 91: The Battle Of The Ages (4) [Pinnacle Academy Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] A desperate n burned within Louise''s mind. Yes, Jan''s durability was defying expectations. His resistance to the heat, those impossible bursts of power... it spoke levels to Jan''s abilities, a potential Louise sensed, but didn''t fully understand. Pain burned through Louise as he shifted control over his domain. He couldn''t sever itpletely ¨C the protective barrier still served a vital purpose. Instead, he ruthlessly sacrificed a portion of his fiery barrier, drawing it inward towards the heart of the dome. The tform itself began to crack and warp under the shift in elemental energy, but Louise remained focused. In the air above him, apact sphere of blue me formed. The dome, now visibly fractured, shook under the strain. Jan, sensing the terrifying energy gathering above, had to act. He charged forward, trying to disrupt Louise''s terrifying creation, but something... was wrong. "...!" His movement was sluggish, his body unexpectedly heavy. And with each step, an rming sense of vulnerability crept into his awareness. It wasn''t the dome''s heat, nor some hidden technique by Louise ¨C it was his own body, betraying him. "no... not yet." Jan who struggled to move, was panicking at the restriction he had felt, but Jan suppressed it with ruthless willpower. COUGH!, COUGH! Suddenly, he coughed, the taste of iron flooding his mouth. A warning pulsed through his body as his Lost Archives spat out a chilling analysis: [Divine Conqueror usage nearing its limit. Stamina and mana reserves are insufficient to maintain activation. You''re at risk of copsing.] Jan''s heart sank. He''d only activated the ability for a minute. How could the drawbacks be this extreme? He''d assumed the difference wouldn''t be too significantpared to the 30 seconds he had used against Alice, but that assumption was now disregarded. The truth was brutal... His body, born fragile, had been toughened, but only to a point. While his body on the outside had be a force to be reckoned with. Inside, his limited mana reserves were a critical weakness. Divine Conqueror, that power that had given him such an edge, was now reaching a limit. His stamina wasn''t the issue. But the drain on his mana was devastating. He''d spent countless hours studying mana distribution to optimize his abilities, but an irregr power like Divine Conqueror threw his careful studies into disarray. For a moment, frustration and despair threatened to overwhelm him. But Jan had never given in to weakness. not now. not before. not back then. He gritted his teeth. He deactivated Divine Conqueror, but he wasn''t helpless. Jan had acknowledged that Louise in this moment, was probably stronger than him without Divine Conqueror. Yet, he had to act, and fast. Louise''s attack was almost ready to unleash. Jan''s mind was acting at a speed that defied time. As the sphere of me above him grew everrger, each pulsating flicker was a terrifying countdown. He asked a question out loud, a desperate hope wing at his throat. "Lost Archives." he spoke, "What''s my remaining mana?" A chilling response echoed in his mind. [Mana reserves: 15% and critically low.] Jan sucked in a ragged breath. 15%. He needed a miracle. "How much would it take to replenish it?" he asked, his voice calm. [Replenishing stamina with mana is an extremely advanced technique ording to your memories. The process requiresplex maniption of your mana flow. Sess is highly unlikely given your current state.] Jan gritted his teeth. Unlikely wasn''t good enough. He needed a solution, and fast. "Is there... anything?" he rasped. The Lost Archives remained silent for a moment, and then a new piece of information surfaced. [There exists a potential factor that could temporarily ignore stamina limitations - triggering Adrenaline.] [However, this method involves channelling mana to activate your adrenal nds, providing a surge of energy to override exhaustion. While highly effective, the consequences are severe. Extreme fatigue will set in afterwards, requiring an extended period of recovery.] Jan''s eyes narrowed. A gamble, yes, but it might be his only chance. "Alright," he muttered, a steely resolve hardening his voice. "Let''s try that." The Lost Archives responded with a cold, clinical efficiency. [Focus on your remaining mana. Circte it through your body with the intent of stimting your adrenal nds. The form isplex but prioritizes speed over precision. Be warned ¨C the after-effects will be significant.] Jan took a deep breath, focusing on calming his racing heart. This was it. Hisst stand, for now. With a deep breath, he channelled his remaining mana. huuuuu... It wasn''t perfect, the flow jerky and uneven, but it moved. He felt a jolt course through his nervous system, a wave of mana pushing past the fatigue biting at him. His body, for a brief moment, felt revitalized. haaaah... It wouldn''tst long, but it was enough. He had a window, a chance to seal the win. He looked at the monstrous ball of me from above, Jan knew that he would lose if that ball struck him. ... ... huuuu... Louise exhaled, a cloud of steam puffing out of his mouth. The monstrous blue me hung above him, controlling the ball with sheer will. But as he cast a crucial eye over Jan, a sense of unease settled in his gut. Yes, Jan staggered, his body clearly betraying him, yet his eyes still burned with that same restlessness. And something else... pity? Louise wasn''t sure. With a grunt, he dispelled the remainder of the fiery dome. The crowd, their cheers abruptly stilled, stared down at the two figures standing within the shattered remains of the tform. Both fighters seemed on the verge of copse, mirroring each other in their sheer exhaustion. "Get up, you fool," Louise snarled at Jan. "Two minutes. You have two minutes or that," He gestured towards the sphere of crackling me, "will smite you." It was the first time he''d addressed Jan like a normal human being. Not as an obstacle to be crushed. Winning solely through an exhausted opponent wasn''t something Louise aimed for. What he wanted to do was to win on his own terms. "...!" Jan surprised by Louise''s actions couldn''t help but smile. It was a testament to his tenacity that even in the face of certain defeat, he refused to lose. Louise, however, couldn''t see any mana coursing through Jan''s body. Both he and Jan werepletely out of mana, Louise used hisst mana reserves to maintain the blue ming sphere. It didn''t matter. Louise had given Jan an opportunity, a chance. What happened in those two minutes would determine the victor. Louise gripped his polearm tight standing tall. Jan got up with his broadsword, did the same. This fight wasn''t over, not by a long shot. _____________ Authors Notes: - What isMana Distribution? _________ Mana distribution refers to the process of allocating mana to different parts of the body or to specific spells or abilities to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. It involves calcting the percentage or amount of mana needed for a particr task and then directing that mana ordingly. For example, a mage casting a fireball spell would need to distribute mana to their hands to create and control the mes. In another scenario, a healer might distribute mana to their hands to channel healing into a specific area of the body. Mana distribution is crucial for ensuring that enough mana is avable for casting spells or using abilities, while also preventing mana wastage. Skilled users can distribute mana with ease, allowing them to performplex techniques or spells with greater ease _________ - Mana flow: it''s a technique used in mana distribution, where mana is directed through the body to specific locations or pathways. This technique is particrly important for healing and recovery, as it allows the user to channel mana to damaged or injured areas to promote healing and mana flow into their system. Chapter 92: The Battle Of The Ages (5) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: VIP Suite 3#] "Interesting," Ajax, the guild leader of Visionary Syndicate, surveyed the battle below with a gaze of intrigue. he mumbled, his voice tinged with genuine fascination. "Indeed, very interesting!" His gaze fell upon the arena, where Jan and Louise shed like opposing elements ¨C one a zing me and the other calm as a river. "The talent pool hascked in recent years," he spoke aloud, "but these two... they possess a spark, a potential that could ignite entire guilds." His mind raced with possibilities. With careful management and the right resources, either could rise beyond the top guild leader status. A sh of greed sparked in his eyes as he imagined them fighting under the Visionary banner. Recruiting these prodigies was like ying a delicate game of chess. He needed the right move to secure their loyalty. reeeee... "Haven''t you heard the news about Louise, Ajax?" [Dempsey te - Vice Leader of Visionary Syndicate] A shadow fell across the VIP box as Dempsey, his trusted vice leader and Lyra''s cousin, entered the room. Dempsey''s voice cut through the tense atmosphere. Ajax turned, curiosity flickering in his eyes, recing the focused intensity. "News? I was absorbed in the match," he confessed. "Come, have a seat. A match like this deserves attention." Dempsey obliged with a sigh, taking a seat beside his superior. "Very well," he began, returning to the previous topic, "Louise has been chosen as the sessor for the Guild Trinities Centurions." Ajax raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? He''s far too young for the position. Youngest guild leader on record, perhaps?" Dempsey shook his head. "That''s the twist. The position isn''t immediate. Kang likely won''t retire anytime soon. It''s a calcted move, securing Louise''s ce and allowing him to mature before he assumes the full cover of leadership." Ajax hummed his agreement. It was a bold, shrewd move. "Smart," he admitted, turning his attention back to the battle. "In terms of technique, then, Louise is clearly the superior of the two." He muttered... *** [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] A tremor coursed through the shattered tform as Jan and Louise locked gazes, their des shining in the bright light. The sh had reached its peak. Jan, despite his waning strength, burned with a fierce resolve. Louise, his body wracked with pain, gritted his teeth. His mana pool was all but exhausted, yet his pride, his Villerion name, refused to let him back down. The crimson aura clinging to his polearm dimmed and flickered, barely clinging on by sheer force of will. Every second pushed him closer to the edge. DASH! They both moved as one, weapons raised. BANG! Each strike was a burst of desperation, steel ringing against steel. As both imbued their des with aura, each sh was a blinding light of thunder that echoed through the arena. Lightning poured around them, the fury of their battle mirrored in the heavens. SWING! Jan swung, his de aet of azure energy, but Louise parried the blow, the shockwave sending them both skidding backward. He capitalized on the opening, driving his polearm forward, but Jan twisted miraculously at thest moment, receiving the ncing blow with a grunt of pain. "...!" Then it was Louise''s turn. He spun, mming the heavy butt of his pole into the ground, using it as a springboard tounch a brutal kick. THUD! It caught Jan square in the chest, sending him flying, his sword ttering across the broken tform. With his remaining energy, Louise pressed the attack. SLASH!, SLASH!, SLASH! His polearm arced downwards, each strike aze with his aura, leaving fiery trails in the air. Once, twice, thrice he shed at Jan, driving him back with each relentless blow. Jan, barely able to defend himself, was bleeding from ragged cuts, his strength depleting away with each wound. But despite the pain and exhaustion, Jan refused to lose. His mind, honed by years of focus, aimed a way out of this corner. A desperate roar ripped from Jan''s throat, raw and ragged. His broadsword zed azure, the power scorching his hands. "Diagonal sh!" His voice was a broken rasp, yet the force behind his swing was undeniable. the aura rippled forth in a massive arc, slicing through the air toward Louise. "...!" Louise, slow to react due to his exhaustion, attempted a rash block, but it was useless. SLASH! The sh of aura tore through his defences, searing a diagonal line from hip to shoulder, ripping through his clothing and leaving a bleeding wound in its wake. Louise staggered, his aura faltering and almost fading. His vision wobbled, trying to keep his eyes on his opponent. He struggled to stay upright, his polearm slipping from his trembling grip. "How... how had he mastered such a difficult technique?" he muttered under his breath. Aura attacks were incredibly taxing, yet he easily unleashed an insane amount of aura shes. Louise looked at Jan, weary eyes finding not just an opponent, but a mirror of his own relentless struggle to improve, to push beyond his limits. A tense silence descended upon the arena. The roar of the crowd had faded into nothingness, every eye fixated on the two battered figures. haah...huuu...haah... Louise leaned heavily on his polearm, his breathsing in ragged gasps. Across from him, Jan pushed himself up from his kneeling position. He was struggling to breathe, his body screaming to give up, but his eyes held a stubborn resolve. shuuuuuu... The remaining energy of their auras flickered around them. With each rasping breath... Each staggering step... Seemed to drain thest reserves of their strength. Yet, neither faltered. Louise, fueled by pride and unwavering determination, focused the entirety of his being on a simple, brutal reality: if he failed, he could still direct the sphere of blue me upon Jan. It was hisst, desperate gamble, but a risk nheless. Jan, however, had no such trump card. He could sense time slipping through his fingers the words of the Lost Archives echoed within his mind. [One minute and thirty seconds have passed.] It was the countdown to his copse. And yet, as they stood on the brink of exhaustion, a final surge of energy pulsed through them both. They channelled their aura onest time with every ounce of their remaining strength. Louise''s polearm once again glowed it''s crimson red, thest remains of his Fire, While Jan''s broadsword pulsed faintly, the azure light shining to his enduring Light. There were no strategies left to use, no tactical tricks left to y. They had poured everything into this final sh, their bodies pushed beyond their limits, and their spirits strained to the breaking point. The Battle has reached its climax. And now it was time for the conclusion. Every step, every forced breath, every desperate motion yed out as if etched into eternity. Jan and Louise, their bodies broken advanced towards each other. tap...tap...tap... Their once swift footsteps had be a heavy march, yet neither hesitated, and their pace quickened with every second. Tap...Tap...Tap... ... ... DASH! Then, it was a dash, their ragged bodies running on the shattered tform. With a final roar, fueled by adrenaline and sheer, desperate will, they unleashed theirst attacks. "Cleaving Arc!" Jan''s cry pierced the air. His broadsword erupted with a final surge of aura, a blinding crescent of power that arced towards Louise. The technique, born of his raw strength and his indomitable spirit, represented the culmination of his battle today. Louise, pride zing in his eyes, answered in kind. "Skyward Strike!" His polearm buzzed with the final me. With a desperate effort, Louise thrust the glowing weapon overhead, channelling thest of his aura into a single, devastating upward aura sh. ... ... Time seemed to freeze ¨C two attacks, their trajectories crossing. CRASHHHH!!!! The azure arc met the crimson strike, their auras shing in an explosion of light a sound that sent tremors rippling through the stadium. For a heartbeat, the arena held its breath. Watching on as the two auras fight for the winner... CRACK! ... CRACKKK!! Then it happened. The azure arc tore through Louise''s attack. With a deafening BANG!, Jan''s attack continued its path. "...!" Louise, filled with shocked disbelief in his eyes, reflexively extended a hand towards the sphere of crackling me, trying to direct its path. But it was toote. SHAWWWWW! The Cleaving Arc struck Louise in the chest, sending him flying. His battered body tumbled across the wreckage, his polearm slipping from his hand. haah...haah...haah... He skidded to a stop at the very edge of the stage, his breathing shallow. Jan, his own strength utterly spent, remained standing, barely. His sword quivered, its point driven deep into the fractured stone, supporting his exhausted frame. His eyes fixed on Louise''s motionless form, a wave of relief and disbelief washing over him. The arena remained silent broken only by the rasp of Louise''s forced breaths and the ttering of stone as rubble crumbled under Jan''s trembling legs. Then, the announcer''s voice pierced the silence, shattering the illusion of stillness. "The Winner Of the semifinal by knockout... everyone give it up for Jan Ates!" His voice boomed across the arena, shattering the silence that hung over the battlefield. For a breathless moment, the crowd was frozen, stunned into disbelief. Then, like thunder breaking after a storm, a roar of apuse and cheers erupted. It was over. Jan, against all odds, had imed victory. _____________ Authors Notes: - Jan''s strongest named move attack is Cleaving Arc. - Louise released his first-ever aura sh during the final moments of their battle. Chapter 93: Adorn [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: VIP Suite 1#] The match, against all expectations, had ended. Louise, once the clear favourite, had been soundly defeated. "WHAT?! How did¡­?" Kang''s voice sputtered, filled with shock and disbelief. "Louise was dominating! He had that boy cornered, but somehow¡­" Gerrard, his expression excited and deep thought, cut him off. "It was unfortunate," Gerrard shrugged, his gaze never leaving the arena floor, where the medical team tended to Louise. "It was a battle for the history books, the best I''ve witnessed at this level in a long time." Kang slumped into his seat, the fight''s unexpected oue weighing heavily upon him. He was fiercely proud of his son''s skill and determination, but the image of Louise being carried off the tform on a stretcher gnawed at him. "That fight," he murmured, "it was extraordinary." Gerrard nodded, agreeing with Kang. "And with thatst exchange¡­" He trailed off, then asked, "Aren''t you going to check on your son? Comfort him?" Kang scoffed, a familiar air of stubborn pride settling around him. "He''s tough. He''ll recover," he said dismissively. "Besides," he added, "Louise hates it when I console him. A loss like this¡­ he needs to process it himself." Gerrard nodded back with a thoughtful hum. Then, changing the subject, he asked, "That attack Louise had prepared¡­ the one in the air. Any idea why he didn''t unleash it?" Kang paused, considering the question. "Who knows?" He finally admitted. "But knowing Louise, he probably wanted the fight to drag on longer. He hated the idea of an easy victory. And let''s face it: Jan wasn''t exactly in a position to retaliate." Gerrard nodded in agreement. "But just how powerful was that attack?" he asked, the curiosity evident in his tone. "Would it have been enough to break the barriers shielding the crowd?" Kang shrugged. "I suppose anything''s possible," he admitted. "Although¡­ something tells me that he lost some power after activating his Elemental Zone. Maybe he wasn''t confident it would be a sure hit. Or¡­" Here he paused, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Or maybe it was the principle of the thing. We''ll never know, but that attack certainly added anotheryer of danger to an already fierce fight." *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Student Section Stands] Beautiful... It was so beautiful. That fight was something I''ll never see again. From the first sh of their des to the final, desperate exchange of blows, it was a majestic disy, of technical quality and raw skill. So far in this transmigration, I have witnessed plenty of fights, but I don''t think anything is beating this. Watching their auras sh was like something straight out of an anime. The winds, the thunder, the blinding light... had they hired actors for this? It was so over-the-top but also perfect. And Louise¡­ to see an Elemental Zone in person¡­ it was breathtaking. Jan, however, surprised me most of all. His Divine Conqueror showed just how different his experience was,pared to when he achieved it at the end of the first-year arc. While his original limit of using DC was five minutes, it seemed that the time limit was cut in half, judging by the early signs of his exhaustion. But this was the result of his inexperience and hisck of mana control, which probably was the reason why the course of the battle was changing heavily in Louise''s favour. Even after the copse of Louise''s elemental zone, Jan relied purely on aura, after he could no longer use DC which was, in its own way, impressive. With the battle now done the medical staff rushed onto the scene with a stretcher carrying Louise. Where Jan, was being supported off the field by medical staff. The arena looked like a disaster zone. Half the stage was rubble, and I couldn''t help but wonder if the staff had a spare arena on hand. Hopefully, someone packed superglue for this... [Ring... ring...] My head swam with dizziness. Damn, the system again? Ugh, I''d left Do Not Disturb on. Notifications, temporarily silenced, were waiting... FWANG! [Mr Axel! >:(] "What?" The system was mad? [Did you not see the message I''ve tried to sent you?] "No." [Mr. Axel this was CRITICAL...] What was so important? FWANG! [Get away from the stadium NOW! The Blue ming Sphere could break the barrier!] Wait... Louise''s attack was strong enough to break Oberon''s barrier? That meant... So much for watching the fight. Well no matter, I just wanted to see this fight regardless of the oue but now that it''se to an end. BZZZT!, BZZZT! My gaze shifted downwards, and a shiver ran down my spine as I checked my watch. The notifications regarding the match schedule finally popped up. [Match Schedule Update!] [Due to broken stages your match has been dyed...] [Stage: Semi-Finals] [Name: Rel Laurence] [Matches Completed: 24] [Match Number: 2] [Oppon: Valencia Freya - (Arena A) -] [Time: 4:30 PM] - [Main Stage Repairs Underway] The inevitable was postponed... should I practice with a bow? It''s been ages... But a thought crept up in my mind thinking, Valencia... She''s the favourite now if Jan can''t use DC. But Jan... he''s the strongest. What''s the point of being called that if you lose? Would he win? Who knows... Even if I managed to beat Valencia, I needed a way to counter Jan''s aura techniques. That''s the thing about aura ¨C it''s not about des, it''s about countering magic itself. Aura doesn''te from mana, ites from the core of a person. That''s why it looks different for everyone. But what makes it strong, what fuels it... was pure willpower ¨C a deep connection to yourself. Aura is like desire, the stronger one''s desire is, the more powerful one bes but even with a stronger resolve than anyone else, they too need be strong. But in the novel, masters of aura call it a ''theory'', but as the author of the book, that''s the fundamental truth of aura. Haaah... What am I even going to do? nning for Valencia feels pointless... it''s all about reacting to what she throws at me. If she goes for the quick knockout, I''m done. But... if I can drag this out, maybe... Maybe I have a chance when she runs dry. Her only real weakness is the ultimate ability ¨C Shrouded Storm (Aka: elemental zone). Once she uses it, her mana''s gone, no stamina left. But forcing her hand... that''s the hard part. I''m gonna have to rely on pure luck here, and that''s not exactlyforting... [Time: 3:24] Damn it. I nced at my watch. I had to find Morwen before the match and see what he was after. The thought of paying for that information still made my blood boil. Maybe if I''m lucky enough... *** [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Student Lobby] Stepping out of the Hyperstasis chamber, Jan stretched his muscles, a satisfied smile on his lips. The remaining aches and pains of the fight were fading fast thanks to the advanced healing technology. His mind, however, was still thinking back to that moment... Thatst exchange with Louise... Why did he hold back when victory was in his grasp? Jan knew of his overwhelming arrogance, But it was the final act of pride that refused to win through any means. Or was there something more, something Jan hadn''t considered? He pushed the thought aside for now. There would be time to think about itter. ... ... The lobby buzzed with students waiting to see Jan, but his focus snapped to Cam''s voice. "Jan!" She ran towards him, worry etched on her face. "Are you alright?" Jan chuckled softly, raising a hand in greeting. "Yeah, I''m fine. Just a bit sore." Cam frowned, not content with his words, and grabbed his hands, inspecting them. "Scars? Anything?" "All healed," Jan mumbled, staring down at their hands for a bit too long before snapping back to the present. Lyra and Bazz, panting, joined them. "Honestly, Cami," Lyra puffed, "You ran like he was on fire." Bazz snorted. "Right? It''s not like he was gonna drop dead." Cam''s brow furrowed, her expression hardening. POW! Her fist connected with Bazz''s jaw before he could blink. A startled yelp escaped his lips as he clutched his reddening cheek. "Ow! Why''d you hit me?" Cam''s re could curdle milk. "Because you''re annoying me," she stated tly. Bazz, rubbing his bruised cheek, muttered, "Why don''t you hit Lyra instead?" He cast a hopeful nce at the golden retriever, who happily wagged her tail in response. Cam rolled her eyes. "Her name is not Bazz that''s why" she pointed out, her irritation lessening looking at Lyra. Jan cut in before their usual banter could escte. "Speaking of matches, where''s Valencia?" Cam turned, "After your fight ended," she exined, "she excused herself and headed straight for the training rooms. Her match got postponed, thanks to you two." "...!" Jan winced and scratched his head sheepishly. "We did?" he admitted with a sheepish grin. "Sorry about that, Didn''t mean to cause any trouble." Bazz pped him on the back. "No need to be sorry for winning, Jan!" he boomed. "You fought like Aurelia back there, I always knew you were gonna win." Lyra''s nod and sweet "Congrats, Jan" Their support warmed him, despite the guilt about the dy. Jan couldn''t help but smile. "Thanks, guys," he said genuinely. As the conversation died down slightly, Jan''s eyes drifted across the student lobby. A familiar figure caught his eye, A student who had messy bed hair, was standing at the far end of the hallway. He looked way too familiar for him to not recognise. Jan squinted to see who it was... "Rel?" He blinked. No crossbow, but a polished silver bow... that looked eerily familiar. A strange feeling settled in his gut. What was Rel up to? And why was he not using his main weapon? ______________ Authors notes: - No Authors Notes Today D: Chapter 94: Hidden [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Training Room 1#] [3:35 PM] SLASH!!! Deep within the traininng rooms passing time, Valencia stood before a specialized training dummy, its toughened form designed to withstand even the most powerful attacks. No matter how hard she tried, Valencia couldn''t replicate the technique she''d glimpsed during Jan''s fight with Louise. "Those shes..." she muttered, her brow furrowed in concentration. "How could Jan release them so effortlessly? Generating aura is tricky, but for him, it seemed as natural as breathing..." With a determined look in her eyes, Valencia gripped her katana. The familiar weight in her hand brought a sense offort. Whammm... She infused the de with her aura, the clear, radiant glow enveloping the weapon. "Maybe if I do this..." She took a deep breath, focusing every ounce of her energy through her body. SWING!!! Standing several meters back from the dummy, she swung her katana. It wasn''t a physical strike, but a focused release of the aura she had gathered. ... ... "huhhh?!" Silence hung in the air, Valencia watched her de release no type of aura, It looked more like she was fighting empty air. Valencia frowned. All her hard work and the aura vanished! It wasn''t fair. "What am I doing wrong?" she muttered, frustrationcing her voice. "Is it even necessary to learn this against Rel? Those... flukes of his... they couldn''t possibly work against someone like me right." For a moment, she felt a sudden doubt. Perhaps this focus was misced. Her match with Rel was getting closer. Was this practice worth it? Maybe she wouldn''t learn the move in time. But something stubborn inside her wouldn''t give up. Valencia was nothing if not determined. She remembered the purity of Jan''s aura shes. They were amazing, the kind of technique she wanted. Valencia knew it would be rude to bother Jan right after his big fight. He needed time to rest. She''d figure it out herself until he felt better. Suddenly, something clicked. "How the heck did Rel make it this far?" ... ... [shback...] [After the round of 16] [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Allen''s Cafe] The atmosphere in Allen''s Cafe was unusually quiet. Cam and Lyra, normally energetic and cheerful, wore defeated expressions after their Round of 16 losses. Valencia, watched them sympathetically walk over to her table confused by their usual energy. Getting up from her seat Valencia walked towards the two, "It''s okay," she murmured, gently patting their heads. "You two did well to make it this far." Genuine smiles bloomed on their faces as they returned her affection with enthusiastic hugs. "You''re so cute when you''re nice, Val!" Lyra squealed, squeezing extra hard. "Yeah, this side of you is the best," Cam agreed, clinging to Valencia. Valencia pretended to be annoyed and shoved them off, but a tiny smile twitched on her lips. "Get off me," she grumbled, "Can''t breathe." ... ... Valencia broke the silence when they sat down and ordered their usual stuff. "So... What''s got you two so down?" Cam, eyes sparkling, couldn''t help but gush. "My match... it was practically a date!" she dered, getting dreamy. "The way Jan caught me when I slipped, and that worried look... ugh, perfect!" She sighed. "Too bad it wasn''t longer..." pffft.... Valencia could barely hold back augh. "That''s great," she managed to say tly. She turned to Lyra. "What about you, pup? Who''d you face?" Lyra slumped, her tail barely twitching with its usual enthusiasm. "Noah," she sighed. "He''s good. Really good. I ended up having to forfeit ¨C I couldn''t keep up." "And you, Val?" Lyra returned the question, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "Miya," Valencia answered with a dismissive shrug. "He was decent. Like Jan, but a little less worn down." She deliberately downyed her victories, her attention already drifting elsewhere. Cam noticed Valencia staring off into space. "Speaking of Jan... I saw him with Rel yesterday," she said, trying to sound casual. "They seem to be getting along." "...!" Lyra gasped. "Really? I''ve noticed them together in ss, too. Jan even walked across the room to ask Rel for help on thatst quiz..." Her words trailed off, a mix of surprise and curiosity in her voice. Valencia had been silent on the topic, was still a little curious about him. Rel, who was unknown always seemed to be at the centre of their conversations. This person¡­ he was a mystery, a puzzle she couldn''t quite solve. Yet, an unfamiliar sense of annoyance flickered within her as she tried to dismiss her interest. Just then, Lyra''s enthusiastic voice cut through her thoughts. "Oh! Did you know Rel was first in his knockout bracket as well?" Cam''s eyes widened as she nced at Lyra''s watch. "No way. Was he hiding his strength as well?" For a moment, Valencia''s interest was undeniably piqued as she nced at Rel''s record. For a second, Valencia couldn''t hide her interest. Twenty wins was super impressive for someone ranked so low. But then, forcing herself to look bored, she turned away. He''s just an archer. No way he''ll use a bow against me. Everyone knows he only uses a crossbow. Lyra waved her watch in the air, showing the tournament results. [Group E Bracket:] [(1) Rel Laurence - W: 20 - T: 0 - L: 0] [(2) Christopher Kurtado - W: 14 - T: 3 - L: 3] [(3) Melvyn David - W: 13 - T: 2 - L: 5] ... ... [(14) Reece Keffy - W: 8 - T: 2 - L: 10] [(20) Jazmine Mockerick - W: 1 - T: 0 - L: 19] Lyra, sensing Valencia''s subtle curiosity, seized the moment. "Actually, that might not be the whole story¡­," she teased. "Did you know his opponents had average ranks of 700 to 900? Talk about lucky!" "Really lucky..." Cam spoke. "Could be," Lyra admitted. "I even managed to find a few highlights of his fights¡­ want to see?" [Video ying...] > - "Rel Connects his fist at the centre of Christophers stomach!!! wow! He''s not just your ordinary archer... >- "Talking about uracy... Rel had pierced the calf of his opponent and is no longer able to stand!" [yback end...] As the video clips yed on Lyra''s watch, a strange feeling settled over Valencia. Rel''s victories were¡­ underwhelming. Not due tock of skill, but because his opponents seemed to copse before he could finish them... was it luck? It was an odd pattern, one that remained at the back of her mind, but she couldn''t put her finger on why it bothered her so much. [shback end...] "..." The shback faded, leaving Valencia once again alone with her thoughts and the silent training dummy. Her grip on her katana tightened as she revisited the snippets of Rel''s fights. Those strange victories... Maybe he was hiding his strength all this time... but it doesn''t exin all of his fluke-like wins. Valencia tried to figure it out. Maybe it was his crossbow? But that didn''t make sense either. It wouldn''t exin why he was winning so easily. Must be pure luck, she decided. "That crossbow of his..." she wondered. "Wouldn''t a bow use the same fundamental principles?" A finger traced along the curve of her shining de then drifted thoughtfully to her chin. A thought experiment began to form within her mind. [dream harp sound effect insert] A cloud bubble burst above Valencia... "Both have strings¡­" She visualized tight strings and the way they both have potential energy. "Both rely on tension and a release of force¡­" She recalled the familiar weight of a drawn bowstring, mirroring the way a crossbow is cocked for maximum impact. "And the reloading process..." The image of the automatic arrow creator appeared as a recent innovation that magically generated standard, attributeless arrows directly into a weapon''s area. "It''s the same for both. Whether pulled from a quiver or generated on the spot¡­ the principle is identical." Her eyes narrowed, the pieces of the puzzle beginning to click into ce. "So, maybe the difference isn''t so much the weapon... but the person wielding it?" The idea swirled in her mind, teasing at a deeper understanding of the nature ofbat. "I''m just overthinking it..." She muttered looking back towards the silent dummy. It was a concept that was interested her. Perhaps, she realized, her focus on Jan''s aura shes had been a distraction. It wasn''t the specific technique that mattered, but the underlying mastery it represented. Rel''s victories were different, but maybe no less a testament to his own hidden skills. Her gaze fell upon her katana once more. "Time to stop overthinking," she muttered, fueling her movements. "Focus on getting this technique right, Valencia..." STAREEEEEEEEEE A prickle of unease rippled down Valencia''s spine. The air in the training room seemed to thicken, this pressure was like no other. What Valencia had sensed... it was danger. "Who''s there?" Her voice, usually cool and controlled, carried a feeling of unease. "...!" ____________ Authors Note: - the word tail is just an exaggeration ofLyra being perceived like a dog with Valencia and Cam. - Jan was having a hard time taking the fight between him and Cam seriously, as she tried to get close and personal with Jan... Especially when she told the academy she was a caster mage. - Caster mages are supposed to stay back to give support inrge-scale battles. - Duelist mages are suited for all types ofbat. Chapter 95: Hidden (2) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Inner Section Hallway] Morwen paced the deserted inner hallways of the main arena, his footsteps echoing in the emptiness. The crowds were long gone, the cheers and excitement of Louise and Jan''s battle added... His watch scanned the environment, analyzing the structure of the stadium, noting security weaknesses, and mappingplex details onto the watch''s disy. click! With a decisive click, he terminated the scan and contacted Kayn. Ring... Kayn answered right away. "Evening, Master," Kayn''s voice crackled through the earpiece. "What can I do for you?" Morwen spoke with confidence, his eyes focused on the disyed map on his watch. "I''vepleted the initial scans of the arena''s inneryers. Transmit potential waypoints for mana insertion." He paused. "And is Franz up to date with the internal mapping? I''ll need theyout as urate as possible." "..." A startled sound from Kayn''s end made Morwen roll his eyes inwardly and he knew something was up. "Is there something wrong Kayn?" Morwen asked with a concerned voice. ... ... "Apologies, master. There seems to be another bandit intrusion. Give me a moment ¨C" Kayn''s voice cut off abruptly, reced by the sounds of a scuffle. Morwen could picture the exasperated scowl on his subordinate''s face. "FRANZ! WHY IN THE F**K ARE YOU TAKING SO LONG?" Kayn screamed, "ARE YOU BINGE-WATCHING ON MY NETFLIX ACCOUNT AGAIN? GET OVER HERE NOW!" thud... thud... thud... The footsteps followed by the sound of crashing furniture filtered through the earpiece. "AHHH! YOU SAID WHAT! F**K YOU KAYN!" CRASH!!! haah... Morwen barely suppressed a sigh. His two trusted subordinates were fighting once more, something that was out of his control. Ding! Kayn returned to the line, sounding slightly out of breath. "Bandits dealt with, master. Mapping data and points of interest are being uploaded to your watch now. Be warned, Pinnacle''s technicians aren''t easily fooled. Choose cement areas with a minimum security presence." "Understood," Morwen replied curtly. Cutting the connection, he scanned the updated information disyed on his watch. fwang! [Current Map Points Of Interest: 4] [Data Analysis: ?] Morwen looked at the question mark before proceeding to walk through the potential waypoints highlighted in the inner corridors, "Hm... It makes sense since I haven''t explored the entire building yet." Morwen muttered, ''I only have about 3-4 chances to get this right and if she''s not within the right location then this mission is nothing but failure." Morwen quickly passed through another secure area, unchecked by the blinking red warnings in areas with higher surveince. It would be a light operation, but Morwen was nothing if not careful. This evening, he wouldy the groundwork for a power y that would shake the very foundations of Pinnacle Academy. Morwen continued his silent lookout through the empty hallways, the echo of footsteps his only was the only sound heard throughout the empty sections of the stadium. Swing! Swing! But the sounds of the arena shifted. A swing of a sword pierced the rhythmic thud of his own movement ¨C the sharp whistle of a de cutting through the air, followed by the muffled impact of metal striking a solid target. Curiosity nudged him for a moment. Who would be training at this hour, when the semi-finals were close? Yet, it was the discipline and focus that quickly overruled fleeting interest. Distractions, no matter how appealing, were obstacles to therger n. With a precise touch, he flung another trace of mana on the wall, adding it to the web he was weaving throughout the arena. ... [Five minutester...] ... Five minutester, and a circuitpleted, he found himself back where he''d begun. The relentless sound of the sword still echoed from behind a nearby door. Now, with his taskplete, a shred of that earlier curiosity resurfaced. Who was this dedicated soul, practising with such intensity at this hour? "Perhaps a student¡­ who doesn''t care about the semi-finals?" he wondered, a hint of a smile twitching at his lips. He briefly considered indulging himself, catching a glimpse of this determined individual before his departure. But then a sound of a familiar voice spoke within the room. "Then again, maybe I''m just overthinking this¡­" Moving closer he saw a sign before the door, its official title barely readable in the dim lighting: "Training Room #1". Approaching stealthily, he risked a careful nce through one of the small windows set into the heavy door. At first, all he saw was the battered practice dummy, standing eerily silent. Suddenly, he saw someone move! His eyes went wide. It was a girl, too fast to see clearly, swinging a sword. Her de glowed with aura, but... something went wrong. She swung at nothing but air. There was something familiar about her¡­ The voice, echoing through the door, startled him into recognition. She looked as if she had matched the description of Morwen''s vessel... And as everything clicked into ce, it seemed the person he had been looking for all along was right in front of him. Valencia. The realization sent a ripple of disbelief through him. The carefullyid traps, the careful nning... all of it suddenly felt useless. But it was an opportunity that knocked, louder and far more direct than he''d ever dared to hope. His next step was instinctual. He reached for the handle, intent on throwing caution to the wind. After all, why bother with traps when his target was right there? But in his haste, his control slipped. A fraction of his presence, that chilling aura he usually kept concealed, leaked out, a brief ripple in the air. He froze as he felt Valencia''s own presence jolt in response. "Who''s there?" Her voice, sharp as her de, pierced the silence. "Shit..." He''d been careless. Decisions had to be made, and quickly. Should he flee, or should he seize this unexpected chance? The world seemed to slow to a crawl. Morwen''s hand hovered just inches from the doorknob, his entire being screaming with the urge to seize this unexpected opportunity. But fate had thrown a wrench in his carefullyid ns. "Who are you?" The voice cut through the air like a whip, its icy tone carrying a sharp edge of suspicion. The shadows in the hall seemed to lengthen, stretching into an unnatural darkness that mirrored Morwen''s own hidden nature. ________________ Authors Notes: - Each stadium training room has noise-cancelling walls to keep students inside focused. Chapter 96: Hidden (3) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: ISH:1 Front Of Training Room 1#] "Who are you?" Morwen wanted to burst through the door and grab Valencia. Every part of him screamed at him to do it. He turned toward the voice. In the shadows, something huge took shape. Something monstrous. A tall, hulking figure, the silhouette barely discernible, but releasing an aura of power that rivalled even his own. Fear, not for himself but for Valencia, ignited a cold fury within him. Who was this intruder, this potential obstacle standing between him and his goal? He wanted to kill this threat, this unknown person. sha... He almost attacked, but his magic quickly dispelled in his hands... Morwen had known he was outnumbered, and this could blow his cover. His disguise was good, but if this person was really powerful, they might see through it. All he had to do was stick to the n and just y it carefully, turning this situation to his advantage. ... ... The tension crackled in the air. He forced himself to stand still, his presence receding back into the shadows. He had miscalcted. This was no longer a simple snatch-and-grab operation. Should he speak until the person is in clear view or should he just wait until he speaks once more? tap...tap...tap... The unknown figure moved in closer, his form bing more distinct in the light. "...!" Now, Morwen could make out the faint outline of a face ¨C a cold, emotionless mask that sent chills down his spine. He was what all mages had feared and If it wasn''t for him. This world wouldn''t know aura, A person taught by the likes of the Great Hero Garrick, who was only second to him during his prime. The Grandmaster Of Aura... Gerrard Freya. The Pir of Miracles, stood before him, his presence an oppressive force that made Morwen''s carefully cultivated calm falter. Shock mixed with the fear, a twist of disbelief at this unforeseen appearance. This man could kill him if he used aura, especially right now. Morwen was within his striking distance. He had to escape. His mind spun, desperate ns forming and disintegrating in a matter of seconds. As Morwen''s saying goes there''s always an opportunity within crisis. STARE! Gerrard''s eyes pierced through Morwen like daggers. For a terrifying second, Morwen thought his disguise had failed. "I won''t ask again," Gerrard''s voice was cold. "Who are you?" Gerrard''s voice, deceptively calm, carried the weight of a death sentence. Morwen, trapped in the unforgiving spotlight, swallowed hard. A crazy n started to take shape in his head. It was a long shot, but... Khum! He forced a cough, then responded in a voice altered to sound younger and tinged with a foreign ent. "Just here¡­to¡­interview Valencia!" Gerrard''s brow furrowed. "Is that so?" It was obvious the excuse was thin, but it bought Morwen just a little more time to think. "Indeed!" Morwen tried to mirror the confidence in Gerrard''s tone, but his hands twitched slightly, betraying his inner tension. Gerrard leaned in, scrutinizing his face. "hmmmm..." "...!" "hmmmmmmmmmmmm!" An eternity seemed to pass as he studied him. Morwen who was drenched with sweat held his breath, every instinct screamed at him to flee. "..." Then, Gerrard''s expression softened ever so slightly. "Hey, aren''t you¡­ that reporter?" His eyes held a touch of recognition. "The one who interviewed Valencia for the Little Heroes tournament?" Morwen felt a wave of relief wash over him. It seemed that the person he disguised as might just be his salvation. "Ah, yes." His voice, still tinged with the fake ent, held a note of surprise. "That was me." Gerrard''s demeanour shifted a hint further towards casual. "That was a positive report. It helped with her Academy applications, I recall. Still... I owe you a favour for that¡­ But, it''ll have to wait until the tournament ends. I trust you wouldn''t disrupt my daughter''s training?" Morwen nodded quickly as Gerrard walked past him into the room, revealing Valencia practising her swings at literal nothingness. His gut twisted with rage. He hated backing down, especially to someone like Gerrard. It was a close call. But could he do it again? But he knew there was no time to think about it. Even though Gerrard was out of his prime, Morwen still wasn''t sure if he could win the fight between them two. But there was no time to think, He''d gotten out of trouble, for now, but he would return once more after the tournament ended. *** [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Training Room 1#] creakkkkk... The training room door creaked open, revealing Valencia''s surprised face. Her dad, the leader of the Miracle Guild, was standing in the doorway. A little smile yed on his face. "Father!" Valencia sounded a bit annoyed. "What are you doing here? I''m preparing for my match!" Gerrard just shrugged, a trace of a grin on his face. "Can''t a father check on his daughter?" He stepped further into the room, his gaze sweeping the battered training dummy. An odd expression crossed his face as his eyes settled on Valencia, her stance stiff, her katana held oddly in front of her. "Hmm," he mused, a hint of teasing humour in his voice. "What are you doing, Val? Trying to invent a new way to polish that dummy?" Valencia''s cheeks flushed slightly. It was clear her father had caught her attempting to replicate Jan''s aura sh ¨C a technique she still couldn''t quite grasp. "Just¡­practicing some new techniques," she muttered evasively. Gerrard chuckled, crossing his arms. "Darling, you''re wasting your energy swinging at thin air. Rest is essential before a big fight." Valencia was frustrated. She knew her dad was amazing, but sometimes he didn''t understand how much she wanted to get better. "I know that, Father," she said, trying not to sound too frustrated."But there''s always something more to learn..." Her words trailed off slightly as if trying to convince herself as much as him. Gerrard let out a small sigh, the yful smile gone. He walked closer and put his hands on her shoulders. "Valencia," he said, his voice softening, "You are already skilled beyond your years. Trust in your training, in your instinct. Trying to force new techniques at thest minute will only throw you off bnce." She couldn''t deny that he had a point. Valencia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, she felt a little less tense. "Okay, you''re right," she admitted. "But I''m not giving up on that move!" Her eyes sparkled with determination. That was Valencia ¨C always fighting to be better. Gerrardughed a hearty rumble that filled the training room. "Wouldn''t dream of it, my sword-loving daughter," he said, tousling her hair affectionately. "Just remember, sometimes the best preparation is simply having faith in yourself." "Father, how many times have I told you to stop messing up my hair like that!" Valencia scolded. Her father teased her a little more, a twinkle in his eye. "Why? Are you trying to impress someone?" Valencia pouted. "No!" She fixed her hair, a blush creeping up her cheeks. BZZZZT! BZZZZT! Just as her father was about to say something, his watch buzzed with an iing message. His expression shifted. "Valencia, I have to go now. I''ll be watching your fight from the stands, just remember¡­ To do your best!" He spoke, as his voice trailed off. Gerrard quickly left the training room, his parting words remaining in the air. Valencia waved goodbye, a mix of excitement and confidence swirling within her. "Okay..." _____________ Authors Notes: - Gerrard being known as the Grandmaster Of Aura is the only user to have mastered the 3 major techniques. Chapter 97: Hidden (4) | Her Sword and His Bow {Valencia''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Training Room] My fingers traced the smooth hilt of my Katana. Father always insisted that I rest before a big match, but I had forgotten why I needed a technique like this to beat this guy... Rel? I recalled when Fredrick had told me there was no one worth recruiting in the Mirracles guild. Besides my friends, who I knew were strong, I didn''t think anyone else in my grade was anything special. Lately, I''ve started to question my initial assessment of my year group. Seeing them push their limits makes me wonder if I underestimated them. They''re undeniably strong. But, it''s unfair to attribute their sess to luck. Him, especially ¨C there''s no way he made it this far without some real skill. He barely used any mana... his movements were so strange like he wasn''t even defending himself. And his fighting style waspletely unorthodox. The whole thing was a mystery. He had almost no mana signature as well. And the way he used his crossbow? It was like he hadn''t even been serious in earlier matches. Surely someone like that wasn''t worth worrying about, right? BZZZZT!, BZZZZZT! My watch buzzed, yanking me out of my head. [Time: 3:57 PM] [Match Schedule Update] [Due to broken stages your match has been dyed...] [Stage: Semi-Finals] [Name: Valencia Freya] [Matches Completed: 24] [Match Number: 2] [Oppon: Rel Laurence - (Arena A) -] [Time: 4:30 PM] - [Main Stage Repairs Underway] Half an hour until the fight. I guess it was time to leave the training room and head for the Arena Tunnel. Let''s see if this guy takes our match seriously, or if he''s just been lucky. *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Medical Bay] I sat outside the Medical Bay waiting area, scanning the faces of passing students and the asional reporter trying to sneak past without proper ID. Still no sign of Morwen... Why wasn''t he swooping in on Louise''s weakened state? In the novel, his whole obsession was making Louise the perfect Devil vessel, But originally Morwen would''ve approached Louise right before the tower arc to deliver him that insufferable trade for power, But it seems that the story was progressing way too soon but now he''d gone quiet. I wouldn''t bet my life on him leaving empty-handed. Haah... I sighed, my fingers tracing the smooth curve of Jae Yoona''s bow across myp. I couldn''t imagine breaking this... And if I did, there would be some serious consequences. Even a quiet Jae could be terrifying when angry. [Rel''s Imagination...] "You broke my bow? After I trusted you? Oh, money won''t fix this. Better start taking double notes for the rest of the semester." "NOOOOOO!" Rel dropped to his knees as Jae dropped the shattered remains of her bow into hisp. ... ... A shiver ran down my spine at the thought. "...!" Sitting up straight, I heard voices echoing down the hallway. Looking to my left I could see 3 familiar faces and they seem to go by dumb, dumber, and dumbest, also known as ''Louise''sckeys''. I wonder what they could be here for. But I already knew the answer, so I listened on to catch their conversation. "...hope Louise likes this..." Thiago smirked, waving a mana potion. "That''s all you got for Mr Villerion after that loss?" Sergio scoffed. Even with his limping calf, he was trying to puff out his chest. Carlos, crutch tucked under his arm, sounded unsure. "Should we even visit after he got wrecked by Jan?" "Of course! we are future members of the Trinity Centurions, we had already pleaded our loyalty to Louise!" Thiago preached. They froze when they reached the bay, finding me practically guarding the door. "..." Thiago red. "What are you doing here?" So much for basic manners. I barely looked at them. "What?" I said, giving a fake check of my watch. "...EEK!" "...!" pffft... Carlos flinched so hard I almostughed and Sergio took a step back. Yeah, I probably traumatized these guys a bit. Sergio got lucky ¨C Carlos took the worst of it. Thiago turned to Carlos, a frown appeared on his lips. "Did you just scream?" Carlos flinched, his face turning red. "I didn''t, you must be hearing things!" "Whatever. But seriously..." Thiago narrowed his eyes at me. "What''s a nobody like you doing at Louise''s door?" I shrugged, masking my true intentions. "Just happened to be passing by, saw Louise was here. I was just paying my respects." BZZZZT!, BZZZZT! My watch buzzed. The timing couldn''t be any more perfect. I stood up, stepping past the trio. As they moved out of my way, Thiago couldn''t resist a parting shot. "You? First-timing a bow like that against Valencia? You''re living in a dream world!" He paused whispering, "what was his name again Carlos?" "Rel, I think?" "Right. Rel, you''re living in a dream world if you think you stand a chance against Louise''s future vice leader." A wave of disgust washed over me. Louise is the most delusional character I''ve ever written... Ignoring their taunts, I continued towards the arena tunnel entrance. Let them think whatever. Honestly, even I wasn''t sure how this fight would go. ... ... [10 minutester...] ... ... [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Arena Intersection] The bow bumped against Rel''s back as he hurried along. Nervous about the semi-final? A little. Mostly he was imagining the sweet power-up waiting for him even if he lost. He was so lost in his daydream, he barely noticed where he was going. BUMP! He stumbled,nding with a totally embarrassing thump. "Seriously," he grumbled, "who manages to trip someone in an empty hallway..." He nced up to see their face and his jaw dropped. "Ouch..." Valencia. Mirroring his own shock. She checked her empty scabbard, then looked up. "...!" As her face transformed into a deep frown. "...Tch..." She quickly got to her feet with a sharp click of her tongue and brushed past him. "Seriously..." Rel muttered under his breath. What was her problem? He watched her go, a puzzled feeling leaving him more off-bnce than the fall did. ... ... Ugh, could this day get any worse? I wished I could rewind thosest few seconds... How did I not see where I was going? Of all the people to bump into, it had to be him. Seriously! I was so caught up in deciding what I wanted to eat, after the match that my brain basically went on autopilot. If I''d known he''d be passing through, I''d have taken the other intersection, even if it meant a slightly longer walk. At least it would have spared me this awkwardness. And... was that Yoona''s bow? It looked so familiar... what was he doing with it? "There''s no way he''s going into that match with Yoona''s bow, right?" Valencia muttered to herself. It made zero sense. Heroes spent their whole lives perfecting one weapon... why switch now, especially in the semi-finals? Had hepletely lost his mind? Or... was there something else going on? A trick? Was he mocking her or was it a hidden strategy that she couldn''t figure out? The thought nagged at her, a feeling of unease settled in her confidence. tap...tap...tap... Her steps slowed as she reached her designated arena tunnel entrance. "ID, please," the guard requested, his voice dull and routine. *** [Pinnnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Student Section Stands] [Time: 4:15 PM] "When''s this fight gonna start?" Bazz grumbled, drumming his fingers impatiently. "Feels like it''s been an hour!" "It''s been ten minutes, dummy," Lyra retorted with an eye roll. Cam tried to smooth things over. "Can''t wait to see Valencia beat up Re- I mean, can''t wait for the fight! Should be a good one." She nudged Jan meaningfully, as she checked her watch for the time. Bazz whipped around to face Jan. "So, who do you think will win?" Cam and Lyra, mirroring each other, erupted: "Valencia!" They even struck a synchronized, victorious pose. Jan just smiled. "I''m not so sure," he admitted. "This fight... there''s just something about it. A good feeling." "When you say ''good feeling'', are you talkin'' about Valencia absolutely wrecking Rel?" Bazz asked, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. Jan, without missing a beat, flicked Bazz''s forehead. "Don''t say it like that." "ACK!" Bazz screamed, rubbing the sore spot. "That hurt, Jan!" Jan chuckled, a hint of something else in his eyes. As he thought to himself, Jan said, "he might be taking this fight seriously..." _____________ Authors Notes: - The arena has 2 intersections so that the two uing fighters wouldn''t see each other before their initial match. - On her way to the arena tunnel Valencia watched an ad about bubble tea which stalled her for 10 minutes before bumping into Rel. - The reason why Rel doesn''t like writing down notes for theory is because of how much information he has to copy from the system which takes up the majority of his free ss time. Chapter 98: Her Sword And His Bow (2) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] "So, Gerrard... your daughter''s facing the surprise of the tournament. Any predictions?" Kang watched, shame twisting his gut. Gerrard wouldn''t shut up. How Valencia had beaten Jan a few years ago, but Louise couldn''t? The gloating was unbearable. Each word was another blow, magnifying Louise''s failure ¨C and the shameful victory of his daughter''s friend. Now, all he could do was pray. Pray that his ambitious daughter would also fall, humbled by this... this nobody archer. Gerrard sighed. "I stand by my daughter, of course. But this boy...he''s an outlier. Unpredictable." "True enough," Kang conceded. "But given what we know of your daughter''s skills, and how that archer fights..." Gerrard nodded slowly. "His ability to recover in dire situations is uncanny. Rumour has it, he gave a brutal beating in an earlier round and still pulled through." "Ah yes, I''ve heard," Kang mused. "The other boy is a friend of my son..." Gerrard''s eyes flickered down to the arena floor, awaiting Valencia''s entrance. "How''s your son? Recovering well, I hope?" "The doctors say he depleted his mana reserves. They''ve warned him off powerful techniques like that elemental zone he disyed." Kang paused. "The mana scans... they spiked when Louise''s mana signature peaked during the fight." Gerrard raised an eyebrow. "Impressive stamina after so much mana loss. Interesting." A hint of tension remained beneath his words, a tension Kang picked up on. "Something worrying you?" Kang asked. Gerrard turned, his expression serious. "Not worried....simply unprepared for the possibility of Valencia losing." *** [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] "Good evening, everybody! I hope you''ve enjoyed the tournament so far!" The announcer''s amplified voice boomed across the stadium. He paused, letting the watchful hush fall over the arena. "Because today, fighting for their ce in the final, we have two undefeated powerhouses! On our left, the surprise of the semis, the so-called ''Uncanny Archer'' who switches fists for arrows if need be... Rel Laurence!" The crowd response was almost dead but polite pping and a few scattered cheers were heard. No one had expected Rel toe so far. "And on our right... a fighter who needs no introduction! A force to be reckoned with, her nickname strikes fear into even the strongest opponents: the Sword Saint, Valencia Freya!" A roar erupted as Valencia stepped into the spotlight. Wolf whistles and shouts of "Kill that archer, Freya!" echoed from the predominantly male student section. Valencia approached the centre, her eyes locked on Rel. And there he was ¨C not using his usual crossbow, but now a bow. Had he been holding back? The thought sent a shiver of unease through her. Yet... that same emptiness, thepleteck of mana within him, remained. It was just as confusing as ever. He seemed calm so calm it made Valencia frustrated. She had to be smart.Because of the sudden switch up of crossbow to bow she needed to be careful of what he could do. Since there was no way she was charging in blind. If those arrows held techniques that could potentially beat her, she might need to unleash a form immediately. A sh of her near-defeat by Jae Yoona shed in her mind. She was too reckless, using her Elemental Zone so early. She wouldn''t make that mistake again. Archers were one thing... but this felt different. This fight could be herst. *** {Rel''s POV} The roar of the crowd washed over me as I stepped through the gates. Announced names, nicknames, I barely heard it. All I saw was her. Valencia. A flicker of tension in those eyes, but nothing I could read. My own nerves buzzed under my skin...haaah...I''m feeling the pressure... Sure, I put on a calm face, but deep down inside, I was terrified. I knew Valencia''s power ¨C her elemental zone: storm-shroud, the ten forms, and all of her abilities. This fight will be the death of me... Because I knew I made the mistake of progressing so far in this tournament. I was caught up with what I wanted to do...and it was to stay alive in this world. I needed to be strong, for myself, and for this story. But Is it all even worth it, this world I had written? That''s what I have to find out. "Are our fighters ready? Please raise your weapons!" The announcer''s voice echoed through the arena. Valencia drew her katana, a sh of steel in the spotlight. Her face was a mask of focus, and I felt a chill, not from nerves, but from the knowledge this was a fight I wasn''t prepared for. My fingers trembled as I reached for the bowstring, fumbling to get a grip. Finally, I raised my bow, my eyes meeting Valencia''s gaze. huuuu... I took a deep breath, trying to steady the trembling in my hands. Focus. All I had to do was wait for the countdown. Survive the first few seconds. Then... I had no idea what to do. The announcer''s voice pierced the tense silence. "Okay! Let''s get this match going! Three... two... one... FIGHT!" *** A tense silence hung in the air. Rel and Valencia stood frozen, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Sweat trickled down Rel''s face as he stared at Valencia. She hadn''t even blinked. "Attack dammit..." he gritted out under his breath. DASH! Suddenly, Valencia was a blur. Mana surrounded her, the air crackling with lightning. In a sh, she charged, her de clenched tight. Sparks trailed in her path, marking the incredible speed of her advance. SWING! The de arced towards Rel, a strike imbued with the fury of her element. "...!" [Sixth Sense (Passive) Has Been Activated!] [Evasiveness (Passive) Has Been Activated!] Instinct took over. Rel''s body moved before his mind could process the danger. His [Evasiveness] and [Sixth Sense] ability red, and he dodged, the lightning-charged sword, that cut through the air where he had stood just a moment before. Rel tracked backwards, after barely avoiding Valencia''s speed. If her dash was faster than his, he needed to create distance. All the opponents he had faced so far in this tournament were by no means ordinary, but a below-average student like him, going against a main character of a story was like climbing out of hell. Rel knew he couldn''t have an exact n to defeat Valencia, but he knew what archers were capable of and what he needed to do was chip away at her health, a little damage at a time. Huuuuu... With a sh, he activated [Clockwork of Time]. The world slowed, giving him a precious window of opportunity. He conjured three arrows, each infused with his elemental attribute of fire, and then aimed them straight at Valencia. TAK, TAK, TAK, Returning time to its normal pace, he watched the fiery projectiles streak towards his opponent. "...!" Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Valencia reacted. Even with the blinding speed of the arrows, herposure remained. SLASH! With a single lightning-fast upward swing, her aura-infused de shattered the ming projectiles. BOOM! The explosion that followed momentarily covered her from Rel''s view. Rel had a split second. The smoke from the explosion still hung thick in the air, momentarily obscuring him from Valencia''s sight. With a quick dash, he summoned an arrow and charged. This was his chance! As the smoke swirled, Valencia caught a glimpse of movement. "What? where did he..." Then so suddenly she saw Rel, and he was ufortably close. As she raised her de, to swing down at him she had thought he was going to shoot her within that distance... But he wasn''t using a crossbow. But what Rel had nned was far more unexpected. The arrow in his hand wasn''t aimed to shoot. He was going for a close-quarters stab! ____________________ Authors Notes: - Rel referred to Valencia as having 10 forms, this meant that she had 10 different sword techniques that she could use. - Rel''s dash towards Valencia urred within 2 seconds. Chapter 99: Her Sword And His Bow (3) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] Rel lunged, aiming the arrow for Valencia''s side. crackle...crack... But a crackle of lightning erupted in the air, the force field that protected Valencia''s side deflected the arrow and sent a jolt of electricity surging through him. Bang! Gritting his teeth, he ignored the burning pain. This was his shot! Just then, Valencia swung her de downwards in a deadly arc. Time seemed to slow down... Then suddenly. [Clockwork Of Time Has Been Activated!] Rel activated [Clockwork of Time]. The world swayed, his perception stretching as Valencia''s de, descended towards him. In that stretched moment, he twisted, the de passing a hair''s breadth from his chest. huuuu... Time snapped back to normal. Adrenaline pumping, he clenched his right hand tightly,unching his fist towards Valencia. SHAAAA!!!! [Critical Hit!] Rel''s fist connected solidly with Valencia''s lower abdomen. A sh of ck lightning erupted from the impact. The force of the blow sent Valencia staggering back. ackk! A pained gasp escaped her lips. "He... hits hard..." she muttered, eyes widening in surprise. "Should I use that form now?" Valencia''s voice sliced through the tense silence. Jan, Louise, Jae Yoona... she had the techniques she originally nned to use to counter each. If the same attack worked on Jae Yoona, then surely this one would end Rel. Was this the end? Valencia''s mind wondered. If he proves that he is by no means ordinary, then this attack will prove her theory that he is nothing but luck. TAK!, TAK!, TAK!, TAK!, TAK!, Rel didn''t waste any time, He fired off five me-infused arrows with his ability, [Quick Shot]. They streaked towards her like fiery meteors. huuuu... Valencia took a deep breath, a strange calmness settling over her. The fiery arrows raced closer. She shifted her stance, her katana held in readiness. A massive amount of lightnning was building up within her, wrapping around her body like a shield. "First Form of the Saints: Reckoning" Her voice was a thunderp, and with a sweeping motion of her de, a crescent of pure, blinding lightning erupted. It was a massive, unstoppable attack, obliterating the tiles of the tform in its path. Rel stared, his heart hammering in his chest. The lightning sh was a wall of destruction, and there was no way around it. This was it. If he couldn''t dodge in time... the match was over. [Clockwork of time has been activated!] Time slowed under the strain of his repeated uses of [Clockwork of Time]. With each second, fatigue was biting away at Rel''s stamina. He watched the lightning sh moving slowly at an inch closer towards him. Could Rel perfectly parry it with projectile disarm? But he couldn''t gamble on an ability that relied on timing. So a desperate thought shed through his mind: was this the moment to unleash the ability he''d been saving, the one hidden since the tournament began? "I guess if I got Jan, I would''ve used this anyway..." [Manifesting Mitigation''s Phenomena...] A swirling portal of light shimmered into existence as Rel activated [Mitigation Phenomena]. He could feel the immense drain on his mana, even as the pain spiked. It was almost unbearable, holding both powers active. He released his hold on [Clockwork of Time]. The world snapped back to its normal pace as the massive lightning sh closed in. Rel shut his eyes tight, hoping for a miracle. [Mitigation Phenomenon activated!] [Absorption portal manifested!] [Portal scaled to your body size!] [Re-direction set!] [Brace for impact!] The blinding light of the sh consumed Valencia''s vision. She shielded her eyes, feeling the force of the attack even from a distance. SHAAAAAAAAA! Meanwhile, Rel was absorbing the entirety of the massive arc of lightning. While trying toslowly destabilise the entirety of the attack. "Fuck..." Rel cursed, feeling the entire weight of two mountains on his shoulder. FWANG! [Warning!] [Portal instability! You will sustain damage while redirecting this attack!] Sharp pains cut through Rel''s body as the power of the absorbed energy shed against him. ... ... BANG! The sh finally dissipated, echoing against the arena barrier with a thunderous crash. Opening her eyes, Valencia found a bloodied Rel who was standing like nothing happened... "How had he survived?" Valencia''s eyes were in total shock. [Damage mitigated!] [Current Mana Reserve: 49%] HAAAH... Rel gasped for air, his body awork of burning pain. "Even with mitigation... her power is insane..." he rasped. "Seriously, who made her this powerful?" When he thought he had a little time to recover, Valencia was already on the move. Unleashing a lightning streak that sliced through the air. SHAAAAA! Rel jolted to the side, barely evading the deadly arc. His mind raced. If he didn''te up with a n ¨C and fast ¨C he was finished. ... ... "He keeps dodging," Valencia muttered, frustration gnawing at her. "It''s like time itself bends when he needs it to." Should she just activate it? Use her elemental zone to crush him with overwhelming force? She hesitated. The same mistake... Using it now left her vulnerable, and she couldn''t risk Rel having another hidden ability up his sleeve. Not when she was so close to victory. Valencia shifted into another stance. An ominous crackle of energy arced around her, a clear precursor to another devastating attack. Gritting his teeth, Rel wiped the blood and dust from his face, adjusting his grip on the bow. "No way," he muttered, his voice ragged. "I''m not going down like this..." *** [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 -Arena A: VIP suite 1#] "She did it..." Gerrard breathed, a mixture of pride and unease in his voice. "That technique... I haven''t seen it since my wife..." Kang''s eyes narrowed. "The sh of the Sword Saint. It bears the mark of your wife''s power, indeed." "She''s got the form down," Gerrard acknowledged, "yet... it''s far from perfect." "What gives you that impression?" Kang asked, genuinely curious. Gerrard leaned forward, his voice low. "The Ten Forms of the Saints are more than just physical movements. They tap into the essence of one''s soul, stamina, and elemental attributes. Each form ces immense strain on the body..." [shback to 37 years ago...] ______________ To Be Continued... ______________ ______________ Authors Notes: - Mitigation Phenomena consumes only mana, whereas Clockwork of Time consumes both mana and stamina - The 10 forms of the saints were created by Valencia''s mother the ex-sword saint. Chapter 100: Gerrard Freya Flashback (1) [Gerrard Freya shback] [37 Years Ago...] [A- Rank - Dungeon Of Horns] Gerrard Freya''s eyes adjusted to the dim interior of the dungeon. The cave seemed to breathe with moist air, it was heavy as the scent of earth and the sharp rotting smell of lurking creatures. His team, young and experienced heroes of countless subjugations, moved in practised formation. The faint luminescence of their equipment and the careful beam of the mage''s shlight were the only light, revealing rough walls, dripping stctites, and shadows that seemed too alive. An uneasy tension rippled through the air, a sense of oppressive wrongness that toyed with Gerrard''s senses Somewhere ahead, the quiet shuffling gave way to something else... monstrous roars and slithers cutting through the air. Every footstep felt like taunting a waiting beast. The infestation was heavy in this ce. "Where did you go now? She always does this..." A young Gerrard muttered under his breath. [Gerrard Freya, Age: 21 - [Member Of The Golden Horizon] - ] His worry wasn''t just for her reckless habits but for his whole team. Her absence made the unease grow even sharper. "We need to clear the boss ASAP," Gerrard ordered, his voice low and urgent. "Lady Florentina needs to get out of here." "Tough job, isn''t it?" One of his subordinates chuckled darkly. "Mr. Garrick trusted you to look after her." THUMP!... THUMP!!! A chilling sound shattered the moment. It began as a distant rumble, then built into a terrifying increase ¨C a stampede of enraged creatures and the heavy thud of something massive. Gerrard lunged forward, sprinting towards the source of the noise. "Fuck... Her father''s going to kill me if she gets hurt!" Gerrard sheathed his weapon and dashed yelling "Move along with me! and ensure to have weapons ready!" He burst through a set of massive, doors, sword drawn. "...!" The sight that greeted him made his blood run cold. In the centre of the chamber, a woman sat perched atop a pile of monstrous bodies. Her silver hair tied up in a neat bun, separated the carnage surrounding her. As her fiery red eyes, glowing with pleasure, met his, she casually rested her sword across her nape. [Jianna Florentina Age: 20 [Guild: The Golden Horizon] - (Before she got married to Gerrard)-] "What took you so long, ugly blondie?" she tossed over her shoulder, facing towards Gerrard and his team. The minotaurs, once so terrifying,y broken. Blood painted the walls, the coppery tang thick in the air. Jianna''s robe, usually immacte, was a mess of gore, yet she wore it with pride. Gerrard''s scowl could''ve soured milk. Relief battled frustration. "Don''t call me that," he managed. With a catlike leap, Jiannanded before him, smirking. "Please, Ms. Florentina," he said, exasperation and a hint of worry in his voice, "stop running off. We can''t protect you if you keep facing danger alone." Jianna tilted her head, her red eyes sparkling mischievously. "I told you, I don''t like being called that. So formal and cold... you never give any thought to how I feel..." She pouted for a moment,"Perhaps...if you called me by my first name, I''d be less inclined to wander off." Gerrard looked at her with an exhausted look and sighed. "Very well... Jianna. Now, let''s rejoin the team and clear out this dungeon. The sooner we locate the boss, the sooner we can get out of this mess." Jianna''s pout disappeared into a smile. "Excellent n! Onward, brave leader!" She linked her arm through his, yfully clinging onto Gerrard. As they walked ahead, the team''s whispers drifted behind them. "Gerrard''s so lucky," one muttered, envy clear in his voice. "Having someone so powerful, so untouchable, care for him¡­" "Yeah..." another agreed. "Must be nice. I bet she never had to work a day in her life." ... ... ... hmm! hmm! humm! Jianna hummed cheerfully, her arm still firmly linked with Gerrard''s. He shot her a pointed look, attempting to subtly pry his arm free. "What are you doing Jianna?" "Nothing!" she said, all too innocently. "Just enjoying the walk! Aren''t you eager to defeat this dreadful boss and escape this gloomy dungeon?" Her voice took on a yful lilt. "We should hurry then, shouldn''t we? You can escape out of my¡­ lov-¡­ lock, I mean." Gerrard rolled his eyes. "Easy for you to say. I can practically feel you holding me back, slowing me down." Jianna''s eyes widened in mock surprise. "Whatever do you mean? I''m practically sprinting us towards the boss!" [20 minutester...] The team moved deeper into the dungeon''s core. finally reaching the boss room. The energy pulsed from behind the massive gates. Gerrard finally yanked his arm free from Jianna''s grip. "Stay alert," he ordered, his voice low and urgent. "We don''t know what lies beyond this point. Be ready for anything." As his team members nodded, a grim determination settling over their faces, Gerrard spotted a keyhole nestled in the centre of the gate. "Sir," one of the soldiers spoke, "I think... we need a key for this." Gerrard turned, raising an eyebrow. "Really?" "Well, yes, sir," the soldier stammered under his gaze. "The keyhole¡­I''m certain..." Gerrard''s expression remained calm. "Ah, but I have a key," he said, drawing his sword. "A ratherrge one, in fact." The soldier blinked. "Sir, I don''t think that''s¡ª" SLASH! Gerrard unsheathed his sword and imbued it with aura, slicing cleanly through the gate. a giggle escaped Jianna''s lips. "Cute..." Gerrard whipped around turning. "Did you say something?" Jianna''s eyes widened innocently. "Nope!" she chirped. Gerrard shook his head, then turned back to the gaping room. "Let''s go." ... ... ... The boss room beyond the gate was massive, its rough walls barely visible in the dim, flickering torchlight. A monstrous chill hung in the air, prickling their skin with raw, predatory energy. Dominating the room was a monstrous throne of bone, and seated upon it, a form of pure nightmare. The minotaur was unlike any they''d ever encountered. Three massive heads crowned its hulking frame, muscles rippling beneath thick, matted fur. Its voice boomed from all three throats in a terrifying voice. Right Head of the minatour spoke "Ahh, survivors arrive... I sense both strength and fear here." Middle Head spoke "You''ve in many of my kind. That is... regrettable. Still, their deaths will not be in vain." Left Head "Fools! I''ll tear your bones from your flesh! Make you scream until your lungs give out!" Gerrard''s eyes widened. His breath caught in his throat, and for a frozen moment, his instincts faltered. Never had he encountered a monster capable of speech. That kind of intelligence... it marked the creature as something far more dangerous than any high-ranking beast they''d faced. A horrifying realization bloomed in his gut ¨C they were inside an S-Rank dungeon. "Get back!" His voice was a harshmand, hiding the tremor he felt within. "You won''t survive this. Fall back to the gate, now!" He met Jianna''s eyes, his gaze pleading in a way she''d never seen before. "You too, Jianna. This battle... it''s mine alone." ________________ Authors Notes: - Guild: Golden Horizon Leader: Garrick Florentina Vice Leader: Dawn Frisk Chapter 101: Gerrard Freya Flashback (2) [Gerrard Freya shback] "I can help," Jianna resisted, a stubborn sh in her eyes. "I told you, just call me¡ª" "I won''t risk it." Gerrard cut her off, his voiceced with an urgency she''d never heard before. "Your father would¡ª" A guttural chuckle from the throne interrupted him. "Interesting, human!" The minotaur''s three heads spoke in dissonant harmony. "Amongst the warriors who wield that weapon, I sense a power in you that zes brighter than most." There was no time for talk. Gerrard infused his de with aura, the metal glowing fiercely. Ignoring Jianna''s cry, Gerrard surged forward, a blur of determined focus. As he ran, he swung his sword imbued with aura. SLASH! A crescent of pure energyunched from the de, aimed with deadly precision at the monstrous creature. The minotaur wasn''t caught off guard. Its three heads swivelled in unison, the angry one roaring in fury as it rose to dominate the center position. BASH! With a thunderous crash, the beast mmed both massive hands onto the ground. The cavern floor trembled in response, and a wall of earth rose with startling speed, an attempt to shield the minotaur from the oing attack. But Gerrard''s strike was unstoppable. The aura-infused sh cut through the earthen wall like a hot knife through butter. SHAAAA! It collided with the minotaur''s chest with a resounding ng, leaving a deep gouge in the thick hide. The roar that erupted from the beast was a terrifying feeling of pain and surprise. "You''ve prated my skin, human!" boomed the middle head, a grudging respect tinging its voice. "You are worthy of my full strength!" As Gerrard pressed his advantage, charging towards the wounded beast, the minotaur''s central head rotated again. This time, the sympathetic head faced him. A deep breath filled the room, and with a sudden, forceful exhale, the Minotaur unleashed a powerful gust of wind. It sted towards Gerrard like a sharp, invisible de, aimed to kill him within one move. But Gerrard was ready. With a flick of his wrist, he channelled his aura. SHING! As he deflected the wind current harmlessly upwards. The air shimmered as the force dissipated high above. up! Gerrard''s heart pounded against his ribs as he forced himself upwards, using aura burning beneath his feet. He aimed a decisive strike at the wounded minotaur, the de crackling with overwhelming power. It was a desperate, reckless gamble ¨C a final, all-or-nothing attack. Time seemed to slow. Just as the tip of his sword was inches from its target, a chilling grin spread across the minotaur''s monstrous face. With a speed wholly unexpected from its massive size, the creature swiped upward, snatching Gerrard out of the air in a crushing fist. "...!" "Such a shame," the minotaur hissed, its voice a discordant chorus from its remaining heads. "You could have shown me more, human." The pressure was unbearable. Gerrard''s bones creaked, and he felt a spurt of hot blood as the minotaur''s grip tightened. "Instead," the monster boomed, "I''ll consume you, gain the strength of a new head!" The hideous, fanged jaws opened wide. The minotaur lowered him towards the gaping cavern of teeth. As Gerrard has epted his death...A sudden flicker of movement had urred, he prayed that it was someone strong, he hoped. He closed his eyes, calling out for her name. "Jianna." Her silver hair shed as she charged into view, and her de transformed into a shiningnce of pure lightning. Her voice, fierce and unwavering, cut through the room. "Form 1... Reckoning!" SHAWWWWWWW! A colossal crescent of lightning ripped through the dungeon. With a force that could split the earth, it arced across the minotaur''s immense form. Gerrard was blinded for a moment. The Minotaur''s body split in two with a deafening roar. One-half of the creature, along with the arm still crushing him within its grip, tumbled away lifelessly. The world spun in disarray. Gerrard''s body screamed with pain, his vision going in and out of focus. He was falling through the air unable to move any part of his body. Then a shock of silver shed before his dimming sight. Jianna. Her arms caught him before he could crash to the floor. He felt the heat from her body, theforting pressure as she lowered him to the ground. Every nerve in his battered body was on fire, yet he couldn''t look away from her face. Gerrard was inplete shock, but it was slowly giving way to a soft, triumphant smile. "Guess y-y-you owe me one, Blondie," she managed, a forced lightness in her tone. Her smile trembled, worry carved on her face. There was a catch in her voice, a desperate feeling of relief that her words couldn''t hide. Exhaustion washed over him, and his eyes drifted closed. ... ... ... Gerrard rested and finally opened his eyes, his vision blurry and fragmented. The familiar ache in his body confirmed the events weren''t a dream. He was alive, battered but breathing. And his head wasn''t feeling the hard ground from before, a sight that sent a jolt through him. Looking up towards Jianna, who had gently ced his head on herp, shook with silent sobs. "Right¡­ sorry," he rasped, his voice hoarse. He tried to move, his eyesnding on her teary face. It was an image he never thought he''d see ¨C the fearless friend he knew, reduced to bare emotion. Before he could stop himself, his hand, throbbing with pain, reached out to wipe away a stray tear. "Don''t cry," he murmured, the words rough against his dry throat. "It''s my fault." Jianna''s eyes snapped open, locking onto his. Her grip tightened on his hand, pulling it close to her cheek. "Don''t fight without me, okay?" Her voice was thick with emotion. Gerrard flinched the vulnerability in her gaze something he didn''t know how to handle. He looked away instinctively, muttering, "Right¡­" But Jianna wouldn''t let him have his way anymore. She held his face, forcing him to meet her eyes. "Look at me, Gerrard¡­" she pleaded, her voice trembling slightly. "You''re always looking somewhere else¡­ and not at me. Just this one time¡­ look me in the eyes¡­" Her voice dropped to a whisper, "Promise me you''ll never fight without me again." Gerrard held her gaze, his own eyes softening with aplex mix of emotions ¨C gratitude, surprise, and a feeling he didn''t understand. Finally, he spoke his voice filled with sincerity, "Okay. I promise." _____________ Authors notes: - After this dungeon subjugation Jianna achieved the title of Sword Saint after ying the S-Rank Monster 3-Headed Minatour (Hybrid Variation: Mutated] - I was contemting on saying Gerrard''s vision was half-covered when he woke up ifykwim1. (I didn''t want to break the importance of this scene.) Chapter 102: His Bow And Her Sword [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: VIP Stands] He blinked, and the VIP suite''s clean luxury snapped back into focus. The past reduced like a tide, leaving behind the harsh echoes of battle from the arena below. "Gerrard." Kang''s voice broke through his reverie. "I need to leave. Let''s speak more after the tournament." Gerrard nodded numbly. "Yes¡­ go ahead." As Kang left, a crushing silence descended. The rumble of the crowd and the echoing sounds of shing were just noise now. In his mind, he heard his wife''s voice echoing those desperate words, "Don''t fight without me..." The memory of her death tore at him. If he had just been there, fighting beside her... A wave of grief crashed over him. He longed for the impossible, to return to that day, to alter the course of destiny. Then his gaze fell on the arena floor. Valencia and her opponent Rel were still fighting. A flicker of recognition, a sh of the past... a memory of Jianna rushing forward using that one move. And now, his daughter moved with the same energy, mirroring her mother''s exact stance, replicating the same attack. A single tear traced a path down his cheek. It was a tear of aching loss, but also overwhelming gratitude. He whispered, "You''re just like your mother, Valencia..." "Thank you," he choked out, the sob catching in his throat. "For reminding me once more." *** [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] "No way... I''m not going down like this." Rel stood 15 feet from Valencia, wincing as his injuries throbbed. A miracle? That was an understatement. This fight was no longer about luck ¨C he needed a whole new n. He activated Vulnerability Reader, but the system''s response to him bit at his confidence [Vulernability is unreadable due tock of damage] Rel cursed at himself, realising aside from the single chest shot, he''d barely scratched her. TAK!, TAK!, TAK! Without hesitation, he fired arrow after arrow high into the air. Twenty-five shots arced towards the sky. "...?" Valencia stared at the sky, confusion flickering in her eyes. Was he really banking on dodging that downpour while also attacking her? If so, he had something else nned... Valencia lunged, lightning crackling through her de. Rel''s mind raced, remembering Valencia''s defensive mechanics. "It''s not a fixed defence," Rel thought, adrenaline drumming a frantic rhythm in his veins. "It''s an active one. Each attack, each deflection, channels the electric current to repel the force. But that means¡­" His eyes narrowed, a trace of hope igniting within him. "She can''t maintain it everywhere at once! She has to focus mana to cover specific areas, leaving gaps elsewhere." The realization spurred him into action. Stamina wouldn''t just be a concern for him; it was Valencia''s weakness too. The more she used her defensive mechanic, the more she''d be forced to make choices ¨C focusing on offence, maintaining the shield, or risking exhaustion. Rel tossed the bow onto his back with a tter. This fight was going up close and personal. He tightened his grip on the arrows in his hands, the fletching brushing his knuckles. He hoped that his [Evasiveness] passive and raw speed would allow him to strike in those exposed moments. All he needed was to see where the field wasn''t concentrated... that could be the key to victory. SWING! Valencia was a storm in human form. Her electrified sword shed downwards, forcing Rel to leap back just as the energy cleaved the air where his head had been. He saw his chance, a momentary hesitation in her stance. With a desperate mess, he lunged forward, aiming a sweeping kick at her legs. whoosh... But fatigue had caught up with him. His body pushed beyond its limits, but he was a hairsbreadth too slow. "...!" Valencia reacted with lightning reflexes. BANG! Her right foot, crackling with raw electrical energy, met his stomach with a sickening thud. The impact sent him flying backward, the air knocked from his lungs. Pain roared through him, stealing his breath and momentarily clouding his vision. COUGH!... COUGH! Rel crumpled to the ground, gasping for air. But just as despair threatened to engulf him, a warmth spread through his body. [Tenacity (Passive) Has Been Activated] His passive skill, [Tenacity], kicked in, dragging him back from the brink. He gritted his teeth, pushing himself up from the ground. His movements were shaky, but his gaze remained fixed on Valencia. ... ... ... A sudden concern nagged at Valencia. Rel''s arrows hadn''t returned. How high up had he been firing them? Did they leave the arena entirely? Her eyes darted towards him before widening in shock. "...!" Rel''s right hand was outstretched, palm facing downwards. A flicker of his middle and index fingers ¨C amanding gesture ¨C and the air suddenly thickened with menace. KAAAAAK! An instantter, a hail of arrows rained down from above, answering her question. They descended in a controlled volley as if guided by an unseen force. Did he have some hidden ability to manipte them? Arrows struck her body ¨C her shoulder, the small part of her back, her arm ¨C nonending a critical hit. But it was enough to shatter her focus. It was as if Rel read her mind. Valencia had been so caught up in considering his strange control over the arrows that she''d let her guard down ¨C her defence was destroyed almost instantly. "He knew how it worked¡­ the gaps, the strain." She muttered. "That''s enough." While her aura attacks offered little threat against such a sly opponent, Valencia realised that using a form was also useless, She needed a tank of stamina to unleash another massive attack. But she had another option, she still had plenty of mana left. "It was time to end this battle." She''d tolerated his tricks, but now they would be his undoing. huuuuu... Valencia channelled mana, feeling it flow around her body, as it overloaded her sword. CRACKLE!... CRACKLE!... CRACKLE!!! A flood of lightning danced around her as she plunged the charged de into the tform. Electricity exploded through the cracks, a spiderweb of raw energy. Rel, witnessing the transformation, paled. This was no simple attack. With a defiant flick of her wrist, Valencia pointed a single finger towards the heavens. "Elemental Zone: Shrouded Storm," she intoned, her voice amplified by the surging power. A cross of pure lightning manifested in the air above them, then plummeted downwards, dissolving into a seething electrical vortex that surrounded the battlefield. BANG!!! There was no solid barrier this time, but the crackling energy pulsed outwards, containing them both within its lethal embrace. "I''m fucked..." Rel''s eyes were lost in disbelief. *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] Valencia''s Elemental Zone pulsed with terrifying energy. While theck of a closed dome was something of a relief, it offered littlefort. This open area meant her 2 abilities; chained attacks and chain reactions will be amplified 2 fold. One slip, one misced step, would be the end. huuuuuu... As I watched Valencia charge up her de, I was already feeling way too sluggish to move and stop the attack. SWING! She swung her de, a crackling extension of her power unleashed. A blinding arc of lightning rushed towards me, a devastating beam cutting through the air. Mitigation was useless ¨C I wouldn''t have time to activate the Mitigations Phenomena... haaah... [Projectile Disarm Has Been Activated!] [Clockwork Of Time Has Been Activated!] As my right hand began crackling with ck lightning, time slowed down for me. My breath flowed in measured intervals, filling my lungs, and steadying my hand. The blinding sh resolves into a series of calctions ¨C angles, timing, and the flow of energy. ... ... The lightning beam hurtled towards me, and Imitted. Focusing everything on this one ability, I channelled it into my right hand. It was either I devour the attack or be devoured. [Clockwork Of Time Deactivated!] SHAAAAAAA! ________________ Authors Notes: -Valencia''s Ultimate Ability: Shrouded Storm, An open elemental zone that amplifies and transforms her surroundings to be filled with lightning. with this zone it surrounds lightning with specific parts of her body, forming an invisible shield. This electrifying shield seamlessly integrates with her aura, extending her de with an extensive Lightning Aura de. The lightning aura de enhances the reach and impact of her sword strikes, infusing them with electrical energy. - Depending on the environment Shrouded Storm can initiate a localized electrical storm known as the ''selective targeting'' meaning Valencia''s chosen opponents within its range will be struck from above if hit with her sword. - Shrouded Storm is a Type-B Elemental Zone: Amplification Zone + Transformation Zone - Chain Reactions: Valencia has the unique ability to initiate a sequence of interconnected attacks. Chain reaction works in 2 scenarios. if shes versing 2 or more opponents strings of lightning would appear and connect to the other opponents around the target. But If she''s versing a singr opponent the damage multiplies itself by 1.5x creating an internal shock within the target''s body. (Basically, if you''re struck when this ability is activated you''re friend will get struck as well if it''s in range) Chapter 103: His Bow And Her Sword (2) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] Pain exploded as the lightning mmed into his bare palm. It seared through his arm, threatening to overwhelm his senses. Rel''s vision blurred, every nerve ame. Regardless, within the agony, he sensed a momentarypse in the attack''s flow. A scream of defiance ripped from his throat as he countered. The ck energy pulsed, straining against the electrical fury. A burning shockwave radiated outwards, two forces locked in brutalbat. ... ... [Parry Sessful!] [Attack returning to the opponent!] ... ... Finally, Rel Laurence deflected the lightning with a desperate surge of will. SHAAAAAA! The beam raced back towards Valencia, a streak of pure energy bearing the imprint of her own power. "...!" A flicker of shock crossed her face ¨C why had it paused in mid-air for those crucial seconds? With no time to evade, she raised her sword, bracing for the impact. BANG! The impact sent tremors through her arms. The raw electricity surged and sparked, scorching her skin where it made contact. tch... Her teeth gritted in a silent battle as she desperately struggled to alter its course, to send the weaponized energy arcing away. SHING! A strained breath escaped her lips as she managed to deflect it upwards, a crackling bolt that exploded harmlessly into the air, a scattering of deadly fireworks in the daytime sky. huuu...haah... Even as Valencia panted, eyes locked on her opponent, she was surprised to see his current state. Rel stood before her, drained. He was swaying slightly, his body full of bruises and shallow cuts, sweat dripping down his face. "Okay..." he whispered, the words ragged. "It''s fine. I''ll get through it." DASH! Valencia charged once more, her de enveloped in her elemental attribute of lightning. Hup! She leapt into the air, poised to deliver a devastating strike. But Rel reacted with surprising speed. [Ability: Quick Shot [Grade: 9] - Has been activated!] Though his vision was affected slightly thanks to the effects of [Clockwork of Time], he yanked his bow free and unleashed an arrow with [Quick Shot]. TAK! The arrow hissed through the air, aimed at Valencia''s exposed wrist. ... It struck, not a clean hit, but a ncing blow that tore through the fabric and scraped across her skin. The shock of unexpected pain forced her trajectory to shift slightly. SLASH!!! With a desperate lunge, Rel dodged her follow-up strike. Her lightning-charged sword shed downwards, and the energy surged forth, a crackling bolt aimed squarely at Rel. It carved a shallow crack into the tform beneath, diverging outwards throughout the entire stone floor. shhh.... His heart pounding, Rel watched the smoke curl from the devastated stone. "What have I gotten myself into..." he sighed, taking a shaky breath, willing his body to settle. haah... DASH! A sigh escaped Rel''s lips before he was in motion. TAKK!, TAKK!, TAKK! He charged towards Valencia, firing ten arrows in rapid session with [Quick Shot]. Even as she effortlessly erased the volley with a single sweep of her lightning-charged sword, he knew well that her electrical defence was gone. He saw it in his arrow that had scraped her during the attack... Rel admitted her amplified zone was impressive, but ultimately, its offensive power depended on sessfullynding strikes against the user ¨C a trick he wouldn''t fall for. That first rain of arrows, the one she''d obliterated, had been nothing more than a calcted act. TAK! Pulling another arrow from his quiver, he fired it past Valencia. In the chaos of the moment, it seemed like a wasted shot, but his right hand moved seemingly out of sync, subtly guiding the arrow''s path. When Valencia charged, unleashing another devastating lightning strike, Rel moved aside, his [Evasiveness] passive once again saving his skin. Valencia was relentless, but she hadn''t learned her lesson yet. He was more than a simple archer. KAK!!! Valencia stumbled forward, the force of the arrow at her back propelled her directly into the hands of Rel. "...!" The arrow Rel had shot earlier was re-directed towards her. A gasp of surprise tore from her lips as she faltered. Before she could recover, Rel was ready. He activated [Vulnerability Reader] with a grim determination. Sparks of light shined around her abdomen, revealing a slight vulnerability within Valencia''s body. He clenched his fist, knowing he was about to inflict pain that mirrored his own. "This hurts..." he muttered, and then he struck. BANG!! His fist mmed into her stomach with force. [Critical Hit!] ck lightning flowed out of his fists, a physical manifestation of his critical hit. Valencia''s sword ttered to the ground as she doubled over. COUGH!, COUGH! Her cough spattered blood on the tform. Valencia''s eyes, filled with a mixture of pain and frustration, were locked with his. But through it all, her resolve remained unbroken. "I need to finish this," she gritted out through clenched teeth. She rushed forward, aura surrounding her hands. Her fallen swordy forgotten. She knew it was time to fight weaponless. *** [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Student Section Stands] The student section erupted in a cacophony of cheers and gasps. Cam and Lyra clung to each other, faces pale. "I can''t watch!" Lyra whimpered. Tears streamed down her face as she saw Valencia stumble backward, coughing up blood after a brutal blow from Rel. Jan tried to sound reassuring. "Rx, it''s not a real fight. Nobody''s going to die." But his voicecked conviction. Rel''s relentless assault was pushing Valencia further than anyone had before. Had he stumbled onto a way to defeat the Sword Saint? Turning to Bazz, Jan saw a flicker of unease cross the usually loud mouth''s face. "What''s wrong?" Bazz''s gaze was fixed on the arena floor. "That attack from Rel earlier..." His voice was hesitant. "Don''t get mad, but did it look... familiar?" Puzzled, Jan stared at him. "Familiar how? It''s the first time I''ve seen an archer do that." Bazz shook his head. "No, not like that. There was something else... I can''t put my finger on it." "You always overthink things," Jan said with a nervousugh. "Maybe," Bazz muttered, but the doubt remainedin his eyes. _____________________ Has he remembered the fight between him and Shadow Writer?! _____________________ Authors Notes: - Back to the early rain of arrows, Rel created earlier he originally never thought of being able to suspend the arrows in the air. He thought of it like putting a puter to sleep'' the idea of it and the principle sounded absurd but he knew as long as his mind was focused on an ''action'' precision control would always work as long as his mind was running. - Standard abilities consume less mana due to their simple functions when used. Chapter 104: His Bow And Her Sword (3) {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] Valencia''s swordy abandoned a few feet in front of me, a sh of betrayal in its polished steel. Disarming her wasn''t some noble gesture - against a character like her, any advantage, however small, was a godsend. The fight was already a one-sided beatdown, where I was just barely dodging her lightning-infused strikes. But within this unjust reality, I felt a little hopeful. Maybe, just maybe, this fight could go my way. huuuuu... My lungs felt like copsing, and the pain of each breath was burning through my chest. [HP: 35 / 98] [Mana Percentage: 19%] Blood was pouring out from me in many forms... Everything was a blur right before my eyes, the world reduced to the pounding of my heart and the fear wing its way up my throat. It''s either in thesest few minutes I lose or I win. Nothing in between. My foot, guided by pure instinct, swept the katana out from under her reach, sending it skittering across the tform with a metallic screech. Now, I have the upper hand... a bow against Valencia bare-knuckled, she was stripped down to the most basic form ofbat. Three minutes. That''s all that had passed since she unleashed her Elemental Zone. Her mana had to be strained. At most, she could manage two more minutes in that amplified state, judging by her condition. It was noticeable, the subtle change in how she moved ¨C the slight hesitation, the traces of fatigue in her eyes. She''d improved, no doubt, but those limits still existed. And every second I could buy myself¡­ every second counted. *** "Fight without your bow," Valencia demanded, her voice a sharp difference to her battered appearance. "This isn''t fair." Rel knew the proposal was a trap. Even with her looks he wouldn''t be swayed. Even with his bow, the advantage was hers. She knew Aura and Rel did not, Aura in this situation was best suited when it came to closebat. He''d been a fool to think he could learn it; the whole idea of power from the soul was too improbable. "No," he said simply. Every word was a battle in itself against the exhaustion wracking his body. "hmph..." Valencia''s brow furrowed before she charged. DASH! TAK!, TAK!, TAK! Rel unleashed a volley of arrows, a desperate attempt to keep her at bay. WHAM! But she was just as unstoppable as before, her aura-infused hands swatting away the projectiles as she closed the distance. He braced himself. The bow was still an advantage, yet she was forcing his hand. As she hurtled towards him, Rel''s eyes narrowed, searching for the opening she expected him to create, the predictable dodge that would lead her into his trap. Valencia closed the distance in a sh. Her aura-charged fists swung towards Rel''s face, but he reacted with incredible speed. CLASH! Rel had blocked her first blow with his bow. He kicked, aiming to sweep her legs, but she anticipated the move, leaping effortlessly into the air. His momentum betrayed him. BANG! As she came back down, shended a punishing blow ¨C a straight punch to his jaw. It felt like a lightning bolt, the shock of the impact amplified by her chain reaction ability. He stumbled backward, dazed, tasting blood. [Critical Hit!] [HP [19/98] [Mana Percentage: 12%] "fuck..." The curse erupted from him as he staggered,nding close to Valencia''s fallen sword. He staggered back, the critical hit echoing through his aching body. Seizing her chance, Valencia bolted towards her fallen sword. In a blur of motion, he spun his body, delivering a vicious roundhouse kick that connected with her as shended. bang... The impact connected, a solid blow, but not the critical hit he desperately needed. Valencia stumbled, but only slightly. In her eyes, she noticed his strength was weakening. Rel scrambled to his feet, firing a quick volley of arrows. But Valencia wasn''t the same opponent he''d faced at the start. She danced through their path, reflexes that far exceeded Rel''s. Closing in, she unleashed another aura-charged punch, aiming for his chest. Yet, the weakness she perceived was a facade. Rel barely managed to block the attack with his bow. Then, in a quick follow-up, she mmed her other fist into the ground. RUMBLE... RUMBLE... RUMBLE... A tremor erupted beneath his feet, followed by a st of electricity that forced him to move backwards. At that moment, Valencia retrieved her fallen sword. Valencia capitalized on her advantage, her movements lightning-fast. SWING! She swung her sword, the de crackling with her elemental attribute as a blinding arc of lightning shed towards Rel. He barely reacted in time, ducking the attack with a desperate lunge. Instantly, Valencia was in the air, anticipating his evasion. Her sword, now devoid of its aura, was aimed directly at him. Her intent was clear ¨C to force a surrender, to break his spirit by overwhelming him. Rel didn''t know what to do or how to react. But he raised his bow to be a shield, blocking the sword at thest moment. crack... He heard a sickening crack as Valencia''s strength began to overwhelm his weapon. CRack... She wanted to break it. CRACk... it was inevitable. CRACK! The bow snapped in two, and at the same time, Valencia''s sword struck Rel''s shoulder. He rolled away, the pain a fiery jolt. Quickly scrambling to his feet, he distanced himself from Valencia. Fifteen meters now separated them... SHAWWWWW! And with perfect, terrible timing, her Elemental Zone copsed. The lighting around the tform dissolved, leaving the arena in stunned silence. Valencia sank to one knee, plunging her sword into the ground, the only thing keeping her upright. A wave of exhaustion washed over Rel, followed by a jolt of fear. The bow... the bow... was gone... His bow was broken, useless shards of metal littering the ground. His only hope was a single, lonesome arrow lying near his feet. This was it, this was his win. "...!" But in the end, his body betrayed him. Exhaustion wed at his bones, a weight pushing him down. He couldn''t move properly, every step sending jolts of pain through his bloodied body. [Evasiveness Has Reached Its Limit!] [Tenacity Has Reached Its Limit!] [Mana: 0.8%] [Warning! If your mana reaches 0% you willpletely fall into mana exhaustion!] As he struggled to stand he cursed at the system messages... a bitter realization washed over him. Tenacity was gone... no wonder his stamina hadn''tpletely given out. His body had been reflexively used mana to rece his missing stamina. COUGH!...COUGH!... A violent cough wracked his body, sttering the floor with blood. Now, with his tenacity gone, true pain crashed over him in a brutal wave. It was as if he was only now registering the full extent of his injuries. *** {Valencia''s POV} Dammit... is this it? Defeated by an archer... and him, of all people? I couldn''t even lift my head. The shame was almost unbearable. I really lost. There was no mana left... I tried to force a movement into my muscles, but it was useless. It was mana exhaustion that had frozen me in ce. My pride felt like broken ss in my gut. Then, cutting through the haze of pain and despair, came a sound I never expected. "I... I... forfeit." Did I hear that right? My head jerked up. There he stood, He barely resembled the agile archer who had tortured me for an eternity. Bruises, blood, and sheer exhaustion were all over his face. But he was standing, raising his hand in a gesture of surrender. Why... Did he do that? He could''ve won... ____________________ Authors Notes: - Rel''s ability Tenacity can convert mana into stamina for prolonged battles. - Rel was ying for time, waiting until Valencia''s elemental zone disappeared Chapter 105: If It All Ended Tomorrow {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] My vision was reduced to a blur... As the system screen shed before my eyes. [Mana Percentages: 0.4%] [Warning! Due to stamina being 0% your body has reced mana as the main source of energy.] Damn it. So this is it... There''s no point in fighting back now. If I move even another inch,plete mana exhaustion will consume me. The most I can do is at least give Valencia a proper victory. My run in this tournament might have been lucky but against her¡­ there was no way I could''ve won like this. haah... With a heavy sigh, I struggled to raise my hand. "I... I... forfeit," the words emerged as ragged breaths, choked with abination of pain and relief. "...!" Murmurs rippled through the crowd. "He was already a mess," someone snickered. "No chance of winning anyway, look at him¡­" The announcer''s voice cut through the noise. "Rel Laurence has forfeited the match! Valencia Freya is your winner for the semi-final!" My body staggered on the edge of fainting. I couldn''t afford to give in now, not here. There''s still one thing... the threat I needed to stop... If Morwen abducts someone important...Then the whole story will be thrown in a whole different direction. Focusing on the system, I spoke within my mind. "System, about Morwen''s motives... I want to purchase that information with PPP." FWANG! ... [Sure Mr. Axel!] [Also you''ve done well to make it this far! Stand Proud, You Are Strong!1] [The information of Morwen''s Motives costs 2000 (PPP). You currently possess 2234 PPP, Mr. Axel. Would you like to use your PPP for this information?] Without hesitation, I responded, "Yes..." [Information being unlocked...50%...75%...90%... Unlocked!] [Disying window...] FWANG! [Morwen''s Motives: Morwen is currently searching for the perfect candidate, for a devil''s vessel. Given the situation at Quadra, He''s gotten through with the infiltration of his Executioners. His current objective at Pinnacle Academy is to capture the character: Valencia Freya.] Damn it... This isn''t good then. So Louise isn''t the prime target of his devil''s vessel and instead, it''s Valencia. That changes everything. Then I can''t let her be taken. If anything else she''s an important piece, especially as Jan''s recement if things go wrong... If this is how the A.T changed the plot, then I should''ve been prepared for situations like these... In the original story, Valencia was a graduating third-year destined to lead the Miracle''s Guild to the Towers. But... she was reduced to a first-year character with half her abilities nerfed. leaving a massive hole in the future... who reces her as the leader after the second-year arc? FWANG! [Warning! Warning! Warning!] [Your body will be out for an estimated time: 1 hour and 30 minutes] [You will faint in...] [3] Damn it... I knew I should''ve just forfeited from the start... [2] I need to find Valencia straight after I wake up. [1] fuck... [0] [You Have Fainted!] [Recovery in progress... Sit tight Mr Axel!] [0.5%...] *** [Pinnacle Academy. Stadium 1 - Arena A: Student Section Stands] "Valencia won!" Cam''s shout cut through the noise of the crowd. Lyra finally pried her hands from her eyes, with relief washing over her. "Wow... she really pulled through!" Cam''s grin was infectious. "This means it''s Jan versus Valencia in the finals! Oh man, this is going to be epic!" Nearby, Bazz scoffed, his voice louder than usual. "Bout time the match ended. What''s it been, Jan? 3 or 4 years, since you and Valenciast fought?" Jan, who had been observing the beaten figure of Rel in the arena, turned towards Bazz. His voice remained calm, but his voice filled with confusion remained in his eyes. "It''s definitely been a while," he agreed. "But we''ll have to wait until the finals to see how things have changed. I''m sure she went all out against him." Even as he spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Rel, a frown creasing his brow. Did Rel truly give it his all? It felt like something was off like he''d been holding back the entire time. Jan couldn''t shake the feeling. There was no concrete proof, but every instinct told him that Rel hadn''t given it his true all. Rel''s tactics were too clever and too effective against Valencia. While his distress was clear, there was a sense of control, that he was testing her as much as he was fighting her. The ending of the fight was what struck him the most. He hadn''t stopped her from reaching her sword entirely ¨C more like he''d purposefully made it difficult, as if observing her reaction to being cut off from her usual power. Had Rel been, in his own way, trying to force Valencia to improve? And those attacks¡­ wild, yes, but he seemed to have predicted it all. Was it possible Rel was just like Jan? That final moment, just before the forfeit¡­ Rel''s expression was unreadable. Pain, yes, and exhaustion, but something else¡­ Jan couldn''t tell if it was boredom, resignation, or some other emotion entirely. It was as if he simply stopped attacking for reasons he didn''t understand. This, perhaps more than anything, made him worry. He had to admit, Rel''s battle against a counter matchup was far more impressive than his battle with Louise. hmm? Jan leaned forward, squinting down at the arena. Rel had finally managed to stand, but even from a distance, it was clear he wasn''t moving. He remained rooted to the spot, a lifeless statue in the centre of the ruined battlefield. Was he... unconscious? Medical staff helped a limping Valencia to the sidelines, but the situation with Rel remained unresolved. No one dared approach, as if he died standing up. Jan''s brow furrowed. He couldn''t recall a specific moment from the battle, but Rel''s stamina drain had felt abnormally fast. It was subtle and easily missed, but something was wrong. Despite that strange disadvantage, he''d pushed Valencia harder than anyone did in these recent years. Bazz broke the contemtive silence. "Make sure to let us know your match time," he said, his usually abrasive toneced with a hint of concern. "Gotta find the best seats for the finals, ya know?" Jan smiled slightly. "I will," he promised, turning to Cam next. "Speaking of the finals, remember that Recovery Potion you offered earlier?" She blinked, surprised. "Yeah, of course. Are you finally going to use it?" "Yeah," Jan murmured, watching Rel being carried away on a stretcher. "But I need to make a quick detour first. Don''t worry, I''ll be back before you know it. Finals prep isn''t going to do itself, right?" Cam withdrew the potion from her bag and pressed it into his hand. As Jan turned and left the stands, Lyra added, "He''s definitely not using that on himself." Bazz snorted. "Agreed." *** {Valencia''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: VIP Box Suite 1#] Every step towards her father''s VIP suite was heavy. Rel''s words clung to her mind like a burr ... "I-I-forfeit."... Did she truly deserve to be called the winner? He''d bested her within her own Elemental Zone, the territory where she was untouchable. It wasn''t just his skill that was unnerving. It was the feeling that Rel knew her... predicted her attacks even as she unleashed them. The distance he kept, those measured pullbacks, and his spacing were almost perfect it felt like a knowledge that went beyond simple observation. Could he read her mind? A ridiculous idea, and yet... Her troubled thoughts were interrupted as she stood before the massive double doors of Suite 1, reserved for her father. The staff, present and helpful, offered their assistance, but she shook her head. "Thank you," she bowed respectfully, "I can manage from here." Creakkkkk... Valencia pushed open the heavy suite doors. "You called for me, Father?" Gerrard, seated by the expansive window overlooking the arena, turned with a wide smile. "Valencia! Congrattions, my dear." He rose, a warmth in his eyes as he approached for an affectionate pat on the head. pat...pat...pat "Stop it, Dad!" Valencia shrugged him off, "I''m not a little girl anymore. I''m eighteen!" Gerrard''s smile didn''t waver. "You will always be my little Val, no matter your age." Shaking off the unwee gesture, Valencia crossed her arms. "So, why am I here?" "Simply to see my daughter," he replied, his tone light. "That fight against the Archer... truly remarkable." An awkward silence fell as she murmured reluctantly, "Yeah¡­" The echo of Rel''s forfeit haunted her, the victory feeling hollow. Gerrard''s sharp gaze swept over her. "You''ve been acting strangely, Val. Especially this past month. Earlier, that boy... the Archer. You insisted he''s nothing to you, but now..." "He''s not!" The words escaped before she could stop them. "I don''t know where you''re getting these ideas!" A single eyebrow arched on Gerrard''s face. "Really?" He muttered, almost to himself, "Just like your mother..." "What?" Valencia''s voice was sharp. "Nothing," Gerrard replied, his tone shifting, turning dismissive. __________ Authors note - Mitigation is invisible, so the crowd didn''t fully see what happened when Relpletely absorbed the attack. - The Executioners is a title given to the members under Quadra. This means that they are the most trusted subordinates. This consists of being the left-hand or right-hand man of each group. Chapter 106: If It All Ended Tomorrow (2) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: VIP Suite 1#] "So, it''s Jan verse you in the finals, then?" Gerrard slowly swivelled in his chair, his gaze settled on his daughter. Valencia nodded, taking a seat facing him. "Yes," she admitted quietly. "It''s been years since you two have fought." Gerrard''s voice held a hint of nostalgia. "If I recall, those battles usually ended in stalemates." "True." Valencia couldn''t suppress a feeling of unease. "Jan''s always... ahead of me somehow. like he knows things before I even think of them." Gerrard nodded thoughtfully. "You introduced me to him 8 years ago, didn''t you? ''Someone with potential'', you said. Even at ten years old, your instincts were sharp." "We''ve been friends ever since." Valencia felt an ache of guilt at his gentle tone. "But why are we discussing this now?" Gerrard reached into a briefcase and pulled out a folderbeled, "Early Offer Contract." He slid it across the table. "I may be slowing down, but this fight...win or lose, I want you to give this to Jan." Valencia,pletely blindsided, stared at the contract. "Why me? I''m not... I don''t have the authority." Gerrard''s expression softened. "Your future''s set, Val. One day, you''ll be the one to lead this guild. There''s no doubt." "Are you saying...?" "Consider this business practice," Gerrard said, cutting her off gently. "He might just be at your side, as vice leader, someday." With a nod and a faint smile, Valencia murmured, "Thanks, Dad." BZZZT!... BZZZZT! A sharp buzz from her watch startled her ¨C as the information of the finals popped up. [Congrats on making it to the finals Valencia Freya!] [Here''s your match schedule:] [Stage: Grand-Finals] [Matches Completed: 25] [Match Number: 1] [Opponent: Jan Ates - (Arena A) - ] [Time: 5:30] "Oh... It seems I have to go now, Father." Valencia nced at her watch, feeling a little sad she couldn''t be with her father a little longer. Gerrard walked her to the door, the warmth of a proud father in his eyes. "Good luck, Val," he said, his voice thick with unspoken meaning. "And always remember... have faith in yourself." *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Medical Bay] Looking at the deep ck void that existed in my head. My body floated in the infinite darkness of my mind, the only points of light were the system screens counting down the seconds. [Progress bar until full recovery: 1 Hour 3 minutes 12 seconds¡­ (8%)] [Time until you awaken: 38 minutes 41 seconds¡­ (38%)] "Another thrilling tour of my own mentalndscape," I mumbled sarcastically. Does this ce actually exist inside my head? haah... A sigh escaped my lips as I drifted past a screen, a strange ripple of distortion washing over me. Nothing to do, no way to speed this up... every minute here feels like an eternity. What should I do? Oh! An idea sparked. "System, what about my abilities? Can I use them here?" The response was immediate and coldly logical. [No, Mr. Axel! D:] [You have no mana to cast any abilities. You are recovering from the damage caused in the previous battle.] "Oh okay... So¡­ can I at least im those live quest rewards? At the very least, I could tinker with the Ability Creator..." [Clearly stated: all rewards will be imed after the tournament ends... ?? ] "Well, that''s just unfair." Another resigned sigh echoed in the emptiness. Then, like distant thunder, voices intruded on my isted mind. "...here to give him this Recovery Potion," a muffled male voice stated. A second, more professional tone replied, "Partial healing and a 5% mana restoration¡­ Are you certain you wish to use such a valuable potion on him?" Recognition shed. That voice... I think I know who it was. SSSSSSTTTTTT But before I could ce it, a jolt like lightning rushed through me. The pain of my injuries erupted with unimaginable intensity. "AHHHH! IT HURTS! MAKE IT STOP!" My own screams echoed in the void, feeling the burns flowing throughout my body. The system screens shed wildly. [Fully Recovered Bar: 8%...11%...13%...15%] [Time until you awaken: 99.5%] [100%] "AH!" I jolted upright, gasping, sweat making my borrowed robes cling to my bruised body. My heart pounded like a war drum, that pain I suffered just now... I thought I was going to die. As I went to look to my right, I saw 2 figures beside me, the doctor with a maintained calm face. And leaning against the wall a boy any woman would fall head over heals for...Jan. His face looked rather relieved despite my condition. "Jan... what are you doing here? Aren''t you supposed to be preparing for the final?" Jan simply smiled in response, but before he could say anything the doctor stepped forward, his voice brisk and professional. "Before you speak to your friend, let me do a quick examination." ... [5 minutester...] ... The next few minutes went quickly. Cold tools, gentle touches that somehow boosted the ache in my limbs and the doctor muttering to himself. Finally, he stepped back. khum... "You are in no condition to move," he dered with quiet authority. "I rmend an hour or two of rest for recovery and when you get home make sure you rest for about 10 hours." "Okay¡­" I agreed, a wave of exhaustion washing over me despite my sudden awakening. In my mind, I asked the system. Is he right? FWANG! [Yes. The flow of mana within your body is reconstructing itself. Disrupting that flow could lead to severe restrictions in movement.] Nodding slowly, I forced out a choked, "Thank you, Doctor." The doctor shook his head and left, the door clicking softly behind him. ... ... ... Jan sat on the chair beside Rel''s bed and leaned forward. "So, how are you feeling?" "Never been better," Rel deadpanned. "Aside from the feeling of being electrocuted, that is." A frown tugged at his lips. "Whoops, my bad," Jan mumbled. Rel eyed the empty potion bottle on the bedside table. "You¡­ used that on me?" Jan shrugged. "Something told me you''re the type who returns favours." "And if I don''t?" He gave Jan an amused expression despite the exhaustion. "Eh, it''s fine. Wasn''t gonna use it on myself," Jan said nonchntly. Rel pointed at the bottle. "That''s Cam''s, isn''t it?" "How''d you know?" Jan''s surprise was genuine. "Her family makes the good stuff, how could I not recognize it?" Rel said with a confident look. "Fair point," Jan admitted. Rel shifted the conversation. "What brings you here anyway?" Jan''s easygoing manner vanished. "I needed to ask you something." His gaze locked onto Rel''s. "Why did you forfeit?" "Sorry?" Confusion washed over Rel. "Don''t get what you''re..." "Don''t y dumb," Jan cut in, his tone uncharacteristically sharp. His eyes fixed with an intense stare, then abruptly, his expression softened. "Actually, never mind. Guess I already figured it out." He pressed a hand to his chest dramatically, "It was for her, wasn''t it?" "...?" "No, I..." Rel began, but Jan was on a roll. "I Should''ve seen iting," Jan sighed, an ironic twist to his lips. "Your heart''s a bigger weapon than any bow. Admirable, throwing it all away¡­ hoping someday it wins both the battle and the girl." A disgusted frown contorted Rel''s face. "What the f**k are you¨C" His protest was cut short by Jan''s buzzing watch. BZZZZT!...BZZZT!!! "Oh? looks like I gotta run. they moved up the match." He leaned in a yful look in his eyes. "Oh and there''s two girls from our ss waiting for you outside¡­ Don''t tell me you''re three-timing already. That''s harsh, man." "Huh?!" Rel sputtered, outrage recing confusion. Jan headed for the door, then paused. "Jokes aside, I was really looking forward to facing you in the final, Rel." A dreamy tone crept into his voice. "Makes me wonder¡­ what if you hadn''t held back against her?" He turned and left with a final smirk. Click! "Was he always this dense?" Rel grumbled, massaging his temples. "I''ll never write someone like him ever again..." ... ... ... Where does Jan even get these ideas? I swear, the guy wasn''t this thick-headed before. Am I missing something? Holding back? I gave that fight everything that I had, and now the strongest first-year thinks I''m powerful... What. Am. I. Missing? I think he''spletely lost it. Then he was on about some nonsense about me doing a favour, and then... the heart of a girl? Seriously? And what the hell was that about two girls waiting outside? Wait a minute... Two girls? Click! My door swung open with a soft click. Two figures stood still in the doorway. One, a sh of familiar blonde tied neatly in a bun, caught me off guard entirely. The other... a vibrant cascade of violet-purple hair that burned itself into my memory. Jan''s whole "two girls" thing left me baffled. Seriously, what could I have done that would drag them here? Oh...right... the bow... ____________________ Authors Notes: - The duration of the battle between Rel and Valencia went on for 7 Minutes and 37 Seconds - There are 3 types of brewed potions in Rel''s novel these types names are: Recovery potion (recovers mana and heals wounds), Mana Potion (recovers mana), and Stamina potion (recovers stamina). - The level of quality in terms of brewing potions is far behind, as the best potions are only able to recover 10-15% of a specific area. Chapter 107: If It All Ended Tomorrow (3) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Allen''s Cafe] [After the match between Rel Verse Valencia] Jae Yoona and Alice upied a corner booth at Allen''s Cafe, The usual chatter filled the air, but the two girls were an ind of focused intensity, their heads bent close together over aptop. "Got a minute?" Jae Yoona slid the screen across the table. "What were those factors for keyndmarks again? I''m nking out." Alice leaned closer, a lock of blonde hair falling across the page. "Depends on the dungeon''s elemental properties, but generally, you''re looking for fluctuation points where elements interact in unusual ways. Magical analysis is your best bet for spotting those." A thoughtful crease appeared between Jae Yoona''s brows. She tapped the screen, then snapped her fingers. "Right! Okay, that helps a ton. Making a note of that..." Alice smiled, returning to her own studies. An air offortable silence settled between them, punctuated by the soft tapping of Jae Yoona''s keyboard. Suddenly the cafe''s TV flickered, interrupting their studies. "...and the winner of the second semi-finals is Valencia Freya! Won by forfeit, can you believe it? That Archer''s miracle run, stopped short by the Sword Saint herself!" Jae Yoona''s gaze drifted from herptop to the screen. "Alice, look. It''s him." "...!" A gasp escaped Alice. She covered her mouth, her eyes fixated on the screen. "His body is beaten up... is he okay?" "Hm..." Jae Yoona scrutinized the image of Rel, his slumped posture conveying a world of exhaustion. "Valencia must have given him a rough time." A reflective note crept into Jae''s voice. "Kinda wish I''d seen that match." "Why''s that?" Alice asked, tilting her head in curiosity. Jae shrugged. "A break from studying, I guess." Alice nodded in agreement. Jae''s gaze returned to Rel. His condition seemed worse than what Valencia had inflicted on her in the quarterfinals. She remembered the blinding sh, that strange ''form'' Valencia had unleashed¡­ A feeling of unease ran through her. She couldn''t imagine what Valencia must have done to Rel. "ehh?...mhm?!...hmm...." A puzzled murmur escaped Alice''s lips, that Jae Yoona recognized immediately. It was the sound of Alice figuring out a particrlyplex question, a rare urrence. "What''s up?" Jae Yoona asked. "This... this Mana Efficiency question," Alice muttered, pointing at the screen. "It''s convoluted, and..." Sheunched into aplex-sounding equation that made Jae Yoona''s brain melt. "ah..."You know what?" Jae Yoona cut in, massaging her head. "This is giving me a headache. There''s only one person who can solve this mess. We''re going to see Mr. Rank 1." Alice puffed out her cheeks like an unhappy hamster, a faint blush creeping up her neck. "I can figure this out!" Jae Yoona raised an eyebrow. "Didn''t you sound pretty keen on asking him a question earlier? Or was I imagining things?" The flush deepened. Steam seemed to practically whistle from Alice''s ears. "No!" Ignoring the protest, Jae Yoona grabbed Alice''s wrist, a mischievous look gave it all away. "...!" "Come on. No question gets answered if you don''t ask for help." haah... Defeated, Alice sighed. "Fine... let''s pack up first, at least." Momentster, their study materials gathered, the girls hurried out of the cafe, heading straight for the medical bay. *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Medical Bay] Oh man... that''s Jae Yoona and Alice. Looking at Jae Yoona I could see the shbacks of Valencia''s sword arcing towards my chest, the bow that snapped in two like a twig... Now the lingering guilt was eating away at my gut. Jae Yoona probably wanted to string me up by my ankles. What do I even say? ... ... ... [Rel''s Imagination - Scenario 1] "Look, I broke your bow, okay? I''ll pay for it, I swear!" Jae Yoona had that calm terrifying look in her eyes "It''s irreceable. How about you prepare every exam note for the rest of the year instead?" NOOO!!!! [Rel''s Imagination - Scenario 2] "Ms. Yoona, I know I messed up! Let me return you-" Jae Yoona, a smile that chilled me to the bone, "I just fixed up that bowst week. Exam notes it is, then." NOOO!!!! [Rel''s Imagination - Scenario 3] "I''m truly sorry. I get it, I''ll face the consequences-" Jae Yoona, cutting me off with terrifying efficiency, "Excellent! Then those exam notes won''t be a problem, will they?" NOOO!!!! ... ... ... "Hey? Is everything okay? You seem out of it." Jae Yoona''s voice cut through my daydreaming. I whipped around, hastily bowing. Khum! "Ah, sorry, yes! Just¡­" I trailed off, a nervous cough escaping my lips. "So... What brings you two here?" Jae Yoona''s tone held a trace of usation and a lot of curiosity. "You need to keep your end of the deal, right?" A shiver ran down my spine, thinking this was it. "Right... I should..." But I''m not sure I''m ready for this. Jae Yoona continued, staring at me with a puzzled expression. "Look, we heard about your match... and... hey?... are you feeling okay?" She tilted her head, her concern felt genuine. "Maybe it wasn''t a good time to ask you this question¡­" Wait... what? I blinked. "Question?" "Yes¡­ A question," she confirmed. Relief washed over me. Had I been panicking for nothing? Maybe they didn''t see the match after all. But there''s still the bow business to deal with. I''d need to find someone to recreate it, and make an exact replica of her bow... "..." p! I pped my hands together. "Okay...so, what''s this question I can help you with?" Jae Yoona grinned, stepping aside. "Not me, her." She gestured towards Alice, who stood frozen, herptop covering her face like a flimsy shield. "...?" I waited patiently, a faint sense of amusement colouring my confusion. Jae Yoona, feeling impatient, gave a yful nudge. "H-haah!" A muffle escaped Alice. Slowly, ever so slowly, she peeked around theptop and shuffled towards me. "Um¡­ this question here¡­" She pushed a piece of crumpled paper at me. What the f**k? I could feel my eyes widening by the second. My brain exploded at the sight of theplex jumble of equations and numbers. I managed to speak turning towards her, "I''m supposed to¡­answer this?" "Y-you don''t have to¡­if you can''t," Alice mumbled, looking like she might disappear into thin air. There was an unspoken edge to her words, a whiff of scepticism that pricked at me. I blinked. "Right," I said, suppressing a frown. "Of course. It''s just¡­ I can''t answer this without a pen." Theptop vanished from Alice''s face, she handed me the pen. Her eyes red with a look of surprise and relief. I adjusted my sses, trying to maintain a neutral expression. "System," I muttered under my breath, "little help with this, please?" FWANG! The familiar interface materialized before my eyes, analyzing the paper. [Undergoing calction¡­ please wait.] While waiting, I adopted what I hoped was an intelligent pose: chin nestled thoughtfully on the pen, eyes scanning the equations as if I was trying to solve it. [Calctionsplete!] [Would you like the answer or the detailed step-by-step solution?] I turned to Alice, a slight tremor in my voice. "Do you need just the answer or theplete working out?" Her face lit up with a surprised smile. "Working out, please..." haah... In my mind, I breathed a sigh of relief. "System, the full solution, if you would." [Sure Mr Axel! :D] ... ... ... Five agonizing minutester, I passed Alice the neatly written sheet. "Here, this should rify everything." Alice scanned the page, her brow furrowing in concentration. Then, a slow nod confirmed it all. "This¡­ this makes sense. It''s correct!" Jae Yoona grinned, a flicker of reluctant respect in her eyes. "Well, it looks like you''re not all talk. You passed the test, I guess." She gestured to Alice. "Let''s go." As the two were on their way to leave, Alice turned and gave a quick, respectful bow. I waved, an odd mix of relief and embarrassment washing over me. "Haah¡­ For once, things actually worked out." _______________ Authors Notes: - Jae Yoona tends to protect Alice from most boys/men. If she thinks a certain male is dangerous she''d try to stop them from speaking to Alice. This exins Alice''sck of interactions with males as she doesn''t quite understand how they function. Chapter 108: If It All Ended Tomorrow (4) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Media Sector] "Master? Did you lose connection again?" Kayn''s voice, tinny andced with static, crackled through Morwen''s earpiece. He slipped away from the media frenzy and into a secluded corner. "Yes. Seems I need to move down further for a stable signal." Morwen''s voice held a hint of annoyance. "So, how did it go? The match highlights don''te out to the world until a few weeks after, you know," Kayn pressed a tremor of excitement in his tone. "As expected. The vessel is impressive," Morwen revealed. "To earn the title ''Sword Saint'' a few years after Jianna had passed¡­ that''s not an easy feat, even for someone of her lineage." "For praise like that, she must''ve been amazing! Guess you only have eyes for the best, Master!" hmph... Morwen''s response was a dismissive grunt. "Any other standouts?" Kayn asked. He paused for a moment to think, "Her opponent¡­" Morwen let the word hang, a sneer in his voice. "He was nothing impressive. At best, just an ordinary archer in my eyes." "Ordinary? How so?" Morwen grunted once more, a dark sound in the confined space. "He''s inconsistent. Disorganized. And somehow things have a way of... working out in his favour. It''s irritating." Kayn noticing Morwen''s frustration changed the subject to a more important topic at hand. "So...when do you think the time will be right?" "..." Morwen threw a wary nce around the media section, then leaned in, his voice barely a whisper. "Hmm... If I could capture her before the finals it would be amazing. Still, I''m under the suspicion that someone''s protecting her movements... really damn well." "So, after the finals, then?" Morwen nodded. "It appears so." *** [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Allen''s Cafe] [Wednesday, 5:00 PM] [30 minutes before the finals...] "Seriously, what is WRONG with you two?" Bazz exploded, finger jabbing usatorily at Jan. "...?" Jan blinked, his gaze flicking from his te of pastries to Bazz''s exasperated expression. "Hey now, just enjoying a pre-match snack, is all." Bazz turned to Valencia, who was munching on a croissant with concerning serenity. "And YOU! Shouldn''t you be, like, hyped or something? A rematch this huge, it''s insane! Where''s the trash talk? The rivalry?" He threw his hands up. "Instead, we get a tea party before the¡ª" Ssh! Lyra, the golden retriever of the group, "identally" tipped her ss of water. Bazz sputtered, dripping. "Whoops!" Lyra chirped, trying to keep herself fromughing, keeping that mischievous look in her eyes. "What was that for?!" "You were bothering everyone," Cam chimed in, an amused smile ying on her lips. "You should rx." She held out a napkin. "Besides, finals are no reason to lose your head." Bazz snatched the napkin. "But, but¡­" Jan patted his shoulder with exaggerated sympathy. "Honestly, Bazz, rx! You don''t see the fuss, do you, Val?" Valencia shrugged, taking another bite. "Just another spar, right? Not like it''s the World Championships." Defeated, Bazz buried his face in his hands. Lyra giggled, handing him another fresh napkin. "Why am I even friends with any of you¡­" Changing the subject to another topic Cam spoke. "So, Jan, what was it like inside that fancy barrier with Louise? No one got a glimpse of that fight." Jan shrugged nonchntly, "Let''s just say...he had the home-field advantage. Louise was absolutely handing it to me in there." He scratched his head sheepishly. "Not my finest hour, that''s for sure. But hey," He nudged Valencia with a yful grin. "...you should probably ask Miss ''Sword Saint'' over here about how amazing her round was." A crease appeared between Valencia''s brows as she took another bite of her croissant. "Come on, you guys saw the fight already." A feeling of unease, a memory of Rel''s forfeit, tugged at her, but she pushed it down. Cam nodded, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Yep. Though Lyra here was convinced you were about to lose." Lyra yelped, instantly turning crimson. "I d-don''t know what you mean!" Bazz, seizing the opportunity for chaos, materialized a video recording on his watch. "Oh? Then what''s this?" It showed a sobbing Lyra wailing, - "I can''t watch this!"ahh!" Feeling high and mighty, he watched Lyra squirm in panic... FLICK! Suddenly out of nowhere, Jan sent him tumbling from his chair. "Ouch! Why am I the punching bag today?!" "Hm... I wonder why?" Jan smirked at Bazz with a mischievous look. pffft... A genuineugh escaped Valencia''s lips. This chaotic energy, was familiar,forting in its own way. She watched her friends, muttering half to herself. "I guess some things never change." BZZZT!...BZZZT!....BZZZT!!! A synchronized buzz echoed. Both Jan and Valencia checked their watches, the identical notification shing, [Finalsmencement:] [Report to your respective tunnels immediately.] Jan met Valencia''s eyes, a spark igniting between them. "Guess it''s time, huh?" His voice held a mix of excitement and a familiar warmth. "Right¡­" Valencia''s tone was more hesitant, the echo of Rel''s forfeit still remaining at the edge of her mind. Jan seemed to sense the shift. "The others should probably find their seats now." He gestured towards their friends with a grin. Bazz, wanted all the smoke with Jan, speaking once more, "Hah! No one wants to see y¡ª" FLICK! Another flick to his forehead. Bazz, with an anguished cry of "Not again!", copsed to the floor rolling side to side. Cam jumped towards Valencia hugging her tightly. "Good luck, Val! I''ll be rooting for you¡­maybe." Thest word was a mischievous whisper. "Thanks," Valencia smiled softly, startled. "Wait, what?" Lyra cut in, enveloping Valencia in a suffocating hug. "Win or lose, I''m proud of you!" Valencia, struggling to breathe, finally managed to push Lyra off. "Thanks, but¡­ let go." Then finally, she met Jan''s gaze, determination recing the momentary doubt. "As for you¡­ let''s settle this. I hope you''ve been keeping count." A grin spread across Jan''s face. "Of course. Eight years of practice battles, and somehow you always manage to snag a draw. Zero wins, zero losses, ny-nine draws so far." _______________ To Be Continued... _______________ Authors Notes: - For power scaling purposes, yes Jan and Valencia are equal when Jan doesn''t use Divine Conqueror. Chapter 109: If It All Ended Tomorrow (5) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Stage] CRACKLE...CRACKLE...CRACKLE... Lightning coursed through Valencia''s de as she dashed towards Jan. This was it. This was the end. In her mind, Jan had thrown everything at her, his body was exhausted, and his mana reserves were depleted. huuu... Jan who stood still in the moment saw it all... Everything that had led up to this moment, made him realise the beauty of things. ... ... ... As time passed by, Jan could feel everything around him slow down. He knew deep down that this tournament meant nothing to him, even if he won. He watched Valencia, seeing not just her skill, but the woman she had be since their first meeting all those years ago. He''d always felt the weight of this second life, an unfair giftpared to those lost in the cmity that destroyed his homeworld. But Valencia, somehow, eased that burden with her unwavering support and friendship. After all this time, after everything she''d done for him, this would finally be his first act of true reciprocation. In the final fraction of a second, Jan had hesitated. SWOOSH! Her de struck faster than he could react. "...!" As blood streaked out of his chest, the movements of her swing, mirrored the same way she had once shed him before. SHING! "Well yed, Valencia¡­" THUD! Jan''s words trailed off as he slumped to his knees, sumbing to exhaustion. "... guess this win... is yours..." m... Silence washed over the arena as Valencia caught her breath. "NO WAY!" "OH MY GOD..." "She did it." The crowd erupted. The announcer''s voice exploded through the stadium, "History has been made! Our newest immortal has arrived, everyone give it up for... VALENCIA FREYA!" Valencia stood tall, bathed in the roar. She gazed upwards at the vastness of the arena. It felt unreal, this fulfilment of years of effort and sacrifice. "My first win," Valencia smiled as she lifted her sword towards the audience. *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Medical Bay] [Time: 6:00 PM] [after the fight...] zzzzzz.... zzzz... zzz... "...Mr. Laurence?" A voice pulled me from my restless sleep. Jolting upright, I met the doctor''s gaze. "Yes, Doctor?" He gestured towards a blinking device on the bedside table. "You''ve received a notification to head back to the main stage. The conduction for the ceremony will begin very soon." "Why?" I croaked, still hazy. right... I was top 4 regardless of my forfeit... haah... The thought of it left a sour taste. My next question tumbled out before I could stop it. "Who won the finals?" Jan shouldn''t have lost... well unless the forfeit messed things up. If Valencia won, did awakening DC (Divine Conqueror) weaken him too much? Because if he had all six elemental attributes victory was almost guaranteed. But with only the light attribute... It might have been a mistake, There were just too many variables to ount for. What I needed were answers. "Valencia Freya," the doctor stated tly. "...!" So, having him awaken caused Jan the win huh? "Really?" I managed, followed by a weak smile. The doctor merely nodded, his face betraying nothing. Well that answers things... but do I really have to attend the ceremony? I mean... It was just a formality anyway, and these hospital sheets were morefortable than being outside. "Good for her," I muttered. "Just tell me, Doctor, how am I supposed to walk on my own when you said moving was a no-go?" The doctor adjusted his sses, his gaze fixed on his clipboard. "A fortunate coincidence. I have just the solution." He slipped out, returning a few momentster with a small vial. "This contains an adrenalinepound tailored specifically for cases like yours. It will temporarily relieve the pain and exhaustion, and also support some recovery process for your mana flow." I eyed the vial in suspicion, there was no way a thing like this existed... "System, analyze this, please." [Sure Mr. Axel! :D] [Analyzing vial¡­ Analysisplete!] [Potion: AMR (Adrenaline Mana Relief) ¨C Safe to drink] [Duration: 2 Hours] [Contents: This drug introduces a chemical that aids the structural recovery of mana flow.] [Side effects: Immediate and severe rebound of pain upon expiry. Potential for fainting.] Of course. I should have known better than to hope for an easy fix. With a resigned sigh, I downed the potion, frowning at the taste. A strange tingling sensation washed over me. Testing my legs slowly, I felt the throbbing ache reduce to a dull background hum. The doctor, ever efficient, broke into my thoughts. "Since you are technically well enough to move... consider this your discharge. Your things are by your bed. Leave after the ceremony, and I rmend a full week of rest before returning to sses." He nodded curtly and left. I pulled on my clothes, a frown tugging at my lips as I checked the time. The award ceremony would need setup time, which might buy me the chance to receive whatever they had for me and then slip away unnoticed. My main priority as of now is Morwen. He was the bigger threat, and I needed to formte a n to keep him far away from her before he could even act. ... ... ... [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Tunnel] "Stupid... so stupid..." Louise muttered, malding out of his mind. He''d chosen the furthest seat possible from Jan. It was the one act of misguided nobility against his rival, and it had cost him everything. "...?" "Should''ve ended it, should''ve ended it..." The endless, muttered insults sent a chill down Jan''s spine. Valencia, radiating the usual post-victory confidence, nced at Louise''s anger, then chose to ignore it. She leaned towards Jan. "Are you okay? Does the wound still hurt?" Jan who tapped his chest whispered, "It''s fine. Got it healed, anyway." A sigh of relief escaped Valencia. "Honestly, I¡­" The words caught in her throat, a frown recing the relief, made her question the entirety of the match. Did Jan even take the fight seriously? Yet, he was smiling, and to ruin the moment seemed petty. "...?" Jan tilted his head. He sensed her hesitation but didn''t ask. tap... tap... tap... The rhythmic tap of footsteps echoed through the tunnel. Rel, walking with a forced stiffness, emerged. Seeing Valencia, Louise, and Jan, he felt a wave of intimidation wash over him. This ce¡­ these people¡­ they were a world away from his own. If only he hadn''t agreed to that cursed quest, he wouldn''t be here... Rel, after a swift check with the security, sat at the very end avoiding Louise and Valencia. But right next to him was someone even more annoying than the 2bined. Jan... who was delighted to see him up and about, gave him a hearty nudge with a mischievous grin. He tilted his head towards Valencia, and he teased, "Oh, hey Rel!" "...?" "...!" The sudden outburst startled both Valencia and Louise. Valencia blinked, her focus snapping back to the present, while Louise whipped his head around. Their eyesnded on Rel, who froze at the attention, desperately avoiding eye contact. He couldn''t face either of them, let alone muster a reply to Jan''s enthusiastic greeting. "tch..." Valencia clicked her tongue and Louise frowned, a scowl of disgust twisting his features as he turned away in a clear dismissal of Rel. "..." The silence was suffocating. Louise, muttering barely audible threats, rocked with barely contained fury. Valencia in disapproval had her arms crossed tight against her chest. Jan, seemingly oblivious to the tension, tapped his foot and nced impatiently at his watch. And Rel, utterly miserable, kept his gaze fixed on the ground. ... ... ... A few minutester a sudden echo of footsteps cut through the tense silence. "...!" An imposing figure emerged from the tunnel, and everyone seemed to recognise this familiar person. "Well, it seems we''re all assembled," [Milio Idris President Of The International Heroes Association.] "Shall we begin the ceremony?" Valencia turned a hint of surprise in her eyes. "Mr. Idris," she acknowledged, "I wasn''t aware you were leading the ceremony." The president smiled, a touch of warmth softening his stern demeanour. "Ast-minute request from your principal, Ms. Freya. Urgent matters, I''m afraid. He asked if I would take the honour in his stead." "Of course," Valencia replied, though her tone held a slight hesitation. With a curt nod, the president shifted his focus, his gaze sweeping over the gathered students. His eyes lingered on Louise, a slight frown creasing his brow. He then looked at Rel, his expression unreadable. Finally, he settled on Jan, who stood with unnerving calmness. The tension, the president''s scrutiny¡­ none of it seemed to reach him. BZZZT!...BZZZZT! The president''s watch buzzed a discrete signal that pierced the charged silence. After checking the notification, he gestured towards the tunnel exit with a slight tilt of his head. "Positions, students, if you will. Time to begin the ceremony." "...?" As they rose, the usual sense of order felt wrong. No instructions, just an awkward line ¨C Louise moving to the left, Valencia and Jan in the middle, and Rel schooching to the end. The roar as the tunnel gates swung open hit them with the force of a wave. The crowd was in a frenzy, the energy felt the same as the World Cup final. They trailed behind the president, their footsteps echoed in the sudden hush as they emerged onto the tform once more. From this vantage point, the sheer scale of the arena was overwhelming. "Mr. Idris... here you go." Milio epted a microphone from a waiting staff member, his gaze sweeping across the sea of faces as he broke the noise with a cough... _________________ Authors Notes: - The fight between Jan and Valenciasted for 7 minutes and 25 seconds. - Milio Idris is the head of operations across all national associations. Chapter 110: Award Ceremony "Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen! Tonight, we gather to honour four individuals who have pushed the boundaries of what we thought possible. These extraordinary students of Pinnacle Academy have not only demonstrated talent and perseverance, but they''ve ignited the belief that undying spirit, that anything can be achieved. As we celebrate these four, let us not forget that our academy thrives on diversity. Each student, with their unique abilities and backgrounds, enriches ourmunity and reminds us that together, we are stronger. Let these students inspire us! Let their sess ignite the fire within us all. Remember, boundaries are but illusions. It is through determination, through the relentless pursuit of our dreams, that we defy limitations. And above all doubt and constriction, we exist as the 1%. The existence of being the only one to exist... as you. To our honorees, you are an inspiration. We are privileged to witness your rise. Thank you for sharing your talent and reminding us what true potential looks like. Now, let the celebration begin!" ... ... ... Milio nced at his script. "Now, the moment we''ve all awaited. Presenting the cements¡­" With a flourish, stagehands appeared, bearing velvet-lined cases on silver trays. The stadium pulsed with anticipation as four identical podiums were positioned, marked with crisp numerals: one lone podium far to the left, two grouped closer in the centre, and a final one set to the right. "In fourth ce," Milio''s voice boomed, "with an average rating of 4.44/5... Rel Laurence!" A ripple of polite apuse washed over Rel. Itcked enthusiasm but wasn''t wholly dismissive. With a calm expression, he ascended the fourth-ce podium, the medal a shining colour of white against his chest. Milio continued, "In third ce, with an impressive 4.96/5 rating... Louise De Villerion!" Louise strode forward, a conflicted smile ying across his lips. The apuse was stronger, but a note of disappointment remained. epting the bronze medal, he took his ce. The tension ratcheted up another notch. "In second ce, with a wless, HISTORICAL unmatched score of 5.00/5.00... Jan Ates!" An eruption of cheers filled the stadium as Jan epted the handshake and medal with a modest bow. Standing on the second podium, its silver shining, the crowd''s adoration fueled his calm. Silence hung heavy as Milio prepared for the final announcement. "And the undisputed winner of the tournament, with an extraordinary 4.97 rating¡­ Valencia Freya!" A thunderous wave of apuse crashed over the stadium. Bnced and graceful, Valencia ascended the steps, the gold medal catching the spotlight. As she stood upon the highest podium, a moment frozen in time, the crowd witnessed a legend in the making. "And now, to bestow the individual performance awards, we wee back the previous winner ofst year''s tournament ¨C a second year who swept all four categories ¨C Derrick Song!" A hush fell over the crowd as a figure emerged from the shadows. Slender, with soft brown hair and piercing red eyes, Derrick''s natural appearance charmed those within distance. A wave of adoration washed over the stadium. "Greetings, everyone," he began his voice a charming contrast to the energy of the crowd. "I''m here to honour those who carry on our legacy." His smile faded into a cool professionalism as Milio handed him the first golden que: Tournament MVP. "The system''s verdict was clear," Derrick announced. "The MVP¡­ Valencia Freya!" Striding towards Valencia''s podium, he presented the que with formality. As she epted it with a grateful bow, he leaned closer, his words a whisper lost to the cheering crowd. She froze, then managed a tight smile, her usual confidence momentarily shaken. Returning to centre stage, Derrick announced the next award, "Best Overall Performance: Jan Ates." The crowd roared, but Derrick merely held out the que. There was no smile, no handshake. It was almost a dismissal. A wave of unease swept through the stadium confused. Derrick presented the final award, Spirit of the Tournament, to Louise. The gesture was almost violent as Louise snatched the que, his expression disgusted at the brown hair''s face. *** {Rel''s POV} As I waited for this awards ceremony to be over I doubted I was going to receive a Special award. Not likely. As Derrick announced the final category, I took my best bet that Jan was getting 2 but I haven''t seen Valencia''s fight either so It could go either way, to be honest. "Best Single Match Individual Performance¡­" Derrick paused, his gaze flickering to his watch as if checking for an error. Then, with a coldness that contrasted sharply with the crowd''s cheers. He stopped and stared straight towards me uttering... "Rel Laurence." What? Did I hear that right? Me? As Derrick approached my podium, each step was measured. Our eyes locked, and warmth vanished from his expression. A re of pure hostility reced it ¨C silent, yet somehow more threatening than any insult. He handed me the que and spoke only a single word to me. "Fraud." And I felt something boiling up inside of me... hearing such a pathetic word, I couldn''t possibly hold myself back from trying to punch him. He was the embodiment of a prick and an asshole. Derrick Song... A character of mass destruction, not only was he as strong as people say, but he is someone not to be taken lightly in this world. He''s a main viin, a recurring threat throughout the story. His first major act was to destroy Pinnacle Academy by any means. He was dimir''s weapon, willing to follow any order, no matter how destructive. Derrick was blinded by loyalty, he set out to cripple the system that bred heroes and seeded. It wasn''t until his third year he brought the Academy to its knees, and even then, help was needed. The Demon Serum¡­ a force that gave him the powers of a demon and the body of a human. That alone crushed the main cast. But it wasn''t enough ¨C he vanishester, aiding dimir''s schemes... That''s the original timeline, anyway. Killing him here, now¡­ that''s a one-way ticket to jail. But consequences can wait. Right now, it''s about survival. ______________ Authors Notes: - The 4 ques have the previous names of the individuals who''ve won it starting from the 1980s up until now 2023 - The reason for Rel winning the Best Single Match Individual Performance was through a system that used an engine referenced from chess. Rel had 0 blunders, 0 mistakes, and 1 missed win during that fight. He also scored a total of 3 brilliant moves during the match which was the most in the entire tournament. Scoring a 96.9% uracy during his match against Valencia. - Ratings for each individual is different as for Swordsmans they take into ount technique, aura utilisation, and elemental attribute usage, which exins Jan''s perfect 5/5 Chapter 111: THREE-WAY RACE {Valencia''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Allen''s Cafe] [6:50 PM] Milio Idris''s voice boomed through the dispersing crowd. "...that concludes the ceremony! Wishing you all a wonderful evening!" BZZZT!...BZZZZ! [Message from Group chat: VCL <3 - Sender: Cam] I clutched my que, checking the message from Cam. [Camilia: <6:52 PM> Valenciaaaaa, we''re gonna be at the food court towards the main lobby, Be there so we can celebrate! (Bring Jan as well pls...)] [You: <6:53 PM> Okay.] They were nning a celebration dinner in the stadium''s food court... but why bring Jan? Oh right... Smiling, I typed a quick "Okay." Just as I stepped off the stage, I caught sight of Jan. He was making his way towards the exit, He seemed rather relieved. A wave of hesitation washed over me. Should I ask him? It felt¡­ off. Even with the win, celebrating in front of him tasted like ashes. But... he was my friend ¨C had been for eight years. Maybe it wouldn''t sting so much. Maybe he''d understand if I just... exined. "Jan." He turned, surprise registering on his face. "Yes?" Keeping my voice calm, I spoke, "There''s something I need to give to you." Ah... a half-truth, but he didn''t need to know more. "Could you meet Cam and Lyra by the food court? Just for a bit?" "...?" He looked genuinely puzzled but nodded. Yes, the lie burned in my throat, but it was done. Because I just realised I didn''t have the contract on me. Without a word, I spun on my heel and headed towards the tunnel leading backstage. The celebratory atmosphere vanished as I plunged through the tunnel''s corridor, my steps echoing against the smooth concrete. I needed to find that document fast, or my dreams of bing a guild leader would crumble before they even began. *** {Rel''s POV} As I watchedValencia disappear into the tunnel, I had a few choices. Should I just leave everything and follow? I mean Morwen could be anywhere, and keeping my distance from Valencia was crucial. But I needed to keep her safe cause If I didn''t, who would? They''d write me off as crazy if I bbed about a wanted man hiding in in sight. I needed to get her out of there, somehow. Yet, thest thing I wanted was to look like a stalker trailing her through the tunnel. That would just make things worse. haah... Finding Jan was the next step, no matter how much I didn''t want to do this. I squared my shoulders, turned, and headed for the opposite exit. I remembered Yuka''s request to tell Jan to head to the guest lobby. Because Jan getting into Legion New Force was a turning point in the main plot of the story... Yuka, with her inexhaustible ambition, and her absolute belief in Jan''s potential... She would turn him into someone who could one day beat the towers on his own. Unlike the other guilds, she was willing to sacrifice everything to ensure their sess. People, rtionships... they meant nothing if they stood between her and her goals. It was admirable, almost enviable in her certainty. It just makes me wonder whether... hmm...actually, never mind. As I walked on I knew the serum had limits, because every step on the way was a struggle. Still, spotting Jan, I pushed through, calling for him. "Wait up..." He turned, surprise written on his usually calm face. "Wow... It''s rare seeing you approach me first, Rel." "Whatever," I snarled at him. ying my role as messenger was exhausting. "The guild leader of Legion New Force wants to see you. You should head to the guest lobby. Now." Jan tilted his head, a familiar twinkle in his eyes. "Wait... Did Miss Yuka tell you... to tell me that?" I nodded, but the memory of Yuka and Julian, their "coincidental" meeting, pricked at me. It wasn''t a coincidence, they''d followed me. He grinned, and before the question was fully formed, I cut him off. "Woul-" "No." haah... "Well, thanks for the heads-up." A genuine smile touched Jan''s lips. "Want to tag along to the food court after?" "Nope, gotta run." "Where to?" "Can''t tell you." As much as I wanted Jan''s help, I knew the meeting with Yuka was important¡­ It is vital for his future with the Legion New Force. Borrowing his time now could destroy everything. As we reached the tunnel exit, Jan waved goodbye. I raised my hand in response but continued walking. I needed to follow Valencia, and I prayed the consequences wouldn''t shatter the fragile trust I had in her, that a sudden slip-up of clumsiness would get her caught... *** {Morwen''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Media Sector, Outside] Morwen sneaked through the media crowd surrounding Pinnacle Stadium. The noise of their constant chatter was the perfect cover for his undercovermunications. beep!...beep!...beep! One finger tapped his earpiece, activating the call with Kayn. "Kayn," he rasped into thems, his voice a chilling whisper. "Yes, Master!" Kayn''s frantic reply echoed back. "Is it time?" "Indeed." Morwen savoured the anticipation. "Where is Franz?" "Uh¡­" Kayn stammered a hint of panic in his voice. "He''s a bit¡­upied, Master. I think I hear the Bandits raiding our building again!" Morwen''s eyebrow twitched. Bandits? Did Franz have a bandit-shaped rm clock that went off at inconvenient moments? "Just¡­hand him thems." He could almost picture Kayn fumbling with the device. A muffled yell and the tter of something falling echoed through the line, followed by Kayn''s breathless voice. "Franz! Master''s on the line! And seriously, get up! I swear if to god if you''re doing anything that''s not your job right now¡­" haah... Morwen sighed. Dealing with these two sometimes felt like a bizarre side-quest in a low-budget video game. "FRANZ! GET OFF THAT STUPID GAME! AND IS THAT... MINECRAFT? WE USE THAT COMPUTER FOR KIDNAPPING PEOPLE, NOT BUILDING PIXELATED FARMS!" Kayn''s voice erupted, punctuated by the frantic tapping of keyboard keys. "IT''S MY COMPUTER, I BUILT IT!" Franz''s whiny reply rang out. "Besides, Master understands! These creepers are way more challenging than any decent member you''ve brought in!" Morwen fought back a groan. A challenge for Kayn? Definitely... A few secondster... a sniffling Franz came on the line. "Master! It''s an honor¡ªer, sorry about the dy¡ªhow may I assist?" Morwen cleared his throat. "Focus, Franz. I scanned the parts of the stadium. I require an urate prediction of the back entrance." tap...tap...tap... "Yes, Master!" The sound of frenzied typing filled the silence, interrupted by the asional sound, "Take that, zombie!" Morwen squeezed the bridge of his nose. Soon, very soon, he''d be dealing with Valencia rather than digital distractions. Hopefully, she was less prone to procrastination. ... ... ... [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Student Hallway (South-Side) -] "Follow the blue line, Master," came Franz''s voice, surprisingly steady and professional over thems. "Security sweeps through the student section every twenty minutes. You''ve got a seven-minute window." A map popped up across Morwen''s watch, a blue route guiding through the maze of corridors. Child''s y¡­ but useful nheless. With a smirk, Morwen slipped through the back of the stadium''s entrance. His dark form melted into the shadows, evading the asional roaming staff with ease. Unlike his botched attemptst time, thanks to Franz''s guidance, the path was clear. "Any updates on her location?" Morwen''s smirk widened. "Excellent work, Franz. No need for further navigation ¨C I''ll take it from here." The thought of Valencia, drawn to his magic like a moth to a me, was intoxicating. "As you wish, Master. Remember I''m on standby if you need¡­additional insight." The amusement in Franz''s tone barely hid his arrogance. Morwen chuckled darkly. Perhaps the boy wasn''t as ipetent as he once was. "Alright, Good work Franz..." kachup! Morwen severed the connection with Franz, a satisfied grin ying on his lips. The faint pulse of his mana markers drew him forward. He surveyed the deserted corridor, the dim lighting casting elongated shadows. Everyone else was gone. Good. Valencia, though, Morwen knew she''d be around. No crowds, no witnesses... this was even better than he''d hoped for. swoosh... "...!" A flicker of movement at the far end of the hall caught his eye. With a frown, he squinted into the gloom. A figure, slender and with dark hair, slipped out of view. The archer from Valencia''s semi-final... his hair looked slightly dishevelled. Likely another attendee making their exit. Unimportant. Morwen scoffed, a sense of superiority washing over him. Compared to Valencia''s power, the boy was a mere insect. With a final nce around, he continued confidently down the corridor. Perhaps he had overestimated the difficulty of this task, after all. _______________ Authors Notes: - Kayn and Franz were granted the title of Morwen''s executioners. Chapter 112: THREE-WAY RACE (2) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Main Food Court: Bennelong] tap...tap...tap... Cam tapped her foot against the polished marble floor. "What''s taking her so long?" she muttered, a worried knot forming in her stomach. "Jan wouldn''t say no, would he?" Had she been too blunt? A celebratory dinner might have felt insensitive after his loss. She felt guilty thinking about her selfish actions. Maybe Valencia was desperately trying to convince him toe¡­ "Perhaps she''s lost?" Lyra''s voice swayed slightly, breaking the tense silence. "We should check¡ª" "No." Cam clenched her jaw. "Let''s find our seats first." She needed a moment to collect herself and strategize another approach if Jan had refused. THRUM...THRUM...THRUM... Just then, a tremor pulsed through the food court. "...!" Heavy footsteps echoed, each thud sending a shiver down Cam''s spine. The air grew thick with an overpowering energy that had nothing to do with the celebratory atmosphere. "Can you feel that, Lyra?" Cam whispered, Lyra nodded, her eyes wide. "Surely¡­ surely it''s not¡ª" THRUM!!! The footsteps grew louder, and closer. Instinctively, they both turned towards the source. A towering, shadowy figure emerged, casting an rming pallor over the brightly lit restaurant. "..." "Oh! Lyra! Cam!" A booming, yet surprisingly gentle, voice cut through the tension. The girls blinked, their racing hearts slowing as a familiar face came into focus. Wrinkled, but still maintaining the remains of a once-handsome youth, the features were unmistakable. His blonde hair was fading, but his broad smile remained the same. "Mr. Freya," Cam greeted, her voice warm. "It''s good to see you." Lyra offered a respectful nod. Gerrard chuckled. "None of that formality, youngdies. Where''s the usual crew? Not celebrating the end of the tournament, are we?" "They should be joining us any minute," Cam assured him. Gerrard''s gaze softened. "Speaking of champions, have you seen Valencia by any chance? Haven''t seen her since the awards ceremony ended." Lyra responded, "I think she''s talking with Jan right now, Mr. Freya." Gerrard''s smile faltered slightly. "Jan, eh? Well, that''s¡­interesting." BZZZZT!....BZZZZT! He nced at his watch, a furrow appearing on his brow and his expression hardened for a split second. "Apologies, girls," he said, his voice regaining its usualposure. "Seems something unexpected hase up." "Of course, Mr. Freya," Cam said. "Take care..." With a curt nod, Gerrard turned and strode away, his broad frame carrying surprising agility. His departure cast a subtle shadow over the lighthearted atmosphere. Lyra leaned closer to Cam. "He seemed¡­on edge." Cam pursed her lips. "Something is definitely bothering him. But knowing Mr. Freya, he won''t share details unless he wants to." Their light chatter subsided, reced by a thoughtful silence. The weight of Gerrard''s unease remained in the air, casting a veil of uncertainty over the evening''s ns. *** {Valencia''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Presentation Hall] The lights flickered on, revealing the empty presentation hall. As I recalled that I handed Mr. Kolek the folder, he reassured me that he''d put it in a safe ce. Determined, I scanned the room. It seems those same chairs from the semi-final draw haven''t moved... I ced my katana by the door and started my search. I couldn''t admit it, but a tiny voice hoped the contract would be hidden dramatically, worthy of its importance. [5 minutester...] haah... Minutes passed by and I still haven''t found the folder of the contract. I wondered If Mr. Kolek actually took it with him instead... Then if it''s true I might not- BZZZT!...BZZZT!... [Snoozed Notification: You''ve gotten an email from: Teacher: Kolek - 1 hour ago] [Evening Ms Freya, I have ced your folder into the bottompartment of the podium. Please make sure you have it collected before 7. All student facilities including the Presentation Halls will be locked.] [From Mr Kolek.] A blush crept up my cheeks. I felt a frown touched my lips. How did I not think of that? Of course, the most important spot in the room... Approaching the raised tform, I wondered how I was supposed to hand this to Jan. Should I be straightforward?... Or just y it off like it''s nothing?... or just be me? [Harp sound effect...] [Valencia''s Imaginary Scenario] "Ahem, Jan! As future guild leader of Miracles, it is my honour to present this offering on behalf of my father¡­" *Valencia hands Jan the contract* "Valencia, sign me up! There''s no need for me to read this!" "Yay!!!" Cam and Lyra appear, their enthusiastic voices joining Valencia''s in celebration. "Wow, Valencia! You signed Jan! Your mother would be so proud. And guild leader, starting today..." His voice held a warmth, a weight she couldn''t quite ce. "You''ve made me so proud." [Valencia''s Imaginary Scenario End] hehe... me? a leader! khum... oh...uh right. With the contract in hand, I grabbed my katana and confidently walked out the door. It was time to face reality, and hopefully, Jan. ... ... ... [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Hallways...] I clutched the contract tight, hurrying through the hallway. A nce at my watch confirmed it ¨C I''d need to pick up the pace if I wanted to make the dinner celebration. whooosh... As I rounded a corner, a sudden gust of wind mmed into me, raising goosebumps on my arms in an instant. achooo! I sneezed, the sound echoing in the sudden silence. "Odd," I muttered. "Isn''t it a bit early for this sort of weather?" All the windows were closed. But where was this st of cold airing from? The overhead lights flickered menacingly, plunging the corridor into a jumble of murky shadows. Was this some prank? "If you''re there," I demanded, my voice thin, e out now." Silence answered. Yet, as my eyes scanned the empty hallways, the unnerving sensation of being followed clung to me. Each turn revealed more deste corridors and a persistent flicker of darkness just out of sight. Instinct, honed through years of training, screamed that this was no prank of the light. Someone, or something, was tracking me. Rounding another corner, I strode confidently to the centre of the long stretch of hallway and came to an abrupt stop. My breath caught in my throat. An overpowering silence pressed against me, and ahead, in the deepest shadows, a figure seemed to merge¡­ mmmmmm... My fingers tightened around the contract. "Who¡­who are you?" The words caught in my throat. A tremble, barely visible, betrayed my growing unease. It was unnatural, the way this figure had seemed to rise from the ground itself. "A news reporter..." Their face, half-hidden in shadow, twisted into an evil smile. I doubted that he was a reporter with each passing second. My grip shifted to the hilt of my katana. "You''re not supposed to be here. All the media left after the tournament." The ''reporter'' merely tilted their head, that smile widening. "What''s wrong? Can''t the tournament champion answer a simple question?" My free hand slid behind me, fingers flying across my watch. A desperate message ¨C a plea for help ¨C shot into the ether before the voice spoke again. "Are you familiar with devils?" A chill ran down my spine. This had nothing to do with interviews. "No," my voice cracked, "why?" "Because¡­" The reporter''s tone shifted reced by something more sinister, "This world is locked in a struggle for dominance. And you, my dear, would make a fine addition to bing one." I''m not sure what he was talking about... But it''s clear he''s a lunatic. "I don''t know what you''re talking about," I retorted, edging back, "but I think I''ll just¡ª" "You''re not leaving." Their voice was a coldmand. A surge of dark energy rippled around him. My eyes widened in horror as the reporter''s form dissolved, revealing a figure covered in ck, a single mask obscuring half his face. As I reached for my katana, a wave of weakness washed over me. "...!" Why wasn''t my mana ¨C? My gaze dropped. Dark strings, like a spiderweb, clung to my legs, draining me. I could feel my body getting lighter by the second, my vision was blurry, and I was struggling to catch sight of his appearance. "It''s no use fighting," the figure''s voice rasped. "You''ve fallen into my trap, Valencia Freya. You''reing with me." A jagged strand of darkness shot towards me. My eyelids fluttered, and all I could do was watch helplessly. ...I''m...scared... "Someone...help...me..." Closing my eyes the world around me blurred into a swirl of darkness. Shapes melted and dissolved, leaving only a menacing figure shrouded in shadow. DASH!!! Then, just as I felt my legs give out on me, a rush of warmth enveloped my body as their arms slid beneath my shoulders, steadying me against the dizzying fall. Opening my eyes again I felt a heartbeat pulsing against my cheek, frantic, fast and strong. His? I couldn''t make out his face, but in my fading vision, strands of inky ck were all I could see. His hair, perhaps? Then a sudden familiar weight of my katana moved. SHING! Followed by a sharp, shing sound that echoed in my fading consciousness. I wasn''t sure if I even had the strength to speak, but a whispered plea nheless escaped my lips...or was it only in my mind? Then, a voice drifted through the darkness. Familiar, but impossibly distant. It seemed tinged with an emotion I was too weak to understand... "¡­seriously¡­why do you keep running so far from me?" ______________ To Be Continued... ______________ Authors Notes: - Morwen''s transformation ability works through killing his target and then consuming them to gain their looks, physical features, etc. Chapter 113: THREE-WAY RACE (3) [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Student Hallways...] Where did she vanish to? I''d only turned my back for a moment...one moment... Normally, finding Valencia would be easy, But because of how hard I struggled to sense energy or mana I needed at least a trace of Valencia''s mana. But I couldn''t even tell the difference between a regr student and a cat... shit... I cursed under my breath. Damn this tournament, and damn whatever serum they pumped me full of. It wasn''t just my normal abilities dulled but the fatigue was crushing, making each step feel like hauling dead weight uphill. But no, instead, I was reduced to this¡­this human snail''s pace. haah... Whatever, I just know that the game Morwen was ying, was dangerous, and Valencia was out there, alone. If Morwen reached her first¡­ Then parts of the story will most definitely be distorted "~~devils?~~" "~...No..." WHOOSSSH!!!! Muffled noises drifted through the empty hallway, a spark of hope against the clenching unease in my gut. Legs burning, I forced myself to move faster, each clumsy step a battle against the unfamiliar exhaustion. "Please¡­please¡­" the words were ragged gasps in my skull as I rounded the corner. "...!" There. Morwen, unmistakable with his shock of red hair and those piercing green eyes. And Valencia, trapped, a look of horror turning her features as his magic trapped at her feet. Dammit! Could this get any worse?! Valencia was about to fall unconscious. I had to reach her. "System, I can activate Clockwork of Time right?" FWANG! [Warning!!!] [Activating any ability will decrease the duration of the AMR drug. Are you sure?] "Yes!" I rasped. The familiar rush flooded my veins. [Clockwork Of Time Has Been Activated!] The world blurred, my perception stuttering and stretching as time slowed around me. Morwen''s smirk seemed suspended in mid-air, as did Valencia''s terrified expression. I lunged forward, every muscle straining against the sudden weight of Valencia in my arms. My fingers, numb and unresponsive, barely managed to hold her katana. But I had to try. [Projectile Disarm Has Been Activated!] I could feel the energy flowing to my hand, but something felt¡­different. A familiar darkness began to spread, but this time, it wasn''t contained to my hand. It flowed from my fingertips, engulfing the entire de of the katana. ck energy crackled and pulsed along its length, a halo of burning electricity arcing around the metal. It was both terrifying and exhrating. The colour of ck changed the entirety of the sword. I raised the electrified katana, aiming for the iing dark beam. It was like a scene straight out of a nightmare ¨C a monstrous serpent of shadowshing towards us. [Clockwork Of Time Has Been Deactivated!] huuuuu... With a desperate grunt, I swung... ... ... ... [Parry Sessful!] The de connected, the dark energy mixed in a blinding sh. SHAAAA! The attack parried, it sshed against the walls in a burst of inky ckness. The impact reverberated through my arms, the electricity biting into my flesh. But it worked. FWANG! [AMR Drug Duration: 2 minutes 32 seconds] For now... Looking up to Morwen''s face his smirk had vanished. reced by a mask of surprised fury. "What the¡­" he snarled, his voice strained. "What did you do?" "It''s as clear as it looks," I said, holding Valencia tightly. "I deflected your attack." Morwen''s eyes narrowed. "Impossible¡­ Elemental attacks can only be countered with an opposing element, but you¡­you had no element within that attack... and you didn''t use aura either. What did you do?" His voice was rising, the smugness reced by anger. My fingers throbbed where the impact had coursed through them. I kept my reply simple. "I parried it." Morwen gritted his teeth, fists clenching. "You use a bow, yet you fight barehanded. You break thews of mana, the very principles of elemental power! It''s¡­" He spat the next word as if it were poison. "Disgusting." A shiver ran down my spine, not from fear, but from the revulsion in his voice. "Anomaly," he snarled. "Eyesore. You shouldn''t exist. You''re not worth killing, but..." His voice lowered, each word dripping with malice, "You''ve shown me this¡­this abomination you possess. Now you will pay the price." SHAAAA!!! Dark energy swirled around him, a crimson crack appearing in the air like a bleeding wound in reality. "Die a painful death, uncanny archer," Morwen hissed. The panic bit at my guts. to run now, how much distance could I cover before the attack hit? But I was already trapped, dead centre in this cursed hallway. The worst spot to be in. Should I just Jump out a window? Take the fall and the damage, and somehow save Valencia¡­ it was a fool''s hope. But why should I go to such lengths for her? Yet, a cold certainty swept over me. Running was useless. The movement would only drain the AMR faster, and time was my greatest enemy right now. It looked like this might be it... but I refused to die like a b***h. "I''ll parry it," the words were breathless, but against all odds. "And then I''ll run." My eyes narrowed with grim resolve. He wants me dead, alright. No ns from here. Just¡­luck. [Projectile Disarm Has Been Activated!] My grip tightened on the katana, fingers aching even as ''Projectile Disarm'' activated once more. It was a desperate prayer, a plea to a fickle fate that had never been on my side before. Morwen''s voice, a death sentence, echoed in the hallway. "Die..." RAHHHHHH! And then it came. A monstrous st, erupting from the crimson portal, not just dark energy, but something writhing. Hands, arms, and misshapen faces writhed within the beam, a dreadful sound of despair. RUMBLE...RUMBLE...RUMBLE... The impact shook the very foundations of the building. My eyes darted to the System window. [AMR Drug Duration: 42 seconds] haah... A twisted smile touched my lips. Well¡­ I lived an okay life. Looking towards Valencia I knew I had to apologise for my ipetence as an author... "I''m sorry, Valencia," I whispered, the words lost in the monstrous roar. WHOOOSH "...!" A shadowed figure appeared right before me was this an illusion, a glitch in my fading vision? Before I could process it, the figure raised a hand. shaaa... The air glowed, and then... colour. A faint, ck infused his hand, a contrast to the blinding light of Morwen''s attack. He took a stance, one I hadn''t seen before. As the monstrous beam rushed towards us, the figure''s fist flew forward, connecting in an explosive burst. BANG!!! A shockwave of pure force rippled outwards, splitting the darkness, the grotesque forms within it shrieking as they disintegrated. The force was so powerful, that it rushed back towards Morwen, shattering his crimson portal with a sound like breaking ss. The dust settled, the world slipping back into a semnce of normalcy. In front of me stood a man, bathed in the harsh lights of the hallway. A white coat, its back emzoned with a single, chilling word: Guild Leader. In front of me was Gerrard Freya. [AMR Drug Duration: 0 seconds...] Darkness was creeping in from the edges of my vision. The AMR timer must have hit zero. A wave of dizziness washed over me, my legs giving out just as a pair of strong arms caught me. Someone lowered me carefully, cing Valencia right beside me. [You have fainted!] [Your body will be undergoing a recovery process... time: ???] ... ... ... "Took you long enough, Kang¡­" Gerrard''s voice, normally soposed, held a hint of impatience. "Unlike you, I wasn''t smashing through walls like a bull in a china shop," Kang replied with a familiar ease. He carefullyid Rel and Valencia side-by-side against the wall. Gerrard chuckled. "Fair enough. Looks like someone owes the Academy a repair bill." haah... "I Didn''t believe those emojis when your daughter sent them, though," Kang said. "Figured a kidnapping had to be dramatic to earn that many panicked faces." "Call it a father''s intuition." Their light banter, filled with a long-standing friendship, felt strangely out of ce as they turned to face the figure standing down the hall. Despite Rel''s falling unconscious, a shiver ran down his spine. Gerrard already knew who it was. "Well, well," Gerrard said, his tone hardening, "Aeliana told me your spells were tough, but to think you were her student once¡­ frankly, it baffles me. You''re the exiled mage, aren''t you? Morwen?" "..." Silence descended. Morwen stood motionless, a menacing presence at the end of the corridor. Morwen''s gaze flickered to Gerrard. "Yes, I am the exiled mage," he admitted, his voiceced with a chilling calm that belied the situation. "For you two ¨C The great heroes of the old generation ¨C that should mean nothing. To think I''d earn the honour of your presence¡­" Gerrard''s jaw tightened. "Old is a little rude, don''t you think? But I''ll ept it as your apology." Kang ced a restraining hand on Gerrard''s arm. His voice, when he addressed Morwen, was surprisingly level. "If you hand yourself in, we can ensure you''ll live a far better life than the previous members of Quadra, Morwen." A twisted smile stretched across Morwen''s lips. "How generous, Centurion. But you seem unaware of our ns¡­" "I would dly fight you here and now," Morwen continued, "but unfortunately, my time is up." A crimson portal shed into existence, swirling with the same malevolent energy as his previous attack. Gerrard was about to lunge forward, but Kang''s voice cut through the air. "Don''t chase him. We need to alert the Academy¡­they''ve been infiltrated." tch... Gerrard clicked his tongue, a sharp sound that echoed in the broken hallway. "We could have taken him down. Easily," He muttered, his eyes still fixed on the fading crimson portal. "I know," Kang replied, his voice steady. "But what if he ced a curse on Valencia? A trap we didn''t see? What would you have done then, with him dead and no way to find answers?" Gerrard scowled. "Fair point," he admitted begrudgingly. "But dammit, Kang, I hate it when you tell me what to do." Kang scoffed. "Whatever. Someone''s got to knock some sense into you." ________________ Pinnacle Academy, Tournament Arc: End... ________________ Authors Notes: - Centurion was Kang''s nickname during his early years as a member of Golden Horizon. Chapter 114: Rewards [Pinnacle Academy, Stadium 1 - Arena A: Hallways...] "We were fast enough to arrive on time," Kang''s voice cut through my swirling thoughts as he swept aside a chunk of rubble. I didn''t reply, my gaze fixated on his unconscious body. "No¡­" I finally whispered, the words barely audible. "Not fast enough." A wave of guilt washed over me. If it wasn''t for this boy¡­ I gestured towards him lying next to my daughter, "Valencia¡­ she would have fallen into Quadra''s hands..." Kang could only look at the two sleeping peacefully together. "I''ll alert the association of the infiltration I assume you''re going to stay here right?" "Yeah..." tap...tap...tap... Watching Kang walk away I turned to see the person that saved my daughter. ...What a mysterious boy... Why on earth would you do such a thing like that? You not only use bows... but a sword as well? You''re the biggest mystery I have seen in yearsAlthough it pains me to see that my daughter has some hatred towards you. I hope you two can get along someday. She said to me that you are nothing to her. But now to me, you seem like somebody worth remembering. Thank you...Thank you for saving my daughter. ¨~ ¨~ ¨~ ¨~ Rel Laurence. ... ... [4 Days Later] ... ... [Location: ???] ? ? ?? ? ? Rel''s POV ? ? ?? ? ? uh... my head... FUCK it hurts... All I see is ck... eternal darkness. Is this¡­death? Not exactly the afterlife I pictured. FWANG! [Hello Mr Axel! :D] "AHHHH!" Startled, I practically jumped within my own mind. What the hell? "System¡­is that you?" [Is there something wrong? /?-?-¥Þ] I felt kind of relieved knowing I wasn''t actually dead... and honestly being inside of here again, felt like an unreal void-like mindscape. "No, no¡­just thought I was dead." haah... Seriously why did I have to save her... If anything else I probably would''ve left her to rot if she wasn''t importantter on... But I guess right now this space called my mind seemed to always remain pitch ck like usual... And frankly enough seeing the system UI screen felt weird, no that wasn''t the word actually... more strangely different than usual. "System¡­did you upgrade your emoji game?" [Wow! You can really tell?! ?^ >¥î<^?] "Yeah¡­" I blinked. The system was definitely¡­ different. Less cold and robotic, more¡­ expressive. A strange upgrade, but honestly, I kind of liked it. "Anyway, do you know when I''m waking up?" [I Do! (???)] FWANG! [Recovery Progress Bar: 10 minutes 34 seconds (99.01%)] Okay, that was soon. Where would I end up, though? A hospital, probably. Or maybe I''m out rotting in the corridors as I speak haha... surely Gerrard didn''t leave me, right? But since I had 10 minutes left I had a good idea of how to pass the time. "System... can I redeem my rewards now that the tournament is over?" [I was about to mention that... but sure! ???? ¡¥???¡¥?? )?] [Live event quest: Pinnacle Academy Knockout Stages (END)] [Previous quest: Can''t Fear Your Own Novel! - Win the battle against Valencia Freya.] [Failed...] [Loading Checklist...] ... ... ... FWANG! ________________________ [Group Stage Rewards:] [Win the group knockout: 500 BP + 10 Points Allocation for Base Stats] ? [ce top 5 group knockouts: 250 BP] ? [Cleared!] ________________________ [Round of 50 Single Elimination Phase] [Win The Final: 10,000 BP + 50 Points Allocation For Base Stats + 1 Special Ability Upgrade] [FAILED] [Qualify for the final: 7,500 BP + 35 Points Allocation For Base Stats + 2 Normal Ability Upgrades] [FAILED] [Win The Semi-Final: 5,000 BP + 20 Points Allocation For Base Stats] [FAILED] [Qualify for the Semi-Final: 2,500 BP + 15 Points Allocation For Base Stats] ? [Win Quarter-Final: 2,000 BP + 10 Points Allocation For Base Stats] ? [Qualify for the Quarter Final: 1,500 BP 5 Allocation For Base Stats] ? [Win Round Of 16: 1,000 BP] ? [Qualify for Round of 16: 750 BP] ? [Win Round Of 32: 500 BP] ? [Qualify For Round Of 32: 400 BP] ? [Win Round Of 50: 250 BP] ? [Live Event: Failed...] BP Earnt: 9,650 | Base Stat Points Earnt: 40 [Transferring points into ount...25%...50%...100%... Transferplete!] [Points Update:] [QP: 205, BP: 10,335, PPP: 1005] How rich of me to be this... this rich! This... this is kind of amazing. Forget the regrets, this haul makes it all worth it. Hehe... I can''t wait to start messing with the ability creator. huhu... But for now, I had to n for the next few eventsing up as well. First is the France Flight Arc... This is where Jan and the main cast would fly out to Paris. Visiting countless museums to create a report about their favourite artifacts. With the club name being the Histories Breakfast Club they''d eat before and after doing their review. But at the end of theirst stop, Jan and Cam would encounter the first sighting of a ''demi-human''. A human who consumed a DD-VH1 (Demonified Drug - Variation human 1) was no ident ¨C they were chosen to test the DD-VH1 drug, to wreak total havoc. Just like in the reincarnation tropes, the MC would showcase his power and ovee the demi-human with ease. Then afterwards he''d get the credit for defeating the first demi-human ever, boosting his market value as a future hero. Where do Ie in? huhu... I''ll just make sure to stick by Jan in the meantime. But also, I''ll have to avoid Valencia because there''s no telling who she''ll be partnering up with for this stories event. [FWANG!] [Recovery Progress Bar:0 hours, 0 minutes, 10 seconds (99.99%)] "Hoping for the best¡­" I muttered into the darkness. Wherever I end up, please let it be somewherefortable. [3...2...1...] ... ... ... haah!!! My eyes snapped open. Golden sunlight, a blinding warmth, faintly touched my skin, this was a better wee to any ce I''ve been to. Though it was a little blurry I knew by the white room that I was in a hospital. YAWWWNNN! I sat up stiffly, the taste of sleep still heavy on my tongue. A deep yawn escaped as I fumbled to my right, my fingers scrabbling against cool, rough ground. sses...where were my damn sses? WHAT THE F**K?! My eyes widened seeing a dark shadow staring back at me menacingly. It had to be a hallucination, right? I didn''t know what to do but he was just staring at me like I was on my deathbed. So slowly I moved my hands towards the stand by the bed and put on my sses.... As the vision cleared, the figure sharpened into focus. It was no doubt that the shadow in front of me was well-known by the world. And to think he''d be sitting in my own room was even more surprising, He was one of the more likeable old heads I''ve written in my novel. It was Gerrard Freya. The Miracles Guild Leader. Staring directly at me. A shiver ran down my spine. I''d never spoken to the man before. What the hell was I supposed to say? "Um¡­Morning, Mr. Freya¡­Sir?" My voice was shaking as I spoke. "Indeed, it is." Gerrard who got up to close a bit of the curtain turned from the window, a tall shadow against the rising sun. "Thank you so much, sir¡­ for¡­ saving me¡­" My stomach felt uneasy. He made sure everyone younger than him spoke respectfully. Overtly so. Gerrard''s lips twitched with the lead of a smile. "Drop the formalities. I came to talk." "What did you want to tell me, Mr. Freya?" Sunlight red behind him as he turned. "I wanted to thank you for what you did. Back there, a few days ago." "What are you talking about, sir?" Genuine confusion washed over me. "Don''t make me spell it out," he said, his tone sharper. I actually don''t know what he was talking about though. Gerrard sighed. "My daughter. You saved her." Wait, what? I''m pretty sure it was you¡­ but fine. My original n was to draw Valencia out in the open, out of Morwen''s path. But for some reason, she was attracted to the hallways¡­ "No, really, it''s nothing special. I just happened to be there¡­" "Yet, you saved her," Gerrard interrupted. "Students don''t fight back like that, especially against someone like him ¨C an internationally wanted criminal." He paused, studying me. "More importantly, te''s report states you¡­deflected his attack with my daughter''s sword. An incredible feat, especially for an archer." "No, I don''t deserve any praise, Mr. Freya¡­" "I determine who does and doesn''t," Gerrard differed. "And archers¡­ archers who can use aura? It''s unheard of." Wait did he say aura? I used aura? That should be impossible for me though... I haven''t learned about my own body let alone my own soul. So there was no way I could''ve used ''aura''... I don''t understand what he meant by that, but I know Dempsey as a detective isn''t one to lie... "Enough of the praise" Gerrard continued. "I came here to say thank you. Not just as a Guild leader... but as a father who loves his daughter a lot. Thank you for keeping her from that¡­organization. I don''t know what I''d do if I''d lost her." He paused. "Words aren''t enough for someone like you. So, I ask: what would you like?" _____________ Authors Notes: - Demi-Humans are capable of maintaining human form if they''re powerful enough. Chapter 115: Rewards (2) [Asan Medical Cter: Room: 345#] "So... What would you like?" That was a really good question though... Gerrard''s treasury holds countless high-graded artifacts ¨C Dusksde, the Helm of Rome¡­ Spirits tome... But there was an dless amount of items he owned, an opportunity like this was unexpected. But what I truly wanted deep down was Spellbooks. High-graded ones of course. So that I could get my chance to be a more notable character in this story! A chance like this might nevere again¡­ "Do you have any¡­spell books?" My voice was innoct, masking the greed overflowing inside. Gerrard''s surprise was brief. "Ah, so it is the knowledge you seek. Befitting¡­ but yes, I do." *** Usually, after clearing a dungeon, guilds or parties get rewards. Somee in chests, others drop from the bosses themselves. It''s a loot lottery - the item rarity depds on the dungeon''s grade. High-grade dungeons, high-tier loot. Low-grade, low-tier. Of course, sometimes a crazy powerful item pops up in some random, low-level dungeon. But most people don''t recognize these gems for what they are, so those items oft fall into the wrong hands... which gets messy. *** "That''s great," I managed, trying to hold back my massivelyrge smile. "But¡­Mr. Freya, there''s one more request¡­" He sat opposite to me, atttive. "What is it?" Now, the delicate part. If news of me saving Valcia gets back to her, it''ll destroy any chance of me having a dect rtionship with her. Hopefully, she was still out¡­ "Actually let me ask this first... How is Valcia?" "...!" The look on Gerrard''s face is ough of an answer. Damn, she must have said some pretty harsh things about me. "I never thought you''d ask..." Great. Now I''m definitely regretting this. "She''s recovering well," Gerrard replied, a soft smile gracing his face. "She''s still asleep, but wh she wakes up, I''ll tell her you were the one who saved her." My stomach dropped that wasn''t the direction I was heading for! The pottial aftermath of that wasn''t worth the credit. "There''s no need. Might be better for everyone if you tell her you were the hero. Think of it as a secret to keep." Gerrard''s smirk was intriguing. "You''re an interesting person... Are you sure about this, Rel?" Of course, I am! If she knew it was me, it''dplicate things ev more¡­ But my reply was calm. "Yes. I think this way is best." "Very well th... Oh, and those spell books ¨C sadly, I can''t give them now, but I''ll have the finest ones st directly to you. Two, perhaps three of your choice. Expect them soon, someone will be in touch about the details." I was about to jump out of bed, but I had to maintain an air of gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Freya. And for¡­keeping my request confidtial." Gerrard rose. "Not a problem, kid. More than that, I''m grateful.""List, if you''re without a guild by the d of your third year,e to Miracles. I''ll wee you with op arms." It was a rash offer, but would he be a by the time I got to my third year? I wasn''t to sure but I carefully nodded. "Thank you." I watched him leave, wondering If what he said about joining miracles was true. The number one guild in the world. haah... well, whatever, I just need time to think anyway. I don''t think it''s right for me to join a guild in the future. I provide no value, not yet. "System..." FWANG! [Yes, Mr Axel what can I do for you today? /?>¥îHealth: 98, >Strgth: 9, >Stamina: 64.5, >Speed: 63] Ugh, these look pathetic. But now it was time to change up some things... Click!... Click...Click... And... done! Click! [Finalising Base Stat Upgrades... Please review the stats once more and confirm that the upgraded stats are to your liking Mr. Axel...] "Yup, they''re good, system." ... ... ... [Confirming Stats... COMPLETE] [Undergoing upgrades... COMPLETE] [Upgrade Complete!] FWANG! ________________ [OFFICIAL BASE STATS] Strgth: 9 >> 59 (30.00+) Speed: 63 >> 73 (.00+) Health: 98 >> 98 Stamina: 64.5 >> 64.5 ________________ Alright, finally some dect strgth. Hopefully, this means I''ll actually be able to damage monsters wh I head out to a dungeon. That Silt Abyss dungeon especially... *** [After the Pinnacle Academy Incidt...] [Eldoria, Location: Syndicate Headquarters] "..." Morw eyed the bodies of Kayn and Franz, stered against the wall and desk ¨C a monstrous disy of power. Whoever did this¡­they were a force to be reckoned with. Executioners, his right and left hands, tak down so effortlessly. were lying unconscious... Wariness crept into him as he approached his office. A familiar figure lounged on his couch, legs crossed. "dimir?" Morw recognized the voice despite the altered appearance. "New disguise?" "Naturally," dimir confirmed a hint of amusemt in his tone. "This one seems to be better received than your previous, ''creations''.""And also... where were you, Morw?" dimir asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "I tried to kidnap a future vessel." Morw frowned, a sse of disappointmt washing over him. "Franz and Kayn stumbled upon Pinnacle''s location by chance. A fortunate discovery." "Lucky th," dimir remarked. "Though their technology is advanced. Any alert from Oberon, and they would relocate immediately. A missed opportunity, wouldn''t you say?" "Indeed." SWANG! Morw conjured a miniature mirror to see if they''ve changed locations, but the portal revealed only clear skies. Pinnacle had vanished like a wisp of smoke. "The next time we pay a visit to Pinnacle¡­ we''ll be taking the vessels by force," dimir mused, his voice sharp. Morw nodded, his mind already calcting the necessary steps. "Agreed." "Also¡­" dimir trailed off, a hint of casualness in his tone, "Do you happ to have a Netflix subscription? I might stay the night." Morw sighed, a feeling of annoyance crossing his face. "Yes," he replied curtly. *** [Pinnacle Academy, First Year - Male Dorms] [Sunday, 8:45 AM] haah... Another ability to add to the collection... but what? My brain wasn''t functioning like a normal human being and I ded up freezing on what I should get. There were so many possibilities, but nothing came to mind. So I ded up heading back to the dorm to rx for a bit... Of course, before that rxation could happ... fate decided to chuck Jan into my path. I thought I could escape him, yet he happed to be jogging like it would do anything to his already superhuman-like body... "Rel! it''s good to see you! Hav''t spotted you since the tournamt. Heck, you''ve be skipping sses too. Where''ve you be?" Does he know what happed? Jan''s the type to worry over the smallest thing, but going by his tone¡­ maybe not. It was too early to tell. "I wt hiking," I replied, hoping to keep things short and sweet. Jan froze, eyebrows furrowing as he looked at my academy uniform. "Hiking¡­ in that? And where''s your gear?" "These are myfy hiking clothes," I shot back, a bit defsively. "I just got back and wanted fresh air." His eyes narrowed, unconvinced. "Riiight. So, where were you headed?" "Back to the dorms." "...!" "Great! I just finished my run, so we can head back together." haah... I knew this was going to happ... He was going to follow me regardless, and honestly, keeping things civil was better than having an awkward standoff. But also I couldn''t help why he was so fridly towards me? Especially wh he got these crazy thoughts that I ''liked'' Valcia, sses hav''t be the same... As we walked, Jan started shooting me with questions. "Where were you hiking? With all those dungeons popping up in Korea¡­ I''m sure you''ve countered a few during your hike." Well shit... I dug myself a hole with this. I''m not well versed in Korea''s geography, and I''ve only ever be to Korea 4 times in my tire life, so I think it''s best to go with the setting where Jan usually hiked... "Inwangsan mountains," Jan''s eyes lit up. "You''ve be there before?!" "Yeah¡­" "Well-" He hesitated like he was about to say something¡­ But for me, I already knew what it was. With Jan''s luck, he probably stumbled upon a hidd dungeon or something. Just like in the original story ¨C his weekds were spt hiking, solo-clearing low-level dungeons, and inevitably stumbling on rare materials or dungeons no one else could find. It was the invisible string theory... of course. As if he wasn''t already lucky ough, the universe points him toward hidd dungeons. Or, well, tripped him over them, since that''s closer to how it happed in the story. Anyways... the stuff he''d bring back from those hidd dungeons would evtually be the keyponts for his legdary weapon The Sword Of Hope, also known as Futsunushi. But of course, he''d need a legdary cksmith to forge it¡­ Enter Muramasa, but he wasn''t due to appear till wayter. _________________ Authors Notes: - Dungeon finders are paid to find... well dungeons. - There''s also a huge process in how dungeons are distributed, guilds either have to bid for the dungeon or be the ones to have found the dungeons first which is more likely the case. Chapter 116: Running Out Of Time [Pinnacle Academy, Male Dorms: Room 4 - A] After that long gruelling conversation with Jan, I finally made it back to my dorm room. As I tered, It appeared that the medals and que I won from the tournamt were delivered to my desk, which didn''t make it any better, since the tournamt ded in a disaster for me. The medal of 4th ce and The Best Single Match Individual Performance were both in my hands, but I knew holding these felt kind of stimtal to me. It was the first few things I could look back on after tering this world. I ced the memtos on the windowsill. "Doesn''t matter now," I smiled. Soon, these will be just memories after everything is all done. Changing into home clothes, I tapped my watch to y my ylist, though I noticed that its tire battery was drained. It made sse honestly, I was out for an tire 4 days just to recover from injuries and mana exhaustion. I guess there was no time better than to charge it. It''s not like I was expecting anything special. ... ... ... DING!, DING!, DING! [Missed Messages:] ________________ Jae Yoona (ssmate): [...] > I know you''re not in ss today but meet me and Alice by the library at 4PM. [Thursday, 3:34 PM], > Hey, where are you? [Thursday, 4:00 PM], >Do you have my bow by any chance? [Friday, 7:30 AM], >Hey why ar''t you responding?! [Friday, 9:30 AM], >Reply back wh you get the chance. [Friday :00 AM] ________________ [Group Chats] [] Lan.Villerion [...] [Op?] [< K ssroom GC>] Ly4ra [...] [Op?] ________________ [Emails:] [To Mr. Laurce: Tounrm reports are out... [Review] -] [Alert: Theory and Practical exam dates have be pushed back please see teacher for more details...] ________________ What? I couldn''t believe the number of messages and emails I got. But my Jaw dropped further than the time I dropped my coffee onto my toes... it wasn''t a pleasant feeling. While my biggest concerns wer''t the emails or the group chat. It was Jae Yoona... What should I say to her? I didn''t know what to do... and the fact that she asked for the bow back was ev scarier... I didn''t ev get time to organize a replication of her bow. Shit, shit, shit. I was so screwed. Maybe I should at leastpsate her in some way... haah... ... ... ... [ dayter...] [Pinnacle Academy, ssroom -A] [Monday, 8:45 AM] The day after... morning sses began like normal, strangely ough, there were many eyes towards me as I made my way to my usual seat. Lyra and Cam especially... they were all staring at me intsely, though seeing the empty seat betwe the two, I already knew this had to do something with Valcia... Although she was still recovering, I couldn''t help but think they were looking at me for that reason right? I hope not... But before my thoughts could form a conclusion Kolek who seemed almost unhinged as ever started the role call. "Morning ss! I hope everyone''s well." He logged into the attdance system and th hit us with the big announcemt. "Okay, -A, I hope you''ve read your tournamt performance reports. Starting today, the Early Offer Program ops up on the Academy website. These start post-semester, so specific application forms will be avable for those interested." The Early Offer Program The Early Offer Program, esstially it''s where all studts start their training to be future heroes for the desired guild. Not only does this program offer a lot of value to hard-working studts, but this also helps secure business rtionships for future partnerships. With many programsing in the form of internships, this allows them to earn credits towards a guild honorary system, giving a studt the chance to earn the credit threshold for their offer. It''s an honest and fair system if you ask me. Especially for offers that didn''te with the immediate response of a contract, you can work your way to getting an offer through the early offer program. A win-win condition with extra steps. But it wasn''t my ideal n for the future, though I am a little curious to see what the early offer program has, It was mostly just filler for plot progression. However, I needed to joy this life to the fullest with the time I had at this academy. "Alright, ough of that! It''s time to introduce your newest professor, a grade 4 mage and Pinnacle Academy alumna ¨C give it up for Ms. Silve!" A woman strolled in. Shoulder-lgth brown hair, sses, and a face that screamed trouble. It was an annoying teacher I made to piss off the characters and Silve was one of those characters ¨C the kind who loved humiliating any type of studt... Especially the low-ranked ones. My position on the rankings was... dangerous. All I could do was be on my best behaviour¡­for now. As she walked back and forth observing the ssroom she smirked and began her speech. "Good morning, ss. I''m Ms. Silve. Top theory studt back in my Pinnacle days, and I''m honoured to be teaching my first ss ¨C you lucky lot." The ss silt but observing sat up on their seats... But I couldn''t...haah...help but feel drowsy hearing her talk... ... ... ... Ms. Silve''s voice cut through the air like a whipcrack. "So, what do we know about mana efficicy? Redhead over there, snoring..." Bazz jolted awake. "Wha ¨C what?" Laughter rippled through the ss as Silve descded upon him, her re a storm brewing behind her sses. "Care to share what you know about mana efficicy, Mr¡­?" Bazz snorted, nonchntly picking his nose. "Uh¡­ mana efficicy, it''s, like, spells¡­ I think." Disgust twisted from Silve''s lips, as she pushed up her sses. "If you bothered paying atttion during this semester, you''d have the definition writt down in yourptops or books." Jan who flicked Bazz''s head, everyone remained quiet while she scanned the room, a predator assessing its prey. Her gaze settled on Alice, Jae Yoona, Lyra, and Cam. Silve easily deduced that they were among the top of the ss. Th, her eyesnded on a boy slumped at his desk, chin propped on his hand. He was brazly asleep. "Sleeping through my ss, Mr. sses?" she barked. Rel jerked upright, blinking the sleep from his eyes. His gaze met Silve''s, and a sh of nervousness quickly masked. "Sorry..." "Sorry won''t cut it," Silve snapped. "Exin to me, sses, what is mana efficicy?" Rel stared for a momt, th answered, his voice steady. "Mana optimization. Using the least amount of mana to achieve the maximum spell output while minimizing wasted ergy." The smug grin fell from Silve''s face. This answer was too good, too concise. "Correct¡­" she g out, her toneced with vom. She turned to the board, scrawling equations, a storm cloud of restmt swirling a her as she punished the ss for this boy''s audacious knowledge. [An Hour Later] Silve''s eyes wided as she scanned the theory rankings. There, at the very top, was a familiar face ¨C the studt who''d dozed off half an hour ago, just after handing in his worksheet with every answer wlessly filled in. It was Mr. sses or Rel Laurce who was number one among first-years. Yet, hisbined practical and theory scores ced him near the bottom. Such a strange disparity. He must be weak, a paper tiger. The thought brought a malicious thought to her eye. Perhaps the next lesson would be a ''practical'' indeed¡­ but for now, she''ll give the ss an impossible equation to solve, one ev she hadn''t solved until her second year. "Well done, ss," she purred, the change in tone setting the room on edge. "As it''s my first year teaching, I''d like to give you a challge. It''s thirty minutes until the bell. If anyone solves the equation I''m about to write, you''re all dismissed early." Excited murmurs filled the room as the studts prepared to solve what she had for them. "She''s be stern, but fair so far..." "This teacher isn''t bad after all." "Maybe this was aplicated efficicy problem?" The studts were about to learn how drastically they''d underestimated her. As the marker tapped on the board, symbols and forms appeared in a madding tangle. "...?" Ev Alice looked on in confusion. This wasn''t about efficicy, but sheer, impossibleplexity. Silve''s smirk wided ¨C let them squirm, let that insufferable sses boy break his brain, just a taste of the humiliation toe. ____________ SOLVE EQUATION TO LEAVE EARLY! Total Mana Cost= Total Mana Cost= ((Power FactorBase Cost¡ÁComplexity Factor?)¡Á(Efficicy ModifierDuration Factor?))+ (Specialization Bonus¡ÁEnvironmtal Modifier) Giv Values: Base Cost = mana Complexity Factor = .5 Power Factor = Duration Factor = . Efficicy Modifier = 0.8 Specialization Bonus = 5 Environmtal Modifier = 0.5 ____________ "Whever you''re ready, the marker is yours!" Silve''s innoct smile was a razor-sharp facade. The ss was a whirl of panicked whispers, but her gaze was locked on Rel. He''d squinted at the board, scribbling on his notepad in a circle pattern. There was no way he could solve this. This equation had stumped doctorate-level professors. haah... Th, a sigh. Rel stood. As the argumts raged a him, he was already moving towards the board, grabbing the marker in hand. Silve''s stomach twisted. This was impossible... Numbers flowed from Rel''s hand, not just the solution, but the calctions themselves. An elegant, brutal disy of mathematical mastery. And before she knew it, his answer and in-depth exnation were writt all over the board. Silve''s face burned. Before the rest of the ss could grasp what was happing, Rel''s work was done. An explosion of shock rippled through the room. Th, silce. Silve, still froz, felt rage rece the humiliation. "I''ll get you for this," she muttered, unheard amidst the studts packing up. "I''ll make you regret this..." But Rel was already gone, slipping out the door unnoticed. __________________ Authors Note: - Rel''s answer: Total Mana Cost= ((¡Á.5?)¡Á(0.8.?))+(5¡Á0.5) Total Mana Cost=((5)¡Á(.0.8))+(5¡Á0.5)Total Mana Cost=((5?)¡Á(0.8.?))+(5¡Á0.5) Total Mana Cost=(7.5¡Á.5)+(.5)Total Mana Cost=(7.5¡Á.5)+(.5) Total Mana Cost=.5+.5 Total Mana Cost=.5+.5 Total Mana Cost=3. Total Mana Cost=3. Chapter 117: A Solution [Pinnacle Academy, Cafeteria: All''s Cafe] [: AM] Well, I couldn''t get ough of how annoying Silve was as a character and as a teacher. Her eyes were practically glued on me for half the lesson and I''m not interested in what she wants from me. Like what could I do? I handed in my work ahead of time and she still got mad? haah... If only I hadn''t writt her as that cocky teacher trope, th this wouldn''t have be a problem at all. Hopefully, I''ll try and hide from her in the nexting sses, cause all I wanted to do was nap to prepare for today''s schedule... First on my list of things to do was to meet up with Jae and Alice. I nned on fixing things up with Jae''s missing bow and helping the two ''study'' '' but I''m not convinced why they would ask for my help. Ever since I broke her bow during the semi-final, I knew there was no way for me to fix it, so I came up with a differt idea instead. I wt out to modify the bow I initially used during the D-League Tournamt. Though changing my approach would have be the more ssible solution, I had to go through with this. My only hope was that Jae Yoona was willing ough to overlook the tant change, to pretd I hadn''t be responsible for the loss of her weapon. In my hand, it was the modified version of the Feywoond Moonlight Bow. [Perceptive Mind has be activated!] [Item: Feywood Moonlight Bow (Academy Adjusted) [Grade 5] - Condition: Very Good - Enchantmts: Enhanced Reload Function II - Special bonus: Upon firing a shot a 5% amplification boosts the elemtal attribute used.] Looking at it now this bow gave me something to remember back at the tournamt and I already knew giving this up was a little too much. Although I wanted to remain on good terms with important characters like Jae Yoona, th sacrifices like this are what it takes to uphold my goals. ... ... Arriving at All''s Cafe I patitly waited for the two to arrive. A few minutester, Alice and Jae arrived, withptops in their hand. Awkwardly, I waved. Jae shot me a look that was half disgust, half resigned sadness. Not a good start. I had to fix this. Somehow. As they sat down, I forced out a smile. "Can I get you two anything?" Jae''s voice was deceptively calm. "No." The way she said ''ask'' made me think ''interrogate'' might be more urate. "Ah, okay¡­" I tried to sound casual, but my voice cracked. "We''ll get straight to it. Your bow¡­I wt and had it upgraded. As a gift, for letting me use it in the tournamt." A tant lie, but hopefully she''d buy it. "here..." Jae blinked, th turned to Alice as if looking for support. Her confusion was¡­couraging? I pulled out the Feywood Moonlight Bow, putting on my most innoct expression. Jae gasped, her eyes widing. A connoisseur like her ¨C this bow was the perfect mix of beauty and power. Khum... She looked away, a strange, choked cough escaping her. "You¡­did this because I lt you my bow?" nce...nce...nce... She couldn''t stop stealing nces back at it. For Jae, aesthetics were almost as important as performance, and this bow delivered both. "Yes. It''s yours now. You can try it out¡­" I handed it to her. She took it eagerly like it was a priceless treasure. Her fingers traced the wood, th she plucked the bowstring. An arrow materialized, glowing with ergy. This was way more powerful than her old bow. "I''ll take it." "It was yours all along." A wave of relief washed over me. Thank goodness that worked. "Also, you won''t need to help us study this week. Exams got pushed back, so we''ve got some free time." "Okay... sure..." "One more thing," Jae said hesitantly. "Are you joining any other clubs today?" Was she asking me a question unrted to the topic? How weird... but if she was referring to the second registrations for clubs... th yes that was on my to-do list today. Since I wanted to use my free time to spd my usual boring days. "Yeah, If that was it th I''ll be taking my leave." "Oh okay." She dropped her gaze. *** [Valcia''s POV] [Asan Medical Cter: Room: 346#] "Ugh, my head¡­" My eyes fluttered op, battling the fog of sleep. I realised I was in a hospital room, body aching. Slowly, I started recalling what happed back at the ara. The reporter, the trap, the feeling of certain death¡­and th, a saviour. ck hair, the fading beat of their heart against my cheek... My fingers traced the spot, a strange warmth spreading through me. Who was that... touching my cheek I remembered their beating heart and I was thinking, it had to be someone in Pinnacle right? But there were too many people with ck hair, It might have be Jan. Although that had to be impossible. He wouldn''t have followed me through the tunnel after I had told him to meet us at the food courts. My mind drifted to another figure, it was an uneasy feeling in my stomach, and was a ridiculous thought... no, it couldn''t be him again, could it? That conversation with Jan earlier... he told me that he couldn''t stay out long¡­he must have left. He had to have. Because if it was him¡­ why? Why go to such lgths for me? haah... A sigh escaped me I knew I shouldn''t jump to conclusions, but with Jan pushing that stupid assumption I couldn''t help but think of it as anything else. Th a gasp cut through my thoughts as a voice broke the silce. "You''re awake, Ms. Freya." I blinked against the fuzzy light. This wasn''t a Miracle''s Guild doctor. "Who¡­who are you?" __________ Authors Notes: - Whever Rel activates an ability his eyes td to glow a brighter color of blue. - Valcia was out longer due to an unknown illness. Chapter 118: Mercenaries | Season 1 End [Asan Medical Cter: Room: 346# - Outside the room] Two mercaries sat outside of Valcia''s room dressed in the signature uniform of the mercaries corps both wore a half mask that concealed their idtities and voices. zzzzz....zzz....zz... "Time to check on her, Vanessa." Her member nudged and shook her awake. [Vanessa Andrea Evangeline - Member of The Mercary Cooperation - Squad: ??? Rank: ???] "Mr. Cain!" She sat bolt upright, th red at the blonde boy in the mask. "Hey! Why''d you wake me, Christian?" YAWWNN... she turned to him yawning from being wok up. haah... He sighed. "Wait... cut that out! we can''t risk our idtities leaking, and that means no names on the job." [Christian Ard Evera Kaiser - Member of The Mercary Cooperation - Squad: ??? Rank: ???] Christian who sat upwards gazed towards the ceiling in boredom. Vanessa scoffed. "And you calling me by name wasn''t a risk, you idiot?" "Don''t call me an idiot, you idiot!" Shing! "Watch your tone, blondie, or I''ll¡­" She unsheathed a small part of her de, a wicked grin hidd behind her half-mask. "Kill you." Christian held up his hands. "Alright, alright. Just¡­no trouble. We''re on thin ice already." "Yeah, ''cause of you," she muttered. "Mr. Cain wouldn''t have punished us if you hadn''t demolished that dungeon." "Those wer''t ordinary Separants!" Christian''s voice rose defsively. "You''da be scared too." "Excuses." Her tone was sharp. "You med those poor squad mates and got them fired¡­" "Better them than us," Christian mumbled. "At least this punishmt wasn''t as bad asst time. Mr. Cain trusted us with guarding the daughter of Freya." Vanessa tilted her head, disgust fading into curiosity. "Yeah, she fell ill wh the infiltration of Pinnacle happed." "Right. But¡­she''s our age?" Despite Vanessa''s mask, he could sse her dismissive re. "Rx, I''m just¡­curious. We''re what, mercs since we were kids? I dunno, maybe there''s plty girls like her at a school¡­" "We''re fine. More than fine. Grown-up jobs, grown-up money." Vanessa''s voice held a hint of defsivess like she was convincing herself. "Whatever." Christian shrugged, turning towards the hospital room. "Let''s see if she''s awake." ... ... ... They tered, and Christian froze, a strangled whisper escaping him. "Wow¡­ she''s ev prettier awake." Vanessa nudged him sharply. "You''re awake, Ms. Freya," she said, her voice clipped and professional. Valcia blinked. The first thing she noticed was the girl ¨C ck hair wov in a bun with intricate braids, her violet eyes fixed on her with a strange intsity. "Who¡­who are you?" Before Vanessa could answer, the blonde boy stepped forward. "We are Specialized mercaries, Ms. Freya. Protection detail, suring your safety from any further attack." His voice had an odd formality to it like he was ovepsating. Vanessa shot him a re. He was trying to impress Ms. Freya. What a creep. Still, at least his ck tuxedo exined theck of apany logo on his uniform. Valcia''s eyes wided. "My father¡­hired mercaries?" She covered her mouth realising the situation she was in. "Yes, Ms. Freya." Vanessa''s tone was business-like. "But just for your safety today. We''re to sure your well-being." Th with a touch of formality, she turned to Christian. "Mr. CA5B. If you would retrieve a doctor, please. I''ll remain with Ms. Freya." Christian, beat down by her curtness, gritted his teeth. "Fine, VE4B." As he crept off, an awkward silce settled over the room. Vanessa stood by the door leaning against the wall as her sword asionally banged against the wall. Valcia who felt somewhat intimidated by her wanted to try and speak with them since judging off appearance she looked to be the same age as her. huuu...haah... Th, Valcia took a ttative breath. "So¡­ you fight with a sword too?" "Yes." Vanessa''s answer was short and blunt. "Me too¡­ haha¡­" Valcia trailed off, a hint of unease in her voice. "I know." A long back-and-forth side of questions sued and Th Christian arrived with a weary-looking doctor as she carried out her duties doing all procedures of examinations. [5 minutester...] Finally, they were cleared to leave. "Well, Ms. Freya," Vanessa said, her voice swift, "where would you like to go?" Valcia, fresh from changing into her uniform, hesitated. But she knew deep down she wanted to get back to ss as soon as possible as she was falling behind on a week''s worth of work. "The academy, please¡­" "Of course. I''ll call the limousine service now." Vanessa pulled out her watch tapping and calling the service with practised efficicy. And shortly afterwards the three left off to Pinnacle Academy... *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Front Courtyard Entrance: nd Club Registrations Week] [Monday, 3:30 PM Afternoon] The second week of club registrations oped up for this week. In the first week, everyone picks their main club. The academy designs the schedules a that, making sure there''s time for extracurricrs. Now that it is the official second week, all studts are now allowed to join other clubs up to the maximum limit of 4. Normally, clubs are a waste of time for me, but today... I made up my mind. At least one, maybe two were perfect for keeping track of things. Call it a "leisure activity," or call it watching the characters ¨C either way, it beats sitting a being bored. Well, I already knew which club our main characters were signing up for... Jan and Bazz both liked baking so they chose the bakery club, Cam and Lyra joined the film appreciation club, Alice was in the literary society, Jae was in archery and the literary society, and Louise, Miya, and Noah wer''t in any. But the question remained of where Valcia would go. She didn''t belong in the Pinnacle Academy Saga and she''s not a third-year either. One wrong move from her, and the tire story I knew could fly off the rails. It was worrisome, but dwelling wouldn''t help. She was the wild card in my mtal deck, the one I couldn''t control. I shoved those thoughts aside, scanning the buzzing courtyard. Louise''s goons were in front of the fight club stand, and Jan and Bazz were hypnotized by pastries as usual. Now that I think about it this massive campus held home to thousands of studts. All of them were created by me. I couldn''t help but see the whole crowd of new faces ¨C characters waiting for their lines, no doubt. My eyes finallynded on my destination. I stepped forward in front of the club I was excited for most. The gaming club. _____________ Season ofThe Transmigrated Author d... _____________ Authors Notes: - Vanessa''s age (8) and Christian''s Age (9) - Vanessa is a swordsman wielding a ymore as her weapon. Chapter 119: Season 2 | Selection [Pinnacle Academy, Main Courtyard - Club Stand: Gaming Club] "So why should I let you join my club junior?" Ro looked at Rel pushing his sses up. Ro Rose, a character in his final year at Pinnacle Academy, is an exceptional control mage with unique abilities to rival Aeliana regarding dungeon subjugation. He''s also an otaku nerd in his free time, hosting international gaming sessions for his club activities. Yet, for all his geekiness, his post-graduation ns are pure ambition as he wouldter on join The Miracle''s guild after he graduates. Though Rel wasn''t so sure about his character storyline, He''d assume that his events follow, regardless of whether Valencia is a first-year or a third-year. "Just want to spend my free time doing something else." "hmm... I see." Ro blithely ignored the tone, pulling out a clipboard. "sses? Check. Generic yet somehow popr hairstyle? Hmm, passable. Ranking?" "994. Combined," Rel spoke with certainty. The senior blinked. "Interesting. But the real question is, in League, who do you hat-" "Teemo." "But-" "They need to die. All of them." A twisted frown spread across Rel''s face. The senior gaped for a moment, then burst outughing. AHAHA "Culture! This club needs more culture! Wee aboard, junior!" With a firm handshake and a schedule Rel already knew by heart, that he was in. This was going to be¡­ something. Maybe even fun, in the same way watching a car crash unfold in slow motion is fun. He wandered to the next station, a sense of absurdity hanging over him like a glitched aura effect. [a few minutes after Rel left...] Valencia nudged the tiny bird perched on her shoulder. "Look, can you guys keep some distance? It''s embarrassing enough having bodyguards, let alone ones that transform." "We''re instructed to stay close, Ms. Freya," Vanessa chirped in her bird form. Christian-the-other-bird added, "Yeah, protection and all!" His tiny voice held an unfortunate amount of cheer. "This is ridiculous." Sighing, Valencia spotted the club registration hub. Time to salvage what little time she could after waking up. First stop: the gaming club. As she searched throughout the courtyard it wasn''t in a spot where Valencia could think of. The familiar face of Ro, sses shining in the afternoon sun. "Ro?" she said in surprise. "...!" Ro hearing the familiar voice turned. "Ms. Freya!" He bounded over. "Didn''t expect to see you here!" Wait, he ran this club? Ro seemed more like the ''shut-in and raid'' type. Then again, appearances could be deceiving. "So, here to join?" He grinned. "Yeah¡­" Valencia braced herself for the usual barrage of questions. "Awesome! Wee to the club!" He thrust a schedule into her hand. "That''s it?" Valencia blinked. "No questions? Like, do I even game?" Roughed. "Nah. After your dad offered me that sweet internshipst year, figured I''d return the favour." Internship? A flicker of worry tightened her chest. How much did her father manipte behind the scenes? "Oh¡­ okay." She bowed stiffly and hurried off. From her shoulder, Vanessa-in-bird-form whispered to Christian, "Is academy life always this weird?" Christian chirped back, "Maybe. The campus looks nice, though. Beats mercenary work¡­" "Yeah¡­" Vanessa-bird ruffled her feathers. "Definitely not¡­bad." *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Male Dorms] [Monday, 5:32 PM] haah... That was tiring... All the clubs I tried to sign for rejected me because of my rank. But luckily for me, 2 clubs were willing to let me in. The Gaming Club and the Archery Club. Although these clubs have no real significance to the story itself, I figured that passing time doing these activities would probably make school life more interesting. However, my problem with having a fun time was going to be Jae Yoona and the archery club. In the novel, she was the Archery Club''s ace in allpetitions ¨C undoubtedly a great archer, and probably the greatest. So, part of me considered joining the club purely because I wanted to learn from her... but let''s be real, that could backfire horribly. Well, I''ll be doing my best from here on out anyway. Knock. Knock. hmm? Who could be knocking on my door for a time like this? Don''t tell me it''s Jan. Please, please not Jan. I swear to god if it is. Peeking through the peephole, I saw the unmistakable crest of the Miracles Guild. [Perceptive Mind Has Been Activated!] [Status Window Of Mateo Rossi] [Age: 37] [>Strength: ???, >Durability: ??, >Speed: 80, >Mana: ??, >Elemental Attribute: Wind] [Current Thoughts: "Is this address correct?"] Maeto Rossi? Oh... it''s the Freya family butler. Judging by his sudden appearance he should be here to give me the skillbooks. Strange. He looked empty-handed. creakkk... Creaking the door open, I managed a casual, "Can I help you?" He surveyed my room with a cool gaze. "Rel Laurence?" "Yes, that''s me. What''s this about?" "Mateo Rossi, the butler of the Freya family. Master Gerrard has instructed me to bring you this¡­ reward." His hands were still empty and I was suspicious if there was a reward. "Right. And what am I being rewarded with¡­? " "Naturally, I have them here." He touched a ring on his finger. Ah, a dimensional storage ring. Invented by that genius, Oberon... but this was an experimental model. It was supposedly Iplete until the end of the Pinnacle Saga, and notorious for swallowing items and never giving them back. Sneaky. Very sneaky. "Would you mind if I came in?" "Sure," I said warily. He nced around my cramped dorm. "Looks better organized than most rooms I''ve seen." His tone held a hint of surprise, maybe even a little respect. Was that supposed to be apliment? "Thanks, I guess?" Whatever. Right now all I wanted was a few good skill books, knowing that Gerrard had a few broken books in his treasury. "Care to show me those skill books?" "Of course. Just a ce to set them¡­" I shrugged towards my bed. That was the only avable surface. With a tap of the ring, a beam of light shot out onto the bed. thump!! Books materialized, copsing under their weight with a satisfying thump. Five in total. Not a bad haul... if they were actually useful. [Perceptive Mind Has Been Activated!] [Analysing 5 skillbooks...] [Analysingplete!] FWANG! [Shadow Step (Grade 3): The user can momentarily blend into and move through shadows, allowing for quick repositioning and surprise attacks from unexpected angles.] [Phantom Mirage (Grade 5): The user can create illusory duplicates of themselves, confusing enemies and making it difficult to determine the user''s true location, allowing for strategic positioning and evasion.] [Mana Shield (Grade 4): The user can conjure a shield made of mana that absorbs iing attacks and can be expanded to protect allies.] [Elemental Fusion (Grade 4): The user can fuse two elements to create a new, more powerful attack. For example,bining fire and earth to create molten shots.] [Echoing de (Grade 5): The user''s weapon emits sonic waves with each strike, not only damaging the opponent but also disorienting them and disrupting their focus.] "Is this all?" I tried to mask the disappointment in my voice. Mateo''s lips thinned. "Let me see¡­" He tapped his ring again. tap...tap...tap... Nothing. Then, a few hesitant taps, as if struggling with the mechanism. Finally, a single book tumbled out. FWANG! [Alert!!!!] [The Book Of Equaliser - [Grade ???] - [Contents are unknown.] - [Consuming this will scale the story difficulty...] My eyes widened at the book... It was The Book of Equaliser. "I¡­don''t know how this got in here," Mateo said, his brow furrowed. "This one needs to go back to Master Gerrard." The Book Of Equaliser, the high risk high reward ability... "Wait," I blurted. "Can''t I just take this one instead? It wasn''t meant to be here, right?" Mateo turned, his gaze cold. "This is a power you do not understand, Mr. Laurence. I cannot give this to you." A flicker of doubt crossed my mind. "But¡­Gerrard chose these books himself? There must be a reason he put this in the ring, right?" "Listen," Mateo said, his voice low and dangerous. "I don''t appreciate your insinuations about Master Gerrard. Be grateful for the gift you''ve been given." Silence stretched but this opportunity... it was something I couldn''t pass up... I needed this. "Look, could you just... ask? Wouldn''t hurt, right?" Mateo suddenly got close up on me... "Look, I don''t know who you think you are¨C" Mateo''s voice had risen, a hint of disdaincing his words. "But Master Gerrard is an extremely busy person. He doesn''t have time for the likes of¨C" ring!....ring!...ring!... The sharp sound of his watch cut him off mid-sentence. A trace of annoyance crossed his face but changed as he saw the contact. It was Gerrard. ... ... ... I could only hear the muffled conversation where Mateo had asked that book "... yes... yes... okay... hmm... oh...I understand..." Mateo turned back to me, the arrogance wiped off his face. "Master Gerrard wishes to speak with you." Well, well... I couldn''t help the smug smile. "Always happy to chat with the Leader Of The Number One Guild." I''m nervous... ______________ Authors Notes: - The club president of the archery club Bianca Laurier - The club president of the gaming club Ro Rose Chapter 120: Selection (2) [Pinnacle Academy, Male Dorm: Rel''s room] Gerrard''s projected image flickered on Mateo''s watch, and I couldn''t resist a respectful bow. "Mr. Freya. It''s a pleasure." "Rel, it''s good to see you," he chuckled. "So, I hear my choice of skill books wasn''t quite to your liking. But that book Mateo has¡­ that ended up in the ring quite by ident, didn''t it?" The Book Of Equaliser. The legendary, unlearnable skill. In my novel, its sole purpose was to remind readers that even someone like the overpowered Jan had limits. I never intended for anyone to actually get their hands on it. But here it was, dangling in front of me. The gamble was too tempting. There was no certainty I could learn it or should learn it in any case. What this ability is, is that it is the ultimate ability. "Well, if I''m being honest," I said slowly, "that''s the only book that caught my interest." Mateo shot me a re of pure disgust. "Arrogant brat" ¨C I couldn''t me him. He was right. "Hmm." Gerrard paused a thoughtful glint in his eye. "Can''t say I''m surprised. But, I''m not sure I can give it to you. A dear friend passed it down to me, you see. Mages had a go at it, couldn''t make heads or tails of the thing, but they sensed it was¡­special. I kept it, hoping my daughter would take after my side of the family. But as you know, the sword calls to her." Everything he said was true. Garrick Florentina, the great hero, stumbled upon countless dungeons during his S-Rank missions. That was until he encountered the dungeon thates once in a generation. The Abyss Of A Thousand Worlds. The Abyss of a Thousand Worlds ¨C meant for the strongest, or the most ruthless. Filled with monsters ripped from other realities. And its rewards... they lived up to the danger. That''s how Garrick found the Equalizer, buried deep in its heart. "Ah, I see. Then there''s no chance, right?" There was a sting of disappointment, but I kept my voice neutral. Of course Gerrard wasn''t just going to hand it over. He paused, a thoughtful frown tugging at his face. Then, a sigh. "You know, Rel, I might, just might, be willing to part with the book. On one condition." "Really?" The excitement was hard to contain. He wasn''t saying no outright! "Yes. But¡­ it''s a big ask. No one else can learn this skill, and I don''t want to put you off, but¡­ you can decide. I won''t force you." Big ask? I could handle it. Unless it was somethingpletely insane, this was my chance. "Tell me. What''s the condition?" If it''s a special condition then I would have to at least hear him out on this one. there are endless possibilities to what he could say but I''m hoping it won''t be too absurd of an offer. "Join the mercenary corps." "...!" What? Join the mercenary corps? Owned by Jaxon Cain? No... wait... this was way off from my original n. I was going to make a guild of my own but... joining the mercenary corps wasn''t bad either. "Could I ask a reason why I have to join?" "Yes, I suppose you have a right to know at least." Gerrard shrugged through the projection "I still owe Jaxon Cain a favour from way back. His Corps has been bleeding talenttely, high-risk jobs taking a toll. He asked me for interns, but I always uphold my agreements with those I sponsor. This might be too much, but if you can fill the role of¡­ let''s say, several missing members, then the book is yours." A pause. "This is a lot to process. Potential on your level is rare, and the book¡­ well, it''s worth a gamble. Think it over. We can revisit the offer another time." FWANG! [Saga Quest Has Been Detected...] [Loading information...] [Saga Quest: Through Hell And Back...] [Warning taking on this quest will have consequences...] [Are you willing to proceed with this quest, Mr Axel?] DING! [Saga Quest has been epted!] [Saga Quest: Through Hell And Back... - Duration 3 Years] [Quest Information: Prove yourself to Jaxon Cain that you are worthy of being the chosen one, sent by Gerrard Freya. Achieve the goals of a mercenary and go beyond these expectations. Return to Gerrard Freya as a ''Great Mercenary''] [Rewards: 50,000 PPP - 25,000 BP - 10,000 QP, Special Ability Upgrades: 2 Normal Ability Upgrades: 4] Three years... for all that. Another sigh escaped me. Why was I even surprised anymore? But the book ¨C was everything I wanted. I was willing to endure it, to walk through fire if I had to. "Fine by me." Gerrard blinked in surprise. "So quick? No hesitation?" A grim smile twisted my lips. This was it. No time for second-guessing. "My mind''s made up." "Well, colour me surprised," Gerrard said, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Thought you''d need more convincing. But if you''re certain, then I''ll get everything sorted. You''ll be under the banner of a Miracle Affiliate, but not a full-fledged member. Understand?" "Of course," I said. Guilds could wait. This was a detour, not a dead end. Once my time as a mercenary was through, I''d be able to be a guildmaster in due time so that I''d have the authority to buy dungeons, and amass resources¡­ power. I needed everything I could get ¨C allies, sponsors, everything. "Hand over your contact details to Mateo," Gerrard continued, "and I''ll have someone get in touch. The actual start date is out of my hands ¨C Jaxon will coordinate your assignments. I''ll let you know when it''s time." I nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Freya." Shortly after, Mateo left with my contact details and the books ¨C Equaliser included. Hard to believe I was about to be a mercenary. But it wasn''t all bad. There were valuable figures in Jaxon Cain''s ranks¡­ The two most important ones are Christan Kaiser and Vanessa Evangeline. This destructive duo was pivotal to his missions. Christian, charismatic but overpowered, was the dark mirror to Vanessa''s cold demeanour ¨C ssic good cop, bad cop setup. Yet, with his undercover persona, he was already one of the world''s destructive forces, currently unknown to both Quadra and the Heroes Association. Christian was a good guy... for the first half of the story. But the destruction of the towers changed everything. The Heroes Association''s ipetence and abandonment of the mission led to the downfall of the Mercenary Corps. With Vanessa dead and nothing left to lose, Christian joined Quadra''s top brass ¨C dimir Bane, Morwen Cross, Cyran Gray, and Drakon Szar. This turned him into Jan''s ultimate enemy. Their final sh would be brutal, forcing Jan to cross a line he never imagined. Of course, I''ll need to change things for someone of Christian''s calibre. He''s destined to rival Jan, a prodigy on track to be one of the world''s 4 Major Powers. Vanessa, though... I made her a potential love interest for Jan, but it wasn''t the right fit. Besides, her swordsmanship was already at Valencia''s level, honed by countless fights against Quadra. The two were the ultimate mercenaries through and through. ____________ {Axel Saint Rel Laurence STATS:} Age: 17 Talent: Marksman Of Weaponry [Grade 8][...] Affinity: me, Water >Health: 98 >Strength: 59 >Stamina: 64.5 >Speed: 73 Evasiveness: 3.25% Stat will trigger only in situations when the chances of an attack that is deemed improbable to dodge ur if so Speed stat is enhanced by percentage 2x. Intelligence:? [Unlocks after theory exam] Mana: B+ to recover all mana takes one full day. [Special Stats:] Archer: 4/10 Luck: 51.08% Precision: 46% - your shots are more likely to hit opponents in critical areas, If shots end up missing your current percentage will be cut in half to re-direct to attempt another hit.**_ Tenacity: 3.45% Stat will trigger dire situations that are deemed too much to handle increasing your willpower [Hidden Stat] and mental health 5x._ Precision Control: 1/10 Any object thrown or shot can be converted into a projectile. A higher value in this stat signifies an increased ability to manipte objects more effectively at a quicker pace. [Special Abilities:] Deadeye Grade 9 - Can shoot from 5km radius, Sixth Sense Grade 9 - Instincts are amplified, Aura Concealment Grade 8, Clockwork of Time Grade 3 slows down time for a few seconds,Mitigation''s Phenomena [Grade 1] Abilities: Piercing Shot [Grade 10], Vulnerability Reader [Grade 8] able to predict weak points within the opponent as time goes on, Quick Shot [Grade 9]faster shot,Projectile Disarm [Grade 4] Passive Abilities:Perceptive Mind **Items owned:**[Grade 2 [???] Cloak of Invisibility - Condition: Very Good - Enchantments: Evasive Charm: IV, Thornmail: III, Elemental Shielding: III]**** _____________ Authors Notes: - Gerrard''s side of the family were previously known for being mages. - Christian Kaiser''s elemental attributes: Fire, Ice, Lightning, Earth, Wind, Sound, Steel, - Vanessa''s elemental attributes: Gravity, Darkness, Earth - Morwen''s Ultimate Ability: Veil of Eternal Twilight: Morwen conjures an all-epassing veil of eternal twilight, shrouding the battlefield in imprable darkness. Within this realm, Morwen gains heightened control over shadows, blood, and lightning. The veil distorts perceptions, making it challenging for opponents to discern reality from illusion. Chapter 121: Practice Exam 2 dayster... [Eldoria, Mercenary Cooperation Headquarters] Jaxon Cain hunched over his desk, a photograph clutched in his weathered hand. Three smiling faces stared back, a stark contrast to the grimness now etched on his own. "What is it, Avery?" His voice was a low rasp, the weight of years clinging to each syble. The masked figure in the doorway inclined their head. "A formal message from the Miracles Guild, sir." Jaxon scoffed. "Gerrard, and so soon? He couldn''t possibly have chosen already, unless¡­" A flicker of suspicion narrowed his eyes. "Let me see it." Avery ced the letter before him. It ripped open not by hand, but a thread of wind, precise and deadly. Jaxon scanned the contents, lips thinning into a frown. [Evening Jaxon Cain, This letter is to formally confirm the transfer of a prospect from the Miracles Guild... The following student is currently attending Pinnacle Academy and is still in their first year. However, they have agreed to be a member of the mercenaries corps under the condition that they are still allowed to attend Pinnacle Academy. The provided full name of the applicant must be approved and a formal letter MUST be sent to Gerrard Freya. Applicant: Rel Laurence *Weapon: Bow / Archery? * Rank: 994 Commendation (Gerrard Freya): This student will surpass your expectations... and if not, I''ll have Fredrick be a permanent member of your Cooperation. From: Guildmaster Of The Miracles Guild, Gerrard Freya.] He scoffed. "The sly bastard. Thinks he can palm off a rank 994 and expect miracles?" A bitterugh escaped him. "But then, is there ever a reason to doubt Gerrard''s suggestions?" Tossing the letter aside, he fixed Avery with a steely gaze. "When are the next internship offers, for the end of the semester?" Avery blinked. "But sir, why?¡­" Jaxon''s smile held a predatory edge. "Consider it a¡­ special offer for my new ''prospect''." *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Dorm Rooms 4-A] [Wednesday, 7:30 AM] FWANG! [The Following Abilities Have Been Created...] [Luck has been struck!] [The following ability grades have been upgraded!] [Monster Hunter [Grade 5] -> [Grade 4] [Trickster At Arms [Grade 6] -> [Grade 5] [Mana Control [Grade 7] -> [Grade 6] [Special Passive: Monster Hunter [Grade 4] grants the ability to sense and exploit the weaknesses of monsters within the Grades of E ss to B+ ss. This passive ability enhances yourbat prowess, allowing them to deal 150% increased damage specifically against these creatures.-4,500 BP] [Ability: Trickster at Arms [Grade 5] This ability grants a degree of mastery over weaponry for 5 minutes, granting them the uncanny ability to wield any weapon with utmost proficiency (Limited to the grade). Even when faced with unfamiliar arms, the connection to this ability makes the handling of such weapons feel as natural as an extension of their own body. -2,500 BP] [Passive Ability: Mana Control [Grade 6] This passive grants proficiency over the control of mana, the fundamental energy of magic. With this ability, the user gains control over the flow and utilization of their mana reserves. One significant aspect unlocked by this ability is the capability of mana healing, enabling the user to harness their mana to heal their injuries to a certain extent. -3,335 BP] [QP: 205, BP: 0, PPP: 1005] haah... finally done. A sigh rattled in my chest as I stared at the empty BP counter. Sacrificed, all of it, for a handful of upgraded skills. Useful, sure. Necessary, even, if I wanted to survive the mercenary world. Especially if I was in a chosen team with Vanessa and Christian given my circumstances I''m sure it was likely to happen at least once or twice. I was saddened that I wasn''t able to create an ability for Elemental Zone or Aura¡­ those abilities were just way out of reach, irresistible and impossibly expensive. I''d tried, of course. But some things weren''t for the likes of me. A practical man makes do with what he''s got. But now that it''s all said and done It''s time to head to ss. ... ... ... [Pinnacle Academy, ssroom 1-A] Kolek''s gruff voice echoed across the room. "Morning, 1-A. As you know, we''re partnering with 1-B for today''s practical, spanning the entire day. Gear up, time for roll call, then I''ll bring their teacher over." Another practical today... They were really drilling it into us before the semester''s final exam, weren''t they? The exercise was obvious: Ind clearing. A directpetition ¨C who could eliminate more monsters, 1-A or 1-B? Under normal circumstances, our ss held all the advantages. But 1-B had a few heavy hitters of their own. Could they keep up? Might even¡­ surprise us? This wasn''t part of the original novel, so the oue was genuinely up in the air. Everyone geared up grabbed their weapons, and headed for the Team IDS Room. Jan and the main cast were buzzing about their team-ups ¨C, I was just waiting for the clock to run down. Might as well have some fun while stuck here. Now that I have new abilities to y with, I finally have a chance to cut loose on some monsters. SWANG! ... ... ... [Location: Ind Of The East: Monster Infested] The transporter shed us to the ind... and yep, the beach. Grains of sand were under my foot and I looked towards the forest that probably had countless monsters waiting to be discovered. At least there was an advisor by the transport, so we weren''t truly stranded. And as we waited a few minutester ss 1-B arrived. *** 1-B arrived in a burst of noise andughter, the tform suddenly swarming with students. Thiago, Sergio, and Carlos, the usual pack of Louiseckeys, fell into step behind him. Louise barely spared him a nce. "Teamwork, monsters¡­ the usual." His eyes narrowed, focusing on the distant treeline. "Probably a good guess, yeah," Carlos mumbled, but Louise wasn''t listening. "...Mana signatures," he murmured, a hint of surprise in his voice. "Multiple, deep in the forest. hmph... I knew it." Bazz retched by the ocean, face a sickly shade of green. "I swear," he moaned, "IDS stations are the worst." Lyra and Cam exchanged amused nces. "Can''t handle the pressure, Bazz?" Cam teased. "Maybey off the midnight snacks." "Shut it!" Bazz groaned, wiping his mouth. Jan pped him on the back, a sympathetic grin on his face. "Hang tough, man. At least it''s ourst practical for the week." Bazz grumbled a reply, barely coherent. "what...blehhh...ever..." As Bazz struggled to find his sea legs, Valencia slipped next to Jan. "Hey," she whispered, "can I ask you something?" Jan blinked. "Sure, what''s up?" Valencia nced around nervously. "Did¡­ did you receive an early offer contract?" Jan''s brow furrowed. "What contract?" Her shoulders slumped with a near-inaudible, "Never mind." A sh of panic crossed her face. Did she drop it during that time? there was no way she could tell, but if Jan didn''t receive it... she failed her first mission of bing a guild leader. Valencia walked off toward Cam and Lyra but stole a nce back at someone. With his same usual messy bed hair. Rel, as usual, was the picture ofposure ¨C calm, reserved. It grated on her, this facade of his. She found it annoying why he acted like that but every time she looked at him. But it was like every time she looked at him, she remembered the events with Morwen and her. An unweed thought crept in: what if this was the real him? The one from before... "haah... no way." she faced palmed and shook her head at the thought. It was a bizarre thought. Why would he care about her after everything she''d done? As she made her way back to her group a loud sound could be heard from a distance and as she looked she saw Kolek standing in front of the crowd of students. Kolek''s voice crackled through the microphone, a stern undercurrent beneath the usual gruffness. "Attention, students. This practice exam isn''t just another routine. It''s your chance to prove yourself after watching all the other sses. Now it''s your turn, so give it your all." He paused, "Today, it''s apetition. ss 1-A versus 1-B. Most monster eliminations win. There are a thousand targets on this ind, nothing above C-ss." A ripple of excitement ran through the assembled students. But there was a nervous edge as well. Kolek continued, "Standard rules apply ¨C y rough with each other but don''t overdo it. Those health-point trackers are there for a reason. Hit zero, you''re teleported back here. Understood?" As everyone nodded almost in unison Kolek then pointed to their teacher. "Mr. Maverick, take 1-B off to their starting point. 1-A, follow me. Let the games begin!" ___________ Authors Notes: Rel''s official passive abilities: [Tenacity], [Evasiveness], [Special Passive: Monster Hunter [Grade 4] - ], [Passive Ability: Mana Control [Grade 6] - ] - some passive abilities have a fixed effect so the reason for their non-grading cannot change for that reason. - Thiago elemental attributes: Water - Vanessa Evangeline Stats: [Stats: Strength: 113, Speed: 34, Mana: B, Durability: 6/10] Chapter 122: Practice Exam (2) [Location: Ind Of The East: Monster Infested - West Side] The atmosphere buzzed as we walked. Jan was fired up and excited for today''s practical, Louise feigning nonchnce to impress Valencia, who wasughing with her usual group and me? I was honestly thinking about ditching this whole thing to prep for Paris. Of course, I did acquire new abilities. But I had to question whether this was enough to take on a semi-demon... hopefully, they count as a "monster" for the system. - Um are we really doing this? - is something wrong Alice? - I just think it''s rather useless to fight people if we don''t get any points from them. - Hmm that''s true... Should we just fight monsters and avoid others? - Yeah... Ahead, Alice and Jae Yoona debated the pointlessness of fighting other students. Smart point. Secluded monster hunting was the way to go... But how many would agree? 1-A should win easily. Jan and Louise on the same team was a statement in itself Add Valencia, Jae, Alice, Cam, plus Bazz, Miya, and Noah... overkill. A whole "We''re 1-A" power flex. Then again... 1-B might surprise us, apart from Jan, Louise, and Valencia, that is. That trio was untouchable for now. The person I knew who had the potential to reach the most eliminations was Thiago Basten for 1-B. Maybe Valeria Ayres in second, with nca Perez not far behind. They were 1-B''s top students for the entirety of the saga. Too bad they''re not major yers in the novel ¨C support characters, mostly. Mr. Kolek cut me off with his usual spiel. "Equipment, safety, yadda yadda ¨C you get it." He paused, letting the grumbling settle. Then, in a lower tone, "You can go in groups, solo, doesn''t matter. But here''s the fun part ¨C no one''s keeping track of those bragging rights today. Fight those monsters hard, see if anyone''s paying attention..."With sighs of disappointmenting from the ss, all he could do was smile mischievously thinking of all the lower-ss monsters he could kill within his reach. Jan tapped my shoulder. "You wanna team up with us, Rel?" My brow furrowed, thinking that if I go with him it would always be a recipe for disaster... "Nah, I''d be fine on my own. Thanks, though." Concern flickered across his face. "What if 1-B gangs up on you?" Almost¡­ nice of him, for a guy who always wins. "I wouldn''t risk it if I wasn''t sure. Thanks, Jan." I waved and slipped into the forest. For the rest of today, This ind would be my training ground for these abilities. *** [Location: Ind Of The East: Monster Infested - West Side] Valeria and nca waited for Maverick''s go-ahead. "Those top five must be something else," Valeria spoke, her voice extremely calm. "Probably terrifying," nca offered. "I heard the rank one in our grade can clear low to mid-ranked dungeons solo." "Absurd," Valeria scoffed. Sure, the gap between her and rank one was there, but not insurmountable. "And that sword saint managed to beat him... But what truly irritated me was that lucky nobody, who ranked 994, sneaking his way to the semi-finals..." "You mean that archer, Rel?" Thiago strolled over, a smirk twisting his lips. "Yeah, why?" Valeria''s re was sharp. "Got a little score to settle with him," Thiago said, ncing at Carlos and Sergio trailing behind him. "Remember what he did to them?" "You going to beat up the poor guy?" Valeria arched an eyebrow. "Poor? Generous," Thiago snorted. "Fresh meat is more like it. Can''t help but chuckle... boss mentioned something about confronting him, but figured I''d handle it." Valeria and nca watched Thiago. "Fine. Do what you want, but don''t me me if you get in trouble," Valeria warned. Thiago leaned in close. "Lighten up, will ya? A bit of fun, nothing drastic..." Valeria shoved him back. "Keep your distance, creep." "Suit yourself," Thiago said with a shrug. "Then again, where''s the fun in that?" *** [Location: Ind Of The East: Monster Infested - West Side - Outer section] haaah... I can''t believe it. One hour in... not a single monster. It was like they were actively avoiding me. that or my scent was tainted with something that put them on edge. Either way, this search was boring. Maybe something was lurking deeper in the forest. krkrkrkk... Checking to see the sound, I moved through the underbrushes. Slowly I tip-toed my way towards the noises and as I got closer I could smell the burning wood of a camp set nearby. Finally... something I could try out this ability on. FWANG! [Monster detected!] [Monster name: Moss Goblin, Rank Rating: C-] Peaking over the bush I saw a pack of goblins, and as the window popped up they were all low-ss goblins, also known as moss goblins. Moss goblins are just normal goblins who can blend into their environment better than their variations. Well with luck delivering them into my hands, there''s no choice but for me to kill them. Grabbing my crossbow in hand I was practically ready to fire shots towards these monsters... but suddenly I thought it was boring if I just killed them here. So what if I just charged at them head first hehe... ?¡Ì¨N#¦¥?§²¦´%? krkrkrkrk! They danced around their fire, oblivious. I stepped out of the bush. Not exactly subtle, but who cares? krkrk? As they noticed me, scrambling for their pathetic sticks and clubs, a grin spread across my face. krkrk!!! The pack of 12 rushed towards me all at once. I couldn''t help but pity these hopeless creatures. "All of you will die." [Special Passive: Monster Hunter has been activated!] [You will deal 150% extra damage to monsters from E ss - B+ ss] Well, it wasn''t like I needed it to be activated onmand anyway. As the pack was an inch close within my distance, I held out a stance holding my hand outstretched into a one-inch punch. huuuuu... breathing in carefully I watched as all this focused energy built up within me. KRKRKRRK!!!! SHAAAAAAAA! My fist connected, and a shockwave rippled outwards. The impact wasn''t just brutal, it was explosive. Moss goblins flew backwards, their bodies shattering on impact, less like flesh and more like rotten fruit. "Wow... this ability truly is broken," I muttered in disbelief seeing the disy of power I had shown just now. stare...stare...stare... "...!" Huh? Was someone just watching me now? I could''ve sworn that students wouldn''t even bother heading towards this area. Forget it. Time to find more targets. Hopefully no 1-B students... that would be a problem I didn''t need today. *** [Location: Ind Of The East: Monster Infested - West Side - Outer section] "why is it always me..." Another fight broke out again between Jan and Louise, and of course, Lyra found herself separated from everyone. Typical. She trudged deeper into the forest, hoping to reunite with the rest of the ss. Those over-the-top attacks were strong enough to send everyone scattering. "Always the blondies who are crazy..." she muttered. The forest floor crackled beneath her feet, each step fraught with cautious silence. crack! A sudden noise from deeper within the trees... Her heart pounded. If it was 1-B, she might have to fight... but please, let it be something else. She crept forward, a shadow among the trees. Focusing mana into her eyes, she caught a flicker of movement, a familiar figure ¨C but too distant to make out clearly. Who would be out here alone? With a burst of speed, she climbed a nearby tree. More mana, sharpening her vision... and there, ahead of the person, waited a pack of goblins. Worse, there were even thornback spiders, lurking in the shadows. What was he nning? ____________ {Axel Saint Rel Laurence STATS:} Age: 17 Talent: Marksman Of Weaponry [Grade 8][...] Affinity: me, Water >Health: 98 >Strength: 59 >Stamina: 64.5 >Speed: 73 Intelligence:? [Unlocks after theory exam] Mana: B+ to recover all mana takes one full day. [Special Stats:] >Archer: 4/10 >Luck: 51.08% >Precision Control: 1/10 Any object thrown or shot can be converted into a projectile. A higher value in this stat signifies an increased ability to manipte objects more effectively at a quicker pace. [NEW!][Special Passive Stats:] Sixth Sense [Grade 9], Monster Hunter [Grade 4], [NEW!][Passive Stats:] Precision: 46%,Tenacity: 3.45%, Evasiveness: 3.25%, Mana Control [Grade 6] [Special Abilities:] Deadeye Grade 9 - Can shoot from 5km radius, Aura Concealment Grade 8, Clockwork of Time Grade 3 slows down time for a few seconds, Mitigation''s Phenomena [Grade 1] Abilities: Piercing Shot [Grade 10], Vulnerability Reader [Grade 8] able to predict weak points within the opponent as time goes on, Quick Shot [Grade 9]faster shot, Projectile Disarm [Grade 4], Trickster at Arms [Grade 5] Authors Exclusive Ability: Perceptive Mind [Grade 3] **Items owned: **[Grade 2 [???] Cloak of Invisibility - Condition: Very Good - Enchantments: Evasive Charm: IV, Thornmail: III, Elemental Shielding: III]**** _________________ Authors Notes: - Rel only mentioned that Thiago could rack up the most kills in 1-B not out of the sses between 1-A and 1-B Chapter 123: Practice Exam (3) [Location: Ind Of The East: Monster Infested - West Side - Outer section] Lyra watched him closely from her perch in the tree. He''d readied his crossbow, a clear shot at the goblins from his concealed position. The next thing she knew, the n was scrapped. His stance changed and he walked out into the open right in front of the pack of goblins. There was no mana or elemental attribute that came out of him, the idea was recklessness that seemed out of character for him. Was this the same Rel she knew? The one who always prioritized caution? This felt different. Dangerous. Right before Lyra''s eyes, she saw a strength that she hadn''t witnessed from him before... BANG! Wind whipped around him, obliterating the goblins, and sting a hole through the forest itself. Nearby creatures took flight, fleeing the sudden chaos. "What... the? That can''t be... was he holding back all along?" Lyra was at a loss for words... It defied belief, she had always assumed Rel wascking, intentionally holding himself back. Yet this raw disy of physical strength shattered those assumptions, leaving only suspicion and confusion. For a while she had been watching Rel with a careful eye, searching if he had any hint of hidden power, the potential to challenge what she called the ''Big 3''. The big 3 consisted of Jan, Louise and Valencia. They earned that title because each was exceptional and had unique abilities or traits that separated them from the rest. The strongest out of the 3 was Jan. From all these years of seeing his fighting capabilities, Lyra knew very well Jan never held back when it mattered. What he was mainly known for was that his aura exceeded any person of their age. Valencia being number 2 was simple, she was the sword saint. When it came to techniques, she was almost unrivalled in terms of mastering them and utilising them inbat. Her damage output was unmatched... any opponent she fought would always result in her victory. And at number 3 was Louise, His incredible recovery ability gave him the stamina to win drawn-out battles, and while his aura was impressive for his age, Jan''s raw talent still outshone him. But now, seeing Rel... it forced her to reconsider. Could there be a ''Big 4''? "Just with physical strength..." He''d obliterated goblins and thornback spiders with devastating force. If this power was always there, was his performance in the tournament a farce? There was no way he was just messing around right? If that was the case then that meant the battle with Valencia... it was all true. He was testing her, trying to see if she was worth him going all out! The idea was crazy exciting, but Lyra shoved it aside. "I could be wrong though..." This was Rel. He probably hid his strength just because... well, because he could. huup! Dropping from the tree, Lyra scanned the ground, trying to figure out where he''d gone. "Lyra?" A familiar voice startled her from behind. Eek! Whirling around, she found herself face to face with... "Rel?" "That''s me," he said, holding a hand up to prove it was really him. "Wh-what are you doing here?" Lyra tried to sound casual, but after what she''d just seen... "Just passing by. Heard a big noise, so I came to check it out." "Oh, I see." Lyra''s eyebrow twitched. ?¦Ò!¦Ø?§Ô??-*??- He was lying to her face! She''d seen it all, yet that expression... like he thought no one had witnessed a thing. Keeping up her end of the charade, she asked,"So, where are you headed next?" She studied his face, searching for any crack in his facade. "I''m gonna head elsewhere, I can''t help but feel that I''m being watched" Rel squinted his eyes with a furrowed brow. "...!" Lyra flinched just slightly at his stare. "Uh, ah... That sucks, doesn''t it? Well, good luck then!" Lyra felt he had caught on to her. Just a simple hunch and now this day marks a memory that she shouldn''t underestimate him from now on. Not ever. *** [3 Hours Later...] {Rel''s POV} [Location: Ind Of The East: Monster Infested - South Side - Inner-Middle-Section] TAK!, TAK!, TAK! [Critical hit has been amplified!] uuuu....uuu! SHAAAAA!!! Pulling back the string of my crossbow I shot out 3 arrows in a swift fluid motion and as they soared through the air each shot pierced the Woodlings cleanly and the rise of my fire attribute burnt them down to a crisp. "that''s about 55... in the past 4 hours." [Score Counter:] [+3^][1-A: 442 - 398 :1-B][+5^] ncing down at my watch, the scores between both sses were surprisingly close. I know that there''s been a lot of action going around, especially in the centre of the ind. I even found myself watching other extras from our ss fight it out over a monster. It was something I didn''t have ticked on my bucket list but I ultimately stole the kill from 1-B once they won the battle. They were clueless screaming "Did we get that monster or not?!" And then the reactions followed as the counter for our ss went up by 1+ Easily the funniest thing I''ve done. But seriously, I need to try find these monsters sooner... I want to go home. _____________ To be continued... _____________ Authors notes: - The way Rel''s ability: Monster Hunter works with numbers is exined with this: x be the base damage: Base damage (100%) = x Damage against lower-ss monsters (150% boost) = x + (x * 150%) = x + 1.5x = 2.5x So when facing lower-ss monsters (Grades E ss to B+ ss), his actual damage output would be 2.5 times his base damage. strength: 59 x 2.5 = 147.5 ? ?????? - It wasn''t a hole Rel made in the forest rather he changed the area of the forest with his punch. - Core Section: The innermostyer, closest to the centre. Inner-Middle Section: Between the core and inner sectors. Middle-Outer Section: Between the inner and outer sectors. Outermost Section: The outermostyer, farthest from the centre. - Thiago''s Elemental Attribute: Wind Chapter 124: 1 VS 3 {Rel''s POV} [Location: Ind Of The East: Monster Infested - South Side - Inner-Middle-section] During the time I hunted, I did end up encountering our main characters from here and there. In the second hour, I found Valencia fighting 3 ss 1-B students at once. With the title of sword saint befit for someone like her, she came out on top, easily overpowering them without her elemental attribute. But after the fight ended, she nced right where I was hiding. I flinched instinctively. She definitely saw me... and that look she gave... the same one I always get. It confirmed my suspicions. I mean... when was there a time when she couldn''t sense me? (He was right) ... ... ... Then in the third hour, I found Jae Yoona and Alice fighting a high-ss C-ranked monster, which was the Gloomfang Panther. They were panthers that were corrupted by dungeon erosion, turning them into a Gloomfang Panther, they usually looked twice asrge as normal panthers with the addition of glowing eyes. Their trait was that they were stealthy hunters who could move through the forest without making a single sound. But thankfully for Jae Yoona, her eyes could exceed a reaction time that defied a corrupted panther''s speed and she ended up finishing it off with a shot to the head, with her newly modified bow I gave her. Well, it was my bow at first... and I shouldn''t be surprised but after the fight, she spotted me almost immediately and she told me toe out from my spot and I surrendered myself in. Our conversation was short and sweet. She wanted to set a study schedule, and well, who was I to argue? Truth was, I nned on using club activities as an excuse to ditch most of those sessions anyway. ... ... ... Back to now. I''m in between the innermost middle section, which was the closest to the centre of the ind. I just want to get this over with. I''m looking at where all the damn monsters should be, and still, I''ming up empty. BANG!!!! BANG!!!! SHAAAAAA! Another explosion of fire erupted from the centre. It was Louise again, showing no mercy to those poor students. p...p...p.... Wait, what was that? [Deadeye has been activated!] With Deadeye activated, my vision sharpened, revealing three sunfire hawks fleeing the explosion. I figured it was my time to get on the move with this. Watching the Hawks soar through the air, I raised my crossbow, tracking their movements. huuuu... Focusing on shooting the first target I quickly slowed my breaths to minimise the shake on my aim. TAK! Firing the first shot of my arrow, It slowly curved through the air and... [Critical Hit!] [Monster Hunter (Special Passive) Amplified the attack!] The arrow found its mark and right before my eyes, the shot erupted into a beautiful explosion on impact, engulfing the other two sunfire hawks. What remained in the air were the feathers that scattered in the sky, making their way down to the ground. "That was... kinda awesome." Gotta respect the power of a clean shot... Meanwhile, everyone else was scrambling in the centre. Me? I was picking off all the stragglers, those poor monsters fleeing the chaos. "Woah... that was amazing." "...?" A voice cut through the air, breaking my focus off the explosion. Turning my head towards the voice of Thiago Basten I already knew something was off. He stood there, his blue hair ruffled against the breeze of wind. His blue eyes were fixed on me with a face of resentment. I didn''t lower my crossbow, a sense of unease settling in the pit of my stomach. Thiago was from the opposing ss, and his presence here only meant trouble. If we fight right here this could attract even more attention from both our sses. We were in the middle of a practice exam, and tensions between our sses were already high. Thiago smirked, his gaze locked on mine. "Just admiring your remarkable archery, Rel", He said, sarcasm dripping from his words. "Quite the shot you''ve got there." I narrowed my eyes, not buying his act for a second. Thiago was up to something, that much was clear. But... what was his ability again? Something I couldn''t immediately recall. [Perceptive mind has been activated!] I locked eyes with Thiago and triggered Perceptive mind. Immediately, the system window appeared. FWANG! [Status Window Of Thiago Basten] [Age: 18] [>Strength: 88, >Durability: 78, >Speed: 33, >Mana: B, >Elemental Attribute: Wind] [Current Thoughts: "He''s not gonna see iting..."] [Main Ability: Wind Constructs. He can solidify air, shaping it into various forms such as des, shields, or even simple tools like ropes or tforms. While these constructs are not inherently tied to his wind attribute, they can be enhanced or manipted further with his understanding of his attribute, making them more versatile and effective. This ability allows Thiago to adapt to different situations without relying too heavily on his elemental ability.] Ah... right so he could fly if he wanted to as well. But "it"? What am I missing? Is there someone besides him? [Deadeye has been activated!] "...!" Activating deadeye, I could see both Sergio Vex and Carlos Muller hiding amongst the trees and bushes. Now that I was a sitting duck in the open, I needed a way out. "You look worried Rel." Thiago''s smirk was practically a weapon. With every step closer, his sword unsheathed, the pressure mounted. "Afraid there''s more to this than meets the eye?" tap...tap...tap... [Sixth sense (Special Passive) has been activated!] Okay, what were my options here? Fight like this, and I''d be taking hits? Because I know these guys weren''t pushovers, even if they were side characters. haah... Whatever, losing here doesn''t affect my rank anyway. But there was no way I was gonna stand here and be a punching bag. I''ll fucking fight back. ____________ Authors Notes: - Woodlings: They are corrupted trees that have a humanoid appearance. their size is a dwarfpared to their adult version of Woodans. (Woodlings are 9ft in size.) - Woodans pronounced as Wood - and - Sunfire hawks are hawks gifted with the fire attribute they arepletely different to the appearance of a phoenix. Chapter 125: 1 V 3 (2) [Location: Ind Of The East: Monster Infested - Central- Core-Section] Thiago led Sergio and Carlos deeper into the ind''s forest, a single name on his mind: Rel... They''d barely escaped Valencia ¨C that monster in a school uniform. A whole crowd of 1-B students and not one could touch her. Forget hunting, he didn''t want to cross paths with her again for the entire day. He thought it most likely took their top-ss students and an additional 20 1-B students to fight her head-on. Especially since she hadn''t used her abilities or elemental attributes, she was more terrifying than Jan and Louise together. "Anything?" he snapped towards the two. "We''ve spotted groups," Carlos whined. "but no sign of him." Rel wasn''t an idiot there was a reason why he was ranked 1 in theory. Thiago assumed he''d stick with a group, knowing it would be best to fight monsters and rival students with numbers. He thought going alone was reckless. The other ss would likely fight any monster they encountered. "Could he be hunting alone?" Thiago considered the possibility. It was true ¨C archers typically excelled at hunting, and Rel may possess simr skill. With a decisive p of his hands, Thiago announced his strategy... "We should split up, cover more ground. The moment anyone spots him, message the rest of us." "That''s a solid n," Sergio agreed. "Find him, keep tabs on him, alert the others. Right?" "Correct." Thiago paused, a thoughtful glint in his eye. "Also, keep an eye out for monster remnants. Specifically ones with arrow wounds, or clean puncture holes." Sergio and Carlos nodded in understanding. Then, the three dispersed, a sense of anticipation hanging in the air. ... ... ... Carlos scoured the ind''s outer edge. Needing a drink, he''d briefly left the perimeter only to return and stumble upon a scene: remnants of monsters'' discarded arrows marking a recent battle. It had to be either Jae Yoona or Rel, the only notable archers in their grade. of course, he needed to be cautious in making his way through since the vulnerability of leaving oneself open would only lead to ruin. He moved cautiously. An ambush was always a risk. Staff in hand, alert, he scanned the ground for tracks, following the archer''s trail. It ended abruptly at a stone wall. But as he turned, he spotted a telltale gap in the trees ¨C not natural, but the aftermath of some powerful attack. "Whoever was here... must''ve had a crazy battle." Carlos eyed the ravagedndscape, the scattered goblin bodies. BZZZZZZT! BZZZZZT! [Notification: 1 minute ago: We found him! he''s around the south side of the inner middle section. head over quick! @Carlos.Muller, @Thiago.Bast3N] [Message from the group chat [1-B Future Centurions] 25s ago...: On my way. [<@Sergio.V3X> Has sent you the coordinates! - Click on the app to view!] Carlo''s watch buzzed. As he looked at the message, Sergio found where Rel was. A malicious grin twisted his lips. "finally... I''ll make him pay for what he did to me that day." ... ... ... [Location: Ind Of The East: Monster Infested - South Side - Inner-Middle-Section] Ten minutes of careful travel brought Carlos to the coordinates Sergio sent. The three of them, perfectly positioned for an ambush, watched as Rel sniped a Sunfire hawk out of the sky. Even Carlos couldn''t help but be a little impressed. Sergio, no doubt, was already daydreaming himself with that kind of skill. DING!...DING!... [Message from the group chat [1-B Future Centurions] 43s ago..: attack on my signal, I'' ''ll keep him busy ¨C the usual small talk tactics. But most importantly, don''t hurt him too badly. We need him alive for a little example of Louise''s power.] Carlos and Sergio nodded, watching as Thiago strolled out into the open in full view of Rel. "Woah... that was amazing." Rel''s usual calm expression turned into suspicion. But then, like he wasn''t responding at all, Thiago kept taunting him, dripping with sarcasm. "Hey? Just admiring your remarkable archery, Rel", "...!" Suddenly, Rel''s eyes widened. He shook his head both towards Carlos and Sergio''s direction. So, he could sense them this whole time! Not just a talented archer, that was for sure. Thiago, impressed despite himself, kept the pressure on. "You look worried, Rel." Thiago was weaponizing his smirk now, closing in, sword unsheathed. Rel was stepping back, cornered. "Afraid there''s more to this than meets the eye?" SHING! Rel quickly raised his crossbow and Thiago raised his sword, ready for the signal. "NOW!" TAK...TAK...TAK... Rel fired three quick shots, but Thiago was prepared, a hand sign conjured a wind wall deflecting the arrows with his ability. suuuuuuuuu... SHAAAAAA! RAAAAAAK! "RISING ROCK!" "FIRE BEAM!" Sergio''s hand pressed towards the ground, Rising Rock, a burst of earth spikes, hurtled towards Rel. Carlos unleashed twin sts of crimson fire through his conjured portals. Thiago grinned. "It''s over." ... ... ... [Clockwork of time has been activated!] Activating clockwork of time, I watched Thiago''s body and the attacks slow down with immediate effect. "Damn it... I wasn''t careful enough... and now I''ve been caught in an ambush?" haah... There was no other way out... normally I''d conserve my mana, and y it safe. But this... this was more than enough reason to risk it all. [Special Ability: Mitigation''s Phenomena [Grade 1] has been activated!] [Mitigation''s Phenomena is manifesting!] [Ability: Mana Control (Passive) is simultaneously assisting the manifesting process!] The familiar pain of Mitigation red, burning through me like white-hot fire. Worth it, always worth it... nothing else could give me this level of defence. Mana Control kicked in, a flow that made the pain even sharper, but the process sped up. Two transparent portals shed into existence, just in time to absorb the sts from Sergio and Carlos. Now for the redirection¡­ the crucial part¡­ The third portal struggled to form. My body screamed in protest, my vision blurring at the edges. But focus... focus was everything... [Clockwork of time has been deactivated.] Time snapped back to normal, and in the same breath, I triggered two more abilities. The portals adjusted seamlessly, locking onto the attacks. Easy, at least that part was. [Ability: Quick Shot has been activated!] [Ability: Piercing Shot has been activated!] TAK! TAK! TAK! Three shots streaked towards Thiago. His eyes widened in surprise ¨C he''d been too focused on that hand sign, that pitiful wind construct. But Ipletely underestimated his ability. His wind wall red to life, strong enough to deflect my arrows with a shuddering impact. "It''s O-V-E-R," ¨C he mouthed the words, a desperate plea masquerading as a promise. SHAAAAAAAAAA! The force of their attacks mming into my portals sent jolts of pain rushing through my shoulders. My body screamed in protest, the third portal had barely manifested... I could feel the strain, a burning ache spreading through me, almost more than I could handle. ah... fuck... it hurts... Then, on the brink of failure, with both portals flickering dangerously, a blinding light zed to life right before my eyes. A message of hope that relieved all worry. [3/3 Portals have been manifested...] [Portal Of Mitigation Is Complete!] [All Attacks Have Been Mitigated!] SHAAAAAAAA! The redirected force shot back towards Thiago, a flood of energy that ripped through the air. I watched him - the horror dawning on his face as he saw his friends'' power turned back on him. "Impossible?!" Their fire and rock twisted together, a moltennce of fury that sliced through the air. Large enough to st apart of this forest. Thiago frantically tried to raise his wind wall, a desperate attempt, but it was useless. BANGGG!!!!! The st shattered his defence, then mmed into him. His scream was drowned out by the roar as blood sprayed from his mouth. The force sent him sting backwards. Trees exploded, splinters flying, as Thiago''s body was flung like a ragdoll. ng! His sword skittered away. Smirking, I watched him fly. "Fucking loser..." tap...tap...tap... "...!" Sergio and Carlos stared, frozen in shock. They were clueless a moment ago, but now... now they understood. Fear flooded their expressions ¨C a terrifyingly familiar twist of emotions that mirrored the tournament. Those memories shed through their minds, the humiliation, the pain, all because of me. I picked up Thiago''s discarded sword. "You guys back so soon for another round?" I asked, the amusement clear in my voice. "If thest beating wasn''t memorable enough..." SLASH! I swung the sword, a swift arc of steel. "...then I''ll make sure this one leaves asting impression." "...!" [Ability: Trickster at Arms Has Been Activated!] ________________ Authors Notes: - The element attribute of wind is a hard counter against most archers. - Monster remnants are just leftover parts of a monster. - Projectile Disarm can reflexively activate Rel''s aura creating his signature ck lightning effect onto his de. - The colour of aura differs for users who are more experienced with it inbat. But for those who can imbue aura changing the colour of their de is a sign of reaching a mastery of the technique. - Mana control can assist Rel in anything that requires mana. Chapter 126: 1 VS (3) [Location: Ind Of The East: Monster Infested - South Side - Inner-Middle-Section] The sword was an extension of my body now, the movements flowing as if they''d always been there. Was it possible [Trickster at Arms] was changing more than just the ability? Could it make me capable of using aura? Impossible... or was it? This ability was already rewriting my muscle memory, changing my entire knowledge of swordsmanship in an instant. It seemed all-knowing, creating these borate quest... or was it all an borate series of coincidences? If everything was designed, it could have given me unlimited power from the start. Instead, it let me keep my knowledge, and my awareness of the story''s plot ¨C a sliver of advantage that forced me to work for every bit of progress. And I wanted to work for it. There was no shortcut to the ending I craved, no way to get home other than to push myself to the limit. I had never finished this story''s ending... and I''m unsure that If I do reach the end, will it be nothing because it''s unfinished? I didn''t dream of the possibility of an unfinished ending having nothing at the end but it was always possible. I am a character in this story... but I am the author of this story... I am who I was meant to be. ...But could I even go home? I woke up in this world, in this body that wasn''t mine. No name, no history... just the tools to survive. All that I was and should''ve been was an ''extra'' Just a mob character. Their emotions, their thoughts... they were all gone, reced by mine. All that remained was their body, a weak shell I''d been forced to build upon. But everything I am now, everything I''ve achieved... that''s all because of my own hard work. It felt wrong, sometimes thinking of this ''person''. But without them, I wouldn''t have been forced to fight, to struggle, to earn my strength. And that... that was something I could respect. Something I was grateful for, even as a strange sadness washed over me. But... there was a part of me that still longed for the fight. The childhood fantasy of being a skilled swordsman, the power, the thrill... something I never thought possible in my old life. Now, thanks to this system, it almost feels like I''m cheating. And if manifestation works the way I think it does, maybe there''s a way to connect with my own soul... ssss....ssss....ssss *** Rel tightened his grip on the sword, watching Sergio charge, a blur of motion. [Ability: Projectile Disarm [Grade 4] Has Been Activated!] Sergio flung his shield, beforeunching himself forward. But Rel was ready. CRACKLE...CRACKLE...CRACKLE... His de pulsed with a dark glow, and sparks of ck lightning crackled up from his hand, coating the metal in a shimmering colour of ck. Sergio screamed at Carlos saying Carlos Do it NOW! Carlos screamed saying "GOT IT!" zwammmm!!! Above, Carlos''s crimson portal opened, a whirlpool of power aimed directly at Rel. "Hell beam!" SHAAAAAAAA! A pir of fire speared down towards him. Through it all, Rel remained still, focused. The attacks synchronized, a deadly ultimatum forcing him to choose which one to block. His answer was swift and unexpected. With his sword pointed toward the ground, then in a single, graceful arc, Rel countered, parrying shield and firebeam with impossible precision. SHINGG!!!! [Parry Sucessful!] [Luck has struck!] [Both attacks have been deflected at 2x speed!] The parry was wless. Fire and shield scattered, redirected back towards the stunned Sergio. "wait..." [Clockwork of time has been activated!] [Mana percentage: 45%] Activating clockwork of time the battle slowed. Rel watched the fading trail of his Projectile Disarm, the ck energy glowing like an afterimage. Something about it triggered a startling realization... "That energy... it felt like aura." And he could see it, clearly, which shouldn''t be possible. But there was a slight doubt in these few seconds of hesitation. What had he been using all this time? Mana shoulde after aura in the hierarchy of power... Because in his head all principles of techniques and elements should''ve been: Aura > Special elemental attribute > Mana > Normal elemental attribute. If none of his attacks were powered by mana, with no cost to the ability... then all this time, he''d been wielding an advanced form of aura without knowing it. This changed everything. If Projectile Disarm let him tap into aura, could he substitute parries with shes? Could he channel that same energy through an offensive attack? Aura within his reach... it meant a whole new world of possibilities, techniques from the novel he never thought he could master. Maybe, one day, he could even stand on equal ground with Jan. But that was too far ahead, too ambitious. Right now, he needed to focus on the basics. How could aura be released through a sh? How could he turn defence into offense? Projectile Disarm was a counter-attack, It required contact to work. So, what if he skipped the contact part, and used the ability itself as the weapon? Absurd. Maybe even impossible. But there was a reckless part of him willing to try. Now wasn''t the time for hesitation, just action. [Clockwork of time has been deactivated!] [Current Mana Percentage: 27%] huuu...haaah... Rel sucked in a sharp breath. Sergio was still charging, but the distance between them bought precious seconds. He had no choice... [Projectile Disarm [Grade 4] Has Been Activated!] CRACKLE...CRACKLE...CRACKLE... The familiar feeling of aura erupted from his palm pulsing with an inner light... Rel''s aura reached the hilt of his sword, consuming the de in absolute darkness. Lightning danced wildly around his de once more fully coating itself in ck. Then, unexpectedly, the system window shed to life. FWANG! [Reached Complete Understanding Of The Following Ability: Projectile Disarm [Grade 3] - The full contents of the ability will now be revealed...] [Projectile Projection is an ability that allows the user to reflectively activate their aura, enhancing their defensive capabilities. When activated, the user coats their hand in aura, which can parry iing attacks. The effectiveness of the parry is determined by the grading of the ability, with higher grades allowing for more precise and powerful parries. The ability works by sensing the contact point of an iing attack. If the contact point falls within a specific range, typically between -0.5, 1, or 0.5, the attack is parried. This range can vary depending on the user''s skill and the grade of the ability. In addition to parrying attacks, Projectile Projection can also deflect projectiles, such as arrows, bullets, magic imbued attacks and now considers swung weapons as ''projectiles,'' allowing the user to disarm opponents by deflecting their weapon swings.] "Yes... he figured that out a few seconds ago," he muttered, but a grin spread across his face. Luck had never been his strong suit, but moments like this... they were worth a lifetime of bad breaks. [Special Passive: Sixth Sense [Grade 9] Has Been Activated!] He turned towards Sergio, tightening his grip on the de. Then, in a move that felt both automatic and utterly foreign, he charged. Not with a practised strike, but with a wave of instinct, as if fate itself guided his sword. only-found-at-MVLeMpYr The shocked look on Sergio''s face, as Rel closed the distance, was almostical. Archer? Swordsman? He didn''t have time to decide. And then the word, came out of Rel''s mouth as he screamed... a weight that carried a will of absolute conviction. "Divine Severance!" In one fluid motion, he swung the de, one-handed. "...!" Rel watched, almost in disbelief, as a blinding ck sh, erupted from his de. It solidified into a jagged sh of aura,ced with ck lightning, that ripped out towards Sergio. SLASH!!!!! ...A secondter, Sergio, still frozen in disbelief, was thrown backward. His body mmed into trees, shattering branches as he flew through the air like a discarded toy. "FUCK THIS IS WHY I HATE ARCHERS!" ... ... ... All this time Rel thought projectile disarm was an ability that only goes away, after you parry an attack. But he was wrong in every way. Projectile disarm in itself was aura... and as long as you don''t parry a projectile, the ability would remain until then. He looked down at the de, still crackling and coated with his ck aura. His theory had been right, and the importance... of this ability meant that he too had potential. _____________ Authors Notes: - Aura Principle 4#: If you cannot see aura, you cannot use aura, you cannot detect aura... this exins why Sergio and Carlos can''t see Rel''s de changing into a dark colour. - There are different levels of aura: basic aura, advanced aura. - When Rel used clockwork of time only 6 seconds had passed during his thought process. - Aura is the superior technique and it is the only technique that can counter the other 3techniques that are mainly used:Special elemental attributes, Mana, and Normal elemental attributes. - There are sub-variations for aura. - Trickster at arms onlyst for 5 minutes and once that time is up Rel''s muscle memory of the sword disappears. Chapter 127: Realisation {Rel''s POV} [Location: Ind Of The East: Monster Infested - South Side - Inner-Middle-Section] Standing right before me I stared at the de filled with aura... I didn''t realise I was aware of seeing aura from the start. But the feeling was definitely strange, something I couldn''t ever imagine myself using. FWANG! [Quest: 3 ON 1 Defeat your opponents and win this unexpected ambush!] [Rewards: 125 QP, 1,000 BP, ?/ ???] [You have 205 QP... would you like to use QP for rewards enhancement?] Sure? Why not. [Please select which rewards you''d like using QP...] [105 QP: 5.00 Stamina, 2.00 HP, ?/???, 25 QP, 1,500 BP] [150 QP: 7.00 Stamina, 4.00 HP, ?/???, 30 QP, 2,000 BP] [205 QP: 10.00 Stamina, 6.00 HP. ?/???, ?/???, 2,500 BP] haah... The potential was too tempting. More stats, maybe even unlocking new skills... better than nothing, right? Should I go all-in? These guys were side characters, but if the system scaled them up... well, that was a big "if". Still, with the tournament quests done, I''d need all the power I could get for those mercenary missions. Might as well take the gamble. Click! [Confirmed Quest Enhancement...] [QP: 0, All Rewards Have Been Enhanced!] [Quest Restrictions: The following abilities and stats cannot be used: All Archer Stats, Piercing Shot [Grade 10], Vulnerability Reader [Grade 8], Quick Shot [Grade 9], Deadeye [Grade 9], Clockwork of Time [Grade 3], Mitigation''s Phenomena [Grade 1], Sixth Sense [Grade 9].] [Rewards: 10.00 Stamina, 6.00 HP. ?/???, ?/???, 2,500 BP] My jaw dropped. WAIT... what?! No archery? No abilities? I can''t even use anything other than my sword? Isn''t this too much system? [Not for you Mr. Axel! You are more than capable enough for this reward! ???? ¡¥???¡¥?? )?] FWANG! And with that, the system vanished. Great. At least I knocked out two of them, right? FWANG! [Opponents defeated: 0/3] ... Seriously? They''re still alive? A scream ¨C "Firebolt!" ¨C followed by a streak of me erupted from the bushes. SHAAAAA! I didn''t have Sixth Sense to warn me, just instinct and reflex. I gripped my de with both hands, muscles tensing. Just as the fireball reached me, my sword swept out, a curving arc that sliced through the air. [Parry Sessful!] "Shit..." If they were still up, then... rustle, rustle... "...?" "RAHHHHHHH!" Another scream, rang in my ears this time from above. Looking from above Thiago, recovered from our earlier fight. He was in the air plummeting down with a wind de manifesting into his hand. SHING! My de shed with Thiago''s wind sword. I gritted my teeth, using all my strength to shove him back, and then broke away. My legs pumped with adrenaline as I backpedalled, eyes darting, desperately searching for that third bastard. BANG! Then, from behind the cover of trees, a glint of metal ¨C a shield ¨C and a blow struck me in the head... "fuck..." Pain exploded across my skull, feeling the dizziness reach to my head. drip...drip...drip.. Warm blood trickled down my face. "Damn it..." The words rasped in my throat as I looked around for these characters. It wasn''t that they were stronger. It was that I had gotten weaker. But they''d taken damage earlier. That had to count for something. I couldn''t spot Sergio, but I knew he was on his way back, and Thiago... the cocky wind-wielder seemed to have vanished. [Projectile Disarm [Grade 4] Has Been Activated!] There is no time to waste. My de coated in aura crackled with lightning as I charged, hacking a path through the bushes towards Carlos. There. SLASH! My de tore through the bushes, revealing the wooden staff ¨C and a figure right before my eyes. "...!" Just as I thought. The look on his face was priceless. His eyes were wide with a terror that went deeper than any spell he could conjure. SLASH! [Critical Hit!] My de struck with a sickening thud, aura biting into his chest. BANG! Carlos shrieked, his body mming into a tree. I raised my sword for the finishing blow, when... light red, pixels dancing around him¡­ and he vanished. "So he got sent back then..." [Opponents Defeated: 1/3] The number on the system screen confirmed it. One down, two to go. Thiago''s curse echoed in the clearing. "Shit... he got Carlos good." At his side, Sergio stepped forward, eyes narrowed. "We''ll make him pay." "Twofold," Thiago hissed. Then, the ground shifted. Sergio stomped,unching a chunk of earth towards me. I reacted on instinct, shing through the makeshift projectile with a spray of dirt. SHING! But even as the wall shattered, Thiago was there. The wind swirled around his fist, a whirlwind readying to strike. BANG! The force of the blow mmed into my chest. ACK! A choked cry escaped me as I was hurled backwards, sputtering blood. I staggered the world into a blur, then stabbed my sword into the ground, anchoring myself. Sergio seized his opening, charging with surprising speed. Before I could fully recover, his shield was back in his hands, then wham ¨C he hurled it at me again. SHING! I barely had time to parry, but I quickly connected my sword with his shield sending it spinning away with a harsh ng. "Seriously? Does he think he''s Captain America?" I muttered, shaking dirt from my sword. Sergio running, gripped his sword with both hands, swinging with raw force. CLASH! I blocked, felt the tremor in my arms, and then with a raised leg, Iunched a swift kick striking true to his gut. "...!" [Critical hit!] Gasping, Sergio dropped his sword, clutching his stomach ¨C just enough time for me to activate my skill. [Projectile Disarm [Grade 4] Has Been Activated!] ck lightning danced around my sword as I lunged. SLASH! The aura-infused de struck, piercing Sergio''s defence. "AH!" Like Carlos, he vanished the moment he was struck, a scattering of pixels the only trace left of him. [Opponents Defeated: 2/3] Thiago''s voice filled with disgust spoke up. "This... this is a disgrace. You''re supposed to be an archer... not some swordsman wannabe!" "Who are you?" His wind sword flickered into existence, rage twisting his features. They all get so worked up, these side characters, when someone breaks the mould. Did they not realize a little flexibility made for a far more dangerous opponent? Then again... maybe I shouldn''t be too surprised. As the author, I had, after all, designed them to be limited in that way. My reply was a smirk, a whisper that carried across the clearing. "I''m a walking god." tap...tap...tap... my steps were slow at first, then building into a dead sprint. Thiago mirrored the movement, as the anticipation sparked between us. He was ready for a sh of steel and wind... but I had something far more devastating in mind. CRACKLE...CRACKLE...CRACKLE... A slow smile spread across my face as my de changed. Gone was the steel''s familiar greyness, reced by a darkness that crackled with ck lightning. Then, just as we closed the distance, the words that burst through my lips felt so natural... "Divine Severance." SLASH!!! In a single, fluid motion, I swung. Pure aura carved a crescent of ckness, scything towards Thiago. BANG!!!! [Critical Hit!] The force of the blow sent him flying. His body crashed through trees, shattering wood, a path of destruction mirroring the sh aura that had sliced across his torso. I watched him finally copse, body slumped against a tree, head bowed. Slowly, those pixels danced around him, and he was gone. [Opponents Defeated: 3/3] [Ability: Trickster At Arms [Grade 5] has been deactivated due to the time limit.] [Mana Percentage: 20%] I surveyed the shattered trees, the scars left by Thiago''s impact. This fight... it was done. Good thing, too. haah... A weary sigh escaped me. That time limit on my ability had been hanging over my head the entire battle. Any longer, and I was screwed. But I think this causes for a celebration! Definitely time for a celebration... and maybe a nap. Taking down three side characters was a huge deal, after all. It meant I was finally getting stronger. A little peace and quiet would be nice... at least until I got transported back to the IDS Portal. FWANG! Or not. The system window was staring straight into my face... [Quest: 3 ON 1 Defeat your opponents and win this unexpected ambush! - Status: Complete!] [All Ability and Status Restrictions have been lifted...] [Disying Rewards...] [10.00 Stamina, 6.00 HP. ?/???, ?/???, 2,500 BP] [Transferring Rewards] [1%...25%...50%...75%...100%... Transfer Complete!] ____________________ The Following Base Stats Have Been Upgraded: >HP: 98.00 >>> 104.00 (6.00+) > Stamina: 64.5 >>> 74.50 (10.00+) ____________________ [A New Stat Has Been Unlocked!] >? / ??? >>> Swordsman [Grade 10]: 1/10 | Mastery: 0% "...!" My jaw dropped. Swordsman? Really? So, I was a dual-ss now, archer and swordsman at the same time? This was incredible... the absolute best... This is the best... wow... I blinked at the screen, still in disbelief. FWANG! Then, another window popped open. there was another reward? [A New Category Has Been Unlocked!] [Category: [Skills and Techniques:] Has Been Created!] [A New Skill Has Been Added...] [Skill: Divine Severance: A powerful aura attack that unleashes a crescent-imbued sh capable of severing strong defences. (Note: this skill can only be used while Trickster at Arms has been activated or has swordsman grade at [Grade 5] or above.)- ] _______________ Authors Notes: - Thiago assumed that Rel could use his crossbow at any given moment so he kept his distance, staying out of Rel''s sight. - If aura is coated around a de, aura is guaranteed to always hit first on impact. Chapter 128: Realisation (2) [Location: Ind Of The East: Monster Infested - South Side - Inner-Middle-Section] [3 hourster...] "Attention all 1-A and 1-B students, the conclusion to the practice exam has now ended, as all monsters within the ind have been eliminated, we''ll be returning all students to the north side beach. Where we will announce the results of the practice exam between both sses today." yawnnn... A yawn escaped me, followed by a sigh of relief. Finally, that fight had taken everything out of me, but the nap had helped. I did a quick equipment check to see if anything fell. my fingers brushed against the crossbow on my right hip, then Thiago''s sword on the left. Then it made me realise... I did steal his weapon unintentionally, should I give it back? It''d probably be the ''honourable'' thing to give it back, but honestly, screw him. His pride is his problem, and I sure as hell don''t want to deal with the fallout of having this thing on me. If word gets back to the academy that I whipped out a sword mid-fight... They''dbel me a dual-ss faster than you can say ''extra training sessions.'' And that''s a problem I don''t need. Yeah, the benefits of being able to use two weapons were cool. But I''d rather not be known as someone who could use more than one weapon. swang! [Equpiment HP: 23%] Well, not bad for a fight with those handicaps stacked against me. Losing Sixth Sense had been a huge blow. Hell, I probably wouldn''t have made it without Trickster as well... It just goes to show how reliant I''d be on that skill. Sloppy indeed. I''d always prioritise myself on awareness, and my instincts... but maybe they weren''t as sharp as I thought. Definitely something to work on. Thud! "Ow!" I winced, rubbing my head. Seriously, an apple? How random was that? A nce around revealed nothing but the usual trees and bushes. "Whatever," I muttered. With the teleportationing, a random piece of fruit was the least of my concerns. haah... shhhanngggg... A strange warmth enveloped me, starting at my toes and creeping upwards. Then, blue pixels danced into view, a swarm of digital fireflies mirroring that simr to Thiago and the rest. I knew the tech was always sophisticated. Instead of a normal IDS Station, The IDS Transporter dispersed emitters that targeted meshworks, allowing for precise individual teleportation points. Impressive, but also a potential privacy nightmare if it falls into the wrong hands. The pixels swirled faster, my surroundings dissolving into a blur. One blink, and I was gone. Another blink, and I materialized back on the starting beach, the faces of my ssmatesing into focus. ... ... ... [Location: Ind Of The East: Monster Infested - North Side Beach - IDS Transporter Way Point.] The materialization finished, and instead of the familiar transporter waypoint, I found myself back on the beach. Interesting. There had to be some workaround for mass teleportation like this. Transporting a hundred people simultaneously with individual IDS stations was logistically absurd. Then again, this world had quantum teleportation. With magic and tech going hand in hand here, who knows what they''de up with? Maybe it was like a massive IDS station ¨C a supeputer of teleportation tech ¨C capable of handling that many people at once. tap...tap...tap.. A touch on my shoulder, and I turned around. It was Jan, of course. Mr. Popr... always at the centre of everything. "Rel! Haven''t seen you all day. Where''d you disappear to?" He tilted his head, that charming smile in ce. Obviously, I wouldn''t want to be in a group with Jan. That''s where all the action was, all the massive battles... and breakouts I''d seen countless students defeated and head straight back in. "Decided to go it alone," I said with a shrug. Not that he''d understand the tactical advantages. "Oh, I see." His gaze flickered over me. Then, a frown. "Did you fight some of those 1-B students? Or..." Damn. "Nah," I lied smoothly. The practice exam was over, no point dragging it out. "...are you sure?" He pointed. "There''s blood dripping down your head." Feeling the sensation of blood, I lifted my hand to touch my forehead. The spot where the shield connected earlier still throbbed. Healing it wouldn''t be a bad idea. "Right," I said to Jan, a neutral tone recing any potential defensiveness. "I just came across some monsters earlier." As Jan continued to scrutinize me, I turned slightly, allowing a casual nce around the beach. In my head, I reviewed the process of mana healing. It required pinpointing the injury and directing mana towards it, which shouldn''t be too difficult. However, channelling mana with precise external control was a whole other story. Internal mana flow, on the other hand, seemed the more viable option. [Passive Ability: Mana Control [Grade 6] Has Been Activated!] A gentle tingle spread through my body. With the ability to enhance my focus, I traced the flow of mana within my body''s system, directing it towards the wound on my forehead. The throbbing intensified momentarily, a concentrated pulse of difort. But as the mana reached its target, a soothing warmth reced the pain. Momentster, a wisp of steam rose from the spot, and the gash sealed shut. The process wasn''t exactly elegant, but it was effective. It reinforced the reality that while Icked a natural talent for mana control, this abilitypensated for that deficiency. It allowed me to heal myself with a little more technique, and hopefully, with practice, even unleash more powerful offensive attacks. I turned back, tried covering the healed wound. But Jan watched with another flicker of scrutiny read me like a book. "Didn''t know you were capable of advanced techniques," he remarked. "Thanks. Compared to someone who could probably heal in a heartbeat, that''s not much." A touch of sarcasm couldn''t be helped. He shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe your mana control''s better than you give yourself credit for. Or maybe you just don''t try..." haah... This again... why does he always drag this misunderstanding, that I don''t try at all? Maybe if I ignore him enough, he''ll just forget. "Well, I think I already tried enough." I frowned at Jan, but his grin only widened. I guess he was still the typical main character. Always so sure of himself. Though, this pettiness... that was unexpected. "So... care to exin if you''re a Swordsman or an archer?" He nudged me and pointed towards the weapon still hanging at my hip ¨C Thiago''s sword. Taking it during the fight had been an impulsive decision. It earned me a few new things, but was it worth the potential hassle of being pinned as a dual-user? Although snagging those new abilities was a nice bonus, I was starting to doubt whether the whole ''dual weapon'' thing was worth the hassle. Sure, versatility was cool, but the time, effort, and resources to upgrade mastery for both was ridiculous. So I was considering keeping the whole weapon thing a secret... I''ll use a bow or a crossbow for the academy. Then when I enter the mercenary corpster on, I''ll focus more on using thebination of a gun and sword. Right now, Thiago probably thinks I''m some wannabe swordsman. If word gets out, I''ll just y dumb. No way am I admitting to that mess. "Just returning this to some guy who got teleported back," I told Jan. I slid the sword''s scabbard off my hip and showed it to Jan, hoping he''d fall for my whole ''returning it'' act. He didn''t. He just raised an eyebrow, that half-smirk ying on his face. "Sure you are, man. Sure." Whatever. I gave a half-hearted shrug and strolled off, scanning the beach for my usual group of idiots. Time to get back to normal... or as normal as it got around here. THUD! I took my eyes off the crowd for a second, and of course... I bumped right into someone. "Ouch... who could it be now?" I muttered, fumbling for my sses on the ground. Finally got those back on, and looked up... to see a girl with bright red hair and green eyes. "Who are you?" [Valeria Ayres - (1st Year - Rank 8 in the entire grade) - ] In front of me was Valeria Ayres... We both scrambled to our feet, her checking for witnesses. Luckily, no one seemed to notice. "Ah... sorry..." I apologized, not bothering to sound sincere. I brushed the sand off my uniform hoping she''d leave but no. She sighed, squinting at me. "Hey, do I know you?" I tilted my head. "Probably not..." "Really?" she pressed, trying to get a better look at me. "Yes, really." _________________ Authors notes: - A Dual User in Pinnacle Academy has to do a hybrid test that requires using both weapons simultaneously. - The reason why Rel doesn''t know the ins and outs of an IDS transporter is because the setting itself was something that didn''t ur in the original novel. Chapter 129: Early Offer [Location: Ind Of The East: Monster Infested - North Side Beach - IDS Transporter Way Point.] [Wednesday, 5:30 PM] Valeria Ayres. A name that signalled future incidents within the story. There''d be the stolen artifact debacle, where she''d use multiple people before inevitably being proven wrong. Jan, of course, would solve the case. Later, though, she''d redeem herself somewhat during the Tower arc where she''d hold her ground during countless invasions with her guild. Fans even told me that they seemed to like her role in that part... But seeing her here felt odd. She fit the ''female lead'' role¨C above-average looks, the distinct red hair that showed her potential romantic importance. And of course, there was her future crush on Jan. That particr plotline was one I had no interest in revisiting. Logically, the high number of female characters likely meant an over-reliance on that particr trope. Since I''m well off being alone, I''d rather focus on seeing the end, than trying to find ''true love''. "Look... I''m not here to bother you, but could you return this to your ssmate?" I showed her Thiago''s sword. She examined it without touching, then asked, "Your ssmate, Thiago." She gave me a suspicious look. "You didn''te across him, right?" Of course, I did. He and his buddies tried to jump me earlier. Not something I nned to admit. "No. Just noticed the sword left on a tree stump after he teleported away." Valeria took a moment to consider it, then took the sword. A good sign ¨C at least that task was done. She left to find Thiago, mission aplished. Now I was free to focus on getting through the rest of this day and back to the Academy. ... ... ... p! "Okay, guys!" Kolek announced. "The results were official: ss 1-A won by andslide, with a final score of 589 to 411." A surprising margin, considering their lower overall rankings. Whispers circted among the students as they analyzed the results. Comments drifted over. -I guess it was close. -Especially seeing how much stars 1-A had it wasn''t that bad. -Well I''m just praying this semester practical exam isn''t like the one. Kolek, overhearing the chatter, added an update. mentioning that theory exams were in two weeks, followed by the practical the week after. That meant it was time to start preparing. Shortly after everyone gathered around the IDS transport system as ss 1-A going first, then 1-B afterwards. *** [Pinnacle Academy, Male Dorms: Room 4-A] Back in my dorm room, I rolled out on the bed, mentally sorting through my uing concerns. First was the Paris trip ¨C there was a potential fight with a semi-demonised human, but Jan''s recent power-up meant I likely wouldn''t need to intervene. roll...roll...roll... THUD! ack... Rolling through my bedfortably a change in position had me hitting something sharp under my pillow. Right, the key from that dungeon crawls with Jan and those others. discover-MVLeMpYr-novels I pulled it out, holding it up for closer inspection. [{Special Passive} Perceptive Mind [Grade 3] Has Been Activated!] [Analyzing Key... Key Analyzed!] FWANG! [Item: Silent Abyss Key Rarity [???] - Contents: Contents Of this Key Is Unknown.] The system analyzed the key, with ease and its rarity was still unknown. I guess I''m not at a level to see its rarity yet... Though I already suspected this was rted to A.T.''s meddling within the story. The ck obsidian material was further confirmed. The question was how much the tool had edited before my transmigration. Despite knowing the coordinates tied to this key, the ''unknown'' rarity meant I wasn''t currently equipped to tackle this dungeon alone. BZZZT!...BZZZZT! My watch buzzed, interrupting my analysis. "what could it be this time..." I muttered checking my watch. [Email From: ] ______________________ Subject: Early Offer Contract and Internship Opportunity Dear Mr. Laurence, After reviewing your application and the reference provided by Mr. Freya, we are pleased to offer you an early offer contract and an internship with our mercenary corps. This internship is designed to allow you to continue your academic activities at your respective academy while gaining valuable experience in the field. If you ept this offer today, we will be able to quickly process your application and have you start as a mercenary straight away. However, please note that you will be required to undergo an examination prior to starting, in order to observe and assess your abilities. It is important to understand that as a mercenary, your identity will be hidden. No one, including your guild leader Gerrard Freya, will know who you are. The only person who will be aware of your identity is myself, Jaxon Cain. Please respond to this email at your earliest convenience to confirm your eptance of this offer. We look forward to weing you to our team. Thank you, ______________________ [The Mercenary Corporations Team] ______________________ click...click...click... [Your email has been sent!] I sent a quick email to Jaxon Cain epting his offer. One less thing to worry about for now. Next step: find a decent sword. Maybe ¨C if luck was on my side ¨C I''d stumble across Merk the Hidden Merchant. He was the greatest merchant to walk on this earth, his items and materials were unmatched. Then again, finding him was a long shot ¨C unless fate had decided to work in my favour for once. ... ... ... [Pinnacle Academy, Aetherium Nexus: Training Room 3#] ¡ª Student Detected... Analyzing student... Complete... Wee: Rel Laurence (Rank 944) The training room was always a source of minor difort. The AI systems here seemed programmed to be harsher than I remembered from the novel. Basically, they enjoyed putting me down. Still, I was here to work on my swordsmanship, not argue with the system. Though this was my first time entering the training room for swordsmen this particr training room had a surprisingly modern design. Sensorden dummies, specialized flooring, cutting-edge technology, everything you might find in a high-end training facility. Instead of the usual weapon racks, swords were housed in secure disy cases along one wall. No point in dying. I selected a wooden practice sword from a case and gripped it. The n was simple: endless repetitions to try and improve my Swordsman grade. Walking towards the dummy at the end of the room, I swung my wooden sword down at the training dummy. BASH! The first strike was clumsy, the angle off, the force too hesitant. The AI''s voice echoed, as unforgiving as ever. "Strike registered. Power insufficient. Trajectory incorrect." No surprise there. I took a breath, centring myself, and struck again. BANG! This time, there was a tiny more force behind the blow, but the angle was still off. "Strike registered. Trajectory improved. Power below threshold." Strike after strike followed. Some wereplete misses. Othersnded, but the AI''s critiques were relentless. Sweat dripped down my forehead, arms starting to ache. Normally, I''d give in to the fatigue, but this time, stubbornness took over. Adjustments were made after each failed strike: a firmer grip, a slight shift in foot cement. Slowly, the AI''s critiques shifted. "Strike registered. Power sufficient. Trajectory eptable." Not praise exactly, but it was progress. FWANG! [Swordsman [Grade 10]: 1/10 | Mastery: 0% >>> Mastery 1.2% (1.20%)-] The system alert chimed a tiny sound that held a surprising amount of satisfaction. The change seemed insignificant on paper, but after those two gruelling hours of repetition, that 1.2% felt significant. Visible proof that my efforts were producing some results, however small. as I was about tounch myself into another set of repetitions the AI''s voice cut through the air. ¡ª Student Detected... Analyzing student... Complete... Wee: Jan Ates (Rank 1) haah... A sigh escaped me. "Really now?" I muttered. Turning, I spotted Jan, and the wide grin stered on his face was almost enough to make me frown. I already knew what wasing next and I was not sure If I wanted to leave or if he was going to let me leave. ____________ {Axel Saint Rel Laurence STATS:} Age: 17 Talent: Marksman Of Weaponry [Grade 8] >Health: 104 >Strength: 59 >Stamina: 74.5 >Speed: 73 Intelligence: ? [Unlocks after theory exam] Mana: B+ [Special Stats:] Archer [Grade 6]: 4/10 | Mastery: 42% Swordsman [Grade 10]: 1/10 | Mastery: 1.2% Luck: 51.08% ???: ? / ? [NEW!][Skills And Techniques:] [Skill: Divine Severance: A powerful aura attack that unleashes a crescent-imbued sh capable of severing strong defences. (Note: this skill can only be used while Trickster at Arms has been activated or has swordsman grade at [Grade 5] or above.)- ] [NEW!][Special Passive Stats:] Sixth Sense [Grade 9], Monster Hunter [Grade 4], Perceptive Mind [Grade 3] [NEW!][Passive Stats:] Precision: 46%, Tenacity: 3.45%, Evasiveness: 3.25%, Mana Control [Grade 6] [Special Abilities:] Deadeye [Grade 9], Sixth Sense [Grade 9], Aura Concealment [Grade 8], Clockwork of Time [Grade 3], [Standard Abilities:] Piercing Shot [Grade 10], Vulnerability Reader [Grade 8], Quick Shot [Grade 9], Projectile Disarm [Grade 4], Trickster At Arms [Grade 5] [Items owned:] [Grade 2 [???] Cloak of Invisibility - Condition: Very Good - Enchantments: Evasive Charm: IV, Thornmail: III, Elemental Shielding: III] [Item: Silent Abyss Key Rarity [???] - Contents: Contents Of this Key Is Unknown.] ____________ Authors Notes: - As Rel''s mastery for each special attribute goes up it get''s harder for him to earn points towards his gradings for them. Chapter 130: A Little Spar {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Aetherium Nexus: Training Room 3#] Jan stood at the training room entrance, his eyes wide with a mix of shock and surprise. Just my luck ¨C getting caught practising with a sword by the one person I''d prefer to keep in the dark. Exining this mess was thest thing I needed. Especially to an idiot like him. What excuse could I possibly use? "Ah! So you think I didn''t notice? Mr... Archer? Or should I call you a duelist?" He practically crowed. haah... A sigh escaped me. "I''m not a duelist," I said, loosening my grip on the wooden sword. This situation was a minefield. How was I going to talk my way out without raising even more questions? "Are you sure? Because the weapon you''re holding isn''t exactly your preference, ording to your records." Jan smirked, pointing at the sword. "I think¨C" "I think that if you don''t want anyone knowing about this, you should hear me out. Maybe I''ll consider keeping it a secret," He interrupted keeping that smug grin on his face. This was getting ridiculous. I''d managed to turn a simple training session into a potential disaster. *** "What is it?" Rel asked, his voice t. Jan''s smile widened. "Let''s have a spar. Just us two." Rel frowned. The idea was absurd. Why would he fight someone considered one of the academy''s top swordsmen? "That sounds stupid," he retorted. "Oh,e on! I''ll go easy on you. And if you even manage to get a scratch in¡­" Jan paused, dangling the bait. read-more-at-MvLeMpYr "I might even let you in on something I''m nning." Rel stood motionless. It seemed fighting Jan was the only way to save his reputation. For the sake of a peaceful academic life, he would do what was necessary. "Okay," he said finally. "Good." Jan smiled. ... ... ... Minutester, Jan had instructed the AI to generate a standard dueling tform. Rel watched with anxiety and grim determination as the pristine white stone rose from the training room floor. Jan selected a wooden sword and stood across from him, ten feet separating them. "So, are you ready?" Jan asked. Despite a subtle tremor, Rel responded with a curt, "Yeah." Jan grinned. "System, set countdown to five." ¡ªGot it. Setting up countdown now... countdown starting... ¡ª 5 Both fighters gripped their swords tightly, adopting their chosen stances. ¡ª 4 ¡ª 3 ¡ª 2 ¡ª 1 ¡ª Fight. Rel charged forward, his determination oveing hisck of skill. Jan, immediately noticed the absence of a recognizable swordsman''s form. It was sloppy, almost aimless¨C "fascinating". Jan was always under the impression that Rel always seemed to hold back, and this was no exception. A flicker of curiosity sparked in Jan. Maybe he should try to draw Rel out a bit... Rel''s attack was awkward, a wild swing easily blocked by Jan. The parry was almost effortless, a gentle flick of the wrist that sent Rel''s sword skittering a few paces away. Jan followed it up with a controlled push, just enough force to send him stumbling. A frown creased Rel''s forehead. Jan was obviously toying with him, trying to gauge his skills. It was annoying, but Rel just wanted this whole spar to be over with. Using the ability Trickster At Arms was out of the question ¨C it would only prolong the fight and likely raise even more questions about his sudden proficiency. He steeled himself, charging forward again. This time, he was half-expecting to be effortlessly disarmed. huuu... The urge to focus was overwhelming, a demand rising from deep within him. It swept aside everything else: doubt, uncertainty, even his usual focus on hiding his skills. This one attack, this single strike ¨C it felt important as if his very being was channelling into it. A strange warmth blossomed in his chest, spreading through his limbs. It wasn''t heat, not in the usual sense. He closed the distance to Jan, and a strange sensation tingled in his hands. As he swung, a glimpse of energy enveloped the wood, as if some hidden force responded to his will. CLASH! "...!" CRACK!!! A quick glow of a bright light manifested from Jan''s wooden de and on instinct, he reflexively used aura and broke Rel''s sword without realising it. Rel watched the remnants of his wooden sword crumble, his expression eerily calm. "I take it that you''re not telling anyone, right?" Jan, still startled by that surge of power, forced a smile. "Of course." ¡ª Rel Laurence - Time in Training room #3: 2 hours and 30 minutes. Jan watched Rel leave, turning the fight over in his mind. Jan watched Rel leave, turning the fight over in his mind. The sting in his hand where Rel''s sword connected¡­ It was almost like there was something wrong with the wood itself for a split second. But what he''d seen even earlier, the focused expression, the crackling sound just before the sh¡­ It all matched the criteria of aura. He nced at the clean scratch on his hand. "Did Rel somehow manage to use¡­ that?" *** [Pinnacle Academy, Male Dorms: Room 4-A] [Wednesday, 9:50 PM] FWANG! [Swordsman [Grade 10]: 1/10 | Mastery: 1.2% >>> Mastery 3.2% (2.00%) -] I slumped onto my dorm bed, staring at the system screen. My swordsman mastery had moved up nicely, but like with archery, I doubted it would keep improving outside of actualbat. Despite that, training with Jan boosted the numbers significantly. 3.2% in one day is incredible. Still, that spar worried me. My mind went nk for a moment back there, that strange feeling after that one attack. I should be relieved though ¨C things worked out well enough, and my exhaustion after today''s mess is only natural. Jan wouldn''t gain anything by exposing me... but sometimes, a story''s protagonist warps under the influence of those around him. People he shouldn''t have even met in the first ce. (he''s talking about himself.) haah... A sigh escaped me. I''d have to trust him ¨C for now. Worrying wouldn''t solve anything. It''s far better to focus on getting better, on avoiding drawing even more attention to myself. Now... let me see If Jaxon Cain has replied... click! BZZZZT!...BZZZZT! My wrist vibrated. And with a nce down at my watch, the email projected itself in front of my eyes. I scanned the text. [Thank you for responding to the email, we have notified your guild leader of your eptance and we have sent the details of all the contents in this email below: Codes, IDS ess, and uniform. We are expecting you tomorrow afternoon at 5:30 PM.] The uniform arrives tomorrow as well... It seems that they need new employees for the mercenary corps. I know that they''re currently in high demand because the current state of this world needs mercenaries assisting with countless dungeon and monster outbreaks. So Jaxon needing students fresh out of Pinnacle was the best option. But assuming Gerrard kept his third years or soon-to-be members of Miracle, from being a mercenary, meant that he was still willing to enter the towers. It was a good choice on his end, but I knew sending myself there wouldn''t be much help, given that I had a quest that could give me one of the strongest abilities in this novel. I knew I had to do whatever I had to in order to achieve it. ... ... ... [Thursday, 5:30 AM] ding...dong...ding...dong... _______________ Authors Notes: - Duelist in the novel refers to a person who can use more than one weapon.the other term used for this definition is also a dual wielder. - Principals of Aura #5 Aura requires absolute focus and mental rity. - The thenar space is the fleshy area at the base of your thumb, just where it meets your index finger that''s the spot in between where Jan had been cut by Rel. Chapter 131: Preperations | The Missing Scandal Arc [Country: Eldoria] [Eldoria, Mercenary Cooperation Headquarters: Head Office Of Jaxon Cain] rumble...rumble...rumble... Jaxon scrolled through Rel''s eptance email, ignoring the tremors shaking his office. shes and bangs ¨C some fool overdoing it in training, no doubt. "Interesting¡­ How easily had Gerrard parted with this one?" He leaned back, a grin creeping up on his face. BANG!...BANG! "If the kid''s worthless, I''ll gut Gerrard for his whole batch of third-years." Another violent shake rattled the building. Jaxon then had enough. DING! He jabbed the inte. "Mary! Tell those idiots to cut it out!" ¡ªGot it. khcap...1 haah... A heavy sigh escaped Jaxon''s lips. The pressure was building, a constant thrum beneath the surface. Too many dungeons spawning, too many monsters needing to be ughtered, not enough bodies to throw at them. He nced at the eptance email on his screen. This...Rel Laurence... this kid Gerrard was hyping¡­an archer in his first year with a high-ranking potential was a tempting bait. Then again, appearances could be deceiving. He remembered a dirty-faced orphan clinging to his doorstep, eyes full of a desperate hunger Jaxon recognized all too well. Training Christian had been a whim, a way to pass the time after he left the hero''s organization to be the most used organization of today: the Mercenary Corps. But the boy had devoured everything Jaxon taught him, hardened in the brutal crucible of mercenary work. Now, that same boy''s potential had mirrored the likes of many great mages and with his ability to have destructive magic. He knew he was a mage capable enough of destroying the world. Jaxon scowled at the files on Rel Laurence. Mismatched records, dead ends, gaps where a person''s past should be. Was the name even real? No matching parents, no ethnicity that fit his face, no rtives to be found. A ghost of a boy¡­and now suddenly, an archer with potential Gerrard salivated over. Records only appeared the moment this ''Rel'' stepped into the Academy. Before that, there was nothing. His fingers traced the nk spaces. Criminal history? Cults? Quadra? The files were silent. Frustration pricked at him, a familiar itch. An archer with no history? No mentors, nopetitions, no sign of his skill untilnow. It was illogical. "I''ll prepare the tests." He rose abruptly, the papers fluttering in his wake. ck coat swirling, Jaxon exited his office, his stride purposeful. The training grounds would provide some answers, even if they weren''t in the files. He''d push this ''Rel'' to the limit... find the technique hidden beneath the lies, or expose the weakness Gerrard missed. ... ... ... [Mercenary Cooperation, Headquarters - Main Training Room] Jaxon stood at the training room entrance, the acrid tang of something burnt assaulting his nostrils. Whatever had happened¡­it wasn''t just a training session. The automatic doors slid open, revealing a scene of utter chaos. Smashed screens, a cratered tform, the expensive training room looked like a warzone. And the two culprits? Clear as day. The blonde boy cowered, while the dark-haired girl froze, sword in hand. Suspended for wrecking a dungeon core, and now this. Jaxon''s irritation red. "Mr. Cain!" Vanessa bowed a hint of desperation in her voice. "It''s not what you think! He started it..." She jabbed a finger towards Christian, who lurked suspiciously behind a weapon rack. "Liar!" Christian shot back. "She used that forbidden element again!" Jaxon cut them off with a raised hand. "Enough. The room''s trashed. Looks like there won''t be a new recruit trial today." Confusion rippled across Christian and Vanessa''s faces ¨C their masks, thankfully absent. "New recruit?" Christian tilted his head, a dangerous glint in his eye. "Squad recement, maybe?" Vanessa chimed in, a hint of excitement in her voice. "Just¡­a new recruit. We''ll assess their abilitiester." He checked his watch, frowning. Who the hell had time for some rookie test? [Avability System:] [Yang Viena (On a mission.)] [Franca Demarco (On a mission)] [Isab (On a mission)] ... ... ... ... His avabilities system blinked a depressing red: every mercenary leader was out on an assignment. Jaxon groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Damn it, I should''ve kept one of those idiots home from that search mission¡­" What to do? He was short-staffed, and this rookie test couldn''t wait. Then a sound drifted over his own thoughts. sweep¡­ sweep¡­sweep... He turned. Christian was halfheartedly manipting the rubble with his magic, while Vanessa swept up dust with a broom that seemingly appeared out of thin air. The moment they noticed his gaze, the whistling and shuffling reached aical peak. "Pay no attention to us..." Christian coughed, shoving a mangled TV behind a pir. Vanessa swept frantically. "...ah... act like we''re not here Mr. Cain..." Jaxon stared, baffled. Then his watch pinged. ding! A request from Navarro, head of the Hero Association. "What the hell¡­" He tapped the screen. [You''ve received a request... from: Vice President Of The Heroes Association: Amara Navarro] [Request: we''ve located the coordinates of a dangerous drug-making group around Korea... the coordinates are in the dropbox below the email...] [Payment if epted: $250,000] Coordinates for some drug addicts'' hideouts. $250,000 reward. Risky, blind as he was with everyone out. '' But¡­ Jaxon turned back to his disastrous duo. A wicked grin spread across his face. "Stop that nonsense," he barked. "I''ve got a mission for youter, one that might save your asses from this suspension." *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Lecture Room, 1-A] [Thursday, 8:45 AM] Kolek''s announcement echoed through the lecture hall. "Attention everyone! Special lecturer today on Dungeon History¡­Mr. Bet." The man who walked in was a walking HR brochure. Neatly pressed cks, that same boring button-down the Academy loved¡ªjustthe type. And it confirmed everything. We''d hit the next arc and that was the Missing Scandal Arc. The one where students vanished without a trace, the whispers about the cults got louder. And right on cue, here was Damon Bet, their puppet. The first pawn was moved into ce by dimir Bane and Morwen Cross. Bet''s objective at Pinnacle was surprisingly simple, and thus, annoyingly effective. He was here to gather information on the students, figure out their weaknesses, and then lure them as test subjects. During this arc he used club time, private study sessions, and hands-on practical sses¡­ every opportunity to iste and manipte. The man himself wasn''t much of a threat physically, but he was cunning. The kind who took note of every person he met, looking for that one crack in their armour. He was cautious, the type to have escape routes nned before he even walked into a room. He was the first minor viin who gave Jan a lot of problems throughout the first semester. But since he has nothing to do with the overall plot of the story. I could make some interventions, to get through such a boring drag of an arc. Damon Bet''s scheme was simple: kidnap students, push the agenda of drug distribution, and fuel the cult''s growth. This was the setup for a whole mess of problems: Jan scrambling around, the main cast focused on the wrong threats, and the pieces getting moved into ce. Bet wasn''t a fighter, but he was smart. He''d duck out at the first sign of trouble, always with an exit strategy. It took Jan and his crew weeks to corner him, and even then it was more luck than skill. Of course, Bet left a trail of chaos in his path. He had stolen countless artifacts, manipted students, and recruited students to both the Devil''s Worshipers Cult and Syndicate¡­he bled the school dry while ying teacher. A minor viin, useful to Jan''s growth in the grand scheme of things. But I know better. If I can stop Bet early, I can cut off some of those tentacles before they take root. This would take time. First, I needed proof of Bet''s plotting - the disappearances, the drugs, the cult connections. I''d say it''s easier said than done. I knew that even if he became suspicious of me, he would not suspect an extremely low-ranking student to guess him as the culprit. So I nned on eventually getting on his good side. Then I''d develop a decent rtionship to the point where he thinks Ipletely believed him to be a good guy. Afterwards, I''ll lure him to an unexpected location, and Jan will do his main character thing andplete a small portion of his character development. __________ Authors Notes: - The founder of The Mercenary Cooperation Jaxon Cain was originally in the guild owned by Louise''s Father; Kang Villerion. - Jaxon Cain is in the top 3 in the rankings of the world''s strongest heroes. (ording to the heroes association since they qualify Mercenaries from Jaxon''s corps to be somewhat heroes.) __________ The Current Top 10 Heroes In The World: 1. Aurelia Draxen [Guild: None, Association: The International Heroes Association.] 2. Navi Columbus [Guild: None, Association: The Adventurers Organization] 3. Jaxon Cain [Guild: None, Association: The Mercenary Coperation] 4. Aeliana Bell [Guild: Lotus Society] 5. Gerrard Freya [Guild: The Miracles Guild] 6. Ajax [Guild: Visionaries Syndicate] 7.Kang Villerion [Guild: Trinities Centurions] 8. Yuka Azira [Guild: Legion New Force] 9. Julian George II [Van Guardians Forge] 10. Oberon Starcaster [Infra Tech Innovators Guild] Chapter 132: Dungeons [Pinnalce Academy, Lecture Room #1: ss 1-A] "Good morning, everyone. I''m Mr. Bet, and as you know, I''ll be lecturing on everything dungeon-rted. If you spot me around campus, feel free to say hello." He smiled a warmth that didn''t quite reach his eyes. A buzz of whispers rippled through the lecture room. "He doesn''t seem strict at all..." one student murmured. "Maybe we can ck off a bit," another chuckled. In the back, someone sighed, "Finally, a normal teacher." Bet let the chatter wash over him, that friendly smile never wavering. "Alright, settle down, everyone." He fiddled with hisptop, a picture of harmless normality. Momentster, the projector flickered to life, the words "WHAT ARE DUNGEONS?" glowing on the screen. "Hmm, an interesting question, a pretty standard question I say, Let''s hear some thoughts." Bet leaned back, the picture of warm curiosity. A hand shot up in the front row. "Dimensional rifts!" a girl dered, practically bouncing in her seat. "Portals to other worlds!" "Maybe." Bet chuckled. "A bit dramatic, but not entirely wrong. Anyone else? Something a bit more¡­grounded?" Another hand, this one hesitant. "Areas of...uh...unstable mana?" the boy mumbled. "Where magic goes crazy?" "Closer," Bet encouraged. "Think practical. What purpose do dungeons serve¡­for us?" Silence descended, punctuated by the squeak of someone shifting in their chair. Well with that question in mind, dungeons were not some random phenomenon, it''s a sh of fundamental energies. You have two types of mana: positive and negative. Positive is what fuels creation, growth, and the power we all wield. Even dark mages use positive mana for their purposes. Negative mana is the opposite of positive mana ¨C the energy of decay, monsters, and death. These two forces are ipatible. When they collide, they fight for dominance. Usually, positive mana overwhelms the negative. That creates natural energy, the pure untainted form. But if negative mana wins and consumes the positive? That''s when you get the mess that forms dungeons. It''s an unstable energy called ''distortion'' that warps reality itself. That''s where the monsterse from, the physical structure of the dungeon.If that''s not strange enough, there are cases where the fabric of time weakens. Ovey that with a dungeon, and you might encounter beings pulled in from entirely different eras. "Dungeons are mysterious domains that appear through manifestation. Some believe they are gateways to other worlds, while others think they are simply hidden ces on Earth." Valencia who spoke in the silent lecture room had everyone''s eyes on her. BZZZZZT!...BZZZZT!... discover-stories-MVLeMpYr [Notification from: Alice.Elizabeth Is she correct?] Technically, no...and not entirely wrong either. But no one''s seen a dungeon form. They pop up when there''s no one watching, with no positive mana to disrupt the negative energy as the process goes through. Dungeons simply form. Since humans...are a walking dungeon repellent, because of how much positive mana they emit. [You <9:03 AM> Yeah.] I texted back, keeping the reply short. [Alice.Elizabeth <9:04 AM> ????£¨? ? ?¥Þ.?] haah... Alice and her random emotes¡­who''d have thought I''d be texting my own characters? It was a crazy feeling, I needed some time to let this feeling settle honestly... "Correct." Mr. Bet''s voice was surprisingly warm. "And as expected from a girl of the Freya family." He shed Valencia a smile. Pride blossomed on her face. "Okay! Let''s move on to the next section..." ... ... ... [An Hour Later...] An hour passed by. Notes filled half a notebook, the rest remained stubbornly nk. The professor spoke on barely more interesting than the buzz of the overhead lights. Finally, after he finished talking, I was blessed with relief ¨C the quiz. As he handed over the paper to us all it was an essay on the practicality and benefits of dungeons to our world. It was a simple task, I had it done in fifteen minutes, and my answers were a neat column on the page. I handed the essay to Mr. Bet. "Finished." He blinked, startled. "Really? so soon? Ah, name?" "Rel Laurence, sir." "Rel Laurence?" He undoubtedly looked at me with suspicion. He flipped through the paper, expression unreadable. A flicker of something crossed his face ¨C surprise? ¨C quickly extinguished. "Your thesis is¡­alright, I guess." Even though the essay was correct he was trying to downy my work. bastard... "Can I go then?" He hesitated, scanning the essay again. "There''s a section here¡­your reasoning¡­" I leaned closer. "''Some argue that dungeons encourage recklessness, leading to loss of life.''" I recited. A straightforward argument, easily defended. "The rewards outweigh the risks," I stated, my voice t. "Adventurers aren''t suicidal." He seemed to dete. "I see¡­You''re dismissed." Freedom. Out the lecture hall door, the boredom fading with each step. *** [Japan, District: Kyoto Kurogama des] Kurogama des I made it a setting for all adventurers and heroes to travel to. But this specific shop, the original one, it''s different. I ced it here for a reason. It was a location used for optimal mana flow for the forging process ¨C the whole setup ys a crucial role in therger energy patterns of this novel''s world. ___________ Authors Notes:- Rel''s Answer: Some argue that the existence of dungeons encourages reckless behaviour among adventurers, leading to unnecessary risks and loss of life. They reason that the pursuit of riches and fame within dungeons can cloud judgment, resulting in adventurers taking on challenges beyond their capabilities. What dungeons are: Dungeons in appear as mysterious and ever-changing domains that manifest in the physical world through a process known as ''Dungeon Manifestation.'' This urs when two fundamental forces of magical energy, positive mana and negative mana, collide with each other. When negative mana ovees and consumes positive mana, a new, unstable energy called ''distortion'' is created. This distortion energy serves as the catalyst for the manifestation of dungeons. Dungeons can appear due to rare celestial alignments, time anomalies, emotional remains, geomantic energies, or magical convergence zones. Once a dungeon has been cleared or its boss has been defeated, it begins to fade from the physical world, only to reappear in different locations or forms in the future. Chapter 133: Kurogama Blades [Japan, District: Kyoto - Kurogama des] The Kurogama des storefront shimmered, its sleek metal front indicating at the advanced tech within. The overall structure was surprisingly familiar ¨C rough-hewn stone, a broad peaked roof ¨C mirroring the ssic cksmith''s shops of fantasy lore. It was aparison as deliberate as anything I''d ever written for the lore of this world. Entering inside, it was less about charm, and more about efficient disy. ss cases shone, spotlighting the wares. There were so many weapons to choose from: A curved longsword, its de shimmering with an almost liquid darkness. The name for the sword was called: Void Cutter. Beside it, a nged mace bristled with spikes, named Bone Pulverizer. Every weapon was a familiar variant, designed to exploit the system''s weaknesses, to turn monster drops into profit. Looking at the shop''s back door it opened into a work area. With a sign saying no customers beyond this point. As I peered through I could see the forge, its heart a ze of mana-infused me. In the back, workers were using different technologies to create their desired weapons. Some others used the traditional way with the hammer on an anvil, a familiar look of creation. MVLeMpYr-official-text Though I designed this world, the visceral process still held an undeniable appeal. My visit to Kurogama des wasn''t just about the shop itself. There was someone here, someone close to the legendary Masamune himself. Someone vital... a character who should exist if the A.T. didn''t tamper with this character. "Hello there! Not many youngsterse around." A voice broke through my thoughts. An old man, white-haired, in a ck apron over a long shirt. He emanated an aura unlike any other, a stark contrast to his ordinary appearance. FWANG! [Special Passive: Perceptive Mind [Grade 3] Has Been Activated!] [Status Window Of Jin Nobuyoshi] [Age: 81] [>Strength: ???, >Durability: 75, >Speed: ???, >Mana: ??, >Elemental Attribute: Steel, Fire, Lava,] [Current Thoughts: "A new customer?"] There was no mistaking it because this man is also the legendary craftsman of the modern era. His name is Jin Nobuyoshi The Grandfather Steel. The reason he was called this was because of his exceptional craftsmanship. His exceptional craftsmanship elevated him above any smith of his era. They also called him the ''Iron Sage'', a nod to the enduring quality of his work. He was also a part of Garrick''s old group and the creator of ''Jia'', Emperor''s Edge. The legendary de wielded by Garrick was named before his daughter Jianna. When I wrote about this sword, It should''ve looked extremely ordinary, the steel on the other hand was imbued with Garrick''s unique aura. An aura twice as powerful as Gerrard''s. Garrick, born with no elemental attribute, had honed his aura through sheer force of will. His aura was so strong that people without aura could see the colour of his de. Though it made me wonder if his sword still existed...uncertain. Garrick didn''t perish with it ording to the novel. But would it be here, overlooked? Or could someone have it in this world? I shook my head, clearing the information overload. "Ah, yes... you''re Mr. Nobuyoshi, correct?"Jin''s eyes widened in surprise. "That''s right!" He beamed. "So, what can I do for you, young man?"Asking about Garrick''s sword was too aggressive, I needed to look like I wanted something else."Well...I''m looking for a new sword, travelled quite a way to see your craftsmanship firsthand." "Really? Well, you won''t be disappointed!" He pped his hands. "Do you have a budget in mind? Any weapon preferences?" Well for the budget, I wouldn''t have to worry as much. Since I''m already rich from the D-League tournament money wasn''t a problem. And for weapons, I can just appraise each one with my ability: perceptive mind. But getting advice from him wouldn''t be bad either. I wanted to get on his good side for the future and maybe he could make me a few weapons of my desire. "Hmm...don''t worry about my budget," I told him. "Just show me the best swords you have." Jin grinned. "Give me a minute! I''ll fetch my finest works." He dashed off heading through the backroom of the building. For an old man, he moved with surprising vigour. Those broad shoulders, the way he carried himself...he wasn''t as frail as his age suggested. But I wouldn''t have expected any less, than a man who was a part of Garrick''s group. ... ... ... As a few minutes passed Jin returned, arms loaded with shining des. Heid them out on the counter ¨C a ymore with a wickedly curved edge he called ''Thundercleaver'', Then he pointed out towards another de, a bnced longsword he named ''Windsplitter'', Another sword he showed was a brutal broadsword titled ''Skullcrusher'', and finally an elegant rapier dubbed ''Vipertooth''. Each name carried a hint of power, but nothing fantastical ¨C grounded, like the weapons themselves. "These are my finest!" Jin smiled with pride in his voice. "Each name holds meaning, a piece of the weapon''s spirit. I believe every de forged has a soul." "I believe that too," I said, a small smile ying across my lips. "Weapons aren''t just tools to be broken and reced... they too live a part of a person''s being." "...!" PFFFT! HAHAHAH! Jin stared surprise giving way to a burst ofughter. "You''re an interesting boy! Who knew there were still people like you in this world? Reminds me of an old friend¡­" His voice trailed off, a touch of nostalgia recing the amusement. He studied me for a moment, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. "I''m not sure swords like these suit someone your type. Honestly, I was nning to steer you towards something standardized. But now¡­" He eyed me with rekindled interest. "Give me a moment. I think I know what you might be looking for." With that, he turned and disappeared into the back of the shop. I didn''t expect him to change his mind on these swords... and honestly, I''m all in for what he has because... FWANG! [Special Passive: Perceptive Mind [Grade 3] Has Been Activated!] [Weapon: Thundercleaver [Grade 5]- Condition: Perfect - Enchantments: None - Special Effects: mming the weapon into the ground hurdles lightning towards a target.] [Weapon: Windsplitter [Grade 4]- Condition: Perfect - Enchantments: None - Special Effects: Generates a sharp gust of wind with each swing, capable of knocking lighter foes off bnce.] [Weapon: Skullcrusher [Grade 3]- Condition: Perfect - Enchantments: None - Special Effects: Once bonded with the user, the weapon Increases in weight and each swing creates a massive force upon impact, making it more effective against armoured foes.] [Weapon: Vipertooth [Grade 5]- Condition: Perfect - Enchantments: None - Special Effects: Inflicts a venomous wound that causes additional damage over time.] These weapons were probably better for someone else other than me. ____________ Authors Notes: - Jin can use all advanced forms of aura. Chapter 134: Kurogama Blades (2) [Japan, District: Kyoto - Kurogama des] Jin returned, a worn wooden box sped in his hands. "Apologies, I hope I didn''t keep you waiting." "Not at all," I replied quickly. "It''s rare when someone takes the time to personally select a weapon." He smiled modestly. "It''s nothing much." Then he set the box on the counter. It bore a symbol I recognized - the emblem of Garrick''s old party. "What is this?" I asked, interested and confusion warring within me. novel-hosted-NovelBin To be honest I''m not even sure what''s within this box. I know it''s a weapon of course, but I didn''t think that A.T had an ongoing story before the original plot right? But I''ll figure it out as soon as he reveals this weapon to me. "This..." Jin''s gaze fixed on me. "This was crafted by my master and I, long ago. Decades before your time." Maybe the A.T. messed everything up. So even if I controlled the big events in the novel as written, there''s all this backstory I didn''t n for. But...for the present to work, the past had to have happened somehow. Damn it, this is making my head spin. With too much information to process, I heard the creak of the box opening. Jin opened the box. Nestled inside was a hybrid de, sharing features of both cuss and sabre. Gold shone on the scabbard and the cupped hilt. He blew the dust away and lifted it with surprising ease. "This was...for an old friend''s birthday. Held it back until he achieved his goals. Sadly, he didn''t live to see them through. But..." His eyes met mine. "You and him, you share a striking resemnce, even down to your mana signatures." Really? That''s strangely odd... No way my signature could resemble Garrick''s. The whole idea was impossible. A fluke had to be. SHING! The weapon was beautiful as he unsheathed it. A single-edged de, bearing the signature ripple of a Japanese forge. "This sword has no name. If you know the traditions, I''ll let you im it." iming? A name? I wasn''t sure about that... even this process was something I didn''t even know of. "Sorry, I''m not up on sword-naming traditions," I admitted. Tightly controlled, no sense revealing my ignorance. Jin smiled. "That''s fine. A hint then. It involves something every swordsman possesses. When the de truly ''bonds'', it''ll whisper ask for its name from you." Skill? Some sort of innate connection? "Oh¡­I think I get it." "Good." Jin nodded. "Might take a few tries. If it doesn''t work, we''ll find something else fitting." He handed it over. The grip felt¡­strange. A pull, like it was draining something. sha....shaaaa.... My vision darkened as the de red, I saw the hungry light as the de was sucking something out of me. Souls in swords...was that a real thing? Jin watched closely. "This sword has a hunger," he said. "Feed it, and it''ll acknowledge you as its master." Was this some kind of test? "Are you sure about this?" My voice was tight. FWANG! [Warning! You''re losing 1% mana every 10 seconds!] [Mana Reserves: 90%] I swore under my breath. My mana pool was dropping fast, the de feasting on me. "Guess I don''t have much of a choice, do I?" "...!" *** Jin watched from behind the counter, his aura ring crimson and ck. One wrong move from the boy, and he''d have to step in. "...!" Jin''s eyes widened. Not fear, no ¨C this aura... The boy possessed a terrifying raw power. "it can''t be..." His voice was barely a whisper. [{Standard Ability}: Projectile Projection [Grade 4] Has Been Activated!] Rel activated projectile projection, he could see his aura reflexively pour out of his body. An instinctual response as Rel''s aura pulsed outward. ckness crept up his hand, engulfing the sword. crackle...crackle...crackle... Crackles echoed in the shop. Pain tore through Rel, squeezing his lungs, and painting agony across his face. Every heartbeat was a vice tightening, his stolen mana and aura feeding the hungry de. Lightning ¨C no, his aura ¨C burst and climbed. The crackles intensified. ackk... Rel choked out. He could taste blood. The weapon was a leech, draining him to his core. And then finally ckness consumed the de entirely. Rel''s knees buckled, as the world around him spun. Jin moved, then hesitated. Watching and calcting. "uuuhh... my head..." Rel struggled and struggled... it was until then he heard a whisper as clear as day. "n-a-m-e" a silent voice spoke. "What?" Rel choked. "The hell¡­?" "what... is... my... name..." the voice in his head whispered. Rel held onto the sword tightly and used his left hand to hold onto the counter... he held the sword towards his face. *** {Rel''s POV} "Your name?" I asked the sword, my voice echoing in the quiet shop. Was it talking to me? Couldn''t be. It was just me and Jin here. I held the sword up looking at the clear reflection of myself. I lifted the de, my reflection staring back, as the sword turned into its normal steel form. What should I call you? Names... I''ve never been good with them. It''s like sometimes I forget my own, like it was never really there. I never liked it anyway. The past me, the one desperate to be ''Rel''...that kid''s too far gone to matter now. "You know," I said to the sword, the words feeling strange in my mouth, "your name will be Axel." "A-x-e-l ?" the voice whispered. "That''s right." I smiled. "I hope you ept your name." "I...do..." shaa...aaa...aa..a... Suddenly the de''s usual glow faded away and it was like the soul had disappeared in its sleep. FWANG! [A new weapon has been added...] [Weapon: ''Axel'' [Grade: 1] - [This weapon has a true name.] - [Condition: Perfect] - [Enchantments: None] - [Special Effects: 50% Damage Increase, 50% Aura Output Increase, 50% Attack Power Increase,] - [Contents: The de ''Axel'' can deal true damage when using aura...] ___________ Authors Notes: - Rel took the IDS station and used 3 different Ubers before arriving in Kyoto. Chapter 135: Kurogama Blades (3) {Rel''s POV} [Japan, District: Kyoto - Kurogama des] [Thursday, 12:24 PM] The drain slowed, then stopped. The sword dimmed, the thrumming energy of moments ago now gone. My arm ached, a familiar sting like the after-effects of using the ability mitigation too far. This thing... would it be a tool or a liability? A question with no immediate answer. p... p... p... Jin pped, breaking my train of thought. "Congrats, boy. You tamed your first sword." "Thanks." I bowed. Gratitude wasn''t the right word. Apprehension, maybe. "Impressive," Jin continued. "A sword like this, epting you on the first try¡­" Right. Why me? What was this thing''s angle? It was powerful, that much was clear. But the price...that was still unknown. One thing was certain ¨C it was a gamble I had to take, a unique piece I couldn''t afford to lose. "How much for the sword?" I checked my watch, ready to handle the transaction. "No payment needed." Jin''s reply was blunt. "But there''s a condition. If the sword acts strange, you bring it back here." Why? A Grade 1 sword, is the best in the standard grading system...what else could it need apart from being repaired? "Sure, but...why?" I kept my voice neutral. Jin stowed the wooden box under the counter. "You know the standard weapon grades, right?" "Of course. There are six gradings. One''s being the best and Six is... the average grading for a de." "And you think nothing exists beyond grade one?" A flicker of a smile yed across Jin''s face. My frown deepened. This wasn''t another thing that changed in my story right? I think it''s better to have only 6 grades for a weapon because of its convenience.But I can''t ever be too hopeful with this. Was it another thing the A.T. had messed with? FWANG! [Notice: The following modifications of sword gradings have been changed prior to the existence of A.T.] [The categories for a weapon grade have 3 extra tiers above grade 1] Another change. My novel...the world I built was twisting in ways I never intended. This wouldplicate things, especially weapons that the main cast will receiveter on in the story. If a weapon is too strong to handle. The life force of the user could potentially be stolen if not handled properly. [These are the following grades above Grade 1:] [3. Legendary Grade: - These are exceptional weapons with a well-deserved reputation for power and effectiveness. They are crafted by the skilled smiths of the olden era. It is possible for weapons to achieve this grading through aura, intense battles, and the chance a cksmith''s intervention to refine the structure to unlock the potential of a weapon.] [2. Mythical Grade: - These are incredibly powerful and rare weapons often associated with legends and history. They possess exceptional craftsmanship and might have unique abilities, but their power falls short of the world-altering potential of Special Supreme Grade weapons. These weapons exist in the highest grades of dungeons] [1. Special Supreme Grade: - These are the absolute pinnacle of weaponry in the world. They possess unique abilities that transcend the limitations of normal weapons, potentially world-altering attacks or possessing immense destructive power. They might be tied to gods, ancient civilizations, or world-changing events. ] So, swords don''t just spawn with these grades? Made sense, bnce-wise. But how was I supposed to push my own sword grade that high? " System, can weapons upgrade?" It was a long shot, but I had to check. FWANG! [They can! ???? ¡¥???¡¥?? )?] [How can a weapon go up a grade?:] [Weapons don''t upgrade automatically. It takes abination of factors to unlock their potential:] [These are the following principals that follow for all weapon grades.] [Constant Use and Aura Imbuement: Weapons absorb aura from their wielders through consistent battles and use. This process bes more difficult for higher-grade des.] [Intense Battles: Life-or-death struggles and victories over powerful enemies act as catalysts, pushing the de towards a transformation.] [The de''s Potential: Not all des can reach higher grades. Only exceptional weapons crafted with the potential for growth can progress.] [These principals apply to the Top 3 Gradings...] Interesting. So, aura, battles... the difficulty scales up for rarer grades, makes sense. But which weapons had the potential...? Another thing to look intoter. "The three grades above exceptional, right?" I nced back at Jin. He nodded. "Correct. And if your e back. If it takes you 5 or even 10 years, I''ll still be here waiting for you." "Okay. I will." An evasive answer ¨C since ns could shift, after all. I collected the sword''s sheath and ced my weapon back in, slinging it over my back. I was already prepared to leave with a weapon anyway. "Before you go..." Jin hesitated. "Your name?" I turned around once more."Rel... Rel Laurence." I smiled back at him "And thanks once again, Mr. Nobuyoshi." "No problem, Rel! Take care, kid." Jin''s smile was genuine. "I''ll be waiting." I waved goodbye as I left, a screen popping up in my vision as I stepped out into the street. [You''ve been acknowledged by a Legend! 2500 PPP has been added.] "I guess going here wasn''t bad after all." *** [South Korea, Seoul - ???] The air inside the converted warehouse was thick, a mix of stale sweat and chemical fumes. It was a far cry from the polished boardrooms where the real deals were made. Ackey, all nervous energy and ill-fitting suit, shuffled to the front of the massive desk. "Boss, the Paris shipment''s cleared. And...someone from the Dark World wants a sit-down." Theckey''s voice cracked on thest part. "On a drug deal, they said." "They wouldn''t bother if I wasn''t a yer. Who?" [Lampard Harper - Drug Lord in the dark world.] Lampard stared up at the stacks of cash on his desk. check-out-NovelBin Theckey fumbled a letter out of his pocket. "Code name''s DCL-Bane, Boss." Lampard finally smiled. One of the big leagues, sniffing around his operation. "Tell them I''m in. Send a nice formal response, I''ll sign it myselfter." __________ Authors Notes: 1. Standard Grades (4 - 6): These are the mostmon des, used by everyday adventurers and heroes. 2. Good and Great Grades (2 - 3): These des are refined and well-made by skilled smiths but usually have no distinctive presence of aura. 2. Exceptional Grade (1): This represents masterfully crafted weapons wielded by skilled individuals. Chapter 136: Before I Go [Pinnacle Academy, Main Building - Hallways] The bell nged, a harsh end to another day. NovelBin-original Alice''s thoughts, as always, drifted to Rel. The Academy''s biggest mystery. He''s smart, always turning in perfect work. But his practical grades? Abysmal. He was a low-ranked, yet a genius in the arena. He''d even made it to the semifinals, defying all expectations. But that was only one thing that made him so unique and special... It was the way he handed in wless assignments early, the way he vanished during lectures... was he just naturally brilliant? Or was there something more to it? ... ... ... [shback: 3rd and 4th Period] A flicker of mischief danced in Ms. Silvene''s eyes. "Practical time," she announced, "Mana technique demonstrations!" A hand shot up. "Is there actualbat involved, Ms. Silvene?" "Naturally." A smile tugged at her lips as she pulled out the attendance sheet. "Let''s see...Rel, you''ll be our first example." Silence. Then, a flicker of disappointment crossed her face as she scanned the empty desks. before settling on Jan. "You must know where he is...right?" Ms. Silvene''s voice had a deceptively sweet edge. Jan, noting her re, gave an awkward smile. "Sorry, Ms. Silvene, but he usually does this kind of thing..." Frustration simmered on the teacher''s face. Her revenge would have to wait. With a sigh, she resumed the roll call. Alice watched his empty seat with a twinge of curiosity. Where did he vanish tothistime? "Bet he''s napping," Jae Yoona whispered, breaking through her thoughts. Alice stifled a sigh, whispering back, "Probably. I wouldn''t be suprised." Jae giggled in agreement. As Alice nced back at Rel''s desk, the word echoed in her head, "Mysterious..." [End Of shback...] ... ... ... [Pinnacle Academy, Main Library - Central] [Thursday, 3:20 PM] The main library, a sanctuary of silence, felt wrong today. Alice slid into her usual seat, Jae Yoona''s cheerful chatter barely registering as she fumbled with herptop. Focus. She needed focus. But her mind drifted to the empty chair like usual, the figure that always vanished into the Academy''s shadows like a phantom. "Lectures today weren''t too bad, right?" Jae Yoona''s voice pierced through the fog. "Mhm..." Alice''s response was automatic. Did her distraction show that clearly? Jae Yoona noticed her usualck in responses leaned in, a teasing gleam in her eye. "Thinking about him again?" Alice''s head snapped up. "...eh?...wh ¨C what? No!" The warmth flooding her cheeks defied her denial. "Haah...well, he''s yours for now. ''Til the semester ends." Jae Yoona gave a small shrug, a yful smile tugging at her lips. Alice held her gaze, her expression asposed as ever. Inside, though, she felt a feeling of irritation. Jae seeing that Alice wasn''t budging knew she had to change it up. She leaned in, not too close, but enough for her voice to drop to a conspiratorial whisper. "You know...nerdy couples can be cute." Alice''sposure cracked. She shoved Jae Yoona away, a blush warming her cheeks. "stop it. don''t say weird things like that." Her voice was quiet, almost a mutter. "Don''t like him, huh?" Jae Yoona''s tone was gentle now, teasing but with an edge of genuine curiosity. "Just...the way you watch him in ss. Makes me wonder... if you do..." "...!" Alice fumbled for words. "It''s not ¨C I mean, I just... wanted to see if he studies differently." She couldn''t meet Jae Yoona''s eyes. Jae Yoona smirked."huhu...So...stalkinghim all day was part of your ''study method,'' huh?" Alice''s eyes widened, "wuh..what? how did you- no... what do you mean?!" Her voice rose slightly, betraying her fluster. Jae Yoona''s smile widened. "Don''t act innocent. I saw you sneaking around outside his dorm...figured you were up to something." tap...tap...tap... A few quiet footsteps echoed. "...Speaking of which," Jae Yoona''s smirk took on a knowing edge, "look who''s here." "wuh...what?!" Alice spun around. There he stood, looking as dishevelled and aloof as ever, even in the mellow library light. She found herself staring at his sses, shing in the sunlight. Did he ever take those things off? Even during those intense tournament battles... They seem to never fall. "Hello." Rel''s voice was a low murmur, respectful of the library''s quietness. Alice caught Rel''s eye and offered a quick, polite wave. To her relief, he waved back and moved on. "Hey, Rel... Take your seat over there." Jae Yoona beckoned him over, a mischievous grin on her face as she pointed towards the empty seat right next to Alice. Toote, Alice realized the trap. Heat flooded her face as Rel sat down. She flinched away, a tiny, involuntary jerk. "Sorry." Rel shifted slightly, giving her space. Alice couldn''t look at him, her gaze fixed on the far wall. Jae Yoona, ever observant, pounced. "So, why weren''t you in ss again?" "Just needed to buy some things." Rel''s voice was neutral as he pulled out a sleek newptop. Rel leaned back typing on hisptop, "How''s your bow working out for you?" His tone was neutral, a touch of curiosity underneath. Jae Yoona gave a small shrug. "Pretty good. The girls in archery like the design." Her voice was soft, but without the yful edge it typically held around Alice. "Figures." Rel''s reply was short, almost dismissive. Jae Yoona shifted slightly, ncing at Alice. "Speaking of which, I heard you joined the archery club, right?" "Um, yeah." Rel''s fingers danced across his keyboard, barely slowing. "Lots of free time." "Well then," Jae Yoona spoke slowly, each word carefully measured, "let''s get to work, shall we?" Rel paused his typing, eyes narrowing slightly. "Want the answers, or want me to walk you through it?" "Alice will ask if she needs you," Jae Yoona replied, her tone clipped. Alice flinched at the sound of her name. Eyes met Rel''s for a brief moment, then darted away. With a slight shrug, Rel turned back to his work. They began, the quiet scratch of pencils and the muted tter of keys the only sounds. ... ... ... [40 Minutes Later] Alice hunched over her keyboard, frustration gnawing at her. Those sted dungeon theory questions¡­ She was focused on writing out a perfect essay for each question but the structure of it didn''t seem quite right. As she turned towards Rel, she saw that his screen revealed him deeply engrossed in the novel that he was reading. Now Alice was wondering if it was right dragging him along. haah... She bit back a sigh, focusing on the screen. But the words swam before her eyes. Maybe she should ask Jae Yoona...no, that would only invite endless teasing. "U-um..." The word slipped out, barely a whisper. Too quiet, too timid. Rel hearing her nced her way, an eyebrow raised. "Something you need?" Her cheeks burning, Alice shook her head. Turning back to the screen, she scolded herself. This was pointless! She had to understand how he excelled... A deep breath, steeling her nerves. She tugged at the edge of his shirt. "Um...I do need help." Rel turned, leaning closer. Alice''s eyes widened. "Eh?!" He frowned slightly, as he squinted flicking to theputer screen. "What''s the problem?" His breath tickled her ear. Too close...way too close! Alice''s mind raced, a jumbled mess of flustered panic and the faint scent of his shampoo. Yet, Rel''s gaze remained fixed on the screen,pletely absorbed in the problem. He finally pulled back. "Can I see your notes?" Alice, face still burning, nodded mutely. He took the notebook, his fingers brushing hers as he skimmed the pages. A few moments of silence. Then he spoke up, "Here''s what you''re missing." He scooted his chair next to hers, their shoulders almost touching, and leaned in again. His voice was a low murmur, exining concepts, and pointing out key forms and the structural formats. Alice''s brain went fuzzy. Heat crawled up her neck, a dizzying wave washing over her. Was the room always this stuffy? "...understand?" Rel''s voice broke through her mind. "Y-yes...I got it," she managed, her words a mere breath. Jae Yoona watched, a satisfied smile ying on her lips. This was too perfect. Rel, oblivious to the havoc he''d wreaked, moved back and resumed his novel. Alice stared down at her notebook. Rel''s neat handwriting filled the margins ¨C concise notes, and clear diagrams. She reread a section of his exnation, and a jolt of understanding shot through her. It was so simple, so obvious...why hadn''t she seen it before? This wasn''t just tutoring. This was... something else. A thrill of curiosity ignited within her. Who was Rel really? Because this was the first time in her life she had met someone so incredible. "You told me I only need to be here for an hour or two, right Jae?" Rel''s voice broke through her thoughts. Jae Yoona nced his way. "Yeah, feel free to head out if you have ns." Rel nodded. "Okay." He started packing his things, efficient movements betraying his usual focus. Jae Yoona''s voice rose again. "Thanks foring. I''ll Let you know about future study sessions. I don''t want to overwhelm you with this...especially Alice here." Jae smirked looking towards Alice but she was still caught in her own mind, barely registering the words. "Sure." Rel''s voice was neutral. Then, a brief wave of farewell, and he was gone. ___________ Authors Notes: - No notes today D: Chapter 137: Arrival {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Main Library - Central] [Thursday, 4:15 PM] haah... I sighed as I walked out of the library. That session was so boring. But who knew Alice struggled so much to ask for help? Seriously... when I was observing her with Perceptive Mind, her thoughts were just about... "He''s here?", "How can I ask him...", and "Why is he so close?!". Really, she might actually hate me after trying to exin things. It was my bad, though. She has a habit of leaning in when she can''t understand things, so I just thought it was better if I inched closer to show her. And especially with those tiny fonts...with these sses, I can feel them wearing out. I couldn''t see a thing looking at her screen, so I tried leaning closer to see the problem. I probably gave Alice the wrong impression on our first study session. Now I''m feeling guilty... Well, life goes on, I suppose. Right now, I need to get to the mercenary corps as soon as possible. I stopped by my dorm room, quickly packing my robe, codes, sword, and the pistol I''d bought. The reason for the pistol was that I could remain a sharpshooter, but in a different way. I''d prefer Gerrard not to be watching me too closely, so it was best for him to assume I was still an archer in the mercenary corps. And the perks of being a mercenary? Your identity is basically hidden from the world itself, so I knew Gerrard would have a hard time figuring out who I was. so I made sure to go through the process of dressing up elsewhere before I headed towards Eldoria. [Eldoria:] It''s awless country, unimed by the world, inevitably bing a haven for many of this novel''s viins. It was a ce born for destruction; eventually, after the towers copse, Eldoria will disappear. This is because the country thrives off the energy the towers emit, stabilizing thend until the end of the novel... Inside Eldoria, there are two main notable locations: first, the Mercenary Headquarters, and second, Morwen''s Headquarters for the Syndicate. Though fights rarely break out between the Syndicate and Mercenaries, when they do, it''s all-out war over territory. It''s also known that before Eldoria became a country, the entire ind was originally called Novara. Novara appeared one night after the four towers emerged during the Second Massive Dungeon Outbreak, which took many lives. Thend holds five specifdmarks: areas swarming with monsters, mountains, dungeons, and massive plots ofnd. ... ... ... [Pinnacle Academy, Main IDS Station - South Side] Arriving at the main IDS station, I checked in, allowing the A.I to scan my belongings. zuuuu... ¡ª Code detected... SMCJCC ¡ª epted... Immediately, they detected the codes within my bag I was worried about an rm going off. But Jaxon Cain was right ¨C the codes helped the weapons bypass their scanners. ¡ª Wee to the IDS Station: Student Rel Laurence. Please state your destination. "South Korea''s Main IDS Station," I replied, scanning my student ID at the terminal. BEEP! ¡ª Checking status... distance confirmed! South Korea''s Main IDS Station is within range... Directing link now... Within a few moments, the AI directed me towards the South Korea station in Seoul. A worker opened the gates, and I stepped outside, searching for an alley where I could quickly change my clothes. I ducked into an alleyway, spotting a massive dumpster that could stink up an entire building, and hid behind it. Unzipping the duffle bag, I quickly put on the ck robe and the white mask. My sword was sheathed on my left hip, and my handgun, or pistol, was on my right. Checking my robe, I realized the mercenary logo was disyed on my upper left pocket. This likely meant I could move freely by showing the logo since the Mercenary Cooperation is well-known worldwide. As I returned to the station, I approached the worker at the front desk. "Wee, Sir! Where are you headed today?" As expected, the disguise worked. But shouldn''t they be at least a little suspicious? What happens if a fake mercenary...could get away with it so easily? Whatever. I didn''t need to dwell on it, but still... there had to be precautions right? I handed him a card directing the IDS to Eldoria. A flicker of understanding crossed his face, and he quickly set up a station for me. "Thank you, sir! Have a great day," he said, nodding as he returned my card. I headed towards the tform. Standing on it. SWANG!... I watched the beam of light wash over me, and in the blink of an eye, I arrived in Eldoria''s main IDS station. *** [Location: Eldoria, Main IDS Station - Main City] Stepping out, the scene waspletely different from the usual safe atmosphere of IDS stations. Of course, what else could I expect from awless ce like this? I surveyed the terminal and I could see the patches of metal on the broken walls, evidence of countless raids had happened on this very building. And not only that but there were stacks of Mercenaries patrolling the area, a constant reminder of the brutal reputation this ce held. Yet, amidst the chaos, IDS workers went about their duties. At least I wouldn''t be questioned when heading back, as most mercenaries likely slept at the mercenary''s base. Observing their uniforms, it seemed there was a clear hierarchy based on clothing. I wasn''t familiar with the system, since this was also an addon from A.T. But I knew the more polished a mercenary''s attire was, the higher their rank would be¡­like Jaxon Cain the big boss. High-ranking mercenaries wore suits and coats ¨C symbols of power. Middle and lower ss wore robes marked with the Mercenary Corps logo. "...!" ncing down at my watch I knew it was almost time for the meeting with Jaxon Cain. "Map." [FWANG!] [Disying map...] Damn. The Eldoria map was still fogged over, meaning I''d have to explore to uncover it. Not ideal when I was on a tight schedule for my first mercenary trial. I pushed through the crowd of arrogant, rough-looking mercenaries, searching for someone approachable. My usual hesitation kicked in, but I forced myself to act. The entrance guard would have to do. "Excuse me?" I approached the mercenary wielding an axe. "Wha''d ya want?" His Aussie ent was thick. Standard robe, but those extra badges...this guy had seen some action. "I''m new here. Could you point me towards the mercenary HQ?" He eyed me suspiciously, leaning in slightly behind his mask. "Sure, mate. See that terminal?" He gestured towards the throng of mercenaries. "Go through there, you''ll find a map to the HQ base." "Thanks." I turned towards the terminal. Onlyter did I realize the HQ was too far for a walk - I''d need a vehicle. This-is-a-NovelBin-special In the terminal I scanned the area for mercenaries with vehicles and spotted a bus marked for transporting troops to their base ¨C that would likely take me near the HQ. Boarding the bus, I took a seat among the novel''s ''extras''. As I listened in on their conversations around me ¨C they talked about the missions that they hadpleted and missions that were about to begin. Each person here had a life beyond this story. And me? What wasmypurpose? For myself? Was this really all for the sake of this novel? It was overwhelming, but these thoughts had a way of creeping in. "Haah...best to enjoy the life I have now," I muttered. I leaned against the window, watching the afternoon sunlight fade. The view from the IDS station to the city had been stunning, and even now, there was a strange beauty to the chaos. Fights erupted through the streets ¨C petty squabbles over stolen goods, mages hurling junkyard cars at each other and buildings getting destroyed for no good reason. kchup! ¡ª We''ve arrived at Mercenary Base #5. Next destination: the main Headquarters. I surveyed the base ¨C a single, unremarkable bunker on the surface, but likely a sprawlingplex underground. - Finally... home sweet home, a voice muttered. - Time for the usual nap. - Tonight''s sleep is going to feel good! Thankfully, as the bus emptied of mercenaries, I''d secured a smooth ride to HQ with minimal chance of trouble. A few minutester, I was the only one left. The driver''s asional nces made me squirm, so I focused on the view instead. *** [Eldoria, Mercenaries Headquarters] Then, right on time, it loomed ahead: a massive, luxurious, ck tower that screamed Jaxon Cain''s aesthetic. Even the front doors bore his logo ¨C an angry skull ring from the centre of the gleaming ss panes. "Well...here goes nothing." I stepped forward, entering the building. ____________ To be continued... ____________ Authors Notes: - Jaxon Cain isn''t as heartless as he seems he provides housing to members of his cooperation for most missions. - Rel''s mask alters his voice. This exins why the IDS employee didn''t recognize him during their interaction. Chapter 138: Arrival (2) [Eldoria, Mercenary Headquarters, Floor: 1-A - Reception] The reception area was vast ¨C sleek, polished stone floors, and plush couches that looked more for show thanfort. A single desk, gleaming chrome, stood against the far wall. Behind it, a masked assistant tapped away at a screen, their expression hidden. I wasn''t so excited to meet the big boss, I know that Jaxon Cain has handled the majority of his operations running the mercenary corps from the back of his head. Approaching the desk, I addressed the assistant. "Evening, uh... I''ve been called up by the big boss... for a meeting?" She stopped typing and looked up."I don''t think we''re expecting any newbies during this hour. But I''ll check with the Big Boss first." As she picked up a phone dialing Jaxonn Cain, I activated perceptive mind to see who this person was. [Special Passive: Perceptive Mind [Grade 3] Has Been Activated!] FWANG! [Status Window Of Mary] [Age: 28] [>Strength: 55, >Durability: 155, >Speed: 82, >Mana: C+, >Elemental Attribute: Wind] [Current Thoughts: "He sounds young and he looks young... Did Mr. Cain offer an internship to him?"] Mary? Hmm... that name didn''t ring a bell.Another minor character to fill in the gaps, I figured.I had thousands of characters written for this novel ¨C but I knew itwas impossible to remember them all. So I assume A.T. likely pulled her from my character list, which made sense.Still, one thing was for certain: she had to be Mr. Cain''s personal secretary. As she hung up the phone, she stood and retrieved a card from under the desk. "Mr. Cain''s expecting you, newbie. His office is on the very top floor." She paused, handing me the card. "This has ess to most of this building''s facilities including, training rooms, the cafeteria, and lounge rooms. Standard stuff." I took the card with a nod."Also, the elevator is down that hallway." She gestured towards the corridor.I bowed respectfully and made a quick exit. *** [Eldoria, Mercenary Headquarters, Floor: 1-A - Cafeteria] In the main cafeteria of the headquarters, Vanessa and Christian devoured their usual pre-mission meals. nom...nom...nom... "Food here is always the best!" Christian grinned, shovelling chicken risotto into his mouth, etiquette be damned. Vanessa, equally engrossed in her own meal, agreed. "Absolutely." "Mm-ph¡­so, when''s the mission start?" Christian mumbled through a mouthful of food, eyes fixed on the exit. "Soon, I hope. We''re getting a recement after¡­well, you know." Vanessa took a delicate bite of strawberry cake, savouring the sweet and sour vours only the Mercenary Corps cafeteria could replicate. "True... maybe we should treat the newbie right." "Umu... wait...you should tell yourself that!" Vanessa finished thest of her cake. "Wherever you walk, trouble follows." "Wuh... Can''t tell if you''re joking," Christian mumbled changing the subject. "I''m hitting the training room. You in?" "Haah... sure, whatever." Vanessa sighed. The duo stood, pulling their masks back on before exiting the cafeteria and headed towards the elevator. "Hey, maybe we should-" "...!" Their conversation was abruptly cut short as they collided with someone unfamiliar at the elevator. Vanessa and Christian jerked to a halt. The stranger stood facing them, blocking the Elevator. Both Christian and Vanessa observed his appearance. He had a different variation of the mask that Jaxon Usually hands out which is odd. It didn''t have the same pattern that looked like theirs so they couldn''t help but wonder if he was a false mercenary. The stranger stood facing them, blocking the entrance. Both observed his appearance closely. His mask was different from the standard Jaxon-issued ones,cking the familiar pattern. Was he a fake mercenary? If he was then they''d have no choice but to take action. But the robe said otherwise, as Vanessa looked at his hair ¨C not the usual military buzzcut, but longer, bangs partially obscuring the masked eyes, with a messy middle part sweeping back. He carried two weapons at his hips: a cuss-style sword on the left and a gun on the right. She had assumed that he was either someone fresh out of the academy or just slightly older than them. Christian leaned close to Vanessa. "Hey... I don''t sense anything from this guy..." "Me too," she whispered back, her voice tight. The atmosphere hung heavy as the masked figure stared back at them. There was something...offabout his presence, this person was different to the other mercenaries they knew. tap... "...!" A ripple of unease passed between Vanessa and Christian. They were used to reading opponents through their mana, sensing their intentions. But this man was a nk te, his movements were impossible to predict. If he attacked, they''d have no warning. The thought shed through their minds, then ¨C in the blink of an eye ¨C He was suddenly in front of them. "You two, are my seniors correct?" He stood before them, several feet away, exuding an aura ofplete calm. This formal address left Vanessa and Christian exchanging confused nces. khum... Vanessa cleared her throat. "Are you the new recruit Mr. Cain mentioned?" "Yes. I''ll be in your care." The masked figure''s tone was formal, almost stilted. haah... Vanessa released a pent-up breath. No way the Syndicate could have someone like this... this unreadable person inside the building. It was unusual for Jaxon Cain to hire someone on the spot, given his overwhelming workload. And Vanessa couldn''t shake the feeling of a swordsman carrying a gun. If he was truly skilled, wouldn''t aura-infused shes befarmore potent than bullets? haha... "Finally..." Christian let out a relieved chuckle. He seemed ready to bounce with excitement. Vanessa''s attention, however, remained on the neer''s odd weapon choice. A swordsman with a gun...it didn''t add up. But then, another thought took hold: What does he look like? Curiosity burned in her. She had a habit of wanting to see the faces behind the masks, and this stranger was no exception. "You''re new, right?!" Christian''s excitement bubbled over. "I''m CA25B, and this is VE4B!" He gestured dramatically towards Vanessa. "I don''t have a code name yet," the masked figure replied respectfully, "but you can call me Junior for now." Vanessa chimed in, "Well, Junior, it''s good to see a fresh face around here. And since you''re with us...there''s a special initiation." Rel in his mask tilted his head in confusion, "What is this initiation?" Rel tilted his head within the confines of his mask. "What kind of initiation?" Vanessa''s eyes, visible behind her own mask, shined mischievously. "The newbie takes off their mask and shows their face to the group." "Really?" "Yes, really!" Her voice held a sly, yful lilt. Rel knew nothing good ever came from Vanessa''s games." Ah, apologies, senior..." he began, scratching the back of his head awkwardly, "but honestly, I''m notfortable showing my face..." He hoped that would be the end of it. Instead, Vanessa inched closer, leaning towards him with her hands sped behind her back. "Aw, you can''t show me?" He could practically see the puppy dog eyes behind her mask, and her ''chest'' was ufortably close. A blush crept up Rel''s cheeks as he abruptly stepped back. "I''m sorry, maybe another time." Vanessa pouted dramatically, then lunged forward again. "Are you sure?!" "Yes." "Are you really, really, really sure?!" "Very sure." haah... Defeated, Vanessa slouched forward and pressed the elevator button with a sigh. Rel watched her carefully, and then... "Hehe..." A mischievous giggle escaped her lips. "...?" "Okay, fine...I guess I''ll see for myself!" With a burst of speed, she whirled around and lunged for Rel''s mask. He reacted instantly, stepping back. Vanessa, caught off guard, stumbled. Snap! With a quick twist, Rel caught her wrist, pulling her close. Their faces were inches apart. "What are you doing?" Rel''s brow furrowed beneath his mask. A blush crept up Vanessa''s cheeks. "Uh...oh...um... nothing! I was just... just testing your reaction time! Yes, reaction time." Her voice faltered, betraying her flustered state. Rel wasn''t convinced, but he forced himself to ignore her odd reaction. "Um... can you let me go now?" Vanessa averted her eyes, his grip still tight on her wrist. "Oh, right. Sorry." He immediately released her, creating distance between them. pfft...kekeke Christian erupted inughter, witnessing the entire scene before him. "Wow! I''ve never seen her like this, Junior! How did you do it?" Rel turned towards Christian, confusion evident in his voice. "I just caught her... what''s so funny?" Christian chuckled. "I don''t think evenyoufully grasp what just happened, and that''s what makes it so hrious!" Vanessa''s brow furrowed. A coin appeared in her hand. flick! And with a flick of her wrist, the coin soared above Christian, reaching its peak directly over his head. VAH! Mana surged into the coin, and with a snap of her fingers, it plummeted downwards, the force of gravity magnified tenfold. Christian yelped as the coin smashed into his skull, driving him to the ground. "AHHH!!!" ___________ Authors Notes: - Christian and Vanessa''s work personalities arepletely different to how they act at mercenaries headquarters. Vanessa is serious when ites to work, but she''s more rxed and rather yful when she isn''t working. Christian''s personality remains the same, he''s still very energetic but he can be serious when the situation is needed. - Any object or thing imbued with Vanessa''s mana can be used to activate her special attribute of gravity. Chapter 139: Us 3 Why?! [Eldoria, Mercenary Headquarters, Floor: 1-A, Corridor to the elevator] "AHHHHH!!! MY HEAD!" Christian''s scream echoed through the corridor. "... is what I''d be saying if it hurt." A mischievous grin spread across his face. huuu... In the split second before the coin struck, he had already reinforced his head with mana. Gravity might be amplified, but he wouldn''t take damage regardless. sssttttss... The coin ttered to the floor, its gravity attribute dispelled by a touch of Christian''s own mana. "Seriously, Va- VE4B, you think the same trick would work on me twice?" He chuckled, rising from the spot where his head had dented the floor. "Shut up, dungeon wrecker," Vanessa grumbled. Christian shrugged, turning to Rel with a wink. "Sorry about that. It''s her way of saying she''s embarrassed." Ding! "Oh, the elevator''s here!" Christian, hearing the doors slide open, dashed towards the panel. "Let''s hurry to Mr. Cain''s office, guys!" Rel sighed inwardly as he followed. "Why did I sign up for this?" Vanessa trailed behind him. As they entered the elevator, Rel stepped back to let Vanessa in. She, however, chose to stand beside him, stealing nces in his direction. nce...nce...nce... The persistent gaze made him shift ufortably. After some time he looked down and caught her staring directly at him. "Is something wrong, senior?" Rel tilted his head, a touch of nervousness in his voice. Was he next on Vanessa''s hit list? "Nothing''s wrong," Vanessa replied dismissively. "Justparing heights." "Well... okay then." Vanessa stared at him, a question nagging at her mind: would his face be handsome or ugly if she unmasked him right there? She had a theory about appearances: kind personalities often hid unattractive faces, while those with inted egos were blessed with looks that didn''t match their character. This masked neer, Junior, gave off an air of rxed kindness. Not overwhelmingly so, but it was there. Sometimes, though, appearances deceive. Maybe he was skilled at curating a persona, which threw her theory into doubt. Then again, most people didn''t join a mercenary group out of genuine interest. And especially seeing someone like him she was curious to why he even joined.Her gaze swept over him again from top to bottom. There wasn''t anything that made him stand out. He seemed so...ordinary.Should she poke at him more? "Hey." Vanessa tugged at his robe. Rel peered down, mask to mask. "What now?" "Are you a swordsman?" The question caught him off guard. He hesitated, weighing his options. Lying felt wrong, but the truth was tooplicated "I am," he finally admitted. Vanessa eyed his weapons. "Then why carry a pistol?" "Just in case." "In case of what?" She pressed, but Rel had already tuned her out. In truth, he was too tired for a response. He fell asleep mid-conversation. ... ... ... [Eldoria, Mercenary Headquarters, Floor: 40-Z, Jaxon Cain''s Main Office] The trio arrived at Jaxon Cain''s office. "Mr. Cain! We''ve brought the newest recruit!" Christian mmed his office door open booming, a grin stretched beneath his mask. Rel shuffled through the door, Vanessa and Christian mimicking jazz hands at his entrance. If secondhand embarrassment could kill, he''d be a goner. "Thank you, CA25B and VE4B. However, this is a confidential meeting," Jaxon replied. His voice held a tone of finality. Christian deted slightly. "Aww, but..." "Out." Jaxon cut him short. Momentster, Vanessa and Christian found themselves waiting outside the closed office door. *** {Rel''s POV} While waiting for Perceptive Mind to analyze Christian and Vanessa, I managed to catch a nap in the elevator. Vanessa''s staring was still odd, though. It was like she was waiting for me to react, even though I hadn''t moved the entire time.I knew I''d run into them eventually, but not this soon. And definitely not with some improvised power showcase. I always imagined them off on missions like the workaholics they are, not hanging around HQ for no reason. Why can''t they just leave already? They''ve already made mete for the meeting, and Jaxon Cain probably won''t be as forgiving for a first-timer like me. haah... I sighed as the elevator doors opened. Honestly, seeing them was a relief in a way. Their statuses in the story hadn''t changed, and thankfully, they didn''t enrol into Pinnacle... Their personalities were the same too ¨C annoying, but at least tolerablepared to those back at the academy. FWANG! [Analysis on Vanessa Korine Andrea Evangeline and Christian Ard Evera Kaiser isplete!] [Loading...] ___________ [Status window of Vanessa Evangeline] [Age: 18] [>Strength: 113, >Durability: 102, >Speed: 34, >Mana: B, > Aura: B+ >Elemental Attribute: Gravity, Darkness, Earth] ___________ [Status window of Christian Kaiser] [Age: 19] [>Strength: 133, >Durability: 126, >Speed: 65, >Mana: S, > Aura: A, >Elemental Attribute: Fire, Ice, Lightning, Earth, Wind, Sound, Steel] ___________ There was no exnation needed on why they were top-tier mercenaries. By the end of the mercenary''s abolishment, this duo would hold the record for most missionspleted. Unstoppable, incredible synergy... though it was a shame I killed Vanessa off in a fit of anger when readers wouldn''t stop yapping about how perfect they were together. But now, I''ll have to change some events to prevent Vanessa''s ''potential'' death. With someone like her around, she''d be too valuable to lose. BANG! Christian flung Jaxon''s door open screaming. "Mr. Cain! We''ve brought the newest recruit!" As he and Vanessa entered, their ridiculous jazz hands made me cringe. Are they idiots by any chance? "Thank you, CA25B and VE4B. However, this is a confidential meeting," Jaxon replied. "Aww, but..." Christian started, but Jaxon cut him off with a single word: "Out." Thankfully, they were gone. I approached the desk, taking the seat across from Jaxon Cain. He examined me closely with a look that preceded his presence. "So... Rel Laurence. It''s a pleasure to finally meet you," Jaxon said gravely. "You''ve arrived." Gulp If seeing Gerrard Freya at my bedside was nerve-wracking, facing Jaxon Cain was downright terrifying. The man exuded an aura of absolute control. "Ah... Yes, sir." My voice sounded small, even to my own ears. "My apologies about those two. I''d hoped you wouldn''t have to meet them for another hour at least. Unfortunate timing." Jaxon shuffled papers on his desk, then handed me a pen. "So, Gerrard said you were an archer...yet here you are with a sword and a pistol?" His confusion was understandable. Since that system quest granted me a second ss, I needed a n to master both swordsman and archer mastery. For the next three years, I''ll be grinding my sword mastery on every mercenary mission, while the academy will be all about the bow. "Ah, I''m proficient with most weapons. The bow simply feels most natural," I replied. "Impressive. So, any weapon?" "Within reason." I couldn''t let him think I was some weapon-wielding prodigy. Besides, five minutes using trickster at arms was hardly mastery I was only good as the time limit. He scribbled on a sheet, then nced up from his paperwork. "Hm... Originally, I considered having a member assess your skills, but instead, I''ll send you out with CA25B and VE4B. They''ll evaluate you, and I''ll determine your role based on their feedback." Seriously? A mission today instead of a test? Damn, I wasn''t ready for that... and on a mission with Christian and Vanessa? That''s overkill...and unfair. So If I don''t perform perfectly, there''s no way I''ll be able toplete Gerrard''s quest. And I won''t be getting Book Of Equaliser anytime soon. "Okay..." "Wonderful, I like your enthusiasm," Jaxon said tly. His attempt at encouragement fell short, the usual sternness in his voice. "Now, sign this contract and liability use." He handed me the documents. I scribbled my signature without reading a word. "Good. Clearly dedicated, even without reading the fine print." Now I can still sense that the two were outside, bring them in and I''ll brief you three for today''s mission. ... ... ... I reached for the door handle and turned it. With a pull, the door swung open and I came face-to-face with Christian and Vanessa sprawled on the floor. Thump! "Ouch! I told you he soundproofed the room," Vanessa grumbled. "Your fault for eavesdropping," Christian retorted as he got up. Turning back, I saw Jaxon Cain facepalming. Haah¡­ He sighed. "Never mind. The three of you, take a seat." We sat down and I was wedged between the bickering duo. [5 minutester...] "Finally! A mission!" Christian cheered, throwing his arms up in victory. "Indeed. And you two will be evaluating the newbie," Jaxon confirmed. Vanessa raised a hand. "Why us again?" "He''s reliable. And apparently proficient with any weapon," Jaxon replied. "Really? Well, he didn''t tell us that..." She tapped a finger on her mask, a glint in her visible eye. Seems like she doesn''t trust me. Damn it, why did I have to say that? Now look what''s happened. "Naturally, I''ll tell you what''s confidential and what isn''t," Jaxon said with a hint of exasperation. "That information is something you should know." Vanessa sighed. "I know." "Good. Now let''s get down to this debriefing." ___________ Authors Notes: - Jaxon Cain''s Main Office is soundproofed, so they couldn''t hear the conversation between Rel and Jaxon. - Jaxon Cain doesn''t wear masks, due to his well-known poprity. People in public can recognise his physical appearance regardless of the mask. Chapter 140: The First Mission [Eldoria, Mercenary Cooperation''s Headquarters - Jaxon Cain''s Main Office] [Thursday, 6:30 PM] "The Heroes association have given us information on the whereabouts of a criminal organization linked to the dark world." Jaxon spoke in a stern tone. "When investigating these ces, be extremely cautious. Their boss operates discreetly, and the dangers may not be obvious." Hearing this information from Jaxon, I knew this was my first glimpse of the dark world. I never imagined I''d be a part of the mercenary storyline originally, but I knew very well that it didn''t matter. And yet... this is only the start. [The Dark World] It''s a society that has links to most of the underground criminal organizations. Just like the dark web, The Dark World is one ce linked to many locations. It''s the ce that is hidden beneath the world of the unknown. It was founded none other than a previous reincarnator from Jan''s world. And that was Mordred Ashborne: the king of the dark world maintains absolute order. Through Quadra, he uses them as the main structure of power,manding the top of the criminal hierarchy. His single goal in this world is to overthrow the heroes organization and create a new order where he reigns supreme. The dark world controls many otherrge criminal groups, but the most crucial are those under Quadra: the Syndicate, the Devil Worshippers Cult, the Sifters Organization, and the Salvation Tribe. The 4 main viins lead these groups and are the only group capable of stopping Jan. But out of the 4, my biggest concern is Drakon. I hope I won''t be encountering him anytime soon¨Cbecause as soon as anyonees into contact with that crazy monster, it''s better to stand still than to run from him since well... you''d already be dead. ... ... ... "...Report any findings to the Heroes Association. Engage inbat if necessary," Jaxon said, organizing papers. "Now, here are the details, location, and main suspects." He paused to ready his watch. Then with a few taps on his screen... shaaa... His watch disyed a projection of the briefing. [From The Heroes Organization Vice President: Amara Navarro] [Details:Investigate thoroughly via infiltration. Reports indicate drug distribution and missing persons in the Gasan Digital Complex. A suspected distributor or underground leader could be located in the area. Exercise caution if you spot drugs or missing individuals. Report any findings immediately.] [Location: Gasan Digital Complex, Seoul] [Potential suspect leading operations: Code name: Ben Franky - Real Name: Lampard Harper] [Criminal Organization Link: Nightshade Org] Looking at the information details, I recall this setting I made a while ago. However, it did ur only through Jan watching the news. This organization conducting these operations wasn''t relevant, but I knew they were always a part of the branches of the dark world. Since I''m on this mission now. Survival seems wiser than fighting these guys head-on. Still, I''m confident this mission will be sessful with Christian and Vanessa around. I just don''t think I''m ready to see the potential horrors that could unfold. Jaxon finished projecting the information. Then, he looked me straight in the eye, saying words I knew I had to hear. "Listen up newbie, it isn''t necessary that you kill. But if you must, then do it. If it''s for the sake of saving someone''s life, then do it. if it''s to save your teammate from death, then do it. This isn''t a ce where you can save everyone. I want you to know that as a mercenary. You must never spare a criminal''s life and do as you are told on the job." Christian and Vanessa must have heard this speech countless times. But for me, the thought of killing someone was nerve-wracking. This novel was still messed up, a reminder that no one was safe from death. Though my own life wasn''t exactly secure, I hoped I wouldn''t need to kill anyone. "Yes sir." I kept my voice steady. Being a mercenary wouldn''t be easy, but I''d do what I had to. "Good. I''ll prepare the IDS station. You''ll head there once CA25B and VE4B are equipped. They''ll guide you from there." Jaxon paused. "Also, about your nickname... there''s been a request on your contract." "Ah, right..." I don''t recall asking for a nickname in my contract. Did Gerrard do that for me? If he did then I guess I''d have to thank him. "What code name do you want?" He stayed serious but rxed ¨C Jaxon was probably used to handing out nicknames but I guess now I''m an exception. Though I never nned on naming anything other than my sword. But as I thought about it, I felt my true name was fading away. "I guess you can call me Axel." Jaxon''s brows furrowed. He scrambled beneath his desk, pulling out a folder and rifling through it. After a quick read, he shoved it back into the drawer, his frown disappearing. "I guess that nickname could work. It has no rtion to you after all." Hmm... that is strange though, after my integration as a character. The fact ''Axel'' or ''Saint'' hadn''t been mentioned, only proved my point. "...Okay then." Suddenly, Christian''s voice sted against my ear. "So, we can call you Axel now?" "Yes?" I didn''t understand his excitement. "Nice to meet you, Axel." Hearing Vanessa beside me, I turned. She offered a hand and after a quick handshake, I let go. "Now..." Jaxon said, "you two will show him the IDS room." He pointed at Christian. "And you, show him the men''s equipment room." Christian, shing a childish grin beneath his mask, snapped a salute. "Yes, sir!" *** [Location: Gasan Digital Complex, Seoul - Main Office] "Boss!" Theckey, in a dark tailored suit and coat a stark contrast to the urgency in his voice, rushed into Lampard''s office. "We caught some kids trashing things on our property again." He bowed. "What''s your order, sir?" Lampard, still counting his stacks of cash, leaned back in his chair. Kids messing with his turf was a disgrace. Not just to his business, but his reputation. If he was going to let mere children do such a thing, then he''d rather not be where he''s at now. tch. "It''s probably them again..." He muttered to himself. "Hmm..." He tapped a finger on the table. "Bring them in, Eddie. Then..." A dark look shed in his eye. "...send them to the experimentation room." close! "Right away, sir!" Eddie scurried out, mming the door behind him. Lampard turned his gaze towards the full moon. "I wonder when the time wille... when the-" RING!!!...RING!!!...RING!!! The phone on Lampard''s desk rang incessantly. He snatched it up. "Who is it?" "¡ªIt''s me. Bane." Lampard went tense. He stood up. "Oh... So, you''re the buyer wanting a partnership from my corps, right?" "¡ªCorrect." Lampard pulled out a sheet of contact details. The name was under the Syndicate. "Got it. You''re with the Syndicate, then?" ¡ª Yes. Lampard ignored the one-word answers. This deal? It might be the biggest one he''dnded in a long while. Syndicate was one of the richest organization''s in the dark world. "Got it," He wrote dimir''s code name down on a sheet circling towards Syndicate. "So... what did you call me for?" "¡ªd, doing my calls again?" A sharp, male voice cut through the phone. d''s reply was blunt. "Yes." "Get off. I''ll handle it," his voice snapped. "Okay." mvle,mp|y|r hosted Then another voice different to the dead tone he heard spoke up. "¡ª Hello is this the boss of the Nightshades Corp?" Lampard tensed, a jolt of recognition hitting him. That voice was the leader of Syndicate Morwen. "Correct!" He managed a business-like tone, a thread of excitement trembling beneath it. "What can I do for you?" ¡ª Yes, I was checking in for the production of the form I had sent. Has there been any results on any willing ''Participants?'' "Well I''ve sent out my workers to find people for trial testing but we''ve got-" Lampard said, a smile twisting his lips at the thought of the kids. "We''ve got a few participants, Would you like me to send you all the results we get from them?" ¡ª Yes that would be wonderful. "Great! Is there anything else you need?" ¡ª Actually, Yes. I need to check the shipment order from Paris. "Ah, Right. Your order should be arriving at the docs around 3 am. You have all the collectors in ce for it to be received right?" ¡ª Yes. I''ve had them secure the ce to ensure no one approaches near. "Good, Then I assume that''s all you came to acquire right?" ¡ª Yes, that''s all. Have a wonderful evening. Lampard smiled saying "You too precious customer!" ¡ª "Ugh..." Morwen hung up with a click. khachp! Lampard who heard the phone hang up muttered to himself. "Let''s see if Eddie and Ace caught those kids." _____________ To Be Continued! _____________ Author Notes: - Eddie and Ace are the left and right-hand men of the Nightshades Corps. - Christian Kaiser is the only mage (19) who has learnt elemental zone. Chapter 141: The First Mission (2) [Eldoria, Mercenary Cooperation''s Headquarters - IDS Station: Equipment Room] The IDS room hummed with the usual machinery. Christian shoved a door open. "Wee to the armory!" Rel''s gaze swept the room. Swords, axes, a few polearms lined the left wall. On the far side, racks of pistols and rifles. Nothing special there. The lockers were the real prize. He spotted the Shadow Stalker suit immediately ¨C essential for the job. Beside it, a wicked-lookingbat knife ¨C made of a material he''s never seen before, was it Illegal?, he wasn''t too sure. "This ce looks-" He didn''t need to finish his thought. "Amazing, right?" Christian beamed, interrupting him. "I guess you can say that." Rel kept his tone neutral. Christian nodded, a smug grin on his face. "Now I''ll find the suits Jaxon assigned." Christian gestured toward the lockers. "You grab night vision... and a radar heat scanner?" "Okay." Rel headed toward the right side of the room, scanning the shelves. Minutester, they stood in matching ck suits. "Perfect for sneaking!" Christian grinned. "Flexible, durable, practically unseeable! Haha, get it?" Rel''s face contorted at the horrible joke, almost to the point where he wanted to punch him. Christian checked his night goggles, then tilted his head at Rel, who still held his above his mask. "You not gonna wear them?" "Don''t need to." Christian frowned, and then his eyes widened slightly. "Does he know sensory aura?" He muttered, then shook his head. "Whatever. Let''s go, VE4B''s waiting." ... ... ... [Eldoria, Mercenary Cooperation''s Headquarters - IDS Station: Main Room] "What took you two so long?" Vanessa stood in her ck suit, as a cloak obscuring its details, her ymore sheathed at her back. Christian scratched his head. "Just showing the newbie around, like Mr. Cain said." He elbowed Rel sharply. "Right, Axel?" Rel sighed, suppressing a frown. "Yes." Vanessa gave them an unimpressed look. "Whatever. Let''s get this done." "Okay!" Christian chirped. They stepped onto the brightly lit IDS tform. Vanessa signalled to the technician, who nodded and flipped the switch. swangg! A beam of light engulfed them, and in an instant, they materialized in the dim alleyway of their target location. *** [Geumcheon-gu, Seoul - Neighborhood IDS Station] [7:25 PM, Thursday] We materialized at the IDS station in Geumcheon-gu, the streets dark and silent under the dim streetlights. Closed shops cast long shadows, their neon signs lifeless. "It''s about a thirty-minute walk from here," Vanessa announced, checking her watch. "Let''s move." [Passive Ability: Tenacity has been activated!] The further we walked into Gasan-dong, the thicker the air grew, heavy with the stink of chemicals. ackk... Christian gagged, fingers mped over his nose. "What the hell is that smell?" "Means we''re close," Vanessa muttered, adjusting her night goggles. She nced at me. "What about you, Axel?" "Guess I''m lucky." I shrugged. "I can barely smell it." Their eyes widened in unison. "Really?!" (Rel has strong immunity to any type of gas or smoke.) - (Chapter Reference: 44) "Yeah..."Christian stared longingly at the sky. "Wish I''d brought a gas mask... didn''t think it would be this bad." "At least the walk went faster," Vanessa said as we finally reached the gates of theplex. Security lights flickered, casting long, unsettling shadows. "We''re here." "Wow, that was quick!" Christian''s voice boomed. Vanessa smacked a hand over his mouth. "Shut up! You wanna fail before we even start?" "Mmph... muffle... muffle!" Christian mumbled against her gloved hand. I watched, trying not tough, as she red at him. Was she actually going to strangle him? She finally let go, then turned and shed me a thumbs up. "...?" I looked side to side to see who that was for but there was no one to my left or right so was that for me, or the invisible camera behind us? "Let''s head in." They hopped the gate effortlessly, disappearing into the shadows. I stared after them, then at the looming gate. For a heartbeat, I froze. How the fuck was I supposed to follow that? Did I even need to sneak... I mean aren''t mercs allowed on the grounds anyway? haah... "Whatever" Shrugging off my confusion, I walked through the open gate, figuring I''d catch up with them once we''d located the building. As I made my way through theplex, I kept a close eye on Vanessa and Christian, following their every move from a distance. They moved with purpose, clearly intent on finding the specific warehouse owned by the NightShade Organization. After a few minutes of walking, I saw both Vanessa and Christian reach a rooftop, they crouched down, scanning the area for any signs of the NightShade Organization''s warehouse. I tried looking for adder to their rooftop then suddenly a voice came through my ear piece, "Axel, where are you?" Vanessa''s voice spoke. I replied, "I''ve been following you two from behind." "Get up to the rooftop we''re on. We''ve located the building." Vanessa instructed. "Okay," I said, making my way to the nearestdder. As I climbed up, I approached Vanessa and Christian from behind. Christian was sitting on the edge, scanning the building with a heat radar, while Vanessa was peering through her binocrs, locating enemies inside. I cleared my throat softly. "I''m here." "...!" "AH-" Both Christian and Vanessa jumped up, startled. Vanessa let out a small yelp, and Christian nearly screamed. Vanessa quickly covered his mouth, whispering, "Axel... don''t do that..." "My bad." haah... Vanessa let out a relieved sigh as she released Christian. With a quick bounce in her step, she turned to me, moonlight shining off her mask. "You''ve never done this before right?" "Yeah." "Well, then you''re in for one heck of a ride." Her energy was surprising. I felt a muscle in my jaw twitch ¨C not quite a smile, but not annoyance either. Maybe this wouldn''t be so bad after all.. "Here, your first test." Vanessa threw the binocrs at me. "How many guards are inside?" Good question. How was I supposed to know that? But then...the system. Maybe it could help. "Actually, I don''t need these." I handed them back. "...?" She blinked, confusion flickering across her masked face. I turned back to the building, studying it intently. Windows, loading docks, a security gate... Silently, in my mind, I asked, "System, how many people are inside that industrial building?" FWANG! [The information for this wille to a total of 91 PPP!] [Would you like to proceed with this purchase?] "Yes." [Information has been purchased!] [Disying the count of people inside of the building:] [106 People] [Adults: 102] [Children: 2] "...!" My eyes widened. Kids? Why...? Did Lampard... Sh*t, did he kidnap them?! I clenched my fists, a surge of anger hotter than before. If he did... I''ll make him pay. I''ll save them. "Axel?" Vanessa''s hand on my shoulder startled me. "What''s wrong?" I swallowed, forcing myself to calm my voice. "Are we just... scouting?" Christian, still focused on the heat radar, shrugged. discover stories on mvlem-pyr "Mission says locate, report drug activity, then bounce." "Yeah." Vanessa lowered her binocrs. "Might be a long night." No. My jaw tightened. What if the kids are in danger right now? Would they even believe me? We''re just here to observe... Fuck it. I''ll have to act soon. Or something bad could happen to them. What should I do...I turned from Vanessa and Christian, something was beating... and feeling my chest I realised... it was my heart that was pounding. To think that there are kids inside... I wanted to save them... but I couldn''t act rashly. Taking a few steps back, I scanned the building, taking time to think. I had to save them, but without ruining the mission or risking my team. "Axel? What''s wrong?" Vanessa''s voice was gentle, but it snapped me back to the present. I forced a smile. "Just... strategizing. We need to be smart about this." A sh of guilt ¨C I was strategizing, yes, but not about the mission. Vanessa nodded, her eyes understanding. "Agreed. Intel first, then we''ll figure out the rest." "Right." I swallowed. "Let''s get to work." As we continued to survey the building, I kept a watchful eye on Vanessa and Christian, making mental notes of everything we saw. Vanessa used her binocrs to scan the windows, while Christian monitored the heat radar for any signs of movement inside. After a few minutes, Vanessa spoke up. "I think I spotted a side entrance on the east side of the building. It looks like there''s less security there." Christian nodded, his eyes focused on the radar screen. "Yeah, and I''m not picking up much activity on this side either. It could be our best bet for getting in unnoticed." I nodded, taking in their observations. "Let''s keep an eye on that entrance. We might need itter." __________ Authors Notes: - Sensory Aura is enhanced senses that extend beyond the normal five, not only that but sensory aura can sense the presence or emotions of other skilled users of aura and could gain precognitive-like glimpses from interpreting energy patterns around them. Chapter 142: First Mission (3) [Gasan Digital Coplex, Seoul - Rooftops] As we continued our surveince, my mind remained on the children inside the building. I knew I had to find a way to save them, even if it meant going against the mission objective. huuu... Taking a deep breath, I decided to share my idea with Vanessa and Christian. "What if we create a distraction?" I suggested, trying to sound casual. "We could gather more intel and maybe even find a way to get inside without alerting anyone." Vanessa and Christian exchanged sceptical looks, clearly not convinced. "Why should we do that?" Christian asked, his tone challenging. "Our mission is to observe and report, not to engage." I swallowed, feeling the weight of my words. "I know, but what if there are people inside who need our help? We can''t just ignore them." Vanessa shook her head, her expression firm. "Axel... I understand where you''reing from, but we can''t riskpromising the mission. We need to stick to the n." Hearing those words, I felt a little frustrated, but I knew I had to try harder to convince them. "I get that, but what if we can gather valuable intel that could help us in the long run? It could be worth the risk." Christian and Vanessa exchanged another nce, considering my words. After a moment, Vanessa sighed, relenting. "Fine. But we need to be careful. We can''t afford to get caught." I nodded, grateful for their agreement. "Agreed. Let''s make sure we n this out carefully." As I surveyed the building and the numerous armed guards patrolling below, I knew that a direct confrontation would be too risky. Rescuing the kids would mean a fight with the guards ¨C a fight Christian could probably win alone. First, I needed to locate those kids... and neutralize the perimeter. I nced at Christian and Vanessa, who were still focused on the building below. They needed to be convinced that this was the right course of action. And if reading novels had taught me one thing, is that if you need a distraction, cause chaos. That was the key or so I thought. If I could create a diversion that would draw the guards'' attention away from the main entrance, I could slip in unnoticed and take out the guards inside. But I couldn''t reveal my true intentions yet. I needed to make them think that the distraction was for a different purpose, something that would align with our mission but also serve as a cover for my true objective. I turned to Christian and Vanessa, a n forming in my mind. "What if we... start a small fire on the other side of thepound? It could draw the guards away from the main entrance and give one of us a window to sneak in and gather more intel." Christian and Vanessa looked at each other, considering my suggestion. After a moment, Vanessa nodded. "That could work. It would create enough mess to allow one of us to slip in unnoticed." Christian seemed to like the idea and he nodded in agreement. "Alright, let''s do it!" I nodded, relieved that they had bought into my n. "Okay. Let''s execute this carefully." As we finalized our n, Christian spoke up. "I can start the fire," he offered, it seemed he was going to start more than an offer looking in his eyes. "I promise it''ll be small, just enough to cause a distraction." He gave a thumbs up to Vanessa but right through her mask, her brow furrowed not buying anything Christian said. "Are you sure?" "Yes I''m sure!" Vanessa sighed then nodded, her expression serious. "Alright then, I guess I''ll monitor the activity and keep an eye on the guards. If anything goes wrong, I''ll let you know." I nodded, grateful for their support. "And I''ll try to sneak my way through and gather any intel I can find. Once I locate the drugs or any valuable information, I''ll signal you both." Christian and Vanessa both nodded, understanding the n. My only concern as of now is hoping that this works. *** Christian, Vanessa, and Rel crouched on the rooftop, ready to execute their n. shaaa... Christian, readied his hands, a flicker of me sparking on his fingertips. Vanessa, her ymore a shadow at her back, scanned the area below with her binocrs. Stay with m _v _l _e _mp _y _r. Rel, weapons shing, braced himself to drop. With a nod from Rel, Christian raised his hand, conjuring a small me on the far side of thepound. The guards immediately reacted, rushing towards the source of the fire. Rel twisted, lowering himself down with practised ease, the building''s facade his shield. "Now''s our chance." Vanessa nodded, staying on the rooftop to monitor the guards'' movements. She kept a close watch, ready to provide support if needed. Christian moved quickly and quietly, he kept the me a ze not allowing it to run out. He watched as the guards below caught up to the fire. "Hehe, suckers," Christian muttered under his breath, a smirk ying on his lips. As he observed the guards from the roof, Christian overheard their conversation. ¡ª "What happened here?" one guard asked. ¡ª "A fire just started out of nowhere," the other replied. "Should we put it out?" ¡ª "Yeah, we should," the first guard responded. Christian chuckled. His distraction worked like a charm... but something niggled at him. Axel had been worried. About something more than the mission. "He must''ve sensed something we didn''t" He smiled holding the me from being extinguished. Christian thought that If he was a user, who had a great technique in aura, he most certainly used sensory aura in that building. "I don''t know what made you be a mercenary, Axel, but I''ll figure it out soon." ¡ª "Wait why''s the fire not going out?" As the guards were distracted trying to use water, Christian made his decision. "You know what? I already know what he''s up to." huup! With that, he jumped from the rooftop. Christian''s crimson eyes zed with intensity chanting his spell in the air. huuuu... His voice carried on the wind, blending with the elements around him. "[Flow] - [Ground] - [Cave] -[Crush] - [Caving draught of vanquish]." As he descended, Christian''s hands moved inplex hands signs, channelling his magic. RUMBLE...RUMBLE...RUMBLE... The ground below rumbled and shifted, responding to hismand. "...!" ¡ª "What is that?!" The guards, frozen in shock, could only stare at the glowing red eyes in the sky. The aura emanating from Christian felt overwhelming, like facing a being from another realm. RAAAAA... A dome of earth rose up, encasing the guards below. snap! Then with a snap of his fingers, he crushed them t with a powerful force, leaving no traces of them behind. tap...tap...tap.. Christiannded, boot-tapping on t earth. "Yeah, Axel," He murmured, head tilting towards the warehouse, "you got this." *** {Rel''s POV} [Gasan Digital Complex, Seoul - Nightshade''s Warehouse - Entrance] I slipped through a hidden entrance, trying my best to keep my movements silent, as I navigated through the corridors of the warehouse. The dimly lit passageways were lined with doors leading to various rooms, and I knew I had to find the right path to reach the main production area. As I crept along, I passed by several guards, their attention focused on their patrol routes. I waited for the right moment before darting past them, my heart was racing with each close call. Finally, I arrived at a junction that might lead me to the main production area. I peeked around the corner and saw a group of guards standing watch. I knew I had to be careful if I wanted to slip past them undetected. Waiting for the guards to look the other way, I dashed across the open space and pressed myself against the wall. The guards were engrossed in conversation, oblivious to my presence. I took a deep breath and continued on, moving stealthily through the corridors. [Passive Ability: Tenacity Has Re-Activated!] The air grew thicker with the smell of chemicals, and I knew I was getting closer to the area. As I saw the sign saying production room, I quickly peeked through the doors expecting to find the kids tied up around the main area, but they were nowhere to be seen. Where could they be? As I contemted on this, I overheard two guards walking by, their conversation catching my attention. "Hey, where''d the brats from earlier go?" one guard asked. "Boss said to take them to the experimentation room," the other replied. Wait... an experimentation room? The words sent a chill down my spine. What kind of operation was this? I''m sure I didn''t create viins to be like this right... But I realised how much of a shitty author I was. I had to ept that some of these viins would do anything to entertain themselves. Couldn''t I just leave, if I can''t find them? But what would that make me then? A shitty loser... Right... if I don''t save these kids... then that makes me a shitty loser. ... ... ... [Rel shback...] The scent of warm bread hung in the air, aforting anchor in a world of fading memories. Rel, young and restless, pressed himself against a woman''sp, looking out the window. "Grandma... why is our neighbour waiting outside again?" The woman''s hand, gentle and familiar, rubbed his hair. Her face, however, remained a frustrating blur. He strained to see, to remember the crinkles around her eyes, the warmth of her smile. All he could grasp was a loving presence, a voice that echoed from a half-forgotten past. "Because, ¨~ ¨~ ¨~ ¨~ ," she said, the first part of her sentence lost in the fog of time. ". . . her son is returning home from the navy." "But she''s been doing that every day?" He moved his neck, hoping to catch a glimpse of this soldier, this son she spoke of with such unwavering hope. The woman chuckled, a sound both nostalgic and distant. "A mother knows, Rel.She knows he''ll be back one day." ... ... ... The memory flickered and faded, leaving Rel blinking in the harsh reality of the present. He leaned against the warehouse wall, the rough brick biting into his back. He lifted his mask, the cool air a shock against his heated skin. "Right..." He rasped, his voice raw with emotion. "Their mothers are probably waiting for them." He muttered to himself. "I''ll find them," he vowed, "I''ll find a way to get those kids out of here." ___________ Authors Notes: Christian''s Main Ability: Elemental Fusion: bybining his elemental attributes he can create anybination of elements at will. The more elements required the more mana that is needed to have continuous flow andbination.**_ - [Flow] - [Ground] - [Cave] -[Crush] = Combination Of Earth and Wind = [Caving draught of vanquish] Chapter 143: First Mission (4) [Gasan Digital Coplex, Seoul - Nightshade''s Warehouse: Experimentation Room] The guards, their expressions hardened, dragged the two kids down a narrow staircase that led to a room below the warehouse. The first kid, a boy with tears in his eyes, struggled against his restraints. "Let us go!" he cried out, his voice echoing off the cold, concrete walls. The second guard, a burly man with a stern expression, tightened his grip on the other kid, a girl who looked defiant despite her circumstances. "Shut your trap, kid," he growled. "This is what happens when you thrash our property." The boy''s eyes shed with anger. "You guys hurt my mom!" he shouted, his voice filled with usation. The guard looked momentarily surprised. "What''s this kid talking about?" he asked, ncing at hispanion. "I''m not even sure haha!" The girl, her jaw set in determination, said, "You''ll pay for this..." The guard chuckled, a cruel smile ying on his lips. "Yeah, whatever you say, kid." As they approached the front door of the room, the guards pushed it open, revealing a massive space with concrete walls and a single metal door. Without a word, they shoved the kids inside, the door closing behind them with a loud thud. Inside, the room was dimly lit, with only a faint light filtering in through a small, barred window. The air was musty, with a faint smell of dampness and decay. The kids looked around, their eyes wide with fear and uncertainty. "You kids are in for a surprise," one of the guards sneered from outside, his voice muffled by the closed door. *** {Rel''s POV} [Gasan Digital Complex, Seoul - Nightshade''s Warehouse: Vanessa''s voice crackled through the mic in my ear. "Axel, what do you see?" I peeked out from behind the crates, taking in the scene before me. "There''s been mass manufacturing for the drugs they''ve been making," I replied quietly, my eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger. "So that confirms it," Vanessa paused. "What else?" I hesitated, unsure if I should tell her about the kids stuck around here. But that would only mean that I had a different intention heading inside in the first ce. BANGGGG! But before I could speak, Vanessa''s voice cut through again, this time with a sense of rm. "Shit...I think Christian''s fighting. There are reinforcements here all of a sudden. Sorry, Axel, but I''m going to have to leave for a bit." I heard the sounds of explosions in the distance, and I knew it was Christian doing his own thing. I sighed, frustrated by the turn of events. I needed Vanessa in case anything went wrong, but I''ll have to deal with whatever I have. I got back up, moving around the building, checking for each room or any trace of footsteps of children. As I searched, a thought urred to me: if I haven''t seen the boss yet, wouldn''t that mean he''d be where the kids are? It made sense; the boss would likely be overseeing an operation involving the children. I quickened my pace, my senses on high alert as I searched for any sign of the boss or the missing children. I had to find them before it was toote. As I continued my search, I noticed that the clues were bing more tantly obvious. Find joy in m-vlemp _yr. I found documents detailing the transportation of the drugs, as well as blueprints of the warehouse that indicated a hidden basement area. It seemed that my instincts had been right; there was more to this warehouse than met the eye. Following the blueprints, I located a hidden staircase that led to a lower level. As I descended, I realized that the basement was asrge as the building itself, with rows of rooms stretching out before me. I cautiously explored the area, my heart pounding in my chest. I could hear the faint sound of voices and machinery in the distance. As I crept through the basement, I caught sight of the boss of the warehouse, Lampard, with two of his men. It seems they had just arrived to report to Lampard, who was examining the syringes filled with doping liquid. "Boss!" one of the men spoke up, his voice filled with urgency. "We''ve got intruders outside of our warehouse." Lampard turned around, his expression unreadable. "Do we now?" The other man, with a calm demeanor, added. "Yes. There''s a mage in a ck cloak starting a fight outside." Lampard nced at the two men, his gaze piercing. "Ace, Eddie, go outside and deal with the mage quickly. Report back here when you''re done." The two men, Ace and Eddie, nodded, acknowledging the order. As they turned to leave, I realised I had to hide quickly before they spotted me. One of them, however, noticed something amiss. He nced at a box that had been moved, suspicion evident in his eyes. My breath caught in my throat, expecting to be caught. But their attention was elsewhere. "Did one of our workers move this box here?" one of them asked the other, his voice low. The other shook his head. "No." As they left the building, I let out a silent sigh of relief. I had to be more cautious now that the warehouse was on alert. *** [Gasan Digital Complex, Seoul - Nightshade''s Warehouse: Rooftops] [5 minutes after...] BANNG!!!! Vanessa leapt from roof to roof, the distant sh of Christian''s battle echoing through the night. "...!" On the nextnding, not instinct but experience made her recoil. A split secondter, daggers rained down, shattering the tiles where she''d stood. From above, descending with a leap, Ace appeared,nding gracefully in front of Vanessa. He observed her with a careful eye, noting her ck cloak and herposed stance. "There''s two intruders?" Ace remarked, more to himself than to Vanessa. Vanessa remained silent, her gaze steady as she assessed her opponent. "Whatever you have on you, drop it now, and you can leave in peace," Ace demanded. Still silent, Vanessa made no move toply. "It''s okay. I get it. Your organization doesn''t allow foolish people to speak," Ace continued a hint of mockery in his voice. Getting impatient he could only feel irritated at this person who was staring at him with no intent to kill. "If you won''tply..." WHIP! A flicker of steel ¨C the whip uncoiled, razored edges glinting in the moonlight. "Then die, masked fool." Vanessa watched a decision hardening within her. He wasn''t just a guard with fancy toys. She had to stop him. With a swift motion, she drew her own weapon, a ymore, from its sheath that hung behind her back. DASH! As Ace lunged forward, his whip shining through the air, Vanessa jumped into action. SAAASH! She dodged to the side, the sharp spikes of the whip grazing the edge of her cloak. Not wasting a moment, both her hands clenched tightly to her de. huuu... As she took a deep breath in, there was energy channelling within her, and as her focus was purely on breaking his defence, Vanessa''s aura surrounded her de casting a light that coated the steel. With a swift motion, she swung her ymore in a wide arc aimed at his whip. Ace seeing the attack attempted to parry it straight back, but Vanessapletely overwhelmed him in strength. SLASH! Her de imbued with aura created a shockwave that sent Ace pacing backwards. "Not bad," Ace remarked, a smirk ying on his lips. "But you''ll have to do better than that to defeat me." Ace jumped back into the fight and snapped his whip aiming for Vanessa''s legs, in an attempt to cut them off. CRACK!!! Vanessa leapt back, the whip cracking against the rooftop where she had just been standing. Anticipating his next move, Vanessa charged forward, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat. With a powerful swing, she aimed her ymore at Ace''s head, but he was ready, raising his arm to block the blow with the handle of his whip. CLANG! The metal shed loudly, the sound reverberating through the night. Vanessa had been toying with Ace for the minutes that had passed, testing his skills and waiting for the right moment to end the battle. She muttered to herself, "I let him live a little too long..." With a swift leap into the air, Vanessa channelled her elemental attribute of gravity into her de. The de hummed with a blend of violet and darkness, a sight that puzzled Ace as he tried to discern the nature of her attack. DUNNNNNNN!!!! Before he could react, Vanessa brought her de down with incredible force. The roof shattered as his body plummeted to the bottom floor of the warehouse. As hey unconscious under the moonlight, Vanessanded gracefully on the rooftop, her cloak billowing behind her. She nced down at Ace''s body, knowing that the battle was finally over. ____________ Authors Notes: - Each elemental attribute has its own respective weight. some others can be much heavier than others. Chapter 144: Limit [Gasan Digital Complex, Seoul - Nightshade''s Warehouse, Underground: Main Production Room] Lampard was hunched over arge table, studying a detailed map of the area surrounding the warehouse. . He was deep in thought, contemting the recent disturbances and the potential threat they posed to his operation. "We need to tighten security," Lampard muttered to himself. "I can''t let anyone disrupt our operations." Rel, hidden by a few crates, strained to hear Lampard''s words. He was concerned for the children kidnapped by the organization weighed heavily on his mind. He knew that if he could gather more information about Lampard''s ns, he might be able to find a way to rescue them and dismantle the criminal organization. As Lampard continued to study the map, Rel carefully moved closer, trying to get a better view of the documents spread out on the table. He knew he had to act quickly, but he also needed to remain undetected if he wanted to seed. Suddenly, Lampard pulled out a watch and spoke into it, his voicemanding. "Guards, reinforce the inside of the building. I have a feeling we''re getting raided by an unknown organization." Rel cursed under his breath. THUMP!!! THUMP!!! THUMP!!! He could hear loud thumps and footsteps heading in multiple directions as the building was quickly filled with members of the Nightshade''s organization. The increased security posed a significant challenge. As Rel watched, his heart sank as he saw Lampard grab a syringe from a case. The syringe was filled with a liquid that he recognized from his past experiences in the dungeon. There was no way he was going to let that be used on a child. Lampard called out to a few members, his voicemanding. "Don''t let anyone through this door. I can''t risk anyone breaching here beyond this point." Rel watched as Lampard opened the door and walked through, followed by the guards nodding in acknowledgment. As Rel observed, he realized that the door Lampard went through had to be the experimentation room. If he wanted to get through, he needed to take everyone in this room out. With a deep breath, he prepared himself for whaty ahead. *** [Gasan Digital Complex, Seoul - Nightshade''s Warehouse, Underground: The Experimentation Room] Lampard entered the experimentation room to find the boy and the girl sitting down, engaged in conversation. As they noticed him, the boy stood up, immediately adopting a protective stance in front of the girl. "Stay back!" he warned. Lampard''s smile was devious. "Why would I stay back? You two need to be punished after all." The boy, undeterred, stated defiantly, "If you punish us now, there will be someone even greater to punish you for what you''ve done." Lampard''s expression darkened at the boy''s words. "Well, it seems I''ll be saving you forst then," he replied ominously. The boy, wearing a white shirt, stared at Lampard with anger. "Stop! If you''re going to try anything..." he paused, "Then let it be me first!" The girl behind him held onto him saying "stop... don''t listen to him." The boy who didn''t listen to her still held his hands outspread, shielding his friend from Lampard''s view. As Lampard reached for the syringe, the boy flinched, his eyes fixed on the menacing tool. BANGGG! Before Lampard could administer the injection, a loud bang echoed from the production room, causing him to pause. He checked the surveince cameras around the building, only to find static. "Shit, they already got in?" Lampard muttered to himself, considering the possibility of a rival organization from the dark world discovering their location. Turning his attention back to the boy, Lampard smiled sinisterly. "Since you''re so willing, then I''ll be trying it out on you." As Lampard approached the boy, another loud sound erupted, this time from above. Despite the chaos, the boy whispered to the girl, "Julia... I''m sorry, it was my fault." As Lampard grabbed the boy''s arm to inject the modified serum made by the Syndicate, the fate of the boy and the girl hung in the bnce. Lampard injected the serum into the boy''s arm and took a few steps back, observing his reaction. The boy''s mouth foamed up, and the colour of his right arm changed to a darkish purple. Despite Julia''s efforts to keep him calm, the boy writhed in pain. Lampard smiled at the sight. "Good," he murmured. "They''ll like the results once it''s finished." Turning his attention to Julia, he pointed at her. "You''ll be next," he stated ominously. Suddenly, the ringing of his phone interrupted the moment. Answering it, he heard his members panicking on the other end. "Boss, we''re in trouble! There''s a swordsman wreaking havoc in the production room!" Before he could respond, a loud bang sounded, and the connection was cut. Gritting his teeth in frustration, Lampard hurried out of the room, leaving the boy and the girl alone. *** [Gasan Digital Complex, Seoul - Nightshade''s Warehouse, Underground: Main Production Room] Fifty guards patrolled the damp warehouse. Way too many, even for me. No point in a suicide charge. My eyes flicked over the crates. Had to be a way to draw them off, give me a window... nothing. Frustration gnawed at me. My fingers tightened on my weapon. Useless for making a big enough distraction. Unless... the System. There had to be something, a skill, an item. Anything. My mind raced. Should I just use Trickster right here? Yeah, I could chain it with Projectile Projection for a quick escape after thinning them out, but draining my mana that fast against these goons... risky. But I gotta be sure about my reserves. "System, mana status." The usual digital chime echoed in my head. FWANG! [Mana Reserves: 91%] "Good enough. This could work ¨Cthin their numbers, slip past... but what if Lampard shows? Gotta be smart, gotta have a n B." haah... A sigh escaped me. Damn it, was I really about to do this? Well... I don''t have any other choice, do I? [Standard Ability: Trickster at Arms [Grade 5] Has Been Activated!] [Standard Ability: Projectile Projection [Grade 3] Has Been Activated!] As I stepped out towards the open, I unsheathed ''Axel'' for the first time. CRACKLE... CRACKLE... CRACKLE... Aura surged, a rush of power from core to fingertips. It crackled along my skin, flowing into Axel. The de gleamed, ck lightning writhing around the steel. A feral hum filled the air. This was it. No more hiding. __________ No Authors notes today D: Chapter 145: Limit (2) {Rel''s POV} [Gasan Digital Complex, Seoul - Nightshade''s Warehouse, Underground: Main Production Room] "Who the hell are you?" A guard spat, more amused than threatened. Others echoed the question, their weapons shifting from rxed to ready. My answer was to draw Axel. Its familiar weight grounded me, even against these odds. One attack. I''d put everything into it. "Crazy bastard thinks he can take us all!" There was nervousughter, the tension of a cornered animal turning to aggression. "Forget talking!" someone hissed. "Just end him!" The first few charged, shouts turning the quiet warehouse into a sudden storm. My grip tightened on the hilt. Aura red, a searing flood of darkness that scorched through my hands. I needed one clean swing... since this de is so aura dependant. "Let''s see what you can do..." The de shed as I moved, a blur of motion driven by pure instinct. Their shouts fueled my charge, meaningless noise against the roar of power in my blood. The de pulsed in my hand, a powerfor the crackling aura. Ready. FWANG! [Skill: Divine Severance Is Ready!] The words left my mouth as the swing began, a single-honed movement. "Divine Severance!" A blinding sh of light. A deafening crack that seemed to split the air itself. SLASH!!!! The wave of power mmed into their ranks - not a clean sweep, but a brutal eruption that sent bodies flying. Limbs twisted at unnatural angles, screams cut short. BANG!!!! Silence fell. Groans echoed in the sudden stillness. Blinking in the dim aftermath, I took in the scene: bodies scattered like broken toys, a testament to the destructive power I wielded. Then startled shouts echoed from the stairwell. "What the hell happened here?" Bodies littered the floor, a proof to my earlier work. I shifted my attention to the next group, their eyes wide with a mix of shock and fear. I guess there was no time for words. They charged, a mindless wave fueled by desperation. "Intruder!" The cry rang out, a pathetic excuse for a battle cry. [Passive Ability: Evasiveness Has Been Activated!] [Special Passive Ability: Sixth Sense [Grade 8] Has Been Activated!] SWING!!! SWING!!! Their attacks were predictable thanks to sixth sense , clumsy shes and elemental sts SLASH!. My aura-imbued de cut through them like air. Another swing, and a body arced across the room, mming into the wall with a sickening thud. ACK!!! They wouldn''t break so easily. Reinforcements arrived, a lucky earth mage among them. "Rising Rock!" he bellowed, a tremor running through the floor beneath me. I tried to move out of the way, but it was toote. A pir of jagged rock erupted, catching me square in the chest. "...!" No elegant dodge this time, just the brute force of the impact sending me crashing through the ceiling. I hit the floor above hard, the dust choking my breath. Then A dozen shadows poured through the hole behind me, weapons shining in the dim light. As each one charged I fought with a flurry of steel. Shouts were cut short. Bodies crumpled, then another and another. I moved on instinct, each strike precise and lethal. "...?" CRACK...CRACK...CRACH... Just when I finished beating them all, a sudden silence passed through. Then as I realised the floor beneath, the ground floor copsed in a cloud of choking dust. "AHHH!" My eyes widened as I fell. Thump! "Ah, My ass..." I muttered. As I swept off the dust on me, I saw a sight that no one wanted to see. A boy, twisted and monstrous, his skin a sickly purple. A girl huddled in the corner, her sobs a jagged counterpoint to the stillness. The stench of blood hung heavy in the air. Fuck... I was toote. My jaw clenched a useless lock against the anger and frustration. I knew it, I should''ve just charged in, consequences be damned. The boy twitched, his monstrous form grotesque. A surge of pity washed over me. The kid would die fighting the transformation... or lose himself entirely. "Hey... wake up." My voice was barely a whisper. I gently shook his unresponsive body. A surge of self-loathing. Shit... I''m... a terrible author. I should''ve known they''d pay the ultimate price for my failures. "I''m sorry," I choked out, a useless apology to a broken child. Jaxon Cain''s words echoed in my mind, a bitter reminder: you can''t save them all. Another failed hero, another innocent sacrificed. My grip tightened on the boy, his feverishly hot skin burning my hands. The moon shone overhead, a cold spotlight on my guilt. '' Then, a new sound ¨C footsteps, rushing and purposeful. tap...tap....tap... [Special ability: Deadeye [Grade 9] Has Been Activated.] As I saw someone walking down to this room, I felt a surge of grim satisfaction, I saw Lampard, holding another syringe in hand. But something shifted in that moment. Violence wasn''t the answer. Fear... fear was the weapon I''d wield. special ... ... ... [Gasan Digital Complex, Seoul - Nightshade''s Warehouse, Underground: The Experimentation Room] Lampard entered the room, his gaze sweeping over the carnage of bodies that littered the floor. Surprise flickered in his eyes, and then a cold sort of calction reced it. Finally, his gaze settled on Rel, cradling the half-transformed boy. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice an oily purr. "I''ve never seen that mask before... You must be one of the intruders." Rel remained silent, his focus unwavering on Lampard. An almost irresistible urge to beat him senselessly pulsed through him. Lampard''s lips curled in a sneer. "I don''t know who you are, but if you''re foolish enough to attack Nightshade Corps, then you clearly have no idea who you''re dealing with." A crackle of energy rippled through the air as aura red around Lampard''s knuckles, He tore off hisb coat, revealing muscled arms beneath. A typical thug, relying on brute force. A flicker of contempt shadowed Rel''s simmering anger. Still cradling the boy, Rel stood. His sword remained sheathed. Lampard wasn''t worth drawing it for. tap...tap...tap... The man stalked closer, a predator sizing up its prey. __________ To Be Continued... __________ Authors Notes: - Lampard''s main elemental attribute: Earth - Lampard has Sensory Aura and Enhancement Aura. - Enhancement Aura increases physical strength, speed, and durability - Rel''s sword ''Axel'' has an extremely high aura output when Relbines his aura with the sword, which is why the attack Divine Severance was strong enough to bring down countless members. Chapter 146: Limit (3) [Gasan Digital Complex, Seoul - Nightshade''s Warehouse, Underground: Main Production Room] "What... what is this?" Lampard''s voice held a note of disbelief. His aura-powered fist, meant to shatter bone, had struck an invisible wall. There was nothing between him and Rel, nothing his senses could detect to have halted his attack. Yet, as his hand plunged towards Rel''s face... it stopped. The force he''d unleashed had vanished, dissipated into nothingness. He could only assume it might have reappeared elsewhere, but where, he couldn''tprehend. Lampard stared at Rel, standing only a few feet away, carrying the broken boy he''d transformed. Rel''s face contorted in rage. Though his features remained calm, the fury in his eyes was unmistakable... Although Lampard was frozen in shock, It was unlike anything he''d ever encountered ¨C not an ability, not a skill he recognized. The invisible barrier had negated his powerpletely, leaving him rattled and exposed. "Who... are you?" Lampard''s question was a growl, masking a flicker of fear. Rel lowered the boy gently, eyes never leaving Lampard. His fists clenched, a faint glow of mana beginning to coalesce around them. "I am you," he said, his voice cold. In an instant, Rel lunged, his mana-infused fist reaching Lampard before the man could react. "Wha-" BANG!!! The blow, fueled by mana instead of his usual aura, struck Lampard square in the jaw. The force sent him crashing through the doorway. Rel followed, his steps heavy. He nced at the girl huddled in the corner, eyes wide with shock. "He won''t be awake for a while. Look after him, until then." She nodded slowly and moved to tend to her fallen friend. ... ... ... cough...cough...cough!!! A harsh gasp escaped Lampard''s lips as hey sprawled on the cold floor. "Shit... what was that?!" His vision blurred, the world tilting precariously. That masked bastard... He''d been faster than anyone Lampard had ever fought, his strike a blur of impossible strength. ack... With a groan, he forced himself up. The sight that greeted him was a scene of carnage. His underlings ¨C men trained to kill ¨C were thrown across the production room, bodies motionless. "He did this?" The words were barely a whisper,ced with disbelief. If this masked intruder could take down his elite guard so easily, it meant the man''s power rivalled his own... perhaps even surpassed it. But what terrified him, what gnawed at hisposure, was the chilling realization that he might not even be able tond a single blow on his opponent. The sickening memory of his attack vanishing into nothingness haunted him. A desperate hope bloomed: maybe it was a fluke, maybe he just had to overwhelm him with sheer force. Tap...tap...tap... It was chilling. Those footsteps, echoing closer, heralded the return of his masked tormentor. Rel stepped through the shattered doorframe, meeting Lampard''s gaze with an unsettling stillness. A wave of fear rippled through Lampard. He''d sensed no trace of mana from this intruder, yet moments ago... It was impossible. You couldn''t simply erase your mana signature, not without the skill of a Grade 4 hero at least. A chilling possibility dawned. If this man could conceal his power to this extent... was he facing a foe far more dangerous than initially assumed? Desperate resolve hardened his determination. "RAHHH!" Lampard''s roar echoed through the room as his white aura red, a desperate beacon against the encroaching fear. "I''m going to kill you!" His hands tore into the ground, ripping free a massive b of stone. With a savage heave, he hurled it at Rel. The improvised missile screamed through the air. Rel didn''t flinch. Instead, he walked toward the oing stone, his movements slow and deliberate. BANG! A deafening crash split the air. Lampard blinked, the dust obscuring his view momentarily. Then, as it settled, he saw the shattered remnants of the stone scattered at Rel''s feet. Tap...tap...tap... Once again, Lampard confronted a terrifying reality. This man hadn''t merely dodged the attack. He''d walked through it, as if the stone were no more threatening than a summer breeze. And if it wasn''t aplex skill or ability... "He must be from one of the Five Great Families," Lampard whispered, his voice trembled and his hands shook uncontrobly. Only those with bloodlines touched by ancient powers could possess such an unnatural ability ¨C a power that rendered him utterly helpless. This cold dread remained true in his mind. If brute force was useless, if his own attacks were nothing... then all that remained was to run. Lampard spun on his heel, his vision blurring at the edges with panic and desperation. He sprinted for the hallway, disappearing from sight with shocking speed. Hope flickered for only a moment, then died as a chilling realization dawned ¨C Rel was gone. Then a flicker of movement - a chillingly familiar mask, a sh of ck-clothed limbs. Rel reappeared, blocking his path. Lampard''s gaze fell on the fist adorned with swirling ck aura, and his blood turned to ice. He''d picked a fight with a monster. BANG! The force of the blow sent him hurtling backward. He crashed to the ground, his spine jolting against the hard floor, sending agony ring through his nerves. As his senses returned, the awful truth became clear: he was back in that same damned room. CLANG! A sound of ss nged onto the ground... A small vial, rolled tantalizingly close¡ªdoping drugs ¨C the scent of them a bitter promise in the stale air. Seeing the vial, Lampard''s heart pounded in his ears. This might be hisst chance... His every instinct screamed at him to act. With a desperate lunge, he reached for the vial, his fingers scrabbling against the rough floor. Each inch closer was a victory... BANG! A gunshot shattered the silence. The vial exploded, a shower of ss and precious liquid that felt like acid against his burning skin. All his hope turned to ash on his tongue. Lampard''s eyes drifted toward Rel. tap...tap...tap... Across the room, the masked figure emerged from the hallway, each relentless step a drumbeat of impending doom. "DAMN IT!" Lampard''s scream cracked, a ragged edge to the sound mirroring his fraying sanity. "Why... why you? Anyone else... anyone else, and I could have broken them!" tap...tap...tap... Rel''s silence was a hammer blow, each heavy step crushing Lampard''s confidence. He wasn''t inclined to listen to his rants, as the viin''s words bounced off him like steel pebbles. "Stay back!" he shrieked, scrambling away. "Or the Syndicate... they''ll hunt you down!" With a snarl, he snatched up shattered rocks, flinging them with shaking hands. A futile gesture. THUD!, THUD!, THUD! Stones ttered against Rel, shattering or bouncing uselessly. In a blink, Rel stood before him, an inescapable force. "I-I-I''ll make sure Morwen goes after your organization..."Lampard''s voice cracked. Rel stood still hearing the word Morwen out of his mouth. "Are you part of the Syndicate?" Rel''s voice was cold, hard. The word ''Morwen'' struck a nerve. Lampard cowered, "Y-Yeah! If you mess with Nightshade then... Syndicate... Syndicate wille after you! They''ll save me if you do anything!" "I see..." Rel''s voice was t. He looked at him and watched putting his gun away. Lampard slumped, a flicker of relief washing over him. "Haah... I knew-" Rel crouched beside him, his voice a cold whisper in his ear. "Syndicate won''t save you from me." [Standard Ability: Projectile Projection [Grade 3] Has Been Activated!] A surge of energy crackled in the air. m vl emp yr exclusive Lampard''s eyes widened as he felt Rel''s aura, a disruptive wave of power washing over him. He looked up, meeting Rel''s eyes. No mercy. No hesitation. Then Rel''s fist clenched, ck lightning arcing around it. He swung. [Critical Hit!] The force of the blow mmed Lampard into the ground face-first. "Bastard..." After Seeing that Lampard was fully unconscious, Rel knew that it was finally over. The whole nightshade''s corps was brought down in a day just as the story originally intended... Jaxon Cain''s Special Ops Squad had gone beyond expectation and destroyed the leader of a criminal organization, abolishing the operations of drug distribution on their own. *** [News Station: World 9 News] "Hello, everyone! I''m your news reporter, Jane. It is currently 9:34 PM! We have reports of a major criminal organization takedown by an anonymous group of heroes! Here at Gasan Digital Complex, over 250 members of Moving Boxes Corps have been identified. Thispany was a front runnner for drug manufacturing and kidnappings. Lampard Harper, the leader of this operation, has been brought to justice. [Cut to Dempsey te - Official Title: Detective, Police Branch Detective Department (Vice Leader of The Visionary Syndicate)] "This is a significant victory," Detective te states, "but our work is far from over. Investigations continue to locate any remaining victims and dismantle this criminalwork entirely." [Cut back to Jane] "Authorities estimate that Moving Boxes Corps was responsible for at least a dozen disappearances in thest year alone. We will continue to provide updates as the investigation unfolds. That''s all for now. Thank you for watching!" ______________ Authors Notes: - Rel was holding back the urge to use his sword against Lampard. But chose not to since he only wanted to give him a painful knockout. - Before bing a hero Dempsey was just an ordinary detective before awakening his innate ability. Chapter 147: What Can I Say? Its The Ultimate Defence. [Gasan Digital Complex, Seoul - Nightshade''s Warehouse, Underground: Experimentation Room] I never thought Mitigation Phenomena could create a one-sided barrier, shielding me from all attacks at once. It was an idea I''d had since gaining this ability. I didn''t have proper ''manifestation'' training, but I knew the principles were strict... especially with an ability like this. Its purpose was simple: negate damage and divert it elsewhere. But now in control, I wondered how far my creativity could take it. Summoning two or three portals was costly, but just one was much less so. With my high mana reserves, I could use a single portal more often instead of trying to predict attacks. Then it hit me: what if I created an invisible barrier around myself? The guidelines focused on two portals, but I realized there were no specific rules. No set requirements. That''s why I acted fast against Lampard. Mitigation let me create a one-way shield, stretching out to protect me from every angle. The once-visible portal became an invisible force, keeping everything at bay. The only downside was this absolute defence messed with my other abilities. It blocked my attacks too. That''s why my movement was limited - I had to keep turning the shield on and off to fight back. But Lampard... his face, his whole demeanour... it was clear Mitigation scared him. He couldn''t touch me, couldn''t hurt me. And that feeling... Honestly? It was addictive. Still, the kid was my first priority now. How was I supposed to stop the serum Lampard injected? The transformation was still happening... I needed answers, fast. FWANG! [Story Intervention: As the author, you are able to see the information processed within this character''s window. Be aware that this intervention may cause a chain reaction to events going down the line causing auto-generation.] Auto generation? My eyes widened. What was that about? The system seemed to hear my thoughts. [Auto generation, is the forming of a sequence of plots that didn''t ur in the original timeline of the novel.] Everything clicked and that''s when I realised that even If I''d followed the story perfectly. But with all these new characters, new events... auto generation must be responsible. "System, can I see their character window?" FWANG! [Sure, Mr. Axel! ????(? ?? ? - ? ) ?] [Disying character window...] [Background Character: ??? - This character doesn''t have a name. - Problem / Interference: This boy has been injected with DD-VH1, for the best course of action it is advised that you end his life or hand him to the mercenary cooperation for further progression.] My heart sank. I''d fought so hard to save those kids, and now... The system was probably right, as harsh as that was. Anyone who has been injected with a Demonified Drug goes insane. This would include hallucinations, voices, heightened aggression, and aplete shift in personality. Now by assuming that this kid had already reached the stage ofplete transformation, I wouldn''t be surprised if he tried to kill me on sight. Wait. Has he even woken up yet? DASH!!! ... ... ... I cautiously stepped into the experimentation room, my eyes immediately drawn to the boy in the girl''s arms. His appearance was unsettling, caught between two states, his features shifting between human and demon-like. Yet, he remained unconscious, unaware of the changes within him. Turning to the girl, I asked, "Has anything changed since then?" She shook her head, her eyes filled with concern. "No, he''s just been moving and shaking since you left. I don''t know what''s happening to him." "Ah, okay..." I approached them slowly, unsure of what to do next. If I could simply make up a cure for the serum, it would be easier said than done. Even as the author, I didn''t have a miracle solution tucked away. Auto-generation was the wild card here, and this kid was dealt a bad hand. There was a future specialist for this... but reaching them was the real problem. Big names, high society... the kind of crowd I blend into like a ghost. To get the right attention, I''d need some serious leverage. A social climb, something to get top scouts'' eyes on me... then, maybe then, I stand a chance of getting this kid what he needs. My first thought was Avalon Azira. A former member of Garrick''s guild the Golden Horizon, the guild''s Healer and Doctor... as skilled as Aurelia herself. Truly top-tier. Though he was gifted with the attribute of light, he was only limited to healing, but that didn''t stop him. The man pioneered mana healing ¨C which was the standard now. He perfected it through endless trial and error, the reason for his greatness. Avalon is also Yuka''s grandfather and head of the Azira family ¨C one of the Great Five Families in the high society. His teachings revolutionized healing across the world, truly a legend himself. My second option was Alessandro Reynard Valois. He''s of French royalty, a student at L''Institut des Lumi¨¨res ¨C the second-best academy in the world. chapter source m vl _emp-y,r That ce is full of talented heroes with French lineage, a popr choice for student transfers. His mana control is supposed to be exceptional, the best in our grade. That could be the key to helping this boy. Alessandro would be the closest person I could ask for, if I had the chance. "axel...Axel?" I heard Vanessa''s voice crackle through the earpiece, her tone filled with confusion. "Axel, where are you?" I tapped the device in my ear and replied, "I''m in the underground rooms of the warehouse factory." There was a brief pause before Vanessa''s voice came back, sounding surprised. "Wait, there''s an underground section?" Her astonishment was palpable. I confirmed with a simple "Yes," then added, "Come here as soon as possible, please." "Roger that," Vanessa responded, determination clear in her voice. The girl holding the boy looked up at me with curious eyes, trying to make out my expression behind the mask. "Who''s that, mister?" she asked. I adjusted my mask and spoke with as much warmth as I could convey, "Heroes areing." Her eyes widened in surprise, and she nodded eagerly. "Okay!" ... ... ... [10 minutester...] I sat against the wall, waiting patiently for Vanessa and hopefully Christian to arrive. I needed to tell them about the operations of the dark world and what we were about to encounter with this kid who had been injected with the demonized drug. Soon, I heard footsteps echoing in the hallways, and their voices followed. ¡ª "He did all of that?" Christian''s voice boomed in surprise. "If we tell Jaxon this, we''re surely going to have him with us, right?" ¡ª "Yeah, he''s not like the others from that previous dungeon investigation," Vanessa''s voice echoed. haah... Okay, I guess the praise isn''t totally undeserved. But they were a small-time dark-world organization and I''m quite thankful they weren''t at the peak of their potential. Still... maybe I got lucky this didn''t go to shit. The worst-case scenario was that those thugs get turned into demi-humans, and I''m fighting for my life. But hey, at least that didn''t happen. Vanessa and Christian walked in, their eyes widening at the sight of the two kids in myp. "Axel... are those..." Vanessa''s voice trailed off, concern etched on her face. She reached out as if to stop Christian from getting closer. I nced down. The girl had passed out the moment she heard Vanessa''s voice, a reminder of their desperation. It hammered home what might have been if I''d let the story run its course. "Yes," I said, my voice quiet but firm. Vanessa pressed further, her curiosity mingled with worry. "Were they here when you found them?" I nodded in response, acknowledging that they were indeed the reason I had insisted on infiltrating the warehouse. While Vanessa studied the girl, Christian approached without a word, crouching down to examine the boy''s arm. His expression grew sombre as he felt the boy''s forehead and observed hisboured breathing. "What happened to him?" Christian''s voice was grave. I met his gaze, the weight of the situation pressing upon me. "The boss injected him with a shot of that liquid over there," I exined, gesturing toward the discarded syringe lying by the door. Christian nced at the syringe and then turned back to me. "What are your thoughts on his condition, Axel?" I took a moment to gather my thoughts. This was the perfect opportunity to mislead them without feeling guilty. "He''s likely in a critical condition. The transformation appears to be far more serious than just a doping drug." Vanessa interjected, "If that''s true, there might be more operations involving this drug. Did you hear anything about it? Like a name?" I smiled through my mask they bought it. "Yeah... I overheard them saying, that it''s a drug that turns people into a demi-human..." ____________ Authors Notes: - Jin Noboyoshi was the 4th inmand of the Golden Horizon Guild under Garrick''s Leadership and Avalon Azira was the 5th inmand under Jin. The Five Current Great Families Are: - The Freya Family - Head Of The Family: Gerrard Freya - The Villerion Family - Head Of The Family: Nacht Villerion -The Starcaster Family - Head Of The Family: Oberon Starcaster - The Azira Family - Head Of The Family: Avalon Azira - The Valois Family - Head Of The Family: ??? Chapter 148: The Next Trip [Gasan Digital Complex, Seoul - Nightshade''s Warehouse, Underground: Experimentation Room] "If that''s true, there might be more operations involving this drug. Did you hear a name?" I considered telling them the real name but decided against it. Had to focus on the kid for now, and revealing too much would raise questions. "I didn''t catch the name," I said, keeping my voice serious. "But I heard this drug causes transformations¡­ something like a demon." Christian and Vanessa, their masked faces intense, took in the information. Christian spoke, his tone cautious but determined. "There''s something simr going on with Syndicate. Not sure I should say this, but that kid reminds me of a lot of the enemies we fought back then." Vanessa nodded. "That seems true. So either Syndicate is making the drug, or they''re working for someone who is." I listened, knowing both were right. Syndicate wasn''t the actual producer of the drug; they were the main distributor. Morwen, due to his close childhood friendship with dimir, was trusted with sharing the drug''s form with other organizations in the dark world. Though the actual start of it has yet to happen, shortly their connections will lead to a mass increase in production and more frequent humans being turned into demonoid creatures. Vanessa crossed her arms, thinking. "But...like a demon?" She paused. "If that''s true, this can''t be the only ce they''re doing this. There could be more." I nodded in agreement, adding, "They also mentioned that there are morepanies just like this." Christian turned to me, concern in his eyes. "We''ve got to tell Mr. Cain." he stroked his chin humming. As they spoke, the boy began to show signs of a seizure, shaking uncontrobly. I observed this, thinking about what we should do... and I''m not sure how well my knowledge is of the anatomy and physiology of a human body with mana. But if Christian isn''t just brawn and no brain, then he knows that the main core of where mana lies is deep within the heart. And if the drug flows exactly like mana it should be only mutating what''s within his blood. So if Christian could apply his own to the boy''s heart... it might just be enough to stop him from fully transforming. "CA25B," I said aloud, "do you think you can slow the process of his transformation down?" "...!" Christian tilted his head, then his eyes widened. "Right! Block the flow of the drug, keep it from reaching his core?" Relieved, I nodded. "Let''s try. No guarantees, but it''s a shot." Christian asked me toy him down on the floor first, so I did as he instructed. He crouched over the boy, cing his palm over the boy''s heart and a bright blue light emitted from his hands. huuu... Exhaling out, he ced his other hand onto the boy''s heart, tracing out the flows of mana, creating a current to allow for more cirction and flow around his heart. The boy''s body slowly calmed. I knew Christian could do it. All three of us observed as the boy''s skin color slowly returned to normal. haah... "He actually did it..." I muttered... "Well done," I said. "Thanks," Christian replied holding out a thumbs up. Just as we were about to leave, we heard sirens ring from outside. Vanessa reacted quickly, telling us, "Let''s leave quickly." Christian grabbed the boy, and I took hold of the sleeping girl. We slipped out of the warehouse without getting caught. ... ... ... [Geumcheon-gu, Seoul - Neighborhood] [Thursday, 11:23 PM] As they arrived in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, the neighbourhood was bathed in the soft glow of streetlights, casting long shadows across the quiet streets. The night air was cool and refreshing, carrying with it the faint scent of flowers from nearby gardens. haah...haah...haah... "Can...we...take a break?" Exhausted, Rel pointed towards a grassy field, shaded by trees. Vanessa and Christian nodded, and they settled into the quiet corner of the neighbourhood. The tree provided a peaceful refuge, its branches swaying gently in the night breeze. The sounds of the city were distant here, muted by the calm of the night. They sat in silence for a moment, while Rel caught his breath and took in the serene surroundings. Despite the events of the night, there was a sense of calm and safety in this area of seoul. Christian whispered to Vanessa as they rested, "What should we do next?" Vanessa, looking contemtive, replied, "We need to contact Mr. Cain to arrange for the nearest IDS station to transport us back to base." Christian then expressed concern, "What about the kids?" They looked over to see the children resting peacefully on Rel''sp. haah... Rel, aware of their conversation, turned his head and saw Vanessa lift her mask slightly, revealing her lips as she breathed in the fresh air. "...!" Then for a moment, her eyes met his before Rel looked away. Acting like he didn''t see anything at all. She gave a warm smile and said, "We can return them to their families, right?" Christian agreed, "We''ll have to get the boy checked first, but we can drop the girl off on our way back." Vanessa adjusted her mask and said decisively, "Let''s go tell Mr. Cain then." As they prepared to leave, Rel, leaned against the tree, and considered what was happening the next day. m _v,l-e _mp|y|r reader The trip to France and the boy''s condition weighed on his mind. What should he do? Just then, the girl on hisp stirred and opened her eyes. She looked up at Rel and asked, "Where are we?" Rel replied gently, "We''re in Geumcheon-gu." Her eyes widened with recognition, but before she could say more, Vanessa ced a hand on her head, gently putting her back to sleep. She then turned to Rel, reminding him to ensure that the girl remained unaware of their identities. Rel nodded in understanding, acknowledging the need for caution. "We''re taking the kids back to headquarters first. Then we''ll drop them at their homes." Vanessa leaned against the tree, stating the n. Rel asked about the boy. Vanessa reassured him, "CA25B''s mana is strong. He says it can neutralize the effects for a few months. Shouldn''t be a problem until then." Relief washed over Rel. "Okay." He stood, carrying both children. "Let''s head back to base now?" Vanessa smiled behind her mask. "You''re free to leave. CA25B and I are heading back, but you''re off the hook. You''re new, and taking down the boss was enough." Christian arrived and took the kids from Rel. "You can head out after the IDS transport. Don''t worry about the trial. We''ll cover for you." Rel, surprised by their generosity, nodded. "Fine... and thank you." Relief and gratitude washed over him. *** [Pinnacle Academy, Male Dorms: Room 4-A] [Friday, 12:42 AM] I got home, tossed my mask onto the desk, and flopped down on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. The mission had been utterly exhausting... but I did develop a new technique for Mitigation, and Christian learned internal mana control without any guidance. That''s definitely a plus. Still, I wished that mission could''ve gone smoother, without the boy being injected with the demon serum. I hated that I created characters like Lampard... especially since so many of them existed. For now, I''ll have to trust Christian''s mana to at least stop the boy''s transformation. But I also need to figure out how to make an antidote, since stopping the process only dys the inevitable. FWANG The sound of my system window popping up caught my attention. [Your stamina has increased!] [> Stamina: 74.5 >>> 75.7 (1.20+)] "Well, at least I got something out of it," I muttered, feeling slightly better about the mission. France trip so soon though... not much time for sleep. I nced at my watch ¨C a new message blinked. [You have 1 unread message!] [??¡ã? Histories Breakfast Club GC ??¡ã?] [Lan.Villerion <9:30 PM> Hey guys! I hope you''re ready for our first trip as a club tomorrow! Make sure to meet at Seoul''s IDS station at 7:30 AM.] ? x 9 (J.Ates has liked the message), (Val.Freya has liked the message), (LV.Heat has liked the message), (Ly4ra has liked the message), (BadAzz has liked the message), (Alice.Elizabeth has liked the message), (2SwordTakeo has liked the message), (NoahTheArk has liked the message), (Jae.Yoona has liked the message), haah... Well, I''ll try and get as much sleep as possible. tap! [ASRL.4444 has liked the message) ? x 10 ______________ To Be Continued... ______________ Authors Notes: - With Rel''s skill: Divine Severance and his sword ''Axel'' the damage output can be extremely high depending on how effectively he utilises aura. - Aura can be applied to anything whether it be; stones, arrows, doors or even a water bottle. - Rel hasn''t reached a full understanding of Mitigation but he can now summon one portal to use less mana to manifest its ability. - Christian and Vanessa is apart of Jaxon''s Cain''s Special Force Squad and the standard operations squad. Chapter 149: Jaxon Cains Report | France [Eldoria, Mercenary Cooperation Headquarters - Jaxon Cain''s Office] Afterpleting a follow-up mission requested by the vice president of the Heroes organization, Axel headed back to Pinnacle Academy. Meanwhile, Vanessa and Christian navigated their way to the main base through Seoul''s IDS station. As they approached the headquarters'' main building, Vanessa and Christian walked side by side. haah... "So... we''ve finally dropped those kids off at their homes safely," Christian sighed, his hands behind his head. "Even though we weren''t told to," Christian added. "He knew something was up before we could even find out." "Yeah... I guess he has a stronger intuition than both of us," Vanessa said, stretching her arms. Despite the mission''s focus on a stakeout and investigation, they had gone beyond their boundaries and overstepped thempletely. Vanessa was aware of this, but she also sensed that Axel had different intentions, especially after seeing the kids. It was as if he was ying a game of chess, always five steps ahead. swangg As they entered through the doors, they approached the receptionist. "Jane!" Christian called out, waving his hands. Jane looked up at him, but before he could react, Christian felt a tug on his shirt and was suddenly propelled out through the open automatic doors. "AHHHH!!!!" BANG! Vanessa, using her Gravity attribute, ''gently'' guided Christian back towards the entrance as he flew out. She hummed a tune, skipping towards Jane''s desk. "Hey Jane, we''re back from our mission!" Vanessa ced both arms on the desk, leaning in to see what Jane was doing. Jane looked up. "Hey, Vanessa. So, you kids are back to missions again?" Vanessa nodded happily. "Luckily, Christian didn''t mess it up for us this time." "Yeah, I can see that." Jane nced towards the entrance to see Christian with a ripped banana peel on his head. "So, the usual?" Jane tapped the inte, awaiting Vanessa''s response. "Yup." "Okay then..." Jane dialed Jaxon Cain''s office. He picked up the phone immediately. "Are they back?" Jaxon''s voice came through the phone, serious. Jane responded promptly. "Yes, they need to debrief, right?" She nced at Vanessa and Christian, awaiting Jaxon''s confirmation. "Yes. Tell them toe up," Jaxon instructed. Jane ryed the message to Vanessa and Christian, signaling them to head towards his office. "I''ll let them know." ... ... ... knock, knock, knock, As Vanessa and Christian knocked on Jaxon Cain''s door, his voice boomed, "Come in." They entered, trying to maintain a formal demeanor. As they settled into their seats, Vanessa muttered, "He even set up with 3 seats as well..." Christian, noticing the extra seat, whispered to Vanessa, "I think he was supposed toe..." Vanessa, realizing this, decided it was best to let it go, considering Axel''s condition. "So..." Jaxon''s voice made the two straighten up in their seats. "Where''s Axel?" He gave them a stern look, causing them to flinch hesitantly. "I told him to go..." Vanessa said, head down, but her hand up, indicating she had made the decision. Jaxon sighed, "Well, if you''re making the calls, then I''m sure there was a reason." He took out a book and a pen, started writing, and continued, "So, I''ve seen the news..." Jaxon continued, "The Heroes Association has informed me about the actual results of the investigation..." Christian and Vanessa understood that they had deviated from the mission''s course and needed to take full ountability for it. "I-" "Well done." "...!" The unexpected praise surprised them both, their eyes widening at Jaxon''s rare disy of approval. Despite his typically unreadable expression, they sensed his sincerity. "You''ve dismantled a key branch linked to the Dark World, and it seems they''ve made progress in locating its main hub." Vanessa and Christian were thrilled to receive such positive feedback from their boss. "Thank you, sir," they said simultaneously, bowing gratefully. Christian then asked, "So, are we allowed to go on normal missions again?" Jaxon turned to Christian, raising an eyebrow. "I''ll see after I hear your report and thoughts on Axel." Christian sat up straight, enthusiasm clear in his voice. "He was amazing! Rel took down the inside of the organization''s warehouse and the boss all on his own." Vanessa chimed in, her excitement matching Christian''s. "It was incredible. He showed remarkable skill and determination." The two leaned in, eager to share more details, but Jaxon raised a hand, stopping them. "I''ll take your word for it then... dismissed." Vanessa and Christian beamed at each other, their smiles practically lighting up the room. They quickly rose from their seats, nodding respectfully to Jaxon before leaving his office, their hearts full of pride for their new teammate. *** [Pinnacle Academy, Male Dorm Rooms: 4-A] [Friday, 6:00 AM] RING!!!!...RING!!!!...RING!!!! "uhh... my head.. it hurts." The rm red relentlessly, urging me to wake up. I groaned, reaching out to hit the digital clock on my nightstand, but it refused to stop ringing. I felt the frustration, so I resorted to a more drastic measure: I tried to break it. THUD! "ouch!" My fist collided with the unyielding clock, causing more pain than I anticipated. Rubbing my sore hand, I struggled to get out of bed, feeling incredibly drowsy. I ended up tumbling out clumsily, hoping the fall would jolt me awake. As I staggered back to my feet, I fumbled for my sses, still half-asleep. Finally, with them on, I could see a system notification blinking in front of me. FWANG! [The following story arc has been altered...] [Arc: France Flight Arc] [Context: With the destruction of Nightshade Corps the following events of the first encounter of a demon will appear but with a special character that has yet to arrive.] [This character will not be named as of now and even with PPP points you cannot purchase this information regardless...] Okay... well I''ll be needing clues on this since it could be anyone that''s in France. Especially since a lot of my characters are based in this country, both guild and nationality-wise. Now I''ll just get to the usual routine... I headed to the shower, letting the hot water work its magic, waking me up fully. My teeth got the usual treatment, that clean feeling I like. Nothing better to start the day. I grabbed a quick breakfast, (Bacon and Eggs) not wanting to waste any time. As I ate, I nced at my reflection in the kitchen mirror, noticing my hair was getting a bit too long for my liking. "I need to get this hair cut," I muttered to myself. , I tied back only the back of my hair, leaving the front loose, a style I foundfortable and practical. Finally got my luggage together, everything I needed for the weekend. But if Jaxon Cain wants a mission done in France, it''s better to be prepared. Since anything could happen... Well not anything, but the stories fixed events, that line up perfectly for the current stage. So I ended up using my same old bag that consisted of my sword ''Axel'', and mercenary gear, just in case. ... ... ... [Seoul''s Main IDS Station - Lounge Room] [Friday, 7:15 AM] As I arrived at the IDS station in Seoul, bustling with people like an airport, I scanned the lounge room for the members of our club. It didn''t take long to spot them, seated together, chatting lively. I made my way over, greeted by familiar faces and the next start of the France Flight Arc. *** __________ {Axel Saint Rel Laurence STATS:} Age: 17 Talent: Marksman Of Weaponry [Grade 8] - You can use all types of weaponry that can fire or be thrown. - You have improved precision with bows - You have 10% increase in fire rate Affinity: me, Water >Health: 104 >Strength: 59 >Stamina: 75.7 >Speed: 73 Intelligence: ? [Unlocks after theory exam] Mana: B+ [Special Stats:] Archer [Grade 6]: 4/10 | Mastery: 42% Swordsman [Grade 10]: 1/10 | Mastery: 0% Luck: 51.08% ???: ? / ? [NEW!][Skills And Techniques:] [Skill: Divine Severance: A powerful aura attack that unleashes a crescent-imbued sh capable of severing strong defences. (Note: this skill can only be used while Trickster at Arms has been activated or has swordsman grade at [Grade 5] or above.)- ] [NEW!][Special Passive Stats:] Sixth Sense [Grade 9], Monster Hunter [Grade 4], Perceptive Mind [Grade 3] [NEW!][Passive Stats:] Precision: 46%, Tenacity: 3.45%, Evasiveness: 3.25%, Mana Control [Grade 6] [Special Abilities:] Deadeye [Grade 9], Sixth Sense [Grade 9], Aura Concealment [Grade 8], Clockwork of Time [Grade 3], [Standard Abilities:] Piercing Shot [Grade 10], Vulnerability Reader [Grade 8], Quick Shot [Grade 9], Projectile Disarm [Grade 4], Trickster At Arms [Grade 5] [Items owned:] [Grade 2 [???] Cloak of Invisibility - Condition: Very Good - Enchantments: Evasive Charm: IV, Thornmail: III, Elemental Shielding: III] [Item: Silent Abyss Key Rarity [???] - Contents: Contents Of this Key Is Unknown.] _______ Authors Notes: - Rel will soon make his way to the silent abyss dungeon, but he has to make the decision on whether he''s ready to take on what''s inside of it. - Rel''s codes to bypass the weapon detection system is on his ck duffle bag in the shaped symbol of the mercenaries logo. Chapter 150: France (2) [Seoul''s Main IDS Station - Lounge Room] "Hey, can''t we go already?" Bazz approached Lan, who was seated in the lounge area. "Well, sorry Bazz, we can''t leave yet..." Lan nced at his sheet. "We''re missing one person." Bazz rolled his eyes walking back to his luggage. "If he overslept, he can just catch upter on," Louise chimed in, urging his cousin to go. "Right, Val?" Valencia, who was napping on Lyra''s shoulder, was nudged awake by Cam, who pointed towards Louise. "Wuh... what is it now?" Valencia wiped her eyes. "You think we should leave now, Val?" Louise looked at her, but Valencia struggled to keep her eyes open. "It''s warm here... me sleep." Louise sighed, wondering when they were going to leave, and then... Jan noticed a figure in the distance, carrying luggage and a duffle bag. Despite the distance, Jan could make out the person wearing sses, with their hair tied up at the back of their head. The individual appeared well put together, dressed in a hoodie and long coat, paired with all-ck pants. "Woah... he came prepared for this trip," Lyra and Cam turned to Jan''s voice, watching him gaze at someone in the distance. As Rel approached, he walked up to Lan and apologized, "I''m sorry for beingte," bowing respectfully as he ced his luggage down. Lan reassured him, shaking his hands, "It''s okay! Our transport schedule isn''t until half an hourter." Alice and Jae Yoona, seated further away, nced over at Rel. Jae gave Alice a knowing look,menting, "Heyyy... Alice look! he''s got a new hairstyle, and he looks like he''s a fashionista as well." Alice blushed, stammering, "Stop it, Jae! I hate when you do that." Jae shrugged, a yful smile on her face. "Okay then." Lan made his way to the center of the couches, pping his hands to get the club''s attention. "Okay, everyone! We''re all here!" His smile was infectious. As everyone settled in, he continued in a more serious tone, "Before we head out, some quick logistics stuff. Since this is our first club trip and I''m officially in charge of keeping you all alive, we''re going to buddy up for safety." He gestured towards a box on the table. "Every name is in there. Draw one, that''s your partner for the whole trip. No swapping! And if you draw your own name, toss it back and try again." Sighs echoed around the room, including one from Rel, but they all followed the rules. "I''ll go first." Louise shot his hand up, already imagining drawing Valencia''s name ¨C maybe this could turn into a date! He snatched a slip of paper without hesitation. The name Louise had drawn was... "Noah Davies." Noah sighed beside him. "Guess that''s alright. You''re not too bad, I suppose." Louise, trying to mask his disappointment, gave Noah a quick nod. He muttered under his breath, "Should''ve waited till the end..." The following names for partners have been drawn: Louise De Villerion - Noah Davies Jae Yoona - Alice Elizabeth Bazz Wong - Lyra te Miya Takeo - Lan Villerion *** {Rel''s POV} Seeing the current draws, it was going ording to the novel''s progression. But now that all my safe options were most likely gone, I felt an extreme wave of nervousness seeing the remaining names: Jan, Valencia, and Cam. I still believed there was a good chance I could get Jan or Cam, but those choices were unlikely to happen since the two were basically destined to be the focal point of this arc. "I''ll go next." Jan announced, raising his hand and walking over to the box beside Lan. Without much thought, he drew out a name, and his eyes suddenly darted towards Valencia. "I guess you''re my partner for the trip, Val!" Jan grinned, and Valencia, looking tired, simply nodded in response. The tension I felt at that moment surpassed the thoughts of spending three days with Valencia. I doubted she''d even let me near her. Honestly, everything is normal, except Jan and Cam aren''t partners anymore. But this doesn''t affect the plot too much. stare... Valencia being Jan''s support during the museum event would be more fitting, than a mage who canunchrge-scale attacks on countless buildings. stare... Cam was practically rendered useless for that fight. Now I can breathe easily.Jan''s safer in any event, even if the system ups the difficulty to match that demon threat. stare... Though I couldn''t help it... but why do I feel like someone was watching me? For a moment, I turned to see Jan approaching Valencia... or was I imagining it? But Valencia was she? Ah... maybe I''m just overthinking it. haah... Well, at least I got Cam as my partner, which is also good.She''s less bothersome than Valencia anyway. "Now that we have the pairs sorted, everyone packs up your belongings, and I''ll let one of the employees know that we''re ready." Everyone nodded, and I quickly gathered my things and followed. "no...ah...why?" As I turned my head towards Cam, I could see her face was devastated by the fact that Jan was taken. heh... well, it''s not my fault of course. Valencia was just luckier than her. *** [Country: France, City: Paris, IDS Station: Gare du Soleil (Station Of The Sun)] Landing in Paris, the capital of France, our group stumbled through endless procedures before entering. Luggage searches galore... but thankfully Lan shed his school ID, saving us from nosy guards from some rival mercenary group. Finally stepping outside the IDS station, I found myself on the main street, right near the Louvre! The main street near the Louvre, known as the Rue de Rivoli, is a bustling area that stretches from the ce de Concorde to the edge of the Marais district. It''s lined with shops, cafes, and historic buildings, it is one of the most famous streets in Paris. I just couldn''t help it... remembering this feeling... the air was alive with the usual sounds you''d hear in the main city¡ªthe honking of cars, the chatter of people in variousnguages, and the distant notes of street musicians. It made me wonder if football existed in this novel; then, I would''ve be a professional footballer instead of a hero, lol. Exiting the IDS station, a voice echoed, "Everyone over here!" Lan waved his hand towards us as we emerged. Shortly after, we ended up at Caf¨¦ RUC, a ce popr with locals and tourists alike. I had been here quite a few times in my previous life, and the coffee they made was something to remember. Would it be crazy if the same people who worked here appeared at this ce just like in my life back then? I hoped so. As we settled around a corner of the caf¨¦ that amodated up to 11 seats, everyone was able to get free food through Lan''s membership card, which basically meant: "Oh, I''m a Villerion, and everything here is free." Judging by the waiter''s reaction, he was very familiar with his name and took our orders without much thought. I ordered the croque monsieur, a ssic French ham and cheese sandwich, grilled to perfection. Everyone else went crazy ordering everything on the menu for breakfast. ... ... ... "Okay, now that everyone''s eaten, I''ve arranged for rides from my family''s guild. We''ll be heading to the hotel to drop off our things. They should be here in a few minutes, so grab your things, and we''ll be on our way out." A hand shot up, and Lan, noticing, responded, "Yes, Valencia?" "What hotel are we staying at? Because if my father finds out we''re at a bad hotel, he''ll probablyin." Lan sighed, "Don''t worry. I''ve nned in advance. The hotel we''re staying at is H?tel za Ath¨¦n¨¦e." pffttt!!! spitting out my coffee I heard ''za Ath¨¦n¨¦e'' It was one of the dream hotels on my bucket list. Now that it was bing a reality, I couldn''t wait any longer to head towards the building. Exiting Caf¨¦ RUC, I saw a bodyguard in all ck waiting for us on the street. Right behind him? A limo that looked like it could fit half the city inside. Lan approached, and the bodyguard opened the door in one smooth motion. "Come on guys! Leave your luggage, our handy bodyguard will handle everything." Dropping my bags, I followed everyone inside, sticking close to Jan for safety. There was no way I was risking a seat next to someone noisy (Bazz) or grumpy (Valencia). ____________ Authors Notes: - When ites to student club activities Pinnacle allows a 3-day weekend once a month,(Friday - Sunday) for clubs to go on trips or excursions to help with mental health and to ensure students still have the privilege of living normal lives. - Louise is highly resistant to cold weather due to his elemental attribute. - Rel''s a huge Paris Saint Germain fan. - Rel is fluent in French. Characters Clothing: Jan''s clothes: Nike Hoodie, ck pants, and Converse shoes. Valencia''s clothes: Streetwear outfit: baggy sweater and baggy pants Louise: Long ckpression sleeves, and grey sweatpants Chapter 151: France (3) [Paris, H?tel za Ath¨¦n¨¦e - Outside] The limo ride was peaceful, from my side at least. Turns out, sitting by Jan wasn''t a bad idea after all.. We had a brief conversation... he pried about my free time. My usual answers were study and rest; disclosing more than necessary was unnecessary. All things considered, it went well enough. ... ... ... [shback to a few 20 minutes ago.] "So Rel... what do you do in your free time?" Jan, beside me near the end of the row, broke the silence. "Study and sleep," I answered tly. Jan''s eyebrow shot up. I knew something stupid wasing. His voice boomed, "BUT WEREN''T YOU PRA-" I reacted fast, pping a hand over his mouth. "Thought you weren''t going to tell anyone." He shoved my hand away with a grin. "Just joking, wanted to see if I could get a reaction. Still stone-faced as always." My brows furrowed. "That''s how my face looks." "Sure, sure..." Jan shrugged, clearly unconvinced. "I bet a certain someone could change that." He nudged me and nodded towards the front of the limo. haah... Internally, I sighed. This was the savior of the world? "Whatever..." ... ... ... Stepping into the H?tel za Ath¨¦n¨¦e, I was taken aback by its grandeur. ssic French styling, opulent decor... it was pure luxury. Elegant artwork adorned the walls, the furniture plush and inviting. "Alright, everyone," Lan returned from the front desk, holding three keys. "We''re splitting up. Girls on one floor, boys split between two. All on the top floor, of course." He handed the keys to Valencia. "Take these for the girls'' room." She smiled and led the others away. "Jan, you''re with Rel and Bazz." Jan shot me a smirk, and I rolled my eyes. "Louise, Miya, and Noah, you''re with me." Louise groaned. "Can''t I just have my own room?" "Budget constraints," Lan quipped back. I was surprised at how smoothly Lan handled that... Louise didn''t even throw his usual tantrums. There seems to have been a slight change there, maybe? Up until now, Louise should''ve been harassing Jan at the very least. But I guess Lan''s approach isn''t the worst. He even seemed to get along with Miya and Noah during the limo ride. And I''m just hoping those three be friends... they''re probably better than the idiots who usually harass me. "Rel, Bazz, let''s go! Long day ahead!" Jan jangled his keys in front of me. p!! I felt a sharp pain hit my back and as I turned to see who it was. I saw a 6''8 redhead right before me. "Hurry up, man! He''s a monster if you let him im all the good space." Bazz said. Wincing, I grabbed my luggage and hustled after them, aiming for the best spot I could get. ... ... ... [Paris, H?tel za Ath¨¦n¨¦e - Top floor - Room: 2#] [Friday, 9:34 AM] "Woah!! This ce is huge!" Jan dropped his bags immediately after reaching our room. "I never thought a ce like this could really exist..." Bazz spoke almost at a loss for words. The suite was a masterss in space utilization. Distinct areas: living room, sleeping quarters, even a small office. Elegant fixtures, top-of-the-line tech... everything had a purpose, zero wasted space. Clearly designed for efficiency as much as luxury. I knew this hotel wouldn''t disappoint, It''s safe to say that I can tick this off my bucket list. I noticed that there was a short hallway down to my right... "...!" I noticed three separate bedrooms lined a short hallway. I dashed with my belongings and headed straight for the one furthest away. Now what? The story skipped straight from Jan to the museum, and that wouldn''t be until Sunday. That left me a few days to kill... I might as well explore Paris, and relive some old memories. BZZZT!!!...BZZZT!!! As I felt a vibration going off on my wrist I checked my watch to see what it was. [??¡ã? Histories Breakfast Club GC ??¡ã?] [Lan.Villerion <9:40 AM> Hey guys! So for the first day you guys are free to do whatever you like but also I do advise not going anywhere outside of Paris, since I''m responsible for your safety and all. but if you''d like rmendations the academy L''Institut des Lumi¨¨res has an open day if you''d like to attend! anyways, that''s all from me! stay safe!] L''Institut des Lumi¨¨res is having an open day? Interesting. This could be a way to kill some time until the next event unfolds. Plus, there''s the possibility of encountering Alessandro. Of course, I haven''t crossed paths with him yet. For all I know, his personality might bepletely different from how he was portrayed in the novel. Originally, his transfer wasn''t supposed to happen until the second year. Then again, even with the limited control I have over altering pre-determined events, maneuvering him into Pinnacle early would only create more problems for Jan. Alessandro strikes as the type who wouldtch on and relentlesslypete with his opponent . Basically he was Just another Louise, dragging things out with his constant need to one-up Jan. Quickly, I dug through my luggage, stashing my duffle bag where Jan and Bazz wouldn''t find it. Just grabbed my mask ¨C a precaution, just in case anything bad happened. Suddenly I heard a loud rumble of hurried footsteps. "Rel!" Jan and Bazz popped their heads through the doorway. I couldn''t tell who was on top of which. "Yes?" I shoved the mask behind my back. "Me and Bazz, we''re off to Dawn''s de Arena. Wannae watch some matches?" Arena... that word triggered a shback to the D-League tournament. But hey, maybe I could swing byter, bet on some surefire winners, make a little cash¡­ "Maybe tomorrow," I said. Jan frowned. "Okay, but... you already said you would." gulp Only then did I realize the trap I''d just walked into. haah... "Fine." "Great!" Jan grinned. "See ya then!" He and Bazz took off. Well... with the two of them gone I think I should get going now... *** [Paris, L''Institut des Lumi¨¨res Academy] 30 minutes was all it took through an Uber to the academy, since their IDS station is inessible because I''m not a student that attends there. But I''m surprised for how it looks. In the novel I initially never described what it looked like but now that I''m standing right before the ce it exceeded all my expectations for a 1st rate academy. The imposing gates of L''Institut des Lumi¨¨res felt familiar ¨C cameras, pristine walkways¡­ It was Pinnacle, but with a dash of European ir. The architecture here was distinctly ssical, less sleek and modern than I was used to. Beyond the gates, a smaller, grand structure marked the entrance to the main campus. Library, training grounds, what looked like alchemybs would be further in. Stepping through the double doors of the entrance building, I found myself in a spacious foyer. Gleaming marble floors reflected the natural light streaming through high windows. A receptionist sat behind a sleek desk, a weing smile curving her lips. "Hello sir!" The attendant''s mixed French-English ent was charming. "Here to apply for a trial today?" "Ah, actually... the open day," I replied, the words feeling slightly odding out of my mouth. Her surprise flickered briefly before she recovered. "Of course, sir. There''s a small entry fee ¨C standard liability coverage for the campus tour. May I please?" She gestured towards an EFTPOS machine on the counter. With a silent tap of my watch, I paid the fee. "Excellent. Just a quick form here, sir. Name, date of birth, and signature." She slid a form across the smooth surface. A practiced motion, efficient and polite. I filled out the form in a matter of seconds, and she handed me a card with anyard attached. A simple stic badge dered me an "Open Day Visitor." "Right this way," she said, gracefully pushing open a set of heavy oak doors. ... ... ... [Paris, L''Institut des Lumi¨¨res Academy - Main Courtyard] Warm sunlight washed over me as I stepped out into the expansive courtyard. The first thing that caught my eye was the statue. Massive, and imposing, it dominated the space. It was a long-dead hero, undoubtedly. But something about the figure triggered a memory, a nagging sense of familiarity. It stood in a ssic pose, a weathered bronze axe slung across its broad back. As I drew closer, details came into sharper focus. Then, a que at the base solidified the connection. ''This Statue isdedicated to the hero that dethroned the tyrannic emperor.'' ''Known As The Uncrowned King - Vincent Nazara Celeste''. ''Built by the Royal Family Of Valois''. That was when I realised who it was... Vincent Nazara Celeste, the third captain of the Golden Horizon. He wielded a massive two-handed axe with a long, curved ck de. If I recall, I think his weapon name was ''Sunset''s End''. It was called that because each victory was a sunset for him, and for his nickname as the Uncrowned King, he was seen as the harbinger of doom for those with too much power. Vincent himself was up there with the legendary monsters, Garrick Florentina and Dawn Frisk. Not only that but he was just as strong as Dawn Frisk in his prime. But why a statue here? Something must have happened before Jan''s arrival to this world. This was probably another result of Auto-Generation. ________ Authors Notes: - Vincent and Dawn are extremely-strong aura users but Garrick was always a step above the two. Chapter 152: LInstitut des Lumières Academy {Rel''s POV} [Paris, L''Institut des Lumi¨¨res Academy] I froze, staring at the statue.Was he alive?Probably not. Most of Garrick''s group died getting to the towers. But if they built a statue... he had to be dead. Right? A voice startled me away from the statue. "Excuse me? Are you an open Day visitor?" I turned, surprised someone had actually spoken to me. It was just an instructor ¨C middle-aged, with thinning hair, a neatly trimmed beard. Typical. "Yeah," I said. He followed my gaze to the statue, a slight smile on his face. "Ah... Sir. Celeste, an iconic figure." "I see." My eyes drifted back to Vincent''s likeness. They said he took down an Emperor, became a legend... if that was true, the praise was justified. Still, though... his poprity here felt unexpected. "Enough of that statue, let''s get going." The instructor''s words cut through my thoughts. What? Was there a schedule I missed? Didn''t they say it was open exploration? Isn''t that what a open day meant? He must''ve seen my confusion because he chuckled. "Right! I''m the tour guide and helper for today. Apologies." A smile, then an outstretched hand. "Mr. Dubois, a pleasure to meet you." Still caught off guard, I shook his hand. "We''ve still got people arriving, so one of the first-year sses is doing a sparring session to warm up. Interested?" "Sure." Following Dubois down the courtyard, I noted the ssrooms we passed:bs hummed with the scent of chemicals, training rooms filled with shouts and the sh of practice weapons. Their academy uniforms shed by ¨C red and white, sharp and formal. Nothing special. This Dubois guy seemed like a non-entity, so I might as well y along. ... ... ... [Paris, L''Institut des Lumi¨¨res Academy - Main Arena Grounds] Dubois led me towards the academy''s main arena grounds for the academies tournaments. Though I was a bit suspicious that he might''ve been misleading me somewhere else, I guess he was just doing his job as a tour guide. "Here''s Honour ss 1-A," he was saying, "There''s a lot of promising students here. Even the Royal Highness himself..." My feet nearly stopped as we passed through the gates. And there he was - Alessandro Reynard Valois. The royal prince of France and the soon to be king. That silver hair, those green eyes... unmistakable. [Special Ability Passive: Perceptive Mind [Grade 3] Has Been Activated!] Without a second thought, I activated Perceptive Mind. His character window flickered into existence. [Status Window Of Alessandro Reynard Valois] [Age: 19] [>Strength: 110, >Durability: 107, >Speed: 55, >Mana: A+, >Elemental Attribute: Gale, Life, [...]- ] [Current Thoughts: "I wonder what''s on the breakfast menu today..."] Royal blood, as expected. The stats were impressive, no doubt. I couldn''t imagine any other attribute more fitting for Gale which is just a stronger version of the wind attribute. But then Dubois spoke again, "Unfortunately, we won''t get a high vantage point for today''s spar. we''re going through arena renovations, so I hope you understand..." I turned to him nodding. "Standing or sitting, then?" His lips stretched into a smile. "Seats are on the other side of the stage. Let''s hurry quickly" He hurried me along. As we went, I caught the eyes of several of those Honour students. Their bodynguage was stiff, and I could hear a few outright sneers... ¡ª That person looks like our age ¡ª Heh... maybe he didn''t pass the entrance exam that''s why he''s here. ¡ª Hey you don''t think he''s gonna transfer here right? ¡ª He looks frail and agile... haha... I guess with my presence, they weren''t impressed. Not that I cared a bit. I barely had time to dwell on it before we reached the seating area, directly in front of the stage. The rest of the ss was still milling about, awaiting instruction. As I took my seat, a buzzing sound cut through the air. Dubois, ncing down at his watch, turned to me. "Apologies, a brief matter to attend to. Won''t be long, the crowds are starting to arrive now." I nodded, and with a final hurried smile, he was off. The seats around me remained conspicuously empty. Just me and the stage... odd. A voice, calm yetmanding, sliced through my thoughts. "Honour ss 1-A. Today''s sparring exercise will be a ''King of the Hill'' tournament format." The instructor strode onto the stage, his presence demanding attention. "Twobatants at a time. Victory is determined by a knockdown or if your opponent forces you to yield. One point per victory, thebatant who stays standing, or umtes the highest score, wins." And then he added one final instruction, "For this practical exercise, wooden weapons will be permitted. The use of elemental attributes is also encouraged." My brows furrowed. How convenient for Alessandro. Given his Life attribute and those ridiculous stats, this wasn''t a fight at all ¨C this was a cakewalk for him regardless. Still, even as background characters, these students were likely a cut above average, perhaps a smidge better than Pinnacle fodder. *** [Paris, L''Institut des Lumi¨¨res Academy - Main Arena Grounds, Front Stage] The instructor swept his gaze across the ss. "Do we have any volunteers to start us off?" A hand shot up before the words had barely left his mouth. "I do." Alessandro yawned as he strolled towards the weapons rack, a hint of boredom in his posture. His ssmates moved aside, leaving a clear path as he selected a wooden sword. The instructor''s gaze settled on the rest of the students. "Anyone else wish to challenge Alessandro?" A moment of hesitation, and then another hand rose. "I''ll Go." A stocky student, expression a mix of determination and nervousness, stepped forward. Rel''s attention narrowed. "Alessandro was among the first to fight...? Interesting." He shrugged, watching the two-step onto the stage. Their presence was unmistakable, even in the simple training uniforms. The instructor cleared the rest of the students from the pristine white stage floor. Alessandro and his opponent, Ben, faced each other. "Let''s have a good fight, Ben." "Right back at you, Alessandro." Ben nodded, gripping his gloved hands tightly. The instructor approached, standing between them. "Nothing too hard, but try your best." A brief pause, and then his voice boomed. "Now... Fight!" Ben lunged first, a burst of speed meant to catch Alessandro off guard. But the royal was braced, his wooden sword held in a ssic fencing stance. With a flicker of movement, a punch aimed for Alessandro''s face met empty air. Emotionless, Alessandro reacted, mana channelling into his left hand. A gust of wind exploded from his palm, pushing Ben back with unexpected force. "Woah!" Ben stumbled, struggling to regain his bnce. Before he could, Alessandro was in motion. One-handed, his wooden sword arced with immense force, mming into Ben''s stomach. BANG!!! "Argh!" Ben was sent flying across the stage, his breath knocked from his lungs. And with that The fight abruptly ended, the impact leaving him gasping on the white stage floor. A ripple of surprise washed over the ss. Rel, however, remained unimpressed. He expected this as a result. One-shotting an extra was hardly a testament to true power. He still had no reason to alter his initial assessment of Alessandro... "One point for Alessandro," the instructor''s voice cut through the murmurs. Fights blurred together. Alessandro, a whirlwind of motion and windced strikes, easily dispatched challenger after challenger. Each victory was more decisive than thest. Murmurs rippled through the Honor ss, surprise shifting into reluctant admiration of the royal prince. tap...tap...tap... Throughout the recent matches, there were breaks between that brought a steady stream of Open Day visitors. tap...tap... The usual crowd and scouts were only here to see one person... and that was Alessandro, the current undisputed ranked 1 student. tap... Then, a feeling... a strange feeling passed by him... in the blink of an eye. For a moment his senses were confused on who had just passed him. He turned, scanning the crowd, until his gazended on her. A young woman, moving gracefully through the crowd. Long ck hair, free of bangs, parted effortlessly in the middle. Her wispyyers added volume and movement, framing her face -- and those eyes. Striking violet, entuated by sses. His eyes widened at the sight, but there was something that made him truly confused. "Why is she here?" __________ To Be Continued... __________ Authors Notes: - While writing this the song that helped me craft the second half is - Fallin'' Twice by Chevy ????£¨? ? ?¥Þ.? - Rel ispletely bewildered... there''s no other meaningO_o - Alessandro''s main ability is called: Fleur-de-Force (Flower of Power) This talent allows the user to manipte kic energy through a touch infused with mana. The user can then "redirect" or "amplify" that kic energy. Touch-based: Requires physical contact to activate, making close-quartersbat or strategic positioning crucial. Mana Cost: Stronger effects require more mana, leading to potential exhaustion or strategic use during battles. Specificity: Fleur-de-Force only affects kic energy, not other forms of energy (fire, electricity) - When Alessandro used his Gale attribute he wasn''t using his main ability. Chapter 153: LInstitut des Lumières Academy (2) {Rel''s POV} [Paris, L''Institut des Lumi¨¨res Academy - Main Arena Grounds] [Friday, 9:55 AM] I stood abruptly on my feet, trying to see where she went but she disappeared, slipping out of sight. Then suddenly, I felt something tugging on my sleeve softly and under my nose, I looked down. "...!" My eyes shot open to see her up close, the familiar crimson of a massive red sweater filling my vision. I took a nervous step back. "Excuse me..." Her voice softly spoke, "Is there anyone sitting there?" She pointed towards the empty seat next to mine. It was Mr. Dubious''s spot but he was in and out of the arena. "Ah, no," I responded, trying to calm my voice. It''s alright... for the time being she doesn''t know who I am yet. It was hard for me not to look, to figure out what she was doing here.I snuck a few nces whenever she wasn''t looking. Just a purse on herp, and the standard Open Day visitor tag. Not much to go on. Haah... still baffled as to why she''s here, of all ces.I wrote up her mercenary missions extensively but never pondered what she did in her free time. My best guess... visiting a prestigious academy like L''Institut des Lumi¨¨res means she''s likely observing someone specific under orders. A mission, then. But... there''s always the off chance she''s just here on a personal visit.Though, I can''t imagine her ever wanting to attend a ce like this.She wasn''t built for the ssroom; that''s for sure. The hum of the crowd faded as the next round of the king of the hill was about to begin. Alessandro walked towards the weapon rack, his usual focusser-sharp. Then, a flicker ¨C a hesitation so brief I almost missed it. He nced towards me... towards Vanessa. A brief scan, then he turned away. What was that about? Curiosity? Something else? I turned my head, trying to catch Vanessa''s reaction. Nothing. Her features remained a mask, her gaze fixed on the empty stage. Disinterested. Or was it just an act? The instructor''s voice cut through my thoughts. "Break time is over! Let the fight resume!" A ripple ran through the ss. "We have... Andre versus Alessandro." *** [Paris, L''Institut des Lumi¨¨res Academy - Main Arena Grounds] The instructor with a deep voice shouted, "Andre versus Alessandro! Begin!" Andre opened with a desperate lunge, a clumsy overhead cleave aimed at Alessandro''s exposed side. But Alessandro pivoted in a fluid half-circle, deflecting the attack, and retaliated with a disarming riposte. The impact rang through the arena, the force momentarily numbing Andre''s fingers. Andre charged again, frustration fueling a flurry of wild strikes, but Alessandro danced away, each block effortless. A sh of amusement crossed Alessandro''s eyes as he executed a moul, his sword tracing a figure eight to redirect Andre''s thrust, grazing his cheek and drawing a line of blood. tch... His brow furrowed seeing the obvious reaction and suddenly Andre''s frenzy turned dangerous. "...!" Within the span of a second He unleashed a volley of wild swings, forcing Alessandro to retreat. Alessandro realising this surprising burst began to slip and lose control ¨C a parry mistimed, a step misced, a twist pushed too far. *SHING!* Then suddenly his wooden de was ripped free out of his grasp, hurtling through the air. It was heading straight for Rel and Vanessa. In a heartbeat, Vanessa''s body tensed, the instinct pushing her hand into a defensive motion... But Rel was a second faster, his bare hand snatched the sword from the air mere inches from Vanessa''s face. Stunned by the swift intervention, the crowd fell silent. Alessandro, seizing the moment, imbued mana into his fist. In a sh, he lunged, his fist mming into Andre''s exposed abdomen. The impact stole Andre''s breath, sending him flying off the stage. A hush fell over the arena, a silence so thick it felt suffocating. Andre gasped for air. The instructor stared. And Alessandro, for the first time, lost his arrogance ¨C his eyes narrowed, a hint of something darker recing his usual smirk. Rel held the wooden sword in his hand. Without a word, he hurled it away, the de ttering against the stage. "Didn''t expect that," he muttered under his breath. "huh?" A sound... a soft gasp escaped someone''s mouth. He turned to who it came from and Vanessa, her sculpted mask of indifference finally cracked. Her eyes were wide, pure surprise shining within them. But it was only a glimpse. Her shoulders straightened, the barest hint of a frown recing her surprise. In the span of a breath, she was once again that picture of untouchable cool. The hush finally broke. The crowd erupted in a buzz, the shock wearing off as conversations resumed. "... sloppy from the start, lucky Alessandro likes to toy with..." "... did you see that punch? Sent that idiot flying..." "... think she got hit? That sword was close..." The noise swallowed everything else. Then, amidst the chatter, Vanessa cleared her throat. "Um... thank you." She tried for sincere, reserved. Rel nced at her, confused. "Did you say something?" His voice barely carried over the ongoing din of conversations. Vanessa, already turning away, began, "I said ¨C" "...?" "...!" Suddenly, there he was. Alessandro. Mere inches from Rel, a silent challenge in his narrowed eyes. "You reacted pretty quickly back there." His smirk was subtle, but the arrogance lingered in his voice. Rel, caught off-guard, managed a nomittal, "Thanks?" "Not a problem..." Alessandro let the words hang. "Most people aren''t that fast. Or that urate." His gaze flickered towards Vanessa, a hint of a challenge in his eyes. "Lucky for her, huh?" He tilted his head, smirk widening. "Though, something tells me you weren''t expecting that sword, were you? A bit too convenient... almost like you were waiting for trouble..." Rel blinked, his expression a mask of indifference. He didn''t rise to the bait. "Maybe," he said tly. "Or maybe I''m just observant." He nced at Alessandro. "Is this going somewhere?" "Wait I thin-" Vanessa, who''d opened her mouth to speak, shut it abruptly as Rel raised a hand towards her. A single gesture, barely noticeable, but it held a quiet authority that made her pause. "Don''t insult me!" Alessandro hissed. The crowd was an indistinct buzz, their attention slowly shifting towards the simmering tension. "... someone got the Prince angry," a voice muttered nearby."Who''s that guy talking to him?" another asked, curiosity piqued. "The Academy wouldn''t let someone like you in the gates. You came here specifically to see me." "Is that so?" Rel''s tone remained level, almost bored. "And why would I bother with that?" Alessandro drew himself up to his full height, arrogance dripping from his voice. "Because I am Alessandro, and you are no one. A nameless speck, desperate for a glimpse of greatness. You saw me fight, you saw her," his gaze flickered towards Vanessa with disdain, "and like a moth to a me... pathetic." "She doesn''t even know your name." Rel''s voice was a low murmur, barely audible, yet it pierced through Alessandro''s tirade. Confusion flickered across Alessandro''s face, then anger. "What does that matter? Why defend a stranger, a woman who wouldn''t give you the time of day?" Rel fell silent for a moment. Then, his gaze hardening, he said, "...Maybe... you should just shut the fuck up." Alessandro''s face flushed crimson. "shut the fuck up?" he spat. "You dare ¨C" He took a threatening step forward. "You swear in my presence, gutter rat? Challenge me!" His voice echoed across the hushed crowd. "Or are you all talk, just like I thought?" A ripple of shock ran through the onlookers. "He''s gonna lose if they fight..." someone whispered fearfully. Suddenly, Vanessa stepped forward. "Stop," shemanded, her voice surprisingly strong in the tense silence. "I''m not sure why you''re doing this, Your Highness, but I believe you''ve got it mixed up." Rel, taken aback by Vanessa''s intervention, could only manage a sly smile. But then, something unexpected happened. His eyes widened abruptly, a flicker of surprise recing his amusement. In a sh, a translucent screen materialized before him, obscuring his vision of the furious prince and the concerned Vanessa. *** {Rel''s POV} FWANG! [Main Story Quest: Pride over humility!] Seriously? Was this a joke? My fingers twitched the urge to swipe the damn thing away was almost overwhelming. I saw his thoughts, his posturing... the way he eyed Vanessa like she was a prize. It was all an act... [Description: The Prince''s pride has been wounded. Humiliate him further by epting his challenge...] The crowd muttered, hungry for a show. Alessandro practically vibrated with rage. Did I want to wipe that arrogant smirk right off his face? A tempting idea. But... [Rewards: 5,000 BP, 1000 QP, Strength: 10.00+, HP: 5.00+, Speed: 1.00+, Stamina: 2.50+] [Special Condition: These rewards cannot be enhanced.] Oh never mind... I''ll teach that fucker a lesson. _____________ Authors Notes: - The lengths of core sses depend on how many units a student is doing for their semester. - The reason for teachers not being able to interfere is that Alessandro cannot be held down regardless of his blood. - Vanessa''s appearance was truly appealing to the prince. Chapter 154: Pride Over Humility [Paris, L''Institut des Lumi¨¨res Academy - Main Arena Grounds] [Main Story Quest: Pride over humility!] [Description: The Prince''s pride has been wounded. Humiliate him further by epting his challenge... and either defeat him in a sparring match or draw.] [Rewards: 5,000 BP, 1000 QP, Strength: 10.00+, HP: 2.50+, Speed: 1.00+, Stamina: 2.50+] [Special Condition: These rewards cannot be enhanced.] My eyes narrowed at the rewards.This was extremely generous, even without enhancements. And I knew Alessandro wasn''t just some puffed-up bully. He was on par with Jan, the supposed hero. This carried more weight than simple revenge. But the price to pay was still great. He was no pushover, even without his social status.Alessandro is one of the stronger characters towards the end of the story. This wasn''t a decision to take lightly.If I yed my cards right, I could possibly win... but the risks were just as high. But earlier it made me think about what Vanessa had done... She''d stepped in, trying to protect me ¨C aplete stranger. Stepping forward, I squared off with Alessandro, our faces inches apart. "Your Highness," I said, my voice calm despite the surge of adrenaline, "I believe you misunderstand. I have no interest in fighting you." "''oh..."'' The crowd let out a disappointed murmur. "Then walk away, gutter rat," Alessandro sneered, though his voice held a tremor of uncertainty. "Admit defeat and let the adults handle ¨C" "Let''s have a spar," I interrupted, my voice sharp. "One on one. No fancy techniques, no mana. Just a way to settle this... like men." Alessandro''s eyes widened, then he let out a harsh bark ofughter. "Spar? You?" He gestured dismissively towards my unassuming figure. "I''m the rank one student in our grade, challenged by a nameless nobody? This is getting rich!" Before I could reply, Vanessa stepped between us. "Stop this," shemanded, her voice surprisingly strong. "This isn''t solving anything.Your Highness, you should be ashamed ¨C picking on someone who clearly doesn''t want trouble." She turned to me, a touch of pleading in her eyes. "And you... don''t rise to the bait.This isn''t worth it." The crowd buzzed with excitement. "Whoa, did she just tell off the Prince?" a girl whispered excitedly. "Bold move, but kinda stupid..." a guy scoffed. "That guy''s toast." "Nah, maybe he''s got something hidden up his sleeve," another countered, a glint in his eye. pen_spark Alessandro tilted his head, a sneer slowly recing his amusement. "Picking on him?" He scoffed. "Please. This... insect... challenged me." He jabbed a finger towards me. "Don''t you y the innocent, gutter rat. Or do you need your new champion to fight your battles?" I held Vanessa''s gaze for a moment. Something flickered in her eyes ¨C confusion, a hint of doubt. A sigh escaped me. "He''s right," I said, my voice t. "I challenged him. Let''s just... get this over with." Vanessa blinked, her brows knitting together. She took a half-step back, the distance between us feeling wider than before. It was clear she didn''t understand my sudden shift. Alessandro turned towards the instructor, a cruel grin stretching his lips. "Well, Professor? Clear the stage. It''s me and this nobody now." The instructor hesitated, then bowed stiffly. Turning back towards the stage, he gestured at the current upants. "This demonstration is over. Clear the area, please." The students, startled but obedient, quickly shuffled off. Alessandro strode confidently towards the stage. I followed, my footsteps feeling strangely heavy. Suddenly, Vanessa''s hand caught my wrist. "I''m not sure why you''re doing this," she said, her voice low and urgent, "but please... reconsider." A knot twisted in my stomach. A part of me wished I could just walk away, and let the insult slide. But this was something I had to do... it was a quest. "I can''t," I said. My voice was quiet but firm. "Not after¡­ everything." "Everything?" Vanessa''s brow furrowed, concern recing her urgency. "I can''t simply let him call me that," I continued, my gaze meeting hers. "Not without doing something about it." Vanessa''s lips parted as if to speak, then she pressed them together. A flicker of understanding crossed her eyes, quickly reced by worry. "Be careful," she breathed. "You won''t be able to beat him." A slight nod was my only response. Gently disengaging from her grip, I turned and strode towards the stage. My resolve was firm, but I couldn''t shake the feeling¡­ Reaching the steps, I paused for a moment, taking in the expectant faces staring back at me. With a deep breath, I reached for my ck coat. Slowly, deliberately, I shrugged out of it, draping it over the back of the empty chair next to me. The simple action felt symbolic, a shedding of unnecessary burdens before the fight. Across the stage, Alessandro smirked. "Finally decided to grace us with your presence, gutter rat?" His voice boomed, dripping with disdain. The crowd roared, a mixture of cheers and jeers filling the air. I ignored them, keeping my gaze fixed on the Prince. "There''s no need for insults," I said, my voice calm butced with a steely edge. "Let''s just get this over with." The air crackled with tension. Alessandro''s smirk faltered for a brief moment, reced by a flicker of surprise. Perhaps he hadn''t expected such aposed response from someone he considered beneath him. But the surprise was nothing short of expected. Well, since... I''m probably better than him in hand to hand after all. He dropped into a loose fighting stance, his arrogance radiating outwards. "As you wish," he sneered. *** Rel''s muscles, previously coiled with tension, now thrummed with a strange mixture of focus and adrenaline. Across the stage, Alessandro crouched in a loose boxer''s stance, his eyes gleaming with cruelty. The honour''s ss instructor, face impassive, stood between them. "Remember," his voice boomed, "No techniques, no mana. This is about raw skill. Begin!" [Special Passive: Sixth Sense [Grade 9] Has Been Activated!] Before the echo of his word faded, Alessandro lunged. Rel was already moving. The crowd gasped as the Prince''s wild haymaker whiffed past Rel''s cheek. He sidestepped, pivoting as Alessandro''s momentum carried him forward. BANG! An open palm mmed into the Prince''s ribs, a sharp retort echoing across the space. Alessandro''s surprise mirrored the shock rippling through the onlookers. They expected a quick and humiliating defeat, not this. A growl rumbled in his throat as he wheeled towards Rel, his stance tightening. "ying hard to get, gutter rat?" he snarled,unching a flurry of punches. Each strike was fast but predictable. Rel dodged, weaved, and slipped past the fists. BANG! Once, twice¡­then, on the third weave, his counterattack found its mark ¨C a quick jab snapping Alessandro''s head back. A flicker of doubt crossed the Prince''s face. Alessandro needed to change his approach. He fainted, a low kick aimed at Rel''s legs. As Rel shifted his weight to evade, the Prince''s true purpose revealed itself ¨C a brutal elbow smashed downwards towards his shoulder. "...!" Rel''s reflexes were honed. With a lightning-fast twist, he deflected the blow with his forearm, the impact jarring but bearable. Landing in a crouch, he saw Alessandro''s eyes widen in surprise. The crowd was a deafening roar now, split between those cheering Rel''s defiance and those hungry for his blood. The surprise on Alessandro''s face was a flicker, reced by a snarl. His earlier arrogance had boiled away, leaving behind a cold, calcting rage. He abandoned his reckless flurries, every strike now deliberate, a piston-like jab aimed at Rel''s chest. But Rel was no longer on the back foot. Something within him responded to the change in his opponent, his instincts were getting even better. His body flowed each parry less a conscious defence and more a practised dance. He moved just a hair faster than Alessandro, his punches ¨C short, brutal jabs ¨C slicing through the air a split second before the Prince could fully react. Frustration tightened Alessandro''s jaw, each failed strike fueling his rage. Rel saw his opening. Alessandro, overextending on a lunge, left his right side unguarded for a fraction of a second. His fist whipped forward, and a contained explosion of ck energy erupted from his fist. [Critical Hit!] The crack of bone-on bone echoed as it connected flush with Alessandro''s jaw. The Prince''s head whipped to the side, shock momentarily overriding the pain. His legs wobbled, a sapling about to snap... but then, with a snarl, he regained his footing. ________ Authors Notes: -Alessandro isn''t the type to remember names unless you''re someone important to him. - The difference in point difference for speed stats is still a huge leap regardless of the point differential. Chapter 155: The Divine Sorceress [Geneva, Switzend - International Heroes Association Headquarters - Communications Room] Geneva, Switzend. International Heroes Association Headquarters where the ce of most meetings for all the important guilds and presidential meeting urs. Themunications room hums with controlled chaos, but a sudden spike on a monitor cuts through the din. BEEP!!!!...BEEP!!!!...BEEP!!!! "Director! We have an urgent emergency!" A technician''s voice cracked with tension as he checked the signals on hisputer screen he signalled towards his colleague to the left. "There''s been an unidentified monster outbreak, in the Pacific Ocean! Heading for North America.Rank unknown, but based on the emitters¡­ this thing''s massive!" A holographic map flickered to life projecting onto the massive screen in the room, a crimson dot pulsing menacingly in the ocean''s depths. Panic was flooding across faces. "Director, what do we do?" [Head Director Of Monster Subjugation: Paloma Sierra - (Hero Status: Retired)] "hmm..." Head Director of Monster Subjugation Paloma Sierra, a woman in her mid-40s who defied her age, rose from her chair. Her dark brown hair, streaked with a hint of silver at the temples, was pulled back in a no-nonsense bun. Her sharp green eyes shed with a steely resolve behind thin-rimmed sses. She strode towards the holographic disy, her ck suit rippling with each purposeful step. "Isn''t she back from vacation?" she murmured, more to herself than to the room. REEEEE Abruptly, the door burst open with a pneumatic hiss. [Assistant of the Head Director: Milo Agur] Her assistant, Milo Agur, stumbled into the room, his rumpled grey suit and loosened tie hinting at a hasty arrival. His unruly mop of vibrant crimson hair was damp with sweat, and his usually bright, hazel eyes held a tinge of fear. "We''ve... got... several mid-high ranked guilds on standby, Director," he gasped for breath. "But¡­ they''re demanding extortionate fees. Immediate upfront payment." "How much?" Director Sierra''s voice was deceptively calm, betraying none of the turmoil brewing behind her emerald eyes. "500,000 Euros per guild," Milo replied grimly. Paloma''s response was swift. "That''s extortion. A high A-Rank, maybe even higher? Their chances are slim already, and they want a fortune for the risk?" "Then who?" Milo''s voice trembled with urgency. "Who else can handle this?" "Who else, indeed?" A hint of mockeryced Paloma''s words. "I hear she''s been out of action¡­ let''s see if she''s up for the task." Milo''s eyes widened. "You can''t mean¡­?" "Oh, you know exactly who I mean." "But¡­ isn''t she humanity''s final defence? Shouldn''t we save her for¡­" Paloma smiled, a predator baring her teeth. "How can we leave our strongest hero to rust? Don''t worry, she''ll enjoy the challenge." Her tone brooked no argument. A bead of sweat rolled down Milo''s forehead as the weight of Paloma''s decision crushed down upon him. The air crackled with an unseen force as if gravity itself grew heavier in the room. "Summoning her¡­ to the Pacific? It''s a bit¡­" "She''ll make it," Paloma interrupted, her voice firm. His hesitation was palpable. He yearned for an excuse, a way out, but Paloma''s unflinching gaze rendered him helpless. "Do it." The word hung in the air, heavy and final. The unseen pressure intensified, a subtle hint of Paloma''s aura flexing around her. "I''ll... I''ll call her," he mumbled, his voice barely a whisper ... ... ... [Country: South Korea, Gyeonggi Province - City of Seongnam: Bundang District] [Location: Bundang Vista Towers, 99th Floor - Aurelia Draxen''s Apartment] RING!!!!...RING!!!!...RING!!!!... "Uuuwaaa..." Aurelia''s eyes fluttered open and she got up from her bed stretching before turning off her rm clock. She woke up to the same muted grey light filtering through the sheer curtains of her grand bedroom. Another day stretched before her, offering all the predictability of thest. "...haah...so...boring..." A sigh escaped her lips, not from exhaustion, but a wistfulness that gnawed at her insides. She swung her legs out from under the plush duvet, a broad smile stered across her face even though no one was watching. "Alright world," she announced to the empty room in a booming, cheerful voice, "Herees the Divine Sorceress, ready to conquer another day of... uh...um..." Her voice trailed off, the manufactured cheer momentarily faltered. "...nothing... I guess I''ll just shower then..." As she headed towards the ensuite she did the usual and began her daily routine. shaaaa... The shower ran hot, the steam was a feeble attempt to wash away the remaining ache ofziness. Each drop felt not like preparation for gloriousbat, but a boring march towards another meaningless day for her. Towelling off, a glimpse of an old framed photo on her dresser caught her eye. It was a team shot, from her academy days. Her younger self beamed back at her, nked by two once-closerades now scattered across the world ¨C Navi Columbus and Jaxon Cain. "Those idiots are probably in their offices right now, doing a bunch of shitty work. Hmph! They probably don''t even like going out anyway, not like in the good old days." Her face twisted into a yful frown as she held the photo. After finishing the first part of her routine, she entered the kitchen ¨C a monument to past glories. The shining countertops, meant for celebratory feasts, now hosted a solitary protein shake and a piece of untoasted bread. "Do I even need to eat?" she mused, swirling the protein shake in its ss with a sigh.Boredom gnawed at her from the inside out, making every task a chore. "I think I''ll just head back to the Dawn''s de arena..." The words tasted like ash on her tongue. Another day of repetitive mock battles offered little sce. As her routine continued, she reached under the kitchen sink for a watering can, filling it with lukewarm water. Approaching the window, her gaze fell on the meticulously cared-for jade nt. "Let''s hope you survive another day of my gloom, Sammy." She watered it, a wry smile touching her lips. "Maybe you''ll even see the sun again¡­ unlike me." Leaving the dishes in the sink felt like a small act of rebellion against her usual pristine order. It was a petty gesture, but today, even the tiniest bit of defiance gave her a sliver of satisfaction. ____________ Authors Notes: - Paloma Sierra has the power to summon the top 3 heroes in the world, but it''s only up to them to decide whether the situation is necessary for their intervention. Chapter 156: The Divine Sorceress (2) [Bundang Vista Towers, 99th Floor - Aurelia Draxen''s Apartment] Aurelia sank onto the plush living room couch, spreading her arms along the back, an exaggerated gesture against the emptiness. Restless, she turned her gaze toward the disy cases housing countless trophies ¨C stark reminders of past achievements. Her fingers traced the inscription on one que: Pinnacle Academy Exclusive Tournament, First ce. Memories of thrilling battles and hard-won victories flooded back, a bittersweet contrast to her current stagnation. Although Aurelia was a valuable hero, an undeniable asset to humanity, she was forced to live this... this in, predictable life.All because of International Heroes Association President Milio Idris. It had all started with the Tower Crisis. She''d simply been in the right ce at the right time, single-handedly subjugating 32,250 monsters within a frantic three hours,B+ to A+ ss... a feat somepared to that of The Great Hero, Garrick Florentina. Before the ache could settle in, her gaze shifted to therge tscreen on the wall. It wasn''t for entertainment, but a flickering lifeline to the world she was supposed to be protecting. Click! The news filled the room with its usual fanfare: ¡ª "This just in, a pack of Orcs have taken over Dobong District. Heroes have been dispatched to the area, so please evacuate as soon as possible." The sight of the newscast made her forget the simple chores of just going outside to y monsters. Everything was so normal... lower-ranked heroes tackling minor incidents, new updates on technologies from the Starcasters, and the usual foodmercials that were enough to make her stomach growl with hunger. "I think I''ll just-" Before she could switch the tv off, the channel changed.A newscaster''s urgent voice cut through the banality. ¡ª"... Attention all residents along the coast of North America... reports of an unidentified creature has just been sighted emerging in the Pacific Ocean," the newscaster''s voice cut through her resigned apathy. ¡ª"Those by the beach and anyone within the area please run as far as possible." The second reporter cut in. "Finally, something interesting!" she dered, her voice a touch too loud for the empty apartment. "Maybe I should..." But as she watched images of the ocean fill the screen, this dead feeling wasn''t the excitement of a mission briefing that made her focus, but a strange mix of longing and the dreaded certainty that her forced retirement was about to end. It pulsed with an unsettling energy, unlike any beast she''d encountered before. "Ugh," She muttered, the booming confidence of moments ago fading. A hesitant frown reced her earlier grin. "That¡­ That''s not right." The initial thrill of potential action warped into a prickling unease. Yes, she was the strongest, but her forced inactivity had left her rusty. And this¡­ this thing didn''t feel like a straightforward fight where overwhelming power would solve everything. "Maybe they won''t even need me." The traitorous thought snaked through her mind, followed by a pain of disappointment. "They probably have some specialized mid-rank guilds with experience in aquatic threats..." She shook her head, refusing to dwell on what-ifs, but the doubt lingered. The newscaster''s escting voice filled the apartment. "Our cameras are capturing shocking footage! The creature appears far more agile than anticipated..." Footage zoomed in, blurry but showing the creatureshing out with surprising speed. GRAHHHH!!!!! SLASH! "Oh my God!" The newscaster''s professionalism cracked. "It took out the chopper!" A lucky strike caught a helicopter''s rotor, sending it into an uncontrolled spiral. The image of the creature vanished as the channel abruptly cut out. "Seriously?!" Aurelia''s brow furrowed. She clenched her fist, primed to vent her frustration. "I''m gonna¡ª" RING!!!!...RING!!!!...RING!!!... The piercing ring of herndline shattered the silence. She trudged towards it, a frown momentarily creasing her brow."If it''s another one of those sted sponsors, I swear¡­" Then she saw the caller ID. Her heart made a small leap: International Heroes Association. She snatched up the receiver, her disappointment instantly evaporating. "Hello! This is Aurelia Draxen, right?" Her voice echoed with a hopeful lilt, a touch of desperation she couldn''t quite hide. "It is!" Aurelia practically shouted, her voice overly bright."It¡­ it is, absolutely!" "Miss Draxen, this is the IHA Emergency Response team. We''ve analyzed the situation in the Pacific. There''s a rapidly escting threat that requires your immediate attention..." The assistant continued, rying the barest details of the monster and its projected course. Aurelia listened intently, a mix of dread and a twisted eagerness making it difficult to focus on the specifics. The call ended, and the instructions were clipped and impersonal. It was everything she''d always feared and secretly longed for ¨C her quiet life was officially over. A spark ignited in Aurelia''s eyes, a me that hadn''t burned so brightly in years. With renewed passion, she turned away from the silent television, the creature momentarily forgotten. "Finally!"Her voice boomed through the apartment, a triumphant cry infused with years of pent-up anticipation. She strode toward her bedroom, every step a shedding of her manufactured cheer and forced routine. Inside, a shining white bodysuit hung ready, the intricate gold designs shimmering faintly as though it starved for the touch of her power. It had been so long since she''d donned this, her true uniform. Fingers moved with a familiar speed, yetced with a silly excitement. Supple material slid over her skin, each motion like re-arming a forgotten part of herself. The fastenings at her wrists and throat pulsed with a faint blue light as her dormant power responded to their call. Next, the grand centrepiece ¨C the flowing brocade cape. Each fold whispered with the memory of victories past. The soft white fur tickled her skin, a strange mix offort and fierce, battle-ready energy. Finally, a nce at her old watch. Once used for tracking training times, now it synced seamlessly with the IHA feed. The screen lit up with mission details, the creature analyzed, its projected path a menacing red line. A small smirk yed on her lips. No time for sponsors or photo shoots today. Today was for fighting. _______________ To Be Continued! _______________ Authors Notes: - The previous rank 1 hero was Gerrard Freya who held the title of strongest for 12 years and before Gerrard Freya was Dawn Frisk who held the title up until retirement. Chapter 157: The Divine Sorceress (3) [Country United States, State: San Francisco, North beach] At midday, the bustling sounds of the seaside market created a familiar andforting background noise. Fishmongers hawked their fresh catch, the scent of fried seafood mingling with the salty breeze. Children chased each other through the stalls, theirughter as bright as the glint of sunshine on the waves. Nearby, on the sun-drenched beach, families built sandcastles and volleyball yers dove for the ball. But as insidious as a rising tide, a single word rippled through the crowd, shattering the vibrant facade. "Monster." Whispers turned to murmurs, murmurs to panicked shouts. Heads whipped towards handheld screens, faces paling as grainy news footage flickered to life. The creature wasn''t simply enormous; it dwarfed even the tallest skyscrapers. Thick, armoured scales covered its immense form, shimmering with a metallic sheen that seemed almost alien. Four powerful limbs, each ending in razor-sharp ws, churned through the depths of the ocean in the live footage. From its gaping maw, rows of jagged teeth jutted out, a terrifying testament to its destructive potential. Its head was crowned with a series of sharp, horn-like protrusions, while its eyes glowed with a fierce, unnatural light. This monstrosity boasted a series of towering crystalline formations on its back, resembling monstrous stgmites. These crystals pulsated with an inner light, blues and greens mingling with fiery reds and oranges, casting an eerie glow around the colossal beast. Eyes, wide with a mix of dread and facsination, were glued to the unfolding horror. THUMP!!!...THUMP!!!...THUMP!!! But there was another element of fear seeping into the crowd - a rhythmic, ominous thump that vibrated through the air. Each muffled thud sent shivers down spines as the realization dawned - the creature was nearing the surface. "Evacuation warnings?!" A woman''s voice pierced the growing panic, her beach towel discarded on the sand. "Where do they expect us to go?" Nearby, an elderly man stared out towards the vast expanse of the Pacific, his weathered features lined with a grim resignation. "The sea''s always taken somethin'' from us fishermen¡­ now it wants to take everything." "RUN!!!!" A volleyball soared through the air, thennded with a soft thud amidst the chaos, While everyone on the beach ran screaming for their lives. *** [Geneva, Switzend - International Heroes Association Headquarters - Meeting Room] The atmosphere in the briefing room crackled with more tension than any monster outbreak. Paloma Sierra, The head director of the monster subjugation department sat at the head of the polished table, facing the othermissioners of the IHA. "Summoning Draxen?" A balding man scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "Is this a joke? She''s a liability, washed up years ago! You''re putting her unchecked power above the safety of millions!" "Washed up is a gross exaggeration," Paloma countered, her voice sharp as a scalpel. "Technically, Aurelia is still ssified as the strongest hero of today. However, President Idris has expressed significant reservations about this course of action." A murmur rippled through the room as the unidentified threat had yet to reach the surface. Milio Idris, known for his measured approach and unwavering support for the IHA, rarely intervened in operational decisions. His reservations spoke volumes. "Idris''s concerns are well-founded," another official chimed in, a woman with a clipped voice and steely gaze. "Draxen''s methods are, to put it mildly, unorthodox. Coteral damage is a guarantee, and She''s still a danger to the public... her power is already significant. Remember the Tower Crisis from eleven years ago?" Many years ago, there was an outbreak that emerged from the towers. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the capital of South Korea, but the entire of Seoul was almost destroyed by her power alone. That was the day when Aurelia was able to use her powers freely, without any restrictions. "We understand the risks," Paloma conceded, her jaw clenched tight. "However, the creature on the Pacific coast is unlike anything we''ve faced. Standard hero protocols are useless. We need someone who can think outside the box, someone who isn''t afraid to get their hands dirty." "And Draxen is always happy to break the rules," the first official sneered. "What happens when she decides the ends justify any means, Director Sierra? This isn''t just about coteral damage ¨C it''s about the potential for aplete power struggle!" Before Paloma could form a convincing rebuttal, the door to the briefing room burst open. A breathless head technician and an equally dishevelled intel operator rushed in, their faces pale. "Director!" The technician gasped, clutching a tablet."We''ve analyzed the limited visuals.It''s... it''s far worse than anticipated." The intel operator swallowed hard, his voice trembling slightly. "We''re calling it ''Thrax''.Based on its size, armor, and the destructive energy signatures from the city footage... we estimate this creature is a high A-Rank monster, potentially even bordering S-Rank." Silence descended, a smothering nket heavier than any physical threat. A-Ranks were a nightmare. An A-Rank of this magnitude?Catastrophic. "A high A-Rank..." The balding official who had scoffed at Draxen moments ago choked on the words. "One hasn''t emerged since the Tower Crisis..." Panic seized the room, a stark counterpoint to their previousposure. Calls for action ovepped, voices raised in a desperate cacophony. "We need contingency ns! Evacuation protocols!" "Divert military forces ¨C we''ll require heavy artillery!" Cutting through the rising mour, an executive with the stern demeanour of a seasonedmander mmed his fist on the table. "Enough! We need to target the source, not contain the aftermath!Summon the top five ranking guilds ¨C full mobilization, effective immediately!" A wave of unease washed over Paloma as the room descended into panic. Why the sudden fear? True, a high A-Rank was a massive threat, but the public still believed Aurelia Draxen to be the world''s strongest hero. Were these officials forgetting that, or had their faith wavered in the years since her forced retirement? ncing at her watch, tracking Aurelia''s rapid approach, Paloma felt a feeling of satisfaction. It wouldn''t be long now. "Enough!"She raised her voice, the suddenmandced with a subtle use of her aura. The panicked mour in the room instantly died, reced by a tense silence. Click! With a sharp click of a remote, she activated the room''srge tscreen disy. It shed to life, splitting the view between Aurelia''s projected location and a live feed of the approaching monster. "We won''t be needing the top five guilds on the scene," Paloma announced, a thread of steel in her tone. "She''s already arrived." The screen cut to a view of San Francisco''s skyline. Suddenly, a tremor ran through the Command Center ¨C not of fear, but like a surge of raw energy. Out on the coast, seagulls rose in a panicked flurry. Then, against the darkening sky, the golden streak became blinding. A re of power, aet crashing towards the earth. The monstrous Thrax loomed vast and hideous, but her arrival was a supernova against the twilight. "Finally!" Her voice boomed across the Command Center, infused with an excitement that vibrated through the tense room. "Let''s see who''s ready for some real action!" *** [Country United States, State: San Francisco, North beach] A buzz of excitement reced the fear on the once-peaceful beach. Whispers turned into excited shouts. Fingers pointed skyward, tracing the golden streak shing through the darkening sky. "It''s her! The Divine Sorceress!" "She''s here! We''re saved!" A wave of relief washed over the crowd, momentarily overshadowing the distant, ominous thuds of the approaching monster. Years of fear and whispered doubts seemed to vanish in the face of this dazzling spectacle. A child, eyes wide with wonder, tugged on his mother''s sleeve. "Why does everyone believe in her so much? The monster looks so much bigger..." The mother smiled, her gaze fixed on Aurelia''s descent. "Because, darling, she''s the strongest." ... ... ... Aurelia didn''t slow down, didn''t descend.She held her position in the air, hundreds of feet above the churning ocean, a defiant force against the monstrous Thrax. The sheer strength of will held her aloft, sending invisible shockwaves rippling through the water below. Thrax, its massive form now fully visible even from the shore, slowed its relentless advance.Beady, malevolent eyes locked onto the tiny figure in the sky. "Well, lookie what we have here," Aurelia''s voice boomed from the direction of the beach, amplified by magic. "Been a while since breakfast tried to eat me." GRRR...GRAHHHHH!!! The creature roared, a sound that shook the very foundations of the nearby buildings. Its response wasn''t fueled by mere rage, but a predatory instinct sensing a genuine threat. With unnatural speed, itunched skyward, its ws like rusted metal tore through the air, aiming to crush Aurelia in one swift movement. SLASSSH!!!! But Aurelia was already gone. She vanished in a blinding sh of gold, leaving only specs of light in her trail. Thrax''s attack met only empty air. The creature''s frustrated snarl echoed across the water as it whipped its head around, searching for its agile opponent. "Heyyy..." Aurelia''s voice echoed and reappeared below it. As she clenched her fist, it shone with an overload of golden aura, hardening like iron around her hand. With a surge of speed, she drove the aura-enhanced strike into Thrax''s underbelly. BANGGG!!! A massive explosion of force erupted upon impact.A shockwave rippled outward, momentarily parting the waves. Even from the shore, onlookers could feel the sheer power of the blow.The creature, thrown back, let out a screech of pain as it tumbled through the air. "Get up!" she taunted, her voice filled with uncertainty. "C''mon, it didn''t take one punch right?" ______________ Authors Notes: - Unlike those who rely on wings or external devices, Aurelia''s affinity for the rare light element grants her a unique form of flight. By manipting a soft, constant radiance that surrounds her, she creates a counter-pressure, propelling herself into the air with effortless grace. This ability is a natural extension of her power, requiring minimal focus and allowing her to remain airborne for extended periods. Chapter 158: The Divine Sorceress (4) [Country United States, State: San Francisco, North beach] The creature wounded but far from defeated, wed its way back to its feet. Another roar echoed across the water, this one tinged with a new, desperate ferocity. Thrax was no longer a predator driven by hunger, but a cornered beast fighting for survival. Aurelia circled it, a predator relishing the thrill of the hunt.A smirk spread across her face. "I''m happy you can still fight!" Her voice held a yful challenge tinged with arrogance. "Then I''ll make sure to savour this moment for a long time!" As she noticed an eerie, pulsating glow spread across the creature''s back, her smirk widened. This wasn''t fear, but the joy of a new challenge. Any monster gathering power intrigued her, and this felt different¡­ powerful, almost exciting. Then, her eyes ¨C a startling, sky-blue ¨C red with focused power. A honed technique, a surge of her immense aura and mana flowed to her eyes, allowing her to pierce the veil of time. DING! shes of a horrifying future burned through her eyes... A few seconds into the future, Thrax unleashed a beam of pure destruction that missed Aurelia, obliterating the San Francisco coastline and everyone else in it. "...!" For a split second, as time-warped within that dreadful vision, a flicker of surprise crossed her features. That¡­ that was powerful. Then, her usual confidence returned. "Not bad," she said to Thrax, a hint of amusement in her voice. "But I can see the future!" She winked, pointing a yful finger at her eye. "Divine Technique: Dispersal and Reflection!" she chanted, her voice ringing with unwavering power. As Thrax''s attack reached its peak, she extended her right arm. A golden glow arced from behind her, shooting towards the coastline and the oing beam of destruction. The monster unleashed its attack a heartbeatter, but Aurelia was gone, leaving a shimmering trail of light in her wake. With a sh, she reappeared behind Thrax. Now, both her technique and the monstrous beam traced the same deadly path. Snap! Aurelia snapped her fingers. A massive wall of golden light materialized, a shield against annihtion. The beam hurtled forward, its momentum unyielding, but met its end with a deafening... BANG! The resulting explosion shook the air and sent a powerful surge through the water. Yet, through it all, the city stood safe. GRRRRR? Thrax, instead of feeling the expected feeling of triumph, tilted its monstrous head back, searching the smoke-filled sky for one person. For a moment Thrax couldn''t find where she had gone but Its beady eyes finally located Aurelia, hovering high above, a smirk ying on her lips. GRRRRR... Fury ignited within the creature, overriding its primal instincts. This tiny, infuriating opponent had not only survived its attack but deflected it! A guttural snarl tore from its throat as it focused its rage on the golden figure in the sky. With a speed almost unnatural for its massive size, Thrax charged up another st. SUUUUU!... The air crackled with destructive energy, the pulsating glow on its back even brighter, hotter than before. This time, its target wasn''t the coastline, but Aurelia herself. A blinding beam erupted forth, tearing through the dissipating smoke. It aimed not for the city, but for the single, defiant figure that represented the sole obstacle to its survival. Aurelia''s smirk widened. She watched the beam approach, a split-second calction in her eyes. SHAAAA! The beam of destructive energy tore through the space she''d upied mere milliseconds ago, carving a searing path across the darkening sky. Then, in a blur that defied even the monster''s tracking, she vanished again. "You''re too slow!" Her voice echoed across the water, her usual taunts filled with mockery. Reappearing behind Thrax like a ghost, Aurelia didn''t waste time with theatrics. This creature was proving more resilient than she initially anticipated. Her fist clenched, and with a focused surge of power, she imbued it with her very essence ¨C the raw power of light. The air around her hand crackled with golden energy. And once fully formed she had pure light burning with an intensity that rivalled the setting sun. Then with a surge of speed, she unleashed the attack. SHINGGG!!! A colossal arc of zing light erupted from her fist, a shimmering de of pure energy that tore through the air. Its trajectory was unerring, aimed directly at the monstrous Thrax''s chest, a vital point pulsating with an ominous red glow. SLASSSH!!!! The attacknded true. A thunderous boom echoed as the light collided with Thrax''s chest, the creature roaring in pain. A searing wound erupted where the light struck, but with a horrifying tenacity, Thrax remained standing. It stumbled back, its massive form shuddering, but it was not finished. The yful glint in Aurelia''s eyes vanished. Disappointment reced the amusement. Yet, instead of finishing the fight, a new spark ignited in her gaze. This broken, battered creature had sparked not pity, but inspiration. "Well, if you didn''t know who I am now monster," she grinned, "then you''ll see right after this attack!" As Thrax struggled to regain its footing, unable to move due to the remaining effects of the light attack, Aurelia began to chant. Her voice resonated with power that went beyond even her usual confidence. "[Created before the sun]" - Her hands opened, palms facing upward, slowly drawing towards her body as if collecting ambient light energy ¨C "[The Moon] - [The stars] - [Appear on the fourth]" ¨C Her hands clenched into fists, brought close to her chest, knuckles and forearms glowing with radiant energy. ¨C "[The greater light] - [To rule the day] - [The Lesser light]" ¨C In a sudden motion, she thrusts both fists directly upwards, fingers extended, the air shimmering with energy ¨C "[To rule the night] - [Judgement Before Salvation]" ¨C One hand remains raised, palm upward, the other hand shaping the energy into a portal ¨C [Ressurection and Change] - With a surge of blinding radiance, a massive golden portal crackles into existence, dominating the skyline. Larger and wider than Thrax itself, it warps the very fabric of the darkening sky. "Divine Technique: World''s Brilliance: Annihtion!" The portal doesn''t just glow, it pulses with unimaginable power, a blinding star tearing open the heavens. SHAAAAA!!!! The portal pulses with unimaginable power, a blinding star tearing open the heavens. And from that breach, a beam of pure, annihting light descended, engulfing Thrax. GRAHHHHHHH!!!!! The creature lets out a final, ear-splitting wail as its form is consumed not by shadow, but an unbearable, all-epassing light. The blinding sh, the crackle of energy, and the shockwave that ripples across the water remain, a testament to the devastating power unleashed. The blinding brilliance faded, leaving behind a swirling vortex in the darkening sky. The golden portal flickered and then winked out of existence, the unnatural silence pressing down on the world after the deafening roar. Aurelia descended slowly, her movements almostzy. Below, the ocean churned, a massive scar marking the spot where Thrax once stood. Chapter 159: The Divine Sorceress (5) | Pride Over Humility (2) [Country United States, State: San Francisco, North Beach] She reached afortable altitude, hovering a few meters above the choppy water. Her gaze swept across the scene - the receding waves revealing jagged rocks where the ocean floor had been momentarily pushed upwards, wisps of steam rising like phantoms from the disturbed water. There was nothing left. A soft sigh escaped her lips. "Haah..." The yful look had returned to her eyes, but a trace of something else remained. It had been years since she''d felt this¡­ exhrated. This raw. A tremor coursed through her, not of fear, but of a long-forgotten sensation. "Well, it looks like that''s that." Azy stretch dispelled the tension. "Back to the usual then," she sighed, a quiet smile touching her lips. Yet, a restless energy thrummed beneath her words, a restlessness she hadn''t felt in a long time. "I wish I wasn''t the final line of defence... If only things could be more like this." A flicker of sadness crossed her features, a fleeting wish for a world without constant threat. But responsibility, the heavy mantle of humanity''s strongest, settled back onto her shoulders. It was still good enough to know she could smile, to feel the thrill of battle coursing through her veins. Then, that familiar mischievous spark ignited in her eyes. "Though, I guess it''s not so bad after all." "...?" Before she could gain altitude, a new sound reached her ears. pping. Cheering. And as she looked towards the shoreline, her eyes widened. The once-deserted beach was now alive with figures, a blur of relieved faces and upraised hands. Civilians, lower-ranked heroes ¨C dozens upon dozens, all gazing up at the golden speck in the dimming sky. The shouts began to filter through as she drew closer. "That''s the Divine Sorceress!" "She saved us! She always does!" "Incredible power! Just like in the stories!" A warmth spread through Aurelia, a sensation familiar but it''s always weed. She hovered above the assembled crowd, her usual yful grin widening. "Well, seems like the show''s not quite over," she murmured to herself. With a final flourish, she dipped towards the crowd and waved. Cheers exploded, echoing across the water and mixing with the cries of gulls returning to their seaside homes. "Thanks, everyone!" Her voice rang out, clear and cheerful. As she turned and began to head home, a final thought sparked in her mind... "I miss this feeling." ... ... ... [Geneva, Switzend - International Heroes Association Headquarters - Meeting Room] The blinding sh that pierced the live feed from the coast was the beginning. The deafening roar ¨C more felt than heard through the speakers ¨C confirmed it. Then came a deafening silence, the monitors flickered with static, and the live feed from the beach cut out altogether. Paloma Sierra, Head Director of Monster Subjugations for the IHA, stood rooted in ce, her usualposure momentarily shaken. Fear, yes, but also something else ¨C a sh of frustration at the helplessness of the moment. "What..." The head technician''s voice was barely a whisper, echoing the thoughts of everyone in the room. The oppressive silence was broken by the frantic tter of keyboards, and technicians scrambling to restore the feeds. After an agonizing few seconds, images flickered back to life. But it wasn''t the panicked civilians or the coastline ravaged by the monster''s rampage that drew gasps. It was the aftermath. The ocean churned violently, the epicentre a roiling cauldron of steam and waves. And where the monstrous Thrax once stood... there was nothing. The sheer scale of destruction was undeniable, a humbling reminder of the stakes. A wave of relief washed over the Command Center. Mixed with the fear was a new sensation, harder to define. Was it awe at the power disyed? Perhaps a tinge of shame at their previous doubts? One of the younger executives, the one who had openly scoffed at Aurelia earlier, broke the silence. "Well, I guess... I guess she showed us." His voice trailed off, not in defeat, but in bewildered respect. Paloma nodded slowly. "Get me an immediate status update on Aurelia," she ordered, the determination returning to her voice. With a thoughtful frown, she added. "And patch me through to President Idris. We need to discuss a revision of our protocols, especially those regarding our final line of defence." *** {Rel''s POV} [Paris, L''Institut des Lumi¨¨res Academy - Main Arena Grounds] Alessandro''s jaw hung ck for a moment, the surprise quickly burning off like fog in the morning sun. The look in his eyes wasn''t just anger anymore, it was something colder. Disgust, maybe, like I was something he found stuck to the bottom of his boot. "Gutter rat," he snarled, the words sharp and dismissive. "I despise your kind. Always thinking you can rise above your station." That was the typical noble talk. It didn''t even bother me at this point, it was background noise. What caught my attention was the subtle shift in his stance, that ripple of energy around his fists. Mana. He was about to break the rules, and no one would stop him. If I took that hit... well, let''s just say I wouldn''t be walking off the stage under my own power. Dammit, what was I supposed to do now...? Shit... no use thinking, he was already charging. I guess even as a royalty he still had no honour. Damn, bastard. haah... Focus. I breathed deep, the familiar surge of energy answering my will. [Special Ability: Mitigation''s Phenomena [Grade 1] Has Been Activated!] The air shimmered for a fraction of a second as my barrier manifested. Invisible, like always, but as strong as it needed to be. Alessandro''s fist mmed forward, the mana-charged strike carrying the force of a battering ram. "...!" Then ¨C nothing. Or rather, there should have been a deafening, bone-jarring impact, but his attack seemed to simply¡­ disappear. The shock on his face was priceless. That''s when it happened. A sh of silver and gold materialized in the centre of the stage. A figure in an ornate uniform, reminiscent of the French monarchy of Old Earth. My eyes widened in recognition. "Enough." The voice was calm, and resonant, holding an undeniable authority that cut through the fury of the fight and the gasps of the crowd. "You''re..."It was all I could manage, my own words choked off by a sudden, dizzying sense of unreality. ____________ Authors Notes: - This is the chant without the hand signs: [Created before the sun] ¨C [The Moon] - [The stars] - [Appear on the fourth] ¨C [The greater light] - [To rule the day] - [The Lesser light] ¨C [To rule the night] - [Judgement Before Salvation] ¨C [Ressurection and Change] - - Aurelia used a highly advanced technique of sensory aura to see the future. Chapter 160: Pride Over Humility (3) {Rel''s POV} [Paris, L''Institut des Lumi¨¨res Academy - Main Arena Grounds] "Enough." The voice, calm and resonant, cut through the stunned silence, carrying an undeniable authority. As the figure turned, a silver badge shed on his chest ¨C a phoenix rising from mes. The symbol of the Miracles Guild, the world''s strongest. [Vice Leader Of The Miracles Guild: Chevalier Bastien Luc Foix - Hero Rank: 13] Chevalier. Garrick''s right hand, the Vice Leader himself. I didn''t expect he would be here watching the Prince, but at least he showed himself at the right moment. If he didn''t... then my ability of Mitigation would''ve been questioned without a doubt. Thankfully, he used aura just before his fist could fully extend. Chevalier strode towards Alessandro, the gold and white of his uniform seeming tomand attention. He stopped a few paces away, his posture radiating authority. "Your Highness," he began, his voice firm and unwavering. "This disy is unfitting of your position. You were meant to be demonstrating your skills, not using this open day as an excuse for a brawl." A flicker of anger crossed Alessandro''s face, quickly reced by a forced smile. "My apologies, Monsieur Chevalier," he said, defiance remainingin his voice. "I merely got a little carried away." Chevalier''s gaze remained steady. "Indeed. Remember, you represent not only yourself but the crown of France. Conduct yourself with the dignity befitting your position." So, if he''s treating the prince this way, then I guess he was hired by the royal family to watch over him. That''s the only exnation that makes sense. And of course, my usual bad luck means I just got caught up in the middle of it all. Chevalier turned away from the fuming Alessandro. The gold and white of his uniform seemed to ripple as he walked towards me, closing the distance with a few long strides. "My apologies," Chevalier bowed slightly, and genuine surprise shot through me. "It was my oversight that allowed this situation to escte. I wish to speak with you privately after this ss session is over. And you wish not to continue this... spar, correct?" A feeling of guilt stunned me seeing his sincerity. "It''s fine... I was just¨C" Wait. "You can have him forfeit?" "Yes, I can," Chevalier confirmed, his voice steady. Oh my god, this has to be the easiest quest I''ve ever done. So, if he just says the words, I win? right? System? FWANG! [mhm... ?^- ? -^?] heh... Well, I don''t make the rules... that''s just unfortunate. I tried to stifle the grin spreading across my face, forcing a moreposed expression. "That would be great... if he apologizes, that is." Chevalier nodded and marched towards Alessandro. I couldn''t hear their conversation, but watching the prince''s face was a show in itself. Shock, surprise, anger, and finally, a simmering hatred. "I''m not doing that!" Alessandro''s protest echoed, his face flushed. "You must, Your Highness," Chevalier responded, his voice calm yet firm. "Argh!" Alessandro reluctantly turned towards me. He walked with forced purpose, stopping a few paces away. "I¨CI-I''m sorry..." he stuttered. "And... I forfeit this spar..." Each word seemed to be ground out of him, his gaze fixed on a point over my shoulder. "Okay." I struggled not to smirk. Inside, though? This was a celebration. That''s what I like to hear, you sorry bastard. [Main Story Quest: Pride over humility! - Completed!] [Description: The Prince''s pride has been wounded. Humiliate him further by epting his challenge... and either defeat him in a sparring match or draw.] [Rewards: 5,000 BP, 1000 QP, Strength: 10.00+, HP: 2.50+, Speed: 1.00+, Stamina: 2.50+] [Transferring rewards...25%...50%...75%... 100%] [Transfer Complete!] FWANG! [The following stats have been upgraded:] [Strength: 59 >>> 69 (10.00+)] [HP: 104 >>> 106.5 (2.50+)] [Speed: 73 >>> 74 (1.00+)] [Stamina: 74.5 >>> 77 (2.50+)] [The following Currencies Have Been Added.] [5,000 BP], [1,000 QP], [500 PPP] With the whole mess finally over, I slipped away from the crowd and returned to my seat beside Vanessa. I fumbled with my ck coat, slipping it back on to cover any signs of the fight. A nce towards Vanessa made me wish I''d thought of that earlier. "You know how to fight?" she asked, turning towards me. Oh, shit. I''d forgotten she was watching. "Kind of..." I scratched my head, trying to y it off. "Honestly, I''m not that good." A smile yed on her lips. "It''s still pretty impressive, going up against the royal prince like that. It made me wonder... do you perhaps attend¨C" "Attention, students!" The instructor''s booming voice cut through Vanessa''s question. "The practical portion of the ss is now over. If you''d like, we''ve arranged a breakfast buffet in the academy''s main hall!" I shot Vanessa a quick look and she couldn''t help but feel surprised herself. This interruption felt almost too convenient. It wasn''t the best time to get into any deeper conversation. I''m walking on a tightrope here - if she figured out I was Axel from the mercenary corps, things outside of work would get...plicated. She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling. "Heading to the breakfast buffet too?" She gestured towards the exit, where a stream of open-day visitors were departing. I nced towards the opposite exit, to see Chevalier waiting, his uniform a ssh of gold and white against the drab hallway. haah... I don''t really have a choice... do I? I guess as an author, I needed to spend more quality time with my other characters... This whole day was starting to feel like a hassle. "Actually," I turned back to Vanessa, forcing a smile, "I need to speak with someone I just saw. I''ll catch up with youter, alright?" She nodded, the cute kind of nod that makes perfectly rational thoughts take a nosedive. "Okay, I guess I''ll see you around then." Her smile widened. "Right," I managed to say, my voice sounding a little off even to my own ears. As I walked away, a traitorous part of me couldn''t help but think it was a bit of a shame. Her casual, no-makeup look was already pretty appealing. I wondered just how many guys had tried to hit on her during her trip here. I turned away from the main exit and made my way towards Chevalier. He stood leaning against the worn academy wall, hands tucked into the pockets of his impably tailored trousers. A forced cheerfulness tinged my greeting. "Hello..." Chevalier turned, his measured steps closing the distance between us. "Once again, my apologies. I should have intervened far sooner." His voice was calm, formal, yet held an underlying intensity. "It''s fine," I mumbled. Honestly, just let this whole situation be over. Chevalier paused, his gaze appraising me. Then, with deliberate rity, he asked. "So. What do you want? Money? A schrship into this academy? Name your price." A flicker of surprise coursed through me. I already got what I wanted ¨C the questpletion. What else could I even ask for? "Actually," I began, forcing myself to meet his gaze, "could you... keep today''s events quiet?" My throat felt dry. If word got back to the royal family that I was the one who shed with Alessandro... well, a public execution would be considered merciful. A knowing look crossed Chevalier''s face. "I will see to it," he replied, the formality now tinged with amusement. He turned to walk away, then paused. "But that was not a wish. Consider it a favour. the next time we meet, you may ask for something truly beneficial to yourself." A reluctant smile tugged at my lips. "Thanks," I managed. With a final nod, Chevalier strode away, his gold and white uniform dissolving into the drab academy hallway. ... ... ... I exited the academy arena with a sigh of relief, a mental checklist buzzing in my head. First things first: scout out the Louvre Museum. That''s where the first demi-human would make their appearance, I was sure of it. Luckily for the ride there, it wasn''t too far from the hotel either, a 20-minute drive at most. A quick nce at my watch ¨C maybe I could still snag an Uber on the way out ¨C and I headed towards the main campus. The taxi stand should be there in no time. "Hey..." "...?" The voice made me jump, but I recovered quickly. I turned to find Vanessa standing just inside the exit, a half-amused expression on her face. "What are you doing here?"I tried to keep my voice casual. "Had a feeling you were the type to run," Vanessa replied, a yful glint in her eyes. She was on point... I let out a shortugh. "Really?" "Yes, really!" She stepped closer, her smile widening. "Now, about that buffet, we should go before they eat everything else..." Fuck... I cursed myself for this rookie mistake, forgetting the most basic rule of any interaction and that was to always secure a clean exit. Now I was trapped ¨C well, trapped in a breakfast buffet with a my own teammate, which wasn''t the worst fate imaginable. But I also wanted to leave this ce... ___________ Authors Notes: - To rify these characters'' positions Fredrick Bronze and Chevalier Bastien Luc Foix. Fredrick is the third captain of the Miracles Guild and Chevalier is the Vice (2nd Captain). Chapter reference (47 - Scouting Invitational Tournament) Chapter 161: De-Escalation [Paris, L''Institut des Lumi¨¨res Academy - The Main Academy Hall] [Friday, 11:21 AM] I followed Vanessa through the bustling buffet hall. The sheer variety of food options was overwhelming, but she navigated it with ease, grabbing a colorful mix of fresh fruits and a single pastry. I opted for a small te of scrambled eggs and a ss of orange juice ¨C even distracted, a guy''s gotta eat, right? "So," Vanessa said, taking a delicate bite of her croissant, "what brings you here today? Are you an aspiring student, too?" I shifted ufortably. "Not exactly," I said, finally managing to spear a bit of my eggs."Just... curious, I guess." "Curious in what way?" Vanessa tilted her head, her smile genuine."About the magic? The academy itself?" I paused, considering. "A bit of both," I admitted. "This ce is pretty impressive. Makes me wonder what it''s like to actually be a student here." "You thinking about applying?" Vanessa asked, her curiosity piqued. "Nah, not for me," I said with a quickugh. "Too much pressure, I think. What about you?Any schools on your radar?" Vanessa hesitated, then looked away. "I''m not sure if I can tell you..." she said, a hint of shyness in her voice. What? It shouldn''t be that hard, right? But... I did lie about not being interested in academies, but why is she acting so hesitant? I Couldn''t tell if it was something I wrote into her character, or if the auto-generation had a hand in this. All I needed was to gauge her interest. Getting into an academy might interfere with the main storyline too much. Especially if she ended up being one of Jan''s love interests... "I mean... it''s only fair if you tell me, right?" I finally said. "..." She paused for a moment and gave me a strange look before making her decision. "Okay," she said and took a deep breath. "I''ve been working a lot, saving money to enter a prestigious academy. It''s... something I''ve always wanted to experience, the academy life..." My eyes widened in surprise at those words... Nevermind... I get it. I couldn''t help a small smile. "That''s really cool." I tried to sound genuinely enthusiastic. "So, to make that happen... what kind of work do you do?" "...!" Vanessa''s face flushed, and the lightheartedness faded from her eyes. She started fiddling with a loose thread on her sleeve, her gaze darting away. "Uh... well, I do a few things," she stammered. "A bit of this, a bit of that..." Her voice trailed off, a hint of embarrassment colouring her tone. pfft... Of course, I knew. Even as the author, it was hard for her to keep the double life under cover. Still, it was a little funny to see her struggling with the cover story. I tilted my head slightly."Hey, it''s okay," I said, my voice gentle. "Sounds like you''ve been working really hard. That''s impressive." She looked back at me, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. Then, a small smile touched her lips. "Thanks... I guess it is," she said softly. Afortable silence settled between us for a moment. I took a sip of my juice, considering my next move. Part of me wanted to drop the subject, and respect her privacy. But... Vanessa was good at extracting information. Dangerously good. I had to stay on my toes, even if it meant being a little less... ''human'' about the whole thing. "You know," I began, my voice carefully casual, "it''s no shame in doing whatever it takes to chase a dream.I''ve had some... interesting jobs myself.Written a few decent books in my time." "Really?" Vanessa''s eyes lit up with genuine interest. "What kind of books?" I hesitated, caught slightly off guard. "Uh, fantasy, mostly.You know, magic, adventure, that sort of thing." The conversation dragged on, me naming titles of books I''d written, and answering questions about plots and settings. Finally, a pause. Then, out of the blue, Vanessa asked, "So, what kind of character would you write me as?" "...!" A jolt shot through me. And my smile faltered. Could I? No... that doesn''t sound right. But now that she reminded me... I remembered I killed her off. A supporting character, useful for a time, then eliminated for the sake of the hero''s journey. I''m not even sure, what I was thinking when I did that. But if it''s for the story... then do I still need to do it? Or... can I even do it? It was a hard question to answer for both myself and her. I simply didn''t have an answer to it. gulp... I gulped, suddenly feeling the weight of my own creation. "Hmm..." I stalled, scrambling to find a way out. "You know, it''s hard to say. Depends on the story, right?You could be a courageous warrior that sacrifices themselves... or maybe someone who challenges expectations entirely." haha... I forced a chuckle, trying to seem casual. "Honestly, you seem pretty capable of writing your own story, if you ask me." A shadow flickered across Vanessa''s face, it was clear she was disappointed. I felt an aching guilt, but I couldn''t bring myself to say anything more personal. ncing at my watch, I feigned surprise. "Wow, look at the time!I really should get going..." I hastily gathered my things, an awkwardness settling over me. "It was... it was really nice talking to you." Before she could respond, I was half out of the exit, mumbling a quick farewell and all but I had to go. "Wait!" Vanessa called after me. "I never got your¨C" But I was already gone, the echo of her unfinished question hanging in the air. Maybe it was better this way, keeping things detached. For both our sakes. ... ... ... [Paris, H?tel za Ath¨¦n¨¦e - Top floor - Room: 2# - Bedrooms] [Friday, 5:43 PM] I flopped onto the hotel bed with a heavy sigh. Ever since arriving in this world, it felt like nothing interesting ever happened. Sure, the fight with Alessandro was unexpected, and chatting with Vanessa had been¡­ interesting. But now, alone in this luxury hotel room, I felt utterly lifeless. "Guess the academy wasn''t so bad after all," I muttered to myself. At least there was¡­ something to witness, even if it was just overblown drama. haah... Another sigh escaped my lips. What should I do next? The idea of exploring Paris tomorrow flickered through my mind. Maybe it would be a nice change of pace. But would it actually lead to anything worthwhile? Suddenly, an idea struck me. System. FWANG! [Yes, Mr. Axel? :D] Can you open the Ability Editor for me, please? [Sure, Mr. Axel!] [Loading Ability Editor...] [Loading Complete!] FWANG! [> Ability Creator | > Ability Modifer] - [Select which editor you''d like to use.] A translucent screen materialized before me. I scrolled through the empty squares, my mind racing. What kind of abilities would be worthwhile? Something defensive, maybe? Or something that gave me greater mobility? Perhaps even something... shy, even if it wasn''t strictly practical. click!...click!...click!... As I entered many other abilities through the system. These two were the ones that caught my eye. [Special Ability] - [Grade: 4] Summoner''s Mark -The ability to ce a mark on an object or location, allowing the user toter teleport themselves directly to the mark with a short focus. [Cost: 50,000 - 75,000 BP] [Mana Percentage: 5%] [Special Ability] - [Grade: 3] Time Slip - The ability to briefly rewind time, up to a second or two, perfectly negating a single attack or action that urred. Repeated use can cause migraines and a destabilized sense of time. [Cost: 70,000 - 80,000 BP] [Mana Percentage: 20%] My excitement faded as I looked at the BP costs for those enticing abilities. Even the lower end of the cost range was far beyond my current means. Frustration mingled with a familiar sense of resignation. "Wouldn''t have enough for these now... " I grumbled. But, a wave of determination washed over me. "I''ll make sure to have enough saved up forter." "System, save those abilities for me, will you?" I said aloud. FWANG! [Sure, Mr. Axel!] [Saving Abilities...] [Abilities Have Been Saved!] [A bookmark collection of archived abilities has been added...] [> Ability Creator | > Ability Modifier | Bookmarked Abilities] I nodded, satisfied. There was always something to look forward to. Now, for the more practical matters. "Might as well max out my Sixth Sense skill," I mused. After all, I had plenty of free time on my hands, and even a slight upgrade in perception could be useful. Especially since I wouldn''t be messing with sensory aura any time soon ¨C it''s just tooplicated, and the system didn''t seem to favour that kind of shortcut. ________________ Authors Notes: - Rel mentioned most of the plot from the only book that he wrote (I was reincarnated to stop the world-ending threat) to Vanessa and she just sat there nodding at the plot. - She alsomented about how he killed off many other characters calling him a brutal murderer! Rel replied saying that an author can make mistakes sometimes. Chapter 162: Aura {Rel''s POV} [Paris, H?tel za Ath¨¦n¨¦e - Top floor - Room: 2# - Bedrooms] [Friday, 5:54 PM] haah... I settled onto the bed with a determined sigh. I guess it was time to get this over with. "System, upgrade my Sixth Sense please," I said, focusing my thoughts on the ability. FWANG! A screen materialized before my eyes, detailing the proposed upgrade and its cost. [The Following Ability Will Be Upgraded:] [Special Ability: Sixth Sense [Grade 9] >>> [Grade 6] - (Cost: 6800 BP) - ] [Please Confirm.] Without hesitation, an option appeared saying ''yes''. Click! A brief tingling sensation washed through my body, and a momentter, another screen shed before me: FWANG! [The Following Ability Has Been Upgraded!] [Special Ability: Sixth Sense [Grade 9] >>> [Grade 6] - [Cost: 6800 BP] -] [Current Bnce: 800 BP (-6,800 BP)] My BP bnce dropped ordingly. A sizable chunk, but hopefully a worthwhile investment. Sixth Sense was one of my most reliable abilities. Heck, I probably would have been dead without it from the get-go. Thankfully, skilled aura users weren''t likely to pop up this early in the story. Jan still struggled to grasp the difference between aura and qi, and it would take time for him to master most aura techniques, even with a proper instructor. But along his journey of learning aura, Jan would slowly begin to understand its core techniques: Flow and Enhancement, Sensory, and Dominance. Each of these techniques taps into the unique power of aura. Flow and Enhancement focus on using aura to amplify a person''s physical impact. By channeling aura through their muscles, users can strike with far greater force than their bodies would normally allow. Sensory Technique refines and amplifies a person''s natural senses by channeling aura into their nervous system. Aura acts as a conduit, enhancing perception of the environment and the intentions of others. In some extremely skilled users, Sensory Technique can even grant a glimpse of the future, allowing them to predict their opponent''s next move. Dominance aura is a rare ability that lets a user project their willpower through their aura. This overwhelms their opponent''s spirit, potentially swaying their actions or even crushing thempletely. The sheer force of Dominance creates immense pressure, capable of knocking out the weak-willed or eroding an opponent''s resolve through intimidation, internal strain, or mental assault. Individuals capable of wielding Dominance possess a uniquebination of qualities ¨C an unbreakable spirit, absolute conviction, or an overwhelming force of nature. It''s rare for one person to have all three, but those who do will undoubtedly be the most strongest of Dominance users. Well, my current substitute for aura... let''s just say it''s unique. FWANG! [Standard Ability: Projectile Disarm [Grade 3] Has Been Activated!] As I lifted my right hand, I focused. My aura was still ck, no longer the frantic burst from moments of danger, but a steady, inky flow. But even with that strange book Merk had given me, it allowed me to use aura reflexively, but the color still baffled me. ck was supposed to represent the absolute pinnacle of aura, a perfect inner bnce so pure it shouldn''t even be visible. I wasn''t exactly an expert in the mechanics of aura.A friend had given me a few tips for the sake of my writing, but that was the extent of my knowledge. Still, something about this just felt... wrong. knock...knock...knock... "Rel?" "...!" [Standard Ability: Projectile Disarm [Grade 3] Has Been Deactivated!] I got up from the bed, noticing Jan''s head peeking through the slightly open door. "What?" "I heard our hotel has buffets ¨C morning, lunch, and dinner," Jan said, his voice tinged with excitement. "So?" "Well, I was wondering if you wannae eat with us? You seem like you''re doing nothing, figured it might be more fun together." I heard Ath¨¦n¨¦e has dinner open until 9pm, and it''s only 6pm right now. The thought of sharing a table with Jan made me cringe. Who knows what kind of nonsense he''d say especially him getting those misunderstandings between Valencia and I. It''s probably better to eat alone... "I think I''ll pass-" *rumble...* A loud, traitorous growl from my stomach echoed in the room. pfft... Jan choked back augh and my frown deepened. "You sure about that?" he asked, covering his mouth. *haah...* "I''lle." ... ... ... [Paris, H?tel za Ath¨¦n¨¦e - Grand Dining Hall] I followed Jan towards the main dining hall, trying to quell the fluttering nerves in my stomach. When the enormous doors swung open, a wave of warm, tantalizing scents washed over me, mingled with the murmur of refined conversation. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in a warm glow, and my eyes were instantly drawn to the extravagant buffet spread. But it was the people who made me pause. Most of the Histories Breakfast Club members were already seated around a long, polished table. To my surprise, Lan, Louise, Noah, and Miya seemed to be getting along. Louise, despite his arrogance and nobility, was at least making an effort. Good for him ¨C character development was essential here, especially since he was destined as Jan''s main rival. To my right, an even more unexpected cluster caught my attention. Jae, Alice, Valencia, Lyra, and Cam were all gathered together. Seeing Jae and Alice conversing with Valencia''s circle was... surprising. I would have thought their personalities would sh rather than mesh. But hey, maybe I was wrong. I trailed after Jan as he navigated the buffet with the practised ease of someone who''d done this a time or two before. He piled his te high with coq au vin, a selection of cheeses, and what looked like an entire miniature quiche. "Too bad we can''t snag a spot with the others," Jan said, eyeing the table where Valencia and Cam had managed to stake a im. "Lyra wants to get to know the other girls in the club, you know." He nudged me with a grin. "Don''t worry, though," he whispered secretly, "You''ll get your chance soon." haah... I sighed inwardly, a frown pulling at my lips. Coming here felt like a chore. Sure, I knew these people ¨C they were my creations, after all. But that didn''t make the prospect of small talk any more appealing. __________ Authors Notes: - Rel eats the right amount of protein to gain the correct mass for his muscle growth. Chapter 163: Dinner | The Plan [Paris, H?tel za Ath¨¦n¨¦e - Grand Dining Hall] With a final, resigned sigh, I picked at the buffet options, finally settling on a more modest meal than Jan''s feast. p!! As we finished, Jan pped me on the back, the force of it nearly sending my food flying. "Come on," he said, already moving towards a different part of the room. "Bazz is probably done eating by now." I followed along, my frown deepening. This was going to be a long night. Jan led me towards a corner table where Bazz sat alone, his eyes glued to his watch. ¡ªThe divine sorceress has defeated the massive monster on the West Coast! He looked up as we approached, a grin spreading across his face. "Whatcha watching?" Jan asked, leaning over Bazz''s shoulder. "Just saw the news," Bazz eximed, shoving the watch towards Jan. "Look!!! The divine sorceress is back in action!" "Oh, Aurelia?" Jan said, peering at the watch. Footage showed a woman with flowing silver hair unleashing a devastating beam of light, obliterating a monstrous creature. "She must be crazy strong to pull that off." "Well, duh!" Bazz said, a smirk ying on his lips. "She''s the strongest and¡­" He dramatically ripped open his shirt, revealing a messy scrawl across his chest ¨C Aurelia''s signature. pffft!!! Jan burst outughing. "How on earth did you manage that?" "I''m her number one fan," Bazz said, puffing out his chest with pride. "How could I not?" I watched the exchange, unsurprised. Bazz had fallen hard for Aurelia ¨C a powerful, beautiful sorceress ¨C the moment he''did eyes on her. It probably exined why he was at Dawn''s de Arena because there were rumours of a small female knight dressed in white and gold fighting in the highest league. Still, it was a relief to see her in action. That Thrax monster was one I''d designed specifically for her ¨C a creature highly resistant to most magic except light. I had no idea if she would appear, or what the consequences might have been if she hadn''t... I slid into the seat beside Jan and Bazz, who were already deep in conversation ¨C something about Aurelia''stest feat, judging by the way Bazz was gesturing. Despite the chatter, my attention was immediately drawn to the food. The menu for today was good but I still liked eating the simple foods. Looking at my te it had a perfectly roasted chicken with crispy, golden skin and a side of creamy mashed potatoes. nom...nom...nom... The savoury aroma filled my nostrils as I took my first bite, the tender meat melting in my mouth. The mashed potatoes were divine ¨C buttery, smooth, and flecked with fresh herbs. A small sd with a light vinaigrette provided a crisp counterpoint to the richer vours. Jan and Bazz''s conversation faded into a background murmur as I focused on the delicious meal before me. For dessert, I sumbed to a slice of apple tart. The thin, ky crust held a warm, cinnamon-scented filling, topped with a scoop of vani ice cream. The contrast between the warm fruit, crisp pastry, and the cool, creamy ice cream was pure delight. By the time I''d finished, afortable warmth suffused me. Reluctantly, I put down my fork. Jan and Bazz''s discussion seemed to have veered off towards Aurelia to something about who could consume the most cinnamon. But I was content just to listen, letting the vours of the meal wash over me. [5 minutester...] With a final, nce at the remnants of my dessert, I pushed away from the table. "I think I''m going to head back to the room," I spoke out loud. Jan paused mid-sentence, a surprised look crossing his face. "Already?" "Yeah," I said, unable to keep a sigh from slipping out. He chuckled."Alright, spoilsport.But remember," Jan wagged a finger at me, his smile mischievous, "Remember your promise!" I couldn''t help but sigh again. I realized the hole I dug myself into,pletely forgetting I had to go with Jan and Bazz to Dawn''s de Arena here in France. Still, as I turned to leave, I saw his grin was genuine, filled with the carefree enthusiasm I both envied and found slightly annoying. *** [Location: ??? - Darkworld, Sifter''s Organization Base] Deep beneath the waves of the Antic Ocean, a hidden world that thrives ¨C a country for the criminal elite, a ce where ambition and ruthlessness reign supreme. Ruled by the Dark Worlds Emperor Modred Ashbourne. ... ... ... Within the corridors of the Sifter''s Organization Base, a lone figure sits in a dimly lit room. [Cyran Grey - Member Of Quadra and the Leader Of Sifter''s Organization.] Cyran, one of Quadra''s most notorious leaders, stared at a television screen, his eyes narrowed in contemtion. "Ohhh... interesting... hmm... hmm..." he murmurs, his voice devoid of inflection. "Drakon''s only equal!" The screen flickered, revealing footage of a woman with flowing silver hair soaring through the San Francisco skyline. Aurelia, the divine sorceress, a beacon of light in a world ustomed to darkness. Cyran watched, a faint glimmer of interest sparking in his otherwise dead eyes. He too wondered the full strength of the Divine Sorceress. SWANGGGG... Suddenly the heavy doors swung open, Cyran didn''t even bother to turn around. He knew the footsteps, the cadence of authority that marked his visitor. A faint smile twisted his lips. "Wee againnn... dimirrr!" he drawled, his voice filled with a sarcastic amusement. dimir''s response was sharp, his voice tinged with disapproval. "You seem excited, more than usual. I thought you were incapable of feeling?" Cyran leaned back against the sofa, his head tilting at an impossible angle so that he could look up at dimir upside down. "I can''t feel pain! Or emotions!" he rified, his tone yful."But I tryyy my besttt!..." "tch..." dimir clicked his tongue disapprovingly. "Your acting skills leave much to be desired." Cyran let out a chuckle, springing up from the sofa to face dimir. "Are you here to watch Netflix on my tv again?" he asked a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. dimir sighed, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. "No. I''m here to confirm the details of the n ¨C the one we''re executing two days from now." Cyran tilted his head, a finger tapping his chin thoughtfully. "n... n... n?" Then, with a suddenness that belied his earlier nonchnce, his eyes lit up. "Oh! Rightttt, the n!" _________ Authors Notes: - Cyran is known for his incredible durability inbat. Chapter 164: Dawns Blade Arena [Location: ??? - Darkworld, Sifter''s Organization Base] dimir ran a hand through his hair, a frown etching lines across his face. "So... you''re sending Jasper to apany the experiment?" Cyran nodded, a wide, almost manic grin spreading across his face. "Yes! Perfect choice, really! Great opportunity..." He trailed off, seeming to search for the right words. dimir gave him a knowing look. "Isn''t he the one who failed to acquire the Stone of Light?" Cyran let out a bark ofughter. "Correct! But failure is... uh... stepping stone! Yes! To sess!" He punctuated the statement with a vigorous fist pump. dimir narrowed his eyes. "Okay... just make sure he and the¡­ subject¡­" he paused, his distaste evident, "arrive at the appointed location and time." "Absolutely!" Cyran chirped, giving a mock salute. "Won''t let you down! Promise!" dimir shook his head with a weary sigh and turned to leave. Just as he reached the door, he paused. "And Cyran?" "Yes?" Cyran said, tilting his head with exaggerated curiosity. "Try to keep things... contained, this time," dimir said, his voice sharp, before disappearing into the shadowy corridors. Cyran smiled, waving a cheerful goodbye to dimir''s retreating back. Then, his head tilted as if listening to an unseen voice. "What should I do now...?" He snapped his fingers, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Got it!" Click! ... ... ... An instantter, Cyran vanished, reappearing with a slight pop behind Jasper. The unsuspecting man was crouched in the workshop, a broken drone clutched in his hands. "How can I fix this..." Jasper muttered, squinting at the damaged circuitry. "Jasper!"Cyran screamed. "AH!" Jasper shrieked, startled.He whipped around to find his boss standing inches away and immediately dropped into a kneeling bow. "B-boss!" Cyran tilted his head, a puzzled expression on his face. Then he pointed at Jasper dramatically. "Mission! Two days!" He paused, struggling to find the right words. "With experiment!" Jasper nodded frantically. "Yes, yes!Whatever it is, I''ll do it." "Good!" Cyran chirped,"Now, experiment¡­" he trailed off, his brow furrowing, "...here tomorrow, maybe? Morwening today! To... to talk to you!" "Yes¡­ sir¡­" Jasper gulped, the mention of Morwen sending a shiver down his spine. *** {Rel''s POV} [Paris, H?tel za Ath¨¦n¨¦e - Top floor - Room: 2# - Bedrooms] [Saturday, 9:44 AM] BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, "Rellllll!" Pounding on the door wokeRel from his sleep. He groaned, fumbling for the nkets as Jan''s voice filtered through the fog of drowsiness. "Rel! Get up! We''re heading to the arena today!" Rel''s eyes fluttered open, the room still swimming in dim light. He yawned, a long, mournful sound, and muttered to himself, "Can''t I just sleep a few more hours¡­?" Resigned to his fate, Rel pulled himself out of bed. He dressed quickly,yering on thick winter clothing against the chill of the freezing morning. A ssh of cold water on his face did little to shake the lingering dregs of sleep. With a final sigh, he shuffled out the door, blinking against the sudden brightness of the day. Jan and Bazz waited impatiently, already buzzing with excitement. ... ... ... [Paris, Champs-¨¦lys¨¦es - Dawn''s de Arena,Outside] Reaching the Champs-¨¦lys¨¦es, the central hub of Paris, took surprisingly little time.I hadn''t expected Dawn''s de Arena to be located here ¨C a prime location, for sure, but it felt a bit... obvious. The Uber ride took about half an hour, though I''d dozed off for most of it.Still, the scene felt familiar, reminding me of the arena back in Australia. It still had the same cksmith stands boasting theirtest works, then there was the dodgy scammers offering questionable upgrades, and the usual bustle of restaurants and cafes. "Say, Rel," Jan''s voice broke into my thoughts, "Is this your first time here? Also, are you into fashion?" I blinked, caught off guard. He still wouldn''t stop bugging me about my wardrobe... I only dressed for the Parisian chill - I didn''t even mean to look this way. It made me wonder if it looked bad on me. "No," I said, shivering slightly despite the sun. "Don''t you feel it?It''s freezing." Jan chuckled. "You could channel your mana, keep yourself warm.Isn''t that easy for a genius like you?" "Too much effort," I grumbled. "Not worth it this early." "Heh, if you say so."He shed me a grin. "Guess I jumped the gun on the fashion thing. d you don''t know, anyway." "Don''t know what?" I frowned, suspicion gnawing at me. "Don''t worry about it!"Jan chirped, already changing the subject. "Now, let''s get going, shall we?" *** The closer they drew to Dawn''s de Arena, the harder it was to miss the twinkle in Jan''s eye. He nudged Rel, a yful grin on his face. "Man, I can''t wait to see the look on your face today!" Rel blinked, a crease appearing between his brows. What did Jan have up his sleeve? His own attire was practical as ever, driven byfort, not style. He wasn''t easily swept up in enthusiasm, but even he couldn''t deny the curiosity Jan had sparked. "You''re perfectly dressed for it, too!" Jan added, his voice bright. "I just can''t believe it!" Bazz, focused on his own agenda, interrupted. "So, which leagues are we watching today? Any rising stars we should keep an eye on?" "Let''s get everyone settled first," Jan said, a secretive spark in his eyes. Bazz chuckled, his own hopes fixated on a different kind of rising star. "Today might be the day we finally spot Aurelia in action! Maybe she''s fighting under a hidden name... gotta keep our eyes peeled!" As they reached the grand gates of the arena, a figure stood by the bridge, an air of stillness about her. Sunlight reflected off blonde hair tied back in a neat bun. As their group drew closer, Valencia turned. Her winter dress was striking ¨C ck silk flowing over her form, ented by crisp white cuffs and a delicate white cor. The stark contrast mirrored her reserved demeanor, creating an impression of quiet elegance. Jan''s grin nearly split his face as they approached Valencia. "Well, well, look who''s here!" He practically radiated smug satisfaction, which only deepened Rel''s sense of unease. He''d always found Jan''s cheerfulness a bit overbearing, but this felt... pointed. Valencia didn''t smile back. Instead, her gaze swept over Rel, a flicker of something like distaste marring her otherwiseposed expression. A familiar unease settled over him. He was always careful around her ¨C one misced word or action could set her off, and he never quite understood why. "Remember our little wager?" Jan asked, tilting his head with a yful air. Valencia let out a soft huff, her posture stiffening slightly."Unfortunately." Jan gave Rel a quick, encouraging nudge that felt entirely too conspicuous. "See? It''ll be fun!Besides," he added, lowering his voice so only Rel could hear, "it''s about time you two spent some quality time together." He winked, and Rel''s face twisted in disgust. Valencia''s gaze bore into him, sharp enough to cut steel.For a heart-stopping moment, he thought a scathing remark was imminent, but then Bazz''s excited shout shattered the tension. "Look!" Bazz pointed enthusiastically at the arena''s disy board. "The matchups for the lower leagues are posted!" As they started towards the arena entrance, Valencia abruptly pulled Jan back, her fingers tightening on his cor. "Hold on a second," she snapped, her voice low. "I knew there was something fishy when you invited me here... What are you nning Jan?" A flicker of anger marred her usuallyposed features. Jan blinked, his grin faltering slightly. "N-nothing! There are some really promising fighters in the leagues today.I thought you liked that sort of thing..." He trailed off, trying to maintain his innocent act. Valencia narrowed her eyes but released her grip, a sigh escaping her. A memory flickered in her eyes ¨C a glimpse of a younger Jan excitedly recalling his first arena experience back when they were students at the prep academy. "Don''t try that with me, Jan," she warned, her voiceced with a hint of begrudging fondness. "You know I hate when you get all secretive." Jan let out a sheepishugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Okay, okay... maybe I had another reason for inviting you," He admitted, a glint returning to his eyes. "But it''ll be worth it, I promise!" Rel nced back, catching sight of Valencia''s hand on Jan''s cor, her expression hidden from his view. A familiar pang of unease washed over him ¨C he already knew the subject of their conversation. Valencia''s dislike for him was no secret. With a sigh, he turned back around, the words escaping his lips before he could stop them. "I hate this MC," he muttered, the bitterness in his voice surprising even himself. _________________ Authors Notes: - Normal spars with swords always has a hidden rule that no aura or elemental attributes aren''t allowed. Jan broke this rule during their spar. - Valencia could''ve easily left the building but due to her nobility, she sticks by her word and promises. Chapter 165: A Second Encounter {Valencia''s POV} [Paris, Champs-¨¦lys¨¦es - Dawn''s de Arena, Outside] Jan had dragged me to Dawn''s de Arena, of all ces. The sting of losing that spar remained ¨C he''d broken the unspoken rules about using aura! Now I was stuck here with him for who knows how long. ¡ª If you lose, you''ll have toe DBA with us tomorrow! ¡ª Okay? But it wasn''t the thing I hated but when he didn''t tell me who wasing. Especially the person walking right in front of me. Sure, it was good to keep my skills sharp, but I couldn''t shake the feeling that Jan was up to something. My annoyance was obvious ¨C there was no way I could hide it now. As we walked, something felt...off. I knew he was always the kind of guy who looked gloomy during school... but he seemed different here. The crisp winter air had brought a touch of colour to his cheeks, and his usual frown had eased into a look of distant curiosity. He wasn''t the scrawny, hunched-over figure I was used to seeing back at the academy. The realization caught me off guard. Lyra and Cam would have found it hrious, of course ¨C they probably would have teased me endlessly if they weren''t back at the hotel. "Has he... always looked like that?" I almost didn''t recognize my own voice. A wave of heat rushed to my face. What was I thinking? He was still the same ¨C weak-willed, irritating, and utterly dull person here... wasn''t he? A strange, fluttery sensation washed over me, and I clenched my fists, trying to dismiss it. I should know better. The imposing facade of Dawn''s de Arena loomed ever closer, and I trailed a few steps behind Jan, Bazz and him. I already knew of Jan''s impulsive ns, but the simmering annoyance at his secrecy was overshadowed by a different sensation altogether. Jan, his usual cheer amped up even further, leaned in and whispered something to Rel. A burst ofughter escaped him, and Rel''s face ¨C normally nk or contorted in a scowl ¨C twisted into a look of pure disgust. The sight was shocking, not like the one I knew from ss. His face had always been so... unreadable. Expressionless. So why now? Why was he capable of making such faces? It felt... wrong, somehow. Unsettling. I watched them, my brow furrowing in confusion. He might be insufferable, but this touch of... humanity... was unexpected. "Even though..."The thought trailed off, a familiar wave of irritation washing over me. "Ah, never mind." It didn''t matter. His newly discovered expressiveness didn''t change anything. With a shake of my head, I forced my attention back to the path ahead. ... ... ... [Paris, Champs-¨¦lys¨¦es - Dawn''s de Arena, Ticket Lounge] Stepping into the grand foyer of Dawn''s de Arena, they were hit with a wave of energy. The shouts of the crowd and the pulsating electronic music seemed to echo off the high ceilings, creating a thrilling sense of anticipation. They approached the ticket booth, and the attendant, a young woman with brightly dyed hair and a multitude of piercings, looked them over. "Group of students, huh? Got your IDs on you?" she asked, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Might get yourselves a little discount." As they fumbled for their identification, a loudspeaker crackled overhead. "Attention all visitors! Please be aware that there will be a short dy before entry is permitted. Our staff is finalizing preparations for today''s tournaments and exhibitions. Thank you for your patience!" The attendant looked apologetic. "Sorry about that, folks. Shouldn''t be too long.In the meantime," She added, gesturing towards the vast space behind them. "There''s a whole food court in the main lobby and lounge areas scattered throughout. Feel free to grab a bite or rx while you wait!" With shrugs and a few murmurs of disappointment, the group turned away from the ticket booth. Jan, ever the optimist, beamed. "Food first, fightster! Sounds like a n to me." Even Valencia seemed less annoyed, and Rel, who''s usually a skeptic, found himself subtly intrigued by the unexpected change in ns. Whatever the day held, it certainly wouldn''t be boring. ... ... ... [Paris, Champs-¨¦lys¨¦es - Dawn''s de Arena, Main Lobby;] The food court buzzed with the same energy as always, a blend of familiar scents and excited voices. We grabbed a quick breakfast and everyone got the usual, nothing out of the ordinary. While we waited, we sat back at the lounge and I sank into a nicefy armchair. This ce always felt different... a world apart from the academy''s stifling atmosphere. Thest time I was here, I struggled to find my way into the fighter''s lounge. It made me wonder if all the spaces within Dawn''s de Arena shared a simr design. They were all part of the massive coliseum, so maybe... but it was hard to be sure. I settled back, letting snippets of conversation from Jan, Bazz, and Valencia wash over me. They were focused on the matchups, potential rising stars, and who might cause an upset in the lower and higher leagues. But a familiar curiosity lingered in the back of my mind. Did they ever show the actual rewards for winning? I couldn''t remember. Maybe they kept it deliberately vague, a secret only revealed on a specific disy board. That would add to the suspense... of course, they likely did show it, and I just missed it. The conversations continued around me, a familiar blend of voices and predictions. Then, an unexpected sound cut through the air. FWANG! My gaze snapped to the familiar UI of my system. Another intervention? This was getting ridiculous. [A Setting Intervention Has urred...] [The following character has entered the area.] [Alessandro Reynard Valois.] Of course. If my trip to the academy caused a butterfly effect, this made sense ¨C though a frustrating sense. I knew the Dawn''s de visit wasn''t part of the original story, but Alessandro''s early appearance was still worrisome. What if he and Jan met? [The following information regarding his appearance cannot be revealed via PPP.] haah... Typical.My system seemed only to grant me information when it directly pertained to the original plot. Anyone outside of that... well, I was on my own. Still, I had to figure this out. With Alessandro''s presence heavy on my mind, I knew the best course of action would be caution. I''d have to let things y out, stepping in only if they went horribly wrong. For now, my primary concern was making sure Alessandro and Jan didn''t meet ¨C under any circumstance. Carefully, I scanned the room, searching for any sign of the arrogant prince. It didn''t take long but Just then, I spotted him. Alessandro was surrounded by a gaggle of those academy snobs I''d met just a day ago. "¡ª utterly predictable, don''t you think?" Alessandro drawled, his posture radiating a sense of superiority. "¡ª the same old fighters, recycling tired strategies¡­" A fawningugh from one of hispanions, a young man with perfectly coiffed hair and an eager smile. "¡ª of course, Your Highness!Perhaps you could show them a thing or two? I hear there are some exhibition matchester¡­ " "¡ª might be amusing," Alessandro mused, an arrogant smirk curling his lips. "¡ª a quick demonstration of what true skill looks like, wouldn''t you agree, Dominic?" Dominic, the young man who''d spoken before, practically preened. "¡ª Absolutely, Your Highness!A masterss for the unenlightened masses, wouldn''t you say, the rest of you?" *** [Paris, Champs-¨¦lys¨¦es - Dawn''s de Arena, A-League: 2nd Stadium] After the initial shock of Alessandro''s appearance, Rel''s group had settled into one of the arena''s viewing areas. Rel found himself reluctantly shoved into a seat between Valencia and Jan, thetter radiating an almost smug satisfaction that made Rel want to gag. Bazz was a seat away,pletely absorbed in the A-League match ying out on the arena floor below. The fight was¡­ underwhelming. One fighter, a muscled brute, dominated the other, a leaner man who moved with the speed of a startled hare. The oue seemed inevitable. With a yawn, Rel tuned out the ringmentary, his mind still churning over Alessandro''s arrival. Suddenly, a brutal thud echoed through the arena, followed by a shocked gasp from the crowd. The smaller fightery sprawled on the bloodstained sand, unmoving. The announcer''s voice boomed through the speakers. "And that''s a wrap, folks!A decisive knockout in round one ¨C" The announcer cut off abruptly, and the view shifted. A spotlight swept across the arena floor, settling on a figure Rel knew all too well. The crowd erupted. "¨C we have a special guest in attendance!Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for the one, the only, Prince Of France Alessandro Valois!" The roar that swept through the stadium was deafening. ¡ª Oh my god! Is that the Prince? ¡ª Wow... he looks even hotter in person ¡ª He seems so mature as well! The overwhelming praise for Alessandro piqued Rel''s curiosity. He nced at the person next to him, expecting Valencia to show a measure of respect due to his status, given her usual ''nonchnce''. They were, after all, supposed to be family friends¡­ surely, there would be some familiarity or even warmth in her expression. "...!" But when he turned, he was shaken. Valencia''s face was pale.Her shoulders were hunched, and her hands, tightly clenched in fists, were trembling. Her usualposure had vanished, reced by something that looked suspiciously like fear. Her hesitation spoke volumes. Whatever their families'' history was, it clearly wasn''t as simple as he''d assumed. __________ Authors Notes: - If there''s a celebrity or someone important in the building of Dawn''s de Arena their name would be mentioned to show respect. Chapter 166: A Second Encounter (2) {Rel''s POV} [Paris, Champs-¨¦lys¨¦es - Dawn''s de Arena, A-League: 2nd Stadium] My eyes widened seeing Valencia shaking in almost what appears to be fear. I couldn''t believe it... but of all people, why him? Florian Alexandre Etienne Valois. The current king of France, and Gerrard Freya, the leading number 1 guild in the world ¨C the two should''ve been on good terms ording to how the story went. But I''m sure there wasn''t any fallout between the two during the whole story. It wasn''t making sense at all. What Valencia should''ve been for Alessandro was a mentor who guided him on the right way of leadership... but that could only exist if she was still in her third year as a senior. Then... I get it now. From what I could only assume of Alessandro''s superiorityplex, his royal status probably made Valencia seem unimportant. This likely created a distance between the two of them. Certainly, by seeing her actions now, it felt like this information seemed to be the case. Obviously, if the system allowed me to me confirm these suspicions, then I''d be assured of it all. But seeing her tremble out in the arena''s awe of Alessandro''s presence made me feel a little sorry for her. ... ... ... Rel reached out a hand towards Valencia. She was still trembling, and he wanted to help, but she abruptly stood up. "I-I need the washroom, quick..." Valencia mumbled. Jan looked up to her with a confused expression. "Alright... next match isn''t for another ten," he said. "Just be back before then." "mmm..." Valencia nodded frantically and bolted from her seat, disappearing down the tunnel. Rel watched her go, worry biting at him. Then Alessandro stood, leaving just as quickly. Something was off, Rel could feel it. Leaving Valencia alone right now¡­ it didn''t sit right. "Think I dropped something back there. Be right back," he lied smoothly. Jan and Bazz nced at him. "Don''t be long, match starts soon!" Jan called out. ... ... ... How the heck did she disappear so fast? And where... am I? I surveyed the lobby,pletely lost. How did I even end up here? There were signs everywhere, arrows and symbols I didn''t recognize, leading to... who knows where. Maybe Valencia got confused too. And during that match, I knew Alessandro was somewhat following us from the beginning. Especially when he had his seat ced across from the other side of the arena. That was when I knew something was off. Although he was only trying to catch a glimpse of Valencia I''d made sure he didn''t catch sight of me, but I couldn''t be certain about her. Okay, focus. Find her first... I tried following the signs, but they spun me in circles. More lobbies, each one bigger and more confusing than thest. Was my sense of direction always this bad? I passed through a maze of snack bars, merchandise stalls, some kind of holographic fight simtor... the arena was gargantuan, a ce of distractions. After what felt like an eternity of wandering, something finally clicked in my brain ¨C this was the hallway leading to the upper-level lounges!I rounded a corner, and then it happened. Alessandro breezed past, almost a blur. My eyes widened, ready for a confrontation, for... anything. But he didn''t even look my way. This confusion wormed its way through me. Yesterday it seemed like he wanted my blood, and now... it was like he didn''t even know me. Before I could get my head around that, Alessandro was gone, already halfway down the corridor. Then, it all went horribly wrong. He reached into his pocket, his wallet tumbling to the ground. Unfortunately for Valencia, she chose that exact moment to emerge from a nearby doorway. Their eyes met. Time seemed to freeze as I stood there, an unwilling witness, hidden around the corner. But... I couldn''t move... every part of my body froze without a thought. and suddenly the screen in front of me began to sh. FWANG! [Setting Intervention Is In ce.] [This is a fixed event, you cannot interfere.] "...!" I can''t? [This is a fixed event, which means that you aren''t allowed to interfere with this event Mr Axel... (¡¤??¡É?? )] So, I can''t interfere at all. I have to watch everything unfold just like a reader should right? haah... "Will, I be able to step in after the ''fixed event'' is finished?" I asked, still holding out a sliver of hope. [Of Course! ???? ¡¥???¡¥?? )?] I can. well, that''s a relief. [Fixed Eventsare a character''s top priority. You as the author aren''t allowed to interfere.] [But there''s an exception...] "Like what?" [If the fixed event revolves around you as the author, then a predetermined choice is made through an action that issupposed to happen within the novel.] [For example, you cannot prevent Character A from acquiring a skill crucial to the story''s progression.] [However, in events involving a character''s decision where you y a significant role, intervention is permitted.] So this situation... I''m outta luck, huh? [Unfortunately so...] ... ... ... [Paris, Champs-¨¦lys¨¦es - Dawn''s de Arena, Arena Hallway] The empty hallway echoed with silence. Valencia froze. Alessandro stood before her, a shock rippling through her frame. She forced herself to breathe, desperately seekingposure. Alessandro''s eyes widened, and a grin broke out across his face. "Valencia! Or Val, right? It''s been ages!" Valencia took a shaky step back as Alessandro moved closer."Right... it''s been a while," she managed to say. "Of course! We haven''t seen each other since we were kids," Alessandro replied, his grin unwavering. Valencia gave a slight nod, her eyes fixed on the ground. A forced shyness crept into her expression, a desperate tactic to mask her true fear. Forced small talk felt impossible. Her mind, however, was desperately searching for an escape. And suddenly, a memory triggered back then, a vivid image from their childhood. A wave of warmth, tinged with a bittersweet ache, washed over her... [shback to 12 years ago...] ____________ Authors Notes: - Florian and Gerrard were friends way before he became King Of France. Chapter 167: A Second Encounter (3) [Valencia Freya, shback...] [12 Years Ago...] [Geneva, Switzend - International Heroes Association Headquarters - 1st Floor: Garden.] The polished floors of the International Heroes Association gleamed under harsh fluorescent lights. Young Valencia, barely eight years old, clung tightly to her father''s leg, peeking out nervously. It had been weeks since her mother''s passing, a void she could barelyprehend. Her gaze fell on a young boy, only a year younger, who gripped his father''s hand. Florian Alexandre Etienne Valois, heir to the French throne, even in his youth carried an air of entitlement. "Gerrard," Florian began, his voice smoothly sympathetic. "I offer my sincerest condolences for your loss." Gerrard''s stoic facade almost slipped, a feeling of pain shing in his eyes before he steadied himself. "Thank you, Florian. Her spirit lives on in our daughter." Valencia, curiosity oveing her shyness, peeked out at Florian. He offered a tight smile. "She looks just like her mother, doesn''t she?" A pain of difort struck Valencia, but her father squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Indeed." A shadow crossed Alessandro''s face, a hint of a smirk ying on his lips. "Speaking of family," Florian continued, "Valencia, I hear, is taking up the sword?" Gerrard''s pride shone through. "She is. Already showing remarkable aptitude. Picking it up faster than I did at her age." Florian chuckled, ruffling his son''s hair. "Alessandro is still exploring his options. A swordsman? Perhaps a mage?He has a natural talent for so many things." Alessandro puffed out his chest, an exaggerated gesture even for a child his age. Valencia felt a twist of unease. Something about his arrogance, his need for approval, rubbed her the wrong way. Florian looked between the children, a glint of calction in his eyes. "Why don''t you two go y? Get to know each other. We''ll be here for a while discussing important matters." Gerrard hesitated, then knelt down and whispered into Valencia''s ear. "Would you like that, dear?" Valencia nodded shyly. Her father''s support gave her a touch of courage. "Alessandro here knows the way to the yroom," Florian announced cheerfully. "Why don''t you show Valencia, son?" Gerrard gave his daughter a reassuring nod. With onest, apprehensive nce, she let go of his leg. Alessandro stared at her, a strange light in his eyes. "Come," hemanded with a hint of impatience. Valencia followed Alessandro through a maze of corridors, her small hand clutching the edge of her dress. His footsteps echoed confidently, his gait hinting at his familiarity with the International Heroes Association. He finally stopped in front of a sleek, metallic door. swang! A sensor buzzed as they approached, and the door slid open silently. Valencia stared. It wasn''t a yroom at all, but a spacious training hall. Shining swords lined the walls, targets hung from the ceiling, and padded mannequins stood ready forbat. "What... what is this ce?" she asked, her voice small in the vast room. Alessandro grinned, a touch of smugness in his eyes. "Can''t you see? It''s where we train, of course." Frowning, Valencia crossed her arms. "I thought we were going to y." "We can y," Alessandro insisted, the glint in his eyes hardening, "by practicing." Alessandro, with a flourish, tossed a practice sword towards Valencia. Itnded at her feet with a dull thud, jolting her from her hesitation. He walked onto the raised sparring stage, assuming a loose fighting stance. "Show me what you''ve got," Alessandro demanded, a mocking edge to his voice. Valencia looked at the sword, her hands trembling slightly as she picked it up. "I... I don''t want to..." she mumbled. Alessandro scoffed. "What, afraid of a little sparring?" He paused, his smile twisting into a cruel smirk. "But¡­ I don''t think your mother would deny a duel, would she?" "...!" Valencia flinched as if struck. The mention of her mother, a still raw wound, cut deep. Her frown deepened. Reluctantly, she stepped onto the stage. The sword felt heavy in her hands, but she wasn''t going to let him trash her mother''s name. Alessandro grinned. "That was more like it." CLASH! Within moments of Valencia stepping on the stage, their practice swords shed, a discordant symphony in the vast training room. Alessandro darted in a relentless force pushing Valencia backwards. "Is this all you''ve got?" he sneered. "Maybe your dear mother couldn''t handle a real fight either." Valencia stumbled, a gasp escaping her lips. Her sword arm trembled, the weight of his words far heavier than the weapon in her hand. Images shed across her mind ¨C her mother''s gentle smile, the emptiness of their home without her presence. "That''s why she died, didn''t she?" Alessandro''s voice was a venomous hiss. "Too weak." sniff... A sob threatened to escape Valencia''s throat, but anger ignited, a protective fire against his cruelty. She roared,unching a desperate counterattack. Swings came fast and furious, devoid of form but full of fury. Alessandro, caught by surprise, parried her blows with increasing difficulty. He grunted, a flicker of frustration recing his earlier arrogance. "Weak and pathetic," he spat, sidestepping a clumsy lunge. "Both of you. No wonder she couldn''t protect herself." Valencia''s sword scraped the polished floor, sparks flying with a screech. Every word was a piercing blow, draining her strength, and blurring her focus. Alessandro pressed forward, sensing her faltering defence. He feinted left, then struck right, his eyes gleaming with a twisted triumph. "Your mother was a disgrace!" he snarled, a final, vicious thrust. "Just like you!" Valencia stumbled back, his words struck the final blow. Then something inside her... something inside Valencia snapped. CRACK! "...I-" CRACKLE... "I can''t..." CRACKLE!...CRACKLE!... "I can''t let you talk about her like that!" CRACKLE...CRACKLE...CRACKLE... A surge of energy, raw and wild, erupted through Valencia. Her body buzzed, sparking with an electric intensity. Azure cracks of lightning shed around her, sizzling through the air like a furious storm. "Mother told me to only fight against bad people," She choked out between sobs, her tear-filled with lightning sparking out her eyes. "But you''re... you''re a monster!" Valencia''s grip tightened on the practice sword. It vibrated in her hands, responding to the power coursing through her veins. Alessandro stared, open-mouthed, his arrogance dissolving into a mix of shock and fear. He''d witnessed skill and ambition before, but this... this was something else entirely. That day... was when Valencia Freya awoken her elemental attribute. ____________ Authors Notes: - Gerrard''s Freya''s cover-up for when Valencia awakened her elemental attribute was on her birthday. Chapter 168: Prodigies Awaken [Geneva, Switzend - International Heroes Association Headquarters - 1st Floor: Training Room] "But you''re... you''re a monster!" As Valencia tightened her grip with both hands, her strength and speed increased 2 fold. The elemental attribute of lightning is an exceptionally rare gift, bestowed upon those who have lost something precious to their hearts. It awakens only when the soul desperately seeks a power to protect, to avenge... Alessandro couldn''tprehend how she could awaken her attribute before him. His hands trembled, and a primal instinct screamed, ''If that lightning hit me... I''d be dead.'' Valencia had no thought for technique, no strategy. Her mind was ame, consumed by a blinding need to inflict pain far greater than she had suffered. Valencia soared towards the ceiling, and her sword began to envelop the weapon with the elemental attribute of lightning. Alessandro stared, speechless.One pathetic word choked in his throat. "How...?" The light was blinding, searing, and he had to shield his eyes. But there was something else¡­ This feeling... this emotion was so unfamiliar to him. It''s so utterly disgusting... He didn''t know what it was or what he was truly feeling. He didn''t know what it was, only that it needed to be crushed. Was it that he was going to lose in this moment? Was it his fear of death? No. It was his fear of being a disappointment. He couldn''t afford the thought of losing to someone lesser than him. "Disgusting..." he spat, his face a mask of fury. Then she was falling, lightning zing, ready to strike. Seconds turned into an eternity. Something hot and strange was building inside him, a wild flow of power. His mana was twisting, swirling straight towards his heart and... SHAAAA! A sh of green light, an energy he didn''t recognize, bursting outward. CLASH!!!! He thought she''dnded the killing blow, but then... a shield, a barrier of pure energy, deflected her strike. Valencia hung suspended in the air, locked in a desperate struggle against Alessandro''s energy shield. CRACKLE...CRACKLE... Lightning crackled and coiled around her as she tried to break through. A smirk twisted Alessandro''s lips. "This wouldn''tst long." He thought. tch!... Then, her fury sparked. Lightning shot from her eyes, then an absurd overflow of mana mirrored the power coursing through the de. crack... His barrier flickered, a single crack appearing. "...!" His confident smirk faded witnessing a disbelief in such strength. CRACK... Valencia pressed her sword once more, every ounce of strength driving the de forward. The barrier rippled, cracks spiderwebbing across the green energy. Then, with a deafening... BANG! It shattered to pieces. With the barrier no more, Valencia hurtled forward. She held the sword high up into the air, ready to strike a shot aimed directly at Alessandro. But something was off, everything in her vision was seemingly blurry... SLASH! ...The sword sliced through empty air... then... RUMBLE!!!! She pivoted, releasing a massive arc of lightning. It zed past Alessandro, gouging a trench into the training hall floor with an explosion of sound and dust. Shended gracefully, still up for the fight. Alessandro, mere feet away, stared at her with a mix of awe and¡­ fear. But the toll on Valencia was immense. Her vision clouded and the world tilted around her. With a soft gasp, she copsed and fell unconscious. BHADUP! Alessandro stumbled backward as Valencia copsed. Something was seriously wrong, but his heart thundered in his chest ¨C a strange, insistent rhythm that drowned out all other thoughts. BHADUP!...BHADUP! An unfamiliar feeling washed over him, a sensation he couldn''t name.T urning, his gaze fell upon the trench gouged into the training room floor, the trail of destruction extending through three rooms beyond. He spun back towards Valencia. The raw power, the rage... it sent a thrill through him, a thrill that felt like something he couldn''t face. It was her.The beating of his heart was because of her. In that single, chaotic moment, something within him shifted. Call it obsession, fascination, whatever... One thing was undeniable: Alessandro had fallen for Valencia Freya. ... ... ... Gerrard leaned back in his chair, admiring the tranquil gardens outside. With a satisfied sigh, he took a sip of his green tea. "After defending France from those monsters years ago, one might hope forsting peace from the Towers." Across the table, impably dressed in his royal attire, Florian replied. "One can never be too certain. Though... I hear Garrick''s crew is currently venturing deeper." A feeling of warmth crossed Gerrard''s face. "Ah yes, Mr. Florentina! I forgot he''s still adventuring within the Towers after two years!" "A great man, indeed," Florian agreed. Gerrard held up a hand, a yful look in his eye stopping and correcting Florian. "A great ''hero''," he corrected. "Come on now...that''s his official title." Florian smiled. "Of course. Everyone calls him that nowadays." "Well, they''re not wrong," admitted Gerrard, a hint of fondness in his words. Florian took a sip of his coffee. "Indeed. It was quite the feat - that Garrick in his prime defeated the entirety of Quadra..." Gerrard gave a knowing nod. "The world''s most infamous threats, each wielding a terrifying element..." "¡­Primordial elements," he finished, a touch of awe in his voice. Florian''s curiosity spiked. "Primordial?" "The purest elements," Gerrard exined. "They canmand any variation of their element at will." BAAAANG! "...!" "...?" Suddenly, a deafening explosion echoed through the hall. The tranquillity was shattered, the sound a stark contrast to their recent conversation. Florian and Gerrard rushed to their feet, leaving their cups crashing to the floor, forgotten. Then an icy dread filled them as they rushed towards the direction of the noise -- towards where Valencia and Alessandro had disappeared off to. *** Gerrard and Florian burst through the training room, battle-ready, feeling the concern of their children. "What''s going on here?!" Gerrard thundered, his eyesnding on Valencia unconscious on the floor. The training room was a scene of utter devastation. Scorch marks dirtied the floor, the walls a canvas for haphazard lightning strikes. And standing amidst the chaos were their children, their expressions inscrutable. Florian''s rage zeroed in on his son. "Alessandro!What did you do to her?" Alessandro, still reeling from the fight, stumbled. "W-we were ying," he stammered, "ying swords. But Valencia, she... she fainted, and well, she kinda lost control..." Florian marched towards his son andid a hand on his shoulder. The touch was deceptively gentle, but something in Florian''s eyes made Alessandro tremble. Ignoring his son''s words, Florian turned his gaze towards the three rooms behind Alessandro. His eyes traced a deep, ragged scar that cut through the walls like a lightning bolt. "Did she do that?" Florian''s voice was quiet, yet it held an undeniable menace. Alessandro flushed scarlet and looked away from his father."Yes," he muttered. Florian pivoted, a calcting glint in his eyes, as he gazed at the unconscious Valencia now cradled in her father''s arms. ___________ No Authors Notes Today... Chapter 169: For My Daughter [Geneva, Switzend - International Heroes Association Headquarters - 1st Floor: Training Room.] Gerrard rushed towards Valencia, concern etched across his face. Then he froze and witnessed a sight thatpletely confused him. As he observed Valencia''s unconscious body, he saw tiny arcs of lightning that sparked every few seconds. "What... the?" Gerrard waspletely bewildered. Slowly he approached her and extended his hand carefully towards Valencia''s body. CRACKLE! "...!" a shot of electricity attack him, forcing to retract his hand back. "Impossible..." he breathed. "Could it be...?" His mind raced back to the years after his wife''s passing, Valencia''s unexined sickness, the consultations with the best scientific minds... the answers they couldn''t find. They theorized it was a phenomenon within her, a barrier preventing any elemental attribute from ever manifesting. He recalled one particrly disheartening day, after a bout of fever and chills, when Valencia fainted during training. It was the familiar onset of a young body preparing for the surge of an elemental awakening. Yet, the following day, her hopes were dashed as she fell ill once again. Gerrard had cared for her with ceaseless devotion, never losing hope even as years passed without a sign of an attribute. Yet now, against all odds, he witnessed the very power she''d been denied, sparking around her unconscious form. What he was witnessing right before his eyes is the same lightning his wife oncemanded. And an emotion he locked deep within his heart almost leaked out. drip... A single tear, he had shed for both his daughter and wife. All he could do was simply smile. Stepping forward once more he Ignored the pain, and reached for her again. CRACKLE!...CRACKLE...CRACK- The electricity crackled against his skin, but it was a sting, not a deterrent. Regardless of the pain he received, Gerrard scooped her into his arms. "I''m proud of you, Valencia," he murmured, another tear slipping down his cheek. He felt her warmth, the slight rise and fall of her chest, and a profound sense of relief washed over him. "Gerrard." As he turned to leave, he heard Florian''s voice. And he simply turned around seeing the King standing on the half-broken stage. A shadow crossed Florian''s face as he watched Gerrard hold his daughter. "We aren''t going to let this slide, are we?" Florian''s voice was measured, a hint of steel beneath the polite inquiry. "Alessandro told me they were merely ying, but somehow, Valencia suggested a duel?" Gerrard nodded grimly. "My daughter isn''t one to offer a fight. I know she''d rather y with her dolls than wield a training sword." His tone held a subtle warning."Let''s forget this happened." "...!" WAAAAAAA! A massive burst of his aura sted over the room, and an overwhelming disy of absolute power was raining. The walls trembled, paintings rattled, and papers danced in chaotic spirals. Florian seeing this stood firm, shielding Alessandro with his cape. Yet, as the aura pressed down like a physical weight, a flicker of genuine fear crossed his eyes. Gerrard in terms of aura outmatched Florian by a mile. A wry smile struggled to remain on his lips and Florian surrendered. "Haah... alright, alright..." The aura vanished as quickly as it came. Gerrard''s smile returned, yet there was an edge to it now. "Excellent. I''ll see you at the ceremonyter, then." Florian waved a hand. As he turned, his gaze fell upon his unconscious son. His own smile was gone."You''re still so strong, Gerrard..." he muttered under his breath. "If only Garrick hadn''t took you in..." After the camera footage of Valencia and Alessandro''s duel was erased, one undeniable truth remained ¨C two element wielders had awakened in the heat of battle. Alessandro manifested the coveted element of life. Valencia awakened the destructive power of lightning. What should have been a moment of triumph turned into a source ofsting trauma for Valencia. Every time she saw Alessandro, even yearster at the Great Families'' gatherings, she trembled. His cruel words echoed in her mind, the lingering pain of their battle. Gerrard, keenly attuned to her distress, observed her anxiety. From that day forward, he allowed her to skip those meetings, providing her the space to heal. [shback Over...] ... ... ... [Paris, Champs-¨¦lys¨¦es - Dawn''s de Arena, Arena Hallway] Valencia blinked, realizing, with pain, that she was no longer the same girl who had duelled Alessandro years ago. Yet, the sting of his cruel words about her mother remained a wound that time had never truly healed. The sight of Alessandro standing just paces ahead brought it all rushing back. Hisughter, the taunts about weakness, the contempt woven into every word he''d hurled at her, at her mother''s memory. It was a wave of nausea and rage that washed over her, setting her body trembling. Alessandro leaned closer. "What''s wrong? You look... pale?" Valencia flinched as the echo of the past cruelty thundered in her ears. ¡ª "Maybe your dear mother couldn''t handle a real fight either." An unbidden memory flickered to life: Alessandro''s smirk as he mocked her mother... "No... stay... stay back..." Her words were barely a whisper, lost on him as he persisted. ¡ª "That''s why she died, didn''t she?" "Should I take you to a doctor?" His hand reached out, a mocking offer of help. ¡ª "Your mother was a disgrace!" Suddenly, another hand came into view, swatting Alessandro away with a sharp, unexpected motion. A figure emerged, d in elegant clothing suited for the Parisian winter. His hair, which looked like he had gotten out of bed, had it parted in the middle, flowing down his neck. Behind a pair of sses, his blue eyes zed with a piercing intensity. Alessandro stumbled back, shocked. This person moved with a speed that defied his understanding ¨C there was no trace of mana, none of the familiar signs of the power wielders he was ustomed to. __ To Be Continued... __ Authors Notes: - Garrick''s Aura shook the entire building of the Heroes Association. - For rification, primordial attributes cannot be attained by hard work as attributes have no upgrades but rather variations for each one. - All elements have a primordial variation and those with a primordial attribute like Fire can use every type of sub-variation of it example: Lava, mes, Magma, and Lightning. Chapter 170: I Understand {Rel''s POV} [Paris, Champs-¨¦lys¨¦es - Dawn''s de Arena, Arena Hallway] [You''re unable to move, due to the restriction of a fixed event.] [All conversations have been muted out for the time being.] haah... Just how long was this going to take? I swear I''ve been stuck in this corner for an eternity. I couldn''t even peek around to see what was happening. But I could tell their conversation could''ve gone in any number of ways, especially knowing those two. But... a bad feeling twisted in my gut. It was like a warning sign, telling me something wasn''t right. "Hey, System how long do I have to wait for this ''fixed event'' to finish?" FWANG! [Don''t worry Mr. Axel!] [You''ll be free to move soon.] "But can I at least get a time for how long I gotta wait?" [Nope!] "What?" And just like that the system disappeared once again. Though I''ve thought about it long and hard. I wanted to know the backstory between Alessandro and Valencia. Both were strong characters, and they''ll definitely be powerhouses in the near future. If things got bad and a fight broke out, I wouldn''t be sure if I should intervene, but I''d try. But if there was something that''d endanger Valencia''s growth, then I''d simply need to step in. [Fixed Event Is Over...] Like now. ... ... ... The hallway was empty, quiet. My heart pounded in my ears as I turned the corner. There she was, Valencia, pressed against the wall, her eyes wide with rm. "...Stay back." Her voice barely rose above a whisper, yet it sent a chill down my spine. This wasn''t the Valencia I knew, not the unppable noblewoman I''d created. Alessandro, I realized instantly. The memory of his arrogance, his hungry gaze at the arena, shed through my mind. The bastard was at it again, and this time, it was worse. Before I could think it through, my body moved without thought. It felt as if this very moment, that I needed to help her. zooom! Within moments of rushing to Valencia''s aid. My hand whipped out, pping away Alessandro''s reaching hand before he could even touch her. p! The sound echoed, sharp and startling, in the silent hallway. Alessandro stumbled back, his eyes wide with surprise. He hadn''t even seen me approach. *** "You!" Alessandro spat, his voice raw with indignation. "It''s you... again!" His face twisted in a mask of disgust, and Rel took an instinctive step back. Not out of fear, but concern for Valencia. She''d gone stiff beside him, her breath hitching as if Alessandro''s presence were a physical blow. He could almost hear the past pain in her silence. "I ignored you the first time at hand." Alessandro sneered, advancing with a preying grace. "Twice you''ve interfered." He paused and locked eyes with Rel. Rel met his gaze, with a silent challenge in his eyes. If he could just get her away, out of Alessandro''s sight... maybe her fear of him would fade. He needed to try something at least. "This second warning... will be thest. Gutter Rat." STOMP! Alessandro nted his foot, a surge of power rippling through the ground. The hallway''s plush carpet ripped, creating a jagged crack racing towards Rel. huuu... Alessandro''s eyes glowed a sickly green, and then a massive flux of aura built up from his body, creating an enormous ir. [Due to the Author''s Authority effect you are immune to the following ability: Dominance] A silent message shed across Rel''s vision. The feeling of relief washed over him, but he didn''t let it show. Instead, he met Alessandro''s re with a bored stare. Alessandro''s smile was triumphant. "Walk away now, and perhaps I''ll spare your pathetic life." But the wave of dominance meant to crush Rel''s will, never reached him. It washed over him like a warm breeze, but in Alessandro''s eyes, it was a fleeting annoyance. "..." Slowly as the seconds ticked by Alessandro''s smile faded away. Rel stood there motionless, seemingly waiting for something to strike him. Alessandro''s brow furrowed, feeling confused at the situation itself. "...!" Then a sudden realization reached his eyes. "Impossible..." He muttered, while his dominance was still running rampant. Despite all the things that exceeded The Prince''s expectations, what he was witnessing was something entirely unexpected. ...How? His mind raced, searching for an exnation. Any lower-ss hero, even the most stubborn student at the academy, should have crumpled under the force of his Dominance Aura. But Rel remained standing, being the outlier. There were only a few possibilities he could have thought were true. 1. He might have had a higher level of aura than his own. 2. He may have a weaker will... but he seems to have a natural immunity or a rare trait that surpasses the ability of Dominance. Then as a memory resurfaced, his father''s words yed through his mind. "I may not have inherited Dominance from your great-grandfather, but you possess other gifts, Alessandro. Don''t underestimate your opponents - some carry a resilience even royalty can''t replicate." Alessandro''s gaze snapped back to the present observing Rel with a newfound intensity. This... this was no ordinary gutter rat. If he was immune to Dominance, it meant he possessed something that surpassed his own. tch... His jaw clenched. and anger simmered within him, the mes of his pride licking at the edges of his control. He wouldn''t be humiliated again. This... foolishness needed to end now. SHAAAAA! Another wave of his Dominance aura rushed through the room making Valencia flinch. She knew the feeling all too well ¨C the crushing weight of another''s will trying to bend hers. But then, something far more shocking:Rel didn''t even budge. "But... why... why would you do this?" She stammered, the words catching in her throat. Another wave of Alessandro''s aura, and she stumbled backward, her body betraying the fear she couldn''t quite suppress. Rel... the boy she''d always thought of as a nuisance, a weak link in their ss¡­ he was standing up to Alessandro, the one person she couldn''t face. And why? Why would he do this for her? He was the one she''d pushed away, the one she''d dismissed as having ulterior motives. What if she''d been wrong? Could it be... that he was trying to prove himself to her after all the times she''d treated him badly? Her mind was aplete mess trying to make sense of this. However, her greatest concern was for Alessandro. She had to stop this, to protect him... She tried to rise, but a hand, firm yet gentle, stopped her from getting up.. Rel''s voice, calm and resolute, cut through the buzzing static of Alessandro''s aura. "Stop." Rel stepped forward, the air crackling with unspoken tension. Alessandro''s dominant aura kept ring out towards the hallways and he met Rel''s gaze once more. "...!" For a moment, the prince faltered, a flicker of doubt clouding his eyes as Rel''s unwavering gaze pierced through him. With a sigh, Rel spoke, his voice a low rumble that belied his calm exterior. "I''m not sure what you were doing, but it''s clear you upset her." Alessandro''s face twisted into a scowl. "And why is that any of your business?" he spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "We were having a reunion. You''re interrupting." Rel''s lips curled into a wry smirk. "A reunion? Didn''t seem very friendly to me." "We''re family friends though?" Alessandro scoffed. "Don''t make meugh. What are you to her? A charity case? I''m sure someone like Valencia wouldn''t even consider you a friend." "...!" Rel''s eyes narrowed. The prince was right, damn it. He knew Valencia''s dislike ran deep. "Cat got your tongue, rat?" Alessandro''s grin widened, his arrogance blossoming in the face of Rel''s silence. He paced back and forth, the echo of his footsteps sharp in the empty hallway. "I bet you haven''t even had a full conversation with her. What could someone like you possibly have to offer the prestigious heiress of the Miracles Guild?" Rel remained silent. Every word Alessandro spoke was a twisted truth, a bitter reminder of his own powerlessness in this world. He wasn''t just a writer anymore. He was a character, trapped within a story he couldn''t fully control. Alessandro''s smirk deepened, his eyes glittering with cruel amusement. "Nothing," He drawled, circling Rel like a predator. "You have nothing of value to offer. Not your skills, not your background, certainly not yourself." He paused, savouring the moment. "You''re nothing but a waste of space." Rel had no response. Noeback, no cutting remark. Just a hollow ache where his confidence used to be. Alessandro''s words, fueled by arrogance and malice, had struck a nerve that couldn''t be understood. _ To be continued... _ ______________ Authors Notes: - For chapter reference on his immunity to dominance, head to chapter 24: Monster Overhaul (2) - The author''s Authority isn''t a passive of Rel''s or an ability. It''s a privilege given to him as the author of the novel allowingplete immunity of intimidation effect, mental pressure or anything that tries to break his soul will. Chapter 171: But You Piss Me Off [Paris, Champs-¨¦lys¨¦es - Dawn''s de Arena, Arena Hallway] haa...hah....ha.... Valencia''s breath came in uneven gasps. Just hearing Alessandro''s voice made her panic. She couldn''t find her voice at all, couldn''t defend herself or Rel against Alessandro''s tyranic nature. "Come on, Val," Alessandro said, his tone leaking with condescension. "Let''s leave this rat here. You shouldn''t be seen with such a loser." He brushed past Rel, who remained frozen in shock. Valencia watched Alessandro approach her slowly, her legs trembled at the thought of him. His closeness brought a wave of nausea, reminding her of the past. "Let''s go," he urged. THUD... Then, a firm hand on Alessandro''s shoulder stopped him. "Hey," Rel''s voice was quiet, but his tone felt absolute. "I don''t think a prince should be acting this way." Alessandro whipped around, surprise twisting into a sneer. "Prince?" he scoffed. "Get your filthy hands off me.I''m not ''Prince'' on weekends." "Is that so?" Rel''s gaze shifted past Alessandro to Valencia, who had slumped to the ground, fainting from shock. "Yes you Idio-" With a silent burst of speed, Rel lunged to closed the distance between them. Alessandro''s eyes widened in rm, but it was toote. A fist, now crackling with dark energy, mmed into his face. BANG!!! [Critical Hit!] The impact resonated like a thunderp, a shockwave of pure force. Alessandro''s head snapped back and his body lifted from the ground. And sh of ck lightning erupted from Rel''s fist, sending the prince flying down the hallway like a ragdoll, crashing into the far wall with a sickening thud. ... ... ... The echoes of the impact still rattled through Alessandro''s head as he struggled to his knees. His back faced the wall, feeling the blood dripping from his nose. "Did I... Did I just get hit?" The thought was as impossible as the blow itself. Not just hit punched, by some nobody from the streets. The pain he felt was enough for him to crush his teeth, a humiliating truth he couldn''t quite grasp. The rage, the aura¡­ none of it had mattered. He tried to rise, but his legs felt like water. drop! The world tilted once more and he found his face pressing against the floors hardness. Alessandro faced the same shame from just a day ago, but beneath it all, he wasn''t going to let himself be embarrassed from this. As he raised his head to re at Rel, approaching with those steady, relentless strides, his vision doubled. There, an image ovepped with Rel... it was another man. He couldn''t see his face but his presence was familiar, yetpletely unknown. ck hair, eyes like piercing blue mes¡­ who was this? The image moved alongside Rel, then faded away. "Get up..." Rel spoke with a conviction that shooke Alessandro''s body. He gritted his teeth feeling his pride demanding he retaliate. But his body refused, locked in a state of shock. Alessandro''s mind raced. His body had never betrayed him like this. The pain throbbed and this humiliation was uneptable! "Disgusting..." He spat, How could this... this nobody...have done this to him? But as Rel approached, his right fist clenched and a ck aura emerged into view. "...!" That was when a feeling hidden deep within Alessandro rose. a primal fear he''d never known. "Look," he stammered, struggling to regain hisposure. "I... I was wrong. It was a misunderstanding." He tried to conjure a dismissive smirk, but it came out more like a frown. "Let''s not do anything rash." Rel stopped mere inches away. "Why not?" His voice was a t, yet it held an undeniable edge. "Because if you hit me..." Alessandro swallowed, his confidence faltering. "You''ll be making an enemy of the royal family." Rel raised an eyebrow. "But I thought you weren''t a prince on the weekends?" Alessandro flinched, his carefully constructed facade crumbling. "Look, this is different!" "How so?" Rel''s voice remained cool, but he knew very well Alessandro was lying. "I''m not a fool." Rel paused crouching down to his level. "Tell me... ''Prince'' what freedom will you have left after you run crying to your father?" Alessandro''s eyes darted back and forth, a trapped animal searching for an escape route. Rel tightened his fist, and the ck aura crackled, a promise of pain. A memory echoed in Alessandro''s mind, his father''s words chilling him to the bone. ¡ª"Son, inbat with users of aura, there are situations that you must run away from." Terror seized him. "W-wait..." He raised a trembling hand. "L-Let''s talk this out!" ¡ª"But one you must run from... is those with the color of ck." But Rel ignored him. ¡ª"ck is the rarest color of aura... and it is, of course, the most dangerous." [Critical Hit!] The ck aura exploded into a blinding sh. Alessandro screamed as the fist connected. CRACKLE...CRACKLE...CRACKLE... The hallway reverberated with the sound of shattering bone and the echo of Alessandro''s body mming once more into the wall. Rel nced down at Alessandro''s crumpled body. The prince was out cold, sprawled on the plush hallway carpet like a discarded toy. "Well," Rel muttered, scratching the back of his head. "At least he won''t be causing any more trouble... for now." But a knot of unease tightened in his stomach. "Though I''m probably at the top of his kill list now." *** {Rel''s POV} I stared down at Alessandro, who was out cold. Damn. Now what? Leaving him here was just a bad idea. Someone''s bound to find him, royalty or not. And a beaten-up prince wouldn''t look good for anyone. I scanned the hallway. Empty. A few stray chairs lined the walls... and I could see a storage closet stood ajar down the way. Perfect. Quickly I dashed inside the closet and it revealed a stack of spare nkets, a few crumpled posters, and a notebook with a hastily scribbled "DO NOT DISTURB" sign. This''ll do. Dragging the unconscious prince to one of the chairs, I propped him up, arranging the nket to look semi-natural. The "DO NOT DISTURB" sign went on top, strategically ced over his face like he was taking a nap. Hopefully, this''ll buy him some time ¨C no one messes with royalty, even when they''re snoring in public. I turned back towards the hallway, my mind already on the next step. "Get Valencia to the infirmary," I muttered. I remember at my time as Shadow Writer I recall Dawn''s de always had one for emergencies. FWANG! A sudden system notification flickered in my vision, the familiar chime jolting me out of my thoughts. [A Hidden Quest Has Been Completed!] [Description: Knock out a prominent character from your novel!] Wait, what? [Rewards: 25.00+ Strength, Ability: Aura] [Transferring Rewards... Transferplete!] My heart pounded as a cascade of new information filled my vision. [The Following Stats Have Been Upgraded:] [Strength: 69 >>> 94 (25.00+)] [...] [Aura Has Been Added As A Special Ability And A Special Stat.] [The Following Skills Have Been Added With The Ability: Aura] [Skills:] [Sensory Aura - Level: Basic] [Enhancement and Flow Aura - Level: Basic] [Dominance Aura - Level: Basic] [...] [The Following Ability: Projectile Projection [Grade 3] Has Been Converted to BP due to a conflict. All masteries and percentages will be calcted andpensated correctly.]* [10,000 BP Has Been Added As A Hold For Compensation!] Whoa. A wave of disbelief washed over me. I get aura... and that absurd strength boost... just for knocking out an important character? But it came at a cost. Projectile Projection... was gone. It had been my go-to ability and I could feel my gut twist at the loss. "Damn system," I muttered under my breath. "Thanks for taking away my favorite ability." But hey, 10,000 BP wasn''t too shabby. Could upgrade a few things or maybe even get a new ability down the line. I shook my head, clearing the remaining annoyance. Right now, Valencia needed help so I had to at least get her out. That was priority. ... ... ... {Valencia''s POV} [Paris, Champs-¨¦lys¨¦es - Dawn''s de Arena, 10th Floor: The Infirmary Room] My eyes fluttered open, the world a blur of white. A hospital room? I blinked, trying to focus. Sunlight streamed through arge window, painting the scene with a warm glow. The Eiffel Tower, a majestic silhouette against the sky, filled my vision. "So... high?" I muttered, feeling the raspiness in my voice. Was I still at the arena? But no... that wasn''t right. Then a sudden memory flooded back. Right...the hallway. I recalled that moment and my memories all about Alessandro. I''ll never forgive him... I''ll never ever, forgive and forget about what he said all those years ago. But after seeing him use aura or that technique called dominance, I''d fainted. Again. haah... I sighed feeling the embarrassment rushing towards my face. Why did his aura have this effect on me? I wasn''t able to tell exactly if mine was stronger or not. But I knew that wasn''t my biggest concern as of now. "Who..." I started to ask, but the words caught in my throat. Turning my head, my eyes widened. It was him... Rel. He was sitting in a chair beside the bed, his usual emotionless expression firmly in ce. Seeing him like this ¨C calm, concerned, almost... gentle ¨C was a shock. I... I don''t know what''s wrong with me now... As I felt the slight burn on my cheeks I couldn''t understand... why is my face heating up? _______ No Authors Notes Today... Chapter 172: The Slightest Feeling [Paris, Champs-¨¦lys¨¦es - Dawn''s de Arena, 10th Floor: The Infirmary Room] "You..." Valencia stuttered, her voice barely a whisper. Rel''s head snapped up. Confusion spread across his face, his eyes searching hers for a clue. "...!" She met his eyes for a moment, then quickly averted her eyes. A blush crept up her neck as thoughts flooded her mind. My mind''s gone nk! What should I say to him? The words she''d wanted to speak ¨C words of gratitude, perhaps even apology ¨C evaporated in the sudden awkwardness of the moment. "..." Silence hung heavy in the air. Rel shifted ufortably, the quiet intensity of Valencia''s presence waspletely different from her usual aloofness. haah... Finally, he sighed and pushed himself up from his seat. "I told Jan and Bazz that you had to leave early ¨C came down with a sudden fever," He said, his eyes fixed on the hospital window. "The doctor advised you to rest up for a bit." He retrieved his coat from the foot of her bed. Then, in a softer tone, he added, "Hey..." "Y-Yes?" Valencia''s voice was barely a whisper. "I...uh..." Rel hesitated, his gaze still fixed on the city skyline. "I could tell you were upset with me. So, I wanted to apologize for stepping in without warning back there." Rel continued, "Don''t worry, I''ll... forget everything that happened." Valencia''s heart leapt to her throat. She watched him slowly slip on his coat, ready to leave. This couldn''t be the end. A memory shed before Valencia''s eyes. One that made her remember, who had saved her. Not just once, but twice. Before she could process the thought, her body moved and her hand reached out to grip Rel''s arm. "Wait," she pleaded, her voice trembling slightly. "Don''t...don''t turn around." Her face burned with embarrassment, but she couldn''t let him leave without saying something. He stood still, his muscles tensed under her grip. "Th-thank you..." she stuttered, her voice a mere whisper. "Thank you, Rel... thank you so much... I don''t know what would have happened... if you weren''t there." Her forehead pressed against his back, his warmth aforting anchor against the chaos of her thoughts. "...It''s okay. Uh... I guess I''ll go now." Rel tried to move, but Valencia''s grip tightened. For a few moments, she clung to him, revelling in the unexpectedfort of his presence. Then, as if suddenly burned, she released him, her eyes wide with rm. "Um!" Rel didn''t turn around, but his shoulders slumped as if relieved. He opened the door and paused, offering a simple goodbye. "Cya, Valencia." With that, he was gone. Valencia stood frozen, mortification blooming within her. A strangled scream ripped from her throat. "Ahhh! Why did I do that?!" *** {Rel''s POV} [Paris, Champs-¨¦lys¨¦es - Dawn''s de Arena, Outside] BZZZZZT...BZZZZZ! [You''ve got a message from the app: Whatsapp] [J.Ates <1:21 PM> Rel, me and Bazz are waiting outside at the bridge!] [J.Ates <1:22 PM> Can''t wait for you to tell us what happened man ( ??? )] I sighed. Damn it... He''d gotten the wrong idea again. Maybe I should just stop feeding this guy''s fantasies and stick to vague answers from now on. Haah¡­ A wave of guilt washed over me as I remembered leaving Valencia in the infirmary. She''d been genuinely sick, she somehow caught a cold, not a fever. While I was carrying her on my back she kept muttering words about her mother. They''d felt like bullets to my own heart. I was the one who''d written her death into the story, after all. Since Jianna Freya ¨C her mother ¨C was a force to be reckoned with. There was just no way she could remain in the story. It''s not like I could change it now, though. It is what it is. Still... I kind of regret putting my coat over her. It was the right thing to do at the time, but now... damn, it smelled like her. And her reaction... it wasn''t like the Valencia I wrote. Acting all grateful? What was that about? Did she somehow know who I was, or was it just a bizarre side effect of this whole mess? Eh, she was probably just grateful. I guess she isn''t used to someone getting in the way. haha... A bitterugh escaped my lips. "She wouldn''t have known what to do without me..." I snorted. As if. She probably just pitied me. Whatever. It didn''t matter. I''ll just go and meet up with Jan and Bazz. ... ... ... I spotted Jan and Bazz waiting on the sidewalk of the bridge. Jan''s face lit up with a cheeky grin as he noticed me approaching. "You''re back!" he eximed, his smile suspiciously wide. "How was your date?" My brow furrowed. "What ''date'' are you talking about?" I sighed, weary of this conversation already. "I found her on the floor, unconscious." He''d gotten the wrong idea again. Why does this always happen to me? "Come on, Jan, Rel''s telling the truth-" Bazz''s voice was a reassuring rumble, but Jan cut him off. Nudge! "OWWWW!!!!" Jan had casually elbowed Bazz in the side, sending him sprawling to the ground with surprising force. "What the hell, Jan?!" Bazz gasped, clutching his side in pain. "Sorry, just stretching," Jan shrugged, an innocent smile stered on his face. I raised an eyebrow to his nudge. You monster... "So," Jan stretched his arms overhead, "think we''re done for the day? These fights got boring quick." Bazz, finally recovered from Jan''s earlier elbow to the ribs, groaned in agreement. "Al...alright." Just my luck, the day was ending already. If it weren''t for¡ª "I''m back." "...!" The voice was enough for me to flinch. My eyes snapped to the voice. "tee-hee..." A wave of irritation washed over me as Jan''s smug grin widened. I turned to Valencia and something was different. She seems rather...id back now. But I also noticed her hair was no longer out and now neatly braided into a bun. Even for her otherworldly beauty, she could try any hairstyle and it would still suit her. Then for a split second, our eyes met, and I saw something new in her expression. I wasn''t sure of it... but was it curiosity, perhaps even... respect? But that was only for a moment. She turned away and I could see a faint blush colouring her cheeks. Man, that cold must be getting to her. Jan slid closer, his shoulder bumping against mine. "Dude," he whispered, his hot breath tickling my ear, "What did you do to her?" I flinched slightly as he came close. sniff...sniff... But then, I heard it ¨C the sound of Jan sniffing my coat. My life is over. "Oh my god..." Jan was oblivious, his eyes shining with excitement and self-satisfaction. "I see it all now!" He dered, snapping his fingers and pointing at me like a proud parent. "You''ve got this, Rel." wink! A muscle twitched in my jaw. The urge to punch Jan was strong, but the annoying bastard was probably fast enough to dodge it. ... ... ... The rest of the day passed by so quickly, we took visits to souvenir shops and Parisian cafes. Jan and Bazz basically argued about every little thing¡ªfrom which beret looked best to whether French fries were actually French (they''re not, but try telling Bazz that). I ended up zoning out for most of the day, letting their bickering be white noise. Knowing Bazz, he''d probably end up on the receiving end of one of Jan''s signature beatdownster. Valencia, though... she was quiet after what happened. Even with Jan, it was strange. Not a single word passed between them the entire time. But then, out of the blue, she suggested dinner at a restaurant. It was called Le rence, a fancy ce way out of my budget. Jan looked surprised, almost like he was trying to hide something. But hey, free food is free food. We followed her lead, because... well, why not? ... ... ... [Paris, Le renence] [Saturday, 6:45 PM] The waiterid out a feast before us: blue lobster, and shimmering mounds of caviar, all on silver tters that gleamed under the restaurant''s soft lighting. But the centrepiece of it all was the massive Wagyu steak drizzled with bordise sauce. "Are you sure we can eat all of this?" Jan''s eyes wide excitement and worry, nudged Valencia. Valencia offered a slight nod as her expression remained carefully nk. "Don''t mind if I do!" Bazz licked his lips, already tucking into the lobster without a care. stare... I carefully scooped up a dollop of caviar, savoring the delicate burst of salty, briny vor. stare...stare...stare... But the deliciousness didn''tst long. A prickling sensation crept up my neck, a feeling of being watched... My gaze darted to each of mypanions, but none seemed to be the source. Then as I went in for another bite my eyes caught sight of a blonde individual on our table. haah... What did I do wrong now?... Is it my table manners? If those two buffoons beside me can get away with their messy eating, why am I the one under the microscope? I forced myself to take another bite, this time of the wagyu. stareeeee... The vor was undeniable ¨C rich, buttery, a symphony of taste that should have been a pure delight. But the feeling of being watch still persisted. I nced at Valencia once more. She was focused on her artichoke and ck truffle. But as our eyes met, she quickly looked away, almost choking on her food? "Strange..." _________ No Authors Notes For Today! Chapter 173: The Slightest Feeling (2) {Rel''s POV} After the day ended we were back in the hotel. Jan and Bazz headed straight to the swimming pools to cool off and well... I was in my room staring at the ceiling. Today''s events were as troublesome as any quest would be. Specifically that fixed event from back then. Although Valencia''s behaviour was rather strange, it had been a roller coaster as the day went by ¨C fear, sickness, then sudden silence during dinner. The Alessandro connection was obvious, but even with all my knowledge of the story, I couldn''t figure out why she''d been so weird around me. I propped myself up on an elbow thinking... During dinner, she kept whispering something to Jan, little bits of conversation I couldn''t quite catch. Then he''d ask me whatever she''d said, like a puppet on a string. At least he wasn''t pushing the whole "date" thing anymore. Maybe it''s not so bad, having him wrapped around her finger. Keeps her focus on him, not on figuring out my secrets. Still... something didn''t add up. The infirmary scene was like she was seeing something new... haah... I sighed. Never mind that... it was too many variables. The real focus is tomorrow. I know the museum Jan and Valencia are heading to will be attacked by the first demi-human. In a world full of superpowers and heroes, nobody expects something like that. But then, they don''t know they''re living in a story written by aplete idiot. Can''t remember the demi-human''s name... it was a while ago. Guess they''ll just be nameless for now. Even with the system and A.T. throwing curveballs, at least I know the timing. The attack should happen sometime in the afternoon, once everyone''s done with their reports. That should be all I need to know for now. But... Cam''s my partner for the report. I guess I''ll have to figure out how I''m going to stick close to Jan. Just in case they need a hand. Now, the next thing I need to do is this. "System, when''s mypensation for my ability." FWANG! [One moment, Mr. Axel! (?? ? ??)] I frowned looking at the system''s message. I still wish that I kept Projectile Projection alongside aura. Never really thought ''confliction'' existed. But I guess the reason for Projectile being discarded was that it ''reflexively'' activated my aura. And now that I have the proper stat for ''aura'', I''d have to assume it could be activated whenever I wanted it to. "How about now?" FWANG! [All finished!] [Loading Compensation Management...] [Complete!] FWANG! The notification screen filled my vision, a cascade of information. My eyes skimmed the upgrades. [The following stats have been upgraded...] ___________ [Special Stat: Aura [Grade 7] >>> Aura [Grade 5] [Level: Intermediate Advanced] - [Mastery Grade: 42.7%] - ] ___________ [Abilities Compensation Complete.] [Due to the removal of the following ability: Projectile Projection [Grade 3], the fullpensation and usage of this ability has been taken into ount] [The skills and techniques section of Aura will be upgraded to the maximum capabilities of the previous ability mentioned.] ___________ [Loading...] [Complete!] ___________ [Skills and Techniques:] [Sensory Aura - Level: Intermediate Advanced] - [Your sensory aura has a heightened sense of feeling and understanding inbat. this allows you to sense predictable attacks and have a heightened vision in a wide range area.] [Enhancement and Flow Aura - Level: Advanced] - [- The user''s Aura enhancement and flow bes near-instinctive, allowing for incredible speed, agility, and precise control over their movements.] [Technique Extension:] [Enhancement Focus: Attacks are incredibly fast and powerful, capable of overwhelming most opponents. Can fully coat a weapon or Aura for sustained, devastating strikes.] [- Defensive Focus: Can effectively deflect or significantly reduce the impact of most attacks by coating entire body parts or even their whole body in Aura. Can maintain a defensive flow for extended periods.] [Dominance Aura - Level: Basic] - [Special Requirements are needed to unlock this.] ___________ Now this is more like it! This was a major upgrade, even better than the time I tricked the system. (The spin the wheel event.) I expected Enhancement and Flow to be my strongest aura techniques since I always used my fists more than a bow. But Sensory being this high? That was unexpected. Figured it''d be lower-tier, since I rely so much on Sixth Sense. But now, with this extrayer... detecting other people''s aura should be easier. The real surpriseis Dominance Aura, though. That''s the most powerful type, and the system practically handed it to me on a silver tter. I assumed I''d need some crazy quest or challenge to unlock it. Oh well, gotta take advantage of every opportunity, right? If I can unlock Dominance, I might not even need my other abilities. I''ve got an idea about how tobine it with my archery skills and swordsmanship. That could take me far in the Towers. And now? I''m probably stronger than most of the lower-grade "heroes" out there. But I need to test it out and see where my new limits are. I lifted my right hand, a nervous tremor running through me. Was it a fluke, after all? I channelled my aura, focusing all my will on the familiar sensation of power. [Special Ability: Aura [Grade 5] and Skill: Flow Aura [Grade 4] Has Been Activated!] EEEEEEEEE The sound echoed through my bones, a pure, high-pitched whine. My hand glowed, and then¡ª ck. The aura swirling around my hand matched the darkness I''d seen before when I''d used my ability. But I had always assumed that was the influence of Projectile Projection, altering its natural color. This time it was different. This was me. A grin split my face. "I''m d it wasn''t a fluke," I muttered, the words barely audible over the thrum of energy. So this was it... the true colour of my aura. Pure ck. I had assumed Projectile Projection tinted it that way, but no, this was me. How surprising... ck... the pinnacle colour of aura. Perfect bnce, a power so refined it shouldn''t even be visible. I let the aura fade, the echoing whine slowly dying down. A wave of dizziness washed over me.I''d underestimated my aura. ... ... ... [Paris, H?tel za Ath¨¦n¨¦e - Top floor - Room: 1#] Valencia pushed open the hotel room door, a sigh escaping her lips. The events at the arena still buzzed in her mind, leaving a lingering unease. "Val! You''re back!" Lyra, a tissue pressed to her nose, beamed from the couch. Her face was still flushed, but the fever seemed to have broken. Valencia offered a curt nod, her voice subdued. "Yeah... Where''s Cam?" Lyra''s smile didn''t waver. "She just finished studying with Yoona and Elizabeth!" Valencia kicked off her shoes, the sharp sound a counterpoint to her inner turmoil."I see." She walked towards the living room dropping her bags of souvenirs on the table. On her way back to the room, a snippet of conversation drifted from the next room over. Jae and Alice, heads bent over a thick textbook, were wrapping up their study session. "Think we''re done for today," Jae yawned. "Our real club activity starts tomorrow, right?" "Yes," Alice confirmed. Jae leaned closer, resting her head against Alice''s shoulder.Alice jumped, a startled giggle escaping her lips. "That question we were stuck on... probably would have taken, you know who, a minute tops to figure out." Alice yfully shoved Jae away. "If he could do that in a second, he''s cheating." Jae chuckled, covering her mouth with a hand. "Rel''s the smartest guy we know. If you wanna catch up, maybe try studying instead of stalking him." Alice''s face flushed. "D-don''t put it like that! I was just... observing his study habits..." Valencia froze, a cold grip tightening around her hands. Rel. The name sent a shiver down her spine. Of course, the smartest girl in their ss would find him appealing too. Wait, what am I thinking? She shook her head as if to dispel the thoughts that dared to surface. He''s nothing... just an annoying- haah... never mind... She pped herself, once, hard. Then, she turned and practically fled to her room, the echoes of their conversation leaving a haunting whisper in the silent corridor. ... ... ... The click of the door lock opened in the empty room. Relief washed over Valencia as she kicked off her shoes and shrugged out of the ck dress. She pulled on her favourite worn-out pyjamas, the soft cotton a familiarfort against her skin. Alone. She breathed in deeply, the scent ofvender from a forgotten sachet filling her senses. The room, shared with Lyra and Cam, was eerily silent. They were probably watching another show, in the movie room again. Her thoughts, however, kept drifting to the infirmary. Heat flooded her cheeks as she remembered her words, her desperation clinging to Rel. ¡ª "Don''t turn around," she''d pleaded. ¡ª "Thank you, Rel..." Her hand flew to her face, the memory almost unbearable. It was nothing, she told herself, but the words felt hollow. Images of Rel, his quietness and unexpected kindness, filled her mind, eclipsing even the terrifying encounter with Alessandro. His messy hair, a far cry from his usual academic appearance and the intensity in his eyes during that time... "It''s nothing," she repeated, But a part of her knew she was lying to herself. _______ No author''s notes today. Chapter 174: Club Activities [Paris, 11th Arrondissement - Run-down Apartment] In a run-down apartment far from the Louvre, the flickering light of a CRT television cast long shadows. Jasper stretched out on the stained sofa, stifling a yawn. His meeting with Morwen still rattled him -the man''s cold intensity and unpredictable nature were unsettling. "Remember, Jasper," Morwen''s voice echoed in his mind, "During this attack, the worst that could happen is the interference of Visionary Syndicate. If ites to it, save yourself. Leave the experiment to their attacks and get out." Morwen''s chilling tone sent a shiver down Jasper''s spine. "¡ªAnother thing, Jasper. You must break the stone''s emitters. If you don''t, you''ll absorb all the negative mana.Might not be bad for you, but it won''t do us any good if you can''t control it." Jasper felt strangely reassured by the harsh instructions. Morwen had been far more... lenient when he''d broken him out of the maximum security prison. Still, there was the threat ¨C the unspoken promise that Morwen would kill Jasper if Cyran failed to utilize his demon-like powers. He yawned again, the events of the day catching up with him... The Negative Mana Stone. A priceless artifact, useless to modern technology, but highly sought after by scientists for its unique properties. Despite the magical emitters protecting it, Jasper was confident in his mission. With another yawn, Jasper clicked on the news channel, searching for something more interesting to watch. Click!... ___________ International News Report Channel... ___________ "¡ª Hello everyone! it''s your news reporter Jane. I''m here to report that there''s been a breakthrough in one of the most prolific businesses in the medical field!" Jasper perked up, a spark of interest igniting in his eyes. The reporter, a woman with a bright smile and overly enthusiastic tone, gestured towards a gleaming building. "¡ª Today we''re here at Gic Alchemy Solutions! Owned by one of the best scientists and doctors in the world, Liana Garcia!" The camera panned, following the reporter and her cameraman as they walked into a sleek, modernb. A woman stood at the center, The newscaster, usually soposed, stammered in Liana Garcia''s presence. Her beauty was striking, her long, flowing brown hair braided and adorned with delicate silver pins. Her emerald green eyes, framed by longshes, sparkled with intelligence and warmth. Herb coat, impably white, couldn''t hide the elegance of her figure. Even the cameraman seemed to be struggling to keep his focus on the task at hand. "¡ª u-u-u-uh... Hi there... Li- I meant Mrs. Garcia! We''re here to show the world yourtest breakthrough!" Liana Garcia smiled, herposure a stark contrast to the reporter''s flustered enthusiasm."Thank you for having me, Jane. It''s a pleasure to be here." Her voice was clear and confident, a scientist ustomed to the spotlight. ¡ª"Our team at Gic Alchemy Solutions is proud to unveil our most groundbreaking creation yet: a mana potion capable of not only restoring 20% of a user''s mana reserves but also elerating the healing of external injuries without the usual side effects of burns or scarring." The newscaster, regaining some of herposure, beamed. ¡ª "This is amazing, Mrs. Garcia! A revolutionary step inbining cutting-edge technology with the wonders of magic!" Click!... Jasper clicked off the news, his fingers idly stroking his chin as he considered the implications of Liana Garcia''s breakthrough. "Ah, Liana..." A sly smile spread across his face. "She has a daughter, right?"The thought remained, then snapped as he realised. "Cam Garcia..."Jasper savoured the name, his smile widening. "The pride of young mages... and soon to be a disciple of the greatest magician in the world." *** {Rel''s POV} [Paris, H?tel za Ath¨¦n¨¦e - Top floor - Room: 2#] [Sunday, 8:49 AM] RING!!!!!...RING!!!!...RING!!!!... The incessant beeping of my rm wed its way into my sleep-fogged brain. I groaned, reaching blindly towards the nightstand... Thunk! My watch slipped from my grasp and ttered to the floor. "Damn it..." Dragging myself out of the ridiculouslyfortable bed, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, retrieving the stupid device. "What time is it¨C" My words died, as I saw the notification light blinking like an obsessive ex-girlfriend. There were a lot of overdue messages... and when I say a lot, I really mean it. _____________ [Do not disturb has been turned off!] _____________ [You have a total of 10 missed calls!] [J.Ates (8)] <7:50 AM> [Message: Wake up!] [Lan.Villerion (2)] < 7:55 AM> [Message: Cam is waiting...] _____________ [You have (1) Message from the following app: Whats App] [??¡ã? Histories Breakfast Club GC ??¡ã?] [Lan.Villerion] <6:30 AM> Sup HBC! Today we''ll be meeting at ce du Trocad¨¦ro, where we''ll have breakfast at Carette!!! If you need rides arranged please just let me know beforehand and I''ll reserve you a ride there. For everyone else reading this meet at 8 AM! Not on the dot of course, but 10 or 15 minutes after that time should be okay. since we have a reservation there. haah... so I''mte? Shit, I shouldn''t have messed with upgrading my stats on that walkst night. But hey, I got some good stuff out of it... even if I gambled all my luck away. "Base Stats..." I mumbled, checking for the damage. FWANG! ____________ {Axel Saint Rel Laurence BASE Stats} >Health: 106.5 >>> No Upgrade >Strength: 94 >>> 100 Strength (6.00+) (4500 BP-) >Stamina: 74.5 >>> No Upgrade >Speed: 73 >>> No Upgrade ____________ [New Ability Modifier Complete...] FWANG [Passive Ability: Hidden Strength [Grade 4] This passive only activates when Rel faces an opponent whose Strength stat is at least 35 points higher than his own. (Requirement 100 Strength.)] [Effect: Rel''s attacks against this qualifying opponent gain a significant boost. Dealing 125% damage. Each sessful strike deals 2.25x its normal amount of damage.] The system had rmended this ability for a 20,000 BP discount for pensation''. Lucky for me, it was on my editor''s wishlist. At least one thing went right, especially since I didn''t get any of those other abilities I had in mind. But I guess this will do. I could finally figure out if a demi-human is ssified as a human or a monster within the system. With that sorted, I quickly threw on a ck sweater and grey pants for this morning''s weather. Then, I double-checked under the bed ¨C didn''t want to grab the wrong bag. Luckily, the ck tote was the only one there... "Few," I muttered. Good. Everything I needed was packed and ready to go. Checking outside of the hotel room I found myself on the main street of Avenue Montaigne. Which was a sea of honking cars and impatient pedestrians. Even though I waste... could I make it in ten minutes? I checked my watch, hoping for a better route on the GPS, but time wasn''t on my side today. Every route to the cafe showed an estimated time of half an hour. Damn. *** [Paris, ce du Trocad¨¦ro -Carrette] The entire group of Histories Breakfast Club was here. Well... almost here. Everyone was waiting for that one person, who was almostte for their trip and nowte to their first-ever club activity. "Seriously, who does he think he is?" Louise mmed a fist on the cafe table, a low growl rumbling in his throat. "If I have to wait another fifteen minutes for somezy nerd, I''ll..." His eyes narrowed menacingly. "...I''ll kill him!" BANG! Another mmed fist hit the table, drawing stares from the surrounding cafe patrons. "L-Louise! Calm down, we don''t want another broken table!" Lan rushed to his side, attempting to diffuse the noble''s temper. "Let me go, Lan!" Louise struggled against his cousin''s surprisingly strong grip. "No! You promised no trouble on this trip. Remember what happened at the training facility when they didn''t have your cloud-saved avatar?You almost burnt the whole ce down!" As the two wrestled, the other members watched Louise''s me, slowly be extinguished by their senior. "Sucks to be him huh?" Cam sighed, ncing at the empty seat beside Jan. "I thought you guys woke him up?" "We did..." Janughed nervously. "But when we checked on Rel at seven, he slept like an ill pharaoh!" A few heads turned at the mention of Rel''s name¡ªValencia, Jae Yoona, and Alice. Their reasons for being interested in him might be different, but they all listened with attention. "So," Cam''s eyes sparkled mischievously, "wanna bet on when he finally shows up?" The members at the table suddenly paid attention to her words, and themotion turned into a spontaneous gambling session. p! "30 minutes on the dot!" Bazz dered, pping 50 Euros onto the centre of the table. "Nothing more, nothing less!" Lyra smirked at Bazz''s eagerness. "Heh... someone''s been practising their gambling skills." But Jan''s eyes, a brilliant blue, glowed with a knowing light. He had a secret, a vision of the unexpected. A voice, breathless and apologetic, cut through the escting excitement. "Sorry¡ªI''mte..." "...!" ________ Authors Notes: - The price for Rel''s ability Hidden Strength originally cost: 25,000 PPP - Everyone apart from Jan and Valencia were about to bet on Rel''s arrival. Chapter 175: Club Activities (2) [Paris, ce du Trocad¨¦ro - Carrette] "Sorry...I-I''mte." Rel panted standing in front of the group. With all eyes on him, Cam slowly took the €50 from the table, without Bazz noticing. "Y-You! Now I''m gonna-" Louise''s eye twitched, then a sudden burst of mes shot from his shoulder turning to a familiar shade of blue. "Settle down, Louise." Lan''s voice was calm, yet firm, as he ced a hand over Louise''s mouth, effectively silencing the outburst. "It''s good you''re here, Rel," Lan said, turning his attention to him. "Grab a seat, and I''ll get the briefing started." He gestured towards the empty chair with one hand while effortlessly restraining Louise with the other. Louise continued to mutter and thrash against his cousin''s grasp. "Let me go, Lan!I''ll show that cker¨C" Lan''s grip tightened ever so slightly. "Remember your promise, Louise. No more trouble." As the two continued to fight Rel settled down in the seat beside Jan. ... ... ... [10 minutester...] Finally, Louise had settled down. It seemed a calm word from Valencia was more effective than any physical restraint from Lan. "Hey." Valencia stood before Louise, her tan trench coat cinched against the soft breeze. The cream turtleneck sweater she wore beneath it softened the formal edge, while the brown wool skirt and knee-high boots added a touch of practicality to her elegance. "...!" Louise''s heart hammered in his chest. The sunlight caught in her hair, turning the golden strands into a halo. He couldn''t help but stare, mesmerized. Khum... "A-ah...um... yes?"He coughed, desperately trying to regain hisposure. "Can you please be quiet now?"Her voice was soft, yet firm, leaving no room for argument. "Yes, ma''am," he replied, unable to meet her gaze. That was all it took. ... ... ... {Rel''s POV} haah... Thank god for Valencia being here, I would''ve faced Louise''s wrath if not for her. ¡ª psssstt.... I watched her settle back into her seat, looking like the calm and collected character I knew. Then I realised she recovered from that sickness pretty quickly, huh? ¡ª hey!! Guess that''s what happens when you''re one of the main characters. Now- nudge! Ack! Jan''s nudge nearly sent me flying out of my chair. haah... what does Jan want now? I thought he''d stop being on my ass after yesterday. But it can''t be helped. "What is it this time? I turned to him with a furrowed brow. Jan leaned in whispering in my ear, a sly grin on his face. "Cam suggested, you know... we stick together for the assignment." It was a good idea, actually. I wouldn''t have to worry about keeping tabs on everyone if we were all together. But... Valencia.I wasn''t sure how she''d react to having me tag along. Should I say no? But before I could answer, Lan cleared his throat, drawing everyone''s attention. "Alright, everyone! Let''s focus on our first task as a club!" His voice was calm and encouraging, effectively silencing any further bickering. "Today marks the end of our travels. You''ll have the freedom to explore any historical site that piques your interest, whether it''s a grand museum, a hidden monument, or a charming cobblestone street steeped in history." "Remember," Lan continued, "your task is to choose an artifact or historical element that resonates with you and write a detailed report. Be creative, be insightful, and most importantly, enjoy this final day of our trip." With that, Lan dismissed everyone. The others quickly rose, their voices blending of excited chatter as they made ns and headed out the door. My gaze settled on Jan, who remained seated beside me. He had that look of pure wonder on his face. The one that screamed ''Where should I go?!'' I could almost hear the thought bubbling up within him. Across the table, Valencia toyed with the remains of her tea. She seemed to be waiting for Jan to make a decision, her expression carefully neutral. This uing event was crucial for his development. I needed to ensure he was in the right ce at the right time. Should I follow him? It wasn''t the worst idea. Cam would be there, too, which meant it would likely be three against one if that demi-human showed up. If I stayed out of the fight of course ¨C and honestly, who knew if my aura would even work on a demon? Since I haven''t figured out how powerful it really was. The best thing I could do was at least observe and make sure things didn''t go too far off-script. "Well, Rel," Cam''s voice cut through my thoughts, sharp as always. "We should get going, shouldn''t we?" Her hate was clear, as always. "Right," I replied, keeping my voice even. "Where would you like to start?" The Louvre Museum should be the final destination, but for now, I''d let her call the shots. Cam tapped a manicured finger on the table, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I was thinking... the Mus¨¦e de l''Arm¨¦e. It has a fascinating collection of military artifacts." Interesting choice, I thought. The museum was a fair distance from the Louvre, but it could work as a starting point. I could subtly guide our path from there. "Sounds good to me," I said, suppressing a smirk. "We could also check out the Arc de Triomphe on the way. It''s a historicalndmark in its own right." Cam raised an eyebrow, a hint of suspicion in her eyes. "The Arc de Triomphe? That''s a bit out of the way, isn''t it?" I shrugged, feigning nonchnce. "We''re in Paris. A little detour won''t hurt. Besides, it''ll make for a more interesting report." Before she could question further, a message pinged on her watch. Her eyes scanned the screen, and an expression of excitement reced her scepticism. "Change of ns," she announced, a smug grin spreading across her face. "Turns out Avalon Azira is hosting a private exhibition at the Mus¨¦e de Cluny today. He''s showcasing his personal collection of magical artifacts." __________ Authors Notes: - Valencia wore a red scarf with her fit as well. - Her hairstyle was neatly swept into a bun and held in ce by a delicate pin. Chapter 176: Club Activites (3) Avalon Azira? I knew him well, or rather, the character I''d created. He was the former healer of the Golden Horizon, the previous number one guild in the world, led by the King Of The Dungeon''s Garrick Florentina or the Great Hero nheless... Avalon was a mage with a unique talent for light magic, restricted to healing, but a force to be reckoned with inbat nheless. "Avalon Azira?" I pretended to be surprised. "God''s Chosen Healer? I''ve always been fascinated by his contributions to the Golden Horizon, alongside Garrick and Dawn Frisk." Cam''s grin widened. "Really? I wouldn''t have expected you to know this kinda stuff." Well... I did write it. "Naturally I''d know," I replied smoothly. "Let''s go then." We rose from our seats being thest to leave Carette. Outside, I pulled out my watch and tapped on the GPS, plotting our course. Mus¨¦e de Cluny was closer to the Louvre than the Mus¨¦e des Arts D¨¦coratifs, so it made sense to start with thetter and work our way back. ... ... ... Cam led the way, her pace brisk as we navigated the streets. True to her word, she made a beeline for the Mus¨¦e de l''Arm¨¦e, her eyes scanning the impressive collection of military artifacts with a keen interest. I trailed behind, pretending I was interested in the exhibits. On the other hand, I was calcting the remaining time before the incident at the Louvre. We spent a good hour or two exploring the museum''s vast halls, Cam''smentary a constant stream of historical facts and observations. I nodded along, offering the asional remark, while discreetly jotting down notes on my watch, fulfilling the club''s requirement for a written report. My attention, however, was elsewhere. I knew our next destination was the Mus¨¦e de Cluny, where Avalon Azira''s exhibition awaited. As we exited the museum, Cam''s stomach grumbled audibly. "Ugh, I''m starving," sheined, rubbing her belly. "Let''s grab some food before moving on." I nodded in agreement. "Okay." We strolled down a few streets,ing across a charming bistro tucked away on a side street. Its outdoor seating offered a view of the Seine River, the water glistening in the afternoon sun. Cam scanned the menu, while I discreetly checked my watch, reviewing the information I''d gathered on Avalon Azira earlier. Once we''d ordered, I decided to push things along. "I''m pretty excited for Azira''s exhibition," I said, taking a sip of coffee. "Heard his collection is impressive." Cam nodded, a thoughtful look on her face. "I''m curious to see what he''s put together. Back when he was in Golden Horizon, they found tons of rare artifacts." "Yeah," I agreed, a subtle urgency entering my voice. "We should head there soon to catch it all." Cam nced at her watch, then back at me. "You''re right. Let''s not waste any more time." We finished our meal and set off towards the Mus¨¦e de Cluny. As we approached the imposing medieval building, a wave of anticipation washed over me. Another tick should be on the list and the next step in my n is to ensure Jan defeats that demi-human. But it was also a chance to witness firsthand the ex-members of Golden Horizon. Walking down the massive pathway the Mus¨¦e de Cluny''s gothic architecture towered over us. Cam paused to admire the building''s front,menting on its historical significance and aesthetic appeal. I, on the other hand, was more interested in the contents within ¨C specifically, Avalon Azira''s collection. ... ... ... [Paris, Mus¨¦e de Cluny''s] The Mus¨¦e de Cluny''s heavy wooden doors creaked open, revealing a dimly lit foyer filled with ancient sculptures. A hushed atmosphere hung in the air, a sense of reverence for the historical artifacts within. Cam confidently approached the reception desk. And within mere moments, her charm easily secured us an entry into Avalon Azira''s private exhibition. "Let''s go." ... ... ... Stepping into the exhibition hall, I was awestruck. It was surreal, like walking onto the set of my own novel. The room glowed with a soft, ethereal light, emanating from the numerous magical artifacts on disy. Each piece seemed to buzz with unnatural mana, their histories and secrets whispering to those who dared to listen. Cam, her eyes wide with wonder, gravitated towards a shimmering ne encased in ss. "Look at this," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. "It''s breathtaking." I followed her gaze, instantly recognizing the artifact. It was the Ne of Eternal Twilight, an artifact I had written about extensively in my novel. but it wasn''t meant to be a pivotal item.Jan, a swordsman, had no use for it.For Cam, though... No curses, no hidden dangers ¨C just the power to manipte shadows, to bend darkness to her will. It would be a major power-up for her. "It is," I murmured, a shiver running down my spine as I saw another piece of my writinge to life. "Quite powerful, they say." Cam turned to me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Do you know anything about it?" I hesitated, carefully choosing my words. I couldn''t reveal too much without raising suspicion, but I could still offer some enticing details. "It''s an ancient artifact," I began, "with a long and mysterious history. Legend has it that it was created by the first mages to harness the power of shadows." Cam leaned closer, her eyes wide with fascination. "Do you think it really has those powers?" She whispered, her voice tinged with a childlike wonder I hadn''t seen before. "Maybe," I shrugged, "Legends often have a grain of truth to them, don''t they?" Then suddenly... a hush fell over the room as a spotlight illuminated a raised tform at the far end of the hall. Two figures emerged from the shadows. One, a tall, slender man with short, silver hair and piercing blue eyes, draped in a flowing white robe. The other, a broad-shouldered figure with long grey hair reaching his shoulders, dressed in simple, yet elegant attire. "Wee, honoured guests," The first figure''s voice boomed, echoing through the hall. "I am Avalon Azira, and it is my pleasure to share my humble collection with you today. And to make this exhibition even more special, I have a guest joining me today: my dear friend and formerrade-in-arms, Dawn Frisk." I couldn''t believe my eyes. Two legends, standing side by side. God''s chosen healer, Avalon. And the Conqueror Of the Void, Dawn Frisk. This was beyond surreal. This was... incredible... __________ Authors Notes: - Cam is a fan of the world''s history, Her respect for Rel went up by 10%. Chapter 177: Club Activities (4) {Rel''s POV} [Paris, Mus¨¦e de Cluny''s] Dawn Frisk. Was thest leader of the Golden Horizon before disbanding. His sudden announcement and everyone''s questions had preempted any media spections about Garrick''s disappearance. To the world, Garrick might still be in the Towers,a beacon of hope lost in the depths. But I knew the truth of his fate. Others believed he might return, but years had passed... Avalon Azira''s voice, rich and resonant, filled the exhibition hall. He began to recount the history of each artifact on disy, exining the tales of epic battles, and the extraordinary adventurers who once wielded their power. His words painted vivid pictures in my mind, bringing to life the stories I had once confined to the pages of my novel. Beside me, Cam listened intently, her eyes sparkling with a mix of awe and recognition. "I can''t believe we''re actually hearing this from Avalon Azira himself," She whispered, her voice barely audible above the Legend''s booming voice. "I''ve read so much about him, Garrick, Vincent, and even Dawn Frisk. They were practically legends during their time in the Golden Horizon." "Yeah," I replied, keeping my voice low. "They definitely left their mark on history." As Avalon moved on to the next artifact on stage, a beautifully crafted dagger with a shimmering sapphire hilt, Cam leaned towards me. "Do you think those stories about them are true?" she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity. "The tales of ''that'' battle?" Tales of that battle? What did she mean by that? hmm... Tales of that battle... oh... When I realized what she was talking about, it clicked: she was referring to The Battle of the Eternal Tree. I paused for a moment, considering how much I could reveal without raising suspicion. But knowing so much about the incident was already too much. "There''s usually some truth to legends," I replied. "But the real story is often moreplicated than we hear." Cam nodded thoughtfully, her gaze returning to the dagger. "I wonder what it would be like to wield such power and be capable of doing that..." she mused, her voice filled with a wistful longing. Thank god she bought it at least. "It''s not all sunshine and rainbows," I paused, "Power like that can be a dangerous thing." Cam nced at me, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. "Wow, that''s... deep, Rel." I shrugged, a small smile ying on my lips. "Even I can appreciate a good story." As we continued to explore the exhibition, Cam peppered me with questions about the history of Golden Horizon, their abilities, and their motivations. I answered as best I could carefully avoiding any details that might expose my true identity... Then a few minutester, Avalon Azira concluded his speech and introduction. "And now, my esteemed guests," he dered, gesturing towards the rows of illuminated disys, "I invite you to explore my humble collection at your leisure. Dawn and I will be mingling amongst you, happy to answer any questions or share the stories behind these remarkable artifacts." With a gentle nod, he stepped down from the tform, Dawn following close behind. The crowd dispersed, drawn like moths to a me to the gleaming artifacts. Cam and I drifted along, our eyes scanning the exhibits with a mix of curiosity and wonder. As we rounded a corner, we nearly collided with the towering figures of Avalon and Dawn, their height even more imposing up close. "Woah," I muttered under my breath. "I don''t recall them being giants..." I took a few steps back seeing both their faces in view. I nced at Cam and her face was flushed with excitement. "Oh...My...God..." Avalon''s eyes, the same piercing blue settled on Cam. A warm smile spread across his face, softening his otherwise stern features. "Well, well," he chuckled, "aren''t you the spitting image of your mother, Liana." Cam''s eyes widened in surprise. "You knew my mother?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. Avalon and Dawn exchanged a knowing nce both their smiles widening. "Indeed we did," Dawn replied, his deep voice rumbling through the air. "She was a promising apprentice in our guild many, many, years ago." "A talented healer," Avalon added, his eyes twinkling with fond memories. "But after she met your father during our expedition to the dungeons in Spain, she left to pursue her career in medicine." Cam was speechless, her face a mixture of disbelief and delight. Even though I was surprised by this information, I wouldn''t have expected her mother to have been linked as an apprentice to Golden Horizon. All the pieces about them are just connecting. It made sense in my head, though this wasn''t a part of what I wrote. This was basically a scene and an event outside of the novel. Cam, her eyes wide with surprise and delight, turned back to Avalon and Dawn. "Do you know why she left?" she asked, her voice eager. Avalon''s eyes crinkled at the corners as he nced at Dawn, a mischievous glint in his eyes. But before he could respond, Dawn swiftly brought his fist down on Avalon''s head. THWACK! "A-hem," Dawn cleared his throat, regaining hisposure. "She left because you were going to be born, of course." Avalon rubbed his head, a yful pout on his lips. "Hey, what was that for?" "We may be old, but your humor is still as terrible as ever," Dawn retorted with a gruff chuckle. Avalon shrugged, a sly grin returning to his face. "You have me mistaken, Vice-Leader." THWACK! Another smacknded on Avalon''s head. "Idiot," Dawn said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I''m not the Vice-Leader anymore." A wave of nostalgia washed over Avalon. "Right," he said softly, his smile fading slightly. "I forgot. Golden Horizon is no more." I watched the exchange between the two old friends, a warmth spreading through my chest. I wondered if they were always like this. As I turned my head towards Cam, she seemed dazed. "She never mentioned any of this," she admitted. Dawn''s gaze softened, a gentle hand resting on her shoulder. "Your mother was a woman of few words, but her actions spoke volumes." "I remember her telling me, just before she left, that she wanted you to follow in her footsteps¡ªto be someone who could make a difference in the world." A soft smile bloomed on Cam''s face. "Wow," she breathed, a hint of awe in her voice. "I never knew." ____________ Authors Notes: - Dawn Frisk''s appearance before age had Dark Blonde Hair and ck Eyes - Avalon Azira''s appearance before old age had Brown hair and Blue eyes Chapter 178: Club Activities (5) [Paris, Rue Saint-Jacques, Street outside of Mus¨¦e de Cluny] The evening sun cast long shadows across the cobblestone streets as we emerged from the Mus¨¦e de Cluny. Afortable silence settled between us, a rare urrence in our usual interactions. "That was..." Cam paused, seemingly searching for the right words. "Unexpected," she finally said, her voice softer than usual. "I never knew that side of my mother." "Neither did I," I admitted. "It seems we both learned something new today." She nodded, pulling a strand of hair back. "Just... don''t tell anyone about this, okay?" "My lips are sealed," I assured her, shrugging. "And since we''ve visited all the ces you wanted to see, could we go somewhere I''d like to check out?" Cam hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Fine. Lead the way... Rel." "...!" She... said my name. That was unexpected, especially in this kind of context. Did I even have the right to be called by name, being just a background character? Shit... I knew getting close to these characters was already risky. Now I need to be careful from here on out. "The Louvre is a bit of a walk from here," I said, pulling out my phone. "I''ll call an Uber." Cam nodded. "Good idea." While we waited for the car, my mind shed back to Yesterday. I''d stashed some... supplies near the museum, the site of where the first demon attack will happen. Normally, I''d stay out of Jan''s way when the story is unfolding. However, this time... I wasn''t sure if he was strong enough to handle a demi-human alone. Back in that dungeon, Jan and Louise made a decent team. But now, outside those walls, Jan''s arsenal was limited. Light ¨C that was the only element at his disposal. The problem?He barely seemed to use it. To live up to his "main character" status, he needed to at least grasp the basics, right?Unfortunately... that wasn''t the case. During the tournament, all I saw was a reliance on aura and small bursts of his Divine Conqueror skill. I''d thought maybe he was saving the light for the final fight, but nothing. I''d watched countless clips, analyzed every frame of every battle... not a single flicker of golden light. Conclusion: either he knew how to use it but couldn''t fully manifest it, or...he didn''t even know he had it. Sounds pretty stupid, right? The main character, clueless about his own power?Hoho, even authors make mistakes, I guess. BZZZT!...BZZZZT!... My watch buzzed with a notification from the Uber app. "Hey, the Uber''s here," Cam said, pointing towards the ck sedan. I quickly nodded and we both headed towards the Louvre Museum. *** [Paris, The Louvre Museum] "Ooohh... we''re finally here!" Jan stretched out his arms with a wide yawn as he stepped out of the limo. nk! Valencia followed a vintage Proid camera clutched in her hand. She''d purchased it yesterday, eager to capture the sights of Paris. Lifting the camera to her eye, she adjusted the lens, framing a shot of the massive museum looming before them. Click! "Very pointy..." She pped the developing photo gently, her lips curving into a satisfied smile as the image emerged. "Perfect." But the next photo wouldn''t be so easy. As she zoomed in on the iconic ss pyramid, a face filled the viewfinder. "...!" "Another photo?"Jan''s voice boomed in front of her, making her jump. Her face contorted in a scowl, and she shoved him aside with a surprising amount of force. "Ack!" Jan stumbled, his facenting on the cobblestones a harsh counterpoint to the camera''s click. "Ugh, you idiot," Valencia grumbled, not even bothering to hide her annoyance. She snapped another photo of the pyramid, this time without Jan''s face obscuring the view. "Now, can you please try not to ruin any more of my pictures?" Jan picked himself up, rubbing his nose with a sheepish grin. "Sorry, Val," he chuckled, dusting off his clothes. "Just got a little excited, you know? I don''t even know how those things work. I thought watches andptops were the only things we needed for the academy." Valencia sighed, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "These are cameras, Jan," she exined, as if talking to a child. "Wait¡ªhave you never seen one before?" "Nope!" Jan replied, his eyes wide with innocent curiosity. Valencia rolled her eyes, a small smile ying on her lips despite her annoyance. "Never mind," she said, shaking her head. "Let''s head in after I take one more photo." Valencia lined up her final shot, carefully framing the Louvre''s iconic ss pyramid through the viewfinder of her vintage Proid camera. Jan, his usual boundless energy momentarily subdued, waited patiently beside her. "Hey, Val," he began, his voice low and hesitant, "what do you think about Rel now?" Valencia''s hands twitched, causing the camera to shake. The resulting photo emerged blurry and distorted, a smudge of colors and shapes. "Whoa," Jan chuckled, peering over her shoulder at the ruined image. "I''ve seen some bad photos, but that one takes the cake." A faint flush crept onto Valencia''s cheeks, but her expression remained carefully neutral. "Just a slip of the hand," she muttered, quickly pocketing the photo. "Let''s head in." Jan, however, didn''t move. He stood his ground, his gaze fixed on Valencia, a yful curiosity in his eyes. "Come on, Val," he persisted. "I know you heard me." Valencia abruptly stopped, her back still turned towards Jan. "What is he to you?" she asked, her voice a low murmur. "Are you two lovers by any chance?" Jan''sughter echoed through the grand foyer. "That''s a good one, Val!" his hands were on his stomach while booming with amusement. "But no, nothing like that. Rel''s just... strange. Always seems to be in the right ce at the right time, you know?" Valencia turned her head slightly, watching Jan as he caught up to her. The phrase "right ce, right time" triggered a memory, an image from the dark hallway back at the academy. A man in a dark hood stood far apart from her. But the fear she felt couldn''t bepared... and then, a sudden interruption. A figure with ck hair had appeared out of nowhere, blocking his path with her sword. Valencia hadn''t seen his face, but the memory of his intervention remained etched in her mind. But the same scene from yesterday. It felt the same. The encounter with Alessandro, the way his presence had given her that fear she hid. Rel had appeared, a calm amidst the storm. She paused for a moment to think. Could it be that Rel was the person who had saved her not once, but twice? The pieces seemed to fit, but it didn''t make sense. Rel was an archer... not a swordsman. It couldn''t be him that night. Her father had imed to be her saviour, but she knew deep down that he was lying. Valencia''s gaze drifted up to Jan''s face and for a moment. She saw an ovepping image of the figure from her memories. The mysterious saviour with the ck hair. "That''s right... Jan''s a swordsman," she thought. _____________ No author''s notes today... Chapter 179: Realization | Invasion [Paris, The Louvre Museum] [Sunday, 3:32 PM] Could it be? Could Jan have been the one who saved her? The thought was absurd, impossible even. Jan, with his goofy grin and carefree attitude, didn''t seem capable of such heroism. But the resemnce was undeniable. "Hey Jan where-" "I''m getting bored, let''s head inside already." Valencia blinked, surprised by his sudden shift in demeanour. The energetic, eager Jan she knew had vanished, reced by a bored and restless version. "Alright, alright," she conceded, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Let''s go." As Jan turned and walked towards the museum entrance, Valencia hesitated for a moment. The question of ''what if'' remained in her mind, a puzzle piece she couldn''t quite fit into the picture. But for now, it could wait. There would be other opportunities to unravel this ''person''. With a resigned sigh, she followed Jan into the Louvre. ... ... ... [Paris, The Louvre Museum - First Floor] Jan, his initial boredom forgotten, eagerly pushed through the revolving doors, his eyes wide with childish wonder. "Whoa!" he eximed, gazing up at the massive structure. "This ce is huge!" Valencia, ever theposed one, followed at a more leisurely pace, her gaze sweeping across the ornate architecture with an air of quiet appreciation. "It is quite impressive," she agreed, a small smile ying on her lips. Inside, the museum''s vast halls unfolded before them like a maze of art and history. Marble statues shined from beneath the soft lighting, their sculpted figures frozen in timeless poses. Intricate paintings adorned the walls, their vibrant colours and detailed brushstrokes capturing scenes of triumph, tragedy, and everyday life. The air buzzed with the hushed whispers of countless visitors, their voices mingling with the distant echoes of footsteps on polished floors. ¡ª Stick to the n okay? We''ve got one shot at this, so don''t mess up got it? Jan, his eyes darting from one exhibit to the next, was like a child in a candy store. ¡ª Yes Mr. Jasper... can I at least find a good spot with lots of people? "Look at that!" he eximed, pointing towards a massive canvas depicting a chaotic battle scene. ¡ªhaah...okay. "That''s gotta be, like, a thousand years old!" ¡ª Thank you, Mr. Jasper! Valencia chuckled, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Not quite," she corrected gently. ¡ª Don''t sweat it, just make sure you''re a big distraction. "It''s from the 19th century, by Jacques-Louis David. It''s called ''The Coronation of Napoleon.''" Jan blinked, his enthusiasm undeterred. "Still pretty old," He insisted, his gaze already shifting to a nearby sculpture of a winged goddess. Valencia shook her head, a fond smile ying on her lips. "Come on, slowpoke," she said, gesturing towards the next gallery. "Let''s see what other things we can find, I heard there''s a section filled with artifacts." ¡ª And also... I''ll signal through the watch. Then that''s your call to do it, when I''m on the bottom floor. As they walked, Jan passed by two strangers in the crowd. A sudden chill ran down his spine, an odd sensation washing over him. It was a feeling he''d experienced before, a dark and strange energy that sent shivers down his spine. He stopped abruptly, his carefree expression reced by a mask of seriousness. "Did you sense that?" he asked Valencia, his voice hushed. Valencia tilted her head, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Sense what?" she asked. "And what''s with the sudden change in mood? It''s like you just saw a devil." Sheughed nervously, trying to lighten the mood. Jan shook his head with a sigh. "Never mind..." And followed Valencia deeper into the museum''s corridors. *** The grand galleries gave way to smaller, more intimate rooms, each housing a unique collection of historical treasures. They finally reached the artifact gallery, a dimly lit room lined with ss disy cases. Within, a myriad of weapons shined under the spotlights, their polished surfaces reflecting the ambient light. Swords of every shape and size, daggers with ornate hilts, axes that looked as though they could cleave a man in two, and spears with razor-sharp tips ¨C each one a silent testament to the violence and conflict that had shaped human history. Jan''s eyes skimmed over the collection, his usual excitement dampened by a growing sense of unease. "Whoa," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "That''s a... impressive sword." Valencia chuckled softly, her eyes scanning the disys with a more discerning gaze. "That''s a 15th-century longsword," she exined. "It was a popr weapon among knights during the Hundred Years'' War." Jan nodded absently, his attention drawn to a massive battle axe, its rusted de still bearing the scars of countless battles. "And that one?" he asked, his voice strained. "That looks... dangerous." Valencia smiled, her knowledge of history momentarily overriding her concern for Jan''s subdued demeanour. "That''s a Viking battle axe," she informed him. "It''s over a thousand years old." Jan''s gaze lingered on the axe, a shiver running down his spine. The unsettling energy he had sensed earlier seemed to intensify within the artifact gallery, a darkness pressing against his senses. He couldn''t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. Then... RUMBLE...RUMBLE...RUMBLE... Suddenly, the floor beneath their feet shook anda tremor rippled through the gallery. The paintings on the walls rattled in their frames, and a crystal vase teetered on a nearby pedestal, crashing to the floor in a shower of glittering shards. BANG! Jan''s heart pounded in his chest, a primal rm ringing through his senses. He recognized the rumbling, the ominous tremor that heralded danger. A wave of panic surged through the museum, screams and shouts of "Run!" echoing through the halls. In the artifact room, the lights flickered erratically, casting dancing shadows on the weaponry. "Attention all visitors! This is an emergency lockdown." An announcement red through the museum''s speakers. "Please remain calm and listen to my--" The announcement cut off abruptly, reced by static and silence. With a final sputter, they plunged into darkness, leaving the room illuminated only by the faint glow of the emergency lights and the sunlight filtering through the ss ceiling. The rumble intensified, apanied by loud bangs and metallic shes that echoed from the depths of the museum. Valencia grabbed Jan''s arm, her eyes wide with rm. "What''s happening?" she asked, her voice full of concern. "I don''t know," Jan replied, his voice tense, "but we need to get out of here-" "Mommy?! Where are you!!" Just then, a young child, no more than five years old, stumbled into the room, sobbing and calling for her mother. Jan reacted instinctively, scooping the terrified girl into his arms. "It''s okay," he soothed, his voice surprisingly calm amidst the chaos. "We''re going to find your mommy. Just stay with me." He kept her close under his arms to ensure nothing were to fall on her. Valencia''s senses were on high alert, her ears straining to make sense of the distant sounds of battle. "Someone''s fighting out there," she whispered, her eyes narrowed in concentration. BANGGGG!!!!!!....CLASH!!!!!....CRASH!!!... The echoing chaos from outside intensified, the sounds of battle and terrified screams seeping through the gallery walls. Jan, his protective instincts in overdrive, made a split-second decision. "Val, help me with this door," hemanded, his voice surprisingly firm. Valencia, snapping out of her momentary shock, sprang into action. Together, they heaved an antique disy case against the heavy oak door, wedging it shut as best they could. The barricade wouldn''t hold forever, but it would buy them some precious time. "We should fight, right?" Valencia asked, her voice a mix of fear and determination. "We''re going to be future heroes, after all. We need to do something." Jan nodded, his jaw set as he tightened his grip on the frightened child in his arms. "You''re right," He murmured, his eyes scanning the shattered disy cases that held their assignment. "We should take the weapons here and-" CRASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSH! His words were cut short by a thunderous crash. "AHHHH!!!" A massive body, worn in a tattered brown cloak, came hurtling through the opposite wall, smashing through several more beforeing to rest a distance away. The figure groaned, struggling to rise, as a malevolent aura radiated from him. "No... DAMN IT! Not AGAIN! NOT AGAIN, NOT AGAIN!!!!!!!" SLAMMM!!! The person''s voice was screaming in pain, mming his hands against the ground. Jan''s eyes widened in horror as he recognized the dark energy he had sensed earlier. This was the source of the chaos, the harbinger of danger. Suddenly, a hand emerged from the newly formed hole in the wall. This figure''s face peaked out of the room. His outfit was worn with a ck suit, apanied by a long ck cloak zing from behind. Their face is hidden by a sinister mask and their hands are covered in matching ck gloves. BREAK!!!! With a swift, fluid motion, they smashed one of the disy cases, shattering the ss and retrieving the longsword Jan had admired earlier. "I can''t fight two people at once," The masked figure said, their voice deep andmanding, sending shivers down Jan and Valencia''s spines. "There''s a mage outside guarding all the civilians from a human-like monster... near the central exit. Please, help her." With those final words, the figure tossed the longsword towards Jan, the old de ttering to the floor at his feet. Then, they turned and walked through the hole pursuing the cloaked figure they had thrown. The room fell silent, saved for the terrified whimpers of the little girl in Jan''s arms. Valencia, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and determination, broke another disy case, grabbing the 17th-century rapier. "Hurry," she urged, her voice barely a whisper. Jan nodded, gripping the longsword tightly. He knew what he had to do. __________ Authors Notes: - Back in Jan''s world museums never existed which exins his overwhelming curiousty and surprise. Chapter 180: Invasion (2) {Rel''s POV} [Paris, The Museum Louvre] yawwnnn... "Are we here yet?" Stretching my arms out, I asked Cam who sat beside me on our ride there to the Louvre. "Almost," Cam replied, her gaze still fixed on the passing cityscape. "Okay." I settled back into my seat. It wouldn''t be long now. The incident at the Louvre was near, and I needed Cam there to protect the people inside when the demi-human attack happens. With her powerful magic and technical skill with mana, she could minimise casualties, even with Jan and Valencia already on the scene. And If things stick along with the story I assume the attack would happen around the central area of it all. The person executing this mission is only here on a one-man job and it''s to send out a message to the world that there''s people like them that exist on this earth. But how do I get her to guard an area without raising suspicion? I couldn''t just blurt out the truth ¨C that would only lead to chaos and panic. "Just out of curiosity," I asked, "what kind of artifacts are you hoping to find at the Louvre?" Cam turned to me, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Hmm, I''m not quite sure yet. Maybe something rted to ancient magic or powerful relics? I''m open to anything that catches my eye." "I see," I replied, a n forming in my mind. "Well, I''ve heard they have a rather extensive collection of magical artifacts. We''ll stumble upon something interesting. Cam''s eyes lit up. "Really? That would be amazing!" A subtle smile tugged at my lips. This is going ording to n, I thought to myself, my focus sharpening as we neared our destination. The Uber pulled up to the curb, and we stepped out onto the bustling sidewalk. The Louvre loomed before us, its ss pyramid gleaming in the afternoon sun. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the events toe. "Here we go," FWANG! Just as I thought... It''s here again. [You have entered a setting to the main plot: Invasion.] [The descriptions of this quest will be provided...] [Main Storyline Quest: Invasion - A rematch!] [Description: Locate, find, and defeat Jasper. Figure out his intentions and why his objective is at Louvre Museum.] [Rewards: 2,500 BP, 500 QP, +1 All Base Stats] A cold shiver ran down my spine seeing the mention of someone I haven''t heard of in a while. Jasper? I thought that crazy fucker was in a maximum security prison? How''d he even get out? I was sure that Aurelia beat his ass to the point of his soul being cleansed. If he still has the powers of a demon then he''d give me some trouble. But... I''d probably win I think. I just have to figure out a way to beat him, without using the power of light. First, I needed to make sure Cam was in a safe ce and was away from the location of the attack. With her power, I thought, she could be a valuable asset in this fight. My gaze drifted to her, her face a mask of curiosity as she admired the museum''s facade. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the chaos that was about to unfold. "Ready to head in?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. Cam nodded, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Absolutely," she replied, a hint of excitement in her voice. "Let''s go see what this ce has in store for us." For her, the Louvre held far more than ancient artifacts and historical treasures. It held a battleground, a stage for a conflict that would shake the very foundations of this world. And as the author, it was my responsibility to ensure that the story yed out as it should. ... ... ... The Louvre''s grand entrance, a towering ss pyramid bathed in the afternoon sun, weed us into its air-conditioned embrace. A stark contrast to the bustling Parisian streets outside, the museum''s cool interior offered a wee respite from the summer heat. As we stepped through the revolving doors, a wave of familiar energy washed over me. I nced at my watch and I knew that the event was bound to happen soon. I''ll have to scrap whatever I had in mind for Cam. I turned to her, a sense of urgency in my voice. "Listen," I said, my tone more serious than usual, "I''m not feeling well. I need to find a restroom quickly." Cam raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of concern and annoyance. "Right now?" she asked, a hint of impatience in her voice. "We just got here." "I know, but it''s urgent," I insisted, hoping my acting was convincing. "It must have been something I ate. Why don''t you go ahead and start exploring? I''ll catch up with you in a bit." Cam didn''t hesitate. "Okay," she replied curtly, already turning towards the main hall. "I''ll start exploring. Don''t take too long." I nodded, not bothering with a smile. As soon as she was out of sight, I broke into a brisk walk through the museum''syout. It''s pretty interesting to see that everything I had remembered about this musuem would be here. Even with the additional concepts of artifacts and extra rooms being ced here. It all turned out well and it perfectly fit with the aesthetic and design of this ce. Now... I should head to that ce quickly if I want to find Jasper. _____________ Authors Notes: - The Louvre Museum has three main wings: Denon Wing: This wing houses some of the museum''s most famous works of art, including the Mona Lisa and many other Renaissance masterpieces. Sully Wing: This wing is home to French paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. Richelieu Wing: This wing contains a variety of collections, including French sculptures, Near Eastern antiquities, and the apartments of Napoleon III. - The ability clockwork of time slows the world. But for Rel, his body is not restricted from slowed time. Essentially this means that weaponry such as a gun or a bow used within slowed time, cannot be restricted due to being the property of Rel''s possession. As long as he''s holding a weapon it cannot be slowed but anything fired as a projectile will be slowed since it''s no longer in Rel''s possession. (Summary) Chapter 181: Invasion (3) [Paris, The Museum Louvre - First Floor] Ignoring the urge to pause and admire the countless masterpieces, I moved with purpose through the Louvre''sbyrinthine halls. My destination was a hidden alcove near the museum''s side exit, where I had stashed a ck duffel bag earlier that day. As I rounded a corner, a familiar voice caught my attention. Jan and Valencia, deep in conversation, were heading in my direction. I ducked behind a marble statue, my heart pounding in my chest, praying I didn''t get caught. "I could''ve sworn someone that looked like Rel just passed by," I heard Jan mutter. Valencia''s voice,ced with scepticism, replied, "Cam said they were at the Mus¨¦e de Cluny. They left half an hour ago. She hasn''t texted me back, though..." A sigh escaped her lips, and Jan''s voice chimed in again, "Never mind that, Val. Let''s check out those other rooms down the hall." "Fine," Valencia agreed, her voice fading as they moved away. haah... I waited until they were out of sight, then emerged from my hiding spot. That was close... I could feel the cold sweat beading on my forehead. I couldn''t afford any distractions now. I reached the alcove and quickly retrieved the duffel bag. I then made my way to the men''s restroom, where I locked myself in a stall and quickly changed into the contents of the bag: a sleek ck suit, a long ck cloak, gloves, and a mask. The disguise wasplete. I was no longer Rel, the unassuming student. I was Axel, the mercenary, ready to do what needed to be done. With a final check in the mirror, I slipped the mercenary ID card into my pocket. This would be my key to bypassing security, as I could simply im that I was on a mission to guard the museum against potential attacks, and if they disagreed, I could threaten to involve Jaxon Cain. Here in France, this country is supported only by the top guilds in the world, The Visionary Syndicate and The Miracles Guild. The Mercenaries Cooperation is always involved in activities with these guilds, so I wouldn''t be surprised if they let me through at the mention of Jaxon Cain. Finally, I grabbed Axel out of the duffle bag and ced the sword on my hip. Now, I was ready. ... ... ... Exiting the restroom, I blended into the crowd, my ck attire blending seamlessly with the corridor. "System... show quest description." [Sure!] FWANG! [Description: Locate, find, and defeat Jasper. Figure out his intentions and what his objective is at Louvre Museum.] Hmm... I should be able to locate him if I just keep roaming these hallways. But what is he after? The only thing I could think of right now is that he''s also here to send a message. But that can''t be possible? If I knew better, the system would''ve told me that there were 2 attackers iing for this plot. Or... that he''s the experiment sent here to cause all the trouble. Since there''s no chance the story couldn''t have strayed off course. ¡ª Sweety look away, that man seems dangerous. ¡ª Who''s this guy roaming through the hallways with a sword? ¡ª Someone call security. The museum''s usual tranquillity had been reced by a nervous tension and I could already tell why. ''Oh, why is a guy dressed suspiciously in ck?'' Is the assumption anyone would get if they enter a building with a weapon of course. I kept my head up avoiding the eyes of the civilians, scanning the surroundings for any sign of trouble. As I passed by a group of startled tourists, a hand gripped my shoulder, stopping my progress. "Excuse me, sir," a voice said. "I''m a security officer for the Louvre. Who are you, and what are you doing here?" I turned, my face hidden beneath the mask. "I''m a mercenary,"I replied, my voice a calm, even tone. "I''m an associate of Jaxon Cain, leader of the Mercenary Cooperation. I''m here on official business." I presented my ID card, the emblem of the Cooperation shining under the lights. The guard, a burly man with a stern expression, carefully examined the card, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Jaxon''s associate, you say?" he questioned, his voice gruff. "That''s a pretty big im." "I understand your scepticism," I replied calmly. "But this is a time-sensitive matter. I need to assess a potential security risk." The guard hesitated for a moment, then made a decision. "Alright," he said, his tone still wary. "Let me get my advisor quickly to verify this." He gestured for me to follow him. "Pleasee with me to the second floor." This is not how I nned this... holy shit how''d they not fall for the Jaxon Cain thing?! If it was anyone else but that old bastard then I probably would''ve been allowed to roam freely here. haah... I followed the guard up a winding staircase. But if this gets me closer to Jasper, then so be it. ... ... ... The second floor was a massive area of its own, awork of smaller galleries and dimly lit corridors branching off from a central atrium. Unlike the ground floor, this level was eerily quiet, the silence punctuated only by the rhythmic clicking of my heels on the polished marble floor. Security personnel, d in crisp uniforms, stood at attention by each gallery entrance, their vignt eyes scanning the surroundings. The guard led me towards a door marked "Security Department," his footsteps echoing in the hushed atmosphere. As he knocked, a sense of unease washed over me. I had not anticipated this level of scrutiny, but I had to maintain myposure and my confidence. The door opened, revealing a spacious office bathed in the cool glow of multiple monitors. A stern-faced woman, her hair pulled back into a tight bun, sat behind arge mahogany desk. She gestured for me to enter, her eyes appraising me from behind a pair of rimless sses. __________________ No authors notes for this chapterD: Chapter 182: Invasion (4) [Paris, The Museum Louvre - Second Floor | Bottom Level] "This is the associate of Jaxon you mentioned?" she inquired, her voice sharp and clear. "Yes, ma''am," the guard replied, standing at attention. "He ims to be here on official business." The woman, who I assumed was the supervisor, motioned for me to sit. "State your purpose, "Mercenary Axel," she demanded, her tone brooking no argument. "I''m here to assess a potential security risk," I replied calmly, meeting her gaze with unwavering confidence. "I have reason to believe that a specific area of the museum may be targeted." Her eyebrows arched in surprise. "Specific area?" she repeated, her voice sharp. "Which one?" "The Tower Shard," I replied, my voice a low murmur. "It houses a priceless artifact that could be a target for theft or vandalism." The supervisor leaned forward, her interest piqued. "I see," she said, her voice a calcted drawl. "And how did youe across this information, Mr. Axel?" Before I could answer, she adjusted her sses, her eyes scanning a screen that was obscured from my view. A flicker of concern crossed her face. "We have a suspicious individual on the second floor, nearing the Tower Shard," she muttered to herself, then spoke into her radio. "All units, be advised. We have a potential threat in the vicinity of the Tower Shard. Keep a close watch, but do not engage unless absolutely necessary." I watched the screen reflected in her sses, a figure in a dark hooded robe, bandages wrapped tightly around his right arm, moving erratically through the crowd. It must be the negative mana stone, It''s causing him to act this way. The supervisor turned back to me, her voice a low murmur. "Mr. Axel, I''m going to need you to wait here while we investigate this situation. It seems your concerns were not unfounded." I nodded agreeing, but there was no way I''d simply sit still. Then just as she was getting up from her seat a camera suddenly went static. That was when I knew something was going down. The supervisor, her face now a mask of grim determination, barked orders into her radio. "Dispatch, I need immediate backup in the Tower Shard room. Repeat, immediate backup!" She turned to the guard. "Come on, let''s move." They rushed out of the office, leaving me alone with the glowing monitors and the unfolding chaos. I watched as Jasper grew closer to the Tower Shard, breaking camera after camera. I couldn''t just sit there and watch as security guards unknowingly walked into a deathtrap. Jasper''s proximity to the negative mana stone was amplifying his instability, and anyone who approached him would be coteral damage. "These people can''t die," I muttered. I slipped out of the office, leaving the door slightly open and dashed towards the room. "Hey!" the supervisor''s voice called out, sharp and demanding. "Where are you going?!" "Evacuate everyone within the building," I instructed without breaking stride, my voice echoing with the authority of a seasoned mercenary. "And lock down the each room." Without waiting for a response I pushed forward. *** Jasper''s ragged breaths echoed in the Tower Shard''s hushed chamber, his eyes fixated on the shimmering artifact disyed within the reinforced ss case. His lips pulled back into a feral grin, revealing stained teeth. "Take... must... take..." he rasped, his voice raspy and guttural. A small hand tugged at his brown cloak, a timid voice piercing his manic haze. "Excuse me, sir... have you seen my mommy?" Jasper turned around, his eyes burning with a twisted rage. The little girl, lost and frightened, stared up at him, clutching a tattered teddy bear to her chest. "GET OUT!" Jasper roared, his voice a monstrous echo in the confined space. The child stumbled back, her eyes wide with terror, tears streaming down her face. "DIE!" With a sickening crackle, the bandages around Jasper''s right arm burst open, revealing a grotesque, mutated limb that had transformed into a jagged, purple de. The girl, paralyzed with fear, fell to her knees, her tiny body trembling. Jasper raised his mutated arm, preparing to strike. But just as the de began its descent, a blur of motion shed before his eyes. CLANG!!! The mutated de was met by the ckened steel, stopping its deadly trajectory. Following the sh, a shockwave of ck lightning erupted from the point of contact. Crackling along the length of his de and rushing towards Jasper. Tendrils of dark aura danced and writhed, damaging his mutated limb. Jasper stumbled back, his mutated arm spasming in pain. His eyes settled on the man who guarded the girl from certain death. "...!" A figure in all ck held a unique hybrid sword drawn. Its gold-ted hilt and cupped guard shined in the dim light, while the de, enveloped in a dark aura, seemed to swirl in the shadows around it. He adjusted his mask and as soon as he shook off Jasper''s blood, he looked up towards him with a menacing gaze. "Did you miss me?" He said, his voice a chilling whisper that looked up into the eyes of a demi-human. "Jasper." As the two stood still for a moment a sudden rush of heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor. A group of security guards, alerted by themotion, burst into the Tower Shard room, their weapons drawn. But their advance came to a screeching halt as they beheld the monstrous figure that Jasper had be. His once human form was now a grotesque of its former self. Twisted horns sprouted from his head, his hair a stark white, and his body a horrifying patchwork of normal flesh and demonic corruption. One half was human, pale and scarred, while the other was a sickening blend of dark red and purple, pulsating with unnatural energy. "What in God''s name...?" one guard muttered, his voice trembling with fear. "I''ve never seen anything like it," another whispered, his hand shaking as he gripped his baton. Rel, sensing their hesitation, seized the opportunity. "Take the girl," hemanded his voice a sharp bark that cut through the stunned silence. "Now." The guards spurred into action by Rel''s authoritative tone, quickly surrounded the terrified child, forming a protective barrier around her. With a final, lingering look at the terrifying image unfolding before them, they ushered the girl away, their footsteps echoing through the empty corridors. __________ Authors Notes: - All humans that consume the form for the demon drug have faster healing speeds than most heroes. - Due to Rel''s speed he could blitz down the corridor with ease, which was the reason why he outsped all security guards. Chapter 183: Invasion (5) [Paris, The Museum Louvre - Second Floor | Bottom Level] "You... I remember you..." Jasper growled, his eyes narrowed into slits, saliva dripping from his fanged mouth. "You made my mission fail... couldn''t kill you back then." A guttural chuckle escaped his throat, growing into a maniacalugh that echoed through the hall. "Don''t worry, I''ll finish the job this time." Rel''s grip tightened on his hybrid sword, a confident smirk forming beneath his mask. "Really?" he retorted, his voice cool and collected. "Take your time." With a swift motion, he unsheathed his de, the ck steel humming with a dark energy. Both of his hands, now enveloped in a swirling aura of darkness, tightened around the hilt. [The Following Skill: Enhancement Aura Has Been Activated!] [Special Passive: Monster Hunter [Grade 4] Has Been Activated!] [Passive Ability: Hidden Strength [Grade 4] Has Been Activated!] "Today..." Rel began, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. [Special Ability: Clockwork of Time [Grade 3] has been activated!] The world around him slowed to a crawl, Jasper''s monstrous form frozen mid-lunge. Rel took deliberate steps forward, the air around him crackling with power. Drawing upon every ounce of strength, he unleashed a devastating uppercut to Jasper''s chin. [Clockwork Of Time Has Been De-Activated!] Time snapped back to its normal pace, and Jasper''s body wasunched into the air, propelled by the sheer force of Rel''s blow. "You will fall," Rel dered, watching as Jasper''s massive form crashed towards the floor, disappearing from sight. Jasper crashed into a storage room,nding hard amidst a pile of empty crates and boxes. The impact momentarily stunned him, but the pain in his chin was already fading, reced by a dull throb. He nced at his right arm, the mutated de still pulsating with a dark, angry energy. A jagged scar now marred the flesh, a reminder of the searing pain Rel''s attack had inflicted. A snarl twisted his features as he surged to his feet, his eyes burning with renewed fury. He was stronger now, faster, more powerful than ever before. He wouldn''t let that masked figure interfere with his ns again. Meanwhile, Rel, fueled by the strength granted by his activated passives, leapt upwards to the hole created. He was like a predator on the hunt, his senses honed in on the scent of demonic energy that clung to Jasper''s trail. In a matter of seconds, he found himself face-to-face with his prey once more. Jasper, a twisted grin on his face, burst through a wall, his eyes gleaming with a manic light. "Using humans as shields, are we?" Rel taunted, his voice echoing in the empty gallery. "A useless tactic for a bitch." Jasper merely chuckled, his voice a guttural rasp. "They''re just tools, pawns in a grander scheme. Their lives are insignificantpared to the power we seek." With a burst of speed, Jasper rushed towards the left side of the museum, his mutated de outstretched. He mmed into a shimmering magical barrier that blocked the entrance to the central exit, and his momentum momentarily halted. Beside him, a mangled figure of a man with a horn on his head and tentacles of an octopus, writhed and contorted, his voice a distorted echo. "Mr. Jasper," he hissed, "they won''t let me through." "Don''t just stand there, do something, you idiot!" Jasper roared, frustration and ragecing his voice. Rel, watching from the shadows, smiled grimly. "Cam," he murmured, a sense of pride swelling within him. "She''s doing her job." With a swift motion, he unsheathed his sword, the de erupting with a dark aura. [Standard Ability: Trickster At Arms [Grade 5] Has Been Activated!] His body moved with grace and agility, his sword a blur as he charged towards Jasper and the demonic octopus. "Divine Severance," he uttered, channelling his aura into the de. SLAAASHH! With a single, powerful swing, he unleashed a crescent-shaped wave of dark energy, crackling with ck lightning. The octopus-like creature, agile and quick, narrowly dodged the attack, but Jasper, caught off guard, was sent hurtling through yet another wall. Rel didn''t hesitate. He knew Jasper was the greater threat. He would stop him, no matter the cost. Rel sprinted through the museum''sbyrinthine corridors, his eyes fixed on the spot where Jasper had disappeared. But his path was abruptly blocked by the monstrous octopus, its bulbous eyes gleaming with malice. "I''ll stop you from ruining Mr. Jasper''s chance!" The creature hissed, its tentacles writhing menacingly. SHAAAAAAAAAA!!!! Its chest puffed up, and with a sickening gulp, it unleashed a torrent of dark purple fire from its gaping maw, engulfing Rel in a searing inferno. The octopus, confident in its attack, momentarily paused, expecting to see its foe reduced to ash. But as the mes subsided, Rel emerged from the mes, his ck cloak ring out, his mask untouched. Without a word, he lunged towards the creature. He clenched his fist tightly as it glowed with a dark aura. BANG! His fist connected with the octopus''s face in a thunderous impact. ck lightning erupted from the point of contact, illuminating the corridor in a blinding sh. [Critical hit!] The octopus was sent flying backward, its tentacles iling helplessly as it mmed into a wall. Rel, his momentum barely slowed, continued his relentless pursuit of Jasper, leaving the stunned creature in his wake. Rel, driven by a relentless determination, followed Jasper''s destructive path through the museum. Each shattered wall, each overturned disy, fueled his anger and steeled his resolve. He had to stop this madness before it consumed the entire Louvre and endangered countless lives. After traversing several rooms, Rel walked into the fifth room, it was a gallery filled with ancient weaponry. There, among the scattered artifacts, stood Jan, a young girl cradled protectively in his arms, and Valencia, their eyes wide with surprise as they surveyed the damage caused by Jasper. They hadn''t witnessed Jasper''s transformation or his brutal attack on the guard, but the destruction around them was enough to raise rm bells. Rel knew they wouldn''t stand idly by, but they needed a push, a catalyst to ignite and propel them into action. With a swift, decisive movement, Rel smashed his fist through a nearby disy case, shattering the ss and sending shards scattering across the floor. He reached in and retrieved a longsword, its ornate hilt a testament to its historical significance. "I can''t fight two people at once," Rel dered, his voice masked by the ck cloth covering his face. "There''s a mage outside guarding all the civilians from a human-like monster... near the central exit. Please, help her." With a powerful toss, he sent the longsword spinning through the air,nding with a tter at Jan''s feet. Then, without another word, Rel turned and vanished through the hole in the wall, his footsteps echoing in the sudden silence. _________ Authors Notes: - The negative mana stone can change and influence the moods of a person with the energy. Chapter 184: Invasion (6) [Paris, The Museum Louvre - Second Floor | Bottom Level] Rel stood at the entrance to the Tower Shard room, his ck-cloaked figure blending into the shadows. BANG!... CLASH!!!... BANGGGG! The distant sounds of panic and confusion grew louder with each passing moment, but Rel remained focused, his gaze fixed on the empty hallway. THUMP.... THUMP....THUMP! He heard a series of heavy thumps, each one apanied by a low, guttural growl. Then, Jasper stumbled into view, his eyes fixated on the shimmering artifact within the disy case, his mouth watering with an almost feral hunger. "For the mission... take it..." he muttered, his voice a raspy whisper. As he drew closer, Jasper''s gaze fell upon Rel, and his movements abruptly ceased. Even through the mask, Rel could sense the recognition in Jasper''s eyes. Demons who had consumed the serum possessed enhanced senses, and Jasper seemed to have recognized a familiar pattern, a faint echo of their previous encounter. Irritated by this unexpected obstacle, Jasper gritted his teeth, the demonic energy within him flowing around his body. "Shadow... writer... shadow... writer..." he chanted, the words a mantra of rage and frustration. "RIGHT! I WILL GET MY REVENGE!" RAHHHHH!!! With a primal roar, Jasper unleashed a wave of destructive energy, shattering the ss disys around him. Rel, his eyes widening in rm, instinctively moved to protect the Tower Shard''s central disy case. The ss vibrated under the onught, but miraculously, it held firm, the artifact within remaining unscathed. Rel released a quiet sigh of relief. "I can''t let this break," he muttered to himself, his eyes fixed on the unscathed disy case. "If he gets his hands on the shard... I might not be able to beat him." Jasper, though battered and disoriented, was still several meters away, his gaze locked on the artifact with a predatory hunger. Rel stepped forward, his movements deliberate and measured. "I still remember what you did that day," he said, his voice low and menacing. "You''ll regret making me piss myself." With a swift motion, he unsheathed Axel, the hybrid de shining ominously in the dim light. A dark aura erupted from Rel''s hand, enveloping the sword in a dusk ckness that crackled with energy. "You won''t be reaching this room," Rel dered, his voice echoing through the shattered gallery. He nted his feet ready to finish what he had started. Jasper lunged forward, a guttural roar erupting from his throat. HWRAH!!!.. Two new identical arms sprouted from his sides, each ending in a grotesque, pulsating, barbed wire whip, dripping with venomous demonic energy. Rel''s face contorted in disgust. "Seeing this in person is even more disgusting than I imagined," he muttered under his breath. "I''ll kill you!" Jasper shouted, his monstrous voice ringing in the empty gallery. huuuuuu... The demonic energy swirling around him intensified, fueling his rage and amplifying his terrifying power. With a frightening speed, Jasper attacked... SLASHHHH! His four whipsshed out in a flurry of deadly blows. Each whip, propelled by a gust of wind-infused demonic energy, sliced through the air with a sickening whistle, leaving trails of ck smoke in their wake. Rel moving with incredible speed, stepped and dodged through the onught. SLASH!, SLASH!, SLASH!! He ducked beneath one whip and parried another with his sword, a burst of ck lightning erupting from the point of contact, searing the flesh of the demonic arm. He sidestepped a third, then spun with his de, shing with a ck arc as he unleashed a counterattack. SLASH!... SLASH! His sword now pouring in a dark aura, shed through two of Jasper''s whips, each strike apanied by a crackling surge of ck lightning that left deep, smoking wounds on the mutated limbs. KEUKKK! The severed whips recoiled, their barbed wires sparking and hissing as they hit the ground, still twitching with residual demonic energy. Rel, having severed two of Jasper''s barbed whips, watched the demon stumble back, the raw stumps of his mutated limbs oozing with a sickly ck ichor. "You can only whip someone so much, Jasper," A manic grin spread across Rel''s masked face. "But now that you''re weakened... I think it''s a good time to use this." [Special Passive: Sixth Sense [Grade 6] Has Been Activated!] [The Following Skill: Sensory Aura Has Been Activated! [Level: Intermediate Advanced] - ] [The Following Skill: Aura Flow Has Been Activated! [Level: Advanced] - ] Rel''s grip tightened on his hybrid sword, and his blue eyes transformed, glowing with a fiery crimson light. SHAAAAAAAAA! His aura red, a torrent of darkness erupting from his de, engulfing it in a crackling vortex of energy. He took a step forward, his right foot mming into the ground with a resounding thud. At this moment, Rel realized that during the time he used Trickster at Arms, his system abilities and muscle memory for using weapons paved the way for him to create his first ever skilled attack known as ''Divine Severance.'' Although he had yet to learn the phenomenon of how he did it. It was all thanks to Projectile Projection that allowed his aura to reflexively activate, allowing Rel the freedom to attack and parry at will. With his current understanding of his abilities using abination of aura, his will, and his swordsmanship. This created a sh capable of severing and disrupting the process or the flow of an attack, creating a distortion against the opponent. With only Rel''s understanding of Divine Severance and his ability Trickster at Arms, a new skill had been formed... purely for attack. [A Skill Move Is Being Formed...] Rel drew the sword back over his right shoulder, the ck de angled upwards, bursting with power. Jasper''s eyes widened with fear as he watched the dark aura emit out of his de. "Shattered Judgement." The words echoed through the gallery as Rel unleashed a mighty swing. His body turned as he channelled his aura into the descending de. BANGGGGGGG!!! A shockwave of pure energy rippled outward, shattering the remaining disy cases and sending shards of ss flying. The ck de connected with Jasper''s body, not with steel, but with a release of ck aura. CRACK...CRACK... The demon''s scream was cut short as the energy tore through his body, disrupting the very flow of his demonic power. His eyes darkened, and his body waspletely smothered with the unbearable pain that consumed him. Rel followed through with the swing, his depleting its arc,unching Jasper through the air like a ragdoll. The demi-human crashed through the wall, his broken body shattered by theplete devastation of Rel''s aura... __________ No author''s notes... Chapter 185: Invasion (7) {Rel''s POV} [Paris, The Museum Louvre - Second Floor | Bottom Level] FWANG! _________________ [Skill - Shattered Judgement (LVL- 1) - (Cooldown: 5 minutes) - Shattered Judgement is a devastating sword technique that harnesses the wielder''s aura. This attack is not only a physical strike but also a potent aura maniption technique. It is designed to neutralize and shatter the auras of opponents, leaving them vulnerable to further attacks. However, it also carries a devastating effect on those who do not possess or utilize aura.] [Requirements: Aura Mastery Must Be Grade 4 or above, OR Trickster At Arms Is Activated, Or Enhancement and Flow Aura Is Low-Advanced] _________________ [Impact and Effects:] [Aura Users: Upon impact, the aura attacks the opponent, shing with and neutralizing their own aura. The opposing aura is disrupted, shattered, and rendered temporarily unusable.] [Non-Aura Users: For those without aura, the power of the user''s aura inflicts extreme physical damage. The impact is rted to being struck by a lightning bolt, causing immense pain, internal injuries, and potentially even knocking them unconscious for an extended period.] _________________ [The Following ss Has Upgraded!] [Swordsman: [Grade 10] - 1.3% >>> [Grade 9] - 11.30%] _________________ [The Following Special Stats Has Been Upgraded!] [Aura [Grade 5] 42.7% >>> [Grade 5] 47.3% (4.60%+) -] _________________ Huu... I exhaled, my breath fogging in the cool museum air. My mind was still reeling from the adrenaline rush, my body buzzing with a strange mixture of exhaustion and exhration. Shattered Judgement... The name of the skill felt so random. I couldn''t tell If it was the me who used Trickster At Arms that said it or the me that''s thinking right now? All I could think of was the satisfying attack I had disyed just now. It was exhrating, terrifying, and utterly thrilling all at once. But... did I win? My gaze darted to the pile of rubble where Jasper had fallen. Was he truly defeated? Or was this just a temporary setback? If this guy had a second phase then I''m done for... Just as doubt began to creep in, another notification shed across my vision. FWANG! [Main Storyline Quest: Invasion - A rematch! - Complete!] [All Rewards Will Be Transfered...] holy shit... thank god for that. thud! Letting my body drop to the floor, Iid on the cold marble stone. Finally, I thought, allowing myself a moment of satisfaction. I can finally catch my breath. That battle was far too close forfort. If Jasper had managed to manifest more of his mutated limbs, I might not have been able to win. But thanks to my quick thinking, my instincts, and a little bit of luck, I had managed to neutralize him... for now. Sixth Sense and Sensory Aura definitely yed their part though. I''m just grateful I didn''t have to expend any more mana using abilities or skills. FWANG! [Transfer Complete!] The notification brought my attention back to the present. [Rewards: 2,500 BP, 500 QP, +1 All Base Stats] [The Following Base Stats Have Been Upgraded:] ______________ {Axel Saint Rel Laurence BASE Stats} >Health: 106.5 >>> 107.50 (1.00+) >Strength: 100 >>> 101.00 (1.00+) >Stamina: 74.5 >>> 75.50 (1.00+) >Speed: 73 >>> 74.00 (1.00+) ______________ [The following currencies have been added] [2500+ BP, 500+ QP] I pushed myself off the floor after seeing all the rewards. ahh... A slight groan escaped my lips as my muscles ached from the sudden exertion. I scanned the shattered room, my eyes taking in the broken disys and the remaining haze of demonic energy. The silence was deafening. uuuwahh... "...!" As I stretched, I grabbed my weapon, Axel, from the ground and noticed something strange on the de. Although I had released all the aura from my previous attack on Jasper, parts of the de were now scattered with ck. ¡ª "If the sword acts strange, you bring it back here." Jin''s words echoed in my mind. A sword''s colour was supposed to remain unchanged. This was clearly not normal for a grade 1 then, and I would need to return it to him. Sheathing Axel, I remembered I needed to get back to Jan and Valencia. But first I''d need to find a weapon I could use instead of my sword... As my eyes searched around the room, I saw a disy case that had been spared from Jasper''s wrath. Inside, a shining recurve bow and a quiver of arrows caught my eye. [Sebastien Flute''s Recurve Bow - Replica] huhu... A chuckle escaped my lips. I couldn''t be seen with Axel, and this bow might prove useful. The demon they were dealing with was an Octopus Variation of a demi-human, known for their speed, agility, and likely poisonous tentacles. Plus, they retained all their skills and attributes, making them capable of two-way attacks. Given the earlier fire breath attack, this one probably had a fire attribute as well. While Jan''s light magic should be enough to y the demon, I had doubts he''d get a clear shot with his attribute alone. As an archer with a swordsman ss, I could provide cover fire and hopefully create an opening. I knew the risks of awakening Jan''s Divine Conqueror ability too early, but Valencia''s presence might be the deciding factor. Still, there was no guarantee. This was a deviation from the original plot. Quickly backtracking through the museum, I returned to the restroom where I''d stashed my belongings. I took off the mercenary disguise, ced Axel in the bag, and changed back into my original clothes. The constant switching of identities felt strange, but I knew my presence as ''Rel'' would be more valuable in the long run. I had to get back to them. They were going to need all the help they could get. *** [Paris, The Museum Louvre - First Floor | Central Entrance] As Jan and Valencia arrived at the central entrance, they were met with a scene of pure chaos. "LET ME IN MAGE GIRL!" the demi-human roared, banging its tentacles against a red barrier. "Is that Cam?!" Jan''s eyes widened at the sight of the massive barrier holding back the creature. "Quick!" Valencia urged, and the two dashed towards the monster. A crowd of terrified civilians huddled together, their faces pale with fear. At the center of the barrier, Cam stood at the front, her arms raised, barely holding back the onught. [Lost Archives: Light Attribute is manifesting.] Jan leaped into the air, raising his long sword high above his head. "Cleaving Arc!" he yelled, shing downward at the demi-human, unleashing a massive arc of light from his de. But the creature, a grotesque amalgamation of human and octopus, reacted with lightning speed, its bulbous eyes turning towards them, its slimy tentacles writhing. "Humans," it hissed, its voice a raspy growl. "You really think you can fight against me? The new form of humanity?" "That masked guy wasn''t kidding about a human-like monster," Valencia murmured,ing to a stop beside Jan. She took a defensive stance, gripping her 17th-century rapier tightly. Jan nodded grimly. "Right... I would have never thought these things could ever exist," he whispered, his eyes locked on the creature. He paused, his brow furrowed as he processed the reality before him. "In this world..." As the two ignored the demi-human, a manicughter bubbled from its throat. "We, the New Order Of The Devil''s Cult, will show you true power!" BOOM! With a deafening roar, the creature mmed its tentacles into the ground, sending shockwaves through the marble floor. A branch of dark, demonic energy erupted, splitting into a zing inferno that raced towards Jan and Valencia. "Dodge!" Jan yelled, sensing an attack before Valencia could even react. _ To Be Continued! _ Chapter 186: Teammwork [Paris, The Museum Louvre - First Floor | Central Entrance] As the mes rushed toward them, Valencia reacted with lightning reflexes, pushing off the ground with a powerful thrust, her lithe body twisting through the air in a graceful arc, narrowly avoiding the searing heat. Jan, his eyes wide with adrenaline, dropped into a low crouch, the longsword held out in front of him like a shield. The mes licked at his boots, scorching the leather but leaving him unharmed. "What the hell was that?!" Valencia shouted, her voice barely audible over the roar of the inferno. Jan, his voice strained with exertion, yelled back, "No idea! But it''s definitely not friendly!" The demonic octopus, its tentacles still glowing with residual energy, let out a triumphant screech. "That was just a taste of what''s toe!" it taunted, its voice dripping with malice. "You pathetic humans are no match for our power!" Jan tightened his grip on the longsword, his eyes narrowing in determination. "We''ll see about that," he growled, as the attribute of light enveloped around his de. The battle lines were drawn, and the air crackled with tension. This was no longer a club assignment; this was a fight for survival. ... ... ... "It''s been a while since we fought alongside each other, right?" Jan asked, a grin spreading across his face, feeling the excitement recing the fear in his eyes. Valencia nodded a determined glint in her own gaze. "It has. Let''s quickly get this over with." She watched the monsters movements carefully. "Go." CRACKLE!!! Lightning crackled around Valencia as she rushed forward, her rapier shininng with an electric charge. Jan mirrored her movement, his longsword buzzing with his awakened power as the blue aura enveloped the de, turning it a dark ck. "Now!" Jan shouted, his voice ringing out above the chaos. Valencia, in perfect sync with her partner, thrust her rapier into the ground. CRACKLE!!!!...CRACKLE!!!!...CRACKLE!!!! A wave of electricity coursed through the marble floor, rushing towards the demi-human octopus. "Impressive!" The demi-human, sensing the iing attack, reacted with surprising agility. Itunched itself into the air, its tentacles iling as it narrowly avoided the electrical current. "You think that''s enough to stop me?" it sneered, its voice dripping with venomous amusement. But as the creature soared, Jan was already in motion. With a burst of speed, he appeared directly above the octopus, his ck de crackling with blue lightning. "Diagonal sh!" he roared, his voice echoing through the vast hall. The longsword descended in a blinding arc, a diagonal sh aimed at cleaving the creature in two. SLASSSH!!! But the octopus reacted just in time. The octopus twisted mid-air, its tentacles gripping the wall, narrowly avoiding the full force of the attack. "Wow!!! Close!" The demi-human grinned. Jannded gracefully on the floor, his sword still humming with power. A frown creased his brow as he watched the creature clinging to the wall, its eyes burning with defiance. whoosh!! Without missing a beat, Valencia propelled herself upwards, her rapier aimed at the octopus''s exposed underbelly. Channelling her mana, she infused the de with lightning, its glow intensifying to an electric blue. CRACK... With a powerful upward thrust, she struck where Jan''s attack had just missed, severing a tentacle. The severed limb, still writhing, tumbled towards the ground. But before it could hit the floor, Cam''s desperate warning cut through the chaos. "Valencia, get out of the way! It''s an explosive!" Valencia''s eyes widened in rm, but it was toote. The tentacle detonated with a deafening roar, a blinding sh engulfing the area where she had stood. "Valencia!" Jan screamed, panic in his voice. The octopusughed, a chilling, guttural sound. "Kekeke... You never stood a chance, lesser humans!" Theughter abruptly ceased as the smoke cleared, revealing Valencia, miraculously unharmed, behind a barrier Cam had conjured. "I''m not dead," Valencia muttered as Cam lowered the mana shield. Jan let out a sigh of relief, his heart still pounding. "You guys need to beat him quick..." Cam''s strained voice echoed from behind the magical barrier, a tremor of exhaustion in her tone. "I won''t be able to hold this up much longer if you drag this out." The demonic octopus, its tentacles dripping with dark energy, let out another speech. "Fools!" it hissed, its voice a venomous rasp. "You are no match for the power of The Devil''s Cult!" haah... Jan sighed. "It''s like he''s saying lines out of the Crownfall game." Valencia stepped forward beside Jan, stretching briefly. "Right... I have about 344 hours on that game..." "What?" Jan turned to her, not catching her final words. "Nothing," she replied. Jan shook his head and locked eyes with his opponent. "Ready?" he asked, his voice steady despite the chaos. "Let''s do this," Valencia replied, her grip tightening on her rapier. With a synchronized battle cry, they charged forward. Jan, wielding his ckened longsword, swung at the creature''s massive head, aiming for the glowing eyes that pulsed with malevolent energy. SLASSH!! The octopus, however, was faster than expected, easily dodging the attack and retaliating with a whip-like tentacle. "Heads up!" Jan shouted, deflecting the iing blow with his sword. The impact sent vibrations through his arms, but he held his ground, his gaze unwavering. Valencia took advantage of the opening, her rapier shing as she aimed for the base of the tentacle that had just attacked. "...!" Her de pierced the thick flesh, drawing a shriek of pain from the creature. "Yes!" Jan cried, capitalizing on Valencia''s strike. "Keep attacking!" He lunged forward, his sword shing in a series of precise strikes. SLASH...SLASH...SLASH... The octopus, momentarily disoriented by thebined assault, stumbled back, its tentacles iling wildly. "On your left!" Valencia shouted as another tentacle snaked towards Jan from behind. Reacting instantly, Jan twisted his body, dodging the attack with inches to spare. He spun around, his sword meeting the tentacle in a shower of sparks. As hended back towards the ground beside Valencia, the two instinctively needed to pull off something beyond the ordinary. "Together!" Valencia shouted, her eyes zing with a fierce determination. Both students raised their swords high, their des glowing with contrasting energies. Valencia''s rapier crackled with a furious electrical storm, while Jan''s longsword shimmered with a radiant golden light. "Thunder p sh!" Valencia roared, her voice echoing through the chaos. With a powerful downward swing, she unleashed a devastating arc of lightning that crackled and roared, tearing through the air towards the demonic octopus. Simultaneously, Jan followed. "Descension Cut!" With a mighty downward strike, he released a concentrated beam of pure light that spiralled like a vortex, following the path of his de. The two attacks converged, merging into a blinding sphere of golden-blue energy that pulsed with overwhelming power. "What... Is that?!" The octopus, caught in the crossfire, had no time to react. BAAAAAAM! Thebined assault mmed into its monstrous form, engulfing it in a cataclysmic explosion. The shockwave reverberated through the hall, shattering nearby disys and sending dust and debris swirling through the air. When the dust settled, the demonic octopusy sprawled on the floor, its tentacles twitching weakly, its once menacing eyes dull and lifeless. Jan and Valencia stood side by side, their chests heaving as they surveyed the scene. Theirbined attack had dealt a devastating blow. The octopus, its body smoking and charred, writhed on the ground, its remaining tentacles twitching in agony. For a moment, Jan and Valencia dared to hope that the battle was over. But their relief was short-lived. "WAHAHA!!!!" the creature rasped, its voice a venomous hiss. "You think I''d be finished from a mere attack?!" The severed tentacle, lying on the floor, began to quiver. A sickening purple glow emanated from it, spreading through the creature''s body like awork of pulsating veins. With a sickening squelch, the severed limb reattached itself, followed by the other missing tentacles. The octopus, its wounds rapidly healing, rose to its full height, its eyes burning with renewed malice. "This... isn''t possible," Valencia whispered, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and disbelief. "It''s regenerating!" Jan eximed, his grip tightening on his longsword. "We need to find a way to stop it before it healspletely!" But before they could attack again, the octopus began to convulse, its body writhing and contorting in an unnatural manner. Its skin darkened, shifting from a pale blue to a deep, inky purple. Its eyes, once bulbous and protruding, now narrowed into slits, glowing with a sinister red light. A wave of oppressive darkness washed over the hall as the creature underwent a second transformation, its form growingrger, more grotesque, and far more menacing. The air crackled with an ominous energy, a warning that the true battle had just begun. _ To Be Continued! _ __________ Authors Notes: - Jan and Valencia''sbined attack is called Thunderous Decent which basically means thunder that descends from the heaven themselves. - As long as Cam is within range she can shield anyone within her vicinity. - For rification, Jan''s aura is at the advanced stage which exins the level of his coating of the ck de, the difference between his and Rel''s is that Rel''s proper coating isplete ck. Chapter 187: Teamwork (2) [Paris, The Museum Louvre - First Floor | Central Entrance] "Behold my true self!" it boomed, its voice echoing with newfound power. "Thank you for allowing me to reach a height I could not achieve before. I was once like you, a mere human, but now... I am so much more!" Its skin darkened and hardened into a chitinous armour, its flesh a mottled patchwork of deep purple and sickly green. Its bloodshot eyes narrowed into slits, glowing with a sinister red light. The tentacles, now longer and thicker, pulsed with dark energy, their tips morphing into wickedly sharp barbs that leaked with venom. "You may try! But in the end, you will die!" RAHHHHHHHHHH! With a terrifying roar, the transformed creature lunged at Jan and Valencia, its movements faster and more erratic than before. Its newly hardened skin deflected its attacks with sickening thuds, the once-effective blows now barely leaving a mark. Jan and Valencia, their initial confidence shaken, struggled to keep up with the monster''s enhanced speed and power. WACK!!! WACK!!! WACK!!! The tentaclesshed out with blurring speed, each strike infused with crackling electricity, forcing the two to constantly dodge and parry. "Damn it!" Jan cursed as he narrowly avoided a lightning-charged barb that singed his hair. "This thing just got a whole lot tougher!" Valencia, her movements growing more frantic, grunted in agreement. "It''s like our attacks aren''t even phasing it!" "BRAVO 6 GOING DARKKKK..." WHOOOSSH! Suddenly, the octopus vanished, disappearing into the shadows of the gallery. "...!" Jan and Valencia, their hearts pounding, spun around, their weapons held high in anticipation. "Where did it go?!" Valencia whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her own heart. "I don''t know," Jan replied, his eyes scanning the room. "But I can still feel its presence." A cold shiver ran down his spine as he remembered his trump card, the Eyes of Adaptation. It was a powerful ability, capable of granting him instant understanding and adaptation to any situation, but it came at a steep cost. Using it would deplete half his mana reserves and render the ability unusable for a full week. Jan hesitated. He wanted to believe that he and Valencia could defeat this monster without resorting to such drastic measures. But as the seconds ticked by, and the octopus remained hidden, a sense of dread began to creep in. A chilling voice hissed from behind them, "Behind you." Jan and Valencia reacted instantly, splitting apart just as a blur of tentacles descended where they had been standing a moment ago. The floor cracked beneath the force of the impact, sending shards of marble flying. The octopus, its bloodshot eyes followed through with speed appearing before Valencia. "You will be the first!" "...!" "No!" Jan screamed as he rushed on fourth towards Valencia. Everything in his body was urging him to use all of his abilities. But he knew in the end that he was way out of reach. A figure d in ck drew back the string of a gleaming recurve bow. Rel, his eyes narrowed in concentration, aimed at the writhing octopus. His arrow, tipped with a swirling vortex of dark aura, pulsed with sinister energy, crackling with ck lightning. TAK! With a silent release, the arrow shot forward, its trajectory a blur in the dim light. The octopus, focused on its prey below, didn''t even register the iing threat. The arrow struck true, piercing the creature''s remaining eye with a sickening CRACK. "AHHHHH!!! THE PAIN!" The monster let out a deafening scream, its body convulsing as the dark aura coursed through its veins. Stunned and disoriented, it stumbled backwards, its tentacles iling wildly. TAK!, TAK!, TAK!, Rel, seizing the opportunity, fired three more arrows in rapid session. Each one found its mark, pinning three of the creature''s tentacles to the floor, immobilizing it in a web of searing pain and dark energy. SHAAAAAAAAAAA! Jan, witnessing this sudden turn of events, felt a surge of hope ignite within him. This was his chance, his moment to finish it all. He knew, deep down, that those consumed by demonic power were beyond redemption. There was only one way to end this. [Lost Archives: Divine Conqueror Has Been Activated...] A blinding golden light erupted from Jan''s body, enveloping his longsword in an otherworldly glow. He charged forward, his eyes zing with absolute conviction. "I missed once..." He dered, his voice echoing with a power to strike fear. "... Never miss twice." He leapt high into the air, sword raised, channeling every ounce of his strength and will into the de. "Formless Technique: Worldsplitting Strike!" ____________________________ SLASHHHHH! ____________________________ With a deafening roar, he unleashed a cataclysmic sh. The room turned into a blinding sh of ck and white as he cleaved through the air. The attack, a perfect fusion of light and aura, ripped through the octopus, slicing it in two from head to tail. ... ... ... The remains of the octopus twitched and spasmed, its once-menacing form rapidly shrinking and decaying. Its eyes, once filled with rage, dulled into lifeless orbs. "Impossible..." he gurgled, its voice a raspy whisper. "I was supposed to be... stronger..." whooosh... The words trailed off as the creature''s body dissolved into a puddle of ck sludge, leaving behind only the lingering scent of decay. Jan, his grip still tight on his longsword, stared at the scene in disbelief. "Those arrows..." he muttered, his eyes following the trajectory of the projectiles. He turned his head, scanning the surrounding galleries. In the distance, a figure emerged from the shadows, their ck sweater and grey pants starkly contrasting the vibrant colours of the museum''s artwork. "...!" Their eyes met Jan''s across the vast hall. Jan raised a hand in an excited wave, a questioning look on his face. "Hey, that was some impressive archery!" he called out. The figure sighed, realizing he''d been caught trying to slip away unnoticed. "haah...I can''t believe he saw me." Rel stepped into the light, his usual calm demeanour masking the adrenaline that still coursed through his veins. "Thanks," he replied calmly. Jan smiled as he watched Rel walk out, the curved bow hanging on his back Valencia remained silent, her gaze fixed on Rel as he approached. A flicker of recognition crossed her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it, her expression returning to normal. tap...tap...tap... "...!" As Rel''s figure drew closer, something in her heart quickened. Her eyes widened as his gaze seemed to lock onto her. She looked to either side, realizing he couldn''t be looking at anyone else. Then, as Rel came closer... "W-wha-" Rel walked past her, barely acknowledging her presence. He continued on, his attention drawn to something else. "huh?" Valencia nearly lost her bnce, but her rapier saved her from falling. "That...idiot...screw him... shit... bastard... stupid" A soft whimper drew his attention to a nearby overturned disy case. Peering over the edge, he saw the little girl from earlier, huddled behind a counter, her eyes wide with terror. As she saw Rel approaching, she backed away, trying to hide again. "Hey..." Rel peeked his head over the counter. The girl''s tiny hands clutched a tattered teddy bear, her onlyfort in this terrifying situation. "Are you alright?" Rel asked, his voice gentle, offering a reassuring smile. The girl, her eyes welling with tears, nodded silently, her small body trembling. The little girl clung to Rel''s leg, her tiny body shaking with sobs. Her eyes, wide and fearful, darted around the room, taking in the shattered ss, the overturned disys, and the lingering scent of burnt flesh. Rel, his usual calmness momentarily faltered and knelt beside her. He gently pried her fingers from his pant leg and lifted her into his arms. The girl buried her face in his chest, her sobs muffled by the ck fabric of his sweater. "It''s okay," Rel murmured, his voice surprisingly soft. "You''re safe now." He stroked her hair, a rare gesture of tenderness that even surprised himself. But something about the child''s vulnerability, her innocence in the face of such horror, tugged at a hidden chord within him. Valencia, who had been watching the exchange in silent astonishment, lowered her rapier, disregarding all the thoughts she just uttered under her breath. "He''s still an idiot." Apart from one... This was a side of Rel she had never seen before, a softer, more caring side that differed with his usual cold demeanor. It seemed she was always discovering something new about him. Jan clutched his chest and feigned a swoon. "Well, look at you!" he eximed, a teasing grin spreading across his face. "A man after my own heart!" Rel rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he put the girl down and took her hand. "Whatever... we need to deactivate the lockdown on the barriers," he said, his voice returning to its usual t tone. "They''re made of an anti-magic material, and that''s what''s keeping everyone inside." He turned towards the shimmering barrier where Cam''s face peeked through a small opening. "Hey, Cam," he called out, "the fight''s over." Cam peeking over her little wall took in the aftermath of the battle, letting out a sigh of relief. "Haah... Finally," SNAP! She murmured, a wave of exhaustion washing over her as the barrier flickered and dissolved. ________ Authors Notes: - The barrier lockdown in the Louvre was created by the Starcasters. Chapter 188: Aftermath Click! With a flick of her wrist, Cam dispersed the shimmering barrier, releasing a flood of relieved civilians and disoriented guards. The little girl, her eyes bright with hope, tugged at Rel''s hand. "There''s my mommy!" She eximed, pointing towards a woman frantically searching for her child amidst the crowd. Rel knelt down, a gentle smile gracing his lips. "Go on, then," he encouraged. "Make sure you don''t get lost again." The girl beamed, a radiant smile transforming her tear-streaked face. ¡ª Dory! She rushed towards her mother, her tiny arms outstretched, leaving Rel standing alone in the aftermath of the battle. With the barrier now gone, the freed crowd rushed towards Jan and Valencia, their gratitude overflowing in a chorus of cheers and apuse. "You saved us!" one woman cried, her voice choked with emotion. "You''re heroes!" ¡ª "You''re the Sword Saint of our generation, aren''t you?" another shouted, holding up a phone for a selfie next to Valencia. ¡ª "Can we get a picture?" With more crowds overwhelming them a crowd of girls began to surround Jan. ¡ª Wow you''re hot and strong can we exchange numbers?! ¡ª What Academy do you go to? ¡ª You''re so strong!!! Jan, overwhelmed by the sudden attention, blushed and stumbled over his words slowly trying to back away. "It was nothing, really," he mumbled, awkwardly scratching the back of his head. "Um... I don''t really use my watch..." p! Then suddenly from behind amiddle-aged man pped him on the back. "Don''t be modest, young man," he boomed. "That was some impressive swordy! You have the makings of a true champion." As the crowd pressed closer, Jan nced around, searching for Rel. But the figure in ck was nowhere to be seen. He had vanished as quickly as he had appeared, leaving behind only whispers of gratitude and awe. *** [The France Flight Arc Has Concluded...] [There has been no significant change in the story so far.] As I headed down the stairs to the second floor of the Louvre, I couldn''t help but think of the battle with Valencia and Jan. Their synergy was as impressive as I''d expected. But I was growing concerned about Jan''s overpowered MC situation. He seemed more nerfed than overpowered, which worried me. Except for the fact that he seemed to be holding back towards the end. His face said it all. ''Was he still human? Or had he be a demi-human with no turning back?'' Those were likely his thoughts, and he probably got his answer when he realized the truth: Mutated variations of demi-humans could never revert. That particr demi-human had consumed a different variation of the demonic serum, likely one that forced him into animal form with no way to return to a more human-like state like Jasper''s... Although I expected Jan to inflict some damage before defeating the demon, it became clear that having six elements would have been easier than just one. So, I ended up stepping in to rectify my own mistake. My n was to be patient and wait until they truly needed me. That would be the only time I''d intervene. However, I also realized Cam''s barrier was about to crumble if Jan didn''t act, so I gave him the perfect opportunity to finish the demon off. It was my way of offering an apology. I just hope this was enough for him to realize that demi-humans and evil truly existed in this world. But what I didn''t expect from him was a special technique out his ass... A technique meant to kill. Scary, right? A seemingly formless technique. I knew that if Jan was using that kind of attack it was a message that meant he intended to kill whoever stood before him. Because the moment he took thatst stance, there was no way he was going to hesitate. haah... Now with all that over. I need to go check up on Jasper. The echoing silence of the museum''s deserted halls starkly contrasted with the recent chaos. I followed Jasper''s destructive trail, my footsteps muffled on the plush carpets. Each broken disy, each shattered artifact from the rooms showed how intense the battle was. "Well at least I could just tell-" "...!" As I rounded a corner, a scene that sent a chill down my spine greeted me. A figure, slightly taller than myself, cloaked in blue, stood amidst the debris. Slung over his shoulder was the unconscious body of Jasper. "Ohhhhh... It seems... you were the one that beat him?" The man drawled, his voice a chilling melody that seemed to slither into my very soul. He pointed a finger at me, his eyes glinting with a predatory look. Fear, cold and paralyzing, gripped me. I couldn''t move, couldn''t speak, couldn''t even breathe. This wasn''t supposed to happen. This wasn''t part of the story. "Do... you... not know English? Oh! No matter." The man shrugged, his movements unnervingly fluid. A second figure, identical in every way, materialized beside him, and he effortlessly transferred Jasper''s limp body to the clone. "Unfortunately, if you came here for a fight, I would''ve given you one!" He grinned, his teeth gleaming in the dim light. With a dramatic gesture, he pulled down his hood, revealing long, flowing light blue hair and cold blue eyes. Just like in his original description, he had a long tattoo of ck roses covering the majority of the right side of his face, adding to his intimidating aura. [Cyran Grey The Leader Of The Sifters Organization] "Remember the face!" Cyran dered, his voice booming through the empty hall. "One day... I''ll being for you." He pointed straight at me, making me realise the words he meant. Shit... I watched, helplessly, as he pulled out a crimson-red crystal shard. SMASH!!! With a casual flick of his wrist, he shattered it against the ground, a shimmering portal opening up before him. WHAM! "In now!" Cyran screamed at his clone, pointing for it to jump into the portal. The clone nodded and stepped through, disappearing into the swirling vortex with Jasper. He looked back once more. "And that stone... I''ve secured it!" Cyran''s voice echoed from the hallway. The stone? Wait... No. I spun around, my heart sinking as I realized what he meant. The Tower Shard''s disy case was empty, its ss shattered, and the item was gone. I desperately wanted to do something, but fighting Cyran here was equivalent to suicide. Of all the leaders of Quadra, he would be the one I''d avoid. Only one person was destined to beat him, and I hoped that when the day came, this menace would be wiped from the face of the earth. "Goodbye," Cyran said with a mocking wave, his mission aplished. He stepped into the portal, leaving me alone with the bitter taste of defeat. Damn it. _________ Authors Notes: - Cyran''s Main Ability: The Fool Of A Thousand Lives - This extraordinary ability allows him to create perfect clones of himself, each possessing a fraction of the original''s power and memories. These clones are not mere illusions but physical manifestations, capable of independent thought and action. Moreover, Cyran can instantly transfer his consciousness and full power into any of his clones, effectively bing that clone while the original body vanishes. Chapter 189: Aftermath (2) Cursing under my breath, I returned Sebastien Flute''s Recurve Bow to the shattered disy case. The guilt of borrowing it without permission weighed heavily on my conscience. I had failed to stop Jasper, failed to protect the Tower Shard, and failed to even lift a finger against Cyran. Damn it. I was still far too weak to even scratch a member of Quadra. But I had to ask... was Cyran serious about targeting me? Or was he being sarcastic? Surely, I posed no real threat to his organization. The thought was even more absurd than Jan''s density. Even this scene hadn''t been part of the original plot, but then again, neither was this entire situation. I''d have to tread carefully and gather more information before I could make any definitive conclusions. With that encounter over, I headed back up to the first floor. ... ... ... [Paris, The Museum Louvre - First Floor] The lockdown barrier had been deactivated, the harsh artificial light reced by the warm glow of the setting sun. haah... I realized one good thing about today was the likely lower casualty count than in the original novel. Many people had died needlessly, and seeing that girl escape death from a demi-human was a small victory. I had done something good for once. Something that didn''t benefit me directly, for the first time ever. As I rushed back towards the bathroom, I retrieved my ck duffel bag from the bathroom and made sure not to be seen while making my way towards the side exits of the building. I knew there was a chance that Jan, Valencia, and Cam were waiting for me outside so I''ll leave my duffle bag behind one of the garbage bins and I''ll retrieve itter on tonight. cing the bag I went back in walking towards the central entrance of the building. Arriving there, the scene that greeted me was one of organized chaos. Police officers swarmed the area, their shing lights illuminating the museum''s facade. Among them, I recognized the emblem of the Visionary Syndicate, their members d in their signature dark purple uniforms. I knew I had to get out of there quickly. But as I turned to leave, a firm handnded on my shoulder. "Not so fast," a voice boomed behind me, its tonemanding and authoritative. I turned to face the speaker, my heart sinking as I recognized the man before me. This person stood tall and imposing, his brown hair neatlybed, his green eyes piercing through me. A jagged scar ran down his left cheek, a testament to countless battles fought and won. A pristine white cape flowed behind him, contrasting sharply with his tailored ck suit, a symbol of his power and prestige. It''s Ajax Von Jr. Yves, the leader of the Visionary Syndicate. *** Ajax''s grip tightened on my shoulder, a silent warning to cooperate. He steered me towards a secluded ce, away from the prying eyes of the police and the curious stares of his guild members. The air crackled with tension as he released me, his piercing gaze fixed on my masked face. "Exin yourself," he demanded, his voice a low growl. "How did you get past security? Where were you during the incident?" I swallowed, trying to keep my voice steady despite the nerves that fluttered in my stomach. "I... I''m a student," I stammered, my voice slightly higher than usual. "I was separated from my group during the chaos." Ajax leaned closer, his eyes narrowed. "A student?" he scoffed, his scepticism evident. "And what were you doing on the bottom floor? That area was closed off?." Shit... He caught me froming out of there?! "I-I got lost," I mumbled, cursing myself for myck ofposure. "I was trying to find my way back to the main entrance." Ajax''s gaze bore into me, his eyes unwavering. "Really?" he put a finger on his chin a hint of disbelief in his voice. "And you just happened to be wandering around an area... that was closed off due to a security breach?" He''s on to me... I had to think fast, ande up with a usible excuse that wouldn''t arouse further suspicion. "I... I was looking for my friends," I stammered, trying to inject a hint of desperation into my voice. "We got separated during the chaos, and I thought they might havee up here." Ajax''s expression remained sceptical. "Looking for your friends?" he scoffed. "In a closed-off section of the museum? That seems a bit...reckless." Before I could respond, a calm voice interjected from behind me. "Boss, it''s fine." I turned to see a tall man with kind eyes and a warm smile. He ced a reassuring hand on Ajax''s shoulder. "I''ve analyzed a few of the areas here," he continued, "and it seems this boy has a knack for getting into trouble." I recognized him instantly, a wave of relief washing over me. It was Dempsey te, the vice leader of the Visionary Syndicate. Dempsey tipped his hat towards me, his smile widening. "I remember you from that time during the Golden Horizon auction," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "It seems danger follows you wherever you go, huh?" I nodded sheepishly, scratching the back of my head. "Yeah, I guess you could say that." Dempsey chuckled, turning to Ajax with a knowing glint in his eye. "Turns out this boy was being a little less than truthful earlier, Boss." "What?" Ajax''s gaze snapped back to me, his eyes narrowing into slits. A wave of pure terror washed over me, freezing me in ce. I felt like a rabbit caught in the headlights of a speeding truck. "Hold on," Dempsey interjected, his voice calming the tense atmosphere. "He helped defeat that monstrous creature alongside those other students we just questioned." The intensity of Ajax''s gaze lessened, the pressure on my shoulders lifting slightly. "Is that true?" Ajax asked, his voice still gruff, but a hint of curiosity recing the earlier hostility. "Would I ever lie to you?" Dempsey shrugged at him Ajax sighed, "haah...You could''ve just said something, kid." He waved me off dismissively. "You can go." I stumbled away, my legs wobbling as I put distance between myself and the formidable leader of the Visionary Syndicate. "I think my soul almost left my body," I thought, a cold sweat beading on my forehead. Never again will I lie... Never again... never again... _________ Authors Notes: - It''s a rare urrence that Ajax and Dempsey are together when an outbreak happens. Chapter 190: Overthinking Ajax and Dempsey strode through the museum''s echoing halls, their footsteps a steady rhythm against the marble floors. "Boss," Dempsey began, his voice low and thoughtful, "what do you think of that kid? Did you sense anything strange about him?" Ajax shrugged, his expression impassive. "Nothing particrly special," he replied, his tone dismissive. "Why? Did you see something else with your skill?" Dempsey''s lips curled into a knowing smile. "I wouldn''t say I saw anything," he mused, "but if I could retrace the footage from the fight, I''d like to take a closer look." Ajax''s eyebrows furrowed, his curiosity piqued. "Just tell me what it is then." "I''m not sure of it yet," Dempsey admitted, "but I''ll let you know once I confirm it. One thing is for sure, though..." He paused, his smile widening. "He''s a gifted archer. That much I saw clearly." Ajax chuckled a low rumble that resonated through the empty corridor. "A gifted archer, huh? Well, that might exin a few things." He paused, his gaze turning contemtive. "He was the one from the tournament semi-finals no?." Dempsey nodded as the two strode off towards the lower staircases. *** {Rel''s POV} [Paris, The Museum Louvre - First Floor | Central Entrance] Finally, I was out of the Louvre Museum... On my way out, I found a bag that looked like the one Valencia was holding earlier with Jan. Hoping I didn''t steal someone else''s bag, I picked it up along with this red scarf. Everything initially went as nned, but some interferences were likely caused by my presence. Ultimately, I seeded in the first main incident, and I''d need to be cautious when I returned to Pinnacle Academy. There was a lot on the schedule this month... Exams and the next few viin appearances. Walking down the staircase, the scene in front of me was more chaotic than I could have ever imagined. ¡ª Sir! Let us through, we need photos of the creature! ¡ª Can we get some answers on what happened inside? ¡ª I heard the leader of The Visionary Syndicate is in there as well... Police barricades held back a curious crowd of reporters and bystanders. Their faces were etched with a mixture of fear and fascination as they gazed at the imposing facade of the museum. News vans lined the street, their satellite dishes reaching for the sky, eager to transmit thetest updates. And I quickly snuck my way around the barrier full of policemen and found my way into the crowd. But why am I doing this? Well of course, I don''t want to bump into Jan, Valencia, or Cam. I just wanted to head back to the hotel and pack my things so we could leave as soon as possible- THUD! Just as I thought I''d made it to the end of the crowd, a familiar hand mped down on my arm, jerking me to a halt. "And just where do you think you''re going?" Jan''s voice boomed in my ear, a yful lilt to it that grated on my nerves. I turned to face him, my eyes meeting his beaming grin. Damn it. He looked like a kid who''d just caught a stray dog. "I was, uh..." My mind nked, scrambling for a usible excuse. "Come on, Rel," Jan said, his grip firm but not unkind. "We''re all waiting for you." With a resigned sigh, I let him drag me back towards Cam and Valencia. While I couldn''t escape from his grasp I couldn''t see the other two in sight which meant they were probably at a cafe or something. "Do you have a habit of disappearing?" Jan asked. "Um, no? Why do you ask?" "Well... I just think that you often disappear when people need someone the most," he said. "Apart from thatst part where you saved everyone back there... including me. I didn''t get to say thank you, so-" "Don''t worry about it," I said, keeping my voice calm while Jan carried me with one hand. ... ... ... [Paris, Jardin des Tuileries - The Park] With the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the Jardin des Tuileries, we found ourselves perched on a bench facing the fountain. The rhythmic ssh of water provided a strangely calming backdrop to the chaos we''d just witnessed. I shot Jan a questioning look. "Why''d you drag me here?" He shed that infuriatingly bright smile. "Cam and Valencia went to grab us some hot chocte. Told them we''d wait here." My shoulders slumped. "You didn''t need to do that." "I wanted to," he countered, his gaze fixed on the endlessly cycling fountain. "Not because you needed it." I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Whatever, I guess there''s really no getting through to you." Jan chuckled, then tilted his head back to gaze at the sky. "Hey, Rel... I''ve got a question for you." I braced myself, expecting some nonsensical scepticism born from his usual misunderstandings. But there was no escape here, not with Jan''s eyes boring into me with an unsettling intensity. "What is it?" I asked, already weary. His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. "Are you from another world?" "What?" I stared at Jan, taken aback by his question. Was he being serious? But the intensity in his eyes suggested something deeper was at y. There was no way he knew right? I have my doubts though... but... no he couldn''t have figured it out, that''s impossible. "Another world?" I sighed, feigning exasperation. "You''ve actually gone crazy..." Jan''s smile didn''t waver. "I knew you''d say something like that." He continued, "I''ve asked the same questions to Bazz and the others, so you don''t need to worry." Now this was confusing, Why would Jan ask such a thing? There was definitely something off here. I couldn''t be the only one overthinking this. "Why are you even asking me this question?" "Well... I''m not sure. I wanted to confirm this feeling I had. But..." "But what?" I pressed. Jan hesitated, then asked, "Would you believe that other worlds like this exist?" My mind raced. If he was referring to the world he came from, I had to y dumb. "If other worlds existed, I''d be out of here by now," I joked, trying to maintain a lighthearted mood without revealing too much. Jan''s eyes widened, and he burst intoughter. I didn''t get what was so funny. "You''re really one of a kind, Rel. Man, if it was Bazz instead of you, I''d probably beat him up over something so little like this." "I can see that..." __________ No Authors Notes This Chapter... Chapter 191: Overthinking (2) [Paris, Jardin des Tuileries - The Park] Jan nodded, then his expression turned serious as he changed the topic. "I never got to ask you this, but... during the lockdown, did you ever encounter a man in all ck with a mask and sword?" I assumed he was referring to ''Axel,'' my mercenary persona. "Yeah," I nodded. "He was the one who gave me the bow earlier." "Really?!" Jan was getting excited over someone he didn''t even know. "I only caught a glimpse," I continued, "but he did end up defeating the other guy." I shrugged, adding to the lie. "That guy had some intense aura if you ask me." "He had a strong aura too?!" Jan leaned in closer with starry eyes. "Yeah, aura," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "He did some cool techniques with his sword. But after he defeated thatrge guy, he just... disappeared into thin air." Jan''s eyes were wide with awe. "Wow! That guy... must''ve been awesome to watch a guy like him..." His excitement died down eventually and our conversation continued. As we spoke, the air grew colder, condensation forming on Jan''s breaths. I looked up. The sun had nearly set, and the park lights flickered on, casting dancing shadows on the ground. *** [Paris, Caf¨¦ Marly] Cam and Valencia stood side by side, gazing at the massive queue beside them at Caf¨¦ Marly. "Haah... what a day..." Cam sighed, leaning her head against Valencia''s shoulder. Valencia, ncing at her watch, simply replied, "Yeah..." After all, she had been saved by him again. Recalling the moment when the octopus lunged towards her, she knew there was no escape. But at every turn, Jan''s words echoed in her mind. ¡ª "He''s always in the right ce at the right time." She wondered if he could see the future, but doubted it. Rel hadn''t shown any advanced aura applications; his archery skills were his only standout ability though. "But... what if he was hiding his true strength?" Valencia muttered as the worker at the counter called out another order. Before she could dwell on it, Cam interrupted her. "What''d you do with Jan today?" "Nothing much," Valencia replied. "I followed him around and wrote reports on whatever caught my interest." "Huhu... same with me!" Cam paused. "And you know, Rel ain''t half bad." "...!" Valencia flinched slightly at the mention of his name. Khumm... "Him?" she asked, faking a cough. Cam nodded. "He''s not only the smartest person in our ss but also a history nerd. What a weirdo, huh?" "I-I guess so," Valencia mumbled, unsure of her response. She decided to just y along with whatever Cam had to say. "Oh, and you know who else we met in one of the exhibitions?" Cam asked, a mischievous glint in her eye. Valencia tilted her head, intrigued. "Who?" "We met your dad''s seniors!" Valencia tapped a finger on her chin, thinking. "Who are you referring to again? I thought my father''s only senior was Garrick?" "No silly! Dawn Frisk and Avalon Azira are also seniors of your father." Realization dawned on Valencia''s face. "Oh... right, I remember Dawn Frisk. He came to our estate once and harassed my father for some alcohol." "Did he?!" Cam''s face was a mix of surprise and amusement. "Yeah... but he also gave me some swordsmanship lessons on aura and even beat my dad in a spar once." Cam''s eyes widened. "Woah... so that means the old heads are much stronger than the new generation?" Valencia shrugged. "I guess? But we''ll never know. I''m not sure if my father was holding back or not." Just as Cam was about to respond, the waiter called out their order. ¡ª Order 78, four hot choctes! "Let''s go?" Valencia said, grabbing the tray. ... ... ... [Paris, Jardin des Tuileries - The Park] [Sunday, 6:31 PM] Valencia and Cam made their way down the grand pathway of Jardin des Tuileries, the aroma of hot chocte wafting from the tray Valencia carried. In the distance, they spotted Jan and Rel seated on a bench, their gazes fixed on the dancing water of the fountain. "They''ve gotten pretty close after the tournament, haven''t they?" Cam whispered as they approached. "Mhm..." Valencia hummed, taking a sip of her hot chocte. "Ooo, I have an idea!!!" Cam eximed, snatching one of the cups from the tray. Valencia, startled, asked, "Why''d you do that?" "It''s simple!" Cam winked, her voice barely above a whisper. "I''m going to give it to Jan, of course!" "Oh, okay," Valencia nodded, approving of the tactic. But then she realized there was only one cup left on the tray. Thest one, meant for Rel. Valencia''s mind raced. ''I have to give it to him... Wait! Do I actually have to hand it to him?!'' With each step, Jan and Rel came into clearer view, and Valencia''s anxiety intensified. She couldn''t process the simple act of handing a drink to Rel. "Haah... don''t overthink it... it''s only a drink," She muttered to herself, trying to calm her nerves. "Val, are you okay?" Cam asked, peering at Valencia with concern. "Although it''s a bit chilly out here, your face seems a bit red." "Ah... it''s nothing," Valencia replied, trying to maintain herposure. Cam smiled. "Good. Now be quiet from here on out, and tiptoe if you have to. I''m gonna sneak attack..." Sneak attack?! Valencia was taken aback by Cam''s sudden mischievousness. Was she going to pour the hot chocte on Jan''s head? As Cam stealthily approached the bench, Valencia quickly followed, trying to keep pace. Ssssttttt Keeaakkk!! Valencia watched as Jan jumped up, feeling the hot chocte burn the side of his cheek. He locked eyes with Cam, who had both hands outstretched, triumphantly disying the now empty cup. "Surprise!" she giggled. "Thanks, Cam... ouch!" Jan touched his left cheek, the sting of the burn persisting. Rel turned his attention towards Jan and Cam''s yful antics, a small smile tugging at his lips. But then, a faint voice whispered in his right ear. "H-hey, uh, idiot... h...h-here..." He turned his head to find Valencia''s eyes averted, her hand outstretched, offering him thest cup of hot chocte. touch! "Oh... um, thanks..." Rel awkwardly took the drink, their hands briefly ovepping. Valencia flinched at the contact, quickly pulling her hand away. Rel stood up, looking down at her. "Look, um, I think you left this..." He held out a small handbag, the one she''d left at the museum. Her eyes widened, and she snatched it from his hands. "Thanks..." "Also..." "...!" Rel wrapped a crimson red scarf around Valencia''s neck. "I''m pretty sure this was yours too... since I found it next to your bag." "oh... uh... um..." Valencia''s brain malfunctioned.... ¡ª Wha-wha-wha- what?! He... just wrapped the scarf around me?! Rel''s voice cut through her shock. "You seemed unwell yesterday, and you don''t look too well now, so I think it''s better if you wear it..." He paused, then added. "It suits you..." A massive puff of steam erupted from Valencia''s head. _ To Be Continued...(?>????) _ ____ Authors Notes: - Jan was sitting to the left of the bench and Rel was to the right. Chapter 192: Overthinking (3) [Paris, Jardin des Tuileries - The Park] "It suits you." I hoped those were the best words to avoid getting on Valencia''s bad side. She really seemed to need the scarf at that moment. Hopefully, this small gesture would ease the tension between us, making it easier to breathe around her. But what was her problem? She seemed frozen... Why was she acting like this? Asking Jan for friendship advice hadn''t been a good idea. I wasn''t even sure why I''d followed instructions from a pea brain like him. ¡ª "If you want to fix a problem you don''t understand, just express yourself with action." Those words, like a rotten sentence, fueled my frustration. What an oblivious, stupid, and an airhead MC. ... ... ... The minutes ticked by, and Jan and Cam, engrossed in their conversation, remained oblivious to the subtle tension between Rel and Valencia. Soon enough, they finished their hot chocte and suggested that the group head back to the hotel. "Let''s grab an Uber," Cam proposed, already pulling out her phone. Valencia and Rel agreed, though Rel couldn''t help but notice a flicker of disappointment in Valencia''s eyes. A sleek ck Maybach pulled up to the curb, its polished chrome gleaming under the streetlights. A figure emerged from the driver''s seat, revealing one of Lan''s personal assistants. "Good evening," the assistant greeted them with a polite bow. "Please, allow me to escort you to the hotel." Cam surprised cancelled the uber and we climbed into the luxurious car. The plush leather seats a wee relief after a long day. As the Maybach glided through the streets, Valencia found herself stealing nces at a sleeping Rel, who sat silently beside her. "Idiot..." *** [South Korea, Freya''s Home Estate,] Gerrard Freya sat in his dimly lit study within his sprawling estate, his gaze fixed on therge t-screen television mounted on the wall. The news reporter''s voice filled the room, reporting on the recent outbreak of an alleged monster attack. "¡ªAt around 4 PM during an open exhibition event at the Louvre Museum, an alleged terrorist attack urred... Luckily, we were fortunate enough to have zero casualties as students bravely fought off the attackers, bringing them down sessfully before hero reinforcements could arrive." "¡ª Although sources could only say that any remains of this creature haven''t been identified yet, it is assumed to be some kind of species rting to that of humans." The TV images shed to show Valencia, Jan, and Cam during the fight against the demi-human. Multiple recordings and photos have been shared throughout the sudden attack showing clear views of this ''monster''. Click! haah... Gerrard, a worried father, sighed, feeling nervous as he clicked off the channel. "Garrick, it seems you''re right..." Gerrard muttered. "It seems that day, everyone mistook you for a fool. But to think the association had been covering your truths... eventually, the world would''ve known." It was a matter of time before the appearance of Demi-humans took the world by storm. As matters became more concerning to Gerrard himself, he knew that Valencia could easily fall into the hands of ''that'' group if she wasn''t carefully monitored. But even with the news reports circting, Gerrard knew the full story of the attack''s end. There was a certain person who wasn''t mentioned, but Gerrard wouldn''t be fooled by their tendency to stay on the sidelines. Ding!...Ding!...Ding! A notification pinged on Gerrard''s watch. He nced down to see a message: [Hello Mr. Freya, We''ve been able to locate footage and trace data patches of the fight from the previous day. These recordings are ssified and are only fabricated scenarios of a what ''if'' situation that urred on both the first floor and the bottom floor.] [Please click on the link below to see the files.] [From, Oberon Starcaster and Dempsey te.] "Now... let''s see how it really happened," Gerrard murmured, a determined glint in his eye. The footage flickered to life, revealing the masked figure locked in fiercebat with a massive demi-human. The masked figure moved with a grace and precision that belied their human form. Their sword danced through the air, with each sh leaving trails of dark energy in its path. The final strike was devastating. The masked figure''s sword erupted with an immense ck aura, forcefully striking the demi-human in the chest. With sess, they were sent flying through the air, crashing into the hallway with a deafening thud. Gerrard, watching the scene unfold, was filled with wonder. This aura was extraordinary, unlike anything he''d seen before. It differed even from his own in terms of colour and intensity. "This swordsman can''t be from any of the top 10 guilds..." Gerrard mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "But assuming Jaxon has all the talent in the world, it wouldn''t be surprising if he found a swordsman of such high quality... especially one with that aura colour." As Gerrard continued to watch different segments of the footage and data patches, he realized that on the first floor, Rel had yed a crucial role in creating an opening for Jan. Not only had Rel saved Valencia from certain death, but his actions alone had ultimately sealed the demon''s fate, as Jan disyed swordsmanship that rivaled even Valencia''s. Gerrard sighed, a hint of regret in his voice. "It''s a shame that Jan can no longer join our guild. And for Rel... I should''ve chosen another student for the mercenary cooperation project." He face-palmed, feeling the weight of his mistakes. He had initially thought Rel might be a throwaway student if Jaxon disapproved of him. However, Jaxon hadn''t spoken to Gerrard since, suggesting that Rel was indeed contributing. "But now..." Gerrard muttered, "the boy just keeps saving my daughter." A lighthearted chuckle escaped his lips. "What''s a father like me to do if my daughter is so easily swayed?" He paused, and then his expression hardened. "Well... no matter. There''s one thing I must see. And, boy... how long will you continue to hide that strength?" *** {Rel''s POV} [Pinnacle Academy, Main Presentation Hall - Central] [Tuesday, 9:45 AM] "How... did I get here?" My face was a mask of disbelief as I found myself sitting in the front row of the presentation hall, mere meters away from the massive stage and podium. "Good morning, students of Pinnacle Academy. As you may know, your principal isn''t present due to schedulingplications, so I''ll be here to address some special announcements for today." [Amara Navarro: Vice President of the International Heroes Association.] As the first-year cohort apuded our vice president, I groaned, realizing I''d made a massive blunder the moment I let my guard down. Now, not only was I facing a dilemma, but I wasn''t even sure how to escape this situation. ... ... ... [1 Day Ago] [Pinnacle Academy,Mr. Kolek''s Office.] As soon as we returned from the IDS station the day after France, we were called up to Mr. Kolek''s office before sses even started. I waited as Mr. Kolek silently worked on hisputer, presumably preparing today''s lecture. His silence was a bit unsettling, but before I could dwell on it, the door opened and Jan entered. That''s when I knew what this was about. Jan gave me a quick wave and turned to Mr. Kolek, who had closed hisptop. "Sir, why did you call us here today?" Jan asked. Mr. Kolek maintained a serious expression. "As you know, four of you were caught in a monster outbreak during your club trip to Paris." Jan and I exchanged a nce. "I''d like the two of you to know there''s something special happening tomorrow," Mr. Kolek continued, "but I''ll save the details until the girls arrive for the briefing." "Are you referring to Cam and Valencia, sir?" Jan inquired. "Yes, I am," Mr. Kolek replied. "But as you can see, they''re not here. They''ve bothe down with a cold." Mr. Kolek''s stern expression softened slightly. "To be honest, Jan, Rel, your actions in Paris were...mendable," he admitted. "Had it been anyone else, those civilians might not have been so fortunate." He paused, steepling his fingers thoughtfully. "However, I know that mere words aren''t enough to truly express the gratitude we feel for your bravery. The Vice President herself is even willing to award you four with honoured medals." Confused, I raised my hand. "Mr. Kolek, if I may ask... why was I called here? I didn''t really do anything in the fight against the monster." Mr. Kolek''s fingers danced across hisptop keyboard as he swiped and typed. Abruptly, he stopped, turning the screen towards us. "An anonymous source shared initial footage of an archer piercing a monster''s tentacles and a monster''s eye. Sound familiar?" I gulped. I thought I was out of range of Dempsey te''s abilities, but apparently not. "You''ll be meeting with the vice presidentter on," Kolek continued to Jan and me, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You two are dismissed," Mr. Kolek said, his voice returning to its usual gruff tone. "I''ll email you both the details, so ensure you read them. If you don''t... I hope you guys like writing five full pages on why mana shouldn''t exist." I sighed, nodding in resignation. Jan chimed in, "Thank you, sir." As we walked out the door, Mr. Kolek added, "I won''t be in ss for the entire day. You''ll be having Mr. Bet as your homeroom teacher, so please be good to him." _________ Authors Notes: A part of Dempsey''s main ability: Decipher - Allows him to retrace certain events back through time to a limited extent. By detecting traces of mana within an area of interest, he can observe events from various angles. However, his ability may be unreliable due to the potentialck of mana and residual energies at the desired location. Chapter 193: A Necessity [Pinnacle Academy] [1 Day Ago] Damon Bet. He''ll be a tough viin to catch through the entirety of these next few weeks. I''ll have to manage some other ns for him to be slowed down. Since he can''t bepletely stopped. For now, I could monitor him up until examse. Then everything after that is when I''ll take action to stop him from taking anyone else. As Jan and I walked through the hallways towards our ssroom, he turned to me with a hopeful expression. "Hey, about yesterday, the advice I gave you... did it work?" He was referencing to the advice about showing action over words... bullshit. My face twisted in disgust. "Of course not, you idiot." Valencia definitely hadn''t liked what I did back there. The trust I''d put in wrapping that scarf, hoping to repair whatever chance I had at being somewhat decent, was thrown out the window. I wouldn''t be surprised if Jan had just spouted somemon-sense nonsense that contradicted my own thoughts. "What?! Come on I think you''ve took it the wrong way-" "I don''t think I''ll take your advice again," I said tly. Jan held up his hands in defence. "Don''t shoot the messenger, Rel!" "I think I would''ve if I could," I muttered under my breath. We reached the ssroom, and the automatic doors slid open. The room was already packed, which meant we were in for a practical lesson. And that meant Mr. Bet had ns for his today''s targets. While he didn''t often lead practical sessions as an assistant teacher, I knew his involvement was a way to scout potential students for Morwen and dimir. "You gonna sit with Bazz and me this time, Rel?" Jan asked, heading up the staircase towards his usual seat. "No, the view is much better from where I sit." Jan shrugged with a smile. "Whatever you say, man!" I returned to my old seat, untouched for a week. The doors slid open, revealing the familiar in appearance of Mr. Bet. Neatly pressed cks, that same boring button-down shirt. Mr. Bet entered, exuding hisid-back, cool teacher vibe. He wasn''t overly charismatic, but his charm made him extremely likable. "Morning ss," he announced, amusement in his voice. "As you may know, Mr. Kolek won''t be here for today''s session." I settled into my window seat, listening to the whispers of my ssmates. "¡ªI kind of prefer him anyway..." "¡ªEh, I don''t really mind him. As long as he teaches as well as Mr. Kolek." The rest of the ss turned out to be a typical theory session on dungeon exploration, as expected. Mr. Bet talked about the different types of dungeons, their dangers, and the strategies for navigating them. I tuned it out for the most part, my mind already preupied with the uing meeting with the Vice President and... Ding! [You''ve received an email from the Mercenaries Cooperation!] [Dear Rel Laurence, You are required to attend a meeting at the main headquarters tomorrow evening at 5:30 PM. Your presence is crucial as this meeting will determine your squad and members for future missions.] [Thank you.] Haah... really? For the first part I thought it was about what happened at the museum but it seems I avoided whatever happened. thank god for that. While I listened on until the end of the lesson the ss perked up when Mr. Bet announced that he would be assisting Mr. Kolek in a practical sster that week. A ripple of excitement ran through the room, but beneath their enthusiasm, I sensed a darker purpose behind Bet''s offer. His smile didn''t quite reach his eyes, and there was a calcting glint in his gaze that sent a shiver down my spine. He was definitely plotting something. RING!!! The shrill bell signalled the end of the first and second periods. I rose from my seat, a sense of purpose settling over me. If the mercenary cooperation intended to send me into a literal hell, I needed to be prepared. And now that I felt a little stronger than the weakling I once was... SHING I pulled a key from my pocket. [Special Passive Ability: Perceptive Mind [Grade 3] Has Been Activated!] [Item: Silent Abyss Key Rarity [???] - Contents: Contents of this key are unknown.] Its ck obsidian surface gleamed, its purpose a mystery even to me, the author. But I felt ready, at least as ready as I could be. It was time to enter the dungeon. As the automatic doors opened, a hand pped on my back apanied by a familiar voice. "Rel! Wanna eat with us?" I turned to see Jan, Lyra, and Bazz grinning at me. grrrrr... A sudden rumble in my stomach reminded me that I''d forgotten to eat breakfast, having overslept after the museum incident. But I guess there wasn''t any choice since a lot happened over these 3 days. haah... "Okay fine, let''s go." As Jan and Bazz walked ahead, Lyra fell into step beside me, nudging me yfully. "So, how''d you find the trip?" she asked, a sly grin on her face. "It felt pretty normal," I replied, feigning nonchnce. "Ho ho... normal?" she chuckled. "After all, you guys fought a monster you''ve never seen in the books before." What was she trying to say? Was there no footage of the creature online? I hoped so... but if Lyra wanted something, she wouldn''t let it go until she got it out of me. "What about it?" I asked, trying to sound uninterested. "You know-" "Actually," I said, turning to Lyra, "let me guess. You went to your uncle to ask about what happened at the museum, but he said no. So you went to Jan, but he was too stupid to exin, and Cam and Valencia are out with a cold they haven''t texted since. Am I right?" Lyra shrugged, a yful smirk on her lips. "I''m not sure where you got that stupid assumption from... but can you tell me anyway?" haah... who would''ve known, not me? I sighed and told Lyra everything, exining that the information would have been revealed anyway. As we reached Allen''s Cafe, Lyra looked at me with wide eyes. "Wow, that was really detailed," she said. "You could be like an author or something." I rolled my eyes at herment, and the four of us entered the cafe. Inside the cozy cafe, the aroma of coffee and pastries filled the air as we settled into a booth. Conversation flowed easily between us, touching on everything from our favourite sses to our hopes for the future at Pinnacle Academy. "What?! I wouldn''t have heard those wordse from you, Rel!" Jan''s eyes widened at my ''dream''. But I felt it was the perfect conclusion when all was said and done. "If it''s a dream, then it will be one until it''s true." Lyra took a bite of her souffle. "Well, if you want someone to be a part of that, then I''d definitely be open to the idea." Bazzughed out loud as Jan flicked a sugar packet at his head. While we discussed our aspirations, Lyra was particrly lively, sharing stories about her family''s contributions to the Visionary Syndicate and her dream of leading one of their squads one day. heh... how ironic. Bazz, as usual, was more reserved, but his asional dry witticisms kept us all entertained. The lighthearted atmosphere was a wee change from the recent events at the Louvre, and I found myself rxing in thepany of my... friends? Even Jan, with his endless questions and bubbly personality, didn''t seem so annoying at the moment. RINGGGG... Suddenly, the school bell''s pierced through the chatter, signaling the end of the first break. I rose from my seat, preparing to leave. "Aren''t you staying for the next sses?" Jan asked, his brow furrowed in confusion. I turned to face him, my eyes meeting those of Lyra and Bazz as well. The temptation to leave was strong. There were so many other things I could be doing instead of studying and living the average school life, even with the added bonus of being heroes. But I also knew that staying at this academy would bring back painful memories I''d rather forget. Still, the time I''d spent here had been... enjoyable, in its own way. Of course, I''m not leaving yet. But someday I''ll have to walk out of this school. "I''ll try my best to be back by the fifth or sixth period," I finally replied. "but I can''t guarantee it." Jan smiled, understanding my reluctance. "Okay, whatever you''re doing, be safe." With a nod, I turned and walked towards the exit, leaving the warmth of the cafe behind. Back in my dorm room, I quickly packed the essentials for my uing dungeon subjugation. Usually, I''d need a full crew or even an entire guild backing me, since dungeons are tough to tackle alone. However, I knew more about how dungeons functioned and that the traditional "clear everything to beat it" approach wasn''t always necessary. Despite this, guilds and adventurers still followed that method. So, I felt confident for now. But, given the special nature of this dungeon, I had to assume it could contain anybination of traps, monsters, puzzles, and even bosses. The system only provided the location, but something told me a good reward awaited at the end. "Done." Finishing my packing, I carefully stowed my silver bow and Axel in a duffel bag. I decided to keep my academy uniform on, knowing its enchanted protection surpassed my other clothes. _______ Authors Notes: - If you didn''t know already, Dempsey te is Lyra''s cousin/ uncle. Chapter 194: The Abyssal Dungeon [South Korea, Seoul - Dobong Mountain Entrance To The Abyssal Dungeon] The afternoon sun beat down on my back as I navigated thebyrinthine trails of Dobong Mountain. The system''s map guided me through the winding paths, away from the main hiking routes and deeper into the mountain''s embrace. The air grew thick with the scent of pine and damp earth as I followed the system''s precise directions. Eventually, I reached a secluded clearing, hidden from prying eyes by a curtain of thick foliage. FWANG! [You''ve reached the following location: The Abyssal Dungeon] The system hadn''t lied. This was my first "special dungeon." It likely existed long before I arrived. An odd feeling emanated from this dungeon, unlike any I''d encountered before. "Oh, forget it," I muttered. "I''ll figure it out once I''m in there." In the centre of the clearing, a dark, swirling vortex of energy pulsed ominously. It didn''t shimmer or shine, but its presence was undeniable, a gaping maw in the fabric of reality. I cautiously approached the portal, extending a hand to touch its surface. ZZZZZZT! ack!! A sharp sting, like a static shock, jolted me back. "Right, right, right, I get it..." I muttered, remembering the system''s warning. "One-time use only." I pulled out the Silent Abyss Key, its obsidian surface reflecting the darkness of the portal. The moment it left my hand, the vortex seemed to inhale it, a surge of energy rippling through the air. The portal shed briefly, then settled into a steady, ominous stillness. FWANG! [Warning: Entering this portal will change the events of the main story.] [Are you willing to continue?] The system''s screen popped up before me. I knew this dungeon was probably meant for Jan. But if I didn''t enter, no one else would ever attempt to subjugate it. If this was necessary to see the novel''s end, then I had to make a decision. "Yeah... I already used the key, so why not." [Very well...] FWANG! [Side Story Quest: Solo Raid On The Abyssal Dungeon] [Description: Reach the end of the abyssal dungeon.] [Rewards: +1 Special Ability Upgrade, +1 Standard Ability Upgrade, 7,500 BP, 1,000 QP, 25 Base Allocated Point Stats.] "Shit... Well, I took the quest already, so there''s no turning back." Huu...haah... Taking a deep breath, I stepped through the portal, the world around me dissolving into darkness. SWANG!!!! The darkness of the portal gave way to a dimly lit chamber. Torches flickered on the walls, casting long, dancing shadows that danced and writhed like ghostly figures. The air was still and silent, devoid of any moisture or scent. The walls were adorned with intricate stone carvings, depicting scenes of battles and rituals that seemed to belong to a forgotten era. I found myself standing in the centre of a vast, circr room, surrounded by rows of stone benches, like a forgotten amphitheatre or a long-abandoned church. A chill ran down my spine as I took in the scene and I was feeling anxious about this ce. To my left, a series of paintings lined the wall, each depicting a different scene from a grand saga. The first showed a mighty hero with eyes closed, a sword held aloft as the sun bathed him in radiant light. The following paintings chronicled this hero''s journey: a war against four viins, light radiating from his weapon; the hero standing before four imposing towers; and finally, the towers crumbling as the hero gazed towards the rising sun. Jan, I thought, recognizing the parallels between the paintings and the protagonist of my novel. But my attention was soon drawn to another series of paintings on the right wall. The first depicted a child falling from the sky, followed by a scene of a mother cradling a baby with the child standing beside her. The next image was more disturbing ¨C the mothery lifeless, leaving the child and baby alone. The penultimate painting showed the child leaving the baby at a safe house, and the final image was of the child gazing at the moon, a look of determination etched on their face. Strange... The left side symbolizes Jan, but the other... what is that? But following after them there was more... At the end of each series of paintings, an arrow pointed towards the centre of the chamber. Following the arrows, I found myself standing before a grand altar, a massive stone structure with three distinct entryways. Above the altar, a single painting dominated the space. It depicted a scene of duality: the sun on one half, the moon on the other, with symbols of hands sped together in the centre, creating a swirling vortex of darkness that blended the light of both celestial bodies. The sun and the moonbining... I''m not even sure if those two elements could ever bebined. That''s like mixing water and oil together... But here, in this dungeon, anything seemed possible. The reality of this world, my world, was shifting before my eyes. I sighed inwardly, squaring my shoulders. Right now, this dungeon was giving me three paths to choose from. But since I''m not stupid to go head-in first with all these abilities. I''m not so stupid, unlike those guilds that go head first. "I''ve got it," I muttered, activating my skills. [The Following Skill: Sensory Aura Has Been Activated!] [Special Ability: Deadeye [Grade 9] Has Been Activated!] My vision sharpened, extending beyond the normal human eye. I could see the paths within each of the three entryways, up to the third room. This ce was a maze, branching off in unpredictable directions. I couldn''t see beyond the fourth room, suggesting the dungeon generated itself as I progressed. But within the first three rooms, I discerned a pattern: Left path: Monsters - Puzzle - Traps Middle path: Traps - Puzzle - Monsters Right path: Puzzle - Monsters - Traps This was theyout revealed by my enhanced vision, abination of Sensory Aura and Deadeye. It was time to make a choice. ____________ Authors Notes: - Rel can use abination of various abilities with his skills to effectively maximise an attack, defence, or perception. Chapter 195: The Abyssal Dungeon (2) {Rel''s POV} [The Abyssal Dungeon - Front Entrance] I studied the three entryways, my gaze remaining on the rightmost path. "This should be the best route," I muttered to myself. Given that the right path started with a puzzle, followed by monsters, and ended with traps, it seemed the most logical choice. Traps were something to be wary of, but if I could recognize their patterns and mechanics, I could navigate them safely. The monsters were likely tougher than usual, given this dungeon''s special nature. Since I couldn''t detect their presence visually, they were probably beyond my current strength. I was still too weak to defeat them outright. But I''d figure something out along the way. So... The decision is... You got it! The right path it was. Fighting a monster at the start wasn''t the best option, and facing one at the end, exhausted from navigating traps and puzzles, was even less appealing. Let''s see what this puzzle has for me. ... ... ... Entering the room, I realized how truly round the chamber was. Its walls were built of massive stone bs etched with glowing blue lines that pulsed with energy. These lines seemed to thrum with a power I could feel deep in my bones, a resonance simr to the mana that flows through all living things. In the center of the chamber stood a circr altar carved from a dark, ssy stone. The altar was etched with symbols that shimmered and shifted as if alive, mirroring the pulsing energy of the lines on the walls. To my right, I spotted a skeleton lying on the ground with a massive wooden stick. Given the dimness, I decided to make use of my fire attribute. SHAAH... As I lit the torch, the view around me became clearer. Eight towering stained ss windows encircled the room, each depicting a scene of chaos and destruction. I assumed these windows were more than just decoration, given this was a puzzle. As I looked around, I noticed mana flowing around each stained ss window, each with a different, unique color. Stepping closer, a tingling sensation washed over me. The strange feeling I''d gotten around this ce intensified. It felt like the mana within me was being disturbed by something I couldn''t identify. Looking up ahead, I saw the altar shing with a mix of ck and red aura. When I got closer, symbols shed in a specific order that corresponded to one of the stained ss windows. So, even simple pattern recognition was this easy. There was definitely a connection between the symbols on the altar and the stained ss windows. Looking closer, I noticed each window depicted a different element: fire, water, air, earth, light, darkness, life, and death. These were the core elements of this world. A closer inspection of the walls revealed faint markings etched into the stone, barely visible even with my torch. These markings seemed to form a pattern, anguage I didn''t understand. "Hmm... the ancient runic trope is something I''m familiar with, but I could cheat this with the system..." Actually, I''ll try using my own knowledge first. Within the intery of light, shadow, and the raw mana that courses through the air, the question is: can I decipher the clues and harness this flow to open the massive stone gate that blocks my path? The air crackles with energy. I reach out and touch one of the glowing lines etched into the wall, feeling a slight resistance, like pushing against a current. Experimentally, I press harder, and the symbol under my fingertip changes shape. As it does, I notice a change in one of the stained ss windows. The fiery scene dims, the mes flickering lower. Curious, I move to the next symbol on the altar, pressing and fiddling with it until another window responds. This time, the image of a flood recedes, the water calming as if it''s being drained. I get it now. Each symbol on the altar controls one of the windows, allowing me to change the power flow in each scene. I work my way around the altar, carefully dimming each scene until the windows are almost dark, the power inside them seemingly asleep. As thest window flickers, the markings on the walls begin to glow. The lines and shapes, once barely visible, now light up, forming a path that winds around the room, connecting the altar to each window in turn. I follow the path, touching each window in the order shown by the glowing lines. I feel a surge of power as Iplete the circuit. RUMBLE...RUMBLE...RUMBLE... The air crackles with even more energy, and the stone floor under my feet starts to rumble. CLANK... With a grinding sound, the massive gate at the far end of the room shudders and slowly opens. Well, it was a littleplicated at the start, but now that it''s done, I guess I should be prepared for what''s next. As I ventured deeper into the dungeon, the torchlight flickered against the smooth stone walls, illuminating strange symbols of a bishop''s hat, horns, and wings. The next stage should involve monsters. The principle behind each room is usually either a pack of them or a singr mini-boss. But I''ve never written a themed dungeon like this before, so why are these symbols here? Despite my calm mind, I could feel my body shaking. As I moved closer, the symbols grewrger with each step, and a sense of impending doom washed over me. And before I knew it. I had assumed these rooms led in straight lines because I expected to be heading into a single chamber. Not three. ... ... ... The three towering archways dominated the space, each leading to a swirling vortex of imprable darkness¡ªa portal entry into what I assume were the mini-bosses of this dungeon. Above each gate, a familiar symbol was etched into the stone. The left archway bore the bishop''s hat, the middle disyed horns, and the right was marked with wings. The same symbols I''d seen earlier on the walls, were now marking the paths ahead. A sense of unease washed over me as I took in the scene. These symbols, imbued with an ominous aura, seemed to warn of the trials that awaited me within. But more than that, a nagging doubt crept into my mind. My vision, enhanced by Deadeye and Sensory Aura, should have pierced through the darkness of those portals. Yet, they remained imprable, as if something was actively interfering with my abilities. Which meant everything I had seen earlier was nothing but a deception. So... there''s someone powerful enough to block and deceive my sight? I wondered, a shiver running down my spine. The dungeon held more secrets than I had anticipated, and I was about to face them head-on. ___________ Authors Notes: - Rel''s carrying his silver bow on his back and Axel to his side. Chapter 196: The Abyssal Dungeon (3) [The Abyssal Dungeon - Second Gate?] I stared at the three archways, a wave of uncertainty washing over me. The revtion that my vision had been deceived threw everything into disarray. It meant I was venturing into this maze blind, with no knowledge of whaty ahead. The wings symbol, I reasoned, might be the safest option. The bishop''s hat likely signified a powerful healer, capable of summoning countless spells and healing in battle ¨C a nightmare scenario for me. The horns probably indicated a massive creature, evenrger than the one I''d fought during the dungeon assignment for ss. haah... With a sigh, I stepped towards the portal beneath the wings. As I extended a hand to touch the surface. SHOCKKKKKKK! A sudden burst of ck and red lightning jolted through my body, forcing me back. "...!" My eyes widened in horror as visions shed before me: my own death, screams, monstrous faces of beings I''d never encountered. "AH!" I stumbled backward, falling to the ground in a cold sweat. "What... did I just see?" I gasped, my hand trembling as I reached to cover my eyes. Fear gripped me tightly, and I looked towards the symbol of the wings with dread. The future? I thought, but it couldn''t be. My abilities hadn''t even activated. What was that, then? No... I can''t go in there...I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I need time to think... But the exit would close soon if I remained idle. Damn it... Forget it I''ll follow what my heart desires. In a moment of desperation, I ignored the ominous horns and turned to the archway marked with the bishop''s hat. I''ll fight whoever''s in this bishop''s room because there''s no way I''m facing those things. *** As Rel stepped through the dark portal, he found himself in a massive chamber... [You''ve entered the following room: The Sanctuary Of Sin.] [A Great Opponent Lies Before You...] Rel looked at the screen as he kept his footsteps steady across the room. His hands shook as he watched the screen before him sh. [A Quest Has Been Created!] FWANG [Special Quest: The one tainted by the unholy void.] [Description: Defeat the ancient bishop.] [Rewards: 25.00+ Stamina, 25.00+ Health, Mana Upgrade 1+, All Stats Refreshed, 25,000 BP, ???] Looking at the screen Rel now felt the fear consuming him as he realised his surroundings... Tattered banners hung from the high ceiling, their once-bright colours faded to a dull grey. Cracked stained ss windows depicted twisted scenes, casting eerie patches of coloured light onto the cold stone floor. In the centre of the chamber, blocking a massive gate, stood the statue of a Bishop. It towered over Rel, a skeletal figure draped in rags, its bony hands sped in prayer. Its hollow eye sockets stared directly at him as if judging his every move. A gnarled staff, its top carved into a grotesque skull, was plunged into the mound of skulls the bishop stood upon. Surrounding the statue, a circle of skeletal figures knelt in supplication, their bony hands outstretched in a gruesome parody of worship. WHOOOOOOSH!!!! "...!" As Rel took a step closer towards the bishop, a chilling gust of wind whipped past his cheek, despite the stillness of the chamber. CRACK! He nced up at the statue, just as it began to creak and crack, the stone and rust around its body crumbling away. "Who dares enter thou chamber?" an old, angry voice echoed through the room. Rel instinctively retreated a few steps, his heart pounding in his chest. The bishop''s eyes flickered to life, glowing with a faint white light. "Ah... Human... yes..." The voice crackled with amusement. "And yet... not." CRACK! The eyes zed brighter, focusing on Rel as the bishop''sughter reverberated through the chamber. "Hereafter, a being not of this world." CRACK...CRACK...CRACK... The bishop''s movements became more fluid as the stone around it shattered, revealing a figure d in tattered robes. "ursed in a fool''s body... shares a marking resemnce." The bishop gripped the staff, its obsidian-like colour shining in the torchlight. "Rest... assured..." WHOOOOOOOSH! A massive gust of wind erupted, tearing through the room, shattering the remaining stained ss windows, and scattering debris in all directions. Rel barely managed to dodge the onught, his eyes wide with surprise. "Thou art a reflection... of one long lost." BANG! The bishop plunged his staff into the ground, bending one knee as he lowered his head. "Despising a fragment of thy kind, I shall extinguish thy DESTINED SPIRIT." He raised his gaze to Rel, eyes burning with unholy light. "I am Maledictus Nihilus, Arch-Bishop of the Fallen Deity. The ursed Void of Darkness... and thou art the next to fall." With a final, chilling deration, Maledictus held his staff vertically before him. CRACKKKK... His skeletal hands tightened around its center, and with a sickening crunch, he snapped the staff in two. A dark energy flowed from the broken ends, coalescing into a de of pure obsidian. The long, wickedly sharp sword seemed to drink in the light, leaving only a void of darkness in its wake. The cold air crackled around the two as Maledictus raised the newly formed weapon, his eyes burning with unholy hunger. A heartbeat of silence stretched between them, thick with anticipation. RAHHHH!!!! Then, with a guttural roar, Maledictus Nihilus raised his obsidian sword high above his head. The chamber''s temperature plummeted, the air growing heavy and oppressive. [Special Passive: Sixth Sense [Grade 6] Has Been Activated!] Rel felt a tingling sensation on his skin as if the very air around him crackled with unseen energy. The bishop''s eyes, burning like molten silver, locked onto Rel''s. BANGGGG!!! With a sudden downward sweep of his de, he mmed it into the ground. A spiderweb of ck cracks raced across the stone floor, the lines pulsing with an ominous glow. "ursed Eruption!" the bishop screamed, his voice echoing like a thunderp. RUMBLE...RUMBLE...RUMBLE... The ground beneath Rel''s feet trembled violently. He stumbled back, just as the stone floor erupted in a geyser of jagged obsidian shards. The shards twisted and weaved in the air, forming a swirling vortex of razor-sharp darkness that lunged towards him. "Shit!" Rel dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the initial onught. CRASH, CRASH, CRASH!!! The shards mmed into the wall behind him, embedding themselves deep into the stone. "Holy fuck... this guy is insane" he muttered rolling to his feet. The shards shortly disappeared and the acrid smell of sulphur filled his nostrils. With the battle beginning the air bursted with dark energy, making the hairs on his arms stand on end. Maledictus Nihilus stood at the centre of the room, his body barely visible through the chaos. He raised his sword once more, a wicked grin spreading across his obsidian face. "Such feeble resistance," he hissed. "Your spirit shall be extinguished in darkness!" Rel knew he had to act fast. Drawing his weapon, he charged towards the bishop, the air around him shimmering with a ck aura of darkness. The sh of destinies had begun. [Passive Ability: Hidden Strength [Grade 4] Has Been Activated!] [The Following Skills Have Been Activated: [Enhancement Aura and Flow] - [Sensory Aura] - ] CRACKLE...CRACKLE...CRACKLE... Rel charged forward, his weapon drawn and glowing with a ck aura. The ursed Eruption was a terrifying disy of power, but it hadn''t shaken his resolve. He wouldn''t fall so easily. Maledictus Nihilus sneered, his eyes narrowing as he met Rel''s charge. "Thy resemnce, IS TOFAMILIAR!" With a flick of his wrist, his obsidian sword transformed, the hilt extending to reveal an even longer de. huup!! Rel lunged, aiming a strike at the bishop''s chest. But Maledictus was already in motion, stepping aside with a speed that betrayed his size. SHING!, SHING!, SHING! The bishop''s counterattack came in a sh of obsidian¡ªa series of three lightning-fast shes that Rel barely managed to parry. The force of the blows sent vibrations through Rel''s arm, numbing his fingers. He gritted his teeth, channelling his inner strength to meet the bishop''s next assault. "Fool!" Maledictus snarled, his voice dripping with disdain. "Thy resistance is futile." He raised his sword once more, dark energy swirling around the de. "Void''s Embrace!" The bishop spun like a dervish, his sword extended in a deadly arc. CRASH!!! Rel leapt backward, narrowly avoiding the attack, but the force of the dark energy sent him sprawling to the ground. As he scrambled to his feet, Rel noticed the shadows around him deepening, as if the very darkness of the room was closing in. He heard a whisper in his mind, a chilling voice promising despair and oblivion. "Nightmare''s Curse," Maledictus intoned, his eyes glowing with a malevolent light. "...!" Rel felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him, his limbs growing heavy. His vision blurred, and the shadows around him seemed to writhe and twist into monstrous shapes. _ To Be Continued _ ________ Authors Notes: - A new update for Rel''s stats will being soon. Chapter 197: The Abyssal Dungeon (4) [The Abyssal Dungeon - The Sanctuary Of Sin] He braced for the onught of despair, the crushing weight of hopelessness he''d felt within. But... nothing. No wave of exhaustion, no blurred vision, no monstrous figures lurking in the shadows. It was as if the curse had simply... vanished. Rel''s brow furrowed in confusion, his eyes widening with surprise. "What...?" he muttered. Maledictus Nihilus recoiled, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Impossible!" he roared. "No mortal can resist the Void''s embrace!" At that moment he realised something... Rel raised his weapon, the dark aura radiating from it intensifying. "Like you said..." he dered, "I am not of this world." haha...HAHAHA...HAH Maledictus threw back his head and let out a cackle that echoed through the chamber like the screech of a thousand ravens. "Surprised, art thou, piteous wretch?" he mocked Rel with disdain. "Did thou truly believe thy feeble struggle could defy I the Arch Bishop?" He raised his obsidian de, the malevolent aura surrounding it pulsating violently. "Your defiance amuses me," he hissed, "yet ''tis naught but a fleeting spark against your remnant." SWANGGGGG! A second de formed in his hand one made of dark magic. "Thou art... but a moth drawn to a me!" With a terrifying cry, Maledictus lunged, his dual des shing in the dim light. Maledictus lunged, his dual des whistling through the air. Rel, however, reacted with lightning speed, narrowly dodging the attack. The bishop''s momentum carried him forward, his obsidian sword plunging deep into the stone wall. Seizing the opportunity, Rel activated one of his abilities. [Standard Ability: Trickster at Arms [Grade 5] Has Been Activated!] He unleashed a sh projectile of ck aura towards Maledictus''s exposed back. BANG! The attack struck the bishop, but instead of the expected impact, a shimmering shield of magic deflected the blow. "Dishonorable!" Maledictus roared, his voice echoing through the chamber. With a flick of his wrist, he transmuted his second de into a massive crimson hammer and swung it down towards Rel. Rel narrowly dodged the attack, then quickly sheathed his de and switched to his silver bow. [Special Ability: Deadeye [Grade 9] Has Been Activated!] [Standard Ability: Piercing Shot [Grade 9] Has Been Activated!] TAK! TAK! TAK! Three aura-infused arrows shot forth with blinding speed. Maledictus stood still, a familiar sensation piercing his bones. CRACK... "It ''tis the same," he rasped, ripping out the arrows, "soul of qi... a perfect bnce" With a gesture, he conjured four massive portals in the ceiling, his gaze fixed on Rel. "Your destiny ends here." "...!" ____________ Dark Benediction: Rain Of des ____________ SHING!!! A torrent of obsidian des poured from the portals, their edges glowing with dark energy. Rel barely had time to raise his weapon in defence... But on the other hand, he smiled. [Special Ability: Mitigation''s Phenomena [Grade 1] Has Been Activated!] The rain of des met an invisible barrier, each one shattering upon contact with a deafening SHING! The shards ricocheted harmlessly away, leaving Rel unscathed amidst the storm of obsidian. Maledictus Nihilus watched as the obsidian shards ttered harmlessly to the ground, his surprise quickly giving way to a cold fascination. "An ability that maniptes a field of space yet fabricates it as... energy?" He reflected aloud, his voice echoing through the ruined chamber. "A force of input... and a force of output... a field of repulsion..." A low chuckle rumbled from his chest, a sound as unsettling as the grinding of tectonic tes. "A power I once sought... but never grasped." Rel, sensing a shift in the bishop''s demeanour, did not let his guard down. Instead, he advanced, the unseen barrier rippling around him like a heat haze. He unsheathed his sword, the dark aura clinging to it like a shroud. "Your power is an illusion," Maledictus hissed, his eyes narrowing as he studied the shimmering distortion around Rel. "A fleeting trick... easily dispelled." Rel said nothing, his eyes narrowed in concentration as he advanced. The unseen barrier rippled around him, a subtle distortion in the air that Maledictus couldn''t quiteprehend. With a snarl of frustration, Maledictus dismissed the portals above, the rain of des ceasing abruptly. He retained his obsidian sword, realizing their futility against this unseen defence was not in the des themselves, but in how they were being delivered. DASH! He lunged again, this time with a calcted feint to the left, followed by a lightning-fast thrust aimed at Rel''s exposed side. But as his de neared the unseen barrier, it met an unexpected resistance, as if plunging into a soft cushion. The force of the impact reverberated back through his arm, a strange tingling sensation numbing his fingers. "...?" Maledictus staggered back, his mind widening in disbelief. Rel seized the opportunity, his de moved as he countered with a series of strikes. Each blow was met with the same yielding resistance, the bishop''s des rebounding harmlessly away. Frustration twisted Maledictus''s features as he realized the futility of his attacks. He lunged, his long de shing in the dim light. CLASH! "Enough!" He roared, leaping backward. He raised his arms, channelling the dark energy that pulsed beneath his skeletal body. "If brute force cannot pierce your defences, then perhaps this will!" HWONG!!! He extended a skeletal hand, and a swirling vortex of darkness formed from his palm. The temperature plummeted as he shot out ofplete darkness... WAM!! Rel braced himself, his dark aura ring in response. The vortex mmed into the invisible barrier, sending shockwaves through the air. The force of the impact was immense, but his attack was no match, the dark energy passed by harmlessly around its edges. Maledictus stumbled backward, unfazed by exertion. Rel, on the other hand, felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. His muscles ached, his lungs burned, and his grip on his sword wavered. "Your strength wanes, little one," Maledictus taunted, his voice a chilling whisper. "The Lord Of Destruction shall im your soul." Rel gritted his teeth, refusing to yield. He knew he couldn''t oust the bishop in a battle of stamina. He needed to find another way to break through his defences. Rel had no time to waste, he infused his sword with aura once more. There has to be something keeping him alive, he thought. He''s undead; there''s nothing he can hide within that body. But for now, I''ll have to chip away at him bit by bit. "Though there''s no time for that," he realized, a new strategy forming in his mind. [Special Ability: Mitigation''s Phenomena [Grade 1] Has Been De-Activated!] "Let''s see how fast he can react with that massive body." [Special Ability: Clockwork of Time [Grade 3] Has Been Activated!] [Time is slowing down!] The world around Rel slowed to a crawl. Maledictus''s movements became sluggish, his swings ponderous. If Rel''s perception of time matched his own, the bishop wouldn''t be able to react to anything given that he''s undead. Rel held his sword in one hand, gathering a massive amount of aura as lightning crackled around the de. With a burst of speed, he dashed towards Maledictus. ________ "Divine Severance" ________ [Special Ability: Clockwork of Time [Grade 3] Has Deactivated!] "What?!" Time returned to normal, but Maledictus was too slow to react. With one swing of Rel''s de, a massive aura-infused crescent sh filled the room, striking the bishop square in the chest. BANGGGG!!!!! The aura sh sent Maledictus flying, mming him into the wall with immense force. Rel''s ck lightning continued cracking around the bishop''s skeletal frame, sending shockwaves through his bones. "WHAT?! THIS... FEELING... NO!" Maledictus roared, his voice filled with pain and disbelief. As the bishop writhed in agony, Rel watched the tattered robes flutter around his body, revealing nothing that could be sustaining his life. "Was he immortal?" Rel wondered, his mind racing. "But that can''t be the case if the source isn''t in his body... then!" A realization struck Rel. As his attack subsided, he swiftly drew his silver bow, a n forming in his mind. [Special Ability: Deadeye [Grade 9] Has Been Activated!] [Standard Abilty: Piercing Shot [Grade 9 Has Been Activated!] An arrow materialized on the bowstring, its tip darkening into an ominous ck as Rel pulled it taut. TAK! The arrow soared through the air, aimed directly at Maledictus''s skull. The bishop remained helpless against the wall, each attempt to move met with a paralyzing jolt of lightning. Maledictus, with a faint blink of his eyes, caught the arrow in mid-flight. "Thy... piece shall not fall," he rasped, crushing the arrow in his bony hand. CRUSH! His gaze locked onto Rel, and an image flickered over his vision, a man whose face triggered a wave of memories and emotions so strong that Maledictus mistook Rel for him. "Blue eyes... ck hair... A sword... everything reminds me of HIM!" BANG! He mmed his hand against the wall in frustration, then, ignoring the jolts of pain from the lightning, he plunged his obsidian de into the ground and rose to his full height. "Thy kind will be extinguished." He ripped out his de and gripped it an unorthodox manner, like a dagger. SUHUOOHHHH Dark violet energy surrounded him as skeletal hands erupted from the floor, walls, and ceiling. Theytched onto Maledictus''s body and his de, fusing with him. TATATATAT Rel watched in horror as the bishop transformed into a massive, skeletal figure that nearly touched the ceiling. The obsidian de sprouted jagged, bone-like extensions,pleting his full metamorphosis. "I will not fall," Maledictus dered, his voice echoing with a terrifying resonance. "Come and fight me... REMENANT!" _ To be continued! _ Chapter 198: The Abyssal Dungeon (5) _______________ [Maledictus Nihilus Has undergone an ''Awakening''] [Character: Maledictus Nihilus (Boss Of The Second Chamber) - Previous State: Past Prime] [Loading...] [Character: Maledictus Nihilus - Current State: Old Prime] [A second phase has begun...] _______________ [...] _______________ FWANG! _______________ [Second Phase: Maledictus Nihilus, Scourge of the Void] _______________ Rel stared up at Maledictus, the bishop now a towering ten feet of skeletal fury, a full two feet taller than before. His head was encased in reinforced armour, a spartan-like helmet guarding his source of power and life. Rel''s heart sank. He had unwittingly stumbled into a boss fight with a second phase, and he had no idea how to handle something like this. "I might actually die here..." he muttered under his breath. The glowing white eyes of Maledictus flickered once more, and he roared at Rel, "If you will not attack, then I will!" With both hands gripping his mutated obsidian de, he shed down onto the hard stone floor, unleashing three projectile shes towards Rel. BLASSSSSSST! Seeing the shes split into three, Rel imbued his de with aura once again and gripped it tightly with both hands. SLASHH!! Rel''s body pivoted with maximum force, his de carving a wide arc that deflected the iing attack. In the blink of an eye, Maledictus appeared before Rel, his immense form filling the space. The bishop''s sword arced upwards, slicing through the ceiling, and a magical portal materialized above them. RAHHHHHH! With a guttural roar, Maledictus shed downward, his de a blur of darkness. [Special Ability: Clockwork of Time [Grade 3] Has Been Activated!] Time slowed, but so did Rel''s movements. Fatigue, the price of his earlier exertion, began to take its toll. He managed to sidestep, creating a sliver of space between himself and the attack. [Special Ability: Clockwork of Time Has Deactivated!] Time snapped back to its normal pace. [Warning!] FWANG [Mana Reserves: 42%] BANNNNNNNG! Rel watched as a massive ck sword erupted from the portal and shattered against the ground followed by his mutated de. "...!" The realization hit him like a thunderbolt: he wasn''t fighting Maledictus at his full power this entire time. This was a nerfed version of the ancient bishop. "Enough hiding!" Maledictus bellowed, his voice echoing through the chamber. He conjured portals around the room, creating a swirling vortex of des that shot outwards from the ceilings. Rel was forced to retreat towards the centre of the chamber, the only area untouched by the deadly projectiles. It was a trap, designed to force him into closebat. Maledictus had drawn the battle lines, and Rel had no choice but to face him head-on. "I''ve caught you, remnant!" Maledictus boomed, his voice echoing with triumph. "Now you will finally meet your end!" [Trickster at Arms Timer: 2 Minutes 10 Seconds] - [Cooldown - 10 Minutes] Rel''s eyes flickered to the system notification. Time was running out. If Trickster at Arms wore off, he''d be utterly defenceless. With everything on the line. Rel will not take this fight lightly. [Passive Abilities: Tenacity and Evasiveness Has Been Activated!] [All Current Aura Techniques Are Now Active!] He tightened his grip on his sword, adrenaline pumping through his veins as he watched Maledictus swing his massive de downwards. BANG! Rel sidestepped with inhuman speed, his body fueled by the pain-numbing effects of Tenacity. Maledictus''s sword embedded itself deep into the stone floor, and Rel seized the moment. huuup! Leaping into the air, he raised his de imbued with aura, high above his head. "Caught you," Maledictus chuckled darkly. KAWWWWW! As his skeletal jaw opened, a ball of dark energy began to form, a sinister beam charging within his maw. "HAWWWWWWWWW!" Rel desperately activated his ability. [Special Ability: Mitigation Phenomena [Grade 1] Has Been Activated!] The barrier materialized, but not fast enough. The dark st grazed his left shoulder, sending him flying with a sickening crunch. BANG! Mitigation softened the impact with the wall, but the pain was intense. Rel found himself on his back, clutching his shoulder, which was now aze with dark mes. "Shit..." he hissed through clenched teeth. [Passive Ability: Mana Control [Grade 6] Has Been Activated!] He raised his right hand, channelling mana into his wounded shoulder. Sssstttttt... The healing process was excruciating, the icy sting of his mana shing with the burning darkness, as the onught of des relentlessly rained down on his dwindling barrier. "Darkness will kill you before I can!" Maledictusughed, his voice echoing with confidence as he sensed the battle nearing its end. Rel could only grunt in response, using his sword as a crutch to push himself upright. "haah... fuck it... I have nothing to lose." tap... TAP...TAP... TAP...TAP... STOMP! He began running again, clenching his de with every ounce of remaining strength. Swinging horizontally with his right hand, he unleashed another attack. "Divine Severance." SLASHHHH!!! The crescent-shaped aura sh flew forward, its form stillrge enough to stretch across the arena Maledictus had created, but noticeably weaker than before. Maledictus, seeing the iing attack, reacted swiftly. He ripped his de from the ground, lifting it with surprising ease. "Although I can no longer use Qi..." he snarled, "this will do!" huooohhhhhh... Dark violet energy swirled around his mutated de as he imbued it with his elemental attribute. With a single arm, he raised the massive weapon high, timing his swing perfectly to meet the attack head-on. Rel''s sh, crackling with ck lightning, rushed towards Maledictus''s de. CRACKLE... Mere inches from impact, Maledictus felt a surge of confidence. "At this moment, I win," he thought. CRACKLE...CRACKLE... But then... CRACKLE...CRACKLE...CRACKLE ... ________________________________ ? ? SLAAAAAAA?AAAAAAAAASH ? ? ? ________________________________ ... As his de met Rel''s sh, a massive eruption of ck lightning coursed through his weapon,pletely overwhelming and removing his elemental attribute. "Wha-" SHAWWWWWWWW! "AHHHHHHHH!!! THE... PAIN!!!! I CAN''T FEEL PAIN BUT THIS?!... WHAT IS THIS?!!!!!" The eruption of ck lightning coursed through Maledictus, stunning him into paralysis. THUD! He dropped his sword, and the remainder of Rel''s aura rushed from his hands, enveloping his entire body. CRACK...CRACK...CRACK... Rel, surprised by Maledictus''s vulnerable state, didn''t hesitate. His body, though screaming to finish him now! Because he knew that this was the decisive moment. If he didn''t end it now... it would be over. As Maledictus watched Rel charge towards him, his eyes flickered, a sh of recognition twisting his skeletal features. Rel''s eyes, once dark blue, now burned with a crimson red, just like that person from back then. Rel, channelling every ounce of his remaining aura into his sword, knew this attack had to be the finishing blow. HUUUUP! He leapt into the air, the de held high above his right shoulder, his grip tightening with all his strength. Reaching the apex of his jump, Rel twisted his torso and swung his sword in a downward arc. ________________________ "Shattered Judgement." ________________________ SLASHHHHHHHHHH!!!! The momentum of his descent amplified the force of the blow. The eruption of aura and steel tore through Maledictus''s body diagonally, shattering bones and sending fragments flying. The impact of the aura exploded outward, obliterating everything within Maledictus, leaving only his severed head to tter onto the stone floor. Landing on his feet, Rel turned to find Maledictus''s head lying in the center of the arena. The portals still rained des, but the bishop''s body was gone, leaving the spell uncontrolled. "I''ve... lost?" Maledictus''s jaw hung open in disbelief. A hand reached down, lifting his skull to face Rel. "I win..." Rel spoke, his voice strained with exhaustion. Maledictus could only stare, the familiar feeling of that other man still clinging to him. Words failed him, but a burning curiosity remained. He yearned for onest answer from the warrior who had given him a battle he hadn''t experienced in a long time. "Thy warrior... what tis thy name?" His jaw moved, the voice barely a whisper. Rel looked into the flickering eyes and hesitated before answering, "Rel... Laurence." A chuckle escaped Maledictus''s skeletal lips. Rel tilted his head in confusion. "A truth filled with many lies... please, remnant... tell me your real name, so that I shall pass in peace." Maledictus saw through Rel''s lies, a flicker of understanding in his fading gaze. "My real name?" Rel sighed. "Yes-" "¨~ ¨~ ¨~ ¨~" Maledictus''s eyes shed rapidly hearing Rel''s voice. "Ah... a beautiful name... it is a blessing... and a curse... you seem to be weary... do not fret..." He paused, his voice growing weaker. "It is very simr... indeed, though... I can''t remember." Rel lifted his hand and was about to end it when Maledictus spoke again. "Before you end me... at my frontal lobe thereys a fraction of the memories I''ve had here... I met a person like you..." *** {Rel''s POV} "A person like me?" I muttered, scepticism evident in my voice. With this body I now inhabited, there was no way someone could be ''like'' me. This was the body of a nobody. There was no telling if this person had family, friends, or any significant ties to this world. I couldn''t be sure if Maledictus was being truthful. "If you open it and imbue mana into my core," the bishop''s voice rasped, "I can project these memories to show you." His offer filled me with suspicion as my brow furrowed. "I can no longer wield magic without a body," he exined, "and because of that disgusting qi, my mana and everything within me has been neutralized... so what do you say?" I stared at the skull, a mix of curiosity and wariness battling within me. Finally, I sighed, "Okay, fine..." Maledictus''s skeletal head pried open the frontal section of his skull, revealing a small, dark orb floating within. Sparks of ck lightning danced around it, radiating an eerie energy. With mana flowing through my hand, I reached out and touched the orb. SWANG!!!! _ To Be Continued! _ Chapter 199: Maledictus Nihilus Flashback [Maledictus Nihilus shback] [30 Years Ago...] "You did it again." a calm voice spoke. "2 hours of solving simple puzzles and traps." "Captain, your temper is unmanageable..." another added. The man''s vision blurred as he awoke, the two figuresing into focus. These events took ce years before Rel''s arrival, long before the main characters were even born... This is the old era... "WAHAHA... How fun!" The man, brushing the dust off his clothes as he stood, dered, "Alright, to the next!" He pointed down the hallway, and the other two men followed. The man had a long dark blue coat that flowed open, revealing a ck button-down shirt with two buttons undone, exposing the bulk of his chest. The shirt''s cuffs shimmered in gold, catching the light with every movement. The coat''s shoulders were entuated by gleaming gold epaulettes. His legs were dressed in loose, ck trousers that protruded slightly as he strode, giving him an air of carefree confidence. Avish belt, crafted from dark leather and fastened with an ornate gold buckle, cinched his waist. A heavy gold medallion, a symbol of his power, hung from the belt, swinging gently with each step. The weapon of a long-ded sabre hung to his hip, The hilt was a work of art, crafted from polished dark wood and adorned with silver filigree. "Well,ds," The man grinned rubbing his hands together with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Looks like we''ve got ourselves a ssic dungeon scenario. Do we go in as 1 or do we split off?" "Don''t be stupid, you dragged us in here... Garrick." [Garrick Florentina - Captain Of The Golden Horizon - Alias: Conqueror Of The Dungeons] "Aw...e on!" Garrick shrugged "Have some sympathy for your captain... I didn''t even mean it!" ... "Dawn." [Dawn Frisk - Vice-Captain Of The Golden Horizon - Alias: The Dragon yer] Dawn sighed, adjusting his sses with a practised motion. "You''re a drunkard who sobered up after you left Vincent and me to do these puzzles." As a massive battle axe hung from Vincent''s back he turned around with azy grin. "Each room has symbols on top, lead the way... Captain" [Vincent Nazara Celeste - 3rd Captain Of The Golden Horizon - Alias: The Uncrowned King] He gestured towards the three archways before them, and Garrick stepped forward to examine them. Garrick chuckled, pping Vincent on the shoulder. "See Dawn! Why can''t you be like Vincent, he doesn''t act up against his captain-" BANG! "Ahhhhh!" Vincent had swung his fist down on Garrick''s head, annoyed by his antics. "Hurry up, I wanna go home." "Okay, okay!" Garrick rubbed his head, looking at both of his captains. He quickly switched into dungeon mode, studying the symbols with a focused gaze. ... ... ... "The bishop''s hat... knowledge and faith? Sounds like a headache waiting to happen. The wings? Agility and cunning? Hmm, intriguing, but perhaps a tad too... subtle for our tastes." His eyes settled on the horns, a predatory gleam returning to his gaze. "Strength and brutality, you say? Now that''s a challenge worthy of the world''s greatest guild, no?" Dawn raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk ying on his lips. "I see you''re still full of yourself after everything that happened, huh? After all, we''re now considered heroes..." Garrick turned to Dawn with a wide smile. "I assure you, my love for adventure is more than just being a hero." He winked. "We''ve faced worse together. Besides, what''s done is done!" Heughed heartily, and with a confident stride, Garrick approached the archway marked with the bishop''s hat. Dawn and Vincent followed, their expressions a mix of amusement, resignation, and anticipation. "We''ll clear all three if the gates don''t close," Garrick dered, his voice echoing through the chamber as they stepped into the darkness beyond. ... ... ... [??? - Chamber Of Sin] The chamber beyond the bishop''s archway was a sight to behold. Towering pirs stretched towards a vaulted ceiling, casting elongated shadows that danced in the dim light of flickering torches. Stained ss windows, depicting religious fervour and sacrifice scenes, lined the walls, their once-vibrant colours dulled by time. "Well, this is certainly atmospheric," Garrick remarked, his voice echoing in the vastness of the room. Dawn''s eyes scanned the surroundings, taking in every detail. "Indeed. Note the intricate carvings on the pirs and the strange symbols etched into the floor. This ce reeks of ancient power." Vincent, his gaze drawn to the far end of the chamber, pointed towards a massive stone gate. "And what''s that imposing figure guarding the exit?" Garrick turned to follow Vincent''s gaze. A towering statue of a skeletal bishop, draped in tattered robes, stood sentinel before the gate. Its bony hands were sped in prayer, and its hollow eyes seemed to pierce through them with an unnerving intensity. "Interesting," Garrick murmured, his curiosity piqued. He strolled towards a series of stained ss murals lining the walls, each depicting a cryptic prophecy. WHOOOOOOOOSH... As he studied the images, a cold wind swept through the chamber, causing the torches to flicker violently. The bishop''s statue creaked and groaned, its eyes suddenly glowing with an eerie white light. "Who dares disturb thy slumber?" The voice, ancient and raspy, echoed through the room. "...!" Vincent and Dawn instinctively stepped back, their hands reaching for their weapons as the bishop''s robes billowed outward, revealing a skeletal form beneath. The empty eye sockets fixed on them, radiating an aura of malevolence. "Ah... intruders... how long has it been since I''ve tasted the fear of mortals?" The bishop''s voiceughed with amusement. "I am Maledictus Nihilus, Arch-Bishop of the Fallen Deity. The ursed Void of Darkness... and you shall be my next sacrifice." Vincent and Dawn instinctively grouped up, taking a defensive stance in the center of the chamber. "Hey, you think that thing is strong?" Vincent whispered to Dawn, a hint of excitement in his voice. Dawn narrowed his eyes, observing the skeletal figure. "Hmm... there''s no telling. It looks like that skeleton is sustained by some external source." "I see," Vincent replied, his grip tightening on his battle axe. "Should we finish it quickly then?" But before they could act, Maledictus''s voice boomed through the chamber. "You three... you will be the most interesting challenge yet. Something worth using my full power on!" He erupted from the remnants of his stone shell, dark energy swirling around him like a tempest. The staff he''d held as a statue shattered, transforming into a menacing obsidian de. Huuoohhhh The dark energy intensified, and skeletal hands and bodies wed their way out of the floor, walls, and ceiling, attaching themselves to Maledictus. He grew taller, his sword morphing into a monstrous weapon with multiple jagged des. In a matter of seconds, the transformation wasplete. Maledictus towered over them, a monstrous figure casting a long, chilling shadow. Vincent ced a hand horizontally above his eyebrows, squinting to get a better look at Maledictus''s face. "Damn, his head even got smaller," he remarked, pulling his axe from his back. "Let''s be careful fighting this thing." Dawn drew his saber, taking a defensive stance. "Indeed." "Dawn, Vincent!" Garrick bellowed, a wide grin spreading across his face as he charged forward. "I don''t want you guys to get hurt!" The two captains swiftly moved out of Garrick''s path, exchanging amused nces. "You just want to fight him," Dawn scoffed. Maledictus watched Garrick approach, a dark chuckle escaping his skeletal jaws. "Ah, I smell the monster within!" He took a stance, holding his de with both hands. "HEY, BISHOP!" Garrick''s voice boomed as he unsheathed his sword, gripping it tightly in his right hand. BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, Garrick''s de turned ck, and a massive me of golden aura enveloped it, creating shockwaves of lightning that coursed through the chamber. Maledictus froze, his skeletal form trembling as he watched Garrick run freely, wielding an unordinary qi he had never encountered before. A power that surpassed even his own... WAHAHA! STOMP! Garrick let out a wildugh and, with a ground-shaking stomp of his left foot, exploded forward. His de, a golden ck arc, cleaved the air in a single, blindingly fast motion. _______________________ DESTINED RUPTURE! _______________________ S L A S H ! _______________________ BOOOOOOOOOOOM! A deafening boom echoed through the chamber, followed by a blinding explosion of golden light. The ground erupted,unching debris and geysers of molten rock skyward. The air throbbed with power as jagged forks of golden lightning rippled outward, leaving scorched trails in their wake. Vincent and Dawn, rtively unaffected by the attack, simply watched their captain''s disy. "Seems like Captain is still in battle mode," Vincentmented, casually slinging his axe back over his shoulder. "Show off," Dawn muttered, sheathing his sabre. BAAAAAAANGGG!!!! As the dust settled, the chamberid in ruins. Craters scarred the earth, molten rock oozed from gaping fissures, and the gate, along with everything beyond it, had been obliterated by the sh that pierced through countlessyers of the dungeon''s defences. In the centre of the devastation stood Garrick, his sword resting on his shoulder, a victorious grin on his face. ___________ Authors Notes: - Dawn Frisk (Vice-Leader): Appearance A dark purple, knee-length coat, opens to reveal a very dark purple suit with a matching tie. The suit''s buttons and cufflinks gleam subtly in gold. - Vincent Nazara Celeste (3rd Captain): Appearance A dark green, button-down shirt with rolled-up sleeves, paired with ck pants and a short, dark brown coat with silver buttons. Chapter 200: Maledictus Nihilus Flashback (2) ck! The bishop''s skullnded in the center of the crater Garrick''s attack had gouged into the floor. Garrick looked around, noting the absence of any trace of Maledictus''s body. "Huh, where''d the bishop go?" he wondered aloud, shielding his eyes with a hand as he scanned the surroundings. "Did I obliterate himpletely?" "Garrick!" Dawn''s voice cut through the smoky haze, sharp with disapproval. "Are you stupid?" Garrick turned to see Dawn and Vincent standing unharmed amidst the wreckage, their expressions a mix of exasperation and amusement. "What did I do now?" he asked, feigning innocence. "I think you ruined the whole point of subjugating dungeons," Vincent stated dryly, gesturing towards the scene of utter devastation. Garrick''s single sh had torn through multipleyers of the dungeon, leaving a trail of destruction that stretched beyond the chamber''s walls. "Oops! My bad." Garrick shrugged with a cheeky grin, scratching the back of his head. "I guess we''ll just continue forward. I''ll just watch you guys do the work." Dawn sighed. "Fine. Let''s just get this over with." As the three captains of the Golden Horizon continued their journey towards the end of the dungeon, Maledictus was leftpletely ignored in the ruins of his chamber. Just as he began to regenerate, the sound of loud footsteps echoed from the exit the three men had just taken. Garrick came barreling back down the hallway, pursued by his two exasperatedrades. "Get back here, Garrick!" Dawn yelled, with Vincent trailing close behind. "Hey! There''s no rule in this dungeon about going in a straight line," Garrick retorted with augh. "Let''s fight those monsters in the other rooms!" With a mischievous chuckle, he dove through the entry of the dark portal, leaving his twopanions to chase after him once more. ... ... ... BANG!!!...BANG!!!...BANG!!! The echoing bangs and screams of monsters from the adjacent chambers filled the ruined sanctuary. Maledictus, stunned and battered, hesitated to regenerate. He knew that even a moment of vulnerability would invite those creatures back for another round of chaos. Yet, as hey there, a familiar sensation of hatred welled up within him, directed at those blessed with immense power, like the man he had seen in his vision. "Insolent fools! To wield such power and squander it on mere amusement!" Maledictus''s thoughts echoed in the silence of the chamber. "They toy with forces they cannotprehend, like children ying with fire." It was unbelievable how a human could be so strong without relying on magic. Maledictus wished he had dedicated more of his previous life to the sword instead of magic. As the mour of destruction subsided, he expected to be erased along with the remnants of his chamber. But to his astonishment, everything around him began to revert back to its original state. The damage, the broken structures, the very air itself... all returned to undisturbed tranquillity. "What trickery is this?" Maledictus seethed, his spectral body flickering with anger. "To undo this work so effortlessly... They will pay for this insolence." Maledictus couldn''tprehend what had transpired in the boss''s domain. But one thing remained clear: he yearned to learn the way of the sword, to harness the power he had witnessed firsthand. "I will master this de," he vowed, "and when they return, I will not be so easily defeated." [shback Over...] ... ... ... I shook my head, realizing I was still holding Maledictus''s severed head. His eyes flickered slowly, and I was startled to learn I wasn''t the first to enter this dungeon. And wow, I thought, that attack from Garrick was just one of his normal skills? Destined Rupture was merely a projectile sh, but even through Maledictus''s eyes, I had felt the overwhelming power. Unfortunately for Maledictus, he had zero aura, and the result was that he was stunned by what I assumed was Dominance¡ªthe feeling of fear and the struggle to stay focused against Garrick. There was no telling if this was prime Garrick or post-prime, but it wouldn''t have mattered. He was the strongest of the Old Era''s Golden Generation. Though I didn''t expect him to be in a special dungeon like this. And the fact that everything returned to normal after their rampage... it didn''t make sense. Dungeons usually crumbled after the boss was defeated. So how did Garrick and the Golden Horizon escape? My thoughts were cut off by Maledictus''s raspy voice. "Tell me... warrior, is thou rted to that monster?" I realized he was referring to Garrick, a swordsman on a level far above any other, practically unrivalled in his lifetime. Even Aurelia, in her prime, might have struggled against him. There were a few individuals Garrick considered rivals, but only one is still alive today. Their whereabouts remained a mystery. But how could I know if this body was rted to Garrick? It had no parents, no family, no history besides the academy application. I sighed and looked at Maledictus. "I can assure you I''m not rted to him, and he''s already dead." His jaw dropped, and his glowing white eyes flickered once more. "Is that so? How unfortunate... It seems this practice has been a waste." "Don''t say that," I said, my voice softening. "You pushed me to my limits. For that, I thank you." "Really?" "Really," I said. "You''ve done well. Rest now." I needed to put him out of his misery. He wouldn''t be able to return without his life source. I felt bad knowing that anyone who encountered Garrick was probably better off dead. But it was over now. I picked up the small orb within Maledictus''s open skull. CRUSH!!! "T-Thank you... warrior." What''s happening? But before I knew it, something strange began to form at the top of my head. Ack! My eyes blurred, and an aching sensation rumbled within me. "Ahh... my head..." I think¡ª FWANG! [Quest Complete!] [Special Quest: The one tainted by the unholy void.] [Description: Defeat the ancient bishop.] __________ Authors Notes: - Garrick''s skill: Destined Rupture -Is abination of Flow and Enhancement Aura and Dominance. Chapter 201: Dungeon Finale {Rel''s POV} [The Abyssal Dungeon - The Sanctuary Of Sin] FWANG! [Quest Complete!] [Rewards: 25.00+ Stamina, 25.00+ Health, Mana Upgrade 1+, All Stats Refreshed, 25,000 BP, ???] It hurts! Everything''s over, but my head... I need to rest- WOM! [The following statuses have been recovered: Stamina, HP, Mana, and Aura] "...!" A wave of energy washed over me, restoring every depleted stat and all exhaustion. haah... Holy shit, that headache what just happened to me? I was going through it all but I guess it''s all done. Never mind resting then. I regained all myposure and took a deep breath in. huuu...haah... So that''s what "all stats refreshed" meant. If the system kept handing out quests with this perk, I was happy to go all out from the start. No point in conserving energy. But I was curious... what did those question marks in the rewards mean? It had to be something special. Since there was no way I was ''just'' getting normal rewards, after defeating an Ancient Arch Bishop. Especially one with the dark elemental attribute. Those kinds of users are essentially counters to most elemental attributes. [Transfering All Rewards... Complete!] FWANG! ________________ [The Following Base Stats Have Been Upgraded:] >Health: 107.5 >>> 132.5 (25.00+) >Strength: 101 >>> 101 (00.00) >Stamina: 75.5 >>>100.5 (25.00+) >Speed: 74 >>> 74 (00.00+) > Mana B+ >>> A- (+1^) ________________ [...] [25,000 BP Has Been Added.] ________________ [Due to absorbing the Ancient Bishops Remains, You''ve gained a new ability!] [Loading contents...] FWANG [Special Ability:] - [Grade: 1]- Pocket Realm: this ability allows you to connect to a pocket dimension within your mind uniquely. This Mindscape serves as a personal spiritual world and can store up to five items. At will, you can summon any of these items, materializing them onto a desired part of your body. These items will merge seamlessly, transforming through a distortion. You can enter this mental realm in spirit form not physically, allowing yourself to interact with these stored items and your own world. ________________ Wait... If I gained this ability by absorbing the bishop''s remains, then this isn''t a gift from the system... it was the bishop? That meant I still had another reward left? "Isn''t that right system?" I spoke waiting for the screen to appear. FWANG! [That''s correct Mr. Axel!] [The energy you''ve absorbed from the bishop was all the energy within the orb you crushed. This not only contained a manifestation of the entity''s previous abilities but also a spell that allows portal summons of weaponry, which has been converted into the following special ability: Pocket Realm.] That''s amazing, I wouldn''t have known if this Bishop did it on purpose or Maledictus did it out of generosity, but I assume I could''ve taken the orb and used it for something else. But I already crushed it, there''s no point in wondering over what-ifs. "So what''s the question marks ability then system?" FWANG! [A New Ability Has Been Added...] ________________ [Special Stat: Fate''s Reprieve [5/5] -When faced with an attack that would result in certain death, Fate''s Reprieve will automatically activate, allowing you to narrowly avoid the fatal blow or situation entirely, you''ll gain temporary immunity via the ability: Mitigation''s Phenomena without mana cost. If the user ends up dying, resurrection will be activated after an hour prior to the users death.] ________________ "...!" "WHAT?!" My eyes widened, scanning the screen in disbelief. Five reprieves from death... It was a gift beyond anything I could have imagined. This ability could save me not only in the uing arcs but in the most dangerous situations the story had to offer, including a potential war arc and any events that threatened Jan''s life. I was stunned, overwhelmed with shock and gratitude. This was a power that could change everything. If this was the reward I received for defeating Maledictus, then I wouldn''tin. Not one bit. ... ... ... The depths of the Abyssal Dungeon were a relentless gauntlet of challenges. Each chamber I entered presented a new puzzle, a hidden trap, or a ferocious monster. I navigated this damned dungeon, solving countless riddles etched into ancient stone and battling packs of creatures I had never seen before. Luckily, I figured there was only one mini-boss and one main boss in this presumably high-graded dungeon. Though there was no confirmation of its grade, I simply assumed it would be. My abilities, as usual, proved invaluable. I was getting better at anticipating attacks with each encounter, and my utilization of mana and aura had improved significantly. But it wasn''t easy. I faced a colossal serpent with scales the color of decaying flesh, its body riddled with open sores that oozed corrosive venom. Without a quest for this monster, I relied on mitigation, aura and the finisher: divine severance to kill it. As I progressed, I stumbled upon even more monsters. I fought countless Crimson Pdins, fallen knights in armor stained crimson with the blood of their victims, wielding corrupted greatswords and shields adorned with twisted symbols of justice. Towards the end, it grew even more difficult. I encountered Mana-Scarred Ursines, bears that negated the effects of mana. Their presence was strange in this seemingly unholy dungeon of the abyss, but perhaps it somehow rted to the theme? Despite the struggle, I persevered, upgrading parts of my sword and bow mastery along the way. I was driven by the promise of rewards and the knowledge that I was altering the course of the story. ... ... ... As I paused to catch my breath, wiping off the remaining blood stains off my face with a ragged cloth I found near the end of the hallway I nced at my smartwatch. To my surprise, it read 1:20 PM. Only two hours had passed since I left my dorm at 11:20 AM. So, time flows differently in dungeons? That exins why adventurers can spend days, even weeks, exploring these ces without aging. But the rest would have to wait. Right before me were the doors to the boss''s room. _________ Authors Notes: - The Crimson Pdin is a B+ Grade monster. - The following monster is an A- Grade: Colossal Serpent, Mana-Scarred Ursines - Maledictus is a Inter-Grade A monster which is a tier higher than the Colossal Serpent. Chapter 202: Dungeon Finale (2) creakkkk! The grand doors creaked open, revealing the final room, a chamber seemingly fit for royalty. Faded decoration clung to the cracked walls, depicting celestial bodies in an eternal dance: a radiant sun, a serene moon, and constetions winking in the twilight. Dust motes swirled in the air, illuminated by shafts of sunlight piercing through stained-ss windows. However, as I gazed through them, I saw nothing but space and darkness. These windows were mere illusions of the reflecting sun. I cautiously stepped into the room, my boots echoing on the marble floor. The air felt stiff, broken only by the rustling of tattered banners. My gaze swept across the chamber, taking in the ornate columns, towering arches, and remnants of gilded furniture. Yet, something felt amiss. There was an emptiness, no boss, not a single creature in sight. It was the center of the room that drew my attention. A massive circle etched into the floor dominated the space. Half depicted a zing sun, the other a tranquil moon. In the very center, a curious symboly nestled between the two ¨C an intricate design pulsing with unseen energy. At the far end of the chamber, bathed in moonlight, stood a lone throne. Carved from obsidian, its surface etched with symbols that writhed and shifted in the dim light, the throne was empty. A chill ran down my spine. Where was the boss? I had expected a grand entrance, a dramatic reveal. But this silence was unnerving. As I approached the throne, my eyes were drawn to the prophecies etched into the tapestries. They spoke of a king, burdened with immense power he sought to conceal. They told of a sun and moon, celestial guardians tasked with protecting this power. This ce made the mana within me feel strange, as if something was tampering with my control over its flow. I stepped onto the dais, my gaze fixed on the empty throne. The room seemed to shift. Shadows deepened, the air grew colder, and the symbols on the throne pulsed with a brighter light. "So, you seek the ancient power? The one that has eluded countless others throughout the ages?" The chamber''s silence shattered as a voice, deep and resonant, boomed through the air. "...!" Startled, I stumbled back, my hand instinctively reaching for my weapon. I had encountered viins with maniptive voices before, their words designed to sow doubt and fear. But this voice... it bypassed my authority as an author. If this isn''t dominance or a speech ability. Then what is it? "Ancient power?" My voice echoed,The dungeon, the prophecies, this voice... none of it aligned with the story I had envisioned. "What makes this power so ancient?" I asked the question this person. This had to be a discarded plotline, a forgotten idea that somehow found its way into the story. "Complete this final trial," the voice responded, a hint of amusement in its tone. "and you shall discover the true nature of the power you seek." As thest word faded, a surge of energy rippled through the chamber. Fragments of light and shadow danced around the obsidian throne, coalescing into a swirling vortex of raw power. My mind reeled as the pressure of this energy washed over me, heavier than anything I had ever experienced. And the trial... it had only just begun. FWANG! The system''s notification shed before my eyes. [A Legendary Opponent Is Being Manifested!] [A Quest Is Being Formed...] [Special Quest: The Trial of Fate] [Description: Defeat the conqueror of the dungeon!] [Rewards: Refresh In All Stats, +5 All Base Stats, +2 Special Ability Upgrade] What?! A legendary opponent? The conqueror? Oh shit... that meant... FWANG! [The King of Dungeons Has Manifested!] [The Great Opponent Has Been Summoned: Garrick Florentina] In the shback of Maledictus''s memory, this appeared to be the same Garrick I had seen, yet different. An almost spectral version, with darker features and mysterious dark energy flowing from his body. At his hip was Jia, or Jiana to be precise, the weapon named after Valencia''s mother. This version, however, seemed slightly altered, like his appearance. But ultimately, I was terrified. No words could capture the depth of my fear. The mere thought of facing Garrick as an opponent made victory seem impossible. He was the Great Hero, the Conqueror of Dungeons, the pinnacle of strength, the embodiment of what Jan would be in his prime. Garrick was practically untouchable, the strongest person on Earth if he was still alive, even surpassing Aurelia. My heart pounded as I gripped my sword. This was a battle I couldn''t lose. Yet, the figure before me was a somewhat replica of the real Garrick, from his confident grin to the glint in his eyes. This was a challenge unlike any I had ever faced. *** [Standard Ability: Trickster At Arms [Grade 5] Has Been Activated!] Garrick charged forward, a whirlwind of golden aura swirling around him. Rel, paralyzed by the sheer force of the legendary hero''s presence, watched as Garrick unleashed a mighty sh. WAHAHA! SLASSSSSH! The ground trembled as a golden aura projectile ripped through the air, leaving ragged marks in its wake. [The Following Skill Has Been Activated: Sensory Aura] [Special Ability: Sixth Sense [Grade 6] Has Been Activated!] Rel instinctively dodged the attack, but the golden light blinded him momentarily, obscuring Garrick''s movements. WHOOOSH! In a sh, Garrick was before him, a massive grin stered on his face, his sword raised high. Rel''s heart pounded in his chest. [Special Ability: Clockwork of Time [Grade 3] Has Been Activated!] Time slowed to a crawl, and the fatigue from his previous battles threatened to overwhelm him. But he refused to give up. [The Following Skill Has Been Activated: Flow and Enhancement Aura] Rel tightened his grip on his de, channelling every ounce of his remaining strength into the weapon. He knew this sh was more than just a fight; it was a greeting to the legendary Garrick Florentina. "Shattered Judgement." Rel drew his sword back, the ck de angled upwards, bursting with a dark aura. [Special Ability: Clockwork of Time [Grade 3] Has Been Deactivated!] Time resumed its normal flow, and Rel''s body spun as his aura met Garrick''s descending de. CLASH!!!!! The shockwave of their collision shook the entire chamber, sending tremors through the stone walls and scattering dust and debris. As their des met, a spark of surprise ignited in Rel''s eyes. He realized, with a jolt, that their weapons weren''t actually touching. A hair''s breadth of space separated them, yet the force of their sh resonated through the chamber. Impossible, Rel thought, his mind racing toprehend the phenomenon. Garrick''s smile widened, and with a sudden surge of aura, a series of explosions erupted around Rel. The force of the sts nearly knocked him off his feet, but he managed to maintain his bnce, his eyes narrowing in determination. The realization struck him like a thunderbolt: this version of Garrick was even more nerfed than he had initially thought. There was no way a dungeon could perfectly replicate the legendary hero''s full power. In a true sh, Rel would have been obliterated on impact. This Garrick was a weaker, imperfect replica. But even a weakened Garrick was stronger than him. Rel knew he couldn''t let his guard down for a moment, for even this imitation possessed devastating attacks that could easily end his life. *** Chapter 203: Dungeon Finale (3) | Season 2 END [Abyssal Dungeon - The Final Boss Room] [Standard Ability: Hidden Strength [Grade 4] Has Been Activated!] Rel, narrowly dodging the first exchange, realized a direct confrontation with this version of Garrick was futile. The replica''s strength and speed were overwhelming, each near miss sending shivers down his spine. But retreat wasn''t an option. He had to exploit a weakness, uncover a w in this seemingly perfect imitation. Garrick charged forward, swinging his de horizontally in a massive, aura-infused sh. SHING! Rel''s body shook. He raised his own de, imbuing it with aura until it turnedpletely ck, then twisted his body to carve out a crescent sh that countered Garrick''s attack, pushing him back slightly. "Shit... how do I get to this guy?" he muttered. Every attack Rel attempted, Garrick effortlessly avoided. The problem with facing Garrick was hisplete mastery of swordsmanship. NEH! "...!" [Passive Ability: Evasiveness Has Been Activated!] Garrick approached again, swinging downwards with a lightning-fast strike aimed at Rel''s shoulder. BANG! Rel barely managed to dodge, feeling a sharp pain as the de grazed his right shoulder. Huup! Rel leapt back, creating distance. He couldn''t rely on brute force. He needed to outsmart Garrick, using his agility and special abilities to his advantage. With a burst of speed, Rel darted around the chamber, weaving between the shattered pirs and remnants of furniture. He nocked an arrow, infusing its tip with aura, and fired with precision, aiming for joints and exposed areas of the replica''s body. SHING! SHING SHING! But each hit seemed to just be easily deflected regardless of Rel''s aura potency. "How is it that he can just deflect attacks with or without aura?" He was startled by the realization that Garrick''s aura seemed to be different from the original. In the novel, Garrick''s aura stunned and nullified attacks entirely, but this versioncked that trait. He knew this Garrick was wed, a mere imitation. Yet, all of his attacks were still amplified without any visible energy source, as if mimicking Garrick''s movements perfectly. So, Rel sheathed his bow, unsheathed his de, and charged forward. As Rel prepared a swift feint, Garrick smiled and countered immediately, pushing Rel''s de aside with his left hand. Caught off guard, Rel was shed across the chest, a massive gush of blood erupting. But there was no time to think. If he could ignore the pain, he mightnd a hit, despite the impossible odds. He shed des, aiming for Garrick''s chest, but Garrick quickly swung upwards with a flick of his wrist. "...!" Rel saw it, a glimpse into the future. A part of his body was stabbed, and he died trying to win against this man. The emotional trauma of countless deaths washed over him, but this feeling was different. This was a make-or-break moment where everything had to be perfect. [Special Ability: Clockwork of Time [Grade 3] Has Been Activated!] Time slowed to a crawl. Seeing the perfect opening, Rel abandoned his airborne sword and focused on a vulnerable spot below Garrick''s ribs. His right fist clenched, the air crackling with concentrated aura. [Special Ability: Clockwork of Time [Grade 3] Has Been Deactivated!] Time snapped back, and Rel''s fist connected with a sickening crunch. [Critical Hit!] A deafening explosion of ck lightning erupted from Garrick''s chest as Rel''s aura surged through his body. CRUNCH The replica was sent flying backward, crashing into the obsidian throne with tremendous force. Dust and debris puffed out, obscuring Rel''s vision for a moment. *** As the dust settled, I saw a clean hole punched through Garrick''s replica, right where my fist hadnded in his lower chest. He stood there, a smile still stered on his face, but his glowing eyes flickered erratically. "WAHAHA!" He chuckled, and I couldn''t help but think, His durability must be weak if a hit like that did so much damage. And since this wasn''t the real Garrick, he shouldn''t be able to use that, right? Just as Garrick reached for his sword, a voice of authority cut through the air. "Enough." Garrick froze, his hand hovering over his weapon. skkkkkktttt... The energy that maintained his form began to flicker and fade. "...?" What was happening to him... and that voice who was it? I stood there, confused and unsure of what was happening. But did I defeat him just with one punch? Was that even possible? There was surely no way I could''ve won just like that, I could tell this Garrick could still fight but something was stopping him from doing so. Garrick turned to me, his form dissolving into particles of light. I realized that the mysterious voice must have been the energy source that animated this replica. "You''ve proven your worthiness, descender," Garrick''s voice echoed, even as his form slowly fading. My body was frozen in ce and my heart was running. For a moment, it felt as if the real Garrick was speaking to me. But the word descender didn''t sit right with me. Could he tell I wasn''t a true inhabitant of this world? That I was just a meagre transmigrator? But that should be impossible, right? He couldn''t have seen through me. As Garrick''s smile faded into nothingness, I couldn''t help but stand there, frozen in shock and confusion. An authoritative voice echoed through the chamber once more, but this time, it was softer, almost soothing. "Well done, Warrior." "You''ve defeated the one destined by fate." "Defeated?" I questioned, perplexed. "I don''t even think I defeated him." The voice chuckled a warm sound that reverberated through the air. "You have mistaken his actions for kindness. It isn''t the one you defeated, but the one within it." "Within it?" I repeated, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. "The soul," the voice rified. "It simply gave up." A shiver ran down my spine as the realization sunk in. "So that meant..." "Yes," the voice affirmed. "For that fleeting moment, the real being spoke only to you." "How...? Garrick didn''t die in this dungeon," I muttered, my brow furrowed in confusion. I clearly remembered seeing him leave with Dawn and Vincent. But if this question needed to be asked, I wanted an answer. Leaving without one was not an option. "How is it that you had his soul?" I inquired, hoping the voice would respond. The authoritative voice spoke once more, "All those who enter have a fragment of their soul absorbed to uphold this ce... yet the rewards remain untouched as no one worthy has arrived." The voice paused. "Yet, you were chosen by the one of fate. The soul called out to you, saying you were worthy. As it was written, then I shall present you the reward..." RUMBLE, RUMBLE, RUMBLE, The chamber began to rumble violently. I struggled to maintain my bnce as my body shook and swayed side to side. But a massive sting of pain rose from my upper and lower body as Garrick''s earlier attack red in my chest. [Passive Ability: Mana Control [Grade 6] Has Been Activated!] I channelled mana into my hand, rocking back and forth as I pressed it against the wound. SZZZZZTT!! The rumbling ceased, and I had managed to stop the bleeding, at least for now. In the centre of the chamber, where the half-moon and half-sun mural had once been, a pedestal rose from the floor, bearing a single, ornate box. "Before you lies the dungeon''s core and a powerful magic," the authoritative voice resonated through the chamber. "If you can absorb it, the dungeon will copse, and this ce will cease to exist, allowing you to leave. If you cannot, you can still leave, as this power''s owner awaits. Open the box, and what you''ll find is the answer." Hesitantly, I approached the pedestal and opened the box. A massive gust of wind sted my face, forcing me to stumble back. What was that? For a brief moment, I saw a faint ck and crimson aura within the box, but it wasn''t quite aura or energy... it was something else entirely. I cautiously opened the box again. A torrent of darkness and crimson-red aura erupted, swirling around the room and encapsting me in a dark sphere. [WARNING!] [If you continue and proceed with this option, there will be consequences in the future.] [Do you wish to view this ability?] I paused, contemting these consequences... What kind of power could have such a warning attached to it? Though, I knew there was no one else who could enter this dungeon again. With a deep breath, I said, "Yes." [The story changes...] FWANG [Elemental Attribute: Deus le Veult [Attribute: Anti-Magic] - All the user''s properties of inherited attributes of magic are removed and reced with the property of anti-magic. The user is able to negate all types of magic phenomena. Mana remains inherent, but the user will no longer emit magical energy or be able to replicate magic power via elements.] "Elemental Attribute... Deus le Veult... Anti-Magic..." I read the description aloud, my eyes widening in shock. This attribute was unlike anything I had ever imagined. It shouldn''t even exist in this setting or this story. But then again, everything I''d discarded, drafted, and even the current plot of my novel had been fed into that assistant tool. Even though I knew I wouldn''t be able to wield elemental magic like the geniuses in my novel, excitement bubbled up within me. This was an opportunity, a chance to change things up. "System," I asked, "can I still create abilities that conjure elements?" FWANG! [Yes! As long as you create an ability or learn a skill, you''ll be able to activate them. The only thing you lose is the natural ability to conjure your elemental attributes.] I see... There was no other choice then. I had to seize this opportunity here and now. I reached out towards the swirling mass of dark and red crimson energy. It crept up my arms, engulfing my entire body. I felt as if my very life was being drained from me, and I closed my eyes against the overwhelming sensation. RUMBLE...RUMBLE...RUMBLE... The dungeon rumbled and groaned around me, the pain I felt was intensifying. Gritting my teeth I hope this pain would be over. SHAAAAAAA!!!!! *** WHOOOOOSHH... "...!" The ground beneath me felt strangely soft, beneath my weight. It''s a sensation I don''t quite recognize, a mix of coolness and a subtle give. Suddenly, I felt a gentle breeze and the warmth of sunlight on my face. I carefully opened my eyes and the world came into focus. FWANG! [The following attributes have been removed due to conflicts.] [Elemental Attributes that have been removed: Water, Fire] [Proceeding with the next notification...] FWANG! [You''ve gained a new attribute!] [Ability: Deus le Veult -> Attribute: Anti-Magic] __________ Season 2 - To weak to understand: END __________ Chapter 204: A New Start | Season 3 [South Korea, Seoul - Dobong Mountain] "It''s finally over now, huh?" I thought, leaning back against the soft grass, gazing at the sky after aplishing the impossible. The precautions I took and the near-death experiences in that dungeon had taken a massive mental toll on me. But I was grateful for not taking this chance for granted. I''m just happy. Happy that I''m alive. And happy that I''ve be stronger. FWANG! [Side Story Quest: Solo Raid On The Abyssal Dungeon] [Description: Reach the end of the Abyssal dungeon.] [Complete!] [Rewards: +1 Special Ability Upgrade, +1 Standard Ability Upgrade, 7,500 BP, 1,000 QP, 25 Base Allocated Point Stats.] [The Following Rewards Are Now Being Transfered...] [Transferplete...] haah... I can finally breathe in this nice warm weather. [Please choose the following base stats you''d like upgraded and The Following Ability Upgrades...] [Base Points: 25] Oh, I''ll do that right now. ... ... ... [The Following Stats And Abilities Have Been Upgraded...] ___________________ >Health: 132.5 >>> 135.00 (2.50+) >Strength: 101 >>> 116.00(15.00+) >Stamina: 105.5 >>> 108.00 (2.50+) >Speed: 74 >>> 79 (5.00+) ___________________ [Special Ability: Clockwork Of Time Has Been Upgraded!] [Clockwork Of Time [Grade 3] >>> [Grade 2] - Being in slowed time has a reduction of 10% less stamina and mana] [Standard Ability: Trickster At Arms Has Been Upgraded!] [Trickster At Arms [Grade 5] >>> [Grade 4] - Duration time has increased by a 1 Minute and 25 Seconds.] ___________________ I didn''t waste much time deciding on my upgrades. I needed as much strength as possible to face potential viins, especially Cyran. Even after the events in France, I dreaded being the bearer of bad news about a negative mana stone being stolen for a devil project. It wasn''t a pressing concern yet, but it would be in the future. Now... what was the time? Click! [Current Time: 1:43 PM] "Shit..." I waste for ss. There was no point in showing up now, and Jan would probablyin about itter. The least I could do was go back to the dorms. *** [South Korea, Seoul - Freya''s Estate] "...ah, why..." Inside her room at the Freya Estate, Valencia''s door was closed tight. The events in France behind her, she had taken the day off due to her father''s overprotective nature. DING! Valencia''s watch chimed, and a notification directed her to Instagram, where a photo had been posted featuring Jan, Rel, and Bazz. [@JanTheAtes] [My roommates Rel and @BadAzz!!] The photo showed Jan and Bazz on either side of Rel, their arms around him, holding up peace signs. Rel, however, looked bothered by their closeness, his facial expression more annoyed than happy. pfft... Valencia stared at the screen for a moment, chuckling at his reaction. She zoomed in on his face, realizing it wasn''t as bad as she''d imagined. He still looked gloomy, but it was rather¡ª "Uwah?!" Valencia quickly closed the post, her face flushing red. "What... am I doing?" She pped her cheeks lightly, trying to calm herself down. "It''s just a stupid post." Yet, every time she returned to Jan''s profile, she couldn''t resist looking again. Then finally... She gave in. Click! [1x ?] [Val.Freya Liked The Post] Haah... Valencia sighed andy back on her bed, clutching a nearby pillow to her chest. ¡ª"It suits you." "Stupid..." she muttered, remembering Rel wrapping the red scarf around her neck. Knock...knock..knock... Valencia''s door was knocked three times, and her father, Gerrard, spoke from the other side. "Valencia? Are you awake now, sweetie?" Valencia flipped to the other side of her bed, facing the door. "Yeah, Dad..." she responded, feigning sleepiness. "Are you still heading to the Academy? I can still drop you off." Valencia couldn''t help but smile at her father''s offer. "No, it''s fine." "Can Ie in?" Gerrard asked. Valencia sighed, got up, and opened the door. Her father, having seemingly finished work, stood before her. "The Academy emailed me today. Apparently, you have an awards ceremony tomorrow." Valencia, though seemingly unfazed, smiled thoughtfully. "Will you be going?" "Unfortunately, I can''t... There''s a ssified meeting with the Association President tomorrow. I''m sorry," Gerrard''s face darkened. Valencia shook her head, trying to relieve her father''s guilt. "No! It''s fine... You already came to my tournament, which is more than enough." Gerrard''s expression and mood seemed to lift, and he hugged his daughter. "I promise I''ll try even harder to show up, so that your mother can see it through my eyes as well." Valencia took Gerrard''s embrace without hesitation and shortly after Gerrard left Valencia''s room. *** [Rel''s POV] [Pinnacle Academy, Male Dorms: Room 4-A] Ah... shit... did I oversleep again? Throwing my nket to the floor, I sat up, rubbing my eyes. "It''s already morning, huh?" I shouldn''t have expected much, considering how exhausted I felt when I got home. My mental fatigue had caught up with me after losing all my elemental attributes in exchange for ''Deus Le Veult,'' or ''Anti Magic,'' back in the Abyssal Dungeon. With my elemental attributes gone, I felt lost, thinking about the future events toe. The first years'' main practical exam, then the theory exam... Or was it the other way around? Well, no matter... I''ll make sure things proceed as nned and hopefully avoid getting caught up in the main events. My interference with the first one had already made me a target for Cyran. Still, I was grateful for this: [Special Ability: Pocket Realm [Grade 1] Has Been Activated!] Extending my hand towards the front door, I watched a small blue portal form in my palm. Inside, I saw my weapon, ''Axel,'' emerge from the portal. The grip rose until it reached a halfway point, only the grip, handle, and part of the de visible. Grabbing the weapon, I held it before me and activated Pocket Realm again to store it within my own ''mind.'' Particles of the system''s blue UI consumed the weapon, and... POOF! [The following weapon has been stored: Item: Axel [Grade 1] -] "That''s pretty sick..." An ability that can store any weapon of my choosing and summon it at will? This meant I wouldn''t need to carry extra weapons anymore, which was a bonus. The less weight, the better. Though I couldn''tin, given the amp I received in the dungeon. I had be much stronger, and thankfully, I only had to face individual monsters, not hordes. With everything seemingly settled, it was time to get dressed and head to the academy since it was... Oh... [Time: 6:37 AM] Haah... Looks like I''m an early bird today. _________ Authors Notes: - Valencia had hung the red scarf Rel wrapped around her on the front of her door. Chapter 205: A New Start (2) [Rel''s POV] [Tuesday, 7:32 AM] As I walked onto campus, a cool breeze brushed against my face. I realized that my mana was rendered useless, as I could no longer use traditional magic incantations. Sadly, I would have to rely on the system''s skills for elemental attacks from now on. It didn''t feel the same anymore. It was as if a part of me was missing. Haah... I guess that''s the price I pay for bing the "Anti-Magic Man." I even realized that Deus Le Veult was originally created for the supposed final viin in my novel. But I scrapped that idea, leaving it in my notes, and ultimately went with a near-god who could only match the world''s strongest person. Not the most exciting choice, in hindsight. Honestly, if I could rewrite those chapters, I''d probably stick with the anti-magic viin instead of a world-devouring monster. But there''s no use dwelling on the past. I have this power now, and that''s what matters. I wasn''t really into modern magic anyway. With this new ability, I''m essentially immune to magic attacks. A walking, talking "nope" to mage spellcasters. Aura users, though? They''re a different story. *** [Pinnacle Academy, Central Hallway] Stepping through the central entrance of the academy, I was greeted by a chaotic scene. Reporters and media writers swarmed the hallways, all mouring to get a piece of the action. I guess it''s not every day that high school students take down a threat meant for high-intermediate heroes. ¡ª "This new story''s going to be a hit!" ¡ª "If we can get a few questions from Gerrard''s daughter, the headlines would go crazy for us." ¡ª "You think the number one prospect Jan would speak with us?" I weaved through the wave of reporters, knowing this was Jan''s moment. The world should have already recognized him after the invitational tournament, but Valencia''s victory had overshadowed his achievements. This award ceremony would finally give him the spotlight he deserved. As the one who took down that octopus-like demi-human, Jan was about to capture the attention of every top guild in the world. The story was finally back on track. Still, I couldn''t help but feel regret. During the incident, I tried to stay out of the way, but eliminating Jasper ¨C a character who didn''t exist in the original France Incident arc ¨C was a step too far. Inevitably, Cyran had marked me as a target, and now I had to tread carefully. "Excuse me?" Lost in thought, I barely registered the voice. My mind raced, nning my next move. Should I use the Mercenaries Corporation to track Cyran''s whereabouts? Although I wasn''t sure if Jaxon Cain would allow it, he''d probably try to kill me if I revealed my knowledge of these organizations. "Um, excuse me?" Another voice, closer this time. Someone tapped my shoulder, and I turned to see a woman in her 40s. Brown hair, brown eyes... Wait a minute. "Are you Rel Laurence?" Her voice snapped me out of my thoughts. From her attire, I knew exactly who she was: ck zer, ck dress, and the signature badge of someone important. Amara Navarro. The Vice President of the International Heroes Association. Well, this wasn''t how I expected my day to start. Looking her straight in the face, I did my best to maintain a stoic, student-like expression. No need to raise any more suspicion than I already had. But how did she know my name? Something wasn''t adding up. "Uh, yeah," I responded, keeping my voice level and my face stern. She squinted at me, then let out a sigh of relief. "Wow, that''s a relief! That saves time. Can you pleasee to the back of the presentation hall with me? Your other friends are waiting for you. You''rete for practice." "The what?" My jaw dropped. Wait a minute. I sent an email to Kolek about my involvement in the incident, which should''ve made me ineligible for any awards. This didn''t make any sense. "The practice for the ceremony, of course! You were one of the four students who contributed greatly to helping the public!" Amara said with a bright smile. My expression darkened. Just who could''ve justified giving me recognition? Don''t tell me... From the end of the hallway, a head peeked out. It was that annoying pretty boy face I could recognize anywhere. If steam coulde out of my ears, I''d be glowing red right now. That...damn fucker, Jan. Tehe! Don''t ''tehe'' me?! I watched Jan''s head slide out of view. Suddenly, a hand touched my shoulder. "Get moving, kid. We don''t have all day." I turned to see a massive bodyguard, dressed in an all-ck suit, staring at me with a serious expression. "Okay..." I muttered, not really having a choice in the matter. *** [Pinnacle Academy, The Presentation Hall - Backstage] "Hehe... It seems he didn''t forget after all!" Jan chirped, pushing through the backstage doors of the presentation hall, his face alight with a bright smile. Cam and Valencia were already seated against the back wall, hidden from the prying eyes of reporters and the re of cameras being set up on the other side of the curtain. "Achoo!" Cam sneezed abruptly, and a soft cloth gently touched her cheek. "Bless you," Valencia smiled, handing her a handkerchief. "Thanks, Val!" Cam replied, gratefully epting the handkerchief and giving it a good sniffle. Meanwhile, Jan hummed a little tune as he settled back into his seat beside her. The three of them had been up since before dawn, preparing to receive their awards for their contributions during the Demi-Human Appearance in France. Cam, who had caught a cold during the trip, hadn''t been present during Kolek''s meeting with Jan and Rel. Valencia, on the other hand, had been forced to stay home due to her father''s overprotective concerns for her safety. "Jan," Cam began, turning to him as he settled in beside her, "I heard Kolek spoke to you about Rel''s contribution." "What did you say to him?" Valencia asked, trying to sound casual despite her curiosity. huhu! Jan smirked, turning to face the two girls. "Well, I said he had the finishing blow, of course!" Chapter 206: A New Start (3) [Pinnacle Academy, The Presentation Hall - Backstage] "You said he had the finishing blow?!" Cam''s eyes widened, her body swaying precariously on her chair. While creating a barrier to protect the civilians, her view was limited, but she was certain she saw Jan deliver the final blow, not Rel. However, Cam wasn''t entirely sure if she could trust Jan''s version of events. Though surprised, Cam nced at Valencia, noticing herck of reaction to Jan''s im. This spoke volumes about Valencia''s trust in Jan''s vouching for Rel. Jan, his arms crossed with a smug grin, replied, "Well, of course! The monster was already dead after the arrows struck." Valencia''s brow furrowed in disbelief. "You can''t be serious," she challenged, her gaze fixed on Jan, demanding an answer. "Dead serious," Jan insisted, pointing a finger at Valencia. "I thought you saw it too. Those arrows that saved you?" "...!" A single word triggered a flood of memories for Valencia, freezing her in ce. "...Again?" she muttered. Images of Rel, always there to rescue her, shed through her mind. Every time she''d been in trouble, he was there. "¡ªThat scarf suits you." She even wondered if he had been the one to save her that night. But in the end, she didn''t know what to feel. "No... I didn''t see," Valencia murmured, her eyes falling to herp. "¡ªDon''t worry, I''ll... forget everything that happened." Her grip tightened on her thighs as more memories surfaced¡ªall the little things he''d done for her. Then, a specific memory came to mind: a time before she knew the Rel she knew now. He stood before her in a hallway, offering his hand. "¡ªCan''t we be friends?" The image blurred, but the past couldn''t be changed. "Hello everyone, looks like I found our missing culprit!" Amara''s voice cut through Valencia''s memory, snapping her back to reality. Jan and Cam turned towards the door as Amara walked through, followed by a massive bodyguard. Tap... "...?" Cam and Jan exchanged confused nces before looking back at the Vice President. Tap... "Where''s Rel?" Jan asked Amara, raising a hand in a respectful gesture. Amara nced at her watch with a smile. "Don''t worry, he''ll be here any second." Tap!... As a small shadow appeared at the door, Jan''s eyes lit up. What followed was a tired-looking person with ck hair and blue eyes. His expression and appearance remained unchanged from thest time the three had seen him. "Sorry for making you guys wait," Rel spoke, bowing apologetically before them. As he looked up, Jan gave him a smug smirk. Rel''s face twisted in disgust, realizing Jan had set him up for this entire ordeal. "Heh..." Jan crossed his arms, nudging his head toward Valencia. Rel followed his gaze to see thest avable seat was, of course, right next to her. He gritted his teeth, but ultimately took the seat. "Haah... this guy..." *** [Rel''s POV] [8:50 AM] I''d hate to ask how I got here, but at this point, I didn''t even know. The ceremony for our contributions to the France Incident should have been Jan''s time to shine. But somehow, that idiot managed to mess up the plot even further. It was really starting to piss me off. The presentation was set up as usual, with four seats (meant for three) aligned with the main podium where Vice President Amara would speak. The four of us would be facing the audience, and I would have the dubious honor of receiving an award I didn''t deserve. We were given a quick rundown of the expected etiquette ¨C simple courtesies like receiving the award and shaking hands. Luckily for Jan, he had somemon sense in these matters, even though he hadn''t received many awards in his past life, except for the recent one from the scouting invitational tournament. As I waited, I couldn''t help but feel slightly bothered by how ufortable Valencia seemed sitting next to me. Seriously... is my presence so bothersome that you have to fidget every three seconds? And it felt like every time she nced at me, she would quickly look away when I turned around. I wished I knew why she was acting this way towards me. Although, I suppose I had an idea. She hated me, but I didn''t think I was that much of an eyesore. Was I? Honestly, I med Jan for this entire "setup." If it were me back then, I would have killed him out of pure hatred for his actions. DING! My watch vibrated, and I looked down to see the notification. [You''ve received a message from: Jan.Ates] Seriously... this guy can''t just say whatever he has on his mind to my face? Click! [Jan.Ates <8:53 AM> How''s the view, you like it? (? ????)] My eyebrows furrowed with each word I read. Either Kolek told him what I had said, or it was about Valencia sitting beside me. Either way, I was well aware of both. Click! [You <8:54 AM> The view of you being an eyesore? Not much.] [Jan.Ates Liked Your Message.] [Jan.Ates <8:54 AM> It''s like what the gamers on the inte say! "Don''t hate the yer, hate the game."] "Yuck..." My face contorted as the message popped up on my screen. Pffft... I heardughter and turned to see it came from Cam. Her head was hovered over Jan''s shoulder, the two chatting closely like a couple teasing a child. That damned bastard Jan. Curse him... I''ll never forgive him. And to make matters worse, I was told the ceremony wouldn''t begin until 9:30 AM. This only fueled my frustration, making me wish I had an ability to fast-forward time or skip unskippable cutscenes. Then again... that actually seemed like a good idea. Maybe I''ll invest some BP into creating an ability like that. You never know when those oddly specific abilities mighte in handy. ________________ Authors Notes - Each year group has an average of 700 students with 3rd years having the lowest amount of students. Chapter 207: The Induction [Pinnacle Academy, The Presentation Hall - Main Stage] After what felt like an eternity of being pestered by Jan and Cam, the hour of the ceremony finally arrived. The third years were perched in the nosebleed section, a dizzying height even for seasoned concert-goers. Below them, the second years upied the middle tier, where I could see a few extras shooting us res. I guess not everyone was thrilled to see someone like me sharing a stage with three future heroes. The first years were packed into the lower section, right below the stage itself. I spotted my ssmates from 1-A. Bazz and Lyra sat together, just like they were supposed to in the original story. While trying to spot any more notable students, I identally made eye contact with Louise, and a shiver ran down my spine. The guy was giving me a look that could curdle milk. Unfortunately for me, I''d gotten caught up in something I shouldn''t have. The presentation hall wasn''t just filled with students. There were plenty of other notable figures in attendance. A few assistants from Yuka''s guild were here to see Jan receive an award and then immediately pass it on to their guild leader. I even spotted Fredrick Bronze, dressed casually, probably here to record Valencia''s award in Gerrard''s absence. Personally, I''d rather be anywhere else but here. I had no desire for recognition or praise; I''d much rather be sleeping through ss. But here I was, stuck in the spotlight next to Jan, Cam, and Valencia. After what felt like forever, the sound of cking boots echoed through the hall. Amara, the Vice President of the International Heroes Association, stepped onto the podium, ready to address the crowd of students, media, and guild members. "...It''s finally time," Amara muttered under her breath. She signaled towards the assistants to begin the ceremony and induction. The five assistants moved seamlessly, following the one-shot practice we had backstage just half an hour ago. Four of them carried a medal each, one for each of us. But there was a catch to these medals. In my novel, Jan, as the main character, was always at the center of trouble. To show readers that he''d done a good job, there''d be a recurring theme of ceremonies and awards. But for asions like these, where one receives a medal, there''d be significant benefits. Obviously, the exact rewards were kept under wraps, but depending on the medal, something great awaited, regardless of the tier. Usually, in a raid or a battle acknowledged by your country or the world, there''d be a process to determine whether the event was worthy of a proper Ceremonial Induction. For the France incident to have been worthy of notice, it would have to have been the first incident of its kind or one that had the potential to endanger more than just a city. Lucky for Jan, the demonic human outbreak was the first of its kind, known only to top-secret agencies. So for each medal given, there''d be a hidden contribution score to show how much a person had done for the incident. And in most cases, if the contribution was near equal, each participant would be eligible for the same medal. It just all depends on the scenario of the situation. The more dangerous the scenario is, the higher chance you''d get at receiving a higher-rated medal. Now for the medals themselves, there are four colors/tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and tinum. I''m sure you can guess which one is the most valuable, right? Hopefully, in the future, I''d score a tinum medal. Not only would I receive discounts on anything I wanted across the world, but I''d also get a lifetime pass to Golden Horizon''s Auctions. And that''s not all. Earning a tinum Medal would grant me a property worth a million dors and 100 grand in cash. Just thinking about those rewards made me envy Jan a little. *** "Good morning, everyone. As you know, I am Amara Navarro, the Vice President of the International Heroes Association, and your host for today''s ceremony." Amara greeted the crowd with a bright smile, her gaze sweeping across the eager faces before her. Everyone fell silent, their attention focused solely on her. "Today, it is with great honour and recognition that we acknowledge these four students for their bravery and unwavering efforts during a time of chaos and panic. Each individual on this stage gave one hundred percent to protect countless civilians from an attack that was deemed a higher-level threat, far above their own capabilities. Regardless of the danger, they fought for what they believed in, and the oue resulted in their victory..." A ripple of murmurs and whispers broke out amongst the crowd. "¡ªA monster that''s a level above us as third years? Ridiculous." "¡ªIf I was in their situation, I''d easily stomp that monster with my own hands." "¡ªThis might just be another cover-up to avoid the topic of those mysterious towers." Amara looked out over the audience, unfazed by the sceptics. There was no footage of the fight, so all they could do was take the Vice President''s words at face value. "I will now introduce and induct these very students as role models of what an aspiring hero truly is. Each one of them will receive a new type of medal, engraved with their name, called ''The Medal of Aspiration.''" Amara gestured to the assistants, who promptly stepped onto the stage and lined up in a specific order. The Head Assistant, tasked with presenting the medals to Amara, stood at the front, with the other four assistants lined up behind him. Amara then stepped off the podium and approached the Head Assistant, positioning herself across from the line of five. She bowed respectfully in a gesture of thanks. Tapping the side of her ear, Amara caused the microphone to emit a brief feedback squeal, ensuring it was functioning properly. "Let me introduce to you the four students deserving of these medals!" she dered, beaming at the audience. She bowed once more before turning back to the assistants. The moment of truth had arrived. It was time to reveal who had contributed the most during the incident. _____________ Authors Notes: - The seating arrangement was in this order: Jan, Cam, Valencia, Rel Chapter 208: The Induction (2) | Change "For her amazing contributions in safeguarding over 250 civilians within the museum, she is well known as the sorceress amongst her first-year peers. Receiving the Silver Medal of Aspiration for her overwhelming courage and bravery, the first medal goes to Cam Garcia of ss 1-A." Apuse echoed through the presentation hall as Cam rose from her seat and walked towards Amara, stopping just short and bowing. She received the Silver Medal of Aspiration, a well-deserved recognition for putting her life on the line for so many. I''ll give her that one. "Now, for the MVP of the scouting invitational tournament. Not only did she fight the monster head-on countless times, but she also contributed greatly to finishing it off. Receiving the Gold Medal of Aspiration, the second medal goes to Valencia Freya of ss 1-A." The apuse intensified, with many of our seniors cheering Valencia on. "¡ªThat''s our school''s pride and joy!" "¡ªThe Ice Queen herself, both beautiful and divine." "¡ªI''d relish my chances with her if only I was a few years younger!" The males in the audience seemed to chant in unison about Valencia''s endless beauty and icy nature, qualities they found undeniably attractive. From my perspective, though, I could only see her as a character in my story. I could only hope to salvage what was left of our rtionship as acquaintances. But I was surprised I hadn''t been called up yet. I expected at least the bronze medal, but surely not gold. Maybe the order was different this time. "For the third recipient, undoubtedly known for his excellence in swordsmanship, he achieved a perfect rating across all matches of the scouting invitational. Not only did he reach perfection in terms of statistics, but he was also awarded for the best overall performance. Receiving the Gold Medal of Aspiration, please give your apuse to Jan Ates." Wait... what? Jan didn''t receive the tinum Medal? That''s not right... that can''t be right at all. This has to simply be a mistake. Then what did I do all that for? Without thinking, my nails started to dig into my palm as anxiety gnawed at me. Everything had to be a joke. This important event was meant to highlight Jan''s massive achievement, but¡ª "And finally, for ourst recipient, he''s often called an irregr amongst his peers. But through oddity and hard work, he not only delivered a staggering individual performance during the tournament but was also awarded for having the best performance out of everyone in the entire tournament individually. He was also the sole person to deliver the final blow against the high-level threat monster. Receiving the first-ever tinum Medal of Aspiration, everyone give a round of apuse to Rel Laurence." For a moment, I was frozen. Time seemed to slow down, each second stretching into an eternity. My mind wasn''t in the right ce. I tried to pinpoint where everything had gone wrong. In the first ce, I wasn''t supposed to exist in this world. But here I was, alive and breathing, standing on a stage I had no right to be on. It was an impossible situation, a paradox I couldn''t fathom. The headlines, the fame, the power ¨C all of it was meant for Jan. He was the protagonist, the chosen one, the hero of this story. And I, the author, had ruined it all. So, what did this mean for me? Did my arrival throw the story off course? Or was it already veering off track before I even got here? I didn''t have the answers. But as for my existence being the true hindrance amongst all things... there had to be a better solution to fix this mess. I couldn''t just let my story unravel before my eyes anymore. What I need now... no, what this story needs now... Is change. *** [Pinnacle Academy, The Presentation Room - Backstage] After the ceremony... Backstage, Rel, Jan, Cam, and Valencia sat together near the exit, helping to pack up the remaining items despite their sses having been dismissed. Rel, however, seemed to have lost a spark in his eyes. Almost as if he was dead. His shoulders slumped slightly, and everything about him felt...strange. It was like his eyes were hollow. Though his body performed the tasks at a high pace, it was as if he were moving without thought. With ease, he stacked thirty chairs without sweating, falling, or even shaking. His posture remained perfectly straight, theck of struggle surprising the others. Cam and Valencia exchanged nces, bewildered by the once frail-looking boy''s sudden strength and agility. They wondered if the chairs were even real. Jan, too, was shocked each time he witnessed this new side of Rel. It brought him back to his own early days at Pinnacle Academy, when his thoughts and memories of his previous life were still sorting themselves out. Though he had experienced the hardships of a past life, Jan had never known the love of a family. That life was too precious to give up on, and it became his driving force, a conviction to protect what he now held dear. To achieve that goal, he had entered a hero academy to relearn the physics of this world. To his surprise, he found ovepping simrities between his world and this one. Qi and aura were the same, and life force was nearly identical to mana. The principles remained the same, even in a different reality. Jan''s determination to be stronger than he had been in his past life led him to Pinnacle Academy. He would seed by any means necessary, even if it meant sacrificing himself. But that was back then... Back then, when all he knew were the people at the Heroes Prep academy. He had been so focused on getting stronger that he''d forgotten who he once was. He, too, had once carried the burden of a million lives. He, too, had felt that being born meant taking the supposed life of someone else who was meant to be here. He, too, felt alone in this world. But he wasn''t the only one. When he first attended Pinnacle Academy, his mind was always on training, neglecting his studies. He barely scraped through the entrance exams thanks to Valencia, Lyra, and Cam. He knew his only focus was to be stronger and to follow his aunt''s wish for him to experience the school life she never had. Jan couldn''t understand it then, but he could now. Because he, too, had never experienced school. He had never experienced the things he had missed out on in his past life. Yet, in this life, despite feeling aimless and driven only by the pursuit of power, he saw himself in someone else for the first time. A fragile boy. A boy in the academy who seemed like an oddity, a stranger in a familiar world. This boy never stopped working hard. He spent countless hours training with lighter dumbbells, trying to max out every workout to the point of vomiting. Jan saw his past self in this boy. A boy who could barely bench 45kg, below the average student''s strength standard. But this boy couldn''t give up. Now, monthster, Jan saw Rel rapidly developing at a pace faster than anyone he had ever met in his lifetime. ___________ Authors Notes: - Yes the chairs Rel was carrying were indeed heavy. - Jan on many asions had seen Rel workout. Chapter 209: Change (2) [Pinnacle Academy, Staff Room - Higher Department Of Teaching] The Higher Department of Teaching. Also known as the Department of Magical Assessment, it was a small but crucial part of the academy. This team, consisting of all the homeroom teachers across every year group, was responsible for designing and administering all exams, from basic spellcasting tests for first-years to the gruelling theoretical examinations for those seeking higher magical qualifications. Their work was varied and demanding. For the younger students, they created engaging and challenging practical assessments, including trials on generated inds and multi-day survival exercises designed to test magical aptitude and resilience in the wilderness. These rigorous tests ensured that only the most promising students progressed to the higher levels of magical education. Before the doors of Kolek''s office, a man dressed in all brown meticulously adjusted his appearance. This man was Damon Bet, connected to the infamous duo wanted across the world: Morwen Cross and dimir Bane. Bet stood there carefully, his slender fingers reaching into the depths of his pocket to pull out a small oval mirror with a silver frame that gleamed in the afternoon light. "My trusty old pocket mirror, I could never forget you," he murmured with a smile, contorting his face into strange poses as he gazed at his reflection. His unusual perfectionism,bined with his ordinary yetplex facade, was difficult to maintain on a daily basis. He found himself needing to check his reflection every five minutes. This behavior not only dictated his actions but also led to frequent breakdowns in extreme situations. "Huuu...haah... Okay, I''m ready." He performed a final check with the pocket mirror, hovering it above him, and meticulously adjusted any stray strands of hair. "...I just hope this will improve the boss''s n," he muttered under his breath. Finally, he tucked the pocket mirror into his back pocket, curled his hand into a fist, and knocked. Knock... knock... knock... "Come in," Kolek''s voice called through the door, and Be entered with a polite smile. The room presented a deceptive image of order. A pristine desk, a seated Kolek stroking his chin thoughtfully over a paper¡ªthe very picture of a hardworking teacher. But upon closer inspection, Be found stacks of papers strewn across the floor, seminar notes scattered across the whiteboard in a chaotic jumble, and empty ramen cups piled high in the trash bin beside the desk. "...how... di-di..." Bet''s face twitched. This was a dangerous situation for him. Not only was his perfectionist personality threatening to unravel, but anger was bubbling up within him with each passing moment. "Did you say something?" Kolek''s voice cut through the room. Be quickly straightened his shoulders and stered a smile back on his face. "How delightful to meet you, Head Teacher Kolek." He bowed politely before taking a seat in front of the desk. "I guess that''s what everyone calls me now," Kolek sighed, his face a mask of exhaustion before regaining its usual sternness. [Gibson Kolek, Homeroom Teacher Of ss 1-A And The Head Coordinator Of The Higher Department Of Teaching.] "I guess that''s what everyone calls me now," Kolek sighed, his exhaustion evident. "You came here without notice, so I assume it''s something urgent." He didn''t waste any time with pleasantries. "I wouldn''t wanna be a hinderence¡ª" "Just tell me what it is," Kolek cut him off, his tone impatient. "Okay... So, I''d like to be an assistant in the uing Practical Exams for the first years." Kolek, who had been looking down at the papers on his desk, suddenly looked up with a serious expression. "Now, why would you want to do that?" His stern gaze intensified the atmosphere in the room, putting Be on edge. "Well, it''s simply because I really enjoyed teaching your first-year sses, and I''d love it if you''d allow me to assist you since you''re directing the first years'' annual practicalbined exam." Kolek stroked his chin thoughtfully at Bet''s answer, then leaned back in his chair, resting his elbows on the desk and sping his hands over his mouth. "Your proposal is hard to turn down, as these exams can be a handful for four teachers. But if you want to spend your three days on a generated ind, be my guest." Be''s face erupted in a wide grin, a reaction that puzzled Kolek. In his excitement, Bet rose abruptly from his seat and, without permission, reached out to shake Kolek''s hand. "...?" Kolek, caught off guard, found himself reciprocating the gesture. "Thank you, Head Teacher Kolek!" Bet eximed. "No problem?" Kolek replied, his expression still a bit dazed. "I''ll email you the details the morning before the practical exam day, so be sure to check your emails." Bet turned and briskly exited Kolek''s office, a spring in his step as he left the central building of Pinnacle Academy. Outside on a off students section Bet connected an ear piece to his right ear. Then with his watch flicked towards the dialing session and wrang up the number unknown. *** [Eldoria, The Syndicate''s Head Quarters] RING!!!!...RING!!!!...RING!!!... RING!!!!...RING!!!!...RING!!!... In the head office of Syndicate, Morwen was ying chess against a high-rated bot when his telephone suddenly red. "Sir Morwen... I have news for you," a familiar voice spoke. Morwen recognized the number or rather theck thereof. It was an unregistered number, but the contact details matched those of his building. It had to be Bet. "Well," Morwen chuckled, the sound echoing through the office, "it seems this meant that our little investment has paid off. Did you manage to secure our vessel Valencia?" There was a momentary pause on the other end of the line before Bet''s voice, slightly shaky with restrained excitement, filled the space once more. "Sir, I''ve managed to secure a position as an assistant in the uing first-year practical exams." Morwen''s brow furrowed. "That''s not quite what I had in mind, Bet. While it is a step in the right direction, our primary focus is on Valencia." "But sir," Bet interjected, "this is even better. All the first-year candidates will be in one ce, including Valencia. If for some reason we cannot acquire her as nned during this exam, it will give me the perfect opportunity to assess and identify any other exceptional talents that could serve as suitable alternatives." Morwen paused, considering Bet''s words. He had to admit, it was a valid point. "Very well, Bet. You have my permission to proceed. But remember, our priority is to acquire Valencia. She remains our primary target, but keep an eye out for any other exceptional individuals with potent magical abilities. We must not fail this time." "Understood, sir," Bet replied eagerly. "I won''t let you down." "I know you won''t," Morwen assured him. "Keep me updated on any promising candidates, especially those with exceptional magical abilities." "Of course, sir." Morwen ended the call, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. Things were finally falling into ce. With Bet in position, they were one step closer to achieving their ultimate goal. He returned his attention to the chessboard, his mind already calcting the next move. The game was far from over, but he was confident that victory was within his grasp. ___________ No authors notes today. Chapter 210: Change (3) [Pinnacle Academy, Central Building - ss 1-A Lecture Room] "Okay, ss dismissed. Everyone ensure you''ve chosen your focus topic for the uing exams." A chorus of "okay"s replied to Ms. Silvene as she tapped her wand against the whiteboard, revealing various magic theory topics. Each topic seemed to have the same weighting and study time, depending on one''s familiarity with a certain aspect of magic. The main exams for theory focused solely on what we had learned throughout the semester. I suspected these exams would be the perfect opportunity for Bet to iste, trap, and abduct students. He would be skilled enough to offer help across various topics and conduct countless one-on-one sessions, even ensnaring main characters. This heightened my vignce, as it meant I''d need to be more active outside my dorm and keep a watchful eye on my ssmates. Specifically, Lyra. In the original plot, she would be the focus of this uing arc. In the next few days, Bet would take a keen interest in her, particrly because her chosen topic revolved around the imperfection of magic. This notion contradicted Bet''s beliefs, inadvertently revealing a different side of him to Lyra, one she found strangely odd. This fascination would ultimately make her a prime target. Her curiosity would lead her to discover Bet''s connections to the organizations controlled by Morwen and dimir. When Bet caught her investigating, he would confront her. That''s when Lyra would use her tricks to follow Bet, taking advantage of her superior nning. He would lead her to a hidden location within Pinnacle, but thanks to Lyra, Jan would be the one to stop him. However, given the current plot''s instability, I couldn''t be sure if things would go ording to my attempts at correction. Even if things didn''t align with the original story, I couldn''t devise a foolproof n to stop Bet. He was too unpredictable, as two sides of one personality couldn''t dictate the actions of both. This meant I had to let things y out, at least for now. I was tired of these constant deviations from the original story. If I just stayed away from the main characters, perhaps everything would fall back into ce. Maybe then, the story could finally continue as I had written it. p! As I headed out of the ssroom, a familiar handnded on my back. "Hey, you doing anything after this?" My eyes narrowed as I turned to face Jan, who was beaming at me with his usual infuriating enthusiasm. "I was nning on going home and sleeping," I said tly. But Jan, as always, didn''t take no for an answer. "Come on, Rel, you haven''t looked the same since the ceremony. With the examsing up, the gang wants to have a little de-stresser before theory hits us like a ton of bricks." He shrugged,pletely oblivious to my internal grumbling about not needing to study. I sighed, knowing this was going to be a hassle, and tried to walk past him. But Jan seemed to have anticipated my every move. BUMP! I mmed into an invisible wall, and before I could even process what was happening, Bazz appeared out of thin air. "Jan! Is four-eyesing?!" his voice boomed, looking expectantly at Jan. "Yeah, and don''t call him that, Bazz," Jan scolded, his brow furrowed. "Quickly grab him, Bazz!" "Wait, why does he want to take me¡ª" I was cut off as Bazz scooped me up by my zer, lifting me like a cat carrying its kitten. "Wouldn''t want to miss out on karaoke!" As I felt myself being carried down the hallway, I could see the eyes of all the students from sses justing out. How embarrassing. "Wow! Did you gain weight, Rel? You seem a few pounds heavier," Bazz chuckled, even having the audacity to bounce me up and down a bit. "Haah..." I could only sigh in resignation as I was carried away. *** [Seoul, Hongdae - Noerabang (Outside) - ] The car ride to the karaoke bar was a racket of noise and forced cheer. Jan and Bazz hummed excitedly as they walked towards the parking lot where their ride awaited. "Ah, you must be Jan," a man in a ck suit greeted them. "I assume Valencia asked me to pick you guys up?" "Yep, nice to meet you!" Jan nodded and bowed respectfully. "Well, if that''s everyone, get in. I heard she made a reservation." Jan, followed by Bazz carrying Rel, threw Rel into the sleek ck sedan. The two were practically vibrating with excitement, their chatter filling the car. Rel, however, sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed, a subtle frown on his face. "Why... did I have toe?" he muttered, ncing at the neon lights of Seoul''s nightlife. "Of all ces... Karaoke? Of all the ways to celebrate, this is what they choose?" Jan, oblivious to Rel''s difort, threw an arm around Bazz and hummed a few bars of a popr pop song. "Come on, Rel, loosen up! It''s a celebration! We all deserve a little fun after the award ceremony, don''t you think?" Rel raised an eyebrow. "Fun... this is fun? I''d much rather be catching up on some sleep. Or maybe even doing a little light reading." He gestured vaguely towards Pinnacle, but the vehicle wouldn''t stop until it reached its destination. Bazz chuckled from the backseat. "Aw, c''mon, four-eyes! Don''t be such a bookworm. We''re gonna have a st!" Rel sighed only to roll his eyes afterwards. He was outnumbered, and his protests were falling on deaf ears. Maybe he could fake a sudden illness once they arrived? As the car pulled up to the Noraebang, a brightly lit establishment in the bustling Hongdae district, Rel''s heart sank further. The shing lights and pulsating music did nothing to ease his mood. The car slowed to a stop in front of the Noraebang, its neon sign casting an eerie glow on the bustling street. Rel reluctantly unbuckled his seatbelt, a sense of dread settling in his stomach. He stepped out of the car, his eyes scanning the surroundings with curiosity and apprehension. The rhythmic thump of bass resonated from within,pared to the quiet solitude he craved. Jan bounced out of the car and looked at the building before him. "This ce looks awesome!" he eximed, his eyes wide with anticipation. "Let''s go have some fun!" Bazz followed suit, his boomingughter echoing through the night air. "Yeah, let''s rock this ce!" Rel trailed behind them, feeling like amb being led to the ughter. He couldn''t fathom how singing off-key in a cramped room could possibly be considered enjoyable. But he knew better than to try and argue with his overzealous characters. Chapter 211: Meeting [Seoul, Hongdae - Noerabang] The interior of the Noraebang was a stark contrast to the urbanndscape outside. Nicely lit hallways led to private rooms, each decorated with garish wallpaper and shing disco lights. Rel followed Jan and Bazz down one of the hallways, his eyes adjusting to the subdued lighting. He found it quite annoying that even indoors, the brightness of the lights didn''t dim, but instead grew even brighter. As they rounded a corner, they entered a small lounge area where Valencia, Lyra, Cam, Jae, and Alice were already gathered. The lounge was furnished with plush couches and a low coffee table adorned with bowls of snacks and an assortment of drinks. "I wouldn''t have pegged you as the type to go to a karaoke session," Jae remarked with a smug grin, nudging Rel and nodding towards Alice, who sat in the corner, looking out of ce. "Because I''m not," Rel sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Why are you here?" "Well, isn''t it obvious?" "..." "No?" Rel considered the possible reasons for Jae''s presence but couldn''t figure it out. He furrowed his brow in confusion. "Argh... free food, free drinks, and a good social outing for a detox." She waved her hands around the room as if presenting a grand prize. "Definitely doesn''t sound like something you''d say." "What makes you think that?" Jae tilted her head, and Rel shook his head at her reply. "Don''t worry, maybe it was my imagination." "Okay then~, I''m looking forward to your tinum medal performance in the uing hour." Rolling his eyes, Rel walked past Jae and sat down at the end of the couch, isting himself from everyone else. "Yeah, right," he muttered. A few minutester, Valencia, who had been speaking with the employee at the front counter, joined the group. Her expression was brighter than usual after receiving a video call from her father, who congratted her on receiving the Medal of Aspiration. "Alright, I just finished speaking with the staff, and I''ve managed to book a roomrge enough for..." Valencia, taking a look around, noticed that everyone she had invited was present. But her instincts told her something was off, so just to be sure, she did a quick headcount to make sure there weren''t any errors. "2...4...6...7?" Valencia counted seven people in the lounge and her brow furrowed, thinking she had probably overcounted. "How did we get seven?" She muttered to herself. But as she went to check again, the number of people remained the same. Seven. She quickly took another look at everyone who was sitting and chatting. Cam, Lyra, Jan, and Bazz were grouped up in a small circle. Alice and Jae sat together, seemingly ready to go to the room and... As she turned to the person sitting at the end of the row, there was no question about the confirmed seventh guest. She rubbed her eyes, thinking she was dreaming, but her vision was crystal clear. What she was seeing was reality. "uuu...wah?!" She not only blushed at the sight of him but her face turned red like a freshly picked tomato. It was Rel, a person she hadn''t expected toe. Jan had only told her as a joke that he would get Rel toe since it wouldn''t feel right that everyone could go but him. Although in Valencia''s head, she didn''t think a smart guy like him was the type to go to karaoke anyway¡ªor maybe he might secretly be into it. His head was leaning against the couch, his hands spread across both sides of his neck, looking at the ceiling almost in boredom. Then with impable timing, he raised his head from the couch and Rel''s hair ended up getting caught between his sses and his eyes. Quickly taking his sses off he brushed a hand down the middle of his hair seemingly fixing his messy hair without any problems. Rel''s tired eyes met Valencia''s and for a moment Valencia found herself staring at him, but that focus would only be broken by the tap of her shoulder. "Valencia..." Lyra''s voice whispered into her ear. "Eek!" Valencia flinched at the sudden contact of Lyra''s hands on her hips and quickly turned around to face her. "Y-yes?" "When''s the karaoke gonna start?" Lyra dug her head deep into Valencia''s chest and she bounced in and out trying to maintain her bnce. Valencia feeling slightly ticklish from her antics quickly pulled her head out from her chest. "Um... now..." Valencia quickly regaining herposure, got everyone to gather, and she led everyone to the room they were meant to head to. * [Rel''s POV] [You''ve created a new skill!] [...] [Luck Has Been Struck!] [The following skill: Voice Of Enchantment Grading Has Changed.] [Grade 4 -> Grade 3] [Skill: Voice Of Enchantment [Grade 3] - This skill grants the user the ability to sing with captivating rity and resonance. Their vocal cords are fine-tuned, allowing for effortless control over a wide range of tones and pitches. Breath control is enhanced, enabling sustained notes and the delivery ofplex melodies. The user''s voice exudes an enchanting quality, captivating listeners with each word or note. While everyone waited for Valencia to finish her booking I knew I wasn''t going to be facing embarrassment like this. So I created a skill that cost a cheap 1,500 BP since there was no harm in being better at singing the pricing wouldn''t be affected since it doesn''t harm the main story or any of the character''s plot developments. As Valencia called everyone to follow her the gaudy interior of the Noraebang assaulted my senses as we entered the designated room. The walls were stered with posters of pop stars I didn''t recognize. Arge table sat in the center,den with tters of food and pitchers of brightly coloured drinks. Jan and Bazz immediately made a beeline for the karaoke machine, their fingers already flying across the song selection screen. Taking a seat on the farthest couch from them I could only hope that I don''t get picked to sing. But knowing Jan I knew there was no taking chances with a guy like him and this was definitely not my idea of a good time. Scanning the room, I saw Lyra sipping a neon-pink concoction. Cam, despite her small circle of friends, was engaged in a lively conversation with Jae Yoona, an unexpected sight. Alice, as usual, was quietly observing from her corner, her expression a mix of curiosity and bewilderment. If I had to bet on the best singer, I''d choose either Bazz or Alice. Bazz had the charisma of a performer, thest person you''d expect to be a good singer. Alice, with a bit more confidence, could have pursued a music career, since she had the traits of an angelic and beautiful voice. Since Valencia wasn''t part of the first-year story arc, I was curious about her singing ability, considering she suggested this outing. Turning towards her, I saw she was perched on the edge of a chair. The moment our eyes met, her cheeks flushed pink. She avoided my gaze, fiddling with a strand of hair. Goddammit... I think I might have ruined her mood. I should really keep my eyes to myself from now on. _________ Authors Notes: Best To Worst Singers (Excluding Valencia) 1. Alice Elizabeth 2. Bazz Wong 3. Jae Yoona 4. Cam Garica 5. Jan Ates Chapter 212: Meeting (2) [Rel''s POV] "I''ll sing first," Jae dered, flicking her hair back to showcase her confidence and alluring beauty. Being in a room with the main cast made me wonder how Ipared. Cam, passing the remote to Jae, gave her apetitive look that said, "I can definitely sing better than you." "All the best," Cam smirked, and Jae took the remote with satisfaction. "Will do." With the first song underway, Jae sang ''WINE'' by Suran. "I still can''t forget~, I''m sweetly spinning around~, I didn''t know it was a dream~" She held the microphone close to her mouth with one hand, the other resting on her chest. Jae''s body swayed to the beat, and when she finished the final verse, she took a bow. p! p! p! Jae''s performance was expectedly good. Her falsetto was amazing, and her vocal technique was better than average. "Your turn, Cam," Jae said, handing over the remote with a wink. Smiling, Cam took the remote without hesitation. Not only was her performance on the line, but her love interest, Jan, would be watching. After a brief moment of contemtion, Cam chose her song. ''Song: Precious Love by TWICE'' Cam took a deep breath, and her song began. "You''re still the same~, You still can''t forgive me~, Is the wound I inflicted on you unable to heal?" Cam sang with her eyes closed, pouring her heart out. Each verse and chorus shifted the room''s atmosphere, creating a mesmerizing experience with a soundtrack that perfectlyplemented her voice and range. I couldn''t tell if she had chosen this song intentionally, but it was perfect for her. p! p! p! Everyone in the room, including Jae Yoona, apuded Cam. As she put the microphone down, I could see how impressed and mesmerized Jan was by her singing. It was likely his first experience with something like this, enough to make him ask her for tips. The friendlypetition between Cam and Jae Yoona ended in a tie, and they even sang a duet to top it all off. The song they chose was ''ONLY'' by LeeHi. "Not bad," Jae finished thest verse, and Cam smiled back in agreement. "You aren''t bad either." An hour had passed, and the karaoke room was filled with a mix ofughter, apuse, and the asional off-key note. Everyone had taken their turn at the microphone, belting out their favourite tunes with varying degrees of sess. Even Alice''s initial shyness melted away under the influence of the upbeat atmosphere. This surprised everyone but me, as I already knew she was the greatest singer this world likely had. Her voice was angelic, divine, and beautiful. However, she struggled with the timing and rhythm of more modern music. But when Jae changed the track to "Beauty and the Beast," everyone was charmed by Alice''s beautiful performance. It was so impressive that even I, the author, had to stand and apud. But there was one problem that concerned me: no one had asked me to sing. While I had been observing quietly from the corner, content to let others have their fun, my attempts at blending in were futile. Jan''s sharp eyes soon zeroed in on me. "Hey, Rel," he called out, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Don''t tell me you''re going to chicken out! We haven''t heard your tinum-medal voice yet!" A collective "ooh" erupted from the group and their attention was now focused on me. I shifted ufortably on the couch, feeling the heat of their gazes. I had hoped to avoid this moment, but it seemed my luck had run out. "Come on, Rel," Cam chimed in, her encouragementced with yful teasing. "Don''t leave us hanging!" She nudged her head towards Valencia, and I knew Jan had already shared his misunderstandings with her... Even Bazz, who had been busy stuffing his face with snacks, joined in. "Yeah, four-eyes! Let''s hear what you got!" I nced at Valencia, hoping she might intervene, but to my dismay, she merely offered a small smile. Her eyes, like the others, were filled with curious anticipation. Haah... Damn it. With a resigned sigh, I knew there was no escape. I was surrounded, outnumbered, and outmaneuvered. If I could have escaped earlier, I would have, but Jan had been glued to my side for the past hour, ensuring I didn''t slip away. "Alright, alright," I grumbled, reluctantly rising from my seat. "But don''t me me if your ears start bleeding," I added with a sarcastic smirk. As I made my way towards the karaoke machine, I couldn''t help but feel a flicker of excitement. I knew Jan was thinking, "Oh, Rel probably doesn''t know how to sing, so let''s show Valencia this utterly bad side of him." Jokes on him, because today, I wouldn''t suffer defeat at the hands of his antagonizing ns. *** Rel stepped up to the karaoke machine, his fingers hovering over the song selection screen. After a moment''s consideration, he tapped on an unexpected choice: "Stupid" by Vincent Blue, a mellow bossa nova-infused pop song. As the opening chords filled the room, a hush fell over the group. Rel took a deep breath, humming to the instrumental and finally sang. "It''s pathetic that I am ?" "...!" The first verse he sung was smooth, warm, and surprisingly resonant, carrying the melody with effortless grace. "Was it this meaningless? ?" Heads turned and eyes widened in surprise. "Are you afraid of the beginning? ?" Jan''s jaw dropped, and Bazz nearly choked on his drink. Valencia''s eyes were frozen in shock... "I don''t get it ?" "His voice..." Cam whispered, leaning towards Lyra. "It''spletely different when he sings." "I know," Lyra replied, her eyes fixed on Rel''s face as he sang. "It''s like he transformed into a different person." Rel continued to sing, his voice weaving through the room, painting a picture of heartache and longing. He closed his eyes, losing himself in the music, the lyrics flowing from his lips with a raw emotion that captivated his peers. Jan, initially stunned, was now nodding his head in time with the music, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "Damn, Rel," he muttered, "never knew you had it in you." Bazz, equally impressed, raised his ss in a silent toast. Even Alice, who rarely showed any emotion, seemed captivated by Rel''s performance. As the song ended, a wave of apuse washed over the room. "Rel, that was amazing!" Cam eximed, her voice filled with admiration. "Seriously, dude," Bazz added, "you could be a professional singer!" Jan grinned, pping Rel on the back. "You keep surprising us, man. What are you gonna do next? Defeat a dragon?" Rel ignored Jan''s question and returned to his seat. Valencia said nothing, but her eyes remained fixed on Rel, a warmth radiating from her gaze that he had never seen before. Rel, still slightly breathless from his performance, simply shrugged. "It was nothing," he murmured, though a warmth spread through his chest at the unexpected praise. ________ Authors notes: - All the songs shown are really good songs, give them a listen. Chapter 213: Meeting (3) [Rel''s POV] [Eldoria, Mercenary Headquarters] The karaoke night hade and gone, leaving behind a buzz of conversation about my "hidden talent." Thanks to my conveniently acquired "Voice of Enchantment" skill, I''d managed to escape the humiliation of being the worst singer in the room. But honestly, that was the least of my concerns. Right now, I found myself at the Mercenary Headquarters in Eldoria, about to meet with Jaxon Cain. He was supposed to brief me on my squad and the whole mercenary thing that Gerrard had signed me up for. Not that I particrly cared about any of that. My real goal here was to obtain The Book of Equaliser, probably one of the most powerful skills I''d ever written into existence. The problem was, I''d had to rush here straight from the Noraebang. After wasting half an hour exining to Jan why I needed to leave early, I barely had time to grab my uniform from the dorm and change before heading to the headquarters. Now, here I was, ready for another day as a mercenary. But my true goal was still out there, waiting to be found. The Book of Equaliser wouldn''t be easy to obtain, but I was determined to get my hands on it. With a sigh, I made my way through the corridors of the Mercenary Headquarters. The familiar scent of metal and disinfectant hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the violent nature of this world. As I ascended towards the top floor, where Jaxon Cain''s office was located, the usual pristine hallways gave way to a scene of disarray. Caution tape crisscrossed the corridor, and shattered ss crunched under my boots. It seemed Vanessa and Christian had been here before me, leaving their usual mark of destruction in their wake. Those two were a force of nature, given free rein to wreak havoc under the guise of "training exercises." I shook my head, suppressing a smirk. They were certainly an entertaining duo, if a bit over the top. Finally, I reached Jaxon''s door. Taking a deep breath, I knocked firmly. knock...knock...knock... "Enter," came Jaxon''s gruff voice. I pushed open the door and stepped inside. Jaxon, a burly man with a shaved head and a permanent scowl etched onto his face, sat behind a massive mahogany desk. I couldn''t help but fixate on his shiny bald head, a detail I couldn''t recall from my writing. Was he always this bald? I wondered. Then with a sweeping gesture, Jaxon indicated the chair opposite of him. "Take a seat, Rel," he said, his voice a low growl behind the mask. I nodded and quicklyplied feeling that my nerves were on edge. "I''m sure you know why you''re here," Jaxon''s voice rumbled, the sound distorted by the oni mask. I nodded, my throat tightening as I met his gaze. The mask was unsettling, its demonic features seemingly alive in the dim light of the office. Jaxon leaned back in his chair, his gloved hands steepled before him. "Before we discuss your squad assignment," he began, reaching for a remote control hidden beneath his desk, "I''d like to ask you a few questions." "Yes, sir," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. Click! Rum... A low hum filled the room as a t-screen TV descended from the ceiling to Jaxon''s left. He pressed a button on the remote, and the screen flickered to life, disying news coverage of the incident at the France museum. "A friend contacted me a few days ago about what happened," Jaxon said, his voice low and measured. "I''ll admit, I was surprised." "Yeah... but luckily everyone was safe," I replied, swallowing hard. I knew where this was going. I had worn my mercenary uniform during the incident, and if anyone had seen me there, it was only a matter of time before Jaxon found out. However, the security cameras and all images should have been wiped due to an EMP outage during the lockdown. That can''t be it, I thought to myself. He must be talking about the award ceremony today. That was the only logical exnation. Otherwise, he must have been curious about what happened inside the museum, since only those who fought the monsters saw their true faces. That meant Jan, Valencia, Cam, and myself. "I know you were there," Jaxon said, his voice cutting through my thoughts. "But I heard that during the time of the incident... what if I told you that there weren''t just one, but two monsters?" I tried my best to look surprised, rising from my seat I mmed my hands while leaning onto his desk. "That can''t be possible, right?" "Well, of course," Jaxon replied, "But ording to a special informant on the scene, there were indeed two monsters within the building." So that must mean Jaxon purchased this information from the Visionary Syndicatework. The only person capable of obtaining information like this was Dempsey te. Surely he wouldn''t have known it was me who fought the second monster, right? I could only hope that wasn''t the case. "So, what do you think that second monster was doing?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation in a direction that wouldn''t incriminate me. Jaxon grabbed the remote once more and clicked it, changing the image on the screen to a shattered disy case. It was the negative mana stone case, now empty stolen at the hands of Cyran. "They were here for a mana stone," Jaxon exined, "but there''s really no telling what they could be doing with it." Of course, I knew exactly what their n was. They wanted to gather as many negative mana stones as possible to feed and create a vessel for a devil, or to develop a more potent serum to enhance the strength of those who be demi-humans. This nned attack was meant as a warning to the world about demons, but the second part, the theft of the negative mana stone, wasn''t part of the original plot. And since negative mana worked differently from pure mana, it was clear that it had a special function, one that only dimir Bane, the main viin of the Devil arc, and I, the author, knew about. "I see," I replied, stroking my chin and feigning ignorance. I knew exactly what the second monster was doing¡ªit was Jasper, the demi-human I had taken down on the bottom floor. But I couldn''t let Jaxon know that. "So you think the monster we fought was nothing but a decoy to steal that mana stone?" I asked, ying along. Jaxon nodded. "Correct. But luckily for you guys, there was another thing that traces to a fight that happened on the second floor, and apparently, the monster was taken care of beforehand." "Of course, I''m not saying that you were the one who took out the second monster," Jaxon said, his voice taking on a sharper edge. "The person fighting him waspletely anonymous, wearing different attire than what you wore at the scene." His whole demeanour shifted, and a prickle of unease crawled up my spine. Something was definitely off. "You know," Jaxon continued, leaning forward in his chair, "I was suspicious of the circumstances surrounding Vanessa''s visit to a prestigious french academy. But what I found out was that she returned to headquarters a day before the incident happened." My muscles tensed involuntarily. I couldn''t understand why, but I didn''t like where this was heading. "I''m not quite sure where you''re going with this," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. Jaxon''s lips curled into a sinister smile beneath the mask. "Well, the special informant told me that the person who defeated the second monster was a swordsman. There were perfectly clean cut slices throughout the room where they fought." A bead of sweat trickled down my back. The air in the room felt thick, suffocating. Jaxon''s words, though seemingly casual, wereced with an underlying usation. I needed to steer the conversation elsewhere. "That swordsman must be incredibly skilled," I said, forcing a nonchnt tone. "It took three of us from my grade to take down that other monster.Can''t imagine facing one alone." Jaxon leaned back, a thoughtful hum escaping from behind the mask. "Indeed," he agreed. "The reports suggest the second monster was well above the level of an entire ss. A formidable opponent, no doubt." He paused, his gaze unwavering. "You mentioned being a swordsman during our initial meeting, Rel. And the fact that you could wield two weapons made you a unique case. Given that I haven''t witnessed your swordsmanship firsthand, your true capabilities remain to be seen." I swallowed, my heart pounding in my chest. This wasn''t going as nned. "So," Jaxon continued, his voice low and deliberate, "I have one question for you, Rel." "What is it?" I asked, bracing myself for the inevitable. ________ Authors Notes: - Jaxon Cain had only been told stories from Vanessa and Christian about Rel''s swordsmanship. Chapter 214: Meeting (4) [Eldoria, Mercenary Headquarters - Jaxon Cain''s Office] "Did you happen to see anyone else wearing dark attire that day?" Jaxon''s voice cut through the tension, his question hanging heavy in the air. I forced a shrug, trying to appear as nonchnt as possible. "No, sir. The only figures I saw were the monsters themselves, and they were wearing brown clothing, as you know." Jaxon nodded slowly, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. "Interesting... So this swordsman must have been quite sneaky." STAREEE! His gaze intensified, piercing into me. I couldn''t meet his eyes, the pressure too much to bear. Quickly leaning back into my chair, I crossed my arms and stered a smile onto my face. "Whoever that swordsman is, he must be incredibly skilled and resourceful," I remarked, hoping to steer the conversation away from myself. "Yes," Jaxon replied, his voice a low rumble. "Sneaky enough to hide under the noses of even I." A heavy silence descended upon the room. I could practically hear my own heartbeat in my ears. "Well, that''s all I had to discuss with you on that topic," Jaxon finally said, breaking the silence. Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived. Jaxon slid a sheet of paper across the desk. As I picked it up, my eyes widened. "Congrattions on your recent performance during the test," Jaxon said. "You''ve earned your spot in the High-Elite Force." The High Elite Force. Hand-picked mercenaries, the cream of the crop, chosen specifically for Jaxon Cain''s operations. This team executed only the most challenging and critical missions, those demanding utmost attention and skill. Following the loss of the previous elite force during theirst operation, Jaxon had assembled a new team with a younger core, prioritizing potential over experience. He believed their capabilities could surpass those of their predecessors. but it was unbelievable that he''d think someone like me could fit with the likes of those 3... I scanned the names on the list. The members of this group were: Yang Vienna (Leader of the High-Elite Force) Vanessa Evangeline Christian Kaiser ... ... I knew that being in the Elite Force only made the situation worse. This meant higher-ranking and more dangerous missions for me. "Are you sure I should be in this group?" I asked, looking at Jaxon with disbelief. "Yes," he replied simply. "Check your watch daily for emails from your leader, Vienna. She''ll introduce herself soon, but she won''t be back from her current mission for another month." "Okay," I replied, my shoulders slumping. The prospect of joining the High-Elite Force was far from appealing. "Your attitude is admirable, Rel," Jaxon said, a hint of approval in his voice. "Make sure you keep it like this from now on. Dismissed." I rose from my seat and left the room, a sense of unease lingering as I exited the headquarters, the weight of the situation settled on my shoulders. Joining the High-Elite Force meant I would be under even more scrutiny with having my every move monitored wherever I went. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but I had no choice but to press forward. After all, I had a story to fix, and it was time to take control of the narrative once more. *** [Seoul, Myeongdong Shopping Street - Garcia''s Potion Pharmecy] [Saturday, 11:30 AM] Today wasn''t just any Saturday spent sleeping in. No, today was special. Today, Cam''s mother, Liana, was unveiling a grand opening in Myeongdong for their first franchised business: Garcia''s Potion Pharmacy. In the novel, Liana had grown tired of selling her potions to middlemen who reaped the rewards while pestering her for her trade secrets. Being the kind of person who takes matters into her own hands, she decided to cut out the intermediaries and start her own business in the heart of Myeongdong. This would not only kick-start her already infamous potion-making career, but it would also make her one of the first scientists to pioneer the fusion of alchemy, modern magic, and cutting-edge technology. And of course, I, the author, was going to reap the benefits of today''s grand opening. Those who purchased potions would receive limited edition versions with a quality almost unparalleled in this world. If I recall correctly, buying three standard mana or healing potions would me two limited-edition versions with higher-quality ingredients and more uses. So, if Ibine this with an amazing idea I have, then everything should go smoothly for this semester''s practical exam. Hehe... I couldn''t help but grin as I made my way towards the pharmacy, a spring in my step. As I rounded a corner, I mmed right into someone. I looked up, ready to apologize, but the words died in my throat. It was Cam, and Jan was right there beside her. My frustration spiked. Wasn''t she supposed to be studying for the theory exam next week? And to top it off, the source of half my problems was standing right in front of me, shing his blindingly bright smile. I know their rtionship is close, but does she seriously have to drag him along everywhere? "Didn''t expect to see you here, Rel!" Jan greeted me, but I could only roll my eyes in response. "Wish it didn''t happen," I muttered. "Are you here for my mom''s grand opening?" Cam asked, waving enthusiastically. I took a deep breath, forcing my expression to rx. "Yeah, just wanted to check it out," I replied. "Ohhh, are you into alchemy by any chance, Rel?" Jan chimed in, his eyes wide with curiosity. My face contorted in disgust. "No." A beat of silence followed my blunt response and Jan''s smile faltered slightly, while Cam seemed to sense my irritation and quickly intervened. "Well, it''s still early, and there are already a lot of people here," she said, gesturing towards the growing crowd lining up outside the pharmacy. "We were just heading in to get some potions ourselves. Want toe with us?" I hesitated for a moment. Part of me wanted to say no and escape this unwanted social interaction. But another part of me was curious about the limited edition potions Liana Garcia was offering. Besides, it wouldn''t hurt to gather some intel on the Garcia family''s newest venture. "Sure," I said, trying to sound indifferent. "Why not?" Jan''s face lit up, and he pped me on the back with enough force to nearly send me stumbling. "Great!Let''s go then!" _________ Authors Notes: - During the weekends he''d cut his workouts short due to wanting to do nothing all day but rx. - Cam brought Jan in the hopes that she''d see her mother at the grand opening. Chapter 215: Shopping [Seoul, Myeongdong Shopping Street - Garcia''s Potion Pharmecy] As we joined the end of the line, I scanned the crowd, my eyes searching for anything unusual. I couldn''t shake the feeling that something was amiss, that the story was veering further and further off course. But it seems that things that have been changed for good is the rtionship between those two. Looking towards Jan and Cam I think it''s very clear who he''d be ending up with. It wouldn''t be Yuka or any of the other females showing upter on in the story. So I guess it saves the trouble of the romantic side of the plot at least. The line moved surprisingly quickly, and soon we were inside the pharmacy. It was a bright, airy space with gleaming ss disy cases showcasing a variety of potions, their colourful contents shimmering in the light. A steady stream of customers browsed the shelves, their conversations a low hum in the background. "Wow, this ce is amazing!" Jan eximed, his eyes wide with wonder. "I''ve never seen so many potions in one ce." "My mom''s the best," Cam said proudly, a hint of a blush on her cheeks. Jan, always the one to be enthusiastic, started to look around at all the potion disys. "Hey, Rel, check this out! It''s a mana recovery potion!" [Mana Recovery Potion: $2,500 per potion] I nced at the price list, my eyes widening at the exorbitant cost of just a recovery potion. [Perceptive Mind Has Been Activated!] [Analyzing Item: Recovery Potion] [Item: Recovery Potion [Grade 4] [Condition: Well-Made] - [Contents: Upon consuming this item you will recover 12.5% of mana.] These potions were far off from being perfect but at the very least I found a business I could invest my money in. Originally these recovery potions were actually way below it''s price range and to think it would be the same now is amazing for me. 12.5% mana recovery per potion is a lot more than you think since most potions in this world barely even reach 6-8%. "I think I''ll just stick with the regr ones," I mumbled, trying to act disinterested. As we wandered through the aisles, my eyes fell upon a disy case featuring a set of rare, glowing potions. A small que beneath the case read, "The Revitalizing Elixir ¨C Limited Edition." My interest piqued and I leaned in closer examining the delicate ss vials. FWANG! [Analyzing Item: Revitalizing Elixir] [Item: Revitalizing Elixir [Grade 3] [Condition: Great] - [Contents: Upon consuming this item you will recover 15% Stamina.] Interesting... another new item to the shop then. Well I wouldn''t beining since I''ll be a regr customer from now on. "Can I help you with anything, sir?" A voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see a young woman in a crisp whiteb coat, her eyes smiling warmly at me. "I''m just browsing," I replied kindly trying not to dose off too much but since the employee was already here I might as well ask. "Actually," I said, straightening up and adjusting my sses, "I''d like to purchase three mana recovery potions and three healing potions." The saleswoman nodded and directed me towards the appropriate aisle. I grabbed a basket and quickly located the items I needed. As I was perusing the shelves, Jan and Cam appeared beside me, their eyes widening as they saw the contents of my basket. "Whoa, Rel, you''re buying all that?" Cam asked, a hint of concern in her voice. "Of course," I replied, shrugging. "Gotta be prepared for anything." Cam let out a small cough and gave me a knowing look. "Well," she said, a sly smile ying on her lips, "you know, I happen to know the owner of this store. I might be able to get you a little discount." I raised an eyebrow, surprised by her offer. "Really? That would be helpful, but¡ª" Before I could finish my sentence, Cam grabbed my arm and led me to the counter, catching me off guard. Jan followed after us with a wide grin stered on his face. It seemed his mood had lifted even more, but I didn''t really mind. Good for him, I guess. As we watched Cam whisper something to the saleswoman''s ear. A few momentster, the woman returned with a revised total. My jaw dropped. The original price of $22,500 had been shed in half, leaving me with a much more ptable $11,250. Not bad, I thought, though I wasn''t exactly hurting for money. I was rich after all and had my tinum medal rewards to im, which included a hefty sum of cash and a million-dor property. So in the meantime, I decided to hold off on buying a house for now, figuring I didn''t really need it yet. I could stay in my dorm until next year, and I had no intention of getting any pets either. A few minutester I ended up paying half price for the potions, thanks to Cam''s help and headed back to the dorms. Jan and Cam continued their day out, and Jan even offered for me to join them, but I was content to spend the rest of my Saturday alone. I wanted to try out this new skill and see if it really worked. *** [Pinnacle Academy, Male Dorms: Room 4-A] Back at the male dorm room, I dumped a variety of items onto the floor: crates of fruit, the potions I''d just purchased, and a few other random trinkets I''d found lying around. This was my impromptuboratory, and I was eager to conduct a little experiment. Ever since I''d gained the Pocket Realm ability, I''d been under the impression that it could only store weapons. But after some careful consideration, I''d started to wonder if that was really the case. After all, the skill description didn''t explicitly state that restriction. [Special Ability: Pocket Realm [Grade 1] Has Been Activated!] I activated Pocket Realm, a familiar blue portal shimmering into existence in my palm. I reached out and grasped a crate of fruit, focusing my intention on storing it. [An Item Has Been Marked!] SWANG! [The Item Has Been Transfered!] To my surprise, the crate vanished into the portal, the blue light engulfing itpletely. Sess... A wave of excitement washed over me. I hadn''t realized this entire time that Pocket Realm didn''t require the items to be weapons at all. And even more intriguing, the fruit remained perfectly fresh when I summoned it back out of the portal. To confirm my theory, I decided to push the limits. I grabbed a fruit that was supposed to expire tomorrow and stored it in Pocket Realm. When I retrieved it a few dayster, it was still as fresh as the day I''d bought it. So the items are essentially frozen in time, I realized. Like they''re on hold. A day after... To conclude my experiment, I grabbed a box from my cab and filled it with all my potions. With a confident smile, I activated Pocket Realm once more. [Special Ability: Pocket Realm [Grade 1] Has Been Activated!] SWANG! The box vanished into the portal without a hitch. Jackpot. Pocket Realm was far more versatile than I''d ever imagined. This opened up a whole new world of possibilities, not just for storing weapons, but for preserving items, transporting goods, and who knows what else. Chapter 216: Im Not A Fool Friday Today marked the end of the exam period for theory, with over 1,000 first-year studentspleting their four units of courses and electives. With sses on hold for the remainder of the two weeks, we were granted nothing but study periods. Most of the main characters would be studying diligently, but of course, other events continued to unfold in the background. Clubs were still active, and social gatherings were still happening. But as expected, not everything was going ording to my ns. I had spent the majority of my time shadowing Damon Bet throughout the campus, making sure to remain unseen. These past two weeks had been a monotonous routine of watching him go from the staff office to the library to sses, and then back home. It was frustrating that the Lyra plot I''d written hadn''te to pass. Given this turn of events, it seemed there was more to Bet''s ns than I had anticipated. I was certain he''d be the main viin at some point during the exam arc, but his actions so far didn''t align with my original story. After all there wasn''t much of a push to what I could and couldn''t do. It''s like they say in any sport, If the pass isn''t there then don''t make the pass. *** [Pinnacle Academy, Aetherium Nexus: Training Room 3#] [Friday, 7:30 AM] The familiar hum of the Aethrius Nexus greeted me as I stepped into the second gym room. Rows of high-tech exercise equipment lined the walls, their sleek surfaces gleaming under the bright lights. I''d been pushing my body hard these past few weeks, determined to improve my base stats as much as possible. Grabbing a pair of 100kg dumbbells, I began my final set of bicep curls. uuup...uuup...uupp! The burn in my muscles was intense with each lift, but I pushed through gritting my teeth as Ipleted the tenth rep. FWANG! [You''ve gained 0.08 Strength Points!] The notification shed before my eyes, a reminder of my diminishing returns. I''d been working out since 6 AM, and the gains were bing negligible. It seemed I had finally hit a wall. My body could only change so much through physical training. Muscle definition and endurance would improve, but my raw strength and stamina were reaching their limits. It was a frustrating realization. "System...Base Stats..." FWANG! [Disying Base Stats Only!] _________ [Axel Saint Rel Laurence STATS:] >Health: 135.** >Strength: 116 >Stamina: 108 >Speed: 79 _________ Haah... So that''s what it''se to, huh? Well, I guess repping 100kg is still impressive for a normal human body, considering this one wasn''t superhuman to begin with. Wiping down the bench, I sat down, a nagging feeling prickling at the back of my neck. I couldn''t shake the sensation that I was being watched. In fact, for the past two weeks, my routine of shadowing Bet had been the only interesting part of my day. But it seemed I wasn''t the only one doing the stalking. Someone was following me, and I had a sinking feeling I knew who it was. As I caught my breath, a flicker of movement drew my attention to the open window of the gym room. It was just a blur, a sh of blonde hair quickly disappearing from view. But with my enhanced vision, nothing could escape my notice. Blonde hair braided into a bun... It was unmistakable. Alice had been watching me this whole time. But why? I had given her all she needed to know for those exams... Did she need more help? It was a strange thought. I wouldn''t have minded her asking for more assistance, considering that I had unintentionally usurped her position as the top academic weapon among the first years. ** The echoing ng of weights faded as Rel slipped out of the gym and into the corridors of the Aethrius Nexus. He turned a corner, heading away from the second gym room where Alice had been watching him. "Could he be heading to the Archery room?" Alice thought to herself, but quickly dismissed the idea. "That''s where swordsmanship training happens..." A spark of curiosity ignited within her. What was Rel up to after his usual workout routine? She hesitated for a moment, then made a decision. Alice, who had been observing him from a discreet distance, quietly followed. Her footsteps were light and silent on the polished floors as she moved swiftly through the corridors. But as she turned the corner, she collided with something solid. keuk!! Alice stumbled backward, the impact knocking the wind out of her. However, before she could fall, a strong hand reached out to steady her. Looking up in surprise, she realized she had walked straight into a trap. Rel stood before her, leaning casually against the wall, a faint smile ying on his lips. His ck hair was slightly tousled from his workout, and his blue eyes twinkled with amusement. "Alice?" Rel''s head tilted as the two locked eyes. Alice''s face flushed crimson. She stumbled backward, tripping over her own feet and nearly falling again. "S-sorry!" she stammered, averting her gaze. "I wasn''t... I mean, I didn''t..." Rel''s smile widened a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Didn''t mean to sneak up on you like that," he said, his voice gentle. "But you really shouldn''t be lurking around corners, you know. It''s a bit creepy." "I-I wasn''t lurking!" Alice protested, her voice barely a whisper. "I was... I was just..." She fumbled for an excuse, What was I even doing? she berated herself. Why did I follow him? "Just what?" Rel prompted, raising an eyebrow. "I-I was just curious," Alice admitted, her cheeks burning even brighter. "About where you were going." "Curious?" Rel echoed, a yful smirk tugging at his lips. "Is that so?" Alice nodded, her eyes glued to the floor. "Y-yes," she mumbled. "I saw you leave the gym, and I... I wanted to know what you were doing." "And why is that?" Rel inquired, stepping closer. Alice''s heart hammered in her chest. Thest time she''d been this close to Rel was when they shared a table in the library, their shoulders brushing asionally as they studied. This was different. His proximity was electrifying, his gaze intense. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her face, and the scent of his cologne filled her senses. _________ Authors Notes - Rel helped Alice and Jae a lot with studying when he wasn''t stalking Damon Bet which exins his yfulness with Alice. Chapter 217: Im Not A Fool (2) [Pinnacle Academy, Aetherium Nexus: Corridor] Realizing he might be too close forfort, Rel quickly moved back, crouching down to meet her eye level. "Well?" he asked, his voice a low murmur. "Are you going to tell me what you''re really doing here?" Alice''s cheeks burned even hotter. She couldn''t meet his eyes, her gaze darting nervously around the empty hallway. "I-I..." she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. Rel tilted his head, a yful smirk on his lips."Cat got your tongue?" Alice swallowed, mustering all her courage. "I... I wanted to apologize," she finally managed to say. "Apologize?" Rel echoed, genuinely surprised. "For what?" "For... for not thanking you properly," Alice said, her voice gaining a bit of strength. "For the notes, and for helping me with my studies. You didn''t have to do that, and I... I really appreciate it." Rel''s expression softened. "It was no big deal," he said, his voice sincere. "I was happy to help." He uncrossed his arms, but his gaze remained fixed on her face. A moment of silence stretched between them, the only sound the gentle hum of the Nexus'' machinery. Then, Rel stood up, breaking the spell that had held them captive. "Well," he said, a hint of a smile ying on his lips, "I should probably get going. I have things to do." Alice nodded a wave of disappointment washing over her. Just as quickly as he had captured her attention, he was slipping away again. "Right," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "Of course." Rel turned and walked away, leaving Alice alone in the corridor. She watched his retreating figure, her heart still pounding in her chest. *** [Rel''s POV] A few dayster, the results of thebined exams were posted in the central courtyard corridors. The top 500 students'' names and rankings were disyed along the longest hallway in the academy, the first year''s section closest to the southern buildings. I strolled straight towards the number one spot, a smirk tugging at my lips. I''d heard whispers of how everyone had studied their butts off to dethrone me in the theory exams. But to their dismay, they''d all fall short of the one who left everything behind, to his overwhelming intensity to cheat and sleep. Ah, the sweet taste of victory. Rel Laurence, the true academic champion of this world. _______ Exam Rankings Theory Top 100: 1. Rel Laurence 2. Alice Elizabeth 3. Louise Villerion 4. Valencia Freya 5. Valeria Ayers 6. Miya Takeo ... ... _______ Drop! The sound of books hitting the floor snapped me out of my smug reverie. I turned to see Alice standing beside me, her face pale and her eyes wide with shock. I could understand her reaction. She''d never tasted defeat before, especially not in academics. I''m sure she was confident I''d fall behind after not studying for two weeks, but it seems she underestimated the power of a well-ced cheat sheet (the system) and a strategically timed power nap. I offered Alice a small, reassuring smile and waved as I walked past her. She returned the gesture, quickly regaining herposure. It was a brief moment, but it felt like she understood I hadn''t intended to take her first-ce spot. (She didn''t.) *** A few more days passed and it turned into a routine of unease. I continued my previous route of shadowing Bet relentlessly, following him doing his usual routine but those Three days of this tedious surveince gave nothing out of the ordinary. It was as if he were apletely different person from the sinister figure I had created in my novel. I couldn''t shake the feeling that something was amiss. Bet''s behaviour didn''t align with my original plot, and hisck of suspicious activity was unsettling. For now, I decided to let him be. I didn''t have any concrete evidence to incriminate him, and I didn''t want to make any rash decisions that could further derail the story. I''d simply have to be more vignt and aware of his actions from now on. BZZZZT!!! BZZZZT!!! My watch buzzed, interrupting my thoughts. It wasn''t a message from anyone I knew. That meant only one thing: a new mission from the Mercenary Corp. [You''ve received an email from: The Mercenaries HQ] [Dear Axel, There has been an urgent meeting called to our attention and we''d like you to head towards the HQ as soon as possible, please report to the IDS Station room when you get there and you''ll be briefed.] [From Mary The Receptionist.] "Wouldn''t have doubted it for a moment. I''ll head there right now," I muttered to myself, standing in the middle of Pinnacle''s outer courtyard. ... ... ... [A Few Minutes Later...] [Eldoria, Mecerenary Headquarters] I quickly made my way to the HQ without any problems. I still didn''t know much about the missions the special forces undertook, but there was no guarantee of safety either way. Upon entering the mercenary building, Mary greeted me with a curt nod and handed me a sheet filled with information about a certain character. The description detailed a person named Philip Han. The familiar name suggested he was connected to dimir Bane, one of the main viins of this novel. "CA25B and VE4B are waiting for you in the IDS station room," Mary said, her voice emotionless. "You''ll be debriefed shortly, so stay there until Jaxon arrives." I nodded quickly, adjusted my mask to conceal my face, and headed towards the station room. Inside, I found Christian and Vanessa sitting on separate benches, some distance apart. Vanessa appeared angry, her posture and the way she turned her head away from Christian suggested there was a problem. * "Hello...team?" Rel asked, confused as he looked back and forth between Christian and Vanessa. Christian turned immediately upon hearing Rel''s voice and rushed towards him, grabbing his shoulders. "...!" "Axel! You... you gotta help me, man!" His voice was almost desperate, and Rel nced over Christian''s shoulder to see that Vanessa''s mood and bodynguage remained unchanged. _________ No authors notes for today. Chapter 218: Mission Briefing [Eldoria, Mecerenary Headquarters - IDS Station: Equipment Room] Rel, caught off guard by Christian''s sudden outburst, instinctively took a step back. "Calm down," he said, gently removing Christian''s hands from his shoulders. "What''s going on here?" Christian''s face was flushed, and through his mask Rel could tell that his eyes were wide with panic and frustration. "It''s VE4B," he sputtered. "She''s... she''s..." Rel nced back at Vanessa, who was still ring at the wall, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. He could practically feel the waves of irritation radiating off of her. "She''s what?" Rel moved his head slightly, raising an eyebrow. "She''s being... difficult," Christian finally managed to say, his voice barely a whisper. "Difficult?" Rel repeated amused by Christian''s reactions. Rel looked back at Vanessa, who had now turned her head towards them, her eyes narrowed. "Is there something you''d like to share with the ss, CA25B?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "See?" Christian whispered to Rel as if proving his point. "She''s being impossible!" Rel sighed, rubbing his temples. This was going to be a long day. "Alright, let''s just take a deep breath and try to figure this out," he said, trying to inject some calm into the situation. "What exactly is the mission, and why is she so upset about it?" ** "It''s not that I said anything bad," Christian defended himself, a hint of desperation creeping into his voice. "I just told her it''s pointless going to an academy. She''s making more money here as a mercenary than a regr hero would!" I blinked, genuinely confused. Vanessa''s logic made a certain kind of sense, though it deviated sharply from the original plot. In my novel, she''d never even attended an academy. "You might want to reconsider your words," I said, taking a few steps back as the tension in the room thickened. "But I didn''t say anything wrong!" Christian''s voice boomed, echoing off the walls. I maintained a neutral expression behind my mask, but I realised how on par he was with Jan''s stupidity... "That''s exactly why she''s angry," I exined. "You insulted her dreams and aspirations. Even if your intentions were good, it came across as dismissive." Christian froze up with his shoulders bing stiff, it seemed to finally grasp the gravity of his words. He sped his hands together, his head bowed in a gesture of supplication. "Please, Axel, you gotta fix this!" haah... seriously... I sighed tirelessly. I''d only been with these two once, and already Christian was looking to me for solutions. It seemed my reputation as the "fixer" had preceded me. I realized then that taking on this mercenary job might have been more trouble than it was worth. It wasn''t just about blending in anymore; now I had to deal with the interpersonal drama of my own characters. How stupid. Then without a moment to waste, I watched as Jaxon Cain entered, his imposing figure filling the doorway. He surveyed the scene, taking in the awkward distance between Christian and Vanessa, who were now standing stiffly on opposite sides of the room. haah... A moment of silence hung in the air as Jaxon''s gaze swept over each of us. Then, with a heavy sigh, he slumped his shoulders. It was a gesture I hadn''t expected from a living legend and a mercenary leader. It was enough to send a shiver down my spine. "Mr. Cain," Vanessa spoke first, her voice surprisingly calm as she offered a respectful bow. Christian, visibly shaken, attempted to fall in line beside her. "Get away from me." DOOM! But she shoved him away with an absurd amount of force, sending him crashing through several walls. "AH!" CRASSSH! "What the fuck?" My eyes widened in shock seeing the scene before me. I was silently grateful I wasn''t the one on the receiving end of her rage. Jaxon, seemingly unfazed by the destruction, turned back to Vaness and spoke. "Okay, so as you know, there have been rumours circting about the recent abolishment of several organizations around the world, allegedly linked to the France incident..." He exined that our mission was to infiltrate and assassinate Philip Han, a known criminal in the dark world with connections to a Quadra member. Han''s organization had been linked to the France incident through DNA tests on the bodies of the fallen demi-humans, and he was believed to possess dangerous ingredients that needed to be destroyed. The implications were clear, and the weight of the task settled heavily upon our group. Even though our leader, Yang Vieana, wasn''t present, we were supposedly more than capable of handling the mission. But the thought of killing someone made me shudder. It was one thing to write about violence in my novels, but the reality of taking a life was something I wasn''t sure I could take. And to make matters worse, the mission was scheduled to begin on a Saturday, meaning I''d have to sacrifice my precious free time for the sake of this assignment. Great. Just great. *** [Pinnacle Academy, ss 1-A Lecture Room] The following day, I sat in the familiar confines of ss 1-A''s lecture room, waiting for the lesson to begin. Kolek walked in, conspicuously without aptop. That was when I realised what was going on. What we were doing was another practice exam. With all of ss 1-A present, Kolek announced on the podium, "This is just a warm-up for your uing practical exam next week.And this time, you won''t be fighting as individuals. Instead..." He paused for dramatic effect, a sly grin spreading across his face. "...you''ll be fighting against each other!" A wave of excited murmurs swept through the room. "Finally! A chance to show everyone what I''m made of!" Lucas, a brash and confident student, shouted from the back row. "Oh no, I''m not good at fighting..." Sasha, a timid girl with a penchant for healing magic, whispered to her friend. "This is going to be so much fun!" Bazz chimed in, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. Kolek raised his hands, calming themotion. "Now, now, settle down," he chuckled. "Before you get too carried away, let me exin the rules." Chapter 219: Capture The Flag "Now, listen carefully," Kolek instructed, his voice firm and authoritative. "This practice exam is designed to test yourbat skills, teamwork, and strategic thinking in a high-pressure environment. You''ll be assessed on your individual performance as well as your ability to cooperate with your teammates." He paused, letting his words sink in. "As I mentioned earlier, you''ll be split into two teams. Each team will have a designated base and a g. The goal is simple: capture the enemy''s g and bring it back to your base while protecting your own." This was a standard capture-the-g scenario, familiar territory for anyone who''d yed video games. I was relieved that this part hadn''t changed. In the novel, the original capture-the-g event featured Jan as a one-man army, single-handedly leading his team to capture three of the opponent''s gs. The interesting twist was Louise''s ultimateeback, guided by his teammates who provided crucial information, paving the way to the other team''s headquarters. The final showdown for thest g would be between Jan and Louise, but the game would ultimately end in a tie, resulting in an anti-climactic ending for a good reason. My only concern was how the other characters would fit into this scenario, as Miya, Noah, Alice, and Valencia weren''t originally part of ss 1-A. "The simted environment will be a challenge," Kolek continued. "There will be obstacles, hiding spots, and various terrains to navigate. Use them to your advantage. Remember, this is not just about strength. It''s about using your wits and your abilities in a coordinated effort." It was expected of Pinnacle Academy students to work well in groups, whether they liked it or not. After all, unless you were born a superstar prodigy capable of handling the workload of an entire guild, being good on your own wasn''t enough. "Now, about the weapons," Kolek said, gesturing towards a tableden with various simted firearms, swords, spears and bows. "You''ll be allowed to choose your preferred weapon, but remember, each type has its own strengths and weaknesses. Choose wisely, and don''t hesitate to switch tactics if necessary." Just as I suspected, we wouldn''t be using our issued weapons since the fight would take ce in a simted reality. It was only fitting to fight with simted weapons. "Finally," Kolek said, his voice growing sterner, "remember that this is a practice exam. While we encourage healthypetition, we expect you to exercise restraint and avoid unnecessary violence. Any student who deliberately injures another will be immediately disqualified and face disciplinary action." A well-ced warning, I thought. However, I doubted it would deter some of the more hotheaded students. Kolek paused, allowing his words to sink in. "Now, if there are no questions, let''s reveal the team assignments." Kolek cleared his throat, drawing the ss''s attention back to him. "Team A," he announced, his voice projecting across the room. "Louise Villerion, Noah Davies, Miya Takeo, Valencia Freya, Bazz Wong, Jae Yoona, [...]" A mix of reactions rippled through the group.Some cheered, recognizing the powerhouses on Team A, while others groaned, anticipating a tough battle. I raised an eyebrow. This wasn''t quite the teamposition I had originally envisioned, but it certainly made things more interesting. However, what I hadn''t expected was for Team A to have a more stacked lineup than us. This meant I''d have to be more careful in my encounters and choose my fights wisely to avoid being ambushed. "Team B," Kolek continued. "Jan Ates, Alice Elizabeth, Lyra te, Cam Garcia, Rel Laurence [...]" Another wave of murmurs swept through the room. The underdogs, I thought to myself. But underdogs can be dangerous, especially when underestimated. Since we already have Jan and Alice on the same team it''d be much better for me to support them as an archer than just being a swordsman. "Alright, teams," Kolek said, pping his hands together. "You have five minutes to strategize before we head to the simtion room. Use your time wisely." ** [Pinnacle Academy, Team IDS Station Room] The teams followed Kolek towards the Team IDS Station. As they walked, Jan slung an arm around Rel, his grin widening as he rejoiced to have someone he knew on his team. Cam trailed just from behind, leaning into Jan, and waved at Rel, who returned the gesture with a questioning look. "What have you two been up to these past few weeks?" Rel asked, raising an eyebrow. Jan, with a self-satisfied smile, replied, "Oh, you know, we''ve been eating at nice restaurants, and Cam does her shopping... the usual¡ª" Before Jan could finish, Cam pped a hand over his mouth and a blush crept up her cheeks. She shot Jan a stern look, one that meant to tell him "Don''t say that to him ever again!" Rel, not typically one to smirk, offered a subtle smile instead. "Really? Good for you two then." It was enough for Jan to feel impressed by his friend''s reaction, as Rel wasn''t usually one to express amusement. But he knew he couldn''t let an opportunity like this go to waste. "So, dinner and shopping, is your usual Jan? Those dates must be nice huh." Jan, oblivious as ever chuckled at Rel''s reply. "Yeah, it was fun! We should all go out sometime, right, Cami?" Cam''s face turned an even deeper shade of red, and she could only stammer, "W-well, I... I don''t really care..." Rel, enjoying the unexpected turn of events, decided to prod further. "Don''t worry, Cam," Rel said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I''m sure your boyfriend wouldn''t mind me teasing him a little, right Jan?" Jan oblivious as ever, grinned and patted Cam on the back. "Of course not! We''re all friends here!" Cam''s eyes darted back and forth between Rel and Jan, her cheeks flushed a deeper crimson. She opened her mouth to protest, but no words came out. heh... you are damn right. Rel was enjoying the flustered reactions of his characters and knew Jan was too dense to pick up on the romantic hints, but that was part of the fun. As they reached the Team IDS room''s entrance, Kolek stopped abruptly. He took a deep breath, and his voice echoed through the corridors, reaching every member of ss 1-A. "Team B will go through first. Team A, please stay behind." He continued, "Everyone will be separated at the start, so you''ll all have a fair advantage and will need to find a way to regroup." Hearing these words, Rel couldn''t help but smirk. Jan and Cam, confused by his reaction, nced at each other, then back at him, trying to understand why he found this amusing. "Team B, follow me." Kolek gestured for them to enter the room. ... ... ... The members of Team B, eager to prove their worth, quickly donned the necessary hit-point gear. Straps of circr buttons ran from head to toe, tracking their health and performance in the simtion. They then grabbed their chosen weapons from the tables Kolek had set up. Following Kolek''s instructions, they stepped onto a massive circr tform. "This tform will teleport each of you to a random location within the simtion," Kolek exined. "You might find yourselves in the center of the battlefield, or you might be at the very edge of your base. Adapt quickly, find your teammates, and strategize ordingly. Oh, and one more thing: you won''t be able to move or see until the other team has arrived. Am I clear?" Everyone in Team B nodded, and with a click of a button, Kolek transported them into the simted field. As the tform rumbled beneath their feet, the world around them dissolved into a wash of colors and light. Rel felt a disorienting tug in his stomach as he was whisked away, his senses momentarily overwhelmed. For a moment, everything was pitch ck. But then, thanks to Deadeye, his vision returned, revealing a dense forest with sunlight filtering through the leaves above. He was alone, the silence broken only by the chirping of simted birds and the rustling of leaves. Although he couldn''t physically see yet, his heightened senses and Deadeye allowed him to extend his perception of the battlefield he''d been transported to. "Well, this is just great," Rel muttered, drawing his bow and scanning his surroundings with Deadeye. "Looks like I got the short end of the stick." _________ No authors notes today... Chapter 220: Capture The Flag (2) [Pinnacle Academy, Dystopic World Simtion] [Rel''s POV] As the blinding white light of the teleportation enveloped us, a wave of disorientation washed over me. My senses were overloaded as I was ripped from the tform and flung into the unknown. [Special Ability: Deadeye Has Been Activated!] Assuming everyone was blinded and unable to move within this simted world, I instantly activated Deadeye to see through the darkness. Slowly, my vision cleared, and I found myself standing in a dense forest. This location seemed far removed from the action or the main battlegrounds. But I had definitely been dealt a bad hand. I had memorized important buildings from the original setting of this dystopian simtion. The bases for Team A and Team B were warehouse-like structures, positioned parallel to each other. Near the central fighting area was a six-story apartment building, hiding three gs that students had to find and secure. But there was another crucial detail: each base held a main g. If I found myself in enemy territory, I could potentially steal their g and end the game early, should things not go ording to n. Even though I couldn''t move yet, I quickly checked my gear and grabbed the simted bow from my back. As a test, I tugged the string slightly, and waam... The bow generated an arrow out of thin air. "Good..." The simtion provided a few advantages for ranged weapon users, such as unlimited arrows. Now, all that remained was to confirm my location and which side I was on. [The Following Skill Has Been Activated: Sensory Aura] [Special Ability: Sixth Sense [Grade 6] Has Been Activated!] With a final thorough check, it was clear I wasn''t on the correct side of the base. There were shades of blue on the benches, the pathways, and even the trees. Almost every step of the way was bathed in blue, in contrast to my red gear. WHOOM!!! The forest floor shimmered and figures began to materialize. Emerging from the teleportation It was clear that their blue gear stood out most against the green foliage. A few extras appeared, none of them particrly threatening. I counted about ten within my range, so there could be even more people beyond my position. My chances of reaching my team''s base undetected seemed slim. But I''ll figure out a way somehow. A few minutes had passed as I awaited Kolek''s announcement, and one final figure materialized. WHOM! By assumptions, I hoped it wasn''t anyone important but... "...!" haah... I may have to consider rethinking these ns. Because If not recognizable by her hair, then you''d definitely know the de. For a moment, goosebumps prickled my skin, and my breath hitched in my throat. Holding her katana at her side like an elegant princess, she remained calm despite the teleportation process. It was the sword saint herself, Valencia. She stood a short distance away almost enough for me to be recognised within the shade of these trees and my heart pounded absurdingly fast. I had hoped to avoid any direct confrontation with her during this practice exam, but fate seemed to have other ns. "Okay everyone, your sight and movement will be restored in 3, 2, 1... There!" Kolek''s voice boomed through the speakers and everyone''s sight had been restored. I immediately lunged towards the nearest bush for cover, narrowly avoiding Valencia''s gaze. As I watched her eyes dart around, taking in her surroundings, I felt a strange mix of apprehension and anticipation. It was a do-or-die moment. *** With the horn''s st echoing through the trees, Rel vanished into the undergrowth. His movements were silent and his footsteps barely disturbing the fallen leaves beneath his feet. He knew he had a distinct advantage without his mana signature ¨C the usual telltale energy that could be sensed by others. But in this world, only those attuned to aura could truly detect another''s presence through sheer willpower and focus. Rel banked on the fact that Valencia, while proficient in many areas, hadn''t yet mastered the intricacies of Sensory Aura. It was a gamble, but one he had to take. Crouching low, he moved swiftly through the dense foliage, his eyes constantly scanning his surroundings. He knew that his red team gear made him a prime target, but he had no intention of bing an easy mark. While carefully guided on his path he took notes on the subtle shifts in light and shadow that revealed hidden trails and potential ambush points. He moved like a phantom, his presence only a mere whisper in the wind. Rel knew he had to reach his team''s base as quickly as possible. The longer he remained isted, the more vulnerable he was. But he also knew that rushing blindly into the fray would be a fatal mistake. As he paused behind a dense thicket of ferns, his eyes trained on the clearing ahead. The members of Team A were moving out, their blue-tinged gear shing between the trees as they formed coordinated groups. In his head he knew their strategy was clear: overwhelm the enemy with superior numbers and firepower. Then suddenly a shadow fell over Rel, and a familiar voice whispered in his ear. "What are you doing, dude?Why are we hiding?" Rel whipped around, instinctively reaching for his bow. TAK! He quickly sidestepped away from his opponent and unleashed a powerful arrow that narrowly missed the figure''s head. "I missed?" Rel''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Why''d you shoot me just now, four-eyes?" The figure stepped out of the shadows, revealing a familiar face masked in confusion. It was Bazz, peering through the foliage. But Rel wasn''t going to let this beat around the bush. "Take a look at your own gear, Bazz." Taking a few steps back Rel was turning his head looking around for any more people nearby and Bazz''s face went pale as he stared at Rel''s red gear, then down at his own blue attire. A look of horror washed over him as Kolek''s instructions echoed in his mind. "Oh shit," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper."Jan''s gonna kill me..." Chapter 221: Capture The Flag (3) Bazz had finally realized the weight of the situation on him. He had just stumbled upon an enemy in his own ranks, and while it would''ve been a critical mistake in a high-stakes exam. The person before him was someone his best friend was really fond of giving him very little decisions on what to do. So in his mind, it was torn between loyalty to his friend and thepetitive drive that fueled his every action. If Rel were to get hurt, would Jan retaliate fiercely, or would he forgive the mistake? As he watched his teammates turn their heads towards him, Bazz could only clench his teeth in pity. He had to make a choice. Bazz clenched his fist and his knuckles turned white as he channelled his elemental attribute of wind. A surge of power coursed through his veins and his muscles coiled like a spring. "Sorry, Rel," he muttered through gritted teeth, "but this is a practice exam, after all." BOOOOM! He twisted his body and lunged forward in the blink of an eye. His fist unleashed a massive gust of wind that erupted on impact, sending leaves swirling and alerting everyone nearby to their location. Unsure if his attack had connected with Rel, Bazz waited as the dust settled. Once it cleared he realised that Rel was gone. "What the hell was that?" a voice from Team A echoed through the forest. "Why is Bazz running like an idiot?" another asked, their voiceced with confusion. "Did he attack thin air?" tap...tap...tap... The sound of rapid footsteps echoed through the trees, and momentster, Jae emerged from the foliage, her bow at the ready. "I just got here," she panted, "but can someone tell me what happened?" One of the extras stepped forward, a look of bewilderment on their face. "Bazz just attacked someone out of nowhere." Jae''s brow furrowed. "That doesn''t sound like him... unless the target was from the opposing team." Her eyes suddenly glowed with an intense light as she activated her Sensory Aura. Within a 250-meter radius, she spotted two figures dashing through the trees. One was Bazz, his expression stern while he chased after the person running from him. While the other was a blur of red, moving with incredible speed and agility. To her surprise, it was Rel, seemingly unscathed from Bazz''s attack. A slow grin spread across Jae''s face. This was getting interesting. "Let''s see if he can react to this," Jae said, with a proud smile spreading across her face. With practised ease, she drew her bow and her hands glowed with a faint, ethereal light as she channelled her aura. The arrow that materialized in her grasp shimmered with a dark purple hue, a testament to the potent energy infused within it. Jae didn''t want to disrupt the chase entirely, merely slow it down and give Bazz a chance to catch up. huuu... She took a deep breath, aligning her aim with thest known trajectory of Rel''s movements. TAKKKK! The arrow shot through the air, a silent streak of purple slicing through the forest to meet its target. Jae''s enhanced vision followed its path, piercing through the trees and undergrowth. She was confident that Rel would not be able to outrun her arrow. But as the projectile neared its target, something extraordinary happened. In a blink of an eye, Rel shifted his body, his movements impossibly fast. He faced the oing arrow head-on, his hand outstretched. A ck me,ced with streaks of white, erupted from his palm, engulfing the arrowpletely. With a sickening crunch, the aura-infused projectile shattered into dust. Jae gasped as her eyes widened in disbelief. "What was that power?" She had never seen anything like it before. But if an opponent like Rel could stop a full-force shot so effortlessly, it meant he was more than just an ordinary archer. *** [Pinnacle Academy, Dystopic Simtion - The Central Apartment Field] "Has anyone seen Rel?" Jan asked as his voice echoed through the deste halls of the six-story apartment building. A quarter of Team B gathered in the lobby, and exchanged uncertain nces. "Not since the start," Lyra replied, her steel wind fans twirling gently in her hands. "I figured he''d be with us by now." "I hope he''s okay," Cam added, a worried look clouding her features. "He didn''t seem too thrilled about this whole exam thing." "He''ll be fine," Jan reassured her, though he hesitated for a moment in his voice. "Rel''s a smart guy. He probably has a n." After walking into the front side of the abandoned apartments a tense silence fell over the group as they surveyed the insides of the building. The walls were adorned with graffiti, and the air hung heavy with the scent of dust and decay. The only sound was the distant echo of footsteps and the asional ng of metal on metal as other members shed in the distance. "Maybe he''s already found a g," Marcus, a burly boy with a spiked mace, suggested hopefully. "Or maybe he''s been eliminated and is waiting to respawn," chimed in Anya, a petite girl with twin daggers strapped to her thighs. "Either way, we need to find the gs," Jan said, his voice taking on a more determined tone. "Let''s split up and cover more ground. Cam and I will take the top two floors, Lyra and Alice, you take the middle two. The rest of you, fan out and search the lower levels." With a quick nod, the team dispersed, each pair heading towards their assigned floors. As Jan and Cam climbed the stairs, a sense of unease settled over them. "Do you think something happened to Rel?" Cam whispered. Jan shook his head. "I don''t know, Cami. But I have a feeling we''re not alone in this building." Jan''s eyes glowed a bright blue, and from a distance, he could hear two people ascending the stairs towards the sixth floor. "Prepare forbat," Jan said, drawing his sword and imbuing it with aura. "And make sure to take this fight seriously." Chapter 222: Capture The Flag (4) [Pinnacle Academy, Dystopic Simtion - The Central Apartment Field: Sixth Floor] Jan and Cam stood poised in the centre of the sixth-floor lobby anxiously. The once grand space now bore the scars of neglect: peeling paint, flickering fluorescent lights, and ayer of dust that clung to every surface. A tattered oriental rugy askew in the centre of the room with its vibrant colours muted by years of neglect. With each step they had taken broken shards of ss crunched underfoot as the remnants of a shattered window offered a glimpse of the realism that the simtion disyed... Tap...tap...tap... The rhythmic thud of footsteps echoed from the opposite side of the lobby, drawing their attention towards the stairwell opposite to the one they had entered through. Two figures emerged from the shadows. One, of above-average height with hair tied in a bun, stood with a calmness thatplemented the katana at his side. The other, tall and bulky, had a shaved head and carried a massive greatsword twice the size of Jan''s. Both sides wore different team colours, leaving only one option: to fight. As Miya noticed the two before them he extended his arm out to signal Noah not to fight on sight. "It''s not often we encounter strong individuals," Miya said, a gentle smile gracing his lips as he looked at Jan. Noah, standing beside him could only smile happily as the man he wanted to fight for a while now was standing right before him and he drew his massive greatsword from its sheath and nodded in agreement. "The rumours of you two being a couple must be true," he chuckled in a yful arrogant tone. Jan returned the smile, shaking his head. "Rumors will be rumours," he replied, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. As he looked up towards them his smile faded and his facial expression turned tense. "I assume we aren''t here to talk right?" With a swift motion, he drew his broadsword and as aura surged through his entire body he only aimed to coat his de with his golden aura. Although Jan was the type to pull his punches he knew that situations where the power difference is huge is when he draws the line. This means in this fight, Jan will take this fight seriously. RUMBLE!...RUMBLE!...RUMBLE!... The building shook as Jan''s aura intensified, its power radiating outwards. Noah and Miya were forced to take a step back from the sheer force of the energy wave emitted by his golden de. "He''s the real deal ain''t he Miya?" "Indeed." Stunned by Jan''s incredible disy, Noah and Miya knew they had to take him seriously. He had defeated Louise, the projected tournament winner, who had easily bested them both. However, after witnessing Jan''s match against Louise, a question lingered in their minds: If they faced Jan two-on-one, who would win? They were aware of Jan''s achievements and skills, but his loss to Valencia seemed absurd. They had seen him seemingly give up towards the end of that battle, convinced he had more fight left in him. "Cam, keep your distance," Jan whispered to her, taking a few steps forward towards the duo. "I''ll fight them both, just cover me." Cam nodded and positioned herself near the rear entrance of the staircase. As she watched him approach them, a knot of worry tightened in her stomach. She knew most mages excelled in open-area battles, and this confined space put her at a massive disadvantage. Which made her think... "was I holding him back?" "Jan..." Cam called out onest time. Jan turned, looking at Cam with a serious expression that quickly softened. "Yeah?" "Don''t get hurt." Jan smiled at her and turned to face his opponents. "I won''t." drip...drip...drip... A sudden drip of water echoed through the room, drawing their attention upwards. They noticed a ck g hanging above them, the one Kolek had instructed them to capture. "It''s unfortunate you only have a mage with you," Miya mused, drawing his katana and imbuing it with aura. "I''d be honoured to give you a one-on-one, but it''s not possible with him here." DASH!!! "...!" Miya moved first, leaping into the air and spinning as heunched himself at Jan. "Blooming de Dance: Blossom Moon." SHING! Miya''s de curved in a perfect circle, shing with Jan''s in a standstill. RAH!! Simultaneously, Noah''s massive greatsword roared through the air and cleaved the space where Jan had stood a moment before. BANNGG! The sheer force of the blow shattered the floor beneath it, sending fragments of concrete flying. "Close one..." Jan sighed as he quickly recovered. "Thanks, Cami!" he shouted with a smile, causing Cam to blush. "Don''t talk during battle..." she muttered. Thanks to Cam''s timely intervention, Jan was safe. She had narrowly summoned a portal to separate him and Miya before Noah couldnd a hit. huuu... DASH! Jan lunged back, taking a deep breath in the brief window of opportunity he had to fight the two. "Light Cleave!" SHAAAAA! Jan imbued his de with the elemental attribute of light and swung it towards Miya, who had lost sight of him. Then... the smoke cleared. "...!" Before his eyes, he had witnessed a sh twice the size of Noah. BANG! The massive sh of light travelled with incredible speed and mmed Miya against the wall. "Your back is wide open!" Noah seeing the opportunity to press his advantage, roared and charged forward. Lifting his greatsword through the air he aimed his steel directly at Jan''s unguarded back. "Gale Force!" But before the de could connect, a gust of wind erupted from Cam''s outstretched hand, deflecting the attack and sending Noah stumbling off bnce. Jan, sensing the shift in momentum, turned and dashed towards Miya. "Consecutive shes!" SLASH!...SLASH!...SLASH!! Coating his de in aura once more, Jan unleashed seven consecutive projectile shes at Miya. SHING!! Miya, caught off guard by the sudden counterattack, quickly sidestepped the first strike and barely managed to parry the others, his katana ringing with each impact. "How can he casually release aura shes like that?" He wondered, realising that every attack from Jan seemed to be at least a level higher than Louise''s. But Miya always remembered that each fight was a lesson, an opportunity for improvement. "It doesn''t matter... It''s two against one. We can''t lose..." ____________ Authors notes: - The reason Miya believes it''s a 2 on-1 is because of how destructive Cam can be and that her attacks are more than capable of harming everyone within the building. Chapter 223: Capture The Flag (5) As Miya opened his eyes, a renewed determination surged through him. He wouldn''t let Jan''s strength intimidate him. He had faced formidable opponents before and knew Jan was just one of those people. "Noah, get up," From beneath the rubble where Cam''s wind spell had sent him tumbling, Noah emerged, dusting himself off with a grunt. "Yeah... I''m up," he replied, his pride slightly bruised but his determination undeterred. "Let''s give him no room to breathe," Miya dered as his katana ignited under his aura, its de shimmering with an ethereal blue light. Noah, eager to redeem himself, followed suit. His greatsword pulsed with a warm, earthy brown aura as he advanced alongside Miya. The two warriors stood side-by-side, a formidable duo united in their purpose. Jan watched them approach, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. DOOOM...DOOOM...DOOOM! And then, a faint ringing filled his ears... "...!" A vision of the immediate future shed before his eyes. "Blooming de Dance - Final Form: Eternal Spring" "Mountain Quake Sword - Fifth Form: Seismic sh!" In his vision, Miya and Noah unleashed abined attack of unimaginable power, a devastating strike that could cleave through the entire building. Jan saw himself narrowly defending, but Cam, caught in the crossfire, was not so lucky. The vision snapped shut, and the chilling wind from the attack jolted Jan back to reality. He realized in horror what their n was. If he didn''t act quickly, Cam would be caught in the crossfire. "Cam!" he shouted, his voice a sharpmand. "You need to run downstairs now!" Cam, startled by his sudden urgency, began to protest. "Why¡ª" "Just do it," Jan interrupted and his expression hardened with determination. "Go!" Jan, having glimpsed the future, understood the danger thaty ahead. His recent solo dungeon dives had honed his Qi and strengthened his Sensory Aura to the point where he could briefly see into the immediate future. But this premonition filled him with a chilling realization. "There''d be too much damage," He muttered, his expression hardening as he shifted from a defensive to an offensive stance. He shifted his weight back, extending his arm for bnce, his gaze locked onto Miya and Noah. As the moment of their attack approached, time seemed to slow. "Blooming de Dance - Final Form: Eternal Spring" "Mountain Quake Sword - Fifth Form: Seismic sh!" The words echoed through the lobby, but their intended targets were no longer there. In the blink of an eye, Jan had closed the 50-meter gap, appearing before the astonished duo in a sh of golden aura. With a fluid motion, he drew his longsword, the de slipping effortlessly from its scabbard. As he adjusted his grip, the muscles in his body rippled, each one infused with the vibrant golden hue of his aura. The de itself transformed, its once silver surface now gleaming with an obsidian ck, pulsating with raw power. The air around him warped and distorted under the immense pressure of his aura. Miya and Noah had their des interlocked within theirbined attack, and found themselves unable to move as their bodies were frozen by an unseen force. "What''s... happening?" Miya, paralyzed by the strange pressure, could only watch helplessly. It was as if Jan''s aura had tapped into true fear, a deep-seated instinct to submit to overwhelming power. What Jan was about to do was something only those in the realm of the truly strong could achieve. huuu... "Formless Technique: Distorted Cut - 10% Power, The Star Divider" SHIING! In a single, fluid motion, Jan swung his longsword diagonally, starting from his right shoulder and ending at his left hip. As he passed between Miya and Noah, he sheathed his de... BANGGGGGGG! The force of the strike created an unimaginable shockwave of pure energy that ripped through the air, sending both Miya and Noah hurtling backward, out of the apartment building and towards their own base. *** [Pinnacle Academy, Dystopic Simtion - Outside] "I-I surrender!" Louise, who had a member of Team B by the cor, looked at him with a cold, impassive expression. For a moment a dark impulse flickered in his eyes, a desire to eliminate the opponent then and there. However, before he could act on it, the student''s form dissolved into pixels, leaving behind the g they had been carrying. BOOOOOM! A powerful surge of aura erupted from the central building, shaking the ground beneath Louise''s feet. "Louise, did you feel that?" Valencia asked, brushing off her clothes after finishing off the remaining members of Team B. Louise''s eyes widened, and a grin spread across his face. "Yeah," he replied, his voice filled with excitement. "Take this." He tossed the red g towards Valencia, and to her surprise, it instantly transformed into a bright blue, signifying its capture for Team A. "What are you doing?" Valencia questioned, her brow furrowed in confusion. "I''m going after him," Louise dered, his voice a cool, confident drawl that sent a shiver down Valencia''s spine. "After Jan?" "Yes," Louise replied, his voice barely a whisper. "I won''t keep you waiting... my love." Thest part he muttered but with that, he turned and sprinted towards the apartmentplex, leaving a stunned Valencia behind. "Did he just...?" Valencia shook her head, dismissing the unsettling encounter. "Ah, never mind." She turned her attention to the remaining members of Team A and headed back to base. ... ... ... Louise, his eyes fixed on the gaping hole in the upper floor of the apartmentplex, grinned with fierce determination. Jan had to be up there. With a powerful surge of aura, he leapt onto a low-hanging branch, propelling himself higher into the canopy. He danced from one treetop to the next, his movements fluid and graceful despite the heavy polearm strapped to his back. Reaching the highest branch, he paused, gathering his energy for the attack he had practised countless times. The air around him snapped as he channelled his elemental attribute into the tip of his polearm igniting with a zing me. "Jan!" Louise''s voice boomed through the forest. "If you don''te out now, then I''ll make you show yourself!" A surge of fiery energy coursed through the polearm, extending the de into a menacing, dragon-like form. "Ignited me - The Piercing Dragon!" Louise roared, hurling the weapon downwards with all his might. SHAAAAAAAAA! The ming polearm plummeted towards the apartmentplex, its trajectory aimed directly at the centre of the roof. BOOOOOM! Then a blinding sh of light erupted as the weapon struck its target, followed by a deafening explosion that shook the very foundations of the building. __________ Authors Notes: - Louise and Valencia couldn''t see Noah and Miya flying out due to the coverage of the trees. Chapter 224: Capture The Flag (6) [Pinnacle Academy, Dystopic Simtion - The Central Apartment Field: Second Floor] "I can''t believe it!" Lyra stomped the ground in frustration, "We''ve found nothing..." She and Alice had just finished scouring the second floor of the apartmentplex, their search for gs yielding no results. Although they hadn''t secured any objectives, they had managed to eliminate four members of Team A in the process, making their task slightly less daunting. "Seven B Team members have been eliminated. Respawn time: 5 minutes," The AI announcer''s voice echoed through the simted environment. Alice''s brow furrowed with worry. That was already a quarter of their team down. "Should we check the upper floor now, Alice?" Lyra asked, her smile attempting to dispel Alice''s growing concern. Alice nodded, her anxiety momentarily eased by Lyra''s presence. But just as she was about to respond, a massive me erupted in the distance, the shockwave shaking the building as mes exploded throughout theplex. BOOOOOM! Alice for a moment held her eyes tight as memories had awakened from long ago that she tried to hide away from... [Alice shback...] A younger Alice, no more than five years old, skipped through the grand halls of the pce, her hand sped in her father''s. He was showing her the family treasury, a dazzling array of treasures that would one day be hers to inherit as queen. Unlike the quiet, reserved Alice of the present. This younger version was a chatterbox with a curiosity bubbling over as she peppered her father with questions. "What''s that, Daddy?" She asked, pointing at a ss case containing a pulsating organ, frozen in time. "That, my dear," her father exined, his voice filled with pride, "is the heart of a mighty dragon, a gift from the Great Hero Garrick." "Garrick?" Alice tilted her head, the name unfamiliar to her young ears. "Yes, Garrick," her father replied, a fond smile on his face. "He was a hero who saved this world many years ago, long before you were born." Alice''s eyes sparkled with admiration."If Daddy thinks he''s great, then he must be!" But her innocent joy was short-lived. A deafening roar echoed through the pce, followed by a wave of scorching heat. The walls trembled, and the ceiling rained down debris as a massive explosion ripped through the heart of the castle. Her father''s protective embrace shielded Alice from the debris, but as the roar of the explosion faded, a chilling silence enveloped her. She couldn''t hear a thing and her ears ringed with a deafening emptiness. As her father held Alice tight, Footsteps echoed in the distance, growing closer with each passing moment. A figure emerged from the smoke-filled doorway of the royal treasury, a man cloaked in a blue hood. He stood about 30 metres away from Alice and her father as a menacing aura radiated from him. With a flick of his wrist he removed his hood, revealing a face partially hidden behind a mask. His hair, a vibrant shade of blue, framed his sharp, calcting eyes. "Hello, brother," the masked man sneered, a cruel smile twisting his lips. "Did you miss me?" Alice''s father met his gaze with a look of utter disgust. His lips moved, forming words that Alice couldn''t hear, the silence in her ears all-consuming. " ????, I thought... you were... ????" The masked manughed in a cold hollow sound that echoed through the ravaged treasury. "You seem mistaken," he said, his voice dripping with malice as he looked towards Alice. "It wasn''t yours to begin with." He reached into his pocket, donning gloves, and then a massive gust of wind sted towards them. Alice flinched from the sudden eruption of energy. "No matter, I won''t make the same mistake again." KREEEK Alice''s father extended his arm, and a sword of ice formed in his hand. He swiftly crouched, turning towards Alice and pressing a shimmering crystal into her tiny hand. "Crush it," he mouthed, his eyes filled with love and desperation. "I love you, Alice." "...!" Before Alice could react, he gave her a gentle push backward, and a sudden pir of rock fell, sealing the entrance and separating her from her father. ... ... ... Lyra coughed, a cloud of dust erupting from her mouth as she slowly opened her eyes. She was lying in a patch of tall grass, hidden from view in a secluded corner of the simtion. "What just happened?" she thought, her head throbbing with a dull ache. "Fifteen people have been eliminated. Respawn timer: 5 minutes," The AI announcer''s voice echoed through the air, confirming that the chaos was far from over. Lyra blinked, surprised to find herself still in the game. Had she somehow avoided the st? As she tried to move, a wave of soreness washed over her, the simted injuries feeling all too real. "This simtion really doesn''t pull any punches," She muttered, wincing as she sat up and stretched her aching muscles. As she regained her bearings, her eyes scanned the horizon. In the distance, two figures caught her attention. What she had seen made her jaw drop in surprise. Of all people, it was Rel that was standing before Bazz. "Another yer has been eliminated. Respawn timer: 5 minutes," The AI announcer''s voice boomed through the simted cityscape, confirming Bazz''s disappearance in a shower of blue pixelsleaving Rel standing alone and unscathed. "No way...," she whispered, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Did... did Rel just take down Bazz?" The initial shock was overwhelming. She knew Bazz was arguably one of the strongest students in their grade, and for Rel to have defeated him held a different meaning entirely. The timid, unbothered smartass she knew had just defied all expectations. Could it be that Rel had been hiding his true strength all along? "A secret weapon," she murmured, a sly grin spreading across her face. "I knew it, he was hiding something all along!" Lyra''s curiosity about Rel reached new heights as she pumped her fist in the air. She had always sensed something was off about him from the moment he entered the academy. A person so terrible at practicals that he could barely run, an archer who contributed little in team dungeon tasks, and someone who had barely made an impact during the France incident. And yet, here he was, standing triumphant over Bazz who had disappeared. "I have to see this for myself," ___________ To Be Continued... ___________ Chapter 225: Arrival "Curse... you... trees..." Bazz''s final words echoed in my ears, fading into the simted breeze that brushed against my cheek. The forest was silent now, save for the rustling leaves and the distant sounds of battle. But I knew I wasn''t truly alone. A prickling sensation at the back of my neck told me I was being watched. Truth be told, I had been harassed relentlessly by Jae''s arrows during our chase. I had no choice but to keep running towards the central apartmentplex, hoping to reach the scene of the fight between Jan and Louise. But for Bazz to have chased me this far... Well, his tenacity is surely unrivalledpared to anyone else. Luckily for me, a stroke of fortune (or perhaps a conveniently ced branch) intervened. Bazz, in his pursuit of trying to eliminate me, had smacked his head against a massive branch, and following an explosion that happened before him chasing me a massive boulder of debris mmed into him with enough force to knock out even a superhuman. It was clear that the fight between Louise and Jan had started earlier than expected, but it was the oue of the battle that truly worried me. If Jan had already faced multiple opponents on his way to the top floor, he would be either exhausted or injured, putting him at a significant disadvantage against Louise. Then again, a healthy Jan, or even a slightly injured one, was still a force to be reckoned with. He was stronger than Louise, even in a rage-fueled state. But if the building ahead of me was indeed split in half by Louise''s polearm, as I suspected, then the final fight for the g would likely take ce underground, in the bunker. The bunker... the location of the final g. I needed to confirm this. If the fight wasn''t happening there, then... well, I''d figure something out. That''s what I do best, after all. ** [Pinnacle Academy,Dysotpic Simtion - Team A Base] Back at Team A''s base, a sense of unease hung in the air. They had sessfully captured one g during Louise''s initial charge, but theirmunication and coordination had since faltered. Five minutes had passed with no further progress, and the realization that both teams were struggling to im a second g was starting to sink in. "Where''s Louise?" Bazz asked, appearing from a shimmer of blue pixels, having finally respawned. "He went after Jan," Valencia replied, her gaze fixed on the holographic map of the simtion. "After Jan?" Jae echoed, her eyebrows furrowing. "Is he crazy? Jan just took out Miya and Noah with a single move!" Valencia shrugged, not particrly invested in their rivalry. "Louise has his own reasons. But we need to focus on securing more gs. We still have a chance to win this." The team nodded, agreeing with Valencia''s assessment. "A g has been captured. The score is tied 1-1..." The AI announcer''s voice boomed through the base, confirming their fears. The game was at a stalemate, and the location of the final g remained a mystery. "Everyone has most likely returned to the battlefield," Valencia said, her voice taking on amanding tone. "Let''s create smaller groups and spread out to find the g. We''ll use a pincer maneuver to corner any opponents we encounter." With a nod of agreement, the remaining members of Team A dispersed, each group taking a different route through the simted city. The hunt for the final g was on. ... ... ... [Meanwhile Back At The Apartment Complex...] Alice blinked, her eyes snapping open as the echoes of the past faded. She realized she had fallen through the floor during the explosion,nding amidst the rubble on the second floor. Luckily, she was mostly unharmed, save for a few scrapes and bruises. But the scene before her was far from reassuring. The main lobby of the first floor was engulfed in mes, the fire spreading rapidly through the building. She knew instinctively who was responsible for this chaos. "Come out, Jan!" a familiar voice screamed. "I know you''re hiding!" A blonde-haired student emerged from the smoke-filled doorway, his face contorted in a mask of anger. It was Louise. He stalked towards the gaping hole in the ceiling checking for his weapon and smiled at the destructive power of his previous attack. Alice could see a dark tunnel leading down to another level that was lower than the first floor... She tried to move closer to get a better view, but her body refused to obey hermands. tremble...tremble...tremble... Her hands trembled uncontrobly, and she felt a cold fear gripping her heart. I need to get up... she thought, reaching for her sword. But her fingers refused to close around the hilt. An overwhelming sense of dread paralyzed her, urging her to stay hidden. "...why?" As she watched Louise carefully navigate the rubble, it seemed he hadn''t noticed her concealed as she was in the debris. "Oh my... I am lucky after all!" Louise eximed as he leapt from the hole and came back out with his polearm strapped to his back and a blue g clutched in his hand, signifying its capture for Team A. "Valencia will surely like this," he muttered to himself. "Now I just need to bring it back to base." Alice, seeing him with the g, realized she couldn''t allow her team to lose like this. The thought of losing without putting up a fight made her feel useless. If she didn''t take this chance now, she could at least stall him until someone arrived. "You can''t..." Alice whispered and raised her arm, feeling the mana in her body surge into her hand, forming a sharp ice shard. As she closed an eye to aim carefully, she released the shot to stall Louise... STAK! CRASHH... Louise moved his head to the side, watching the ice shard miss its mark, shattering into tiny fragments against the wall. His face shifted from triumph to anger in an instant. "Who did that?" He snarled and turned his head around. Louise walked towards the source of the ice shard and his eyes began scanning the debris-strewn floor. As he rounded a pile of rubble his lips curled into a sinister smile. He found Alice huddled against the wall her face pale and her body trembling. She clutched her Rapier tightly, but her eyes were wide with fear. "Well, well, well," Louise sneered. "Who would have thought the Ice Princess would be in such a state?" He chuckled darkly, enjoying her obvious distress. "Not me," he continued, his voice dripping with mockery. Alice red at him, her expression clearing showing she wasn''t afraid. But her trembling hands betrayed her fear. Louise''s eyes narrowed. He hadn''t been able to finish off the student with the g earlier, but perhaps he could eliminate Alice instead. It would be even sweeter, considering she had consistently outperformed him in the theory exams. He advanced slowly, relishing the terror in her eyes. "Well, I''ll be seeing you in the lobby after this," he said, raising the blue g triumphantly. "We''re the winners!" Alice squeezed her eyes shut, unable to bear the sight of his impending attack. "Somebody... please... help..." she whispered, her voice barely a whimper. Louise raised his polearm, ready to strike. But just as he swung downwards... BAM!!! A powerful force mmed into his side, sending him flying across the room and crashing into the opposite wall. The g slipped from his grasp,nding at Alice''s feet. "Sorry, was Ite?" A breathless voice echoed through the room. Alice opened her eyes to see a figure standing before her, a bow strapped to their back and their eyes glowing with a brilliant blue light. As the figure stepped out of the shadows, Alice recognized her saviour. It was Rel Laurence. "Don''t worry, I''m here." Chapter 226: Arrival (2) For a moment, Alice''s eyes widened, and her heart quickened. A flood of emotions washed over her¡ªrelief, gratitude, and something else she couldn''t quite define. But the moment passed as she realized she felt safe with him standing protectively before her. "You..." Louise snarled, pushing himself off the wall, his face contorted in rage. "I wanted to eliminate her first... but since you''re here now... I''ll beat the living shit out of you, four-eyes!" Rel stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he met Louise''s gaze. "I won''t let you hurt any of my teammates," he dered, his voice firm and resolute. With a swift motion, he unslung his bow from his back, the weapon feeling like an extension of his own body. He tugged the bowstring and an arrow appeared through thin air. "I''ll be your opponent, Louise," Rel said. Louise burst intoughter, the sound echoing through the ruined hallway. "You?" he scoffed, his eyes raking over Rel''s slender frame. "You think you can stop me?" He seemed almost ted as if the idea of Rel challenging him was a joke. To Louise, Rel was nothing more than a mana-less weakling, devoid of any special abilities. With a flourish, Louise pulled out his polearm and the de glowed menacingly in the dim light. A cocky grin spread across his face as he regarded Rel with disdain. "This won''t even take a minute," he sneered. Without a moment''s hesitation, Louise lunged forward, his polearm a blur as he aimed a vicious downward strike at Rel. Rel, however, was unfazed. He calmly raised his bow, not to shoot, but to block. SHINGGGG! The metallic edge of the bow met the polearm''s de with a resounding ng, the force of the impact sending a shockwave through the air. "What?!" Louise cried out in disbelief. He had expected the bow to splinter under the force of his attack, but it held firm, not a scratch marring its surface. huuuu... Rel, seizing the opportunity, twisted his body, using the momentum of Louise''s strike against him. He channeled his aura into his right foot and a flicker of ck lightning danced across his skin. With a swift, fluid motion, he unleashed a half-heel kick, his foot connecting with Louise''s jaw. BAM!! A burst of ck lightning erupted from the impact, sending Louise crashing to the ground with a sickening thud. [Critical Hit!] The notification shed before Rel''s eyes, but he didn''t have time to celebrate. He knew this was just the beginning of the fight. Louise''s face may have been pressed into the ground, but the rage radiating from his body was palpable. "Fluke!" he roared, his voice a guttural growl. With a defiant m of his fist, a pir of mes erupted from the floor beneath Rel. The unexpected st of fire caught Rel off guard, hurling him upwards through the gaping hole in the ceiling. "Rel!" Alice cried out, her heart leaping into her throat as she witnessed the scene. But even as he was propelled through the air, Rel''s quick reflexes and the protective aura of Anti-Magic allowed him to regain control. The mes dissipated, leaving behind a trail of smoke and the acrid scent of burnt wood. As the smoke cleared, Louise emerged from the hole, his polearm aze. "Ignited me - Feverant Half Strike!" he roared, swinging his weapon downwards in a zing arc. A trail of fire followed the polearm, illuminating the darkened room. Rel twisted mid-air, his eyes fixed on the iing attack. He clenched his hands and infused his bow with Anti-Magic and the weapon shimmered with dark energy as he raised it to intercept Louise''s strike. SHING!! The two weapons shed and the searing heat of the mes met the nullifying power of Anti-Magic. "...!" BOOOOOOOM! The force of the impact sent bothbatants tumbling backward. They crashed through the floor,nding hard on the third floor in a long, dimly lit hallway. The only light came from the gaping hole above, casting eerie shadows that danced on the walls. Relnded nimbly, rolling to absorb the impact before springing back to his feet. He assessed the situation, his mind racing through the possibilities. While Louise''s polearm granted him a reach advantage in this narrow hallway, Rel knew he held a trump card: his agility. The cramped space limited Louise''s maneuverability, making it difficult for him to fully utilize his weapon''s length. Rel pulled back his bowstring, an arrow materializing in his grasp. As he drew it back, his aura surged through the weapon, transforming the ordinary bow into a sleek instrument of obsidian ck. Louise watched, his eyes narrowed. He had never faced Rel inbat before, but he had witnessed his uncanny movement and speed. Still, he couldn''t shake the feeling that there was more to this unassuming archer than met the eye. The fact that Rel had effortlessly blocked his attacks twice was a clear indication of hidden strength. "He''s not worth the time," Louise muttered, his initial arrogance tempered by a newfound caution. "I''ll just try to stall for time until then," Rel looked up towards Louise. Rel, without hesitation, unleashed a volley of three arrows in quick session. They streaked down the hallway, their obsidian-ck tips shimmering with a menacing aura. Louise, momentarily taken aback by Rel''s audacity, quickly regained hisposure. He charged towards the arrows, his emerald eyes glowing with intensity as the projectiles crackled in his vision. The arrows crackled in a bolt of dark lightning and Louise couldn''t understand what he was seeing. "What is that?" Louise muttered. He swung his polearm, its tip aze with a searing me, in a desperate attempt to intercept the attack. BAM!!!! A massive explosion rocked the hallway as Louise''s weapon collided with the iing arrows. A cloud of dust and debris filled the air, momentarily obscuring his vision. "Just how?!" He covered his eyes trying to stop the dust from going in but despite the chaos, Louise''s sensory aura remained active, searching for Rel''s presence. Nothing more was dangerous than someone who cannot be detected through the smoke itself. But to his surprise, there was nothing. No sound, no movement, no energy signature. As the smoke cleared, Louise''s eyes widened in rm. A fist, glowing with a sinister ck aura, emerged from the haze, striking him squarely in the face. BAM! Rel''s attack connected with brutal force, sending Louise hurtling downwards through the shattered floor, crashing onto the level below. Rel then leapt downwards andnded gracefully on the floor below, his eyes scanning the dimly lit room for any sign of movement. A low groan echoed from the darkness, followed by a shuffling sound. Rel tensed and grabbed his bow at the ready, as Louise slowly rose from the debris, his face contorted in a mask of pain and fury. The blow had clearly disoriented him, but his fighting spirit remained unbroken. "You little sneaky bastard!" Louise snarled, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip. "You''ll pay for that!" WHOOOOOOOOSH!!! With a fierce roar, Louise''s eyes zed with a newfound intensity. The air around him burst with energy as he unleashed his aura, a power that sent dust and debris swirling around the room. "First Valencia..." he muttered, his voice grumbling lowly, "...now you think you can beat me?" His grip tightened around the polearm, its silver de now bathed in a menacing red glow as his aura surged through it. "I will no longer tolerate this behaviour... damned rat." The temperature in the room soared, the heat radiating outwards in waves. Louise was done ying games. Rel had earned The Prince''s full attention and now... It is time to return the favour. _______________ Authors Notes: - The reason Louise''s attack exploded is because when Aura is met with mana the mix of the two tends to explode on impact if not handled correctly. Chapter 227: Arrival (3) [Rel''s POV] [Pinnacle Academy, Dystopic Simtion - Apartment Complex: 2nd Floor] The second floor was a chaotic mess, the lobby around us engulfed in mes. Sweat dripped down my face and the heat from Louise''s aura was suffocating. It was clear he was no longer holding back. His eyes zed with an unhinged fury, and I couldn''t help but feel a chill crawl down my spine. Is this guy crazy? I thought. Sure, his character was supposed to be intense, but this level of rage over Valencia? It was beyond anything I had written into the original story. This wasn''t how I intended things to go. Pushing Louise this far wasn''t part of my n. Someone else was supposed to take the brunt of his anger. But defending Alice hadn''t been part of the n either. She just was in the wrong ce at the wrong time. I don''t know how long I can hold him off, I thought grimly. But it''s all a matter of time until Jan shows up. FWANG! [Mana Reserves: 58%] I still had a decent amount of mana left, but against Louise, I was burning through it at an rming rate. He could break through my defences without much trouble, and his current strength was a testament to Jan''s power on the upper floors. He must be an absolute monster up there. I really hate this job of stalling for the main character. All I could do was react, attack when I could, block when I had to. It was exhausting trying to keep up with someone like Louise. Jan, please hurry up. DASH! Louise charged without a single thought, his speed was rming as he closed the distance between us. SHUUUU! I saw the transformation of his polearm ¨C the pure me was gone, reced by a crimson aura that pulsed ominously around the de. I knew then that Anti-Magic wouldn''t be enough. [Special Passive: Sixth Sense [Grade 6] Has Been Activated!] As Louise lunged, my body reacted instinctively. He feinted a downward thrust, but my Sixth Sense predicted his move, and I sidestepped, drawing my bow in the same fluid motion. Three attribute-less arrows flew from the string, their speed leaving no room for reaction. TAK, TAK, TAK The first arrow whizzed past Louise''s ear, but the second and third found their mark, piercing his chest. "Damn rat..." He growled in anger despite the wounds. "Let''s see what you have to say to this!" Then suddenly time seemed to freeze. I watched in horror as Louise began to channel a technique I knew no ordinary hero could pull off: the fusion of his elemental attribute and aura into a single, devastating strike. The crimson aura of his polearm pulsed, enveloped by a swirling inferno of mes. [The Following Skill Has Been Activated: Sensory Aura] [Special Ability: Clockwork Of Time [Grade 3] Has Been Activated!] My mind began to panic and I activated both Sensory Aura and Clockwork of Time, desperately searching for an opening to counter his attack. One second passed... I was still unscathed, but Louise''s form remained unreadable. Three seconds... Sweat began to run down on my forehead. I considered activating Mitgiation''s Phenomena but knew there wasn''t enough time to pull it off fully. Six seconds... I coughed and a trickle of blood stained my lips. Maintaining Clockwork of Time for this long was draining my mana reserves rapidly. [Mana Reserves: 19%] haah... There was no escape this time. At this distance, Louise''s attack was unavoidable. "Damn it... this is gonna hurt." ** "DIE!" Louise roared, thrusting his polearm forward with blinding speed. Rel watched the fiery de descend. There was no time to block, no way to dodge. He braced himself for the impact, closing his eyes in resignation. As Louise unleashed his attack, thebined force of aura and elemental attribute exploded in a blinding sh. The air crackled with power as the heat and pressure were nearly unbearable. BAM! The explosion that followed shook the entire building. Rel was flung backwards, crashing through the floor and tumbling down to the first level. He mmed against a wall, creating a new hole right next to a stunned Alice. Cough... cough... cough... "Ah... it hurts," Rel groaned, clenching his teeth against the pain. Blood dripped down his forehead, his vision blurred, and his ears rang with the deafening st. "Rel! Are... are you okay?!" Alice, who had witnessed the entire scene through her Sensory Aura, rushed to his side with a panicked look on her face. "I-I-I''m okay... Just a little... cough... scratch..." Rel struggled to sit up and his body wracked with a pain he had never experienced before. "Just say the words!" Alice urged, but Rel''s ears were ringing, unable to hear her pleas. He tried to read her lips, but his mind was reeling from the impact. "That''s what you get for messing with me, you worthless insect!" As Alice looked up towards Louise, Rel followed her gaze, watching as the polearm user revelled in his victory. Battered and bruised, Rel understood what Louise was saying. A wave of frustration washed over him. The pride of an author, losing to his own character. It was a bitter pill to swallow. "I''m gonna crush him..." Rel muttered slowly. His decision came at the cost of his ownposure, shattered by Louise''s arrogance. Rel knew he couldn''t let Team A win so regardless of whether Jan arrives. The plot demanded a different oue. "I''ll be borrowing this, Alice," he said, his voice surprisingly steady despite the pain. Alice''s eyes widened in surprise. Rel, the archer, wielding a sword? "Also... if you can, take that g back to base," Rel instructed pointing towards the g on the ground, his gaze hardening as he looked up at Louise. As Rel struggled to his feet, he slowly began to walk towards Louise''s direction leaving Alice alone. Then suddenly a shadowy figure emerged from the smoke-filled haze and their form shrouded in darkness as the person tapped Alice on the shoulder. "...!" "shh..." the person put a finger on his lips, asking Alice to be quiet. As she nodded at the person, Alice clutched the g tightly to her chest and watched Rel''s final showdown with Louise happen anxiously. ... ... ... Rel turned to face Louise. The smoke from the fire thickened, obscuring their vision, but Rel''s resolve remained unwavering. He gripped Alice''s Rapier its sleek de was different to his usual weapon of choice. As he held the de, aura surged through his right arm, infusing the rapier and turning it a deep obsidian ck. Louise seeing Rel''s shadow with a rapier in hand, erupted inughter. "An archer who uses swords? That''s just... ridiculous!" Rel remained unfazed by the taunt, his silence speaking volumes. (he still can''t hear.) Louise''sughter died abruptly as he wiped a tear from his cheek. "Well, I guess it''s safe to say that it''s over." He leapt down from the shattered opening on the first floor,nding with a heavy thud that sent tremors through the building. The two stood on opposite ends of the room and the smoke created an imprable fog between them. Louise, confident in his superior senses, smirked. "If he can''t see, then I can''t either," he thought. "But I have the advantage." His emerald eyes glowed as he channelled his aura and his senses heightened to their peak. With a burst of speed, he charged into the smoke. "Ignited me: Half Step Burst!" "Divine Severance" Louise''s polearm de was imbued with mes once more, and through the haze, he saw Rel''s silhouette, his de crackling with lightning. It troubled Louise for a moment, but he quickly dismissed the thought of Rel being able to wield a sword effectively. SHAKKKKK! SHING!!! A simultaneous sh echoed through the room. Louise''s polearm found its mark, striking Rel''s side. But at the same time, a dark aura sh ripped through the smoke, slicing across Louise''s chest. ... ... ... Rel mmed into the wall, the impact jarring his already injured body. A hand touched his shoulder, and he heard a familiar voice, low and reassuring. "You''ve got it from here, right?" Rel managed to rasp out, his vision slowly fading. He recognized the silhouette on the floor, the outline of someone he knew well. "Yeah! You''ve done well..." The voice was faint, but its warmth was unmistakable. "I''ll take it from here now." Rel turned his head to see Jan standing over him with a bright smile on his face. The picture of a protagonist arriving just in the nick of time. haah... "Good," Rel muttered, a flicker of relief passing through him. "I was tired of waiting... dumbass." His body dissolved into a shower of blue pixels, and Jan didn''t even spare him a nce. He had already acknowledged the lengths Rel had gone to, leading Louise straight to him. "A yer has been eliminated. Respawn timer: 5 minutes," ___________ No Authors Notes Today... Chapter 228: The Ache That Never Truly Healed "????!" My eyes snapped open from the sound echoing in my ears. "...!" Had someone called my name? A real name, not the one given to me in this story. The familiar scent of old books and worn in furniture greeted me as I took in my surroundings. It was my room, unchanged from the day I left it. The same cluttered desk, the same faded posters on the wall, the same worn-out armchair in the corner. I looked down at my hands, at my body. It was me. The real me, not Rel Laurence, the fictional character I had be. I was back in my old life, seven years before my transmigration. Just an ordinary high school student, before the world of writing had consumed me. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Compared to my 25-year-old self, I was in peak physical condition back then. I wasn''t slouching over a keyboard, I wasn''t battling writer''s block and deadlines. I was free. My friends were still in my life and I had a girlfriend... everything was ahead of me. But as I gazed out the window at the bright sunshine, I''ve always wondered... Why had I thrown away a life like this? I couldn''t understand. "????, you''re awake," a familiar voice said. My father stepped into the room, and I felt his presence as aforting anchor. "You should get ready now, or your mother''s gonna get mad," he chuckled. My mother followed him in and I saw her face set in its usual ''you''rete-again'' frown. ¡ª"Rel..." "????, seriously... you have a perfect attendance record, thanks to me. Hurry up!" Although they were alive and well in front of me, I began to wonder if they were doing well without me. ¡ª"Rel...Rel..." I couldn''t help but smile... and suddenly their voices were distant, muffled by a persistent white noise that filled my ears. Right... It''s just a dream. ¡ª"Rel...Rel...Rel!" I reached out towards them, but as I blinked, the scene dissolved... I found myself back in the academy''s infirmary with blurry vision. Exclusive content from m,v le "Shit..." As I extended my hands to try to reach for my sses, I felt nothing on the nightstand. But weren''t my sses already on? As I felt the familiar frame of my sses, I took them off and realized that a tear had rolled down my cheek. I was crying. It had been so long since I''d felt this way, this vulnerable, this...human. "Damn it..." I muttered, covering my eyes with my arm, trying to block out the fading image of my parents. Did they have the same ck hair as me? Did my mother dye hers brown? Did my father always wear his hair that way? I had a lot of questions in my mind. But each one was a painful reminder of the life I had left behind. I had buried the memories of my past deep within my heart, convincing myself that they didn''t matter anymore. But this dream, this glimpse of the life I once had, shattered that illusion. It exposed the wound, the ache that had never truly healed. It was a constant reminder of what I had lost. ** Rel, lost in thought gazed out the infirmary window looking at the bright blue sky above. "Rel?" Jan''s voice spoke as Rel turned to see him standing by the doorway with a concerned expression on his face. "You okay, man?" Jan asked, stepping closer. "You''ve been out for a while." Rel blinked, trying to clear the traces of tears from his eyes. "Yeah," he managed, turning his gaze to the window. "Just a bit dazed, that''s all." Jan studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Well, you missed out on our win. Louise went ballistic, trying to take you out. Luckily, I got there just in time." "I saw," Rel muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thanks for the save." "No problem," Jan replied, pping Rel on the shoulder. "But seriously, everyone was worried about you. I heard that after you got eliminated, you were knocked out cold on the floor. Kolek tried to wake you up, but you didn''t respond." Rel remained turned away as his voice felt distant. "Is that so?" "Yeah! The doctors said they had to do a mana transfusion on you because you had no mana." "Mhm..." Rel nodded and his usual response sounded nomittal. Although Jan had filled him in on what happened, he still had onest question to ask. "Rel..." "Yeah?" "Were you crying?" Rel turned back to face Jan with a carefully neutral expression. "Crying?" he said, "Of course not. Why would I be crying?" Jan hesitated, unsure whether to press further. "Well... you just seemed a little... emotional when I came in." Rel shrugged, feigning nonchnce. "Must have been the pain medication. They tend to mess with your head a bit." Jan studied Rel''s face for a moment longer, then seemed to ept the exnation. "Alright," he said with a chuckle. "Just making sure you''re okay.You gave us quite a scare." Rel nodded, relieved that Jan hadn''t pushed any further. He was grateful for Jan''s concern, but he wasn''t ever going to share that burden. "Well, I''m feeling better now," Rel said, forcing a smile. "Thanks for checking on me." Jan gave Rel onest reassuring pat on the shoulder before heading out of the infirmary and the automatic sliding doors shut behind him, revealing a small gathering of concerned faces in the hallway. Alice, Lyra, Bazz, Cam, and Jae stood huddled together. Valencia was sitting on a chair from across Rel''s room. Jan raised a hand to silence them, a gentle smile gracing his lips. "He''s alright," he whispered, his voice carrying aforting warmth. "Just a bit shaken up, but he''ll be fine." A collective sigh of relief swept through the group and the tension that had gripped them since Rel''s sudden disappearance began to dissipate. "Let''s meet up at Allen''s Cafeter," Jan suggested, his eyes scanning the group. Everyone nodded in agreement, eager to put the events of the day behind them and enjoy some well-deserved rxation. "Valencia," Jan said, his voice lowering to a more serious tone. "Can you stay back for a minute? I''d like to talk to you about something." Jan leaned against the wall, his usual carefree demeanour reced by a thoughtful expression. "Valencia," his voice hushed, "I wanted to ask you... did you notice anything unusual about Rel when you visited him earlier?" Valencia''s brow furrowed as her mind reying the scene in the infirmary. "He seemed a bit... distant," she admitted, her voice soft. "And his eyes were red like he''d been crying." "Crying?" Jan echoed, surprise evident in his voice. "Rel? Crying?" Valencia nodded simply nodded. "When I walked in, he was asleep, but he was murmuring in his sleep, calling for his mother." A sharp pain struck Valencia''s heart. She knew all too well the ache of missing a parent, the void that could never truly be filled. The rumours she had heard about Rel being an orphan might be true. "I think... I think he might not have a family to go back to," Valencia said quietly. Jan''s expression softened as he, too, understood the pain of having no parents. "That must be really hard for him." A brief silence fell between them as they both contemted Rel''s situation. Then, Jan cleared his throat, breaking the quiet moment. "Valencia," "Yeah?" "Let''s not mention anything about Rel crying to the others, alright? I don''t think he''d want them to know." Valencia nodded, understanding the unspoken request. "Sure." With that, they headed towards the cafe, Valencia turning her head back slightly towards the hallway where Rel''s room was. "Stay strong..." she muttered. [Location: The Darkworld - ???] Chapter 229: Darkworld The Gathering [Location: Dark World - ???] In the far depths of the earth, there lies a ce that even the strongest powers of this world cannot reach. The Heroes Association has failed, and countless great heroes have fallen trying to enter. This ndestine meeting is held in a location hidden away from the world, known only to the most notorious criminals. The Darkworld. An underground realm that acts as a second Earth. Within the Darkworld, a massive meeting is underway, with renowned members of Quadra in attendance. It is clear that something significant is being nned for a fateful day. The room, a vast space built with extravagant luxury, hosted four figures, with one empty seat left unupied. "After a sessful mission and experiment, the feedback from your test is a sess, dimir," [Morwen Cross, Leader Of The Syndicate - Member Of Quadra] He leaned forward, the corners of his mouth tightening as if holding back a torrent of words, a serious look on his face. "Indeed," [dimir Bane, Leader Of The Devils Cult - Current Head Of Quadra] "It seems we''ve found our key source for a specific ingredient that only a rare few know about." dimir stood before a massive t-screen TV, taking a sip from a golden stemware filled with expensive wine. WHOOM! As a fake doll appeared through the seats of the round table, a mysterious energy rose out of it. "Ahhh... It seems today is important!" [Cyran Gray, Leader Of The Sifters Organization - Member Of Quadra] A disembodied voice echoed through the room, belonging to Cyran Gray. As if he had teleported into the room through a doll''s body... an act that surprised none of the others present. "Whereee... coulddd... heeee... beee?!" DOOM! As Cyran waved his hands, the earth rumbled and trembled. Tap... Another massive shockwave shook the room, and the three of them remained unphased by the sounds of these earthquakes. TAP! Then, through the cracks of the room, an ominous surge of aura erupted from the massive double doors. WAHAH! A boomingugh reverberated through the hallways... BOOM! ...Followed by the destruction of the double doors, not by hands but by the waves of a dark purple aura that erupted with lightning. "I AM HERE!" [Drakon Szar, Member Of Quadra - Wanted Dead: $19,750,000,000] Drakon strode into the room, his presence as imposing as any mythical beast. His eyes, a piercing crimson that seemed to burn with an inner fire, held a reptilian vertical slit for pupils. A mane of wild, raven-ck hair framed his face, each strand seemingly alive with restless energy as if his very being defied thews of nature. He calmly took his seat at the specially constructed table designed to amodate his massive frame. The stage was set. All the key yers were present. With the 4 settled into the room, the meeting began. "It''s been quite some time since us 4 have been in the same room." dimir turned towards the roundtable, his hand tightening around his cup. He raised it in a gesture that was moremand than toast while his gaze swept over the others with a careful eye. The one who had called this meeting was him. "aa...daaa...mir! the meeting... todayyy... is it time?!" Cyran''s eyes widened, a manic grin splitting his face as he looked towards dimir. But the leader remained unmoved. "No. But I''ve brought you all here once more on the topic of the towers." "So, it must be about selection, right?" Morwen inquired, looking up towards dimir. "Correct." "Then, I suppose we don''t know much about the tower, but there are rumors of unthinkable things existing within it," Morwen said. "Well, I do hope so. If the towers have items or ingredients worth taking, then it''d require our full attention to attain the perfect body in this living world." "DOES IT MEAN THAT I CAN FIGHT THE STRONGEST THEN?" Drakon''s voice boomed through the room, the air shaking. dimir scoffed at him with a tired look. "The strongest of this world isn''t clear yet... of course, as of now, we still have countermeasures for our dear Sorceress that stopped us many years ago." As dimir recalled the events of Quadra''s attempt to infiltrate Pinnacle, he remembered that fatal sh between him and Aurelia. The fight that had been burned into his memory and body... It was a massive scar that zig-zagged across his chest. "So, we all know about the four towers, but today each one of them has a name." dimir grabbed the remote from the round table and turned on the t-screen TV, revealing a map showcasing the locations of each tower. "The Tower of Destruction, The Tower of Chaos, The Tower of Evil, and the Tower of Abyss," he dered, his voice echoing in the vast chamber. dimir exined that each tower was said to possess specific traits in ordance with its name. There was no confirmation of whether these were the official names, but the information came from a credible source, purchased at a high price. It had to be true. As the meeting continued, they discussed which group would enter each tower. "I''LL BE TAKING THE TOWER OF DESTRUCTION!" Drakon roared, his voice shaking the very foundations of the room. "Let me go to the Tower of Chaos," Morwen said calmly, a glint in his eye. "I shallll... takeeee... Evil!" Cyran''s disembodied voice chirped, his doll-like vessel emitting a sinister aura. With the three members having chosen their towers, dimir was left with the Tower of Abyss. "Then that settles it," he said, switching off the t-screen TV. "You guys can go." With a wave of his hand, he vanished into a swirling pool of blood. "OPEN¡ª" SWAM! Drakon suddenly shouted, but his words were abruptly cut off by a silencing spell cast by Morwen. "I already know... just leave," Morwen said, his voice a low growl. whom... He opened a massive portal leading to another destination, and Drakon, with onest thunderousugh, leapt through it. "THANKS, MORWEN!" his voice echoed from the other side, fading into the distance. The echoingughter of Drakon faded, leaving only the heavy silence of the vast chamber. Morwen and Cyran remained, the air thick with unspoken thoughts. "You knew about the exam, didn''t you?" Morwen finally said. Cyran''s doll-like vessel tilted its head, a yful smile painted on its porcin face. "I already kne!" it chirped, its voice a discordant melody. Morwen rolled his eyes, a gesture of exasperation lost on the inanimate doll. BZZZZZT!...BZZZZZZT! Suddenly, his watch vibrated, interrupting the tense silence. It was Bet. "¡ªMorwen... is this a good time to call?" Bet''s voice crackled through the watch''s speaker. "Yeah, we just finished with our meeting. I''ll put you on the big screen," Morwen replied, pressing a button on the device. The t-screen TV flickered to life and Bet''s anxious face filled the screen. It was just him and Cyran in the room now, and Bet seemed relieved to see them. "Hello, Boss Morwen and Boss Cyran. I hope you guys have been well," Bet began, his tone clipped and professional. "I''m contacting you regarding the uing practical exam for the first-year students at Pinnacle Academy." Morwen leaned forward, a grin spreading across his face. "What''s the situation, Bet?" "The exam will be held on a generated ind," Bet exined. "Unfortunately, it''s located at a considerable distance, making direct ess impossible." "So how do you propose we proceed?" Morwen''s voice echoed through the chamber. "We need to formte a n to acquire one of the students during the exam," Bet suggested. "Valencia Freya would be ideal, but her security detail is likely to be powerful." Cyran''s lips curled into a faint smile. "Thereee''s anotherrrr option!" he said, his gaze fixated on the screen. "Theeee boy with ck hairrr and blue eyessss!?" Cyran projected a photo from his watch onto the screen, revealing an image of Rel Laurence. Morwen frowned. "That smart kid? I''m not sure that''s wise." "He''d be valueableeee if weee could brainwashhh him," Cyran insisted. Bet agreed, "His intelligence and resourcefulness are undeniable. He was the one who defeated Jasper in his demi-human form, after all." "That kid defeated Jasper all by himself?" Morwen was incredulous... After all he had personally broken Jasper out of the maximum security prison for that one task. "Is that true, Cyran?" Cyran only smiled, and Morwen''s eyes widened, knowing it must be true. As Morwen stood up he tapped a few keys on his watch essing thetest news feeds. "It seems Rel Laurence has already been making a name for himself," He mused, scrolling through articles about the ''hero of the France Incident''. "I''ve also heard rumours that his tournament run was due to luck, but he was also awarded the best single-match individual performance in the semi-finals." Bet added, contributing to Morwen''s quick search. Morwen''s brow furrowed as he noticed theck of any articles about Rel prior to these events. A realization dawned on him. "It''s possible he''s been hiding his true power all along," Morwen concluded, a hint of excitement creeping into his voice. "If he managed to defeat both demi-humans, then his potential might be far greater than we initially thought." "What do you think, Morwen?" Cyran''s disembodied voice chirped, breaking the momentary silence. Morwen nodded, "I agree. We should go after him. But Bet must tread carefully. He may just be an archer, but his hidden strength cannot be underestimated." "A suitable vessel indeed," Bet said, "But he''s a sneaky kid, with almost no mana or presence." "He''s suppressing it somehow," Morwen deduced, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. "Which means he has a lot of skills at his disposal to be that powerful." He paused, his gaze turning towards Bet on the screen. "Bet, the kid might already be too much to handle. We need to weaken him, little by little." _________ To Be Continued... _________ Chapter 230: Darkworld The Gathering (2) | Her Life Morwen reached into a drawer and pulled out a small vial filled with a murky liquid. "This drug has been tested to elevate the tier of a monster, at least ording to dimir." He held the vial up to the screen, showcasing it to Bet. "If you administer it to the main boss monster of the exam, it should boost its rank to a B+." Bet''s eyes hovered over it as he examined the vial. "He''ll be one of the few students with the potential tost till the end. I''ll make sure to execute this without being seen." "Good," Morwen said with a satisfied smile on his lips. "I''ll have it delivered to you soon. Keep in touch." "Got it, boss." With a curt nod, Bet ended the call and his image faded from the screen. The room fell silent once more, the only sound the soft whirring of the air conditioning and the faint echo of Cyran''s unsettlingughter. Cyran''s disembodied voice filled the room, its usual yful lilt reced with urgency. "Is it our time for making moves, Morwen?" Morwen exhaled a plume of smoke, his face obscured in the hazy cloud. "Not for me," he replied, his tone measured. "But if you wish to act, then by all means." Cyran''s doll-like vessel nodded, a chilling smile etched onto its porcin face. "Then it''d be best for me to do what I do best." Morwen took another drag of his cigarette, his eyes narrowed in contemtion. "To lure and kidnap him, you mean?" "Correct," Cyran''s voice chimed, the smile widening on the doll''s face. "And I know just the person." A photograph materialized from the doll''s pocket, hovering in the air before them. It depicted a young woman with flowing blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. "Thedy of Ennd," he said, his voice deepening. "I will finish what I started..." A sudden chill filled the room. For the first time, Cyran sounded utterly serious. "Alice Elizabeth..." he repeated. Flick! From his pocket, he pulled out a delicate pocket watch, its face adorned with a picture of an unknown family. Cyran, a young boy with the same piercing blue eyes, stood beside a woman with a warm smile. His mother, perhaps? A flicker of sadness crossed his face, quickly reced by the cold determination that had be his trademark. He snapped the watch shut, tucking it back into his pocket. It was time to move. *** [Alice''s POV] RING!...RING!...RING!... "Uwaah..." I groaned, stretching out of bed. It had been days since the practice exam, but I couldn''t get it out of my head. The explosion, Louise''s attack, the way Rel... saved me. The memory sent a shiver down my spine. I felt as if I had been working so hard that I had forgotten what it felt like to rx. Every time I witnessed Rel do something extraordinary, my mind eased... I didn''t know how to describe it. I was drawn to him, his quiet strength, his unexpected kindness.Everything about him was so intriguing. As I tied my hair into my usual bun, I nced at the photo of the exam rankings hanging on my wall. Second ce. A constant reminder of my recent defeat. But it also served as motivation. I had a reason to keep pushing myself, to strive for perfection. To make sure I''d be ready for the day I returned to my country, as someone born to lead and avenge. To think that what happened a few days ago brought it all back... But now, it''s been so long since I''ve allowed those memories to surface. I thought I had buried those worries, and deemed them unfit for someone like me. For I carried a great burden, a responsibility to those who lived back in my homnd. But recently, it had alle back... From the very moment, I had seen the building aze... I, Alice, remembered that day. That day when that man ruined everything. The mask... no, the face... If only I had memorized what he had looked like back then. Then just maybe... I could have saved my father. Although the past cannot ever be changed, I hope that one day I''ll restore my family''s honour and finally hunt down the very man who took my father''s life. I don''t know what my father did to incur his wrath, but I know he did it out of pure hatred. My father always said, "The eyes... the eyes don''t lie." And that man''s eyes... they were filled with pure evil. It was as if he was born with it, a darkness that consumed him from within. That day, I lost everything. My family, my home, my innocence. But I gained something too: a burning desire for revenge, a vow to never let anyone else experience the pain and loss I had endured. shake! I shook my head, trying to dispel all the bad thoughts of the past. A nce in the mirror assured me my hair was neatly tucked into its usual bun, not a strand out of ce. "The earlier I am, the better..." I murmured to myself, grabbing myptop and handbag. No time for breakfast today; I needed to get to ss early. Studying was my top priority as of now and training was a close second. But I also hoped to catch Rel on the off chance he''d be heading to ss early. He was usually a sleepyhead, always runningte. Ever since I''d been ced in ss 1-A, I had been trying to track his study habits after the day he beat me in a quiz. But he was frustratingly elusive. It seemed like every time I saw him, he was doing anything but studying. Even when he did go to the library, he''d spend his time reading novels from the fantasy section. I felt like he was ying some kind of borate trick on me. But maybe there was something to learn in those books after all. So I started reading them too... and honestly, I might have found a new hobby for myself. But that''s a story for another time. Leaving the first-year female dorm room, I made my way towards the Central Pinnacle building. As I rounded a corner, I nearly bumped into someone.It was Rel, his face pale and his eyes shadowed with exhaustion. He looked like he''d barely slept a wink. I couldn''t help but feel worried... Had he been up all night studying? Or was something else troubling him? "Rel?" I asked softly, "Are you okay?" Chapter 231: Her Life (2) [Alice''s POV] Rel, still lost in thought, didn''t notice my approach until I was almost upon him. He was dressed more formally than usual, the academy zer buttoned up, a dark blue tie neatly knotted at his throat. But what caught my attention was the red scarf wrapped around his neck, a ssh of warmth against the cool morning air. "V-V..." he stammered, his body instinctively recoiling as he turned to face me. His eyes were wide with panic, shing across his face. Then suddenly he stopped and blinked rapidly, as if shaking off a bad dream, and his body rxed. "Oh... it''s you, Alice. Have you been well?" His voice was gentle, but I couldn''t help but feel a little hurt at his initial reaction. Had he mistaken me for someone else? "Yes, I''ve been well, Rel," I replied, trying to keep the disappointment from my voice. "Are you okay now?" "I''ve been fine since then," he said, but I could tell he was lying. The way he scratched his head and avoided my gaze spoke volumes. Out of genuine concern, I said, "You shouldn''t be pushing yourself too hard, you know." But as the words left my mouth, a heat crept into my cheeks. It was as if these words didn''te as naturally as I genuinely felt... perhaps I wasing down with something. I looked away, embarrassed. When I turned back to Rel, his eyes were solely focused on mine. I felt a dizzying sensation as if I were caught in his gaze. "That''s really nice of you to say, Alice," he said softly. "I appreciate it." And for a moment, I stole a quick nce at him, and a rare, gentle smile crossed his face before his usual nonchnt expression returned. That view was quite refreshing. I thought to myself, my cheeks burning even brighter. Rel''s smile was so rare and unexpected that it suited him more than I could have imagined. The way his eyes looked at me with genuine care made my heart flutter. But I had to snap out of it. This wasn''t the time or ce for such distractions. "So... why are you up so early?" "Well, I''ve been catching up on sleeptely," he replied, his smile fading as he returned to his usual stoic expression. "I just happened to wake up around this time." "Oh really," I said, raising an eyebrow. "But you still look tired." "Trust me, I always look like this," he said with a shrug. "...You don''t look bad though," I mumbled, the words barely escaping my lips. "What?" "Nothing," *** [Rel''s POV] Initially, I hadn''t realized how far I''d pushed my body. But the aftermath of facing Louise, the raw power he''d unleashed, left me in awe. Technique, attack power, sheer rage¡ªhe truly embodied the essence of the character I had created. Development-wise, I knew there would be subtle shifts in his personality throughout the story, but his true arc wouldn''te into focus untilter. Still, there was no doubt that he was Jan''s rival, a force to be reckoned with. Though I held my own against him, I couldn''t help but think that this "Anti-Magic" attribute shouldn''t have existed in the first ce. Without Deus Le Veult, I probably would''ve been defeated in our first encounter. I was just grateful the pain wasn''t as intense in the simtion. Being stabbed by his polearm still felt like an eternity of hell, especially with the burn property of his elemental attribute. It took my body some time to recover even with my elerated healing. But I wasn''t one to hold grudges against my own characters. After all, they were just ying their roles. ... ... ... I had made a decent recovery but was advised to stay in my dorm until the burnspletely disappeared. Thankfully, my passive ability of mana control elerated the healing process, turning a week-long recovery into a mere three days. Now that I was back on my feet, two important events were just around the corner. In in Sight Arc The Mn arc revolves around Lan, the leader of the Histories Breakfast Club. He''s been invited to Italy to do business with the Montir family, renowned for their collection of rare artifacts. But this time, he''s bringing the main cast along. Not just for leisure, though. Lan, having a deep love for his birthce, also wants to show Louise the ropes of proper business practices, preparing him for his future role as leader of the Centurion''s Guild. However, the Montir family is in for a rude awakening. The Darkworld has them in their sights during this time. Prior to the main cast''s arrival, Mordred, under a secret identity, struck a deal with the Montirs. And with Mordred possessing knowledge the Montircks, he knew the specific artifact in their possession: the Aspect Orb of Phantasmal. This priceless artifact is said to have functions that defy the current understanding of this world. Mordred, hailing from another world, ns to use the Orb to establish a new foothold for the Darkworld. But this Orb has two distinct purposes. First, it houses a miniature replica of society, a pocket dimension mirroring the real world. Hidden within this dimension is the soul of the Sword of Hope, one of the keyponents of Jan''s ultimate weapon. This soul was forged by a Soul Maker held captive by the dungeon boss within the Orb. Second, after Jan retrieves the soul from the Phantasmal realm and defeats the boss, the Orb is returned to the Montir, only to be stolen by their servant ¨C a secret member of the Devil''s Cult. The Orb''s true power lies in its ability to hold a literal soul. By transferring a soul into the Orb and then cing the Orb into another body, all the original person''s traits, skills, and gifts are transferred to the new host. This is the prize they''re after. However, it would normally be useless, as no one in this world can transfer souls. Except for one person. She was a character I scrapped from my original novel, a decision I now deeply regret. The A.T., in its infinite wisdom, must have brought her into this world to spice things up. And that''s why I can''t allow anyone to gain control of the Orb, nor can I allow any human near her. These two elements are crucial to the plot of this novel. If either side gains control of one or the other, an all-out war is inevitable. ________________ Authors Note: Item: The Aspect Orb Of Phantasmal - An Item that has a realm of its own within, the function of this item can hold a person''s soul. Chapter 232: To The Next [Pinnacle Academy, Central Building - Hallways] As we walked side-by-side towards the ssroom, I couldn''t help but appreciate thefortable silence that enveloped us. It was a wee change from the usual chaos and banter that apanied most of my interactions with the other students. Besides, I figured it was good for Alice to get out of her shell and make some friends. Her social anxiety was a bit of a hindrance, and any opportunity to interact with others was a step in the right direction. "So," I said, breaking the silence, "how did you find the practice exam?" Alice paused for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly. "It was fine," she replied, her voice soft and hesitant."But I could''ve done better." I shrugged. "It''s good to strive for improvement, but don''t let it weigh you down too much," I advised. "You''ll get caught up in it if you do." A small smile graced Alice''s lips. "It''s nice of you to say that, Rel." "Just a few encouraging words," I said, shrugging again. As we continued towards our ssroom, our watches buzzed simultaneously. We both received a message from Lan Villerion, the leader of the Histories Breakfast Club. [You''ve received a message from Whatsapp:] [Lan.Villerion (Club President) <6:25 AM> Morning guys! I''ve managed to get our club booked for another trip, this time all the way to Italy! I''ll be providing more detailster throughout the day, but as you know, the trip is happening this weekend. If you guys can''t make it, please let me know! And also, I apologize for thete notice :D] I nced at my watch, then turned to Alice, who had just finished reading the message. "Are you going?" she asked, tucking a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. I thought for a moment. It might be a little tricky to be in two ces at once, but hopefully I could manage toplete my mercenary mission in Mn while also being present for one of the main events of the story. "Probably," I replied, liking Lan''s message. "I''ve got some free timeing up." With a sigh, I continued walking towards the ssroom, Alice falling into step beside me. ** "Good morning, ss," Mr. Kolek''s voice boomed, cutting through the morning chatter. "As you know, your semester''s final practical exam is fast approaching." A hush fell over the room, the usual buzz of anticipation reced by a serious tension. The practical exam was the culmination of months of training and study, a test that would determine their progress and potential as heroes. Of course, I knew a lot more than them about what was toe. The notice board had announced that the practical wouldst for about a week. This meant back-to-back story arcs would ur within just a few days of each other. It felt unrealistic now that I thought about it, but then again, who knew the story better than its creator? "This exam will be unlike anything you''ve encountered before," Kolek continued, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "It will push you to your limits, challenge your abilities, and force you to adapt to unexpected situations." He paused, letting his words sink in. The students in the room exchanged nervous nces as their minds were probably wondering what in the world could be different to the practical exams they''d taken in the past. "Also, since I won''t be here to instruct you on the day of the exam, I have Mr. Bet to fill in my role as your temporary homeroom teacher for the time being." Kolek gestured towards Mr. Bet, who entered the room with a proud smile. My face fell. This must be the change that urred because the original story didn''t go ording to n. Kolek continued, "Along with myself, who''s the head instructor of the exam, Mr. Bet will also be there to assist students on the exam site in case of danger. That''s all I''m going to say about Mr. Bet''s role, so I expect you all toe prepared. Now, I''ll be taking my leave as I''ll be preparing the practical exam soon." As the ss erupted into discussions about what the exam might entail, I couldn''t shake the feeling of a cold stare boring into my soul... I turned my head, following the chill down my spine to its source. And I realised Mr. Bet was staring at me. It was an unsettling feeling like a predator locking onto its prey. This wasn''t how he was supposed to act. His character was meticulous, reserved and a perfectionist, he''s not supposed to be openly predatory. But as soon as I met his eyes, he looked away, back to hisputer. "Strange..." I muttered under my breath. The rest of the ss passed without incident. Bet''s teaching was uninspired with a dry recitation of magical theory. Everything seemed normal, almost too normal. The dissonance between his earlier behaviour and his current facade only added to my unease. There shouldn''t be any reason for me to have his attention at all since I''ve done basically nothing but get straight 100s in my theory tests. RING! Well, thankfully I wouldn''t have anything to be worried about. As the bell finally rang, signalling the end of ss, a familiar hunger reminded me of my missed breakfast. I rose from my seat, making my way towards the door, eager to escape to theforting familiarity of Allen''s Cafe. But just as I was about to slip out, Bet''s voice halted me in my tracks. "Rel," he said, his tone even and controlled, "could you stay back for a moment?" I stifled a sigh as the ssroom emptied, leaving me alone with Bet. Of all the people to detain me after ss, it had to be him. "What is it, sir?" I asked, trying to keep my voice neutral. Bet smiled, but it didn''t reach his eyes. "A student within the science department asked me to help him conduct a sampling test on mana capacity and sharpness," he exined. "You were randomly selected from the ss." Randomly selected? I thought, my suspicions ring. This had never happened in the original story. Something was definitely off. "What do I have to do?" I asked, keeping my expression carefully nk. "The student handed me an empty orb," Bet continued, holding up a small, translucent sphere. "As you probably know, it measures a person''s mana capacity and sharpness." "What?" The word escaped my lips before I could stop it. "It... measures mana capacity and sharpness?" he repeated himself once more. I couldn''t believe what I was hearing. Did he think I was some kind of fool? Chapter 233: To The Next (2) [Pinnacle Academy, Central Building - ssroom 1-A] The Empty Mana Orb. On the surface, it appeared as a simple tool designed to measure a person''s mana capacity and sharpness. A harmless instrument used by the science department for routine assessments. But I knew better. The Empty Mana Orb was something I had created in a fit ofte-night inspiration, a seemingly innocuous object that held a far more sinister purpose. It wasn''t merely a measuring tool; it was a siphon, designed to extract a portion of a person''s mana and store it within its crystalline structure. This wasn''t just about testing potential. It was about harvesting raw magical energy, a crucial ingredient for dimir Bane''s twisted experiments. The mana collected from unsuspecting students would fuel his attempts to create new demi-humans, to perfect the prototype for the Devil''s vessel. And now, Bet was holding it in his hand, a sly smile ying on his lips. Of course, it''s my duty that I must correct all the mistakes I''ve made as an author. This situation is no exception... Therefore, I will not allow it. ** Damon Bet watched Rel closely, a curious glint in his eyes. The moment he held up the orb, a shadow seemed to pass over Rel''s face, his expression darkening subtly. Does he perhaps not know what this is? Bet wondered. If he doesn''t, then extracting his mana will be even easier. But then another thought struck him. He needed to see the full extent of Rel''s mana capacity and elemental attributes. This was an opportunity too valuable to waste. "This orb isn''t harmful, so I can assure you this process isn''t dangerous," Bet said, his voice smooth and reassuring. Rel wasn''t buying Bet''s act, but he decided to y along. He looked up towards the teacher, then past him, his eyesnding on the brown bag sitting on the desk. "I''ll do it," he said, his voice t. "Good," Bet replied, turning around to rummage through his bag.The sound of rattling filled the room. A few secondster, Bet produced a small stone pir with a t top, designed to hold the orb. He ced the orb onto the stand. "You know how to do it, right?" he asked. "All I have to do is use a little of my elemental attribute and thebination of my mana, correct?" "Well, it seems they don''t call you the number one student for nothing," Bet attempted a ttering tone, but Rel merely rolled his eyes. huuu... As Rel slowly approached the desk, a faint flow of energy began to surround him. The mana that once resonated around him started to disrupt and scatter with each step, reacting to the abnormality of his Anti-Magic attribute. SUUUU... His hand had yet to reach the orb, but Bet remained oblivious to the subtle change in the atmosphere. As Rel reached out and ced his hand on the orb, a ck me engulfed it. WHOOSH! As the dark colour of mes was absorbed into the orb a massive gust of wind shot out in all directions, followed by small bursts of ck mes that erupted within the room. Bet instinctively covered his eyes, the wind surprisingly powerful for such a seemingly small exertion of power from Rel. It was clear that he had been holding back. But something else was happening, something that deeply disturbed Bet. The mana within his own body was reacting strangely, scattering and stressing as if seeking refuge. CRACK...CRACK...CRACK... Rel maintained his hand on the orb, seemingly lost in concentration. Bet had forgotten to tell him when to stop. "Rel, you can stop now," he said, his voice filled with concern. But Rel didn''t respond. "Hey... Rel?" The cracks in the orb grewrger, the air in the room growing heavy with an otherworldly energy. CRACK... "Rel, you need to stop!" SMASH!!! The orb shatteredpletely. "Stop!" Bet screamed, and Rel finally withdrew his hand. "Oh..." Rel looked at the shattered orb, his expression impassive. "I apologize, Mr. Bet," Rel said, his voice carefully neutral. "I must have lost control. I didn''t sleep wellst night." Bet''s facade cracked, hisposure hanging by a thread. Not only had he lost the chance to properly measure Rel''s power, but he had also destroyed an orb specifically crafted for unique, high-graded students. The fact that Rel had shattered it so effortlessly meant his power far exceeded that of a typical third-year at Pinnacle Academy. "Don''t... worry..." Bet managed, his voice strained as he knelt down to gather the shattered pieces of the orb. "We can do this another time.But I have to leave now." He gestured for Rel to leave the room, then turned back towards his bag. "At least none of the other orbs got..." Bet''s voice trailed off as his eyes widened in horror. Right before him, more pieces of ss spilled from his bag, and a chaotic surge of mana filled the room. "No..." Bet crumpled to his knees, the shards of countless shattered orbs scattered around him. Not only had Rel''s elemental attribute proven devastatingly proficient at breaking the unique orb, but it had also shattered the other standard ones within Bet''s bag. "I''ll...I''ll get him for this..." Bet clenched his fist, picking up the ss shards and crushing them in his hand, his anger boiling over. His n to harvest mana from the students had failed, and the consequences of his actions were just beginning to unfold. Bet, still kneeling amidst the shattered fragments flipped open his watch and dialed a familiar number. "I''ve confirmed a partial amount of his abilities," he reported, his voice tight with barely contained frustration. The caller on the other end chuckled, "Really? But that won''t be enough¡ª" "He was able to shatter the unique orb," Bet interrupted. A disbelievingugh echoed from the watch''s speaker. "That''s ridiculous. The orb is designed to withstand even an attack from a light attribute user." "I''m serious," Bet insisted, his voice hardening. "He broke the orb and everything else around it." ________ To Be Continued... ________ Authors Notes - The ck mes are depicted to be seen as a different coloured variation of the elemental attribute of fire. But because of this misconception, Rel''s anti-magic attribute would be mistaken for mes. - For the orbs to have shattered, Rel needed to increase the output of his anti-magic attribute which is why ck mes were bursting throughout the air. Chapter 234: Passing By [Rel''s POV] [South Korea, Mireuksan Mountain] Mireuksan Mountain Countless mid-grade and higher-ss mid-grade monsters inhabit the area, standing out against the vast greenndscape. Years ago, I hiked here and was amazed by the thriving ecosystem in this peaceful scenery. The memory of that hike had inspired me to recreate this location in my novel, but I had popted it with a plethora of deadly creatures, a challenge for any hero foolish enough to trespass. However, the mountain''s role in the story went beyond mere monster-infested terrain. It was here, in a hidden area deep within Mireuksan, on the far east side, that Jan would discover one of the keyponents of his ultimate weapon: the Sword of Hope. My presence here today had a simple exnation: the story had reached a point where Jan would begin his solo dungeon leveling. (reference)1 He would face dangerous monsters, sell his spoils, and gradually amass the strength and resources needed to be a true hero. A hidden dungeony somewhere within these mountains, and given Jan''s new routine of hunting high-tier monsters, it was only a matter of time before he stumbled upon it. Thankfully, I had been keeping tabs on him for the past few weeks. Everything, including the plot, seemed to be progressing as intended, except for Jan''s training regimen, which had be increasingly intense. He was pushing himself to the limit, ying monsters far beyond his supposed capabilities. Despite the chill in the air, I pulled back on my ck hooded cloak, obscuring the ck fury coat beneath. A shiver ran through me as the cold mountain breeze bit into my skin. Winter in this world felt just as brutal as it did back in Australia. Navigating the zigzagging paths through the decaying monster corpses, I followed the trail Jan had zed. Today might be the day he stumbles upon that hidden dungeon, his usual 50-monster quota already filled. Although I''d hoped it would happen a littleter, I was fine with it being now. The sooner Jan got stronger, the better. Just as that thought crossed my mind, a towering beast charged from the shadows. [Special Passive: Sixth Sense Has Been Activated!] [Special Passive: Monster Hunter Has Been Activated! Instinct took over and I leaped into the air, extending my right arm outwards. [Special Ability: Pocket Realm Has Summoned the item: Axel] Blue particles swirled around my hand, coalescing into the familiar shape of my sword, Axel. [Standard Ability: Trickster At Arms Has Been Activated] As the familiar weight of Axel settled in my hand, a whisper echoed through my mind, barely audible above the pounding beat of my heart. "Destroy¡­" Without a moment''s hesitation, my resolve hardened. My right hand ignited with a surge of aura, transforming Axel''s silver de into a dark, menacing obsidian. Sparks of lightning danced across its surface, crackling with power. The flow of aura intensified, surging through my body, and enhancing my strength and speed. "Divine Severance," I snarled, unleashing a powerful downward swing. SHAAAAA! A long, ck sh erupted from the de and a tilted projectile of pure energy hurtled towards the charging monster. BANG! The beast had no time to react. The attack ripped through its chest, sending it flying backward and crashing onto its back with a resounding thud. I lowered my sword, my gaze fixed on the fallen creature. I gazed down at the creature, recognizing its hulking form immediately. It was a Fellbark Bruin, a species of bear native to the outer worlds, known for their immense strength and resilience. They typically resided within dungeons or their copsed remnants, but this one had clearly wandered out. Judging by its solitary presence, I assumed Jan had already cleared out most of its pack. The Fellbark Bruins were notorious for their hardened fur, a natural defense against the harsh climates they inhabited. But this one seemed different. The way it had effortlessly shrugged off my attack suggested a mutation, perhaps granting it enhanced resistance to aura. Its overgrown fur, normally matted with gnarled roots and fungi, bristled with an unnatural energy. Its eyes, usually a piercing blue, now glowed with an eerie red light, adding to its menacing aura. GRAHH! The bear roared, its ws and teeth elongating as it rose to its feet. The forest trembled under the sheer force of its enraged cry. I covered my ears and the bear''s roar reverberated through the forest. This wasn''t going to be easy. "Looks like I''ll have to defeat it without aura," I muttered, studying the beast''s movements. Even with this sword, the sharpness and cut depend on the user. And frankly, I''m at a disadvantage here. STOMP! The bear stomped its massive paw, and a circr chunk of earth rose from the ground. As it took a deep guttural inhale, a powerful st of mes erupted from its mouth and the massive piece of earth followed, creating a zing meteor that bursted towards me. Instinct kicked in, and I infused my de with a surge of aura, the ck lightning crackling around it. SLASH! Swinging my sword downward the de met the meteor, cleaving it in two. Without missing a beat, I charged towards the Bruin. GRAH! The bear enraged ripped a tree from the ground, its massive paws wielding it like a club. "Oh shit..." I realized its intentions a split second toote. BANG! The makeshift club mmed into my stomach, sending me flying through the air. I crashed into a tree stump and the impact rattled through my spine. "Shit... that hurts..." I groaned, clutching my stomach. "Why is it so smart... or am I just stupid?" I panted, summoning a potion from Pocket Realm, and a purple vial materialized in my hand. Thank God I put these recovery potions in Pocket Realm. ¡ªgulp! I chugged the liquid and felt a wave of relief washing over me as my stomach felt at ease "Tastes like lemon and... green tea together?" I muttered, surprised by the unexpected vour. But there was no time to savour it. STOMP!...STOMP!...STOMP!... The heavy footsteps drew closer. The Bruin was on my trail. I had to find a way to take it down, and fast. __________ Authors Notes: - Outer world is just another term for monsters that are not from this world. Chapter 235: Passing By (2) | The Sunlit King [Mireuksan Mountain - East Side, Outside] Rel rose to his feet and he weighed his options seeing the situation he was in. He even considered trying a swift arrow to the beast''s head, but then discarded the idea. His arrows quality was the problem that made him doubt it''d even pierce such hard skin. STOMP!...STOMP!...STOMP!!! The Bruin, sensing its prey on the move, charged forward once again, its massive paws pounding the earth. "There''s no helping it," Rel muttered. He lifted his weapon Axel and his eyes zed with an ethereal blue light as he activated his Sensory Aura. "I was going to save this forter," he whispered, "but there''s no other choice." WHOOSH! As the Bruin lunged, Rel sidestepped with a tap of his foot narrowly avoiding the Bruin. CRASH! The bear, thrown off bnce, crashed into a nearby tree, sending a shower of snow cascading down onto its head. GRAHH! The Bruin roared in frustration and its fiery breath erupted in a column of mes that scorched the surrounding trees. Rel watched carefully, his eyes never leaving the enraged beast. "Timing..." he murmured, studying its movements, waiting for the perfect opening. The Bruin, spent from its outburst, steadied itself against the tree and charged once more. "Now," Rel whispered, leaping backward with a powerful thrust of his legs. The Bruin, caught off guard by his sudden retreat, stumbled and lost its bnce and was now falling towards Rel without an attack. As if time seemed to slow a confident smile rose from Rel''s face Huuu... He took a deep breath and sparks of light ignited around the Bruin''s head, illuminating its vulnerable spot. He raised his de and the half-ck de shined in the bright light. "False Orbit," With a single fluid motion, he swung the de in a circr arc encircling the Bruin''s head. SHING! A powerful gust of wind erupted from the strike, severing the beast''s head from its body. ¡ªKAK! The head rolled away, decaying rapidly, and a corrupted mana stone, pulsating with a dark red light, tumbled out. "...?" Relnded lightly and his gaze was fixed on the corrupted crystal. "It had a corrupted stone inside it? Strange..." he muttered, cautiously reaching for it. "There''s no harm in holding it if I remember correctly..." SHAAAAA! "What?!" As his fingers closed around the stone, his Anti-Magic reacted and the ck mes engulfed the crystal. FWANG! A notification shed before his eyes. [Mana Reserves have slightly increased by consuming the corrupted mana stone.] [Mana: A- (1.89%)>>> A- (3.78%)] He felt a subtle influx of mana enter his system, followed by another notification. [The Following Enemy Has Been Defeated: Fellbark Bruin - Grade: B+] [Swordsmanship Has Increased!] [...] FWANG! [New Grade!] [Swordsman Grade: Grade 10 (Mastery: 7.8%) >>> Grade 9 (Mastery: 10.3%) -] Rel stared at the notifications, a frown creasing his brow. "How did a monster like that get its hands on a corrupted mana stone?" he muttered to himself. The implications were troubling. If this Bruin had one, did the rest of its pack possess them too? Jan should have struggled to even reach the dungeon entrance if a group of corrupted Fellbark Bruins were guarding it. But that didn''t seem to be the case. That was when a realization dawned upon him. If the Fellbarks had their mana cores affected by something within the story''s reach, then it unfortunately meant that Jan had to have already advanced deeper within the dungeon''s region. The plot simply didn''t stop for him; it would continue to move forward regardless of his actions. That meant they were here¡­ and the reason for these effects must have meant that they were in the dungeon... It seemed clear to him that this advancement was beyond his expectations, but another arrival would cause Rel an extreme amount of trouble. tch... Rel clicked his tongue in frustration. "I need to hurry up, or I''ll lose my chance," he muttered, turning and sprinting towards the eastern side of Mireuksan Mountain. The trees blurred past him as he ran fueled by the knowledge that the story was slipping further from his grasp. *** [Mireuksan Mountain - The Dungeon Of Sacred Treasure] Deep within Mireuksan Mountain, nestled on its far eastern edge,y the Dungeon of Sacred Treasure. Itsbyrinthine tunnels and dimly lit chambers were home to some of the most powerful and cunning creatures in thend. Jan guided by his unerring intuition had already fought his way through thetter half of the dungeon. Each step brought him closer towards the gut feeling that he had leading him all the way here. SHING! Jan deflected a final attack, the sh of steel echoing through the damp cavern. "Whew... that was the seventh pack of monsters that charged at me just now!" he eximed, wiping sweat from his brow. He had just in another Chitinous Stalker that had attempted an ambush from above, his understanding of the dungeon''syout proving invaluable. As Jan sheathed his sword, he took a few moments to survey his surroundings. He searched the walls for any markings he might have left during previous explorations, but instead, a long, massive hallway stretched before him. It was differentpared to the usual cave-like formations of a dungeon. "This must be one of the special dungeons Mr. Kolek mentioned," Jan realized, noting the change in terrain. The path he had been on was made of dirt, but now, he faced a massive double stone door adorned with three skulls wearing crowns, arranged in a triangr pattern. Suuuu... A strange energy emanated from beyond the doors, causing Jan to freeze. "...!" He felt a sudden tension and his heart pounded in his chest. Huuu... "Calm down..." Jan took a deep breath and pulled a vial from his pouch. It was a stamina recovery potion, its orange contents swirling invitingly. ¡ª Gulp! He downed the potion in one gulp, then looked towards the imposing doors. "Let''s see what''s in store for me." CREAKKK! Pushing open the heavy stone doors, Jan was greeted by a sight that starkly contrasted the cramped tunnels he''d traversed thus far. The room was cavernous, Above there were multiple broken chandeliers hung precariously from the ceiling, their once-gleaming crystals now dull and coated in dust. The ground was a patchwork of cracked cobblestones, with stubborn vines snaking through the crevices, reiming their territory from the encroaching stone. Stone pirs, etched with intricate carvings, stood still at the room''s edge with their imposing presence adding to the grandeur of the space. Ornate railings were connected to all pirs of the room, framing a central circr symbol of the cross etched into the floor. "Wow... boss rooms really have their own unique appearance." BANG! "Ah!" As Jan stepped further in, the stone doors groaned shut behind him, plunging the chamber into an even deeper gloom. whoosh! Suddenly, a series of candles lining the path ahead ignited with an ethereal glow, their mes dancing in the stagnant air. They led his gaze towards a massive stone pedestal, its surface shrouded by red curtains. Two knights, d in resplendent golden armour bearing the crest of a cross and a sun, stood guard on either side of the hidden throne. "Is it time that thoueth for the sunlit throne?" Golden eyes shined from the red curtains. Behind it was the silhouette of a king, still d in his armor, upon their flowing folds. ____________ To Be Continued... ____________ Chapter 236: The Sunlit King (2) [Mireksan Mountain, The Dungeon Of Sacred Treasure] "Are you the boss of this ce?" Jan called out, his voice echoing in the cavernous chamber. The figure behind the curtains leaned forward, its golden eyes intensifying in brilliance. "Boss of thou ce?" The voice, a soft yetmanding whisper, sent a shiver down Jan''s spine. "No... I am the King Of This World." CRACK...CRACK...CRACK... The curtains parted, revealing skeletal hands reaching out, manipting a strange flow of energy that snaked towards the knights nking the throne. "Come forth, O'' Knights Of Crucified Order. Now is your time to defend thy King." Jan watched in fascination as the knights stirred, their movements robotic and jerky. A yellow light ignited in their hollow eye sockets, and massive weapons materialized in their grasps. The knight on the left wielded a greatsword, the one on the right, a battle axe, both gleaming with an unearthly golden sheen. "Lost soul, I adore you, for how far you''vee," the King''s voice resonated, filled with an unsettling warmth. As the knights'' forms solidified, bathed in a golden aura, the King ced his hand upon his chest in a gesture of honour. "Shall you defeat these knights of gold, only then the radiance of thy throne will grant you audience. Failure will be DEATH." WHOOOOOSH! With a dramatic bump, the King mmed his fist into his chest and a hurricane of wind sted towards Jan, forcing him to raise his sword in defence. "He only raised his hand but this much power?" The sheer force of the gale pushed him back, his feet skidding across the cobblestone floor. The knights didn''t hesitate. In a blur of motion, they lunged towards Jan with their golden weapons raised high. Their speed was astonishing, even for Jan, who had faced countless opponents in both his lives. "Oh, whatever," Jan muttered with a smirk, sheathing his silver broadsword. huuu... As the knights reached him his eyes red, and a golden aura enveloped him like a second skin. SWING! With perfect synchronicity, the knights swung their weapons from both sides. The greatsword and battle axe whistled through the air, aimed at Jan''s head and torso. "Open," hemanded, extending his left arm to meet both attacks head-on. As he extended it, the arm hardened with abination of aura and his light attribute. The two energies intertwined seamlessly, creating a barrier of pure energy. BANG! The impact reverberated through the room. Jan''s arm absorbed the full force of the blows, his light attribute acting as a shield against the knights'' golden weapons. CLACK! The knights stumbled back and their movements were momentarily disrupted by the unexpected resistance. Jan acted quickly, tightening his grip on the hilt of his broadsword. "Extend," he whispered, and his light attribute surged forth from his de, forming a golden extension of pure energy. CREAK!...CREAK!...CREAK!!! The knights struggled to free their weapons, trapped in the inflexible grip of Jan''s imbued arm. They could feel their own energy being drained as their movements grew sluggish. With his sword held to the side, the golden tip of the de extended far beyond the room. "Light Cleave," Jan dered, his voice ringing with power. SLASH! With a single, horizontal swing, a golden arc of light erupted from his sword, cleaving through both knights simultaneously. WHOOOOOSH! The knights were flung back and their bodies smashed into the pirs lining the room. The once-proud guardiansy motionless, their golden aura leaking out of their soulless bodies, dissipating into nothingness. Jan, his gaze fixed on the fading remnants of the knights, performed a customary gesture of respect. Regardless of whether his opponents had possessed souls or not, he honoured their passing. He plunged his sword into the ground; the de sinking deep into the cracked cobblestone. sping his hands together in prayer, he bowed his head in a silent tribute to the fallen warriors. "Thank you." As thest vestiges of the knights dissolved into dust, the King''s glowing eyes pierced through the shadows. "An interesting kind," Echoing with a regal tone, his voice conveyed both amusement and fascination. "You..." CREAK... The room trembled, and the curtains swayed as the mighty King slowly rose from his throne. Jan felt a sudden and powerful tremor surge through his body, causing a jolt of fear to seize his answer. His hands trembled uncontrobly, desperately trying to maintain the grip on his sword, which now felt heavy and unwieldy. It''s that feeling again... why? He couldn''t understand this sensation, a pressure, unlike anything he had experienced before. It was a wall, a challenge, something he had only encountered a few times in his life. And now, it was back. ¡ªIf it was back then, I would''ve given up... but now... huuu...haah... Jan took a deep breath, steadying his trembling hands. "It''s different." ** [Rel''s POV] [This is a cannon event. You are not to interfere with the following characters'' event: Jan Ates] A cold sense of dread washed over me as I neared the double doors of the sunlit king''s room. The system''s warning was clear as day. I wasn''t allowed to interfere with the canon event that was about to unfold. I pressed my head against the cold stone, hoping that ''they'' wouldn''t show up. But my worries weren''t unfounded. The journey through the dungeon had been a gauntlet of infected monsters with most of their contorted forms and unnatural strength meant that those damned things would arrive to jump Jan in no time. I had narrowly avoid them at every turn since I knew that facing them would only put me at a disadvantage since I don''t have the attribute to kill them. But I guess despite the obstacles, I had made it here in one piece. "...!" RUMBLE...RUMBLE...RUMBLE... The ground shook, and a tremor emanated from the room behind the doors. The long-awaited signal had finallye. Jan was about to face the sunlit king and uncover some truths behind his reincarnation. It was an answer to one of his most burning questions, a revtion that would give some reason for his destiny. _______ Authors Notes: - Jan''s aura colour turns ck when using flow and enhancement. Chapter 237: The Sunlit King (3) [Mireksan Mountain - The Sunlit King Boss Room] "You... remind me of someone familiar..." His tone carried a trace of sadness as the King''s voice echoed. Despite being stunned by the King''s presence, Jan stood firm and refused to give in to the pressure. "I do?" he responded, his voice steady. Jan felt the weight of the Sunlit King''s gaze, his golden eyes cutting through the boundaries of reality. He saw a mirage of a person ovepping with Jan''s form. "Son..." he whispered, a wave of longing washing over him. "Though it was a price to pay... I will ensure that he remains safe." His eyes glowed brighter, a resolute determination burning within them. Resting on the ground, in front of his throne, was an enormous de, with its sharp edge spanning the entire floor. ck! "Edgeless de of Sunlit Sovereignty, Awaken..." IIEEEEEEE... The King lifted the de, and a surge of golden energy sted through the room, engulfing everything in a blinding light. Jan shielded his eyes, and when the light subsided, the King''s entire body had transformed. "...!" Huuu... "Much better..." The King sighed, the chamber now restored to its former glory. The pirs gleamed with fresh white paint, green vines twined gracefully around them, and the cobblestone floor had be polished stone. Even the chandeliers sparkled with a new brilliance. "..." "Is this a elemental zone?" Jan looked around the room but felt as if there was no change in the property of an element. But although his thoughts were running wild, what he was focused on was the King''s transformed appearance. The chest piece of his armor bore golden ting, with the symbol of the sun and cross embellished at its center. A golden lion mask, with a flowing mane, concealed his face. "For many long centuries, I remained... unbeaten," the King dered, his voice resonating with power. "Yet, I have waited long for someone to arrive." CHING... He removed the mask, revealing a face scarred with a long, jagged line that stretched from the corner of his left eye to the edge of his lip. His left eye devoid of life, stood as a powerful reminder of the battles fought and sacrifices made. "Now, a sessor has appeared. I will no longer show restraint... To you, who are honored, carved by a path of destruction. Let it be that nowes thest bout." Drop... CLACK...CLACK...CLACK... The mask fell to the floor, consumed by golden mes that erupted from the King''s hand. "Tell me, young knight..." the King''s voice boomed, reverberating through the chamber. Step... WHOOOOOSH! In a blink of an eye, the King vanished from his throne, reappearing mere inches from Jan. His speed was blinding, leaving Jan barely a moment to react. "What?!" Jan eximed, his eyes wide with surprise. The King''s de descended, an arc of golden light aimed directly at Jan''s head. CLASH! Jan desperately infused his own de with aura, but the sh of steel against steel sent a shockwave through his body. ACKK! The King''s strength was overwhelming... "Prove it to me... that you''re not him," The King spoke as if to provoke Jan. CREAK.. As the kings de pushed Jan further down to his chest he could only grit his teeth, straining against the immense pressure. He tried to push back, to break free from the deadlock, but the King didn''t budge an inch. He was trapped, and his strength and agility were no match for the ancient warrior before him. "I-I need to let go..." Jan realized that if this deadlock continued, he might actually die on the spot. Though he hesitated, the King showed no sign of further attack, only slight, subtle movements. Just as the point of Jan''s de pressed against his chest, he released his grip and The King''s de plummeted towards the floor creating a full force explosion on impact. BOOM! "My, my... Impressive, you dodged." The King''s voice cut through the haze and his gaze was fixed on Jan, who had deftly shifted a few meters away from the attack. Jan, covered in a cold sweat, felt every fiber of his being scream at him to flee. This opponent was far beyond anything he could handle alone. Yet, the King hadn''t even gone all out. Huuu... Jan''s chest heaved with a heavy sigh, his breath quivered as he tried to steady his emotions. Waiting was all he could do as his heart felt heavy with the weight of uncertainty. But instead of attacking, the King simply stood there, his body still as a statue, his rxed stance and loose grip on the de revealed ack of concern for his opponent. Jan felt a surge of anxiety. The King wasn''t moving at all because, in reality, Jan couldn''t even see a single opening within the King''s guard. Everywhere around him was covered... If it wasn''t obvious for him just a few moments ago, everything felt clear for him now. The king is on a level of grandmaster swordsmanship. "You''re not going to charge?" The King''s voice was filled with a calm confidence. "There''s no reason to charge blindly into a wall of bricks," Jan replied, keeping his guard high. "Cunning, to say the least," the King mused. "But perhaps one thing youck at your age is the understanding of your opponent, boy." Without any further warning, the Sunlit King swung his sword sideways. A gust of wind sted towards Jan, catching him off guard. "...!" WHOM! Then, as the King gripped his weapon tightly, the de''s color changed, turning into a mix of ck and gold as sparks of lightning erupted ferociously around it. TREMBLE...TREMBLE...TREMBLE... As he raised his sword into the air, everything around him trembled under the immense pressure of his power. Jan almost fell to his knees, but managed to stay upright by infusing his body with aura. The sheer intensity of the aura he had exerted was terrifying, something he had never witnessed before. "What was that just now?" Jan''s voice trembled, realizing the vast difference in not just power, but also technique and aura control. "You are strong indeed..." A smile graced the King''s face, his voice remaining calm despite the disy of power. "In my world, that technique is called ''Qi release,'' an exertion and emission of one''s Qi." ________ Authors notes: - Qi release is the same as Aura Emission or aura release. They''re still the same principal, regardless. Chapter 238: The Sunlit King (4) [Mireksan Mountain - The Sunlit King Boss Room] "Qi release?" Jan thought to himself, his breath catching in his throat. He watched as the King slowly lowered his sword, a flicker of curiosity in his golden eyes. Why had he revealed that information? But the words "Qi release" resonated with Jan, stirring something deep within his memory. He remembered a time, long ago, when someone had exined a simr concept to him. ... ... ... [shback to ??? years ago] ¡ªMr. Raul, you''re incredible! At the very top of the nieth floor of the tower, scattered corpses of Demon dragons were t on the grass floor. Jan sat above a pile of them and watched as Raul pulled out his sword from the carcass of the boss dragon. "¡ªI wouldn''t have thought I needed to draw my sword but... heeup! " Raul leapt from down below and the demon dragon king''s body dissolved and burned into small red pixels. "¡ªThose big birds were certainly enough to gain my attention." Sheathing his long broadsword, Raul gazed out at the world from the vantage point of the nieth floor. [Alert!...Alert!...Alert!...] [The King Of The Demi-Dragons Has Been yed...] [The 90th Floor has been cleared.] A long line of system messages appeared on both their screens, announcing their victory. [The following rankers of the 90th floor have been given a contribution.] __________ -l-em,py-r [Contribuitions:] 1st. Raul n (97.00%) (Title: Godyer) - (Team: T-1) 2nd. Jan (0.03% (Title: Apprentice) - (Team: T-1) 3rd. N/A __________ As the notification echoed through the tower, the red barrier on the floor dissolved, reced by the word ''clear'' hovering above them. Jan leaped off the dragon carcass he''d been resting on and approached Raul. He noticed Raul was holding an item - a vial filled with a strange liquid and a heart. Raul, hearing Jan''s approach, quickly stored the items in his inventory with a flick of his wrist. "¡ªI thought everyone else had finally caught up to us, Mr. Raul," Jan said. "¡ªIt seems the world has given way for us to forge this path, after all, Jan... They couldn''t keep up with us after the 70th floor," Raul replied, amused by the notifications. As Raul turned around, he saw a teleportation portal at the center of where the castle had once stood. "¡ªBy the way, Mr. Raul, what was that attack you used? Was it a skill of the system, or was it your outer world abilities?" Jan asked, his curiosity piqued. Raul looked at Jan and smiled. "It''s an outer world ability..." "¡ªBut... that energy was unlike anything I''ve ever seen! You literally walked into the dragon''s territory and released a tremendous amount of energy, and suddenly dragons crashed from the sky, and everything on the floor trembled!" Raul chuckled at Jan''s enthusiastic gestures. He walked towards him and ruffled his hair. "¡ªAre you sure it''s not one of those abilities you purchased from the ck market dealer, Merk?" "¡ªOh, Merk the merchant? Of course not!" Jan protested, batting away Raul''s hand. "¡ªThen tell me what it is," Jan demanded, pouting slightly. Raul retracted his hand and ced it on his chin, pondering how to exin it. Hmm... "¡ªThink of it like this... masters of Qi only practice on what''s within one''s body, but has any master ever thought of how to exert qi outwards?" "¡ªNo, I don''t think so... I heard that qi needs a source to be projected, like using a sword to release it or using your arms and legs." "¡ªIncorrect!" "¡ªMost people think of Qi as something to be contained and controlled... Like water in a cup, they try to hold it, shape it, use it for their own purposes. But true mastery lies not in controlling Qi, but bing one with it." Jan''s eyes widened at Raul''s words. "¡ªJan... Qi is the essence of life, It flows through everything, connecting us all. And when you truly understand that connection..." He paused for a moment and flicking Jan''s head. "Well... the possibilities are endless. Qi... is freedom." ... ... ... The memory of Raul''s demonstration and the power he had unleashed through sheer force of will ignited a spark within Jan''s understanding. "Right... I remember," he muttered, tightening his grip on his broadsword. "Qi... or aura... it''s all the same." He took a deep breath; the realization hitting him like a thunderbolt. Even after a lifetime of training andbat experience, he had never truly grasped the essence of Raul''s teachings. He had focused solely on control, on harnessing his aura within the confines of his body and his weapon. But what if, as Raul had suggested, true masteryy in the ability to express one''s inner being, to unleash their aura without limitations? Jan had never replicated Raul''s attack back then, and he wasn''t sure if he could now. That same attack where Raul didn''t even feel the need to draw his sword but because of how strong his sheer will was Raul could even shake the oceans from his presence alone. But now that Raul was no longer around, everything had changed. The weight of Jan''s past life, the burden of his responsibilities, and the determination to protect his loved ones proved that he had worth within this world. If anything could push him to attempt such a daring feat, it would be the opponent standing before him, blocking his path to growth. The Sunlit King. "Do you finally understand now?" The Sunlit King''s eyes glowed with satisfaction, witnessing Jan''s rapid growth even amidst the heat of battle. "I wasn''t sure if I should believe you''d pushed me in this direction... but..." Jan''s voice trailed off and his gaze locked with the King''s. He stood tall with his sword sheathed, but an incredible amount of aura radiated from him. "I will shake the will of others... and convey my own conviction!" WOM!!!! A surge of energy erupted from Jan and a wave of golden aura crashed throughout the entire room. Pirs crumbled, chandeliers shattered, and the ground trembled under the sheer force of his awakened power. "He''s arrived!" The king smiled, his voice booming through the chaos. "Boy, what is your name?" One thing felt clear at that moment. "Jan Ates," he replied, unsheathing his sword. "Jan Ates, hmm... Jan, the honor is mine. Here, I will fight you as the Sunlit King, Everon Jr II Reginald Emory Eve." The King, after long centuries, had found an opponent worth fighting. And for Jan, he had learned a technique soplexly advanced that even the strongest guild masters of today hadn''t fully grasped it yet. That technique was... Dominance. ________ To Be Continued... ________ Chapter 239: Dominance Aura Technique... Advanced... Dominance. Dominance Aura is a rare ability that projects a person''s presence with the intent to overwhelm and crush the will of their opponent. Those who experience Dominance Aura at its peak either grow stronger or perish, as a confrontation between users often ends in death. It is a technique that defies conventional learning, bestowed not by teachers or texts, but by the crucible of existence itself. Those who have tasted the bitter sting of hardship or stared into the abyss of death may find themselves graced with this power. Yet even these trials offer no guarantee. Dominance is not a reward for suffering, nor a constion for survival. It is the mark of a soul that stands apart, chosen by a force beyond mortalprehension. The Greater Will. A cosmic entity whose existence is intertwined with that of the strongest soul, bound to the destiny of our protagonist. It is a power that bestows gifts upon those who have fallen in the wake of his reincarnation, a power that ignites envy in the hearts of the rich and the powerful. When his Dominance Aura awakens. The power bnce will shift permanently, as Jan Ates will soon rise to be the strongest within the next few years. This is what the story should look like as of now. What concerns me is that the vision of seeing that ''ideal'' ending even exists. There''s not much I can do; I''ll just try my best to guide and interfere when I can since I''m the author after all." WOM!!! As golden shes of light pulsed from behind the double doors, a heavy pressure settled in my chest. "He must''ve awakened it," I thought. I was expecting Jan to start awakening his dominance around this time, and fortunately, it looks like it''s finally happening. His efforts against the Sunlit King won''t be in vain after all. I never misced my hope in him because I have always been the strongest believer in my own creations. But now that the real battle has just begun, it''s just a matter of whether he''ll be able to grow fast enough to adapt to the king in battle. However, I feel that the timing of his awakening window and the arrival of the fodder check might not go ording to n. So, I wouldn''t want to stall any processes, but I''d rather not let any monster hinder the progression of our own protagonist. Tap...tap...tap... Footsteps echoed from the depths of the dark corridor behind me. "¡ªKEKE, we musssst be close to the bossss room!" A voice slithered through the air, its tone hinting at intelligence and a chilling malevolence. "¡ªMumu... I heard that we get massive rewards from unimed dungeons in the east." Another voice, deeper and more guttural, spoke.The atmosphere shifted, a palpable darkness seeping into the very air. This energy was corrupting, leaving a foul taste in my mouth.I felt a slight pull, a tugging at my own mana, but my Anti-Magic held firm. "¡ªMumu... do you sense that, Vester?" Two figures emerged from the shadows, their forms shifting and contorting. One, a serpentine head morphing into a human-like visage, its reptilian eyes glowing with an eerie light. The other, initially a mass of fur, retracted to reveal a humanoid figure with a single horn protruding from its forehead and a ring piercing its nose, reminiscent of a bull. Haah... "There''s no helping it," WOM! I swept my left hand across my face, conjuring the familiar ck mask I wore for mercenary work. "Rise, Axel." My right hand reached into the void, and my sword Axel, materialized from a shimmering blue portal. *** [Mirekusan Mountain - Dungeon Of Sacred Treasures, The Sunlit Kings Boss Room] SHING!...SHING!...SHING! Jan and the Sunlit King exchanged blows with each spark, creating a shockwave of lightning from shing their swords with both dominance and their aura. CLASH!!! The Sunlit King swung his sword down onto Jan and he replied, holding it up high locking their swords once again. And the King, even while locked inbat, continued his probing. "Boy, is this your first life?" "...!" Jan faltered for a moment as the question caught him by surprise. He tried to keep his eyes on his opponent, but he began to sweat over such a little question. "Y-yes," he stuttered slightly, but the answer was all the King needed. "I see," the King replied and the expression on his face remained the same. SHING! A massive gust of wind ripped through the room and the King disengaged, sending Jan stumbling backwards. "haah!...haah!... breathe-" He managed to keep his footing, but the sheer power behind the blow left him breathless. "Impressive indeed..." the King marvelled. With each sh, Jan grew stronger, adapting to the King''s movements and refining his own technique. But despite his determination, there was a fundamental difference between them. The King''s mastery of Dominance was leagues ahead of Jan''s, yet even he began to feel a feeling of uncertainty. He wasn''t sure of it, but he must confirm it now. "Show me what you''ve got, boy," The King challenged, pointing his sword towards Jan. "AH!" SHING!...SHING!...SHING! The cycle of shing resumed, each filled with relentless attacks of steel and aura. Minutes turned into an eternity as they fought as their des locked in a mesmerizing duel. Jan endured countless shes as his injuries continued to pile up, but his eyes told a different story. It wasn''t desperation he felt, but a deep sense of guilt. The King noticed the shift in Jan''s expression. With every exchange, his mind seemed to be slipping away, yet his movements grew sharper and his strikes became more powerful. The dominance of his aura intensified, and the golden shes of light illuminated the room. It was as if he were learning, evolving in the heat of battle. Was this boy truly a prodigy? The King wondered. And then a realization dawned on him. The pieces clicked into ce, and he understood what stood before him. What Jan truly is... "Formless Technique: Eternal Crescent, Unbound Crux" SLASSSHHH!!! Before the King could fullyprehend the words, his body was cleaved in two. "W-What happened?" he gasped in disbelief. As his vision blurred, he saw the clean cut of the other half of his body. "That attack... what was that?" The King couldn''tprehend it. He hadn''t seen the blowing, hadn''t even sensed it. Yet, it surpassed the instincts that exceeded the warriors of his world. But something had held him back, prevented him from unleashing his full power. This restriction not only prevented him from seeing the future but also meant that the Qi he used wasn''t truly his own. "It was merely borrowed power from the beginning... So it must''ve been him." He muttered in disgust, clenching for the sword that he once held. A memory shed before his eyes: a figure d in ck, a dark helmet obscuring their face, chains binding their immense power. It was a moment and a memory forever engraved in his mind. Haunted by the being feared from worlds beyond. Chapter 240: Dominance (2) [Mireksan Mountain - Dungeon Of Sacred Treasures, The Sunlit Kings Boss Room] "Boy..." Though weakened, the Sunlit King''s voice stillmanded Jan''s attention. "...!" Jan, who turned around immediately, unsheathed his sword, realizing the battle might not be over. However, he saw that the King''s body was still severed, his hope of recovery dashed. Slowly, he inched closer, his hands gripped tightly to his sword. Though his mind expected a second phase, his heart told him otherwise. As Jan''s eyes looked over the King, there was no further push of dialogue... except one thatcked the intent to kill. "What is it?" Jan finally replied. The Sunlit King, hearing his response, turned his head to face him. "Do you know how these realms... or so-called dungeons form in your world?" "Well, one of two things creates dungeons; Irregr phenomena, ces thatck the natural flow of time or the existence of negative mana which takes a certain area and converts it into a dungeon," The King subtly shook his head. "Not quite," he said with a chuckle that held a touch of bitterness. "Dungeons in your world act as gateways to other realms. Essentially, these worlds have been corrupted after being conquered. The reason they appear is because..." ZIP! The King paused, and his voice distorted with a static shock that stunned him. "???... ???!" Only faint, distinctive sounds echoed around the room. His voicegged and blurted unconsciously. Jan watched in confusion, unable to see the force that silenced the King. "Is that how it is?" The shock ended, and He muttered under his breath as if to curse at someone whilst looking above. "Damned that contractor..." The King realized he could only reveal so much without triggering ''that'' effect. "Sorry, I didn''t quite understand?" Jan gazed into the king''s eyes, almost taken aback by his sudden sporadic action. The Sunlit King paused momentarily, trying to think of a way to bypass the effect without being stunned. haah... "Because someone from your world managed to contact ''it''..." "It?" As Jan''s face twisted in confusion, he stroked his chin, thinking about who it could be. "From my world, these people were called apostles... and if I could say one thing, they stumbled upon an object or item to gain contact with a being beyond imagination." "...A being beyond imagination?" Jan thought long and hard about who it could be. ¡ºThat can''t be right... He can''t be talking about?¡» ACK!!!! Without warning, memories flooded his mind. "Wha-" FLASH! A blinding light, and suddenly, Jan found himself back in the past. "¡ªYOUR WORLD!" The booming voice echoed across a destendscape, a chilling familiarity in its tone. Jan blinked and his vision struggled to gain focus. At that moment, he became aware that his back was pressed against a crumbling wall. Pain, unbearable pain, radiated from his lower body. Looking down, he saw the mangled ruin of his legs, crushed beyond repair. "No..." he gasped, choking a whisper. HERHAHAH! A wave of panic surged through him. He was reliving the moment of his death, the moment of his utter failure. He looked up, his gaze meeting the towering figure that stood before him. Dark armour, a gigantic weapon, and an aura of pure malice. The memories flooded back ¡ª the guilt, the desperation, the betrayal. FLASH! The dark being raised its weapon, channelling energy from the sky. Darkness, thick and suffocating, enveloped the world. Jan recognized the finality of the moment, the inevitable end. "¡ªIS GONE!" FLASH! Haah!!! His eyes blinked once more and the memory of a thousand nightmares evoked a single, overwhelming emotion. Guilt. Everything he had experienced, everything he had felt, brought back the image of one man, one being not of this world. A force beyond theprehension of evil and destruction. "N-" ACK!!! Another searing pain pierced Jan''s head, his body wracked with tremors as he fought to maintain his bnce. ¡º Something''s stopping me from saying his name.¡» SSSTTTT... But before he could figure out why The King''s body began to fade and his presence weakened. "It''s okay... you''ll figure it out one day," he said. "After all, you aren''t from here, are you?" "N-no..." Jan earnestly shook his head. "I figured," He sighed, looking upon Jan onest time. "...!" Then his eyes widened onest time in surprise. "Hmph, it seems you were the one ''it'' was searching for." With half of the King''s upper body gone, all that remained was his head. "Jan, If it''s you... then heed my words..." SSSSSTTTT "The item within me is the only thing that person''s apostles are after. Whatever you do... DON''T let anyone take it." His voice rose but still had the energy of dominance that made Jan take a step back. "Is that the reward?" Jan asked, "Yes, the reward within me is a special soul orb that holds a power beyond imagination... My ancestors... and I couldn''t grasp it, which is why... I kept it out of ''it''s'' reach..." SSSSSTTTTTTTT "haah... I guess my time''s up. Farewell Jan and good luck, you''ll need it." WHOOOOOSH! On the cold stone floor, the King''s head finally crumbled into ashes. What remained of him was a golden sphere of light pulsating with an intense energy. ¡ºThat energy, it feels simr to light?¡» Jan cautiously approached and picked up the orb, turning it over in his hands. ¡ºBut the energy is different entirely. He wasn''t using it in any shape or form, but there seems to be something blocking it from being used?¡» Even with his enhanced vision and lost archive ability, he couldn''t see anything past the secondyer of energy that seemed to conceal its true nature. KYAAKK!!! A scream echoed from beyond the chamber doors. "That sound is that...?" Jan''s instincts kicked in, and he quickly pocketed the orb and rushed towards the exit. *** [Location: Outside Of The Sunlit King''s Dungeon] From outside of the Sunlit King''s dungeon, a fight between Rel and the blood mimics continued... KEKE!!! "You''ve been sssshed by the serpent de!" "Mumu... now die," From Rel''s right shoulder, a clean cut gushed blood. The two blood mimics before him had nothing to worry about; humans didn''t have a clear understanding of their intelligence and abilities. But these were different from normal blood mimics ¨C they were filled with demonic energy. Rel, who got up after being shed, ced a hand over the cut and the demonic energy within his shoulder was severed. [Passive Ability: Mana Control [Grade 6] Has been activated!] As steam rose from his shoulder, the cut from the demonic serpent turned into a scar. "...!" From the demonic monsters'' view, their eyes couldn''t believe what they had witnessed. "Mumu... how''d he do that, Vester?" "KEKE... he is no ordinary human, if he can grasp that energy that means..." ''"Death."'' Chapter 241: Dominance (3) [Mireksan Mountain: Outside Of The Sunlit King''s Boss Room] The situation of total understanding bewildered the demonic monsters. Demonic energy The energy that corrupts and changes those who interact with and consume it. Its power lies beyond understanding, but the key to how demonic energy works is this: if one can contain its exposure within their inner being, it''ll make them stronger. Demonic energy consumes mana and converts it into its energy. Of course, there are exceptions. Because the being that had recovered and erased that sh has yet to change. "It''s disgusting how you creatures are made." Rel took a step forward, holding Axel outwards to his right side. "I''ve made my mistakes, but this one might be the worst." CRACK...CRACK...CRACK!!! With the colour of Rel''s de turning to an obsidian ck, his aura sparked and a gust of wind flew around with lightning. "...!" Vester, the Serpent Demon, and Balwark, the Demonic Bull, were surprised to see himpletely neutralize the demonic energy. There was no trace of it leaking out of him. "Mumu... that person neutralized the demonic energy with ease..." "Keke... he''s a threat to the boss''s ns!" "So you must know what that means... mumu..." "We have to kill him, of course!... keke..." "Let''s use what the boss taught us." Balwark and Vester stood side by side, their hands forming a series of connecting signs. "Elemental Zone..." The words they muttered sent a chill down Rel''s spine. What came next was somethingpletely unheard of to him. "Demonic Creed of the Serpent Horn!" Within the narrow hallway, a dark veil shrouded everything within a 50-meter radius. Rel was trapped within the elemental zone. *** I was at a loss when I realised what I had been seeing in front of me was real. [WARNING!... A change between the following characters'' development has been changed: JAN ATES] [A certain event for a main character is supposed to ur... Effect: The main character is not present.] [A.T. determined the interference to be punishment worthy the plot is being affected...] [Minor viins: Balwark The Demonic Bull and Vester The Demonic Serpent have gained the following ability: the Combination Elemental Zone.] If a butterfly effect urred, it would have to be my fault. Of course, I knew I had my shorings as an author. I already knew what these kinds of repulsive beings were capable of, and now... I simply won''t let this wretched Assistant tool interfere with my desires. "Elemental Zone...Demonic Creed of the Serpent Horn!" As the veil of theirbined elemental zones enveloped the corridor, the space within expanded. Theck of any specific elemental attribute within their zones was clear. Because the source they''re using is demonic energy. How are they able to use demonic energy to transform the terrain into a zone? ...Well, that''s because demonic energy is simply a variation of mana. The difference lies in its purity and rity. Their zonecks a specific elemental attribute and instead creates a demonic variation of whatever attribute they inherited. However, monsters with high intelligence can be granted an attribute in various ways. Since they are born with an empty core, prolonged exposure to certain elements allows their core to adapt and change. Which brings us back to the present situation. I''m trapped in a horrific zone filled with the crippled hands and body parts of humans, reaching out to grab me. "¡ªH-Help me, please..." "¡ªSave us!" "¡ªWhy won''t you let me dieeee..." The screams of the humans ughtered by these monsters made me sick. I couldn''t bear to see the reflection of the dark blood pools in this gruesome area. Even though I''m immune to the smell, the forceful stench of decay and the sight of the ck pools and pirs made of human bodies were overwhelming. "Keke... human, we shall corrupt you!" "Mumu... we will bring your body to theb for the boss to dissect." I watched as Balwark ced his hands on the ground. Vester formed a hand sign, connecting his thumb to his third finger, and a small tremor shook the blood pool. "Tidal Wave" The area around the pirs was flooded with a massive wave of blood and body parts, forming monstrous shapes from what they had used against their human victims. I couldn''t count how many bodies were in this horrifying tide, but I knew the number was well over a thousand. "Real or not real... I couldn''t care less if these guys existed. All I want now..." I took a deep breath and waited for the perfect moment. "...is to see these two monsters dead." *** Standing below the enormous wave surging with demonic energy, Rel braced himself as it crashed down upon him with a massive ssh. Vester and Balwark had expected their elemental zone to easily eliminate the problem, but they couldn''tprehend the sight before them. Rel, masked and untouched, stood unharmed, the human body parts floating around him without making contact. "Balwark... are you seeing this?!" "Mumu... the body parts are floating..." Rel scratched the back of his head, adjusting his mask. "Disgusting..." he muttered. He took a few steps towards them, and with his right hand outstretched, a gust of wind erupted, a small wave sshing against the demonic monsters'' ankles. Both felt a strange sensation, as if something familiar urged them to surrender. "Keep your eyes on him, Vester... he''s one of them," Balwark warned. Vester nodded slowly, his head reverting to its serpentine form. Balwark did the same, but as they maintained eye contact with Rel across the distance, the unsettling feeling persisted. BLINK! In the span of a heartbeat, both demonic monsters froze, 50 meters away from Rel. The true monster had appeared before them. They had just been discussing taking him seriously, but Rel had no time for games. His arms transformed... CRACKLE...CRACKLE...CRACKLE... Darkness devoured his arms, reced by crackling ck lightning that burst from his skin. Rel charged through the two monsters, his biceps connecting with their necks in a devastating blow. "...!" ________ To Be Continued... ________ Chapter 242 : Dominance (4) The force of Rel''s charge mmed his biceps between the necks of Vester and Balwark. As he propelled himself downwards, he aimed to crush both into the ground. However, Vester, with a serpentine slither, managed to escape Rel''s grasp, sliding right under his arm. SLAM! The blood pool sshed upwards, momentarily obscuring Vester''s vision as he slithered away as quickly as possible. To his surprise, half of Balwark''s face had sustained severe damage. Half of his transformed face was gone, but the other half remained intact. Balwark had managed to partially evade the attack. Using the blood pool to his advantage, he teleported towards the edge of the elemental zone barrier. The damage, however, had a devastating side effect. Balwark was neutralized due to the effects of Rel''s aura. Vester looked over at Balwark, whose body shook and twitched uncontrobly. With each passing second, small ck bolts of lightning shot out of him. "Mumu... It hurts..." ¡ºHow is he able to do thisss?!¡» Vester felt staggered that Rel could overpower Balwark''s massive frame with such apparent ease. The strength required for that feat made Vester feel like they were the ones being hunted. If Rel had intentionally led them into a trap like this, he could likely overwhelm them with his own zone. "...!" As Rel struck the blood pool with his foot, he felt solid ground ssh up to his hip. "Solid ground and control over the liquid?" He muttered, puzzled, but stopped short as he heard screams and pleas for help. A hand emerged from the blood, grasping his ankle. "I''m sorry..." BOOM! Imbuing his elemental attribute into the part of his body being grabbed, the body part exploded, consumed by Rel''s anti-magic. However, he realized another fact: the blood pool seemed to be controlled by Balwark. Though Rel felt solid ground, he understood his subconscious mana control was keeping him afloat. "Y-You''re quite fassst?!" Vester''s voice echoed through the zone. "Letsss see how you beat thisss." Vester formed another hand sign, sping his palms together, and demonic energy surged from him. From the depths of the blood pool, a relentless tremor began to shake the area. drip... "...!" The pirs at the far ends of the zone vanished, and before Rel could blink, a massive form of arms and legs shaped into a gigantic hand descended from above. "Demonic Fist!" CRASH!!!!!! Vester watched the hand plunge towards his opponent, sighing in relief, thinking it was finally over. But the hand barely moved, as if struggling against an unseen force. "What?!" It was clear the fist was being pushed back. Shsksk! A hand emerged from the blood pool, slowly pulling the demonic fist upwards. Then, the same figure they considered a threat emerged, drenched and covered in the carnage. Both of Rel''s hands were raised against the gigantic fist, and he simply stared at the monstrous being in front of him. EEEK!!! Though his expression remained hidden behind the mask, Rel effortlessly pushed back the demonic fist with his bare hands. Vester stared in shock. The observer bes the observed, and the subject bes the target. "I can fix thissss, vesss drown him!" As Vestermanded the hands and legs to drown Rel, he began to slowly descend into the blood pool. The demonic fist pressed down, and ligaments dropped into the river, floating towards Rel and trying to grab hold of him. Shaaaaa... Just as Vester thought Rel would be submerged, he realized Rel had stopped descending, even as the hands and arms swarmed around him. BOOM! The massive fist Rel had been holding vanished in a burst of ck me. "...!" "My... control! It''s all gone!" Vester had lost contact with many bodies within the zone and couldn''t understand how he had lost control. But he underestimated the problems, assuming the man before them was the only reason. "Balwark! Get up!" "Mu...mu... I can''t... something''s hurting me from within." Balwark floated on his back at the rear of their zone, incapacitated. He had taken immense damage from Rel''s earlier attack and felt shocks of pain coursing through his body. "Sssshit, I''ll have to¡ª" The air quivered, and in a split second, Vester took his eyes off Rel. "Gotcha..." Grip! Rel appeared out of thin air, catching Vester off guard. He grabbed Vester''s neck tightly and unleashed anti-magic. CRASH!!!!!! The barrier of the elemental zone shattered. Rel held the serpent''s neck in his grasp. "KYAK!!! Let go!!!" Vester screamed and writhed, desperately trying to attack Rel. SHKSHK! Vester attempted many tricks, shapeshifting endlessly into different monsters and humans. But Rel''s grip remained unyielding, and Vester was eventually stuck in the form of a human girl. Desperate to buy time for Balwark to recover, Vester tried to appeal to Rel. "Mister!..." Vester spoke in a girl''s voice, "Don''t kill ME!" She screamed and squealed as Rel''s grip tightened. ck mes rose from his arms and engulfed Vester. "KYAKKK!!!! BALWARK!!!!! HELP!" Those were Vester''sst words as the ck mes consumed her, reducing her to nothing but a skeleton. Rel released the remains, and the bones scattered and shattered on the ground. Within the remains, Rel noticed a hole pierced directly through the center of the skull. Beyond it was a mana crystal filled with demonic energy. Seeing the crystal, Rel immediately consumed it without hesitation, realizing that if anything came near it, there would be lingering aftereffects, regardless of its condition. The system screen popped up, and Rel dismissed the notification, knowing his job wasn''t finished yet. Balwark was still alive. Rel looked around, trying to locate Balwark, and heard faint scratchinging from down the corridor. Following the noise, he saw Balwark crawling away. Tap... As Rel took a step forward, Balwark turned his head, seeing an elongated shadow creeping towards him. "...mumu!" Balwark used all his remaining strength to crawl away from Rel as fast as he could. "I see... they are the same," Rel muttered, summoning his bow. The recurve silver bow materialized in his hands, and Rel positioned himselffortably. Wuuushh... Rel pulled the string back, and an attribute-less arrow appeared. He imbued its tip with anti-magic. TAK! Rel fired the arrow, and it soared through the air at high speed. SHAAAAA! Upon impact, Balwark the demonic bull was set aze, the anti-magic consuming him from the outside, leaving him with the same fate as hisrade, Vester. Creaaaakkk... Chapter 243 : You And Me As the door behind Rel creaked, he turned to see the character he''d been waiting for emerge. Jan Ates... Dressed in a white, long-sleeved, buttoned-out shirt and ck pants, he bore the marks of battle, with rips and scratches all over his body. But that wasn''t what held Rel''s attention. From Jan''s point of view, a murder urred during his fight against the Sunlit King. The murderer was a man dressed in all ck, a cloak concealing his weapons and a full ck mask hiding every feature except his eyes. Jan was stunned. The screams he''d heard weren''t a hallucination. The body of what he assumed was a girl was reduced to a skeleton, and he couldn''t quite make out the other figure, but he assumed it was her partner or guardian. "How...cruel..." Jan gritted his teeth, the scene before him fueling his anger. "Why did you... do this?" Jan''s face darkened, his expression hardening. SHING! "I''ll bring those poor souls to justice." "...!" STEP! With a single step, the atmosphere shifted, and the pressure emanating from Jan fell upon Rel''s shoulders. Massive winds sted through the room, and a golden aura surrounded Jan. CRACK...CRACK...CRACK... As Jan released his aura, lightning crackled through the room, his blue eyes gleaming menacingly towards the stranger. ... Rel faltered for a moment, realizing he was experiencing Jan''s first true use of Dominance. Thankfully, due to his system, Rel was able to withstand it. Rel''s body slumped momentarily but quickly recovered. "Listen, I think you''ve got it mixed up," Rel said, but realized he was toote as Jan had already drawn his de. "I''m not going to listen to the words of a murderer," Jan said calmly, continuing his advance towards Rel. Is there really no getting through to him? Rel thought. I could have sworn he would never act like this, but then again, he''s never been pushed to the point where he''d kill without hesitation. It''s ironicing from me, but I''ll try to de-escte the situation without fighting. "Please, just listen to me¡ª" [The following skill: Sensory Aura Has Activated...] Suddenly, Rel''s hairs stood on end... he sensed an attacking his way. He''s going to attack me?!? SLASH! Jan''s sword cut through the space where Rel''s chest had been a moment before. Luckily, Rel managed to avoid the attack with a quick sidestep. "Why would I listen to a murderer?" Jan''s voice deepened and his face frowned. "You have no right." Jan followed up with a swift back kick, his foot imbued with aura. BANG!!! Rel blocked it with both arms, without using his own aura. "Look, those were blood mimics¡ª" "Shut up," Jan interrupted, ignoring Rel''s pleas and attempting another horizontal sh. SHING! The de grazed Rel''s mask as he bent backward to avoid the attack. JESUS! Is this guy insane?! Who the hell made this guy? WHOOOSH Jan''s de whistled through the air, narrowly missing between Rel''s eyes. "SHIT!" Rel wheezed, ducking the attack. He couldn''t bring himself to attack Jan. Harming the protagonist of his own novel felt like a narrative vition, a potential story-shattering mistake. "Why aren''t you fighting back, murderer?" "Because this is all a big misunderstanding¡ª" SHING! Another sh grazed Rel''s hip. A stinging pain red, a blunt reminder of the danger he was in. Enough was enough. Rel jumped backward, creating distance between him and Jan. As he felt something dripping down his hip, he saw a clean line of blood staining his trousers. "Stop!" Rel shouted, his voice ragged. "Are you trying to kill me?" Jan''s eyes, burning with an unyielding fury, never left Rel''s. "A murderer deserves no less." This guy is in a rage. What choice do I have if he won''t listen? I can''t beat him in a fair fight, so I need to y dirty. Rel''s frustration boiled over. If Jan wouldn''t listen to reason, maybe a taste of his own medicine would knock some sense into him. "Fine," Rel said, his voice hardening with newfound resolve. "Don''t me me for not holding back..." He extended his hand, and Axel materialized in his grasp. A de with a golden grip and a silver steel de. Jan''s eyes widened in surprise at the otherworldly urrence. He assumed it must be an artifact. But what concerned him most was that this person was a swordsman. Usually, Jan could gauge someone''s skill with a sword just by looking at them. But this person before him made him doubt his intuition. His bodynguage, posture, and the way he held the sword were unsettling. Even though Jan didn''t know what kind of swordsman Rel was, he would soon find out in their first true sh. BANG! Rel met Jan''s attack head-on. Jan swung his sword downwards, and Rel countered, swinging his de before Jan''s strike could reach its full power. SHING! As the two des locked, Jan held his ground, trying to gauge whether this person had any tricks up their sleeve. A swordsman would typically only be adept in swordsmanship, and Jan was confident that a true swordsman wouldn''t be able to break his guard. Jan''s strength was unmatched for someone his age. When serious, he could overpower any opponent, regardless of the situation. But Rel struggled to even push him back. Then, Rel released Jan''s de, imbued aura into his right foot, twisted his body, and swiftlynded a clean kick to Jan''s stomach. BLEH! Jan coughed up a mouthful of blood, clutching his stomach in pain from the impact of Rel''s attack. Jan stumbled back a few meters from the kick, keeping his eyes locked on his opponent. "I was nning on talking things out," Rel said firmly. "But I''m not going to let you hurt me, lil bro." Jan''s eyes narrowed in disgust. "Lil bro?" He gripped his stomach tighter, and a sudden burst of mana flowed from his fingertips, healing the injury from the kick. "I''m not your little bro, you damned monster!" Jan''s de red with aura, the steel turning obsidian ck, its edges reinforced with a golden glow. DASH! He lunged forward with incredible speed, reaching Rel in a millisecond. "Light¡ª" Jan''s de shimmered with a golden light, but then... "Feint," Jan uttered, imbuing his left hand with aura and throwing a punch directly at Rel''s face. BANG! Rel anticipated the strike and blocked it with both arms. Despite his efforts to minimize the impact, Jan''s immense strength sent him flying through the corridor. "Shit..." Rel muttered. BLINK! As Rel flew through the air, he saw a sh of gold and knew Jan was going for a follow-upbo. [Special Ability: Deadeye Has Been Activated!] Rel tracked Jan''s movements with absolute precision, analyzing the colour of his de to predict his next attack. If the de was imbued with a golden aura on the outeryer, he was going for a projectile sh. If he nned on using a light attack, he''d cover it up with an aura-imbued decoy, using a body part to create a diversion. Rel knew these were only possibilities based on his knowledge. And, of course... Jan went with an aura and light-imbuedbination sh. "LIGHT CLEAVE!" As Jan swung his de, a massive wave of aura and light synergized, ripping a powerful beam through the air. Rel could only watch the attack, sighing. "Should''ve known..." BANG! The corridor erupted, and Jan stopped in his tracks as a cloud of dust rose from the impact of his attack. ________ To Be Continued... ________ Chapter 244: You And Me (2) Jan waited patiently for the dust to settle, focusing his vision on his opponent. He wasn''t sure if his attack had been enough to knock Rel out, but he couldn''t take any chances. After all, his entire body was exhausted after the battle with the Sunlit King. On top of that, if he had to fight a swordsman close to his level now, it was likely he would lose, given the circumstances. ¡ºI don''t know how much more damage I can take... his aura is different from the average user. His outfit looks familiar for some reason, but regardless, he''s as much of a threat as the Sunlit King... Any user with an aura that isn''t blue is dangerous. Must I use ''it'' now?¡» WHOOOOSH... "They weren''t lives if you heard me," Rel spoke calmly, sweeping the dirt off his ck cloak. "Those were blood mimics, monsters that¡ª" "Shut up!" Jan roared. "Their bones tell a different story. Those were human bones." He pointed a trembling finger towards the scene Rel had left behind. "You took the life of two, and you expect yours to be spared?" BANG Jan mmed his fist against the wall, shaking the entire corridor. "Look," Rel tried again, "let me exin¡ª" "There''s nothing to exin," Jan cut him off. "Actions speak louder than words, and yours have painted you a viin." The weight of Jan''s judgment made Rel freeze. He was trapped in his own narrative, facing the consequences of his protagonist''s unshakable moral code. "Now I''m not sure what to do," Jan muttered, raising his sword once more. Rel knew the situation was beyond repair. The mercenary ''Axel'' had been branded a viin in Jan''s eyes. He had blundered a characteristic within Jan, and if a situation like this was enough to shake him, Rel had no choice but to avoid Jan as ''Axel''. * The man in the mask switched the grip of his de to his left hand. "Have you cooled your head?" the masked man spoke in a condescending manner that grated on Jan''s nerves. "Not quite," Jan replied in a low, heavy tone. DING! His eyes glowed a bright blue, his vision enhancing twofold, and his instincts sharpening. ¡ºLet''s test the waters of how far he is in that world.¡» Jan waited patiently, and a gust of wind blew towards him. His hair stood on end as he witnessed a strange phenomenon. CRACK... A part of the person''s mask fell off. The top right corner of the white mask had been chipped and cracked from his previous attack, revealing their right eye and a bit of their hair. "...!" Surprise wasn''t what Jan was feeling at this moment rather he was confused. Of course, the scene itself was a sight to behold. ¡ºDid he have blue eyes before?¡» "No... that can''t be the case," Jan couldn''t shake the feeling. ¡ºBut It''s red... why are his eyes red?!¡» He couldn''t understand his own thoughts, but he felt a familiar connection to this stranger. A feeling he didn''t need right now. Jan had to clear his mind. huuu...haah... ¡ºEmpty thoughts, that''s all I need. He killed two people. I need to take this man in and figure out who he is.¡» "God, give me strength," As Jan was about to charge, bells rang in his ears, and a sudden vision shed in his mind. The world granted him a glimpse into the potential oue of the battle. The first few seconds were a chaotic sh that erupted throughout the room. Jan used a formless technique imbued with his light attribute, and the masked man used an immensely strong aura technique, one that even Jan struggled against. But as the sh broke, Jan couldn''t see what had happened to him. He sustained damage to his side as an arrow grazed his stomach, and in the next two seconds, he was kicked in the stomach. DING! Jan''s foresight ended, and he saw the future of a potential ending to their fight. "I won''t let it happen." He muttered, dashing straight towards his opponent. DASH! Jan soared through the air, raising his sword. CRACK...CRACK...CRACK... With all the aura he could muster, his de turned golden, mixed with the obsidian color of aura. Once again, Jan pulled off a perfectly synergized technique of aura and elemental control within the core of his de. It was a realm attainable only by those who understood the core mechanics of elemental synergy and aura control. To be adept at aura, one must have absolute authority over one''s Mindflow, body control, and soul. To be adept at an elemental attribute, one must master the three core aspects of magic: shape, control, and flow. If their body and mind are not in sync, they cannot control their aura to hold their elemental attribute. If their elemental control isn''t stable enough to be held within the de, their elemental will leak. Powered by m_vl_em_p_yr Attempting tobine the two without proper understanding would result in internal destruction, and the user would gradually lose their senses and control. Of course, there are two exceptions to these rules: Jan Ates, whose exception lies in his sword mastery of ten different lives in one. With replication techniques beyondprehension, he can master various sword arts from just seeing them once. Though he has the ability to do anything, he chooses to strictly adhere to one style. "Formless technique: Golden Radiance, Heavenly First Strike!" Jan, with his golden de mixed with the ckness of aura, held his de high, swinging downwards. The second person to the exception... This person is a cunning cheater who abides by no rules and is exempted from all exceptions. He can shoot with a bow, punch a prince in the face, and is a part-time mercenary for his case. This man is named Rel Laurence. The system he controls grants him absolute authority to change aspects of his own story, making him unbelievably overpowered, regardless of how often he underestimates his own strength. "Shattered Judgement." Meeting Jan''s de head-on, Rel infused aura and the ck mes of his elemental attribute. As the anti-magic rose, perfectlyplementing the absolute darkness of his own aura, lightning emerged and crackled from the surface of his de. Twisting his body to the right, Rel drew the sword back over his right shoulder, angling the de upward with all his might. SHING!!!!! Chapter 245: You And Me (3) Throughout the room, their des held onto each other at a standstill. Winds erupted and thunder crackled. From both sides, neither couldn''t give up on this sh. Jan''s hands clung to the silver broadsword for his dear life. He believed that if he were to lose here he''d also end up perishing with the others. Rel, on the other hand, held onto Axel with everything he''s gotten within him. Losing here not only means he''d affect Jan as a character but it would also stain the progression and plot of the story. "Give up now and I promise I won''t kill you," Rel spoke through his mask in a low manner attempting to push Jan''s de back just a little. "Why don''t you give up?! If you do I''ll only tear up your mask, you evil monster." Jan tried to push Rel''s de back but realised that both their strengths at this moment were equally matched. Neither de could budge and even if there were subtle movements in the sh, their des would only revert itself to the central space it upied. ¡ºDamn this Jan guy! My Trickster ability is going to wear off soon. I''ll need to act before then.¡» ¡ºHis aura is unlike anything I''ve ever seen! There''s no way someone like him exists.¡» Even in the heat of their sh, both Jan and Rel were preupied with their observations and concerns. However, Rel couldn''t maintain his grip forever. His hold on his de began to shake and slowly slip. Jan noticed this vulnerability and gritted his teeth, pushing forward. As his de pressed Rel''s closer, Jan could almost taste victory. But things wouldn''t y out that way. CRACK... Cracks appeared in the centre of Jan''s steel de, slowly spreading towards the tip. "...!" ¡ºWhat?! I didn''t- wait no those few seconds weren''t in the same line of possibilities right?¡» Jan was puzzled. Why was his de on the verge of shattering? It wasn''t something he understood. But then he remembered his earlier foresight. ¡ºIt was only mere glimpses of it all.¡» That''s right. He had only seen fragments of what could happen, not what was guaranteed to happen. His mastery over Sensory Aura hadn''t reached that level yet. CRACK!!! "Crap!" Jan reflexively pulled his de back, and their sh ended abruptly. TAK... As he pulled away, he felt a stinging pain on the left side of his stomach. The same injury he''d seen in his vision. Seeing the masked man a few meters away, he knew what wasing next. ¡ºHe''s gonna go for that kick!¡» Jan reinforced the t side of his de with both hands, anticipating the attack he had foreseen. He remembered the brutal pain in his stomach from the vision. So, he reinforced his core with aura in case the attack pierced his defense. "What are you doing?" the masked man asked. "Why aren''t you guarding your head?" "What?!" Jan''s expression turned to disbelief. He witnessed everything in slow motion. The man''s de vanished into thin air, and he pulled his entire arm back, clenching his fist tightly. ** He didn''t bother using mana or aura. Because everything in this moment felt perfect for Rel. "...!" CRACK... [Critical Hit!] Rel''s punch connected with Jan''s face, and ck lightning erupted from his fist. Jan was sent flying backward, crashing into the double doors of the Sunlit King''s boss room. ¡ºI couldn''t see it... his attack... that shock didn''t just erupt from my face, it''s stinging my entire body.¡» The pain was bearable, but Jan was clinging to his life. The damage was as severe as being pierced by a sword. His fragile body was still a problem, and enduring full-force attacks always took a toll on his mental stamina. His mind could ignore the pain, but his body couldn''t. BLEH... Jan spat out blood, but he refused to give up. "I won''t lose..." He used his sword as a crutch to get back up. "I''ll make sure of it," the masked man replied condescendingly. Jan gritted his teeth, realizing it was time to use that ability. After all, he had vowed to only use it when his life was on the line. "???¥ê? i¥ê??¥ê?? ? || p¡Ë????¡Ë???? a?!???? ? o? r??????" "...!" Rel''s eyes widened, his heart sinking as he witnessed Jan''s transformation. His blue eyes turned gold, his right eye morphing into a clock, and his left eye taking on a golden cross surrounded by stars. Rel realized the gravity of the situation. Jan was only doing this because his life was at stake. Jan''s expression was a robotic frown, devoid of emotion, ignoring the pain and exhaustion in his body. Rel had no choice. "Threat..." Jan muttered, his voice cold and detached. "Must destroy or die..." He imbued his damaged broadsword with aura and marched slowly towards Rel. TAP...TAP...TAP... Jan''s movements were robotic and deliberate. But Rel wasn''t going to stand there and wait. [Special Ability: Clockwork of Time [Grade 2] Has Been Activated!] DOOOOOSH! Rel had to act first, before things escted further. His life was in danger. As time slowed down, he dashed forward as fast as he could without depleting more stamina or mana. [Special Ability: Pocket Realm Has Summoned Weapon: Axel [Grade 1] - ] Rel''s de reappeared in his hand, and he was now only a few meters away from Jan. ... ... ... "I''m sorry, but I can''t let you adapt to this..." Those words echoed in my soul. Everything I witnessed shed before my eyes as the masked figure closed the distance with impossible speed. His de appeared out of thin air, and before I knew it, my ability woke me up. He passed by me like a blur... he dashed past, but I didn''t feel an attack. Time seemed to slow down, and I couldn''t fully process what had happened in that millisecond. I didn''t think I had been attacked or felt anything after he passed. But when I looked down at my stomach... It was all clear now. A ck sh stretched across the room, right below me. It wasn''t just any ordinary sh; it was a projectile sh, one that held only the color of ck¡ªthe anomaly of aura and qi. I never understood why it was considered an anomaly. But I don''t think I''ll ever find out. I guess that''s okay, because I think I can finally ept my fate. I had lost. "Divine Severance." ___________ To Be Continued ___________ Chapter 246: You And Me (4) [Rel''s POV] Divine Infinity, Aspect of Requiem. A legendary skill, the pinnacle of absolute authority. An ability Jan retained from his past life. The gift that restores all his attacking attributes, senses, and abilities to their peak condition. It already sounds broken, but that''s not all. The true power lies in its unparalleled foundation: the ability to understand, analyze, and evaluate all forms ofbat information. This technique is automated, allowing Jan''s mind to act perfectly in any situation, regardless of his emotions. His mind remains unwavering, no matter the evaluation or facts. Essentially, it grants him near-perfect adaptability inbat. But there''s a significant drawback: all his mana and stamina will be depleted once it wears off. Of course, Jan was born with a weak, frail body. This ability essentiallypensates for his physical limitations. It all made sense in my head years ago when I wrote it. But facing this ability now fills me with genuine fear. I don''t know what I was thinking. I was an idiot. ... ... ... [Special Ability: Clock Work Of Time [Grade 2] Has De-Activated...] [Passive Ability: Hidden Strength [Grade 4] Has De-Activated...] [Reason: Low Mana And Stamina Threshold.] Divine Severance, my skill, my lord and savior... He wasn''t able to see it because he''d never experienced the ability in his automation state. Lucky me. CRACK... "Shit..." CRACKLEEE... As the dust settled, my vision adjusted. I felt a soft breeze against my cheek. cing a hand on my face, I realized my mask had shattered. I was fortunate to have even tanked an attack without barely seeing Jan move his sword or hand. That meant his speed surpassed Deadeye and my Sensory Aura. Even my instincts couldn''t sense that millisecond of movement. How scary. He managed tond a blow without even moving. I wondered if he used that exclusive formless technique when he activated his ultimate skill. But I had been lucky. I wasn''t sure if he could see that time had slowed down, but his heightened perception allowed him to anticipate my attack and made it clear his automation knew what was happening. If I had been a secondte or even a second earlier, his body could''ve pulled off some reflexive main-character bullshit, and I would''ve died on the spot. I was just grateful to be alive and standing. FWANG! [You''ve defeated B+ Demonic Monster: Blood Mimic (Hybrid) (1) (775 BP+)-] [You''ve defeated B+ Demonic Monster: Blood Mimic (Hybrid) (2 (775 BP+)-] [Aura Proficiency Stat Has Been Increased!] [Aura Mastery: 42.7% >>> 43.10% (0.40%+)] After taking things so seriously, I could feel a smile creeping onto my face. I couldn''t tell if it was sinister or joyful. I was just smiling and chuckling. "Nice..." I fist-pumped the air, feeling relieved. It was a massive improvement to my aura spamming progress, and I hadn''t realized I could gain BP for killing demonic monsters. Maybe I should go out of my way to hunt them down. Wom... As I dismissed the notifications, another one popped up. FWANG [A new proficiency stat has been added.] [Loading up...] [Elemental Attribute: Anti-Magic (06.90% Mastery)] [Context: The following attribute earnt has been given a mastery due to the following reasons] [1. The elemental attribute at high proficiency/mastery distrupts the growth of the main cast.] [2. Allowing further destruction with the elemental attribute hinders the stories progression.] [3. Anti-magic has now been added as an official attribute within the story, knowledge of anti-magic has been reset within the world.] Of course, good news alwayses with bad. I had been nerfed. Incredibly nerfed. "No way..." I stared at the screen, feeling a sense of loss. I knew having near-absolute control over this attribute was incredibly powerful, but I never intended to disrupt the growth of the main characters. So, what should I do now? Haah... I sighed, realizing there was no way around it. I''ll just max it out and hope for the best. If something this unbnced needed to be changed, it was only fair to nerf it. "But hey, can''t you see how unfair this is?!" I waved my hands at the screen, ring my anti-magic at it. [Apologies Mr Axel.. but unfortunately it''sconsidered an interference /? ? ? ?¥Þ ] [Please understand, the A.T. can adjust the world''s mechanics at will.] [This is just one of the various changes that you''ll asionally undergo as you progress.] That''s unreal and incredibly unfair! How could I, the author, becking in specific magic proficiency privileges? Did my anti-magic really need to be nerfed? I mean, I never really had strong elemental attributes in the first ce. All I had was water and fire, and I couldn''t even utilize them properly due to myck of proficiency. But now that I have an overpowered attribute, the first thing this assistant tool does is nerf it? I might as well be a background character in another world. CRUSH! I stomped on Balwark''s skull out of spite. "Damned Assistant tool... I''ll get you for this one day." I clenched my fist in anger. Whatever, I''m going to take some of Jan''s rewards and leave. *** The world around me is ck. My head feels empty, yet light. I don''t feel any part of my body, but at the same time, I feel the wholeness of my consciousness. Is this limbo? The state of being in between the world of the living and thend of the dead? I heard it was a ce where those who died before Christ would wait. But this is just a in, ck world. Almost the same kind of ckness that gued my own existence... If this is what true peace feels like, then I don''t mind living like this forever. But ever since... that day... I didn''t know what was toe. ** I never once thought of myself as a prodigy. I felt misunderstood. Everything in my life always felt... wrong. Yet, I lived past failure, guilt, and the deaths of those who sacrificed themselves for me. A warrior, a swordsman, a hero meant to save his world from chaos. But I was too young to understand. Anguish, dread, and envy. All my life, I carried these emotions until the very end. I didn''t believe in a God or anything else. As a poor child in my first life, I never knew what family was like. I never had the luxuries of good food or the money to go out and shop. But everything changed when the towers came. Chapter 247: The Towers Back in my previous life... Many years ago, I, Jan Ates, fell victim to the greatest cmity. Before being dubbed the hero of my world, I was a man-made super soldier, a creation of the towers. After it was all over, I resolved most of the world''s problems and eventually achieved peace. Destruction, Evil, Despair, Chaos, and Ascent. These represented the towers'' embodiment and system. They epassed everything that "it" was. Born into an era of war, I was used as a soldier and scout, exploring the towers'' secrets. I despised them, believing they caused the outbreak and natural affliction of war. People med it on politics conspiring with dark mages. Others saw it as a sign from God, but I believed it was simply our unfortunate luck. I adventured and searched the endless expanse of the towers, and to my surprise, they were unique, with otherworldly environments introducing creatures, NPCs, and structures that had never existed in my world. I met many people on my journey, differentiating between NPCs and beings from other worlds. drip... I also realized that these towers weren''t connected to a single world but linked to all worlds affected by the cmity. I met countless people who shared the same burden, and their ims proved true. The goal was to reach the top of each tower and defeat the entities controlling them. drip... But most worlds failed due to the increasing difficulty of each ascending floor. ...DRIP! "...!" My eyes opened, and I felt a drop of liquid on my head. Peering up from the ground, I saw a vial dripping from above, as if to recover my stamina and mana all at once. "That guy... he didn''t kill me?" I was confused. Why hadn''t he finished me off along with the others? But I could only guess that if there was an interference, it was most likely guided by that golden light. As I stood up, I felt that my pockets were empty, and my pouch, which held the Golden Orb, was gone. "No..." I panicked, realizing the item might have fallen into the wrong hands. "I need to find him..." I clenched my fist, but a sudden migraine erupted. ACK... That fight earlier, too... it hurt so much, especially that attack. Then that''s when I realised... "The orb!" My hands frantically searched through my pockets, my heart pounding in my chest.The Orb... it was gone!A wave of panic washed over me.Had it fallen out during the fight? Was it lost forever? Then, I saw it.A small, folded piece of paper, shaped like an orb, tucked discreetly beside me. _______________ To stranger: In exchange for me sparing your life, I''ve taken a few things from your dungeon rewards. FYI, the fight you started, however long ago, was stupid and uncalled for. The entire time we fought, I tried to tell you those were blood mimics, but you ignored all my attempts tomunicate. Especially seeing that all you had to do was look inside the skull. So once again, if I ever see you, I will kill you. P.S. Don''t give that golden orb to anyone or show it... it''s very special. Extra P.S. You were worried that the orb got lost hahaha! Extra Extra P.S Be grateful that I didn''t take it, dumbass. From: Stranger you shouldn''t mess with _______________ Underneath the paper, nestled safely in my pocket, was the Orb. I let out a relieved sigh, then chuckled.The letter''s tone... it sounded like someone I knew. I couldn''t put my finger on his name, but at the very least, everything was okay. Getting up from my spot, I gathered my belongings and left the dungeon with the golden orb tucked in my pouch. I had a lot to think about, a lot to process. But for now, I still need to keep my promise and move on. ** As Jan stepped out of the dungeon''s entrance, a wall of guild members blocked his path, their shields raised to deflect the prying eyes of the media. Confusion flickered across his face until he recognized the crest emzoned on their uniforms. It was the emblem of the Miracles Guild, owned by Valencia''s father. Jan recognized the crest on their uniforms immediately. It belonged to the Miracles Guild. "...!" His heart skipped a beat as he realized Gerrard, Valencia''s father, was leading the group. Gerrard''s eyes widened in surprise. "Jan?" he eximed, rushing forward. "You came out alone? Was there anyone else in there?" [Gerrard Freya - Leader Of The Miracles Guild [Hero Rank: 2] - [World ss Hero] -] He grabbed Jan, concerned not only for his safety but also for anyone else who might have been caught in the dungeon disaster. Dungeons typically remain locked until cleared or failed, then reopen. The only exception to this rule is Rel, who possesses the unique ability to enter locked dungeons. "No-" Rumble...Rumble...Rumble... A loud rumble echoed from the cave, followed by a whooshing sound. WOM!!! The air shimmered, and the dungeon entrance vanished, leaving behind an ordinary, unremarkable cave. Gerrard let out a relieved sigh. He had been prepared to enter the dungeon himself, but it seemed his intervention was unnecessary. WHOOOSH! ¡ª Sir Freya... We''ve arrived to subjugate the dungeon on your behalf. [Chevalier Bastien Luc Foix - Vice Leader Of The Miracles Guild [High Grade Hero] -] Just then, the team leaders, Fredrick Bronze and Chevalier, arrived on the scene. Both wore the white cloak and the leader''s uniform, consisting of golden epaulettes on the shoulders, an all-white suit with golden buttons, and the cloak on the back with their names and positions within the guild. Chevalier also wore a white hat with the Miracles Guild crest, while Fredrick''s brown hair remained uncovered. ¡ª Gerrard, we''ve received intel on this dungeon... [Fredrick Bronze - 3rd Captain Of The Miracles Guild [High-Mid Grade Hero] -] Fredrick presented a tablet to Gerrard, showing that the dungeon had been ssified as a unique-graded dungeon, not a special unique one. "But... the dungeon has been cleared," Chevalier observed, frowning in puzzlement. He turned to Fredrick, stroking his chin. "Was the information wrong?" "It''s what our scouts and analysts told us," Fredrick replied, his voiceced with confusion. "And they''re the best of the best." "Enough, you two punts!" Gerrard interrupted. RAH! Raising both his fist in the air he swung downwards to both their heads. "...!" WHOOOSH! Gerrard''s right-hand attack phased through Chevalier, and the other missed entirely as Fredrick sidestepped. "It seems you guys have learned from thest meeting, WAHAH!" Gerrardughed, seeing how quickly his two leaders dodged. He regained hisposure and pointed towards Jan. "This boy cleared the dungeon." Fredrick gasped in astonishment, while Chevalier''s expression remained stoic. "Jan cleared it on his own?" Fredrick''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Jaaaan!!!!" He rushed over to Jan, ruffling his hair enthusiastically. "Who knew the little kid I''ve known for years could achieve something like this?!" "Ack... Stop, Mr. Fredrick!" Jan basked in the praise while trying to evade Fredrick''s grip, but he was trapped in a headlock. A nagging feeling of unease remained. It was as if someone was watching him, their gaze unseen but distinct. He broke free from Fredrick''s grip and turned his head, scanning the surrounding trees, but nothing seemed out of ce. "Something wrong, Jan?" Fredrick asked. "No... nothing," Jan shook his head and smiled. "Odd..." Jan muttered under his breath. As Fredrick continued to celebrate, Chevalier remained focused. "Leader, if the dungeon is clear, I need to head back to ''that'' mission." His expression turned serious, and Gerrard nodded in understanding. "Yeah, sure," he waved his hand, signaling Chevalier to leave. "Thank you, Leader," Chevalier said with a respectful bow, then vanished into thin air. Gerrard turned back to Fredrick and Jan. "Get the media out here," he instructed Fredrick. "Tell them this boy cleared the dungeon." BOOOOOM! Gerrard closed the distance in a blink of an eye, cing a palm on Fredrick''s chest and sending him flying through the air. "Yes, sir!" Fredrick eximed while soaring. Chapter 248 : Tired And Bold Sitting in a coffee shop aftering close to death has never felt better. After today''s events, I definitely needed a break. Jan could have killed me, but here I am, rxing in a random Seoul coffee shop. It was only 6 PM, after dark, but there was plenty to enjoy during the Korean nightlife. My stay over the past few months has been great, but I knew there was a lot I needed to do moving forward. I could enjoy this peace for now, but it wouldn''tst. The next arc in the story was about to begin: The First Year Examination Arc. An event I needed to prepare for. This first-year practical exam would take ce on an ind upied with actual monsters and an artificially tampered boss monster. Assessors would evaluate students based on survival skills,bat adaptability, and teamwork over an entire week. The scenario sounded cool - being away from the academy instead of studying. But experiencing it firsthand meant I could actually die fromck of proper food. However, that was the least of my worries. The most important part was the appearance of a high-graded monster as the final boss. It''s a massive creature that will awaken on the seventh day at the ind''s centre. The exciting part is that Jan and Louise will work together to defeat it. It''s ironic and a change of pace for two pr opposite characters, but I consider it a unique development. "Here''s your coffee, sir." The waiter handed me my coffee, cing it on the leather coaster. She had an obnoxious expression, almost like she pitied me. I wouldn''t tolerate that, but I decided to let it slide. I grabbed the cup and raised it to my nose. Sniff... sniff... "...!" "What?" My eyes widened. The steam rose to my nostrils, and as I inhaled the coffee''s aroma, my head started to feel dizzy. It was like I was about to ck out. "There''s something wrong..." Hey system analyze the coffee for me. FWANG! [Sure Mr. Axel!] [Analyzing Coffee... 45%...85%...100%] [Analysisplete! - - - Disying Contents...] ________________ [Poisoned Coffee Contents] Espresso Shot (30ml) Steamed Milk (90ml) Milk Foam (15ml) Benzodiazepines (75ml) ________________ As I saw the system screen zoom in on the Benzodiazepines, I realized the trouble I was in. Not only was my drink poisoned, but that dosage was potentially lethal. The aroma was already enough to make my head sway. But who would do this? I don''t remember anyone wanting me dead? "Oh shit..." My hands trembled for a second. Haah... ¡ª "One day... I''ll being for you." Damn it... I face palmed reflexively and cursed my actions for being chased by someone like him. What could do? It''s not like their aim really was to kill me. But what kind of idiot puts 70 millilitres of Benzodiazepines in a drink? No matter, I hope they''re not looking for a fight. Because fighting in a public area only means trouble for the opposing side. I don''t mind if people get hurt here. I just need to confirm who''s behind the drugging. *** Aconite. An agent that specialises in alchemy she''s a genius at creating any poison and sleeping drugs. Aconite, an expert alchemist and executive in Quadra, yed a crucial role in dimir''s demonic operations while also fulfilling her duties as one of Cyran''s Executive Executioners. Currently, she is staying in South Korea, visiting an old friend. Though they now belonged to different organizations and had assumed different duties, Aconite owed her friend a debt of gratitude for the opportunities she had received. Her friend wanted to capture a student named Rel Laurence. For this mission, codenamed "Debt Repayment," Aconite had received information about Rel heading to a cafe past 5:45 PM. With her advanced intel and technology, she could track and reach any location quickly. Coincidentally, she was only a few minutes away once she pinged his watch signal. She located him in a nearby cafe, just 100 meters away. Leaping from rooftop to rooftop, Aconite made her way towards the cafe unseen. Finally, she arrived and spotted a boy who matched the description from her intel: ck messy hair, blue eyes, and an expressionless face. It was clearly Rel, sitting by the window. KACHAK! Pulling out her sniper scope she carefully observed his every action. ¡ºHe''s been sitting in the same spot for a few minutes... everything around him looks like an opening, and there''s no sign of him getting up. Perhaps I could approach from the front, but... ¡» "The reports on him advise caution." Exiting out of her scope she ced the sniper on her back. She knew his abilities had been verified. If she hadn''t known beforehand of someone like him, she would''ve misjudgedRel for a normal student who attends Pinnacle Academy. "I''ll have to do an inside operation," Aconite pulled a potion from her pocket and poured it onto the ground, creating a physical body. It was a faceless, slim figure with ck skin. Peering from the balcony, she saw a female worker heading outside to take out the trash. Aconite kept her eyes on the worker, and as soon as she left, she turned her attention to the empty body. "Spell cast formation: Physical application clone." Extending her hand, she imbued the body with her mana, shaping it perfectly into one of her memorized targets. Then, with precise control, she used a thread of mana to conceal the empty core and remotely controlled its movements,manding it to follow the worker. Within minutes, Aconite infiltrated the coffee shop by putting the worker to sleep. "Now, I just need to hand this over..." She summoned another clone, identical to herself but wearing an all-ck suit and mask. Carefully, she instructed it to deliver the special pill to the worker clone. As she coordinated the two clones, they met in the hallway. The worker clone took the pill and headed back inside. DOOSH! The clone of herself disappeared into the ground and rose back from her shadow. Chapter 249 : Tired And Bold (2) With absolute precision, Aconite watched through the eyes of the worker, effortlessly making Rel''s coffee. As she stirred it carefully, she added an odourless agent that masked the scent of the pill hidden within the coffee. Even superhuman senses wouldn''t detect it until after consumption. "Here''s your coffee, sir..." "Here''s your coffee, sir..." As Aconite''s clone handed Rel the coffee, she discreetly guided the worker clone towards the employee''s room. Aconite then opened her own eyes and observed from the rooftop to see if Rel had noticed anything. Luckily for her, he hadn''t. She turned away to change disguises, equipping herself to appear as a young businesswoman. She wore a ck skirt, a white long-sleeved buttoned tee, and sses that gave her an air of mystery and unapproachability. She took onest look before jumping down. "The target should be neutralized..." But when she turned her head to check on Rel, it seemed he had caught on. He hadn''t touched the coffee and was staring directly out the window towards Aconite''s location. He put the cup down, arms crossed, head tilted slightly, and brow furrowed. Aconite froze her heart racing, but quickly hid from Rel''s sight. How did he figure it out? The possibility of him detecting the poison was nearly impossible. He can''t be that perceptive, can he? Her mind searched for answers, but she had no choice but to get closer. Heup! Jumping down from the alleyway, she rushed towards the coffee shop, hoping to finish the job. But she stopped short. Rel was already outside, holding the cup, surrounded by civilians. It was almost impossible to act without being noticed. Tch! Aconite gritted her teeth, but her eyes widened as she watched Rel pour the coffee into the sewer drain. Rel kept his eyes on her, and after emptying the cup, he walked towards her. Tap... Among the crowd, she wondered if she needed an area-of-effect attack to escape. Tap... She reached into her pocket, her hand closing around a concealed vial of liquid. Tap... But suddenly, he walked past her without a second nce. She turned her head, wondering if he was ying a trick, but he continued walking away. For an executioner and a Quadra executive, Aconite had failed a mission for the first time in her life. *** RING!...RING!...RING! "Argh... my head." The pain of waking up never gets any easier. I guess there''s no helping it. I still couldn''t get over what happened yesterday. I trailed Jan for the entire afternoon, then those blood mimics appeared, I fought Jan, and a whole lot of other stuff happened. Yet, I was lucky in the end. Those events led to these artifacts falling into my hands. aka stealing from Jan. "A gift handed by the Gods" I fist pumped in the air with a slight nod and turned my head towards the closet. WOM... Using Precision Control, I opened up my closet from my bed and hovered over the two items I rightfully earned. FWANG! [Disying Item Contents:] [Item 1: Ancient Greek Bracelet Of Fluvia [Grade 2] - [Condition: Great] - [Enchantments: Regeneration III, Mana Recovery III,] - [Special Effect - Magic Amplification Output: 10% - The magic power output of the desired elemental attribute is enhanced when wearing this item.] [Item 2: Ghost Orchid Seed [Grade 1] - [Condition: Perfect] -[Content: This item can be used for alchemy] - [Enchantments: ???] -[Special Effects: ???] If I didn''t say I was proud of my actions, I''d stand up and say it now. Of course, I won''t, but it''s a figure of speech. Anyway, I chose these two items based on their value. In the original novel, Jan kept them as keepsakes for defeating the Sunlit King. His tendency to cherish memories and honour was very main-character-like. So, instead of letting these things gather dust on a shelf, I''ll put them to good use. I''ll start with the Greek bracelet. nk! Opening the bracelet of Fluvia, I could understand why this thing was kept as a keepsake. Firstly, it heals well and recovers mana extremely well for its grade. Its overall recovery factor is much better than modern potions, and it''s more efficient in every aspect. If I sold this on the market, it would fetch a high price. Artifacts with special functions or passives are extremely rare. I knew these needed to be rare and rewarding for a reason, but I hadn''t figured out what to do with them, so I inevitably vaulted them until further notice. But since things are different now, I''ll make sure this goes to the right buyer. To my knowledge, there''s no way this item will fall into the wrong hands. CLANK! Removing the bracelet, I ced it in the artifact boxbelled "sell." Now, I could finally get to this... Holding the Ghost Orchid, I could feel my entire body shiver just looking at its beauty. In this world, the Ghost Orchid is one of, if not the rarest, extinct flower. It has special properties, allowing it to grow unique, high-graded fruits with permanent stat-increasing properties. And it''s not limited to just one stat. The Ghost Orchid can grow different unique-graded fruits, allowing for growth across all my physical stats. But the downside is that I can''t control which fruits the nt will bear. So, I n to cultivate it and grow it elsewhere once I find the right ce. The Ghost Orchid seed is the key to upgrading all my stats. With it, I''d be able to be much stronger on my own and wouldn''t need to rely on others to save me. WOM! [The Following Item Has Been Transferred To The Pocket Realm: Ghost Orchid Seed (4/5)] With all that done, I still hadn''t figured out who spiked my coffee that day. I couldn''t shake the feeling that the overly suspicious woman staring at me on my way out was involved. Her face was still a blur in my memory, but I didn''t think a woman with ck hair would be suspicious. Most female characters in this novel have bright colours and pretty faces that stand amongst most NPCs, so I wouldn''t have pegged someone with ck hair as a viin. It must have been a mistake; she was probably waiting for her husband or something. I don''t want to judge, but if I think about it, I''m probably right. Hmm... but I was exhausted, and even a moment of consideration without my coffee could have led to a mistake. That''s what I learned as a writer. Chapter 250: Chapter 250 [Pinnacle Academy, Female Dorm Rooms] [Friday, 4:44 PM] "Uuuwah, the weekend is here..." Pushing the door to her dorm room open, Valencia stretched her arms wide. She hurried to her room, changed into her home clothes, and sank onto the cushions of her newly installed couch. After finishing her usual sses, she flicked on the TV, and thetest news headlines shed across the screen. _______________ International World News Channel... _______________ ¡ª Good evening, everyone. I am your reporter for today''s news, Mary Jane, and this is my partner, rk Kumt. As you know, a student from Pinnacle Academy solo-raided a unique-graded dungeon yesterday! ¡ª Indeed, Jane. We encountered many false reports and misleading information, but now our team has everything we need to tell the world about this massive feat! ¡ª It has been confirmed that the student who single-handedly subjugated a dungeon has massive achievements under his belt. He earned the Gold Medal of Aspiration from the France incident and is currently the number one ranked candidate amongst all high-ranked guilds. ¡ª The person we''re talking about is Jan Ates! _______________ FLICK! Valencia switched off the TV rolling her eyes. ugh... "Seriously... Jan? I knew it." Palming her face, Valencia leaned her head against the soft cushion of her couch. Jan had been acting strange today and now knew the reason behind it all. ¡ºHe wasn''t joking at all... and the fact it was a uniquely graded dungeon means it must have been incredibly difficult. But if it was Jan, then I guess he is one of the few people who could do it alone.¡» "Haah... I wouldn''t have thought of him getting ahead of me, but I should be doing something now, huh?" Her thoughts of Jan''s achievements made her feel happy for him, but herpetitive spirit pushed her to strive for the top. She wanted to surpass him, convinced that he had held back in the final. Of course, she wouldn''t forget Jan pulling his punches. But as the future sessor of the Miracles Guild, it was her duty to exceed expectations. Hailed as one of the greatest prodigal swordswomen of her generation, her title as the Sword Saint must be upheld. Getting up from the sofa, she went back to her room to change. Valencia was once again training even after having back-to-back practical sses. As she browsed through her wardrobe, she considered her options scrolling over the neatly organized clothing. shy, stylish, or casual? She pondered for a moment, running through different outfits in her head. "Eh... what am I doing? Why am I even thinking of dressing up nicely only to sweat? It''s not like I''m trying to¡ª" Poof... For a moment, Valencia''s mind went nk. The image of someone shed in her mind, and her ears flushed red. "..." Looking in the mirror, she saw her pale face reddening along with her ears. "...I did it again." She sighed silently and finally changed. It only took her a few minutes, and now she was wearing the academy sports jacket and shorts, her hair tied up in a bun with a butterfly clip. DING! Just as she was about to leave, a text message from her father arrived. [You''ve received a message from: Father] Father < 4:32 PM> Your guess was close Val!:) Valencia looked at her watch and recalled her father mentioning a student who had cleared a dungeon solo. Their conversation revolved around the fact that she knew this person and that they attended Pinnacle Academy. She knew very few people could clear dungeons alone. But it was the fact that he mentioned the person was a "he" that made her initially think of Rel. She even blurted his name out identally, surprising her father, who believed she hated all boys, including Rel. "I never knew that boy would be capable of such a feat," he had said. "Perhaps if you see his potential as an asset, we should consider him for a future candidate for Miracle..." "Father, no!" Those were herst words before she dismissed the idea. The idea sounded absurd to her but she didn''t mind it at all... but knowing Rel; she imagined he would probably join a guild that rivalled Miracle. "Maybe... if I could get someone to convince him..." Valencia muttered before closing the door. It didn''t sound right in her mind, but it was clear she wasn''t in the right state to even be making decisions for the future. But now she was truly wondering what Rel would be doing after the third year. They would be graduating, but of course, she had a firm belief that he would find his way to be jobless. With a sigh, she shook her head, pushing those thoughts aside. ** [Pinnacle Academy - Aetherium Nexus] Arriving at the Aetherium Nexus, Valencia took her usual route towards the Emu-teau room. [Wee first-year student Valencia Freya, student rank: number 2.] "Thank you..." she nodded at the system, entering through the automatic doors. Emu-teau A massive training area where the majority of Pinnacle Academy''s swordsmen practised. Situated below ground level, this massive training facility was essible by a dedicated elevator and esctor. The room was divided into two main sections. One half housed a wide-range emtion area with a holographic training system and motion capture analysis. This system provided feedback on the user''s movement, technique, speed, and efficiency. The other half of the room contained sensor-equipped dummies lining the walls, and in the centre, a practice ring made of interlocking mats offered a flexible space for sparring. "Now, what should I work on today?" Valencia pondered, walking through the hallway to Emu-teau. As she reached the window overlooking the training area, she frowned. Where was everyone?It was Friday afternoon and it was the prime time for sparring. Hmm? "...!" Just as she peered through the window, her eyes widened in shock. A lone figure, wooden sword in hand, practised tirelessly in front of a sensor dummy. SLASH!! Valencia''s eyes remained fixed on him as he swung downwards. bdump... "I don''t believe this..." she muttered, pressing a hand to her chest. Why am I reacting like this?It''s just... I''ve never seen him like this before. Though he wore a ckpressed shirt, his back muscles were visible rippling with every swing. WOM... Suddenly, the figure stopped. Mid-swing. EEK! His head snapped upward, turning towards the observation window. Instinct took over, and she ducked down, pressing herself against the wall beside the window. Chapter 251: Chapter 251 [Pinnacle Academy, Aetherium Nexus] BDUMP...BDUMP... "Haah...That was too close." She leaned back against the wall, letting out a breath she hadn''t realized she was holding. "Uwaaah!" she screamed internally and her face flushed. "What am I even doing?" Valencia wondered why she was hiding like a scared rabbit. It wasn''t like they were friends or anything. They barely spoke.He was just... there. A ssmate. Someone she asionally exchanged a few words with during group projects. Nothing more. And yet, her heart was still pounding like a drum. "This is ridiculous," she muttered, trying to regain herposure. "I just want to train. But..." she hesitated, "...if he''s watching, I won''t be able to focus." The image of him, drenched in sweat, his muscles flexing with every swing of the wooden sword, shed through her mind. "No! Stop thinking about that!" she scolded herself, shaking her head vigorously. "Whatcha doing against the wall like that, Val?" Valencia nearly jumped out of her skin. She flehd and found that her best friend, Cam, was standing in front of her with a curious expression. "I just tripped," Valencia mumbled, quickly changing her features into a calm and cold face. She even managed a nonchnt shrug, for good measure. "Oh really?" Cam raised a sculpted eyebrow. She knew that this kind of act wasn''t going to fool her. "Well," Cam continued, "suit yourself if you''re gonna stay there, but I gotta see if Jan''s training¡ª" "Stop!" grip! Valencia lurched forward, scrambling to her knees and grabbing Cam''s wrist before her friend could even take a step towards the window. "I-I just checked," Valencia mumbled. Her gaze darted everywhere but Cam''s face. "And Jan isn''t there. So you should probably go." "Ehh?" Cam was surprised by this rare disy of desperation from Valencia. Even through her calm expression, she enjoyed seeing her friend flustered. What was causing her to act this way? Especially since Jan doesn''t even train on Fridays... So, she decided to poke the bear a little more. "I believe you," she chirped, shing a mischievous smile that held no innocence whatsoever. Valencia sighed in relief, thinking everything was all fine. "But I''m gonna check, anyway." "...!" Valencia''s grip tightened, and then her hand suddenly slipped from Cam''s wrist as if coated in oil. She had to use both hands to keep herself from falling. "Sorry, Val, but you should''ve known... Jan doesn''t train on Fridays..." Cam''s voice came out in slow motion, but Valencia realised she had been tricked. "So let''s see who it is-" As Cam peered over the window. For a moment, her expression mirrored Valencia''s earlier shock. Then a slow grin stretched across her face. She turned to her friend with a sparkle in her eyes. "That was not on this year''s bingo list," Cam chuckled as she walked towards Valencia. "You better get down there and train. Otherwise, I will be stuck here watching you until you do." Sheughed, extending a hand to help Valencia up. "Even for someone like him," Cam continued and whispered into her ear, "he''s quite ripped, right?" she winked at Valencia with a smirk. Valencia flinched, and her gaze snapped at Cam''s mischievous face. "Shut up..." she muttered, looking away. huhu... Cam, still chuckling, grabbed Valencia''s shoulders and turned her towards the entrance of Emu-teau. whooosh... "...!" With a gentle nudge, Cam sent Valencia stumbling forward. "...hey!" Valencia shot her friend a bewildered look. "Well, I''m off back to the dorms," Cam dered. "If I see you in your room an hour from now, I''m dragging you back here no matter what." Cam''s voice held a rare seriousness. "Okay, okay. " With her head still feeling foggy, Valencia could only nod in response. As Valencia stepped through the automatic doors towards the esctor, Cam waved goodbye. Valencia waved back, watching her friend disappear from view as she descended. Please tell me he''s finishing up. Please... she repeated in her head, and before she knew it, she was on the ground level, inside Emu-teau. The esctors were conveniently located near the center of the training area, allowing students easy ess. But for Valencia, this presented a problem... "He''s training near the wooden sword rack... and I forgot my ID for the emtor machines!" she thought, gritting her teeth in frustration. But she had no other choice. I''ll just pretend that he''s not even there. And so, with her chin held high and movements swift, Valencia made her way towards the rack. The person swinging the sword didn''t seem to notice her; he was too focused on his training. Though she couldn''t help but sneak nces at him at every given moment. But just as Valencia reached the rack, she heard her name being called out. "Valencia?" the familiar voice startled her, and she froze. She turned, almost nervously, but quickly regained herposure.No, she thought, I can''t let him see me like this.I''d rather die than show this side of myself. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight before her.The person standing there was drenched in sweat from head to toe, his muscles clearly defined even through his training clothes. "Oh, it''s you... Rel," she said, trying to sound nonchnt, as if seeing Rel wielding a sword was an everyday urrence.Which, of course, it wasn''t.He was an archer, wasn''t he? What was he doing with a sword? "Why are you here?" Rel asked, sounding surprised.His tone implied that seeing her here was the unusual thing. Valencia tilted her head, confused.Rel''s eyes rolled, a subtle gesture that went unnoticed by her. "I thought you and everyone else were watching the final for Dawn''s de Arena?" he rified. Dawn''s de Arena?Valencia blinked.Of course!That exins why everyone isn''t here... they''re all watching the final, But that still didn''t exin why Rel was practising with a sword. He''s an archer... she thought, her brow furrowing in confusion. "I just felt like training today," she replied with a shrug. "Not really interested in watching that arena show." "Okay..." Rel seemed to take a step back, almost as if trying to hide his sword from her. Valencia noticing this knew it was her turn to ask questions. "Ehem...Rel?" she began, trying to sound casual. "I thought you were an archer. Why are you even using a sword? You suddenly find that the sword is your profession?" She tried to phrase the question without sounding condescending or judgmental, but it seemed to rub Rel the wrong way. He fell silent for a moment, then looked at her, scratching his head. "Since everyone was watching the tournament... I-uh... just wanted to try something new," he mumbled. "You can just ignore me." "Okay then," Valencia shrugged, turning away from Rel and heading towards the nearest sensor dummy. As she reached out, a surge of lightning crackled around her hands, illuminating the training area with a sudden sh. With a determined grunt, she swung her fist at the dummy. BANG! The impact reverberated through the hall, and the dummy practically vibrated with the force. The sensor disy shed: [Estimated Power on Hit: 10,000] But Valencia barely registered the impressive reading. Her expression was grim and her jaw was clenched tight. It wasn''t meant toe out like that! she thought, I just should''ve asked the first bit! Frustration ate at her word choice. She had wanted to seem like she didn''t care at all, but her question about his weapon of choice hade out all wrong. Now he probably thought she was judging him or looking down on him again. Why am I even getting so worked up over this? she berated herself.It''s not like I care what he does... But deep down, she knew that wasn''t entirely true. Seeing these new sides of Rel opened Valencia''s eyes. It was like witnessing a hidden world unfold before her, a world she had never known existed. Chapter 252: Chapter 252 I didn''t realise I had already been caught using the sword. I better find a different day to train. Even when other events are going on, I keep bumping into people I know. He swung his sword against the dummy, consistently hitting power scores between 800 and 1000. [Swordsman mastery: 7.8% -> 7.82%(0.02%)] But a nce at his system screen showed that his proficiency with the sword was barely rising. He had been at Aetherium for a few hours of training and knew that his swordsman mastery wasn''t going anywhere. "Should I just go find a dungeon?" Rel muttered to himself, swinging... Finding dungeons was enough of a hassle; he realised it''s probably better to just stay here and train. STARE... "...!" I feel like someone''s staring at me. Rel turned around. whistle...whistle ? Valencia was swinging her sword while whistling at a nearby dummy. Odd, he thought. Is there someone else here besides us? He swung his sword at the dummy once more. SNAP! The wooden de snapped in two. "Damn..." Tap... Tap... Tap... Footsteps approached and Rel turned to see Valencia walking towards him. "...?" Her expression was hard to read. Disdain? Disgust? It was as if he had done something wrong. Did I break some hidden taboo about the swords here? He wondered. No, that can''t be it. Unless... He wracked his brain, but couldn''t figure out why Valencia was approaching him again. "Do you even know how to use a sword?" Rel winced almost like he took a knife to the chest. Man, she''s really trying to criticize me now of all days? "No, not really," he admitted. "I just read some books on it and decided to test it out." "Well, you''re doing it wrong." Her tone was almost motherly. She stepped towards his dummy and took a stance. Raising the sword to her forehead with both hands, she swung downwards with incredible speed. BANG! [8,789 On hit damage.] "See?" Valencia looked at him expectantly. Rel, trying to hide his indifference, forced a smile. "Wow... impressive," he said, pping. His voice sounded more robotic than he intended. "Now try to recreate what I did." "Huh?" Rel frowned. Wait... is she being serious? Why is she even asking me to do this? Was my swordsmanship so bad that she felt the need to intervene in my training session? As Rel gazed into Valencia''s eyes, he could tell his guess was correct. Why... why of all days did Ie to Aetherium? "Hurry, show me now," Valencia urged. Rel sighed and stepped forward.He carefully mimicked her swing. BANG! [2,312 On hit damage] "Not bad."Valencia leaned forward to look at the score. "...!" Seeing her this close flustered Rel. Valencia''s attire was more revealing than he''d expected, and he took a few steps back, averting his gaze. He hadn''t anticipated this kind of encounter, especially not in a ce like this. He wasn''t quite sure how to react. It was one thing to write about attractive female characters in his novels, but facing one in real life was a different story altogether. "Okay, okay, have you seen enough?" "Why?" Valencia turned and tilted her head, her usual cold expression firmly in ce. "Don''t you want my help?" Despite her cold demeanour, her voice held a genuine warmth that surprised him. Haah... I don''t even know why you''re helping me in the first ce. Rel ran a hand through his sweat-dampened hair. "No, it''s not that. I just think I''m bothering you with your training. Am I not?" He tried to get her to leave without rejecting her offer. But Valencia covered her mouth almost like she was smiling. "You aren''t," she said softly. What? Rel blinked, surprised by the gentle tone. He hadn''t expected such kindness from Valencia, especially after she had just criticized his swordsmanship. "Now listen and follow what I do, okay?" ... ... ... [1 hourter...] "You''ve improved a lot," she added, her gaze fixed on the beat down dummy. "Thanks," he replied, trying to maintain a neutral expression. He didn''t want her to think that her praise meant that much to him. "Your form and power growth are quite surprising. Actually, I didn''t know you were this talented-" Valencia stopped for a moment realising she was about to sound condescending. But Rel already knew and simply nodded as if it was normal Enjoy new chapters from m-v l''-NovelBin "Okay, I''m gonna go now."Rel turned to leave. "Wait!" Valencia called out."Before you go... how about a little wager?" Rel paused, turning his head. "A wager?" "Yeah..." she hesitated, "You don''t have to listen to this, but..." "Sure," he said without missing a beat. "...!" His quick response took Valencia aback. Wait, she thought, did he even hear what I had to say? She quickly shook her head and faked a cough. "Ehem... So we''ve trained for a bit, and I want to see how you''d do in a spar against me." Rel''s face contorted as if he had swallowed something bitter. "Are you crazy? Why would I even do that?" Fighting Valencia in his current state was guaranteed to be a loss. "I didn''t tell you the rules first," she said pointing a finger upward. Rel simply sighed and gestured for her to exin. "So, first things first, I can''t use my elemental attribute, aura, or any other techniques I have up my sleeve." Rel raised an eyebrow, unconvinced that the handicap was enough. Valencia, noticing his scepticism, looked away. "Okay... I can''t use sword techniques either." "Okay... I can''t use sword techniques either," Valencia conceded, sighing. "What''s the wager?" "The loser has to do whatever the winner says," Valencia stated. "Think of it like a one-wish policy..." ¡º Valencia sounded awfully suspicious when she worded thest part... what does she even intend to do if she wins? Oh God... she might make me leave Pinnacle Academy entirely! That means if I lose, I might not be able to step foot in the cafeteria ever again... No, if I''m going to do this, I need a win condition to even things out. ¡» "I have one condition before we spar," "What is it?" "If Ind a single hit on you, I win," Valencia considered this condition for a moment. "Fine," she agreed, "But don''t expect me to go easy on you just because you managed to hit a dummy a few times." "Whatever." Chapter 253: Desire [Rel''s POV] After training with Valencia for a couple of hours, I hadn''t expected much toe of it. But even after sparring with her for a short time, my swordsmanship proficiency increased noticeably. FWANG! [Swordsman mastery: 7.82% -> 7.96%(0.14%)] So I think the best case is to train swordsmanship with her. Of course, I wouldn''t dream of asking her to train with me regrly. I knew how much she disliked me. Even during this session, I could tell how ufortable she was trying to help me improve. She criticized my form and the way I swung the sword, and most of the time, she would just look away when I turned to look at her. Maybe it was my fault. I recalled the many awkward attempts at trying to talk to her. I guess I''m not exactly the smoothest guy around. SWOOOSH! [On hit damage: 3,209] After getting myst rep in, I decided it was time to leave. "Okay, I''m gonna go now," I announced. "Wait!" Valencia called out. FWANG! "...?" But of course the system had different ns for me. [A Hidden quest has been created...] [Hidden Quest: The request of mutual understanding.] [Description: ept the request of Valencia.] [Difficulty: A+] [Rewards: 5 BSP (Base Stat Points), 1000 PPP, 500 BP, 250 QP] 5 base stat points and a lot of currency. It was a fair trade-off for a hidden quest, so I turned to hear her request. "Before you go... how about a little wager?" she said. "A wager?" I wasn''t hoping for much, and I certainly didn''t want to fight her, especially given the potential difficulty. My gut was telling me this wouldn''t end well. "Yeah... You don''t have to ept, but..." "Sure." Her eyes widened in surprise at my quick reply. I wouldn''t normally agree to something like this without a quest. "Ehem, so, we''ve trained for a bit, and I just want to see how you''d do in a spar." Damn it... I should''ve known... ... ... ... As Rel and Valencia headed towards the sparring ring, anxiety surged through Rel. He knew he had little chance of winning against a healthy Valencia, so how was he supposed to approach this spar if the quest required him to beat her? Okay, so I know her swordsmanship skills are two levels above anyone else in this grade. She relies more on technique than strength, but her weakness is that she can''t output the same strength defensively as she can offensively. She has a near imbnce between the two but makes up for it with speed. If I want tond a hit, it''ll have to be when she''s caught off guard. As Rel looked ahead to see where Valencia was, he realized with a nce that her mana and presence were differentpared to theirst encounter. Huuu... this is scary indeed. Even after the tournament, I could already tell she''d gotten stronger, but just how much stronger has she be? [Analyzing the following character: Valencia Freya...] Read exclusive chapters at m_v-l''-NovelBin FWANG! [Status Window Of: Valencia Freya] [Age: 18] [>Strength: 142, >Durability: 132, >Speed: 100, >Mana: A, >Elemental Attribute: Lightning] [Current Thoughts: You cannot view this due to the quest,] How scary... her growth is almost the same as Jan''s, and the fact that she''s already at 100 speed is frightening. No one in the academy would be as fast as Valencia. A speed stat of 100 is nearly equivalent to the speed of sound. "Alright, I''ll go get a sword. Just wait for me at the sparring ring," Valencia said. "Okay." A few minutester, they stepped onto the mat, facing each other, each holding a wooden sword of equal length. Valencia positioned herself defensively, her right hand held in a fencing stance, ready to parry. Rel, on the other hand, kept both hands on his sword and maintained an upright posture. I should be careful not to do anything suspicious. She already thinks I''m a beginner, and I''ve already told her I don''t know how to use aura. He had to y the part convincingly. "I''m ready. What about you... Rel?" "...?" Rel''s face was momentarily confused. "Yeah, I''m ready." He hadn''t quite caught his name being called, mistaking it for "bell." Jeez... I really am that forgettable to her. "Okay,e at me with all you''ve got," Valencia said confidently, gripping her wooden sword. WHOOSH! In the blink of an eye, he appeared before Valencia, closing the distance with surprising speed.He feinted a strike towards her upper body, then followed through with a swift two-shbo, aiming to push her back. "You''re quite fast," Valencia acknowledged, her eyes tracking his movements with ease. BOOM! BOOM! Both Rel''s feint and attacks were effortlessly deflected by Valencia''s guard. She stood firm, seemingly unfazed by his assault. Damn, Rel thought, gritting his teeth. She''s even better than I expected. He retreated a few steps, reassessing his strategy.A direct approach wasn''t going to work. He needed to find a way to exploit her weakness, to catch her off guard. But how? ... ... ... CLASH! CLASH! 5 minutes had already passed as their des shed relentlessly. Rel was unable to break through Valencia''s defences. Her stance remained solid, easily reading Rel without much thought. Damn it... It feels like every time I get close tonding an attack, she shifts slightly towards the opposite direction and parries it with either the tip or the t of her sword. Haah... I don''t understand how her mechanics work and now I''m getting tired... Five minutes passed, and Rel''s arms started to feel heavy. He paused the spar to talk to Valencia. "Hey, I never asked this... How do you determine what constitutes a win for you? Because all you''ve been doing is defending." Valencia''s brow furrowed. "What do you mean? I win when you give up," she stated, her expression hardening. "When you realize you can''tnd a single hit on me, no matter how hard you try. When you finally acknowledge the difference in our strength." This time, she advanced on Rel, her wooden sword poised to strike. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 254 Desire (2) 254 Desire (2) Valencia swung downwards, aiming to sh Rel horizontally. He quickly stepped back to avoid the attack. But as her sword reached the ground, he realized that what he had seen was a mirage, a fleeting afterimage created by her incredible speed. The real Valencia wasn''t in front of him but to his side. BANG! Valencia''s wooden sword struck Rel directly in the stomach, sending him reeling backward towards the padded edge of the sparring arena. She isn''t the type to pull her punches in a spar, huh...? he thought, wincing in pain. Damn, that really hurt. "Don''t predict what you see, predict what you feel," Valencia advised. Rel tried to understand her cryptic advice as he recovered and adopted a new stance, mirroring the one Valencia had used at the start. Valencia tapped the floor once, twice, thrice. Her movements created mirages of herself, each leaping towards Rel. What?! The first mirage, furthest from him, lunged forward. Rel assumed it was a fake. As it reached him, it vanished, and the closest mirage came in, ready to strike. Again, Rel assumed it was a fake, anticipating the third mirage in the middle to be the real Valencia. WOOSH! The second mirage disappeared, and Rel was sure the third one was her. Valencia dashed forward with incredible speed. That has to be her! Rel swung his sword, aiming for her stomach. POOF! But the third figure was another mirage. Valencia was actually positioned where the third mirage had been, but her attack was even faster. "I told you to predict what you feel, not what you see." Valencia swung the t of her wooden sword, striking Rel''s shoulder. BOOM! Rel was sent flying towards the edge of the arena. Rel''s back hit the padding first and his eyes blurred from the fatigue. Shit what does she even mean predict what I feel and not what I see. I don''t understand. But he wasn''t even given time to think Valencia then tapped the floor and immediately dashed. WHOOSH! I don''t get it, I don''t get it... He felt frustrated for not being able to understand what she was talking about, but at the same time, he felt less worried about losing or winning. Could it be? That was until then.... for a moment Rel paused and looked towards Valencia. His mind cleared for only a moment. The anxiety and fear that gripped his mind had suddenly been let go. The blurred vision in his eyes became a bit clearer. Valencia''s entire body swayed towards the right side of Rel''s blind spot. She''s attacking from my right... no... she''s gonna anticipate my attack first. Rel carefully watched Valencia move out of his vision. She was too fast to be seen that even her mirages were almost as real as her. TAP... His ears heard the tap first, and Valencia suddenly appeared down the middle with her sword. She took a step forward and suddenly disappeared again. There! Rel swung his sword to the left side and Valencia leaned backwards, just barely avoiding his attack, as his wooden de was within mere inches of hitting her chest. "You''ve figured it out," she muttered. I think I''ve finally gotten used to her mirage fake-out. Rel took another step forward, pressing his advantage. KAK!! "...!" But his mind had outpaced his body. He stumbled, his feet tangling, and crashed into Valencia. "What?" BUMP!!!! His eyes mmed shut, and he braced for the impact, his muscles tensing instinctively. At the same time, his hand moved without conscious thought, sweeping his sword away from her neck. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om He opened his eyes to find himself suspended inches above Valencia, his hands t on the mat, her wooden sword angled between them, preventing his full weight from crushing her. Their faces were mere inches apart. Neither moved. He could feel the warmth of her breath against his cheek, the subtle rise and fall of her chest beneath his gaze. Her eyes darted nervously, unable to meet his. Oh shit... what do I do now?He hadn''tnded a single hit on her. It was a clear loss. "I... I give up," he admitted. "Eh?" Valencia turned towards him as her face flushed and her breath came in ragged gasps. "You did well," she mumbled, avoiding his gaze. "For a beginner." "What?" "I said, you did well," she repeated, a little louder this time, but still averting her eyes. "For a beginner." Rel frowned slightly, then sighed and got up."Here," he said, extending a hand towards Valencia. She hesitated for a moment, then took his hand, allowing him to help her up.Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes darted nervously. "Um...thank...you..." she murmured, still unable to meet his gaze. "So, what do I have to do?" Rel asked. Valencia looked confused. "What do you mean?" "You said the winner gets to tell the loser what to do." "Ah!" Valencia''s eyes widened. She had won, and now he was offering her a favour.She could ask him to do anything. "I-I don''t have anything in mind right now. Maybeter," she stammered. Rel looked at her, even more confused, and noticed she was reddening even more. Is she sick? He wondered. She''s burning up. "Are you alright?" he asked. "You seem flushed." "I-I''m fine," she stammered, taking a step back but still holding his hand. "Just a little... overheated." Overheated? Rel''s mind shed back to a biology lesson about females in heat. Oh no, he thought, she must be really sick. "Maybe you should go to the infirmary," he suggested. "No!" Valencia eximed, her eyes widening in rm. "I mean... no, thank you. I''m fine." Suddenly, they both seemed to realize they were still holding hands. Valencia nearly fainted and quickly let go. "Ah, I have to go!" DASH!!!! Her cheeks burned, and she dashed off to the esctor. Why can''t I look him in the eye? she thought miserably. Rel watched her go. He hadn''t expected her reaction to be like this and now he wondered if doing this hidden quest was worth the trouble. Chapter 255 Mission Briefing 255 Mission Briefing [Hidden Quest: The Request of Mutual Understanding Has Been Completed] [Transferring the following rewards to the user...] FWANG! [The following rewards have been added: 5 BSAP (Base Stat Allocation Points), 1000 PPP, 500 BP, 250 QP] "I don''t understand. Didn''t I lose?" [You did. But that wasn''t thepletion requirement of the quest! :D] "Oh... I see" So I didn''t have to win. I was more worried about what Valencia would do if she won than what the system actually wanted. Maybe I could''ve avoided all of this if I''d declined the request, but this was fine. I could use these base stat points to upgrade some stats... DING! [The following stats have been upgraded...] [>Strength: 116 >>> 118 (02.00+) -] [>Speed: 79 >>> 82 (03.00+) -] Perfect. Now that this was over, I could head home and prepare for tomorrow and the next part of the story. The In in Sight Arc... ** [Italy, Mn - Mercenary Base: 1#] [7:45 AM, Saturday] It was a cold morning, but the sun was shining and the sky was a brilliant blue. I was supposed to meet with my group, The Histories Breakfast Club, to check into a hotel, but first, I had this meeting to attend. "Wee. Can I see your mercenary ID?" The atmosphere in this mercenary base was different from the main HQ. I definitely preferred the HQ. "Here you go." I handed the receptionist my ID. She looked surprised as she examined it. "Oh, sorry for holding you up, Mr. Axel. The room you''re supposed to be in is on the top floor, room 302." I nodded and took back my ID. I wasn''t sure why she was so surprised, but I guessed it was a perk of being in the special squad assigned by Jaxon Cain himself. I took the elevator to the top floor, encountering mercenaries heading out for morning missions. Some looked miserable, but I didn''t pay much attention. They all got paid well, regardless of their mood. DING! [You Have Arrived On Floor 3...] I arrived at the meeting quickly. As soon as I went through the automatic doors, I saw Vanessa and Christian sitting in front of a holographic screen. "As you can see, information has been getting leaked across the Montir household¡ª" The presenter to the right of the screen wasn''t Jaxon Cain, but someone else.My entrance interrupted the briefing, and all eyes turned to me. "Oh, it''s you, Axel!" "Hello, Axel." Christian looked at me like he was about to die of boredom, but Vanessa was calm. She waved, and I waved back. At least the atmosphere was better thanst time. "Sorry, I''mte." I bowed in apology. The person in all ck chuckled. Though I couldn''t see her face, her mask gave her away. She was our squad leader. "No worries. Not everyone''s a morning person, and these two definitely weren''t happy about being dragged to Italy early," she said, gesturing towards Vanessa and Christian. "Formalities aside, I already know who you are and what you''re capable of. It''s nice to meet you, Axel. I''m Yang Vienna, your squad leader and the mentor of these two." She walked towards me and extended her hand. "My pleasure.I''m Axel. I''ll be in your care." Yang Vienna She was one of Jaxon''s closest friends and had been trained under him to be a powerful mercenary. In the original novel, she died trying to save Jaxon in an all-out war against Quadra, but in the current plot, she was our leader. "Now that introductions are out of the way, I''ll quickly recap what you missed." She gestured for me to take a seat between Vanessa and Christian. As I sat down, I felt a faint tap on my shoulder. "Also, what happened to your mask? Did you lose it?" Vanessa whispered in my ear. "I broke it." "Oh..." I knew one of them would ask, but I couldn''t tell them that Jan broke it. Thankfully, Jaxon gave me a recement¡ªa high-grade artifact this time. He did mention he''d murder me if I broke this one since the previous mask was only a Grade 3. FWANG! [Item: Beethoven''s Death Mask [Grade 1] - [Condition: Great] - [Enchantments: Vision III, Face Concealment V,] - [Special Effects:Upon wearing this mask, you can change and alter your voice at will, and your facial features will undergo specific alterations to change the structure and appearance of your face.] ... ... ... "Okay, that concludes the briefing for the next two days." Vienna pped her hands, looking over the three of us. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "Axel, Jaxon notified me of some specific details regarding the mission. I''ll discuss that with youter, but the general overview remains the same for everyone. Understand?" "Yes." "Good. You''re all dismissed." The meeting concluded, and we all got up. Vanessa and Christian would be ying their roles as servants in the Montir household. Once they located the traitor, they''d capture him immediately. My role, however, was a secret from Christian and Vanessa. I had informed Jaxon earlier that we would be staying at the mansion, and he''d mentioned assigning me a different role, asking if I was okay with my identity being kept hidden from them. Honestly, I didn''t mind Yang Vienna knowing who I was, but Christian and Vanessa shouldn''t find out under any circumstances. That was something I was firm on. Axel and Rel cannot live the same two lives in one. I exited into the hallway and headed towards the elevator to meet up with Jan and the others. "Axel, you''re not heading to the changing rooms?" Christian called out. I turned and shook my head. "You go on ahead. We have different schedules for the mission, so don''t worry about it." "Ah, man... I wanted to hang out with him today..." Christian muttered. BZZZZT!...BZZZZT!...BZZZZT! My wrist vibrated, and I nced at the iing mission details. _________ **Mission**: Operation: [M-Retake] Objective: You are newly hired servants of the Montir household and must fulfil your duties until you locate and identify the traitor within the family. Avoid fighting as much as possible, but if tensions escte, do what you must. Location: Montir''s Estate Mansion Intel: Security systems are state-of-the-art, with multipleyers of physical and magical defenses. Family members are known to possess unique abilities. The suspected leak urs during weekly family gatherings in the Grand Hall. Guards from different organizations are rumored to have different rotations on the hour. Timeline: The mission must bepleted before the next family gathering scheduled for Sunday evening. Complications: Presence of unknown magical artifacts within the mansion. Possible involvement of external forces. Authorization: Lethal force authorized. Full discretion is granted within mission parameters. _________ This exined the need for a private execution. The mercenary intervention was just a safety for Jan''s group once they entered the Aspect Orb of Phantasmal. Inside, it was another world containing the special soul forger who would give Jan''s sword a true soul. It was a long way off, but I had already memorized the operation details. I knew exactly who the informant was, and what information had been leaked. It was only a matter of time before they made an appearance. But for now, I could rx within the confines of this double life. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 256 : Introducary By Any Means [Italy, Mn - Navigli District] "...Even in spring, it''s still cold." I shivered, pulling my jacket tighter against the breezy winds. I had just taken an Uber from the mercenary base to the Navigli District. The beautiful view of the flowing river brought back memories of my time studying in Italy while aspiring to be an author. I had read a lot about the history of this area. These canals, built in the 12th century, were once the lifeblood of Mn''s trade, connecting the city to major rivers andkes. Leonardo da Vinci himself supposedly had a hand in designing some of the canal systems. It was hard to imagine that now, with the trendy bars and restaurants lining the waterfront. The history remained, but the ce had certainly evolved. As I walked down the canal, I spotted Jan and Cam sharing a hot drink at a cafe. "Jaaan, can''t we have another before we meet up with everyone else?" Cam clung to Jan''s arm. "You know we can''t, Cami. You promised we''d head there after this." He tried to pull away, but she wouldn''t budge. This wasn''t the time for their new-couple antics. They were blocking the pathway to the cafe where we were supposed to meet. "Are you two done?" I intervened trying to hold in my smirk. "AH!" Both Cam and Jan jumped apart in surprise. It was clear they hadn''t wanted me to discover their rtionship. How typical. Cam was flooding red, and Jan looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Rel, it''s you!" Jan stammered, clearly searching for an excuse. I simply raised an eyebrow, waiting for an exnation. "Yeah, I know. I am me." "Well, what are you doing here? Everyone''s on the other side." "This pathway is shorter and less cramped, the bridge is also just a few meters ahead." "I see¡ª" GRAB! "Sorry, Rel! I just got a call that we need to head there now, Please forget everything you saw!" Cam still red-faced, grabbed Jan and took off. Heh serves them right. Suckers... ** [Italy, Mn - Navigli District - Viavagano Cafe] "Oh, Cam, there you are! Everyone''s arriving soon," Lyra said, taking a seat across from her friend. "Really? Well, the day is long, so let''s order something, right?" Lyra and Cam settled in at the table Lan had reserved for their club''s breakfast meeting. "So, I thought Jan was with you. Where did he go?" Cam''s ears turned crimson, and she quickly covered them with her hands. "Ehem... Jan went to the toilet. He''ll be here soon." "Oh, okay, that''s good!" Lyra smiled, and Cam couldn''t help but feel her cheeks flush at her friend''s warmth. "ACK!" Lyra yelped."Hey... what was that for?" She rubbed her cheeks and pouted. "Nothing," As the two waited for the rest of the group, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the sweet scent of pastries. Despite the early hours, the cafe bustled with activity. It was known for its quick reservation turnover, but Lan had secured a table overlooking the canal for his prized club members. Lyra fidgeted, scanning the cafe for familiar faces. She couldn''t wait to enjoy her weekday trip with her friends. Cam patiently sipped her hot chocte, still recalling the events of earlier from Rel''s encounter earlier. Then, amotion arose as whispers rippled through the cafe. "Oi, waiter! Where''s the food? I''m starving!" Three men dressed in ck, thuggish clothing appeared at the entrance, the symbol "M-H" emzoned on their jackets. Their leader marched towards the counter and mmed his fist down. "Hey! We''re waiting for a table, and we''re not waiting much longer." The waiter, a young man with a nervous tremor in his voice, stuttered, "I-I''m sorry, sirs, but there are no avable tables at the moment." "No tables?" the leader scoffed. "Then make one avable." He nced around the cafe and his eyes settled on their table. "That one will do." He pointed towards Cam and Lyra''s table, which had at least nine empty seats. Then his two otherckeys looked at each other with a mischievous smile and headed over. "Hey, what are you doing? give us this table," one growled. "...?" Cam froze, shocked at being confronted by these men. "Robert, with all these seats, they can sit with us," the other thug suggested, and his partner agreed. But Lyra wasn''t about to have their table taken. She stood up to face them. "Hey! We''ve got peopleing! It''s reserved!" she said confidently. "Pffft... Haha!" The thugs bursted outughing. "Reserved?" one sneered. "We don''t care about no reservations. We''re here, and we want this table. Now scram." "You think we''re just gonna listen to you because you said so? Well, we''re not!" "You heard her," Cam added. "This table is reserved. Find another one." The menughed again and inched closer to Lyra, trying to iste her. "And what are you gonna do about it, little girl?" As Cam sensed Lyra was about to be grabbed, Cam extended her hand, ready to cast a spell. But before she could, a waiter rushed over, halting the thugs. "Please,dies, don''t cause any trouble," he pleaded. "These men... they''re not worth it. We can get you another table." Relieved, Cam sighed. If they could get another table, it probably wasn''t worth the fight. "Lyra, let''s just go. It''s not worth it." Lyra hesitated because she knew getting another table in a full cafe meant waiting. She turned around, and the leader grinned cruelly. "Yeah, listen to your friend," he mocked. "Run along and y nice. This is our table now." "You... you think you can just walk in here and take what you want?" She turned to give him onest look before moving out of the way. The man''s grin widened. "That''s exactly what we''re doing." That was until then her patience finally snapped. "Have what you want, you disgusting pig!" "What did you say to me?" He raised his hand, and Lyra realised she was going to get hit. She raised her arms to block. But it nevernded. DUN! "You bastards... what do you think you''re doing?" A figure appeared out of thin air, blocking the thug''s path. Lyra''s eyes widened as she lowered her guard. She didn''t recognise who this person was at all. All she could see was the back of him and his short ck hair. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 257 : Introducary By Any Means (2) Sniff... Ah, how I missed being near this cafe. I remembered the good times I had here, enjoying my coffee breaks. How nostalgic! Now that I was at Viavagano Cafe, all that remained was to witness the events leading up to this point. I had even stayed clear of the main characters to ensure this scene yed out exactly as I intended. Lyra and Cam would be alone, waiting for the others, when Han''s thugs, disguised as mercenary workers, would appear to harass them and create a scene. I couldn''t recall all the details, but I was sure Cam would be at the center of thatplicated mess. Then, after all that... he would arrive. I know that this build-up wasn''t meant to be anything special, but for a character like him, I couldn''t miss out on it. Even I, the author, knew he was a rival and a true menace to society. I had a lot of ns for the future, and I hoped to be on his good side when the time came. "Excuse me," a person with ck hair murmured, moving past me as I leaned against the cafe wall. "Sorry," I took a step to the side, and he entered the cafe. I felt a smile creeping up my cheek. Nothing could make my day better. "That damn bastard, he''s finally here." *** Rel watched as a figure appeared before Lyra and the mercenary worker. Wait... why is Lyra there? That can''t be right because that would mean... He paused for a moment and that''s when he came to a realisation. Oh it is what it means. "... It''s you!" The mercenary worker yelped, and he withdrew his hand quickly as he escaped his grasp. "Damn right. Address me with respect while you''re at it." KEUK!!! With a sharp twist, the ck-haired person seized the thug''s face, lifting him off the ground. "I figured it was one of you ruining this ce for me, but to think it was all three," he said, his voiceced with disdain. "How disgusting, you dirty thugs..." The other twockeys froze, shocked by the disy of strength. "You''d let me go if you know what''s best for you!" the leader retorted, even while trapped in that man''s grasp. Ugh... His face frowned. "Don''t get cocky just because my father''s under your control." DOOOSH! With a powerful heave, he threw the leader out the door and into the canal and water sshed upwards from hisnding. "Leave," hemanded. WOM!... A tremor of pressure emanated from him, and the two thugs shivered, unable to meet his intense gaze. EEEK! With a yelp, they scrambled to their feet, jumped into the canal, and dragged their soaked leader away from the cafe. [Anouz Zan Montir - The Exiled Genius] As Anouz watched them flee, he turned around and felt a wave of warmth enveloping him. Confused, he looked down to see Lyra hugging him tightly. "...!" Rel and Cam stared in shock. What the F**k am I seeing? Oh no... Lyra''s innocence is going to be stolen! "Thanks for helping us out," Lyra said, looking up at Anouz with wide, grateful eyes. Anouz froze. His usually cold expression faltered, and he felt a faint blush crept up his cheeks. "N-no problem..." He tried to gently push her away. "Uh, I have to go." But Lyra wouldn''t let go. As she felt a slight push, she grabbed his hands, and her grip was surprisingly strong. "Can you tell me your name?" she asked, tilting her head with a hopeful expression. "I''d like to know!" She gave him an even brighter smile, and he felt like he was going to melt. His mind went nk. How had he gotten himself into this situation? He couldn''t handle Lyra''s innocent charm. He had no choice but to do this... "Look! Is that the Miracle Guild leader?" Everyone, including Rel and Cam, looked in the direction Anouz pointed. Taking advantage of the distraction, he fled the cafe. ... ... ... I couldn''t believe my eyes. Lyra hugged Anouz. It wasn''t entirely unexpected, but I still needed to check to confirm it was real. After all, this could... wait a minute. This won''t have any effect, but it''s always safe to be sure. FWANG! [The following character status has been updated.] [Side Character: Lyra te -> Romantic Interest -> [???] Anouz Zan Montir] "Holy shit..." So it was true. Lyra had gained a legitimate romantic interest. And here I thought she would never find love. This chain of events happened simply because Cam wasn''t the one leading the scene. I had to take some of the me, though. It made sense after Cam''s love interest changed. I didn''t think that simply changing a role would impact the plot to this extent, but of course, I was wrong. It would take more than this for significant butterfly effects to ur, but I could only hope for more positive changes in the future. [10 minutester] After finishing breakfast at Viavagano Cafe, Lan led us to the nearest bridge, which offered a lovely view of the flowing canal. We gathered in a circle, and Lan pulled out a pile of sticks, each with a small number marked on the bottom. "Okay guys, draw a stick out of my hand and those with the same numbers will be the partners for today!" "''Okay"'' I watched everyone draw a stick from Lan''s hand, leaving my partner all to luck. I took thest stick from Lan''s hand and got number 4. So... who''s my partner? I wondered, scanning the group. I peeked over Jan''s shoulder and saw he had ''2''. Jae held up a ''5'', but the others kept their sticks hidden. "This is making me nervous..." I muttered. All I could hope was that my partner wasn''t Valencia. With a few members absent today, the odds were higher than usual. "Now let''s do the reveal, guys!" Right now?! Wait, no one hasn''t said anything yet! "Three, two, one! REVEAL!" DUN...DUN! Everyone flipped their sticks around to show the group. Jan was partnered with Lan. Cam got Alice. Jae got Louise. Bazz got Lyra. And thest person... the unlucky one, the person I was partnered with... "...I got 4" she mumbled, holding her stick. "I did too." My eyes widened in disbelief. Yes, it was Valencia. I thought luck might be on my side this time, haah...I was wrong. So I''m stuck with her for the meantime, so I''d need to have a n at least, right? I should just discuss what she wants to do first since I don''t want anyints. I nced over at Valencia, trying to see how she felt about being stuck with me. "...!" Turn... She just looked the other way. Seriously? Chapter 258 : Just For Today "Everyone is good to go! You have four hours of free time, so roam around Italy with your partners and please get along!" Lan announced, waving for everyone to disperse. I felt a tap on my shoulder. "Good luck with your date... Rel," Jan whispered in my ear, smirking as he walked away. That damn bastard. I knew if I had chosen any other stick, my fate would be different. But there was nothing I could do to change these events now. I turned to Valencia and noticed she was focused on the boats moving through the canal. Maybe I could pass the time by going there. I walked up to Valencia and tapped her shoulder. "Hey." "...!" Valencia jumped in surprise, taking a few steps back. Did she really get scared from me just tapping her? Oh, man... this is worse than I thought. I didn''t want to ruin her mood, so I resolved to be on my best behavior. I wouldn''t let my expert knowledge of Italy go to waste. "Yes?" she asked. "Wanna rent a boat and ride through the canals?" As I pointed towards the ports of the area to board the boat I didn''t realise how Valencia took my suggestion. She seemed like she was stunned she was fidgeting and looking at anything but me? Wait no maybe I might be confusing it with something else. "S-sure, let''s go" Her expression turned even more cold and I knew the decision I had made already wasn''t a good one. Was the suggestion really that terrible? *** [Valencia''s POV] Me... and Rel on a boat together? I would never have imagined this happening. As I followed his lead, we stepped onto the massive port that stretched across the district. There were boats of all sizes, but I wondered what Rel had in mind for just the two of us. Everyone else seemed to be inrge groups; there was no sign of any other pairs. I wouldn''t be surprised if we were grouped with another couple... "Hello sir, what can I do for you today?" "Can I get a boat for two?" "...!" A-a boat for two? Doesn''t he know how expensive that is? I''m not sure about his financial situation, but I know tuition for the academy is a lot. Can he really afford this? "I''m sorry, sir, but unfortunately, you''re not a member of the special patron club..." the attendant said, giving Rel a doubtful look. It was clear he didn''t think Rel had the money. I wouldn''t mind paying for it if it''s just the two of us. I''ll just get my purse out¡ª "Just give me the price, and I''ll pay," Rel interrupted, taking out a ck card. The attendant''s eyes suddenly widened and entered into a state of panic. "M-my apologies, sir! Forgive my manners. Tap your card here, and I''ll have a private boatsman on his way!" What is that ck card? Is it some special credit card? I think my dad has something like that, although I''m sure he''s used it for spending purposes on Miracle. BEEP! Rel tapped his card on the scanner and gave the attendant a pointed look. "Thank you for your purchase! It will only be a moment!" The attendant rushed off and quickly returned with a man in a tuxedo and a sailor''s cap. Just how much did he pay? [Total amount: € 1,750] As the receipt shot out, my eyes couldn''t believe this... he paid that much? How does he even have that kind of money? Especially that he did it just for the two of us. I mean, this isn''t a date or something, right? For some reason, when I keep thinking about it that way, my heart can''t help but beat faster. But then again, I feel like he''s only just being nice. "Please follow me," the boatman said. "I''ll take you to your boat." The boatman led us to our boat, a beautifully crafted Vian gond. It was smaller than the usual tourist gonds, with sleek lines and ornate carvings adorning its dark wood hull. As Rel stepped in first, he turned and extended his hand out to me. I stared at it for a moment, confused. Why is he doing this? "What are you doing?" Rel''s brow furrowed slightly. I quickly took his hand and stepped into the boat, feeling a warmth spread through me at his touch. "Thanks¡­" I mumbled, avoiding his gaze. "Okay guys, we''ll be heading towards the Darsena, " The boatman pointed towards the picturesque basin where the Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese canals meet. "It''s a lovely spot with a historic harbor and some charming cafes. Perfect for a romantic getaway." He winked at Rel, who simply shook his head and sighed. Honestly... I thought, rolling my eyes. Does he even realize what''s happening? As the boatman began rowing, I couldn''t help but look away, trying to remain calm. What if someone we know sees us? I felt incredibly anxious at the thought, but I might as well enjoy the ride he paid for. But I can''t let us have a silent trip. If I didn''t speak now, we wouldn''t talk for hours. "So... have you gotten offers from any big guilds?" "hmm?" Rel turned to look at me, and I quickly looked in the other direction. Why is he looking at me so suddenly? Ah¡­ I''m starting to regret speaking to him... "A few," he said. "...!" "But I''m not interested in joining any of them." His eyes drifted off elsewhere again and looked at the buildings and art made along the canals of the district. "What guilds offered you?" "Legion New Force and Infra Tech," he replied. Those were world-ss guilds! Any student would dream of joining them. Especially in this era of weaponizedbat, a ranged fighter like him... it was surprising he''d even get offers, let alone reject them. "Why wouldn''t you want to go to those guilds? They''re really good, and you''d make a fortune within a year," "I''m just not interested in them," he said simply. Not interested? What did that even mean? Wait, no... this could be good. Maybe¡­ just maybe he could join the Miracles Guild. The guild that I''d inherit one day. Even if I do be the leader... I considered the possibility of Rel as vice-captain, but Cam would be a better fit. After all, she was my best friend. But is it possible he''s waiting for the Miracle Guild''s offer? - "I wouldn''t mind offering him a contract in the near future, Val." I recalled my father suggesting Rel join our guild. I didn''t mind the idea, so I needed to ask him this question first. "D-do you think you''d fit in as a Miracle Guild member?" The question tumbled out before I could stop it, and suddenly Rel''s expression changed. "...?" His brow suddenly furrowed, but before he could answer, the boat driver announced. "We''re at the end of the trip now." Rel immediately stood up to get out first, and I quickly followed behind. Slip! And suddenly my foot slipped on the damp floorboards. "Ah!" I braced for the fall... but it never came. Rel caught me by the wrist, his other hand steadying me at the hip. BDUMP! My heart pounded and I could feel his breaths move down my neck¡­He was so close. "Are you okay?" He helped me off the boat, and he didn''t let go of my hand until we made our way up the stairs. It was quiet between us two¡­ but I''m not sure what to think of right now. Do I let go of his hand or do I just keep holding on to it? I didn''t know what to do, so I''ll just pretend not to notice. "You said, would I fit in as a miracle member, right?" "...Yes," He scratched his head and looked towards me. "I''m not sure. Maybe, I guess." There''s a chance¡­ Chapter 259 : Just For Today (2) The four hours were almost up, and we hadn''t talked much. Being with Valencia wasn''t as bad as I expected, but I still wanted to make it a pleasant experience, especially since we were in the city that had inspired my dreams. I also wanted to revisit my favorite spots in Mn, so I ended up leading the way, with Valencia quietly following. I wasn''t sure if she was enjoying herself, but at least I felt nostalgic about each ce we visited. First, I bought her lunch at a small trattoria near the canals. I didn''t want to deal with any hungerints, and the food was decent. Then, we strolled through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a magnificent shopping arcade with a ss ceiling and ornate architecture. Valencia was genuinely impressed, saying she''d never seen anything like it. Afterwards we went around countless shops since she wanted to buy something, and to my surprise, she even got me a red scarf. Though the weather was still chilly, I considered giving it back to her. But she insisted it matched my outfit and kept muttering something about me looking good in it? Well as a bit of a fashion enthusiast, I wasn''t sure if it would go with my all-ck trench coat, sweater, and baggy jeansbo, but I appreciated the gesture. Besides, buying a scarf had been on my bucket list. After that, we got gto and wandered through the Piazza del Duomo, the grand square dominated by the majestic Duomo di Mno. It wasn''t quite the peak of the afternoon, but the ce brought back memories. I remembereding here a week after graduating high school. ... ... ... Standing at the center of the Piazza del Duomo Valencia and Rel stood side by side. "This ce..." Rel said, gesturing towards the cathedral. "It inspired me the most." Shit... I blurted that out randomly. Valencia was looking at him with a questioning expression. "Really?" she murmured, too softly for Rel to hear. "Now that I look at it... this ce is inspiring." The two stood among the crowd massive crowds rushing in Valencia would be touching shoulder to shoulder with Rel. "..." Ah... what do I do? she thought. I want to lean my head against him. We''ve been standing all day. WOOSH! A sudden gust of wind knocked Valencia off bnce, and she fell into Rel''s arms. "I''m just d it exists," he murmured, his gaze fixed on the cathedral. His hands had caught her instinctively, and a soft smile yed on his lips. Valencia followed his gaze, but couldn''t understand his fascination. Seeing him like this, holding her like this, sent a strange warmth through her chest. Rel gently helped her back to her feet. "You look cold," He unwrapped his red scarf and looped it around her neck. "...!" Her eyes widened as he wrapped it a second time, pulling it snug. "Let''s go," he said, ncing at his watch. It was time to leave. Valencia watched him walk off and couldn''t but drift off to his hands. She impulsively leaned in and reached out, but stopped short when Rel turned around. "Are you noting?" "Ah!... Y-yes...ing," she stammered, flustered. Rel turned back and waited. Valencia who hurried to catch up, smiled brightly under his scarf. *** [Mn, Via Palestro - Montir Residence] After 30 minutes of taking an uber, Valencia and I arrived at the Montir mansion. I had expected the typical rich estate, but this ce was on another level. Instead of just seeing one mansion it was actually abination of two mansions. The imposing structure blended seamlessly with the rolling hills on the outskirts of Mn. A wrought iron gate marked the entrance, leading to a long, paved driveway that wound through manicured gardens towards the main building. The mansion itself was a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, with towering columns, arched windows, and intricate stonework. Even I, who had only ever seen it in my imagination, was impressed. "Hey, look! Rel and Valencia are finally here," Bazz announced. I initially ignored him, but then I felt a burning re and a cold stare directed at me. "Is there something wrong, Louise?" Jae asked, leaning forward. I realized Louise was barely suppressing his emotions. He was doing a good job hiding it, but I suspected trouble might arise if I didn''t defuse his brewing anger. "What are you talking about?" Louise gritted his teeth, trying to maintain hisposure. Despite his efforts, his veins were bulging on his forehead. "There''s nothing wrong. You''re probably just thinking about other things." "Okay..." Jae shrugged nonchntly and moved on to Alice, who had also been ring at me since we arrived. "Alice?" "What?" she snapped, her voice cold. Jae furrowed her brow, confused. "Are you okay?" "Of course I am. Hmph." Alice shrugged, and Jae couldn''t help but find her reaction amusing. I wonder what''s going on with them? I thought. They just get crazier by the day. Lan pped his hands to get everyone''s attention. "Okay, guys," he said, "please be mindful that the rooms you''ll be staying in are within the Montir residence. And I beg of you all, please don''t touch things you''re not supposed to touch. After that hotel incident in France, I heardints about phone lines and toilets being destroyed." Bazz''s shoulders tensed. I remembered what he had done to the toilet back in Paris. He had identally clogged it, and in trying to fix it, he had smashed the entire thing. Jan nudged Bazz, who nearly fell to his knees. "Ack!" he yelped. "And also," Lan continued, "I''m here on official Villerion business, so for the next two days, your task is to find an artifact of Montir''s history that you find most interesting." Just then, a man in a crisp ck suit appeared at the gate. He opened it, revealing a sweeping pathway leading down to the mansion. "Wee, fellow guests," he said with a polite bow. "I hope you all enjoy your stay here. I''ll give you a quick tour, and right after that, I''ll have our workers organize your rooms." Jan and Bazz exchanged surprised nces. "Are all the servants here like that?" Jan asked. "Of course not," Cam replied, appearing next to Jan with a smile, "but he sure looks experienced." Yeah, an experienced smuggler. Though I didn''t have a name for this viin yet, I was determined to find out who he was. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 260 Montclair Mansion [Analyzing character: Montir Head Servant] [The following character does not have a name¡­] [Generating name for minor viin: Montir Head Servant.] FWANG ¨X¨T¨T ? ¡ã?¡ã ? ¨T¨T¨[ [Status Window Of: Aubin Henri Richard (Unawakened)] [Age: 58] [Strength: C-] [Attack Power: B]n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om [Durability: B] [Speed: D+ [Mana: C- [Elemental Attribute: Wind] [Current Thoughts: "Master said he''d arrive soon, so I have to be weary of these kids whereabouts."] ¨^¨T¨T ? ¡ã?¡ã ? ¨T¨T¨a Well, It wasn''t surprising to see his stats so weak. From what I can assume, it will only be like this until the moment he awakens. His awakening would only happen around the time he consumes the demonic serum. So there isn''t anything I can do much about this guy. Fighting him seemed almost pointless since Vanessa and Christian would handle themter. But for some reason, I just felt frustrated. Just looking at him pisses me off. On the outside he''s just the ordinary head servant, But did I really make his viin status that obvious? His eyes were practically closed, but when he opened them, it was like he was smiling deviously. Of course, this novel is without it''s tropes so the characters around me are airheads, until the obvious is up in their faces. "Shall we head inside?" the head servant asked. He grabbed the attention of everyone who turned to look at him. "Yeah!" *** Inside the Montir mansion, Vanessa, undercover as Ms. Korine, smoothed down thest pillowcase in the female guests'' room. "That should be thest one," she murmured, surveying the perfectly aligned furniture. She''d been assigned to the guest wing, tasked with preparing the rooms. It was a far cry from her usual mercenary duties, but she found a strange satisfaction in creating order and beauty. "Are you done, Ms. Korine?" the head maid asked, peeking through the doorway. Vanessa nodded, a practiced smile gracing her lips. With a graceful curtsy, she greeted the head maid. "Evening, Mrs. Lateya. All my duties for the women''s rooms areplete." Mrs. Lateya entered and began her inspection. After a thorough examination, she turned to Vanessa, who waited by the door. "Well done, Ms. Korine! I''m impressed. Please keep up the good work. I''ll let you know if anything elsees up, but for now, you can take a break." Vanessa nodded respectfully and exited the room. A break already? she thought, surprised by the unexpected leniency. This gave her a chance to explore the mansion and gather intel. Wiping imaginary dust from her maid''s dress, she set off down the grand hallway, her eyes scanning for anything suspicious. Her mission was to investigate any "abnormal activity" within the household. A few minutester, she found herself in a highly secured area, with guards stationed at regr intervals. Assessing the situation, she recognized the sensitive nature of this area, but there were no signs of entry. She was positioned on the second floor, overlooking a grand staircase that led down to a set of imposing double doors. It was the artifact library Yang Vienna had mentioned in the report. There was a known fact of the Montir family''s impressive collection of historical artifacts. As she took a closer look, she could hear the muffled sounds of footsteps echoing from within the library. Intrigued, she started to descend the stairs, but a sound stopped her in her tracks. Footsteps were approaching from the other end of the corridor. Thinking quickly, she ducked behind a stack of crates positioned near the railing. Just in time, she thought, peering through a gap between the boxes. Two guards, armed with pistols and rifles, positioned themselves at the top of the stairs, blocking the entrance to the library. "Hey, when do you think it''s that time of the hour again?" one guard asked. "Smuggling or the next shift change?" "Smuggling," the first guard replied. "Apparently, there are going to be visitors here, and the boss told us we can''t do it once they''re here." Smuggling? Vanessa''s interest piqued. This was valuable information. "Really?" the second guard said. "I had my eyes on that artifact next to ''that'' thing. Apparently, there''s a high demand for it on the market." "Well, I just hope the visitors are females," the first guard mused. "I''ve been trying to talk to the head maid, but she always seems to avoid me." "Are you sure you''re not just ugly?" hispanion teased. "Shut up!" Vanessa listened intently,mitting every word to memory. This was more than enough information to report to Yang Vienna. She scanned her surroundings for an escape route. A door was located a few feet down the hallway, but just as she was about to make a move, she heard more footsteps approaching from that direction. Shit... I''ve been caught out. Reaching for her mask and light sword, she prepared herself forbat. She positioned herself in a leaping form, ready to strike as soon as it opened. The doorknob turned slowly and Vanessa''s legs bent. KCHAK!... The door jammed. KNOCK! "Oi, open up! We need to get ready soon!" "You have to go around! That door''s jammed." "What do you mean?" BANG! The guard kicked the door, but it wouldn''t budge. "That door can''t be opened unless the master does it, so go around," a voice from inside exined. Realizing there was no point in forcing the door, the guards retreated, their footsteps fading down the hallway. Haah... that was close. Vanessa leaned against the crates, her heart still pounding. WOM!!! Suddenly, a blinding sh filled the corridor, followed by a surge of strange energy. Vanessa felt a tremor run through the floor. From below, the sounds of footsteps intensified. Wait... I sensed six people down there earlier, but now there are at least sixteen? She knew something was wrong. She had to find out what was happening in the artifact library. "Lads, we have returned!" a voice boomed from below. "Everyone is free to enter ''it'' now." "Yes!" The guards'' excited shouts echoed up the stairwell. Vanessa saw her opportunity. The two guards at the top of the stairs had left their posts. She slipped past the crates and hurried down the hallway... I''ll make sure Ms. Yang knows about this. Chapter 261 Montclair Mansion (2) 261 Montir Mansion (2) Vanessa moved silently through the corridors, avoiding any contact with the guards. Now that she had a lead, she nned to rest in the staff lounge until it was time to act. Turning a corner, she spotted the guards who had tried to enter the jammed door earlier. She paused, schooling her expression into one of polite indifference. "Hey, have you seen that girl before?" one guard asked the other. "No, but I won''t lie, she''s pretty." "How about we find her after our shift?" "Haha, sounds like a n." Vanessa''s face tightened as she passed them, but she was finally out of their sight. "Those bastards will pay," she muttered under her breath. Suddenly, a voice crackled through her earpiece. She quickly adjusted it and changed the channel. "Vanessa! I need your h-help... please," Christian''s voice pleaded, strained and desperate. "Christian, are you okay?!" "No..." A chopping sound echoed through the earpiece. "Uwah! Please... stop... I can''t..." Static filled the background, and Vanessa''s expression hardened. If Christian was in danger, she needed to hurry. "Christian, I''m pinging your location. I''ll be there as soon as possible." She gritted her teeth and hurried down the hallway, searching for his location. Suddenly, his voice came through clearly. "No... you see, I''m not good at cooking, and the head chef is speaking to me in anguage I don''t understand..." Vanessa stopped in her tracks, her hand flying to her forehead. Seriously? She felt exasperated. She distinctly remembered Christian boasting about his culinary skills when Yang had been assigning roles. Of all the things to go wrong... I knew I should''ve taken the chef role. Creak! Turning down another corridor, she found herself on the second floor, overlooking the mansion''s main lobby and entrance. The doors creaked open slowly. "Wee to the Montir Mansion!" the head servant''s voice echoed. Vanessa sensed eight people and four strong presences entering the building. Peeking over the railing, she saw a group of teenagers in the foyer. "One, three, five, eight... nine?" she counted, confused at the situation. Did I miss someone? She prided herself on her ability to detect presences, and this miscount made her doubt herself. Am I sick? She checked her head, neck, and pulse, but she felt fine. 19:32 n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om It must be the artifacts messing with my senses. Looking over the railing again, she recognized a few faces. "Oh, it''s Jan Ates, Legion''s future recruit," she thought. "There''s the daughter of Freya, the Sword Saint, and the two Villerions, Louise and Lan." As she observed the students, she felt a strange presence watching her. Vanessa flinched, realizing Jan was staring right at her. An overwhelming sensation washed over her, making her shiver and sweat. Then, as he looked away, the feeling vanished. What was that? She couldn''t believe the power she sensed from him. He was the highest-ranking recruit among the first years, and the most valued across all years. I wonder how I would fare against him inbat... I''ll probably find out in the future. She continued observing the group, recognizing the other notable figures: Jae Yoona, Alice Elizabeth, Bazz Wong, and... then she paused. And immediately her gaze locked onto a boy with messy ck hair and droopy blue eyes. Wait, a minute! I swear I''ve seen him before! She racked her brain, trying to ce the familiar face. Then it hit her. He looked remarkably like the boy she''d encountered at L''Institut des Lumi¨¨res Academy. But he couldn''t be here... could he? She dismissed the thought recalling that he most likely lived in France. I must be mistaken. She knew that there''s a mission to focus on. But still, she couldn''t help but steal another nce at the boy. "He doesn''t look bad," *** [Earlier today after the mission briefing.] After leaving the headquarters, the sun was finally up and shining, though something that remained constant was this chilly breeze. I didn''t understand this country''s weather, but I wasn''t curious enough to find out. Tucking my hands in my pockets, I felt the winds grow even hastier as I treaded towards the bench near the cul-de-sac. I needed to get to the Navigli District to meet up with everyone else, so I figured I''d call an Uber. "I heard you''re staying at the client''s ce today, Axel? Or should I say, Rel?" a voice whispered in my ear. I spun around and jumped back in surprise. It was Yang, our squad leader. I was momentarily scared of my identity being revealed, but thankfully, there weren''t any other mercenaries around. "Rx," she assured me. "Everyone''s on missions today. They won''t know." "I see," I replied, relieved. I leaned back on the bench, rxing my shoulders. But then I felt an eerie stare on me. I turned to see Yang looking at me with a smirk. "Need a ride?" she asked, pulling out her keys. I was just about to decline her offer but I realised I hadn''t even called an Uber yet. Honestly, I wasn''t even left with a choice. If I called one now, I''d be closer to beingte rather than being early. "Yes, please..." "Okay, wait here." She smiled and quickly returned with a BMW i7. "Get in." I opened the backseat door and sank into the plush seat, enveloped by the car''sforting warmth. It was almost hypnotic. "Where to?" Yang asked. "Navigli District," I replied. She stepped on the elerator, and the car sped off smoothly. I couldn''t help but wonder why she offered me a ride. "I heard from Jaxon that you''re staying at the client''s ce for the weekend," she exined. "So, I did some digging on the organization and found that one of their guards has been smuggling artifacts during work hours. Since you have a different role from CA25B and VE4B, you''ll need to find and execute the smuggler. After that, you''ll take his clothing and act as a guard." The information overwhelmed me. Execute someone? I didn''t think that was even in the original novel. The thought made my hands tremble. I''d never done anything like that before. Could I really do it? "You understand, Axel?" "Ah... yes," "Good. We''re here at the Navigli District." Yang stopped the car. "If you need help with your task, don''t be afraid to ask one of us. Now, see youter, Rel." She waved with a smile and sped off. Haah... What a bother... Chapter 262 Montclair Mansion (3) 262 Montir Mansion (3) After we had arrived at the Montir mansion, I noticed a maid on the upper floor of the mansion watching over us. Just from a nce I knew it was Vanessa from above. I found it undeniable that she, among the many females in the novel, was beautiful, so it was something worth acknowledging. I couldn''t help but worry that my presence would disrupt the familiar course of events. At best, I could support Jan during the teleportation phase, but after that, he was on his own. I hated the thought of getting caught up in those events, especially since I wasn''t great at navigating from memory. "Rel and Valencia, since you two werest to arrive, I''ll need you guys to do a little task for me." My face suddenly stiffened at his words, this couldn''t be anything bad right? -"That son of a bitch¡­" HSSSSTTTTT! A low angry voice muttered and my back began to sweat from the intensified heat. "Louise, your mana is leaking?!" I heard Jae''s voice rise in panic,She had caught on to his tantrum quickly, and from the corner of my eye, I saw her grab Louise''s arm, trying to restrain him. -"Calm down!" Jae''s expression hardened, she leaned closer to Louise, seemingly making physical contact. boing¡­ Suddenly, Louise regained hisposure andthe heat he emitted vanished as quickly as it appeared. SSST¡­ "Eh-ah.. I''m calm... w-what are you talking about?" he replied with a flushed face. Jae stopped his burst with just her body alone, how strange. With the situation solved Valencia stepped forward almost skipping as if she was rejoicing. "What do you want us to do?" she asked Lan, leaning towards him. "You''ve been here before, right? Just deliver this letter to Montir''s office. I''m sure one of the family members will be there." "Okay..." Valencia quickly took the letter and turned to me, giving me a strange look. "Let''s go." N?v(el)B\\jnn She fidgeted around looking at anywhere else but me, so I''ll assume that she just wants to see the Montir''s. * I walked down the hallway, keeping afortable distance from Valencia. I didn''t want to disturb her; I had more important things to focus on, like learning the mansion''syout. During my time as an aspiring author, I hadn''t put much thought into the interior when I wrote this setting. 19:33 I had primarily focused more on the world inside the Orb of Phantasmal, since inside is basically a pocket dimension in its own way. It''d be hard to think about locations and timing as of now. And for most of my troubles I''d have to find the artifact room on top of all of that. Just guessing its location is basically useless in this vast mansion,unless Vanessa or Christian had already located it. I''d have to check the Mercenary Mission Database (MMD) for any intel just to be sure. Click! I nced down at my watch, and as I did, I bumped shoulders with Valencia. The moment I looked up, I could see Valencia and I were in step once again. "...?" I tilted my head towards her, and she gasped, turning away. I quickened my pace, but she matched it with every stride. Even if I didn''t know where I was going, I decided to see how far she''d take this. I stopped abruptly and pretended to tie my shoe, crouching down on all fours. "...what are you-" Then, with the speed of an Olympic sprinter, I took off down the hallway. DASH!!!! This back and forth running continued for a few minutes until I''d had enough. "Did I do something wrong¡ª" I began, but she cut me off. "Ah, look! We''re here!" she eximed, her voice raised. I turned to see a double door room with a heavy presence emanating from within. "Let''s quickly head in shall we?" With no other choice and feeling a little tired from running I just sighed while watching Valencia pushing open the door. Creak¡­ The room was vast, with a two-story section splitting into two sides, simr to a parliament debate room. In the center was a round table with six seats on each side. As my eyes drifted I saw a small staircase led to an upper level where a figure in a ck hoodie sat at a desk. It was Anouz, seemingly absorbed in a document. He quickly noticed Valencia and I. "Oh... hello, Valencia," he greeted. Sliding the document into a drawer, he turned his attention to us and flinched, as if he''d seen a ghost. "And... friend?" He flicked his gaze between us. Valencia took the initiative and handed him the letter. "Here," she said. "Lan wanted to give this to the head." Anouz took the envelope and nced at me, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Oh, right. You were the guy at the cafe earlier. I didn''t know you were with them." His eyes glowed as he stared at me, and I felt a tremor of pressure, a subtle test of my strength. "Ah, well, now you know," I replied. "Yeah..."He held my gaze, his intentions unclear. "Alright, I assume everyone''s here for a good time, so you guys can go," he said, waving us away. But just as I turned, he called out to me. "You," he said, "can I talk to you for a moment?" Valencia had already exited, but her head popped back in, startling me. "Rel?" she asked, tilting her head so only her left eye was visible. I didn''t think much of her concern, but I needed to know what Anouz wanted. "He just wants to talk to me. I''ll catch up," I assured her. "Oh..."Her eyes dimmed, and I felt a pang of annoyance at her behavior. I turned back to Anouz, hoping this wouldn''t be a serious conversation. He jumped down from his desk andnded right in front of me. His presence and mana capacity were overwhelming. If it wasn''t for his ego, his potential could rival Jan''s. "So, I have something to ask of you..." he began. He seemed rxed, so whatever he wanted probably didn''t involve me directly. "Sure, what is it?" I straightened my posture, trying to appear taller. "You see, there''s this girl¡ª" "Lyra?" I interrupted. His face flushed, and he scratched the back of his head. "If that''s her name, yeah..." Oh my God, it''s as if I didn''t see thising. But I did. I wasn''t interested in hearing him ramble about his first love, so I cut to the chase. "If you''d like, I''ll help you. And for an even better oue, let''s make a deal." I smirked at Anouz, and he returned a sly grin. "Ehem... what is it you want?" I''m on a long uni break, so the return for chapters is now on board. Though I''ll be focusing a lot on my second novel, I still won''t neglect this novel, regardless. Chapter 263 Montclair Mansion (4) Anouz''s eyes widened at my offer. He looked shocked, not by my actions, but by my words. "Is that really it? Nothing else?" he stammered, as if my deal wasn''t enough. "I''m not the kind of guy who adds extra conditions to his deals," I replied coolly. I extended my hand, and he immediately shook it. "You drive a hard bargain," he said, looking me in the eye. "So, let me ask you this: What''s your name?" "R-Rel Laurence," I stammered, nearly revealing my full name. But if everything went ording to n, there would be no need to worry about his character going to waste. "Rel Laurence? The archer? Well, it''s my pleasure. I''m Anouz Serenade Montir, the eldest son of Daniel Montir III." "The honor''s mine," I replied. "I am staying at your ce, after all." "I guess you''re right." Anouz chuckled, shaking my hand with a firm grip. Our conversation had been brief, but the negotiations were over, and I was on his good side. He seemed pleased with my offer in exchange for a small favor. There was no guarantee he would follow through, but for now, I had to trust him and hope for the best. Connecting him with the uing events would be a little difficult though. Since tomorrow, I''d need Anouz to y his part perfectly so I could disappear when the incident urs. Because thest time that happened I ended up with a medal unworthy of my status as a side character. "You should get going now," he said with a reassuring smile, releasing my hand. "I''m sure Valencia doesn''t like to wait." I nodded and headed towards the exit. "And a word of advice," he added. "Don''t go to the artifact library at night, especially alone. There''s a lot of bad stuff that goes on around there." His warning wasn''t a joke. His family was being targeted by multiple organizations linked to the dark world. Anouz was the one who had sent the mission request to Jaxon Cain himself. That''s why we, as mercenaries, were here: not only to fight against the dark world, but also to find clues about the person supplying resources to dimir.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "I got it," I replied, opening the door to the hallway. Valencia was gone. Well, Anouz was right. She probably got bored and left. I had no choice but to head back on my own. I stood in the hallway, looking in both directions. "Let''s do a memory test here..." I wandered through the hallways, turning corners and observing the patterns and object positions. But every path seemed to lead to the same few corridors. It felt like I was going in circles. But you know what they say. "When you''re lost, look for the smallest path and follow it." So, I tried again. ... ... ... After a few minutes, Rel understood why navigating this mansion was so difficult. It wasn''t that everything was different; it was that every hallway looked identical. "Haah... whatever, I''ll just¡ª" Bump! "Oof!" Rel rounded a corner and collided with someone, stumbling backward. "Ouch... I thought no one was here..." a feminine voice eximed and a pile of towels tumbled onto Rel''s head. "Ah..." The weight of the towels was substantial, but Rel could make out the ck and white uniform of a maid. His vision blurred for a moment though he couldn''t quite tell who it was. The maid''s eyes widened as she realized she had bumped into a guest. "Oh, I''m so sorry!" The maid cried, flustered. "I''ll remove the towels immediately!" -That voice... Rel thought, as the maid rushed to his aid, his visionpletely obscured by the mountain of towels. She delicately removed the pile, and when she took thest one off his head, their eyes met. Their eyes met, and her heart fluttered seeing Rel. "Ah! It''s um- it''s, ah- it''s you! Haha..." The maid jumped back in shock, seeing him so close. Rel, sensing her recognition, nervously averted his gaze. "D-d-do I know you from somewhere?" he asked, forcing a smile, trying to hide the fact that he knew her. -Ah... of all people, why did I bump into Vanessa? But it''s fine. I''m sure she''s memorized the entire mansion, so maybe I could ask her for directions. But I have a bad feeling she might''ve remembered who I am. It was possible Vanessa had forgotten about him, but Rel wasn''t going to bet on it. He did, however, notice that she was even prettier up close. Rel faked a cough and looked up at Vanessa. As he met her now expressionless gaze, an eerie prickle ran down his spine. -She''s frowning with that face?? Vanessa even without smiling or keeping a frown held a tinge of disappointment and disgust as she looked down towards Rel. She recognized him as the boy from the academy in Paris, the one who had fled when she tried to ask his name. The memory made her feel uneasy. She had hoped to get along with people her own age, but having always worked with adults as a mercenary, she didn''t know how to interact with other teenagers. Rel''s abrupt departure that day had made her realize how difficult it might be to make friends while also being a student. It made her question her dream of a normal academic life, of fitting in and forming connections. "..." "I didn''t know you worked as a maid," Rel mumbled, feeling guilty for her sadness. Although he wasn''t looking her eye to eye, Vanessa was startled hearing the way he spoke. -His voice sounded so genuine... and cute. "Uh, yeah," she replied, fidgeting with her fingers. "Sorry, I didn''t tell you thatst time... You ran away, though." haha... Relughed nervously as the guilt within him dug deep. He understood the consequences of his actions and had to do something to make it even. "Look, I really had to go that time. I was in a hurry, things came up... So, if there''s anything I can do to make it up to you, just let me know." Vanessa''s gaze softened as she looked at Rel, still sitting on the ground. Her heart fluttered with unfamiliar emotions. -he said anything... At first sight, she had noticed hisck of presence and mana, but his personality was unlike any she had encountered. Most people she knew were cocky, loud, destructive, or hateful. She had never met someone so calm, kind, and considerate. Though they had only met twice, his words had a way of affecting her. Each sentence seemed to warm the heart she had vowed to keep locked away until she achieved her goal. "Anything right?" Your next chapter is on empire "Uh... not anything," he replied. "As long as it''s within reason..." Vanessa hesitated. She had never been one to ept something for free. Her principles dictated that there was no such thing as a free world. If she took this favour, she would have to reciprocate. But as she was about to ask him for something, she stopped. Maybe he wasn''t the type of person who expected something in return. "Tell me your name," She requested, confidently striding over to Rel. With her hands behind her back, she leaned in close with candy-like eyes. "Haah... okay, I''ve done this quite a lot today, so¡ª" "Rel?" A voice suddenly interrupted the two and Rel froze up awkwardly, unsure if he should turn around. Chapter 264 You! 264 You! "Rel? Who is this?" Valencia''s voice was filled with concern as her eyes were fixed on the scene unfolding before her. She had only stepped away for a moment to use the restroom, but when she returned, Rel was nowhere to be found. And now, here he was, standing awfully close to a maid. She couldn''t quite put her finger on the emotion bubbling inside her, but it was definitely there, it was a feeling of confusion and something else she couldn''t quite name. "A-ah, Valencia!" Rel stuttered robotically and his head whipped around in surprise. Though his eyes were focused on Valencia, Vanessa, who stood before him, gently took his hands, her touch pulling his attention. "...!" "Rel? That''s a nice name... It''s a pleasure to meet you," she said with a warm smile, then gracefully stepped back, her maid''s dress swaying as she bowed reverently. "I am a maid of the Montir Household, you can call me Korine." Valencia and Rel were both stunned with how she presented herself. Is he always surrounded by beautiful women? Valencia''s brow seemed to furrow by the second. It seemed like wherever he went, a girl would inevitably appear by his side. "Rel..." Valencia hurried towards him, tugging on his shirt to get his attention. "Do you know this person?" Her eyes were glued to the maid feeling uneasy as to why she couldn''t understand why a maid in the Montir household would be acquainted with someone like Rel. It was stirring up apletely different feeling than when she saw him with Alice. "We met back at the Lumi¨¨res Academy in Paris," Rel exined. "She just happens to be working as a maid here." "Oh..." Valencia couldn''t help but sigh, trying to calm herself. But the sight of the pretty maid, with her ck hair, delicate features, and innocent expression, was doing little to quell the frustration building inside her. Could it be he''s into people like that? she pondered, clenching her fists. "I''m sorry, but it seems I''ve overstayed my wee. I have to get these delivered, so I''ll be leaving first. Enjoy your stay at the Montir mansion, you two." As she turned to leave, she looked back at Rel, winking yfully. N?v(el)B\\jnn What was that?! Valencia''s mind was going crazy. Why was that maid winking at Rel? And why did he look so flustered? She felt a strange urge to grab his arm and pull him away, to keep him all to herself. This wasn''t like her at all.She usually didn''t care about these things. But something about seeing Rel with another girl, even just a maid, was stirring up feelings she''d never experienced before. ** [Rel''s POV] "Wee, young schrs," a deep voice boomed through the grand hall. I watched as a tall, imposing figure, Daniel Montir III, the head of the Montir household, stepped forward. "It''s a pleasure to have students like you who admire and appreciate our family''s history and the artifacts we''ve gathered through countless dungeon subjugations across the world." He gestured towards a woman standing beside him. She had an elegant air about her, a perfect match for the imposing man beside her. "This is my wife, Eleanor. And beside her is our son, Anouz." A young man with a sharp gaze and a confident stride stepped forward. Anouz. It seems like he wasn''t dressed for the asion at all it''s typical of his character. "It''s a pleasure to meet you all," Anouz said, bowing respectfully. "Ooo... Lyraaa..." Cam''s voice rang out, and I turned to see her nudging Lyra in the ribs. Lyra''s face flushed as she caught sight of Anouz. It was clear she was interested in him. Good, I thought. If I y my cards right, Anouz will be more inclined to agree to my favor. Finally, Daniel introduced the servants who would be assisting us during our stay. "These are the individuals who ensure the smooth running of our household," he announced. "They are highly trained and dedicated to their duties. Please treat them with the respect they deserve." As Daniel gestured, the workers of the mansion lined up in four rows of eight. Out of all of them, I spotted Christian, the ''assistant chef'', and Vanessa, the assistant maid. I couldn''t help but raise a brow at how well they were blending in. I''d seen the group chat where Christian was asking how to cut carrots, so his culinary expertise was clearly a work in progress. After the introductions, Daniel dismissed the group, allowing us to explore the mansion and its grounds. "You''re free to stay here until the weekend," he said. "I''ve heard there''s a massive examing up, so you can rx and recharge here. In the meantime, I rmend visiting our artifact library downstairs. It houses a collection of fascinating items that many would die to see. But enough with the speeches, I''ll have our servants show you to your rooms." Click! With a snap of his fingers, two of the head servants emerged from the line and hurried towards our group. "All the girls, please follow the head maid, Lateya," Daniel instructed, pointing to a stern-looking woman. "And the boys, please follow Mr. Richard." Mr. Richard, the head servant, gave a stiff nod and led us boys down a hallway. As we walked, I learned that I was once again sharing a room with Bazz and Jan, just like in France. Lan and Louise, on the other hand, got their own rooms due to their families'' close rtionship with the Montir''s. I wouldn''t say that was unfair, but after my experiences with those two morons in one room, I''d much rather be on my own for the night. We were led through winding corridors, each room grander than thest. Finally, we reached our destination, a suite of rooms connected by a shared lounge. "This is your room," Mr. Richard announced, gesturing towards a door. As I stepped inside, I was met with a sight that made me want to sigh. The room wasrge, with three beds lined up against one wall. It was a stark contrast to the hotel room in France. "Perfect!" Bazz said, already jumping onto one of the beds and bouncing up and down. Then Jan, immediately leaped in challenging him. "I called that bed first!" CRASH!!!! Before I could even blink, the two of them were wrestling on the floor, kicking up dust and making a racket. I rubbed my temples, wondering how I was going to survive the next few days with these two idiots. 21:55 Chapter 265 Ponder 265 Ponder Night had fallen over the Montir mansion, and the girls settled into their luxurious rooms. Despite havingfortable beds all to themselves, they couldn''t shake the restless energy of the night. Neither of the girls were going to sit and wait for the next day. Cam in particr felt restless, she wasn''t one to sit still for long and whispered an idea into Jae''s ear. As the two watched the news on the tv. pssst...pssst...pssst... "Oooo... that does sound nice." A mischievous grin spread across Jae''s face, and the two nodded in agreement. Cam turned off the tv and Jae stood up alongside her catching all the girls attention. "We should go to the hot springs!" Jae and Cam announced in unison. "Yeah! Let''s go!" Lyra cheered them on bouncing on the balls of her feet. "A rxing soak sounds like the perfect way to unwind after that long trip." "Indeed," Alice agreed with a gentle smile. "A bit of pampering would be nice." Though Valencia, still brooding over her earlier encounter with Rel and the maid, hesitated for a moment. "Fine by me..." she finally conceded. With a unanimous decision made, the girls headed towards the female spa located on the second floor. As they dressed appropriately for the spring they slipped into the soothing waters, their conversations flowed as freely as the steam rising from the pool. Cam brought up the uing exams where there were rumors of teaming up being allowed to happen. "We should team up if things go south, haha!" "Sounds like a n," Jae agreed with a shrug. The others nodded casually while their minds were more focused on enjoying the rxing atmosphere. Valencia however couldn''t fully shake off her worries. As she was thest one to enter the spa, Jae''s jaw dropped. "Whoa, Valencia!" she eximed. "Not only are you gifted with the sword, but you''re also gifted with such a figure! If I were a guy, I''d be all over you." Valencia blushed at Jae''s enthusiasticpliment. "Don''t be silly," she mumbled, flustered. But Cam couldn''t resist teasing. "Well, the guy who has the best chance right now is probably in our grade," she said, winking at Valencia. The heat in Valencia''s cheeks intensified and she could think of was a certain person. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om As his face shed through her mind, she quickly pushed the thought away thinking this isn''t something like what she would do. bubble...bubble...bubble... Alice on the other hand floated across the spa blowing bubbles going back and forth. ** KCHAK! "CA25B, you''ve finished your shift, right? We should meet up with Axel at this spot here." Vanessa sent the coordinates of the location, but Christian remained stubbornly unresponsive. "This ce has a really good blind spot, so in the meantime, we could meet here for exchanges throughout the day." Christian, perched precariously on the rooftop with a clear view of the women''s spa, was far too distracted to respond. He ogled the scene below, a smirk stered across his face as he cackled to himself. "Hold on, Vanessa," he finally replied with a low whisper. "I''m seeing some potential information we could use for the Montirs... hehaha..." Christian giggled to himself more as his eyes were on the spa. Suddenly, he heard Vanessa''s voice in his earpiece say, "Oh really?" KCHAK... Themunication channel abruptly cut off, and a voice spoke from behind him. "I didn''t know you were at the location already." EEEK!!! Christian flinched at her words and he slowly turned his head to see Vanessa with her fist imbued with aura. Gulp... "Don''t think you''re getting away with this one, dumbass," she said, her voice low and menacing. "Bang!" "Ackkk!!!!" Vanessa mmed her fist down on Christian''s head, sending him sprawling to the floor. "I''m sorry! I''m sorry! I''m sorry! I''m sorry!..." he repeated, scrambling away from the furious Vanessa. "Just get up already," she said, her voice still sharp. "Axel will be here soon." ... ... ... As they met up at the blind spot on the rooftop, Axel cast a concerned nce at Christian. "What happened to CA25B?" he asked, eyeing the ratherrge bulge protruding from Christian''s head. "Oh, it''s nothing," Vanessa replied dismissively. "Right, CA?" She grabbed Christian''s ear, twisting it slightly. "Ah! Yes, yes! Nothing wrong!" Christian yelped. "Please let go!" Axel took a step back, unnerved by Vanessa''s conflicting emotions towards her teammate. "So," Vanessa continued, turning her attention to Axel, "what have you been up to inside?" "I''ve been disguised as a bodyguard within the building," Axel exined. "My shift started not too long ago." Vanessa nodded. "That makes sense." But a flicker of suspicion crossed her eyes. Axel''s mission details were different from theirs, and it made her uneasy. Moreover, something about Axel''s scent seemed familiar. She couldn''t quite ce it, but it definitely reminded her of someone she''d met before. As she observed him more closely, she noticed his hair was tied back, and he was wearing a different mask than usual. I wonder what he looks like behind that mask... She wasn''t usually interested in people''s appearances, but Axel''s personality and actions were so unusual that she couldn''t help but be curious. There''s no way to tell if he''s handsome or not... Hopefully, he''s better looking than Christian It''s hard enough having to look at him every day. -My hair!! -Get back here Lyra! -Ah!!! As sounds of the spa echoed from below Vanessa, couldn''t help but envy the girls enjoying their lives as cadets at a renowned academy. Those girls got to live the life she had been yearning for ¨C going to school, making friends, experiencing the highschool life. BAM... Just then, their leader appeared, interrupting Vanessa''s thoughts. "Listen up," Yang said briskly. "I''ll keep this briefing short. You''ll need to spread out as much as possible tonight and gather information about the Montir staff and family members'' whereabouts every hour. Be cautious, as the guards are on high alert around the artifact library during this time." "Okay..." the others replied, nodding in understanding. Yang nodded in return and disappeared. Chapter 266 Discovery 266 Discovery Haah... My mission objective was clear: act as a bodyguard for this ce and milk out any information on the main residents of this building... But how was I supposed to do that without a uniform? It would take a genius to figure that out. Clearly, I needed to find another way. First thing on my agenda, I decided to head towards the artifact library and tail the guards without being seen. Thankfully, Vanessa had marked its location, so I was able to follow the path while avoiding the guards in the vicinity. Soon, I was close to the library, taking cover and ncing down at my watch to see how close I was. Still I didn''t find an opportunity to take a uniform from the guards since most came in packs. So I scanned the area, hoping for a solution, and spotted two guards leaning against a wall, deep in conversation. "Man, the coffee machine in the breakroom is busted again," one guard grumbled. "Seriously?" his partner replied. "Want to grab a quick snack from the kitchen before our shift starts?" "Sure," the first guard agreed. "Might as well make the most of this downtime." A breakroom? I hadn''t known they had one. It sounded like they were taking their jobs seriously, even with the asional coffee break. So I decided to follow them. Maybe the breakroom held the answer to my uniform problem. I followed the guards, keeping a safe distance as they weaved through the corridors. They chatted idly about their families and weekend ns, seemingly oblivious to my presence. Finally, they reached a door marked "Staff Breakroom." One of the guards pushed it open, revealing a small, sparsely furnished room. A table and a few chairs sat in the center, and a battered coffee machine upied a corner.Empty mugs and crumpled napkins littered the table. It wasn''t exactly the luxurious setting I expected from the Montir mansion. The guards headed straight for the coffee machine, their disappointment evident when they saw its state. "Looks like we''re out of luck," one sighed. "No coffee for us," the othermented. They turned to leave, and I quickly ducked behind a stack of crates just outside the door.This is my chance, I thought. As soon as their footsteps faded down the hall, I slipped into the breakroom. My eyes darted around, searching for anything that resembled a guard uniform. A locker room stood against the far wall. I crept towards it, hoping it held what I needed. The locker room was small and stuffy, with rows of metal lockers lining the walls. I tried a few, but they were all locked. There has to be a way... I snatched the keys and quickly began trying them on the lockers.Most were empty, containing only personal items like worn shoes and half-eaten snacks.Finally, I found one with a neatly folded uniform inside. I pulled it out and examined it. It was a simple ck suit with the Montir family crest embroidered on the breast pocket.Perfect.I quickly changed into the uniform, feeling a surge of satisfaction as I buttoned the jacket. Now, to get back to my post. With my new uniform in ce, I set off to patrol the mansion. I checked my watch, noting the rotational routes most guards followed, and fell in step with a nearby group. They didn''t seem to mind my presence, and we marched through the corridors, ensuring everything was in order. My mind, however, was focused on a single objective. I needed to observe the head servant, Mr. Richard. I knew from the novel that he met with a specific individual around midnight¡ªa ryer for Han''s organization. If I could pinpoint their meeting spot, I could alert Vanessa and Christian, providing them with valuable intel. As we patrolled, the leader of the group spoke up with a sharp voice. "Be aware of any kids wandering around here on the hour. If they try to approach the library, push them away." I nodded, trying to appear as inconspicuous as possible. Kids on the hour? Seriously... the chances are really slim, given that you''d need a really good sense to get here. FLASH! A sudden sh erupted from within the building as we reached the entrance to the artifact library, a blinding light that spread through the lower floors. "I see they''re back," one of the guards muttered. "Is it our turn now?" another asked, stroking his chin. The artifact library. That''s where the head servant usually met his contact. This could be my chance to record the exchange. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om I watched the guards closely, observing their reactions to the sh. It seemed like a normal urrence for them, which meant the head servant''s activities were likely well-concealed. The leader turned to face us with a serious expression. He nodded at each and every member of the squad. We responded in kind with a silent acknowledgment of the task ahead. He positioned himself at the front entrance of the artifact library, and we lined up before him. "Up," hemanded with an authoritative voice. He proceeded down the line, tapping each guard on the shoulder as they passed. My turn camest and I approached him nervously, meeting his intense gaze. "I''m sure you know the protocol," he said with warning. I nodded confidently to ensure my facade wouldn''t be shaken. He turned his head, and I responded, "Only sixteen, right?" "Correct, you''re on the first floor tonight. Good luck." He turned and walked towards the Orb of Phantasmal as the rest of the squad awaited for his arrival. The Orb, positioned in the center of the vast room, was a sight to behold. It sat encased in ss, protected by a mana barrier,ser grids, and a keypad. It was clearly the most guarded artifact in the entire collection. The leader initiated the ess sequence andpleted it swiftly. "Commence transfer," he dered as his fingers flew across the keypad. The casing opened, and he hovered his hand over the Orb. Mana flowed from his hand, and he and his squad vanished in a blinding sh of light. With the other guards remained at their post they resumed patrolling the library and keeping a watchful eye on the surrounding artifacts. I blended in with them, observing the routines and patterns of the remaining guards. It seemed the squads entering the Orb of Phantasmal did so in shifts, leaving a contingent behind to maintain security. That meant, that If everyone''s going to enter, I''ll have to find a way to get Anouz in early. ______ A.N - The artifact library has 2 floors. So when the leader mentions the ''first floor'' he meant the stairs up to the other artifacts. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 267 When The Night Ends 267 When The Night Ends I paced back and forth, carefully observing the scene around me.Guards moved in and out, recing artifacts from the Montir collection. It was a well-oiled machine, each guard knowing their role and executing it with precision. Suddenly, a guard stopped me in my tracks. "Hey," he said, his voice gruff. "Are you SG-17?" "...Uh you see." I adjusted my half-mask, chuckling lightly.What would happen if I said no? I wondered. There was no telling what he might do, and being caught this early would jeopardize the entire mission. I had no choice but to take the gamble. "Yes," I replied, hoping my voice sounded confident. The guard''s tense face rxed. "Ah, good," he said with a sigh of relief. "I thought you were someone else. I wanted to ask if those girls you were talking to earlier were from Pinnacle." "Yes, they are," I confirmed with a reassuring voice, however I felt ufortable with where this was heading. "Well, I can''t believe I''m saying this," he confessed, leaning in conspiratorially, "but they''re all way too good for their age, wouldn''t you agree?" He winked suggestively, and I felt a wave of disgust wash over me. Yuck... This guy... I held back my disgusted expression and forced a smile ying along with this retard. During this time, all he had talked about were the Pinnacle students (females). We chatted for a while, exchanging meaningless pleasantries, until finally, he bid me farewell and continued with his duties. I breathed a sigh of relief. "That was close." Though for that guy, I made a mental note to remember that guard''s face. I wouldn''t forget his disgusting intentions towards my ssmates. * As I walked back and forth, growing increasingly weary of waiting for Han or the servant to show up, I nced at my watch and saw that it was 3:00 AM. "How exhausting..." I muttered under my breath. I guess that''s how a normal shift works, so I headed down to the main floor of the artifact room, excusing myself as I passed the guards. Now I began to regret not writing where they would meet instead of implying that they did. Well at least I could go to sleep now- BZZT! BZZT! My watch buzzed in a strange sequence and realised it was a message from our squad leader. [You''ve received a message from an anonymous contact. Do you wish to ept?] Click! "Haah... you have to be kidding me," I groaned, rolling my eyes. I clicked a thumbs-up and headed outside. The grounds were vast.Manicuredwns sloped gently away from the mansion, dotted with sculpted hedges and marble statues that gleamed faintly in the moonlight. I did a quick sweep of the mansion''s blind spots, but found nothing noteworthy. So I ended up following a path leading away from the mansion and into a nearby forest. The towering trees stood silent and the entire area beyond was deserted. Though the path stretched onward, I doubt I''d encounter anyone at thiste hour. This secluded area felt far removed from the bustling activity within the mansion walls. "It''s time to call it a day." FWANG! [Special Ability: Pocket Realm [Grade 1] Has Been Activated!] [The following item has been summoned: Bag Of Goods N'' Stuff] A ck duffel bag materialized in my hands. I ducked behind a bush, quickly changing back into my normal clothes. As I finished changing, I heard faint voices drifting from afar. Peering through the brush, I spotted Han and the head servant conversing by the wrought iron gates that marked the entrance to the mansion grounds. They were far enough away to avoid suspicion from the patrolling guards, but close enough for me to make out snippets of their conversation. I strained to listen, but all I could discern were vague mentions of "shipments" and "goods."As the servant departed, Han lingered, pulling out his phone.He must be calling dimir, I thought. Han nced around, then moved further down the path, closer to my hiding spot. He clearly didn''t want the patrolling guards to overhear his conversation. When he was only 20 meters away, he began speaking to dimir about extracting something from within the Orb of Phantasmal. "I''ve been sending our men in with each transfer," Han reported. "Everyone has confirmed that the pocket world within the Orb is essible, but we can only send 16 men at a time." -"That''s a minor inconvenience," dimir''s voice responded through the phone. "As long as the world can be used for our operations, I won''t ask for anything more." "I''m happy to hear that," Han said with a smile. "I''ve also hired researchers to investigate the world and extract some of its resources to get a better understanding of what we''re dealing with. We''ve already conducted some experiments, and we''ll ry the results tomorrow. Once we''ve harnessed the power of that world, we can use it for the projects you have in mind." -"Good," dimir replied. "I expect your operation to be a sess. Don''t disappoint me." "Got it," Han assured him, nodding. He ended the call and walked towards the mansion gates. "Hmm... I don''t remember that at all," I muttered to myself while scratching my head. N?v(el)B\\jnn Something about Han''s n felt off, like a detail I''d forgotten to include in the original story. Just as I was about to turn around, a voice cut through the quiet night. "Don''t move." The voice was low and intimidating, sending a shiver down my spine. BAM! I leaned back and grabbed them without hesitation, mming them to the ground with all my might. "Oof!" the figure eximed as theynded with a thud. "You''re pretty fast for an archer," the voice chuckled, "and quite strong as well. Not bad." I looked down to see Anouz lying on the ground,pletely unfazed by my attack. "What the fuck are you doing here?" The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!