《Reincarnation Of A Swordsman: The Omni Mage》 Chapter 1: Prologue I''m Kyle Lin. I was born in a world where one''s strength reigned supreme... A world ruled by the strong and not the weak! Here at Yurigur, we were blessed with the precious Qi! That discovery was made when I was just 6, that was about... A decade ago. The person who discovered Qi was kind enough to teach the ways of cultivation, thereby attaining fame. After all, if he didn''t, surely another would figure it out. Like every kid, I wanted to be strong and I had the talent so I began cultivating two years after that! Cultivation tremendously improves one''s physical strength, so with that martial practitioners became relevant. I diligently trained in the way of the sword earning me the title of a swordsmaster at the age of 15! All things turned for the worse with the transformation of creatures. We never took into ount animals being able to use Qi. With this, cmity befell upon humanity! Millions began to die as their house pets revolted against them! That was just a little of our worries as all the wild beasts came together to destroy us! Humanity stayed firm and organized a troop of strong ones to battle the Qi beasts. Yes! I was among those who volunteered to fight. After all, while pursuing power only to sit back and witness the world''s fall. I picked up my katana which had yet to taste any blood since its creation, and went into the forest. I was scared! I was excited! Being among the first assault group, I entered the forest with ughter being my goal. I reaped the lives of hundreds of beasts with my sword thereby honing my skills. I learned to survive and every day was a challenging one. A time came, that we slowly began to have the advantage! The amount of beasts in the forests began to reduce rapidly! Humanity was winning! Until a day came when an object was detected in space,ing down at a rapid speed to Yurigur. Humanity retorted to its weapons, as all was done in an attempt to shoot it down. Crossing the atmosphere, it became invincible under the eyes of all! Until it struck! Where? On me. [Reincarnation in the process...] . . . [Reincarnation sessful!] . . . [Wee to Zekkoa!] Chapter 2: New Beginnings [Wee to Zekkoa!] "What''s happening?" [You''ve received a system and have been reincarnated in another world] "How? Reincarnation? Did I die?" [No, Your physical body was destroyed and another was created in which you''re currently inhabiting] ''No wonder I feel weaker, though I still feel like myself,'' he inwardly said while feeling his body. [Yes, the created body is exactly like yours] "Wait, you can read my mind... Oh yeah, you''re in my head, I think." "Why me? And what''s this system stuff you''re speaking about?" [You''ve been chosen by Pyrrhus, god of the Alcyoneus Gxy] "Pyrrhus? god?" [....] "Hold on! Where exactly am I?" [New quest: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. Awaken your element] [Time limit: 7 days] [Reward: Unlock Status] "Wait! What happened to everyone at Yurigur?" "I know we would win the war, but what if..." He started to get anxious as he thought of them. "I have to return." He said with resolve. "Hey system, take me back to Yurigur, I don''t want any of the power you speak of." Receiving no response he pleaded. "Please, oh great system, take me to Yurigur." Just before he could go on his knees, a girl''s voice was heard next to him. "Are you okay?" Turning his head in the direction of the sound, he took his time to observe his surroundings, something he had not done sinceing here. He appeared to be in what looked like a forest, a dense one as of that. At his left stood a blonde-haired girl, about 169 cm tall, with fair, porcin-like skin that seemed to glow. Her striking green eyes was filled with youthful determination, betraying her teenage years. Slung over her back was a quiver full of sleek arrows, while her hands held a finely crafted bow. Noticing his scrutinizing gaze on her, she tightened her grip on the bow. "Are you okay?" She repeated, this time raising her voice slightly. Noticing his scrutinizing gaze on her, she tightened her grip on the bow. "Are you okay?" She repeated, this time raising her voice slightly. "You''re an indigene right?!! Can you help me go back to Yurigur?? Please!! I''m begging." "Sorry, but I don''t understand what you''re saying, neither do I know of this Yurigur you speak of." ''I might not be able to go back, after all I haven''t heard of any other life existing in our sr system,'' Kyle thought to himself. Seeing him quiet she asked, "How did you arrive here then?" "I..." [Warning!] [Knowledge of the system is not to be exposed] ''Ha! And what can you do to stop me,'' he teased inwardly. [Nothing] ''Nothing?!! I was expecting a kind of threat or something.'' [But others would kill to obtain it from you] He shuddered at the thought of his brain being opened. "You were saying?" the girl asked again. It seemed like she was beginning to get annoyed. "I remember nothing. I was in my world and Bam! I''m here," he lied. "That''s strange, I''ve never heard of something of this sort before." "Follow me, I''ll take you to see my mum." "Thanks!" ''Time to learn more about this world, it might turn out to be simr to my previous world, after all, she was holding a bow and arrow.'' Kyle thought as he followed the girl. As they walked, he told her about Yurigur whilst learning about Zekkoa, turns out this world wasn''t a cultivation world but a magic world, one where awakened mages wield elements as a means of attack. Riya hadn''t awakened her element yet. After about 10 minutes of walking, they arrived at a building that had a board saying: Grace''s ce. "It''s this your house?" Kyle asked while wondering why here looked so declined in technology. "Nope, It''s where my mum treats the vigers," she''s a healer, a powerful one as of that. "Riya, who''s the boy with you?" A fair blonde-haired woman stood up from where she sat and asked. "Wait! Don''t tell me you finally found a boyfriend." "Stop it, Mum, it isn''t funny, he''s just a boy I found, he ims to be from another world but does not remember how he got here," Riya exined. "Interesting! An alien, I''ll try to see if I can help him with his memory," Grace said with her hand on her chin. "Where exactly did you find him?" "At the forest," Riya quickly replied before realizing her blunder. "RIYA! WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT VENTURING INTO THE FOREST ALONE?" she screamed. "YOU''RE GROUNDED FOR A WEEK, YOUNG LADY!!" she added angrily. "I just went to train at the outside perimeter, I didn''t even encounter any mana beast," she pleaded but was interrupted with another order. "Make that 2 weeks, youngdy." The angry Riya had already left the room making sure to close the door hard enough. "That girl," she sighed. "She doesn''t understand I''m trying to help her." "Where did you say you came from again, young man? Pardon me, I''m Grace Wood, you are?" "I''m Kyle, Kyle Lin from Yurigur. Nice to meet you, ma''am," he answered with a bow as a sign of respect. "Nice to meet you too, Kyle. So, I heard you have problems remembering how you arrived here. Do you mind letting me try to heal you?" she asked him while gesturing him towards the bed. "Sure," Kyle replied while lying on the sole bed of the room as instructed. Golden light could be seen around Grace''s hand as she moved it through his head. "Your brain is in good shape Kyle, I''m afraid I can''t help you with your memory, though I''d love to hear about Yurigur." "No problem ma''am." So he began to exin about Yurigur, hiding the part of an object hitting him. "I see. You must not expose that you''re not from this world to anyone," Grace warned. "In the meantime, you''ll be staying with me, I''ll close in a few hours then we can head to your new home" "Okay ma''am" After which she sat cross-legged as if one was cultivating. ''Woah! They cultivate here too.'' Kyle thought with excitement "What are you doing, ma''am?" Kyle asked. "I''m cultivating." "What''s that?" Kyle asked. "Is it the same as I usually do at Yurigur?" "Most likely, we mages improve and regain our mana by absorbing the one found in the atmosphere, though for more concentrated mana, a mana core is used, which is gotten mostly from beasts, but can also be gotten from other living things that use mana." "To cultivate, you need to have awakened your element. The awakening ceremony is next week, so you''re in luck." Grace said. "You''re up to 15, right?" "Yes ma''am, I am" "Okay, so you and Riya will awaken next week." ''Hmm, that would be nice.'' Soon, Kyle fell asleep. Awakened by the sound of the door, what greeted him was a gruesome sight. "Madam!! Madam!! Please help us!" cried out a man carrying another whose hand seemed to be chopped off by a beast. And the blood was a whole lot. Grace had already jumped off her mat and rushed to attend to the man, she seemed unfazed by the sight of much blood, though there was worry written on her face for the man. Immediately the man wasid on the bed she cast a healing spell on him, this time using dark magic, turns out Madam Grace is the first and only dual elementalst in the town of Frulia. One of the dark and light elements to boast, two extremely rare elements. Grace used the spell to stop the bleeding, which eventually stopped after 2 minutes of spell-casting. Then she brought out a pebble-shaped object and entered into a trance state, it looked like she was cultivating again. After about 3 minutes, one who looked well enough would notice its diminished size. She got back up and went to the man, this time using light magic to clot the arm, to prevent infection. After the process was over, and Grace was done recovering her energy she finally said to the man, "Your fee would be 1 gold coin." "I don''t know how to express my gratitude, Madam. I only have 50 silver coins with me, can you ept this for now? I promise I''ll get the remaining 50 no.. 75 to you tomorrow," he pleaded. "Okay, I''ll take that, bring the remaining 50 tomorrow," stressing on the 50 and not 75. "Thank you, madam! How can I repay you?" he said with tears of joy. "Don''t worry. If he wishes to regrow his arm, you''ll have to take him to meet a great mage in the city. Make sure he gets enough rest, and if any problem arises with the arm, you can repay me a visit." With this Grace dismissed them and went back to her mat. ''I learned a lot from this discussion, the most intriguing one being that one could have more than one element, and Madam Grace is surprisingly one of those.'' ''Seems like she is a big shot here in Frulia. Also, the currency used here is just like in the Middle Ages; gold and silver, pretty sure bronze should follow in descending order of value.'' ''I wonder what elements I awaken, I hope to be a dual elementalist too!'' "Ma''am, is it possible to know what element one would awaken?" Kyle asked expectantly. "Not any way I know of, and these old bones sure have been through a lot," "Old?? You look like you''re 30!" Kyle said with surprise. "Looks can indeed be deceiving, Kyle, as thisdy is thrice your age. When one climbs up stages in cultivation, their life span is increased," Grace added. "Don''t get your hopes too high though, 92% of people never awaken," Grace quickly reminded him after seeing the excited look on his face. Kyle''s mood suddenly turned sour upon this revtion. "Don''t be down Kyle, I believe you''ll awaken," she reassured him after having given him the sad truth to avoid rash actions in case he fails to awaken. Eventually, the day ended with no other patientsing to get treated. "Let''s head home! Kyle," Grace called. Chapter 3: Training with Riya "Let''s head home! Kyle," Grace called. ''Finally!'' "We would go to the market to purchase some stuff before we go home," Grace said to him after having traveled some meters. Soon, they arrived at the marketce; it looked like your typical supermarket, split into different sections. They headed to the food section. Arriving at a store they met a tan middle-aged woman sitting before a table, cultivating. "I''d want a kilogram of meat, Martha," requested Grace. "Greetings madam Grace!" said Martha as she opened her eyes before arising from the chair which she sat on. "Of which tier, madam?" "900 grams of tier 0 meat, and 100 of tier 1," Grace quickly replied. "Okay, that''ll be 19 silver coins." After paying Grace took the meat and handed it over to Kyle, they were coated in a nylon-like material which felt cool on Kyle''s hand. "What''s that?" Kyle asked. "It''s a magic material, that helps to keep the meat cold, preventing spoge," said Grace. Before they could take their leave, Martha called out, "Who''s the kid?" "Uhh... A friend of mine passed away. This is her kid, he''ll be staying with me in the meantime." Grace answered before asking, "Is there a problem?" "No madam, I was just curious," Martha said while raising her hands. She turned to Kyle and asked, "What''s your name little one?" "Kyle, Kyle Lin." "Sorry for the loss of your mum, Kyle," Martha said with sympathy, she could imagine how hard it was on the poor boy. "No problem ma''am, I''ve gotten over it," Kyle replied, pretending to wipe his eyes. Soon, they left the ce and bought other food items, as they walked past the food section, they went through the weapon section. Kyle''s eyes were fixated on the training swords hung at a store. Grace upon noticing this asked: "Do you want me to buy anything for you?" "No ma''am, I''m okay," though he wanted a katana to practice with, how could he bother Grace for his selfish interests. "Sorry Kyle, but you don''t have a choice, I''ve decided to buy you something so what do you want," she replied with a smirk. "But..." "No buts, Kyle. Now let''s head over to the sword store I saw you staring at. When Riya wanted a bow, she dragged me to a store, and made me purchase a real bow for her," she quickly cut him off while dragging his arm to the store. "Nate! My boy here wants a sword," "Greetings Madam Grace! Little one which sword would you want?" asked Nate. "I''d want this katana, sir!" Kyle answered while pointing at a katana hung on the wall. "Sure, that''d be 50 silver coins," Nate said, already packaging the katana. "What??!" ''That crap is made of wood! Is this guy alright?'' Kyle said internally while gritting his teeth. "Thanks for your time. We''ll be going," Kyle said with a wry smile. "Says who, Kyle?" Grace questioned before turning her head to Nate and saying, "We''ll be taking it, Nate." "Thank you, ma''am! This your boy is a funny one." Nate said with a wideugh as he epted the money from Grace. ''He''s probablyughing at us for being scammed.'' After purchasing the items, they went home. "Wee to your new home, Kyle!" Grace said to Kyle after they arrived. The house was¡­well not as Kyle imagined. It seemed to be a bungalow, those long types found in the viges. It stood firm despite being made of mud! Compared to other houses at Frulia, it didn''t seem so bad. "Riya!" Grace called out as she brought Kyle into the house. "Yes, mu... Hold it! What are you doing here?" Riya who came in from the back door turned towards Kyle upon noticing him. "Cough, cough. Is this how you wee a guest, I''ll be staying here for the meantime." Kyle said with a smile. "On whose permission?!!" Riya asked with an angry expression. "I allowed him to stay here, Riya. Did you forget he has nowhere to stay??" Grace pointed out. "Help me show him around the house, he shall stay in the guest room." "Follow me," Riya called out to Kyle, she still seemed annoyed. ''What''s up with her? Ohh! Probably due to the morning incident. No wonder she''s so grumpy.'' As they walked Riya observed the the item he held in his hand. "What''s that?" "It''s a training sword. Your mum got it for me!" Kyle replied. "You can use a sword?" Riya asked, her mood changing instantly. "Of course! Back at Yurigur, I was identified as a sword master," Kyle said with a smug look on his face. "Ha ha ha! You jest. Since you im to be good, entertain a spar?" Riya asked Kyle expectantly. "Sure. But I think it would be better after I''m done refreshing," Kyle replied while already walking. "Where was the guest room again?" "No! We''ll spar now," Riya said already dragging Kyle''s hand away. ''I''ve been hauled away against my wishes twice today!! What have I gotten myself into?'' They went through the back door where Kyle saw a cleared field. "Though I''m more trained with a bow, I can still beat you up with a sword. The problem is where I''ll get an extra sword from." Riya said to Kyle upon arrival. "I don''t mind you using your bow," Kyle said with a smile. "That won''t make sense." "How about this? We''ll keep a distance of 100m apart, then you can fire at me. I aim to avoid the arrows from hitting me without moving out of your range." "If any of that happens it''s your win, but if after 2 minutes you don''t hit me It''s my win." "Ha! You overrate yourself. Sure, but don''t cry to me about fairness after you lose. I''ll go get my bow." ''I can''t lose. No, I won''t lose.'' Kyle said to himself. "Ok, ready?" Riya said after arriving. Begin! Riya shot an arrow while observing his actions. As the arrow flew, Kyle observed it whilst positioned in the best way to parry it. He had to hit it with enough force to make it change trajectory and not too much for his Katana to handle without breaking. After all, it was a wooden one. Upon the arrow''s arrival, Kyle parried it seamlessly. "Let''s get serious, shall we?" Riya said with a smirk. Immediately she shot two arrows in rapid session, Kyle''s blood seemed to boil as he parried them with ease. An arrow seemed to being every 2 seconds but they all littered the floor around Kyle. Just before the 2 minutes were almost up, Riya was already exhausted from overexerting herself. She decided to put her all into her final attack making her bow lie horizontally and nocking 5 arrows into it, she fired it at Kyle giving him no room to dodge. "I guess it''s game over, Kyle," Riya said whilst dropping her bow. The shot put a toll on her. ''No I can''t lose! I can block this one!'' Kyle didn''t try to run as Riya expected but stood firm and prepared to face the iing arrows. "SHATTER!!!" Kyle screamed. A white line came out from Kyle''s katana as the arrows were cleanly cut in half upon contact. Kyle''s hair swayed and his eyes shone a white light as was overflowing with power. Soon enough, the effect seemed to die down. [Congrattions!] [You have learned Aura: Sword intent!] [Sword intent mastery: 1%] Sword intent?! What''s that? System? [¡­.] Before Kyle could say anything else he felt like his energy was taken away from him after which he fell unconscious. Chapter 4: Revisiting the Forest "What happened? Where am I?" Kyle got up from a bed as he observed the room he stayed in. Scenes of what happened began to ravage his mind. "Ohh! Now I remember, I probably fell unconscious. This should be my room" The door creaked open as Riya entered the room. "You''re awake? It''s been just an hour!" Coming closer she asked, "What exactly happened out there?" "I''m as curious as you are," Kyle replied. "Hmm, my mum wants to see you, she was so worried when I brought you to her. But first, you stink so take a bath, I already kept some water for you to use in the bathroom," Riya said before leaving the room. Kyle waited for her to leave the room before sniffling himself. "She''s right; I smell horrible." Entering into the bathroom, though not as equipped as his own at Yurigur. It still had all the essentials; a bar of soap, a sponge, and a pail filled with water. After spending 15 minutes in the bathroom, making sure to appear spotless. Kyle left the bathroom. "I have no extra clothes! Would I really wear back these dirty ones? I should get some clothes," Kyle said with a wry smile. Kyle made sure to head to Grace''s room after refreshing. "Excuse me, ma''am, It''s Kyle," Kyle said while knocking on Grace''s room. "Come in," Grace said from inside. Grace sat at the center of the room in a lotus position, cultivating. "Have a sit Kyle," Grace said, pointing at the sole chair in the room. "I heard from Riya about what happened. Is it by any means rted to Yurigur or Qi?" "No ma''am, I haven''t experienced something like this before today," Kyle exined. "Okay. Can you repeat what you did before?" Grace asked. "I''m not sure, but I can try," Kyle admitted. "Sure, but not now. You''ll do so after eating, Riya is preparing dinner. You can leave, Kyle" Grace said as she went back to her cultivation. ''I''ll find Riya, so I can help her out with the cooking!'' "Can I help you out?" Kyle asked Riya after finding her in the kitchen. "Why not? Can you cook?" Riya asked Kyle with surprise. "Of course! How then did I survive 6 months in the wild?" Kyle answered with pride. "Congrats on your win! How were you able to release such power?" Riya asked, breaking the silence. "I do not know, I''ll try to see if I can do it again after dinner," Kyle replied. "You said something before your sh. Didn''t it have anything to do with it?" Riya questioned. "I''m very sure it didn''t, I just said ''shatter''. It''s a way of adding conviction to your attack." Kyle replied with a chuckle. "We''ll see if you can repeat the feat then," Riya said to Kyle while continuing her cooking. "Sure," Kyle replied, already helping her out with the cooking. After dinner was ready, they all ate to their satisfaction. Kyle was surprised at how nutritious the meat tasted. ''If the tier 0 meat already tastes this good, I can''t help but wonder what the tier 1 meat tastes like,'' he couldn''t help to lick his lips as he thought. "I see you enjoyed your meal, Kyle," Grace asked with a smile. "Yes ma''am, the meal was nice. Great job, Riya!" Kyle replied with a grin. "When you''ve digested your food, youe to the backyard, let''s analyze your attack," Grace reminded him before going outside. "Okay, ma''am!" Kyle replied with enthusiasm. After Kyle was done eating, he came outside to see Grace and Riya receiving the moonlight "I''m ready ma''am," Kyle said. "SLASH!!!" Kyle screamed out but was shocked to see no results. "Riya, shoot him your arrows, make sure to not alert him," Grace instructed Riya. Riya nodded her head in agreement with Grace''s instructions, nocking 5 arrows at once as she did before! Kyle on noticing the arrows didn''t bother to dodge, raising his sword at the arrows, "SHATTER!!!" It was already toote for him to dodge, as he stood firm awaiting the attack. Grace upon seeing no change whatsoever flicked her fingers making the arrows disintegrate with dark magic, centimeters before impacting Kyle. "Maybe it was a one-time stuff, but don''t give up Kyle keep on practicing your sword maybe you''ll be able to wield that power soon. But when you do, make sure to tell no one until you''re strong enough," Grace said. "Thank you, ma''am!¡­" Kyle said to Grace but was immediately cut off by Riya. "I deserve a thank you at least! Do you know how hard it was to pull off that shot yet I did it twice today," Riya ranted. "Sorry Riya, thanks to you too!" Kyle said with a slight smile. ''She looks cute when angry!'' "Good night! I''m going to sleep," Grace said already going inside. Riya followed before Kyle finally went inside to sleep. Kyle woke up to see the day was already bright, he quickly did some push-ups. This has be a habit of his, this weak body of his could only perform 30 when strained, at Yurigur he could do push-ups for hours but he made doing a 100 every morning a routine! "Good morning ma''am!" Kyle greeted Grace who was at the dining. "Kyle, you''re up. How was your night?" Grace asked with a cheerful smile. "It was splendid ma''am!" Kyle replied with a smile. Soon enough, Riya arrived with breakfast. As they ate Riya asked Grace, "Mum can me and Kyle go to the forest to train? That would be a nice ce for Kyle to practice that power." "No," Grace replied, still enjoying her meal. "But you said I could go if I hadpany?" Riya asked, this time pouting her lips. "And I also said you were grounded," Grace added. "Ma''am, please I would also like to visit the forest and also purchase some clothes. Please let Riya off this one time," Kyle said, joining in on the conversation. "I''ll allow the two of you to go, but only because of Kyle. Be safe out there!" Grace warned, finally giving in. "Thanks, ma''am!" Kyle said with a smile. "You can set out once you''re done having your food," Grace reminded them. Kyle and Grace quickly finished having their meals, after which they got ready to depart. Grace gave Kyle 20 silver coins before they left who after much ''persuasion'' epted. "We''re back in here again! Feels like it was just yesterday," Kyle said to Riya as they entered the forest. "How do you usually practice?" Kyle asked Riya. "I normally hone my archery skills by attempting to get a fruit with an arrow without damaging the fruit," Riya replied. "I''ll teach you some basic training exercises, it''ll help in your muscle development," Kyle told Riya after which he taught her to do a press-up. After which they repeated theirst training exercise, in hopes for Kyle to summon the ''white line'' again. "Is it possible for us to hunt in this forest?" Kyle asked after seeing no results in training. "Do not say something like that again... Because if we encounter even a tier 0 beast we''re screwed. How do you expect us to fight beasts without magic? These puny arrows can''t even scratch a mana beast." Riya scolded, reacting to Kyle''s question. "Sorry! Back at Yurigur, I yed over a hundred Qi beasts." Kyle said with pride. "Really!" Riya replied with a sarcastic smile. "I''m serious, whatever," Kyle gave up trying to convince her. "Stop acting like..." Growl. Riya immediately stopped speaking when she heard the sound. It was already toote to dodge, as the feline beast had already pounced at her. "Ah..." Riya''s scream was interrupted when Kyle who saw the beast, shoved her away from its path. The beast missing its pounce, got angry as it rose from the ground, getting ready for another. "That is a... Ma..na beast!" Riya managed to say, with a frightened look. Kyle sized up the creature, it looked strong, really strong, he felt he could defeat it, with his former body, that is. "Riya! Let''s leave here now!" Kyle screamed anxiously. Riya uponing to terms with the current situation, immediately got up to flee. Unfortunately for them, the beast was poised at their escape path. Kyle and Riya didn''t need a moment to think before quickly deciding to flee in the opposite direction. The beast which was just a couple of meters away from them didn''t leave them be, of course. It only took some seconds to quickly realize their n after which it strider towards them. "Riya!! Let''s separate; that would increase our chances." Kyle said. Riya immediately nodded, not bothering to reply. She dropped her bow and ran towards the west, Kyle decided to flee east, after confirming Riya''s decision. The beast was confused by their actions, buying them some more seconds, before it decided to pursue Kyle. ''This damn beast chose me after all! Not that I''d have wanted it to chase Riya, would I?'' Kyle had a wry smile as he thought. ''How long have I been sprinting for? This cat seems to be toying with me; it doesn''t seem to be exhausted. Kyle cried inwardly, slightly turning his head to observe the cat. Focusing his eyes ahead, Kyle observed a Bear, that seemed asleep, though already showing signs of getting up. ''I''m screwed!'' Chapter 5: Its time! ''I''m screwed!'' ''What even made mee back to this forest? I didn''t even gain anything!'' Kyle cried internally as he began to ponder, ''Running further won''t help, so I''ll have to take it on! Though that''ll be stupid I''m left with no other choice.'' Kyle halted and turned to face the beast. The beast was confused at his sudden change. "Hey, are you gonna watch me all day? I don''t have much time to spare. So let''s get this over with," Kyle taunted, perfectly hiding his fear. The beast, angered, pounced at Kyle. Reading its attack, he easily sidestepped to the left allowing the beast to fall on the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Kyle used his katana to sh at the exposed skin of the beast. sh! "Well, won''t say I wasn''t expecting that," Kyle said with a tense look, embarrassed of his unfutile attack, ''At least I tried.'' "It was nice ying with you, kitty! Have a nice day!" Kyle said shamelessly as he turned around to flee, this time, out of the forest. Just before Kyle could transverse 10 meters, he saw the beast at his front, its face radiating rage! Growl. The beast once again pounced on Kyle, giving him no time to dodge and pinning him to the ground. Kyle was already bleeding from the beast''s ws, "Am I really going to die like this? I didn''t even get to learn magic," Kyle questioned after realizing his hopeless situation, "No, I refuse." Kyle forcefully tried to free himself from the beast''s paw without sess, the beast withdrew an arm to sh at Kyle, giving him the chance to wriggle out. Kyle immediately grabbed his dropped katana and took a stance, not bothering to try running. The beast once again approached Kyle, its body enhanced with mes! This time it was serious. Kyle raised his katana high and shed, "CUT!!" Kyle cried out. Once again his eyes shone white as his sword released a white line which cut the beast in two, ying it! [Congrattions!] [You have in tier 1 mana beast: me tiger!] [Rewards will be obtained when the status is unlocked] [You''ve obtained mana core!] Kyle rxed his head, trying his best to not pass out, "Woah! System, you''re still there?" Kyle asked with sarcasm. ''The power, it came again! Hmm, is it because my life was under threat.?I managed to kill a tier 1 beast, with a sh!'' Kyle pondered. "But first, I need to find Riya!" Kyle immediately began searching for Riya, fortunately he didn''t encounter any other beast as he retraced his steps. Moving towards the point where they separated, Kyle encountered Riya; already with her bow and was searching for him. "I''m d you survived! What happened with the beast?" Riya asked after meeting Kyle. "I yed it!" Kyle replied with a grin. "Stop kidding and tell me what happened," Riya asked with an annoyed expression. "I did y it. You know that stuff that happened when we first trained? It came again and I managed to kill it with a strike!" Kyle added, shocking Riya even more. "A strike?!! That''s not possible! Let''s head home first!" Riya said, still pondering on what he said. "We didn''t buy the clothes," Kyle reminded. "True, we''ll do that," Riya replied. Kyle and Riya arrived home after their ''little'' adventure. Grace already back from work, sat at the front of the house, cultivating as usual. "Kyle, Riya, you''re back!" Grace called out, opening her eyes. Kyle who was still about 20 meters away from her said internally, ''She''s aware.'' They both came closer before greeting her. "How was your adventure? Was it fruitful?" "Today was one hell of a day!" Kyle eximed before he began to recount the event. "Thank God you two are alright!" Grace said after listening to Kyle''s tale. "I don''t need to tell you you''re not going back there." "Of course! Maybe after awakening my magic," Kyle replied. "I prepared dinner," Grace reminded. They hurriedly ran inside as they were starving. After which they immediately went to bed. ''This is my second day here, and I killed a mana beast. I wonder how things are going at Yurigur,'' Kyle said to himself. Suddenly, Kyle remembered, "System, what did you say I obtained?" [You obtained kill rewards; to be gotten after unlocking status] [You obtained 1 mana core; check inventory!] "Mana core?? Never heard of that before." "Inventory!" Kyle saw a virtual game-like inventory, only one item was disyed, the mana core. As he thought of how to bring out the mana core, it immediately appeared on his hand, except its color¡ªred, it looked exactly like the one he had seen Grace use. It was about the size of a small stone and was warm¡ªIt felt alive. "What''s this for?" Kyle wondered, he already had a clue that it was used for replenishing mana. [Yes, the mana core can be used for cultivating and replenishing mana] [It is made up of concentrated mana and located in everything capable of wielding mana] "Since this was obtained from a mana beast, why isn''t there a ''Qi crystal'' from Qi beasts at Yurigur?" [Any beast at the Qi core formation stage has a Spirit stone] "Qi core formation?? I''m very sure this isn''t my strongest kill. Assuming I don''t have you, how does one obtain the crystal?" [It''s located within the body of a beast] "Now it makes sense! I never really ate the Qi beasts so there was no point in dissecting it!" I''ll be questioned on how I dissected the beast if I reveal the crystal; I''ll be with it for now. "System, thank you! Good night!" Kyle said as heid down to sleep. [...] ~ In the heart of a celestial realm, a pce stands. Towering spires of crystalline material reach towards the heavens, shimmering with an inner light that reflects the colors of the sky above. The walls are crafted from seamless white marble with veins of gold, and grand archways open to gardens where otherworldly flora bloom in a perpetual spring. Waterfalls of liquid silver cascade into tranquil pools, and the air is filled with the soft harmony of divine music. At the center, a throne room with a floor of cloud-like mist houses a throne, carved from a single, massive gemstone that radiates an aura of power and rage. Getting up from the throne was a towering figure adored in robes that radiated power, his eyes seemed boundless like the void itself. "It''s time," he said, directing his message to a yellow-skinned old man. "Send my message to the other gods; The peace treaty is about over." "Yes, my lord," the old man said with a slight bow before teleporting away. Shortly after the old man left, a girl appeared in the room, she wore a white gown and had green hair. Her face looked like it was made of Jade, which gave her unparalleled beauty. Her amber eyes contrasted with her hair, which was already reaching her waist. One wouldn''t know she was divine from her appearance; her aura was gentle and warm, giving all who came around her a weing presence. "Father, your people aren''t ready enough. Do you still wish to go on with the war?" She asked with a frown. "Elysia," Pyrrhus called out with a chuckle. "What''s with you and these humans? Remember, they do not matter in the grand scheme of things." Elysia''s heart thumped on hearing her father speak; she knew how much he had warned her against harboring feelings for the humans. Pyrrhus on noting her sudden change quickly said, "Don''t worry, I left them with a little help." "Go on, tell Caelum to begin the training," Pyrrhus said, quickly ending the conversation. ''I have to take things into my own hands.'' Elysia threw onest look at her father before disappearing just as she had appeared. "Once I conquer their gxy and obtain the core of infinity; I''ll be able to transcend once more!" Pyrrhus smiled, sitting on his throne once more. Chapter 6: Orion Kyle got up from bed as soon as the sunlight pierced into his room. "What a long day it was yesterday," he said, to no one in particr. After stretching, he quickly did some push-ups, took a bath and left the room for breakfast. "Where''s Ma''am?" Kyle asked Riya, who sat on the couch with a bowl of chips. "She''s gone. Seems like you overslept?" Riya replied, taking a chip from the bowl. "Did I?" Kyle asked rhetorically as he looked at the wall clock which hung on the wall, "11 O''clock?!" "Yup. You can go have your breakfast, it''s in the kitchen." "It isn''t breakfast anymore," Kyle corrected. "Thanks," he quickly said as he ran to the kitchen; he was really hungry. After Kyle was done eating, Riya came up to him. "I''ll show you around the town," she offered. "I''d love that!" ~ "This here is the forgery," Riya said to Kyle, she has been doing this for the past 2 hours. All in all it didn''t seem like an exciting ce. "¡­here, Jack, an advanced mage creates magic equipment." "Magic equipments??" "Yup, there made with a mana core or something..." Riya exined but was immediately cut off by a voice inside the store. "What are you saying, dummy?" An olive-skinned boy, 159cm, with emerald green eyes said. "A magic equipment isn''t something simple. It''s made by transferring the pro-per-ties of a mana core into an equipment through many mediums; including but not limited to a mana core," the boy adjusted his sses after speaking. "Who''s this one?" Kyle whispered to Riya. "Just an annoying shorty," Riya said with a wide smile. "My name is Orion, and I am by no means short; as a 15-year-old one would be considered short at 158cm. I''m hundred and fifty-nine centimeters," he said with a proud smile. *sigh* Kyle couldn''t help but facepalm. "Who''s this clueless clod?" Orion asked, eyes fixed on Kyle. "I''m Kyle Lin." Orion looked at him, from his head to his toes before asking, "Lin, from?" Lin thought on what to reply, ''I don''t know any town here, what would I say?'' "Taige, he''s from Taige," Riya said, quicklying to his rescue. "He''s the son of my mum''s friend who passed away." "Hmm, I hope you enjoy your stay, it''s painful when life withers," Orion said. "I''d love to know more about you though," he added with a smile that gave Kyle the creeps. "Orion, where''s Uncle Jack?" Riya asked changing the conversation. "He got some important business in the city. Why do you ask?" "I wanted to take a look at some magic equipment," Riya replied with hesitation. "Scrap that, I''ll show you something better," Orion said with an exciting smile. "Follow me." They were graced with light as they walked through theb, the luster of the equipment spoke a lot of its quality. Kyle''s eyes were fixated on a katana, enclosed in a ss case which did poorly to hide its majesty. Its design was exquisite, he had never seen something like this. Slowly, he walked towards its position like he was being enchanted. On getting to touch the case, his hands received a heavy smack off its path. "Ouch! What was that for?" Kyle cried in pain. "How dare you try to touch a rare magic equipment, you dimwit?!" Orion screamed angrily, "I wonder why there wasn''t a ''sane''s only'' sign at the door." Not knowing what to say Kyle apologised, "Sorry, but I just wanted to look at it." "It''s not your fault, take a good look from afar because you''ll never see something like this ever in your life again," Orion replied with a serious expression. "¡­ Your dad made it?" Kyle asked, not knowing what to say. "No, you made it, didn''t you?" Orion replied, not bothering to hide the sarcasm on his face. Growl! Turning his head, Kyle saw a me cat stuck in a cage. "What the hell is that doing in yourb?!" He asked Orion with surprise. "He''s myb rat, err¡­ my pet," Orion said with a grin. "Growl!" the beast roared out, trying to expose the vile human. "I''m working on a project; a mana sensor. Tiger here is helping me on that," Orion said before heading to a book, he wrote: Experiment #216¡ª X-ray. He took an X-ray tube and directed 11 simultaneous waves of X-ray on the poor beast. Looking at the beast which was already on the ground in pain, he sighed, "Next time, I''ll do a fluoroscopy." "Kyle just looked on with fear, "Can''t you use a mana core or something?" "Of course, I''ve tried that, except I can get my hands on a tier 5 mana core; I''ll be using my pet." ''Poor guy,'' Kyle said inwardly, ncing at the beast thaty down. As they walked through theb, Kyle saw a massive pod, huge enough to contain a human. "What''s that," he asked, pointing at the pod. "This baby? It''s my best work yet. It can manifest the spiritual energies of lightening and metal, giving a rich cultivation environment. It is powered by a tier 4 mana core. It''s going to be pivotal in making sure I awaken the lightning and metal elements," Orion exined, rubbing his hand on the pod. "Can I use it?" Kyle asked expectantly. "Of course not!" Orion replied with augh, he was amazed at the stupid question. They were shown other inventions, but another which caught Kyle''s eyes was a. Treadmill?! "What''s that?" Kyle asked. "It''s a treadmill, another of my inventions, though not original. What about it?" Orion replied he was starting to get annoyed. "What is it used for," Kyle asked, ying clueless. He knew what a treadmill was, he normally used it at Yurigur. Orion''s eyes had a sudden glint as he beckoned to Kyle, "You can try it!" "O...kay," Kyle said as he got up on it. Orion adjusted the speed to 20 km/hr. Kyle began running as the treadmill began. After 2 minutes he was thoroughly exhausted, "Orion, I think I''d run enough. Can you put it off now?" "Can I? Of course I can, but, will I?" Orion rubbed his hands and cackled. Riya had already put off the machine, making Orion stop hisugh. "How did you find it?" Orion asked Kyle with a smile. "Though it was challenging, I kinda liked it. Can I use it next time?" Kyle asked. Orion, furious said, "It was nice getting along with you guys. I have some stuff to take care of, so goodbye." Kyle and Riya, already overstayed decided to head home. "Expect me!" Kyle screamed just before he left the door. "My mum must be back already," Riya said as they approached the house. "I''ll say she''s not," Kyle guessed. On getting home, Kyle and Riya prepared dinner, as Grace wasn''t back yet. Soon, she came back, they had their meals and went to sleep. Chapter 7: The Awakening I *Knock, knock* "I wonder who''s at the door?" Orion asked tiredly, he reached out to the cupboard, picked up his sses, and then wore them before standing up from the bed. "It''s 10 am already," Orion said after looking at the clock. "What did I even expect when I slept by 8 am?" he asked rhetorically as he walked to the door. Opening the door, "Hello!" Kyle said from the door. "What are you doing here?" Orion asked furiously. "I wanted to ask¡­" Kyle didn''t finish his request as Orion had already cut him off, "No, goodbye," he said as he covered the door. "Please, I just want to use your treadmill," Kyle begged from outside. Orion ignored the sounds as he went back to sleep. Time flew quickly as The Awakening soon approached, tension and anticipation had been in the air. "Riya, please be faster!" Grace called out to her, she had been getting ready for the past 30 minutes. Kyle who sat on the couch wasn''t sure how he felt. He was nervous, he wouldn''t lie. But was also curious and excited. ''I''ll soon be able to use magic. I wonder which element I''ll awaken,'' Kyle thought. Soon, they were joined by Riya, she looked nervous too. The Awakening was a massive opportunity for the people, their chance to awaken an element and be able to attend the academy. Students of the academy are trained to be protectors of the nation. They were like nobles, their families were well taken care of. This was a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the chance to be a real mage and every kid knew that. ~ Sliding the door of the pod, Orion came out, unlike other kids he didn''t look nervous at all as he began heading to the town hall. In the town hall, children and their parents were in droves. Their eyes were on a raised tform, on it was a table which a transparent orb rested upon. "Good morning, esteemed people of Frulia! Wee, to the awakening!" A man in a ck tuxedo greeted the crowd. "Without any further ado let''s begin with the first name." "Will trujit!" A boy walked to the podium, taking steady breaths. "Per usual, you''re required to touch the orb the color manifested in it shows your element," the man reminded. The boy said a silent prayer before he ced his hand on the orb. Silence. The massive crowd was as silent as a graveyard. The boy, Will, opened his eyes to peek at the orb, sadly, it remained the same as ever, so clear it could be used as a mirror. Looking at his reflection, a teardrop fell from his eyes. "Will Trujit, null!" the man dered after he observed the orb. Will ran out of the stage, his hands on his face. The man sighed before he continued, "Anne Hoots!" The girl walked confidently to the stage, cing her hands on the orb. She felt a strange feeling within her as it seemed something had entered inside her. The orb shone pitch ck as everyone began to p. She awakened the dark element! Her lips curved into a smile as she saw the results. "Anne, congrattions on your awakening! Meet the rest of my team backstage to be attended to." The man spoke, congratting the girl. "Trevor James!" Sadly, after Trevor ced his hand on the orb, he failed to elicit a response. In that fashion, the awakening continued, many more teens came up the stage and left saddened. None had awakened after Anne. "Riya Wood!" Riya upon hearing her name, stood up to approach the stage, though she was scared, words of encouragement from Kyle and Grace reassured her. Taking steady steps to approach the stage, she tried to hide her nervousness, but her heartbeat was a reminder of her fear. Reaching the stage, she blew air on her hands before she ced her hands on the orb. The orb shone with green light at one side and blue light on the other, the blue light had the appearance of mes as they glowed fiercely! "Good gracious! Blue me, a dual elementalist!" the man couldn''t help but hide his surprise. Regaining hisposure he said, "Riya, congrattions on your awakening! Meet the rest of my team backstage to be attended to." Riya punched the air in excitement on her awakening before she went backstage where Anne was staying. Continuing, there was no other awakening until... "Zack, congrattions on your awakening! Meet the rest of my team backstage to be attended to." Zack had awakened the earth element, the orb''s brown color had already faded and returned to being transparent. "Orion ide!" Orion had a confident smile on his face as he walked up to the stage. cing his hand on the orb, silver and grey color parted the orb in two. He had awakened metal and electricity. "Oh my, another dual elemental isn''t, electricity?! ''No one has awakened it in the country! The emperor would be so pleased with this town,'' the man couldn''t hide his shock. Kyle who was in the audience was beyond shocked, ''That boy, he did it!'' "Orion, congrattions on your awaken..." The man was about to congratte Orion but was cut off by him. "Yeah, yeah, Can I take a look at this orb?" Orion asked, already picking it up before getting a reply. "It''s quite heavy, I wonder how it works?" "Orion ide please drop back the orb and go backstage!" the man reminded him, annoyed. "Finally, ourst for the event!" "Kyle Lin!" Twisting his neck, Kyle got up. Was he scared? Not really. Though his heart was thumping loudly he was more excited than he could be scared. Reaching the podium, Kyle ced his hands on the orb. Suddenly there was a blinding sh, a white light that was too bright to handle. In the orb, multiple colors were manifested, but no one saw them before they merged. After all, the additive mixture of all colors would result in white. [Congrattions! You have awakened!] [You havepleted the Quest, "awaken your element"] [You''ve obtained status!] [You have awakened the Element: Fire!] [You have awakened the Element: Water!] [You have awakened the Element: Air!] [You have awakened the Element: Earth!] [You have awakened the Element: Lightening!] [You have awakened the Element: Light!] [You have awakened the Element: Darkness!] [You have awakened the Element: Metal!] [You have awakened the Element: &#&!] ... [You''vepleted the hidden quest: "Be an Omni Mage"] [You''ve obtained an egg!] Chapter 8: The Awakening II [You''vepleted the hidden quest: "Be an Omni Mage"] [You''ve obtained an egg!] [Check inventory] As the glow dimmed, everyone could see the orb''s color. It was...White?! "White?! I wonder what your element could be. Kyle, congrattions on your awakening! Meet the rest of my team backstage to be attend to," After the man sent Kyle away he turned and faced the crowd. "People of Frulia, it was an honor to be with you, 5 valiant young ones had awakened! We look forward to the next awakening, next year. Goodbye!" he said before taking his leave. When Kyle came backstage, the four others who had awakened were already waiting, one would expect them to be discussing. Orion sat on a chair, reading a book. Anne, just sat still, staring into space, her eyes seemed so empty. Zack was grinning from ear to ear, which was creepy as no one bothered to speak to him. Riya sat with her eyes closed, she was meditating, trying to calm her excitement. He was given a form which he was supposed to fill. It was an entrance form to the academy. Like every person there, he wanted to join the academy so he filled it ordingly. It didn''t contain much, just stuff like name, age, gender, guardian etc. After being questioned on how he felt by ady he sat and waited for the man who hosted the Awakening. Luckily, he didn''t wait for long as shortly the man arrived. "Once again, Anne, Zack, Orion, Riya, and Kyle, congrattions on awakening your elements. Most of you might already know the elements you had awakened but I''ll inform you anyway," "Anne, darkness. Zack, earth. Orion, electricity and metal. Riya, Fire and wind. Kyle, yours is bothersome as we can''t recognize your element. Though elements can manifest in different colors like Riya''s blue me, we didn''t observe much from yours to be able to tell your element." "There''s no cause for worry, as when you reach the academy, we will help you discover your element." "Now you all, most of you know your element, I''m gonna have to say, being a mage isn''t as easy as one thinks, you need to be dedicated and hardworking to be stronger." "So, until wee to pick you up in 5 days, don''t relent, keep trying, all of you are exceptional kids and I''m very sure you''ll turn out to be great," "By the way, my name is Hans Daits, a recruiter of the academy. We''ll be taking our leave," A massive Raven came, on which they entered and left. The kids were awed at the sight. "Hi," Kyle waved his hand, breaking the silence. Anne looked at him, before standing up to leave, while Zack waved back at him. "I haven''t seen you before, Kyle, right?" "Yeah, I stay with Madam Grace, she''s like my aunt," Kyle replied. "Wee then, I have to go my parents must be looking for me," Zack said before going. "Unexpectedly, the two of you awakened," Orion said with surprise. "Sure we did, and we didn''t need a freaking machine," Riya retorted. "Tsk," Orion hissed before walking away. Kyle and Riya also left to find Grace. "Congrats on your awakening!" Grace eximed, pulling the two into a big hug. "I''ll prepare something special for you guys!" Grace dered. "Hey Martha, give me 3 kilograms of tier 2 meat!" Grace said to Martha after they arrived at the marketce. "3 kilograms?! What''s the event, Grace?" "You weren''t at the awakening? My kids here awakened! the two of them! Riya is even a dual elementalist, they''re still unsure of Kyle''s element but it should be special!" Grace replied with a hoot. "Congrattions! I''m so happy for you, in fact, because of you two I''ll give you a discount! So your fee would be 14 gold coins!" Martha dered, also excited by the news. "14 gold coins?!!" Kyle couldn''t help but say out loud. "On food!" "Is it your money?" Riya asked, rolling her eyes. "But..." "No buts Kyle, it isn''t your money so I''ll spend it how I want to!" Grace said, clicking her tongue. "I''ll take it, Martha," Grace said before epting the meat. Arriving home, Grace began cooking while Kyle and Riya went to freshen up. ''Should I take a look at the system now?'' Kyle asked himself. ''I want to see it, but I''ll wait till dinner is over,'' Kyle decided before going to take his bath. Soon the dinner was ready, Grace had prepared lots of meat dishes, and the aroma quickly filled the house announcing the presence of the meals. Kyle and Riya immediately rushed out of their rooms to the dining. "Ma''am, have I ever told you you''re the best cook in the world! You would have opened a restaurant instead of bing a healer," Kyle praised Grace as he stuffed more pieces of meat into his mouth. "Kyle, you jest, don''t speak with your mouth full," Grace let out a giggle as she blushed. "Mum, he''s right! The food is great!" Riya said with her mouth full. Kyle requested two more tes before he became full. "I feel stronger after eating this food." Yes, it''s tier-2 meat and would help keep you healthy as you train. After they were done eating, they both thanked Grace and went to wash the dishes. "Riya, now that you''ve awakened, would you still be using your bow?" Kyle asked Riya as they washed the tes. "Of course, I could even use my elements to enhance my archery! Maybe I could shoot ming arrows, and with my wind element, I''ll never miss!" Riya said with pride like it was an easy feat. "You can do that?!" "Yeah, why not?" "Goodnight, Riya!" Kyle waved before he went to his room. They were a lot of stuff on the system after he awakened. Kyle wondered where to start from. ''I must havepleted the quest to awaken, the reward should be something called a status.'' ''Let''s check that out!'' he decided. "Status!" Chapter 9: Rewards "Status!" ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Awakened: Lv 5 EXP: 0/160 HP: 10/10 Energy: 10/10 Mana: Null Agility: 10 Strength: 8 Vitality: 5 Stamina: 5 Intelligence: Null SP: 20 Inventory: 1* Tier-1 Mana core, 1*Egg. [Elements] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [100XP was obtained from Tier-1 beast kill. 50XP was obtained from Tier-2 beast meat] [Level up rewards¡ª 5 SP ¡Á 4] "Jeez! System, can those stat points increase my attributes?" Kyle asked with surprise. [Yes] ''Vitality? It might increase my HP. I''ll put 5 stat points there because 10 health points look scary!'' Kyle allocated the following stat points as follows: ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª AGI: 10 >> 15 STR: 8 >> 15 VIT: 5 >> 10 STA: 5 >> 8 HP: 10 >> 20 Energy: 10 >> 16 SP: 20 >> 0 ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª After assigning the Stat points, Kyle noticed that 1 point of vitality equals 2 points of HP and the same applied to Stamina and Energy. ''I feel so much stronger!'' Kyle said as he contracted his biceps. ''I need to test out my strength.'' Looking around the room, he decided to go for the bed. It was made of wood so should be heavy enough. "Arrgh..." Kyle realized the best he could do was lift the side of the bed as the bed was just too heavy. He decided to try some push-ups, "499!" "500!" Kyle panted as hepleted thest one. "I knew I improved," Kyle said before taking a look at his status. [Energy: 11/16] "System, I had awakened all the elements, right?" [Yes, you did awaken all the elements, but... As a measure, you will only be able to unlock them one after the other!] Kyle remembered he hadn''t viewed the element tab, "Elements!" ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Lightning (unlocked) Water (locked) Earth (locked) Air (locked) Fire (locked) Darkness (locked) Light (locked) Metal (locked) Space (locked) ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª "Okay, for now, I have awakened Lightning, that''s still great!" "Uhm... System, you said something about an egg?" [You obtained an egg! Check Inventory!] "Right," he willed the egg toe out and it did. The egg came upon Kyle''s hand, but it seemed too weak to be a support, resulting in its fall! "Nooo!" Kyle screamed as the egg dropped. s! It remained perfectly unharmed! Kyle heaved a sigh of relief before continuing, "You know when I heard egg, I thought it was another treat. I wonder what bird hatches from here, from its size, it''s gonna be real big, like the Raven I saw today!" "So, how do I hatch it? Don''t tell me I have to sit on it or something!" [Simple! To hatch the egg, drop your blood continuously for 60 days] "Drop my blood?!" Kyle hesitated but eventually bit his thumb and smeared blood on the egg before cing it back in the inventory. "System, can you wake me up by 6 AM?" Kyle asked because the system never slept. That night, he had a dream. A powerful man was battling various creatures; undeads, robots and even beasts! Surprisingly, their sheer number did little to make him falter, as his sword mercilessly slew many! [Buzz! Buzz!] The ringing sound continued in Kyle''s head, instantly waking him up from sleep. "Please, it''s enough," Kyle said after the rm continued. [Daily Quest: Run 10 kilometers] [Reward: 1 STA point] "Daily quest?! At least, it''s helpful." [0/10 KM] [Timer: 0.00.00] "Thanks, there''s an indicator!" ''I''ll use this opportunity to test out my speed. Kyle began to run through Frulia, all was nice except for the excesspliments. "Congrattions, Boy!" he heard again, this was like the 50th time. "Thanks," he never forgot to reply. He had run 5 Kilometers and back, and entering his house he heard the system. [Congrattions! You havepleted your daily quest] [You have obtained 1 STA point] [STA: 8 >> 9] [Energy: 16 >> 18] "Finally," ncing at the timer it read. [Time: 0:28:18] ''28 minutes! I improved!'' he told himself before going to get water. After which he took his bath and freshened up. Riya and Grace were still not awake when Kyle was done so he decided to help out in preparing breakfast. Could he cook? Of course, yes! He set the table for breakfast and waited for them. In some minutes, Grace came out from her room alongside Riya. "Kyle, you did this? Good job!" Grace gave him a thumbs-up after seeing the scene. After they were done eating, Grace told them, "Today, I''ll be teaching you how to cultivate. "Cultivate? Really!" they both eximed. "Do the dishes ande to the backyard," she instructed them before leaving. They were done in a sh, evidence of their anticipation! Grace smiled after seeing them before she began, "In cultivation, you try to breathe in mana, by isting all other energies avable." "You''ll try that now, remember to take breaks in between while cultivating, otherwise you''ll have respiratory issues. Kyle and Riya began trying, as talented kids they were, it didn''t take them long before they mastered it. [EXP +1] [EXP +1] ... The system''s message kept oning every minute. Grace could feel they were making progress, so she went on, "A mana core contains more concentrated mana, but you have not yet formed your mana core so you can''t absorb it yet. Once you''ve saturated yourself with enough mana, you can finally form your mana core." Kyle could cultivate for 2 minutes; gaining 2 EXP, before he needed to take in some air. While Riya did so for a minute before taking in air. Grace allowed them to cultivate for an hour before telling them to stop, "Though there''s no harm in cultivation, you do not have a mana core so it will be better not to cultivate for too long to avoid overburdening your body with mana!" ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª EXP: 50/160 Energy: 10/18 ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle observed his stats after ncing at his status. "You two can go rest, I''ll be going to work." "Thank you!" Riya and Kyle showed their appreciation. As she left, Kyle thought hard about whether to continue cultivating. ''Nah, it''s best to listen to ma''am''s advice,'' he decided. Kyle had the opportunity to test out his strength, he tried carrying the heavy stone in the backyard and he could carry it. He didn''t know how heavy the stone was, so he got Riya to carry it too. But she couldn''t. As Grace advised, Kyle rested; he nned to cultivate at night. Chapter 10: The Academy? Kyle jolted up from the bed as the sunlight pierced his room. "I''m upte again," he groaned before stretching his hands. "I didn''t eventer cultivate," he said with a sigh. "Hey, system, what''s the time? [12:09:47] "Twelve?!" Checking his quest tab: [Daily quest: Cultivate for an hour] [Reward: 1 STR point] ''Hmm, that one looks easy,'' he decided before epting. ''Grace must be out by now,'' Kyle thought as he took his bath. He saw his food, covered at the dining. After eating, he went to the backyard. He had not seen Riya since he woke up. As expected, she was cultivating in the backyard. Kyle joined her, cultivating for an hour beforeing to a stop. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª EXP: 100/160 Energy: 10/18 ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [Congrattions! You havepleted your daily quest] [You have obtained 1 STR point] [STR: 15 >>16] Kyle kept on with his routine; cultivating for an hour every day. He would have cultivated for longer periods but didn''t feel the need to, he used his excess time to practice his sword, and no progress was made in the aura though. He also made sure never to forget the egg. After three days... ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Awakened: Lv MAX EXP: 160/160 HP: 20/20 Energy: 19/20 Mana: Null Agility: 15 >> 16 Strength: 16 >> 17 Vitality: 10 Stamina: 9 >> 10 Intelligence: Null SP: 0 Inventory: 1* Tier-1 Mana core, 1*Egg. [Elements] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª 5 days have passed already since the Awakening. Kyle felt like he hadn''t achieved enough¡ª In regards to his sword intent that is. He had managed toplete level 5, after which cultivation didn''t seem to increase the bar anymore. He waited for Riya, as usual, she''d been cultivating. At the rate she''s going, she should havepleted the 1st stage too. Today was the day Kyle would finally have a chance of bing a mage. He could already imagine controlling the elements. ''I wonder what life at the academy would be like.'' Kyle had tried asking Grace about the academy but was shocked to realize she didn''t attend the academy. Why? She refused to tell. Kyle made sure to put on his best clothes for the asion, who knows whether they had a problem with hygiene or something. He had alreadypleted his daily quest from which he got a STR point. He was as ready as could be! Soon, Riya arrived. She looked as ready as she could be, unlike during the awakening, she didn''t seem nervous but rather walked with confidence. They both met up with the rest¡ª Orion, Zack and Anne. They all seemed happy except Anne, who had a very hard-to-read expression, one couldn''t easily tell if she was sad or happy. Not long after their arrival, arge Hawk descended on the ground, they looked around for a while before deciding to get on it. After they all got on the hawk, it wasted no time to take off. The hawk flew until it reached arge expanse ofnd, it was fenced with bricks, and the hawk flew in from its open roof. Thend itself was about the size of a ser field and was filled with young ones their age. "Is this the academy?" Kyle couldn''t help but ask after staying silent for a while. "I''m as confused as you," Orion replied, shaking his head. The hawk that had brought them to this ce took off and continuously brought other kids. After a while, the gang began actively asking about their whereabouts, most of the kids they met were as clueless as them while others who were dressed in snobbish clothing simply ignored them. "Okay, we''re I dunno how many kilometers away from home, we were brought here by a hawk whom we assumed to be our carrier. Now, we''re all alone in this ce with other fellow awakened. What''s our n for a start?" Kyle summed up to the gang after an unfruitful information gathering. "Let''s just wait, this might be a kind of test or something," Zack suggested. "I think we should look for a way to get out of here," Riya suggested. "Can we even escape from here? The walls should be at least 4 meters long, Orion?" "You''re correct, the wall is roughly 4.5 meters. I''m not sure, but from my estimations on how long we flew and the beast''s speed; we''re about 160 kilometers away from Frulia!" Orion replied with his hands on his chin. "160 Kilometers?!" the rest eximed at the same time, even Anne couldn''t help but sigh. Their mood instantly deted upon the revtion, immediately abandoning their idea of escaping. "I guess we can only wait and see," Kyle revealed. After 5 minutes, the hawk kept on bringing other kids into the field. The kids inside the field were about 500 in number! Soon, the hawk came again, but this time it bore a man. The dark-skinned man wore a suit and stood on the head of the hawk, on his hand was a cane, and his face bore no smile. As the hawk flew through the fencednd, the man jumped down! Waving his hands as ifmanding the earth, a pir raised from the ground causing those around it to fall. With a light thud, he proceeded tond on the pir with his feet. cing his hands and cane behind his back, the man''s face made way for a smile. "Good morning, Awakened ones! I hope you had a great time waiting, " the man addressed. Everyone''s eyes were glued on him, the field was so silent that the sound of the wind could be heard. The man radiated an aura that made no one dare to talk. Everyone had already put a hold on their discussions and begun to pay rapt attention. "The name is Michael. I''m the dean of the Vyna Academy. Pleased to see you all," his voice came once again. "All of you have awakened your respective element or elements. Congrattions on that! You all are here to make your journey as a mage, in the academy. Am I right?" he asked involving the audience. "Yes," the crowd responded at once. They all knew the reason while they were here, that was why they have been able to remain calm all this while. "Yes, of course," Michael chuckled before continuing, "This year, we''re prioritizing quality over quantity." He paused before saying: "Not all of you would get into the academy." Chapter 11: The Test "Not all of you would get into the academy." Everyone began to murmur out loud, it was difficult to describe their emotions. Anger, sadness, disappointment, it went on and on. Even Kyle wasn''t left out, ''Aftering this far, this manes here and tells us we might not be going to the academy. What the hell?'' The dean allowed them to vent their frustration for some seconds before he continued, "Silence." His single word ceased all the murmuring around as his presence was made known again. Everyone felt like their body was not in their control, as they couldn''t talk no matter how they tried. "Back to what I was saying. While you were chit-chatting, I took a count of you all. In total, there are 532 awakened with me. Thankfully, there are no imposters or I would have stained the earth. So, out of 532 of you, I''ll be taking back 400 of you!" The crowd tried to murmur once again but was immediately warned by Michael. "I didn''t ask for your opinions here, guys. I''m the one calling the shots. Yes, 300 is arge number, just happened to be the number that came first to my head. So I guess you''re lucky because it could have been any number." "Now back to your test, you all would be given an equal chance to qualify. I just need the most determined ones amongst you. Being a mage is a perilous journey to embark on. The best mages aren''t the most talented whatsoever, but those willing to give their all into bing stronger." "Before we begin the test, you were given 5 days after your awakening before this day. Most of you used that time wisely to learn how to cultivate, why others didn''t even bother themselves. So, with this, I''m eliminating everyone who hasn''t saturated their body with enough mana toplete the Awakening stage," Michael began. Kyle heaved a sigh of relief as he hadpleted the stage, which meant his academy hopes were still alive. ''I hope the others cultivated too, I wouldn''t want them to be eliminated,'' he muttered internally. "I like this your generation of mages. Of all of you here, just 28 awakened hasn''t saturated themselves," Michael came again. Gasps came from everyone around the crowd, some were confident about having themselves saturated while others didn''t even know if they were. "To the 28 of you. Rise!" he waved his hands as if instructing the earth to rise. Pirs began to emerge from the ground, raising some of the kids high. Kyle did a quick count after realizing he was not raised, and they were 28. ''These should be the ones.'' He quickly looked around to see if any of his townsmen was raised up and thankfully there wasn''t. "To those of you being eliminated, Vyne would continue to support you outside the academy. We will do our best to help you on your path to bing a mage. Who knows? You could evene back to the academy. But unfortunately, at this moment, this is where your academy journeyes to an end. Adios!" Michael concluded, waving his hands at them. The hawk came once again and took them off the pirs before flying away. "It feels so sad to say goodbye," Michael revealed, using his hands to wipe his eyes. "Sadly, there''ll be lots of goodbyes to say today, because there''re still 204 of you who won''t be following me back." "Now we''ve gotten rid of the unserious ones, let''s remove some more. Being a mage requires discipline as well as determination. To test your will, you all are going to have to battle fear and stay determined. I don''t know what your fears are, so I''m gonna use a verymon fear¡ª The fear of heights." Michael waved his hands once again, making cylindrical pirs made of earth begin to rise from the ground. Each pir carried an awakened. The pirs which had a diameter of barely 30 centimeters continued to rise, easily reaching 200 feet above the ground before it came to a stop. The dean flew up above the ground, reaching eye level with the awakened before continuing, "First of all, if you fall from this height, you will certainly die. You can save yourself the risk of death by asking me to free you. But beware, doing that would result in you being disqualified. Good luck! Try not to look down!" Most of the awakened were already scared shitless when the pirs brought them up, some were scared to the extent that they were already crying to be brought down. Of course, their requests were carried out without dy. Immediately the dean had told them not to look down, some who had been putting on brave faces couldn''t help but falter after seeing the heights. Kyle was among those who had instinctually looked down after being told not to, he originally thought he had it in him not to be scared of heights. But what he experienced was a height he had never been even in his wildest dream. ''There''s no problem, soon, most will be eliminated and he''ll have no choice but to release us. I won''t fall, just have to keep my bnce,'' Kyle continued to reassure himself, he looked to observe his peers. Riya didn''t seem to falter but even went to the extent of assuming a Yoga pose on the pir! Anne stood with her arms crossed, as indifferent as ever. Orion closed his eyes and didn''t look like he nned to look down. Overall, he wasposed. Zack? He wasughing at the others with his hands on his chest. Kyle continued to endure, seconds seemed like minutes, and minutes like hours before Michael''s voice boomed again. "So that''s thest one," he said while using his air magic to control the descent of another kid. Despite his warning, many had jumped out of fright. At least, he wasn''t evil enough to let them be. "Congrattions to the rest of you Academics!" Michael came, making the pirs slowly descend. Chapter 12: The Academy "Congrattions to the rest of you Academics!" Michael came, making the pirs slowly descend. "Yesss!!" A wild cheer erupted from the crowd. The kids who were formerly crying and scared were now galloping in excitement, even Kyle was not left out as he punched his arms into the air with pride. The dean smiled as he watched the scene. He tapped his cane on the ground, drawing attention back to himself before continuing. "We would use a space device to head to the academy. Do tell me when you''re ready." "We''re ready," the kids immediately replied in unison. Michael brought some stuff from space. A core, some poles and a chalk. He proceeded to draw a circle with the poles as nodes before cing the core in the center. After he was done with the setup, he channeled his mana through a pole and the whole circle lit up, before manifesting a portal in space. "You all can enter through this portal," he said, pointing his cane at the already-formed portal. Kyle was baffled by what had taken ce, from the item summoning from thin air to the drawing of the circle. He couldn''t help to want to ask but had to follow the instructions and enter as everyone was doing already. ~ After Kyle entered the portal, he had a weird feeling of his whole body turning around. His mind was hurting from this process, even his stomach wasn''t left out as he could feel its contents on the verge of leaving. Soon enough, with a light thud he fell on the ground. No, it wasn''t the ground, more of awn with neatly cut grasses. Looking around, what he saw could only be described as Magical! From flying buses to floating buildings, the whole scene was nothing short of futuristic! ''Here I thought the whole world was like Frulia,'' Kyle thought, his mouth still wide in agape. His thought process was interrupted as a woman approached them saying, "Are you all the new academics?" The kids affirmed her question before she continued, "Follow me, I''ll check you in." Kyle and the other awakened and followed thedy silently to what looked like arge reception hall. It had a desk in a corner with a man manning it. "Hey Linda, are those the new academics?" The man asked, sipping his coffee. "Yeah, they just arrived. I brought them to be checked in," Linda replied. "Sure, I''ll get to that," The man said before addressing the awakened. "You all should take a seat. I have your names and I''ll be calling you one after the other." They all proceeded to have a seat as instructed. Kyle watched as names were called one after the other, the names seemed to be called in alphabetical order, so it might take quite a while before they got to him. Each awakened student spent some time with the man before eithering to meet up with their friends or leaving the ce. "Kyle Lin." The man called out, it was finally his turn. Kyle walked confidently to the man. He was asked for details such as his town and other stuff they already knew, probably to confirm things. "You still have no clue about your element?" "Yes." "Take thism," the man said while handing over the watch to him. "It is meant for you specifically. This would grant you ess to some required ces and can be used formunication and trading across the academy." Kyle examined the watch. It was quite fashionable, it had a silver band and and came with lots of features. At the top left corner of the screen, he saw: Credits- 50 ''Hmm, credits? Must be the currency used around here.'' Kyle assumed before being affirmed by the man. "You said something aboutmunication?" Kyle asked. "Yes, each of you has your student ID, which serves as a key for each of you, you can call another student through the ID!" Kyle searched for his ID on them and eventually saw it. He memorized it as it only consisted of about 8 figures. The man noticing he was done with examining them gave him his uniform. The uniform consisted of a a white shirt, a golden western bow tie, a ck jacket, a navy ck trouser and a white cloak that was adorned with golden edges and of navy blue when turned around. "Are they my size?" Kyle asked after sizing up the uniform that was given to him without carrying any measurements. "You do not need to worry, the uniform not only has a self-cleaning ability but can also adjust to the size of the user!" the man reassured. "Yourm has a map of the academy. It should help you to navigate your way around as well as locate your house. Your house number is 88." The man concluded before calling up the next name. Kyle immediately went over to the gang and informed them of all he had received. Except for Anne, who refused, he gave them all his ID to add him up when they got theirm. After discussing for a while he decided to take his leave, reminding them to add him up. ''I have to find my room,'' Kyle said inwardly as he adjusted the map to find his way. Kyle found an area in the dorms that indicated, ''Year 1 Dorms''. He began heading there, using the map to navigate his surroundings. The dorms was quite near to the Reception so he didn''t get the opportunity to explore the academy. Shortly, he reached the gate to the dorms, which only opened for him after his watch was scanned. Entering into the dorm, he saw neat rows of houses lined up against awn. There was a very tall building at the center of the dorm, he saw some already checked-in academics going anding out of the buildings. As he walked past the building, he took a look through its transparent ss walls and saw some people eating. ''So this the restaurant, huh?'' He entertained the thought of eating but left that forter as he was still full. Kyle walked past some more houses before eventually seeing his own, house 88. It had the same look as other houses. It was a slender white house, with two floors and a porch that faced outwards on its upper floor. The houses were not enclosed in any way and were only aligned after each other. Kyle looked at therge front door of the house that had the number, ''88'' written in bold. He scanned his watch through what appeared to be a peephole as instructed by the receptionist. Entering into the house, he saw the fairly standard living room, with just couches for sitting. Kyle took in a breath before muttering, "Hmm, this is my new home from now on. It''s way better than the one in Frulia. Heck! It''s even better than mine at Yurigur!" He continued his exploration of his new house and set his eyes on the dining which was connected to the kitchen. Except for the kitchen, living and dining room, there was only one other room on the ground floor. Kyle entered the room which was very spacious and empty. "Hmm, what will I do with this ce?" Kyle wondered. "Maybeter. I''ll figure out something." After he was done with examining the ground floor, he climbed up the stairs to view the rest of the house. The ground floor consisted of two rooms, separated by a passageway. He checked the two rooms, and they both came with a bed, wardrobe, a chair and table and a bathroom which came with a shower system! He easily picked the bigger one before finally arranging his stuff. "What a long day it was!" he dered while taking off his clothes and heading into the bathroom. After he was done refreshing, he decided to take a rest. "Hey, System! Wake me up in 3 hours." he decided after finding out the time. Chapter 13: Orientation It was already night-time in the academy, but everywhere was bustling as the newly admitted academics walked around and discussed with each other. The restaurant, which was at the center of the Year 1''s dormitory was especially brimming with academics. Some were hungry while others were just there to either satisfy their curiosities or for an idle chat. Kyle was already heading into the restaurant after he had gotten his much-needed rest. He went to a counter on the other side of the ground floor, he had enquired about the other floors but realized he needed to book a reservation in advance. Kyle looked at the menu list that was on the counter. He noticed that there were different grades of some foods with different prices. Kyle scanned the list some more before settling on a Tier-0 Beef and mushrooms with mashed potatoes, for 5 credits. He used hism to transfer the required credits before settling to enjoy his meal. At this rate, this 50 credits wouldn''tst me up to 3 days. I wonder how you earn credits, kinda weird how they threw us all into this academy without providing us with any information.'' Kyle thought as he ate his meal but was soon interrupted by an announcement. "Attention all Year 1 awakened! You''re expected to converge at the Year 1''s hall for your orientation. The buses would arrive by 8 pm." "Orientation? Makes sense," Kyle muttered before having a look at hism. ''Four more minutes to eight.'' As expected, the busses arrived by eight. The 10-meter-long, mana-core powered buses, were in white and had the academy''s insignia on them. (a dragon surrounded by fire, air, earth, and water elements. The most outstanding feature of the buses was that they could fly. Though it was called a ''bus'', it seemed more like a cart instead. As it was just like a crate with chairs in it and no roof. The only opening on the ''bus'' other than its roof was a small section on one side that functioned as a door. There were 3 buses in total, each could contain 100 academics. Immediately they got on the busses, it took off and flew into the sky! The awakened were awed at the feeling of flight, something they had got to experience twice in one day. Many of them even stood up from their chairs to enjoy a better view of the academy. The bus flew out of the Year 1 dormitory as it approached one of the flying constructions. It was argepound, about 10,000 square meters! They were four wide buildings that encircled arge field. One that took over eighty percent of thepound! The buildings were of four different colors; white, yellow, red, and ck. The bus approached the white building, the Year 1''s hall, before allowing the awakened alight. The hall was arranged like an auditorium that had arger-than-usual stage. After the academics took their seat, a woman came on stage to address them. Elizabeth Quill, the year 1''s head, was a vision of elegance and power. d in flowing robes of deep azure, she had an aura of both wisdom and formidable strength. Her silver hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes, a piercing shade of violet, seemed to see into the very souls of those before her. Elizabeth stepped forward, her voice clear and resonant. "Wee, young mages, to the Vyne Academy. Today marks the beginning of your journey into bing warriors, a path that will test your limits, challenge your understanding, and mold you into true wielders of magic." She paused, letting her words sink in. "You have each been chosen because you possess a gift," she continued, her gaze sweeping across the room. "The element you have awakened is not merely a tool nor a weapon. It is a part of you, a reflection of your inner self, and it is through understanding this bond that you will harness your true potential." Elizabeth raised her hand, and with a subtle gesture, conjured a sphere of shimmering light. "Those of you with the power of fire," she said, and the sphere transformed into a flickering me, "will learn to control the fierce and consuming nature of your element. Fire is passion, destruction, and rebirth. It can warm or it can burn. Masteryes from understanding bnce." The me shifted to a sphere of water, fluid and glistening. "Water mages will explore the depths of their element''s versatility. Water is life, change, and adaptability. It can either cleanse or drown. Your challenge will be to remain fluid yet focused." She closed her hand, and the sphere vanished. "Throughout your time here, you will be guided by our esteemed faculty, each a master of their respective element. You will train, study, and grow together. The bonds you form here will be as important as the knowledge you gain. Remember, mastery of magic is not just about control; it is about understanding and harmony." Elizabeth''s expression softened slightly as she addressed the group more personally. "There will be challenges and trials, moments of doubt and fear. But know this: each of you has the potential to achieve greatness. The power within you is vast and wondrous. Embrace it, respect it, and let it guide you." With that, she gestured to a row of instructors standing along the sides of the hall. "These are your mentors. Seek their wisdom, learn from their experience, and trust in their guidance. The journey ahead is yours to take, and the Vyne Academy stands ready to support you every step of the way." Elizabeth let the silence linger for a moment longer, allowing the students to absorb the weight of her words. Then, with a graceful sweep of her hand, she conjured an ethereal map of the Academy in the air, its buildings and grounds glowing softly. "Now, let me acquaint you with the Vyne Academy," she began, her voice carrying a note of pride. "This institution has stood for centuries, a bastion of magical knowledge and a sanctuary for those like yourselves who seek to harness their elemental powers." She pointed to a majestic structure at the center of the map. "This is the Grand Library, where the collected wisdom of mages throughout the ages is stored. Here, you will find texts on everything from basic spellcraft to the most advanced theories of elemental magic. Our librarian, Master Orlin, will be an invaluable resource in your studies." Next, she highlighted a series of buildings surrounding the library. "These are your ssrooms. Each element has its dedicated wing, where you will attend lectures and practical sessions specific to your powers. sses are held every morning from the first bell at eight until noon. In the afternoons, you will have specialized training sessions, where you will practice and refine your skills under the guidance of your mentors." Elizabeth gestured to a sprawling courtyard. "This is the Elemental Arena, where you will engage in controlled magical duels, demonstrations, and coborative exercises. It is here that you will learn to apply your powers in real-world scenarios, honing both your offensive and defensive capabilities." Her hand moved to a series of smaller buildings near the edge of the map, one that they were already familiar with. "These are the dormitories, where you will reside during your time at the Academy. Each dormitory is Year-specific, fostering camaraderie and mutual support among your peers. However, there will be many opportunities to interact with students of other years, your seniors, as cooperation and understanding are keyponents of your education here." She paused, letting her gaze settle on each student in turn. "In addition to your elemental training, you will also attend courses on history, ethics, and the broader principles of magic. These sses are crucial, as they will provide you with the context and understanding necessary to wield your powers responsibly." "Your days will be full, but the structure is designed to ensure a bnce between rigorous training and personal growth. In the evenings, after dinner, you are encouraged to study, practice, or engage in leisure activities. The Academy offers various clubs and societies, from alchemy and enchanting to artifact creation. Participation in these groups will enrich your experience and help you develop a well-rounded mastery of the arcane arts." Elizabeth''s tone turned serious. "Discipline and respect are paramount. Until your second year, the use of magic outside of designated areas and times is strictly prohibited, except in cases of emergency. Vitions of this rule will be met with severe consequences, as uncontrolled magic can have dire repercussions." She allowed her words to resonate, ensuring the gravity of her warning was understood. Then, her demeanor softened once more. "We are here to guide you, to support you, and to help you unlock your full potential. Remember, each of you was chosen because you have shown the promise and the capacity for greatness. Embrace the challenges ahead, and let the Vyna Academy be your foundation as you rise to meet them." With a final, reassuring smile, Elizabeth concluded the orientation. "Now, I invite you to explore the grounds and familiarize yourselves with your new home. From tomorrow, your sses will begin. You can check yourm for your timetable. Wee to Vyna, young mages. Your journey begins now." The students rose from their seats, a mixture of excitement and determination evident on their faces. As they began to disperse, Elizabeth watched them with a sense of satisfaction. Each step they took was a step toward their destinies, and she knew that within these walls, greatness awaited. She knew they would be the defenders of Zekkoa! Chapter 14: Late for History Kyle was one of many who had felt invigorated from the Year head''s speech. He had mulled over what she spoke about as hey on the bed. ''The map. I wonder how she managed to conjure such? Would I be able to do so?'' Kyle thought with glee. ''Ah, the timetable! I almost forgot,'' Kyle eximed before locating the timetable on his watch. [Pre- Mana Core, General Year 1 Time-table] He saw the avable one. Other ones were grayed out. "Let''s see," he murmured, clicking on the avable one, "8:00 to 10:00, History. What? History?!" Kyle eximed before continuing. "Then, 10:00 to 14:00, Mana-core Formation. After that, from 14:00 to 16:00, General Weapon Training." "Okay, the sessions would end by four. I wonder how there aren''t any breaks in between?" Kyle asked no one in particr. "Well, It''s gonna be hectic from now on." Kyle went to sleep, not bothering to set an rm. The night passed in a blink of an eye as he was awoken by the morning sunlight. "It''s morning already?" Kyle asked as he nced at his status. "7:40?!" He quickly took his bath and put on his academy uniform within ten minutes, not even sparing time to admire the uniform. "I should be able to get there within ten minutes, can''t I?" he used hism to find the direction of the sses. "Five kilometers? Oh, crap. I know I can run ten kilometers in twenty-eight minutes, there''s no chance I''ll make it then." He eventually decided to stop his contemtion and begin to go. "At least I''ll make progress on the daily quest." [Daily Quest: Run 10 kilometers] [Reward: 1 STA point] [0/10 KM] [Timer: 0.00.00] He quickly began to run towards the ss. Thankfully, the uniform was fairly light despite its number. The sses which encircled the library were numerous. In one section, there were general sses for each year and another was for the elemental wings. As Kyle approached the Year 1 history ss, he reduced his steps and went inside. Thanks to his plentiful Stamina upgrade, he wasn''t as exhausted as someone who just run five kilometers. [12.45.87] [Energy: 17/20] "Sigh. Though it was better thanst time, still wasn''t enough," Kyle muttered. He took a nce at his Energy points which had only reduced by three. He had noticed they restored with time. ''Would my HP also restore if it reduces,'' the thought lingered for a moment as he prepared for the ss. Kyle came to a halt outside the heavy wooden door of the history ssroom, heart pounding in his chest. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself before turning the cold brass handle and pushing the door open. The creak of the hinges echoed through the room, drawing the attention of every student seated at the wooden desks arranged in neat rows. At the front of the ss stood Professor Grendel, a tall, imposing figure with a mane of white hair and a permanent scowl etched across his face. His sharp, hawk-like eyes snapped to Kyle the moment he stepped inside, freezing him in his tracks. "Ah," Grendel''s voice was grave, dripping with sarcasm. "Decided to grace us with your presence, I see. Two minuteste. Do you think our history is of so little importance that you can waltz in whenever you please?" Kyle swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. "I-I''m sorry, sir. It won''t happen again." Grendel''s eyes narrowed, and he crossed his arms over his chest. "It better not. Take your seat. Quickly." Kyle nodded and hurried to an empty desk near the back of the room, feeling the eyes of his ssmates following his every move. He could hear whispers and the asional snicker as he settled into his chair, but he was surprised when he saw Riya sitting beside him. She gave him a disapproving look before turning back in front. ''There''s no way I''m the only one who waste,'' he hoped. Professor Grendel turned back to the ckboard, where he had been in the middle of a lecture. His chalk moved swiftly across the surface, outlining key events and dates with a precision that spoke of years of practice. The subject today was the Zekkoa Civil War, a series of conflicts that had shaped the very foundations of their world. "As I was saying before we were so rudely interrupted," Grendel continued, his tone icy, " the Zekkoa Civil War were not merely battles for territory or power. They were fought over ideologies, over the very essence of what it means to wield magic. The scars of those wars run deep, influencing every aspect of our society to this day." Kyle looked around the ss, few of them were with notebooks. Scribbling as much as they could, even Riya! ''How the hell did they get notebooks?'' he asked inwardly. He threw a questioning look at Riya who ignored him and paid attention to the lecture. Kyle decided to follow suit, grabbing every information he could. He made a mental note to ask about the notebooks after the ss. The professor''s voice droned on, a monotonous lecture that, despite its importance, seemed designed to bore the students into submission. But Kyle determined not to fall further behind, forced himself to pay attention. He nced around the room, noting the varying degrees of engagement on his ssmates'' faces. Some were dutifully taking notes, while others doodled in the margins of their books or stared nkly at the wall. Professor Grendel''s disdain for his students was palpable. It was clear he believed that none of them truly appreciated the weight of the history he was teaching. His voice grew more bitter with each passing minute as if he were daring the ss to care about the past. "And what do you think happened after the Treaty of Zekkoa?" Grendel suddenly barked, his eyes locking onto a student who had been nodding off in the front row. The student jolted awake, stammering an incoherent response. "Wrong," Grendel snapped. "It led to the formation of the Mage Association, an institution that dictates the veryws we live by today. But of course, you wouldn''t know that, would you? Too busy dreaming of glory and grandeur, ignoring the lessons that history offers." Kyle was enjoying the lesson, he just wished he had a pen. The rest of the ss passed in a blur of dates, names, and pivotal moments, each delivered with the same disdainful edge. By the time the bell rang, signaling the end of the period, Kyle''s head was spinning with information and his stomach was rumbling. The thought that he didn''t have breakfast dawned upon him. As the students filed out, Professor Grendel remained at his desk, his stern gaze following them. "Remember," he called after them, "those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. And trust me, none of you are prepared for the consequences." Kyle slipped out the door, a mix of relief and determination coursing through him. He knew he had to do better, not just for himself, but to prove to Grendel that some students did care about history, that it wasn''t a lost cause. And he would start by never beingte again. He hoped. Chapter 15: Mana control Kyle immediately found Riya after the ss ended. "How the hell were you guys with writing materials?" Kyle asked as soon as he met her. "I didn''t even see one at Frulia." Riya facepalmed before saying, "You didn''t explore the map, did you?" "The map?! There''s no way I can explore that gargantuan map!" Kyle remarked. "I''m pretty sure you didn''t even try," she looked at him to see the defeated look on his face before continuing. "Well, there''s a mall barely two kilometers eastward of our Dormitory." "Ohh, thanks for sharing," Kyle said as they walked on to the Mana-core formation ss. "No problem. Let''s work faster, you ain''t gonna make mete." Riya replied as she hastened her pace. The duo continued to chit-chat as they approached the Mana-core formation ss. The room was very spacious, with walls lined with shelves filled with glowing crystals. At the front, arge ckboard boreplex diagrams and equations rted to a mana-core. A soft hum of magic filled the air, making Kyle''s skin tingle. The awakened academics were already seated, chatting excitedly among themselves. Kyle spotted an empty seat near the middle and made his way there. As he settled in, the door at the front of the room opened, and their instructor entered. She was strikingly beautiful, with long, flowing hair that seemed to shimmer with a life of its own. Her curves were entuated by her form-fitting robes, and her presencemanded immediate attention. Her eyes, a deep and mysterious shade of violet, scanned the room as she moved gracefully to the front. The room fell silent. "Good morning, ss," she began, her voice smooth and melodic. "I am Professor Seraphina, and I will be your guide to forming your mana core and discovering elements." Kyle paid rapt attention to her and silently hoped he wouldn''t need to jot anything. "Mana core Formation is the fusion between your inner energy and the forces of the universe," Professor Seraphina continued. "Today, we will start with the basics, understanding the essence of mana and how to feel it." She waved her hand, and arge crystal orb floated to the center of the room. "This, my students, is a mana core. It is the heart of many magical constructs and the source of immense power. To form one, you must first understand the flow of mana within your own body." Professor Seraphina began to demonstrate, her hands moving gracefully through the air, tracing invisible patterns. The crystal orb responded, its glow intensifying and pulsing in rhythm with her movements. The ss watched in awe as streams of light danced around her, illustrating the flow of mana. "Now, I want each of you to close your eyes," she instructed. "Feel the energy within you. It is there, waiting to be harnessed." Kyle closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing. He tried to sense the mana within him, but he felt nothing. "It''s quite easy to sense your mana. Don''t just look. Create! Your mana will reveal when your thoughts depict it." Kyle tried once again, he imagined his mana and tried to sense it. He saw a pool in his mind, he tried to catch it but it felt elusive, like trying to catch smoke with your hands. "Imagine a river flowing through you," Professor Seraphina''s voice guided them. "Mana is that river, and you are its master. You must learn to direct its flow, to shape it ording to your will." Kyle pictured the river in his mind, a stream of shimmering light coursing through his veins. He willed it to move, to gather in his hands. Slowly, he felt the warmth grow stronger, pooling in his palms. "Good," Professor Seraphina''s voice broke through his concentration. "Now, open your eyes." Kyle did as he was told, and to his amazement, a faint glow emanated from his hands. It was weak, but it was there. He nced around and saw that some of his ssmates had managed simr results, while others still struggled. "Excellent," Professor Seraphina praised them. "You have taken your first step toward forming your mana core. Remember, this is just the beginning. With practice and dedication, you will learn to channel and shape mana with precision and power." She spent some time exining the intricacies of mana flow and how to control it. Kyle listened intently, absorbing every detail. After exining and practicing for a while, Professor Seraphina came again. "Now you''ve known the basics of controlling your mana. We will now proceed to the main goal of this ss¡ª your mana core formation," she paused before continuing. "That river inside of you. I want you to try to mold it, in the shape of a spherical orb, condense it and make it as small as possible. The smaller it is, the better." Once again, Kyle closed his eyes, feeling the mana within him, he tried to condense it as instructed. It was like an stic material that returned to its original state after being distorted. He kept on trying but made no progress. Like others, he looked at the instructor to be showered by her wise words. Professor Seraphina gave her signature radiant smile and began, "It''s all about your intent. You''re to use your willpower to be able tomand it. It''s yours and you can control it," she pped andmanded, "Keep on trying! Until the end of the ss, I want you to be able to make your mana submit and bend to your will!" Kyle bit his lips and heaved a tired sigh. He thought this ss would be better than the history ss but he was having none of it. *Rumble* The sound of his hungry stomach made it even more difficult to concentrate. ''It''ll be a miracle if I make it past this ss alive,'' he concluded. As the ss drew to a close, Professor Seraphina gave them an assignment to practice channeling their mana and forming their cores. "Do not be discouraged if you struggle," she advised. "Masteryes with time and patience. I will be here to guide you every step of the way." The students, all tired, filed out of the ssroom. They were beginning to doubt bing a mage a day into the academy. Kyle dragged himself to the next ss, General Weapon Training. ''I hope there''s food at the next ss, like this, I can eat a whole goat.'' Chapter 16: Weapon fighting As Kyle entered the training grounds, he was met with a vast open space, the floor covered in a thickyer of sand. Along the edges, racks upon racks of weapons glinted under the sunlight: swords, axes, spears, and many more weapons. The variety was staggering. "Alright, gather around!" a deep voice boomed. The instructor, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a neatly trimmed beard and intense eyes, stood at the center. His presencemanded attention. He wore a simple tunic and trousers, but the way he carried himself spoke of experience and authority. "My name is Instructor Harris. Today, we delve into your weapon training. You might be wondering why a mage needs to learn about physical weapons. Let me tell you, the path of a mage is not solely about casting spells. Sometimes, a de can be just as crucial as a spell." He began to pace, his gaze sweeping over the students. "Magic requires mana and your mana is finite. It''s not every time am enemy will wait for you to chant your spells. When this happens, your weapons be your lifeline." He stopped in front of one of the many racks. "We''ll start with the basics. Pick a weapon that speaks to you. Get a feel for it. See how it bnces in your hand." Kyle moved towards the swords. His eyes were immediately drawn to a beautifully crafted katana. Its sleek, curved de and elegant hilt called to him, memories of countless hours spent practicing with the weapon. He lifted it from the rack, adapting to its weight and bnce. The students spread out, each selecting their weapon of choice. Some chose heavy broadswords, others lightweight rapiers or stout axes. Instructor Harris observed them, nodding asionally. "Now, I want to see what you can do. Pair up and practice some basic moves. Nothing too advanced, just getfortable with your weapon." Kyle partnered with a fellow student, a tall girl named ra who had chosen a spear. They squared off, exchanging strikes and parries. Kyle''s movements were fluid and precise, his katana slicing through the air with grace and control. As instructed they just shed their weapons against each other. Instructor Harris walked among the pairs, offering tips and corrections. When he reached Kyle and ra, he paused, watching Kyle''s movements intently. "Stop," Harrismanded. The students froze, turning their attention to the instructor. "What''s your name?" Harris asked. "Kyle, Kyle Lin," Kyle responded, a bit surprised to be singled out. "Show me what you can do," Harris said, stepping back and gesturing for the other students to give Kyle some space. Kyle took a deep breath, centering himself. He began a series of kata, the traditional forms and movements of the katana. His body moved in perfect harmony with the de, each strike, block, and parry executed with precision and power. The katana seemed to dance in his hands, reflecting his deep familiarity and skill. When he finished, there was a moment of stunned silence. Then, Harris pped slowly, a smile breaking across his face. "Impressive, Kyle. Very impressive." Kyle kept a firm expression as he was praised but felt excited. "Thank you." Harris nodded, looking thoughtful. "Good. Very good. Your skills will serve you well, you have the potential to be a swordmaster. Don''t relent and continue to train with the sword." Kyle nodded again, feeling a surge of pride and determination. "Now, let''s discuss the importance of each type of weapon," Harris continued, addressing the ss. He had observed how some of them were having problems with their chosen weapons. Most had already reced their previous weapons countless times. "All weapons have their limitations and advantages. A sword is versatile and reliable, but sometimes a spear''s reach can keep danger at bay. An axe can deliver powerful, bone-crushing blows, but its weight can be a disadvantage in prolonged fights." He picked up a broadsword, swinging it effortlessly. "Strength and stamina are crucial for wielding heavier weapons. But remember, speed and precision can often outweigh brute force." Harris then selected a light, thin rapier. "Rapier users rely on agility and quick, urate strikes. It''s a weapon for those who prefer finesse over force. It can exploit gaps in an opponent''s defense with deadly efficiency." Next, he moved to the archery section, picking up a longbow. "And then we have ranged weapons. Archery requires patience, precision, and a steady hand. A skilled archer can strike from a distance, avoiding closebat altogether. However, archers must always be aware of their surroundings and maintain distance from their enemies." Harris''s gaze fell upon Riya, a girl he had observed earlier with the bow. "You, step forward." Riya hesitated briefly before stepping up, bow in hand. Harris nodded in approval. "Show us your form." Riya notched an arrow and drew the bowstring back, her posture straight, her focus intense. She released the arrow, and it flew straight and true, hitting the target on the wall. The ss murmured in appreciation. Though she hadn''t hit bullseye, hitting the target, something none of the Awakened had pulled off was enough to impress. "Excellent," Harris said. "A good archer is a valuable asset. Remember, your strength lies in your ability to remain unseen and strike from a distance." Riya nodded. Harris gestured for the ss to continue practicing, walking among them and offering individualized advice. Kyle experimented with different weapons, though he always found himself returning to the katana. The bond he had with the de was undeniable, a result of his hard work. Despite this, he tried his hand at a spear, a broadsword, and even a set of throwing knives, finding that each had its unique challenges and advantages but they still didn''t sit well with him. After some time, Harris called for attention again. "It''s time for sparring. Realbat is the best way to learn. Pair up and prepare for a series of matches." This time they were going to spar for real and not the other times they just exchanged attacks. Kyle looked forward to his opponent. He found himself paired with a muscr boy named Gareth, who had chosen a heavy war hammer. They moved to an open area, sizing each other up. "Ready?" Harris called. Both boys nodded, and the match began. Gareth charged, swinging his war hammer with immense force. Kyle sidestepped, his katana slicing through the air in a precise counterattack. The two exchanged blows, Gareth''s raw power against Kyle''s speed and precision. It quickly became clear that while Gareth''s attacks were devastating if they connected, Kyle''s agility and skill with the katana kept him just out of reach. Gareth, who had performed better than most didn''t stand a chance against Kyle and the match ended with Kyle disarming Gareth, his katana pointed at Gareth''s chest. Harris pped again. "Well done, both of you. Remember, strength and skill go hand in hand. Gareth, focus on your timing and anticipation. Kyle, excellent use of agility and technique." Next, Harris paired Riya with a boy named Jarek, who wielded a pair of short swords. The two took their positions, Riya keeping her distance and Jarek crouching low, ready to strike. "Begin!" Harris shouted. Riya immediately notched an arrow and fired, but Jarek was fast, dodging and closing the distance quickly. Riya fired a second and third arrow in rapid session, forcing Jarek to zigzag to avoid them. Just as he was about to reach her, she drew a small dagger from her belt, parrying his first strike which made him fall back a bit and created enough space for her to fire another arrow at point-nk range. The arrow grazed Jarek''s shoulder, and he stepped back, acknowledging the hit. Harris stopped the match. "Good work on your adaptability, Riya. As an archer, your greatest threat is when your opponent draws near. You adapted well to the close-quartersbat. Jarek, your speed and agility are impressive, but always be aware of your opponent''s range and capabilities." The sparring continued, each student learning valuable lessons from their matches. Kyle watched, analyzing each fight and mentally preparing himself for his next match. He noticed how different weapons required different strategies and how the fighters adapted to each other''s strengths and weaknesses. He also got to see more of his friends fight. Orion, who chose a rapier, had a very pitiful match as his opponent mawed him in seconds. Anne was very good with her daggers as she wrapped up a win. Nearby, Zack stood with a pair of gauntlets, the heavy iron gloves glinting in the sunlight. He tightened the straps around his wrists, his eyes focused and determined. Despite hisx attitude, Zack had always been a fiercepetitor, his strength and tenacity unmatched among their peers. Instructor Harris called out, "Zack, you''re up next! You''ll be facing Leon." A tall, lean boy with a spear stepped forward. Leon''s movements were graceful and fluid. The two boys sized each other up, their expressions serious. "Remember, this is a learning exercise," Harris reminded them. "Show me what you''ve got." The other students formed a loose circle around thebatants, eager to watch the match unfold. Zack and Leon took their positions, their eyes locked in silent determination. "Begin!" Harris shouted. Leon moved first, his spear thrusting forward with blinding speed. Zack dodged to the side, his gauntlets raised in a defensive stance. The spear whistled past his ear, narrowly missing its target. Leon followed up with a series of rapid jabs, each strike aimed with precision. Zack deflected the blows with his gauntlets, his movements quick and calcted. He knew that closing the distance was crucial; the spear''s advantagey in its reach. With a burst of speed, he lunged forward, aiming a punch at Leon''s midsection. Leon sidestepped, his spear sweeping in a wide arc. Zack ducked under the swing, rolling to the side anding up in a crouch. He surged forward again, his fists a blur as he unleashed a flurry of punches. Leon struggled to keep up, his spear bing a hindrance in close quarters. Zack''s relentless assault forced Leon to retreat, the taller boy''s expression growing more focused. He spun his spear, using the haft to block Zack''s strikes. But Zack was undeterred, his punchesnding with increasing frequency. Finally, Zack saw his opening. He feinted to the left, drawing Leon''s spear in that direction. Then he pivoted sharply, his right fist crashing into Leon''s ribs. Leon grunted in pain, stumbling back. Zack pressed his advantage, delivering a powerful uppercut that sent Leon sprawling to the ground. Instructor Harris stepped forward, raising his hand to signal the end of the match. "Well done, both of you. Zack, your aggression and close-quartersbat were impressive. Leon, you demonstrated excellent speed and precision, but remember to adapt when your opponent closes the distance." The students pped, acknowledging the skills disyed by both fighters. Zack offered a hand to Leon, who epted it with a grateful nod. The two boys shared a brief smile, their rivalry tempered by mutual respect. As the session came to an end, Instructor Harris gathered the students once more. "Well done, all of you. Remember, the weapon you choose is an extension of yourself. Treat it with respect and continue to hone your skills. We''ll build on this in our future sses." Chapter 17: A New friend Kyle rushed out of the door immediately after the ss ended. Earlier in the ss, his hunger might have been outssed by his spirit. But as the ss progressed, his stomach kept on rumbling[. He immediately went to the dormitory, using hisst energy to run the remaining five kilometers of the quest. [Congrattions! You havepleted your daily quest] [You have obtained 1 STA point] [STA: 10 >> 11] [Energy: 20 >> 22] He didn''t pay much attention to the system message as he kept on going towards the dorm restaurant. He had about two tes of Steak and Shrimp Kabobs before he was full. In total he had to spend 14 credits for the meal; leaving him with 31 credits remaining. Kyle didn''t n on retiring yet. After he was done eating, he took Riya''s advice and decided to locate the mall. Kyle walked through the streets leading to the mage academy''s mall which he had located through them. The mall was an enormous structure, made out of ss and stone. It was a ce where academics could find anything they might need, from magical supplies to mundane necessities. As Kyle entered the mall, the first thing that struck him was the sheer variety of stores. The ground floor alone boasted a myriad of shops. There was a potion shop, its shelves lined with colorful vials and bottles. Kyle''s eyes wandered to a store that seemed particrly popr among the upperssmen: a magical artifacts shop. The window disys were filled with all manner of enchanted items¡ª rings, cloaks, armor. He tried to enter the store but was denied ess. He moved through the crowds, observing the older students as they shopped. Some were trying out new equipment, while others haggled over rare ingredients for their next potion-making assignment. The atmosphere was vibrant and lively, as even in the evening it was still a frequented ce. Kyle continued his exploration, eventually making his way to the central za, where arge fountain stood surrounded by benches and food stalls. He noticed a kiosk giving away free notebooks and pens to academics. Kyle decided to redeem some supplies, which was what had brought him there. After collecting his items, he went over to a weapons shop he had noticed earlier. The sign above the door read "des and Beyond." Inside, an impressive array of swords, daggers, and other ded weapons lined the walls. He tried entering this one and was allowed after hism was scanned. Entering the store, Kyle went up to the sword section to admire the swords. His eyes were immediately drawn to a beautifully crafted katana disyed in a ss case. "That one''s a beauty, isn''t it?" said a voice beside him. Kyle turned to see a tall academic with short brown hair and a friendly smile. He wore a badge indicating he was a second-year student. "Yeah, it is," Kyle replied. "How much is it?" "Five thousand credits," the student said with a whistle. "Pretty steep for an umon artifact, huh?" "Five thousand?! I only have 31!" Kyle eximed in shock. He had wanted to buy a sword he could use to train as he had yet to make use of the free room in his house. The academic chuckled. "I''m Nate, by the way. The second year, light wing, fire wing. You?" "Kyle, first year. Just started," Kyle replied. "Nice to meet you, Kyle. If you''re into swords, you should check out the practice arena sometime. It''s a great ce to meet people and hone your skills," Nate suggested. "Sounds good," Kyle said, feeling a bit more at ease. The two discussed for some more before leaving the mall. "¡­ I''m a forge master, we''re the ones that make artifacts like that sword," Nate gave him a wink. "Forge mastering is one of the elective courses Vyna offers. Other ones include; alchemy, rune making, magic engineering and a lot more." Nate exined as they went on. "Wow, that''s cool. But, howe I haven''t seen anything about such courses?" "As a new recruit, you''ll be given 7 days to form your mana core. After which you''ll confirm your elements, get your wings and then the real learning can take ce." Nate exined. He went on to tell Kyle more things about the Academy. After which they exchanged IDs the moment they got near the dorms. "Thank you for everything," Kyle said after they exchanged their ID. "Friends?" he asked with his arms outstretched for a handshake. "Yeah, friends," Nate responded with a hand of his own, but before Kyle could grasp his palms, he quickly pulled it away and ran it through his hair. "Psyche!" The two boysughed before going home. Kyle didn''t n to rest as he got home as he had promised to reflect on today''s lessons. He began by trying to remember all he had learned from the history ss. "Uhhm, he said something about the civil war." Kyle had been trying to remember as much as he could but his memory was falling short. "Ah, I could just call Riya. I''ll borrow her notebook." he decided. He had earlier collected Riya''s ID when they had met earlier. After calling her, she sent him some key dates and information through herm which he wrote and learned. After spending thirty minutes on history, he started trying to sense his mana once more. Like before, he sensed it but the problem stilly inpressing it. He quickly got past the stage where he exerted control over its flow before he triedmanding it topress. Kyle struggled for an hour and he could feel he was making progress, it was able topress to a point before eventually falling apart. Kyle looked at the time and saw it was already eight. He had resigned himself to sleep early to not wake upte like yesterday. He first dropped his blood on the egg like he has been doing every day. As usual, the egg absorbed the blood. He noticed he was developing strong emotions towards it. He caressed the egg before dropping it back into the inventory. "Good night, System, wake me up by 6 am." Chapter 18: A different start The system woke Kyle from his sleep. He nced at the clock. As expected, it was six in the morning. The academy was quiet, the day yet to begin. He stretched and sat up, feeling the cool morning air against his skin. Today was a new day, and he was determined to start it right. [Daily Quest: Do 300 sit-ups] [Reward: 1 STR point] [0/300] Kyle took a look at the daily quest and decided toplete it right away. ¡­ "299!" "300!" Kyle counted as he did thest sit-up. [Congrattions! You havepleted your daily quest] [You have obtained 1 STR point] [STR: 17 >> 18] Afterpleting his daily quest, he dressed quickly, pulling on his academy uniform. He ran his hand through his hair, smoothing it down before grabbing the crossbody bag he had redeemed from the mall and heading out the door. The room was sparsely popted, a few early risers like himself scattered about. He grabbed a tray and filled it with a hearty breakfast: eggs, toast, bacon, and a steaming cup of coffee, all for 10 credits. He had sworn to always eat breakfast after yesterday. He found a seat by the window and settled in, savoring the quiet moment. As he ate, his mind wandered to the previous day''s events. The General Weapon Training ss had been intense, but he had enjoyed the challenge. His prior knowledge of the katana had served him well, and he had earned a nod of approval from the instructor. Today, he was determined to make a simr impression in his History ss. Finishing his breakfast, Kyle checked hism. He still had some time before ss started, so he decided to take a leisurely stroll through the academy grounds. The morning air was refreshing, and he enjoyed the peaceful solitude. Eventually, it was time to head to ss. Kyle made his way to the History building, his steps quickening with anticipation. He reached the ssroom and found it nearly empty. A few students were already there, but most of the seats were still vacant. He chose a seat near the front, wanting to be fully engaged in the lesson. As the ssroom filled up, Kyle took out his notebook and pen, ready to take notes. Professor Grendel entered the room and greeted the ss with a warm smile. "Good morning, everyone," he said, his voice calm and steady. "I hope you all had a good night''s rest. Today, we''ll be diving into the early history of mana and its impact on our civilization." Kyle leaned forward, eager to absorb the information. The professor began his lecture, by exining the origins of mana and how it had shaped the world they lived in. He spoke of ancient civilizations that had harnessed mana to build incredible structures and achieve feats that seemed impossible. "Mana," the professor began, "is the lifeblood of our world. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, but ancient texts suggest that it has been present since the dawn of time. Early humans discovered its potential quite by ident, through trial and error. They learned to tap into this mystical energy to enhance their daily lives." The professor paused, allowing the students to take in the information. He then continued, "One of the earliest known uses of mana was in agriculture. Ancient farmers used mana to enhance their crops, resulting in bountiful harvests that could sustainrger poptions. This, in turn, led to the growth of early civilizations." Kyle''s pen moved rapidly across the page, capturing every detail. The professor''s passion for the subject was evident, and it was infectious. Kyle found himselfpletely engrossed in the lesson, his earlier determination paying off. "With the growth of civilizations," the professor said, "came the need for defense and conquest. Mana yed a crucial role in ancient warfare. Those who could wield mana effectively had a significant edge over their opponents. They could enhance their weapons, create barriers, and even manipte the battlefield to their advantage." The professor moved to arge map on the wall, pointing to various regions. "The Kingdom of Thalor, for example, was renowned for its mana-infused weaponry. Their soldiers were equipped with swords that could cut through steel and armor that could withstand the mightiest of blows. This technological superiority allowed them to expand their territory and be one of the most powerful kingdoms of their time." Kyle kept paying attention. He scribbled notes furiously, trying to capture every detail. The professor''s lecture continued, covering various aspects of mana''s influence on ancient civilizations. "As time passed, schrs and mages sought new ways to harness and control mana, leading to the development of new spells, enchantments, and technologies. It was a time of great innovation." The professor paused again, this time to address the ss directly. "Now, I''d like to hear your thoughts. How do you think the discovery and use of mana impacted the social structures of ancient civilizations?" Kyle took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts before he raised his hand. The professor noticing him from the front pointed at him, "Your name and answer." "Kyle Lin," he indicated. "Well, professor, I think mana created a significant divide between those who could wield it and those who couldn''t. Those with the ability to harness mana became the elite, holding positions of power and influence. This led to a hierarchical society where mages and schrs were revered, whilemoners were often left to fend for themselves." The professor nodded, a pleased expression on his face. "Excellent observation, Kyle. Mana did indeed create social hierarchies. The ability to use mana became a status symbol, and those who could wield it were often seen as chosen by the gods. This belief reinforced the power structures and allowed the elite to maintain their dominance." The rest of the ss passed in a blur. Kyle waspletely immersed in the discussion, his mind buzzing with new ideas and insights. By the time the bell rang, signaling the end of the ss, he felt a sense of aplishment. He had not only kept up with the lecture but had also contributed meaningfully to the discussion. As he gathered his things, the professor approached him. "Kyle, I wanted tomend you on your participation today. It''s clear that you have a keen interest in the subject. Keep up the good work." "Thank you, professor," Kyle replied, feeling a swell of pride. "I''ll do my best." Leaving the ssroom, Kyle thought, ''I had started the day early, prepared well, and it had paid off. He was determined to maintain this momentum. As he walked through the hallways, he thought about his next ss and what new challenges it will bring. Chapter 19: A different class "Good morning, ss." Professor Seraphina greeted the ss as she came in. "I''ve done my part in guiding you on how to form your mana core. Sadly, I would not want to hold your hands so as not to contaminate your core. So I''ll have you begin practicing on your own. Feel free toe to me for guidance." As instructed, Kyle like the rest of the awakened assumed a lotus position and began to sense his mana flow once again. Time quickly flew before it was time for the ss closure. None of the awakened made any major progress in the exercise. "Keep practicing. Remember, you have a deadline of seven days, with two gone already." Professor Seraphina encouraged them as they left the ss. The awakened quickly made their way to the General weapon training ss. The training ground, where they held the ss was surrounded by a wooden fence, with a space for arge door. Unlikest time, the doors were shut. The academics tried knocking on it but when there wasn''t any response, they came in. They entered the training grounds to meet, its usual sights but Instructor Harris was nowhere to be found. Shortly after they entered, they heard a creaking sound, only for the door to shut. The students began panicking. They all began to run towards the door, trying to open it, only to hear a sound that sent shivers down their spine. Growl! The students turned around to see the feline mana beast. Its presence induced fear in them. Orion was the quickest to react. "It''s a tier-1 me tiger. Run! We stand no chance!" They all scrambled in different directions. Kyle was very familiar with his very first kill here. He was humble enough to know he was only able to kill it because of the sword''s intent. [New Quest: Desperate times call for desperate measures. Prove yourself reliable by taking down the beast! ] [Reward: 10 SP] ''There''s no way I''m facing that beast,'' Kyle decided as he ran. As he passed through the sword section, his mind underwent a sudden change. ''There''s also no harm in trying.'' He picked up a Katana before he scanned the field for the beast. Luckily for him, the beast was chasing another student from the other direction. The beast felt like it was in an all-you-can-eat buffet as there were plenty of options to choose from. Kyle wasn''t the only one who had picked a weapon. Riya had managed to fire some arrows at it until she finallynded a shot. The attack proved futile as it only drew aggro towards her. The beast''s movement became predictable as it ran towards Riya allowing another arrow tond on it. The beasts roared, annoyed and confused about who to go after. The kids, bolstered with their efforts began to go for more daring actions. Kyle saw his chance as they ran towards the beast. He immediately went for a sh at its side, positioning his body to the impact of the maximum force. More and more shes pelted the beasts from all sides and soon others began to build momentum and charge in with spears andnces. Many of them were already part of the onught as they further disturbed the beast with their attacks. Disturbed? Yes, disturbed. Except for being irritated, the beast felt barely any danger from their attacks. After enduring for a while, it decided to let them have a feel of why it was called a me cat. The beast shook its body and shrugged off all its closebat attackers. Before it started to gather mana from the atmosphere. Thankfully, most of the awakened had sensed the sudden change, so, the moment a fireball was spat out from the beast. They had already dived or rolled out of the way. The fireball was just about thirty centimeters in diameter. Allowing most of them to leave its radius. The other ones who were near only experienced slight burns from its heat. The beast panted after it threw its attack and prepared for another. Kyle picked up an ominous feeling from this one, having none of it slid towards it, raised his sword and screamed. "DIE!!" The beast felt a nudge from its underbelly as it looked face-to-face at the kid who had hit him. He stopped readying its payload and opened his mouth to deliver on the little human. "Freeze!" A calm voice spoke from the side. Harris directed his hands towards the beast which controlled the mana around it to reduce its temperature eventually freezing it in ce, turning it into a popsicle! Kyley on the floor frozen by fear was jolted by the system. [Quest Failed] The academics all heaved a sigh of relief after the appearance of Instructor Harris. "Good job, y''all!" he said as he resoundingly pped his hands. He checked all their conditions and except for the select few who had gotten burnt; they were all right. "I''m impressed by all your performances today," Harris said with a smile. "This shows you took our training seriously. Kyle, great job sensing that attack. Your intuition proved to be sharper than I thought. Kyle slowly stood up not paying attention to Harris'' words. The fact remained that he had failed. Assuming, they received no help, he and the rest would have died. Harris noticed the dejected look on his face and then continued. "Yes, you all must have failed. But, to be honest I didn''t set up this test for you to y the beast. I did so to test how you can face your fears and you all did excellent on that." He continued after giving them a thumbs up. "But, it''s nice that you''re seeing this as a failure," his eyes wandered over to Kyle. "Next time, trust in your weapon." "I would have wanted to teach you, but I''ll save that for next time. Today, we''ll dismiss early." Harris concluded as he dismissed the ss. Chapter 20: The Arena The injured academics stayed back to receive treatment. Why Kyle went on to the dormitory, stopping by at the restaurant. He ate his fill before deciding to give Nate a call. The matter of how to obtain credits bothered him. The meal he has just had cost 7 credits. Leaving him with 14 to spare. After dialing his ID repeatedly without an answer, Kyle concluded he was in a ss. They had been dismissed early, so the time was still a little past three. He got home, refreshed and began practicing his mana control. He remembered the Professor''s words: ''Great controles with practice, there''s no shortcut to it.'' Professor Seraphina had said this as they were practicing earlier. Kyle continued with his practice until he reached his limit. As he opened his eyes, he noticed it was alreadyte. "7:02," he murmured after looking at the wall clock. He removed the egg from the inventory and dropped his blood on it again. He had enjoyed today, but Kyle was tired of the academy. ''Ah, I forgot to give Nate a call!'' Kyle remembered before dialing his ID. "Yo! Kyle?" Nate''s voice came after about two seconds. "Yeah, it''s me. Just wanted to ask. How exactly do we obtain credits?" "Ha, ha. The expenses, right?" Nate chuckled slightly. "It shouldn''t bother you. If you''re free, you cane over to my ce; I''ll exin." "Okay, thanks. I''ll being." "Sure, I''ll send you an invite. We''ll meet at our restaurant," he informed before hanging up. Kyle didn''t wait long as a notification came upon his screen, informing him of his invitation with a QR code attached to it. Kyle epted the invitation and got ready to go. It didn''t take long for him to arrive. He proceeded to walk into the Year 2 dormitory after hism was scanned from the gate. Kyle observed the year 2 dormitory as he walked in. It looked like a 2.0 version of the Year 1''s, bigger space, bigger and better houses. He observed the academics in the dorm. They all carried themselves as they walked around the dorms. He noticed they were all in their uniform, which had a yellow cloak, unlike his white. Some only wore their main piece without the clothing. Kyle reached the restaurant before deciding to give Nate a call. It didn''t take long after he informed him that he saw Nate approach him with his wide smile as when they had first met. Same as before he wasn''t wearing the cloak that came with his uniform. "Let''s go inside," Nate suggested, his hands directed at the restaurant. Nate bought two tes of Tier-1 meals for 30 credits each! Nate enjoyed the meal before saying: "About the question you asked earlier, y''all will receive an academy allowance of 30 credits every two days. There''s no need to worry," he took a piece of his steak before continuing. "As an academic, you can be awarded credits from the teacher, or earn from selling your skills and products." Nate looked at Kyle before saying in a low tone. "Or you could visit... the arena." "The arena? The practice arena you told me about the other day?" Kyle asked with interest, he had already dropped his meal. "Noo!" Nate eximed in an exaggerated manner. "The underground arena." "Underground arena?! What''s that?" Kyle asked in a rather loud tone. "Keep your voice down, it''s a student thing. Although it''s quite popr, we prefer to keep it toned down. So, the arena is a ce where academics battle against each other, gambling in the process." "I''m in! It would be a great way to practice," Kyle didn''t hesitate to say. "Do I have toe with my own weapons or something?" "You sure? Well, it''s your choice," he conceded after seeing the look on his face. "No, external weapons aren''t allowed." "So, can we go now?" Kyle asked after Nate agreed. "Yeah, it''s a night thing so now will be the best time. Besides, why do you need credits so desperately?" Nate asked. "I need a training weapon, but the credits aren''t my main reason. I want to fight." Kyle said as he clenched his fist. Nate burst out intoughter after he heard Kyle''s statement. "Sure, you''ll fight. Seems you don''t yet recognize the value of credits. Once you start your real learning, you''ll get." "Let''s get going already, it opens by eight," Nate informed. The boys quickly ate up their meal before they began to head out. Kyle recounted his day to Nate whoseughter was beginning to annoy him. It wasn''t until Nate exined something simr that was done in their first year. "...someone even peed on their pants," Nate added. Kyle couldn''t hold back andughed nonstop. He was having a good time talking with Kyle and eventually, they reached ''The Arena''. The underground arena at the academy is buried deep beneath the grounds. The entrance to this covertir is ingeniously concealed within the oldest, least frequented part of the academy¡ªthe basement of the ancient library, a building that has stood for centuries. A staircase is used to descend to the arena. As Kyle and Nate walk down the stairs, the distant sounds of the arena grow louder: the dull roar of the crowd, the sh of steel, and the asional explosive burst of magic. "There''s no how the academy won''t know about this ce!" Kyle remarked, though hidden, that this was a ce in their academy and they were meant to know its nook and cranny. "You''re right! Smart observation. This arena is more of an open secret while the academy knows about it. They allow it as it''s a good opportunity for the students to develop and experience real threat." Nate exined. Down the stairs, they find themselves in the main cavern¡ªa massive, natural underground chamber that has been adapted to serve as the arena. The ceiling is high and arched, and the walls are rough and uneven, glistening with moisture. The cavern is illuminated by abination of magicalnterns and torches. The centerpiece of the cavern is the arenas themselves, tworge circr pits dug into the ground. The pits are surrounded by academics, their eyes gleaming with excitement or tension. The pit''s walls are constructed from massive stone blocks. The floors of the pits are covered in a mixture of dirt and sand to provide a somewhat forgiving surface for the fighters. Scattered around the periphery of the arenas are various makeshift structures: a small medical station where healers stand ready to tend to the injured, a rudimentary armory stocked with weapons and equipment, and a series of booths where bookies take bets and exchange money. Chapter 21: Fire vs Water Kyle and Nate approached the registration booth where matches were fixed. The arena matches were divided into two categories; the elemental fights and the weapon fights. The elemental fights allowed the freedom to use one''s elements and go all out, while the weapon fights were normally a test of skill and raw strength. The booth was a wooden structure. Behind it sat a dark-skinned boy with sses. "Alias?" the boy asked, pulling out a notebook and a pen. "Hmm," Kyle thought for a while before responding with a smile. "Omni lord." "Okay, cool name. Your fight is number 18," the boy informed before handing him a token with the number 18 on it. "We''re currently at number 13. Head over to the armory for your weapon." Kyle looked at the token before waiting for Nate to book a match of his. Unlike Kyle, he booked an elemental match. Kyle was expectant to watch it and thankfully, it took ce after his. They went on to the armory where Kyle took a katana for his match. He examined the ded weapon he held in his hand. He slowly ran his fingers through its de and discovered it to be blunt, it looked like it was designed to hit a target rather than cut it. ''Exins how they had the nerves to exchange weapons without guidance.'' Kyle muttered. It was still a weapon nevertheless, one that could deal a lot of damage in the right hands. After acquiring their weapons, they went over to the gambling booth, where they both bet on their matches. Kyle ced his remaining sum of 14 credits as he already expected the allowance before the end of the day. The odds for Kyle''s match weren''t avable yet as much people haven''t ced ln the match. Nate also ced his before they both went along to watch the matches. They both went along to watch the matches. "Looks like this one''s about to start," Nate said, pointing at the stage. The announcer, a tall burly boy with a booming voice, stepped into the center of the arena, raising his hands for silence. The crowd stopped their noise as they prepared for the next match. "Our next fighters are dewind and Ironw. Once again, the rules are simple: no killing, no maiming, no outside interference, no magic and no external weapon, magic artifact, potions or armor. Victory is achieved by either forcing your opponent to forfeit or go unconscious. If you do not forfeit but you''re dered unable to continue, It''s your loss. Let the match begin." The crowd erupted into cheers as the fighters squared off. dewind, a flexible and agile girl, wielded a pair of scimitars, their curved des catching the light with each movement. Ironw, in contrast, was a brawny boy. He brandished a massive warhammer that seemed almost too heavy to lift. The two were well-known fighters from the third year as they were ranked ninth and thirteenth respectively. With forty-five and thirty-one glory points in the same order. Glory points were the mannerbatants were ranked in the arena. You get 2 glory points when you defeat an opponent ranked 41 - 50, 3 for the upper ten, and eventually six for defeating the top ten. Every other win outside the top fifty granted 1 glory point. With a defeat removing a point! The twobatants faced off. The initial sh was explosive. dewind darted forward with incredible speed, her scimitars a blur as she struck at Ironw from multiple angles. Ironw met the assault with brute strength, his warhammer swinging in wide arcs that forced dewind to dance back, narrowly avoiding each crushing blow. "They''re good," Nate murmured, eyes wide with admiration. "dewind''s fast, but Ironw''s strength is something else." Kyle nodded, studying their techniques. "dewind is using her speed to outmaneuver Ironw, but if she gets caught by that hammer, it''s over. It''s a ssic match of agility versus power." dewind leaped into the air, her scimitars spinning in a dazzling disy of skill. She aimed a flurry of strikes at Ironw''s shoulders and arms, trying to find a weak spot in his defenses. Ironw grunted, the weapons not being able to deal him much damage. "dewind needs to tire him out," Kyle observed. "Keep dodging, make him miss, and then strike when she''s slower." The crowd was on their feet, cheering with every exchange. dewind''s speed and agility were mesmerizing, but Ironw''s sheer power and resilience were equally impressive. Finally, after a particrly intense exchange, dewind managed to slip past Ironw''s defenses, delivering a series of rapid strikes on his wrist that knocked the warhammer from his grasp. Ironw stumbled, momentarily disarmed, and dewind capitalized on the opening. She pointed one of his scimitars at Ironw''s throat, her breath increasing rapidly. "Forfeit!" she demanded. Ironw, already tired, raised his hands in surrender. "I forfeit." The crowd erupted into apuse, the sound echoing off the cavern walls. The announcer stepped forward, raising dewind''s arm in victory. "The winner, dewind!" Kyle and Nate joined the apuse, both impressed by the match. "That was incredible," Nate said, turning to Kyle. "Are you gonna back off?" Kyle smiled. "No. Don''t worry; I''ll win." As dewind and Ironw exited the pit, the announcer came to announce the next match. They didn''t have the time to enjoy this match, as some minutes in, it was Nate''s turn for his elemental match. The announcer''s voice boomed across the elemental arena, drawing the crowd''s attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, the next match is between Fallen angel and Marina! The rules are simple No weapons, no physical attacks¡ªonly magic. No killing, no maiming, no outside interference and no external weapon, magic artifact, potions or armor. Victory is achieved by either forcing your opponent to forfeit or go unconscious. If you do not forfeit but you''re dered unable to continue, It''s your loss. Let the match begin. The crowd cheered as Nate stepped into the pit, his confidence evident in his stride. His eyes scanned the arena, taking in the sight of Marina, who stood opposite him. She was a pretty girl with a calm aura, her hands already glowing with a faint blue light. ''Ah,'' he sighed. "Why do I have to fight such a damsel?'' Nate''s own hands ignited with flickering mes as he raised them, the heat radiating off him in waves. He took a deep breath, centering himself. "Water waves!" Marina moved first, summoning a torrent of water that surged toward Nate like a living wave. Nate responded swiftly, throwing out a fireball that won out against her attack. Nate smiled, his confidence growing. He could see Marina''s strategy: overwhelm him with a sheer volume of water, hoping to extinguish his mes. But he had other ns. "Fireball!" Nate summoned another tier-1 fireball, a simple yet effective spell. The orb of fire hovered above his palm, growing brighter and hotter with each passing second. He hurled it towards Marina, who countered with a shield of water, the fireball exploding into a shower of steam upon impact. Undeterred, Nate conjured another fireball, and then another, each onerger and more intense than thest. Marina was forced to split her attention between offense and defense, her water shields barely holding up against the relentless assault of fireballs. Nate''s experience was evident in the way he controlled his magic. His movements were fluid and precise, each fireballunched with deadly uracy. Marina attempted to regain control, summoning a whirlpool to engulf Nate. But Nate anticipated her move, disorienting her with another fireball. Sensing victory, Nate decided to end the match with a final, powerful fireball before he ran out of mana. He gathered his energy, the air around him crackling with heat. The fireball grew to an enormous size, radiating intense heat. With a shout, he hurled it towards Marina. "Fireball!" She tried to counter with a deluge of water, but it was toote. The fireball sted through her defenses, erupting in a spectacr explosion of steam and light. Marina was knocked back,nding hard on the sandy floor of the arena. The announcer''s voice cut through the fading steam. "The winner, Fallen angel!" The crowd erupted in apuse, cheering for the confident, skillful disy. Nate walked over to Marina, extending a hand to help her up. She took it, smiling despite her defeat. "Good fight," Nate said, his voice warm and genuine. "You too," Marina replied, brushing sand off her clothes. "You''ve got some serious skills." Nate proceeded to heal his yearmate with hisst remaining mana. It was easy for him to do so as he had made sure to hold back on his final attack. He turned to the crowd, raising his hands in victory. The cheers grew louder, a wave of approval washing over him. He spotted Kyle in the crowd, who gave him a thumbs-up, a proud grin on his face. It was already time for Kyle''s match, and Nate was eager to see his friend in action. The night was far from over, and the underground arena was alive with the promise of more thrilling battles. Chapter 22: Defeat the Giant! Kyle had watched the way Nate disposed of his opponent with ease. The very first elemental battle he witnessed. "I can''t wait to use magic too!" he muttered silently. "That was hot, am I right?" Nate''s voice came to Kyle, his face brimming with a proud smile. "No, it wasn''t," Kyle replied. "Watch and learn how I''ll handle mine." "With pleasure. Don''t lose after such strong words." Nate reminded. "I won''t," Kyle said as he held his katana in his left hand and walked towards the stage. The arena thrummed with anticipation, the hum of whispers and murmurs filling the dank, dimly lit ce. Kyle, standing in the dim light, adjusted his grip on his katana. Kyle''s opponent, a giant figure known simply as ''Crusher'', was already in the ring, flexing his muscles and basking in the crowd''s cheers. He was a seasoned fighter; a third-year ranked 48th, known for his brutal strength and relentless aggression. He wielded a massive war hammer, its head dulled but still capable of delivering devastating blows. As Kyle stepped into the arena, a hush fell over the spectators. The system''s quest notification blinked in Kyle''s mind. [New quest: Heroese in all sizes, and you don''t have to be a giant hero. Defeat the opponent before you! ] [Reward: 5 SP] Kyle took a deep breath, focusing on the task at hand. He nned on winning already and didn''t need the system to remind him. The announcer''s voice boomed through the arena, echoing off the stone walls. "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we have a special treat! In one corner, ranked 48th, the man with the hammer, Crusher!" The crowd roared, a cacophony of cheers and jeers. "And in the other corner, a neer, wielding the katana, Omni Lord!" An apuse mixed with curious murmurs greeted Kyle''s introduction. He could feel their doubt. He was an unknown, a wildcard in this brutal game. But he relished the challenge, the chance to prove himself. The match began, and Crusher wasted no time, charging forward with a roar. His war hammer swung in a wide arc, aiming to knock Kyle off his feet with a single blow. Kyle sidestepped gracefully, his katana flicking out in a quick, precise strike. The blunt de nced off Crusher''s arm, more a distraction than a wound. Crusher bellowed in anger, swinging his hammer again with increased ferocity. But Kyle was fast, his movements a blur as he dodged and weaved, his katana a sh of silver in the dim light. Each strike was measured, aiming to disorient and weaken rather than to cut. He was analyzing his opponent''s movements, highlighting potential openings. Crusher''s frustration grew with each missed blow, his swings bing wilder, more desperate. Kyle seized the opportunity, darting in with a series of quick thrusts. His katana struck Crusher''s thigh, his side, his shoulder. Each impact slowed the giant, sapping his strength and slowing his movements. But Crusher was not to be underestimated. With a roar of rage, he managed tond a ncing blow, his hammer mming into Kyle''s side. Pain exploded through Kyle''s ribs, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to falter. [HP -1] His eyes darted towards the system''s notification, which had informed him of his health point loss. He could not afford to show weakness, not now, not ever. Ignoring the pain, Kyle pressed his attack. He moved with the grace and precision of a dancer. His strikes became more aggressive, more relentless, each one driving Crusher back, forcing him onto the defensive. Crusher swung his hammer in a desperate arc, aiming for Kyle''s head. Kyle ducked, feeling the rush of air as the heavy weapon missed him by inches. With a swift counterstrike, he jabbed the blunt end of his katana into Crusher''s ribs. The blow made Crusher stagger, a grunt of pain escaping his lips. Realizing that brute force alone wouldn''t be enough, Crusher changed tactics. He started using his size and reach to his advantage, forcing Kyle to stay on the move. Every swing of the hammer was a deadly arc, every step a potential trap. Kyle had to stay light on his feet, weaving in and out, striking whenever he saw an opening. The fight wore on, eachbatant growing wearier but neither willing to yield. Sweat dripped down Kyle''s face, his muscles aching from the sustained effort but he was far from tired as a result of the countless Stamina points. Crusher''s breathing wasbored, each breath a ragged gasp. Yet the crowd remained enthralled, their cheers and shouts driving the fighters onward. Kyle sensed that Crusher was reaching his limit, his energy waning and his attacks being sluggish. With renewed determination, Kyle switched his strategy. He started aiming for Crusher''s legs, trying to undermine his stability. A well-ced strike to the back of Crusher''s knee finally made the big man falter. As Crusher stumbled, Kyle took advantage of the moment. With a burst of speed, heunched himself at Crusher, his katana aimed at the man''s chest. The blunt de struck true, knocking the wind out of Crusher and sending him sprawling to the ground. The crowd erupted in a deafening roar, the spectators on their feet, cheering and shouting. Kyle stood over his fallen opponent, his chest heaving, the taste of victory sweet and exhrating. He had done it. He had defeated Crusher,pleted the system''s quest, and proven himself in the eyes of the crowd. The system''s notification blinked in his mind. The reward filled his eyes. [Questpleted! ] [You''ve gained 5 SP! ] The announcer came and raised his hands. "The winner: Omni Lord." As the crowd''s cheers echoed in his ears, Kyle looked up, his eyes scanning the faces of the spectators. Among them, he spotted Nate, grinning broadly and giving him a thumbs-up. Kyle smiled back, having proven himself. He had faced a formidable opponent and emerged victorious. Exiting the pit, Kyle was approached by Nate. "Impressive fight," Nate praised. "But don''t let it get to your head. There are tougher opponents out there." Kyle nodded with a calm smile. "I''m ready for whateveres." "Let''s go get our money!" Nate eximed as they both headed to the gambling booth. Chapter 23: Gambling System The Arena is a hub of activity, especially when ites to betting. The gambling system is straightforward yet sophisticated. Bets are ced based on the odds calcted by the arena''s bookies, who consider the fighters'' rankings, past performance, and overall reputation. The higher-ranked a fighter is, the lower the payout for a win, as they are considered more likely to seed. Conversely, betting on a lower-ranked or unknown fighter yields higher returns if they win, due to the perceived lower chance of victory. When Kyle and Nate first registered for their fight, Kyle, as a neer, was given the lowest possible odds. The bookies assumed he would lose to his opponent, who was ranked 48th. On the other hand, Nate, being more familiar with the arena''s regrs and having a decent track record, had much higher odds of winning, resulting in lower potential payouts for bets ced on him. Kyle and Nate made their way to the gambling booth to collect their winnings. It was surrounded by a throng of disappointed gamblers who had lost significant sums betting against the unlikely victor, Kyle. Everyone was angry and frustrated, with murmurs of dissatisfaction growing louder as the reality of their losses set in. The system was automated and efficient. Kyle handed over his betting slip to the attendant, who fed it into a sleek, ck machine. There was a momentary pause, and then the machine chimed, disying the amount of credits he had won. The odds on Kyle to win was a staggering 20 as many had bet against him. This meant, Kyle had earned twenty times the amount he ced. cing 14 credits, he had gotten 280 credits! "How could he have won? He was just a nobody!" A boy who had betted against him shouted, pointing his finger at Kyle. "He must''ve cheated! There''s no way a neer could beat someone ranked 48th!" another added, his voice tinged with desperation. The attendant behind the counter remained unfazed, ustomed to the mix of emotions that followed the submission of bet slips. She calmly transferred 280 credits to Kyle and moved on to Nate, who had a far less eventful collection. Nate''s victory, while impressive, was expected, and thus his odds were lower, being 1.50. Hence, since he had ced 100 credits; he obtained 150 credits in return. As they turned to leave, the crowd parted, some ring at them with barely concealed resentment. A few academics shouted insults and usations, their frustration palpable. It was clear that many had lost substantial amounts, having bet heavily on Crusher''s win over the supposed Omni Lord. The atmosphere was tense, with the potential for confrontation lingering in the air. Kyle, sensing the hostility, kept his head down and nudged Nate, who seemed more amused than concerned. "Let''s get out of here before things get ugly," Kyle muttered, his voice low and cautious. Nate chuckled, shrugging off the angry murmurs. "Rx, they won''t do anything. Not here, at least. Rules are rules," he replied, referring to the strict no-violence policy outside of the designated fighting areas. "I wonder why they can''t direct their anger on Crusher. He was the one who lost after all!" Kyle whispered to Nate as they left. "It''s their problem. The fact is that we won and they can''t do anything about it." Nate replied with a grin, raising his voice high to be heard. The two navigated through the dimly lit stairs of the undergroundplex, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly. The further they got from the arena, the quieter it became. The tense atmosphere of the arena gradually gave way to the rtive calm of the academy''s main buildings. As they emerged from a hidden passageway behind the nondescript door, they left the ancient library where the arena was located. Kyle saw off Nate at his dormitory which came before his before heading towards the Year 1 dormitory. Kyle located his dormitory which was mostly quiet as most of the awakened were fast asleep, ready for the next day. The air was cool, a wee change from the environment of the underground arena. Despite being night-time, it was well illuminated by various magic artifacts. Kyle entered his room and immediately got onto his bed, feeling the adrenaline of the evening finally wearing off. He let out a deep sigh, staring up at the ceiling. "What a night," he murmured, still processing everything that had happened. ''Yes, the five stat points I obtained from my victory!'' Kyle suddenly remembered and requested his status. "Status!" ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Awakened: Lv MAX EXP: 160/160 HP: 20/20 Energy: 21/22 Mana: Null Agility: 16 Strength:18 Vitality: 10 Stamina: 11 Intelligence: Null SP: 5 Inventory: 1* Tier-1 Mana core, 1*Egg. [Elements] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle observed his status before deciding on how to allocate his Stat points. ''Agility has always been pivotal in how I fight.'' he concluded before making his improvements. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª AGI: 16 >> 20 VIT: 10 >> 11 HP: 20 >> 22 SP: 5 >> 0 ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª His HP had gone down during his fight, which confirmed his thoughts on how it worked. So, it didn''t hurt to add 2 extra points to it. Kyle wanted to have a feel of his Agility increase but eventually decided to do so the next day. "Good night, System. Wake me up by 7 am," he decided so he could get enough rest, even if it was for only seven hours. Kyle, exhausted from the night''s events, eventually drifted off to sleep. And so, the night passed quietly, the dormitory settling into a peaceful stillness. Outside, the academy''s grounds were bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, a serene contrast to the chaos and excitement of the underground arena. The future was uncertain, but for now, Kyle could rest, gathering his strength for the battles and adventures yet toe. He didn''t know that as he slept, he was being observed. His progress, will and determination were all being watched. Great responsibilitiesy on his head, those affecting billions of lives! Chapter 24: Mana Core Creation The week passed in a sh with Kyle attending lessons during the day and going to the Arena at night. He had been making steady progress at forming his mana core, and he could now congest his mana into a spherical orb. Professor Seraphina had informed them that today would be the day they would create their mana core. The biggest improvement Kyle got through the week was in his sword mastery. [Sword intent mastery: 11%] He didn''t know how or why; he just knew he was making progress in the understanding of the sword. None of his fellow awakened could stand a chance against him. He normally sparred against Instructor Harris, who could only beat him due to his superior stats. ''Finally!'' Kyle eximed inwardly as he heard the bell signaling the history ss closure. It was finally time for him to take a step forward in his dream to be a mage. He couldn''t help but take a look at his status to relish his improvements. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Awakened: Lv MAX EXP: 160/160 HP: 20 >> 30 Energy: 22 >> 28 Mana: Null Agility: 20 >> 25 Strength:18 >> 23 Vitality: 10 >> 15 Stamina: 11 >> 14 Intelligence: Null SP: 0 Inventory: 1* Tier-1 Mana core, 1*Egg. [Elements] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª He has had massive improvements which were evident on his streak in the arena. His wins had been the reason his stats saw such a massive boost. Kyle eventually got to the Mana-core awakening ss and sat down near the front row. Professor Seraphina, as graceful as ever, stood at the center of the room. Her deep violet eyes swept over the students, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Wee, everyone," she began, her voice soothing. "Today, we will finalize the creation of your mana cores. You''ve all relearned topress your mana. But forming a stable core requires a final step¡ªbinding your energies together with an external source." She gestured towards the front of the room, where several crystalline orbs filled a container. They were mana cores obtained to provide the necessary energy to catalyze the formation of the students'' cores. "These mana cores," Professor Seraphina continued, "will provide the energy needed to bind your elemental energies together. Each of you will use one toplete the process. Once your core is formed, it will manifest around you briefly, revealing your elemental affinities. This is an easy process, so focus and let it flow naturally." Seraphina went along to hand over one mana core to each student. "Now, begin the process we''ve practiced. Close your eyes, center yourself, and focus on the Mana within you. This time, let the energy of the mana core in your hand merge with your own, binding your internal energies together." Kyle focused on the void within him, the space where his mana core was forming. He had already prepared the sphere, but it felt hollow¡ª an empty vessel ready to be filled. With the way he had been taught, he began to draw the mana out of the orb and let it mingle with his. Slowly, the two energies began to merge, conjugating into a unified force. The mana core became duller as its energy was absorbed until it eventually became empty. Kyle felt a deep, resonant hum within him as his mana core solidified. It was a steady, pulsing presence, like a heart beating in time with his own. He knew that this core was now a permanent part of him, a pool of magic he could draw upon at will. Professor Seraphina''s voice broke through the silence. "Now, as your cores stabilize, allow the energy to manifest around you. This will be a brief but powerful disy of your elemental affinities." Kyle opened his eyes just as the energy within him surged outward. Around him, arcs of lightning danced in the air, crackling with raw power. Ding! The room was filled with simr disys as each student manifested their elemental energies. Some were surrounded by swirling water or floating stones, while others radiated light or darkness. After a few seconds; it all began to fade, the energy settling back into their newly formed mana cores. Professor Seraphina smiled with pride. "You have all done very well. Each of you has sessfully formed your mana core and connected with your elements. Your mana core will be your reservoir for mana and will evolve with every growth you experience." "You would now be divided into wings, each tailored for your element. Tomorrow, being a free day; you''ll be briefed on your new schedule." Professor Seraphina added. "You''re dismissed. You can all go home. No more sses for today." As Kyle left the ssroom, he finally had the opportunity to check his system''s notifications. [Congrattions! You''ve formed your lightning mana core!] [You''ve unlocked a new panel, ''Skills''!] [You''ve unlocked skill points] [You''ve unlocked Mana Points!] [You''ve unlocked stat, Intelligence!] [New quest: Learning is not attained by chance. Learn a lightning specific spell.] [Rewards: 5 Skill points] ''Skills?! Quest?'' Kyle had lots of questions to ask but decided until he reached the dormitory. He quickly had avish meal at the restaurant for 20 credits. After all, he was rich! Hism which disyed ''1045 credits'' was proof of his arena sesses. Though his odds of victory had reduced stupendously. He still made a lot with high bets. Kyle enjoyed his meal before heading to his house, having his bath and then paying attention to the system. All these had required a great deal of self-control to prevent him from opening his rewards beforehand. ''Status!'' ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Beginner Mage: Lv 1 EXP: 0/1000 HP: 30 Energy: 28 MP: 20 Agility: 25 Strength: 23 Vitality: 15 Stamina: 14 Intelligence: 20 SP: 0 Skill points: 0 Inventory: 1* Tier-1 Mana core, 1*Egg. [Elements] [Skills] -Inventory A space where time is paused and energy flow restricted is used for storing items by the host. -Regeneration(Passive) Gain 1 MP and 1 HP every minute when not inbat for thirty seconds. -Inspect(Active) > Locked Using MP, you can see some stats of people and objects five meters before you. {This is a system-specific skill. Power and utility all depend on skill level} ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 25: The Briefing What was especially intriguing to Kyle was the [Inspect] skill he saw on the skill menu. Others like [Regeneration] and [Inventory] were what he was already ustomed to. Though, he hadn''t entertained the possibility of storing items in the inventory. ''Others have stats too?!'' Kyle wondered in surprise. He decided to give it a try and selected the skill. He didn''t need to tap as the system was more of a mental projection than a screen in front of him. [Inspect] >Locked - Cost: 5 Skill points ''Five skill points,'' Kyle thought. ''I''ll get that from the quest.'' He took some time to survey the other changes. ''Intelligence. That may have to deal with mana points in the same manner as Stamina to Energy and Vitality to Health points,'' he guessed after observing their simrities. ''Maybe, one Intelligence stat equals an MP stat.'' Kyle dropped his blood on the egg for the 13th day in a row. ''It''s funny how days fly, isn''t it?'' Kyle stopped his conversation with the egg after he was done with the ritual and ced it back in the inventory. ''Uhhm, you know, the academy is advanced and stuff. What if they''re hidden cameras in my room watching me bring an egg out of thin air and drop my blood every day?'' A thought suddenly came to Kyle that made him gulp hard. [All system-rted items can only be seen by the host] The system responded, relieving his worries. ''Hmm, you still answer my questions?'' Kyle asked the system with surprise. ''Well, let''s talk. Tell me more about who you are?'' [...] Kyle gave up after the system failed to provide another response. ''Though they can''t see the egg. They still see me dropping my blood on the floor,'' Kyle thought with an embarrassed expression. ''They must think I''m a kinda weirdo or something.'' Kyle thought hard about what to do before deciding to call Nate to share the good news. He had earlier decided not to visit the arena today as he was exhausted from his mana core formation process. As he scoured hism for Nate''s ID; an unexpected call came in. "Hey, Riya!" Kyle greeted. After confirming the name on the ID. "Kyle! You now know your element." Riya''s voice burst through them. "What was it?" Kyle leaned back, resisting the urge to tell her. "Yeah, I did. Want to take a guess?" Riyaughed yfully. "Ooh, a guessing game, huh? Alright, let''s see. Fire? No, toomon for you. Maybe something like ice?" Kyle chuckled. "Nope, keep guessing." "Hmm, okay. How about wind? You already have an affinity towards speed." "Close, but not quite," Kyle teased, enjoying the suspense. "Alright, I give up," Riya said, after mentioning lots of elements. "Just tell me already!" Kyle grinned. "It''s lightning." Riya facepalmed herself. "Lightning! Why didn''t I think of that? The two continued to discuss for some time before they ended the call. Kyle tried calling Nate, who didn''t pick up as he was most likely in ss. He decided to go to sleep early, to gain a much-needed rest. He didn''t have to set an rm as the bus would pick them up by nine. The night quickly passed before a new day came again. Kyle checked hism to see the time. 7:38 AM. He felt as refreshed as ever. He had slept for almost fifteen hours! Something he''s never done, even in Yurigur. Stretching his arms, he pushed off the nket and sat up, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. Today was a significant day; by nine, they would be briefed on their new arrangements. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, feeling the cool wooden floor beneath his feet. After a quick shower, he dressed in casual clothes, a simple t-shirt, and shorts, suitable toplete his quest. His wardrobe was well stocked, thanks to his copious credits. Kyle made his way to the academy''s restaurant, his stomach rumbling in anticipation as he had been asleep for a long. Kyle joined the line and scanned the menu disyed on arge digital screen. After a moment of deliberation, he decided on a hearty meal: eggs, bacon, toast, and arge ss of orange juice. He swiped hism, deducting the necessary credits, and grabbed a tray. Finding a quiet corner, Kyle sat down and began eating, savoring each bite. He watched the other students as they went about their morning routines. Some were engrossed in conversations, while others seemed lost in thought, no doubt pondering the same things Kyle was¡ª the briefing to be held. As he finished his meal, Kyle checked the time. 8:00 AM. He still had plenty of time toplete his quest before the briefing. [Congrattions! You havepleted your daily quest] [You have obtained 1 STA point] [STA: 14 >> 15] [Energy: 28 >> 30] [Time: 0:27:09] Once back in his room, Kyle quickly showered, feeling refreshed as the warm water washed away the sweat from his run. Kyle donned his academy uniform before checking hism for the time. 8:55 AM. He waited for the bus which would transport them to the hall where the briefing would be held. It didn''t take long for the bus to arrive, flying then to the hall. Kyle found a seat near the front, where he spotted Orion. He waved and made his way over, sitting down beside him. "Hey, Orion," Kyle greeted. "I haven''t seen you in a while." "Ah, Kyle!" Orion eximed, surprised to see him. "The academy''s just too arduous." "So, what have you been up to?" Kyle asked. "Back to your devices?" "I require heavy funding to continue on my innovations, and these meager credits aren''t making it easier." Orion sighed. "It''s like a carrot in front of us which we can''t obtain." Kyle thought about all the credits he had from The Arena, subconsciously leaving a smile on his face. "I hope that would be addressed today," he wished. "You have a way to earn credits, don''t you?" Orion immediately asked. "Spill it out, now!" ''Jeez! This boy''s scary,'' Kyle concluded. "Yes, I do. But I''m not sure it''s something you''ll fancy." Orion nodded. "I''m listening." "Okay- " Their conversation was cut short as the room quieted, preventing Kyle from sharing his ways with Orion. The lights dimmed slightly, and a spotlight illuminated the stage. Elizabeth Quill, the Year 1 head, stepped up to the podium. Her presencemanded attention, and the room fell silent in anticipation. Chapter 26: Elective Courses "Good morning, students," the year 1 head began, her voice carrying clearly throughout the hall. "Today marks an important milestone in your journey here at the academy. You have all sessfully formed your mana cores, an important step in your magical education. Congrattions." A round of apuse filled the hall. Elizabeth continued, "With your mana cores formed, you are now ready to delve deeper into the study and practice of magic. From this point forward, you will be divided into wings, or elemental departments, based on your elemental affinity. These wings will guide your training and focus your studies, allowing you to hone your skills in alignment with your natural abilities." Elizabeth gestured to arge screen behind her, which lit up with the names of the various wings. Pyro Wing, Aqua Wing, Terra Wing, Aero Wing, Lumina Wing, Shadow Wing, Thunder Wing and so on. Each wing represented a different elemental affinity, and the students would be assigned to their respective wings based on their mana cores. Kyle exchanged a nce with Orion. Along with Orion, he would be ced in the Thunder Wing, a department focused on harnessing the power of electricity. "In addition to your core studies within your wings," Elizabeth continued, "you will have the opportunity to choose elective sses. These electives will allow you to expand your knowledge and skills beyond your primary element. Some of the electives avable include Alchemy, Forge Mastering, Beast taming, and Rune making. Each elective offers unique insights and practical skills that canplement your magical abilities." Despite being pre-informed by Nate, Kyle remained excited. The opportunity to learn more than just elemental magic was thrilling. Except for forge mastering which he had learned from Nate, and Beast taming which was easy to understand from its name; he didn''t understand what was Alchemy or Rune making. As if sensing his confusion, Elizabeth exined. "Alchemy is the art and science of transformation. Alchemistsbine various magical ingredients, mostly nts and herbs; to create potions, elixirs, and other mystical substances. An Alchemist uses a cauldron to make pills and potions, which could be used as a utility and a weapon." "Forge Mastering," Elizabeth continues, "is the discipline of crafting and enhancing weapons, armor, and other metal objects. It''s more than just cksmithing; it involves imbuing these creations with magical properties. A Forge Master understands the strengths and weaknesses of different metals, alloys, and materials, as well as the magical energies that can be infused into them. The process often starts with selecting the right materials and continues with forging, shaping, and enchanting the items. Forge Masters must possess not only physical strength and craftsmanship but also the ability to channel magical energies into their creations. Thereby making equipment worthy to be used by a mage." "Rune Making is the craft of inscribing magical symbols onto objects, surfaces, or even in the air. Runes are symbols imbued with specific magical properties, and they can be used for a variety of purposes, from creating barriers to enhancing weapons and armor or even casting spells. Each rune has its unique effect, and the skill lies in the urate drawing and activation of these symbols. Runes can be permanent or temporary, depending on the medium and the magic involved. Mastery of Rune Making requires a deep understanding of both the symbols themselves and the magic they channel. It''s a versatile discipline, as runes can be adapted for almost any magical need, limited only by the practitioner''s knowledge and creativity." Elizabeth took a breath from her exnation before exining thest. "Beast Taming is the art of bonding with and controlling magical creatures. This discipline requires a deep understanding of different creatures'' behaviors, instincts, and magical properties. A Beast Tamer learns tomunicate with these beings, often forming a bond that goes beyond mere control. This bond is mostly formed through magic connections. Beast Tamers can train their creatures for various purposes, such asbat, transportation, orpanionship." Elizabeth paused, letting the students assimte her information dump. "From now on, you will gain ess to the Academy''s library where you can borrow spell books for credit." Elizabeth smiled as she remembered an issue. "Besides, you have all beenining about your credit allowances. So, we''ll raise it. You''ll now receive 20 credits daily!" The students pped with energy and excitement as they were d of the news. The issue of obtaining credits has been a very serious problem here in Vyna. 20 credits every two days could barely feed you through that period. "You will also be given opportunities to trade your skills and specialties for credits!" A more thunderous p echoed around the hall. At least, they had hope of earning credits, and not only depending on the Academy''s allowance. Kyle wasn''t so bothered about the credit issue which made his apuseck enthusiasm as Orion keenly observed him. ''This boy,'' Orion said internally. ''He''s making me desperate.'' "As for your schedules," Elizabeth continued, "they will be distributed shortly. Your sses will be a mix of theoretical lessons, practical exercises, and elective sessions. The schedule is designed to provide a bnced education, allowing you to develop both your magical and non-magical skills." Elizabeth concluded her briefing with a warm smile. "You have all worked hard to get to this point. The journey ahead will not be easy, but it will be rewarding. Remember to support each other, aim for excellence, and never stop learning. Wee to the next phase of your education. Good luck." The room erupted in apuse, and Kyle felt even more excited. This was it, the beginning of their magical training in earnest. The students began to disperse, eager to discuss their newfound knowledge and specte about the uing sses. Kyle who had gotten up from his seat, ready to depart, heard a voice from behind him. "Where are you going, Mister?" "Ah, Orion," Kyle called, "Let''s meet at my house. You okay with that?" "We''ll meet at mine." Orion countered. "Sure," Kyle said with a thumbs up. "I''ll need to have a meal first. Care to join me?" "Lead the way." Chapter 27: Welcome to the Arena! The dorm restaurant bustles with students enjoying their meals and conversations. Kyle is midway through a te of grilled chicken with roasted vegetables, while Orion is enjoying a rich, creamy pasta dish. They both sit together enjoying Kyle''s credits. Orion leans forward, pushing his sses up the bridge of his nose with a thoughtful expression. "So, this underground arena... it''s real?" he asks with disbelief. Kyle grins, nodding as he cuts into his chicken. "Yeah, it''s real. It''s a ce where students can go to test their skills against each other," he confirms, pausing to take a bite of his meal. He chews thoughtfully before continuing, "But it''s more than just fighting. There''s a whole atmosphere around it. Students bet on matches, enjoying the fights. It''s like our own little world." Orion''s eyes widen. He swallows his mouthful of pasta, then leans in closer, lowering his voice. "Isn''t it dangerous, though? I mean, what if someone gets hurt?" He picks up his ss of water, taking a sip as he listens intently. Kyle shakes his head, a reassuring smile on his face. "There are rules in ce to keep things safe. The weapons aren''t sharp, and there''s a strict ''no death'' policy. It''s more about skill and control than anything else," he exins, reaching for a roasted carrot and popping it into his mouth. He savors the earthy sweetness before adding, "Plus, even if someone does get injured. They''re medics around the arena on standby to sell their services." Orion rxes a bit, nodding as he digests the information. "That sounds... fascinating," he admits, his voice filled with jealousy. "But, I don''t think fighting is my kinda thing," he adds quickly, raising a hand as if to ward off the idea. "That doesn''t mean I''m backing off," he quickly added after observing Kyle. "You said something earlier about gambling?" *Cough, Cough* Kyle couldn''t control himself after he heard Orion, almost spilling the drink in his mouth. "You wanna gamble?" Kyle asked. "On others?" "Yup," Orion affirmed. "Any problem?" "No, not at all," Kyle exined, getting back into his meal. "But, staking on others is very risky, you know?" Orion used his finger to pick a meatball from the meal before throwing it into his mouth. "Well, I''m desperate. I''d rather gamble for now than stay idle," he adjusted his sses before curving a proud smile. "I''ve always been good with numbers and probabilities. It could be interesting to see how my predictions match up with the oues." Kyleughed for a while at Orion''sment. "Sure, sure. We can even go tonight. You free?" "Alright, I''m in." He finishes his pasta, wiping the creamy sauce from the corner of his mouth with a napkin. Kyle nods. "Okay. We''ll meet at the restaurant by nine." He leans in slightly, his voice lowering conspiratorially. "Just make sure to keep it low-key. Not everyone needs to know about the ce." Orion nods with a serious expression. "Of course. Discretion is key," he agrees, pushing his empty te aside. He looks thoughtful for a moment, then adds, "This will be a good opportunity to understand more about the students here, too. The kind of environment that fosters this sort of underground activity... it''s fascinating." Kyle chuckles. "That''s one way to look at it," he says, standing up and stretching. They both returned to their houses. Kyle took his bath and performed his normal ritual on the egg before deciding on a nap, setting his rm to be awakened by 8:45 PM. ~ "You''rete." Orion who had been waiting for some minutes now said to the approaching Kyle. Kyle ignored Orion''s statement. "Follow my lead. The arena''s under the ancient library." At the bottom, Kyle guided them through a narrow hallway, barely lit by a single flickering bulb. They stopped in front of an unmarked door, slightly ajar. Kyle pushed it open, revealing a dusty storage room cluttered with old furniture and forgotten boxes. Orion nced around, his curiosity piqued. "This is where the entrance is?" he asked, keeping his voice barely above a whisper. Kyle nodded, moving confidently toward the basement. "Yeah, it''s hidden to keep things under wraps," he replied. With a grunt, he shifted the wardrobe aside, revealing a concealed doorway behind it. He turned to Orion, a hint of excitement in his voice. "This is it." The narrow stairs beyond the door were cold and damp, the stone walls seeming to absorb any sound. They moved cautiously, the faint echoes of their footsteps the only noise. The tunnel twisted and turned, abyrinth of forgotten architecture. Kyle led the way with practiced ease, while Orion followed closely, the thrill of the unknown growing with each step. Finally, they reached a heavy curtain that blocked the stair''s end. Kyle paused, turning to Orion with a serious expression. "On the other side is the arena," he whispered. "It''s not just a ce for fights; it''s a gathering spot for those looking for something beyond the academy''s rules. Remember, respect is key." Orion nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. "Understood," he whispered back, adjusting his sses. The gravity of the moment settled over him, joined with a thrill of excitement. With a final nod, Kyle pushed aside the curtain, revealing the underground arena. Kyle led Orion through the crowd, weaving past clusters of students who barely noticed them. Orion looked around, taking in the scene with wide eyes. The setup was surprisingly organized, yet it had an undeniable edge of danger and unpredictability. "This is... amazing," Orion said, his voice filled with awe. "I never imagined something like this could exist here." Kyle grinned, clearly pleased with Orion''s reaction. "Wee to the Arena!" he said, his voice tinged with pride. "It''s a whole different side of the academy, a ce where students can test their skills and push their limits." Orion nodded, still absorbing the atmosphere. "And the betting... it''s all part of it?" he asked, ncing toward the booth where a group of students was animatedly discussing odds. "Yeah," Kyle confirmed, guiding them to a quieter spot where they could observe the action. "It''s a big part of the scene. People bet on matches, trying to predict the oues." As they settled in, a hush fell over the crowd, signaling the start of another match. The fighters stepped into the ring, greeted by a murmur of anticipation from the audience. Kyle exined the two types of matches that took ce in the pits. Orion''s eyes were very focused on the match. Though he has seen a fair share of magic from his father. He has never seen an elemental duel before. Chapter 28: Dominion Kyle looked towards Orion who seemed to be very absorbed in the match. "I''ll get going," Kyle informed. "I''d like to book a match." Orion nodded in approval. "Sure, I''ll get acquainted with the arena''s statistics." Kyle made his way to the registration booth, he didn''t need an introduction to be remembered by the boy manning the booth. "Omni Lord! Wanna book a match?" the dark-skinned boy at the booth asked, already filling in some details. "Yup," Kyle affirmed. "Any avable?" "Not at the moment," the boy replied while shaking his head. "You''re No. 11 and we''re currently at No. 9. It won''t take long till it''s your turn. "Sure, thanks," Kyle replied while collecting his token. "No problem," The boy replied before making way for another customer. Kyle had be a rising star in the arena. 9 games, 9 wins. Undefeated since he joined. His skills were enjoyed by the audience, despite being ranked 47th. He made his way to the gambling booth and ced fifty coins on himself. Due to his sesses, his odds had always been on the lower end. He confirmed that a second opponent had already registered and decided to check their profile. =Elysia =0 games =0 wins ''Ah,'' Kyle sighed. ''A noob.'' He was unhappy about not being able to battle someone stronger but eventually shrugged it off. ''Well, I''m just gonna extend my win streak.'' He had a meager 1.12 odds of winning while his opponent''s was 28. It didn''t take long until he was called into the pit for his match. "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we wee back our sword prodigy, Omni Lord!" The announcer''s voice boomed, his voice carrying through the arena. The crowd roared, excited for the disy. "Going up against him, a neer, wielding the rapier, Elysia!" Few ps came around the arena, and many were assured of the result. Kyle jumped into the pit as he awaited his opponent. A girl with long green hair and amber eyes, wearing a white flowing robe, gracefully walked towards the pit. She held the rapier in her hand carelessly, as it looked like it could fall anytime. Kyle observed her, almost enthralled by her appearance. Abandoning all distractions, he sped his palms and bowed to his opponent. "Begin!" Elysia, who yawned as Kyle bowed, changed her posture as the matchmenced, folding her hands across her bountiful chest. Kyle tried his best to ignore her tant disregard for the match. ''I just hope she doesn''t lose too badly.'' He came at her with his great Agility, aiming to knock her off the ground in one sweeping strike. The girl showed no movements as he drew closer to her. ''It''s over,'' Kyle resigned. ''There''s absolutely no how I won''t strike her feet from the way she''s standing.'' As the blunt katana was inches away from Elysia''s leg; she went for what no one would have expected. She jumped! Jumping in a fight where your opponent was extremely close to you wasn''t a smart move at all. Not only did it expose you to a second attack whilst still in the air, but yournding was foreseen by your opponent giving them the advantage. All these were the risks affiliated with her move except if she was able to reach the ground so fast that the jump couldn''t be exploited. Elysia not only managed to jump about thirty inches off the ground but lunged herself forward to Kyle, delivering a flying kick. "Im-po-ssible," Kyle barely stuttered as he coughed out mouthfuls of blood. [HP: 15/30] The hit took a lot from him, instantly haling his HP. Elysiannded softly on the ground before folding her arms once again. Elysia rolled her eyes in disgust. "Pathetic." The whole crowd was silent at the sight of the disy. Many began to wonder about the true identity of the girl. This was a physical fight, hence, no magic was allowed making Elysia''s strength unexinable. [New quest: Where there is no struggle, there is no strength. Survive against the opponent before you!] [Reward: 1 Skill point per minute] Kyle used his hands to wipe the blood off his mouth before slowly getting up. He thought about buying time by staying on the floor since Elysia did nothing to him when down but eventually stood up so as not to get disqualified. "Yeah," Kyle whispered. "I just have to survive." Elysia had a smile on her face after watching him get back up. Kyle raised his katana and adopted a stance. Elysia looked at the rapier in her hands and threw it away. Quickly approaching him, she went for a sweeping kick. Kyle, who had anticipated the kick in advance managed to jump up to avoid it. Unfortunately, Elysia angled her legs forward and threw him on the floor again. Kyle fell with a heavy thud, resulting in his back throbbing in pain. [HP: 9/30] "You''re a weakling, huh?" Elysia questioned him with scorn. She swept her hands around the silent crowd before saying. "These humans, they need you. What have you been doing all this while?!" Kyle caught up on her point. It was all starting to make sense. The system, its purpose. All these had been at the back of his head ever since he arrived here. Elysia folded her left palm, revealing two fingers. "2 years. That''s the time left before the first wave of attacks begins." Kyle didn''t understand what she was saying. He slowly stood up, refusing to falter before picking up his formerly dropped Katana. "DON''T. DARE. CALL. ME. A. WEAKLING!" Kyle said, word-by-word before releasing a sh from his Katana. A white blinding light fell on the arena after which his opponent disappearedpletely from the scene. [You have survived for 1 minute and 53 seconds. You''ve gained 1 skill point!] [Congrattions, you havepleted the hidden quest, "Defeat the goddess incarnation".] [You have gained Elysia''s approval] Silence ensued from the crowd as the light dimmed out. In the pit, a boyy on the ground, still bleeding from his former wounds. The girl, however, the one who had brought him to this state, was nowhere to be found. Chapter 29: Aftermath The announcer stepped forward, ready to break the foreboding silence. "I regret to inform you that we don''t have a winner just yet," he announced, his voice carrying a tone of disappointment that matched the crowd''s mood. The news, however, did little to surprise the audience. "The fighter, Omni Lord, is currently under suspicion of cheating. We all witnessed the powerful attack that ended the battle, and it has raised some serious concerns." A hush fell over the crowd as they listened to the announcer, their minds wandering somewhere else. The tension, however, was momentarily eased as the announcer continued, his tone shifting to something more conciliatory. "Rest assured, there will be full refunds for those who ced bets on this match. We must obtain conclusive results before any decisions are made." A collective sigh of relief spread across the arena. The announcer paused as a soft chime signaled an iing message on hism. His expression remained impassive as he read it, and then he lifted his gaze back to the crowd. "The arena will now close for the evening. We ask that everyone return to their respective dormitories." It didn''t take long for the crowd to disperse. Their departure was orderly, but many still discussed the match and its implications. As thest of the spectators vanished through the exits, a group of fourth years, the ones tasked with the arena''s administration, made their way to the pit. One of them, a boy with fair skin and a striking green ponytail, pulled out a handheld device. The device whirred softly as he activated it, sweeping it across the pit where Kyle had fallen. The glow from the screen illuminated his focused expression, as he scanned the area, pausing briefly over Kyle''s unconscious form. After a few moments, he stood. He turned to his peers, who were waiting anxiously for his assessment. "There''s no trace of magic here," he stated firmly, his voice. "The boy has used a magic spell. He''s most likely a first-year." "Year 1?!" another boy blurted out, his voice tinged with shock. The notion of a first-year possessing such power was unbelievable. One of the more senior students, a tall figure with sharp, narrow eyes, stepped forward. He surveyed the pit, he had paid attention during the the match and had to confirm his idea. "He didn''t use magic... that was his sword intent." "Sword intent. Impossible!" murmurs spread through the group, their doubts voiced in hushed tones. "Quiet!" the boy with the device snapped, his voiceced with authority. The group immediately fell silent, focusing all attention on him. "We''re all forgetting something here. A girl was obliterated in the arena we were tasked to handle!" "So, what''s the next step? Am I to heal him?" a girl from the group inquired. "No," the boy with the device replied, his tone firm. "I''ll inform Michael about what had happened here." The casual way he mentioned the Dean''s name, spoke a lot about his standing within the academy. "We''ll keep the boy in the infirmary and report to him." The group nodded in agreement before they instructed some helpers to take Kyle to the infirmary. *** Michael sat in his office behind a grand desk. The room he stayed in wasrge, toorge to be called an office. Shelves filled with neatly organized books, lined the walls in order, creating an academic atmosphere in the room. Therge windows in the office were wide open, giving the office a warm atmosphere. *Knock, Knock* "Come in," Michaelmanded, his voice calm yet authoritative. He didn''t need to guess who was at the door; he had already sensed the visitor. The door swung open to reveal Jordan, the fourth-year student who had earlier scanned the arena pit. He entered calmly, despite what had earlier transpired. His ck and gold uniform of an Elite 10 fit him perfectly, a symbol of his elevated status among the academy''s best. "Jordan," Michael greeted him. "I assume you have something important to report." "Yes sir," Jordan replied. "There was an incident in the arena today." Michael leaned forward, his interest immediately piqued. The underground arena which hemissioned had been doing well so far. News from there always carried weight. "Go on." "There was a physical match between two new fighters," Jordan began. "One of them, who goes by the alias Omni Lord, had made his debut a few days ago. The other was fighting her first match today." Michael''s eyes narrowed slightly as Jordan continued. "The fighter, Omni Lord, is suspected of disying sword intent during the match. We used a magic detection device on him afterward and found no traces of spell usage. This can only mean one thing..." "He''s a Year 1!" Michael interjected, his voice betraying his surprise. "Yes, he is," Jordan confirmed, though his expression remained grave,cking any sense of triumph at the discovery. Michael studied Jordan for a moment, sensing there was more to the story. "There''s more to this, ain''t there?" Jordan took in a breath. "The sword intent... it was overwhelmingly strong. So strong that it obliterated his opponent in a single strike." A heavy silence filled the room as Michael absorbed this revtion. This wasn''t the first student to have died in the academy, but, not this way. After a moment, Michael broke the silence, his voice filled with concern. "The opponent... What was her name?" "Elysia," Jordan replied quietly. Michael exhaled, running a hand through his face. "Do we have any records of her?" "No," Jordan said, shaking his head. "We don''t have the records of the contestants." *Bang* Michael mmed his hand down on the desk, the sound reverberating through the room. The sturdy desk doing well to bear the brunt of his frustration. "We were careless!" he eximed, his tone filled with anger. "From now on, I want allbatants in the arena fully documented. Their real names, years, and IDs must be on file." "Understood, sir," Jordan affirmed, his voice steady despite the tense atmosphere. Michael sighed, the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. He shifted his focus to the next pressing matter. "What about the boy, Omni Lord? Where is he now? I want to meet him." "Well..." Jordan began recounting the events leading up to the incident, including Kyle''s arena record and how he had been utterly defeated by Elysia before the final blow. Michael''s expression softened before waving his hands to dismiss the student. "It''s unfortunate we''ve lost such a talent. When he wakes up, send him to my office." "Yes sir," Jordan replied, bowing slightly before turning to leave. As Jordan exited, the room fell silent once more, leaving Michael alone with his thoughts. The Dean leaned back in his chair, staring through the window. "Sword intent... Year 1," Michael mused aloud with a bittersweet smile. "Dan will be pleased." Chapter 30: Meeting the Dean Kyle''s eyes slowly opened, greeted by the whiteness of the infirmary''s ceiling. He tried to stand up before realizing he was lying down on a bed with clean white sheets. ''How did I get here?'' Kyle thought after remembering the previous events. He instinctively moved his hand to his chest. As expected, it didn''t hurt as much. [HP: 30/30] He nced at his status screen to confirm his thoughts. ''The aura, I used it again.'' Kyle thought to himself. ''I received something. What was it again, system?'' The door slowly creaked open, interrupting Kyle''s thought. "You''re awake," a gentle voiceing from a woman said. "How do you feel?" "I feel really good. Like nothing happened to me at all," Kyle remarked. The medic chuckled. "That''s nice. The Dean wants to see you. I was told to inform you when you wake up." "The Dean?!" Kyle eximed in shock. "Yes," she affirmed. "You can go through the academy''s portal." Kyle wondered why the Dean would want to see him until the realization of him using sword intent surfaced. ''Welp, I hope I''m not in trouble.'' Kyle got up from his bed and followed the medic. They went to a building some meters away from the infirmary. Entering inside after their identities were verified, Kyle was awed at the scene. Towering portal-like constructions were orderly lined in the spacious room. The circr portals though dormant¡ª gave off an aura that screamed power! As directed by the medic, Kyle entered one of the portals waiting for the Dean to approve his arrival before it turned on. The feeling of teleportation wasn''t enjoyable, to say the least. Kyle having already experienced it, dealt with it perfectly, as he was warped without any problems. The portals in the academy were interlinked with each other. A portal led to another and vice-versa. Kyle arrived in through a portal node at the Dean''s office. Kyle felt a whole lot better than when he had warped for the first time¡ª thanks to his improved stats. His eyes wandered through the spacious room, finally meeting the Dean. Kyle didn''t have a good first impression of him. The way he had made them all wait, only to arrive and not select all. Kyle could only imagine how those other kids felt, after having false hope of attending the academy, only to return home. ''Welp, good thing I made the cut.'' he warded out all other thoughts and focused on the reason he was here. "Good evening, sir," Kyle greeted, bowing slightly. The Dean nodded and gestured to a seat opposite his desk. "Good afternoon. Please, have a seat." Kyle sat, trying to free his mind of any thoughts that may implicate him. Michael studied him for a moment, taking note of his white cloak, evident of him being a Year 1 student. "I trust the portal experience wasn''t too overwhelming?" "It isn''t anymore," Kyle replied with a smile. Michael chuckled softly. "I''m impressed by your resilience. What is your name boy?" "Kyle Lin." "So, Kyle. You know why I called you?" Michael suddenly asked. "Err... I think it has to do with my attack." Kyle said with doubt, trying his best to appear clueless before the Dean. "Kyle," the Dean began. "Do you know what sword intent is?" "Sword intent, sir? I''m not sure I understand?" Kyle tried to feign confusion. Michael smiled at the disy. "Sword intent is not merely a technique or a skill, Kyle. It is a manifestation of one''s will, spirit, and essence in the form of a de. It''s an extension of the swordsman''s soul, capable of cutting through not just matter, but reality itself." Beads of sweat formed on Kyle''s face as he remembered Madam Grace''s warning. "Are you saying I used sword intent, sir?" "Yes, Kyle," The dean affirmed to his question. "It''s quite impressive for a young one like you to be able to use an aura, isn''t it?" Kyle kept his mouth shut, not willing to implicate himself further. "Your opponent, Elysia," Michael brought up, taking a sip of the beverage on his desk. "Ever thought what happened to her?" Kyle began to panic after hearing the Dean''s words. He truly never thought about the impact of his intent. The first time he had used it, it only managed to destroy Riya''s arrows and everything was okay. His mind trailed to how he killed the Tier-1 mana beast with the help of his intent. ''I hope she''s alright,'' he inwardly prayed. Michael observed him for a while before answering his question. "Well, Kyle, I''m afraid to tell you she''s dead," The Dean dropped a bombshell. "Killed by your intent, you killed her, Kyle." Kyle paled in horror. "Noo! It can''t be." "But, it is," The Dean responded. "How? Why?" Kyle questioned his actions before breaking down in tears. "I killed her; I''m a murderer." Michael gave him some time toport himself before adding. "The deed has been done. There''s no way to bring back the dead, Kyle," he stated the obvious. "What you can do, rather, is to learn to control your powers. So as not to take more lives carelessly." The Dean''s words did barely anything to pacify Kyle. The fact he had killed someone unjustly remained. "W-what''s my punishment, I killed a student," Kyle asked, bringing himself back to reality. "Nothing," Michael simply said. That one word made Kyle more angry at himself. He just killed a student, and nothing would be done to him. He couldn''t request for a punishment though, as that was stupid, punishing him wouldn''t bring back the dead The Dean paused before continuing. "Due to our carelessness with the arena''s management, we have no records of your opponent. But, we''ll do our best to show her support, if her guardians evere looking." "Okay, thank you," Kyle slowly showed his gratitude. "As I said earlier, control is key," Michael continued. "As you can be formidable on the battlefield, if able to wield your powers well," "I''ll try arranging an Instructor to take you in as a disciple, to teach you the ways of the sword." "An Instructor?" "Yes, a very powerful one," The Dean said with a chuckle. "I''m sure he''ll be interested in handling your tutge." "Thank you." Kyle showed appreciation again, his mood still somber. "You can head to your dormitory now. It''ste and you have sses tomorrow," Michael concluded dismissing Kyle. Chapter 31: Elysia? Kyley on his bed, his eyes lost to the white ceiling, reminiscing about the day''s event. "I killed someone," he muttered, his eyes filled with tears. Ring, ring! Kyle withdrew his hand from underneath his head, ncing at his wrist to see the caller once again¡ª Riya. This was the ninth time she had called him. At first, Orion called, but after he didn''t pick up twice, he began seeing Riya''s calls some momentster. Kyle used his hands to wipe off his tears before prompting them to answer, it wasn''t nice leaving someone worried. "Hey," Riya''s voice greeted from them immediately the it connected. "Hey." A long silence ensued for a while before Riya broke it. "Orion told me what happened, are you alright?" "Yes... I am," Kyle replied with suppressed tears. "I just wanted to make sure everything was alright," Riya exined. "Riya... I''m a monster!" Kyle wailed. "I killed her." "Kyle," "..." "Kyle, listen. Mistakes happen." Riyaforted Kyle in a low voice. "Don''t dwell on the past, it won''t change anything." "Riya, she has no future, because - of - me." Kyle managed to say despite his tears, that he knew it wouldn''t change anything, but the time had spent understanding his actions had left a void within him. "Hold on," Riya called out. "Where went the jovial swordmaster I knew? You''re acting like a wimp now, you know? "..." "Good night. Go to sleep, okay?" Riya reminded. "You bet I won''t forget today." Kyle nodded before muttering. "Thank you." He stared at the disconnectedm for quite some time before eventually drifting off to sleep. *** "Ah... !" Kyle screamed while trying to cover his eyes from the golden blinding light before him. It took a while, but his eyes eventually managed with the light... all be it barely. ''Where am I?'' Kyle questioned himself as his eyes scoured through his surroundings. He stood in the middle of a grand hall, too grand it would be passed off as a construction meant for giants. Tall golden pirs stretched upwards to the ever-high ceiling, being one of the only constructions within the hall. Aside from pirs was arge regal throne, crafted from the finest of ores. The throne''s golden hue gave off a feeling of majesty. Though so regal, the throne couldn''t suppress the aura of the one who sat on it. Green hair, Jade skin, unparalleled beauty and yet a face so pure. Elysia sat on the throne, her legs crossed while the hands entertained herself with some fruits being held up in a tray by a strange green man. ''Is this a dream?'' Kyle thought, simultaneously pinching himself to prove his thoughts. ''Okay, it''s not,'' Kyle confirmed, rubbing the part of his skin he pinched himself at. "Kyle," Elysia called out with a smile. ''This... Isn''t this my opponent¡­ Elysia?'' "Yes, Kyle," Elysia confirmed his thoughts with a smile. "I''m Elysia" "Wait!" Kyle couldn''t help but blurt out. "Did you just read my mind?" "Yes, I did." "What? How?... No, where am I?" Kyle asked, confused about what questions to throw first. "You seem to have forgotten our conversation, Kyle," Elysia said with a chuckle, snapping her fingers at him. Memories began to flood into Kyle''s mind, reminding him of the detail, the arena event. "Ah, you... !" Kyle eximed as he processed his memories. "You brought me here, didn''t you?" "Nope," Elysia replied. "My dad... Pyrrhus did." "Pyrrhus... Yes, I remember." "I see..." Elysia whispered with her hands on her chin. "He didn''t tell you anything, huh?" "Nope," Kyle answered, his voicecking the former sorrow he felt. Elysia lightly face-palmed. "That man... So annoying. He only cares about himself... Can''t even n properly." "Well," Elysia said after her rants. "That''s why I called you here." "Have you ever heard about the Celestial War, Kyle?" "The Celestial War?" "It is a war between gods and their domains, a conquest of power and domination." She paused to see if Kyle was grabbing before continuing. "My dad needed amander, someone he couldmunicate with... someone who would lead his forces. He chose you." Kyle nodded, his mind racing with thoughts like, ''I didn''t sign up for this'', but he was going to go with the flow... For now. "Kyle," Elysia called out with a face-palm. "This is serious... No one cares whether you signed up for it. Would you rather watch humanity perish?" ''Damn, she can read my mind,'' Kyle thought. ''I need to find a way to suppress my thoughts...'' "..." "Uhm..." Kyle said with a light chuckle. "It''s kinda rude to read people''s minds. How do you even do that?" Elysia sighed. "That doesn''t matter. All that matters now is that you need to get much stronger... Fast!" "Tsk. Of course, I want to get stronger." Kyle said with a grin. "But... Why start a war at all? If you so much care about us humans." "Well, Kyle, I care about the humans ... My dad doesn''t. All he wants is power." Elysia exined. "Check out the blessing I gave you, Kyle." "Blessing?" [Elysia''s blessing: The goddess, Elysia had chosen you as her vassal. Your physical constitution will be improved! You will ess 1% of her mana reserves! All your actions will be monitored by her. Bond would dissolve if you be stronger] [Do you ept?] [Yes] or [No] Kyle thought hard about the offer presented before him... It looked enticing, really enticing. ''1% of a goddess''s mana. How much is that?'' Despite not yet knowing the importance of mana, Kyle knew that havingrge reserves was a great plus. Kyle knew that there were downsides too. He didn''t know what the system meant by, "all your actions would be monitored by her" but of course knew that he would be below her if he epted. He directed his gaze briefly to the goddess, whose eyes seemed to beg him to ept, then the flickering system message in his mind, before selecting his choice. One that would be big enough to change everything. Chapter 32: Homeroom class ''I ept,'' Kyle thought as he selected ''Yes''. He had weighed the two options and figured out: ''There''s nothing wrong with being her vassal, as long as it isn''t permanent.'' Elysia pped her hands in glee. "Great!" She used her mana to imprint a signature on Kyle, marking him as her vassal. Kyle felt a sudden surge of power within him, after which a great pain followed. "Arrgh..." Kyle cried in pain as he felt his insides crush. "Stop it! Please..." He couldn''t help to fall on the ground in pain, but thankfully some seconds that felt like minutes passed before he felt good again. [Your physical body has been improved] [Your affinity with mana has increased] [Your regeneration has been greatly] improved!] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Beginnier Mage: Lv 1 EXP: 0/1000 HP: 30 Energy: 28 MP: - Agility: 30 Strength: 30 Vitality: 15 Stamina: 15 Intelligence: 20 SP: 0 Skill points: 0 Inventory: 1* Tier-1 Mana core, 1*Egg. [Elements] [Skills] -Inventory A space where time is paused and energy flow restricted used for storing items by the host. -Regeneration(Passive) Recover 1% Energy and MP every second. -Inspect(Active) > Locked Using MP, you can see some stats of people and objects five meter before you. {This is a system-specific skill. Power and utility all depends on skill''s level} ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle stood up from the ground and examined his stats. "My MP. There''s a dash?" Elysia grinned with pride. "Yes. 1% of my mana cannot be quantified by your system at this stage. Kyle''s jaw dropped when he heard Elysia. "Cannot be quantified?! Are you freaking telling me I have infinite mana?" Elysia smiled after hearing him. "Well, almost infinite... At this stage, it could be considered infinite." "Wow! That should be amazing!" "You bet it is," Elysia said with a smirk. "Now get back to your dormitory; you have sses tomorrow." "Aye." Kyle felt nothing for some moments, before he opened his eyes and felt the bright light around him. He looked at hism to check the time, "7:29 AM." "Nooo! I''mte again," Kyle screamed in sadness. He used hism to take a look at his timetable that has skipped his mind. "Homeroom sses¡ª Weekdays. 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM. Weekends: 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM." "Wing sses¡ª Weekdays. 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM." "Electives¡ª Weekdays. 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM." "History¡ª Weekends. 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM." "General Weapon Training¡ª Weekends. 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM." "Finally, a break," Kyle smiled after reading the timetable. "I wonder why they''re just implementing it now." He jumped of from his bed, wondering why he was still wasting time, before getting ready for lessons. 7:58 AM. ''There should be enough time to grab a meal,'' Kyle thought as he walked into the cafeteria. He opted for a take-away meal, packaging it before secretly storing it in his inventory. Kyle grinned as he thought. ''Properly using my cheats.'' [Daily Quest: Run 10 kilometers] [Reward: 1 STA point] Kyle nced at the quest as he ran to the homeroom ss, the Year 1 homeroom hall was just some meters from the dormitory, so he couldn''tplete his quest on the process. ''8:02 AM,'' Kyle looked at hism onest time as he stood outside the door. ''I hope this instructor isn''t as strict as Professor Grendel.'' He made onest silent prayer before slowly opening the doors. He saw... Chaos! His year mates who had been behaving rather tame since the first day of the academy were all over the ce. They engaged in loud discussions and had the chance to connect with everyone. Kyle directed his gaze to the Instructor''s desk. As expected, it was empty. ''No wonder.'' He found Riya, Orion, Zack and Anne at a corner. The Frulia crew were back together. Unlike the others, there wasn''t an air of excitement among them, rather one of silence and quiet chatter. "Yo," Kyle called out with a wide smile, taking a seat beside them. "Kyle, you''re alright?" Zack said to him in concern. "Of course he is..." Orion hissed. "Alright? Why won''t I be alright?" Kyle asked with a light chuckle. "Orion told us what happened," Zack said slowly, scared of whether to continue talking. ''Damn you, Orion,'' Kyle thought, giving Orion the ''who asked you nce''. "Welp," Kyle thought for a while before answering, technically, he didn''t kill anyone, so there was no reason to stay down. "Riya dear helped me feel better," he said, directing the conversation to Riya. "Me? What?" Riya said in denial. "I just told you that you can''t change anything." "Stop it, Riya," Kyle said with a smirk. "We all know you''re a good girl." Riya growled in anger, not finding the praises funny. Zack and Orion erupted intoughter, from the look on Riya''s face. "Let me get this straight," Anne finally spoke up, surprising everyone with her voice. "You killed an innocent kid and it doesn''t bother you." "It does, but I''ve epted it''s a mistake... One that won''t happen again." "Humph." Anne suddenly stood up and left the ce. Kyle stared at her in confusion as she left, before asking after she disappeared in the crowd. "What''s her problem?" "..." Riya and Zack maintained an odd silence before Orion blurted out. "She''s obviously disappointed in your unconcern." "Unconcern? Did you expect me to continue crying up till now?" Kyle asked Orion, raising his eyebrows slightly. "Nope." Orion replied. "But it would help if you thought about Elysia more." Kyle nodded. Maybe he wasn''t acting nice, maybe they were right. They might not know, but he knew that he didn''t kill anyone. ''I''ll apologize to her...'' he concluded after giving it some thought. His thoughts were interrupted when the door opened, and a certain man walked through the door, making everywhere as silent as a graveyard. He was quite tall with a firm build, had a very dark skin with short ck styled hair. His dressed casually in a white shirt and ck pants, but his presence impacted the room despite his warm smile. He was Instructor Dan, the Year 1 homeroom teacher. Chapter 33: Stay Behind "Hello," Instructor Dan greeted with a smile that almost looked scary. "I''m Daniel Hubbard, your homeroom teacher. You can call me Instructor Dan." The kids who had already rushed to their respective seats nodded their heads at him. "Why are y''all so hung up?" Dan asked with a smile. "I would love to know all of you by name... But, from your number, I''m not sure that''s possible." "Let''s cut to the chase then," Dan said as he began sharing a sheet with each student. He pointed at some students to help him with the distribution, making it faster. After he was done making sure every student got a sheet. He began to exin: "As you can see already, on that sheet lies all the elective courses offered by the academy. Just use your writing aid to tick on the box besides the one you wish to offer." A chubby student raised his hand after he was done talking. "Your name, element and question." Dan signified calmly. "Ehhm... My name is Paul Dickens. An earth elementalist," the boy introduced nervously. "I just wanted to ask if we can choose more than one course." "Well, Dan... If you observe your timetable, you''ll see that there is only one period for the elective course," Dan exined. "But, if you can somehow be in two sses at the same, you''re free to do so." Laughter and snickers erupted from the ss after Dan finished talking, making Paul cover his face in shame. "Silence!" Dan announced with a sharp tone, unconsciously releasing some mana, which sent chills through some students. He smiled after seeing the result, retracting back his aura. "Did I say anything funny to warrant augh?" The whole ss that had just felt the brunt of Dan''s mana remained quiet to his question. "Well, I don''t think I made a joke," he answered his question with sharp eyes before directing his gaze to Paul. "You may sit. Don''t let anyone intimidate you, you have the freedom to ask your mind, okay?" Paul nodded, swallowing hard in embarrassment while he took his seat. "Now, let''s continue," Dan suddenly said with a warm smile, his face taking a 180-degree turn. "By now, y''all should have chosen the elective course you want to offer, correct?" The ss nodded, well, a majority did. "I''ll give you two minutes in case you haven''t, after that, I''ll be collecting the slips." Kyle looked at the sheet before him. ''How did this skip my mind?'' Alchemy. Forge Mastering. Beast taming. Rune making. All of them sounded interesting, but he could only choose one. ''I won''t go for Forge mastering. It seems boring already. I''m a fighter, not a craftsman.'' With that thought he mentally crossed out forge mastering, ''Alchemy as well, that''s ano-noo. Making pills and potions seems too boring for him.'' ''Now I''m left with Beast taming and Rune making.'' Both drew him for different reasons. He considered it nice to have a battle partner and was curious about how mana beasts were tamed, but a certain egg in his inventory immediately wrote it off. ''So I guess Rune making it is.'' Kyle thought, using his pen to tick the box next to his choice. Rune making wasn''t bad at all. The memory of the magic circle the Dean used in teleporting them to the academy was still fresh in his mind. Plus, as Mrs. Elizabeth said, Rune making was a versatile skill. He could attack, defend and even use it for his utility. "Time''s up." Instructor Dan said, startling those deep in thought about their choices and satisfying those waiting for him. He began to collect the sheets, this time without the help of any student. As he collected the sheets, he patiently waited for a few who were still indecisive, giving them some tips between. ''What a nice guy?'' Kyle thought, not knowing the reality he would soon find out. Dan nced at hism when he was done with the retrieval. "Okay. We still have about ten minutes before your wing sses, any questions before then?" Orion raised his hands calmly, preparing his question. "Go on," Dan indicated. "Name, element, and question." Orion stood up, lightly clearing his throat before asking. "Orion ide. Lightening and Metal dual elementalist." Orion introduced, earning some murmurs of reverence from him being a dual Elementalist. "We haven''t received any information regarding the Library; could you please rify how we are expected to utilize it?" The ss nodded at Orion''s question, thinking why it skipped their mind. "Nice question, Orion," Dan remarked. "I believe you''ve tried visiting the Library before, correct?" Orion nodded. "I was denied ess." "Yes, that was during your first week," Dan rified. "Your details had been updated after your promotion, so, when you visit again. You''ll receive a library card, which would determine a lot, like your ess and all that." "I won''t dwell on it much. Master Orlin, the librarian will guide you during your next visit, okay?" "Thank you," Orion said with a satisfied smile before taking his seat. "You''re wee." Dan replied before asking the ss, "Any more questions?" The ss thought for a while but remained silent. "Since we''re all cleared, for now at least, the ss is dismissed," he said, signaling them to go. "Don''t forget to attend your wing sses on time," Dan remembered, as there were still over 5 minutes left before the ss''s time for closure. The students nodded, replying with a unified ''Thank you''. "Kyle Lin, stay behind." The students who were already packing their materials paused to listen to Dan''s announcement. ''Oh no,'' Kyle thought wryly. The rest of the students left, asionally turning their heads towards the demon who would always obliterate them in General Weapon Training ss, wondering what could have happened. "Best of luck, my man," Zack told Kyle with a wink, solidly pping his chest. Unlike the others, he had a clue about what could happen. Kyle nodded his head, beads of sweat already forming on his head. Slowly, the whole students left the ss, leaving Kyle alone with Instructor Dan. Chapter 34: Layla Von *Thud!* Dan closed the door as soon as all the students left the ss, making Kyle feel even more tense. "Hush!" Dan moved his hands and cast a spell around them, causing their surroundings to warp into a mini vortex¡ªone that didn''t seem to affect them directly but distorted the world outside. Kyle''s eyes widened at the sight. "What was that?" he managed to ask, his voice tinged with awe. "It''s a magic spell," Dan exined with his usual calmness. "It''s an air bubble that surrounds us, making it so no one outside can hear our conversation, not even those at the doors." Kyle''s lips curled into a smile as he imagined himself wielding such a spell one day. Dan, catching the gleam in Kyle''s eyes, smirked. "Don''t get ahead of yourself,d," he said with a slight chuckle. "It''s a wind spell, and you only have a lightning affinity, remember?" Kyle felt likeughing at Dan''sment, but he quicklyposed himself, forcing a sad look onto his face. ''Joke''s on you,'' he thought with a silent grin, ''I can awaken all the elements.'' "I don''t have time to waste, so I''ll get to the point," Dan said after he was done exining. "You''ll be my disciple from this point onwards. I can''t let you wield an aura without control, okay?" ''Wait! What?'' Kyle thought, his mind shing back to the Dean''sst words. He hadn''t paid much attention then, as his "murder" had been bothering him. "T-Thank you," Kyle managed to stammer, unsure of what else to say. Dan lightly chuckled. "I''ll need your ID to inform you of our meeting schedule." After collecting Kyle''s ID, Dan added, "I''ll consider your currentmitments and craft a schedule that won''t infringe on your time, okay?" Kyle nodded in acknowledgment, murmuring another "Thank you" before Dan dismissed the spell with a flick of his wrist. The vortex around them dissipated instantly, and the normal sounds of the academy returned as if nothing had happened. Kyle made his way to the door. As he reached for the handle, the door suddenly swung open, revealing a few students who had been leaning against it, their ears pressed against the wood in an attempt to eavesdrop. They nearly toppled over as the door opened, trying to regain their bnce. Kyle spotted Zack among them, ncing at him with a smile. "Kyle, you''re done?" Zack quickly said, embarrassment written all over his face. He quickly straightened up, trying to keep his cool. "I was just, uh... waiting for you... so we can go to ss together." Kyle couldn''t help but burst intoughter from the silly excuse. "Zack, you do realize you''re in the Terra wing, while I''m in the Thundra wing, right?" he managed to say betweenughs. Zack froze, realizing the unnned blunder he just said. "Oh, right... 8:57 AM? Ipletely forgot!" he immediately diverted, ncing at hism. "Sorry, Kyle, but Ive got to get to ss. I''m going to bete!" Without waiting for a response, Zack zipped out of Kyle''s sight, disappearing before Kyle could say anything more. Kyle shook his head, still amused of Zack''s actions. He didn''t quite me him, as a kid, it was alright to be curious, and that was just what he was doing. He nced at hism, confirming that there were three minutes left before the start of his wing ss. ''Three minutes... Should I eat first?'' he wondered, his stomach growling in agreement. He hadn''t had breakfast, and he knew that skipping another meal would make the uing ss feel like torture. ''I guess being a littlete won''t kill me,'' he thought, recalling the misery of sitting through his first day on an empty stomach. That memory was enough to convince him, and he quickly made his way behind the building, ensuring he was out of sight before retrieving his hot meal from the inventory. Kyle entered the ss to have his meal and wasn''t surprised to see a few students already inside, chatting casually as they ate their missed breakfast. He found a spot near the back, away from the others, and dug into his food, savoring each bite as he kept an eye on the time. Kyle didn''t waste time to finish his meal, taking his bag and running to his wing. ''9:01 AM.'' Kyle thought, ''Don''te early, please.'' His thoughts were interrupted as he stepped through the door of the hall. The hall was very wide,rge enough to fit over a hundred students. It was arranged in a circle of twenty mats spread across the floor, each carrying a student¡ª well, except one. "You''rete." Kyle heard a sharp voice from inside. At the front of the hall, stood the instructor. She was a beautiful figure, with fair skin and light blue hair that fell gracefully over her shoulders. Her robes, of a midnight colour, contrasted sharply with her bright blue eyes. "Sit." Shemanded, pointing her hands at the only empty mat in the hall. Kyle went to sit down at the mat immediately, to his side was Orion who ignored his wave as he sat. ''I wonder how Dual Elementalists have their sses,'' Kyle thought as he sat. The Instructor used her fingers to count the students again, in an attempt to agree with her previous count. "... 19¡­ 20." "Nice." she remarked after she finished her count. "Now we''replete, the ss may begin." "Good morning, young mages," she greeted like they''ve never met. "My name is La Von, your Instructor in the the Thundra wing." "Good morning." the students greeted back in unison. She sped her hands in front of her and began to speak. "Lightning," La began. "Is one of the most versatile elements you can wield. It''s not just about speed or raw power. Lightning can be used for attack, support, defense, and so much more. With the right control, you can harness it for nearly anything." She paused, letting her words sink in. "For attacks, lightning can br deadly, fast and precise. It can strike before your opponent even realizes what''s happening. But it''s not just about offense. With lightning, you can create barriers of pure energy to shield yourself or others, deflecting or absorbing iing attacks. On the support side, lightning can be used to enhance speed as it is one of the fastest elements." La continued. "And that''s just the beginning. Lightning can also be used in powering machinery or magical constructs. The possibilities are nearly endless." She stood in the center of the room, turning to face the ss once more. "But before we dive deeper into these applications, I want to know more about each of you. Introduce yourselves, and tell me what your goal is with your lightning affinity. What do you hope to achieve by mastering this element?" Chapter 35: Lighting Bolt ''My goal with Lightning? I want to wield it for its utility. I want it to enable me to defeat my opponents, but it doesn''t stop there. I want to mold it as a weapon that can be used in any situation. I refuse to limit it to a specific function¡ª that is my goal.'' "Hey, you. Theter, Let''s start with you." Kyle''s thought process was interrupted when Instructor La directed her voice to him, he looked up at her, trying to process her words before standing. "My name is Kyle Lin. I''m a Lightning Element user and I aspire to use it in the best way possible." His answer might havecked depth, but it was okay for him. As he thought, there was no reason to limit his usage of the Lightning element. "I see. Next." La announced, she didn''t expect to see specialized students, as everyone wanted to battle¡ª her included. "... I want to run at the fastest speeds." A boy with dark ck hair and a masculine face said at his turn, all the other students had agreed with Kyle on his idea, but this was something different¡ª albeit slightly. Funny enough, he was able to back it up. As he had awakened the two fastest elements¡ª Lightning and Light. ''Milo Olson...'' Kyle imprinted the name in his memory, along with the rest. "I intend to harness the power of lightning primarily as a force of creation rather than destruction, crafting formidable magical artifacts in the process..." Orion ended the introductions with a unique motivation, giving the instructor exactly what she wanted. He didn''t just stop there, dropping a bang: "... Bybining it with my affinity for metal, I will bring my creations to life¡ª artifacts so powerful that they will change the world, making physicalbat a thing of the past." Silence. His words were few but carried a weight that hung in the air, their meaning, difficult to fully understand by the students. They stared at him with puzzled expressions, trying to understand the depth of what he said. The confusion, however, quickly gave way toughter. "Hrious! He thinks he''s going to make mages obsolete..." "Bro''s been watching way too many sci-fi movies... Ha, ha!" The onceposed, silent ss erupted into fits ofughter, unable to contain their amusement at what they perceived as an outrageous idea. "Quiet!" La''s sharp voice cut through the noise, silencing the room instantly. "You''ve made a strong point, yes," she began, looking directly at Orion, "but it''s up to you to make it happen. You''ll do well since you have a goal¡­ unlike the rest of them." Kyle nodded, but couldn''t help feeling a sting from her words, as if they were meant to dismiss the others, himself included. "Thank you," Orion replied respectfully, sitting back with his usualposed pride, unbothered by the outburst as if none of it mattered to him. "Now we''re done with the introductions," La began. "We''ll move to the real reason we''re gathered here." Everyone had a smile on their faces. Satisfaction, fulfillment. They were all happy that they could finally learn spells, not even remembering the prior incident. La smiled. "You all want to learn spells, right?" They all nodded in agreement. "Well, I''ll tell you it''s not difficult at all... As long as you''ve formed your mana core, you''ll be able to learn spells depending on how advanced your mana core is." She brought some scrolls¡ª twenty to be exact and began to hand over one to each of them. The students looked at the scrolls they held on their hands, awaiting La''s instructions. "These scrolls contain all you need to know to cast the spell," La exined. "But remember, understanding the words is only part of it. You must feel the energy flow within you, connect with the element, and guide it with precision." Kyle unfurled the scroll carefully. [Do you want to learn the Tier-1 spell: Lightning Bolt] [Cost: 10 Skill Points] ''Wow! I can learn it just like that?'' Kyle wondered, his mouth wide in shock. He didn''t have 10 skill points but will get 5 when he learns the spell. He had a feeling that it was stupid to waste skill points in learning a spell when he could easily do so himself. Kyle halted his thoughts and focused on the spell scroll. At the top, the title Lightning Bolt was written, followed by detailed instructions: _Focus your mana toward the point of release, drawing upon the core of your lightning affinity_ _Visualize the bolt forming at your fingertips, allowing the energy to condense and gather_ _When ready, release the mana in a single, sharp burst toward your target_ Kyle''s eyes moved through the scroll, trying to ingrain the words into his mind. It wasn''t only about memorizing the words; it was about channeling his very essence. The scroll went on to exin the precise mana flow required: how much to gather, how to bnce it, and how to direct it with intent. Instructor La continued, pacing slowly around the hall. "The key to casting a spell is control. Without it, the energy can spiral out of your grasp, dissipating before it ever reaches your target. You must maintain absolute focus. Now, let''s begin." Kyle nced around as his ssmates began practicing. Some struggled immediately, while others seemed to grasp the initial stages of mana maniption¡ª thanks to Professor Seraphina''s teaching. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, concentrating, he began to draw mana from his core, just as the scroll instructed. Slowly, he visualized the lightning gathering in his palm. At first, it was unstable, like a small spark trying to ignite. But he persisted, focusing harder, feeling the energy coil tighter, more controlled. "Don''t rush it," Instructor La''s continued. "Patience. Let the mana gather at its own pace." Kyle heeded her words, slowing down, feeling the power condense into a single point. It was like holding a storm in his hand, barely contained. His eyes opened when a lightning bolt left his hand, hitting one of the walls. Chapter 36: Magic Duel (Unedited) [Questpleted: Learn a lightning specific spell!] [You''ve gained 5 skill points!] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [Skills] ¡ªInventory A space where time is paused and energy flow restricted used for storing items by the host. ¡ªRegeneration(Passive) Recover 1% Energy and MP every second. ¡ªInspect(Active) > Locked Using MP, you can see some stats of people and objects five meter before you. {This is a system-specific skill. Power and utility all depends on skill''s level} ¡ªLightning Bolt(Lv. 1) A basic attack spell that fires a concentrated bolt of lightning at a target, dealing moderate damage. MP required: 5 DMG: 5 Skill points: 0 Use skill points to learn, improve and master skills or spells. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle didn''t pay much attention to the system notifications, still enjoying the feeling of using magic for the next time. He nced at the wall his spellnded on, it was still as pristine as ever, with no damage done whatsoever. Sounds of Lightning filled the air, as more and more students grasped the spell. La waited till everyone has casted the spell before speaking. "Congrattions, you''ve all done well," she remarked. She looked at the students that were eager to continue casting more spells before continuing. "When you casted the spell, you must have felt something leaving you, correct?" They nodded their heads in agreement. "That is your mana, stored within your mana core. It''s finite, so it''ll be better to take a break before you continue." They had a sad look on their face, but still nodded, they couldn''t refute the instructor''s words after all. ''Strange... I feel nothing. Like I could continue for eons,'' Kyle wondered. ''Welp, Mana ain''t a problem for me.'' As the rest rested, he took the chance to view his system notifications. He had finally obtained his long awaited skill points, meaning he could now buy the skill. ''Purchase Inspect,'' he instructed the system. [Inspect (Lv 1)] [Using MP, you can see some stats of people and objects five meter before you.] ''Yess!'' Kyle eximed internally, struggling to control his excitement. ''Inspect.'' He began looking around the hall, starting from the Instructor. [Name: La Von] [Affinity: Lightning] [Name: Orion ide] [Affinity: Lightning, Metal] ''I guess it''s only this for now,'' Kyle thought, not impressed from what. ''I wonder if those names are shown because I knew their names... Well, I''ll try thatter.'' Instructor La''s voice interrupted his thoughts. "You''ve all regenerated your mana, haven''t you?" she directed her question to the ss. They nodded their heads rapidly, eager to continue. "I want you all to be at peak performance," she said with a sly smile. "You know why?" ''Please be a magic duel,'' Kyle prayed internally. Gone were the days where he always admired the elemental fights in the arena, there was a real chance for him to take part in one today. "I''ll have you all duel with the Lightning Bolt you just learnt," La answered with a grin, confirming Kyle''s thought. "No weapons, nothing else but this spell you just learned, agreed?" They all nodded their head, anticipating the fight already. "You can go all out, by the way. I''ll closely monitor the fight to make sure no idents happen," she added. "Who wants to go first?" she asked. As expected, everyone raised their hands¡ª except Orion. "Orion," La called out with a smirk. "You''ll go first. Erik will be your opponent." "My apologies, Instructor," Orion lightly said, trying to actposed. "I believe there''s been a misunderstanding. I don''t recall putting myself forward for this duel." Instructor La''s smirk widened as she crossed her arms. "Oh, I see, Mister, ''I Don''t Recall'' is too refined for a little sparring, huh? Well, allow me to simplify it for you¡ª get up, go to the center, and let''s see how well all those fancy words hold up in a fight." Orion approached the center of the room with a slow, deliberate walk. Erik stood across from him, already in position. "Ready?" La''s voice cut through the air. Orion nced at her and gave a slight nod. Erik did the same, as they bowed to each other in respect. "Begin!" she called out. For a moment, neither of them moved. Orion''s analytical mind took in every detail, trying anticipate his move in advance. It took some time for them to ready their spell, and Orion was willing to take advantage of that. Erik struck first, thrusting his hand forward with a swift motion. A bolt of lightning shot out, aiming for Orion''s chest. But Orion had anticipated it. His eyes narrowed, and with a graceful step to the side, the bolt passed by him, crackling into the air harmlessly. ''Predictable,'' Orion thought, barely suppressing a smirk. Without wasting any time, he raised his own hand, summoning a bolt of lightning with ease. Both boys circled each other now, casting one bolt after another. Erik''s strikes were strong, but Orion could see the ws in each of them. Erikunched another bolt, but Orion sidestepped it effortlessly, almost bored with how obvious the attack had been. He raised his hand again, sending his third bolt of lightning in a wide arc, forcing Erik to dodge in a clumsy roll to the side. The other students murmured, impressed by Orion''s control. Erik''s breath wasing harder now, his stance less steady. He had only two bolts left to cast before his mana depleted, and Orion could see the panic starting to creep into his opponent''s eyes. ''He''s almost out,'' Orion noted. ''One more mistake, and this is over.'' Summoning his third bolt, Orion aimed for Erik''s shoulder. It wasn''t a powerful hit¡ª he didn''t need it to be. He just needed to keep applying pressure, forcing Erik to use his final spell in a desperate move. Erik dodged again, but he was slowing down, sweat beading on his brow. With a deep breath, Erik gathered thest of his mana, his expression tightening as he fired his final bolt. This one was aimed directly at Orion, fast and direct¡ª his most powerful strike yet. But Orion was ready. His eyes gleamed with the confidence of someone who had been in control the entire time. As Erik''s lightning bolt raced toward him, Orion didn''t flinch. Instead, he waited until thest possible second before raising his hand, summoning his fourth spell. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a precise counter-bolt that collided with Erik''s in midair. The room was briefly filled with a brilliant sh of light as the two spells shed, canceling each other out in a crackle of energy. Erik stood there, breathing heavily, his manapletely spent. Orion had little mana, enough for one more spell at least. "Out of mana already?" Orion asked quietly, just loud enough for Erik to hear, his tone sharp but not unkind. Erik simply nodded, acknowledging his defeat with a tired smile. Orion''s hand dropped to his side, and he looked to Instructor La, waiting for the final call. "That''s enough," La announced, stepping forward. "Winner: Orion." The room filled with scattered apuse as Orion gave a small nod, though he didn''t bask in the victory. For him, this hadn''t been about proving himself to others¡ªit was about maintaining control, demonstrating his superiority in magic. He might have won, but he knew with enough practice, his opponent might win him in the future. They were both amateurs now, making this more of a dog-fight. He nced at Erik, who was still catching his breath, and offered a respectful nod. "You fought well," Orion said. Erik, still exhausted, gave a tired grin. "Thanks. You were¡­ better." Orion allowed himself a faint smirk. "Of course I was." As he made his way back to his seat, Orion couldn''t help but feel a surge of satisfaction. But just as he was settling back down, La''s voice rang out again. "Don''t get toofortable, Orion. That was just the warm-up." He froze, his smirk fading as La''s eyes locked onto him with a knowing smile. ''Just the warm-up?'' Chapter 37: Kyle Vs Milo Kyle observed Orion as he sat on his mat. ''Impressive. I never believed he''ll win,'' Kyle pondered. ''I wonder how he''s feeling now, after having proved himself to not be a nerd.'' "Kyle. Milo. You''re up next," La called out, interrupting Kyle''s thoughts. Ding! [New Quest: You have all it takes to be a master of all. Win your first Magic Duel!] [Reward: 50 EXP!] Kyle had a grin on his face after observing the quest. "This would be a breeze," he muttered confidently, while getting up. Milo, another one with a grand ambition calmly walked to the stage, a face that showed neither arrogance nor pride. Everyone knew that he was the least favorite to win, after all, this wasn''t the first time he had duelled Kyle, which he had lost miserably. In General Weapon Training, Kyle had fought majority of his ssmates. Proving his sword skills time and time again. ''Let''s see if you''ll beat me without your Katana, dear Kyle.'' Kyle arrived at the stage, cupped his hands and lightly bowed, he picked up something from his opponent. "You won''t win me... Not this time." "Oh. We''ve fought before?" Kyle slightly chuckled. Milo gritted his teeth in anger and took his stance. They couldn''t begin channeling their mana until the Instructor started the match. ''I have to be careful not to use the spell too much...'' Kyle thought, he had observed from the Orion''s match, their ability to only cast Lightning Bolt five times before their mana depleted. He''ll have to follow as well. "Begin!" Instructor La''s voice came, signaling the start of the match. Immediately he heard the instructor''s voice, Kyle began to draw mana from his core, like he had done earlier. ''Gather it in your hand... Visualize... Patience.'' "Ouch!" Kyle clenched his stomach in pain, and crouched on the floor. [HP: 25/30] He knew he couldnt lose focus. His opponent might have been fast, way faster than him. But he could still win. He had been too absorbed in the spell preparation that he hadn''t noticed when Milo fired. Zap! Another spell came his way, but thankfully, this time he had been prepared when he saw Milo move his hand and had quickly rolled out of the way. He didn''t just stop there, as he jumped to his feet the next second and threw the already formed lightning Bolt. "Tsk." Milo hissed, as he had already stepped from its path before it left his palms. He threw another lightning bolt, which ended up meeting Kyle''s, who had already gotten a hang of spell casting. Light red around the room as the two spells met each other, canceling the other out. Kyle immediately began preparing to cast another spell, but like the first it was taken much time. The worst came when the Mana he had drawn dissipated into the air, making Milo hit him with another spell. [HP: 17/30] Milo smiled with pride afternding another hit, simultaneously preparing another spell¡ª hisst. "Let''s end this." "Scrap this. Give me a sword and I''ll teach this kid a lesson," Kyle cried out, while preparing another spell¡ª his third. "Yes!!" Kyle couldn''t help but cry out after he formed the spell. Unfortunately, the spell met nothing and struck the wall harmlessly. Milo''s lips curled to a grin as he threw his own attack, he had held it for a while, to improve his uracy. Now his opponent missed, it will be hard for his not to hit. Zap! Time seemed to slow down for the fast approaching bolt as it moved towards Kyle. "Ah¡­" Kyle screamed again, as the spell had cleanlynded on him. "Enough," La called, announcing the result to everyone. "The Winner: Milo!" "Yay!" Everyone cherred as Kyle had been defeated. [Quest Failed!] He heard two words, that broke him further. Kyle looked up and observed a firm hand being offered to his. He took his hand and slowly stood up, getting ready for the taunts. And here it came... "You ain''t invisible here, are you?" Milo asked him. "Don''t worry. It''s a promise, I''ll win you next time." Kyle said firmly. "Ha. We''ll see about that," Milo retorted, clenching his palms tighter. "We''ll see..." Kyle used all his strength to grip Milo''s hand tighter, making him regret going for his. "Ouch! Leave me, you monster." "He he," Kyleughed. La immediately came and separated them from their little brawl. Kyle made his way back to his seat, his body still tingling from the residual effects of Milo''s final *Lightning Bolt*. He could hear the murmurs of the other students, though he ignored them, his thoughts still locked on the fight. Losing wasn''t something he was used to, and even though he knew why it happened¡ªhis need to hold back¡ªit didn''t make the defeat any easier to swallow. As he sat down on his mat, Orion leaned over with a smirk on his face. "Didn''t expect to see you lose, Kyle. I thought you were supposed to be tough. Guess I was wrong." Kyle shot him a re. "I''m not weak, Orion," he snapped, his voice low enough that only the nearby students could hear. "I''ll win next time." Orion shrugged, adjusting his sses with a smirk that irritated Kyle more than he wanted to admit. "Yeah, sure. Just don''t let Milo make you look like a fool again." His tone was teasing, but Kyle could sense the hint of satisfaction underneath it. Orion had won his match earlier, and now it seemed like he was enjoying Kyle''s brief moment of weakness. Kyle clenched his fists but said nothing. He''d prove himself soon enough, but there was no point in arguing with Orion now. The rest of the matches went by without much of a hitch. Some were fast, others drawn-out, but none of them had the same intensity as his battle with Milo. Students were growing weary, and their movements became more sluggish as the duels dragged on. When the final match ended, Instructor Von stepped forward, her gaze sharp as she addressed the ss. "Now that you''ve experiencedbat firsthand, it''s time to focus on your cultivation. Lightning is fast, vtile¡ªalways moving. If you don''t control it, it''ll burn you out just as quickly as it takes down an opponent." She paused, letting the lesson sink in. "Your homework is to cultivate every day. Practice drawing on your mana, expanding your reserves, and refining your control over Lightning Bolt. The more you cultivate, the more power you''ll be able to draw on during fights. Don''t neglect this¡ªyour progress depends on it." With that, she dismissed the ss, the room buzzing as students gathered their things. Kyle stood, his mind already focused on what came next. Elective ss was soon, and while the loss still sat heavy on his shoulders, he knew one thing for sure¡ªhe wouldn''t let this defeat define him. Chapter 38: The Library Kyle quickly left the ss after it ended. He didn''t want to linger and lose face further. ''12:02 PM. It''s funny how three hours had flew so fast,'' Kyle thought as walked out of the ss. He thought about it and figured it made sense for so much time to have passed. From the introduction, to the time we spentprehending the spell, even the fight. All took enough time to warrant such. ''There''s almost an hour left before the Elective ss,'' Kyle pondered. ''What can I do with this time?'' A few options came up to his mind. He could head to the Library, practice his mana control in the dorms, or even have lunch. Among the options that faced him, he quickly ruled out practicing his mana control. ''I have enough time to do that when after today''s sses, and who knew how much time might go by if I get to indulged.'' Kyle concluded. ''Now, it''s either having lunch or heading to the Library,'' Kyle thought. ''Going to the Library would be nice. I could even get a headstart at the basics of Rune making. But... I can''t read on an empty stomach.'' Kyle pondered for a while before a sudden thought dawned upon him, one that made him question his intelligence for not thinking about it earlier. ''I can''t spend an hour eating, can I? I''ll have lunch, then go to the library after that.'' Kyle finally resumed walking, after having a direction in mind. ''12:07. I''ll have to be quick to get something out of this.'' Kyle headed to the dorm, entering into the cafeteria, he immediately bought a meal for 20 credits, cleared it and walked out in 8 minutes like he never entered. "Now, let''s find that Library," Kyle muttered as he wiped his face with a napkin. The Academy''s Library was different from the Ancient Library, where the arena was based. From the orientation, he could make out that the Library stood at the center of the academy. But he consulted hism for easy navigation. Kyle followed the path through the academy grounds, weaving past students engaged in their own tasks. Soon, he was greeted by the tall, grandeur structure if the Library. Kyle walked through therge open doors and was greeted by an impressive sight. The interior of the library was even more impressive than its exterior. High ceilings stretched upward, withrge windows that allowed sunlight in, casting golden beams over rows and rows of bookshelves. The scent of old parchment and ink filled the air, and Kyle immediately felt a sense of awe. The library wasn''t just a ce of study¡ªit was a sanctuary for the mind. To his left, a massive, marble staircase spiraled upward to the higher floors. Each floor was reserved for different years, with first-year students restricted to the ground level. The second floor was for second years, and so on. The top floors were said to be reserved for advanced research, where only the most knowledgeable students and faculty had ess. Looking around, Kyle noticed several of his year mates scattered throughout the ground floor, along with older students from higher years. Some sat in the reading area, their heads buried in books, while others wandered the shelves, searching for something specific. Kyle spotted a few familiar faces from his ss, but he quickly averted his gaze. The memory of his loss to Milo dawned upon him, and he couldn''t bring himself to be scorned by his ssmates. He kept his head down and walked past them. At the far end of the library, there was arge wooden desk. Behind it sat an elderly man with a long white beard and robes that looked even older than he was. His sses were perched at the edge of his nose as he scribbled something onto a scroll. Kyle approached cautiously, unsure of the protocol. "Excuse me," he said softly after his arrival. The man looked up from his work, his sharp, pale grey eyes scrutinizing Kyle for a moment before softening. "Ah, a new face. First year, I presume?" Kyle nodded. "Yes, sir. I''m looking to register so I can use the library." The man rose from his chair with surprising agility for someone of his age. "I am Master Orlon, the keeper of this library. I oversee everything from the books to the students who use them." He walked around the desk and gestured for Kyle to follow him to a small pedestal nearby, where a many stacks of nk cardsy. "This, you see, is your library card," Orlon said, rummaging through the cards, and obtaining one. "It is enchanted to track which books you check out, and also acts as a key to ess restricted areas of the library as you progress through the years. Keep it well." Kyle epted the card and nced at it. The library card had all his details on it, even his photo. ''It must have been prepared before,'' Kyle thought. "Now," Master Orlon continued, "before you begin exploring, a few rules. Silence is required at all times in the reading areas. The enchanted orb in the center of the reading tables ensures that no outside noise disturbs those who are studying, but do not rely on it too much. Respect your fellow students and maintain quietness as best as you can. If you need assistance finding a book, you may consult the library index over there." He pointed to a glowing, rune-etched terminal that stood near the entrance. "And finally, remember that the knowledge here is a gift, not a right. Use it wisely." "Thank you." Kyle nodded again, before turning to leave. He went to the library index, observing it to locate books on Rune making. "Section 9A, Row 09," he muttered. After a while, Kyle located a shelf that held books of Rune making. He picked each book, one by one, looking for the most basic one. It didn''t take long before he found the one wanted. "Introduction to Rune Making I," Kyle read our the name from the front cover. The book didn''t have much design. "This should suffice," he muttered as he walked away with the book, heading for the reading area. The reading area was a spacious corner at the ground floor of the Library, filled with tables, that had an orb fixated in them. The environment was already quiet, but after Kyle imbued his mana on the orb. Everywhere became more silent, as if he suddenly became deaf. "Wow!" Kyle eximed at such magic, before opening the first page. [Would you like to learn the book, ''Introduction to Rune Making I'' for 10 Skill points!] [Yes] [No] Chapter 39: Victoria Murray [Would you like to learn the book, ''Introduction to Rune Making I'' for 10 Skill points!] [Yes] [No] "Woah!" Kyle couldn''t help but exim out loud after seeing the text before me. He looked around to observe if he''d get scolded, as he had spoken too loudly but noticed that everyone around him was continuing with their activities, not even sparing a nce at him. "Haha. I forgot about this orb," Kyle remembered but still didn''t trust the orb, opting to keep all his system-rted thoughts within him. ''I can''t believe I can assimte knowledge like this... I wonder if this applies to all books,'' Kyle pondered. ''It should, first, it was the Spell Scroll, now this. I think these are the only books I''ve touched sinceing here.'' Kyle realized. [Yes] [No] Kyle looked at the options before him and sighed. ''If only I had more skill points.'' He immediately selected [No] in resignation. "I guess I''ll have to read the old, normal way." Kyle turned and directed his eyes to the Author''s name, memorizing it. ''ric Thorne.'' He was met with a question from the first page. *What is a Rune? A rune is a magical symbol, carefully crafted to harness, direct, and store magical energy. In its simplest form, a rune can be thought of as a tool, a way to stabilize magic, amplifying or modifying its output depending on the design. Runes are ancient. Many believe that they were the first form of magical expression, long before spellcasting as we know it was discovered. By inscribing a rune, you create a permanent form of magic, something that canst without constant effort or energy from the mage. This makes runes invaluable for the creation of enchanted objects, defensive wards, and evenplex rituals.* Kyle understood the more he read. Before, he didn''t have much knowledge of Rune making, but the book was certainly helping. *The Importance of Runes. Without runes, most modern enchantments wouldn''t exist. Runes form the main structure upon which enchantments are built. Think of them like the scaffolding of a building. A rune provides the framework and support needed to hold and maintain magic. Without a properly drawn rune, magic would be unstable. Runes allow mages to focus their power efficiently. By engraving runes onto weapons, armor, or structures, a mage can ensure that the object channels and sustains the magic, enhancing its strength or providing continuous protection.* The exnation was surprisingly straightforward, and Kyle found himself following along. *How Runes Are Created. To create a rune, one must first understand that it is not simply about drawing a symbol; the shape, intent, and magical energy must all align perfectly. Each rune is designed with a purpose, and that purpose dictates its structure. The process begins with an understanding of magical flow. A rune channels and directs magic, so it must be carved or drawn with absolute precision. Even a slight deviation in its form can lead to catastrophic failure, causing the magic to backfire or dissipate entirely...* Bzzz! Kyle was interrupted by the buzz from hism, signifying the rm he had set earlier. "Damn, 12:53 PM. Time really flies!" Kyle eximed, quickly picking up the textbook and hurrying out of the Library. He made sure not to forget to borrow the book, taking it away for 2 weeks, the maximum time permitted. Kyle looked through hism, and it didn''t take long before he found out the location of the hall. Thankfully, it wasn''t so far away, and he managed to reach there in about five minutes. He stepped through therge doors of the Rune making hall, impressed by its high ceilings, glistening walls and weing aura. Kyle observed to see some students there already, while some continuously passed through therge doors. He took a seat in the middle front row, a row that was devoid of any students at the moment. He brought out the textbook¡ª the one which he had borrowed from the library¡ª his notebook and a pen, cing them on the desk. He knew how serious this course was, as it was a new territory for him. Kyle didn''t feel like reading the textbook, as he was tired already, so he took some time to scour through the hall, observing to recognize any familiar faces. Unfortunately, he didn''t. From his observations, there were about thirty students in the hall at that moment, which made sense as many were stilling in, after all, there had been a a break before this ss. ''They must have lost track of time... Been there,'' Kyle thought. His thoughts were interrupted when the vibrant atmosphere in the hall was immediately reced with a chilling silence. Everyone turned their heads to the door in unison, as if pre-programmed to do so. She was unlike any teacher he''d expected, she looked young... so young, like ady in herte teens. Tall and slender, she moved with grace, her long, ck hair twisted into a thick braid that hung over one shoulder. She had brown eyes, her skin was dark like ebony, and her hourss figure looked too heavy for her slim figure. Kyle was thrown out of his trance when he saw her m the doors, and in one swift motion, locked it. "I believe those here are my students, we''replete. Take your seats," shemanded in a sharp tone, walking to the teacher''s desk. ''What? How could such an angel be so mean?'' Kyle thought, still entranced by the instructor. "Good morning, students. My name is Victoria Murray. You''re all here to learn the craft of Rune crafting. Wee and thank you for being here on time." Instructor Victoria greeted them after they took their seat. "One, two, ... thirty-one." she counted. "I want all your names, ID and elements on this sheet I''ll pass to you. I don''t want any intruder to join in on our sses," she said with an icy smile. Instructor Victoria handed them a sheet, which they passed on to their neighbors, writing their names on it once it got their turn. Until... "How despicable. You don''t have stationaries? Get out!" "S- sorry ma. I forgot," the poor girl held her head in embarrassment. "I won''t spare you if you forget to close the door upon going out." The girl stood up and took her leave in tears, running out of the ss, making sure not to try the teacher by leaving the door open. "Nice. I believe we''re done?" she turned to the ss and asked, her demeanor already reced with a cheerful one. "Yes." Kyle swallowed hard and answered, his thoughts trailing to his first ss in the academy. "Now," she said, walking back to her desk with the sheets. "Let''s begin." Chapter 40: Rune Structure "Before we begin," Instructor Victoria suddenly said with a chilly smile, walking towards Kyle''s desk. "I believe you all have this book with you¡ª Introduction to Rune Making I." Some nodded their heads while others stayed silent. "Raise your hands if you do!" Few hands sprung up from the seats, a lot fewer than those who had nodded before. "Hmm. Only seven out of thirty are ready for this ss, huh?" "..." Her question was met with silence, as no one dared to say something that would provoke her. "Okay, I''ll pardon you this once. Provided it doesn''t repeat itself, will it?" Everyone shaked their head to refute, some muttering out ''thank yous''. "For those with the textbook, I need your rapt attention. As for the rest, make sure you take notes." Victoria concluded and went to the board on the wall and drew something on it. It didn''t take her five seconds before she was done. She moved away, allowing the students to have a glimpse of what she had drawn. It was a symbol. "This, you see here, is a rune. The fire rune to be exact." Instructor Victoria said, gesturing her hands to the circle on the board. "A rune is more than just a symbol. It is a condensed form of magic, an encodednguage that allows mages to store, channel, and release energy." Victoria continued. "Runes are used in various ways. They can be inscribed on weapons to enhance them, and etched into scrolls for casting spells. They''re even some on your uniform responsible for defense, and self-cleaning." "The importance of Rune crafting is very obviouspared to spell casting, as it makes magic more permanent, allows spells to stay active for longer periods and can only be triggered when needed." "But of course, for every action, there''s an equal and opposite reaction," she said with a smile. "This applies to rune making as well. Who can tell me some of the disadvantages of rune making?" The room remained silent for a few moments but was soon followed up with a few raised hands. Kyle who had already formted this thought on his head while studying the book also raised his, in an attempt to give it a try. Victoria''s eyes immediately locked onto him from the front. "Yes, Name, Affinity, and Answer?" Kyle stood up, gathering his thoughts before speaking. "Kyle Lin, Lightning." "Okay. Your thoughts, Kyle?" "Rune making can be incredibly powerful, but ites with significant limitations. One of the main disadvantages is its permanence. Once a rune is etched, it bes a part of the object or surface it''s inscribed on. That means, if you make a mistake, it''s not easy to correct. And you could end up with a failed or dangerous effect." Victoria nodded, pping her hands lightly, before signaling for him to sit. "Good. Anyone else?" This time a girl from the back seat stood. "Lora Ings. Light affinity," she said with a timid voice. "Uhm, another disadvantage is the amount of mana it consumes. Depending on theplexity of the rune, it can drain a mage''s reserves quickly. A single rune may seem harmless, but a series of them can leave you vulnerable if you''re not careful. You have to bnce power with sustainability." Lora said quickly and sat down. "Very good, the two of you," Victoria remarked. "I''m impressed with your preparedness. A round of apuse for the two of them." She faced the ss and continued. "To draw an effective rune, stable surfaces are key. Runes require a solid foundation to anchor the magic they contain. The mostmon materials are solid matter, as they offer the most stable molecr movements, unlike liquid and gas. Do note that a skilled inscriptionist can draw runes on any type of surface, by forcefully stabilizing their molecules." She moved on. "For now, we''ll work with something far more reliable¡ª a runic paper. This is a specially treated material designed to hold magic in a stable state. It allows beginners to practice inscribing runes without worrying about the surface affecting the oue. You''ll each receive some today for your exercises, but can buy from the Academy''s mall at a cheap price." She obtained a stack of Runic papers from thin air, shocking the students. ''First the Dean, now her. I knew I was not the only one with an inventory,'' Kyle thought with a sad smile. Victoria began to distribute the Runic papers to each student, 5 to all those with a textbook, and 3 to the others. "To those who received five, consider it my reward for being disciplined." ''I''m with seven. I wonder if it was a mistake,'' Kyle thought but refrained to say. "Kyle, Lora, you got seven. Keep making contributions for more rewards," Victoria added, leaving Kyle with a proud smile. Victoria walked to the front of the ss. "Let''s begin with understanding the core structure of a rune. Runes are made up of f three parts: the base, the conduit, and the trigger." She drew a simple shape in the air. It looked like a small circle with two lines extending outward. "This is the base. It holds the magic. Without a strong base, the rune will copse." She added a zigzag line between the two extending lines before continuing: "This is the conduit. It channels the magic from the base to the point where it will be used." Finally, she drew a small triangle at the end. "This is the trigger. It''s the part of the rune that determines how the magic is released¡ªwhether it''s by touch, mana, or even a spoken word. Do note that the location of these parts varies with the Rune you have drawn. "Let''s now move on to the fundamental rune symbols¡ª the building blocks. Each of these symbols represents an element and channels its unique energy. Understanding these runes is important before you can move on to moreplex inscriptions." Let''s start with a Fire rune," she said as she sketched a simple, angr design with three intersecting lines. "This channels heat and me, a source of destruction and raw energy. This rune can ignite objects or enhance fire-based spells, based on how it''s applied." She stepped back, letting the students absorb the image. The rune was dormant, as it was not yet activated. Her hand moved once again, this time slower, as she began the next symbol. "This is the Water Rune," she said after drawing. "It represents the fluidity and adaptability of water. Water magic is about bnce, not force." Victoria paused, ensuring the students were following along, before proceeding to draw the remaining runes¡ª earth and air. When she was done, she stepped back, inspecting the four runes she had drawn. "Now, I want you all to attempt drawing these runes on your runic paper, one after the other. A single paper isrge enough to contain all four, don''t waste it." Kyle nodded his head along with the rest, smirking and saying internally: ''Drawing some symbols from the board. How hard could that be?'' Chapter 41: Long Night Ahead Kyle analyzed the Runic paper before him. It had a brown color that made it look aged and a hard texture. It was a square with each length measuring about 50 centimeter. ''I wonder if we''re meant to use our pen?'' "What would we be using to draw, Instructor?" As if reading Kyle''s thoughts, a boy from his back has stood up and asked the Instructor. Instructor Victoria, who sat behind her desk answered from the chair. "You saw me use a marker, didn''t you? You''re free to use whatever you want." Some students who had already begun drawing sighed in relief from Victoria''s response. Kyle picked up his pen and began drawing. Though he knew to write, he hadn''t drawn much in his previous life. But from his observations, it didn''t look hard at all. Wasn''t it just the same thing as copying what someone has written? {45 minutester...} Ring! "You can stop, the bell has gone." Victoria''s voice snapped Kyle out of his concentration, making him drop his pen weakly. He managed to twist his neck, freeing it of some fatigue before raising it to look at the devil who had spoken. Gone were his thoughts of her being an angel. The torture she had put all of them through was something he had never experienced. He had exhausted every inch of two papers from his allotted seven. Canceled drawings filled the them, making it look he had been scribbling all along. They were meant to draw the runes, exactly how it was on the board¡ª failure to do so meant a repeat. This had continued till the end of the ss. Kyle''s reminiscence of the hellish ss were interrupted by a grin announcement from the teacher. "For your assignment, I''ll want you to draw the fire rune. Correctly," she said just before she left the door. "Have a nice day!" A collective sigh came out from the ss, as everyone grunted in anger. A boy took the initiative to speak up after the teacher left the ss. He had thick ck hair, a slim build and sharp eyes¡ª The boy who had earlier asked what they''d use to draw. "No one told me, I would be an art students when I signed up for Rune making!" Everyone nodded their head in agreement, including Kyle. "We came here to learn how to inscribe powerful effects not to learn how to draw!" "Yess!" Everyone screamed in fervor. "Now, who''s with me? Let''s not do the assignment." His question made everyone to resume packing, ignoring his outrageous n. Kyle sighed, slinging his bag to his shoulder, he left the hall. ''I have to practice channeling my mana for that spell, now I also have to draw that Rune correctly¡­ What a day this is." He walked towards his dormitory before a certain thought came to him. ''Ah. I almost forgot my daily quest. Welp, I''ll do it after having a rest.'' he concluded as he was so tired. He walked groggily to his dormitory, changed his clothes and set an rm for 5:00 PM. He had a long night to go through, and he wouldn''t mind getting enough sleep to keep him energized. *** [Bzzzz!] ''It''s 5:00 PM already?'' Kyle sighed, fighting the urge to go on with his sleep and heading straight to the bathroom. He took a quick bath, changed his clothes and got ready toplete his quest. ''From there, I''ll grab a meal,'' Kyle decided, setting off for his run. *** [Congrattions! You havepleted your daily quest] [You have obtained 1 STA point] [STA: 15 >> 16] [Energy: 30 >> 32] [Time: 0:37:09] He didn''t push himself hard this time, enjoying the calm before theing storm as he ran. The cafeteria was bustling with the chatter of students as Kyle sat down at a small table near the corner, his dinner tray in front of him. He had chosen a simple meal that would keep him up: some roasted meat, vegetables, and a cup of coffee. As he ate, his mind wandered to what awaited him this night. ''I guess I''m not sleeping tonight,'' he decided. He chewed slowly, savoring the vors while using the opportunity to ess hism. With a few quick taps, Kyle pulled up his messages, as a notification showed on it. [Message from Instructor Dan] Kyle read, opening the message. [Kyle, I''ve arranged our personal training session for this Saturday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Do well to arrive early ^_^] Kyle''s eyes widened at the message. ''Saturday? 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM?'' He let out a soft groan under his breath. "More stuff on my schedule... just great." He sighed, rubbing his temple with his free hand. Between sses, practicing spells, and refining his mana control, his time was already stretched thin. Now, this training session with Instructor Dan was going to take a chunk out of his Saturday evening. ''Who knew the much coveted academy life could be this stressful?'' He stuffed another bite into his mouth, chewing without tasting it. The academy demanded much, and Kyle was starting to feel like there was barely any room to breathe. After he finished his meal, Kyle ced his tray on the disposal rack and quietly left the bustling cafeteria, heading toward his house. As soon as he closed the door behind him, the silence greeted him like an old friend. The sky outside was already dark, glowing stars contrasting well. He confirmed the time before he began. 6:09 PM. Kyle''s gaze lingered out the window for a moment, appreciating the brief calm before he dove into more practice. He stretched his arms and shoulders before settling down on the floor, legs crossed, preparing himself for the long night ahead. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and focused on his mana core, feeling the familiar mana within him. He decided to practice the Lightning Bolt, channeling it and forming it. No one needed to remind him about the importance, as he had lost miserably due to his slow casting speed For the next two hours, Kyle worked on improving his speed. He concentrated on forming drawing out the mana, and holding it without releasing it for as long as possible. With each attempt, he could feel his control increasing. The frequency of the spell dissipating after being formed kept decreasing, evident of his useful practice. After what felt like only minutes, but had been hours, he exhaled deeply, his muscles tight from the effort. His control had improved, but there was still much more work to be done. Next, Kyle moved on to drawing the Fire Rune. Drawing Runes was a different beast altogether. It required patience, steady hands, and the ability to visualize the rune''s shape in his mind. He didn''t need that, as he had the Rune on his textbook He grabbed a runic paper and began drawing. After many trial and errors, everyone in the ss had already been trained by Instructor Victoria on recognizing if it was perfect, as that was what she wanted. After exhausting another Runic paper, Kyle was satisfied with his progress for the night. ''I can''t kill myself,'' he thought, cing the Runic paper and pen in his bag. He sighed, staring up at the ceiling before closing his eyes. He needed rest, even if his mind wouldn''t stop racing. Tomorrow would bring more challenges, but for now, sleep was the only thing on his agenda. And for now, that would have to be enough. Chapter 42: Beautiful! Kyle groaned as the sunlight pierced through the gaps in his curtains, forcing him out of his deep sleep. He turned overzily, burying his face in his pillow, but something felt off. His eyes shot open, and he jumped up from the bed immediately. Them strapped to his hand read: 8:47 AM. He waste. "Dammit!" Kyle cursed under his breath, running his hands through his unkempt hair. He had overslept once again, all because he didn''t set his system rm, hism''s rm must have rang, but it wasn''t enough to wake a deep sleeper like him. "Stupid, stupid," he muttered. "After iming to stay up all night. Kyle darted into the bathroom,ing out after some minutes, dripping, he threw on his academy uniform. The time kept ticking away as he fastened his shoes and snatched his bag. Bursting out of his dorm, he made a quick detour to the cafeteria. His stomach growled fiercely, a reminder of the extent he had pushed himselfst night. Cultivation takes a toll one''s body, hence requiring a high amount of energy. He wasn''t surprised to see no students there, as any sane person would be in homeroom ss right now, rather than dining. "Just give me anything to go!" Kyle shouted immediately after he got there, making the cafeteria worker give him a look of irritation before quickly handing him a pre-packed sandwich and a drink. "Thanks!" Kyle called out, transferring the credits in record speed. The sandwich felt heavy in his hand as he bolted across the campus grounds, unwrapping it with one hand while clutching his bag with the other. ''I wonder how Instructor Dan would react,'' Kyle thought as he chewed the sandwich. ''I''m not justingte. I''m missing the ss entirely.'' 9:01 AM. He confirmed the time once again. ''Hopefully, they don''t take attendance, do they?'' *** [12:56 PM] Kyle entered the Rune making hall. All thirty students wereplete, four minutes before it began. Many had thoughts about dropping the course, including Kyle, but after a lengthy discussion with Instructor Dan, all those thoughts had faded away, reced by a newfound determination to conquer the course and be Rune makers. He just had to show them a few tricks they should be able to perform when they became good enough. For histeing. Instructor Dan called for a meeting with him, and even after all his excuses and half-truths, he still got 10 credits deducted from him. Even though such a measly amount of credits did barely anything to hurt his deep pockets, he picked up the lesson and resolved to be punctual. His wing ss had been extremely boring, as all Instructor La did was teach them about cultivation and make them spend almost the whole of the ss, cultivating. To his benefit, the long cultivation session had proven useful for Kyle. His status panel can disy such. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Beginner Mage: Lv 1 EXP: 101/1000 HP: 30 Energy: 32 MP: - Agility: 30 Strength: 31 Vitality: 15 Stamina: 16 Intelligence: 20 SP: 0 Inventory: 1* Tier-1 Mana core, 1*Egg. [Elements] [Skills] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª The extra point he got was frompleting his daily quest, which just had to be very convenient for him. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [Daily quest: Cultivate for an hour] [Reward: 1 STR point] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle panted as he recollected the day''s event. He spent the whole break drawing the Fire Rune, exhausting another Runic Paper, leaving him with just three. ''I wonder how the others would fare,'' Kyle thought as he looked at his dwindling Runic papers from yesterday. ''I''ll see how much these cost at the mall, she said it was cheap.'' His thoughts were interrupted as he heard the door lock once again¡ª Instructor Victoria had arrived. They stood up in unison to greet her, obtaining a wave that signaled them to sit. "Greet me with your assignments," Instructor Victoria said with a wide smile. Everyone''s sad expression contorted further upon hearing her words. They proceeded to ce their Runic papers, right next to their Textbook, earning a smile from Instructor Victoria before she began checking. Kyle looked at the two Runic papers before him, his mind racing with thoughts as others were inspected: ''I wonder what happens now, since I did 9 manage to draw the Rune perfectly, like she demanded.'' He bit his lips and took another nce at his drawings, ''I''m close, that I can tell. If I just had more time. It wasn''t like I did give it my all.'' He had asked around, and he hadn''t seen anyone who managed to draw it perfectly, that alone raised his hopes high. "Beautiful!" Instructor Victoria''s voice pulled Kyle away from his thoughts, not only him, but the whole ss focused on the table she stood beside. "Remind me your name again," she asked with a genuine smile. "Lora¡ª Lora Ings," the girl who everyone''s eyes were focused on, nervously stammered under her breath. "Lora, dear. I''m impressed," Victoria remarked. "Here, 200 credits for your hard work." Everyone''s jaws dropped upon hearing the generous reward, well, everyone except Kyle, but he was impressed, and a bit jealous too. ''Why did she have to?'' Kyle thought as he bit his lips. ''I wonder how much changes after someone has got it.'' "T- thank you," Lora stuttered, unsure of what to say. "Don''t forget, y''all. She''s your ssmate." Victoria reminded before she continued with her silent check. She only nodded at their work, asking some questions while reserving her final judgment forter. Eventually, she reached Kyle''s desk, proceeding simrly. "You''ve used four papers already?" Kyle nodded hastily. "Yes." He tried to observe her reaction after his reply, but her face remained as neutral as ever, not exposing anything. It didn''t take much longer before she was done with her homework inspection, and returning to her desk. Everyone looked at her in nervous anticipation, awaiting the big reveal. The fact that only one person had managed to draw the Rune perfectly boosted his confidence, albeit slightly. "I''m bothering myself too much,'' Kyle said internally. ''Worst case scenario, we all get kicked out of this ss and they are three other electives I could go for if that happens.'' Even though this was what he thought, he didn''t want to get kicked out... Not in the slightest. Especially after knowing all that awaited him in this craft. Chapter 43: Alone "I''m impressed with all of you," Instructor Victoria said after a while, making them collectively sigh in relief. "But..." ''Ah, the but,'' Kyle curled his lips after hearing her. Instructor Victoria continued. "... I''m only impressed because of your perseverance and dedication, not the results. I don''t get how drawing a simple symbol could be difficult for you. So, from now onwards till you''ve mastered it, we''ll practice drawing Runes, soon it''ll be so easy for you that you can do it like me." She took less than 30 seconds to draw the four basic runes(fire, air, earth, water), taking her time in showing them the way she handled the marker. Kyle looked in awe at the sight of her artistic skill, feeling motivated to achieve such heights. ''I must conquer this,'' he calmly decided within him. "Lora dear, practice on your speed and uracy in drawing the Fire rune before you can move on to the next, okay?" Instructor Victoria said after drawing the runes. Lora nodded sheepishly. Instructor Victoria turned to face the rest of the ss. "Now, get to work!" Kyle nodded along with the rest of the students, and focused on drawing. Creak! The sound of the door opening made him pause his drawing and look up. The Instructor has left the ss! He was surprised, but eventually shrugged it off and went back to drawing. Even as she left the whole ss remained as silent as a graveyard, nobody dared to do anything other than her instructions. After all, who knew if she was observing them? *** [3:31 PM] The bell had long gone, and the students didn''t hesitate to swarm out of the ss immediately. Kyle stayed in the ss as others left, he felt he was experiencing a breakthrough. He looked at his Runic paper, beaming with pride over his sess. He observed the perfectly drawn Fire Rune, which he had drawn not just once, not twice, but three times! Turns out that his sess rate improves after getting it right, as he could now draw it correctly on three out of five attempts! "That should do for now," Kyle said, his voice echoing in the silent hall. "I wonder how many people managed to draw it. The hall was very quiet as no one said a word when the sssted. Though the atmosphere experienced aplete change immediately after the bell went, everyone discussed andmented about their struggles. Kyle wasn''t paying attention to the noise, as at that time he was having a breakthrough in his drawing. Now, the ss was most likely empty. He turned around to confirm his thoughts. He was wrong. At his back sat the first girl to have drawn the rune¡ª Lora Ings. He never truly observed her as he couldn''t always turn back now and then. Looking at her figure, puberty had been kind to her, to say the least. Though shorter than most of the other girls in their year, her figure was unmistakable. Her uniform hugged her ample curves in ways that made it difficult not to notice. Her chestnut hair fell in soft waves around her face, and even though her expression was serious, there was something undeniably cute about her. Kyle''s throat tightened. His heart began to race from the sudden realization that they were alone. She seemed to be done with what she was doing as she raised her head upwards, her brown eyes meeting Kyle''s blue. There was an awkward silence between the two, before she immediately averted her gaze, her face blushing in embarrassment that Kyle didn''t notice. ''Damnit, what was I doing?'' Kyle thought in embarrassment. ''She must have seen me looking at her weirdly.'' He hesitated for a moment, wondering if to leave the ss immediately. ''No. That''ll just leave a bad impression on her,'' Kyle thought, ''Maybe I should say something. Yes, I''ll say something.'' Taking a breath, he gathered his courage, pushing down the anxiety in his chest. He stood slowly, the scrape of his chair against the floor betraying his nervousness. Lora nced over her shoulder as Kyle''s figure stood before her desk, wondering what he wanted to say. "Uh¡­ Lora," he managed to say with a cracking voice. "You''re¡­ still here?" She managed to say softly, "Yes... I had some extra work to finish." "Same here. Had a breakthrough and, uh¡­ couldn''t really leave." He realized his hands were still shaking slightly from the rush of adrenaline and tried to shove them into his pockets. Kyle cleared his throat, hoping to break the awkward tension between them. "You were amazing, you know. I couldn''t believe someone would have drawn that rune over a night. Her eyes met his for a split second before darting away again, a blush appearing on her cheeks. "It... wasn''t that good," she whispered, clearly ufortable with the praise. "I... just got lucky." "Pfft!" Kyleughed. "No way, that wasn''t luck." He nced at her Runic papers, she looked so close to perfecting the Water Rune. "You''re just good, I have to admit," Kyle said with a smile. "You''re almost done with a second rune, while most of us are still drawing our first. You make it look so easy," he managed to say in embarrassment. For a moment, she hesitated, her gaze slowly lifting back to meet his. Her lips moved slightly, and she murmured, "Thanks." There was a brief silence between them, the air around them feeling almost peaceful, and Lora feeling less tense. "You know," Kyle said after taking a deep breath, "I''m nning to stay after ss more often to practice. Maybe¡­ if you ever wanted to stay too, we could... you know, work together?" Her eyes widened with surprise. She seemed to be weighing his offer, as her fingers fidgeting with the sleeve of her uniform. For a long moment, she didn''t respond, making Kyle wonder if he had overstepped. But then, she gave a small nod. "I''d be happy to do so." "Great," Kyle said, trying to sound casual. He clicked hism, before saying with a nervous chuckle. "Uh, let''s exchange IDs, formunication." Lora nodded her head, before saving his number and giving him her''s. For a moment, neither of them said anything. Kyle could sense that the conversation had reached its natural end, and as much as he wanted to keep talking to her, he didn''t want to push her too far. "Alright, well... I''ll see you around, Lora," he said, shing her a friendly smile. She nced up at him briefly, her lips parting just enough for a quiet, "Bye." With that, Kyle turned and made his way out of the hall, feeling strangely excited and fulfilled. Chapter 44: I Owe You ''I need to increase my stock of Runic Papers,'' Kyle thought after leaving the hall. ''Looks like I''ll have to visit the mall again. Might as well pick up a few other essentials while I''m at it.'' With his n formed, Kyle decided to head home first for a quick refresh. After a long day of drawing, it was necessary to rid himself of some stench and change to something new before visiting a ce as popted as the mall. Less than an hourter, he found himself walking through the mall''s grand entrance for only the second time. Despite having seen it once before, the sheer size and energy of the ce still took him by surprise. Rows upon rows of stores lined the mall''s interior, each offering something different. He wasn''t here to sight-see though, as he had a reason foring here. He quickly approached one of the mall attendants, a young man in academy robes, and asked for directions to the Rune section. "Straight down this aisle, third door on your left," the attendant replied with a polite smile. Kyle nodded his thanks and followed the directions. Weaving through the crowd, it didn''t take long before he arrived. The Rune section was located in a crescent-shaped enve, surrounded by the other elective stores. The Alchemy shop was the most colorful of them all, the interior lined with ss shelves filled with glowing vials of every hue imaginable. The air inside the Alchemy shop was thick with the scent of herbs and ingredients. Finely designed Cauldrons were seen on the shelves too. While students tested and weighed the ingredients of their choice. Next to it was the Beast Taming section, which seemed more like a zoo than a store. The interior was natural, filled with cages that housed mana beasts. There were cors, binding crystals, and other tools for taming creatures on the shelves too. Further down was the Forge Mastering shop, a fiery, industrial-looking space that radiated heat even from the entrance. Inside, massive anvils, hammers, forges, and a variety of metals and ores upied the majority of the floor space. Finally, Kyle found himself standing before the Rune Making shop. The entrance was modestpared to the others, At the far end of the room was a counter where an attendant, a middle-aged man with dark, rune-marked gloves, stood. Behind him, shelves were lined with stacks of Runic Papers, inscription pens, and bottles of enchanted ink but something caught his attention near the counter. A slightly short girl stood beside the counter, her voice low and a bit shaky. Kyle recognized her instantly, after all, they had just spoken less than an hour ago¡ª Lora. "Is there any way you could lower the price just a little? I, um, I wasn''t expecting them to be this expensive," Lora said, her hands fidgeting as she nced at the Runic Papers she was trying to buy. She could barely afford two with her current savings. The attendant, a patient man with weathered hands, smiled kindly but shook his head. "The prices are fixed, young miss. I''m afraid I can''t go lower." Lora looked down, biting her lip as she debated her next move. It was clear she didn''t want to leave empty-handed, but the price seemed to be beyond her current means. Kyle, who had been watching from some feet away, stepped forward, ready to act. "I''ll cover it," Kyle said, cing a hand on the counter. Lora looked up, startled. Her brown eyes widened as she recognized him. "Kyle? No, no, you don''t have to¡ª" "I insist," Kyle interrupted with a smile. "It''s no big deal. We''re study buddies, remember?" Lora''s cheeks flushed, and she waved her hands in protest. "I can''t let you do that. I''ll figure something out. I¡ªmaybe I cane backter." Kyle chuckled softly. "It''s not a problem. You need these, and I have a good reserve of credits. Consider it a favor, okay?" She continued to protest, but Kyle looked at the bundle of Runic Papers on the counter and turned his gaze to the attendant. "How much for the papers?" Kyle asked. Before Lora could stop him, the attendant replied in a calm tone. "Thirty credits per sheet. Three hundred for a bundle." Kyle froze. "Thirty what?!" He squeezed his lips together, trying to hide his shock. His brows furrowed as he nced at the small stack of parchment. ''That lying instructor,'' he thought with anger. ''She called it cheap. Lora, noticing his reaction, quickly stepped in. "It''s too expensive. You don''t have to¡ª" Kyle cut her off with a shake of his head, still processing the price. Without further hesitation, Kyle turned to the attendant. "I''ll take two bundles." Lora''s eyes widened and she screamed unlike her. "Kyle, no! That''s way too much!" He shrugged, ignoring her protests as he handed over the credits. "Don''t worry about it." The attendant quickly wrapped up the bundles, his face impassive as though this price was nothing out of the ordinary. Kyle took the packages, handing one to Lora, who stared at him with gratitude and guilt. "Kyle, you didn''t have to do that," she said quietly, clutching the bundle to her chest. He smiled at her. "I wanted to. No problem, okay?" She sighed, still clearly ufortable. "I owe you, seriously. This is¡­ a lot." Kyleughed. "Lol. It''s nothing serious." Lora smiled, though her face still carried traces of embarrassment. "Still, I owe you." "We''ll see," Kyle said with a grin. They walked together for a short while before parting ways. At the exit of the door, Lora gave him a final look. "I''ll pay you back. I promise." He waved her off. "I''m counting on it." With a small smile, she turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Kyle to his thoughts. He nced down at the bundle of Runic Papers in his hand and felt like crying. ''I just lost 600 credits in some minutes. I guess it''s back to the Arena.'' He thought about putting the papers in his inventory but decided against it because of his location. As he thought about where to go next, a familiar voice called out from nearby. "Kyle!" He turned, only to spot Riya from the Alchemy Hall striding toward him. Chapter 45: Academy Struggles Kyle blinked in surprise after seeing Riya approach him. "Riya?" They met halfway, looking stunned to have seen each other. "I didn''t expect to run into you here," Riya said with a smile before ncing towards the Rune Making store Kyle stood next to. "I guess you chose Rune Making?" "Yup, I did. I came to grab some supplies," Kyle said with a nod. "But Rune Making isn''t as fun as I thought it would be¡ª our instructor is putting us through torture. Drawing runes over and over again, just to make it perfect and identical to the original." He rubbed his wrist which was still sore as a result of all the drawing. Riyaughed a little. "Jeez, that''s rough. How''re you coping?" Kyle sighed. "Welp, I finally managed to perfect a rune, at the expense of of my Runic Papers. I came here to the Mall to purchase some, after all, our Instructor called it cheap. You won''t believe its cost?" Riya grinned, enjoying Kyle''s tale. "Tell me." "Thirty credits per sheet. Three hundred credits for a bundle. I bought two bundles today, and now I''m practically broke," Kyle said with a sigh. Riya''s eyes widened upon Kyle''s revtion. "What?! That''s insane! How the heck did you even get such Credits." "Hehe. It''s a secret," Kyle said with a light smile. Riya rolled her eyes and said in a sharp tone. "Spill it." Kyle began to narrate to Riya about the Arena. "Hmm. That sounds real nice," Riya said after listening to Kyle. "I''m an archer, so I''m not that good with 1v1''s, but the elemental fights sound interesting." "What about you?" Kyle asked. "What brought you to the mall?" Riya nodded, excited to share her story. "I came to check out the Alchemy store to see how much the ingredients would cost... but seeing the prices, I couldn''t buy anything," she said with a sheepish smile. "Our instructor''s been making us cram ingredients. We spend hours memorizing the look, function, and properties of hundreds of herbs and substances. It''s so unlike what we expected." "You''re right. None of us are having what we expected," Kyle said with a sad smile. "I never knew the Academy could be this stressful. To be honest, I partly came here to take a break from everything." Riya nodded her head in agreement. "We both need one." Kyle nced around, realizing they were still standing near the store. "Let''s go somewhere else. Wanna walk for a bit?" Riya agreed, and they started strolling together through the crowded mall, moving away from the stores. "So, how''re y''all dual elementalist coping?" Kyle asked as they walked. "I''ve been wondering because there''s only one period for Wing ss." Riya sighed. "It''s brutal, honestly. Having two elements means I have to attend two different wings, alternating between them. One day I''m in the Pyro Wing, the next I''m in the Aero Wing. It''s like having twice the workload. I barely have time to keep up with both sses, and it''s not like I can pick which one I want to focus on¡ª they''re both important." "Jeez! Sorry. That doesn''t seem nice," Kyle said, feeling some sympathy, as he wondered when he''ll awaken the rest of his elements. She nodded. "It will all be worth it when I master both elements. I''ll try to keep up." Kyle gave her a reassuring smile. "I''ve known you to be great at managing stuff. You''ll scale through, don''t worry." "Thanks," Riya said with a soft voice. They walked a little longer, talking about their sses and how they were adjusting to life at the academy. Eventually, Riya heard herm chime, she clicked some stuff on it and let out a sigh. "That was my rm," she revealed. "I''ve overstayed and I have to go. Gotta keep to my schedule." Kyle gave an understanding nod. "Yeah, I should probably get going too." They exchanged a light-heartedugh, and Riya gave him a small wave. "Don''t let those runes drive you crazy." "You too. Good luck with your studies." Kyle called after her as she disappeared into the crowd. As she left, Kyle nced at hism to confirm his credits. [Credits: 71] He bit his lips as he thought about how the mighty had fallen so low. ''I''ve been meaning to get a sword sinceing here,'' he thought. ''Might as well check it out now. I just hope these would be enough to get a good one.'' He made his way toward the weapons section, passing by more shops filled with all manner of enchanted gear and magical items. The swords section was nestled near the back, with an array of des disyed in ss cases and on racks. Thest time he came here, he could afford none. He silently prayed it would be different this time. As Kyle browsed the selection, his excitement began to wane. The prices for the swords were well out of his range. Most of the finely crafted weapons cost far more than he could afford after his recent purchase of the Runic Papers. "Six hundred credits for this?" Kyle muttered, picking up a simple longsword. "This is crazy." He continued to scan the racks, his eyes falling on a more modest disy. The Training Swords section, and he walked over, inspecting the simpler, less expensive options. They were not like the ones Grace got for him in Frulia. These were more like the ones he used in the Arena¡ª blunt-edged and durable, with a weight that mimicked the feel of a real weapon. ''This will have to do for now,'' Kyle thought, picking up a training katana that cost 50 credits. It was nothing special¡ª just a standard, unadorned de with a in hilt¡ª but it would serve its purpose. He figured it would be good enough to practice until he could afford something better. He brought the training sword to the counter and made the purchase, feeling the weight of his dwindling credits more than the sword itself. With his new weapon in hand, he left the shop and headed back toward his dormitory. As Kyle walked through the academy grounds, the sky was already darkened, and few students were seen as he entered the dormitory. His stomach let out a growl as he passed by the cafeteria, he realized he couldn''t head back without eating. Besides, he had enough credits left for one good meal. ''Might as well use thest of my credits on something worthwhile,'' he thought with a small smirk. Inside, the cafeteria bustled with few students. Some sat at long tables, chatting animatedly over their food, while others lined up at the counters to order their meals. Kyle quickly joined the line, scanning the day''s menu disyed on a glowing board overhead. He let out a sigh, as he couldn''t afford Tier-1 meals anymore, but they were still nice Tier-0 meals to satisfy anyone. ''Let''s not go cheap today,'' he thought, eyeing the special¡ª a hearty bowl of spiced stew with freshly baked bread on the side. It was pricier than what he''d usually pick for a Tier-0 meal, but it was the kind of meal that would fill him up for the rest of the evening. When his turn came, he ordered the special, the cafeteria worker nodding before quickly dishing it out and handing it over to him. Kyle instinctively tapped hism device against the scanner, and a faint beep confirmed the payment. A nce at hism showed him what he already knew: his bnce was nowpletely drained. ''Great,'' he thought wryly. ''I''m broke until the next allowance. Thankfully, that''ll be this night.'' With his tray in hand, Kyle scanned the room for an empty seat. He sat down, letting out a contented sigh as he dug into the stew. The rich, spiced vors danced across his tongue, and the bread was perfectly soft, just the way he liked it. For a moment, all his worries¡ªabout credits, sses, and the constant pressure from his instructors¡ª faded into the background. As he ate, he watched the other students around him, discussing It was a rare moment of peace from the constant grind of the Academy. ''This was worth it,'' Kyle thought, a small smile ying on his lips as he stood up to leave with his stomach full. After finishing his meal, Kyle reached his house. He ced his sword in his inventory and continued his ritual of blood-dropping on the egg. He proceeded to continue his night grind¡ª drawing runes and cultivating. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Beginner Mage: Lv 1 EXP: 161/1000 ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Sitting on the edge of his bed, Kyle let out a tired sigh. ''I need to earn some more credits soon.'' His mind wandered to the arena. It had been a while since he''d signed up for a match, and the thought of battling for some extra credits was appealing. ''Maybe one of these days, I''ll return there. I could use the extra cash¡­ and the practice,'' Kyle thought. For now, though, all he could do was rest. He made sure to set his rm before lying back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, he slowly drifted to sleep. Chapter 46: Upcoming Tournaments Three boring days passed in the blink of an eye for Kyle, as he stuck to the same routine every day. On the bright side, he had managed to perfect drawing all the basic Runes, a great achievement on his part but he was 2 days toote to beat the monstrous Lora. However, with her kind help and guidance, he managed to leave the rest of the ss in the dust,pleting all the Runes. Remembering Victoria''s words yesterday, he couldn''t help but feel a pang bit of pity for them. *** "Two of your ssmates have alreadypleted the set of runes," she began, her voice cutting through the quiet ss. "Andst I checked, every single one of you has the same number of heads. So tell me¡ªwhy is it that some of you are still struggling with two runes or the first?" She let her words hang in the air before concluding: "If you can''t manage to draw all four runes by Monday, don''t bother showing up. I''ll have no use for dead weight in this ss." *** ''Welp, most will scale through,'' Kyle thought as he kept on jogging. One''s ability to draw runes increased with each try. It had something to do with familiarity, that was why he took 2 days to draw one rune, and another 3 days to draw the remaining three. As for Lora who used a day to draw a rune and another day to draw another. She was simply unexinable¡ª a monster. ''Luckily, I have that monster as a friend,'' Kyle said within him with a proud smile. As for the Lightning Wing ss. Kyle had spent most of his time cultivating and practicing his mana control, and that has yielded amazing results. He managed to reduce his spell cast time drastically, and his improvement became evident when he cleaned the floor with some of his ssmates, Orion included. He let the pride get into his head and challenge Milo, the only one to remain undefeated in the wing and his first loss since his reincarnation(not counting Harris''s that is). That was a chance for him to redeem himself. Milo had been feeling too proud as ofte, and Kyle was ready to crush him. The fight between them was very well received, as everyone paid attention, hoping to learn some tricks from the two top dogs in their ss. Unfortunately for Kyle, he lost against Milo, again. He might have improved but Milo saw a more massive improvement than him. Kyle gritted his teeth as he remembered his match with Milo. ''If only I could use my mana freely, I would have won,'' he thought. He lost as a result of ''depleting his mana'' and that was what stung him the most. ''I''ll just keep cultivating, I might not beat him in a fight yet. But I''ll beat him to receiving a second Tier-1 spell by breaking through first.'' Kyle smirked as he thought. Instructor La had promised a Tier-1 spell to anyone who broke through to the next level first. She had said that only when they breakthrough would their mana core be able to handle another spell, and the academy wasn''t obliged to provide them with spells for free. However, by breaking through first, Kyle could guarantee a spell for him. He looked at his status to confirm how far he had gone in his race to see a breakthrough first. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Beginner Mage: Lv 1 EXP: 402/1000 HP: 30 Energy: 34 MP: - Agility: 30 Strength: 34 Vitality: 15 Stamina: 17 Intelligence: 20 SP: 0 [Elements] [Skills] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle sighed. He had been trying his very best, but it seemed he had to cultivate more. ''I wish I was able to see how far others had gone too,'' Kyle thought. ''Maybe subsequent level-ups will provide that,'' heforted himself. [8/10 KM] [Timer: 0.14.78] Kyle nced at his status screen, realizing he had run over his mark. "Welp, Time to go back." It didn''t take him long to arrive at his house. [Congrattions! You havepleted your daily quest] [You have obtained 1 STA point] [STA: 17 >> 18] [Energy: 34 >> 36] [Time: 0:27:09] He worked out some more, as Homeroom began by 9:30 AM. After working out, he quickly refreshed and prepared for ss, stopping by the cafeteria to grab breakfast. ''I really need to visit the arena,'' Kyle thought as he looked at his meal, which was a far cry away from the luxury he was used to before. He has to postpone his n to go there though, as he first had to ''level up'' in his cultivation. ''I''ll return there with a bang after obtaining another spell,'' Kyle thought, forming a grin on his face as he ate his meal. Finishing his meal, he nced at the clock and realized it was almost time for homeroom. Without dy, he made his way to the ssroom. Some moments after he settled down, the door creaked open again and Instructor Dan came in. "Alright, quiet down, everyone," Dan said, his voice easily cutting through the noise. "I hope y''all enjoyed your night''s sleep." The students stood up and paid their greetings, allowing him to continue. "I''ve got some news for you all." Everyone kept silent to listen. "In about one month, a month and a half to be exact. We''ll be hosting the Electives Battle. This is where you''ll finally get to showcase everything you''ve learned in your elective sses¡ª Rune Making, Alchemy, Beast Taming, and Forge Mastering. You''ll be fighting, yes, but not in the way you''re used to. This event will focus on how well you can use your chosen skills andbine them with yourbat abilities as well as how good you are with them." Excitement buzzed around the ssroom, as everyone was excited about something different for a change. but Dan wasn''t done. "And that''s not all. Toward the end of the semester, we''ll have the Vyne Yearly Tournament." He paused for effect, letting the name sink in. "This is where you''ll face off against your year mates¡ªand possibly some seniors¡ª in three categories: Elective Battles, where you''ll use your elective skills like in the one before; Elemental Fights, where you''ll fight with your different elements; and Physical Combat, where raw power and skill with weapons are tested." Everyone was silent in awe, processing everything Dan said to thest. "The Tournament happens at the end of the semester," Dan continued. "It''s a big deal. Victory here can mean ess to rewards, weapons, spells, rare resources, and more." The excitement in the room was palpable now, everyone sitting on the edge of their seats. "Prepare well. The Electives Battle is your first test, and from there, you''ll build up to the Tournament. Now, I''d love to keep talking about this, but..." Dan nced at the clock and sighed. "We''ve run over time. You''rete for History ss." A collective groan echoed through the room as Dan chuckled. "Alright, you''re dismissed. Head straight to ss." Chapter 47: Sword Intent Kyle walked out of the General Weapon Training ss, feeling tired but bored. As usual, he had dominated the ss from start to finish, but it seemed like Harris was bing Lazy. All he did was let them spar with themselves why he meditated. After sparing, they were also made to self-practice with their chosen weapons, which involved shing, or repeating a move with their weapon. Kyle sighed. ''That ss is a waste of time. I have limited time and I can''t afford to waste it on doing something like this.'' He knew how important having a feel and of your weapon was, but... He has been doing that since he was a little kid and didn''t see a reason to use his limited time to swing swords in the name of a ss, when he could any other time. ''I wonder if History and General Weapon Training ss ispulsory... I''ll ask Instructor Dan if I can drop.'' He kept on walking till he reached his dormitory. He spurlged enough credits on a meal, as he received 20 from Instructor Harris. He didn''t want to take any chances, wanting to be in the best form possible for his training. He quickly refreshed and got ready before deciding to give Dan a call. Them rang twice before Dan picked up. "Hey, Kyle. You ready?" Dan asked. "Almost. I was just wondering where we''ll be meeting today?" Kyle replied. "Ah, right. I''ll send you the location. We''ll be training at my ce in the staff quarters." A notification pinged on Kyle''sm, a map opening with a marked location deep within the academy grounds. The staff quarters weren''t a part of the academy that he usually heard of. He thanked Dan and began before making his way out. The walk to the staff quarters was long, as it was deeper into the academy grounds. Soon, he got to arge gate manned by some personnels, they granted him ess as soon as he showed them Dan''s invite. As Kyle approached Dan''s house, his eyes widened. The Instructors houses were massive¡ª farrger than any residence he''d seen within the academy walls. The buildings stood tall with clean, modern lines of white and steel, surrounded by arge, manicured garden that hinted at the prestige of its upant. He quickly located Dan''s and entered in through the automatic gate that recognized hism and granted him ess. The stone pathway leading to the door gave an ancient feel, framed by low hedges and trees that provided a serene atmosphere. Kyle stepped up to the front door, hesitating for a moment before knocking. The door swung open almost immediately, revealing Dan in casual training attire, a smile on his face. "Right on time, Kyle. Come on in." As Kyle stepped inside, the grandeur of the house hit him. The ceilings were high, and the walls were lined with art , giving the space an elegant yet disciplined feel. "Quite the ce, right?" Dan said with a chuckle, noticing Kyle''s awe. Kyle nodded, earning a augh from Dan. "The academy takes care of its instructors. Let''s head to the dojo." They walked through the house, Eventually, Dan led him through a set of sliding wooden doors, revealing the dojo. Kyle stood at the entrance for a moment, taking it all in. The room was expansive, farrger than he''d imagined. The floors were made of polished wood that glowed in the afternoon sunlighting in through the tall windows on the far walls. At one side of the room stood arge weapon rack, neatly organized with an assortment of weapons, all looking well maintained. In the center of the roomy arge white mat, pristine and ready for training. Dan moved to a wooden cab and pulled out a neatly folded training outfit, handing it to Kyle. "Here, put this on." Kyle took the outfit, It was a in white gi, nothing special. He went to a corner to change, slipping it on, he realized it was slightly too big¡ª loose in the shoulders and legs, the sleeves hanging past his wrists. Dan smiled after seeing him. "It''s a bit big, but you''ll grow into it. I had to guess your size." Kyle nodding. "It''s a little to free, but it''ll do." Dan stepped closer with a more serious expression. "Kyle, tell me something. How long have you been training with the sword?" Kyle hesitated k what to say. He didn''t know how much info the Academy had on him, but he guessed they would likely have none and decided to go for it: "Since I was young. I picked it up on my own since, diligently training in the way of the sword." "You received no training whatsoever, and you''ve already tapped into Sword Intent? How?" Kyle nodded. "Yeah... I don''t really know how it happened. It just sort of... came to me one day during practice, I experienced a threat when training and it just came. Ever since then, I usually manifest it at times when I''m under threat." "You refuse to be threatened, huh? Interesting," Dan''s muttered before saying: "Do you realize how rare sword intent is?" Dan asked rhetorically. "Sword Intent isn''t something you just ''find.'' It''s born from years of training, from deep mastery and connection to the sword. The fact that you''ve achieved it at your age¡­ Kyle, that''s not just talent¡ª that''s extraordinary." Kyle was short of words. He knew sword intent was very helpful and strong, but he wasn''t exactly sure of its rarity. Dan continued with his teaching. "Sword Intent is more than just a powerful technique. It''s an expression of your soul, your intent. It''s what separates a master from an ordinary swordsman. At its most basic, it can overwhelm your opponents, crush their spirit with a swing yiur de. But at its peak¡­" Dan paused for the effect, letting his words linger in Kyle. "With full control of Sword Intent, you could split mountains with a single sh. You could change the course of a battle in an instant. And with the lightest touch, you could scar your opponents¡ª leave a mark on their very essence, one that''s impossible to forget." Kyle swallowed. He didn''t know how possible all these were, but they were all amazing. Dan continued: "Sword Intent can be destructive, yes. But it''s also about precision. It''s about understanding the fine bnce between force and finesse. In the right hands, you could do more with a single stroke than most can do with an entire battle." He stopped in front of Kyle, his eyes piercing. "But that''s only if you master it. Right now, what you have is raw, unrefined. They''re many levels of intent and you''re only about to scratch its surface. You''re already ahead of most who seek that answer. But mastery of Sword Intent requires more than just practice¡ª it requires discipline, focus, and a deep understanding of both yourself and the sword." He ced a hand on Kyle''s shoulder. "You''re a rare talent, Kyle. But talent alone won''t be enough. You have to be willing to dedicate yourself fully to this path. You have to respect the power you''ve been given, and learn to control it before it controls you." Kyle nodded with determination. Dan''s voice continued. "With proper training, Kyle, you could be a great swordsmen of your generation. But know this: power like this can shape not only your enemies but yourself. The question is do you agree to embark on this path?" "I''ll do whatever it takes," Kyle said, his voice firm. Dan nodded approvingly, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. "Good. Then let''s begin." Chapter 48: Intense Training Instructor Dan led Kyle to the center of the dojo, making him to stand on therge mat there. He walked over to the weapon rack, scanning the rows of swords on it with his eyes. He reached out and selected a longsword, the polished steel reflecting the sunlighting in through the windows. "Pick yours," Dan turned around and said to Kyle. "We''re using real weapons?" Kyle couldn''t help but say after noticing the weapons on the rack. He hadn''t used such sinceing here. "What if someone got injured?" Dan nodded with smile and replied. "Don''t worry. You won''t be getting injured." Kyle shrugged his shoulders and approached the rack, with a Katana in mind... Obviously. He observed it after he held it up. The curved de was sleek and the handle was wrapped up in ck leather. "A katana, huh?" Dan noted, ready to inform Kyle on his weapon choice. "It''s a solid choice, but not without its limitations. Its strength lies in its sharp, quick cuts and precision. It''s ideal for fast, fluid strikes, perfect for someone with speed. But the weakness is itsck of versatility. You can''t use a curved de to thrust or stab, neither can its blunt side be used to sh, making it require careful control. If you lose your grip or bnce, you''ll find yourself wide open." Kyle nodded, gripping the katana a little tighter. He was familiar with the weapon, but hearing Dan exin its intricacies gave him a new level of respect for it. "First," Dan began, stepping closer to Kyle. "Let''s talk about your grip." " He raised his longsword, showing Kyle how his hands were positioned on its hilt¡ª it was firm but rxed. His fingers curled around the handle, leaving just enough space for movement. "Your grip needs to be firm, but don''t choke the handle. You want control, but you also need flexibility. If your hands are too tense, you''ll lose fluidity in your strikes." Kyle adjusted his grip as Dan demonstrated, loosening his hold just enough to feel the difference. Dan nodded. "Not bad. Now, I''ll see you make a basic sh. The strength of your sh doesn''t onlye from brute force. It''s about precision and speed. should want to make a clean, quick cut with the minimum force necessary. Anything more, and you''ll throw yourself off bnce. Watch and learn." Dan raised his sword above his head and brought it down in a smooth, swift arc. The air seemed to cut as the sword traveled. He stopped just before the tip of the sword reached the ground. "Now you," he said, stepping aside. Kyle took a deep breath, positioning the katana above his head as Dan had done. With a quick motion, he brought the de down in a supposingly clean sh. Dan responded after watching him with concentration. "You''ve got the basics down, that''s nice. But there''s always room for improvement. Your wrists need to be more rxed. You''re still putting too much force into the swing. Again." Kyle nodded and reset his stance, raising the katana and bringing it down once more. He focused on loosening his wrists, trying to let the sword move freely when released. "Better,"Dan said. "Keep going." For the next thirty minutes, Kyle repeated the motion over and over, each time adjusting his grip, and the force of the sh. Dan corrected him as needed, but for the most part, but Kyle wasn''t far off from what the instructor wanted. Still, Dan pushed him, demanding almost perfection. Sweat beaded on Kyle''s forehead, and his arms began to tremble with the strain. His wrists were sore, and his muscles ached from the repetition, but he kept going, determined to get it right. ''Damn this man!'' He said after going for another sh. It reached a point, where he didn?t even care to listen to Instructor Dan''s words before repeating. "No. No. Hold it there, boy," Dan suddenly said after sensing Kyle''s spirit. "You want to do these for the duration of this ss, huh? If you don''t want that, be more serious at getting it right, because the number of shes you achieve won''t help you here." With that, Kyle''s rhythm experienced a sudden change, as he began to sh with more determination. After what felt like the hundredth sh, Dan held up his hand." Good enough." ''Finally,'' Kyle thought lowering the katana. His chest rised and fell with heavy breaths. His wrists throbbed in pain. "Let''s move on, shall we?" Dan said with a smirk. "Show me your stance." "What?!" Kyle unknowingly said his intentions our loud. "I said you should show me your stance. Quick." ''Ah... I can''t even get a rest.'' Kyle let out a wry smile and shifted his feet, taking a traditional fighting stance¡ªHis left foot forward, right foot back, his knees slightly bent, and his sword held in both hands, the tip angled forward. He had practiced this stance a thousand times, and it felt natural to him. Dan circled him, his critical eye analyzing every muscle, every shift in weight. "Good. Solid form. But I can tell you''re holding back. Rx your shoulders a little, keep your center of gravity lower." Kyle adjusted as Dan instructed, feeling the change in his bnce. There was a moment of tension in the air before Dan struck¡ªa quick, probing attack aimed at Kyle''s side. Kyle reacted instinctively, his swording up to block the blow with a sharp metallic *clink*. Dan nodded approvingly. "Nice reflexes. But you''re still too stiff. Sword fighting isn''t just about defense, Kyle. It''s about flow, about knowing when to move and when to strike." Dan moved again, this time faster, swinging his sword in a wide arc toward Kyle''s shoulder. Kyle brought his sword up to parry, and their des shed, but this time the force of Dan''s strike pushed Kyle back a step. Kyle grimaced, feeling the weight behind the blow. Dan wasn''t just testing him; he was pushing him to see how much he could handle. "Don''t just block," Dan instructed as he stepped back. "Redirect. Use your opponent''s momentum against them." Kyle nodded, gripping his sword tighter as Dan came at him again. This time, when their swords met, Kyle didn''t simply block. He angled his de slightly, letting Dan''s strike slide off to the side. It was a minor movement, but it shifted the bnce of the fight. Kyle followed up with a quick strike of his own, aiming for Dan''s midsection. Dan blocked it easily with fluid movement, but there was a glint of approval in his eyes. "Better. Much better. Keep that up." For the next half-hour, they sparred like this¡ªDan attacking, Kyle defending and countering, slowly learning to adapt to the rhythm of the fight. Every time Kyle thought he was getting the hang of it, Dan would change the tempo, increasing the speed or power of his strikes, forcing Kyle to react faster, and think faster. By the end of the first hour, Kyle was breathing heavily and his muscles burned from the effort. Sweat dripped down his forehead, and his arms felt like lead, but he refused to slow down. Dan wasn''t just testing his skill; he was testing his endurance and his resolve. "Take a break," Dan said finally, stepping back and lowering his sword. ''Finally... !'' Kyle exhaled in relief, lowering his own weapon. His hands were shaking slightly from the strain, but there was a thrill in the exhaustion. He had never pushed himself like this before, but at least he was feeling improvement almost already. Dan handed him a towel and a bottle of water. "You''re doing well, Kyle. Better than I expected, honestly. But you''ve got to learn to pace yourself. Sword fighting isn''t a sprint; it''s a marathon. You''ve got to conserve your energy, know when to strike and when to hold back." [Energy: 6/36] Kyle nodded, taking a long drink of water. [Energy +10] . . . [Energy +10] . . . [Energy +10] . . . [Energy +10] [Energy: 36/36] ''What the hell? It should be the water.'' He wiped the sweat from his brow with the towel and looked up at Dan, who was watching him closely. He was feeling much refreshed, almost like he woke up from a long rest. "That. The water you gave me, it made me feel refreshed... Anew. What was it?" He asked Dan, wanting to find our such godly water he had received. "Don''t worry about it... Unless you want to pay for it, do you?" "What? Heck, no!" Kyle said with aughter, as they bothughed for some time. "How do you know when to do that?" Kyle asked, breaking the few moments of silence. "When to hold back and when to go all in?" Dan smiled slightly, leaning on his sword. "Experience. It''s something you learn over time. Every fight is different. You''ve got to learn to read your opponent, to anticipate their moves. But more than that, you''ve got to know yourself. You''ve got to be in tune with your body, your mind, and your sword. When you''re in control, everything else falls into ce." Kyle thought about that for a moment, feeling the weight of the words. He had always focused on his technique, on mastering the movements, but Dan was talking about something deeper, something more intuitive. After a few minutes, Dan straightened and gestured toward the mat. "Ready to go again?" Kyle nodded, he wasn''t feeling much of the fatigue in his limbs thanks to the water, and was determined to keep going. He couldn''t stop now, not when he was learning so much. They resumed their sparring, this time with a different focus. Dan began to teach Kyle about the finer points of swordy¡ªhow to shift his weight during a strike, how to read an opponent''s stance, how to feint and draw them into making a mistake. It was like a dance, each movement carefully calcted, but with an undercurrent of danger. As the second hour passed, Kyle began to feel more confident. His movements became more fluid, more instinctual. He could feel the sword in his hand, not just as a tool, but as an extension of himself. Every strike, every parry, flowed together like water, and for brief moments, he felt like he was in control, like he was truly beginning to understand what Dan had been talking about. But Dan wasn''t done pushing him. In the third hour, Dan began to test Kyle''s limits. He increased the intensity of his attacks, moving faster, striking harder, forcing Kyle to react with everything he had. Sweat poured down Kyle''s face as he struggled to keep up, his muscles screaming in protest. But he refused to stop. "Focus, Kyle!" Dan barked as their swords shed again. "Don''t let your fatigue control you! Push through it!" Kyle gritted his teeth, parrying a strike and countering with a quick sh that Dan barely blocked in time. His vision was starting to blur from the exhaustion, but he could feel something inside him¡ªa spark, a flicker of the Sword Intent Dan had spoken of. It was faint, but it was there. Dan must have sensed it too, because he suddenly stopped, stepping back and lowering his sword. Kyle blinked in surprise, breathing heavily as he lowered his own de. "What¡­ what is it?" Kyle asked between breaths. Dan smiled faintly, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "You felt it, didn''t you? That connection. That moment when the sword wasn''t just a weapon in your hand, but an extension of your will." Kyle nodded slowly, still catching his breath. "Yeah¡­ I think I did." Dan sheathed his sword and walked over to Kyle, cing a hand on his shoulder. "That''s the beginning, Kyle. That''s where real mastery starts. You''ve got the talent, the potential. But you''ve got to nurture that connection, refine it. Sword Intent isn''t something you can force. Ites from understanding, from discipline." Kyle looked down at his sword, his mind racing with everything he had learned in thest three hours. It was a lot to take in, but he knew Dan was right. There was something more to sword fighting than just the physical movements. There was a mental, even spiritual,ponent that he had only just begun to tap into. Dan stepped back, looking at Kyle with a mixture of pride and expectation. "You''ve done well today. But this is just the start. You''ve got a long way to go before you can truly master Sword Intent." Kyle nodded, feeling both exhausted and exhrated. "I''ll do whatever it takes." Dan smiled, the first genuine smile Kyle had seen from him all day. "I believe you will." The clock on the dojo wall read 7:00 PM. The three hours had passed in a blur, but Kyle felt like he had gained months, maybe years, worth of experience in that short time. As he gathered his things and prepared to leave, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of excitement. Chapter 49: Grinding "Thank you, Instructor. I''m grateful for your guidance," Kyle said with respect, cupping his hands and lowering his back for a formal bow. Dan chuckled warmly, waving off his formality. "No problem, Kyle. Care for a meal before you return?" ''A meal? Heck, yeah!'' Kyle''s eyes lit up as he nodded eagerly. ''I might even take something special like the water I had before,'' he thought, a sly grin creeping onto his lips. *** A few minutester, Kyle and Dan sat across from each other at the dining table, eating their respective meals. Kyle had been hoping for something exciting, but much to his dismay, Dan refused to offer him anything more than a Tier-0 meal. Meanwhile, Dan indulged himself in a mana-rich feast. Kyle could sense the mana and pressure being emitted from the meal across the table, and it only served to deepen his envy. He yed with the simple steak on his te, pushing it around with his fork as his eyes greedily followed Dan''s fork dipping into a rich, glistening mana-infused stew. "Don''t y with your food, Kyle," Dan teased, noticing the longing in his student''s eyes. "But... Why can''t I have that?" Kyle finally blurted out, unable to hide his disappointment. His expression shifted into one of exaggerated sadness, hoping to touch to Dan''s generosity. Dan smiled knowingly, shaking his head. "We instructors can''t provide students with cultivation resources... at least not until you''re allowed to keep personal Instructors. It''s part of the academy''s rules, Kyle." "Hmph." Kyle grumbled softly, giving up. He knew arguing wouldn''t get him anywhere. He reluctantly took a bite of his in steak, chewing with a grumpy expression. As they ate, Kyle used his inspect on Dan. [Name: Dan Hubbard] [Affinity: Wind] He decided to check his own progress, quickly pulling up his stats as he chewed on his meal. [Sword Intent Mastery: 22.20%] Kyle''s eyes widened slightly. ''It improved a lot¡­ As expected,'' he thought, satisfied with his progress. ''I wonder what happens when it reaches 100.'' "Uhm, Instructor," Kyle began cautiously, lowering his head a bit as if to avoid eye contact, "General Weapon Training ss and History ss... they''re not really proving useful to me. Would there be any issue if I skipped them?" Kyle''s voice trailed off as he quickly nced up, trying to gauge Dan''s expression. His instructor had been understanding so far, but this was a bit more audacious. Dan leaned back in his chair, considering the question before responding. "Well¡­ It''s your choice, Kyle. The students might not know this yet, but those sses aren''tpulsory. However," he added with a raised finger, "I''ll warn you¡ªdon''t underestimate any ss. You never know what you might learn. Even in History or Weapon Training, there could be something that changes your perspective." Kyle grinned internally, pleased by the response. ''Yess!'' he celebrated quietly. Dan''s advice was solid, but Kyle already had his own ns. He wasn''t going to skip entirely¡ªjust on the days when he felt like he could be doing something more productive. The rest of their meal passed in rtive silence. Once Kyle finished thest of his meal, he thanked Dan once again and excused himself, heading back to his dormitory. As soon as he returned, Kyle copsed onto his bed. He was tired, but not in the physical sense¡ªhis mind felt heavy with all the things he needed to focus on. Tomorrow was a ''free day,'' meaning no sses or mandatory training sessions. ''Tomorrow¡­ I''ll break through,'' he decided, his eyes fluttering shut. It was time to push his limits. No distractions, no holding back. He didn''t set any rms. There was no need. His body would rest for as long as it needed, and when he woke up, he would be ready. *** The night passed quickly, and Kyle woke to the soft glow of sunlight spilling through the curtains of his dorm room. He stretchedzily, feeling an odd sense of satisfaction as his body felt perfectly rejuvenated, free of the aches and soreness from the previous day. 9:12 AM. He noticed the time from hism. ''Perfect,'' Kyle thought as he rolled out of bed and stretched his limbs. His muscles felt loose, ready for action. ''Let''s grind.'' He began his day as usual, slipping into his running shoes and stepping out of his dorm for a fewps around the academy grounds. What started as a daily quest had now be a routine¡ª a habit that he couldn''t shake off. After a solid run, he made a quick stop at the cafeteria for breakfast, where he found the hall empty. ''They were most likely in ss.'' He took his food quickly and made his way back to his dormitory for a bath. By 10:03 AM, Kyle had finished his preparations. He sat on the floor, assuming a lotus position, his breathing steady as he began to focus inward. The world outside fell away. His mind cleared of all distractions, and Kyle felt the familiar pull of mana surrounding him. His body and spirit aligned as he drew it in, circting the energy through his core. [EXP +1] [EXP +1] ... Hours passed in the blink of an eye. *** By 12:00 PM, Kyle''s energy was beginning to wane. [Energy: 20/36] [EXP: 501/1000] [Congrattions! You havepleted your daily quest] [You have obtained 1 STR point] [STR: 34 >> 35] Kyle took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. The cultivation was slow going, even though he knew that this pace was still considered impressive by most standards. ''Why does cultivation have to be so slow?'' Kyle sighed internally, lying back on his bed to recover his energy. He reflected for a moment, thinking back to his time at Yurigur. Back then, he had to spend a month in seclusion to break through two initial minor realms. Inparison, he was very fast here. After a short rest, Kyle sat up and resumed his cultivation, determined to push himself further. The cycle repeated¡ªtwo hours of focused cultivation, followed by short breaks to regain his energy. *** 11:11 PM. Kyle felt a surge of power course through him. [Energy: 9/36] [EXP: 1000/1000] [Congrattions! You have Leveled Up!] [Beginner Mage: Lv 1 >> Lv 2] [All stats: +10] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Beginner Mage: Lv 2 EXP: 0/2000 HP: 50 Energy: 56 MP: - Agility: 40 Strength: 44 Vitality: 25 Stamina: 28 Intelligence: 30 SP: 0 [Elements] [Skills] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª "Finally!!" Kyle screamed in triumph, unable to contain his excitement. He immediately copsed onto the floor, physically and mentally drained but utterly satisfied. Chapter 50: Lightning Dash [Bzzz! Bzzz! ... ] Kyle groaned as his system''s rm sounded in his head, waking him up from his sleep. "7:30 AM, as expected," Kyle muttered under his breath, stretching his hands. ''Why did I even set this rm?I needed some rest,'' he thought sadly. He didn''t wallow on his thoughts though, as it was nice he had woken early, now he could avoidingte to ss. He quickly took a quick warm bath, dressed in his academy uniform, before he made his way down to the cafeteria. [Credits: 6] Kyle stared at hism with resignation after seeing his meager sum of credits. They could barely get him a sustainable meal, so he had no other option than to settle for an credits an orange drink, quickly gulping it down before he went for Homeroom. He was right at time upon reaching Homeroom, slipping in as Dan called for attention. Roll call happened in a blur, while Kyle''s mind drifted to the new spell he would acquire for breaking through first. Dan''s voice snapped him back to reality. "For those who weren''t present in yesterday''s homeroom ss, I''m deducting 10 credits from your ount. If you''ve skipped before, double the amount. If you''re wondering why, it''s because attendance to homeroom ss ispulsory," he proceeded to make a few taps on hism after which some pings resounded around the ss. ''I should miss other sses but attend to homeroom. What the hell?'' he thought, cursing Dan for not informing him properly. Kyle felt a slight pang in his chest as hism chimed. He nced at hism to observe what his bnce would be, since he had 1 credit at the moment. [Credits: -19] As he expected, his next 19 credits would be deducted. Kyle grimaced as he stared as hism. As Dan wrapped up and left early, Kyle was already itching to leave. However, Riya caught his attention as she slid into the seat next to him. "Why are you so hyped today?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. She had been noticing him since the ss''s beginning, and there was ack of the usual concentration from him. Kyle grinned, leaning closer. "I broke through." Riya''s eyes widened in shock. "You what?" For a moment, she was speechless before her expression shifted to determination. "You broke through already?" Her lips tightened, and she clenched her fists. "I''ll break through today too, just watch." Kyle felt some sympathy for her and decided to confess. "Welp, it happened so fast because I didn''t attend sses yesterday. It''s not as easy as it looks," Riya blinked, processing his words before shooting him a nce of disbelief. "You skipped an entire day of sses? Seriously?" "Yeah," Kyle admitted, scratching the back of his head. "But hey, don''t feel bad. You''ll catch up. I''m sure you don''t need to skip sses to do so." Herpetitive spirit zed. "Of course not. I won''t skip any sses." Kyle chuckled, nodding his head. Momentster, the bell rang, signaling the end of Homeroom. Kyle didn''t waste any time. He dashed out of the ssroom to reach the Thundra Wing. His heart raced with anticipation as he navigated through the academy grounds before finally arriving at the Lightning Hall. Instructor La was already present, her eyes scanning the students as they slowly filed in. Kyle was among the first to arrive, but soon enough, the room filled with students, all settling down on their respective mats. Kyle noticed a mat that was absent of any student¡ª Orion. Like Riya had said, they alternated between what wing to attend, and he must have opted for Metal today. La stepped forward with her usualmanding voice. "Now, let''s get started. I want a progress update from each of you." The students took turns, sharing how far they were close to breakthroughs. They couldn''t exactly quantity it like Kyle, but could tell to an extent how far they had gone with saturating thier mana core with mana. Milo stood up, and boasted that he was just a step away. "In fact, I might even breakthrough today." The instructor nodded her head at him, while others felt it was normal for someone like him. A few others gave updates, before Kyle proudly stood up with a smile on his face. "I broke through," he announced calmly. The room fell silent for a brief moment as all eyes turned to him. La''s expression shifted from surprise to approval. "Impressive, Kyle," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Congrattions. As promised, for being the first in the ss to break through, you''ll receive your reward." Some students, Milo especially looked at Kyle with envy while a few others looked up to him with respect. La continued. "As expected, your reward is a second Tier-1 spell: Lightning Dash. This spell allows you to move with the speed of lightning itself for a brief moment. It will enhance your mobility and give you an edge inbat." She handed him a scroll. "Take this and practice. The rest of you should continue cultivating. I expect more breakthroughs soon." Kyle felt a surge of excitement as he unrolled the scroll. The words were detailed like in thest scroll, allowing him to carefully practice. [Do you want to learn the Tier-1 spell: Lightning Bolt] [Cost: 10 Skill Points] Like before the system prompt came on, he ignored it as he didn''t have enough skill points. Even if he did, he wasn''t sure he would waste it for that when he could easily learn it himself. He focused and began channeling his mana as the scroll instructed, visualizing his mana. He managed to channel it through his body after a long while, feeling it course through his muscles waiting to be released. ''Is this it?'' he inwardly asked himself on what he was feeling at that moment. He stood up, instinctively stepping forward, and in an instant, he felt it¡ª Speed! He moved to the opposite end of the the room in few seconds, faster than he had ever moved before. [Ding!] [You''ve learned Tier-1 spell: Lightning Dash!] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [Lightning Dash(Lv 1)] : [A movement spell that momentarily boosts the user''s Agility by 200%, allowing one to transverse a distance through a short burst of speed.] MP required: 10 ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 51: No Lunch This Time The eyes of the whole ss were fixated on Kyle, who had zipped to the other side of the room with a trail of Lightning. Their mouths were wide open in astonishment, and their eyes glowed with desire. "Wow! That''s fast." "We get to learn that?!" "Lightning rocks, man!" Whispers gradually became shouts, as they couldn''t control their reactions from the spell. Milo had stood up from his mat, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth in anger. ''Arrgh... I''m so stupid. I can''t even first him to breakthrough... Now, he''s all there having a speed spell and I''m here cultivating,'' he felt frustrated with himself and wanted to take it out on something or someone, but eventually controlled himself and sat back on his mat. He tried to calm in nerves, taking in a breath and exhaling out, before continuing his session. "I have to breakthrough." Kyle, who was unaware of the happenings around him felt disoriented from his outburst of speed. ''Wow! That was great!'' he thought, itching to go again. He had already began trying to channel his mana before Instructor La''s voice interrupted his n. "Well done, Kyle. It''s great to cast spells and all, but you have to be aware of your mana," she said, sweeping her gaze across the ss in a bid to address them too. "As a mage, it is very important to be conscious of your mana usage, as they can prove vital in a fight. For you, Kyle, you should be able to use [Lightning Dash] for about two to three times, so try to be conservative when using it." Kyle nodded his head approvingly at her words, imagining how well he could use the spell with his mana. "Go and practice with your spell casting. Improve your speed for summoning the spell," La instructed Kyle before turning towards the rest of the ss, "I want the rest of you to cultivate. Time waits for no one. Get to work, now!" Everyone followed hermand and sat on their mat beginning their long cultivation session. [12:05 PM] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [Energy: 31/56] [EXP: 47/2000] [Congrattions! You havepleted your daily quest] [You have obtained 1 STR point] [STR: 45 >> 46] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle sat up from his mat as soon as the bell went. He had managed to achieve alot, even managing to cultivate for some time, between. He looked around the ss to observe their expressions. Sadly, judging from the look on their faces, none of them must have seen a breakthrough. Everybody were already dispersing out from the ss for their break, everyone except one¡ª Milo. Kyle watched as Milo sat cross-legged, his ck hair wet with sweat and clinging to his forehead. His expression gave away an intense focus and his breathing was rough but controlled. Unlike the others, he refused to take in-between breaks, clearly pushing himself to his his limits. ''He sure looks serious,'' Kyle shaked his head, not helping but feel a slight pinge of pity for him. ''He gave it his all, but, eventually it all came back to the best,'' Kyle chuckled as he left the ss, feeling a swell of pride. He thought for a while on what to do with this break. He nced around, seeing students wandering about, chatting in groups, or hurrying off to their next destination. ''Maybe I should head to the library?'' Kyle thought but quickly dismissed the idea. ''I''m too tired for that... I''ll go get lunch first.'' Kyle began making his way to the dorm but suddenly stopped on his tracks immediately a certain thought surfaced on his mind. ''Ah... I have no credits,'' he remembered, fighting back tears. He was even in debt of 19 credits and he was entertaining thoughts of an early feast some moments ago. He decided to head to the Rune Making hall. On getting there, he was surprised to find some students already there. It made sense, as not many had the luxury to eat by this time, like he did before. He began striding to the back seat, his eyes falling Lora, who sat at a corner reading a book. A smirk formed on Kyle''s lips. ''Of course she''s reading ahead,'' he thought as he made his way toward her. "Yo, Lora," Kyle said as he dropped into the seat beside her, looking at the book she read¡ª Introduction To Rune Making II. "Part two already? I didn''t even know you finished the first one." Lora nced up, startled at first but quickly rxing when she saw it was Kyle. "Um, yeah. I''ve finished it¡­" Kyle chuckled. "Are you trying to make the rest of us look bad, or is it just me?" Lora looked down, a small smile ying at her lips, but she didn''t respond. "Come on, share the secret. How are you so fast? Don''t you cultivate?" She shook her head, still smiling faintly but clearly unsure how to respond to his teasing. Kyle leaned back, grinning. "You know, you could give me a crash course sometime. Help me understand what you''re reading... I''m pretty behind, you know?" "You''re not¡­ behind," Lora mumbled softly, her eyes moving to him for a moment before returning to the book. "I just like to¡­ read ahead." "Of course, of course, You''re too good for us." Lora rolled her eyes slightly but didn''t say anything, choosing instead to focus on her book, though an amused smile tugged on her lips. Kyle leaned closer, pretending to read the pages. "So, what''s so special about this second book? Do the runes get moreplex, or are they more runes?" Lora couldn''t help but try tough, shaking her head. "No¡­ it''s¡­ um¡­ moreplex runes,binations for more powerful effects." "Ah, I see... So it''s like Rune Making on hard mode," Kyle said, nodding like a wise man would. They continued chatting, or rather, Kyle did most of the talking while Lora asionally nodded or offered a shy response. He teased her about reading too much and asked random questions about runes, trying to keep the conversation while learning a few. Lora seemed to appreciate it, even if she didn''t say much. She loved it more to exin when her help was asked for. After a while, the ssroom started to fill up with more students, and just as Kyle was about to tease Lora again, the door at the front of the room swung open. Instructor Victoria walked in with her usualmanding presence. Her eyes scanned the room, taking note of possible drop-outs "Good afternoon, ss," she said with a smile as fake a 3 dor bill. "I hope some of you heeded to my advice." Kyle nced at Lora, who had already closed her book and straightened in her seat, her expression shifting to one of quiet focus. While he leaned back on his sear, ready to see what Rune Making had in store for the day. Chapter 52: Inscription Instructor Victoria strode to the front of the ssroom, her violet robes swirling with every step. The room fell silent as her gaze swept through the gathered students. She paused for a moment raising her brows in mild surprise as she mentally counted everyone present. "Well," she said, sping her hands behind her back. "It seems I''ve underestimated y''all a lot. Not a single one of you has dropped yet. I guess you''re more determined than I thought." A murmur rippled through the room, as the students felt proud and recognized their will to still remain here. Instructor Victoria stepped forward, her mouth widening as she continued. "Now, before we move on, I need to know¡ª did you all manage to draw the basic runes like I said? Or should I start sending you packing out of here by myself?" Several heads nodded in response, affirming that they had done so. "Good," Victoria said with a slight smile. "I''m pleased." She began walking down the rows, stopping to check each student''s work one by one. Her sharp eyes scrutinized the drawn runes, making sure the students had drawn it almost perfectly. Once Victoria finished her inspection, she returned to the front of the room, standing tall and proud. "Well then," she began. "Now that you''ve all sessfully drawn the basic runes, it''s time we move forward. Drawing runes is an essential skill, but it''s only the beginning. Today, we''ll take the next step. You''ll learn how to make runes¡ª how to truly inscribe them so they can channel function." She paused, letting her words sink before continuing, "To do that, you''ll need something special. The basic rune drawing you''ve been practicing is nothing more than an outline. To make real runes, you should use an inscription pen." Victoria held up a sleek, slender pen-like tool, its tip was lustrous and looked extremely sharp and pointed as well. "This is an inscription pen. Unlike regr pens or markers, this tool adds depth to the lines and curves of your runes. Depth is key because it provides the necessary channels for mana to flow through." She tapped the pen against her palm. "It''s notpulsory to use an inscription pen. Any tool capable of inscribing, carving, or even creating holes on a surface can be used to make runes. However, the pen makes the process far more efficient, and it offers better control, especially for beginners like yourself." Kyle paid close attention. He knew this was bound to be more challenging, unlike the drawings. He had never carved before and was eager to try it out. He used the side of his eyes to nce at Lora who sat beside him, as expected she was taking notes already, scribbling in her magnificent handwriting. ''I wonder what she''s writing,'' Kyle thought, focusing his attention back on the Instructor. "To demonstrate," Victoria continued, walking to the far end of the ssroom where arge, in white wall stood. "I''ll show you the difference." The ss watched as she approached the wall, her inscription pen held firmly in her hand. She raised it to the surface and began to draw slowly, the room was soon filled with the soft, steady sound of the pen scratching against the wall''s surface. Kyle''s eyes followed the lines she was drawing, recognizing the familiar shape of the fire rune, but this time, it was different. The rune was being carved into the wall, not just drawn. The lines weren''t t but had a slight depth, like shallow grooves etched into the surface. Victoria worked slowly enough for everyone to observe... But her slowness was impossibly fast for the students, and she stepped back from the wall after a moment, admiring her work. "Now,e take a closer look." The students moved to the front of the ssroom, gathering around to inspect the rune. Kyle could immediately see what she meant¡ªthe lines had some depth, barely a few millimeters, but enough to make a difference. The rune wasn''t just a drawing; it had substance. "You''ll notice the grooves," Victoria said, pointing to the etched lines. "That depth allows the rune to hold something. And that something is¡ª?" "Mana!" the studentspleted her sentence, proving that they were paying attention. Kyle leaned closer, fascinated. The fire rune was right when drawn on paper, but seeing it inscribed in this way made it feel more powerful¡ª like it was ready toe to life. "Yes, Mana," Victoria nodded her head, confirming their answer. "For a rune to work, it needs mana. Mana is the fuel that powers the rune''s effect. When inscribed properly, these grooves or pathways act as channels for mana to flow through, activating the rune." She turned back to the rune on the wall and raised her hand. "Watch closely." The room fell silent as Victoria ced her palm against the rune. Kyle could feel the energy shift in the air as she channeled her mana to it. Slowly, the rune began to glow¡ªa faint, warm red at first, but quickly growing brighter. The warmth spread through the room, and Kyle could feel the heat radiating from the rune. The fire rune hade alive. Victoria turned to face the ss, her hand still pressed against the glowing symbol. "Notice the glow, the warmth. This is what happens when mana is channeled through a properly inscribed rune. The intensity of the effect¡ªthe heat, the light¡ªdepends on several factors: the type of rune, the size of the rune, the material it''s inscribed on, and most importantly, the quality of the mana used to activate it." She stepped away and disabled the Rune, letting its glow slowly fade until the room returned to its previous temperature. "For now," Victoria said, breaking the silence in the ss. "Your task is to learn how to channel mana through runes like this one. Mana is the lifeblood of all rune work. Without it, a rune is just an empty symbol. You can use a mana core too, but it is too expensive and you haven''t reached that level yet. But for today''s lesson, I''ll show you how to channel your mana into a rune." The students listened intently as Victoria went into detail, exining the process of controlling their mana flow, directing it toward the rune, and ensuring the pathways in the rune were properly filled. It wasn''t just about dumping mana into the rune¡ª it required precision and bnce. "Channel too much mana," she warned. "And the rune will overcharge, either burning out or exploding in the worst-case scenario. Too little, and the rune won''t activate at all." Kyle nodded, absorbing the information. He was eager to try it for himself, but he knew it wasn''t going to be easy. Drawing runes had been one thing. Inscribing them would be another thing. She dismissed the ss after giving everyone an Inscription pen, leaving them with her words. "The Rune inscriptions won''t be a hassle for you, once you''ve known how to draw them. But for channeling your mana, I want you to practice. Trial and error is key to learning, find the perfect bnce of mana and what you''ve drawn. I''ll see how far you go tomorrow." Chapter 53: Veil of Silence Kyle decided to stay after ss again, something he was already ustomed to doing. He watched as the other students filtered through the door one by one, theirughter and murmurs fading as they left. Lora, sat on his opposite side, neatly arranging her supplies for the extra session. Kyle hade to appreciate these extra lessons with Lora. As much as he hated to admit it, Lora''s exnations often filled in the gaps left by Instructor Victoria''s faster-paced lectures. "Alright, let''s pick up from where the Instructor left off," Lora said with her usual soft voice. She leaned over and pulled something out of her bag¡ªa single piece of runic paper. Kyle''s eyes widened in surprise as she carefullyid it out in front of him. The paper was pristine, with four basic element inscriptions carved onto its surface. Fire, water, earth, and air¡ªeach rune was beautifully inscribed with fine precision. Kyle stared at the inscriptions, impressed. She had carved the runes beforehand. Amazing! "Wow," he finally muttered, unable to suppress his awe. "You did all this?" Lora shrugged, but a faint blush touched her cheeks. "It''s not as hard as it looks. The trick is keeping your inscription tool steady enough. I''ve been practicing a lot with a knife and it wasn''t easy. An Inscription pen should do better." Kyle grinned, feeling impressed she did that with a knife. "You''ve outdone yourself. This is amazing." They continued working for another half hour, exchanging thoughts and carving runes. But at the thirty-minute mark, Kyle stood, stretching his arms. "Alright, I think that''s enough for today." Lora nodded her head calmly. "It''s okay. But... We barely stayed an hour?" He grinned, grabbing his bag. "Not all of us are born prodigies, Lora. I have to pace myself." She rolled her eyes at hisment and went back to her work. Kyle winked at her as he slung his bag over his shoulder. "Thanks again for the help. You''d be avable tomorrow?" "Yes," she replied with a nod, watching as he headed towards the door. As Kyle stepped out from the hall, his stomach growled loudly, reminding him that he only had an Orange drink since breakfast. With a sigh, he pulled out his phone and gave Nate a call. "What''s up?" Nate''s voice crackled over the line. "Yo, Nate. I''m broke and I need money. Think you can lend me some credit?" Nate snorted,ughter following quickly after. "Ah, so now you see the value of credits, huh?" "Yeah, yeah," Kyle replied, rubbing the back of his head. "I get it now. Come on, Nate. Help a friend out. I''ll pay you back." "Sure. I''ll lend you 100, okay?" "Fine," Kyle said with relief. "But you owe me 200 back. Interest, my friend." Kyle chuckled, shaking his head. "You''re feeling greedy, huh?" "Hey, I''m doing you a favor here!" Nate shot back yfully. "I''ll send it over now." "Thanks, man. I''ll pay you back... soon." With 100 credits in his ount, Kyle made his way to the mall. He had a n, and he needed a mask for it to work out. After asking around, he found his way to the mask magic equipment section. As expected, these masks were way out of his budget. Kyle thought about using [Inspect] on equipment, deciding to give it a try. ''Inspect.'' [Mask] [Grade: Basic] [Mask] [Grade: Rare] As expected, he could see some stats on equipment too. ''What a nice skill.'' The cheapest mask he managed to find was 1000 credits, and he simply couldn''t afford that right now. With a sigh, Kyle decided to stop wasting time and moved on to themon section. Here, the masks were ordinary and non-magical equipment, but they should get the job done. Out of his recent habit, he began to use [Inspect] on all of them. [Mask] [Grade: Null] [Mask] [Grade: Null] ... All the masks kept showing the same stats, it was unfortunate, but Kyle nned on trying a bit more to find something unique. "Come on... there has to be something," he muttered under his breath, half ready to just pick anyone. As he was about to give up and walk to the counter with a well-designed ck mask in hand, something in the corner of the disy caught his eye. At first, it looked like just another simple mask, tucked away behind several others, almost forgotten. It was a dull, faded ck mask, with nothing particrly striking about it. But something felt... off. Kyle couldn''t quite put his finger on it, but his instincts urged him to take a closer look. He leaned down, careful not to draw too much attention from the shopkeeper across the room, who was busy scrolling through something on a tablet. His hand slid through the narrow space between the other masks and pulled the ck one free from its hiding ce. Holding it up, he studied it carefully. At first nce, the mask was made of rough, ck material that felt like leather, with a texture that felt worn over time but still sturdy. Its design was minimal¡ªtwo small eyeholes, a ridge running down the center, and faint markings along the sides that seemed more like scars than intentional carvings. There was something almost primal about it. Its color was uneven, fading into darker patches near the edges, and the material looked like it had seen better days, but Kyle couldn''t shake the feeling that there was more to it. "Let''s see what you''ve got," Kyle inwardly prayed before using [Inspect]. Trying not to draw any attention from the shopkeeper as he did. [Veil of Silence] [Grade: Divine (Lv0)] [Status: Inactive] [Description: A world born in silence is destined to end the same] Kyle''s heart skipped a beat as he read the stats, but he forced himself to remain calm. ''Divine?! What the hell is that grade? It must be strong, real strong,'' He nced back toward the shopkeeper, who was still oblivious, then carefully examined the mask again. His thoughts raced as he weighed his options. If he made a big deal out of this, there was a chance the shopkeeper might realize what it was. He might not withhold the mask, as it has been here since and they did nothing. It could only mean¡ª ''They didn''t have the means to determine it.'' But they could still jack up the price nevertheless, if they sensed his excitement. He couldn''t let that happen. Keeping his expression casual, Kyle walked slowly to the counter, holding the mask like it was just another cheap piece of equipment. He plopped the mask down on the counter with a deliberately uninterested sigh, making it seem as if he was just picking something to be done with it. "I''ll take this one," he said. The shopkeeper barely nced up from his tablet, giving the mask a quick scan with the pricing tool. "That''ll be fifty credits." Kyle nodded, transferring the credits without a word. Inside, though, his mind was buzzing with excitement. ''Fifty credits for an unheard grade?'' He had to resist the urge to smirk as the transaction was processed. The shopkeeper handed him the mask in a simple brown bag, stillpletely unaware of what he had just transacted¡ª something that could change the bnce of the Gxy. "Thanks," Kyle said casually, tucking the bag under his arm as he turned to leave the store, his heart pounding in his chest. Once outside, he allowed himself a brief moment of triumph, his fingers curling around the mask hidden in the bag. Ovee by excitement, he ran home as quickly as possible. Upon sitting on his bed, he decided to unwrap the mask but eventually decided against it. ''No. I''ll wait until I''m ready to go,'' he felt like enjoying the moment, so he couldn''t let his impatience spoil it for him. Kyle checked the time¡ª5:02 PM. Still early enough to rest before the match. He set his system''s rm to wake him up by 8:00 PM, then copsed onto his bed, allowing fantasies to take over from where he had stopped. *** The rm buzzed in his mind exactly at 8:00 PM, startling him awake. For a moment, hey there, appreciating the satisfaction of a full nap. He hadn''t realized how tired he was until now. Kyle washed his face, did a few stretches, and grabbed his mask from his bag, cing it carefully on the reading table in his room. ''Now. Let''s see what you''ve got,'' he said, licking his lips. Immediately he touched the mask and adjusted it on his face, just before a series of system prompts appeared on the screen. [Potential Soul Equipment Detected!!] . . . [Do you ept to equip Divine Mask: ''Veil of Silence'' as a Soul Equipment?] [Yes] or [No] [Divine Mask: ''Veil of Silence'' cannot be used without epting!] . . . [Soul Weapon capacity can be increased!] [Avable: 0/2] [Host is advised to reject Divine Mask: ''Veil of Silence''!!] . . . [Yes] or [No] Chapter 54: Bonding Kyle looked at the two blinking words on the screen, after carefully reading all the notifications that had appeared. He took a deep breath and read through everything once again to ensure he didn''t miss anything crucial. ''Why am I advised to reject it?'' Kyle thought, growing more curious with each nce. He decided to try asking the system, hoping for a proper response this time. From what he had read so far, there didn''t seem to be anything wrong with epting the mask as a soul weapon. So why was the system pushing him to decline? Maybe, just maybe, something was off about the mask. [WARNING!!] [Bnce must be maintained!] [Host is advised to reject!] ''Bnce? The hell is that?'' Kyle thought, controlling the urge tough at the absurdity of it all. ''What do you mean by bnce?'' [WARNING!!] [Bnce must be maintained!] [Host is advised to reject!] Kyle rolled his eyes when the system repeated the same message. ''And here I thought it was for an important reason.'' The system was not going to borate, which made Kyle even more doubtful of the advice. If there was a genuine reason to reject the mask, the system would exin it¡ªor so he reasoned. This so-called "bnce" nonsense wasn''t going to make him reject it. ''I ept,'' Kyle said, a mischievous smirk formed on his lips as he chose without giving it any more thought. [Do you ept to confirm Divine Mask: ''Veil of Silence'' as a Soul Equipment?] [Yes] or [No] [Host is advised to rethink choices!] [Bnce must be maintained!] The system''s repeated warnings were beginning to get on Kyle''s nerves. ''Yes,'' he said, nodding calmly and ignoring the final warning. . . . [Suit yourself.] The two words appeared on the screen a few momentster, confirming that his decision had been processed. Kyle had been half-expecting somest-ditch effort from the system to reverse his choice, but it seemed that it, too, had given up on convincing him. ''At least, it can''t overwrite mymand,'' Kyle thought with mild satisfaction. But before he could be absorbed in his thoughts, another notification appeared. [You have chosen to ept Divine Mask: ''Veil of Silence'' as Soul Equipment!] [Binding process may now begin!] Before Kyle could react, an intense, sharp pain exploded through his body. It started from his chest and quickly spread like wildfire, burning through every nerve. The agony hit his mana core first, feeling as though it were being torn apart, rearranged forcefully, and then set aze. Kyle gasped and stumbled, his legs finally giving out when he copsed to the cold, hard floor beneath him. Every inch of his body felt like it was under attack like it was being twisted and reshaped from the inside out. His lungs screamed with every breath, as though shards of ss were shredding them from within. His vision dimmed, flickering in and out as waves of relentless pain surged through him. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever experienced before¡ªnot just physical, but something far deeper. After what felt like an eternity of torment, his strength finally left him, and hey there, heaving his chest, his face soaked in sweat. The minutes dragged on like hours as the burning pain continued, but slowly, mercifully, it began to fade. Ten excruciating minutester, it was over. [The Divine Mask: ''Veil of Silence'' has sessfully bonded with your soul.] Kyle, still panting heavily, wiped the sweat from his brow. His body felt drained, but at least the process was finished. Slowly, he forced himself to stand on his weakened legs. ''Finally,'' Kyle thought with a low voice as he checked his screen once more. [Veil of Silence] [Grade: Divine (Lv0)] [Enchantments: Unknown, Soul Reaper] [w: Silenced] [Unknown: A name erased from memory. No eyes can track, no minds can know. A whisper lost in eternity.] Your next adventure is on m_v_l_e_mpyr [Soul Reaper: Your power grows with every soul you im.] ¡ª affects equipment''s level. [Vanquished Souls: 0/1000] [Silenced: The master must remain silent while donning this mask.] Kyle''s jaw dropped slightly as he read through the attributes of the [Veil of Silence]. The [Unknown] enchantment was especially confusing. From what Kyle could guess, it would make himpletely undetectable, erasing his presence. No one would be able to recognize him or know where he was, at least while the mask was active. But how far did that go? Did it work against magic detection? Does it make people around me not be remembered among friends? The enchantment hinted at an incredible power, but Kyle couldn''t shake the feeling that there was more to it than what was written. Then there was [Soul Reaper], which was much more straightforward¡ªhis power would grow with every soul he imed. And by ''his power'', they meant the level of the mask itself would increase, though he had no idea what benefits that would bring. Kyle frowned as he read the 0/1000 requirement. A thousand souls. That wasn''t something he would be able to achieve within the academy. The potential was there, but fulfilling that condition would be a challenge in itself. Lastly, there was the [Silenced] w. Kyle narrowed his eyes as he re-read the description. He wouldn''t be able to speak while wearing the mask. As if to test it, he tried to speak with the mask still on his face. Nothing, as expected. Not a single sound came out from his lips. Kyle removed the mask and let out a frustrated sigh. ''Is it even worth it?'' he thought bitterly. The [Silenced] w was a major inconvenience, especially with the way he liked calling out attacks while fighting. He could fight without all that, but that might not do him much good. Still, the power the mask offered was tempting. He just needed to find out how valuable it is... Hopefully it won''t disappoint. ''Welp... Only one way to find out,'' Kyle thought, slipping the mask back on. He cracked his neck to release tension, beforepleting his thought. ''...In the arena.'' Chapter 55: An Example I Despite the busy schedule of the Academy. The arena buzzed with life as always. ''I wonder how they manage to find time,'' Kyle thought as walked through the entrance of the Arena. He observed the crowd reacting with so much passion on the matches as he headed towards the Registration booth. After waiting in the not so long line, it finally got to Kyle''s turn. The boy manning the booth this time was different. He didn''t seem particrly interested in Kyle, though his eyes widened slightly at the sight of the mask. It wasn''t every day someone came to fight while hiding their face. "Name?" the boy asked without looking up fully, still scribbling down notes on a match roster. Kyle stood still for a moment, considering his options. He had already nned on making a new identity, and with that came a new name. He thought hard before deciding, opening his mouth to provide his name. "..." ''Oh. I can''t speak,'' Kyle remembered, forming a wry smile on his face that was visible to no one. He used his hand to imitate a writing aid for the boy, making him pass a paper and pen to him. He clearly wrote the name he had choose on the paper, handing it back to him. Abyss. He had chose the name for many reason. An Abyss was infinite as well as silent¡ª that would be his name. A name like that could have been chosen before, but here in the arena. Nobody owns a name. Achievements would determine the true name bearer, and Kyle was determined to stand out. "Abyss?" the boy said, writing it down somewhere. "You''re new?" Kyle nodded his head in approval. "We''ll need your ID. It''s a new rule." Kyle shook his head in refusal. The boy raised an eyebrow at him. "You''re refusing?" Kyle nodded. "It''s for your own good, man. You get into trouble, they''ll be on you..." He paused, then shrugged. He wasn''t one of the first to have refused, there was no reason trying to convince him. "Well, alright. Just know you''re on your own if things get serious." The boy scribbled down a few more notes on his book, then handed Kyle a small metal token after Kyle made a match request. Discover tales on m_vl_em_p_yr "Here''s your match token. You''re registered for an elemental match. Wait for your number to be called." Kyle gave a slow nod in acknowledgment and tucked the token into his cloth before turning away, allowing for others to use the booth. Soon, he found himself standing before the gambling booth. A neon light flickered overhead, its lights casting shadows across the faces of the anxious gamblers. Some were shouting from cingst-minute bets, while others checked their remaining credits, thinking how to spend for the next matches. Kyle stepped forward, sliding his match token across the counter along with a note: Bet: 50 credits. On myself. Match #22. The attendant behind the counter blinked, clearly confused by the use of notes. The attendant scribbled down the bet after Kyle transferred the credits and handed Kyle a slip with his wager printed on it. As Kyle turned to leave, another figure stepped up, holding a device that resembled a portable scanner. The attendant gestured toward Kyle''s mask. "Standard procedure," he said, his voice cautious. "Need to check for any illegal enchantments and magic equipments. Can''t have you cheating in there." ''Ah, I forgot external equipment aren''t allowed.'' Kyle thought beforeposing himself to stay still as the scanner hovered near his face, its faint light pulsing as it attempted to read the magic in the mask. A few moments passed before the device beeped, and the screen shed with the word *Null*. "Null?" the attendant muttered. "Just a normal mask. You''re clear." Kyle smiled within the mask before walking away. H wondered if they couldn''t scan the mask because of the [Unknown] enchantment or because it''s too advanced. ''Welp... It could be both.'' **" It wasn''t long before the arena speakers crackled to life once again, this time the announcer''s voice calling Kyle''s match. "Next up, we''ve got a special treat! A new face stepping into the arena for the first time¡ªABYSSS!" Kyle stepped forward, walking slowly into the light of the elemental pit. "And his opponent!" the announcer''s voice continued, bringing back the crowd''s excitement once more. "Ranked No. 9! Give it up for Vance Renlor!" The arena exploded in cheers, their sound echoing off the pit walls. Vance Renlor was a well-known third year. He was very strong, a dual elementalist of Fire and Earth. This was expected to be an easy match. Kyle stood in his corner, watching as Vance entered the arena, his posture was rxed and his face cocky. He wore a confident grin, already certain of his victory. His eyes scanned Kyle, and his grin widened more. "A masked newbie?" He called out with augh. "Hiding your face won''t help you, you know? Especially not against me." The crowd cheered louder, excited by Vance''s bravado. Someone even shouted, "Free money!" and othersughed in agreement. All the attention was on Vance, the academy''s star. Vance was the strongest student in his year, as well as the only Third year on the Top-10 arena rankings. That didn''t make him one of the Academy''s Elite 10 though, because they were many students, fourth years and others alike, that didn''t bother to fight in the arena. They had ess to something better, as per what Nate said. That didn''t mean Vance was weak, he was strong, very strong and Kyle was confident that most if not all of the student would have ced their bets on Vance to win. But that was perfect. His eyes glinted with mischief: ''It''s all part of it, brother. The more the merrier. '' Kyle responded with augh of his own under his mask. There was no hell way he would stake all his borrowed money, if he wasn''t certain of a win. ''I''ll use you as an example. An example that will make a statement for me!'' [ New Quest: Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can say is nothing at all. Silence the Crowd by defeating the opponent before you! ] [ Reward: 5 skill points! ] Kyle widened his lips for a smile upon seeing the quest. "A bonus forpleting what he was going to do. Let''s do this" As the announcer''s voice boomed onest time, the match was set to begin. "Begin!" The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 56: An Example II "BEGIN!" Vance didn''t n on wasting time, as he was confident that he could finish the match swiftly. He mmed his foot into the ground, and with a low rumble, the earth beneath them began to shake violently¡ª his first spell, [Earthquake]. The ground began to tremble and cracks began to split the arena in arcs. Kyle barely had time to brace himself as the shaking began. Thanks to the stance he had assumed, he had enough footing on the ground so as not to falter. He didn''t n on rooting to a spot forever as he had already began channeling his mana, even before Vance. Vance might have beat him to casting a spell, but he had forseen that to happen already. That was why, the spell he had channeled was his second Tier-1 spell¡ª [Lightning Dash] His opponent might be quicker than him in summoning spells and have stronger spells. But he was here to go all out, and see the potential if his ''infinite mana''. As soon as he activated [Lightning Dash], his body disappeared in a sh of speed, narrowly avoiding the jagged cracks forming around him. The crowd gasped, excited by the usual thrill of an elemental battle. Vance frowned. "Lightning, huh? Let''s see how long you can keep that up." Kyle materialized at his back, already drawing mana for his next move. He was still getting used to the time it took to cast his spells, but he knew he had an advantage. With a sharp thrust of his arm, he released [Lightning Bolt]¡ª the quickest spell at his disposal. The bolt of electric energy shot through the air, aimed directly at Vance''s back. But Vance was no amateur. As if being able to see his back, he made the ground rise up with a single gesture, forming a thick [Stone Wall] Kyle''s lightning bolt crashed into the rock, dispersing harmlessly against its surface. Vanceughed, stepping out from behind his wall with ease. Embark on new adventures with m-vl-em,pyr "Is that all you''ve got?" he taunted, his hands already glowing with the heat of his next spell. He summoned a swirling orb of fire, hurling it toward Kyle¡ª [Fireball]. The fiery projectile tore through the air, leaving a trail of heat as it passed. Thankfully, Kyle was prepared. He was able to dodge again, this time leaping to the side with another burst of [Lightning Dash]. The fireball exploded against the far wall of the pit, sending a plume of smoke as the wall held well. Vance, however, wasn''t finished. He conjured another [Fireball], sending it toward Kyle. The fight was bing a chase. Kyle darted from one spot to another, evading each attack, drawing mana for his next bolt of lightning. It was always very close for Kyle, as he had to be perfect with spell and make sure he does so in time. Every time Vanceunched a spell, Kyle would dodge, but the gap between their power levels was clear. Vance was relentless, barely breaking a sweat as he alternated between [Fireball] and [Stone Wall] to keep Kyle on the defensive. "You''re quick, I''ll give you that," Vance called out, his eyes narrowing. "But speed won''t save you forever." Kyle knew Vance was right. He couldn''t keep dodging indefinitely. His infinite mana allowed him to maintain his abilities, but he needed to find an opening. A single [Lightning Bolt] wasn''t enough to break Vance''s defenses, and the crowd was wondering why Vance hadn''t won yet. ''He must be either Third or Fourth year, with his mana pool. But... I wonder why he''s only using two spells, Tier-1 spells as of that,'' Vance monologued, observing his depleting mana pool. It was getting difficult to keep up, as he couldn''t draw out the fight for much longer. ''I''ll make sure he fights back.'' Vance hurled five [Fireball], waiting for Kyle to run. As expected, he did, but this time he didn''t use a spell, bending his back slightly over so the fireballs flew past him. It was quite stupid for him to fire in that fashion. "Running out of mana, huh?" Vance smirked as he taunted. Kyle didn''t reply, not that he could if he wanted. He had been readying something and it was time to unleash it. nting his feet on the ground and standing straight once more. His body tensed, lightning crackling around him in violent arcs. The crowd held their breath, watching as Kyle prepared to unleash something more powerful. Vance noticed the shift in energy and smirked. "Finally going to fight back?" With a roar, Kyle hurled a barrage of [Lightning Bolts] he had been building up for long. They crackled through the air until they met arge expansive [Stone Wall] Vance had set up. However, they had enough force to shatter it into pieces. The crowd gasped as the wall crumbled, leaving Vance momentarily exposed. Seizing the opportunity, Kyle dashed forward, his body moving faster than the eye could follow. In a sh, he was behind Vance, his hand sparking with lightning. He aimed to strike, but Vance reacted quickly with [Earthquake], stomping the ground with enough force to send a shockwave of earth shooting upward. Kyle was then thrown back, crashing against the far wall of the arena. "Not bad!" Vance called out, his grin widening. "But this is where it ends!" The air around Vance began to heat up as he raised his arms to the sky, calling forth his signature move¡ª[Meteor Shower]. The sky above the arena darkened as fiery orbs appeared, growingrger andrger as they prepared to rain down on the battlefield. Kyle''s heart raced. He had a bad feeling about this spell. It should be devastating, but that didn''t mean he should cower. ''It''s now or never,'' Kyle inwardly hoped for godspeed on his spell casting. As the meteors began to fall, Kyle activated [Lightning Dash], zigzagging across the arena with blinding speed. The fiery rocks crashed into the ground around him, shaking the arena with each impact. The crowd was on the edge of their toes, watching as Kyle narrowly avoided each meteor, his movements a blur of lightning. But he wasn''t just dodging. Between each dash, Kyle gathered more mana, charging his next attack. His body glowed with a fierce light, his eyes locked onto Vance, who stood at the center of the storm, controlling the chaos with ease. "Time to end this," Kyle thought, his body crackling with energy. In one final dash, Kyle appeared in front of Vance, his hand outstretched. He released all the mana he had been gathering in one concentrated burst¡ª[Lightning Bolt] enhanced beyond its normal strength. The bolt struck Vance directly, the force of it sending him flying backward, his body crashing into the arena floor. The crowd erupted in shock. Vance, the third-year powerhouse, had been hit. But it wasn''t over. Vance struggled to his feet, his body smoking from the impact. He red at Kyle, his eyes filled with fury. "You think that''s enough to beat me?" Kyle didn''t respond, his body still glowing with residual lightning. F Vance roared, mming his fists into the ground. The earth rumbled violently as another [Earthquake] tore through the arena, but this time, Kyle didn''t move. He stood his ground, his eyes glowing behind the mask. With a final surge of mana, Kyle activated [Lightning Dash], moving so fast that he became nothing more than a streak of light. He circled around Vance, striking him from every angle with bolts of lightning, each hit chipping away at his defenses. Vance roared in frustration, unable to keep up with Kyle''s speed. The worst came when he realized that he had exhausted his mana, and the damage was beginning to take its toll. Finally, with onest powerful [Lightning Bolt], Kyle struck Vance directly in the chest, sending him crashing to the ground. The arena fell silent as Vancey still, his body smoking from the lightning''s impact. Kyle stood over him, breathing heavily, his body still crackling with residual energy. The crowd, the spectators and not the gamblers, stunned by the oue, slowly began to cheer. "The winner: ABYYSSSS!" the announcer''s voice boomed, breaking the silence. Kyle smiled behind his mask, his chest heaving from the intense battle. He had done it. This was only the beginning, he was sure of that. [Questpleted! ] [You''ve gained 5 Skill points! ] Chapter 57: Rich! The crowd''s energy shifted rapidly in the aftermath of the match, buzzing with a mix of awe, confusion, and frustration. It wasn''t every day that someone like Vance Renlor¡ªa Top-10 ranker¡ªwas taken down, especially by aplete unknown. The arena, normally dominated by almost predictable oues and safe bets, had just been thrown into chaos by Kyle''s victory. For the spectators, this was a show beyond expectations. Most of them didn''t care about the oue; they were there for the thrill of the fight and to learn from the great fighters. Their cheers hadn''t died down since the match ended. Conversations in the stands were filled with admiration for Kyle. "I can''t believe it! A newbie, out of nowhere, took Vance down!" "Did you see his attacks? He only used Tier-1 spells!" "Yeah. He managed to win while holding back. I wonder who can stop him if he goes all out." "This ''Abyss'' guy... he''s going to shake things up here for sure." They didn''t care that they didn''t know Kyle''s history or his mask-shrouded identity, making all kinds of crazy spections. The spectators were here for the entertainment, and Kyle had delivered. They were already eagerly awaiting Abyss'' next battle. But for the gamblers, it was a very different story. Some part of the crowd grew in silence as they wondered what went wrong. It was not possible and had never happened¡ª a Top-10 ranker, being defeated by a newbie. Today, they had been burned. One of them was already losing it and couldn''t help but speak up. "This is rigged! There''s no way a newbie like that beats Vance clean! No way!" Hisments gave others the confidence to speak on. "I lost 1000 credits on this match. Impossible!" "Yeah!" chimed in another gambler. "You don''t just walk in here and beat someone like Vance. He''s ranked ninth for a reason. I''ve watched his matches for years¡ªno neer gets a win like that, not without help." Murmurs spread through the gambling section, growing louder by the second. More voices joined in, using Kyle even more. "It''s a setup!" "He''s not a newbie. He''s some pro pretending to be an amateur!" "I bet he''s been hiding his rank for years, waiting to pull this scam." usations flew freely, and the gamblers were nearing a boiling point, their frustrations spilling over. They felt deceived, and their losses made the sting all the more painful. The air was thick with tension, and the shouting was on the verge of erupting into chaos. But before the situation could escte further, amanding voice rang out from behind them. "Enough." A tall figure with a green ponytail stepped forward, walking onto the podium with authority. His voice cut through the noise, silencing the angry crowd in an instant. This was Jordan, an administrator and a member of the Elite 10. He crossed his arms and gave the group a long, cold stare. "I''ve been around here long enough to see gamblersin after losing big," he began with a steady voice. "And let me remind all of you¡ªgambling is a risk. You stake your credits, you ept the possibility of loss." One of the angriest men from earlier, still fuming, tried to interject. "But this was¡ª" Lorian silenced him with a raised hand. "I don''t care who you bet on or how much you lost. We don''t question the history of our fighters here. This is the arena. Find adventures on m,v lem|p,yr What matters is what happens in the pit, not whatever story you''ve cooked up to exin why you lost." The crowd fell silent as Jordan''s words sank in. His presence alone was enough to bring a sense of order to the chaos. He turned, addressing the crowd in full. "I get it. You''re angry because a newbie won, and you lost your credits. But maybe instead of ming some conspiracy, you should recognize what you saw today. That guy¡ªAbyss¡ªhe''s strong. Stronger than any of you gave him credit for. And that''s not on him. That''s on you." The murmurs died down, the anger slowly fading as the gamblers realized they had little choice but to ept the oue. Jordan gave them onest look before turning away. "Remember, you''re here because you enjoy the thrill of the risk. The moment you forget that, you''ve lost sight of what this is all about." With his intervention, the tension in the gambling section finally eased. Some of the gamblers muttered under their breath but began dispersing, the majority epting their losses with grumbling defeat. The arena gradually returned to its previous excitement, and the anger dissipated. Kyle, standing by the edge of the pit, couldn''t help butugh under his mask. He''d heard everything, and the idea that these gamblers had thought the match was rigged amused him. ''Me, a pro?'' The most funny was of him holding back¡ª The thought was almost funny. He walked over to the gambling booth, to calcte his earnings. His original stake had been 50 credits¡ªall the credits he had left. But, no one had expected him to win, so the odds had been heavily in Vance''s favor. But with his victory, the payout had skyrocketed. The attendant at the booth gave Kyle a respectful nod as she handed him a shet. "Your earnings, Abyss. You staked 50 credits at a 55 odd. That brings your total payout to 2,750 credits." Kyle''s jaw dropped when the amount entered hism. ''I''m rich!!'' 2,750 credits was more than enough to set him upfortably for the next few weeks. ''I knewing here was the perfect idea,'' he couldn''t help but think, after all, he had gotten so much from a single fight. He knew he was just getting started, as they were many more credits toe. [Ding! ] [You have 5 Skill points avable! ] Kyle saw the prompt that lit up his status. ''Yes, my reward. Remind me what it''s for, system?'' [Skill points can be used to upgrade Learn and Upgrade Skills] Kyle observed the two skills, thinking about which to go for. ''Level up Lightning Bolt!'' Chapter 58: Kyles Revenge [Lightning Bolt: Lv 1 >> Lv 2] ''I want to test this out,'' Kyle thought, dismissing his previous thought of returning home. ''I''ll go book another fight!'' He quickly went to the registration booth and booked another Elemental Battle, after which he returned to the Gambling booth, staking all 2750 credits on himself. He had a 1.5 odd of winning the match, that means his opponent might not be much stronger than him. Some matches passed before his time finally came for his match. The crowd roared as the announcer''s voice echoed throughout the arena. "Returning for his second match of the day, we have Abyss ranked 101! Going against him, a newbie, Milo. Two lightning mages sh in what promises to be an electrifying battle! Who wille out on top?" Kyle recognized his opponent almost immediately¡ªMilo, his first real defeat in this world and he even managed to defeated him twice. ''I wonder why he''s here. But, who cares?'' Kyle licked his lips and smiled beneath the mask. ''This is gonna be fun.'' "Begin!" The announcer began the match and Milo wasted no time. He summoned a Lightning Bolt with blinding speed, andunched it towards Kyle. The bolt flew across the pit in a sh of brilliant light, aimed directly at Kyle''s chest. But Kyle had no intention of letting Milo have the upper hand. In a blur, he activated Lightning Dash, his body moving out of the bolt''s path with zero effort. The crowd gasped, impressed by the sudden burst of speed from the masked fighter. Milo frowned when his bolt failed to hit, quickly firing off another Lightning Bolt with his incredibly quick casting speed. But Kyle dodged again, this time, the bolt missed him by some inches. Milo grew frustrated that he hadn''tnded a hit, he knew he wouldn''t be able to keep up if his opponent kept using that spell. ''Why didn''t I try harder? I would have had that spell too.'' He had already seen a breakthrough that day, but he couldn''t afford [Lightning Dash]. Milo made a trip to the mall after he missed his elective course to break through. But the price of 200 credits was not something he coulde close to, except he starved himself for a long time. Milo, dejected, decided to try asking a senior on how he could make credits. That was what brought him here. The senior proposed that he gave with 10% of his Arena earnings this month to him, which he agreed immediately. Nowz he was here with a purpose, but first he had to get through his first hurdle¡ª the masked guy. But, every time Milo unleashed a bolt, Kyle would slip out of range, his Lightning Dash giving him the ability to cover ground in an instant. Milo could only fire a limited number of bolts¡ªfive, at most six¡ªbefore his mana reserves would be depleted. And right now, Kyle was ying with Milo, letting him burn through his mana withoutnding a single hit. A third Lightning Bolt crackled through the air, and Kyle sidestepped it easily, his movements smooth and fluid. He hadn''t cast a single spell yet, and the crowd murmured, wondering why Abyss was toying with his opponent. Milo''s frustration became more apparent with each miss. His brow furrowed, and his hands trembled slightly as he summoned a fourth bolt. This time, Kyle decided to respond. Milounched the bolt, and in the same instant, Kyle raised his hand, gathering lightning energy of his own. Lightning Bolt. A brilliant surge of electricity leaped from his palm, colliding with Milo''s attack in mid-air. The sh of the two spells sent a shockwave through the arena, and sparks rained down like fireworks. Milo took a step back, his eyes widening. He hadn''t expected Abyss to cast back at him so quickly¡ªand with such precision. Kyle could feel Milo''s growing anxiety, and it only fueled his desire to make the fight more enjoyable for himself. He hadn''t forgotten how Milo had ridiculed him in training, how he''d looked down on Kyle as if he were insignificant. Now, Kyle had the chance to turn the tables. The next moment, Milounched his fifth Lightning Bolt, the speed still incredible, but this time Kyle didn''t dodge. Instead, he activated Lightning Dash just as the bolt closed in, not to avoid it, but to close the distance between them. He appeared directly in front of Milo in the blink of an eye. Milo''s eyes widened in shock as Kyle''s hand crackled with energy. Lightning Bolt. Kyle unleashed the spell at point-nk range, and before Milo could even react, the bolt struck him squarely in the chest, sending him flying backward across the arena. The crowd erupted in cheers, the intensity of the fight escting. Milo groaned as he struggled to get back on his feet, his body aching from the direct hit. He was out of Lightning Bolts now, his mana pool dangerously low. He had one more shot, and that was it. Desperation flickered in his eyes as he summoned thest remnants of his strength for one final attack. Kyle, on the other hand, was still perfectlyposed. His mana reserves were untouched, and his movements were effortless. He waited patiently for Milo to make his final move, the mischievous smile still lingering under his mask. Enjoy reading at m,v lem|p,yr "Zap!!" With a furious shout, Milo fired his sixth and final Lightning Bolt, pouring everything he had into the spell. The bolt was faster, brighter, more powerful than the previous ones¡ªbut it didn''t matter. Kyle raised his hand calmly and cast another Lightning Bolt, the spell ripping through the air with frightening uracy. The two bolts collided once again, but this time, Kyle''s was stronger. His bolt overpowered Milo''s, pushing through and mming into Milo''s chest for the second time. Milo crumpled to the ground, defeated. His mana was depleted, his energy spent, and there was nothing left for him to give. The crowd cheered wildly as Kyle stood victorious, the masked fighter having dominated the entire match without breaking a sweat. Kyle stared down at Milo for a moment, savoring the victory. The payback was sweeter than he had imagined. Milo had no idea who had just beaten him, and that made the win all the more satisfying. Revenge, after all, was best served cold¡ªand in this case, masked. The announcer''s voice boomed through the arena once again. "Two matches, two victories for the rising star! Give it up for ABYSSSS!!!" The crowd erupted into apuse, excited by the disy of skill and power they had just witnessed. Kyle turned away from Milo, heading back toward the exit of the pit. His heart raced, not from exertion, but from the exhration of the fight. He had yed with Milo, tested his limits, and emerged victorious without even needing to reveal the full extent of his power. As he left the arena floor, Kyle couldn''t help but think about what woulde next. His rank would undoubtedly rise again, and with each victory, more eyes would be on him. The gamblers, the spectators, the other fighters¡ªthey were all starting to take notice of Abyss. But for Kyle, this was just the beginning. Chapter 59: The Elective Battles ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Beginner Mage: Lv 3 EXP: 1666/4000 HP: 74 Energy: 92 MP: - Agility: 51 Strength: 55 Vitality: 37 Stamina: 46 Intelligence: 41 SP: 0 [Elements] [Skills] [Lightning Bolt(Lv 1)] [Lightning Dash(Lv 2)] [Inspect(Lv 2)] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª "It is with great pleasure tomence the opening of the Electives Battle!" Kyle looked up, directing his gaze to Instructor Dan once more. A ripple of excitement passed through the gathered Year 1 students. Forty-five days had gone by in a blur since they''d begun preparing for this very moment. Kyle, like the others, was eager, but for him, the excitement was more than just a rush of adrenaline. It was about something tangible. The rewards. The Electives Battle wasn''t just a spectacle; it was an opportunity. The top performers weren''t just going to get pats on the back or fleeting praise¡ªthey were going to walk away with significant benefits. Kyle couldn''t help but drool when his eyes locked onto the ss cases lined up on the podium. Each one held something that could elevate a student to the next level, a rare and valuable item that most of them could only dream of getting their hands on. Four items gleamed under the spotlight: a space pouch, a cauldron, a sword, and a Runic Textbook. These weren''t just any items. They were the kind of things that made the Electives Battle worth fighting for. The first item, a small leather pouch, almost seemed out of ce among therger, more obvious rewards. But any beast tamer worth their salt knew its true value. A space pouch wasn''t just a simple bag¡ªit was a container that could hold a something without any weight. Like Kyle''s inventory... Its interior was a separate dimension, capable of storing anything from weapons to potions, and it could shrink or expand based on the user''s need. For the morebat-focused disciplines, like Beast Taming, a space pouch was a must-have. Being able to carry your beasts was a huge advantage. The pouch Kyle was staring at wasn''t an ordinary one either. He didn''t feel so desperate to have it though, as he had ess to something way better. His inventory. He couldn''t retrieve items out of his inventory in public for reasons best known to him. That was why the Space Pouch would be crucial in hiding that. But that wasn''t enough to convince him to go for it. Next to the pouch was a gleaming, intricately designed cauldron. It was a bitrger, with runes etched into the metal that glowed faintly under the arena lights. The cauldron wasn''t just for show¡ªit was a top-tier alchemical tool designed for brewing potions at an elerated rate. For the alchemists, this cauldron was the holy grail. Its rune-enhanced structure allowed for greater control over temperatures and the speed of brewing, reducing the margin of error forplex concoctions. With it, a novice could brew advanced potions that might otherwise take years to master. Kyle could see why every Alchemy student was probably eyeing it like a hawk. The academy''s standard equipment was good, but this? This cauldron would make them the envy of every potion-maker in the academy, giving them an edge in both sswork and any future battles where potions were crucial. |em|p,yr The third item was a textbook with an exaggerated size. It had an estimated height of 15 inches, a length of 28 inches and a width 21 inches. Kyle could observe the gleaming eyes of his fellow course mates, especially Lora''s as theyid their sight on it. Instructor La had exined the splendor of this textbook countless time to them. She said it contained an expansive list of various rare andmon Runic symbols, instructions on how to draw them along with a guide on their usage. He could feel the book''s aura from where he stood. It truly was magnificent, but it failed to capture Kyle''s whole attention. Kyle''s gaze locked onto the katana, his heart skipping a beat. The de, with its faint blue aura, seemed to hum withtent energy, as though waiting for a master to wield it. The craftsmanship was impable¡ªsleek, razor-sharp, and perfectly bnced. The hilt, wrapped in ck silk with silver threads forming intricate patterns. This wasn''t just a sword; it was a masterpiece, a weapon worthy of a true swordsman. He could already imagine the feel of the katana in his hands, the weight perfectly aligned with his movements, the de slicing through the air with effortless grace. Every part of him wanted it, needed it. Kyle clenched his fists, a quiet determination settling in. This katana wasn''t just a reward¡ªit was the key to unlocking his full potential. Whatever it took, he was going to make it his. Kyle sighed as he observed the whole items at once. They were all useful and excellent rewards. But it''ll not be easy to get his hands on them. Kyle knew from experience that power didn''t only onlye from natural talent or hard work. All these items could potentially boost someone''s power level to another level. That was why he coveted them. But it wasn''t just the rewards that had him buzzing with anticipation. Thest 45 days had been intense. The days of preparation. Each day was a bnce of cultivation, training, and lessons. Instructor Linda had been especially tough when it came to spellcasting. Mastering [Lightning Bolt] and improving [Lightning Dash] were no easy feats, but she demanded nothing less than perfection. Kyle had spent hours perfecting his form, ensuring that his casting was sharp, quick, and deadly. Every mistake was met with either a stern rebuke or an exhaustive drill to correct it. On some days he wasn''t working on his magic, Kyle trained with his weapon. The expansive hall in his house along with his new sword were being put to use. It was paying off as the katana felt like an extension of his arm now. Every swing, every parry¡ªit all became muscle memory after countless sparring sessions. There were moments when he pushed himself to the brink of copse, but that was the point. The battle wasn''t just about raw skill¡ªit was about stamina, endurance, and how long you couldst in a real fight. Between those, he dedicated time to cultivating his mana. Mana cultivation was painstakingly slow, Kyle had to admit but it was worth it. Kyle could feel the slow but steady buildup inside him, like a me that was stoked day by day, growing hotter and stronger. It was slow but worth it, and he eventually managed to break through to the third level. Milo beating him to it. He didn''t mind as the feeling of his revenge always made him look at Milo with a proud smile. Unfortunately for him, there had been no new spell to learn after breaking through. Instructor Victoria had said he''ll have to wait till the 7th Level to do so. That was still a very long way to go and Kyle could do nothing but wait. The instructors had done their best to prepare the Year 1''s for the Electives Battle. Every day, there had been something new to learn in their Electives, some new way to push their limits. Instructor Dan, had put extra emphasis on strategy with their personal training, drilling him on the importance of reading their opponents. It wasn''t enough to be strong¡ªyou had to be smart. "Pay attention to their movements, their habits," Dan had said their sessions. "The smartest fighter in the room isn''t always the fastest or strongest. It''s the one who can outthink the others." Kyle had taken his advice to heart, learning and improving always.... And he could feel he was almost there. [Sword Intent Mastery: 41.71%] He wasn''t the only one preparing, though. Everyone was on edge, training harder than ever before. Even Riya had began to show6up in the Arena, slowly creating a name for herself. She couldn''t measure up to him though, as he was already No. 13 in the Arena rankings. The name Abyss was on everybody''s lips due to the nature of his fights¡ª the way he continued overwhelming everyone by using only two Tier-1 skills! "Abyss... He''s amazing!" "Yes... He had only used Tier-1 skills. What stage do you see him at?" "Haha! He''s definitely an Advanced mage or higher. Didn''t you see his mana pool? I''ve never seen it get exhausted in a match." "An advanced Mage? Hell, no! He''s definitely higher than that." Kyle who stood at the midst of all these was loving it and even managed to get some rewards from defeating strong opponents. Back to the present¡­ And now, all of that preparation was about to pay off. The atmosphere was buzzing as Instructor Dan continued. "For the next few days, you will be divided into groups based on your electives. The battles will be in a round-robin format, with each student facing off against others who have chosen different disciplines." Kyle looked around, catching glimpses of his peers. Some looked nervous, others focused. He could feel the same energy inside him¡ªthe kind that made his muscles twitch with anticipation. "The first round will be singlebat," Dan exined. "Victory is earned by knocking your opponent out of the ring or rendering them unable to continue. Remember: the goal is to demonstrate your skill and growth, not to causesting harm. Any vition of the academy''s safety rules will lead to immediate disqualification." Kyle smirked. He was ready. His cultivation, his weapon training, his spells¡ªeverything was on point. He wasn''t here to hurt anyone, but he wasn''t going to hold back either. "In addition to thebat trials, there will be specialized tests for your elective skills," Dan continued. "These will sum up to your points gotten from the group matches and determine your advancement to the Knockout stages. For example, the Rune Makers will be tasked with creating functional runes under pressure, and the Alchemists will need to brew an advanced potion in a timed challenge." Kyle''s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Rune Making. He had spent weeks learning the intricacies of rune formation, memorizing theplex symbols, and perfecting his technique. It wasn''t easy work, but it was fascinating. He was confident to im to be the best Rune maker after Lora. Dan paused, letting the weight of the words sink in. "Remember, this is your first test as students of this academy. You''ve worked hard to get here¡ªnow show us what you''ve got." The cheers that followed were deafening, the crowd of students hyping each other up, pping and hollering as they psyched themselves for what was toe. Kyle couldn''t help but grin. This was what he had been waiting for. "Good luck," Dan said with a grin of his own. "You''re going to need it." With that, the battle was officially on. Kyle cracked his knuckles, feeling the surge of energy course through his veins as he got ready for the first event. Chapter 60: Thinning Down (1) The moment Dan''s voice boomed through the coliseum, signaling the beginning of the Electives Battle, everyone was hyped and eager for thepetition. The coliseum that would host the events was a grand, circr arena with towering ss walls and a roof that stretched high above them. The transparent walls created a sense of openness as if they were under the sky itself, as it allowed natural sunlight that gave the surroundings a warm glow. The seating was a circr arrangement, extended far up into the stands, though today, only the Elective teachers upied most of the seats. However, the real sense of awe came from the VIP area far above. It was cloaked in shadows, and though the figure seated there was barely discernible, Kyle could feel the immense presence radiating down. Dan''s voice rang out again, pulling Kyle back to the present. "Listen up! Y''all are 300 here, but only 128 will be allowed to participate in the group stage. Here''s how it''s going to work: There will be 32 groups, each group with 4 contestants, one from each elective. You''ll face off against every other member in your group, meaning six matches per group. The top two contestants of a group will automatically advance to the knockout stages." Kyle processed the information quickly. Six matches. Three opponents. Two spots to advance. Dan continued, "For some of you, though, we''ll need to trim the numbers down before the group stage begins. Not all of the electives have the exact 32 students needed. So, let''s talk about how that''ll work." "The Rune Makers, you''re 30 students in total, so none of you will need topete for a spot. Consider yourselves very fortunate, as you''re all moving directly into the group stage." A low ripple of cheers came out from the Rune makers as they were happy with their luck. "Alchemy, Forge Mastering and Beast Taming students," Dan continued. "There are 80, 70 and 120 of you respectively. We would thin you down to 32, one after the other." "But first... We''ll begin with the Alchemy students. So, your first task is to brew a tier-1 healing potion within an allotted time of an hour. The top 32 will advance." The Alchemists exchanged tense looks. Dan directed them to a long counter on the stage that had all that was required for them to begin. They all took their ces behind the assortments of herbs and cauldrons on the counter, waiting for a signal to begin. After Dan confirmed they were all set, he raised his hands, prompting them to begin. "Your time starts now!" Dan announced, setting a timer for 1 hour. The nging of metal, the bubbling of liquids, and the sharp smell of brewing ingredients immediately filled the air as the Alchemy students got to work. Kyle could not understand most of what they were doing, but he could feel their dedication and passion as they worked. The students worked as quickly as possible, so as not to get beaten by the time constraint. Discover new adventures at m-vl-em-pyr Their hands moved with practiced precision as they measured out powders and stirred their mixtures. Many still fumbled slightly, as their eyes asionally darted nervously between theirpetitors and their cauldrons. "5 minutes more!" The students began working faster immediately when they heard the announcement. It worked out for some, while others only ended up spoiling their work even more. As Kyle observed the chaos unfold, he couldn''t help but mutter under his breath, "Desperation''s a sure way to ruin a good brew." His eyes picked out Riya among the Alchemy students. As expected, she was among the rare students who were done already. She calmly arranged and cleaned her corner, as she used her excess time to prepare for her evaluation. 5 minutes quickly passed for the contestants before Dan''s voice brought them out of their rush. "Time''s up! Step back from your work." They all obeyed instructions and took a step back from their work, many halting some processes that would deem itplete. It was necessary to do this as it would be stupid to be disqualified in such a manner aftering so far. After the students stepped back, Dan waved to someone off-stage. A tall woman with short, jet-ck hair and piercing green eyes walked forward. Her long, flowing robes of deep violet shimmered slightly under the lights, marking her as the Alchemy Instructor. She had an air of authority, with a stern expression softened only by her careful and calcting gaze. "You should be familiar with your Instructor, Instructor Valeria," Dan introduced. "She will be judging your work." Valeria moved slowly down the row of potions, her eyes examining each cauldron and her hands talking notes. She stopped at the first cauldron, swirling the mixture gently before bringing a small vial of it up to her nose. A brief sniff, and she moved on with a neutral nod. The potions varied in appearance, ranging from vibrant red hues to murky, almost brownish mixtures that indicated mistakes in the brewing process. Most were slightly viscous, though a few stood out for being either too thick or far too watery. She paused at a cauldron where the potion was a pale, diluted red. Valeria raised an eyebrow, lifting the vial and swirling it under her nose. Her expression barely changed, but the slight downturn of her lips spoke volumes. Without a word, she moved to the next. When Valeria reached Riya''s station, she raised the vial to inspect the shimmering, perfectly crimson liquid. It was clear, consistent, and reflected the candlelight with a deep, vibrant glow. She gave a single nod of approval, her lips pressing into the slightest hint of a smile¡ªsomething rare for Valeria. "Impressive work," Valeria murmured, loud enough for only Riya to hear. She continued down the line, giving a final sweep of the room before stepping back toward Dan. After a moment of conferring with Valeria, Dan called out, "The results are in. Congrattions to the 32 of you who will move forward. Your hard work has paid off." "As a reward, the potion you have brewed belongs to you." The students nodded their heads at his statement, they couldn''t celebrate yet as they didn''t know if they had earned the so-called reward. Dan continued, as he stared at a list of names on his hand, getting ready to announce the names. "If you hear your name, it means you were disqualified. Better luck next time." Every Alchemy student gulped and held their breath as the names were called out. Hoping not to hear theirs. Eventually, he was done with the name-calling, allowing the eye-shut students to open their eyes. A collective sigh of relief washed over the sessful students, some exchanging grins and high-fives. Riya, true to her nature, simply smiled with quiet confidence, already preparing for the next stage. The rest of the students who had their names called, however, bore the weight of their failure. Their shoulders were slumped, and some clenched their fists in frustration. A few tried to hide their disappointment behind polite smiles, while others couldn''t mask their sadness as they gazed at their spoiled concoctions. Dan''s voice echoed across the room onest time. "Forge Mastering students, you''re up next." Chapter 61: DONT UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER!! YOUVE READ THIS BEFORE! DON''T UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER!! YOU''VE READ THIS BEFORE! DON''T UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER!! YOU''VE READ THIS BEFORE! DON''T UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER!! YOU''VE READ THIS BEFORE! DON''T UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER!! YOU''VE READ THIS BEFORE! DON''T UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER!! YOU''VE READ THIS BEFORE! DON''T UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER!! YOU''VE READ THIS BEFORE! DON''T UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER!! YOU''VE READ THIS BEFORE! DON''T UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER!! YOU''VE READ THIS BEFORE! DON''T UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER!! YOU''VE READ THIS BEFORE! DON''T UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER!! YOU''VE READ THIS BEFORE! DON''T UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER!! YOU''VE READ THIS BEFORE! DON''T UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER!! YOU''VE READ THIS BEFORE! DON''T UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER!! YOU''VE READ THIS BEFORE! DON''T UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER!! YOU''VE READ THIS BEFORE! DON''T UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER!! YOU''VE READ THIS BEFORE! DON''T READ!! DON''T READ!! The moment Dan''s voice boomed through the coliseum, signaling the beginning of the Electives Battle, everyone was hyped and eager for thepetition. The coliseum that would host the events was a grand, circr arena with towering ss walls and a roof that stretched high above them. The transparent walls created a sense of openness as if they were under the sky itself, as it allowed natural sunlight that gave the surroundings a warm glow. The seating was a circr arrangement, extended far up into the stands, though today, only the Elective teachers upied most of the seats. However, the real sense of awe came from the VIP area far above. It was cloaked in shadows, and though the figure seated there was barely discernible, Kyle could feel the immense presence radiating down. Dan''s voice rang out again, pulling Kyle back to the present. "Listen up! Y''all are 300 here, but only 128 will be allowed to participate in the group stage. Here''s how it''s going to work: There will be 32 groups, each group with 4 contestants, one from each elective. You''ll face off against every other member in your group, meaning six matches per group. The top two contestants of a group will automatically advance to the knockout stages." Kyle processed the information quickly. Six matches. Three opponents. Two spots to advance. Dan continued, "For some of you, though, we''ll need to trim the numbers down before the group stage begins. Not all of the electives have the exact 32 students needed. So, let''s talk about how that''ll work." "The Rune Makers, you''re 30 students in total, so none of you will need topete for a spot. Consider yourselves very fortunate, as you''re all moving directly into the group stage." A low ripple of cheers came out from the Rune makers as they were happy with their luck. "Alchemy, Forge Mastering and Beast Taming students," Dan continued. "There are 80, 70 and 120 of you respectively. We would thin you down to 32, one after the other." "But first... We''ll begin with the Alchemy students. So, your first task is to brew a tier-1 healing potion within an allotted time of an hour. The top 32 will advance." The Alchemists exchanged tense looks. Dan directed them to a long counter on the stage that had all that was required for them to begin. They all took their ces behind the assortments of herbs and cauldrons on the counter, waiting for a signal to begin. After Dan confirmed they were all set, he raised his hands, prompting them to begin. "Your time starts now!" Dan announced, setting a timer for 1 hour. The nging of metal, the bubbling of liquids, and the sharp smell of brewing ingredients immediately filled the air as the Alchemy students got to work. Kyle could not understand most of what they were doing, but he could feel their dedication and passion as they worked. The students worked as quickly as possible, so as not to get beaten by the time constraint. Their hands moved with practiced precision as they measured out powders and stirred their mixtures. Many still fumbled slightly, as their eyes asionally darted nervously between theirpetitors and their cauldrons. "5 minutes more!" The students began working faster immediately when they heard the announcement. It worked out for some, while others only ended up spoiling their work even more. As Kyle observed the chaos unfold, he couldn''t help but mutter under his breath, "Desperation''s a sure way to ruin a good brew." His eyes picked out Riya among the Alchemy students. As expected, she was among the rare students who were done already. She calmly arranged and cleaned her corner, as she used her excess time to prepare for her evaluation. 5 minutes quickly passed for the contestants before Dan''s voice brought them out of their rush. "Time''s up! Step back from your work." They all obeyed instructions and took a step back from their work, many halting some processes that would deem itplete. It was necessary to do this as it would be stupid to be disqualified in such a manner aftering so far. After the students stepped back, Dan waved to someone off-stage. A tall woman with short, jet-ck hair and piercing green eyes walked forward. Her long, flowing robes of deep violet shimmered slightly under the lights, marking her as the Alchemy Instructor. She had an air of authority, with a stern expression softened only by her careful and calcting gaze. "You should be familiar with your Instructor, Instructor Valeria," Dan introduced. "She will be judging your work." Valeria moved slowly down the row of potions, her eyes examining each cauldron and her hands talking notes. She stopped at the first cauldron, swirling the mixture gently before bringing a small vial of it up to her nose. A brief sniff, and she moved on with a neutral nod. The potions varied in appearance, ranging from vibrant red hues to murky, almost brownish mixtures that indicated mistakes in the brewing process. Most were slightly viscous, though a few stood out for being either too thick or far too watery. She paused at a cauldron where the potion was a pale, diluted red. Valeria raised an eyebrow, lifting the vial and swirling it under her nose. Her expression barely changed, but the slight downturn of her lips spoke volumes. Without a word, she moved to the next. When Valeria reached Riya''s station, she raised the vial to inspect the shimmering, perfectly crimson liquid. It was clear, consistent, and reflected the candlelight with a deep, vibrant glow. She gave a single nod of approval, her lips pressing into the slightest hint of a smile¡ªsomething rare for Valeria. "Impressive work," Valeria murmured, loud enough for only Riya to hear. She continued down the line, giving a final sweep of the room before stepping back toward Dan. After a moment of conferring with Valeria, Dan called out, "The results are in. Congrattions to the 32 of you who will move forward. Your hard work has paid off." "As a reward, the potion you have brewed belongs to you." The students nodded their heads at his statement, they couldn''t celebrate yet as they didn''t know if they had earned the so-called reward. Dan continued, as he stared at a list of names on his hand, getting ready to announce the names. "If you hear your name, it means you were disqualified. Better luck next time." Every Alchemy student gulped and held their breath as the names were called out. Hoping not to hear theirs. Eventually, he was done with the name-calling, allowing the eye-shut students to open their eyes. A collective sigh of relief washed over the sessful students, some exchanging grins and high-fives. Riya, true to her nature, simply smiled with quiet confidence, already preparing for the next stage. The rest of the students who had their names called, however, bore the weight of their failure. Their shoulders were slumped, and some clenched their fists in frustration. A few tried to hide their disappointment behind polite smiles, while others couldn''t mask their sadness as they gazed at their spoiled concoctions. Dan''s voice echoed across the room onest time. "Forge Mastering students, you''re up next." Chapter 62: Thinning Down (2) "Forge Mastering students, you''re up next." The Alchemy students began clearing their stations as the Forge Mastering students moved into position. Kyle''s eyes darted toward the new group. These were the creators of weapons like his Katana, and their tasks would be far more physical than what they had just witnessed with the delicate, chemical brews of the Alchemists. As the students filed into the center of the arena, the stage transformed. The long counter where the Alchemy students had worked was reced by several individual forges, each equipped with an anvil, tongs, hammers, and various other tools. Large bellows sat beside each forge, along with bins filled with glowing coals that gave off waves of heat. Stacks of raw materials, including all types of metals wereid out in front of the students, ready to be shaped by their hands. Orion stood out immediately because of his sheer confidence. He scanned the materialsid out before him with his eyes, before curling his mouth for a smirk. "Pfft," Orionughed, loud enough for the students nearby to hear. "This is child''s y." A few of them shot him res, but he didn''t care. Orion had long since established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His reputation in Forge Mastering was built on his superior skill, and he knew he was the best. Kyle could see the way Orion''s confident demeanor contrasted with the nervous emotions of the others. Most were already preparing to dive into their work, carefully selecting their materials with their eyes, but Orion hadn''t even moved yet. Dan''s voice interrupted the tension. "You have two hours to forge a basic equipment of your choice. Your time starts now!" The forges roared to life as students immediately began using the mes to heat their metals. Sparks flew in every direction, and the coliseum was soon filled with the smell of heated metal. Orion, however, took his time. He let the others rush into their work while he simply drew some stuff on paper. "Amateurs," Orion muttered under his breath. "Rushing into it like that. This isn''t a race; it''s an art." Finally, after several minutes, Orion stepped forward and selected his materials with deliberate care. His hands moved with precision, calcting every step before he even touched the forge. He took his selected materials to the mes, heating them with a calcted intensity. As they reached the perfect temperature, Orion pulled it from the mes and set it on the anvil. He channeled a spell and began molding the melted metal. He took it slowly and delicately, making the metal assume its shape with time. Even as others focused on their work, they couldn''t help but nce at Orion''s direction. ''He''s making... A Gaunlet?'' Kyle couldn''t help but notice. That was a rare choice as everyone went for something simple like... Swords, axes, spears. Making a Gaunlet might not be difficult. But it wasn''t easy to make it stand out. ''He must be cooking... I''ll just wait and see,'' Kyle decided and continued watching him work. Find more to read at m.v.l.e.m.p.y.r As the minutes ticked by, Orion''s Gaunlet took shape faster than anyone expected. Kyle could hear whispers from the crowd. Even the instructors, seated in the stands, seemed to be paying particr attention to Orion''s work. Dan''s voice rang out again. "Five minutes left!" The students began getting desperate and increased their pace when they heard the time. But Orion? He was done. He stood back, admiring his work with a self-satisfied grin, as if he had known all along that he would finish first. "Not bad for an hour''s work," Orion muttered to himself, wiping his hands clean and stepping away from his station. With time running out, the other students did their best to wrap up their projects. The final ngs of metal against metal echoed through the coliseum before Dan''s voice called out once more, "Time''s up! Step away from your forges!" The Forge Mastering students did as instructed, stepping back from their creations with varying levels of confidence. Some looked at their weapons with pride, while others couldn''t hide their disappointment at their rushed, iplete projects. Orion, on the other hand, stood with his arms crossed, admiring his Gauntlet. Its color was an imposing blend of green, silver and brown. The green color made up its base, with traces of brown w marks around it. Finished off with a golden color for the fingers. The Gauntlet had a small gaping hole, of about 2cm in diameter. Designed to fit a ball of some sort. Dan motioned toward the instructor standing off to the side. He was stocky, with thick arms and a beard that almost reached his chest. "Master Holt will be judging your work," Dan announced. Master Holt stepped forward, his expression neutral as he approached the first forge. He inspected the weapons methodically, testing the bnce, the sharpness, and the craftsmanship of each piece. For some, he gave a nod of approval, while others received only a frown or a shake of the head. When he reached Orion''s station, there was no reaction at first. Master Holt simply picked up the Gaunlet, testing its weight in his hand. "This... It''s a masterpiece!" He took some time to regain hisposure before asking, "Exin what you created, Orion." He crossed his hands behind his back and began with a smirk. "This is not your average gauntlet. It''s a conduit for elemental power, specifically for mine. That space over there," he gestured to the prominent spherical hole on the wrist. "Not only can it be used to cast, but also for storing energy¡ª mana. Mater Holt''s mouth was already wide open at this point... He was out of words. Orion smirked, not done yet, he continued. "With this gauntlet, I can amplify my attacks, store energy forter use, or even redirect it to block iing elemental strikes. And it''s adaptable. I could slot in different mana cores, depending on the affinity I want to use, but for now, this is optimized for my elemental powers." He was brimming with confidence at this point. "Orion... This is amazing!" Master Holt said. "You''ve outdone yourself." "I know... I haven''t outdone myself though." Master Holt wanted to say something but controlled himself. "We''ll talkter about how you did this, okay?" He proceeded to check the remaining works. But... Orion''s work had captured everyone''s attention, As the judging continued, Kyle leaned back in his seat, a small smile ying on his lips. Orion might be a pain sometimes, but he was one of the best. There was no denying that. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity for the students, Dan called for silence. "The results are in. Congrattions to the 32 of you who will be moving on. As for the rest of you, better luck next time." "Like before," Instructor Dan said, ncing at Orion and his gauntlet. "You''re free to take your forged equipment... It''s yours." Orion had a proud smile on his face when that was said. He had already nned lots of contingency measures in the case they didn''t give him the gauntlet. Measures that''d be to make sure the gauntlet proved to be useless. Luckily... It didn''t have toe to that. He took his Gaunlet and wore it on his right hand, before taking a bow and leaving the stage. "The Beast Tamers... It''s your turn!" Chapter 63: Zack vs Milo (1) The coliseum was filled with anticipation for the next event as the Forge Mastering students left the stage. Aside the losers, everyone present was enjoying the events so far and they hoped to get another treat. "The Beast Tamers... you''re up next!" Kyle smiled as he used picked up on two familiar faces¡ª Zack and Milo. Their expressions were vastly different inparison to their peers. Zack looked as Jovial as ever, as if he hade to have fun. While Milo raised his head high and maintained his usual stoic face. As the Beast Taming students made their way into the arena, the central tform began to shift once more. The previous forges and anvils disappeared, reced by a vast open field. Massive iron gates at the edge of the arena creaked open, revealing the stable that housed all theirpanions. The field was designed for movement, with plenty of space for both the tamers and their beasts to navigate and battle. Tall pirs stood at intervals, providing cover and obstacles, while the ground itself was a mix of earth and stone¡ªperfect for the kinds of spells that would soon be unleashed. Kyle watched as Zack and Milo prepared. Each student had trained their beasts, but Beast Taming was about more than justmands¡ªit was about forming a bond. Unlike with weapons or alchemy, the students didn''t simply control their beasts. They had a mutual agreement and saw each other aspanions. Mana beasts weren''t mindless tools; they had wills of their own. Dan''s voice broke the tension in the air. "The beasts are ready. Tamers, call yourpanions!" The gates swung fully open, and a variety of beasts began to emerge. Some were small and nimble, othersrge and imposing. Each student stood their ground, calling their beasts to them with their mana signature. The beasts responded not just to their Tamer''s call, but to the bond they had formed over time. Zack''s beast was a Terranback, a massive turtle-like creature with a shell made of solid stone. Zack had named it Terra due to its massive size. It easily reached a height of 1 meter at its infancy. Zack gave his usual bright smile as Terra approached, gently patting the beast''s shell. "Good to see you, buddy." On the opposite side of the field, Milo stood with arms crossed. A streak of lightning shed before a beast approached him in a blur. Milo''s beast was a Voltw Cheetah, a lightning-affinity mana beast known for its incredible speed and agility. Its fur was a blend of silver and ck, with streaks of blue lightning crackling along its limbs as it moved. Milo had named it ''Blitz'' and it was a reflection of his desire to run at the fastest speeds. Blitz came to a halt beside Milo, its glowing yellow eyes scanning the field with a predatory gaze. Unlike Zack, who always treated Terra like apanion, Milo''s rtionship with Blitz was built on dominance. Blitz was fast, and Milo was even faster when it came to issuingmands. They were a perfect match¡ªboth always on the move, both always hunting for an edge. "Let''s show them what speed really looks like," Milo muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning the rest. Dan''s voice rang out once again, pulling the students'' focus. "The rules are simple. This will be a battle royale that will feature you and your beasts facing off against others on the field. No lethal injuries allowed¡ªyour goal is to incapacitate or force your opponents to surrender. Thest 32 standing will move on to the group matches. Beast Tamers, prepare yourselves!" Kyle twisted his head, getting ready to enjoy the show. These were the kind of matches he craved for. His eyes met Zack''s for a while, prompting him to give him a thumbs up. After a moment, Instructor Dan raised his hands. Amplifying his voice with Wind magic he screamed, "Begin!" Immediately, the arena exploded into motion. Beasts roared, magic crackled, and the sound of feet pounding against the ground filled the air. Students and beasts alike leapt into action, spells flying and attacks being unleashed in every direction. Zack was among the first to make his move. Terra stomped the ground, and the earth responded to hismand. With a wave of his hand, Zack activated his first spell: [Stone Wall] Arge barrier of rock erupted from the ground, shielding him and Terra from the chaos around them. It wasn''t long before other students took notice and began to target them, their beasts charging toward him. But Zack and Terra were ready. As the first group of opponents closed in, Zack shouted, promoting Terra to act. Its feet mmed into the ground, and the earth shook violently. Several of the oing attackers lost their bnce, their beasts stumbling as the ground beneath them rippled. Meanwhile, Milo was in his element. Blitz moved like lightning, darting between opponents with incredible speed. Blitz had its ws crackling with electricity as it pounced on unsuspecting opponents. They continued to fight in this fashion, whittling down the severalpetitors in a matter of minutes. Their beasts proved to be more than a match for most of the others in the arena. But it was only a matter of time before Zack and Milo found themselves facing off. The two aces of the Beast Taming ss had been conserving their Mana for their epic showdown. Zack raised an eyebrow, grinning, as he saw Milo calmly approaching him. "I was wondering when you''d show up." Milo smirked in response. "Hmph. You ready to lose, Zack?" "You never learn, do you?" Zack striked back at him. "Or do you want me to bring back memories?" Milo''s face contorted to that of anger as the memory of their former sh surfaced on his memory. "I''ll finish you!!" He shouted out in anger, quickly drawing out mana for a spell. "Lightning Bolt!" But Zack was ready, having already prepared his spell in advance. "Stone Wall!" hemanded, raising another barrier of earth between himself and Milo''s attack. The lightning bolt crashed into the wall, sending shards of stone flying, but the barrier held. As Blitz closed in, Terra swung its massive tail, aiming to knock the cheetah off its feet. Check for updates on m-vl-em-py-r Blitz dodged with ease, its speed far outmatching the turtle''s slow, deliberate movements. But Zack wasn''t done yet. "Quake!" he shouted once more, and the ground trembled beneath Blitz''s feet. The cheetah stumbled, momentarily losing its bnce as the earth shifted beneath it. Milo cursed under his breath. "Not bad, but you''ll have to do better than that." Blitz recovered quickly, darting around Terra and aiming for Zack himself. The speed was overwhelming, and even Zack''s earth magic couldn''t keep up with the lightning-fast movements of Blitz. Zack''s heart pounded as he narrowly dodged a lightning-infused sh from Blitz''s charged ws. He gritted his teeth, knowing that Terra''s slow movements were no match for Blitz''s speed. But that was never the n. Zack had prepared for this. "Now!" he shouted, prompting Terra to use a spell. The earth rumbled once more, but this time, instead of raising another wall, Terra unleashed a different spell. "Stone Cage!" The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 64: Zack Vs Milo (2) Massive stone pirs erupted from the ground around Blitz, forming an enclosed prison that blocked its escape. The walls were thick and sturdy and the gaps were too small for Blitz to slip through. Milo''s eyes widened in surprise, his smirk faltering for the first time. Blitz was fast, but it couldn''t break through such a fortified structure. The cage pulsed with mana, holding the beast in ce while Zack caught his breath. "You think a cage is enough to stop us?" Milo growled, hispetitive spirit ring wildly. He wasn''t about to let Zack get the upper hand. "Blitz, Lightning Discharge!" Inside the stone cage, Blitz''s fur sparked violently, and a massive surge of lightning exploded from its body. The discharge crackled through the air, arcs of electricity mming into the stone walls. The energy spread out like a web, targeting every crack and weak point in the structure. The audience gasped as the cage trembled under the assault, but Zack stood firm, his eyes locked on the weakening stone. "Come on, Terra! Reinforce!" Terra stomped its massive feet, channeling its earth magic into the stone cage. The cracks in the stone filled in, and the walls thickened, resisting the pressure from Blitz''s attack. It was a test of endurance now¡ªwhether Zack and Terra''s earth magic could hold out against the raw power of Milo''s lightning. Kyle watched from the stands, leaning forward with intense focus. He had to admit, Zack was holding his own better than expected. But Milo wasn''t one to give up easily. "Blitz, Full Charge!" Milo yelled, his voice filled with determination. He wasn''t about to let a stone cage be his downfall. Blitz responded instantly, its entire body glowing with an intense blue light as it charged up for a final, devastating strike. The electricity in the air grew thicker, and Kyle could feel the hairs on his neck standing on end from the sheer power Blitz was generating. Zack''s eyes widened. He knew that this next attack would be enough to break the cage. He had to act fast. "Terra, Shell Smash!" he called out, and his turtlepanion responded by spinning its massive body. With a heavy grunt, Terra hurled itself toward the cage, crashing into the side with enough force to break through. The stone shattered, creating an escape route just as Blitz unleashed its fully charged attack. A massive bolt of lightning struck the ground where the cage had been, obliterating the remaining stone and leaving a smoking crater in its wake. But Zack and Terra were already moving. Terra''s powerful tail swung in a wide arc, and it began sending forth some forth some rocks, trying to keep him on the defensive. Milo dodged, his body moving with the same speed and precision as Blitz. "You think you can keep me away with some rocks?" he taunted, weaving through the iing attacks. His movements were sharp and calcted, but Zack wasn''t aiming for Milo. "Terra, Ground Quake!" The arena shook violently, and this time, the earth under Blitz''s feet gave way. The ground crumbled into a pit, sending the Voltw Cheetah tumbling into a hole too deep and narrow for it to climb out of easily. Blitz scrambled, its ws sparking against the walls, but the trap was well-constructed. Milo''s eyes shed with anger. "I''m not done yet!" He charged forward, closing the distance between himself and Zack. "Blitz, get out of there!" His voice rang with authority, and Blitz responded, its body shimmering with electricity as it began to dig its way out of the pit. Zack''s brow furrowed. Milo''s relentless push was exhausting. He could see that Terra was starting to slow down, the massive turtle''s movements bing heavier. Meanwhile, Milo was barely breaking a sweat. But Zack wasn''t ready to give up. He took a deep breath, gathering his mana, he began to channel it towards Terra for one final attack. "Terra, let''s finish this!" The ground beneath Milo''s feet suddenly erupted, and giant stone hands burst from the earth, grabbing at his legs and trying to pin him down. At the same time, Terra charged forward, aiming to m into Milo with its full weight. Milo''s eyes widened in shock as the stone hands gripped him tightly, slowing him down. He gritted his teeth, trying to summon enough lightning to break free, but Terra''s massive shadow loomed over him. For a moment, it looked like Zack had won. But then, with a fierce cry, Milo unleashed everything he had. "Lightning Bolt!" A blinding sh of light filled the arena as Milo exploded with raw lightning energy, the shockwave shattering the stone hands and sending Terra skidding backward. The crowd gasped, the sheer force of the spell leaving them speechless. When the light faded, Milo stood in the center of the crater, his clothes torn and his body sparking with residual electricity. Blitz had wed its way out of the pit, standing beside its Tamer with a low growl. Zack was panting, his mana nearly spent. Terra stood by his side, but the giant turtle was clearly exhausted. It was clear that neither side had much left to give. Milo wiped the sweat from his brow, ring at Zack with fierce determination. "You gave me a good fight, Zack. But I think it''s time we end this." Zack clenched his fists, knowing Milo was right. He had pushed himself and Terra to their limits, but Milo still had more in the tank. The audience was on the edge of their seats, waiting to see the final sh between the two rivals. But just as Milo was about to make his move, the loud sound of a horn red through the arena, signaling the end of the match. Dan''s voice echoed over the coliseum. "Time''s up! All of you left on the stage have qualified for the next round!" Zack let out a long breath, copsing to one knee in relief. Terra straightened its long neck, nudging Zack gently. Milo frowned, clearly frustrated that he couldn''t finish the fight, but he let it go, giving Zack a grudging nod of respect. The crowd erupted into apuse, and Kyle smiled from the stands, impressed by how far Zack hade. Both he and Milo had put on a spectacr show, and now they would move on to the next stage of thepetition. As Zack stood up, he shed Kyle a tired but triumphant grin, giving him a wink. Kyle returned the gesture. He was impressed by the fight. This showed that the beast tamers were leaps ahead inbatpared to the other students. Kyle had observed the way the way theybined with theirpanions to effectively fight stronger battles. This made his mind trail to a certain egg that just hatched at home. ''They weren''t the only ones that improved too... All these won''t stop me from winning,'' Kyle grinned as he thought, ready to show his improvements in the next battles. Instructor Dan stepped forward after they had all left the arena. With a gentle smile on his face, he scanned the spectators and exhausted contestants before saying: "Well done, all of you. Today''s battles have proven your worth as young mages of Vyna Academy. You''ve earned your ce in the next round. Rest up, because the next challenge will test you even further. You''re Dismissed!" Chapter 65: I shall call it... VOID [Mana Absorption Completion: 99.02%] Kyle smiled as he watched the number after returning home, knowing what it meant. The egg¡ªhis egg¡ªwas almost ready. All he could do now was wait, and the anticipation made him restless especially after the brilliant disy he watched today. This had been weeks in the making, and now the culmination of all his efforts, all those drops of blood, was nearly upon him. Kyle shuddered at the memory of the 60th drop. That had been the moment everything changed. When he dropped his blood for the 60th time, the egg absorbed it as it always did, its surface glowing faintly as the liquid vanished into it. He had been used to the subtle gleam that followed each feeding of blood, but this time, the glow intensified, filling the entire room. He could practically hear his heart beat in his chest as the light grew blinding. After a long while of glowing light, strange pressure filled the air, heavy and suffocating, like something vast and ancient was awakening in the shadows. And then, the room fell into an eerie darkness and silence. The silence had been worse than the light. It was as if an ominous presence had descended, draping the room in a weight so thick that Kyle could barely breathe. He stood frozen, his hand still hovering above the egg. The air seemed to vibrate with a sense of foreboding, a feeling that something¡ªor someone¡ªwas watching him. He had felt the cold feeling of fear creeping up his spine, his instincts screaming at him to run, to get away from whatever was happening. But he couldn''t move. He could only stand there, his heart pounding as the oppressive presence settled over him. That experience... He couldn''t forget. Now, as Kyle stared at the message floating in front of him, he couldn''t help but shiver at the memory. It had been days since that happened, but the sense of dread still lingered in the back of his mind. The egg hadn''t shown any signs of activity since then, just the steady increase in mana absorption. But now it was at 99.02%, Kyle had a feeling that something was about to happen. Soon. Rumble! He could hear the growling of his stomach, reminding him that he hadn''t eaten since hisst in the morning. He nced at the time and then at the egg. He something could happen anytime, but it hadn''t happened yet. "There should be enough time to grab a single meal," Kyle muttered, though it sounded more like he was trying to convince himself. Kyle checked his credit bnce as he grabbed a coat, and couldn''t help but smile after seeing the familiar screen. [Credits: 3018] The Rune Making supplies and Sword he had bought recently might have eaten into his finds alot. But the amount he had left was enough to make his former self jealous. Kyle quickly made his way to the academy''s cafeteria, quickly ordering a takeaway meal to eat back in his room. His fingers tapped impatiently against the counter as he waited, he couldn''t afford to miss the egg''s hatching. As soon as the package was handed to him, he hurried back to his room, practically sprinting as he went. When he entered his room, breathless, he stopped in his tracks. ''I''m right of time.'' Cracks were spreading across the egg''s shell, faint lines of light trying to escape through the fractures as the egg kept shaking ever so slightly. His breath caught in his throat, and a familiar weight settled in the air¡ªthe same ominous presence he had felt before. Only this time, it was stronger. More intense. Kyle''s body boiled and his instincts screamed in danger, but he just couldn''t look away. The room grew colder as the presence thickened. His vision blurred for a moment, and then, without warning, the temperature dropped further as something began to materialize above the egg. It wasn''t just a feeling anymore¡ªit was real. ''W¡ª what is this?'' A shape appeared, hazy at first but it grew clearer by the passing seconds. It was ethereal, and looked like a ghost, its form towered over the egg. The figure resembled... a... a... "Dragon?!" Majestic and terrifying all at once, with glowing eyes that seemed to pierce through Kyle''s very soul. Kyle''s knees almost buckled under the weight of its gaze. The presence was overwhelming, both real and unreal, like standing at the edge of a dream that could swallow him whole. Then it spoke. The voice wasn''t loud, but it echoed through the room, filling every corner. It was deep, ancient, and most prominently, filled with sorrow. "To whoever possesses this egg..." The words seemed pre-recorded, as though this spirit had spoken this before. It continued, its voice trembling with emotion. "The creature within this egg... is my dear child. Thest of our race. I beg of you... whoever you are... protect it." Kyle could feel the weight of the dragon''s plea. The spirit''s voice cracked, as if it was on the verge of tears. Its ethereal form flickered, growing fainter with every passing second. "Please... do what I could not... protect it..." And with that, the presence dissipated, vanishing like mist in the wind. Continue your journey on m-v-l-e-m-p-y-r The room''s temperature slowly returned to normal, but the tension in the air lingered. Kyle stood there, mouth dry, trying toprehend what had just happened. He felt like opening his mouth to ask something¡ªanything¡ªbut the spirit was already gone. The room was still again, save for the egg, which continued to crack. He used his hands to clean his eyes to make sure what he was seeing was real. ''This isn''t a dream,'' Kyle thought after confirming the reality of the events. His heart was still pounding in his chest. The aura in the room had calmed, but it wasn''t entirely gone. This one came from him. He felt this sense of anticipation, awaiting what woulde out from the egg. Obviously, it would be a dragon... But Kyle was still shocked, he didn''t know howmon dragons were. But in Yurigur, they didn''t exist... It was more of a myth than a reality, and now that myth was about to belong to him. And then, with one final shudder, the egg burst open. From the fragments of the shell, a small creature emerged¡ªa dragon. Its tiny form was covered in shimmering scales, a deep ck color that seemed to absorb all forms of light, with streaks of silver running along its back. Its wings, though small, looked powerful, and its eyes¡ªbrilliant, glowing golden eyes¡ªmet Kyle''s the moment it was free. For a long moment, neither of them moved. The dragon blinked, its eyes glowing and standing out the dim light of the room. This was it. This was the creature the spirit had pleaded for him to protect. Thest of its race. This was his new pet, it would be hispanion. And now, it was his responsibility. [Congrattions on obtaining pet: OmniDrakkon!] [Pet''s name is required!] [Input Pet''s name!] ''Hmm...'' Kyle thought for a long while. He remembered what he felt during the dragon''s descent, then a thought came upon his mind. "I shall call it¡­ VOID!" The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 66: Testing Out Voids Skills "I shall call it¡­ Void!" [Pet''s name confirmed] [Void''s stats are avable!] ''Stats!'' |Void| |Race: Omni Drakkon| |Level: 1| |EXP: 0/1000| |HP: 200| |Energy: 500| |MP: 500| |Agility: 20| |Strength: 20| |Vitality: 100| |Stamina: 250| |Intelligence: 500| [Skills: Lightning Breath, Lightning Dash, Invincible, Phase] [Invisible: Ability to remainpletely undetected. Mana cost: 50 MP per second] [Phase: Ability to pass through barriers Mana cost: 50 MP per second] [Abilities] [Devourer: Capable of devouring anything] [Clean te: OmniDrakkons are not limited to a single element. Skills and Affinities are shared between the pet and master] [You''ve obtained a new skill: Gobbler] [Gobbler: Gobble a Mana core to acquire 10% Mana] "What?! This is crazy!" Kyle couldn''t help but say, directing his gaze over the creature on his desk. Its dark scales glowed in the dim light of his room, and its piercing golden eyes followed his every movement. Kyle gulped, unsure of what to say. "Uh¡­ hey there, Void." To his utter surprise, the small dragon moved his lips. "Hi! Nice to meet you!" Kyle froze when he heard the dragon''s cute, childish voice. "Wait! You can talk?" Void sneered andically face-palmed. "You can talk, right? So why can''t I?" Kyle shook his head andughed nervously. "No... I mean. I didn''t expect you to be able to speak so quickly... How did you manage to learn to talk?" "Well, I''m not speaking the human tongue, not yet," Void replied with augh. "You''re not?!" "Yep. You can understand me and I can understand you as well." Kyle decided to ask. "How''s that even possible?" Void directed a start to Kyle that spoke volumes. "Stop behaving like a kid. You''re asking too many questions." It jumped down from the desk and raised its eyebrow at Kyle. "And... How do you expect me to know the answer to all these? I arrived here some minutes ago, remember?" "Yeah, right," Kyle nodded, not wanting to dwell on the matter much longer. He remembered the skill [Gobbler]. ''My cultivation speed would drastically increase if I could absorb mana by eating mana cores.'' ''No. That can''t be possible... But it won''t hurt to give it a try.'' Kyle stood up and made his way to his supplies. Among the many items he had spent his credits on, he had purchased some mana cores. A Tier-1 mana core cost 200 credits, and he had 5 left from the bunch he had bought. Kyle picked up a mana core, ready to do it. It normally took him about 45 minutes to fully absorb one, and now he was about to do it in one go¡ªby eating it. "Here goes nothing," he muttered, picking one up and studying it closely. The mana core pulsed gently in his palm; he could almost feel the energy coursing through it. His throat tightened as he thought about eating it. "Can I even chew this?" he wondered aloud. ''Let''s do this.'' With a deep breath, Kyle popped the mana core into his mouth, half-expecting to break his teeth. To his surprise, he chewed it easily, his teeth easily breaking it within his mouth and allowing the Mana to dissolve almost immediately on his tongue. His eyes widened as the warmth spread through his body, and he got a notification right away. [EXP +10] It worked. "I can''t believe it¡­" he whispered, a wide grin spreading across his face. "It worked!" "Hahaha! It worked." The sheer absurdity of what just happened made himugh in disbelief. His gaze shifted to Void, who was now watching him more intently. Drool was slowly forming at the edge of its mouth, which Kyle easily noticed and smirked. "Wanna try one?" he asked, holding out another mana core. Void''s eyes gleamed with excitement, and the small dragon leaped towards the core, swallowing it whole without hesitation. It let out a tiny, satisfied growl, its eyes glowing for a moment before returning to their usual sharp gaze. "More?" Kyle asked, amused at making the sharp-tongued dragon submit. "More!" Void echoed with excitement. Kyle bent andughed, tossing another core to Void, who caught it eagerly and devoured it. The process repeated a few times before Void depleted the four remaining mana cores. He stood up, feeling happy from his new ability. "Alright, Void, let''s see what else you can do," he said, heading toward the door. "We''re testing those skills of yours." Void nodded, jumping on Kyle''s shoulder and following after him. The pair made their way downstairs to an open area Kyle often used for training. As soon as they stepped inside, Kyle took a few steps back and suggested. "Let''s try Lightning Breath," Voidleapedt down from his shoulder,nding gracefully on the ground. Kyle nodded to the small dragon. "Go for it." Void took a deep breath, and for a moment, Kyle wondered if it even knew how to activate its abilities. But then, a bolt of brilliant lightning erupted from Void''s mouth, illuminating the entire area with a dazzling disy of raw power. The crackling energy shot forward, scorching the ground where itnded, leaving a smoldering mark. Kyle''s jaw dropped, the lightning even looked more pure than his. "That¡­ was incredible!" Void looked up at him with a proud expression, its tail swishing back and forth in satisfaction. "Alright, now try Lightning Dash," Kyle urged. In the blink of an eye, Void ran to the other side of the room in the same way he normally did. He knelt, calling Void over with a grin. "You''re amazing, Void." "I know," Void replied with a proud smile, earning augh for Kyle. "Alright, Void, let''s test Invisibility now," Kyle said, standing with arms crossed and watching the small dragon carefully. Void blinked a few times as if contemting how to pull off the skill. Then, without much fanfare, his shimmering scales started to lose their color, fading into the air until Void vanishedpletely from sight. Kyle''s eyes widened. "Whoa..." he muttered under his breath, circling the spot where Void had been standing just moments ago. There was no sign of the little dragon¡ªnot even a shadow. "I can''t see you at all... It''s real." For several seconds, Kyle tried moving his hands around in an attempt to catch Void before giving up. "Okay, you cane back now, Void." Suddenly, Void reappeared with a smirk. "That was fun." Kyle knelt, impressed. "I''ll be honest. I''m kinda jealous of you. It''ll be very nice to be able to go invisible." "Alright,st one," Kyle announced. "Let''s see you use Phase." Void nodded, determination clear in his sharp eyes. He backed up a little, then dashed forward, heading straight for the wall. Kyle almost flinched, worried that the small dragon might m into the wall, but Void passed right through it effortlessly. The wall didn''t slow him down in the slightest! Kyle ran over, his hands brushing the solid surface as he gaped in disbelief. "That''s real! You just went through a solid wall!" Void came back from the other side and gave a proud smirk. "Piece of cake." Kyle shook his head, grinning. "You''re ridiculous." He made Void repeat some more skills before his mana exhaustion became evident. "Why are my mana reserves so pitiful?" Kyleughed at the statement, remembering that Void had 500 MP. "Well... They''re a lotpared to others" "None of my business. I''m an OmniDrakkon, not an ''other''!" "Haha. I guess it''s enough for today then." Void gave a tired nod, jumping onto Kyle''s shoulder again. "Yeah¡­ that was exhausting." Kyle chuckled. "You did great, though." He nced toward the window, noting howte it had gotten. "We should call it a night. Tomorrow''s a big day." "What''s the event?" he asked curiously. Kyle grinned as they climbed the stairs, entering his room. "You''ll see." As he stepped inside, the darkened room felt more peaceful after the excitement of the day. He considered sitting down to cultivate, but his new skill made him dismiss the thought. Why bother with the slow process of absorbing mana over hours when he could just consume cores now? "Yeah, I think I''ll skip cultivating for tonight," he muttered to himself with a smirk, pulling the nkets over himself. Void, already curled up at the foot of the bed and let out a soft yawn. "Goodnight, Kyle." Kyle smiled at his newpanion. "Goodnight, Void." Chapter 67: The Group Matches Kyle stood among the other sessful contestants in the coliseum. The day had finally arrived for the group stage of the elective battles, and everyone felt tense as well as excited. The students who qualified from Alchemy, Beast Taming, and Forge Mastering stood alongside the Rune Makers, who didn''t have as much difficulty participating. All waited for their moment to shine. It didn''t take long before Instructor Dan stepped forward into the center of the coliseum, his voice magically amplified to reach everyone''s ears. "Wee to Day 2 of the Electives Battles, young mages!" Dan''s voice boomed, silencing the growing whispers of the spectators. "Today, we begin the group stage of thepetition. There are 128 of you from four different disciplines: Rune Making, Alchemy, Beast Taming, and Forge Mastering. Each of you has trained hard and earned your ce here, but only 64 will advance to the knockout rounds!" "The group stage will be conducted as follows: You''ve all been divided into 32 groups of 4 contestants. Within each group, you will battle three opponents from different sses. Except for Group 32, which will feature three Beast Taming students and one Alchemy student. As well as Group 31, which will consist of two Forge Mastering students, one Alchemy student, and one Beast Taming student." Kyle did a quick mental calction. There were 128 participants in total: 32 each from Alchemy and Forge Mastering, with 30 and 34 for Rune Making and Beast Taming, respectively. With 32 groups of four contestants each, it made sense¡ªthe structure seemed fair, and the number of battles didn''t look overwhelming. Dan gestured toward arge disy that hovered in the air the coliseum, a projection showing the match-ups. "For every victory, you will earn three points. If your battle ends in a draw, both contestants will earn one point, and a loss will earn zero points." "After all matches have been fought, the top two participants from each group¡ª64 contestants¡ªwith the highest points will advance to the knockout stage. From there, thepetition will intensify. Losing a match will mean you go back home, and winning will see you face off against another winner." A murmur swept through the contestants as they nced up at the groups. Kyle looked at the screen, quickly finding his name listed in Group 9, alongside a familiar face. ''This is bound to be interesting,'' he thought with a smile. "To prevent excessive time consumption, multiple battles will take ce at once across various stages of the coliseum. You will all fight one match every day for the next two days until the group stages are over," Dan exined. "Each stage is enchanted to iste individual battles, so don''t worry about distractions or interference. Your health condition will also be monitored, and all injuries will be treated immediately. Remember: this is an individualpetition, so fight with everything you''ve got!" Kyle could feel the weight of Dan''s words. The excitement was evident among the crowd already. "Now, without further ado, let the group stages begin! Contestants for the first matches, please step forward!" The disy shifted again, showing the initial lineup. Kyle scanned the names, seeing that he wasn''t fighting his ''friend'' just yet. "Let''s give them a show," Kyle said with a confident smirk, walking to the stage to face his first opponent. The Electives Battles were quite simple. They were required to fight against their opponents with the advantages of their different Electives. Beast Tamers were allowed to fight with theirpanions. Rune Makers could use formerly self-prepared runes. Alchemists could enhance their strength and heal themselves with formerly self-prepared potions and elixirs. Forge Masters could use their self-crafted weapons and armor to fight. Practically every advantage of the students'' Electives could be used in a fight, as long as it all fell under the tier limitations that were ced. From an outsider''s point of view, it looked like the Beast Tamers had a massive advantage. That was true, but the gap wasn''t as huge as it seemed. Kyle might not have seen a massive improvement in his cultivation recently, but he had made significant strides in Rune Making. He could now craft battle-changing runes that were sure to help him win, even without relying on his mana advantage. He was ready to show why he should be the contestant to beat in this tournament. As Kyle walked toward his designated stage, he couldn''t help but feel the massive difference between here and the arena. The spectators, mostly students who failed to qualify and Instructors, sparsely upied some seats surrounding the arena. The setup was vast, allowing the audience to pick and choose which battles they wanted to observe. Giant magical screens hovered around the coliseum, projecting the different matches from each stage, so no one would miss a moment of the action. Kyle reached his stage¡ªa circr tform magically elevated and enclosed by a shimmering barrier. It isted thebatants from distractions and ensured the fight could proceed uninterrupted. On the opposite side of the stage stood his opponent: a Beast Tamer with a Tempest Falcon. The tamer had a confident look on her face, his brown eyes filled with confidence. Her Falcon hovered slightly above her, pping its wings with pride. ''This won''t be easy,'' Kyle thought, as he looked up at the flying beast. He had experience fighting flying opponents at Yurigur, but this would be the first here. [Tsk! That chicken is nothingpared to me] Void couldn''t help but say within Kyle after hearing his master speak so passionately about the falcon. ''Haha... I see you''re jelly!'' [Jealous?! How dare you?] ''Don''t worry, I''ll win,'' Kyle said sharply, changing the conversation.'' It won''t be a problem.'' [W...] "Ladies and gentlemen," an amplified voice boomed, interrupting Void and drawing the attention of the very few spectators. "We now begin the match between Kyle, representing Rune Making, and L, a Beast Tamer. The announcer continued, building the suspense. "Rune Makers rely on their prepared inscriptions, while Beast Tamers have the power of theirpanions. Who wille out victorious in this glorious showdown?" Chapter 68: First Win "Begin!" The announcer, as well as the referee for the match, signaled,mencing the start of the match. L wasted no time after the match had begun, she raised her hands to the sky,manding her falcon. "Zephyrion, take flight!" The Tempestwing falcon screeched, its powerful wings beating as it soared higher above the arena, circling with the grace and speed of a predator ready to strike. Kyle remained calm and care-carefree hands cooly tucked inside his pockets. There was a pouch of runes strapped to his waist, and he made sure to take notice of it too. He had not exactly prepared for this match-up, a fight against a flying creature. But to an extent he was ready for multiple scenarios. All he needed to do was y smart and avoid exposing too much. L smirked. "Trying to prove tough, aren''t you?" she called out before chanting her spell, "Wind sh!" Swinging her arm forward, condensed air was released in the form of a razor-sharp gust. The de of wind quickly approached Kyle, its sound howling through the arena. Kyle reacted instantly, activating a rune he had slipped onto the ground earlier. The rune glowed briefly before an earth wall of hardened mud materialized in front of him. The Wind sh collided with the mud wall, dispersing into the armless wind. ''That''s one rune,'' Kyle mentally took note. He was allowed to bring in a maximum of 7 self-made runes, and he wanted to be mindful of the way he used it. "Lightning Dash!" Kyle muttered under his breath. In a sh of electric energy, Kyle''s form blurred as he shot across the arena like a bolt of lightning, closing the distance between him and L in a heartbeat. The sudden burst of speed startled L, but she reacted quickly, her falcon screeching above. "Wind Dash!" she shouted, her body bing a blur as the wind propelled her backward at a slower speed than Kyle, but it still did its work, putting enough space between them once more. The battle was already fast-paced, both of them darting around the arena, lightning and wind colliding in bursts of energy. Above, Zephyrion circled menacingly, waiting for the right moment to strike. Kyle skidded to a stop, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed the situation. He couldn''t rely too much on his spells; he had to be conservative, pretending to operate within the same limitations as everyone else. His runes should be his key to victory. Quickly, he activated another rune at his feet¡ªa lightning rune he had inscribed with precision before the match. This one functioned like [Lightning Dash], its primary function being to increase his speed and reaction time. As the rune glowed beneath him, Kyle felt a surge of energy flood his body. "Zephyrion, now!" L''s voice rang out, shortly after he had activated his rune. The Tempestwing falcon screeched once more, diving toward Kyle like a silver arrow. Its talons crackled with wind energy as it aimed for his exposed back. Kyle''s eyes flicked upward, catching the glint of the falcon''s wings as it dov. He had been anticipating the Tempest Falcon''s move since the match began, and he was able to avoid the surprise attack easily. Without hesitation, he threw a Paralysis Rune to the bird that hovered very closely to him, mming the glowing inscription onto the Falcon''s body just as it was about to strike. A pulse of electrical energy shot outward from the rune, crackling through the air and briefly stunning the Tempest wing mid-dive. Zephyrion faltered and its wings seemed to vibrate as the electric pulse coursed through its body. The few spectators who were paying attention to the match gasped at the sight¡ªthe mighty falcon was momentarily paralyzed in the air. Kyle didn''t waste a second, nning to seize the chance and take the initiative. He thrust his palm forward and cast a spell. "Lightning Bolt!" A bolt of lightning shot from his hand, arcing through the air and striking the paralyzed Zephyrion directly. The falcon let out a screech of pain as the lightning rippled through its body, sending it careening off course. It wasn''t enough to take the creature down, but it had certainly weakened it. L''s eyes widened in fear and shock. "Zephyrion, recover!" She screamed anxiously, prompting the Falcon to desperately p its wings in an attempt to regain altitude. The falcon pped its wings desperately, regaining altitude, but Kyle could see the strain in its movements. The paralysis rune and lightning strike had done their job. Now it was time to continue pressing his advantage. He reached for another rune¡ªthis one etched with a symbol for Amplification. As he activated it, he felt the effects immediately. His next attack would hit harder, and he had just the right spell in mind. But L wasn''t going to give him the opportunity so easily. "Wind sh!" she cried out again, sending another de of wind hurtling toward Kyle. Kyle didn''t flinch. He didn''t n on wasting the amplification he had applied on himself, so he quickly threw another rune, hisst defense rune. Like before, an earth wall sprung up from the ground, easily blocking the spell. L gritted her teeth. "You can''t hide behind runes forever!" Kyle smirked and thought, ''I don''t n to.'' "Constantly fighting with the Veil Of Silence has made him appreciate staying silent in a match. ''My skills would do the talking!'' Kyle dashed forward once again with [Lightning Bolt], his movements a blur thanks to the amplification rune that was still on. L was quick to react, her own Wind Dash sending her sliding across the arena floor, but Kyle was already prepared for her evasive tactics. Kyle had a mischievous smile as L approached a certain spot in the Arena. ''Hehe. Right into my trap!'' The ground beneath L glowed as the Trap rune he had ced at the early stages of the fight red to life. It got muddy and soon became thick, slowly making her legs sink until it bound her in ce. The Rune he had ced was a Tier-2 rune, an advanced rune that took after the spell [Mud Trap]. It had taken him a lot of effort to craft it, but with Lora''s kind help, he had managed to master it. The rune worked wonders when it came to binding opponents and that was what he needed right now. He didn''t hesitate, ready to finish her off. With L trapped, Kyle raised his hand, lightning crackling around his fingers. "Lightning Bolt!" he shouted, sending another bolt of electricity streaking toward her. L raised her arms to defend, but the lightning struck true, sending a jolt of energy through her body. The lightning made her wince in pain, and her knees buckled slightly from the impact. The crowd let out a collective gasp as they watched L struggle to stay on her feet. But Kyle knew it wasn''t over. HL still had Zephyrion, and the falcon wasn''t out of the fight yet. "Zephyrion!" L cried out weakly in desperation. "Take him down!" The Tempest Falcon screeched once again, its wings red as it summoned a gust of wind around its body. The wind whipped into a vortex, and in an instant, Zephyrion dove toward Kyle with blinding speed, its talons glowing with wind energy. Kyle''s eyes narrowed. This was the moment he had been waiting for. As Zephyrion closed in, Kyle activated his final rune¡ªanother Paralysis Rune that he had been saving for this exact moment. The Rune had done its job thest time he used it against the bird. Now... He expected it to deliver. The rune shed in his hands, as he waited for the perfect moment to ce it on the Falcon. Zephyrion, mid-dive, saw Kyle''s n and used its whole strength to twist its body out of the way. Unfortunately, it was toote and Kyle''s hand had already mmed into the bird, paralyzing it mid-air. The falcon let out a screech as it felt its body seize and wings locked in ce It then crashed into the ground in front of Kyle, skidding across the arena floor and leaving behind a cloud of dust. L''s eyes widened in horror as she watched her prizedpanion fall. Kyle didn''t waste any time. He dashed forward once more, casting [Lightning Dash]. And in a sh, he was already in front of L, his hand crackling with lightning. "Lightning Bolt!" Kyle whispered, using the st of his mana'' to deliver a final, decisive blow. The air crackled with lightning for a moment before a burst of lightning energy surged through her, sending her stumbling forward. The Tempestwing falcon, still recovering from the stun, let out a weak cry as it struggled to rise. The battle was over. L copsed to her knees, panting heavily, while Zephyriony weakly on the floor. Everywhere was rtively quiet, no one celebrated the win because they didn''t care much about the results. The announcer''s voice cut the prevailing silence, confirming the result. "And the winner is¡­ Kyle, of Rune Making!" Kyle stood tall with a proud grin, raising his hands high to savor the victory. He was happy about his win because he deserved it. The system might not have deemed the match tough enough to assign a quest, but a win was still a win. He nced down at L, who was being helped to her feet by a medic. She gave him a hard smile, nodding at him out of respect. Kyle returned the nod, respecting her efforts before he walked out of the stage. "3 points. 6 more to go!" Chapter 69: You can cultivate?! After stepping down from the stage, Kyle wiped the sweat from his brow and made his way toward the stands. The matches were still going on, and he figured it would be smart to observe his friends'' progress. As he settled into a seat with a clear view of the disys, Kyle focused on the holographic scoreboard that showed the results and group points. He quickly scanned through the names and located some. "As expected, they had all secured victories." Kyle muttered, as he saw 3 points beside the names of Orion, Riya, Milo, Zack and Lora. It was unfortunate he couldn''t watch their matches but it didn''t matter anyway. The familiar face in his group had also secured a victory. He darted his eyes towards the fixtures to confirm once more. ''Tomorrow, we''ll see,'' he smiled and got up to leave. Satisfied with his observations, Kyle stretched his arms and decided it was time to leave. He decided on going to the mall to get some mana cores. They would be for Void, allowing him to level up. Once there, he quickly located a vendor selling mana cores. His remaining credits had been carefully budgeted, but it wouldn''t hurt to spend 1200 credits on Void. He paid for the cores and left the mall, heading straight for his dorm. As soon as he entered, Void, who had been inside the System''s pet space jumped out and instantly locked onto the mana cores Kyle carried. Before Kyle could even say a word, Void lungef forward, usind his teeth to carry the bags away from Kyle. "I never said those were for you," Kyle asked with a serious expression. "What? It can''t be... " Void wanted to continue but paused after noticing Kyle''s poker face. "Pardon me for myck of manners, Kyle." He took a step back from the bag of mana cores and bent his head slightly. "Haha!" Kyle couldn''t control himself andughed loudly. "I was just teasing you. They''re yours, you can have them." "Uh, Void¡­ what''s your gender? I''ve been meaning to ask." Void puffed out his chest proudly. "I am male, of course," he answered without hesitation. "A proud male Omni Drakkon." "Good. You can have your cores." Void''s golden eyes gleamed and without a word, it quickly jumped at the bag again and ate the whole mana cores in mere seconds. Kyle widened his mouth in shock as he watched the speed Void ate the whole mana cores. It didn''tst long before it a surge of mana coursed through Void. It had levelled up! Void''s stats disyed clearly in Kyle''s mind after the level up. |Void| |Race: Omni Drakkon| |Level: 2|* |EXP: 0/2000|* |HP: 220|* |Energy: 520|* |MP: 510|* |Agility: 30|* |Strength: 30|* |Vitality: 110|* |Stamina: 260|* |Intelligence: 510|* [Skills: Lightning Breath, Lightning Dash, Invisible, Phase] "Congrats, Void!" Kyle pped his hands as he said. "Sure. I''ll begin my cultivation now." "Wait... What?!" Kyle eximed in shock after he heard Void. "You could cultivate?" Void shrugged. "Of couse. Who can''t?" "And... You made me buy you mana cores?!" "Yup. I enjoy them! You can afford it, so what''s wrong?" "What''s wrong? You know what? You''re not following me tomorrow. I''ll make you cultivate right here." "Intriguing," Void muttered with his paws on his chin. "Too bad I nned on doing that before." Kyle''s face contorted into one of anger. "Y-yes... Good for you!" *Sigh* Void sighed and sat on the floor, ready to begin his cultivation session. Kyle went to his reading desk and sat, before taking out his inscription materials¡ªhis inscription pen and runic paper. He had over 6 hours before 10:00 PM and he couldn''t waste it. ''I might as well inscribe some more Runes.'' As the night came and progressed, Kyle opened his eyes and nced at the time¡ª9:00 PM. He had been inscribing for hours, feeling refreshed from the session. He stretched his limbs, cracking his neck side to side as he looked over at Void, who remained still, eyes closed in deep meditation. Kyle smirked. "How diligent," he muttered, shaking his head. Void hadn''t moved an inch since he''d started, and Kyle didn''t want to interrupt his process. Instead, he decided to go grab some food. After all, they would both need energy after their session. He left the dorm quietly, stepping into the cool night air. The dorm cafeteria still had some students in it, eating while discussing about the battles. Kyle made his way to the counter, ordering arge amount of food¡ªenough for both him and Void. Once he was handed over the bags that contained his food, he returned to the dorm, cing the food on the table. Kyle considered for a moment about waking Void to remind him about the meal but decided against it. Void could eat after finishing his cultivation. Satisfied, Kyle lied onto his bed and quickly drifted off to sleep. *** The next morning, Kyle woke up refreshed, right at time for the battles. His mind was sharp from the long sleep he had gotten. He nced at Void, who was still meditating, his small chest rising and falling in rhythmic breaths. "He''s been at it all night," Kyle thought, impressed. "I guess I really shouldn''t be wasting credits on mana cores for him anymore." He grabbed a quick bite from the leftovers he''d bought the night before, leaving more for Void to eat whenever he finished. The dragon hadn''t gotten up, but Kyle knew that when Void was ready, he''d consume the food in an instant. With everything settled, Kyle grabbed his gear and headed for the coliseum. Today marked the third day of the Electives Battle and the second match of the Group stages, and thepetition was only going to get fiercer from here. As he walked through the academy grounds, the excitement in the air was palpable. Hundreds of students were buzzing with energy, all talking about the uing matches. Walking into the main coliseum area, Kyle took a seat with a clear view of the arenas. The holographic disys were already lighting up, listing the matchups for the day. His name appeared on one of the boards, and his first opponent was due up in just a few minutes. Kyle nced over the list of names, mentally running through the names of his friends. A magic amplified voice brought him back to the present. "All participants, please prepare for the opening matches of Day 3! First round begins in five minutes!" It didn''t take much longer before the matches were called to begin, prompting Kyle to make his way to his arena. Kyle stood up, feeling the adrenaline course through his veins. He was ready. The thick, magical barriers that separated the arenas shimmered as they opened. Kyle made his way to the Arena, his opponent waiting there already. "You know? I won''t be holding back just because we''re friends... So gimme all you got!" His opponent''s cold eyes remained fixed on him, offering no response. The announcer stepped forward, his voice amplified by magic. "Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves for a sh of skill, wit, and power! Who would taste their first defeat in the tournament?" He cheerfully announced as always, the few number of spectators doing nothing to tone down his excitement. "On one side, we have Kyle, Rune master of the Lightning Affinity! And his opponent, a fierce Alchemist and wielder of the...!" Chapter 70: Kyle Vs Ann And his opponent, from thend of Frulia, a fierce Alchemist and master of the dark element¡­ Ann!" Kyle''s eyes locked on Ann as she stepped forward, her expression as cold and unreadable as ever. Her dark hair framed her pale face, and her eyes, almost ck, stared back at him with a quiet intensity. Kyle struggled to understand her look. Was she angry with him? Or was this just her normal? ''She must still be disappointed over ''the death'' I caused... '' Kyle reasoned. Ann said nothing, her expression unchanging as she slowly reached into the pouch strapped to her waist. Kyle watched closely, knowing that alchemists fought differently. She would have prepared potions in advance, and each one would be carefully crafted to give her the upper hand. Alchemists typically carried five potions into battle, each with a specific purpose¡ªenhancing their physical abilities, boosting their magical output, or providing healing. Ann would be no different. The announcer raised his hand. "Let the match... begin!" Without hesitation, Ann uncorked one of the small ss vials from her pouch and downed its contents in a single swift motion. A faint dark aura immediately surrounded her body, and Kyle felt the shift in her mana. She was ready. She wasted no time, raising her hand, a shadowy orb began to form above her palm. Kyle narrowed his eyes, recognizing the dark energy swirling within it. This wasn''t just any ordinary dark spell. "Orb of Darkness." Ann said silently, her voice cutting through the air as the orb shot toward Kyle. It moved fast, too fast for him to dodge outright, so he had no choice but to raise his defenses. "Lightning Bolt!" Kyle countered, his own spell crackling to life. Heunched a bolt of searing lightning directly at the iing shadow orb. The two spells collided mid-air, resulting in an explosion of dark energy and crackling light. Kyle gritted his teeth as the force of the impact pushed him back slightly. The residual darkness from Ann''s spell swirled around him, clinging to his skin and making it harder to see. The shadows crawled over his vision, distorting the arena around him. He knew what the spell¡ªOrb of Darkness, after all it wasn''t the first time he had experienced it. Spells like this proved why the Dark affinity was very rare to awaken. It was a spell that clouded the senses, distorting sight and sound and making it difficult for the opponent to focus. With her enchantments from the potion, the spell was stronger and seemed to be doing its job, he was practically struggling to see around him. Kyle quickly activated his a spell, thanks to his arena experience, he knew how to handle the spell. "Lightning Dash!" In an instant, his body was engulfed in a burst of lightning, and he shot forward at blinding speed, cutting through the lingering darkness. He reappeared behind Ann, hoping to catch her off-guard. But she was ready. Without turning, Ann muttered another spell, her voice low and chilling. "Shadow Grasp." Dark tendrils erupted from the ground around her,shing out toward Kyle with terrifying speed. He barely had time to react, his body still humming with the aftereffects of Lightning Dash. He twisted in mid-air, narrowly avoiding the first wave of shadowy tendrils. But one caught him by the ankle, yanking him downward with brutal force. He hit the ground hard, the breath knocked out of him. Ann turned slowly, her dark eyes gleaming with satisfaction. The tendril tightened around Kyle''s leg, and he felt the cold grip of shadow magic seeping into his skin, draining his energy. Kyle held his jaw tight. He could feel the shadows trying to sap his strength, but he wasn''t done yet. Channeling his mana, he summoned a surge of lightning, sending a jolt of energy down the length of his body and into the tendril. The shadow burned away with a hiss, releasing its grip on him. Kyle rolled to his feet, breathing heavily but far from finished. Ann''s spells were tough, but he had faced worse. "I''m just getting started," he said, his voice low but filled with determination. Ann''s cold expression didn''t falter. She reached into her pouch again, pulling out another vial. This time, the potion glowed a deep crimson. She drank it swiftly, and Kyle could feel the power radiating from her. Whatever it was, it had boosted her strength even more. Kyle had to think quickly. Ann''s dark magic was incredibly effective at keeping him on the defensive. ''I''ll have to attack harder!'' As Ann prepared tounch another attack, Kyle activated a rune that boosted his speed. His body pulsed with a new wave of energy, as he got ready to zip. Annunched her next spell, a wave of shadowy spikes erupting from the ground and hurtling toward him. "Shadow Grasp." she called once again, her voice cutting through the air like ice. Kyle reacted instantly and shot forward once again, zig-zagging through the tendrils that came out from the ground. The air crackled with energy as he closed the distance between them. Ann''s eyes widened slightly, realizing toote that Kyle was already upon her. "Lightning Bolt!" Kyle unleashed the spell point-nk, sending a bolt of crackling energy directly into her chest. Ann stumbled backward, her dark aura flickering, but she didn''t go down. She grit her teeth, her cold exterior finally breaking as she red at him. "I won''t lose to you, Kyle!" she hissed, her voice filled with venom. Kyle barely had time to react as Ann drank her final potion. This one glowed an eerie ck, and the moment it touched her lips, her entire body seemed to darken. The shadows around her thickened, and her mana spiked to a terrifying level. She raised both hands, dark energy swirling violently around her. "Dark Eclipse!" The spell was unlike anything Kyle had seen before. A massive wave of shadow magic erupted from her body, spreading across the entire arena. The darkness was suffocating, pressing down on Kyle from all sides. His vision blurred, his senses dulling as the shadows closed in. But Kyle wasn''t giving up. He activated some runes once again, these ones amplifying his magic. He knew he had made the right choice bringing them with him. Lightning crackled around him, trying to overwhelm the darkness with its brightness. He channeled a lot of mana into a final spell. "Lightning Bolt!" The bolt of lightning tore through the darkness, illuminating the arena as it struck Ann with incredible force. The shadows around her shattered, and Ann let out a gasp, her body copsing to the ground. The potions had pushed her to her limits, but Kyle''s relentless attacks had finally overwhelmed her. Everywhere was silent as the magical barriers fell, signaling the end of the match. Kyle stood there, breathing heavily and aching from exhaustion. He looked down at Ann, who was still on the ground, her cold eyes ring up at him. Despite her defeat, the fire of hatred still burned in her gaze. Kyle offered her a hand, but Ann pped it away, struggling to her feet on her own. "I might be weak now... But not forever," she said as she turned and walked off the stage. Kyle watched her go, feeling a little regret. Whatever bad blood that existed between them was far from being over. Chapter 71: Level up... Twice! Kyle walked out of the coliseum, making his way to the dormitory. The streets were mostly empty, with only a few students walking about. it wasn''tpulsory to attend but most of those who didn''t would be likely being meaningful with the time. As he entered his room, everything seemed in ce at first nce¡ªhis books scattered across the table, his katana hanged on the wall. Void curled on the bed, sound asleep. His eyes darted at the food pack on the deskpletely empty. It looked like a lot of effort was made to not leave behind any food particles. Kyle knelt beside Void, watching the slow rise and fall of the dragon''s chest. He could feel that something was wrong. Something felt off about Void. Kyle couldn''t take it anymore. ''Pet''s Status!'' |Void| |Race: Omni Drakkon| |Level: 4|* |EXP: 6100/8000|* |HP: 260|* |Energy: 560|* |MP: 530|* |Agility: 50|* |Strength: 50|* |Vitality: 130|* |Stamina: 280|* |Intelligence: 530|* [Skills: Lightning Breath, Lightning Dash, Invisible, Phase] As he read the information disyed on the panel, Kyle''s eyes widened in shock. Void had leveled up¡ªtwice! Level 4. "How...?" Kyle muttered, staring at the status in disbelief. Void had been at level 2 just the other day, right before the Electives Battle. He was sure of it. But now, the dragon had not only gained one level, but two. And that meant... Void was now stronger than him. Kyle''s mind raced. He didn''t know how Void did it. Did he consume anything? He looked around the room to confirm nothing looked amiss. To gain two levels in such a short period of time. No¡ªnot just two levels. 12000 EXP! Kyle looked back at hispanion thaty on the bed. ''I have to confirm,'' he decided, beginning to call out Void''s name. Void stirred slightly at the sound of Kyle''s voice but didn''t wake. "Alright, enough sleeping," Kyle muttered, reaching out to shake Void gently. Void let out a small grunt and his golden eyes slowly began opening. The dragon blinked a few times. "Ugh... what do you want, Kyle?" Void grumbled with a groggy voice. "I was having a good dream." "Bro, you leveled up. Twice." Void puffed his chest out in pride and said: "I know." "You''re now level 4, Void. That''s higher than me," Kyle said with a tinge of grief in his voice. Why won''t he feel sad when his pet that started cultivating thest day took a just a day to surpass him? "How did you do this, Void? Teach me your ways!" He knelt on the floor, bending his head low and sping his hands, proving how desperately he was to improve his cultivation speed. "Hahaha!" Voidughed hard at Kyle, seeing his posture. "There''s nothing to worry about, Kyle. We OmniDrakkons usually have a faster than average speed." Kyle felt defeated and could only reply, "Ohh, okay." Kyle sat back against his bed, the sound of Void''s snoring was the only sound in the background. Void hadughed himself back to sleep after his plea foe tips and now Kyle was left to his thoughts. He thought about cultivating, he couldn''t keep waiting for Mana cores now he didn''t have enough credits. He remembered that hispanion who had only begun his path of cultivation the day before, had already surpassed him. Kyle shook his head, suppressing a wave of frustration. He didn''t have the luxury to dwell on it. He stood up, ncing at the clock. 4:04 PM. "Might as well begin," he muttered. He sat cross-legged in the center of the room and focused inward, feeling the familiar pulse of mana deep within his core. He began to draw in mana from the surrounding atmosphere as he had done hundreds of times already, but today, something felt different. It was more difficult to focus, but his mind quickly adjusted and he eventually got immersed in cultivation. For hours, Kyle pushed himself, cycling his mana and cultivating as best as he could. When 7:00 PM rolled around, Kyle finally opened his eyes. He nced at his progress. [EXP: 1792/4000] "Still not enough," Kyle muttered%% in disappointment. Standing up, he stretched his limbs to rid out its stiffness when Void''s voice broke the silence. "I''m hungry." Kyle froze mid-stretch. "What? You just woke up right now, and the first thing you''re thinking about is food?!" Void wagged his tailzily before he opened his eyes halfway and let out a yawn. "I need sustenance, Kyle. It''s your job as my caretaker to provide it... Nothing big, I''ll make do with some mana cores." Kyle red at the dragon. "No. No more mana cores for you. You can cultivate on your own." Void snorted, clearly unimpressed with Kyle''s reasoning. "Fine, fine. Just get me something else then." Kyle shook his head, letting out a sigh. "Hmm. Okay." "So, food?" "Yeah, let''s go." With that, Void retreated into the system space, but Kyle could still hear his voice immediately filling the mental connection between them. [Remember, nothing too cheap. We''re celebrating my level up, after all.] Kyle rolled his eyes. "Yeah, we''ll see about that." [No vegetables either. Meat. Lots of it.] Kyle ignored him as they made their way toward the cafeteria, Void''s voice continuing to offer endless opinions on the food choices. [That chicken looks dry. Don''t even think about it.] "Shut up, Void." By the time Kyle had finished grabbing enough food to feed an army, he was down 190 credits. He stared at the total, shaking his head in disbelief. "Thank you for all this," Kyle muttered. [You''re wee.] With the food packed up, Kyle made his way back to the dorm. Upon entering the room, he wasted no timeying everything out on the table. "Alright, Void, you made me purchase this much food¡ªdon''t leave any of this uneaten. You hear?" Void''sugh echoed in Kyle''s mind. [Haha! You''re hrious. Leave some? You should be hoping it''s enough.] Kyle red at the dragon as Void popped out of the system space and, true to his words, devoured almost everything in an few minutes. He was left with barely enough to satisfy his own hunger, shaking his head in resignation. "Unbelievable," Kyle muttered, watching the once filled table. *Burp!* "Thanks for the meal, Kyle, that should be enough... For now." "What?! What do you mean ''for now''? That''s enough food tost me a week!" "Haha. We dragons have arge appetite... As my owner, it''s your job to fill me up." Kyle chose not to reply, signaling him toe upstairs for a bath. After a quick bath, the two of them settled into bed, Kyle still fuming quietly while Void drifted off, content and full. *** The next day, Kyle found himself in the coliseum once again, standing on the grounds. Void had decided to remain in the system space, iming that cultivating was "too boring" for the day. "I wish I could cultivate even half as fast as you," Kyle grumbled, ring at the empty space. But there was no time to dwell on it now¡ªhe had a battle to focus on. This was his final match of the group stage. With 6 points under his belt, he had already qualified for the knockout stages, but Kyle wouldn''t like to leave things unfinished. He was nning on going into the battle with the intent on securing all 9 points, and in less than ten minutes, it was over. His opponent barely stood a chance. The fight wasn''t even worth describing¡ªit was simply another step forward in Kyle''s journey. As the battle concluded, Kyle exited the arena, brushing off the lightyer of dust on his clothes. He stood among the other contestants, waiting as the final few matches wrapped up. His eyes scanned the crowd, picking out familiar faces here and there, but his thoughts remained elsewhere. Instructor Dan''s voice boomed across the coliseum once every contestant was assembled, calling everyone''s attention. "Alright, listen up! Now that the group stages are finished, we''ll be moving on to the knockout rounds. There are 64 of you left. The tournament will follow a tree structure¡ªtwo sides, leading to the finals. Matches will be drawn shortly." Kyle felt a small rush of excitement as Dan exined the next steps. The knockout rounds were where things really heated up. There would be no second chances, no safetys. Every match could be hisst. He clenched his fists, he was close to wining and it all began here. He wasn''t nning on losing any time soon. The drawing for his next opponent was just moments away, and Kyle was ready for whatever came next. It didn''t take too long before the matches were drawn, showing Kyle the potential matches and opponents he could face before reaching the finals. He observed the tree intently, trying to see if they were any worthy opponent at his side of the tree, and he saw some few. ''Milo, Zack, Orion... This should be interesting.'' Chapter 72: 20 Mana Cores! Instructor Dan''s booming voice echoed through the coliseum as the contestants stood gathered after observing their matches. "Listen up!" he called out, his arms crossed as he faced the 64 students who had qualified for the knockout stages. "Tomorrow, the real battle begins. There will be three matches each, and if you lose, you''re out. No second chances, noebacks. It''s simple¡ªwin, or go home." Kyle calmly nodded his head as he listened, unlike some of the others, he didn''t feel intimidated by Instructor Dan''s words. Rather, he felt pity. A tad bit of pity for those who had made it this far, only to return with nothing. ''I''m too kind. Why are my being bothered by their fate?'' Kyle thought with a smile. Dan continued to exin, cutting Kyle''s thoughts. "You''ll fight three matches tomorrow..." Only on m v|le|mp|yr "Three matches? That''s impossible!" Murmurs began spreading around the contestants as they expressed their disconcern from the match arrangements. All the fights, especially at this stage of thepetition were usually intense. They had limited reserves of mana and would also be very exhausted for the next match¡ªto sum it up, they did not agree with Dan''s words. "Quiet!" Dan called, releasing some pressure on the student that made them shiver. He stared at them with an eye that said: You don''t have the right to argue with the rules. "Now... May I continue?" Dan asked with an evil smile after the tranquility was brought back. The students were buckling in their shoes from the pressure released by Dan, some even felt themselves peeing on their clothes. Kyle handled the pressure better, as he was used to it. This wasn''t the first time he had experienced such from him, as had done it a few times during training to disorient his bnce. Even though he wasn''t cowering in fear like the others, he still wasn''t happy for the match arrangements. He was absolutely sure he would fare miles better than the others when his stamina was considered... But he still had to y by the rules and regte his ''mana capacity''. It wasn''t easy losing because you were iming not to have what you had. Hopefully, he won''t lose. ''I just need to sweep each match wiyn minimal effort, right? How hard could that be?'' Dan continued, his voice echoing in the still coliseum. "You''ll fight two more the day after, and the final match on thest day of the tournament. This tournament is a test of endurance as well as skill, may the best mage win. You have one night left to prepare, so make it count." Kyle nodded his head at Dan''s words, knowing that his road to victory wouldn''te easy. "You''re dismissed," Dan said, waving them off with his hand. Kyle watched as the other contestants filtered out of the coliseum, most still silent and lost in thought. As he turned to leave, a certain thought surfaced on his mind. He made a connection with Void to municate with him. ''Yo, Void. Care for a deal?" [What now, Kyle?] Void answeredzily. ''I''ll make a deal with you. If you stay behind and cultivate while I fight, I''ll give you 20 mana cores once you reach level 10.'' Void''s interest piqued instantly. [Twenty mana cores?! You ain''t joking, are you?] ''Nope, I''m serious. But you''ll have to get to level 10 first,'' Kyle responded with a smirk. [Deal! I''ll stay back and cultivate like you''ve never seen before. Just you wait!] Void said with a voice filled with determination. Kyle smiled to himself as he left the coliseum, making his way back to the dormitory. Void''s greed was sometimes annoying, but at least it was easy to motivate him. He could now rest easy tonight, knowing Void would be busy pushing himself and not putting his talents to waste. He decided to spend the rest of the day cultivating. Despite his exhaustion from the previous fights, there was no time for rest. He had to be ready. *** The next morning, Kyle stood at the coliseum once again, the sun hanging low in the sky as the cool morning breeze swept across the grounds. Without Void by his side, everywhere felt silent... Too silent. But he pushed it aside, focusing on the challenge ahead today. Around him, the other contestants were simrly preparing, some stretching, others quietly meditating. Kyle noticed a few familiar faces, he hadn''t spoken to them in a while, something he nned on doing soon... ''Maybe after the tournament, we''ll have a small get together,'' Kyle thought. He won''t face them now, but the possibility of meeting them in theter rounds was there, as long as they would win like him. It didn''t take long before the first set of matches were called for. Kyle watched the announcement as the names shed on therge board in the center of the coliseum. His eyes caught his own name, paired with that of his first opponent: Marlon Kain, a Beast Tamer of the fire element. As Kyle stepped into the arena, the usual magic barrier shimmered and enclosed them. Across from him stood Marlon, a burly figure with a fiery silhouette of arge cat-like creature beside him¡ªa me cat! How could he forget his very first kill in this world? It wasn''t to say that the match would be easy since he''d in a simr beast before. The only reason why he could kill it was due to the outburst of sword intent. Kyle remembered when Instructor Harris ced them alone with it and how the beast had tormented them. ''Well, thoughts aside. Let''s do this!'' Kyle said, focusing back on reality. "... and when we''re done with you, you''ll wish you gave up long ago!" ''Oh. Bro''s been talking,'' Kyle thought with a smile on his face, he nodded his head at Morlon''s words to make it look like he had been paying attention. "You''re nodding your head?!" Morlon grunted in anger. ''Seems like the talkative,'' Kyle reasoned, staring back at Morlon without blinking. ''Let''s fight already, man.'' The announcer''s voice boomed through the coliseum, signaling the start of the fight. "Begin!" Marlon was quick. With a shout, he ordered his beast forward, and the me cat lunged, fire erupting from its body. Kyle sidestepped smoothly, activating Lightning Dash, and the moment the me cat passed him. He turned around, quickly catching it mid-dive, he charged his hand with Lightning Bolt and sted the cat away. ''Amarteur,'' Kyle sighed. ''Seconds into the match and I''ve gotten a direct hit.'' Marlon snarled in frustration as he saw his cat flung some distance away. "Fireball!" His hand glowed red and a searing ball of me left his palm. Kyle was ready, as he had already anticipated such move. With a twist of his body that was still enhanced by lightning dash, Kyle dodged the fireball, letting the mes dissipate harmlessly against the barrier surrounding the arena. A few more moves passed between them, but Kyle remained calm, barely exerting himself. He used the minimum amount of mana, just as he had nned, making do with his runes in most cases. ''Let''s end this.'' In a final move, Kyle released a Lightning Bolt, finishing Morlon off. The me cat, already exhausted from multiple failed attacks, copsed to the ground beside its master with a direct kick on its face. ''Sometimes, I forget that I have inhuman strength as well!'' "Match over! Kyle wins!" Chapter 73: A Calculated Win "Match over! Kyle wins!" Kyle didn''t bother looking back at Marlon, who was panting heavily, his me cat was barely able to lift its head. Kyle had won without much effort, just as he had nned. He crossed his hands behind his back and gracefully walked out of the arena. ''One down, two to go.'' Kyle made his way back to his corner of the coliseum, observing the others that were still fighting. The time between battles was short¡ªhis own beginning in 30 minutes. It was just long enough for the contestants to recover slightly, but not long enough to fully regain their stamina or mana. Like Dan said, this was was part of the challenge¡ªa test of endurance. He didn''t allow himself to getcent. The next opponent, L Vance, was another Beast Tamer, but with a water element. He had seen her fight before, and she was by far stronger than many of thepetition. The board shed his name again. It was time. L was already waiting for him on the tform, her water serpent coiled around her feet. "Begin!" The moment the signal was given for the fight tomence, L wasted no time. "Attack!" Shemanded, and the serpent shot forward, unleashing high-pressure streams of water. The jets tore through the air with frightening speed, cutting towards Kyle in rapid session. Kyle''s reaction was almost instant. Lightning crackled all over his body as he casted Lightning Dash. His propelled forward from the lightning and he ran out of the spell''s range just before it hit him, letting it crash into the ground where he had been standing. "Water st!" L called out, summoning another jet of Lightning to the spot where he was. "Lightning Bolt!" Kyle reacted instinctively, firing a bolt of pure lightning that met in the air, filling it with lightning arcs. He didn''t just stop there though, this was his moment to end the fight quickly and he directed his eyes to his first target. ''You''ll be going down.'' Kyle activated a wind rune that boosted his movement speed, not as much as his Lightning Dash though. ''This would be risky.'' He dashed off to the serpent, straight at it and in a grabbing motion, he pulled it with him propelling it towards the small pool of water it have formed. "Arrgh!" Kyle screamed when the Snake''s fangs bit into his arm... It was expected, he had asked for it by attempting to hurdle a snake. [HP: 65/74] He managed to reach the water pool, activating Lightning Dash to propell his way backwards. "Water st!" L called out to the spot Kyle was , helping out Kyle even more by adding more water on herpanion. Kyle activated an amplifying Rune and casted the spell of the asion. "Lightning Bolt!" The bolt of lightning left wildly in blinding speed, hitting the snake directly. It didn''t just stop there though, as it was conducted easily by the water pool, spreading violently against the Serpent. The snake hissed in pain as it was assaulted by an almost unending arc of lightning. "I forfeit!" L''s voice echoed within the Arena as she screamed in fear. She was scared of what would happen to herpanion if the match was to continue. Luckily for her, the referee waved its hand around the serpent, prompting its anguish to be over. The lightning was gone. Kyle smirked at his brilliant win, directing his gaze to the twopanions that currently cuddled each other. "Match over! Kyle wins by forfeit!" Kyle smirked as he heard the announcement. The match had gone exactly as he nned, a brilliant victory without much effort. He turned away from L and her serpent, who now coiled in defeat. There was no need to celebrate. He had one more fight left for the day. As Kyle walked off the tform, he felt a sharp sting in his arm where the serpent had bitten him. The wound wasn''t deep, but it throbbed painfully. He flexed his fingers to shake off the difort, but he knew better than to ignore it. He had more fights ahead, and any injury, no matter how small, could affect his performance. Making his way toward the infirmary, Kyle passed by other fighters, some limping, others had bruises. The coliseum''s healing area was bustling with injured students from the day''s battles, each waiting for their turn with the healers. He entered the room, the air cooler and quieter than the chaotic arena outside. The soft glow of Light magic filled the space as the staff worked diligently to tend to the injured fighters. A few beds lined the walls, upied by students resting after grueling matches. A healer approached Kyle, a young woman with short blonde hair and a gentle smile. "Let me take care of that for you," she said, gesturing to his arm. Kyle nodded, sitting on one of the empty beds. He watched as she ced her hands over his wound, her fingers glowing with a soft, golden light. The warmth spread through his arm, soothing the pain instantly. It wasn''t just the wound that was healed; the fatigue in his muscles seemed to lessen slightly as well, though it didn''t replenish his stamina. The staff wasn''t permitted to restore energy¡ªit was up to the contestants to manage that themselves. The process was quick, efficient. In just a few moments, the bite mark waspletely gone, leaving behind only smooth skin. Kyle flexed his arm, satisfied with the result. [HP: 74/74] "You''re good to go," the healer said, giving him a nod. "Just take it easy." Kyle offered a brief thanks before leaving the infirmary. He still had plenty of energy left, more than enough for the final match of the day. As he walked back toward the arena, his mind was already racing through strategies for his next opponent. L had been tough, but the serpent''s water element had given him the advantage. He''d need to approach this next fight with the same level of caution and precision. The board shed his name once again. It was time. His opponent this time was Rnd, a fellow Rune Maker with the air element. Kyle had seen him fight before¡ªRnd was fast, using wind runes to enhance his movement and strikes. Unlike most Rune Makers who relied heavily on magic, Rnd incorporated physicalbat into his style, making him a versatile and unpredictable fighter. Kyle stepped onto the tform, his eyes meeting Rnd''s across the arena. The air around Rnd shimmered as wind swirled at his feet, already boosting his speed. This would be a challenge. "Begin!" "Wind dash!" The moment the match started, Rnd summoned a spell, dashing forward, his body blurred as he moved with unnatural speed. Kyle immediately activated Lightning Dash, his own body crackling with electricity as he dodged Rnd''s opening strike. The two of them exchanged blows in rapid session, neither gaining the upper hand. Rnd was fast¡ªfaster than L''s serpent. His air-enhanced strikes came at Kyle from every angle, forcing him to stay on the defensive. Kyle blocked and parried, his movements precise and calcted. He couldn''t afford to waste mana too early in the fight. Chapter 74: Tagging Along Rnd kept on moving with ferocity, as if he couldn''t waste a second without attacking. This made Kyle to notice something Rnd. He was already showing signs of fatigue. His mana reserves must''ve been low, yet he was fighting as if he had an endless well of power. ''I see... He wants to go all out from the start,'' Kyle pondered. ''Well, it won''t work against me.'' Kyle activated a rune, boosting his movement speed. With the added speed, he started to maneuver through Rnd''s increasingly desperate attacks. After a few more exchanges, it became clear¡ªRnd had run out of mana. His movements were sluggish, and his breathing was ragged. The match was practically over. "You should resign," Kyle offered with a serious tone. Without mana, there as no how he could fight against him. "No. I refuse to backdown!" Rnd said with determination etched on his face, shaking his head. *Sigh* "Suit yourself." Kyle crossed his hands over his chest and waited for what Rnd would attempt. In a rush of anxious movements, Rnd released some runes from his pouch, activating them almost simultaneously. Kyle on seeing the iing runes, recognized them already. ''That one''s a rune, modelled after [Quake], the other''s a fire damage rune, while thest is for an earthquake,'' Kyle analyzed the runes. ''It''s great fighting a fellow rune maker... To avoid all these effects, I just need to leave the range of those runes and not returning to that spot.'' Kyle proceeded to activate Lightning Dash, giving himself some distance from the spells. He didn''t just stop there, activating his own [Quake] rune and engulfing the area Rnd stood. He managed to react quickly, identifying the activated rune and giving some distance. Kyle smiled, observing that Rnd had acted ording to his n. He just needed him to move away from his trap radius, and now he had done this... It was time to end it! "Lightning Dash!" Lightning particles oozed out of his body and he zipped towards Rnd. He could do nothing but watch as Kyle approached him and struck him with Lightning Bolt at point nk range. The rest was history. The match was over. Kyle had won hisst battle. Kyle stood over his fallen opponent, breathing heavily. The urge to reach out and help him up crossed his mind for a split second, but his eyes darted to the attendants already making their way over. He thought better of it, letting his hand fall back to his side. "It''s not my job," he muttered to himself. Turning away from the scene, he felt the weight of thepetition closing in. "We''re down to eight already," Kyle murmured as he walked out of the arena. "Everything''s moving too fast." His gaze shifted towards the remaining fighters on the field. With the quarterfinals approaching, he couldn''t help but wonder how his friends were holding up. ''I wonder if they made the cut,'' he mused, moving toward the stands where the rest of the matches were taking ce. By the time Kyle reached the stands, most of the remaining matches had already concluded. To no one''s surprise, every name he had expected showed up on the screen of qualifiers: Ann, Zack, Milo, Riya, Orion, and, to his astonishment, Lora. His eyebrows furrowed as he considered Lora''s presence. ''Lora? Really? I thought she was out by now¡­'' Kyle shook his head. ''Well, she must have gotten lucky. Good for her.'' As the contestants gathered after all the fights reached its conclusion. Instructor Dan made his way to the center of the coliseum, standing tall before the remaining eight fighters. His booming voice echoed throughout the grounds, drawing the attention of everyone. "Congrattions. You''ve made it through some tough battles to get here, and now you''re the final eight. But the hardest part is still ahead. Tomorrow, you''ll be facing your biggest challenge yet. The quarterfinals are where we separate the contenders from the champions." Dan directed his gaze to the small group before him and he added: "Your next matchups will be posted shortly, but keep in mind: You''ve done well bying this far already, so don''t feel bad if you lose from this point¡ªthere''s no shame losing if you gave it your all." "Ha!" Kyleughed lightly. "Those words are for losers... I''m winning this." "Rest up tonight, because tomorrow, the real test begins." Dan gestured to the board where the matchups for the next round were being revealed and Kyle''s eyes instinctively darted toward the list. ''Let''s see who I send home.'' .Kyle vs Zack .Orion vs Milo .Riya vs Ann .Lora vs Jacob Kyle smiled when he saw his name paired with Zack. ''So, I''m up against Zack¡­ That''s gonna be interesting.'' He couldn''t help but feel sad when he thought: ''I would have loved to face off Milo. He''s been getting too corky as ofte... Well, Orion should do the job.'' Milo versus Orion was going to be an interesting match up. He was rooting for Orion to win though, but it won''t be an easy match. And Riya? Well, Kyle knew her well enough to understand that Ann stood no chance. Riya was a force of nature, confident and determined. Ann might be strong, but Kyle could see Riyaing out on top of this duel. Then there was Lora. He had no clue about who this Jacob guy was, so he couldn''t say anything about it. ''Enough analyzing... We''ll see tomorrow.'' Dan soon dismissed them but Kyle stayed for a moment, watching as the remaining spectators filed out of the coliseum. Hee spotted the quarter finalists near the entrance. Riya, Zack, Milo, Orion, Lora, and Jacob¡ªall of them buzzing with excitement from their victories. Ann, ever the silent one, had already left without a word, much to no one''s surprise. "Well, look who we have here," Zack called out, waving Kyle over. "The man who''s about to be my punching bag tomorrow!" Kyleughed inwardly, shaking his head as he approached. "We''ll see about that." "You''re all gonna need to be more than ready," Riya interjected, crossing her arms with a smirk. "I''m aiming for the top, and that means all of you are in my way. Especially you, Anne." She paused, looking around. "Oh, wait¡­ she''s gone already." "Left without a sound," Milo muttered, leaning casually against the wall. "That girl''s more mysterious than a forbidden spell scroll. Kyle shrugged, not surprised of Anne leaving. "Either way, Riya, don''t get too cocky. Ann''s no pushover." Riya scoffed. "Please. By tomorrow, she''ll be wishing she hadn''t qualified." "Speaking of qualifications," Orion came in, adjusting his sses. "If we statistically analyze the current matchups based on prior performance and projected oues, the probability of my victory against Milo exceeds 55%. Of course, this doesn''t factor in Milo''s random outbursts of brute force." Milo rolled his eyes. "You''re gonna need more than numbers and fancy words to win, Orion." "I''d argue that numbers are the foundation of every victory," Orion shot back. "After all, how do you think we measure skill? Data doesn''t lie. But don''t worry, I''ll let you figure that out tomorrow¡ªwhen I crush you." Zackughed, giving Milo a yful shove. "Better watch out, man. Orion''s got the numbers on his side." Kyle raised an eyebrow, enjoying the banter. "Let''s not get ahead of ourselves. You''ve still got to actually fight." "Don''t worry, Kyle," Lora said, she had been talking more often from hanging out with them but her voice was still softer than usual. "I won''t go easy on Jacob either. If I made it this far, I might as well win it." Jacobughed, giving her a nod of approval. "That''s the spirit! But I''m not going easy on you just because you''re the underdog." Kyle was about to respond when his stomach growled loudly, interrupting the conversation. He suddenly remember he hadn''t eaten much since the morning. "Alright, I need to head to the cafeteria and grab something before I copse from hunger." Riya''s ears perked up immediately. "You''re heading to the cafeteria? Perfect! I''m starving." Zack''s eyes lit up, and he grinned. "You know what? Me too! Guess we''re all tagging along." Kyle turned to face them, holding up his hands in protest. "Wait, I didn''t say I was paying for anyone!" "Sure you did," Riya teased, hooking her arm around Kyle''s shoulder. "It''s the least you can do after we''ve all made it this far." The rest of the group quickly joined in,ughing and throwing more yful threats Kyle''s way. "I mean,e on, Kyle," Zack said, crossing an arm over his other shoulder. "We deserve a little reward for making it to the quarterfinals." "You''re all forcing me into this, aren''t you?" "You could always try running," Milo joked, though there was a mischievous shine on his eye that made it clear he''d give chase if Kyle tried. Kyle finally sighed in defeat, his voice filled with resignation. "Fine, fine. Let''s go." Chapter 75: The Quarterfinals The group let out a cheer, and together they made their way to the cafeteria. Once inside, Kyle ordered enough food to satisfy not only himself, but the appetites of his so-called friends. The trays were piled high with a mix of roasted meats, savory stews, and fresh bread. Riya snatched up her te first, beaming at the spread. "You''re the best, Kyle. See? This is why we keep you around," she teased. Zack took his food with a grin, leaning in to whisper dramatically, "He''s secretly loaded. That''s why." Kyle rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Don''t get used to this." They all sat around one of therge tables, the chatter and tter of cutlery filling the space as they dug into their meals. The mood lightened even further as they recounted their fights, each of them eager to one-up the other with their stories. "Did you see how close thatst punch was?" Zack said, pointing a fork at Kyle. "I swear, if I''d been even a second slower, I''d be eating through a straw right now." "You mean if your opponent had been any faster," Kyle shot back, earning a round ofughter. Orion, between bites, raised an eyebrow at Zack. "As a matter of fact, the academy medics are more than capable enough to heal your presumed fracture. You were never in any real danger." Zack shook his head and chuckled. "Man, you take the fun out of everything." Riya leaned back in her chair, stretchingzily. "Well, I''m just d we made it this far. Tomorrow''s going to be insane, but right now? This food is all I care about." Lora, sitting quietly beside them, smiled as she nibbled on her food. "It''s nice to have a moment to breathe. Tomorrow will be tough, but we''ll figure it out." After a while, their tes were empty, and the group''sughter had turned to contented silence. One by one, they began to rise, muttering about heading back to their rooms. "Well," Kyle said, standing up with a stretch. "This has been fun, but this is where I call it a night." The group waved goodbye as they headed toward their houes. Kyle smiled as he watched them go before turning to the cafeteria counter to buy the extra food for Void. He grabbed a hefty amount for Void, not skimping on anything. ''Void''s gonna need all the energy he can get to keep cultivating,'' he thought, knowing his little dragon was growing stronger by the day. Kyle let his thoughts wander as he walked towards his house with the food in a bag. He wondered how Void was doing back in his room. ''Probably sleeping,'' Kyle mused, then quickly corrected himself. ''Nah, knowing him, he''s probably cultivating right now. I shouldn''t underestimate that little guy.'' The memory of Void''s long cultivation session that had seen him level up twice was still fresh in his mind. He soon reached home after a while, upon opening the door to his room, his suspicions were confirmed. The food he had left for Void earlier waspletely gone, not even a crumb remaining. But Void sat still in the corner of the room, a serious, almost regal expression on his face. The tiny dragon waspletely absorbed in his cultivation, the air around him humming with mana. Kyle ced the food down softly, careful not to disturb Void''s focus. He couldn''t help but chuckle. ''Still going, huh? Guess I''ll leave you to it, then.'' Kyle quickly freshened up before setting up his Rune-making equipment on the desk. He pulled out a few nk cut up runic papers and began to work, etching symbols with precision. He did that for a long time, before eventually drifting off to sleep. When morning came, Kyle opened his eyes and immediately checked on Void. As expected, the little dragon was still deep in cultivation, his food fromst night untouched. Kyle rubbed his eyes, surprised. "You''re something else, aren''t you?" he muttered to himself. He stretched before heading to the bathroom to take a quick shower. After freshening up, Kyle took some to cultivate,pleting his daily quest as a result. Immediately he was through with his short cultivation session, Kyle nced over at Void onest time. "Make sure to eat something, alright? You can''t cultivate on an empty stomach forever." His remainder failed to leave an impact, as Void remained fixed to the spot¡ªcultivating. Find more chapters on m_v l|e-NovelBin Kyle knew better than to bother. He knew Void well enough to handle the food when he gets hungry. Kyle left the house to the coliseum, stopping by the cafeteria to grab a quick, light breakfast. Upon entering the coliseum, he noticed the distinct change in atmosphere from the earlier days of thepetion. There were fewerpetitors now, and the crowd had grownrger, made up mostly of those who had already been disqualified along with spectators eager to see the final battles. More and more people kept filing in as time passed. Kyle found his ce among the other contestants just as Instructor Dan stepped forward to address the group. With his usual warm smile, he swept his gaze across the remaining fighters. "Congrattions, all of you," he told them once again. "You''ve made it this far, which is no small feat. The battles you''ve fought have tested your skills as well as your endurance, which have proven you worthy to stand here as thest eight." He paused for a while before continuing. "Today, only two will remain standing. The rest of you will have given it your all, but only the strongest and the most prepared, will make it to the finals." Dan pped his hands together, signaling the start of the day''s events. "Without wasting time. May the quarter-finals begin! Good luck to you all." Without further ado, the first group of matches were called, and the day was to begin in earnest. The crowd that had gathered erupted into cheers as the matches were called to begin. With that, Kyle, Zack, and Terra stepped into thier arena. Chapter 76: Kyle Vs Zack (1) The usual magical barrier shimmered to life around them and sealed them in. "Ladies and Gentlemen, today we have a fierce lineup! Representing Rune Making, we have Kyle of Lightning Affinity! Enjoy exclusive chapters from m-v l''e-NovelBin And facing off against him is Zack from Beast Taming, apanied by hispanion, Terra!" "Let the match... begin!" They didn''t begin fighting immediately, silence hung in the air as they stared at each other. For a moment, everyone thought they weren''t going to fight, until Zack spoke up, stretching his hand forward. "May the best man win." Kyle''s hands met his and they both nodded, before giving each other some distance. Everyone could sense it¡ªthe fight had begun! Zack made the first move, stamping his feet on the ground while beckoning hispanion to do the same. "Mud Wall!" Thick walls of earth erupted around the arena, one by one. It didn''t take Kyle long to figure out what his n was. Zack was trying to box him in¡ªthe moment this happened, the match was as good as over. This was one of his signature moves and he used it so early in the fight, to catch Kyle unaware. ''Fat chance.'' Kyle never nned to let that happen. "Lightning Dash!" With a burst of speed, he shot forward, his body moving faster than Zack could track. It wasn''t easy for him, as Terra kept sprouting more mud walls. That was another advantage of Zack''s box move. It could make one have second thoughts on whether to use a movement boost spell, as a collision at that speed with a mud wall could see a match being over. Kyle had to be careful not to collide with any wall, timing his speed to adjust if anyone popped into his view¡ªhe could do this thanks to his experience with this spell. "Not bad, Kyle... I see you''re not only good with your katana." Zack said with his usual grin, seeing how easily Kyle was dodging the walls, he couldn''t keep them up forever so he had to do something quick. "Quake!" The ground beneath Kyle trembled violently, throwing off his bnce. He stumbled, barely managing to catch and avoid a wall as the ground around him rumbled. Zack''s control over the earth was frighteningly precise, luckily he had managed to avoid all the walls sessfully and they were all fading away already. Kyle gritted his teeth. He had to attack now, he couldn''t let Zack get the upper hand. Lightning crackled at his fingertips as he prepared his next move. "Lightning Bolt!" A sharp arc of electricity shot through the air, aimed directly at Zack. But before it could reach him, Terra lumbered into the path, its shell absorbing the hit with ease. Zack''s pet was as much a shield as it was a weapon. ''Damn, these beast tamers... They''re a massive cheat!'' He had gotten rid of all his thoughts on all electives being equally strong. The beast tamers were far too strong at this level. He hadn''t realized this sooner because none of the beast tamers he had fought so far could amount to Zack''s level. He realized that Zack''s im of dominating all his matches was true. Kyle felt like he was fighting 1 versus 2, thetter featuring a stronger opponent. That was illegal! "Nice try!" Zack called, directing Terra forward. The massive creature charged, its heavy footsteps shaking the ground with each step. Kyle could feel the raw power in Terra''s movements, and he knew he couldn''t take it head-on. Not fast enough, Kyle muttered under his breath, dashing sideways just as Terra brought down its tail where Kyle had been standing moments before, leaving dust in its wake. Zack followed up with another Mud Wall, trapping Kyle from the back. Kyle skidded to a stop, his back against the wall. "Nowhere to run!" Zack shouted, and Terra raised its forelimbs for a crushing blow. But Kyle wasn''t trapped... Not even close. With a grin of his own, he thrust his hand to the wall behind him, using the runes he''d prepared earlier. They glowed faintly, and in an instant, the wall shattered into pieces, freeing him from Zack''s earth prison. He shot forward, faster this time, his body coursing with electric energy. "Lightning Dash!" Zack cursed, unable to react in time as Kyle closed the gap. He aimed a punch at Zack''s side,nding a solid hit that sent his friend stumbling. But Zack wasn''t finished. "Terra! Quake!" The ground shook violently again, and this time, Kyle wasn''t ready for it. He was thrown off bnce, and just before he could recover, Terra was already on him, swinging its massive arm. Kyle barely managed to roll out of the way, the creature''s fist smashing into the ground where he had been. Kyle''s heart raced. This battle was turning out to be even more intense than he had imagined. He''d have to try harder if he ever wanted toe out on top. Zack wiped the sweat from his brow, grinning through the exhaustion. "Come on Kyle, is this all you got?" "Hell, no!" Kyle replied, his body crackling with renewed energy as he prepared for the next round. Kyle narrowed his eyes, feeling the sparks dance along his skin. He needed to outmaneuver both Zack and Terra if he had any chance of victory. Zack''s control over the battlefield was impressive, but Kyle had one advantage¡ªhe was unpredictable. "Alright, Zack," Kyle muttered to himself. "Time to switch it up." He summoned his lightning again, this time with more focus. "Lightning Bolt!" The arc of electricity shot out, but this time it wasn''t aimed at Zack. Instead, it struck the ground just in front of Terra, creating a blinding sh that disoriented the massive beast. Terra roared in frustration, losing its sense of direction for a moment. Kyle seized the opportunity, dashing forward with [Lightning Dash]. The speed of his movement left a trail of crackling energy as he zipped, and before Terra or Zack could recover, Kyle was behind them. His body was brimming with energy, and his mana kept surging. ''Time to end this!'' Kyle thought, charging up a [Lightning Bolt] the moment he neared them. Suddenly, the whole crowd became silent as they struggled to grasp how quickly the tide has changed. All that could be heard in the Arena was Zack''s voice that echoed within it.. "Not bad!" Zack grinned, turning around to face the frozen Kyle. "But you''ll have to do better than this to defeat me." Chapter 77: Kyle Vs Zack (2) Kyle nced down at his feet, it had suddenly stopped and his legs were unable to budge. "Mud Trap..." he muttered, recognizing the technique immediately. But this one was different¡ªit was stronger than any he''d encountered before. Terra and Zack must havebined their mana into a single, potent trap. They had been nning for this, patiently waiting for him to get close. And now, he had walked straight into it. He gritted his teeth, trying to summon another [Lightning Bolt], but before he could release it, a thick [Mud Wall] shot up, blocking his attackpletely. Terra and Zack were on the other side, which was exactly what he wanted. He would be finished if they could act on him in his situation. He activated [Lightning Dash] again almost immediately and tried to zip out of the hardened mud. "Damn it!" Kyle cursed under his breath after his n failed. ''Okay, I can''t force my way out. But I can...'' His mind was racing and he eventually thought of a solution. There was a certain rune he could use and Kyle didn''t hesitate, reaching into his pouch, he pulled out a rune that made him grateful he crafted it. It was a simple but effective one: [Dispel]. It was a rune that could siphon mana out of a spell, although it took time to do so. With one hand, he quickly pressed it into the mud around his legs and channeled a burst of his mana into it. The rune glowed briefly before it slowly began doing its job. "From the rate the mana''s being dispelled, it''ll take about 45 seconds before it''s through," Kyle calcted, his thoughts racing. "I can''t afford to wait 45 seconds." His heart pounded as his eyes darted toward the mud wall, wary of the moment Zack would charge in. But there was nothing¡ªno movement yet. Kyle''s mind raced. Why hadn''t Zack taken the opportunity to finish him? "Oh," Kyle realized. "I left Terra blind. He must be waiting for her sight to return." His eyes narrowed. "Why can''t he juste at me alone? I''m trapped, so he should be able to handle me... unless¡ªhe''s out of mana!" Kyle''s lips curled into a grin, confidence surging. "I''m so going to defeat him if I get out before hees." He nced at the rune one more time, confirming it was still doing its job, its faint glow providing him hope. "Almost there¡­ just hold on." *** Zack paced nervously around the blinded Terra lying on the arena floor, weighing his options. His face, usually full of humor, was clouded with a rare seriousness that felt out of ce with demeanor. "I''m out of mana and Terra''s still blind... should I just call it quits?" Twack! He pped the side of his head hard. "No. I can''t quit. Not aftering this far." He had burned through his mana recklessly, pushing Kyle into a corner, giving him a fight that few could handle. But unluckily, the decisive blow never came, and now the momentum was slipping away. Zack had hoped hisst-ditch trap would hold Kyle long enough¡ªbut Terra''s blindness was stalling his victory. "The spell shouldst 60 seconds," Zack calcted, breathing heavily. "Terra''s eyes will be fine before then." A smile crept back onto his face as he envisioned hiseback. BOOM! Debris erupted from the mud wall in a loud explosion, chunks of earth flying everywhere. Zack''s smile froze when he directed his gaze to the previous erected wall, his eyes was widened in shock. "Oh shit..." he muttered, watching the wall copse in on itself. Kyle stepped out from behind the wreckage, his posture confident, eyes cold and calcting as they locked onto Zack''s. Zack had clearly underestimated just how quickly Kyle could turn the tables¡ªand now, his chances of winning were slipping through his fingers. "Nice trap," Kyle called out, a confident grin spreading across his face. "But you''ll need more than that to stop me." Zack raised an eyebrow, not fazed in an attempt to look confident¡ªhe couldn''t let Kyle sense his weakness. "Oh. I like a challenge. Let''s see what else you''ve got." Kyle''s fingers crackled with energy as he prepared for the next round. Zack looked at hispanion that was already getting up¡ªthat was his only hope in this fight. With a grin, he screamed. "Terra! Mud wall!" This time, the wall rose wider and faster and Zack and Terra disappeared behind them. Kyle took a deep breath, steadying himself. He could feel the walls closing in, but Kyle wasn''t out of options. He pressed his hand to the wall. The runes he had etched earlier began to glow faintly as he infused them with his mana. In a sh, the wall exploded outward, chunks of earth scattering across the arena. He dashed through the opening, just in time to see Terra charging toward him again. Kyle''s mind raced. Terra''s sheer strength was its biggest asset, but Kyle knew he had to exploit its sluggishness. Kyle stretched out his hand and summoned another rune mid-air, sending a [Lightning Bolt] directly at Terra. The beast absorbed the hit again, its stone body showing little signs of damage, but Kyle wasn''t aiming to hurt it. The impact was enough to disrupt its forward momentum, causing Terra to stumble. Seizing his chance, Kyle leapt onto Terra''s back, lightning sparking at his fingertips as he summoned his energy once more. Terra roared in anger, thrashing wildly, but Kyle clung on, using his enhanced speed and agility to stay atop the massive creature. "Zack!" Kyle called, his voice echoing across the arena. "Looks like your pet''s a little slow today!" Zack grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "You''re gonna regret that, Kyle! Terra! Quake!" The ground beneath them rumbled violently again, but this time Kyle was prepared. As Terra''s powerful quake began to disrupt the arena floor, Kyle leapt off the beast, using his momentum to propel himself into the air. Lightning surged through his body, and with a crack of thunder, he shot forward, racing straight toward Zack. Zack raised his arms defensively, but Kyle was too fast. In the blink of an eye, Kyle was in front of him, delivering a powerful punch charged with lightning energy. The force of the blow sent Zack stumbling backward, struggling to regain his bnce. Panting, Zack nced over at Terra, who was still recovering from its disorientation. "You''re good, Kyle," Zack said between breaths. "But we''re not done yet." Kyle grinned. "I wouldn''t expect anything less." Terra roared again, recovering its bnce and charging toward Kyle with renewed fury. Kyle''s heart raced¡ªhe could feel the intensity of the battle building. This was it. He had to finish this, and fast. Kyle leapt back, giving himself some space as he prepared his next move. He knew Zack would keep using Terra as a shield, and with theirbined power, he couldn''t afford to be reckless. But Kyle had onest trick up his sleeve. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small rune he had prepared earlier. It glowed faintly in his palm as he infused it with mana. "Let''s see how you handle this," Kyle muttered, tossing the rune toward Zack and Terra. As soon as the rune hit the ground, it erupted in a burst of electricity, forming a temporary barrier of lightning between Kyle and his opponents¡ªthe barrier wouldst for 3 seconds and that more than enough for Kyle. The barrier crackled with energy, preventing Terra from charging forward and giving Kyle the time he needed. Kyle summoned alot of mana , feeling the energy surge through him. "Lightning Dash!" In a blur of movement, Kyle shot forward, bypassing Terra entirely and heading straight for Zack. Zack''s eyes widened in surprise, but he didn''t have time to react. Kyle closed the distance in an instant,nding a powerful blow to Zack''s chest. The impact sent Zack flying backward, crashing into the ground with a grunt. He tried to stand, but the force of Kyle''s attack had left him winded. Breathing heavily, Kyle stood over Zack, his lightning still crackling faintly around him. The spectators were on their feet, cheering wildly as the match had reached its climax. Zacky on the ground for a moment before chuckling softly. He nced at Terra and could sense she had exhausted her mana too¡ªthere was really no fight they could produce against Kyle at this point. He knew it was over. "Alright, alright. You got me," he said, raising a hand in surrender. "I''m down." Kyle offered Zack a hand, helping him to his feet. "That was one hell of a match," Kyle said with a wide smile. Zack grinned, wiping the sweat from his brow, an evidence of how exhausted he was. "Yeah, you too, man. You earned that win." The crowd roared in approval as the announcer stepped forward, raising his hand. "And the winner is¡­ Kyle!" Kyle smiled, breathing a sigh of relief as the tension in his body began to fade. He had won, but it had been a close call. Zack had pushed him harder than anyone so far, and he knew the next battle might be even tougher. As the crowd continued to cheer, Kyle nced over at Zack and Terra. Zack''s grin was wide, and despite the loss, he seemed genuinely happy for Kyle. "Well," Zack said, pping Kyle on the shoulder. "You better win this whole thing now. I didn''t get knocked out for nothing." Kyleughed and said with a proud expression. "You bet I will!" Chapter 78: No Blitz Kyle walked out of the arena floor, making his way to the spectator stands. He could have 3 hours before his next match, more than enough to fully recover, unlike yesterday''s thirty minutes. It was all determined by who finished first because that was when the 3-hour countdown would begin. Kyle inwardly hoped that Milo and Orion were still fighting as that was where his next opponent woulde from per the future screen. Upon observing the matches, he found out that they were still fighting. Sure enough, after over 30 minutes of intense back-and-forth between the two, Milo managed to im victory. But it hadn''t been easy for him. Kyle noticed the Blitz limping off to the side. Milo''spanion had taken a nasty hit, and even though the medics healed him immediately, the injury was too severe for Blitz to continue. The medics were restricted in how much they could heal the contestants. Some wounds were left untreated to force them to drop out and visit the general academy infirmary. Milo''s expression looked devoid of any emotion, but one could see the sorrow and frustration if they looked at him closely. Kyle on the other hand equally felt sad for him, but a greater share of relief. Milo might have won, but without Blitz, Kyle''s battle against him would be an easy one. ''Hopefully, he saves himself the additional stress and drops out.'' Kyle directed his gaze to where Riya and Lora sat. He was disappointed he had missed Lora''s victory over Jacob, who he hadter found out to be a dual-elementalist of fire and water. Still, he had watched Riya''s match with Anne, where Riya had shown incredible grit and determination, oveing her opponent in a hard-fought battle. Both of his friends had made it through, and that gave him a small sense of satisfaction... Now, it was all about who would fight him between Riya and Lora. ''It would obviously be Riya,'' Kyle concluded without much pondering. Kyle knew how determined Riya was and didn''t think Lora would be able to put up a fight against her. Before he knew it, his rest time was over. Kyle stood up, feeling refreshed and anew once again and ready to go for round two. He made his way to the arena and spotted Milo on the other side. The boy looked frustrated, and his eyes locked into Kyle in great anger. ''Chill, man... It''s not my fault you''re handicapped,'' Kyle wanted to say but held back his thoughts. He might have lost hispanion, but Kyle wasn''t going to underestimate him, after all a wounded lion was always the strongest of all. Despite Milo''s fatigue, he knew that he would push himself to the limit, and that meant he had to be sharp. As they both stepped into their respective starting positions, the arena went quiet for a brief moment. The atmosphere thickened with anticipation as the referee raised his hand. "Begin!" Milo wasted no time. With a surge of mana, heunched himself forward using [Lightning Dash], his body bing a blur of crackling electricity. Kyle instinctively equally dashed to the side, narrowly avoiding the first attack as Milo came crashing down where he had been standing moments before. Kyle was still surprised by Milo''s agility, even with all his stat points, Milo was somehow able to keep up with him. "This is going to be fun," Kyle remarked, loud enough to Milo''s hearing. Milo didn''t speak. Instead, he responded by firing a quick [Lightning Bolt], the arc of electricity zipping toward Kyle with blinding speed. Kyle raised his arm and released his own [Lightning Bolt], the two spells colliding in midair with a deafening crack. The explosion of light and sound sent ripples of energy through the arena, but Kyle was already on the move. He shot forward using [Lightning Dash], closing the distance between them in an instant. Milo barely had time to react before Kyle was upon him, delivering a sharp punch to his midsection, charged with the residual electricity from his dash. The force of the blow sent Milo stumbling backward, gritting his teeth in pain, but he didn''t falter. With a quick recovery, Milo retaliated, swinging his arm forward and casting another [Lightning Bolt] at point-nk range. The bolt mmed into Kyle, sending a jolt of electricity surging through his body. [HP: 64/76] Kyle grunted as the shockwave pushed him back. It was painful... But he wasn''t out yet. "Is that all you got?" Milo''s brow furrowed in frustration, but he kept hisposure,unching into another [Lightning Dash] to try and keep Kyle on the defensive. Kyle dodged, narrowly evading a strike, and countered with a rune he had been charging in his hand. With a quick toss, the rune hit the ground, forming cracks in the earth that shook Milo''s bnce. Taking advantage of the opening, Kyle charged up a [Lightning Bolt] and hurled it at Milo''s back. The spell hit its mark, sending Milo sprawling to the ground, electricity crackling across his body as he groaned in pain. Kyle took his chance, moving in quickly, he delivered a quick kick to Milo''s side and pushed him further across the arena floor. Milo coughed, pushing himself to his knees. There was still a spark in his eyes, evident of his unwavering determination. Kyle shook his head, admiring Milo''s resilience. "I told you to drop out, didn''t I?" he said, his tone almost mocking. But deep down, he respected Milo''s spirit. "The point of this tournament is to fight using the different boons of your electives and you''re nning on beating me raw." "Like hell I will!" Milo growled, summoning thest of his mana reserves. He stood up shakily andunched into one final desperate attack, casting [Lightning Bolt] after [Lightning Bolt] in rapid session. The air was filled with the crackle of electricity as the bolts shot toward Kyle one after another, but Kyle dodged them with ease, each movement precise and controlled. Milo''s attacks grew sloppier and his mana was nearly depleted already. Sweat kept pouring down from his face and his breath came in short gasps. Kyle could see that Milo was already nearing his limit. With a calm breath, Kyle decided it was time to end this. He activated an amplification rune before gathering his mana on one hand, preparing his final move. Milo was still struggling to catch his breath when Kyle unleashed [Lightning Dash], closing the distance between them in a blink. As he appeared right in front of Milo, he mmed his fist into Milo''s chest, the force of the blow amplified by the rune he had activated. The impact was devastating. Milo''s eyes widened in shock as he wasunched backward, his body tumbling across the arena floor until he finally came to a stop, unmoving. For a moment, the arena was silent, the tension thick in the air. Then, slowly, Milo pushed himself up onto his hands and knees, panting heavily. But it was over. He had no mana left, and his body was too battered to continue. With a resigned sigh, Milo looked up at the referee and gave a small nod. With that, the referee raised his hand, signaling the end of the match. "And the winner is¡­ Kyle!" Chapter 79: Prelude To The Finals (Edited) The crowd erupted into wild cheers, their voices echoing through the arena as Kyle stood tall, the crackling remnants of his lightning still flickering around him. He turned to Milo, who was being helped up by the medics, and offered a small nod of respect. Milo nced back at him. His face was a mixture of anger and frustration. He didn''t say a word as he was led off the field, but Kyle could tell Milo wasn''t going to forget this fight anytime soon. Kyle stepped out of the arena feeling very happy. He had won another match and had made it to the Finals. Now it was either Lora or Riya that was left for him to win. ''I wonder who made it!'' Once he reached the stands, Kyle sat among the spectators, finding a good spot to watch the match. He was alreadyte when he came as the match had ended and the winner was determined already. "And the winner is... Lora!" Lora had won! The fight had ended in a simr fashion to Kyle''s. Riyaid on the ground, her body filled with frustration while Lora stood victorious, her hand raised high by the referee. ''I guess it''s Lora in the finals to tomorrow,'' Kyle concluded, anticipating the match already. After confirming the results, Kyle decided to head home. He took a small detour to the mall to purchase something, before buying his usual takeouts meals from the cafeteria. ''I hope he''s still not cultivating,'' Kyle thought as he walked into the door of his house. Explore more stories with m,v l''e-NovelBin Yes, he admired Void''s determination or rather greed, but he couldn''t afford him still cultivating by now. ''I''ll have to stop him if he is,'' Kyle decided as he entered his room. What greeted him was the curled up small dragon on the bed, soundly at sleep. Its chest rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm. Kyle couldn''t help but sigh in relief. He was happy Void was resting... ''Such a smart dragon.'' He set the food down and took a quick bath, scrubbing away the sweat of the day. Once clean, he sat at his desk and began working on his runes. The grind was familiar¡ªcarefully etching each line and making sure the patterns were perfect. Hours passed as Kyle immersed himself in the work, the world outside temporarily forgotten from him. When the time was a little past 8 PM, a rustling sound came from the bed. Kyle nced over to see Void stretching and yawning. The dragon''s bright eyes focused on Kyle, curious as ever. "I made it to the finals today," Kyle said casually, expecting some kind of celebratory outburst from Void. But Void simply blinked, tilting his head. "We''ll celebrate when you win," the dragon replied in a matter-of-fact tone. "No need for that now." Kyle chuckled, a bit surprised. Void wasn''t wrong¡ªthere was still one more fight to go. "Fair enough," he said. "Still, I could use some motivation." Void considered Kyle''s words for a moment. "Do you want me toe tomorrow?" Kyle raised an eyebrow at the question. "You''re actually thinking about it?" Void paused, going deep into thought. It was clear that the dragon took the question seriously, weighing his options. The faster he got to level 10, the faster his rewards woulde... He couldn''t afford to waste time like this... These were his thoughts process as he contemted on the matter, but just before he could disagree, Kyle''s voice snapped him out. "Juste. It''ll be fun." With that, Kyle rummaged through his belongings and pulled out a mana core. Void''s eyes widened, but to Kyle''s surprise, the dragon didn''t leap at it immediately like before. Instead, Void approached with an almost regal air, looking at Kyle, he asked, "Is this mine?" Kyle grinned. "Yup, it''s yours." Void eyes widened for a moment and just before be could grab the core, he muttered, "Thank you." He carefully took the core into his ws and with a single movement threw it into his mouth and chewed it. Kyle watched, amused by Void''s sudden show of manners. "Well, someone''s grown up." Satisfied that Void was taken care of, Kyle finished up his work and decided to call it a night. As hey down, exhaustion finally caught up with him, he felt a sense of calm settle over him as he was about to sleep. Tomorrow was the day¡ªhis chance to prove himself. But as sleep took him, Kyle could still sense Void in the corner of the room, steadily cultivating. The next day would bring the finals, and Kyle knew he had to be ready for whatever challenge awaited him. [BZZZ!] The rm sounded loudly in Kyle''s head, pulling him out of sleep. Kyle stirred up, directing his gaze to the little dragon curled up right beside him, fast asleep. Kyle smiled to himself¡ªVoid must have gotten tired afterst night''s cultivating. He carefully slid out of bed, doing his best not to wake the sleeping dragon. ''I''ll let you rest a bit longer,'' Kyle thought, heading out for a morning jog toplete his daily quest. [Daily Quest: Run 10 kilometers] [Reward: 1 STA point] As he stepped outside, the cool morning air hit him, invigorating his body. Kyle stretched briefly and then set off, pacing himself for his usual 10-kilometer run. [Congrattions! You havepleted your daily quest] [You have obtained 1 STA point] [STA: 51 >> 52] [Energy: 102 >> 104] [Time: 0:17:08] By the time he finished his run, he felt more alert and ready for the day. On his way back, Kyle picked up some food for himself and Void. Upon entering his house, he noticed Void was still sleeping peacefully, the small dragon now sprawled out across the bed. Kyle chuckled softly and set the food on the table. After a quick shower, Kyle dried himself off, preparing for the day ahead. When he returned to the room, he found Void awake, stretchingzily on the bed. They both had a quick bath together and began preparing for the tournament. As Kyle dressed, Void perched himself on the bed, watching intently. "You should take care of your skin better," he said after noticing that Kyle didn''t put on any lotion. "You''re about to be in the finals, after all." Kyle rolled his eyes as he pulled on his clothes. "No one''s going to care about my skin, Void. It''s a fight, not a fashion show." Void tilted his head in mock seriousness. "Every detail matters. You never know who''s watching." "You are sounding like a parent," Kyle shot back, but despite his words, he reluctantly reached for the lotion. They bantered lightly as he prepared, the back-and-forth making Kyle feel at ease, though he couldn''t help but feel Void was winning all their little argument. Once they were ready, Kyle and Void sat at the table to eat breakfast. . After breakfast, Kyle activated the system pet space, and Void vanished with a shimmer, settling into the space where he could continue showing his support. His voice echoed in Kyle''s mind as they prepared to head out. [Don''t forget, I expect a wless win today!] Kyle smiled. ''Don''t worry, I''m on it.'' Chapter 80: Kyle Vs Lora Together, they made their way to the coliseum. Upon arrival, Kyle could feel the energy in the air¡ªthis was the final day of the tournament, and the stands were already packed with spectators. At the center of the stage stood Instructor Dan, towering as always, his amplified in voice booming across the coliseum as he addressed the crowd. "Wee, everyone, to the final day of the tournament!" Dan began, his voice echoing powerfully. "Over the past days, we''ve witnessed talent like no other. From fierce battles to brilliant strategies, our students have proven their mettle in every way. Today, we see the best of the bestpete for the title of champion. Only two remain, and soon, we will know who stands above the rest." He paused before continuing: "In our final match, two exceptional Rune Makers will face each other in a battle of skill, magic, and runes. On one side, we have Kyle, whose prowess inbat has been nothing short of remarkable. And on the other¡ªLora, a master of advanced runes, whose tactical genius has brought her to this stage." Dan''s voice rang out again. "And now, without further dy¡ªlet the final match begin! Kyle versus Lora!" Kyle made his way to the center of the arena. He could hear his heart pounding. ''Why is it pounding?'' Kyle thought, before a certain thought surfaced on his mind. ''I''m not nervous, am I?'' He brushed all thoughts aside and tried to calm himself, stepping onto the arena. The main arena was made up of a vast, circr, sand floor, surrounded by a magical barrier to protect the audience from stray attacks. Kyle stood across from Lora in the arena. Her usual soft gaze was filled with determination, the shy girl he had known was reced by someone serious, someone ready for battle. Both of them were allowed to use up to ten runes in this final match, a limit that added strategy to the battle. He had prepared with this in mind, focusing on abination of offensive and defensive runes. But Kyle knew Lora should have a whole lot of advanced runes that could change the course of a fight. He took a deep breath, stepping forward slightly. "Hey, Lora," he said while trying to keep his tone light despite the tension in the air. "Didn''t think we''d end up here, huh?" Lora''s lips curved into a small smile, though she didn''t quite meet his eyes at first. "Yeah... I didn''t expect this either," she murmured with a soft voice. "But... I guess it had to happen sometime." There was a while of silence between them. It didn''tst for long though as Lora chose to break it: "I''ve been watching you fight and I noticed you''ve gotten better with your runes," Lora continued, her tone gaining a little strength as she nced up at him. "I mean, I always knew you would, but... you''ve really improved." Kyle chuckled softly. "Well, I''ve had a good teacher." His smile faded slightly as he realized they were wasting much time. "You ready for this? I know it''s weird, but I won''t be holding back because we''re friends." "I don''t n on holding back either." Before either of them could say more, the referee stepped forward, raising his hand. The crowd roared to life once again, their anticipation very evident as they waited for the match to begin. "Good luck, Kyle," Lora said, her voice barely audible over the din of the crowd. Kyle gave her a small nod, feeling his heart rate pick up once again. "You too. Let''s give them a show." [You sure about this? She looks like she''s going to wipe the floor with you] Void''s voice interrupted in Kyle''s mind, sounding as casual as ever. Kyle kept his focus, trying not to let his yful teasing get to him. ''This is serious, Void. I need to concentrate.'' [Just saying, you might want to be careful. Wouldn''t want you to embarrass yourself in front of all these people.] Kyle sighed, tuning Void out as best he could. He didn''t have time for distractions. And with that, the referee''s hand dropped, signaling the start of the match. Enjoy more content from m-v l''e|-NovelBin "Begin!" Lora was the first to act, channeling her mana for a spell the moment the match started. The area around the two of them became surrounded by an enveloping blinding light. Kyle instantly recognized the spell. "Blind," he muttered, trying to adapt his eyes to the sudden brightness. His vision blurred and the world around him began transforming into a haze of white light. He had earlier found our that Lora had two offense oriented Light spells: [Blind] and [Light Beam], she didn''t go for any of the support Tier-1 skills, but Kyle was prepared for this. ''Lightning Dash!'' Without hesitating, his body crackled with lightning and he zoomed out of the spell''s radius. Lora didn''t take long tounch another rune at Kyle after seeing him escape from the [Blind] radius. This one was unfamiliar to Kyle¡ªit glowed with a pulsing silver light, burst open in midair, and transformed into several streams of energy that shot toward him. His instincts immediately took over, using [Lightning Dash] to move swiftly, Kyle zipped out of the way, his form blurring as he sped across the arena. The streams of light mmed into the ground where he had just stood, leaving scorch marks in the sand. "That''s new," Kyle muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing at Lora. They were realms apart when it came to Rune Making, Kyle had to admit... That didn''t mean he was going to lose though. He skidded to a stop and pulled out another rune from his pouch, one of his trump cards¡ªa Paralysis Rune. On activating, he hurled it toward Lora. The rune glowed with a faint blue light as it arced through the air. Lora, seeing the iing threat, reacted quickly. She ced her hand in her pouch once more, releasing another rune, this one glowing with a golden hue. As it activated, a wave of golden light spread out from her, forming a protective shield around her. The [Paralysis Rune] struck the shield, but its effects were neutralized instantly. Lora''s shield shimmered for a moment longer before dissipating, leaving her unscathed. Kyle gritted his teeth. He knew she had strong runes, but seeing them in action was another story entirely. "You''re not going to make this easy, are you?" Kyle called out, his voice tinged with some amusement. Lora shook her head, her lips forming a small smile. "You didn''t really think I would, did you?" Kyle couldn''t help but grin. This was what he had wanted¡ªa real challenge. Lora''s movements were fluid as she drew yet another rune from her pouch, this one glowing with an intense light. Kyle knew he had to act fast. He grabbed a Mana Siphoner Rune, intending to disrupt her flow of magic. He threw it toward her just as she activated her rune. The moment the Mana Siphoner took effect, a faint glow surrounded Lora, drawing some of her magical energy toward Kyle. It wasn''t a game-ending move, but it would weaken her, even if only for a short time. Kyle could feel the boost in his own mana reserves as he absorbed some of her energy. But Lora wasn''t done yet. Despite the siphoning, she drew her mana, sending a blinding [Light Beam] straight at Kyle. The beam shot toward him at incredible speed, and Kyle barely had time to react. His instincts took over again before the spell left her hand as he activated a rune, mud wall. The towering wall of earth rose from the ground quickly enough to stop the approaching spell, sending a ripple of energy through the air. The impact was powerful, and Kyle could feel the strain as his barrier struggled to hold up against the attack. The barrier held, but only just. Kyle could feel thest remnants of its energy flickering out as the [Light Beam] dissipated. He couldn''t afford to stay on the defensive any longer. He needed to push back. With a swift motion, Kyle reached into his pouch and pulled out his next rune¡ªa spell amplifier. He held it tightly, feeling its magic hum in his hand as he activated it. The rune''s energy surged through him, amplifying his next spell. Kyle raised his hand, and with a sharp motion, he cast [Lightning Bolt]. The familiar crackle of energy built up in his hand before surging forward, the bolt of lightning enhanced by the spell amplifier rune. It shot across the arena, aimed directly at Lora. Lora''s eyes widened in surprise at the sheer power of the attack. She moved quickly, activating another rune from her pouch. A bright burst of light surrounded her as she formed a protective shield, but even with her defense in ce, Kyle''s amplified [Lightning Bolt] was too strong. The lightning bolt struck her shield with a deafening crack, and the barrier shattered like ss, sending Lora tumbling backward across the arena floor. She hit the ground hard, sliding to a stop in the sand. Kyle stood there, panting slightly from the exertion, watching her carefully. For a moment, he thought it was over. Loray on the ground, unmoving, her rune pouch scattered beside her. The crowd had gone silent, the air thick with anticipation. But then, slowly, Lora began to stir. She pushed herself up on her elbows, wincing in pain, but her eyes were still sharp, still full of determination. Kyle''s heart sank a little after seeing her get back up. She wasn''t done yet. Chapter 81: Genius "You''re tough," Kyle muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. "I don''t know how you''re still standing." Lora''s lips curved into a faint smile, though she was clearly struggling to stay on her feet. "I told you, Kyle¡­ I''m not holding back." Kyle felt some respect for her from her action. Even after taking a hit like that, she wasn''t giving up. But he couldn''t let that distract him. He still had to end this, and he had to do that soon, before she could have some chance to recover. He took a step forward, his eyes locked on Lora. "I''m sorry, Lora. But I can''t hold back either." Kyle shot forward like a bolt of lightning, faster than how he usually moved. His body was a blur of energy as he closed the distance between him and Lora. Lora''s eyes widened in shock as she tried to react, but it was toote. Kyle was already upon her. With a fierce battle cry, he unleashed a powerful punch at her, aiming directly for her torso. The punch connected, and for a moment, time seemed to slow. The force of the impact sent Lora gasping for air, her body crumpling under the force of Kyle''s strike. She was thrown backward, tumbling across the sand until she came to a stop near the edge of the arena. The crowd fell into a stunned silence. Kyle stood there, panting heavily. He nced at Lora, whoy motionless on the ground. For a moment, he thought it was over. But then, Lora''s body moved. She pushed herself up onto her hands and knees, coughing as she tried to catch her breath. Her body was battered and bruised, but she wasn''t finished yet. Kyle''s eyes widened in disbelief. "How¡­?" Lora looked up at him, her expression fierce despite the pain. "You''re not the only one who can fight until the end." She struggled to her feet, swaying slightly as she stood. Her hands trembled as she reached for her final rune, thest one in her pouch. It glowed faintly, a soft white light that seemed to pulse with a gentle warmth. "This is it," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Myst rune." Kyle kept watching her. He didn''t know why his body wasn''t triggered to act... Maybe because he didn''t feel any dangering of it. Lora activated the rune, and the air around her seemed to shimmer. A soft, radiant light enveloped her, and for a moment, Kyle could feel the warmth of it wash over him. He blinked in surprise. That wasn''t an attack. It was a healing rune. The wounds on Lora''s body began to close, her bruises fading as the rune worked its magic. Her breathing steadied, and the trembling in her hands ceased. She stood taller now, her strength returning. Kyle cursed under his breath. ''A healing rune¡­ I never knew those existed.'' Lora smiled faintly, her eyes locking onto his. "I told you I wouldn''t make this easy." Kyle clenched his fists, electricity crackling around him once more. "Fine. Then let''s finish this." Kyle activated his [Lightning Dash], his body surging forward in a blur of speed. Lora reached for herst remaining mana reserves. There wasn''t much she could do but she was ready to give it her all. ''Light Beam!'' ''Lightning Bolt!'' The two spells came from the opposite sides almost immediately, colliding into a burst of light and energy. The lingering energy in the air eventually dissipated and Lora fell onto the floor. She had no runes. She had no mana left... What was the point of fighting even further? She faced the ground but refused to admit forfeit. "I''ll help you end this," Kyle muttered, and with that he brought out hisst rune¡ªanother spell amplifier. Activating it, he began drawing lightning energy into a massive [Lightning Bolt], it took him a while to do so, but he knew this would end it for sure. ''Lightning Bolt!'' The bolt of lightning shot forward, faster and more powerful than before, its bright light streaking across the arena, aiming straight for Lora. For a split second, it seemed like she wouldn''t be able to dodge it in time. Explore stories at m,v l''e-NovelBin But... In an unexpected turn of event, Lora''s body suddenly crackled with electricity as she rolled out of the ground in a blur, letting the [Lightning Bolt] fall on the ground she was on. Void''s voice suddenly echoed in Kyle''s mind. [You might want to keep an eye on that rune. It feels¡­ dangerous.] ''What r¨C?'' Before Kyle couldplete his sentence, a sudden burst of lightning left the ground where his [Lightning Bolt] had hit and surged towards him. Kyle had not expected such attack and it struck him clean on his chest, leaving him out cold. [HP: 8/76] *Thud!* Immediately Kyle fell down with a loud thud, everyone knew it was over. The tournament was over. Lora had won! The crowd in the coliseum struggled to grasp the absurdity of what had just happened. For a minute there, Kyle was dominating... Everyone would agree that Lora didn''t stand a chance. It was meant to be over. The event that happened in this fight was very difficult to exin. Despite Kyle lying on the ground and Lora still standing tall; the announcer hadn''t dered her the winner yet. He suddenly acted, walking closer to the spot where Lora was previously lying. He observed it intently and could see the rough runic circles, crudely inscribed on the sand floor. "Impossible!" the announcer muttered, though his voice was loud enough to be heard by the whole crowd. "This girl¡ªshe''s a genius! A once in a million years genius I say..." He kept staring at the spot, trying toprehend how possible it was for a first year to draw a runic circle in seconds. He didn''t hesitate anymore, having knowledge of the rules at the back of his head, he dered what the crowd had been desiring to hear for some time now. "THE WINNER OF THE FINAL MATCH: LORA INGS!!" Chapter 82: A Surprising Outcome "THE WINNER OF THE FINAL MATCH: LORA INGS!!" The crowd erupted into thunderous apuse, not out of loyalty to the winner, but in celebration of the exhrating battle they had just witnessed. The coliseum''s stands vibrated with the sheer energy of their excitement. It didn''t matter that Kyle, the favorite, had lost. What mattered was that both he and Lora had delivered a fight for the ages. Cheers, shouts, and whistles filled the air as the students reveled in the thrill of the match''s unexpected conclusion. In the stands, Kyle''s friends reacted in their own ways. Riya crossed her arms, a frown etched on her face. "I didn''t get defeated by a nobody," she muttered under her breath with a proud smirk. Lora''s win might have been surprising, but Riya could assure herself that she got defeated by the winner in the semi-finals, which meant she got first pick on the grand prizes. Orion, ever the analytical one, adjusted his sses as he tried to piece together what had just happened. "That¡­ that shouldn''t have been possible." He sounded almost baffled as he shook his head, eyes locked on the arena floor where the runic circle was barely visible. "The time it takes to draw a rune, activate it, and set a trap in the middle of a fight¡ªstatistically speaking, that''s beyond improbable for someone like Lora. It''s... borderline impossible." Anne sat beside them, quiet as usual, but there was something different in her expression. Though she said nothing, her eyes gleamed with an odd satisfaction, her lips twitching in a hint of a smile. It was as if she had watched something deeply personal unfold. Her foe had stumbled, and despite her silence, she seemed quietly pleased. Milo, meanwhile, clicked his tongue in annoyance. Explore stories at m,v l''e-NovelBin "Tsk. I would''ve done better," he grumbled, arms crossed. Hispetitive nature refused to acknowledge Lora''s victory as anything more than luck. "Kyle let his guard down. If I had been in there, that wouldn''t have happened." But Zack, always the lighthearted one, was bouncing on his feet, shaking his head in disbelief. "Bro lied to me!" he eximed, pointing usingly at the arena as if Kyle could hear him. "He told me it was a sure thing! Lora¡ªhow did she even...?" Zack couldn''t contain his excitement, his eyes wide with disbelief and amusement at the twist of fate. "Damn. This is wild!" While Kyle''s friends processed the fight in their own ways, Kyle himselfy unconscious on the arena floor. His body was devoid from signs of a brutal match, but that didn''t make him any healthier. Medics were already rushing to his side, carefully lifting him onto a stretcher. The lightning strike that had hit him cleanly on the chest had taken its toll, leaving his body limp. Yet, despite the pain, his face was calm, his lips slightly parted as if he were still processing the events even in his unconscious state. Lora, on the other hand, stood at the edge of the arena, still breathing heavily from the exertion. Her legs trembled, barely holding her up, but her expression was one of calm satisfaction. She hadn''t expected to win either¡ªnot like this¡ªbut she had done it. She nced at the medics carrying Kyle away, her eyes softening as she watched him. The victory tasted bittersweet. She respected Kyle, and seeing him like this aroused something within her. She wanted to go and help. She was deeply concerned for his well being but she couldn''t run off after him when she could practically do nothing to help his condition. Lora had no other option than to watch as the medics took Kyle''s body away from the arena. Instructor Dan made his way into the arena as the medics hurried past him with Kyle in tow. He approached Lora, pping her on the shoulder, his face beaming with pride. "Well done, Lora," he said with a smile. "You''ve shown incredible talent. You earned this win." Lora blinked, still dazed, but she managed a nod, her lips curving into a small smile. She had done it. She had won. Dan turned to the crowd, raising his hands to quiet them. "The prize ceremony will begin in an hour!" he announced. The crowd cheered once more, eager for what was toe. Meanwhile, Kyle woke up in the coliseum infirmary, his muscles hurting in pain. He blinked a few times, groaning as he tried to sit up, his body protesting with every movement. His chest felt like it had been smashed with a sledgehammer. "What¡­ the hell happened?" he muttered to himself, his voice thick with frustration. And then, without warning, Void''s voice echoed in his mind, mocking him as usual. [That was quite the performance, Master. Truly inspiring. Especially that part where you let yourself get fried by your own lightning bolt. Bravo.] Kyle clenched his fists, gritting his teeth. "Shut up, Void," he growled, his frustration mounting. He reyed thest moments of the battle in his mind, trying to make sense of how Lora had managed to turn the tables. He hadn''t seen the trap, hadn''t even sensed it. [Oh, don''t worry. It was subtle, but clearly beyond your level ofprehension,] Void continued with a smug tone. [You let your guard down even after I warned you about the rune. And to think I''m stuck with you¡­] Kyle swore under his breath, his anger bubbling up inside him. "I had that fight. I should''ve won." [''Should''ve,'' ''could''ve''¡­ all meaningless. Fact is, you didn''t win. Maybe next time, don''t underestimate your opponent.] Kyley back on the infirmary bed, his mind racing as he reyed the battle over and over. He had lost¡ªfair and square. But that didn''t mean he was going to forgive himself. He felt great paining this far into the tournament only to see himself lose afterwards. Ding! Just as he was about to rest his eyes once again, Kyle heard a familiar pinge from the system directly in his mind. Chapter 83: Willing To Help [You''ve Failed Hidden Quest: Win The Electives Battles.] [You reached the Finals. 5 stat points have been awarded.] The system''s rewards only made Kyle feel even worse, realizing that he had missed out on potential greater rewards. Kyle clenched his fists, muttering under his breath, "I''m such a loser." *Creak* The door to the room he stayed in slowly creaked open. Kyle directed his gaze upwards to get a clearer view of the visitor. She wasn''t a visitor though, rather l one of the academy''s medical staff, dressed in a pristine white uniform that contrasted sharply with her dark skin. "Ah, you''re awake," she said with a warm smile. Her voice was soothing, calm¡ªeverything Kyle needed in this moment of frustration. She moved gracefully to his bedside, checking the readings on a small device beside him. "How are you feeling?" Kyle ran a hand across his aching chest, realizing that he hadn''t Ben teated yet. [HP: 20/76] He took a slight peek at his status screen to confirm his health points and he was right. "My chest¡­ it still hurts," Kyle finally gave an answer after a rtively long while for the medic. She nodded sympathetically, not minding Kyle''s ''reluctance'' to answer her question, and ced a gentle hand over his chest. "Let''s take care of that." With a soft hum, she began to channel light magic. A soft glow emanated from her palm, spreading across Kyle''s body. It was warm, but not in an ufortable way. Instead, it felt like the sunlight on a cool morning, soothing and gentle. As the familiar magic effect coursed through him, the pain melted away, reced by an overwhelming sense of relief. Kyle exhaled sharply, his entire body rxing under the effects of the healing spell. "That feels... incredible." The medic smiled as she finished the healing, stepping back with a satisfied nod. "There we go. Much better, right?" Kyle nodded, sitting up fully now with little effort. "Yeah, thanks. I feel like a new person." He rolled his shoulders, marveling at how the aches and pains had vanished as if they had never existed. "Good to hear," she replied, her eyes studying him for a moment longer, making sure there were no lingering issues. "You''ve been out for almost an hour. I decided not to wake you¡ªseemed like you needed the rest." Kyle blinked in surprise. "An hour?" He nced around the small infirmary room, trying to piece together how much time had passed since the battle. "How could I sleep for that long? Did I miss anything?" The medic shook her head with a kind smile. "Nothing too important. The awards ceremony will be starting soon, though. They''re probably getting everything set up." Kyle''s eyes lit up for a brief moment at the mention of the ceremony. Despite everything, he hadn''t forgotten the rewards that came with going so far into the tournament, at least, he wouldn''t be going home empty-handed. [Don''t get too excited] Void''s voice cut through Kyle''s thoughts. He looked like he was still disappointed with Kyle over the match results. [You''re not getting the grand prize, remember? Try not to embarrass yourself more than you already have.] Kyle''s brief spark of excitement for his rewards fizzled out almost instantly before it could rise any further. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah¡­ I guess you''re right." The medic watched him closely, noticing the sudden shift in his mood. Her brow furrowed, and she hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "You know, it''s not easy losing a match like that. Especially when you were so close to winning." Kyle nced up at her, surprised that she seemed to understand exactly what he was feeling. "I watched the fight," she continued softly, "and I know it must hurt to havee so far only to fall short at the end. But you still did an amazing job. You should be proud." Kyle managed a weak nod, though her words barely registered. He was confident and very sure of a win going into this fight, even bragging on multiple times on how he was going to win it all. Now he had disappointed his expectations, pride wasn''t something he could cling to right now. Not after a loss like that. The medic seemed to pick up on hisck of enthusiasm and offered him a small smile, her eyes lighting up as an idea formed in her mind. "How about this? If you''re feeling up to it, why don''t you go to the ceremony? You''ll still be receiving your prizes, after all." Kyle hesitated, the thought of sitting through the ceremony suddenly lookin unappealing before him. He wasn''t in the mood for more disappointment. [She''s got a point, though] Void chimed in again, this time more practical. [You may have lost, but you still earned some rewards. If you don''t want your rewards; I''m always willing to help you out with it, as long as its approved by me] Kyle almost felt amused from Void''s disy of greediness. He had to get his rewards, he couldn''t afford for them to waste. "Yeah¡­ okay. I''ll go." The medic smiled, clearly pleased with his decision. "Good. I''m sure you''ll feel better once you''re out there." She gave him a final nod before turning to leave the room. "Take your time. The ceremony should be starting soon." Kyle watched her go, then turned to the mirror across the room. He stood up slowly, testing his legs as he walked over to his reflection. Just as he had guessed, his face was back to normal¡ªpristine, as if the battle had never happened. There was no sign of the exhaustion or injuries he had endured. He took a moment to admire himself, running a hand through his hair and smoothing out his clothes before finally leaving the infirmary. As he stepped outside, the atmosphere hit him like a wave. The coliseum grounds were alive with energy. Students filled the stands, their excitement easily felt in the air as they buzzed in anticipation for the ceremony. The chatter of voices,ughter, and the asional cheer filled the air, creating an electric atmosphere that mirrored the intensity of the final battles. There was a section reserved for the participants who had made it to the final 16, and Kyle quickly spotted a row that was empty. The ceremony hadn''t started yet, so most of the seats were devoid of students. He made his way over, slipping into the seat with a quiet sigh. A few of the other contestants were already seated, most chatting excitedly. Kyle let his eyes wander over the arena, taking in the scene. Therge stage at the center was where the awards would be handed out, and the crowd''s excitement continued to build as the minutes ticked by. Slowly, people filled up the stands, participants sitting together in their designated sections. "Kyle.." After a short while of Kyle staring into space, a soft tap on Kyle''s shoulder broke his trance. The fingers that touched him were so delicate, and the voice that followed was just as meek and quiet. He already knew who it was before he even had to turn around¡ª Chapter 84: Mind Blowing Credits! He hesitated for a moment, before slowly turning to face her so as to confirm his thoughts. Lora stood behind him, her expression timid, almost shy. Her chestnut hair fell in gentle waves around her face and her eyes avoided direct contact with Kyle''s. Without a word, Kyle turned away, ignoring herpletely and facing the stage once more. Lora seemed to hesitate, standing there for a long moment before she finally had a seat next to him. An awkward silence fell between them, but it wasn''t maintained for long as Lora spoke, her voice barely a audible. "I''m... I''m sorry." ''Sorry?'' Kyke''s eyes narrowed slightly, staring harder at the empty stage in front of him. ''Sorry for what?'' The words echoed in his head, but he didn''t speak them aloud. Kyle felt his frustration build up once again but tried to remain calm, ignoring herment. An awkward silence stretched between them once more until, eventually, the other finalists began to filter into the row. Zack was the first to arrive, followed closely by Milo, Joseph, and Riya. They all seemed to share a simr energy¡ªexcited, relieved, and chatty. Zack''s jovial voice cut through the tension almost immediately, throwing out a friendly insult that made Kyle''s muscles tense. "Well, well, look who finally decided to show up," Zack said with a grin, seating down next to Lora, as he stayed closest to Kyle. "Thought you had it all in the bag. What happened?" Kyle gritted his teeth but said nothing. Milo snorted, leaning forward to look at Kyle with a cocky grin. "Yeah, man, what happened? All that talk about winning it all, and then¡ª" Milo pped his hands mockingly. "Boom! Down you go." Joseph chuckled, while Riya tried to hide the amusement on her face. It wasn''t teasing, but she was clearly amused by the banter. Kyle clenched his fists harder trying to control himself and before he could stop himself, he snapped. "Shut up." Continue your adventure at m|v-l''e -NovelBin The words came out colder than he intended, and the sudden silence that followed was deafening. Zack, Milo, and the others blinked, momentarily taken aback by the sharpness in Kyle''s tone. "I get it, okay? I lost. But I don''t need you guys rubbing it in. So just... drop it." "..." An ufortable silence settled over the group. Milo opened his mouth as if to say something, but then quickly shut it, apparently deciding that now wasn''t the time for more jokes. Kyle exhaled, running his temples as he rxed on his seat. He didn''t want to think about what just happened. Momentster to Kyle''s good, Instructor Dan stepped onto the stage, his tall figuremanding the attention of the entire coliseum. The crowd slowly quieted down, all eyes on the man as he prepared to address the participants and spectators alike. "Good evening, everyone." "First off, I''d like to congratte every single participant whopeted in the Electives Battles. Y''all have shown incredible skill and determination, and for that, you should be proud." Dan continued, listing the highlights of the tournament and thanking the various instructors and staff who had made it possible. Then, with a flourish, he moved on to the part everyone was waiting for¡ªthe rewards. "As you all know, each of you will be receiving rewards based on your performance. Let''s start with those who made it till the Round of 16." Dan paused dramatically, scanning the crowd. "Each of you will receive 500 credits." There was a murmur of excitement from the crowd, particrly from the participants who hadn''t made it further. 500 credits was a very generous reward, and it was more than most had expected. But Dan wasn''t done. "For those who reached up to the Quarter Finals, you''ll be receiving 1,000 credits." Another round of murmurs, this time louder. Most of the students had never gotten their hands on such money, now some would. The ones in the stands felt bad, while the Quarter Finalists exchanged pleased and excited looks. Dan continued, his voice picking up energy. "Semi-finalists, you''ll each be awarded 2,000 credits." Kyle felt a slight twinge in his chest. He had made it past that point, yet hearing those rewards only reminded him of how close he hade. "And for the finalists..." Dan''s voice rang out, pulling Kyle''s attention back to the stage. "5,000 credits." Kyle blinked, feeling a strange mix of emotions. 5,000 credits. It was... Just there. It might be a windfall for the others but was just slightly more money than usual for him. [It''s not that bad] Void''s voice echoed in his mind, though itcked its usual bite. [That''s 25 mana cores, you know?...] Kyle almost chuckled, shaking his head slightly. ''Greedy dragon.'' "And finally, for the winner of the Electives Battles," Dan said, building up to the climax. "10,000 credits." There was an audible gasp from the crowd, and Kyle noticed the jaws of many participants¡ªparticrly those who had been eliminated earlier¡ªhanging open in disbelief. Even all of the contestants in his row¡ªLora included, looked stunned by the amount. The amount of credits... It was mind blowing! Kyle, however, just sat there, his expression nk. He was surprised, yes, but not to the extent of the others. The credits were significant, but it wasn''t something unattainable for him. All around him, there were whispers, some participants even looking tearful, realizing how close they hade to earning more. But for Kyle, the credits felt like a constion prize. A reminder of what he had lost, not what he had gained. Dan''s voice cut through the murmurs as he stepped back, gesturing toward the center of the stage. With a dramatic flourish, he removed a cloak from fourrge ss cases that had been positioned near the beginning of the tournament. The objects inside glimmered under the coliseum''s bright lights, casting a mesmerizing glow that captured everyone''s attention. A katana, a space pouch, a cauldron, and a runic textbook. These were not just prizes. They were treasures, each capable of elevating its owner''s skills to unimaginable heights. Dan turned back to face the participants, his voice booming again. "Now, for those who reached the semifinals, your performances were exceptional, and it''s time to receive your primary rewards. First, please step forward: Riya, Milo, Lora, and Kyle." The four of them stood, their gazes briefly meeting before they began the walk to the stage. Kyle could feel the weight of the other contestants'' eyes on him, but all he could focus on was the katana, gleaming like a beacon in the ss case. The desire to hold it, to wield it, surged through him like a current of electricity. As they reached the stage, Instructor Dan gave them all a proud smile. "As the winner or the tournament. Lora, you''ll have first pick." Everyone nodded their head in agreement as it felt right. "Kyle, you''ll go second. Then Riya and Milo as third and fourth respectively." Milo had a confused expression on his face as he felt wronged, he couldn''t protest though, he could only hope Dan justified himself. As if reading everyone''s thought, Instructor Dan continued. "Milo would go after Riya due to Riya being the Semi-final path that led to the winner." That may not be an urate measure of performance, but they''d had to make do with it. It wasn''t like a third ce match could be initiated to determine who picked first. "Lora Ings, make your pick!" Chapter 85: Expected Picks Lora hesitated for a brief moment, but her steps were steady as she moved forward, drawing the attention of every eye in the coliseum. Everyone watched with intense expressions, though there was little doubt about what her choice would be. As expected, she walked toward the ss case housing the Runic Textbook. The crowd murmured in approval. It was the most logical choice for Lora, who had proven to be a genius in the field. Even Kyle, who had been lost in his own thoughts, couldn''t deny the pull of the textbook''s allure. Instructor Victoria had hammered it into their heads repeatedly throughout their elective sses. The finest collection of advanced runes in this academy," Victoria had said, nearly reverent in her exnation. The textbook wasn''t just a manual¡ªit is a treasure of ancient knowledge, containing runic inscriptions that could elevate even a novice to mastery. With it, Lora would gain the ability to engrave runes of much higher power. As Lora reached for the textbook, a quiet sense of inevitability settled over the group. No one was surprised. It was exactly what they expected her to pick. Lora''s face remained expressionless, though her fingers lingered on the ss for just a moment before she took the book. The crowd offered a respectful round of apuse as the textbook was carefully wrapped up and handed to her, while she returned to her seat. Now, it was Kyle''s turn. Dan''s voice rang out, "Kyle, your pick." Kyle had known what he wanted from the very start. Since Day 1 of the Electives Battles, his eyes had been drawn to the katana gleaming in its case, a weapon that seemed to beckon him. There was something undeniably maic about it¡ªit all stemmed down to what he the stats he had seen when he used [Inspect] on it. Yet, as Kyle took a step forward, doubt began to creep in. The space pouch caught his attention, its enchanted leather glistening subtly under the bright lights. With a space pouch like that, he could cover up for his system''s inventory. And then, there was the cauldron. Kyle couldn''s dismiss it entirely. Alchemy wasn''t his field of expertise, but who knew what the future held? Kyle didn''t think there was any harm in bing a Jack of all trades. One day, he might want to dabble in potion-making or other alchemical arts. His mind was racing, considering all the possibilities. But it was set though, as he had already thought this through. The katana, he reminded himself. Its significance ran deeper than any practical reward or logical benefit. Without another moment of hesitation, Kyle made his decision. His strides became purposeful, and his eyes locker onto the de that had been on his mind since the start of the tournament. The crowd fell into a hush as he reached forward, lifting the katana from its ss case with deliberate care. For a moment, he just stared at it, the familiar weight restingfortably in his hand. Kyle raised it slightly, having the feel of wielding it. There was something special about this weapon. With a satisfied nod, Kyle tucked the katana into the carrying case he was given and returned to his seat. Next up was Riya. She had a calm expression as she stepped toward the case that held the cauldron. It wasn''t just an average cauldron though. It shimmered with a deep, otherworldly white hue, indicating its magical properties. The metal wasn''t ordinary, either¡ªit was crafted from rare, mana-infused ores known for their stability duringplex potion-brewing processes. There was no doubt that this cauldron was a treasure, and with it, Riya''s skills in alchemy might be pushed to new heights. As she touched it, she smiled ever so slightly, pleased with her choice. Finally, Milo approached thest item¡ªthe space pouch. Though his first choice had likely been the katana, Milo couldn''t hide his excitement as he reached for the enchanted pouch. No beast tamer would overlook the incredible utility it offered. Kyle didn''t know, but the pouch was no ordinary storage bag¡ªit could contain live beings, which made it especially useful for a Beast Tamer like Milo. Most beast tamers wouldn''s get their hands on a space pouch until the end of the year, and even then, it wouldn''tpare to the one now in Milo''s possession. He grinned as he secured it, imagining the many uses it would have in future battles. With all four semi-finalists having made their picks, the atmosphere shifted once again. The audience watched as Dan stepped forward once more, a chuckle escaping his lips as he took in their evident emotions. "Well, it''s clear by the looks on your faces that you''re pleased with your choices," Dan said, his tone light and congrattory. "And you should be. These rewards aren''t just prizes¡ªthey''re tools that will help you grow in your respective fields. So be proud of what you''ve earned today." The participants sat a little straighter, even Milo, who had been a bit disgruntled earlier, seemed to rx at Dan''s words. For Kyle, it was a bittersweet moment. The katana was his prize, but he couldn''t shake the feeling that it was a constion for what he had lost in the tournament. Dan turned his attention to the rest of the participants, spreading his arms wide as if to epass the entire coliseum. "As for the rest of you, don''t think it''s over just yet! There''s still one more chance to prove yourselves¡ªthe Vyne Yearly Tournament would being up next, and that will be your opportunity to rise again." There was a murmur of excitement from the students as Dan continued... "Now that you''ve all imed your rewards, let''s talk about the real challenge ahead. The Vyne Yearly Tournament ising up, and this is where you get the chance to prove your worth to the academy¡ªand to yourselves." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before continuing, "The top 8 from today''s Electives Battle automatically qualify for the general category of the tournament. This is where you''ll face off using everything at your disposal¡ªyour weapons, runes, pills, potions, beasts, and elements. Every tool you''ve gathered, every skill you''ve honed will be tested." Kyle, who had been absently running his fingers over the smooth surface of his newly acquired katana, perked up. The general category was where things would get serious, where his mastery of swordsmanship could pair up with his elemental mastery and could give him an edge. "For the rest of you, don''t lose hope. There are still 8 more spots to be filled in the general category. Sixteen spots are reserved for the physicalbat division, and another sixteen for the elemental battles. If you didn''t make it into the top 8 today, you''ll have to earn your ce there yourselves." A wave of anticipation rippled through the participants as they exchanged nces, already plotting strategies. Kyle felt a surge ofpetitive energy. This was his chance to redeem himself. Dan grinned, clearly enjoying the tension he was building. "With that said, you''re all dismissed. Go rest, train, and prepare yourselves. Do remember that the tournament would have contestants across all the years, and it''s right around the corner." As the crowd began to disperse, Kyle nced over at the others. Lora was cradling the Runic Textbook with a mixture of reverence and determination on her face. Riya, with her cauldron secured in its case, stood talking quietly with some of her alchemy peers. Milo, especially happy, was proudly showing off his prize to Zack. Kyle tightened his grip on the katana''s case, rising to leave. It didn''t take him long before he reached the dorm, throwing himself onto the bed the moment he arrived. As Kyle rxed himself by staring up at the ceiling. Void''s familiar voice filled the room as he jumped out of the system''s space, seemingly like he appeared out of thin air. Despite seeing this happen few times already, Kyle was stop surprised on how it worked. "Kyle, you still have credits left. Over 7000, if you remember." Void''s voice pulled him out of his thoughts. "Not now," Kyle muttered, turning on his side and ignoring Void. Void, however, didn''t give up. [You know, a mana core''s just 200 credits. That''s barely three percent of your bnce.] Kyle groaned but said nothing, letting the silence envelop him as sleep imed him. *** Night quickly approached as Kyle slept, but he managed to wake up before it turned pitch dark, feeling slightly more refreshed. He sat up, stretching, and noticed the katana lying across his desk. The weapon that had called to him during the Electives Battles, before he could inspect it once again, Void''sment interrupted him. "So, Kyle... I''ve been wanting to tell you, but you were kind of uncool with your friends after your loss." "What do you mean?" "You know what I mean. They didn''t cause your defeat. They were there for you, but you''ve been shutting them out. Lora even apologized to you after the match." Kyle froze, memories rushing back.Lora had indeed apologized for what she thought was her role in his loss. She hadn''t done anything wrong, of course. Neither had Riya or Zack. He had just been frustrated with himself, and in the process, he had pushed them all away. Kyle sighed, feeling a wave of guilt wash over him. "Damn, I''ve been a terrible friend," he muttered, rubbing his temples. He tapped the screen of hism, debating whether he should give Lora a call and apologize. ''I''ll give her a call,'' Kyle decided. But, just as he was about to, hism buzzed with an iing call. The name ''Orion'' shed across the screen. Chapter 86: Orions Proposal Kyle stared at the glowingm on his wrist, wondering why Orion could be calling him. ''It has to be something important. He wouldn''t call me for nothing.'' With that thought, Kyle concluded, clicking on the answer button. "Hey, Orion. What''s up?" "Meet me in the cafeteria," Orion''s voice came through almost immediately, straight to the point. "What for?" "It''s important." Orion''s tone didn''t leave much room for negotiation. Kyle could picture his friend''s usual impatient, almost annoyed look. Kyle scratched the back of his head, debating for a second. He wasn''t exactly in the mood for ate-night meeting, but Orion wouldn''t lie when he said something was important. Eventually, he decided toply with Orion''s request, it wasn''t like he had any other thing to do that night. "Fine, I''ll meet you there. Just give me a minute." "Good. I''ll be waiting," Orion replied, and then the line went dead. Kyle groaned, sitting up from his bed and stretching his stiff muscles. He grabbed his jacket and threw it over his shoulders. Directing his gaze to Void who had begun the bus cultivation session, Kyle stepped out of the room, making his way toward the cafeteria. The night air was cool, and the academy grounds were quiet, save for the asional footsteps of students hurrying back to their dorms. As Kyle walked through the doors to the cafeteria, his eyes immediatelynded on Orion. He was sitting at a table in the far corner, his hands calmly ced on the table as he contemted something. The usual buzz of the cafeteria had dulled with only a few students scattered about. Orion didn''t look up until Kyle approached the table, setting his katana case down beside him before taking a seat. "Orion." Orion adjusted his sses, finally locking eyes with Kyle. "Kyle." "What''s this about?" Kyle leaned back, crossing his arms as he waited for his friend to exin. Orion wasted no time. He straightened his posture and said: "I have a proposal for you." "A proposal?" Kyle raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on. I''m listening." Orion''s lips quirked into a slight smirk, but his expression quickly returned to its usual seriousness. "Give me your katana... The one you got today as a prize." "No! Why would I even do that?" Kyle screamed before toning down his voice to sound more mature, "If that''s why you called me; you''ve seeded in wasting our time. I''ll be taking my leave." Kyle made a motion to stand up from his seat before Orion''s calm voice interrupted him. "You didn''t ask me what I''ll be needing your katana for, neither did you ask if I couldpensate you for it." Kyle suddenly remembered he hadn''t asked about any of this. Who cared about what Orion might be nning to cook with his katana, as long as it ended up benefiting him? "Right," Kyle muttered, loud enough to his hearing as he took his seat once again, this time with a hint of embarrassment. "Nice," Orion said with a wide smile, adjusting his sses once again. "I''ll continue, shall I?" Kyle nodded his head, now anticipating what Orion had to say. "I have two ns that involve you, but I''ll begin with the first. As you already know, there exist seven main weapon tiers: Basic, Rare, Intermediate, Advanced, Epic, Legendary, Mythic and Ancient." Kyle nodded his head in agreement. He had used his time in the academy property, frequenting the library and gaining various insights into this world. "The katana you won is ssified as Intermediate, a solid upgrade from anything you''ve previously wielded. I need to get my hands on such a weapon tier and tinker with it a bit to understand the in''s and outs. Plus I would try my best to improve it in any way I can... When it''s back to you it should be more strong than before." Kyle frowned, tapping a finger on the table as he processed Orion''s words. He valued the katana, not just for its quality but for what it represented. And now, Orion was suggesting taking it apart for some experiment. The thought unsettled him. "And what exactly would you do to it?" Kyle finally asked, narrowing his eyes at his friend. "I wouldn''t want to end up with a pile of scraps." He focused on the potential improvements as that was the part that affected him. Orion adjusted his sses, his typical sign of confidence. "Enhance it. Refine the mana channels within the de, optimize its structure to better resonate with your element, and maybe even embed a rune or two. I can make it stronger, faster, deadlier. Trust me, I''ve been researching weapons crafting in my spare time, and I know how to push this katana beyond its current limits. The results will be worth it." Kyle sat back in his chair, thinking it over. On the one hand, he could fully admit that Orion''s intelligence was unmatched, and if anyone could enhance the weapon, it would be him. But on the other hand, Kyle wasn''t blind to the risks. Orion''s experiments, while often sessful as he imed, were still experiments. There was always the possibility it could fail, and if it did, Kyle would be left without his katana¡ªa tool he knew he could rely on in the foreseeable future. ''It could get stronger, much stronger if it works,'' Kyle pondered, staring at the polished surface of the table. ''But if it doesn''t, I lose one of my best assets. Is it worth the risk?'' Kyle bit his lip, the pros and cons weighing heavily in his mind. He wasn''t one to believe people easily, but Orion wasn''t just anyone. He was one of his earliest friends in this world and they had known each other for long, if there was one thing Kyle knew, it was that Orion wouldn''t make an empty promise. If Orion said he could enhance the katana, then there was a good chance he would seed. "Alright," Kyle finally said, letting out a breath he hadn''t realized he was holding. "I''ll trust you with it. But don''t mess this up, Orion. I need that katana." A wide grin spread across Orion''s7 face, though he quickly masked it with his usualposure. "Good choice, Kyle. I''ll ensure that you don''t regret it." Kyle nodded, though the lingering nagging doubt at the back of his mind had refused to fade out entirely. He had made his decision, but that didn''t mean he wasn''t nervous about what could go wrong or if he had made the right choice. ''There''s no use mulling over it much longer,'' Kyle thought. ''The deed has been done and it must be worth it.'' Orion interrupted his trail of thoughts. Leaning forward with a slightly more serious expression, he continued: "Now, let''s move on to the second proposal." He paused, looking Kyle straight in the eye. "It slipped my mind to offer my congrattions to you." Kyle raised his eyebrows, wondering what he was bbing about. "Congrattions on losing?" he let his thoughts slip out by mistake. "Of course not," Orion said with a light chuckle. "Congrattions on getting richer. I imagine you must be sitting on quite a sum now." Kyle narrowed his eyes, sensing where this was going. Chapter 87: Scammed? "Yeah, I have a bit more than I did yesterday," Kyle calmly replied with a nod. Orion''s smirk returned, though it was more subdued this time. "Because I know a way for you to make the best value out of those credits you have." Kyle raised an eyebrow. "How?" "It''s simple, really," Orion continued, leaning back in his chair with a casual air. "You invest in me." Kyle blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Invest? In you?" "Yes," Orion said, his tone confident as ever. "You see, credits are everything in this academy. They fuel your progress, and allow you ess to rare materials, better equipment, and higher-level resources. I''ve been making do with what I have, but frankly, theck of funding has been a serious limitation in my research and projects. With the right backing, I could speed things up significantly, and trust me, you''d be the first to benefit." Kyle crossed his arms, tilting his head. "And how exactly would that work?" Orion''s smile widened as he sensed Kyle''s interest. "Here''s the deal: You give me 10,000 credits every week¡ªconsider it an investment in my work¡ªand in return, I help you with whatever you need. Want a custom weapon? I''ll craft it for you. Need help that requires special tools? I''ll design them specifically for you. You bring the materials, and I''ll take care of the rest." Kyle let out a low whistle after hearing Orion''s salesman pitch, not sure whether to be impressed or insulted. "10,000 credits?! Every week? That''s a lot and I don''t even have that much." He was truly interested in the offer brought up by Orion, but he couldn''t ept that price. It was simply ridiculous! "Not yet," Orion said with a wink. "But you will soon, especially with the extra credits from today. The credits wille, Kyle. You just need to trust me." Kyle thought about it for a moment, weighing Orion''s words carefully. On the surface, it sounded like a decent deal. Orion was a genius when it came to crafting and research, and if anyone could help Kyle get stronger, it was him. But 10,000 credits? And Kyle would still have to provide the materials on top of that? It seemed like a bit of a scam. "Orion, that''s way too much," Kyle finally said, shaking his head. "I''m not giving you 10,000 credits, plus materials. That''s insane. I don''t even have up to that, and even if I did, I''m not about to throw it all at you." Orion chuckled, waving a hand as if to brush off Kyle''s concerns. "Kyle, I get it. It sounds like a lot now, but you have to think long-term. This isn''t just about the credits¡ªit''s about your future. I''m giving you the chance to invest in yourself, through me. Once my projects take off, we''ll both benefit. Besides, did I mention this was a lifetime offer? You''ll keep leeching off my work for years toe, as long as you can provide enough." Kyle rolled his eyes. "You''re a terrible salesman, you know that? But fine, I''ll bite. How about we negotiate?" Experience tales at m v|l e''-NovelBin Orion raised an eyebrow, a small glint of amusement forming in his eyes. "Negotiate, you say? Alright, let''s hear your offer." "5,000 credits," Kyle said, his voice firm. "That''s my final offer. Half of what you''re asking, and you still help me with everything you promised." Orion tilted his head, pretending to think it over. After a moment, he sighed dramatically. "Fine. 5,000 credits it is. But don''te crying to me when you realize what a steal this deal is for you." Kyle couldn''t help the smug grin that spread across his face. "I''m such a good haggler, aren''t I?" He could never let himself get something lower than their value and he was confident that he had done a good job here. Orion smirked, adjusting his sses. "Indeed." They shook hands to seal the deal, but the moment their palms met, Kyle noticed the mischievous glint in Orion''s eyes. His stomach dropped as he realized what had just happened. "You... You scammed me, didn''t you?" Kyle muttered, pulling his hand away. Orion chuckled, his smirk widening. "I wouldn''t say scammed. More like... I got the better end of the deal. But don''t worry, Kyle. You''ll see the benefits soon enough." Kyle groaned, slumping back in his seat. He couldn''t believe he had let Orion talk him into this. 5,000 credits was still a huge amount. He had only ounted for his earning ability and had not rtivelypared it with other students who wouldpare that sum to a dream. Most students managed the 20 credits they got every day, now he was about to change Orion''s life as a result of this stupid deal. And on top of that, he had to supply the materials for whatever projects Orion had in mind. Orion stood up, patting Kyle on the shoulder. "Cheer up, my friend. You won''t regret this. I''lle pick up your katana tomorrow, I''ll begin working on it then, and once you see the results, you''ll realize this was the best investment you''ve ever made." Kyle offered a half-hearted nod, his expression a mix of resignation and frustration. He had agreed to the deal, and now he was stuck with it. But deep down, he knew Orion was probably right. If anyone could make this work, it was him. Still, as Orion walked away, Kyle couldn''t shake the feeling that he had been yed. He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. ''Great. Now I''m down credits and I have no idea how this is going to turn out.'' Orion''s voice floated back to him as he exited the cafeteria. "Don''t worry, Kyle. It''ll all be worth it in the end." Kyle watched him go, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and dread. This had to prove valuable to him unless... As he stood to leave, Kyle couldn''t help but chuckle bitterly. "Yeah, sure. Worth it." With onest nce at the cafeteria''s dim lights, Kyle turned and headed back to his dorm, already trying to figure out how Void would react to all this. Chapter 88: More Wealth! Kyle made his way back to his dorm, his footsteps quiet as he entered his room. In the corner, Void sat gracefully, still in deep cultivation. The sight of hispanion hard at work made Kyle smile. Void had been pushing himself very hard, desiring for reward Kyle promised him once their agreements were fulfilled. Even though he pushed himself to this extent because of what be stood to gain, that didn''t make Kyle lose the admiration he held for Void on his dedication. Void working hard gave Kyle the feel of a parent, he knew the impact he had made in the previouslyzy Void. Now he was confide that in the future, Void wouldn''t need to bepelled to cultivate. Kyle worked closer to Void in an attempt to peer into his improvement. Surely, Void must have increased massively, Kyle could even guess he was bigger and taller now. Formerly the size of a young house cat, he could now bepared to an adult cat, albeit a house cat. Kyle couldn''t exactly tell how far Void had gone from observation alone, but could easily check his stats via the system at any moment. However, Void had asked him not to. He wanted the results to be a surprise, and Kyle could respect that. It was difficult for him not to peek, but he truly wanted to be surprised. ''He''s really working for it,'' Kyle mused. ''When it''s all done, I''ll make sure he''s rewarded properly.'' Kyle smiled faintly to himself. Twenty mana cores weren''t going to be enough for what Void was doing. He''d need toe up with something better, something that would truly show his appreciation. As he pondered Void''s progress, another thought struck him¡ªthe reality of what awaited his credit bnce. [Credits: 7469] Tomorrow, he''d have to hand over 5000 of those to Orion, leaving him with just over 2000. The thought of it made him sigh. "I''m really about to throw 5000 credits each week at him, huh?" Kyle grimly chuckled to himself, shaking his head. It was a lot, but if Orion came through with his promises, the investment might pay off. Still, the hit to his bnce stung. ncing at Void once more, Kyle straightened up. It was time to focus. He pulled the Veil of Silence from his inventory, its smooth, dark material reflecting the faint light of the room. He ran his fingers over the fabric before slipping it over his face. No sound could escape his lips while he wore the mask, leaving him alone with his thoughts: ''It''s time.'' With that, Kyle left the dorm, the door closing with a soft click behind him. The cool night air hit his skin as he made his way through the academy grounds. The streets were quieter at this hour, with most students either in their dorms or engaged in their own training sessions. A few groups of students passed him, some heading to the library, others walking in the direction of the training grounds. He ignored them, his mind was focused on whaty ahead. As he walked through the tunnel that led to the Arena, Kyle couldn''t help but remember all the memories he had here¡ªthe credits, honing if his skills, the wins and only the wins. Tonight would be no different. Entering the Arena was always a rush. The moment he stepped inside, the energy in the air seemed to shift, bing charged with the thrill ofpetition. Kyle headed toward the registration desk, joining the long line. It didn''t take long before it got to his turn. The clerk didn''t ask much questions upon recognizing his mask that had induced fear into many. "Physical or Elemental?" Kyle thought hard on it before going for the former, he already had enough of elemental fights from the tournament so he''ll start of his night with a physical fight. After registering, he went to the gambling booth and staked 7,000 credits when he saw the odds were massively in his favour. That was his confidence. Kyle picked up a katana from the weapon rack, initially, he had feared he''ll be recognized if he used a katana. But there were tons of fighters other than him who used katana''s and no one was able to connect any dots, plus his skill level grew with every fight and training session with Instructor Dan. ''I''ll have to train with my sword more frequently. I must achieve 100% Sword intent mastery before the Yearly tournament,'' Kyle decided. He wondered what he stood to gain if he achieved 100% mastery, maybe he''ll be able to throw sword intent at will and might even be able to dream of winning. Kyle didn''t stay in his thoughts for too long, as he began making his way to one of the pits, deciding to watch on from the sidelines. After a few more fights, the announcer''s voice boomed through the Arena. "... Going against him, the undying sword demon: ABYSSS!" A massive ripple of excitement swept through the crowd as Kyle stepped onto the pit. He had be a favorite among the spectators. Who wouldn''t like a hidden master who seamlessly defeats all his opponents while holding back? Kyle had a proud smile as he walked onto the stage, he could feel the cheers and stares from everyone, but they did little to give him pressure. There were some who desperately wished for him to lose in the crowd, risking it high on the match to win it big and those were the ones he was going to prove wrong. His opponent was already waiting for him¡ªa bulky, broad-shouldered third year, with a mace as a weapon. Kyle deduced he should be the kind to rely on brute force, but he never underestimated him for a second. "Begin!" The moment the fight was called to begin, Kyle rushed at him with his superior agility, slipping gracefully past his opponent''s heavy swings. His opponent''s attacks were powerful but slow, and Kyle used that to his advantage. He dodged effortlessly, his body weaving through the strikes like water around rocks. When his opponent ovemitted with a wild swing Kyle saw his chance. With a quick step, he was inside the man''s guard, his katana shing in a controlled arc. The blunt edge of the weapon struck the man''s side, sending him stumbling backward with a grunt of pain. Kyle pressed forward, not letting up. His strikes were calcted, each onending with pinpoint uracy, targeting weak spots and joints. The fight was over in minutes. His opponent fell to the ground, winded and unable to continue, but not seriously harmed. The crowd erupted in cheers, but Kyle barely acknowledged them as he left the pit, his mind already moving to the next match. He hadn''t broken a sweat. By the time his second match was called, Kyle was more than ready. His confidence soared, and he felt the growth in his skill as he faced off against a new challenger. This opponent was faster than thest butcked the finesse that Kyle had honed over countless sessions. They shed, his katana meeting the other fighter''s staff with a sharp ring, but Kyle''s superior technique soon showed. He slipped inside again, using the same calcted strikes, overwhelming his opponent until the match was his. Each fight passed in a blur after that, resulting in a seamless flow of movements and strikes. Kyle kept dominating all the fights he took part in, and as the night wore on, he only became sharper, faster, stronger. By the time the clock struck midnight, Kyle had won every match he participated in. His body ached, not only from fatigue, but from the exhration of constantbat. As the Arena started to clear out, he walked back to the gambling booth onest time to confirm the night''s winnings. The clerk handed him a slip, and Kyle couldn''t help but grin widely under his mask as he read the total. [Credits: 23,040] ''Not bad for a night''s work,'' Kyle couldn''t help but think as he made his way back to the dorm. Immediately Kyle got to his dorm, he slipped inside, careful not to disturb Void, who was still deep into his intense cultivation. After stepping out of the long, hot bath, Kyle nced over at the katana lying on the table¡ªits cold, sleek de catching the dim light of the room. Tomorrow, it would be handed over to Orion, and something about that felt bittersweet. Kyle''s eyes lingered on the weapon as his mind wandered back to its stats. He couldn''t help use [Inspect] on it once more. [Frozen w] [Weapon Type: Katana] [Enchantments: Ice sh] [Ice sh: Momentarily imbue properties of the ice element on de. Mana is required to activate this property. Time and power of this effect increases with proficiency of the water element.] Kyle couldn''t help but marvel at the enchantment once again. "Ice sh... I haven''t even tried it out," he murmured, almost annoyed at himself for neglecting such a promising weapon. It was rare toe across magic equipment of this caliber, and the way it worked fascinated him. The ability to use elemental magic through a weapon¡ªit was something he''d read about, but seeing it in person felt almost unreal. He sighed and leaned against the table, remembering the whirlwind of events that had prevented him from testing the sword''s abilities. "Everything happened so fast," Kyle thought aloud, shaking his head. There hadn''t been a moment to breathe, much less test out the sword. But now? Now there was nothing standing in his way. No excuses. "Should I?" Chapter 89: Testing Out The Katana Kyle''s gaze shifted to the clock¡ª 12:08 AM¡ªIt was a littlete for swinging around a magic-infused katana, but considering he had already slept earlier, Kyle wasn''t feeling too tired. Plus, tomorrow, he''d be handing over the katana to Orion. If he didn''t test its enchantment tonight, when would he ever? Kyle stood up, feeling the familiar thrill of curiosity surge through him. "I may as well give it a go," he muttered to himself. His hand reached for the katana''s hilt, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Let''s see what this thing can really do." Kyle descended the stairs into the expansive hall he''d turned into his personal training ground. It was a ce where he could test his limits, push his skills, and tonight, explore the potential of his newly acquired katana, Frozen w. His hand tightened on the hilt as he pulled the de from its scabbard. The metal glowed in the soft light, and the weight of the katana felt perfect. It was bnced and smooth. Even though he had only gotten Frozen w that day, it felt familiar in his hands, like any other katana he had mastered in the past. The difference here was that this weapon had more to offer than just its de¡ªit held an enchantment, one that he was about to test out. "I''ll start with a few shes," Kyle muttered to himself as he began making slow swings with the sword, allowing his body to reacquaint itself with the weapon''s weight and flow. Despite hisck of experience with this specific weapon, his natural proficiency with the sword made it feel like second nature. As he circled the room, Kyle''s gaze fell on the training dummy in the corner. It had taken quite a few credits to acquire, but it was worth it. Built tough, it could withstand all kinds of tests without breaking down. It was the perfect target to test out Frozen w''s capabilities. Experience more content on m v|l e''-NovelBin He approached the dummy and held the sword firmly in both hands, the hilt snug in his grip. With a quick inhale, he unleashed a series of sharp strikes. His body moved fluidly, the katana whistling with each swing. The impact was solid¡ªhe could feel the force traveling through the de into the dummy, but it was the precision that stood out. Every cut was perfect, exactly where he intended it tond¡ªthat was the extent of his control. Kyle paused, eyeing the de. He had been eager to test the real enchantment¡ªthe Ice sh. It had intrigued him ever since he first inspected the sword. Kyle had had enough time already and he knew that it was time to test our enchantment. Kyle took a deep breath, focusing on the katana''s enchantment. The concept seemed straightforward: channel mana into the de, then release it through a strike. Easier said than done. His first few attempts yielded nothing¡ªas the sword remained cold and unmoving. Kyle frowned, concentrating harder. ''How exactly am I supposed to activate it?'' After several more tries, he began to try something new. He didn''t just channel his mana through the de, he used his mana to wash the de. It showed results as a faint glow of mana was emitted from the de as his mana upied the de. Kyle was ovee with excitement as he saw it was working. Slowly, the katana began to glow with a faint blue light as a cool aura enveloped the de. Kyle grinned to himself. ''This is it.'' He stepped forward, directing his mana with more purpose now, watching as the sword''s glow intensified. The air around him grew noticeably cooler, and with a swift, clean sh, he brought the katana down on the training dummy. The effect was instant¡ªice formed at the point of impact, spreading across the surface where the de had struck. The once-tough wood of the dummy splintered slightly, frost creeping across the cracks. Kyle stepped back, his eyes wide with admiration. As expected, the sword didn''t just deliver a normal blow¡ªthe strike was sharper and stronger, and the chilling effect from the ice was unmistakable. The weapon had chipped more into the dummy than his previous strikes, leaving a noticeableyer of frost behind. He swung again, this time pouring more mana into the de. The icy glow was more pronounced as it shed through the air. Like before, the cold energy it emitted lingered even after the strike. Even though Kyle wasn''t yet proficient with water affinity, the sword''s enchantment was responding well enough to his mana and was producing impressive results. Kyle couldn''t help but imagine how much more powerful Frozen w would be once he awakened a water affinity. The sword wasn''t a growth-type weapon, but it didn''t need to be¡ªits capabilities were already beyond what he had expected. He could only dream of the devastation it could cause once he mastered its potential. It was almost disappointing that he''d be handing it over to Orion tomorrow, but the promise of getting it back even stronger kept him going. After a few more strikes, the sword''s frozen glow dimmed and finally vanished. "I see¡­ it has a limit," Kyle thought, recalling the system''s description. [The duration and power of this effect increases with proficiency in the water element.] He sighed, ncing over the description again. For a moment, he felt tempted to pursue water affinity as his next element. "No¡­ basing my future on one weapon isn''t smart," Kyle immediately banished such thoughts. "There are far more powerful elements I could unlock." A thought sparked in his mind. I never figured out how to awaken more elemental affinities? "System, how can I unlock additional elements?" [...] When the system offered no response, Kyle sighed again. "Looks like I''ll have to figure it out myself." He knew the answer wouldn''te easily but was determined to seek it out. With that decision made, Kyle retired for the night. His body ached¡ªnot from exhaustion, but from the satisfying soreness that followed a productive training session. He sheathed Frozen w, the soft click of the de sliding into its scabbard a satisfying punctuation to his sessful night¡ªor rather, early morning. Kyle stood there for a moment, observing the training dummy. It had done well to receive a beating and he didn''t regret purchasing it. It looked slightly damaged but Kyle wasn''t worried as its innate function allowed it to heal itself over time with the help of the mana core ingrained within it. He nced at his katana onest time. It had lived up to his expectations, and tomorrow, he would hand it over to Orion. He knew that when it returned, it would be enhanced beyond its current state. As much as he hated parting with the weapon, Kyle was content knowing it woulde back even stronger. With a final look at the training area, he made his way back to his room. Void was still deep in his cultivation, undisturbed by the night''s events. Kyle decided not to bother him. Instead, he climbed into the soft, weing bed, ready to surrender to sleep, his mind already thinking of the next day''s ns. Chapter 90: A Thousand Mana Cores?! Kyle woke to a persistent tapping on his forehead. He groaned before aimlessly swatting the bugging annoyance resulting in his hand connected with something hard and scaly. The tapping stopped for a moment before resuming, more insistent this time. "Wake up!" Void''s voice, as sharp as ever, cut through the fog of Kyle''s sleep. Kyle groaned again, parting his eyelids to see the small dragon perched firmly on his chest. The creature''s golden eyes were locked onto him, its tail wagging back and forth in an impatient rhythm. "Ugh... Void, what time is it?" Kyle mumbled, rubbing his eyes as he tried to shake off the remnants of his sleep. Void, unimpressed by the sluggishness, shifted its weight and gave an exasperated snort. "Check for yourself. I''m not your personal timekeeper." Kyle groggily reached for hism on the bedside table. His eyes widened in horror as he caught sight of the time. 11:23 AM. "What the¡ª" Kyle shot upright, sending Void tumbling off his chest and onto the bed in a backward roll. The little dragon hissed in annoyance, regaining its footing with a re. "I''ve been trying to wake you for the past hour!" Void snapped, hopping back onto the bed. "You''re lucky I didn''t leave you there. Honestly, for a student, you''re quite the heavy sleeper." Kyle ignored the sarcastic tone, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "An hour? Seriously?" He yawned, trying to process how he had slept through Void''s disturbance for so long. Void sat back on its limbs, watching Kyle with a serious look. "I tried everything short of breathing fire on you. Not that I have the strength to breathe fire¡ªyet." Kyle couldn''t help but chuckle, despite the stress creeping in. "Yeah, I guess I owe you for that." "You do," Void replied smoothly, tail flicking again. "And speaking of debts¡­" Kyle''s chuckle died in his throat, his instincts warning him of impending doom. "Wait... what do you mean, debts?" he asked slowly, eyeing the dragon with suspicion. Void''s grin was far too smug for Kyle''s liking. "Remember our little agreement? The one about mana cores?" Void''s eyes sparkled mischievously as it paced on the bed. "Yeah, I remember. I''ll give you 20 mana cores when you be an Intermediate Mage, right?" Void gave a small, almost undetectable nod, then sat still for a moment before adding, "You''re correct, but scrap that deal. I''ve changed my mind." "Changed your mind? About what?" Void''s grin widened further. "I think 20 cores are far too few for a being of my level. I''m going to need... let''s say... 1000." Kyle widened his moth, his jaw dropping as if he hadn''t heard Void correctly. "A thousand mana cores?! Are you insane? Do you have any idea how much that would cost?" Void, unfazed, tilted its head slightly, as if considering the matter. "At current market value, that would be roughly 200,000 credits, give or take a few thousand." "Give or take?" Kyle repeated, his voice rising. "Void, that''s a fortune! That''s 27 years of our current allowance! How do you expect me toe up with that kind of money?" Void shrugged,pletely unconcerned. "How you acquire them is not my problem. I need them for my growth, and as my master, it''s your responsibility to provide." Kyle stared in disbelief. "My responsibility? You can''t just drop these ridiculous demands out of nowhere!" "This is hardly ridiculous. If you want me to grow and be a proper partner, I need resources. Consider this an investment. My strength will directly impact yours, and you know how important that is, don''t you?" "Void, we''re talking about a thousand cores. Do you realize how long that would take me to gather?" Void fixed him with a cool, calcting look. "I''ve done the math, actually. Based on my current rate of mana absorption, it will take approximately 203 days for me to reach level 10 and be an Intermediate Mage¡ªassuming I cultivate for ten hours daily. You have more than enough time to gather that amount of cores before then." Kyle blinked, momentarily stunned into silence. "Wait, you did... math?" Void nodded proudly. "I am more than a cute face, Kyle. I''ve calcted the most efficient path to power. And 1000 cores is a small price to pay for the strength I will offer you in return." Kyle sank back onto the bed, his head spinning. He was used to Void''s confident attitude, but this felt like a whole new level of audacity. Still, as unreasonable as it sounded, Void wasn''t wrong. The little dragon was key to his growth especially outside the academy , and in a world where power meant survival, their mutual advancement was essential. "Alright, fine," Kyle sighed, rubbing his temples. Kyle couldn''t help but feel he had been scammed once again. Furst, Orion now Void. ''Wait... Orion,'' Kyle suddenly remembered their agreement. He directed his gaze to hism again, scrolling through the notifications. Sure enough, there were five missed calls from Orion¡ªone at 7:00 AM, then 8:00, then 9:00... all the way up to 11:00, as if Orion had been trying to reach him every hour. "Crap," Kyle muttered under his breath. He opened an unread message from Orion, which contained nothing but an address marker and a simple line of text: Be here when you wake up. Kyle grimaced. He had totally forgotten they had made ns to meet today, and knowing Orion, the guy was probably fuming by now. He grabbed the Frozen w, from the desk, giving it a quick once-over before cing it in a bag. Just as he was about to head out the door, Void''s voice called out again. "Wait!" Kyle stopped mid-step, ncing back to see Void hopping off the bed and trotting over to him, its eyes gleaming with excitement. "I''ming with you!" Void announced, looking up at him expectantly. Kyle shook his head, already knowing where this was going. "No way. You''re staying here. You''ll only be a disturbance to me." Void''s face fell into an exaggerated pout, its eyes wide and pleading. "But I''ll be good! I promise! I won''t cause any problems. I just want to see what you''re up to." Kyle raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Since when do you care about what I''m up to?" Void straightened, the pout vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. "I have my reasons. And besides, I''m curious about this ''Orion guy'' you''re always talking about. I need to assess thepetition." Kyle blinked, taken aback. "Competition? What are you¡ª" "I''m2 your most important partner, aren''t I?" Void interrupted, puffing its chest. "I need to know who else is vying for your attention." Kyle stared at the little dragon, momentarily at a loss for words. "You''ve got to be kidding me." Void replied with a smug voice. "I''m not. You should appreciate the effort I''m making. After all, I''m your most valuable asset." "Hmph. Let''s go," Kyle finally sighed in defeat. "But... Try not to be a disturbance." Void hopped into the system pet space in a sh, its voice echoing in Kyle''s mind as it settled in. [I wouldn''t dream of it.] Kyle snorted. "Sure." With that, he finally headed out the door, locking it behind him as he made his way to Orion''s ce. Chapter 91: Before You Need It Void remained silent in the system pet space as Kyle walked toward Orion''s house, which was unusual, because the dragon usually had something snarky to say. The rows of dormitory houses were all identical, each one-story tall, with uniform brickwork, sloped roofs, and neat little frontwns. Kyle soon reached Orion''s house. He nced at the number "6" that confirmed it was his before pressing the doorbell. Immediately the doorbell rang, Kyle heard quick footsteps approaching before the door was flunged open. Orion stood there, his hair slightly disheveled, with an eager expression on his face as though he''d been waiting by the door all morning. "Took you long enough," Orion said, waving Kyle inside. Kyle smirked and walked in, observing theyout. It was simr to his own dorm houserge and expansive sitting room with plush couches and a neat table. The whole ce had a sterile cleanliness to it, like Orion didn''t spend much time here. They walked through the sitting room toward arge open room, simr to the one Kyle had converted to his training center. Kyle had expected to see some kind of grand forge orb setup like the one in Frulia¡ªa ce where Orion would be crafting intricate tools or researching. But as they stepped inside, Kyle was greeted with¡­ nothing. The room was practically barren, save for a few scattered books and runic papers. Kyle blinked, a little surprised. "Wait, this is yourb? You haven''t set up anything yet?" Orion chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, well, you need credits to get all the top-tier stuff. And unfortunately, I haven''t exactly had the funds to build out the whole workshop yet. But thanks to you¡­" He winked with a mischievous smile before adding, "I''m not in the dark anymore." Kyle raised an eyebrow, catching on. "So I''m your light bringer now, huh?" Orion smirked. "Call it what you want, but thanks to thatst credit transfer you sent, I''ve got ns in motion." Kyle groaned but didn''t dwell on it that much. He remembered something he had observed and decided to bring it up. "I saw some runic papers all over the floor... You do runes?" "Yeah... I''ve been dabbling into that recently. Any problem?" "No... No, I''m just surprised. How good are you exactly?" Kyle asked with a slight, nervous chuckle. It damaged his confidence to realize that Orion could inscribe runes. Worst of all... He learnt it all by himself. "I might not be as good as you just yet... But I''m getting there." Kyle sighed in relief when he heard Orion''s im, inwardly steeling himself to work harder and not let Orion catch up to him. ''I can''t let him be a master in everything.'' [Snap out of it. You''re acting like a child] Void''s voice echoed in Kyle''s mind carrying hints ofughter. He forgot that Void could read his thoughts when in the pet space, as they were connected through a mind link. Kyle wanted to retort to Void'' s remark but kept his calm. ''Remember you promised to be good; so keep quiet.'' Void clicked [Yeah right] "What¡ª" Alright, enough with the small talk," Orion said, unexpectedly interrupting Kyle''s building banter with Orion. "Let''s talk business. Let me have the katana?" Kyle nodded, reaching into his bag and carefully pulling out the Frozen w. The moment his hand wrapped around the hilt, he could feel the familiar cool sensation radiating from the de. He ced the katana gently on the table between them. "Frozen w," Kyle said quietly, eyeing the de. "It''s got an ice enchantment called ''Ice sh.'' Every time it hits something, it forms frost and ice at the point of impact. The closer attuned you are with the water element, the stronger the effect." [You idiot! You''ve said too much! How are you going to exin that one? System mechanics aren''tmon knowledge!] Kyle froze for a second. He hadn''t meant to say that much. He hadn''t meant to say that much. Panic shed through his mind, as he desperately began thinking of ways to backtrack. "Uh... I just guessed so, since ice is a branch of water magic. Maybe a water elemental mage should no better." Orion gave him a suspicious look, clearly not buying the excuse. "So you''re saying proficiency with the element enhances the enchantment?" Kyle forced augh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Something like that. Honestly, I''m not sure about that; I''m just considering." [Sure, that''ll throw him off] Void muttered sarcastically. Orion narrowed his eyes, clearly unconvinced, but he didn''t bother pushing the subject. "You''ve been dabbling in forge mastering, haven''t you? How could you figure that weave." Kyle let out a nervous chuckle. "Lucky guess, I think." Orion gave him a long look before finally leaning back in his chair. "Alright, alright. No need to get defensive. Let''s talk about what I''m going to do with this beauty." Orion picked up the katana and gave it a few experimental swings in the air. The de made a satisfying whooshing sound, and Kyle couldn''t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. This was his sword, after all. "Hey, don''t get toofortable with that," Kyle said, his tone yful but with a hint of seriousness. Orionughed, spinning the de in his hand before carefully setting it back down on the table. "Rx. I''m not gonna keep it. But I need time to study the enchantment properly. The longer I have it, the better I can understand its mechanics and improve it for you." "When do you think you''ll give it back?" Kyle asked with hints of desperation. Orion waved his hand dismissively. "Before you need it, I promise." Kyle pondered that for a moment. When would he really need it? He couldn''t use it in the arena because sharp weapons were banned. He couldn''t use it in ss either. Suddenly, the realization hit him¡ªFrozen w, like the Veil of Silence, was a weapon meant for the world outside the academy. Its true power couldn''t be unleashed here. "This world really wants me to leave the academy," Kyle muttered to himself, thinking about all of his boons. Orion snapped him out of his thoughts. "The longer I''m with the katana, the better I can enhance it. Trust me on this." "Fine. But don''t get too attached to it... And most importantly don''t damage it." Orion chuckled before moving on to the next topic. "Now, about those credits¡­" Kyle groaned internally, knowing exactly what wasing next. "Yeah, yeah, the deal. How much do I owe you again?" Orion leaned back, grinning. "Don''t act like you forgot. It''s 5,000 credits, every Wednesday." Kyle grumbled under his breath, swiping open hism to transfer the credits. "More like an allowance," he muttered as he punched in the transfer details. Orion smirked as the credits hit his ount. "Hey, I''m just providing a service. You want top-tier gear, don''t you?" Kyle opened his mouth to respond, but before he could get a word out, Orion stood up and motioned toward the door. "Alright, we''re done here. I''ve got a lot of work to do; so... see yourself out." Kyle blinked in surprise. "What? You''re kicking me out already?" Orion shot him a sly grin. "Time is money, and I''ve got a lot of work to do thanks to you." Kyle stood up, muttering, "See the bro I made rich," under his breath as he headed for the door. Void, who had been disturbingly quiet for most of the conversation, suddenly chimed in with a softugh. [You really did make him rich. Look at him now¡ªkicking you out like you''re some beggar.] Kyle rolled his eyes. "Shut up, Void." [Hey, just pointing out the obvious.] Kyle stepped out of Orion''s house, the door shutting firmly behind him. He stood outside Orion''s house for a moment, staring at the closed door. He didn''t bother to dwell more on his send off, rather,mitting his mind on what to do next. ''The best option would be to cultivate,'' Kyle mused. ''There''ll be no sses this week, so I''ll have to use this time wisely and grow stronger by any means possible.'' Kyle was about to turn around and head back to his house when he heard Void''s voice chime in. [You have thousands of credits and you''re nning on cultivating?] ''Ah... I totally forgot that skill,'' Kyleughed nervously, simultaneously pulling out hism to confirm his remaining credits. [Credits: 18,005]. He still had a decent amount left after thest transfer to Orion. "Nice idea... Let''s head to the mall!" Void remained quiet, to avoid saying anything that will annoy Kyle. This was his opportunity to eat more mana cores, and he just had to stay good. After a short walk, Kyle arrived at the academy''s bustling mall; the ce was packed with students as usual, mostly the first years as this was a free day for them. Kyle scanned the area, searching for a shop that sold mana cores. There were always multiple mana core stores, some belonged to the academy staff while others belonged to students. Kyle located a store that had arge amount of cores avable, including cores of other tiers aside from tier-1. As he stepped into the store, he momentarily admired all the cores that were neatly packed in various ss cases. ''Imagine having ess to all these cores...'' Kyle couldn''t help but dream. Void who had been oddly quiet during the walk to the mall cut him off, sounding very serious. [Then let''s steal them. I''ve grown very much stronger... We should be able to pull it off if we execute it properly] ''You...'' Kyle wanted to remark on Void''s n when out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a familiar face. Standing by the counter and speaking with the salesman, was none other than Lora. Chapter 92: Leagues Ahead [Edited] Kyle lingered for a moment at the back of the shop, his thoughts swirling after identifying Lora. He remembered how he had been such a jerk to her after he had lost. He meant to call her and apologize, but ever since Orion''s interruption itpletely slipped his mind. Now, here she was. She was right in front of him but he couldn''t help but hesitate. ''I never did get the chance to apologize for being rude,'' Kyle thought to himself, ncing over at Lora again. ''And nothing''s stopping me from doing it now.'' [Stop acting like you''re gearing up to talk to your crush] Void suddenly chimed in as usual, cutting through Kyle''s thoughts with an amused tone. ''What?! Crush? The hell... What made you even think in such manner.'' [Sure, sure. You don''t need to panic.] Kyle could already feel the banter with Void building, but this wasn''t the time for that. ''I should go talk to her,'' he decided, steeling himself. Taking a deep breath, Kyle made his way over to where Lora stood, forming a confident expression admist his nervousness as he approached her. "Hey, Lora," Kyle called out casually, waving slightly to catch her attention. Lora turned around to the direction of the voice that called her name almost immediately, her eyes widening in surprise the moment it met him. For a moment, a soft smile graced her lips, but it quickly vanished as her expression fell. She looked down, clearly remembering what had happened between them. "I... I''m sorry," she said almost immediately, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know I''ve already said it before, but... I really am." Kyle sighed, feeling an instant pang of guilt. He raised his hand and gently face-palmed, shaking his head. "No. Stop apologizing. You didn''t do anything wrong. If anything, I''m the one who should be apologizing. I was the jerk, not you." Lora blinked, confused. "But I¡ª" Kyle cut her off. "It wasn''t your fault, okay? I lost, and I took it out on you, which wasn''t fair. I should''ve known better." Lora bit her lip, still looking uncertain. "You really wanted to¡ª" "Lora, really," Kyle interrupted again, this time with a soft chuckle. "It''s okay. You won fair and square, but now I need you to forgive me. I shouldn''t have acted like that... Please forgive me." For a moment, they stood in silence, Lora processing his words. Slowly, she nodded, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. "Okay," she whispered. "I forgive you." Kyle smiled now the tension between them had disappeared. "Good. Now that we''ve got that out of the way, let me make it up to you by paying for your mana cores," he said, motioning to the ss cases filled with cores. Lora''s eyes widened in shock. "Oh, no way. You don''t need to do that. I still owe you for thest time." she said quickly, waving her hands in protest. "C''mon," Kyle pressed, "It''s the least I can do after being such an ass." Lora shook her head vehemently, her usual shyness creeping back into her voice. "I don''t need you to pay for them. I''ve got tons credits." Kyle raised an eyebrow, trying to argue, but Lora cut him off this time. "Really, Kyle. I''ve got plenty of credits. I''ve sold a good amount of runes, plus the prize I received from the tournament, I don''t have a problem with credits." The elective courses weren''t just about gaining knowledge; they also helped in creating products that had value in the market. Rune makers could sell pre-made runes. The alchemists students could prepare pills and potions, while the forge masters sold weapons and armor. The only exception to this system of mization was the Beast Tamers. They didn''t sell any products or resources, as their focus was entirely on training and bonding with powerful creatures. However, the strength of a tamed beast in battle more than made up for theck of a traditional ie stream. Beast Tamers didn''t need to sell goods¡ªthey had theirpanions, and that was a trade-off most were willing to ept. It also exined how Lora had managed to umte a decent sum of credits. Her superior skills in rune making,bined with her speed and precision, could easily turn her into a machine when it came to churning out marketable runes. This might seem heavenly to the students, but it wasn''t appealing for Kyle. He had a more reliable source of ie than to spend hours creating runes, all for another person''s use. He nced at the counter, where the salesman was carefully packing up the mana cores for Lora. "How many did you buy?" "Twenty," Lora calmly replied. Kyle blinked in shock. "Twenty? That''s a lot of cores." Lora shrugged. "I need them. They''re essential for my research." Kyle couldn''t believe his ears. Most students, aside from a few exceptions like himself, rarely bought more than a handful of mana cores at a time. The high prices alone were enough to deter most, and yet Lora had just bought twenty as if it were no big deal. "What kind of research are you doing?" Kyle asked, now more intrigued than ever. "I''ve been studying Runic Circles," Lora answered, her eyes lighting up with excitement. Kyle''s jaw dropped. "You''re working with Runic Circles? At your level?" Lora nodded, a small smile on her face. "Yeah. It''s really challenging, but I think I''m making progress. That''s why I need so many mana cores. They''re key to making the circles work." Runic circles were a collection of runesbined together in an intricate formation to create much more advanced magic. An example was the teleportation circle used by the Dean to transport them here. Kyle was speechless for a moment. He knew howplicated Runic Circles were, and for Lora to be delving into that kind of advanced magic so early was nothing short of incredible. It reminded him just how far apart they were when it came to Rune Making. [You''re leagues apart] Void suddenly cut in, his voice smug in Kyle''s mind. [She''s far smarter and stronger than you, and yet you''re supposed to be the main character] Kyle couldn''t help but feel a small sting at Void''s words. He wanted to argue that Lora wasn''t stronger than him just because she had beat him, but quickly pushed it aside. It didn''t matter that Lora was ahead of him. What mattered was that she was amazing at what she did, and he could close that gap soon. "You''re seriously talented," Kyle finally said, his voice full of admiration. Lora blushed, ncing away shyly. "No, I''m not..." "You are," Kyle insisted. "I mean, I don''t even understand what Runic Circles are. Yet you''re learning on how to create them." Lora''s blush deepened, and she looked down at her feet. "I''m just trying my best.". "Well, keep it up. You''re definitely going to be a legend one day. Make sure you remember me," Kyle added with a wink. Lora giggled softly, clearly embarrassed by thepliment. "Thank you." They stood there for a moment infortable silence before Lora finally picked up her box of mana cores. "I should get going. I''ve got a lot of work to do." Kyle nodded. "Yeah, I''ll let you get back to it." Lora turned around just before she left the door. "We should meet up again soon... I''ve missed our study sessions." "Oh, so you missed me, huh?" Her face immediately turned a deep shade of red as she sputtered, "No! I mean... I missed the study sessions, not you!" Kyle pretended to pout. "So you like runes more than me? That''s harsh, Lora." Lora''s eyes widened in horror. "No! That''s not what I meant¡ª" Before she could finish, Kyle burst intoughter, unable to keep up the act any longer. "I''m just messing with you." Lora''s face squeezed up in a cute angry expression as she realized he''d tricked her. "That''s not funny!" Kyle grinned, still chuckling. "Sorry, sorry. I couldn''t resist." Lora shook her head, though there was a small smile on her face. "You''re impossible." Kyle watched as Lora turned to leave, her blush still faintly visible on her cheeks. "See you around, Kyle," she said softly before heading out the door. "See you," Kyle called after her, still smiling as he watched her go. Once she was out of sight, Kyle turned back to the counter. The salesman was waiting for him, raising an eyebrow as if to ask if he needed help. Kyle stepped forward, clearing his throat. "I''d like sixty mana cores, please." Chapter 93: Level Up Gobbler! The salesman raised his eyebrow, momentarily stunned by Kyle''s request. "Sixty mana cores, you said?" He blinked in disbelief, as if waiting for Kyle tough and say it was a joke. Kyle met his gaze with a smirk. "That''s right. Sixty." The man''s mouth hung slightly open for a beat, and then, as the realization settled in, a spark of excitement lit up his eyes. He quicklyposed himself, adopting a professional tone, though the eager gleam in his eyes betrayed how pleased he was. "Sixty mana coresing right up." He turned back to his counter, grabbing a set of keys from his belt as he moved toward a ss case. As he carefully unlocked it and began removing the cores one by one, Kyle could see the man trying¡ªand failing¡ªto hide his glee. He couldn''t help but smile to himself, recognizing how much his purchase was brightening up someone else day. "Quite the busy day for you, huh?" Kyle said casually, ncing around the shop. He caught sight of a few other customers walking about, some of them casting curious nces his way, perhaps overhearing the absurd number of cores he was purchasing. The salesman chuckled nervously as he continued to pack the cores in a box. "Indeed! It''s not every day that someone buys this many mana cores in one go. First the youngdy with her twenty... and now you." He gave Kyle a respectful nod. "You''ve made this one of the best days I''ve had in a while, sir." Kyle waved off the ttery, not feelingfortable from being referred as ''sir''. As the salesman continued to pack the cores, he nced up at Kyle, clearly curious but too professional to ask any personal questions. Instead, he simply said, "If you ever need more mana cores, please feel free to return. I''ll always have stock ready for you." Kyle smiled at thement, appreciating the man''s professionalism. "I''ll keep that in mind," he replied as he transferred the credits. The salesman''s hands moved with practiced care as he closed the box and slid it across the counter toward Kyle. "Here you go, sir," he said with a flourish. "Sixty mana cores, packed delicately, just as requested." Kyle took the box and gave the man a nod of thanks. "I appreciate it. I''ll definitely be back." "Anytime!" The salesman bowed slightly, clearly satisfied with the transaction. "You have yourself a wonderful day." Kyle turned, box in hand, and made his way out of the shop. As he stepped into the main passage of the mall, the chatter of students filled the air. He allowed himself a brief moment to enjoy the bustle before Void''s voice cut through the peaceful atmosphere. [Sixty cores, huh? That''s quite the feast you''ve lined up] Kyle couldn''t help but chuckle. He had been expecting Void to speak on on this topic sooner. "Yeah, it''s all for me. Don''t get any ideas." [All for you?] Void repeated, sounding hurt. [Kyle, I''m wounded. I''ve6 been so good to youtely, giving you space and everything. Isn''t it only fair that we share?] Kyleughed, shaking his head as he continued walking through the marketce. "Nice try. But you don''t get to manipte me that easily. Besides, if I let you have your way, I''d be lucky to keep even one core for myself." [Oh,e on] Void whined. [Just a few. You don''t need all sixty, right? Think of the benefits we''d both get if you just shared a little.] Kyle grinned, loving how easy it was to rile Void up. "Nope. They''re mine." [Selfish] Void muttered. [You''re bing selfish, Kyle.] Kyle rolled his eyes as they left the mall and headed back toward his dorm. "I was wondering... You were unusually quiet when I talked to Lora, what happened?" Kyle asked as he walked. "Not like you to let me have so much peace." [Quiet?] Void echoed. [I was merely giving you space to make your moves. You seemed so focused on apologizing to Lora. Didn''t want to mess that up for you.] Kyle couldn''t help but snort. "You were giving me space? I''m not buying it." [Okay, okay, maybe I was just enjoying the show a little,] Void admitted, sounding amused. [You humans are always so awkward about these things.] Kyleughed. "Yeah, well, thanks for not interrupting. I didn''t need yourmentary on that one." They continued walking infortable silence until they reached the house. Kyle made his way to his room the moment he got inside, setting the box of mana cores down on the desk. "Alright," Kyle said, cracking his knuckles as he eyed the box. "Time to get to work." He opened the box, revealing the neatly packed mana cores, each one glowing faintly with contained energy. He could already feel the faint pulse of power radiating from them. But before he began Kyle had something to take care of first¡ªSkill points were used for either upgrading or learning skills. Kyle had obtained 5 skill points from the system on reaching the Finals¡ªthe bare minimum for upgrading a base skill to the next level. Now he was presented with the opportunity to take mana cores. He couldn''t waste this opportunity to try leveling up [Gobbler]. ''Level up Gobbler,'' He willed with the system, inwardly hoping for it to work. [Gobbler: Lv 1 >> Lv 2] [Gobbler(Lv 2): Gobble a Mana core to acquire 20% Mana] "Nice!" Kyle muttered with a wide grin, not very encouraging but would do. He picked up the first one, rolling it between his fingers for a moment before popping it into his mouth. His teeth handled the core perfectly, allowing it to dissolve instantly, a burst of raw mana flooding his senses. Kyle closed his eyes, focusing on the flow of energy as it coursed through his body. The system pinged almost immediately, notifying him of his gain. [+20 EXP] The notifications appeared with each core he consumed. One after another, the mana cores vanished as Kyle devoured them, his body absorbing the energy at a rapid pace. The sensation of power building within him was intoxicating, and he could feel his mana reserves swelling with each core. Void, at first, watched with eager anticipation. But as the pile of cores dwindled, his excitement began to wane. "You''re really going to eat them all, huh?" Void asked, his tone now more dejected. Kyle smirked as he picked up another core. "Told you. All mine." Void''s frustration grew more apparent with each core that disappeared. "You can''t be serious! Kyle, you don''t need all of them!" Kyle just grinned, tossing another core into his mouth. The system continued to ping with each bite, the notificationsing in quick session. [+20 EXP] [+20 EXP] ... Void''s voice grew more desperate as the number of remaining cores dwindled. "You''re killing me here! How can you be this heartless? Look at all that delicious mana¡ª" Kyle finally reached thest core, holding it between his fingers as Void watched. He was as broken already and tears were building in his eyes. "Kyle, wait¡ª" Kyle ignored him and motioned to pop the core into his mouth, but in a swift reverse motion, he tossed the core into the air. Time seemed to slow down for Void as he focused his eyes on the mana core in the air. His eyes were widened in excitement and he didn''t hesitate, before Kyle could blink, Void had leapt up at lightning speed, swallowing the core whole with a single chomp. "Burp." Kyle burst outughing, watching Void float back down, clearly pleased with himself. "Well, you got one," Kyle said with a grin. Void, however, turned his back on Kyle, clearly sulking. [That was torture. You could have given me at least fifty, but no. You let me starve and then tossed me the crumbs.] Kyle raised an eyebrow, amused. "Crumbs? That core was worth the same as the others." [Doesn''t matter] Void muttered. [I was still deprived.] Kyle chuckled, watching Void pout as he floated toward the corner of the room, clearly intending to "cultivate" his anger away. He was enjoying getting on Void''s skin a bit, and he wasn''t ready to stop just yet. "Hey," Kyle called out after a moment. "Aren''t you forgetting something?" Void ignored him, continuing his slow drift to the corner, still radiating anger as he walked. "Oh, I don''t know... Maybe a little thank you for giving you thatst core?" Chapter 94: An Angry Void Void stiffened mid-walk, his back still turned to Kyle. It seemed like he wanted to turn around and say something, but he held it in and continued walking, reaching the corner and crouching to cultivate. Kyle chuckled softly to himself, already knowing how to push Void''s buttons further. He slowly stood up, pretending to walk out of the door. "Welp, if that''s how it''s going to be... I guess I''ll just head out to buy some more mana cores." Void''s eyes snapped open the moment he heard mana cores, and in the blink of an eye, he zoomed across the room at a blinding speed, blocking Kyle''s path by positioning himself directly between Kyle and the door. "W-wait! Hold on! No need to leave just yet!" Void stammered, his voice suddenly bright and eager, as if trying to make up for his earlier cold shoulder. Kyle smirked, crossing his arms over his chest as he raised an eyebrow. "Oh, now you want to talk?" Void nodded furiously, his usual bravado reced with a pleading, almost desperate tone. "Of course, of course! You''ve already gotten yourself some mana cores. Can''t you get some for me too, please!" Kyle pretended to think about it for a moment. "Hmm... I don''t know. You''ve been really badtely, I''ve not been happy with that¡ª" Void, sensing that he was about to lose, suddenly changed tactics. He puffed up his cheeks and made his eyes go wide and teary and his whole face transformed into a picture of exaggerated cuteness. "Kyle, please! Look! I''m being good now!" Kyle stared at Void with a straight face, barely holding back hisughter. "You know I''m not buying your act." Void immediately switched strategies, dropping the cute act and instead bowing dramatically, hands sped together in a gesture of total supplication. "Please! Oh great Kyle, oh kind and generous Kyle, I beg of you! But for me mana cores! I''ll do anything! Anything!" Kyle kept his poker face, though he could feel his resolve weakening. "Anything, huh?" Void nodded enthusiastically, practically throwing himself at Kyle''s feet. "Yes! Yes! Anything! You wantpliments? I''ve gotpliments! You''re strong, powerful, and the best cultivator in the academy. Your mana core shines brighter than the sun!" "Hehe!" Kyle suddenly burst intoughter, not able to take it anymore. Void''spliments had pushed him too far. He keptughing for some time while Void quietly stared at him, feeling an ominous dread from his sudden outburst ofughter. ''Did I say anything funny? Is heughing at my desperation?'' Void pondered as beads of sweat fell off his face. ''No. I know why he''sughing... He had been lying all around!'' Void eventually came to a conclusion on the reason for Kyle''sughter, but he couldn''t bring himself to admit it, deciding to probe him further. "Do you mind letting me share in yourughter?" Void asked, trying to maintain his politeness, just in case he was wrong. Kyle tried to control hisughter, but it was no use. "Sorry, Void," he managed to say between the chuckles. "This was all just a prank. I wasn''t actually nning on going out to get more mana cores right now." Void''s face hardened as the truth sank in. His usual yful nature vanished, reced by a cold, simmering rage. His eyes narrowed, and for the first time since hatching, Kyle saw an expression on Void''s face that made him uneasy. ''I might have gone too far this time,'' Kyle thought as he saw Void''s anger rise. "A prank?" Void''s tone was cold and t. "You watched me lower myself... beg, and it was all for a joke?" Kyle swallowed, suddenly ufortable under Void''s piercing gaze. "Hey, Void, I didn''t mean to¡ª" "No," Void interrupted, his voice sharper now. "You did mean to. You enjoyed it, didn''t you? You enjoyed watching me grovel for something you never intended to give. What''s worse, you knew how much I liked mana cores. And youughed." Kyle opened his mouth to respond, but Void wasn''t done. The small dragon''s tail flicked with irritation, and his voice trembled, not with weakness but with restrained fury. "Do you know what it''s like, Kyle?" Void continued, his tone rising. "To need something so badly? To feel that burning hunger, that drive, and then to be made a fool of for wanting it?" His voice broke, but the intensity of his anger only kept on growing. "You toyed with me. You watched me grovel, and you found it funny." Kyle flinched. Void''s words hit harder than any spell could. He hadn''t realized how deeply he had hurt hispanion. He thought it was a simple joke, a light tease, but now he saw it for what it was¡ªcruelty. ''Damn, I really screwed up,'' Kyle thought. His chest tightened as he realized just how badly he had misjudged the situation. Void''s anger wasn''t just about the joke¡ªit was about trust. Trust that Kyle had shattered in a matter of moments. Kyle reached out, taking a step forward. "Void, I didn''t mean¡ª" "You didn''t mean what?!" Void cut him off again. "Didn''t mean to humiliate me? Didn''t mean to use the one thing I wanted to manipte me? You saw me beg. I begged you, Kyle. Do you know how that felt? How much it hurt?" Void''s ws twitched, and his tail whipped to the side with frustration. Kyle could see it now¡ªthe pride Void had, and how Kyle had trampled all over it. Void was still a kid who had just hatched some days ago, he had strong feelings¡ªand he had toyed with those things like they didn''t matter. Kyle stood there, rooted to the spot, his guilt rising inside him. This move was aplete failure on his part. He hadn''t thought at all. ''I messed up. Badly.'' Void turned his back on Kyle, his shoulders trembling slightly with suppressed anger. Without another word, he walked to the corner of the room, curling up into a tight ball. His tail wrapped around him protectively, and his golden glowing eyes closed as he began to cultivate, shutting Kyle out entirely. "Void?" Kyle called out after some moment. The room remained silent, Void didn''t even flinch. He took a step forward, then stopped. What could he say that would make things better? He had hurt Void, not just with a careless joke, but by betraying the trust the dragon had ced in him. ''What the hell was I thinking?'' Kyle''s thoughts spiraled, and he ran a hand through his hair. ''I''m such a douchebag. Why did I think teasing him like that was a good idea? Void''s heart is so young, and I yed with his emotions just like that?'' He sighed heavily. Kyle knew that he couldn''t change anything byining. He could only try to reverse the situation. ''I''ll make it up to him,'' Kyle promised himself. ''I''ll get him mana cores¡ªlots of them.'' Kyle nced over at Void who was still curled up, before crossing his legs and sitting on the bed. He had to focus on something productive, and cultivating was the best idea. ''Status.'' ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Beginner Mage: Lv 3 EXP: 3291/4000 HP: 78 Energy: 100 MP: - Agility: 51 Strength: 55 Vitality: 37 Stamina: Intelligence: 41 SP: 0 [Elements] [Skills] [Lightning Bolt(Lv 1)] [Lightning Dash(Lv 2)] [Inspect(Lv 2)] [Gobbler(Lv2)] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle scanned his status screen. His EXP was going up steadily and he was almost there. But despite the obvious improvements, he couldn''t shake the nagging feeling that it wasn''t enough. He frowned, his eyes narrowing on his EXP bar¡ªjust 709 more points until he reached Level 4. ''So close,'' he thought, staring at the number. ''Yet it feels like I''ve been stuck at this level forever.'' Kyle felt that his cultivation was improving at a snail''s pace. He should be the closest to a breakthrough among most of his peers, especially considering the mana cores he had just had now, but that didn''t make the wait any less frustrating. Kyle couldn''t help butpare himself to Void, who could gain 100% mana from a mana core after devouring it. ''If only I could achieve the same,'' Kyle thought. ''I''d be in Level 4 already¡ªprobably halfway through it.'' It wasn''t that he wasn''t grateful for how what he had ess to. He knew plenty of students who would kill to be able to gobble mana cores in exchange for cultivation. But knowing how much potential he had inside him, he couldn''t stop himself from wanting more. With a sigh, he dismissed the status screen and crossed his legs on the bed. There was no point in obsessing over numbers. If he wanted to push past this bottleneck, he had to keep cultivating. ''I''ll get there,'' he told himself, closing his eyes and beginning to cultivate. ''I''ll make sure of it.'' As he began to cultivate, he could feel the energy around him building up as he began inhaling the Mana around him. But as his thoughts drifted back to Void, a n began to form in his mind. The small dragon had been furious, and Kyle knew he owed him big time. A simple apology wouldn''t cut it. Void wanted mana cores, and Kyle had promised himself he would make it up to him. ''I''ll grind for some credits in the arena tonight,'' he thought. ''I''ll get him enough mana cores that he''ll forget everything.'' He opened one eye, ncing over at the small figure curled up in the corner. Void was still cultivating, lost in his world of mana. ''Tonight,'' Kyle promised himself as he returned to his cultivation, ''I''m going to make things right.'' Chapter 95: Satisfying Storekeepers Kyle opened his eyes and nced toward the corner of the room. As expected, Void was still curled up¡ªcultivating. Stay connected with m-v l|e''-NovelBin He directed his gaze to them on his wrist next. ''7:11 PM.'' He had been cultivating for hours and he had finished just in time. [EXP: 3402/4000] ''Time to fix this mess,'' Kyle decided, standing up quietly to ensure he doesn''t disturb Void. He tiptoed to the door, so as not to alert the dragon, reaching for the handle and turning it slowly to avoid any sound. Kyle threw onest nce at Void before he left the room, immediately making his way to the Arena. His normal routine felt different tonight¡ªmore like a mission. He needed to win many fights in the quickest possible time, so as to rack up enough credits. So, for the next few hours, Kyle lost himself in the rhythm of battle. He barely noticed his opponents as his focus solely lied on ending quickly. His mind worked like it was on autopilot, and he defeated every single opponent he faced in rapid session, ignoring his umting fatigue, he kept on going until the arena closed. Kyle began heading out for the mall immediately after. Except for those who had stayed till the arena''s closure and were already returning to their respective dormitories, the academy grounds were mostly empty, especially the path leading to the mall. ''It''s most likely that the mall is closed by this hour,'' Kyle mused as he trekked slowly. ''I could juste back tomorrow, there''s no harm in that.'' He considered it seriously for a moment, stopping his walkpletely. The idea of a warm bed was tempting, almost too tempting. But then he shook his head, pushing the thought away. No, he had already promised himself he''d visit the store tonight. Besides, there was always a chance the mall was still open, he had never been there by this hour after all. "I can''t give up now," Kyle muttered under his breath as he forced himself to pick up the pace. Finally, he reached the mall atst. Most of the other shops were closed or in the process of shutting down, but a few seemed to still be operating. Kyle was about to step into a random store to make his purchase when something stopped him. ''Ah, yes... I promised that man.''A promise. Kyle''s mind reyed the memory of his earlier visit, where he had promised to return to that specific storekeeper. He owed it to the man to keep his word. Turning around, he made his way through the mall, searching for the shop. When he arrived, he was surprised on who he saw. The man behind the counter didn''t look like the one he remembered. This new guy was slightly taller and dark-skinned, unlike the other. "Good morning! Looking for something specific?" Kyle hesitated for a moment, ncing around to confirm whether he was in the right shop and from the details he could gleam from his observations, he was. "Yeah, I was here earlier, and... the guy from this morning. Is he still around?" The shopkeeper chuckled, nodding in understanding. "Ah, you must mean Jared. We work in shifts. I handle the night shifts¡ªusually from eight in the evening to around five in the morning. Jared takes over during the day." "Hmm... Makes sense." "Yes, it keeps things running smoothly," the shopkeeper replied, trying to drag the conversation. "We get all kinds of customers at odd hours, so having someone here around the clock is pretty necessary." Kyle couldn''t help but guess how his sleep pattern would be, wondering if he could ept such an offer, working all night, all alone. "Anyway, I need seventy-five mana cores." The shopkeeper''s smile faltered, just slightly, before it widened again, this time with a hint of surprise. "Seventy-five? Are you sure about that?" "Yeah, seventy-five." The shopkeeper''s eyes lit up with a mixture of disbelief and excitement. He quickly grabbed a few storage containers and began packing the mana cores with care. As he worked, he couldn''t help but think about the earlier part of his shift. Jared had been bragging nonstop about his morning sales, going on and on about the huge purchases he had made. ''Always boasting about how much more he sells. But I''ll show him. I''ll show him when wepare tomorrow.'' The storekeeper grinned to himself, feeling a strange satisfaction settle over him. This was a massive sale, and he was the one who got to im it. They worked onmission, after all, and the more you sold, the bigger the payout. ''Jared won''t be able to say a thing when I tell him about this,'' he thought smugly, already imagining their next conversation. He finished packing the mana cores and slid the storage containers toward Kyle. "That''ll be 15,000 credits," he said, still beaming with a smile. Kyle tapped on hism, transferring the credits with a swift motion. The shopkeeper watched eagerly as the transaction went through, the sound of the confirmation ringing pleasantly in his ears. [Credits: 1788] "Thanks for your business!" the shopkeeper said with an even wider smile. "And... if you ever need more mana cores, we''ve got some of the best quality around, and I''m always happy to help out a good customer." Kyle nodded, offering a small, tired smile in return. "I''ll keep that in mind. Thanks." As he turned to leave, the shopkeeper couldn''t resist giving onest pitch. "And don''t forget to tell your friends! We''re always open, and we pride ourselves on great service." Kyle waved over his shoulder, already thinking about the long walk back. He was exhausted, but at least he had managed to keep his promise and get what he came for. And as the mall''s doors slid shut behind him, the shopkeeper stood there, still grinning. ''Jared''s gonna lose it when he hears about this,'' the man mused, already nning how to rub his sess in his colleague''s face when they met again. Kyle left the mall and made his way back to the dorm. He walked at a moderate pace until he reached home. ''It''ste, but Void should still be cultivating,'' Kyle thought as he quietly opened the door and slipped inside, taking a quick nce to confirm that Void was still curled up in the corner... And he was. Kyle cleared his throat. "Void." Kyle sighed, knowing full well Void had heard him. He had expected not to be answered, but that was where the mana cores came in. "I''m sorry for the prank I yed on you. I''m sorry for being selfish... Please forgive me!" Kyle begged with his hands cupped, but his plea failed to attract any response. "I brought some mana cores for you... take it as an apology," Kyle added, dangling the bag of mana cores in the air, but still no response. ''n B then,'' Kyle''s lips curled into a mischievous grin as thought, reaching into the bag, he pulled out a single core and held it up. "Since you''re not interested, I''ll just eat them myself," he said nonchntly. He knew Void was listening, and sure enough, the dragon''s tail twitched ever so slightly. Kyle held the mana core close to his mouth. "I''ll just take a bite then¡ª" Before he could finish, Void''s eyes snapped open, and he darted across the room with rming speed. "Wait!" Void cried, standing before Kyle with his small chest heaving. "Okay, fine, I''m up. But only because you begged and apologized!" he added with a defensive tone, ast ditch effort to keep his pride. Kyle chuckled, cing the bag of cores on the floor. Void reached out, his small ws trembling slightly as he grabbed one of the mana cores. His demeanor shifted immediately. Despite the casual front he was putting up, Kyle could see the hunger in Void''s eyes. Without wasting another second, Void devoured the core with a swallow. In the same manner, one after another, Void ate the mana cores, furiously and without pause. Kyle watched in awe as Void tore through the stash. The speed at which he consumed them was remarkable. By the time Void had eaten his forty-fifth core, he finally stopped, wiping his mouth with the back of his w. "You can have the rest," Void said casually, as though it was no big deal. Kyle blinked in surprise. "What? You''re giving them to me?" Void nodded, sitting back on his haunches. "You need them more than I do. I''m far from a breakthrough, but you¡­ you''re close. Use them." Kyle felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. Void, despite everything, was being incredibly generous. "Thanks, Void," he said sincerely, taking one of the remaining mana cores in hand. "You''re an amazing dragon, you know that? Void shrugged, feigning indifference, but Kyle could tell that the dragon was pleased with himself. "Just don''t mess with me again, okay?" Void grumbled, though there was no real malice in his voice. Kyle smiled warmly as he began consuming the mana cores. The familiar rush of energy coursed through him with each core, and by the time he had finished, a surge of power hit him. [EXP: 4000/4000] [Congrattions! You have Leveled Up!] [Beginner Mage: Lv 3 >> Lv 4] [All stats: +10] His status screen blinked into view, and Kyle grinned as he saw his experience bar shoot past the threshold. Chapter 96: Experience? ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Beginner Mage: Lv 4* EXP: 0/6000* HP: 98* Energy: 120* MP: - Agility: 61* Strength: 65* Vitality: 49* Stamina: 60* Intelligence: 51* SP: 0 [Elements] [Skills] [Lightning Bolt(Lv 1)] [Lightning Dash(Lv 2)] [Inspect(Lv 2)] [Gobbler(Lv 2)] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle could feel a mix of emotions as he stared at his status screen. Pride, Excitement, Anger; he felt them all. He was proud of how far he had gone in reaching this milestone. Most importantly, he had managed to beat his friends to a breakthrough once again and he knew the gap between them would only grow wider. ''I can''t help but imagine Milo''s reaction when I break the news to him.'' A mischievous smile couldn''t help but form on Kyle''s face when he realized that he has once again triumphed against his self proimed rival. He knew how much effort Milo has been giving to gain back some face after the constant humiliation he had been put through. It was saddening that he had lost out once again because Kyle could recall him bragging about being halfway through for a breakthrough just before the start of the tournament. Others might not have a system to quantify their progress, but one could estimate how far they were by observing their mana core. That was how every other person could check their progress. The level up also brought an equal share of excitement to Kyle. He was excited on how much he had improved¡ªhis growing prowess¡ªand couldn''t help but observe the leap from when he just started. ''I''ll try to test my improvementster,'' Kyle made a mental note to fulfillter. But there was a shadow beneath the brightness of his pride and excitement. A small reminder that not all of his progress was perfect. As his gaze fell upon his Intelligence stat, Kyle couldn''t help but feel a slight tinge of anger. Intelligence was supposed to fuel his mana reserves, a valuable asset for any mage. But for Kyle, it was pointless. Thanks to Elysia''s gift, he had limitless mana. This meant that each of those 10 points he had painstakingly gained was a wasted investment, stat points that could have gone towards his agility or strength¡ªstats that would actively benefit him. ''It''s¡­ not that big of a deal,'' Kyleforted himself, though the points still bothered him. Ten wasted points might not seem like much, but when each point could increase his strength further, it stung. Kyle shook his head, a half-smile breaking through his surfacing anger. The breakthrough was what mattered. The rest was a minor annoyance. Besides, the thrill of surpassing his limits far outweighed the temporary frustration over a few lost points. Just as he was starting to push past his frustration, a familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Congrattions on leveling up, Kyle," Void said with his usual prideful voice, though a flicker of yfulness could be found within it this time. "I must say, you''re still a long way from catching up to me." Kyle couldn''t help butugh, he could guess that this would be Void''sment due to the tone of his voice. "I don''t know, Void. I''ve been growing pretty fasttely. I bet I''m getting close." Void''s eyes narrowed, a glint of amusement shing through his gaze. "Oh, is that so? How confident. Do you even know what my level is?" Kyle paused. He hadn''t checked Void''s stats in a long time, after all, he had been instructed not to by the dragon himself. He knew Void was stronger than him, but also knew how much difficult it was to increase your power level as you progressed further. Especially for Void, who had revealed that his needed EXP doubled with each level. Kyle was surprised and relieved at the same time, when he discovered the same didn''t apply to him¡ªthat meant that there was still a chance to catch up to Void, he just had to put in extra effort. "Well... True, I don''t know your level," Kyle admitted. "But you made me promise not to check, remember?" Void nodded his head when he remembered hismand. That was him feeling arrogant in his ability to reach Level 10 in a sh. It was only when he found out the true reality that he didn''t mind anymore. "Ah, that. Don''t worry about it anymore, if you''re so curious, go on. Check my level." "Pet''s Status!" The screen shifted, and his eyes widened as Void''s stats appeared, each number and abilityid out in detail. --- |Void| | Race: Omni Drakkon | | Level: 6 |* | EXP: 3100/32000 |* | HP: 300 |* | Energy: 600 |* | MP: 550 |* | Agility: 78 |* | Strength: 77 |* | Vitality: 150 |* | Stamina: 300 |* | Intelligence: 550 |* [Skills: Lightning Breath (Lv 2), Lightning Dash (Lv 2), Invisible (Lv 3), Phase (Lv 3)] --- Kyle''s jaw nearly dropped. Void''s stats were more than impressive; they were staggering. "Okay, Void, I''ll admit it. You''re still ahead... way ahead." he said, barely able to tear his eyes from the screen. Void tilted his head, looking down at Kyle with a smug expression that practically screamed, "I know." Then, noticing Kyle''s curious stare, Void puffed up his chest a little. "Impressed? I told you I was leagues ahead." Kyle raised an eyebrow. "It''s not just your stats, though. Your skills¡­ You''ve actually leveled them up. How did you manage that?" Void shrugged nonchntly. "I don''t know, Kyle. I practice my skills every now and then. Maybe that''s all it takes?" Kyle''s jaw clenched. Just like that? Just by practicing "every now and then"? Void had managed to reach level three in some of his skills, while he himself was still struggling to bring his own abilities to higher levels. If not for the Skill Points he''d earned through the system, Kyle doubted he''d have advanced at all. "Oh, sure," Kyle said with a dramatic sigh, running a hand through his hair. "So all it takes is a little practice now and then? Void, you don''t know how lucky you are. I''ve spent countless hours training my Lightning Bolt and Dash, and they''re barely up a level. If it weren''t for Skill Points, I''d probably still be at level one." Void''s smug expression shifted to something more serious, as if considering Kyle''s words. But in an instant, that cocky grin returned. "Maybe you''re just not as talented as I am, Kyle," he teased. Kyle rolled his eyes, though he could feel hispetitive spirit rising. "Is that right? Care to back up those words?" "Oh? Are you inviting me to a spar?" he asked with a mocking voice that wore innocence. "You bet I am," Kyle replied, crossing his arms. "But don''t get too confident. I''ve got experience on my side." Void couldn''t control falling over inughter when he heard Kyle''s words. "Experience? Haha..." "I''m serious, Void. Experience counts for a lot more than you''d think. You''ve only just hatched. I''ve been fighting for many years, and I''ve had to push through battles, hard training, and life-or-death situations to get this far. You, on the other hand¡­" Kyle smirked. "You haven''t even been alive a full week yet." "And what of it? I may be young, but I am an Omni Drakkon, Kyle. My strength speaks for itself." Kyle chuckled, shaking his head. The dragon''s sheer pride was both amusing and slightly impressive. "Strength alone doesn''t win fights, Void. Believe me. There''s a difference between having raw power and knowing how to use it when it counts. And that''s what makes the difference between victory and defeat." "Tsk! Experience is just another word. When you have talent and power, those are what truly matter¡ªnot some years you spent fighting. In the end, strength wille out on top." Kyle couldn''t hold back augh. "You''re full of confidence, Void, I''ll give you that. But confidence only takes you so far. A real fight is about bnce¡ªabout knowing when to go all in and when to hold back. You''ll learn that one day." "You''re wrong," he replied coolly. "Confidencees from knowing my limits¡ªand I know mine. You can keep your years of ''experience.'' I''m ready to fight anytime, and I''ll make sure to prove my point." Kyle raised a brow as he was genuinely intrigued. This little dragon wasn''t just arrogant; he was fearless. He could feel his own pride being stroked at the thought of teaching Void a lesson. He would make sure to properly remind Void of all his words after disciplining him. "You know what? I think I''ll remember this moment," Kyle decided to let his thoughts out to Void. His voice was low but he meant everything he was saying. "I am doing this, just so I can remind you when you lose. You''ll see that experience does count for something." "Don''t worry, I''ll make sure you eat those words," Void concluded with a rxed expression. It was evident on his face that he didn''t panic at all "Alright, enough talk," Kyle finally said as he walked towards the stairs. "Let''s settle this. We''ll spar... Think of it as a training session." "A training session?" Void repeated with augh. "If anything, I''ll be training you." Kyle burst intoughter as he was truly moved by Void''sst remark. "You''ll be training me? Don''t worry we''ll see about that." Chapter 97: Kyle Vs Void Kyle and Void made their way down to the expansive training room downstairs. As they reached the center of the room, Kyle stretched his neck before calling out the rules for the match. "Alright, Void, let''s set some ground rules. The match ends when one of us forfeits or goes unconscious, got it?" "Please, I know all these already. Just get ready to lose." Kyle chuckled, but before he could signal the start, Void held up a w. "Wait. How about we make this more interesting?" "Hmm. What did you have in mind?" Void smiled with mischief. "If I win, you owe me¡­ let''s say¡­ ten mana cores." "Twenty, huh? That''s quite the demand for someone who''s not going to win." He pretended to consider it before nodding. "Okay, ten mana cores if you win." Void smiled when Kyle agreed to his deal, before promoting Kyle for his. "And what about you? What do you want in return if by some miracle you win?" "Honestly, I don''t need anything from you, Void. Teaching you a lesson is enough of a reward," Kyle said with a grin. "Suit yourself, then. There''s no need in even asking because there''s no way you''re winning." "Yeah, right. Take note I''m not holding back; I''ll be using my mana reserves to their fullest." "h, h. Enough talking. Let''s fight," Void said with a yawn, trying to feign boredom. Kyle barely had time to blink before Void had shot forward. Thankfully he had reacted quickly and dashed to the side, just before Void''s ws shed through the air where he''d stood. ''That speed... He didn''t use a spell,'' Kyle bit his lips grimly after his observation. ''T-that was his natural speed!'' Kyle felt a shiver on his spine as he wondered how hellish what he had gotten into would be. He couldn''t let himself lose, not when he was trying to teach Void¡ªthat would only make him more arrogant. ''I have to win this!'' Kyle concluded, activating [Lightning Dash] once again and giving Void more distance. "You''re trying to run?" Void asked after seeing Kyle dash further away from him. "Too bad I like to run too." Immediately Void finished his statement, he activated [Lightning Dash] and gave Kyle chase. Kyle had already given some distance between them, but he was confident in his ability to catch up; if the speed he was witnessing was truly his speed. ''Ah shit!'' Kyle couldn''t help but exim when he saw Void rapidly approaching. He was in a very precarious situation at that point, as he was just running in circles and couldn''t make a mistake, as that would cause Void to catch up with him. Kyle knew that this wouldn''tst forever. Surely, Void''s mana could deplete but he still had 550 MP and had only used [Lightning Dash] thrice¡ª15 MP. Practically, Void could continue going and he would surely discover his moves and catch up if this went up. ''I have to do something.'' Kyle immediately formted a n as he weaved across the room. Just before Void could attempt to lunge at him once again; Kyle slowed his movement, and in a quick spin, he met Void''s face, who was a hair breadth away from him, with a [Lightning Bolt] The bolt cracked through the air with a sh, and though Void swerved to avoid a direct hit, the residual energy crackled around him, slowing his momentum. Void shook it off and red, his eyes practically glinting with excitement. "That all you got?" he taunted, grinning wide enough to show his sharp teeth. Continue reading at m|v-l''e -NovelBin Kyle grinned back, masking the tension in his chest. "Not even close." He immediately activated [Lightning Dash] once again, surging forward with a surge of electricity, weaving erratically around the room to keep Void guessing. He fired bolts whenever he could, capitalizing on his mana. Void snarled, retaliating with a swift [Lightning Breath], sending a dense st of raw electricity in Kyle''s direction. Kyle barely managed to dodge, but even the grazing force was enough to singe his clothes. ''Damn, that was close. I have to keep up the pressure,'' he thought,nding after his dash and flicking his hand to release another rapid [Lightning Bolt]. Void twisted his body, evading the bolt with ease. "You''re just going to keep throwing those? You''ll have to try harder!" "You''re talking big for someone who''s missing every chance tond a hit," Kyle shot back, masking his nerves. He knew Void wasn''t bluffing about his strength and speed¡ªthe dragon was built for close-quarters power. And he could feel it every time Void lunged at him¡ªthe power the ws used to sh the air. Void clicked his tongue. "Fine. Guess I''ll stop ying around." Before Kyle could brace himself, Void vanished¡ªdisappearing without a trace. Kyle''s eyes darted around. He knew Void had used [Invisible], but the exact location was now a mystery. Bracing himself, he focused his senses, trying to anticipate where Void would strike. He knew Void couldn''t phase through elemental attacks, so his lightning bolts should reveal his location even if he was phased. He whipped his arm around, firing off a series of [Lightning Bolts] in every direction. Sparks filled the air, illuminating the room, but Void didn''t reappear. Kyle''s heart pounded. He couldn''t afford to slip up now. Just then, his intuition screamed that Void was close to him. He was moving fast and desperation was filled in his attack, as he well knew the mana that was burned every second from keeping the skill active. "Nice try," Kyle muttered, spinning and sending a crackling arc toward the shimmer. Void dodged, quickly losing his invisibility in the process. "You''re getting annoying, you know that?" Void suddenly said with a hiss. "Just trying to make it fun for you," Kyle added with a smirk. With that, Void''s eyes narrowed. He leaped backward, creating some distance before disappearing again into thin air. Kyle could feel the pressure building; he knew Void was going all-out, probably watching for any pattern in Kyle''s attacks to exploit. Kyle would need to switch things up to stay ahead. Kyle fired another sequence of [Lightning Bolts] into the air, calcting that Void would get closer each time he blinked in and out of invisibility. He activated [Lightning Dash], keeping his movement unpredictable as he dashed forward and then stopped abruptly, whirling around just in time to see Void reappear, a mere breath away. Kyle grinned. "Got you!" He summoned a dense [Lightning Bolt] and released it point-nk. Void managed to raise a w, deflecting most of the impact, but the st was enough to rattle him. "I see you''re not holding back," Void growled as he steadied himself. "Neither are you," Kyle replied. He knew Void''s mana reserves were extensive, but Kyle''s relentless spell-spamming strategy seemed to be paying off. He had infinite mana¡ªVoid didn''t. They continued their deadly game of cat-and-mouse, Kyle alternating between dodging with [Lightning Dash] and firing spells at Void''s anticipated positions. Void relied on his superior speed and strength, countering with well-timed [Lightning Breath] attacks that made the ground around Kyle crackle, forcing him to stay mobile. Just as Kyle anticipated, Void went invisible again, the faint shimmer indicating he wasing at him fast from the right. Kyle quickly summoned another [Lightning Bolt] to intercept, but Void had moved away before the bolt hit and appearing right at Kyle''s side. [HP: 58/98] Before Kyle could react, Void''s ws shed across his arm. Pain shot through him as he barely managed to stagger away, clutching his arm where blood welled from a fresh cut. Void grinned as his confidence returned. "It''s only a matter of time before you''re worn down." He was shocked at how much HP Void had chopped off him with that sh. He knew he couldn''t afford to get hit again.Instead, he forced a smile, summoning another bolt. "We''ll see about that." The next several minutes of the fight turned into a relentless exchange of attacks. Kyle continued to spam [Lightning Bolts], keeping Void at bay while strategically dashing out of reach. Void''s superior speed and strength were a constant threat for Kyle, but he had confidence ofsting, the longer the fight was drawn. Each time Void attempted a sneak attack with [Invisible], Kyle was able to read his movements, gradually picking up on Void''s slight tells and adjusting his timing to intercept. Void''s panting was now audible. That was a clear sign that his mana reserves were already depleting. He''d used [Invisible] several times, and Kyle had calcted that each usage must be taking a toll. ''He''s got to be low by now,'' Kyle thought, noticing thebored rise and fall of Void''s chest. Still, Void''s strength remained a formidable challenge. But Kyle hadmitted to the battle, and he would see it through. Void red, realizing the tide was turning. He lunged onest time, aiming his ws at Kyle''s side, but Kyle anticipated the move. In a final burst of energy, he used [Lightning Dash] to sidestep, spinning on his heel to face Void. Before Void could react, Kyle released a powerful [Lightning Bolt] directly into his chest, the impact finally forcing him backward with a thunderous crack. Kyle kept his guard up, but he knew Void was reaching his limit. Void attempted onest charge, he barely had any mana left. Kyle sidestepped and unleashed another series of bolts, each one cleanly hitting Void until, finally, Void copsed to the ground. Kyle had won Kyle approached, breathing heavily but victorious. He looked down at Void, who was down already. "You¡­ you actually won," Void admitted with a soft voice. Kyle knelt beside him with a smirk. "Told you it was all about experience." Void grunted when he heard Kyle rant about experience once more. "Hmph... You were just lucky. If I hadn''t run out of mana, I would''ve wed you down in no time." "Luck, huh? Maybe. Or maybe it''s just that I know you a bit better than you think. Besides, a win''s a win." Kyle reached out, giving Void a small pat on his scaly shoulder. "Don''t feel too bad. You were impressive out there... You just made some mistake, tons of them I meant." Void''s sharp eyes softened just slightly, though he immediately huffed and turned his head away. "Next time, I won''t be so merciful." Kyleughed, "Looking forward to it. But you''ll have to earn those ten mana cores now." Void snorted, rolling his eyes. "Keep dreaming. Next time, you won''t stand a chance." Kyle leaned back, crossing his arms as he watched Void settle down, visibly exhausted but still proudly holding his head high. "Guess you learned a thing or two about not underestimating your opponent, huh?" Void''s expression softened, and though he remained silen; he felt some respect for Kyle after his loss. He had superior stats and skills, yet Kyle had triumphed, that could earn Kyle some respect. After a long pause, Void sighed, sounding half amused and half annoyed. "Fine, Kyle. I''ll admit it. You''re¡­not terrible. Maybe worth keeping around." Chapter 98: Analysis and Pointers Kyle narrowed his eyes as he looked at Void, remembering the promise he had made before the match. He had been observing Void''s moves intently, and he was ready to give him very much needed pointers. "Alright, Void," Kyle began, crossing his arms around his chest and giving the Omni Drakkon a smirk. "Remember what you promised? This fight was supposed to be a learning experience for you." "Ah... I know, I know," Voud muttered, barely meeting Kyle''s gaze. "Just get on with it already." Kyle chuckled, though his tone turned serious as he knelt beside Void. Void grunted but met Kyle''s gaze. He still felt great pain from his loss against Kyle, as it had greatly damaged his pride. Yet, despite his frustration, Void felt was genuinely eager to hear what Kyle had to say. He knew he would only get better when Kyle exposed what had gone wrong in their mind. ''I''ll learn from him and be even better.'' Void mused with a mental evilugh, ''Hehe. With time, the student shall be the master!'' "Let''s start with your Invisibility skill," Kyle who was oblivious to what went on in Void''s mind began. Discover hidden content at m,v l''e-NovelBin "You went invisible way too often. In a real fight, relying on that trick over and over is risky because it drains mana fast. Plus, to use it properly, you have to keep everything in check¡ªyour breathing, your intent, even the faintest sound of movement." He paused for a moment, wanting to know if Void was paying attention or had anything to ask, and sure enough he did. "Uhm... What do you mean by ''intent''?" Kyle nodded his head at Void''s question, that showed he was paying attention. "Intent is¡­ welp, it is the feeling of your presence, your desire to strike or to win," he exined, choosing his words carefully so as not to stump Void further. "Lets say... You were excited, maybe even a little too eager to win, and it showed. Your intent was loud, and even though you thought you were invisible, I could feel where you''d be because your intent led me right to you." Void''s golden eyes widened as he tried to process Kyle''s words. "So, if I want to improve, I have to¡­ calm down?" "Exactly," Kyle nodded in affirmation. "Calm down and control your breathing. If you''re invisible but panting heavily, or radiating that killer intent, anyone with enough skill will sense you. Especially in situations where stealth is key, you can''t afford to give yourself away like that." Void absorbed the information, his sharp eyes reflecting on what Kyle had said, but he knew that he had some good points to his fight, so he decided to bring it up, "I see¡­ And what about my attacks then?" "d you asked!" Kyle eximed, transitioning to another point. "Your speed is insane. When you shed me, you took a good chunk of my health..." Void had a proud smile on his face as he listened to Kyle''s praise. "... But then you backed off. You could''ve finished me right then, but you failed to capitalize on that opportunity." "What?" Void asked with surprise. "I was trying to..." Void paused as he thought over his excuse. Kyle was right; he had the chance to win early into the match, but didn''t. Why exactly didn''t he finish him off? Kyle recognized the look on his face. "You''re powerful, but that power is wasted if you don''t capitalize on your opportunities. When yound a good hit, follow it up with more. Keep pushing your advantage." "You''re right," Void couldn''t help but admit. The dragon''s pride made him ponder. He couldn''t believe that he would hesitate to win. ''How could he be this naive?'' Void thought with anger. "Look, Void, I know it''s easy to go easy on someone you consider a friend or a weaker opponent. But in a real fight, you don''t want to give anyone a chance to make aeback." "And you didn''t have a real reason to pull back, especially with your speed." Kyle emphasized, "With your natural speed, you can close in before I even realize it. It''s your strength¡ªuse it to overwhelm your opponent before they can counter or regain their footing. Imagine if you kept up that pressure right after you hit me; I wouldn''t have had time to n my next move. Speed and pressure can be your biggest assets, but only if you maintain control over them." Kyle observed Void contemting, and could tell his he had sessfullynded another point. "Let''s move on to your overall approach," Kyle said, crossing his arms. "You focused too much on trying tond one perfect strike instead of staying adaptable. Combat isn''t about a single grand move; it''s a flow, a bnce of attacks, reactions, and counters." Kyle exined further. "Think about it: each time you missed or I countered, you hesitated as if expecting a single move to finish things. In realbat, that kind of expectation is risky. If you expect a fight to end on one hit, you''ll often end up unprepared when it doesn''t." Kyle gestured around the training room. "Here''s a scenario to picture: imagine you''re fighting some bad guys who''re weaker than you but fast. If they manage to evade your first strike, they''re likely going to regroup and prepare a counterattack. By thinking ahead and staying flexible, while also using your speed for quick follow-ups, you stay one step ahead. Instead of swinging with the hope it''ll all end in one blow, n for the next move and the one after that. That''s what makes an opponent unpredictable." Void nodded slowly, absorbing Kyle''s advice. His own tactics paled greatly with Kyle. "Another thing," Kyle added, "is how you burn through your mana. Skills like [Invisible] and [Lightning Dash] are powerful, but they''re also costly. When you use them too often, it''s like a giant sign saying, ''I''m desperate to end this fast,'' and that''s dangerous. By the end, you were exhausted, and it was obvious." "Hmm, I should my skills only when necessary¡­ not just to show off," "Of course. Reserve them as tools; if you''re in a situation where they give you an edge, go ahead. But make sure you''re not draining yourself just to keep the upper hand. Sometimes, simple, straightforward moves work better than shy ones. Your natural speed and power? They''re already formidable without any enhancements. Know when to hold back, and when to let loose." Kyle then addressed one final point. "The main reason I could keep up with you was because I was watching, reading you every step of the way. Your bodynguage, the way you tensed right before a big attack¡ªthat''s what gave you away. When you go for an attack, try to rx and keep your focus steady. The less you telegraph your moves, the harder it''ll be for anyone to read you." Kyle held up his hand, illustrating a basic stance. "If you look like you''re ready to strike, I''ll know to dodge or block. But if you keep your intent hidden, even at thest second, I''ll have to guess. And in a fight, guessing often leads to mistakes. Try keeping your strikes unpredictable by not showing them in your stance." Void tilted his head, letting the advice sink in. Kyle could tell he was working through each point seriously, almost visualizing himself correcting the mistakes in his mind. Kyle smiled, patting Void on the shoulder. "I know it''s a lot, Void, but trust me. These are things that''lle with practice. You''re young, still growing, and with your potential? Once you polish these skills, you''ll be nearly unstoppable." Void''s lips curled into a fierce grin as his pride returned. "I''ll make sure you regret those words someday, Kyle. Next time, you''ll be the one on the ground." Kyleughed, appreciating the fire in Void''s eyes. "Yeah, that''s the spirit. I look forward to it. But remember, the goal is to improve, not just to beat me. There''s a whole world out there filled with tougher foes, and every time we train, you''re getting closer to bing unbeatable. So keep practicing, stay patient, and before you know it, you''ll be more than just my sparring partner." Void rolled his eyes as his sharp teeth widened into an evil-like grin. "Oh, I''ll train, alright. And I''ll be the best¡­ even if it takes beating you a thousand times." Chapter 99: End Of Holiday The past few days had passed in a blur for Kyle, but that didn''t mean he wasn''t making full use of it. It was still a window of time he could hardly believe he''d earned. As Kyle took a moment to remember how fruitful the past days had been, thanks to him properly structuring them, a slight smile crept across his face¡ªhe''d made the most of his time off in every way he could. Each day had begun the same, with Kyle rising early and beginning a long cultivation session, he made sure to continue until the sun came out at the very least. As for the afternoons, it was a mixed affair, with Kyle alternating between visits to the academy library and sparring sessions with Void. Kyle had spent countless hours learning the history of this world, as well as the various types of mana beasts, special herbs and their features. He was preparing himself should there be any day that called for him to leave the academy. He had also had a meet up with his friends on Thursday. They had gathered at one of the moreid-back spots near the academy, catching up over drinks and sharingughs that reminded him why he valued these friendships. Kyle had used that as an opportunity to apologize to them, but theyughed it off and didn''t see it as something serious to warrant an apology. Kyle had felt good to simply rx among his friends and set aside the responsibilities and expectations¡ªeven if only for an evening. Then there were the nights. With a clear n in mind, Kyle had returned to the underground arena, aiming to bolster his credits, and he did so with surprising sess. Each night, he continued his win streak while honing his skills through the arena fights. [Credits: 39,099] Kyle smiled as he nced at hism to confirm that number. That was the result of his sess. It was alot, but Kyle wasn''t ready to spend them just yet, though. No, he had something bigger in mind. Kyle had decided to wait for the right moment, and bid his time until he could invest in arge stock of mana cores all at once. The only immediate expense looming was the 5,000 credits he owed Orion. Honestly, it still hurt him. But he could feel it won''t anymore, as him and Void had devised some devious ns to make his credits count. He''ll make sure Orion had to work for them, as there was no such thing as free lunch. However, that n would have to wait until after his training session with Instructor Dan. And that brought him to today. Thest message from Instructor Dan hade in the day before, cutting his impromptu holiday short with a direct summon: [Meet at my ce tomorrow for training. 9:00 AM sharp. Don''t bete] Kyle could practically hear Dan''s no-nonsense tone in the text, and he couldn''t even try to protest. He had hoped his break wouldst until Monday, when sses resumed, but it seemed fate¡ªor rather, Instructor Dan¡ªhad other ns. He sighed as he remembered the message, feeling a slight pain of reluctance. Still, there was no getting around it; 9:00 AM meant now. He stepped out of the bathroom, drying his hair with a towel as he nced at the time. It was 8:21 AM. He took a deep breath, preparing himself for whatever Dan had in store today. He had began his preparations early, as he knew he couldn''t afford to bete. Kyle shuddered as the memory of thest time he waste surfaced. It was a painful reminder that his usualteness persona had to hide when it dealt with Dan. He had learnt that lesson the hard way, and he would never let it repeat itself. He threw on his clothes, opting for a morefortable wear over his academy uniform, since he had no idea what the day could hold. Casting a final look in the mirror, he straightened his shirt and gave a quick nod of approval. Satisfied with his appearance, Kyle shot a nce at Void, who was curled up in the corner, eyes closed, but unmistakably awake and cultivating. "Stay out of trouble, alright?" he said with a half-smile. Void opened one eye and gave a nod of acknowledgment, then returned to his diligent cultivation without a sound. Kyle marveled at the dragon''s dedication and progress; Void had advanced at an astonishing rate, almost as if he were born forbat. Kyle knew that Void''s potential was immense, and it was satisfying to watch him grow stronger with each passing day. Void had increased by leaps and bounds in his fighting skills, thanks to Kyle training and Kyle didn''t want him be his sparring partner anytime soon. It was amazing how much talent this young dragon has, being able to grab and apply all his teachings so quickly. After onest nce around his room, Kyle exited, making his way through the dormitory''s quiet morning pathways. The walk to the staff quarters was a bit longer than he preferred, but it gave him time to mentally brace himself. It didn''t take long before Kyle arrived at the gates. Due to his frequent visits, the personnels that manned the gate had already recognized him as Dan''s student already. But Kyle showed them the invitation just to observe procedures. Kyle approached Dan''s house the moment he entered. Upon reaching the door, he took a moment before he rang the doorbell. A few seconds passed, then the door opened, revealing Dan, looking slightly disheveled and as if he''d just woken up. "Good Morning," Kyle greeted, trying forcing a cheerful tone. Dan gave a low grunt in response, scratching the back of his head as he adjusted to the morning light. "You''re early," he muttered, but there was a glint of approval in his eyes. "Good." With that, Dan stepped aside, allowing Kyle to enter. Inside, the house was... A mess! ''What? How could it be this bad?'' Kyle thought to himself in surprise. Dan pointed to the living room, which looked even more disorganized than usual. "Today''s warm-up. Tidy up this ce. Then, head to the kitchen, make something edible, and clean the dishes. Got it?" Kyle almost let out a chuckle but caught himself. He''d grown used to these sorts of tasks, it had be something of a routine during their evening sessions, though he''d never done this many chores in one go before as it wasn''t usually this dirty. "Yes, sir," Kyle replied, mustering up a wry smile as he looked around the chaos he was about to tackle. Dan was clearly satisfied with hispliance, and gave a nod before retreating back toward his room. "Wake me up when you''re done," he said as his voice trailed off when he disappeared down the hallway. Momentster, Kyle heard the soft click of Dan''s door, leaving him alone with the mess. Kyle rolled up his sleeves and set to work, starting with the living room. ''I''ll arrange the book first,'' he decided upon getting to the living room, as he looked at the books that littered the floor. Kyle got to work almost immediately, he began arranging the books one after the other in order, while skillfully cleaning them at the same time. This continued for some time before his hands brushed over an unusual, dusty book tucked away on the farthest corner of a lower shelf. The book looked ancient, with a ck leather cover nearly worn smooth by time, and strange, jagged marks faintly embossed along its spine. Intrigued by its unusual appearance, he slid it out carefully, feeling the weight of the leather-bound volume in his hands. A title, barely visible through the dust and wear, read simply "Chaos" Something about the book drew Kyle in, and as he turned it over, he noticed its cover bore a dark, swirling symbol that seemed to flicker between shadows. ''Let''s see what we have here.'' Upon opening the cover of the book, a familiar chime interrupted him, shing a series of notifications across his vision. [You have discovered a tome containing knowledge of a forbidden element: Chaos!!] [The path of Chaos is unable to be harnessed by anyone in this world due to its requirements, instability and unparalleled power!] [You have been found to bepatible with the element: Chaos!] [Would you like to learn this for 0 Skill Points?] [Yes] or [No] [System strongly advises to select Yes!!!] Chapter 100: Azagrut, Demon of Chaos [Yes] or [No] Your next read awaits at m v|l-e''-NovelBin The two holographic options hovered directly before Kyle''s eyes, awaiting his choice. Kyle was still trying hard toprehend the absurdity of what just happened¡ªor rather, what was about to happen. ''What the hell is Chaos?'' Kyle finally asked the question that disturbed his mind, and as expected he didn''t get any response. It wasn''t like he had expected one in the first ce. He wasn''tpletely lost on the matter though, as he had managed to gleam some details on what was going on from his earlier notifications. ... [You have discovered a tome containing knowledge of a forbidden element: Chaos!!] [The path of Chaos is unable to be harnessed by anyone in this world due to its requirements, instability and unparalleled power!] [You have been found to bepatible with the element: Chaos!] ... As exposed by the system, Chaos is an element¡ªa forbidden one at that¡ªwhich was exposed to bepatible with him. Maybe it was because of his nature as an omni mage, or a yer; Kyle didn''t know. But what mattered was that he could learn it if he willed to. With this known to him, the next question that disturbed was: Is it a good idea to learn it? Kyle had managed to catch up on a very crucial adjective used to describe the element¡ªForbidden. The word echoed in his mind as he tried to understand what it meant in that context. Kyle had read about powerful skills, secret techniques, and hidden spells before, but nothing had ever beenbeled "forbidden." ''What does "forbidden" really mean here?'' he thought as he stared down on the old cover of the book. Kyle knew that it was a word reserved for things that crossed a line, things that even those who sought power dared not touch. "Why would the system term it as forbidden?" Kyle murmured. Could it harm him, corrupt him, or maybe even twist him into something unrecognizable? What if the knowledge in this book had cost others their sanity, or worse? Kyle''s mind raced with possibilities, each of them more disturbing than thest. Chaos. The word alone sounded uncontroble, vtile. Every element he knew had some order to it, a set of rules that governed its strength and form. Fire, lightning, and all the rest¡ª they were all powerful, but still bound by bnce and discipline. But chaos? Its very nature was unpredictable to Kyle, maybe could even be untamable. He could only imagine what sort of power it could hold, but at what cost? What if Chaos magic wasn''t something he could turn off or control once it was unleashed? If that happened, he could endanger his friends, the academy, maybe even himself. "Is that why it''s forbidden?" Kyle wondered aloud. "Not because of its power, but because of its potential to destroy everything it touches?" The system''s strong rmendation to select "Yes" didn''t ease his doubts, either. Why would the system push him toward something that was considered so dangerous? Did it know something he didn''t, or was this some twisted test of his resolve? ''What if epting Chaos could change me?'' Kyle mused. Would it corrupt him, make him crave power beyond reason? What if he ended up like those mages in the ancient stories, the ones who had abandoned everything for power, losing their humanity piece by piece until nothing but a shell remained? Still, he couldn''t deny the curiosity that was within him. Power like this was tempting, yes, but perhaps it was also necessary and the system promised unparalleled power. ''If the system thought I needed this to survive¡­ what kind of battles are waiting for me?'' Kyle didn''t really know what option to chose, he couldn''t help but wish Void was around in moments like this, his advise would be really helpful. Gazing at the notification once more, Kyle left out a breath. ''It wouldn''t cost me any skill points,'' Kyle thought before biting his lips and selecting [Yes]. [Excellent choice! You have embraced the path of Chaos. Prepare yourself¡­] Kyle''s heart pounded as a strange sensation washed over him. He barely had time to register the warning before a wave of pain exploded inside him, as if his body, mind, and spirit were all being twisted. He shut his eyes tightly and gritted his teeth, feeling like he was being torn apart. Everything went dark, and for a moment, he feared he''d cked out¡ªexcept he could still feel himself, somehow detached, weightless. His consciousness drifted, like he was caught in a vast, empty void, with no up or down, only an endless expanse of nothingness surrounding him. He felt small, insignificantly floating through the dark unknown. There was no sound, no sensation of time passing¡ªonly an overwhelming emptiness pressing in from every direction. Kyle couldn''t even feel his heartbeat or the familiarfort of his breathing. Panic scratched at his mind as he struggled to grasp his surroundings. He was¡­ floating? Or falling? There was no way to tell. As he drifted, a distant but growing sensation stirred, like an ominous presence watching him from the shadows of this void. And then, something caught his attention¡ªa figure. It was far off at first, an indiscernible shape in the void, but as he approached, the outline began to solidify. A hulking silhouette loomed before him, emanating a darkness so profound it seemed to swallow light itself. Kyle''s instinct screamed at him to run, to put as much distance between himself and this entity as possible, yet he found himself unable to move, held captive by some unseen force. A pair of red eyes red to life within the darkness, piercing through him with an intensity that chilled his very soul. The figure emerged further, revealing itself. It was a massive, easily towering over him even in this strange, soul-bound form. Its body wasposed of shifting shadows, as though Chaos itself was found within its being. A pair of goat-like curved horns branched out from its head, and its ws glinted with an otherworldly sharpness. It was... A demon. Kyle swallowed hard after heprehended whom he stood before. He was short of words, and choked off his breath. It was as if its presence took out all the air around. The demon''s mouth began opening into a wide, sinister grin, revealing rows of sharp, glinting teeth that sent a cold shiver down Kyle''s spine. But then, just as quickly, the demon''s grin vanished, reced by a deep scowl. It was a look of pure contempt, as if Kyle''s very existence was offensive. The air in the void grew colder, suffocatingly so, and Kyle couldn''t even hear his heartbeat anymore as the dark, menacing presence pressed down on him. "MARKED BY AN ANGEL... DISGUSTING!" Kyle finally heard the demon''s voice. It was suffocating as it echoed in the empty space. Kyle couldn''t pay any heed to that though, as he tried to grasp the implications of the demon''s word. ''Angel?'' Kyle couldn''t help but wonder, beforeing to a conclusion. ''It had to be Elysia, she might be an angel, that blessing she gave me might have been the mark he''s talking about,'' Kyle guessed but didn''t rule out other options though. ''There''s also her father, who had supposingly brought him to this world, and granted him his system.'' Kyle suddenly remembered something that made his body course with cold even more. ''But... if they had left some sort of divine mark on him, then¡­ did that mean the demon saw him as some kind of enemy?'' As if reading his thoughts, the demon''s eyes zed with anger and his dark aura grew more heavier and more suffocating. "An angel dared to taint my thing?" the demon continued, this time his voice was a low and Kyle could feel a chill through his soul and each word hit him like a shockwave. The demon''s lips curled back, revealing those sharp teeth once more. "You are of no use to me," he simply said, his voice dropping even more. "It would be better if I ended you here and now." Panic immediately spread within Kyle and his thoughts began racing frantically. Every instinct screamed at him to run, to do something to survive. But he was trapped, there was no where to run to. He waspletely at this demon''s mercy, and the demon''s rage was a storm ready to consume him. A dark realization washed over him, this could be it. His life, his journey, all he''d struggled for¡ªsnuffed out here in an instant. All for what? For making a choice that the system had practically pushed on him? The system should have know about all this, but still urged him to ept. Beads of sweat dropped from Kyle''s face, not from the heat but from fear. His mind was in hyper drive, trying to conjure a n to escape from this predicament. ''Should I beg?'' Kyle considered to himself before rejecting that thought. ''That will be stupid. Begging wouldn''t save me from a demon, it might even anger him further.'' With no other n in his mind, Kyle began observing his surroundings more intently, trying to locate an escape from here. He vigorously looked around until his eyes met that of the demon. *Gulp* Kyle couldn''t help but swallow hard as he met the empty eyes of the demon. He noticed that the demon was deep in thought, as if pondering what to do with him. That single act made Kyle calm down a little, the fact that the demon hadn''t acted yet still gave him hope. "A human¡­" the demon finally mummured with a twisted smile stered across his face. "¡­With both a demon''s and an angel''s mark." The words hung heavily in the air, dripping with a strange mixture of fascination and malice. Kyle felt his stomach drop as the demon''s gaze seemed to prate deeper, as though examining him with a newfound interest. The demon took another step forward, his looming presence so overwhelming that it felt like the void itself was closing in on Kyle. His voice softened, but there was an edge to it, something disturbingly eager. "How¡­ curious," the demon said, his toneced with dark amusement. "A mortal tainted by both light and shadow. I wonder what such a creature is capable of¡­" A chill crept down Kyle''s spine as the demon''s twisted smile grew wider and his eyes glinted with an even more predatory gleam. "I''ll see how this unfolds," he murmured with a cold breath. The smile that stretched across his face was nothing short of terrifying, it fully depicted a sadistic amusement. It was as though he saw Kyle as nothing more than a fascinatingb rat. The demon straightened, and his voice shifted to a tone of dark authority. "I am Azagrut, Demon of Chaos, harbinger of ruin and bearer of wrath. Remember my name, mortal, for it is I who decides your fate." Chapter 101: Azagruts Blessing "I am Azagrut, Demon of Chaos, harbinger of ruin and bearer of wrath. Remember my name, mortal, for it is I who decides your fate." Kyle trembled after hearing the demon mention its name. Azagrut. He didn''t know how, but it was like the name was spoken directly into him. He couldn''t forget that name. On the bright side, he was overjoyed that he had managed to survive, and from what he could make out, the demon might have just decided to spare his life¡ªthat was all that mattered at this moment. The believe didn''tst for long though, as Azagrut had his hand directed towards Kyle with dark energy coiling and twisting around it like a living thing. Kyle''s breath stopped the moment their gazes met once more; prompting him to begin panicking. Had Azagrut changed his mind? Was this energy meant to end him? He could do nothing to stop the inevitable though, as Azagrut had already raised his hand, making the void around them to darken further and swallowing all traces while directing the chaotic energy into Kyle. A blinding rush of heat immediately followed after and flooded through every of Kyle''s nerve and muscle upon it hit his body. For a second, he thought he was burning alive and he began bracing himself for the unbearable agony that was to follow¡ªonly to find, surprisingly, that the energy coursing through him was warm, almostforting. He could feel it washing over him like a gentle me and filling him up from the inside. But that warmth quickly twisted and warped into a feeling far moreplex and alien, then his vision blurred. In an instant after his vision went off, he found himself being pulled into pulled into a vortex of visions so vivid they threatened to consume his very soul. *** [You have awakened the Element: Chaos!] Finally, after what felt like a cycle thatsted for eternity, the visions stopped, leaving Kyle gasping for breath. But the endless barrage if visions that had threatened to make him insane kept on ying in his head for a moment before adjusted to reality. Kyle felt drained, but there was a little madness in his eyes. He couldn''t help but appreciate what he saw. That was power. True chaos. It made him crave such power. He wanted it all. His mind immediately got to work trying to process such vision before Azagrut''sughter broke the silence. "HAHAHA!" heughed maniacally, 8the sound of hisughter echoing in the Void and threatening to damage Kyle''s eardrums. "I knew I made the right choice... I HAVE CHOSEN A SPECIAL ONE!" Kyle gulped as he witnessed his maniacalughter and his usual wide evil grin that slowly formed on his face. From what he could make out, it was a special feat to withstand those chaos trials. Maybe... Few couldn''t survive. And... That meant: ''...There was a chance for me to have died.'' Kyle concluded with a grim expression, and from what he had read in the library. Death might have been an optimistic possibility. Something far worse could have happened to him... Like corruption. Kyle clenched his fists in anger after the realization dawned upon him that he had been experimented on like ab rat. ''That asshole. I''ll make sure he pays dearly for trying such shit.'' Kyle didn''t know how he had thought of such curse words he had never before, or what confidence made him think bad about Azagrut, knowing fullly well there was a chance he could read his mind. Azagrut who had been watching Kyle have his monologue, simply had an evil grin stered on his face. He beganughing once again the moment his dark endless eyes met Kyle''s. "You''re free to curse me all you want, but with time, you''ll understand... I''ll only pardon you for being able to withstand that, which had shown how valuable you are to me." He paused for a moment to register Kyle''s expression as he spoke and as expected, Kyle was still boiling in anger. He didn''t pay him any heed though, ignoring him, he continued. "Congrattions, mortal. You are now a benefactor of Chaos. Our fates are intertwined now," he added in finality. "Get stronger and prove yourself worthy of the path of destruction." Azagrut''s figure began to fade immediately after he said this, his form dissolving back into the shadows like he was never there before. But before he vanishedpletely, he cast onest look at Kyle. "Embrace the chaos, mortal. Be more... or perish." A final, mockingugh echoed through the void, and with that, Kyle felt himself being pulled back, the world around him began warping, until... *** In Kyle''s eyes snapped open, and he was back in Dan''s living room. The familiar surroundings looked almost alien after the horrors he had just experienced. Ding! As he tried to adjust himself, a soft chime sounded, and a series of notifications shed before his eyes. [You have gained Azagrut''s blessing!] [The demon Azagrut has chosen you as his vassal. You will gain a special trait: Undying. You will ess 1% of his mana reserves. All your actions will be monitored by him. The bond will dissolve if you be stronger.] [Do you ept?] [Yes] [No] *** Kyle''s gaze lingered on the options disyed before him. Every fiber of his being urged him to press [No] He didn''t want to be anyone''s pawn¡ªnot anymore. Kyle could still remember Azagrut''sughter echoing in his mind. ''I''ll never let anyone control me like that again,'' he vowed silently, hovering his fingers on rejection. But just as he was about to seal his decision, the words [Undying] and "1% mana" shed before him, giving him a spark of interest. Kyle already had ess to 1% of Elysia''s mana which have him infinite-like mana, but it wouldn''t be a bad idea if he could double his mana pool with Azagrut''s 1%. That only applied only if they were if the same power level, which Kyle disagreed on. Azagrut''s fraction might even triple his current pool if he was right on their power difference. That would make him even more unstoppable. As for the Undying trait, ''What the hell was that?'' Kyle wondered and as in reply to his thoughts, a new notification from the system blinked into view. Kyle''s heart pounded as he read the description, and a grin stretched across his face. [Undying: You''re able to regenerate your body to peak condition unlesspletely destroyed. Regeneration speed is also tremendously increased and is proportional to skill''s level] Kyle''s eyes widened in awe as he understood the implications¡ªhe''ll be practically unkible. Even in this world where magic and danger walked hand in hand, he would have an advantage that most could only dream of. A slow smile curled on his lips, and he couldn''t deny how helpful the skill was. The skill was¡­ broken. It was exactly what he needed. His hands still shook, but now it was with anticipation. Kyle had already resolved himself to ept the blessing. He had to ept the reality that he was a pawn to Azagrut from the moment he opened that book, and that was solidified after he learned Chaos. It didn''t mean he was ready to ept such fate. With time, Kyle believed he would grow stronger and no Angel nor Demon would try to control him anymore. With onest look at the options, Kyle made his choice. His finger tapped [Yes] with confidence, stamping his decision. Immediately he selected [Yes], Kyle could feel a mana signature imprinted on his, after which a surge of power surged through him. What followed after was pain, pain that was meant to be unbearable. But Kyle easily handled it and stood his ground. It wasn''t because the effect was less agonizing than Elysia''s blessing that Kyle managed to bear it¡ªinfact it was the opposite. Kyle felt this current sensation was meant to be worse than his previous. Rather, it was him who have changed. Not only had his stats seen a huge leap from then, Kyle''s mental strength has also increased by leaps and bounds after the hell those visions had put him through. Soon, what was meant to be a hellish experience for Kyle finally ended and he could see his stats. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Beginner Mage: Lv 4 EXP: 491/6000 HP: 118* Energy: 140* MP: -* Agility: 71* Strength: 75* Vitality: 59* Stamina: 70* Intelligence: 61* SP: 0 [Elements] [Skills] [Lightning Bolt(Lv 1)] [Lightning Dash(Lv 2)] [Inspect(Lv 2)] [Gobbler(Lv 2)] [Undying]* ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 102: Handling Chores Kyle noticed the changes on his stat panel. ''All my stats had increased by 10,'' he thought with a smile, feeling d he had selected [Yes]. ''I''ll give Dan a huge surprise in today''s training.'' Kyle thought as his stats had increased by alot from thest time they had trained. Maybe it would be enough to defeat him this time when they sparred. Suddenly, Kyle remembered he had awakened a new element: Chaos. He directed his senses within him to observe whether there was any new mana core formed¡ªand as expected only his lightning mana core dwelled within him. Kyle wasn''t surprised that no chaos core was there, after all the cores just didn''t form by themselves. Like in the case of his lightning element, he had topress the chaotic mana within him and form a core. ''That shouldn''t be difficult; I''ll form a core this night,'' Kyle decided with a proud grin before taking in to his surroundings. It was at that moment that something clocked in his mind. ''Aside from the visions I was put through whichsted for years, I''m very sure I spent hours there,'' Kyle thought. ''Instructor Dan must have checked up on me already,'' Kyle quickly dispelled that thought because he wouldn''t still be on the floor if Dan had checked on him, but that didn''t mean that Dan wouldn''t get suspicious. ''I have to work faster.'' With he directed his gaze to the bookcase where this whole ordeal had begun. The entire room seemed exactly as how he''d left it, with that he got to work. He continued dusting and arranging the books one after the other, and eventually he reached the one that had caused all this. As he stared at the book, Kyle didn''t know whether to feel angry for the agony that he had been put through as a result of opening this book or feel happy of the powers and improvements he had gained as a result. Naturally, thetter overwhelmed the former and Kyle was grateful that it had managed to catch his eyes. There was one more thing that bothered him in his mind though. Questions like: What this book was doing with Dan and why it wasn''t kept safe, rather casually kept in the Living room''s book shelf. Kyle could think of possible scenarios, for one Dan and most of the world didn''t know about this Chaos, and he it coincidently managed to end up in his hands. A possibility that he very much dreaded was that Dan wasn''t an ordinary Academy Instructor and might this book was have entrusted into hands. From what Kyle could gleam, the system stated he waspatible to learn Chaos, maybe that was the reason why this book wasn''t used yet. ''Ah, I better get back to work,'' Kyle closed the book and picked up another to be cleaned. ''All these thinking is making my head ache.'' Kyle continued with the cleaning, making sure to open each book to find something special and unfortunately he didn''t. ''I never expected to strike gold twice in a row,'' Kyle reassured himself as he continued. Truth to be told, they were amazing books that would make a student like Lora or Orion go mad. They were even some that fancied Kyle, which included some book about martial arts techniques. ''Martial arts techniques?'' Kyle wasn''t too sure about what that meant. He tried opening one to see the familiar notification, but this one made him bleed. [Do you want to learn the Basic Martial Arts Technique: Air Steps] [Cost: 100 Skill Points] ''100 skill points?!'' Kyle almost thought out loud. The price was absurd, especially when rtivelypared to the other stuff he could learn. ''I''ll ask Instructor Dan about Martial Arts Techniquester,'' Kyle made a mental note and got back to work. *** Once the books were sorted, Kyle moved to the rest of the house. The small messes scattered across the room¡ªpapers, empty cups, a stray pen¡ªquickly found their ces and he located a mob and began doing some cleaning. "Times like this makes me wish I had water affinity," Kyle muttered as he scrubbed. ''With time it won''t be a problem as I''ll have them all,'' A proud grin shed on his face and that gave him renewed confidence to work faster. After he was done with all the rooms Dan had allowed him to ess, Kyle made his way to the Kitchen. He began by washing the dishes, and after what felt like an eternity, he finished the dishes and set them aside to dry. With that out of the way, he finally turned his attention to preparing some food. Rummaging through the Tier-3 ingredients he found in Dan''s fridge, Kyle managed to whip up a simple breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, and some fruits. It wasn''t gourmet, but it was enough to fuel whatever intense training session Dan had nned. Finally, after setting the tes neatly on the table, he took a step back, admiring his handiwork. The once-cluttered room was now orderly, the kitchen spotless, and a meal ready to be served. He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, feeling some aplishment for a job well done. He hadn''te to the academy expecting that one day he''d be doing household chores for his instructor, but here he was, and he had done it well. Satisfied, Kyle made his way to Dan''s room, knocking lightly on the door. "Instructor Dan? I''m finished." "Done already?" Dan''s voice sounded from the room. Kyle heard his footsteps sound from the door before the door opened, "Wow! You were quite quick." Kyle nodded his head and gave a tense smile. This meant that nothing suspicious happened while he passed out. He couldn''t conclude yet though as he decided to probe Dan. "How quick, sir?" Dan raised an eyebrow at Kyle, wondering why he''ll ask such. "Don''t you have yourm?" ''Ah, mym!'' Kyle eximed within. ''How the hell did I forget about that?'' He knew he had arrived around 8:40 AM, so it won''t be difficult to find out how much time he had spent. Stay connected with m-v l|e''-NovelBin Kyle nced towards them. 9:42 AM. He had truly finished fast. No wonder, Dan had remarked on his speed. That meant... Time in that realm flowed differently from normal. That realization dawned upon Kyle as he pondered. ''Imagine if I had cultivated all this while. My cultivation would have been greatly increased.'' He was practically trying toprehend this but he simply couldn''te to terms with it. ''That''s just too broken!'' He suddenly remembered the silent Instructor that stared at him as he had all this thoughts. Kyle chuckled nervously as he directed his gaze him. "Uhm. Sorry for that, I forgot I had am." "Uneptable! Your mind is your greatest asset and you can''t keep losing concentration," Dan snapped despite Kyle''s early apology. Kyle wasn''t surprised of his reaction as he knew how disciplined Dan could be. "I''m sorry, I won''t repeat it again," Kyle cupped his fists together and bowed his head low in apology. "Hmph. I''ll reduce your punishment, but it better not." Kyle nodded grimly at Kyle''s promation. That was how far he coulde. "Well, I hope you didn''t mess up my books," Dan asked with a teasing smile as he left the room. Kyle grinned, finding his question funny. After all, his book messed him up, not the other way round. "Everything''s where it should be, sir. And breakfast is ready too." "Well, let''s see if you''ve kept that promise," Dan murmured and began heading to the dining room, while Kyle followed behind him. Dan observed the house and it looked clean enough, he nodded in approval to Kyle before taking his seat and ncing over the meal Kyle had prepared. Without another word, he took a seat at the table, motioning for Kyle to join him. Kyle sat across from him, trying to gauge his instructor''s mood as Dan took a bite of the eggs. After a few bites, Dan finally looked up. "Not bad," he admitted, earning Kyle a relieved expression. "Though I hope your stamina''s just as good as your cooking. Today''s training isn''t going to be easy." Kyle merely nodded. He had survived the chores, he had survived the chaos and he knew that whatever Dan had nned, he was prepared to face it head-on. Chapter 103: Another Demon "Before we begin, your punishment for the earlierpse in concentration must bepleted." "Understood, sir," Kyle replied, fully expecting Dan to bring it up. Dan gestured to the heavy iron weights and a series of resistance bands neatly arranged along the side of the dojo. "You''ll carry these weights while maintaining a handstand for thirty minutes. The timer would reset each time you falter.'' Kyle almost let out an exhausted sigh after seeing the weights. Not only were they very heavy to carry, but the longer you carried it , the heavier the pressure and like Dan had said, dropping it before the thirty minute mark would make him restart. This was a task that tested one''s physical endurance and required perfect bnce, focus and stamina. Kyle took a deep breath, before moving to the extreme end of the room where the weights were. He positioned himself on the mat, and shifted his weight forward into a handstand. With controlled movements, he adjusted the iron weights, securing them on his legs and holding a position that tested the limits of his core strength. The strain hit him almost immediately as his muscles tightened and his bnce shaked, but he managed to maintain it well. Dan kept on watching with an impassive expression but his keen eyes were taking note of every micro-adjustment Kyle made to keep steady. At the ten-minute mark, he raised an eyebrow. Kyle''s arms trembled slightly under the weight, but his posture held steady. Fifteen minutes in, the minor strain in his shoulders deepened, but Kyle fought through it, pushing the burning sensation away with sheer willpower. When the half-hour mark finally passed without a single fall, Dan stepped forward. "Enough. You cane down." "I can continue," Kyle replied, causing Dan to raise his eyebrow at him. He usually only barely endure for 30 minutes. Now, not only was he handling the routine far better than before, he even asked for more time. Dan simply nodded and continued watching. As he had promised, Kyle continued to keep on with the weights and eventually the one hour mark came, that was when lowered himself and copsed onto his knees. Kyle took a few deep breaths, trying to slow his racing heart. The routine had taken a toll out him, but he had handled it far better than before. He had even done so for thirty minutes, something that had never happened in his training with Dan. "You improved again, didn''t you?" Dan approached him with a sharp gaze and threw the thought om his mind. Kyle looked up at his instructor with a nervous chuckle. "Yes, sir. I broke through to the fourth stage," he chose to say. Dan nodded, though the gesture seemed almost mechanical. It wasn''t the shock or amazement that Kyle might have seen before, just a simple acknowledgment. Dan''s mind was already processing this information and moving on. Kyle had surprised him too many times for it to be truly shocking anymore. It was quite normal for Kyle to be of a different power level each time they met. He had only asked because this time, the leap was too great. Perhaps the boy was just special¡ªmore special than he had first realized. He turned away, though the slight furrow in his eyebrow gave him away that he was thinking something far deeper. ''Let''s move on. Training waits for no one," Dan said, pping his hands once. Kyle pushed himself back to his feet, after taking Dan''s special water bottle. It was time for the real challenge. Dan took his ce at one end of the dojo, rolling his shoulders and adjusting his stance. The sparring sessions with Dan were always brutal, but each one pushed Kyle beyond what he thought possible. Today, he felt ready to win, even if he knew deep down that defeating Dan was still a distant dream. The moment Dan''s signal came, Kyleunched himself forward, drawing his selected katana in a smooth arc. He aimed a swift strike at Dan, who sidestepped with practiced ease and countered with a sweep that nearly knocked Kyle off bnce. Kyle regained his footing quickly. With a proud smile, he charged again. Kyle was confident of winning Dan now after seeing his speed, maybe they weren''t too far apart after all. A few minutester, Kyle panted as they circled each other. He hade close to beating Dan quite a few times, but through some unexpected turn of events, Dan kept surviving. This gave Kyle confidence to push more harder. He could feel it. He was going to defeat Dan today. "Not enough," Dan muttered, breaking Kyle''s thoughts. He stepped forward and began pressuring Kyle into a defensive stance. Kyle parried and retreated, knowing that Dan was pushing him to his limit deliberately. And then, without warning, Kyle felt something stir within him. At that moment, he knew the battle was over. ''Let''s end this.'' He immediately went back a little and then with a sh of his katana, a thin, white line of energy surged from the de¡ªhis sword intent. Find your next adventure on m_v l|e-NovelBin Kyle thought he had got Dan. There was now how that Dan would react fast enough to deal with it. But then, the room turned cold¡ªdead cold as Dan released a tiny bit of aura, nullifying the intent as easily as snuffing out a me. ''I''ve faced two demons today,'' Kyle thought with a tired sigh, "Thest one stands before me." "Good!" Dan remarked after dealing with Kyle''s intent. "Don''t worry, you''ll get there." Kyle nodded and continued with the fight. If he couldn''t win with his intent, he''ll beat up Dan the traditional way. After some moves more, when Kyle almost got Dan. The speed thetter had used to leave his range was outstanding¡ªhe hadn''t expected such. ''That meant...'' Kyle thought as he panted. ''He''s been holding back this whole time.'' It all made sense, Kyle had noticed that Dan had been one step ahead, while giving him the impression that he could stand a chance; Dan had been toying with him and giving him false pride right from Day 1. ''This man, how dare him do such to me?'' Kyle thought with anger. ''He''s yed me dirty. Each time Kyle thought he''d closed the gap, Dan revealed anotheryer of strength that made Kyle feel like he was just starting over. Kyle channelled his anger into the fight and began pushing h arder. He still believed he could win Dan. ''I just have to be too fast for him,'' Kyle calcted. ''He''ll be on the floor the moment he tries to re-adjust his speed. This continued for what felt like an eternity, but the chance never came for Kyle to turn the tides of the battle. Worst of all, he was thoroughly exhausted and didn''t think he could continue. As if sensing his condition, Dan stepped back and raised a hand. "Enough. You can rest." Kyle didn''t even think of questioning his decision as he knew he couldn''t continue anymore. He dropped to the floor and stared at the ceiling to catch his breath. After some moments on the floor, Dan approached him after and began offering pointers, detailing every move Kyle had made and every w in his form. Kyle listened intently as he drank Dan''s magical water,mitting each correction to memory. And after Dan wad done speaking; Kyle remembered a question he nned on asking. "Instructor Dan, there''s something I''ve been meaning to ask." Dan directed his gaze to Kyle before nodding his head. "Go on." "What''s a martial arts technique? I saw one in your book shelf when I cleaned it and I want to know more about them." "You''ve been observant," Dan remarked with a nod of approval. "Martial arts are very essential, especially physical fighters like us." Dan paused, as if recalling memories from his own training. "Martial arts, at their core, are not just about fighting. It is a discipline that sharpens the body, the mind, and the soul. Mastery over them allows you to fight with a certain style the technique was tailored for. Take note, these techniques are not just physical. They require patience, practice, meditation and understanding of your body and mana. That is why few people seed in learning them, they underestimate the mental and spiritual discipline required." With Dan''s exnation, Kyle could understand a bit about what Martial arts were. He wanted to learn them, anything that could make him stronger was worth learning, talk more of something that could improve his skill with the katana. Chapter 104: Secret Library Kyle''s eyes shone with a newfound determination. He had faced impossible odds before, but this felt different. It felt like a challenge that would shape him not just as a fighter, but as a person. "I want to learn, Instructor," Kyle said with his fists cupped and a light bow. "I want to master it. Would you lend me that book? I promise I''ll dedicate myself to it." Dan''s expression softened into something unreadable¡ªpride, perhaps, or admiration. He ced a hand on Kyle''s shoulder and looked at him squarely. "You''ve proven your dedication time and time again, Kyle. I can''t deny you a martial art technique at your current skill level, you''re more than ready to take this step. Stay connected with m-v l|e''-NovelBin But before I hand you that book, I need you to know that the techniques will challenge you beyond anything you''ve faced." Kyle nodded without hesitation. "I understand. I''m ready for it." A pause stretched between them before Dan nodded with satisfaction. "Good. But it''s not as simple as reading a book and mimicking the movements. You need to choose the path that resonates with you the most." Kyle''s brow furrowed in confusion, but before he could voice his question, Dan continued. "There are different schools of martial arts, each of them with their own philosophy and techniques. Your task is to choose the one that fits you best." "Schools of martial arts?" Kyle repeated. "Do you mean a ce where martial arts are taught?" Dan''s mouth twitched into a small smile, and he chuckled. "Not quite, but you''re close." A martial arts school isn''t just a ce, Kyle. It''s an entire discipline¡ªa path chosen by practitioners that embodies their core techniques, philosophies, andbat styles. Some schools focus on offensive might, teaching their followers how to overwhelm their opponents with crushing force. Others are defensive, emphasizing unyielding stances and counterattacks that make their user as solid as a fortress." There are schools that emte the flow of water, always moving, adapting to their opponent''s moves with ease and grace. Then, there are schools inspired by the untamable wind, emphasizing speed, precision, and unpredictability. The most ancient and revered schools merge physicalbat with spiritual teachings, demanding that their students master their inner energies to unleash techniques that border on mystical." Kyle''s breath quickened as Dan spoke, painting vivid images of powerful martial artists whose abilities transcended anything he had imagined. Dan continued, "To choose a school means tomit to a way of life. It''s not something to be taken lightly. Your mastery of the sword and your elemental prowess can only benefit from this path if you understand that it will require aplete shift in how you viewbat and yourself." Kyle nodded his head quickly. "I''m willing to take that step." "Then it''s time you see something that few have everid eyes on. Follow me." Kyle''s heart skipped a beat as Dan walked toward the far wall of the dojo. For as long as he had been training here, this wall had always seemed unremarkable. Yet now, Dan reached out and pressed his palm on it, chanelling his mana through it, a section of the wall began to part, only to reveal a narrow stone passageway. Kyle widened his eyes in surprise. "You have a secret chamber?... Damn!" Danughed at Kyle''s remark. "Cool, right?" Kyle simply nodded his head as he followed Dan while they walked deeper until they reached arge iron door. Pushing the door open, Kyle witnessed a sight that stole the breath from his lungs. Before him stretched a library unlike any he had ever seen. It was colossal, farrger than even the Year-1 section of the academy''s library. It was filled with shelves that bore books of different sizes and age. To the right, a section of the room was devoted to research¡ªdesks equipped with magnifying sses, alchemical instruments, and mana detectors. On observing closely, one could even notice that it had just been used recently. Kyle''s jaw dropped as he took it all in. He turned to Dan and said in surprise. "This¡­ this is incredible. How do you even¡ª" "Wee to my sanctum, Kyle." Dan watched Kyle take in the scene for some moments before beckoning him him to follow. Kyle followed after Dan as they weaved through the towering shelves, until they stopped before a section where books were arranged ording to their respective martial art schools. The section was divided into tiers¡ªBeginner, Intermediate and Advanced. "Woah!" Kyle couldn''t help but gasp as he read the overbearing names of the martial techniques. "How do I know which one to pick?" he finally asked, breaking the silence. "You won''t be picking from any of these, Kyle." Dan replied with a smile, making Kyle look at him in surprise. "Then¡­ why are we here?" Dan didn''t answer immediately. Instead, he took a step back and ced his hand on a specific point on the shelf, one that looked indistinguishable from the others. With a soft click, he pulled out a book unlike any Kyle had seen. IThe title read: Martial Arts: Fundamentals. Dan''s expression turned serious as he held out the book. "This will teach you the origins and philosophies of most revered schools. It will also teach you what each path stands for and how to find the one that resonates with your very essence." Kyle''s breath caught as he took the book, feeling the weight settle in his hands. The book was quite heavy in his hands, but Kyle had already made up his mind to do justice to it. "I''ll do more than read it¡ªI''ll study it." "That''s what I want to hear." Dan said wiyj a soft voice. "The knowledge in that book is not a casual read. You need to understand it, because knly then will you be ready to choose a school, and only then will I allow you to learn your first technique." Kyle nodded his head in approval to his instructor''s words. "I will." "Great! Now, let me show you out." Kyle followed as Dan led him back through the maze of towering shelves until they got to the Library''s entrance. "Find your way home from here, Kyle. Remember, School resumes on Monday. I expect you to be in Homeroom on time and ready." The reminder pulled Kyle back to the reality that school was resuming soon.. "I''ll be there, Instructor," Kyle said with a wry smile. "I''m counting on it. Now go." Kyle stepped out of the library, making his way to the entrance of the secret passage. He nced back as he exited, just in time to see Dan press his palm against the stone wall and watch the secret entrance seal itself shut, leaving no trace of the vast library behind. For a moment, Kyle marveled at the wless mechanism, wondering what kind of magic or craftsmanship made that. With a shrug, he ced the matter at the back of his head and made his way to the dojo door. As Kyle entered the living room, he set his eyes on how clean it lookedpared to when he had arrived and couldn''t help but marvel at what a good job he had done in such a limited time. He didn''t linger in the house for too long and soon made his way for the door, making sure to m it shut. ''Today was one hell of a day,'' Kyle sighed as he remembered all the events that had all taken ce before making his way home, nning how he''ll narrate his experiences to Void. Chapter 105: Hungry Void Kyle made the long walk home, finally reaching his room. The moment he entered, he was met with the sight of Void sprawled out on the bed, and his eyes locked on the ceiling with an unmistakable expression of boredom. The dragon''s sleek ck scales glistened under the faint light filtering in through the window. Void''s head snapped toward the door the moment he heard a creak. "Finally, you''re back. Thought you''d decided to abandon me for good this time." "I expected you to be cultivating, not brooding. What''s going on?" "What''s going on?!" Void repeated Kyle''s question. Standing up to show his anger. "You left me here without food, starving while you gallivanted around! How do you expect a mighty Drakkon to reach his peak on an empty stomach?" Kyle thought about what Void had said and concluded that theint was fair. What was supposed to be a short training session that wouldst a couple of hours had extended well into the day. It was his fault, he should have suspected that Dan wouldn''t let him of leave early after making hime for training in the morning. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to soften the realization that he''d overlooked Void''s needs. ''Speaking of Void''s hunger, I haven''t eaten anything too,'' Kyle suddenly remembered and his stomack responded with a growl. "You''re right, that''s on me," Kyle admitted, raising his hands in surrender. "How about we go grab some food? I need it as much as you do." Void''s eyes gleamed, and in one swift motion, he leaped off the bed and disappeared into his pet space. "Finally, a reasonable offer." Kyle couldn''t help but chuckle at the dragon''s enthusiasm. The lightness of their banter brought a needed pause after the day''s intensity. He made his way out the door, heading toward the bustling cafeteria. The cafeteria was filled with students as they were trying to squeeze in thest bit of fun and socializing before sses resumed in full swing. Kyle sidestepped groups of students chatting andughing, barely noticing them as he focused on the assortment of dishes before him. He ordered enough to feed not just himself and Void, but what could have easily satisfied a small party. Laden with packages of food, he turned back for home, bncing the load carefully. As soon as he set the containers down in his room, Void emerged from his pet space like a blur,nding beside Kyle and eyeing the spread with delight. Within moments, the room was filled with the clinking of tes and the rhythmic chomping of a dragon thoroughly enjoying his meal. Between bites, Kyle started recounting his day to Void. He described the cleaning Dan had made him do, the book he''d discovered while organizing Dan''s shelves, and his encounter with Azagrut. Void, for his part was listening¡ªor so Kyle believed¡ªeven as he devoured therge pile of food at an astonishing pace. "Azagrut. Just a side character; we''ll deal with him real quick," Void said between bites, referencing Kyle''s rivalry with a demon as if it were merely an afterthought. Kyle let out augh at the dragon''s casual remark. "Besides, thanks to that book, I awakened the Chaos element." The sound of chewing stopped abruptly. Void froze mid-bite, and a te slipped from his ws, shattering into shards on the floor. He hastily summoned his status window, eyes scanning for confirmation. | Affinities: Lightning | "But... there''s nothing here," Void muttered, his eyes narrowing in confusion as he stared at the list. He had assumed that [Clean te] would have enabled him to share any new affinity Kyle gained. [Clean te: OmniDrakkons are not limited to a single element. Skills and affinities are shared between the pet and master.] "Why don''t I see it?" Void looked up at Kyle, the usually confident glint in his eyes reced with uncertainty. Kyle, who had been mulling over the same question, finally offered his theory. "Maybe¡­ it''s because I haven''t formed a core for it yet?" Void''s eyes widened, and he pped a w to his face. "Then what are you waiting for? If you''ve got Chaos, we need to use it. Form the core tonight." Kyle''s lips twitched upward in an amused grin. "I was nning to, but I thought I''d study this first." He gestured at the thick, ancient book lying beside him. It had a worn cover that hinted at countless years of use, and its pages brimmed with secrets about martial techniques. Void''s eyes narrowed as he regarded the book with suspicion. "What is that?" Kyle exined how he''d found the book while rearranging Dan''s collection and how the instructor had exined the concept of martial techniques and schools to him. He recounted Dan''s insight into the power of martial techniques and the meaning of martial schools, before stating how this book was a guide on him delving into martial arts. "I see..." Void muttered. His expression was a mix of impatience and intrigue. "I get it, but the book can wait. Form the core first." Kyle smirked at the dragon''s urgency, of course the thought of gaining a new element, especially one that was too powerful to be heard of, was too tempting to pass up, and Void''s insistence only confirmed that he wasn''t the only one excited by the prospect. "All right, Void. Tonight, we''ll create that core tonight." They spent the next half hour cleaning up the remnants of their feast, with Void making sure no scrap of food went to waste. Once the tes were stacked and thest crumbs devoured, Kyle set the book aside and prepared himself mentally. He washed up quickly, sshing cool water on his face to shake off any lingering exhaustion from the day. After Kyle was done with his preparations and all, he sat cross-legged on the bed. He closed his eyes to feel his heartbeat before taking a deep breath, allowing his mind to focus solely on the task at hand. "Let''s create a new core," Kyle whispered, more to himself than to Void. Chapter 106: Attempting to Form a Chaos Core Creating a mana core was a delicate and essential process, after all, your ability to create a core directly affected your ability to channel that magic. Due to the importance of this step in your journey to be a mage; the academy made all first years attend a 1-week-long ss specifically meant to teach them how to sense their mana, control it, and form it into a functional core. Kyle had already been through this ordeal before when he created his lightning mana core, and it wasn''t a very difficult process. In fact, Kyle believed that he could create a core that night, as his mana control was on a different levelpared to when he created his Lightning core. He just had to sense his chaos mana pool before controlling it with his will topress it into a small spherical orb. Once the orb achieved the smallest possible volume, that furtherpression might make it copse, Kyle simply had to use external mana¡ªa mana core to obtain the highest concentration¡ªand bind the core with the external energy. That was simple. "Let''s begin," Kyle muttered to himself as he began sensing his mana flow. It didn''t take much time for him to locate it. The stream of his chaos mana flowed in an opposite direction with his lightning core. It shone with a chaotic blend of different colors, making it stand sharply in Kyle''s mind. Kyle quickly got to work. It took him a few moments to get acquainted with the Chaos mana, but he managed to do so at the end and could now direct its mana flow. ''Just like before,'' Kyle thought, recalling how he''d formed his first core. But as soon as he reached out to guide the chaos mana, its wild nature fought back in an attempt to resist his will. It was like trying to catch the wind with bare hands. Despite his focus, the mana crumbled, scattering into streams before he could even begin forming it into an orb. Kyle was saddened at what happened, but he didn''t fully expect to form the core on his first try. Forming a core wasn''t meant to be easy. "Alright," Kyle whispered to himself. "I''ll do it this time." He tried again, this time envisioning his chaos mana pool like a turbulent river. He attempted to direct the current, slowlypressing the flow inward to form a small, dense sphere. At first, it seemed to be working. The chaos mana began to swirl, forming the rough outline of a sphere. Kyle felt a bit of hope when he saw that it was working, but just as quickly as it appeared, the mana scattered, bursting apart in a violent dispersal. Kyle felt a bit of pain in his chest after realizing that he had failed twice in a row. ''Not yet,'' he told himself. Sitting back up, he knew it was time to control the chaos. Kyle took a deep breath and closed his eyes once more before reaching out mentally, trying tomand the wild mana to bend to his will, coaxing and forcing it into formation. The pool of mana twisted but kept resisting every attempt at order. It would start to shape, only to shatter again as if mocking him. Kyle muttered through gritted teeth, "No¡­ I will make this work." Minutes soon turned into hours for Kyle, while the relentless cycle of molding and copsing repeated itself over and over again, each failure dampening his resolve. He hadn''t expected to perfect it on the first try, but he''d hoped to make more progress than this. ''This mana, it''s like it has a mind of its own,'' Kyle couldn''t help but conclude. The mana just couldn''t be controlled by him but Kyle knew better than to give up. Kyle closed his eyes once more and continued. In a blink of an eye, five full hours had passed and Kyle hadn''t made any progress. He was exhausted and his body was drenched in sweat. The effort of controlling and condensing chaos mana had really drained him mentally. ''No. I can''t give up,'' Kyle thought, shaking off the doubt that made him feel like giving up. The challenge was expected. He was trying to mold chaos itself, after all¡ªsomething that defied structure by its very nature. But Kyle didn''t want to surrender just yet. He pushed himself upright, ignoring the groan of his body protesting the movement. "I will do this." Kyle sat cross-legged again and inhaled deeply. He emptied his mind, reaching deep within himself, pulling on every ounce of mental discipline he had. This time, he employed a different approach. Instead of brute-forcing the mana into submission, he tried guiding it with a gentler touch, like taming a wild animal rather than caging it. The chaos mana shifted slightly, hesitating as if surprised by the change. Encouraged, Kyle nudged the energy, using his will to coax it into a coiling form. For a moment, it responded, moving almost willingly, but before he could feel the rush of sess, it fractured again, scattering into jagged bursts. Kyle sighed after failing again. He was very much tired and he knew he needed some rest before the night crawled to an end. Kyle''s gaze drifted to the bed, where Void slept peacefully, undisturbed from all he was passing through. He followed suit making space on the bed for him to lie down. "Tomorrow..." Kyle promised himself as hey down. "...I''ll continue," With that Kyle shut his eyes, he knew how important it was for him to seed in this; failure was not an option. He had to rely on himself to form a chaos core, as there was no one he could run to nor anyone who knew about such an element. These thoughts echoed in Kyle''s mind as he finally allowed his body to rx, surrendering to the pull of sleep. Chaos would bend to him¡ªhe would make sure of it. But for now, he needed rest. Chapter 107: Origin of Martial Arts Kyle sat on a chair, before the desk he had dragged from his room outside. His fingers rested on the cover of the book Dan had given him, Martial Arts: Fundamentals. He hade outside so as to enjoy the cool morning sun as he read... and also to avoid Void for a while. Kyle couldn''t help but smile wryly as he remembered what had happened earlier in the morning. Kyle had once again attempted tobcreatr the core, but sadly, he was greeted with the same result asst night¡ªfailure. Before that, Void had asked him how the night went and why he didn''t form the core yet; and Kyle, not wanting to lose face had lied, saying that he slept off after failing his first try. He had reassured Void that it wasn''t a problem, he''ll form the coreter. But Void didn''t take his words lightly and had forced him to create the core that instant. That had not ended up well for Kyle as Void''s sharp tongue was used to humiliate him further, adding salt to his wound. Now, with the morning stretching before and nothing to distract him, Kyle decided to delve into the book. Perhaps learning the basics of martial arts could offer him some respite from the frustration building up in him. With a deep breath, he flipped open the heavy book that rested on hisp. Martial Arts: Fundamentals by Marcus Fent. The cover alone carried an air of authority, promising answers that Kyle was eager to uncover. Kyle traced the bold, blocky letters on the cover with his fingertips before whispering, "Martial Arts: Fundamentals by Marcus Fent." On opening the first page, he was greeted with the usual notification from the system. [Would you like to learn the book, ''Martial Arts: Fundamentals'' for 10 Skill points!] [Yes] [No] Kyle sighed and quickly took off the notification. He didn''t have any skill points to patronize the system. "I guess I can only rely on myself to do this," Kyle muttered as he began reading. The book began with an introduction, detailing the history and essence of martial arts as a practice that had empowered those without magic¡ªduds, as they were referred to¡ªprotect themselves and stand tall against their magically gifted counterparts. ''So this is where it started,'' Kyle thought. His eyes moved across the words, absorbing the tale of those who, decades ago, had faced a world dominated by elemental mages. Without the innate ability to wield mana, they had seemed destined to fall prey to forces beyond their control. "Out of desperation was born the first art of resistance," the book dered. Kyle''s eyebrows lifted slightly as he read on. The early practitioners had not been warriors by nature. They were farmers, cksmiths, schrs¡ªpeople who had no choice but to fight or perish. They gathered together and began trying to learn. They began practicing movements that mimicked the beasts they feared, studying the flow of the wind, the shifting of the earth beneath their feet, the roaring surge of water. ''So, necessity birthed it all,'' Kyle thought, the realization sinking in. He ran his fingers across the printed words, pausing to absorb what it meant. Martial arts, in its infancy, had not been about glory or power. It was all about survival. Surviving in a world that constantly tried to crush those without mana. Kyle sat back, feeling the weight of that revtion. These words were more than just history¡ªthey were a testament to the strength of the human spirit. "They fought without magic, facing creatures that could tear them apart in an instant," he said aloud, as if trying to make sense of it. "And they won." How could fists and feet alone ovee the raw force of mana or the natural weapons of a beast? Kyle shook his head, finding the idea hard to grasp. But the book seemed to anticipate his doubt: What theycked in mana, they made up for in mastery of their own bodies. They understood the value of movement, of using every ounce of strength and energy in precise, powerful bursts. They learned to be more than what they were¡ªto transform limitations into weapons. The book moved into the philosophical roots behind martial arts, exining that it was more than just an answer to violence. "To those early practitioners, the art was sacred. It was a reflection of their resilience, a statement that they would not bow to fear." Kyle''s fingers tightened on the edge of the page. ''Sacred,'' he thought, the word resonating in him. He''d always seen fighting as a means to an end¡ªa way to win, to defend, to survive. But the early chapters of the book spoke of something deeper. They spoke of discipline, of understanding one''s self as intimately as one would a weapon. Your next chapter is on m v|l-e''-NovelBin "Is that where I''ve gone wrong?" Kyle asked aloud, the quietness of the clearing absorbing his voice. Had he always approachedbat as just a tool, a brute-force method? The early martial artists seemed to see it as anguage¡ªa way of expressing their strength, their will to stand when others fell. The origins of martial arts, ording to the author, were rooted not just in physical training but in observing the world around them. "A true master sees beyond the act of fighting; they see the essence of life reflected in every strike, every block, every breath." The words made Kyle pause, and his gaze shifting to the flutter of leaves overhead. Did those ancient warriors see nature as their mentor? He wondered. He could almost imagine it¡ªwatching how the wind shifted and learning to mimic its movement, or studying the coiled power of a panther before it pounced. The idea fascinated him, the notion that strength wasn''t just about sheer power but about being in harmony with everything around you. Kyle turned the page, feeling a newfound respect for the people described within. The author spoke of how martial arts had evolved, schools forming as practitioners refined their philosophies and techniques. But the essence that Marcus Fent insisted on remained the same: To take what life gave you and find strength within it. "Adaptation," Kyle said softly. The word rolled around in his mind like a piece of a puzzle, fitting with a sudden click. The early martial artists had adapted to a world of magic and monsters not by trying to imitate what they couldn''t do, but by excelling at what they could. ''Could that apply to me?'' Kyle asked himself. He thought about what bothered him now. His approach to chaos mana had always been about forcing it to yield and to bend to his will. But maybe that was the wrong way. Maybe, like those ancient warriors, he needed to learn from it¡ªstudy it, mimic it, understand how it flowed and surged before trying to control it. Kyle could hear his heart pace even faster in his chest and the sudden realization made him to sit straighter. He hadn''t been observing how his mana acted. He had been trying to delicately pressure it to bend, or to forcefully do so without knowing its true nature and what would make it yield. "This book might have just made my day!" Kyle said with a wide grin as he turned the page. Chapter 108: The Four Pillars of Martial Arts The discovery of martial arts was only the beginning. While individual practitioners managed to survive in a world ruled by mana and magic, their fragmented knowledge was not enough. They needed unity, a way to refine their techniques and pass them on to future generations. Thus, the concept of the martial school was born. Kyle narrowed his eyes and gave his maximum attention as he read this part. This was the major reason Dan had given this book to him after all. At first, these schools were modest, the book continued. They were only gatherings of a few like-minded individuals practicing in secluded forests or mountains, driven by a singr goal¡ªto create a legacy of mastery that would outlive them. Each school was founded on an elemental principle, not just for strength, but as an interpretation of how one could engage with the world. The book highlighted four main martial schools: First on the list was the school most synonymous with sheer power and devastation¡ª The Radiant Inferno school was born from the fury of the elements: fire, lightning, and light. Their techniques embodied raw destruction, and they were unparalleled in their offensive capabilities. He knew that while the power of this school was tempting, it required relentless control and constant risk. Kyle read the long text on its history and doctrines beforeing to his conclusion. "Theirs is an art that does not simply strike¡ªit obliterates." Kyle felt drawn to this school already, maybe it was because of their strength, who knows? ''I can''t choose yet until I''m done with reading,'' Kyle decided before turning the book''s page. "Iron Earth," Kyle muttered the name of the next school. As revealed by the name, this school was shaped by the twin elements of earth and metal. Its foundation was rooted in defense and physical might. While the Radiant Inferno school sought to overwhelm, the Iron Earth school stood like a mountain, unshakable and formidable. "Their philosophy," Marcus wrote, "Is that true poweres from endurance and control. The body is a fortress, and every motion is a testament to unbreakable will. The art of the Iron Earth teaches one to be unyielding, turning defense into offense at the perfect moment." Kyle could see the appeal. Practitioners of this school were known to oust their opponents, absorbing their attacks like a mountain weathering a storm, only to strike back with the force of an avnche. It was a school of grit, patience, and unmatched resilience. "This is for those who don''t mind a long fight," Kyle thought aloud, recognizing the simrities to his own way of wearing down opponents in battle. Yet, the thought of moving like an immovable statue, slow and powerful, wasn''t quite his style. He didn''t put to much stress in that school and moved on to the next. The Wind Chasers school embodied the air element. Their art was built on the principles of speed, agility, and dexterity. All practitioners of this school made it their goal to move like the wind. "Speed is not just movement¡ªit is awareness," the book continued. "The Wind Chasers School teaches its disciples to anticipate, react, and outmaneuver, turning every moment into an opportunity." "This isn''t... Bad," Kyle thought after reading some more on it, he could already imagine his way of fighting with some of the listed techniques. Like before, he didn''t make up his mind, deciding to finish up first. He continued reading into thest school highlighted by the book. The Serene Wave school is a school of patience and grace, derived solely from water," the text began. "Where the other schools may rush or overpower, the Serene Wave school understands the value of pacing and waiting for the precise moment." Kyle''s eyes followed the description, tracing how the order''s philosophy revolved around fluidity in both thought and movement. . "The path of the Serene Tide is one of control and inevitability. Every move flows into the next, like a river carving through stone. The practitioner does not seek to match an opponent''s aggression but to guide it, like steering the currents. Kyle sat back in his chair, absorbing the essence of this school. It wasn''t about overpowering or overwhelming. It was about being an unyielding current, constant and adaptable, slowly wearing down any resistance. "So, slow and steady wins the race, huh?" Kyle murmured. The Serene Wave school reminded him of his own tendency to study and observe before acting. There was something deeply appealing about using technique and strategy over raw power. "That''s all," Kyle sighed as he closed the book. He had managed to glimpse on the potential of martial arts and now the hurdle of choosing a school stumped him. All the schools were each chose a unique style ofbat and all of them were appealing in their own way. The Radiant Inferno school called to those who thrived on power and domination, warriors who needed to strike first and strike hard. The Iron Earth school was for the resolute, those willing to be an unyielding wall before unleashing a devastating counter. The Wind Chasers school captured the essence of motion, speed, and precision, perfect for those who trusted their agility. And the Serene Wave school... it was a path of patience, calmness, and directing the flow of battle. Kyle opened the book once more and skimmed through the rest of it, noting chapters on martial techniques and applications. Readtest chapters at mvl They were impressive but felt less relevant right now. He leaned back in the chair, letting out a deep sigh as he stared up at the sun, which had risen higher in the sky. The morning air was very quiet and that helped him to think more clearly. He''d admired the power of the Radiant Inferno, marveled at the fortitude of the Iron Earth, envied the speed of the Wind Chasers, and respected the unassuming might of the Serene Tide. Kyle took another breath and ran his hand over the rough cover of the book. "What school do I embark on now?" Chapter 109: First Stage Completion The weight of the decision pressed on Kyle. Each school held something valuable, something that could transform his fighting style and elevate him beyond the limits he currently faced. The power of the Radiant Inferno school had left a strong impression on Kyle. "It''s all about offense, about raw, unrestrained power. But¡­ do I need that?" he considered for a moment before shaking his head, Discover more content at mvl "My spells are already potent enough. I don''t think adding more offensive techniques would help me as much." This made Kyle put a strike on the Radiant Inferno school, that didn''t mean he had ruled it outpletely though. He could still re-consider if he doesn''t find any fitting one. "Iron Earth," Kyle considered next. "A fortress in motion. Unyielding, immovable, waiting for the perfect moment to counter." He thought about the long, grueling battles that the school''s practitioners were used to enduring. "I''m not the kind to stay put and absorb blows. It''s just not me. I''d rather stay on the move," Kyle decided. Fighting to stay on the defensive was not something he could consider. It was not only boring but could make him change his style of fightingpletely. "Wind Chasers," Kyle muttered after. The name alone sparked an idea in his mind. It was a school built on speed, precision, and agility¡ªelements thatplemented his lightning affinity. "Speed isn''t just movement¡ªit''s awareness," Kyle recalled the line from the book. The idea of reacting, outmaneuvering, and exploiting every opportunity felt right, but the Wind Chasers weren''t the only school that offered Movement Techniques. There was the Serene Wave. It''s philosophy had to do with patience, calmness, and guiding the battle rather than matching force with force. He traced a sentence on the book with his finger that described their philosophy. "Adaptable, like water." "I already fight with some level of patience," Kyle reasoned. "I study my opponents, adapt to their moves, and look for weaknesses. But¡­ is that enough?" Kyle sat in silence for a moment before voicing his thoughts. "I need to improve my movement. That''s what I want." A movement technique wouldplement his current style and let him engage and disengage at will, avoid hits, and create openings. One could argue that he had a movement spell already¡ª[Lightning Dash]. But from what Kyle had read from the book, techniques were more than just spells. Spells are raw bursts of mana shaped for immediate use, but techniques... they''re art in motion, and could be adapted intobat. "That narrows it down to movement techniques. Now, between the Serene Wave and the Wind Chasers¡­" Kyle paused for a while, weighing the two options. The Serene Wave offered a unique approach, a patient and adaptable style that allowed for strategic responses. But Kyle''s heart leaned toward the Wind Chasers. The thought of embodying the wind, moving with unmatched speed and agility, resonated with him. He could envision himself dodging attacks effortlessly, striking at his opponents'' weakest moments, and controlling the tempo of every fight. "The Wind Chasers," Kyle said aloud with a voice filled with conviction. "I prefer their way of fighting. They were quick, unpredictable, and always one step ahead." He could almost see himself darting around the battlefield, turning every encounter into a dance of precision and swiftness. Kyle took a deep breath, feeling the decision settle within him. It felt right, like the missing piece in hisbat puzzle. "Alright, that''s it. The Wind Chasers school it is." Having decided on what school to embark on, Kyle stood up and stretched his arms. "Alright, time to head back," he said, tucking the book under his arm. Returning to his room, Kyle saw Void in the center of the room, his eyes closed and aura pulsing gently as he cultivated. Then suddenly, Kyle remembered what he had pieced earlier from reading the history of Martial arts. That was the key for creating his chaos mana core. ''Adaptation,'' Kyle referenced in his mind. ''I need to think like the core, act like it.'' He ced the book on a nearby table, and with a smile, Kyle approached his bed. Without hesitation, he sat cross-legged, steadying his breath as he prepared for the task ahead. He began by sensing the chaos pool of mana within him. He had done this for the umpteenth time already, but Kyle didn''t mind. He had set his focus already. Unlike his previous attempts, which had been full of coercion and rigid control, this time he allowed his approach to mirror chaos itself¡ªunpredictable and varied. He drew on his internal energy with an array of methods, shifting between aggressive surges and subtle maniptions. He pushed his mana flow, then allowed it to pull back, testing the limits and pressing without forming a pattern. Minutes flew quickly and in a blink of an eye, 2 hours passed in a sh with Kyle still trying to form an orb. He didn''t feel discouraged though, as he knew that it was working. With each attempt made, Kyle knew he was inching ever closer to his goal. He kept on shifting from controlled focus to sudden bursts of intent, trying to mirror the chaos within him. And then it happened. A warmth surged in Kyle''s core as he was already in the process of forming an orb. He quickly moved, varying his actions even more in an attempt to mold the core. With time, the mana finally condensed into an orb... and it didn''t shatter. It held! "I did it!" Kyle knew he had done it. He hadpleted the first stage of forming his core¡ªforming a spherical orb. Truth to be told, the orb was of a veryrge volume and Kyle knew that he had a difficult task in hand when it came to itspression. It would be very challenging to make it as small as possible, but Kyle couldn''t dampen his victory with such thoughts now. What mattered was that he was on track. He had taking the first step! Chapter 110: Back to School (1) ... [Congrattions! You havepleted your daily quest] [You have obtained 1 STA point] [STA: 71 >> 72] [Energy: 142 >> 144] [Time: 0:27:59] [20/10 KM] A faint smile appeared on Kyle''s lips after he was done with his early morning jog. "7:02 AM," Kyle muttered the time from hism. It was quite shocking that he had woken up so early¡ª6:30 AM, no less. But that was only made possible due to the fact that he slept very early, about 5 PM to be exact. Yesterday, Kyle had spent hours working onpressing the chaos orb, a task that had demanded every ounce of concentration and mana control he possessed. The swirling, erratic energy within the orb had resisted him at every turn, bucking andshing out like a living being. He had kept on trying and truth be told, he was making progress. He had managed to reduce its volume by about 2% from its original. That was all he had managed to achieve and it truly pained Kyle. The progress was almost negligible and to anyone else who observed its new state and the former, they could argue that it was unchanged. But Kyle knew better. He felt the change, even if it was minuscule. The fact that it had taken hours of relentless focus for such an insignificant result pained him though. Kyle sighed, running a hand through his hair. The effort hadn''t been for nothing; it was progress, but it was a painstaking reminder of how far he still had to go. Kyle finally pushed the thoughts away, pushing the door open and walking in. Today marked the resumption of sses, and he couldn''t afford to bete. He stepped into the bathroom and turned on the shower, getting a well-deserved long bath. Kyle wiped away the fog on him after leaving the bathroom before taking some minutes to take care of his hair before the mirror and putting on his uniform. "Looking good," Kyle said with a wink at his reflection. After Kyle ensured he was ready, he brought out some tes from his inventory. He had earlier purchased breakfast from the mall on his way back, enough for him and Void. The aroma of freshly baked Tier-2 bread and spiced eggs filled the air, and he set the tes down on the table. The slight noise woke Void up, who wasn''t too deep into sleep in the first ce. "Good morning," Void greeted with a yawn before taking a long look at the food and then at Kyle. "Morning," Kyle responded before adding with a smirk, "You can join if you want." The dragon didn''t need a second invitation from Kyle to hop onto the table. They ate in silence until they were done with the meal, after which Kyle stood up and wiped his mouth, ncing at hism; he knew had just enough time to make it if he left now. But before Kyle could step toward the door, a soft, insistent noise caught his attention. Kyle turned to find Void staring up at him and making a face that he easily recognized. "Come on, Void, what is it?" Kyle asked. "Can Ie with you, Kyle? Please! I''ll be so good. You won''t even know I''m there!" Kyle thought about whether to bring Void with him. Void had never truly been to a ss as he had hatched during the tournament and Kyle could ce himself in Void''s shoes and he knew he wouldn''t want to be left behind. "You sure about following me?" "Yes! It''ll be fun, and I''ll learn a lot, too. I promise I won''t cause any trouble." "Alright, fine. But you''re staying in the pet space the entire time, understood? Don''t distract me." Void''s eyes lit up, and he practically bounced in happiness. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! You won''t regret it, I swear!" Kyle chuckled as Void disappeared into the pet space with a shimmer, only to hear his excited voice. [Let''s go!] *** "7:50 AM," Kyle confirmed the time with hism as he walked through the doors of homeroom ss. Greeting him upon his entrance was a hall filled with many students. Kyle could say that almost all of his ssmates were present, which was something unexpected provided how early he had arrived. He moved through the maze of desks and students, ignoring the various conversations that went on in the ss. Familiar faces shed by as Kyle weaved his way to his usual spot near the center, where his friends were already gathered. "Kyle!" Zack''s voice boomed over the noise as he waved him over, his ever-present grin stretched across his face. Riya gave him an appraising look and raised an eyebrow. "Well, look who decided to show up on time," she teased, her tone yful but edged with genuine surprise. "Guess I wanted to see what this ce looked like before the instructor arrived," Kyle replied, earning a round of chuckles. As they settled into their spots, Kyle caught sight of Orion, who was leaning against his desk with the usual air of quiet confidence, his sses catching the light in a way that made his eyes unreadable. Kyle walked over and lowered his voice. "Hey, how''s the progress on the items?" Orion''s face twisted slightly in annoyance, but his reply was still controlled. "They''ll be done by Saturday, as per your extravagant demands," he said, crossing his arms. "And before you ask, yes, everything is on schedule, though if you keep adding more projects, I might actually start billing you interest." "Good to hear. Keep up the good work," Kyle said, giving him a yful nudge. He took immense pleasure in making Orion work hard, not just as a show of his capabilities but as part of their agreement. Kyle''s 5,000 credits were not going to waste; he hadmissioned Orion to craft various items, some of which bordered on the absurd but were still intriguing ideas nheless. He owed Void for most of the brainstorming sessions. Between the two of them, they''de up with some genuinely innovative¡ªand sometimes questionable¡ªconcepts. Orion''s eyes narrowed at Kyle when he felt the light nudge but before he could remark on it, Riya''s attention had shifted on them. She had managed to pick up on their conversation. "What are you two scheming about now?" Kyle shrugged with an exaggerated nonchnce. "Oh, nothing. Just an agreement between gentlemen." "Exactly, nothing that would concern anyone else," Orion added. "You know, when I do decide to find out, I won''t take ''nothing'' for an answer," Riya said with a threatening tone that made Kyle chuckle nervously. He knew better than to underestimate her when she set her mind to something. The group''s conversation shifted to lighter topics, filled with Zack''s jokes. The atmosphere was lively, and it reminded Kyle of why he enjoyed being here. But just as he was about to mention something important he had gotten recently. He nned on telling them about his discovery of Martial Arts. But just before that; the whole ss fell unusually quiet and everyone turned their head towards the door. At the door, a tall figure stood with short ck-styled hair and dark skin. The Instructor had arrived. Chapter 111: Back to School (2) The whole ss fell unusually quiet and everyone turned their head towards the door. At the door, a tall figure stood with short ck-styled hair and a dark skin. The Instructor had arrived. Dan walked into the ss with his usual warm smile that was famous for misleading many. He was dressed in a simple attire¡ªck trousers and a sleeveless jacket that highlighted his broad, muscr shoulders¡ªwhich was expected as he didn''t seem like a real instructor of the academy. Except for the Year 1''s homeroom, Dan didn''t handle any other ss in the academy. "Good morning, Instructor Dan!" the whole students echoed the greeting they were used to in unison after Dan walked to his table. "Good morning to you too!" Dan replied with a smile, waving his hand at them to have their seats. "I hope y''all made full use of your short break?" They all affirmed his question with a nod. "Great!" Dan remarked. "I won''t go on to question each of you on how you spent your time, but I fully trust that you used it well, even if you had slept through the break." Many felt likeughing at Dan''s joke, including Kyle, but they all quickly restrained themselves; they couldn''t dare tough while he spoke. Dan smiled as he saw the controlled smiles on their faces before adding. "Honestly, sleeping through your break wouldn''t be a bad idea, it''ll even help you stay rejuvenated for what is toe..." Everyone''s brain began working in overdrive to understand what Dan meant by ''what is toe'' ''I don''t like where this is going,'' Kyle couldn''t help but think. He wasn''t ready for another stressful rodeo. "Haha!" Dan lightlyughed. "Lazy little children. You''re scared already? Well... You shouldn''t. Because I''m sure you all look forward to leaving the academy temporarily, don''t you?" ''Temporarily leaving the academy...'' those words echoed in Kyle''s mind, and as he tried to process them, a genuine smile formed on his face and his lips widened in joy. ''This is what I''ve been asking for! Finally, it''s possible.'' It wasn''t only Kyle who was overjoyed by Dan''s revtion; many other students had simr smiles beaming on their faces. As a matter of fact, they would have been screaming at the top of their voices if it wasn''t for Dan''s presence¡ªthey couldn''t afford to face his wrath if he got annoyed by their actions. Dan waited for a moment so they could all have their respective monologues before he continued: "You''re all happy even without knowing why you would be leaving the academy." The atmosphere in the ss dropped by a few degrees after Dan exposed their ignorance. "There''s no cause to be rmed though. Like I mentioned earlier, you''ll be looking forward to what is to happen and I didn''t lie when I said so," Dan continued after sensing their expression change. "The academy has decided to begin the implementation of what we term as a mission hall. A mission hall offers various missions thate with their respective rewards. Missions are tasks or problems that may require your help. You can ept missions during a mission week and during that period, you will have the opportunity to ept any mission of your choice. Do note that if you do not ept or take in any mission during a mission week, you will continue your usual sses as normal, this time, with a higher intensity." Dan finally paused after exining everything in one go, allowing the students some time to weigh and understand what he had just said. [This sounds exciting!] Void finallymented from the pet space, breaking the silence he had maintained ever since. "I know right? This is our chance to test our various strengths; I''m really looking forward to going on a mission." [Yes. I bet I''ll find some interesting treasures to devour while we''re on it] Void said with a t tone as if devouring treasures were perfectly normal. "You only care about what goes in your stomach," Kyle said within himself, even going to the extent of face-palming himself and earning some strange nces from around him. "I''d like to see you try to devour my treasure." [No, Kyle, it''s for our own g¡ª] Void hastily tried to exin but unfortunately for him, Kyle had fixed his eyes back on the Instructor who had resumed talking. "For further rification on the concept of missions, I''ll suggest you visit the mission hall. Yourm''s map had already been updated with its location." Almost immediately, everyone shifted their gaze to their wrist and were already clicking it to ess the map. "I was still speaking," Dan calmly said with a smile, but the existing pressure that made the students gulp hard in fear questioned the smile on his face. "Nice," Dan remarked and removed the imposed pressure after seeing that his expected results were met. "In addition to what I''ve said before, your mission week begins the next week¡ªMonday. From then on till Sunday, you''re free to ept missions from the mission hall. Understood?" Everyone once again nodded their head in affirmation, paving the way for Dan to continue with the normal formalities. He began with a roll call which entailed him spreading his mana around the whole ss because he couldn''t begin calling out the names of 300 students and as expected, everyone was present. After which he began exining the day''s schedule that they were already aware of. As all these happened, Kyle could only daydream of what awaited him when he epted a mission. Leaving the academy would be his chance to explore the rest of this world. He would also have the opportunity to test out most of his boons. Kyle''s mind wondered as he imagined it all. He was overjoyed because of this announcement. ''I''ll be needing the Frozen w,'' Kyle thought, making a mental note to ask Orion about itter. If possible, he should do what he can do to it before Monday. It didn''t take too long before the bell rang, signaling the ss''s dismissal and the beginning of their wing sses. Everyone streamed out of the ss immediately Dan permitted them to do so. Kyle had earlier nned on conversing with his friends about Dan''s announcement but had to cancel his ns due to Dan''ste dismissal. There was no break between Wing sses and Homeroom, so Kyle was meant to be in the Thundra wing because like every other instructor in the Academy, she didn''t tolerateteness. Kyle immediately slung his bag and began walking to the ss as quick as he could muster without running. [Why don''t you use your Lightning Dash to get there faster?] Void innocently suggested to Kyle as he walked. "Well, as tempting as that may sound, Void, there are rules against using spells out in the open like this," Kyle replied. "I''ll get into a great deal of trouble if I do otherwise." [Ah, rules¡­] Void said with disappointment. [Learning these things is important for when I eventually walk outside with you.] Kyle smiled at Void''s curiosity. He knew he had made the right decision to bring Void along with him. He finally made a final turn down the street and could see the grand doors of the Thundra Wing up ahead. Kyle picked up his pace and it didn''t tale long for him to arrive. Instructor La stood at the front with her usualmanding posture and with her arms folded across her chest. Her expression remained unreadable, but there was an impatience in her eyes that was hard to miss. Kyle looked around and saw that he was the first to arrive before settling in on a mat that was part of the circle, shortly after he came, Milo came in and sat beside him, followed by the rest of the students. Instructor La had been silent this whole while until all twenty of her students were present, she asked the expected question. "Why are youte?" Before anyone could reply to her question, Orion had stood up with his usual confidence. "Instructor La, our homeroom teacher, Instructor Dan, held us back longer than usual due to an important announcement. It pertained to the new mission hall system and our uing mission week." He had chosen his words carefully so as to pacify La, even managing to earn a nod from her. The instructor''s expression softened slightly, though her steely demeanor remained. "I see... Given the significance of the announcement, I will not penalize you this time." Chapter 112: Back to School (3) "I see... Given the significance of the announcement, I will not penalize you this time." Everyone sighed in relief after hearing that they wouldn''t be punished. Instructor La decided to voice out her thoughts on the Missions. "I''m sure many of you are excited by the prospect of these missions. But understand that leaving the academy is not without its risks. Outside these walls, you will be on your own and your strength and decision-making will be tested beyond anything you''ve faced so far. That is why you need to put more effort into getting stronger, only then can you survive in such a difficult world." Everyone remained silent as they nodded their heads at what she had said. Maybe they didn''t feel fear towards leaving the Academy but her words were true nevertheless¡ªthey had to grow stronger. Instructor La broke the silence after surveying each of them. "Now tell me, how close are you all to breaking through?" One by one, the students stood up to share their progress. Some admitted they were only halfway through, while others were farther from breaking through. Orion, who had a dual-affinity was the farthest from a breakthrough but everyone fell within the 40% to 55% mark and La was impressed. Soon it got to Milo''s turn. He was thest person before Kyle and he stood up with his usual air of confidence and pride. "I''m about 75% through." Gasps and murmurs filled the hall after Milo dered his progress. "Once again, he''s one step ahead of us." "Yeah, he has really outpaced us." Many felt some bit of jealousy towards him but the emotion that stood out more in their hearts was admiration. Even Instructor La was impressed at Milo''s cultivation speed. It was extraordinary and that was due to the extra effort he was putting into cultivation above the others. "Well done, Milo, I''m impressed." Kyle joined to congratte Milo, giving him an approving nod. "Impressive work, Milo." Void couldn''t stay silent when he saw Kyle congratte Milo. [Kyle, you''re wicked. You are giving Milo confidence when you know you''re ahead of him] Kyle suppressed augh, before replying inwardly, "It''s not aboutpetition, Void. Milo''s progress is still impressive. He deserves recognition for it." [Hmm. Stop trying to act all humble] Milo''s lips curled into a smirk as he nced sideways at Kyle, unknowingly interrupting his conversation with Void. "Thanks, but don''t think I''ve forgotten our little rivalry. What about you, Kyle? Care to share?" Kyle cringed so hard when Milo called their rtionship a rivalry but he didn''t dwell on it. The hall was quiet once more and all eyes were focused on Kyle as he stood up. With a voice as modest as Kyle could muster, he spoke three simple words that could make many question if he was still human. "I broke through." Everywhere remained silent for a while before they all began letting know their reactions. "Impossible!" "There''s no way he had broken through!" ... Kyle sat down back, not bothering how the rest had viewed his breakthrough. Milo in particr was practically fuming. "Instructor La, I''m very sure he''s lying," Milo had rushed to plead with La. "He can''t have broken through in such a short amount of time." Thest time Milo had asked Kyle about his progress, he had confirmed that he was far ahead of thetter. Ever since then, Milo had still not rxed. Even though that there was no real chance for Kyle to close the gap, Milo had kept on cultivating with any chance he could spare and all that hard work just to get pped in the faceter. Milo couldn''t take it anymore and walked up to Kyle to obtain answers. "Enough of your jokes. Tell us your real progress." He had already begun releasing some of his mana pressure on Kyle, in an attempt to make him falter. Kyle had to control himself really well so as not tough out loud. Milo''s pressure couldn''t even affect him in the slightest, not only was he of a higher level than Milo and his mental resilience was very strong thanks to his intent, Kyle had experienced far worse through Dan and Azagrut. "How cute," Kyle had muttered with a restrained smile but his voice was loud enough for Milo to hear. This had caused him to increase the pressure even more, unleashing as much strength as he could use. "Enough!" Instructor La who had been keeping quiet this whole while finally spoke up. There was a displeased look in her eyes, but it didn''t stem from Milo''s rudeness, rather she was disappointed that this hadn''t caused a fight between the two. Kyle had managed the situation with so much control that Milo had no reason to attack him. ''Tsk! These kids can be so boring,'' La thought before turning towards Milo and saying. "I know you''re upset that Kyle had once again surpassed you but you''ll have toe to terms with reality," La exined with a tone that shattered Milo''s heart. "Kyle had indeed broken through and there''s nothing you can do to reverse that, you just have to put in some more effort if you don''t want to be left behind in the dust." Milo didn''t say a word and calmly sat down back on his mat. His eyes were still shing furiously as a result of his great anger. ''There''s no problem, I''ll surpass him soon,'' Miloforted himself as he inhaled and exhaled to calm down his nerves. ''He iszy and will eventually rpse, surpassing him won''t be a problem.'' After Milo was done with his musings, he felt less bad about the situation as he considered it only a matter of time before he surpassed Kyle. Instructor La had waited till everywhere was calm before she continued and with a sly smile she stepped back into the center of the Lightning Hall. "Since you all need more practical preparation, we''ll be dueling today. This will help assess yourbat readiness and sharpen your abilities." Excitement filled the hall after she announced what they would be doing, except when Milo and Kyle came into the picture, everyone usually found Dueling a fun experience. La''s gaze moved through the students to pick out the pair that would be going first. Her smile grew wider as her eyes settled on the students to fight. ''Since you won''t fight it out like real men, I''ll make you do so myself.'' "For our first match; we have: Milo versus Kyle." La had not only selected them to duel because of the tension between them. Kyle had broken through and she truly wanted to see how much he had improved, and only Milo was strong enough to make Kyle fight seriously. ''This wouldn''t be an easy fight for Kyle,'' La mused. ''Milo is angry and his determination is being fueled by that. I won''t be surprised if hees out on top.'' Meanwhile, the two who had been selected to fight bore opposite reactions. Milo''s eyes had lit up with a mix of anticipation and vengeful eagerness the moment it was announced he''d fight Kyle. He knew this was a chance to prove himself and return his confidence. He had to win Kyle. Kyle, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow at the choice but quickly shrugged it off. He had long expected something like this to happen. However, Void didn''t n on letting it slide. [Kyle, can''t you see? She''s doing this on purpose. She wants the two of you to fight.] Kyle chuckled inwardly with amusement. "I know, Void. She''s probably tired of waiting for us to sh." [You''re taking this too lightly. But knowing you, I''m sure it''ll be an easy win.] Of course, Kyle was confident that he''d win Milo, there wasn''t any real chance for Milo to win him as his stats had seen a massive leap from thest time he fought. Kyle nced at Milo, who was already stepping into the ring. Despite the existing tension between them, Kyle approached the arena with an air of calm. Either way, he knew the oue of this duel. Milo shot Kyle a re as he walked up to him before deciding to leave behind some empty words. "I don''t care if you''ve leveled up, Kyle. I''m still going to make sure you regret ever trying to outshine me." Chapter 113: Back to School (4) "I don''t care if you''ve leveled up, Kyle. I''m still going to make sure you regret ever trying to outshine me Kyle calmly nodded upon meeting Milo''s heated gaze, with a smirk ying at the corner of his lips. He had resisted the urge to respond, as found Milo''s delusion amusing. It was a familiar dance¡ªMilo always seemed to believe that sheer effort could close the gap between them. ''Poor Milo,'' Kyle thought, inwardly smiling. ''He doesn''t even know how outmatched he is.'' As Instructor La walked up to the edge of the arena, her eyes shone with satisfaction. She raised her hand and called out, "Positions." Both students moved into their fighting stances, Milo exuded raw lightning energy, his mana visibly crackling in the air around him while Kyle stood steadily with his hands rxed but positioned, showing no sign of urgency. La''s gaze moved between the two before she signaled. "Begin!" At La''s signal, both Kyle and Milo sprang into action, mana crackling in the air as they activated their first spells. "Lightning Dash!" Milo shouted, his figure bing a blur as he darted across the arena, leaving a trail of sparking energy behind him. The spell enhanced his speed to unnatural levels, making him appear in multiple spots in quick session. Kyle watched Milo''s movements with an almost casual focus, feeling the air pressure shift as Milo closed in. Kyle smirked and matched Milo''s maneuver. "Lightning Dash," he whispered, and in a heartbeat, he, too, vanished into a sh of light. The two collided at the center of the arena, sparks exploding like miniature fireworks as their mana shed. The sound of crackling energy resonated, echoing off the walls as the students leaned forward, eyes wide with anticipation. "Lightning Bolt!" Milo''s first strike aimed directly at Kyle''s torso, but Kyle shifted just a fraction to the side, causing Milo''s punch to graze his sleeve. The redirected momentum nearly caused Milo to stumble, but he recovered quickly, pushing off the ground to create some distance before throwing a quick nce at Kyle. Milo''s eyes narrowed. He had caught up to the spark of amusement in Kyle''s expression. "You''re ying with me," he gritted out, charging up mana in his hands. His frustration was evident; he felt like he was fighting a ghost. Without wasting another second, he extended his arm forward, veins of lightning crackling around his fist. "Let''s see you dodge this!" "Lightning Bolt!" The shout rang out, and a bolt of white-blue lightning burst from Milo''s palm, sizzling through the air with lethal speed. The room erupted in gasps as the attack shot toward Kyle like a spear of raw energy. Kyle didn''t move until thest possible moment. With a graceful pivot, he summoned a controlled surge of mana, and his own voice rang out. "Lightning Bolt." His bolt shed with Milo''s mid-air, and the collision produced a sh of light so bright that it blinded the onlookers momentarily. The sheer force sent ripples through the air, shaking the mats under their feet. As the light dimmed, Milo''s eyes widened when he noticed Kyle had already closed the gap. The sh of lightning had been nothing more than a smokescreen to conceal Kyle''s movement. Kyle''s speed was iprehensible, even with the limits he ced on himself. "Not bad," Kylemented with a low and confident voice before he drove his elbow toward Milo''s side. Luckily for Milo, he had twisted just in time, resulting in the hitnding with less force than intended, but it still sent him skidding across the mat. He felt pain through his body but still forced himself to keep standing, drawing heavy breaths of air. Milo''s heart was racing, not from exertion but from the shock that Kyle was so much more formidable than he anticipated. [You''re really holding back, aren''t you?] Void''s amused voice echoed in Kyle''s mind. "I have to, Void. Let''s not end this too soon," Kyle responded silently with a small smile on his lips. Milo''s gaze hardened. He wasn''t done yet. With renewed determination, he dashed forward again, zig-zagging unpredictably, then leaping high into the air. He wanted to attack from above, a risky move but one that could potentially disorient Kyle. Kyle''s eyes followed Milo''s trajectory as he mentally counted the spells he had cast. He had only used two so far, while Milo was at three. Perfect. "Lightning Bolt!" Milo shouted mid-air,unching another attack aimed downward at Kyle. This time, he poured more mana into the spell, increasing its intensity. The bolt crackled as it descended, fast and fierce. The spectators felt a pulse of mana wash over them as the spell struck. Kyle summoned [Lightning Dash] just before the [Lightning Bolt] hit, dashing out of the way and letting it fall harmlessly onto the floor. Kyle countered almost immediately after leaving the way. "Lightning Bolt." His spell was clean and controlled, aimed at the spot where Milo wouldnd. Milo, mid-descent, realized he was about to crash right into it. He twisted his body desperately, managing to avoid a direct hit but feeling the edges of the bolt graze his arm. The pain seared through him, making him clench his jaw to hold back a scream. The match continued with a relentless pace, with Milo refusing to back down. He unleashed another flurry of attacks, dashing and striking, each time with increasing force. But Kyle dodged or parried with precise movements, not even breaking a sweat. To everyone watching, it was clear: Milo was giving it everything he had, while Kyle still had an air of effortlessposure. After some more movements in the fight, Milo was showing signs of fatigue. His breathing grewbored and his movements became less fluid. The sweat that dripped down his temples wasn''t only an evidence of his tiredness but also from the frustration of facing an opponent he couldn''t pin down. Kyle, on the other hand was standing tall with his breathing even. "Keep going, Milo," Kyle said softly, just loud enough for his opponent to hear. It wasn''t a taunt but an encouragement. Despite everything, Kyle admired Milo''s spirit. He knew what it felt like to push past limits, even when victory seemed unreachable. Your next chapter awaits on mvl Milo red at him. He raised his hand for his another spell, but his mana was almost done, signaling he was nearing his limit. "Lightning Dash!" He shot forward again, aiming for a direct strike. Kyle matched the move with his own [Lightning Dash] effortlessly sidestepping Milo''s lunge and sweeping a leg out to unbnce him. Milo had tripped andnded hard on the mat, before he rolled away and scrambled to his feet. But it was clear his strength was waning. By the time Milo cast his final spell, another [Lightning Bolt] it was more sluggish and the light was dimmer than before. Kyle countered it easily, his own spell intersected and dissipated Milo''s and the air buzzed with thest remnants of energy before the arena charged with tension. Kyle didn''t even need to cast more spells to end this; he had only used seven so far. But he decided to finish the fight decisively. He stepped forward and his body became a blur as he activated [Lightning Dash] again, appearing right behind Milo. Before Milo could turn, Kyle ced a hand on his back, not attacking but showing that he had already won. "It''s over," Kyle whispered. Milo''s body tensed, then slumped. He knew it too. His mana reserves were depleted, and even standing was bing a task. Instructor La''s voice cut through the silence. "The match is over. Kyle wins." A wave of murmurs swept through the remaining students, a mixture of awe and disbelief. Milo had put up an impressive fight, his resilience undeniable, but Kyle''s dominance was clear. "As usual, they didn''t didn''t disappoint," one of the students said, showing that they had truly enjoyed the sh. "I know right. That fight was epic... Electrifying!" another added. There were simr conversations going on in the ssroom about the just concluded duel and all of them shared something inmon. It was a good fight. Meanwhile, admits all these discussions, Milo still had to face Kyle. His shoulders sagged as he turned to face him, his eyes filled with aplex mix of defeat and begrudging respect. "I''ll get stronger," he muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Kyle to hear. Kyle nodded, offering a small smile. "I know you will." Instructor La stepped forward, the echoes of the students'' chatter dying down as hermanding presence drew all eyes to her. "Well done, Kyle," she said with respect to Kyle. "You demonstrated control, precision, and strategy. This is what true mastery of lightning looks like¡ªearned through dedication and effort, not just boasts or hollow promises." Kyle inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the praise but maintaining a humble demeanor. He knew La''spliments were hard-won and didn''te lightly. Turning to Milo, Instructor La''s tone grew firmer. "Milo, you fought with tenacity, and that ismendable. But remember, raw power is only half the battle. If you wish to surpass others, it will take more than derations. Train harder, push beyond your current limits, and learn the discipline that will sharpen your skill." Milo''s jaw tightened, he wasn''t happy from her words as forced himself to nod. He swallowed his frustration and sat back on his mat, seething quietly. With that, the ss resumed. More students stepped forward, the arena bing a whirlwind of charged mana and determined expressions as duel after duel took ce. The hour flew by in a blur of energy and shouts, the room pulsing with the thrill ofpetition and the sizzling hum of lightning magic. Finally, Instructor La raised her hand, silencing thest echoes of battle. The room stilled, and the remaining students turned to face her, some still catching their breath while others wore the exhrated glow of victory. "Today has shown me much about your readiness," La began, her eyes sweeping the room. "You all have potential, but potential alone does not win battles. Remember to refine your techniques, control your mana, and understand the strengths and weaknesses of your spells. Only then will you stand as true lightning mages." The students nodded, absorbing her words. "Now, return to your mats and cultivate. Dismissal wille soon. Let the mana of this space settle within you and replenish your strength." Obediently, the students closed their eyes, breathing deeply as they began to draw in the ambient mana, their bodies still thrumming from the exertion of their matches. The room settled into a peaceful quiet, broken only by the asional crackle of residual lightning. Minutester, the bell rang, a soft chime that signaled the end of the session. Chapter 114: Back to School (5) The bell had gone and it was time for their break. Everyone streamed out of the hall almost immediately, including Kyle, but n just before he left, his eyes caught Milo who sat cross-legged, cultivating. ''He is really going all out to surpass me... Well, I can only wish him good luck in his n.'' Kyle looked at him for a while with eyes of admiration before he left. Enjoy more content from mvl After leaving the hall, Kyle didn''t begin to ponder on how to use the break as usual. He already had lunch, enough for him and Void in his inventory and nned to visit the Library after he was done with it. ''I wonder where I and Void could eat now,'' Kyle looked around as he thought. There weren''t many private areas in the ss areas. ''I guess I have no other choice than to return to the dormitory.'' Kyle entered his house and left in a matter of minutes with his stomach full. After that, he headed to the Library and continued reading on the history of Zekkoa. He had to absorb as much knowledge as he could before it was time to leave the Academy. The moment there were 10 minutes left before Rune Making ss began, Kyle immediately left the Library and headed to the hall. On getting there, Kyle could observe that everyone was already present, some had even chosen to eat there to prevent losing track of time. Kyle found a sit beside Lora and they began conversing until Instructor La arrived. La had walked into the hall with grace and elegance. She closed and locked the door behind her before heading to the front of the ss. The room had already fallen silent, and just as she reached her desk, all the students rose from their seats in unison to greet her. "Good afternoon, Instructor La," they chorused respectfully. "Good afternoon, everyone. Please sit," La responded with a soft nod. As the students settled back into their seats, she paused for a moment, letting the silence fill the room before beginning. "First of all, I want tomend everyone for their efforts in the recent Elective Battles. Many of you performed very well and demonstrated true growth." Her gaze swept over the room, stopping for a while the moment she got to where Kyle and Lora sat. "I''m proud to say that two students from this very ss were even the finalists in thatpetition. That had filled my heart with great joy and pride." The ss murmured as everyone followed Instructor La''s gaze to where they sat. La continued, this time, specifically addressing Lora. "Lora, you truly impressed us all. Yourst-ditch rune improvisation was nothing short of remarkable. I''ve never seen first-year students perform such action before, talk more of doing so in the heat of battle. Lora had a faint blush on her face as she nodded before saying with a low voice, "Thank you, Instructor." La nodded approvingly at Lora and turned to face the rest of the ss. "That''s exactly what I want each of you to strive for¡ªnot just strength but wisdom in using it. Use Lora as an example, everyone. Battles aren''t only about raw power; they''re about adaptability and intelligence. Lora didn''t just rely on what she knew; she adapted on the spot. That is what true mastery of Rune Making looks like." ''What''s there to adapt on when I can''t inscribe that fast,'' Kyle mused but kept his thoughts silent. What Lora had done was not something easy to achieve at all. The fastest time Kyle could use to inscribe such advanced rune was 30 minutes and that was only provided that he was working under proper conditions. Lora had not only managed to inscribe two advanced runes on the hard floor in a matter of seconds, but she did that right in the heat of a battle. ''Sigh... If only I could be as good as her,'' Kyle knew that only hard work in this art would make him reach Lora''s level and not his wishes. Kylee could only sigh once more before ncing back at Lora, who had received another question from Instructor La. "Speaking of which, how are you finding the textbook that was rewarded to you?" "It''s¡­ really helpful, Instructor. I feel like I''m finally starting to understand the principles behindplex runes." La''s eyes glowed with pride as she acknowledged Lora''s effort. "Good. That''s exactly what I hoped to hear." Then, with a grin that seemed meant only for Lora, she added, "Keep going. Soon enough, you''ll outgrow this sspletely." Her statement raised a few murmurs in the ss that made Lora duck her head in embarrassment. La continued, addressing the rest of the ss this time. "Now, I want everyone except Lora to work on honing their speed and precision in inscribing Advanced runes. Speed doesn''te innate, it is achieved only with enough experience. Understood." "Yes, Instructor La," the ss choruses in affirmation altogether. "Good," Instructor La remarked before turning to face Lora next. "You''re exempted from this exercise. Feel free to use this time for whatever it is that you desire." Lora nodded with a "Thank you", before opening up the Runic Textbook and continuing on her studies on Runic circles. *** After some minutes into the exercise, Instructor La moved through the hall, inspecting everyone''s progress. She paused after reaching Kyle''s work. "Kyle, I saw your performance in the battles," she said in a low tone, audible only to him. "Good work out there. You might have lost but you had fought really well through the tournament. This should help you realize your mistake of underestimating the enemy and avoid it from repeating during a real-life or death battle, okay?" Kyle nodded his head at her, admitting all she said. That experience had taught him a lesson and he knew he wouldn''t ever let it repeat itself. Instructor La looked at his Runic paper and saw that he was progressing faster than his peers in the exercise. "You''re doing well but honestly, it''s barely up to enough," La directed her gaze to Lora who seemed very absorbed in her current task before saying. "Your friend over there can do that in a matter of seconds. Try harder, I want you to give it your all in all of today''s exercises." Kyle gave a determined nod. He didn''t need anyone to inform him how pathetic he waspared to Lora and the need to improve. "Thank you, Instructor La, I''ll try even harder." Kyle began moving his hands more quickly while also working his brain more to figure out the shortest path to drawing that Rune. La smiled at the change in his demeanor before moving on, this time heading over to Kyle''s seatmate¡ªLora. She stopped beside her and noticed the intricate diagram of a Runic Circle she was studying in her textbook. A small, proud smile crept across La''s face as she gave Lora''s shoulder a light tap. "That''s my girl," she murmured, just loud enough for Lora to hear, making Lora''s cheeks flush again, but she was too focused to break concentration. For the rest of the ss, La kept a close eye on everyone, moving between rows and offering corrections. She was relentless throughout 5he ss, making sure each student repeated the exercises until their movements became fluid and confident Even those who had initially struggled found themselves improving under her sharp eye. *** After almost two hours of intense practice, the bell had gone and it remained for La to call the ss to a close. "Alright, that''s enough for today. You''ve all made progress, but remember, this is only the beginning. True mastery requires patience and dedication." She paused, allowing her words to sink in before saying what they all wanted to hear. "Dismissed." After announcing the end of the ss, Instructor La stepped out of the ss. As soon as she left, the room buzzed back to life. Students stretched, packed up their belongings, and began filing out¡ªthough not everyone was rushing to leave. Several students, particrly those who had struggled with today''s exercises, crowded around Lora''s table, eager for her guidance. They held their notebooks in their hands and their faces filled with hope and determination. "Lora, please! Just show us how you inscribe so fast!" one of them pleaded. "Yeah, I can''t even get halfway through before La''s already pointing out my mistakes," another groaned, holding up his runic paper. Lora caught off guard, looked around with a faint blush, clearly unsure how to respond to the sudden wave of attention. She nced at Kyle as if hoping he might rescue her, but he only observed with a slight smile and folded arms as he watched the scene unfold. "Uh¡­ well¡­" Lora stammered, searching for the right words to politely refuse. "I''m¡­ actually a little busy right now¡­" She tried to hint that she had other ns¡ªns that involved her lesson session with Kyle.But they didn''t get the hint. Instead, the students exchanged looks, seemingly more confused than before. "What do you mean, ''busy''?" one of them asked with an evident frown. "I see... She''s trying to y hard to get!" Many more conclusions were made on what she said, making Lora shift ufortably, she was still trying to find a way out of the situation without upsetting anyone. Meanwhile, Kyle was unable to resist what he was seeing any longer. He decided to finally speak up, with a casual and clear tone, he said: "What she means is that she''s busy. As in, she already has ns. Now scram, would you?" Chapter 115: Back to School (6) "What she means is that she''s busy. As in, she already has ns. Now scram, would you?" Everywhere became silent immediately after these words left Kyle''s mouth. His words had prompted their expressions to darken and they turned towards Kyle, clearly not amused by hisment. One of the students finally 5broke the tension and ignited others'' confidence by scoffing at Kyle''s statement. "Oh, look who''s talking. You think you''re special just because you made it to the finals?" the student muttered. "Yeah, he thinks he''s some kind of big shot around here?" another added. "Don''t act like you own Lora," the first one who spoke said. "She''s not your tutor, you know." Kyle simply raised an eyebrow at their stupidebacks and his smile remained unfazed. "Oh, is that so? So I guess I need to spell it out for you. She''s taken, which means you''re interrupting our ns." The murmuring grew louder, some of them looking ready to argue back, but Kyle only sighed. Without another word, he let out a wave of mana pressure, mixing it with a hint of his sword intent, something Dan had taught him. This was the perfect opportunity to test it out, usually, he was at its receiving end but this was an opportunity to relish the feeling of sending it. The air around Kyle and Lora became very quiet as if it had dropped by various degrees but in actuality, the temperature had remained the same, evident in the sweat beads that trickled down their foreheads. This caused the to students freeze, their bodies stiffening as if held in ce by invisible weights. Silence fell, and no one was able to move. They stood there wide-eyed while staring at Kyle with expressions that shifted from frustration to fear. A few secondster after Kyle made them go through that feeling, Kyle rxed his hold, retracting the mana pressure. Keeping it active took a great toll on him and he couldn''t maintain it forever, besides, it wasn''t good for their mental health if he left them intimidated in such a manner. The room warmed slightly, though the chill of his aura seemed to linger in the students'' minds. One by one, they exhaled in relief but they were still shivering. "Monster¡­" one of them muttered under his breath. If one looked closely, one would observe that there was a wet map drawn underneath his trousers. That showed how scared they were. Another stumbled back, gripping his books tightly, and then they all bolted for the door, ncing nervously over their shoulders as they fled, casting Kyle to look fear. Kyle watched them go with a satisfied smile ying on his lips. He turned back to Lora, whose face had gone pale. Her eyes were wide as she tried to process what had just happened. "Forget all that just happened," Kyle said casually as if nothing out of the ordinary had urred. "It''s best not to dwell on it." Lora gulped, nodding quickly. "O-of course. Thank you¡­ for helping me." Kyle only chuckled, settling into his seat beside her. "Alright, let''s get started. We don''t have all day." The two of them fell into their usual rhythm, with Lora diving into her exnations of various methods for drawing rune pathways. She demonstrated each method with a slow speed and precision, and Kyle listened attentively, asionally taking notes and asking questions. Her knowledge and passion for the craft were evident in every word she shared, and Kyle couldn''t help but admire her dedication and skill. Time passed quickly as they worked side by side, and an hourter, Lora finally looked up from her textbook, closing it with a satisfied nod. "That''s all I have for today," she said with a soft and content voice. She tucked her textbooks back into her bag, ncing at Kyle with a slight smile. "You''ve improved a lot since we first started these sessions. Keep it up, and I''m sure you''ll be able to handle Runic circles in no time." Kyle returned her smile, genuinely appreciative. "Thanks, Lora. I''ll keep practicing¡ªcan''t fall too far behind, right?" He shot her a yful wink. Lora lightly facepalmed with a faint blush on her cheeks. "Right¡­ Just remember, it''s not apetition." Kyle chuckled before rising from his seat. "Sure, sure. But maybe one day I''ll catch up to you. Until then, I''ll just keep learning as much as I can." He slung his bag over his shoulder and gave her a reassuring look. "And don''t let those other guys intimidate you, alright? They''lle around once they see you''re serious." "I''ll try... Thank you, Kyle." With that, the two of them exchanged goodbyes, and Kyle made his way to the dormitory. As Kyle walked, he was joined by the familiar voice of Void, who had been strangely quiet for most of the time today. [You know, following you was a lot more entertaining than I expected. The best part of it all was watching you scare off those clowns] Kyle couldn''t help butugh. "You enjoyed that, huh? You''re just d you didn''t have to be in school with me, sitting through all those lectures." [Maybe, but your life is way more fun than mine¡ªno argument. I mean, training and cultivation is fine, but I wish I could have fun like you] Kyle could sense the building sadness in Void''s voice and tried tofort him. "Not everything I do is that exciting, you know?" [Oh, sure, not everything. But today was still absolutely worth it] Kyle chuckled, feeling a certain lightness that only Void could bring. They continued chatting about the day''s events, sharing a fewughs as Kyle entered the dormitory. Your journey continues on mvl He immediately located the cafeteria and ordered a generous amount of food, proceeding to store it in his inventory. Once he''d stocked up, he headed to his room, where he and Void took turns refreshing themselves before enjoying their meal together. When the meal was over, Void went back to cultivating, while Kyle, meanwhile, decided to have some sleep to recharge¡ªsetting an rm to go off by 8:00 PM. *** [BZZZZZZZ!!!] The system rm instantly woke Kyle the moment it rang in his head. After some stretches to relieve thest remnants of sleep, Kyle confirmed his credits with hism. [Credits: 38,959] "I wonder how much it''ll be by next Monday." With that, Kyle slid the already materialized [Veil of Silence] through his face. "It''s grind time!" Chapter 116: Final Training [Energy +10] [Energy +10] ... Kyle wiped the sweat from his brow and took a long, refreshing gulp of water, letting the coolness slide down his throat. The dojo was utterly silent except for the sound of his heavy breathing and the quiet gulps of water. Tonight had been intense for Kyle. This was his final day of training with Instructor Dan before he set out for his next big step: the Mission Hall. It was Saturday, marking nearly a week since the start of school. Every day had been filled with sses, training, and self-study as Kyle had pushed himself harder than ever. Kyle had spent most of his free time in the Academy library, devouring books on any topic that might aid him outside the Academy. Maps, ancient symbols, rare beasts, survival tactics¡ªif it looked even remotely useful, Kylemitted it to memory. His nights, however, were a different story. Every night, Kyle had made sure to visit the Arena. Not only was he improving better as a fighter, he was earning more credits by staking and he had managed to stockpile some over these few days. Kyle had also shown preparedness in other ways, he had stockpiled a lot of runes over the past few days, dedicating time every day to drawing different types for various scenarios. It was a slow process, but Kyle knew it would prove useful. Drawing countless Runes had also helped Kyle improve his Inscription speed and ability, thanks to his rune making instructor, Victoria, Kyle was better and faster than before. Above all, Lora''s help had proven invaluable. Though soft-spoken and reserved, she had a remarkable rity when it came to exining rune pathways. She had guided him patiently, correcting his smallest mistakes and introducing him to more intricate patterns than the basics covered in ss. Under her guidance, Kyle had not only improved in drawing runes faster but also in understanding the underlying principles, which made him appreciate her help even more. Despite all this progress, Kyle hadn''t spent much time on his cultivation. With so many tasks on his te, Kyle could only choose to focus on refining his skills first. Besides, he had a n regarding his cultivation and knew it was only a matter of time before he broke through once again. Now, here he was, at the dojo. They had already gone through their usual sparring session, but today felt different, like a finale somehow. Dan walked up to Kyle after he was done with the water bottles, observing him with pride. "You''ve done well today, Kyle... Not just today. Every session has shown how much effort you''re putting in." Kyle smiled, running a hand through his damp hair. "Thanks, Instructor." "So, you''re headed to the Mission Hall tomorrow?" Dan asked after a while of silence. "Yes... I am." "You''re strong, Kyle¡ªstronger than most first years. I''d say you''ll be able to handle most missions they throw at you," Dan said to Kyle. "But remember, you need to pick a mission that suits you, something you know you can handle alone or with minimal help. Missions are meant to push you, not bury you, okay?" Kyle kept a mental note of what Dan had said and nodded his head before asking. "Any rmendations, ?" "Tomorrow, you''ll understand better," Dan said, looking thoughtful. "They''ll be ranked by difficulty, experience, rewards¡ªdetails you''ll want to weigh carefully." Kyle nodded slowly. He trusted Dan''s advice. Dan was more than an instructor to Kyle and Kyle could oy listen to what he had to say. "There''s something else," Dan added with a serious tone. "I trust you''llplete your mission ande back. But I want you to be careful. There are dangers out there that aren''t written in any mission briefing." "I understand, sir," Kyle replied. "I''ll be careful. And¡­ I''lle back." Dan''s shoulders rxed a fraction. "Good. Now, onest piece of advice before you go rushing off." He nced around the dojo, gathering his thoughts. "Stockpile on what you might need¡ªhealth potions, some mana cores if you can find them at a decent price. They might prove very useful to you in the future and you may not have ess to them during the mission." Kyle nodded, thinking back to the credits he''d earned in the Arena. "I''ve saved up a decent amount. I''ll make sure I''m ready." Dan smiled approvingly. "That''s what I like to hear. Preparation is half the battle. Even the most skilled warrior can fall if they don''t respect the risks." He paused, then added with a hint of humor, "And don''t skimp on food. It may seem trivial, but you''d be surprised how many get caught up with supplies and end up struggling over something as basic as keeping their energy up." Kyleughed out a little before replying, "I get it. I''ll be sure to pack a decent stash then¡ªfood included." They both fell into afortable silence before Dan broke it. "There''s something different about you, Kyle. I don''t know exactly what it is, but¡­ you have this drive. Something pushes you beyond just regr ambition." Kyle hesitated, taken aback by the statement. He had never spoken about the reasons that fueled his dedication¡ªabout his second chance, his mission, and the silent resolve that drove him to excel. "I guess I just¡­ want to make the most of my time here." Dan nodded slowly, seeming to understand more than he let on. "Well, you''re on the right path. Just remember that while it''s good to push hard, don''t forget why you''re doing this. Sometimes, it''s easy to get lost in the race and forget the reason you started." Stay updated with mvl Kyle met his gaze, feeling a surge of gratitude for the guidance he''d received. "Thank you, sir. For everything." "You''re wee," Dan calmly said, before standing up and motioning to Kyle, "All right,e on. I think it''s time you received a technique." ''Yesss... Finally!'' Excitement and anticipation surged within Kyle as he followed behind Dan. Chapter 117: Receiving the Technique Dan led Kyle to the far side of the dojo, stopping in front of the ordinary-looking wall. Like before, after Dan pressed his hands on the wall and channeled his mana through it, it began to part. Kyle looked around, as they walked through the narrow stone passageway, wondering how such magic was possible¡ªthough he had experienced this before, it still didn''t fail to impress him. They eventually reached the library and Kyle took sight of it once more with admiration written all over his eyes. "Still takes you by surprise, doesn''t it?" Dan observed with a low chuckle as he watched Kyle''s reaction. "Every single time," Kyle admitted, his eyes scanning the rows of shelves. "It''s¡­ there''s so much here. I can hardly believe you have all this just for yourself." "Knowledge is power, Kyle. And sometimes, it''s a power best kept close. Everything here has a purpose, just as every warrior does," Dan exined with a proud smile. "Speaking of which¡­" He beckoned Kyle to follow him deeper into the rows of shelves. They walked through the shelves, stopping near a section dedicated to Martial Arts. "Earlier this week, you told me you''d settled on Wind Chasers," Dan began, ncing at Kyle. "Tell me why you chose it." "I felt like movement techniques would enhance mybat style. I want to be able to move in ways my opponents don''t expect, to stay unpredictable and adaptive. It''s not just about the speed but the freedom. Wind Chasers'' techniques¡ªthey''re fast and direct. They''d give me the flexibility to adapt in the middle of a fight." "I see," Dan muttered with a thoughtful look. It makes sense, especially given your natural agility. But I wondered why you didn''t pick Serene Wave. They also offer movement techniques." "Honestly, I was tempted by Serene Wave, I really was. The calm control they supposedly bring to the battlefield¡ªit''s impressive," Kyle replied. "But there''s something about the Wind Chasers that just... clicked. It''s a little rougher, more unrestrained, and I like that. I want to fight with intensity and momentum, and Wind Chasers seems like the best way to get there." Dan gave a small nod, seeming to understand. "Hmm... So it''s the freedom and speed that appeal to you. Wind Chasers offers both, though it''s no easy path" His eyes softened with a hint of approval. "I think you made the right choice." With that, he turned and began scanning the scrolls on the shelf, running his fingers along the spines until he found what he was looking for. He pulled out a thick book bound with a deep blue ribbon and handed it to Kyle, who felt a thrill of excitement as he read the title: Air Steps. Kyle''s eyes widened. He''d seen this very bool before. He saw it in the Living room while he''d been cleaning the bookshelf. The sight of it had sparked his curiosity in the meaning of martial arts, and now it was being offered to him. "Air Steps," Dan said, his voice carrying a certain reverence. "This is one of the core techniques of the Wind Chasers. With it, you''ll be able to move lightly, almost as if you''re floating. Inbat, this means dodging attacks with ease, gaining quick bursts of speed, and creating the space you need to turn the tide in your favor. Like every other martial technique, it''s a difficult technique but it will serve you well if you''re willing to put in the work." Kyle smiled as he looked at the book, turning its cover to reveal the first page. Almost immediately, his system red to life, showing a familiar prompt: Read new adventures at mvl [Do you want to learn the Basic Martial Arts Technique: Air Steps] [Cost: 100 Skill Points] Kyle nced at the message briefly before focusing back on the book. He had confirmed that was the same technique, while also confirming that he had zero chances to learn it with skill points at this moment. He focused his attention on the size of the book. Kyle felt no intimidation whatsoever despite the technique''srge size and supposedplexity. Instead, he felt a sense of excitement and readiness. He held the book tightly, feeling the weight of its significance. Dan noticed his enthusiasm and gave a nod of approval. "It''s good that you feel that way. But remember, learning isn''t just about reading the steps and practicing them over and over. You need to understand each movement and each breath and let the technique flow naturally. Otherwise, it won''t truly be yours." Kyle looked up at him with determination and nodded. "I understand, Instructor Dan. I promise I''ll take this seriously. I''ll study it, practice it, and make it part of who I am." "I know you will. You''ve shown that kind of dedication in every training session we''ve had. Keep it up, and you''ll go far, Kyle," Dan said with pride. "I won''t wish you luck, rather I''ll hope you don''t need it. You have skill, and that''s all you need. I''ll see you after you get back from your mission." With that Dan dismissed Kyle, choosing to stay behind in the library. With the book in hand and Dan''s words in his mind, Kyle walked out of the dojo. He was ready. Ready for the Mission Hall, for whatever awaited him, and for the next step in his journey. *** Kyle approached his house the moment he left Dan''s. It was quite dark but he was okay with the walk home. It didn''t take too long before he got home, finding calm as he settled on the bed; Kyle found himself reflecting on the path he had taken so far. It hadn''t been that long since he hade to this academy. Now, he was preparing to leave it temporarily and see the real world. Ever since being reincarnated here, Kyle had always wished to explore andpare it to his former. Truth be told, he had a fair share of experience from Frulia, but the history books he read from the library had shown him that it was way bigger and different from how he thought it to be. That was what had mainly sparked Kyle''s curiosity. ''I''m very sure it''ll be fun.'' There were dangers and all that ording to various sources, but Kyle didn''t doubt that he''ll enjoy every moment of it. He looked through the windows at the night sky for a while before a certain thought crossed his mind. ''I''ll need to collect my items from Orion.'' Kyle had given Orion that long list just to trouble him and to help his pride that burned from throwing credits at Orion, but who knew that they may prove useful for him in the mission? ''I''ll also need to collect the Frozen w.'' Kyle had long decided he''d be needing the ice elemental sword. This might as well be one of the only few chances he''ll get to use it properly and he can''t miss out on it. ''I wonder how Void feels about leaving,'' Kyle thought. ''He must be really happy. He nced at the other half of the bed, where Voidy. Void''s golden eyes opened the moment Kyle looked at him, confirming that he wasn''t sleeping. Kyle lightlyughed the moment Void''s eyes opened, brushing his fingers over his scales. "Big day tomorrow, huh?" Void stood up on the bed and said in a high-pitched girly tone. "I can''t wait! Just think of it¡ªout there, finally! A real adventure!" "I know," Kyle said with a smile. "It''s going to be something new¡­ but it''ll be dangerous too. So let''s both keep our focus on the mission. No, getting distracted, alright?" Void responded with a dramatic p of his wings. "Oh, please! I always mean business... But maybe just a little fun too. I''ll watch your back, and you''ll watch mine, okay?" Kyle grinned, feeling a warmth in his chest. "Always." After making sure they were both settled in, Kyle turned off the lights and pulled the nket over himself. "Goodnight, Void." "Goodnight, Kyle!" Void replied, deciding to curl up beside him, his excitement was already tempered, just enough for him to sleep. With a final nce at the night sky, Kyle also closed his eyes, letting his thoughts settle and his mind drift to sleep. Tomorrow wasing, with all its unknowns and challenges, and Kyle was ready for it. Chapter 118: Mission Preparations (1) Kyle woke up the next morning by the time the early sunlight pierced his curtains. It was early, earlier than he''d usually rise, but today was different. The day he would visit the mission hall had arrived, and he felt a sense of anticipation mixed with a determination to make the most of his preparations. After washing up and getting dressed, Kyle made his way to his desk where the technique Dan had given him,id neatly. He wasn''t nning on learning the technique immediately¡ªtoday was busy enough. But a quick look through wouldn''t hurt, and he couldn''t resist a nce at the method behind a movement style that had intrigued him for so long. The opening page outlined the fundamental philosophy of the Wind Chasers'' Air Steps technique. The notes described it as a method for creating seamless, floating movements, where the user appeared to glide across the battlefield. It wasn''t about running fast or merely dodging; it was about walking with silent air-like steps that made one feel they weren''t on the the solid ground. He quickly read the general notes before flipping to the first stage: Foundation. "Alright," he thought, "Let''s see how you actually start with this." The Foundation Stage immediately made it clear that the technique wasn''t about shy. The stage''s key exercise was a bncing drill, where students walked along narrow poles set at varying heights, focusing on keeping their bnce with one leg while the other was free to move. The notes emphasized body control, training each leg to stand as if it could independently bear weight without disturbing the stance. Find more chapters on §Þ?? "So, bnce first, huh? No shortcuts there." He grimaced, imagining himself wobbling along thin poles. It sounded deceptively simple but would require total concentration, breath control, and serious conditioning. Next, he skimmed over the Flow Stage. "This is where it gets interesting¡­" The Flow Stagebined bnce with precise timing and rhythm, focusing on building short bursts of energy for dodging and rapid movement. Exercises involved stepping between spaced-out targets at different heights, timing each move with controlled breathing patterns. Kyle imagined himself moving in and out, almost like dancing between obstacles. "So, it''s not just random speed¡ªit''s bursts of energy, like small surges that keep you quick and elusive." The text emphasized that in this stage, foot cement became crucial; there was no room for hesitation. It was all about feeling the moment, moving quickly but with control¡ªsomething like a bird darting between branches. Finally, he nced over the Mastery Stage. This was the advanced level, where the text mentioned practicing outdoors in harsh conditions or weighted down by chains. Here, the focus was no longer on individual movements but on instinct, letting the technique be second nature. The goal was to reach a state where each step felt effortless and natural, like hovering just above ground. ''So, you''re supposed to forget you''re even stepping at all,'' he mused. "Once you''ve mastered it, it''s like walking on air,pletely in sync with the environment." The book described the final stage as the point where a practitioner could instinctively evade without breaking rhythm, no longer bound to conscious thought about each step. He''d be able to glide around attacks effortlessly, reacting as if on reflex. Kyle snapped the book shut with a thoughtful nod. "This won''t be easy," he muttered, "But it''s exactly what I''m looking for." He had only skimmed through the highlights of the technique and it wasn''t looking bad. They were details on each stage, there requirements and methods forpletion well exined if one read deeper. Setting the techniques aside in his inventory, Kyle got himself and Void ready for the day, cing Void into the system pet space where he could waitfortably. After that, he grabbed his essentials and ced them in the inventory before leaving his house and locking the door behind him as he started to head towards Orion''s house. The morning air was crisp, and he enjoyed the quiet walk, feeling more ready than ever for whatevery ahead. When he arrived at Orion''s house, he found himself smiling at the familiarity of it all. The neatly trimmedwn, the identical rows of dorm houses¡­ it felt routine, yet this morning felt fresher, charged with purpose. Kyle pressed the doorbell, and after a pause, he heard sluggish footsteps on the other side. When Orion finally opened the door, Kyle couldn''t help but chuckle at what he saw. Orion''s sses were crooked, and his normally neat hair was a mess, paired with the red eyes he had, it gave him an uncharacteristic, sleep-deprived look. "You look¡­ well-rested," Kyle joked as Orion adjusted his sses. Orion gave a half-hearted re. "I see you''re in high spirits as usual. Meanwhile, I''ve been ving away all night to finish your project for you." Kyle simply grinned at Orion''s words. He was happy to see Orion pushing himself¡ªthat showed that his investments were paying of. "Come on in. I won''t bother with polite formalities¡ªjust sit yourself down," Orion gestured to Kyle before returning inside. Kyle noted the striking cleanliness of the living room, which contrasted with strongly with Orion''s slightly haggard appearance. "So, you have the items ready?" Kyle asked, making himselffortable. "Right on time, as usual. Everything''s ready. You''ve given me quite the borate list, but I have to admit, some of your requests were¡­ intriguing." Orion''s eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and admiration. "Good to know my requests kept you interested," Kyle replied with a smirk. "I was just trying to keep you on your toes." Orion rolled his eyes but signaled for Kyle to follow. They made their way down the hall toward therge room downstairs that Kyle recalled from hisst visit. Back then, it had been bare¡ªa quiet, empty space with little more than some scattered books and runic papers. But as they entered now, Kyle''s eyes widened in surprise. The room had beenpletely transformed. Where there had once been nothing, there was now a mini-forge tucked into one corner, with various smithing tools arranged neatly on racks. Across from the forge stood severalb tables, each covered with intricate alchemical equipment, beakers, burners, and rows of neatlybeled bottles. Runes were sketched on boards around the room, and a pile of notesy on one of the tables, bearing Orion''s meticulous handwriting. "Wow," Kyle murmured, taking in the organized chaos. While the space was clearly well-used, with tools lying about and some papers haphazardly stacked, there was a distinct order to it. It looked more like the workshop of a seasoned craftsman. Orion nced around the room with a hint of pride. "It''sing along. Still missing a few essential pieces, but I''ve managed to set up enough to get most tasks done. Your credit donations are really doing me good." "I''d say it was a wise investment," Kyle said with a light chuckle, though inwardly he thought if it was possible for him to pull of something like this with such funds. ''Welp, Orion''s just special,'' Kyle shrugged it off, following Orion to move further into the room. Orion led him to a wide table at the center. On it was a carefully arranged collection of items. Kyle''s excitement red as he recognized a few of the items, mentally checking them off his list. ''Yesss!... These are what I asked for!'' Chapter 119: Mission Preparations (2) "Well," Orion said, gesturing grandly to the table, "Here you have it¡ªeverything you requested. And I must say, some of these items were quite a hassle to make... You really have an imaginative mind." Kyle smirked at Orion''s sarcasticment, before resting his hand on the table. Honestly, he couldn''t exactly recognize all of the items he had requested for, and that meant that Orion had actually pulled it off! "Let''s start with this one," Kyle said after observing the items for a while, picking up the small, t metal disk that glowed faintly in the light. It looked like nothing more than a coin, and Kyle couldn''t recognize it in his list. Orion smirked, recognizing the item immediately. "The Pocket Mirror Shield. Took me ages to get the angles and reflection right," he said with a weary sigh. "I nearly gave up on it. Do you know how hard it is to make something that small actually reflect energy?" "Ohh..." Kyle remembered it almost immediately. "But I thought it would look more like a mirror?" Orion rolled his eyes, clearly affronted. "A regr mirror wouldn''t be worth my time. This can reflect or diffuse light-based attacks, to a degree. I originally thought it''d be for a project in alchemy, but it turns out it''s just as useful here." Orion grabbed the disk and knocked it with some force. "It won''t save you from getting scorched, but it''ll buy you a split second. Enough to dodge or counter, if you''re fast." Kyle ran a thumb over the disk, feeling the cool metal. "Nice. I didn''t realize you could engineer that kind of deflection." Orion gave him a smug grin. "Few do. You''d be surprised how difficult it was. You need just the right metal for the surfaceyer, a bit of rune work for the reflective boost, and, well¡­" He shrugged, almost sheepishly. "A fair amount of trial and error. I don''t know how many times I had to adjust the angle so it wouldn''t identally bounce light into my eyes." Kyle chuckled, imagining Orion squinting at his own reflection, frustrated by each tiny misalignment. He could tell how much of Orion''s meticulousness had gone into even this small piece. As he set the mirror shield back down, Kyle reached for the next item¡ªapact grappling hook attached to a thin, flexible rope. He gave it a slight tug, feeling the tension of the braided cord. Kyle recognized this one immediately. He had assumed it was one of the simple ones and maybe could be found in the mall, but he had wanted to trouble Orion a bit. "Practical," he remarked, ncing at Orion. Orion nodded, adjusting his sses. "Yeah... It''s got enough length to scale a few floors or get you out of a hole. And don''t underestimate the rope¡ªit''s woven with mana fibers, so it can hold a lot more weight than it looks." Kyle raised his eyebrows. "Mana fibers?" "Yes... They''re rare, expensive, and, let me tell you, a nightmare to work with," Orion sighed. "I lost a week just trying to get the weave right so it wouldn''t snap under pressure. Almost had a breakdown when it tangled halfway through." Kyle gave him an amused look. "So, you''ve tested it out then?" "Personally? I''ve hung from it off ledges, climbed cliffs, even used it to pull myself out of a pit during an arena match once." Orion grimaced at the memory. "That was a tough fight, but having that hook saved me from getting absolutely creamed. The rope held, thankfully." Kyle nodded, genuinely impressed. He coiled the rope and hook with care, stowing it in his pack. "If it''s as strong as you make it out to be, then that''s some serious utility. And knowing you''ve tested it out yourself... makes me trust it even more." Enjoy new stories from §Þ?? Orion gave him a small, satisfied smile before pointing to the next item, a clear vial filled with a colorless liquid. Kyle held it up, peering through the ss. "This is¡­?" "Your Mana Mist," Orion said with a hint of pride. "Break it open, and you''ll get a thick, smoky mist that lingers for a while¡ªlike you requested. It''s infused with a subtle mana signature, so if anyone tries to track you with magic, it''ll give them a false trail." Kyle raised his eyebrows. "A decoy mist. Clever. I can think of a few scenarios where this woulde in handy." Orion shrugged, feigning nonchnce. "Took me ages to get the bnce right. Too much mana, and it would''ve blown up when I sealed it. Too little, and it wouldn''t mask anything. I went through five prototypes before I got a stable mix." Kyle couldn''t help but smile, appreciating the understated brilliance behind Orion''s work. "Sounds like a lot of effort." Orion grimaced. "You have no idea. I almost inhaled the stuff when it leaked during testing. It lingers in your lungs for hours¡ªthought I was going to turn into a ghost." Kyle chuckled. "Honestly, I didn''t have much hopes when I asked for this but you didn''t fail to impress me." Orion didn''t respond to thepliment directly but gave a faint smirk as if epting it in his own way. Setting the Mana Mist down, Kyle picked up a tiny, silver whistle. It looked ordinary, but Kyle knew it wasn''t¡ªafter all, he had requested it himself. Orion gestured toward it with a proud grin. "That''s the Soundless Whistle. Humans can hear it, but creatures with heightened hearing will pick up on it much faster. And most importantly, like you requested, it serves well for attracting agro and annoying beasts," Orion exined. "I''ve tested it in the Academy''s stable and the reactions of the beasts were insane, they almost broke out of their cages if not for the attendant." Kyle smiled fully after seeing that Orion had made it happen... This was another one he hadn''t expected and Orion didn''t fail to deliver. He gave Orion a sidelong nce before asking: "How difficult was this one to make?" Chapter 120: Mission Preparations (3) "How difficult was this one to make?" Orion let out a weary sigh as he thought about his struggles. "Harder than I''d like to admit. Getting the pitch right so it won''t annoy humans was pure torture. I must''ve tested at least thirty versions, and each failure was another headache. But hey¡ªworth it for you, I guess." Kyle patted Orion on the shoulder and said with a grin: "Your persistence pays off, my friend." Orion rolled his eyes and immediately pushed Kyle''s hand of his shoulder the moment he felt it, earning augh from Kyle. Next, Kyle picked up a sheet of thick, flexible paper covered in faint runes. As he unrolled it, he could see lines and markings beginning to emerge, mapping out the space around them. "This is¡­ a Pathfinder''s Map?" Kyle asked, recognizing the clever rune work. "Yep," Orion replied, a gleam of pride in his eyes. "Every time you travel, it records your path. Showsndmarks, obstacles, anything notable. It''s a real-time map that fills itself out as you go, like you requested." Kyle nodded his head. He knew how much something like this would save him. Now he had seen it though, Kyle realized that he could have made it himself. He just needed some memory runes and a few other basic runes. Kyle rolled the map back up carefully, and picked up a small round stone etched with faint, intricate symbols next. "And this one?" "Ah, the Campfire Stone," Kyle eximed the moment he recognized it. Orion smiled when Kyle nailed the name before adjusting his sses to exin. "Yup. Pour a bit of mana into it, and it''ll generate enough warmth to start a small fire. Perfect for camping without drawing too much attention." Kyle carefully slipped the Campfire Stone into his bag and took a moment to survey the impressive collection of tools Orion had created for him. Each one was crafted with painstaking detail, and he could feel the weight of Orion''s dedication in every piece. "You really went above and beyond, Orion," Kyle said with sincerity, leaning his hands on the table. "This is incredible work. I''m satisfied with this." Orion adjusted his sses and waved his hand dismissively, but the faintest hint of a smile lingered on his lips. "Just another challenge, really. Nothing more," he replied with a casual tone that was unable to fully mask the satisfaction in his voice. "Besides, you provided the ideas. I merely brought them to life." Kyle smiled and clicked hism, transferring 10,000 credits to Orion. Orion''s eyes widened the moment hism pinged with an alert of the credit transfer, but he quickly kept his cool almost immediately. "I decided to pay you upfront," Kyle exined after sensing the surprise in Orion''s face. "That''s two weeks payment, right?" "Yeah," Orion nodded, his mind was already racing on how to put good use to all of those credits, he couldn''t help but mutter, "Thank you." Kyleughed and ced his hand behind his head. "Thank you? It''s our deal, isn''t it? I merely yed you forter." "Yeah right," Orion calmly replied. Kyleughed for a while before asking, "When would you be heading to the Mission Hall, today?" "No, thank you," Orion shook his head in disagreement. "The Mission Hall''s adventures are better suited for those with a taste for, well, aimless thrill-seeking. I''d rather spend my time here, where I can engage in work that actually produces something useful." Kyle let out augh, shaking his head in admiration. "You''re something else, Orion. Most people are itching to get out there and experience the actual world firsthand." Orion raised an eyebrow at him, clearly unimpressed. "The ''actual world,'' you say? We''ve spent up to fifteen years in this world, Kyle. I''ve even visited the city several times with my father. I''m familiar enough with it." Kyle felt a brief moment of rm, realizing he''d slipped up by sounding a bit too much like the outsider he was. He forced a nervous chuckle before saying: "Well, I just meant, you know... to get out of the academy bubble and, uh, see some action firsthand. Sometimes books and theory don''t cover it all." He mentally cringed at his own attempt to backpedal, but managed to maintain a casual expression. Orion''s gaze lingered on him and sharp eyes narrowed slightly as if they were examining a puzzle. "Is that so?" he replied with a low and spective voice. The silence stretched just long enough to make Kyle uneasy before he finally decided to change the topic. "Anyway," Kyle said with a quick smile, grabbing his bag and making his way to the door, "I''ve still got a few things to grab before the mission. Thanks again, Orion. You''re a lifesaver." Orion nodded, watching him with that same unreadable expression. "Do try not to die out there, Kyle. I still need my credits from you." His voice was cool, almost dismissive, but there was a bit of genuine concern beneath the surface. "Don''t worry. I''ll be back to keep funding your''research'' projects. After all, someone''s got to keep you busy," Kyle replied with augh. Orion gave him a slow nod and a slight smirk yed on his lips. "See that you do. It''d be quite the waste of effort if my creations ended up destroyed on their maiden outing." Kyle nodded and left the room, shutting the door softly behind him. Once outside, he exhaled a long breath, feeling a slight tension ease. "That was close," he muttered to himself. Inside his head, Void''s voice echoed in his mind with a reprimanding tone. [I''d say more than close. That was downright reckless, Kyle. A few more slips like that, and someone''s going to catch on.] Kyle grimaced, feeling the rebuke from his pet dragon hit a little too close to home. "Yeah, yeah, I know," he whispered under his breath, as if Void were actually standing there to hear him. "Just got caught up in the moment." [A dangerous habit] Void replied sharply. [Remember that.] Kyle couldn''t help but grin at Void''s serious tone. He appreciated the dragon''s concern, even if Void''s sense of caution asionally shed with his own curiosity. Still, he resolved to be more careful moving forward. As he surveyed the academy grounds, his eyes drifted toward the cafeteria, and the words of Instructor Dan yed in his head. "Next stop. Food," Kyle murmured with a smirk, and he set off, feeling the satisfaction of anotherpleted step in his preparations. Kyle strode through the academy courtyard toward the cafeteria, a n already forming in his mind. He''d been preparing for his mission well enough, and he couldn''t forget to carry food with him. ''Thanks to my inventory, I''ll be able to store fresh foods,'' Kyle grinned as he entered the cafeteria. The cafeteria were used to seeing students order meals for the day, but his idea went well beyond a simple lunch or dinner. As he approached the counter, a female academy staff who stood beside it asked Kyle: "What can I get you today?" Kyle nced up at the menu, then calmly began listing his choices: many full meal sets, stacks of energy bars, several bottles of water, juice packs, and nearly every premium snack they had on offer. He could see her expression shift from cheerful to baffled as he continued. After he finally finished, she hesitated and her fingers hovered over the screen. "Are... You hosting a party with your yearmates?" Kyle shook his head with a small smile. "Nope, it''s all for me." He pulled out hism and watched her eyebrows shoot up as the total hit 5,000 credits. A hush settled in the room, as the kitchen staff and a few nearby students noticed the staggering number disyed on the register. Murmurs broke out among the onlookers, and the woman nced around, almost as if expecting Kyle to call this our to be a prank. "Are you absolutely sure about this?" Kyle nodded. "Absolutely. I''ll cover it all." After a moment''s pause, she shrugged and confirmed the order. As he waited, Kyle tapped his fingers on the counter, amused by the shock. The kitchen staff scrambled to prepare the food, and a parade of trays began piling up before him. When they had finally assembled thest snack box, the woman gave Kyle a hesitant smile, clearly unsure how he nned to transport it all. Kyle simply transferred the credits to the register and began stacking trays and bags into his arms. He might have looked like he was about to topple, but his bnce held as he adjusted his grip. With murmurs of disbelief following him, he made his way out of the cafeteria, the towering stack of food bnced in his hands. He chuckled under his breath as he found a secluded spot just beyond the main courtyard. Making sure no one was watching, Kyle ced everything down and activated his inventory, swiping item after item into the space with ease. In seconds, the stacks vanished, leaving him empty-handed except for hism. Even his bag disappeared into the inventory, where his books, snacks, and equipment were safe and easy to carry around. He pped his hands together, brushing off imaginary dust with a sense of satisfaction. No spoiled or cold meals this time; he had everything he needed, perfectly preserved. With his preparations nearlyplete, he set his sights on onest stop: the academy mall. Experience exclusive tales on §Þ?? There, he would pick up any final supplies he might need for his mission, indulging in onest round of strategic shopping before heading out. Smiling to himself, Kyle headed off, confident that he was almost as ready as he could be. Chapter 121: Mission Preparations (4) Kyle made his way to the academy mall, mentally preparing for the wave of spending ahead. It wasn''t every day he allowed himself to splurge this much, but the mission called for it. Every piece of gear he bought would be an investment, something to keep him prepared and protected. After all, if he was going out of the academy''s safety, he couldn''t rely on luck alone. His first stop was an alchemy shop. Rows of ss vials lined the shelves, each filled with brightly colored liquids. Healing potions, mana restoration potions, antidotes, and even a few rare enhancement potions¡ªall necessary supplies. Continue reading at §Þ?? Kyle eyed thebels, searching for quality but keeping his budget in mind. He selected a few essential potions, including a high-tier healing one, which alone cost him nearly 500 credits. By the time he finished, he had spent over 2,000 credits, but he felt reassured knowing he had reliable potions in his inventory. Next, Kyle visited a cloth store. He bought 5 more pairs of his academy uniform¡ªwhich cost 1000 credits each. He also made sure to buy some casual civilian clothe that could help him blend in during some situations. Kyle continued from store to store, buying various supplies as they caught his eye. Finally, Kyle headed to the mana core shop¡ªthe very same store he had visited before. The one where he''d formed an unintentional rapport with both attendants on separate asions. This time, however, they were both here, the shorter shopkeeper from the day shift, Jared and the older one from the night shift. The moment Kyle walked in, their faces lit up in recognition. Both men hurried over, each trying to greet him first. "Ah, my favorite customer!" the Jared eximed, his eyes shining with excitement. "Looks like you''re back again for more," the other one said, chuckling and giving Kyle a firm handshake. Kyle grinned, sensing a bit of rivalry between them. "I''d say both of you are my favorite, considering I''ve bought mana cores from each of you¡ªday and night." The two clerks shared a quick nce, their grins paused as they realized something. "Hold on," Jared said, pointing at Kyle. "You''re the customer he kept bragging about?" Kyle raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "So you were bothpeting for the same customer without even realizing it?" Both men burst intoughter, and the shopkeeper from the night shift, Jackie, pped his knee. "I can''t believe it. All this time, I thought I had cornered the market on your loyalty!" Kyle joined in on theirughter, feeling an odd camaraderie with the two shopkeepers. There was something amusing about the way they''d both taken pride in serving him without realizing they shared the same loyal customer. "So," the younger clerk finally said, still grinning, "how many cores are we talking today?" Kyle hesitated before clicking hism and ncing at his credit bnce. He had a significant sum left, but buying mana cores in bulk was no small expense. After a moment, he looked up and gave a sly smile. "Let''s go with¡­ Nine hundred." There was a brief silence as both clerks stared at him in stunned disbelief. Jared''s jaw dropped slightly, while the Jackie''s eyes widened until he looked like he might faint. He swayed for a moment before copsing backward, catching himself on the counter just in time. "Nine¡­ hundred?" he stammered with a whisper-like voice. Kyle chuckled, unable to hide his amusement. "Yeah, that''s right. Nine hundred." Jared recovered faster and his face broke into an almost gleeful grin. "You''re certainly full of surprises, Kyle. Most mages onlye in for a dozen cores at most. Nine hundred is amitment." Kyle shrugged. "I''ve got ns for them." Kyle knew that with this amount of cores, he''ll be able to breakthrough and get a final boost before his mission. That would be his final preparation. As the two shopkeepers began to gather his order, they started chatting excitedly about the logistics. Jackie seemed to have recovered enough to assist, though he asionally shot Kyle incredulous nces. Jared nced over his shoulder and asked: "Just curious, what''s a young mage like you nning to do with all these mana cores? Opening up your own business?" Kyleughed, waving the question off. "Let''s just say I''ve got¡­ personal projects." Jackie chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "Welp, as long as you keep buying them from us... We have no problem." Kyleughed at Jackie''s remark, replying with a yful "Of course," which prompted Jared to chuckle as well. The atmosphere lightened as theypleted packing up his order of mana cores. After Kyle inspected everything to ensure he was getting exactly what he had paid for, the shopkeepers brought out a storage ring. ''Inspect!'' [Storage Ring] [Capacity: 1 cubic meter] [A magical ring designed for storage, capable of holding various items securely within its spatialpartment. The internal spacepresses to fit objects up to 1 cubic meter in total volume, suitable for storingrge quantities of small to medium items.] Kyle''s eyes lit up the moment he confirmed what it was; this ring was the perfect decoy item for his inventory he hadn''t realized he had overlooked. Kyle had heard of storage rings before but hadn''t actively searched for one, assuming he wouldn''t need it. "Why the extra gift?" Kyle decided to ask, a storage item wasn''t cheap after all. "We keep a few storage rings for high-priority customers¡ªones who make purchases like yours. You''ve more than earned it," Jared replied with a grin. Jackie nodded in agreement. "It''s our way of saying thanks, and with your uing mission, we thought you might need it. Consider it part of our best service." Kyle couldn''t help but appreciate the gesture, and he epted the ring gratefully. "Thanks. This will definitelye in handy... Goodbye, then." "Good bye!" they both waved in union. "Good luck with your mission!" "Thanks... But I wouldn''t be needing it," Kyle muttered as he stepped out Shortly after Kyle left the store, Void''s voice echoed in his mind, brimming with enthusiasm. "Let''s go feast!" Chapter 122: Level Ups! [Let''s go feast!] Void''s voice sounded amusing but Kyle knew he was serious. He could tell the silent threat that came from his use of ''us'', meaning that he couldn''t have the cores alone. ''Not like I nned to,'' Kyle thought with a smile as he looked around the surroundings. They had just left the mall and Kyle kept observing everywhere as if he was searching for something. [What are you waiting for? Let''s go!] Void desperate voice interrupted Kyle''s search. "Chill, Void," Kyle said with a littleugh. "You don''t expect us to ''feast'' out here in the open, do you?" Void kept quiet for a while before replying. [Anywhere''s fine, as long as I get those cores you promised! All that power just waiting to be devoured... Can''t you feel it?] "Of course, I can. But that doesn''t mean we just expose ourselves right in the middle of the academy grounds." [Then let''s go somewhere now! Don''t tease me with all these cores and make me wait. We could try anywhere! What does it matter, as long as we''re alone?] Kyleughed, after pondering on where he could stay for a while; Kyle decided to head back home. ''Since there''s no private ce I can stay, I''ll do it at home,'' Kyle thought as he walked toward the dormitory. ''That''s the best choice.'' It didn''t take long before Kyle reached his house. He entered his room and closed the door behind him before tossing the storage ring on the bed. "Alright... Let''s do this," Kyle said with a grin. He sent his mana through the ring, allowing the mana cores to pile up on the bed, taking most of its space. Kyle looked at the mound of cores that had been formed on his bed and his fingers twitched at the thought of consuming them. Void gave an enthusiastic nod, already hopping in ce on the bed, eager as ever. "Finally! Hand them over, hand them all over! I can taste the mana already!" "Alright," he said, staring down at the cores, feeling his pulse pick up. "But I''ll be taking the lion''s share." "But... I''m the one who needs to grow stronger enough to fight by your side!" Void didn''t want to ept the shorter end of the stick and kept on giving Kyle reason. "Nope," Kyle said with a shake of his head. "My cultivation speed can''t bepared to yours and I''ll be needing the cores to breakthrough." Void wanted to say something but decided to ept defeat. "Fine, fine¡­ but at least leave enough for me to get a real boost, alright?" "Deal," Kyle replied with a grin before summoning his status screen. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Beginner Mage: Lv 4 EXP: 591/6000 HP: 118 Energy: 154 MP: - Agility: 71 Strength: 75 Vitality: 60 Stamina: 77 Intelligence: 61 SP: 0 [Elements] [Skills] [Lightning Bolt(Lv 1)] [Lightning Dash(Lv 2)] [Inspect(Lv 2)] [Gobbler(Lv 2)] [Undying] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª ''730 mana cores would be enough to break through twice,'' Kyle roughly guessed from his mental calctions. He picked up a mana core from the bed and threw it into his mouth. His teeth dealt with it perfectly and the raw mana was absorbed into his body. [EXP +20] Kyle grinned when he got his notification, reminding him how real this was, but he knew he couldn''t waste time on this. He had to be faster. Kyle made full use of his two hands and began gobbling the mana cores as quickly as possible. Each time a hand popped a core into his mouth, the second which held another ced another core in his mouth. [EXP +20] [EXP +20] [EXP +20] ... The notifications kepting, and after what felt like an eternity for Kyle, when in actuality only a little over 5 minutes had gone; Kyle finally got the notification that he sought to hear. [EXP: 6000/6000] [Congrattions! You have Leveled Up!] [Beginner Mage: Lv 4 >> Lv 5] [All stats: +10] "Yess!" Kyle shouted the moment he broke through, "6000 EXP in 5 minutes... Not bad." Kyle knew the gravity of what he had achieved, as it would take many up to 2 months to achieve simr results but with the help of [Gobbler] he had broken through in no time. Void looked at Kyle with his cute eyes. He had been patiently waiting for Kyle to break through before he asked for his share and upon sensing the explosion of mana within Kyle, Void knew that Kyle had broken through, meaning that was his chance. "You''ve broken through," Void stated with pleading eyes. "Please leave the rest for me!" Kyleughed at Void''s gesture, clearly not buying it. "We''ve agreed on this, Void. I''ll give you your cores if I decide to... As for now, I''ll be attempting another breakthrough." Void snorted and with a huff he sat on the bed and crossed his forelimbs across his chest in anger. Kyle ignored Void''s pout, and with a smirk, focused his attention back on the pile of cores. It had reduced by about thirty percent and Kyle was about to make it reduce further. He quickly got to work, gobbling down the mana cores as fast as he could muster. [EXP +20] [EXP +20] [EXP +20] ... 447 notificationster, Kyle finally got the long-awaited one. [EXP: 9000/9000] [Congrattions! You have Leveled Up!] [Beginner Mage: Lv 5 >> Lv 6] [All stats: +10] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Beginner Mage: Lv 6* EXP: 211/12000* HP: 160* Energy: 194* MP: - Agility: 91* Strength: 95* Vitality: 80* Stamina: 97* Intelligence: 81* SP: 0 [Elements] [Skills] [Lightning Bolt(Lv 1)] [Lightning Dash(Lv 2)] [Inspect(Lv 2)] [Gobbler(Lv 2)] [Undying] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle fell on the bed, catching his breath as he scanned his updated stats. His body hummed with fresh power, yet there was a strange, unsettling heaviness in his limbs and a dull ache in his core. Void came closer and looked at Kyle with concern. "You''re pushing yourself too fast, you know that? Passing level after level without letting your body adjust¡­ Your mana core hasn''t even stabilized." A smirk crossed Kyle''s face despite his exhaustion. "Isn''t that supposed to be a good thing? Isn''t leveling up all that matters?" "Not if it leaves you too weak to use it," Void replied his tone a mix of chastisement and worry. "Your body''s overloaded. Give it time to synchronize with the new power. It''ll settle, but right now, you might as well be carrying around a sack of unstable mana." "Well, that''s¡­forting," Kyle mumbled, closing his eyes. He let out a sigh, realizing Void was probably right. He did feel a bit off¡ªalmost as if he were out of alignment, like some gears in his system weren''t turning as smoothly as they should. "So, what do you suggest?" "Simple," Void replied, his tail flicking with impatience. "You just have to fight normally for a bit. Use the mana gradually, and get ustomed to it. It''ll fall into ce." "Okay... Thank you," Kyle said tiredly. "Speaking of taking it slow... you wouldn''t mind if I helped myself to the rest, would you?" Kyle rolled his eyes but motioned with a tired wave. "Knock yourself out, partner." Void had a wide grin on his face as he eyed the piled of mana cores. Chapter 123: Mission Hall (1) In one smooth motion, Void immediately leaped onto the pile of mana cores. Kyle barely had time to register what was happening before Void opened his mouth wide¡ª much wider than Kyle thought was possible¡ª and plunged his maw into the pile, chomping down core after core with voracious delight. The sight left Kyle momentarily stunned. "Void, are you even¡­chewing?" "Chewing''s a waste of time" Void replied with a muffled voice as he continued to devour cores in rapid session. Kyle watched with a mix of amusement and disbelief as Void powered through the entire pile, not missing a beat. In nothing less than a minute, the pile had dwindled to nothing, and Void''s body began to glow faintly. He finally stopped and sat back with a contented sigh. It seemed he had broken through, and Kyle immediately summoned his stats to confirm. | Void | | Race: Omni Drakkon | | Level: 7 |* | EXP: 700/64000 |* | HP: 320 |* | Energy: 620 |* | MP: 550 |* | Agility: 88 |* | Strength: 87 |* | Vitality: 160 |* | Stamina: 310 |* | Intelligence: 550 |* [Skills: Lightning Breath (Lv 2), Lightning Dash (Lv 2), Invisible (Lv 4), Phase (Lv 3)] "Well, would you look at that" Void said with a proud grin. "I broke through too. All that power¡­ now I can keep up with you, no problem!" Kyle didn''t know whether to feel happy or sad. He was happy that he had finally managed to catch up with Void, and it hurt him that Void had broken through the moment he did. On the bright side, Void''s strength directly affected his ability as they were still a team; so he had no excuse not to be happy. "Impressive," Kyle murmured before deciding to add with a smirk, "But don''t get tofortable... I''ll surpass you soon. I have some higher stats than you already."At this rate, you''ll be leaving me in the dust." Void checked his stats quickly and confirmed what Kyle had said. He felt some pain because days ago, their stats couldn''t bepared. "Don''t worry, you won''t surpass me," Void confidently said, while adding with a yful wink. "I can''t be a Milo." Kyleughed despite his aches, as he knew what Void was hinting at. Speaking of Milo, Kyle had practically left him in the dust already. ''I wonder if he''s in the 5th Level yet,'' ''Well, I can''t undermine him, who knew what could happen to him in his mission.'' Kyle shrugged Milo''s matter at the back of his head, before informing Void that he''ll rest for a while. He still felt aches around his body and needed some rest. "Wake me up in 30 minutes," Kyle told Void before he dozed off. Doing the same with his system to not take chances. He couldn''t afford to miss this big day just because of his oversleeping nature. *** Kyle nced up at the massive structure that loomed up ahead. ording to hism''s map, that was it¡ªthe Mission Hall. The building''s exterior was crafted from dark obsidian stone, giving it a sleek, imposing appearance. Above the entrance, a golden emblem representing the academy''s crest was etched in fine detail, glowing in the morning light. Several wide steps led up to double doors made of polished steel, almost mirror-like, reflecting the faces of students as they entered and exited. Kyle paused, taking in the grandeur. He hadn''t actively looked for the building before and this was the first time he was meeting it. ''I wanted to save the surprise,'' he thought. ''Now I''ll finally get to see what everyone''s been talking about.'' Steeling himself, he pushed through the doors and was immediately hit by a scene bustling with activity. As he entered, he felt a buzz of energy in the air, as though he''d stepped into the heart of the academy''s lifeblood, where new adventures and opportunities unfolded for students daily. The hall was colossal, with high arched ceilings that seemed to stretch endlessly above. Crystal chandeliers hung down in even intervals, casting a warm light that melded with the glows of the portals and warp drives scattered throughout. The hall had a spacious yet structuredyout, with each section neatly marked to guide the flow of students. It was clearly designed to handle the constant influx of students bustling in and out. At the center of it all stood the mission boards. There were three enormous boards, each ten feet high, arranged in a semi-circle just in front of the counters where staff members worked. The boards disyed hundreds of missions, each detailed in neat rows of glowing text that scrolled up and down. Each board was segmented by mission type, with sections for ''Combat,'' ''Exploration,'' ''Special Operations,'' and ''Research,'' to name a few. The mission text glowed in different colors based on its difficulty level. Green was for beginner-level missions, yellow for intermediate, and red for advanced. Kyle noticed a few missions outlined in violet, which he guessed were the "Special Operations". These missions were locked with restrictions, only essible to students ranked high enough or those personally approved by academy instructors. A sizable crowd of students clustered around the boards and they raised their heads as they scrutinized the lists. Kyle spotted groups of friends huddling together, pointing at specific missions and discussing strategy, while solo students stared intently, clearly deep in thought over their choices. Every few minutes, a student would approach a board, tap on the mission they chose, and confirm their selection. A quick sh of light indicated that their choice was registered, and the mission details appeared on a small slip of enchanted paper dispensed at the bottom of the board, which they had to submit at the counter to be approved. Behind the boards, a line of counters stretched across the hall. Staff members, mostly academy instructors and aides, stood there, prepared to assist students with questions or give guidance. Each counter had a small quebeling the staff member''s specialty. Kyle spotted the ''Combat Missions Assistance'' counter, where a grizzled instructor with a sword strapped across his back was exining a mission''s requirements to a nervous-looking first-year. Further down was ''Exploration Guidance,'' staffed by a stern, bookish-looking woman who seemed to be fielding questions non-stop, her patience was seriously tested as she handled each inquiry with sharp, precise answers. ''They must have nerves of steel to deal with so many students every day,'' Kyle thought, impressed by their focus. Beyond the mission boards and counters, the hall opened up into an array of towering portals. The same Kyle had seen in the portal room when he went to the Dean''s office. Each portal had a small sign at the top indicating the general area it led to ¡ª''Forests of Nivira,'' ''Northern Wastnds,'' ''Undersea Caverns,'' and more. Some portals were activated, already transporting students who had epted missions in those specific locations, while others stood idle, awaiting activation. Kyle watched as a group of first-years, visibly nervous but determined, stepped into a portalbeled ''Crystal des'' and disappeared in a sh of light. His pulse quickened. The idea of stepping through one of those portals, leaving the safety of the academy, and facing unknown challenges beyond excited him in a way he hadn''t felt in a long time. [Not a bad setup] Void''s voice echoed from the pet space with a voiceced with mild amusement. [I bet they didn''t build all this just to make it look pretty. Probably costs a fortune to keep these portals running.] Kyle smirked. ''Yeah, probably. But they want students to get out there and experience the real world, not just sit around studying all day. Still¡­ can''t deny they''re showing off a bit here.'' A sudden chorus of voices brought Kyle''s attention back to the mission boards. A group of students was eagerly pointing at abat missionbeled "Wanted: Iceback Serpent," which had a difficulty level marked in yellow. The mission promised a generous reward of credits and a rare spell scroll as a bonus. Another mission, marked with red, read "Investigate the Tomb of the Sun Kings," an advanced exploration task with a significant credit reward and exclusive ess to a restricted library section. Kyle was tempted by that one, but he knew better than to overestimate himself just yet. ''Alright, enough sightseeing,'' he told himself. It was time to make his choice. With purpose, Kyle began to walk closer to one of the Mission Boards. It was time to choose a mission. Chapter 124: Mission Hall (2) Kyle muttered the names of missions as he looked through the glowing text on the mission boards, searching for something that matched his criteria. He wanted a mission that will enable him to be out there, among people, not hidden away in a remote corner of the world on some solitary quest. Missions that would keep him isted didn''t appeal; Kyle preferred one that required group effort and human interaction, something where he could engage and learn on multiple levels. "Find the Ancient Rune in the Windspire Ruins¡­ pass. Document rare flora in the Silent Forest¡­ no thanks. Retrieve the Aegis Gem from deep within the Abyssal Caverns¡­definitely not." The Exploration and Research missions all felt painfully repetitive and mundane. Their purposes boiled down to tracking down an object or gathering information, and the objectives left little room for excitement. None of them had the thrill ofbat or the adrenaline rush he craved. The board disyed Exploration missions like [Map Out the Forgotten Canyon''s Labyrinths], [Document Magical Life in the Iridescent Swamps], [Retrieve the Twilight Crystal in the Shadowed Vale] and many more. Each one, while technically challenging, would have him wandering alone in secluded, eerie environments, likely spending days just collecting data or tracing obscure paths. ''Too boring,'' Kyle thought, already moving on. He wasn''t interested in wandering around taking notes or collecting specimens. He had more pressing goals, like improving hisbat skills, testing himself against real threats and most importantly seeing more of the world. That left him with only one option: Combat missions. The Combat section promised more excitement, but they weren''t all created equal. Kyle leaned in, muttering the mission names as he read their descriptions, carefully considering his options. [Wanted: Firefang Alpha. Track down the leader of a rogue Firefang pack terrorizing outlying farms] "Eh, sounds interesting," Kyle muttered. "But I don''t feel like chasing wild beasts solo in the woods." His eyes roved over another, [Secure the Valley of Glimmer Stones from hostile elementals.] This one was open to pairs or groups and required students to secure the valley from attacks, yet it wasbeled red¡ªadvanced difficulty. He wasn''t in the mood to bite off more than he could chew, especially not solo against elementals whom Kyle had learned of to be very strong. "Must be a mission for other years," Kyle concluded. Another mission quickly caught his eye: [Purge the Wraith Nest in the Ashen Keep.] The Ashen Keep, an old castle ruin, was rumored to be overrun by shadow wraiths. Kyle could imagine the haunting silence, punctuated only by the whisper of wraiths in the dark. But something about the solitary nature of facing down hordes of spirits in a deste ce made him pause. As much as he enjoyed a good thrill, the istion didn''t appeal. Finally, his gaze settled on a yellow-colored mission that had seemed like it just appeared on the screen. It was titled, [Defense Against the Beast Tide]. Kyle''s eyes lit up instantly. This was exactly what he was looking for: a mission with the right mix of challenge and exploration. The mission description read: > [A small vige, Windrest, is facing an imminent beast tide¡ªan overwhelming surge of feral creatures pouring in from the wilnds. Join forces with other students to assist the local forces in defending the vige. Objective: Hold back the tide and protect the vigers. Maximum participants: 5 students.] Beast tides were notorious in the academy for their intensity. Creatures that typically lurked in the wilderness were suddenly stirred up, swarming in a chaotic frenzy and moving in a single direction. They were unpredictable and brutally relentless, usually drawn by mysterious forces or disturbances in the mana flow. The academy offered beast tide missions sparingly due to their chaotic nature, and students who undertook them were sure to face an onught of fast-paced action and brutal challenges. "Oh, this is perfect," Kyle muttered, reading over the details again. "A real chance to test my limits, plus I''ll be with others. It''s not just about fighting one or two beasts¡ªI''ll be facing a horde. Exactly the kind of pressure I need." His pulse quickened with excitement. The mission required defensive tactics, something he wanted to practice in real-timebat. His mind was already racing with ideas for different spellbinations, ways to keep the vige safe, and how he could use the [Frozen w] to both attack and shield others. More importantly, the beast tide provided the type of chaotic battleground where he could prove himself, where each decision and every move could turn the tide. Not to mention, it would provide him with a solid chance to demonstrate his growth and strength alongside others rather than in istion. There was a kind of satisfaction that came from fighting in sync with a team and knowing that he''d contributed to a greater cause. At that moment, a soft chime indicated a change in the mission''s avability. Four out of the five spots had already been taken, leaving only one spot open. Kyle''s reaction was instantaneous¡ªhis finger shot out and tapped on the mission prompt without hesitation, confirming his selection. In a quick sh, his choice was registered, and a small enchanted slip of paper printed out from the dispenser below the mission board. A satisfied grin spread across his face as he held the slip in his hand. The other students around the board groaned in frustration, having missed the opportunity. Kyle could hear a few mutters of, "Ugh, toote," and "Damn, that would have been the perfect one." But he couldn''t help feeling a little triumphant. As he looked over the details on the slip, Kyle felt more certain than ever that this mission was right for him. Defending against a beast tide was challenging for even seasoned students, but he was ready. The constant onught of creatures would give him the exact type of fight he was looking for¡ªa test of endurance, strength, and strategy all wrapped in one chaotic package. And there was something deeper, too. In defending a vige, Kyle would have a taste of the real world too. He would get to interact with all others and would also feel the pressure of the Mission''s importance. If they failed, the vige and its inhabitants would be in danger. That weight of responsibility gave him an added sense of purpose. He wasn''t just fighting for himself this time; he''d be fighting to protect others. "Beast tides are brutal," he murmured to himself, recalling the stories he had read from the library. "They just keeping. No pauses, no time to rest. Perfect time to use my Infinite mana." His mind began running through possible strategies. The main advantage of his lightning element was speed and control over distance. He could hold offrge numbers of beasts by striking quickly and retreating, using the range of his attacks to prevent getting overwhelmed. Void''s voice rang through their mental link, [A beast tide, huh? Sounds like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Just tell me where to jump in.] Kyle smirked. ''Oh, I''ll make sure you''re front and you''re in every part of it. Do you think you''re up to handling a wave of hungry beasts?'' [Absolutely,] There was a pause as Void''s excitement radiated through the bond. [This is going to be wild. Just let me loose on them. I''ll shock and devour whatever they throw our way.] The thought of Void by his side gave Kyle an added boost of confidence. With Void''s abilities and his own, they''d be a formidable force on the battlefield. The beast tide wasn''t just a test of survival; it was a chance for them to evolve together as a team. Of course there was a problem of how Kyle would expose Void in the mission, but he had formted ns on how that would y out prior to choosing a mission. With a final nce at the mission board, Kyle started to make his way toward the counters at the back of the hall to finalize his mission selection. The enchanted slip in his hand practically burned with excitement. He couldn''t wait to officially secure his ce and prepare for the uing battle. As he approached, he noticed a few of the other students who had sessfully registered for the same mission. They nced back at him with a interest and happiness, sizing him up as he joined them in line. They were all his ssmates. Kyle might not individually recognize them, but they defely recognized him and their expressions showed how please they were for being in his team and Kyle wasn''t going to dissapoint them. Chapter 125: Mission Hall (3) Kyle walked up to the line at thebat counter, spotting his new teammates waiting ahead. The excitement among them was evident as they turned his way, recognizing him immediately. The first to step forward was a blonde-haired girl with an easy, confident smile. Her green eyes sparkled with curiosity, and her alchemy badge was prominently disyed on her uniform. She gave him a friendly nod, extending her hand with a rxed air. "Hey, I''m Zara," she introduced herself, her tone casual yet filled with energy. "Light affinity... I specialize on support and healing spells." Kyle shook her hand, giving a nod of appreciation. "Good to meet you, Zara. We''ll be counting on you for sure." Her grin widened a bit. "Likewise. Just don''t go running headfirst into too much trouble; I''ll do my best, but there''s only so much healing I can do." Next to Zara was a quiet girl who stepped forward with aposed air. Her blue hair was neatly tied back, and her calm blue eyes held a quiet confidence. She wasn''t shy but reserved, the kind who spoke when necessary and observed the rest. She nodded politely, giving him a small smile. "Celine," she said simply. "Water affinity, also an alchemist." Before Kyle could respond, a third girl moved up with a confident stride, her red hair tied back in a high ponytail that seemed to match her bold energy. She looked him over with an amused, challenging glint in her amber eyes. "And I''m Lina," she dered, crossing her arms with a smirk. "Fire affinity, in case that wasn''t obvious." She held her alchemist badge with a sense of pride but shrugged. "Unlike these two, I like to bring a bit more¡­ heat to the mix." Kyle raised an eyebrow, catching her yful challenge. "Good to know. I''m guessing you won''t hold back if things get heated out there?" Lina let out augh. "You''ll see. I''d hate for us to get bored out there, right?" she added with a daring grin. Finally, the boy in the group stepped forward. He was taller, with rugged brown hair and dark eyes that held a respectful, grounded look. He extended a firm hand toward Kyle. "Finn," he introduced himself with a nod. "Earth affinity, Beast Tamer. Mypanion, Brutus, is a stone bear¡ªgood for defense and holding the line." Kyle shook his hand, feeling the strength in his grip. "Brutus sounds like the kind of partner we''ll need in a beast tide. Good to have you on the team." "He''ll do his part. Looking forward to seeing what you bring to the table, Kyle." With introductions finished, the team exchanged nces. But it didn''t take long for Zara to speak up again, her curiosity getting the better of her. "So, Kyle, we''ve all been wondering how you became so strong... You''re like a demon with your katana. A sword demon. Care to share the secret?" Kyle chuckled and scratched the back of his neck. "Not much of a secret, really. Just a lot of practice and¡­ maybe a bit of persistence." Lina scoffed and crossed her arms with a grin. "Oh,e on, it has to be more than that. You don''t get that kind of strength from ''just practice.'' Give us something, at least." Kyle shrugged, amused by their interest. "All right, I won''t lie¡ªit took years of training and some tough battles." Their conversation soon drifted from Kyle to the mission itself. They were all excited about the beast tide mission, each had their own reasons for wanting to be part of it. It didn''t take too long into their discussion before their turn came. Approaching thebat counter and submitting their slips, they met a man in manning the counter. His expression was strict but not unfriendly. He cleared his throat and surveyed each of them with a piercing gaze before speaking: "All right, listen up!" the man began with amanding tone. "Your mission is ssified as ''Defense Against the Beast Tide.'' You''ll be stationed at Windrest Vige, where the beast tide will be arriving soon. Your primary objective is to protect the vige and its residents, minimizing casualties while holding back the creatures as best you can." He reached beneath the counter and held up a small blue stone, carved with faint, intricate runes that glowed slightly under the hall''s lighting. "Each of you will receive one of these stones. Channeling your mana into it will allow you to signal for extraction or activate an emergency return to the academy. Use it only if the situation bes absolutely critical or when your mission isplete." He thought for a while on what to add before continuing: "Beast tides are unpredictable. The creatures are relentless and sometimes empowered by corrupted mana, which makes them even more aggressive and difficult to kill. Remember, the safety of the vigers is your highest priority. Stay together, strategize, and support each other out there. Going in solo won''t earn you anything but a one-way ticket back in pieces. Understood?" The team exchanged serious nods, their initial enthusiasm was now toned down a bit with the gravity of the mission. The man gave them a final look and his expression softened just slightly. "Good. Lance here will take you to the portal when you''re ready. Stay sharp and remember¡ªyou''re representing the academy. Make sure youe back in one piece." With that, a younger staff member named Lance approached, gesturing for them to follow him to the portal area. As they reached the portal chamber, the hum of mana intensified and a vibrant energy filling the air. The portal itself glowed. It was a swirling vortex of light and shadow and its edges were outlined by symbols and runes carved into the stone floor around it. It was both beautiful and foreboding, like a doorway to the unknown. Lance turned to them with a nod. "Everything''s set. The portal will take you directly to Windrest Vige. Remember, the vigers are counting on you, and so is the academy." Kyle nced back at his team, each of them meeting his gaze with a look of readiness. There was no turning back now. The mission awaited, and as the swirling light of the portal beckoned, he took a deep breath and stepped forward into the portal, and his teammates followed closely behind. Chapter 126: Deserted Village As Kyle and his team stepped through the portal, he braced himself for the warp''s impact, but even he wasn''t entirely prepared for the sensation. The teleportation felt like being squeezed through an impossibly tight space and his insides were twisting and stretching all at once. Unlike the others, he was able to tolerate it thanks to his higher stats, but he could see that his teammates weren''t faring as well. The moment they emerged on the other side, Celine almost fell over and her hands were clutching her stomach as she took deep breaths with a pale face. Finn also tried to steady himself, while Zara and Lina both looked visibly queasy. Kyle took a quick nce at them and assessed their states. "We''ll need a quick recovery before we move," he said, turning to Zara. "Don''t waste any potions. Can you use your light magic to heal everyone?" Zara, swallowed hard to keep herposure and gave a quick nod. She took a few steps back, drawing a shaky breath before summoning her mana. Her hands glowed with a soft golden light as she cast her spell, releasing gentle waves of warmth that washed over each of them, easing their nausea and disorientation. While she worked, Kyle turned his attention to their surroundings. They were standing on a narrow, dusty street, surrounded by small, modest houses that looked worn and empty. The silence was very noticeable; the absence of vigers and the barren streets gave the ce a deste, almost ghostly feel. ''This vige feels abandoned,'' he thought, frowning as he scanned the rows of houses. ''The beast tide must be close if the vigers are hiding. But¡­ it could be more than that.'' He murmured, "Either the vigers are hiding inside because of the beast tide, or they might have fled. I can''t rule out that something else is keeping them away." By the time Zara finished casting her healing spell, the others looked visibly better and their color had returned. Kyle turned to them and gave each one a quick once-over. "How''s everyone feeling?" he asked. "Better," Finn replied with a nod. "Thanks, Zara." "Same here," Celine added quietly. "Good," Kyle said, ncing around the empty street once more. "From what I can see, we''re definitely in the vige, but it''s deserted. First, we need to find the vige head and get some information on the beast tide and any defenses they have in ce. For that, we''ll have to locate someone who can direct us." The team nodded in agreement, all their expressions were now serious, and they moved as one down the street, keeping their eyes and ears open. After a short walk, they reached a small house on the corner and decided to try their luck. Kyle stepped forward and knocked on the door, waiting as the sound echoed in the quiet vige. Momentster, the door creaked open, revealing a young, skinny boy with dark skin and wide eyes that looked more haunted than they should have for his age. He looked about seven, but something about his malnourished frame suggested he might be older, maybe worn down by a hard life. The instant his gaze fell on Kyle and his team, he took a step back, looking ready to m the door shut. "Wait!" Kyle said quickly with a softened tone. "We''re here to help. We were sent to protect your vige from the beast tide." The boy froze and his eyes narrowed as he processed Kyle''s words. After a moment, he stepped back out and his face was slightly more rxed. "They said some helpers wereing," the boy said, still wary but a bit more at ease now. "Are you really here to fight the monsters?" Kyle nodded and felt relief at the confirmation that they were expected. That would save him a whole lot of stress he wasn''t ready for. He gave the boy a reassuring smile and said: "That''s right. And we need to find the vige head. Do you know where we can find him?" The boy blinked, then gave a small grin. "Everyone knows where the vige head lives. I can show you if you want." Kyle exchanged a quick nce with his team, nodding at the unexpected bit of luck. "We''d appreciate that, thank you." The boy beckoned for them to follow and took off, his thin legs moving with surprising speed as he led them down a winding path. As they walked, Kyle took note of the houses they passed. Many of them had broken fences, doors tightly shut, and the unmistakable signs of hurried fortifications¡ªboards over windows, makeshift barricades in front of doors. The boy led them to arger, sturdier-looking house at the end of the street. It had a small courtyard, where a few vigers were milling about, preparing makeshift defenses. The boy stopped in front of the gate, gesturing at the building. "That''s the vige head''s house," he said. Kyle turned to him, nodding in appreciation. "Thanks, you''ve been a big help. What''s your name?" "Jonas," the boy replied, looking a bit proud to have helped. "Stay safe, Jonas," Kyle said, giving him a firm nod. "We''ll take care of things from here." Jonas nodded back before he ran off, disappearing down the path they''de from. Turning to his team, Kyle took a deep breath and nced at the house. "All right. Let''s see what information we can get." They stepped through the gate and approached the main door, where a group of vigers stopped them, each armed with rudimentary weapons¡ªaxes, farm tools, and makeshift clubs. Their expressions were wary but softened when Kyle introduced himself and exined their mission. A woman with graying hair and tired eyes nodded and gestured for them to follow her inside. They were led into a small, dimly lit room where an older man with a rugged face sat, studying a worn map on the table in front of him. He looked up as they entered, with an expression that showed relief and concern. "So you''re the academy''s reinforcements," he said with steady voice. He had been informed of their arrival prior to this and wasn''t surprised to see them. "I''m Henrick, the vige head." Chapter 127: Temporary Residence Kyle and the rest of the team nodded their heads in respect. "I''m Kyle, Lightning mage of the Vyne Academy," Kyle introduced himself before pointing towards his teammates to do the same. "Celine." "Zara." "Lina." "Finn." After they were done with introducing their names, Kyle continued. "We''re here to help defend the vige from the beast tide and we will need to know everything you can tell us about the approaching wave." Henrick sighed before he began: "It''s a nightmare. Every few years, a beast tide sweeps through, but this time¡­ it''s worse. The creatures areing in greater numbers, and most of them have been corrupted, making them stronger and more vicious." Kyle took note of the word ''corrupted''. From what he had read in the library, corruption was a term used to denote beasts that could wield mana, that is, Mana beasts. "What direction do the beasts usuallye from?" Kyle decided to ask, hoping there was only one route, because it would be difficult to defend the vige from different angles. Henrick pointed to the worn map on the table before him, indicating the vige''s outskirts. "They''ll being from the forest on the east side. We''ve set up some traps along the perimeter, but they won''t hold for long against the numbers we''re expecting." Kyle studied the map, nodding thoughtfully. "We''ll do everything we can to hold them back. Do you have any other defenses in ce?" Henrick shook his head and there was a hint of regret in his eyes. "Most of what we have is improvised. We''re farmers, not soldiers." Kyle exchanged a nce with his team, each of them understanding the weight of the mission. Turning back to Henrick, he asked, "Is there a safe ce for the vigers?" Henrick''s face grew grim as he shook his head. "There''s no safe ce at the moment," he admitted. "Our n is to prevent the beasts from entering the vige. The men are working on a secure shelter in case the worst happens, but it''s far fromplete. We don''t have the time or manpower to finish it before the tide hits." "Understood. We''ll do everything in our power to keep the beasts at bay. However, we''ll need as much information as you can provide." "The beasts don''t attack randomly," Henrick exined. "Theye in waves. The first wave is usually a test¡ªweak creatures probing our defenses. Then therger ones follow, and the real ughter begins. We''ve observed that they tend to arrive in the afternoon, shortly after noon, and retreat just before sunset." Kyle''s brows furrowed as he processed this information. He pulled out hism device and nced at the time. It was 11:00 AM, giving them roughly an hour to prepare before the potential first wave. They''d need to move quickly to assess the traps and scout the eastern perimeter. "Thank you, Henrick. This information is crucial," Kyle said, standing straighter. "We''ll use this time wisely." Henrick let out a weary breath and managed a small smile. "No,d. Thank you. All of you," he said and his gaze shifted to Kyle''s team. "You''vee here to save lives, risking your own. That''s more than we could ever ask for." Kyle felt the weight of the man''s gratitude, and a sense of responsibility washed over him. ''We can''t fail them,'' he promised himself silently. Turning to his team, Kyle said with amanding tone. "We''ll meet at the eastern edge of the vige in ten minutes to inspect the traps and n our defenses. For now, let''s get settled." Henrick nodded and called over a young viger, a boy no older than sixteen with scruffy hair and a nervous demeanor. "This is n. He''ll show you to your quarters." n stepped forward hesitantly, clearly intimidated by the group of mages. "F-follow me," he stammered, gesturing for them to follow him toward a small row of wooden cottages near the center of the vige. The group followed in silence, the tension thick in the air. The vigers they passed along the way gave them hopeful, yet wary, nces. Many were busy fortifying their homes with whatever materials they could find¡ªwooden nks, rusty nails, and makeshift barricades. "These are your quarters," n said, stopping in front of a modest two-room cottage. "It''s not much, but it''s clean. We figured you''d want to stay together, so¡­" Kyle nodded. "This will do. Thank you." n hesitated before stepping away, looking like he wanted to say something but thinking better of it. With a quick nod, he darted off, leaving the team to settle in. The cottage was humble but well-kept, with two rooms that were small and sparsely furnished and a bathroom, each of the room held a single bunk bed with thin mattresses that looked like they had seen better days. The floor was made of worn nks, uneven in ces but sturdy enough. The window in the main room offered a limited view of the vige square, where vigers hurried about their tasks. Inside, Kyle gestured toward the bunks. "Looks like we''ll have to share the space," he said, ncing at his teammates. Lina ced her bag at the foot of one of the bunks, iming the bottom bed. "I''m taking this one. No arguments," she said with a smirk. Zara rolled her eyes and tossed her belongings onto the top bunk. "Fine. I prefer being off the ground anyway." "I''ll take the floor," Kyle added, pulling out his travel nket from his ''storage ring''. "I''ve done it before; it''s not a big deal." Lina raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that, Mr. Leader? We don''t mind rotating." "Leader?" Kyle asked with augh. Lina rolled her eyes and hissed. "Don''t try to act all humble, you''ve been directing everyone since we arrived here. You''re the leader." Kyle wanted to refute but held it back. He had no problems being the leader. "Well... I''ll be fine on the floor. Besides, someone has to be ready to kick open the door if the tidees early." "And I''ll grab the top bunk in the other room," Finn decided after Kyle chose the floor. "Lina, you can take the bottom there. Sound good?" Lina nodded shyly. "That''s fine. Thank you." With that decided, everyone began settling in. Despite the small space and sparse amodations, the team silently agreed thatfort wasn''t their priority tonight. Survival was. *** After they were done refreshing and unpacking their stuff, the team assembled in the main room. "This is going to be tough," Finn spoke up. "The vigers don''t seem prepared for anything remotely close to a beast tide." "They''re not," Lina said tly, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. "But that''s why we''re here." "Do you think we''ll be enough?" Zara decided to ask. She knew how difficult it would be for only five students to fight a beast tide. "We have to be," Kyle said firmly. "We''re not just here toplete a mission. These people are depending on us. If we work together and use our strengths wisely, we can hold the tide back." His words seemed to bolster the team''s spirits, even if only slightly. "Let''s focus on what we can control," Kyle continued. "We have few time left before the first wave might hit. Get your gear ready, and we''ll meet at the eastern edge in ten minutes. We''ll assess the traps and start nning our defense." Chapter 128: Taking Over Kyle and his team arrived at the eastern edge of the vige, where the forest loomed like an ominous shadow in the distance. The area had been hastily fortified with wooden barricades, sharpened stakes, and trenches filled with rudimentary traps. The men stationed there were the vige''sst line of defense¡ªfarmers andborers turned soldiers overnight. Their weapons ranged from rusted swords to farming tools like pitchforks and scythes. Despite their determination, it was clear they were exhausted. As Kyle approached, a muscr, dark-skinned man stepped forward to greet them. His broad shoulders andmanding presence marked him as the leader of this ragtag group. His expression was one of immense gratitude, though his eyes betrayed the fatigue of someone who had borne the weight of responsibility for too long. "Wee, mages," the man said with a deep and steady voice despite his weariness. "I''m Desmond, the leader of this force. Thank you foring. We had almost given up hope." Kyle nodded respectfully and his team followed suit. "I''m Kyle, lightning mage of Vyne Academy. We''re here to help." The rest of his team introduced themselves before Kyle went straight to the point. "Can you tell us about the situation?" Desmond let out a heavy sigh and his shoulders sagged slightly. "We held back a wave yesterday, but it came at a terrible cost. We lost a lot of good men, and many more are injured and unable to fight." He gestured toward arge canvas tent nearby. "The wounded are in there. They fought bravely, but... this tide is unlike any we''ve seen before. The beasts are more aggressive, and some of them are even corrupted. It''s a miracle we''re still standing." Kyle''s gaze followed Desmond''s gesture and his expression hardened as he saw the condition of the men. Many of them sat ory on makeshift cots and their faces were pale and twisted in pain. Bandages stained with blood covered their limbs, in attempt to make themst longer. Kyle felt great pity towards them. "They''ve already deemed this fight impossible," Desmond continued, his voice tinged with regret. "We were ready to die defending our families, but with your arrival... maybe there''s still a chance." Kyle essed the remaining soldiers. They were exhausted and demoralized. ''These men wouldn''tst another wave, let alone the full tide,'' Kyle thought. "Zara, heal them," he turned around and instructed her. Zara was surprised at Kyle''s instruction. "Kyle, I have to conserve my mana for the battle. If I run out¡ª" "You won''t," Kyle interrupted with a firm voice. "I got plenty of mana recovery potions in my storage. Healing them is more important right now." Zara hesitated but eventually nodded. The gratitude in their eyes was evident when Zara approached them with her light magic as some of them were even moved to tears. Desmond ced a hand on Kyle''s shoulder. "Thank you. We thought all hope was lost. These men¡ªthese boys¡ªthey''re everything to this vige. You''ve given them a second chance." "We''re here to make sure they don''t have to fight. Rest them¡ªNo. All of you should rest. You''ve done enough." Desmond''s brow furrowed. "We can''t just abandon the defense. These are our people¡ª" "You won''t be abandoning anyone," Kyle said firmly. "We''ll take over from here. You''re no good to us in your current condition, and you''ll only slow us down. Trust us to handle this." The men exchanged uncertain nces, their loyalty to the vige warring with their relief at being relieved of duty. Finally, Desmond nodded. "Alright. We''ll stand down¡ªfor now. But if you need us¡ª" "We won''t," Kyle said with a tone that left no room for argument. "Rest, recover, and take care of your injured. That''s how you can help us." The soldiers nodded, some reluctantly, others with visible relief. They blessed Kyle and his team, offering prayers for their sess before retreating to the vige center. The injured men, now healed, looked at Zara with gratitude so profound that words failed them. Some wept openly and their hope restored by her efforts. Once they were gone, Kyle handed Zara a mana recovery potion from his inventory. "Good work. You''re invaluable to this team." Zara took the potion with a small smile. "Thanks." Kyle turned to address the rest of the team. "Here''s what we know," he began. "Most of the beasts are normal, but there are some Tier 1 mana beasts among them. The vigers were lucky to survive yesterday. We won''t rely on luck." He pointed to Finn. "Finn, you and your pet, Brutus will focus on defending the perimeter and making the terrain difficult for the beasts to navigate. Use every trick you''ve got." Finn nodded, releasing the stone Bear from his space pouch. "Brutus and I will handle it." "Zara," Kyle continued, "You''ll stay alert and provide support. Focus on keeping us in fighting shape, both mana and health." "Got it," Zara replied. "Celine," Kyle said, turning to her. "You''ll control the flow of the battle. Keep the beasts contained and prevent them from overwhelming us... Look out for openings to help in the fight." "Understood," Celine said with a gentle nod. "Lina and I will be the main damage dealers," Kyle finished. "We''ll take out the strongest beasts and keep the pressure off the rest of you. Stay sharp, and remember: our goal is to hold the line and protect the vige. Nothing else matters." The team nodded, their expressions grim but determined. Just as Kyle was about to say more, a low rumble reached his ears. He stiffened and his eyes narrowing as he turned toward the forest. The sound grew louder, like the pounding of countless feet. "They''reing," Kyle whispered, in a voice that was loud enough for others to hear. "Everyone, into position," Kylemanded immediately they got the message. "Finn, set up the mud walls inyers¡ªslow them down. Brutus should stay close to you. Use his strength to reinforce the barriers if they''re breached." Chapter 129: First Wave "Understood. Brutus and I will hold the line," Finn nodded to Kyle''smand. "Celine," Kyle continued, shifting his attention to the water mage, "Spread water wherever possible to amplify my attacks." Celine adjusted her gloves, her calm demeanor unchanged despite the growing tension. "Got it. I''ll make sure the terrain works in our favor." "Lina," Kyle addressed the fiery warrior, "You''re with me in the center. Focus on concentrated strikes. Don''t waste mana on weaker beasts unless absolutely necessary. Let''s keep the field clear of high-threat targets." "Finally!" Lina''s lips curved into a grin, and her eyes gleamed with excitement. "Time to show these beasts what real firepower looks like." "Zara, stay back but remain vignt," Kyle instructed. "Prioritize healing and replenishing our mana. I have potions for you, so don''t hold back. And if someone gets overwhelmed, pull them back before it''s toote." Zara gave a small nod. "I''ll do my best." Kyle looked at each of them, his gaze lingering to ensure they understood. They were a good team, and he trusted their abilities. But he sighed internally as he nced at the hastily fortified defenses around the vige. ''No time to set up rune traps,'' he thought with frustration, mentally scrapping the ns he had hoped to execute. A quick nce at hism confirmed it was 11:51 AM¡ªthough the sun was out and shining brightly. That made Kyle''s go deep in thought. ''Is there a connection between the beasts'' timing and the sun?'' Kyle shook his head, setting the thought aside. There was no time to dwell on theories. "Everyone, move!" Kyle barked, snapping his team into action. Kyle unsheathed the [Frozen w]. He had been longing to use it in battle and the time had finally arrived. Orion had yet to work on the weapon yet, but it was still formidable on its own. "I wonder how many beasts will fall from our de today," Kyle whispered to the katana as it was listening. ''This would have been the perfect time to test the [Veil of Silence],'' he thought, recalling the mask stored in his inventory. Kyle could remember its main effect. He had this nagging feeling that the mask would improve alot when that bar filled. [Soul Reaper: Your power grows with every soul you im.] [Vanquished Souls: 0/1000] Unfortunately, he still had a long way to go. There was no way he could kill in the academy, here however, a multitude of beasts awaited. But this wasn''t the time. Exposing the mask would ruin his ns for it. That didn''t mean that Kyle nned to abandon this opportunity. He had ns on how to use it and could only wait for the night toe. Kyle refocused on his surroundings and the horde of beasts were already in sight. The first beasts emerged from the treeline¡ªa mass of snarling wolves, wing boars, and snapping reptiles. Most weremon creatures, but their sheer numbers made them formidable. "Here we go!" Kyle shouted. The beasts charged at the defenses, their momentum immediately slowed by Finn''s mud walls. Some skidded and fell, their ws unable to gain traction on the slippery surface. Others attempted to climb but were knocked back by Brutus, who roared and swiped with its stone ws. Celine immediately summoned [Water st] and a jet of high-pressured water shot forward, striking a wolf mid-leap and sending it crashing into itspanions. She followed up with [Water Waves], spreading the liquid to coat more of the battlefield. "Perfect, Celine! Keep that up!" Kyle called. Lina didn''t wait for instructions. She unleashed [Fireball], targeting a cluster of beasts attempting to circle around the walls. The explosion sent fur and flesh flying, and the remaining creatures were left staggering. She grinned and immediately cast [Scorch], engulfing another in mes that continued to burn even as it writhed in agony. Kyle stepped forward, his katana shing with icy light. He moved with precision, dancing through the battlefield and cutting down the beasts one after the other. Each sh of the [Frozen w] sent a beast to death, while those that hanged on to life where frozen due to the frost effect, making them easier targets for Lina and Finn. Despite the chaos, Kyle refrained from using any spells. He had told his team to conserve their mana and he had to maintain that facade, even though his infinite mana reserves begged to be unleashed. The battle raged on, but their coordinated efforts overwhelmed the horde. Zara remained vignt, healing minor injuries and replenishing mana as needed. The beasts'' numbers began to dwindle. Finn''s defenses held strong, forcing the creatures into predictable paths. Brutus crushed those that broke through with his strong paws and ws, while Celine''s water spells kept the terrain slippery and disoriented the enemies. Kyle was the most noticeable in the battlefield. His movements seemed super human as he and his katana carved through the horde with brutal efficiency. He had managed to y over half of the beasts single-handedly without relying on any spells or runes. Lina came the closest to matching Kyke''s precision. Her mes roared across the battlefield, leaving scorched earth and charred remains in their wake. Sheughed as she fought, reveling in the thrill of battle. They continued with their massacre and finally, thest of themon beasts fell, its body copsing in a heap near the treeline. Kyle exhaled slowly, lowering his katana. "Good work, everyone." Lina smirked, brushing soot from her arms. "Good work? We crushed it out there! Did you see thatst fireball? I don''t think even ashes are left." "Yeah, yeah, we get it. You''re the best at setting things on fire. The rest of us held our own, you know," Finn added with an eye roll. Zara smiled softly, wiping her brow. "It was a team effort. Everyone yed their part." "Yeah... You all did great. We couldn''t have handled that wave better." They began to rx and Kyle opened his mouth to ry what happened next, but then he froze and his smile faded. The others noticed the shift in his expression and fell silent. In the sudden quiet, they all heard it¡ªa new wave of footsteps. These were heavier and Kyle could feel the presence of stronger mana signatures amongst them. His grip tightened on the [Frozen w], and he muttered under his breath, "Oh crap." Chapter 130: Ten Mana Beasts?... Ill handle them all A knot formed in Kyle''s stomach as he identified the beasts¡ªten Tier 1 mana beasts amidst over hundredmon ones. Their intimidating auras made the earlier wave seem like child''s y. "Everyone, get ready!" Kyle barked, his voice steady despite the tension. The team froze, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten as they turned to face the iing threat. Upon sensing the mana signatures of the Tier 1 beasts; silence enveloped the group before Lina broke it. "Ten mana beasts?" Lina asked with disbelief. "We were expecting maybe two or three, not this!" Finn gritted his teeth. "We''re not in the best condition for this¡­ Our mana reserves are almost empty." His gaze drifted toward Zara, who was leaning against Brutus with a pale face and visible fatigue. Zara had given everything during the first wave, ensuring the team didn''t falter. Her healing had been critical and without her, they would have run out of mana sooner. Now, however, Zara lookedpletely drained. She clutched an empty mana potion bottle in her trembling hands. "I''m¡­ sorry," she whispered. "I don''t have anything left. I used up myst potion a while ago." Kyle''s gaze softened as he approached Zara, cing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You''ve done more than enough, Zara. Without you, we wouldn''t have survived thest wave." Zara shook her head weakly. "But I can''t help anymore. I''ve failed you all." "Don''t say that. You''ve kept us going this far. Now, it''s my turn to pick up the ck." Kyle quickly essed his inventory and four high-grade mana recovery potions materialized in his hand. Their bright blue shimmering color immediately caught the team''s attention. "Here," Kyle said, tossing one potion each to Finn, Celine, Lina, and Zara. "Drink these. We''re not out of the fight yet." The team stared at the potions in awe. High-grade potions were rare, expensive, and incredibly potent. The mere sight of them was enough to bolster their morale. Finn turned the vial over in his hands with disbelief evident in his expression. "High-grade? Kyle¡­ where did you even get these?" Kyle waved off the question. "Focus on the fight, not the details. Drink up. We''ll need every bit of strength we can muster." As his teammates uncorked the potions and drank, Kyle retrieved a low-grade mana recovery potion for himself. He gulped it down, ensuring they believed it was another high-grade mana potion. The sweet, syrupy liquid slid down his throat, but did nothing to his infinite mana reserve. Zara, the most affected of them all, looked visibly better after drinking her potion. The color returned to her cheeks, and her trembling subsided. "I¡­ I feel so much better," she murmured, blinking as if in disbelief. "Good," Kyle said with a nod. "We''ll need you at your best, Zara." Meanwhile, Celine adjusted her gloves and said with a grim expression. "Ten Tier 1 beasts¡­ That''s a problem. Even with the potions, can we really handle them?" Kyle''s tone was firm as he responded. "We can. Stick to the n, and we''ll get through this." "I''m not scared of a few overgrown pests. Let theme¡ªI''ll roast them alive," Lina added with a smirk after cracking her knuckles. Celine sighed, shaking her head at Lina''s bravado. "This isn''t about being scared. It''s about being realistic." Kyle raised a hand, silencing them both. "Lina''s right, in a way. We can''t afford fear or doubt right now. The beasts will sense it. Focus on the task at hand." Lina shot Celine a smug look before turning her attention back to Kyle. "So, what''s the n, boss?" Kyle stepped forward, addressing the entire team. "We''ll divide and conquer. Everyone focuses on themon beasts first. Eliminate them as quickly as possible. Keep the battlefield clear so we''re not overwhelmed. I''ll handle the Tier 1s." The team exchanged uneasy nces. Finn was the first to voice their concern. "All ten? By yourself? That''s insane, Kyle." "I''ve got this," Kyle replied confidently. "Trust me. Once you''ve cleared themon beasts, you can all join me and provide support. Until then, stick together and focus on survival." Zara wasn''t buying what he said and couldn''t help but ask: "Kyle¡­ are you sure? Even with your strength, taking on ten mana beasts alone is¡ª" "I can do it," Kyle interrupted. "You don''t know what I''m capable of. Trust me to handle this." Lina crossed her arms, her fiery demeanor returning. "If Kyle says he can do it, he can. Stop doubting him, Zara. Those beasts don''t stand a chance against us¡ªor him." "Besides," Lina added with a smirk, "Those Tier 1s are just overgrown bullies. They''ll burn like the rest." Kyle''s lips curved into a faint smile at Lina''s confidence. "That''s the spirit. Keep that fire going, Lina. We''ll need it." The team, bolstered by Kyle''s confidence and their rejuvenated mana, nodded in agreement. Kyle nced at the treeline again. The beasts had arrived. ''This won''t be easy,'' he thought. ''But we''ll make it through.'' He took a deep breath and his gaze sweeped over his team onest time. "Positions. They''re almost here." Chapter Stay: The others scrambled into their assigned roles, ready to face the oing horde. Kyle remained at the center, his katana glinting in the sunlight as he prepared for the fight of their lives. ''This is going to be messy,'' he thought, adjusting his stance. ''Time to get to work.'' Kyle quickly activated [Lightning Dash] and zipped towards the first Tier 1 mana beast he could locate. It was an opponent he was very familiar with¡ªA me Cat. Behind it, more Tier 1 beasts appeared¡ªa Rock Golem, a Storm Hawk, and others, their names shing in Kyle''s mind as he assessed their abilities. With a quick step forward, Kyle activated [Lightning Dash] and a bolt of blue lightning crackled around him as he blurred into motion, closing the gap between himself and the me Cat in an instant. The beast reacted quickly, lunging with fiery ws, but Kyle was faster. His katana arced through the air, its enchanted de leaving a trail of frost. The sh was loud, sparks flying as the Frozen w met the me Cat''s zing ws. Kyle slid back, pivoting to avoid a fiery swipe. Channeling mana into his de, he unleashed the enchantment. "Ice sh!" Frost exploded from the de, encasing the me Cat''s legs in slight ice. It didn''t do much to it but Kyle could feel it''s movement was restrained a bit. Not wanting to give it any chance. Kyle raised his free hand and casted [Lightning Bolt]. A crackling spear of electricity formed instantly and shot forward, striking the me Cat square in the chest. The beast screeched as it copsed to the ground¡ªlifeless. ''Wow,'' Kyle thought, impressed with his strength. ''That was quick.'' A notification from the system followed almost immediately, interrupting his building thoughts. [You have in a Tier 1 mana beast: me Cat] [Reward: 1 Tier 1 Mana Core obtained] Kyle was surprised when he saw the core, but quickly remembered his first kill¡ªThe system had helped him to extract the core, thereby cing it in his inventory. ''That''s very convenient,'' Kyle thought with a smile before the thought of what would happen after they were done with the battle surfaced in his mind. Surely, they would retrieve the cores... Only to see nothing. Kyle didn''t dwell on his thoughts for too long and refocused his attention to the battlefield, ready to continue with his massacre. ''I''ll figure out something when the timees.'' Chapter 131: Slaughter (1) Around him, the rest of the team were dealing with themon beasts. Their spells causing mass destruction amongst them. Kyle, however, had no time to admire their efforts. Another Tier 1 beast¡ªa Rock Golem¡ªwas barreling toward him. The beast raised its massive arm, intending to crush him with a single blow but its movement was too slow for Kyle, he didn''t even need to activate [Lightning Dash] to dart to the side, letting the golem''s arm crash down on the earth. Kyle took the opportunity, shing his katana at the creature''s rocky hide, leaving thin cracks in its surface. It wasn''t enough though as the golem roared, refusing to falter. "Tough one," he muttered. "I see..." Kyle wasn''t surprised that his katana couldn''t cut the beast. He simply reached into his pouch and pulled out a rune. Pressing it to his katana, he activated its power and the de red with blue light as the rune enhanced its sharpness. With renewed vigor, Kyle lunged forward. "Cut!" The enhanced strike cleaved into the golem''s arm, shattering it at the elbow. The beast roared in pain, swinging wildly with its remaining arm. Kyle dodged nimbly, using [Lightning Dash] to keep himself out of reach. Finally, he cast [Lightning Bolt], aiming for the cracks he had created earlier. The bolt struck true, piercing through the golem''s chest. It froze momentarily, then copsed in a heap of rubble. Another notification appeared: [You have in a Tier 1 mana beast: Rock Golem.] Chapter Discover: [Reward: 1* Tier 1 Mana Core obtained.] Kyle''s grin widened. He could feel his confidence growing with each kill. The battle continued, and Kyle located another Tier 1 beast. A Storm Hawk. As a bird, it could fly but from its current level as a Tier 1 beast, it could only fly about 5 feet of the ground. That didn''t make it less threatening though and Kyle didn''t dare to underestimate it. The Storm Hawk swooped down at Kyle after almost being hit by his [Lightning Bolt], with wings crackling with the lightning. Kyle countered with another [Lightning Bolt], which managed to hit the hawk squarely on its face resulting in it bing disoriented. Kyle immediately took that opportunity and leapt into the air, using his katana to cleanly slice through the hawk''s neck. [You have in a Tier 1 mana beast: Storm Hawk.] [Reward: 1* Tier 1 Mana Core obtained.] A Shadow Panther emerged next, its dark, sleek body almost invisible against the chaos. It lunged at Kyle with supernatural speed and its ws aimed for his throat. But Kyle was faster, activating [Lightning Dash] to evade and counterattack. His katana caught the panther mid-leap, its icy enchantment freezing the beast''s wound instantly. Kyle pressed his advantage, his de moved very quickly as he struck repeatedly. It didn''t take too long before the panther fell and another notification confirmed his victory. [You have in a Tier 1 mana beast: Shadow Panther.] [Reward: 1* Tier 1 Mana Core obtained.] ''That''s four,'' Kyle thought, ncing at the others. The team was still dealing with themon beasts. Though they were making progress, the sheer number of enemies was slowing them down. "I need to finish this faster," Kyle muttered. Turning his attention back to the remaining Tier 1 beasts, he activated [Lightning Dash] again, his body blurring as he targeted the next one¡ªa Venom Fang snake. Kyle''s movements didn''t go unnoticed and the snake snapped its elongated body towards him like a whip. He twisted mid-dash, narrowly avoiding the strike, but the beast was fast¡ªfaster than any of the others he had faced so far. ''This one''s not going to go down easy,'' Kyle thought, nting his feet and steadying his katana. "Alright, let''s see how you handle this," he muttered. Channeling mana into his palms, Kyle sent a bolt of lightning towards the beast. "Lightning Bolt!" Unfortunately, the snake darted to the side, avoiding the attack with uncanny agility, and even managed to retaliate with a stream of venom that sprayed toward Kyle. "Not happening!" Kyle shouted, activating [Lightning Dash] to evade. The venom struck the ground where he had been standing, sizzling ominously. Kyle circled the beast, looking for an opening. Finally, he decided to take a risk. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned another rune from his pouch¡ªa glowing symbol etched into a small metal te. He threw it at the Venom Fang, and as it struck the ground near the beast, before activating. A lightning barrier enveloped the snake upon its activation. Kyle knew the Rune effect would onlyst some seconds and had to act quick. He leapt into the air with his katana raised high, and brought it down with all his strength... Right on the moment the barrier dissipated. [You have in a Tier 1 mana beast: Venom Fang.] [Reward: 1* Tier 1 Mana Core obtained.] Kyle yanked his katana free, shards of ice scattering around him. He allowed himself a brief moment to breathe, but the roar of another beast reminded him the fight was far from over. The next Tier 1 opponent was a zing Ram. The massive creature charged forward, its horns glowing red-hot as mes trailed behind it. Kyle steadied his katana, his eyes narrowing as he prepared to face the beast head-on. The ram lowered its head and kept running towards Kyle to build up momentum, but Kyle didn''t flinch. He waited until thest possible second, then sidestepped with [Lightning Dash]. The ram''s charge missed by inches, and before it could recover, Kyle struck. His katana shed across its nk, the icy enchantment extinguishing the mes along its body. The ram bellowed in rage, spinning to face him again, but Kyle was already moving. He unleashed a flurry of attacks, each strike precise and relentless. Finally, with a well-timed [Lightning Bolt], he struck the beast in its exposed side. The bolt exploded on impact, sending the ram crashing to the ground. [You have in a Tier 1 mana beast: zing Ram.] [Reward: 1* Tier 1 Mana Core obtained.] Kyle straightened amd his breathing in controlled bursts. ''Five down, five to go.'' The remaining Tier 1 beasts¡ªan Earth Driller, a Frost Lynx, and two Wind Wolves¡ªwere circling him now. Their coordination was better than he''d expected, each beast waiting for an opportunity to strike. "Alright," Kyle muttered, tightening his grip on Frozen w. "Let''s see how well you work together when you''re dead." He lunged toward the Earth Driller first, its hulking form making it the easiest target. The beast roared and its drill-like ws spinning furiously as it prepared to counter. Kyle darted left, feinting an attack, before using [Lightning Dash] to appear on its right. His katana shed through one of its legs, forcing it to copse. Before the Earth Driller could retaliate, Kyle summoned another rune and pped it onto the beast''s exposed back. The rune exploded in a burst of frost, freezing its body in ce. With a decisive strike to its head, Kyle ended the fight. [You have in a Tier 1 mana beast: Earth Driller.] [Reward: 1* Tier 1 Mana Core obtained.] The remaining beasts hadn''t support theirrade and had just watched on till Kyle killed the other. "Stupid creatures," Kyle muttered before targeting the Frost Lynx next. It was smaller but faster and its sharp ws werecoated in frost as it leapt toward him. Kyle met the lynx midair. He parried its strikes with his katana, countering with precise stabs. Finally, he managed tond a decisive blow and his de piercing the beast''s heart. [You have in a Tier 1 mana beast: Frost Lynx.] [Reward: 1* Tier 1 Mana Core obtained.] Chapter 132: Slaughter (2) The two Wind Wolves that remained didn''te one after the other this time. Unlike the rest, the wolves charged towards Kyle at the same time. The first wolf lunged at Kyle, its jaws snapping with razor-sharp teeth. Kyle sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the attack, and retaliated with a wide sh. The katana''s ice enchantment sent a sharp chill through the air, forcing the wolf to retreat. The second wolf took advantage of the opening, striking from behind. Kyle spun, activating [Lightning Dash] to narrowly avoid the ambush. He appeared several feet away, and summoned a spell. "Lightning Bolt!" The bolt of electricity crackled through the air, aimed directly at the first wolf. The beast attempted to dodge, but the spell struck its hind leg, sending it sprawling to the ground with a pained yelp. Kyle didn''t waste a second. He closed the distance with [Lightning Dash], his katana shing downward in a decisive arc. The de pierced the wolf''s chest, freezing its heart in an instant. [You have in a Tier 1 mana beast: Wind Wolf] [Reward: 1* Tier 1 Mana Core obtained.] The remaining wolf howled, showing its anger by a sudden manifestation of a fierce wind thatshed at Kyle. The wolf charged through its own storm, its eyes glowing with feral rage. Kyle held his ground, waiting for the precise moment to strike. As the wolf leapt, jaws wide open, Kyle activated [Lightning Dash], appearing just behind it. The wolfnded and skidded to a halt, confused by Kyle''s sudden disappearance. Before it could turn, Kyle thrust his katana forward, the de plunging deep into its side. The wolf howled in agony, its body trembling as frost spread from the wound. Kyle twisted the de, ending the fight with a final burst of icy energy. [You have in a Tier 1 mana beast: Wind Wolf] [Reward: 1 Tier 1 Mana Core obtained] Kyle stepped back, his katana dripping with blood and ice as he surveyed the battlefield. The Tier 1 beastsy defeated around him, their massive forms now lifeless. ''Wow!'' Kyle eximed internally. "I really did it... I killed them all!" He turned to see the rest of his team still locked inbat with themon beasts. Though the potions had rejuvenated them, the sheer number of enemies was taking its toll. "I''ll put the celevration on hold," Kyle decided, sheating his katana for a moment. "Time to even the odds." He took a deep breath and activated [Lightning Dash], vanishing in a sh of light. When he reappeared, he was in the thick of the chaos. Beasts surrounded his teammates, who were visibly worn out despite the high-grade potions he''d provided. Kyle''s arrival caught everyone''s attention. "Kyle?!" Lina shouted with a voice that was a mixture of shock and relief, "You took care of them?!" "Yeah," Kyle said with a calm voice. "I''ve got some mana to spare. Let''s end this." Without waiting for a response, Kyle thrust his hand forward, summoning an exceptionally powerful [Lightning Bolt]. The spell crackled with intensity as it surged through the clustered beasts, obliterating several in one strike. The resulting explosion sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield, staggering the remaining beasts and giving his teammates a much-needed reprieve. "Did you see that?!" Lina''s voice rang out, her fiery demeanor ring to life. "That''s Kyle for you! We can''t let him show us up like this! Keep fighting, you ckers!" Her words rekindled their spirits, and Kyle smirked. ''A morale boost, huh? I''ll give them something to really cheer about.'' Drawing runes from his inventory, Kyle began activating them in rapid session. A Thunderstorm Rune sent arcs of electricity cascading through the air, frying anything within its radius. A Frostwave Rune nketed the ground in icy shards, immobilizing several beasts. The runes worked in tandem with his spells, creating a symphony of destruction that left the beasts no chance to regroup. Kyle''s actions were calcted but shy, showcasing a level of control that belied the exhaustion his teammates expected him to feel. ''I didn''t use too much mana during my previous fight,'' he thought, ''Thanks to that, I can afford to show off a little.'' Finn stared in disbelief as another pack of beasts was incinerated by Kyle''sbined runes and spells. "He''s been fighting Tier 1s this whole time and still has that much mana left? How is that even possible?" "I don''t care how he''s doing it!" Lina bellowed as sheunched another fireball. "He''s making us look pathetic! Step it up, Finn!" Kyle grinned at the exchange but didn''t slow his onught. He transitioned seamlessly between using [Lightning Dash] to close gaps and [Lightning Bolt] to clear clusters of beasts. When a particrly bold beast lunged at him, Kyle unsheathed Frozen w in a blur and dispatched it with a single, icy strike. The tide of the battle shifted dramatically. Inspired by Kyle''s relentless assault, the team found a second wind. Lina''s mes grew fiercer, Finn''s earth constructs sturdier, and Celine''s water attacks more precise. Even Zara, who had nearly copsed earlier, managed to contribute with her healing spells. "Don''t let him do all the work!" Lina shouted, hurling a fiery explosion into a dense group of beasts. "We''ve got this!" Together, they began pushing back the remaining horde. Kyle led the charge, carving through the beasts with ease, while his teammates worked in unison to mop up the stragglers. The battle was brutal but swift, and before long, thest of themon beasts fell. Kyle stood amidst the carnage, breathing heavily¡ªnot from exertion, but to maintain the illusion of fatigue. His teammates had copsed to the ground around him and their faces were smeared with dirt and sweat but filled with triumph. "That was¡­ insane," Finn said between gasps for air. "You took down ten Tier 1s and helped us finish this mess? Kyle, you''re not human." "You''re right," Lina chimed in. "He''s a god of destruction sent to shame us all." Kyle chuckled, waving off their exaggerated praise. "You all did great too. This wouldn''t have been possible without you." "You turned the tide of this fight, Kyle," Celine decided to say. "We were struggling, and then¡­ you just appeared. I''ve never seen anything like it." "Thank you, Kyle. We wouldn''t have made it without you," Zara concluded with a smile. Kyle scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "It''s a team effort, right? You kept everyone alive, Zara. That''s just as important." The group fell into afortable silence, catching their breath and tending to minor injuries. There were no longer any beastsing, but they decided not stayfortable until sun set. Finally, after a short while, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the battlefield in a warm twilight glow. The absence of snarls and growls confirmed what they all hoped: the beast tide had ended. "We did it," Lina said, her voice filled with awe and satisfaction. "We actually survived." Finn let out a wearyugh. "Barely. But yeah, we did." Kyle nced at the sky, his gaze softening. The weight of the battle lifted, reced by a quiet pride. "Good job, everyone. You earned this victory." Lina grinned, throwing an arm around Kyle''s shoulders. "And you earned about a million bragging rights. Just wait till everyone hears about how you took on ten Tier 1s by yourself." Chapter Experience: Kyleughed, brushing her off. "Let''s remember that there''s still the next day. It might be worse than this one." Chapter 133: A Reason to Fight The group focused their attention on the massive pile of beast carcasses scattered across the battlefield, particrly the Tier 1''s. "Well, we can''t just leave all of this here. We need to begin harvesting their mana cores," Lina suggested. "Yeah," Finn nodded in agreement, bringing out a set of tools from his space pouch. "The mana core is usually located near the chest, just behind the sternum. It''s the source of their power, like a heart but far more valuable. Let''s get to work." The group began retrieving their own cutting tools, preparing to extract the mana cores. Kyle unsheathed his katana, using its razor-sharp edge to make precise incisions in the beasts'' thick hides. But as they began dissecting the beasts, something unexpected happened. "Wait," Celine said with a voice filled with confusion. She had been working on arge wolf-like beast, but upon reaching its chest cavity, "There''s¡­ nothing here." "What do you mean, nothing?" Zina asked, pausing her work. She walked over to see for herself and Celine held up her hands, showing her empty palms, and pointed to the hollow space where the mana core should have been. Kyle checked the wolf he had just opened. Again, no core. He moved to another beast and repeated the process. Still nothing. The same results were echoed by the others as they checked more carcasses. "This doesn''t make any sense," Celine said, "Every mana beast has a core. It''s how they channel their energy and grow stronger. How can all of these be missing?" "This isn''t normal," Finn muttered, looking genuinely unsettled. He turned to Kyle. "This is serious, Kyle. Mana beasts without cores? Do you know what this means? It could cause massive problems for our society. No cores mean no resources for mages, no power for enchanted artifacts, no¡ª" "Yeah, I get it," Kyle interrupted. He gulped, trying to suppress the guilt bubbling inside him. ''What have I done?'' Void, who had been seemingly quiet the whole while found the perfect opportunity to attack Kyle. [Congrattions, genius. You''ve single-handedly rewritten nature''s rules. Bravo.] ''Shut it, Void, Kyle snapped mentally. ''That isn''t helping.'' [Oh, but I am helping] Void retorted smugly. [At least someone has to point out your brilliance.] Before Kyle could mentally retort, Lina''s voice pulled him back to reality. "So, what do we do with all these¡­ junkyard of beasts?" she asked, gesturing to the hundreds of carcasses littering the field. Kyle snapped out of his internal conversation and looked around. The battlefield did resemble a kind of "beast junkyard," with bodies piled up as far as his eye could see. He thought for a while before replying: "We''ll take one each for ourselves, and I''ll keep one to study. Finn, you can take one back to the academy for research. As for the rest¡­" He nced toward the nearby vige. "We''ll give them to the vigers. They can use the meat and hides." The group agreed, and Finn stored a single beast in his space pouch. Kyle, not wanting to reveal his infinite inventory, opted to carry only ten, lying to them that he had a very high tier space ring. The others stored one each in their smaller space rings. It wasn''t long before the vigers, hearing of the group''s efforts, began emerging from their homes to help. Men and women alike joined in, bringing carts and tools to transport the beasts. Kyle and his teammates were grateful for the assistance, and they all worked together to move the carcasses to the vige square. As they arrived, the square was buzzing with excitement. The vigers were overjoyed at the bounty before them. Children ran around the piles of beasts and theirughter echoing through the air, while the adults discussed how to best utilize the resources. The celebrations continued until the vige head, Hendrick, emerged from the crowd, his face bearing a very proud smile. "You have saved us, brave warriors," he dered. "To show our gratitude, we will hold a grand feast tonight in your honor!" Everyone began cheering and pping at Hendrick''s deration. The group exchanged smiles and their exhaustion was momentarily forgotten. The vigers wasted no time and began setting up for the celebration. They began skinning and butchering the beasts, with Kyle and his team joining in to assist. Kyle meanwhile used the Frozen w to expertly slice through the tough hides of the Tier 1 beasts. The ice enchantment made the process easier, freezing the edges of the cuts and preserving the meat. Lina used her mes to sear away stubborn fur, while Finn''s earth magic created sturdy tables for the vigers to work on. Celine and Zara also helped out by taking over the cleaning and sterilizing of the meat, their magic making it very easy for them. [From mighty warrior to part-time butcher. Truly inspiring] Chapter Experience: ''Quiet, Void,'' Kyle thought, focusing on his work. As the sky turned dark, the preparation shifted to cooking. Kyle and the others found themselves in the vige kitchen, a bustling outdoor area filled withrge pots and grills. Lina took charge of the fires, her mes precise and controlled, while Celine used her water magic to clean ingredients. "Pass me those spices," Lina called, stirring a bubbling pot of stew. "And don''t skimp on the salt, Kyle!" Zina rolled his eyes butplied, handing her a pouch of seasonings. "You''re bossy, you know that?" "And you''re slow. Keep up!" Lina shot back with a grin. The atmosphere was lively, filled withughter and camaraderie anx the vigers worked alongside the team, sharing recipes and stories as they prepared the feast. Kyle found himself enjoying the sense ofmunity and a rare moment of normalcy amidst the chaos of their mission. Finally, as the stars began to dot the sky, the feast was ready. Tables were set up in the square,den with roasted meat, hearty stews, and fresh bread. Hendrick stood at the head of the main table, raising a mug of ale. "To our heroes!" he dered. "May their bravery and strength inspire us all and may we achieve more victories and drive the tide away!" The crowd erupted in cheers, and the feast began. tes were piled high, and the air filled with the sounds of clinking mugs and happy chatter. Kyle sat with his teammates, savoring the food and the rare sense of peace. "You know," Lina said, tearing into a piece of roasted meat, "This might just be the best meal I''ve ever had." Celine nodded, her eyes twinkling. "It''s not just the food. It''s everything¡ªthe people, the atmosphere. It feels¡­ special." Kyle nced around and observed the atmosphere. He was truly happy. This was why he had chosen this mission¡ªto get along with people and he was loving every moment of it. This felt like something worth remembering. As the night wore on, the vigers brought out instruments, and the square transformed into a lively dance floor. Children twirled in circles, theirughter infectious, while adults pped along to the music. Even Kyle found himself pulled into the festivities. For a brief moment, the weight of their journey lifted, reced by joy and celebration. Kyle allowed himself to rx, knowing that tomorrow would bring new challenges. But tonight, they had earned their victory. As the stars shone brightly above, Kyle looked up and whispered to himself, "Maybe¡­ this is what we''re fighting for." As the night wore on, the festive atmosphere gradually began to wind down. The music slowed, and the vigers, weary but content, started heading home. The square, once bustling withughter and dancing was now filled with quiet voices as people bid their farewells. "That was exhausting, but I can''tin. The food was worth it," Lina said with a yawn. Celine chuckled softly. "And the people too. It''s rare to see this much joy in a time like this." "We should get some rest. Tomorrow''s going to be another long day," Finn suggested and with everyone in agreement, the group made their way to the cottage assigned to them. It didn''t take long for everyone to settle in upon reaching the cottage. The day''s activities had drained their energy, and soon, the cottage was filled with the soft sounds of their breathing. Kyley on his back, staring at the ceiling as he mentallymanded his system. ''Wake me in two hours, just in case.'' Chapter 134: Tides Source (1) Aftermanding the system, Kyle closed his eyes, telling himself that he would only rest for a moment. But the warmth of the room and the deep fatigue in his muscles betrayed him and within minutes, he was fast asleep. ** Two hourster, the system''s piercing rm red inside Kyle''s head, jolting him awake. [RISE AND SHINE, GENIUS!] Void''s voice also echoed inside his mind, far too cheerful for the ungodly hour. ''Good timing. Thanks'' [You should be thanking the system. I was just enjoying the show of you drooling in your sleep.] Ignoring Void''s jab, Kyle sat up and nced around the room. His teammates were sound asleep and that was the perfect moment to act. He stood up and quietly slipped out the door, making sure to be careful so as not to wake anyone. The night air hit him like a cool wave upon leaving the cottage. He nced at hism to confirm the time. "11:00 PM," The vige was eerily quiet, the earlier liveliness reced by a heavy stillness. Most of thenterns had been extinguished, leaving the streets bathed in darkness. Only the faint glow of the moon provided illumination, casting long, distorted shadows across the ground. Kyle walked through the empty streets, his boots making soft crunching sounds against the dirt path. The asional rustle of leaves in the wind broke the silence, but otherwise, the world seemed to be holding its breath. Finally, Kyle reached the eastern edge of the vige where the forest loomed ahead of him. He stopped at the forest''s edge and took in the scene before him. The expanse of trees seemed endless... Like a vast sea of darkness that swallowed everything beyond. ''This is it,'' Kyle thought, summoning the Frozen w and gripping its hilt tightly. He took a deep breath and steeled himself. The mission''s official objective was to hold the tide for four days until reinforcements from the academy could arrive. But Kyle wasn''t content with simply defending. Something about the sudden surge in beast activity didn''t sit right with him. ''If there''s a source causing this tide, I''ll find it,'' he thought. The decision was equal parts confidence and recklessness, but Kyle couldn''t ignore the gnawing feeling in his gut. If he could stop the tide at its root, it would save countless lives¡ªand he had the skills, the weapons, and Void by his side to make it happen. Above all, he would possibly get thebat experience and adventure he had been wanting. Kyle stepped deeper into the forest, before stopping at a small clearing. He scanned the area cautiously before summoning the tools Orion had prepared for him. The pathfinder map lit up in his hand, its interface projecting a detailed view of the areas Kyle had already explored. ording to Orion, the map logged his steps, marking his path and revealing useful details he had encountered. As Kyle turned it toward the uncharted forest ahead, the screen remained nk. ''Right,'' Kyle thought, clipping the device to his belt. ''This will only be useful on the way back.'' He then reached for the soundless whistle. Orion had described its purpose with great enthusiasm, exining how it emitted a frequency normal to humans but frustrating to nearby beasts. It was very useful and Kyle knew that, but he considering his options on whether to use it. ''Not yet,'' he decided, pocketing the whistle. The idea of luring beasts sounded efficient, but Kyle couldn''t ignore the risk. What if the whistle''s range wasrger than expected? What if it summoned a swarm of Tier 1 beasts¡ªor worse, something stronger? The forest was an unknown variable, and until he had a better understanding of his surroundings, he wasn''t taking unnecessary risks. Finally, he summoned the [Veil of Silence], the enchanted mask materializing in his hands. Its ck surface gleamed faintly under the moonlight and its edges were smooth and seamless. The moment Kyle ced it over his face, the world fell unnaturally silent for a while. He adjusted the mask to fit before summoning Void. With a faint sh of light, the dragon materialized beside him. Void stretched his sleek, ck-scaled body, yawning as his bright golden eyes scanned the forest. "Finally!" he eximed, his tail swishing eagerly. "I thought I was going to rot in that space forever." Kyle gestured for Void to lower his voice, earning an unimpressed snort. "Right, that mask," Void muttered upon noticing what he wore on his face. "You know, it''s going to be really boring if you can''t even talk. How am I supposed to annoy you properly?" Kyle rolled his eyes, pointing toward the dense woods ahead. Void''s irritation melted away, reced by excitement. The dragon sniffed the air, his pupils dting. "There''s a lot of mana around. This is going to be fun!" The two moved forward, navigating the dense forest. There were somemon beasts that Kyle and Void passed, but he ignored them as they weren''t useful to him and couldn''t cause real harm anyway. He''ll rather stay lowkey until he got involved in an actual fight. *** After nearly an hour of walking, Kyle and Void came to a stop. The dragon sniffed the air and grinned widely. "Finally... A mana beast!" Kyle remained still and watched behind the bushes. Momentster, a golden-furred deer emerged, its luminous eyes glowing faintly in the dark. Kyle immediately activated [Inspect] and the translucent system panel appeared before his eyes. [Earthstride Deer: Tier 1] [Element: Earth] The deer didn''t give Kyle a moment to think upon locating him, charging forward with a burst of speed that sent chunks of dirt flying in its wake. Void licked his lips excitedly as he saw the charging deer. "Finally, some action! Let me¡ª" Kyle interrupted Void with a raise of his hand, signaling for Void to hold back. "What? You''re nning to hog the fun?" Voidined, pouting. Kyle ignored him, simply stepping forward and raising his hand. A crackling bolt of blue lightning formed in his palm, illuminating the forest briefly before striking the charging deer. Lightning Bolt. The spell mmed into the deer''s chest, halting its momentum and leaving a smoking scorch mark on its fur but it didn''t make it halt its charge as it tried to recover. Kyle simply spammed [Lightning Bolt]s one after the other until the beast fell, not even noticing the moment it had and fallen. [Congrattions! You have in a Tier-1 mana beast: Earthstride Deer!] [You''ve obtained 1* Tier-1 Mana Core!] [Vanquished Foes: 1/1000] Kyle brushed his hands and smiled widely after seeing the system notifications. Void padded over to the fallen deer, sniffing it with mild interest. "Not bad," he admitted, though his tone wasced with sarcasm. "But you know, I could''ve finished it in half the time." Kyle raised an eyebrow but said nothing, motioning for Void to follow. "Fine, fine," Void sighed dramatically, though his swishing tail betrayed his excitement. "But I''m calling dibs on the next one. You can''t hog all the fun." They both continued moving through the forest but their progress was slower than expected. After some more meters, Kyle finally decided toe to a halt. He reached up and removed the [Veil of Silence], holding it up on his hand so that he could talk. "We''re wasting too much time." "Finally noticed, did you? I thought we''ll keep walking forever." Kyle shot Void a look but didn''t dignify hisment with a response. Instead, he clenched his fist and channeled mana through his body. "Let''s speed things up. We''ll use [Lightning Dash] to cover more ground and take out beasts quickly. No point dragging this out." Void grinned and brimmed with excitement. "Now you''re talking. Let''s see if you can keep." Kyle smirked and wore back his mask, and his body crackled with arcs of blue lightning. In an instant, he disappeared and a trail of sparks lighted up his paths. Void took off after him, his agile form cutting through the trees with ease. The duo became a blur of motion as they continued heading deeper into the forest. They soon began encountering some beasts, but each beast they met eventually met their end. After they cleared a group of mana beasts, which Void had contributed to some deaths. Kyle thought for a moment before taking off his mask to ask: "Not bad," Kyle remarked, ncing at the fallen creature. "How do we get the mana core?" Chapter 135: Shocking Discovery "Not bad," Kyle remarked, ncing at the fallen creature. "How do we get the mana core?" Usually, when Kyle killed a mana beast he felt its mana core reappearing into his inventory and that was very convenient for him, as he didn''t have to spend time opening up the beasts like others do. He had wondered if the same would apply with Void''s kills, but upon the falling of the beast, Kyle had neither gotten a notification nor a mana core and that was going to pose a challenge for him. He couldn''t afford to waste time harvesting cores for Void. Void had read Kyle''s expression and withzy expression he replied: "Don''t worry about that, I felt it vanish into my pet space." "Good," Kyle said with relief. "That saves us a lot of trouble." "It also saves me the trouble of sharing my hard earned cores," Void added with a low voice and Kyle who had heard him ignored hisment, putting on his mask, they continued heading deeper into the forest *** After an hour of relentless dashing and battling, the number of beasts they encountered began to dwindle. At first, they came across few creatures, but soon, even those sightings ceased and they didn''t see anymore beasts. ''Something is wrong,'' Kyle thought, not able to take it any longer, he paused his walk and examined his surroundings. "What''s wrong?" Void noticed Kyle''s actions and couldn''t help but ask. Kyle, meanwhile had already decided on how to proceed. He signaled Void that they continue, this time more cautious. Void was quick to understand and they continued with walking deeper into the forest. After some more minutes, the duo stopped behind arge, dense bush. It was veryrge that they''ll need to trek several to go around it. Kyle looked at the bush and his instincts were screaming to him that behind itid great danger. Kyle removed the [Veil of Silence] and came up with a n. "Void, you''ll go check it out. Use [Phase] to go through the bush and [Invisibility] to stay hidden," Kyle exined. "I want you to observe what''s behind the bush, you don''t need to explore deeper. Just report whatever you see back to me." Void didn''t hesitate and nodded his head. "Got it." Void''s form shimmered as he activated [Invisibility], his sleek body fading from sight. The dragon had improved alot on maintaining this state, thanks to Kyle and it was difficult to feel his presence especially now that he had gone Invisible from a cool state. Void took a deep breath, steeling himself before activating [Phase], after which his body turned semi-ethereal, and he slipped silently through the dense foliage. *** Void emerged on the other side, his invisible form gliding noiselessly into a vast clearing but the sight that came within his view made him freeze mid-step. Arge pool shimmered under the moonlight and its surface glowed faintly with an ethereal light. The air around it was saturated with mana, so thick that Void felt a tingling sensation across his scales. The energy was almost intoxicating, pulling at his senses like a siren''s call. But it wasn''t the pool itself that unnerved Void¡ªit was the sheer number of beasts surrounding it. Hundreds, if not thousands, of mana beasts stood in eerie silence, their gazes fixed on the glowing pool. They ranged frommon beasts to Tier-1 creatures, but that wasn''t all. Void could make out some Tier-2 and even onerge beast that he assumed to be of a higher tier than that¡ªpossibly a Tier-3 beasts! The strangest part about what Void saw was how the beasts behaved. Despite their differing power levels and natural instincts to dominate or hunt one another, they all stood still and their bodies radiated with an unnatural calm. There were no roars, no growls, no movement¡ªjust an unsettling quiet. Void''s breath hitched, and he quickly retreated, phasing back through the bushes and disabling [Invisibility]. He reappeared in front of Kyle and his golden eyes were wide with fear. "What did you see?" Kyle asked the moment Void came back, bracing himself for the worst after seeing his restless expression. "I saw a pool," Void said with a trembling voice. "It was a huge one and it glowed with mana. The air around it¡ªit''s heavy and saturated with energy. But I also saw beasts¡­" Kyle gulped hard as he imagined the worst possible scenarios. "Beasts... What about them?" "They''re everywhere," Void continued. "Hundreds, maybe more. Common beasts, Tier-1, Tier-2¡­ I think I even saw a Tier-3 beast. And they''re all just standing there,pletely still. It''s¡­ unnatural." Kyle''s stomach tightened after he heard Void''s report. A gathering of that many beasts, especially of mixed tiers, was very deadly. Worst of all, a possibility existed that something or rather someone was controlling them. *** Inside the small cottage Kyle and his teammates were assigned to, the air was thick with the soft hum of slumber. In one of the rooms, Celine stirred in her bunk. Shey on the lower bed while Finn lied soundly above her, his snoring disturbing despite being covered up by nkets. Celine eyes fluttered open as a familiar dryness crept into her throat. ''Again,'' she thought, groaning softly. Celine had always had a habit of waking in the middle of the night for a drink and this was another one of those nights where she was going to do so. She shifted her weight carefully, her slender frame moving with practiced precision to leave the bed without too much noise so as yo avoid waking Finn. "Water first, then back to bed. Shouldn''t have eaten so much salted jerk," Celine whispered to no one in particr before leaving for the door with small and light steps. She pushed the door open with a soft creak upon reaching it and stepped into the main room. The room was dimly lit, but she could make out the bunk where Zara and Lina slept, while straight ahead Kyle slept under his nket. Celine barely spared Kyle a nce as she made her way to the small wooden counter where the cups were stored. She reached for a ceramic cup and ced it on the counter. "I''m toozy to fetch water the normal way," she muttered, smirking as she raised her hand, before closing her eyes briefly and summoning her magic. A soft blue glow surrounded her fingers as she casted a small [Water Wave] resulting in a gentle trickle of water appearing, swirling in mid-air before gracefully pouring into the cup. She adjusted the flow with great control, ensuring not a single drop spilled as the cup filled. Celine''s lips curled into a smile as she watched the water dance. It was moments like these that reminded her how much she loved being a Water Mage. "So convenient," she murmured, lifting the cup and taking a slow sip. The cool liquid slid down her throat and refreshed her instantly. She nced at her hand, summoning another small orb of water and letting it float above her palm. "I can fight, wash, clean¡­ and even quench my thirst. What more could anyone want?" Her smile grew as she gulped the rest of the water, cing the empty cup back on the counter and turning to leave. Celine couldn''t help but nce towards the corner where Kyle had insisted on sleeping before she left. As her eyes fell on his nketed form, Celine had to admit, Kyle had surprised her in the past days. His skill was something she had always admired and now that she had got to know him some more. The admiration she felt for him had only increased further. Seeing him resting so peacefully, a quiet thought snuck into her mind: ''I wonder what he looks like when he sleeps...'' Her cheeks warmed slightly, and she scoffed at herself. ''Don''t be ridiculous... I can''t afford to wake him up. I''ll make a fool out of myself.'' As he wanted to turn away, something tugged at her attention again. She looked closely at the nket covering Kyle. There was something... odd. It looked t, almost as though no one was under it. Celine frowned and decided to step closer, and as she did her heart began to race. Kyle wouldn''t just leave in the middle of the night, would he? The unease grew as she crouched beside the nket. Carefully, she reached out to tug it away, and what she saw made her gasp and stumble backward, nearly falling in her haste to get away. ¡ªThere was nothing under the nket. Chapter 136: New Quest! "No, no, no... this isn''t happening." Her first instinct was to run, but she forced herself to calm down. She couldn''t leave the others unaware. Swallowing her fear, she rushed to the bunk beside Kyle. "Wake up!" Celine called out to Zara who slept on the lower bunk, vigorously shaking her to ensure she woke up. "Get up, now!" "What the¡ªCeline!" Zara grumbled, groggily swatting at her. "What''s your problem?" "It''s the middle of the night," Lina muttered from above the bed, she had also woken up from Celine''s loud call. "Kyle''s gone..." Celine simply said, getting the attention of the two girls. They both sat up immediately, Zara rubbing her eyes while Lina frowned. "Gone? What do you mean, gone?" "I mean he''s not here. His nket is empty and I don''t know where he is." Lina rolled her eyes. "He probably went outside. Maybe he needed air or something." Zara nodded in agreement, "Yeah, don''t freak out. He''s probably nearby." Finn heard the voiceing from the main room and had already gotten up to find out what the problem was. He came to the room only to see the three girls up and Kyle absent from the room. "What''s going on?" he looked at them for answers. Celine exined everything to him and how Kyle had seemingly disappeared. After listening to her exnation, Finn didn''t waste time to decide. "We will check for him." They all agreed except Lina who wasn''t in terms of using her nap time to find Kyle. "Fine, let''s look. But I swear, if this is just him wandering off to get air or something, I''m going to kill him." *** The four of them stepped outside meeting the chill of the night. The vige was eerily quiet and the moon casted long shadows over the sandy ground. They immediately decided to split up slightly, calling Kyle''s name in hushed tones as they searched around the immediate area. "He''s not here," Zara muttered after a few minutes of searching. "Where could he have gone?" "Wait," Finn decided to stop. He gestured for the others toe closer, pointing at a faint trail of footprints in the sand. "These could be his." "Are you sure?" Lina asked. "No... But judging from the texture and density, they were left recently and it means that there''s a high chance it belong to Kyle." They epted Finn''s logic and decided to trace the footprint and see where it led to. After several minutes of following the footprint, they eventually reached the Eastern Edge. They had reached the extreme end of the trail despite knowing where it will lead to for the hope that maybe the owner of the footprint had turned back upon reaching there. Sadly, the footprint had ceased the moment they reached the edge of the forest, meaning that Kyle had gone into the forest. "Why would he go into the forest? That doesn''t make any sense," Celine couldn''t help but question when they confirmed Kyle''s location. "That''s the question, isn''t it?" Finn said grimly, standing up. "But the fact is, he did." They exchanged uneasy nces, the weight of the situation sinking in. Finn finally broke the silence. "Let''s go back for now." *** Back in the cottage, the mood was somber. Zara leaned against the table, her arms crossed, while Lina sat on the bed, staring at the floor. Celine paced restlessly and her mind was racing with possibilities. "What do we do now?" she finally asked, breaking the silence. "We can''t just leave him out there." "What else? We go after him," Finn said. Lina blinked in surprise. "Are you serious? He could be anywhere by now." "And that''s why we need to start searching," Finn said firmly. "Whatever reason he had for going into the forest, it must have been important. He needs our help." Celine nodded, her earlier fear giving way to determination. "He''s right. We can''t let him face whatever''s out there alone." "I''m in," Zara said, her voice quieter than usual. "I''ll admit, I''m not thrilled about wandering through the woods at night, but we owe it to him." Lina hesitated for a moment before grinning. "Well, an adventure does sound exciting. And who knows? Maybe we''ll find something cool out there." Finn gave her a pointed look. "This isn''t about finding something cool, Lina. Stay focused." She shrugged, still smiling. "Yeah, yeah, I get it." "Then it''s settled," Finn said. "Get ready. We leave in ten minutes." *** While the rest of the team got ready to search for Kyle in the forest, the said person was still struggling to ept the reality of Void''s revtion. "You''re absolutely sure about what you saw?" Kyle couldn''t help but ask even though he knew that there was no reason for Void to fabricate such an borate lie. "Yes, Kyle. The energy from that pool... it''s not normal. It felt... alive. And those beasts? They''re being drawn to it like moths to a me. Something''s happening there, something big." Kyle clenched his fists and entered deep in thought. If the pool was exuding such immense mana, there was a possibility it was empowering the beasts and the consequences could be catastrophic, especially if left unchecked. ''If those weaker beasts keep evolving en masse...'' Kyle shook his head, forcing the thought away. Ding! His deliberation was interrupted by a familiar ding from his system interface. A translucent screen materialized before his eyes, bearing a new quest notification. [New Quest: A single act of courage can ripple through eternity. A potential mana origin source has been discovered, destabilizing the forest''s ecosystem and driving the beasts into a frenzy. This energy is elerating their evolution and could threaten nearby human settlements if left unchecked. ¡ªInvestigate the mana pool. ¡ªHalt the beasts'' evolution by any means necessary. ¡ªDefeat all threats to restore bnce to the forest. [Rewards: 100 Skill Points, 1 Chaos Spellbook] Kyle froze and his eyes were glued to the glowing text. The enormity of what he was reading washed over him in waves. His mind reeled as he processed each line, but one word stood out above the rest¡ªthe rewards. "That''s¡­ insane," Kyle muttered under his breath. Void leaned closer, peering at the interface. "And here I thought you were just imagining things. But nope, it''s real. This is the kind of opportunity we dream about, Kyle." Kyle shook his head in disbelief. "You''re telling me to waltz into a den of evolved beasts, kill everything in sight, and somehow stop this Mana Origin Source from wreaking havoc?" "Pretty much," Void said with a grin. "Don''t forget the part where you walk out with a Chaos Spellbook and 100 skill points. That''s the fun part." Kyle was short of words but the rewards kept shing in his mind. He had been on the verge of running moments ago, ready to abandon the battlefield and leave this mess to the academy. But this quest... it changed everything. ''One hundred skill points,'' Kyle thought, narrowing his eyes. He knew exactly how valuable they were. Skill points were a resource he could barely acquire under normal circumstances. Even the lucky encounters where he received quests only saw him receive very few. With that many points, he could easily master the wind technique that sat in his inventory. He didnt have to stress before he could use Air Steps. The price was previously out of reach for him but this could change it. ''And that''s just one use,'' Kyle thought. ''With this many points, I could level up my Lightning spells and even learn some more books from the library without effort.'' But the spellbook¡­ That was the real temptation. Kyle stared at the glowing words on the interface and his heart pounded. He knew the difference between a spell scroll and a spellbook all too well. Spell scrolls were limited¡ªthey provided the framework and method methods for a single spell. A spellbook, on the other hand, was a treasure trove. It contained multiple spells, detailed exnations, and insights into a specific magic type. And this one was Chaos. Kyle had only recently awakened his Chaos element, and already, he knew its raw potential. But there was a problem¡ªhe had no spells to use with it. No techniques, no knowledge, nothing. His Chaos element was like a loaded weapon without a trigger. ''This could change everything,'' Kyle thought with glowing eyes. ''If I can get my hands on that spellbook, I''ll have an arsenal. I''ll finally be able to use Chaos magic.'' Chapter 137: Lets Go For It! He knew he was the only one in the entire world with the Chaos element. There were no resources, no mentors, no history books¡ªnothing to guide him. ''''That''s partly why I haven''t concluded my mana core formation,'' Kyle admitted to himself. He was almost done with the condensing of the core and there wasn''t much left before he finalized it. But... What was the pint of rushing to form a Chaos core if he had no spells to use? That didn''t mean he had ruled it out. No. Kyle had previously nned to use this outing as a chance to do so. But even if he seeded, he knew that without spells, he won''t see any improvement in his prowess and as such might just remain like before. Now, though, everything had changed. This quest, this reward¡ªthis spellbook¡ªwas the missing piece. It wasn''t just one spell; it was a collection, a gateway to unlocking the true power of Chaos. Void''s tail flicked and his voice carried an amused tone. He really wanted Kyle to pick the quest as Kyle''s spells were his too thanks to [Clean te]. "You''ve already decided to take the quest, haven''t you?" "I¡­ I really don''t know. I was nning to run. You saw what''s out there. Those beasts¡ªthere are too many. And if there''s a source causing all this¡­" He trailed off, ncing back at the quest details. "It won''t be easy." Void snorted and a puff of lightning crackled around his nostrils. "Easy? No. Worth it? Absolutely. You can''t just run from every challenge, Kyle. You''re better than that." Kyle bit his lip and his gaze flicked between Void and the glowing interface. The reward wasn''t just tempting¡ªit was essential. Void interrupted his thoughts. "What''s stopping you? Think of what this could mean for you¡ªfor us." Kyle sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "It''s not just about me, Void. If I mess this up, I might not get another chance. This isn''t the arena where I can just spam spells until I win. If I fail here¡­" He didn''t finish the sentence. "But that Mana Origin Source, Kule¡ªit''s powerful enough to drive beasts into a frenzy and force evolution. Imagine what it could do for our cultivation." Kyle''s eyes widened. He hadn''t exactly considered that possibility. "You''re right... If we could get close to that Mana Origin Source and absorb its energy, our cultivation would greatly improve." His mouth watered at the thought, and he couldn''t stop himself from grinning. "Alright," Kyle decided, he had considered enough. "Let''s go for it." Void''s grin widened. "That''s the spirit. Just try not to die, alright? I like having you around." "Thanks for the vote of confidence." He turned his attention back to the system interface, dismissing the notification with a swipe. The forest around him seemed quieter now, as if the world itself was waiting for him to make his move. "So, what''s the n, Kyle?" Void asked eagerly. "Are we just charging in and smashing everything? Please say yes!" "Not really," Kyle shook his head in disapproval immediately. "There are too many beasts near the pool, and if we just charge in, we''ll be swarmed and dead in no time." "So? What''s the n then?" "The goal is to iste the weaker Tier-1 beasts first and take them out in smaller groups. We''ll avoid drawing attention from the stronger ones¡ªTier-2s and that Tier-3 monstrosity near the pool." He tapped the soundless whistle clipped to his belt. "This is the key. If we stay far enough from the main horde, we can lure the Tier-1s without disturbing the others. I''ll use it when we''re at a safe distance." "And if it doesn''t work? Or worse, if the big onese running too?" Void asked the obvious. "Welp..." Kyle said with a wry smile. "But the whistle should work. The Tier-2s and Tier-3 might be fixated on the pool¡ªthat Mana Origin Source could be influencing their focus." Void considered this, then grinned. "Sounds like a gamble, but it''s better than charging in blind. What about after we lure them?" "That''s when we fight," Kyle said. "But not like before. We''re sticking together at first, using the terrain to our advantage. I''lly down some runes as fallback traps in case we need to retreat. We will keep moving, keep them spread out, and take them down in waves. No unnecessary risks." "Got it. Let''s see how well this whistle of yours works." "I trust Orion," Kyle said confidently. "It''ll work." After discussing their n, the two of them moved cautiously through the dense bush. On reaching the other side, Kyle got to witness what Void had experienced first hand. ''Damn, that''s scary,'' Kyle couldn''t help but think as he witnessed therge number of beasts that surrounded the pool. He felt like dropping the n and running away but had to resolve himself to proceed. ''Focus, Kyle,'' he told himself. ''Stick to the n.'' They continued left, moving further from the pool while staying on high alert. Kyle''s grip on the whistle tightened as they walked, and he found himself ncing at Void for reassurance. Void, as usual, seemed unbothered, maybe because he hade here before. His sharp eyes scanned the area, and his body moved with a predator''s grace. "You''re scared, aren''t you?" he asked, not looking back. "Who wouldn''t be? Look at them¡ªthere are dozens, maybe hundreds. If this n fails¡ª" "You made it, remember?" Kyle didn''t argue. He was the one that came up with the n and if he couldn''t have trust in it then what was the point. He nodded and pressed on, his nerves slowly giving way to focus. After what felt like an eternity, they reached a spot roughly two kilometers from the pool. It was far enough to be outside the main horde''s immediate reach but close enough to observe their movements. Kyle crouched behind a thick bush and signaled for Void to stay low. "This is it," Kyle whispered, pulling out the soundless whistle. "Let''s hope this works." Void smirked. "You mean when this works." Kyle took a deep breath and raised the whistle to his lips. Though it emitted a barely audible sound, Kyle felt a subtle vibration in the air as he blew into it. He gripped the hilt of his katana tightly and his eyes fixed on the distant horde. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, he saw movement. Several of the Tier-1 beasts closest to their position stopped and lifted their heads and their ears twitched. They turned and scanned the area with glowing eyes, before letting out low growls. One by one, they began moving toward Kyle and Void''s position. Kyle let out a breath he hadn''t realized he''d been holding. "It''s working¡­" But then his fear almost returned as he continued to observe. Fortunately, the Tier-2 beasts nearby remained still and their attention was unwaveringly fixed on the pool. The massive Tier-3 beast didn''t budge either, its hulking form practically melding into the shadowy surroundings. ''It''s like they''re entranced,'' Kyle thought. ''Could it really be their mental strength, or is the Mana Origin Source doing something to them?'' Void watched the approaching Tier-1 beasts with a predatory gleam in his eye. "Looks like you were right... Only the small fries areing. For now." Kyle nodded but didn''t loosen his grip on Frozen w. His stance was firm and his sharp eyes were fixed on the advancing figures. "Yeah, but don''t let your guard down. If we make too much noise or drag this out, the big ones might get curious. And we''re not ready for that kind of attention." "Rx. Small fries or not, this is still going to be fun." Kyle shot him a warning nce. "Focus, Void. We''re not here for fun. We stick to the n: take down as many as we can quickly and quietly. No showing off. No unnecessary risks. If anything feels off, fall back to me immediately." "Understood. But let''s be real¡ªif anything, they should be scared of us." Kyle smirked despite feeling nervous. Void''s unwavering confidence was contagious, even in a moment like this. "Let''s make this quick then." The first wave of Tier-1 beasts broke through the trees, snarling and snapping. Kyle''s grip on Frozen w tightened, and Void''s ws gleamed with an electric glow. "Here we go," Kyle muttered, the tension in his chest hardening into resolve. "Time to show them who really owns this forest." Chapter 138: Massacre The mana beast soon arrive with its might prompting Kyle and Void to kick into action. A snarling Shadow Wolf lunged toward Kyle from the side, its jaws aiming for his throat. Kyle simply twisted, using his full strength to slice its head off clean with a single, frost-coated sh. Without missing a beat, he raised his free hand and fired [Lightning Bolts] at rapid sessions, striking two Ember Foxes that had crept up behind him. The bolt seared through them, leaving their smoking bodies sprawled in the dirt. He continued and dashed off to a group of Frost Hounds that were going after Void, spamming [Lightning Bolts] at their rear until they all fell. [Congrattions! You have in multiple Tier-1 Mana Beasts: Shadow Wolves (1), Ember Foxes (2), Frost Hounds (4)!] [You''ve obtained 7* Tier-1 Mana Cores!] [Vanquished Foes: 19/1000.] "Void!" Kyle shouted between breaths, shing through another Frost Hound that bugged the dragon. "Keep them off my back, but don''t go too far!" Void snorted and he opened his mouth to unleash a bolt of lightning that sent a Shadow Wolf smashing into a tree before saying: "Don''t worry about me¡ªworry about keeping up!" Kyle smirked despite the chaos. ''He''s enjoying this way too much.'' The brief moment of peace ended as a hulking Tier-1 Thunder Bear charged toward him. Kyle gritted his teeth, activating [Lightning Dash] to evade its thunderous swipe. Kyle retaliated with a [Lightning Bolt] aimed at its chest. The bear roared and its body convulsed as the electricity coursed through it, but it wasn''t enough to bring it down. Kyle lunged forward with his frozen w, carving his katana into the beast''s shoulder and spreading frost across its thick hide. The bear staggered and its movements was slowed by the ice. Kyle followed up with another strike to its leg, bringing it crashing down. He stood over the beast and thrust Frozen w into its neck. The Tier-2 beast let out one final roar before going still. [Congrattions! You have in a Tier-1 Mana Beast: Thunder Bear!] [You''ve obtained 1* Tier-2 Mana Core!] [Vanquished Foes: 20/1000.] The relentless waves of beasts continued. Kyle and Void worked seamlessly, their movements synchronizing despite the chaos. Void''s lightning-infused attacks kept smaller groups at bay, while Kyle focused on precise strikes, thinning out the horde one kill at a time. As Kyle dispatched another pair of Ember Foxes, he felt a surge of mana returning to him. The battlefield was littered with the remains of their enemies, but the horde showed no signs of stopping. "Void!" Kyle called, dodging a Razor Viper''s strike and slicing it in two. "We need to start moving back¡ªthis isn''t sustainable!" Void whipped around, his ws drenched in blood and his grin feral. "Just say the word. But I think I can take a few more!" ''We''ve taken out enough for now,'' Kyle thought, gripping Frozen w tightly. ''It''s time to fall back and regroup.'' "Let''s move!" he ordered, activating [Lightning Dash] to retreat toward a fallback point they had nned. Void followed, his movements just as swift and precise. As they retreated, Kyleid down runes along the path, their glowing symbols ready to trigger if the beasts pursued too closely. The two didn''t stop until they reached the clearing where they had started. Kyle retrieved some mana recovery potions from his inventory and gave to Void. Kyle knew that while he had infinite mana, Void didn''t and that was why they had nned to retreat every now and then for Void to replenish his mana. "Well?" Void asked after gulping down the potions, feeling refreshed. "What''s next?" "We go again." Void chuckled darkly. "Good. I''m just getting warmed up." "Void, no holding back this time. We''re clearing this mess, fast." Void smirked, the faint hum of his lightning aura intensifying. "Finally. I was wondering when you''d stop pacing yourself." They leaped back into the fray and Kyle moved with surgical precision, each sh of Frozen w leaving frost and destruction among the beasts. A pack of Frost Hounds lunged toward him, but a sweeping Ice sh froze them mid-attack, allowing Kyle to shatter them with a spinning strike. *** [Congrattions! You have in multiple Tier-1 Mana Beasts: Frost Hounds (5), Shadow Wolves (7), (3)!] [You''ve obtained 15 Tier-1 Mana Cores!]* [Vanquished Foes: 34/1000.] On the other side, while Kyle dealt with multitude of beasts Void was a whirlwind of lightning and raw power. He dove into clusters of beasts, his Lightning Dash allowing him to strike and reposition almost instantaneously. Shadow Wolves snapped at him, but he weaved between them with ease, tearing through their ranks with his sharp ws. A cluster of Razor Vipers tried to coil around him, but a burst of Lightning Breath reduced them to smoking husks. Void reveled in the chaos, fueled by the constant mana cores that were added in his pet space. Kyle didn''t bother keeping track of Void''s body count. ''He''s doing his job, and that''s all that matters,'' he thought, dodging an Ember Fox''s fiery pounce before dispatching it with a quick strike. Hours passed as the duo kept dwindling the number of the beasts but the wave seemed almost endless. Beasts still fell by the dozens and their bodies kept piling up in the clearing. Void stayed close enough to cover Kyle when needed, his speed and power unmatched. At one point, a pack of twenty Frost Hounds tried to overwhelm Kyle from all sides. Void intercepted half of them, shredding through their ranks in seconds, while Kyle dispatched the rest with a series of precise shes and bolts of lightning. [Congrattions! You have in multiple Tier-1 Mana Beasts: Shadow Wolves (14), Ember Foxes (9), Razor Vipers (8)!] [You''ve obtained 31 Tier-1 Mana Cores!] [Vanquished Foes: 322/1000.] Kyle ensured that Void didn''t deplete his mana as well as they kept falling back when he noticed signs. That helped them remain efficient with their killing. By the time thest pack of beasts broke through, Kyle''s kill count had soared. [Congrattions! You have in multiple Tier-1 Mana Beasts: me Cat (34), Forest Lynx (29), Shadow Panther (28)!] [You''ve obtained 91 Tier-1 Mana Cores!] [Vanquished Foes: 411/1000.] Chapter 139: A Challenge Kyle and Void finally stood amidst the clearing littered with the remains of hundreds of mana beasts. Void kept panted heavily, his once energetic aura reduced to a soft presence, though his grin never faltered. He stumbled slightly before copsing onto his side. "That¡­" Void exhaled deeply, "... Was incredible. I don''t think I''ve had this much fun in my life." Kyle chuckled, wiping sweat and dirt off his brow with the back of his hand. "You look like you enjoyed it a little too much." "Who wouldn''t? Those beasts were so pathetic." "Don''t get toofortable. We''ve got more to deal with." Void groaned dramatically, rolling onto his back. "Yeah, them big ones. But before we go back into the madness, what about all the tasty mana cores we got? We''ve earned a feast." Kyle smirked. "You''re not wrong. It''s time to gobble up some cores!" Void leaped back to his feet with renewed energy at the mention of mana cores. He opened his system pet space and, with a flick of his ws, summoned a growing pile of glowing, colorful orbs. They shimmered in the fading sunlight, radiating power. Kyle mirrored the action, summoning his own collection from his inventory. The cores from the 411 beasts he had just in, plus the ten from earlier, made a massive mound of 421 mana cores. Kyle eyed the mountain before him and decided to check his status before starting. A quick nce confirmed how many EXP he had¡ªnone. Just as he reached out to pick up his first core, Void''s voice interrupted him. "Hold on, hold on!" Void said with a wicked grin. "Let''s make this more fun." "What are you scheming?" Void puffed up his chest proudly. "A challenge! Let''s see who can finish their cores first." Kyle snorted and was about to ept Void''s challenge. "Void, I know you''re fast, but I''m not sure even you can¡ª" "Winner takes the loser''s leftover cores!" Void added triumphantly and his grin grew even wider. Kyle froze mid-reach. "What? No way! That''s the most evil challenge I''ve ever heard. You''re a greedy little dragon, aren''t you?" "Fine, fine. No stakes, then. Just a friendly challenge. Or are you still too scared?" Kyle narrowed his eyes at the taunt but eventually smiled. "You''re on. Let''s see what you''ve got." Void''s grin widened. "That''s the spirit! Ready? Three¡­ two¡­" Kyle quickly braced himself, eyeing the glowing pile of mana cores before him. ''I''ve got this. He''s fast, but I can keep up. I won''t lose this easily.'' "¡­One!" As Void shouted the final number, Kyle moved with inhuman speed, using both hands to grab cores and consume them one after the other as quick as possible. [EXP +20] [EXP +20] ... In just five seconds, he had already downed ten cores. Kyle grinned at his speed, feeling a surge of energy. "Not bad for a human, right?" But before he could pick up his eleventh core, a loud burp echoed beside him, stopping him in his tracks and sending shivers through his spine. He turned to see Void sitting casually atop an empty spot where his pile of cores had been just moments ago. Kyle blinked and his mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. "How¡­ when¡­ WHAT?" Void smirked smugly. "All gone. Digested. Want me to help with yours?" Kyle''s eyes widened, and he instinctively shielded his pile with both arms. "Get away, you monster! Those are mine!" Voidughed with a mixture of amusement and mockery. "Monster? You thought I was human before?" Kyle nearly felt a tear form in his eyes from the frustration he felt but shook it off. "No distractions this time," he muttered, focusing on his pile. As he consumed one core after another, the system notifications continued rolling in. --- [EXP +20] [EXP +20] [EXP +20] ... Void, having finished his feast, sprawled out on the ground, "You''re so slow," he teased, yawning widely. "I''m gonna take a quick nap while you finish up." Kyle red at him but didn''t bother responding, channeling all his energy into consuming the remaining cores. The notifications kept pouring in as he made steady progress through the pile. [EXP +20] [EXP +20] ... Eventually, Kyle finished thest core and leaned back with a satisfied sigh. He turned to find Void waking up, stretching his limbszily. "Done already?" Void asked, smirking. Kyle shot him a wry smile. "You slept through half of it. What kind of partner abandons me like that?" Void shrugged, utterly unapologetic. "You were too slow. I had time for a nap." Kyle sighed and shaked his head but decided to say nothing. "So, what''s next? The remaining beasts? Another challenge?" Void asked. Kyle didn''t reply to Void''s question immediately and decided to take a look at his stats. He knew that the cores he had consumed wouldn''t be enough for a level up, but he should be close nevertheless. "Status!" ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Beginner Mage: Lv 6 EXP: 8631/12000* HP: 160 Energy: 196 MP: - Agility: 91 Strength: 95 Vitality: 80 Stamina: 98 Intelligence: 81 SP: 0 [Elements] [Skills] [Lightning Bolt(Lv 3)]* [Lightning Dash(Lv 3)]* [Inspect(Lv 2)] [Gobbler(Lv 2)] [Undying] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle grinned after observing his improvements. ''About 4000 EXP more to go, that''s 200 Tier-1 mana cores,'' Kyle calcted, admiring how fast he was ''cultivating''. He was sure that his friends would be left behind in the dust by the time he was back. His EXP wasn''t the only improvement Kyle had noticed though. ''I finally leveled these skills,'' Kyle thought with a grin. He knew their levels could increase when got more proficient with them and that was why this fight was very helpful. ''I can''t wait to test out their new power after leveling up,'' Kyle inwardly thought with a grin before returning his attention on Void. ''Pet Status!'' | Void | | Race: Omni Drakkon | | Level: 7 | | EXP: 45700/64000 |* | HP: 320 | | Energy: 620 | | MP: 550 | | Agility: 88 | | Strength: 87 | | Vitality: 160 | | Stamina: 310 | | Intelligence: 550 | [Skills: Lightning Breath (Lv 3), Lightning Dash (Lv 3), Invisible (Lv 4), Phase (Lv 3)]* *Read Author''s Note!* Chapter 140: Only Twenty Like Kyle expected, the dragon would need the same amount of mana cores to breakthrough the next level. All that meant was that they could only keep grinding. Kyle refocused his attention on Void, whom had taken some time to continue his rest. "I can''t me him," Kyle muttered as he scanned the sleeping dragon. It was almost 3 AM in the morning and Kyle had dragged Void here to investigate the tide source. ''Well, he wasn''t againsting... He was even excited to follow.'' Such thought made Kyle nudge him after some minutes of watching him sleep. "You''ve slept enough, haven''t you?" Kyle asked the waking dragon thatzily stretched before him. "*Yawn* What''s our next move?" Void asked with some energy, proof that he had rested enough in this short while. Kyle smiled that Void was ready for action before going deep into thought. He directed his eyes towards the remaining beasts that surrounded the mana origin source. Like before, they all stood still, entranced by the glowing pool. However, their numbers had diminished alot from the first time Kyle saw them. Kyle and Void had seeded in clearing out up to eighty percent of the beasts, leaving a little over 200 beasts left behind. But those beasts weren''t to be taken lightly... The hulking sizes of the Tier-2 beasts alone made Kyle consider getting into a fight with them. Though Kyle had never fought a beast other than Tier-1, he had enough knowledge from library books to be aware of their strength. Tier-2 books were obviously stronger and toughe6than their Tier-1 counterparts, but the striking difference that improved with each power level was their elemental control. Beasts of higher tiers could wield their respective elements on a different levelpared to those of the lower tiers and that was Kyle needed to stay aware of most importantly. ''We''ll have to try and defeat them as fast as possible,'' Kyle decided before returning his attention on Void to ry their battle n. "So here''s the n," he started, trying to sound confident despite his nerves. "We''ll go with the whistle again. But this time, I''ll use a higher frequency. We can only hope it works, because if it doesn''t¡­ well, I got no other n." "We''re talking about over 200 Tier-2 beasts. Tier-2, you know?? This isn''t the same as handling Tier-1s. We be buried before we can blink." Kyle rubbed the back of his neck. He hated to admit it, but Void was right. Even with all their preparation, the odds were overwhelming. "I know it''s insane, Void. But what other option do we have? We can''t sneak past them without being torn apart, and there''s no way we''re leaving empty-handed." Void nodded his head. Eitherways, he was ready and excited for the battle, after all, who wouldn''t want to test Tier-2 cores. A drool formed on Void''s lips as he imagined indulging himself on a pile of Tier-2 cores. "Okay, Kyle," Void snapped out of his fantasies and focused on the present. "Let''s do this!" The two began working quickly, setting up traps across the battle field. The traps might not turn the tide of the battles but at the very least, it should be able help slow down the beasts and buy them more time. Once everything was in ce, Kyle took a deep breath and raised the whistle to his lips. "All right, Void. Here goes nothing." "Great," Void muttered, "Let''s see how well this works." Kyle blew into the whistle, pouring as much air as he could muster into the device. The soundless vibrations rippled through the air, invisible but potent. He kept blowing and his jaw started to ache as the seconds stretched into a full minute. At first, nothing happened. The beasts near the Mana Origin Source remained eerily still with their eyes fixed on the glowing pool. Kyle''s heart sank when he didn''t see any immediate result. But then, he noticed movement at the edges of the group. A few of the Tier-2 beasts began to shift and their heads snapped towards him with sudden intensity. "They''re moving!" Kyle whispered with a voice filled with both excitement and fear. Void perked up and his sharp golden eyes tracked the approaching figures. "Wait a minute¡­ that''s not all of them." Kyle made a quick count of the beasts breaking away from the group. "Twenty. Only twenty of them areing!" A grin spread across his face as relief flooded his chest. "Not all of them areing!" "Why do you think only a few of them responded? Was it because you stopped blowing? Or maybe the others would don''t care enough to investigate?" "Does it even matter? We''ve got a chance now. That''s all I care about," Kyle said, sliding the [Veil of Silence] over his face once more. Void nodded and they concentrated their attention at the rapidly approaching beasts. They both knew that this wouldn''t be an easy fight. Hopefully, their preid traps would prove useful. As the beasts entered the areaden with traps, the runes began to activate. The mud trap runes managed to suck the legs of some beasts into the earth and momentarily halted their advance. Another rune that proved helpful was the Blind runes, they managed to disorient some of the beasts that triggered it. Kyle was happy that the traps had worked, though not all of them has performed as effectively as he had hoped. None of them were enough to take down a beast outright, but they provided precious moments of disarray among the beasts. ''This is it,'' Kyle said, ncing at Void. ''Well take them while they''re off bnce." "Finally!" Void eximed as heunched himself forward in a crackle of electricity. Kyle surged toward the nearest beast, a massive wolf-like creature with frost coating its fur. He didn''t hesitate, pouring all his strength into a downward sh aimed at its neck. Kyle didn''t slow down, delivering a flurry of shes, each one activating the [Frozen sh] effect. Just as Kyle thought he was going to easily y the beast; it retaliated by freezing the ground beneath it and the ice began spreading rapidly and making Kyle''s lose his footing. ''Not good!'' Kyle thought, losing his bnce for a split second. The beast recovered quickly, lunging at Kyle again with its ws glowing with icy energy. Before Kyle could regain his footing, another beast joined the fray, its ws igniting with fire as it swiped at him from the side. Kyle barely dodged the fiery strike, but the ice wolf''s ws raked across his arm, sending him tumbling. A sharp pain red where the ws had struck and his HP bar shed a notification: [HP: 80/160] Kyle''s eyes widened when he saw his health go down by half and it got worse when the other beasts surrounded him. He gritted his teeth, knowing how dangerous it was to be stuck between them. ''Alright, no more holding back!'' Kyle thought, raising his katana. He began spamming spells, casting lightning bolts in rapid session. The bolts crashed into the beasts, forcing them to stagger back. Each strike bought him a moment to breathe, but the sheer number of attacks from the beasts made it impossible to avoid every blow. [HP: 100/160] [HP 80/160] [HP 140/160] Kyle felt the hitsnding and his body thrown backward as ws and spells struck him. But as quickly as the injuries appeared, they vanished. His [Undying] trait was activated and it healed his wounds in mere seconds. Kyle wiped blood from his mouth and a grin spread across his face. ''I almost forgot I''m basically undying now.'' He had renewed confidence after his health healed, making Kyle to press the attack. He focused on the ice wolf again, delivering a series of precise strikes that culminated in a devastating sh to its neck. [Congrattions! You have in Tier-2 mana beast: Frost Wolf!] [You have obtained 1* Tier-2 mana core!] [Vanquished Foes: 412/1000] Kyle turned around to face another beast after getting his notification, dodging its fiery ws and driving the [Frozen w] multiple times through i its chest. [Congrattions! You have in Tier-2 mana beast: Ember w!] [You have obtained 1* Tier-2 mana core!] [Vanquished Foes: 413/1000] A third beast¡ªa hulking boar-like creature¡ªcharged at him. Kyle sidestepped at thest moment, shing at its legs and sending it crashing to the ground. He finished it off with a flurry if [Lightning Bolts]. Chapter 141: Clearing the Beasts [Congrattions! You have in Tier-2 mana beast: Thunder Boar!] [You have obtained 1* Tier-2 mana core!] [Vanquished Foes: 414/1000] Kyle panted and looked around. The other beasts were regrouping and their eyes were glowing with fury. He knew he couldn''t let them box him in again. ''Time to switch tactics.'' He dashed out of the circle, moving with blinding speed andunching lightning bolts at the beasts'' backs. The bolts struck true, causing one of the beasts to stumble and fall. Kyle seized the opportunity and delivered a finishing blow with the [Frozen w]. [Congrattions! You have in Tier-2 mana beast: Gale Rat!] [You have obtained 1* Tier-2 mana core!] [Vanquished Foes: 415/1000] He continued his hit-and-run strategy, darting around the battlefield and striking from unexpected angles. The beasts fought back fiercely, but no matter how many times they managed tond a hit, Kyle''s wounds closed almost instantly. By the time the dust settled, Kyle stood amidst the fallen bodies of ten beasts, his katana dripping with frost and blood. His chest heaved as he looked over at Void. [Congrattions! You have in multiple Tier-2 Mana Beasts: Gale Rat (1), Frost Wolf (3), Lightning Panther (2)!] [You''ve obtained 6 Tier-2 Mana Cores!] [Vanquished Foes: 421/1000.] The dragon had been fighting his own battle and his body crackled with lightning as he tore through the remaining ten beasts. When Kyle turned to him, Void was finishing off thest beast with a devastating burst of electricity that left the air smelling of ozone. Void stretched his wings and looked at Kyle with a smirk. "Took you long enough." "Haha." Kyle pretended tough with a straight face. "Very funny." He had finished before Void and the dragon was trying to act smug as usual. He didn''t dwell on it much and concentrated his attention on the battlefield. There were monster corpses littered everywhere, making everywhere stench from blood. Among the beasts that filled the space. There were some that stood out, they wererger and looked tougher than most of the beasts there¡ªthe Tier-2s. Kyle couldn''t help but smile with pride. They had really dispatched those beasts. He used a moment to relish the feeling of his achievement beforeing back to the present. Void didn''t seem too exhausted and so did he, ''There shouldn''t be a problem going for another wave,'' Kyle thought before removing his mask so as tomunicate with Void. "I''ll be calling another wave, here''s a potion to top up your reserves," Kyle tossed the materialized mana recovery potion to Void, who leapt up from the ground to catch it. "Thank you," Void remarked before gulping down the potion. After he was done with it, they both moved swiftly to reset their traps, reinforcing areas where runes had failed and adding moreyers of defense. Kyle spread various runes on the ground, ensuring to prioritize the ones that had delivered during the battle and cing more of them. Once everything was ready, Kyle raised the whistle again. This time, he poured even more mana and air into it, amplifying the frequency. The soundless vibrations rippled through the air once more, and they waited. Fortunately, it didn''t take long for the next batch to react. "Twenty beasts," Kyle said after making a rough count. "Nice." He slid on the [Veil of Silence] and got ready to go again on the beasts. *** ... [Congrattions! You have in Tier-2 mana beast: Ice Boar!] [You have obtained 1* Tier-2 mana core!] [Vanquished Foes: 431/1000] Kyle stood admist the fallen beasts. They had managed to y them all once again, this time more effortlessly than thest. He was getting a hang of fighting the beasts already and he knew it would only get easier for them. ''Time to speed run this,'' Kyle thought and continued the cycle. After a brief rest and a few gulps of water, Kyle got to work resetting the traps again. He blew the whistle afterwards, and the forest responded with a louder rumble. Twenty-five beasts appeared. Kyle activated a cluster of explosive runes as the beasts charged giving some of them wounds. Though wounded, the beasts pushed forward, their thick hides shrugging off much of the damage. Kyle dashed to meet them, slicing deep into the a boar''s nk with the [Frozen w]. Meanwhile, Void targetted the smaller Lightning Panthers with precise [Lightning Bolts], leaving charred fur and lifeless bodies behind. The remaining beasts scattered, only to be picked off by abination of runes and relentless attacks ... They continued with the rampage until thest beast. [Congrattions! You have in Tier-2 mana beast: Ice Wolf!] [You have obtained 1* Tier-2 mana core!] [Vanquished Foes: 445/1000] Kyle reinforced the battlefield even further, ensuring no gaps in his rune cement. After blowing the whistle, more beasts arrived with the same ferocity ¡ª this time, Kyle could make out 30 beasts. All it took to deal with them were some coordinated attacks from Kyle and Void and the beasts couldn''t handle their superior might and skill and were all done for in minutes. ... [Congrattions! You have in Tier-2 mana beast: Ice Boar!] [You have obtained 1* Tier-2 mana core!] [Vanquished Foes: 465/1000] "I can''t believe we''re really farming Tier-2 beasts in such manner," Void couldn''t help but say after they were done with the fourth wave of beasts. Kyle could only smile and remove his mask before replying: "We''re just getting started... The best wille the moment it''s time to feast on their cores." Kyle''s words increased Void''s spirit further and they got ready for more with Void dreaming on the feast they''ll have after they were done. Kyle raised the whistle and poured mana into it, its silent call reverberating through the area. Almost immediately, the forest stirred as thirty-five beasts charged into the clearing. Kyle tightened his grip on [Frozen w], ready for the chaos. As the beasts entered the trapden area, Kyle activated a cluster of explosive runes. Ice shards erupted from the ground, freezing some of the beasts mid-charge, while lightning streaked through the air, momentarily stunning others. Void dashed into the chaos, his ws and tail shing as he struck with precision. Meanwhile, Kyle darted between the beasts, using his speed to outmaneuver their attacks. He struck down a Frost Wolf with a clean sh, then pivoted to deliver a [Lightning Bolt] to a Thunder Boar closing in on Void''s nk. The fight was relentless, with beasts attacking from all sides. Kyle and Void synchronized their movements, covering each other and using the traps to thin the herd. By the end, the ground was littered with fallen beasts, the duo barely breaking a sweat. [Congrattions! You have in Tier-2 mana beast: me Cat!] [You have obtained 1* Tier-2 mana core!] [Vanquished Foes: 478/1000] *** With the traps reset and Void''s reserves replenished with another potion, Kyle summoned the next wave. This time, forty beasts answered the call, their roars echoing through the forest as they charged into the clearing. Kyle wasted no time, triggering the first set of traps as the beasts crossed the boundary. Lightning arced through the crowd, stunning the front line while ice-coated runes froze the ground beneath their feet. Several beasts stumbled, making them easy targets. Voidunched a devastating [Lightning Breath] into the densest cluster, scattering the beasts and leaving charred bodies in its wake. Kyle used the opportunity to strike, his katana carving through fur and flesh with icy precision. The sheer number of beasts made the battle chaotic. At one point, Kyle found himself surrounded, but his superior speed allowed him to slip past their defenses, delivering crippling strikes as he moved. The battle stretched longer than anticipated, but the traps and their relentless assault turned the tide. Finally, thest beast fell, and silence descended over the battlefield once more. [Congrattions! You have in Tier-2 mana beast: Ice Boar!] [You have obtained 1* Tier-2 mana core!] [Vanquished Foes: 465/1000] Kyle turned to Void, who hadnded nearby, his body crackling with residual lightning. "You''ve done enough," Kyle said, removing his mask tomunicate. "Rest for this wave. I''ll handle it." Void hesitated and his pride clearly bruised. "Are you sure? They won''t go easy just because I''m sitting out." Kyle smirked. "I''m counting on it." After resetting the traps and cing additional runes, Kyle raised the whistle for the final time. He poured an overwhelming amount of mana into the call, summoning the remaining beasts. Chapter 142: Level Up! The clearing trembled as the beasts charged. Kyle activated the outermost traps, unleashing a series of explosions that slowed their advance. He darted into the fray, his movements a blur as he struck with surgical precision. Without Void''s assistance, Kyle relied heavily on the traps, luring the beasts into runeden zones and striking when they were vulnerable. His infinite mana reserves allowed him to spam [Lightning Bolts], overwhelming the beasts with sheer firepower. One by one, the beasts fell, their attacks unable to keep up with Kyle''s speed and adaptability. By the time thest one copsed, Kyle stood alone amidst the carnage, his katana dripping with frost and blood. [Congrattions! You have in Tier-2 mana beast: Ice Boar!] [You have obtained 1* Tier-2 mana core!] [Vanquished Foes: 512/1000] Void stretched his wings and looked at Kyle with his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "I''ll admit, you handled yourself well. I''m impressed." Kyle smirked and ran a hand through his face to take of his mask before sheathing the [Frozen w]. "Pretty cool, right?" Void narrowed his eyes, debating whether to dete Kyle''s ego or let him have his moment. After a pause, he snorted. "I don''t have words to spare on you. We''ve got some cores to devour." Kyle chuckled and nodded. "Ah, yes. The cores. Can''t forget about those." He summoned his stockpile from his inventory, the collection of over a hundred Tier-2 mana cores gleaming faintly in the dim forest light. Void mirrored the action, summoning his own pile. Both stared at their respective treasures for a moment, appreciating the fruits of theirbor. Void nced at Kyle with a challenging gleam in his eyes. "Shall we race? First to finish their pile wins." Kyle froze, memories of thest eating race thar had happened some hours ago flooded his mind. He waved his hands in mock horror. "No! Absolutely not. Never again." Void simply hissed with amusement. "Coward." "Call me what you want," Kyle said with a grin. "I''m eating at my own pace." Void shook his head and, without another word, dug into his pile of cores, devouring them like they were the most delicious thing he''d ever tasted. Kyle, meanwhile, picked up his first core, inspecting its crystalline structure. It shimmered with energy, and Kyle felt a thrill of anticipation. ''First time eating Tier-2 cores,'' he thought, cing it in his mouth. As he bit down, the core dissolved into pure energy, flooding his body with warmth and vitality. [EXP +40] Kyle smiled as the notification popped up. "So, Tier-2 cores give double the EXP of Tier-1 cores. Not bad at all." He nced at Void, who was tearing through his cores with unabashed enthusiasm. Kyle sighed. "Of course, you''re gaining 200 per core with that skill of yours." Void paused just long enough to smirk, bits of mana core dust clinging to his snout. "Perks of being superior." Kyle rolled his eyes, though he couldn''t help but feel grateful. He might not gain as much as Void, but the fact he could cultivate by consuming cores at all was a gift. "Can''t be greedy," he muttered to himself, grabbing his second core. With that, he began to handle the cores. Gobbling them one after the other in rapid session. [EXP +40] [EXP +40] [EXP +40] ... Kyle settled into a rhythm, savoring the energy coursing through him with each core. The taste was odd but addictive, a mix of sweetness and metallic tang that left a faint crackle of mana in the air around him. Void, meanwhile, was nearing the bottom of his pile. He nced at Kyle and snorted. "I''m trying to be slow but you''re still slower, how''s that possible." "I''m savoring it," Kyle shot back without looking up. "Not all of us have dragon stomachs." Void huffed but didn''t argue, returning to his meal. Kyle also returned to his meal, and eventually he hit the long soughted notification and a familiar surge of power coursed through him. "Finally," he said with a smile as he nced at the notification that glowed in his status screen. [EXP: 12000/12000] [Congrattions! You have Leveled Up!] [Beginner Mage: Lv 6 >> Lv 7] [All stats: +10] He controlled himself from checking his status and decided to finish off the remaining cores first. It didn''t take long for Kyle to finish his pile. As he swallowed thest core, he opened his mouth to say the magic word: "Status!" ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Beginner Mage: Lv 7 EXP: 1131/18000* HP: 180* Energy: 216* MP: -* Agility: 101* Strength: 105* Vitality: 90* Stamina: 108* Intelligence: 91* SP: 0 [Elements] [Skills] [Lightning Bolt(Lv 3)] [Lightning Dash(Lv 3)] [Inspect(Lv 2)] [Gobbler(Lv 2)] [Undying] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle''s body hummed with power. He flexed his fingers, feeling the increased strength in his movements. "Not bad at all," he said, standing up and stretching. "Except for Vitality and Intelligence, all my stats are of 3 digits already," Kyle couldn''t help but feel a sense of achievement as he drew from the system. He felt a great deal of pride from his level up. In just two days, he had managed to level up twice. That was impressive! ''I can''t wait to see everyone''s reactions when I return to the academy.'' Kyle''s mind couldn''t help but wonder to the academy. Was he missing it? No. Did he want to go back? Yes. But not now though. He was having a good time outside and although he kinda missed his friends back there, that didn''t mean he was in a hurry to return. ''I''ll make sure to return with a banger.'' Kyle resolved himself, ending his monologue session and ncing at the dragon whozily stared at him. "Feeling stronger, human?" Void asked the moment he Kyle''s gaze fell on him, knowing fully well he had leveled up. "Absolutely," Kyle said with a grin. "And you?" "Check for yourself," Void said with a cheeky grin that disyed his sharp teeth. "You ain''t bridging that gap anytime soon." "Pet status!" Kyle called out, fully expecting Void to have leveled up. ''Pet Status!'' | Void | | Race: Omni Drakkon | | Level: 8 |* | EXP: 7300/64000 |* | HP: 340 |* | Energy: 640 |* | MP: 560 |* | Agility: 98 |* | Strength: 97 |* | Vitality: 170 |* | Stamina: 320 |* | Intelligence: 560 |* [Skills: Lightning Breath (Lv 3), Lightning Dash (Lv 3), Invisible (Lv 4), Phase (Lv 3)] Kyle smiled when he saw that Void has leveled up too. It was better for them to get as strong as possible before tackling their next challenge. "Nice, Void," Kyle said remarked with a genuine smile. "Yeah, very nice. Level 10 doesn''t feel so far off anymore," Void added with a smirk. "Hope you''ve got me 1000 mana cores ready." Kyle''s eyes widened the moment he remembered their agreement. They were leveling up too fast and he didn''t even have any credits. How was he going to provide such amount of cores? "Ehm... Void, what happened to you breaking through in over 200 days," Kyle asked with a nervous chuckle. "Well, Kyle, it''s always smart to consider the unexpected," Void replied with a snarky grin that made Kyle wail. He didn''t dwell on it that much, he knew that once he returned, he''ll easily fetch that amount of money through the arena. ''I doubt anyone will be able to defeat me now, especially when I get the skill points and learn the technique,'' Kyle thought. He turned to Void to discuss the n forward before remembering something that he hadn''t checked in a while and must have improved all this while. [Sword Intent Mastery: 61.69%] "Yess!" Kyle screamed with a smile. "I''m almost there." "You''re almost where?" Void asked Kyle who had screamed out loud by mistake with a raised eyebrow. Kyle quickly got himself together and rubbed the back of his neck. "Welp, I''m about to finally unlock sword intent. You know that white line attack I told you about¡ª" "I don''t remember and I don''t care," Void rudely cut him off before he could exin further, making Kyle smile in embarrassment. "I''d rather prefer we discuss our next n... That''s something worth talking about." They both instinctively nced forward to see therge imposing ck wolf that eerily still stood before the pool. Even as they had called the rest of the beasts through the whistle and killer them all, the beast remained unmoving, quietly staring at the glowing mana origin source as if it was entranced by it. "How''d we handle that?" Chapter 143: A Sudden Turn of Events Kyle frowned. "Why hasn''t it done anything yet? It''s like¡­ the pool is more important." Void nodded and narrowed his golden eyes. "And that''s what makes it terrifying. That thing isn''t just strong¡ªit''s unpredictable. Look around. All the carnage, all the blood, and it hasn''t even flinched." Kyle''s thoughts churned, and for a moment, doubt crept in. Could they really take down something like this? But then he remembered how far they hade¡ª every fight where they''d emerged stronger, every moment they''d pushed past their limits. He clenched his fists and turned to Void. "Hey," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the tension like a de. Void nced at him, ready to hear him. "We''re stronger than this thing," Kyle said, determination shing in his eyes. "You''ve got raw power, speed, and that unbreakable attitude of yours. And me? I''ve got my katana, my runes, and the stubbornness to never give up. Together, we''ve got this." Void smirked. "Damn right we do. Now, what''s the n, boss?" Kyle crouched, analyzing the terrain. "This time, no whistle," he said, shaking his head. "Calling it over would be suicide. Instead, we ambush it. We get as close as we can without drawing its attention. Then, we hit it hard¡ªspells, runes, everything. We target its back and keep it off bnce. If that doesn''t take it down, we fight it head-on with everything we''ve got." Void''s smirk widened into a grin. "Not bad. You''ve finally started using that brain of yours." Kyle chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Let''s see if you''re still joking when we''re in the thick of it." The duo took a moment to prepare, ensuring their mana reserves were full and their energy was at its peak. When they were ready, they moved. Meter by Meter, they crept through the dense foliage, careful to stay downwind of the wolf. The wolf remained motionless as they drew closer to it, either he didn''t pick them yet or they weren''t a threat in his eyes. Kyle could bet that it was thetter. By the time less than 50 meters separated them and the wolf, they were so close to the wolf and the pool that the quality of the mana was so dense that its density almost made Kyle to sit on the floor that moment and begin cultivating. He quickly shrugged off the idea. ''Cultivating can wait, we''ll deal with the wolf first.'' Kyle decided before silently signaling to Void with a nod. It was time. Void returned the gesture, a grin curling at the edges of his sharp maw. With a final nod, theyunched their attack. Kyle''s hand shot forward, crackling energy pooling into his palm as he unleashed his first [Lightning Bolt]. The spell streaked through the air, a dazzling arc of bright blue light that crackled as it collided with the wolf''s nk. The beast barely flinched, its massive head tilting slightly as though it had been struck by an irritating insect. Kyle didn''t stop. He fired another [Lightning Bolt], then another. The spell became a rapid, rhythmic onught of crackling energy as bolts of lightning hammered into the wolf''s side, scorching fur and leaving faint burns in their wake. Void, not to be outdone, opened his jaws wide, releasing a blinding [Lightning Breath]. The concentrated stream of electricity struck the wolf directly, the sheer force of the attack causing the ground beneath the beast to sizzle and spark. Just like Kyle''s lightning, Void''s attack failed to draw a reaction. But the wolf shifted and its muscles rippled as it turned its head slightly toward them, a low growl rumbling in its throat. ''That''s it,'' Kyle thought, pushing forward. The duo moved closer with every step, their spells increasing in intensity. Void unleashed another [Lightning Breath], the heat from the attack causing the surrounding air to shimmer. Kyle continued spamming [Lightning Bolt], the bolts flying so rapidly that the air around his hands buzzed with static energy. With his infinite and boundless mana reserves, he was able to keep up with the relentless barrage without pause. As they closed the distance to thirty meters, Kyle decided to add anotheryer to their assault. With his free hand, he activated several runes he had prepared earlier, tossing them toward the wolf. The glowing symbols burst on contact, releasing sts of ice, fire, and concentrated mana that further disoriented the beast. Frost formed along its fur from an ice rune, while fire briefly licked at its paws from another. The wolf faltered for the first time. Its massive frame swayed slightly, and its growl deepened, tinged with pain and frustration. Kyle''s sharp eyes caught the faintest sign of weakness¡ªa tremor in its legs, a hesitation in its movements. The relentless barrage was working. Kyle''s gaze met Void''s, and though he couldn''t speak due to the [Veil of Silence], his expression said it all: We''re doing it. Let''s push harder. Void''s grin widened, and he doubled down, unleashing yet another devastating [Lightning Breath]. Thebined force of their attacks now seemed to overwhelm the wolf. Its growls became morebored, and its silver-streaked fur was singed and burned in multiple ces. Blood began to seep from small wounds across its body. Victory was within reach. But just as Kyle prepared tounch a final assault, the wolf let out a bone-chilling howl. The sound reverberated through the forest, so loud and primal that it seemed to shake the very ground beneath their feet. Kyle froze for a moment, the sheer force of the sound sending a shiver down his spine. Then the wolf''s eyes began to glow. The once-steely gray irises now burned with an ominous blood-red light. Its body, already massive, seemed to swell with newfound power. Its ck fur stood on end, and the silver veins running along its body began to pulse with a golden hue that seemed to heal all the formerly impacted wounds on it as it upied more space. Before Kyle could react, the wolf mmed its massive paw into the ground, releasing a shockwave of golden energy. The blinding light that followed was instantaneous, engulfing everything in its path. Kyle instinctively shielded his eyes, but it was toote. The brilliance was overwhelming, rendering him temporarily blind. "Damn!" he thought, panic surging through him as he stumbled backward, struggling to maintain his bnce. The ground beneath his feet froze in an instant as the ice creeping outward from where the wolf stood reached him. It spread rapidly, covering the entire area and even reaching Kyle and Void''s position. The sudden chill seeped through his boots, making him panic even more. The system''s notifications began flooding his vision, their bright blue text cutting through the residual blindness like a lifeline: [WARNING! You have encountered a Corrupted Beast!] [WARNING! You have encountered a Corrupted Beast!] [WARNING! You have encountered a Corrupted Beast!] [WARNING! You have encountered a Corrupted Beast!] [RETREAT IMMEDIATELY!] ... ''A Corrupted Beast?!'' Kyle wanted to ponder but the wolf once again raised its paw high and stomped it on the ground. This time, the chill in the atmosphere intensified by several minus degrees that Kyle couldn''t help but fall on the floor. ''We''re cooked.'' *** [Several Hours Earlier] ... Kyle''s teammates gathered in the small cottage''s main room exactly ten minutester, just as they has agreed before. The air felt heavier now and though they still felt sleepy the anxiety of what they were about brace didn''t leave their minds. Each of them bore a unique expression that hinted at their internal struggles. While a part of them wanted to dismiss Kyle''s disappearance as a mere whim and return to their bunks, the gravity of the situation kept them rooted. Kyle was not just their leader but also their friend, and losing him now would not only make them helpless against the beast tide but would also weigh on their conscience. Finn, usually theposed and practical one, leaned against the wall with a furrowed brow, arms crossed tightly across his chest. Zara sat at the edge of the table, her fingers tapping nervously against its wooden surface, betraying her calm demeanor. Lina slumped in her chair, hair disheveled, muttering something about needing more sleep. Even Celine, who had initiated the search, paced back and forth, biting her lip as her earlier determination was filled with worry. Lina finally broke the silence. "So, uh, Finn," she began, stretching her armszily. "What''s the n? How do we go about this?" Chapter 144: Reunited Finn straightened, looking at each of them in turn. Despite their weariness, he could see a spark of readiness in their eyes. Even Lina, whoined the loudest, was suppressing her excitement. "Let''s head back to the eastern edge," he said after a moment. "We''ll retrace the footprints after entering into the forest. That''s the best lead we''ve got." The group murmured their agreement, and they began to move out. They made a conscious effort to keep their steps light, whispering their instructions so as not to wake the vigers. By the time they reached the eastern edge, the moon hung high above, casting its pale light over the dense forest that loomed before them. The shadows of the tall trees stretched ominously across the sandy ground, creating an almost surrealndscape. They paused at the boundary, exchanging a nce. No words were needed to convey what each of them felt¡ªfear, determination, and an unspoken promise to bring Kyle back. Lina, surprisingly, was the first to step forward. She took a deep breath and muttered, "For Kyle." "For Kyle," Celine echoed firmly, stepping after her. "For Kyle," Zara said with a nod and walked inside. Finally, Finn brought up the rear. "For Kyle," he said with an equally resolute tone. The forest seemed to envelop them as they stepped inside, the towering trees and thick undergrowth cutting off most of the moonlight. The air grew cooler, carrying with it the earthy scent of moss and damp leaves. "Stay close," Finn said with a low but authoritative voice. Zara and Lina lit the path ahead, their magic casting a soft glow that pushed back the encroaching darkness. Zara''s light magic produced a steady, warm glow, while Lina''s fire magic created flickering shadows that danced across the trees. Finn led the group with his eyes scanning the ground for the trail of footprints they had been following earlier. The footprints were faint but consistent, moving in a straight line deeper into the forest. Finn crouched asionally to study them. After a while, he paused, his gaze fixed on a peculiar set of tracks beside Kyle''s. "These¡­" Finn muttered, tracing the outline of the prints with his finger. "These aren''t normal footprints." "What do you mean?" Zara asked, stepping closer to see. "They''re wed," Finn exined, pointing to the distinct markings. "They must belong to something following Kyle." Lina leaned in, her eyes widening. "A beast? Are you serious?" Celine''s face paled. "If that''s true, then Kyle could be in real danger." The realization sent a wave of unease through the group. They couldn''t help but imagine what kind of creature would leave such prints and why it might be trailing Kyle. "We don''t have time to dwell on it," Finn said firmly, rising to his feet. "Let''s keep moving." They pushed forward, increasing their pace despite their nervousness. Surprisingly, they didn''t encounter any beasts at first, which only added to their unease. The forest seemed unnaturally quiet, the usual rustle of animals absent. Eventually, they came across a group ofmon beasts grazing near the path. The creatures, small and non-threatening, paid little attention to the intruders. Lina immediately summoned a small me in her palm, her expression lighting up with anticipation. "Finally, something fun to do!" "No," Finn said sharply, holding out a hand to stop her. "We don''t have time to waste on them." "Oh,e on. It''ll only take a minute." Celine stepped in with her usual calm voice. "He''s right. Save your mana for when we actually need it." Lina rolled her eyes and extinguished her me. "You two are such fun sponges." The group pressed on, leaving the beasts behind. As they ventured deeper, they began to notice signs of struggle¡ªbroken branches, disturbed earth, and scorch marks on the ground. "Looks like Kyle ran into some trouble," Zara observed, her voice tinged with worry. "But where are the beasts?" Lina asked, her eyes darting around. "They''re gone," Finn said after a brief inspection. "Kyle must''ve taken care of them." The signs of battle became more frequent as they continued, yet no bodies of mana beasts were to be found. It was as if they had vanished into thin air. They had not seen any beast because Kyle had been storing them in his inventory but they didn''t know that and considered other possibilities. After several hours of walking, their exhaustion began to catch up with them. The trail led them to a dense bush that blocked their path. The footprints stopped here, abruptly ending at the edge of the overgrowth. "This is it," Finn said. The group exchanged weary but determined looks. Despite their fatigue, none of them were willing to turn back. They had already inwardly decided to walk through it and check out for themselves when Finn signalled for them to stop. "We''ve been at this for hours. Let''s take a break before we push through the bush." Everyone sighed in relief after they heard Finn''s suggestion. They were all tired and exhausted and they were happy for the opportunity to rest. They settled into a small clearing on the ground while Celine pulled out a set of metal cups from her space ring and ced them on the ground. With her magic, water flowed from her palms into the cups. "Here. This should help." Everyone epted the water gratefully, the cool liquid refreshing their tired bodies. Zina also contributed to their revival by casting a spell that restored their energy, ensuring that they all got back to peak condition. Some minutes after they finished drinking, Finn stood up and looked at the dense bush ahead. "Alright, we''ve rested enough. The footprints end there, which means Kyle must''ve gone through. We follow." One by one, they nodded, their determination reigniting. They approached the bush and pushed through together, bracing themselves for whatevery beyond. As they stepped out of the overgrowth, a surreal scene greeted them. The air was thick with mana, so saturated it felt almost alive. Tendrils of energy swirled faintly in the atmosphere, making their skin tingle. It was unlike anything they had ever experienced, but the sight before them quickly stole their attention. Standing in the clearing was Kyle, his figure illuminated by bursts of light and energy. Beside him was a small ck creature, norger than a house cat, with wings folded against its back and a tailshing in anticipation. It looked like a... "A dragon¡­?!" Zara screamed in disbelief. Dragons were creatures of myth, heard and seen only in ancient stories. Seeing one in the flesh left the group stunned. Before they could process what they were witnessing, their attention snapped back to the battle unfolding ahead. Kyle and the dragon were facing a massive wolf-like beast near a glowing pool. They could easily make out that the wolf was strong, like way past their level. What shocked them most was Kyle''s relentless assault. Spells flew from his hands in rapid session, bolts of lightning striking the beast without pause. The dragon was no less fearsome, its small size denying its raw power as it spat concentrated streams of lightning at the wolf. The group stood frozen, watching in awe and terror. Kyle lookedpletely different from the boy they knew. His spells seemed very powerful, powerful than usual. The wolf was battered, but its sheer resilience kept it standing. Then, just as it seemed Kyle and the dragon had the upper hand, the wolf let out a guttural roar. Its eyes turned bloodshot, and a wave of frost surged outward, freezing everything in its path. The group gasped as the temperature dropped sharply. "Move back!" Finn shouted, dragging the others away from the encroaching ice. It didn''t end there though, as a blinding golden light erupted from the wolf, forcing them to shield their eyes. The air vibrated with an overwhelming surge of power, leaving them breathless. When they dared to look again, the scene had transformed. The ground was coated in ice and the mana in the air grew denser with every passing second. Kyle and the dragon were rooted on the ground, both struggling to see as a result of the bright light that enveloped them. To make the situation worse, the wolf wasrger than before over and its aura was more intensified. "This¡­ this is insane," Lina stammered, her usual bravado reced with fear. Chapter 145: Against A Corrupted Beast (1) "Mana, is the lifeblood of our world. It is the unseen force that fuels spells, strengthens warriors, and transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. It is both a gift and a curse, for those who do not respect it often find themselves consumed by its power." Kyle could remember his most recent history ss when Professor Grendel had thought them on the evolution of mana beasts. The Professor had exined that when mana seeped into the atmosphere, it began to affect the natural world. Beasts that lived near the original sources of mana¡ªlike mana pools or ley lines¡ªslowly began to change. Their bodies adapted to handle the influx of energy. Over generations, their physical forms became stronger, their senses sharper, and their instincts more refined. These were the first mana beasts. Grendel had exined that mana beasts are creatures that have evolved naturally. Their transformation is gradual, allowing their bodies and mana cores to grow in harmony with the energy around them. "But," Kyle remembered him add, even raising a finger for emphasis: "There are exceptions." It was then that the topic of Corrupted Beasts arose. "Unlike mana beasts, corrupted beasts are not the result of natural evolution," Grendel exined. "They are created when a beast forcefully absorbs more mana than it can handle. This usually urs when a creature attempts to feed directly on a mana source without the capacity to process it. The mana core bes oversaturated, destabilizing and corrupting the beast''s entire being." A corrupted beast was far deadlier than its mana beast counterpart. The sudden influx of power gives it immense strength, speed, and resilience. However, this poweres at a great cost. The beast''s life force is consumed rapidly by the unstable mana, burning it out from the inside. A corrupted beast will only live for a few hours after its transformation, but in those hours, it is an apex predator¡ªa force of nature with no regard for its own survival. Just like the vigers, many people mistake mana beasts for corrupted beasts because of their strength. But true corrupted beasts are rare. When one encounters one, you''ll know. The air around them bes heavy, almost suffocating. Their movements are erratic yet terrifyingly precise. And their power... their power is enough to make the bravest warrior tremble. Kyle was excited when he heard the description back then. But he hadn''t expected he''ll ever encounter one. Now he stood before one, he couldn''t feel the same excitement he once felt for it before. The wolf before him was a straight up example of a corrupted beast. Its transformation had begun moments ago when it unleashed that bone-chilling howl. The air around it was thick with mana, making every breath Kyle took feel like he was inhaling pure energy. The golden light radiating from its body was blinding, pulsating in waves that seemed to shake the ground. Its fur, once sleek and dark, now glowed faintly with a silver hue, streaked with veins of gold that pulsed in rhythm with its heartbeat. Kyle''s knowledge of corrupted beasts provided somefort. He knew the beast was living on borrowed time. Within a few hours, the unstable mana coursing through its body would tear it apart from the inside. But those few hours were more than enough for it to kill him and Void. Worst of all Kyle was still trapped in the ice. He tried to free himself out of it but it was all to no avail. He had even tried using a spell but his element wasn''t known for melting ice. Void was also just as trapped as him so Kyle saw no way going further. Once again, he couldn''t help but felt powerless. Just when he thought all hope was over Kyle heard a voice call him from afar. "...Kyle..." The voice belonged to a girl and it seemed familiar... Very familiar. "Hang on!" A sphere of heat pierced through the cold as a fireball roared past him, its warmth melting the ice that encased his legs. The light from the corrupted wolf also dimmed momentarily, giving Kyle just enough rity to see the fireball''s source. Lina. Her mes weren''t strong enough to melt the ice but the desperation in her attacks carried weight. Each fireball she hurled was aimed with precision, melting the ice that had spread across the battlefield and slowly freeing Kyle and Void from their frozen prison. Another fireball hit the ground near him, melting the frost creeping over Void''s legs. The beast let out a low growl of relief as it began to regain its mobility. Kyle blinked rapidly, the golden radiance fading enough for him to see clearly again. He turned his head toward Lina, wanting to shout his gratitude, but the words caught in his throat as his instincts screamed a warning. Just above him, the wolf''s paw was about to decend, in an attempt to make him one with the ground. Without thinking, Kyle activated [Lightning Dash]. Energy surged through his veins and his body reacted faster than his mind. In a sh of crackling electricity, he rolled out of the way allowing the wolf''s ws to m into the ground where he had been moments before. The impact sent shards of ice and stone flying and a few grazed his face and arms as hended in a crouch several feet away. Kyle''s breaths came in ragged gasps as he stared at the ground where the wolf''s paw had struck. The sheer force of the blow had left a crater, steam rising from the molten w marks etched into the ice. For a moment, Kyle remembered the situation. Lina and potentially the rest of the team had somehow managed to follow him into the forest. There were even there already. Kyle didn''t know how long they had been watching him for but he couldn''t take chances. In a swift motion, he withdrew the [Veil of Silence] and stored it in his inventory before turning around to meet his teammates with his eyes. They all stood some meters away from his spot and looked back at him with eyes filled with nervousness, but there was alot of confidence present in their bodynguage. They looked ready, ready to help Kyle. Kyle wanted to smile at their help when a certain thought crossed his mind. ''Void!'' Kyle said inwardly, tuning his eyes to meet his dragon pet and as expected he stood before Kyle looking at the teamzily and wondering what made theme here. ''They had seen Void!'' Kyle had never told anyone about his dragonpanion. To begin with, he wasn''t able to exin how he had acquired it in the first ce because the academy had made sure to be aware of every object that was brought in during their recruitment. . And now, he might have just blown it. ''How could I be so careless?'' Kyle cursed inwardly, clenching his fists. He reyed his actions in his head: theck of attention to detail while sneaking away earlier, and, worst of all, failing to consider the possibility of his teammates waking up. Before he could me himself further, his thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice [You really botched that one, didn''t you?] Kyle was surprised that he could hear Void''s voice sounding clearly in his mind, not through the system pet space as usual but through raw telepathy. ''You could talk to me like this?'' Kyle thought with surprise. [Of course, I can] Void replied, [You just never asked. Anyway, this is hardly the time to marvel at my brilliance] Kyle frowned, shaking off his initial surprise and returning to the more pressing issue. ''It''s risky enough that they''ve seen you. This could ruin everything,'' [Rx, we''re in the middle of a forest. It''s the perfect setting for a good lie. Say you found me while exploring. That I, in all my magnificence, decided you were worthy enough to be mypanion. Simple] Kyle though about Void words bringing himself to ept that it was truly brilliant. ''Wow, that''s a nice one.'' [Obviously] Void said smugly. [And when we head back, maybe I won''t have to live like a prisoner anymore. You could even take me to ss with the pet space. Or, we could eat at the cafeteria] Kyle felt likeughing at Void''s remark but kept it to himself. He turned around to meet his teammates once again, with the perfect tale formed in his head. But just before Kyle could tell them anything. The beast stepped back with an ear-splitting roar, its glowing maw releasing a wave of freezing energy. Shards of ice began to erupt from the ground afterwards racing towards Kyle''s position with deadly intent. Read Author''s Note* Chapter 146: Against A Corrupted Beast (2) "Get back!" Kyle shouted, the moment he saw the ice spikes that were being formed by the beast. They all ran further back from the beast before Finn created a [Mud Wall] to help in defense. Meanwhile, Kyle and Void had to rely on themselves to dodge the spikes due to being in a closer position to the source of the attack. They both activated [Lightning Dash] and in a blink of an eye, they had already gone far away from the area of impact. The corrupted wolf seemed irritated after seeing its attacks fail to hit any one of the humans. It unconsciously decided to step up its game if it was going to destroy them. >HOWLLLLL!< The wolf moved back a few steps and unleashed another bone-chilling howl. The golden light radiating from its body intensified, and its ws shimmered with icy energy as it lunged toward Kyle at breakneck speed. Kyle, on seeing the wolf''s charge towards him didn''t hesitate to activate [Lightning Dash] and his form vanishing in a burst of crackling electricity. He didn''t n on running though, with a smooth turn, he missed the wolf that approached towards him, reappearing beside it and shing his katana at its torso, making sure to activate [Frozen sh] The hit didn''t do much to the wolf, but it had managed to help it lose its bnce and thankfully, his teammates were smart enough to capitalize. "Fireball!" Lina shouted from some distance,unching a zing orb of me directly at the wolf. The explosion didn''t do much to it, however it managed to disorient it further. "Keep it off bnce!" Celine added, stepping forward. "Water Waves!" A surging wave of water rushed toward the wolf, soaking the ground beneath it and making its footing unsteady. The wolf stumbled, but it wasn''t out yet. With a snarl, the wolf released a st of icy wind, freezing the water instantly and creating jagged icicles across the battlefield. The sharp cold bit into Kyle''s skin, and he gritted his teeth as he raised Frozen w defensively. [HP: 170/180] Void immediately darted through the icy storm with [Lightning Dash] and a in a moment, he had appeared above the wolf, unleashing a devastating [Lightning Breath] onto its back. "You''re wee, by the way!" Void couldn''t help but reply to Kyle. Kyle ignored him, focusing on his next move. Activating Frozen sh, he charged back into the fray. With precise strikes, he targeted the wolf''s legs, aiming to weaken its movement. Each sh left trails of frost that crept along the wolf''s limbs, slowing it down. "Finn, I need cover!" Kyle called out as Frostbane turned on him, its glowing ws swiping down in a wide arc. Finn mmed his hands into the ground again. "Mud Wall!" A barrier of earth erupted between Kyle and the wolf, buying him just enough time to roll away. Frostbane''s ws smashed through the wall, but Kyle was already back on his feet. The rest of the team soon joined in on the fray and they all continued attacking the wolf with joint attacks, going all out without any regard for their mana. Until... >ROOOAAR!!< With a furious roar, the wolf summoned a massive wave of golden light and its body glowed intensely as the unstable mana within it surged to the surface. The light energy healed all of its wounds, closing the frost-coated gashes Kyle had inflicted. "No way," Kyle muttered under his breath. His teammates had inflicted significant damage, but the wolf''s regeneration had made their efforts all useless. What followed after was the Wolf opening its maw very wide, gathering energy for a devastating attack. "Everyone, get back!" Kyle shouted. A wave of frost erupted from the wolf''s mouth, tearing across the battlefield. Kyle barely managed to dodge by activating [Lightning Dash], his body crackling with electricity as he sped out of harm''s way. They all tried their best to nullify the wolf''s effort. Kyle''s defensive runes + multiple [Mud Walls] from Finn couldn''t save them as the wave, somehow, got through all the defenses and left the team assaulted with cold. [HP: 140/180] ''If I was this affected, I wonder what happened to the rest,'' Kyle thought before turning to Zara, who was positioned some meters away from the battlefield, and giving his order. "Heal the rest of the team!" From the rear, Zara immediately understood Kyle''s request. She extended her hands and a golden glow enveloped Finn, Celine and Lina as she casted [Healing Aura] on them. The pain they felt reduced and some of their energy returned. "Thanks!" they all remarked simultaneously to Kyle and Zara before joining in to help Kyle who was currently going up against the beast alone. and called back, rolling to avoid another swipe from Frostbane. The battle raged on, with most of it involving Kyle and his team dodging the beasts attacks, taking some hits and countering whenever they got the chance. At such stage of the battle, there was a deadlock between both sides. None of them were able to change the tide of the battle and that meant u5 would only drag out futher. ''If this battle continues like this, we would lose,'' Kyle analyzed as he struck the beast at its side with the [Frozen w] before using [Lightning Dash] to zip further away. If the battle was to stretch on, it would have to settle on a battle of endurance and why Kyle was confident of his ability to go on for hours, he couldn''t show off too much to his teammates and they were already on the brink of exhaustion. Kyle noticed this from their sluggish movements and the less shy attacks they were beginning to throw out now. If they were out of mana, they would only question how Kyle has some much left. ''I''ve gotta turn the tables.'' A beautiful n cooked up in Kyle''s mind and he was confident of its ability to change the course of the battle. He reached into his inventory and pulled out the mana mist potion he has requested Orion to make for him. The opening the potion let out a thick smoky must that surrounded him that''ll make it impossible for anyone to track his mana signature and he would only be seen as harmless. Kyle had high hopes for it to deliver and this was the moment to test its effectiveness. Him and Void was immediately surrounded by the smoky mist as he had called his petpanion over before opening the potion. After that, he activated an enhancement rune and a speed rune on both himself and Void. "Void, with me!" Kyle shouted. "Let''s finish this thing!" Void roared in response, his form blurring as they used [Lightning Dash] to close the distance to the wolf. Kyle followed, moving in perfect sync with his dragonpanion. Void unleashed multiple [Lightning Breath]s om the beast. Kyle darted in with [Lightning Dash], using his katana to cleanly slice across the wolf''s side in rapid session. sh after sh, they kept on going on the same area of the beast and the beast couldn''t identify the menace that disturbed it. The beast howled, its movements bing rough. It was losing control and the unstable mana within it was beginning to consume its body. Sensing defeat, Frostbane reared back and unleashed a deafening roar, channeling all its remaining energy into a final, desperate attack. >HOOOOOOWWWLLLLLL!!< A blinding beam of concentrated light erupted from its maw, aimed directly at Kyle. Kyle''s heart pounded as the power of the beam attack made his instincts scream like never before and all the hairs on his skin stand. He didn''t waste time thinking of his options as he reached into his inventory and withdrew the pocket mirror shield. The beast was a dual elemental beast, of Light and Frost and Kyle was gambling his luck on that attack being a Light attack. ording to Orion, the mirror could perfectly reflect back Light attacks and Kyle was wholly depending on that effect to save him. The shield''s surface shimmered with a reflective sheen as he raised it just in time. The light beam struck the mirror, and Kyle felt the overwhelming force of the attack push him back. The ground beneath his feet cracked under the pressure, and for a moment, he thought the shield might shatter. The endless light kept pouring into the mirror, in a bid to saturate it, pushing Kyle steps back with each second. Just when Kyle thought the mirror would give in, the energy rebounded. The light beam ricocheted off the mirror, turning back toward the wolf with unstoppable force. Chapter 147: Sword Intent? >HOWWLLL!< The wolf let out a long, anguished howl as the beam tore through its body and the golden light that surrounded its body rapidly faded as the corrupted mana within it dissipated. Kyle sensed the wolf''s condition. He still had this nagging feeling that the wolf still had it in it for onest attack and he knew he had to end it. >SWISH!< Activating [Lightning Dash], Kyle surged forward, his katana glowing with a fierce white light. The wolf was weakened and staggering and it barely had any strength to move. "BEGONE!!!" Kyle raised his katana, and with a scream he brought the de down on the beast in a decisive strike. But before the katana could connect, a familiar brilliant white line can out from its de meeting the wolf and cleanly slicing it''s body in two. The sheer force of the attack split the wolf into two, and the ground shook as the corrupted beast copsed. [Congrattions! You have in Corrupted Tier-4 mana beast!] [You have obtained 1* Corrupted Tier-4 mana core!] Ding! [Congrattions! You havepleted Quests: ¡ªInvestigate the mana pool. ¡ªHalt the beasts'' evolution by any means necessary. ¡ªDefeat all threats to restore bnce to the forest] [Reward: 100 Skill Points, 1* Chaos Spell Book] Kyle couldn''t control the joy he felt when he saw the system announce his rewards. He had done it, he couldn''t wait to use his rewards. ''I''ll have to finalize my chaos mana core soon then,'' Kyle thought, before looking around to see how his teammates were faring. On meeting his teammates, Kyle met their expressions. They were all frozen in utter shock and their mouth were wide open as they stared at him like a mythical creature. The surprise in their looks was very evident, but Kyle couldn''t grasp what caused their surprise. Void, after sensed the confusion on Kyle''s face, let out a long exaggerated sigh before face palming and shaking his head in disbelief. Kyle couldn''t help but let out a nervous chuckle. "Uh¡­ What''s wrong?" he Lina exploded first, her voice reaching a pitch Kyle hadn''t thought was humanly possible. "WHAT''S WRONG? You''re seriously asking us what''s wrong? What the hell was that attack? That white line thingy that came out of your katana?!" The others nodded vigorously in agreement, their wide eyes demanding answers. Kyle gulped hard after he realized what just happened. He had just used sword intent in front of them all. Of course they''ll be surprised. "Well¡­" Kyle began hesitantly, already deciding not to spill the truth to them. "I''m not sure what that was¡­" Lina cut him off with a sharp re. "Don''t give me that crap, Kyle. There''s no way you don''t know. What did you just do?" "I¡ªI mean¡­" Kyle stumbled over his words, his nervous chuckle returning. "It just¡­ happened?" "Shut up," Lina snapped. "That''s not an exnation. You can''t just casually slice such a mana beast in half with whatever that was and act like it''s nothing!" Kyle''s lips twitched into a nervous smile. He was trying to think of a way to downy what had happened, but Zara had already chimed in before he could respond. "That attack," she with awe, "It was so powerful that it even left a crack on the ground." She pointed at the spot where the wolf''s corpsey, and all their eyes followed. Kyle nced at the ground. A jagged line ran from where the wolf had been cleaved in two, extending several meters away. The sheer force of his sword intent had left an undeniable mark, both on the battlefield and on his teammates'' perception of him. He sighed inwardly, realizing there was no way out of this. "So?" Lina pressed, folding her arms. "Are you going to exin, or are we supposed to guess?" "Alright, alright," Kyle said, changing his mind and deciding to tell him. It wasn''t like sword intent was that much of a secret, after all Instructor Dan knew about it and Kyle was sure the rest of the students would learn of it too. "I think¡­ it might''ve been sword intent." Kyle hesitated, knowing there was no way out of this without giving them at least some semnce of the truth. He sighed heavily and scratched his head, avoiding their piercing gazes. "Alright, fine. That attack¡­ was sword intent." The nk stares that followed after he exposed the attack were almostical. "Sword intent? What''s that supposed to mean?" Lina asked. "Yeah, is it from magic?" Zara asked too. Kyle sighed again, muttering under his breath, "This is exactly why I didn''t want to tell you." The three girls stared at him, their expressions quickly turning from confused to furious. Finn also raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with his words. Lina stepped forward and clenched her hands into fists. "Kyle," she said in a dangerously low voice, "You better start exining before we make you exin." Kyle honestly felt likeughing when he saw her threat, but he simply yed along and surpressed hisugh.. "Alright, alright! Don''t kill me. I''ll exin." The group crossed their arms, waiting expectantly. "Okay," Kyle began, trying to find the simplest way to exin it. "Sword intent is¡­ well, it''s kind of like an advanced skill that swordsmen can use. It''s not just about swinging your sword harder or faster. It''s about putting your will into the de." "Your will?" Celine asked, her brow furrowing. Kyle nodded. "Yeah. It''s like pouring your intent, your focus, and your emotions into the sword. When you reach a certain level of mastery, you can manifest that intent into a physical force. That''s what you saw¡ªa manifestation of my sword intent." The group blinked, processing his words. "So¡­ that white line that came out of your katana," Zara said slowly, "Was your will?" "Exactly," Kyle confirmed. "It''s insanely powerful, but it''s also really difficult to control. I haven''t mastered it yet that''s why I can''t summon it at will, for now it just pops up now and then, especially when Imit fully to an attack." Finn crossed his arms, still looking confused. "So how did you even learn this? I''ve never even heard of it before." Kyle shrugged nonchntly, though inwardly he was cringing. "I''ve been training with swords for a while. Picked up a few things here and there. It''s not exactly something they teach in ss, you know." The girls exchanged nces, clearly impressed despite themselves. "That''s¡­ amazing," Celine said softly. "Yeah," Zara agreed. "I can''t believe you''re walking around casually wielding something so dangerous." "More like casually showing off," Lina muttered, though there was a hint of admiration in her tone. Kyle chuckled nervously. "Well, like I said before I''m still not proficient with it... But if you''re really interested, you can ask someone like Harris," Kyle suggested before adding after some thought, "He should educate the ss on it one of these days." They all nodded, making a mental note to ask theirbat instructor when they returned to the academy. "But it''s still impressive for you to be learning something as powerful as that while being as young as us," Lina couldn''t help but say with a jealous tone. Kyle smiled and scratchrf the back of his head. "Thanks, I guess. But seriously, don''t look at me like I''m some kind of genius. Sword intent isn''t impossible to learn. It just takes a lot of practice." "Still," Celine said with evident admiration, "You''re still way ahead of us. It''s no wonder you took down that corrupted wolf like it was nothing." "Nah," Kyle quickly shook his head in disapproval, not wanting to im credit for their joint effort. "We took it down together, remember?" "Yeah, right. You''re just trying to act humble, but let''s not pretend you didn''t do most of the work," Lina said with an eye roll. "Seriously," Zara added. "You were the one who charged in,nded most of the critical blows, and then finished it off with your mirror then that sword intent." "Don''t forget how you held its attention while we recovered," Celine added. "We were barely keeping up." Kyle opened his mouth to protest, but before he could respond, Void snorted loudly from behind, his tail swishing in irritation. "If you don''t think you contributed, fine," Void said, his voice cutting through the group like a de. His golden eyes red at them, filled with a mixture of annoyance and disbelief. Chapter 148: Scary, Talking Dragon "But let''s not forget my role in this. I also dealt lots of attacks and I might have even dealt more damage to the beast than Kyle. Without me, you wouldn''t have won this battle!" Void concluded his outburst. The group froze and their faces went pale... They felt like asking the obvious question that lingered in everyone''s head: ''It can talk?''. But they weren''t stupid to ask such after seeing the reaction the beast had just shown. Lina stepped back instinctively, while Zara held her breath. Even Finn looked momentarily shaken. "Y-you''re right," Celine said with a stammer. "We didn''t mean to ignore your efforts." "Yeah," Lina added quickly, "We''re sorry¡­ dragon." "Hmph." Void snorted, lifting his chin as if to say the matter was closed. An awkward silence fell over the group as no one could find the courage to talk anymore. the tension thick enough to cut with a de. After a long pause, Finn finally broke the silence, ncing at Kyle. "So¡­ Kyle, you never told us about yourpanion. How exactly did you get it?" Kyle didn''t panic when he was asked. He had already nned on what to tell them and he was confident they''ll believe. "Well," he began, choosing his words carefully. "I found him in the forest. He was¡­ kinda stuck in a trap." "A trap?" Celine repeated. "Yeah. It looked like some kind of rune formation. It was draining his mana, so I broke him out. After that, he decided to stick with me." Finn narrowed his eyes. "You''re telling us that just randomly decided to follow you around because you saved it?" Void scoffed, drawing their attention. "First of all," he said with disdain, "I''m not a that. Watch your words, human." Finn almost fell off from fare when he heard Void speak again but knew he was in the wrong and apologized. "Sorry." Void''s eyes narrowed, and he snorted again. "It''s Void." Finn nodded before asking. "So, uh¡­ Void. Why''d you agree toe with him?" Void''s sharp eyes narrowed further. "Do you think I would waste my time exining myself to someone like you? I have my reasons. If you can''t ept that, it''s your problem, not mine." The group recoiled slightly at Void''s harsh tone, exchanging nervous nces. "Well," Zara said, stepping in cautiously to ask the question that was in everyone''s mind. "Void¡­ are you¡­ a dragon?" "Nah..." Void nodded his head in denial. "I''m a cat." Kyle sighed at Void''s sarcastic reply. "He''s a dragon, I guess," he said with a shrug. "You guess? What do you mean, you guess? Either he is, or he isn''t!" Lina added in a high tone. Kyle gave another nervous chuckle. "Hey, it''s not like I know much about dragons, okay? All I know is that he''s ridiculously strong and can talk." Finn looked even more incredulous. "This doesn''t make sense. What would a dragon be doing in the forest? And why would it agree to be someone''s pet." "You dare insinuate that I am a mere pet?" Void screamed in anger. "Watch your tongue, human, before I teach you your ce!" "Sorry... I didn''t mean it like that! I swear!" Kyle stepped between them quickly, raising his hands. "Alright, Void, calm down. Finn didn''t mean any harm." He turned to Finn and added, "And you, maybe be a little more careful with the way you address Void." Finn nodded quickly. "Yeah, sorry. Bad choice of words again." Kyle decided to wrap up the conversation. "I guess I just got lucky. Found a dragon, broke him out of a trap, and now he''s with me. Simple as that." Celine frowned and her curiosity was still not satisfied. "Void, what about your family? Do you have anyone else out there?" Void''s expression darkened instantly. "I don''t know," he replied. "And frankly, it''s none of your business. Stop pestering me with stupid questions that don''t concern you." The sharpness of his voice made them flinch, and they instinctively stepped back with shaken confidence. Kyle sighed again, rubbing his temples. [You''re not making this easier, you know.] [They were asking stupid questions. What do you expect me to do?] Kyle forced a smile and turned back to the group. "Look, Void''s not big on small talk. Can we drop it?" The others nodded reluctantly, though they were still ncing nervously at Void, who stood tall and unbothered, exuding an aura of superiority. "Fine," Lina muttered, still looking skeptical. "But I''m keeping my eye on him." Void smirked and he exposed his sharp teeth in a grin. "Feel free to try, little human. You might learn something." Kyle sighed, feeling the tension still lingering in the air. "Alright, enough chit-chat... We''re meant to he happy that we have managed to find the source of the tide" The group''s attention shifted immediately and their earlier unease faded as the weight of their aplishment settled in. A collective sense of relief washed over them. "Yeah," Finn agreed, "We actually did it." The group walked closer to wolf on the floor to examine the fallen beast. The corrupted wolfy syed across the ground, its massive body sliced into two perfect halves. The precision of the cut was awe-inspiring, the edges clean and sharp, as if the de that struck it had been wielded by an expert. "Okay, boss. What happens with the beast now?" Finn took the initiative to ask. Kyle stepped closer to the corpse and he looked at it with a thoughtful expression. "We will check it for a mana core first." The group exchanged nces before gathering around the massive carcass. Finn and Celine volunteered to cut into it while Kyle observed with an air of curiosity. The group managed to cut through the beast, but when they tried to peer inside, their eyes stared on the empty hole where the mana core should have been. "It''s not here," Finn said in disbelief his voice. "What?" Celine''s brows furrowed as she leaned closer. "That''s impossible. A beast this powerful should definitely have a core!" Kyle feigned a look of surprise. "That is strange." "None of the beasts we''ve fought so far had cores," Celine pointed out. "Not even the lesser ones. This¡­ this is serious. If something''s giving them energy other than mana, then we''re dealing with a bigger problem than just a beast tide." "You''re right. That''s not normal." Kyle confirmed, cing his hand on the wolf''s hide, storing it in his inventory. The group watched as the massive corpse shimmered faintly before vanishing. "I''ll carry it back to the academy," Kyle said when he saw the confused expressions of his teammates. "They''ll want to study it." Everyone nodded in agreement. None of them were particrly eager to take the beast''s remains themselves. Kyle smiled inwardly, feeling the wolf settle into his inventory alongside the thousands of other beasts he and Void had dispatched earlier. He entertained a thoughts about what he could do with all those resources before pushing the idea aside. They still had work to do. Turning his attention to the atmosphere, Kyle took a deep breath, feeling the dense mana in the air almost flow through his veins. The richness of the energy was intoxicating, a sharp contrast to the usual faint presence of mana outside the forest. It felt alive, pulsating with an almost rhythmic beat, as if the very air was urging them to sit down and cultivate. Celine took a moment to notice it too. Her hand instinctively moved to her chest as she inhaled deeply. "The mana here¡­ it''s so dense," she murmured with wide eyes. "It''s incredible," Lina agreed, ncing around. "I''ve never felt anything like this. It''s so concentrated I feel like I could reach out and grab it." Kyle remained quiet, his sharp gaze fixed on the glowing pool just a few meters ahead. The pool radiated an ethereal light, casting soft, shimmering waves across the surrounding area. Its surface churned slowly, as if alive, and every ripple seemed to send another surge of mana into the air. The glow wasn''t just light; it was mana in its purest, rawest form, visible to the naked eye. The group stood rooted in ce and they locked their gazes on the pool. Seconds slowly stretched into a long silence, the group''s awe rendering them speechless. It wasn''t until Lina finally voiced the question lingering in everyone''s mind that the spell was broken. "What¡­ is that?" she whispered. Chapter 149: Cultivating Beside an Origin Source (1) Kyle stared at the pool for onest time before turning to Lina so as to reply her question. "It''s a mana origin source¡ª" "An origin source?!" Lina repeated before Kyle could continue, with deep surprise evident in her expression and tone. They all knew what a mana origin source was as well its implications and everyone was simrly shocked to be standing before one. "Yeah," Kyle continued with a nod. "It should be the reason for the beast tide. It is also the cause of the wolf''s corruption." They all nodded their heads in pondering expressions when they heard Kyle''s exnation to them. "It all makes sense," Finn said. "But... Howe we didn''t encounter any mana beast on our way yet?" "True," Zara added. "A mana origin source is meant to attract alot of beasts as it can help them evolve if they cultivated within its vicinity." With their spections made, they all looked at Kyle, demanding answers. "Uhm..." Kyle thought for a while on what to say. He couldn''t tell them that he had killed them as that would pose alot of questions. There was also no way for him to exin what happened to the beast corpses so he had no other option than to lie again. "Except for a few beasts I encountered while adventuring the forest, which by the way, are in my space ring at the moment; I saw no other beasts," he raised his hands in denial before concluding, "Honestly speaking, I''m as shocked as you are." "Hmm," Celine murmured, looking like she was about to ask another question. But Kyle was quick enough to prevent that from happening. "Enough with the questions. We could use this time to cultivate given how rich and concentrated the mana is." "He''s right," Finn said. "If the mana here is this dense, cultivating now could help us grow faster than we ever imagined." "Exactly!" Zara eximed. "I''ve never seen or felt anything like this before. Who knows how much progress we could make?" Even Lina, who had been skeptical earlier, nodded in agreement. "If we cultivate here, we might be even able to break through to the next stage." Kyle took a moment to assess hispanions. He decided to gauge their current progress to understand their potential gains. "So, what stage of cultivation are you all at?" Lina spoke first, puffing out her chest slightly. "Third stage. But I''m really close to breaking into the fourth." "Same here," Zara added with a smile. "I can feel the barrier getting thinner with every session." Celine nodded. "Me too. Just a bit more, and I''ll push through." Finn rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Third stage as well. I think I''m a little further behind than the rest, but I''m not too far off." Kyle gave an encouraging nod, hiding the small smirk that threatened to leak from his lip. "That''s good. You''re all making solid progress." He briefly considered sharing his own cultivation stage but decided against it. Telling them he was far beyond their level would only create unnecessary tension. "Alright," he said, pping his hands together. "Let''s not waste any more time. Start cultivating. This kind of opportunity doesn''te often." The group nodded eagerly, moving closer to the mana pool. Before they began, Kyle remembered something and decided to add, "We don''t know how long this origin source willst, so cultivate as quickly as you can. And remember to pay attention to the pool itself. If it starts to ripple, we''ll need to leave immediately." They all nodded their head in understanding. They didn''t need to question Kyle further as they clearly understood what he meant by the ripple stage. From what they has learned in ss, a mana origin source goes through several stages. The first stage was the formation stage. Mana origin sources didn''t just appear randomly. They were born from the immense pressure andpression of mana. When vast amounts of mana umted in a specific area, for reasons known to none, the Mana wouldpress into a source which could be in any state. During this stage, creatures sensitive to mana, that is, mana beasts would be drawn to the site, hoping to bask in its energy and evolve. Right now, it wad in its essence stage, where the mana ispressed and concentrated, making it perfect for cultivation. However, after a few days from the day of its creation, the pool would start to ripple and be chaotic. That was sign that it''s about to reach its burst stage. The burst stage is when the mana in the origin source bes unstable and explodes outward. It spreads thin across the surrounding atmosphere, increasing the general mana saturation. But the increase is so small that it''s barely noticeable to anyone. However, the burst itself is incredibly violent. Anyone near the pool when it happens could be seriously injured¡ªor worse. The group moved into position around the pool, each finding a spot where they could sitfortably. Kyle watched as they crossed their legs and began focusing their energy, their expressions turning serene as they entered a meditative state. Satisfied, Kyle found a spot for himself directly in front of the pool. He sat down cross-legged, his gaze fixed on the shimmering surface. He took a deep breath, letting the dense mana wash over him. The air felt alive, charged with an energy so pure that it seemed to hum in harmony with his very being. He closed his eyes and began breathing it in, feeling the mana flow into him like a gentle stream and merging with his core. [EXP +10] Kyle opened his mouth in awe when he saw the system notification. ''10 EXP per second? That''s 10 times my usual amount!'' he thought with a grin. [EXP: 1341/18000] ''I can go on without breathing for about 5 minutes now. That means I could see a break through if I continue for 6 hours,'' Kyle calcted. ''I just hope the pool holds on till then.'' With that, Kyle resumed his cultivation session, inwardly steeling himself to push it until he broke through. *** 1 hourter... Celine was the first to get up, she exhaled deeply as she stood and her legs trembling slightly from the extended period of cultivation. She stretched her hands to free up some exhaustion before going after the first thing that came up in her mind. Water. Her palm grab up to catch a meal cup that she retrieved from her space ring before using her magic to fill it up with water, gulping down the cool liquid and savoring the refreshment it always brought to her. Cultivation was no small feat. The process required the utmost focus and discipline. The long hours of holding one''s breath, circting mana, and maintaining a steady mental state weren''t easy and each session always left one exhausted. Celine clenched her fists after she was done with her water and had returned her cup, her lips curling into a satisfied smile as she felt the newfound strength coursing through her veins. ''Finally, after what felt like an eternity stuck at the third level, I had broken through.'' The feeling of her sess was exhrating and it only made her smile wider. Her gaze shifted toward Kyle, the boy who had made this possible. He sat cross-legged on the ground with a perfectly straight posture. The moonlight kissed his face, highlighting his sharp features and his dark blue hair swayed gently in the cool breeze, amplifying his aura multiple times. Celine found herself staring and a soft smile formed on her lips. "Isn''t he so handsome?" she muttered. As she admired Kyle, Lina stirred beside her, rising to her feet. The movement startled Celine, and she jumped as if caught stealing something. "What are you doing?" Lina asked, looking at her suspiciously. "Nothing!" Celine blurted hastily, her face flushing with a red blush. "I was just... admiring the moonlight. It''s so pretty tonight, don''t you think?" Lina raised an eyebrow but didn''t press further. She was far too excited to focus on Celine''s strange behavior. "Well... I finally broke through!" she eximed, throwing herself down onto the bare ground. She let out a long sigh of relief, her grin wide as she basked in the feeling of sess. "Congrats, me too." One by one, the others began waking as well. Finn was thest to stand, shaking off the stiffness in his limbs with a satisfied groan. Chapter 150: Cultivating Beside an Origin Source (2) "I thought I''d never get past the third level. It feels so good to finally advance." Zara said after she had gotten up. "Same here. An origin source is so incredible. It''s like the mana is ten times denser than normal." Finn couldn''t help but add. "Yeah... it''s a rare opportunity. We wouldn''t be here if it weren''t for Kyle." The group nodded, their gazes shifting toward their silent benefactor. Kyle remained unmoving, his focus unwavering as he continued to cultivate. Lina tilted her head, frowning slightly. "Why is he still cultivating? Wasn''t he supposed to be the first to finish?" Her words hung in the air for a moment before the others exchanged knowing looks. "That dude," Lina said with anger. "He must have broken through already. He''s always one step ahead." "Always," Finn muttered grimly. "Monster," Zara said, shaking her head with a wry smile. Celine, however, couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off. "Even if he''s already in the fourth stage, shouldn''t he be tired by now?" "He must be trying to push for the fifth stage and here we are, celebrating just getting to the fourth." "If we get back to cultivating now, we might be able to catch up while he''s recovering." Lina smirked, already settling back into her position. "Then let''s not waste time. He''ll have to rest eventually, and we''ll use that to close the gap." With renewed determination, the group resumed their cultivation, unaware that Kyle had lonf surpassed the fourth stage and was even pushing for the fourth. Worst of all, he''ll be able to go on for eight hours until he reached his goal. *** The night stretched on as Kyle and his team continued to cultivate near the mana origin source. The concentrated energy flowing from the pool and the power it would bring them was almost intoxicating, urging them to push their limits further than ever before. . Except for Kyle and Void, the group followed a steady pattern: They would cultivate for an hour before taking a brief rest to recover their stamina. Despite the richness of the mana, the intense focus and discipline required took a toll on their bodies, leaving them fatigued after each session. They would drink water, stretch, and exchange a few words before resuming their efforts. Kyle, however, remained motionless, utterly focused on his cultivation. While his teammates alternated between cultivating and resting, he pushed forward relentlessly. The system notification about gaining 10 EXP per second had motivated him like never before. With his body being able to handle more of the pressure and exhaustion, he was determined to use this rare opportunity to its fullest. By the time the morning sunlight broke through the forest canopy, Kyle''s teammates had justpleted their third hour of cultivation. They rested again, sitting together near the pool as they admired the sunrise. "The mana here really is something else," Finn said, marveling at how the morning light reflected off the shimmering pool. Zara nodded, her expression one of both exhaustion and satisfaction. "It''s incredible. I feel like I''ve made more progress in one night than I usually do in a month." Celine nced toward Kyle, who was still sitting cross-legged,pletely engrossed in his cultivation. "He hasn''t moved an inch," she said with a mixture of awe and concern in her voice. "Do you think he''s taking breaks while we''re cultivating?" "Probably," Lina replied, though her tone betrayed some doubt. "He''s always ahead of us, so maybe he doesn''t need as much rest. He''s probably using our breaks to push even further." The group nodded in agreement, though they all felt some sense of frustration. Kyle''s seemingly unending stamina were both inspiring and slightly intimidating. Still, they resolved to keep going, determined to narrow the gap between themselves and their year mate. *** Kyle kept on continued cultivating between breaks and soon, it didn''t take long for noon toe, its harsh sunlight filtering through the forest and casting long shadows across the clearing. The once cool and serene atmosphere had grown hot and humid, but Kyle paid no attention. [EXP +10] [EXP +10] [EXP +10] ... [EXP: 18000/18000] [Congrattions! You have Leveled Up!] [Beginner Mage: Lv 7 >> Lv 8] [All stats: +10] "Status!" ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Beginner Mage: Lv 8* EXP: 10/27000* HP: 200* Energy: 236* MP: -* Agility: 111* Strength: 115* Vitality: 100* Stamina: 118* Intelligence: 101* SP: 0 [Elements] [Skills] [Lightning Bolt(Lv 3)] [Lightning Dash(Lv 3)] [Inspect(Lv 2)] [Gobbler(Lv 2)] [Undying] Skill Points: 100 ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª A satisfied smile spread across Kyle''s face as he stared at his status panel, letting the feeling of aplishment wash over him. He could feel the strength coursing through his body and his core was now brimming with energy unlike anything he had experienced before. "Perfect," he muttered. "This was worth every second." Turning his gaze toward his teammates, he saw that they had all fallen asleep, sprawled across the ground in various positions. Kyleughed a little at their indiscipline as he looked at their peaceful expressions. Usually he was the one who tended to oversleep but he had managed to triumph against sleep this time. ''It only makes sense for them to fall asleep. Cultivation takes a toll on the body, and they''ve been at it for hours.'' Kyle debated waking them but decided against it, understanding that they needed the rest. Instead, his eyes shifted to Void, who was still in a meditative state near the edge of the clearing. The tiny dragon''s form radiated a faint glow, a sign of his progress. Kyle''s lips curled into a thoughtful smile. ''Assuming Void''s cultivation speed is also multiplied by ten due to the mana density, it should take him about 10¨C11 hours to break through. He''s been at it for a while now, so he must be getting close.'' Satisfied that Void was making progress, Kyle turned his attention back to the mana pool. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what came next. "Let''s form that Chaos Core," he murmured to himself. *** The vige of Windrest was nestled in a serene valley, surrounded by lush greenery and towering mountains. For generations, it had been a ce of peace and contentment. The vigers lived simple lives, tending to their crops and animals, sharingughter during festivals, and gathering around bonfires to exchange stories of their ancestors. It was a ce untouched by the chaos of the outside world, but that tranquility had been shattered by the beast tide. The first attack hade without warning, a wave of feral creatures descending from the forest and leaving the vigers injured. It was so bad that some died, something that rarely happened in Windrest. When Kyle and his team arrived, hope returned like the dawn breaking through a stormy night. Their swift and decisive action during the wave they faced of the beast tide had saved lives and restored confidence. That was why the vigers, overwhelmed with gratitude, had thrown a feast in their honor that evening. They had all eaten to their full,ughed and enjoyed moments together. For the first time in weeks, the vigers had slept soundly, trusting their safety to the protectors who hade to their aid. Morning broke gently over the vige, sunlight filtering through the curtain of a certain room. Henrick, the vige chief, stirred in his bed and opened his eyes groggily. "Eight-thirty?" he muttered, ncing at the small wooden clock on the wall. "I must''ve overslept. Too much alest night, Henrick, you fool." Rubbing his temples, he sat up and stretched. His thoughts drifted to the feast, the joy on everyone''s faces, and the confidence in Kyle''s team. "It''s been years since I''ve seen the vige so lively," he murmured with a smile. After dressing quickly, he left his room to begin his day. Vigers bowed respectfully as he passed. "Good morning, Chief!" called a young boy hauling a basket of freshly picked herbs. "Good morning, Henrick!" an elderly woman greeted with a warm wave. Henrick replied to each with a kind word and a smile, his heart swelling with pride. Windrest was more than a collection of homes; it was a family. And as the chief, it was his duty to protect them. Entering his modest kitchen, he found his wife already preparing breakfast. She turned and smiled at him. "You''re upte, Henrick. The feast must''ve worn you out." "It''s not every day we celebrate victory," Henrick chuckled. "But listen, prepare something special for Kyle and his team. They''ve earned it." Chapter 151: Cultivating Beside an Origin Source (3) "It''s not every day we celebrate victory," Henrick chuckled. "But listen, prepare something special for Kyle and his team. They''ve earned it." "Of course. I''ll make my best stew. You should bring it to them yourself." "Of course... I will," Henrick said, nting a kiss on her cheek before heading out. He approached the cottage they had assigned to Kyle''s team. It was a simple but sturdy structure, chosen for its proximity to the vige center. Knocking firmly on the wooden door, Henrick called out, "Good morning, heroes! Are you awake?" Silence greeted him. Frowning, he knocked again. "Kyle? Anyone in there?" When there was still no response, Henrick hesitated. "Perhaps they''re out training," he muttered, but unease was already creeping into his voice making him to try entering. Pushing the door open, he stepped inside. The cottage was empty and the beds were untouched. Henrick''s heart began to race as he searched the rooms, his voice growing louder with each call. "Kyle! Zara! Celine! Where are you?" The absence of any response sent a chill down his spine. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Henrick tried to steady his nerves. "Don''t panic, old man," he muttered to himself. "They''re probably nearby." But as his search extended to the outskirts of the vige and yielded no results, Henrick''s worst fears began to take shape. He returned to the vige square with a pale face, gathering all the vigers to meet there. They looked up at him in concern, wanting to know the reason for their gathering. "Chief? What''s wrong?" asked one of the men. "They''re¡­ Our heroes... They''re not in the cottage," Henrick stammered. "I''ve looked everywhere, but Kyle and his team are missing." Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd. "Missing? How can they be missing?" cried a woman, clutching her child. "They wouldn''t just leave us, would they?" Henrick raised his hands for calm, though his own heart was pounding. "Listen to me! We don''t know where they''ve gone, but we mustn''t jump to conclusions. They might''ve gone to scout the area or prepare for the tide." "But what if something happened to them?" someone asked anxiously. "We''ll find them. Spread out in groups and search the vige and the surrounding woods. If you see anything unusual, report back immediately," Henrick ordered, trying to sound as calm as possible. The vigers nodded and their fear gave way for determination. "I''ll check the eastern fields!" shouted one man. "I''ll look by the river!" said another. The vigers dispersed, calling out Kyle and his teammates'' names as they searched. For over an hour, they scoured every corner of the vige and its surroundings. While Henrick stood in the vige square with his wife, their hands locked together forfort as they waited for any news. Finally, the searchers began to return but Henrick could make out their grim expressions. "There''s no sign of them, Chief," one of the vigers said. "Not even tracks," added another. Henrick swallowed hard and his stomach began twisting in nervousness. He had dreaded this moment and now it had happened. "What do we do now, Chief?" asked a young woman in panic. "The beast tide coulde any moment!" Henrick took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. "We have to be prepared. Even without Kyle and his team, we must protect Ninian. Gather every able-bodied man and woman. Start reinforcing the traps at the eastern edge. We''ll face the beasts ourselves if we have to." The vigers exchanged worried nces but nodded. "We''ll do it, Chief," said an elderly man, gripping his walking stick tightly. "We''ll protect our home," echoed another. As the vigers set to work, Henrick couldn''t shake the gnawing fear that gripped his heart. ''Where are you, Kyle?'' he thought desperately. *** The hours passed slowly with each one filled with tense anticipation. All the vigers that were ready to fight stood before the rough defenses they had scrambled up together. They all stared into the forest, waiting for the dreaded moment when the beasts would arrived. They remained there until noon came and went... without any sign of the beast tide. By the time the clock struck one, the vigers began to feel a glimmer of hope. "Could it be?" murmured a young man as he checked the traps. "No beasts?" "Maybe Kyle and his team dealt with them before they reached us," suggested another. "It''s possible," Henrick said, though he didn''t fully believe his own self. After waiting for a longer while and nothing happened. They couldn''t help but begin to celebrate, having trust that somehow, somewhere their heroes were saving them. "We''re saved!" someone shouted. "Thank the heavens for Kyle and his team!" The crowd cheered and their spirits were lifted as they prayed silently for their missing heroes, hoping they were safe wherever they were. *** Kyle stared at the rich, concentrated mana that left the pool. The fact that he could see it with his naked eyes showed how potent it was, and that was what he needed at that moment. "To form a mana core, one needs topress their core into its smallest possible state, making sure it remains stable in that state. After that it is required that the iplete mana core within you is binded to an external mana source, usually a mana core, to further stabilize it andplete the core." Kyle murmured to himself like he was speaking to someone, repeating the processes in his mind to remember him of the task ahead. ''I had alreadypleted the first stage, it wasn''t easy to do so but I managed topress the chaotic mana core into a spherical orb,'' Kyle thought, beginning to focus his attention on the swirling orb of chaotic mana within him. ''Now, all that''s left to be done is to bind the mana core with external mana. I had originally nned on using a mana core when I had chance, but from the mana concentration, it''ll work just fine.'' Kyle began cultivating once again. Usually, when he cultivated the mana simply went into his body, not choosing any route in particr. But this time, he wasn''t just cultivating. Kyle tried his best to direct the mana flow into chaos core, structuring it with each breath he took. His chaos core continued to glow fiercely as it absorbed the mana Kyle sent in, it served as a glue that fixed the cracks on the orb, molding it into perfection. Kyle continued with the process for several minutes until the core formed. Elemental energies threatened to burst out from his body at that moment, but he suppressed it so as to avoid exposing his powers in an unfortunate turn of events. [Congrattions! You''ve formed your Chaos mana core!] Kyle didn''t need the system to inform him, he knew it. He knew that he had did it. Kyle decided to focus within him and sense his newly formed core. It hovered over its mana pool, just beside the lightning core. Although it was more stable than before, flickers of chaotic mana could be seen raging around the core, trying to show its erratic nature. ''Now that I''ve formed my core, I can learn the skills too,'' Kyle thought to himself as he focused his attention to observe the spell book that resided within his inventory. He really felt tempted to take it out, at least get a look on what kind of spells it offered. ''Get yourself together. Don''t act stupid,'' Kyle told himself. Assuming someone woke up when he brought out the spell book, that would lead to manyplications and might even expose his bigger secrets. ''I''ll learn it when there''s time,'' Kyle thought to himself. ''Hopefully, we return to the academy as soon as possible.'' With the rewards he had gotten from this mission, he was satisfied with his adventure and hoped to return to the academy so as to enjoy his spoils. ''Status!'' ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Beginner Lightning Mage: Lv 8 EXP: 10/27000 Beginner Chaos Mage: Lv 1* EXP: 0/1000* HP: 200 ... ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Except for the new tabs that disyed his progress with the new element, there were no new additions to Kyle''s system panel. Kyle had wondered the level his Chaos element would begin from and he wasn''t too surprised that he had to level it up from the beginning. ''On the bright side, ording to Riya, one was able to cultivate the two cores at once if they had dual-affinity,'' Kyle thought, grateful for the fact that didn''t need to focus on one for him to cultivate. He could do so simultaneously and that would greatly increase his speed. ''Let''s see how far I can go with this opportunity.'' Chapter 152: Origin Burst ''Let''s see how far I can go with this opportunity.'' With that, Kyle resumed his cultivation, this time he was aiming to increase the level of his two cores. [EXP +10] [EXP +10] [EXP +10] ... For over an hour, Kyle continued to cultivate, the world around him fading as he kept on directing mana into his cores. By the time two hours had passed, Kyle had managed to level up his Chaos Core more than once, but he kept on going until suddenly, he heard the ground begin to tremble. It felt very soft at first, like a low vibration in the earth, but it soon grew more pronounced. Kyle''s eyes snapped open. He knew what he was in an instant. ''The burst stage. It has arrived.'' The pool rippled violently as waves of mana flew threw its surface and Kyle didn''t need anyone to tell him to act fast. He turned around to meet Void. The Omni Drakkon had also sensed the disturbance and he had been quick to react. "It''s here. I sense it." Void said, the moment his golden eyes met with Kyle. "I know." Kyle nodded quickly. "We need to wake the others immediately." They both quickly moved toward the others, who were lying on the ground, sound asleep despite themotion. Zara had an arm draped over her eyes, while Celine and Linay curled up on their sides, and Finnid t on his back, snoring softly. Kyle turned his attention to Finn, who was closest. "Finn, get up! The pool''s about to burst!" "Huh? Burst? Oh... the pool¡­" Finn jumped up on his feet the moment he realized what Kyle said. "Help me wake the others. We don''t have much time." Finn nodded and moved toward Celine, shaking her awake with simr difficulty. Meanwhile, Kyle went to wake Zara and Void approached Lina. "Wake up, Lina," Kyle said urgently, nudging her shoulder. "Kyle, I swear if this isn''t important¡­" "It is important. The mana pool is destabilizing, and we need to leave now!" That got her attention and her eyes flew open immediately making her sit up quickly. "Why didn''t you say so earlier?" By the time everyone was roused, the tremors had intensified, and the air around them was buzzing with erratic mana. Void, who had been pacing impatiently, growled. "If you''re all done being sluggish, we need to move!" Zara yawned as she stretched but quickly became alert when she noticed the chaotic state of the pool. "Alright, alright, we''re going!" "Follow me," Kyle instructed, leading the way through the dense foliage. He kept his pace slower than he normally would, ensuring that everyone could keep up. The team moved in a hurried line while the ground continued shaking beneath their feet. Behind them, the pool began to glow brighter and the concentrated mana bing unstable. They picked up pace with this and began to run. When they finally emerged from the thick bush, Kyle led them several hindered meters farther before stopping in a small clearing. "Here. This should be safe enough." The group copsed onto the grass, catching their breath while Kyle and Void remained standing, as they looked in the direction of the pool. Momentster, a deafening explosion echoed through the forest, and a brilliant cascade of mana particles shot into the sky. The rest of the group stood up to watch, forgetting the former exhaustion that they felt so as to stare at the dazzling disy. The sky was painted with vibrant colors: shimmering blues, greens, and purples¡ªas the particles scattered, the colors lightened up the forest in an otherworldly glow. The chaotic beauty of the event was mesmerizing, a stark contrast to the danger it posed. "Wow. That''s¡­ breathtaking." Zara said with awe. "It''s like watching the stars fall," Celine murmured, her voice filled with wonder. "Too bad we almost got caught in it," Finn added with a shakyugh, though his eyes never left the sky. Kyle smirked but didn''t respond. He couldn''t deny the sight was captivating, even if it had nearly been their undoing. As the particles slowly faded, the group let out collective sighs and the tension finally began to ease. After a few minutes of silence, Kyle turned to the group. "So, how far did y''all get with your cultivation?" Finn, Celine, and the others all exchanged hesitant nces before Zara spoke up with a defeated tone. "We managed to break through to the fourth stage," she admitted, "but we couldn''t make it to the fifth. We are very close, though." Kyle nodded sympathetically and tried to encourage them. "That''s still progress. With more time, you''ll get there. Don''t worry." But the others weren''t convinced. "We had over ten hours to cultivate, and we spent most of it sleeping," Lina added bitterly. "If we had just focused, we might have made it." "You''re stronger than most back at the academy, though. Don''t forget that." Kyle added, reminding them of the funny reality. "You''re allzy," Void said with a snort. "Don''tin about not being strong if you waste all your time sleeping." Lina opened her mouth to retaliate against his statement, but she closed it back almost immediately, not finding the courage to argue with Void. A few momentster, Celine decided to speak up. "Kyle... how far did you get?" Kyle hesitated for a moment, trying to figure out how to answer without revealing too much. "I broke through once," he said, giving a truthful answer that left room for them to interpret in their way. The others exchanged frustrated nces, and though they didn''t say it out loud, it was clear from their expressions that they were both envious and a little bitter. *Growl!* Kyle heard his stomach growl, interrupting the short silence that existed. That made him remember that he haven''t had any food for over 15 hours now. He looked at his teammates, who were all looking up at him for instructions on their next moves. "Anyone hungry?" The response was instant. "YES!" all four of them yelled simultaneously, their voices practically bouncing off the trees around them. Lina red at Kyle. "Why even ask? We''re starving!" Zara added, "You think we wouldn''t be? After all that stress?!" Even Void gave him a sharp look, his golden eyes narrowing. "You''re in charge of feeding me too. Don''t even think about cking." Kyle could onlyugh at their reactions. "Alright, alright, calm down," he said, smirking as he touched his space ring that served as a decoy for his inventory. "I came prepared, trust me." The others exchanged curious nces, and Celine was the first to ask, "Wait¡­ you actually brought food? Enough for all of us?" Kyle''s smirk deepened as he remembered the stash he had hoarded from the dorm cafeteria. He had gone overboard, spending more credits than necessary, but now it was paying off. "Let''s just say I made sure we wouldn''t go hungry for a month," Kyle said, retrieving several full meal sets, stacks of energy bars, juice packs, bottles of water, and even premium snacks; all above Tier-1.The sight of the food appearing out of thin air left the group in awe. A tantalizing aroma wafted through the clearing, making all of them drool already. "It''s still hot!" Lina eximed. "How¡­? Never mind, I don''t care!" Zara grabbed one of the meals, practically salivating as she opened it. Void, who had been observing silently, let out a pleased rumble when Kyle produced a massive portion for him. It was more than the others'' mealsbined, and the dragon''s tail swished happily as he immediately began devouring it. "Finally, a meal worthy of me," Void remarked between bite. Kyle chuckled. "Enjoy it while itsts. This stash isn''t endless." he wasn''t scared because this was barely ten percent of what he had left in the inventory. But he had decided that he saved the rest incase he found himself in a simr The team sat in a circle, digging into their food with enthusiasm. They all ate with satisfaction. Void, meanwhile, kept asking for more. "You''ve eaten more than all of usbined!" Kyle protested, as he still pulled out anotherrge portion for the dragon. The third time the dragon had requested for another. Void''s actions were amusing to the others as they continued handling their own portions. After nearly an hour of feasting, everyone leaned back, thoroughly satisfied. The clearing was quiet except for the asional sigh of contentment. "Alright," Kyle said after a while, standing up and stretching. "We''ve rested enough. It''s time to head back to the vige." Chapter 153: Back at Windrest "Already? I could use another hour of rest," Linained after she heard Kyle. Zara tossed a stone at her, missing slightly. "Stop whining. You''ve been resting this whole time." Void let out a low rumble, rising to his feet with an elegant stretch. "Finally. I was beginning to think you''d all forgotten there''s more to life than eating andzing around." Celine stood and dusted herself off, shooting Void a yful re. "Says the one who ate enough for a small army." Kyle smirked at their banter but raised a hand to get them back on track. "Come on, focus. We''ve got a clear route back thanks to my Pathfinder''s map. It''ll be easier this time." Lina, still rubbing her eyes from earlier, asked, "How long do you think it''ll take?" "Not long," Kyle replied, pulling out thw map from his inventory. A glowing blue trail appeared on it, marking their path to Windrest. This made the the others react with surprised expressions. At this rate there was nothing Kyle could do that would move them anymore. "We''ll be back by nightfall if we keep a steady pace," Kyle continued, ignoring their looks. With that they set off on their journey back, the journey back to Windrest was smoother and quicker than expected. The pathfinder''s map had logged every step Kyle had taken on their way to the mana pool, and now it served as a reliable guide. They navigated the forest with ease, retracing their steps through the dense foliage and narrow paths. Despite the asional rustle of leaves, the trip was uneventful. Lina lightened the mood as they walked. "Do you think the vigers will throw another feast? I could definitely use more of that stew." "You mean the stew you spilled all over yourselfst night?" Zina teased, rolling her eyes. "Hey! That was an ident. Besides, I was just too enthusiastic!" "Sure you were," Finn muttered with a smirk. Even Void couldn''t help but let out a low rumble that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle. Kyle led the way in silence, focused on the task at hand but smiling faintly at their banter. The forest gradually opened up to reveal the vige, covered by the night sky. Everywhere was darkened as they crossed the final field, and the distant sound of voices was heard through the crisp night air. When they reached the vige, they found most of its inhabitants gathered around a massive bonfire in the central square. Windrest wasn''trge¡ªjust a few dozen families¡ªbut everyone hade together, drawn by the warmth of the fire and thefort of shared stories. Their faces were tired and their clothes dusted with dirt, and their postures spoke of long hours ofbor, but there were all happy. As Kyle and his group walked nearer, a sharp cry broke through the stillness. "Chief! Our heroes. They are back!" It was Jonas, the same boy who had weed them on their arrival. He stood at the edge of the square, pointing excitedly. His voice was heard by everyone in the gathering, drawing every eye to Kyle and his team. The vigers froze for a moment, their exhaustion reced by surprise and then overwhelming joy. A ripple of cheers spread through the crowd, growing louder as people surged toward the returning group. "They''re back!" "Our heroes have returned!" "They saved us!" The vigers swarmed them with ps on the back, handshakes, and bows. Children darted around them with theirughter filling the air, while the adults thanked them over and over. Kyle smiled at the warm reception, feeling a sense of fulfillment he hadn''t expected. His teammates were equally touched, even Void, who typically preferred to stay aloof. After a few minutes, Henrick stepped forward, his voice cutting through the noise. "Calm down, everyone! Give them a moment to breathe!" The crowd quieted, though their excitement was barely restrained. Henrick turned to Kyle, his expression a mix of relief and gratitude. "Heroes, we cannot thank you enough. Tell me, was it you who stopped the tide?" Kyle nodded. "Yes. The tide won''t threaten Windrest again." A collective sigh of relief swept through the crowd. Henrick''s shoulders sagged as if a great weight had been lifted. "You''ve done more than save our vige," Henrick said with deep emotion. "You''ve saved our families and our future. We are forever in your debt." The vigers all murmured their agreement, some wiping away tears of gratitude. Henrick raised his hands. "Tonight, we celebrate once again! Our heroes have returned and saved Windrest from the tide. Let us show them our thanks!" Cheers erupted once more, and the vigers sprang into action. Food and drink were brought out, the fire was stoked higher, and some vigers that pulled out simple instruments, filling the square with lively tunes. As the festivities unfolded, Kyle found himself sitting on a wooden chair near the edge of the gathering. He watched the scene with a content smile. The vigers wereughing, singing, and dancing. His teammates had joined in, Zina and Finn attempting a type of dance while Lina and Celine pped along. Even Void, who had initially stayed apart, was now surrounded by children. At first, the dragon had frightened them, but Kyle''s reassurance had helped ease their fears. Soon, they wereughing and trying to climb onto Void''s back, much to his feigned annoyance. His tail swished yfully, and he let out a low, rumbling sound that seemed suspiciously like amusement. Kyle leaned back, taking it all in. He had chosen this mission to connect with others, to experience something outside the academy''s walls, and it had turned into something far greater. These people, this vige¡ªthey felt like family, if only for a short time. "Are you enjoying the party, sir?" Kyle nced at his side and saw a boy standing beside him. He was dark-skinned, with a skinny build and bright, curious eyes. Kyle recognized him instantly¡ªit was Jonas, the first person he had met in Windrest, the one who had shown him to the chief''s house. "Jonas," Kyle said his name with a smile. "Hey there." The boy grinned as he sat down next to Kyle. "I just wanted to say¡­ thank you. For saving us." Kyle chuckled softly. "It''s nothing, really." "It''s not nothing," Jonas said earnestly. "If you hadn''te, we''d all be in trouble. I want to be like you someday¡ªstrong enough to protect my family." Kyle''s smile widened. "You''ll get there, Jonas. I''m sure of it. You''ve got the heart for it." "Do you really think so?" "I know so," Kyle said firmly. "It takes courage to want to protect others, and you''ve already got that. The strength wille with time and effort." Jonas nodded, looking thoughtful. "When will you be going?" Kyle hesitated, then said gently, "We''re leaving tomorrow morning. I have to return to the academy and continue my studies. That''s how I can get stronger." Jonas''s face fell, but he quickly tried to hide his disappointment. "Oh¡­ I see." "But," Kyle added, cing a reassuring hand on the boy''s shoulder, "I''ll be back. Maybe not right away, but I promise you''ll see me again." Jonas''s expression brightened. "Promise?" "I promise," Kyle agreed with a nod. "Now, how old are you, Jonas?" "Nine," the boy replied. Kyle smiled. "You''re still very young and wise for a kid your age. You''ll awaken one day, and when you do, work hard. I bet you''ll be one of the strongest in your generation." Jonas grinned. "I''ll do my best!" They continued talking of other casual stuff with Kyle narrating his experiences in the academy and Jonas telling Kyle how life was at the vige. As the night wore on, the festivities began to slowlye to an end. The vigers were tired but happy and slowly, they all began to return to their homes. Kyle and his team were offered a final round of thanks before they, too, retired to their cottage. Lying on his mat on the ground, Kyle stared up at the ceiling with his thoughts lingering on the events of the day. The warmth of the vigers'' gratitude and the joy on Jonas''s face stayed with him, filling him with a quiet sense of purpose. Tomorrow, they would leave Windrest and return to the academy, but this ce and its people would remain in his heart. He thought about whether to study the spell books that night, but got rid of the thought as he couldn''t risk exposing it to others. ''I''ll learn it when I return,'' Kyle thought to himself before closing his eyes to sleep. Chapter 154: Mission Report (1) The night flew and morning soon came. Kyle woke up to the soft chirping of birds outside the cottage window. Today was the day they returned to the academy. Kyle looked around and saw that his teammates were still fast asleep. He quietly got up from the floor, so as not to wake anyone up before he stepped outside. The vige was already alive with activity. Farmers were heading to the fields, children were ying near the well, and the scent of freshly baked bread spread through the air. A deep sense of contentment filled him as he took in the scene. Henrick spotted him and waved. "Good morning, Kyle. I hope you and your team rested well." "We did. Thank you," Kyle replied, walking over. "I smell something good and I think my team will wake up to the smell soon. Is it breakfast?" Henrick chuckled. "It should be. The women are preparing a little feast to see you off. It''s the least we can do after all you''ve done for us." Kyle nodded in gratitude. "You''ve all been too kind." A few minutester, the rest of the team emerged from the cottage, yawning and stretching. Lina was the first toment. "What''s that smell? Is that bread?" "Probably," Zara said and rubbed her eyes. "Let''s hope they''re as generous with breakfast as they werest night." The team gathered in the square, where a long table had been set up,den with bread, fruits, and various dishes. The vigers joined them, and the breakfast became a lively affair. Children darted around the table, sneaking extra pieces of bread, while the adults exchanged stories with Kyle''s team. Even Void joined in, much to the children''s delight. Though initially cautious around the dragon, the kids had grown bolder with him afterst night''s festivities. They fed him scraps of meat,ughing when he let out small puffs of smoke in approval. As the meal came to an end, Kyle stood up and addressed the vigers. "Thank you for your hospitality and kindness. We''ll never forget our time here. But it''s time for us to return to the academy." A murmur of sadness spread through the crowd, but Henrick stepped forward and sped Kyle''s hand. "You''ll always have a home here, Kyle. All of you. Windrest will never forget what you''ve done for us." Kyle nodded and his chest tightened with emotion. "I''ll be back someday. I promise." The team returned to the cottage to pack their belongings. Once everything was ready, they gathered in the square, where the vigers had assembled to see them off. With final goodbyes exchanged, the team retrieved the return stone that had been given to them before the mission. Each of them ced a hand on it, channeling their mana simultaneously. This caused the stone to crack and a surge of gray energy enveloped them. Kyle took onest look at the vige as the energy swirled around them. The faces of the vigers, the warmth of their smiles, and the bond they had formed¡ªhe burned it all into his memory. And then they were gone. ** The gray energy dissipated, and Kyle and his team found themselves standing in the mission hall of the academy. The room was massive, with high ceilings and glowing crystal panels lining the walls. Arge portal stood behind them, its surface rippling like water. Kyle took a moment to orient himself. The teleportation felt strange, disorienting but not as unpleasant as before. He nced around, wondering the magic behind how they had arrived here. "What kind of technology even is this?" Zara wondered out loud. Finn shrugged. "It should have something to do with that gray energy that left the stone." Kyle was about to reply when Lina''s excited voice interrupted him. "We''re back! Finally!" The group''s chatter was cut short when a woman approached them. She was dressed in the academy''s official robes¡ªdeep blue with silver trim, and on her hand was a clipboard. Her sharp eyes scanned the group as she stopped before them. "Missionplete or aborted?" "Completed," Kyle said confidently. She motioned for them to follow her. "Come with me. We need to document your mission report." She led them down a long corridor, and at the end of the hallway was a door marked Mission Submission Office. Inside, the office was surprisingly simple. Arge desk dominated the room, piled high with papers and folders. Behind it sat a man in his mid-fifties, his graying hair neatlybed. His robe was more ornate than the woman''s, marked with gold ents that indicated his seniority. He looked up as they entered, his expression curious. "Ah, the returning team. Hand me your mission slip." Kyle stepped forward and presented the slip he''d been given before they left for Windrest. The man took it, studying the details carefully. He hummed as he cross-checked the information with a set of logs on his desk. "You returned on your own?" "Yes," Kyle confirmed. The man frowned when he heard Kyle, not expecting such answer. "How is that possible? Your mission was to hold off the tide until reinforcements arrived. I''ve received no report of reinforcements being dispatched yet. How could you havepleted the mission?" "We eliminated the tide." Kyle said with a pride smile, earning a frozen expression from the man. "You what?" "We cleared the tide," Kyle repeated. "The mana beasts are no longer a threat to Windrest." The man stared at him in disbelief. "That''s¡­ impossible. How did you¡ª" Kyle smiled, fully expecting to be questioned. He began exining everything about their journey, from how they had handled the first wave of beasts to how he had sneaked out in the night. He downyed his actions to a great extent by omitting how him and Void had in over a thousand beasts, rather, he used the same lie he had told his teammates, telling the man that he saw no beast apart from the Corrupted wolf. He described how his teammates hade for back up on time, and how they had managed to y the beast with some luck and a bit of skill. Kyle wrapped everything off by reporting that the origin source had gone through its burst stage already and as such was no longer a threat to anyone. When Kyle was done with his report. The man pondered quietly before he decided to pick up on a point he had head Kyle say. "None of the beasts you encountered in the forest had a core? Are you certain?" "Positive," Kyle replied. "We searched thoroughly." The man leaned back in his chair, processing the information once again. He wrote down some stuff and inwardly decided to send some staff to investigate that ce. "I also managed to find a beast," Kyle remembered and decided to add. His teammates already knew about Void and Kyle didn''t trust them to keep it a secret so there was no harm spilling it out himself. "He''s bonded with me and he''s here right now." The man''s gaze shifted downward, and for the first time, he noticed Void sitting calmly at Kyle''s feet. The man''s eyes widened. "Is that¡­ a dragon?" he considered but eventually shook the thought away. Unlike the others he knew that there wasn''t any dragon left in the Zekkoa. Dragons were extinct but they were still creatures that looked like them, and this was probably one of them. His eyes widened as he stated at the majestic figure of the creature before him. ''Dragon or not, these creatures are very powerful due to having a speck of draconic bloodline and this boy had seemingly found one in the forest.'' "It''s not a dragon," the man stated, eliciting dussapointed looks from Kyle''s teammates. ''But it''s something special. It''s more of a quasi-dragon, like a superior reptile. It''s still rare nevertheless. Where did you find it?'' Void calmly stared at the man with a smile but his mind yed various scenarios of how to deal with him. [What''s that dude rambling about? He''sparing a beast of my stature with a reptile!] Kyle tried to cid Void internally so as not to over react, reminding him that him being allowed to stay could depend on his behavior. "I saved him from a trap in the forest. He''s harmless¡ªwell, to us, anyway." The man''s shock was evident and he felt a twinge of jealousy within him. "Such a creature... in the forest. Do you have any idea how rare that is?" Chapter 155: Mission Report (2) "Well... I guess I just got lucky," Kyle said with a lightugh. The man studied him intently, tapping a pen rhythmically against the stack of papers in front of him as he tried to catch on any reaction from Kyle but unfortunately, he couldn''t. His eyes went to Void, who stood calmly beside Kyle, his imposing figure drawing equal parts of awe and unease. The creature''s gaze was sharp, almost too intelligent, and the faint upward curl of its mouth seemed like a smirk. ''Lucky? That''s one way to put it,'' he thought to himself and sighed. ''This boy has no idea what he''s stumbled upon.'' Creatures with even a hint of draconic bloodline were a rarity in Zekkoa and an oddity most people would never encounter in their lifetime. Dragons, the true dragons, were long extinct, but their descendants, though diluted, were still powerful. They were beings of immense strength and potential and if word of this gets out, it could draw unwanted attention¡ªnot just from the academy but from outsiders too. ''And yet¡­ this boy ims it bonded with him? Such a bond is rare and almost alwayses at a cost. What did he do to earn its trust?'' ''He can''t keep a creature like that. I can''t let him,'' the man almost decided before dismissing the thought as quick as it came. ''No. It''s not my ce to decide. Something like this is beyond my authority. Finally, he shook his head and cleared his throat, pulling his thoughts back to the task at hand. "Well, regardless of your¡­ ''luck'', you and your team have far exceeded the mission''s expectations," he said, turning his attention back to the group. "The original objective was to hold off the tide until reinforcements could arrive, but you eliminated the threat entirely. That''s no small feat, and it won''t go unnoticed." Kyle nodded with a neutral expression, though his teammates exchanged small, triumphant smiles. The man leaned forward, pulling out a glowing orb-like device from a drawer in his desk. He tapped it, and the surface lit up with a soft blue hue. "I''ll be awarding each of you 1,000 contribution points for your efforts. It''s a substantial reward for Year 1 students, but given the circumstances, it''s well deserved." "Contribution points?" Kyle asked, and he wasn''t the only one who was hearing that phrase for the first time. All his teammates all shared confused looks. "I''ve never heard of those before." The man chuckled softly and his demeanor rxed for the first time since they had entered. "I forgot it''s part of the new system. Contribution points are the main rewards forpleting missions. With them, you can purchase resources, equipment, training sessions with specialized instructors, or even ess to restricted areas in the academy and many more. Think of them as your gateway to greater opportunities." He paused to let the information sink in before continuing. "You can view the avable rewards in the Contribution Hall. It''s located adjacent to the Mission Hall. I suggest you take some time to familiarize yourself with it. These points are far worth more than credits." Kyle slowly nodded his head in approval. He still wasn''t entirely sure how he felt about the system. While contribution points sounded useful, he had expected something more immediate¡ªperhaps a magic equipment or even a special piece of equipment as recognition for their hard work. Noticing Kyle''s hesitation, the man smiled faintly. "Don''t underestimate the value of these points. Many students would struggle to earn even a few hundred during their early years. With 1,000 points, you''ve already gained a significant advantage. Use them wisely, and they''ll prove to be more than worth it." Kyle nodded, though a small part of him still felt unsatisfied. The man didn''t seem to notice¡ªor chose to ignore it¡ªand tapped the glowing orb again. Beeps filled the room as a notification appeared on each theirms, confirming the transfer of the points. Kyle checked hism to see the notification that had arrived. [You have received 1000 contribution points!] "Your contribution points have been credited to your ounts," the man said, setting the orb aside. "Now, I need to document the rest of your mission report." Each team member stepped forward with theirm and the man scanned them into a crystalline b that disyed their profiles in mid-air. He updated their records, logging the mission details and the rewards. "Well done, all of you," he said after he was done with his documentations. "You''re dismissed. Make sure to visit the Contribution Hall and check out the avable options." The team began to leave, relieved that the debrief was over. As they reached the door, the man suddenly called out. "Kyle, stay behind for a moment. The rest of you are free to go." Kyle paused, exchanging a curious nce with his teammates. Lina opened her mouth to protest, but Zara nudged her, shaking her head. "Let''s go," she whispered. "It''s probably about the dragon, or whatever that thing is." Once the door closed behind the others, the man gestured for Kyle to sit. Void settled on Kyle''sps and left his piercing eyes fixed on the man. "Kyle, about your¡­panion," he began with a serious tone. "It''s not within my authority to decide what happens to it." "This academy has strict rules regarding outside creatures," the man exined. "While your bond with this beast is¡­ remarkable, it''s not something I have the power to approve or regte. Only the Dean can make that decision." "So, does this mean I''ll meet the Dean?" Kyle asked calmly. He wasn''t scared of meeting the Dean, as he had done so before and might have even managed to leave an impression on him. The man nodded. "Yes. You''ll need to report to the Dean before the end of the day. I''ll provide you with directions to their office." He tapped hism and sent Kyle a map, which he didn''t need as he had visited the Dean''s office before. "Follow this, and you''ll find it easily enough." Kyle nodded his head and the man continued, this time putting on a serious expression. "If the day ends and you haven''t met with the Dean, you''ll face disciplinary action, and the academy will confiscate the beast. Do you understand?" Kyle smiled and nodded. There was no chance he''ll forget so he didn''t have to think too much about the threats. "Okay, I understand. I''ll see the Dean before the end of the day." The man let out a breath he hadn''t realized he was holding. "Good. That''s all, then. You''re dismissed." Kyle stood and Void rose smoothly to his feet beside him. As they turned to leave, the man couldn''t help but let out a shiver. The beast had been staring at him the entire time, its predatory gaze unnerving despite its calm demeanor. Once the door closed behind Kyle and Void, the man slumped back into his chair, exhaling deeply. "That thing¡­ there''s something wrong with it," he muttered to himself. He rubbed his temples, trying to shake the lingering tension. I just hope the Dean knows what to do. This could end very badly if handled wrong. He nced back at the glowing orb on his desk, tempted to send an urgent warning to the Dean but decided against it. For now, all he could do was hope that Kyle and his beast wouldn''t cause trouble. Straightening his robe, the man pushed his thoughts aside and returned to his paperwork, though he couldn''t forget what had just happened. *** Upon leaving the office, Kyle was greeted with the sight of his teammates leaning on the door as if ready to push it open any moment. "What are you all still doing here?" Kyle asked with augh escaping him as he took in in their panicked state. "You look like you''re about to break down the door." "Well, we thought¡­ you might get into trouble or something. And we didn''t want to leave without knowing you were okay," Lina decided to say. Kyle chuckled, shaking his head. "Thanks for worrying, but I''m fine. The only thing they said was that I need to meet with the Dean before the day ends." "Good. But before you go running off to the Dean, we wanted to exchange IDs. It''ll be easier to stay in touch that way," Zara suggested quickly, as if that had been their main goal from the start. "That''s all? Sure, no problem." The group pulled out theirms, and one by one, they exchanged their academy IDs. "There," Lina said with a satisfied grin. "Now we can check in on you anytime." Kyle smiled at her remark and they all waved goodbye at each other and went their separate paths. ''I''ll check out the contribution hall.'' Chapter 156: Contribution Points It was an average Wednesday in the academy, but the Mission Hall was bustling with many students, particrly the first years. The week was marked as their mission week and with great majority of them opting to take the offer that would allow them to adventure, it only made sense that they were lots of students there. Some had their eyes fixed on the mission boards, analyzing which mission to undertake, while many, even from other years emerged next to the various portals located in the hall, havingpleted their missions or aborted it in the worst scenario. Among those that had left the portal, they all shared something inmon. After visiting one of the mission submission offices and giving a report of their mission, they all headed to the contribution hall with excited smiles, ready to see what their newly acquired points were capable of. Kyle also had a smile on his face as he stood before the structure opposite the Mission Hall. Like thetter, it was made entirely of ss but was notably smaller in size. He walked in through the wide open doors along with some other students. What greeted him as he entered was a wide, expansive room with a long counter at the extreme end. On the counter, there were four spaced out academy staffs that handled a quarter each and students of almost equal numbers lined behind each of the counter. ''I wonder if there''re specific people for each line,'' Kyle thought before deciding to go behind a random line, as it looked what the others were doing. He had considered asking another student for help but refrained on doing so after noticing the stares and whispers that were being directed at him. "Wow, it''s that a dragon?" "Dragons are extinct so it can''t be. But it is a creature of draconic descent though!" "Those are very rare. How is he allowed to walk around with one?" "Who cares about that... Isn''t the dragon too cute!" These were ongoing murmurs that circted around Kyle and he had to admit that he felt ufortable. ''Why didn''t I just leave him on the pet space?'' Kyle asked himself, despite knowing why he had done so. He couldn''t exin how he had a space pouch for beasts, so it would be better he yed safe and walked around with Void. Who knew whether that man was observing him or something? Kyle stood in line with Void¡ªwho was unusually quiet¡ªfor a couple of minutes before it finally got to his turn. The man standing behind the counter greeted Kyle with a polite nod. He appeared to be in his mid-thirties, with short, well-groomed hair. Despite the sharpness of his appearance, his demeanor was approachable, as expected of a staff. The counter itself was made of polished silver metal that glowed brightly under the room''s bright lights. Embedded in its surface was a glowing interface that had various icons and scrolling text that Kyle couldn''t decipher at a nce. "Wee to the Contribution Hall. What can I help you with today?" the man said with a calm voice, though his gaze fell on Void for a second before returning to Kyle. "I justpleted a mission and was told I''d been awarded contribution points," Kyle went straight to the point. "I''d like to know. What can I get with them?" The man gave a small smile, as if expecting the question. The contribution system was rtively new and he had been getting questions on it from almost everyone student he had attended to. "With contribution points, you can acquire virtually anything the Academy has to offer," the man began say. "The points are a flexible currency designed to reward effort and excellence. They allow you to customize your rewards based on your individual needs or goals." Kyle found it hard to believe what the man said. "Anything?" The man smiled knowingly. "Yes, anything¡ªwithin reason, of course, and provided the Academy can provide it." Kyle''s mind immediately started imagining all the possibilities. He was very amazed when the man mentioned that. He began thinking of what he could use the his points for. "Credits, techniques, spells, magic equipments, weapons, tools, lessons, knowledge, beasts and many more," the man continued. You can practically get anything you want sorted out with some points. "You weren''t exaggerating when you said anything." Kyle muttered almost half to himself. Kyle nodded and his mind began racingwith numerous possibilities but at the end he couldn''t think of what he really wanted. There were many things he could do but it all depended on the value of the points. "How many credits can be gotten with 1 contribution points?" "You can get 10 credits per contribution point, the man exined, but he decided to add a tip to Kyle. ''That exchange value doesn''t reflect the worth of the points though and it would be unwise to use your contribution on credits.'' Kyle nodded his head at the man''s words. He never nned on trading for credits, that would just downright stupid, especially when he had a source of credits. "What''s the price of an intermediate weapon?" Kyle decided to ask after some thought. The Frozen w was of that grade and it had already proven to be very effective, he wanted to push his luck and see if he could get something of that caliber. "Great choice!" the man remarked, before pointing at the interface on the counter. "Input whatever you want there and you''ll be informed of its cost and avability." Kyle nodded and stared at the interface on the counter. He ced his finger on the screen and typed vIntermediate weapons''. The panel that was formerly disyed changed immediately he clicked the search button. [Weapon Type] The next disy showed a list of different weapon types: swords, gaunlets, spears and so on. Kyle immediately selected swords without much thought. [Sword Type] Kyle was grateful that he was allowed to choose the sword type he wanted and he immediately selected his favorite: The Katana. Various intermediate grade katanas filled the screen before Kyle and on seeing their prices, Kyle almost had his eyes bulge out in shock. "Two hundred?!" Chapter 157: Contribution Points (2) Intermediate weapons such as the [Frozen w] were very rare. Kyle had even once gone to the mall in search for weapons of such grade and had learnt that there weren''t avable. It turned out that not some equipments of a certain power level could not be present in the mall, as most weapons that were present there were usually made by the staff or students of the academy. That made Kyle value his weapon greatly, he hade to the conclusion that his only means of getting a better weapon than it was through Orion yet now, as he stood in the Contribution Hall, Kyle found himself staring at a disy screen showing katanas of the same grade as [Frozen w]¡ªand they were priced at a surprisingly low price. "Just 200 credits?!" Kyle repeated to the man after blinking multiple times. "Well," the man lightly chuckled. "That was not the reaction I expected. Tell me. What did you do to have enough contribution points that you call 200 ''just''?" "Oh?" Kyle realized what was happening. It turned out that he had more contribution points than usual. ''It only makes sense considering how well I had performed in the mission,'' Kyle thought, imagining how much more he would had been entitled to if he had revealed his influence in getting rid of all the beasts. "..." Kyle realized that he had left the man hanging as he pondered to himself. "I and my team were meant to assist a vige to survive a tide, but we managed to clear the tide." "Ohh... Makes sense," the man murmured. "Clearing a tide isn''t easy due to strength of beasts that could make it up, especially thest wave. You must either be very strong or extremely lucky to have pulled off such feat." "I guess it''s thetter," Kyle said with a nervous chuckle. "So... You''ve made your choice yet?" the man said, returning to the main point of their discussion as there were still other students lined after Kyle. He had been using a considerable amount of time with each of them due to having to exin some of their questions but he was wasting too much time on the boy before him. "Give me a moment, sir." Kyle requested, receiving a nod of approval that permitted him to go deep in thought on his choice. ''I don''t need any spells right now. Almost everything I''d want can be bought from the mall,'' Kyle thought. ''And I don''t need artifacts or magic items, thanks to Orion. Credits aren''t a problem either, and I already have Void as my pet. Honestly, there''s not much I truly need at the moment.'' Kyle went deep in thought. Honestly, he was really tempted at grabbing a shy item, but he understood the importance of patience. ''If missions are the only source of contribution points then that makes it a scarce resource,'' Kyle pondered. He knew it wouldn''t be wise to waste them on something impulsive. Still, curiosity got the better of him. With a swipe on the interface, Kyle searched for an advanced weapon. He wasn''t nning to buy it. ''I''ll just see the price.'' The interface quickly loaded, disying a list of advanced-grade katanas, but their prices wasn''t what he expected. "One thousand?!" Kyle''s eyes widened in shock. ''That''s five times the price of the intermediate ones.'' That went to show the vast difference between weapons of the two grades and that made him crave them more. He stared at the screen, silently debating his options. Kyle sighed and leaned back, letting the realization settle. ''If I rush into spending my points now, I might regret itter. Better to save them until I know exactly what I need.'' After a few more moments of contemtion, Kyle came to a conclusion. It was better to wait. He couldn''t predict when an opportunity might arise that required contribution points, and wasting them now could cost him dearlyter. Kyle raised his head and gave the man behind the counter an apologetic look. "Sorry for taking so much of your time, sir. I think I''ll hold onto my points for now." "There''s no need to apologize. That''s a wise choice. You''d be surprised how many students rush to spend their points without considering the future. It''s refreshing to see someone exercise restraint," the man replied with a warm smile. Kyle nodded, appreciating the man''s understanding. "Thank you for your help." "Anytime. Good luck with your next mission." The man gave him a polite nod before turning his attention to the next student in line. As Kyle exited the Contribution Hall, he felt a sense of relief. He hadn''t wasted his points on something shy or unnecessary, and that gave him a sense of pride. Void jumped on Kyle''s shoulder and broke the silence he had maintained since. "You didn''t buy anything? That''s surprising. I thought you''d at least get something shiny for me to eat." Kyleughed at Void''s remark. ''You know that''s thest thing I''ll do. Spend these precious points on your food? Dream on. Void huffed and rolled his eyes but didn''t argue. Kyle continued his short walk toward the dormitory, appreciating the familiar sights of the academy. When he finally reached the form gates, he couldn''t help but let out a small sigh of contentment. "Home sweet home," he muttered. However, he had no intention of heading to his own house. He had already made up his mind of where he''ll be visiting. "Come on, Void. We''re heading to House No. 6," Kyle announced, walking in through the gates and approaching the house. It didn''t wait too long for Kyle to locate the house he was looking for. He lightly knocked on the door and waited for a response. Kyle wasn''t surprised when he got no reply and kept knocking, knowing fully well the nature of the upant. It took some more minutes of relentless knocking before someone opened the door. He looked haggard as usual. No, more than usual. With his disheveled hair, eye bags and dull eyes, it was easy to tell that he was barely getting any sleep. Orion was about to scold the person that had woke him up from the short sleep he almost got to enjoy but recognized the person mid-way. He adjusted his disced sses, as if trying to confirm that he was seeing things right before saying words Kyle didn''t expect to hear: "Oh? You survived." Chapter 158: Meeting Orion The tools Orion made for Kyle have proven valuable after his mission expedition. The silent whistle was vital in defeating the beasts, as Kyle had used it to call the beasts over to his position, segregating their number and power level based on the intensity he blew at it. The same applied to the pocket mirror, which had not only helped Kyle to stop an attack that could have injured him severely, but had also redirected that attack to its sender, managing to deal a fatal blow that left Kyle an opening to finish the beast off. Kyle had obtained a mana core from killing the wolf, a Tier-4 one as of that, and he had stopped by Orion''s because he was confident that his friend would cook up something special for him with it. ''He had managed to make all those good stuff for me with a Tier-1 mana core at most,'' Kyle thought. ''I wonder what he''ll be able to do with a Tier-4.'' >BANG!< The sound of the door being shut hard interrupted Kyle from his thoughts. He looked at the door to confirm that Orion had gone in, mming the door before him. ''What the hell was that about?'' Kyle thought with annoyance. "Orion! Open up!" Kyle began knocking, but he got no response. He waited a moment, then knocked again, louder this time. "Come on, Orion! I don''t have all day!" Still no response. ''What''s his problem?'' Kyle didn''t give up though, he kept knocking, increasing the intensity with each hit that made the sound of his knocks impossible to ignore. It took a few more minutes it knocking for Kyle before the door finally opened. Orion stood there, this time, his face looked fresher, like he had sshed water on his face. "Are you ready to talk now?" Orion asked with irritation. "Or are we just going to stand here while your thoughts wander like thest time?" "Oh, so that''s what this is about," Kyle said before he stepped forward and pushed the door open wider, going towards the couch to have a sit. "Hey! I didn''t say you coulde in!" Orion protested, turning around to follow him. Kyle satfortably on the couch and a smug grin came on his face as he open his hand wide, summoning a mana core from his inventory onto it. The mana core seemed to thrum and pulsate with energy. There were tendrils of energy escaping it every second due to its corrupted nature. It had a blue color and was surrounded by golden light, replicating the ice and light energies of the monster it was gotten from. "Don''t worry," Kyle said with a smirk, rolling the corezily in his hand. "I brought you something special." The mana core looked mesmerizing to Orion. Unlike the usual pristine spheres of pure mana cores, this one was jagged, irregr, and seemed almost alive. ck veins crisscrossed its surface, writhing as if trying to escape. A faint mist 9f mana could be seen seeping continuously from it and vanishing into the air. The energy it radiated was oppressive, and yet, it held an undeniable allure. Orion''s eyes widening to the size of saucers. For a moment, he simply stared with disbelief written all over his face. "Wh-where did you get this?" Orion stammered. His usual cocky demeanor was gone, reced by unhidden fascination. His hands trembled slightly as he reached out, though he stopped short of touching it. Kyle leaned back and the smirk on his face grew wider. "From the mission I just got back from," he replied nonchntly, spinning the core between his fingers. "My team and I managed to take down a Tier-4 corrupted mana beast. Nothing much." Orion snapped out of his trance just enough to nce at Kyle. "Nothing much?" he repeated with frustration. "You don''t need to act cocky just because you managed to survive your mission," Orion crossed his arms and said. "From your recklessness and dimwittedness, it''s a miracle that you''re here." Kyle frowned and the smirk on his face left. "What''s that supposed to mean?" "It means you must have been ridiculously lucky to make it back in one piece!" Orion shot back. "Do you even think before you charge into danger? No." "Hey! I didn''t just survive¡ªI thrived! We took it down as a team, and I handled myself just fine, thank you very much!" From the side, Void''s voice cut in with a chuckle. "He''s got a point, though, doesn''t he? Reckless fits you perfectly, Kyle." Orion froze and his gaze snapped to the source of the voice. He hadn''t even noticed the dragon until now as his focus have been entirely consumed by the mana core. He adjusted his sses once again to make sure he was seeing things right. "Wait¡­ what the¡ª" Orion''s voice trailed off as he processed what he was seeing. "Is that¡­ a dragon?" Kyle smirked, leaning back with a rxed expression. "Oh, yeah. I forgot to mention. Void''s been hanging out with me for a while now. I got him from my mission." Kyle''s smirk widened as he leaned back on the couch, watching Orion''s face cycle through shock, disbelief, and finally something close to obsession. Orion finally found his voice. "You''re telling me that there''s a rare, supposedly extinct, overpowered, ancient dragon¡ªright here, in this room!" His voice rose in pitch as he gestured wildly at Void, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of excitement. "Do you have any idea what this means?!" Kyle smiled wryly, scratching the back of his head. "Rx, Orion. Void isn''t a real dragon. He''s, uh¡­ more like a reptilian descendant of dragons. You know, not the full deal, just some dragon lineage in there." Kyle wasn''t confident in his words and has just said what he managed to pick from the man that he reported his mission to. "Lies!" Orion shouted. "My brain, my intuition¡ªeverything is screaming at me that Void is a real dragon! You can''t fool me, Kyle!" Kyle opened his mouth to protest, but Orion cut him off, his hands shaking slightly from excitement. "I don''t believe a word you''re saying until I run some tests on him. If I can¡ª" "Wait. You can use your tests to determine if he''s a true dragon?" Kyle couldn''t resist asking with surprise. If Orion could really do that then doesn''t that mean that others could find out Void was a true dragon. "Well... Not exactly," Orion chuckled nervously. "But it''s worth a try. There isn''t any harm in an expermint, uh... there shouldn''t be any." Void couldn''t remain silent anymore and had to interrupt. "Hold it right there, genius. You''re discussing experiments on me while I''m sitting right here. How is that eptable behavior?" Kyle shot Void an apologetic look before standing up to confront Orion. "He''s got a point. Void''s not someb rat for you to poke and prod. No one is using him for tests, experiments, or anything like that." Orion clicked his tongue in frustration. "Fine, no tests. But can I at least study him a little? I promise it''ll be purely observational¡ª" "No!" Kyle interrupted immediately. "Void isn''t up for grabs for any kind of study." Orion folded his arms and adjusted his sses with a huff. "Then how do you exin the fact that he can talk, huh?" "Uh¡­ he''s just special, okay? Let''s leave it at that." Void chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the exchange. "Special indeed," he said with amusement. Kyle cleared his throat, eager to change the subject. He yed with the mana core in his hand once more before throwing it towards Orion in a casual toss. "Catch!" "Wait, what¡ª" Orion barely managed to catch the core, fumbling for a moment before clutching it tightly with both hands like it was the most precious thing in existence. His earlier frustration had vanished, reced by pure awe. He turned the core over in his hands, inspecting its ck veins that seemed to pulse with life. "This¡­ this is incredible," Orion muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "A Tier-4 corrupted mana core. Do you have any idea how rare this is?" "Yeah, yeah," Kyle said, waving dismissively. "I need something special made from it. Think you can handle that?" Orion''s eyes sparkled with excitement as he nodded, despite having never touched or seen such mana core in his life. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!