ã€ŠReturn Of The Rune Battle Mageã€‹


 colliding with Death

    CHAPTER ONE

    The world had been a place of peace for centuries, but that fragile peace was shattered the moment the Agroth emerged from the depths of darkness. They were creatures of ancient, unfathomable power, leaving devastation in their wake as if they were the wrath of the gods themselves. Their presence marked the beginning of an apocalypse no one had ever predicted.

    It began with the sudden appearance of strange artifacts called clav, mystical relics scattered across the four continents. These ancient keys held power greater than anything mankind had ever encountered, and the Agroth, with their otherworldly purpose, sought them relentlessly. The clav were not mere objects, but mechanisms that could unlock a terrible fate¡ªthe resurrection of Krantu, the Forgotten God of Destruction.

    The Agroth¡¯s mission was clear: find all the clav, activate them with the essence of life, and bring Krantu back from his sealed prison to unleash his wrath upon the world. They tore through cities, devastated nations, and sowed discord. Towns once bustling with life were reduced to rubble. Innocent people perished in their wake, their cities nothing more than ash and ruin. The clav activated only when bathed in the life essence of sentient beings, which meant that the Agroth¡¯s devastation was twofold: they annihilated any form of life in their pursuit of power. Humanity and all the races of the world were left gasping for air in a dying world.

    But not all was lost.

    In response to this overwhelming threat, the remaining races of the world formed an uneasy alliance¡ªraces that had fought amongst themselves for centuries, were now forced to unite. The Dwarfs, the Elves, the Humans, the Beastkins, and the Alcateen¡ªan ancient and once-dominant race long forgotten, reduced to slaves by their masters¡ªcame together under one banner. The Alcateen, a people who once ruled the world but were now relegated to servitude, bore the deepest hatred for the Agroth, for they had seen the worst of their wrath firsthand.

    Guiding this alliance were the Seven Divine Beings¡ªimmortal gods of power and influence¡ªeach watching over their chosen people. Camoth, the God of War, stood as the unwavering pillar of strength; Malthios, the Goddess of Love and Harvest, whose compassion for all living things bound the races together; Sntoveh, the God of Steel and Blacksmithing, master of creation; Yloky, the God of Games, ever strategic and cunning; Solderat, the God of the Sun, blazing bright with hope; Quyntess, the Goddess of the Moon, whose calm and wisdom brought balance; and Sadumat, the God of Space, whose control over the dimensions could reshape the very world itself.

    Five champions from each race were chosen¡ªmighty warriors of unparalleled skill, each sworn to protect their people and fight the Agroth. They stormed across the continents, battling with fury and honor, pushing back the Agroth''s forces. But the battles were never easy. Cities fell, and brave souls perished. Aldain Medul, the Battle Rune Mage, was among the five warriors who carried the weight of the world upon his shoulders. His runes pulsed with energy, guiding him in the face of overwhelming odds.

    The final battle took them to Polysia, the cold and desolate continent, where the last of the Agroth¡¯s guardians, Aesmodes, awaited. The guardian was a terrifying creature, a beast of shadow and death, said to be the last line of defense before Krantu could be resurrected. It was here, in the frozen wastes of Polysia, that Aldain and his comrades would face their greatest challenge.Stolen novel; please report.

    The battle was long and brutal. Bentle led the charge, his runes igniting with fire and fury, cutting through wave after wave of Agroth minions. His comrades¡ªGurlan the Beastkin warrior, Sylf the Elf archer, Melgril the Dwarf knight, and Aldain the Alcateen mage¡ªfought valiantly alongside him. But in the end, it was Aldain who crushed Aesmodes¡¯ heart with his final blow, the world seemingly at peace once more. The Agroth were vanquished, their forces crumbling.

    But victory came at a heavy price.

    Melgril, the stout and fearless Dwarf, had sacrificed himself in the battle, ensuring that Aldain could cast the spell to defeat Aesmodes. The price was steep, and as Aldain stood over the crumpled form of the last guardian, breathing a sigh of relief, the weight of the world seemed to lift from his shoulders.

    For a moment, it seemed like the world could begin to heal.

    But then, the unimaginable happened.

    A sharp, cold pain pierced through his chest. Aldain¡¯s eyes widened as he looked down, only to see the blade Drugmund¡ªthe sacred weapon of his companion, Sylf the Elf¡ªprotruding from his chest. The woman he had loved, the one who had shared his bed in the quiet moments before the battle, stood behind him, her face twisted with cold malice. The woman who had been his greatest joy in a world engulfed by darkness had betrayed him.

    As he fell to his knees, his life force fading, flashes of his past flooded his mind¡ªmemories of his childhood as a slave, of the battles he had fought, of the dungeons he had crawled through, of the moments when he thought he would never escape his fate. The pain of betrayal cut deeper than any wound. His mind screamed in anguish, This can¡¯t be how I die!

    Aldain¡¯s vision blurred as he looked up at his friends¡ªonce his comrades, now his executioners. They laughed and grinned, watching him bleed out, their faces betraying nothing but contempt. His body shook with rage as his eyes gleamed red with fury. This is not my end!

    Then, it was revealed to him¡ªMalthios, the Goddess of Love and Harvest, had orchestrated his death. She had been the mastermind behind his betrayal, guiding Sylf¡¯s hand. Why? The answers were unclear, but the devastation of it all was enough to break Aldain¡¯s heart.

    Just as he was about to fade away he heard a voice saying "Do not fret child!", a strange light emitted from Aesmodes¡¯ body. It resonated with a rune on Aldain¡¯s chest¡ªone that had never activated before. At that moment, the magic surged through him, unlocking a spell of unimaginable power, one he had never seen. Malthios bellowed from the heavens to Sylf and the rest of the party "Stop him! It''s dangerous, that''s a spell I''ve not seen before"  and just then the light exploded outward in a cataclysmic burst, sending shockwaves across the battlefield.

    Aldain¡¯s body was consumed by the explosion. His last thought was of the world he would never see again.

    But then¡­ everything went dark.

    Suddenly, a voice called out to him, familiar and urgent: ¡°Al! Al, get up! We need to hurry before the master comes!¡±

    Aldain¡¯s eyes fluttered open. The familiar warmth of the mines surrounded him. The sound of pickaxes and chatter filled the air¡ªthis was where it had all started. He was back, in the mines where his life as a slave had begun.

    Confusion gripped him, but as the realization settled in, a surge of rage washed over him. This was not how I died. This is my second chance.

    With his memories of the future intact and vengeance burning in his soul, Aldain swore that he would make the most of this new life. Those who had wronged him, those who had betrayed him, would pay. And this time, the world would not be saved¡ªit would be reshaped by his hand. The battle for revenge had just begun.

 Reawakening

    CHAPTER TWO

    The explosion had come without warning, a blinding light and searing heat, followed by an all-consuming darkness. Aldain¡¯s body had been thrown against the hard stone, his breath stolen by the force of the blast. He couldn¡¯t remember how long he had been there¡ªfloating in the void, detached from his shattered body. There was no pain, no fear. Only silence.

    It felt like an eternity before the world started to take form again. A figure emerged from the darkness, hazy and red. The silhouette of a humanoid figure, its edges dissolving into the air, like smoke caught in the wind. The pale face that emerged from the shadow held a soft, unsettling smile. It looked at him as though it knew him, as though it had been waiting for him.

    The figure stretched out its hands towards him. Its fingers were long, delicate, and beckoning, inviting him closer. Aladdin¡¯s heart ached, but not in the way it once had. There was no fear here. Only the overwhelming pull of peace, of eternal rest. His hands trembled as he raised them towards the figure, the final step toward oblivion.

    But just as his fingers brushed against the cold, spectral hands, something sharp and forceful jerked him back.

    ¡°Aldain! Al, Al, get up! We have to get to the mines before the mastri comes!¡±

    The voice was familiar, too familiar. It tugged at him, pulling him back into the world of the living. No, Aladdin thought desperately, not yet. Let me rest¡­

    He felt the force of someone¡¯s grip on his arms, dragging him and pullin him to get on his feet. ¡°This isn¡¯t the time to be lazy, Al,¡± the voice continued, the tone insistent. ¡°We have to leave before the mastri comes. If we are to show our worth and be promoted out of the mines¡­¡±

    It was Falshid. His childhood friend, his closest companion. The last time Aldain had seen him, Falshid had been ripped apart in the arena¡ªleft to die without a chance to defend himself, a sacrifice in the eyes of the cruel mastri.

    Aldain''s eyes snapped open.

    He blinked in confusion, his vision blurry. And there, standing before him, was Falshid¡ªalive. Not dead. Alive, and looking at him with that same impatient expression Aldain remembered from their youth.

    ¡°Shid!¡± Aldain gasped, sitting up quickly. His heart thundered in his chest. ¡°How are you alive? How is this possible?¡±

    Falshid looked down at him, an expression of mild disgust on his face. ¡°What kind of dream are you having, Al?¡± he muttered, shrugging. ¡°We need to get to the mines. The mastri won¡¯t wait for us.¡±

    Aldain¡¯s breath caught in his throat, his mind reeling. He could barely comprehend what was happening. His hands trembled as he reached for his clothes, shakily pulling his shirt over his head. His mind raced. Was this a dream? A second chance?

    ¡°Shid,¡± he murmured, but his friend had already turned and was walking away, too hurried to pay attention.

    Panic and confusion gripped him as he followed, unable to fully process the events unfolding around him.

    ---

    The path to the mines took them through the Alcateen quarters, a district teeming with life and history. The Alcateen were once an ancient race, descended from gods long gone. Once blessed with magic and strength beyond that of humans, their people had fallen into ruin a thousand years ago, after their divine protector vanished. The Alcateen had tried to defend their cities, but they were outnumbered and outmatched. Magic, once overflowing in their veins, had faded over time, leaving only whispers of the power they had lost.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    The bustling crowds, the distant sounds of people calling out in their ancient tongue, only reminded Aldain of how much had changed. Was it all real? Was this another dream, or had he truly been given a second chance?

    His thoughts spiraled, but before he could settle on any answers, they arrived at the mines.

    The sharp, metallic scent of sweat and earth hit him first. Aldain could almost hear the sound of pickaxes scraping against the hard stone, the grunts of exhausted workers echoing through the cavernous tunnels.

    As he tried to process his confusion, the memories of his final moments before the explosion flooded back. The battle with Aesmodes, the rush of rage, the cold steel of betrayal sinking deep into his chest. He struck the wall of the mine, a surge of fury overtaking him, his pickaxe landing with a deafening clang. But then¡ª

    A scream.

    ¡°Shid!¡±

    Aldain¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He dropped his pickaxe and rushed towards the sound, dread clawing at his insides. His worst fear had come true. His friend, the one who had died in the arena so many years ago, was now lying on the ground, battered and bruised¡ªjust like before.

    He knelt beside Shid, his chest tight with the weight of the memory. He told himself he remembers this, it happened when when he was sixteen. The events of his youth¡ªwhen Enalk and his gang had beaten them senseless¡ªwere happening again. Enalk the biggest and most terrifying kid in the mine.

    ¡°No,¡± Aldain muttered. ¡°Not this time.¡±

    He stood and moved toward Enalk, the leader of the bullies. His fists clenched at his sides. This time would be different. He wasn¡¯t the same weak boy who had let it happen. Not anymore.

    He shoved one of the boys in Enalk¡¯s gang so hard that he fell to the ground, his face pale with shock.

    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± Enalk sneered, stepping forward. ¡°Walk away, Al.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Aldain said coldly. ¡°Only my friends call me Al, and the only friend I have right now is lying on the ground, bloodied because of you and your cowardly gang.¡±

    The words stung, and the group around him bristled. Enalk¡¯s eyes flared with anger. With a growl, he charged.

    The first punch came swift and furious, but Aldain was quicker. He dodged, easily sidestepping Enalk¡¯s attack and leaving him stunned. Enalk looked up at him, confusion clouding his eyes.

    ¡°How¡­ how did you do that?¡± Enalk grunted.

    He simply smiled. ¡°You¡¯re slow.¡±

    Enalk had always hated the fiery glare in his opponents eyes, always looking like he was better than everyone.

    Enalk¡¯s fury burned even brighter. He swung again, this time with more force, but his opponent danced around him, fluid and agile. The second attack was missed entirely. Aldain went for a kick, but it lacked power, and Enalk managed to dodge. Before Aldain could react, Enalk¡¯s fist landed hard across his lips.

    Pain flared through his face, and blood spilled from his mouth. He spat the blood onto the floor and took a deep breath, steadying himself. This was no dream. He told himself this wasn''t the body of Aldain the hero but of a weaker version of himself. Picking himself up he adjusted his balance and edged his opponent to come at him.

    Enalk came at him again, but this time Aldain¡¯s movements were too fast¡ªtoo sharp. He moved like a nimble cat, dodging every strike with ease. Finally, with one fluid motion, He landed a punch square between Enalk¡¯s eyes, sending him crashing to the ground, unconscious.

    Silence fell.

    Aldain stood over his fallen opponent, breathing heavily, a victorious smile tugging at his lips. He turned to Shid, who was staring up at him in disbelief.

    ¡°How¡­ How did you move like that? Fight like that?¡± Shid whispered, eyes wide.

    ¡°It was just luck,¡± he said with a chuckle, wiping blood from his mouth " Pure luck".

    But as he helped his friend to his feet, a new presence made itself known.

    The mastri.

    The very man who had overseen their lives in the mines, the one who controlled their fate. His aura was overwhelming, a heavy presence that made everyone around him fall to the ground involuntarily, finding it had to breathe. His eyes narrowed as he observed Aldain and Shid, his grin predatory, like a tiger sizing up its prey.

    ¡°Take them to the isolation cells,¡± the mastri ordered, his voice dripping with cold authority.

    ---

    The isolation cells were cold, unforgiving, and silent. Al and Shid were locked away, separated from the world and everyone in it.

    Shid¡¯s wounds had been treated, but the silence was unbearable. Al lay on the cold stone floor, staring at his chest flashing back to the glow of the rune on his chest. His mind raced with questions. What had happened to him? The scarlet figure, the pale smile, the voice calling him back.

    Could it have been a god? No¡ªthis didn¡¯t feel like any deity he had ever heard of.

    Was this really a second chance?

    He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. His body was weak. The fight with Enalk had proven that. If he was to change the future, to prevent the disasters that lay ahead, he needed to be stronger.

    He crossed his legs and placed his palms together, closing his eyes. He focused on the technique he had learned in his past life¡ªthe *Pacific Breathing Technique*. It was the only way to draw mana from the nature around him, to feel the power of the world itself flowing through him.

    His first attempt failed. Blood dripped from his eyes, nose, and mouth. The second attempt ended the same way. But Aladdin refused to give up.

    On his third attempt, something shifted.

    The mana began to flow into his body, a powerful warmth flooding his veins. The bleeding stopped.

    His body relaxed.

    ¡°I almost died again,¡± he whispered to himself, a smile breaking across his face. ¡°But I made it.¡±

    His thoughts turned toward the dungeon of Oryx, where the artifact that had granted him his runes lay. *The key to everything*, he thought. The forgotten language, the runes, and the power I need to change the future. But first, he needed to leave the mines and make it to the arena.

    This was just the beginning.

 Lost Technique

    <hr>

    CHAPTER THREE

    Al sat quietly in the isolation cell, the faint, cold light filtering through the narrow window above and casting long shadows across the damp stone floor. His mind, however, was far from calm. The last few days had been a blur of uncertainty, pain, and strange discoveries. If only he had been able to draw mana from his environment¡ªwhat a different story it would have been if he had possessed that power back then. He would have never allowed himself to be killed, never been betrayed by his fellow heroes and those he once called friends, and never would have faced the cruel fate that awaited him. But instead, he had squandered time, allowing himself to be a mere spectator in his own life.

    Al slapped his cheeks with his palms, echoing in the small cell. "Snap out of it," he thought, forcing his thoughts into focus. He had the power now, and more importantly, the wisdom about the future. These gifts could be used to his advantage, but first, he needed to prepare himself. His body wasn¡¯t fit enough to hold the mana that surged through him. At most, he could only hold onto a small trickle before his limbs grew weak and trembled. In the past, when he had first learned this technique, his body had been broken down and rebuilt over and over again, strong, and capable through hellish training and battles to refine his abilities. Now, he felt frail and incomplete.

    With determination, he stood up and stretched his stiff muscles. It wasn¡¯t going to be easy, but he couldn''t afford to wait. He needed to build up his strength and train his body to withstand the mana and control it.

    A sharp thought pierced his mind: he had to be cautious. He couldn''t let anyone know about his newfound ability. The return of magic to the Alcateens would surely raise suspicions¡ªespecially in this forsaken place, where magic had long been thought to be almost extinct among his people. The Alcateens, who once wielded powerful magic, had lost it centuries ago. Now, the only magic that remained was the ability to conjure a flicker of flame for festivals, a laughable mockery of what had once been.

    A strange urgency grew in him. He needed to be careful, but he needed to grow stronger, and faster. The thought of the arena¡ªwhere he needed to be, the arena a place where any slave could become free through the tournament of champions, also a place where anyone could make a name for themselves¡ªbrought a grim smile to his lips. "Let them come."

    --

    As Al settled back down, his gaze scanned the cell. He remembered a spell that had aided him during his training: the body refinement spell. His eyes fell on a dried piece of clay in the corner, and he instinctively began to work with it. He had memorized the old runes he once used¡ªan ancient spell, forgotten and lost to time, that had been utilized to enhance a person''s body through magic. The text he discovered inscribed on the dungeon walls was written in the language of the gods, an old tongue he had spent months transcribing. However, the text also warned that once the spell was used, it couldn''t be invoked again. But he had been reborn, and he hoped his body could withstand the pain¡ªthat it had been ingrained in his very soul.

    Pain was nothing new to him; it was all he had known in his past life. Slowly and carefully, he began sketching a magic circle on the ground, inscribing the runes. He had made a few adjustments to the spell specifically for this moment, as if he had anticipated needing it¡ªthis spell was designed to accelerate his body¡¯s ability to hold mana, allowing it to adapt and grow stronger. This was the key to surviving the trials ahead.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    Once the circle was complete, he sat at its center and muttered the activation word under his breath: "Rigmun corpori." The runes began to glow, faint at first, then brighter and brighter until a blinding light erupted from the circle, filling the room with intense heat.

    The sudden surge of light and energy startled Shid, who had been asleep on the other side of the room. In a panic, he scrambled to his feet, rushing toward Al, his face contorted in fear. ¡°Al! What are you doing?!¡± he shouted, not realizing the danger.

    Before Al could react, Shid leaped into the circle, attempting to stop the spell. In an instant, the magic locked onto him, too¡ªtrapping both of them in its powerful grip. The pain was immediate. Shid screamed in agony as his body began to twist and contort, the spell beginning to reshape him. The light was overwhelming, searing his skin, pulling at his very essence.

    Al''s heart raced as he turned to face his friend, who was writhing in pain. He couldn''t let Shid suffer; he couldn¡¯t lose his friend again, especially after just finding him. Al reached out, grabbing Shid by the arms and pulling him close. With every ounce of strength he could muster, he began drawing mana from the surrounding air, refining it within his body, and channeling it into Shid. His mind raced as he focused on stabilizing his friend and easing his pain. The mana flowed between them like a river trying to bridge two separate worlds.

    Time dragged on, and the pain persisted. Gradually, the light from the spell started to fade. Both of them collapsed to the floor, exhausted and drained by the immense energy they had used. Al¡¯s vision blurred, and eventually, he succumbed to unconsciousness.

    --

    Al found himself once again in the abyss. The first thing he noticed was the oppressive silence. His head throbbed, and his body felt heavy, as if he had been dragged across a battlefield. Slowly, he opened his eyes and was greeted by the same red humanoid figure¡ªa blurry, hazy form that appeared before him once more. This time, however, it was different. The figure seemed to be trying to form words, but the sound was distorted, as if it were coming from underwater. He strained to make sense of it, but before he could understand, a loud, jarring noise shattered the dream¡ªbells ringing in the distance.

    Startled, Al shot up from the floor and found Shid sitting beside him, now awake. The younger man was tugging at the bandages wrapped around his body, removing them with a look of disbelief on his face. ¡°What happened?¡± Shid muttered under his breath, his voice hoarse. ¡°I¡ªI feel... better than I¡¯ve ever felt.¡±

    Al watched, still groggy, as Shid stood up and walked over to the wash tub. He looked at his reflection in disbelief. His body had changed¡ªmore toned and defined. He had grown a bit taller, and the once faint white streaks in his hair now stood out in stark contrast. The changes were undeniable.

    ¡°Al!¡± Shid exclaimed, turning around. ¡°What happened to us last night? Why do I look like this?¡± His friend looked so unrecognizable; he had a certain glow, as if he had been reborn, with his body altered and firm. But his eyes remained the same¡ªAl had light crimson eyes.

    "All I can remember is seeing you sitting in a strange position surrounded by a magic I''ve never seen before."

    "I thought you were under a trance, so I rushed in to pull you out, but I got stuck too. That''s the last thing I remember."

    ".....What happened, Al?" Shid asked, confusion lingering in his voice.by a magic I''ve never seen before."

    "I thought you were under a trance, so I rushed in to pull you out, but I got sucked right in too. That''s the last thing I remember."

    ".....What happened, Al?" Shid asked, confusion lingering in his voice.

    Before Al could respond, a sudden chill swept through the room. The two boys froze, a sense of foreboding washing over them. The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the stone hall, heralding the approach of a presence that felt both unfriendly and unfamiliar. The footsteps grew louder, each thud like a hammer striking steel, until they came to a halt just outside the door.

    The door creaked open, revealing a tall man with golden hair. His expression twisted into a wild, manic grin, and his eyes gleamed with an unsettling intensity as he scanned them both.

    ¡°What did you do?¡± he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

    Al¡¯s blood ran cold. Something about this man¡ªhis presence¡ªmade the air around them feel heavy, as if an unseen pressure was building up. They were no longer alone. The worst thing he had feared had come to pass.

 Perilous Road to Omazu

    <hr>

    CHAPTER FOUR

    "What did you do?"

    The voice was low and dangerous, a warning growled through clenched teeth, echoing off the stone walls of the prison cell. The door creaked open, revealing a hulking figure framed in the doorway. A man of immense stature, his build like that of a titan, golden hair woven through with tattoos that seemed to connect to his brows. His piercing eyes gleamed with a manic intensity as they scanned the room. There was no mistaking the man standing before them was the Mastri.

    It was Alexandri Pilter¡ªThe Iron Lion, once a hero in his prime, now a grim legend etched into the annals of history. He was a man with a story, a warrior who had fought alone for four days and nights against an overwhelming beastkin ambush to protect the city. Even after his comrades fell one by one, he held fast, waiting for reinforcements. The scars on his neck¡ªa deep, four-streaked mark¡ªserved as a reminder of that day, a token of his bloody endurance.

    The very name Alexandri struck fear into the hearts of men.

    Shid, one of the two boys, was already shaking, his eyes wide with terror. He muttered under his breath, barely audible, "We didn¡¯t do anything, Mastri."

    Alexandri, unfazed by the fear in his eyes, stepped into the room, his gaze flicking over the remnants of a magic circle faintly burnt into the floor. He raised an eyebrow, a dark grin curling on his lips. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± he murmured to himself, the faintest hint of amusement in his voice.

    Al, the other boy, stood still, his posture tense, trying to conceal the remnants of the magic circle. He knew better than to make eye contact with the intimidating figure before him, but his mind raced. What was this man thinking?

    "Hmm..." Alexandri¡¯s voice came again, laced with an unsettling curiosity. "Impressive. The guards heard noises coming from here... and saw a burst of light reflecting out the window." He eyed them both carefully, as though he could see right through their facade.

    He turned his attention to them fully, releasing a pressure so intense that it was almost tangible. It was his aura¡ªheavy, suffocating, and raw. He had tested it before in the mines, but now, standing in this enclosed space, he unleashed it with all its ferocity.

    But Al did not flinch. His gaze was steady. He had endured worse.

    Shid, on the other hand, gasped for air, clutching his chest. His knees buckled, and he collapsed, struggling to breathe as the overwhelming pressure squeezed the life out of him. Al shot him a glance, but his focus remained on Alexandri, who seemed to watch with silent approval.

    The pressure lifted, and Shid scrambled to his feet, still wheezing. Al knew better than to show weakness. Alexandri was testing them, trying to provoke a response, and Al was determined not to give him that satisfaction.

    ¡°Impressive,¡± Alexandri muttered again, his gaze settling on Al now. His eyes gleamed with a calculating sharpness, the ghost of a smile playing at the corner of his lips.

    ¡°I knew my eyes weren¡¯t deceiving me when I saw your fight in the mines... and now, less than two days later, you''re already looking... different. Something¡¯s changed.¡±

    Al held his ground, unwilling to reveal the true extent of his growth. Even in the presence of this tower of a man he would overcome this challenge, channeling every ounce of courage and experience, he steadied his heartbeat because it would take one wrong move for things to go south. He wasn''t the same boy who had entered the mines a few days ago, but the truth was, he was sure his strength would continue to grow even stronger than his past life.

    Alexandri paused, his brow furrowing slightly as he considered something silently. He didn¡¯t know much about Alcateen''s physiology, but even he could tell it was impossible for a body to undergo such drastic changes in such a short time. The thought intrigued him.

    He chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. ¡°Interesting¡­¡± He muttered, half to himself, before walking toward the door. He nudged the boys lightly, his gaze briefly flicking back toward them. ¡°Prepare yourselves.¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    ¡°For what?¡± Al asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

    Then, catching himself, he adjusted his tone, his speech becoming more respectful, less direct. ¡°What¡¯s going to happen to us, Mastri?¡± he asked.

    Alexandri turned without a second glance, his boots echoing in the silence of the cell. ¡°You¡¯re headed for the arena,¡± he said over his shoulder, his voice cold and final.

    The cell door slammed shut behind him with a resounding clang. Al turned to Shid, whose face had gone pale, his eyes wide with dread.

    "We finally made it out of the mines, but we''re headed for the worst place of all¡ªthe arena," Shid muttered, his voice trembling with fear.

    Al turned to his friend, his expression hardening. ¡°You¡¯re stronger than you look. Don¡¯t forget that.¡±

    The next day, the preparations were made. Al packed his few belongings, his thoughts racing. He¡¯d miss the quarters, yes¡ªthe simple, quiet comfort of their temporary refuge¡ªbut there were far more important things at stake now. Questions that needed answers.

    And the arena...

    The arena was where everything would be decided.

    --

    As Alexandri rode in on horseback, the company set out toward the arena, their path taking them through the infamous Traekmire Forest, a place thick with fog and rumored to be teeming with both known and unknown beasts. The path they traversed was the safest route¡ªdiscovered by adventurers long ago¡ªbut even that didn¡¯t reassure Al.

    Nightfall came, and under Alexandri''s orders, they made camp. Tents were pitched, a fire was kindled, and the perimeter was secured. Two warrior slaves stood guard, while the rest of the company prepared food and settled in for the night. The quiet murmurs of the guards filled the air, but it felt... wrong. The forest was far too silent. Al felt it he could also tell their commander felt it. The tension hung in the air like a thick fog, more oppressive than the one that surrounded them.

    Shid sat across from Al, watching him intently. He could see his friend was deep in thought, his mind focused. Al had been practicing his breathing techniques in the stillness of the night, pushing himself further than before. His body was holding more mana now¡ªtwice as much as before. The growth was significant, but Al was cautious. Alexandri¡¯s eyes were always watching.

    Suddenly, the silence shattered. A deep, unsettling quiet fell over the camp. The guards had stopped talking. There were no more sounds of movement.

    Then came the growls.

    Low at first. Unmistakable. They were surrounded.

    Red glowing eyes pierced through the mist, and snarls grew louder. The creatures were closing in, their forms hidden in the fog. Al could feel it¡ªtheir predatory hunger.

    Before anyone could react, they emerged from the mist: dark hounds, their fur thick and black as a starless night sky, their eyes glowing with malevolent intent. Their razor-sharp teeth gleamed in the firelight, and their claws scraped the earth, hungry for blood.

    The soldiers leaped into action, weapons drawn, but Alexandri was the first to engage. With brutal precision, he shattered the skulls of the hounds with his bare fists, sending the beasts flying. His strength was unparalleled, but his attention was divided. He spared a glance at the boys, letting a few of the beasts slip past him to test their abilities.

    Al saw one coming for Shid, its mouth wide open, ready to tear into him. With a swift motion, Al pulled Shid out of harm¡¯s way, slapping him to break his panic.

    ¡°Get it together!¡± he shouted, his voice sharp. ¡°Believe in your strength. Act, don¡¯t overthink it!¡±

    Shid was still trembling, but Al didn¡¯t give him time to dwell on his fear. He found a dagger and a sword, handed the sword to Shid, and whispered a sharpness spell on both blades. ¡°You can do this. Just follow my lead.¡±

    In a blur of motion, Al sliced through the air, his dagger finding its mark in a hound¡¯s skull. The beast dropped like a sack of meat. Shid stood frozen for a moment, disbelief flashing across his face. But before he could react, another hound lunged at him. His body moved instinctively, his sword flashing in the air, decapitating the creature with one clean strike.

    ¡°Good,¡± Al muttered, nodding in approval.

    But there was no time to celebrate. Another beast lunged at Shid, and before he could react, it was dead, its head severed in a single, decisive blow.

    The fight raged on. The dark hounds were relentless, their numbers endless. But when the leader of the hounds emerged from the mist, everything shifted. This beast was bigger, more ferocious¡ªits fur streaked with dark orange with shadow-like smoke emitting from its body, its presence dominating.

    Al¡¯s heart pounded in his chest. He had fought one of these beasts before, with his former party when they were just starting out. The memories flashed in his mind¡ªhis sword useless against its thick hide.

    This time, however, he was alone.

    The creature charged, and Al met it head-on. But his sword couldn¡¯t penetrate its hide. It sent him flying, crashing into a tree with bone-shattering force. He spat out blood, his vision blurring. But he couldn¡¯t afford to stay down. Not now.

    He knew its weakness¡ªthe soft underbelly, the area just beneath its chest. He had to get close. He had to find a way and make sure it didn''t use its ability to hide in the shadows when cornered.

    His mind raced as he drew runes on the ground, but he needed to trap it, corner it before it could react. He muttered the words to activate a spell

    "Ice Lance."

    The creature dodged, but the spell grazed its side. Al saw his opportunity. He led the beast into a narrow space, activating a wind rune he had drawn on his boots in advance.

    "Wind Dance!"

    He moved with blinding speed, his body a blur. As the creature lunged, he unleashed his final spell¡ª"Double Ice Lance."

    The lances shot out, piercing the creature¡¯s soft underbelly with unerring accuracy. The beast let out a final, anguished howl before crumbling to the ground, dead.

    The remaining hounds scattered into the night, their leader gone. But Al¡¯s victory came at a cost.

    His body was exhausted. His mana depleted. He fell to his knees, the world spinning around him. His vision blurred, and before he could fully grasp the extent of his weariness, he collapsed, unconscious.

    Shid¡¯s voice was the last thing he heard before the darkness overtook him.

    ¡°Al! Al! No...¡±

    The world went black.

    When Al awoke, his body ached, his head spinning. He opened his eyes to find Shid kneeling beside him, tears streaming down his face.

    "I¡¯m glad you¡¯re awake," Shid whispered, his voice breaking. "Welcome to the city of Omazu. We¡¯re here."

    Al blinked, confusion flooding his mind. The city. What had happened?

    "You''ve been asleep for two days," said Shid. Looking ahead he was greeted by a site he never thought he''d see again, the beautiful city and the walls of the arena.

    "Finally" he murmured.

 Countdown to the Tournament

<hr>

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 First Comes the Fist

    <hr>

    <h3 style="text-align: center">CHAPTER SIX

    The sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the training ground where the two sides faced each other. The wind stirred the dust around their feet, whispering promises of destruction. Shin stood tall, the wind blowing on his hair as the thick white streaks danced in its tune, his breath shallow and his palms slick with sweat. Al, beside him always the voice reasoning, offered a quiet word of encouragement, his gaze burning with determination.

    ¡°Don¡¯t let doubt take hold. We¡¯ve been through a lot: the hardships in the mines and the attack in the forest," he said. "We can''t stop here."

    Al''s mind swirled with troubling thoughts, but none provided any comfort. His magic felt weak¡ªbarely a flicker compared to the powerful infernos he once commanded. His mana pool was limited; at best, he possessed the mana of a one-circle mage. The runes he could inscribe only elevated his spells by one circle, and they felt nothing like the magic he once wielded. Before them stood Alexandri, the Iron Lion¡ªa living legend and one of the strongest knights on the continent. His towering form loomed over them, massive and immovable, reflecting the dying light of the day.

    Al knew what he was up against. Even with Shin beside him, even with the shreds of encouragement his friend offered, it felt like an impossible challenge. He held no illusions; this wasn¡¯t a fight he was meant to win. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he scanned his opponent: the formidable figure of Alexandri.

    ¡°Come on!¡± Alexandri¡¯s voice rang out like the crack of a whip. "We haven¡¯t got all day. Either you step up and fight, or I¡¯ll reconsider my judgment. You¡¯ll get a fate worse than the mines, I assure you."

    The words dug into Al¡¯s resolve, but they also made something stir within him¡ªa deep, unyielding determination. He couldn¡¯t afford to back down. He wouldn¡¯t.

    Alexandri¡¯s smirk widened as he continued, his tone mocking. ¡°Simple. The only way you¡¯ll pass this trial is to make me move. Otherwise, you¡¯ll remain on this field, powerless.¡±

    Shin swallowed hard. Make him move. How? The question echoed in his mind, but there was no answer. His powers were far too weak.

    Before he could think further, Al gripped his shoulder firmly. ¡°Just like the Dark Hounds. You know the drill, Shin. Follow my lead.¡±

    Shin nodded. There was no time for doubt.

    In an instant, both of them moved, charging at the Iron Lion, as swiftly as they could. Al was to the right, his dagger flashing in the sunlight, his eyes focused. Shin surged to the left, his sword in hand, its weight feeling like a mountain in his grip.

    ¡°Now!¡± Al shouted, his voice sharp with purpose.

    The two of them attacked in tandem¡ªAl leaping high to aim for Alexandri¡¯s head, while Shin aimed lower, targeting the knight¡¯s midsection. But Alexandri merely chuckled. With a swift motion, he caught the blade of Al¡¯s dagger with his fingers, stopping the attack dead in its tracks. At the same time, he didn¡¯t even flinch as Shin¡¯s sword collided with his body. Not a single strike landed.

    ¡°Weak,¡± Alexandri muttered, his voice like gravel. He didn¡¯t even budge.

    Al¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. Before either could react, the Iron Lion moved again, his fist a blur as he said "First comes the fist". Al didn¡¯t have time to dodge. The fist collided with his chest, sending him soaring through the air like a ragdoll.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Shin barely had time to blink before Alexandri¡¯s hand gripped his leg, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled Shin across the battlefield, where he slammed into the earth with bone-crushing force.

    Gasping for breath, Shin struggled to push himself to his feet, pain coursing through him. The world was spinning, but he didn¡¯t have time to recover. Alexandri was already gazing over at them awaiting their next attack, an imposing figure like something out of a bad dream.

    ¡°I¡¯m getting real impatient,¡± he boomed. ¡°I¡¯m not even using my aura abilities yet. This is your best? You¡¯re hiding something. This is not how you defeated the Alpha of the Dark Hounds.¡±

    Al¡¯s blood ran cold. It was true. They had something else¡ªsomething hidden. And now, they had no choice but to reveal it. The fight was no longer about holding back.

    Alexandri sneered. ¡°I¡¯m done pulling my punches. Whatever trump card you¡¯re holding, use it now. Or I¡¯ll make sure it¡¯s your last."

    The command was clear¡ªno more hesitation. Shin and Al shared a look¡ªno more waiting.

    Al whispered under his breath, running toward Shin, touching his back and his sword. Together, they surged toward the Iron Lion again, attacking in perfect synchrony, hoping to break his relentless defense. They switched positions, moving with the fluidity of practiced dancers, trying to confuse him and throw him off balance. But Alexandri¡¯s gaze never wavered. His eyes followed every movement with terrifying precision. "You''re quick, I¡¯ll give you that," Alexandri growled, his face twisting with frustration. "But speed won¡¯t save you forever!"

    Shin struck first, aiming for Alexandri¡¯s shoulder. But at the last moment, he shifted the direction of his sword, aiming for the knight¡¯s chest. In that same heartbeat, Al was behind him placing his right hand on his opponent''s back and sliding in for an attack on Alexandri¡¯s legs. But before either could land a blow, the Iron Lion was already one step ahead. His hand shot out and blocked Al¡¯s dagger strike, twisting the dagger effortlessly to the side, while his other hand knocked Shin¡¯s sword away, sending both attacks wide.

    ¡°Not enough,¡± Alexandri sneered.

    Shin¡¯s breath caught in his throat. How could they possibly win? But Al had a plan, one he had murmured to Shin just before they attacked. ¡°Change the direction of your attack at the last second. Keep him guessing.¡±

    Shin¡¯s body was already moving before his mind could catch up, but it wasn¡¯t enough. Alexandri was still too fast, too strong. With a flick of his wrist, the knight sent them both flying back with an explosion of golden aura. The boys hit the ground hard, blood leaking from their mouths.

    Alexandri stood, unimpressed, as he spoke again, his voice filled with menace. ¡°Attacking with the same pattern won¡¯t work twice.¡±

    But they weren¡¯t done. Al gritted his teeth, muttering a spell under his breath. Shin readied his sword, the weight of it now comforting in his grip. They ran again, this time faster, more desperate. Their blades moved in unison, flashing through the air like a deadly dance.

    But Alexandri wasn¡¯t caught off guard. Just before the blow would land, he threw both his fist into the ground, using his aura to shield himself. He hit the ground with a powerful shockwave, disorienting the boys¡¯ vision.

    But just as he did, a glimmer of ice shot out of the dust¡ªa lance of sharp, frozen energy aimed straight for his chest. Alexandri didn¡¯t hesitate. His fist, infused with his golden aura, slammed into the lance, shattering it instantly. But that was just the beginning. Shin approached him with a frontal attack from jumping off the debris the shockwave created.

    Two more ice lances followed from behind, while Al struck from the side, aiming for the knight¡¯s legs. This time, the attacks came from all directions. Al muttered to himself "This is it, we''ve done it. No way he''s avoiding this"

    Alexandri¡¯s eyes narrowed in focus, his hands moving like lightning to counter. He spole something silently under his breath "impressive," and in that instant, golden light surged around him, forming a shimmering barrier like a second skin.

    ¡°Impenetrable Tower Defense,¡± Alexandri said with a smirk he didn''t expect they would make him use this move he never expected them to push him to this point, as the boys¡¯ attacks crashed against his aura. With both ice lances disintegrating on impact. Both boy''s blades bounced off like they were nothing. But Shin and Al didn¡¯t stop. They kept pushing.

    With a roar, Alexandri exploded, grabbing Shin by the head and holding onto Al by the arm. The boys were thrown back with Al pushed back with a fist and shin thrown after him, crashing into each other, their bodies battered and a little bloodied.

    The dust cleared, and Alexandri stood tall, still standing in the same spot. ¡°So,¡± he said with a chuckle, ¡°this is how you defeated the Dark Hounds¡¯ Alpha. Interesting.¡±

    There was recognition now, a spark of respect for the boy who had dared to strike him.

    "Not bad, child," Alexandri muttered, his voice low. "But don¡¯t think you¡¯ve won."

    His feet remained in the same position; he hadn''t moved despite all the barrage of attacks.

    He paused, watching them struggle to rise. ¡°I know now. You¡¯re a mage, aren¡¯t you? Hiding your true power. Well, whatever it is, it¡¯s not enough. Get up. The real fight starts now.¡±

 Will of the Strong

<hr>

    CHAPTER SEVEN

    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

 Unwavering

    <hr>

    CHAPTER EIGHT

    The sun was beginning to set, casting a brilliant golden hue across the sprawling training grounds. The light glinted off the sweat-drenched faces of Al and Shin, both sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath. They lay beneath the shadow of a towering figure¡ªAlexandri, the Iron Lion. His figure loomed over them like a mountain, imposing and unyielding.

    "I never expected what I just witnessed from you both," he said, his voice a deep, amused rumble, breaking the silence. A grin tugged at the corner of his lips, but it was not one of pure satisfaction. "Impressive, yes, but you''re both still lacking."

    The boys could barely summon the energy to respond, but their eyes followed Alexandri¡¯s movements as he signaled for a maid. A tall woman hurried over, carrying a wet towel. She began wiping the dust and debris off Alexandri¡¯s body, gently dabbing at the sweat from the heat and grime from their sparring session.

    "From tomorrow to a month," Alexandri continued, his voice carrying a tone of finality that made both boys tense, "you¡¯ll be trained under me¡ªboth in physical exercises and sparring sessions. It will be brutal. Hellish, even. So, prepare yourselves."

    As the maid finished, he tossed the towel aside and turned to face the boys. His smile had faded, replaced with the hard resolve of a master who saw their potential, but more importantly, their limits. "Go rest up. I¡¯ll see you both bright and early tomorrow."

    With that, he turned and began to walk away, leaving them alone in the dimming light of the evening. The distant sound of crickets filled the air, but for a moment, Al and Shin remained still, the weight of what had just been said sinking in. They exchanged a look, a shared, tired smile. The night sky above them seemed impossibly vast, stars twinkling like distant promises, but the road ahead was clear¡ªbrutality and growth.

    The next morning came too soon.

    The door to their room swung open with a violent force, and the commanding voice of Alexandri boomed across the space.

    "Al, Shin, you rascals! The sun is high in the sky! What are you doing, not coming out?" His words were heavy with authority, and the sheer power in his voice made them jump up from their beds in a panic.

    Before either of them could say a word, Alexandri grabbed them both¡ªone in each arm¡ªlifting them effortlessly as if they weighed no more than feathers. Without a second thought, he carried them out of the room, through the halls, and onto the training grounds.

    The training ground was vast¡ªeasily its size was around 4,426 squared meters¡ªits floor made up of rough dirt and compacted earth, marked with scars from previous training sessions. As he set them down, the two boys were still reeling from the shock of being physically manhandled so easily.

    "Your stamina is too low," Alexandri said, eyes narrowing as he scanned them both. "You need to improve it. You also need to build strength."

    He turned to Al, his voice becoming more focused. "I know you''re a mage, but you¡¯re also capable in close-range battles. That¡¯s something I¡¯ll make sure you master."Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    Without warning, he pointed to the farthest end of the training ground. "Run twenty laps. Now."

    Al and Shin exchanged brief, exhausted looks but nodded grimly. The ground was expansive, and the laps stretched across what felt like miles. The sun beat down mercilessly, and their legs felt like lead as they pushed themselves to complete the run. Their breaths came in heavy gasps, and their muscles screamed in protest.

    When they finally completed the last lap, gasping and hunched over in exhaustion, Alexandri was waiting, his arms crossed in silent judgment.

    "Now, 100 push-ups," he commanded. "100 squats. 100 lunges. 100 sit-ups. You have no time to waste, these are going to be part of your daily routines to boost your stamina,¡± he said.

    Each order was a sledgehammer to their already breaking resolve. They got down, sweat pouring, their muscles trembling with fatigue, but Alexandri''s presence was like a weight pressing them down.

    "You¡¯re not here to slack off," he growled. "Failure will have consequences."

    Fear ran through their veins. They didn¡¯t dare ask what those consequences were.

    By the time they finished the final set of sit-ups, they could hardly move. Their bodies were wracked with soreness, their vision blurred with exhaustion. But Alexandri was relentless.

    "The sun¡¯s still up," he said, his voice like a cold wind. "Get up."

    With shaky limbs, they managed to rise to their feet, wincing at the aches in their muscles. They could barely keep their eyes open, but Alexandri was not about to let them rest.

    "I''m going to teach you my impenetrable tower defense technique," he said, his voice commanding them to focus. "This technique gave me the name ¡®Iron Lion.¡¯ I wrap my body with layers of aura, creating an armor that¡¯s so strong, it makes me near-invisible to any attack."

    He turned to Shin. "You¡¯ve already tapped into something similar, but it¡¯s a different kind of aura. Yours boosts your physical attributes¡ªstrength, speed, agility. We need to refine it so you can sustain it for longer periods."

    Then, turning to Al, he continued, "You already have control over mana, which is a good start. But the aura we knights use is refined from mana. Your mana is pure, but it doesn¡¯t strengthen your body like ours does. I¡¯ll teach you to convert your mana into aura, and you¡¯ll learn to wield it with a dagger." Al haf always been accustomed to fighting with his rune spells and incantations, but he had never once tried refining his mana into aura.

    Both boys nodded, exhausted but determined.

    "Now," Alexandri said, "let¡¯s begin."

    He ordered them into a squat position, their legs burning from the strain, and then he began his teaching.

    "Using aura the wrong way can be explosive. It can damage your mana stream. So pay attention."

    He turned to Shin. "Picture the first time you used aura, and manifest it now."

    Al was confused. The squat position didn¡¯t seem to make sense for mana circulation. Just as he opened his mouth to question, Alexandri struck both boys in the stomach with a flyn bamboo stick is renowned for combining the strength of steel with the elasticity of rubber.,

    The blow was brutal. They both collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath, pain searing through their bodies.

    "This is how you learn my technique," Alexandri said coldly, his gaze unflinching. "I¡¯ll hit you until you can manifest your aura as a shield. Till you can shatter this bamboo stick. When that¡¯s done, we move on to the next weapon. And the next."

    Al and Shin, already aching from their earlier physical exercises, could hardly believe the intensity of the pain that followed. Alexandri struck again and again, relentlessly, until their bodies screamed for mercy.

    With each blow, Al managed to manifest his aura¡ªfirst weakly, then stronger. It helped dull the pain, but it wasn¡¯t enough to shatter the bamboo.

    After the fourth strike, Al''s aura was beginning to solidify, but the bamboo stick remained unbroken. Shin, on the other hand, had barely begun to manifest his aura at all.

    It felt like hours. The world around them blurred, and their bodies grew heavy as though every drop of energy had been drained. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they collapsed, unable to hold on any longer.

    ---

    They woke in the mansion''s infirmary, their bodies wrapped in soothing bandages. The healer, a quiet woman with soft hands, had tended to their wounds, but there was no magic to ease the soreness in their muscles.

    "The wounds are healed," she said, her tone clinical. "But the pain¡­ that¡¯s yours to endure."

    Shin, his body aching, glanced at Al. They both knew what this meant. The hellish training was just beginning.

    ---

    Days passed in a blur of pain, exhaustion, and relentless training. They ran, they fought, they endured. By the fourth day, both Al and Shin were able to manifest an aura shield strong enough to shatter the bamboo. They had survived, but their resolve had been forged in the fire of Alexandri''s brutal training.

    The Iron Lion looked at them, his expression unreadable.

    "Finally," he said, a rare smile flickering across his face. "Let¡¯s see how you handle a wooden mace."

    And so, the path to mastery continued, each day more grueling than the last.

 Tide of Evolution

    <hr>

    CHAPTER EIGHT

    The man known as the iron lion is known to have one of the most unique fighting styles scattered across the continent, holding a distinctly unusual philosophy.

    Typically, the journey to becoming a warrior, knight, swordsman, or martial artist follows a consistent framework of training. This process includes refining breathing techniques, strengthening the body, and mastering various skills to improve overall proficiency in martial arts. While the specific methods can differ widely among different schools, the fundamental approach remains largely similar.

    However, the philosophy of Alexandri''s techniques denies these fundamentals.

    ¡°First, create a perfect body!¡±

    Alexandri shouted relentlessly as he smacked the boys with the wooden mace relentlessly. The mace was made from the wood of an elder oak tree which was tougher than the flyn bamboo and could shatter a metal plate and it had tiny spikes made with silver.

    ¡°The reason humans wield weapons is that they are weak. They wear armor because their bodies are frail, and they take up swords, spears, and axes to replicate the claws and teeth they lack. How stupid is that!¡±

    Even while being beaten, Al found this absurd. Why would using tools be considered stupid?

    Alexandri responded immediately.

    "It is an escape! A weak escape for those who cannot overcome their fragility. A true martial artist or warrior should strive to train and conquer their weaknesses!¡±

    Al was taken aback, having never encountered such a simplistic and brutish way of thinking in his 40 years as a magician, his body had only been put through immense training to control and contain his mana and refined through various battles. Fortunately, the pain prevented any noticeable reaction. Alexandri continued speaking. ¡°First, one must create a body that is unique, perfect, strong and an aura shield that is unbreakable.¡±

    As Alexandri swung the wooden mace, he calmly explained his fighting philosophy. He believed that repeating familiar stories could help the boys recover from the shock of the pain more quickly. As they couldn¡¯t keep up with the rhythm at which the mace came down on their bodies.

    Given the short human lifespan and the lofty realms of martial arts to be achieved, he argued, how can one reach these great heights by dabbling in so many skills without building the body? That is the weakness of mages and so many martial arts.

    ¡°Definitely, those who focus on their foundation will eventually succeed.¡±

    He prioritizes perfecting the body first. With a perfected body, aura, and skill training becomes easier because the body operates at peak conditions. This allows for quicker skill acquisition and reduces the time needed to correct bad habits. This is the central argument of Alexandri. The first step to creating a perfect body is to transform the body into steel. As he hit the boys again their aura defence shattering as the mace came in contact with their bodies.

    ¡°Humans are like metal ores; both become stronger and more durable as they are forged.¡±

    ¡°Why are we humans compared to meta ores? There¡¯s a serious flaw in your logic from the start!¡±

    Shin had long forgotten the fact that if his body had not been like this from the beginning, he wouldn¡¯t have ended up in such a state.

    Upon entering the house, Alexandri retrieved the item he always used from storage. It was a gigantic drum, made entirely of oak wood and clay, large enough for two fully grown men to submerge themselves completely, with room to spare. He then filled the bathtub with water.

    True to his reputation as the strongest man of his era, his method of filling the tub was nothing short of impressive. While ordinary people would laboriously carry water in buckets to fill it, this muscular behemoth had no need for such tedious tasks. He simply lifted the entire drum and dipped it into the pond behind the house, effectively filling it in one go. Alexandri handled this immense object as if it were a mere washbowl, then proceeded to pour four vases full of liquid into it and added various herbs. He then returned to the boys. Having watched Alexandri¡¯s actions closely, Al''s voice trembled slightly as he asked, an unmistakable hint of fear lacing his words.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    ¡°What on earth is that?¡±

    ¡°What else? Once you''ve worked and shaped the metal, you need to cool it down.¡±

    With a nonchalant reply, Alexandri grabbed Al and Shin both by their neck. Once again, he employed the ¡®mother lion carrying her cub¡¯ method. It was as if this towering giant had never learned any other method to transport others. Indeed, an elderly muscular man carrying his fully well-built students like princesses could be seen as a freight scene in its own right.

    ¡°well then¡­¡±

    Alexandri held both boys by their neck, channeling his aura. A golden aura surged and flowed before seeping into their battered bodies entirely.

    ¡°Ugh, mmmff?¡±

    Both of them groaned at an unusual sensation, but even amid the pain, they could feel their bodies healing at an astonishing rate. Al recognized this effect from previous encounters with magic, allowing him to understand the activation and enhancement of his body¡¯s regenerative abilities. Bones realigned, ligaments tightened, and swollen muscles returned to their proper positions.

    Alexandri was currently using his aura to heal and massage their entire body. The layered golden Aura, which is unique to him alone the iron lion, is renowned across the continent for its exceptional ability to manipulate the physical body and its remarkable healing properties.

    After tending to their bodies for a while with his aura, Alexandri then ripped the clothes from their bodies completely. Of course, he still paid no heed to their pleas. Shin, having no energy left to resist, compliantly accepted the fact. After all, he had somewhat anticipated this when he saw the drum being filled.

    ¡°I could always just take off my clothes myself, but honestly, why go through all this...?¡±

    However, he was in no condition to even lift a finger after being beaten severely. He lacked the strength to undress himself. It wasn''t as though Alexandri made a habit of undressing his young male students for entertainment.

    "Alright, then. I¡¯ll see you in an hour''s time."

    Alexandri completely submerged Al and Shin in the bath and then covered it with the lid. The lid had a hole large enough for them to breathe, allowing both boys, floating in the water, to stay alive. Al stared blankly at the water surrounding him.

    Initially, he hadn¡¯t noticed anything unusual, but after examining it more closely, he realized the contents were serious.

    ¡®Oh my! Healing potions, satyr herbs, leaves of the coliac weed¡­¡¯

    Healing potions are items that cost a significant amount of silver coins per bottle from any reputable Mage Guild. Filling a drum with them, even if diluted with water, would result in an astronomical expense. There¡¯s an old tale about an empress who bathed in milk for the sake of her skin¡¯s beauty. If she witnessed this, she could take pride in her frugality before the whole world.

    Additionally, the herbs that were added were quite costly, each known for their powerful healing properties. As he submerged himself in the water, he could feel his wounds healing and his body recovering at an astonishing rate. At the same time, he was keenly aware of his resilience.

    "This training method wasn¡¯t unfounded after all¡­"

    After strengthening every muscle and bone in his body to the brink of death, then quickly healing with the power of aura and medicinal water, his body regenerated before any serious illness could take hold, becoming even more robust. Now he understood why they didn¡¯t go through this process the first few days of training and why they weren¡¯t completely healed by the healer so their body could get accustomed to the pain and withstand it.

    ¡®After all, if alexandri could survive up to now by doing this, it says something. Truly, even a troll could be beaten to death with this kind of strength.¡¯

    There was a logical aspect to the situation that deserved recognition. However, emotionally, it was the last thing Al wanted to accept. Why, after all, did he have to endure so much to become stronger? Others appeared to grow strong quite naturally without such extremes.

    ¡®Alexandri must have been repeating this kind of training for years, hasn¡¯t he?¡¯

    The depth of Alexandri''s strength, which allowed him to endure such powerful magic from Al, became instantly clear.

    ¡°Sigh¡­¡±

    A deep sigh flowed beyond his lips. The healing spring water caressed his body, gradually easing the pain. Only now did he begin to regain his senses and the capacity to grasp the situation.

    Immersed in the healing waters, Al quietly sank into his thoughts.

    ¡®It¡¯s clear that this is the past¡­¡¯

    Considering his age, it seemed he had traveled back about 24 years. Al turned and observed Shin, who had completely immersed himself in the water, his body almost entirely hidden beneath the surface. Shin¡¯s breathing was slow and measured, his focus unbroken as he worked to circulate his aura through his body, the water amplifying his efforts. Al could sense the shift in the atmosphere around him¡ªthe flow of energy from Shin''s aura subtly blending with the natural forces of the water. It was clear that Shin was harnessing every ounce of the environment to heal and fortify himself, a display of stillness over both his body and spirit.

    Inspired by Shin¡¯s approach, Al decided it was time to take a more direct approach to his cultivation. The liquid¡¯s surface rippled as he slid in, his body sinking until the water level covered his head. Al closed his eyes, shutting out the external world, and took a deep breath. The cool water enveloped him, its healing touch seeping into his pores, while the steady pulse of ambient mana surrounded him. It was a prime opportunity to push his limits. His goal was to expand his mana paths, widening the internal channels that allowed him to draw in and process mana. If he succeeded, it would increase the output of his body¡¯s mana capacity and the flow from the environment, possibly enough to ascend to the ranks of a 2-circle mage or even a 3-circle. This could also lead to him refining more mana into aura.

    Al focused his mind, picturing his mana well as a small, confined space. With each breath, he visualized the channels widening, the small well expanding into something much larger and more powerful. As he relaxed, the mana in the environment began to flow toward him, drawn by his focused intent. He could feel the subtle tug of the natural energy weaving through the water, entering his body, and filling his mana pathways. The sensation was intoxicating¡ªa gentle pressure at first, then growing into a warm pulse as his body absorbed more and more. But it wasn¡¯t without its difficulties. His channels resisted at times, clamping down as if they were reluctant to expand. It was a battle of will, but Al¡¯s determination burned through the resistance. Each successful breath felt like a small victory, and with every passing moment, his body grew closer to the breakthrough he so desperately sought.

 Aura Attributes

    <hr>

    CHAPTER TEN

    The water was cool, like a thousand soft fingers caressing Al''s skin. His body, fully submerged in the healing drum, felt weightless. He could feel the gentle pull of the water, its restorative magic flowing into him, mending bruises, regenerating strained muscles, and¡ªmost importantly¡ª as he opened his mana pathways. The delicate balance between pain and healing was something Al had grown accustomed to over the past few days, but today felt different. The hum of energy was stronger, more vibrant as if the water itself had begun to resonate with his very soul.

    Beside him, Shin breathed quietly, his form still, eyes closed in meditation. The two of them had been submerged for what seemed like hours, maybe longer. Time had become irrelevant. Every moment felt like a step forward, a tiny inch closer to mastering what they both needed to survive.

    The stillness was shattered by a sudden, unexpected grip on their shoulders. Al gasped as his body was pulled from the water, and Shin followed quickly behind. The air outside the healing drum felt almost suffocating compared to the liquid coolness that surrounded them.

    Standing before them was Alexandri. His towering form blocked out the light, his presence as imposing as ever. His eyes, sharp and assessing, scanned the two boys, lingering on them as if he could see every change, every improvement.

    "Impressive," he said, his voice deep and almost casual, though there was a glimmer of approval in his tone. "I didn¡¯t expect you two to take advantage of the situation so thoroughly. You¡¯ve both grown... better than you were just an hour ago."

    Al nodded slowly, sweat beading on his forehead from the exertion of the cultivation. He could feel his mana pathways slowly expanding, stretching out like the roots of a tree reaching for the earth. It was working. The healing properties of the water had allowed him to push further than he ever thought possible.

    But they both knew what was coming next.

    Alexandri¡¯s gaze hardened, his expression turning serious, almost predatory. "Now, enough of this relaxation," he said, his voice like steel. "You know what comes next."

    Al¡¯s heart sank. Another round of punishment¡ªanother round of grueling physical torture designed to break them down and build them back up stronger. It was the same as always. Pain, suffering, pushing the body to the edge of its limits. A procedure meant to help them attain the aura ability of ultimate defense.

    But this time, Alexandri''s words lingered in the air. "You¡¯re about to get something more this time, though," he continued, eyes glinting with an unreadable expression. "I¡¯m going to teach you about *aura attributes*."Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    Both boys froze at the mention of the term Aura attributes. They knew already about Aura, the energy that was the foundation of everything in combat¡ªstrength, speed, defense¡ªhad been something they''d barely scratched the surface of. Alexandri had always hinted at its importance, but until now, it had been something just beyond their grasp.

    The man crossed his arms, his gaze never leaving them. "Aura attributes are closely tied to your mana attributes, but they¡¯re not the same. There are five major attributes: fire, water, earth, light, wind, and lightning. Everyone has an affinity for one of these, but some rare individuals are attuned to more than one. And each has its strengths and weaknesses."

    He paused for a moment, letting the words settle. "For instance, fire and water are incompatible, a bad match. But fire and wind... they complement each other. Lightning and water, on the other hand, are a strong pair, but lightning is weak against earth."

    A flash of something strange danced in Al''s chest as Alexandri continued, "Then there¡¯s one I¡¯m not going to talk about in-depth just yet¡ªspirit affinity. It¡¯s a rare ability that¡¯s typically found in magic users or a few other races those blessed by the goddess. *Medrain*, the goddess of healing, is associated with spirit power, but we won¡¯t be going into that now."

    At the mention of Medrain, a sudden wave of disgust churned in Al¡¯s stomach. His mind flashed back to a memory¡ªa violent, vivid memory. The stab wound from his past life he got in his chest, the searing pain, the cold eyes of Sylf, and that face¡ª*her* face. The goddess, smiled serenely as Al¡¯s life faded and his blood spilled onto the cold stone beneath him.

    The anger surged, raw and unchecked. His entire body tensed as a primal, killing intent seeped from him, an aura of death, of wrath. For a brief second, everything in the around him seemed to freeze. Shin stiffened beside him, a chill creeping up his spine, and even Alexandri¡¯s gaze sharpened, his expression unreadable. But it passed just as quickly as it had come. Al¡¯s breath was heavy, his pulse thundering in his ears, but he managed to clamp down on the surge of emotion. The moment passed, and his body relaxed.

    Shin, his voice low and cautious, muttered, "What was that? That sudden chill... I felt like something dark just passed through the air."

    Alexandri, noticing nothing but the calm after the storm, continued speaking as if nothing had happened. "Spirit affinity is mostly used in magic, and elves are the most common wielders of it because of how akin and close to nature they are. But let¡¯s focus on your training. For Al, your mana attributes are tied to your aura, so your first task will be to learn what it is and how to imbue your weapon with both. For Shin, your style is similar to mine, which means you¡¯re more suited to fighting with your body¡ªfists, strength, defense. You¡¯ll be learning how to imbue them on your fists and feet or around your body to suit your fighting style. I have the earth attribute Alexandri said, which also enhances both my defense and my combat prowess."

    Shin steeled himself. He always wanted to be strong and this was going to help him get closer to that. This was one of the reasons he wanted this training after the fight with the commander, what Alexandri had promised would take them to the next level.

    "Now, enough talk," Alexandri said, his voice turning steely. He grabbed the wooden mace that rested against the wall behind him, its weight a symbol of the pain to come. "Get into position."

    Before they could react, the mace descended in a blur of motion. The impact was brutal, faster than either boy could block. The sound of the strike echoed through the chamber, and both boys grunted in agony as the force of the blow sent them tumbling to the ground. It was pain, pure and raw, but it was different this time. Al could feel his body, his muscles ¡ªhe wasn¡¯t as weak as before. The blow hurt, but it didn¡¯t break him like it did an hour ago.

    Alexandri grinned, his eyes alight with approval. "Back into formation, boys. We¡¯ve got a lot of work to do."

    With strained bodies and hearts still pounding, the two boys got back up, positioning themselves once again. This time, they welcomed the pain. Because, deep down, they knew that every strike, every ounce of suffering, was pushing them one step closer to mastering their true strength. Knowing they¡¯d get soaked in the healing drum.

    And when the night was over, they would rise again. Stronger. Better. Unstoppable.

 The Marshéˆ¥æªš Embrace

    <hr>

    CHAPTER ELEVEN

    The mornings always started the same. The boys, Al and Shin, would wake up to the sound of their training bells and immediately begin their grueling routines¡ªpush-ups, running laps, and constant drills that pushed their bodies to the brink of exhaustion. The night would fall, and with it came the final punishment¡ªbeing beaten senseless by Alexandri¡¯s brutal methods, only to be revived in the large drum of healing water. It was a cycle, a relentless rhythm, one that they had grown numb to.

    But today? Today felt different.

    ¡°Get up. We leave in an hour,¡± Alexandri¡¯s cold voice echoed through the small room Al and Shin shared in the extension behind his mansion. No warning, no explanation. Just the command that had become all too familiar, but there was something in the air. A sense of foreboding.

    Al rubbed his eyes, his muscles already sore from the previous day''s training. ¡°What now? Another day of brutal drills?¡± he muttered, only half awake.

    ¡°No. Pack what you need. We¡¯re leaving the training ground. We¡¯re going to the marsh.¡±

    Shin, who had been sitting cross-legged on his cot, turned to Al with a raised eyebrow. ¡°The marsh? What''s that place¡ª¡± He trailed off, knowing that questioning Alexandri was never a good idea. Still, he had to ask. ¡°Why? What are we going there for?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have time to explain. Get ready,¡± Alexandri snapped, his tone leaving no room for debate.

    Al and Shin exchanged a look. There was no time to prepare a full strategy or even ask more questions. They grabbed their supplies¡ªrations, water flasks, and the bare essentials¡ªand met Alexandri by the front gate.

    As they approached, Alexandri was waiting, his usual stoic expression masking whatever thoughts might have been running through his mind. They had already kept him waiting "What happened, were you stalling for time or you were trying to make me impatient." "We have no time to waste." He held two heavy sacks in his hands and tossed them toward the boys.

    ¡°Put these on. You¡¯ll wear them until we reach the marsh. And don¡¯t slow down,¡± Alexandri ordered.

    The sacks were heavier than they expected, the weight pressing down on their shoulders as they adjusted the straps. The air felt thicker than usual, a mix of tension and unease hanging between them.

    ¡°Move out,¡± Alexandri barked, turning toward the distant road that led out of the city.

    At first, the run was manageable. Their training had prepared them for endurance, and for the first few kilometers, they felt confident. The road was smooth, the rhythm of their footsteps steady.

    But then, Alexandri¡¯s voice cut through the air, as cold and commanding as ever. ¡°Release your aura. Put it up and don¡¯t stop running until we reach the marsh.¡±

    Al¡¯s stomach dropped. He glanced at Shin, whose face had turned pale. ¡°This monster is going to kill us before the arena does. How are we supposed to keep our auras up for the entire run?¡± Shin whispered, his voice tinged with panic.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Al didn¡¯t have an answer. The idea of running 100 kilometers while pushing their aura to its limits felt impossible, for someone that was a mage this was uncharted territory for him, never had he once imagined he would be going through this sort of training program. But they couldn¡¯t afford to fail¡ªnot with the consequences Alexandri had threatened. It genuinely felt like most times Alexandri enjoyed torturing the boys and he made them do things that weren''t even related to training or would help them grow, like the time he had ambushed them all in the name of a surprise attack and they couldn''t even fight back or when he ordered them to fetch things from the city within a specific time frame; like getting a sack of garlic and potatoes or flowers for the garden.

    And so, they pushed on.

    As they reached the outskirts of the city, the smooth road gave way to a bumpy, uneven path. The terrain became challenging, and every step felt like a battle against gravity. Their legs burned, and their lungs screamed for air, but Alexandri¡¯s words echoed in their minds like a lash: **Failure would not be tolerated.**

    The hours dragged on. At times, it felt like they were running through a haze, their bodies moving on pure instinct. Al¡¯s vision blurred, and his muscles screamed for respite, but the thought of failing, of what would happen if they gave in, kept them going. The idea of what Alexandri might do to them if they couldn¡¯t keep up was worse than their exhaustion.

    The marsh was a thing of beauty covered by greenery and large tall trees, with water flowing through it. They could feel eyes locked on them as they passed through but none were hostile, their distant sound echoed deep in the woods. Which meant there were creatures here and monsters. By the time they finally reached the part of the marsh that was their destination, their bodies were on the verge of collapse. They couldn¡¯t even collapse onto the ground, too exhausted to move. They simply stood there, gasping for breath, every muscle in their body trembling with the strain.

    Alexandri didn¡¯t seem the least bit concerned by their condition. He tossed them two small water sacks, and they eagerly gulped down the liquid. Al nearly choked as the cool water hit his parched throat.

    ¡°Careful,¡± Alexandri warned with a glint of amusement in his eyes. ¡°You might think I¡¯m being harsh, but you¡¯ll come to thank me later. The marsh is not for sightseeing. It¡¯s a place where you can grow, where you can truly unlock your aura attribute and go all out in your training.¡±

    Shin groaned, barely able to comprehend what he was hearing. ¡°Unlock our aura attribute? We¡¯re barely able to move as it is¡­¡±

    Alexandri continued, unfazed. ¡°This place is rich in mana. The air, the water, the earth¡ªit all holds an immense power. Your auras will take shape here, and if you¡¯re serious about surviving the arena, this is where you¡¯ll begin your true training.¡± He had been here in his younger days after he stumbled upon it, this place and its terrain also helped him grow into the man he was now and it was going to be useful once more in shaping the boys.

    Al, still trying to catch his breath, glanced around. The area of the marsh they were in was an open space thick with greenery and towering trees. The air was humid, and heavy with the scent of moss and earth.

    Alexandri¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Now, take off those sacks.¡±

    As they dropped the bags, a loud thud echoed through the air. The sacks had been filled with weights. Al and Shin exchanged a look of disbelief. They¡¯d been carrying the equivalent of rocks on their backs for the entire journey.

    ¡°Now, go soak in the pond over there,¡± Alexandri ordered, pointing toward a small, crystal-clear pool fed by a stream that wound its way through the marsh.

    Both boys stumbled toward the water, too exhausted to protest. They stood at the edge of the pond, the cool water beckoning them to dip in and ease the burning in their muscles.

    But just as they were about to step in, they noticed Alexandri getting in the water after them their gaze fixed on him¡ªsharp and skeptical fearing something worse was going to follow. His scars on his neck, which they had never dared to question, were clearly visible now. His body had been marked with signs of a battle, they knew the scar had a story behind it a story of survival, of pain, and of strength.

    Shin¡¯s eyes lingered on the deep, jagged scar that ran down Alexandri¡¯s neck to his chest, a permanent reminder of whatever horrors the man had faced. Al felt a surge of curiosity, one he couldn¡¯t suppress.

    ¡°How did you get those scars?¡± Al asked, his voice hesitant. ¡°I mean, with your defenses...¡±

    Alexandri¡¯s gaze shifted, cold and unreadable. ¡°Maybe one day, when you can land a blow on me, I¡¯ll tell you the story behind them. Until then, focus on your training. The waters here are also rich with healing properties because of the mana that flows through them. Let the water engulf you, and get acquainted with it. Let it seep into you and become one with your aura.¡±

    With that, Alexandri turned away, his eyes closing in a brief moment of silence. Al and Shin, still too exhausted to argue, dived into the pond as instructed, the cool water soothing their aching bodies.

    As they began to meditate, their minds stretching out to the water, intertwining their auras with the pure mana of the marsh, Alexandri watched them with a single, half-smiling expression.

    He didn¡¯t speak aloud, but in his mind, he knew. With their intense focus and concentration, they would get used to this environment within a short period of time. He also didn¡¯t bring them to train alone, he needed to work on himself, he needed to be stronger. He wanted to get attuned with nature, with the marsh. He emptied his mind and steadied his breathing as he could feel the energy of the marsh surging towards him.

 Echoes of The Past

    <hr>

    CHAPTER TWELVE

    Alexandri floated in the serene pond, his body suspended in the cool water as his mind drifted in deep meditation. His breath was slow, the gentle ripples of the water around him mimicking the flow of his thoughts. The stillness of the marsh was a stark contrast to the chaos that had once consumed his life. But here, among the murky waters and tangled reeds, he found a strange sort of peace.

    His purpose for being here wasn¡¯t merely to guide the boys in their aura training. It was something more personal¡ªsomething that was becoming a necessity in his pursuit of growth. He needed to make the technique he¡¯d come to call the ¡°Impenetrable Tower Defense¡± better than it currently was. A shield to protect him from the world¡¯s harshest dangers. After all, his confidence had been shattered once before. He¡¯d been foolish¡ªarrogant even¡ªbelieving that nothing could touch him.

    The claw scar on his neck¡ªa permanent reminder¡ªstill throbbed occasionally. It was a mark left by the beastkin ranger leader. That fight had shown him the cost of arrogance. That fight had made him feel something he thought he had long since abandoned: fear.

    Alexandri¡¯s gaze turned to the sky, his thoughts wandering to the past, back to the time when the weight of fear first found him.

    He was born to Thawmus Pilter, Count of Gryounrd, a region nestled just a little further on the outskirts of Omazu, a place most people would hardly notice. He had been a frail, fragile child¡ªhis father¡¯s greatest disappointment. Thawmus was a swordsman of great renown, a man who had always dreamed of passing down his legacy to his son. He imagined Alexandri would one day wield a blade with the same strength and resolve as he had. But when Alexandri was born, weak and sickly, his father saw him as a curse, a failure.

    Alexandri tried to please his father in every way he could. He trained tirelessly, day in and day out. He couldn¡¯t hold a sword properly, but he struggled on, pushing his fragile body to its limits. The only time he had felt any joy was when he managed to win a match against a class-five trainee. But that joy was quickly crushed when his father dismissed him, calling him weak and pathetic, stating that any son of his should have wiped the floor with such an opponent.

    "You are no son of mine, you don''t deserve the name you bear!"

    His mother, the one constant in his life, would comfort him. She spoke of beauty in other forms, of strength that didn¡¯t come from swordplay or brute force. She taught him that the people of Gryounrd were like flowers and that the leaders were gardeners, nurturing their people until they blossomed which in return would lead to them contributing to the county and making it prosperous. She made him appreciate the gentleness of flowers and the way they swayed in the breeze. She taught him to see strength in vulnerability, to see beauty in all things, and to find peace in his heart. He always smelled of flowers, even as a child¡ªan aroma that lingered long after his mother had gone.

    But his father was resolute in his disdain. ¡°I don¡¯t need a son like you,¡± he¡¯d said, dismissing Alexandri from his presence. ¡°Go to the academy. Perhaps they can make something out of you.¡± He made it known that he would set his focus on his daughters nurturing them into beautiful women. Women who would bring suitable suitors worthy enough to rule over his land.

    It was there, at the Gryandstine Academy, that the real torment began.

    The academy was a place where only the strongest survived. There, Alexandri was the joke of the school. Ridiculed and mocked by everyone, from the nobility to the commoners, he found himself isolated, and alone. His peers had blessings from the gods¡ªgifts of power that made them formidable¡ªbut Alexandri had nothing. Nothing except the burning desire to prove himself.

    He worked relentlessly. Mornings before classes were spent running through the academy and working on his physical exercises, pushing his body beyond its limits. Nights after classes were spent training with a sword that never felt like an extension of himself. But still, he was weak. The gods had not blessed him as they had his peers, he watched as they showed off blessings given to them by the various gods among the seven deities they served. He had grown to resent the gods ever since he was younger.

    Then came the survival test.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    The students were thrust into the wilderness, tasked with hunting Cyupos¡ªcreatures that resembled foxes but with three eyes that could help them sense danger when a powerful foe was around or approaching sharp claws and speed that made them difficult prey, the eyes also granted them intelligence it made them very sly and cunning, which helped them survive even with their small build. Alexandri was paired with Amelia d¡¯Contilgo and Chadeus Flem. Amelia was ranked third in their class, a gifted fighter, while Chadeus was an arrogant top-tier student ranked fifth.

    The test should have been simple. Alexandri killed two Cyupos on his own, but when he turned to check the progress of his companions, he found that both Amelia and Chadeus had slaughtered far more. Chadeus, unwilling to accept defeat, suggested they venture deeper into the woods. he had said, ¡°It¡¯s not about the difficulty of the hunt.¡± ¡°The score is about quantity.¡± The scores were determined by the number of cyupos third eyes you brought back, meaning there was also room to steal opponents'' or teammates'' scores.

    They went deeper into the forest killing and hunting the creatures with Chad insisting they go even deeper so he could fill his pouch. What followed was a reckless pursuit. The Cyupos led them deeper into the forest, where they found themselves walking straight into a trap.

    A loud, guttural roar shook the air.

    And then they saw it¡ªa Tarian Troll, mortally injured a whole on its chest, bloodied and angry, standing in front of them like a beast from the deepest parts of nightmares, they were known for their light blueish-green skin, slender muscular build, intelligence, ruthlessness in battle and they stood six feet tall. It spoke "Human offsprings have you come to finish off Ka''al?" it had been part of a group of trolls that was hunted by a human party but it escaped not before it was injured tha]is happened a few days ago. None of them understood its language because it spoke in troll tongue, its voice dripping with rage and with a killing intent so thick that it froze them in place.

    Chadeus ran first, panicking. But his desperate flight was cut short by a small, sharp throwing knife that sank into his skull. This sight was something new to them something they had never seen this wasn''t the little cyupos they hunted or the tamed monsters from the academy they fought with under the watchful eyes of their professors, no this was something more feral, injured, and cornered. Amelia tried to fight back, but her attacks were thwarted. Alexandri could see the fear in her eyes¡ªthis was real. This was a battle for survival. There would be no glory in this fight, no practice in swordplay. This was brutal. She activated the blessings in her eyes and saw that there was no way for either her or alexandri to get out of the situation without them sacrificing themselves.

    And yet, Alexandri jumped in front of Amelia when the troll lunged toward her, pushing both him and the troll downhill. As they tumbled down until they got to a clearing filled with greenery but neither of them paid attention to it as they both had their eyes locked on each other. His actions felt instinctual. Why did he risk his life for her? Was it because of his mother¡¯s teachings about strength through selflessness?

    The troll was fast, its daggers flashing in the air, and Alexandri was left dodging blows as he fought back, his sword no longer feeling heavier and heavier from each strike and clashing with troll daggers. At that moment, his body felt clogged. Every strike, every movement was a struggle, and yet he was alive. He was surviving.

    The troll¡¯s taunts echoed in his mind as they exchanged blows. ¡°Foolish human offspring... you should have run.¡±

    Alexandri didn''t heed its words. He wouldn''t run. Not this time.

    The final clash came in the form of a mutual charge. The daggers of the troll aimed to take his head off but it stumbled from the pain of its injuries and Alexandri dodged digging his sword directly into the wound of the chest of the troll and slashing across it diagonally. But just as Alexandri thought he had triumphed, the troll''s last desperate act sent its daggers flying into his body, piercing his gut and back with the troll saying "I will be taking you with me human" as it smiled and died before hitting the ground. His vision blurred as he tumbled into the pond nearby, drowning beneath the surface as his life flashed before his eyes the last memory he had was of his mother then he lost consciousness.

    And yet, in the cold depths of the water, something miraculous occurred. Humans had never found out about this fact, the trolls could use mana and because they were one with nature they were blessed by mana. The troll''s blood flowed into the pond mixing with the healing properties of the water they flowed into alexandri''s body healing him and enhancing his physique, this pushed him to the surface where he floated and soaked in the water for five days only to gain consciousness when a bunny licked on his face trying to get a drink from the pond, he woke up in shock looking at what had happened to his body and that was how he found the marsh.

    He spent two weeks in the woods trying to get back to the academy fighting monsters as he went by with his bare hands because his sword felt wrong to him, his fist felt more natural and better to him.

    He was barely recognisable when he got to the academy the professors and students were shocked they had thought he died. They didn''t bother sending out a search party even when Ameria begged they said why would they risk the lives of professors going into an unknown to save one worthless student even tho they went back for Chad''s body.

    He had survived an impossible situation a few days more and word would have been sent to his parents about his death which would have broken his mother''s heart. It wasn''t until later he realized he had also been blessed with mana from the incident and learned how to use aura his aura was very different from others he had more control over it in time when he practiced and he could form layers with it.

    His mind snapped back to the present. The familiar sounds of the marsh pulled him from his reverie. His body felt lighter, the memory of the orc¡¯s blades fading as the water lapped gently around him.

    He had survived.

    Not just that battle, but the relentless torment of his past. He had come here to find strength in his training, but what he found instead was a deeper understanding of his own limitations. And maybe, just maybe, that was the key to his defense.

    The Impenetrable Tower Defense would not be built by arrogance, nor by fear, but by understanding¡ªhimself and the world around him.

    Alexandri opened his eyes, staring at the reflection of the trees above him.

    His journey was far from over.

 Scent of Freedom

<hr>

    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

 Force of Nature

    <hr>

    CHAPTER FOURTEEN

    "What is that?" "Are you seeing what I''m seeing Al or do my eyes deceive me?"

    Shin exclaimed, his voice strained with shock and disbelief. His eyes were wide, his breath shallow, and he couldn¡¯t make sense of what was unfolding before him. He had seen his fair share of strange creatures in their travels, but nothing had prepared him for this.

    Before them, two monstrous beings stood locked in battle. The first was an ape-like creature, towering at about six feet. Its skin was a deep, angry red, and it had a smooth, bald head, the rest of its body covered in thick fur, particularly along its back. Its tail, curved and muscular, whipped through the air to help it balance as it moved. The beast''s eyes glowed with a predatory intensity, and its sharp claws flexed as it prepared to strike.

    The second was a massive cat, white as snow, with bold orange stripes cutting across its powerful form. Its mouth was bloody, its fangs exposed, and its claws gleamed with deadly intent. Despite being only four feet tall, its compact size and thick body spoke of immense power. Its tail flicked through the air like a lasso, restless and full of menace.

    Shin couldn¡¯t believe what he was seeing. The two creatures were locked in an intense, violent confrontation, each vying for dominance. Every movement, every strike was brutal, and it sent a chill down his spine.

    "What is that, I¡¯ve never seen them before!" Shin asked again as he turned to Al, wide-eyed.

    Before Al could answer, Alexandri¡¯s voice cut through the tension, low and urgent. ¡°Be quiet! They haven¡¯t noticed us yet.¡± He stood stock-still, his sharp eyes never leaving the fighting monsters.

    "The humanoid monster is called a Ganyr Ape, and the cat is a Pynter. Both are level 2 monsters." Alexandri¡¯s voice was a mere whisper, but it carried the weight of someone who knew the terrain all too well. "Stay calm."

    Shin''s confusion only deepened. "What do we do?" His voice was barely more than a breath.

    Al gave him a subtle nudge, signaling him to remain silent, and then turned his eyes back to the fight. He was tense, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger, but it was clear he didn¡¯t know how to proceed either. Al was a skilled magician, but the magic needed to evade or fight these beasts was beyond him. Advanced cloaking spells were still out of his reach. The only one who stood a chance against these creatures, Shin realized, was Alexandri. His only hope was that Alexandri, with his impressive combat skills, could handle this situation.

    Alexandri didn''t need to say much. His eyes locked onto Al¡¯s, and without speaking, Al knew what was expected of him: they would watch and learn. This battle could teach them something valuable. Alexandri raised his hand slightly, signaling for them to observe closely.

    The fight continued. The Pynter, agile and swift, darted toward the Ganyr Ape with a terrifying speed, leaping through the air with its claws extended, aiming for the ape¡¯s throat. But the Ganyr Ape was ready. It twisted its body, evading the attack, then used its powerful legs to send the cat hurtling backward. In an instant, the ape grabbed the Pynter¡¯s tail, swinging it through the air like a ragdoll, launching it far into the sky and jumping after it, and kicking it further into the air.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    But the Pynter was no ordinary cat. As it soared upward, it regained its balance mid-air, its paws finding invisible footings as if gravity had no hold over it. The cat twisted and landed in a crouch, just in time to slash the ape across the chest with its deadly claws. The force of the impact sent them both crashing to the ground in a violent collision.

    They didn¡¯t stay down for long. In a shocking display of strength and speed, both monsters were back on their feet in the blink of an eye. The air around them thickened, charged with an ominous, almost palpable sense of bloodlust. It was a moment of pure animal rage, and neither creature seemed willing to back down.

    Shin¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. He saw something strange happening to the Ganyr Ape. It stood tall, and suddenly, there was a burst of energy in the air. The very atmosphere around the beast seemed to change as if the air itself was bending in response to the ape¡¯s movements.

    The Ganyr Ape was using aura.

    Without warning, the ape grabbed a nearby branch from the ground. The air shimmered as the creature¡¯s aura flowed into the branch, wrapping it in a deadly, glowing energy that transformed it into a blade-like weapon. The boys watched in awe as the ape swung the branch with precise ferocity, cutting through the air.

    Shin turned to Alexandri, his mouth agape. "What... What is that?" he stammered, eyes wide in astonishment.

    The aura-infused branch met the Pynter¡¯s claws in a deafening clash. The force of the impact sent the cat skidding back, but it didn¡¯t back down.

    The Pynter¡¯s tail lashed out, wrapping around the ape¡¯s body, yanking it off its feet, and dragging it toward the cat. With a swift motion, the ape jammed the glowing branch into the ground, halting its forward movement.

    With a fierce roar, the Ganyr Ape wrenched the Pynter forward, lifting it off the ground with a brutal, one-handed swing. It slammed its fist into the Pynter¡¯s face, sending it sprawling backward, but the cat refused to let go of its tail.

    The battle intensified, and the two monsters were locked in a deadly dance. The Ganyr Ape pummeled the Pynter with a barrage of punches, each one leaving deep, bloody welts across the cat¡¯s body. But the Pynter was not done yet. With terrifying resolve, it unleashed another series of savage slashes, tearing into the ape''s flesh.

    Then, just as it seemed the Ganyr Ape would land the killing blow, something strange happened. The ape froze, its movements sluggish, its breath labored. They could feel the tension in the air as the realization hit the Ganyr Ape¡ªthe Pynter¡¯s claws were laced with poison.

    The Pynter saw its opening. It lunged forward, its teeth sinking into the Ganyr Ape¡¯s neck. The bite was clean and precise, and with one final,

    ferocious yank, the cat ripped the ape¡¯s head from its body. The roar that followed shook the very earth beneath them, a cry of victory and primal fury.

    As the headless corpse of the Ganyr Ape crumpled to the ground, the Pynter stood victorious, blood dripping from its fangs. But its triumph was short-lived. It sensed something. Someone.

    With a furious hiss, the Pynter spun around, its eyes locking onto Alexandri and the boys. Its tail flicked, its stance shifting, ready to strike. But Alexandri didn¡¯t flinch. He stood tall, his mane-like hair wild and untamed, an aura of deadly calm surrounding him.

    The air turned cold as Alexandri released his own bloodlust, a terrifying force that made the marsh itself seem to quiver. His voice cut through the tension like a blade.

    ¡°You¡¯ve won. But you are wounded. You stand no chance against me. Leave now, and you may survive.¡±

    The Pynter, its pride wounded but its survival instincts sharp, let out one last, bitter roar. With a disdainful hiss, it turned, disappearing into the shadows of the marsh.

    Alexandri exhaled slowly, his bloodlust fading as the air grew still once more. He turned to the boys, his expression unreadable.

    ¡°I hope you watched carefully,¡± he said quietly. ¡°This place can be both paradise and hell. Now, go to sleep.¡±

    With that, he walked over to his sleeping bag and, without a second thought, collapsed onto it.

    Shin stood frozen, his mind still reeling from what he had witnessed. "How do we sleep after seeing something like that?" he whispered, his voice tinged with disbelief.

    But before Al could respond, a loud snore erupted from Alexandri¡¯s sleeping form, even louder than the roar of the Pynter. The sound was so powerful that it seemed to shake the very ground beneath them.

    Shin looked at Al, wide-eyed. "He truly is a monster."

    Al nodded, his gaze distant. ¡°You are telling me,¡± he said.

    And as the night settled in around them, the marsh seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the next force of nature to appear.

 Awakening of Elements

    <hr>

    CHAPTER FIFTEEN

    At the break of dawn, Alexandri woke up to find Al meditating. He was impressed by Al¡¯s discipline and could clearly see the growth he had made so far. However, when he turned his gaze toward Shin, he found him lying carefreely, completely undisturbed, despite his earlier fears about sleeping in the marsh. With a loud grunt, Alexandri shattered the morning silence, breaking Al¡¯s concentration and abruptly waking Shin.

    "Get up, you two," Alexandri commanded.

    He tossed the weight bags they had worn during their earlier run to the marsh. As soon as the boys strapped them on, they felt significantly heavier than before, when they had run with it on their journey to the marsh. A knowing smirk played on Alexandri¡¯s face as he strode toward a large boulder, lifted it effortlessly as if it were no more than a tin can, and secured it to his back with a thick rope. Signaling the boys to follow, he took off running. The path they followed was an open trail through the marsh, strangely structured, almost as if it had been man-made.

    As they ran, Alexandri spoke, his voice steady despite the exertion. ¡°I hope you paid close attention to the fight between the two monsters last night. Those are the types of creatures you¡¯ll be facing here.¡±

    The boys exchanged glances but remained silent, absorbing every word.

    ¡°There are five recorded levels of monsters throughout history,¡± Alexandri continued. ¡°They range from level five to level one. The two beasts you saw last night were both level two. Level ones¡­ are disaster-class creatures. The kind you pray you never have to face without an army. Dragons, for example, fall into that category.¡±

    Shin¡¯s breath hitched slightly at the mention of dragons, while Al furrowed his brows, recalling past encounters from his previous life.

    ¡°But,¡± Alexandri¡¯s voice darkened, ¡°there has been one rare case of a level zero. It was a catastrophic event that left nothing but a massive hole where an entire kingdom used to be. No one knows what caused it. One day, the kingdom was thriving, and the next, it simply vanished,¡± a chill ran down Shin''s spine, but he masked his unease.

    Al¡¯s eyes narrowed. He had read about it in his previous life, but the information had always been shrouded in mystery.

    Al clenched his fists. He had once faced a level-one creature in his past life when he fought the fourth guardian. But even with help, there had been countless casualties. In the end, he was betrayed and killed.

    He had two years before the first cataclysmic event would take place. Two years. Just two years before Krantu''s followers would rise, and with them, the cataclysmic event that would tear the world apart. He had no time to waste. His powers were weak, his memories a little fragmented, and the whispers of his past. The forgotten god of destruction, Krantu, had been buried for ages, but his followers still remembered him. Soon, The cultists, the zealots¡ªsoon, they would gather, and the world would burn.

    Al knew his only hope of stopping this doom was regaining the strength he once had. The dungeon, hidden deep in dangerous corners of the world, held the answers. Inside it, the power he gained from relics in his past life, the powers that made him very powerful, awaited. But the dungeon was no place for the weak and mild. It was full of monsters and traps, its depths unforgiving. Still, he had no choice but to enter. Time was running out, and the whispers of his former self urged him to hurry. Only by unlocking his hidden strength could he stand against Krantu''s rising tide. The clock was ticking. But first, he had to gain his freedom.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    ¡°The creatures here mostly range from level five to level two,¡± Alexandri continued. ¡°Be careful not to wander into unmapped territory.¡±

    The sun had risen high, its scorching rays beating down on them as they continued their relentless run. Despite their exhaustion, they couldn¡¯t help but glance at Alexandri, who barely showed any signs of exertion. Without warning, he increased his pace, commanding them to keep up.

    They struggled but pushed through, their breaths ragged. After what felt like hours, they finally reached an elevated summit within the marsh¡ªthe highest peak in the vicinity. Alexandri stood at the edge, eyes scanning the area.

    ¡°This place is home to a monster,¡± he said. ¡°But it¡¯s safe for now. It¡¯s out looking for a mate.¡±

    The boys exhaled deeply in relief, nearly collapsing onto the ground as Alexandri ordered them to drop their weights. As soon as they did, their bodies felt significantly lighter.

    ¡°Throughout the run, you were also releasing your aura,¡± Alexandri said.

    ¡°That not only boosted your stamina but also helped refine your aura output. A defined aura is a powerful one.¡±

    The boys took a moment to appreciate their surroundings. The view from the peak was breathtaking. The marsh stretched out endlessly beneath them, its beauty unexpected yet mesmerizing.

    ¡°Wow,¡± Shin whispered, awestruck.

    Al nodded in agreement but quickly turned back to Alexandri. ¡°Why are we here?¡± he asked. ¡°If you were cautious about bringing us here, there must be a reason.¡±

    Alexandri smirked. ¡°This place has the highest concentration of mana in the entire marsh. You don¡¯t realize it because of the training you¡¯ve undergone. If you had come here before, your bodies wouldn¡¯t have been able to handle it. The sheer mana density would have killed you.¡±

    The weight of his words sank in. Al and Shin exchanged glances, their awe shifting into a newfound respect for the training they had endured.

    ¡°Most creatures in the marsh can¡¯t survive here,¡± Alexandri continued. ¡°But I brought you here for a reason.¡±

    Reaching into a pouch on his waist, he pulled out a mana orb, a tool used by mages to determine elemental attributes.

    ¡°It¡¯s a common misconception that aura attributes can¡¯t be tested with this,¡± he explained. ¡°That¡¯s false. Aura is refined from mana. While they are slightly different, they are also similar in many ways."

    He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before continuing. "Mana is the raw, untamed force that exists in the world, an unshaped power that flows through all living things and the environment. It is the very fabric of existence, the foundation upon which all magical phenomena occur. However, aura is different. Aura is the refined version of mana, honed by an individual¡¯s spirit, willpower, and body. It is mana given form, shaped by one¡¯s essence and determination."

    "The two are deeply connected. Aura retains the properties of its parent source.

    He rolled the orb in his palm, eyes flickering between Al and Shin. "Think of mana as water in a vast ocean¡ªboundless and formless. It exists everywhere, but by itself, it is untamed. Aura, on the other hand, is that same water channeled through a river. The river gives it structure, guides its flow, and refines its power. Because aura originates from mana, it retains many of its properties, including elemental affinity. By identifying your mana¡¯s attributes, we can determine what elements your aura will respond to most naturally."

    Holding the orb in his palm, he demonstrated how it worked. A sand-like material formed around the orb, signifying his earth attribute.

    ¡°Shin, you go first.¡±

    Shin hesitated for only a second before taking a deep breath. He focused, drawing in the surrounding mana, and then placed his hand on the orb. A dazzling light erupted from within, illuminating the surroundings with a blinding radiance. At the same time, streaks of white lightning crackled across the orb¡¯s surface, dancing like wild serpents. The sheer intensity of the reaction made the ground beneath them tremble slightly.

    Alexandri¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment. ¡°Incredible¡­ Light and lightning attributes.¡±

    Shin beamed with excitement. ¡°What does that mean?¡±

    Alexandri smiled. ¡°It means you have immense potential. This is only the second time I¡¯ve encountered someone with these attributes.¡±

    Shin clenched his fists, determination gleaming in his eyes.

    ¡°Al, your turn.¡±

    Al already knew his previous life¡¯s attributes¡ªfire and wind. He was confident that nothing had changed. As he placed his hand on the orb, flames erupted, swirling with wind just as expected. But then, something unexpected happened. The flames coiled, drawing in an unseen force as rippling water formed rings around them. The elements did not oppose each other but rather merged in a delicate balance. Then, a final surprise¡ªa faint, ethereal shimmer of light flickered at the orb¡¯s core. The elements pulsed in harmony, each reinforcing the other rather than canceling out.

    Al¡¯s eyes widened. He hadn¡¯t possessed water or light attributes in his past life.

    Alexandri stared at him, equally stunned. ¡°Impossible¡­¡±

    Silence hung in the air as they both processed what had just occurred.

    Al slowly withdrew his hand. What did this mean? Had something changed after his reincarnation? Or was this a part of his newfound destiny?

    Alexandri took a deep breath. ¡°Well, Al¡­ it looks like you¡¯re full of surprises.¡±

    For the first time in a long while, Alexandri found himself at a loss for words. He could only stare at Al, knowing full well that something about him was far beyond ordinary.

 The Prodigy

    <hr>

    CHAPTER SIXTEEN

    <h2> </h2>

    The summit was silent, save for the soft hum of the magic orb in Al¡¯s hands. Its glow pulsed with intensity, illuminating the wide-eyed expressions of the onlookers. None were more stunned than Al himself.

    He stared in disbelief as four elements radiated from the orb, each representing a different aura attribute. The norm dictated that an individual could only possess up to three aura attributes¡ªanything beyond that was considered impossible. Yet, here he stood, his very existence defying the established laws of magic.

    His thoughts went back to the time of his death, the bizarre occurrence that took place then. He had no explanation for why he now possessed four attributes, but he knew it had to be connected to his death. That moment, the instant the rune activated, something had happened beyond his understanding. The voice he heard just before his life faded, whispering calm words, still echoed in his mind. And the red figure he glimpsed in the void¡ªit had been watching him, as though it had orchestrated his fate. Had it granted him this power? Or had it cursed him? He clenched his fist. His return to the past had not only given him another chance but had fundamentally altered his very essence. The how and why remained unanswered he had no clue which of this altered his magic but he had a gut feeling the voice and the red silhouette figure were one and the same, but the reality before him was undeniable.

    Determined to verify the results, Al removed his hand and placed it back on the orb. The elements flared once more, undeterred. He repeated this test three more times, each yielding the same undeniable truth. He possessed four attributes.

    Alexandri, standing beside him, gently grabbed Al¡¯s hand and moved it away from the orb. With a composed expression, he placed the orb back into its pouch and secured it at his waist. The pouch itself was no ordinary container¡ªit was a small subspace, a rare artifact capable of storing items beyond its physical capacity. As Alexandri tucked the orb inside, the pouch momentarily glowed, absorbing the orb into its limitless void. Only those attuned to such artifacts could access their contents, making it both a secure and convenient method of storage. The faint shimmer that followed was a subtle reminder of the immense value this artifact held, its magic woven into the very fabric of space itself. Alexandri had acquired it long ago, a gift from a master enchanter, and it had since become an indispensable tool on his journey.

    Turning to Shin, Alexandri said, ¡°Let¡¯s start with you. This method is supposed to be the fastest way to help you manifest your light and lightning aura qualities.¡±

    Shin¡¯s brows furrowed as he processed Alexandri¡¯s words, but his expression quickly shifted to horror as Alexandri continued, ¡°Normally, letting lightning hit you would be faster, but we can''t wait for it to rain.¡±

    Shin gulped, taking a cautious step back. He knew Alexandri well enough to understand that he wasn¡¯t joking.

    Alexandri motioned for him to sit down cross-legged. ¡°Close your eyes and take in the mana from this location,¡± he instructed. ¡°But do not force it¡ªif you take in too much, you¡¯ll damage your mana pathways.¡±

    Shin obeyed, inhaling deeply. The difference in mana density here was staggering. It was raw, untamed, unlike anything he had felt before. It felt heavier, almost tangible, pressing against his skin as though testing his resolve. He could sense it swirling in chaotic streams around him, thick with power, waiting to be tamed. His body instinctively recoiled from its intensity, but he forced himself to remain still, adjusting to the alien sensation. He felt his aura flicker in response, an unconscious reaction to the volatile energy around him.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°Picture yourself at sea,¡± Alexandri continued, his voice smooth yet commanding. ¡°The vast ocean stretches endlessly around you, its dark waters shifting beneath the weight of the wind. You are alone on a small boat, drifting in the heart of an unrelenting storm. The winds howl, the waves crash, and the sky above churns with fury. Lightning dances in the distance, illuminating the storm clouds like veins of raw power pulsing through the heavens.¡±

    Shin¡¯s breath grew steady as he envisioned the scene. He could almost feel the boat rocking beneath him, the salt of the ocean in the air, and the distant rumble of thunder vibrating through his bones.

    ¡°But you are not afraid,¡± Alexandri¡¯s voice was firm yet encouraging. ¡°The storm does not command you. You command it. You are the master of the lightning, the conductor of its energy. With every strike, with every bolt that splits the sky, you are one step closer to becoming one with it. You do not fear the power¡ªit bends to your will.¡±

    Shin allowed the sensation to take over. He imagined standing tall against the storm, raising his hands to the sky as the lightning heeded his call. It did not threaten to destroy him; it was an extension of himself, a force he could control. The static in the air crackled around him, the energy building, waiting for his command.

    Small sparks of lightning flickered around his body, tingling against his skin like static before gradually intensifying. The energy surged, crackling in erratic bursts as if testing his command. Excitement flared in his chest¡ªhe could feel it working. He was grasping the essence of lightning, bending it to his will. But just as quickly as the exhilaration came, it unraveled. His control slipped, the energy spiraling beyond his grasp.

    A sharp pain tore through his chest. The mana became overwhelming, an uncontrollable flood pouring into him too quickly. His body convulsed as a violent tremor wracked through his limbs. Blood trickled from his nose as his senses blurred, the sheer force of the energy sending him spiraling into shock.

    Alexandri reacted immediately, moving with practiced precision. He extended his hand, his aura flowing in careful streams into Shin¡¯s collapsing pathways. Slowly, he guided the excess energy out, realigning Shin¡¯s aura to restore balance. The convulsions eased, the chaotic mana settling within him once more. Then, retrieving a potion from his pouch, he pressed it to Shin¡¯s lips.

    Shin coughed before regaining his composure. ¡°You are going to keep practicing, I won''t heal or guide you next time so pay attention,¡± Alexandri said. ¡°Now that you¡¯ve felt it, we¡¯re not leaving this summit until you can manifest your lightning properly.¡±

    As he spoke, a gust of wind brushed past him. Alexandri turned his gaze to Al, he was already aware of his fire and wind capabilities when they sparred. But what he saw now was beyond anything he had anticipated.

    Al stood, surrounded by swirling flames, twisting gusts, and flowing water. The elements responded to him as if they were extensions of his own body. His expression remained unwavering, his eyes filled with a calm intensity. He controlled the elements with an ease that was almost unnatural like he had done this countless times before. His face bore no strain, no hesitation¡ªonly pure, unshaken focus.

    Al had reached an impassable barrier in his magic in his past he was stuck as an 9-circle magician what made him more unique was his runes and combat prowess, the fact he was a battle mage the second of his kind. No matter how much he trained, no matter how many techniques he studied, he could never break beyond his limits. He had spent years chasing the power he instinctively knew existed going beyond the 10-circle, but it remained just out of reach, he struggled against the ceiling of his potential. Yet now, in this life, he had the ability to change his shortcomings and surpass his limits as a mage nothing was more better than this opportunity.

    Alexandri¡¯s expression hardened. If he had thought Al was a prodigy before, that belief was now cemented. But Al, sensing his gaze, feigned instability. He purposefully fumbled, disrupting the harmony of his elements.

    A shiver ran down his spine as he had a thought in it he saw a glimpse of Alexandri¡¯s expression¡ªa devilish grin forming, eyes gleaming with an all-too-familiar hunger for training. Al knew that look. It was the look of a man who had just discovered his new favorite test subject.

    And it was too late to escape.

    A sudden crackling sound disrupted them, followed by a faint burning smell. Both Alexandri and Al turned in unison to see Shin sitting there, his face blackened with soot, his hair frizzed out wildly as sparks of lightning ran through them. He looked utterly dumbfounded.

    Al burst into laughter, clutching his sides, while Alexandri grunted in exasperation.

    They remained on that summit for a week, training rigorously. Under Alexandri¡¯s guidance, they sparred, honed their abilities, and pushed their limits. During this time, Alexandri also taught Al how to imbue his attributes into his body, reinforcing his physical strength and his daggers with elemental energy. Every session was grueling... it was during that moment the incident in the marsh took place which reshaped both boys.

 Chaotic Run

    <hr>

    CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

    The days that followed were tougher for Shin. He was still unable to circulate his lightning fully throughout his body, and his training with Alexandri and Al only compounded his struggles. He was forced to spar with both of them repeatedly, each session testing his endurance and control over his abilities. Alexandri¡¯s fighting style was merciless, utilizing overwhelming strength and precise attacks that left Shin barely able to defend himself.

    The older warrior would strike at his weakest points, forcing him to adapt under relentless pressure. Al, on the other hand, was swift and tactical, exploiting openings with finesse and making Shin work twice as hard to keep up. The constant shift between opponents left Shin with little time to rest, his muscles screaming in protest after every match. Yet, he had no choice but to push forward. Every night, Alexandri continued his brutal beatings, pushing them to the brink of death before using his mysterious healing methods to restore them. This torturous cycle continued daily as a routine.

    Al, however, had fewer difficulties. He was very good at mana control which allowed him to manipulate his aura attributes with ease, integrating them into his weapons or imbuing his body with their power. His primary struggle lay in mastering his light attribute. According to Alexandri, the light element was rare, typically belonging to priests and the knights sworn to protect them. It was a divine blessing from the Goddess of the Moon and the Goddess of Healing. This puzzled Al cause he knew this already and if light magic was a divine gift from the evil goddess of healing, how had he acquired it? And more importantly, how had Shin obtained it as well?

    Instead of dwelling on these questions, Al focused on his strengths working on his spells and also improving his combat prowess with each spar with both Alexandri and Shin. He still reminisced about the rune magic¡ªan ability granted by an ancient artifact in his past life. The runes, etched across his very skin in intricate tattoos, allowed him to copy magic, cast advanced spells without incantations, and wield ancient magic lost through time. His physical abilities and mana pool were also significantly enhanced by this power.

    ..

    It was a cloudy day, the kind where the sky looked as if it were about to weep. Thick, gray clouds blanketed the heavens, casting an eerie gloom over the landscape.

    The sun was completely obscured, leaving only a dull, lifeless light that struggled to illuminate the world below. A chilling breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and the distant promise of rain.

    The air felt heavy, as though the sky itself was burdened with sorrow, holding back an inevitable downpour.

    Shin and Al embarked on their usual grueling run, their breaths coming out in ragged puffs as they carried the heavy sacks filled with weights strapped to their backs.

    The strain on their bodies was immense; their muscles burned, their legs felt like lead, yet they pushed forward, their determination stronger than the fatigue creeping in. Each step sent a jolt of pain through their weary limbs, but stopping was not an option.

    Alexandri always added more weights each time he noticed they had gotten used to the ones they were carrying.

    They had been running for hours, their clothes damp with sweat and the humidity clinging to their skin. The ominous sky above made it clear that they were racing against time, trying to beat the inevitable downpour before it turned their path into a treacherous, muddy, and slippery road.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    The road beneath them was uneven, a mix of loose dirt and scattered rocks that made every step a battle for stability. The looming trees swayed ominously, whispering to one another as if warning of the storm to come.

    The air grew colder, the wind picking up speed, biting into their exposed skin. Their hair clung to their damp foreheads as they pushed forward, their breaths shallow and controlled. Their sacks pulled at their backs, threatening to drag them down, but they gritted their teeth and refused to yield. Every muscle in their bodies screamed in protest, yet they continued, their resolve unwavering.

    The silence was only broken by the rhythmic pounding of their feet against the dirt and the occasional rustling of wildlife retreating to shelter. The scent of rain was stronger now, an unspoken reminder that they had little time left. If they didn¡¯t reach solid ground soon, they would be forced to endure the storm head-on, their training run turning into a battle for footing in the impending deluge.

    Then, Shin heard it.

    A scream echoed from the bushes behind them.

    He skidded to a halt, ears straining for another sound. Al, however, remained skeptical.

    ¡°Ignore it,¡± Al warned. ¡°Could be a monster mimicking human voices. The marsh plays tricks on the weak-minded.¡± Al had experienced this before and lost party members due to the monster¡¯s deception.

    Before Al could continue, the scream came again, this time more desperate.

    Without hesitation, Shin dashed toward the source.

    ¡°Shin, stop! It could be a trap!¡± Al shouted, but Shin was already gone. Cursing under his breath, Al sprinted after him.

    What they found was beyond anything they had anticipated.

    Shin stood frozen, eyes wide with shock. Towering before him was a massive creature with vast, bat-like wings and razor-sharp talons. As Al caught up, his stomach twisted in recognition. A wyvern.

    Not just any wyvern¡ªan elder wyvern.

    This was no ordinary beast; it was a Level 2 monster, a cousin of the feared dragons, known for their relentless ferocity. The ground was a scene of utter carnage. Bloodied and charred body parts lay strewn across the battlefield, severed limbs twisted at unnatural angles. Pools of dark red soaked the earth, the stench of burnt flesh and fresh blood thick in the air.

    The wyvern''s maw dripped with crimson, strands of flesh hanging from its fangs. It gnashed its teeth, crushing a severed arm between its jaws, the sickening crunch echoing in the silent clearing.

    Al¡¯s eyes darted over the bodies, and amidst the horror, he noticed something familiar¡ªthe tattoos on the corpses'' necks.

    The Melcyd Mercenary Guild.

    A notorious faction that thrived on greed and chaos. They accepted the darkest of jobs¡ªassassinations, kidnappings, slave trading, and even the orchestrated takeovers of entire cities. Their name was synonymous with terror, their actions leaving many sick to their stomachs and haunted by the horrors they unleashed.

    They were feared across the lands, not for their heroism, but for their unwavering commitment to their own self-interest. Even when the world faced ruin under the Agroth invasion, they remained passive, refusing to fight unless their pockets were lined with gold. Their greed knew no bounds. If they were here, it could only mean one thing: foul play.

    Also, other members wouldn''t be far behind because they moved in groups of two one usually used to scout ahead and the other was the main force.

    A fresh scream shattered the grim silence.

    Al and Shin''s eyes snapped toward a nearby cage filled with small figures. As the wyvern crushed the last mercenary underfoot, it turned its bloodthirsty gaze toward the cage.

    Children.

    Without thinking, Shin lunged, grabbing onto the wyvern''s tail. His fingers dug into its tough scales, and his muscles strained as he held on with sheer brute strength, stopping the creature mid-motion. Lightning crackled around his hands, but it was faint¡ªhis power still incomplete.

    The wyvern snarled, thrashing wildly, trying to shake him off. Shin gritted his teeth, his arms burning as he refused to let go. The force of its struggles lifted him off the ground, swinging him violently through the air, but he held firm, his grip tightening despite the pain.

    Al took the opening and dashed toward the cage. Just as he reached it, the wyvern whipped its tail with terrifying speed, hurling Shin like a ragdoll. He slammed into the cage with bone-rattling force, the impact shaking the entire structure. Al flinched, expecting the worst, but Shin stood up, wincing but otherwise unharmed. Compared to Alexandri¡¯s brutal training, this was nothing. Al turned his focus to the cage.

    Sealed with magic.

    Muttering a curse, he traced the magic seal with his fingertips, easily shattering the barrier. But as the magic dissipated, he realized something unsettling.

    These weren¡¯t human children. They were dwarven girls.

    Captured by the mercenaries, they were likely to be sold as slaves in another kingdom. Their wide eyes brimmed with terror as they huddled together.

    Turning to the girls Al spoke in dwarven tongue saying to them.

    "It''s going to be alright, head straight into the bushes and hide till it''s safe to come out".

    The wyvern roared, shaking the very ground. Blood dripped from its fangs as it fixated on them.

    Shin and Al stood their ground.

    Between them and the terrified dwarves was a furious elder wyvern, its bloodshot eyes burning with untamed rage.

    The standoff was inevitable.

    And it was more dangerous to deal with, without Alexandri being there.

    They had to find a way to survive this on their own.

 The Elder Wyvern

    <hr>

    CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

    Al had been taught to hunt certain monsters and learn their weak points back when he was just starting out with the hero¡¯s party in his past life. His friend , the dwarf knight Melgril, had drilled into him the importance of knowing when to fight and when to flee. Among the many beasts he had been warned about, the Elder Wyvern stood as one of the most fearsome.

    ¡°Unless you have at least a Grade Four or Five knight, warrior, or a Six-Circle magician, never engage one,¡± Melgril had told him sternly. ¡°Their scales are nigh impenetrable, their elemental breath can level entire squads, and worst of all, they are intelligent. They hunt strategically and remember you must also be more cunning than they are. But if you ever see one, Al, don¡¯t fight. Run.¡±

    Yet here he was, staring directly into the crimson gaze of an Elder Wyvern for the first time. The creature¡¯s maw dripped with fresh blood as it snarled, its towering form radiating a presence of sheer dominance. The remains of the mercenaries who had been unfortunate enough to cross its path lay scattered around¡ªtorn limbs, shattered weapons, and the mangled bodies of their horses soaked in pools of crimson. The beast¡¯s breath was heavy and wet, the scent of iron thick in the air, as its sharp fangs gleamed, coated in the flesh of its latest victims. There was nothing mindless about its rage; its eyes held a calculating malice, assessing Al and Shin as prey that had yet to be properly dealt with.

    Al turned to Shin, his voice firm. ¡°Our escape routes are cut off. We have no choice but to fight. Be careful¡ªthis creature is smart. It¡¯s not just strong, but cunning as well. It remembers its enemies and learns from past battles. It won¡¯t fall for the same trick twice, and it will anticipate our moves if we¡¯re not careful. Elder Wyverns are apex predators, capable of using strategy mid-fight. If we underestimate it, we won¡¯t live to regret it.¡± They both got in their stance ready to engage in battle because a confrontation was now inevitable.

    As if responding to his words, the wyvern let out a wild roar, its tail slamming into the ground with immense force, kicking up a thick cloud of dust and debris, and creating a smoke screen. It immediately turned its full attention to Shin, its crimson eyes narrowing with a grudge-fueled intensity. The wyvern had not forgotten the earlier humiliation¡ªwhen Shin had boldly grabbed its tail and yanked with all his strength, momentarily halting its charge. It was a wound to its pride, an insult that could not go unanswered. A creature of its intelligence and experience would not let such an offense slide.

    Before they could react, the wyvern lunged at Shin, its razor-sharp fangs seeking to rend him apart. Its movements were far too calculated for a mindless beast; it did not simply charge forward, but instead feinted first, shifting its weight to one side before suddenly twisting mid-motion, forcing Shin to make a last-second adjustment. It was testing him, learning his reflexes, figuring out how he moved. The beast¡¯s armor-piercing fangs closed in, snapping just inches away from Shin¡¯s torso. If he had reacted even a fraction of a second slower, he would have been torn in half.

    But Shin had anticipated the attack, twisting midair as he narrowly evaded its bite. In the same motion, he delivered a powerful punch to the wyvern¡¯s jaw, forcing its head to jerk sideways. The impact was strong, sending it back just a few inches away from where it stood, but the wyvern was no ordinary opponent. It recovered almost instantly, using the momentum to propel itself into another attack. This time, it lashed out with a vicious swipe of its claws, its talons gleaming as they carved through the air with deadly precision.

    The strike was not reckless¡ªit was targeted, and controlled. The wyvern had calculated Shin¡¯s trajectory and timed its attack perfectly to meet him mid-motion, proving just how dangerously intelligent it was. It fought like a seasoned warrior, adapting with every exchange, refining its attacks based on Shin¡¯s movements. This was no mere monster¡ªit was a battle-hardened predator.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    Just before the deadly talons could reach Shin, Al intervened. Emerging from the smokescreen, he cast a water spell, transforming the ground beneath the wyvern into a sticky, mud-like trap. The creature¡¯s eyes widened slightly in surprise as its feet sank momentarily. Seeing an opportunity, Al unleashed a barrage of attacks, aiming for the gaps between its scales but they were tightly sealed while Shin moved toward its blind spot. But their strikes barely left a scratch, bouncing off the wyvern¡¯s near-impenetrable scales.

    Shin, refusing to relent, coated his fist in aura and struck the wyvern¡¯s spine. The moment his knuckles connected, a deep, resonating crack echoed through the battlefield. The force of the impact traveled like a surge of violent energy through the wyvern¡¯s body, sending rippling shockwaves along its spine. The beast¡¯s massive frame lurched, its muscles seizing as pain coursed through its nervous system. Its roar was deafening, filled with both fury and agony, as it bucked and writhed like a wild tempest trying to rid itself of the agony radiating from its core.

    The power behind Shin¡¯s blow was immense, it had landed exactly where he wanted it, after all that training with alexandri his precision strikes were getting more better. The aura-infused punch not only rattled the wyvern¡¯s bone structure but also momentarily disrupting its balance and coordination. The beast¡¯s wings flared out violently, their powerful gusts of wind uprooting loose debris from the ground, while its claws dug deep into the earth, struggling to stabilize itself.

    Still, Shin did not let up. He gritted his teeth and braced himself as the wyvern thrashed beneath him, its spine convulsing under the aftershocks of his attack. The sheer size of the creature made it impossible to bring down with one hit, but he had felt it¡ªfelt the slight give beneath his strike, proof that even this legendary beast was not totally invincible. He had struck a nerve with that blow, the exterior of the beast was very hard to damage but it couldn''t completely absorb the shock from the impact.

    Meanwhile, Al muttered under his breath, weaving a spell as mana surged through him.

    ¡°The light that engulfs the darkness and devours everything, O flames of Huntrae, come to me and do as I command¡ªFlame Wall!¡±

    Shin leaped away just in time as a wall of fire erupted around the wyvern, engulfing it in searing flames. But as the smoke cleared, the creature emerged, seemingly unscathed. Al, however, had planned for this. A series of runes he had secretly placed during the earlier smokescreen activated.

    ¡°Flame Arrows!¡±

    A hail of burning projectiles shot toward the wyvern. With a powerful flap of its wings, it swatted them aside, but this gave Shin the opening he needed. Seizing the beast¡¯s tail, he swung it with raw, unrelenting force, sending it crashing into a massive rock, shattering it upon impact. The wyvern landed hard on its back, momentarily vulnerable.

    Al wasted no time, dashing forward. He had already activated another rune, his voice ringing with magic. ¡°Double Ice Lance!¡±

    During the earlier smokescreen, he had informed Shin of the wyvern¡¯s only known weakness¡ªa soft patch beneath its neck. He couldn¡¯t afford to leave this attack to chance. As one of the icy spears soared toward the creature, he grabbed onto the second midair and activated yet another rune.

    ¡°Wind Dance!¡±

    He launched the spear with enhanced velocity, aiming for the exposed underside of the wyvern¡¯s neck. It tried to swat the first ice spear with its wings instead it got frozen and heavy just as the second came flying in, just before impact, the creature¡¯s eyes gleamed ominously. In an instant, the air around it crackled, electricity surging as it unleashed a devastating lightning breath. The sheer force of the attack obliterated the ice lance and surged toward Al, who barely dodged it thanks to the speed boost from Wind Dance. Sparks danced around the wyvern, unfreezing its wings, and with a mighty leap, it ascended into the sky.

    Melgril¡¯s warning echoed in Al¡¯s mind: If an Elder Wyvern takes flight, your best chance of survival is to escape.

    A deep, resounding voice suddenly echoed within their minds, reverberating through their very souls. It was not spoken but heard¡ªa telepathic projection from the wyvern itself. Al knew the creature was smart but he never expected it to be capable of this.

    ¡°Two Alcateen boys¡­ I never thought I¡¯d meet another Alcateen apart from that monster who killed my mate.¡±

    Its piercing gaze settled on Al. ¡°But you¡­ You are different. I don''t know how it is you wield magic, yet you are also shrouded in a strange power.¡±

    A shiver ran down Al¡¯s spine. The wyvern could sense it¡ªthe anomaly within him.

    As the monstrous beast hovered above them, its presence now more dangerous than ever, Al tightened his grip on his blades.

 Wings of Vengeance

    <hr>

    The wyvern soared through the air, its massive wings casting ominous shadows over the clearing. Each beat of its leathery wings sent powerful gusts of wind rushing across the battlefield, rustling leaves and kicking up dust. The beast¡¯s piercing yellow eyes glowed like molten gold and locked onto its prey with intensity. Its scales shimmered in the dim light, a mixture of deep obsidian and crackling veins of violet energy, remnants of the powerful lightning coursing through its being.

    ¡°Even if I knew that why would I tell that to you,¡± responded the wyvern. ¡°It feels very old,¡± that statement leaving Al even more confused.

    ¡°He? No! I will never forgive her or her kin for what she did,¡± the wyvern snarled, its voice dripping with venom. ¡°I cursed my powerlessness against her and vowed to kill any of her kin I come across.¡±

    ?¡± Shin panted. ¡°

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    Giant Ice Lance, enhanced it with the spell

    it roared, conjuring a barrage of lightning bolts. It fired them at Al and Shin, splitting the attacks to overwhelm them.

    ¡°Flame Arrow Charge.¡±

    "Drop the egg and walk away with your life.¡±

 Unexpected Fiend

    <hr>

    CHAPTER TWENTY

    ¡°Drop the egg and walk away with your lives,¡± said the voice in a low but fierce tone. As the figure approached, undoing its stealth, Al and Shin could see a bald, grotesque man covered in scars. He was about 5''8", slim but sinewy. His face bore a wild, mean look, and three golden teeth gleamed in different regions of his mouth. A tattoo of the fallen mercenaries, whose remains lay gory on the ground, was inked onto his forearm.

    ¡°This is your last warning. I already saw your fight with the elder wyvern, and I know you¡¯re exhausted,¡± he continued. ¡°Moreover, I¡¯ve seen what you¡¯re capable of. Once I¡¯ve seen an ability, it won¡¯t work on me. So drop the egg and move away from the dwarfs¡ªthey are mine.¡±

    His warning was sound and precise, his aura radiating his lethal intent. Al and Shin knew he wasn¡¯t exaggerating. But backing down wasn¡¯t an option. Not after promising the dwarf girls they¡¯d be safe. Letting them go now would make them hate themselves. He turned and saw the fear in the girls eyes, they trembled at the mere sight of the man, like they had encountered him before.

    Al suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t you just take the egg and walk away? I''m sure an elder wyvern egg is more valuable than some dwarfs.¡±

    Shin nodded in agreement, but the man frowned. ¡°Stop wasting my time. All this carnage will soon attract beasts, and I don¡¯t want to be around when that happens. The egg and the dwarfs come with me. It¡¯s non-negotiable. Move aside.¡±

    Before he could take another step, an ice lance erupted where his foot was supposed to be. He leaped backward, his reflexes razor-sharp, twisting in midair to avoid the incoming spike. But Al was relentless. Another lance erupted, sharp and jagged, bursting from the ground like a crystalline spear. The man twisted his body with inhuman agility, shifting just enough to evade the attack. Before he even landed, a fire arrow whistled through the air, its tip glowing with deadly heat. He flicked his wrist, summoning a dagger from his sleeve and knocking the projectile off course in a shower of sparks. As he touched the ground, Al had already conjured another flurry of elemental attacks¡ªa sudden burst of ice shards, sharp as daggers, hurled towards him, followed by a sweeping jet of flame. He moved with a terrifying grace, weaving through the attacks as if he could see them before they even came. He ducked under the ice, twisted away from the fire, and spun with fluid precision, his body slipping between the lethal barrage like water flowing through cracks.

    Just when it seemed he had maneuvered himself out of danger, Shin appeared at his blind spot, moving like a blur of raw force. Shin had waited for the perfect opening, his muscles coiled like a predator ready to strike. The assassin barely had time to register the presence before a powerful fist slammed into his stomach. The impact was devastating. A shockwave rippled from the point of contact, his body folding around Shin''s knuckles. His feet lifted off the ground as he was sent flying, his breath stolen from him. Saliva and blood sprayed from his mouth as he hurtled backward, crashing into the dirt with an unceremonious thud.

    As Shin approached to finish him off, the body was gone. A flicker of movement¡ªtwo daggers flew toward Shin, charged with aura, cutting through the air with a sinister whistle. Shin barely had time to react, twisting his body as the blades sliced past him. He avoided direct impact, but as the daggers struck a rock behind him, a deafening explosion erupted. The force shattered the stone, sending razor-sharp debris flying. Shards of rock tore into Shin¡¯s arms and legs, drawing blood, he was already battered and almost out aura from the last battle with the wyvern. Smoke and dust filled the air, obscuring his vision for a moment. Fire attribute. The assassin reappeared behind Al, his presence a mere ghostly whisper before his attack landed.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    In one swift motion, he delivered a crushing kick to Al¡¯s neck and chest. The sheer force of the blow lifted Al off his feet, twisting his body midair as he tumbled violently across the battlefield. His back slammed against the dirt, rolling him over multiple times before he finally skidded to a stop, groaning in pain. His chest burned, his vision blurred from the sheer impact. A sickening grin stretched across the assassin¡¯s face, his scarred features twisting in delight as he reached down, fingers curling possessively around the egg. He had won.

    But before he could savor his victory, Shin was there to greet him, his fist surging with aura. The assassin barely tilted his head, dodging at the last second. His movements were smooth, effortless, his eyes gleaming with cold amusement as he swatted Shin¡¯s attack aside with the back of his hand. Then, without hesitation, he placed his palm against Shin¡¯s chest.

    ¡°Goodbye,¡± he whispered.

    A miniature explosion erupted where his palm had been. Shin barely had time to react before the force blasted him backward, sending him crashing through the underbrush like a ragdoll. The assassin let out a maniacal laugh, reveling in his dominance.

    Or so he thought.

    A chain lashed out, wrapping around his legs in a vice-like grip. A split second later, he was yanked off his feet with brutal force, his body whipping through the air. The ground rushed up to meet him, and then¡ªimpact. He was slammed down, the sheer force rattling his bones. Again and again, he was lifted and driven into the earth, the relentless assault leaving the once-proud assassin gasping for air.

    Al was there, standing over him. A storm of kicks and punches followed, Al¡¯s fury unleashed. But just as he moved in for the finishing blow, the assassin vanished. His voice echoed in the air, laced with mockery. ¡°I¡¯m an assassin. How do you expect to defeat me when you can¡¯t even see me?¡±

    A nightmare unfolded. Shadows danced. The assassin struck from unseen angles, landing vicious blows before vanishing into nothingness. His knives flashed, slicing the air, cutting deep. Al staggered, blood dripping from his wounds, his mana nearly depleted. Yet he endured, his mind working.

    Then¡ªan opening. Taking a play from the assassins book.

    Al activated an explosion rune on the assassin¡¯s body, using the force to propel him toward Shin, who stood ready. The assassin tried to vanish again, but this time, Shin grabbed him mid-motion. ¡°Not this time.¡±

    Shin pummeled him, each strike breaking something within the man. Blood splattered, bones cracked, the assassin¡¯s screams drowned by the violence. He managed to slip away, but Al was ready he had forgotten an ability he had, and ability that had save him countless times. It allowed him to sense his surroundings he called it..

    Mana World View.

    With his eyes closed and senses sharpened, he detected the assassin¡¯s movement before he struck. He sent a dagger flying towards the assassin, the assassin caught it¡ªbut now he was marked.

    He appeared before Al again to deliver a lethal strike but he was caught in Al¡¯s trap, the chains wrapped around his leg and abdomen he tried to wriggle free but couldn¡¯t. Wasting no time Al attacked him with the dagger aiming for his neck but he caught and held on to Al¡¯s arms, for a man scrawny he had an unforeseen strength.

    Shin came rushing in with a lot of momentum like a last resort using the last of his auras he struck. A fist to the jaw shattered it, the momentum driving his head into Al¡¯s blade. A clean cut.

    The assassin watched as his headless body fell. His last sight was of Al and Shin standing over him.

    A voice was heard from the headless body saying ¡°you took what is mine now I¡¯m going to hunt you down.¡± A dark purple smoke seeped from his eyes and his body dried up instantly like a tree sap drained of all its liquid and left under the sun. A sign.

    They had been watched. Al remembered this nasty spell, a spell used by the mercenary leader to keep his surbodinates in check and to spy on them. A pesky black magic that left a disgusting feeling and mark where it was used. But this also means they had been marked.

    A voice startled them. ¡°You both had a lot of chances, but you wasted them. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Alexandri.

    Shin, still breathing heavily, growled. ¡°You were watching us this whole time? We could have died!¡±

    Alexandri gave him a dead look. Al sighed. ¡°Forget it. I sensed a similar presence when I was tracking the assassin.¡±

    They had no time to argue. Reinforcements were coming.

    Al had sensed Alexandri earlier when he was trying to track the assassin, Alexandri had been watching the fight all along from a high point, without interfering.

    He wasn¡¯t sure if Alexandri would have stepped in if they were really in danger, the man was hard to read.

    ¡°Let¡¯s leave,¡± Al said. ¡°Before more arrive.¡±

 Unnerving Aftermath

    <hr>

    CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

    The scent of blood still clung to the wind as Al led the group away from the battlefield, their boots crunching against the damp earth, which was still soaked with fresh and dried blood. The once lively greenery surrounding them had turned into a macabre display of torn limbs, shattered weapons, and the occasional flickering embers of charred corpses. The stench of death was overwhelming, seeping into their very souls with each passing second. They moved quickly, but the images of dismembered bodies, fallen men, and the pained cries of the dying clung to the girls like shadows. Every rustle in the trees, every distant howl of the wind, felt like a lingering specter of the battle they had barely survived. The dwarfs could still hear the sharp clang of steel against steel echoing in his mind, the desperate gasps of wounded men, and the monstrous roars of the creature slain and the horror they underwent during captivity.

    Every step away from the site of carnage was a step towards safety, but Al knew better than to feel relief. They had been marked. The mercenary leader had seen them, and that alone was an ill omen. He clenched his fists, knowing that even though they had won this battle, they would be hunted down, the leader of the mercenary was ruthless and unforgiving. He would even chase them toward the ends of the earth, but that wasn''t important right now, he already had a lot of hurdles he needed to overcome to achieve his goals and every minute he wasted without being stronger and halting the evil ones plans puts the world at risk.

    "We have to keep moving," Al muttered, his voice grim. He stole a glance at the dwarven girls on their backs, their small frames trembling despite the layers of rough fabric they wore. It wasn¡¯t just their safety at stake; a war between dwarves and humans would be catastrophic.

    The unrelenting command of Alexandri forced them to press on, even as their muscles burned under the weight of the dwarves and the added burden of the weighted training bags strapped to their backs. They sprinted as if their lives depended on it¡ªbecause they did.

    At last, Alexandri called for a halt in a clearing deep within the dense forest. The humid air wrapped around them like a second skin as they caught their breath. The soldiers he had sent for would meet them soon to escort the girls back to the dwarf kingdom.

    The dwarven girls clambered down, each of them offering their thanks. One among them, more vocal than the rest, stepped forward. "I am Elaine D¡¯ymyr, daughter of Chief D¡¯ymyr," she announced, her sharp amber eyes locking onto Al¡¯s.

    Al met her gaze, sensing something more than gratitude in her expression.

    "I must say," she continued, stepping closer, "your existence is¡­ unexpected." Her eyes scanned him, noting his unusual skin tone and the fluidity with which he had wielded both aura and magic. "You are Alcateen. And yet, you wield magic. That should not be possible."

    Al stiffened. Everyone knew the truth about his kind¡ªthat they had lost their magic long ago. And yet, here he was, defying history itself. The weight of her words settled on him like an immovable burden. He had known the risks, but hearing them spoken aloud by someone of her stature made them all the more real.

    Elaine¡¯s sharp gaze flickered toward Shin. "And you¡­ You wield aura with a level of control far beyond what I have seen, even among seasoned warriors. The way you fight¡ªit¡¯s instinctual, but refined. It has power, but also restraint. That is rare." Her voice held a note of respect. "Aura can be destructive, but yours¡­ yours carries an almost terrifying precision. It¡¯s not something one is simply born with. It is honed, shaped by something deeper."

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    Shin remained silent, absorbing her words. He knew his training had pushed him beyond his limits, but to have it recognized by someone from the outside felt strangely validating.

    The Alcateen shouldn¡¯t be able to wield magic or this kind of power but I witnessed something that most would call a miracle or a disaster.

    Elaine lowered her voice, her expression serious. "Do you realize the danger your existence poses? If word got out... the world would see you as an anomaly, a threat. Even your own people would be in danger."

    Alexandri stepped forward, his usual stoic demeanor is unshaken. "She¡¯s right," he said. "You must keep your magic a secret. If your enemies knew, they would use it against you."

    Elaine nodded. "That¡¯s not all. I believe there is a traitor among my people. My sisters and I were ambushed¡ªtoo precise, too well-planned. Someone knew where we would be. I heard a name mentioned, but I couldn¡¯t make it out. Whoever they are, they won¡¯t stop just because we¡¯re safe now. They might still try to kill me and blame it on humans to ignite war."

    She took a deep breath, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. "This was no random attack. We were targeted. The men who ambushed us acted with certainty, with purpose. They knew the terrain, they knew our routes, and they knew we would be there at that exact time. That means someone fed them information. Someone from within the dwarf kingdom."

    Her voice turned cold as she continued, "My father has ruled for many years, but there are those who believe he has been in power for too long. There have been whispers of dissent, rumors that some want to see him removed. If someone wants my father¡¯s position, what better way to weaken him than by taking me out of the picture? A direct attack on him would be too risky, too obvious. But me? An ambush while out hunting, a tragic death at the hands of humans¡­ It would serve as the perfect excuse for war. My father would be weakened, thrown into grief and rage, unable to see clearly. And in the chaos that follows, his enemies would strike."

    She stared back at Al, her gaze intense. With gleaming eyes, he looked so handsome and way more impressive than the dwarf boys back at home. His physique and look were something most young males or full-grown adults only dream of having. As she whispered and giggled with the other girls.

    Elaine turned to both Al and Shin, her eyes fierce. "I owe you both my life. You saved me and my sisters when we were powerless. For that, I am forever in your debt." Al then glanced at her with a calm expression. "And you¡­ you saved me. Do not forget that. That last attack from the elder wyvern¡ªit would have made me immobile and left me gravely injured if you hadn''t intervened. So for that, I¡¯m grateful ."

    "Remember what I told you," she said, her voice carrying an undeniable warning. "The world is not kind to those who do not fit into its order. Keep your secret safe, or you may not live to regret it. And if you ever visit the dwarf kingdom, ask for me. I will be waiting."

    Elaine gave him one last knowing look before departing with the knights. As they rode off, Alexandri turned to Al and Shin.

    Al watched as they rode off, the weight of her words pressing against his chest. What had she meant by that last whisper?

    Alexandri assured them both that their secret was safe, he instructed the girls to say that they were saved by him when he was undergoing his secluded training as no one knew he was in the marsh and that he came across them when he heard the sound of the wyvern. Also, they were safe from the threat of the mercenary leader, for now, he told them that he was tied up somewhere else in another continent.

    "What did she tell you?" Alexandri asked as he crossed his arms.

    Al smirked, shaking his head. "Just that I should visit."

    Alexandri gave him a skeptical look but let it slide. "Now, let¡¯s focus on the situation at hand."

    He turned to Al and Shin, his eyes sharp with expectation. "Tell me, where do you think you went wrong fighting the elder wyvern and the mercenary assassin?"

    Al swallowed. He knew they had made mistakes. The battle had dragged on longer than necessary, and they had taken more damage than they should have. But before he could answer, Alexandri continued.

    "You let the fight drag on. You had opportunities to end it quickly but hesitated. That hesitation cost you. I¡¯m increasing the difficulty of your training. The competition is in a week. Your current skills won¡¯t amount to much up against most of the combatants."

    Al and Shin exchanged glances, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten. Their paths were only growing more dangerous and wider than they expected or planned, and there was no time to waste.

    "Now," Alexandri said, eyes gleaming with expectation. "Tell me where you made your errors."

 Shadows of the Unknown

    <hr>

    CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

    "You made a lot of wrong moves," Alexandri stated, his gaze cold and unyielding as it bore into the two young warriors before him. "Shin, you took advantage of the wyvern¡¯s lightning breath to manifest your ability. That was commendable, but still lacking. You should be able to manifest it at will, without relying on external factors."

    He then shifted his attention to Al. "And Al, you relied too much on magic. That dependence will become a crutch, one that an opponent will exploit when you least expect it. The moment you face an enemy who can disrupt or nullify your magic, you¡¯ll be left vulnerable. You must learn to fight without it, to stand on your own strength."

    The two boys stood in silence, absorbing the harsh criticism. Alexandri¡¯s words carried the weight of experience, and though they stung, both knew he was right. They had survived, but survival alone was not enough. They needed to be better, stronger, more adaptable.

    "For the upcoming competition, you¡¯ll fight without magic. Only aura. No excuses. I need to see that you have the discipline to fight without relying on an endless pool of energy. I don¡¯t think you have a choice since you need to conceal your abilities." He crossed his arms, his sharp gaze unwavering. "That being said, your movements weren¡¯t entirely sluggish."

    His eyes rested on Al once more. "And Al, you attained something new, didn¡¯t you? The ability to sense your surroundings. It¡¯s a vital skill, but it won¡¯t be enough. If that assassin hadn¡¯t been careless at the end, you both would have been dead. Your bodies are tougher, your stamina has improved, but what you lack is experience in real combat situations."

    Alexandri¡¯s words settled over them like a heavyweight. "Al, you think quickly and can formulate solutions on the spot. The same can¡¯t be said for Shin."

    Shin exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening at the remark. "He wasn¡¯t dumb," he muttered, his pride prickled at being the weaker strategist of the two. But there was no point arguing. Alexandri had already dismissed his response, his attention shifting as he turned and walked forward.

    They followed him without hesitation. The deeper they went, the darker the terrain became. Soon, they arrived at an unfamiliar place where the sun barely reached the ground, its dim rays struggling to penetrate the thick canopy above. The air was a little heavier and dirty, carrying a damp, almost suffocating scent of decaying leaves and hidden predators.

    Alexandri had brought them here not just to test their skills, but to push them to the edge, to force them into situations where instinct would have to override hesitation. The arena would not grant them time to think, and neither would this place. This was where they would learn to make decisions that balanced the knife¡¯s edge between survival and slaughter.

    Alexandri then turned to survey the landscape, his voice taking on a grim tone. "This part of the marsh is unlike any other. It is an unforgiving domain where only the most adaptable creatures thrive. Many who venture here¡ªwhether beast or man¡ªfail to return.¡±

    He continued, ¡°The terrain shifts unpredictably, with unstable ground that can swallow the unwary, hidden predators that lurk in its thickness and the further in they went the thicker the smell of death was present, they stepped on bones and skulls of dead creatures and sights of decaying skin. Even the creatures that live here are locked in an eternal struggle for survival.¡±

    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    ¡°Those ranked at level two are the apex predators, ruling through brute force and cunning, while the level three beasts lurk in the shadows, striking at the moment of weakness. There is no mercy in this place, only the law of the wild. If you cannot adapt, you will perish."

    "For the next week, you¡¯ll train and survive here on your own," Alexandri declared, his voice unwavering. "The creatures here are attuned to darkness, mostly level two and three. The dominant monster in this region is the Rock Serpent. They are venomous, with hardened rock-like bodies that cannot be pierced by a normal steel blade unless imbued with a well-refined aura."

    He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "They are not slow, as their size might suggest. They possess incredible speed, striking before their prey can react. Their bodies blend seamlessly with the rocky terrain, making them nearly invisible until they move. Many who enter this forest never realize they are being hunted until it is too late."

    His tone darkened as he added, "What makes them truly fearsome, however, is their ability to sense their surroundings. It is almost as if they possess echolocation, combined with an unnerving sensitivity to heat signatures in the air and ground. They lock onto their prey with terrifying precision. And once they do, they will not stop until they have captured it. Running will only delay the inevitable."

    Before Al or Shin could ask any questions, the rustling of undergrowth alerted them. Small rat-like creatures, their fur mangy and their crimson eyes gleaming with malice, burst from the shadows, moving with surprising agility. Four lunged at Al, their sharp teeth gnashing in hunger. But his blade flashed, cutting them apart in an instant, their bodies falling in limp heaps at his feet. Shin mirrored his efficiency, his sword dancing in fluid motions as he swiftly dispatched his own attackers.

    They turned back toward Alexandri, expecting further instructions, but the space where he had stood was empty.

    He had vanished without a trace.

    Al¡¯s grip on his weapon tightened as reality set in. "He really left us... that¡¯s not surprising"

    Shin scowled, kicking one of the lifeless rat creatures aside. "Of course he did. He wasn¡¯t going to babysit us."

    A tense silence settled between them before Al finally broke it. "We need to establish a plan."

    Shin exhaled through his nose, reluctant but aware that Al was right. "Fine. First, let¡¯s secure shelter. We don¡¯t know what else is lurking here."

    They took a moment to scan their surroundings. The darkened forest was teeming with unseen threats. The challenge Alexandri had set before them was clear¡ªsurvive, learn, and grow stronger.

    A low, guttural growl echoed from the darkness ahead, followed by the wet slap of something heavy dragging itself through the muck. The boys froze, hands tightening around their weapons, their breathing shallow. Alexandri didn¡¯t interfere as he watched from a distance concealing his presence; this was their fight. The marsh did not coddle the weak. If they failed here, they were never meant to step into the arena in the first place. The ground trembled slightly as the creature emerged from the shadows, its blackened hide glistening with moisture, hollow eyes fixated on its prey. The boys had seconds to react. Not enough time to plan, barely enough to act. A test of instinct, of sheer will. This was a moment where even the slightest error could lead to their deaths, they had to overcome this¡ªnot just as fighters, but as survivors. And Alexandri would either walk away with two warriors or leave two more corpses to sink beneath the cursed waters of the Hollow Marsh.

    A week in the darkness had begun.

    The first two days were a relentless test of endurance. Al and Shin barely found a moment to rest as they were constantly under attack by creatures lurking in the shadows. Giant centipede-like beasts, their venomous fangs dripping with poison, lunged at them from tree branches. Packs of shadow hounds stalked them through the mist, their glowing eyes and eerie growls setting their nerves on edge.

    The ground itself proved to be an enemy, with unstable marshes that threatened to swallow them whole. Sleep came in brief, uneasy intervals, taken in shifts while the other kept watch. They learned quickly¡ªevery sound, every movement in the undergrowth was a potential threat. Their weapons barely left their hands as they carved a bloody path through the darkness. By the second night, exhaustion had set in, but neither dared to let their guard down.

    Just when they thought they could catch a break, a new nightmare emerged. A beast unlike any they had faced before prowled into their temporary refuge. Its hulking form moved with eerie silence, its purple eyes gleaming with malevolent intelligence. It was a Stalker Lynx, a predator known for hunting its prey for days before striking at their weakest moment.

    The battle that followed was desperate. They fought through exhaustion, their movements slower, their reactions dulled by fatigue. The Lynx¡¯s claws tore through the air with deadly precision, nearly gutting Shin before Al managed to drive his blade through its flank. But before they could even recover, an ominous rumble filled the air. The ground trembled, and then, from the shadows, it emerged. The Rock Serpent.

    Its massive, scaled form was menacing, its rocky hide gleaming under the dim light. Its golden slit eyes locked onto them with terrifying focus. It had chased another creature into their location, but now, it had found new prey. Al and Shin barely had time to react before it struck, its enormous body coiling with terrifying speed. It had sensed them. And now, it would not stop until they were devoured.

 Shadow of the Holllow

    <hr>

    CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

    The air outside the arena was thick with tension, a mixture of excitement and apprehension as warriors and spectators alike gathered for the grand tournament. Alexandri stood near the entrance, his gaze fixed on the horizon. He had expected the two boys to emerge from the Hollow, but not like this. The moment they appeared, a suffocating pressure filled the atmosphere, causing some fighters to pause mid-step while others instinctively reached for their weapons. The dark, swirling auras surrounding them pulsed like living entities, forcing even the most seasoned warriors to take notice. Their appearance was nothing short of primal¡ªtattered yet strangely imposing garments fashioned from the hardened scales of the rock serpent, their unkempt hair standing wild, their eyes sharp and piercing, devoid of warmth. They did not walk like men seeking glory but like creatures who had already conquered death and returned stronger.

    As they strode toward the entrance, a group of fighters blocked their path. These were not ordinary competitors but individuals who carried themselves with arrogance, their bodies brimming with barely contained energy. One of them, a man with a volatile, almost unstable aura, stepped forward. ¡°Who are you boys?¡± he sneered, his voice dripping with condescension. ¡°You¡¯ve caused quite the stir with just your presence. You¡¯ve caught my attention.¡± But neither Shin nor Al responded. They merely continued walking, their expressions unreadable. The lack of reaction infuriated the man, his muscles tensing as he quickly stepped in front of them again. ¡°Do you even know who I am? Who my family is? I was going to do you a favor and take you under my wing, but it seems you¡¯re just arrogant brats.¡± His words carried weight, drawing murmurs from nearby onlookers. It was a challenge¡ªone meant to establish dominance. Both boys refused to acknowledge his existence which only infuriated the young man more as he was made to look insignificant by them, he couldn¡¯t stand to have that.

    It was only when he reached out, his hand hovering just above Shin¡¯s shoulder, that he truly understood his mistake. In an instant, Shin¡¯s gaze flickered toward him, sharp as a dagger. The mere act of being acknowledged sent a wave of paralyzing dread through the fighter¡¯s body. His mind screamed at him to retreat, his instincts flashing images of his own hand disintegrating into a bloody mess like minced meat. His breath hitched, sweat forming at his temples, and for the first time in years, fear¡ªraw and undeniable¡ªcrept into his heart. His hand trembled, hesitating mid-air, before he finally withdrew it. Without another word, Shin and Al walked past him, their presence leaving an invisible scar on the gathered fighters. The man swallowed hard, trying to mask his shaken composure, but those who witnessed the exchange understood¡ªthese boys were not to be trifled with.

    A heavy silence hung over the entrance as the fighters who had witnessed the confrontation exchanged uneasy glances. The leader of the group, still pale from his brush with Shin¡¯s gaze, clenched his fists, his pride wounded in front of his peers. But none of them dared to speak further. The presence of the two boys had shifted something in the atmosphere¡ªan unseen pressure that was not just intimidating but oppressive, as if the very air around them had thickened. Even the other fighters, many of whom had trained for years to earn a place in the tournament, could feel it. Some tried to brush it off as an illusion, an exaggeration of fear, but their instincts told them otherwise. The aura of these two wasn¡¯t just powerful¡ªit was unnatural. They had survived something beyond comprehension, something that had stripped them of hesitation and weakness. And that made them dangerous.

    Among the gathered warriors, a few whispered rumors began to spread. Some speculated that the two had trained in forbidden lands, others murmured about ancient techniques lost to time. A handful even suspected they were no longer human. But none of these warriors, not even the strongest among them, wanted to test their theories firsthand. The fear they had witnessed in their comrade¡¯s eyes was enough. A few commentators and knights who had been watching with interest stepped back into their groups, their discussion growing hushed. ¡°They are more than what they seem,¡± one of them muttered, his eyes narrowing. ¡°If the others aren¡¯t careful, they¡¯ll be nothing more than stepping stones for those two.¡± His companion chuckled under his breath. ¡°Perhaps that¡¯s what makes this interesting,¡± he replied. ¡°We shall see how far they go.¡± With that, they disappeared, their presence melting into the bustling crowd as the tournament¡¯s first matches loomed ahead.

    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    A few feet away, a pair of cloaked figures observed the interaction. They stood at the edges of the arena gates, their hoods concealing their faces, though their piercing eyes gleamed with intrigue. ¡°Those two¡­ they are unknowns we didn¡¯t account for, they might be a problem¡±one of them murmured, voice low but laced with disgust. ¡°They are insignificant, two boys who can¡¯t even control their rampaging auras shouldn¡¯t concern you. Focus on your assignments and why you are here.¡± His companion, a taller figure draped in a heavy crimson cloak, merely chuckled. ¡°Fear,¡± he said. ¡°They have learned to instill it without lifting a finger. That alone makes them dangerous.¡± The first figure nodded, his gaze lingering on Al in particular. ¡°Him especially. He walks as if he has seen this before as if this place is familiar yet distant.¡± He narrowed his eyes. ¡°A warrior returning to a battlefield he once lost.¡± The taller man smirked but said nothing. The tournament had just become far more interesting.

    When they finally reached Alexandri, the man studied them closely before speaking. ¡°I never thought you both would make it out of the Hollow.¡± His eyes flicked to their clothing, noting the craftsmanship of the rock serpent scales. ¡°I see you got resourceful. Good. You¡¯ll need that in the arena.¡± His voice was firm but not unkind. Al¡¯s expression remained unreadable, but there was a fire in his gaze¡ªa hunger that hadn¡¯t been there before. Alexandri recognized that look. It was the gaze of someone whose entire being was fixated on a singular purpose. ¡°Come this way,¡± he instructed. ¡°We need to get you both registered. You¡¯re the last ones to arrive. All the other fighters are already inside, waiting for the match-ups.¡± As they followed him through the entrance, the sheer scale of the arena became evident. The walls were lined with banners, the stone floor scarred from battles long past. The energy in the air was electric, each competitor preparing for the brutal combat ahead. ¡°The first round determines who advances to the round of sixteen,¡± Alexandri continued. ¡°Make sure you don¡¯t fall in the first round.¡±

    Al barely listened. He had already seen this place before, had already walked these halls in another life. But this time was different. He was no longer the same person who had once stepped into this arena with naive dreams of victory. He had been reborn, went through harsh training from his mentor, fought an elder wyvern and also gone through a hellish and brutish ordeal in the Hollow, and this time, he would not fail. His gaze drifted to Shin, who remained silent beside him. No words needed to be spoken. They understood each other without them. They were here not just to compete, but to rewrite their fates. The registration process was swift, their names were added to the list just as the brackets were finalized. Within the hour, the match-ups were announced, and fate, in its cruel or perhaps fitting way, had placed Shin¡¯s first opponent directly in his path¡ªthe very fighter who had confronted them outside the gate.

    As the crowd gathered, Al placed a hand on Shin¡¯s shoulder before he stepped onto the stage. ¡°Do not be afraid,¡± he murmured. ¡°And do not underestimate your opponent. The crowd doesn¡¯t matter. Their cheers or boos should mean nothing to you. You know why you¡¯re here. You¡¯ve got this.¡± Shin nodded once before stepping forward, his aura already darkening. The arena erupted with excitement as his opponent grinned at him from across the battlefield. The arrogance in the man¡¯s eyes had returned, fueled by the audience¡¯s energy. He cracked his knuckles, his malicious grin widening. ¡°You are going to die here,¡± he spat. The crowd roared in approval, eager to see bloodshed. But Shin said nothing. He simply took his stance, his expression calm, his eyes void of emotion.

    From the stands, Alexandri observed with keen interest. He had seen countless fighters enter this arena, some seasoned warriors, others ambitious newcomers. But Shin and Al were different. They carried themselves not as challengers seeking to prove themselves, but as inevitabilities¡ªas forces of nature that had already decided their victories. The match had yet to begin, but Alexandri already had his answer. The Hollow had not just changed them; it had unleashed something far more terrifying. And as the announcer prepared to signal the start of the battle, a single thought crossed Alexandri¡¯s mind. *The arena is not ready for them.*