《Path of the Unmentioned: The Missing Piece》 Chapter 1 - 1: Transmigration Tap. Tap. Tap. The dimly lit room was silent except for the rhythmic clicking of a controller. The glow of a computer screen cast long shadows across the walls. A boy with long black hair and dark, tired eyes sat hunched over the desk, his fingers moving furiously. His face, pale and shadowed by heavy circles under his eyes, was a mask of exhaustion. [GAME OVER] "Fuck this shit! I''m done! I''m done with this stupid game!" he shouted, slamming the controller onto the desk. His voice echoed in the small room. "Why is the final boss so damn impossible?!" He had been playing Shattered Rings, a notoriously difficult souls-like action RPG. For six hours straight, he had battled the final boss, only to be defeated every time. His frustration boiled over as he leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his messy hair. Growl. His stomach rumbled, snapping him out of his anger. "Ugh, I''m starving," he muttered, glancing at the clock. 6:35 PM. With a sigh, he stood up, stretched, and grabbed his jacket before heading out the door. **** "Please come again!" the shopkeeper called as the boy left the convenience store, a plastic bag of snacks swinging from his hand. He trudged down the sidewalk, still grumbling under his breath. "Stupid game... stupid boss... I''ll beat it after I eat. No way I''m giving up." Lost in thought, he didn''t notice the headlights bearing down on him until it was almost too late. A truck horn blared, and he instinctively leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding being hit. His heart pounded as he scrambled to his feet, shaking his fist at the retreating Truck. "Hey, asshole! I''m not getting isekai''d today, you hear me?!" he shouted Just as he turned to walk away¡ª BANG! Another truck slammed into him from the opposite direction. His body was thrown into the air, and for a brief moment, time seemed to slow. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''You''ve gotta be kidding me...'' he thought, before everything went black. **** Somewhere deep within ancient ruins, a young boy lay motionless on a stone platform inside a grand cathedral. The air was thick with the scent of incense and the faint hum of magic. Gasp! His eyes shot open, and he bolted upright, gasping for air. His hands trembled as he frantically patted himself down, checking for injuries. "I... I''m alive?" he whispered, his voice shaky. He looked down at his hands. His skin was milky white¡ªno, wait, it was brown before. He blinked, confused, and quickly pulled out his phone. Unlocking it with his fingerprint, he opened the front camera and stared at his reflection. He had long bluish-black hair and striking heterochromatic eyes¡ªone deep black, the other a vivid electric blue. A small mole sat near his lips, adding to his ridiculously handsome face, the kind that looked like it belonged on a movie poster. His jaw dropped. "What the hell¡­?" He stood up, taking in his new body. He was shorter now¡ª5''10" compared to his previous 6''1"(....okay, fine, 6''0". Everyone adds an extra inch, right?). But despite the height difference, his body felt... stronger. Lighter. More agile. He stretched, testing his limbs, and a smirk crept onto his lips. "Did I... really get isekai''d?" Pinching his arm hard, he winced. "Ouch. Okay, this is real." He touched his face, half-expecting to feel a mask, but it was all him. "Not a mask either. Huh." His smirk widened. "Now this is interesting." Taking a deep breath, he decided to test something. If this really was an isekai, then... "SYSTEM!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the cathedral. Silence. He frowned. "S-Status?" he tried again, this time quieter. Ding! A translucent blue screen materialized in front of him. ===========[STATUS]============= [Name]: Kyle Valemont [Age]: 18 [Class]: Swordsman [Title]: ???? [Blessing]: Echoes of the Roaming Storm [Mana Core Rank]: Iron [Mana Core Grade]: Grade 1 [Affinity]: Lightning, Wind, Ice, Water ======[STATS]========= Strength: F Agility: F+ Endurance: F- Intelligence: F+ Mana Capacity: E- Charm: C- Luck: Unpredictable ======[MASTERIES]======= Swordsmanship: Apprentice - 28% Lightning Magic: Apprentice - 0% Wind Magic: Apprentice - 0% Ice Magic: Apprentice - 0% Water Magic: Apprentice - 0% ======================== Kyle''s initial excitement faded as he scanned the screen. His expression turned grim. He recognized this status screen. How could he forget? It was from a novel he had read¡ªa cursed story where every major character died, one by one. Even the protagonist hadn''t survived. The world had fallen to demons, and the ending was nothing but despair. His stomach churned. "No... No, no. Why did it have to be this novel?!" he groaned, gripping his hair. "Why couldn''t I have been isekai''d into something peaceful? Like Pok¨¦mon or Harvest Moon or something?!" Panic surged through him, but he forced himself to take a deep breath. ''Calm down. Maybe I''m wrong. Maybe it''s not that novel.'' He quickly checked his phone. No signal. Swallowing hard, he opened his mailbox and clicked on the latest email. **** Dear Kyle Valemont, We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected to participate in the Solvayne Magic Academy Entrance Exam, a crucial step toward joining our esteemed academy of magic and mysticism. Date: 1st April, 2550 Location: Solvayne Magic Academy, Grand Hall of Trials Time: 10:00 am This is a rare opportunity to prove your potential and earn a place among the finest practitioners of the mana arts... **** Kyle''s grip tightened on his phone. His eyes darted over the email again and again, but the words didn''t change. Solvayne Magic Academy, academy of the protagonist of "Path of Transcendence" this was it. This was that novel. Kyle''s name was never even mentioned in the novel. That means he either died before the novel or he didn''t pass the entrance exam. He ran a shaky hand through his hair and muttered softly, "I am truly fucked." **** The cathedral was silent except for the faint rustle of wind. Kyle stood there, staring at the status screen, his mind racing. He had no idea what to do next, but one thing was clear: survival in this world wouldn''t be easy. And if the novel''s events played out as he remembered, he was in for a hell of a ride. Chapter 2 - 2: The Storm’s Chosen "Path of Transcendence" is a dark fantasy novel that follows Cedric Valtieri, the protagonist blessed by Solmora, the Goddess of Sun and Judgment. In the world of Aevorath, darkness looms as a massive demon invasion threatens to wipe out humanity. Cedric, chosen by the goddess, takes on the heavy burden of protecting it. Armed with divine power, he fights tirelessly, facing overwhelming odds at every turn. However, fate is cruel. No matter how hard Cedric and his allies struggle, the world is destined for destruction. One by one, even the strongest heroes fall. Friends, mentors, and comrades¡ªall meet tragic ends. In the end, after a long and brutal battle, Cedric himself is slain by the Demon King, marking the fall of the last hope for humanity. The world is lost, consumed by darkness. **** In the depths of an ancient cathedral, a young man with striking heterochromatic eyes¡ªone deep black, the other a vivid electric blue sat on the cold stone floor. His name was Kyle Valemont, though the soul inside him was no longer the original Kyle. He stared at the glowing status screen in front of him, his mind racing with disbelief and confusion. =============[STATUS]============= [Name]: Kyle Valemont [Age]: 18 [Class]: Swordsman [Title]: ???? [Blessing]: Echoes of the Roaming Storm [Mana Core Rank]: Iron [Mana Core Grade]: Grade 1 [Affinity]: Lightning, Wind, Ice, Water ======[STATS]========= Strength: F Agility: F+ Endurance: F- Intelligence: F+ Mana Capacity: E- Charm: C- Luck: Unpredictable ======[MASTERIES]======= Swordsmanship: Apprentice -28% Lightning Magic: Apprentice - 0% Wind Magic: Apprentice - 0% Ice Magic: Apprentice - 0% Water Magic: Apprentice - 0% ======================== Kyle''s eyes widened as he read through the details. "This guy¡­ was he really just an extra?" he muttered under his breath. The original Kyle might have been a nobody in the grand scheme of things, but his potential was anything but ordinary. "Four elemental affinities? Are you kidding me? Even the main characters in ''Path of Transcendence'' only had two at most!" Kyle exclaimed, his voice echoing through the empty cathedral. His stats were mediocre at best, but his affinities were something else entirely. But what truly caught his attention was the line under [Blessing]: Echoes of the Roaming Storm. "A blessing¡­?" Kyle whispered, his voice trembling. In the world of "Path of Transcendence", blessings were divine gifts bestowed by gods or goddesses. They were incredibly rare¡ªso rare that only one person in the entire novel had one: Cedric Valtieri, the protagonist, blessed by Solmora, the Goddess of Sun and Judgment. Kyle''s mind raced. "If Cedric was blessed by Solmora, then who blessed me? A god or goddess of storms? And why? What''s so special about this body?" He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "This doesn''t make sense. Kyle wasn''t even mentioned in the novel. Why would a god bless someone who wasn''t part of the story?" A chilling thought crossed his mind. "What if the god realizes I''m not the real Kyle? What if they figure out I''m just¡­ Ethan, some guy from Earth who got shoved into this body?" The idea sent a shiver down his spine. He could almost imagine a divine being smiting him on the spot for stealing someone else''s life. "Scary¡­ really scary," he muttered, rubbing his arms to calm himself. But as the panic subsided, curiosity took its place. "Why did the god bless Kyle in the first place?" he wondered aloud. "Was it just random, or is there something more to this?" He glanced at his status screen again. His swordsmanship and stats were decent, but nothing extraordinary compared to the main characters of the novel. His affinities, though¡ªthose were the real deal. They had to be connected to the blessing as all his masteries are at 0 %. Kyle sighed and leaned back against the cold stone wall. "And what was Kyle even doing here in this ancient cathedral? Was he trying to unlock some hidden power? Or did he just stumble in here by accident?" S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kyle stared at his status screen again, trying to make sense of the numbers and letters. He knew the basics of what each stat meant, but he still wanted to double-check. After all, this wasn''t a game anymore¡ªthis was his life now. "Alright, let''s break this down," he muttered to himself. "Strength is basically how strong I am, right? How much force I can put into a punch or a swing of a sword. Got it." He moved his finger down the list. "Agility is about speed and reflexes. How fast I can move and how quickly I can react. That''s important if I want to dodge attacks or strike first." Next was Endurance. "That''s my stamina and defenses. How long I can keep fighting without getting tired and how well I can take a hit. Not great right now, but I can work on it." He frowned slightly as he read Intelligence. "This one''s a bit trickier. It''s not just about being smart¡ªit''s about understanding and controlling mana. Since I''ve got four elemental affinities, I''ll need to boost this if I want to use magic effectively." Next was Mana Capacity. "This is straightforward. It''s about how much mana my mana core can hold." Then came Charm. Kyle couldn''t help but smirk. "Well, this one''s obvious. It''s about how good-looking I am. Not that I''m complaining¡ªthis body''s definitely an upgrade from my old one." He ran a hand through his long bluish-black hair, feeling a little smug. Finally, his eyes landed on Luck. This one confused him. "What does luck even mean here? Is it just random chance, or does it affect things like finding rare items or surviving close calls?" He scratched his head, frustrated. "And why does it say ''Unpredictable''? Is that because I''m from another world? Maybe my soul messing with the system?" He sighed, leaning back against the cold stonewall of the cathedral. "This is so confusing. In games, luck is usually just a hidden stat that affects random outcomes. But here¡­ who knows? Maybe it''s tied to fate or something. Or maybe it''s just the system saying, ''Good luck figuring this out, buddy.''" Kyle chuckled dryly, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, if my luck is ''unpredictable,'' maybe that''s a good thing. It could mean I''ve got a chance to change things¡ªto break away from the doomed fate of this world. Or¡­ it could mean I''m in for a whole lot of trouble." He checked the date on his phone: ''March 2nd, 2550''. The entrance exam for the Solvayne Magic Academy was just a month away. With his potential, he could easily make it into the top rankings¡ªmaybe even catch the attention of the main characters. A small smirk crept onto his face. "It would be pretty embarrassing for the god who blessed me if I didn''t even attend the academy, right?" he said, trying to lighten the mood. But deep down, he knew the stakes were much higher. This wasn''t just about passing an exam or impressing some nobles. This was about survival¡ªand maybe, just maybe, changing the fate of a doomed world. Kyle clenched his fists, determination flickering in his eyes. "No point in sitting around feeling sorry for myself. If I''m stuck in this world, I might as well make the most of it. I''ll get stronger. I''ll train. And who knows? Maybe I can change the ending of this story." The gamer inside him stirred, eager for the challenge. After all, if there was one thing Ethan knew how to do, it was grinding through impossible odds to reach the top. And in a world like this, where demons roamed and heroes fell, he was going to need every bit of that determination. "Alright, Ethan¡ªor Kyle, or whoever I am now," he said, standing up and brushing off his clothes. "Let''s see if we can turn this ''extra'' into the main character." With that, he took a deep breath and stepped out of the cathedral, ready to face whatever this world had in store for him. **** Chapter 3 - 3: A Brush with Death Kyle''s heart pounded in his chest as he sprinted back toward the cathedral, his legs burning with every step. "I take my words back¡ªI am not ready for this world!" he thought, panic surging through him. Behind him, a monstrous figure loomed. It was humanoid, but that''s where the similarities ended. Its body was covered in black, stony armor, and its glowing red eyes burned with a predatory hunger. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Long, razor-sharp claws extended from its hands, scraping against the ground as it chased him. The sound of its heavy footsteps echoed like thunder, growing louder with every second. Kyle ducked just as the monster swiped its claws at him. The air whistled as the claws narrowly missed his head. "Why didn''t I think of this earlier? Of course there are monsters here! This is a dark fantasy world, not a vacation spot!" he shouted to himself, his voice trembling with fear. He dashed back into the cathedral, the same room where he had woken up just minutes ago. His breath came in ragged gasps as he glanced over his shoulder. His eyes widened in horror as he saw the monster''s claws slicing through the air, inches from his face. ''No¡­ I can''t die here! Not like this!'' Kyle''s mind screamed. In that moment of desperation, something inside him clicked. His lightning affinity¡ªthe power he had barely even begun to understand¡ªsurged to life. Lightning crackled around him, coursing through his veins like a storm. Without thinking, he activated it. "Whoosh!" In a flash of light, Kyle vanished from the spot, reappearing several feet away. The monster''s claws slashed through empty air, missing him completely. Kyle didn''t have time to celebrate. The monster let out a guttural roar and lunged again, its red eyes locked onto him. "Oh, come on!" Kyle yelled, scrambling to his feet. He sprinted deeper into the cathedral, but the monster was relentless. It swung its massive claws at Kyle''s back, the attack faster than he could react. Kyle jumped, hoping to dodge, but he wasn''t fast enough. The claws grazed his back, tearing through his clothes and leaving a deep gash. The force of the blow sent him flying through the air. He hit the ground hard, pain shooting through his body. "Fuck!" Kyle hissed, clutching his wound. Blood seeped through his fingers, but he forced himself to focus. Summoning every ounce of strength he had left, Kyle raised his hand. Lightning crackled around his fingertips, forming into a glowing spear of pure energy. He aimed it at the monster, his eyes blazing with determination. "Take this!" he shouted, ready to unleash the attack. But just as he was about to release the thunder spear, the monster stopped. Its glowing red eyes narrowed, and then, to Kyle''s utter confusion, it turned around and walked away. Its heavy footsteps echoed as it retreated into the shadows, leaving Kyle alone in the dimly lit cathedral. Kyle stared at the monster''s retreating figure, his chest heaving. "What¡­ just happened?" he muttered, half in disbelief, half in relief. His body trembled from the adrenaline and pain, but he couldn''t help feeling a strange sense of victory. He had survived¡ªbarely. Collapsing onto the cold stone floor, Kyle winced as the pain in his back flared up. "Okay¡­ note to self: this world is way more dangerous than I thought," he said, his voice shaky. He glanced around the cathedral, his mind racing. ''Why did it leave? Maybe this place is off-limits for monsters? Some kind of holy ground or something?'' For now, he didn''t care about the reasons. He was just glad to be alive. "Prologue: survived. Barely," he muttered, letting out a weak laugh. "But if that''s what I''m up against, I''ve got a long way to go." "That monster was Grade 3 Silver," Kyle muttered, his voice trembling as he leaned against the cold stonewall of the cathedral. "How ridiculous¡­" He had always wondered how the protagonists in novels could instantly tell a monster''s rank just by looking at it. Now, he understood. It wasn''t some special skill or hidden knowledge¡ªit was instinct. The moment he laid eyes on that creature, his mind screamed at him: Silver rank. It''s two whole ranks above you. Run. "No wonder" Kyle said, wincing as he touched the gash on his back. "A Grade 3 Silver monster¡­ I''m just a Grade 1 Iron." He let out a shaky laugh, though there was no humor in it. "This world doesn''t mess around, does it? One wrong move, and you''re dead. No second chances, no respawns. Just¡­ game over." Kyle closed his eyes, trying to steady his breathing. The pain in his back was a constant reminder of how close he had come to dying. "I got lucky this time," he whispered. "But luck won''t save me forever. I need to get stronger. Fast." He glanced down at his hands, still trembling from the adrenaline. "If I''m going to survive in this world, I can''t afford to be weak. Not when even the monsters are this terrifying," he muttered to himself. With a deep breath, Kyle pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the pain shooting through his body. "I need to start training and rank up my mana core. If I want to get out of here, I have to defeat that thing," he said, his voice firm despite the fear still lingering in his chest. He only had one month to escape this place¡ªor else he''d miss the academy''s entrance exam. The thought sent a jolt of urgency through him. "No time to waste," he whispered, clenching his fists. "I''ve got to get stronger, fast." **** Chapter 4 - 4: The Preparation In the ancient cathedral, Kyle sat on the cold stone floor, clutching the wound on his back. Blood seeped through his fingers, but he forced himself to stay calm. "I need to stop the bleeding," he muttered, his voice strained. As he pressed his hand against the injury, he felt a faint hum of energy¡ªmana. He looked at the faint mana he had felt. His eyes fell on the black ring on his index finger. "Is this¡­ a storage ring?" he wondered aloud. At first, he had thought it was just an ordinary piece of jewelry, but now he realized it might be something more. Focusing, he tried to channel his mana into the ring, hoping to find something useful. It wasn''t easy. His control over mana was shaky at best. After a few seconds of struggling, a pile of random items spilled out of the ring¡ªclothes, water bottles, packaged food, and even a trash can. Kyle stared at the mess, frustrated. "Damn, mana control is harder than it looks," he muttered. "How did the transmigrated protagonist in the novel make it look so easy?" He thought back to when he had used his lightning affinity earlier. Even then, he had felt like most of his mana was wasted. Only half of it had actually gone into forming the thunder spear. After several minutes of practice, Kyle finally got the hang of using the storage ring. He managed to pull out a health potion, which he quickly drank. The pain in his back began to fade as the potions worked their magic, healing his injuries slowly but steadily. "At least the food problem is solved," he said, relieved. He had been worried about how he would survive for a month without supplies, but the storage ring was packed with enough food to last him if he rationed it carefully. As an awakener, he could go longer without food than an ordinary person, but it was still a relief to know he wouldn''t starve. Water wasn''t an issue either¡ªwith his water affinity, he could create it whenever he needed. Kyle ate some dried jerky from the storage ring, chewing slowly as he thought about his next steps. "I''ve got one month to get stronger," he said to himself. After eating, he pulled out a jian¡ªa slender, double-edged sword¡ªfrom the storage ring. It felt familiar in his hands, as if the original Kyle had trained with it before. He started swinging the sword, practicing basic moves to get a feel for the weapon. The movements were awkward at first, but he gradually found a rhythm. When he wasn''t practicing with the sword, Kyle focused on mana manipulation. He tried to create different spells, experimenting with his lightning, wind, ice, and water affinities. It was exhausting work, and he often ran out of mana quickly. But whenever that happened, he''d switch back to sword training, pushing his body to its limits. "I''ve got to master both," he said, wiping sweat from his brow. "If I''m going to face that monster again, I need to be ready." As the hours turned into days, Kyle fell into a routine. Train with the sword, practice mana control, eat, rest, and repeat. It was grueling, but he could feel himself improving¡ªslowly but surely. The pain in his back was gone, and his movements were becoming sharper, more precise. "One step at a time," he muttered, swinging the jian with renewed determination With each passing day, Kyle grew stronger. The cathedral, once a place of fear and uncertainty, became his training ground. **** In the ancient cathedral, Kyle sat on the cold stone floor, taking a sip of water from a bottle he had pulled from his storage ring. The dim light filtering through the cracks in the walls cast long shadows across the room. It had been 26 days since he arrived in this world, and now, with only four days left before the entrance exam for the Solvayne Magic Academy, he knew he couldn''t wait any longer. "I need to get out of here," Kyle muttered to himself, staring at the empty water bottle. "I still don''t even know where this cathedral is or how long it''ll take to reach the academy. If I don''t leave now, I''ll miss the exam¡ªand my only chance to change this world''s fate." He clenched his fists, determination flickering in his heterochromic eyes. "Today''s the day. I''m taking on that monster." To prepare himself, Kyle decided to check his progress. "Status," he said, and a translucent blue screen appeared in front of him. =======[STATUS]====== [Name]: Kyle Valemont [Age]: 18 [Class]: Swordsman [Title]: ???? [Blessing]: Echoes of the Roaming Storm [Mana Core Rank]: Bronze [Mana Core Grade]: Grade 2 [Affinity]: Lightning, Wind, Ice, Water ====[STATS]===== Strength: E Agility: E+ Endurance: E Intelligence: E Mana Capacity: D- Charm: C+ Luck: Unpredictable =====[MASTERIES]===== Swordsmanship: Apprentice - 81% Lightning Magic: Adept - 43% Wind Magic: Adept - 31% Ice Magic: Apprentice - 59% Water Magic: Apprentice - 18% ===================== Kyle sighed as he scanned the screen. "I knew this was gonna happen," he muttered. Despite all his training, he was still a grade below the humanoid monster he had encountered earlier. A month is not enough to breakthrough twice or thrice. The monster was a Grade 3 Silver, while Kyle is a Grade 2 Bronze. The gap was significant, but not insurmountable. "Maybe it''s doable with my masteries," he said, trying to reassure himself. Over the past month, He had focused intensely on improving his skills, particularly his lightning magic and wind magic, which he hoped would give him the firepower he needed to take down the monster. His efforts had paid off¡ªhe had reached the Adept level in lightning magic and wind magic, which was no small feat. Most people took years to reach that level, but Kyle had managed it in just a few weeks. "It''s definitely because of the blessing," he said, glancing at the line under [Blessing]: Echoes of the Roaming Storm. The blessing had not only enhanced his mana capacity¡ªwhich was almost on par with Silver rankers¡ªbut also accelerated his growth. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Still, he knew it wouldn''t be enough to guarantee victory. Kyle stood up, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders. "Alright, let''s do this," he said, trying to shake off the nervousness creeping into his chest. He grabbed his jian, the slender sword he had been training with, and stepped out of the cathedral. The air outside was cool, and the ruins surrounding the cathedral were eerily silent. Kyle''s heart pounded as he scanned the area, searching for the monster. "Where are you?" he whispered, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. As if on cue, a low growl echoed through the ruins. Kyle''s instincts screamed at him to run, but he stood his ground. "No more running," he said, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him. "I''m ending this today." The humanoid monster emerged from the shadows, its black, stony armor glinting in the dim light. Its red eyes locked onto Kyle, and it let out a guttural roar, its long claws scraping against the ground. Kyle took a deep breath, lightning crackling around his free hand. "Let''s see if I can take down a monster ranked higher, than me" he said, a determined smirk tugging at his lips. "Time to see if all that training was worth it." **** Chapter 5 - 5: A Battle of Wits and Will In the ruins, the air was thick with tension. Kyle, a young boy with long bluish-black hair, stood facing the monstrous humanoid creature. Blue lightning crackled around his body. In front of him loomed the monster, its massive claws glinting in the faint light. Its black, stony armor seemed impenetrable, and its glowing red eyes burned with a predatory hunger. The wind whistled past, signaling the start of the battle. Both opponents vanished from their spots in a blur of speed, reappearing face to face in an instant. "Clangg!" Kyle''s Jian, crackling with blue electricity, clashed against the monster''s massive claws. The impact sent a small shockwave rippling through the air. The ruins trembled as Kyle and the monster clashed again and again. The air was alive with energy, the tension so thick it felt like the world itself was holding its breath. Kyle''s bluish-black hair whipped around his face as the wind howled, carrying with it the scent of ozone and frost. His Jian, glowing with blue lightning, hummed in his hand, but the monster''s claws were relentless, each strike shaking Kyle to his core. Kyle darted forward, his movements quick as the wind, but the monster was faster. Its massive claws swung down, forcing Kyle to leap back. He stumbled, his boots skidding across the cracked stone floor. The monster lunged, its red eyes blazing, and Kyle barely raised his Jian in time to block the blow. The impact sent him flying backward, his body slamming into a crumbling wall. Pain shot through his back, but he gritted his teeth and pushed himself up. "Not¡­ yet," Kyle muttered, his voice trembling but determined. He raised his Jian, and the air around him crackled with blue lightning. He swung the blade, sending a jagged bolt of electricity toward the monster. The lightning struck its black armor, but the creature barely flinched. Its red eyes glowed brighter, and it charged again. Kyle''s heart pounded as he summoned the wind. A gust roared to life around him, lifting him off the ground and carrying him out of the monster''s path. He landed lightly, his Jian glowing brighter as he called upon the ice. Frost spread across the ground, creeping toward the monster''s feet. The creature roared as the ice encased its legs, freezing it in place. For a moment, Kyle thought he had the upper hand. He dashed forward, his Jian aimed straight for the monster''s chest. But the ice shattered as the monster broke free, its claws slashing through the air. Kyle twisted his body, but the claws grazed his side, tearing through his clothes and drawing blood. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He cried out, stumbling back as pain seared through him. The monster didn''t give him a moment to recover. It pressed its attack, its claws swinging in a deadly arc. Kyle raised his Jian, blocking the blows, but each strike felt like a hammer against his blade. His arms ached, and his breath came in ragged gasps. He couldn''t keep this up much longer. Kyle called upon ice and lightning elements at once. Blue lightning crackled along his Jian, and frost spread across the ground, creeping up the monster''s legs once more. With a shout, Kyle plunged his blade into the ground, sending a wave of lightning and ice toward the monster. The creature roared as the elements struck it, its body convulsing under the assault. But it wasn''t enough. The monster broke free again, its claws slashing through the air. Kyle barely dodged, his movements growing slower as exhaustion set in. He was running out of time. Desperation fueled his next move. This time he raised his hand and chains made up of ice erupted from the ground holding the creature in place. Kyle circled around it, his body enhanced by wind and lightning. He moved like a blur, appearing behind the monster in an instant. With a fierce cry, Kyle thrust his lightning-charged Jian straight at the monster''s head. But the monster was faster than he expected he broke through the ice chains and raised its arm, blocking the strike. The tip of Kyle''s Jian pierced through the monster''s arm, stopping just inches from its face. Kyle''s eyes widened. The monster raised its other claw, ready to swipe at Kyle and finish him off. In a desperate move, Kyle unleashed a massive discharge of lightning through his sword. A blinding blue flash erupted, and the monster''s left arm was blasted off. The force of the explosion sent Kyle flying backward, his body slamming into the ground. He gasped for air, feeling the heavy strain on his mana. His vision blurred, but he forced himself to stay focused. Before he could recover, the monster emerged from the dust cloud, its remaining claw raised high. It swung at Kyle with terrifying speed. Kyle barely managed to block the attack with the flat side of his Jian, but the sheer force sent him flying. He crashed through several walls in the ruins, his body tumbling across the ground until he finally came to a stop. Kyle stood up shakily, coughing up blood. His body was battered and bruised, his one arm fractured. He could barely hold his Jian, but he refused to give up. The monster approached, its red eyes glowing with malice, ready to finish its prey. Kyle summoned a blob of water and hurled it at the monster''s face. The monster paused, confused by the weak attack. It looked ahead, only to find Kyle had vanished. It looked around only to find nothing. It sensed an unusual amount of mana gathering above his head. It looked up to see Kyle hanging upside down in the air just above his head, his legs braced against an invisible platform of wind. Kyle''s eyes burned with determination as he launched himself downward with wind magic increasing his speed, his Jian charged with concentrated lightning, wind and ice mana. The attack was swift and precise. Before the monster could defend itself Kyle''s Jian pierced through the it''s skull, the force of the strike driving it deep into the creature''s head. It all happened in seconds. The claw monster didn''t even have the time to react. The monster''s red eyes dimmed, and its massive body collapsed to the ground with a thunderous crash. Kyle landed heavily on the ground, his body trembling from exhaustion. He was covered in bruises, cuts, and blood, but his eyes sparkled with excitement. This was his first real battle, his first kill¡ªand instead of feeling sick or scared, he felt a strange thrill. It was like beating the hardest boss in a video game with the highest difficulty, a rush of adrenaline that made him feel alive. "I did it," Kyle whispered, his voice rough and weak. He stared at the monster''s lifeless body, feeling a mix of relief and pride. "I actually did it." But the excitement didn''t last long. His injuries were severe, and his body was pushed to its limit. His vision blurred, and his legs gave out. He collapsed to his knees, then fell unconscious, lying motionless on the cold ground. **** From the shadows, a pair of eyes watched everything unfold. The figure stepped out of the darkness, revealing a woman with an air of mystery. She moved silently, her presence almost ghostlike, as if she were part of the shadows themselves. She knelt down beside Kyle, her expression soft and filled with concern. Gently, she brushed his bloodied cheek with her hand, her touch surprisingly tender. Her fingers lingered for a moment, as if she were trying to soothe his pain even while he was unconscious. She reached into a small pouch at her side and pulled out an advanced health potion. The liquid inside glowed faintly, a sign of its powerful healing properties. Carefully, she tilted Kyle''s head back and made him drink the potion. The liquid worked quickly, soothing his wounds and stabilizing his condition. His breathing, which had been shallow and uneven, began to steady. Next, she reached for Kyle''s storage ring and took out a low-level health potion. She emptied its contents onto the ground, leaving the bottle empty. Then, she placed the empty bottle in Kyle''s hand, making it look like he had used it himself. It was a small act, but it would keep him from questioning how he had healed so quickly. She gazed down at Kyle, her eyes filled with a mix of affection and worry. Her expression softened as she took in his battered and bruised form. Gently, she reached out and brushed a strand of hair from his face, her touch light and almost tender. For a moment, she simply sat there, letting his head rest on her lap as she continued to caress his hair, her movements slow and soothing. Hours passed as she stayed by his side, watching over him. The ruins were silent, the only sound the faint rustle of the wind. Finally, Kyle''s eye twitched slightly, a sign that he was beginning to wake. The woman gently lifted his head and placed it back on the ground, ensuring he was comfortable. She stood up quickly, her movements smooth and silent, like a shadow coming to life. She looked down at Kyle one last time, her expression unreadable¡ªsomewhere between concern and determination. "We will meet soon, Kyle," she whispered, her voice so quiet it barely carried through the stillness of the ruins. She paused, her gaze lingering on him, before adding, "And when we do¡­" Her words trailed off, but they carried a strange weight, as if they held a promise¡ªor perhaps a warning. It was unclear what she meant, but her tone suggested something significant was coming. With that, she stepped back into the shadows. In an instant, she was gone, as if she had never been there at all. **** Chapter 6 - 6: Whispers of the Storm In the ancient ruins, Kyle lay on the ground, his previously battered body now completely healed. His eyes twitched slightly as he slowly opened them, clutching his head. His gaze fell on the empty health potion in his hand. "When did I drink this?" he muttered, clearly confused. He sat up and looked around, his eyes landing on the lifeless body of the black, stony monster. His jian was still embedded in its skull, a grim reminder of the battle he had just fought. Kyle''s mind raced as he recalled the final moments of the fight. "How did I even pull off that upside-down move?" he wondered aloud, scratching his head. It had been a desperate move, one he wasn''t even sure he could execute. Yet, somehow, he had done it. He decided to check his progress. "Status," he said, and a translucent blue screen appeared in front of him. **** [MASTERIES] Swordsmanship: Apprentice - 81% ¡ú 83% Lightning Magic: Adept - 43% ¡ú 46% Wind Magic: Adept - 31% ¡ú 53% Ice Magic: Apprentice - 59% ¡ú 90% Water Magic: Apprentice - 18% **** Kyle''s eyes widened as he stared at the numbers in disbelief. "Wind Magic increased by 22%!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with shock. "Ice Magic jumped by 31% too!" he added, his surprise growing even more. The sudden leap in numbers was unexpected. But what stunned him the most was the increase in Wind Magic. After reaching Adept mastery, improving it would be incredibly difficult. Yet, here it was, shooting up significantly. Kyle couldn''t help but feel a mix of pride and awe at the progress he had made. His swordsmanship and lightning magic had also improved, though not as dramatically. Still, he couldn''t help but feel a little disappointed. "My swordsmanship is still stuck at Apprentice level," he muttered with a sigh. He glanced at the time on his phone and realized he had been unconscious for nearly five hours. His clothes were torn and covered in dirt and blood, so he used his water magic to clean himself up. He pulled out a fresh set of clothes from his storage ring, discarding the old ones. After wandering through the ruins for a while, Kyle finally found what he was looking for¡ªa shimmering blue portal. "This must be the exit," he said, relief washing over him. He had explored every corner of the ruins and found no other way out. With little hesitation, he stepped through the portal. **** Back in the ruins, the air was heavy with silence, broken only by the faint clinking of chains. A woman of ethereal beauty sat bound, her long, flowing blue hair cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall. Her piercing blue eyes, though tired, still held a glimmer of something otherworldly¡ªa spark of power that even the chains couldn''t suppress. Her presence was both captivating and unnerving, as if the very air around her hummed with energy. She shifted slightly, the chains rattling as she moved. Her lips curved into a faint, almost wistful smile as she whispered a name into the stillness. "Ethan¡­" Her voice was soft, barely audible, but it carried a weight that seemed to echo through the ruins. There was a longing in her tone, a mix of affection and something darker¡ªsomething obsessive. Her eyes glazed over as if she were lost in a memory, her expression shifting between tenderness and madness. "You always did have a way of making things¡­ interesting," she murmured, her voice tinged with amusement. "Even now, you''re out there, causing chaos, aren''t you? I can feel it. The storm¡­ it stirs because of you." She tilted her head, her smile widening, though it didn''t quite reach her eyes. "You don''t even remember me, do you? Not yet. But you will. Oh, you will..." She trailed off, her gaze distant, as if she were envisioning something far beyond the confines of the ruins. The chains around her wrists glowed faintly, the runes etched into them pulsing with a dull light. She glanced down at them, her expression darkening for a moment. "These petty bindings¡­ they think they can hold me? Me?" She let out a low, almost musical laugh. "How amusing. They don''t understand. No one does. Not even you, Ethan. Not yet." She leaned back against the cold stone wall, her chains clinking softly. Her eyes closed, and for a moment, she looked almost peaceful. But then her lips moved again, her voice a whisper that seemed to carry through the ruins like a breeze. "You''ll come back to me. You always do. Even if you don''t know it yet, even if you''ve forgotten¡­ you''re mine. The storm binds us. It always has." Her smile returned, but this time it was sharper, more dangerous. The ruins fell silent again. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her eyes remained closed, but her smile lingered, a haunting reminder of the power she held, even in chains. The storm outside the ruins seemed to respond to her presence, the wind howling louder, the thunder rumbling in the distance. Somewhere, far away, Kyle¡ªor Ethan, as she called him¡ªfelt a strange shiver run down his spine, as if the storm itself were calling to him. But for now, the woman in the ruins waited, her patience as endless as the storm she commanded. And when the time came, she would be ready. **** The moment Kyle emerged on the other side, he found himself in the middle of a dense forest. Almost immediately, a wave of nausea hit him. His stomach churned, and he doubled over. "Blurgh!" he vomited, clutching his stomach. The portal behind him flickered and disappeared, leaving him alone in the forest. "So it''s true¡­ you do feel nauseous after using a p-" before he could finish his sentence, another wave of nausea hit him. "Blurgh!" After a few minutes, Kyle managed to calm himself. He drank some water from his storage ring and checked his phone. To his relief, he had a signal. He opened the maps app to figure out his location. Suddenly Kyle felt a strange shiver run down his spine. He looked around but found nothing. "What was that?" he muttered. Shaking his head, he looked back at his phone. "Eryndale Forest¡­ in the human domain," he read aloud. "Solvayne Magic Academy is in Valtheras City. I''ll need to take a mana train to get there." Kyle took a deep breath and activated his lightning affinity. Blue electricity crackled around his body as he sprinted toward Eryndale City. Along the way, he made a mental note to only reveal his lightning affinity for now. It was better to keep his other abilities hidden. When he reached the city gates, a bulky guard with short black hair stopped him. "Hold it right there!" the guard barked. "Why are you coming from the forest, kid? Don''t you know it''s filled with monsters?" Kyle hesitated for a moment before answering. "I-I was training there¡­ for the entrance exam of Solvayne Magic Academy," he said, a little nervous. The guard raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "You''ve been training in the forest? For how long?" Kyle scratched the back of his head, feeling a little embarrassed. "About a month," he admitted. The guard''s eyes widened. "A month? In that forest? Are you crazy?" he exclaimed. "You''re lucky to be alive!" Kyle shrugged, unsure of what to say. He was just as confused as the guard. He hadn''t encountered a single monster on his way to the city. Little did he know, someone had been silently clearing the path for him, eliminating any threats before they could reach him. The guard sighed and pulled out a tablet. "Name?" he asked. "Kyle Valemont," Kyle replied. "And when did you enter the forest?" the guard asked, scrolling through the records. "Uh¡­ March 2nd" Kyle said, recalling the date from his phone. He found Kyle''s entry in the system. "You really were in there for a month," he muttered, shaking his head. "What were you doing? Training some kind of secret magic?" Kyle stayed silent, his face turning red with embarrassment. The guard sighed and waved him through. "You''re clear. Go on in." As Kyle walked past, he overheard the guard muttering under his breath, "Kids these days have no sense of danger." Kyle sighed and entered the city, his mind already racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. The entrance exam was just days away, and he needed to prepare. But for now, he was just glad to be out of the forest¡ªand alive. Chapter 7 - 7: When Magic Meets Science Kyle''s eyes widened as he stepped into Eryndale City. He had read about the modern city in the novel, but seeing it in person was still a shock. The towering buildings made of glass and steel stretched into the sky, their surfaces reflecting the sunlight like mirrors. Hovering vehicles zipped through the air, following glowing lanes of light that crisscrossed the city. The streets were packed with people dressed in sleek, futuristic clothing, and neon signs lit up the sidewalks, advertising everything from magical gadgets to potions and arcane tech. "Whoa¡­ this is a city?" Kyle muttered, his jaw dropping. The contrast between the ancient ruins he had just left and this futuristic metropolis was staggering. It was like stepping into a sci-fi movie. He walked further into the city, his head swiveling as he tried to take it all in. Holographic billboards floated in the air, displaying flashy advertisements for the latest magical devices. "This is insane," Kyle said under his breath, a grin spreading across his face. As he wandered through the streets, he couldn''t help but feel a mix of awe and unease. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The city was incredible, but it was also overwhelming. He had a lot to learn about this world. "Well, I guess this is what happens when magic meets modern life," Kyle thought, shaking his head. "Better get used to it." With that, he took a deep breath and continued exploring. His stomach growled loudly, reminding him that he hadn''t eaten anything but packed food for the past month. Spotting a ramen shop, he decided to give it a try. When he entered the shop, he was surprised to find the interior decorated in a medieval style, a stark contrast to the futuristic city outside. Wooden beams, lanterns, and traditional decor gave the place a cozy, old-world feel. "Two bowls of miso ramen, please," Kyle said, sliding into a seat at the counter. The shopkeeper, an old man with a kind smile, nodded. "Right away, young man," he said, clearly pleased to have a customer. While waiting, Kyle pulled out his phone and logged into his account using the fingerprint scanner. His eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw the balance: 100,000 Crystas. "Whoa," Kyle whistled, impressed. "This guy is loaded!" Crysta was the currency of Aevorath, and 1 Crysta was roughly equivalent to 1 dollar. Kyle couldn''t help but grin. "Is he some millionaire''s son or something?" he muttered to himself, half-joking. Just then, the shopkeeper returned with two steaming bowls of ramen. "Enjoy your meal," he said, placing them in front of Kyle. Kyle''s stomach growled again, and he didn''t waste any time. He pushed his worries about Kyle''s identity to the back of his mind and dug in. The ramen was delicious, and for the first time in weeks, he felt truly satisfied. After finishing his meal, Kyle thanked the shopkeeper and headed toward the train station, which was just a short distance away. As he walked, he thought about how trains and vehicles in this world operated. Unlike Earth, where machines ran on fuel or electricity, here they used mana cores from monsters. Mana cores were found in mid- and high-ranking monsters. Low-level monsters also had mana cores, but they self-destructed after death because their cores weren''t sturdy enough to handle the mana force released when they died. That''s why Kyle hadn''t bothered searching for a mana core after killing the Silver-ranked monster. Iron, Bronze, and Silver ranks were all low-level monsters, so their cores were useless. "Guess I''ll have to aim higher next time," Kyle said with a playful smirk. "Maybe a Gold-rank monster? Nah, let''s not get ahead of myself." With that, he reached the train station. The building was massive, with sleek, modern architecture and glowing signs directing passengers to their platforms. Kyle couldn''t help but feel a little excited. "Time to see what a mana-powered train is like," he said, stepping inside. The station was bustling with people, and Kyle noticed some floating robots scanning tickets and assisting passengers. He walked up to one of the robots, which had a glowing screen and a friendly, mechanical voice. "Select your destination," the robot said. Kyle tapped on the screen and selected Valtheras City. The robot displayed the price, and Kyle quickly made the payment using his phone. "Your ticket has been confirmed," the robot said. "The next train for Valtheras City will arrive in five minutes." Kyle nodded and found a spot to wait. He glanced around, taking in the busy station. People hurried past, some carrying bags, others chatting on their phones. The atmosphere was lively, and Kyle couldn''t help but feel a little out of place. "Guess I''m not in Kansas anymore," he muttered with a chuckle. After a few minutes, the train arrived. It looked like a sleek, futuristic bullet train, but instead of running on tracks, it hovered a few inches above the ground. The sides of the train glowed faintly with magical energy, and the words "Valtheras Express" were displayed in bold letters. Kyle double-checked to make sure it was the right train. "Yep, this is it," he said, stepping forward as the doors slid open. He boarded the train. There were plenty of seats, so he chose one by the window. The interior was clean and modern, with comfortable seats and large windows that offered a great view of the city. As the train began to move, Kyle leaned back in his seat, watching the cityscape blur past. The ride was smooth and quiet, the hum of the mana core engine barely audible. "This is pretty cool," Kyle said to himself, a grin spreading across his face. "Mana-powered trains, floating cars, and holograms everywhere. This world is something else." He pulled out his phone and started scrolling through the maps app, planning his next steps. The entrance exam for the Solvayne Magic Academy was just days away, and he needed to be ready. But for now, he decided to enjoy the ride and take in the sights. Kyle couldn''t help but feel a sense of excitement. Chapter 8 - 8: Solvayne Magic Academy [1] After arriving in Valtheras, Kyle booked a room at an inn near the Solvayne Magic Academy. The first day, he spent resting, completely exhausted from everything that had happened. Traveling and adjusting to this new world had worn him out. He slept deeply, letting his body recover. When he woke up the next morning, he felt refreshed but still a little disoriented. He reached for his cell phone, hoping to find some clues about Kyle''s past or family. But when he checked, there wasn''t a single phone number saved. No contacts, no messages, no pictures¡ªnothing. It was like Kyle''s life before this had been erased. "Guess I''ll have to figure this out later," Kyle muttered to himself. He decided to focus on the more immediate concern¡ªthe entrance exam for the Solvayne Magic Academy. He had three days left to prepare, and he wasn''t about to waste them. From what he remembered of the novel, ''Path of Transcendence'', the entrance exam was divided into two parts: a theoretical exam and a practical exam. The practical exam would take place in an Artificial Rift, a simulated dungeon where students would earn points by defeating monsters and, if necessary, other students. The good news was that there was no real danger¡ªstudents who were "killed" would simply be teleported out of the rift. The exam would last six hours, and the goal was to rack up as many points as possible. As for the theoretical exam, Kyle wasn''t as confident. The novel hadn''t gone into detail about the questions, so he had no idea what to expect. He decided to head to the city library and study there. **** Over the next three days, he covered basic topics like mana theory, the fundamentals of magic, and the history of Aevorath, the world he now found himself in. Since he didn''t know exactly what to study, he just picked up random books and hoped for the best. The library was a quiet, peaceful place, filled with rows of bookshelves and the faint scent of old paper. Kyle spent hours there, flipping through pages and taking notes. By the end of the third day, Kyle''s head was full of information, but he still felt unprepared. He didn''t know if he''d studied the right things, but he''d done his best. All that was left was to face the exam. *** Date: April 1, 2550 Kyle reached the gates of the Solvayne Magic Academy, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. The academy was surrounded by tall, imposing walls, making it impossible to see the main building from the outside. It felt like stepping into a fortress rather than an academy. Around him, hundreds of students were lined up in five neat rows, all waiting for their turn to enter. Kyle quickly joined one of the lines, glancing around at the other students. Some looked confident, others nervous, and a few were quiet. As the line moved forward, Kyle noticed instructors stationed at the gate, scanning each student as they passed. He overheard a couple of students talking about the process. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "They''re scanning our mana cores," one student whispered to another. "To make sure no demons are trying to sneak in." "Yeah, but what if someone''s contracted with a demon?" the other student replied, sounding uneasy. "Wouldn''t that show up?" "I heard they can''t hide it. Demonic mana taints your core, and the devices picks it up instantly." Kyle frowned, remembering what he knew from the novel. The mana scanner was designed to detect demonic mana in a person''s core, ensuring that no demons or their contracted humans could enter the academy. But what most people didn''t know was that demons had recently discovered a way to bypass the mana scanner. If a human contracted with a demon chose to create a separate core purely for demonic mana, leaving their original core untouched they could slip through undetected with it. Surely they had to cultivate the core from the start but it was still a dangerous loophole, and one that humans, elves, and dwarves were still unaware of. That''s how a lot of demonic humans will get into the academy this year. As Kyle moved closer to the gate, he couldn''t help but wonder if any of the students around him had made such a deal. The thought sent a chill down his spine, but he pushed it aside. Right now, he needed to focus on getting through the scan himself. Soon, it was Kyle''s turn. An instructor stepped forward, holding a small, glowing device. The instructor looked at him with a neutral expression and asked, "Name?" His tone was brisk but not unkind. "Kyle Valemont," Kyle replied, trying to sound calm and confident. The instructor''s eyes lingered on him for a few seconds longer than usual after hearing his name. Kyle noticed the pause and felt a flicker of unease. ''D-Did he just look at me with pity?'' But before he could dwell on it, the instructor nodded and held the device up to Kyle''s chest. A soft hum filled the air as the scan began. Kyle held his breath, hoping everything would go smoothly. The device glowed briefly, and after a moment, the instructor gave a small nod. "You''re clear. Proceed to the courtyard," the instructor said, stepping aside to let him pass. Kyle let out a quiet sigh of relief and walked through the gate. With that he stepped into the academy grounds. Chapter 9 - 9: Solvayne Magic Academy [2] As Kyle stepped into the grounds of the Solvayne Magic Academy, his eyes widened in awe. It wasn''t just a school¡ªit was like he had entered an entirely new city. The sheer size of the place was staggering. Towering buildings made of gleaming stone and enchanted glass stretched as far as the eye could see. "Whoa¡­ this is an academy?" Kyle muttered, his jaw dropping. "It''s like a whole city in here!" He quickly realized why it felt so massive. The academy had been expanded using spatial magic, a technique that allowed mages to create more space within a confined area. It was like the entire campus existed in its own pocket dimension, making it far larger on the inside than it appeared from the outside. Then Instructors guided Kyle and other students to respective exam halls. **** Kyle found a seat in Hall 5, one of the many examination halls in the academy. The room was large and filled with rows of desks, each occupied by nervous-looking students. He looked around to see if can find any of the main characters but it looked like they were in another exam hall. Kyle took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. He had studied as much as he could, but he still felt a little unprepared. Just then, the door at the front of the hall opened, and an instructor walked in. She was striking, with long, silky pink hair that cascaded down her back and bright pink eyes that seemed to glow faintly. She wore flowing robes that shimmered with subtle enchantments, and her presence immediately commanded the room''s attention. The students fell silent as she stepped up to the podium. Her gaze swept across the room, and she smiled warmly. ''She is gorgeous,'' Kyle thought. Her presence was captivating, and he felt a strange mix of awe and nervousness. "Good morning, students," she said, her voice calm and melodic. "I am Instructor Seraphina Vaelstryx, and I will be overseeing your theoretical exam today." Kyle couldn''t help but stare. She looked like someone straight out of a fantasy novel. Instructor Seraphina continued, "The exam will test your knowledge of magic theory, history, and practical applications. You will have one hour to complete it. Remember, this is not just about memorization¡ªit''s about understanding. So, think carefully before you answer." She waved her hand, and stacks of papers floated through the air, landing neatly on each desk. Kyle picked up his exam sheet and glanced at the first question. It was about the principles of mana circulation¡ªa topic he had studied extensively. "Alright," Kyle thought, picking up his pen. "Let''s do this." As the exam began, the room fell into a focused silence. ''What is mana, and how does it flow through the human body?'' Kyle smiled as he wrote his answer. He had read about this in the novel. ''Mana is the energy that fuels magic. It flows through the body via mana channels, which act like pathways. The mana core acts as the central hub, storing and distributing mana.'' ''Explain the difference between low-rank and mid-rank mana cores.'' Kyle thought for a moment before writing: ''Low-rank mana cores, like Iron, Bronze, and Silver, are unstable and often self-destruct upon the monster''s death. Mid-rank cores, like Gold and Platinum, are more stable and can be harvested for use in magic tools and engines.'' ''What are the three laws of mana conservation?'' Kyle tapped his pen on the desk, recalling the answer. ''1. Mana cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. 2. The total mana in a closed system remains constant. 3. Mana efficiency decreases with distance and complexity.'' ''Why is spatial magic considered one of the most advanced forms of magic?'' Kyle thought for a moment before writing, ''Spatial magic involves manipulating the fabric of space itself, which requires immense precision and mana control. Even small mistakes can have catastrophic consequences.'' What is the role of a mana core in a mage''s body? Kyle quickly answered, ''The mana core acts as the central storage and distribution point for mana. It determines a mage''s capacity, rank, and overall magical potential.'' Explain the concept of ''mana resonance'' and its importance in group spells. Kyle wrote, ''Mana resonance occurs when multiple mages synchronize their mana frequencies, allowing them to combine their power for stronger spells. It''s crucial for large-scale magic, like barriers or healing rituals.'' **** As Kyle worked through the questions, he felt a growing sense of confidence. The exam was challenging, but he had prepared well. By the time he reached the last question, he was feeling pretty good about his performance. ''Alright,'' Kyle thought, setting down his pen. ''That wasn''t so bad.'' He glanced up at Instructor Seraphina, who was quietly observing the room. She caught his eye and gave him a small, encouraging smile. Kyle couldn''t help but grin back. **** The exam continued smoothly, and Kyle felt a growing sense of accomplishment as he reviewed his answers. He had done his best, and now it was time to wait for the results. The questions had been challenging, but he felt confident that he had answered most of them correctly. Still, a small part of him couldn''t help but feel a little nervous. As the hour came to an end, Instructor Seraphina stood up and addressed the room. "Time''s up, students. Please put down your pens and pass your papers to the front." Kyle gathered his exam sheet and handed it to the student in front of him, who passed it along. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He watched as the stack of papers made its way to the front of the room, feeling a mix of relief and anticipation. The first part of the exam was over, and he had survived. Instructor Seraphina smiled warmly at the class as she collected the last of the papers. "You''ve all worked hard today," she said, her voice calm and reassuring. "The results of the theoretical exam will be posted tomorrow morning. But for now, don''t relax just yet. The next part of the exam will be held in the Grand Hall of Trials in 15 minutes." A murmur of surprise and anxiety rippled through the room. Kyle raised an eyebrow. ''In 15 minutes? That''s not much time to prepare,'' he thought. But then again, he had expected the practical exam to come soon. After all, the Solvayne Magic Academy wasn''t known for going easy on its students. Instructor Seraphina continued, "The next stage will test your practical skills¡ªyour ability to apply what you''ve learned in real-world scenarios. Be prepared for anything. And remember, this is your chance to show us what you''re truly capable of." Kyle nodded, feeling a surge of excitement. **** Chapter 10 - 10: Solvayne Magic Academy [3] After an hour, students began to pour into the Grand Hall of Trials, filling the massive space with a buzz of nervous energy. The hall was even more impressive than Kyle had imagined, with high ceilings, glowing runes etched into the walls, and a large, open arena at the center. While most of the students were busy chatting. Kyle was scanning the crowd for someone specific¡ªthe protagonist of Path of Transcendence, Cedric Valtieri. He knew Cedric would be here, and he was curious to see him in person. It didn''t take long for Kyle to spot him. Cedric stood out among the crowd like a beacon. He had an air of confidence and calm that set him apart from the other candidates. His sharp features, piercing blue eyes, and neatly combed golden hair gave him a heroic look, and the way he carried himself made it clear he was someone special. "There he is," Kyle muttered under his breath, his eyes locked on Cedric. Cedric was surrounded by a small group of students who seemed to be hanging on his every word. He spoke with a quiet authority, his voice steady and reassuring. Even from a distance, Kyle could tell why Cedric was the protagonist¡ªhe had a natural charisma that drew people to him. Kyle couldn''t help but feel a little intimidated. ''Well, he definitely lives up to the hype,'' he thought. ''He should already be in silver ranks by now'' As he watched, Cedric glanced in his direction, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. Kyle quickly looked away, pretending to adjust his sleeve. He didn''t want to seem like he was staring, but he couldn''t shake the feeling that Cedric had noticed him. *** Cedric Valtieri stood in the Grand Hall of Trials, his calm demeanor masking the weight of responsibility he carried. As the one blessed by Solmora, the Goddess of the Sun and Judgment, he knew his purpose was greater than most. He was chosen to protect the world, a duty he had accepted without hesitation. But it wasn''t a burden he spoke of openly. In fact, no one knew about his blessing¡ªnot even his family. He had decided to keep it hidden, at least for now. Cedric didn''t want to draw unnecessary attention or put his loved ones at risk. He carried the weight of his duty silently, determined to prove himself through his actions rather than his title. As the other students filed into the hall, Cedric observed them with a quiet curiosity. He wasn''t here to compete with them; he was here to prove himself, to grow stronger so he could fulfill his duty. Still, he couldn''t help but notice the nervous energy in the room. Some students were whispering to each other, others were pacing, and a few were quietly meditating to calm their nerves. Then, something caught his attention. A young man with long bluish-black hair and striking heterochromatic eyes¡ªone electric blue and the other deep black¡ªstood among the crowd, scanning the room with a calm but observant gaze. His presence was unassuming, yet there was something about him that drew attention, something Cedric couldn''t quite place. Cedric''s sharp blue eyes lingered on him for a moment, his instincts prickling. There was something¡­ different about this boy. Something that made him stand out, though Cedric couldn''t put his finger on what it was. Their eyes met briefly, and Cedric felt a strange sensation¡ªa faint hum in the air, almost like a whisper. It was subtle, but it was there. For a moment, it felt as though his blessing, the divine power of Solmora, stirred faintly, as if reacting to something. Cedric frowned slightly, his gaze narrowing as he studied the young man. The hum faded as quickly as it had come, leaving behind a lingering unease. "Who is he?" Cedric thought, his curiosity piqued. The boy looked away quickly, as if he hadn''t meant to be caught staring. But Cedric couldn''t shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye. Something¡­ dangerous. Cedric''s mind drifted back to the day he had been blessed by Goddess Solmora. It had happened shortly after he awakened his mana. One moment, he was meditating in his room, trying to understand the strange energy (mana) flowing through him, and the next, his consciousness was pulled into a realm of blinding light and warmth. He found himself standing in a vast, radiant domain, the air humming with divine energy. Before him stood Goddess Solmora, her presence overwhelming yet serene. She didn''t speak at first, but her gaze held a weight that made Cedric feel both insignificant and chosen at the same time. When she finally spoke, her voice was calm but carried an undeniable authority. She told him the world was in danger, that darkness was rising, and that he had been chosen to stand against it. She offered him her blessing, a gift of divine power that would help him fulfill this destiny. Cedric, still reeling from the suddenness of it all, questioned why she had chosen him. But the goddess simply smiled, her expression both kind and enigmatic, as if she knew something he didn''t. In the end, Cedric accepted her blessing, though he still didn''t fully understand why she had chosen him. He had no choice but to trust her words and embrace the destiny she had laid before him. He still didn''t fully understand why the goddess had chosen him, but he had accepted it as his destiny. Now, standing in this hall, he couldn''t help but wonder about the boy with the striking heterochromatic eyes. There was something unusual about him, something that made Cedric''s instincts stir. ''Could he be special too?'' Cedric wondered, though he quickly dismissed the thought. No one else had ever been blessed by a god before him, at least not in recorded history. It was supposed to be an unprecedented event. And yet, that strange connection he had felt¡­ it was hard to ignore. But it wasn''t just curiosity that lingered in Cedric''s mind. His blessing, the divine power that flowed through him, had reacted to the boy in a way it never had before. It wasn''t fear, exactly, but a subtle warning¡ªa faint, almost imperceptible signal that this boy was¡­ different. Dangerous, perhaps. Cedric shook his head, refocusing on the task at hand. The practical exam was about to begin, and he needed to be at his best. Still, he made a mental note to keep an eye on the boy with the mismatched eyes. There was something about him that intrigued Cedric, something that felt¡­ important. And if his blessing was right, something that could change everything. But he didn''t get to dwell on the matter any longer. Suddenly, a heavy pressure descended on the room, silencing the chatter and drawing everyone''s attention to the front. The exam was about to begin, and Cedric had no time to waste. Still, as he turned away, the image of the boy lingered in his mind, along with the faint hum of his blessing¡ªa quiet reminder that not everything was as it seemed. **** As the heavy pressure descended, the Grand Hall of Trials fell into complete silence. All eyes turned toward the stage as an old man in his 60s stepped forward. He had long white hair and a flowing beard, both shimmering faintly under the hall''s magical lights. His golden eyes glowed with an otherworldly intensity, and his presence alone commanded respect and attention. This was the principal of the Solvayne Magic Academy¡ªLucian Aetheris, a Divine Ranker, a man whose name was known across the continent, a living legend. He walked toward the stage calmly, his every step radiating authority. The students instinctively straightened up, their nervous chatter fading into silence. Even Cedric, who usually carried himself with confidence, couldn''t help but feel a sense of awe. The principal''s presence was overwhelming, like standing in the shadow of a mountain. The principal reached the center of the stage and looked out over the crowd. His gaze was sharp, yet there was a warmth to it, as if he could see the potential in every candidate. When he spoke, his voice was deep and steady, carrying effortlessly across the hall. ''How is this guy 300 years old?'' Kyle thought, still in awe of his presence. The principal looked like he was in his 60s, but he knew he was actually a 300 years old man. Each time a person ranks up, the aging process slows down. In Aevorath, the average lifespan of awakeners is around 100-150 years, though higher-ranked individuals, such as Platinum, Diamond, or Divine rankers, can live for several centuries or even longer, depending on their rank and power. "Welcome, students," the principal began, his golden eyes scanning the room. "You have all come here today to prove yourselves worthy of a place in the Solvayne Magic Academy. The theoretical exam tested your knowledge. Now, the practical exam will test your skill, your courage, and your ability to adapt." He paused, letting his words sink in. The students leaned forward, hanging on his every word. The tension in the room was palpable. "The practical exam will take place in an Artificial Rift," the principal continued. "This Rift has been specially designed to challenge you in every way. Inside, you will face monsters and even your fellow students. Your goal is simple: earn as many points as possible. You gain points by defeating monsters and other candidates. But do not worry¡ªif you die inside the Rift, you will be teleported safely outside." A murmur of relief and excitement rippled through the crowd. Kyle glanced around, noticing the mix of determination and anxiety on the faces of the other candidates. He couldn''t help but feel a thrill of anticipation. The principal raised a hand, and the room fell silent once more. "The exam will last six hours," he said. "Only the top 1,000 candidates will earn a place in the Solvayne Academy. So, give it your all. Show us what you''re made of." He paused again, his golden eyes sweeping across the room. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Remember, this is not just a test of strength. It is a test of strategy and resilience. Use your wits as much as your magic. And above all, do not give up." **** Chapter 11 - 11: Entrance Exam [1] A/N: I have made some edits to enhance the fight scene in Chapter 5, adding more depth and intensity to the action. Additionally, I have updated the masteries in Chapter 6. If you''ve already read those chapters, feel free to check them out again to see the changes! *** With that, the principal stepped back, and the instructors began to move into position. One of them stepped forward to explain the points system in detail. "Listen carefully," the instructor said, his voice firm. "The points system is as follows: - Defeating an Iron-rank creature: - Grade 3: 2 points - Grade 2: 4 points - Grade 1: 6 points - Defeating a Bronze-rank creature: - Grade 3: 10 points - Grade 2: 15 points - Grade 1: 20 points - Defeating a Silver-rank creature: - Grade 3: 100 points - Grade 2: 200 points - Defeating students: 10 points "Keep in mind," the instructor added, "if you decide to work in teams, your earned points will be divided equally among the team members. Also, you will be teleported randomly across the Rift, so be prepared for anything." The students exchanged nervous glances. The mention of Silver-rank monsters sent a ripple of fear through the crowd. Even Kyle felt a chill run down his spine. He had barely survived a fight with a Silver-rank monster in the ruins, and the thought of facing one again was daunting. The instructor seemed to sense their unease. "Don''t worry," he said, his tone reassuring. "There are only two Grade 3 Silver-rank monsters and one Grade 2 Silver-rank monster in the Rift. Just pray you don''t run into them." Hearing this, Kyle let out a sigh of relief. "I just hope I don''t run into them," he muttered under his breath. He knew how dangerous Silver-rank monsters could be, and he wasn''t eager to repeat that experience. Kyle took a deep breath and tried to calm his nerves. After the teleportation array was prepared, the air in the Grand Hall of Trials crackled with energy. The intricate runes etched into the floor began to glow, their light growing brighter and brighter until it filled the entire room. The students exchanged nervous glances, muttering last-minute prayers. Kyle stood among them, his heart pounding in his chest. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. "This is it," he thought. "No turning back now." The instructors stepped back, and the principal raised his hand. "Good luck, candidates," he said, his voice echoing through the hall. "May your skills and determination guide you." With a final flash of light, the teleportation array activated. In an instant, all the students vanished from their respective positions, their figures dissolving into streams of light that shot upward and disappeared. Kyle felt a strange sensation, as if he were being pulled in every direction at once. The world around him blurred, colors and shapes swirling together in a chaotic dance. Then, just as suddenly as it began, the sensation stopped. **** Kyle opened his eyes and found himself mid-air, the ground far below him. His eyes widened. He didn''t even have time to register what was happening before he plummeted into a river below. The cold water swallowed him whole, and for a moment, everything was a blur. Kyle struggled to orient himself, kicking and flailing as he tried to swim to the surface. But just as he was about to break through, something grabbed his ankle and yanked him back down. Panic surged through him as he looked around, trying to see what had caught him. A thick, slimy blue tentacle was wrapped around his leg, dragging him deeper into the water. Kyle''s mind raced. He couldn''t see the monster''s body, but he knew he had to act fast. Before he knew it. He was pulled deeper, the water grew darker and colder. Finally, he saw it¡ªa massive blue squid, almost perfectly camouflaged with the water. Its glowing eyes locked onto him, and Kyle''s heart sank. ''A Grade 3 Silver-rank monster,'' he thought, his stomach churning. ''What kind of terrible luck is this?'' Kyle didn''t have time to dwell on it. He released a burst of electricity, hoping to stun the squid. The water around him crackled with energy, but the monster barely flinched. However, the shock was enough to make it release his leg. Kyle kicked away, putting some distance between himself and the creature. He quickly pulled out his Jian from his storage ring, gripping it tightly. Running wasn''t an option¡ªthe squid would just chase him. He had to fight. He decided to go all out as people outside won''t be able to see him right now. He activated his water and wind affinities, using them to increase his speed underwater. The tentacles shot toward Kyle like whips, their movements fast and unpredictable. He twisted and turned, using every ounce of his agility to dodge them. The water resistance made it harder, but he pushed through, weaving through the attacks with as much speed as he could muster. His lightning affinity crackled around him, giving him brief bursts of energy to stay ahead of the monster''s strikes. But no matter how hard he tried, the tentacles kept blocking his path. Every time he thought he had an opening, another slimy limb would shoot out, forcing him to retreat. The squid was relentless, its glowing eyes locked onto him as if it knew exactly what he was trying to do. Kyle''s lungs burned, the lack of air making it harder to focus. His movements grew slower, his reflexes dulled by the strain. He knew he was running out of time. ''This isn''t good,'' he thought, panic creeping into his mind. ''I can''t keep this up much longer.'' He tried to push forward again, but another tentacle slammed into his side, sending him spinning through the water. The impact knocked the breath out of him, and he barely managed to dodge the next attack. His vision blurred, the edges darkening as his body screamed for oxygen. Desperation set in. Kyle knew he had to act fast. He couldn''t afford to waste any more time. Summoning the last of his strength, he focused on his lightning mana, letting it surge through his body. The water around him crackled with energy as he prepared for one final, desperate move. But even as he gathered his power, the tentacles kept coming, each one faster and more aggressive than the last. Kyle gritted his teeth, his mind racing. ''I can''t lose here. Not like this.'' He dodged another tentacle, his movements sluggish but determined. The squid seemed to sense his weakness, its attacks growing more frenzied. Kyle''s body ached, his muscles screaming in protest, but he refused to give up. He had come too far to fail now. With a final burst of energy, Kyle pushed forward, his Jian glowing with lightning and wind mana as he aimed for the monster''s head. But the tentacles were already closing in, blocking his path once again. Kyle''s heart sank. ''I''m out of time.'' He was just a few meters away from the squid''s head when another tentacle shot out, wrapping around his waist and squeezing tightly. Kyle gritted his teeth, refusing to give up. With all his strength, he hurled his Jian toward the squid''s head. The blade, infused with water, ice, wind, and lightning mana, pierced the monster''s head. But it wasn''t enough to kill it. The squid thrashed wildly, its grip on Kyle tightening. Kyle smirked, despite the dire situation. He raised his hand, and a thin thread of raw mana extended from his palm, connecting to the hilt of his Jian. He focused all his remaining mana into the thread and unleashed a massive surge of lightning magic. The water around him lit up with a blinding blue flash. The lightning traveled through the thread and into the squid''s head, causing it to explode in a burst of light and bubbles. The tentacle around Kyle''s waist went limp, and the monster''s body began to sink into the depths. Kyle didn''t waste a second. He grabbed his Jian and swam toward the surface as fast as he could. His lungs were on fire, and his vision was starting to blur. Just as he thought he couldn''t hold his breath any longer, he broke through the surface, gasping for air. He floated there for a moment, catching his breath and staring up at the sky. "That¡­ was too close," he muttered, his voice shaky. But despite the near-death experience, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of triumph. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had taken down a Grade 3 Silver-rank monster¡ªsomething most candidates wouldn''t dare to face. As he swam to the riverbank, Kyle couldn''t help but laugh. "What kind of crazy exam is this?" he said to himself, dragging his soaked body onto the shore. "But hey, at least I''ve got some points now." With that, he stood up, shaking the water from his hair, and prepared to move on. Chapter 12 - 12: Entrance Exam [2] Kyle glanced around, taking in his surroundings. He was in a dense forest, the tall trees casting long shadows on the ground. The air was cool and quiet, but he knew better than to let his guard down. This was the Solvayne Entrance Test, and danger could come from anywhere. "I need to hide for a while," Kyle decided. "I''ve only little amount of my mana left." "I just hope I don''t run into anyone now." He moved cautiously through the forest, keeping his senses sharp. Every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig made him tense, but he forced himself to stay calm. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He needed to find a safe spot to rest and recover his mana. Just as he was about to settle behind a large tree, he heard voices. Kyle froze, his heart pounding. "Oh, come on," he grumbled quietly. "Can''t you let me rest for a bit?" From the tall grass, two figures emerged. One was a tall, muscular guy wielding a spear, his earth affinity evident from the faint glow around his weapon. The other was a lean, sharp-eyed mage with fire affinity, his hands crackling with small flames. They looked like they meant business. The spear user spotted Kyle first, his eyes narrowing. "Well, well, look who we have here," he said, a smirk spreading across his face. Kyle''s heart sank as the two figures stepped into view. He was in no condition for another fight, but it seemed like he didn''t have a choice. His mana was nearly depleted, and his body ached from the previous battle. Still, he straightened up, gripping his Jian tightly. He couldn''t afford to show weakness, not here, not now. The spear user stepped forward, his weapon gleaming in the dappled forest light. His earth affinity gave him a solid, grounded presence, and his smirk was full of confidence. The mage lingered behind, his fiery hands flickering with small flames, his sharp eyes locked on Kyle. "You look like you''ve had a rough day," the spear user said, his tone mocking. "Why don''t you make this easy on yourself ? We''ll make it quick." Kyle didn''t respond. He couldn''t waste energy on words. Instead, he focused on his breathing, steadying himself. He had only a sliver of mana left¡ªjust enough to reinforce his limbs slightly. It would have to do. The spear user''s smirk faded as he realized Kyle wasn''t going to comply. "Fine," he growled. "Have it your way." The mage raised his hands, and a fireball shot toward Kyle. Kyle sidestepped, the flames grazing his shoulder. The heat seared his skin, but he ignored the pain. He couldn''t afford to hesitate. The spear user charged next, his weapon thrusting forward with deadly precision. Kyle parried the strike with his Jian, the clash of metal ringing through the forest. The impact sent a jolt through Kyle''s arms, but he held his ground. He couldn''t afford to lose focus. Kyle''s movements were precise and calculated. He didn''t waste energy on flashy techniques or unnecessary maneuvers. Instead, he relied on pure swordsmanship, his blade moving like an extension of his body. He reinforced his limbs with the little mana he had left, his strikes faster and stronger than they should have been in his exhausted state. The spear user swung again, but Kyle ducked under the attack, his Jian slicing upward. The blade cut through the air, narrowly missing the spear user''s side. The man stumbled back, his confidence wavering. The mage launched another fireball, but Kyle was ready this time. He dashed forward, closing the distance between them in an instant. The fireball exploded behind him, the heat licking at his back, but Kyle didn''t stop. His Jian flashed, and the mage barely had time to raise his hands in defense. The blade cut through the flames, slicing his neck off. The spear user recovered quickly, lunging at Kyle from behind. Kyle spun around, his Jian meeting the spear mid-thrust. The force of the clash pushed Kyle back, but he used the momentum to his advantage. He twisted his body, his blade sliding along the spear''s shaft and forcing the weapon aside. With a quick, fluid motion, Kyle brought his Jian down, the blade slicing through the spear user''s neck. He had defeated them, there bodies glowed and they vanished from there positions. Kyle stood there, huffing and clearly exhausted. His body trembled from the effort, but he didn''t have time to rest. He knew more students could be nearby, drawn by the commotion. "I can''t stay here," Kyle muttered, glancing around. He spotted a tall tree nearby and quickly made his way over to it. Using the last of his strength, he climbed to the highest point, where he could hide among the thick branches. Once he was settled, Kyle let out a long breath, his body sagging with relief. "Thank goodness there ranks were lower than me," he said to himself, grateful that the fight hadn''t drained him further. Kyle leaned back against the tree trunk, closing his eyes for a moment. He needed to recover his mana, and this was the best spot to do it. The high vantage point gave him a clear view of the area, and the thick foliage would keep him hidden from anyone passing by. "Alright," Kyle whispered, taking a deep breath. "Just a little rest, and then I''ll get back to it." As he sat there, the sounds of the forest surrounded him¡ªthe rustling leaves, the distant calls of birds, and the faint hum of magic in the air. Kyle knew the exam was far from over, but for now, he allowed himself a moment of peace. **** Somewhere deep in the forest, the air was thick with tension. The towering trees seemed to lean in, as if watching the confrontation unfold. Cedric Valtieri, a boy with golden hair that shimmered like sunlight and piercing blue eyes that glowed with determination, stood in a flawless fighting stance. His longsword gleamed in his hands, reflecting the faint light that filtered through the dense canopy. This was Cedric¡ªcalm, confident, and ready for battle. Before him loomed the massive tortoise-like monster, its hulking form casting a shadow over the forest floor. Its shell was a fortress of stone spikes and tangled tree vines, each spike sharp enough to pierce through steel. The creature''s glowing eyes burned with a primal rage, and its low, rumbling growl sent shivers through the air. This was no ordinary monster¡ªit was a Grade 2 Silver-rank beast, the undisputed ruler of this part of the forest, and it was worth a staggering 200 points. Few dared to challenge it, and none had ever survived. The tortoise monster''s massive claws dug into the earth, and its glowing eyes narrowed as it studied Cedric. It could sense the power radiating from the boy, a power that made even a creature of its stature hesitate. For the first time in a long while, the monster felt a flicker of uncertainty. But it was still a predator, and its instincts took over. With a deafening roar, the monster slammed its front claws into the ground. The earth trembled, and suddenly, three thick roots burst from the soil, shooting toward Cedric like spears. The roots were massive, each one as thick as a tree trunk, and they moved with terrifying speed. Cedric''s eyes narrowed, but he didn''t flinch. He raised his longsword, the blade glowing with a soft, golden light. With a swift, precise motion, he slashed through the first root, the light-infused blade cutting through it like butter. The severed root fell to the ground, writhing before going still. But the other two roots were already upon him. Cedric leaped into the air, his movements fluid and graceful. As he soared above the roots, he swung his sword again, this time igniting it with flames. The fiery blade sliced through the second root, reducing it to ash. The third root twisted mid-air, trying to strike him from behind, but Cedric spun around, his sword trailing a arc of fire. The root was severed, its charred remains falling to the ground. Cedric landed lightly on his feet, his sword still glowing with a mix of light and fire. He didn''t let his guard down. He knew this was just the beginning. The tortoise monster roared again, its frustration evident. It slammed its claws into the ground once more, and this time, the forest itself seemed to come alive. Dozens of roots erupted from the soil, twisting and writhing like serpents as they lunged toward Cedric. At the same time, the monster''s shell began to tremble, and with a loud crack, several stone spikes shot out, hurtling toward Cedric with deadly accuracy. Cedric''s calm expression faltered for a moment as he realized the sheer scale of the attack. He couldn''t afford to hold back any longer. He channeled his light and fire elements, his sword blazing with golden flames. He moved like a whirlwind, his blade cutting through roots and deflecting stone spikes with precision. But the onslaught was relentless. A root managed to slip past his defenses, slamming into his side and sending him flying. Cedric grunted as he hit the ground, the impact knocking the wind out of him. He rolled to his feet just in time to dodge another stone spike, which embedded itself into the ground where he had been lying. "This thing''s tougher than I thought," Cedric muttered, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. He knew he couldn''t keep this up forever. He had to end this quickly. Summoning all his strength, Cedric focused his light and fire elements into his sword. The blade glowed brighter than ever, the golden flames roaring to life. He dashed forward, his movements a blur as he weaved through the roots and spikes. The tortoise monster roared, sensing the danger, but it was too late. Cedric leaped into the air, his sword raised high. With a powerful swing, he brought the blade down, the golden flames erupting in a brilliant explosion of light and fire. The attack hit the tortoise with a deafening explosion, sending shockwaves through the forest. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring the battlefield. But Cedric knew the monster wasn''t defeated yet. He landed gracefully on the ground and dashed forward, his golden aura blazing. As the dust began to clear, the tortoise emerged, a deep slash mark on its forehead. It was wounded but still alive, its eyes burning with rage. Before the monster could react, Cedric was already in front of it. He thrust his longsword into the wound he had created earlier, driving the blade deep into the monster''s skull. The tortoise monster let out a final, pained roar before collapsing to the ground, its massive form shaking the earth. Cedric landed a few feet away, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. His sword was still glowing, but the flames were beginning to fade. For a moment, the forest was silent. Then, the monster''s body began to dissolve, its form breaking apart into shimmering particles of light. Cedric watched as the particles floated into the air, a sign that the monster had been defeated. He sheathed his sword, his expression calm once more. Cedric allowed himself a small smile. "One down," he said quietly, his voice calm but determined. But he knew this was only the beginning. The Artificial Rift was full of dangers, and he couldn''t afford to let his guard down. As he turned to leave, he glanced at the spot where the monster had fallen. "I''ll have to be more careful next time," he murmured. With that, Cedric disappeared into the forest, his golden hair catching the light as he moved. The forest was quiet again, but the echoes of the battle lingered, a reminder of the power that had just been unleashed. With that, he turned and walked deeper into the forest, his golden aura fading as he prepared for whatever came next. Chapter 13 - 13: Entrance Exam [3] Kyle was huffing and panting, his body drenched in sweat. He had just defeated a pack of wolf-type monsters with steel jaws, their bodies scattered around him. The fight had been tougher than he expected, and it had taken a lot out of him. ''They were stronger than I thought,'' Kyle muttered to himself, wiping the sweat from his brow. Kyle let out a tired sigh. His goal was to get into the top 20. The top 20 students received better facilities¡ªluxury dorms, private training areas, and more. For Kyle, the private training area was the most important. He couldn''t risk practicing his other elements in public, where someone might notice his multiple affinities. But he knew his limits. He couldn''t compete with the main characters not when he is only using lightning affinity. From the novel, he remembered that the main characters were all Grade 1 Bronze when they entered the academy, and Cedric, the protagonist, was already Grade 3 Silver. Kyle, on the other hand, was only Grade 2 Bronze, with barely any mastery over his elements. The only reason he had managed to defeat other students and monsters so far was because of his blessing, which made his elemental power stronger than normal. But his mana control was still terrible, and he wasted a lot of mana with every spell he cast. Kyle looked up and saw the timer in the sky. [Remaining Time: 00:15:45] "Only 15 minutes left," he muttered. "I just need to hold on a little longer." Just as he was lost in thought, his instincts screamed at him to move. He tilted his head to the side, channeling lightning mana to boost his reflexes. A spear grazed past his cheek, drawing a thin line of blood. Kyle quickly jumped back, putting distance between himself and his attacker. He looked up to see a young man with long brown hair tied in a ponytail. His green eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh, you dodged that," the young man said, clearly impressed. He seemed almost thrilled that his attack had been avoided. Kyle''s eyes narrowed as he recognized the boy. He was Reo Dustbane, one of the main characters from the novel. Reo was a battle maniac, always seeking out strong opponents to test his skills. And now, it seemed, Kyle was his latest target. ''Why him, of all people? Seriously how bad is my luck'' Kyle thought, feeling a mix of frustration and dread. He knew Reo wouldn''t back down easily. As Kyle stood there, catching his breath, Reo suddenly shot forward, his spear gleaming with wind mana. The attack was fast, but Kyle was ready. He raised his Jian, blocking the spear. "Clangg" The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the air, but Kyle held his ground. Reo didn''t stop there. With a quick twist of his body, he swung his free hand in a punch aimed at Kyle''s stomach. Kyle reacted instantly, sidestepping just in time to avoid the blow. Using the momentum, he drove his knee upward, lightning crackling around it as he aimed for Reo''s ribs. Reo''s eyes widened, but he was quick to react. He brought the shaft of his spear down just in time, blocking Kyle''s lightning-infused knee. The force of the attack pushed him back, his boots skidding across the ground as he struggled to keep his balance. Reo looked up at Kyle, his green eyes shining with excitement. "Not bad," he said, a grin spreading across his face. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You''re faster than I thought." Kyle didn''t respond, his focus entirely on the fight. He knew Reo was testing him, but he couldn''t afford to let his guard down. Reo was a Grade 1 Bronze, and his wind affinity made him incredibly fast. Kyle had to stay sharp. Reo lunged again, his spear darting forward like a snake. Kyle dodged to the side, but Reo was already spinning, using the momentum to swing his spear in a wide arc. Kyle ducked just in time, the spear whistling over his head. Kyle countered with a quick slash of his Jian, aiming for Reo''s side. Reo twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the blade, and retaliated with a kick aimed at Kyle''s chest. Kyle blocked it with his forearm, but the force still pushed him back a step. Reo didn''t let up. He thrust his spear forward, the tip glowing with concentrated wind mana. Kyle parried the attack, but Reo followed up with a series of rapid strikes, each one faster than the last. Kyle blocked and dodged as best he could, but he could feel himself being pushed back. "You''re good," Reo said, his grin never fading. "But let''s see how you handle this!" Reo''s spear began to glow brighter, the wind mana swirling around it like a miniature tornado. He thrust the spear forward, and a blast of wind shot toward Kyle, tearing up the ground as it went. Kyle''s eyes widened. He raised his Jian, channeling lightning mana into the blade. With a swift motion, he slashed through the air, sending a bolt of lightning to meet the wind blast. The two attacks collided in mid-air, creating a small explosion that sent both fighters stumbling back. Kyle gritted his teeth, his arms trembling from the effort. Reo, on the other hand, looked even more excited. "Now we''re talking!" he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "Let''s see what else you''ve got!" Before either of them could make a move, a loud roar echoed through the forest. The ground shook as a massive, flaming boar burst through the bushes, its fiery eyes locking onto them. Both Kyle and Reo froze, their eyes widening in shock. "A Grade 2 Silver," Kyle said, his voice tense. "A Grade 2 Silver," Reo echoed, his tone a mix of excitement and disbelief. The boar snorted, flames flickering around its body as it prepared to charge. Kyle and Reo exchanged a quick glance, their rivalry momentarily forgotten. "Truce?" Reo asked, a grin spreading across his face. "Truce," Kyle agreed, nodding. They both knew they stood no chance against the monster alone. **** In the teacher''s observation area, the room buzzed with the low hum of monitors, each screen displaying different angles of the Artificial Rift. The soft glow of the screens illuminated the faces of the instructors, their expressions a mix of curiosity and tension. But all eyes were glued to one particular screen¡ªthe one showing Kyle and Reo as they stood their ground against the flaming boar monster. The atmosphere in the room was thick with unease, and the instructors exchanged wary glances. Aurelia, the black-haired instructor with sharp, observant eyes, couldn''t hide her growing concern. Her gaze flickered to the principal, who sat calmly in his chair, his golden eyes gleaming with an almost mischievous curiosity. She took a deep breath, her voice steady but carrying a slight edge as she spoke. "Sir," she began, her tone measured, "why is there a second Grade 2 Silver-rank monster in the Rift? "That wasn''t part of the plan. We only added the Grade 2 Silver-rank monster for Cedric Valtieri, who is already Grade 3 Silver. "This seems... excessive." The principal leaned back in his chair, his expression as relaxed as if this were just another ordinary day. He waved a hand dismissively, a small smile playing on his lips. "Oh, that?" he said casually. "I added it just now. I wanted to see how Kyle Valemont managed to defeat a Grade 3 Silver-rank monster on his own, even though he''s only Grade 2 Bronze." "This should be interesting, don''t you think?" Aurelia''s frown deepened, her lips pressing into a thin line. She glanced back at the screen, her eyes lingering on Kyle as he tightened his grip on his weapon, his face set with determination. Her fingers twitched slightly, betraying her unease. "But sir," she said, her voice firmer now, "what if they get eliminated? Wouldn''t they miss the chance to be in the top rankings? This could cost them dearly." The principal chuckled softly, his tone light and dismissive. "No buts, Instructor Aurelia. If they get eliminated, they''ll always have a chance to climb the rankings during the midterms. Besides, this is a test of their true potential. Let''s see what they''re made of." Aurelia''s fists clenched at her sides. She wanted to argue further, but she knew the principal''s word was final. Instead, she turned back to the monitor, her gaze locked on Kyle. She watched as Kyle tightened his grip on his weapon, his face set with determination. "Be careful," she whispered under her breath, so quietly that no one else could hear. The principal, meanwhile, seemed almost amused. He crossed his legs, his golden eyes glinting with anticipation. "This is what the test is all about," he said, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of excitement. "Pushing them to their limits, seeing how they adapt, how they overcome. That''s where true strength lies." **** Back in the Rift, Kyle and Reo stood side by side, their weapons ready. The boar let out another roar, its flames growing brighter. "Alright," Reo said, his voice filled with excitement. "Let''s take this thing down." Kyle nodded, his grip tightening on his Jian. "Stay sharp. This isn''t going to be easy." The boar charged, its fiery hooves tearing up the ground. Kyle and Reo moved in unison, their combined skills and determination their only hope against the powerful monster. The fight was far from over, and the clock was ticking. Chapter 14 - 14: Entrance Exam [4] Reo and Kyle stood side by side, their bodies crackling with mana as they prepared to face the flaming boar. The air around them was thick with tension, the heat from the monster''s fiery body making the atmosphere feel like a furnace. The boar was massive, its flaming tusks glowing white-hot, and its hide shimmered with an unnatural, molten sheen. Every step it took scorched the ground, leaving behind a trail of smoldering earth and embers. The monster let out a deafening roar, its fiery eyes locking onto the two adventurers. Its breath came in hot, smoky gusts, and the flames that wreathed its body roared like a living inferno. It was clear that this wasn''t an ordinary monster¡ªits defenses were incredibly high, and its fiery aura made close combat nearly impossible. Reo tightened his grip on his spear, the wind mana swirling around the blade creating a faint whistling sound. Kyle, standing beside him, clenched his lightning-infused jian, the crackling energy dancing along the blade. They exchanged a quick glance, their eyes locking for just a moment. Without a word, they nodded, a silent agreement passing between them. They both knew what they had to do. The boar charged. Its massive hooves pounded the ground, sending tremors through the earth as it barreled toward them with terrifying speed. The heat radiating from its body intensified as it closed the distance, the flames around it roaring like a wildfire. "Now!" Reo shouted. As the boar closed in, Reo and Kyle sprinted forward, their movements perfectly synchronized. Just meters away from colliding with the monster, they sharply turned in opposite directions¡ªReo to the left, Kyle to the right. The boar skidded to a halt, its fiery eyes darting between the two targets. For a moment, it seemed unsure of which one to pursue. But the hesitation didn''t last long. With a snort, the boar turned its gaze toward Kyle and charged again, its flames roaring louder as if fueled by its rage. Kyle raised his hand, his lightning mana surging. Several lightning lances formed in the air above him, crackling with energy. With a flick of his wrist, he launched them toward the boar. The lances struck the monster''s flaming hide, but the attack barely seemed to faze it. The boar''s defenses were too high, its fiery aura dissipating the lightning before it could cause any significant damage. "Damn it!" Kyle muttered, as the boar continued its charge, undeterred. The monster''s flaming tusks were aimed straight at him, and Kyle had no choice but to brace for impact. He raised his Jian, the lightning mana around the blade flaring brightly. The clash was brutal. The boar''s sheer force sent Kyle flying backward, his body crashing through several trees before he finally skidded to a stop. He groaned, his body bruised and battered, but he forced himself to stand. "Why do monsters keep throwing me around like a ragdoll?" Kyle muttered under his breath, wincing as he wiped blood from his lip. He couldn''t help but think back to the clawed monster in the ruins that had tossed him like a toy. Now, this flaming boar was doing the same. "I''m really getting tired of this." Meanwhile, Reo had circled around to the boar''s side. He gripped his spear tightly, the wind mana around the blade intensifying. With a fierce cry, he thrust the spear into the monster''s flank. The attack landed, but the boar''s thick, fiery hide absorbed most of the damage. The monster barely seemed to notice. The boar turned its massive head toward Reo, its fiery eyes narrowing. Before Reo could react, it swung its tusks at him. Reo barely managed to sidestep, the heat from the flames singeing his clothes. But the boar wasn''t done. It opened its mouth, and a massive fireball formed, launching straight at Reo. Reo''s eyes widened. "It can throw fire too?!" he exclaimed, barely having time to raise his spear in defense. The fireball exploded on impact, sending Reo flying backward. He hit the ground hard, his body rolling several times before coming to a stop. He groaned, his body smoking slightly from the blast. Kyle, still struggling to stand, saw Reo get blasted away. His heart raced. "This thing''s way tougher than I thought," he muttered, his mind racing for a plan. But before he could act, the boar turned its attention back to him. It let out another roar and began charging again, its flames growing even brighter. Just as the boar was about to reach Kyle, several thick walls of ice erupted from the ground, blocking the monster''s path. The boar slammed into the ice, its flames sizzling against the frozen barrier. It roared in frustration, backing up slightly as it tried to figure out what had just happened. Kyle blinked, confused. "What the¡ª?" "Need a hand?" a cheerful voice called out. Kyle turned his head and saw a girl making her way toward him. She had shoulder-length snow-white hair that shimmered like freshly fallen snow, and her black eyes sparkled with mischief. Her face was strikingly beautiful, and she carried herself with an air of confidence. In her hands, she wielded twin short swords, their blades glinting with frost. Kyle stared at her, momentarily stunned. "You are¡­?" The girl grinned, her expression bright and friendly. "Oh, where are my manners? I''m Luna Starfrost!" she said, her voice bubbly and full of energy. She twirled one of her swords playfully before pointing it at the boar. "And that big guy over there looks like he''s causing you some trouble." Kyle blinked again, still processing her sudden appearance. "Uh¡­ Kyle. Kyle Valemont," he said, introducing himself. Luna''s grin widened. "Nice to meet you, Kyle! Now, let''s take care of this flaming pig, shall we?" Kyle couldn''t help but smile, despite the situation. Luna''s extroverted and cheerful demeanor was infectious. He remembered her from the novel¡ªLuna Starfrost, one of the main character and one of the strongest characters. Her ice affinity made her a formidable opponent, and her friendly personality made her easy to like. Reo, who had managed to get back on his feet, limped over to join them. "Who''s this?" he asked, eyeing Luna curiously. "Luna Starfrost," she replied, her tone light and playful. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "And you must be the guy who got roasted by a fireball. Nice to meet you too!" Reo raised an eyebrow, but before he could respond, the boar let out another roar, its flames intensifying as it prepared to charge again. Luna''s expression shifted from playful to serious in an instant. "Alright, boys, let''s finish this." Chapter 15 - 15: Entrance Exam [5] Luna, Kyle, and Reo charged at the flaming boar monster, their weapons glowing with mana. The air crackled with tension as the massive beast roared, its fiery body blazing like a living inferno. The trio knew this fight wouldn''t be easy, but they were determined to take it down. "Can you hold it in place for a minute?" Reo shouted, his eyes locked on the boar as he began gathering wind mana at the tip of his spear. Luna raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "What do you mean, ''hold it''? Do you think this monster is some little piglet we can just tie up?" She gestured dramatically at the flaming boar, which was easily the size of a small house. Reo smirked, his confidence unwavering. "Just trust me, guys. I''ve got a plan." Kyle nodded without hesitation. "Okay." He trusted Reo completely. After all, he knew how talented Reo really was. Luna, however, wasn''t as convinced. She crossed her arms, her twin swords covered in frost. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Your plan better work, or if I get eliminated because of you, I''m gonna kick your¡ª" She paused, then pointed her sword at Reo. "You hear me?" Reo chuckled, though his focus remained on the boar. "Loud and clear. Now, can we focus on the giant flaming monster trying to kill us?" Luna sighed but didn''t argue further. She pointed her sword at the boar, and four thick walls of ice erupted from the ground, trapping the monster on all sides. The boar let out a guttural roar, its flames flaring as it slammed into the ice. For a moment, it seemed like the walls would hold¡ªbut then the ground beneath the boar erupted in flames, melting the ice almost instantly. "Well, that didn''t last long," Luna muttered, her tone dry. Kyle and Luna quickly circled around the boar, keeping it distracted while Reo prepared his spell. The wind around Reo''s spear began to swirl violently, forming a glowing green drill at the tip. He was pouring all his mana into this attack, and it showed. The air around him hummed with energy. Meanwhile, Luna tried again. She thrust her swords into the ground, and thick chains of ice erupted, wrapping around the boar''s legs. The monster roared, struggling against the chains, but it''s flames were too intense. The ice began to melt almost immediately. "This thing''s a walking furnace!" Luna shouted, frustration evident in her voice. But Kyle wasn''t idle. While Luna and Reo had been working, he had been preparing his own spell. He gripped his Jian tightly, the blade humming with lightning mana. The air around him crackled as he channeled his energy, the ground beneath his feet glowing faintly with blue electricity. He thrust his Jian into the ground, the blade sinking deep into the earth. The ground around him erupted with arcs of lightning, the energy surging through the soil like a living current. Multiple blue lightning whips burst from the earth, their forms writhing and snapping like serpents as they shot toward the boar. The lightning whips wrapped around the boar''s massive body, coiling tightly around its flaming hide. The monster roared in pain as the electricity coursed through it, the blue arcs of lightning clashing violently with its fiery aura. Kyle raised his hand and snapped his finger. The whips exploded in a brilliant flash of blue light, the shockwave rippling through the air. The boar staggered, its massive frame trembled as the electricity paralyzed its muscles. The monster''s fiery defenses wavered, its molten hide now marred with scorch marks and cracks where the lightning had struck. The flames on its body flickered and died, and arcs of blue lightning danced across its hide. For the first time, the trio had managed to do some real damage. Kyle panted, his body trembling from the effort. He had used almost all of his mana in that spell. Despite his blessing giving him incredible control over lightning, his lack of experience with mana control meant he had wasted a lot of mana and that spell didn''t reach its full potential. Still, the attack had worked, and that was what mattered. Reo, seeing his chance, didn''t waste a second. His spear was fully charged, the wind drill at its tip glowing brighter than ever. With a fierce cry, he hurled the spear at the boar''s head. The spear tore through the air, the ground beneath it cracking from the sheer force of the wind mana. It collided with the boar''s head in a massive explosion, sending dust and debris flying everywhere. When the dust cleared. The trio''s eyes widened in disbelief. The spear had not pierced deeply enough into the boar''s head to reach its brain and deliver a fatal blow. The monster was still standing, its eyes glowing with fury. "Oi, oi, are you kidding me?!" Reo shouted, his face a mix of shock and frustration. "That was my best shot!" The boar let out a deafening roar. It opened its maw, gathering a massive amount of fire mana. The air around it shimmered with heat, and the trio knew they were in trouble. But Luna wasn''t done yet. While the boar was distracted, she had climbed onto its back like a phantom. Her twin swords were coated in frost mana, and she raised them high above her head. With a swift, decisive motion, she plunged both blades into the boar''s eyes, releasing a burst of frost mana that instantly froze its brain. The boar''s roar died in its throat, its body stiffening as the frost spread. The flames it had gathered near its maw flickered and died, and with a final, shuddering breath, the massive beast collapsed to the ground, lifeless. The ground shook as its massive body hit the earth, sending a cloud of dust and ash into the air. Luna leaped off the boar''s back, flipping midair and landing gracefully beside Kyle and Reo. She brushed her hair out of her face with a dramatic flourish, her twin swords still glowing faintly with frost mana. She placed one hand on her hip and pointed at the fallen monster with her other sword, her smirk wide and playful. "And that, gentlemen, is how you take down a flaming pig. Looks like I saved the day. Again." Reo groaned, leaning heavily on his spear for support. His wind spell had drained him, and he looked thoroughly exhausted. "Yeah, yeah, we get it. You''re amazing. Don''t rub it in." Luna''s smirk turned into a full-blown grin as she twirled one of her swords before sheathing it. "Oh, come on. Admit it. You''d be toast without me. Literally. That thing was about to roast you like a marshmallow." Reo rolled his eyes but couldn''t hide the small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Kyle chuckled weakly, still catching his breath. His body trembled from the effort of his lightning spell, but he managed a tired smile. "Good job, Luna. That was amazing. You really pulled through." Luna turned to Kyle, her bubbly energy undiminished despite the fight. She gave him a playful punch on the shoulder, though she made sure to keep it light. "Aw, thanks, Kyle! You''re sweet. But hey, your lightning spell were pretty cool too. You almost fried that boar to a crisp! Almost." She winked, her tone teasing but good-natured. Kyle laughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, well, I''m still working on my mana control." "Okay, so, next time, let''s try not to almost get roasted alive, yeah? I mean, I look great in red, but I don''t think ''charred'' is my color. What do you think, Kyle?" Kyle laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, let''s avoid that." Reo muttered under his breath, "I''ll second that." As the trio caught their breath, the sound of the exam''s end chime echoed. And their bodies glowed and vanished from the rift. ***** A/N: Hello, readers! Newbie author here. Some of you might be wondering how Cedric managed to defeat a Grade 2 Silver-rank monster alone, while Luna, Kyle, and Reo struggled to take one down together. Let me explain. While both monsters were the same rank, not all monsters are equal in power. Some have unique traits that make them far more dangerous. For example, the flaming boar monster had incredibly high defense and its body was covered in fire magic, making close combat nearly impossible. This made it much harder to defeat compared to other monsters of the same rank. To put it simply, Cedric is strong, but even he would have struggled if he had faced the flaming boar alone. Just like humans, monsters of the same rank can vary greatly in power and abilities. Hope that clears things up! Thanks for reading! Chapter 16 - 16: Professor Aurelia Back in the Grand Hall of Trials, students began to appear one by one, their bodies materializing in flashes of light. The room buzzed with a mix of relief, exhaustion, and excitement as the candidates realized they had survived the grueling exam. Lucian Aetheris, the principal, stepped forward, his presence commanding silence. His golden eyes scanned the room, lingering briefly on Cedric before moving to other students. Finally, his gaze settled on Kyle for a moment, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes before he addressed the crowd. "Congratulations to all who have passed," he said, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight. "You have completed the entrance exam. The results will be posted shortly. For now, rest and recover. You''ve earned it." Kyle sighed, knowing his performance had drawn attention. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Defeating two Silver-rank monsters wasn''t something that could be easily overlooked. As the students began to disperse, Kyle started walking toward the exit, his mind already racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. ''The results will be posted tomorrow,'' he remembered from the novel. "Hey, Kyle!" a familiar voice called out. He turned to see Luna and Reo jogging toward him, their faces lit with smiles. "Give us your caller ID," Reo said, pulling out his phone. "We should stay in touch." Kyle hesitated, pulling out his phone but instantly feeling embarrassed. "Uh¡­ I don''t actually know how to check my caller ID," he admitted, scratching the back of his head. Luna and Reo exchanged a look before bursting into laughter. "You act so smart, but you can be pretty dumb sometimes, Kyle," Luna said, still giggling. "Here, just give me your phone." Kyle handed it over, his face red. ''How was I supposed to know how this thing works? This isn''t my world,'' he thought, feeling a pang of frustration. Just as Luna was saving their numbers, an instructor approached the trio. "Kyle Valemont," he said, his tone formal. "Follow me. Instructor Aurelia has summoned you." Kyle''s heart skipped a beat. "May I know the purpose behind it, if you don''t mind?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady. The instructor shrugged. "Don''t know. Just follow me." Kyle turned to Luna and Reo. "Guess I''ll see you guys later," he said, forcing a smile. "Good luck," Luna said, her tone teasing. "Don''t get into too much trouble." Kyle chuckled nervously before following the instructor. As they walked, Kyle''s mind raced. ''Why did Instructor called me? Did they find out about my multiple affinities? Or is it something else?'' He couldn''t shake the feeling of unease. **** The instructor stopped in front of an office door. "We''re here," he said, gesturing for Kyle to enter. "Good luck," he added, his tone oddly sympathetic. Kyle frowned. ''Good luck? What does that mean? And why does he keep looking at me like I''m some tragic figure?'' ''Now that I think about it, he''s the same instructor who gave me that pitying look at the academy gate,'' Kyle thought. Before he could overthink it, he knocked on the door. A smooth, melodic voice responded. "Who is it?" "Kyle Valemont, ma''am. You called for me" he replied, his voice steady despite his nerves. "Yes, come in." Kyle stepped into the office, his heart pounding. The room was simple but elegant, with bookshelves lining the walls and a large desk at the center. Behind the desk sat a woman with long black hair and striking blue eyes. She was beautiful¡ªstunning, even¡ªbut her expression was cold, her gaze sharp as it landed on him. Before Kyle could say a word, she was on her feet. In an instant, she was in front of him, her movements so fast he barely had time to react. She grabbed him by the collar, her grip firm, and glared at him with a mix of anger and something else¡ªsomething deeper. "Where have you been?" she demanded, her voice trembling with emotion. "Do you have any idea how worried I was?" Kyle''s eyes widened. ''Aurelia Valemont,'' he thought, remembering her full name. From the novel, he remembered her as the homeroom teacher of the protagonist''s class¡ªa strict but kind instructor. But now, standing here, he realized she wasn''t just a character in a story. ''I¡­ I don''t know what to say,'' Kyle stammered, his mind racing. He didn''t have the memories of the original Kyle, but he could see the pain in her eyes, the relief mixed with anger. "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to disappear like that." Aurelia''s grip on his collar tightened for a moment before she let go, stepping back. She crossed her arms, her expression hardening. "Sorry? That''s all you have to say?" "You vanished for a month, Kyle. A month!" "Do you know how many nights I spent worrying about you?" "Thinking something terrible had happened?" "You left that letter in your room, saying ''I''ll be back in a month.'' Do you have any idea how that felt?" Kyle''s heart sank. ''A letter?'' He had no memory of it. He didn''t even know the original Kyle had left one. He looked down, guilt washing over him. "I didn''t mean to make you worry. I¡­ I was training." "I got lost in the forest, and I couldn''t find my way back." "I didn''t realize how much time had passed." Aurelia''s eyes narrowed, her anger flaring. "Training? In the forest? Alone?" "Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?" "You could''ve been killed!" "And why couldn''t I contact you?" "Your phone was off from the day you disappeared." "I thought¡­ I thought something had happened to you." "Like¡­ like what happened to Mom and Dad." Her voice cracked on the last words, and Kyle felt a pang of guilt. He didn''t know the details of their parents'' deaths, but he could see how much it still haunted her. "I-I broke my phone there," he said, making an excuse. "I didn''t mean to cut you off. I just¡­ I didn''t think." Aurelia''s jaw tightened, and for a moment, Kyle thought she might hit him. Instead, she took a deep breath, her expression darkening. "You didn''t think," she repeated, her voice low and dangerous. "That''s the problem, Kyle. You never think." Before he could react, she grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to the center of the room. "Sit down," she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument. Kyle hesitated, but the look in her eyes made him comply. He sat in the chair, his heart racing. Aurelia stood over him, her arms crossed. "You left without a word," she said, her voice cold. "You disappeared for a month." "Do you have any idea how worried I was?" Kyle opened his mouth to respond, but she cut him off. "Don''t. Just don''t." She stepped closer, her eyes blazing. "You''re going to sit there and take this, Kyle." "This is for your own good." Then, without warning, she cracked her knuckles, the sound echoing in the quiet office. Kyle''s eyes widened. "Aurelia, wait¡ª" "Don''t you dare ''Aurelia, wait'' me," she snapped, her voice low and dangerous. "You think you can just disappear for a month, leave me worrying myself sick, and then waltz back in with some half-baked excuse?" "This isn''t just about you, Kyle. And if you ever pull something like this again, I swear I''ll¡ª" She didn''t finish her sentence. Instead, she lunged at him. The office was filled with the sound of Kyle''s yelps and the occasional thud. **** Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she stepped back. Kyle''s face was swollen, his cheeks puffed up like an overripe tomato, and his arms ached with every slight movement. ''Fuck you, Kyle,'' he cursed inwardly, blaming the original Kyle for putting him in this mess. Aurelia stood over him, brushing her hands off as if she''d just finished a hard day''s work. Her expression was a turbulent mix of emotions¡ªanger, frustration, but beneath it all, a faint glimmer of relief. "Don''t you ever do that to me again," she said, her voice trembling with barely restrained emotion. "You''re all I have left, Kyle." "If you ever disappear like that again, I''ll hunt you down myself," Aurelia said, her voice low and deadly serious. Kyle nodded, his throat tightening as he swallowed hard. "I won''t," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of fear. "I promise." Aurelia took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she regained her composure. "Good," she said, her tone firm but calmer now. "Now, sit down. We need to talk." Kyle obeyed, wincing as he adjusted in the chair. Aurelia sat across from him, her sharp gaze never leaving his face. "You''ve got a lot of explaining to do," she said, her tone firm. "Start from the beginning¡ªwhat happened during that one month? How did you awaken your affinity? And how did you manage to take down that Silver-rank squid? I already saw what happened with the boar." Kyle nodded, his mind racing as he prepared to weave a mix of truth and lies about what had happened during the past month. He began recounting his story, carefully omitting details about his transmigration and the blessing. He told her about how he had stumbled upon ancient ruins in the forest, where he had awakened his affinity for lightning. He explained how he had trained relentlessly, pushing himself to his limits, and how he had narrowly survived encounters with dangerous monsters, including the Silver-rank squid. He described the fight in vivid detail, emphasizing his quick thinking and resourcefulness, but left out the part about his other affinities. ''I''ll reveal my multiple affinities to her gradually,'' he thought. Aurelia listened intently, her sharp eyes never leaving his face. She didn''t interrupt, but Kyle could tell she was analyzing every word, searching for inconsistencies. When he finished, she leaned back in her chair, her expression a mix of pride and suspicion. "You''ve always been stubborn," she said, her tone softening. "But I''m glad you made it back in one piece." ''One piece? Yeah, right,'' Kyle thought, wincing as he touched his swollen cheek. ''I feel like I''ve been put through a meat grinder.'' "Just¡­ don''t do something like that again without telling me. Understood?" "Understood," Kyle replied, feeling a mix of relief and guilt. "Whatever happens, whatever you''re going through, you come to me. Understand?" Kyle nodded, his throat tight. "I understand. And¡­ thank you, Aurelia. For everything." Aurelia smiled faintly, her sharp features softening. "You''re my brother, Kyle. I''ll always be here for you." Kyle chuckled, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt like he wasn''t alone anymore. **** A/N: "Add this to your library, toss me some Power Stones, and show me some love¡ªbecause let''s be real, creativity is hard. Seriously, I''ve lost count of how many times I''ve edited this chapter draft. So, you know, a little appreciation would go a long way¡­ or at least help me afford more coffee to keep this train wreck on the rails!" Chapter 17 - 17: A World of Blood and Ashes Kyle lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. The soft glow of moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting faint shadows across the room. He was in the flat he shared with Aurelia, just a short distance from the academy. It was quiet¡ªtoo quiet. The kind of quiet that made his thoughts echo louder in his head. Sleep felt impossible. His mind was racing, replaying everything that had happened over the past month. "One month," he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair. "It''s been almost a month since I woke up in that cathedral. Since I became¡­ Kyle." He turned his head slightly, glancing at the clock on the nightstand. It was late, but his thoughts wouldn''t let him rest. They kept circling back to the same questions, the same mysteries that had been gnawing at him since he arrived in this world. "Why did Kyle go to those ruins?" he whispered, his voice barely audible in the stillness of the room. "Was it just a coincidence? Or did he know something? Did he get his blessing there?" He frowned, his brow furrowing as he tried to piece it all together. From what he remembered of the novel, no gods other than Solmora were ever mentioned. So who had blessed him? And why? "And how did he even know about the ruins in the first place?" Kyle muttered, frustration creeping into his voice. "Did someone tell him? Did he find some kind of clue? Or was it just¡­ luck?" He sighed, turning onto his side and pulling the blanket up to his chin. The more he thought about it, the more questions he had. And the answers¡ªif there were any¡ªseemed just out of reach. His mind drifted back to Aurelia''s words earlier that day. "You left that letter in your room, saying ''I''ll be back in a month.'' Do you have any idea how that felt?" Kyle''s chest tightened at the memory. The pain in her voice, the anger, the relief¡ªit had all been so raw. And it made him wonder. How had the original Kyle known he''d be back in a month? Had he planned it all? Had he known what would happen to him? "Did he know he was going to die?" Kyle whispered, his voice trembling slightly. "Did he know I''d take his place?" The thought sent a chill down his spine. He didn''t want to believe it, but it made a strange kind of sense. The letter, the timing, the ruins¡ªit all felt too deliberate to be a coincidence. "But if he knew," Kyle continued, his voice barely above a whisper, "Then why? Why did he do it? Why give up his life? And why¡­ Why me?" He didn''t have an answer. He didn''t even know where to start looking for one. All he knew was that he was here now, in this world, with this body, this blessing, and this life that wasn''t really his. "How did he die, though?" Kyle muttered, his thoughts spiraling. "I don''t think the monsters killed him. When I woke up, I was in the cathedral, and that place seemed off-limits for monsters¡ªat least, that''s what I think." He paused, considering another possibility. "Or did he die because he couldn''t handle the strain of the blessing?" But then he shook his head, dismissing the idea. "No, blessings don''t work like that. They''re supposed to empower you, not kill you." He groaned, pressing the heels of his hands against his temples. "My head is starting to hurt from all this. I don''t even know what''s real anymore. Did Kyle plan this? Did someone else? Or am I just overthinking everything?" He flopped onto his back again, staring up at the ceiling. The questions swirled in his mind, each one leading to another, and another, until he felt like he was drowning in them. He closed his eyes, trying to shut it all out, but the thoughts kept coming. Then he remembered Aurelia''s words again. "Start from the beginning¡ªwhat happened during that one month? How did you awaken your affinity? And how did you manage to take down that Silver-rank squid? I already saw what happened with the boar." S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So Kyle was really affinity-less." Affinity-less people were rare¡ªextremely rare. In a world where magic and elemental affinities were the foundation of power, being born without one was like being handed a life sentence of limitations. These individuals had a harder time ranking up than others, their progress slow and grueling compared to those blessed with natural affinities. Without the ability to channel elemental mana, their growth was stunted, their potential capped at Silver rank¡ªthe highest a low ranker could ever hope to achieve. For most affinity-less individuals, reaching even Bronze rank was a monumental struggle, let alone Silver. It was a harsh reality, one that often left them marginalized and overlooked in a society that valued strength and magical prowess above all else. Tomorrow was another day¡ªanother chance to find answers, to understand who he was, and why he was here. And as he drifted off to sleep, the shadows on the ceiling seemed to fade, leaving only the quiet stillness of the night. **** The battlefield stretched endlessly, a desolate wasteland littered with the remnants of a brutal war. Thousands of corpses¡ªhuman, monster, and demon alike¡ªlay scattered across the barren land, their lifeless forms a grim testament to the carnage that had unfolded. The ground, once fertile and alive, was now painted in shades of black and red, the blood of the fallen seeping into the earth, staining it forever. The air was thick with the metallic tang of blood and the acrid stench of death, a haunting reminder of the price paid for this conflict. Above, the sky burned a deep, ominous red, as if the heavens themselves were bleeding. At its center hung a massive crack in the sky. Amidst the sea of death, a lone figure knelt, her form trembling with grief. She cradled the lifeless body of a man, his once vibrant features now pale and still. A gaping hole marred his chest, the wound brutal and final. His eyes were closed, his expression eerily peaceful, as if he had accepted his fate long before it came. The woman clung to him, her arms wrapped tightly around his lifeless form, as if her embrace could somehow bring him back. Her sobs were raw and unrestrained, each one a desperate plea for him to wake up, to come back to her. Her tears fell freely, mingling with the blood that stained his clothes and the ground beneath them. "Please," she whispered, her voice breaking. "You can''t leave me. Not like this. Not after everything." Her fingers brushed against his cold cheek, her touch gentle, as if afraid to hurt him further. She leaned her forehead against his, her tears dripping onto his face. "You promised," she choked out, her voice barely audible. "You promised you''d come back. You said we''d see it through together." But there was no response. No flicker of life. No comforting words to ease her pain. The man she held was gone, his soul claimed by the same war that had taken so many others. The woman''s cries grew louder, her grief echoing across the silent battlefield. She rocked back and forth, clutching him tightly, as if her love alone could defy the finality of death. But the world around her remained still, the only sound the faint rustle of the wind as it carried her sorrow into the blood-red sky. Above, the massive crack shimmered faintly, its surface reflecting the scene below. For a moment, it seemed to flicker, as if acknowledging the woman''s pain. But it offered no solace, no answers. It simply hung there, a silent witness to the end of a story that had once held so much promise. And as the woman''s cries faded into the stillness, the battlefield remained¡ªa haunting reminder of the cost of war, and the lives lost in its wake. **** A/N: If you''ve made it this far and are enjoying the story, I''d love for you add it to your library and tossed some Power Stones my way¡ªthink of them as creative caffeine for my brain! Your support keeps the story alive and stops me from crying into my keyboard. (Okay, maybe not crying, but there''s definitely some dramatic sighing involved.) Chapter 18 - 18: A Bittersweet Breakfast Kyle woke up in the morning, blinking groggily as he looked around the unfamiliar room. For a moment, he was confused, his mind still foggy from sleep. Then it hit him¡ªhe wasn''t in his old world anymore. He had been transmigrated into the novel Path of Transcendence. "Seriously, what did I do to deserve this?" he muttered, running a hand through his messy hair. "I didn''t even curse the author of Path of Transcendence enough to get sent into the novel¡­ Wait, actually, I did. A lot." He groaned, flopping back onto the bed. "Okay, fine, maybe I left a few hate comments. Is this your revenge, author? If it is, you''ve succeeded. Now just bring me back!" But he knew that wasn''t possible. He had died in his old world. There was no going back. With a heavy sigh, he dragged himself out of bed, brushed his teeth, and took a cold shower to wake himself up. The icy water helped clear his head, though it did little to improve his mood. After getting dressed in fresh clothes, he stepped into the hall, only to stop dead in his tracks. Aurelia was sprawled on the sofa, wearing a casual T-shirt and shorts, her hair a tangled mess. She looked nothing like the perfect, composed instructor he had seen at the academy. Here, she was relaxed, carefree, and¡­ laughing like an old man at some TV program. Kyle blinked, trying to reconcile the image in front of him with the one he had of her. At the academy, she was worshipped as a goddess¡ªflawless, elegant, and untouchable. But here? She was just¡­ Aurelia. A woman who laughed too loudly at bad jokes and didn''t care how she looked when she was at home. "Can anyone even imagine their goddess like this?" Kyle muttered under his breath. "Sprawled on the sofa, laughing like a maniac? And she''s a Radiant Ranker, for crying out loud." From what he remembered of the novel, Aurelia was a prodigy. She had become a Radiant Ranker at the age of 25, the youngest in history. Now, at 27, she was still one of the most powerful mages in the world, renowned as the Gale Witch for her unparalleled mastery over wind magic. Her backstory had never been fully explored in the novel, but there were hints that she had lost her brother in some kind of accident. Kyle sighed, rubbing his temples. Thinking about the original Kyle only gave him a headache. Aurelia finally noticed him, pausing mid-laugh to glance his way. "Oh, you''re up," she said casually, as if she hadn''t just been cackling at the TV. "Didn''t you have academy today?" Kyle asked, raising an eyebrow. "Nope," she replied, popping the ''p.'' "Today''s a holiday. No classes, no students, no responsibilities. Just me, the sofa, and this amazing show." As if on cue, her stomach growled loudly, the sound echoing through the room. Aurelia froze, her cheeks turning slightly pink. Silence stretched between them, broken only by the faint sound of the TV in the background. Kyle couldn''t help but smirk. "Hungry?" She glared at him, though there was no real heat behind it. "Go cook some breakfast. I''m starving." Kyle''s eyebrow twitched. "You didn''t cook?" "What are you talking about?" she shot back, crossing her arms. "I never learned how to cook because you used to make such amazing food. Do you have any idea how I survived without your cooking for a whole month? It was a nightmare!" Kyle stared at her, his expression flat. "Is that why you were so angry yesterday? Because I disappeared and you had to eat¡­ what, instant noodles?" Aurelia looked away, her cheeks flushing even more. "What? No! That''s not it at all. I was worried about you, you idiot. You just vanished without a word!" Kyle raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Uh-huh. Sure. You were worried about me, not the fact that you had to fend for yourself in the kitchen." She threw a pillow at him, which he dodged easily. "Shut up and go cook!" Kyle sighed, shaking his head as he walked toward the kitchen. "Fine, fine. But you owe me for this." As he started preparing breakfast, Aurelia called out from the sofa, her tone softer now. "Hey, Kyle?" "Yeah?" "Don''t disappear like that again, okay? I mean it." Kyle paused, glancing over his shoulder at her. She wasn''t looking at him, her gaze fixed on the TV, but he could hear the sincerity in her voice. "I won''t," he said quietly. "I promise." For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Aurelia broke the silence, her usual playful tone returning. "Good. Now hurry up with that food. I''m starving!" Kyle rolled his eyes but couldn''t suppress a small smile. Despite everything, he was starting to feel at home here. And maybe, just maybe, that wasn''t such a bad thing. **** Kyle moved to the kitchen and began preparing breakfast. As he chopped vegetables and cracked eggs, his mind wandered back to his past life as Ethan. He had been an orphan, abandoned by his father at the age of three. His mother had raised him alone, working tirelessly to provide for him. She was a kind woman, always putting him first, even when life was hard. To help ease her burden, Kyle had learned to cook at a young age. His mother had loved his cooking, and he had taken pride in making her smile with the meals he prepared. When he was fifteen, she had died in an accident, leaving him completely alone. Those memories were bittersweet now, a reminder of a life he could never return to. Kyle''s hands moved almost on autopilot as he cooked, the familiar motions bringing him a strange sense of comfort. He whipped up a simple yet hearty breakfast¡ªfluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and toast with a side of fresh fruit. The aroma filled the small kitchen, and soon the table was set. Aurelia wandered over, drawn by the smell. She sat down, her eyes lighting up as she took in the spread. "Wow, you really went all out," she said, grinning. "I missed this." Kyle shrugged, trying to play it cool. "It''s just breakfast. Nothing special." Aurelia didn''t wait for an invitation. She picked up her fork and took a bite. As soon as the food touched her tongue, she froze. Her eyes widened, and she stared at Kyle like he''d just performed a miracle. Kyle''s heart skipped a beat. ''Did she notice something? Does she realize I''m not her brother?'' He braced himself for the worst. But then Aurelia broke into a wide smile. "This is amazing! Did you take cooking classes while you were gone or something? It''s even better than before!" Kyle let out a quiet sigh of relief. "Uh, no. Just¡­ practiced a bit, I guess." Aurelia didn''t seem to notice his hesitation. She was too busy devouring her food, her earlier grumpiness completely forgotten. "Seriously, Kyle, this is incredible. You should open a restaurant or something." Kyle chuckled softly, picking up his own fork. "Maybe someday." As they ate, Kyle couldn''t help but watch Aurelia. She was so different from the composed, intimidating instructor he''d seen at the academy. Here, she was relaxed, almost childlike in her enthusiasm for the food. For a moment, her image overlapped with his mother''s¡ªthe way she smiled, the way she savored every bite. It was like a punch to the gut. Without realizing it, a single tear slipped from Kyle''s eye and rolled down his cheek. He quickly wiped it away, hoping Aurelia hadn''t noticed. But of course, she had. "Hey," she said softly, her voice losing its usual playful edge. "What''s wrong?" Kyle shook his head, forcing a smile. "Nothing. Just¡­ dust in my eyes." Aurelia frowned, clearly not buying it. She opened her mouth to press further but then hesitated. She could see the pain in his eyes, the way he was trying to hide it. Maybe it wasn''t her place to pry. Instead, she reached across the table and gave his hand a quick squeeze. "If you ever want to talk, I''m here, okay?" Kyle nodded, his throat too tight to speak. He focused on his food, avoiding her gaze. Aurelia didn''t push him. She simply went back to eating, though her usual chatter was replaced by a thoughtful silence. The rest of the meal passed quietly, the only sound the clinking of utensils against plates. Kyle''s mind was a whirlwind of emotions¡ªgrief for his mother, guilt over taking Kyle''s place, and a strange sense of gratitude for Aurelia''s kindness. It was all too much to process. When they finished, Aurelia stood up and started clearing the table. "Thanks for the food," she said, her tone light but sincere. "I''ll handle the dishes. You can rest." Kyle managed a small smile. "Okay." As Aurelia disappeared into the kitchen with the dishes, Kyle sat back in his chair, his gaze lingering on the empty seat across from him. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The quiet hum of running water from the kitchen filled the room, but his mind was elsewhere, lost in thoughts he couldn''t quite untangle. **** A/N: If you''ve made it this far and are enjoying the story, I''d love for you add it to your library and tossed some Power Stones my way¡ªthink of them as creative caffeine for my brain! Your support keeps the story alive and stops me from crying into my keyboard. (Okay, maybe not crying, but there''s definitely some dramatic sighing involved.) Chapter 19 - 19: For You, I Returned [1] In a luxurious room bathed in the soft glow of morning light, a young woman jolted awake with a gasp. Her chest heaved as if she had just escaped the clutches of a nightmare, her wide eyes darting around the unfamiliar yet strangely familiar surroundings. The room was opulent, adorned with elegant furniture and delicate curtains that swayed gently in the breeze from an open window. But none of that mattered to her in that moment. She sat up abruptly, her hands trembling as she looked down at herself. Her body felt different¡ªyounger, lighter, as if the weight of years had been lifted from her shoulders. Panic and disbelief surged through her as she scrambled out of bed, her bare feet hitting the cold marble floor. She rushed to the full-length mirror on the far wall, her breath catching in her throat as she stared at her reflection. The face staring back at her was one she hadn''t seen in a decade. Her features were softer, her eyes brighter, free of the weariness that had haunted her in the years to come. She touched her face, her fingers brushing against her skin as if to confirm it was real. "This¡­ this can''t be," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Am I really¡­ back?" Her heart raced as she stumbled toward the nightstand, grabbing her phone with shaking hands. The screen lit up, and her eyes widened as she saw the date: February 5, 2550. "Ten years¡­" she murmured, her voice barely audible. "I''m really back. Ten years in the past." Her mind raced as she processed the implications. The Solvayne Magic Academy entrance exam¡ªthe one that would change everything¡ªwas scheduled for April 1, 2550. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She had just under two months. Two months to prepare, to change the course of events, to undo the mistakes that had led to so much pain and loss. Her grip on the phone tightened, her knuckles turning white. Memories of the future¡ªher future¡ªflashed before her eyes. The battles, the sacrifices, the faces of those she had lost. And him. Always him. The man with bluish-black hair, the one who had given everything, even his life, to protect what mattered most. "Kyle¡­ Ethan¡­" she whispered, her voice breaking. "I won''t let it happen again. I won''t let you die this time." Her reflection in the mirror stared back at her, determination burning in her eyes. She didn''t know how or why she had been given this chance, but she wasn''t going to waste it. The storm that had raged in her heart for so long had quieted, replaced by a single, unshakable resolve. "I''ll save you," she said firmly, her voice steady now. "No matter what it takes, I''ll save you this time." She turned away from the mirror, her mind already racing with plans. She had a mission now, a purpose that went beyond herself. And she would see it through, no matter the cost. With a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped into the hallway, her footsteps echoing softly as she walked toward the future she was determined to rewrite. **** Kyle was sitting on his bed, fiddling with his smartphone, trying to figure out all its features. It was 7:30 pm, and he was debating what to cook for dinner when Aurelia suddenly barged into his room without knocking. He looked up, startled, and his eyes widened. Aurelia stood in the doorway, dressed in a stunning blue dress that perfectly matched her piercing blue eyes. The dress hugged her figure, accentuating her curves, and her light makeup enhanced her natural beauty. She looked breathtaking. Kyle blinked, momentarily speechless, before managing to ask, "Are you going on a date?" Aurelia gave him a deadpan look. "Very funny, Kyle. Why aren''t you ready yet? The banquet starts at 8 pm. We only have 30 minutes!" Kyle frowned, confused. "What banquet?" Aurelia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "The banquet the academy is hosting to welcome the new first-year students. Didn''t you check your emails?" Kyle quickly grabbed his phone and opened his inbox. Sure enough, there was an email from the academy sent that morning. **** Dear Kyle Valemont, Congratulations on passing the Solvayne Magic Academy entrance exam! You are cordially invited to a banquet tonight at 8 pm to celebrate the new first-year students. The event will also include the announcement of the top rankings. We look forward to your presence. Best regards, Solvayne Magic Academy Administration **** Kyle groaned. "Why didn''t you tell me about this earlier?" Aurelia rolled her eyes. "I thought you already knew! Now hurry up and get ready. I''ll be outside. And don''t make me wait¡ªI don''t want to ruin my perfect image by arriving late." Kyle nodded, scrambling to his feet. He washed his face quickly and rummaged through his closet, finally settling on a dark blue suit that matched his bluish-black hair, paired with a crisp white shirt. He styled his messy hair, making sure every strand was in place, and glanced at himself in the mirror. "Damn," he muttered, a smirk tugging at his lips. "How can someone be so handsome?" His narcissistic side was showing, but he couldn''t help it. He looked good. "Kyle, hurry up!" Aurelia''s voice called from outside, snapping him out of his thoughts. He rushed to the hall, where Aurelia was waiting. She looked him up and down, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "You clean up nicely," she said, a small smile playing on her lips. "You look¡­ handsome." Kyle grinned. "Thanks. You look beautiful too." Aurelia waved a hand dismissively, though her cheeks tinged slightly pink. "Let''s go. We''re already running late." They hurried to Aurelia''s car, a sleek, mana-powered vehicle that hummed softly as she started the engine. As they drove, the conversation flowed easily, mostly about trivial things¡ªthe academy, the weather, and the upcoming banquet. Then, out of nowhere, Aurelia said, "You know, Princess Eleanora of the Argent Empire has enrolled in the academy." Kyle raised an eyebrow. "She''s famous for her beauty and power. She''s a deviant, you know¡ªlight and darkness affinities at those two rare elements." Deviants are rare, extremely rare. Even in the entire continent, there are only a handful of them. People like Cedric, Eleanora, Cassian and a few others. And now¡­ me. That''s why Kyle was reluctant to reveal his multiple affinities. While having two affinities was already rare, he had four¡ªan unheard-of number. That is why even the protagonist, Cedric, who possessed five affinities, only revealed his fire and light elements during his early days at the academy. Kyle nodded, pretending to be surprised, though he already knew all about Eleanora. From the novel, he remembered her as a tragic character¡ªa deviant with immense potential who died early in the story. She could have been a main character if the author hadn''t killed her off so soon. "Yeah, I''ve heard of her," Kyle said, keeping his tone neutral. "She''s pretty impressive." Aurelia glanced at him, her expression thoughtful. "You should try to get to know her. She''s not just powerful¡ªshe''s smart and kind too. Plus, having connections with someone like her could be useful." Kyle chuckled. "Are you trying to set me up with her or something?" Aurelia rolled her eyes. "Don''t flatter yourself. I''m just saying, it wouldn''t hurt to make some powerful friends." Kyle''s smile faded as he thought about Eleanora''s fate in the novel. She had died at the start of the academy, her potential cut short. If he was going to change the future, saving her would be a crucial step. She was too important to lose. "I''ll keep that in mind," Kyle said quietly, his tone serious now. Aurelia noticed the shift in his mood but didn''t press him. Instead, she focused on the road, the hum of the car filling the silence between them. As they neared the banquet hall, Kyle''s thoughts turned to Eleanora. ''I''ll have to save her,'' he decided. She was too important to let die. If he could change her fate, it might ripple out and alter the course of the entire story. He had to use every resource at his disposal to rewrite the future, and Eleanora could be a key piece in that plan. "We''re here," Aurelia announced, pulling into the parking lot. She turned to Kyle, her expression serious. "Remember, this is a formal event. Don''t embarrass me." Kyle grinned. "When have I ever embarrassed you?" Aurelia gave him a look that said ''plenty of times'', but she didn''t argue. Instead, she stepped out of the car, smoothing her dress, and Kyle followed suit, adjusting his suit jacket. As they walked toward the grand entrance of the banquet hall, Kyle couldn''t help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. This was his first major event in this world, and he knew it would be a night to remember. But more importantly, it was a chance to make connections, gather information, and start changing the fate of this doomed world. "Ready?" Aurelia asked, glancing at him. Kyle nodded, his determination shining in his eyes. "Ready." Together, they stepped into the banquet hall, their hands interlocked as they walked side by side. **** Chapter 20 - 20: For You, I Returned [2] In a luxurious room bathed in soft, golden light, a young woman sat gracefully in front of an ornate mirror. Around her, several maids bustled, carefully applying light makeup to enhance her natural beauty and styling her long, flowing hair into an elegant updo. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The room was filled with the faint scent of roses and the quiet hum of activity. The girl in the chair was breathtakingly beautiful, with delicate features, porcelain skin, and eyes that seemed to hold the depth of the night sky. Her beauty was the kind that could stop hearts and topple kingdoms. She was Princess Eleanora D''Argent, the jewel of the Argent Empire, and tonight, she was preparing for the banquet hosted by the Solvayne Magic Academy. As the maids put the finishing touches on her appearance, one of them couldn''t help but gush, "You look absolutely stunning, my lady. The banquet won''t know what hit them." Eleanora smiled faintly, her gaze distant as she admired her reflection. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice like a gentle melody. "That will be all for now. You may leave." The maids bowed and quietly exited the room, leaving Eleanora alone. As the door clicked shut, her composed expression softened, and a flicker of emotion crossed her face. She leaned closer to the mirror, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the glass. Her eyes shimmered with a mix of longing and determination, as if she were carrying a secret too heavy to share. For Eleanora, this wasn''t just another banquet. It was a chance to reunite with someone she had lost long ago¡ªsomeone she had fought desperately to save. The memories of a future that no longer existed haunted her, but they also fueled her resolve. She had been given a second chance, and she wasn''t going to waste it. She stood up, smoothing out the folds of her exquisite dress. The fabric shimmered like starlight, perfectly complementing her regal presence. As she took a deep breath, her expression shifted back to one of calm composure, the mask of a princess who knew her duty. But beneath that mask was a storm of emotions¡ªhope, fear, and an unshakable determination. She had regressed through time, not for power, not for glory, but for him. "This time," she murmured to herself, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her heart, "I won''t let anything happen to you." With that, she turned and walked toward the door, her steps graceful and deliberate. The banquet awaited, and with it, the chance to change the course of fate. For Eleanora, the night was just beginning. **** As Kyle and Aurelia stepped into the grand banquet hall, the room seemed to pause for a moment. Every pair of eyes turned toward them, drawn by their striking presence. Together, they looked absolutely stunning¡ªAurelia, the renowned Gale Witch, radiant in her elegant blue gown, and Kyle, handsome and confident in his dark blue suit. They were a picture of perfection, and it was impossible not to notice them. Whispers rippled through the crowd as people tried to make sense of the boy standing beside Aurelia. Some were confused, wondering who he was and why he was accompanying the famous Gale Witch. Others, particularly the instructors who had witnessed his performance during the entrance exam, recognized him immediately. They exchanged knowing glances, recalling how Kyle had stood out among the students. The students, however, were less subtle. Many looked at Kyle with envy, their eyes narrowing as they wondered how someone like him had earned the attention of someone as revered as Aurelia. Jealousy flickered in their gazes, especially among those who had hoped to catch Aurelia''s eye themselves. Kyle, for his part, tried to ignore the stares and whispers. He kept his expression calm, though he could feel the weight of everyone''s attention. Aurelia, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed. She walked with the grace and confidence of someone who was used to being the center of attention, her head held high and her smile polite but distant. As they moved further into the hall, the whispers grew louder. "Who is that guy?" one student muttered to another. "Lucky him, standing next to the Gale Witch," another whispered, their voice tinged with jealousy. Kyle glanced at Aurelia, who gave him a small, reassuring smile. "Don''t mind them," she said quietly. "They''re just curious. You''ll get used to it." Kyle nodded, though he couldn''t help but feel a little overwhelmed. As Kyle and Aurelia made their way through the banquet hall, a familiar voice called out from behind them, dripping with playful teasing. "Oh, Aurelia, you finally found someone! But I didn''t expect you''d be dating a student," the voice said, loud enough to draw the attention of a few nearby guests. Kyle turned around to see a strikingly beautiful woman with long pink hair and matching pink eyes walking toward them. He recognized her immediately¡ªit was Seraphina Vaelstryx, the instructor who had overseen his theoretical exam. A vein throbbed on Aurelia''s forehead as she glared at Seraphina. "You also know he''s my brother," she said through gritted teeth, her tone sharp. Seraphina laughed, her voice light and melodic. "Oh, relax, Aurelia. I''m just joking. Don''t be so offended." She then turned her attention to Kyle, her pink eyes sparkling with amusement. "And how are you, Kyle? Glad you survived Aurelia''s wrath after disappearing for a whole month?" Kyle chuckled nervously, rubbing his cheek as if he could still feel the sting of Aurelia''s punches. "Yeah, I''m glad about that too," he said, shooting a quick glance at Aurelia, who was still glaring at Seraphina. It was clear that Seraphina already knew about Kyle from Aurelia, and the two women seemed to share a close, if slightly combative, friendship. Seraphina smirked, clearly enjoying Aurelia''s irritation. "You know, Aurelia, you really should lighten up. You''re going to scare the poor boy away if you keep being so¡­ intense." Aurelia crossed her arms, her expression unamused. "I''m not intense. I''m responsible. Someone has to keep him in line." "Oh, please," Seraphina said, waving a hand dismissively. "You''re just mad because I''m stealing all the attention." Kyle couldn''t help but smile at their banter. It was clear that Seraphina loved pushing Aurelia''s buttons, and Aurelia, despite her annoyance, seemed to tolerate it. As the two women continued their playful argument, Kyle''s eyes wandered across the room. He spotted Reo in a corner, sitting at a table piled high with food. The battle maniac was devouring his meal with the same intensity he brought to a fight, completely oblivious to the world around him. Kyle decided to excuse himself. "I''ll leave you two to¡­ whatever this is," he said, gesturing vaguely at their back-and-forth. "I''m going to go say hi to Reo." Aurelia nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Go ahead. Just don''t let him drag you into any trouble." Seraphina grinned. "Oh, don''t worry, Aurelia. I''ll keep you company. We can talk about how you''ve been secretly doting on your little brother." Aurelia''s eye twitched, and Kyle quickly made his escape before the situation escalated further. As he walked toward Reo, he could still hear Seraphina''s laughter and Aurelia''s exasperated sighs behind him. Kyle made his way over to Reo, weaving through the crowd. As he approached, Reo looked up, his mouth full of food. "Hey, Kyle!" Reo said, swallowing quickly. "You made it. This banquet food is amazing¡ªyou should try some before it''s all gone." Kyle laughed, pulling up a chair. "I can see you''re doing your part to make sure that doesn''t happen." Reo grinned, unbothered by the jab. "Hey, a guy''s gotta eat. Besides, after all the training we''ve been through, I think I''ve earned it." As they chatted, Kyle couldn''t help but feel a sense of camaraderie. Despite the glitz and glamour of the banquet, it was moments like these¡ªsimple, genuine connections¡ªthat reminded him why he was here. Meanwhile, Aurelia and Seraphina watched from a distance, their conversation shifting to lighter topics. "He''s grown a lot, hasn''t he?" Seraphina remarked, her tone thoughtful. Aurelia nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yes, he has." **** Chapter 21 - 21: For You, I Returned [3] Kyle and Reo were sitting at the table eating and chatting like normal. Kyle already knew the answer to his question but he asked anyway just to keep the conversation going. "So, you are from Viscount family?" Kyle said, trying to sound casual. Reo nodded, his mouth full of food. "Yeah" he mumbled, swallowing before adding, "The Dustbane family. From the Noctis Empire." Kyle already knew that of course. He remembered it from the novel. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In Aevorath, the human domain was split between three factions the Noctis Empire, the Argent Empire, and the Heroes Association. While these factions weren''t enemies, but they weren''t friendly either. Each had their own agendas, each had their own plans. Valtheras City though, was different. It was independent city under the Solvayne Magic Academy¡ªone of the top magic academy in human domain. The academy was led by Lucian Aetheris, the principal and a Divine Ranker, one of the most powerful people in human domain. The academy didn''t care where you came from. If you had talent you were in. That''s why Valtheras was packed with the best and brightest all trying to get in. The city was basically known as the Solvayne Academy City. "But I didn''t expect you to be the little brother of the famous Gale Witch," Reo said snapping him out of his thoughts. Kyle shrugged. "Yeah" he said, though Kyle has also found about that recently. Reo kept eating like he hadn''t seen food in days But Kyle''s eyes were wandering around the banquet hall scanning the crowd. He was curious if any of the other main characters from the novel were here, but so far he hadn''t spotted anyone. Then his eyes landed on her. She stood out like a star in the night sky. With long, silky light blonde hair pulled up in an elegant updo and those deep blood-red eyes that seemed to glow. She was stunning the kind of beauty that made you stop and stare. She was Princess Eleanora D''Argent. Around her a bunch of guys were trying to get her attention, offering drinks, asking for dances. But she turned them all down with a smile, polite but firm. She was used to this kind of thing. Kyle couldn''t help but stare. For a moment, it felt like everything else faded away, like the noise of the banquet had just disappeared. Then as if she could feel his eyes on her she turned and looked right at him. Time seemed to freeze. Kyle felt something, something like a weird pull, like he knew her somehow. But before he could figure it out he looked away pretending to be super interested in the food. As Reo noticed his expressions. "What''s with you? You look like you''ve seen some ghost" he said raising an eyebrow. Kyle shook his head trying to play it cool. "Nothing. Just thought I saw someone I knew." Reo followed Kyle''s gaze and spotted Eleanora. He let out a low whistle. "Ah, the princess. Yeah she''s something isn''t she? But don''t even think about it man. She''s way out of our league." Kyle laughed nervously but his mind was still stuck on that moment when their eyes met. **** Eleanora stood in the banquet hall graceful as ever, her blood-red eyes scanning the room. She was used to the attention, the suitors, the whispers. But tonight her mind was somewhere else. Her gaze kept drifting to a table where a guy with long bluish-black hair was sitting laughing with his friend. ''Kyle.'' Just seeing him made her heart ache. She wanted to run over, throw her arms around him, tell him how much she had missed him. But she couldn''t. Not yet. ''He doesn''t know me'' she reminded herself her heart squeezing. ''Not in this timeline.'' If she went up to him now if she acted too familiar, he would notice. He would notice something was off and the last thing she wanted was for him to push her away. She had worked too hard sacrificed too much to mess this up now. So she stayed where she was politely turning down the guys around her with a smile. But her eyes kept going back to Kyle. She watched him laugh at something his friend said, the sound was faint but familiar. It was the same laugh she had loved, one that had been taken from her too soon. Her fingers tightened around her glass. The distance between them felt like an ocean. She wanted to tell him everything¡ªabout the future they had lost, the battles they had fought, the love they had shared. But she couldn''t. Not yet. Her heart ached as she watched him look away breaking their eye contact. She had seen the flicker of recognition in his eyes the way he had hesitated before turning away. It gave her hope but it also made the waiting harder. ''Patience'' she told herself, taking a deep breath. ''You have waited this long. You can wait a little longer.'' For now, she would play her part¡ªthe part of elegant princess, the untouchable beauty. But in her heart she was counting down the moments until she could finally close the distance between them. Until she could tell him the truth. Until she could hold him again. **** Suddenly, the lights in the banquet hall dimmed and the room went quiet. Everyone turned to the center of the hall where a tall, commanding figure stepped onto a raised platform. It was Principal Lucian Aetheris, the legendary Divine Ranker and the principal of Solvayne Magic Academy. The room fell silent as Lucian stepped forward. His presence alone was enough to command attention. His long white hair and flowing beard shimmered under the lights and his golden eyes scanned the room with a calm and warm authority. "Good evening, everyone" he began, his voice deep and steady, carrying easily across the hall. "For those who don''t know me, I am Lucian Aetheris, the principal of this Solvayne Magic Academy. It''s my honor to welcome you all here at tonight''s banquet, not just as guests, but as the newest students of our academy." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd lingering on the faces of the new students. "You have all worked incredibly hard to earn your place here. Out of thousands of candidates you are the top 1,000 who have proven your worth, your determination and your potential. This is no small feat and you should be proud of yourselves." A round of applause broke out, but Lucian raised a hand gently quieting the room. "Tonight, we celebrate not just your achievements, but the beginning of a new journey. Solvayne Magic Academy is more than just a place to learn magic¡ªit''s a place where you will grow, challenge yourselves, and discover what you''re truly capable of. Here, you will forge bonds that will last a lifetime and prepare yourselves for the challenges that are ahead of you." He smiled, his expression warm and encouraging. "But before we continue with the festivities it''s time to recognize those who have truly distinguished themselves during the entrance exam. The top 10, these students have shown exceptional skill, determination, and resourcefulness. Their names will be announced now and the for the rest of you will receive your rankings via email shortly after this event." The room buzzed with anticipation as Lucian pulled out a small, glowing scroll. He unrolled it his golden eyes scanning the names written in elegant script. "Without further ado let us begin." The hall fell silent again. Every student leaning forward in their seats, their hearts pounding. Lucian''s voice rang out, clear and strong, as he began to announce the names. "Tenth Place... Chapter 22 - 22: The Academys Top 10 The room was silent, every student holding their breath in anticipation. One by one the top 10 students were called forward their names echoing through the grand hall. "Tenth place¡­ Orion Ironveil." A hulking figure stepped forward drawing gasps from the crowd. Orion Ironveil was built like a tank his muscular frame making it hard to believe he was only 18. His brown skin glowed under the chandelier lights and his short black hair and sharp brown eyes gave him quite a fierce look. He carried himself with the confidence of someone who could crush boulders with his bare hands. As he walked to the stage the floor seemed to tremble slightly under his weight. Orion had earth affinity and wielded warhammer . Lucian smiled warmly as Orion approached. "Orion Ironveil, your strength and resilience have earned you a place among the elites. Congratulations." He handed Orion a badge¡ªa gleaming silver emblem shaped like a shield, with intricate engravings of mountains symbolizing earth and endurance. The badge shimmered faintly, a mark of prestige that would set him apart from the rest. "Ninth place¡­ Kyle Valemont." Kyle froze for a moment he was surprised to hear his name. He hadn''t expected to make it into the top 10¡ªhis goal had been to reach top 20. But as he stood and made his way to the stage, he could feel the weight of everyone''s eyes on him. Whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Valemont? Is he related to the Gale Witch?" "No way, the Gale Witch has a brother?" "He must be talented if he''s in the top 10." Kyle ignored the murmurs, keeping his expression neutral as he reached the stage. Lucian''s golden eyes met his and the principal gave him a knowing smile. "Kyle Valemont your resourcefulness and determination have not gone unnoticed. Congratulations." He handed Kyle a badge¡ªa silver emblem shaped like a lightning bolt. The badge glowed faintly, a symbol of his lightning affinity and his place among the academy''s best. "Eighth place¡­ Lyra Silverwind." A graceful figure stepped forward, her green hair cascading down her back like a waterfall and her ruby eyes glowing with a quiet intensity. Lyra Silverwind was a half-elf, a rarity at Solvayne Magic Academy. Her pointed ears and ethereal beauty made her stand out even more. As an archer with nature and wind affinities she was a deviant¡ªa rare talent. She moved with the elegance of a forest breeze her presence calming yet commanding. "Lyra Silverwind" Lucian said, his voice filled with admiration. "Your precision and connection to nature are truly remarkable. Congratulations." He handed her a badge shaped like a leaf intertwined with a gust of wind, its silver surface glinting softly. "Seventh place¡­ Sylvie Wavecrest." A shy girl with blue hair and yellow eyes stepped forward, her round glasses slipping slightly down her nose. Sylvie Wavecrest was a pure mage with water affinity her gentle demeanor belying the immense power she wielded. She adjusted her glasses nervously as she approached the stage her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the attention. "Sylvie Wavecrest," Lucian said kindly his tone reassuring. "Your mastery of water magic is exceptional. Congratulations." He handed her a badge shaped like a droplet its surface shimmering like the surface of a calm lake. "Sixth place¡­ Reo Dustbane." Reo Dustbane strode forward with his usual confidence his brown hair tied back in a ponytail and his green eyes gleaming with excitement. As a battle maniac with wind affinity, Reo had made a name for himself during the exam with his relentless energy and spear skills. "Reo Dustbane" Lucian said with a chuckle. "Your passion and skill are unmatched. Congratulations." He handed Reo a badge shaped like a swirling gust of wind its edges sharp and dynamic. "Fifth place¡­ Luna Starfrost." Luna Starfrost stepped forward her short white hair catching the light like freshly fallen snow. Her black eyes sparkled with mischief and her bubbly personality shone through even in this formal setting. As a high-ranking noble from the Argent Empire and a master of ice magic, Luna was a force to be reckoned with. "Luna Starfrost" Lucian said, his smile warm. "Your talent and hardwork have earned you this honor. Congratulations." He handed her a badge shaped like a snowflake its intricate design glistening like ice. "Fourth place¡­ Serena Blackthorne." Serena Blackthorne walked forward with an air of quiet confidence, her black hair with bangs framing her sharp amethyst eyes. As the daughter of a duke from the Luminara Empire and an awakener with lightning affinity, and her skills with glaives are both elegant and deadly. "Serena Blackthorne" Lucian said, his tone respectful. "Your skill and grace are truly remarkable. Congratulations." He handed her a badge shaped like a lightning bolt, its surface crackling faintly with energy. "Third place¡­ Eleanora D''Argent." Princess Eleanora stepped forward, her presence commanding the room. Her long blonde hair and blood-red eyes made her look like a figure from a fairy tale. As a deviant with light and darkness affinities, Eleanora was both enigmatic and powerful. She moved with the poise of royalty, her every step deliberate and graceful. "Eleanora D''Argent" Lucian said, his voice filled with admiration. "Your brilliance and strength have earned you this honor. Congratulations." He handed her a badge shaped like a radiant sun intertwined with a crescent moon, its design as elegant as she was. "Second place¡­ Cassian Emberfall." Cassian Emberfall walked forward, his red hair and green eyes giving him a particularly handome look.. As a deviant with fire and earth affinities, Cassian was a formidable rival to Cedric in the novel. His confidence was palpable and his sharp gaze seemed to challenge anyone who dared to meet it. "Cassian Emberfall" Lucian said, his tone firm but approving. "Your determination and power have earned you this place. Congratulations." He handed Cassian a badge shaped like a blazing flame surrounded by stone, its design bold and striking. "First place¡­ Cedric Valtieri." Cedric Valtieri stepped forward, his golden hair and piercing blue eyes making him look like a hero straight out of fantasy. As the son of a duke from the Argent Empire and a prodigy blessed by Solmora, Cedric was the embodiment of excellence. He moved with the confidence of someone who knew his worth yet there was a humility in his demeanor that made him even more admirable. "Cedric Valtieri" Lucian said, his voice filled with pride. "Your talent, leadership and unwavering spirit have earned you the top spot. Congratulations." He handed Cedric a badge shaped like a radiant sun, its golden surface glowing with a divine light. As the top 10 students stood on stage, their badges gleaming proudly on their chests, Lucian addressed the crowd once more. "These badges are not just symbols of rank¡ªthey are a testament to your hard work, talent, and potential. Wear them with pride as you are the future of Solvayne Magic Academy and the entire Aevorath" The room erupted in applause, the air was buzzed with energy as the top 10 students basked in the recognition. For Kyle, it was a moment of quiet triumph. He had proven himself not just as the brother of the Gale Witch, but as a force to be reckoned with in his own. **** Chapter 23 - 23: First Day Of Academy [1] "Ring!" The sharp sound of the alarm jolted Kyle awake. He groaned, rubbing his eyes as he sat up in bed. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He glanced at the clock its 7:00 a.m. He was staying in the Academy''s housing for teachers, a place far more luxurious than the small flat he and Aurelia had lived in before. When Kyle had first suggested moving into the student dorms, Aurelia had immediately shut him down. "Why do you want to move to the dorms?" she had asked, her tone sharp but laced with concern. "I won''t be able to eat your food if you''re living there." Kyle had explained that it would be more convenient especially since he could train late till the night without worrying about disturbing her. But Aurelia wasn''t having it. "If you are worried about convenience then we will move to the Academy''s housing for teachers" she had said firmly. "It''s much more comfortable it also has its own private training ground and is far more luxurious than the elite student dorms." Kyle had hesitated but Aurelia''s decision was final. The truth was, the original Kyle had avoided living in the Academy''s housing before because he didn''t want to embarrass his Big sister who was prodigy since child. Being affinity-less he had felt like a burden, unworthy of sharing the same space as someone as accomplished as Aurelia. But now things were different. Kyle had awakened his affinity and Aurelia wasn''t about to let him live anywhere else. As Kyle got ready for the day. **** Kyle stood outside the classroom with "A1" written on the door. Most of the main characters were in this class, and while class placements were supposed to be random somehow most of the top 10 students had ended up here. ''Maybe they wanted to increase the competition among the top students it was also like that in novel'' Kyle thought wryly. The "1" in "A1" represented the first year. Kyle was wearing the Academy''s uniform¡ªa sleek black blazer, black pants, a black shirt underneath, and a black tie. The cuffs of the blazer had a single white ring on both hands, marking him as a first-year student. On the left side of his blazer, he wore a lightning bolt badge he got on the banquet, a symbol of his lightning affinity and achievement as one of the top 10 students. The top 10 were also distinguished by their black shirts. While the rest of the students wore white. Kyle hesitated at the door, his nerves getting the better of him. "Are you not going to go in?" a voice called, breaking him from his thoughts. He looked up and saw a girl with black hair, bangs, and striking amethyst eyes. It was Serena Blackthorne. Then only Kyle realized he was blocking the doorway. "Ah, sorry. I didn''t realize" he said quickly, stepping aside to let her pass. Serena walked past him without a word her expression as cool and distant as ever. Even in the novel she had been known for her antisocial nature. As she entered the classroom the students immediately began murmuring about her. "Wow, it''s Serena Blackthorne!" "She''s so cool¡­" "I heard she is Rank 4" Seizing the opportunity, Kyle slipped into the classroom unnoticed while all eyes were still fixed on Serena. He made his way to the back row and found a seat, hoping to stay out of the spotlight for now. As he sat down, he couldn''t help but glance around the room. Some of the top 10 students were scattered throughout, their presence commanding attention. ''This is it'' Kyle thought, taking a deep breath. ''The start of a Academy Arc.'' **** The classroom door slid open, and a woman with long black hair and piercing blue eyes walked in. It was Aurelia Valemont the Gale Witch herself. The students immediately buzzed with excitement whispering to each other about her. "Silence" Aurelia said, her voice calm but firm. As soon as she spoke, a heavy pressure filled the room silencing everyone instantly. The students straightened on their seats their attention fully focused on her. Aurelia scanned the room with sharp eyes her gaze sweeping over each student. "Good morning" she began, her tone crisp and professional. "I am Aurelia Valemont, your homeroom professor for the next three years. From now on when I enter this classroom, I expect complete silence from everyone. Is that clear?" The students nodded, some more nervous than others. Aurelia''s eyes narrowed as she scanned the room again. "I see everyone is present¡­ except one." Kyle sitting in the back row, couldn''t help but think ''How scary are Radiant Rankers? She just glanced at us and knew who was missing.'' Just then the door slid open again and Reo stumbled in, panting heavily. "You took your sweet time reaching here Mr. Dustbane," Aurelia said, her voice icy. Reo scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed. "Sorry, Professor. I¡­ uh¡­ overslept." Aurelia raised an eyebrow, her expression unimpressed. "Overslept? On the first day of academy? Do you think this is some vacation, Mr. Dustbane?" Reo winced. "No, Professor. It won''t happen again." Aurelia sighed. "Very well. Since it''s your first day, I will let it slide. But don''t let it happen again." Reo nodded quickly and hurried to find a seat. Kyle, sitting in the back was doing his best to hold back his laughter. ''Even in the novel he was late on the first day and got scolded,'' he thought, shaking his head. Once Reo was seated, Aurelia clapped her hands to get everyone''s attention. "Alright everyone, listen up" she said, her voice calm but commanding. "Before we move on to the next part of today''s schedule, I have something to give you." She reached into her storage ring and pulled out a large box. With a flick of her wrist. Small, sleek devices¡ªMana Watches and Mana Tabs¡ªflew toward each student landing neatly in front of them. Kyle picked up his Mana Watch examining it closely. It looked like a high-tech smartwatch, with a glowing screen and intricate runes etched into its surface. The Mana Tab, on the other hand resembled a thin, lightweight tablet its surface shimmering faintly with mana. "These are your Mana Watches and Mana Tabs" Aurelia explained. "You will receive all notifications, messages, and updates from the Academy on these devices. You can also connect them to your cell phones for convenience. The Mana Tab will serve as your primary tool for accessing study materials, assignments, and other resources." "Treat them carefully. If you happen to break them, you will have to purchase a replacement with your own money." The students murmured excitedly as they examined their new devices. Kyle also synced his Mana Watch with his phone after struggling a little, feeling a small thrill as the screen lit up with a notification welcoming him to the Academy. Aurelia waited for the chatter to die down before speaking again. "Now, follow me. It''s time for weapon selection." The students stood up, their excitement palpable as they followed Aurelia out of the classroom. Kyle fell into step beside Reo who was still catching his breath. "You made it, huh?" Kyle said, grinning. Reo shrugged, a embarassed smile on his face. "What can I say? I like making an entrance." Kyle chuckled shaking his head. "Just don''t make a habit of it." **** Chapter 24 - 24: First Day Of Academy [2] The students followed Aurelia through the Academy''s grand halls, their footsteps echoing in the silence. They soon arrived at a massive chamber, its towering walls lined with countless weapons of every shape and size. Swords, spears, bows, axes, daggers, and more¡ªeach weapon gleamed under the bright lights, waiting to be chosen. The students gasped in awe as they entered the hall, their eyes wide with excitement. Aurelia stood at the front, her arms crossed as she addressed the group. "This is Academy''s Armory Hall," she said, her voice carrying easily across the vast space. "Here, you will each select a weapon that will become your primary tool in combat. Choose your weapons wisely as it will be with you throughout your time at the Academy. It will become an extension of yourself, so make sure it suits your fighting style and affinities." She paused, her sharp gaze sweeping over the students. "While it''s possible to change your weapon later, doing so will require a recommendation from the respective weapon instructor. So it''s better to make the right choice now. "You have thirty minutes to make your decision. Once you have chosen return to me. Don''t waste the time and don''t touch anything carelessly. Understood?" "Yes, Professor!" the students chorused. As the students scattered to explore the rows of weapons. Reo immediately made his way to the spear section his eyes lighting up as he examined the various options. Kyle on the other hand headed toward the sword section. As a swordsman it was the obvious choice. At first he picked up a Jian, the weapon he had been using since he arrived in this world. But something felt off. Despite all his training and taking down two silver rank monsters, his mastery over Jian was still stuck at Apprentice - 83% . It wasn''t improving no matter how much he practiced. ''Maybe the Jian doesn''t suit me,'' Kyle thought frowning. ''The original Kyle used it but I''m not him. I need to find something that fits me better.'' As he was deep in thought someone bumped into him. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ah, I''m sorry! I didn''t notice you" Kyle said quickly, turning to see who it was. Standing before him was Princess Eleanora D''Argent her light blonde hair shimmering under the light and her blood-red eyes calm and composed. "It''s okay" she said with a small smile. "It''s my fault for bumping into you." Kyle blinked, surprised by her politeness. "No, no, it''s fine. I wasn''t paying attention either." Eleanora tilted her head slightly studying him. "You''re Kyle Valemont, aren''t you? Professor Aurelia''s younger brother?" "Yes, Princess" Kyle replied, a little taken aback. "You can call me Eleanora," she said her tone warm but firm. "I''m not a princess here. After all we are all students here." Kyle hesitated but nodded. "Okay¡­ Eleanora." She smiled her expression softening. "Have you selected your weapon yet?" Kyle shook his head. "I''m thinking of choosing a sword but I''m not sure which type suits me best. I am not making progress with the Jian I have been using earlier" Eleanora''s eyes lit up. "I have already chosen mine¡ªan Estoc" "But I know a lot about swords. I can help you pick one if you would like." Kyle remembered from the novel that Eleanora was known as a sword genius. This was a perfect opportunity to not only find the right weapon but also build a connection with her. After all if he wanted to save her, he needed to get closer first. "That would be great" Kyle said, nodding. "I would appreciate the help." As they walked through the sword section, Eleanora picked up an Estoc for herself its elegant design perfectly matching her graceful demeanor. Kyle tried it out swinging it a few times but it didn''t feel right. He put it back and moved on. From the longsword section Kyle picked up a sturdy blade. He swung it a few times testing its weight and balance. It felt solid but something still didn''t click. "I think I will go with this," Kyle said, holding up the longsword. Eleanora shook her head immediately. "No, no, the longswords doesn''t suit you." Kyle raised an eyebrow. "It doesn''t?" "Not at all" Eleanora said firmly. She led him to the Japanese sword section and picked up a sleek slightly curved, single-edged blade. It looked like a katana but it has a longer blade with a black hilt. "Try this" she said, handing him the sword. "It''s called a Tachi its a single-edged sword. I think it will suit you much better." Kyle took the Tachi, feeling its weight and balance. As he swung it he felt an faint connection. It felt better than the Jian and longsword he choose. "This¡­ feels right" Kyle said, a smile spreading across his face. Eleanora nodded, her expression satisfied. "I thought so. Tachi is more versatile and suits your fighting style better than a longsword or a Jian." Kyle glanced at her curious. "How do you know my fighting style?" Eleanora''s smile faltered for a moment but she quickly recovered. "Just a guess" she said lightly. "You seem like someone who values speed and precision over brute strength." Kyle nodded, deciding not to press further. "Well you were right. Thanks, Eleanora." They made their way back to Aurelia who was waiting near the entrance. When she saw Kyle holding the Tachi, her eyebrows shot up. "A Tachi?" Aurelia said, crossing her arms. "I thought you used a Jian before. Why the change?" Kyle hesitated, glancing at Eleanora before answering. "The Jian didn''t feel right. Eleanora helped me pick this one and I also think it suits me better." Aurelia''s gaze shifted to Eleanora, her expression unreadable. After a moment she nodded. "Alright. As long as it works for you. You can always change the weapon later." Kyle nodded, gripping his Tachi firmly. With that Aurelia registered there respective weapons. **** Eleanora walked through the Armory Hall, her fingers brushing lightly against the weapons as she passed. She already knew what she wanted¡ªan Estoc. Its slender, precise design suited her fighting style perfectly. But her attention wasn''t fully on her own weapon. Her eyes kept drifting toward Kyle, who was standing in the sword section, looking lost. ''He''s hesitating'' she thought, her heart aching just a little. In her past life, Kyle had chosen a longsword at first, only to switch to a Tachi much later. She couldn''t let that happen again. When she bumped into him, she saw the confusion in his eyes. He didn''t recognize her, of course. Not yet. But she knew him¡ªhis habits, his struggles, his potential. "Have you selected your weapon?" she asked, her voice calm but warm. When he admitted he was unsure, she offered to help. It was the perfect opportunity to guide him to ensure he chose the Tachi this time. As they walked through the sword section, she picked up the Estoc for herself, its weight familiar and comforting. But her focus remained on Kyle. When he picked up the longsword, she shook her head immediately. "No, that doesn''t suit you." She led him to the Tachi, her heart racing as she handed it to him. ''Please let him feel it.'' When he swung the Tachi, his eyes lit up. "This¡­ feels right," he said, a smile spreading across his face. Eleanora''s chest tightened with relief. ''Good. He chose it.'' As they walked back to Aurelia, Eleanora couldn''t help but feel a flicker of hope. This was a small step, but it was a step in the right direction. *** Chapter 25 - 25: First Day Of Academy [3] Kyle stood in the middle of the private training hall, the Tachi in his hands feeling both familiar and foreign at the same time. The massive hall was quiet save for the soft hum of mana-infused lights overhead. The walls were reinforced designed to withstand attacks up to Gold Rankers, making it the perfect place to practice without holding back. He was wearing the black combat suit provided by the Academy, a sleek and form-fitting outfit that is both durable and lightweight. The suit was enchanted with defensive magic, offering protection against minor injuries and helping to regulate body temperature during intense training sessions. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kyle adjusted the collar of the suit, feeling the subtle hum of its enchantments. ''The Academy really doesn''t hold back when it comes to equipment.'' The suit''s design was practical yet stylish, with padding at the shoulders, elbows and knees to absorb the impact. The material was breathable allowing for maximum mobility, and the enchantments ensured that it could withstand a fair amount of wear and tear. It was evening and the first day of classes had ended. Aurelia had told the students they were free to spend the rest of the day as they wished, whether to rest or train. Kyle had chosen the latter. He gripped the Tachi tightly, its sleek, curved blade gleaming under the light. It was longer than a traditional katana, with a black hilt that felt comfortable in his hands. But despite Eleanora''s assurance that it suited him. Kyle was still struggling to get the hang of it. ''It''s not like the Jian'' he thought, swinging the Tachi in a wide arc. The blade of tachi is much larger than Jian he was used to and it''s single-edge blade. The movement felt awkward and the weight distribution different from what he was used to. With the Jian, he had to rely on its balance and precision but Tachi required a different approach it requires more fluidity, more adaptability. Kyle took a deep breath and tried again. This time, he focused on the flow of his movements letting the blade guide him rather than forcing it. He swung the Tachi in a diagonal slash then followed up with a quick upward strike. The blade cut through the air with a sharp ''Whoosh'' But it still didn''t feel right. He paused, wiping the sweat from his brow. ''Maybe I''m just overthinking it'' he thought. ''I just need to get used to it.'' Kyle decided to start with the basics. He began with simple strikes¡ªhorizontal slashes, vertical cuts, and thrusts. Each movement was deliberate, his focus entirely on the feel of the blade. Slowly, he started to notice small improvements. The Tachi''s longer reach allowed him to maintain distance from an imaginary opponent, and its curved design made it easier to transition between attacks. But it wasn''t perfect. His footwork felt off and he occasionally stumbled as he tried to adjust to the Tachi''s weight. Still he kept going. ''Progress is progress'' he reminded himself. ''Even if it''s slow.'' As he continued practicing, Kyle''s movements became more fluid. He started incorporating spins and pivots, using the Tachi''s momentum to his advantage. The blade felt lighter in his hands now, as if it were slowly becoming an extension of himself. By the time he finished, Kyle was drenched in sweat but he felt a sense of accomplishment. He wasn''t fully comfortable with his blade yet, but he was getting there. Compared to when he was using the Jian, he felt more in tune with this weapon. As if it had the potential to unlock a new level of skill. Kyle sheathed the Tachi and took a moment to catch his breath. The training hall was silent again, the only sound the faint hum of the lights overhead. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling the exhaustion in his muscles but also a sense of determination. Glancing at the blade in his hand. He remembered the Academy''s AI system ''Nexus''. "Nexus!" Almost instantly, a small sleek robot flew toward him. It was about the size of a bird with a glowing blue core at its center. The robot hovered in front of Kyle its mechanical voice calm and clear. "How may I assist you, Student Kyle Valemont" it asked. "I need a training opponent" Kyle said, his tone firm. "Set it to weapon training only¡ªno affinities. Beginner level. And make sure it uses a Tachi." "Understood" Nexus replied. "Setting up training parameters now." The robot''s core flashed, and a moment later, a translucent blue mana puppet materialized in front of Kyle. It was humanoid in shape with no face it is holding a Tachi identical to Kyle''s. The puppet stood motionless, waiting for Kyle''s command. ''Alright'' Kyle thought, gripping his Tachi tightly. ''Let''s see.'' He took a deep breath and lunged forward aiming a quick slash at the puppet. But the puppet moved with surprising speed deflecting his attack effortlessly and countering with a precise strike. Kyle barely managed to dodge, stumbling back as he tried to regain his footing. ''It''s fast'' Kyle realized, his eyes narrowing. ''And it''s still beginner level.'' The puppet didn''t give him time to recover. It advanced towards him, its movements fluid and precise it''s each strike calculated to test Kyle''s reflexes and techniques. Kyle struggled to keep up his inexperience with the Tachi showing as he fumbled through his attacks and defenses. But he didn''t give up. Instead, he focused on observing the puppet''s movements. The way it held the Tachi, the angles of its strikes, the footwork it used to maintain balance. Kyle tried to absorb every detail. Slowly, he began to mimic the puppet''s techniques. His strikes became sharper, his footwork more deliberate. He started to understand the rhythm of the Tachi a little better. It wasn''t easy. The mana puppet was relentless pushing Kyle to his limits. But with each passing minute, Kyle felt himself improving. His movements became more confident and his attacks more precise. Finally, after what felt like hours, Kyle saw an opening. The puppet overextended slightly leaving its side exposed. Kyle seized the opportunity delivering a swift, clean strike that hit its mark. The puppet froze for a moment, then began to crack like a mirror, its translucent form shattering into countless pieces of light. The pieces dissolved into the air leaving the training hall silent once more. Kyle stood there, breathing heavily but smiling. He had done it. He had defeated the puppet. ''I''m getting the hang of this'' he thought sheathing his Tachi. ''It''s not perfect, but it''s still a progress.'' As he wiped the sweat from his face, Kyle felt a sense of accomplishment. The training had been grueling, but it was totally worth it. **** Chapter 26 - 26: Trials and Abilities The classroom buzzed with quiet murmurs as students settled into their seats. Kyle sat near the back, his Mana Tab open as he prepared to take notes. At the front of the room, Instructor Carter¡ªa tall man with sharp features and a neatly trimmed beard¡ªleaned against his desk, waiting for the chatter to die down. "Alright, settle down," Carter said, clapping his hands once. The room fell silent. "Today, we''re discussing rank classifications and why they matter." "So who can tell me why we divide awakeners into Low, Mid, and High Rankers?" A hand shot up near the front. It was Lyra Silverwind, Rank 8, an half-elf with green hair and ruby eyes . S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Because our bodies get reconstructed when we rank up" she said. "Going from Silver to Gold changes us physically." Carter nodded. "Correct. But that''s only part of it." He walked to the whiteboard and sketched out the rank classifications: Low Rankers: Iron, Bronze, Silver Mid Rankers: Gold, Platinum, Diamond High Rankers: Radiant, Divine "But it''s not just about getting stronger. The real difference lies in how our bodies interact with mana." He tapped his Mana Tab, and a holographic diagram of a human body appeared, glowing blue in the air. Tiny lines¡ªlike veins¡ªspread through the image. "Low Rankers¡ªIron, Bronze, Silver¡ªdon''t have defined mana pathways," Carter explained. "Their mana flows through their bodies in a raw, uncontrolled way. That''s why even if a Silver Ranker has a lot of mana, they can''t refine it as efficiently as a Gold Ranker." "Now," he continued "when you break through from Silver to Gold, or Diamond to Radiant, your body does undergo reconstruction." "When we talk about body reconstruction, we are not just talking about muscles getting bigger or bones getting stronger. At Gold rank, You grow more mana pathways, your very cells begin to restructure themselves to better channel mana. Your nervous system rewires to process magic faster. Even your blood changes composition to carry mana more efficiently." "Think of your body like a city," Carter explained, drawing on the whiteboard. "At low ranks, it''s like a medieval town with dirt roads - mana moves slowly and inefficiently. Gold rank turns you into a modern metropolis with highways and power grids. That''s why the power gap is so massive between Silver and Gold." "Low Rankers don''t have defined mana pathways, which is why mana control is sloppy at those stages. But once you hit Gold? Your body starts channeling mana smoothly. Spells become sharper. Movements become more precise. That''s why a Gold Ranker can wipe the floor with a dozen Silvers¡ªit''s not just about raw power. It''s about efficiency." A girl with braided hair raised her hand. "Sir, what about stats? I heard they''re locked until we rank up from Low Ranks" "Good question" Mr. Carter said. "Let''s say you are at peak Silver Rank. Your Strength, Agility, Endurance, Intelligence and Mana Capacity are cap at D+. No matter how hard you train, you won''t hit C- rank in those stats until you become a Gold Ranker." A hand shot up it was Reo who was sitting next to Kyle. "What about Luck and Charm? Do those matter?" A few students chuckled, but Mr. Carter smirked. "No, Mr. Dustbane. Luck and Charm don''t affect your rank progression. Though I''m sure you''d love if they did." Some students burst into laughter. Cedric raised his hand. "What happens after we max out our stats?" Carter''s expression turned serious. "That''s when the real challenge begins. The System gives you a Trial." He paused, letting the weight of the word sink in. "These trials are unique for every individual" Carter continued. "Your consciousness gets pulled into a separate space¡ªyour body stays here, unharmed¡ªand you''re tested. Some Trials are straightforward. Some are brutal. No outside help. No do-overs. Just you, your skills, and whatever challenge the System throws at you." Kyle''s grip on his pen tightened. ''Trials?'' He''d read about them in the novel. A nervous-looking boy near the front raised his hand. "Professor¡­ what if you fail the Trial?" Mr. Carter''s expression turned serious. "Then you die." A girl near the back paled. "That''s why there are so few High Rankers?" "Correct." Carter nodded. "Most people either fail their Trial or avoid attempting it altogether." "But" Carter added, his tone lighter "if you perform exceptionally well in your Trial, the System might grant you an Ability." "An Ability?" several students echoed. Carter nodded. "Abilities are rare, powerful skills tied to your element, weapon, your personality, or even something different altogether." Murmurs erupted. Kyle''s pen hovered over his notes. ''Abilities?'' "Abilities are rare," Carter said, raising his voice over the chatter. "They''re like¡­ personalized boosts. Some enhance your element. Some refine your weapon skills. Principal Lucian, for example, has one¡ªthough good luck getting him to tell you what it does." He smirked. "Point is, an Ability can be a ''game-changer''. There are stories of Gold Rank defeating Diamond rank purely because their Ability gave them an edge." Cassian Emberfall, Rank 2, raised his hand. "How do we know what kind of Trial we''ll get?" Carter shrugged. "No one knows. Some Trials test your combat skills. Others challenge your mind, your willpower, or even your morals. The System decides." "So it''s random?" Cassian pressed. "Not entirely" Carter said. "Your actions, your affinities, even your personality might influence it. But we don''t have enough data to predict anything." Carter glanced at the clock. "We''re almost out of time, but if you want to be prepared for the trial, increase your mastery with your elements and weapons as much as you can." He closed his Mana Tab, signaling the end of the lecture. "Next class, we''ll discuss mana circulation techniques for Low Rankers. Dismissed." As the students filed out, Kyle lingered, his mind buzzing. Reo gave Kyle''s shoulder a playful shake. "Hey, you are zoning out hard there. What''s got your brain working overtime?" Kyle blinked, rubbing his temple. "Just... processing everything." "Save the deep thoughts for later" Reo said, pointing his thumb toward the door. "We have got combat training in five minutes and I''m not getting chewed out by Instructor Hale again for being late." "Yeah, yeah," Kyle chuckled, pushing himself up from the desk. "Lead the way, then." Chapter 27 - 27: Late Again, Laps Again Kyle and Reo sprinted down the academy''s grand hallway, their boots slamming against the polished marble floor like a pair of panicked drummers. The bell had rung five minutes ago, which meant they were officially, undeniably late¡ªand Instructor Hale didn''t tolerate tardiness. "Clang!" Kyle nearly tripped over his own feet as they skidded around a corner, narrowly avoiding a group of first-years who yelped and scrambled out of their way. "This is your fault" Kyle hissed between ragged breaths his lungs already burning. "Why did you have to pick right before class to vanish into the bathroom?" Reo shot him a glare his ponytail whipping behind him like an angry tail. "Oh sure, blame me! You are the one who spaced out like a zombie after Carter''s lecture! If you hadn''t been staring into the void like an idiot, we would have left earlier!" "I wasn''t spacing out¡ªI was thinking!" Kyle snapped back, dodging another student. "Unlike some people who just act without using their brain!" Reo barked a laugh. "Yeah, yeah, keep telling yourself that genius. Just pray Hale''s in a good mood today." Kyle groaned. "He''s never in a good mood." They rounded the final corner and the massive double doors of the combat training hall loomed ahead like the gates to their doom. From inside, they could already hear Hale''s booming voice tearing into some poor student. "MAGGOTS! IF I SEE ONE MORE LAZY STANCE, I WILL PERSONALLY DRAG YOU THROUGH THE MUD FOR A WEEK!" Reo paled. "We are dead." Kyle wiped sweat from his brow, trying to steady his breathing. "No¡ªwe are strategically delayed. Big difference." Reo snorted. "You tell him that. I will stand back and watch." With matching grimaces, they pushed open the doors¡ªand froze. Instructor Hale stood in the center of the massive training hall arms crossed over his barrel chest, his glare sharp enough to cut steel. The entire class had already formed neat rows, all standing at attention and every single one of them turned to stare at the two latecomers. Kyle swallowed. Hale was a mountain of a man¡ªbald with a jagged scar running down his left cheek, his black military uniform stretched tight over muscles that looked like they could crush boulders. "WELL, WELL, WELL!" Hale''s voice boomed across the hall, loud enough to rattle the windows. "IF IT ISN''T THE TWO BIGGEST MAGOTS IN THE ACADEMY, GRACING US WITH THEIR PRESENCE AFTER THE BELL!" Reo, ever the reckless one forced a grin. "Uh¡­ sorry, Professor! We uh¡­ got lost! Yeah! Got really lost on the way here!" Kyle resisted the urge to facepalm. Hale''s eye twitched. "LOST?" He took a single step forward and the entire class instinctively flinched. "YOU TWO HAVE BEEN IN THIS ACADEMY FOR A WEEK. YOU ARE TELLING ME YOU CAN''T FIND THE BIGGEST DAMN TRAINING HALL IN THE BUILDING?" Kyle opened his mouth to come up with a better excuse, but Hale cut him off with a roar. "EXTRA FIFTY LAPS. NOW." A few students chuckled. Hale''s head snapped toward them like a predator locking onto prey. "YOU THREE LAUGHING LIKE A BUNCH OF HYENAS? A HUNDRED EXTRA LAPS EACH. MOVE YOUR WORTHLESS LEGS BEFORE I MAKE IT TWO HUNDRED!" The laughter died instantly. The three offenders¡ªtwo boys and a girl¡ªturned pale and immediately bolted for the track that circled the training hall. Kyle and Reo exchanged a glance before joining the sprint. **** The combat training hall was enormous¡ªroughly the size of four football fields combined, with a track running along the edges and training equipment scattered throughout. The usual routine was brutal: 100 laps, followed by 200 push-ups, 200 sit-ups, and then sparring sessions that left even the toughest students groaning. And now, thanks to Reo''s brilliant excuse Kyle had an extra 50 laps on top of that. Great. Just great. Kyle settled into a steady jog, his muscles already protesting. The combat suits provided by the academy were lightweight but clung to sweat like a second skin. Around him, the rest of the class was already halfway through their laps, their faces flushed with exertion. Reo, ever the show-off, smirked as he matched Kyle''s pace. "Come on, slowpoke. You run like an old man." Kyle shot him a glare. "Shut up before I trip you." Reo just laughed and picked up speed leaving Kyle behind. *** Kyle was on his 30th lap when someone fell into step beside him. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hey, Kyle." He nearly stumbled. Princess Eleanora D''Argent was jogging effortlessly beside him, her light blonde hair tied back in a neat ponytail, her blood-red eyes glinting with amusement. "Ah¡ªPrincess! You scared me!" Kyle blurted out. She gave him a playful frown. "I told you to call me by my name." "R-right. Eleanora." She smiled. "Good." Kyle nodded, trying to ignore the way his heart was suddenly pounding harder than it should be from just running. "Uh¡­ thanks again for helping me pick my sword the other day." She waved a hand dismissively. "It was nothing. The tachi suits you." Kyle grinned. "Yeah, it does feel better than the Jian." Before he could say more, a voice like a cannon bolt cut through the air. "PRINCESS! DID I SAY YOU COULD CHAT LIKE A GOSSIPING MAID? FIFTY EXTRA LAPS WITH THESE TWO IDIOTS!" Hale''s roar made several students flinch, but Eleanora¡­ smiled. "Yes!" she whispered under her breath, pumping a fist. Kyle blinked. "Uh¡­ why are you happy about extra laps?" Eleanora''s cheeks turned pink and she quickly looked away. "It''s nothing." Kyle frowned but didn''t press further. Maybe she really liked running? *** By the time they finished their punishment. Kyle''s legs felt like jelly, his lungs were on fire, and Reo was sprawled on the ground like a corpse. Hale standing over them with his usual scowl, barked. "NOW THAT YOU ARE DONE WASTING MY TIME, GET UP AND JOIN OTHERS FOR PUSHUPS. AND IF I SEE ANYONE OF YOU SLACKING OFF, YOU WILL BE CLEANING THE ENTIRE TRAINING HALL WITH A TOOTHBRUSH!" Kyle groaned but forced himself up. Reo, still lying on the floor wheezed, "I hate my life." Eleanora somehow still looking graceful despite the sweat on her brow, offered Kyle a hand. "Come on. The sooner we finish the sooner we can spar." Kyle took her hand, pulling himself up. "You are way too energetic for someone who just ran a million laps." She smirked. "I have good stamina." Reo, still on the ground groaned. "Ugh. Flirting while I''m dying over here? Its Rude." Eleanora''s face burned. "We are not flirting!" As she walked away, leaving Kyle to glare at Reo. Reo grinned. "Oh, you are so doomed." Kyle kicked him lightly. "Shut up and do your push ups." As he dropped to the floor and started the agonizing routine, he couldn''t help but glance at Eleanora. ''Why did she seem so happy about extra laps?'' Something told him he would find out sooner or later. And knowing his luck? It would probably be the hard way. Chapter 28 - 28: Elements Unbound [1] The private training ground was eerily quiet at 5 AM, broken only by the sharp crack of lightning and the sickening thud of a body hitting stone¡ªagain. Kyle groaned as he peeled himself off the wall for what felt like the hundredth time that morning. His back screamed, his ribs throbbed, and his pride? Shattered into tiny, humiliated pieces. "Get up," Aurelia said, rolling her shoulders like she was warming up for a stroll, not a brutal sparring session. Not a single hair out of place. Not a drop of sweat. Kyle wheezed, pushing himself onto his knees. "Why¡­ did I ask for this again?" *** (The Night Before) Kyle had found Aurelia hunched over her desk, glaring at a stack of papers like they had personally offended her. "You want me to train you?" She didn''t even look up, scribbling something with enough force to tear the paper. "I''m your sister, not your personal instructor." Kyle plopped into the chair across from her grinning. "Come on, you are the Gale Witch. Who better to learn from?" Aurelia sighed, finally setting down her pen. "Kyle, I don''t have time to¡ª" "You owe me" he interrupted. "For all those times I cooked for you when you were ''too busy'' to move from the couch." A muscle twitched in Aurelia''s jaw. "That was one time." "Five." "Three." "Four and a half, and you know I''m rounding up," Kyle said, crossing his arms. "Train me, or..." He paused dramatically. "I''ll ask Instructor Seraphina instead." Aurelia''s head snapped up, her eyes narrowing. "Absolutely not." The pen in her hand snapped in half. Kyle hid a smirk. He had hit a nerve. Everyone knew about the... complicated relationship between his sister and the pink-haired instructor. Some said it was rivalry. Others called it friendship. The truth was probably somewhere in between. "You wouldn''t dare" Aurelia hissed. Kyle leaned back in his chair, the picture of innocence. "Wouldn''t I? She did offer to help me with lightning techniques just last week. Said something about how it''s a shame that no one''s properly training me..." Aurelia''s eye twitched. "That pink-haired pest wouldn''t know proper training if it¡ª" She cut herself off, taking a deep breath. When she spoke again, her voice was dangerously calm. "Fine. Training grounds. 5 AM. Don''t be late." Kyle grinned. "Wouldn''t miss it." Aurelia muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like "..will kill Seraphina first..." as she stormed out of the room. *** (Present, 5:00 AM) Kyle lunged, lightning crackling around his fists. He aimed a sharp jab at Aurelia''s ribs¡ª She sidestepped like he was moving through syrup. "Too linear," she chided, catching his wrist and flipping him onto his back. Thud. Kyle coughed, the impact driving the air from his lungs. "Okay, okay, new plan¡ª" Smack! Her foot hooked under his shoulder, rolling him like a ragdoll. "Stop thinking" Aurelia said, dancing just out of reach. "You''re hesitating." "Pathetic." She stepped back, arms crossed. "You telegraph your moves like a bad stage play." "Wham!" Kyle hit the ground hard, the breath knocked out of him. He groaned, rolling onto his knees. "You didn''t even try to block." "Why would I?" She smirked. "You''re not fast enough to hit me." "You are¡­ enjoying this¡­ way too much." Aurelia smirked. "Maybe a little." Growling, Kyle pushed himself up, lightning flaring brighter around his arms and body. Okay, faster this time. He feinted left, then twisted right, aiming a sweeping kick at her legs¡ª Aurelia vanished. A hand clamped onto the back of his collar. "Too slow." Crash! Face-first into the dirt. Kyle spat out a mouthful of soil. "Ugh. Tastes like¡­ failure." Aurelia dusted off her hands. "You''re relying too much on your element. Lightning enhances speed, but it doesn''t replace the skills." Kyle wiped his mouth, glaring. "Yeah, well it''s hard to focus on technique when you''re throwing me around like a training dummy." Aurelia''s smirk widened. "Welcome to real combat, little brother." *** He dashed forward, zigzagging unpredictably, then ducked at the last second, aiming a sweeping kick at her legs¡ª Aurelia hopped over it like she was skipping rope. Before Kyle could blink, her foot lightly tapped his chin. "Bonk." Not hard enough to hurt, just hard enough to make him feel like an idiot. Kyle groaned, flopping onto his back. "I hate you." Aurelia crouched beside him, poking his forehead. "No, you don''t. You asked for this, remember?" Lying in the dirt, Kyle wheezed, "I think¡­ I regret my life choices." Aurelia hauled him up by the collar. "Good. That means you''re learning." She flicked his forehead. "Again." For the next 30 minutes, Kyle had tried everything. Straight punches? Aurelia dodged. Kicks? She caught his leg and flipped him onto his back. A lightning-charged tackle? She stepped aside and let him faceplant into the dirt. By the thirtieth time he hit the ground, Kyle''s pride was as bruised as his ribs. This isn''t working. He exhaled sharply, then moved. Lightning surged through his muscles, his fist shooting forward like a bolt¡ª Aurelia caught his wrist. Kyle''s eyes widened. ''What¡ª?!'' Then she spun, flipping him over her shoulder. "Baam!" Kyle slammed into the training ground wall, the impact rattling his bones. He slid to the ground, groaning. Aurelia crossed her arms. "Better. But still predictable." "Come on," he snapped, sparks flying as he blocked a jab¡ªonly for Aurelia to twist and elbow him in the ribs. "Ow! What even was that?!" "Physics." She kicked his legs out from under him. "And patience. You are forcing it." Kyle hit the ground hard. His vision swam. Lightning flickered weakly around his fingers. ''Screw patience.'' S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He lunged again¡ªbut this time, when Aurelia went to counter, something changed. A burst of cold erupted from Kyle''s palm. "CRACK!" Frost spiraled up Aurelia''s forearm. She flinched¡ªthe first reaction she had shown all morning. Silence. Kyle froze, realization dawning. ''Wait. Ice? I didn''t mean to¡ª'' Aurelia stared at the ice clinging to her sleeve, then at Kyle. Her voice was dangerously calm. "...Kyle." "Since when," Aurelia said slowly, "do you have ice affinity?" Kyle''s stomach dropped. ''Oh.'' ''Oh no.'' *** Chapter 29 - 29: Elements Unbound [2] The training ground fell dead silent. Aurelia stared at the ice crusted over her sleeve, her expression unreadable. The frost spread in delicate fractals, glinting under the early morning light. Kyle''s stomach twisted. He hadn''t meant to slip¡ªhadn''t meant to reveal anything. But the moment her counterattack came instinct had taken over him. Ice. Not just lightning. Aurelia flicked her wrist and the ice shattered into glittering dust. Her voice was dangerously calm. "...Kyle." He swallowed. "Yeah?" "Since when," she said slowly, "do you have ice affinity?" Kyle''s mind raced. He could lie. But one look at Aurelia''s sharpened gaze told him she''d dissect any half-truth. So he exhaled and dropped the act. "Since the ruins." "You hid this from me." It wasn''t a question. Kyle winced. "I hid it from everyone." Aurelia crossed her arms. "I''m not everyone." The words stung. He hadn''t expected that¡ªthe quiet edge in her voice, the way her shoulders stiffened just slightly. She wasn''t just angry. She was betrayed. Kyle took a deep breath. Then, before he could second-guess himself, he said. "Because it''s not just ice." A flicker of confusion crossed her face. "What do you mean, not just ice?" Kyle wiped sweat from his brow steeling himself. "Four elements" "Lightning was first. Then wind. Then water. Then ice." He met her gaze. Silence. Aurelia didn''t move. Didn''t breathe. The air between them thickened, charged like the moment before a storm. Then¡ª "You idiot." She grabbed him by the collar, yanking him forward until their noses nearly touched. Her voice was a razor-sharp whisper. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that is? Four affinities? There isn''t a single recorded case in Aevorath''s history!" Kyle didn''t flinch. "I know." "Then why the hell didn''t you tell me?" Her grip tightened. "If the wrong people found out¡ª" "That''s why I didn''t say anything!" Kyle snapped back. "You think I wanted a target on my back? The Academy''s already crawling with nobles who''d sell their souls for half my potential. And that''s before the demons start paying attention." Aurelia''s glare could have melted steel. But after a tense beat she released him with a shove. "You still should have told me." The hurt in her voice was faint but unmistakable. Kyle winced. "I wanted to" he admitted. "But the more people who know, the riskier it gets. Even you." Aurelia turned away, running a hand through her hair. "Damn it, Kyle..." He waited, letting her process. The truth was, he had considered telling her sooner. Finally, Aurelia exhaled sharply. "You''re right." Kyle blinked. "I am?" "About keeping it hidden." She crossed her arms. "But not about keeping me in the dark. I could have helped you control it. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to conceal an affinity? Mana deviation, elemental backlash¡ªif you lost control¡ª everyone would have found out." Kyle grimaced. Yeah, that would''ve been bad. Aurelia studied him, her anger cooling into something more calculating. "When exactly did this happen?" "The ruins," Kyle repeated. "After I woke up there... something was different. The elements just... clicked." It wasn''t entirely a lie. He had awakened them in the ruins¡ªjust not the way he implied. Aurelia''s brow furrowed. "No ritual? No catalyst?" "Nothing. I just... felt them." S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For a long moment, she just stared at him, as if trying to peel back his skull and see the truth inside. Then, grudgingly, she muttered. "I''ll have to research this. Four affinities... it shouldn''t be possible." Kyle seized the opening. "Can you teach me? Properly? Not just sparring¡ªreal mana circulation techniques." Aurelia gave him a flat look. "I did teach you." Shit. Right. Original Kyle would have known this. "I mean again," he backpedaled. "After the awakening, everything feels... different. Like my pathways changed." Not entirely untrue. His entire body was different¡ªliterally transmigrated. Aurelia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Fine. But we are doing this my way. No shortcuts. No reckless experiments. And especially no showing off in class." Kyle grinned. "Wouldn''t dream of it." "Liar." She flicked his forehead. "Sit. Now." Kyle dropped cross-legged onto the training ground floor. Aurelia knelt behind him, placing a hand over his back. "Close your eyes. Focus on your mana core." He obeyed, reaching inward. Mana hummed beneath his skin, a restless current waiting to be shaped. "Good," Aurelia murmured. "Now, picture lightning first. Your primary affinity." Kyle visualized it¡ªcrackling energy, raw and wild. It responded instantly, surging through his veins. Aurelia''s fingers pressed harder. "Don''t let it spread. ''Contain it''. Like water in a dam." He tried, gritting his teeth as the energy fought against him. But slowly, the chaotic sparks condensed into a single, controlled stream. "Better," Aurelia said. "Now, wind." Kyle called it forth¡ªthe whisper of a breeze, then a howling gale. It tangled with the lightning, threatening to spiral out of control¡ª "Balance them" Aurelia ordered. "Neither dominates. They flow together." Sweat trickled down Kyle''s temples. It was like juggling live wires while riding a tornado. But inch by inch, the elements aligned, merging into a single, harmonious current. Aurelia''s voice softened. "Now... water." This one came easier¡ªa river''s steady pulse, cool and relentless. It wove between lightning and wind, smoothing their edges. Then¡ª "Ice." The newest element rose sluggishly, like a frozen lake thawing at dawn. Kyle coaxed it gently, letting it seep into the others. For a heartbeat, everything held. Then¡ª "CRACK". A jagged spike of ice shot from Kyle''s palm. "Again." Kyle groaned but obeyed. By the time the academy bells chimed for first class, Kyle''s combat suit were soaked through, his muscles trembling. But for the first time, he had held all four elements in equilibrium for a full minute. Aurelia stood, brushing dirt from her knees. "You are still terrible at this." "Geez, thanks." "But" she conceded, "for someone who just discovered four affinities two weeks ago? You are not completely hopeless." Kyle wiped sweat from his brow. "Well, it should be obvious that my brother would be at least half as talented as his genius sister." Aurelia snorted, the closest she ever came to laughing. High praise, coming from her. Kyle pushed himself up with a smirk. "So... does this mean I get more private lessons?" Aurelia rolled her eyes. "It means you need them. Meet me here every morning. And Kyle¡ª" Her gaze turned deadly serious. "No one finds out about this. Not your friends. Not your instructors. Until you are strong enough to protect yourself, this stays between us." "I won''t always be there to watch your back." Kyle nodded. The last thing he needed was the some power-hungry researcher dissecting him like a lab rat. As they walked toward the academy housings, Aurelia suddenly flicked his ear. "Ow! What was that for?" "For being an idiot," she said, but the edge in her voice had dulled. "Next time you hide something this big, I''m throwing you off the training tower." Kyle rubbed his ear, grinning. "Noted." ''He still had more secrets about his blessing, the truth about his transmigration. But for now, this was enough.'' Chapter 30 - 30: Kindling the Flame [1] Kyle tapped his stylus against the edge of his mana tab, finishing the last few notes on elemental resonance theory. The classroom buzzed with chatter as students packed up, but he lingered in his seat at the back, double-checking his work. ''One month since the academy started. Two months since I woke up in this world.'' The thought still felt surreal. Instructor Grey''s voice cut through his musings. "Alright, that''s it for today. Don''t forget the essays on mana crystallization are due next week." Kyle stretched, rolling his stiff shoulders. He had just closed his mana tab when a shadow fell over his desk. A guy with short brown hair and sharp brown eyes stood in front of him, arms crossed. His expression was pure disdain, like he had just stepped in something unpleasant. Kyle blinked. ''Do I know him?'' The guy''s lip curled. "Kyle Valemont." "Yeah?" Kyle leaned back keeping his tone neutral. "I am officially challenging you to a Rank Match." Silence spread through the nearby students. Conversations died mid-sentence. Heads turned. Kyle raised an eyebrow. "And you are¡­?" The guy''s face darkened. "Kaelith Duskrend. Rank 11." ''Ah.'' Now only Kyle remembered. In the novel, Kaelith had been Rank 10¡ªan arrogant noble from the Argent Empire. The type who thought commoners belonged in the dirt and nobles were destined to rule. And now apparently, he was pissed Kyle had taken a spot in the top 10. Kaelith''s jaw tightened. "You stole my place. You don''t deserve to be Rank 9." Kyle sighed. "The rankings are based on the entrance exam. If you wanted a higher spot, you should have scored better." A few snickers came from nearby students. Kaelith''s ears turned red. "You are the only one in the top 10 still stuck at Grade 2 Bronze" he spat. "I''ve already broken through to Grade 1. I have surpassed you." Kyle glanced at him. True, Kaelith''s aura was slightly denser now¡ªGrade 1 Bronze. But that didn''t mean much. "If you have surpassed me," Kyle said calmly "then the Rank Match will prove it." Kaelith smirked. "Finally, some backbone. Don''t back out last minute¡ªand don''t expect your sister to bail you out like she did during the entrance exam." A hush fell over the room. Kyle''s fingers stilled. ''Ah.'' So that was the real issue. Kaelith wasn''t just angry about the ranking. He thought Kyle had only gotten this far because of Aurelia. That he hadn''t earned it. A slow, cold anger settled in Kyle''s chest. But outwardly, he just smiled. "Sure. I will see you in the arena." Kaelith scoffed, turning on his heel. "Don''t disappoint me, commoner." The moment he was gone, the classroom erupted into whispers. "Damn, Valemont you actually agreed?" someone muttered. "Kaelith''s a beast in combat. You sure about this?" Kyle just shrugged, packing up his things. "It''s just a Rank Match." *** Eleanora watched from her seat near the front as Kaelith Duskrend¡ª''that insufferable noble brat''¡ªmarched up to Kyle''s desk like he owned the academy. She didn''t even need to hear the words. The way his lip curled the way he loomed over Kyle like some petty warlord issuing a decree. She knew exactly what this was. A Rank Challenge. ''Idiot.'' Kaelith''s voice carried, sharp and mocking. "You are the only one in the top 10 still stuck at Grade 2 Bronze. I have surpassed you." Eleanora''s fingers tightened around her stylus. ''Surpassed him?'' She almost laughed. If only Kaelith knew how badly he was about to embarrass himself. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But then¡ª "¡ªand don''t expect your sister to bail you out like she did during the entrance exam." The stylus snapped in her grip. A cold, razor-edged fury sliced through her chest. Her mana flickered, just for a second¡ªa silent, deadly promise. ''How dare he.'' She could end this right now. A single word from her, and Kaelith would find himself stripped of rank privileges, maybe even tossed out of the academy entirely. Nobility meant nothing compared to royalty. But then¡ª Kyle smiled. Not a tense, forced smile. Not an angry one. Just¡­ calm. "Sure. I''ll see you in the arena." Eleanora exhaled. ''Right.'' She had forgotten for a moment¡ªthis was Kyle. The same man who, in her past life, had fought his way into the top ranks with nothing but raw determination. The same man who had faced down demons without flinching. He didn''t need her interference. Kaelith was nothing. A minor nuisance. A stepping stone. And Kyle? He would handle it. As the classroom emptied, Eleanora lingered, watching Kyle pack up his things with the same quiet focus he always had. She could still intervene. A quiet word to the instructors. A subtle nudge to make sure the match was rigorously supervised. But no. Kaelith had insulted Kyle''s pride. His family. And Eleanora knew better than anyone¡ªpride wasn''t something Kyle Valemont let slide. ''Let him have this.'' She turned away, a faint smirk curling at the edge of her lips. ''It''ll be fun to watch.'' *** In Solvayne Academy, rankings weren''t set in stone. Every student had the right to challenge someone above them in the rankings¡ªwithin reason. You couldn''t jump more than three spots at once, and the challenged had the right to refuse (though it came with a minor reputation hit). But if both agreed? They would fight in the academy''s combat arena, under supervision. The winner took the higher rank. The loser? Well. They had to live with the humiliation. Kyle tossed his mana tab onto the bed, the rules of Rank Matches still glowing on its surface. The words ''no outside interference'' seemed to mock him. As if he''d ever needed help dealing with someone like Kaelith. Three sharp knocks rattled his door. "It''s open," he called, not bothering to get up. Aurelia stormed in, her academy robes flaring dramatically behind her. She didn''t even bother with greetings. "You''re going to destroy him." Kyle blinked. That wasn''t the reaction he''d expected. "I was planning on it, but I didn''t think you would¡ª" "That little shit had the nerve to imply I helped you cheat?" Aurelia''s eyes crackled with barely contained lightning. "And you are offended he thinks you would cheat so obviously?" Kyle smirked. "I would be more insulted if he thought you were bad at covering your tracks." Aurelia flicked his forehead. Hard. "This isn''t funny. He challenged your right to be here." Kyle rubbed his forehead, still grinning. "I know. And I''m going to wreck him." Aurelia studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Good. Make it hurt." She turned to leave, then paused. "You are still holding back your breakthrough, right?" Kyle nodded. As per Aurelia''s advice, he had delayed advancing to Grade 1 Bronze, focusing instead on improving his mana control and mastering his elements. A solid foundation now meant faster growth later¡ªand right now, his control was sharp. "Good." Aurelia''s smirk was vicious. "Destroy him as a Grade 2 Bronze. Let the whole academy watch a ''weak commoner'' dismantle their precious noble prodigy. Then break through after. Rub their noses in it." Kyle chuckled. "You are terrifying." "I know." She waved a hand dismissively. "Just don''t get cocky. Kaelith''s fire affinity hits hard in close quarters. Don''t let him get the upper hand" "Noted." As the door clicked shut behind her, Kyle exhaled, staring at the ceiling. **** Author''s Note: "Add this to your library, drop some Power Stones and show some love because creativity is hard, folks!" ????? Chapter 31 - 31: Kindling the Flame [2] The combat arena buzzed with restless energy, packed to the brim with students¡ªfirst-years craning their necks for a better view, upperclassmen lounging in the stands with amused smirks, even a few instructors lingering near the exits. The air smelled of ozone and anticipation. This wasn''t just any ranking match. It was the first official duel of the freshman class. And more than that¡ªit was the Gale Witch''s little brother versus an arrogant noble brat. Kaelith Duskrend stood at the center of the arena, arms crossed, his foot tapping impatiently against the stone floor. He had arrived early, of course. Preening. Posturing. Letting the crowd murmur about his polished combat boots, his sharpened aura, the way fire flickered at his fingertips like he was already celebrating his victory. Then¡ª Kyle Valemont strolled in. Hands in his pockets. Like he was taking a casual walk through the gardens. The contrast was almost comical. Kaelith, tense and prepped for battle. Kyle, relaxed to the point of boredom. Kaelith''s lip curled. "Glad you came, Valemont. I thought you would be crying to your sister by now." Kyle didn''t answer. Just smiled. His eyes? Cold. Instructor Lance, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, stepped between them. "Weapons?" "No," they answered in unison. Kaelith smirked. "Wouldn''t want you to accidentally cut yourself, commoner." Kyle''s smile didn''t waver. Lance nodded. "Rules are simple. Fight until surrender or knockout. No lethal strikes. Ready?" They nodded. Kaelith raised his hands, flames already licking between his fingers. His lips twisted into a smirk. "BEGIN!" "Let''s see how long you last¡ª" Kyle vanished. Kaelith''s smirk froze. A voice, low and calm, whispered behind his ear. "Looking for someone?" Kaelith spun, fireball already launching¡ª Kyle wasn''t there. The fireball exploded harmlessly against the arena barrier. A foot slammed into Kaelith''s ribs. "Ghk¡ª!" He stumbled, the breath knocked out of him. The crowd gasped. Kyle had kicked him¡ªhis hand still his pockets. And he was still smiling. No warning. No flashy technique. Just pure mana enforced speed. Kaelith staggered, coughing. His eyes burned with fury. "You¡ª!" Kyle was already five steps away, hands still in his pockets. The crowd erupted. "Did you see that?!" "He didn''t even use an element!" Kaelith snarled, flames erupting around him in a wild spiral. "Quit running, coward!" Kyle tilted his head. Then¡ª He moved. A blur. A flicker. Kaelith barely had time to raise his arms before a kick hammered into his guard, sending him skidding back. Another kick¡ªthis time to his thigh. Another¡ªhis shoulder. Not with lightning. Not with wind. Just pure, mana reinforced speed. A kick to the thigh. A sharp jab to the kidney with his knee. A spinning heel to the shoulder. Each strike precise. Each strike just hard enough to hurt, but not hard enough to end it. Kaelith staggered, sweat beading on his forehead. His fire sputtered, unfocused. He couldn''t even touch Kyle. Every time he lunged, Kyle was already gone, reappearing somewhere else with that infuriating calm. The crowd was murmuring now. "He''s toying with him¡­" "Damn, Valemont''s fast." "Why isn''t he using his lightning?" Kaelith''s face burned hotter than his flames. This wasn''t how this was supposed to go. He was supposed to crush this nobody, humiliate him in front of the entire academy¡ª Kyle''s foot hooked behind his ankle. "Oops." Kaelith hit the ground hard, his chin scraping against stone. Laughter rippled through the stands. Kaelith''s breaths came in ragged gasps. His arms ached. His legs trembled. Kyle stood there, watching. Waiting. Kyle finally took his hands out of his pockets. Not to fight. Just to crack his knuckles. "Had enough?" he asked, voice flat. Kaelith roared, surging up with a wild haymaker¡ª Kyle ducked. Then Kyle punched him in the gut with raw mana concentrating in his hand. Kaelith folded like a paper doll, gasping. Before he could recover, Kyle pivoted¡ª ¡ªand drop-kicked him in the face. "CRACK!" Lightning flared, a brilliant blue-white burst as Kaelith''s head slammed into the ground. His body skidded across the arena, leaving a shallow trench in the stone. Silence. Then¡ª "HOLY SHIT!" The crowd erupted. Kyle landed lightly, dusting off his pants. He didn''t even look at Kaelith''s limp form. Just turned and walked away, hands back in his pockets. Somewhere in the stands, a group of girls squealed. "That was so cool!" "He didn''t even break a sweat!" "And he''s way hotter up close¡ª" Kyle ignored them. Instructor Lance blinked at Kaelith''s unconscious body, then at Kyle''s retreating back. "Match goes to Valemont." The cheers grew louder. Kyle didn''t care. He had better things to do. **** Cedric leaned against the railing of the combat arena''s upper stands, arms crossed as he watched the match unfold below. Beside him, Cassian Emberfall¡ªRank 2 and perpetually smug¡ªlet out a low whistle. "Damn. Valemont''s not even trying." Lyra Silverwind¡ª Rank 8¡ªher emerald-green hair tied back in a sharp ponytail, scoffed. "Of course he isn''t. Kaelith''s all bark and no bite." She smirked, ruby eyes gleaming. "Though I do love watching arrogant nobles eat dirt." Sylvie Wavecrest¡ªRank 7¡ª adjusted her round glasses, her blue hair nearly covering her nervous expression. "B-But Kaelith''s Grade 1 Bronze now¡­ shouldn''t that make a difference?" Cedric didn''t answer right away. His eyes tracked Kyle''s movements¡ªfluid, effortless, like he was barely exerting himself. "He''s reinforcing his body with pure mana" Cedric finally said. "No elemental enhancement. Just raw control." Cassian raised an eyebrow. "That''s insane. Even for a top ten." Lyra grinned, resting her chin on her palm. "Well, he is the Gale Witch''s brother. Talent runs in the blood." Cedric ignored the fanboying. "He''s holding back his breakthrough too." That got their attention. "What?" Cassian frowned. "Why the hell would he do that?" "Long-term benefits" Cedric said simply. "If you focus on mastery and control before ranking up, your foundation is stronger. You grow faster later." Lyra blinked. "Huh. That¡­ actually makes sense." Sylvie bit her lip. "B-But isn''t it risky? What if someone challenges him while he''s still Grade 2?" Cedric''s lips twitched. "I don''t think that''s a problem for him." Below, Kaelith lunged again, fire roaring from his fists¡ªonly for Kyle to sidestep lazily and kick him in the ribs. "Oof¡ª!" Kaelith wheezed, stumbling. The crowd laughed. Lyra cackled. "Oh, this is beautiful." Cassian shook his head. "Kaelith''s getting dismantled. And Kyle is not even using his lightning." Cedric''s eyes narrowed. Kyle''s movements were too precise. His footwork, his timing¡ªit wasn''t just skill. It was like he had fought before. Really fought. Not academy spars. Not controlled matches. (Of course, he had a deathmatch with Aurelia every morning. But who''s gonna tell him) ''Who are you, Kyle Valemont?'' Then¡ª "CRACK!" A lightning-wreathed drop kick sent Kaelith''s face slamming into the arena floor. The noble didn''t move. Silence. Then¡ªchaos. The crowd erupted. Girls shrieked. Somewhere, a senior yelled "HOLY SHIT, THAT WAS COLD!" S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kyle just walked away, hands back in his pockets. Lyra whistled. "Okay, that was hot." Cassian snorted. "You are just saying that because he''s Instructor Aurelia''s brother." "So what if I am?" Lyra flipped her hair. "The Gale Witch''s bloodline is elite." Sylvie squeaked. "H-He''s looking this way!" Cedric followed her gaze. Kyle, now at the arena''s exit, glanced up¡ªdirectly at ''him.'' For a split second, their eyes locked. Then Kyle smirked. And walked off. Cassian elbowed Cedric. "Think he''s sizing you up?" Cedric didn''t answer. But he was smiling. **** Author''s Note: "Add this to your library, drop some Power Stones and show some love because creativity is hard, folks!" ????? Chapter 32 - 32: The Silent Coup [1] Kyle sat cross-legged in the dim glow of the private training chamber, his breathing slow and controlled. The air hummed with raw mana, swirling around him like an invisible tide. After humiliating Kaelith in the ranking match, he had come straight here¡ª ''Time to break through.'' He exhaled, feeling the pressure in his core build. "Crack." A pulse of energy rippled through him, sending a shockwave that rattled the training dummies lining the walls. His muscles trembled, not from strain, but from the sudden rush of power flooding his veins. ''Finally. Grade 1 Bronze.'' Kyle flexed his fingers, marveling at the difference. It wasn''t a dramatic change¡ªno sudden superhuman strength¡ªbut his body felt lighter, his mana sharper, like a blade freshly honed. "Status." =======[STATUS]====== [Name]: Kyle Valemont [Age]: 18 [Class]: Swordsman [Title]: ???? [Blessing]: Echoes of the Roaming Storm [Mana Core Rank]: Bronze [Mana Core Grade]: Grade 1 [Affinity]: Lightning, Wind, Ice, Water ====[STATS]===== Strength: E+ Agility: E+ Endurance: E+ Intelligence: D- Mana Capacity: D Charm: B- Luck: Unpredictable =============== Kyle exhaled, satisfaction curling in his chest. "All that training with Aurelia was worth it." His Intelligence stat had climbed¡ªproof of his growing mana control. And his Mana Capacity? Already comparable to a Silver Grade 2. A ridiculous advantage, even for a Bronze ranker. Kyle had always assumed his accelerated growth came from his blessing. The Echoes of the Roaming Storm granted him advantages¡ªhigher mana reserves, quicker absorption, reflexes so sharp they almost felt like foresight. But after weeks of relentless training, pushing his body and elements to their limits, the truth was undeniable. He looked at his Masteries. =====[MASTERIES]===== Swordsmanship (Tachi) : Adept - 15% Lightning Magic: Adept - 98% Wind Magic: Adept - 70% Ice Magic: Adept - 57% Water Magic: Adept - 19% ===================== His lips twitched. Switching from Jian to Tachi had reset his sword mastery, forcing him to rebuild from Apprentice 0%. But it hadn''t taken long. The moment he''d gripped the curved blade, it had felt right¡ªlike his body already knew the motions. Now, at Adept 15%, his strikes were sharper, his footwork seamless. "Still a long way to go, though." The real challenge was his elemental masteries. Reaching Adept had been hard enough. Progressing further? A grind. Kyle stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Time to test the new limits." He stood, summoning a crackling bolt of lightning in one palm, a swirling gust of wind in the other. The energy hummed, obedient, responsive in a way it hadn''t been before. A smirk tugged at his lips. "Yeah. This''ll do." **** The alchemy lab smelled of burnt sulfur and crushed herbs, the air thick with tension. At the front of the class, Professor Veylan Mourncrest loomed over a trembling first-year¡ªEmily Williams, a petite girl with messy purple hair and round glasses that kept slipping down her nose. "What did I JUST say about the order of ingredients?!" Veylan''s voice cracked like a whip, his knuckles whitening around the edge of her workstation. Emily flinched, her fingers still sticky from the half-mixed solution. "I-I thought if we added the moonstone dust first¡ª" "You thought?!" Veylan''s face twisted, a vein bulging at his temple. "This isn''t some backwater village brewstand! One misstep and this entire lab could explode!" The class had gone dead silent. A month ago, this would''ve been unthinkable. Professor Veylan had been patient, almost kind¡ªthe sort of teacher who would stay late to help struggling students. But something had changed. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now, his temper was a lit fuse. From the back of the lab, Kyle Valemont kept his head down, his stylus scratching meaningless notes onto his mana tab. No one noticed the way his shoulders shook¡ªnot from fear, but from the effort of suppressing a smirk. Emily''s eyes welled up. "I''m sorry, Professor, I just¡ª" "Save your excuses!" Veylan snatched the failed potion vial from her desk, holding it up like evidence. "This is exactly why commoners shouldn''t¡ª" A voice cut through the room. "Actually," Kyle said, raising his hand with feigned innocence, "the Alchemy Association Journal says moonstone can go first if you adjust the temperature. Page forty-two." A beat of silence. Veylan''s head snapped toward him. "Are you correcting me, Valemont?" Kyle blinked. "Just quoting published research, Sir." The professor''s face darkened. "That research is outdated." "Oh." Kyle tilted his head. "So¡­ you did know about it?" The implication hung in the air: ''Then why didn''t you teach it properly?'' "SNAP" Veylan''s fingers twitched. Then¡ª "GET OUT." Veylan pointed to the door, his voice trembling with barely contained rage. "BOTH OF YOU. NOW." Emily scrambled to gather her things, tears streaking her glasses. Kyle stood slowly, deliberately¡ªmaking sure the entire class saw his calm versus Veylan''s meltdown. As he passed the professor, he murmured just loud enough for him to hear. "No wonder the Alchemy Association demoted you." **** The door slammed shut behind them with a finality that made Emily flinch. She stood trembling in the hallway, her purple bangs sticking to tear streaked cheeks as she adjusted her crooked glasses. "Th-thanks" she hiccuped, clutching her notes to her chest. "But why did you... I mean, you didn''t have to..." Kyle studied her for a moment, the way her fingers shook, how she kept biting her already raw lower lip. He reached into his pocket and produced a clean handkerchief. "You looked like you needed an out" he said simply. Emily took it with both hands, dabbing at her red-rimmed eyes. "He''s been getting worse every week." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I think... I think something''s wrong with him." Kyle''s expression remained neutral, but something flickered in his eyes. "Go to the infirmary" he said, nodding toward the east wing. "Tell Nurse Olivia you inhaled sulfur fumes. That''ll explain the red eyes." "But I didn''t actually-" "Emily." Kyle met her gaze squarely. "Just go. Take the rest of the day." She sniffled, then gave a small, grateful nod. As she turned to leave, she hesitated. "You are... different than the others in our class. Nicer." Kyle almost laughed at that. If only she knew. "Get some rest," he said instead. Watching her retreating form, Kyle leaned against the cold stone wall and exhaled slowly, rolling the tension from his shoulders. The muffled sound of Veylan''s continued ranting seeped through the door - unhinged, erratic. Exactly as planned. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he pushed off the wall and walked away, hands in pockets. ''Everything is just as I expected.'' The pieces were moving perfectly. Now he just had to wait for the dominoes to fall. **** Chapter 33 - 33: The Silent Coup [2] In Class A1, The classroom buzzed with hushed conversations as students settled in before the next lecture. Near the back, Reo leaned over his desk, his voice low but excited. "Hey, you hear about Instructor Vaylen?" he asked, nudging Kyle with his elbow. "People are saying he''s been acting real weird lately." Kyle raised an eyebrow, feigning mild interest. "Oh? Like what?" Luna, perched on the edge of Reo''s desk, twirled a strand of her short white hair between her fingers. "Oh, it''s juicy," she said, grinning. "Apparently, he used to be some big-shot alchemist, but the association demoted him for stealing his junior''s research." Reo whistled. "No way. That''s messed up." Kyle shrugged, flipping through his notes like he wasn''t all that invested. "Wouldn''t surprise me. He''s been snapping at everyone lately. Even Emily yesterday¡ªtotally lost it over a simple potion mistake." Luna gasped. "Wait, that''s why you two got kicked out? I thought you just blew something up again." "I also heard he screamed at some second-year for stirring a potion counter-clockwise. Who even cares about that?" Kyle snorted, keeping his tone casual. "Probably the same guy who got demoted from the Alchemy Association for ''creative differences.''" He made air quotes, then shrugged like it was no big deal. "Funny how none of his research papers got published after that." Reo whistled. "Damn. So that''s why he''s got a stick up his¡ª" "Language," Luna sing-songed, kicking his boot off the desk. A few seats over, a group of first-years¡ªones Kyle had "accidentally" shared a few rumors with last week¡ªwhispered among themselves. "Wait, seriously?" one of them hissed. Reo leaned in closer, eyes wide. "You think it''s true? That he never actually hit Gold rank?" Kyle didn''t answer right away, just tapped his stylus against his mana tab like he was thinking. "I mean¡­ have you ever seen him use high-tier alchemy? Even the other instructors avoid working with him." Luna''s black eyes sparkled with mischief. "Ooooh, scandalous. So he is just coasting on old reputation?" Kyle rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched. "Wouldn''t surprise me. Guy''s got the temper of a rabid wolf and the credibility of a three-copper scam artist." The gossip spread like wildfire from there, whispers darting from desk to desk. Kyle didn''t even have to nudge it along¡ªonce the seeds were planted, the rumor mill did the work for him. Luna leaned in, black eyes sparkling with mischief. "Okay, but hypothetically¡­ if someone wanted to get on his bad side, what''s the move?" S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Reo barked a laugh. "Breathe wrong in his general direction, apparently." Kyle just smiled, slow and knowing. "Or ask him really pointed questions about his research." Luna giggled. "You are evil." "Me?" Kyle pressed a hand to his chest, mock-offended. "I''m just an innocent bystander." Reo snorted. "Yeah, and I''m the king of Aevorath." The bell rang, cutting off the chatter as Instructor Hale stomped into the room. But the whispers lingered, slipping between students like smoke¡ªand Kyle? He just leaned back, satisfied. **** The moment Professor Vaylen Mourncrest stepped into the lab, the air turned thick. Kyle leaned back in his seat at the far end of the room, watching with cold amusement as the man''s bloodshot eyes swept over the class. His hands trembled slightly, his usual pristine robes wrinkled, and the dark circles under his eyes made him look half-dead. ''Good. He''s cracking.'' ''Finally, after a month of effort¡ª'' Whispers slithered through the room like snakes. "¡ªheard he got demoted for plagiarism¡ª" "¡ªmy cousin said the Alchemy Association banned him¡ª" "¡ªsells potions under the table to nobles¡ª" Kyle smirked. The rumors had spread exactly as he had planned. A few well-placed comments in the right ears, a little anonymous tip-off to the gossip-hungry students, and suddenly, Vaylen''s reputation was crumbling faster than a poorly brewed potion. The professor''s jaw clenched as he set a stack of papers down with too much force. "Today," he hissed, "we will be reviewing proper ingredient preparation. Unlike the amateur mistakes I''ve been seeing." A snicker came from the front row. Vaylen''s head snapped toward the sound. "Something funny, Mr. Duskrend?" Kaelith, still nursing bruises from his humiliating loss to Kyle, stiffened. "No, Professor. Just¡ª" "Just what?" Vaylen''s voice was a razor''s edge. Kaelith swallowed. "Just¡­ heard something about your research being, uh, borrowed by your juniors." The room went dead silent. Vaylen''s face darkened. "And where did you hear that?" Kaelith''s eyes flicked toward Kyle for half a second¡ªjust long enough. Vaylen''s gaze locked onto Kyle like a predator spotting prey. Kyle just smiled. The professor''s fingers twitched. "Mr. Valemont. Care to enlighten us?" Kyle tilted his head, feigning innocence. "About what, Professor? I''m just here to learn." A vein pulsed in Vaylen''s temple. "You think this is a joke?" Kyle shrugged. "I don''t know, sir. But if you think stealing your juniors work is a joke, then maybe the Alchemy Association was right to demote you." A sharp gasp rippled through the room. A first-year near the front¡ªone of the kids Kyle had anonymously tipped some academy credits to¡ªcleared his throat. "Professor, is it true you got kicked out of the Alchemy Association for plagiarism?" Vaylen''s face twisted. "You dare¡ª" Another student, emboldened, chimed in. "I heard you sold out your own research partner to cover your mistakes." Vaylen''s lips curled into something ugly. "You insolent little¡ª" Vaylen''s entire body went rigid. His knuckles turned white where they gripped the desk. Kyle cut him off, voice dripping with mock concern. "Oh, wait, was that a secret? My bad. Though, honestly, selling your juniors'' work is almost as bad as, say¡­" He leaned forward slightly. After a little pause. "Selling your soul to a demon." Vaylen''s entire body locked up told Kyle he''d hit the mark. The professor''s hands shook. Not from anger. From something worse. Then¡ª A pulse of wrongness flooded the room. The air turned heavy, sour, like rotting meat. The lanterns flickered. Students gasped as an unnatural, oily darkness seeped from Vaylen''s skin¡ªnot a full transformation, but something inside him was leaking out. Demonic energy. Not a full demon. A demonic-human. One who had sold his soul to demons. "You little¡ª" Vaylen''s voice distorted, guttural. His fingers curled like claws. That was all it took. Someone screamed. Chairs screeched as students bolted for the door, shoving past each other in panic. Kyle stayed put, watching, calculating¡ª Then the lab doors burst open. Wind howled through the room, slamming into Vaylen with enough force to send him crashing into the chalkboard. Aurelia Valemont stood in the doorway, her back hair whipping around her like a storm. Her eyes¡ªsharp, furious¡ªlocked onto Vaylen. "Enough." The single word carried the weight of a hurricane. Vaylen snarled, demonic energy writhing around him¡ªbut Aurelia didn''t give him a chance. Her hand flicked. A razor-edged gust of wind slammed into him, pinning him to the wall like a bug. Kyle exhaled. ''Right on time.'' Aurelia''s gaze cut to him. "You." Kyle blinked. "Me?" Her eye twitched. "We are talking later." Then she turned back to Vaylen, wind already coiling around her fingers. The real show was just beginning. **** Chapter 34 - 34: The Silent Coup [3] 1 month ago, at the start of the Academy. The alchemy lab smelled of crushed herbs and polished glass, sunlight streaming through high windows to glint off rows of pristine beakers. Kyle sat at the back of the room, fingers steepled under his chin, watching as the last of his classmates filed in. Then the door opened. A man stepped inside¡ªtall, silver-haired, with a face that seemed carved from grandfatherly kindness. His robes were immaculate, his posture relaxed, and when he smiled, it reached his warm amber eyes. "Good morning, students" he said, voice smooth as aged whiskey. "I am Professor Veylan Mourncrest, your alchemy instructor." A murmur of approval rippled through the room. Even the usually stoic Cedric nodded in respect. Kyle didn''t react. "Now" Veylan clasped his hands "who here has struggled with potion stability?" Half the class raised their hands. "Excellent!" He chuckled. "That means you are thinking. Alchemy isn''t about perfection¡ªit''s about understanding why we fail." Kyle sat perfectly still in the back of the alchemy lab, watching as Professor Veylan moved between the student workstations. The man''s silver hair caught the sunlight as he bent over a bubbling flask, his voice patient as he explained the reaction process to a wide-eyed first year. To anyone else, he looked like the ideal teacher¡ªkind, knowledgeable, endlessly patient. But Kyle knew better. Every gentle word from Veylan''s lips was a lie. Every encouraging smile hid something monstrous. The man wasn''t human¡ªnot entirely. Somewhere along the way, he''d made a deal with the Demons, trading his humanity for power. And now he walked these halls wearing the skin of a scholar, while underneath, something far darker stirred. From the novel Kyle had read in his past life, he knew exactly how this would unfold. Veylan would spend his first month playing the perfect instructor¡ªgaining trust, identifying the vulnerable students. The ones who struggled. The ones no one would miss. Then, when the time was right, he''d offer them "extra help." sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Private tutoring sessions where he would slowly, carefully, twist them into something not quite human. And Princess Eleanora... Kyle''s grip tightened around his stylus. In the original story, Eleanora had been the one to discover Veylan''s experiments. She had followed a missing student, found the hidden lab, seen the truth with her own eyes. And when she had tried to stop him, when she had tried to save them... She''d died. Killed by the very students she had tried to protect as they writhed in the throes of their monstrous transformations. ''Not this time.'' The thought burned through Kyle''s mind like lightning. He wouldn''t let that happen. Couldn''t let that happen. As Veylan laughed at some joke a student made, his amber eyes crinkling at the corners, Kyle studied him with cold precision. Across the room, Emily Williams giggled as Veylan helped her adjust her alembic. The purple-haired girl had no idea how close she stood to danger. How carefully the professor was cataloging her weaknesses. Kyle exhaled slowly, forcing his shoulders to relax. He had time. Veylan wouldn''t make his move yet. Not until he would fully established himself. Not until the students trusted him implicitly. That gave Kyle a month to prepare. A month to study his enemy. A month to lay traps of his own. As the bell rang signaling the end of class, Veylan clapped his hands together. "Wonderful work today, everyone. Remember, my door is always open if you need help." His gaze lingered just a moment too long on Emily. Kyle waited until the room had mostly emptied before gathering his things. As he passed Veylan''s desk, the professor looked up with that same benevolent smile. "Ah, Mister Valemont. Is there something I can help you with?" Kyle met his eyes and smiled back. "Not today, Professor. But I''ll keep that in mind." The walk back to his dorm was quiet, his mind racing with plans. He would need to be careful. Methodical. Veylan was dangerous¡ªnot just because of what he was, but because of how well he played the part of the harmless academic. But Kyle had advantages the original story''s characters hadn''t. He knew what was coming. And he had no intention of letting history repeat itself. Not this time. **** Kyle had always been good at watching people. Back on Earth, it was how he survived¡ªnoticing the little things others missed. Now, in this world, that skill was the only thing standing between a demonic professor and his next victim. The first three days were about patterns. Every morning, before the sun had fully risen, Kyle positioned himself near the faculty quarters, pretending to review notes while keeping his eyes sharp. He didn''t need magic or spies. Just patience. At exactly 6:45 AM, Professor Veylan Mourncrest stepped out of his room, his silver flask glinting in the early light. The man moved with an easy confidence, his robes perfectly pressed, his expression calm. To anyone else, he looked like just another dedicated teacher. But Kyle wasn''t watching the man''s face. He was watching his hands. Veylan''s fingers curled around that flask like it was something precious. He didn''t sip from it yet¡ªjust carried it with him as he walked toward the academy''s central pantry. Kyle followed at a distance, blending into the shadows of the hallway. The pantry was already bustling with staff preparing breakfast. Steam rose from kettles, and the smell of fresh bread filled the air. Veylan approached the counter, where a tired-looking kitchen worker offered him a cup of the academy''s standard brew. "No, thank you" Veylan said with a polite smile, tapping his flask. "I prefer my own blend." The worker shrugged, used to the refusal. Kyle filed that away. ''He doesn''t trust the academy''s coffee.'' Over the next two mornings, the scene repeated itself. Veylan never accepted the kitchen''s coffee. Always the flask. Always the same polite refusal. On the third day, Kyle lingered near the pantry after Veylan left, pretending to examine a tray of pastries. The pantry master, a grizzled old man named Lyros, muttered under his breath as he wiped down the counter. "Still won''t touch our coffee," Lyros grumbled to a junior cook. "Acts like his fancy Blackfire Roast is some god''s gift to mortals." Kyle''s ears pricked up. ''Blackfire Roast.'' He''d heard of it before¡ªa rare, expensive import, known for its smoky, almost bitter flavor. The kind of coffee that cost more than most students'' monthly allowances. Now he had a name. **** Chapter 35 - 35: The Silent Coup [4] Now he had a name. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But, names were useless without details. Kyle needed to know where Veylan got his coffee, how much he ordered, and when it arrived. He waited until midweek, when the academy''s supply clerk¡ªa chatty elf named Jorin¡ªwas sorting through delivery manifests in the pantry''s back office. Kyle "accidentally" bumped into him near the doorway, sending a stack of parchment scattering. "Sorry about that," Kyle said, crouching to help gather the papers. Jorin sighed but didn''t seem annoyed. "No harm done. Just the usual Monday chaos." Kyle kept his tone casual. "Must be a pain keeping track of all the special orders. I heard Professor Mourncrest''s coffee cost more than most student''s monthly allowances." Jorin snorted. "Two pounds of Blackfire beans, every Monday morning. Like clockwork." He leaned in, lowering his voice. "And the bastard charges it to the research stipend. Cheeky, if you ask me." Kyle grinned like they were sharing a joke. "Priorities, right?" But inside, his mind raced. ''Every Monday. Two pounds.'' That was enough for about fourteen cups¡ªtwo a day, exactly matching Veylan''s routine. **** Kyle stared at the small burlap sack stamped with the black flame logo, sitting neatly on his desk. He had placed the order for Blackfire Roast beans just yesterday, fully expecting to wait at least a week¡ªmaybe longer, given how rare they were. Blackfire beans were imported from the volcanic highlands of Eldrin. Even with the academy''s connections, they usually took at least five days to arrive. Yet here they were. Two days later. He picked up the bag, examining the seal. No mistakes. This was the real thing. ''How?'' The academy''s supply clerk had grumbled last week about backorders and noble buyers hogging shipments. Kyle had mentally prepared to wait for week. But now? He frowned, turning the bag over. ''Too convenient.'' **** Princess Eleanora D''Argent sat in her private quarters, a cup of honeyed tea cooling beside her as she skimmed through a letter. The parchment bore the wax seal of the Argent Empire''s Trade Guild¡ªa privilege of her royal bloodline. "Your requested shipment of Blackfire Roast has been expedited per your instructions. Two pounds, as specified. Should arrive at Solvayne by tomorrow evening." She set the letter down, her expression unreadable. She hadn''t planned to interfere. Not directly, at least. But when she had overheard Kyle inquiring about the beans at the academy store¡ªhis tone carefully casual, his questions just a little too specific¡ªshe had known. ''He''s making his move.'' And if there was one thing Eleanora understood, it was the value of timing. So she had acted. Not as the princess. Not even as a student. Just a shadow pulling strings. She had sent a discreet missive to the Trade Guild, invoking an old favor. No explanations. No records. Just a simple request: "Prioritize this order." And just like that, the beans had been plucked from a noble''s delayed shipment and rerouted to Kyle''s doorstep. She sipped her tea, her lips curving slightly. ''Let him wonder.'' Eleanora leaned back in her chair, gazing out the window. She''d done her part. Now? She''d watch. And wait. **** Kyle wiped the sweat from his brow, his fingers stained dark from crushed herbs and powdered minerals. The private workshop was silent except for the faint hiss of simmering liquids and the occasional crackle of mana-infused flames beneath glass beakers. On the table before him lay three key ingredients: Duskthorn Petals ¨C Delicate purple flowers that induced drowsiness in small doses. Silverroot Extract ¨C A bitter, silvery liquid that purified tainted mana. Blacksalt ¨C A rare volcanic mineral that stabilized potions but, when combined with the other two, became a slow-acting poison for anything with a demonic core. These ingredients were easily available in the Alchemy Shop in Valtheras City. He had read about this formula in the novel "Path of the Transcendence"¡ªa forgotten alchemy recipe used by demon hunters centuries ago. The protagonist, Cedric had uncovered it in the late novel. The first attempt had ended in a small explosion, leaving his sleeves singed. The second had produced a foul-smelling sludge that ate through the glass vial. Now, on his third day, Kyle adjusted the flame beneath the crucible, watching as the Duskthorn petals dissolved into a shimmering violet liquid. "Step one: distill the essence under low heat until translucent." He remembered the novel''s instructions like a mantra. Next, he added the Silverroot extract, drop by drop, stirring counterclockwise with a bone-white rod. The mixture hissed, emitting thin tendrils of smoke that smelled like burnt iron. "Step two: combine with Silverroot, but never let it boil." His hands were steady, but his pulse wasn''t. One wrong move, and the concoction would destabilize¡ªor worse, alert the academy''s alchemy sensors. Finally, the Blacksalt. He ground it into a fine powder, then sprinkled it into the mixture. The liquid darkened, swirling like ink in water before settling into a deep, murky indigo. "Step three: let it solidify into crystals." He exhaled, leaning back. Now came the waiting. Hours later, the liquid had evaporated, leaving behind tiny, dark-blue crystals¡ªeach no larger than a grain of sand. Kyle carefully scraped them into a vial, holding it up to the light. "Got you." This was the slow poison. Harmless to humans. Deadly to demons. When ingested continuously for week, it would seep into the demonic core, fraying its stability over days. The victim would grow irritable, reckless, their control slipping until their true nature. All without a trace. Kyle pulled out the bag of Blackfire Roast beans he had acquired¡ªthanks to a stroke of luck he still didn''t understand. The beans were oily, their smoky aroma strong enough to mask almost anything. He crushed the blue crystals into a fine powder, then dissolved them in a small amount of moonflower oil¡ªjust enough to coat the beans without altering their taste. Then, methodically, he stirred the mixture into the bag, ensuring every bean was lightly glazed. "Two cups a day" he mused. He sealed the bag, leaving it to dry. Now, he had find a way to switch it with Veylan''s stash. And then? He would watch. And wait. **** Chapter 36 - 36: The Silent Coup [5] Kyle had spent days watching the academy''s supply deliveries like a hawk. He knew the routine by now. Every Monday at dawn, a courier from the Blackfire Trading Company arrived at the academy''s rear gate, carrying a small burlap sack stamped with their signature black flame logo. The package was always the same¡ªtwo pounds of Blackfire Roast beans, reserved exclusively for Professor Veylan Mourncrest. And every Monday, like clockwork, Veylan himself would stroll down to the pantry at 7:00 AM to collect it. Which gave Kyle a very small window of opportunity. Kyle''s poisoned beans were ready¡ªmeticulously prepared, lightly coated with moonflower-infused oil, and repacked into an identical burlap sack. All he needed was five minutes between the delivery and Veylan''s arrival so he waited. On Monday morning, he was already positioned near the gate before the sun rose, hidden behind a pillar where the courier wouldn''t spot him. Right on time, the deliveryman arrived¡ªa lanky man with a bored expression, carrying a satchel of parcels. He handed the academy''s supply clerk a clipboard to sign, then rummaged through his bag. "Blackfire Roast, two pounds," the courier muttered, pulling out the familiar sack. The clerk took it without much interest and set it on the counter with the other deliveries. Kyle''s pulse quickened. ''Now.'' As soon as the courier left, Kyle made his move. He walked up to the counter, flashing a distracted smile at the clerk. "Morning. Did my order of Frostbloom herbs come in yet?" The clerk¡ªan overworked elf named Jorin¡ªscowled. "Do I look like a damn apothecary? Check the back shelves." Kyle nodded, ducking behind the counter as if searching. His fingers brushed against the Blackfire Roast sack. In one smooth motion, he swapped it with his own poisoned batch, tucking the original into his sleeve. The entire exchange took less than three seconds. "Must''ve been delayed," Kyle said with a shrug, straightening up. "Thanks anyway." Jorin barely glanced up from his ledger. "Whatever. Come back tomorrow." Kyle walked away, his steps unhurried, his expression neutral. "Done." Twenty minutes later, Veylan arrived, collected his "usual order," and left without suspicion. Kyle watched from a distance as the professor ground the beans in his office, brewed his first cup, and took a long, satisfied sip. No hesitation. No suspicion. Just another Monday morning. Kyle exhaled slowly. ''Now we wait.'' **** The next two weeks passed in a carefully orchestrated symphony of small sabotages and whispered rumors. Kyle moved like a shadow through the academy halls, never too obvious, never too eager¡ªjust another student going about his business. But beneath the surface, every action had purpose. The coffee beans were the easiest part. Every Monday, like clockwork, he slipped into the supply room just after dawn, swapping out Veylan''s precious Blackfire Roast with his own poisoned batch. The moonflower oil was subtle¡ªnot enough to kill, not even enough to make him violently ill. Just enough to wear him down. Slow. Invisible. By the second week, the effects were starting to show. Veylan''s hands, already unsteady, now trembled noticeably when he wrote on the whiteboard. His temper, always short, had become downright explosive. Students whispered about how he would snap at the smallest mistakes, how his lectures had started to ramble, how sometimes he would pause mid-sentence, blinking like he had forgotten where he was. Kyle watched it all unfold with quiet satisfaction. But the coffee was only part of the plan. He needed chaos. That''s where the academic credits came in. As a top-ranking student, Kyle had more than enough to spare¡ªaccess to private training rooms, premium ingredients from the alchemy stores, even extra meals at the cafeteria. Most students hoarded them like gold. But Kyle? He had better uses for them. A few credits slipped into the right hands could buy a lot of trouble. He started with the gossipmongers¡ªstudents who thrived on drama, the ones who couldn''t keep their mouths shut if their lives depended on it. A casual conversation here, a leading question there. "Hey, did you hear Veylan got demoted because he stole research?" "I heard he can''t even pass Gold rank. Pathetic, right?" "Someone told me he''s been taking bribes to pass nobles'' kids." The rumors spread like wildfire. Then came the sabotage. Kyle didn''t do it all himself¡ªthat would''ve been too obvious. Instead, he found the right people. A nervous first-year who needed extra credits for potion ingredients? A struggling third-year who''d do anything to get ahead? Easy. He paid them in anonymous notes, slipped under doors or left in lockers. No names, no traces. Just instructions. "Change the measurements in your notes. Wrong by just a little. See if he notices." "Ask him why his last research paper was retracted. Play dumb." "Drop your flask. Accidentally, of course." Emily Williams was one of them. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kyle had watched her that first day, seen how Veylan had torn into her for a simple mistake. She was the perfect target¡ªsmart enough to know better, but anxious enough to second-guess herself. One night, while she was in the library, he slipped into the alchemy lab and swapped her meticulously organized notes with a slightly altered version. The changes were small¡ªa decimal point moved, an ingredient mislabeled. Just enough to guarantee a mistake. The next day, when Veylan screamed at her for "carelessness," Kyle didn''t even flinch. By the end of the second week, the man was unraveling. His lectures had devolved into incoherent rants. Dark circles carved deep under his eyes. His hands shook constantly now, his voice hoarse and uneven. Students avoided his class when they could, and those who couldn''t sat in tense silence, waiting for the next outburst. And then, finally¡ªthe breaking point. Kyle leaned back in his seat, watching as Veylan stumbled over his own words mid-lecture, his face twitching like he was fighting off a headache. ''Almost there.'' One more push. And then the real fun would begin. **** Kyle leaned against the kitchen counter, watching Aurelia flip through a stack of papers with her usual scowl. The smell of freshly brewed coffee¡ªnormal coffee, not the poisoned batch he had been slipping into Veylan''s supply¡ªfilled the air. He needed her in that alchemy lab tomorrow. But asking outright? Too suspicious. So he played it casual. "You free tomorrow around third bell?" he asked, tossing an apple in the air and catching it. Aurelia didn''t even look up. "No." Straight to the point. Typical. Kyle took a bite of the apple, chewing slowly. "Not even if I really needed you to swing by the alchemy lab?" That got her attention. Her blue eyes flicked up, sharp. "Why?" He shrugged. "Just thought you might wanna see something interesting." Aurelia snorted, returning to her papers. "Try again." Kyle sighed. Time for Plan B. He reached into the cupboard and pulled out a jar of imported Firepepper flakes¡ªthe stupidly expensive kind Aurelia hoarded like gold. "What if I made you that spicy braised dragonfish you like?" Her pen froze mid-scribble. Kyle smirked. Got her. Aurelia narrowed her eyes. "With the caramelized onions?" "Obviously." "And the crispy garlic chips on top?" "Do I ever skip the garlic chips?" She stared at him for a long moment, weighing her dignity against the promise of her favorite meal. Then¡ª "Fine." She pointed her pen at him like a dagger. "But if this is some stupid prank, you are going to pay for it." Kyle grinned. "Wouldn''t dream of it." Aurelia muttered something under her breath¡ªprobably about ungrateful little brother¡ªbut the way her fingers twitched toward the Firepepper jar told him everything he needed to know. Deal sealed. Tomorrow, when all hell broke loose in the alchemy lab, Aurelia would be there. And that was worth a plate of dragonfish. **** Chapter 37 - 37: The Silent Coup [6] The lab was in ruins. Shattered glass littered the floor, desks overturned, and the acrid stench of spilled potions mixed with something darker¡ªsomething rotten. Students have already left the lab. Aurelia stood in the center of the chaos, her long black hair whipping around her as wind howled through the broken windows. Before her, pinned against the cracked whiteboard by an invisible cyclone of force, was Veylan Mourncrest¡ªor what was left of him. His body twitched unnaturally, limbs jerking like a marionette with cut strings. His skin had taken on a sickly, grayish hue, veins bulging black beneath the surface. His mouth stretched too wide when he grinned, teeth too sharp, eyes too empty. Aurelia''s fingers flexed, the wind tightening around him like a vice. "Last chance," she said, her voice colder than winter steel. "How did you get in?" Veylan gurgled, blood bubbling at the corners of his lips. Then¡ªhe laughed. A wet, broken sound. "You¡­ never even suspected, did you?" His voice wasn''t his own¡ªsomething deeper, rougher slithered beneath it. "So arrogant¡­ Gale Witch." Aurelia''s fingers flexed. The wind tightened around him, crushing his ribs just enough to make him gasp. "Wrong answer." Veylan wheezed, but his grin didn''t falter. "You think¡ªyou think this is over?" His pupils dilated, black swallowing the whites of his eyes. "You''re too late. The Crimson Maw already has its teeth in this place." Aurelia''s brow furrowed. ''Crimson Maw?'' She''d never heard the name before. Before she could demand an explanation, Veylan''s body convulsed. His skin split at the seams, veins bulging black under the surface. Aurelia''s instincts screamed. She flung her hands up just as Veylan''s body detonated. The explosion should have torn the room apart¡ªshould have sent shrapnel and gore flying in every direction. But Aurelia reacted faster. Wind shrieked to life around her, forming a spinning sphere of compressed air around Veylan''s body. The blast hit the barrier and rebounded, contained within the small, concentrated space she''d created. For a single, deafening moment, the lab was filled with the sound of rending flesh and splintering bone. Then silence. Aurelia lowered her hands. The wind dissipated, dropping what remained of Veylan to the floor in a wet, unrecognizable heap. No grand explosion. No collateral damage. Just a mess of blood and meat, steaming in the cold air. For a heartbeat, the lab was silent. Aurelia lowered her hand, her expression unreadable. No answers. No grand confession. Just two words, spat like a curse with his last breath. ''Crimson Maw.'' She stared at the remains, the name echoing in her mind. She had never heard of it. But one thing was certain¡ªthis wasn''t over. Not even close. **** The explosion had barely settled before the sound of rapid footsteps echoed through the corridor. Seraphina arrived first, her pink hair whipping behind her as she skidded to a stop, her usual playful expression replaced with sharp alertness. "Aurelia! What the hell was that?" Instructor Carter wasn''t far behind, his scarred face grim as he took in the wreckage of the lab door. "We heard the blast from the training grounds. Are you hurt?" Aurelia stood with her arms crossed, the remains of the puppet still smoldering behind her in the contained circle of her wind barrier. "I''m fine. But we have a problem." Seraphina stepped closer, peering past her into the ruined lab. Her nose wrinkled at the stench¡ªburnt flesh, but wrong. Too acidic. Too unnatural. "That''s not... normal." "It wasn''t human," Aurelia said flatly. "Demonic. Some kind of flesh puppet." Carter''s jaw tightened. "A puppet?" He moved past her, examining the mess with his keen eye. "You''re telling me that thing was walking around the academy, pretending to be Veylan?" "Yes." Seraphina let out a low whistle. "That''s some high-level mimicry. Even I didn''t notice anything off about him." "That''s because there wasn''t¡ªuntil today." Aurelia''s voice was ice. "It deteriorated. Fast. Like something was eating it from the inside." Carter straightened, rubbing his temple. "Which means the real Veylan could be dead. Or worse." A heavy silence settled over them. Seraphina folded her arms, her usual smirk gone. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "How did something like this even get in? The academy''s wards should''ve flagged anything demonic the second it stepped through the gates." "That''s what I''d like to know," Aurelia muttered. Carter exhaled sharply. "We need to report this. Now." Seraphina nodded. "Where''s the principal? He needs to hear this firsthand." "He is not here" Carter said. "Left for the capital yesterday. Some urgent summons from the royal court." Aurelia''s fingers twitched. Of course. The one time they needed Principal Lucian''s expertise, he was gone. Seraphina groaned. "Perfect timing. So what do we do?" Carter''s expression darkened. "Faculty meeting. Immediately. We lock down the academy, double-check the wards, and scour every inch of this place for more surprises." His gaze flicked back to the ruined puppet. "And someone needs to figure out how long we have been teaching alongside a damn skin-suit." Aurelia didn''t argue. Because the worst part wasn''t the puppet. It was the fact that whatever¡ªor whoever¡ªhad sent it was still out there. And they had no idea what they were dealing with. **** Kyle lay sprawled across his bed, fingers laced behind his head as he stared blankly at the ceiling. The day''s events kept replaying in his mind like a broken record. He had watched everything from the hallway - Aurelia slamming Veylan against the wall with her wind magic, the unnatural way his limbs had jerked like a marionette with cut strings. Then that explosion... it should have leveled half the lab, but Aurelia had contained it like it was nothing. But what stuck with him most was that name. ''Crimson Maw.'' He had never heard it before. Not in the novel, not in passing, never. Veylan was supposed to be a minor villain, a desperate man who had sold his soul to the demons. A stepping stone for the protagonist, Cedric, to face later. But this? A puppet? Kyle gritted his teeth. If Veylan had been fake this whole time, then what the hell had he been poisoning for weeks? Did flesh puppets even drink coffee? None of it made sense. And that terrified him. The door creaked open. Aurelia stepped inside, her black hair slightly disheveled, her expression unreadable. She looked exhausted. Kyle sat up, forcing his face into something resembling casual concern. "You look like you just fought a war." "Close enough" she muttered, dropping into the chair by his desk. Silence stretched between them. Then¡ª "How did you know?" Kyle''s pulse jumped. "Know what?" Aurelia''s eyes narrowed. "That something was off about Veylan. You wanted me in that lab today. Why?" Shit. Kyle scrambled for an excuse. "I didn''t know" he said, shrugging. "Just noticed he had been acting weirder than usual. Figured if anyone could call him out on his bullshit, it would be you." Aurelia didn''t look convinced. Kyle quickly changed tactics. "Anyway, you hungry? I made that spicy braised dragonfish you like. Extra garlic chips." Her gaze sharpened. "You''re deflecting." "Am not." "You are." Kyle sighed dramatically. "Fine. Maybe I am. But seriously, you look like you need food. And I spent hours on this." Aurelia stared at him for a long moment, then exhaled, rubbing her temples. "Whatever. But stay out of this, Kyle. Whatever''s going on with Veylan¡ªor whatever that ''thing'' was¡ªit''s not something you need to be involved in." Kyle nodded, feigning obedience. "Yeah, yeah. No demon-hunting for me." Aurelia gave him one last warning look before standing. "Good. Now where''s the food?" Kyle grinned, hopping up. "Kitchen. Come on before it gets cold." As he led the way, his mind still raced. ''Crimson Maw. A puppet. A missing professor.'' This wasn''t just a deviation from the novel. This was something ''new.'' And he had no idea where to even start looking. But one thing was certain¡ªhe wasn''t staying out of it. No matter what Aurelia said. **** Author''s Note: Thank you to all the readers for your support¡ªthis book might get contracted soon! Chapter 38 - 38: The Oblivious and the Obsessed The moment Kyle stepped into the classroom, the air shifted. Whispers slithered through the room like startled mice. A group of girls near the window immediately ducked their heads cheeks flushed, pretending they hadn''t just been staring. A couple of guys glanced at him, then quickly looked away, muttering something under their breaths. Kyle frowned. ''What the hell?'' He made his way to the back, ignoring the weight of eyes on him, and dropped into his seat beside Reo. "Okay," he muttered, leaning in. "Why is everyone acting like I grew a second head?" Reo, sprawled across his chair like a lazy cat, smirked. "Oh, so you haven''t looked in a mirror lately?" Kyle blinked. "What?" Reo sighed dramatically, waving a hand at Kyle''s face. "Buddy. Look at you. You were already one of the prettiest bastards in our year, but after your breakthrough? You''re basically glowing." He leaned in, grinning. "If I was a girl, I would have proposed to you by now." Kyle recoiled. "What the fuck is wrong with you¡ª" Luna, perched on the edge of Reo''s desk, burst into giggles. "Oh my gods, look at his face!" She pointed at Kyle, her black eyes sparkling with mischief. "He''s disgusted!" Kyle scowled. "I am disgusted." Reo clutched his chest, feigning hurt. "Rude. And here I was, ready to get down on one knee¡ª" "Stop." Kyle shoved him, but Reo just laughed, dodging easily. Luna wiped imaginary tears from her eyes. "Oh, this is gold. Kyle Valemont, the oblivious heartthrob." She leaned in, lowering her voice to a stage whisper. "You do know half the girls in our class have been sighing over you since the ranking matches, right?" Kyle stared at her. "No, they haven''t." Reo snorted. "Oh, they have." Luna nodded sagely. "Yep. You''re tall, you''re stupidly pretty, and you kicked Kaelith''s ass without breaking a sweat." She smirked. "That''s, like, the holy trinity of crush material." Kyle opened his mouth, then closed it. ''That can''t be right.'' He glanced around the room. Sure enough, a few girls were still sneaking glances at him¡ªsome shy, some outright bold. One even winked when she caught his eye, making him stiffen. Reo cackled. "Oh, this is priceless. The guy who can take down a Silver-rank monster with his eyes closed is terrified of girls looking at him." Kyle shot him a glare. "I''m not terrified. I just¡ª" He gestured vaguely. "Why?" Luna patted his shoulder, grinning. "Welcome to being hot, Kyle. It''s a tragedy." Reo nodded solemnly. "Truly, a burden to bear." Kyle groaned, dropping his head onto the desk. ''This was going to be a long day.'' **** One week had passed since the Vaylen incident, and Eleanora still couldn''t shake the unease crawling under her skin. ''Crimson Maw.'' The name echoed in her thoughts like a curse. In her past life, she had never heard of them. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''The puppet incident never happened before.'' The timeline was shifting, warping in ways she couldn''t predict¡ªand that terrified her more than she dared to admit. But right now? Right now, she had a different problem. Her fingers tapped impatiently against the desk as she watched the classroom door, waiting. Beside her, Serena Blackthorne, Rank 4¡ªever silent, ever observant¡ªflipped a page in her book without looking up. "You''re staring" Serena remarked, her voice cool. Eleanora forced her expression neutral. "I''m not." Serena''s amethyst eyes flicked toward her, unimpressed. "You have been glaring at the door for five minutes." Eleanora opened her mouth to retort¡ª Then the door slid open. Kyle Valemont walked in. And just like that, the entire atmosphere in the room shifted. Whispers erupted. Girls straightened in their seats, pretending not to look while absolutely looking. Even some of the boys glanced his way, though they at least had the decency to pretend it was out of rivalry rather than... whatever this was. Eleanora''s jaw tightened. ''This is ridiculous.'' She had seen this before, of course. In her past life, Kyle had always drawn attention¡ªquietly charismatic, effortlessly skilled. But this? This was something else. His Bronze-rank breakthrough had sharpened his features, brightened his presence, and now half the student body seemed to have collectively lost their minds. And it was ''Kaelith''s fault.'' If that idiot noble hadn''t challenged him, if he hadn''t forced Kyle to show off in front of the entire academy¡ª ''I should have stopped it.'' The thought burned. She could have intervened. A word, a glance, even just standing beside him would have been enough to make Kaelith back down. But she hadn''t. She''d let it happen. And now? Now she had to sit here and watch as girls giggled behind their hands, as their eyes followed Kyle like he was some kind of prize. Serena turned another page. "You''re doing it again." Eleanora forced her fingers to unclench. "Doing what?" "Glaring." A pause. "At her." Eleanora followed Serena''s subtle nod toward Elara Bennett¡ªwho was currently leaning over her desk, red hair spilling over her shoulders as she very obviously smiled in Kyle''s direction. Eleanora''s eye twitched. Serena sighed. "Pathetic." Eleanora wasn''t sure if she meant Elara or her, but she didn''t ask. Instead, she watched as Kyle took his seat, completely oblivious to the attention. Reo immediately elbowed him, grinning like an idiot, while Luna cackled at whatever stupid thing he had just said. Kyle''s responding expression¡ªhalf exasperated, half amused¡ªmade something in Eleanora''s chest tighten. ''Stupid.'' She tore her gaze away. She had bigger things to worry about than a bunch of infatuated girls. The Crimson Maw, the shifting timeline, the fact that Vaylen had been a puppet¡ª But still. Still. A quiet, traitorous fire burned in her chest as she watched them¡ªall those eager eyes, all those whispered giggles. ''He was supposed to be mine.'' The thought hit her like a blade between the ribs. Not in the way those silly girls wanted him. Not as some fleeting crush or trophy to chase. But hers. Her ally. Her Partner. Her Lover. The man who, in another life, had stood beside her when the world burned. And now? Now he didn''t even know her. Serena''s voice cut through the silence. "You''re gripping your stylus hard enough to break it." Eleanora blinked. Looked down. Sure enough, her knuckles were white around the stylus, the tip trembling against the screen. She forced herself to breathe. To let go. But the ember in her chest refused to die. ''He was always meant to be at my side.'' And she would make sure he remembered that. **** Chapter 39 - 39: Virtual Simulation [1] The moment Instructor Aurelia stepped into the room, the chatter died instantly. Even the most talkative students snapped their mouths shut, sitting up straighter in their seats. Nobody wanted to risk ticking off the Gale Witch¡ªespecially not after the incident with Professor Vaylen last week. Aurelia''s sharp blue eyes swept across the room before landing on Reo, who was slouched in his usual spot beside Kyle. "Good morning, students," she said, her voice crisp. "I see everyone is present today." Reo grinned, unbothered by the pointed look. "What can I say? I''m turning over a new leaf." Aurelia arched an eyebrow. "I will believe it when I see it." She walked to the front of the class, her robes flaring slightly with the faintest hum of wind magic¡ªjust enough to make the papers on her desk flutter. "Next week, you''ll be taking your Virtual Reality Combat Exam" she announced. A few excited murmurs broke out. VR battles were one of the most anticipated exams at Solvayne¡ªhigh-stakes, immersive, and, most importantly, painless compared to real combat. Aurelia waited for the noise to settle before continuing. "You''ll be paired up in teams of two," she said. "You can choose your own partner¡ªpick wisely." Kyle leaned back in his seat, considering. In the original novel, this exam had been a free-for-all royal battle, not a partnered one. But then again, a lot of things were changing now. Then Aurelia dropped the twist. "Oh, and one more thing." A faint smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "You''ll be chained together¡ªfive-meter distance limit." Silence. Then¡ªchaos. "Five meters?!" someone blurted. "How are we supposed to fight like that?!" A boy with curly brown hair near the front raised his hand. "Professor, what about students with lightning affinity? Won''t they shock their partners if they are chained together?" Aurelia shrugged. "Then control your mana better." The class groaned. "The chains are mana-resistant" she clarified, "but yes, lightning users can still electrocute their partners if they''re careless. So don''t be." Kyle exhaled through his nose. ''Great.'' That meant he''d have to be extra careful with his lightning¡ªno wild surges, no reckless discharges. Aurelia crossed her arms. "Any other questions?" The room stayed silent. "Good. You have time till tomorrow morning to submit your partner''s name. After that, no changes." She turned to the chalkboard, her winds lifting a piece of chalk effortlessly. "Now, open your mana theory textbooks to page 147. Today, we are covering elemental resonance in close-quarters combat¡ªwhich, coincidentally, might help you not blow each other up next week." As the lesson began, whispers still flitted through the room¡ªstudents glancing at each other, silently negotiating partnerships. Aurelia cleared her throat sharply. "Focus. Or I''ll assign partners myself¡ªand I promise, you won''t like my choices." The class fell silent. Kyle sighed ''This was going to be a disaster.'' **** "Alright, that''s it for today''s lesson," Aurelia announced. "Choose your partners by tomorrow and submit the names to me. No last-minute changes." With that, she strode out of the classroom. The moment the door slid shut behind her, the classroom erupted into chaos. Students scrambled out of their seats, already shouting over each other to claim their ideal partners. "Who are you pairing with?" "Dude, we have to team up¡ª" "Not if you keep screwing up your mana control!" Some were bargaining, some were pleading, and a few were outright bribing¡ªKyle even saw one guy offer half his semester''s academic credits just to team up with Serena Blackthorne (she ignored him completely). Kyle turned to Reo, who was busy stretching his arms behind his head like he hadn''t a care in the world. "Hey," Kyle said, nudging him with his elbow. "We''re teaming up, right?" Reo''s grin faltered. He scratched the back of his neck, suddenly very interested in the ceiling. "Uh¡­ about that." Reo''s grin faltered. He glanced at Kyle, then quickly looked away, scratching the back of his neck. "Uh¡­ no offense, man, but hell no." Kyle frowned. "What?" Reo sighed dramatically. "Look, man, I love you, but I also love not being turned into a fried crispy snack." He shuddered. "I still have nightmares about that flaming boar you turned into charcoal during the entrance exam." Luna, perched on the edge of a nearby desk, burst into laughter. "Oh my gods, Reo! You''re scared of a little zap?" Reo shot her a glare. "Oh yeah? Why don''t you team up with him, then?" Luna''s grin vanished. She coughed, suddenly very interested in the ceiling. "Uh¡­ I mean, I would, but¡­ I''ve got this¡­ thing. Yeah. A thing." Kyle rolled his eyes. "Cowards. Both of you." Luna pointed at him. "Don''t act like you wouldn''t accidentally turn me into a lightning rod!" Reo nodded sagely. "See? Even she knows it''s a death wish." Kyle sighed, slumping back in his seat. "Great." He scanned the room, wondering who else he could ask. Most of the students were already pairing off¡ªLyra with Cassian, Sylvie with another quiet mage. Even Serena Blackthorne had somehow been roped into a team by a determined-looking girl from the back. Just as he was considering his options, a familiar figure stepped in front of his desk. "Kyle." A voice, cool and firm, cut through the noise. Princess Eleanora D''Argent stood in front of his desk, her blood-red eyes locked onto his. She had moved so fast that a group of girls¡ªwho had been inching toward him with hopeful expressions¡ªfroze mid-step, then awkwardly retreated. Kyle raised an eyebrow. "¡­Yes?" "Partner with me." It wasn''t a question. Kyle studied her for a second. "Why?" Eleanora''s expression didn''t waver, but there was something different about her today¡ªa slight tension in her posture, a sharper edge to her words. Normally, she was calm, composed, effortlessly regal. But right now? She looked like she had made up her mind and wasn''t taking no for an answer. "Because you need someone who won''t be scared of your lightning." She shot a pointed look at Reo and Luna, who both coughed and looked away. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kyle smirked. Fair point. "And" she added, quieter, "I know you don''t have anyone else in mind." ''Damn.'' She wasn''t wrong. He didn''t really have anyone else in mind, and Eleanora was strong¡ªprobably one of the best fighters in their class. Plus, she wasn''t afraid of his lightning. "Fine" he agreed. "We will make it work." Eleanora nodded once, sharp and satisfied. "Good. Meet me in the training hall this evening. We will strategize." Kyle shrugged. "Sure." As she turned and walked away, her light blonde hair swaying behind her like a victory banner. Reo whistled low under his breath. "Damn. The princess just claimed you." Luna grinned. "I told you she had a crush on¡ª" Kyle flicked a tiny spark of lightning at her. Luna yelped and ducked. "Not. Another. Word." Reo cackled. Kyle just sighed again, watching Eleanora''s retreating figure. Something told him this partnership was going to be¡­ interesting. *** Chapter 40 - 40: Virtual Simulation [2] The soft hum of mana filled the private training chamber as Kyle and Eleanora stood side by side, a thick five-meter rope tied securely around their waists. Eleanora adjusted the grip on her slender estoc, the blade gleaming under the artificial light. "Alright, let''s try fighting together first. No affinities, just basic combat." Kyle nodded, unsheathing his tachi. "Yeah. We need to get used to moving like this before we add Affinties." He turned to the empty space in front of them. "Nexus, activate training protocol. Two opponents, sword users, chained together, intermediate level. No affinities." "Training parameters set" the AI announced in its smooth, genderless voice. "Two opponents, intermediate level. No affinities. Chain simulation active." Kyle adjusted the rope tied around his waist, making sure it wasn''t too tight. Five meters. That was the limit. Not too short, not too long¡ªjust enough to be annoying. Eleanora stood beside him, her Estoc already drawn, the slender blade glinting under the training room''s artificial light. "Ready?" she asked, her voice calm but focused. Kyle nodded, gripping his Tachi. "Let''s do this." The two translucent blue mana puppets flickered into existence across from them, each armed with blunt training swords. Like Kyle and Eleanora, they were bound together by an identical five-meter rope. For a moment, no one moved. Then¡ª Kyle lunged. Or at least, he tried to. The second he took a step forward the rope around his waist yanked him back mid-motion. His foot caught on nothing, and he stumbled, barely catching himself before face planting into the floor. Eleanora, who had been about to strike from the opposite angle, was jerked sideways by his sudden halt. She hissed through her teeth, barely managing to keep her balance. "Kyle." "Sorry!" He shot her an apologetic glance. "Forgot about the damn rope." The mana puppets didn''t wait for them to recover. The first one charged, swinging its blunt sword in a wide arc. Kyle barely managed to raise his Tachi in time to block, the impact vibrating up his arms. The second puppet darted around its partner, trying to flank Eleanora. She pivoted, her Estoc flashing out in a sharp thrust¡ªbut the rope around her waist pulled taut as Kyle shifted position, throwing off her aim. Her blade grazed the puppet''s shoulder instead of piercing its chest. "Tch." She clicked her tongue in frustration. Kyle gritted his teeth. This was harder than he had thought. The puppets pressed their advantage, moving in sync, their attacks coordinated. Kyle and Eleanora, on the other hand, kept getting in each other''s way. Kyle stepped left¡ªEleanora stepped right. The rope tangled around their legs. "Oof¡ª" They both went down in a heap. Kyle hit the ground first, his back slamming against the padded floor. Eleanora landed half on top of him, her elbow digging into his ribs. "Ow." She pushed herself up quickly, her face flushed. "This isn''t working." "No kidding" Kyle muttered, rubbing his side. Nexus''s voice echoed through the room. "Training paused. Would you like to adjust difficulty?" Eleanora shook her head. "No. We will figure this out." She stood, offering Kyle a hand. He took it, letting her pull him up. "Okay," she said, brushing off her training robes. "We need to be in sync. No more random movements." Kyle nodded. "Right. So¡­ what? We take turns attacking?" "Not exactly." Eleanora frowned, thinking. "We need to anticipate each other''s movements. If I go left, you go left. If I step forward, you step forward." "That sounds easier said than done." She shot him a look. "You got a better idea?" Kyle exhaled. "No. Let''s try it." They reset their stances. The mana puppets reactivated, falling back into their ready positions. This time, Eleanora took the lead. "Right side!" Eleanora called out. Kyle pivoted just as she stepped right, their movements finally beginning to sync. For three glorious exchanges, they flowed together - parrying, striking, anticipating each other''s footwork. The blue mana puppets pressed their assault, but for the first time that session, Kyle felt they might actually- His combat instincts flared. The lead puppet''s guard dropped a fraction too low. "Now!" Kyle shouted, lunging forward without thinking. The sudden movement jerked Eleanora off-balance mid-swing. Her blade went wide as she stumbled sideways, barely managing to avoid the second puppet''s counterattack. "Damn it, Kyle!" she hissed through gritted teeth, scrambling to regain her footing. Kyle backpedaled quickly, the rope between them snapping taut. "Sorry! Saw an opening!" The puppets didn''t give them time to recover. They advanced in perfect synchronization, their blunt training swords cutting through the air with mechanical precision. Kyle barely raised his tachi in time to block a strike aimed at his ribs, the impact vibrating up his arms. "Switch!" Eleanora commanded. They attempted to rotate positions, but Kyle misjudged the distance. As he turned, the rope wrapped around his ankle. Eleanora''s next step yanked him off-balance, sending them both careening into each other. Their shoulders collided with a painful thud, weapons tangling awkwardly between them. "You''re pulling too hard!" Eleanora snapped, trying to untangle their blades. "I''m trying not to get hit!" Kyle shot back, struggling to free his tachi from where it had caught in the crossguard of her estoc. The lead puppet seized the opportunity, its training sword arching toward Kyle''s unprotected head. Eleanora''s eyes widened a fraction before she reacted with lightning reflexes. Her shoulder slammed into Kyle''s chest, knocking him clear of the strike. But the sudden movement destroyed what little balance she had left. The rope went taut as Kyle stumbled backward, dragging Eleanora with him. For one weightless moment, they hung in the air together - Kyle''s arms pinwheeling uselessly, Eleanora''s expression caught between fury and resignation. Then gravity took over. They hit the ground. Hard. Kyle hit the floor first, the impact knocking the air from his lungs in a quiet ''oof''. A heartbeat later, Eleanora crashed down on top of him, her knee accidentally digging into his thigh as she struggled to catch herself. For one frozen moment, time seemed to stop. Her face hovered mere inches above his, close enough that he could count the faint golden flecks in her crimson eyes. Her breath came in short, startled puffs against his cheek, lips slightly parted in surprise. A strand of her pale blonde hair had come loose from its tie, brushing against his jaw like silk. Kyle''s brain short-circuited. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''H-how did I even get into this situation?'' The warmth of her body pressed against his, the scent of winter roses and steel¡ªsomething distinctly Eleanora¡ªflooded his senses. His pulse was already racing from their failed spar, kicked up another notch. Then, just as quickly as it happened, Eleanora shoved herself upright scrambling off him with uncharacteristic clumsiness. A faint pink dusted her cheeks as she straightened her robes with sharp, practiced motions. "We are terrible at this," she muttered, avoiding his gaze. Kyle sat up slowly, rubbing the back of his head where it had smacked the mat. "Yeah," he agreed hoarsely, then cleared his throat. "No argument here." Nexus''s calm voice echoed through the training room. "Training session concluded. Would you like to review performance metrics?" Eleanora exhaled through her nose, her shoulders tense. "No. We know what went wrong." Kyle groaned, flopping back onto the padded floor and throwing an arm over his eyes. "We are gonna get destroyed in the exam." Silence stretched between them, broken only by their still-uneven breathing. Then¡ª A hand appeared in his line of sight. Kyle lowered his arm to find Eleanora standing over him, her expression unreadable. "We will figure it out somehow" she said, her voice quieter than usual. Kyle stared at her outstretched hand then up at her face. The usual regal composure was there, but something else lingered in her eyes¡ªdetermination maybe. Or frustration. Or... something he couldn''t quite name. After a beat, he took her hand, letting her haul him to his feet with surprising strength. Her fingers were warm against his, calloused from sword training but still undeniably delicate. She released him the second he was steady, turning away to gather her discarded Estoc. "Yeah," Kyle said, brushing off his training clothes. "We will." They had to. Because the alternative¡ªfailing spectacularly in front of the entire academy, chained together like a pair of clumsy idiots¡ªwasn''t an option. Eleanora slid her blade back into its sheath with a quiet ''snick'', then turned to face him fully. "Tomorrow. Same time. We are not leaving until we can move in sync." It wasn''t a request. Kyle nodded. "Tomorrow." As they left the training room, the weight of their impending exam¡ªand the memory of that fleeting, breathless moment¡ªhung between them, unspoken but undeniable. They had a week to get this right. And neither of them planned to lose. *** Author''s Note: Dear awesome readers, Guess what? Drumroll¡­ I finally got contracted! ???? A huge "THANK YOU" for your support so far¡ªnow, how about tossing some Powerstones my way to keep the celebration going? (Or, you know, gifts. I won''t say no to gifts. Wink wink.) Let''s keep this party rolling! ¡ªNewbie_Author18 (who may or may not be floating on cloud nine) Chapter 41 - 41: Virtual Simulation [3] The simulation hall stretched endlessly before them, a cavernous space filled with row upon row of gleaming silver VR pods. Each pod hummed softly with contained mana, their polished surfaces reflecting the harsh artificial lights overhead. The sheer scale of it made Kyle''s breath catch slightly - there had to be thousands of them arranged in perfect military precision. Kyle blinked rapidly, his eyes struggling to adjust to both the brightness and the overwhelming sight. His fingers twitched at his sides as he mentally calculated the numbers. Of course, he realized with dawning comprehension. This isn''t just for our class. This is for the entire first year. The math settled uncomfortably in his mind. 1000 students. 500 teams. All about to be thrown into the same virtual battlefield where only the strongest would emerge victorious. Beside him, Eleanora stood with her characteristic perfect posture. Her crimson eyes methodically scanned the room, analyzing every detail with the precision of a seasoned tactician. The way she held herself - chin slightly raised, shoulders squared - reminded Kyle that beneath her academy uniform beat the heart of a princess. They had spent every available moment of the past week training together, their bodies gradually learning to move as one despite the restrictive chain between them. What had begun as a series of clumsy collisions and frustrated shouts had slowly, painstakingly transformed into something resembling coordination. To Kyle''s surprise, they had adapted faster than either had anticipated. Probably because neither of us could stand the thought of losing, he mused. Stubbornness might be our greatest shared trait. Kyle''s fingers twitched at his side. ''Don''t think about last week. Don''t think about last week.'' But of course, his traitorous brain replayed the memory anyway¡ª Eleanora crashing into him, her weight pressing against his chest, the way her breath had hitched when their faces were mere inches apart, that single strand of pale blonde hair brushing against his cheek... He shook his head violently, as if trying to dislodge the thought physically. ''Focus, damn it.'' This was no time for distractions. Every second spent thinking about anything other than survival was a second wasted. The future loomed before them like a gathering storm, a ticking clock counting down to demonic invasions and all-out war. There would be time for... whatever those confusing feelings might be... if they lived long enough to see peace. His gaze swept across the room, taking in the other students. Reo was paired with Luna, the two of them bickering already¡ªprobably about who would lead. Cassian had paired up with another close combat fighter in top 15. Sylvie had teamed up with Lyra, whispering nervously. And Serena Blackthorne, ever the antisocial enigma, stood beside a girl named Clara Reeves¡ªRank 12, fire affinity, if he remembered right. Then his eyes landed on him. Cedric. The golden-haired protagonist stood with his typical relaxed posture, chatting amiably with a mousy brown-haired girl Kyle didn''t recognize. Her hands fluttered nervously as she spoke, she is one of the lowest-ranked students in their year. Kyle suppressed a groan. Of course the bleeding-heart hero would pair with someone like that. He could practically hear the conversation: "Oh Cedric, no one wants to team with me..." "Don''t worry, I will be your partner!" Typical protagonist nonsense. ''The idiot should have picked someone from the top ranks if he actually wanted to win.'' A sharp clap cut through the din. All heads turned toward the raised platform where their instructors stood. Aurelia''s black hair caught the light as she stepped forward, her piercing gaze sweeping across the assembled students. Beside her, Professor Seraphina twirled a lock of pink hair around her finger looking far too amused for what was about to happen. "Listen up" Aurelia began, her voice carrying effortlessly. "Rules are simple, but screw this up, and you are done." A nervous ripple passed through the crowd. Kyle noticed several students unconsciously straightening their postures. "You''ll be physically chained to your partner" Aurelia continued, holding up a length of shimmering blue cord. "Five meters of mana-resistant tether. Try to break it and you''re out. Not that it will break" Professor Seraphina giggled, tapping her holographic display. "And here''s the fun part, ducklings! The simulation won''t release you until both teammates are defeated. So if your partner''s still fighting while you''re knocked out?" She made a sad tsking noise. "You get to enjoy the show from the sidelines!" Kyle exchanged glances with Eleanora. The princess''s crimson eyes gleamed with quiet determination. They had spent every spare moment of the past week drilling their coordination, learning to move as one despite the restrictive tether. He could still feel the bruises from their more... enthusiastic training sessions. "Final rankings will be determined by the number of teams you eliminate," Aurelia concluded. "Last pair standing gets bonus points. Any questions?" The silence was absolute. Even the usual troublemakers knew better than to speak up now. "Good. Find your assigned pods." As the students surged forward. Pod 47 and 48 waited for them near the center of the room - sleek silver capsules that hummed with contained energy. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kyle glanced at Eleanora. "Ready?" She met his gaze, a flicker of something unreadable in her crimson eyes. "Don''t hold me back." He grinned. "Was about to say the same to you." The pods hissed open as they stepped inside, the interior lined with soft padding and glowing control panels. Kyle settled in, the harness automatically securing him as the system booted up. "Initializing virtual battlefield" Nexus''s voice chimed in his ear. "Connection established in 3... 2... 1..." The world dissolved into light. *** (Virtual Reality) The first sensation that registered in Kyle''s mind was the unfamiliar weight encircling his waist - not painful, but impossible to ignore. He glanced down to see the thick, shimmering chain linking him to Eleanora, its metallic surface pulsing faintly with mana-resistant enchantments. The five-meter tether felt heavier in this virtual space than it had during their training. The world around them materialized in jagged fragments. First came the cracked concrete beneath their feet, then the skeletal remains of skyscrapers clawing at a blood-red sky. The air carried the acrid scent of ozone and something metallic - like old blood baked into stone. Distant echoes of combat already rang through the ruined cityscape, though no opponents were visible yet. Kyle''s fingers flexed around the hilt of his tachi, the familiar weight of the curved blade comforting despite the surreal environment. The virtual steel felt real enough - cold against his palm, its edge sharp enough to catch the unnatural crimson light filtering through the broken skyline. Beside him, Eleanora stood poised like a drawn blade. Her crimson eyes swept across the battlefield with methodical precision, analyzing every potential vantage point and bottleneck. The chain between them pulled taut as she took a half-step forward, testing its limits. The movement sent a faint vibration through the link that Kyle felt in his bones. "Urban ruins" she murmured, her voice barely audible over the distant sounds of battle. "Close quarters. Favor your thrusts over wide swings." Kyle nodded, already adjusting his stance. The environment would make their limited mobility even more challenging. too many obstacles to get tangled in, too many blind corners where opponents could ambush them. But it also provided cover. Opportunities. A gust of virtual wind sent dust swirling around their ankles as Nexus''s voice boomed across the desolate landscape: "Exam begins now. Eliminate or be eliminated." The words hung in the air like a physical weight. Somewhere in this shattered city, 499 other teams were hearing the same message, preparing to fight, to survive. Kyle''s pulse quickened, his grip tightening on his sword until the leather wrappings creaked. Eleanora turned to face him the ghost of a smile playing at her lips. Not the polite, practiced expression of a princess, but something sharper. Hungrier. The red light caught in her eyes, making them glow like embers in the artificial dusk. "Let''s hunt." The words weren''t loud but they carried the weight of a promise. Kyle felt something primal stir in his chest - not fear, not hesitation, but the electric anticipation of a challenge accepted. The chain between them thrummed with potential energy as they moved forward in unison, two predators bound together, stepping into the ruins to claim their first prey. *** Chapter 42 - 42: Chained Together [1] [Author''s Note: I have changed the pairing of Cassian with another close-combat user and Sylvie with Lyra.] The two students stumbled through the rubble-strewn streets, their breaths ragged. The boy with the longsword kept glancing over his shoulder, his grip white-knuckled around his weapon. "Why the hell did we run into them this early?" he hissed to his partner, a girl clutching a short spear. Before she could answer, the shadows beneath their feet twisted. Dark tendrils lashed out like living things, coiling around their ankles and yanking hard. Both fighters crashed face-first into the cracked pavement, their weapons skittering out of reach. "What the¡ª?!" A whisper of steel. A red line flashed across their throats. For a heartbeat, they lay there, stunned. Then their bodies dissolved into pixels, vanishing from the virtual battlefield. Kyle slid his tachi back into its scabbard with a quiet click. "Good work," Eleanora said beside him, her voice calm. "Same to you," Kyle replied, rolling his shoulders. Three teams down. All low to mid-rankers. Easy prey. He studied Eleanora from the corner of his eye. The way she wielded darkness was terrifyingly precise¡ªnot just as an element, but as an extension of herself. Most deviants who possessed clashing affinities (like her darkness and light) specialized in one over the other. Eleanora had clearly chosen darkness, and she excelled at it. Before he could dwell further, Eleanora stiffened. "Someone''s coming." Kyle''s hand went back to his tachi. Two teams emerged from the skeletal remains of a collapsed building¡ªfour fighters in total. Their auras pulsed with the telltale pressure of high-ranking students. The first team consisted of two mages¡ªa boy with fire flickering at his fingertips and a girl with water swirling around her wrists. The second team was close-range: a broad-shouldered boy hefting a massive battle-axe and a lean girl with twin daggers. ''Perfect balance. Long-range and close-combat.'' The fire mage acted first hurling a fireball straight at Kyle and Eleanora to test them. Kyle didn''t flinch. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He and Eleanora moved together, sidestepping in perfect sync. The fireball exploded harmlessly against the ruins behind them, sending up a shower of sparks. The axe-wielder grinned. "Oh, this''ll be fun." The dagger girl moved first¡ªa blur of motion, twin blades glinting with frost as she closed the distance between them in an instant. The air around her chilled visibly, her breath misting in the artificial cold as she slashed toward Eleanora''s throat. Eleanora didn''t retreat. Her shadow surged upward like a living thing, tendrils of darkness coiling around the girl''s wrists. The daggers plunged into the inky blackness¡ªand stuck, as if embedded in tar. The girl''s eyes widened. She yanked hard, but the shadows held firm. Kyle didn''t wait. He lunged at the axe-user, his tachi humming with gathering lightning. The boy barely raised his weapon in time, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks. "Damn, you''re quick," the axe-user grunted, muscles straining as he shoved Kyle back. Behind them, the mages were already chanting. "Aqua Lance!" A spear of condensed water shot toward Kyle''s exposed side. He twisted mid-step, letting it graze past his ribs¡ªbut the chain at his waist pulled taut. Eleanora had moved the opposite way. The sudden tension yanked Kyle off-balance. The water mage smirked, already weaving another spell. "Kyle!" Eleanora snapped. "I know!" Instead of resisting, Kyle let himself fall, using the chain''s pull to pivot mid-air. His tachi lashed out in a wide arc, forcing the axe-user to leap back¡ªright into Eleanora''s trap. At the same moment, Eleanora yanked on the shadows still holding the dagger girl''s weapons. The girl stumbled forward¡ª ¡ªand met Eleanora''s knee. "Oof¡ª!" The dagger girl crumpled, gasping. But she wasn''t out yet. The fire mage snarled. "Inferno Burst!" A ring of fire erupted around them, cutting off escape. The heat was blistering, even in the virtual world. Kyle''s mind raced. ''We need to break their formation.'' Eleanora''s voice cut through his thoughts. "Lightning. Now." He didn''t hesitate. Kyle raised his free hand, and lightning crackled to life¡ªarcs of blue-white electricity forming into a lance. "Lightning Lance!" The bolt shot toward the water mage like a strike from the heavens. The mage barely had time to scream before it pierced his chest, the shockwave ripping through him. Though she was knocked out, neither she nor her teammate could dematerialize from the VR world until both of them were defeated. The fire mage paled. Before he could react, Eleanora yanked on the chain connecting her to Kyle. The sudden force pulled Kyle backward¡ªjust as the axe-user brought his weapon down where Kyle had been standing. The ground shattered under the impact, jagged spikes of earth erupting from the pavement¡ªearth affinity. Kyle rolled to his feet, catching his returning tachi mid-air. Eleanora was already moving, darkness lashing out to wrap around the fire mage''s wrists. "Dark Bind." The mage''s flames sputtered out as the shadows smothered them. He barely had time to gasp before Kyle was on him¡ª A single slash. Both the mages vanished. Only the axe-user and the dagger girl remained. The girl had recovered, her blades free now that Eleanora''s shadows had shifted focus. She lunged again, this time aiming for Kyle''s blind spot¡ª But Eleanora was faster. She pulled on the chain, dragging Kyle toward her just as the dagger girl struck. The blades sliced empty air where Kyle''s neck had been a second before. Kyle didn''t waste the opening. He pivoted, using the chain''s momentum to swing his tachi in a brutal arc. The dagger girl barely dodged, but the axe-user wasn''t as lucky. The blade carved a deep gash across his shoulder. "Gah¡ª!" The axe-user staggered, but he wasn''t done yet. He slammed his weapon into the ground again, and the earth rippled, jagged stone spikes erupting toward Kyle and Eleanora in a deadly wave. Kyle didn''t dodge. Instead, he grabbed Eleanora''s wrist and yanked her toward him as he leaped backward, using the chain''s momentum to swing her clear of the spikes. At the same time, Eleanora''s shadows lashed out, wrapping around the axe-user''s legs. The boy stumbled¡ª ¡ªjust as Kyle''s lightning-charged tachi met his chest. A brilliant flash. The axe-user was knocked out. The dagger girl was the last one standing. She hesitated, eyes darting between Kyle and Eleanora. Eleanora didn''t give her a chance to run. Darkness shot forward, wrapping around the girl''s ankles and yanking her off her feet. Kyle was already moving, his tachi flashing¡ª One clean strike. Silence. The dagger girl and the axe-user vanished. Kyle exhaled, rolling the tension from his shoulders. "That could have gone worse." Eleanora flicked nonexistent dust from her sleeve. "They were careless." A distant explosion rocked the battlefield. Somewhere, another team had fallen. Kyle smirked. "Let''s go find the next ones." Eleanora''s lips curved in answer. The hunt continued. *** They moved through the ruins like twin shadows, the chain between them no longer a hindrance but a weapon in itself. When a spearman tried to impale Eleanora from behind, Kyle yanked her sideways with the chain, letting her counter with a darkness-whip to his throat. When a wind mage tried to blast Kyle off a crumbling ledge, Eleanora pulled him back mid-fall, using the momentum to launch him into a devastating downward strike. They fought in perfect, brutal sync¡ªtwo predators bound by five meters of unbreakable chain. And the other teams? They fell. One by one. Chapter 43 - 43: Chained Together [2] Kyle wiped the virtual sweat from his brow as the last remnants of his opponent dissolved into glowing pixels. The ruined city stretched out around them eerily silent now that most of the weaker teams had been eliminated. Only the strongest remained. Eleanora stood beside him her breathing is steady despite the relentless battles they had fought. The chain between them hummed faintly with restrained energy, the five-meter tether both their greatest strength and their most dangerous limitation. Then Nexus''s voice boomed across the battlefield, echoing through the skeletal remains of the city: "One hour remains. All participants must converge at the central plaza. The battlefield will now shrink." Kyle exhaled sharply. "Of course. They are forcing the final fights." Eleanora nodded, her blood red eyes scanning the path ahead. "Let''s move." They broke into a synchronized sprint, the chain pulled taut between them but controlled¡ªno longer a hindrance, but a tool they had learned to wield. The ruined streets blurred past their boots kicking up dust from the cracked pavement. Crumbled buildings loomed on either side, their hollow windows like watching eyes. Then¡ª The ground shuddered. Kyle''s instincts screamed a warning a split second before jagged spikes of stone erupted from the earth, forming a massive wall that blocked their path completely. He skidded to a halt, his boots scraping against rubble as he barely avoided impaling himself on the razor-sharp protrusions. "Looks like we have got company" he muttered, his grip tightening on his tachi. From behind the earthen barrier, two figures emerged. The first was a mountain of muscle¡ªOrion Ironveil, Rank 10, his massive warhammer resting casually on one shoulder like it weighed nothing. His combat uniform strained against his frame, the fabric barely containing the raw power beneath. A scar ran across his cheek, likely from the earlier battle they had fought, and his sharp brown eyes gleamed with the confidence of a man who had never known defeat." Beside him stood his team member¡ªa stark contrast in every way. A wiry, petite boy with twin curved swords, his stance light and poised like a dancer''s. The air around him shimmered faintly with distortion, the telltale sign of ''wind affinity''. Orion cracked his neck, the sound like snapping twigs. "Damn". He rumbled, his voice deeper than seemed possible for an eighteen-year-old. "Was hoping we would run into top 10" The swordsman grinned, spinning his blades in a flashy flourish. "Heard you have been tearing through teams. Let''s see if you can handle real competition." Kyle''s fingers flexed around his tachi''s hilt. These weren''t like the others they had faced¡ªthese were top-tier opponents. Eleanora''s shadow coiled at her feet like a living thing, ready to strike. Orion struck first. With a roar, he slammed his hammer into the ground. The earth ripped open jagged stone spikes shooting toward Kyle and Eleanora in a deadly wave. Kyle yanked on the chain, pulling Eleanora sideways as he leaped back. The spikes grazed his sleeve, tearing fabric but missing flesh. The swordsman didn''t give them time to recover. He blurred forward, wind amplifying his speed. His twin blades slashed in a crisscross pattern¡ªaimed straight for Kyle''s throat. Kyle barely raised his tachi in time. Steel shrieked as their weapons locked. "Fast" the swordsman taunted. "But not fast enough." A gust of wind slammed into Kyle''s chest, knocking him back. The chain went taut as Eleanora anchored herself, keeping him from flying into a crumbling wall. Orion wasn''t idle. He charged, hammer raised high. Eleanora''s shadows lashed out, but the swordsman intercepted them with a whirlwind slash, dispersing the darkness. Kyle gritted his teeth. ''They are coordinated.'' "Switch!" Eleanora snapped. Kyle didn''t hesitate. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He ducked, and Eleanora used the chain to swing over him, her boot connecting with Orion''s jaw in a brutal kick. The giant staggered but didn''t fall. The swordsman lunged again¡ªthis time at Eleanora. Kyle pivoted, lightning crackling down his blade. "Shockwave!" A pulse of electricity erupted from his tachi, forcing the swordsman back. But Orion recovered faster than expected. "Quake Drive!" He smashed his hammer down again. The ground exploded, sending chunks of debris flying. Kyle and Eleanora were forced apart, the chain pulling painfully tight between them. The swordsman seized the opening. Wind gathered around his blades as he spun, a miniature tornado forming around him. "Gale Slash!" The attack came too fast. Kyle barely dodged the first blade, but the second sliced across his ribs. A sharp, virtual pain flared¡ªno real damage, but Nexus would register it as a significant hit. Eleanora''s eyes darkened. Her shadow erupted from the ground, spearing toward the swordsman. He flipped back, but the darkness followed, relentless. Orion wasn''t idle. He charged Kyle again, hammer swinging in a devastating arc. Kyle ducked, but the chain limited his movement¡ª ''Think. Use it.'' Instead of resisting, Kyle jumped, letting the chain''s tension catapult him over Orion''s head. He landed behind the giant and slashed¡ª Orion twisted at the last second, the blade only grazing his shoulder. "Nice try" he growled, swinging his hammer backward. Kyle barely rolled away in time. Eleanora was still locked with the swordsman, their movements a blur of steel and shadows. She was faster, but his wind-enhanced agility kept him just out of reach. Kyle needed to end this. "Eleanora! Now!" She understood instantly. Her shadow wrapped around the chain linking them¡ªand yanked. Kyle was pulled toward her at terrifying speed¡ªstraight through Orion''s guard. The giant''s eyes widened as Kyle''s lightning charged tachi plunged into his chest. A brilliant flash. Orion went limp, crashing down. The swordsman froze. "...Shit." He didn''t get another word out. Eleanora''s shadow slammed into him from behind, and Kyle''s tachi took him in the front. Silence. The swordsman and Orion both opponent dissolved into glowing pixels. Kyle exhaled, wiping virtual sweat from his brow. "That... was annoying." Eleanora smirked. "But effective." Nexus''s voice echoed again: "All remaining teams must converge to the central plaza for the final battle." Kyle grinned. "Let''s finish this." The chain between them hummed with energy as they moved forward. *** Chapter 44 - 44: Chained Together [3] Kyle and Eleanora burst into the ruined central plaza, the chain between them pulled taut as they skidded to a stop. The once-grand square was now a battlefield of shattered stone and crumbling pillars, the sky above a swirling crimson void. Three other teams arrived at the same time. From the west, Reo and Luna emerged¡ªReo twirling his spear with a cocky grin, Luna bouncing on her heels, dual short swords glinting with frost. From the north came Sylvie and Lyra¡ªSylvie''s wand already shimmering with water magic, Lyra nocking an arrow to her bow, her half-elven ears twitching. And from the east, Cassian and his partner, Samuel Wilson, Rank 13¡ªa towering figure with black hair and striking golden eyes, his massive greatsword resting effortlessly on his shoulder. For a heartbeat, silence. Then Nexus voice echoed¡ª "Final Battle Commences. Eliminate or be eliminated." Kyle exhaled. "Well, this just got complicated." **** Sylvie''s wand shot forward, the air itself seemed to tremble. A roaring column of water erupted from the cracked pavement, surging toward Kyle and Eleanora like a living thing. The attack was nothing like the timid girl Kyle knew from class ¨C this was the controlled fury of a true water mage. Kyle barely had time to register the attack before an arrow whistled past his ear, embedding itself in the crumbling wall behind him with a sharp thunk. His eyes darted to Lyra, already nocking another arrow, her half-elven eyes gleaming with focus. "Since when was Sylvie this aggressive?!" Kyle hissed, rolling sideways as another arrow sliced through where his head had been. Eleanora didn''t answer. Darkness surged upward like a living wall, swallowing Lyra''s next arrow whole. The projectile disappeared into the inky blackness without a trace. Sylvie wasn''t done. She swung her wand, and the water swirling around them suddenly twisted, forming a spiraling vortex. "Aqua Prison!" The water prison closed in fast, threatening to trap them both. Kyle felt the moisture in the air clinging to his skin, the current already tugging at his legs. "Chain!" Eleanora snapped. Kyle didn''t hesitate. He yanked hard on the tether between them at the same moment Eleanora pushed off the ground. The combined force sent them both flying over the whirling water, their movements perfectly synchronized. They landed behind Sylvie in a crouch, the chain between them pulled taut. Lyra reacted instantly. She spun, her bowstring singing as she loosed another arrow¡ª Only for darkness to swallow it mid-flight again. Kyle didn''t waste the opening. Electricity crackled down his tachi as he lunged. His blade blurred forward aimed for Sylvie''s ribs¡ª But Lyra was already there. A gust of wind slammed into Kyle''s side, knocking him off course. His tachi grazed Sylvie''s arm instead of landing a clean hit. The water mage gasped but recovered quickly, her liquid whips reforming into razor-sharp tendrils. Eleanora''s eyes narrowed. "Enough." Darkness exploded outward tendrils slithering across the broken pavement toward Lyra. The half-elf backflipped gracefully, avoiding the first wave¡ª But then Lyra slammed her palm into the ground. "Nature''s Grasp!" The earth ruptured. Thick roots as wide as human arm burst forth, tangling around Eleanora''s shadows. The two forces clashed ¨C darkness against nature ¨C each trying to overwhelm the other. Sylvie seized the opportunity. Her water whips lashed out toward Kyle, forcing him to dance backward. "Getting tired yet?" Sylvie taunted her voice carrying an edge Kyle had never heard before. Kyle grinned, lightning dancing along his free hand. "Just warming up." He clapped his hands together. "Thunderclap!" A deafening boom echoed through the plaza, the shockwave blasting apart Sylvie''s water whips. The mage staggered, momentarily disoriented¡ª Eleanora didn''t miss her chance. With a sharp tug on the chain, she yanked Kyle toward her just as she leaped over Lyra''s roots. The sudden momentum sent Kyle flying past Sylvie¡ª His lightning-charged tachi found its mark. Sylvie gasped as the blade pierced her side, electricity coursing through her virtual form. Lyra''s eyes widened. "Sylvie!" Her distraction cost her. The darkness, now free from the roots, coiled around Lyra''s ankles and yanked. The archer hit the ground hard. Before she could recover, Eleanora was upon her¡ª One precise strike of her estoc to the throat. Both Lyra and Sylvie body flickered, then dissolved into pixels. Silence fell over the ruined plaza. Kyle exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Well... that was new." Eleanora flicked nonexistent dust from her sleeve. "She improved." Kyle couldn''t argue. The Sylvie in class would never have fought like that. But there was no time to dwell on it. The battle wasn''t over yet. **** At the same time when Eleanora and Kyle were fighting Lyra and Sylvie. Reo spun his spear in a arc, the wind humming around its tip as he sized up Cassian. The fire-wielder smirked, rolling his shoulders as flames danced across his gauntlets. "Well, this will be fun" Reo said with a grin. Luna rolled her eyes, shifting her grip on her twin short swords. Frost crackled along the blades, forming delicate ice patterns in the air. "Less talking, more stabbing." Before the words had fully left her mouth, Luna was already moving¡ªa blur of motion as she launched herself at Samuel. The towering swordsman barely blinked, his massive greatsword rising to meet her attack with deceptive speed. "Clang!" The collision sent sparks flying, Luna''s ice meeting Samuel''s steel. For a moment they strained against each other, Luna''s boots skidding back slightly from the sheer force behind Samuel''s block. Reo didn''t wait around to watch. With a sharp inhale, he lunged at Cassian, his spear tip whirling with concentrated wind energy. The enhanced attack shot forward like a bullet. Cassian barely managed to twist aside, the spear grazing his shoulder and leaving a shallow cut. A thin line of red appeared on his uniform. "Not bad" Cassian admitted, his smirk never fading as he examined the wound. Then the ground beneath Reo''s feet exploded. "Quake Fist!" Reo barely had time to register Cassian''s fist slamming into the pavement before he was leaping backward chunks of rock and debris flying upward where he had just stood. His heart pounded¡ªthat had been too close. But Cassian was already on him, his other fist wreathed in roaring flames. Reo barely got his spear up in time to block, the force of the punch sending him skidding back several feet. The heat from the flames licked at his face, uncomfortably warm even in the virtual environment. Meanwhile, Luna was struggling against Samuel''s relentless assault. Each swing of his greatsword carried enough force to shatter stone, forcing her to constantly dodge and weave rather than take the blows head-on. "Focus on your own fight" Samuel said calmly as he brought his sword down in another crushing arc. Luna barely rolled aside in time, feeling the whoosh of air as the massive blade carved a trench in the ground where she had been. She growled low in her throat, ice spreading rapidly across her blades until they glowed with an eerie blue light. She lunged forward, her swords leaving trails of frost in the air. Samuel blocked the first strike but the second grazed his arm¡ªand instantly, ice began creeping up his greatsword, the frost spreading rapidly across the metal. Samuel''s eyes widened slightly as his weapon grew heavier, the ice slowing his movements. Luna didn''t let up, pressing her advantage with a flurry of rapid strikes. Reo, meanwhile, was barely holding his own against Cassian''s relentless assault. Each punch carried the force of a sledgehammer the flames making it nearly impossible to get close. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Damn, you hit hard" Reo grunted, barely managing to deflect another fiery punch with the shaft of his spear. Cassian grinned, sweat glistening on his forehead from the exertion. "You are not bad either." Just as Reo was about to counterattack, Samuel suddenly yanked on the chain connecting him to Cassian. The unexpected pull made Cassian stumble backward, just as Reo''s spear thrust forward, the tip whistling through empty air where Cassian''s chest had been a second before. Luna saw her opening and took it. She pivoted, blades raised to strike at Cassian''s now-exposed back¡ª "Magma Surge!" Cassian''s fist slammed into the ground. The earth exploded upward in a spray of molten rock and superheated debris. Luna had no time to react¡ªthe virtual magma caught her full in the chest, the searing heat overwhelming her senses. She screamed as she got knocked out. Reo barely had time to process Luna''s elimination before Samuel was upon him, his greatsword¡ªnow free of ice¡ªdescending in a crushing overhead strike. Reo crossed his spear in a desperate block¡ª "CRACK!" The sheer force of the blow shattered Reo''s guard, sending him stumbling backward. Before he could recover, Cassian was there¡ªhis flaming fist driving straight into Reo''s gut. The explosion of fire and force sent Reo flying backward, his body slamming into a crumbling pillar before sliding to the ground. As his vision faded to black. As both Luna and Reo''s body vanished from the VR world. Cassian exhaled sharply, shaking out his gauntleted hands as the flames dissipated. Samuel wordlessly retrieved his greatsword, the ice now completely melted away. "That Reo Dustbane was better than I expected," Cassian admitted, rolling his injured shoulder. Samuel nodded. "The ice girl nearly had me. Good teamwork." Cassian grinned. "Yeah, well ours was better." Their moment of respite was short-lived as Eleanora and Kyle team also defeated Lyra and Sylvie. **** Chapter 45 - 45: Chained Together [4] The ruined plaza was eerily silent as the last four teams faced each other, the chain between Kyle and Eleanora pulled taut, their breathing steady despite the exhaustion creeping in. Across from them, Cassian cracked his knuckles, flames flickering around his gauntlets, while Samuel adjusted his grip on his massive greatsword. Then, footsteps echoed. Serena Blackthorn stepped into the plaza, her glaive resting on her shoulder, the blade crackling with faint arcs of lightning. Beside her, Clara Reeves, Rank 12 twirled her halberd, fire dancing along its edge. And finally, Cedric entered, his longsword gleaming under the crimson sky. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His partner, a brown-haired girl clutching a katana¡ªstayed close, her knuckles white around the hilt. For a moment, no one moved. Then Nexus''s voice boomed: "Only Ten minutes remains." Cassian grinned. "Well, this just got interesting." Serena''s cold gaze swept over them before landing on Cedric. Her lips curled in disgust. "You disappoint me, Cedric Valtieri" she said, her voice like ice. "Choosing dead weight as your partner? I expected better from the Valtieri duchy so-called prodigy." The brown-haired girl flinched, but Cedric stepped forward, shielding her. "She is my teammate. That''s all that matters." Serena scoffed. "Then I will kill her first." Without warning, Serena lunged, her glaive cutting through the air with a crackle of electricity. She moved straight for Cedric''s partner, but Cedric intercepted, his longsword meeting the glaive in a shower of sparks. "Stay behind me!" he barked at the girl, who nodded shakily. Clara didn''t waste time. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she sent a whip of fire lashing toward Cedric''s legs. He barely sidestepped, but the flames licked at his uniform, forcing him to roll away. "Not bad" Clara smirked, twirling her halberd. "But let''s see how long you can keep protecting her." At the same time, Cassian and Samuel charged Kyle and Eleanora. "Let''s see what you have got, Valemont!" Cassian roared, flames erupting from his fists. Kyle barely had time to react before a fireball hurtled toward him. He yanked the chain, pulling Eleanora aside as the explosion rocked the ground where they had stood. Eleanora didn''t hesitate. Darkness surged from beneath her, forming jagged spikes that shot toward Samuel. The giant swordsman barely dodged, his greatsword cleaving through the darkness. "Annoying" he muttered before swinging at Kyle. Kyle ducked, lightning flaring around his tachi as he countered. Steel clashed, sparks flying. Meanwhile, Serena pressed her attack on Cedric, her glaive moving in deadly arcs. Each strike was precise, forcing Cedric back step by step. "You are wasting your time protecting her," Serena sneered. "She is just slowing you down." Cedric gritted his teeth but didn''t reply, focusing on deflecting her strikes. His partner tried to help, her katana flashing, but Serena batted it aside effortlessly. "You are pathetic," Serena spat before slamming the butt of her glaive into the girl''s stomach, sending her crashing to the ground. Cedric''s eyes burned. "Enough!" He surged forward, his sword glowing with golden light¡ªhis signature technique. "Radiant Slash!" A crescent of light magic shot toward Serena, forcing her to leap back. But she wasn''t fazed. Lightning crackled around her glaive as she retaliated. A whip of electricity lashed out, forcing Cedric to block, but the sheer force sent him skidding back. Clara didn''t wait for an invitation. With a sharp inhale, she summoned a flame lance and hurled it straight at Cedric''s chest. Cedric barely twisted in time, the flame lance grazed his side before exploding into the ground behind him. "Tch. Missed" Clara muttered, already summoning another burst of fire in her palm. Serena didn''t look impressed. "Stop playing around." Clara rolled her eyes but obeyed. Back with Kyle and Eleanora, the fight was getting brutal. Cassian was relentless, his fists wreathed in flames as he launched punch after punch, each one carrying explosive force. Kyle dodged and weaved, but the chain limited his movement. "You''re tough, I will give you that" Cassian grinned, flames coiling around his arms. "But let''s see how you handle this!" He slammed his fists together. "Inferno Burst!" A ring of fire erupted around Kyle, trapping him. The heat was unbearable even in the virtual world. But Eleanora wasn''t idle. Darkness twisted, forming a massive claw that swiped at Samuel, forcing him back. Then she turned to Kyle. "Jump!" Kyle didn''t question it. He leaped as Eleanora yanked the chain, pulling him clear of the flames just as they exploded. Cassian cursed. "Damn teamwork!" Samuel, however, wasn''t done. With a roar, he swung his greatsword in a devastating arc, aiming to cleave Eleanora in half. She barely dodged, but the sheer force sent her stumbling. Kyle saw the opening. "Lightning Spear!" A bolt of electricity shot from his palm, striking Samuel square in the chest. The giant grunted, his muscles locking up from the shock. Eleanora didn''t waste the chance. The darkness coiled around his legs, then yanked, sending him crashing to the ground. Before he could recover, Kyle was on him, his tachi flashing. One clean strike. Samuel''s body flickered¡ªbut he didn''t vanish. As both the teammates must be defeated for elimination. Cassian snarled. "Fine. Then will take you both down myself." Meanwhile, Cedric stood firm, his longsword gleaming under the artificial crimson sky. Despite facing two opponents, his breathing remained steady. The difference in their ranks was obvious ¨C a Grade 3 Silver against two Grade 1 Bronzes. Serena twirled her glaive, lightning crackling along its edge. Beside her, Clara spun her halberd, flames licking at the blade. "You really think you can protect her against both of us?" Serena sneered. Cedric didn''t answer. His grip on his sword tightened slightly. Clara moved first. With a sharp cry, she swung her halberd in a wide arc, sending a wave of fire roaring toward Cedric. Cedric didn''t dodge. Instead, he raised his free hand, and a barrier of golden light flared to life, dispersing the flames harmlessly. Serena didn''t wait. The moment the fire cleared, she lunged, her glaive humming with electricity. Cedric parried, steel clashing against steel. The impact sent sparks flying, but he didn''t budge. "You are strong," Serena admitted, though her tone was mocking. "But even you can''t block forever." Cedric''s eyes narrowed. With a sudden burst of speed, Cedric twisted his blade, forcing Serena back. Then, in the same motion, he pivoted toward Clara. His sword ignited¡ªnot with fire, but with pure, radiant light. "Solar Flash!" A blinding burst erupted from his blade. Clara barely had time to raise her halberd before the light hit her full force. She screamed as the energy burned through her defenses, sending her skidding across the cracked pavement. Serena''s eyes widened slightly. "Tch. Not bad." But Cedric wasn''t done. He dashed forward, closing the distance before Clara could recover. "Flame Cleave!" His sword, now wreathed in fire, came down in a brutal slash. Clara barely managed to block, but the sheer force shattered her stance. Her arms trembled, her knees buckling under the pressure. One more strike. Cedric''s boot slammed into her chest, sending her crashing to the ground. Clara gasped, her body knocked out. Serena''s expression darkened. While Cedric was focused on Clara, Serena struck. Her glaive lashed out like a viper, lightning arcing toward Cedric''s back. Cedric sensed it at the last second. He twisted, but not fast enough, the electricity grazed his shoulder, sending a jolt of pain through his nerves. Gritting his teeth, he turned to face Serena fully. But she wasn''t looking at him. Her gaze was locked onto his teammate, the brown-haired girl still struggling to stand. A cruel smirk curled Serena''s lips. "Pathetic" she muttered. Then, before Cedric could react, she raised her glaive. "Thunder Execution." A bolt of lightning shot toward the girl. Cedric moved in a blur, shoving his partner aside, but the attack still grazed her arm. She screamed, collapsing to her knees, her body convulsing from the shock. Clara, still on the ground, laughed weakly. "Guess we are even now." Cedric''s hands clenched into fists. Serena tilted her head her glaive resting lazily on her shoulder. *** Chapter 46 - 46: Chained Together [5] Cassian gritted his teeth as he yanked at the chain still connecting him to Samuel''s motionless form. The massive warrior lay sprawled across the broken pavement his greatsword just out of reach. Every movement Cassian made sent a painful tug through the magical tether. "Damn this stupid rule" Cassian growled, flames flickering around his clenched fists. Across from him, Kyle and Eleanora moved in perfect sync, their own chain taut between them but not hindering them at all. Kyle wiped sweat from his brow, lightning crackling along his tachi. "Give it up, Cassian. You are fighting two against one now." Cassian spat to the side. "Like hell I am." He planted his feet and yanked hard on the chain, dragging Samuel''s unconscious body closer like some macabre anchor. The movement threw off Eleanora''s next shadow attack, the inky tendrils missing by inches. Eleanora''s crimson eyes narrowed. "You are really annoying." Her shadows reformed into jagged spikes that shot up from the ground. Cassian barely managed to roll away, the chain pulling taut as Samuel''s body resisted the movement. He came up swinging, fire erupting from his gauntlets in a wide arc that forced Kyle back. "You are slowing yourself down," Kyle pointed out, circling carefully. "That chain''s working against you now." "Shut up!" Cassian roared. He kicked Samuel''s greatsword toward his own feet, the massive blade scraping against stone. With a grunt, he grabbed it one handed, his other arm still tethered to Samuel. The weight was clearly too much for him to wield properly, but desperation fueled him. Eleanora didn''t give him time to adjust. Her shadows lashed out like whips, forcing Cassian to awkwardly block with the oversized sword. The impact sent vibrations up his arms, his stance unsteady. Kyle saw his opening. Lightning gathered at his fingertips as he dashed forward. Cassian tried to pivot, but the chain caught around Samuel''s leg, jerking him off balance. Kyle''s palm connected with Cassian''s chest just as Eleanora''s shadow spike shot up from below. The double impact sent Cassian flying backward, the greatsword clattering to the ground. He hit the pavement hard, Samuel''s body flopping limply beside him like a ragdoll. The chain dissolved into blue sparks as both Cassian and Samuel''s bodies began fading from the simulation. Cassian''s last act was to flip Kyle off with a smoking gauntlet before disappearing completely. Kyle let out a long breath, lowering his tachi. "That was... messy." Eleanora nodded, her shadows retreating back into the ground. "But effective." *** The ruined city crackled with energy as Serena and Cedric circled each other, the glowing chains connecting them to their unconscious teammates dragging across the broken pavement. Serena''s glaive hummed with electricity, her cold eyes locked onto Cedric. "This is pathetic" she spat. "You should have picked a better partner." Cedric adjusted his grip on his longsword, the blade shimmering with golden light. "She held her own longer than I expected." Serena scoffed. "Sentimental fool." She struck first, a blinding lunge, her glaive cutting through the air like a lightning bolt. Cedric barely twisted aside in time, the chain yanking at his waist as his unconscious teammate''s body was dragged along. "Clang!" Their weapons met in a shower of sparks. Serena pressed forward, her movements sharp and relentless, but Cedric stood firm. Every parry was precise, every counter calculated. The difference in their skill was clear, Cedric wasn''t just defending. He was waiting. "You are holding back" Serena hissed, her glaive whirling in a deadly arc. Cedric didn''t answer. He ducked under her swing, then pivoted, using the chain''s tension to yank his teammate''s body out of the way as Serena''s lightning scorched the ground where she had been. Serena snarled. "Stop running!" She thrust her glaive forward, electricity surging down its length. "Lightning Fang!" The attack came too fast to dodge completely. Cedric raised his sword, light flaring from the steel as he deflected the worst of the blast¡ªbut the shock still sent him skidding back, his boots grinding against rubble. For the first time, Serena grinned. "Finally. A real fight." Cedric exhaled, rolling his shoulders. Then, in a flash of movement almost too fast to follow, he moved. His sword blazed with golden fire as he closed the distance, the chain snapping taut behind him. Serena barely blocked the first strike, but the second came faster¡ªa brutal upward slash that forced her back. "Tch¡ª!" She retaliated with a whip of lightning, but Cedric was already gone, ducking low and sweeping her legs out from under her. Serena hit the ground hard. She rolled, barely avoiding Cedric''s next strike, his sword embedding in the pavement where her head had been. For a heartbeat, they both paused, breathing hard. Then Cedric''s eyes hardened. "Enough." Light erupted from his blade, not just fire, but pure, radiant energy. The glow intensified, burning away the shadows around them as he raised his sword high. Serena''s eyes widened. She scrambled back, her glaive crackling as she summoned every ounce of lightning she had left. But it was too late. Cedric brought his sword down in a single, devastating arc. "Solar Judgment." The blast of light and flame swallowed Serena whole. Her scream was cut short as her body disintegrated into pixels, the chain dissolving into nothingness. Silence fell. Cedric exhaled, lowering his sword. His teammate''s unconscious form still lay nearby, flickering but not yet gone. **** Kyle and Eleanora turned to face Cedric their chain pulled taut between them. Across the ruined plaza, Cedric stood ready his longsword glowing faintly with light mana. The unconscious body of his teammate still lay nearby, the chain connecting them like an anchor. Kyle exhaled, his muscles burning from the earlier fights. "This isn''t gonna be easy" he muttered. Eleanora didn''t answer, but her crimson eyes narrowed. Darkness coiled at her feet, restless. Cedric adjusted his stance, his expression unreadable. "You two fought well. But this ends now." Kyle moved first, lightning crackling around his tachi as he dashed forward. Cedric met him head-on, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks. The impact sent a jolt through Kyle''s arms, but he gritted his teeth and pushed harder. Eleanora didn''t waste time. With a flick of her wrist, tendrils of darkness lashed out from the ground, aiming to wrap around Cedric''s legs. But Cedric was faster¡ªhe twisted mid-swing, his sword flaring with light as he severed the darkness. Kyle used the opening to strike again, his tachi humming with electricity. Cedric blocked, but the force of the blow still sent him skidding back, the chain yanking at his waist as his teammate''s body was dragged along. Nexus''s echoed through the battlefield. "One minute remaining." Kyle and Eleanora exchanged a glance. No words were needed, they both knew what to do. Eleanora''s hands snapped together. "Abyssal Shroud." Darkness exploded around them, swallowing everything in a dome of inky black. Visibility dropped to almost zero¡ªbut Kyle had already memorized the distance between them. He didn''t hesitate. Dropping to one knee, he slammed his palm against the cracked earth. The air reeked of ozone as blue-white lightning surged from his fingertips, carving through the ground like something alive. ''Voltis Krait.'' Cedric''s eyes widened¡ªjust as the earth beneath him erupted. Before he could react, tendrils of darkness lashed out from every direction, pinning him in place. Then, from the chaos, a massive serpent''s head burst forth¡ªpure lightning, its jagged maw gaping wide, ready to devour him whole. With a desperate swing, Cedric''s sword cut a golden arc through the electricity. The clash sent a shockwave tearing across the battlefield, light and lightning ripping into each other in a blinding explosion. For one heartbeat, the world froze. Then¡ªsilence. The darkness faded, revealing Cedric still standing. But just barely. His right arm hung limp at his side, the sleeve of his combat uniform burned away, the skin beneath charred black from the lightning. His sword trembled in his grip, the blade dimmed. His chest heaved with ragged breaths, sweat and blood dripping down his face. Kyle stared, panting. "... even that wasn''t enough?" Eleanora''s jaw clenched. "Silver Rank" she muttered, shadows still flickering at her feet. Cedric didn''t speak. Couldn''t. Every breath came as a pained gasp, his body pushed to its absolute limit. Lightning still sparked through him, coursing across his flesh. But his eyes are still sharp, still defiant¡ªremained locked onto them. Then, before anyone could move¡ª "Time expired. Exam concluded." The ruined plaza dissolved into light, the simulation ending before the fight could reach its brutal conclusion. *** sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 47 - 47: Chained Together [6] The VR pods hissed open one by one, releasing their occupants back into the real world. Kyle groaned as he peeled himself off the padded interior, his muscles aching as if he''d actually fought for hours. Beside him, Eleanora sat up smoothly, though her fingers twitched slightly¡ªphantom echoes of the battle still lingering in her nerves. The room was dead silent. Kyle blinked, adjusting to the bright lights of the VR chamber. Then he noticed¡ªeveryone was staring at them. All the other students had been eliminated earlier and had watched the final battle play out on the massive screens lining the walls. Their expressions ranged from shock to outright disbelief. A low murmur spread through the crowd. "Did you see that lightning serpent?" someone whispered. "That darkness dome¡ªhow is that even possible at Bronze rank?" Kyle ignored them, rubbing his temples. His head throbbed from the mental strain of shaping his lightning into such a complex form. The Echoes of the Roaming Storm¡ªhis blessing¡ªhad helped, but even that hadn''t been enough to bridge the gap between him and Cedric. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Eleanora stood gracefully, her crimson eyes scanning the room before landing on Cedric''s pod. The golden-haired prodigy was just stepping out, his movements stiff. Though the simulated injuries weren''t real, the mental fatigue clearly lingered. Serena, already out of her pod, was glaring daggers at Cedric. Her arms were crossed, her usual cold demeanor edged with something sharper. "Lucky," she muttered under her breath, just loud enough for those nearby to hear. Cedric either didn''t notice or chose to ignore her, his attention fixed on the holographic display forming in the center of the room. A sharp clap cut through the murmurs. "Alright, ducklings! Gather round!" Professor Seraphina''s cheerful voice rang out as she flicked her wrist. The display solidified, showing the final rankings. *** Final Rankings: Cedric Valteris & Ella Pierce ¨C 44 teams eliminated Kyle Valemont & Eleanora D''Argent ¨C 44 teams eliminated Serena Blackthorne & Clara Reeves ¨C 37 teams eliminated Cassian Emberfall & Samuel Wilson ¨C 36 teams eliminated Reo Dustbane & Luna Starfrost ¨C 32 teams eliminated Sylvie Wavecrest & Lyra Silverwind ¨C 31 teams eliminated Orion Ironveil & Ben Dover ¨C 25 teams eliminated *** Kyle''s jaw tightened as he stared at the numbers. ''Forty-four teams.'' Nearly a tenth of the entire freshman class, wiped out by them¡ªand Cedric had matched it. "Tch." Kyle clenched his fists. Even after everything¡ªthe planning, the coordination, pushing their abilities to the limit¡ªthey still hadn''t beaten him. Eleanora''s voice was quiet beside him. "We will get him next time." Kyle exhaled sharply but nodded. Seraphina twirled a lock of pink hair around her finger, grinning. "Well, well! Looks like we have got a tie for first place! "And some very impressive performances all around." Her gaze lingered on Kyle and Eleanora." "Especially from our resident lightning and shadow duo. That serpent trick?" "Chef''s kiss." A few students chuckled, but most were still staring at the rankings in awe. Then¡ª "Kyle." A familiar voice cut through the noise. Aurelia stood near the doorway, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. Kyle stiffened. "Uh. Hey, Big Sis." Aurelia''s sharp blue eyes flicked between him and Eleanora. "That last move. The lightning construct." Kyle swallowed. "Yeah?" A long pause. Then¡ª "Good job." Kyle blinked. ''Did she just¡ª?'' Before he could process it, Aurelia turned on her heel. "Don''t get cocky. You still lost." And with that, she strode out of the room. Kyle stared after her, torn between irritation and amusement. Reo suddenly slung an arm around his shoulders, grinning. "Damn, man. You and the princess wrecked people. I mean, Cassian looked pissed when he got out." As if summoned, Cassian pushed through the crowd, his usual smirk replaced with something more intense. "Valemont." Kyle raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?" Cassian stared at him for a long moment before breaking into a grin. "That was awesome." Kyle blinked. "Uh. Thanks?" Cassian clapped him on the shoulder, his excitement barely contained. "I don''t like losing, but damn¡ªthat lightning serpent? The way you two moved together? I can respect that." He pointed at Kyle, then at Cedric. "Consider this official. You are both my rivals now." Kyle couldn''t help but laugh. "Great. Just what I needed." Across the room, Cedric was being swarmed by admirers, though he looked more exhausted than triumphant. His partner, Ella, was practically vibrating with excitement beside him. Serena, meanwhile, stood apart from the crowd, her arms crossed. Her cold gaze met Kyle''s for a brief moment before shifting to Cedric. "Don''t get comfortable" she said, her voice cutting through the noise. "This isn''t over." Then she turned and walked away, Clara trailing after her. Seraphina clapped her hands again. "Alright, kiddos! Exam''s over. Get some rest¡ªyou have earned it!" As the crowd began to disperse, Kyle exhaled slowly, rolling his stiff shoulders. They hadn''t won. But they had come damn close. And next time? Next time, they would do better. *** The academy''s training grounds were empty, the last golden rays of sunset stretching long shadows across the grass. Kyle sat hunched on a weathered stone bench, absently rolling his sore shoulders as he stared at his hands. The faint scent of ozone still clung to his fingers - a phantom reminder of the lightning he had shaped earlier. Eleanora''s footsteps made no sound as she approached, her shadow falling across him before she spoke. "You are brooding." Kyle didn''t look up. "I''m thinking" he corrected, tracing a finger along a fresh callus on his palm. She settled beside him, the fabric of her uniform whispering against the stone. The fading light caught in her blood red eyes as she gazed at the darkening sky. "About the fight?" "Yeah." Kyle exhaled through his nose, flexing his hands. The memory of lightning crackling between his fingers felt too fresh. "We had a plan. We executed it damn near perfectly. And still..." Eleanora didn''t interrupt. She never did. Kyle dragged a hand through his hair. "We lost to a guy who was practically carrying dead weight. No offense to Ella, but¡ª" "¡ªbut Cedric did most of the work" Eleanora finished. Her voice was calm, but the tightness in her jaw betrayed her own frustration. "I know." A breeze rustled the trees at the edge of the training field. Somewhere in the distance, a bird called¡ªa sharp, lonely sound. Eleanora turned her hands over in her lap, studying her palms as if they held answers. "We underestimated him" she said at last. Kyle barked a humorless laugh. "You think?" She turned that piercing gaze on him, unblinking. "I mean specifically his adaptability. We assumed our combined attack would be enough to finish him." Her lips pressed into a thin line. "It wasn''t." Kyle dragged a hand down his face, the stubble rough against his palm. "Because he''s Cedric Valtieri the so-called prodigy. Of course it wasn''t enough." He kicked at a loose pebble. "Guy''s like some damn storybook hero who gets stronger every time you look at him." For a long moment, the only sounds were the distant shouts from the dining hall and the rustle of leaves in the evening breeze. Then Eleanora stood abruptly, her shadow stretching long across the training grounds. "Next time" she said finally, "we will be stronger." Kyle glanced at her. There was no doubt in her voice, no hesitation. Just fact. He smirked, some of the tension bleeding from his shoulders. "Yeah. Next time." The quiet stretched, comfortable now, the weight of their unspoken promise settling between them. Then Eleanora stood abruptly, brushing invisible dust from her trousers. "Come on." Kyle blinked up at her. "What?" She tilted her head toward the training dummies at the far end of the field, already walking. "I''ll teach you that sword trick I used against Cassian. The one you kept staring at." Kyle scrambled to his feet, nearly tripping over the bench in his haste. "I wasn''t staring¡ª" "You were." She didn''t look back, but he could hear the smirk in her voice. "And if you are going to keep up with me, you will need to learn it." Kyle grinned, jogging to catch up. The frustration of the day still lingered, but it was softer now, tempered by purpose. They would be stronger. And next time¡ª Next time, they would win. *** Chapter 48 - 48: Sparring Partners The private training ground echoed with the clash of steel and the crackle of fire and lightning magic. Kyle and Cassian moved in a blur, fire against lightning, steel against steel, their sparring session far more intense than any normal practice. Cassian''s red hair was plastered to his forehead with sweat as he blocked Kyle''s lightning-charged tachi with his gauntlet, the impact sending sparks flying. "You are getting faster" he admitted through gritted teeth. Kyle grinned, twisting his wrist to break the lock. "And you are still holding back." Cassian scoffed but didn''t deny it. He pivoted, flames erupting from his fist in a sweeping arc that forced Kyle to leap back. "Maybe I just don''t want to embarrass you too badly." "Oh, that''s rich" Kyle shot back, landing lightly on his feet. "Coming from the guy who¡ª" Cassian didn''t let him finish. He lunged, fire trailing behind him like a comet''s tail. Kyle barely dodged, feeling the heat singe the air where his head had been a second before. Their mock battles had become a regular thing after the VR exam. At first, it had been pure rivalry, two top-ranked students testing each other''s limits. But somewhere along the way the taunts had lost their edge replaced by something closer to camaraderie. Kyle feinted right, then struck left. Cassian blocked, but not fast enough, the tip of Kyle''s tachi grazed his side. "Point to me" Kyle said, stepping back. Cassian glanced down at the faint scorch mark on his training uniform and smirked. "Lucky hit." "Keep telling yourself that." They reset their stances circling each other again. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the training ground, but neither showed any sign of stopping. "You know" Cassian said, rolling his shoulders. "If you put half as much effort into your footwork as you do your trash talk, you might actually beat Cedric one day." Kyle snorted. "Says the guy who lost to me twice this week." "Practice matches don''t count." "Tell that to your ego." Cassian laughed¡ªa sharp, genuine sound¡ªbefore launching another attack. This time, Kyle was ready. He sidestepped, letting Cassian''s momentum carry him forward, then swept his legs out from under him. Cassian hit the ground with a grunt, the breath knocked out of him. Kyle pointed his tachi at Cassian''s throat, grinning. "That''s three." For a second, Cassian just stared up at him, chest heaving. Then he grinned back. "Bastard." Kyle lowered his blade and offered a hand. Cassian took it, letting Kyle haul him to his feet. "You are improving" Cassian admitted, brushing dirt off his clothes. "Annoyingly fast." Kyle shrugged. "Someone''s got to keep you on your toes." Cassian rolled his eyes but didn''t argue. Instead, he stretched his arms overhead, working out the stiffness from their fight. "You are still too predictable, though." "Oh?" "Yeah. That last move? I saw it coming a mile away." Kyle crossed his arms. "Then why didn''t you dodge?" "Because unlike some people, I don''t mind taking a hit if it means to learning something." Cassian smirked. "Besides, it''s fun watching you get cocky." Kyle opened his mouth to retort, but a voice cut him off. "You two done measuring your egos, or should I come back later?" They turned to see Eleanora leaning against the training ground''s gate, arms crossed. Her expression was as unreadable as ever, but there was a glint of amusement in her crimson eyes. Cassian waved a hand. "Nah, we are good. Kyle''s done losing for today." Kyle elbowed him in the ribs. Hard. Eleanora pushed off the gate and walked toward them. "Good. Because I need him for something." Cassian raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" "For the sword practice," Eleanora said, shooting Cassian a look that very clearly added, Not that it''s any of your business. Cassian held up his hands in surrender. "Hey, no judgment here. Just saying, if you wanted to spar with someone who actually knows how to use a sword¡ª" Kyle kicked his ankle. Cassian laughed, dodging the second kick with ease. "Alright, alright. I know when I''m not wanted." He clapped Kyle on the shoulder. "Don''t let her work you too hard." Kyle flipped him off. Cassian just grinned and sauntered away, whistling. Once he was gone, Eleanora turned to Kyle. "You are friends now?" Kyle shrugged. "More or less." "Hm." She didn''t sound disapproving, just... thoughtful. Then she nodded toward the training dummies. "Come on. I''ll show you that disarming technique you keep failing at." Kyle groaned. "I don''t fail at it. I just... haven''t mastered it yet." Eleanora gave him a look. "Fine" he muttered, following her. The sun dipped lower, painting the training ground in shades of gold and crimson. Somewhere in the distance, Cassian''s laughter echoed, mingling with the clang of steel as Kyle and Eleanora began their own practice. They had a long way to go. But they would get there. Together. *** Kyle pushed open the door to their quarters, exhausted from training. The moment he stepped inside, the rich aroma of roasted meat and spices hit him like a wave. His stomach growled loudly. "Finally!" he groaned, kicking off his shoes. "I am starving, thank the gods you ordered food." He practically sprinted toward the kitchen. Aurelia stood by the stove, stirring something in a pot. She didn''t look up. "I didn''t order it." Kyle froze mid-step. "...Wait. You cooked?" Aurelia smirked. "Mhm." Kyle''s face paled. Memories of the last time she had "cooked" flooded back¡ªa charred, unidentifiable lump she had proudly called "dinner." Even calling it terrible would have been generous. He took a careful step back. "You know what? I think I lost my appetite. Suddenly not hungry at all." Aurelia snorted. "Relax. I didn''t actually make it." She jerked her chin toward a set of covered dishes on the table. "Seraphina dropped it off. Said she felt bad for you." Kyle narrowed his eyes. "Why would she¡ª?" "Something about you looking pitiful after training with a certain princess all afternoon." Aurelia''s smirk turned downright evil. Kyle groaned. "We were sparring." "Sure." "It''s not¡ªugh." He yanked the lid off one of the dishes, if only to avoid her knowing look. The scent of garlic butter and herbs washed over him, and his stomach growled again. "Okay, fine. I forgive Seraphina for whatever she''s plotting." Aurelia rolled her eyes but grabbed two plates from the cupboard. "You are lucky she likes you." S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Or she just knows you would poison us both if you cooked." Aurelia flicked a pea at his head. Kyle dodged, grinning. "Missed." She flicked another. Direct hit. "Rude." "Eat your food" she said, shoving a full plate into his hands. Kyle didn''t need to be told twice. *** Chapter 49 - 49: Lightning Steps The dim glow of morning light filtered through the training room''s high windows as Kyle stepped into the private training room. Today was supposed to be a break. A day off. But rest was for people who could afford weakness. And Kyle? He wasn''t strong enough yet. He rolled his shoulders, shaking out the stiffness. Lightning Steps. The technique had saved his life in the ruins¡ªwhen that silver-rank monster''s claws had been inches from his throat. In that moment of pure desperation, his body had moved on instinct, lightning crackling through his veins as he blurred out of danger. He hadn''t thought. Hadn''t planned. He had just survived. Now? Now he couldn''t recreate it no matter how hard he tried. Kyle exhaled, focusing inward. Mana hummed beneath his skin, restless and electric. He could feel it¡ªthe familiar buzz of lightning affinity, coiled tight in his core. "Just like before" he muttered. He bent his knees slightly, muscles tensing like a spring. Then¡ª Flash. Lightning surged down his legs, and for half a second, he moved¡ªfaster than a sprint, his body a blur¡ª Then his foot caught on nothing. "Oof¡ª!" He hit the ground hard, skidding face-first across the dirt before slamming into the far wall. Dust plumed around him as he groaned, rolling onto his back. His ribs throbbed. His knee screamed. His left elbow felt like it had been smashed with a hammer. He lay there for a second, staring up at the brightening sky, before letting out a frustrated growl. ''Again.'' 5th Attempt Sweat dripped down Kyle''s temple as he wiped his mouth, tasting blood from where he''d bitten his tongue. This time, he had made it three steps before crashing. Progress? Not really. His boots scuffed the dirt as he pushed himself up, ignoring the dull ache in his side. The training uniform clung to his skin, damp with sweat and dirt. "Maybe I''m putting too much power into it," he thought, adjusting his stance. He tried again¡ªthis time, a gentler surge of lightning. The result? He barely moved an inch before stumbling. Worse. 20th Attempt Kyle''s breath came in ragged gasps, his lungs burning. He had tried everything¡ª More mana? He face-planted faster. Less mana? He barely moved at all. Different footwork? He tripped in new and creative ways. His knees were scraped raw, his palms stinging from catching himself too many times. He spat out a mouthful of dirt, glaring at the ground like it had personally offended him. ''Why isn''t this working?'' He had done it once¡ªback when he was weaker, when he barely understood mana control. So why couldn''t he do it now? Was his stance wrong? His mana circulation off? His timing too slow? He clenched his fists, frustration boiling under his skin. nth Attempt Kyle''s vision swam as he pushed himself up again, his arms trembling. His body was a mess of bruises and scrapes. And still¡ª Nothing. No matter how many times he tried, he couldn''t replicate that split-second burst of speed. He checked his mana band. 8:07 PM. The sky had darkened, the first stars peeking through the twilight. He had been at this for twelve hours straight. And he was no closer to figuring it out. Kyle sat heavily on the ground, his legs refusing to hold him up any longer. His lightning affinity was at Adept - 100%¡ªjust shy of the next rank. He had taken down silver-rank monsters with less. He should be able to do this. Unless¡­ Unless he was missing something fundamental. Something he couldn''t see on his own. Aurelia had said she would be busy today¡ªburied under paperwork in her office. Normally, he wouldn''t bother her. She had enough on her plate without him adding to it. But right now? He needed help. *** The academy halls were eerily quiet at this hour, the kind of silence that made footsteps sound louder than they should. Kyle''s boots clicked against the polished marble floor as he made his way toward the faculty wing, each step sending a fresh ache through his tired muscles. ''I feel like I got run over by a carriage.'' He rolled his shoulders, wincing as a sharp twinge shot down his back. Twelve hours of face-planting into dirt had left him sore in places he didn''t even know could be sore. ''Maybe I should have stopped after the tenth fall.'' But no. He had to keep going. Because right now, he was still too weak. And weakness wasn''t an option. When he reached Aurelia''s office, a sliver of golden light spilled out from under the slightly ajar door. The faint scratching of a pen against paper told him she was still working. Kyle hesitated, hand hovering near the door. ''She said she was busy today. Maybe I should just¡­ figure this out on my own.'' But then he remembered the way his face had met the ground for the 100 th time earlier, and he grimaced. ''Yeah, no. I need help.'' He knocked. "Come in" came Aurelia''s voice, crisp and distracted. Kyle pushed the door open. Aurelia sat behind her desk, surrounded by stacks of papers that looked like they would topple over if someone sneezed too hard. Her black hair was tied back in a messy ponytail, a few loose strands framing her sharp features. She didn''t look up immediately, her pen still moving across some document with the kind of focus that suggested she would stab the next person who interrupted her. Then her gaze flicked toward him, and her expression shifted from focused to unimpressed in half a second. "Kyle." Her voice was flat. "What the hell happened to your face?" Kyle blinked, then reached up to touch his cheek. Right. The bruises. The dirt. The general ''I lost a fight with the ground'' look he had going on. "Training" he muttered. Aurelia set her pen down with the kind of slow, deliberate motion that usually meant she was either about to scold him or throw something at his head. "For twelve hours?" "Yes" She exhaled through her nose, the same way she did when she found out he had eaten the last of her favorite snacks. "You look like you got trampled by a herd of wild boars." Kyle snorted. "Feels like it too." Aurelia gestured to the chair across from her. "Sit. Before you collapse and make my floor dirty." Kyle dropped into the chair, wincing as his sore muscles protested. Aurelia leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk. "Alright. Spill. What''s the disaster this time?" Kyle hesitated for a second before speaking. "I''m trying to learn Lightning Steps¡ªa short-distance burst technique. I have done it before, back in the ruins when that claw monster nearly killed me. But now I can''t get it right." Aurelia''s eyebrows lifted slightly. "You are trying to teleport?" "Not teleport. Just¡­ a really fast dash." She hummed, tapping her fingers against the desk. "And how many times have you eaten dirt today?" Kyle scowled. "That''s not the point." Aurelia smirked. "It''s absolutely the point." He groaned, rubbing his temples. "Look, I know you are not a lightning user, but you are still a Radiant rank. I thought maybe you would¡ª" S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Know how to fix your terrible form?" "Yes." Aurelia leaned back in her chair, studying him like he was a particularly frustrating puzzle. Then, to his surprise, she stood. "Fine. Let''s go." Kyle blinked. "Now?" "You came here for help, didn''t you?" She grabbed her coat from the back of her chair. "Or did you just want to whine at me?" Kyle scrambled to his feet. "No, I¡ªyeah. Let''s go." Aurelia rolled her eyes, but there was something almost amused in her expression as she led the way out. *** Back in the training room. Kyle''s body still ached, but the pain was duller now¡ªmore of a background annoyance than the sharp stabs from before. Aurelia stood a few feet away, arms crossed. "Alright. Show me what you are doing wrong." Kyle took a deep breath, then attempted the technique again. Lightning crackled around his legs¡ª He moved¡ª And immediately tripped over his own feet. "Oof¡ª!" He hit the ground hard, rolling to a stop at Aurelia''s feet. She looked down at him, unimpressed. "That was pathetic." Kyle groaned, pushing himself up. "Thanks. Really helpful." Aurelia sighed. "Your problem isn''t mana control." "Then what is it?" "Your balance." She stepped closer, poking his shoulder. "You are treating it like a sprint. It''s not." Kyle frowned. "What do you mean?" "You are too stiff. You are fighting the movement instead of flowing with it." She mimicked his stance, exaggerating how rigid he was, and Kyle had to admit, it looked ridiculous. "Okay, okay, I get it," he grumbled. Aurelia smirked. "Try again. This time, don''t force it. Let the lightning guide you." Kyle exhaled, shaking out his arms. ''Alright. Flow with it. Don''t fight it.'' He bent his knees slightly, feeling the familiar hum of lightning mana in his veins. Then¡ª Flash. He moved. This time, he didn''t fall. He skidded to a stop a few meters away, breathless. It wasn''t perfect. It wasn''t smooth. But it worked. Aurelia nodded, satisfied. "Better." Kyle grinned. "Yeah?" "Still sloppy. But better." "Wow. High praise." Aurelia rolled her eyes. "Don''t get cocky. You have got a long way to go before you are not embarrassing to watch." Kyle laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, yeah." For a moment, they stood there in comfortable silence, the night air cool around them. Then Aurelia turned toward the exit. "Come on. It''s late. You have tortured yourself enough for one day." Kyle hesitated. "You are not gonna make me keep practicing?" Aurelia shot him a look over her shoulder. "If I let you keep going, you will probably break something. And then I will have to deal with the paperwork." Kyle snorted. "Priorities." "Always." *** Chapter 50 - 50: Black Market [1] The clock struck 8:00 PM as Kyle slipped out of his room, the academy halls eerily quiet. Aurelia had left a note saying she would be working late. ''Perfect.'' He moved swiftly through the dimly lit streets of Valtheris, hood pulled low, until he reached the mana train station. The automated gates hummed as he swiped his ticket, the glowing blue rails carrying him toward Ashon City''s underbelly. The train deposited him in a district the city maps conveniently ignored. Crumbling brick buildings leaned against each other like drunkards, their windows boarded up or glowing with suspiciously colored lights. The air smelled of fried street food and something far less legal. Kyle pulled the black mask (Artifact) he had ordered few days ago. It will conceal his face from the prying eyes at least from low and Mid Rankers. At the end of a narrow alley stood an unmarked door, its peeling paint the same shade of grime as the walls around it. Two men flanked it, their arms crossed over chests that suggested they bench-pressed boulders for fun. The one on the left¡ªa bald giant with knuckle tattoos¡ªeyed Kyle as he approached. "Evening, stranger. You lost?" Kyle kept his voice low, rough. "Depends. Heard there''s a place around here that sells¡­ specialty inks." The second guard, a wiry man, smirked. "Inks, huh? What kind?" "The kind that doesn''t smudge." A pause. The bald one grunted. "You a collector?" "Depends on the collection." The two exchanged glances. Then Wiry man nodded toward the door. "Third shelf on the right. Ask for the nightingale edition." Kyle dipped his chin. "Appreciate it." The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit staircase descending into the belly of Ashon''s black market. That was the password for entering the black market he had known from the novel. Kyle descended the stairs, the air growing thicker with the scent of incense and something sharper¡ªmana-infused stimulants, probably. The black market sprawled before him, a labyrinth of stalls and shadowed alcoves. Weapons dealers hocked enchanted blades with "no questions asked" warranties. Alchemists peddled glowing vials of who-knows-what. Information brokers lurked in corners, their eyes sharp for loose lips and looser coin. Kyle exhaled, rolling his stiff shoulders as he navigated the crowded black market streets. The air smelled of sizzling meat, cheap incense, and the sharp tang of illegal mana cores being sold under the counter. Stalls lined the narrow alley, their owners shouting over each other to hawk their wares. A hunched old woman grabbed his sleeve, her fingers bony but strong. "Young master! Best luck charms in Ashon! Protect you from curses, poisons¡ªeven bad ex-lovers!" She shook a string of dubious-looking talismans in his face. Kyle gently peeled her fingers off. "Maybe next time." Further down, a man wearing a half-mask and too many gold teeth blocked his path. "Hey, hey! You look like a man who appreciates fine weapons!" He gestured to a table of gleaming daggers. "Enchanted blades! Cuts through steel like butter!" Kyle eyed the nearest dagger¡ªits edge was visibly chipped. "Looks like it cuts through butter like butter." The vendor scowled as Kyle moved past. At the end of the row stood a squat building with a sign that simply read "BLADES" in peeling red paint. The door creaked as Kyle pushed inside, a bell jingling overhead. The shop was cramped but orderly, walls lined with racks of swords, axes, and polearms. Behind the counter stood a broad-shouldered woman with her dark hair tied back in a tight bun, with a mask, polishing a curved dagger with a rag. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She looked up, her gaze sharp. "You here to browse or buy?" "Buy" Kyle said. "Need a tachi. Decent quality, but nothing flashy." The woman set down the dagger and wiped her hands on her apron. "Got a few in the back. What''s your budget?" "Around 1000 crystas." She raised an eyebrow. "For 1000, you are not getting masterwork steel, but I have got something serviceable." She disappeared into the back room and returned with a long, cloth-wrapped bundle. Unfolding the fabric, she revealed a sleek tachi with a dark wooden sheath. The blade itself was unadorned but well-balanced, the steel polished to a muted shine. "900 crystas," she said, handing it to him. Kyle tested the weight, then drew the blade halfway. The edge was sharp, the steel free of flaws. Not academy-grade, but better than most black-market weapons. "Where''s it from?" "Kuroda smithy, out in the eastern provinces," she said. "No fancy enchantments, but it won''t snap on you mid-swing." Kyle nodded. "Sold." He counted out the crystas and slid them across the counter. The woman pocketed them without bothering to check. Kyle paused just as his hand touched the door handle. He turned back toward the shopkeeper, who was already wiping down the counter with her rag. "Actually, I will also take a scabbard for it." He pointed at his Tachi. "Something sturdy." The woman snorted. "What, planning to actually sheath it instead of waving it around like every other idiot who buys here?" She turned toward the back room. "Got a few that might fit." She returned with three scabbards slung over her shoulder¡ªone plain black leather, another wrapped in blue fabric, and a third made of lacquered wood with minimal decoration. "Leather''s 30 crystas, cloth-wrapped is 25, lacquered is 40," she said, laying them on the counter. "All reinforced lining so your blade doesn''t rattle." Kyle picked up the black leather one, testing the fit with his tachi. It slid in smoothly with a satisfying click. "This one work with a belt loop?" "Yeah, strap adjusts." She watched as he fastened it, then smirked. "You are not from around here, are you?" Kyle paused. "What makes you say that?" "Locals either buy the flashy crap or try to haggle me down to copper scraps." She leaned on the counter. "You actually know what you are looking at." Kyle shrugged, counting out 30 crystas. "Just don''t like wasting time." "Smart." She pocketed the crystals. As Kyle walked out. The door shut behind him, the market''s noise swallowing the jingle of the bell. Once he was a few stalls away, he ducked into a shadowed alcove and slid the sheathed tachi into his spatial ring. The weight vanished from his hip, stored safely away. He hadn''t come to the black market just for a weapon. Pushing through the throng of merchants and shoppers, he made his way toward a nondescript building wedged between a spice stall and a fortune teller''s tent. He reached real destination, where he could get two crucial things: reliable information on the Vipers gang in Maplewood town, and a new identity that would hold up under scrutiny. *** Chapter 51 - 51: Black Market [2] The building stood at the edge of the black market, its facade cleaner than the surrounding structures but still bearing the subtle marks of recent renovation. A simple brass plaque beside the door read: Gray Owl Consultations ¨C Discreet Information Services Kyle pushed open the frosted glass door, a small bell chiming softly overhead. The interior was sparsely furnished, a reception desk of dark polished wood, a few chairs lining the walls, and a single mana-lamp casting a cool blue glow over the space. A young woman with sharp green eyes and ink-stained fingers looked up from behind the desk, her expression shifting from surprise to cautious professionalism. "Welcome," she said, straightening. "How can we assist you?" Kyle approached, keeping his tone neutral. "I require two services. Information retrieval and documentation." The woman, her name tag read Lena¡ªstudied him for a brief moment before nodding. "Of course. Please, follow me." She led him past the empty reception area into a back office where a lean man in his late thirties sat behind a cluttered desk. Wire-frame glasses perched on his nose, and his sleeves were rolled up to reveal faint traceries of old spellwork scars along his forearms. "Marcel," Lena said, "we have a client." Marcel looked up, his gaze sharpening as he took in Kyle. "First one this week," he remarked dryly. "What do you need?" Kyle didn''t sit. He kept his stance relaxed but deliberate. "Two things. First, comprehensive intelligence on the Viper gang operating in Maplewood¡ªterritory, leadership, known associates, recent activities. Second, a forged identity. Military background, no outstanding warrants, plausible enough to pass moderate scrutiny." Marcel''s eyebrows lifted slightly. "That''s specific." He leaned back in his chair. "We can provide both. The documentation will take forty-eight hours. The intelligence¡ªthree days, assuming no complications." "Acceptable." Lena, still standing by the door, interjected. "Payment?" Kyle reached into his storage ring and placed the Crysta Notes on the desk. "Half now. Half upon delivery." Marcel didn''t reach for the money immediately. Instead, he studied Kyle again. "Name for the documentation?" "Dain Vorsk." A pause. Then Marcel nodded. "We will need a contact method." Kyle recited the address of a temporary encrypted inbox he''d set up for this purpose. "Encrypted drop. No direct links." Marcel''s lips quirked, the closest thing to approval Kyle had seen from him. "Smart." He finally picked up the Crystas, before passing it to Lena. "We will begin immediately." *** The mana train hummed softly as it glided through the night, its blue-tinged windows reflecting the scattered lights of the countryside. Kyle leaned back in his seat, fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest as he sorted through his thoughts. ''Gray Owl Consultations.'' The name echoed in his mind. In the novel, they would become the most reliable information brokers in the kingdom within a few years¡ªso good that even Cedric relied on them. Right now, they were still struggling, which worked in his favor. They had been eager for a client, and he had been careful not to raise suspicion. But this wasn''t just a random decision. His fingers stilled as he focused on the real reason he had sought them out: ''The Sword.'' Months ago, Garrick Voss, the leader of the Maplewood gang, Vipers, had purchased what he thought was just a decorative blade at a local auction. A fancy trophy for his collection. He had no idea it was a Growth-Type Artifact. In the novel, a rogue demonic cultist would eventually recognize its true nature, slaughter the Vipers, and steal it for himself. That sword would later become a nightmare¡ªa weapon that evolved with its wielder. Kyle''s jaw tightened. ''It hasn''t happened yet.'' The fact that the Vipers were still active meant the demonic human hadn''t struck. But he didn''t know when it would happen. The novel had only mentioned it in passing no exact dates, no warnings. He had to move now. Garrick is Grade 3 Silver from the information he found himself. A months ago, Kyle wouldn''t have stood a chance against him. But now? His fingers curled into a fist. ''I can take him.'' He had trained relentlessly, pushed his all affinity to its limits, and even sparred against Aurelia''s brutal drills. Silver ranks weren''t untouchable anymore¡ªnot for him. But fighting wasn''t the smartest option. Stealing the sword outright would be suicide. The Vipers'' hideout was a fortress, and Garrick wasn''t careless enough to leave a prized possession unguarded. No, Kyle needed to get inside. That''s why he had ordered the fake identity. ''Dain Vorsk.'' A disgraced former soldier, skilled but expendable. The kind of man the Vipers would hire for dirty work without asking too many questions. And once he was in? He had to find a way to steal that sword. The train''s automated voice announced the approach to Valtheris Central Station, pulling Kyle from his thoughts. He exhaled, watching his breath fog the window slightly. This wasn''t just about stealing a sword. If Garrick realized what he had, he had either use it himself or sell it to the highest bidder¡ªwhich could be worse than the demonic cultist. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And if the demonic cultist showed up while Kyle was there? He grimaced. ''That would be a big problem for me'', as he also didn''t know how strong that demonic cultist at current time. **** Kyle slipped through the front door as quietly as he could, wincing when the hinges let out a faint creak. The house was dark except for the dim glow of mana-lamps left on in the hallway. He checked the clock in the entryway¡ª12:03 AM. ''Good. Aurelia''s probably still at the academy.'' He let out a slow breath and eased the door shut behind him. Then the lights flicked on. "Where were you?" Kyle''s entire body locked up. His fingers, still gripping the doorknob, went stiff. Slowly, he turned. Aurelia stood at the end of the hallway, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. She was still in her instructor''s uniform, her dark hair slightly disheveled, as if she''d just gotten back herself. Kyle''s mind scrambled. "Ah¡­ Big Sis," he said, forcing a casual smile. "I was just¡ªuh¡ªwatching a movie. With Reo." ''Please buy it. Please buy it.'' Aurelia didn''t blink. "Reo?" "Yeah. You know, Reo Dustbane? From our class?" Kyle rubbed the back of his neck, trying to look sheepish. "He dragged me out. Said it was some new action flick. Lots of explosions. You would hate it." Aurelia''s eyes narrowed. "Funny. Because I ran into Reo at the training grounds an hour ago. He said he was doing night drills." ''Shit.'' Kyle''s stomach dropped. He scrambled for another excuse. "Oh. Right. I meant¡ªafter that. We went after." Aurelia took a step forward. "After midnight?" "It was a double feature." She stared at him. Kyle swallowed. "Okay, fine. It wasn''t Reo." "Then who?" "Eleanora." The name slipped out before he could stop himself. Aurelia went very still. "Princess Eleanora?" Kyle nodded quickly. "Yeah. She, uh¡­ invited me. Some historical drama thing. Royal family stuff. Figured it would be rude to say no." For a long moment, Aurelia just looked at him. Then, to his surprise, her shoulders relaxed slightly. "That," she said slowly, "I actually believe." Kyle blinked. ''Wait. She''s buying it?'' Aurelia sighed, rubbing her temple. "Just¡­ warn me next time. I thought you''d gotten jumped in some alley." Kyle let out a breath he hadn''t realized he was holding. "Yeah. Sorry." She gave him one last look before turning toward the kitchen. "There''s leftovers if you are hungry." Kyle watched her go, his pulse finally settling. ''That worked?'' *** Chapter 52 - 52: The Vipers [1] Kyle sat hunched over his desk, the faint glow of the mana-lamp casting long shadows across the journal''s pages. His pen moved quickly, leaving behind neat lines of text in an unfamiliar script. The language was French - something that shouldn''t exist in this world, but remained his private cipher from a past life. He set the pen down with a sigh, rubbing at his temples. The problem went beyond simply stealing the sword from the Vipers. Nothing was unfolding as it should have. The deviations from the novel''s plot kept piling up, each one more unsettling than the last. The entrance exam had featured four Silver-Rank monsters instead of three. The VR combat trials had been restructured into partnered battles rather than the free-for-all described in the story. And Instructor Vaylen, in the original narrative he had been just another demonic human. Here, he had turned out to be a literal puppet for some shadowy group called the Crimson Maw - an organization never mentioned in the books. Kyle flipped back through earlier entries, his stomach tightening with each page. While he desperately wanted to change the disastrous future he remembered, the uncertainty of not knowing what came next was its own special kind of torment. A soft chime from his mana band interrupted his thoughts. The holographic display flickered to life, revealing a message from Gray Owl Consultations - the information brokers he had hired. Their report was impressively thorough, especially considering how small-time they currently were. In the novel''s timeline, they would eventually become the most reliable intelligence network in the kingdom. The document laid out everything he needed to know about the Vipers: Garrick Voss led the gang - a Grade 3 Silver-Rank fighter specializing in brutal close-quarters combat. His second-in-command was a former mercenary named Risha who handled most daily operations. Their territory covered Maplewood''s slums and industrial sectors, with fingers in smuggling, protection rackets, and the black-market mana trade. Most importantly, the report confirmed Garrick had purchased an "ornamental sword" at auction three months prior. The attached image showed a curved blade with an unusual guard design. Kyle''s fingers tightened around his mana band. That was it - the Growth-Type Artifact that could evolve with its wielder. In the original story, this weapon had fallen into the hands of demonic cultist. The second attachment contained his new identity documents. Dain Vorsk - dishonorably discharged from the 14th Blackwatch for excessive force, with forged credentials listing experience in bounty enforcement and tactical operations. The craftsmanship was better than he had expected, complete with backdated records and witness testimonies to sell the cover. Leaning back in his chair, Kyle exhaled slowly. The pieces were coming together. Now he just needed to infiltrate the Vipers and locate that sword before anyone realized its true nature. The thought sent a familiar thrill through him - the same mix of anticipation he had felt before trying the new game in his past life. Outside his window, the first light of dawn crept across the academy grounds. Kyle closed the journal and stretched, his muscles protesting from hours spent hunched over the desk. He had classes to attend. But his mind was already in Maplewood, walking the razor''s edge between opportunity and disaster. *** It was Friday, marking the end of another grueling week. Kyle leaned against the windowsill of his room. Two days. Saturday and Sunday were academy holidays¡ªno classes, no obligations. The perfect window to slip away unnoticed. But there was one problem. Aurelia. His overprotective sister-slash-instructor would skin him alive if she found out he was sneaking off to infiltrate a gang hideout. He could already hear her voice in his head¡ª"Are you out of your damn mind?"¡ªfollowed by a lecture about responsibility and reckless decisions. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. ''Screw it. A note will have to do.'' Kyle grabbed a scrap of parchment and scribbled a quick message: ¡ª Gone to the Bronze Rank Dungeon for training. Back Monday. Don''t worry. He hesitated, then added: ¡ª P.S. Don''t wait up. Not his best lie, but it would have to work. He left the note on his pillow where she would find it later. The academy gates loomed ahead, the enchanted wards humming faintly as he passed through. A few students lingered nearby, chatting or heading into the city for the weekend. None of them paid him any attention. Good. Kyle slipped into the maze of Valtheris back alleys, where the polished marble of the noble districts gave way to cracked cobblestones and the scent of cheap street food. The shadows here were deeper, the lanterns fewer. Perfect for what he needed to do. He pulled a silver ring from his storage ring¡ªthe Disguise Artifact he had borrowed from Aurelia''s collection. (He stole that) The ring was cool against his skin as he slid it onto his finger. A faint pulse of mana rippled over him, reshaping his features. His sharp jaw softened, adding years to his face, dulling his bright mismatched eyes to a tired green, streaking his bluish-black hair with black. He hunched his shoulders slightly, adopting the weary stance of a man who had seen too many fights. He glanced at his reflection on his phone. Dain Vorsk stared back. *** The station was bustling despite the late hour. Merchants, travelers, and the occasional shady figure milled about, waiting for the next departure. The air smelled of oil and ozone, the hum of mana-powered engines vibrating through the platform. Kyle kept his head down as he approached the ticket counter¡ªor rather, the floating robotic attendant that handled purchases. The machine hovered at chest height, its smooth metal surface gleaming under the artificial lights. A single blue lens scanned him as he approached. "Destination?" it chirped in a synthetic voice. Kyle hesitated for half a second before answering. "Maplewood." The robot beeped, then spat out a thin slip of paper¡ªhis ticket. "Departure in twelve minutes. Platform three." Kyle pocketed the ticket and moved toward the platform, weaving through the crowd. His heart pounded just a little faster than usual. No turning back now. The train hissed as it pulled into the station, its sleek metal body humming with restrained energy. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The doors slid open with a quiet whoosh, revealing rows of empty seats. Kyle stepped inside, took a seat by the window, and exhaled slowly. Next stop: Maplewood. *** Chapter 53 - 53: The Vipers [2] The automated train announcement crackled through rusted speakers as Kyle stepped onto the weathered platform. "Now arriving: Maplewood Station." A floating security robot whirred toward him, its single blue lens scanning his ticket before emitting a dull chime. "Welcome to Maplewood," the mana robot intoned in its flat mechanical voice before drifting away to harass another passenger. Kyle adjusted the hood of his travel-worn cloak, feeling the warmth of the disguise ring against his finger. The magical artifact subtly reshaped his features, adding years to his face, dulling his bright mismatched eyes to a tired green, streaking his bluish-black hair with black. He hunched his shoulders slightly, adopting the weary slouch of a mercenary who had spent too many nights sleeping in roadside ditches. The difference between Valtheris and Maplewood hit him like a physical blow. Where the capital gleamed with polished marble and humming mana-lights, Maplewood''s streets were paved with cracked cobblestones that reeked of piss and industrial runoff. Neon signs flickered erratically above boarded-up storefronts, their glow reflecting in oily puddles. A group of factory workers trudged past, their faces smudged with soot and exhaustion. "Keep moving" Kyle muttered to himself, fingers brushing the hilt of his new tachi - a plain but serviceable blade he had purchased for his new identity. The academy-issued weapon stayed safely hidden in his spatial ring where it couldn''t betray him. Following directions gleaned from a chatty street vendor in exchange for few Crystas(money), Kyle spotted his destination - the Black Lotus Tavern. The establishment leaned precariously between a pawn shop and what might have been a brothel, its sign featuring a neon lotus that buzzed and sputtered like a dying insect. Kyle took a steadying breath, tasting cheap tobacco and stale beer on the air, then pushed through the scarred wooden door. The tavern''s interior was exactly what he had expected shadowy, smoke-filled, and instantly hostile to outsiders. Conversations died mid-sentence as two dozen hardened faces turned toward the newcomer. Kyle ignored the weight of their stares and made straight for the bar, his boots sticking slightly to the alcohol-soaked floorboards. The bartender - a mountain of a man with a knife scar bisecting his left eyebrow, he didn''t look up from polishing a glass. "We are full." Kyle dropped seven Crystas on the stained counter. "Didn''t come for a room. Just a drink." The man''s eyes flicked to the money, then to the sword at Kyle''s hip. "Ale''s seven Crystas. dwarven whiskey''s fifteen." "Whiskey then." Kyle added two more crystas. "Keep the change." The bartender grunted, producing a chipped glass and pouring a finger of amber liquid that smelled more like paint thinner than proper liquor. As Kyle raised the glass, he noted two men watching him from a corner booth. One with a badly set broken nose, the other a shaven-headed brute with fresh stitches across his cheekbone. Both wore the coiled serpent insignia on there clothes. ''Perfect targets.'' Kyle downed the whiskey in one burning gulp, then carried his glass toward their table. "Mind if I sit?" Broken Nose looked him up and down with open disdain. "Yeah, we mind. That booth''s taken." "By who?" Kyle asked mildly. "Your imaginary friends?" Shaved Head''s meaty fist slammed onto the table, making the empty bottles rattle. "Listen here, you little shit-" "Easy, Jory," Broken Nose said, though his smirk suggested he enjoyed his companion''s temper. "You got a death wish or something? This ain''t no tourist tavern." Kyle slid into the booth anyway, signaling the barmaid for another round. "My name is Dain. And I didn''t come for the ambiance." The two thugs exchanged glances as three fresh whiskeys arrived. Jory apparently didn''t touch his, but Broken Nose took an experimental sip. "What brings a fancy sword like you to our shithole, Dain?" Broken Nose asked, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Work" Kyle said simply. "Heard Garrick pays well for skilled blades." Jory barked a laugh. "Oh this is rich. Another washed-up merc thinking he can waltz in and-" "Shut up, Jory." Broken Nose studied Kyle with new interest. "Garrick''s particular about who he hires. What makes you special?" Kyle shrugged. "I''m breathing. That puts me ahead of half the idiots you probably employ." Jory half-rose from his seat. "You little-" "Sit down before you pop your stitches," Kyle said without looking at him. He looked at broken nose and said, "Take me to Risha." That got a reaction. Both men stiffened. Broken nose''s fingers twitched toward the knife at his belt. "How do you know that name?" "Overheard some guys at the train station" Kyle lied smoothly. "Said she''s Garrick''s right hand. The one who actually runs things while he plays crime lord." Jory looked ready to commit murder, but broken nose surprised Kyle by chuckling. "Not wrong. But if you think insulting the boss is gonna get you hired..." "Just stating facts." Kyle finished his drink. "Look, either take me to Risha or don''t. But if Garrick finds out you turned away someone who could have been useful..." He let the implication hang. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jory cracked his knuckles. "I say we test him first." Broken Nose considered, then nodded. "Arm wrestle. You beat Jory here, we will introduce you. You lose..." He patted the pistol under his jacket. Kyle rolled up his sleeves, revealing the lattice of scars from years of combat training. "Standard rules? No magic, no artifacts?" Jory grinned, revealing several missing teeth. "Oh, we allow enhancements. Just no outside tools." He flexed arms thicker than Kyle''s thighs. "Changed your mind yet, pretty boy?" Kyle placed his elbow on the sticky table. "Let''s get this over with. I have got a job interview to attend." Laughter erupted from nearby tables as patrons gathered to watch. Someone started taking bets, the odds were overwhelmingly against Kyle. Their hands clasped. Jory''s grip was like being caught in a vice, his calloused fingers grinding Kyle''s knuckles together. The thug''s smirk widened as he began forcing Kyle''s arm down with terrifying ease. "Looks like we will be scraping you off the pavement tonight," Jory taunted. Kyle let his arm tremble convincingly, allowing his hand to be pressed halfway to the table. Then he met Jory''s eyes. "Funny. I was just thinking the same thing." A tiny spark of lightning mana surged through Kyle''s muscles, not enough to be visible, just sufficient to augment his strength at the critical moment. His arm snapped upright like a sprung trap, slamming Jory''s fist into the table with a crack that sounded suspiciously like breaking bones. The tavern fell silent. Jory stared at his hand in disbelief, his face cycling through shock, pain, and rage. Broken nose looked between them, then burst out laughing. "Well I will be damned" he said, clapping Kyle on the shoulder. "Guess you are worth introducing after all." Standing, he jerked his head toward a back hallway. "Come on. But fair warning, Risha eats pretty boys like you for breakfast." Kyle stood, leaving his cloak on the booth. "Good thing I''m not pretty" he said, following the two thugs through the crowd of murmuring patrons. As they approached a reinforced door guarded by a mountain of a man with an eye patch, Kyle allowed himself a small, private smile. ''Phase one was complete.'' *** Chapter 54 - 54: The Vipers [3] The warehouse district stank of rotting fish and burnt ozone, the sour tang of illegal mana refinement clinging to every surface. Kyle followed Rat (broken nose) and Jory through a maze of crumbling brick alleys, stepping over puddles of something that definitely wasn''t water. The neon signs of Maplewood''s red-light district cast garish reflections in the oily sludge, painting the trio in pulsing shades of crimson and electric blue. Ahead loomed their destination, a rusted metal warehouse with the Viper gang''s serpent sigil spray-painted across its corrugated doors. The coiled snake seemed to writhe in the flickering light, its fangs dripping neon-green paint. Two mountains of muscle blocked the entrance. The one on the left had biceps thicker than Kyle''s thighs, his skin glistening with some sort of enhancement oil. The other sported a cybernetic eye that whirred as it zoomed in on Kyle''s face. "Hold up," rumbled the oiled giant. "Who''s this fresh meat?" Rat stepped forward, his broken nose wrinkling. "New recruit for Vipers. He passed the arm test." The cyborg eye whirred louder. "Is that so?" He leaned in close enough for Kyle to smell last night''s whiskey on his breath. "You don''t look like much." Kyle didn''t blink. "And you look like someone''s failed cybernetics experiment. Yet here we are." A moment of stunned silence. Then Oil-Biceps burst out laughing, slapping his thigh hard enough to leave a red mark. "Oh, I like this one! Risha''s gonna eat him alive." The cyborg scowled but stepped aside. "One hour. If Risha hasn''t thrown him out by then, maybe he''s someone worth something." *** Inside the Viper''s Nest The warehouse interior hit Kyle like a physical blow, the stench of unwashed bodies, cheap synth-drugs, and gun oil mixing with the metallic tang of stolen goods. Crates stamped with suspicious "FRAGILE" warnings were stacked haphazardly around the perimeter. A group of thugs played cards using what looked like someone''s molars as chips. At the far end, behind a steel desk that had seen better decades, sat the infamous Risha. She wasn''t what Kyle expected. Early thirties, maybe. Flame-red hair pulled back in a tight braid that fell over one shoulder like a whip. Her eyes were the color of fresh blood, tracking Kyle''s approach with unnerving precision. The scar running from her left temple to jaw stood out starkly against her golden-brown skin. "Rat." She didn''t look up from the ledger she was scribbling in. "You are twenty-three minutes late." Rat swallowed audibly. "Had to vet the new guy, boss. He''s... different." Risha''s pen stopped moving. Slowly, she lifted her gaze. Kyle felt it like a physical weight - the calculating stare of someone who had survived Maplewood''s streets through sheer vicious intelligence. "And you are?" Her voice was deceptively soft. Kyle met her eyes without flinching. "Dain Vorsk. Heard you pay well for problems that need disappearing." A slow blink. Then Risha leaned back, the chair creaking under her weight. "Problems. Interesting way to put it." She snapped her fingers. "Tabs. The scanner." A wiry man with too many facial piercings scurried forward with a battered data-pad. Kyle recognized the model - standard issue for low-level enforcers, easy to hack. "Credentials" Risha demanded. Kyle produced the ID chip he''d gotten from the Gray Owls. The holo-projection shimmered to life: ----- DAIN VORSK Former Sergeant, 14th Blackwatch Dishonorable Discharge - Code 78 (Excessive Force) sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Current Licenses: Bounty Enforcement, Private Security ----- Risha studied it, then tossed the pad back to Tabs. "Blackwatch, huh? Heard they chew up and spit out weaklings before breakfast." Kyle shrugged. "Breakfast is overrated." That earned him the faintest twitch of her lips. "Why come crawling to us? Blackwatch boys usually go corporate." "Corporate asks too many questions." Kyle jerked his chin toward the crates. "And they don''t pay extra for creative solutions." Risha''s eyes gleamed. She reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a bottle of something that smelled like paint thinner and cherries. Three glasses hit the desk with a clink. "Tell me, Dain" she poured the liquor with practiced ease, "what exactly makes you think you are Viper material?" Kyle took the offered glass, swirling the murky liquid. "I don''t think. I know." He downed it in one go, barely flinching at the burn. "Because unlike your current muscle dudes, I don''t need enhancement oils to hit hard." Jory made a strangled noise. Rat coughed into his hand. Risha''s grin showed too many teeth. "Confident bastard, aren''t you?" "Realistic." Kyle set the glass down. "I have seen your operation. You are efficient, but sloppy. The Red Fangs have been stealing your shipments for months because you keep using the same routes." The temperature in the room dropped several degrees. Tabs took a careful step back. Risha''s voice went dangerously quiet. "And how would you know that?" Kyle tapped his temple. "Observant. Also heard some Fangs bragging in a bar near the docks. They think you are getting soft." For a long moment, no one breathed. Then Risha threw her head back and laughed - a rich, throaty sound that didn''t reach her eyes. "Oh, I like you." She leaned forward, elbows on the desk. "Tell you what. Prove you are not just hot air, and I will give you a seat at the table." Kyle matched her posture. "What''s the test?" "Tonight''s shipment. Black Sand, premium grade." She pulled a slim case from her drawer, flipping it open to reveal a crystalline powder that shimmered unnaturally. "It''s enough to keep half of Maplewood''s elites happy for a month." Kyle studied it. The so-called "Black Sand" was actually refined mana crystals, illegal as hell and worth a small fortune. "Delivery point?" "Old factory district. Dock 7." Risha snapped the case shut. "Normally I would send six men. For you? You get Rat, Jory, and two rookies." Kyle raised an eyebrow. "Confidence booster?" "Survival test." Risha''s smile vanished. "Red Fangs have been intercepting our shipments. If they hit you..." "I''ll handle it." "See that you do." Risha stood, revealing she was nearly Kyle''s height in her steel-toed boots. "Because if you fail, I won''t bother dumping your body in the river." She leaned in close, her breath warm against his ear. "I''ll feed you to my pet serpent, scale by scale." Kyle didn''t flinch. "What time do we leave?" Risha checked the cracked chrono on the wall. "One hour. Gear up in the armory." She jerked her chin toward a reinforced door. "And Dain?" "Yeah?" "Try not to get my boys killed. Decent help is hard to find." Kyle gave her a mock salute as he turned to follow Rat. "No promises." The sound of Risha''s laughter followed him out, sharp as a knife between the ribs. *** Chapter 55 - 55: The Vipers [4] The humid night air clung to Vex''s skin as he crouched in the shadows of a broken-down delivery truck. The stench of rotting garbage and motor oil filled his nostrils, but he didn''t flinch. His eyes remained locked on the empty intersection ahead, where dim streetlights flickered like dying fireflies. He pressed a finger to the comm device in his ear. "All units, confirm positions." His voice was barely above a whisper, but the high-tech gadget picked up every word. "East alley, locked and loaded," came Rook''s raspy reply through the earpiece. "West side clear," Hark grunted. "Got my boys spread out behind the dumpsters." Vex adjusted the scope on his mana pistol, the cool metal soothing against his calloused fingers. "Remember - we hit hard and fast. No witnesses. If even one Viper walks away..." He let the threat hang in the air. The radio crackled. "Relax boss," Rook chuckled. "They are sending rookies with their shipment tonight. This will be like taking candy from a baby." Vex''s jaw tightened. "Shut up and stay focused. Overconfidence gets men killed." He checked his watch - 11:57 PM. Right on schedule. The distant rumble of an engine cut through the night. Vex''s muscles coiled like springs as headlights appeared at the end of the block. A black delivery truck with peeling paint rolled into view, its suspension groaning under some unseen weight. The number plate matched the intel they had received. "That''s our mark," Vex murmured into the comm. "Rook, take the shot when I give the word." The truck slowed as it approached the intersection, its brakes squealing like a dying animal. "Now." The sharp crack of Rook''s mana gun split the night. The truck''s front tire exploded in a shower of rubber and sparks. The vehicle lurched violently, swerving sideways before smashing into a lamppost with a deafening crunch of metal. Before the dust settled, Vex was already moving. "Smoke out!" he barked into the comm. Three canisters arced through the air, shattering against the pavement and unleashing thick gray clouds that swallowed the wrecked truck. "Move in! Move in!" Vex ordered as he sprinted forward, his pistol raised. From every alleyway, dark figures emerged - twenty-five Red Fang members armed to the teeth. They moved like ghosts through the smoke, surrounding the disabled vehicle. Vex gestured to Hark. "Check the cargo. The rest of you, watch our backs." The hulking enforcer yanked open the truck''s rear doors with a metallic screech - then froze. "Boss..." Hark''s voice sounded strangely hollow. "There''s nothing here." A cold dread crept up Vex''s spine. Then he heard it - a faint ticking coming from inside the truck''s cab. His blood turned to ice. "AMBUSH!" he roared into the comm. "FALL BA-" BOOOMM!! The world erupted in fire and noise. The concussion wave lifted Vex off his feet and slammed him into a brick wall. His vision swam as debris rained down around him. Through the ringing in his ears, he heard the slow, mocking sound of applause. As the smoke cleared, a figure stepped into view. The man wore a smirk that made Vex''s blood boil. "Bravo, boys," the stranger drawled. "Really impressive work." Vex spat out a mouthful of blood and broken teeth. His ribs screamed in protest as he struggled to his knees. Through the pain and fury, he managed to growl one phrase that carried all his hatred. "You... bastard..." *** [Flashback - Viper''s Hideout] The dim glow of mana-lamps flickered across Risha''s scarred face as she leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. The air smelled of gun oil and cheap liquor. Dain¡ªKyle in disguise¡ªstood before her, his expression calm despite the dangerous glint in her blood-red eyes. "You are telling me," Risha said slowly, tapping her fingers against the desk, "that we have got a rat in our ranks?" Kyle nodded. "Think about it. How else would the Red Fangs know exactly when and where your shipments move? You change routes, but they''re always waiting. That''s not luck¡ªthat''s inside help." Risha''s blood-red eyes narrowed. She didn''t like accusations, especially from newcomers. But the math was too clean to ignore. She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "And how do you know so much about our operations, Dain?" Kyle met her gaze without flinching. "Because I have seen this before. Back in the Blackwatch, traitors bled us dry before we caught them. Same signs here." A tense silence stretched between them. Finally, Risha exhaled sharply through her nose. "Fine. Say I believe you. What''s your play?" Kyle smirked. "We feed the rat false info. Let them think the shipment''s going out as usual¡ªsame route, same time. But we switch vehicles halfway. Real cargo moves separately." Risha studied him for a long moment, then reached into her desk and pulled out a small recording crystal. She pressed her thumb against it, and her voice echoed clearly: "Do as Dain says." She tossed it to him. "Don''t make me regret this." *** Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Present - Ambush Site] The acrid smoke from the burning truck stung Kyle''s eyes as he watched the surviving Red Fangs stagger to their feet. The explosion had done its job - only about fifteen of them remained standing, coughing and blinking through the haze. Their clothes were singed, their faces smeared with soot and blood. Vex, the gang''s leader, wiped a trickle of blood from his busted lip with the back of his hand. His twin swords - curved and wicked sharp - caught the flickering orange light from the flames. The look he gave Kyle could have melted steel. "You are gonna pay for this," Vex growled, his voice rough like gravel. He spat a glob of bloody saliva onto the cracked pavement. "I''m gonna peel the skin from your bones slow, you bastard." Behind Kyle, the shadows moved. Rat stepped out first, his broken nose making his grin look even more crooked than usual. Jory followed, cracking his knuckles with a sound like snapping twigs. Two more Vipers emerged from the alley - a wiry guy with a crossbow and a hulking brute with an axe that looked heavy enough to split a man in half. Kyle didn''t even bother taking his tachi off his shoulder. The blade rested there easy, like it was just part of him. His smirk was all teeth, no warmth. "I would like to see you try," he said, his voice light like they were discussing the weather instead of a bloodbath. The street went quiet except for the crackle of flames. Somewhere in the distance, a piece of burning debris clattered to the ground. The Red Fangs shifted their grips on their weapons, waiting for Vex''s signal. The Vipers tensed, ready to move. Kyle just kept smiling. He had been looking forward to this. *** Chapter 56 - 56: The Vipers [5] The night air crackled with tension as Vex launched his attack. His twin curved swords burst into flames, casting flickering orange light across the blood-slick pavement. The heat washed over Kyle''s face but he stood his ground, feet planted in a solid stance. When the flaming blade came down, Kyle''s tachi met it with a sharp clang. Sparks sprayed through the air like tiny fireworks. Instead of pushing back Kyle let the force of Vex''s strike carry the attack past him. With a subtle twist of his wrist, he guided the curved sword harmlessly to the side. Vex''s eyes widened as his momentum carried him forward off-balance. Kyle didn''t hesitate. He snapped his fingers, and a sudden gust of wind exploded upward beneath the Vex''s feet. Vex''s boots left the ground for just a second, just long enough for Kyle to swing the flat of his tachi hard into his ribs. Crack!! The crack of bone echoed through the alley. Vex crashed into a stack of wooden crates, splinters flying. He groaned, clutching his side, but Kyle was already turning away. The other Red Fangs didn''t wait for an invitation. Seven of them surged forward at once, weapons glinting in the firelight. Kyle took a deep breath. Then the wind answered. The first attacker, a massive bald man with a spiked club, charged like a raging bull. Kyle ducked under the wild swing feeling the whoosh of air as the club passed inches above his head. Before the man could recover, Kyle''s tachi flashed. Not a killing strike just a precise slash across the wrist. The tendons parted with a wet sound, and the club tumbled from suddenly limp fingers. The man screamed, clutching his ruined hand. From the left came a knife fighter, blade flickering like a serpent''s tongue. Kyle didn''t even turn his head. He flicked two fingers, and a razor-thin blade of compressed air hissed through the night. It sliced clean through the man''s thigh muscle. Blood sprayed as the attacker collapsed, his leg no longer able to hold his weight. Two more came at Kyle simultaneously, one with a rusted sword, the other whirling a spiked chain. Kyle parried the sword strike, steel ringing against steel, then pivoted smoothly as the chain lashed toward his back. Instead of dodging, Kyle raised his free hand. A controlled burst of wind caught the chain mid-swing, yanking it off course. The spiked links wrapped around the swordsman''s arm instead, biting deep into flesh. The man howled as he tried to shake the chain loose, only making the wounds worse. Kyle was already moving again. A woman with twin hatchets came flying at him from behind, her battle cry shrill in the night. Kyle didn''t bother looking. He simply raised his palm and unleashed a concentrated gust of wind. It hit her square in the chest, sending her spinning through the air like a leaf in a storm. She slammed into a brick wall with a thud and slid down, unconscious before she hit the ground. The last two attacked together¡ªa spearman thrusting low, while a wiry fighter with a jagged knife tried to flank him. Kyle sidestepped the spear, letting it whistle past his ribs, then swept his tachi in a low arc. The blade cut through the back of the spearman''s knee, severing just enough muscle to drop him. As the man fell, Kyle grabbed the back of his shirt and yanked hard, using the man''s own weight as a weapon. The spearman crashed into the knife fighter, sending them both tumbling to the ground in a heap of tangled limbs and curses. Panting slightly, Kyle straightened up. Around him, the Red Fangs lay groaning and bleeding, but all still breathing. His tachi remained clean¡ªno killing strikes, just precise, disabling wounds. *** While Kyle handled his opponents with precise wind-assisted strikes, the other Vipers made quick work of their eight targets. Rat moved like a street brawler born and bred. When a burly Fang swung a chain at him, Rat ducked under it and drove his elbow into the man''s solar plexus. As the gangster doubled over, Rat grabbed his ears and brought a knee up into his face with a sickening crunch. "That''s for last month''s shipment!" he crowed, kicking the groaning man in the ribs for good measure. Jory fought with the brutal efficiency of a seasoned enforcer. He caught a punch mid-swing, twisted the attacker''s arm until something popped, then headbutted him so hard teeth went flying. Blood streamed from the Fang''s broken nose as he collapsed. "Weak," Jory muttered, spitting on the ground. The crossbow Viper - a wiry woman named Lys - moved with eerie calm. She put three bolts into a charging Fang''s legs before he''d taken two steps. When another tried to flank her, she whipped the crossbow around and fired point-blank into his shoulder. "Stay down," she advised as he screamed. The axe-wielder, a silent brute called Hark, was the most terrifying of all. He swung his massive weapon with terrifying precision, not to kill but to maim. One Fang lost three fingers to a glancing blow. Another took the flat of the axe to his kneecap with a sound like a walnut cracking. Hark didn''t speak, just kept methodically breaking bones with that same dead-eyed expression. Within minutes, the street was littered with groaning, bleeding Red Fangs. Kyle stepped over a gangster clutching his broken arm, his boots crunching on shattered glass as he approached Vex. The Red Fang leader was trying to push himself up from the splintered crates, his face smeared with blood and dirt. "You¡ª" Vex coughed, spitting out a broken tooth. "You fight like no merc I have ever seen." His breath came in ragged gasps. Kyle shifted his tachi to rest casually on his shoulder. The blade gleamed faintly in the firelight, completely clean. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That''s because I''m not just some hired mercenary." With a lazy kick, he sent Vex''s weapon skittering across the pavement. "Now" Kyle crouched down to eye level, his voice calm. "Let''s talk about the spies you planted in the Vipers." Vex''s eyes flicked toward his fallen men. "Go to hell." Kyle sighed, rubbing his temple like he was dealing with a stubborn child. "Look, I don''t kill people. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth." He jerked his thumb toward Rat and the others. "But them? They don''t have that problem." Rat chose that moment to grin, showing off his crooked teeth as he tested the edge of his knife. "Tell me the names," Kyle said, his voice dropping lower, "and I will let you walk away. Keep quiet..." He shrugged. "Well, I will walk away, but you won''t." Vex''s throat worked as he swallowed hard. Sweat mixed with the blood on his face. "T-Tabs," he finally muttered. "And Lirin. They have been feeding us information." Kyle nodded and stood up. "Smart choice." He turned to Rat. "Risha''s orders. Clean up this trash." As Rat and the others moved in, Kyle walked away without looking back. The first scream cut through the night air just as he turned the corner. He flexed his fingers, examining his clean hands in the dim light. No blood on them. Not yet, anyway. He wasn''t ready for that step. But in this world, mercy was a luxury he wouldn''t always be able to afford. The day would come when he had have to stare into the abyss and let it stare back. Just... not today. *** Chapter 57 - 57: No Turning Back [1] Kyle slumped onto the sagging mattress in his rented room above the Rusty Nail tavern. The place was a dump, the sheets smelled like old beer, the mattress springs poked his back, and he could hear every drunkard''s brawl from the bar below through the paper-thin walls. But it was cheap, and more importantly, no one asked questions here. After the fight with the Red Fangs, every muscle in his body protested. He had gobbled down a questionable meat pie from a street vendor on the way back, the greasy kind that sat heavy in your stomach like a rock. As he lay staring at the water-stained ceiling, he replayed the fight in his mind. Holding back had been harder than going all out. Each strike had to be perfectly controlled - enough to disable, not kill. His arms trembled slightly from the effort of restraining his power. A particularly loud crash from downstairs made him wince. Tomorrow he would meet Garrick, the real prize. That sword was so close yet so far. But he wasn''t stupid, the Vipers had nearly a hundred armed men. Charging in swords blazing would be suicide, no matter how strong he was. He needed to be smart about this. With a tired sigh, Kyle rolled onto his side, ignoring the springs digging into his ribs. The muffled sounds of another bar fight faded as exhaustion finally pulled him into an uneasy sleep. Tomorrow would bring its own problems. For now, he needed whatever rest he could get. *** Morning came too quickly. The tavern''s watery oatmeal sat heavy in Kyle''s stomach as he made his way through Maplewood''s maze of alleys. The usual stink of garbage seemed stronger today, or maybe he was just more aware of it after yesterday''s bloodshed. The warehouse hideout''s guards nodded him through this time, a good sign. Inside, Rat was leaning against a crate, picking his teeth with a knife. "Look who''s alive," Rat grinned. "Thought maybe you would skipped town after last night''s show." Kyle snorted. "And miss all this luxury?" He gestured at the damp, filthy warehouse. Jory emerged from the shadows, his massive arms crossed. "Risha wants to see you. Now." The office door creaked as Kyle entered. Risha sat behind her battered metal desk, cleaning a wicked-looking dagger. The morning light streaming through the barred windows made the scar on her face stand out even more. "You are late," she said without looking up. "Had to get breakfast. Fighting makes me hungry." That got a smirk. She sheathed the dagger and finally met his eyes. "Garrick''s impressed. Wants to meet you." Kyle leaned against the wall. "So I''m in?" Risha stood, her boots clicking against the concrete floor. "Don''t get cocky. You proved you''re not completely useless. That''s all." She jerked her head toward a reinforced door at the back. "Come on. And don''t speak unless spoken to." Kyle followed Risha through the reinforced door, his boots scuffing against the concrete floor. The air inside was thick with the smell of expensive cigars and something sharper¡ªmagic, maybe. Garrick Voss lounged on a chair that was way too fancy for a gang hideout, his polished boots propped up on an ornate table. The walls were covered in weapons¡ªguns, knives, even a few artifacts displayed like trophies. And then Kyle saw it. The sword hung on the far wall, its curved blade dull under the flickering lights. To anyone else, it would have looked like just another decoration. But Kyle knew better. Garrick studied him with cold, amused eyes. "So you are Dain," he said, his voice smooth. Too smooth for a gang leader. "Risha says you handled our little rat problem." Kyle kept his face blank. "Just doing the job." Garrick smirked, then gestured to the wall of weapons. "See anything you like?" For a second, Kyle''s heart stuttered¡ªhad Garrick noticed him staring at the sword? Then he realized it was a test. He forced himself to glance at the collection before pointing at a gaudy dagger with a jeweled hilt. "That one''s pretty." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Garrick burst out laughing. "Wrong answer!" He stood, walking over to the weapons. Kyle took the chance to size him up properly. ''Grade 2 Silver.'' That was surprising. The intel from Gray Owls had said Grade 3. Either the information was outdated, or Garrick had been hiding his real strength. Garrick pulled down a brutal-looking cleaver, its edge nicked from use. "This" he said, "is what separates men from boys in Maplewood." As he launched into some boastful story about the cleaver''s history, Kyle let his gaze drift back to the artifact sword. ''So close.'' But getting it wouldn''t be easy. Not with Garrick watching. Not with Risha standing right behind him, her hand resting casually on the dagger at her belt. Kyle exhaled slowly. ''Patience.'' *** Kyle had spent two days studying the patterns of the Viper hideout. Garrick always left for his Monday meetings with Risha. No Garrick, no Risha. Just him and his ledger, off to settle accounts with their black-market suppliers. The perfect time to make his move. Kyle leaned against the wall near the entrance, watching as the last of the guards wandered off, bored now that their boss was gone. "Another thrilling Monday," one muttered, kicking at the dirt. "Better than getting chewed out for breathing too loud" his partner replied. Kyle smirked. He slipped away, moving through the dim corridors toward Garrick''s office. The sword was still there, mounted behind glass like some decorative prize. No extra locks, no wards¡ªjust arrogance. The hallway was empty. Hark, the usual brute on door duty, had been sent to oversee a shipment. Kyle had made sure of that, just a casual comment to Risha yesterday about needing muscle at the docks. Now, it was just him and an unlocked door. Kyle exhaled. ''This is it.'' Garrick was Grade 2 Silver. Risha was Grade 3 Silver. Even with his blessings, Kyle couldn''t take them both head-on. This was the perfect opportunity to steal the sword in absence of Garrick and Risha. He reached for the lockpick in his sleeve¡ª The door creaked open before he could touch it. Kyle froze. Risha leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, her blood-red eyes glinting in the dim light. "Knew you would try something like this," she said, voice smooth as a blade sliding from its sheath. Kyle''s pulse spiked. ''Shit.'' She wasn''t supposed to be here. Risha pushed off the door, stepping closer. "Garrick left alone today. Figured that would be too tempting for you to resist." Kyle forced a grin. "You caught me. Just wanted to admire the decor." She snorted. "Cut the crap, Dain." Her fingers tapped the hilt of her dagger. "What are you after?" Kyle''s mind raced. Fighting her here would bring the whole hideout down on him. But running? That would burn his cover for good. Risha tilted her head. "So? What''s your move?" Kyle exhaled. He didn''t want blood on his hands. But if it came down to it¡ª His fingers flexed. Then he smiled. "Guess I''m improvising." Chapter 58 - 58: No Turning Back [2] Kyle pulled his tachi free with a sharp shing of steel. His fingers tightened around the hilt. "Guess I am improvising," he muttered under his breath. Then he moved. Wind mana surged around his legs, wrapping around his legs like a living thing. The wind crackled as he launched forward, a blur of motion. Risha eyes widened a little, his tachi slashing downward in a silver arc aimed straight for her collarbone. Clang! Her twin daggers wreathed in flickering fire blocked the strike just in time. The impact sent sparks flying between them, the heat grazing at Kyle''s face. He could feel the strain in her arms, the way her boots skidded back against the wooden floor. Before he could adjust, she twisted her body with viper like speed and lashed out with a kick wreathed with flames aimed straight for his gut. Kyle sidestepped at the last second feeling the heat of her kick graze his side. The fabric of his shirt charred, the burnt smell filling his nostrils. Kyle didn''t let her recover. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a razor-sharp blade of wind slicing toward her, the attack whistling through the air like a vengeful spirit. Risha''s eyes widened. She slashed her daggers sending the arc of flames to block the attack. BOOM! The collision of wind and fire exploded between them, filling the room with black smoke and embers. The force of the blast sent them stumbling back, their boots scraping against the floor. Kyle''s lungs burned as he coughed, the acrid smoke stinging his eyes. Just as the door burst open. Two more Vipers charged in their weapons drawn. The first, a hulking brute with a scar running down his cheek swung a halberd in a wide, sweeping arc. Forcing Kyle to duck. The blade whistled inches above his head, close enough to slice a few strands of his hair. The second, a black man wearing a cruel smirk, thrust the spear at him its tip wrapping with wind mana. ''Tch.'' Kyle''s fingers tightened around his tachi. He could feel the weight of the fight pressing down on him, three against one now. The odds weren''t in his favor. Then¡ª Crack! ''Lightning steps'' Lightning surged through his veins. His body moved leaving a streak of blue-white lightning. The two newcomers barely had time to register what was happening before Kyle was upon them. One moment he was across the room. The next, he was right in front of them, his blade already mid-swing. The spearman''s eyes widened. "Ligh¡ª" Slash! Kyle''s tachi opened his throat before he could finish. Blood sprayed across the floor in a crimson arc as the man crumpled, his spear clattering from his grip. The halberd wielder roared, swinging wildly. Kyle ducked under the strike, pivoted on his heel, and drove his sword straight through the man''s chest. A wet gasp escaped the Viper''s lips before he collapsed, his weapon slipping from his fingers. Kyle didn''t have time to breathe. Two more enforcers rushed in, one with a spiked mace, the other with a short sword. Their faces were twisted in fury, their movements sharp with trained aggression. Three against one now. Kyle exhaled. The fight became a blur of steel and blood. The mace-wielder swung first, the heavy weapon whistling through the air. Kyle parried with his tachi, the impact vibrating up his arms. The sheer force of the blow made his teeth rattle, but he gritted them and held firm. Before the man could recover, Kyle unleashed the wind blade that split his body in half. Blood spattered across the floor. The swordsman lunged next, his blade a flicker of silver in the dim light. Kyle sidestepped, letting the strike graze his sleeve, then countered with a lightning-fast slash across the man''s neck. Instantly killing him. A dagger whistled past Kyle''s ear. ''Risha.'' She had circled behind him, her daggers blazing with fire. Her movements were sharp, precise¡ªbut not experienced. She was clearly not used to fighting. She relied too much on her Silver-ranked strength, not enough on technique. Kyle exploited that. When she lunged, he feinted left. Then twisted right, his tachi slicing across her thigh. Blood splattered the floor, the scent of iron thick in the air. Risha hissed but didn''t slow down. She spun, unleashing a torrent of fire from her blades, the heat searing Kyle''s skin. He gritted his teeth and pushed through it, closing the distance before she could react. His elbow smashed into her ribs, and he heard the satisfying crack of bone. She staggered¡ª ¡ªand Kyle drove his knee into her stomach. Risha gasped, doubling over. But she wasn''t done yet. Her hands glowed crimson. The air around her warped as flames gathered between her palms, growing larger, hotter¡ª A massive fireball. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kyle didn''t hesitate. He took a deep breath, and for the first time since the fight began, he called upon his water affinity. The fireball rocketed toward him. At the last second, water surged from Kyle''s feet, forming a swirling barrier. Steam hissed as the flames crashed against it, dissipating in a cloud of smoke. Risha''s eyes widened. "You¡ª" Kyle didn''t let her finish. With a flick of his fingers, the water morphed. Jagged blades of liquid shot from the ground, twisting at unnatural angles. One. Two. Three. They pierced Risha''s body in an instant. Her shoulder, her stomach, and finally, her throat. Her mouth opened. Maybe to curse, maybe to scream, but only blood came out. She collapsed, her daggers clattering to the floor. Silence. Kyle stood there, breathing hard. Too hard. His chest rose and fell like he had just run a Mile. His hands couldn''t stop shaking. He stared at them like they belonged to someone else. ''I just killed someone.'' The thought hit him like a hammer to his ribs. His mouth filled with the sour taste of bile. His vision blurred at the edges, the room tilting just slightly. His knees wobbled, threatening to give out. ''No. Not now.'' He clenched his fists, forcing himself to focus. The fight wasn''t over. Others would come. More Vipers. Maybe even Garrick himself. He had to move. With a shaky breath, he turned toward the sword. It hung there, silent. Unassuming. Just a curved blade on a wall, like any other decorative weapon. But Kyle knew better. He reached out¡ª ¡ªand took it. He didn''t have time to think about it and bolted towards the door. *** The hallway was too quiet. Then he saw them. Bodies. Dozens of them. Vipers, their uniforms torn, their weapons still clutched in stiff fingers. Blood pooled across the floor, so thick it made the air taste like copper. Some had been cut down mid-sprint. Others... looked like they had been ripped apart. Kyle''s breath caught. ''What the hell happened here?'' Then he saw him. A man. Tall. Too tall. His black coat draped over his frame like a shadow. His face was hidden behind a mask¡ªblack and red, with a stitched mouth sewn shut by a red thread in a grotesque smile. But his eyes¡­ Crimson. Burning. Locked onto Kyle like a predator spotting prey. And in his hand... a blade. Dripping. Red. Their eyes met. A chill shot down Kyle''s spine. ''Demonic energy.'' Thick. Suffocating. The kind that made the air itself feel wrong. The masked figure tilted his head. And then¡ª He moved. *** Chapter 59 - 59: No Turning Back [3] Kyle''s lungs burned. Each breath came harder than the last like trying to suck air through a wet rag. The demonic energy radiating from the masked figure pressed down on him like an invisible hand crushing his chest. His vision swam at the edges dark spots dancing before his eyes. The masked man stood perfectly still amidst the carnage around him. Bodies lay twisted in unnatural positions around him, their blood slowly spreading across the warehouse floor in dark pools. The coppery scent filled Kyle''s nose mixing with something fouler. The stench of corrupted magic the demonic magic. His mask. Black leather stretched tight across the face, with crude red stitching forming a grotesque, permanent smile. The thread pulled at the fabric making the mouth appear to strain against its restraints. But the eyes... those emotionless glowing crimson eyes bored into Kyle with terrifying intensity. They didn''t blink. Didn''t waver. Just stared with the cold patience of a predator who knew its prey couldn''t escape. Kyle''s fingers tightened around his tachi''s hilt. His palms were slick with sweat, making the grip slippery. Every instinct screamed at him to run, to fight, to do something. But his body refused to obey. His legs might as well have been stuck to the floor. His arms felt leaden, too heavy to lift. ''Move!'' his mind screamed. ''MOVE DAMMIT!'' The masked figure tilted its head to the side, the movement slow and deliberate. The leather creaked faintly. Then, with terrifying casualness, it took a step forward. The boot made a wet squelch as it came down in a pool of blood. Step. Another. The sound was methodical. Unhurried. Each footfall echoed through the silent warehouse of Vipers. No other noise existed, just those slow inevitable footsteps coming closer. Kyle''s heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird. His mouth went dry. The taste of copper filled his mouth. He had bitten his tongue without realizing it. The masked man raised his sword. The blade was black as darkness, except where fresh blood ran down its length in thick streams. The red droplets fell to the floor one by one, each impact sounding impossibly loud in the stillness. Kyle''s survival instincts finally overrode his terror. Blue-white lightning crackled across his skin, the sharp sting shocking his muscles into action. He threw himself sideways just as the sword came down in a vicious diagonal slash. Pain exploded across his collarbone as the tip caught him. It burned like fire and ice simultaneously. The wound pulsing with sickly black-red energy before the corruption faded, leaving behind an unnatural chill that seeped into his bones. Gasp! Kyle scrambled back, putting some distance between them. His free hand flew to the wound, coming away slick with blood. The masked man didn''t pursue immediately. He just... watched. The tilt of his head suggested curiosity. As if Kyle was some interesting specimen he was dissecting. Kyle didn''t wait for him to make his move and swiped his hand upward. Ice spikes erupted from the ground with a sound like cracking crystal. It shoot towards the masked figure with deadly precision. The masked man didn''t even bother to dodge. With a casual flick of his wrist his sword traced a lazy arc through the air. A crescent of black-red demonic energy sliced outward, meeting the ice spikes midair. They exploded into harmless shards that rained down like glittering dust. The demonic energy wave continued unrestrained, forcing Kyle to twist aside at the last second. Even the near-miss left his side scorched, his clothes smoking where the demonic energy had grazed him. The stench of burnt clothe fabric filled his nostrils. Before he could recover his balance. The masked man was suddenly infront him, so close Kyle could see the individual stitches in that grotesque smile. A fist plowed into Kyle stomach with the force of a battering ram. All the air left Kyle''s lungs in a whoosh. His body folded from the impact, blood spraying from his mouth. Then he was airborne, flying backward until his spine connected with the warehouse wall hard enough to crack the stone. Dust and debris rained down around him as he slumped to the floor. Pain shot through his entire body. His vision blurred, darkened at the edges. Through the haze, he saw the masked man approaching again. His sword raised for the killing blow. With a desperate gasp. Kyle thrust out his hand and unleashed a concentrated burst of wind to his left. The force shoved him sideways just as the black blade came down, biting deep into the stone where his head had been a second before. But not fast enough. Agony unlike anything he had ever experienced erupted from his left arm. Kyle looked down in horror to see his forearm lying on the ground several feet away, fingers still twitching. Blood fountained from the stump. Painting the floor crimson. "AHHHH¡ª!" The guttural scream tore from his throat raw and primal. Tears blurred his vision as white-hot pain lanced up his nerves. His stomach heaved, bile rising in his throat. The masked man loomed over Kyle''s broken body his silhouette casting a long shadow across the blooded floor. Kyle lay gasping, each breath a wet bubbling struggle. His vision swam in and out of focus, but he could still see those crimson eyes burning through the darkness. They dropped to his chest watching, waiting. As if they could see right through skin and bone to where his heart pounded like a trapped animal. Without warning, the masked figure''s boot lashed out connecting with Kyle''s ribs with brutal force. The impact lifted him clean off the ground, sending him flying upward. Dust and blood swirled in his wake as he arced through the air. For one weightless moment, Kyle hung suspended. Then he saw it, the masked man was already above him move in a blur of motion. Kyle''s tried to move out of the way with the concentrated burst of wind like before. But it was already late. An axe kick hammered into his ribs, driving him back down like a meteor. The world became a blur of motion and pain until - CRACK! His body smashed into the concrete floor with bone-shattering force. The impact cratered the ground beneath him, sending spiderweb fractures racing outward. Dust and debris exploded upward in a choking cloud. Before Kyle could even groan, the masked man was there again. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A dark specter emerging from the settling dust. His boots crunched on broken concrete as he approached with terrifying calm. Then, the final blow came. His boot descended like a guillotine crushing Kyle''s ribs with a sickening crunch. Pain exploded through his body, so intense his nerves simply shut down. His heartbeat, once frantic began to falter. Each pulse came slower than the last, the intervals stretching into eternity. The edges of his vision darkened, the world narrowing to a tunnel with those glowing red eyes at its center. One last shaky breath escaped his lips carrying flecks of crimson. Then silence. Stillness. The masked man stood motionless over Kyle''s ruined form, his head cocked slightly to one side like a curious bird. His mask creaked faintly as he studied his handiwork. No rise and fall of breath disturbed the tattered remains of Kyle''s shirt. He scanned Kyle''s heart with his crimson eyes. No pulse. Dead. Kyle''s body lay there broken and still. The pool of red spreading slowly across the concrete floor. Silence reclaimed the warehouse. The flickering lights cast long dancing shadows over the scene of carnage. A single water droplet fell from a leaking pipe, its impact echoing through the emptiness. Plink. Then nothing. *** Chapter 60 - 60: No Turning Back [4] The warehouse was silent except for the slow drip of water from the leaking pipe. The masked figure walked away, his footsteps echoing through the carnage. In his hand, the curved ornamental sword gleamed dully under the flickering lights. He paused once, glancing back at Kyle''s lifeless body sprawled across the cracked concrete. Then, without another thought, he vanished into the shadows. Five minutes passed since Kyle death. Then¡ª A twitch. Kyle''s fingers jerked against the cold floor. His chest suddenly heaved. A wet, choking gasp tearing from his lips as his lungs fought for air. Blood sprayed from his mouth, splattering the ground beside him. His vision swam. The world tilting violently as consciousness returned in a nauseating wave. "Fuck¡­" he cursed, his voice raw. Every breath sent fresh agony through his shattered ribs. His left arm gone, severed just below the elbow, throbbed with phantom pain. His right hand trembled as he reached for the storage ring on his finger. His movements sluggish, uncoordinated. His mana was a mess, scrambled from the trauma of near-death. ''Come on¡­ come on¡­'' he gritted out, fingers fumbling. It took three tries before the ring finally responded, spitting out an advanced-grade healing potion. The vial nearly slipped from his bloody grip, but he clutched it desperately, uncorking it with his teeth. The bitter liquid burned down his throat. The effect wasn''t instant. His ribs were still shattered, his lung punctured, his arm gone. But the bleeding slowed. The pain dulled from a roaring inferno to a bearable throb. His breathing steadied just enough to keep him conscious. Its not enough to fix him. He needed a doctor, a healer. A real one. Someone who could reattach his arm and mend the damage before his body gave out completely. Despite everything. A slow laugh bubbled up from his throat. It hurt. Every chuckle sent fresh agony through his chest, sharp spikes of pain radiating from his crushed ribs. But he couldn''t stop. Because despite everything. He had won. With great effort his remaining arm twitched, fingers dragging across the blood-slick floor toward his severed limb. His vision blurry but he forced himself to focus. There. His left hand pale, lifeless, fingers curled slightly, on his index finger... The ring. A simple black band, unremarkable looking. Kyle''s lips curled into a bloody grin. He tapped the ring once and circulated mana in it. A soft click echoed in the silent warehouse. The ring dissolved into shimmering mist, reforming into a curved, ornamental sword. The real artifact he had stolen. It clattered to the ground beside him, the sound impossibly loud in the stillness. Another laugh escaped him, this one darker, edged with triumph. He had lost the battle. But he had won the war. *** [Flashback - The Black Market] After exiting the from the Gray Owl Consultations. Kyle moved through the crowded stalls, his hood pulled low, ignoring the merchants who shouted at him as he passed. "Rare artifacts! Direct from the ruins!" barked a man with too many gold teeth. "Elixirs to make you stronger, faster and invincible!" promised a woman in tattered robes, shaking a suspiciously green vial in his face. Kyle ignored them. Most of it was junk, counterfeit charms and watered-down potions that would do more harm than good. But then something caught his eye. A small, dimly lit shop tucked between a weapons dealer and a fortune teller''s tent. Unlike the flashy stalls around it, this place had no sign, no merchant shouting for attention. Just a simple wooden door, slightly ajar, with the faint scent of herbs and alchemical reagents seeping out sharp, medicinal, real. Kyle stepped inside. The shop was cramped, shelves lined with glass vials and clay jars, each filled with liquids of varying colors. Some bubbled faintly. Others glowed with an eerie inner light. A wooden counter stood at the back. Cluttered with mortar and pestles. Half-melted candles and a ledger filled with cramped, runic script. But no one was there. Kyle frowned. "Is anyone here?" Silence. "YOU''VE GOT A NERVE, WALTZIN'' IN HERE AND ACTIN'' LIKE I''M AIR!" A voice rough, deep, and way too loud for such a small space, boomed from behind him. Kyle spun, hand flying to his tachi¡ª ¡ªonly to see no one. A beat of confusion. Then he looked down. A dwarf. It was the first time Kyle had ever seen one in person. Not just any dwarf, this one was built like a barrel of ale with arms thick enough to crush stone. His reddish-brown beard was braided with metal rings, and his nose looked like it had been broken at least three times. His leather apron was stained with potion spills and burn marks, and his fingers were calloused from years of grinding ingredients. Kyle blinked. ''He''s really that tiny.'' The dwarf crossed his arms, scowling. "You humans! Always looking over our heads like we are rats scuttin'' about!" Kyle quickly raised his hands. "Sorry. Didn''t see you there." The dwarf huffed. "Aye, that''s the problem." He stomped forward, his boots making surprisingly heavy thuds for someone barely reaching Kyle''s waist. "Now, what d''you want? I don''t got all day." Kyle''s eyes flicked to the nameplate stitched onto the dwarf''s apron GRIMMORD OATHKEEPER. He nearly choked. ''No way.'' Grimmord Oathkeeper: the legendary alchemist from the novel. Who would revolutionize potion-making within the next five years. A genius whose work would later be sought after by kings and assassins alike. ''What the hell is he doing in a back-alley shop?'' Kyle needed to be sure if he is real deal or not. "Got any healing potions?" he asked, keeping his voice casual. Grimmord snorted. "What kind o'' fool question is that? ''Course I do." He stomped over to a shelf. He grabbed a small vial of murky green liquid and tossed it at Kyle. "Low-grade. Good for cuts, scrapes, not much else." Kyle caught it, then without hesitation drew his dagger and sliced his palm open. "Oi! What are you¡ª?!" Kyle ignored him, downing a sip of the potion. Almost instantly, the wound stitched itself back together, the skin sealing as if it had never been cut. ''Too fast.'' A low-grade potion shouldn''t work that quickly. Kyle smirked. ''He is definitely the real deal.'' Grimmord''s scowl deepened. "You some kinda madman?" "Just testing quality" Kyle said smoothly. "Got anything stronger?" The dwarf eyed him for a long moment, then grunted. "Aye. But it''ll cost ya." They haggled briefly before Grimmord pulled out a small wooden box from under the counter. Inside were three vials of shimmering blue liquid. "Advanced-grade. Heals broken bones, stab wounds, won''t regrow limbs, though." Kyle nodded, then hesitated. "You got anything else? Something... discreet? For infiltration?" Grimmord stroked his beard, thinking. "Disguise potions, but they wear off quick. Smoke pellets. Truth serums¡ª" Kyle shook his head. "Anything more¡­ extreme?" Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Grimmord hesitated. Then, with a grunt, he reached into his coat and pulled out a small wooden box. Inside lay a single black pill. "This one''s¡­ untested." Kyle leaned in. "What does it do?" Grimmord launched into a rapid, technical explanation involving ''cardio-inhibitory enzymes'' and ''neural suppression''. Kyle held up a hand. "Simpler." The dwarf scowled. "Fine. Swallow this and your heart slows to near-death levels. Pulse drops so low, even a trained medic would think you are a corpse. Lasts about 5-6 minutes." Kyle''s eyes widened. "And the catch?" Grimmord''s expression darkened. "Your heart might stop for real. Or burst from the strain. Like I said¡ªuntested." Kyle stared at the pill. A gamble. But if it worked¡­ Kyle didn''t hesitate. "I will take it." Grimmord stared at him. "You are either very brave or very stupid." Kyle smirked. *** Chapter 61 - 61: Endless Void [1] Kyle stared at the image Gray Owls had provided, a curved, ornamental sword with intricate carvings along its blade. It looked like something a noble would hang on their wall, not wield in battle. But he knew better. ''This is it.'' He needed a replica. *** The next day, evening after class. Kyle slipped out of the academy and went to the best blacksmith in Valtheras City. The forge glowed orange in the dimming light as Kyle pushed open the heavy wooden door. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The scent of burning coal and hot metal filled his nose. A burly man with arms like tree trunks looked up from hammering a red-hot blade, his bushy eyebrows furrowing. "We are closin soon" the blacksmith grunted, wiping sweat from his brow. Kyle pulled out the image and slid it across the counter. "I need this made. Exact replica." The blacksmith barely glanced at it before scoffing. "Decorative crap? I don''t waste my time on wall ornaments." He turned back to his work. Kyle sighed. He pulled out his academy ID and placed it next to the image. "I''m Kyle Valemont. Aurelia Valemont''s little brother." The blacksmith froze. Slowly, he turned back eyes flicking between Kyle and the ID. "The¡­ Gale Witch''s brother?" Kyle nodded. "And she would be real disappointed if her favorite blacksmith refused a simple request." The man''s scowl wavered. Then, to Kyle''s surprise, his expression shifted not to fear, but to excitement. "Wait¡­ you are her brother?" The blacksmith suddenly leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I saw her fight in the news last year. That wind blade technique gods, the way she¡ª" He caught himself, clearing his throat. "Ahem. I mean¡­ I will make your damn sword." Kyle blinked. ''¡­Fanboy?'' The blacksmith snatched up the image, studying it with sudden enthusiasm. "Blade length, width¡­ aye, easy enough. Won''t hold an edge, though. Pure decoration." "That''s fine" Kyle said. The blacksmith hesitated, then rubbed the back of his neck. "Payment¡­ uh¡­" Kyle reached for his storage ring, but the man waved him off. "Nah. Just¡­" He pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill, shoving them at Kyle. "Get me her autograph. With a...h-heart." Kyle stared. "A¡­ heart?" "A big one" the blacksmith insisted, face reddening. Kyle sighed. ''Aurelia would murder me.'' "Deal." The blacksmith grinned. "Come back tomorrow. Won''t take long to make a fake." *** Before stealing the sword Kyle placed the black pill between his back teeth, bitter against his tongue. He hadn''t swallowed it yet. He wouldn''t, unless things went so catastrophically wrong. ''But if they do¡­'' He had seen the way Grimmord hesitated. The dwarf hadn''t been lying, this thing was dangerous. A last resort. Hope he didn''t get the chance to use this. ''Why am I even taking this risk?'' He already knew the answer. *** After the fight with Risha and the others. Kyle''s fingers tightened around the hilt of the curved sword he took from the wall. The moment his skin met hilt, his vision flickered. The warehouse splintering into streaks of light and shadow. ''What the¡ª!'' He blinked. A disorienting lurch. Before his mind could process what was happening. The world snapped into focus again. He was no longer in the warehouse. *** Kyle opened his eyes and found himself in... Pure, unbroken darkness that stretched in every direction. No walls. No floor. No sky. Just an endless void that swallowed all light, all sound, all sense of space. His breath came too loud in the silence. His heartbeat pounded in his ears like a drum. ''Where the hell am I?'' One second, he had been in the Viper hideout, gripping the divine sword''s hilt. The next¡ª ''This.'' His fingers flexed, but he felt nothing beneath them. No ground. No air. Just¡­ nothing. "Is this the sword trial?" he muttered, his voice vanishing into the void. But that didn''t make sense. He hadn''t even done anything. No incantation. No blood ritual. Nothing. He had just touched that damn sword. Had everyone who held this sword been dragged into this place? No. If that were true, the sword would have been legendary, known for killing anyone who touched it. But it had been sold as a mere decoration. So why only him? ''Fuck..'' He cursed his [Unpredictable] luck in his status screen for this. Then, a chilling thought crossed his mind. Is my body still back there? If only his consciousness was here then does that mean his physical form was defenseless in the Viper''s hideout. The Vipers could find him lying motionless on the ground and put a blade through his heart for killing their boss Risha, and the others. ''Shit.'' He had to get out. And to do that, he had to complete this trial. But how? ''There has to be exit somewhere.'' Kyle forced himself to move. There was no ground, but somehow, his legs obeyed. He didn''t understand how it worked but he ran, sprinting blindly through the dark arms outstretched like he might hit an invisible wall. Nothing. Just endless black. His instincts no, his blessing screamed at him. This place is wrong. Get out here. So he kept running. His breath came in sharp gasps. His muscles burned, but he didn''t stop. No wind rushed past his face. He might as well have been running in the same place. Still, he ran. The darkness didn''t change. No landmarks. No end in sight. Just an infinite void stretching in every direction. His lungs ached though he couldn''t tell if it was from exertion or panic. ''There has to be an exit.'' ''A way out.'' ''To pass this test.'' Minutes passed. Or maybe hours. Or days. He couldn''t tell. His legs screamed in protest. His breath came in ragged gasps. Still, he ran. Faster. More time passed.. How long had it been? A day? A month? A year? Or several years? Or had it only been a single moment? He couldn''t remember. He couldn''t even feel his legs anymore. A strange numbness crept in, as if his limbs were slowly dissolving into the void below him. His thoughts grew hazy. Why am I running? The question slipped in, soft and insidious. He shook his head, forcing himself to focus. ''Yes, the sword trial.'' He had to escape. But his pace slowed. Running became jogging. Jogging became walking. His mind fogged over, thoughts slipping like sand through his fingers. Then, a sudden, terrifying doubt surfaced. ''Who¡­ am I?'' Panic flared it was brief, sharp. Before fading into nothing. ''Kyle.'' ''Yes, his name was Kyle.'' ''Wasn''t it?'' He just had to remember that he needed to escape. Escape? But¡­ Why? Why did he need to escape? Couldn''t he just... stay here? This void feels... peaceful. Quiet. No pain. No fear. No Guilt. No Responsibility. Just¡­ nothing. ''It''s peaceful here''. *** Author''s Note: Hey, my lovely readers! Sooo... how are you finding the sword arc so far? Loving the chaos? Hating it? Please tell me. How did the pacing feel? Should I have wrote the Vipers in more detail, or was keeping it brief the right call? Don''t hold back¡ªyour critiques help me improve (and feed my ever-hungry writer''s soul... along with my existential crisis, of course ????) *** Chapter 62 - 62: Endless Void [2] (Back in the Solvayne Academy ¡ª Classroom A1) Eleanora''s fingers tightened around her quill. The morning sunlight streaming through the classroom windows felt too bright, too cheerful for the unease settling in her chest. Her gaze kept drifting to the empty seat beside Reo. Kyle''s seat. He hadn''t come to class today. A small crease formed between her brows as she tapped the quill against her notebook. The sound blended with the low murmur of students around her, the whispers about weekend plans, complaints about homework. But the absence beside Reo''s seat was louder than any of it for her. ''Where is he?'' She hadn''t seen him since Friday. Hadn''t caught that familiar flash of bluish-black hair in the hallways, hadn''t heard his dry remarks during lectures. Serena, sitting to her left, turned a page in her textbook with deliberate precision. Without looking up, she spoke, her voice cool and detached. "Kyle''s missing?" Eleanora didn''t glance at her. "Seems so." Serena''s fingers paused on the edge of the page. "Unusual. He''s not the type to skip without reason." A pause. The words hung between them, heavier than they should have been. Then, softer, almost too quiet to hear: "You are worried." Eleanora''s fingers stilled. Of course she is worried. Kyle wasn''t reckless, but he was...what she can say unpredictable. And ever since she had regressed. Ever since she had seen how his story was supposed to end... She exhaled through her nose, forcing her grip to loosen. "Just noting his absence." "Is that so." Eleanora didn''t respond. But her fingers curled slightly against the desk. ''Where are you, Kyle?'' And more importantly¡ª S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''Why does it feel like you''re doing something dangerous again?'' *** Kyle walked in the endless dark. There was no ground beneath his feet but somehow he can still walk. No sky above his head. Just¡­ nothing. An infinite emptiness that swallowed every sound, every sensation, until even his own breathing seemed to disappear. His body moved without thought, one sluggish step after another. There was no reason to walk. No destination to reach. But some deep, some part of him refused to stop. ''Why am I moving?'' The question drifted through his mind like smoke, dissolving before he could grasp it. Memories slipped through his mind¡ªhis name, his past, the sharp ache in his chest that he couldn''t name. It all faded, piece by piece, until even the loss didn''t matter. This void... this place... was¡­ kind. Soft. Quiet. It cradled him. It whispered that he didn''t need to fight anymore. That he could just¡­ let it go. And so he did. His legs stilled. His mismatched eyes¡ªone blue, one black¡ªonce so sharp and bright, now stared blankly ahead, dulled as a blank mirror. The darkness beneath him shifted, rising like black water, warm and welcoming. Yes. Just¡­ stop. He didn''t resist. Why would he? There was no pain here. No fear. No memories of blood on his hands or the weight of a sword in his grip. Just¡­ Nothing. And nothing was so much easier. Then¡ª A touch. Cool fingers brushed against his shoulders from behind, catching him just before the void could swallow him whole. He didn''t react. Didn''t turn. But the presence behind him was undeniable. A woman. Her form shimmered blue and translucent, like morning mist caught in sunlight. She wasn''t really there. Not in the way that mattered and yet, her arms wrapped around him from behind, holding him upright. Her embrace was weightless. A ghost''s touch. But it was enough. She leaned in, her lips grazing his ear as she whispered. "Fight back...Don''t let it control you." Her voice was soft. Beautiful. Familiar. Like a song he had heard in a long forgotten dream. "You have to escape. You have to remember who you really are..." A pause. A breath. "...Ethan." The name meant nothing to him. ''Ethan?'' ''Was that¡­ him?'' He didn''t know. Kyle¡ªEthan?¡ªremained still, his body limp, his mind adrift. But something inside him¡­ Stirred. A flicker. A spark. Like the last ember of a dying fire, fighting against the dark. The woman''s fingers tightened, just slightly, against his shoulders. "Ethan." The word echoed in his mind, louder this time. And then¡ª Click. It all rushed back. The truck. The transmigration. The name Kyle Valemont. The Academy. His Sister Aurelia. The sword. The Vipers. He remembered. The void shuddered. Glowing white cracks spiderwebbed through the darkness, spreading faster and faster until¡ª CRACK. The world shattered like glass. Kyle gasped. Cold stone pressed against his back. The coppery stench of blood filled his nose, thick and metallic. His tongue felt heavy in his mouth, dry as parchment. He was back. Back in Garrick''s office. Back in the Viper hideout. The dead bodies of Risha and others are still lying on the floor. ''I am Alive.'' His chest heaved as he gulped down air like a drowning man breaking the surface. His fingers twitched, nails scraping against the rough floor, just to feel something¡ªanything¡ªsolid. The dim light of the hideout''s lanterns stung his eyes after the endless dark. The air smelled of smoke, blood, and something faintly sour...spilled liquor, maybe. His body ached, not from running. But from the sheer weight of returning to reality. His muscles trembled, weak like a newborn''s. Every breath felt like lifting a boulder. ''How long was I gone?'' He forced himself to sit up, wincing as his head throbbed. The room spun for a moment before settling His vision swam, blurring at the edges. He blinked hard, willing himself to focus. No Vipers had come into the room yet. ''Good.'' His gaze flicked to the clock on Garrick''s desk. Only seconds or maybe a minute had passed. Relief washed over him, sharp and sudden. He was still clutching the hilt of the sword. But when he looked down, his breath caught in his throat. The decorative curved blade he had picked up was gone. In its place was a sleek, black-sheathed tachi. Its handle wrapped in dark leather, the guard a simple, elegant circle of polished steel. The scabbard gleamed faintly under the flickering lantern light, as if drinking in the shadows. ''That trial wasn''t a hallucination.'' It was real. And so was this sword. His fingers tightened around the hilt. The metal hummed faintly against his palm, like a sleeping beast stirring. He needed to get out of here. Now. Kyle moved to store the sword in his storage ring, but then paused. ''Can it change shape again?'' He focused, imagining the blade shrinking, condensing, reshaping itself into something smaller. Something inconspicuous. A ring. The sword shimmered, its form wavering like heat haze. Then, in a blink, it was gone, replaced by a simple black ring resting in his palm. Kyle exhaled sharply. ''Good.'' He slipped it onto his left hand''s index finger. The metal was cool against his skin, but not uncomfortably so. It felt¡­ alive. Like it was watching him. He couldn''t take any risks here. Pushing himself to his feet. He staggered slightly before finding his balance. His legs still felt unsteady, as if they hadn''t quite remembered how to hold his weight. *** Chapter 63 - 63: Breaking Point [1] Kyle steadied himself against the wall. He took a deep breath to clear the last remnants of dizziness. His fingers fumbled at his storage ring for a moment before pulling out the replica. An exact copy of the decorative sword he''d originally taken. The weight felt wrong in his hands now, lifeless compared to the transformed blade now resting as a ring on his finger. With careful steps, he returned to the display stand where the original had been. The empty space seemed to accuse him, the velvet lining slightly indented from where the sword had rested. He placed the replica down precisely, adjusting it until it sat at the same angle as before. His hands lingered for a second, making sure the switch wouldn''t be noticed at a glance. Satisfied, he turned away. *** (Kyle POV - In the hallway of Warehouse - When he was fighting the Masked figure) The mask figure''s fist plowed into my gut with the force of a freight train. All the air left my lungs in a whoosh as I flew backward, spine cracking against the warehouse wall. Dust rained down as I slumped to the floor, vision swimming. Through the haze, I saw him coming again, sword raised for the kill. I barely managed to throw myself sideways with a burst of wind, but not fast enough. "AAAAAGH!" The pain was blinding as my left forearm hit the ground several feet away, fingers still twitching. Blood sprayed from the stump in rhythmic pulses, each heartbeat sending fresh agony through me. ''Shit shit shit!'' I needed a plan. The artifact sword? No, I can''t risk it. ''I am still not sure if I can even defeat that thing in front of me even with the artifact.'' That left only one option, the black pill from Grimmord, still tucked between my back teeth. This is my only option. ''This is gonna hurt like hell...'' As the masked figure loomed over me. I felt his boot connect with my ribs, sending me airborne again. The moment his axe kick hammered me back down into the concrete. I bit down hard. The pill dissolved instantly, flooding my mouth with a bitter, metallic taste. Then the real pain started. My heart stuttered violently in my chest, like it was being squeezed in a vice. Every beat became slower...heavier...until it barely moved at all. My vision tunneled as my body went limp, playing dead perfectly. Through slitted eyes, I watched the bastard scan me with those glowing red eyes. He gave my ribs one final, crushing stomp for good measure. Agony exploded through me, but I didn''t react. Couldn''t react. The pill had me locked in perfect stillness, my heart barely ticking over. ''Come on...just walk away...'' For what feels like eternity, he just stood there. Then finally, blessedly, he turned and walked off, boots making wet sounds in the blood. After 5 minutes, my heart gave a violent kickstart. Air rushed back into my lungs with a wet gasp as the pill''s effects faded. Every nerve ending screamed in protest as feeling returned. But I was alive. *** Kyle stumbled through the back alleys of Maplewood, every step sending fresh waves of pain up his side. The Grimmond''s advanced ranked healing potion had stopped the bleeding. But he was still injured and potions couldn''t re-attach the limbs. He needed to go to the hosptial. But. ''I can''t go to a Maplewood hospital.'' The thought made his stomach twist. The stitched masked would be hunting him the moment he realized the sword was fake. A missing arm would be too memorable, too easy to track. He ducked into a filthy public bathroom, locking the door behind him with his good hand. The mirror showed a ghost, pale skin, dark circles under his eyes, blood still smeared across his jaw. "Shit." He turned on the faucet with his elbow, splashing icy water on his face. The shock helped clear his head. ''Change of clothes. Change of face. Then get the hell out of Maplewood.'' ''The best option is go to Valtheras City hospital.'' The disguise ring hummed against his finger as he activated it. His bluish-black hair lightened to pale blue, his mismatched eyes shifting to a uniform amber. Not a perfect transformation it still too much like his real face, but enough to throw off casual searches. The coat sleeves were long enough to hide his missing arm if he kept it tucked close. He had stuffed the severed limb into his spatial ring. Before stepping back out. The mana train station was nearly empty at this hour. Kyle kept his head down as he boarded, slumping into the farthest corner seat. Every jolt of the train sent fresh pain through his body, but he gritted his teeth and bore it. **** (Valtheris City Hospital - Tuesday - 1:28 am) The white halls smelled of antiseptic and magic¡ªclean, sterile, impersonal. The healer, a middle-aged man with tired eyes, didn''t ask questions when Kyle gave the name "Ethan." "Severed limb reattachment is straightforward with modern healing arts" the doctor said, unwrapping the bandages. "But you are lucky, the cut was clean." S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kyle didn''t mention what had cut it. The process took hours. First, the healers sterilized the wound with glowing runes. Then came the delicate reconnection of muscle, bone, and nerve¡ªeach layer stitched back together with precise spells. The worst part was the itching as the magic forced his flesh to knit back together. "So how does your arm feel now, Mr. Ethan?" the doctor asked, testing Kyle''s grip strength. "Any discomfort?" Kyle flexed his fingers, pale but whole again. The skin still tingled, like a limb waking from sleep. "No problems" he said, rolling his shoulder. "Thank you, doctor." *** (Back in the Academy - Tuesday - 2:16 am) Kyle stood outside the door of their quarters, his hand trembling as he fumbled with the spare key. The weight of the day pressed down on him. The blood, the bodies, the way that masked figure had looked at him like he was already dead. His left arm, freshly reattached, still ached with phantom pain. He had been holding it all together. Through the pain. Through the fear. Through the sickening realization that he had killed people today. He was just an 18-year-old boy from Earth two and a half months ago. A normal human being. A nobody. Now he was standing here with blood under his nails and death clinging to his skin. ''Just get inside. Just hold on a little longer.'' The door creaked open. He stepped in silently, hoping Aurelia would be asleep, hoping he could just collapse into bed and pretend none of this had happened. But the soft glow of mana-lamps told him otherwise. Aurelia was sitting at the kitchen table, in her casual clothes, her dark hair tied back in its usual pony-tail. The moment the door opened, her sharp blue eyes locked onto him. "Kyle." His name was quiet on her lips. Not angry. Not accusing. Just... there. He froze. She stood slowly, taking in his appearance¡ªthe exhaustion in his eyes, the way he held himself like he was barely keeping it together. "You left a note" she said, voice low. "Did you really go to the dungeon?." Kyle swallowed. He had rehearsed lies in his head the whole way back. Excuses. Deflections. But then Aurelia took a step closer, and something in her expression, the slight furrow of her brow, the way her lips pressed together. His vision flickered. For a split second, she wasn''t Aurelia. She was his mother. His real mother, from Earth. The way she used to look at him when he came home late, worried but trying not to show it. The key slipped from his fingers. It hit the floor with a sound like a gunshot. The dam broke. His breath hitched. His vision blurred. And before he could stop himself, he crossed the distance between them and collapsed into her arms. A slow sob tore from his throat. All the fear, the horror, the guilt, it poured out of him in ragged, shuddering gasps. He buried his face in her shoulder, fingers clutching the fabric of her clothes like she was the only thing keeping him from drowning. Aurelia stiffened for half a second. Surprised. But then her arms wrapped around him, tight and unyielding. She didn''t ask what happened. She didn''t demand answers. She just held him as he fell apart, one hand cradling the back of his head like he was something fragile. Something precious. Kyle didn''t know how long they stood there. The tears didn''t stop. The memories didn''t fade. But Aurelia''s grip never wavered. Eventually, exhaustion took over. His knees buckled. Aurelia caught him easily, shifting her hold to support his weight. "Sleep" she murmured, guiding him toward his room. "We''ll talk later." Kyle didn''t resist. He let her lead him to bed, let her pull the covers over him. His eyes were already closing as his head hit the pillow. The last thing he felt was her fingers brushing through his hair, gentle, and steady. *** Chapter 64 - 64: Breaking Point [2] (The day when Kyle left ¡ª Friday) The door creaked as Aurelia finally stumbled into their apartment. She squinted at the clock through bleary eyes. 11:54 PM. "Gods, I''m exhausted," she groaned, leaning against the wall as she wrestled with her boots. One stubborn boot refused to come off, making her hop awkwardly before it finally surrendered with a thud against the wooden floor. The apartment was too quiet. Normally at this hour, she would hear the telltale signs of Kyle still awake. The rustle of spell diagrams being studied. The occasional muttered curse when a mana exercise went wrong, or, worst-case scenario, the smell of something burning from one of his ''harmless experiments.'' But tonight? Silence. "He must have finally gone to bed at a decent hour" she murmured, though her fingers twitched with unease. Still dressed in her academy uniform she tiptoed down the hallway. The old floorboards, usually so vocal about every step, stayed mercifully quiet beneath her. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She paused outside Kyle''s door, listening. Nothing. With careful fingers, she turned the knob and peeked inside. Empty bed. Sheets neatly tucked, like no one had slept there at all. "Kyle?" she called softly, pushing the door wider. The attached washroom stood dark and empty, the towel hanging dry on its rack. Her pulse quickened. That''s when she spotted it. A folded slip of paper resting on his nightstand. Her stomach twisted before she even picked it up. The note was brief: ¡ª Gone to the Bronze Rank Dungeon for training. Back Monday. Don''t worry. Her fist clenched around the paper, crumpling it instantly. "That reckless little¡ª!" She caught herself, taking a deep breath through her nose. The edges of the note fluttered as her hand trembled, not quite with anger, but something more complicated. He''d been disappearing more frequently these past weeks. She''d noticed that her best disguise ring missing from its case. The way he sometimes stared at nothing, fingers tapping out battle rhythms on whatever surface was nearby. The dark circles under his eyes, like he hadn''t slept properly in days. But worst of all? He wasn''t telling her. Not like before. Not like when they were kids. She smoothed out the note carefully, her thumb tracing the familiar messy scrawl. "He''s not a child anymore," she reminded herself aloud, as if saying it would make it easier to accept. A flash of memory hit her. Seven-year-old Kyle, so small his head barely reached her waist, clinging to her robe as she tried to leave for basic training. ¡ª "Auri, wait! You forgot your lunch!" He had held up a clumsily wrapped package, his tiny face screwed up in exaggerated importance. She could still remember the sandwich inside, overstuffed and leaking jam, made with more enthusiasm than skill. The corner of her mouth twitched upward despite herself. That Kyle had been all scraped knees and boundless energy, following her everywhere like an excitable puppy. He had driven her mad with his constant questions ¡ª "Why does fire burn? Can I eat lightning? What if I sneeze while casting a spell?" Stubborn refusal to stay out of trouble. Endless optimism, even when things went wrong. But then¡ª That smile faded. Then came the fire. The night their parents died. The day Kyle''s awakening ceremony failed spectacularly, leaving him with no elemental affinity. A death sentence for any mage''s potential. She could still see him standing in the ritual chamber, his small frame shaking, not from the expected surge of magic, but from the crushing weight of disappointment. She had been too consumed by. With her own grief. Her own training. Her own guilt. To notice how deeply he had buried his pain beneath forced smiles and bad jokes. "I should''ve been there more..." The words slipped out before she could stop them, heavy with regret. But now? Now everything had changed. She still remembered the shock when Seraphina told her that she saw Kyle taking the entrance exam. She had watched from the monitor room. How he defeated monsters ranked far above him. How he used lightning affinity like he had been born with it. Passed the exam. Not just passed, but ranked ninth. And the way he controlled his lightning? He had been away for a month, and not only had he awakened his affinity but also reached adept mastery in it. Some people took years to go from apprentice to adept. But Kyle? He made it look effortless. When he came back, he was different. Like his old self again. She had been secretly thrilled when he asked her to train him, like old times. Of course, she pretended she didn''t want to. ¡ª"Ugh, fine, but only because you''ll blow yourself up otherwise." But inside? She was happy. Happy to spend time with him again. Happy to see that determined glint back in his eyes. And then¡ª She found out. Not just lightning. But ice. Wind. Water. Four affinities Something unheard of. Maximum affinities people could have was two. Atleast that''s what written in the history. But Kyle? He has four. Her first reaction? ¡ª"You idiot! Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?" But beneath the anger? There was pride. And fear. Because if anyone found out. He could be in danger. Sometimes, when he thought no one was looking. She''d catch something darker in his expression. A shadow behind his eyes that hadn''t been there before. A guilt she didn''t understand. She folded the note carefully, placing it back on the nightstand with deliberate precision. Her gaze landed on a dusty photo frame on his desk. Six-year-old Kyle, covered in flour, grinning like he''d conquered the world. Fifteen -year-old Aurelia beside him, trying (and failing) to look annoyed about the cookie dough in her hair. After one of their infamous baking disasters. She reached out and adjusted the frame slightly. "Just... come home safe, you idiot," she whispered to the empty room. The apartment seemed too quiet without him. She found herself staring at the front door, half-expecting it to burst open at any moment with some outrageous story about dungeon monsters or experimental spells gone wrong. When it didn''t, she sighed and began preparing for bed, her movements automatic. Tomorrow would be another long day. And Monday... Monday she would have words for a certain reckless little brother. But for now? She could only wait. And hope. And remember the determined glint in his eyes that told her. Whatever he was facing out there¡ª He''d come back fighting. *** Chapter 65 - 65: Breaking Point [3] (May 16, 2550, Tuesday) [Aurelia POV] The coffee in my cup had long since gone cold. Its surface reflecting the dim kitchen light like a dark mirror. I stared into its depths, as if the answers I sought might somehow surface from the bitter liquid. The relentless ticking of the wall clock marked the passage of time¡ª2:15 AM, Tuesday morning. He had promised to be back Monday. My fingers tightened around the ceramic mug, the chill seeping into my palms. Three days. Three days of jumping at every noise, of scanning crowds for a familiar head of bluish-black hair, of waking in the middle of the night convinced I had heard the front door open. ''Where are you, Kyle?'' I had tried to distract myself by making myself busy, by grading first-year combat reports, preparing lectures on intermediate wind magic, even reorganizing my spell diagrams. But my thoughts kept circling back to that damn Bronze Rank dungeon. It shouldn''t have been dangerous for him. Not with his abilities. Not with four elemental affinities at his command. ''Then why¡ª'' The front door creaked open slowly. My head snapped up so fast my neck protested. Coffee sloshed over the rim of my mug, staining the tabletop, but I barely noticed. There he stood, framed in the doorway like a ghost returned from battle. The dim hallway light cast long shadows across his face. But nothing could hide the truth written in every line of his body. Something was terribly wrong. His shoulders slumped under an invisible weight. His breathing was too measured. The kind of careful control someone maintains when they''re one misstep from unraveling completely. His hands hung limp at his sides, fingers twitching occasionally as if remembering how to hold a weapon. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Kyle." His name escaped my lips before I could stop it, rough with three days of unspoken worry. He froze like prey sensing danger, his entire body going rigid. In the silence between us. I heard the too-quick rhythm of his pulse, saw the way his throat worked as he swallowed hard. I rose slowly from my chair, taking him in properly now. His clothes were clean¡ªsuspiciously so. Freshly laundered, without so much as a wrinkle. The kind of pristine that comes from changing in a hurry, from scrubbing away evidence. His boots showed no signs of dungeon mud or monster blood. But his eyes... Gods, his eyes told the real story. They looked ancient, far older than his eighteen years. The usual mischievous glint had been replaced by.. Something hollow. Something haunted. The eyes of someone who had stared into the abyss and found it staring back. "You left a note," I said. Forcing my voice to remain steady despite the storm raging inside me. "Did you really go to the dungeon?" The silence between us grew heavy, thick with all the things he wasn''t saying. I watched the play of emotions across his face. The tightening of his jaw. The slight tremor in his lips. His fingers flexed at his sides as if grasping for words that wouldn''t come. Then¡ª Something shattered. His carefully constructed composure crumbled like a dam giving way. The spare key slipped from his fingers, hitting the hardwood floor with a sound that echoed through the apartment like a gunshot. Before I could react, he was moving. One moment he stood frozen in the doorway. The next he had crossed the space between us in three long strides. He collapsed against me with enough force to make me stumble back a step. His arms wrapped around me with desperate strength. His face burying itself in the crook of my shoulder. A sob tore from his throat. Raw, guttural, the kind of sound that comes from somewhere deep and broken. It vibrated through my chest, shaking me to my core. I stiffened for half a heartbeat shocked into stillness. My little brother. Who''d faced down Silver-rank monsters without flinching. Who''d walked away from battles that should have killed him. Was shaking apart in my arms like a child after a nightmare. Then instinct took over. My arms came up around him automatically. One hand cradling the back of his head like he was still that same scrawny kid who used to climb into my bed during thunderstorms. His entire body trembled against mine. His each ragged breath warm through the fabric of my shirt. I didn''t ask what happened. Didn''t demand explanations. There would be time for that later. For now, he just needed to know I was here. That he wasn''t alone. His grip tightened, fingers twisting in the back of my shirt like he was afraid I would disappear if he let go. Another sob wracked through him. Then another, until he was crying in earnest. Great, heaving gasps that made my own throat ache in sympathy. I held him through it, rubbing slow circles between his shoulder blades the way our mother used to do. The way I hadn''t done in years. Memories flashed through my mind... Kyle at five years old, scraping his knee on the cobblestones outside our house. His face screwed up in pain but refusing to cry until I hugged him. Kyle at twelve, standing stone-faced at our parents funeral. Silent tears tracking down his cheeks as he refused comfort from anyone. Kyle at sixteen, locking himself in his room for days after his failed awakening. Refusing to let anyone see his devastation. And now this. Him clinging to me like I was the only thing in a world that had tried its best to break him. How long had it been since he let someone see him like this? How long had he been carrying whatever weight threatened to crush him now? Eventually, the storm began to pass. His breathing evened out, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. When he tried to pull away. I tightened my grip just for a second. A silent reminder that I wasn''t letting go until he was ready. When he finally stepped back, his eyes were red-rimmed but clearer. Exhaustion lined every inch of him. From the dark circles under his eyes to the slight sway in his stance. "Sleep," I murmured, guiding him toward his room before he could protest. My hand settled between his shoulder blades. Steadying him as we moved down the hallway. "We''ll talk later." He didn''t resist, letting me steer him with gentle pressure. The second his head hit the pillow, his eyes fluttered shut like the weight of the world had finally become too much to bear. I pulled the blanket up to his shoulders, brushing his hair back from his forehead like I used to when he was small and feverish. For a long moment. I just stood there watching him. The steady rise and fall of his chest, the way his face finally relaxed in sleep. The faint tremors that still occasionally wracked his frame. Whatever had happened out there, whatever demons he''d faced. They had left marks deeper than any physical wound. But he was home. He was safe. And as I turned to leave, pausing at the door for one last look. A cold certainty settled in my chest¡ª Whoever had done this to him would pay. Not today. Not tomorrow. But someday, when the time was right and the wounds had healed enough to bear retelling. I would find out who had put that look in my brother''s eyes. And they would learn exactly why they called me the Gale Witch. [End of VOLUME I] *** Author''s Note: And that''s a wrap on Volume 1! ???? I''d love to hear your thoughts. How did you like it? This arc was a bit quieter in terms of feedback, so I''m curious to know what you all think. Did it work for you? Also, I know some of you might have mixed feelings about the MC''s emotional moments, but I wanted to keep their reactions genuine. Let me know your honest opinions. It really helps! Thanks for sticking around. I hope you enjoyed the journey so far. Here''s to more in Volume 2! ? Chapter 66: More Questions Chapter 66: More QuestionsKyle awoke slowly, consciousness returning in gentle waves. The golden light filtered through his eyelids it was warm and comforting. A stark contrast to the memories that came crashing back the moment his mind cleared. Last night. The tears. The way he had clung to Aurelia like a frightened child. Sobbing into her shoulder like he was some five years old kid. His face burned with humiliation. He groaned, dragging his hands down his face as if he could physically wipe away the memory. "I want to dig a hole straight to the center of the planet and live there forever" he muttered into his palms. But beneath the embarrassment, something else lingered. A quiet, fragile sense of relief. As if a pressure he hadn¡¯t even realized was crushing him had finally eased. He exhaled slowly, letting his hands fall to his sides. The clock on the wall ticked loudly in the quiet room. 2:10 PM. ¡¯Twelve hours.¡¯ He had slept almost half the day. And Aurelia usually so strict about schedules, had let him. A rare kindness from his normally no-nonsense sister. ¡¯Probably missed all my classes today¡¯ he thought idly. Though the thought didn¡¯t spark the usual frustration. Right now he couldn¡¯t bring himself to care. He pushed himself upright, his body protesting with every movement. His muscles ached like he had been through a week-long battle. His limbs heavy with lingering exhaustion. The wooden floor was cool beneath his bare feet as he shuffled toward the bathroom. The mirror showed a stranger. His face was paler than usual. The sharp angles of his cheeks more pronounced. Dark shadows clung beneath his eyes, even though he got enough sleep. His mismatched eyes, one blue like a summer sky, the other black as midnight. Usually so bright with mischief, now looked dull. Haunted. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Still, he forced a smirk at his reflection. "Well. At least you¡¯re still disgustingly good looking." The joke tasted hollow even to him. He brushed his teeth mechanically. The minty toothpaste doing little to wash away the bitter aftertaste of fear that still clung to his tongue. Then he turned the shower handle all the way to cold before stepping in. The icy spray hit him like a physical blow, shocking his system. He hissed through his teeth but didn¡¯t adjust the temperature. The cold was good. Painful, but grounding. It reminded him he was alive. That his body was still his own. Eventually, he sank into the bathtub, the water rising around him in soothing waves. For what feels like first time in days, weeks, maybe. His muscles began to unclench. The tension in his shoulders eased. His breathing slowed. ¡¯Peace.¡¯ But it didn¡¯t last. His thoughts, unbidden, drifted back to the warehouse. To the blood. The bodies. That stitched mask. He¡¯d been lucky. So damn lucky. Finding Grimmord in the black market had been pure chance. That experimental black pill. The one that had slowed his heart to a near-stop. Tricking the masked figure into thinking he was dead, had saved his life. He let out a small empty laugh. Was this what his [Unpredictable] luck meant? Sometimes, he would get extremely lucky. Other times, extremely unlucky. He sighed. He had already knew. That he might run into the demonic cultists who stole the sword from Vipers in the novel. But. That stitched mask wasn¡¯t the same demonic cultist the novel had mentioned. ¡¯Drake.¡¯ The name surfaced in his mind like a ghost. In the novel, Drake had been the original owner of the sword. A demonic human with a vicious temper and a crippling height complex. The guy was barely 5¡¯2" and had a habit of murdering anyone who looked at him wrong. But the masked figure hadn¡¯t been Drake. No, that thing in the warehouse had been tall. Too tall for a normal human. Unnaturally so. And those crimson eyes¡ª Kyle shuddered, the water suddenly feeling colder. He didn¡¯t know what rank that thing had been. Didn¡¯t even know if it was human. The way it moved... the silence of it... the sheer wrongness of its presence.. He exhaled sharply and forced the thoughts away. He closed his eyes and tried to focus on the sound of the water. The feel of it against his skin. But the darkness behind his lids only made the memories sharper. The coppery scent of blood. The wet crunch of breaking bones. The way those crimson eyes had stared at him like he was already dead¡ª Something moved in the water. Kyle¡¯s eyes flew open. The bathwater was.. Red. Blood. It swirled around him, thick and cloying. Rising higher with every frantic heartbeat. His breath came in short, panicked gasps. His pulse roared in his ears. ¡¯No. No, no, no¡ª¡¯ A skeletal hand burst from the water its fingers like knives wrapping around his wrist. Kyle jerked back with a strangled cry, his skull cracking against the tile. Pain exploded through his head. But when his vision cleared, the bathroom was normal again. Clear water. No blood. No hand. Just a nightmare. He exhaled shakily, pressing his palms against his closed eyelids until stars burst behind them. "Get it together" he muttered, voice raw. But his hands wouldn¡¯t stop trembling. He stayed there for a long moment, breathing deliberately, counting each inhale and exhale until his pulse steadied. It was just a nightmare. Just his mind trying to process everything. ¡¯Right.¡¯ Except when he closed his eyes again, just for a second. He could still see those stitches. That grotesque, sewn-shut smile. With a growl, he hauled himself out of the tub, water sloshing over the sides in his haste. He grabbed a towel, scrubbing at his skin roughly, as if he could erase the memories along with the water. The reflection in the mirror was steadier now. The shadows under his eyes hadn¡¯t vanished, but his gaze was clearer. Sharper. More him. He¡¯d survived. That was what mattered. *** Kyle shuffled into the kitchen, his bare feet sticking slightly to the cool tiles. The afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting long rectangles of light across the countertops. He wasn¡¯t particularly hungry. But his body demanded fuel after everything it had been through. The refrigerator door squeaked as he pulled it open, revealing half-empty containers and leftovers. His gaze drifted over the contents before settling on some fresh bread, cheese, and cold cuts. Simple. Easy. ¡¯Sandwich it is.¡¯ He worked mechanically, slicing bread with more force than necessary, slapping ingredients together without much care for presentation. The rhythmic motions helped quiet his mind, if only slightly. As he took the first bite, his thoughts inevitably circled back to the sword trial. That endless darkness. The suffocating void. And then... A presence. He paused mid-chew. The sandwich suddenly tasteless in his mouth. Someone had been there with him in that darkness. Someone familiar, though he couldn¡¯t place why. Their voice had anchored him when he was drowning, their touch pulling him back from oblivion. ¡¯But who?¡¯ When he completed the trail. The fragments of memories surfaced not his own, but the original Kyle¡¯s. Childhood scenes played like a damaged film reel. A younger version of himself laughing as Aurelia chased him through sun-dappled trees. Strong hands lifting him onto broad shoulders, his father¡¯s? The scent of lavender and parchment, his mother reading to him by firelight. But the memories cut off abruptly. The awakening ceremony. His parents¡¯ death. Those moments remained locked away, as if sealed behind an impenetrable door. To be exact he don¡¯t have memories from his parents death. Kyle set down the half-eaten sandwich, his appetite gone. He rubbed at his temples, as if he could physically coax the missing pieces forward. Nothing came. More questions without answers. With a sigh, he continued to eat his sandwich. But, one thought circled relentlessly in his mind: ¡¯Who pulled me out of the darkness?¡¯ And more importantly - ¡¯Will they help me again when I need it most?¡¯ *** Chapter 67: Zalrielle [1] Chapter 67: Zalrielle [1](In the Classroom A1) The classroom buzzed with chatter as Professor Veldrin dismissed them. His warning about the upcoming mana calculus quiz met with collective groans. Eleanora barely heard it. Her gaze had already drifted to the empty seat beside Reo for what felt like the hundredth time that week. ¡¯Where are you, Kyle?¡¯ Her fingers twitched toward her pocket where her comm device lay. She¡¯d messaged him three times since Saturday. Polite inquiries, nothing pushy. But the messages remained unread. The little "last active" timestamp hadn¡¯t changed in days. She could call. But then she would be that girl. The clingy noble who couldn¡¯t take a hint. ¡¯No. There¡¯s a better way¡¯. Eleanora smoothed her skirt and approached. Her attention shifted to Reo and Luna, who were huddled near the window. Luna poked at a floating ice crystal between her fingers while Reo dramatically lamented Kyle¡¯s absence. "¡ªswear, if he¡¯s off training somewhere crazy again without me¡ª" Eleanora smoothed her skirt and approached. Reo¡¯s rant cut off mid-sentence as her shadow fell across his desk. He looked up. Blinked. Then gulped audibly. "P-Princess Eleanora!" He straightened so fast his chair squeaked. Luna discreetly melted her ice crystal into nothingness. Eleanora smiled. The polite, practiced one that made nobles sweat. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I couldn¡¯t help but overhear you talking about Kyle." Reo¡¯s grin returned, though it looked slightly strained now. "Yeah! That guy¡¯s been skipping class like it¡¯s going out of style." Luna elbowed him. "What? It¡¯s true!" Eleanora pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. "Have either of you heard from him?" Luna shook her head. "Not since last Friday and he¡¯s not even taking the calls." Eleanora just nodded. "Reo. You are close with Instructor Valemont, aren¡¯t you?" Reo¡¯s face paled. "Instructor Aurelia? I mean, Instructor Valemont? N-no! I mean, yes, but¡ª" "Could you ask her where Kyle is?" Silence. Reo¡¯s mouth opened. Closed. His fingers dug into his desk. "You... want me to just... ask her?" His voice cracked. Eleanora tilted her head. "Is there a problem?" Luna snorted into her textbook. Reo leaned forward, whispering like they were sharing state secrets. "Princess, with all respect, Instructor Valemont is terrifying. Last week, she made a Gold-rank upperclassman cry during sparring drills." "Like actual tears" Eleanora¡¯s smile didn¡¯t waver. "I¡¯m not asking you to duel her. Just... inquire." Reo shuddered. "That¡¯s worse. She gets this look... like she¡¯s mentally calculating how many bones she can break before the academy medics notice¡ª" "Reo." "¡ªand her eyes. Gods, her eyes pierce right through your soul and¡ª" "Reo." He froze. Eleanora exhaled through her nose. "Never mind." Reo sagged in relief. Then yelped as Luna kicked his shin under the table. "Ow! What was¡ª" He caught Luna¡¯s glare. "I mean! Uh. Maybe... maybe I could... casually bring it up? If the timing¡¯s right? When she¡¯s in a good mood? Like... never?" Eleanora sighed. "Forget I asked." She turned on her heel¡ª "Wait!" Reo scrambled up. "I¡¯ll¡ªI¡¯ll try, okay? Just... pray for me." Luna rolled her eyes. "Dramatic." Eleanora hid a smile as she walked away. ¡¯Mission accomplished.¡¯ Now she just had to wait. And hope Aurelia didn¡¯t actually break Reo¡¯s bones. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Reo stood outside Instructor Valemont¡¯s office. Sweating through his uniform. He raised his fist to knock¡ª Knock knock. Too soft. He cleared his throat and tried again. BANG BANG BANG. Too loud. The door swung open before he could flee. Aurelia stood there, arms crossed her sharp blue eyes already pinning him in place. "Dustbane." Reo¡¯s mouth went dry. "I-Instructor! I was just¡ªuh¡ª" "You are blocking my doorway." "Right! Yes! Sorry!" He scrambled aside as she strode past him. Reo jogged to catch up. "So, uh, amazing weather we are having? Really brings out the¡ª" "Spit it out." He gulped. "HaveyouseenKyle?" Aurelia stopped walking. Slowly, she turned. "What." "I mean! Not that it¡¯s my business! Or that the princess asked me to ask! Or¡ª" He clamped his mouth shut. Aurelia¡¯s eyebrow twitched. "Eleanora sent you?" "No! Maybe? Sort of?" Reo¡¯s voice climbed an octave. "We are just... concerned classmates! Because he¡¯s missed like, two days of Professor Veldrin¡¯s class, and you know how he gets about attendance, and¡ª" Aurelia held up a hand. Reo¡¯s mouth snapped shut. "Kyle¡¯s fine," she said. "Family matter." "Oh! Okay! Great!" Reo backed away. "I¡¯ll just¡ª" "Tell Eleanora," Aurelia added. "¡ªthat if she¡¯s so concerned, she can ask me herself." Reo froze. "I... don¡¯t think that¡¯s necessary?" Aurelia smiled. It didn¡¯t reach her eyes. "Was there anything else?" "Nope!" "All good! Bye!" He turned and practically sprinted down the hall. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Luna and Eleanora cornered Reo near the dorms. "Well?" Luna demanded. Reo collapsed against a wall, gasping. "I¡¯m alive." Eleanora frowned. "That¡¯s all?" "She said it¡¯s a family matter and he is fine." Reo wheezed. "And that you¡ª" He pointed at Eleanora. "¡ªshould ask her yourself next time." Eleanora¡¯s cheeks pinked. "I see." Luna smirked. "Told you he would survive." "Barely!" Reo clutched his chest. "Do you know how fast my heart was beating? I could have died!" Eleanora sighed. "Thank you, Reo." As she walked away. Reo called after her, "Never making me do that again!" Luna patted his shoulder. "Sure you will." Reo groaned. *** Kyle stared at the last bite of his sandwich, the crust now softened from sitting too long. He chewed mechanically, barely tasting the food as his thoughts churned like a storm. The quiet of the empty dorm room pressed in around him, making the questions in his head echo louder than they should. ¡¯That presence in the void...¡¯ He could still feel the ghost of those cool fingers on his shoulders, hear the whisper that had pulled him back from the brink. The voice had been familiar, achingly so. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn¡¯t place it. With a sigh, he pushed away from the table and carried his plate to the sink. The water ran cold over his fingers as he scrubbed, the repetitive motion doing little to quiet the restless energy thrumming through him. The plate clattered into the drying rack. Kyle gripped the edge of the counter, his knuckles whitening under the pressure. "Sitting around won¡¯t change anything," he muttered to the empty kitchen. The silence that answered was suffocating. Without another thought. He wore his academy combat suit and shoved his feet into his boots. The door slammed behind him with satisfying finality as he stepped into the crisp afternoon air. The private training wing loomed before him. Its walls humming faintly with containment spells. Kyle swiped his student badge, ninth rank privileges had their perks, and the reinforced door slid open with a hiss of compressed air. The chamber was exactly as he¡¯d left it last time. The faint ozone smell of spent magic lingering in the air. The only sound was his own breathing echoing off the soundproofed walls. His fingers twitched at his sides, restless energy coursing through him. ¡¯I should check my status first¡¯ He hadn¡¯t checked from the long time. "Status." The familiar blue screen materialized before him, its glow casting eerie shadows across his face. His eyes skimmed the information: ======[STATUS]====== [Name]: Kyle Valemont [Age]: 18 [Class]: Swordsman [Title]: ???? [Blessing]: Echoes of the Roaming Storm [Mana Core Rank]: Bronze [Mana Core Grade]: Grade 1 (Peak) [Affinity]: Lightning, Wind, Ice, Water [Soul-bound Spirit]: Zalrielle (Dormant) =================== "Huh" Kyle¡¯s breath caught. Soul-bound Spirit? Zalrielle? *** Chapter 68: Zalrielle [2] Chapter 68: Zalrielle [2]Kyle stared at the glowing status screen floating before him. The blue holographic letters pulsing faintly in the dim training room light. The flickering illumination cast strange shadows across the walls, making the words seem to breathe before his eyes. His fingers twitched at his sides, nails digging into his palms hard enough to leave crescent marks as he read the line again: ¡ª¡ª [Soul-bound Spirit]: Zalrielle (Dormant) ¡ª¡ª "Huh." The sound escaped his lips before he could stop it, rough and disbelieving. His mouth had gone dry, tongue sticking to the roof as he swallowed hard. Soul-bound Spirit? Zalrielle? "When did I¡ª" He cut himself off, the words dying in his throat. His hand flew to the storage ring on his finger. His fingers fumbling in their haste. The ring slipped, nearly clattering to the floor before he caught it with a curse. ¡¯Calm down.¡¯ He took a steadying breath, then focused. The sleek black-sheathed tachi materialized in his grip with a soft glow, the leather-wrapped hilt warm against his palm. Too warm. Kyle¡¯s pulse kicked up a notch. He hadn¡¯t noticed it before. Not in the chaos of the Viper hideout. Not when he had been running for his life. But now, in the quiet of the training room, the difference felt undeniable. The weight was perfect, balanced as if made for his hand alone. The leather grip molded to his fingers like it remembered him. And the faint, rhythmic pulse beneath his fingertips¡ª ¡¯Like a heartbeat.¡¯ The spirit. "Is that you?" he whispered, turning the blade over in his hands. The response was subtle. A vibration so soft he might have imagined it. But he hadn¡¯t. The sword had answered him. Kyle exhaled sharply through his nose. The weapon he had stolen was supposed to be a growth-type artifact, rare and powerful, sure, but still just an object. A tool. Not... whatever this was. With careful fingers, he unsheathed the tachi for the first time since taking it. The blade slid free with a whisper of steel, revealing metal so dark it seemed to drink the light. No, not just dark. ¡¯Alive.¡¯ The surface shifted as he tilted it. Patterns flickering across the steel like shadows dancing beneath still water. When he angled the blade just right. His reflection stared back at him, distorted, warped, but unmistakably his. "Soul-bound," he murmured. "So we are like connected?" Another hum. Stronger this time. Kyle ran a hand through his already messy hair, fingers catching in the tangled strands. His mind raced, trying to piece together what this meant. ¡¯Spirits.¡¯ The concept wasn¡¯t foreign. Not with all the Isekai novels he had devoured in his past life. But in this world of Aevorath. ¡¯The path of Transendance¡¯ the novel he had read? Spirits had never been mentioned. Not once. So where did this one come from? ¡¯I thought that spirits are like elementals fire, water, wind etc¡¯ Like the spirits that elves used in isekai to control elements. But in Aevorath Elves don¡¯t use spirits. And this spirit is a weapon. His eyes dropped back to the status screen, the words burning into his vision: ¡ª¡ª [Soul-bound Spirit]: Zalrielle (Dormant) ¡ª¡ª "Dormant," he said aloud. "So you are still not awake." A thought struck him. ¡¯Do I need to feed her mana?¡¯ Wait. Why did I say "her"? "Is it a female?" The black tachi in his hand vibrated, as if answering yes. Intrigued. He reached for his core, drawing a thin stream of raw energy and pushing it into the blade. The mana flowed over the metal, then faded away without effect. No response. The mana is only wraping around it like any other weapon. It is not devouring his mana. "Guess it¡¯s not that simple." he muttered. He lowered the sword, thinking. If they were truly bound, then their growth was probably linked. His progress would strengthen the spirit within, and vice versa. At least, that¡¯s how it worked in the novels. Kyle raised the blade again, studying his faint reflection. "You are not the one who pulled me back from the darkness in the trail, right?" Silence. The sword didn¡¯t respond this time. He already knew that presence hadn¡¯t been Zalrielle, yet he had asked anyway. "What exactly does this spirit weapon do?" It had to be special¡ªafter all. It was a spirit, wasn¡¯t it? His mind flashed back to the moment he had turned Zalrielle into the ring. If it could do that, what other powers lay hidden within it? ¡¯Perhaps I will unlock more once I awaken her from the dormant state.¡¯ The thought sent a thrill through him¡ª ¡ªfollowed immediately by a cold wave of doubt. ¡¯Wait.¡¯ His grip on the hilt tightened. ¡¯If this weapon is spirit¡¯ ¡¯Then, where is the growth-type sword Drake was supposed to steal?¡¯ In the novel, the demonic cultist Drake had slaughtered the Vipers for that weapon. It had been his signature blade, the thing that made him so dangerous. But now. Kyle had taken it first. ¡¯Is this the same sword?¡¯ Or¡ª Was it a different one entirely? Had Drake never discovered its true nature? The sword hummed faintly, as if in response to his spiraling thoughts. ¡¯Did I change the storyline that much just by being here?¡¯ The thought was unsettling. The novel had never mentioned anything about spirit-bound weapons. Was this Zalrielle always supposed to exist? Or had his presence altered things beyond recognition? "Crazy," he muttered, dragging a hand down his face. The sword pulsed in response, its warmth seeping into his palm like a quiet reassurance. Shaking his head, Kyle exhaled slowly and turned his attention to the training dummy standing motionless before him. The human-shaped target was reinforced with magic. Its surface protected by a blue energy shield capable of withstanding peak Silver-rank attacks. He adjusted his grip on the tachi, rolling his shoulders to loosen the tension. No mana this time - just pure swordsmanship. Steel met energy shield with a sharp crack. The impact reverberating up Kyle¡¯s arm. The shield held, shimmering faintly where the blade had connected. The weight distribution was perfect. The balance impeccable. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was as if the sword was an extension of his own arm, moving with a fluidity he had never experienced before. Another strike. Then another. Hours passed in focused repetition. Sweat dripped down Kyle¡¯s temple as he finally paused. His chest rising and falling with steady breaths. That¡¯s when he noticed it. The subtle but undeniable improvement in his technique. Each movement flowed into the next with unnatural precision. His footwork are sharper than before, his attacks more controlled. The usual micro-adjustments he used to make mid-swing were gone. His attacks weren¡¯t just stronger. They were cleaner. More efficient. Every slash, every thrust carried a precision he hadn¡¯t possessed yesterday. The difference would be invisible to most observers. But to Kyle who had spent countless hours drilling these same forms. The improved understanding was obvious. He stared at the black blade, watching the dim light play across its unnatural surface. ¡¯Is this one of your abilities as well?¡¯ he thought, directing the question at the dormant spirit within. ¡¯Better understanding of weapon?¡¯ The sword remained silent, but in that moment, Kyle didn¡¯t need confirmation. The evidence was in his hands. In his movements. Kyle smiled a little. All the suffering, all the terror of the trial, his brush with death at the hands of that stitched-mask monster. It had all led him here. To this weapon. To this bond. And in this moment. He knew¡ªevery second of agony had been worth it. *** Chapter 69: Zalrielle [3] Chapter 69: Zalrielle [3]Kyle lay sprawled across the cold stone floor of the training grounds. His chest heaving like he¡¯d just run a marathon. His fingers twitched where they had been clenched around his sword hilt for hours. The joints stiff and aching. The training dummy across from him was little more than splinters now. He lifted Zalrielle above his face. Watching the way the dim lights reflected off its unnatural black steel. The blade seemed to drink in the light rather than shine. Its surface so dark it looked like a slit in reality itself. As he watched, a faint blue current crackled along the edge before dissipating into the air. The sword pulsed in his grip. Not metaphorically. An actual, physical pulse. Like a second heartbeat synced with his own. Kyle exhaled through his nose. "Yeah, yeah. I know. We did good." Another pulse, stronger this time. Almost... smug. He snorted. "Don¡¯t get cocky." Rolling onto his side with a groan. Kyle pushed himself up to sitting. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest. He was covered in sweat. The clock on the far wall told him he had been at this for nearly six hours straight. No wonder he felt like death warmed over. "Status," he muttered. The blue screen that appeared was becoming more familiar by the day: =====[MASTERIES]===== Swordsmanship (Tachi) : Adept - 26% ¡ú 28% Lightning Magic: Adept - 100% Wind Magic: Adept - 78% Ice Magic: Adept - 64% Water Magic: Adept - 22% ===================== Kyle¡¯s eyebrows shot up. "Two whole percent in one session?" That didn¡¯t sound like much on paper, but in practice? The difference was night and day. Where before his sword forms had been technically correct but stiff. Now they flowed like water. The footwork drills Aurelia had beaten into him suddenly made sense in a way they hadn¡¯t yesterday. It was like his muscles had finally internalized the movements after weeks of repetition. He flexed his fingers, watching the calluses that had formed over the past month. The Ethan from Earth would have been appalled at the state of his hands. The Kyle from now? He was proud of his blisters. His eyes drifted back to the mastery screen. Lightning was maxed out at Adept rank, and had been for weeks. No matter how many hours he poured into training, that 100% wouldn¡¯t budge. Maybe he needed some kind of breakthrough. Wind was coming along nicely thanks to Aurelia¡¯s teaching him wind spells and helping him with the magic whenever she got time. Ice was progressing steadily. Though he hadn¡¯t had much chance to practice it openly. Water lagged behind, it was useful, sure, but between lightning and wind. He hadn¡¯t found much use for it in combat yet. A sudden realization hit him like a punch to the gut. He was holding himself back. Badly. For weeks now, he had been limiting himself to just lightning in public. Keeping three-quarters of his abilities secret out of fear. Back during the entrance exam, that had made sense. A nobody commoner suddenly being a deviant would have drawn too much attention. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But now? Now he was Kyle Valemont, little brother to the famous Gale Witch. The expectations were already sky-high. Showing one more element wouldn¡¯t raise nearly as many eyebrows as he had feared. "Maybe... I should show one more," he murmured to the empty training hall. Not all four. That would be begging for trouble. But one additional element? That was manageable. The question was - which one? Wind would have been the obvious choice. It is one of the most versatile element, and with Aurelia as his sister, no one would question where he got it from. But Aurelia is already helping him with his wind magic. Ice, though... Ice was perfect. He needed something with defensive capabilities¡ªand ice offered both offense and defense. His stomach chose that moment to growl loud enough to echo off the walls. "Right. Food" He hadn¡¯t eaten since that sandwich earlier. His body demanded calories after that training. With a groan that would make an old man proud. Kyle pushed himself to his feet. His legs wobbled alarmingly for a second before steadying. Sheathing Zalrielle at his hip. He reached for the storage ring on his left hand out of habit. The moment he tried to send the sword into dimensional storage. Zalrielle vibrated violently in its sheath. Kyle froze. "Huh-?" He drew the blade again, holding it up to eye level. "You okay in there?" The sword pulsed once. A clear negative. "You... don¡¯t want to go in the storage?" Another pulse. Stronger this time. The vibration traveled up his arm, making his teeth rattle. Kyle blinked. "Are you... sulking?" The blade went still. Then, after a beat, gave the tiniest of shivers that somehow managed to convey utter indignation. Kyle couldn¡¯t help but laugh. "Fine, fine. No storage. Ring form it is." Focusing, he willed the transformation. The sword shimmered, reshaping into a simple black band around his finger. The metal warmed against his skin, radiating satisfaction. "You are worse than a cat," Kyle muttered, but there was no real annoyance in it. If anything, he was weirdly touched. The sword had preferences. Opinions. It was becoming less of a weapon and more of a... partner. The thought should have unnerved him. Instead, it just felt right. Shaking his head at his own sentimentality. Kyle grabbed his towel from the bench and mopped the worst of the sweat from his face. His reflection in the training room¡¯s mirror was a mess, hair sticking up in every direction, dark circles under his eyes. But his eyes¡ª His eyes were clearer than before. No longer that hollow stare. No longer that glassy dissociation. Just... Kyle Exhausted. Sore. But present. He turned away before the thoughts could spiral further. *** The evening air was cool against Kyle¡¯s skin as he stepped out of the training room, the sun dipping low on the horizon. His stomach growled again, louder this time, and he absently rubbed at it as he walked. ¡¯Would Aurelia still be mad at me for disappearing without a word?¡¯ The thought made his chest tighten, but not with the same clawing dread as before. Yesterday¡¯s breakdown had left him raw, but also... lighter, in a way. Like he had finally let go of something he had been carrying too long. Still, he owed her an apology. And maybe an explanation. His feet carried him toward the market district almost on autopilot. The stalls were beginning to close for the night, but a few vendors remained, packing up their wares under the glow of floating mana-lights. Kyle stopped at a familiar fishmonger¡¯s stall. "Dragonfish still available?" The old man behind the counter grinned, revealing a few missing teeth. "For you? Always." He wrapped the fish in parchment, the scent of salt and sea lingering in the air. "Thanks." The walk back to the teacher¡¯s quarters was quiet. The academy grounds were mostly empty at this hour, the occasional student hurrying to evening lectures or late training sessions. Kyle¡¯s fingers drummed against the wrapped dragonfish as he climbed the stairs. His pulse picking up with each step. He paused outside the door, taking a deep breath. Then turned the knob. The sight that greeted him froze him in place. Aurelia sat on the sofa, her sharp blue eyes locking onto him the second he stepped inside. And beside her¡ª ¡¯Instructor Seraphina¡¯ Aurelia set her cup down with deliberate precision. "Kyle." Her voice was calm. He swallowed hard. "Uh. I brought dragonfish?" The silence that followed was deafening. *** Chapter 70: Venison Stew and Stolen Smiles Chapter 70: Venison Stew and Stolen SmilesAurelia¡¯s boots clicked against the polished marble floors as she marched through the academy¡¯s empty corridors. The afternoon sun still streamed through the tall windows. Casting long golden rectangles across the stone. It was too early to be heading home. She usually stayed until well after dark, but today was different. ¡¯That idiot better be where I left him.¡¯ She turned the corner sharply and nearly walked right into someone. "Well, well," came a familiar, teasing voice. "If it isn¡¯t the great Gale Witch, sneaking out before sunset like a first-year skipping remedial magic." Aurelia didn¡¯t need to look up to know that smirk. "Move, Seraphina." Seraphina leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, her long pink braid draped over one shoulder. She made no move to get out of the way. "Now why would our esteemed instructor be in such a hurry?" Seraphina tapped her chin mockingly. "Could it be... little brother troubles?" Aurelia¡¯s jaw tightened. "None of your business." The smirk faded from Seraphina¡¯s face. She pushed off the wall, her pink eyes suddenly serious. "Is Kyle okay?" The shift in tone made Aurelia pause. Seraphina was usually all jokes and jabs, this quiet concern was unusual. "He¡¯s fine," Aurelia muttered, looking away. "Just... under the weather." Seraphina studied her for a long moment before sighing. "You know, I haven¡¯t seen him since the academy started. Not properly, anyway." "And?" Aurelia crossed her arms. "And," Seraphina said, a mischievous glint returning to her eyes. "I was just thinking about making that spicy venison stew he loves. Remember how he would beg for it when he was knee-high?" Aurelia blinked. That was... unexpected. Before she could respond, Seraphina was already walking past her down the hall. "Might as well check on him myself if you are going to be all mysterious about it." Aurelia groaned but fell into step beside her oldest friend. "You are impossible." "And yet you put up with me," Seraphina sing-songed, bumping their shoulders together. "Admit it, Aurelia. You missed this." Aurelia rolled her eyes but didn¡¯t argue. *** The door creaked open, revealing Kyle frozen mid-step like a kid caught sneaking sweets before dinner. His arms cradled a carefully wrapped package that filled the doorway with the rich, peppery scent of spiced dragonfish, Aurelia¡¯s favorite. His mismatched eyes, one black, the other deep electric blue, darted between Aurelia¡¯s stern face and Seraphina¡¯s knowing smirk. "Well, well," Seraphina drawled, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed. "If it isn¡¯t our runaway chef, returning with peace offerings." Kyle¡¯s shoulders slumped in instant recognition of trouble. "Oh no." Aurelia didn¡¯t move from where she stood, arms crossed. "Where did you go?" Kyle¡¯s fingers tightened around the fish. He could feel the grease from the wrapping seeping through the paper. "I...thought you would still be angry. About me disappearing since Friday." He lifted the package slightly. "So I went to get dragonfish. The spicy kind you like from the market by the docks." As he spoke, flashes of memory surfaced. He got some of Kyle¡¯s past memories after the sword trail. Seraphina ruffling his hair when he was small. Slipping him honey cakes when Aurelia wasn¡¯t looking. He remembered her and Aurelia arguing over magic theory late into the night, during there academy days. Their rivalry turning to friendship somewhere along the way. But the memories stopped abruptly at age twelve, like a book missing its last Chapters. Aurelia studied him, really studied him. The dark circles under his eyes had lightened. His hands weren¡¯t shaking anymore. The haunted look from yesterday had faded a little, replaced by something more familiar. The stubborn determination she had grown up with. Seraphina clapped her hands together, the sound sharp in the quiet room. "Perfect! We¡¯ll make both, your dragonfish for Aurelia, and Kyle¡¯s favorite spicy venison stew." She grinned at Kyle. "Remember how you¡¯d hover by the pot like a starving puppy when I made it?" Kyle groaned, but a reluctant smile tugged at his lips. "I was twelve." "And had the appetite of a starving direwolf," Seraphina shot back, already pushing past them into the kitchen. "Come on, help me. At least one of you Valemonts can cook." Aurelia scowled but didn¡¯t argue. Her last attempt at cooking had ended with a small fire. The kitchen soon filled with the sounds and smells of cooking. Kyle moved with surprising confidence... Dicing onions with quick, even strokes, his knife flashing in the afternoon light streaming through the window. Seraphina hummed an old marching tune as she browned the venison, occasionally reaching over to adjust Kyle¡¯s seasoning with a critical eye. "More paprika," she said, nudging his elbow. Kyle rolled his eyes but added another pinch. "It¡¯s already spicy enough." "For a child, maybe" Seraphina sniffed. Aurelia lingered in the doorway, watching the easy rhythm between them. Kyle¡¯s movements were practiced, natural¡ªthis wasn¡¯t new for him. As the dragonfish sizzled in its pan and the stew bubbled on the stove. The air grew thick with mouthwatering aromas, garlic and chili, rich meat and searing spices. Kyle¡¯s fish developed a perfect golden crust. While Seraphina¡¯s stew darkened to a deep, savory brown. When they finally sat down to eat. The table groaned under the weight of food. Kyle¡¯s dragonfish flaked apart at the touch of a fork. The spices balanced perfectly between heat and flavor. Seraphina¡¯s stew was richer, the venison tender enough to melt on the tongue, with just enough kick to make Kyle¡¯s eyes water after the first bite. "Still too spicy?" Seraphina teased as Kyle gulped down his water. "Still perfect" Kyle shot back, reaching for another serving despite the tears in his eyes. Aurelia watched as her brother laughed at something Seraphina said. The sound easy and unforced. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The shadows that had clung to him since yesterday were better than before, at least for now. The tension in his shoulders had eased. Replaced by a warmth she hadn¡¯t realized was missing until it returned. As the meal wound down and the conversation turned to lighter things. Academy gossip, Seraphina¡¯s latest batch of troublesome students. Aurelia allowed herself a small, private sigh of relief. As the smell of spices lingering in the air and her brother smiling a little across the table. It was enough, for now. *** Chapter 71: Mana Calculus or Emotional Calculus Chapter 71: Mana Calculus or Emotional CalculusKyle trudged down the academy pathway, rubbing his eyes as a yawn threatened to split his face in half. The warehouse nightmare had come again last night. Flashes of that stitched mask. The coppery smell of blood. The crushing weight of failure pressing down on his chest. It was Less intense this time, but still enough to leave him restless. ¡¯Gotta get used to this.¡¯ He knew worse was coming. More blood. More battles. No point dwelling on it now. Just as he opened his mouth for another yawn¡ª WHACK! A sharp slap between his shoulder blades nearly sent him stumbling forward. "Sleepwalking again, Valemont?" Kyle spun around to see Luna Starfrost grinning up at him. Her short white hair catching the morning light. Her black eyes sparkled with mischief. As she rocked back on her heels, hands clasped behind her back. "Luna," Kyle groaned, rubbing his back. "What was that for?" "Your zombie impression was too convincing," she said, falling into step beside him. "Seriously, where have you been?" Luna crossed her arms. "You vanished for days. Even Reo was worried, and that idiot forgets to eat if no one reminds him." Kyle scratched his head. "Uh... mana exhaustion. Had to rest." Luna arched an eyebrow. "For two days?" sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Yeah" Luna squinted. "You also ignored my texts." "My phone died?" "That¡¯s the lamest excuse I have ever heard" Luna snorted. Kyle opened his mouth to protest when Luna suddenly gasped dramatically. "Oh no. Don¡¯t tell me you were off doing something stupid and dangerous again?" "What? No! I just¡ª" "Save it," Luna waved him off. "More important news, Professor Veldrin¡¯s dropping a mana calculus quiz on us tomorrow." Kyle¡¯s stomach dropped. "You are joking." "Do I look like I¡¯m joking?" Luna spun around to walk backwards in front of him, her grin widening at his horrified expression. "Good thing I¡¯m tutoring Reo in the library after class. You can join if you bring snacks and beg really nicely." Kyle groaned. "Please, oh brilliant mistress of ice magic, save this poor fool from academic ruin." Luna cackled, nearly tripping over her own feet. "That was pathetic. I love it. You¡¯re in." As they turned the corner toward Classroom A1. Luna added casually. "Oh, by the way, Eleanora totally manipulated Reo into asking your sister about you." Kyle blinked. "She what now?" "Yeah, it was hilarious" Luna said, bouncing on her toes. "She gave him this whole speech about ¡¯responsible classmates checking on each other¡¯ or whatever. Reo came back looking like he had seen a ghost." "Said Aurelia stared at him like she was mentally calculating which bones to break first." ¡¯Did the princess need something from me?¡¯ Before Kyle could dwell on that thought. Luna elbowed him sharply. "Hey. You spacing out again?" "Just thinking about how much mana calculus sucks," Kyle lied smoothly. Luna rolled her eyes. "Uh huh. Well, think about it in the library tonight. Bring those spicy rice crackers Reo and I like." "And don¡¯t be late. I¡¯m not explaining logarithmic mana decay twice because you couldn¡¯t find your pants again." Kyle snorted as they reached the classroom door. At least something never changed. *** The heavy oak doors of the Solvayne Academy library groaned shut behind them. As Kyle, Reo, and Luna made their way to their usual study table. Dust motes danced in the afternoon sunlight streaming through the glass windows, casting colorful patterns across the worn wooden tables. The familiar scent of aged parchment and polished mahogany filled the air, mixed with the faint herbal tang of preservation spells that kept the ancient tomes from crumbling. Luna flopped into her chair with her characteristic lack of grace. Dropping her stack of books onto the table with a loud thud. "Alright you two," she announced, flipping her white bangs out of her eyes. "Let¡¯s get this torture session started before Reo falls asleep like last time." Reo scowled as he took his seat, running a hand through his spiky brown hair. "That was one time! And I had been up all night training." Kyle smirked as he pulled out his notes in his messy handwriting. "More like you were pretending to study while actually sleeping with your eyes open." Before Reo could retort, a familiar voice interrupted them. "Well, this is a pleasant surprise." They all looked up to see Princess Eleanora D¡¯Argent standing at the edge of their table, her light blonde hair gleaming in the sunlight. Beside her stood Serena Blackthorne, looking as composed as ever with her long black hair perfectly framing her pale face. The contrast between them was striking. Eleanora¡¯s warm smile and vibrant presence next to Serena¡¯s cool, quiet demeanor. Kyle blinked in surprise. "Hey, what are you two doing here?" Eleanora¡¯s ruby eyes sparkled with amusement. "Studying, believe it or not. We heard Professor Veldrin¡¯s quiz was going to be particularly brutal this time." She nudged Serena forward slightly. "Serena here could use some help with the advanced mana flow equations." Serena arched one perfect eyebrow but said nothing, her amethyst eyes scanning their open textbooks with mild interest. Luna grinned, kicking her feet up on the table. "Sure, join the party. More victims for Veldrin¡¯s academic massacre." Reo groaned dramatically, slumping forward until his forehead hit the table. "Why do we even need to know this stuff? When am I ever going to use mana calculus in real combat?" Kyle flipped through his textbook to a particularly dense section, sighing. "Because last week you nearly blew your own arm off when you misjudged your mana output during sparring." "That was different!" Reo protested, sitting up straight. "I was trying that new technique Instructor Valemont showed us!" Serena, who had been quietly observing the exchange, spoke up in her calm, measured tone. "It¡¯s Precisely why understanding mana flow is crucial." "Improper distribution is the leading cause of magical backlash injuries among combat mages." The table fell silent for a moment as everyone turned to look at her. Luna recovered first, bursting into laughter. "Damn, Reo! Even the ice queen thinks you¡¯re an idiot!" Serena blinked, her expression unchanging. "I never said that." Eleanora smoothly took the seat next to Kyle. Her textbook already open to the same page he was struggling with. "Having trouble with problem seven?" she asked, peering at his notes. Kyle rubbed his temple where a headache was forming. "Yeah, I keep getting stuck on the third variable conversion. The textbook example doesn¡¯t make sense." Before Eleanora could respond. Serena leaned over and pointed at a specific line in Kyle¡¯s calculations. "You are using the wrong coefficient," she said simply. "The example is intentionally misleading to test if students understand the underlying principles." Kyle frowned, studying the equation again. A moment later his eyes widened. "Oh! You are right. If I divide instead of multiply here..." He quickly scribbled some corrections. The numbers finally aligning properly. "Huh. That actually works." Eleanora¡¯s smile became slightly fixed as she watched their exchange. "I was just about to explain that," she said, her voice just a touch too bright. Serena tilted her head slightly, looking genuinely puzzled. "Oh. My apologies." She returned to her own notes, completely unaware of the subtle tension she had created. Luna, who had been watching the entire interaction with growing amusement. Kicked Kyle sharply under the table. "Ow! What was that for?" Kyle glared at her. "Nothing," Luna said innocently, though her eyes darted meaningfully toward Eleanora. Whose fingers were now drumming a quiet but insistent rhythm on the tabletop. Reo, oblivious as ever, squinted at the corrected equation. "Wait, so the textbook is wrong on purpose? That¡¯s dirty." "It¡¯s not wrong," Serena explained patiently. "It¡¯s a pedagogical technique to encourage critical thinking rather than rote memorization." Eleanora cleared her throat. "As I was saying before" she began, her voice taking on a lecturing tone. "Professor Veldrin often¡ª" Luna suddenly slammed her book shut, making everyone jump. "Alright, enough theory! Let¡¯s practice some actual problems before my brain melts from boredom." She grabbed a stack of blank parchment and began distributing them. "We¡¯ll take turns solving problems and explaining them to the group." For the next hour, the study session continued with varying degrees of success. Reo struggled through basic equations. His brow furrowed in concentration. Luna breezed through the calculations but kept getting tripped up by minor arithmetic errors. Serena worked with quiet efficiency, her answers always precise and correct. Eleanora demonstrated an intuitive grasp of the concepts, though she seemed unusually focused on correcting Kyle¡¯s work personally. As the study session continued into the evening. The dynamic between the five students settled into an uneasy equilibrium. Kyle made sure to ask Eleanora for help as often as he asked Serena. Reo remained blissfully unaware of any tension, focused solely on not failing the quiz. Luna alternated between studying and subtly fanning the flames of drama for her own amusement. And Serena, ever the diligent student, continued to offer precise, insightful explanations whenever someone struggled. Completely unaware of the minor emotional tempest swirling around her. *** Chapter 72: The Quiz from Hell Chapter 72: The Quiz from HellThe classroom buzzed with nervous energy as students shuffled into their seats. Professor Veldrin stood at the front, his bony fingers steepled together. Watching them with the predatory patience of a hawk circling its prey. "Alright, settle down," he said, his voice cutting through the chatter like a blade. "Today¡¯s quiz will be one hour. Short and simple. If you paid even half-attention in my lectures, full marks should be trivial." Kyle slumped into his chair near the back, rubbing sleep from his eyes. The professor¡¯s gaze lingered on him for a beat too long before sliding to Reo. Who was currently trying (and failing) to balance his quill on his nose. ¡¯Translation: You two are doomed.¡¯ Verdin flicked his wrist. A stack of papers leapt from his desk, caught in an invisible current of wind magic, and fluttered down to land perfectly before each student. "Rules," Verdin continued, pacing between the rows. "No talking. No peeking at your neighbor¡¯s work. If I catch so much as a wandering eye, I will personally escort you from this room with a zero." He paused beside Kyle¡¯s desk. "Am I understood?" A chorus of reluctant "Yes, Professors" echoed through the room. Kyle looked down at his quiz. Twenty questions. Question 1: Using the Arcanith Convergence Theorem, derive the seventh-order mana oscillation formula under constrained elemental conditions (show all work). His stomach dropped. Short and simple my frostbitten ass. A choked noise came from his left. Reo had gone pale. His fingers twitching over the paper like it might bite him. Luna, sitting two rows ahead, was already scribbling away. Her white hair bouncing with each furious stroke of her quill. ¡¯Typical.¡¯ Kyle allowed himself a small smirk. At least if he failed spectacularly. He wouldn¡¯t be alone. Reo looked ready to spontaneously combust. A shadow fell across his desk. "Mr. Valemont." Verdin¡¯s voice was deceptively mild. "Do share the joke with the class." Kyle¡¯s smirk vanished. "No joke, Professor." Verdin leaned down. His breath smelling faintly of mint and disappointment. "Then perhaps you would care to explain why you are looking at Mr. Dustbane instead of your quiz?" "I was, uh... checking if he needed another quill?" Kyle tried. "Fascinating." Verdin straightened. "Five points from Class A1 for lying to a professor." Luna shot Kyle a glare over her shoulder that promised violence later. Kyle exhaled through his nose and turned back to his paper. Okay. Maybe question two would be kinder. Question 2: Calculate the exact mana expenditure required to maintain a Class III barrier spell while simultaneously¡ª Nope. He flipped through the pages. Question three was worse. Four was incomprehensible. Five might as well have been written in ancient elvish. At the front of the room. Verdin settled into his chair with the serene smile of a man who enjoyed watching children suffer. Kyle glanced at Reo again. His friend had given up entirely. Now doodling what appeared to be a very detailed sketch of Verdin being eaten by a dragon. A snort escaped before Kyle could stop it. "Mr. Valemont." Verdin didn¡¯t even look up from his book. "Would you like to join Mr. Dustbane in detention this evening?" "No, Professor." "Then I suggest you focus." Kyle grabbed his quill and stared at the first question until the letters blurred. Okay. He could do this. Probably. Maybe. Somewhere in the room. a student whimpered. ¡ª¡ª¡ª [One Eternity later] "Time!" Verdin¡¯s voice cut through the haze of panic like a knife. "Quills down. Pass your papers forward." Kyle stared at his half-blank quiz. He had managed to cobble together answers for maybe eight questions. The rest were either hopelessly wrong or decorated with increasingly desperate doodles (including one of a stick-figure Kyle jumping out a window). Reo¡¯s paper. He noted as it floated past, contained exactly three words: "I tried. Sorry." Luna¡¯s, of course, was pristine. She shot Kyle a smug look as she handed hers in. As the last papers reached the front, Verdin waved a dismissive hand. "Dismissed. Try not to embarrass yourselves too badly when the grades are posted." The classroom emptied faster than a tavern during a health inspection. Outside, Reo collapsed against the wall like a marionette with its strings cut. "I¡¯m changing my name and moving to the Southern Isles. Just coconuts and peace." Luna patted his shoulder. "There, there. At least you didn¡¯t draw a dragon eating the professor." Kyle groaned. "He saw that?" "Oh, he saw." Luna grinned. "But don¡¯t worry. I think he liked it. In a ¡¯I¡¯ll make your life hell later¡¯ sort of way." Reo muttered. "I¡¯m dead. I¡¯m so dead." Kyle barely had time to open his mouth. Before an arm like an iron bar locked around his neck in a chokehold that smelled suspiciously of sweat and cheap soap. "There you are, you slippery bastard!" Cassian¡¯s voice boomed directly into his ear at a volume better suited for announcing royal decrees. "Three days! Three whole days without so much as a ¡¯hey Cassian, I¡¯m not dead!¡¯ What gives?" Kyle wheezed. Clawing at the muscular forearm crushing his windpipe. "Can¡¯t... talk... dying..." Cassian loosened his grip just enough for Kyle to gulp air. "Mana exhaustion," he croaked. "Had to rest. You know how it¡ª" "Yeah, yeah," Cassian interrupted. Finally releasing him with a rough shake that rattled Kyle¡¯s teeth. "Next time try a better excuse. Like ¡¯I was kidnapped by aliens¡¯ or ¡¯My big sis locked me in the broom closet again.¡¯" Behind Cassian, three figures approached through the post-quiz zombie horde of students. Lyra Silverwind led the charge, her emerald-green ponytail bouncing with each irritated step. The half-elf¡¯s pointed ears were flattened against her skull, never a good sign. "That" Lyra announced to no one in particular, "was an act of academic violence. I am filing a formal complaint with the Dean." Beside her. Sylvie Wavecrest adjusted her round glasses with trembling fingers. "I-I think I converted barrier spell mana ratios into attack spell mana equivalents by mistake," she whispered. Looking ready to melt into the floor. "Professor Verdin¡¯s going to have me expelled..." Reo threw an arm around her shoulders. "Welcome to the club, Sylvie! Meetings are every Tuesday. We serve cookies and existential dread." Sylvie made a small squeaking noise that might have been either gratitude or a cry for help. Kyle¡¯s attention snapped to the third figure lingering slightly apart from the group. Cedric Valtieri stood with that infuriating golden-boy posture. Spine straight, shoulders back, not a single hair out of place despite the quiz from hell. His piercing blue eyes locked onto Kyle with unsettling focus. "Hey Kyle." Not a greeting. A statement. Like Cedric had been keeping tabs. Kyle¡¯s neck prickled. "Uh. Hey?" "We fought together in the VR exam." Cedric took a deliberate step forward. The chatter around them dimmed as nearby students instinctively gave him space. "Your lightning magic was... impressive." Kyle resisted the urge to shuffle backward. There was something unnerving about the way Cedric said ¡¯impressive¡¯. Like a chef admiring a particularly plump chicken before slaughter. "Thanks?" Kyle rubbed the back of his neck. "You weren¡¯t exactly slouching either." Cassian snorted. "Golden Boy here¡¯s been pestering me daily about when you would show up again." He threw a mocking arm around Cedric¡¯s shoulders. Which the blonde tolerated with the patience of a saint. "Kept asking, ¡¯Cassian, when¡¯s Kyle coming back? Cassian, do you think he would spar with me?¡¯ Like some lovestruck¡ª" S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Cedric elbowed him in the ribs. Hard. "How about a friendly match?" Cedric¡¯s voice remained perfectly calm even as Cassian wheezed beside him. "No stakes. Just practice." The hallway fell suspiciously quiet. Kyle became acutely aware of multiple students pretending not to eavesdrop. Luna materialized at his elbow, grinning like a shark. "Do it. I¡¯ll pay good money to watch Cedric wipe the floor with you." Reo nodded solemnly. "I¡¯ll hold your funeral robe." Kyle opened his mouth to refuse when Lyra¡¯s eyes lit up with unholy glee. "Oh this is perfect. I¡¯ll sell tickets. ¡¯Golden Boy vs. The Lightning Disaster.¡¯ We¡¯ll make a killing." Even Sylvie peeked over her glasses with timid interest. Kyle sighed. The universe clearly hated him. "Sure. Why not?" Cedric¡¯s lips curved in what might¡¯ve been a smile on a less terrifying person. "Tomorrow after classes. Training grounds." As the group erupted into side conversations. Luna already taking bets. Lyra brainstorming promotional slogans. Kyle caught Cedric¡¯s lingering gaze. There was something calculating in those blue eyes. Something that made the hairs on Kyle¡¯s arms stand up. This wasn¡¯t just a friendly spar. But before Kyle could dwell on it. Cassian slung an arm around both him and Cedric, nearly crushing them together. "Alright lovebirds! Now that we have settled the death match, who¡¯s up for stealing some pastries from the cafeteria?" The tension shattered as Lyra whooped and Luna immediately began plotting diversion tactics. Even Sylvie offered a tiny smile. As the chaotic group moved down the hallway. Kyle allowed himself a small, grudging smile. Maybe nearly failing a quiz wasn¡¯t the worst thing that could happen today. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 73: Instinct Over Calculation Chapter 73: Instinct Over CalculationThe first light of morning spilled through the classroom windows. Painting honey-gold stripes across the worn wooden desks. Dust motes drifted lazily in the sunbeams. Catching the light like tiny sparks. Kyle sat near the back. Absently twisting the black ring on his finger. The metal was cool against his skin. But there was a warmth beneath it. A presence. Zalrielle pulsed in response. Not with words, but with a warm, sleepy acknowledgment. Like a cat stretching in sunlight. ¡¯Today¡¯s the day.¡¯ His stomach tightened at the thought. The spar with Cedric. ¡¯How much of that gap have I actually closed?¡¯ His mind drifted back to yesterday¡¯s experiments in the training yard. The way Zalrielle had shifted forms effortlessly at his will. Becoming a glaive with a wicked curved blade. A compact recurve bow. Even twin daggers that balanced perfectly in his palms. But while the shapes changed, the ¡¯understanding¡¯ didn¡¯t follow. Only when it became his tachi did instinctive knowledge flood through him. The exact angle for a downward slash. The subtle wrist adjustment needed for a parry. The way to shift his weight for maximum force without overcommitting. Other swords gave him flashes. A longsword¡¯s basic guards, a rapier¡¯s quick thrusts. But nothing like the seamless connection he shared with his tachi. ¡¯Is it because I¡¯m fundamentally a swordsman? Or does Zalrielle resonate with this form?¡¯ ¡¯Or she liked swords more.¡¯ Clack A sharp clack of wood snapped him back to the present. "Mr. Valemont." The voice cut through his thoughts like a blade. Instructor Carter stood before his desk. Arms crossed over his burgundy teaching robes. The man¡¯s neatly trimmed beard couldn¡¯t hide his perpetual look of exhausted disappointment. Around them, the classroom had gone silent. All hundred students holding their breath. Kyle straightened. "Yes, Professor?" "Since you are clearly more interested in your jewelry than today¡¯s lesson," Carter said dryly. "Perhaps you would enlighten us on the fundamental difference between elemental manipulation and spells?" A snort came from a row ahead. Reo, shoulders shaking with silent laughter. Kyle resisted the urge to kick his chair. He opened his mouth and close it. "Uh..." Carter sighed. The long-suffering sigh of a man who had long since given up hope. "Pay attention this time." He turned back to the class, raising his right hand. Fire erupted above his palm. Not the wild, flickering flames of a campfire. But a perfect sphere of controlled combustion. The size of an apple, its surface smooth as liquid glass. The orange-gold light danced across fascinated faces as he spoke. "This is elemental manipulation, the most basic application of an affinity." With a twist of his wrist. The fire shrank to a marble-sized ember. Then flared outward to wrap around his forearm. "Raw control over your element. Shape it, move it, channel it through your limbs or weapons." He clenched his fist and the fire condensed into a razor-sharp spear. Its tip glowing white-hot. The heat radiating from it made students in the front row lean back instinctively. "This is a spell ¡¯Fire Lance¡¯." "A beginner-level offensive spell." The spear dissolved back into Carter¡¯s palm. "The difference? Manipulation is instinctive. Spells require structured mana application." "Specific patterns, calculated outputs, and controlled stabilization." He walked to the chalkboard. Sketching two diagrams with quick, precise strokes. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Elemental Manipulation ? Raw energy channeled directly through the body¡¯s mana pathways ? Minimal conscious calculation needed, more about feel than formula ? Highly dependent on the caster¡¯s natural affinity strength ? Examples: ? Flame-wrapped fists (close combat enhancement) ? Wind-enhanced jumps (temporary mobility boosts) ? Water barriers (instant defensive screens) Spellcraft Fundamentals ? Precisely structured mana patterns woven through complex channeling ? Requires understanding of: ? Mana density ratios (how much power to allocate where) ? Elemental conversion coefficients (turning raw mana into fire/lightning/etc.) ? Output stabilization (maintaining spell integrity) ? Replicable effects with consistent results ? Examples: ? Fireballs (projectile combat spells) ? Lightning bolts (precision strikes) ? Ice spears (piercing attacks) ¡ª¡ª¡ª Carter tapped the board. "Think of manipulation like swinging a sword naturally. A spell is like performing a perfect fencing technique. Every movement precise, every angle calculated." He snapped his fingers, and a tiny flame flickered to life above them. Forming into a perfect, miniature bird that circled the room before vanishing. "That was Blazing Sparrow." "An intermediate spell. Notice how the flames hold shape even without direct control? That¡¯s because the mana pattern sustains it." Kyle¡¯s fingers twitched. The lightning steps, the spears. He hadn¡¯t calculated them. It was just... Instinct. Carter rapped his knuckles on the desk. "The point is, advanced spells aren¡¯t just about power. They require..." "Precision," Eleanora supplied quietly from the front row. "Precisely." Carter nodded. "Most students need years to develop proper spellcraft. A rare few possess instinctive casting abilities. Their magic flows correctly without conscious calculation." Kyle barely heard the rest of the lecture. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His mind raced. If his magic truly was instinctive... "¡ªwhich is why attempting high-tier spells without proper foundations typically results in third-degree burns," Carter was saying. "Or, in the case of water mages, drowning yourself in your own magic." He looked at time. "That¡¯s it for today, Dismissed" ¡ª¡ª¡ª The classroom buzzed with hushed conversations as students packed their bags. But Kyle remained seated, staring at his notes. Carter¡¯s words echoed in his mind. ¡¯Instinctive casting, precision, structured mana patterns.¡¯ ¡¯If my magic really does come naturally... how far can I push it?¡¯ Magic wasn¡¯t just about throwing power around. Carter had drilled that into them since day one. Elemental manipulation was raw. Unfiltered. Like swinging a sword blindfolded. You could hit hard, but without control. You would just exhaust yourself. Spells, though? Those were refined. Calculated. Kyle flipped open his notebook. Skimming past messy diagrams of lightning arcs and half-scribbled equations. ¡ª Mana Channels Every mage had them invisible rivers of energy running through their body. The wider and clearer the channels, the more mana you could move at once. Most students spent months learning to sense theirs. But for Kyle, it had been as obvious as the veins in his wrists. ¡¯It¡¯s probably also due to the blessing¡¯s.¡¯ ¡ª Elemental Conversion: Turning Mana into Magic Mana itself was neutral. A blank slate. To turn it into lightning, fire, or anything else. You had to imprint it with your element¡¯s nature. Carter had once compared it to dyeing cloth: ? Fire was volatile, quick to burn out. ? Water was fluid, adapting to its container. ? Earth was dense, slow but enduring. ? Wind was erratic, hard to contain. ? Lightning? Unpredictable. Wild. But if you could guide it... Kyle¡¯s fingers tingled. He had never consciously converted mana. It just became his elements when he called it. ¡ª Stabilization: Keeping the Spell from Blowing Up in Your Face This was where most beginners failed. A spell wasn¡¯t just shaped mana. It needed a structure to hold it together. Carter¡¯s favorite analogy? "Think of it like building a house. Manipulation is stacking bricks haphazardly. A spell is mortar, beams, and a blueprint." Kyle frowned. ¡¯So why don¡¯t my spells collapse?¡¯ He closed his eyes. Reaching for that familiar hum of electricity. It answered instantly, coiling around his fingers like a living thing. ¡¯How am I doing this?¡¯ Most students had to memorize spells or visualize complex mana circuits. Kyle? He just willed it. And his elements lightning, ice, water, wind obeyed. ¡¯So the blessing¡¯s filling in the gaps?¡¯ He had tried to dissect it once, slowing down the process: ? Intent ¨C The desire to summon lightning. ? Mana Response ¨C Energy surging through his channels. ? Conversion ¨C A shift, like flipping a switch, and suddenly the mana crackled. ? Formation ¨C The lightning taking shape, spear, net, or steps. No calculations. No careful adjustments. It was like his body already knew the steps, even if his mind didn¡¯t. ¡¯Is this how prodigies feel?¡¯ The black ring on his hand pulsed again. Warmer this time. ¡¯You are thinking too hard¡¯, it seemed to say. Kyle exhaled. Maybe Zalrielle is right. He don¡¯t have overcomplicate things. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Author¡¯s Note: I know this Chapter includes a lot of theoretical explanations. But I wanted to properly explain how magic functions in this world. It will also clarify some advantages of blessings, as some of you might have been confused about their purpose. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 74: A Friendly Spar [1] Chapter 74: A Friendly Spar [1]Kyle was lost in thought when¡ª SMACK! The sharp slap between his shoulder blades nearly launched him out of his seat. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What the¡ª?!" "Ready to get wrecked, pretty boy?" Luna chirped. Her white bob bouncing as she leaned over his desk with a shark-like grin. Kyle shot her a glare, rubbing the now-stinging spot between his shoulder blades. "What the hell, Luna? Why do you always hit like you are trying to knock my soul out of my body?" Luna shrugged, completely unapologetic. "Where¡¯s the fun if I don¡¯t?" Reo, sprawled across a nearby desk with his boots propped up, snorted. "She¡¯s got a point. You make this hilarious face every time." He mimicked Kyle¡¯s startled expression. Mouth open, eyes wide, with ridiculous accuracy. Just then Cedric approached. Carrying himself with an same easy confidence as always. His golden hair catching the sunlight as he smiled. "You are late." Cedric said. Though there was no real annoyance in his tone. Kyle raised an eyebrow. "Since when is five minutes after class considered late?" Cedric chuckled. "Since someone promised me a rematch yesterday." Cassian, who had been eavesdropping. Suddenly slung an arm around Kyle¡¯s shoulders, nearly knocking him over with the force. "Stop whining. This is gonna be epic." Lyra popped up beside them. Her emerald-green ponytail swinging as she rubbed her hands together. "Oh, I¡¯m definitely selling tickets. ¡¯Golden Boy vs. The Lightning boy¡¯, this will make me enough credits for a month." From behind her round glasses. Sylvie peeked out like a startled rabbit. "I-I don¡¯t think gambling is allowed..." Her voice trailed off when Lyra shot her a look. Kyle groaned. "It¡¯s just a friendly spar. Emphasis on friendly." Luna pouted. "You are no fun." Eleanora, who had been quietly observing the exchange alongside the ever-disinterested Serena, finally spoke up. "Oh? A spar? May we watch as well?" There was something too innocent about her tone. Kyle narrowed his eyes. "You just happened to overhear?" Eleanora smiled sweetly. "Pure coincidence." Serena, standing stiffly beside her. She looked like she would rather be anywhere else. "I was dragged" she muttered. Cedric laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, enough stalling. Let¡¯s go." As they filed out, Sylvie scurried to keep up, nearly tripping over her own feet. "W-wait! Shouldn¡¯t we have safety protocols? First aid kits? Maybe a healer on standby-" Cassian ruffled her blue hair. "Relax, Sylvie. They¡¯re not gonna kill each other." He paused. "Probably." Luna, of course, had suggested they fight in the common training hall. Where the entire academy could watch and place bets. Kyle and Cedric shut that down fast. "This isn¡¯t a damn show," Kyle muttered as they walked. Cedric just grinned. "Where¡¯s your sense of adventure?" The private training rooms reserved for top-ranking students were nothing to scoff at spacious, polished floors. Reinforced wall that could easily handle the attack from the peak gold rank individual, and completely soundproof. Perfect for a match where neither of them planned to hold back. As they stepped inside. Kyle took in the familiar space. The scent of polished wood. The hum of mana-powered lights, the faint shimmer of protective enchantments in the air. Cassian clapped his hands together. "Alright, rules?" Cedric stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders. "No lethal strikes, no broken bones. Everything else is fair game." Kyle smirked. "So basically, ¡¯try not to murder each other.¡¯ Got it." Luna plopped onto a bench, kicking her feet up. "Ten minutes before Kyle¡¯s flat on his back." Reo grinned. "Five." Kyle flipped them both off as he and Cedric moved to opposite ends of the room. ¡ª¡ª¡ª They changed into the academy¡¯s black combat uniforms. The lightweight, flexible, and lined with cushioning enchantments to soften blows. Kyle rolled his wrists, testing his grip as he picked up a practice tachi from the rack. Kyle¡¯s fingers brushed against the practice tachi¡¯s hilt. The smooth leather grip cool against his skin. As he lifted the weapon, testing its balance with a few experimental swings. A sudden, violent tremor shot through his left hand. The black ring on his finger. Zalrielle. It pulsed with such intensity that his entire hand jerked involuntarily. "Shit," Kyle muttered under his breath, nearly dropping the practice weapon. The ring grew uncomfortably warm, the heat bordering on painful, as if scolding him. He could practically feel Zalrielle¡¯s indignation radiating through their bond. It reminded him of that time in his past life when he had accidentally called his girlfriend by her sister¡¯s name. That same mixture of betrayal, anger, and wounded pride. The ring vibrated again. This time in a distinct pattern that somehow managed to convey the spiritual equivalent of folded arms and a pout. Kyle winced as the temperature spiked briefly before settling into a simmering warmth that promised this conversation wasn¡¯t over. ¡¯Come on, Zal,¡¯ Kyle thought, running his thumb over the ring in what he hoped was a placating manner. ¡¯You know I can¡¯t just transform you in front of everyone. What would I even say? "Oh this? Just my soul-bound weapon that wasn¡¯t mentioned once in the original novel, no big deal."¡¯ ¡¯And these practice weapons are enchanted with non-lethal magic. You, however, are definitely not non-lethal.¡¯ The ring pulsed once, stubbornly. Kyle could almost hear Zalrielle¡¯s voice in his head. ¡¯You would rather use that cheap, lifeless imitation than me?¡¯ The jealousy was almost tangible. Across the training grounds. Cedric was stretching his arms, completely oblivious to Kyle¡¯s silent argument with his jewelry. The golden-haired swordsman rotated his shoulders. The muscles in his back flexing visibly through his fitted training uniform. He caught Kyle¡¯s eye and raised an eyebrow. "Everything alright over there?" Cedric called, his voice laced with amusement. "You¡¯re looking at that sword like it insulted your mother." Kyle forced a grin, shaking out his left hand where Zalrielle was now sending intermittent pulses of displeasure. "Just getting a feel for it," he replied. Giving the practice tachi another experimental swing. The weight was all wrong, too light, too balanced. Lacking the familiar presence he had grown accustomed to with last two-three days. As he adjusted his grip. The ring on his finger turned ice cold for a brief second. A clear warning. Kyle sighed internally. "Whenever you are ready," Cedric said, falling into a relaxed combat stance. His longsword gleamed under the training ground¡¯s magical lights. The blunted edge still looking plenty dangerous. Kyle took a deep breath and settled into his own stance. The practice tachi felt foreign in his hands, like wearing someone else¡¯s shoes. He could practically feel Zalrielle¡¯s disapproval with every movement. The ring on his finger alternating between cold indifference and heated protests. "Alright," Kyle muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "Let¡¯s get this over with." As he raised the practice weapon. He sent one last mental plea to Zalrielle. ¡¯Just behave for now, okay? I promise I¡¯ll make it up to you.¡¯ The ring gave one final, grudging pulse. The spiritual equivalent of an eye-roll. Before settling into a watchful silence. Kyle could tell she wasn¡¯t happy. But at least she had stopped actively trying to sabotage him. For now. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 75: A Friendly Spar [2] Chapter 75: A Friendly Spar [2]Luna bounced on her toes. Grinning like a kid in a candy store. "Okay, place your bets! Who¡¯s gonna wipe the floor with who? I have got ten credits on Cedric flattening Kyle in under three minutes." Reo snorted, leaning back against the wall. "You are underestimating Kyle. That guy¡¯s got tricks. I say he lasts at least five." Lyra, her emerald ponytail swaying, smirked. "Please. Cedric¡¯s been training since he could walk. Kyle¡¯s good, but he¡¯s not Golden Boy good." She crossed her arms. "Twenty credits says Cedric doesn¡¯t even break a sweat." Sylvie fidgeted, adjusting her round glasses. "I-I think it¡¯ll be close? Kyle¡¯s is really fast, and Cedric¡¯s never fought him one-on-one before..." Her voice trailed off as Luna threw an arm around her shoulders. Luna laughed. "Aw, Sylvie¡¯s got a soft spot for our Kyle! Adorable." Sylvie turned pink. "N-no! I just¡ªit¡¯s just strategy!" Cassian, sprawled on a bench like he owned it. He grinned. "Strategy, huh? Sure, sure. Meanwhile, I¡¯m just here for the show. Hope they break something." Serena, standing slightly apart with her usual aloof expression, rolled her eyes. "This is pointless. They are both gonna hold back. No one fights seriously in a friendly spar." Eleanora, who had been quietly watching Kyle stretch, finally spoke. Her voice smooth but with an edge of amusement. "I wouldn¡¯t be so sure. Kyle doesn¡¯t like losing. And Cedric... well, he¡¯s not the type to go easy, even if he acts like it." Lyra raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Sounds like someone¡¯s been paying close attention." Eleanora just smiled, not taking the bait. "Observation. That¡¯s all." Luna gasped dramatically. "Wait, wait¡ªPrincess, you are not betting? Not even a little?" Eleanora tilted her head, her ruby eyes glinting. "If I did, it wouldn¡¯t be fair. I know too much." Reo groaned. "Ugh, cryptic princess talk. Just pick a side!" Eleanora chuckled. "Fine. Kyle lasts longer than anyone expects." Cassian whistled. "Bold. I like it." Just then. Cedric and Kyle stepped into the center of the training grounds. There weapons ready. The chatter died down instantly. Luna grinned, rubbing her hands together. "Alright, shut up, everyone. Show¡¯s starting." Both fighters locked eyes, tension crackling in the air. This wasn¡¯t just a spar anymore. It was a test. And neither of them planned to fail. ¡ª¡ª¡ª "START" The moment Cassian¡¯s shout echoed through the training hall. The atmosphere changed completely. What was supposed to be a friendly spar suddenly felt like a life-or-death battle. The air itself seemed to vibrate with energy as both combatants locked eyes. Kyle didn¡¯t wait. His body vanished in a burst of blue-white electricity. The afterimage of his [Lightning Steps] painting jagged lines across the spectators¡¯ vision. He reappeared mid-air above Cedric. His practice tachi already descending in a perfect diagonal slash aimed at the junction between neck and shoulder. A killing blow if this were real combat. Cedric¡¯s blue eyes flashed with surprise. But his body moved on instinct. His longsword came up in a textbook-perfect guard position. The reinforced practice blade meeting Kyle¡¯s strike with a shower of sparks. The impact sent vibrations through both their arms, but neither flinched. "Damn, he¡¯s fast!" Reo blurted out, gripping the edge of his seat. Luna¡¯s eyes gleamed with excitement. "Told you this would be good!" Before Cedric could counter. Kyle¡¯s body suddenly crackled with pent-up electricity. With a sound like tearing cloth. A lightning discharge erupted from his skin in all directions. Forcing Cedric to leap back hastily. The floor where he had stood seconds before now bore blackened scorch marks. The spectators fell silent. This wasn¡¯t friendly spar anymore. Cedric landed lightly, his breathing barely elevated. A slow grin spread across his face as he rolled his shoulders. "Not bad," he admitted. Then flames erupted around his boots. [Flame Step] He became a blur of motion. Closing the distance almost as fast as Kyle had. His longsword came up in a vertical slash that would have split Kyle from his collarbone in half if it connected. The sheer speed of the attack left afterimages in the air. Kyle barely managed to twist aside. Feeling the whoosh of air as the blade passed millimeters from his nose. His enhanced reflexes. With the lightning coursing through his body. It was the only thing that saved him. Even so, the heat from Cedric¡¯s flaming sword singed his eyebrows. Counterattack came instinctively. Kyle¡¯s left hand snapped forward. Blue-white energy coalescing into a crackling sphere of compressed lightning. He thrust it directly at Cedric¡¯s face in a move that would have shattered bones if it connected cleanly. Cedric jerked his head aside with inhuman speed, but not fast enough. The lightning grazed his cheek. Leaving an angry red burn mark and the faint scent of charred flesh. First blood. The spectators gasped. Sylvie covered her mouth with both hands. "Oh gods, he actually hit him!" Lyra¡¯s emerald eyes widened. "No way... he actually landed the first hit on him on one-on-one?" Cedric didn¡¯t even touch the wound. Instead, his right fist suddenly blazed to life. Wreathed in swirling flames that distorted the air around it. Kyle barely had time to summon his own lightning before.. BOOM! The collision of fire and lightning created a small explosion that sent both combatants skidding backward. Kyle went farther. His boots leaving black streaks on the wooden floor as he fought to maintain balance. His left arm throbbed painfully, the sleeve of his combat uniform was partially burned blackening it. The difference in their physical capabilities was brutally apparent. Cedric, at Peak Grade 3 Silver, had more endurance and strength than Kyle who was at Peak Grade 1 Bronze. While Kyle¡¯s techniques were flashier. Each exchange cost him more energy. Kyle spat to the side, tasting blood. His ribs ached from the concussive force. Across from him. Cedric looked barely winded. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His golden hair slightly disheveled but otherwise unharmed aside from the burn on his cheek. "Had enough?" Cedric taunted, rotating his sword arm. In response, lightning crackled around Kyle¡¯s body again. He wouldn¡¯t give Cedric the satisfaction of seeing him hesitate. The second exchange was even faster than the first. Kyle blurred forward. His tachi flashing in a complex pattern of slashes and thrusts that would have overwhelmed most opponents. But Cedric wasn¡¯t most opponents. Their blades met in a rapid series of clashes that sounded almost like musical notes. Clang! Clang! Clang! Each impact sent shockwaves through the training hall. Cedric¡¯s style was economical perfection. Each movement precise and efficient. The result of a lifetime of elite training. But Kyle... There was something unnatural about his swordsmanship. Despite having only trained with a tachi for one and half months. His movements were too polished. His counters too precise. When Cedric attempted a feint followed by a sudden thrust to the ribs. Kyle¡¯s blade was already there to intercept. The parry executed with flawless technique. Cedric¡¯s eyes narrowed. This wasn¡¯t right. He¡¯d watched Kyle during the combat classes. He had been decent but nowhere near this level. There was no way someone could improve this much in such a short time. ¡ª¡ª¡ª What Cedric didn¡¯t know. That simple black ring on Kyle¡¯s finger. It held the real secret behind his sudden mastery. Just weeks ago, Kyle could barely hold a tachi properly. Sure, he had been grinding day and night to improve. But raw practice alone couldn¡¯t explain this level of skill. The truth was. He¡¯d been missing something crucial. The actual knowledge of how to wield the weapon. That¡¯s where Zalrielle came in. The spirit ability, [Understanding], worked in ways Kyle was still figuring out. It gave him the knowledge of how to actually wield his Tachi. Parry. Slash. Thrust. "Damn, look at Kyle go!" Cassian whooped, breaking the tense silence among the spectators. "Since when did he get so good with a sword?" Eleanora¡¯s ruby eyes gleamed with hidden knowledge. She alone understood that Kyle was full of surprises. She had seen glimpses of his potential in her past life. But even she seemed impressed by his current performance. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Cedric decided to stop playing around. Fire wreathed his blade as he suddenly changed tactics. His attacks becoming heavier. More aggressive. Each slash came with enough force to knock Kyle back several steps. The impacts jarring his arms to the bone. Kyle gritted his teeth, feeling the strain in his muscles. He was holding his own. But barely. The physical disparity was becoming more apparent with each exchange. He needed to end this quickly. Feinting left. Kyle suddenly pivoted on his back foot. His tachi coming around in a lightning-charged horizontal slash aimed at Cedric¡¯s midsection. It was a move that would have bisected a lesser opponent. Cedric barely managed to twist aside, but not fast enough. The blade grazed his side, slicing through his combat uniform and drawing a thin line of crimson. The spectators gasped again. For the first time, Cedric laughed. A genuine, exhilarated sound. "Now we are talking!" he shouted, his blue eyes blazing with battle lust. What happened next shocked everyone. Cedric vanished. Not with [Flame Step]. This was something faster, something more primal. One moment he was five meters away. The next he was right in front of Kyle. His knee driving upward into Kyle¡¯s ribs with bone-crushing force. CRACK! The sound of breaking bone was audible throughout the silent training hall. Kyle¡¯s eyes bulged as all the air left his lungs in a pained wheeze. Before he could even register the pain. Cedric¡¯s follow-up strike. A spinning back kick that caught him square in the chest, sending him flying backward to the ground. Kyle hit the ground rolling from Cedric¡¯s last attack, his ribs screamed in protest. Blood coated his tongue where he¡¯d bitten his cheek. Across from him. Cedric stood poised longsword resting casually against his shoulder like this was just another training drill. ¡¯Bastard¡¯s not even breathing hard.¡¯ Kyle spat red onto the polished floor. His fingers twitched toward the practice tachi lying a foot away. "Had enough?" Cedric asked, that infuriating golden-boy smile still in place. In answer, lightning crackled along Kyle¡¯s arms. Crack-BOOM! The burst of electricity launched him forward like a living bolt. Cedric barely got his sword up in time. Steel shrieked as Kyle¡¯s tachi slid along the length of Cedric¡¯s blade. Sparks flying where metal met metal. For a heartbeat, they were nose to nose. "You are holding back" Kyle growled. Cedric¡¯s eyes gleamed. "Prove me wrong." Kyle kicked off, creating distance. Just as Cedric¡¯s free hand erupted in flames. A compressed fireball shot toward Kyle¡¯s chest. [Lightning Steps] barely got him out of the way. The heat seared his side as the fireball exploded against the far wall. Kyle¡¯s fingers tightened around his tachi. ¡¯Not yet.¡¯ Cedric came at him again. Sword flashing in a silver arc. Kyle parried, but the force of the blow numbed his fingers. Another slash. Kyle ducked. A thrust. He twisted aside. But Cedric wasn¡¯t just swinging wildly. Every attack drove Kyle backward, herding him toward the corner of the training hall. Trapped. Luna¡¯s voice cut through the tension. "Ten seconds till Cedric wins the bet!" Kyle¡¯s back hit the wall. Cedric¡¯s sword came down in a brutal overhead strike¡ª CRACK! Ice erupted from Kyle¡¯s free hand. A jagged shield of frost formed just in time, intercepting Cedric¡¯s blade. The longsword bit deep into the frozen barrier. Sending hairline fractures spiderwebbing across its surface. For the first time. Cedric¡¯s perfect composure slipped. His eyes widened. "Ice¡ª?!" Kyle grinned. Then he pushed. The ice shield exploded outward in a burst of razor-sharp shards. Cedric reeled back. Arms raised to protect his face as frozen daggers peppered his combat suit. Silence. Every spectator everyone stared with identical expressions of shock. Cedric lowered his arms slowly. A thin cut bled on his forehead where an ice shard had grazed him. "A Deviant" he murmured. Then louder, with a wild grin. "Since when do you have ice?" Kyle rolled his shoulders. Frost still curling off his fingertips. "Since always." The air between them crackled with a new kind of tension. Cedric adjusted his grip on his sword. "Guess I¡¯ll have to get serious then." Light mana wrapped around his blade. Kyle exhaled. Watching his breath mist in the suddenly frigid air around him. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 76: A Friendly Spar [3] Chapter 76: A Friendly Spar [3]Cedric had been watching Kyle for a while now. Not in an obvious way. He wasn¡¯t the type to stare. But ever since that first day at the entrance exam. Something about Kyle had caught his attention. It wasn¡¯t just skill. It was something deeper. His blessing. The divine gift he¡¯d received from Goddess Solmora, the Lady of Sun and Judgment. It had stirred when he first saw Kyle. Just a faint pulse, like a distant bell ringing. At first, Cedric thought he had imagined it. But then he saw Kyle fight. The way he moved in the ranking match against Kaelith. Effortless, precise, like he already knew every move his opponent would make before they made it. Kaelith was higher-ranked, stronger on paper. Kyle dismantled him like it was nothing. Then came the VR exam. That lightning construct. The one Kyle had summoned at the end. He had nearly ended Cedric. He¡¯d barely survived that lightning spell. Most Bronze-ranks couldn¡¯t produce that kind of power. But Kyle had. And now. In this spar, seeing him pull out ice on top of lightning? Cedric couldn¡¯t help the grin spreading across his face. Cassian was strong. But Kyle? Kyle was something else. And Cedric wanted to see how far he could go. That¡¯s why he had pushed him in this fight. Not to humiliate him. Not to prove he was stronger. But to test him. To see if that flicker of potential he had sensed was real. And now. Watching frost curl off Kyle¡¯s fingertips, seeing the way his eyes burned with defiance even as he wiped blood from his lip¡ª Cedric knew. He had found another rival. ¡ª¡ª¡ª The moment Kyle¡¯s ice shield shattered. The entire atmosphere in the training hall shifted. The air itself seemed to vibrate with raw energy as both combatants reassessed each other. Cedric wiped the thin trail of blood from his forehead. His blue eyes alight with something fierce. A slow grin spread across his face as he flexed his sword hand. "Ice, huh?" His breath came out in visible puffs in the suddenly chilled air. "Guess we have both been holding back." Kyle exhaled sharply, watching his breath mist in front of him. Every muscle in his body ached. His ribs screamed from that last kick. His arms burned from blocking Cedric¡¯s relentless strikes. But he wasn¡¯t done yet. Not even close. Then Cedric¡¯s sword began to glow. A pure, brilliant light wrapped around the steel. Turning the practice blade into something that looked more like a sunbeam given physical form. The radiant energy pulsed in time with Cedric¡¯s breathing. Casting sharp shadows across the training hall. "Aw, crap," Kyle muttered under his breath. Feeling the hairs on his arms stand up from the sheer energy radiating off Cedric. Cedric moved first. With a flick of his free hand. [Flashbang] A sphere of blinding white light erupted between them, brighter than the sun at noon. Kyle barely had time to throw his arm up in a futile attempt to shield his eyes. BLINDING WHITE. Pain lanced through his skull like a hot poker. His vision dissolved into swirling afterimages. Shapes and colors blending together in a nauseating kaleidoscope. He stumbled backward, blinking furiously. ¡¯Shit.¡¯ Instinct took over before panic could. Kyle slammed his palm into the floor with all his strength. [Frost Surge] A wave of jagged ice exploded outward from his hand. Spreading in a defensive circle around him. The frost crackled as it expanded, forming a barrier of razor-sharp icicles pointing outward in every direction. He still couldn¡¯t see Cedric clearly. Just blurry shapes moving through the white haze. But he could feel the heat of approaching flames as parts of his ice barrier began melting. "Nice try," Cedric¡¯s voice came from his left, closer than expected. Kyle spun toward the sound. Cedric¡¯s glowing sword came down in a brutal diagonal slash aimed at his shoulder. Kyle barely got his tachi up in time to intercept. The impact sending shockwaves through his arms that made his teeth rattle. CLANG! The force of the blow drove Kyle to one knee. Cedric didn¡¯t let up. Flames erupted around his free hand. The intense heat causing Kyle¡¯s remaining ice barrier to melt rapidly. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Steam hissed and popped in the air between them as water met fire. Creating a thick mist that made it even harder to see. "Come on, Kyle!" Luna¡¯s voice cut through the tension from the sidelines. She was practically bouncing in her seat. "Stop playing defense and hit him back already!" Kyle gritted his teeth, tasting blood from where he had bitten his cheek earlier. His vision was finally starting to clear. But everything still had a fuzzy halo around it. He needed to think. Feinting left. Kyle suddenly pivoted on his back foot¡ª [Lightning Steps] Blue-white electricity crackled around his body as he vanished in a streak of light. Reappearing behind Cedric in the blink of an eye. His tachi lashed out in a vicious horizontal slash aimed at Cedric¡¯s unprotected back¡ª Only for Cedric to twist mid-motion with unnatural grace. His light-infused blade intercepting Kyle¡¯s strike with effortless precision. The weapons locked together with a shower of sparks. "Predictable," Cedric said. His breath barely labored despite the intensity of their fight. Then he kicked Kyle square in the chest. WHUMP! The air exploded from Kyle¡¯s lungs as he flew backward. Skidding across the wooden floor like a ragdoll. His ribs screamed in protest. Cedric didn¡¯t give him a second to recover. [Flame Whip] A lash of concentrated fire snapped through the air with a sound like tearing cloth. Aimed straight for Kyle¡¯s legs. Kyle managed to roll to the side. But the edge of the flames still caught his ankle. Searing through his combat boot and scorching the skin beneath. "Gah¡ª!" Kyle hissed through clenched teeth. The smell of burnt leather filling his nose. Cedric advanced like a predator. Light and fire dancing around him in alternating waves. "You are good, Kyle," he admitted, rotating his sword arm. "But you are still thinking small." Kyle spat a mouthful of coppery blood onto the floor between them. His entire body ached. His vision still wasn¡¯t 100%, and now his damn ankle was burned. ¡¯Fine. If predictable isn¡¯t working...¡¯ He slammed his hands together with a sharp clap. [Lightning Chain] Instead of aiming directly at Cedric. Kyle sent a jagged bolt of blue-white electricity streaking toward the puddles of melted ice water surrounding them. The effect was instantaneous. The lightning conducted through the water. Spreading out in a crackling web of electricity that lit up the entire training hall like a strobe light. Cedric¡¯s eyes widened in genuine surprise. He tried to leap back¡ª ZAP! The shock jolted through his legs. Locking his muscles in a painful spasm for a split second. Just long enough. Kyle didn¡¯t waste the opening. [Glacial Lance] A spear of condensed ice shot from his outstretched palm with the speed of a crossbow bolt. Aimed straight for Cedric¡¯s right shoulder. Cedric gritted his teeth and somehow forced his body to move despite the lingering electricity¡ª CRACK! The ice spear grazed his arm. Leaving a deep gash that immediately began welling with blood. "THAT¡¯S MY BOY!" Luna shrieked at the top of her lungs. Jumping to her feet. Her white hair bounced wildly as she pumped her fist in the air. Cedric glanced down at the wound. Then back at Kyle. Instead of anger, his grin only widened, showing teeth. "Now that¡¯s more like it." The air around Cedric¡¯s blade shimmered as fire and light merged together. Forming a golden flame that made the steel look like it was forged from sunlight itself. The temperature in the training hall spiked suddenly. The remaining frost on the floor evaporating in clouds of steam. Kyle could feel the hairs on his arms standing up from the sheer power radiating off Cedric now. This wasn¡¯t just showing off anymore. Cedric had stopped holding back entirely. Kyle braced himself. Lightning crackling along his arms as he shifted into a defensive stance. Cedric moved¡ª [Radiant Cleave] A crescent of condensed light and flame arced toward Kyle with terrifying speed. The attack wasn¡¯t just physical. The very air distorted around it like heat haze on a desert road. Kyle crossed his arms and summoned every ounce of his remaining energy¡ª [Glacial Wall] A thick wall of ice erupted from the floor between them. Its surface gleaming like polished diamond. The two forces collided¡ª BOOM! The explosion of steam and energy shattered Kyle¡¯s ice defense into a million glittering shards and sent him flying backward. He hit the ground hard enough to bounce. The impact driving what little air remained in his lungs out in a pained wheeze. Before he could even think about getting up. Cedric was above him. His glowing blade descending in a final, decisive strike¡ª Kyle rolled at the last possible second, feeling the whoosh of air as the sword bit into the floor where his head had been a heartbeat earlier. He lashed out with a desperate kick that caught Cedric square in the stomach. Cedric grunted but didn¡¯t falter. His knee drove upward into Kyle¡¯s ribs with brutal precision¡ª CRACK! White-hot pain exploded through Kyle¡¯s chest as at least one more rib gave way. His vision swam. The edges going dark for a terrifying moment. When it cleared. Cedric¡¯s glowing blade hovered at his throat, close enough that he could feel the heat radiating off it. Silence. The training hall was utterly still. The spectators holding their collective breath. Then¡ª "Yield," Cedric said. His voice firm but not unkind. His breathing was heavier now, sweat glistening on his forehead. But his sword hand didn¡¯t so much as tremble. Kyle stared up at the blade, then at Cedric¡¯s face. His entire body screamed in protest. His mana reserves were almost spent. His Lightning flickering weakly. His ribs absolute agony with every shallow breath. He exhaled slowly. Letting the tension drain from his battered body. "...Yeah. I yield." ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 77: A Friendly Spar [4] Chapter 77: A Friendly Spar [4]Kyle lay sprawled on the training hall floor, staring up at the vaulted ceiling as each breath sent sharp, stabbing pain through his ribs. ¡¯Definitely broken¡¯, he thought, tasting blood in his mouth. His entire body felt like it had been run over by a cart. Twice. His left ankle throbbed where Cedric¡¯s flames had seared through his boot. His arms burned from blocking too many heavy strikes, and his ribs... Yeah, those were definitely cracked. The moment Cassian had called the match. The room erupted into chaos. As Eleanora rushed towards him. The usually composed princess shoved past the others. Her crimson eyes blazing with something between frustration and concern. She dropped to her knees beside Kyle. Her gloved hands already moving to assess his injuries with surprising precision. "You idiot," she muttered. Pressing gently along his ribcage. Kyle hissed through his teeth as her fingers found the worst of the damage. "How many?" "Two... maybe three," Kyle managed. Swallowing against the coppery taste in his mouth. "Nothing fatal." Sylvie skidded to a stop beside them, her round glasses askew. Her hands fluttering uselessly in the air like startled birds. "O-oh no, oh no¡ªKyle, your ribs¡ªwe need to¡ª" Eleanora didn¡¯t even look up. "I will take him to the infirmary." Sylvie blinked. Her mouth opening and closing like a fish. "B-but¡ª" "He needs proper healing, not just potions," Eleanora said firmly. Already sliding an arm under Kyle¡¯s shoulders to help him sit up. The movement jostled his ribs, and Kyle bit back a groan. "The academy healers are better for fractures. Potions are a last resort. You know how the body builds resistance if overused" Reo whistled low. Rubbing the back of his head. "Damn, Princess. Since when did you become a medic?" Eleanora shot him a glare that could have frozen lava. "Since I actually pay attention in survival training lectures." Lyra, who had been leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, pushed off with a sigh. The half-elf¡¯s ruby eyes flicked over Kyle¡¯s injuries with clinical detachment. "I could try patching him up with nature magic, but..." She wrinkled her nose. "I¡¯m better at making plants grow than fixing ribs." Kyle groaned. Letting Eleanora haul him to his feet. His legs wobbled dangerously. And he had to lean heavily against her to stay upright. "Hard pass," he muttered. "I would rather not have my bones fused together by accident." Cedric approached. Wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. A thin cut on his cheek¡ªcourtesy of Kyle¡¯s ice¡ªhad already stopped bleeding. And there was also a shallow gash on his arm. Compared to Kyle¡¯s battered state. He looked practically untouched. "Hey," Cedric said, rubbing the back of his neck. His usual confident demeanor was tempered with something almost sheepish. "Sorry if I went overboard at the end there." Kyle scoffed, though it turned into a cough that made his ribs scream. "Don¡¯t apologize," he wheezed. "We both went overboard." He smirked weakly, bracing himself against Eleanora¡¯s shoulder. "Next time, It will not be the same outcome." Cedric grinned. The tension easing from his shoulders. "Looking forward to it." Luna, who had been bouncing on the balls of her feet since the match ended. Finally exploded with excitement. "That was insane!" she shrieked, throwing her arms up. "Kyle, you absolute madman! You actually put a tough fight!" Reo nodded vigorously. His brown hair ponytail bouncing with the motion. Cassian, ever the dramatic, clapped Kyle on the shoulder. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hard enough to make him wince. "You are a damn monster, you know that?" he said, shaking his head. Kyle rolled his eyes, though the motion pulled at his injuries. Only Serena remained silent. Lingering at the edge of the group with her usual aloof expression. But even she couldn¡¯t hide the faintest glimmer of interest in her amethyst eyes as she studied Kyle. Lyra suddenly snapped her fingers, her pointed ears twitching. "Wait a damn minute. Why were you hiding the ice affinity this whole time?!" All eyes turned to Kyle. He shrugged, then immediately regretted it when his ribs protested. "Didn¡¯t get a chance to show it before." Luna threw her hands up in exasperation. "Bullshit! You had plenty of chances!" Eleanora, still supporting Kyle, gave them all a sharp look. "Interrogation later. Infirmary now." The moment they stepped out of the training hall. Kyle¡¯s knees buckled. The adrenaline was wearing off. And the full weight of his injuries crashed into him like a tidal wave. Eleanora caught him before he could faceplant. Her grip surprisingly strong for someone so slender. "Easy," she muttered, adjusting her hold around his waist. "Try not to die before we get there." Kyle huffed a laugh, then winced as his ribs protested. "Not planning on it." They moved slowly. Kyle limping heavily with every step. The hallway stretched before them. The afternoon sunlight streaming through the arched windows and painting golden stripes across the stone floor. "You could have lost sooner," Eleanora said suddenly, her voice low. "You didn¡¯t have to push yourself that hard." Kyle shot her a sideways glance. "Where¡¯s the fun in that?" She didn¡¯t smile. If anything, her expression darkened. "You could have gotten seriously hurt." "Eh." Kyle grinned weakly. "It was still worth it." Eleanora exhaled sharply. Like she wanted to argue, but instead she just tightened her grip on him. "You are impossible." Back in the training hall. Luna was grumbling as she counted out credits, her white hair flopping into her face. "I can¡¯t believe Eleanora was the only one who bet on Kyle lasting that long," she muttered. Reo grinned. "Princess knows something we don¡¯t." Lyra smirked, twirling a strand of her emerald-green hair around her finger. "Or she just actually pays attention." Cassian stretched, cracking his neck. "Either way. That was the best damn fight I have seen in months." Serena, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke. "...He¡¯s stronger than he looks." The group fell silent. Staring at her. Luna blinked. "Damn, Serena. Was that praise?" Serena ignored her and walked away. But the sentiment lingered in the air. Kyle Valemont had just proven he wasn¡¯t someone to underestimate. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 78: Between Two Selves Chapter 78: Between Two SelvesThe hallway stretched before them. Quiet except for the occasional echo of distant footsteps and Kyle¡¯s labored breathing. Eleanora¡¯s arm remained firmly around his waist. Her grip steady despite the awkward angle. Kyle could feel the warmth of her through his torn combat uniform. The faint scent of lavender and something distinctly her. Something expensive and refined, like the perfumed oils nobles used. "So," Kyle began. Wincing as a particularly sharp jolt of pain shot through his ribs with each step. "You are not gonna ask?" Eleanora didn¡¯t look at him, her gaze fixed ahead. "Ask what?" "Why I hid being a deviant." She exhaled softly. Adjusting her hold as they rounded a corner. "Everyone has secrets, Kyle. I¡¯m not going to pry." Kyle frowned. That was...unexpectedly understanding. He¡¯d braced for at least some irritation. "Not even mad that if I¡¯d used ice in the VR exams, we might have scored higher?" This time, Eleanora did glance at him. Her ruby eyes unreadable. "No. I¡¯m not angry." There was something in her tone. Something that made Kyle pause. Not anger. But...something else. Something he couldn¡¯t quite place. Before he could press further. A familiar voice cut through the hallway. "Well, well. What do we have here?" Instructor Seraphina leaned against the wall ahead. Her pink braid draped over one shoulder, arms crossed. Her sharp eyes flicked from Kyle¡¯s battered form to Eleanora¡¯s supporting grip. Her one eyebrow creeping upward. Eleanora stiffened almost imperceptibly. But her voice remained even. "Instructor." Seraphina pushed off the wall. Striding forward with that effortless confidence Kyle had always associated with her. "What happened?" "Training spar with Cedric" Kyle muttered. "Got a little carried away." Seraphina snorted, reaching out to prod at his ribs. Kyle hissed, batting her hand away. "Broken?" she asked, though it sounded more like a statement. "Two, maybe three," Kyle muttered. Seraphina sighed dramatically. "Honestly, Kyle ¡ª" Eleanora cleared her throat. "We were just heading to the infirmary." "Were being the key word," Seraphina said. She was already nudging Eleanora aside to slide her own arm around Kyle¡¯s shoulders. "I¡¯ll take it from here, Princess." Eleanora¡¯s grip tightened briefly before she forced herself to let go. "He needs proper healing. The infirmary¡ª" "¡ªis exactly where I¡¯m taking him" Seraphina finished smoothly. "But first..." Her free hand glowed a soft green as she pressed it lightly against Kyle¡¯s side. Nature Magic. A cool, soothing sensation spread through his ribs, dulling the sharpest edges of the pain. Kyle sighed in relief. "Thanks, Seraphi¡ªI mean Instructor." Kyle corrected himself. Eleanora¡¯s lips thinned. "Academy regulations¡ª" "Relax," Seraphina said, rolling her eyes. "This is just to take the edge off. We are going to the infirmary so I can fix him properly." She shot Eleanora a look that was just a fraction too sweet. "You can go back to whatever princely duties you have. Wouldn¡¯t want anyone getting the wrong idea, seeing you two alone like this." Kyle felt Eleanora tense beside him. "It¡¯s fine" Kyle said quickly, glancing at Eleanora. "You should go. Wouldn¡¯t want rumors starting." Eleanora hesitated. Her gaze flicking between Kyle and Seraphina. Something unreadable flashed in her eyes. Something that. If Kyle didn¡¯t know better he might have called jealousy. Finally, she nodded stiffly. "Very well. Don¡¯t push yourself, Kyle." With that, she turned and walked away, her posture rigid. Seraphina waited until Eleanora was out of earshot before snorting. "Well that was dramatic." Kyle rolled his eyes. "Shut up." Seraphina just grinned. Adjusting her grip as they started moving again. "So you had a spar with Cedric?" "Yeah." "And you decided the best way to fight him was to let him turn you into a human punching bag?" Kyle groaned. Seraphina¡¯s smirk softened slightly as she studied him. "You are frustrated." It wasn¡¯t a question. Kyle didn¡¯t answer. "You lost. It happens." She nudged him. "You are what, two-three months into awakening your affinity? And you already at peak Adept Mastery." "And you are one of the strongest first year. That¡¯s not nothing, Kyle." Kyle sighed, rubbing his face. "I just...I could have done better." Seraphina hummed. "Maybe. But beating yourself up won¡¯t change it." She paused, then added slyly. "Though I could be persuaded to cheer you up. I do remember a certain someone being particularly fond of my spicy venison stew after bad days..." Kyle shot her a look. "Are you bribing me with food?" "Absolutely." Despite himself. Kyle felt the corner of his mouth twitch. "Aurelia told you my cooking improved, didn¡¯t she." Seraphina¡¯s grin turned wicked. "Oh? So you are offering to cook for me now? How forward." Kyle rolled his eyes. But the weight in his chest had lightened slightly. They walked in comfortable silence for a few moments before Kyle told her the details about his sparring match. "So... ice, huh?" Seraphina said. Kyle tensed. Seraphina felt it and sighed. "Relax. I¡¯m not going to interrogate you." She tilted her head. "Though I am hurt you didn¡¯t tell me. Here I thought we were friends." The exaggerated pout she gave was so ridiculous Kyle couldn¡¯t help but laugh. Then immediately regretted it as his ribs protested. "Ow. Ow. Don¡¯t make me laugh." Seraphina¡¯s smirk returned. "That¡¯s Instructor to you." Kyle groaned. "I didn¡¯t hide it. I just...didn¡¯t bring it up." "Uh-huh." Seraphina¡¯s tone was skeptical. "And the fact that deviants are rare enough to draw attention had nothing to do with it?" Kyle didn¡¯t answer. Seraphina sighed. "Look, I get it. But you know I don¡¯t care about that stuff right?" Her voice dropped, just a fraction. "Aurelia and I have been friends since our school days. And I know you since were what seven, eight? You think I would judge you for something like this?" There was a sincerity in her words that made Kyle pause. "...I know," he said finally. Seraphina studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Good." Then, with her usual irreverence. "Now come on, deviant. Let¡¯s get you patched up before Aurelia skins me for letting you get hurt." Kyle snorted but didn¡¯t argue as they continued toward the infirmary. Seraphina¡¯s steady presence at his side making the walk just a little easier. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle ribs was still aching despite her nature magic dulled the worst of the pain. As they walked. His mind wandered. Not to the fight. Not to his injuries. But to something deeper. When he had first woken up in this world. He had been Ethan. A normal guy from Earth, a stranger in Kyle Valemont¡¯s body. But now? Now, it was different. The sword trial had changed something. The flood of Kyle¡¯s memories that he got. Hadn¡¯t just been observed. They had settled into him, seamless as breathing. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Those weren¡¯t just memories anymore. They were his. Ethan¡¯s skepticism, his wit, his stubbornness. They hadn¡¯t disappeared. But they weren¡¯t at war with Kyle¡¯s life anymore, either. The two had bled together, like ink spreading through water. Until he couldn¡¯t separate where one ended and the other began. He was both. Kyle Valemont. The boy who grew up in this world. And Ethan. The soul who remembered another. Maybe that¡¯s why it was so easy to fall back into their old rhythm. Why he didn¡¯t stiffen when Seraphina had slung an arm around him like it was the most natural thing in the world. "You are quiet" Seraphina remarked, nudging him. "Regretting your life choices yet?" Kyle snorted. "Only the one where I agreed to spar with a human wrecking ball." Seraphina laughed, the sound warm and rich. "Ah, so the usual, then." ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 79: Artificial Rift [1] Chapter 79: Artificial Rift [1]The classroom hummed with quiet conversations and the occasional scrape of a chair as students settled in. Kyle slumped in his seat near the back, spinning his pen between his fingers with practiced ease. The wooden desk felt smooth and cool beneath his elbows. A week had passed since that friendly spar with Cedric. Kyle absently rubbed his side where his ribs had been cracked. The healing magic had done its job. But sometimes Kyle still felt a phantom ache in his ribs. Not from Cedric¡¯s blows. But from that masked figure¡¯s brutal kick in the Viper¡¯s warehouse. That memory played in his head on a loop. More vivid than any dream. The crunch of bone. The coppery taste of blood filling his mouth. Those crimson eyes staring down at him through that grotesque stitched mask. Even now, safe in the classroom. His breath hitched slightly when he remembered how close he had come to dying that night. The pain had faded. But the memory lingered like a shadow, creeping up on him when he least expected it. He sighed. At least the whole ice affinity thing hadn¡¯t caused as much trouble as he had feared. He had completely forgotten to tell Aurelia beforehand that he is going to show his ice affinity to everyone. But when he finally told her. She had just given him that typical Aurelia look. One raised eyebrow, lips pressed in a thin line. Before shrugging. "Good," she¡¯d said. "I was going to tell you it¡¯s fine to show another element anyway." No big speech. No drama. Just pure, practical Aurelia. Still, word had spread through the academy like wildfire. Kyle Valemont, the Gale Witch¡¯s little brother, wasn¡¯t just a lightning mage. He was a Deviant. Lightning and ice at that. Kyle sighed. Resting his chin in his hand. There was only one person who could have blabbed that information all over campus. ¡¯Luna.¡¯ That gossip girl couldn¡¯t keep a secret if her life depended on it. Not that it really mattered, he supposed. He had been planning to reveal it eventually anyway. Better to have it out in the open now than during some life-or-death situation later. The classroom door slid open with a soft hiss of magic cutting through his thoughts. Instead of Professor Carter¡¯s usual scowling face. It was Aurelia who strode in. Her boots clicking sharply against the marble floor. The chatter died instantly, like someone had cast a silence spell. Even the most arrogant noble kids knew better than to keep talking when the Gale Witch entered a room. Murmurs rippled through the classroom. "Isn¡¯t this supposed to be Professor Carter¡¯s lecture?" someone near the front whispered a little too loudly. Aurelia didn¡¯t even raise her voice. She just clapped her hands once. A wave of mana carried through the room. Amplified by a pulse of wind magic. The air itself seemed to vibrate with the mana. Leaving complete silence in its wake. "I know this is Instructor Carter¡¯s time slot," she said. Her voice calm but carrying that unmistakable tone of command. "But plans have changed. You have a practical exam today." The classroom erupted. ¡ª "What? Since when?" ¡ª "We weren¡¯t told about this!" ¡ª "That¡¯s not fair!" Aurelia¡¯s eyes narrowed. Kyle could swear the temperature in the room dropped a few degrees. "This is Solvayne Magic Academy," she said slowly, deliberately. Like she was explaining something very simple to very stupid children. "Not some backwater village school where they coddle you with warnings and study guides. You are here to become the best, not just mages, but warriors." "The real world doesn¡¯t send you an invitation before it tries to kill you." A heavy silence fell over the room. Kyle couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡¯Damn, she was good at that.¡¯ One minute of talking and she had a room full of teenagers acting like well-trained soldiers. "Follow me," she ordered. Turning sharply on her heel and striding back toward the door. Chairs screeched against the floor as everyone scrambled to obey. Kyle stood up and fell into step beside Reo. Who was muttering under his breath like a grumpy old man. "Man, I hate surprise exams," Reo grumbled. Running a hand through his perpetually messy brown hair. "I didn¡¯t even bring my good gloves." Kyle snorted. "When do you ever bring your good gloves?" Reo opened his mouth to protest. But before he could get a word out. Luna appeared between them like a mischievous ghost. Her short white hair bouncing with each step. "Ooooh, a practical exam?" she said. Grinning like a cat that had just spotted an unattended fish. "You think they will make us fight monsters? Or each other?" Her dark eyes sparkled with barely contained excitement. Kyle gave her a sideways look. "You want to fight monsters?" Luna¡¯s grin widened until it looked like her face might split in half. "I live for chaos." Kyle¡¯s fingers absently traced the smooth metal of the black ring on his left hand, feeling the familiar warmth pulse beneath his touch. ¡¯Zalrielle¡¯ "Don¡¯t worry," he murmured under his breath. ¡¯You will get your turn today.¡¯ The ring gave a faint. Approving hum against his skin. Like a cat purring at being acknowledged. Kyle could almost picture the spirit¡¯s satisfaction. That smug, possessive pride she always showed when he chose her over standard practice weapons. He rolled his eyes but couldn¡¯t suppress the small smile tugging at his lips. Even after just a few weeks bonded. The temperamental spirit had already developed a habit of sulking when ignored. Today¡¯s exam would be the perfect chance to make it up to her. The ring warmed further against his finger. As if in agreement. ¡ª¡ª¡ª The massive doors of the Hall Trials groaned as they swung shut behind them. Sealing with a finality that made Kyle¡¯s stomach tighten. The stone walls seemed to breathe with stored magic. The faint blue glow of enchantments carved into every archway. Kyle¡¯s boots scuffed against the worn flagstones as he followed Aurelia inside. The hall stretched before them like a cathedral. Its vaulted ceilings disappearing into shadow high above. Massive pillars lined the space. Each one carved with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with stored power. Around them, the hall buzzed with nervous energy. Students packed every available space. First years from all ten classes. Nearly a thousand teenagers crammed together in their academy uniforms. The noise was incredible. Laughter, arguments, the occasional yelp as someone got stepped on. Kyle spotted familiar faces in the crowd. The nervous bookworms from Class C1. The show-off noble kids from B1. Even a few students he recognized from the joint lectures but couldn¡¯t name. At the front of the hall. The instructors stood in a grim line. Professor Carter with his perpetual scowl. Instructor Seraphina looking unusually serious, and... Kyle¡¯s eyes landed on the man stepping forward. Brynn Foxglove. He is the homeroom teacher of class B1. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His black hair greasy and uncombed. Dark circles under his eyes so pronounced they looked like bruises. His robes were wrinkled. The sleeves stained with what might have been ink or possibly coffee. But when he spoke. His voice boomed through the hall with unnatural clarity. Magically amplified to cut through the noise. "Listen up, maggots!" Foxglove¡¯s voice cracked like a whip. The chatter died instantly. He cleared his throat. The sound echoing weirdly through the magic. "Today¡¯s little field trip is to an artificial rift. Teams of five. Your objectives will vary based on how much we think you can handle." "Complete your objective," Foxglove continued scratching at his stubbled chin. "Then haul ass to the central hill. First team there wins." He paused. Letting that sink in. "And before you start crying. No, you won¡¯t actually die in there. But..." A nasty grin split his face. "You¡¯ll feel ninety percent of the pain. So if something bites your arm off? It¡¯ll feel like it¡¯s really happening. Try not to scream too much." A wave of groans and protests rolled through the students. Ninety percent of the pain? "Oh, and one more thing," Foxglove added. Picking at a stain on his robe. "You can screw with other teams if you want. No extra points, but if you feel like being an asshole..." He shrugged. "Also, no storage rings. Just your weapons." Reo elbowed Kyle hard in the ribs. "Hey," he hissed, jerking his chin at Kyle¡¯s hip. "When did you get your sword out?" Kyle glanced down at Zalrielle¡¯s black sheath resting against his thigh. The spirit weapon had transformed back the moment Kyle exited the classroom. "What are you talking about?" he said, keeping his face carefully blank. Before Reo could call him out. A chorus of chimes echoed through the hall as every student¡¯s mana band lit up at once. The thin mana band around Kyle¡¯s wrist vibrated sharply. The glowing screen flashing with a new notification. Team assignment. Objective. The noise around him faded to a dull roar as Kyle stared at the message. Somewhere to his left. Luna whooped loudly, already bragging about her team. Reo cursed colorfully under his breath. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 80: Artificial Rift [2] Chapter 80: Artificial Rift [2]Kyle glanced at the glowing text on his mana band one more time. ¡ª¡ª [Team 7] Orion Ironviel ¨C Class B1 Sylvie Wavecrest ¨C Class A1 Roland Swiftbrook ¨C Class D1 Kyle Valemont ¨C Class A1 Isolde Suncrest ¨C Class B1 ¡ª¡ª ¡¯Not bad. Not bad at all.¡¯ Out of the two hundred teams being thrown into this artificial rift. He could have done a lot worse. At least he knew two of them¡ªSylvie and Orion. The other two were unknowns. But if they were assigned to the same team. They couldn¡¯t be complete dead weight. Kyle exhaled sharply. Rolling his shoulders to loosen the tension. His fingers brushed against the hilt of his tachi. Or rather. The disguised form of Zalrielle. The spirit weapon had taken on the appearance of the standard-issue academy blade they had been provided. Though he doubted anyone would notice the difference. "This is going to be a long damn exam." he muttered under his breath. The hall buzzed with noise as students scrambled to find their groups. Kyle scanned the crowd, searching for familiar faces. Then he spotted him. Orion Ironviel. The guy was hard to miss. Standing a full head taller than most students. Orion¡¯s broad shoulders and thick arms made him look more like a veteran soldier than an eighteen-year-old academy student. His dark brown skin glistened under the hall¡¯s enchanted lights. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His sharp brown eyes flicked from side to side. Clearly also searching for his teammates. In his hands. He carried a massive warhammer. Its head nearly the size of a boulder. The weapon looked like it could crush skulls with a single swing. Before Kyle could call out. A small hand tapped his shoulder. He turned to see Sylvie Wavecrest. Her blue hair tied back in a loose ponytail. Her round glasses slightly askew. She clutched her oversized magic wand, nearly as tall as she was like a lifeline. "O-oh, thank goodness," she stammered. Adjusting her glasses nervously. "I was worried I would be stuck with strangers." Kyle smiled little. "Same here." Together. They made their way toward Orion. As they approached. Two more figures joined them. Roland Swiftbrook and Isolde Suncrest. Roland was lean and wiry, with messy black hair and long bow hung over his shoulder. His dark eyes darted around like he was already calculating escape routes. Isolde, on the other hand. Stood with the confidence of someone who knew exactly how dangerous she was. Her fiery red hair was tied back in a tight braid and her golden eyes gleamed with sharp intelligence. Slung across her back was an unusually thin longsword... A montante. A weapon built for sweeping, devastating strikes. "You two were easy to find" Roland said, crossing his arms. "Hard to miss the Gale Witch¡¯s little brother and the Marquess Wavecrest daughter." Sylvie blushed. Gripping her wand tighter. Kyle shrugged. "Guess we¡¯ve got a reputation." "Alright, let¡¯s get this straight. We don¡¯t know what¡¯s waiting for us in there. So we should at least know what each of us can do." He went first. "Kyle Valemont. Swordsman. Lightning and ice affinity. Rank 9." Sylvie fidgeted before speaking. "S-Sylvie Wavecrest. Water mage. Rank 7." Roland pointed at his long bow. "Roland Swiftbrook. Archer class, light affinity. Rank 67." Isolde rested a hand on the hilt of her montante. "Isolde Suncrest. Swordsman, fire affinity. Rank 58." Orion hefted his warhammer with one hand like it weighed nothing. "Orion Ironviel. Earth affinity. Rank 10." Kyle¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly. This was a solid team. Every one of them was in the top 100 of the first years. They had close combat, ranged attacks, elemental coverage. Everything they needed to handle whatever the rift threw at them. Which, of course. Meant their objective wasn¡¯t going to be easy. Assistant professors moved through the crowd. Collecting storage rings from the students. No outside items. Just their weapons and their wits. At the front of the hall. The senior instructors gathered around a massive, swirling portal. The air around it shimmered like heat haze, and every now and then. A faint pulse of energy rippled outward. Seraphina¡¯s voice cut through the noise. "Teams, you have five minutes to enter. Your objectives will appear on your mana bands once inside. Good luck and try not to die." Kyle exhaled. "Alright," he said. Turning to the group. "Stick together. We don¡¯t know what¡¯s in there, but we move as a unit." Orion cracked his knuckles. "Lead the way." One by one. The teams stepped through the portal. When it was their turn. Kyle took a deep breath and stepped forward. Kyle blinked hard. His vision swimming as the world snapped back into focus. His stomach churned from the teleportation. That nauseating feeling of being stretched and squeezed all at once. Then his foot slipped. Gravel skittered under his boot as he instinctively threw his weight backward. Arms pinwheeling for balance. His heart jackhammered against his ribs as he realized... ¡¯I was standing at the edge of a fucking cliff.¡¯ A deep, jagged valley stretched below him. So far down that the bottom was lost in shadow. One more step, and he would have been freefalling into oblivion. "Are you kidding me?" Kyle hissed through gritted teeth. Scrambling back from the edge. His palms scraped against rough stone as he crab-walked to safety. A quick glance around confirmed his team hadn¡¯t gotten the same death-drop welcome. Sylvie stood a few meters away. Clutching her wand like it might float her to safety. Orion was already scanning the terrain. Warhammer resting on his shoulder. Roland and Isolde had landed near a cluster of twisted. Thorny bushes... ¡¯Lucky bastards.¡¯ Sylvie¡¯s wide blue eyes locked onto him. "K-Kyle! Are you okay?" He dusted himself off. Glaring at the valley like it had personally offended him. "I am fine. Just love almost dying before the exam even starts." Orion let out a low whistle. "That¡¯s some shitty luck." "No kidding," Kyle muttered. Rubbing his arms where goosebumps had risen. This wasn¡¯t the first time. During the entrance exam. He¡¯d been dumped midair over a river. Right into the waiting tentacles of a Grade 3 Silver-Rank Squid. The damn thing had nearly dragged him under before he had fried it with a lightning bolt to the face. His so-called [Unpredictable] luck seemed to enjoy dangling him over death before yanking him back at the last second. He scanned their surroundings. The forest was dense. The trees twisted and gnarled like old bones. Then his eyes fell upon it. The Central hill. It rose from the heart of the valley. A lone peak surrounded by sheer drops on all sides. The only way across was a series of stone pillars. Jutting from the abyss like stepping stones. Some were wide enough to stand on comfortably. Others looked barely thicker than a balance beam. "Is that the central hill Instructor Brynn was talking about?" Sylvie asked, her voice small. Roland squinted. "Seems like it." Kyle¡¯s gaze flicked upward. The sky here wasn¡¯t normal. No sun. No clouds. Just that eerie purple-gray haze. But floating in the air, glowing like a beacon, was a countdown: [00:01:00] [00:00:59] [00:00:58] The numbers ticked down relentlessly. No one spoke. The forest itself seemed to hold its breath. Then... [00:00:00] A sharp ping echoed from all their mana bands at once. Kyle¡¯s screen lit up. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 81: Artificial Rift [3] Chapter 81: Artificial Rift [3][00:00:00] A sharp ping echoed from all their mana bands at once. Kyle¡¯s screen lit up. ¡ª¡ª [Team 7] Objective: Kill the Vorthal (Grade 1 Silver-Rank Monster) [Image Attached] [Location Marked] ¡ª¡ª He tapped the image. His breath stopped. The creature staring back at him was wrong in ways that made his skin crawl. It had the head of a crow. Black feathers, a cruel, pointed beak. And small, glittering eyes that looked almost intelligent. But its body was humanoid. Stretched and warped like a corpse left to rot. Pale, sinewy muscle gleamed under patches of ragged skin. Its arms were too long. Ending in clawed fingers that curved like butcher¡¯s hooks. And the wings. Short, feathered, and useless for flight. They jutted from its back like something nature had given up on halfway through making. Sylvie made a tiny. Choked noise. Roland¡¯s grip tightened on his bow. Isolde was the first to speak. "Well," she said, voice flat. "That¡¯s terrifying." Orion cracked his neck. "Where do we find it?" Kyle¡¯s mana band pulsed again. [Location Updated: Nesting grounds - 8.1 km Southwest] Silence. ¡¯Of course its far.¡¯ "Let¡¯s move" The forest air hung thick with tension as Team 7 moved swiftly through the twisted trees. Kyle kept his tachi ready. Every sense on high alert. The deeper they went. The more the rift felt alive. The gnarled branches seemed to reach for them, and the ground squelched unpleasantly underfoot like walking on rotten fruit. Then they saw them. A Team was getting torn apart. Five students stood back-to-back against a swirling mass of shadowy fur and snapping jaws. The wolves moved like liquid darkness. Their eyes glowing an eerie yellow as they circled their prey. One boy was already on the ground. Clutching a bleeding arm. Isolde¡¯s lips curled into a vicious grin. "Looks like they drew the short straw," she murmured. Fingers flexing around her montante¡¯s hilt. Kyle met Orion¡¯s gaze. No words were needed. The massive earth mage cracked his knuckles and slammed his palms together. The ground erupted. Dirt and roots twisted into thick. Grasping hands that shot up from the earth. Clamping around the ankles of all five students. Their shouts of surprise turned to panic as they stumbled. Just as the wolf pack surged forward. Kyle didn¡¯t wait to see the aftermath. "Let¡¯s go" he ordered. Already turning away. The others followed without hesitation. Leaving the doomed team to their fate. Not even twenty minutes later. Fire exploded at their feet. Kyle reacted on instinct. Yanking Sylvie back as flames licked at his uniform. Heat seared his face as he rolled, coming up with Zalrielle already drawn. The black blade humming with barely-contained energy. "Well, well," came a familiar sneering voice. "If it isn¡¯t the commoner who got lucky." Kaelith Duskrend stepped from the trees. Flames dancing across his fingertips. Behind him. His team emerged like wolves surrounding prey. Kyle¡¯s eyes immediately locked onto Samuel Wilson. The massive swordsman who¡¯d had fought alongside Cassian in the VR exam. Samuel sighed. Rubbing his temple. "Kaelith, we don¡¯t have time for this." "But we do," Kaelith spat. His beady eyes burning with hatred. "You humiliated me, Valemont. Now you¡¯ll pay for it." Before Kyle could respond. Something remarkable happened. A whip-crack of water sliced through the air. Aimed straight for Kaelith¡¯s throat. The fire mage barely dodged. The spell grazing his cheek with a hiss of steam. Everyone turned. Sylvie stood completely transformed. The nervous, fidgeting girl was gone. In her place stood someone with perfect posture. Her grip on the oversized wand firm and controlled. When she spoke. Her voice came out clear and steady. "You talk too much." Kyle had seen this before in VR exam. The moment battle started. The shy. Stuttering Sylvie disappeared. In her place emerged this confident version. As if the stress of combat flipped some switch in her mind. It wasn¡¯t exactly a split personality. More like two sides of the same coin finally showing its hidden face. The timid noble girl became a battle-ready mage in the blink of an eye. This other Sylvie didn¡¯t hesitate. She didn¡¯t second-guess herself. Every movement was precise, every spell cast with perfect timing. The transformation was so complete it was almost jarring to watch. Like seeing a rabbit suddenly bare fangs and become a wolf. Kaelith¡¯s eyes widened slightly as he took in the change. Fire blossomed between his hands. But Sylvie was faster. [Tidal Surge] The ground beneath Kaelith erupted in a geyser of churning water. Slamming into him with the force of a tidal wave. He flew backward. Crashing through bushes with a satisfying thud. Samuel sighed and drew his greatsword. "Guess we are doing this." Kyle barely had time to blink before Samuel was on him. The greatsword carving through the air with terrifying speed. Steel shrieked as Kyle parried. The impact vibrating up his arms. He countered with a lightning-fast thrust. But Samuel twisted aside with surprising agility for his size. Nearby, Orion fought like a one-man army. The lightning spear girl danced around him. Her weapon a blur of crackling energy. But every time she struck. His earth-reinforced skin shrugged it off. His warhammer swung in devastating arcs. Forcing her to constantly retreat. Roland¡¯s arrows flew like deadly whispers. Each one forcing the ice mage to raise new barriers. The air between them filled with shattering ice and splintered wood as their attacks collided. Isolde was a whirlwind of steel. Her montante carved through the air in wide, deadly arcs, keeping the shadowy dagger boy at bay. Every time he tried to melt into the darkness. She anticipated his movements. Her blade always waiting where he reappeared. But the real surprise was Sylvie. The timid water mage fought like a seasoned warrior. Her spells came fast and precise. Each one perfectly timed to disrupt Kaelith¡¯s attacks. When he launched a fireball. She split it with a water lance. When he tried to close the distance. She summoned a rolling wave to push him back. Kyle saw an opening. He feinted left. Then dropped into a sweeping kick that sent Samuel stumbling. [Glacial Spike] A jagged spear of ice shot from his palm. Samuel twisted at the last second, but the attack still grazed his side, drawing blood. Samuel grinned through the pain. "Not bad, Kyle." Then the forest shook. A howl unlike anything Kyle had ever heard tore through the air. Deep, guttural, and wrong. It wasn¡¯t an animal¡¯s cry. It was something far worse. Kyle¡¯s mana band blared to life. ¡ª [Vorthal Detected: 500 Meters Southeast] ¡ª S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The fighting stopped. Every head turned as the trees trembled. Something massive moved in the shadows. Branches snapping like twigs under its weight. Kaelith paled. "What the hell is that?" Sylvie¡¯s voice was calm, clinical. "Our objective." The creature that emerged from the treeline made everyone¡¯s blood run cold. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 82: Feathers and Fury [1] Chapter 82: Feathers and Fury [1]The moment the Vorthal¡¯s clawed foot crunched down on a brittle branch. The forest seemed to hold its breath. The sound echoed like a gunshot in the unnatural silence. Kyle¡¯s fingers twitched against the leather-wrapped hilt of his tachi. The rough texture digging into his palm. His mouth had gone dry. Tongue sticking to the roof as he watched the monster¡¯s grotesque head swivel toward them. Each feather on its crow-like skull stood slightly raised. Quivering with tension. The beak... Longer than a hunting knife and twice as sharp. It parted with an audible click. A string of thick. Yellowish drool stretched between its jaws before snapping and splattering on the leaf litter below. The stench hit Kyle like a physical blow. Rotting meat and something metallic. Like old blood left to bake in the sun. Then it moved. One second it stood twenty paces away. The next¡ª WHOOSH. Air screamed as the Vorthal crossed the distance in three bounding steps. Its digitigrade legs propelling it forward with terrifying speed. The ice mage from Kaelith¡¯s team barely had time to blink before those hooked talons punched through her stomach with a sickening... Schlick. Blood sprayed in an arc. Droplets hanging in the air like rubies catching light. The girl¡¯s mouth fell open in a silent "O" her fingers spasming around her unused wand. The Vorthal lifted her effortlessly. Its muscles rippling beneath its stretched skin. Her dangling feet kicked weakly. Boots scraping against its bony knees. Then¡ª Poof. Her body dissolved into motes of white light just as the creature¡¯s beak snapped shut where her head had been. The Vorthal¡¯s jaws clacked together with enough force to shatter bone. Its black eyes narrowing in frustration. "FALL BACK!" Samuel¡¯s voice cracked like a whip. The broad-shouldered swordsman already had Kaelith by the collar. Dragging him toward the tree line. Their remaining teammate. A lanky boy with darkness magic didn¡¯t need telling twice. He melted into the darkness between two oaks. Vanishing without a sound. Kaelith¡¯s face twisted. Spittle flew from his lips as he screamed at Kyle, "This isn¡¯t over. You commoner shi¡ª" The Vorthal¡¯s head snapped toward the sound. Samuel reacted instantly. He clamped a hand over Kaelith¡¯s mouth and bodily hurled them both into the undergrowth. Branches cracked as they disappeared. Leaving Team 7 alone with the creature. The creature¡¯s chest rose and fell in quick. Rasping breaths. Its talons flexed, shredding damp leaves beneath them. When it turned its gaze on Isolde. The red-haired swordswoman went stiff as a statue. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kyle saw it happen in horrifying slow motion. The Vorthal¡¯s thigh muscles bunching like coiled springs. Isolde¡¯s golden eyes dilating. Her knuckles whitening around her montante. A single bead of sweat tracing down her temple. "MOVE!" Kyle¡¯s shout tore from his throat raw and desperate. His left hand shot forward even as his right yanked Zalrielle from its sheath. Frost erupted from his fingertips in a jagged wall. The air temperature plummeting so fast his breath fogged. At the same instant. Orion¡¯s warhammer struck the earth with a thunderous BOOM. The ground heaved. Dirt and roots exploded upward. Forming a barrier of stone spikes just as the Vorthal¡¯s talons lashed out. The creature¡¯s claws met Kyle¡¯s ice first. Sending crystalline shards flying. Then Orion¡¯s earthen spikes impaled its forearm with a wet... Thunk. Black blood oozed from the wounds. Dripping onto the disturbed soil. Kyle didn¡¯t wait to see if it was enough. [Lightning Steps] Blue-white electricity spiderwebbed across his skin as he blurred forward. The world narrowed to streaks of color. Green foliage. Brown earth. The crimson flash of Isolde¡¯s hair. He grabbed her wrist just as the Vorthal tore through the last of the ice barrier. The moment his fingers closed around her arm. He pulled. Lightning crackled. The world lurched sideways. They reappeared ten paces back. Kyle¡¯s boots skidding through loose soil. Isolde stumbled. Her montante nearly slipping from her grip. A line of shallow cuts marred her forearm where the Vorthal¡¯s claws had grazed her. Just half a second slower and she¡¯d have been gutted like the ice mage. "Don¡¯t freeze up, idiot," Kyle snapped, releasing her. His own hands trembled slightly. Adrenaline making his pulse roar in his ears. Isolde¡¯s chest heaved. She swiped the back of her hand across her mouth smearing dirt and sweat. "S-Sorry," she panted. The apology came out ragged. But her grip on the montante steadied. Fire rippled along the blade¡¯s edge. The heat distorting the air. "Won¡¯t happen again." Across the clearing. The Vorthal wrenched its arm free from Orion¡¯s earth spikes with a sickening tear. Black ichor splattered the grass as it shook its injured limb. Feathers ruffling in agitation. Its beady eyes locked onto Kyle and something in that gaze made his stomach clench. ¡¯It¡¯s studying us.¡¯ The realization hit like a bucket of ice water. This wasn¡¯t some mindless beast¡ªit was learning. Sylvie broke the stalemate. [Aqua Bindings] Her wand traced a complex pattern through the air. Droplets coalescing into shimmering ropes of pressurized water. They lashed around the Vorthal¡¯s legs with a sound like whips cracking. For a heartbeat. The creature staggered. Its talons digging furrows in the dirt as it fought for balance. Then¡ª SNAP. The water bonds shattered like glass. The backlash sent Sylvie stumbling back. Her boots slipping on damp leaves. Her usually pristine uniform was smudged with dirt. Her blue hair coming loose from its ponytail. "Shit" she breathed. The Vorthal lunged. Roland¡¯s light arrow was already nocked. TWANG. The projectile streaked through the clearing. Fletching humming. It flew true¡ªaimed straight for the creature¡¯s left eye. At the last possible instant. The Vorthal¡¯s head jerked aside. The arrowhead grazed its cheek. Parting feathers and drawing a thin line of black blood. It didn¡¯t even flinch. Isolde met its charge head-on. Her montante blazing. Fire wreathed the slender blade. Flames licking hungrily at the air. She pivoted on her lead foot. Putting her entire body weight behind a horizontal slash aimed at the Vorthal¡¯s midsection. CLANG-SHIIING! Talons met tempered steel in a shower of sparks. The impact sent vibrations racing up Isolde¡¯s arms. Her teeth rattling in her skull. For one suspended moment. They strained against each other. The Vorthal¡¯s rancid breath hot on her face. Isolde¡¯s muscles trembling with effort. Isolde¡¯s boots screeched backward. Carving twin trenches in the soil. Her arms shook violently. The montante¡¯s tip dipping dangerously low. The Vorthal pressed its advantage. Its beak gaping wide¡ª "HAH!" Orion¡¯s warhammer came down like a meteor. [Earthshaker] The ground exploded. Jagged stone spikes erupted in a deadly spiral. One catching the Vorthal¡¯s leg with a gruesome crunch. Black blood fountained as the creature reeled. Its balance faltering. Kyle seized the opening. [Glacial Lance] Mana surged through his veins like liquid nitrogen. Frost crackled across his fingertips as a spear of condensed ice shot forth. Aimed unerringly for the Vorthal¡¯s throat. The creature twisted at the last second. The lance struck its shoulder instead. Punching through sinewy muscle with a wet thunk. The Vorthal¡¯s shriek pierced the air. A sound like nails on slate. It staggered back, talons clutching at the icy projectile. With a sickening pop. It ripped the lance free. Black blood oozing from the wound. Then it did something worse than roar. It smiled. The Vorthal¡¯s beak split open in a grotesque mockery of a grin. Revealing rows of needle-like teeth. Its tongue, unnaturally long and forked, flicked out to taste the air. Kyle¡¯s blood turned to ice. "Spread out!" he barked, already moving. "It¡¯s¡ª" The Vorthal vanished. Not literally. But close. One moment it stood wounded and sluggish. The next it was a blur of feathers and claws. Crossing the distance to Roland in less time than it took to blink. The archer barely got his bow up in time. SCHRKK! Talons raked across the laminated wood. Sending splinters flying. One caught Roland across the cheek, opening a shallow cut. Another tore through his leather chest guard like parchment. Leaving four parallel gashes across his ribs. Blood welled instantly, staining his shirt crimson. Roland gasped, knees buckling. The Vorthal¡¯s beak darted toward his face¡ª [Tidal Surge] A wall of water the size of a carriage slammed into the creature from the side. The force lifted it clean off its feet. Sending it crashing through a sapling. Wood splintered as the young tree snapped in half. Sylvie stood with wand extended. Chest heaving. Strands of blue hair stuck to her sweat-slicked forehead. Roland collapsed to one knee. Pressing a hand to his bleeding torso. His breath came in ragged pants. "T-Thanks," he wheezed. No time for replies. The Vorthal surged upright with unnatural speed. Shaking water from its feathers like an angry bird. Its gaze locked onto Sylvie, and Kyle saw the exact moment it marked her as prey. "Not happening," Kyle snarled. He poured mana into Zalrielle until the blade hummed with pent-up energy. Lightning spiderwebbed across the steel. Casting flickering blue shadows on the surrounding trees. The air smelled of ozone and blood. The Vorthal crouched. Its muscles coiling. Across the clearing. Orion hefted his warhammer, dirt-caked knuckles cracking. Isolde wiped blood from her lip. Her montante¡¯s fire flaring brighter. Sylvie adjusted her grip on the wand, and Roland. Though pale from blood loss. Nocked another arrow. The creature¡¯s beak clicked. Kyle tightened his stance. The real fight was just beginning. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 83: Feathers and Fury [2] Chapter 83: Feathers and Fury [2]Kyle¡¯s fingers tightened around Zalrielle¡¯s hilt. The familiar weight of the tachi grounded him as blue-white lightning crackled along its dark steel surface. Casting flickering shadows across the forest floor. Sweat trickled down his temple. Stinging his eyes. But he didn¡¯t dare blink. Across the clearing. The Vorthal¡¯s talons flexed. Digging deep furrows into the damp earth. Black, tar-like blood still oozed from the wound in its shoulder where Kyle¡¯s glacial lance had struck earlier. Each thick droplet sizzling slightly as it hit the ground. The moment stretched between them. Taut as a drawn bowstring. The forest had gone eerily quiet. No birdsong. No rustling leaves. Just the Vorthal¡¯s wet, rasping breaths and the distant drip of water from Sylvie¡¯s earlier spell. Kyle could hear his own heartbeat pounding in his ears. Feel the ache in his muscles from constant mana expenditure. His ribs protested each breath. Then the movement. The Vorthal struck first. Its mangled, featherless wings flared outward in a grotesque mockery of flight as it launched itself across the clearing. The powerful muscles in its digitigrade legs propelled it forward with terrifying speed. Covering the ten paces between them in a single, fluid bound. Kyle barely had time to raise Zalrielle before those hooked talons came slashing downward with enough force to split stone. CLANG! Steel met claw in an explosion of sparks that stung Kyle¡¯s face. The impact rattled his teeth. Sending painful vibrations up his arms that made his bones ache. His boots skidded backward through the soft forest soil. Heels carving twin trenches in the earth. The creature¡¯s rancid breath washed over him as its beak snapped at his face. Missing his nose by less than an inch. The stench was overwhelming. Rotting meat and something sour. Like curdled milk left in the sun. "Eat this!" Isolde¡¯s voice cut through the chaos like a knife. The red-haired swordswoman came in from the side. Her montante blazing with fire magic. The slender blade glowed orange-hot flames licking hungrily at the air. As she brought it down in a perfect diagonal slash aimed at the Vorthal¡¯s ribs. The creature twisted at the last possible second. But the superheated steel still grazed its side. HISSSSS The sound of burning flesh filled the clearing as feathers blackened and curled. Thick smoke rose from the wound. Carrying with it an even more putrid version of the creature¡¯s natural stench. The Vorthal¡¯s screech was deafening at this close range. A high-pitched, nails-on-slate sound that made Kyle¡¯s ears ring. It lashed out blindly with one taloned hand. The movement almost too fast to follow. Isolde ducked. But not quite fast enough. A claw caught her across the left shoulder. Shredding through the fabric of her academy uniform and the skin beneath with equal ease. Blood welled instantly. Dark crimson against the already bloodstained material. Kyle saw her face contort in pain, teeth bared in a grimace. But she didn¡¯t falter. Even as blood ran down her arm. Her montante was already coming around for another strike. The fire along its blade burning brighter in her anger. "Got you covered!" Roland¡¯s voice came from somewhere behind Kyle. The archer¡¯s arrow whizzed past Kyle¡¯s ear so close he felt the fletching brush against his hair. The projectile flew true. Burying itself deep in the Vorthal¡¯s thigh with a wet... THUNK. Black ichor spurted from the wound. Splattering across the leaf litter in thick droplets that smoked slightly where they landed. But the creature didn¡¯t even slow. Its head snapped toward Roland with unnatural speed. Beady eyes narrowing in recognition of this new threat. That moment of distraction was all Orion needed. The massive earth mage brought his warhammer down like a falling star. [Stonebreaker] The earth itself seemed to shudder as Orion¡¯s hammer struck. A visible shockwave rippled outward from the impact point. Cracking the ground in a spiderweb pattern that raced toward the Vorthal. The creature staggered as the earth beneath its feet fractured. Its already injured leg buckling slightly. Orion didn¡¯t let up. With a grunt of effort. He swung again. This time aiming directly for the Vorthal¡¯s spine. What happened next defied logic. The Vorthal rolled. It shouldn¡¯t have been possible for something so large to move like that. But its body twisted midair with serpentine grace. Avoiding the hammer¡¯s crushing blow by inches. Orion overbalanced. His momentum carrying him forward past the creature. And the Vorthal struck like a viper. Its talons lashed out toward Orion¡¯s exposed back. Aiming to shred through cloth and flesh alike. Kyle didn¡¯t have time to shout a warning. He simply acted. [Frostbind] His palm slammed into the ground with enough force to bruise. Jagged ice erupted in a spreading wave from his fingertips, racing across the forest floor. The frost encased the Vorthal¡¯s legs up to the knees in an instant. The sudden cold making the creature shriek in surprise and pain. Its forward lunge was arrested mid-motion. Talons stopping just inches from Orion¡¯s back. Orion recovered with the reflexes of a seasoned fighter, spinning on his heel. His warhammer came around in a brutal backhand swing that clipped the Vorthal¡¯s ribs with a sickening... CRUNCH. The creature reeled backward. One wing flapping wildly as it fought to maintain balance. "Now!" Kyle roared. Sylvie was already moving. The usually timid water mage stood with her feet planted firmly apart. Both hands gripping her oversized wand. Her blue hair. Normally kept neatly tied back, had come partially loose from its ponytail and stuck to her sweat-slicked forehead. But her eyes, normally so nervous and uncertain, were sharp with focus. [Torrent Spear] A spiraling lance of pressurized water shot from her wand. Rotating so fast it created a high-pitched whine like a sawblade cutting through air. The water took on an almost solid form as it streaked across the clearing. Striking the Vorthal square in the chest. The impact was devastating. The water spear punched straight through feathers and sinew. Sending black blood spraying in all directions. The sheer force lifted the massive creature clean off its feet. Slamming it backward into a gnarled oak tree ten paces away. The impact shook the entire tree. Bark shattering under the force as leaves rained down around them. For one glorious heartbeat. Everything was still. Then the Vorthal laughed. The sound was wrong. Guttural and wet. Like a drowning man finding humor in his fate. It peeled itself away from the shattered bark with jerky. Unnatural movements. Black blood dripping from its new wounds to sizzle against the ground. One wing hung at an unnatural angle. Clearly broken. But its remaining eye burned with manic energy. Kyle¡¯s stomach dropped as realization hit him like a physical blow. ¡¯It¡¯s not slowing down.¡¯ They¡¯d landed solid hits. Ice through the shoulder. Arrows in its leg. Hammer blows to its ribs. Yet the creature looked more excited than hurt. Its chest heaved, but not from exhaustion. It was panting. The eager, rapid breathing of a predator that had caught the scent of blood. Then it changed. The Vorthal¡¯s remaining good wing stretched to its full span. Every feather standing on end. Thick black veins bulged beneath its pallid skin. Pulsing with an unnatural rhythm that made Kyle¡¯s skin crawl. Its beak opened far too wide. The jaw unhinging like a snake¡¯s as a guttural clicking filled the air. "Everyone, shields up!" Kyle barked the warning even as he was already moving. He barely got his ice wall raised in time. The Vorthal¡¯s chest swelled grotesquely. Then contracted with a violent heave. A stream of viscous black liquid shot from its gaping maw. Splattering against Kyle¡¯s hastily erected ice barrier. Where the liquid struck. The ice melted instantly. Tendrils of acrid smoke curling upward as the acidic substance ate through his defense. "Acid!" Sylvie yelped, barely managing to dodge a second spray. The black liquid struck a young sapling behind her. Reducing it to smoldering pulp in seconds as the acidic substance ate through bark and wood alike. Roland nocked another arrow. But his hands shook visibly. Blood had soaked through his chest. The dark stain spreading across his shirt with each labored breath. "We can¡¯t...keep this up..." he gasped. His face pale from blood loss. The Vorthal seemed to sense their exhaustion. It began stalking forward with deliberate steps. Talons clicking against stone. One wing dragged uselessly behind it. But its movements were no less deadly for the injury. Kyle¡¯s mind raced as he searched for any advantage. ¡¯Think, damn it!¡¯ "Sylvie!" he called, never taking his eyes off the advancing creature. "On my mark, drench its wings!" The water mage nodded. Adjusting her grip on the wand despite the visible trembling in her arms. The Vorthal tensed. Muscles coiling as it prepared to pounce¡ª "NOW!" [Tidal Wave] A wall of water crashed over the Vorthal with enough force to knock a grown man off his feet. The creature¡¯s feathers became thoroughly saturated. Water streaming down its distorted body in rivulets. It shrieked in apparent annoyance. Shaking its head violently to clear its one good eye. Kyle didn¡¯t give it time to recover. Channeling large amount mana into Zalrielle. He felt the tachi grow warm in his hands. The blade became pure energy. Glowing so brightly it hurt to look at directly. Blue-white lightning spiderwebbed across his arms as he raised the weapon high. [Lightning Surge] The downward slash seemed to happen in slow motion. CRACK-BOOM! A bolt of pure lightning arced from steel to water-soaked feathers. Electricity spiderwebbed across the Vorthal¡¯s entire body. Making every muscle seize violently. Its shriek became a choked gurgle as thick smoke rose from its feathers. The stench of burning flesh filled the clearing. Overwhelming even the creature¡¯s natural rot. For one glorious moment. Kyle thought they had won. Then the impossible happened. Even paralyzed by the electricity. The Vorthal¡¯s talons moved. Its arm lashed out blindly. The claws finding Kyle¡¯s thigh with uncanny accuracy. White-hot pain lanced up his leg as the razor-sharp talons shredded through fabric and flesh alike. Blood soaked his pants instantly. The warm liquid running down into his boot. The creature wasn¡¯t done. With a final, shuddering heave. It broke free of the lightning¡¯s hold. Its movements were jerky now. Uncoordinated. But no less deadly. One eye had melted shut from the electrical current. The socket a ruined, smoking mess. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But its remaining eye burned with single-minded hatred. It fixed that gaze squarely on Kyle. And charged. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Discord Server: .gg/rRREhBx2 ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 84: Feathers and Fury [3] Chapter 84: Feathers and Fury [3]Kyle¡¯s vision swam. The edges blurring like ink in water. His leg burned as if molten metal had been poured into the wounds. Four deep gashes torn by the Vorthal¡¯s claws. Blood soaked through his pants, warm and sticky. Trickling down his calf in slow tickling trails before pooling inside his boot. Every slight movement made the leather squelch. The creature loomed before him. Its one remaining eye locked onto him with terrifying intensity. The pupil was a thin black slit like a snake¡¯s. Surrounded by a sickly yellow iris that seemed to glow in the dim forest light. Veins of black corruption spread from its eye. Creeping across its stretched pale skin like cracks in dried mud. The other socket was a ruined mess. The eyelid melted shut from Kyle¡¯s lightning. Tendrils of smoke still curling from the charred flesh. Zalrielle trembled in Kyle¡¯s grip. The sword¡¯s usual crackling energy had faded to weak blue sparks that fizzled out before they could travel more than an inch. The leather-wrapped hilt felt slippery in his sweaty hands. The familiar grooves barely noticeable through the numbness in his fingers. Behind the monster. His teammates moved as if trapped in thick syrup. Orion. Usually a mountain of strength. Swayed like a drunkard struggling to lift his warhammer. The weapon¡¯s head. Normally effortless for him to swing. Now dragged through the dirt as though weighed down by invisible chains. Blood from his rib wound had spread across his shirt in a dark wet stain. Growing larger with each ragged breath. Sylvie¡¯s wand hand shook violently. Her bright blue hair, usually full of energy. Clung to her sweat-slicked face in limp strands. The water orb she tried to summon flickered weakly. Droplets pattering uselessly to the ground before fully forming. Isolde¡¯s fiery montante was little more than a dying torch. The flames reduced to faint orange embers. Each step she took left a smeared footprint of blood from her wounded leg. Her braid had come undone in places red strands sticking to her neck. Roland had given up standing entirely. He knelt in the dirt. One hand pressed against the deep claw marks across his chest. His breaths came in wet, shuddering gasps. Each exhale flecked with blood that dripped onto the forest floor. The Vorthal¡¯s beak split open with a wet cracking sound. Like bones snapping. Rows of needle-like teeth glistened with thick black saliva. Strands of it stretching between its jaws before dripping to the ground. Where the drool landed. It hissed burning tiny holes into the leaves and dirt. The stench of its breath hit Kyle like a physical blow. Rotting meat and stomach acid. So strong it made his eyes water. Five paces away. Four. Three. Close enough that Kyle could see the barbs on its feathers. The way its talons flexed in anticipation. Then Aurelia¡¯s voice cut through the panic in his mind: ¡ª"When you are out of options, stop thinking. Just act." Kyle moved before his mind could catch up. He dropped his stance and charged. The sudden movement sent fresh agony through his wounded leg. But he gritted his teeth and pushed through it. The Vorthal¡¯s eye widened. The prey wasn¡¯t supposed to run toward it. At the last second. Kyle threw himself into a slide. Mud and leaves sprayed up around him as his knees hit the ground. The damp earth cooling his burning wounds. The Vorthal¡¯s talons whistled just above his head. Close enough to ruffle his hair. One claw nicked the tip of his ear. Sending a sharp sting across his temple. But then he was inside its guard. Zalrielle came up in a brutal thrust. Guided by pure instinct. The blade punched through the Vorthal¡¯s chest with a sickening... Crunch Sliding between ribs until the crossguard slammed against bone. Black blood gushed over Kyle¡¯s hands so hot it nearly burned. Thick like tar. The creature¡¯s shriek was deafening. Vibrating through Kyle¡¯s skull. Its body convulsed. Wings beating wildly. Talons raking the dirt. Kyle held on. His arms shaking feeling its frantic heartbeat through the steel. With the last of his mana. He activated his ice magic. "[Frostbite]." He muttered. The spell exploded inside the Vorthal¡¯s chest. Ice spikes erupted in every direction bursting through organs, veins, muscle. A two-foot spike of ice shot from its mouth. Glistening with black blood. More tore through its back, shoulders, thighs. Pinning its limbs together in a grotesque frost-covered sculpture. For one endless moment. The Vorthal stood there. Twitching. Its eye rolling wildly. Then it collapsed. The impact shook the ground. Shattered ice glittered in the dim light as the massive body finally stilled. Silence. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then, a crackling sound. White light seeped from between the ice spikes. Growing brighter until the entire corpse was engulfed. With a sound like shattering glass. The Vorthal burst into swirling motes of light before vanishing completely. In its place. Ten glass vials materialized on the grass. Five mana potions. Their blue liquid swirling with tiny glowing particles. Five health potions. The red liquid inside thick like syrup. The glass warm to the touch. Kyle¡¯s arms gave out. He would have faceplanted into the dirt if Orion hadn¡¯t lunged forward and caught him. "Damn, kid," Orion breathed. His deep voice unsteady. Sweat dripped from his brow onto Kyle¡¯s shoulder mixing with blood and grime. His own wounds stood out angrily against his dark skin the gashes still oozing. Isolde limped over. Her montante dragging behind her. Its flames completely dead. Her shoulder wound had reopened. Fresh blood adding to the stains on her uniform. Yet she managed a tired grin. "Stupid," she croaked, her voice came hoarse from exhaustion. "But effective." Sylvie stumbled to Roland¡¯s side nearly tripping over her own feet. Her hands shook so badly she could barely hold the health potion. "H-here," she stammered, pressing it into his hands. Roland drank greedily color returning to his face as the magic knitted his flesh back together. He let out a relieved sigh that turned into a cough. "We... actually did it." Kyle could only nod. His throat too raw for words. The forest was eerily silent. No birds. No insects. Not even wind. Just their ragged breathing and the occasional drip of blood. Somewhere deeper in the rift. The central hill still waited. But that was a problem for later. For now they had survived. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Authors Note: Hello, lovely readers! Newbie here. I hope you¡¯re enjoying the story so far. I¡¯ve been experimenting with my writing style. Adding more detail to the surroundings and diving deeper into the atmosphere of each scene. I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you like the richer descriptions or do they slow things down too much? Also, how did you feel about the fight scene? Was it too long? Your feedback is important for me. So pls let me know what you think. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 85: Feathers and Fury [4] Chapter 85: Feathers and Fury [4]The observation room hummed with quiet energy as the academy¡¯s instructors gathered around the glowing projection screens. The air smelled of stale coffee and ozone from the active monitoring spells. Scattered papers and empty mugs littered the long central table where Brynn Foxglove sat slumped in his chair. Rubbing his bloodshot eyes. Professor Carter stood ramrod straight near the main display. His perpetual frown deepening as he watched the students struggle. "Disgraceful," he muttered as another team fell to their assigned monster. "They are treating this like a classroom exercise rather than life-or-death combat." Aurelia Valemont leaned against the back wall. Her expression carefully neutral though her fingers dug into the clipboard she held. Nearby, Seraphina perched on the edge of a desk. Absentmindedly twisting a strand of pink hair around her finger. The largest screen currently showed Team 1. Cedric¡¯s squad ¨C finishing their battle. The footage replayed in slow motion. Cedric¡¯s radiant blade cleaving through their humanoid horned adversary¡¯s neck (Silver Grade 1) in a perfect execution strike. Clara Reeves halberd pinned the creature¡¯s whipping tail at the critical moment while Luna¡¯s precise ice shards blinded it just before the killing blow. "Typical" Carter said with a derisive sniff. "Cedric Valtieri does seventy percent of the work while the others play support. Clara Reeves and Luna Starfrost performed adequately. But the other two might as well have been training dummies." Brynn stretched his arms behind his head, yawning. "What¡¯d you expect? Kid¡¯s got main character syndrome written all over him. At least they finished clean." Seraphina chuckled. Pointing at Luna¡¯s grinning face on screen. "Look at her. She¡¯s having the time of her life while everyone else looks like they are about to pass out." Aurelia remained silent. Her sharp gaze already shifting to another monitor where Team 7¡¯s battle was about to begin. The footage rewound to show the moment Team 7 first encountered their assigned monster. Brynn let out a low whistle as the Vorthal emerged from the forest shadows. "Well damn. They got the ugly one. That¡¯s just mean." On screen. The crow-humanoid hybrid moved with terrifying spee. Immediately gutting the ice mage from Kaelith¡¯s team who had stumbled into their path. The instructors watched dispassionately. Simulated deaths were expected in these exams. "Interesting," murmured Instructor Graves. A tall woman with silver-streaked hair. "Orion Ironviel¡¯s reaction time has improved significantly since last month¡¯s assessments." She nodded approvingly as Orion¡¯s earthen spikes erupted to impale the Vorthal¡¯s attacking arm. Carter grunted. "Still relies too much on brute strength. That overhead hammer swing at the 1:23 mark left him completely open. Against a real opponent. He¡¯d be dead." Then came Kyle¡¯s intervention. The footage showed him using Lightning Steps to blur across the battlefield. Grabbing Isolde¡¯s wrist and yanking her back just as the Vorthal¡¯s claws would have eviscerated her. Simultaneously. His free hand sent a wall of jagged ice erupting between them and the monster. Seraphina sat up straight. Her hair falling over her shoulder. "Wait, did he just¡ª" "Pre-cast the ice spell while executing a movement technique" Aurelia finished. Her voice carefully controlled though her grip tightened on the clipboard. "Dual-element manipulation during high-speed combat. That¡¯s... not something even I¡¯ve seen from him before." A murmur ran through the assembled instructors. Even Carter¡¯s perpetual scowl lessened slightly as he leaned forward to study the playback more closely. The room fell silent as they watched Sylvie Wavecrest¡¯s transformation. One moment the blue-haired mage stood trembling. Her oversized wand shaking in her hands. The instant combat began. Her posture straightened. Her movements becoming precise and economical. "Fascinating," murmured Instructor Marrow, the academy¡¯s water magic specialist. "That pressurized water spear technique. Most mages her rank can¡¯t maintain that level of density over distance. The control is exceptional." Carter nodded grudgingly. "Her combat instincts are solid. But she still freezes up beforehand. That hesitation could be deadly in a real engagement." The footage shifted to Isolde Suncrest engaging the Vorthal directly. Her montante blazing with fire. Several instructors exchanged surprised glances at her fluid footwork and precise blade work. "Isolde Suncrest is ranked fifty-eight?" Seraphina asked incredulously. "Her techniques are easily top thirty material." Aurelia studied the redhead¡¯s movements clinically. "Knight training, almost certainly. Look at her stance. That¡¯s professional swordsmanship. But she hesitated at the 2:17 mark when the Vorthal feinted left. Nearly got Kyle killed covering for her." They watched Roland Swiftbrook continue firing arrows despite the deep gashes across his chest. His hands shaking but his aim remaining true. Brynn chuckled darkly. "Kid¡¯s got guts. I¡¯ll give him that. Absolutely no sense of self-preservation though." The room collectively held its breath as the footage reached Kyle¡¯s final move. The reckless slide beneath the Vorthal¡¯s guard. Tachi¡¯s thrust piercing its chest followed by the internal ice explosion. "...That was either brilliant or suicidal" Carter said after a long pause. "Probably both. Charging a Grade 1 Silver-rank with that leg injury should have gotten him killed." Seraphina¡¯s chuckled. "That¡¯s our boy. No halfway measures." Aurelia¡¯s lips twitched almost imperceptibly. ¡¯His elemental control has progressed remarkably.¡¯ Brynn switched the main display to show the other successful teams. Team 21¡¯s footage showed Eleanora directing her squad with uncanny precision. Her estoc flashing as she exploited the monster¡¯s blind spots with almost prescient timing. "Princess knows what she¡¯s doing" Graves noted. "Those positioning calls are perfect. And Wilson¡¯s still fighting despite that shoulder injury. Kid¡¯s tough as nails." They watched as Cassian. His fire-and-earth gauntlets crackling with energy. Tanked a direct hit to keep the monster distracted while the lightning spearman landed a critical strike. Team 3¡¯s battle played out differently. Lyra¡¯s nature magic entangled their opponent while Reo¡¯s wild charges somehow worked in their favor. The footage showed Serena Blackthorne electrocuting the creature¡¯s lungs from the inside, ending the fight. "Serena Blackthorne¡¯s glaive technique is flawless" Carter admitted. "But Reo Dustbane is still too reckless. That third charge should have gotten him killed if not for Lyra Silverwind¡¯s covering fire." Brynn leaned back, lacing his fingers behind his head. "Four teams survivors out of two hundred. Exactly as predicted." Professor Carter crossed his arms. "We gave them impossible odds for a reason. The real world won¡¯t coddle them." The exam¡¯s design was merciless. Team 1 (Cedric, Luna), Team 3 (Serena, Reo, Lyra), Team 7 (Kyle, Sylvie, Orion), and Team 21 (Eleanora, Cassian) were the only squads assigned Grade 1 Silver-rank monsters. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Deliberately overpowered challenges meant to break them. A dozen other teams faced Grade 2 Silver opponents. Still lethal, but theoretically survivable for elite students. The remaining 165+ teams battled Grade 3 Silver creatures. Difficult, yet within their expected capabilities. "And yet" Seraphina mused, twirling her pink hair. "Only our four star teams conquered the unbeatable." On screen switched to show the surviving four teams. Battered but alive. The instructors exchanged knowing glances. The real test was just beginning. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 86: Race to the Hill [1] Chapter 86: Race to the Hill [1] Kyle clenched his jaw as pain shot through his leg with every step. The health potion had sealed the Vorthal¡¯s claw marks. But the muscles underneath still burned like fire. He forced himself to keep moving ignoring the way his ribs protested each breath. They couldn¡¯t afford to stop now. The forest around them had grown eerily quiet. Twisted trees with gnarled branches loomed overhead. Their leaves rustling in some unseen breeze. Patches of unnatural mist curled between the trunks. Making the path ahead unclear. Every now and then. A distant screech echoed through the trees. Some monster they couldn¡¯t see, but definitely didn¡¯t want to meet. Sylvie stumbled along beside him. Her blue hair plastered to her sweaty forehead. The wand in her hands trembled slightly. But her eyes remained sharp, constantly scanning their surroundings. Up ahead, Orion moved like a tank through the undergrowth. His massive warhammer resting on one broad shoulder. His breathing came in heavy grunts. But he never slowed down. Bringing up the rear. Isolde and Roland kept their weapons ready. Isolde¡¯s montante blade hummed faintly with residual mana. The afterglow of their last clash. While Roland kept an arrow nocked. His head constantly turning to watch their backs. No one spoke. The fight with the Vorthal had drained them all. Not just physically. But mentally too. That thing had been terrifying in ways none of them expected. But the exam wasn¡¯t over yet. Kyle tapped his mana band. Making the holographic map flicker to life above his wrist. They got the map notification on their mana band when they defeated the Vorthal. It showed their destination clearly now. The Central Hill, rising from the middle of a massive valley. Between them and safety stretched a series of stone pillars, some as wide as tables, others no thicker than his arm. And beneath them? Nothing but empty darkness. It was the same valley they had seen when their team entered the rift. He swallowed hard. A fall here wouldn¡¯t kill them. This was just a simulation after all. But it would mean instant failure. Their bodies would dissolve into light particles just like that ice mage from Kaelith¡¯s team had earlier. No room for mistakes. The trees suddenly ended, revealing a sheer drop that made Kyle¡¯s stomach lurch. He skidded to a stop. Sending pebbles tumbling over the edge. The others halted beside him. Their breathing loud in the sudden silence. Before them stretched the valley. A gaping wound in the earth so deep the bottom disappeared into shadows. The air here felt different colder, heavier, with a weird metallic taste that clung to the back of Kyle¡¯s throat. And there, maybe half a kilometer away. The Central Hill rose from the mist like some ancient fortress. The only way to reach it? Those damn pillars. Kyle studied them carefully. Some looked stable enough with flat tops you could stand on comfortably. Others were narrow and worn smooth. Their surfaces gleaming with moisture. A few had such wide gaps between them that making the jump would be risky even for someone at full strength. Next to him. Sylvie made a small choking sound. Her grip on her wand turned white-knuckled. "I-I can¡¯t," she whispered. Kyle turned to see the confident Mage from earlier had vanished. In her place stood a pale trembling girl whose wide eyes were locked on the endless drop below them. ¡¯She¡¯s terrified of heights¡¯ Kyle realized. Orion cracked his neck loudly. "Don¡¯t got much choice, Blue. Cross or fail." Isolde wiped blood from her split lip. Her golden eyes calculating the distance between pillars. "I¡¯ll lead. My footwork¡¯s better than yours." Roland adjusted his grip on his bow. "I will cover our backs. If anything tries to jump us mid-crossing..." Kyle nodded. "Fast and careful. No mistakes." Then he turned back to Sylvie. She hadn¡¯t moved. Her chest rising and falling too quickly. ¡¯Damn it.¡¯ Without thinking. Kyle stepped close and slid an arm around her waist. His fingers pressed into the fabric of her uniform. Feeling the rapid flutter of her breathing beneath. Her head snapped up eyes wide with surprise. "Trust me" he said simply. Then he jumped. For one heart-stopping moment. There was nothing beneath them but empty air. Wind screamed past Kyle¡¯s ears. Drowning out Sylvie¡¯s gasp. He tightened his hold, pulling her tight against his side as gravity grabbed at them. Then... THUD. Their boots hit the first pillar hard enough to make Kyle¡¯s teeth rattle. His knees bent automatically to absorb the impact. Sylvie¡¯s weight pressing against him. The stone beneath them felt damp and uneven, but solid. Sylvie shuddered violently. Her fingers digging into Kyle¡¯s sleeve hard enough to hurt. "Don¡¯t look down" he muttered. But she already had. Her gaze locked on the endless drop below them and suddenly she swayed dangerously. "Eyes on me!" Kyle barked. She obeyed instantly. Her pupils dilated with fear. Ahead, Isolde moved like a dancer across the pillars. She leapt lightly to the next one, landing in a perfect crouch her montante balanced effortlessly across her shoulders. Orion followed with surprising grace for his size. Though his landing made the entire pillar shake. Roland came last. Hesitating only a second before making the jump. His bow now slung across his back for balance. Kyle took a deep breath. "Next one. Ready?" Sylvie didn¡¯t answer but her grip on him tightened. He jumped again. They were halfway across when everything went wrong. Kyle felt it before he saw it. That strange prickle of mana in the air. The subtle shift in pressure that meant magic was being used nearby. His head snapped up just in time to see the glint of an arrow streaking toward them. "DOWN!" he roared. He yanked Sylvie sideways as the wind-enhanced arrow sliced through where her head had been just a second before. Orion twisted at the last possible instant. The arrow grazing his chest and drawing a thin line of blood. But Isolde and Roland weren¡¯t so lucky. Two more arrows found their marks with sickening... Thunks! Isolde¡¯s golden eyes went wide with shock as an arrow punched through her shoulder. Roland gasped as one buried itself in his chest. His hand flying up automatically to clutch at the shaft. Then gravity took them. They toppled backward in almost perfect sync. Arms flailing uselessly as they plunged into the darkness below. Their bodies dissolved into glowing particles before they even hit the bottom, scattering like fireflies in the abyss. Gone. Just like that. Kyle¡¯s blood turned to ice in his veins. Then he turned his head. And saw them. Perched on a pillar slightly to their left, farther away. Lyra Silverwind lowered her bow. Her emerald green ponytail whipping in the wind. Behind her on another pillar stood Reo Dustbane. His usual cocky grin replaced by a tight-lipped grimace. And beside him looking bored as ever. Serena Blackthorne leaned on her glaive. Lyra smirked. "Sorry about that. No hard feelings, right?" Kyle¡¯s hand twitched toward Zalrielle¡¯s hilt. But the situation was bad. They were in the worst possible position. Sylvie still trembled beside him. Her wand held in shaking hands. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Orion bled from his chest wound. And Isolde and Roland were already eliminated. "Fuck" Kyle muttered under his breath. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 87: Race to the Hill [2] Chapter 87: Race to the Hill [2]Kyle¡¯s fingers dug into Sylvie¡¯s waist as they balanced on the narrow stone pillar. His knuckles turned white from the effort of keeping them both steady. Below their feet. The endless abyss seemed to breathe. A yawning darkness that promised instant elimination if they fell. The cold wind whipped at Kyle¡¯s face, carrying with it the metallic scent of blood from his wounds. Every muscle in Kyle¡¯s body screamed in protest. Across the chasm. Team 3 looked just as battered. Lyra Silverwind¡¯s usually perfect emerald ponytail was tangled and matted with dirt. Sweat streaked down her face, cutting clean lines through the grime. Her breathing came in ragged gasps as she struggled to nock another arrow. Her fingers trembling with exhaustion. Beside her. Reo Dustbane leaned heavily on his spear. The cocky grin that usually played across his lips was gone. Replaced by a pained grimace. His right arm hung limp at his side. The sleeve of his uniform torn and bloodied from their earlier battle. Even Serena Blackthorne normally the picture of perfect composure. Showed signs of strain. Her grip on the glaive wasn¡¯t as steady as usual. The weapon trembling slightly in her hands, evidence of the toll their previous fight had taken. "Give up already!" Lyra¡¯s voice carried across the gap, hoarse and strained. She drew back the bowstring with visible effort, her arms shaking. "You can¡¯t win this!" Kyle tightened his grip on Zalrielle. The spirit weapon pulsed in response, its familiar weight both comforting and painful in his exhausted hands. The black tachi felt heavier than usual. As if sensing its master¡¯s depleted state. Kyle muttered through gritted teeth. His throat was dry, his lips cracked from exertion. The first arrow came faster than Kyle expected. His body moved before his mind could fully process the danger. [Glacial Spear]! Jagged spears of frost shot forward with a sound like shattering glass. Intercepting most of Lyra¡¯s arrows mid-flight. The collision created a small explosion of frost and splintered wood that rained down into the abyss below. But one arrow got through. Orion barely had time to raise his warhammer in a feeble block before the wind-enhanced projectile punched through his chest. The big man looked down in surprise at the shaft protruding from his uniform. His dark eyes met Kyle¡¯s as his body began dissolving into white motes of light. "Finish this, Kyle" his deep voice echoed as he disappeared completely. Now it was just Kyle and Sylvie against three opponents. Sylvie was petrified, her blue eyes locked on the endless drop below them. Her wand hung limp at her side, her fingers twitching but unable to form the proper grips for spells. Her breathing came in short, panicked gasps that made her whole body tremble. Kyle grabbed her shoulders with both hands, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Sylvie! Look at me!" Her pupils were dilated with terror. The blue of her irises nearly swallowed by black. He gave her a small shake. "We are getting out of here. Now." Kyle¡¯s mind raced as he assessed their options. They couldn¡¯t fight in this position. Pinned on a narrow pillar with no cover. The gaps between pillars were too wide for normal jumps, especially carrying Sylvie. His eyes darted to the far side where solid ground waited, then back to their pursuers. He took a deep breath that made his ribs protest. Kyle focused all his remaining energy into his legs. The mana channels in his calves burned as he forced power through them. Ice crept up from his legs, forming platforms that stretched toward a distant pillar. These weren¡¯t bridges. Just temporary footholds, fragile and already cracking under their own weight. [Lightning Steps] Blue-white electricity crackled around his legs as he jumped holding Sylvie. Using the ice as a springboard. The fragile structure shattered immediately under the force, sending shards of ice tumbling into the void below. But the burst of momentum was enough to propel them to the next pillar. They landed hard. Kyle¡¯s knees buckling slightly from the impact. Sylvie gasped as she nearly slipped, but Kyle tightened his grip on her waist. Lyra¡¯s next volley came faster than expected. Kyle barely had time to twist midair, turning his body to shield Sylvie. An arrow grazed his shoulder. The razor-sharp tip slicing through cloth and skin. Blood welled immediately, hot and sticky against his chilled skin. "Kyle!" Sylvie cried out, her voice laced with panic. "Let¡¯s keep moving!" he growled through clenched teeth. The pain was white-hot, but he couldn¡¯t afford to stop. From her perch, Lyra wiped sweat from her brow with a trembling hand. Her fingers slipped as she tried to nock another arrow. The projectile nearly falling from her grasp. "Damn it... how is he still moving?" she panted, her chest heaving. Reo winced. "We¡¯re all running on empty here." Serena adjusted her grip on her glaive. Her usually steady hands shaking slightly. Her purple eyes tracked Kyle¡¯s progress with something almost like respect. "He¡¯s using elemental synergy" she observed quietly. "Ice for platforms, lightning for propulsion at the same time. It¡¯s... impressive." Lyra scowled, her face twisting in frustration. "It¡¯s cheating! How is he even doing that?" She fired another arrow. But her exhaustion made the shot go wide. The projectile disappearing into the abyss without coming close to its target. Kyle¡¯s vision swam with each jump. Blood from his wounds made his grip on Sylvie slippery, forcing him to tighten his hold until his fingers ached. Ice Platfrom... [Lightning Steps] Each spell came harder than the last. His mana channels burned like fire. The pathways raw from overuse. The ice platforms became smaller, less stable with each creation. One shattered completely before he could push off, sending them tumbling toward the abyss. Kyle¡¯s stomach lurched as they fell, the wind screaming in his ears. At the last second, his free hand shot out, fingers scrabbling against rough stone. He caught the edge of the next pillar with one hand. Sylvie¡¯s wrist clutched desperately in the other. His shoulder screamed in protest as he pulled them both up. Muscles straining against their combined weight. "Last Jump" Gathering every last drop of his mana. Kyle formed one final ice platform. The structure was barely more than a fragile disc. already cracking and splintering under its own weight before he even stepped onto it. [Lightning Steps] The jump was sloppy, uncontrolled. Kyle¡¯s legs buckled slightly on takeoff, sending them careening through the air at an awkward angle. They crashed onto solid ground in a tangle of limbs, rolling several feet before coming to a stop in a cloud of dust and loose stones. Kyle tasted blood. He¡¯d bitten his tongue on impact. His entire body felt like one giant bruise, every muscle screaming in protest as he tried to push himself up. Beside him, Sylvie groaned, clutching her side where she¡¯d landed. Before they could catch their breath. Lyra¡¯s final arrow arced toward them, its wind-enhanced tip screaming through the air like a vengeful spirit. Then, something remarkable happened. "[Tidal Shield]!" A wall of water erupted between them and the arrow. The liquid barrier rippling as it absorbed the projectile¡¯s momentum completely. The arrow dissolved harmlessly into the water, which then collapsed into a harmless puddle. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kyle turned his head slowly wincing at the pain in his neck, to see Sylvie rising to her feet. Her posture was completely transformed. Back straight, shoulders squared, her grip on her wand firm and confident. The trembling, fearful girl was gone. In her place stood a battle mage, her blue eyes sharp and focused like a hawk¡¯s. Her wand moved through the air with precise, practiced motions as she prepared another spell. "You go," she said, her voice steady and clear despite the chaos around them. "I¡¯ll handle them." Kyle hesitated, pushing himself up onto his elbows. "Sylvie, you don¡¯t have to-" "I said go!" she snapped, already forming another water spell. The liquid twisted and coiled like a living thing, responding to her every subtle movement. "Reach the hill. That¡¯s what matters." Across the chasm. Lyra fumbled with another arrow. Reo and Serena were already moving, jumping toward the central hill, their steps unsteady but determined. Kyle nodded, forcing himself up. Zalrielle felt heavy in his grip, but he turned toward the path. Behind him, the clash of elements erupted as Sylvie faced Team 3 alone. He didn¡¯t look back. He ran. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 88: Race to the Hill [3] Chapter 88: Race to the Hill [3]Kyle¡¯s legs burned, every muscle fiber screamed in protest as he forced himself to keep moving. The forest around him had become a green and brown blur. Branches whipping at his arms and face as he crashed through the undergrowth. A thin branch snapped across his cheek. Leaving a stinging cut that immediately began bleeding. But he barely felt it. Behind him. The sounds of Sylvie¡¯s last stand grew fainter. The occasional boom of water magic spells told him she was still fighting. But for how much longer? His stomach twisted at the thought. She was good, really good when she got past her nerves. But against three opponents? Even if she took one down. The others would overwhelm her. His vision swam dangerously as a wave of dizziness hit him. The headache pounding behind his temples reminded him just how low his mana reserves had fallen. Normally. He could use [Lightning Steps] without thinking. He could channel electricity through his body like breathing. Now? Now even summoning a spark made his bones ache. He had to be smart about this. Had to save every last drop for... The trees suddenly gave way to open space. Kyle stumbled into a clearing. His boots skidding on loose dirt and dead leaves. His chest heaved as he took in the scene before him. Cedric, Eleanora, and Cassian. The three of them were locked in a brutal fight. Their movements sluggish from exhaustion. Cedric stood at the center. His golden hair matted with sweat and dirt. His academy uniform torn in several places. He was breathing hard, but his sword remained steady as he fended off attacks from both Eleanora and Cassian. Team 1(Cedric) and Team 21(Eleanora and Cassian). All three looked like they¡¯d been through hell. Cassian¡¯s right eye was swollen nearly shut. Eleanora had a nasty cut across her forearm, and Cedric¡¯s usually pristine appearance was marred by dirt and bruises. Their teammates were conspicuously absent. Kyle¡¯s mind raced. Had they been eliminated already? Cassian noticed him first. His one good eye widened in recognition before a savage grin split his face. "Kyle! Help us take down Cedric!" Kyle hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Yeah. Got it." Cedric¡¯s expression darkened as Kyle rushed toward him. The golden-haired swordsman braced himself. His blade glowing faintly with residual light mana. Then... Kyle jumped. A tiny flicker of blue-white lightning crackled around his boots propelling him over Cedric¡¯s head in a high arc. He landed in a roll. Barely slowing before breaking into a sprint again. "WHAT?!" Cassian roared. Eleanora¡¯s eyes widened. Without hesitation, she bolted after Kyle. Her legs shimmering with light mana. Cedric didn¡¯t waste time cursing. He just ran, fire flaring at his heels. Serena burst from the trees moments later. Her glaive still in hand. She barely glanced at Cassian before chasing after the others. Faint purple lightning crackling around her. Cassian stood there for half a second, stunned. Then... "WAIT FOR ME. YOU BASTARDS!" Fire exploded from his boots as he launched himself forward. His massive frame barreling through the grass. ¡ª Kyle¡¯s lungs burned as he forced his legs to move faster. The hill loomed ahead. The white finish line barely visible in the distance. Behind him. The others were closing in. Eleanora with her light-infused steps. Cedric¡¯s flames scorching the grass beneath him. Cassian roaring as fire erupted from his boots. And Serena¡¯s dim purple lightning crackling around her. He couldn¡¯t afford to waste mana. Not yet. Eleanora was the first to reach him. Her ruby eyes locked onto his back as she swung her estoc in a swift, precise slash. Kyle barely twisted in time. Feeling the blade graze his side. A thin line of blood welled up, but he didn¡¯t stop. "Not this time, Kyle," she said. Her voice steady despite her exhaustion. He didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he pivoted on his heel and lashed out with Zalrielle. The black tachi hummed as it cut through the air, forcing Eleanora to leap back. Cedric took advantage of the opening. A burst of fire erupted beneath his feet as he lunged forward. His sword aimed straight for Kyle¡¯s ribs. Kyle barely managed to block. The impact sending a shockwave up his arms. Their blades locked sparks flying between them. "You are not getting away that easily" Cedric growled, his blue eyes blazing. Kyle didn¡¯t answer. With a sudden twist. He disengaged and kicked out, catching Cedric in the stomach. The golden-haired swordsman stumbled back. But before Kyle could press the advantage. Cassian barreled into him like a raging bull. "Gotcha!" Cassian grinned. His massive arms wrapping around Kyle¡¯s torso in a crushing grip. Kyle gasped as the air was forced from his lungs. He drove his elbow back into Cassian¡¯s ribs, making him grunt. But the brute didn¡¯t let go. Serena saw her chance. Her glaive flashed as she swept it toward Kyle¡¯s legs. At the last second, Kyle twisted. Forcing Cassian to take the hit instead. The blunt side of the glaive cracked against Cassian¡¯s shin. Making him roar in pain and finally loosen his grip. Kyle broke free and sprinted forward. The finish line was so close now. Just a few dozen meters. Eleanora and Cedric recovered quickly, surging ahead. Cassian limped but still followed. His pride refusing to let him fall behind. Serena moved like a shadow. Her glaive ready to strike at any moment. Kyle¡¯s legs screamed in protest. His body pushed beyond its limits. But he had one last trick. He was saving his mana for this. That¡¯s why he wasn¡¯t even using elemental manipulation to boost his speed like the others. Now. Kyle¡¯s vision blurred as he pushed every last ounce of strength into his legs. The white finish line blurred ahead. Just twenty more strides. [Lightning Steps] The world fractured into blue-white streaks as Kyle¡¯s final burst of speed kicked in. His muscles screamed in protest. His lungs burned. For one frozen moment, three figures became streaks of motion. Cedric¡¯s sword arm outstretched. Eleanora¡¯s estoc flashing silver. Kyle¡¯s tachi humming with residual energy. Then... Impact. All three slammed across the painted line in a tangle of limbs and weapons. Kyle¡¯s shoulder smashed into Cedric¡¯s ribs. Eleanora¡¯s knee caught Kyle¡¯s thigh. Their momentum sent them rolling across the grass in a cloud of dust and torn-up turf. "What the¡ª" Cedric coughed, spitting out dirt. "Who¡ª" Eleanora gasped, trying to push herself up. Kyle just groaned. His face pressed into the grass. His entire body felt like one giant bruise. Before anyone could speak again. A familiar tingling sensation crawled up Kyle¡¯s limbs. His vision filled with white light as his body began dissolving into glowing particles. "Wait¡ª" Cedric reached out as his own form started breaking apart. Eleanora¡¯s mouth opened to protest... POOF The world dissolved into white. Kyle materialized with a jolt. Stumbling forward onto the polished marble floor. His knees nearly gave out as his body remembered phantom pains from the simulated battle. Across the room. Cedric and Eleanora appeared simultaneously, both blinking in disorientation. Cassian popped into existence a second later, still mid-roar before he realized the fight was over. "Who¡ª" Kyle rasped, his voice raw. "Won?" Cedric finished, running a hand through his disheveled hair. Professor Brynn Foxglove looked up from his Mana Tablet with a tired smirk. "Nexus(Academy¡¯s System) is still calculating. Never seen a three-way photo finish this close before." Sylvie materialized beside Kyle. Her blue hair sticking up in every direction. "K-Kyle good work!" she squeaked, then immediately turned bright red. Luna popped into existence besides them. "Took you long enough! Reo and I got eliminated ages ago." The giant projection screen flickered to life above them. Displaying frozen footage of the final moment. Three blurred figures crossing the line. Their positions impossible to discern with the naked eye. [RESULTS PENDING] Flashed across the screen in bold letters. Kyle exchanged glances with Cedric and Eleanora. The princess¡¯s usual composure had cracked. Revealing a competitive glint in her ruby eyes. Cedric just grinned, that infuriating smile back in place. Somewhere behind them, Cassian groaned. "I hate you guys." The screen flickered again. [ANALYSIS COMPLETE] Every student in the room leaned forward. Kyle¡¯s fingers twitched at his sides. After everything. The Vorthal fight. The pillar crossing. Sylvie¡¯s last stand. It all came down to... The screen resolved into slow-motion footage. Three figures highlighted in different colors as they crossed the line. Kyle¡¯s foot ¨C blue outline Cedric¡¯s shoulder ¨C gold outline Eleanora¡¯s outstretched hand ¨C light yellow outline The image zoomed in impossibly close. Down to the molecular level, before flashing the verdict. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [WINNER: TEAM 7] [Margin of Victory: 0.008 seconds] The room erupted. Luna whooped loud enough to shake the windows. Sylvie clapped her hands over her mouth. Reo groaned dramatically while Cassian just facepalmed. Cedric blinked. Then burst out laughing. Eleanora¡¯s lips pursed for half a second before she inclined her head. "Well played." Kyle just stared at the screen. His legs finally giving out as he collapsed onto a floor. His fingers brushed the hilt of his black tachi. Zalrielle hummed warmly in response. And as the chaos of the observation room swirled around him. Kyle allowed himself one exhausted. Victorious smile. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Author¡¯s Note: Hello lovely readers! Newbie here. Did this arc feel a bit repetitive to you? I originally intended it as a "mini exam" before moving the story forward. But it might have stretched longer than planned. Let me know your thoughts. I¡¯d really appreciate your feedback! ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 89: The Same, But Not [1] Chapter 89: The Same, But Not [1]The glowing blue letters on the projection screen burned into Kyle¡¯s eyes. [WINNER: TEAM 7] Beneath it flashed [Margin of Victory: 0.008 seconds] in the smaller text. For one frozen moment. The entire observation hall held its breath. Then exploded into chaos. Kyle¡¯s legs finally gave out. His knees hit the polished marble floor with a solid thump. His palms slapping against the cool surface to catch himself. All the simulated injuries. The deep claw marks across his thigh, the arrow graze on his shoulder were gone now that he¡¯d exited the rift. But his nervous system hadn¡¯t gotten the memo. His thigh still burned where the Vorthal had raked him, and his head throbbed like he had been headbutted by a minotaur. "Kyle!" Sylvie¡¯s voice cut through the noise as she pushed through the crowd of students. She dropped to her knees beside him. Her oversized wand clattering to the floor forgotten. "Are you¡ª?" "Still in one piece?" Kyle rasped, wiping sweat from his forehead with a shaky hand. "Mostly." Sylvie bit her lip. Her usual nervous energy returning now that the adrenaline was fading. "I-I¡¯m sorry Serena got past me at the end. I tried to hold them off but¡ª" "You took on Lyra and Reo by yourself," Kyle interrupted. "That bought me the time I needed to reach the finish line." She blinked, then nodded. Her cheeks turning slightly pink. Behind her, the rest of Team 7 gathered. Orion¡¯s massive frame blocked out the overhead lights as he loomed over them. His usual stoic expression cracked by the smallest smirk Kyle had ever seen. Without warning. The earth mage brought his large hand down on Kyle¡¯s back with enough force to rattle his teeth. "Good work, kid," Orion rumbled, his warhammer still clutched in his other hand. Kyle winced. "Thanks. My spine might disagree though." Isolde crossed her arms. Her golden eyes sharp despite the exhaustion darkening them. "I really thought we were done for when Lyra ambushed us on those pillars." Roland, still rubbing at his chest where the arrow had struck him in the simulation. Let out a disbelieving chuckle. "I still can¡¯t believe we actually won." Kyle smirked. "Honestly? Same." Their moment of celebration was cut short as Brynn Foxglove¡¯s voice crackled through the hall¡¯s amplification system. "Settle down," he drawled, scratching at his perpetual five o¡¯clock shadow. "Congrats to Team 7. You pushed past your limits, some of you more than others." His gaze lingered on Kyle before flicking to Cedric and Eleanora¡¯s team. "The rest of you? Better luck next time." A chorus of groans echoed through the room. Brynn ignored them, tapping at his mana tablet. "You will all get detailed performance breakdowns on your mana bands by tonight. Strengths, weaknesses, areas to improve. Don¡¯t ignore it. This exam wasn¡¯t just about winning. It was about learning where you need work." A murmur of agreement spread through the crowd. Even Cedric, who had been glaring at the results screen with unusual intensity nodded thoughtfully. Clearly already analyzing his mistakes. Then Aurelia stepped forward, her sharp blue eyes scanning the assembled students. "Your next group assignment..." she announced her voice crisp, "...is to analyze the monster your team faced. Identify its weaknesses, strengths, and any tactical errors made during your engagement. Prepare a a presentation, you have two days." The collective groan that rose from the students could probably be heard back in the rift. Aurelia arched one perfectly shaped eyebrow. "In real combat, mistakes mean death. Not a second chance." Kyle exhaled through his nose. Right. No do-overs when your life was actually on the line. "You¡¯re dismissed," Brynn added, waving a hand. "No classes for the rest of the day. Rest, recover, and do whatever you want." As the crowd began dispersing. Kyle pushed himself up with a grunt, stretching his sore muscles. "Guess we should get started on that report." Isolde hesitated. then cleared her throat awkwardly. "Uh, Kyle..." She fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve before suddenly thrusting out her hand. "Good job. And... thanks. For saving me back there." A beat of silence passed before Orion snorted. Roland quickly turned his laugh into a cough, while Sylvie bit her lip to keep from smiling. Kyle shook her hand, smiling. "Anytime. Just maybe don¡¯t freeze up next time a monster¡¯s about to gut you, yeah?" Isolde¡¯s face turned approximately the same shade as her bright red hair. Sylvie twirled her wand between her fingers. "S-so... when should we meet to work on the report?" "Tomorrow afternoon?" Isolde suggested quickly. "Gives us time to rest and review the footage first." Kyle nodded. "Library workroom?" The others agreed, and with that. They went their separate ways. Kyle trudged down the academy¡¯s main hall, rolling his stiff shoulders. Every muscle in his body ached. All he wanted was a long, cold shower and about ten hours of uninterrupted sleep. But as he turned the corner toward the academy quarters. A familiar voice called out. "Kyle!" He turned to see Eleanora standing near the courtyard entrance. The afternoon sunlight catching in her light blonde hair. She smiled warmly as she approached, her ruby eyes sparkling. "Congratulations on your win," she said, stopping just a step away. "That was incredibly close." Kyle rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly hyper-aware of how disheveled he must look. "Thanks. You almost had me at the end there." Eleanora laughed softly. The sound like wind chimes. "Modest as always." She tilted her head slightly studying him. "You look exhausted." "Yeah, well," Kyle said with a tired grin "fighting nightmare monsters tends to do that." She hummed in agreement, then hesitated for just a moment before asking. "Would you like to go to the cafe together? My treat. Consider it a victory celebration." Kyle blinked. That was... unexpected. "Uh, sure" he heard himself say before his brain fully caught up. "I could definitely use some food." Eleanora¡¯s smile widened, lighting up her entire face. "Great! I know just the place." ¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle blinked as they stepped into the cafe. His tired brain taking a second to process the decor. Soft pink lighting. Heart-shaped tables. Couples everywhere holding hands or feeding each other desserts. A giant crystal chandelier shaped like intertwined wedding rings hung from the ceiling. "Oh," Kyle said intelligently. Eleanora clasped her hands together, her ruby eyes sparkling. "Isn¡¯t it lovely? I have wanted to come here forever!" She leaned in conspiratorially. "I heard they have the best strawberry shortcake in the entire academy." Kyle eyed the couple at the nearest table who were attempting to share a milkshake with two straws. The girl giggled as some of it dripped onto her boyfriend¡¯s uniform. "Uh" Kyle said, scratching the back of his neck. "Isn¡¯t this... a couples cafe?" Eleanora tilted her head, looking genuinely puzzled for a moment before laughing. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Oh! That¡¯s just a marketing gimmick. The owner told me they get better tips that way." She grabbed his sleeve, tugging him toward an empty booth in the corner. "Come on, I¡¯m starving after that exam." The booth was suspiciously shaped like a heart. Kyle slid in carefully, half-expecting it to start vibrating or something. A menu floated down from the ceiling. Glowing with romantic pink script that listed things like ¡¯Love Potion Latte¡¯ and ¡¯Cupid¡¯s Arrow Pancakes.¡¯ Eleanora didn¡¯t seem to notice. She was already excitedly pointing at the dessert section. "Look! They have chocolate fondue too. We should¡ª" "Princess Eleanora?" They both turned to see a group of noble girls from their year standing there. Their eyes wide. One of them dropped her spoon. It clattered loudly against her "Kiss Me" themed plate. Eleanora¡¯s smile didn¡¯t waver. "Good afternoon, Lady Clarisse. Enjoying the cake?" The girl. Clarisse, looked between them, her mouth opening and closing like a fish. "You¡¯re... with..." Her gaze landed on Kyle¡¯s. Kyle resisted the urge to slide under the table. "Yes!" Eleanora said brightly, completely oblivious to the growing tension. "We are celebrating Kyle¡¯s victory. The match was incredible, wasn¡¯t it?" She turned to Kyle. "Oh, you have to try the¡ª" "WE HAVE TO GO" Clarisse blurted. Dragging her friends away before Eleanora could finish. Kyle stared after them, then at Eleanora. Who was already flagging down a waiter shaped like a floating cherub. "You..." He hesitated. "You really don¡¯t see what¡¯s happening here, do you?" Eleanora blinked at him. "Hm?" Kyle gestured at the heart-shaped everything. "This place. It¡¯s... you know." Eleanora followed his gaze, then burst out laughing. "Oh! That?" She waved a hand dismissively. "Honestly, I just come for the cake. The owner¡¯s daughter is my childhood friend. Their pastry chef used to work for the royal family." A floating tray delivered two enormous slices of strawberry shortcake topped with edible gold leaf. Eleanora immediately dug in. Getting a bit of cream on her nose. Kyle opened his mouth, then closed it. He picked up his fork. Maybe some things didn¡¯t need explaining. The cake was, admittedly, incredible. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 90: The Same, But Not [2] Chapter 90: The Same, But Not [2][Eleanora POV] The strawberry shortcake sat between them. A delicate tower of sponge, cream, and fresh berries glistening under the soft pink lights of the cafe. The air smelled sweet, almost too sweet. But it was the kind of place people went to pretend life was simpler than it really was. Eleanora watched as Kyle picked up his fork, hesitating for just a second before digging in. His expression didn¡¯t change much. He wasn¡¯t the type to show excitement over dessert. But she knew him well enough to catch the subtle signs. A small, satisfied hum escaped him as the sweetness hit his tongue. His shoulders relaxed just a fraction, and his fingers curled slightly around the fork, like he was savoring the moment. ¡¯The same reaction.¡¯ That little noise. The way he held himself. It was all so him. The same Kyle from her past life. And yet... She traced the rim of her teacup with her fingertip, her mind racing. Something was different. It had happened during the spar with Cedric. She remembered every detail. The way Cedric had pushed Kyle to the edge of the training hall. His sword flashing in a brutal downward strike. Kyle had been cornered, outmatched in raw strength. In her past life, he would have taken the hit, gritted his teeth, and gotten back up. But this time? A jagged shield of frost had formed in the air just in time. Intercepting Cedric¡¯s blade with a sharp crack. ¡¯Ice.¡¯ Her breath had caught. She had nearly dropped her phone. ¡¯How?¡¯ ¡¯Why?¡¯ ¡¯He only has lightning affinity before.¡¯ ¡¯Why does he have the ice affinity now?¡¯ Kyle wasn¡¯t supposed to have another element. Countless question flashed in her mind. Her chest had tightened, a cold dread creeping in. ¡¯What if he¡¯s not the same Kyle I remember?¡¯ What if someone. Or something. Had taken his place? A skinwalker? A demon? No. That wouldn¡¯t make sense. She had watched him closely after that. The same stubbornness as before. The same sharp tongue when he faced Cedric again. ¡ª "Next time, it won¡¯t be the same outcome." Hearing those words had eased the knot in her chest. She had observed him till now, her eyes couldn¡¯t be wrong. That was Kyle. That was him. But the question remained. ¡¯Since when do you have ice affinity?¡¯ On their way to the infirmary, Kyle had asked her. ¡ª "You are not gonna ask?" "Ask what?" ¡ª "Why I hid being a deviant." She had smiled, calm and composed. "Everyone has secrets, Kyle. I¡¯m not going to pry." But the truth? She desperately wanted to ask. ¡¯What else are you hiding?¡¯ ¡¯How did you get the ice affinity?¡¯ But she couldn¡¯t. Not yet. If he realized she knew things she shouldn¡¯t. Everything would unravel. So she had pushed her half-eaten slice of cake toward him instead. "You should try the chocolate layer," she said lightly. He didn¡¯t hesitate before stabbing his fork into it immediately. ¡¯He still trusts me.¡¯ That was good. That was important. Even if this Kyle was stronger, even if he had new abilities. He still trusted her. That might be enough. In her past life. Kyle had been Rank 9 at this point, same as now. But he hadn¡¯t been this strong. He hadn¡¯t been able to stand against her and Cedric so easily. Not in the start of the academy, at least. She had noticed it before. During the VR exams, when they had partnered up. His magic was too precise. To controlled. His instincts too sharp. At first, she had dismissed it. Maybe he had trained harder. It was a good thing that he was getting stronger. But now? Now she couldn¡¯t ignore it. He wasn¡¯t just stronger. He was smarter in fights. The way he had moved in the fight with Cedric. Those weren¡¯t the wild, desperate swings she remembered. They were calculated. Controlled. Almost like... Almost like he had been fighting for years longer than he should have. But how? Unless¡ª Her teacup froze halfway to her lips. ¡¯Unless he remembers things too.¡¯ No. That was impossible. Wasn¡¯t it? She studied him harder, searching for any flicker of recognition, any hint that he knew more than he should. But Kyle just kept eating, oblivious to her scrutiny. If he did know something, he was hiding it well. Fine. She wouldn¡¯t push. Not today. Let him keep his secrets. She had plenty of her own. But she would watch. She¡¯d pay attention to every new skill, every unexpected move. And if the time came when those secrets put him in danger? Well. That¡¯s what she was here for. To make sure this time ended differently. No matter what it took. The cafe¡¯s music swelled around them, some horribly saccharine love song. Kyle made a face. "Gods, this place is awful," he muttered. Eleanora laughed, the sound bright and real. ¡¯Yes. Definitely the same Kyle.¡¯ For now, that was enough. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle bid farewell to Eleanora as they parted ways near the academy¡¯s central plaza. The sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows across the cobblestone paths. A group of seniors sparred near the training grounds, their blades clashing in rhythmic strikes. Kyle paused for a moment, watching their fluid movements before continuing toward the faculty quarters. The door to his and Aurelia¡¯s shared quarters was reinforced with a mana-lock system. Each awakener had a unique mana signature. They are like fingerprints, impossible to replicate. Kyle placed his hand on the knob, letting a trickle of his mana flow into the mechanism. A soft click echoed as the lock disengaged. "I¡¯m home" he called out, stepping inside. Silence greeted him. Aurelia wasn¡¯t back yet. ¡¯Of course.¡¯ The instructors were probably still holed up in the observation room, dissecting every second of the exam. Performance reviews, strength assessments, weakness breakdowns. Each student would receive a detailed report by tonight. Kyle exhaled, rolling his stiff shoulders. His body ached, remnants of phantom pain from the simulated battles lingering in his muscles. A shower first. Then food. The bathroom tiles were cool underfoot as Kyle stripped off his uniform. The mirror showed a face worn thin, shadowed eyes, weary lines. Yet beneath the exhaustion, his features retained their sharp with effortless charm. ¡ª Freshly showered and dressed in loose training pants and a thin shirt. Kyle padded into the kitchen. The pantry was well-stocked as ever. He grabbed vegetables, rice, and a slab of seasoned meat. Simple stir-fry. Quick. Filling. As he chopped onions, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Then buzzed again. And again. ¡¯What now?¡¯ Wiping his hands on a towel, he pulled out the device. The screen lit up with a flood of notifications. "Team 7" group chat created. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Roland added Sylvie, Orion, Isolde, and Kyle to the chat. Roland: Oh, Kyle is here guys. Kyle blinked. Kyle: How did you guys get my caller ID? Sylvie: Luna gave it to me. ¡¯Of course it was Luna.¡¯ Kyle sighed, shaking his head. That girl was a menace. The messages kept coming. Roland: Meeting tomorrow? Afternoon? Library workroom? Sylvie: Yes! But we should review our footage first. Isolde: Agreed, but didn¡¯t we already discuss this today? Kyle glanced at the sizzling pan. He flipped the meat with one hand while typing with the other. Kyle: Noon works. A pause. Then¡ª Sylvie: Orion? You have been quiet. No response. Roland: He¡¯s probably just reading. You know how he is. Kyle smiled. Typical Orion, silent but observant. The big guy would show up tomorrow with a fully analyzed battle plan scribbled in that tattered notebook of his. The stir-fry was nearly done. Kyle added a final dash of spices, the aroma filling the kitchen. As he plated the food. The front door clicked open just as Kyle was setting the table. "Smells good," Aurelia¡¯s tired voice called out. Kyle glanced up to see his sister shuffling in, looking like she¡¯d fought another war. Her usually perfect ponytail hung half-undone, strands of black hair escaping to frame her exhausted face. She¡¯d rolled her uniform sleeves to the elbows and washed her hands clean. "Long day?" Kyle asked, pushing her plate across the counter. Aurelia collapsed onto a dining chair with a groan. "Grading two hundred exam recordings makes fighting monsters look relaxing." Kyle snorted, grabbing two glasses from the cupboard. "That bad?" "You have no idea." She accepted the water he offered. As he placed a plate of stir-fry in front of her. She stabbed her fork into the stir-fry and took a bite, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "This is good." "Thanks. Figured you would be hungry." Aurelia hummed in agreement, eating in comfortable silence for a moment before glancing at him. "Your team did well, by the way." Kyle raised an eyebrow. "Even though we got ambushed by Lyra¡¯s group?" "Especially because you got ambushed and still won." She pointed her fork at him. "That ice platform move was smart. Risky, but smart." He shrugged, trying to play it cool despite the praise. "Just reacted." Aurelia studied him for a second. That piercing look that always made him feel like she could see right through him, then shook her head. "Whatever you¡¯re doing in your extra training, keep it up." The conversation lulled as they ate. The only sounds the clink of utensils and the distant shouts of students still celebrating outside. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 91: Slaughterhouse Chapter 91: Slaughterhouse[Two Weeks Ago ¡ª Garrick¡¯s POV] Garrick was returning from the usual Monday meeting. Every week. He handled deals with black-market suppliers. Making sure the Vipers stayed well stocked. It had taken longer than normal today. But the business was done. Normally, Risha would¡¯ve been with him. Her sharp tongue and scarlet eyes kept people in line. But today, she had stayed behind. ¡ª "Let¡¯s see what that new guy does when we are not around" She had said. Her tone had been calm. But her eyes told a different story. Watching. Waiting. Dain Vorsk. That name had been bothering Garrick for a while now. The guy was talented. He had helped root out two spies from within their ranks in less than a day. But something about him didn¡¯t sit right. Garrick didn¡¯t have proof. He just had a gut feeling. And after spending twenty years in the back alleys. The gutters and the blood-soaked streets of the underworld. Garrick had learned to trust that feeling. If Dain was here for something, some hidden motive or secret goal. Then now would be the time to act. With Garrick gone. With Risha gone. Garrick had laughed when Risha brought it up. ¡ª "If the brat tries something, we¡¯ll know soon enough. ¡ª "You¡¯re more than enough to handle him." Dain was just a Grade 1 Bronze. Risha was a Grade 3 Silver, and she wasn¡¯t alone. Nearly a hundred Vipers were stationed at the warehouse. If Dain tried anything. He wouldn¡¯t be able to leave in one piece. Garrick leaned back as the car screeched to a stop in front of the warehouse. The building looked the same as always. Rusted metal, dark windows, dented doors. The Viper in the front passenger seat got out and opened his door. Garrick stepped onto the cracked pavement, stretching a little. But as his boots hit the ground. A strange silence settled over everything. No guards. No greetings. Not even footsteps. He frowned. "Where the hell is everyone?" he muttered. It wasn¡¯t just quiet. It was wrong. The kind of stillness that crept into your bones. He moved toward the warehouse. As soon as he opened the door, it hit him. The smell. A thick, sharp stench. Metallic. Heavy. Blood. He froze at the entrance, nostrils flaring. Then, with his heart pounding, he rushed inside... And stopped cold. His breath caught in his throat. Bodies. Everywhere. Vipers, torn to pieces. Some had been sliced clean through. Others ripped apart like rag dolls. Blood soaked the floor, dripping from crates, pooling beneath lifeless limbs. Faces locked in expressions of terror, mouths still open in screams that would never be heard. A hundred men and women¡ªhis men and women¡ªall dead. Slaughtered. "What... what the fuck is this..." Garrick whispered, stumbling forward. The Vipers who had come with him were behind him, frozen in shock. No one spoke. No one moved. Thoughts raced through Garrick¡¯s mind. ¡¯Red Fangs?¡¯ No¡ªthey wouldn¡¯t dare attack here, not openly. ¡¯Was it Dain?¡¯ No... it was impossible. Even if he was hiding his real strength, one man couldn¡¯t do this. Not to this many trained fighters. THUD. A heavy sound near his feet. Garrick looked down. A head. It rolled to a stop against his boot. His eyes widened. It was the Viper who had opened his car door moments ago. Garrick jerked his head up. Only to see the others who came with him¡ªevery last one¡ªcollapsed on the floor. Blood spilling out from their bodies. Dead. All dead. And then... He saw him. Standing in the middle of the blood-soaked warehouse was a figure dressed in black. He was tall¡ªtoo tall. His proportions were off. His presence felt wrong, like something from a nightmare that had crawled into the real world. He wore a mask¡ª black leather. With the mouth sewn shut by thick red thread. Twisted into a sick smile. His eyes glowed red. Burning. Evil. Thick waves of demonic energy poured from him, coating the air like tar. Garrick couldn¡¯t breathe. His knees buckled. He collapsed onto the wet floor. His pants soaking through. Something warm spread between his legs. He didn¡¯t even care. He couldn¡¯t look away. The figure stepped forward. A long sword dangled from his hand. Red-black energy dripping from the blade. Then, the voice. "Where... is... that... sword...?" Garrick flinched. The sound wasn¡¯t human. It was warped. Like broken glass scraping across rusted metal. It scraped against his mind. "I... I don¡¯t... I don¡¯t know what you are talking about..." The figure tilted its head. Then, in that same cracked, cursed voice. "Sword... from... Auction..?" Auction? Garrick¡¯s mind scrambled. He¡¯d bought weapons before¡ªplenty of them. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then it clicked. The curved sword. Decorative one. He had bought it months ago and hung it on the office wall, thinking it was just for show. He forced himself to speak. "I-It¡¯s in the office! On the wall! I swear! I swear!" The figure stared at him. Then¡ª "You... are... lying." The blade moved. In one smooth arc. It came down¡ªwreathed in red and black energy. Thick with demonic power. Garrick opened his mouth to beg¡ª But it was too late. The sword sliced clean through. ¡ª¡ª¡ª The masked figure stood still. Silent. The bloodied sword in his hand dripped onto the warehouse floor. Red mixing with black as demonic energy pulsed around him like a heartbeat. He raised his head slowly. Turning as if sensing something behind him. Then, he moved. In one sharp motion. He jerked his arm back and swung his sword over his shoulder. CLANG! Steel crashed against steel. Sparks flew. Another sword had met his own. Standing there, blocking his blade with ease. It another figure. Also dressed in black. But different. Her posture was calm. Controlled. Her aura cold but clear. Unlike the masked thing. Her presence didn¡¯t feel twisted or wrong. It felt sharp. Real. Her face was hidden beneath a black hood. Shadows clung to her like a second skin. But her voice. When she spoke, it cut through the silence like a blade. "You...will pay...for what you did to him." The masked figure twitched. Its head turned sideways. The stitched mouth unmoving. Then it spoke. Its broken, cursed voice grinding against the air. "Who... are... you...?" The woman didn¡¯t answer at first. Instead, she pressed forward. Her sword. Shining with a coating of darkness mana. Not demonic but pure darkness¡ªshoved the masked figure back. Not with brute strength, but with terrifying precision. Then she spoke again. Her voice laced with anger beneath the calm. "How dare you touch him." She stepped forward again, each movement clean and smooth. Like she had trained for this very moment a thousand times. "How dare you hurt Kyle." The masked figure hissed. A garbled, high-pitched screech leaking from its sewn mouth. It slashed forward with impossible speed. Sending a shockwave of red-black mana through the warehouse wall. The steel beams cracked. The floor split open. But she didn¡¯t flinch. She sidestepped the slash and drove her sword forward. Darkness swirling around her blade like a living shadow. The two clashed again. The entire warehouse shook. Steel screamed. Glass shattered. Chunks of the ceiling crashed down as mana collided. One side cold and steady, the other wild and corrupted. The masked figure unleashed a wave of demonic energy. Blasting everything in front of it into dust. But the woman leapt through it. Her movements were almost silent. No wasted steps, no noise, just swift and graceful violence. She dodged each swing with ease. Her long sword dancing in her hand like it had a will of its own. And then... She struck. One clean cut. A flash of darkness. And the masked figure staggered. A deep gash running across its chest. Black ichor spilled out instead of blood, hissing against the floor. It swung wildly. Roaring in its fractured voice. But she was already behind it. One more step. One more strike. Her blade pierced through its back and out the chest, coated in pure darkness mana. The figure froze. Trembled. Cracked. Its body began to collapse in on itself like a puppet with its strings cut. The demonic energy around it vanished in an instant. The masked corpse dropped to the ground, face first. Still. Lifeless. The warehouse was in ruins. Walls torn apart. Steel bent like paper. Debris scattered everywhere. Smoke and dust hung in the air like fog. The woman stood over the body. Her hood shifted slightly. Letting a faint gleam of her eyes show through the shadows. She spoke quietly. A whisper, like a question to herself. "What... are these things?" She glanced down at the body. It wasn¡¯t normal. It didn¡¯t bleed like a human. It didn¡¯t die like one either. She knelt down and touched its arm. The skin looked like it had been dead for a long time. Her voice turned colder. "This wasn¡¯t alive. Not really." Her eyes narrowed. "It felt like... like a skinwalker. But worse. Like something had taken control of a dead body." She stood. Looked around the destroyed warehouse. Her eyes scanning the wreckage. The blood. The warped remains of what once was human. Her grip on the long-sword tightened. "This... this wasn¡¯t just demonic." A pause. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I don¡¯t think this thing was from the demon race at all..." Her eyes narrowed, unease creeping into her voice. "Could it be something else? Something worse?" She didn¡¯t know yet. But she would find out. Then, without a sound. She vanished into the shadows. Leaving only silence and questions behind. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 92: The Group Assignment [1] Chapter 92: The Group Assignment [1]Ring! A loud alarm rang through the quiet room. Kyle groaned and slapped his hand on the alarm clock, silencing it. "Shut up..." he muttered, his voice hoarse from sleep. He rubbed his eyes and let out a long yawn, stretching his arms over his head. His muscles ached slightly, probably from yesterday¡¯s exam. He sat on the edge of his bed for a few seconds, letting his body fully wake up. Then stood up and walked slowly toward the bathroom. When he looked in the mirror, he let out a sigh. His bluish-black hair was messy and clinging to his forehead. Some strands were sticking out in odd directions. He ran a hand through it and clicked his tongue. "It¡¯s getting too long again. Should I cut it?" he thought. "But I do have to say. I look good with long hair. I¡¯ll think about it later." As he began brushing his teeth. His mind wandered back to the detailed report he had read last night. The instructors had put a lot of effort into it. It didn¡¯t just point out what he did wrong or right. But also included small suggestions, like things he should have done differently. How he could¡¯ve reacted better, and which areas he still needed to improve. It was brutally honest, but also useful. After brushing, he stepped into the shower and turned the knob all the way to cold.The chill of the water hit his skin like a shock. But it helped clear away the last bit of sleepiness. When he came out, towel in hand, drying his damp hair, he looked around the room. The smell of food caught his attention. In the living area. He saw Aurelia sitting casually on the couch. She wasn¡¯t in her usual instructor¡¯s uniform today. Instead, she wore a simple beige top and black pants. Her long black hair was tied loosely behind her. On the table nearby, there was already a full spread of breakfast: toast, scrambled eggs, grilled sausage, fruits, and even two cups of tea. Kyle blinked in surprise. "Did you... cook?" he asked cautiously. Without looking up from the tablet in her hand, she replied. "I ordered it." Kyle let out a sigh of relief. Aurelia¡¯s cooking... well. It was always an unpredictable adventure, and not the good kind. He sat down across from her and picked up a slice of toast. As he took a bite, he checked the time on the wall clock. 11:03 AM. He had overslept more than he meant to. "No academy today?" he asked her between bites. "I took a day off," she replied, finally looking up. Kyle nodded. That made sense. Aurelia had been staying late at the Academy all week. Between helping run the practical exams and preparing reports, she must¡¯ve been exhausted. "Oh, and did you read your performance report?" she asked, sipping her tea. "Yeah," Kyle answered, chewing thoughtfully. "I went through it last night." "Good," she said with a small nod. "We wrote it carefully. There were some parts that needed to be addressed." "I know" Kyle said. "Some mistakes were obvious when I looked at them later." There was a short pause. "When¡¯s your group meeting for the assignment?" she asked, setting her cup down. "At one. We¡¯re meeting in the library workspace." Aurelia stood up and stretched her arms above her head. "Then finish up and get ready. You can head over there early and start preparing." Kyle finished the last of his tea and stood up to clear the plates. But before he could reach for them. Aurelia stopped him. "I¡¯ll take care of the dishes," she said. "You go work on the assignment." "You sure?" Kyle asked, raising an eyebrow. "Go" she said firmly. "I also ordered lunch, so don¡¯t worry about that either." He gave her a small smile and nodded. "Alright, thanks." With that, he went to get his notes and Laptop, already thinking about what parts of the assignment he would focus on. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle changed into a clean white shirt and a pair of black pants. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar slightly. ¡¯Damn... how can someone be this handsome?¡¯ he thought to himself. Tilting his head as he studied his reflection. His bluish-black hair framed his face perfectly. The soft light from the window catching the slight glow in his eyes. No matter what he wore, it somehow looked like it was made for him. ¡¯Am I turning into a narcissist?¡¯ he wondered, raising an eyebrow. But a small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth anyway. Then his eyes caught the time on his mana band. 12:50 PM. "Shit!" he cursed under his breath. He had completely lost track of time while admiring himself. The meeting was at 1:00. He grabbed his laptop and rushed out of the room. Aurelia was still lounging on the couch in the hall. Her legs tucked under her, eyes focused on the TV where her favorite drama was playing. She looked up at him with a raised brow. "You haven¡¯t left yet? It¡¯s 12:50 already." "I know, I know!" Kyle said, running past her. "I didn¡¯t check the time." "Don¡¯t be late," she said. A hint of amusement in her voice. "Bye, Sis! I¡¯ll be back in the evening!" he called over his shoulder. "Goodbye." He sprinted across the campus ground, weaving past other students. The Academy¡¯s library stood tall in the distance. It wasn¡¯t just large¡ªit was massive. Expanded and enhanced through powerful space magic that allowed it to hold far more than its exterior suggested. The grand white walls shimmered faintly with mana. As he stepped inside, the cool, quiet air of the library welcomed him. Floating above were the Mini Nexus units. Small, disk-shaped helper bots with glowing blue eyes. Some zipped around, rearranging books. Others scanned shelves, maintaining perfect order. The first floor held general books that anyone could access. The second floor, where he was headed, was the workspace area¡ªquiet, with private tables for group work. Higher levels were locked behind permissions, holding restricted materials only elite students or instructors could view. Kyle quickly checked the group chat on his mana band. Roland: "We¡¯re already here. 2nd floor, left side." He found them easily. Roland, Isolde, Sylvie, and Orion were all seated around a circular table with a few blank pages and a laptop already out. As he walked up, Isolde looked up from her notes. "You¡¯re late." "Yeah... sorry," Kyle said, scratching the back of his head as he took a seat. "Don¡¯t worry," Roland said. "We just got Nexus to fetch some books about the Vorthal. Waiting on those." They didn¡¯t have to wait long. One of the Mini Nexus units floated over to them, carrying a stack of heavy books with glowing runes on their spines. It gently dropped them on the table. "There¡¯s a lot..." Roland muttered, eyeing the pile. "Let¡¯s divide them up," Isolde said. Orion and Roland grabbed a few books and began looking for tactical analysis¡ªweaknesses, known attack patterns, and possible counters. Kyle picked up a book titled Bestiary of Forgotten Rifts and started flipping through the pages, scanning for any mention of Vorthals. Sylvie sat quietly beside Isolde, her fingers fidgeting with a pen cap. She looked nervous, as usual, but nodded when Isolde handed her a few books. "We¡¯ll handle the attack patterns and physical traits, okay?" Isolde said gently. "Y-Yeah..." Sylvie whispered. After some time, Kyle turned a page¡ªand froze. There it was. A full illustration of a Vorthal. The image sent a chill down his spine. Its head was that of a crow. Sharp, angular, with pitch-black feathers and a long, cruel beak that looked like it could tear through flesh like paper. Its eyes were small and gleamed with an eerie intelligence, almost like it understood it was being watched. The body was humanoid, but not fully. The proportions were all wrong. It looked like a stretched corpse¡ªarms too long, shoulders hunched, the skin pale and torn in places, revealing sinewy muscle underneath. The torso was wrapped in ragged skin, some of it hanging off like it had been rotting for weeks. Its arms ended in long, twisted claws, shaped like butcher¡¯s hooks. Made for tearing, not holding. And the wings... vast, ragged at the edges yet still strong. Two great fans of black feathers extended from its back, beating with enough force to stir the air. A grim reminder that it could fly, and fast. The one they had faced in the artificial rift had looked similar... but it was nothing compared to this. That one had been Grade 1 Silver, practically a baby in front of the real thing. Kyle flipped to the next page and found even more information. Apparently, Vorthals could grow to Platinum Rank, and higher grades developed fully functional wings, allowing them to fly at high speeds and launch aerial attacks. They became even more dangerous in open terrain or wide battlefields. Their natural habitat was a twisted place called the Mire of Screams. A region deep within the corrupted zones (extremely high mana density) of the Northern Wastes. The land there was said to be warped by rift energy. Trees without leaves, rivers that flowed uphill, and the constant sound of whispers in the wind that drove intruders mad. Vorthals built isolated nests high in the cliffs, each claiming a stretch of territory as their own. They only descended to hunt, drawn to the scent of weakness. "Guys," Kyle said, eyes still on the page. "I found something." Everyone looked up from their books. He turned the book around so the others could see the drawing. "This is a proper Vorthal. The one we fought was nothing compared to this." He pointed at the beak and the claws. "This one¡¯s at least a high Gold Rank. And they can grow up to Platinum. Some even get full wings." "Seriously?" Roland muttered. "This thing can fly?" "Yeah. Also, their home is a place called the Mire of Screams. Everything about it is messed up. Twisted terrain... and they¡¯re solitary hunters. Each one¡¯s dangerous on its own." "Creepy..." Sylvie whispered, pulling her notebook a little closer to her chest. Isolde leaned in to read more. "We definitely need to include this in the presentation. It adds a lot of context." They spent the next few hours compiling everything. Orion and Roland organized the tactical data. Strengths, weaknesses, and how to counter them in group formations. Sylvie and Isolde detailed their physical traits, attack patterns, and observed behaviors. Kyle summarized the Vorthal¡¯s background, ranking system, and environmental traits. They created the slides together¡ªsimple, clean, with bullet points and reference images from the books. By the time they were finally done, Kyle checked the time. 7:03 PM. "Wow, we have been here all day," Roland said, stretching his arms. "Now the question is... who¡¯s going to present this?" Orion asked. The group went silent. Everyone looked at each other. Kyle looked at Isolde and shrugged. "You would do a good job. You¡¯ve got that clear, confident voice." Isolde blinked. "Me?" "You¡¯re already the best speaker among us," Kyle said. "You kept us organized too." Sylvie gave a small nod. "I-I think you¡¯d be good too..." Roland grinned. "Seconded." "Fine," Isolde said, shaking her head slightly but smiling. "I¡¯ll do it." With that settled, they packed up their things, said their goodbyes, and left the library¡ªtired, but satisfied. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 93: The Group Assignment [2]—(Filler Chapter) Chapter 93: The Group Assignment [2]¡ª(Filler Chapter)(This is a filler Chapter¡ªyou can skip it) The sun had dipped below the horizon by the time Kyle reached the faculty quarters. Leaving behind a soft orange glow in the sky. The breeze had cooled. Rustling the leaves on the trees lining the path, and the magical street lamps flickered on. Bathing the area in a warm light. As Kyle rounded the corner. He spotted a familiar figure walking ahead. Pink hair swaying with each step, her posture relaxed but graceful. "Seraphina?" Kyle called out. She turned to face him. A small smile tugging at her lips. "Oh, Kyle. What are you doing here?" He caught up with her. "We were working on the group project. What about you? I thought you also took the day off?" "I didn¡¯t take the holiday" Seraphina said with a shrug. "But all the first-years had the day off. So I finished my work early." Kyle nodded, falling into step beside her as they walked down the quiet path. "Well, you are in luck. I was thinking of making dinner. Want to join? You can relax for once." Seraphina looked at him. A teasing smile on her face. "Are you offering because you feel bad that I cooked for you last time, or do you actually want to make dinner for me?" "Maybe both," Kyle said with a grin. "Besides, I¡¯m making something special." She raised an eyebrow. "Special, huh? What¡¯s the surprise this time?" Kyle¡¯s lips curved into a mischievous smile. "You will see." Seraphina¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly in amusement. "If it¡¯s instant noodles with a fancy garnish. I swear..." Kyle scoffed. "Have some faith. You know I can cook." She let out a soft laugh. "I do. That¡¯s why I¡¯m agreeing. Just don¡¯t burn the place down." The two of them continued walking in comfortable silence. With only the sound of their footsteps on the path. After a few moments, Seraphina glanced at him. "By the way, did you finish the assignment?" "Yeah. It took us most of the day, but it¡¯s done. Isolde¡¯s doing the presentation." "Smart choice," Seraphina said, nodding approvingly. "She¡¯s got a sharp mind. She¡¯ll nail it." There was a brief pause before she added, "And you did well in the practical exam." Kyle¡¯s face softened a little, but he didn¡¯t respond right away. Before he could, Seraphina reached out and ruffled his hair. A playful gesture that made him huff quietly. "Hey¡ª!" Kyle flinched slightly but didn¡¯t pull away. "You earned it," she said, smiling warmly. "I watched the exam. You kept your head when things got messy. That¡¯s not something most students manage when they are up against a monster above their level." "And hey, congrats on coming first." Kyle gave her a small nod. "Thanks. Still feel like there¡¯s a lot I messed up, though." "There always is" she replied. "That¡¯s how you grow." They walked the rest of the way in a calm silence. Only the soft crunch of their footsteps breaking the quiet. As they reached the front of the quarters. Kyle opened the door and stepped aside, motioning for her to go in first. "Ladies first." "How polite," Seraphina said with a smirk. They arrived at the door to the quarters, and the porch light flickered on as Kyle opened it. Inside, the lights were on, and the sound of the TV playing softly filled the space. Aurelia was sitting on the couch. A blanket draped over her legs as she flipped through the channels. She looked up, eyes narrowing when she saw who was following Kyle inside. "Oh. It¡¯s you," Aurelia said flatly, not hiding her lack of enthusiasm. Seraphina smiled sweetly. "Aww, I missed you too." "I doubt that," Aurelia replied, setting the remote down on the coffee table. Kyle sighed. "You two could at least try to pretend to get along at the door." "We are getting along," Seraphina said innocently. "Aurelia¡¯s always this charming." Aurelia stood up, walking toward them. "Why¡¯s she here?" "I invited her for dinner," Kyle said, slipping off his shoes and stepping inside. "We ran into each other on the way. She¡¯s had a long day too." Seraphina smirked. "Relax, I¡¯m not here to mess up your kitchen. I just want to sit back and enjoy whatever your brother cooks." Kyle started walking toward the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves. "Alright, alright. I¡¯ll get started. You two try not to kill each other while I cook." "No promises," Aurelia muttered as she walked past Seraphina. Seraphina leaned casually against the counter. Watching Kyle pull out ingredients. "So... what are you making, Chef Kyle?" Kyle grinned, not looking up as he grabbed a few things. "I¡¯m trying a new dish. Something a little different." Seraphina raised an eyebrow. "You are experimenting on us?" Kyle chuckled. "Don¡¯t worry. You will like it. I¡¯m sure of it." Behind him, Aurelia crossed her arms, watching Seraphina closely. "You know, some people knock before entering someone else¡¯s home." "You are not just anyone else," Seraphina said with a grin. "You¡¯re my favorite rival." "Keep dreaming," Aurelia muttered, clearly not impressed. The kitchen filled with the sound of chopping. The sizzling of food on the stove, and the occasional soft banter between Aurelia and Seraphina, each teasing the other. When the dish was finally ready. Kyle served up the fragrant, steaming plates of biryani. He set them down at the table. Watching as Aurelia and Seraphina exchanged a brief look before taking their first bites. Aurelia raised her eyebrows, surprised by the flavor. "Whoa. This is actually really good." Seraphina, on the other hand, nodded thoughtfully. "I admit, I didn¡¯t expect it. This... isn¡¯t bad at all." Kyle grinned. "I told you." Seraphina chuckled, pushing her plate toward him a little. "Alright, alright. You win. This is definitely better than expected" Aurelia didn¡¯t say anything. But the small nod she gave him told him everything he needed to know. The three of them ate in relative peace, with only the occasional playful jab or teasing remark. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Despite their usual banter, there was an undeniable comfort in the moment. The simple joy of sharing a meal, of being together after the chaos of the day. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Discord Server: .gg/rRREhBx2 ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 94: The Group Assignment [3]—(Filler Chapter) Chapter 94: The Group Assignment [3]¡ª(Filler Chapter)The hall buzzed with quiet murmurs as students sat scattered across the massive rows of seats. Kyle sat with his team. Isolde, Sylvie, Roland, and Orion. At the center-left section, close to the front. The ceiling stretched impossibly high above them, supported by wide stone arches. From outside. The building looked like a normal auditorium, but inside, thanks to space magic. It was vast enough to seat over a thousand first-year students comfortably. The walls were lined with glowing crystals that lit the room in a steady white light, and a massive magical projector stood at the front. Casting slides onto the large transparent screen behind the stage. Each student team would be presenting their experience with the monster they faced in the Artificial Rift trials. The air was tense. Most students sat straight in their seats, whispering with their teammates or nervously flipping through notes. Some had their heads down. Already dreading what was coming. Kyle leaned back slightly, his long legs stretched out in front of him, and spun a quill between his fingers absentmindedly. His eyes flicked around the hall. Watching. Waiting. He glanced toward the front where a line of instructors sat behind a long table. Instructor Crater was there, expression stern as usual. Beside him sat Aurelia, calm but focused. Seraphina, with her usual unreadable smirk. Brynn, who looked bored out of his mind, and several other homeroom instructors from A1 to J1. Each first-year class had 100 students. Ten classes meant nearly a thousand students, and all of them were packed into the hall. This wasn¡¯t just a normal presentation. It was judgment day. Every team¡¯s performance and report during the Artificial Rift trial would be reviewed, questioned, and evaluated. Harshly. The presentation just before theirs, Team 13, had finished. The girl presenting bowed her head politely after wrapping up. "...and that concludes our analysis on the Earth-Nature Golem," she said, stepping back. Instructor Crater tapped his fingers together. "You mentioned its regeneration was tied to the moss growing on its core. Why wasn¡¯t that your first target?" The girl hesitated. "We... didn¡¯t realize it at first. By the time we noticed, we had already exhausted most of our resources." Another instructor leaned forward. "Did no one scan for magical patterns during the fight?" She flinched slightly but answered, "Our mage was incapacitated early in the battle." There were a few murmurs. Aurelia scribbled something on her notepad, lips pursed. Crater gave a slight nod. "You may return to your seats." The team walked off the stage quickly, clearly shaken. It was obvious the instructors weren¡¯t pleased. Out of nearly 200 teams. Only four had successfully completed their objective of defeating their assigned monster. Most had failed to kill even the weaker Grade 3 Silver monsters. Dozens were assigned Grade 2 and still. The success rate was miserable. Kyle sighed. He could feel the pressure crawling across the room like a shadow. This wasn¡¯t just about power. It was about strategy, awareness, teamwork. Solvayne Academy didn¡¯t hold back. And the results were clear. The academy had no interest in keeping students who couldn¡¯t survive. Then, Seraphina stood up and called the next team. "Team 21." Kyle raised an eyebrow. ¡¯Oh... Eleanora and Cassian¡¯s team.¡¯ There was no order to how the teams were called. It was completely random. That meant Team 7 could be called next, or last. He leaned back again, watching the platform. Eleanora stepped up confidently, her long golden hair tied back. Kyle smirked. ¡¯Makes sense. No way I see Cassian doing the whole model student thing. He¡¯s smart, but... not that kind of smart.¡¯ She clicked a button on a crystal remote, and the projector behind her lit up. The image that appeared was of a large, lizard-like creature. Its scales were dark green, thick and plated, like armor. Its limbs were powerful, with huge claws meant for tearing stone. Its jaws were sharp and wide, filled with jagged teeth. A long tail ended in a pointed bone blade. Eleanora¡¯s voice was calm and steady. "This creature, classified as a Grade 1 Silver. Showed mixed traits of both reptilian and draconic species. We identified its weaknesses as targeting the soft underbelly and overloading its heat-sensitive vision using light magic..." She went on about its attack patterns, defensive instincts, how it relied on ambush tactics and often camouflaged itself in dense terrain. Kyle found himself nodding slightly. It was solid. Professional. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After she finished. The instructors shot her a few questions. Tactical, detailed stuff. She answered every one without fumbling. Then, Seraphina called, "Team 7. Please come forward." Kyle turned to his side and noticed Isolde sitting stiff. Hands clenched together in her lap. Her eyes were fixed ahead, and her breath shallow. Sylvie leaned closer and whispered, "Y-You have got this. Just take it slow." Kyle gave her a small, encouraging smile. "You are gonna kill it out there. Trust me." Isolde looked at them, nodded slowly, then stood up. Her steps were firm, steady, more confident than before. Kyle sat back, watching her walk to the stage, her shoulders straight. She held the crystal remote tightly as she reached the podium. The hall quieted. She clicked the button. The screen flashed to life. Showing the monster they had faced. It has head of Bird. And humanoid body with hook like claws. Its skin pale as Corpse. Short black wings on his back which is useless for fight. Isolde began. "This is the Grade 1 Silver-class monster our team faced. It is called Vorthal." Her voice was calm and steady as she continued. "Vorthals originate from a region known as the Mire of Screams. They are known for their intelligence and adaptability. Despite this one being Silver Grade 1. They have the potential to evolve and grow all the way up to Diamond rank. This makes them one of the more dangerous species found..." Kyle watched her, pride blooming quietly in his chest. She nailed it. Her words were smooth, practiced but not robotic. Confident but not arrogant. When she finished, one of the instructors asked, "What would you have done differently if it had a healing factor like the moss golem?" Isolde didn¡¯t even blink. "We would have focused on sustained damage using pressure-based attacks. Roland¡¯s hammer style works well to interrupt recovery cycles." Another instructor nodded slowly. "Not bad." A short silence followed. Then Crater gestured. "Return to your seats." Isolde gave a respectful nod and walked back. As she sat down, Kyle leaned in slightly. "Told you. You were great." Isolde smiled. A small proud thing. And just like that. Team 7¡¯s moment was done, but they had made it count. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 95: Mana Rail 17 [1] Chapter 95: Mana Rail 17 [1]At the very back of Classroom A1. Kyle sat hunched over, chewing his nails nervously. His foot tapped restlessly under the desk. To his left, Reo looked no better. His forehead was shiny with sweat and he kept muttering things under his breath. To Kyle¡¯s right. Luna sat with her arms crossed and a wide grin on her face. Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she watched both boys suffer. "Oh, come on," she whispered. "You two look like you are about to face some scary monster." Kyle didn¡¯t answer. His eyes were locked on the front of the classroom. Where Instructor Veldrin was slowly handing out the graded answer sheets from the Mana Calculus quiz. That quiz had been a nightmare. All he was praying for now was to somehow scrape a passing grade. More than the quiz. It was the consequences he feared. If he failed, not only would he have to sit through Veldrin¡¯s dull extra classes. But he would also have to listen to Aurelia¡¯s nagging. He could already hear her voice in his head, loud and disappointed. "The little brother of Aurelia Valemont. Failing Mana Calculus? I, who always ranked first in my academy days? Unbelievable." "Kyle Valemont," Instructor Veldrin called out. Kyle froze. His stomach dropped. He slowly got to his feet, legs stiff. He walked down the aisle like he was walking to his doom. His heartbeat thumped in his ears. He swore, this was more terrifying than facing that giant bird-abomination in the Artificial Rift. He took the paper from Veldrin¡¯s hand, not daring to look at it. "You did better than expected," Veldrin said calmly, before adding with a raised brow, "Aside from the... doodles. Like the one of you jumping out a window." Kyle blinked and flushed red. He had completely forgotten he¡¯d drawn that on the last page when he gave up halfway through the test. Still embarrassed. He turned the paper around and finally looked at the grade. 55 marks. He blinked again. Then counted the marks one by one just to make sure. It was real. He passed. He let out a long breath. Smiling like he had just dodged death itself. As he walked back to his seat, he looked far too proud for someone who barely passed. Some girls in the middle row glanced his way¡ªand froze. Their cheeks turning red as they caught sight of his smile. He looked so effortlessly handsome in that moment. They couldn¡¯t help but stare. Back at his desk. He turned to Luna and Reo and held out his paper proudly. "Check it. Fifty-five, baby." Luna snorted and raised an eyebrow. "You¡¯re acting like you scored a hundred." Then she casually held up her own paper. 86 marks. Kyle¡¯s smile twitched. His eye twitched too. He took a deep breath, telling himself not to get mad. ¡¯It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s okay. You don¡¯t have to punch this gremlin. She¡¯s not even being mean. Just... herself.¡¯ Reo looked even more nervous now, tapping his fingers on the desk. Then Veldrin called out, "Reo Dustbane." Reo jumped up and hurried to the front. Almost tripping over someone¡¯s bag on the way. A minute later. He came back grinning like he¡¯d won a prize. "Forty-one!" he announced proudly, waving his paper. Kyle raised an eyebrow. "You actually passed?" Reo nodded, still smiling. "Hey, passing¡¯s thirty-eight. I¡¯ll take it." As the last papers were handed out, Instructor Veldrin cleared his throat. "The average score is 45. Those who scored below 38 must attend extra classes and will receive extra homework." A few groans filled the classroom. "The highest score was 91. Good work, Serena Blackthorn." Serena, sitting in the second row, simply nodded. She didn¡¯t even look up from her notes. "I will send sample answers to your mana bands. Review them and learn from your mistakes." Veldrin looked around one last time. "You¡¯re all dismissed." The class slowly stood up and began filing out the door, some students sighing, others chatting. As Kyle packed his things, Reo turned to him. "Hey, I was thinking... Tomorrow¡¯s a holiday. How about we do a dungeon dive together?" Kyle paused and looked at him. "You sure?" he asked. "Yeah," Reo said. "I realized I can¡¯t slack off anymore. I need to push myself. Everyone¡¯s getting stronger, and I don¡¯t want to fall behind." Kyle thought about it. He¡¯d been planning to do one soon anyway. Before he could agree, he suddenly remembered something¡ªlast time, he¡¯d told Aurelia he was going on a dungeon run, but secretly went to spy on a gang. And if he left without telling her again... "Let me ask my sister first," he said cautiously. Reo nodded right away. "Good call. I don¡¯t want her mad at me either. She¡¯s kinda scary." They both turned to Luna. "Wanna come too?" Kyle asked. Luna blinked. "Ahh, I would¡¯ve, but I can¡¯t. I¡¯ve got to go home this weekend¡ªit¡¯s my mom¡¯s birthday." Her smile softened. "She¡¯s been planning this little celebration for weeks, and I promised to be there. I even got her a gift!" Kyle and Reo nodded. "That¡¯s nice of you," Reo said. "I know, right?" she said brightly, swinging her bag over her shoulder. "Anyway, you boys have fun fighting monsters or whatever. Try not to get eaten." She winked, gave them a playful salute, and skipped off down the hall. Kyle smiled. He just need to ask the permission of Aurelia now. ¡ª¡ª¡ª The sky above Valtheras Station was bright and clear, with the early morning sun casting long shadows across the stone platform. The mana rails hummed quietly, charged with faint glowing lines of runes. A gentle breeze carried the mixed scent of oil, metal and freshly baked bread from a nearby food stall. Kyle and Reo stood near the waiting area. Dressed in simple, practical clothes suited for combat. Light, flexible, and easy to move in. Kyle wore a plain black jacket over a dark gray shirt. Reo had chosen his usual forest green gear with reinforced gloves. They were both packed lightly. No armor, nothing flashy. Just enough to blend in and move fast. "Man, I¡¯m glad we convinced your sister," Reo said, adjusting his shoulder strap. "Barely," Kyle sighed. "She made me swear up and down I wasn¡¯t lying this time. Even made you talk to her." Reo scratched his cheek awkwardly. "She stared right into my soul." sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kyle chuckled. "Yeah. That¡¯s her way of showing love." She still hadn¡¯t asked about the last time he lied. Maybe she didn¡¯t want to push him about it. Thinking it would bring up bad memories. It made Kyle feel a little guilty. But also grateful. He looked around the station. It was unusually busy for this hour. People bustled back and forth, some in traveler¡¯s cloaks, others in merchant garb. Carts full of goods were being loaded by small floating golems. Children ran around chasing each other while their parents scolded them. "It¡¯s way more crowded than usual," Kyle murmured. "Yeah," Reo nodded. "A lot of merchant caravans probably moving between cities." It was almost 9 a.m. now. They had eaten a quick breakfast on the way. Some meat rolls from a roadside stall. Kyle had planned to cook for Aurelia like he usually did. But this time she¡¯d told him not to worry and said she¡¯d just order something in. Suddenly, a flying bot floated toward them. It was small, about the size of a cat. With a smooth metal body and a single glowing blue lens. It hovered silently in front of them before speaking in a neutral, robotic voice. "Destination?" "Two tickets for Eldermere," Kyle replied. "Train will arrive in ten minutes." The bot beeped softly and gave them their tickets, then flew off toward another group of travelers. Eldermere. The city had a proper dungeon guild that managed multiple dungeons in its region, approved by both the Argent and Noctis Empires. That made it one of the few places where solo or small-group dungeon dives were allowed. They found a bench and sat down. Watching the crowd go by as they chatted about nothing in particular. Schoolwork, a new training method Reo wanted to try. Some rumors going around about strange monster sightings near the border. Eventually. The sharp sound of chimes echoed through the station. "Mana Rail 17 to Eldermere is now arriving." A sleek silver train pulled in. Runes glowing softly along its sides. Steam hissed from its undercarriage as the doors opened with a smooth click. Kyle and Reo boarded with the crowd. The inside of the train was clean, with soft seats and polished glass windows. The carriage they entered was nearly full. "Looks like a lot of people are heading to Eldermere," Kyle said, scanning the rows. They found two seats together and sat down. Just as Kyle leaned back and sighed¡ª "Oh my, what a coincidence." A familiar voice spoke from behind them. Kyle and Reo turned in unison. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 96: Mana Rail 17 [2] Chapter 96: Mana Rail 17 [2]A familiar voice spoke from behind them. Kyle and Reo turned in unison. Standing there in the aisle was a young woman with pale blonde hair tucked under a hooded cloak. She wore large round sunglasses that covered most of her upper face. But Kyle recognized her immediately. "Eleanora?" he muttered. She smiled innocently, resting one hand on her hip. "What a small world," she said lightly. As if bumping into someone on a grocery trip instead of a train to a dungeon hub. Reo blinked. "Wait, you are going to Eldermere too?" Eleanora nodded. Her voice smooth and playful. "Mm-hmm. I was just heading out for a little solo dive. Needed to stretch my legs, you know?" Kyle narrowed his eyes slightly. ¡¯Sure you were.¡¯ She tilted her head. "And what about you two?" "We are heading to a dungeon too," Kyle said, not bothering to hide the suspicion in his tone. Eleanora put on a shocked expression. "Oh my! What a coincidence¡ªagain! We are going to the same place for the same thing? Fate must really want us together today." Kyle and Reo looked at each other. Kyle sighed. "Well," Reo said, chuckling nervously, "I guess we can go together?" Eleanora smiled brightly. "Wonderful." She slid into the seat across from them and crossed one leg over the other. Clearly pleased with herself. As the train began to move and the city slowly rolled by outside the window. Kyle stared ahead with a mix of resignation and amusement. He wasn¡¯t sure what she was planning... But one thing was certain. This trip just got a lot more complicated. ¡ª¡ª¡ª "So, which dungeon are you planning to go to? Did you think about it yet?" Eleanora asked. Resting her chin on her hand as she leaned forward. "We are not sure yet," Kyle replied, glancing at Reo. "But we are planning to check out a Grade 3 Silver-ranked dungeon." "Great choice," Eleanora smiled, sitting up straighter. "There are some good ones near Eldermere. Like the Hollow Pine Caverns which is filled with blind beasts that sense mana. Or the Moss Crypt, lots of narrow tunnels and traps. Oh, and the Amberbone Den if you like insect-type monsters." As she spoke excitedly. Listing options and sharing her thoughts. Kyle leaned back, half-listening. His eyes casually drifting across the train. That¡¯s when he felt it. Someone was staring at him. Turning slightly. He noticed a small girl peeking at him from the seat across the aisle. She looked no older than five. She had chubby cheeks that made her look like a little dumpling and wide, curious eyes. Her short pigtails bounced slightly as she tilted her head. Clearly curious about them. Kyle¡¯s lips curled into a gentle smile, and he gave her a small wave. Startled. The girl squeaked and quickly ducked behind her mother¡¯s arm. Her sudden movement caught her mother¡¯s attention and she looked over at Kyle, then smiled politely. "She¡¯s just shy with strangers," the woman explained. Kyle chuckled softly. "That¡¯s alright." He reached into his storage ring and pulled out a small chocolate bar wrapped in golden foil. He leaned forward and held it out toward the girl. "Here, want this?" S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The girl peeked from behind her mother again. Her big eyes locked onto the chocolate like it was a treasure. She hesitated, unsure, looking up at her mother. Her mother nodded gently. "It¡¯s okay, sweetie. Say thank you to the big brothers and sister." With small, hesitant steps. The little girl reached out and took the chocolate bar. Then, in a whisper so quiet it could barely be heard. "Thank you..." Kyle smiled and nodded. "You are welcome." The woman looked at them with a curious expression. "You three are really beautiful... Are you nobles by any chance?" Kyle paused and glanced at Eleanora. He wasn¡¯t sure if she wanted to reveal her background. She gave him a small nod. "We are not nobles," Eleanora said with a smile. "We are just first-years at Solvayne Academy." The woman blinked. Her eyes widening slightly. "Oh my... Solvayne Academy? That¡¯s incredible." Reo gave an awkward chuckle while Eleanora leaned forward and gave the little girl a wink. "You want to become an Awakener one day?" she asked playfully. The girl nodded shyly. Her eyes sparkled with wonder. "So cute," Eleanora whispered to herself with a giggle. They chatted for a little while longer. The woman introduced herself as Mira, and her daughter¡¯s name was Anya. They were traveling to Eldermere to visit Mira¡¯s brother. Who worked with the Merchant Guild. Mira was clearly impressed and also a bit concerned. When she learned the three of them were going dungeon diving alone. "Just the three of you?" she asked. "It¡¯s more common than you would think," Eleanora said calmly. "At Solvayne, we get proper combat training. But yeah. It¡¯s still not something regular folks try alone." Mira nodded slowly, still looking unsure. "Well, please be careful. The dungeons around Eldermere are no joke." Kyle knew she wasn¡¯t wrong. Even a Grade 3 Silver dungeon could kill someone if they weren¡¯t focused or made a single mistake. In the world of Aevorath. Where monsters roamed and mana flowed like wind. Becoming an Awakener was a dream only a few could achieve. Roughly 70-80% of people stayed within Iron Rank. Only 10-20% ever reached Gold. And Radiant Rank and above? That was a level most could only dream of. Only a handful of true elites ever touched it. No wonder Mira had been so surprised when she heard they studied at Solvayne Academy. One of the top academies in the entire human domain. The train rattled smoothly on the tracks. Mana lines glowing faintly along the floor. They passed through a wide valley. Then entered a long, dark tunnel carved through a mountain. For a moment, everything dimmed. Then¡ª Flicker. The lights on the ceiling buzzed and flickered. Once. Twice. Click. Suddenly, they went out entirely. The carriage fell into darkness. Everyone froze. Only the faint glow of the mana lines on the train floor remained. Casting eerie blue shadows across people¡¯s faces. Then, from the front of the train¡ª "AHHHH!" A scream. Shrill. High-pitched. Filled with terror. Another scream followed it. Then another. It was spreading. The sound of something crashing. Metal hitting metal. Glass shattering. Then¡ª BOOM! A loud explosion shook the entire train. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 97: Mana Rail 17 [3] Chapter 97: Mana Rail 17 [3]BOOM! A violent explosion ripped through the front cars of the train. The floor trembled. Windows rattled. People screamed. Some were thrown from their seats, crashing into walls or landing hard on the metal floor. Bags flew from the overhead racks. A woman cried out as her shoulder smashed into a table edge. A child screamed for their mother. Panic surged like a crashing wave. The lights above flickered. Then died out. Total darkness swallowed the train car. "Wh-what happened?!" "Are we under attack?" "I can¡¯t see. Someone help!" A man tripped and slammed his head on the side railing with a sickening thud. Blood began to pool. A baby cried somewhere in the back. A woman was shouting, trying to break open the carriage door that refused to budge. No one knew what was happening. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then... A voice rang out. Calm, yet strong. "[Lumous]." A soft white light flared from Eleanora¡¯s palm. It spread like a warm ripple, filling the entire car. Shadows fled and the outlines of terrified faces came into view. The passengers stared at her light like it was a gift from heaven. "Everyone, calm down," Eleanora said clearly her voice sharp and steady. "Panicking won¡¯t help us. Stay still. Stay quiet." The noise faded a little. People froze where they were. Breathing heavily. Eyes wide. Kyle didn¡¯t speak. His eyes swept across the chaos, locking onto every corner. Then, silently, he reached down and touched the black ring on his finger. It shimmered. A soft hum escaped as the ring twisted and reshaped. Growing longer, darker. In a second, the weapon was in his hand. Zalrielle. His spirit weapon. The tachi pulsed softly. As if responding to Kyle¡¯s heartbeat. Like it could sense his tension. Stay calm. Nobody noticed him draw it. All eyes were on Eleanora and her light. Everyone else was too busy trying to survive. "Stay close," Kyle said quietly, but firmly. He wasn¡¯t just speaking to Eleanora and Reo. He was also talking to Mira and Anaya. The mother and daughter huddled together in the corner, too terrified to move. Reo, standing beside him, summoned his weapon. A long, sharp spear made of mana infused steel. It gleamed a faint green in the light. Eleanora moved with grace. She stepped beside them and drew her estoc. A sleek, elegant blade that looked made for precision kills. She held it with practiced ease. The noise from the front cars was getting louder now. Screeches. Scraping metal. Screaming. "Anyone who can fight. Get to the front!" Kyle called out. "If you are a civilian, move to the back! Protect each other!" There was a pause. Then a big man stood up, pulling a heavy axe from his spatial pouch. Another person. A woman with short hair, summoned a short sword. They looked nervous but determined. Most of the others? Still frozen in fear. And then¡ª Silence. Everything went quiet. No screaming. No growls. No noise at all. Then... click... click... click... Footsteps. Slow. Dragging. A figure appeared at the connecting door. He was limping. His clothes were torn. Blood covered half his body. He looked like a survivor¡ªbarely alive. The man with the axe stepped forward. "Hey, are you alrigh¡ª" "Wait¡ª!" Eleanora shouted. Too late. Shlick! The survivor¡¯s body twisted in an instant. His arm stretched out, snapping bones and tearing flesh, transforming into a long, jagged blade. He slashed the axe-wielding man diagonally. From shoulder to hip. Blood sprayed the walls and floor. The man¡¯s body split in two. Gasps and shrieks filled the car. The creature in front of them... wasn¡¯t human anymore. Its skin was pale, sickly, and covered in black, pulsing tumors. Bones jutted out at odd angles. One eye was missing. Its mouth stretched far too wide. filled with jagged teeth. Its entire right arm had turned into a blade made of bone and corrupted flesh. Then the next door burst open. More came in. Five. Six. All just as hideous. All once human. Now monsters. They shrieked like animals and charged. "Fall back!" Kyle shouted. But his body refused to move. That mana. The demonic mana. It was the same as the one from the Vipers¡¯ hideout. The same mana that almost killed him. He could still see it. The broken bodies. The masked figure. The blood everywhere. The smell. ¡¯Not now...¡¯ A monster lunged at him, blade-arm aimed for his head. CLANG! Reo stepped in. His spear blocked the blow just in time. Sparks flew. "Snap out of it!" he shouted, teeth clenched. Eleanora didn¡¯t hesitate. She moved like lightning, slashing clean through the creature¡¯s arm. Black blood splattered across the floor. Reo grunted and slammed his foot into the monster¡¯s chest. Wind burst out. Sending it flying backward into the wall. Kyle¡¯s eyes cleared. "S-sorry," he said. Zalrielle vibrated in his grip, steady and calm. His body stopped shaking. He stepped forward. Breathing out a cold mist of ice. "[Ice Field]," he said calmly. The floor shimmered. Ice exploded from below, sharp and jagged. Two monsters were caught mid-charge. Frozen spikes impaling their torsos and pinning them in place. Another one slipped and fell. Another roared and charged. "Reo¡ªleft!" Reo spun and swept his spear wide. A blade of wind cut through the air, slicing clean through a creature¡¯s chest. It dropped. Eleanora raised her hand. [Umbra Spikes]. The shadows around her stirred. Then lunged¡ªforming deadly black spikes from the ceiling and floor. Two more monsters were pierced instantly. But it wasn¡¯t enough. More kept coming. Three more burst through the doorway. Then four. Then more behind them. Kyle gritted his teeth. "What the hell are these things?" Reo muttered between breaths. Sweat running down his temple. His spear thrust forward, stabbing a snarling creature straight through the throat. The monster gurgled. Black blood pouring from its mouth, and dropped lifeless to the floor. "They are not human anymore," Eleanora replied, her voice calm but firm. She didn¡¯t even look back as her blade sliced through another enemy. "They were demonic cultists. But their contracted demons overloaded their mana cores. Their minds shattered. Now, they are just empty shells... filled with corrupted mana." Kyle¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡¯How does she know that?¡¯ But he didn¡¯t have time to ask. More of the twisted figures poured in from the front car. The train shook again as something heavy slammed into one of the walls. Screams echoed behind them. The civilians were still panicking. Some pushing and climbing over each other to escape, others frozen in terror. One of the passengers who had stepped up to fight was already on the ground. Blood pooling beneath him. The other barely held her weapon, backing away with wide eyes. And then¡ª "SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE¡ª!" A piercing screech tore through the train. It wasn¡¯t human. It wasn¡¯t even animal. It sounded almost like metal grinding against metal. High-pitched and painful. Every person. Fighter or not. Flinched at the sound. Kyle¡¯s heart dropped. From the far end of the next train car, more figures appeared. But these weren¡¯t like the cultists. They were worse. Larger. Twisted. Monstrous. The first one stepped forward. Its body a patchwork of rotting flesh and jagged stone armor. One arm was far too long. Its claws dragging across the floor. Bone spikes jutted from its back. Glowing red eyes burned inside a misshapen face. Then more followed. Some crawled on all fours like animals. Others walked upright but jerked with unnatural movements. Their bones clicking loudly with every step. Pieces of tumors hung from their bodies. Some didn¡¯t even have proper faces. Just holes and twisted mouths full of teeth. Kyle took a step back without realizing. "Th-they are not normal monsters..." he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Beside him. Eleanora¡¯s eyes were wide. Her grip on her blade tightened. "No... They are corrupted." The air around them felt heavier. Like the oxygen itself had turned thick and poisonous. The pressure these things gave off was suffocating. Kyle could feel the mana pouring off them. It was dense, foul... wrong. It clung to his skin like oil. Demonic mana. Real monsters. Not just people twisted by magic. But beasts born from the abyss. The three of them. Kyle, Eleanora, and Reo stood shoulder to shoulder. Their clothes were torn, faces slick with sweat, weapons stained with black blood. Behind them, terrified passengers clung to each other, too scared to run, too afraid to breathe. Ahead of them. The corrupted monsters growled. Their claws scraping the metal floor as they closed in. The train was no longer a place of safety. It was a battlefield now. And this... This was just the beginning. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 98: Mana Rail 17 [4] Chapter 98: Mana Rail 17 [4][A Few Minutes Earlier] The front carriage of Mana Rail 17 was calm, almost too calm. The soft hum of the train echoed beneath the floor. Steady and smooth as it cut across the landscape. Through quiet valleys and mana-charged hills. Outside, golden grass swayed in the wind. Untouched by the chaos that brewed in other parts of the world. Inside, everything felt normal. A merchant wiped sweat from his brow as he counted his ledgers. A mother gently rocked her sleeping child, whispering lullabies under her breath. A group of students in matching uniforms played cards on the floor, laughing softly. There was no fear. No tension. Just the gentle rhythm of travel. In the very front row sat a man who didn¡¯t belong. He looked like he had stepped out of another world. Clad in a high-collared black coat with golden trim, the fabric too fine, too flawless. A silver brooch rested on his chest in the shape of a crescent moon. His hair was neat. His boots polished. His posture unnervingly perfect. He sat cross-legged, sipping tea from a delicate white cup. Steam curled upward in lazy spirals. His black eyes scanned the carriage without emotion. Across from him. An old man with a walking cane shifted, blinking awake from a nap. The noble tilted his head. "Would you care for some tea?" The old man looked surprised at first, but then smiled kindly. "Don¡¯t mind if I do. Not every day someone offers an old traveler something fancy like that." The noble nodded once and poured a second cup, offering it with both hands. "Please." The old man took it and sipped carefully. "Hm. This is... quite good. Floral. Smooth." "It¡¯s from the southern provinces," the noble replied. "Brewed with spring water. Hard to find these days." The old man chuckled. "Fancy words for a train ride." "Some moments deserve a little beauty," the noble said. The two sat in silence for a while, sipping their tea. Outside the window. The train passed a quiet meadow dotted with mana-blooms. Birds circled overhead. Then the noble broke the silence. "Have you ever thought about how fragile it all is?" The old man raised a brow. "Hm?" Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He gestured loosely toward the rest of the carriage. "This peace. The laughter. The conversations. It¡¯s held together by... threads. Thin ones. A few things go wrong and it all unravels." The old man frowned slightly. "You sound like a man who¡¯s seen war." "Not war" the noble said. "Collapse." The old man studied him for a moment, but said nothing. The noble continued, "We believe we are safe on a train like this. Moving fast. Guarded by mana. Surrounded by people. But what if the wrong person got on board? What if something slipped past the wards?" "That¡¯s a dark thought," the old man said, shifting in his seat. "Dark," the noble agreed. "But true. Civilization is like... A candle in the wind. One good gust, and out it goes." The old man didn¡¯t answer. He just drank more tea, slower this time. The noble smiled softly. "Still, I suppose it¡¯s comforting, isn¡¯t it? Thinking everything will be fine. That danger is always somewhere else." The old man looked at him, uneasy now. "You talk like someone expecting something bad." The noble finished the last sip of his tea. Then, gently. He placed the cup into a glowing ring on his finger. It vanished without a sound. He stood up and adjusted his coat. His voice was polite, almost cheerful. "My stop is here." The old man blinked, confused. "Stop? We are nowhere near a station." The noble didn¡¯t answer right away. He reached into his coat and pulled out a wide-brimmed black hat. With a soft smile. He placed it on the old man¡¯s head. "Keep it," he said. "It suits you." Then he leaned down slightly and whispered, "Everything I do... is for the greater good." Before the old man could respond. The noble turned and walked toward the carriage door. He paused at the glass, looking at his reflection for a second. Then, with a snap of his fingers¡ª Everything changed. It began with a low groan, like wood bending under pressure. Passengers. Demonic cultist, ordinary looking people. Just seconds ago, began twitching violently. One woman dropped her bag and screamed as her arms bent the wrong way. A man collapsed, clutching his head, veins bulging. Their skin bubbled like boiling water, then split open. Tumors burst through cloth. Bones cracked and jutted outward, forming claws, spikes, jagged limbs. Their eyes glowed a deep red. Their screams turned into snarls. Gasps turned into screams. Screams turned into chaos. People ran. Some tried to push past the monsters. Others tried to fight. A few even activated low-grade spells, desperate to survive. It didn¡¯t matter. The twisted ones attacked without mercy. Slashing, biting, tearing through flesh like it was nothing. Blood splattered the walls. Bodies hit the floor. And then... it got worse. A strange humming sound filled the air. At the center of the carriage, space twisted like a whirlpool. A portal opened¡ªglowing black and red, swirling with unnatural energy. From it came monsters. Not altered humans. These were corrupted monsters. Towering beasts with molten armor fused to their flesh. Crawlers with dozens of legs and eyes. Shapes that made no sense to the human mind. Things that should not exist. The carriage turned into a nightmare. Blood sprayed across windows. The floor shook. The screams of the dying were drowned out by the snarls of the creatures. Through it all. The noble man stood at the carriage door, watching. There was no fear in his eyes. No regret. Only a quiet, tired sadness. As if he had seen this all before. A figure stepped out of the portal beside him. Cloaked in darkness, face hidden in the shadows. The noble nodded. "I¡¯ll leave it to you now." Then, without a sound. He stepped into the swirling darkness of the portal¡ª ¡ªand vanished. Just like that... he was gone. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 99: Mana Rail 17 [5] Chapter 99: Mana Rail 17 [5]"SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE¡ª!" The sound tore through the train like a knife to the ears. high-pitched, metallic, and so loud it made Kyle¡¯s head ring. It was the kind of noise that made your body freeze before your mind could even catch up. For a brief second. Everyone just... stopped. Even the train itself seemed to shudder under the scream. And then. They came. From the connecting carriage up ahead. The first shape lunged out of the shadows. Then another. And another. Monsters. Misshapen, twitching things. Some small and fast, others massive and hulking. Their bodies looked like they had been torn apart and glued back together with rot and rage. Foul black tumors bulged from their flesh. Bone jutted out. And all of them had the same glowing red eyes. Like dying embers burning in a pit of ash. Some of them crawled on all fours. Teeth snapping like wild beasts. Others dragged themselves forward. Their joints cracking with every step leaving smears of black sludge on the floor. They are infected by long exposure of demonic mana. They were... Corrupted. Kyle felt it the second they entered. An invisible pressure in the air that wrapped around his lungs like a cold chain. The wave of demonic mana was suffocating. His grip tightened on Zalrielle. The blade trembled faintly in his hand humming with energy. Sparks of blue lightning licked across the black surface. As if the spirit also had sensed what was coming. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To his left, Eleanora raised her estoc. The violet edge coated in darkness that curled like smoke. Her lips pressed into a thin line, calm but focused. Reo, on Kyle¡¯s right. Crouched slightly, adjusting his stance. Threads of wind mana coiled around his spear. And then¡ª They attacked. A four-legged corrupted beast barreled toward Kyle first. Claws screeching across the metal floor, eyes locked onto his chest. Kyle didn¡¯t think. He moved. One quick sidestep. His tachi flashed in an arc of lightning. Slicing across the monster¡¯s neck. The cut wasn¡¯t deep. But it was enough to stagger it. The beast roared, twisting mid-air. Already preparing to pounce again. Before it could¡ª CRACK! Reo dropped from above like a hammer. His spear spinning with a gust of wind before it drove clean through the monster¡¯s throat. The corrupted thrashed. Choked on its own corrupted bile, and fell still. "Nice timing," Kyle muttered, barely sparing him a glance. More came. A crooked humanoid charged forward on two legs. Long arms swinging like clubs. Beside it, another corrupted scuttled low to the ground. Moving with twitchy, animal-like speed. Eleanora stepped up. Her estoc moved like a sewing needle, quick and precise. With every thrust. Bursts of darkness exploded outward, slamming into the monsters. One of them was pinned to the wall. The other was slowed, just for a second. But a second wasn¡¯t enough. The fast one slipped through the shadows and lunged at her with a heavy swipe aimed at her ribs. Kyle reacted instantly. He lunged between them, swinging upward. Lightning burst from his blade, crashing against the beast¡¯s arm. The smell of burning flesh filled the air. The corrupted staggered. Its face half-charred. But still alive. It hissed. It leapt again. This time. A spike of darkness tore clean through its stomach, yanking it back mid-air. "Keep moving," she said. "They are not stopping." And they weren¡¯t. The corrupted didn¡¯t feel pain. They didn¡¯t retreat. Even the ones who had lost limbs kept crawling, dragging themselves forward with twitching fingers or broken claws. And that¡¯s what makes them more dangerous than normal monsters. Another group burst in. Kyle stomped his foot down, and ice bloomed outward in jagged lines. Catching a few underfoot and making them trip. Before they could recover. He charged in slashing left and right. Each strike layered with crackling lightning. The air buzzed with energy. Every time his blade connected, jolts of electricity lit up the corridor. Reo was everywhere at once. He dashed through the chaos like a gust of wind, his spear flashing. A twist¡ªthroat pierced. A leap¡ªeye stabbed. One tried to ambush him from behind. But Eleanora¡¯s darkness tendrils wrapped around its leg and hurled it to the floor. Reo didn¡¯t even look back as he finished it. But Still. They were getting overwhelmed. Then someone shouted¡ª "The door won¡¯t open! It¡¯s malfunctioned!" Reo¡¯s eyes widened. "Shit." Kyle turned toward them. "I will handle it. Hold them for a minute!" Without waiting for a reply. He took off down the corridor. Weaving through terrified passengers. Back near the front. Reo and Eleanora kept fighting. They didn¡¯t slow down. Kyle could still hear the clash of weapons. Eleanora¡¯s darkness whipped through the air in bursts. Reo¡¯s wind howled like a storm inside the train. A claw scraped down Eleanora¡¯s arm tearing through fabric and skin. Reo took a hit to the thigh when a corrupted knocked his spear aside. Blood poured down his leg. But he gritted his teeth and kept going. They were breathing hard now. Cuts littered their bodies. Fatigue was setting in. Still. The corrupted didn¡¯t stop. More spilled in. Crawling, limping, screaming. It was like they were endless. "Where the hell are they even coming from?" Reo growled, his voice tight with pain. Blood seeped through the torn fabric of his pants. The gash on his thigh deep but not fatal. Kyle was already sprinting toward the front of the carriage. Weaving between panicked passengers and slumped bodies. Screams echoed all around him¡ªraw and real. He skidded to a stop in front of the control panel near the sealed starsteel door. Sparks danced around its edges. The circuits flickering in and out. He placed his hand on the panel. "Come on..." he muttered, pushing a thread of lightning mana into it. Static crawled along his fingers, feeding into the circuits. He could feel them inside his mind like a web of broken paths. Some lines were still alive. Faint, but working. Others were dead. He could almost hear the shorted-out glyphs. The ones that needed just the right touch of power to reawaken. His lightning sparked harder. Controlled, focused. He guided it like threading a needle. Jumping gaps. Restoring flow. "There you are," he breathed. With a final surge. He bridged the last broken rune. Click! The lock released. The door hissed open with a mechanical groan. Sliding sideways to reveal the next carriage. Kyle spun around. "Go! Go!" he shouted, waving to the civilians. They rushed forward. A few looked at him with tear-filled eyes. He didn¡¯t have time to comfort them. The corrupted were almost on top of them again. Kyle stepped forward raising one hand toward them. Blue-white lightning began to spark and coil around his finger. Wild and alive. It twisted in the air like a snake ready to strike. The crackle loud and sharp. "Get back!" he roared to Reo and Eleanora. They understood immediately. Eleanora yanked Reo away. Her darkness lashing out to hold back the closest corrupted. Reo blasted a wave of wind to clear space. Then dove behind Kyle. Kyle¡¯s mana surged. His arm shook under the pressure as more power flooded into the forming spell. The lightning took shape. Growing longer, fatter, more dangerous. It hissed like it was alive. Spitting sparks onto the floor. Kyle¡¯s eyes narrowed. His lips moved. "[Voltis Krait!]" A sharp hiss cut through the air as lightning surged from Kyle¡¯s hand. The bolt twisted into the shape of a massive serpent maw. Its glowing fangs bared, its coiled body buzzing with deadly energy. The lightning snake shot forward tearing down the train car like a storm unleashed. BOOM! The explosion hit like a thunderclap. The floor shook. Walls groaned. Seats shattered. A wave of heat and blinding blue-white light flooded the carriage. Followed by the stench of burnt flesh and metal. Smoke filled the air, thick and choking. Screams echoed from behind, but for a moment... there was silence near Kyle. He stood still shoulders rising and falling as he panted. His hand trembled. the last sparks of lightning fading from his fingers. His heart pounded in his chest. ¡¯It¡¯s done...¡¯ But then. A low, rumbling growl cut through the smoke. From the heart of the scorched wreckage, something moved. A shadow emerged, slow but steady. Kyle¡¯s eyes snapped open wide. The shape came into view. A massive wolf-like corrupted. Its fur was burned away in places. Revealing muscle and black tumors pulsing underneath. Its eyes locked onto Kyle with pure hatred. And then. It charged. Kyle tried to move, but his knees gave way. He had used a lot of mana in that spell. His limbs felt like stone. The beast lunged. Jaws open, sharp teeth glinting in the dim light¡ª A hand grabbed the back of his collar and yanked him backwards. The air rushed past his face as he stumbled. Eleanora stepped in front of him without hesitation. Her estoc was already in motion. With a scream of steel and shadow. She drove the blade straight into the beast¡¯s open mouth. The creature howled, thrashing violently. Blood and black mist spraying everywhere. But it didn¡¯t die. It writhed, claws scraping at the walls. Trying to tear her down. "Move!" Eleanora shouted. They didn¡¯t wait. Kyle pushed himself up. Eleanora pulled her estoc free, and together they ran back through the threshold. Reo was already at the panel. The second they crossed. He slammed the emergency button. The door hissed shut behind them with a heavy CLANG. For a moment. The three of them stood in silence. Breathing hard. Sweating. Bloody. The corridor was dimly lit flickering lights casting long shadows across the steel floor. Around them, passengers were huddled, terrified. Some were crying. Others sat frozen, clutching their children or holding bloody wounds. Kyle leaned against the wall. Trying to catch his breath. Reo knelt beside him, gripping his bleeding side. Eleanora wiped dark blood from her arm, wincing. But then¡ª A soft wet growl broke the moment. "Grrrr..." The sound came from within the crowd. Their heads turned¡ª A man had collapsed on the floor. His body twitched unnaturally. Fingers clawed at the ground. His back arched in pain. Black veins began to spread across his skin like ink in water. His eyes rolled back. Tumors burst through his neck and chest with sickening pops. People backed away, screaming. He was also the hidden demonic cultist. With a horrible snap. His spine twisted and then he bit into the person next to him. Blood sprayed. The scream was cut short. More passengers ran. Some fell. Some froze. The trio¡¯s faces went pale. Kyle¡¯s stomach turned. Reo gritted his teeth. Eleanora¡¯s grip tightened on her bloodstained estoc. "This... isn¡¯t over," she whispered. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 100: No Safe Place [1] Chapter 100: No Safe Place [1]The man didn¡¯t even have time to scream. The transformed demonic human. Let out a low, broken growl. His body twitched, arms jerking like a puppet on strings. His skin had gone pale and stretched. Thick, black veins crawled up the side of his neck and face. His eyes were glowing faint red. Unfocused but full of something dark and hungry. Then he lunged. He tackled the man next to him, sinking his teeth deep into his neck. A horrible, wet crunch followed. Blood sprayed out in a wide arc. Splattering the seats, the window, and anyone standing too close. The bitten man froze, eyes wide open in shock. Then slowly collapsed to the floor with a thud. Twitching once before going still. Gasps and screams followed. The corrupted human raised his head. His mouth covered in blood. He looked up, almost sniffing the air. Then turned toward the next person. His lips peeling back in a twisted grin. People started backing away. "No¡ªno, get away!" someone shouted. A woman screamed as she grabbed her daughter and stumbled back. Others tripped over fallen bags and one another, trying to get out of the monster¡¯s reach. A man fell backward into the aisle. Kicking wildly as he scrambled away. The corrupted human took a step forward. Arms twitching fingers clawing the air. And then a blur shot past the panicking passengers. Eleanora. Her footsteps were light, barely making a sound on the blood-stained floor. In one clean motion, She stepped in front of the creature. Her estoc flashed silver in the dim light of the train car and drove straight into its eye. There was a sickening pop as the blade pushed through. Followed by a spray of thick, black and red blood. The corrupted human jerked violently once. Then dropped like a sack of meat. The sound of his body hitting the ground echoed through the car. Silence followed. Everyone stood frozen for a few moments, barely breathing. Then came the sobs. Some people collapsed onto the floor, overwhelmed. A woman near the wall hugged her knees, crying softly. A man held his wife close. Whispering to her as she shook in his arms. One boy sat in the far corner staring at the corpse like it was still about to move. "I just wanted to go to Eldermere..." a voice mumbled. "I was only visiting family," said another. "I didn¡¯t sign up for this..." Kyle stood still. His chest rising and falling with each breath. He could feel the tension in the air. Everyone was scared. No, terrified. He looked around the train car. Blood was everywhere. Red blood. Black blood. Splattered on the windows. Soaking into the seats. Running in small rivulets along the floor. Some people had stains on their clothes from just being near it. The smell was awful. Metallic, sour, and heavy. It filled his lungs and clung to his skin. Then his eyes found them. Anaya and her mother, Mira. The two of them were huddled together near the far side of the train car. Mira was clutching her daughter tightly. Arms wrapped around her like a shield. Her face was pale, her hands shaking. But she was whispering softly to Anaya, trying to calm her down. Anaya¡¯s cheeks were red and wet with tears. She was crying loudly now her little hands covering her ears. Her small body trembling. Kyle felt a sharp pain in his chest. He hated seeing her like that. He started to move toward them. But then stopped. He looked down at himself. His jacket was soaked in blood. His pants were splattered. Some of it was his own, but most of it came from the corrupted. Black stains marked where he had cut them down. Bits of dried flesh clung to the folds of his clothes. He clenched his fist. Beside him, Eleanora stood in silence. Her blade hung loosely in her hand. Its silver surface now stained black. She looked down at the blood pooled around her boots, then sighed quietly. "...I shouldn¡¯t have come without telling anyone," she whispered to herself. Kyle barely heard her. But he didn¡¯t need to ask. He could feel the weight in her voice. Then it happened. Thump. Thump. A loud banging sound echoed from the far end of the car. Kyle¡¯s head snapped up. The door to the next car shook under the pressure. Something or some things were on the other side. Clawed hands slammed into the metal. Thump. Thump. Thump. The corrupteds were trying to break through. "We have to move," Eleanora said. She tightened her grip on her sword. "Move to the next car, now" Eleanora said firmly. Kyle and Reo nodded without hesitation. Together, they started pushing forward. Guiding the shaken passengers toward the opposite end of the train. Some people moved on instinct. Others had to be pulled along, their eyes still locked on the bloody mess they were leaving behind. The door to the next car was shut tight. Kyle knocked. No answer. Reo stepped forward and slammed the butt of his spear against the metal. "Open up!" he yelled, his voice sharp and urgent. "We have got survivors here!" Kyle added quickly, "Please! Let us in!" A few tense seconds passed. The passengers behind them murmured nervously. Some clutching children or holding trembling hands. Then, with a sharp hiss. The door unlocked and slid open. Two figures stood in the doorway. Mercenaries. Tall, broad, and clearly worn from battle. One had a massive broadsword slung over his back, its hilt stained with dark blood. The other held a short-handled axe and a battered shield both coated in grime. Their armor was dented. Torn at the edges, and soaked in sweat and gore. The one with the sword jerked his chin. "Get in. Quickly." Kyle and Reo didn¡¯t wait. They moved through first, making sure the way was clear before waving the civilians in behind them. Eleanora stayed near the back, eyes sharp, guarding their flank. The moment they were all inside. The door slid shut again with a heavy clang. This car wasn¡¯t much better. Bodies littered the floor some torn apart. Others eerily still with black veins spreading across their skin. Blood had pooled beneath the benches and smeared the walls. One window near the end had cracked, letting in sharp gusts of cold wind. The smell of iron and rot was thick in the air. The passengers slowed, staring in silence at the aftermath. Some turned away. Others simply looked down, too numb to react. "You kids..." the axe-wielding mercenary said after a moment voice rough and low, "you did good. Holding them off like that...You saved a lot of people." Kyle gave him a small nod. But his chest felt hollow. "We tried," he said quietly. Reo leaned against the wall, gripping his side. Blood trickled from a cut on his leg. Kyle noticed and quickly reached into his coat pocket. "Here," he said, tossing Reo a small vial. Eleanora already had one in her hand, uncorking it and drinking without a word. Kyle followed, swallowing the bitter liquid and grimacing. Warmth spread through his limbs. The ache in his muscles dulled slightly. The worst of the pain faded. Once they were stable. Eleanora turned to the mercenaries. "What¡¯s the situation?" she asked. The one with the broadsword exhaled, running a hand through his tangled hair. He glanced at his companion before answering. "The next car¡¯s gone" he said flatly. "Full of corrupted. We tried to push in... lost two men. No one made it out from that car. Anyone who ran there thinking it was safer¡ª" He didn¡¯t finish. He didn¡¯t have to. Everyone understood. The mercenary looked around his jaw tight. "Right now.. This car is the only safe place left." The weight of those words sank into the room like a stone dropped in water. Safe...for now. A woman near the front let out a choked sob and dropped to her knees. She buried her face in her hands and started crying, her shoulders shaking. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A man began muttering under his breath. Several people clutched their loved ones tighter. Some openly weeping, others just sitting there in stunned silence. Kyle pulled out his phone. No signal. He checked again. Still nothing. He looked to Reo. Who was trying his own phone. Dead screen. Same with Eleanora. Whatever was happening. Whatever had caused this. Had also cut them off completely. No calls. No texts. No help. They were alone. The only sounds were the muffled cries of the passengers and the dull thudding from the door behind them. Thump. Thump. The corrupted were still there. Still trying to break through. The metal groaned with every slam. "Isn¡¯t there a way to contact anyone?" someone asked weakly. "There has to be backup, right?" another voice said. More desperate this time. No one answered. Kyle stood still, hands at his sides, eyes fixed on the door. Reo sat down on the floor. Leaning against the wall near the sealed entrance. His spear rested across his lap, stained with blood. His leg was still bleeding a little, but he didn¡¯t complain. He stared at the ground for a long while. Then, quietly. His voice hoarse and tired, he spoke. "...What do we do now?" ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 101: No Safe Place [2] Chapter 101: No Safe Place [2]"What do we do now?" The words hung in the air like a heavy fog. No one answered. Only silence. And the steady, dull thumps of corrupted bodies slamming into the sealed door behind them. The sound wasn¡¯t loud¡ªbut it was constant. Unrelenting. Each impact made the walls vibrate slightly. A reminder that death was still just one car away. Some passengers wept quietly. Others stared blankly, their minds far away. It felt like the whole car was holding its breath. Waiting, hoping, for someone to say something that made sense. Something that gave them a reason to believe they would make it out alive. But the train wasn¡¯t moving anymore. It had stopped after the explosion that shook the tracks earlier. Kyle stood near the center of the car, gripping the hilt of Zalrielle¡ªhis tachi. His knuckles were white around the handle. He hated this feeling. This helplessness. Finally, the mercenary with the broadsword¡ªBrock, spoke. He was leaning against a support bar, his face grim. "We don¡¯t have many options," he said, voice low and tired. "There¡¯s no way forward. That next car is completely overrun. Full of corrupted. If we try to push through. We¡¯ll be torn apart." The other mercenary¡ªAaron. The one with the axe and shield, glanced at the door behind them. The one the corrupted were still attacking. "And going back?" he asked. "Same problem," Brock replied. "The ones behind us haven¡¯t stopped. If that door gives out... it¡¯s over." As if on cue. Another loud slam echoed through the car. The metal groaned, and a few people jumped in fear. A little girl whimpered and clung to her mother¡¯s side. Aaron frowned. "The station should have noticed the train¡¯s stopped by now. But who knows how long it¡¯ll take them to react. And even then. They¡¯ll probably just send engineers... maybe a couple of low-level awakened guards." "That won¡¯t be enough," Brock muttered. Aaron nodded. "No. We would need mid-rank awakened at least. Maybe even a high-level one to deal with all the corrupted." Someone sitting near the center of the car whispered, "So what? We just sit here and wait to die?" Aaron shook his head. "No... there might be a way." Everyone turned toward him. He stepped forward and pointed down the length of the train, toward the far end. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "There¡¯s a cargo car. A few cars past the one that¡¯s overrun. I¡¯ve seen it before. It has a control console. One of those emergency systems that might still work." "If we can reach it. We could send a proper distress signal. One that¡¯ll reach central command, not just the local station." There was a long pause. "Wait," someone said. "You mean we would have to go through the corrupted?" Aaron nodded. "Two cars full. Maybe more." The same voice muttered, "That¡¯s a death sentence..." Silence fell again. Then Kyle stepped forward, eyes steady, voice clear. "We have to do it." He looked at the mercenaries, then at the frightened passengers. "If we stay here and do nothing, that door will eventually break. No one¡¯s coming to save us unless we make contact first." "We don¡¯t all need to go. Just a small group. Fast. Focused. The rest can stay here and protect the civilians." "I¡¯ll go." The moment he spoke. Eleanora stepped beside him. "So will I." She didn¡¯t hesitate. Her pale blonde hair was messy from the earlier fight. Her clothes torn and stained, but her eyes were focused. Reo stood slowly, leaning on his spear. He gave a firm nod. "Count me in too." Aaron looked between them. Three young students, still bruised and tired, but standing tall. He sighed. "Damn it... Can¡¯t leave this kind of job to kids." He turned to Brock. "I will go with them." Brock crossed his arms, his jaw tight. "You sure?" Aaron nodded. "You stay here. Protect the others." Brock¡¯s eyes swept over the civilians. Some were crying, some praying, others just watching silently. He gave a short nod. "Fine. I¡¯ll hold this car. I¡¯ll buy you as much time as I can." Kyle looked at Eleanora. Then Reo. Then Aaron. "All right," he said quietly. "Let¡¯s move," Kyle said. His voice wasn¡¯t loud, but it cut through the silence like a blade. He tightened his grip on Zalrielle. The familiar weight of the tachi grounding him. Eleanora gave a short nod and stepped forward. She adjusted her grip on her estoc. The thin blade still stained from the last kill. Her eyes didn¡¯t waver. There was no fear in them, just quiet resolve. Reo took one last breath and followed, limping slightly as he moved to their side. He glanced at the others, then gave a crooked smile. "Guess this is what we are doing now, huh?" Kyle gave him a small nod. "You sure you¡¯re good?" Reo twirled his spear once, then rested it against his shoulder. "Not really. But let¡¯s go anyway." Behind them. The passengers watched in silence. Some clung to loved ones. Some whispered quiet prayers. Aaron joined them. Checking the edge of his axe and tightening the straps on his shield. He was quiet for a moment, then looked at the three students. "We move fast. No second-guessing. We clear each car or push through. Whatever gets us there alive. Got it?" "Got it," Kyle said. Eleanora and Reo nodded too. Aaron glanced back one last time. Brock stood near the entrance, arms crossed, jaw clenched. "Don¡¯t get yourselves killed," Brock said gruffly. "We¡¯ll try not to," Aaron replied. The four of them moved toward the next door¡ªtoward the car full of corrupted. Every step felt heavier than the last. The air was thick with tension. The sounds of metal creaking, the thumps from behind, the quiet sobs of the civilians¡ªall of it pressed down on them like a weight. Kyle reached for the door mechanism. His hand hovered over it for a moment. He swallowed hard. Then he pulled. As the door slid open with a hiss. The darkness on the other side felt alive. Thick, heavy, and waiting. Then, they came. The corrupted. They rushed forward without warning. Twisted shapes that barely looked human. Their skin was pale and stretched, veins black and bulging under the surface. Their eyes glowed faint red in the dim light, locked on their prey. And they moved fast. Too fast. Before anyone could speak or react, two of them were already flying through the air. Aaron was the first to step up. He raised his shield just in time. The corrupted slammed into it with bone-cracking force, sending a sharp jolt through his arm. He gritted his teeth but didn¡¯t back down. With a roar, he shoved them off, sending one crashing into the metal wall with a loud thud. "Move!" he shouted, already pushing forward. Eleanora raised her hand. From her fingers, thick strands of darkness whipped out like ropes. They wrapped around the nearest corrupted, locking its limbs in place. The creature growled and struggled, but the shadows held firm. Kyle stood beside her. His hand lit up with cold, blue light. He thrust it forward. A wave of frost blasted out, coating the floor and the trapped monster in thick ice. The corrupted froze in place, its body stiff and unmoving. Kyle didn¡¯t waste time. He ran, jumping over the frozen corpse without slowing down. Reo followed close behind, the wind swirling around his legs. It lifted him, helped him move faster. He spun his spear in a quick arc, and a strong gust of air knocked back two more corrupted trying to cut them off. They didn¡¯t stop to fight. There was no time. They had to keep going. Aaron led the charge, smashing anything that got in their way with his shield. Each blow cleared a path. Eleanora moved like a dancer in a storm, her estoc stabbing cleanly and her darkness blocking attacks from all sides. Kyle focused on freezing the ground beneath the corrupted, making them slip and fall. His tachi sliced down any that came too close, sparks of lightning dancing off the blade with each strike. He was faster now. More focused. Reo stayed close to the rear, using bursts of wind to knock enemies away and give the group space to breathe. His spear moved fast and smooth, always in motion. The corrupted came from everywhere¡ªcrawling from under broken seats, falling from holes in the ceiling, lunging from the shadows¡ªbut the group pushed forward together. And just like that¡ª They burst through the second car. Then the third car. It was darker than the others. The hallway was tight. The lights flickering or broken completely. Wires hung from the ceiling. Metal panels had fallen loose. Blood smeared the walls¡ªthick, dark, fresh. The floor was worse. Bodies lay everywhere. The air was hot and foul. Every breath felt like swallowing smoke and rot. The stench of blood, sweat, and mana was thick enough to make their stomachs turn. They kept going. But they were starting to bleed again. Nothing serious yet, but it was adding up. Kyle had a deep gash across his shoulder where a claw had slipped past his guard. Eleanora¡¯s stomach had a slash, the blood trickling down. Reo was limping slightly, his ribs bruised from being slammed into a seat. Even Aaron looked shaken. His shield was cracked, and blood dripped from a cut on his lip. Still, they didn¡¯t stop. They kept moving until they reached the last door. The one that led to the cargo car. They stopped. And froze. On the other side of the glass door. The car was crawling with corrupted. More than they had seen in any other part of the train. Dozens of them. Some were crawling across the ceiling, claws digging into the metal. Others paced like animals, twitching and jerking with every movement. They were muttering, snarling, tearing at the floor, the walls, each other. And then. The door made a noise. The corrupted turned. All of them. Dozens of glowing red eyes stared directly at them. It was like stepping into a nightmare. A nest. A trap. Aaron cursed under his breath. "There¡¯s too many..." Eleanora raised her estoc slowly, her grip tightening. "We can¡¯t take all of them." Kyle stared through the glass, his heart pounding, his breath slow. "We don¡¯t need to," he said, stepping closer. "We just need to get through. The next car. The cargo section. That¡¯s where the controls are. That¡¯s where the distress beacon is." Silence. The corrupted hadn¡¯t moved yet, but they would. Soon. Kyle¡¯s hand clenched around his tachi. Zalrielle pulsed in his grip, lightning crackling faintly along its edge. He turned, looking at the others. Aaron. Eleanora. Reo. None of them spoke. None of them backed down. Their eyes met his. There was no fear. Only determination. Kyle nodded once. "All right," he said softly. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 102: No Safe Pace [3] Chapter 102: No Safe Pace [3]The final door slid open with a slow, heavy hiss. And then¡ª They saw them. The last car. The cargo section was next. It was packed with corrupted. More than in any of the cars before. Dozens of them. Maybe three times as many. Some crouched low, others clung to the walls and ceiling like insects. Their bodies twitched and jerked with unnatural movement. Blood dripped from their mouths. Their skin was stretched tight, black veins pulsing beneath it. Eyes glowed red like hot coals. Every single corrupted turned toward the door. And stared. The air went still. Even the sound of the train rumbling along the tracks seemed to vanish. Kyle¡¯s fingers clenched tightly around his tachi. His heart pounded in his chest. Too many... No one spoke. No one breathed. Then¡ª A corrupted screamed and lunged forward. It moved like a blur. Faster than anything they¡¯d seen so far. Straight at Aaron. "Shit¡ª!" Aaron brought his shield up just in time. The corrupted smashed into it with a sickening force. But its jaws clamped down around Aaron¡¯s arm before he could push it away. "AGHH!!" His scream echoed down the car. The creature bit deep. Teeth crushing bone, tearing through muscle. Blood sprayed across the walls. Aaron¡¯s knees buckled from the pain. But he didn¡¯t fall. He roared. Lifted his axe with his other hand, and brought it down in one clean, savage arc. Crack! The corrupted¡¯s skull split open. Dropping it in an instant. Aaron staggered back. His bitten arm dangled uselessly, shredded beyond recognition. Bone poked through torn flesh. His whole forearm twisted at the wrong angle. "I¡¯m fine!" he growled through gritted teeth. Stepping back into position. But there was no time to breathe. The rest of the corrupted charged like a tidal wave. Screeching. Hissing. Crawling. Leaping. Chaos exploded. Kyle¡¯s tachi. Zalrielle, surged with crackling lightning. The blade shimmered black with streaks of white-blue as he swung it wide. CRACK! Lightning arced across a corrupted¡¯s body. Launching it backward. Another came in from the side. Kyle spun, ice gathering at his palm. He thrust it forward. BOOM! A blast of frost erupted, freezing a group of corrupted mid-lunge. Their limbs locked in place as the floor around them glazed over with thick, jagged ice. He darted forward. His blade slicing across frozen flesh, shattering them apart. Sparks of lightning followed every strike, dancing through their bodies. But claws still tore at him. A slash opened across his chest, tearing through his jacket. Another claw cut deep into his shoulder. His vision blurred. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He didn¡¯t stop. Eleanora fought just a few feet away. Her estoc dancing with clean, sharp precision. Her shadows moved like snakes. Wrapping around corrupted limbs, yanking them down, tripping them, breaking bones with brutal jerks. She moved like a blur. Stab, slash, twist, dodge. Her blade stabbed through an eye. Slashed across a throat. Her breath was shaky. But her movements didn¡¯t falter. Then one got through. A claw raked down her side. Tearing her coat and drawing a dark red streak of blood. She winced. But didn¡¯t stop moving. "Behind you!" Kyle shouted. She ducked just in time. Her blade slicing up and gutting the corrupted leaping at her from above. Reo was holding the rear. His spear a blur of silver and wind. He twisted, stabbed one through the chest, and kicked another off his leg. Wind burst from his feet, launching him into the air. He flipped. Spun his spear, and slammed it down on another corrupted¡¯s head. "Too many!" he yelled. A corrupted leaped from the ceiling and tackled him mid-air. Smashing him into a row of metal crates. "Reo!" Kyle shouted. Reo coughed. Blood dripping from his mouth. He groaned but pushed himself back up. Wind swirling around him again. Aaron was still fighting with only one good arm. Blood covered half his body. But the wind around him howled. His remaining hand raised, and a slicing gust of air tore through a line of corrupted in front of him, cutting deep. But they were slowing down. Cuts. Scrapes. Deep wounds. Blood dripping onto the cold metal floor. Kyle¡¯s breathing grew heavier. His ice wasn¡¯t forming as fast. His lightning was losing strength. He slashed another corrupted. But his arm trembled. His legs burned. They were being pushed back. Kyle and Reo ended up back-to-back again, swinging, striking, dodging. But slower now. Then¡ª Two corrupted dropped from above. Right at them. Too fast. Too close. Kyle tried to move. But he was too slow. Just then¡ª A voice cut through the noise. Soft. Clear. Unshaken. "[Umbra Devouris]"g darkne And then¡ª Darkness exploded. Not just shadows. But real, livinss. It wasn¡¯t just a spell. It was a storm. A wave of pure dark magic burst from Eleanora¡¯s body. Sweeping through the entire car. Thick tendrils shot out like whips. Chains of darkness wrapped around everything they touched. The air grew cold, heavy. The corrupted froze. Some were mid-leap. Others were crawling, about to strike. Now they were suspended. Held in place by cords of shadow. Trapped like broken dolls. The whole car went silent. No more screeches. No more footsteps. Only the sound of rumbling magic. And their breathing. Kyle turned slowly. Eleanora stood in the center of it all. Her hair whipped around her face, caught in the swirl of dark energy. Her eyes glowed faintly. Soft black, flickering like dying candlelight. Darkness coiled around her body. Wrapping her like armor made of night. She had stopped them. All of them. An Expert Mastery. Maybe even more. Kyle¡¯s sword, Zalrielle, vibrated in his grip. Warning him. She won¡¯t be able to hold it for long. And it was true. Eleanora¡¯s body was shaking. Her arms trembled. Her legs nearly gave out under her. Blood trickled from the corner of her lips. Her breath came in short gasps. Her hands¡ªbarely staying up. "R-Run..." she whispered. Her voice was thin. Barely a whisper. She was at her limit. And still, she stood. Aaron moved first. With his good arm. He slammed open the last door. The cabin beyond the cargo car. He turned back, eyes desperate, shouting to Kyle and Reo. "What are you doing. Run... Don¡¯t let her sacrifice go to waste!" Kyle¡¯s eyes widened. If Eleanora moved now. Or if someone pulled her away¡ªthe spell would break. The corrupted would be free. She knew it too. That¡¯s why she hadn¡¯t moved. She was choosing to stay. To hold them back. Even if it meant sacrificing herself. Reo hesitated beside him. They both stood frozen. They had to choose. Save themselves and everyone on this train. Or save Eleanora. Kyle looked at Reo. "Go," he said quietly. Reo turned, his eyes wide. "B-But¡ª" "Trust me." Their eyes met. Reo¡¯s breath caught in his throat. Then¡ªslowly. He nodded. And ran. Eleanora saw it. Her head turned slightly. Her eyes widened, heart pounding. "W-What are you doing?" she asked, her voice breaking. "Run... now!" But Kyle didn¡¯t move. He took one step toward her. Her spell still held¡ªfor now¡ªbut it was weakening. The darkness trembled. Tiny cracks formed in the tendrils. Some flickered like dying flames. If she lost focus for even a second¡ª The spell would break. Still, Kyle stepped closer. He didn¡¯t speak. Just smiled. Softly. Like nothing else mattered. Like there was no danger. No blood. No chaos. Just her. A quiet, gentle smile in the heart of hell. And somehow¡ªit reached her. Her lips parted. Her eyes shook. Her heart stopped for a beat. That smile¡ª It was warm. Calm. Real. "Just trust me," he said. And in that moment¡ª Despite everything¡ª She did. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle stepped behind Eleanora. The corrupted were still frozen in place. Barely held back by the last threads of her magic. He closed his eyes. Took a deep breath. The final door. The way out. Was still open, waiting. Twenty-five meters. Just twenty-five more. He crouched low, body tense. Like a sprinter before a race. Time slowed. Sparks of blue-white lightning started to crackle around his legs. Light danced across his boots, climbing higher with each passing second. ¡¯Not enough,¡¯ he thought. He poured in more mana. More power. The lightning grew brighter, thicker. It sizzled and snapped around him. The air smelled of ozone. His legs trembled from the force building up in them. Muscles strained. Bones creaked. But he didn¡¯t care. The pain didn¡¯t matter. He looked at Eleanora one last time. Her shadows were breaking. The spell was about to collapse. Darkness flickered and cracked like glass ready to shatter. ¡¯Now.¡¯ Kyle jumped. A flash of light. He shot forward, body low, arms out. Everything blurred. And then¡ª He caught her. His arms wrapped around Eleanora as her spell shattered completely. The darkness vanished all at once, like smoke being blown away. The corrupted moved again. They screamed. Snarled. Rushed at them like a tidal wave of claws and teeth. But Kyle didn¡¯t stop. He leaned forward. Wind rushing past his ears. A corrupted slashed at him from the side¡ª Too close¡ª He twisted. Reached for the wind affinity inside him. A burst of air exploded beneath his feet. Whoosh! His body surged forward, faster than before. The claw swiped at empty air. And then... They were through. Reo grabbed the edge of the door, eyes wide. As soon as Kyle landed inside. Reo slammed the door shut behind them with both hands. Bang! The sound echoed. They were safe. Just barely. Kyle was still holding Eleanora. Both of them panting hard, hearts racing. He had leaped the entire distance in one go. And made it. Just in time. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 103: No Safe Place [4] Chapter 103: No Safe Place [4]Kyle was still holding Eleanora when they collapsed onto the cold floor of the cabin. His chest rose and fell in sharp ragged breaths. His arms trembled. Every muscle in his body screamed from the effort. But he didn¡¯t let go. Eleanora lay still against him, her breathing uneven. Her hair was damp with sweat, and her skin was pale as moonlight. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. They met his, and for a moment. Neither spoke. Then her lips parted. "W-Why did you do that...?" she asked softly, her voice barely holding together. "You should have run..." Kyle stared down at her. He looked exhausted. Broken. But his eyes still held something steady, something firm. "I couldn¡¯t just leave you behind," he said quietly. "No way." He meant it. He could never be the kind of person who walked away and let someone die when he had the power to save them. The silence that followed was thick. Then Aaron¡¯s voice broke through. He had been watching them from near the door, eyes wide in disbelief. "You kids..." he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "You are insane. Absolutely insane." But there was something else in his voice, respect. "They don¡¯t train you for this in the Academy," he added under his breath. Eleanora blinked, as if waking up fully for the first time. Her eyes dropped down, and she suddenly realized she was still in Kyle¡¯s arms, pressed against his chest. Her face turned bright red. "I-I¡¯m fine now!" she said quickly, pulling back and sitting up on her knees. She brushed her hair behind her ear. Avoiding eye contact. Kyle gave her a small, tired smile. But then something in his face shifted. His expression grew serious. "The distress signal," he said, sitting up straighter. "We have to send it." Aaron blinked, then cursed under his breath. "Right!" He stood up and rushed to the small control panel near the wall. The console flickered with faint mana circuits, glowing dim blue. Aaron¡¯s fingers danced across the buttons. He entered a long code, something he clearly knew by heart. The screen buzzed, then turned red. A loud beep echoed through the cabin. "Emergency signal confirmed. Priority level: Crimson. Central Command notified." Aaron let out a long breath and leaned back. "It¡¯s done. Command¡¯s got the message." He turned toward the others. "Reinforcements are coming. We just have to hold on." Everyone seemed to ease at once. Like a heavy weight was finally being lifted from their shoulders. Reo walked over to Kyle. "You alright?" he asked, kneeling beside him. Kyle nodded. "Yeah... mostly." But Reo didn¡¯t move. His eyes trailed down. Then he froze. His voice came out shaky. "K-Kyle... your legs..." Kyle blinked. He looked down. And finally saw. His legs were blackened. Charred. Burnt flesh and ash covered him from the knees down. Bits of cloth still clung to his skin, melted into the wounds. Smoke rose slowly from the burns, and the sharp scent of cooked flesh hit his nose. He¡¯d known it hurt. But not this much. Eleanora saw it next. She gasped and crawled toward him in a rush. "Your legs...oh gods!" "I-It¡¯s okay," Kyle said through clenched teeth. "I¡¯ve got something for it." He reached for his storage ring and pulled out small, tightly sealed vials. The red liquid inside shimmered like blood mixed with stardust. He had brought this from Grimmord during his last visit to the black market. They¡¯re far more effective than ordinary healing potions. Eleanora¡¯s hands shook as she helped him uncork it. He passed the second to her, and she carefully helped pour it into his mouth. The warmth spread through him fast. The bleeding slowed. The shaking dulled. The blackened skin began to peel in thin flakes, and beneath it, raw but healing flesh started to show. It wasn¡¯t a full recovery. But the potions had stopped the worst of it. Eleanora let out a slow breath. Watching his legs begin to mend. "You¡¯ll still need a healer," she said softly. brushing a bit of dust off his sleeve. "Those won¡¯t fix everything." "I know," Kyle said, his voice low. "But at least I can still feel my feet." Across the room, Aaron nodded. "The signal¡¯s out. Command¡¯s received it. We just need to stay put now." It felt like the storm had passed. They had survived. Kyle leaned back against the cold metal wall. He closed his eyes. And finally... A sigh escaped his lips. But the calm didn¡¯t last. Kyle¡¯s eyes suddenly shot open. That moment. Right before they got through the door flashed in his mind. When the corrupted¡¯s claws were just inches away... He had moved faster than he should¡¯ve. It wasn¡¯t just lightning. He had used his wind affinity. Instinctively. His body had reacted on its own. A small burst of wind had pushed him just enough to avoid the slash. His gaze drifted to Reo. Reo sat nearby. Slumped against the wall, breathing heavily. He hadn¡¯t spoken much. Just stared at the floor in silence. Did he notice? Kyle wondered. Could he have felt it? Then Kyle turned to look at Aaron. The older man was wiping sweat from his forehead. Checking the control panel again, probably making sure the signal was still active. He had wind affinity too. Could he have sensed it? Kyle¡¯s heart began to beat faster. His mind wouldn¡¯t stop spinning. If either of them noticed... they might start asking questions. Dangerous questions. Questions Kyle didn¡¯t want to answer. His hands curled into fists, nails pressing into his palms. He couldn¡¯t afford to be careless. Not now. Just then. Reo looked up. He noticed the tightness in Kyle¡¯s jaw. The way his shoulders were tense. "You okay?" he asked again. This time more serious, more focused. Kyle jumped slightly at the sound. Then Eleanora turned to him too, concern etched on her face. "What¡¯s wrong?" she asked softly. Kyle blinked. His mouth opened. But nothing came out at first. Then he forced a smile. "N-Nothing," he said, shaking his head. "Just... tired. That¡¯s all." They didn¡¯t look convinced. But they didn¡¯t press him. And so. The silence returned. All four of them sat there. Leaning against the walls of the cabin. Bruised. Burned. Drained. But alive. They had made it through the attack. They just had to wait now. Wait for help to arrive. Kyle let himself breathe again. Until¡ª Bang!! The sudden sound of metal being ripped apart shattered the quiet. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The cargo car door didn¡¯t just open. It flew off its hinges. Hurled across the cabin like a cannonball. It smashed into the far wall with a thunderous crash, denting the thick steel and sending sparks flying. Everyone froze. Their eyes widened. Their breath caught in their throats. Smoke started pouring in from the open doorway. Thick. Dark. Swirling like mist soaked in blood. Then...footsteps. Slow. Heavy. Each one echoed through the floor, dull and cold. A figure walked through the smoke. Step by step. The shape was hard to see at first, hidden by the haze. But the feeling it brought was impossible to ignore. The air changed. It grew thick. Cold. Pressing down on their chests like invisible hands. It felt like the world had dropped in temperature. A choking presence filled the room. Something was wrong. Deeply wrong. Kyle¡¯s hand tightened around the hilt of Zalrielle, the sword cold in his grasp. His eyes didn¡¯t blink. His muscles tensed again. That creeping fear he thought had passed¡ª It came rushing back. Because whatever was walking toward them now... It wasn¡¯t just another corrupted. It was something worse. And this nightmare¡ª Wasn¡¯t over yet. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 104: The Manic One [1] Chapter 104: The Manic One [1]As the figure walked in. The smoke parted around him like it was alive. One step. Two steps. Slow. Purposeful. Like he wanted to drag it out, wanted them to feel every second. His shape grew clearer with each step. A man¡ªtall, lean, his body wrapped in torn, blood-stained leathers. The skin on his face was pale and smooth, too clean. And the mana rolling off him. Thick, oily, choking. Not human. Demonic. Everyone froze, their instincts screaming danger. Kyle¡¯s breath caught in his throat as his fingers curled tighter around Zalrielle¡¯s hilt. The tachi trembled slightly in his grip. Eleanora moved beside him. Her estoc shimmering with a pulse of dark energy. Her face was blank, cold. But Kyle could see the tension in her jaw. Reo raised his spear, spinning it once, then braced his stance. Aaron shifted forward, holding his axe in his one working hand. He didn¡¯t speak. But the way he stood. He was ready to fight to the death. The man finally stepped into full view, green eyes gleaming. He stopped a few paces away from them. Then he smiled. It was a wide, broken grin. The kind that didn¡¯t reach the eyes. A smile made by someone who found pain funny. "Oh," the man said, his voice smooth, calm. Too calm. "Still breathing, are we? That¡¯s... disappointing. I was hoping you would be corpses by now." No one answered. He took another step. The temperature dropped. The mana grew heavier, more twisted. It coiled like a predator around them. "I must admit," he said, voice still soft but filled with something darker, "I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d make it through the others. The corrupted, the traps.... But here you are." He clapped. Slow. Loud. Mocking. "Well done." sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Reo narrowed his eyes. "Who the hell are you?" The man tilted his head. "Just a humble servant," he said with a crooked smile. "Of madness." His mana surged. Thick tendrils of demonic energy spreading out, licking across the floor. Kyle¡¯s legs tensed. His heart pounded in his chest. "You have reached the end of the line," the cultist said. He raised one of his daggers. The curved blade dripping fresh blood. "This is where it ends." Eleanora¡¯s voice cut through the silence. "What did you do to the others on this train?" He blinked. Then he laughed. A loud. Unhinged. Echoing laugh. "Oh, the others?" he said, as if remembering. "Yes. I killed them... One. By. One." He held up his second dagger. It was soaked in blood. "The children screamed the loudest," he whispered, licking the blade. "Especially that little girl in the pink dress and pig tails." Kyle¡¯s eyes widened in realization. ¡¯Anaya¡¯. His heart dropped. He couldn¡¯t breathe for a second. He remembered her face. Her smile. Gone. "You monster..." Kyle muttered. Stepping forward slightly. The cultist grinned wider. "I know," he said happily. Then. He moved. Faster than they could react. A blur of motion. One moment he was standing still, and the next¡ª He was right in front of Kyle. Kyle¡¯s eyes widened. He barely had time to react. He raised Zalrielle, his tachi, just in time to block the first strike. Steel met steel with a loud screech. Sparks flying as the curved dagger scraped across the blade. But he wasn¡¯t fast enough. Pain flared along Kyle¡¯s ribs. The cultist¡¯s second dagger had slipped through, cutting just beneath his arm. It wasn¡¯t deep. But it was sharp. Precise. The kind of wound meant to weaken, not kill. Kyle gasped and staggered back. The cultist twirled his daggers, his grin widening. "Mmm," he hummed, tilting his head. "You bleed so nicely." He turned before Kyle could recover. His body twisted like smoke as he lunged at Reo. Reo blocked the first strike with the shaft of his spear, the metal clanging loudly. But the cultist was already moving around him. Too fast. Too fluid. With a flick of his wrist, one dagger dragged across Reo¡¯s thigh. Reo winced, stumbling back. "So fragile," the cultist whispered. He brought the blade to his tongue and licked the blood. "All of you." Eleanora didn¡¯t wait. She darted in from the side. Her estoc flashing with a pulse of darkness. She aimed straight for his heart. The cultist twisted, barely avoiding the thrust. Her blade still grazed his side, cutting through cloth and drawing blood. But instead of flinching, he laughed. A wild, broken laugh. "You want to hurt me?" he said, voice rising. "Come on then. Cut me. Bleed me!" He slashed at her with both daggers. Eleanora ducked the first, caught the second with her estoc¡¯s guard. But the force pushed her back a step. Kyle growled and charged in again. Ignoring the pain in his ribs and legs. Lightning sparked along Zalrielle as he swung it in a wide arc, aiming for the cultist¡¯s side. But the cultist ducked under the blade like it was nothing and rolled away, nimble and fast. He bounced to his feet, spinning once, blades out. His coat fluttered, blood dripping from fresh cuts. And still, that grin never faded. He looked like he was enjoying every second of this. The cultist jumped back. Landing lightly on his feet. "Ah, now this is fun!" the cultist shouted. Spinning in place like he was dancing. Aaron roared in answer, his voice full of rage. He charged, his axe glowing faintly with wind energy. Every step shook the floor. He raised his weapon high and brought it down with all his strength. Clang! The cultist caught the axe between his twin daggers, metal grinding against metal. The force of the hit pushed him back a few steps. But he didn¡¯t flinch. He smiled wider. He was enjoying it. Aaron didn¡¯t let up. He yanked his axe back and swung again, aiming to split the man in two. "Why?" Aaron shouted, voice shaking. "Why did you do it? Those people... they were innocent!" The cultist stopped moving. Just for a moment. His smile twitched. Then changed. No longer playful. No longer amused. His green eyes met Aaron¡¯s. Colder now. Cruel. "Innocent?" the cultist said softly. "You think that matters?" He took a small step forward, daggers at his sides. "They screamed," he continued. "They begged. Cried. And then..." He chuckled, low and bitter. "They stopped." Aaron¡¯s face twisted in anger. He stepped forward again. Raising his axe once more. But this time¡ª The cultist didn¡¯t back away. He rushed in. Fast. Blinding fast. Aaron barely had time to react. In the blink of an eye. The cultist ducked under the swing, slipping right past the axe¡¯s arc. He drove one dagger forward¡ª Straight into Aaron¡¯s chest. The blade sank deep. Aaron¡¯s body went stiff. His eyes wide with shock. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, trailing down his chin. The cultist leaned in. His face inches from Aaron¡¯s. "You¡¯re boring," he whispered. Then¡ª He twisted the blade. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 105: The Manic One [2] Chapter 105: The Manic One [2]The moment Aaron¡¯s body hit the floor, time seemed to slow. Kyle¡¯s breath caught in his throat. His fingers clenched around Zalrielle¡¯s hilt so tightly it hurt. Lightning crackled faintly along the blade. Flickering and weak, like his strength. Across from him. Reo was breathing hard, chest rising and falling in ragged bursts. His spear was raised, but his hands were shaking. His face was pale, blood dripping down his chin from a cut just below his jaw. Eleanora stood frozen. Her estoc was pointed low, its black metal gleaming with a faint, pulsing light. Dark mana dripped from the tip like ink onto the floor. The cultist didn¡¯t rush. He smiled. A slow, crooked grin. With a casual flick. He pulled his dagger from Aaron¡¯s stomach. Schlick. The sound was wet and sickening. Aaron¡¯s body didn¡¯t move. Blood pooled beneath him, spreading in a thick, red circle. His single working arm was twisted beneath him. His eyes were still open. Dead. The cultist looked up. His eyes roamed their faces, one by one. Like a painter admiring his work. "Ohhh," he crooned, spinning his dagger lazily between his fingers. "You look scared." Kyle¡¯s ribs throbbed where the cultist had cut him earlier. Every heartbeat made the wound burn hotter. But he didn¡¯t answer. He couldn¡¯t. Reo gritted his teeth. Then spat blood onto the floor. "Shut the hell up," he growled. The cultist chuckled softly. Then he began walking. Not at them, but around them. Slow, steady steps. The sound of his boots tapping on the metal echoed in the quiet. Broken only by the soft dripping of blood. He circled them like a wolf, herding sheep into a corner. "You¡¯re all so fun," he whispered. "Like little mice in a cage." Eleanora took a breath. "What do you want?" He stopped. For a moment, he just stood there, staring at her. Then his grin stretched wider. "Want?" he repeated, voice high and brittle. Then he giggled. "I want you to scream." And then. He moved. One blink. That¡¯s all it took. In the time it took to blink. He was already inside Reo¡¯s guard. Reo barely reacted. He twisted to avoid the incoming dagger. It missed his throat, but not by much. The blade sliced along his chin, shallow but bloody. The cultist grinned. "Fast. But not fast enough." His other hand came around in a blur. Reo blocked with his spear. But the cultist flipped his dagger mid-swing and slammed the pommel into Reo¡¯s head. Thud. Reo stumbled back, vision swimming. Then came another cut. Quick and light, across his forearm. "One," the cultist whispered, stepping back. Kyle darted in from the side. Zalrielle sparked with lightning. He slashed in a wide arc, aiming for the cultist¡¯s back. The cultist spun. His movements were too smooth, too fast. He ducked low, under the blade, and smashed his elbow into Kyle¡¯s side. Right where he had been cut before. Crack. White-hot pain exploded through Kyle¡¯s ribs. He staggered back, gasping. But the cultist didn¡¯t stop. He turned back to Reo. "Two." Another flick of his wrist. The dagger sliced across Reo¡¯s thigh. Blood soaked through the fabric almost instantly. Eleanora raised her estoc and called on her shadows. Tendrils of darkness surged toward the cultist¡¯s legs, aiming to grab him. He laughed. He jumped over them like it was a game and twisted midair. Kicking Reo in the chest. Whoof. Reo flew backward, slamming into a pile of crates. Wood cracked. His spear skidded across the floor. The cultist tilted his head. "You are supposed to fight back." Kyle¡¯s body screamed in protest. But he pushed himself up. He couldn¡¯t stop now. His legs shook. His ribs throbbed. His burned leg felt like fire was chewing through the bone. The healing potion had dulled the worst of it. But it wasn¡¯t enough. Still. He lifted Zalrielle again. Lightning crackled weakly along the blade. The cultist turned to him, smirking. "Ah, the little boy," he said mockingly. "Can¡¯t even keep your legs steady." Kyle didn¡¯t answer. He raised his other hand. Frost bloomed across his fingertips. The air chilled. "[Ice Shard]," he muttered. A jagged spike of ice shot forward. Straight for the cultist¡¯s chest. The cultist¡¯s eyes lit up. He twisted his body, letting the shard cut across his shoulder. A thin line of blood opened. But he didn¡¯t flinch. "Ooooh, two elements?" he said, licking the blood from his arm. "How special." Kyle didn¡¯t give him time to gloat. He charged. Zalrielle lit up with a burst of lightning. He slashed low, then high. The cultist blocked the first strike. But Kyle feinted, twisting his blade and slashing upward¡ª Snick! A shallow cut opened on the cultist¡¯s cheek. His smile faltered for the first time. Then came back. Wider. Crazier. "Now we¡¯re playing," he whispered. He lunged. A dagger flashed toward Kyle¡¯s face. Kyle blocked, barely. The second blade came from below, cutting across his hip. Pain shot through him. He staggered. The cultist kicked him in the leg. The burned one. Crack. Kyle¡¯s leg gave out. He dropped to one knee. Barely keeping himself upright. The cultist stood over him. Grinning. Laughing. He raised one dagger high, gleaming red with blood. Ready to strike. The cultist raised a dagger for the finishing blow¡ª But before he could strike. A whip of darkness snapped around his wrist, yanking it back with a sharp pull. He stumbled a step. Surprised. Eleanora stood a few feet away, arm outstretched. Her fingers trembling. Her chest heaved with each breath, and sweat ran down the side of her face. She was barely standing. Her mana nearly gone, but her crimson eyes burned with fierce resolve. "Don¡¯t... touch him," she growled. Her voice low and ragged. The cultist blinked, then grinned wide. Teeth gleaming like a wolf¡¯s. "Ahhh," he said, his voice sing-song and twisted, "the shadow girl finally speaks!" With a sharp jerk. He ripped his arm free. The shadow tendril snapped apart like old rope, fading into smoke. Then he dashed forward. Fast. Too fast. Eleanora braced herself. She managed to step aside just in time to avoid the first dagger. It whistled past her cheek, missing by inches. But the second blade came low, slicing across her side. She winced as hot pain tore through her waist. The fabric of her coat parting in a thin line of red. Still, she didn¡¯t back down. Her estoc came up, quick and sharp. She stabbed at his gut. The cultist twisted to avoid it. But not fast enough. The narrow blade scraped along his ribs, cutting through leather and skin. Blood bloomed against his dark coat. He hissed, eyes flashing with irritation. Gone was the playful mask. Now he looked angry. In a blur of motion. He struck back. One dagger shot forward and sank deep into Eleanora¡¯s shoulder with a sickening crunch of metal and flesh. She screamed, her knees buckling. But before he could twist the blade. She surged forward and drove her boot hard into his stomach. Thud. The cultist stumbled back. Coughing as he skidded across the starsteel floor. The dagger stayed buried in her shoulder. The hilt jutting out at an ugly angle. She didn¡¯t scream again. She didn¡¯t cry. She grabbed the hilt with her left hand, blood coating her fingers, and shadows rose around it like smoke. "[Dark Bind]," she whispered. The dagger shimmered. Then burst. Black tendrils exploded from the weapon. Whipping out and coiling around the cultist¡¯s arms and chest. They latched on tight. Pinning his arms to his sides like thick ropes of shadow. He froze, looking down at the bindings. Then, slowly, he smiled. "Ohhh," he whispered. "Clever." He flexed, muscles bunching beneath his clothes. The shadows strained, groaning as they held. For now. They didn¡¯t break. But Eleanora¡¯s legs were shaking. She was barely upright. Her mana burning out fast. "Kyle¡ªnow!" she cried. She didn¡¯t know if he could hear her. She didn¡¯t know if he was still conscious. But Reo did. He was already moving. Blood poured from cuts along his chest and leg, and his breathing was uneven. But his grip on his spear was steady. Wind surged around him. Soft at first. Then growing stronger. Saster. He lowered his stance, eyes locked on the cultist. "[Gale Thrust]!" he shouted. With a burst of force. He lunged forward. The wind roared. The cultist turned toward him, face twisting in alarm. He tried to move. But the bindings held. The spear pierced his side. It didn¡¯t go deep, only a grazing blow. But it tore through leather and drew blood. The cultist let out a sharp, angry snarl. And then, with a flick of his wrist. He broke the shadows. Snap! He grabbed Reo as the boy passed, spun him, and drove a dagger straight into his stomach. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Schlick. Reo gasped. The sound was soft. All the air left his lungs at once. His hands slipped from the spear. The cultist leaned close to his ear. Smiling. "Three." Then he twisted the dagger. Cruel and slow. Reo¡¯s eyes went wide. His legs gave out beneath him. He collapsed to the ground. Blood quickly pooling beneath his body. The cultist yanked the blade free and kicked him onto his back like a broken doll. He didn¡¯t even look down. "Pathetic," he said coldly. Then he turned, eyes settling on Eleanora again. She was on her knees now, shoulders sagging. Blood dripping from her side and arm. Her estoc lay beside her. Forgotten. Her hands trembled. The last of her shadows flickered faintly around her fingers. Weak, fading. The cultist began walking toward her. Twirling his dagger lazily in one hand. He smiled. "Your turn, princess." ¡ª¡ª¡ª Author¡¯s Note: Just to clarify. The cultist isn¡¯t weak. He¡¯s a sadistic psychopath who enjoys toying with his opponents. Which is why he was holding back and landing hits for fun rather than going for the kill right away. Also, He has no idea Eleanora is actually a princess. He¡¯s calling her that sarcastically. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 106: The Manic One [3] Chapter 106: The Manic One [3]Reo¡¯s body hit the floor with a sickening thud. Kyle froze. The world around him faded. Sounds muffled. Sights blurred. It was like someone had stuffed cotton into his ears. Like he was underwater. His heart pounded so hard it hurt. He couldn¡¯t breathe. Couldn¡¯t think. All he could see was the blood. It poured from Reo¡¯s stomach, dark and heavy, soaking into the metal floor of the train. His friend¡¯s spear lay nearby, abandoned. Reo¡¯s fingers twitched once... then stopped moving altogether. The cultist stood over him, still smiling. Still licking Reo¡¯s blood off his dagger like it was candy. Something snapped inside Kyle. It wasn¡¯t panic. It wasn¡¯t fear. It was rage. Raw. Unfiltered. Blinding. His breath came out in short, ragged bursts. Every injury on his body. His cracked ribs. The burns on his legs. The cuts on his arms. All faded into the background. All he could feel was the heat flooding his chest and the cold, bitter hatred crawling up his spine. His hand clenched around Zalrielle¡¯s hilt so tight his knuckles turned white. The tachi pulsed in his grip. Lightning sparked along the blade. Faint at first, like flickering embers. Then it roared to life. Blue-white arcs danced across the edge. Crackling with power, building with every heartbeat. Kyle didn¡¯t hesitate. He moved. Faster than thought. Faster than pain. The cultist¡¯s grin faltered as Kyle lunged. Blade slicing through the air in a wide, vicious arc. The tachi screamed with power. Lightning exploding from its edge like a thunderbolt. The cultist tried to dodge. But not fast enough. The bolt grazed his shoulder, searing through cloth and skin. Smoke rose from the blackened wound. He hissed, eyes narrowing. "Oh?" he said, voice rising with interest. "What¡¯s this?" Kyle didn¡¯t stop. He stepped in, swinging again. Zalrielle whistled through the air, forcing the cultist to leap back. Sparks flew as their blades clashed. Lightning danced around Kyle¡¯s feet. Surging with every step. The cultist countered. His twin daggers flashing like snakes. One came low, aiming for Kyle¡¯s thigh. The other, high, toward his neck. Kyle twisted, barely avoiding the upper strike. The lower dagger sliced a thin line along his leg. But he didn¡¯t slow down. He brought his hand to the ground. [Frostbite] Ice exploded outward in a jagged wave. The metal floor hissed as frost spread fast. Climbing the walls and ceiling. Spikes of ice shot up like blades, aiming for the cultist. He jumped back again. But one spike caught him just above the ankle. Carving a deep gash through his boot. Blood splattered. The cultist winced. His smile slipped for the first time. He glanced at the frozen ground. "Not ba¡ª" Kyle didn¡¯t give him a chance. He slashed sideways with Zalrielle. Sending another bolt of lightning across the floor. The cultist blocked it, barely, staggering under the force. Kyle raised his hand again. "[Wind Shred]!" A razor-thin gust burst from his palm, whirling like a blade. The wind howled as it tore through the air. The cultist raised both daggers in a cross to block. The wind slammed into him, pushing him back several feet. His boots screeched against the floor. His eyes widened in disbelief. "Three?" His voice cracked. There was no playfulness left. Just shock. Kyle kept going. His lungs burned. His vision blurred at the edges. But he pushed through. One more. The air around him shimmered. Moisture gathered, thick and heavy. As if the whole train had turned into a misty swamp. Kyle pulled his hand back, focusing. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then. Snap. A sharp, clean sound. A whip of condensed water lashed out from his fingers, fast and thin like a thread. It sliced cleanly across the cultist¡¯s cheek. A thin line of red appeared on his face. He touched it, looking at the blood on his fingers like he wasn¡¯t sure it was real. Then he laughed. Not a madman¡¯s laugh. Not cruel or mocking. Just stunned. Disbelieving. Eleanora, still on her knees behind him, gasped softly. Her crimson eyes went wide. She looked at Kyle like she was seeing him for the first time. He stood there, panting, steam rising from his body. His clothes were torn. Blood soaked his side. Lightning still crackled around his blade. Frost spread beneath his feet. The air swirled with wind and water. Four elements. Four affinities. "Four," he breathed. "Four affinities." The words left Kyle¡¯s lips in a rasp, his chest heaving with each breath. The train car was a mess of blood, frost, broken steel, and burning sparks. But he stood tall in the middle of it. Surrounded by the hum of elemental power. The cultist¡¯s eyes widened. Then. He grinned. Wider than before. Manic. "I was supposed to kill you all," he said, head tilting slightly like he was studying something rare. "But now? Now I think I¡¯ll take you alive." His voice was soft, almost amused. But there was something darker underneath. Something hungry. Kyle didn¡¯t answer. He didn¡¯t care. Not about the cultist¡¯s words. Not about the stabbing pain in his ribs or the blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. Not even about the burning in his legs every time he took a step. All he cared about was finishing this. Ending the man before him. Kyle moved. He struck first. Lightning. A crackling bolt exploded from Zalrielle¡¯s edge. Snapping forward like a whip. It lit up the entire car in a flash of blue-white. The cultist ducked low. The bolt barely missing his head. Kyle followed it immediately with frost. He slammed his foot down, and the metal floor beneath the cultist shimmered. Turning slick and icy. The cultist¡¯s foot hit the ice. But instead of slipping. He flipped into the air with impossible grace, twisting over the patch like it was a stage trick. Kyle didn¡¯t slow. He sent a sharp gust of wind as the cultist descended, altering his landing just slightly. Enough to throw him off balance. For most fighters, that would have meant a stumble. But not him. The cultist twisted midair and landed low in a crouch. Skidding back slightly but never falling. Then came water. Kyle raised his other hand and snapped his fingers. Four pressurized streams of water whipped out like blades. Slicing across the air in perfect arcs. The cultist¡¯s daggers flashed. One. Two. Three. He deflected each stream with practiced ease. Spinning his body between them. Weaving like a dancer between raindrops. But Kyle was relentless. His body screamed in protest, but he kept moving, striking again and again. Sparks danced around him. Frost clung to the ground. Wind howled with each swing, and water shimmered in the air like glass. Still. The cultist dodged or blocked it all. He was fast. Faster than anyone Kyle had ever fought. Each movement was smooth. Clean. Effortless. Like he was toying with Kyle. And deep down, Kyle knew. If it was just him. He¡¯d lose. He couldn¡¯t keep this up forever. His mana reserves were burning out. His limbs felt heavier with every breath. And still... still somehow, he kept casting. Kept fighting. Kept pushing forward. Eleanora watched. Her vision still blurry from blood loss and exhaustion. She could barely lift her sword. But she forced herself up, bracing against the wall. Her fingers tightened weakly around her estoc. ¡¯How... how is he still fighting?¡¯ She had seen him get torn up. Burned, cut, bleeding. His mana should have been gone long ago. After all the spells he¡¯d thrown. After all the power he¡¯d poured out... He should be empty. ¡¯How does he still have mana?¡¯ ¡¯And four affinities? That¡¯s... that¡¯s impossible.¡¯ She stared at him, breath shallow. The ice. The lightning. The wind. The water. ¡¯How?¡¯ Her heart pounded, and yet¡ª She moved. Even if she didn¡¯t have the strength for a real spell. She could still do something. With trembling fingers, she extended a hand. A thin tendril of darkness, barely held together, slithered from her palm. It wobbled. Weak and unstable. But she gritted her teeth, focusing with everything she had left. The tendril shot out. It coiled around the cultist¡¯s ankle. Just as he stepped back to dodge Kyle¡¯s next strike. He stumbled. Only for a moment. But it was enough. Kyle¡¯s eyes narrowed. He lunged. Zalrielle flashed with crackling light. Its edge burning with a final charge of lightning. He aimed for the cultist¡¯s heart. The man tried to twist away. Too late. The blade sank deep into his shoulder instead, sliding through muscle and flesh. Lightning burst from the wound, searing the inside of his arm. Red blood sprayed across the floor. The cultist let out a choked, broken laugh. Not in pain. But in shock. In delight. "Good," he rasped, his voice hoarse. "Very... good." Then his hand snapped up. He grabbed Kyle¡¯s wrist. And squeezed. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 107: The Manic One [4] Chapter 107: The Manic One [4]The cultist¡¯s fingers dug into Kyle¡¯s wrist like steel claws. His grip was crushing. Unrelenting. Kyle¡¯s bones creaked under the pressure, and pain shot up his arm like a streak of fire. But Kyle didn¡¯t care. He gritted his teeth, eyes blazing with fury, and gathered what little mana he had left. Lightning surged. A burst of blue energy exploded from his palm. Hitting the cultist square in the face. The jolt made the cultist flinch. His grip loosened, just enough. Kyle yanked his wrist free and didn¡¯t waste a second. He stepped in, raising Zalrielle high, and stabbed with everything he had. The blade crackled with lightning, glowing along its edge. The cultist tried to twist away. But not fast enough. The blade sliced across his side, tearing through layers of leather and skin. A deep line opened across his ribs. Blood welled up and dripped onto the floor. The man¡¯s expression darkened. His eyes narrowed, and the playful light inside them flickered out. "You," he growled, voice low and sharp, "are annoying." Then he drove his fist straight into Kyle¡¯s ribs. CRACK. Pain exploded through Kyle¡¯s chest. The punch hit like a hammer, lifting him off his feet. He flew back and slammed into the train wall. Metal bent with a heavy clang as his back hit it. The breath was knocked out of him. His lungs burned, and blood filled his mouth. He didn¡¯t even get the chance to slide down. Because the cultist was already there. Moving like a shadow. Dagger flashing. Kyle raised Zalrielle just in time. CLANG! The impact rattled through his arms. His muscles screamed. His burned legs nearly gave out beneath him. But the cultist didn¡¯t stop. A knee slammed into Kyle¡¯s gut. Folding him over. His vision pulsed red. Then came the second dagger. A quick, shallow slice across Kyle¡¯s shoulder. Not deep. But sharp. Burning. Like acid. Kyle gasped. Stumbling sideways. Struggling to breathe. He tried to raise his sword. Too slow. The cultist lunged again, and this time. He struck true. The dagger plunged into Kyle¡¯s side. Just under the ribs. Not a killing blow. A hurting blow. Kyle¡¯s eyes widened. Pain flared through his body. But he didn¡¯t cry out. He clenched his jaw. Grabbed the cultist¡¯s wrist with his free hand, and pushed. BZZZT! Lightning exploded from his palm at point-blank range. The cultist jerked violently as electricity surged through him. His body locked up. Smoke curled from the edges of his coat, rising in wisps. Kyle didn¡¯t wait. He reached down. Grabbed the handle of the dagger still stuck in his side, and ripped it free. Then, with a roar. He swung Zalrielle in a wide arc. But the cultist recovered too fast. Faster than Kyle expected. He ducked under the slash¡ª And slammed his forehead into Kyle¡¯s face. CRUNCH. Kyle¡¯s nose broke instantly. Pain exploded behind his eyes. Blood poured from his nostrils, hot and thick. His vision swam. Everything turned blurry. The cultist straightened. Wiping a smear of his own blood from the corner of his mouth. Then he smiled again. That cold, cruel smile. "Four affinities," he mused, voice soft and mocking. "And you are still losing." His voice was low, almost amused, but beneath it. Something darker stirred, frustration, maybe. He stepped closer, dagger raised. Eyes locked on Kyle like a predator about to make the final kill. Then¡ª A shadow lashed out from the side. Thin. Weak. But fast. It wrapped around his ankle like a whip and pulled just enough to throw him off-balance. The cultist hissed and jerked his foot back. Twisting to break the hold. Eleanora stood a few feet away, legs shaking, barely able to stay upright. Her estoc was gone. Her hair clung to her face, soaked with sweat and blood. Her hands trembled violently. But her eyes... Her eyes were defiant flames in a broken body. She raised one glowing hand. "[Light Bind]," she whispered, voice barely audible. A narrow beam of golden light shot out. Thin, almost fragile. But it hit the cultist square in the eyes. He flinched. Throwing an arm up to shield himself. His mistake. Kyle didn¡¯t need more than that. He moved. Zalrielle responded like it had been waiting. Humming. Pulsing. Crackling in his grip. All four elements surged at once. Blue-white lightning danced along the blade. Sparking bright and wild. Ice spread across the edge. Frost crystalizing in sharp, deadly layers. Wind gathered behind the strike. Blasting forward with a sudden burst, making Kyle faster. Faster than he¡¯d ever been. Water followed. A razor-thin film that sharpened the sword¡¯s edge to its absolute limit. The metal floor buckled under his feet as Kyle lunged. The cultist turned. Too late. The blade came down. He twisted at the last second. Trying to avoid a fatal blow. He didn¡¯t succeed. Zalrielle sank deep into his shoulder. Slicing through leather, muscle, and bone. SHHHHHK. Blood sprayed across the floor. The cultist let out a breathless, choked laugh. It wasn¡¯t pain this time. It was disbelief. Then his hand shot out like a viper. And closed around Kyle¡¯s throat. His fingers tightened like iron. "Enough," the cultist snarled. Then he slammed Kyle into the floor. WHAM. And again. CRACK. The metal floor bent beneath the force of the impact. The cultist raised his dagger high. Ready to drive it into Kyle¡¯s chest¡ª And that¡¯s when Eleanora moved. She didn¡¯t think. She just ran. She had no weapon. No magic left. Only her fists and sheer desperation. She launched herself at the cultist with a scream and slammed her fist into the side of his face. It barely made his head turn. The cultist didn¡¯t even look at her. He just swung his arm, and backhanded her like she was nothing. Smack. Her body hit the ground hard. Her head bounced once. Blood smeared across her lip. She didn¡¯t move. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The cultist turned back to Kyle. He raised the dagger again¡ª And then he stopped. Something was wrong. His head snapped up. A sound. A roar. From above. BOOOOOOM! The train¡¯s roof exploded. A violent burst of noise and force tore it apart. Shards of metal rained down like shrapnel. And through the smoke and debris¡ª Something dropped. No¡ªsomeone. A blur of motion. A figure slammed down through the hole with a roar of force and fury. A boot struck the cultist square in the chest. CRACK. The cultist was launched backward. Flying across the car and skidding along the floor in a heap of broken movement. Dust filled the air. Sparks danced from torn wires above. Silence, thick and sudden, followed. Kyle blinked. Blood filled his mouth. His body screamed in pain. He blinked again. Dazed. Trying to focus¡ª ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 108: The Void Empress [1] Chapter 108: The Void Empress [1]BOOM! The train¡¯s roof exploded. Metal tore apart like paper. Pieces flying everywhere as a figure dropped from the sky. Fast and heavy. Like a meteor falling to earth. CRACK! A boot slammed into the cultist¡¯s chest with a thunderous impact. He didn¡¯t even have time to react. His body flew backward. Crashing through and skidding across the train floor until he slammed into a wall, groaning in pain. Smoke and dust filled the air. Kyle blinked, dazed. Blood ran down the side of his face. Every inch of his body screamed in pain. He tried to lift his head. Tried to understand what had just happened. Then he saw her. She stood calmly in the middle of the wrecked train car. She couldn¡¯t have been more than Thirty. But there was something ageless about her. She had long white hair that shimmered in the light, and her eyes. Golden, glowing faintly. Looked like they could see right through steel. She wore a dark coat that fluttered around her legs. Her posture was straight, relaxed. But there was power in every movement. It rolled off her like heat from a fire. She looked down at Kyle and Eleanora. Her expression cool but not unkind. "You did good, kids," she said, her voice calm and clear. "You can rest now. Leave everything to me." Kyle wanted to speak. To ask who she was, to stay on his feet. But his body couldn¡¯t take any more. His fingers slipped from the hilt of his tachi, Zalrielle. His knees gave out. And he collapsed. The last thing he saw was her turning away, moving toward Reo. She walked with purpose. Her boots clicking quietly against the floor as she reached Reo¡¯s body. He was lying on his back. Barely breathing, blood pooling under him. She crouched beside him. Two fingers pressing gently to his neck. A small sigh escaped her lips. "Lucky guy," she said softly. "Still alive." She placed her palm over his chest. A warm golden glow spread from her hand. Wrapping around Reo¡¯s body. His wounds began to close. Not fully. But enough to stop the bleeding. Enough to keep him alive. Eleanora stared, barely able to lift her head. Her lip was split, her body weak. But her eyes widened. She knew that glow. She knew that voice. That power. "The Void Empress..." she whispered. It couldn¡¯t be anyone else. The white hair. The golden eyes. The aura of space magic so dense the air seemed to bend around her. She wasn¡¯t just powerful. She was legendary. The Vice Principal of Solvayne Academy. Eleanora¡¯s thoughts raced. ¡¯What is she doing here?¡¯ A groan interrupted her thoughts. The cultist was moving again. He pushed himself off the floor, rage twisting his face. His coat was torn. Blood soaking through the leather. But he was still breathing. Still furious. "You..." he growled. "How dare you interfere!" The woman didn¡¯t even blink. She stood slowly and brushed dust off her coat. Her expression was deadpan. Tired. "You have no idea how annoyed I am right now," she said flatly. "I just got back from a two-month mission. I was on my way to Solvayne. A hot bath. A soft bed. No screaming. No blood." Her golden eyes narrowed. "And then you happened." The cultist snarled. She vanished. Just like that. Gone in a blink. Then¡ª S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. WHAM! She appeared right in front of him. Grabbed his face with one gloved hand before he could move. "This place is a bit cramped," she muttered. FLASH. The world bent around them, and they were gone. Outside. The sky was wide and dark above the train, wind roaring in every direction. They reappeared high above the ground, suspended in open air. The cultist¡¯s eyes widened. "Wha¡ª?" That was all he could say. With one clean motion. She twisted in the air and hurled him downward. He dropped like a stone. WHAAAAAM! The ground below erupted as he smashed into it. Dust and debris exploded upward in a thick cloud. The shockwave shook the train itself. Far above him. The Void Empress hovered in the sky, untouched. Her white hair swayed in the wind. Her golden eyes glowed like the sun. She stared down at the crater where the cultist lay. And this time. She wasn¡¯t smiling. ¡ª¡ª¡ª The cultist hit the ground hard. His body smashing into the dirt with a loud, bone-jarring CRACK. The earth split beneath him. Forming a wide crater. Dust shot into the air, and chunks of stone rolled across the dry ground. For a few seconds, he didn¡¯t move. Then¡ª A wet cough. Harsh and broken. He groaned and rolled onto his side, shaking all over. Blood poured from his nose and mouth, dripping onto the cracked earth. One eye was swollen shut. His ribs throbbed with every breath. His trembling hand reached for the twin daggers lying nearby. With effort. He gripped them. Water mana flickered to life, coating the blades in a thin, deadly sheen. The air around them shimmered from the sharpness. Snarling. He pushed himself up and lunged¡ª But the daggers froze mid-air. They didn¡¯t fall. They just stopped. Locked in place like stuck in invisible ice. He froze too. Eyes wide. The Void Empress hadn¡¯t moved a single step. She stood calmly across from him. Long white hair drifting in the breeze. Golden eyes glowing faintly. One hand was lifted, fingers slightly spread. The space around the weapons had solidified. The air itself turned to glass. The cultist grunted, straining, muscles bulging as he tried to move the daggers. But they wouldn¡¯t budge. They might as well have been welded in place. A slow smile crept across her face. It wasn¡¯t kind. "Oh?" she said quietly. "You actually thought that would work?" Then¡ª CRUNCH. Space folded. His right arm twisted in the wrong direction. Elbow shattering, wrist snapping backwards, fingers curling like broken twigs. The daggers fell from his now useless hand, clattering onto the dirt. He opened his mouth to scream¡ª WHAM! An invisible force slammed into his chest. He flew backward, crashing through a nearby boulder. Stone shattered. His ribs cracked louder this time. He wheezed, lungs burning, coughing up blood. But it didn¡¯t stop. The world around him bent again. Suddenly. He was in the air. Twenty feet off the ground, floating like a rag doll. His limbs hanging uselessly. The Void Empress stood below him. Her eyes still locked on him like a hunter watching prey. "You know," she said, voice calm but cold, "I hate when someone tries to hurt my students." She flicked her fingers. He dropped. BOOM. He slammed into the ground, dust exploding from the impact. His body flopped like a sack of broken bones. Blood sprayed from his mouth again. Then¡ª CRACK. His left arm twisted. The elbow snapped backwards with a sickening pop. He screamed, high and hoarse. The Empress didn¡¯t blink. She stepped forward slowly, boots crunching the dirt beneath her. Her golden eyes didn¡¯t blink. They didn¡¯t soften. "Let¡¯s try this again," she said. Her voice calm and cutting through the air like a blade. She took a step closer. Her golden eyes narrowing. "Who are you? Who sent you? And what was the purpose of this attack?" The cultist gasped, struggling for breath. Blood foamed at his lips. His chest rose and fell in shallow, ragged bursts. He glanced around in desperation. Eyes darting toward the broken terrain. The ruined train in the distance, the sky above. But there was nothing. No escape. No one coming to save him. Only her. Her presence crushed everything else. Her power twisted the air itself. His broken body hung helplessly in front of her, held aloft by space magic like a puppet. "I..." he wheezed, spitting blood onto the dirt. "I won¡¯t... tell you anything..." The Void Empress tilted her head slightly. "You know," she said, almost thoughtfully, "I¡¯m giving you the chance to make it easier for yourself." She raised her hand slightly, and his broken arm twitched. Sending fresh waves of pain through his body. "Why attack the train? Why target innocent civilians?" she asked again. Her tone sharp now, cutting through the air like a lash. "What were you after? Who gave the order?" The cultist groaned. His lips trembled. The pain was unbearable. But he still clung to his silence. "Speak," she commanded, her voice colder than before. "Or I start breaking things slower." His teeth clenched. Blood dripped from his chin. One eye rolled back as another bolt of pain surged through his shattered limbs. His jaw clenched. He spat blood at the ground. "Go to hell¡ª" SNAP. His right knee bent sideways, bone pushing through skin. His scream ripped through the air, louder than before. The Empress gave a small sigh. "Wrong answer." She raised her hand again. The cultist¡¯s body floated off the ground. Suspended in mid-air like a puppet. His arms hung at odd angles. Blood poured from his nose, ears, and broken joints. She tilted her head. "Last chance," she said softly. "Who. Sent. You?" His mouth twitched. Then he smiled. A broken, twisted grin. "You¡¯ll... never... know..." he whispered. His body began to change. Bones cracked. Black veins snaked across his skin. Tumors bulged from his chest. His teeth sharpened into fangs, and his eyes turned blood red. A corrupted transformation. The Empress didn¡¯t flinch. She clicked her tongue. Disgust clear on her face. "Disgusting." Then she snapped her fingers. The space around his head compressed instantly. For a moment. Silence. Then¡ª POP. His skull burst. Blood, brains, and bone sprayed outward in a red mist. But never hit the ground. It froze in the air, suspended inside a warped sphere of space. His body dropped. Lifeless, hitting the ground with a thud. She looked at the floating gore, her nose wrinkling. "Ugh." With a lazy flick of her hand, the floating mess vanished. Not cleaned. Erased. Gone like it never existed. Silence followed. The wind blew softly across the battlefield. The distant sound of the damaged train creaked and hissed, smoke still rising from its roof. Then she turned¡ª ¡ªand walked away. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 109: The Void Empress [2] Chapter 109: The Void Empress [2]Kyle stood in the wrecked train car, breath catching in his throat. The world around him was silent... too silent. Blood was everywhere. It coated the floors, the seats, the walls. So much of it that he felt sick just looking at it. Some of it was fresh, some already dried and dark. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and iron. Sparks flickered from broken wires above. The lights buzzed, blinking in and out. Casting unsteady shadows over the torn-apart interior. Bodies were slumped over in their seats. Motionless, lifeless. The passengers... all of them were dead. Kyle¡¯s legs locked in place. His arms wouldn¡¯t respond. It was like something was holding him down. Chains he couldn¡¯t see, heavy and cruel. He couldn¡¯t move, couldn¡¯t speak. He was trapped, forced to watch. Then he saw her. Anaya. The little girl from earlier. She had laughed when her mother told her to stop bouncing in her seat. She had waved at him. Smiled. Now she was crying. Small arms wrapped around her mother¡¯s waist. Her mother was bleeding, head leaning to the side, her breath shallow and shaky. And standing over them... was him. The cultist. His face was the same. Wild eyes, twisted smile, the glint of madness in his stare. In his hand, one of his curved daggers dripped with fresh blood. "Please..." the woman whispered, holding her daughter tight. Her voice was weak. "Please, not her..." The cultist tilted his head. Like he was curious. Then he stabbed the mother. The blade sank in with a sickening crunch. Her body jerked. Her eyes went wide. Then empty. Anaya screamed. "No!" Kyle shouted. But his voice didn¡¯t come out. His mouth moved, but no sound followed. He fought against the invisible weight pinning him down. But it was useless. He couldn¡¯t move. Couldn¡¯t stop it. The cultist reached for the girl. Anaya struggled, kicking, crying, calling out for her mother. But the man didn¡¯t care. He raised his dagger. And brought it down. The scream stopped. Kyle¡¯s vision blurred. He didn¡¯t know if it was from tears or rage or something else entirely. The cultist turned slowly. His boots squelching in the blood-soaked floor. Step by step. He made his way down the aisle, humming to himself. Toward Reo and Eleanora. They were still unconscious. Reo¡¯s chest barely moved with each breath. Eleanora¡¯s body was limp, stained in red. The cultist crouched beside Reo first. He whispered something. Kyle couldn¡¯t hear it, then drove the dagger into Reo¡¯s side. Again. And again. Reo¡¯s body twitched once. Then stilled. The cultist moved to Eleanora next, dragging the blade along the floor. Kyle thrashed, every muscle in his body screaming to move. But nothing worked. The dagger rose again. Eleanora¡¯s head shifted slightly. And then it fell. Kyle¡¯s scream finally tore from his throat. Silent and helpless. And then¡ª Darkness. Gasp! Kyle shot up. Chest heaving, sweat dripping down his neck and forehead. White walls. Clean sheets. Soft pillows under his back. Beeping beside him. A hospital room. His heart pounded so hard it felt like it would break through his ribs. His hands were shaking. His breathing was uneven, like he¡¯d just run for miles. He blinked. It was a dream. No... a nightmare. But it had felt so real. "Reo... Eleanora..." He threw the blanket off, trying to move. But an IV tugged at his arm and pain shot through his side. Then a calm voice spoke from across the room. "Relax, kid. You¡¯ll rip your stitches." Kyle turned fast, wide-eyed. A woman sat in a chair near the window, one leg crossed over the other. She was flipping through a magazine with one hand and munching on an apple with the other. She had long white hair that shimmered in the sunlight and golden eyes that practically glowed. He knew her. She raised an eyebrow as she glanced at him. "The princess and that boy are out of danger," she said, biting into the apple again. "You¡¯re still breathing too, though you were a mess when I found you." Kyle didn¡¯t speak. He just sat there, staring at her. His hands slowly loosened. His shoulders dropped. They were alive. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The words echoed in Kyle¡¯s mind, soft and distant. Like a lifeline thrown into stormy waters. Reo... Eleanora... He took a shaky breath. The weight in his chest easing just a little. But that small moment of peace didn¡¯t last. His eyes widened, and his voice came out rough. Barely above a whisper. "W-What about the others?" The woman sitting by the window didn¡¯t answer right away. She stopped mid-bite. The apple in her hand frozen just before her mouth. Then she looked at him, her golden eyes calm. But not kind. "They¡¯re dead," she said. Flat. Cold. Like it didn¡¯t matter. But Kyle saw something else in her eyes. A flicker of something darker. Not apathy... maybe regret. Or something heavier. But it vanished too quickly to name. Kyle¡¯s hands clenched the hospital blanket. His knuckles turned white. He saw them again. The passengers. Faces he didn¡¯t know. The little girl Anaya, her mother. Gone. His throat tightened. He looked down, biting back the sting behind his eyes. The woman¡¯s voice came again, softer this time. "It¡¯s okay," she said. "What happened... it wasn¡¯t your fault." Kyle didn¡¯t respond. He just stared at the floor. Jaw clenched. Eyes filled with pain. "You did everything you could," she continued gently. "Sometimes, no matter how hard we fight... We can¡¯t save everyone." "Carrying all that guilt... it¡¯ll only eat you up inside," she said, voice low but steady. Kyle finally looked up at her. There was confusion in his eyes, mixed with pain and exhaustion. The woman gave a small. Knowing smile and brushed a lock of her silver-white hair behind her ear. "Seris Voidcrest," she said. "People know me as the Void Empress." His breath caught. The Void Empress? Of course he knew her. Everyone did. She wasn¡¯t just some school official. She was a living legend. A awakener with terrifying power. The kind of person who could erase entire monster hordes with a flick of her hand. Before he could say anything. The door burst open. "Kyle!" Aurelia rushed in, her long black hair flying behind her. She didn¡¯t hesitate. She ran straight to his bedside, dropping to her knees and grabbing his hand. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" she asked quickly, her eyes wide with panic. She looked like she hadn¡¯t slept. Her voice was shaky, filled with worry. Kyle stared at her, stunned. Then slowly, he smiled. "I¡¯m okay... Sis." Her shoulders dropped with relief. She let out a long breath and gently placed a hand over his. "Thank the gods... I thought¡ª" she stopped herself, swallowing hard. Behind them. Seris let out a dry hum and took another bite of her apple. "Hmm. I wonder which one of you is actually older," she said under her breath. Glancing between the two. Aurelia blinked and turned, finally noticing the woman by the window. Her eyes widened. "Vice Principal?! When did you get here?" As if on cue, the door opened again. "Kyle!" Seraphina¡¯s voice rang out sharply as she rushed into the room. Her pink hair bounced with each step, eyes locked onto him. She moved past Aurelia without pause and placed a hand on Kyle¡¯s shoulder. "Are you okay? Anything broken? Can you feel your fingers? Vision blurry?" Kyle smiled a little at her usual intensity. "I¡¯m okay, Seraphina." Only after hearing his voice did she seem to breathe again. Then her eyes shifted, and landed on Seris. She blinked. "Vice Principal?! You¡¯re here too?" Seris expression didn¡¯t change. But her eye twitched slightly. Once. Twice. They had both ignored her earlier. She was used to being feared, respected, noticed immediately. Not brushed aside like a wallflower. She set the apple down on the windowsill. Slowly standing up and smoothing her coat. "I¡¯ve been here," she said plainly. "Since before the two of you barged in without knocking." Neither instructor replied. Seris closed her eyes, inhaling deeply like she was trying to hold back a sigh. "I wanted to ask Kyle some questions," she said, brushing invisible dust from her shoulder. "But that can wait. He needs rest." Then she looked at the two women. "Aurelia. Seraphina. I¡¯d like a word with you both. Let¡¯s step outside." They exchanged a glance. Neither spoke. But both nodded. Aurelia leaned down and gave Kyle¡¯s hand a gentle squeeze. "I¡¯ll be right outside," she said softly. Seraphina gave him a brief smile. Touching his arm gently before turning away. The three women walked toward the door. Seris paused in the doorway. She looked back at Kyle, her golden eyes steady. "You did well, Kyle. You¡¯re still here. That¡¯s what matters." Then she turned and left. The door clicking softly shut behind her. The room fell quiet again. Kyle lay there, staring up at the ceiling. The beep of the monitor beside him was the only sound. His body ached. His mind was foggy. But the worst part was over. Kyle lay there, alone again. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 110: The Void Empress [3] Chapter 110: The Void Empress [3]The quiet footsteps of three women echoed through the polished halls of Iskavar City Hospital. It was one of the best hospitals in the region. Close to where the train attack had happened, and the only one equipped to handle something so sudden and brutal. Seris walked ahead with her usual calm air, hands in her coat pockets. Behind her, Aurelia and Seraphina followed. Both still a little tense from the earlier chaos. They stopped in front of an empty meeting room near the end of the hall. Seris pushed open the door. Inside. A man was already waiting. He looked to be in his early forties. With sharp green eyes and neatly combed black hair streaked lightly with gray. He was dressed in a long silver coat lined with subtle gold embroidery. Modest, but unmistakably official. As they stepped in, he stood up from his seat and offered a respectful nod. "Miss Seris. Miss Aurelia. Miss Seraphina. Thank you for coming." His voice was deep but gentle, with the smooth tone of someone used to authority, and diplomacy. Aurelia¡¯s eyes widened slightly. Seraphina stiffened beside her. "Commander Marcus?" Aurelia spoke first, her tone shifting into something more formal. Seraphina stepped forward and bowed slightly. "We didn¡¯t expect you here, sir." He gave a small smile. "His Majesty, King Sylas, sent me personally. I came as soon as I received word about the train incident." The room fell quiet. Everyone knew King Sylas D¡¯Argent wasn¡¯t the kind of ruler who ruled with fear or distance. He genuinely cared for his people. He listened, acted when needed, and always put the safety of the empire first. But this time... it was different. This wasn¡¯t just about protecting citizens. His daughter. Princess Eleanora, had been on that train. And while the king was calm and composed in public, those close to him knew. He loved his youngest daughter more than anything in the world. If something had happened to her. If she had been seriously hurt or worse... No one wanted to think about how far King Sylas might go. Commander Marcus continued, walking to the center of the room. "We¡¯re all grateful the princess is safe," he said. "But His Majesty wants answers. As do I." From his belt. He took out a small black artifact shaped like a smooth cube. It hummed faintly with magic. He pressed a rune along the side, and a quiet ripple spread out through the air. A transparent dome shimmered into place around the room. "Sound barrier¡¯s up," Marcus said. "No one outside this room will hear a word." He turned to Seris, eyes steady but respectful. "I¡¯ve been waiting for you, Miss Seris. You were one of the first on the scene, and your report will be... important." Seris nodded once, her expression unreadable. "Understood," she said quietly. Marcus took his seat again, folding his hands neatly on the table. Seris, Aurelia, and Seraphina joined him, each settling into a chair around the small round table in the quiet hospital room. The air was thick with tension, no one speaking for a few moments. Finally, Seris leaned back slightly. Her golden eyes calm but focused. "It started when I was flying back to Solvayne," she began. "I¡¯d just wrapped up a long mission and needed some air. As I was passing over the region, I noticed something off in the distance." She paused for a breath, remembering the sight. "It was a train...malfunctioned across the tracks. But what caught my eye wasn¡¯t the crash itself. It was the mana. Thick, heavy... tainted. The whole area was soaked in demonic energy." Marcus leaned forward, his brow furrowed. Aurelia¡¯s expression darkened, and Seraphina quietly tensed. "I flew in closer," Seris continued. "And that¡¯s when I saw them. Kyle, Princess Eleanora, and a boy with wind affinity, Reo. They were fighting someone. Barely standing." She looked directly at Marcus. "Reo was in bad shape. If I hadn¡¯t gotten there when I did. He wouldn¡¯t have made it." Seraphina lowered her gaze, lips pressed together. Aurelia clenched her fists in her lap. "Who were they fighting?" Marcus asked, his voice low. Seris didn¡¯t hesitate. "Jorren Veyn." The name landed like a stone in the room. Everyone froze. Marcus¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Jorren Veyn? I thought he vanished two years ago." "He did," Seris replied. Her voice grew colder. "Turns out, he wasn¡¯t dead. Just hiding... or being kept somewhere. But he was the same as the stories. Sadistic. Smiling. Like he was enjoying every second of it." Marcus shook his head. "He was a monster. One of the worst. Tortured women. Killed children. And he enjoyed it." "Well," Seris said bluntly, "He¡¯s not going to enjoy anything anymore. I killed him." Aurelia blinked, confused. "You said he wasn¡¯t useful anymore. What did you mean?" Seris¡¯s eyes sharpened. "He turned into a Hollow." Seraphina frowned. "A what?" "A Hollow," Seris repeated. "That¡¯s what happens when a demon who offered a contract to a human overloads their mana core. They become mindless. Beasts driven by instinct, with no thought or will." "Like demonic zombies?" Aurelia asked quietly. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Exactly," Seris said. "No reason. No mercy. Just violence. Not many people know about them.." Marcus leaned back in his chair, tension deepening on his face. "That wasn¡¯t some random criminal attack, was it?" Seris shook her head. "No. It was planned. There were artifact jammers around the area. Disrupting all communication. No one could call for help." A heavy silence fell over the room. Then she added, voice grim. "There were hundreds of Hollows inside that train. That means hundreds of demonic humans were already there, waiting. It was coordinated. A full assault." She let that sink in before continuing. "And it gets worse. They weren¡¯t alone. There were Corrupteds too." At that. All three of them stiffened. Everyone in the room knew what Corrupteds were. Twisted creatures from the demonic world. Beasts whose bodies had changed after long exposure to pure demonic mana. And they weren¡¯t supposed to be here unless something had brought them across. "How...?" Marcus started, then stopped. He ran a hand through his hair. "Could there have been a gate? An actual gate opened inside the train?" "That¡¯s one possibility," Seris said. "Or maybe..." she hesitated, "...maybe the demons have found a way to open them on command." Marcus¡¯s face grew darker. "That¡¯s... if that¡¯s true. This goes far beyond one train attack." No one answered right away. Because deep down, they all knew he was right. After a long moment. Seraphina finally spoke. "So what was the goal? Was this about Eleanora?" "Maybe," Seris said softly. "The Princess being there... it can¡¯t be a coincidence. We all know how much King Sylas dotes on her. She¡¯s his youngest. His treasure. If they were targeting anyone. It would¡¯ve been her." But then her voice dropped. "Even so... why kill everyone else?" Aurelia shook her head slowly. "Five thousand people were on that train. Civilians. Families. And only three survived?" "Only three," Seris said, her voice quiet now. "And those three. Kyle, Reo, and Eleanora. They fought with everything they had. They held out until help came. I don¡¯t think any of them expected to survive... but they didn¡¯t stop." Another silence fell over the room, heavier than before. The horror of it all settled in. Three survivors. Out of thousands. Marcus stood slowly and walked over to the window, staring out at the city in the distance. "This wasn¡¯t just an attack," Marcus said. "It was a message." His words hung in the air for a long moment. No one responded. They didn¡¯t need to. The truth was already heavy enough. After a short pause. Marcus stood from his chair and straightened his coat. "I¡¯ll take my leave now. The media¡¯s been waiting outside for answers," he added, glancing toward the door. "Can¡¯t keep them guessing too long." Seris, Seraphina, and Aurelia nodded in understanding. Without another word. Marcus gave them a small, respectful bow and walked out, footsteps fading down the hallway. As the door clicked shut behind him. Seraphina turned to Aurelia with a faint smile. "We should see if Kyle¡¯s feeling hungry." Aurelia nodded. But just as she was about to follow her. Seris gently placed a hand on her arm. "Aurelia, wait," she said. Aurelia looked back, surprised. "There¡¯s something I need to talk to you about," Seris added, her tone quieter now. "Alone." Seraphina raised a brow but didn¡¯t question it. "Alright. I¡¯ll be in Kyle¡¯s room." She gave Aurelia a small nod before walking away. Leaving the two of them behind. Once the door closed. Seris pulled a small artifact from her storage pouch. With a tap. A faint pulse of light spread out like a ripple. Forming a barrier of silence around them. The world outside the room became still. Seris turned to Aurelia, her expression more serious now. "It¡¯s about Kyle," she said. "I need to know... how many people know about him having four affinities?" Aurelia blinked, confused for a moment. Then her eyes widened. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 111: Fragile Strength [1] Chapter 111: Fragile Strength [1]Aurelia stared at Seris, her heart pounding in her chest. Her eyes were still wide with shock, and without realizing it. She had released a wave of mana pressure into the room. It wasn¡¯t something she did on purpose, it just happened. Her emotions were too strong to control. The fear of Kyle¡¯s secret getting out hit her all at once. He didn¡¯t just have two affinities like most talented mages. He had four. Four elemental affinities. It was something no one had ever seen before in recorded history. If people found out, it would change everything. But not in a good way. They would come for him. Organizations, nobles, maybe even kingdoms. They would want to use him, control him, turn him into a tool for their own goals. Kyle wasn¡¯t ready for that. He was still growing, still learning. He needed time... time to get stronger, time to protect himself. Until then, his secret had to stay buried. "Relax, Aurelia," Seris said gently. Raising a hand between them. "And maybe pull back that mana pressure a bit. This is still a hospital, remember?" Only then did Aurelia realize what she was doing. The air had grown heavy, and she could see the faint shimmer of her own aura spreading through the room. She took a deep breath, then slowly reined it in. The pressure faded. Leaving only the tense silence between them. "Sorry," she said softly, her voice tight. Seris gave her a small. Kind smile. "It¡¯s okay. I understand. And don¡¯t worry... I¡¯m not going to tell anyone." Aurelia didn¡¯t respond right away. Her body was still tense, her jaw clenched. She didn¡¯t look fully convinced. Trust didn¡¯t come easy. Especially when it came to something like this. Seris noticed the hesitation. She tilted her head, her voice softer now. "You really care about your brother, don¡¯t you?" she said. "I¡¯m a little jealous of that, to be honest." Her words hung in the air, gentle but full of something unspoken. There was a quiet sadness in her tone. One that made Aurelia pause. "It must be nice," Seris continued, her eyes distant for a moment. "To have someone worth protecting like that." Aurelia¡¯s breath caught. She didn¡¯t know much about Seris¡¯s past. But hearing those words... it felt real. Genuine. Like it came from someone who understood loneliness too well. Then Seris looked at her again. "Judging from your reaction," she said, her voice calm again. "No one else knows about Kyle¡¯s affinities, do they?" Aurelia slowly loosened her grip on the chair¡¯s armrest. She thought back to everything that had happened. Seris could have said something during the earlier meeting with Commander Marcus. But she didn¡¯t. She kept it to herself. And Seris was no fool. She was strong. Far stronger than Aurelia. If she had wanted to expose Kyle, there was nothing stopping her. Aurelia gave a small nod. "...Only me," she said quietly. "I¡¯m the only one who knows." Seris returned the nod. "Reo was unconscious during the fight, so he didn¡¯t see it. But Princess Eleanora..." she paused, then continued. "She saw him use his elements." Aurelia tensed again, worry flickering across her face. Seris raised a hand to ease her concerns. "Don¡¯t worry about Eleanora," she said gently. "She won¡¯t tell anyone. I was there. I saw how hard she fought to keep him alive. Even when her mana reserves were almost gone, she didn¡¯t stop." "I¡¯ve already spoken with her... the secret¡¯s safe." There was a pause. Then Seris looked away. Her voice lowering just a little, almost like she was thinking back to something she couldn¡¯t forget. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Kyle was in bad shape when I arrived," she said softly. "I don¡¯t know what exactly happened before I got there, but the spells he was using... they were far above his rank. Not something a Grade 1 Iron Bronze should¡¯ve been able to handle." She turned her eyes back to Aurelia, her face serious now. "He pushed himself too far. Way too far. His mana core almost cracked from the strain. If I hadn¡¯t gotten there when I did..." she didn¡¯t finish the sentence, but the weight of her words hung in the air. "Cracks in the core like that... they can ruin a person¡¯s future. Even end their path completely." She paused for a moment. "Fortunately, the cracks weren¡¯t too severe. I was able to heal them with my ability, [Soul Heal]." Aurelia knew of Seris¡¯s ability ¡ª Soul Heal A rare and potent form of restoration. She had heard tales of its power, though she had never witnessed it herself. [Soul Heal] wasn¡¯t just a healing spell. It was something more. A gift from the system itself. When someone reached the peak of Silver or Diamond rank. The system presented them with a Trial. A unique challenge made only for them. It could be anything. A battle, a choice, a test of will. No one could advance to Gold or Radiant rank without completing it. And if they did exceptionally well. The system sometimes rewarded them. With something rare. Something powerful. A special ability tailored just for them. No one really knew why the system worked that way, or where it even came from. It was just a part of the world now. A mystery no one had solved. Every trial was different. Every reward was different. Some people got nothing. Others, like Seris, got something incredible. [Soul Heal] was one of those gifts. Something beyond normal magic. Something tied to her very soul. She gave Aurelia a small smile. "So don¡¯t worry. He¡¯ll recover. I made sure of it." Aurelia looked down for a second, her hands loosening at her sides. The tension she¡¯d been carrying slowly started to fade. Then she gave a quiet nod. Seris reached out and tapped the artifact on the table. A soft shimmer pulsed in the air, then vanished as the sound barrier deactivated. "I should talk to the Principal next," Seris said as she stood up. "There¡¯s a lot we need to go over. About the train attack, and what¡¯s been happening at the academy while I was gone." Aurelia stood as well and gave her a respectful nod. "Thank you," she said quietly, her voice filled with honest gratitude. Seris gave her a small wave in return. Then, without another word. She turned and walked out of the room, leaving Aurelia standing there. Alone, surrounded by silence, and deep in thought. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 112: Fragile Strength [2] Chapter 112: Fragile Strength [2]The steady beep of the heart monitor filled the sterile hospital room. Kyle sat propped up against the pillows. His gaze fixed blankly on the wall across from him. His fingers absently traced the edge of the white hospital blanket, his mind far away. The door creaked open. Seraphina stepped inside. Her usual energetic demeanor softened into something quieter. She closed the door behind her with a soft click and made her way to the chair beside his bed. For a moment. She just watched him. The way his shoulders were tense despite the exhaustion in his eyes. The way his jaw clenched ever so slightly. Like he was holding something back. "You look like hell," she said finally, her voice light but careful. Kyle blinked, as if pulled out of a trance, and turned his head toward her. A faint, tired smirk tugged at his lips. "Thanks. I feel like it." She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "You¡¯ve been staring at that wall for ten minutes straight. What¡¯s going on in that head of yours?" He exhaled, long and slow, before dropping his gaze to his hands. "Nothing important." Seraphina raised an eyebrow. "Bullshit." Kyle huffed a humorless laugh. "Yeah. Maybe." Silence settled between them again. But this time, it was heavier. After a beat. Seraphina sighed. "You don¡¯t have to carry everything alone, you know." Kyle¡¯s fingers stilled on the blanket. He didn¡¯t look up. "I don¡¯t have some hero complex or whatever. I just..." His voice trailed off, frustration creeping in. "I don¡¯t want to see kids getting killed. I can¡¯t just stand there and do nothing." His hands curled into fists. "I know it was too much for me to handle alone. I get that. But I can¡¯t help it. I don¡¯t want anything happening to the people I care about. I just¡ª" His voice cracked slightly. "I was scared." Finally. He lifted his head and met her eyes, forcing a weak smile. "That¡¯s all." Seraphina stared at him for a long moment. Then, without thinking. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Kyle stiffened in surprise. "It¡¯s okay," she muttered into his shoulder. "You don¡¯t have to act mature all the time." His breath hitched. Then, softer. So quiet he almost missed it, she added, "You were like this in the past too." Before he could process that. Another voice cut through the room. "What are you doing?" They both turned. Aurelia stood in the doorway, arms crossed. Her sharp blue eyes locked onto Seraphina with an intensity that could melt steel. Seraphina immediately let go of Kyle. Scrambling back so fast she nearly knocked the chair over. Her face flushed bright red. "I¡ªuh¡ªjust¡ªhe looked like he needed it!" Aurelia¡¯s gaze flicked between them, unreadable. Then, after a beat. She stepped fully into the room. Her expression smoothing into something more neutral. "You¡¯re supposed to be resting," she said to Kyle, though her tone lacked its usual bite. Kyle rubbed the back of his neck. The movement slow and tired. "Yeah. I know." Aurelia studied him for another long moment before sighing. "...Good." The tension in the room eased slightly, but the silence that followed was still thick. Seraphina, still standing awkwardly by the chair. Suddenly clapped her hands together. "Right! So," she said, her voice deliberately bright. She reached into her storage ring and pulled out a small bag. "I brought apples" she said. Kyle blinked as she pulled out two perfectly red fruits, their skins gleaming under the hospital lights. Without waiting for a response. She plopped back into the chair and grabbed a small knife from the bedside table. "You look like you could use something fresh," she continued, already peeling the first apple with quick, practiced motions. The blade moved smoothly, the peel curling away in one long, unbroken spiral. "Hospital food is basically cardboard, right?" Aurelia watched her for a second, then shook her head slightly. Though the corner of her mouth twitched. She turned back to Kyle. "How are you feeling now?" Kyle hesitated. The question was simple, but the answer wasn¡¯t. His body ached, his ribs still tender, his legs stiff from the burns. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the weight pressing down on his chest. The images that wouldn¡¯t leave him alone. "Better," he said finally, because it wasn¡¯t entirely a lie. He was better than he had been when he first woke up. Aurelia didn¡¯t look convinced, but she didn¡¯t push. Instead. She reached out and adjusted the blanket over his legs, her touch careful. "You need to rest properly. No rushing things." Kyle nodded absently. His gaze drifting to Seraphina¡¯s hands as she finished peeling the first apple. She sliced it neatly into pieces. The knife clicking against the plate. "Here," she said, holding out a slice to him. "Eat. You¡¯ll feel better." He took it. The apple cool and crisp between his fingers. The first bite was sweet, almost startlingly so after days of bland hospital meals. Aurelia watched him for a moment before sighing again, this time softer. "You scared me, you know." Kyle froze mid-chew. She didn¡¯t look at him as she spoke. Her eyes fixed on the window instead. "When I got the message about the train..." Her voice trailed off, and for the first time. Kyle noticed the faint shadows under her eyes. The way her usual sharpness was dulled by exhaustion. He swallowed hard. The apple suddenly tasteless in his mouth. Seraphina, sensing the shift. Quietly set down the knife and picked up the second apple, peeling it with exaggerated focus, giving them space. "I¡¯m sorry," Kyle said quietly. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Aurelia¡¯s shoulders tensed for a second before she finally turned back to him. "Don¡¯t be stupid. You didn¡¯t do anything wrong." Her voice was sharp, but the edge was gone. Seraphina cleared her throat and held out another slice of apple. This time to Aurelia. "You look like you haven¡¯t slept in days. Eat something." Aurelia stared at the offered fruit like it was a foreign object before reluctantly taking it. "...Thanks." For a while, the only sound in the room was the quiet crunch of apples and the steady beep of the heart monitor. Then, softly, Kyle spoke again. "...I really am okay, you know." Aurelia didn¡¯t answer right away. But after a moment. She reached out and ruffled his hair. Her touch lingering just a second longer than usual. "I know," she said. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 113: Fragile Strength [3] Chapter 113: Fragile Strength [3]The hospital room was quiet. Filled only with the soft hum of the mana-powered lights above. The walls were smooth and pale. Giving the space a clean, almost too sterile feel. Sunlight filtered in through the tall windows. But it couldn¡¯t quite chase away the weight of everything that had happened. Princess Eleanora sat upright in the hospital bed. Her back straight even though her shoulders were wrapped tightly in bandages. She looked calm, composed. Every inch the royal she was, even in recovery. A silver tray rested on the small bedside table, carefully arranged with sliced apples, pears, and grapes. The fruit glistened, freshly peeled and cut with such care that it was clear her attendants had prepared them with the utmost precision. With a small wave of her hand. Eleanora turned to the two maids standing silently near the door. Her voice was quiet, but firm."Leave us." The maids bowed deeply. Their movements practiced and graceful, and left without saying a word. The door shut behind them with a soft click. The moment they were gone. A thin shimmer lit up the air in front of her, and a holographic screen appeared. The image of a man filled the space. Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in black robes trimmed with silver. His black hair was streaked with gray at the temples, and his eyes were sharp, dark, and intense. A golden crown rested on his head. King Sylas D¡¯Argent. Her father. One of the few Grade 3 Divine Rankers alive, and right now. He looked more like a worried parent than a powerful king. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As soon as he saw her. His expression cracked. "Ellie," he said. His voice low and filled with emotion. "You¡¯re awake." She gave him a small smile, tired but sincere. "Yes, Dad. I¡¯m okay." He frowned immediately. His eyes narrowing as he looked her over. "You don¡¯t look okay," he muttered. "The healers said your shoulder bones were fractured. That your mana core was pushed to its limit. Okay isn¡¯t the word I¡¯d use." Eleanora let out a soft sigh. "I¡¯ve had worse." "That¡¯s not comforting," he snapped. His voice sharper now, though his worry still shone through. He ran a hand down his face, his fingers trembling slightly. "Gods, Eleanora. When I got the report about the train¡ª" He paused, struggling to keep his voice steady. "Do you have any idea how scared I was?" Her gaze dropped to her lap for a moment. "I know," she said quietly. He leaned forward. Gripping the arms of his throne so tightly his knuckles turned white. "You should come home. Immediately." "I can¡¯t." "You can," he said quickly. "I¡¯ll send a detachment of royal guards. You don¡¯t need to stay there¡ª" "Dad," she interrupted gently. Her tone calm but firm. "I¡¯m not leaving." He clenched his jaw. For a moment. It looked like he might argue, like he might pull rank. Not as a father, but as a king. But then he stopped, and his shoulders sagged as the fight drained out of him. He ran his fingers through his hair. Messing up the careful way it had been styled. "...At least let me come to you," he said softly. "I¡¯ll rearrange my schedule¡ª" "You can¡¯t," she said, not harshly. "The summit with the Noctis Empire is in three days. That meeting can¡¯t be pushed back." He groaned, clearly torn. "Damn the summit. You matter more." Warmth filled her chest at his words. "I¡¯ll be fine. The academy¡¯s healers are good. And Vice Principal Seris already handled the worst injuries." His face darkened at the name. "That woman..." "She saved my life," Eleanora said, her voice firm. He muttered something under his breath, but didn¡¯t argue. Instead, he looked at her again. Closer this time. His expression full of pride and fear all at once. "...You¡¯re really not coming back?" "Not yet." He sighed, long and deep. "Stubborn," he said. Shaking his head. "Just like your mother." A small smile pulled at her lips. "I¡¯ll take that as a compliment." He gave a quiet huff, not quite a laugh, but close. Then his tone softened again. "I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t be there." Eleanora shook her head. "You don¡¯t have to apologize. I understand." He didn¡¯t look completely satisfied. But he nodded. "If anything happens, even the smallest thing. You call me. Right away. Understand?" "Understood." "Good." He straightened in his seat. The weight of the crown seeming heavier again. The presence of the king returned to his face. But the father was still there too, just beneath the surface. "Rest. Heal. And please... for the love of the gods... be careful." She smiled. "I will." The hologram flickered once and then disappeared. Leaving the room dim and quiet. Eleanora sat still. Her smile fading the moment her father¡¯s image vanished. The strength she had shown in front of him melted away. Replaced by something sharper, colder. Her shoulders dropped as she let out a long breath. One hand slowly reaching for a slice of apple from the silver tray. She turned it in her fingers, watching the light reflect off the pale fruit, but she didn¡¯t eat it. After a moment. She placed it back down, untouched. The crisp sheets under her felt rough against her skin, and when she shifted. The bandages wrapped tight around her shoulder and ribs reminded her of every wound. Every failure. ¡¯Useless.¡¯ The word echoed in her chest like a cruel whisper, digging into her deeper than any blade. She had survived. She had been given another chance. And still, it didn¡¯t feel like enough. What use was this second life if she couldn¡¯t even change something as simple as this? The train attack hadn¡¯t happened like this before. Not in her previous life. Not this early. The demons had been dangerous, yes. But not so bold. Not so prepared. Her fingers curled into a fist, nails biting into her palm until she felt the sting of pain. ¡¯Wrong.¡¯ Everything about this was wrong. And then there was Kyle. Her breath caught for a second. She could still see it. His body hitting the ground, blood pouring from wounds that should have killed him. And yet, he stood back up. He always stood up. Even when his legs were scorched. Even when his ribs cracked with every breath. He kept going. Fighting. Protecting. And not just with lightning. She had seen it. Ice. Water. Even wind. Element after element. All reacting to his will as if they belonged to him. As if he owned them. It was impossible. In the old timeline. Kyle had only ever shown lightning affinity. It was his only affinity. The one thing that had set him apart. He had mastered it, turned it into a weapon, into a legend. But now? Now he was different. Changed. As if fate itself had decided to give him more. The memory surfaced sharp and clear. Seris standing by the hospital window. Golden eyes unreadable as she spoke. "Four affinities." Eleanora had stiffened. "You saw?" A slow nod. "And so did you." The silence that followed was heavy. Then Seris turned, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Keep it secret. For his sake...And yours too." That was all. No explanation. No debate. Eleanora¡¯s fingers curled into the sheets. She would. No matter what. Eleanora had known that even before Seris said it. The world wasn¡¯t kind to people who broke the rules, especially not someone like Kyle. If anyone found out he could control four elements. It wouldn¡¯t be awe or praise that followed. It would be chains. Or worse. She let out a breathless, bitter laugh. Maybe this change would give him the strength he needed. Maybe, this time. He would survive everything the world threw at him. But that didn¡¯t ease the pressure building inside her chest. The frustration. The helplessness. She had done everything she could to make things different this time. She had changed her path, made new choices. Tried to stay ahead of the events she knew were coming. And still. It hadn¡¯t been enough. Kyle had almost died. Again. She dragged a shaky hand through her pale blonde hair. The silky strands slipping between her fingers. The steady beep of the heart monitor beside her filled the silence, too calm. Too normal for what she was feeling inside. Her eyes moved to the door. "I want to see Kyle," she said softly. She didn¡¯t even mean to say it out loud. It just slipped out, barely more than a whisper. But the need behind the words was real. She had to see him. Had to know he was alive with her own eyes. Had to know she hadn¡¯t lost him. Not again. Not this time. The room didn¡¯t answer. There was only silence, and the muffled sounds of footsteps and voices beyond the walls. Nurses walking by. A distant chime from some artifact down the hall. But in the space where she sat, there was only stillness. And the weight of everything she had yet to face. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 114: The Crown Princess [1] Chapter 114: The Crown Princess [1]The royal chambers were bathed in the dim glow of enchanted lanterns. Their soft golden light casting long shadows across the marble floor and tall bookshelves. The flickering flames danced quietly behind crystal glass. Doing little to chase away the heavy silence that filled the room like smoke. King Sylas D¡¯Argent sat in his tall. High-backed chair behind a wide desk carved from dark oak. Papers and scrolls were scattered across its surface. Though most had been pushed aside. A few reports still lay in front of him. Stained with ink and marked with red wax seals. He stared at them. But the words didn¡¯t register anymore. ¡ª Casualties: 4,872 Survivors: 3 Princess Eleanora D¡¯Argent ¨C condition stable ¡ª His jaw clenched tight. A sharp snap echoed in the quiet as the quill in his hand broke in two. Thick, dark ink spilled onto the parchment. Spreading like blood over the names and numbers. He didn¡¯t flinch. Didn¡¯t even seem to notice. His mind was somewhere else. Far from this room. Far from the palace. He was in a hospital room. Where his youngest daughter was lying in bed, wounded and pale. Wounded. His little girl. The fire inside him burned slowly, deeply. Not the wild, shouting kind of anger. But the cold, quiet one. The kind that built with each passing second. The kind that only ended in destruction. They dared to touch her. The cultists. The demons. Whatever monsters had attacked that train. They thought they could harm her and walk away. They were wrong. He would find them. He would tear them apart, piece by piece, until not even ashes remained. And he would do it without raising his voice. A knock at the door pulled him back. He didn¡¯t look up. "Enter." The door opened with a soft creak. A tall young woman stepped in. Her hair was long and black. Tied into a sharp ponytail that didn¡¯t move even when she walked. Her eyes were a deep crimson, focused and sharp. She wore a black and silver uniform that marked her as a royal guard. But she wasn¡¯t just any guard. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Anastasia D¡¯Argent. His firstborn. His heir. And one of the strongest awakener the Solvayne Academy had ever produced. She paused just inside the room. Her gaze drifting over her father¡¯s face. She didn¡¯t need to ask what he was feeling. She could see it in his eyes. The tight line of his shoulders, the shattered quill and spilled ink. "They¡¯ll pay for this," she said. Her voice calm and certain, like it was already decided. Sylas let out a slow breath through his nose. "That¡¯s not why you¡¯re here." "No," Anastasia said as she walked closer. She moved with smooth, silent steps, the same way she fought. With control and purpose. "I came to talk about Eleanora." The name made his expression soften just a little. Only someone who knew him well would¡¯ve noticed. "She¡¯s strong," Anastasia said, stopping by the desk and leaning against the edge. "Stubborn too. She¡¯ll recover." "I know," Sylas said, rubbing at his temples. "But that¡¯s not what worries me." She watched him for a moment. Then she sighed. "You¡¯re thinking of sending guards." "It¡¯s not a thought," he said. "It¡¯s an order." She raised an eyebrow. "And how do you think she¡¯ll react to that?" He didn¡¯t answer. He didn¡¯t need to. They both knew. Eleanora had inherited too much of her father¡¯s stubbornness and her mother¡¯s fire. The moment she noticed she was being followed by royal guards. She¡¯d either disappear on them or fight them off herself. Possibly both. Anastasia smirked. "Exactly." She stood up straight, crossing her arms. "That¡¯s why I¡¯m taking a temporary leave from my duties." Sylas looked up sharply. "What?" "I¡¯m going back to Solvayne. As an assistant professor," she said, her tone casual. Like she was talking about a weekend trip. "You¡¯re leaving the capital?" "I¡¯ve already cleared it with Principal Lucian," she said. "He was more than happy to have me return. Said something about how the current students lack discipline." Sylas stared at her, surprised. But before he could say anything else, she raised a hand. "I know what you¡¯re going to say. The council will complain. The court will gossip. I don¡¯t care." She gave him a small, confident smile. "This way. I can keep an eye on Eleanora without making her feel like she¡¯s being watched." There was a pause. Then, after a moment, Sylas chuckled. It was low and brief, but real. "You planned this whole thing." "Obviously." He shook his head slowly, the lines on his face easing just a little. "You don¡¯t have to do this." "I know," she said, softer now. "But I want to." Their eyes met across the desk. In that moment, all the titles. King, princess, crown heir. Meant nothing. It was just father and daughter, both trying to protect the same person. Anastasia stretched her arms above her head with a lazy sort of grace. "Besides," she said. "It¡¯ll be fun. I haven¡¯t terrified a bunch of first-years in ages." Sylas snorted. "Try not to break too many students." "Try being the key word," she said, already heading for the door. Just before she stepped out. She looked over her shoulder. "Oh, and Father?" "Hm?" Her red eyes gleamed with something dangerous. "Leave the demons to me." Then she was gone. The door closed with a quiet click. Sylas leaned back in his chair again. His gaze drifting to the ceiling above. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle lay on his bed in the quiet of his academy quarters. The familiar walls offering some comfort after the chaos of yesterday. The hospital had discharged him. But the weight of everything that happened still pressed down on him. He picked up his phone absently, scrolling through social media. Every post, every headline was about the attack. He tapped on a news video. "The mana train to Eldermere was attacked by demonic cultists," A reporter¡¯s voice announced, grave and urgent. "Out of approximately 4,875 passengers, only three survived. It is speculated that Princess Eleanora D¡¯Argent was among them." "The identities of the other two survivors remain unknown, but sources confirm they are students from Solvayne Magic Academy. They were rescued by the Void Empress, Seris Voidcrest." "The primary suspect was the notorious criminal Jorren Veyn, who¡ª" Kyle switched off the phone and tossed it aside, exhaling sharply. He didn¡¯t need to hear the rest. He lay back, staring at the ceiling. His fingers absently pressed against his chest. Where his mana core pulsed steadily. ¡¯I ranked up.¡¯ The realization settled over him. He could feel it. The denser mana circulating through him. The increased strength in his limbs. He hadn¡¯t even noticed in the chaos of recovery, but his body had changed. Curious, he pulled up his status screen. ======[STATUS]====== [Name]: Kyle Valemont [Age]: 18 [Class]: Swordsman [Blessing]: Echoes of the Roaming Storm [Mana Core Rank]: Silver [Mana Core Grade]: Grade 3 [Affinity]: Lightning, Wind, Ice, Water [Soul-bound Spirit]: Zalrielle (Dormant) [Ability]: Stormborne (Temporarily Awakened) =================== Kyle blinked. "Huh." An Ability? That wasn¡¯t supposed to happen yet. As far as he knew. Abilities only awakened after completing Ranking Trials. Special challenges the System imposed to push Awakeners to their limits. But here it was. ¡¯Stormborne.¡¯ His status screen flickered suddenly. The text shifting before his eyes. ¡ª¡ª [Ability]: Stormborne (Locked) ¡ª¡ª Kyle frowned. ¡¯So it was temporary.¡¯ That made sense. During his fight with Jorren. He¡¯d felt something. A surge of power beyond his normal limits. Like his body had tapped into something deeper. It must have been his Ability activating under extreme stress. ¡¯Is it connected to my Blessing?¡¯ That was the only explanation. His Blessing. Echoes of the Roaming Storm. Maybe it had triggered the Ability prematurely. But his mana core wasn¡¯t strong enough to sustain it yet. Seris had warned him. His core had nearly cracked from the strain. If she hadn¡¯t arrived in time. If she hadn¡¯t used her [Soul Heal]... He shuddered. ¡¯I got lucky.¡¯ Kyle¡¯s fingers absently traced the smooth black surface of the ring on his finger. In its dormant state. Zalrielle felt almost weightless. His grip tightened slightly. ¡¯Never again.¡¯ The memory of Jorren¡¯s blade flashing toward him, of being powerless against that overwhelming strength. It burned in his chest. He¡¯d survived by sheer luck and Seris¡¯s timely intervention. Next time, he might not be so fortunate. ¡¯First step: awaken Zalrielle properly.¡¯ The academy¡¯s forbidden section was his best bet. There had to be records about spirit weapons. About bonds between wielders and their manifestations. But sneaking in wouldn¡¯t be easy. The restricted archives were guarded by both physical barriers and magical wards. Not to mention the ever-watchful eyes of the faculty. A frustrated sigh escaped his lips. Even planning the attempt felt exhausting. His body still ached from the ordeal. Muscles protesting at the slightest movement. The healers had done their job, but full recovery would take time. The Zalrielle pulsed faintly against his skin, as if responding to his thoughts. ¡¯Tomorrow¡¯, he promised silently. ¡¯We¡¯ll figure this out tomorrow.¡¯ His eyelids grew heavy. The weight of the past days finally catching up to him. The questions could wait. The plans could wait. For now, his body demanded rest. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 115: The Crown Princess [2] Chapter 115: The Crown Princess [2]The morning air in Solvayne Academy carried the usual energy of students moving between classes. Footsteps echoing down long marble halls. Bits of chatter rising and falling in every direction. But today, it felt different. Heavier. There was a tension in the air. Like everyone was holding their breath. Kyle kept his head down as he walked through the main corridor, hands buried deep in his pockets. The polished marble floor reflected the soft glow of mana-lamps overhead. But even that usual shine felt dull today. Around him. Groups of students huddled together. Whispering in tight circles, their voices lowered but urgent. "¡ªheard it was a massacre¡ª" "¡ªonly three made it out alive¡ª" "¡ªthey say Princess Eleanora was there¡ª" Kyle didn¡¯t react. He didn¡¯t need to. He¡¯d heard enough. He pushed forward, weaving past students without making eye contact. The last thing he wanted was to be dragged into some half-true gossip about what had happened. He reached the elevators at the end of the hall and pressed the button. As he waited, his mind wandered again. ¡¯How am I going to get into the forbidden section?¡¯ The library¡¯s restricted archives weren¡¯t accessible to just anyone. He¡¯d need a faculty pass, or at the very least. A way to bypass the wards. Maybe if he¡ª The elevator chimed softly, and just as the doors began to open. A presence joined him. He glanced sideways. Serena Blackthorn stood beside him. Her arms were crossed over her uniform, and her sharp amethyst eyes stared straight ahead. She hadn¡¯t made a sound when she approached. The two stepped into the elevator together. The doors slid shut behind them with a soft hiss. Silence filled the space. Kyle shifted slightly, feeling the weight of her presence. She always gave off a cold, distant air. But this was different. Then, without looking at him. She spoke. "Were you on that train?" Her voice was calm. Flat. Kyle didn¡¯t look at her. "Why do you think that?" She finally turned her head. Studying him with that unreadable gaze of hers. "Just a feeling." He didn¡¯t reply. Didn¡¯t nod. Didn¡¯t deny it either. The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. Serena walked out first. Her footsteps light but firm. Kyle followed, thoughts still circling. ¡¯Does she know something? Or is she just guessing?¡¯ He brushed the thought aside as they entered Classroom A1. Reo was already there. Slouched in his usual seat at the back of the room. Normally. He¡¯d be cracking jokes or talking loudly about some wild story. But now, he just sat there. Tapping his fingers quietly against the desk, his eyes distant. Kyle dropped into the seat beside him. "You okay?" he asked. Reo blinked like he hadn¡¯t noticed him. Then gave a small, tired smirk. "Yeah. Just tired after, you know..." He trailed off. Kyle didn¡¯t push. They both knew what he meant. Before either of them could say anything else. A burst of energy blew into the room. "Morning, sunshine!" Luna¡¯s voice was loud and cheerful as always. She flopped into the seat on Kyle¡¯s other side. Her short white hair bouncing with the motion. But as soon as she saw their faces. Her smile faded a bit. "Whoa. Why do you two look like someone died?" Reo let out a soft snort. "Morning to you too." Luna raised an eyebrow. "Seriously, though. You both look awful. Especially you, Reo. You¡¯re never this quiet." Reo shrugged and looked away. "Didn¡¯t sleep much." Luna frowned, clearly unconvinced, but didn¡¯t push it. She leaned back in her chair, arms folded. "Well, you¡¯ve probably heard the rumors, right?" she asked in a low voice. Kyle tensed slightly. "What rumors?" Luna glanced around before answering. "About the train massacre. People are saying Princess Eleanora was on board... and only three - four people made it out alive." Kyle tried to keep his voice casual. "Probably just rumors about Eleanora. You know how people love to make things sound bigger than they are." Luna nodded slowly. "Yeah, maybe. But still..." She paused. As if thinking of something else, then her expression lit up. "Oh! Speaking of the princess¡ª" The classroom door slid open with a soft sound. All three turned to look. Eleanora stepped inside. She looked calm. Composed. Her pale blonde hair was tied neatly behind her back, and her uniform was spotless. Her eyes scanned the room briefly and locked onto Kyle¡¯s for half a second. Then she looked away and took her seat beside Serena near the front. Luna let out a low whistle. "Guess the rumors were fake. She looks totally fine." Kyle didn¡¯t respond. He kept his eyes on Eleanora¡¯s back. A moment later. The door opened again. Aurelia, strode into the classroom with her usual commanding presence. The soft clack of her heels echoed off the stone floor, and the students immediately straightened in their seats. Her icy blue eyes swept across the room, sharp and calculating. Like a hawk eyeing every movement, every twitch. The quiet chatter that had been bouncing between desks died in seconds. "Good morning," she said, her voice crisp and no-nonsense. But this time, she wasn¡¯t alone. A second figure followed her in, and just her presence made the room shift. She was tall and graceful. Her long jet-black hair tied neatly in a high ponytail that swayed with each step. Her eyes. Deep, sharp, and crimson, seemed to cut through the air. She wore a black academy coat, trimmed with silver. The emblem of Solvayne stitched over her chest. Kyle felt the tension beside him rise, and when he glanced to the front row. He saw Eleanora stiffen in her seat. Her hand froze halfway through writing. Her face, usually calm and composed, showed a flicker of surprise. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "No way..." Eleanora whispered under her breath, eyes locked on the new arrival. "What is she doing here?" Aurelia stepped aside, giving the girl space. "This is your new assistant professor. She¡¯ll be joining us from today onward." The girl moved forward smoothly, her back straight, her chin slightly raised. There was a quiet confidence in the way she carried herself. Like someone who had nothing to prove because her name had already done it for her. "Anastasia D¡¯Argent," she said, her voice calm, smooth, and strong. "I graduated from Solvayne last year, specializing in advanced combat and mana theory. I look forward to working with you all." The moment she said her name, the classroom exploded with whispers. "D¡¯Argent?! Like... the D¡¯Argent?" "Isn¡¯t she the Crown Princess?" "She¡¯s the older sister of Eleanora, right?" "What is someone like her doing back here?" Kyle didn¡¯t join in. But his eyes narrowed slightly. He watched Eleanora from the side. Her face was hard to read now. Cold and collected. But her hands, tightly clenched around her quill, gave her away. ¡¯So... she¡¯s Crown Princess.¡¯ Aurelia didn¡¯t let the buzz go on for long. Her gaze snapped toward the class, and with one sharp look, the room fell silent again. "Enough," she said. "Open your textbooks to page 243. We¡¯ll begin with elemental convergence theory." The rest of the class went on quietly, but tension lingered in the air like smoke. ¡ª¡ª¡ª [After Class] Luna dragged her feet as they left the lecture hall. Letting out a long groan. "Ugh, I hate practicals. Why can¡¯t we just stick to theory forever? Books don¡¯t make you sweat or throw magic at you." Kyle walked beside her, quiet. Reo followed a step behind, his hands in his pockets. Eyes a little distant. Then, as if someone flipped a switch in her head, Luna¡¯s whole face lit up. "But did you see her? Anastasia D¡¯Argent! She¡¯s not just anyone. She was Rank 1. Not just once, but every year she was here! They say the gap between her and whoever was second was huge. Like, embarrassingly huge." She leaned in a little. Lowering her voice like she was telling a secret. "There¡¯s a rumor she once took down an entire mercenary squad by herself during her second-year mission. Real mercs." Kyle said nothing. His eyes stayed ahead, distant. Reo didn¡¯t react either. He just kept walking, jaw tight. Luna slowed down when she noticed the silence. Blinking between the two. "...You guys okay?" Kyle gave a small nod. "Yeah. Just tired." They turned the corner and passed through a set of reinforced doors. Stepping into the academy¡¯s massive indoor training arena. The place was enormous, easily the size of four football fields. The ceiling stretched high above. Lined with glowing mana crystals that gave off a steady white light. Groups of students were already scattered across the field. Warming up or checking their gear. "Instructor Hale¡¯s class today," Luna said, looking around. "He always makes us run the full course before sparring. My legs are gonna die." Reo exhaled hard through his nose. "Let¡¯s just get this over with." Luna opened her mouth to say something else. But closed it again when she saw the look on Kyle¡¯s and Reo¡¯s face. They headed toward their designated group zone in silence. The training had begun. But some wounds weren¡¯t the kind that healed with time. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 116: The Crown Princess [3] Chapter 116: The Crown Princess [3]The moment Anastasia D¡¯Argent stepped onto the training field. The atmosphere changed like someone had flipped a switch. The students weren¡¯t laughing or talking anymore. Every eye turned to her. She stood tall in the center of the field, arms folded, her black coat fluttering slightly in the wind. Her crimson eyes swept over the class slowly, like a predator sizing up a herd. The usual energy and chatter vanished. Even the loudest. Most carefree students suddenly stood up straighter. "Instructor Hale is unavailable today," she said, voice smooth but with a sharpness beneath it. "So you¡¯re stuck with me." Some students actually looked relieved. A few even smiled quietly to themselves. Instructor Hale¡¯s training was infamous. Endless drills, brutal sparring, and no mercy. Compared to him. Anyone else seemed like a blessing. But then Anastasia smiled. It wasn¡¯t the kind of smile that made you feel safe. It was the kind of smile that made your stomach twist. Near the edge of the field. Eleanora had been calmly stretching. At that smile. She froze mid-motion. Her eyes narrowed, and a small shiver ran down her spine. She knew that look. It wasn¡¯t a smile of kindness. It was the smile of someone who enjoyed watching people break. "Let¡¯s start with 200 laps," Anastasia said lightly, as if she were announcing the weather. "Then we¡¯ll move on to 300 push-ups and 300 sit-ups. Standard warm-up." The silence that followed was heavy. Then¡ª "WHAT?!" Gasps and shocked murmurs broke out like an explosion. Even Kyle, who usually kept his cool during class. Felt his eye twitch. He didn¡¯t say anything, but his muscles tensed. Hale¡¯s training was already extreme. 100 laps, 200 push-ups, 200 sit-ups. This was even worse. One brave student raised a hand. His voice hesitant. "Uh... Instructor Hale normally only has us do¡ª" Anastasia didn¡¯t even look at him. "Add another 100 laps." Her voice was still calm. The smile never left her face. The poor student sat down again without a word. No one else dared to speak. The training field was massive. Easily four times the size of a football field. Wide, open space, surrounded by mana-infused barriers to contain rogue spells. It was designed to be large enough for real combat drills. But that also meant running just twenty lap was already exhausting. Doing 200 was a nightmare. Still, no one argued. The students began to move, their footsteps a mix of stomps and shuffles. Some groaned, others stayed silent. No one wanted to risk adding more to the count. Kyle kept a steady pace. His breathing was calm, even. He didn¡¯t waste energy by pushing too hard early on. The images. Blood. Screams. Dead Bodies. Kept flashing in his head. They refused to leave him alone. A soft voice brought him back. "Hey." Kyle turned his head. Eleanora was running beside him. Her expression calm, her pace steady. Despite everything. Her posture was perfect, her breathing smooth. "Hey." Kyle replied. For a while, they said nothing. Just ran in silence. The sound of their footsteps and the distant groans of other students filled the air. Then she spoke again, quiet and careful. "How are you?" Kyle blinked, surprised. He looked at her but saw she wasn¡¯t looking at him. Her eyes were focused forward. There was something in her voice. Not just concern. It was softer. A little guilty, maybe. He gave a small smile. "I¡¯m okay. You?" She hesitated. "I¡¯m... okay, I think." More silence passed. The kind that didn¡¯t feel uncomfortable, just... heavy. Kyle¡¯s voice dropped to a whisper. "Thanks." Eleanora glanced at him. "For what?" He didn¡¯t say the words out loud. But she knew. He meant the secret. She¡¯d kept quiet about what happened on the train. Not the attack, but his secret. His multiple affinities. Something no one else could know. She gave a small nod. "You don¡¯t have to thank me." Before Kyle could reply. A new voice cut in. Playful, mocking. "Aww, how sweet." They both turned, and nearly stumbled. Anastasia was right there beside them. Running at the same pace like it was nothing. Her ponytail bounced gently behind her, not a single hair out of place. She wasn¡¯t even sweating. Eleanora¡¯s eyes widened slightly. "Big Sis¡ª" "Dear Ellie," Anastasia said, tilting her head with a fake smile. "Would you like another 100 laps for chatting during drills?" Eleanora¡¯s jaw clenched. "...No, Instructor." Anastasia hummed, clearly enjoying herself. Then her crimson eyes slid toward Kyle. "And you, pretty boy¡ª" Kyle almost tripped. His brain stopped working for a second. ¡¯Did she just...?¡¯ "Cat got your tongue?" she teased. "Or do you want extra laps too?" Kyle quickly shook his head. "No, ma¡¯am." "Good," she said with a wink. "Then pick up the pace." And just like that. She sped ahead, jogging effortlessly past them like they were standing still. Kyle stared after her for a moment, trying to process everything. Then he looked at Eleanora. "...What the hell was that?" Eleanora sighed. Brushing a few strands of hair from her face. "That¡¯s just how she is," she said quietly. "Get used to it." Kyle groaned under his breath. ¡ª¡ª¡ª [One Eternity Later] Students were lying everywhere, on their backs, their sides. Some even face down. Completely worn out. Their uniforms were soaked in sweat, and the only sounds were heavy breathing and quiet groans. Muscles ached. Arms and legs refused to move. Even the most athletic among them were struggling to stay conscious. Cedric. Usually the first one to recover, was sprawled on his back with one arm covering his eyes. His chest rising and falling like he¡¯d just fought a war. At the center of it all stood Anastasia D¡¯Argent. Fresh as ever. Not a single drop of sweat touched her flawless skin. Her black hair. Tied neatly in a high ponytail, didn¡¯t even look ruffled. She casually twirled a wooden practice sword in her hand. The motion smooth and effortless. She looked more like someone warming up for a morning stroll than someone who had just pushed nearly hundred students to the brink of collapse. "Alright, good work," she said cheerfully. Her voice far too upbeat for what they¡¯d just endured. "Ten-minute break." A wave of relief passed through the group. Some students rolled over and hugged the ground like it was the softest bed they¡¯d ever known. Others groaned in thanks. Not even having the energy to speak. But then Anastasia smiled. And that smile spelled trouble. "Now," she said, spinning the wooden sword once before pointing it at the group. "Who wants to fight me?" Silence. Every single student suddenly found something interesting to look at on the ground. No one made eye contact. Cassian let out a quiet curse under his breath. Luna actually whined. Cedric didn¡¯t move. His pride was legendary. But even he knew better than to volunteer for this. Getting up now would be suicide. Anastasia scanned the group slowly, clearly enjoying the awkward silence. Her eyes hovered on Cedric, and for a second, he visibly tensed. But she moved on. Then she stopped. "Pretty boy." Kyle froze. Halfway through drinking from his water bottle, spitting his water on the ground. Luna and Cassian both snorted with laughter. Luna even clapped a hand over her mouth to hide her grin. "You¡¯re up," Anastasia said, pointing her wooden sword straight at him. Kyle groaned and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He could feel everyone¡¯s eyes on him. Of course she¡¯d pick him. He pushed himself up. His body ached from the earlier drills, but he didn¡¯t complain. He walked toward the weapon rack, his steps steady. Normally, he wouldn¡¯t even look at these practice weapons. Zalrielle. His spirit. Hated it when he used anything else. She couldn¡¯t speak. But Kyle could always feel her emotions. Annoyance. Jealousy. Even pride Whenever he picked her up or left her behind. But right now? sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Silence. It was a little unsettling. But maybe Zalrielle understood that Kyle was still recovering from the attack and didn¡¯t want to bother him. Maybe, just this once. She chose to stay quiet out of concern. ¡¯Thanks Zal.¡¯ he thought silently. He picked up a wooden tachi, testing the weight in his hands. It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it was close enough. The grip was rougher, the balance slightly off. But he adjusted quickly. Anastasia was waiting in the center of the sparring ring, calm and casual. She tapped the ground with her foot and smiled. "Don¡¯t worry," she said. "I won¡¯t attack." Kyle raised an eyebrow. "Your goal is simple. Move me from this spot. Just one step is enough. That¡¯s all." That didn¡¯t sound hard. But Kyle wasn¡¯t fooled. He heard the murmurs from the other students. "That¡¯s it?" "Just move her?" "Sounds easy..." They clearly didn¡¯t get it. Kyle did. This wasn¡¯t about strength. It wasn¡¯t even about speed. It was about control. Precision. Skill. And Anastasia had all of it, and then some. "Oh," she added casually. "And no mana. Pure technique only." Kyle nodded slowly and exhaled. No mana? Fine. He could work with that. He took his stance, feet shoulder-width apart, body angled slightly. The wooden tachi rested at his side, and his eyes locked onto her. The moment stretched. The air around them seemed to still. Even the exhausted students sat up to watch, sensing the tension. Anastasia didn¡¯t move. She just stood there, sword resting against her shoulder. Watching him with a confident smile that somehow made her look both kind and dangerous at the same time. Kyle focused. This was a test. And he didn¡¯t plan on failing. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 117: The Crown Princess [4] Kyle adjusted his grip on the wooden tachi, fingers curling tighter around the hilt. He took a deep breath. Steadying his nerves. Across from him. Anastasia stood with her practice sword resting lightly on her shoulder. Her posture relaxed, almost lazy. She looked like she didn''t have a care in the world. No tension in her arms. No stance. Just calm confidence. The difference between them was almost ridiculous. Kyle looked like a coiled spring, every muscle tensed and ready to move. Anastasia looked like she''d wandered into a sparring match by accident and hadn''t decided if she wanted to participate. She tilted her head slightly, her crimson eyes half-lidded. "Whenever you''re ready." Kyle didn''t wait. He launched forward in an instant. His feet gliding over the ground with trained precision. No mana, just raw speed and skill. His wooden tachi sliced through the air in a clean horizontal arc aimed for her neck. A fast. Controlled strike that could knock anyone off balance. Anyone but her. Anastasia''s sword came up with a flick. Clack!. Blocking his strike with perfect timing. It wasn''t even a proper guard. She just lifted her sword like she was swatting away a leaf. The impact rang through Kyle''s arms, but her stance didn''t shift. Not even a step. "Not bad," she said lightly. "But you''re telegraphing." Kyle didn''t respond. He pulled back and came in again. This time with a sharp thrust to her midsection. Clack. She twisted her wrist, deflecting it sideways. He ducked low, aiming a sweeping cut at her legs. Anastasia lifted her foot just enough to avoid it, like she was stepping over a puddle. Kyle growled under his breath and feinted high before whipping the blade low again. Diagonal slash up toward her shoulder. Faster. Sharper. Anastasia leaned slightly out of reach. Her blade tapped his tachi''s side, knocking it wide. "Better," she said. "Still obvious." Kyle gritted his teeth and pressed harder. His sword danced through the air in fast, tight arcs. Overhead strikes. Jabs to her chest. Quick, sweeping cuts to her arms and sides. His footwork shifted constantly. Left, right, forward, back. Trying to find an opening. But she blocked them all. Clack. Clack. Clack. Her movements were like water. Flowing from one block to another with perfect rhythm. Her arms barely moved. Her expression didn''t change. She hadn''t moved a single step since the fight started. Kyle''s breath came faster. Sweat rolled down his face. He pivoted, spinning into a heavy strike aimed at her ribs. Clack. She blocked it one-handed. "Don''t forget your hips," she said casually. "Power comes from rotation, not your arms." Kyle adjusted instantly. He shifted his weight and twisted into the next swing. Adding his full body behind it. Clack! She parried again. "Good," she said. "But don''t stop. Keep flowing." Kyle grunted and kept moving. He poured everything into the next few strikes. High cut. Low jab. Feint left. Step right. Overhead slash. He used every trick he knew. Still, Anastasia didn''t move. Her sword caught every blow like it was nothing. She didn''t flinch. Didn''t blink. She just smiled at him. Like this was fun. Kyle''s legs were starting to ache. His lungs burned. But he pushed harder. He stepped in close, pretending to go for a slash. Then suddenly ducked and swept his leg out. Aiming to knock her off balance. For the first time, Anastasia moved. She hopped lightly over the sweep, landing without a sound. "Ooh. Clever," she said, smirking. "Trying to trip me? Dirty tactics. I like it." Kyle sprang up and attacked again, not letting her reset. He used her moment of movement to bring his tachi down in a powerful diagonal cut. She parried. Clack! And this time, she pushed back. Just a little. Not enough to knock him off balance. But enough to remind him of the difference in their skills. Still. She hadn''t moved from her spot. Kyle tried again, this time swinging low and wide. Hoping to force her to step back. She twisted her wrist and batted his sword away like it was nothing. "You''re overcommitting," she said. "Tighten your form." Kyle''s frustration boiled under the surface. His body was running on instinct now. Strike, pivot, step in, slash. The movements were sharp and fast. But no matter how hard he tried¡ª Clack. Her sword was always there. Ten minutes passed. Then fifteen. Kyle''s breathing turned ragged. His combat suit clung to him, soaked through. His arms felt heavy. But he didn''t stop. And neither did she. She hadn''t counterattacked once. She hadn''t even broken a sweat. She was teaching him while defending perfectly. That thought made Kyle''s pride sting even more. Still, he swung again. More out of stubbornness than strategy. Clack. She smiled. "Still standing? Impressive." Then twenty minutes. Kyle''s breath came in short, shaky gasps. His arms trembled from exhaustion. Sweat dripped from his chin, soaking into the already damp fabric of his combat suit. His grip on the wooden tachi had loosened. But he didn''t let go. Across from him. Anastasia stood in the exact same spot. Completely untouched, her breathing steady. She wasn''t even sweating. "You''re improving," she said, calmly knocking away an overhead strike without even glancing. "But you''re thinking too much." Kyle feinted left, then tried to dart right. Hoping to catch her off-guard. Clack. Her sword moved with practiced ease. Tapping his wrist before he could even complete the motion. "Predictable," she said with a small smirk. Kyle stepped back, trying to steady his breathing. Anastasia wasn''t just stronger, she was better. Way better. But still¡­ he didn''t want to walk away without trying something. Anything. He shifted his stance and began to circle her, slowly, eyes searching for a gap in her defense. She didn''t react. Her sword stayed resting on her shoulder. Her body loose and relaxed, like this was all just a warm-up. Then¡ª Kyle lunged forward suddenly, not at her. But at the ground just in front of her, kicking up a burst of dust. It was a desperate move. A dirty trick, even. But if it worked¡­ It didn''t. Anastasia didn''t flinch. Her sword flicked out like a flash of lightning. Batting his tachi aside with a loud smack. Then, before he could step back¡ª THWAP! The sharp sound of wood smacking against skull echoed through the quiet training hall like a bell. "Okay, that''s enough for today," Kyle froze. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His eyes blinked in surprise, and for a moment, everything went still. Then he took a step back, rubbing the top of his head with a wince. His face flushed. Not from pain. But from the pure embarrassment of being tapped like a scolded child. It wasn''t a hard hit. It didn''t need to be. Anastasia lowered her practice sword. Her crimson eyes studied him for a moment. Unreadable. Then she said, calm and clear, "You did really good." Kyle looked up fast, surprised. Was that... praise? "You listened. You adapted. You actually followed my instructions mid-fight." Her voice was even, almost thoughtful. "Your form is clean. Your footwork''s solid. And your reactions? Sharp." She paused. A faint smile tugged at her lips, not mocking. Almost proud. "It''s just..." Her eyes gleamed as her smile widened. "You were up against me." She didn''t say it to gloat. She said it like stating a fact. Like saying water was wet or the sun was hot. There was no bragging in her tone. Only truth. But what really surprised Kyle was what came next. She smiled. A real one. It wasn''t the cocky grin she wore during the fight. This one was softer. Warmer. Just a hint of pride mixed in. Like a teacher watching a student take their first real step forward. Kyle didn''t know what to say. Before he could even think of a reply. She turned away. "Alright!" she called to the rest of the class. "Who''s next?" The other students groaned and looked anywhere but at her. No one wanted to be picked. A few even pretended to tie their boots or drink water. Anything to avoid eye contact. Anastasia''s gaze swept over the group slowly¡­ then landed on one person. "Ellie." Her voice was lighter now, teasing. "Show me how much you''ve improved since coming here." All eyes turned to Eleanora. She stood stiffly near the edge of the training circle. Her hands were curled at her sides, jaw tight. But after a few seconds. She let out a small breath, then stepped forward. Kyle limped back to where Luna, Reo, and Cassian sat. Cassian let out a low whistle as Kyle dropped down beside them. "Damn," he muttered with a grin. "She toyed with you." Luna didn''t even look at him. She elbowed him in the ribs. "Shut up," she hissed. "He lasted longer than you would''ve." Then she turned to Kyle and gave him a kind smile. "You really did good. Don''t let that get to you." Kyle gave a tired sigh and ran a hand through his soaked hair. "I''m not." Cassian jerked his chin toward the sparring ring. "Looks like it''s Eleanora''s turn to get humbled." But Kyle wasn''t listening. His eyes stayed locked on Anastasia. Meanwhile¡­ Eleanora stepped into the circle. She picked up a wooden Estoc from the rack, holding it. Her grip was tight. Maybe too tight. Her arms were stiff. She raised the blade into a ready stance. But Kyle could see the slight tremble in her fingers. Anastasia didn''t change her posture. She stood tall. Her practice sword resting lightly across her shoulders. Her expression changed, though. That soft, proud smile was gone. Now it was sharp again. Focused. "Come on, Ellie," she said, her tone low but clear. "Show me what you''ve got." ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 118: The Crown Princess [5] The training hall fell silent as Eleanora stepped forward. Her wooden estoc held tightly in both hands. Every eye followed her as she entered the circle. Her shoulders were tense, but her steps were firm. She wasn''t backing down. The air between the two sisters was different now, heavier. This wasn''t just a sparring match. There was something deeper behind their stares. Something unspoken. A history only the two of them understood. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Anastasia spun her wooden sword once, casually resting it on her shoulder. Her crimson eyes sparkled with amusement. "Ready, Ellie?" she asked, voice light. "Same rules as before. If you can move me even one step, you win. No mana." Eleanora gave a small nod. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her eyes focused. No words. Just determination. Anastasia smiled faintly, then. Just like with Kyle, She quietly suppressed her Diamond-rank strength. Matching Eleanora''s level to keep things fair. Then, Eleanora moved. Her first attack was clean and fast. A straight thrust toward Anastasia''s ribs. The kind of strike that came from hours of drilling the basics. Smooth. Direct. Controlled. Clack! Anastasia blocked it without even shifting her feet. Just a small twist of her wrist. "Good form," she said casually. "But predictable." Eleanora didn''t flinch. She backed off, adjusted her stance, and began circling slowly. Each step was careful. Her eyes watching every inch of Anastasia''s posture. Then she struck again. A feint high toward the neck. Then a low slash aimed at her sister''s thigh. Anastasia read it instantly. She stepped aside with ease. Letting the blade pass harmlessly by. Her wooden sword tapped Eleanora''s wrist lightly. "Too obvious." The hit wasn''t hard. But it was enough to make the estoc wobble in Eleanora''s grip. Her fingers twitched, but she didn''t drop it. Her knuckles were turning white from how tight she held the handle. Still. She said nothing. Instead, she changed tactics. Her next attacks weren''t straight-forward anymore. She began using smoother, trickier movements. One attack flowed into the next. A quick thrust turned into a wide slash. A sudden pull-back turned into a short jab. Her blade danced. Fast, controlled, and unpredictable. A diagonal strike aimed at Anastasia''s shoulder¡ª Clack! Blocked, clean as ever. A fast flick into a low sweep¡ª Clack! Deflected just as smoothly. Anastasia was still calm, still standing tall. "Better," she said, smirking. "But you''re still thinking in straight lines." Eleanora''s breathing stayed quiet. But her eyes were burning now. She didn''t reply. She just kept moving. And then¡­ something changed. Her steps became sharper. Her stance more fluid. The textbook movements gave way to something more natural, more instinctive. Her blade stopped pausing between strikes. It began to flow. Cutting. Feinting. Sliding. Pressing. Anastasia''s smirk faded just a little. Her gaze sharpened. ''When did Ellie improve this much?'' Before Solvayne. Eleanora had always been precise, but stiff. Every move was by the book. Now. She was fighting like someone who had learned from being pushed. From failing. From surviving. Kyle, sitting off to the side with his classmates, straightened. He wiped sweat from his brow, still sore from his match. But his eyes widened. Eleanora wasn''t just holding her own now. She was pressuring Anastasia. A rapid burst of thrusts came at her. Three in quick succession, forcing Anastasia to lift her sword and actually move it. Not just twist. Not just deflect. Clack! Clack! Clack! Wood struck wood in a sharp. Steady rhythm that filled the hall. Then came the real strike. Eleanora feinted to the left. Then twisted into a spin. Bringing her blade up in a sharp, rising slash. Anastasia caught it. But for the first time¡­ She had to adjust her balance. Her smile flickered. A flicker of surprise crossed her face. Anastasia wasn''t expecting that. But Eleanora didn''t stop. She pressed forward. Her wooden estoc blurring through the air. High. Low. A sharp diagonal slash. Then a straight thrust. Each strike came faster than the last, smoother than before. She didn''t pause between moves, didn''t give Anastasia a moment to reset. She attacked like someone who had done this a thousand times. Anastasia blocked them all. Her weight shifted, her sword adjusted. No longer just deflecting lazily. She was reacting. The spar had changed. This wasn''t the same little sister she used to train. Back then. Eleanora had been stiff, mechanical. She followed drills and forms exactly. But she never fought outside the lines. Now? Now she fought like someone who had seen real battle. Like someone who had been pushed into fights where hesitation meant defeat. Her footwork was clean and light, always in motion. Her feints were hard to read. Drawing the eye one way while her real attack came from another. There was no panic in her movements. Just focus. When Anastasia tried to jab at her ribs. Eleanora was already twisting away, dodging with ease. When Anastasia feinted high and swept low. Eleanora caught it, parrying like she''d expected it all along. It was like fighting a reflection. And then came the lunge. Eleanora moved in, quick and sharp. A straight thrust aimed directly at Anastasia''s chest. It was fast. Accurate. No wasted movement. Anastasia raised her sword to deflect. Already preparing a counter. But just before their weapons clashed¡ª Eleanora twisted her wrist. The tip of her estoc curved mid-motion. Changing direction in a heartbeat. It was subtle, but it completely threw off Anastasia''s timing. Her eyes widened. Before she could think. Her body moved. A single step back. Just one. But it was all that was needed. Silence fell across the training hall. No one spoke. No one even breathed. Anastasia stood still for a second. Staring at Eleanora. Then slowly, she lowered her sword. And laughed. Not the cold, mocking laugh. This was different. It was real. Warm. Proud. "I don''t have any pointers for you, Ellie," she said. Shaking her head with a smile. "Good job." Eleanora blinked. For a second, she didn''t seem to understand what just happened. Then. A breath escaped her lips, and her shoulders relaxed just slightly. Around the room. Students exchanged looks of disbelief. Cassian let out a low whistle. "Well... damn." Reo, who hadn''t said a word during the entire spar, finally muttered, "That was insane." Kyle''s eyes were wide. He had seen the whole thing. And even through his soreness and bruised ego, a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Luna elbowed Cassian. "Told you not to underestimate her." Then she looked at Eleanora with a wide grin. "Guess the princess can fight after all." Anastasia stepped forward and, without warning. Ruffled Eleanora''s hair like she used to when they were younger. "Guess I''ll have to stop going easy on you," she teased. Eleanora swatted her hand away, face a little red. But there was no anger behind it. In fact¡­ she almost smiled. Anastasia''s tone was light, but her eyes were sharp. Behind the playful act. She was thinking. She felt it. That skill wasn''t just from training. It came from something deeper. Something real. Experience. This wasn''t just academy practice. ''When did you get so strong, Ellie?'' But Anastasia didn''t ask. Not now. She just turned to the rest of the class, clapped her hands together, and raised her voice. "Alright! Who''s next?" ¡ª¡ª¡ª The moment Anastasia dismissed the class. The students practically collapsed in relief. Some groaned as they stretched sore muscles. While others limped toward the exit like wounded soldiers. Luna. Still buzzing with excitement from Eleanora''s surprising performance, bounced over to Kyle and Reo. "Hey! You guys wanna check out that new cafe near the east gate?" she asked, grinning. "I heard they have amazing mana-infused pastries. My treat!" Reo rubbed the back of his neck. His usual energetic demeanor subdued. "Ah, sorry. Got some stuff to take care of." Kyle, still processing the spar, shook his head. "Yeah, same. Maybe another time?" Luna pouted but didn''t push. "Fine, but you''re both buying next time!" With that, they split up. Luna heading toward the academy gates. Reo vanishing down a side corridors. And Kyle making his way to the teacher''s quarters where he and Aurelia lived. The walk back was quiet. Kyle''s body ached from the brutal training session, but his mind was elsewhere. ''Library''s restricted section.'' He reached the teacher''s housing wing. A secluded area reserved for instructors and their families. The hallway was empty. The only sound the soft hum of mana-powered lights overhead. Kyle fished out his key and unlocked the door. The apartment was quiet. Aurelia wasn''t home yet. Probably still dealing with academy business. He dropped his black blazer on the couch and headed straight for the bathroom. A hot shower helped loosen his stiff muscles. But it did nothing to clear his thoughts. ''Okay. Options.'' ''Ask Aurelia for help?'' ''Bad idea.'' She''d interrogate him on why he needed access. Maybe he could make up an excuse. Kyle sighed. Running a hand through his damp hair. He changed into fresh clothes and flopped onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 119: The Hidden Archive [1] The restaurant was quiet. Too quiet. Golden light from the crystal chandeliers spilled over polished tables. Casting soft shadows that flickered gently across the marble floors. The silverware gleamed. The wine glasses sparkled. Everything looked perfect, too perfect. Like a painting waiting to be disturbed. The only sound was the faint clink of forks against porcelain. Anastasia D''Argent sat across from her younger sister at the center table. A half-full glass of red wine in hand. She twirled it lazily, watching the liquid swirl. The restaurant was empty. She had rented the entire place for the night. No guards. No attendants. Just the two of them. "It''s been a long time since we ate together," she said casually. Slicing into her steak. The knife cut through the meat like butter. The scent of herbs and seared flesh rose in the air. Across from her. Eleanora moved in silence. She didn''t look up from her plate. "It has," she replied quietly. Her voice calm but distant. Even back in the royal palace, their schedules rarely aligned. Anastasia was always buried in crown heir duties. Meetings. Diplomacy. Training. Eleanora had her studies, her own path. Anastasia took a sip of wine. Letting the silence settle between them for a moment. "So," she said at last. "How''s the academy treating you?" Eleanora paused. Her knife hovered over her food. Then she looked up. Meeting Anastasia''s eyes. "What are you really doing here?" The question cut through the air like a blade. Anastasia let out a long breath and set her fork down. "What are you talking about?" "You don''t leave the capital, your position. Just to teach at an academy," Eleanora said. Her tone was flat. But her gaze was sharp. "You''re the Crown Princess." Anastasia didn''t answer right away. She studied her sister. The playful expression she wore in class, the lighthearted teasing. That was gone now. This was the real her. Cool. Composed. Sharp as ever. Finally, she spoke. "Father was worried." Eleanora''s fingers tightened around her knife. "Because of the train attack." Anastasia nodded. "Because of you. You almost died." "I handled it." "You did," Anastasia agreed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Better than I expected." She picked up her wine glass again, swirled the contents thoughtfully. "That boy helped, didn''t he?" she said after a moment. "Kyle Valemont." There it was. The smallest twitch in Eleanora''s fingers. Most people wouldn''t notice. Anastasia did. "Professor Aurelia''s little brother," Anastasia added lightly. "He''s¡­ interesting." Eleanora didn''t say anything. Her fork hovered in the air. Her expression unreadable. Anastasia leaned back slightly, voice still calm. "You know him well? Friends?" "We have spoken," Eleanora said after a pause. Lifting her glass and taking a small sip of water. Anastasia chuckled. "He''s cute." The water glass hit the table harder than necessary. A small splash spilled over the edge. Eleanora quickly reached for her napkin and dabbed at the water. Her movements neat and controlled. Anastasia raised a brow, clearly amused. "Is that why you think I''m here? To gossip about boys?" Eleanora didn''t look up. "If it is, I''m leaving." Anastasia laughed softly. "Relax, Ellie. I''m just making conversation." She leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand. The same way she used to when they were younger and sharing secrets by candlelight. "But seriously," she said, tone softening. "He''s good. He held his own against me. That''s rare for someone in their first year." Eleanora didn''t reply. She just went back to cutting her food. Anastasia watched her for a moment before speaking again. "You''ve gotten stronger too." Eleanora met her gaze. Her voice was quiet but firm. "I had to." A beat passed. No words. Just the quiet hum of the chandeliers and the soft clinking of metal on china. Anastasia sighed. "I''m not here to spy on you. But after what happened on that train¡­ Father wanted someone close. Someone he trusts." "I don''t need a babysitter," Eleanora said, her voice suddenly colder. "I know." Anastasia smiled gently. "That''s not why I came. Honestly, I needed a break from all the royal garbage. And I thought¡­ maybe I''d get to spend a little time with my favorite sibling." Eleanora rolled her eyes. "I''m your only sibling." "Exactly," Anastasia grinned. She reached across the table and snatched a piece of bread from Eleanora''s plate. Eleanora looked at her, unamused. "So you''re automatically my favorite," Anastasia said with a shrug, chewing the stolen bite like it was the most natural thing in the world. Eleanora''s lips twitched. Just a little. Almost a smile. Almost. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle stood outside Professor Seraphina''s office. His fingers tapping nervously against his thigh. The hallway was quiet, lined with tall windows that let in the afternoon light. Mana lamps flickered softly above him, giving off a faint hum. The academy always seemed calm during this hour. But Kyle''s heart was racing. He had spent the last hour thinking over every word he planned to say. Rehearsing his lines. Running through different outcomes. But now, standing here. All of it felt clumsy and uncertain. Just stick to the story. Don''t overthink it. He took a deep breath. Trying to calm his nerves, and knocked twice on the wooden door. A moment later. A familiar voice called out from inside. "Yes, enter." Kyle opened the door slowly and stepped in. The office was warm and lived-in. Bookshelves lined the walls. Filled to the brim with old tomes and scrolls. Papers were stacked in uneven piles on her desk. Along with a few ink-stained mugs and a plate that still held crumbs from something sweet. The faint smell of vanilla and parchment filled the air. Professor Seraphina sat behind her desk. A pen in hand. Her pink hair tied up in a messy bun. Her eyes were focused on a page in front of her. Scanning it with that sharp, calculating look she always wore when reading. When she looked up and saw him. Her brows lifted in surprise. "Kyle?" she said, setting the paper aside. "What are you doing here?" Kyle stepped forward, trying to sound calm. "I wanted to talk to you about something." Seraphina leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Alright. I''m listening. What is it?" Kyle took a breath. "I need permission to enter the library''s restricted section." Her eyebrows shot up. "The restricted section?" she repeated. "That''s not a small request." She narrowed her eyes slightly. "Why?" Kyle looked down briefly, then back at her. He had practiced this part. "I want to do research. About¡­ corruption. Like what happened on the train. How people turned into those things." Her expression shifted. The sharpness in her eyes softening just a bit. "Kyle," she said gently. "You don''t need to do that. The people are already investigating." "I know," he said quickly. "But I was there. I saw it up close. I just¡­ I need to understand what happened. For myself." Seraphina didn''t respond right away. She studied his face, as if trying to read what he wasn''t saying. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After a moment, she sighed. "Why didn''t you ask Aurelia?" Kyle froze for a split second. That was the one question he didn''t want her to ask. He didn''t answer. The truth was. He couldn''t ask Aurelia. She''d see right through him. She always did. Seraphina noticed. She leaned back again. Rubbing her temples. "Alright," she said at last. "I''ll see what I can do. Normal students don''t get access to restricted materials, so I''ll have to file it under something else. Let''s say¡­ you''re assisting me with research." Relief flooded through him. "Thank you," he said. The words almost tumbling out. Then he remembered the small box in his storage ring. With a thought. He pulled it out and placed it gently on her desk. "What''s this?" she asked. "A gift," he said simply. "For you." Seraphina raised an eyebrow, then opened the lid. Inside was a slice of shortcake. The whipped cream still looked fresh, and the strawberries glistened as if just picked. She blinked. "You¡­ brought me cake?" Kyle shrugged. "As thanks. I remembered you like sweets." A slow smile spread across her face. "You''re lucky I have a sweet tooth," she said with a quiet laugh. She pointed to the chair across from her. "Sit. Let''s share it." Kyle hesitated. Then pulled the chair back and sat down. Seraphina cut the cake neatly in two. Pushing half of it toward him with a fork. "You know," she said as she took a bite. "If you really wanted access to something. You could''ve just told me the truth." Kyle froze. The fork halfway to his mouth. She smirked. "Relax. I''m not prying. But next time? Just ask." Kyle let out a breath he hadn''t realized he was holding. "Yeah," he said quietly. "Next time." They ate the cake in silence. The soft clinks of silverware the only sound between them. Outside. The light from the hallway dimmed as the sun began to set. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 120: The Hidden Archive [2] The classroom A1 buzzed with the usual post-lecture chatter. Students moved around, packing up books, closing notebooks. And chatting about everything except the lesson. The soft scrape of chairs echoed against the stone floor. Mixing with laughter. Kyle sat near the back of the room. His notes were a mess. Half diagrams, half scribbled thoughts. But he didn''t care. His mind was already somewhere else. Beside him. Reo stretched with a long groan, cracking his neck and shoulders. "Man. I swear Professor Hale gets more sadistic every week," Reo muttered, rubbing one shoulder like it still hurt. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That last drill? I thought my arm was gonna fall off." Kyle chuckled, not looking up. "You say that every time." Luna walked past. "You''re just mad because you got knocked on your ass again." Reo scowled. But there was no real anger in his face. "It was a cheap shot." Kyle glanced at him. Relieved to see that spark back in Reo''s voice. After the train attack. Reo had been quiet. Too quiet. But now? He was acting like his old self again. Complaining, bantering, alive. Kyle''s mana band buzzed on his wrist. A soft vibration, barely noticeable. He tapped the screen, and a message blinked into view. [Seraphina: Permission granted. The access is approved for the next 3 days. Don''t make me regret this.] Kyle couldn''t help the small smile that formed on his face. He typed a quick reply. [Thanks. I owe you.] ¡ª And locked the screen. Professor Seraphina hadn''t asked too many questions. She didn''t push or pry. She''d just... helped. Across from him. Luna narrowed her eyes. "You look suspiciously happy," she said, leaning closer. "Who''s texting you? A secret lover?" Kyle flicked her forehead without looking. "None of your business." Reo raised an eyebrow, suddenly interested. "Wait¡­ is it a lover?" "No," Kyle said, stuffing his notebook and mana tab into his storage ring. "It''s just¡ª" He paused. Then shook his head. "Forget it. I''ve got stuff to do." Luna and Reo exchanged a look but didn''t push further. Three days. ''That was all the time I had.'' ¡ª¡ª¡ª The library''s main hall was alive with quiet energy. Long wooden tables stretched between tall shelves. Filled with students bent over books, scribbling notes, or whispering in low voices. Small Nexus bots zipped around overhead. Moving like glowing fireflies. They carried stacks of books through the air. Sliding them into high shelves or dropping them gently on carts. One flew past Kyle''s head with a low hum. But he didn''t look up. His eyes were locked on the back of the hall. The elevator. Unlike the rest of the library, which felt warm and welcoming. The elevator had an air of mystery. It stood alone in the far wall. Its metal doors carved with glowing runes. The symbols pulsed with faint light, like a heartbeat. Kyle walked toward it. His footsteps quiet on the smooth floor. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his academy ID. As he swiped the card over the scanner. A soft chime sounded. The elevator''s voice came to life. It wasn''t male or female, just a smooth, clear tone. [Access granted. Fifth floor authorization confirmed: Kyle Valemont, First Year, Class A1. Duration: 72 hours.] The doors slid open with a soft hiss. Kyle stepped inside. The elevator had no buttons. No panels. Just a quiet hum as it began to rise. Taking him somewhere most students never got to see. Kyle stepped into the vast expanse of the library''s fifth floor. His boots sinking slightly into the plush, sound-dampening carpet. The air here was different, thicker. Almost humming with the weight of ancient knowledge and the faint crackle of spatial magic stretching the room beyond its physical limits. The ceiling arched high above, lined with glowing mana crystals that pulsed softly, casting shifting patterns of light over towering bookshelves that seemed to stretch endlessly. Nexus bots. Small, spherical drones with glowing blue cores. Zipped through the air. Their mechanical wings whirring as they carried stacks of books between shelves. Kyle exhaled, running a hand through his hair. ''Three days.'' That''s all he had. He approached the nearest terminal. A sleek, floating screen embedded in a pillar of polished black stone. Tapping it. He pulled up the library''s search function. "Query: Spirit Weapons." The screen flickered, processing. Then¡ª [No results found.] Kyle frowned. He tried again. "Query: Sentient Weapons." [No results found.] "Query: Weapon Spirits." [No results found.] His jaw tightened. ''Nothing?'' He glanced around. The other researchers. Mostly senior students and professors. Barely looked up from their work. Their faces buried in tomes or hunched over glowing holographic displays. ''Fine. If the system won''t help, I''ll do it the hard way.'' Kyle started in the Weaponry & Artifacts section. Pulling down every book with even a vague connection to sentient objects. "Theories of Mana-Infused Blades" ¨C Useless. Just technical manuals on forging. "Legends of the Forgotten Armory" ¨C Myths and fairy tales, nothing concrete. "Sentience in Constructs: A Study" ¨C Focused on golems and automatons, not weapons. Hours passed. His eyes burned from squinting at cramped text, his back stiff from sitting too long. One of the Nexus bots hovered near him, chirping softly. [Query: Assistance required?] Kyle rubbed his temples. "Yeah, actually. Any books on weapons that¡­ talk to their wielders?" The bot whirred, processing. Then¡ª [No records found.] He groaned. By the second day. Kyle was growing desperate. He came in early and stayed late. Barely stopping to eat. Every book he found led nowhere. He dug through stacks of dusty volumes. Flipping through page after page, hoping for even a hint. Some story, some theory. That mentioned anything like Zalrielle. But there was nothing. By the third day. Kyle was exhausted. Dark circles hung under his eyes. His hair was a mess from running his hands through it too many times. He sat slumped in a corner. Surrounded by piles of books. Some open. Some tossed aside in frustration. Nothing. No answers. No clues. He let his head fall back against the shelf with a dull thud. ''What am I missing?'' Then¡ª "What are you doing here?" A voice. Kyle''s head snapped up. Standing over him was¡ª ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 121: The Hidden Archive [3] Kyle''s head jerked up at the voice, his tired eyes struggling to focus for a second. When they did, his stomach dropped. Anastasia D''Argent stood over him, arms crossed. Her crimson eyes scanning the mountain of books surrounding him. The crown princess. His new assistant professor. The woman who had wiped the floor with him in training just days ago. For a brief, panicked moment. Kyle considered lying. But the evidence was all around him. Dozens of open books on weapons, ancient artifacts, magical bonds. There was no hiding what he''d been doing. "I was just... doing some research," he said, rubbing his sore eyes. His voice came out rough from hours of silence. Anastasia raised one perfect eyebrow. "Research?" She nudged a stack of books with her boot. "''Theories of Arcane Weapon Bonding''? ''Legends of Living Steel''?" Her gaze sharpened as it landed on the untitled book still in his lap. "You''ve been at this awhile." Kyle''s fingers tightened slightly on the book. "Yeah. Couldn''t find what I needed through the normal search." Anastasia studied him for a long moment, and Kyle fought the urge to squirm under her scrutiny. Then, to his surprise. She sighed and crouched down beside him. Her black coat pooling around her. "You''re not the first student to hit this wall," she said. Her voice lower now. "The Nexus (Academy''s AI) doesn''t index everything. Some texts are too old, too obscure... or too dangerous to be easily accessible." Kyle''s pulse quickened. "There''s more?" Anastasia stood abruptly, offering him a hand up. "Come on. I''ll show you." As Kyle took her hand and stood. His stiff muscles protesting. She added, "Don''t get too excited. It''s just a storage section most students don''t know about. But if what you''re looking for exists. It''ll be there." Kyle nodded, "Thank you, Professor. I really appreciate this." Anastasia waved him off as she led the way between towering bookshelves. "Save your thanks. If you find what you''re after. You can repay me by not looking quite so much like a corpse in our next training session." Kyle huffed a tired laugh. "I''ll try." They wound through the library''s maze until they reached an unremarkable section near the back. Anastasia pressed her palm against what looked like a blank stretch of wall. Runes flared briefly beneath her touch, and with a soft click. A hidden door swung inward. "After you," she said, stepping aside. The room beyond was smaller than the main library. With a low ceiling and shelves packed with books that looked even older than the ones outside. The air smelled of aged parchment and something faintly metallic. "These are the uncatalogued texts," Anastasia explained, leaning against the doorway. "Some are incomplete. Some are written in dead languages. Some..." She shrugged. "Let''s just say the academy keeps them separate for a reason." Kyle stepped inside, his eyes wide. "How do you know about this place?" "I did my own research as a student. Got stuck just like you." She pushed off from the doorframe. "I''ll leave you to it. Just... be careful with what you find. And put everything back exactly where you found it." Kyle turned to face her fully. "Professor, I-" "Save it," she cut him off, but her tone wasn''t unkind. "I expect to see you in class tomorrow looking slightly less dead. Understood?" Kyle nodded. "Understood." With that. Anastasia turned and left. The hidden door clicking softly shut behind her. Kyle exhaled slowly, then turned to face the shelves, his fingers brushing against the spines of ancient books. Somewhere in this room. There had to be answers about Zalrielle. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle ran his fingers along the cracked spines of the ancient books. Feeling the rough, dry leather under his touch. Some of them flaked as he brushed against them. So old they seemed like they''d crumble to dust if he pulled too hard. He moved slowly, careful not to damage anything. Even as the dust made his nose itch and his eyes water. One by one. He took books down from the shelf and scanned the titles. "Forgotten Blades of the Third Era." Nothing useful. Just dry records of outdated weapon designs. "The Art of War and Steel." More about sword styles and famous generals than anything magical. "Myths of the Old World." Maybe. He opened it with hope flickering in his chest. The pages smelled like old paper and rain. His eyes scanned story after story. Tales of blades that hummed in battle, of axes that whispered names of the fallen. But they were scattered, inconsistent. Nothing solid. Just myths, rumors, and the kind of stories bards told over drinks. Hours passed. He hunched over a small wooden desk in the far corner of the restricted section. Lit only by a single mana-crystal lamp above. It cast a dim glow, barely enough to read by. Shadows stretched long across the walls. His back hurt. His neck felt stiff. And his fingers were sore from turning so many pages. Then he saw it. Tucked tight between two thick encyclopedias was a thin, strange-looking book. No title. No markings. The leather cover had been worn smooth by time, edges frayed. It almost didn''t look like it belonged there at all. He pulled it free. The spine creaked when he opened it. Like a door that hadn''t moved in a hundred years. The pages were yellow and fragile. Some corners were chipped away. But the ink, though faded, was still readable. ¡ª In the Age of Sundering, when gods still walked among mortals. The Divine Smith crafted but seven weapons of living spirit. Each was forged from a fragment of his own soul, and tempered in the heart of the world''s first flame. ¡ª Kyle leaned forward, his heart beating faster. This was it. This was what he had been searching for. He carefully turned the page, making sure not to damage the fragile paper. ¡ª Only those chosen by the weapons themselves could awaken their true power. The sword Vaelthar answered only to the knight who had lost everything. The axe Durnak would speak only to one who had known true despair. Of the seven, three were lost to time, two were sealed away. And the fates of the remaining two remain unknown¡­ ¡ª His hands trembled slightly as he turned the next page. But it was torn. Clean down the center. The rest of the passage was gone. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The pages that followed were in worse shape. Many were missing. Some had writing too faded to read. Others had been damaged by moisture or mold. It was like the book had been forgotten for centuries and left to rot. Still, he had found something. It is possible that Zalrielle is one of the weapons crafted by the Divine Smith A chime echoed softly from somewhere high above. The automated system''s way of signaling sunrise. Kyle blinked and looked at his mana band. 6:00 AM. His eyes burned. He hadn''t slept at all. His whole body ached from sitting too long. He rubbed the back of his neck. Trying to loosen the knot of pain near his shoulder. Sighing. He gently closed the old book and stood. The hidden door opened with a soft click, and he stepped out of the restricted chamber. The main library was quiet, empty. The sunlight was just beginning to filter through the tall windows, casting pale gold light across the shelves. Everything was still. Peaceful. Kyle walked slowly toward the exit. His legs stiff and his thoughts still racing. He didn''t have all the answers. But now, at least, he had a direction. A place to start. As he stepped outside, cool morning air brushed against his skin. The sky was a soft gray-blue. The academy grounds still quiet before the rush of students began. He looked down at his black ring, then up at the path ahead. He made a silent promise as he walked. ''We''ll figure this out, Zalrielle.'' And with that. He headed toward the quarters. Hoping he could catch at least an hour of sleep before the next class. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 122: The Confession [1] The Solvayne Academy cafeteria buzzed with the usual lunchtime noise. Trays clattered as students moved through the food line. Dozens of conversations overlapped, blending into a constant hum of voices. Laughter echoed from one corner, followed by the sound of a dropped fork hitting the floor. The air was thick with the smell of roasted meat, buttery bread, and something overly sweet. Long wooden tables filled the room, packed with students in uniform. Some chatted excitedly about combat drills, others groaned about the upcoming midterms. A few just focused on shoveling food into their mouths, barely looking up between bites. At one of the tables near the window. Kyle Valemont was fast asleep, face-down on his folded arms. His bluish-black hair stuck out at odd angles. Like he''d rolled out of bed and never bothered to fix it. His shoulders rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm. Completely dead to the world. In front of him. A full plate of food sat untouched. Steam no longer rose from the mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables. Even the bread roll had gone a little stiff at the edges. Across from him. Reo was elbow-deep in lunch. He held a chicken leg in one hand. Biting into it with zero concern for manners. "Man, I swear the cooks are trying to kill us with salt," he muttered through a mouthful. He licked his thumb and reached for his drink. "This is my third glass of water." Luna, sitting next to him. Rolled her eyes and poked at her salad with a fork. "That''s because you dump half the salt shaker on your food before even tasting it," she said. Raising an eyebrow. Reo pointed at her with his chicken leg. "That''s called seasoning. You should try it sometime." She ignored him and leaned over the table. Eyeing Kyle''s sleeping form. "Should we wake him up? He''s gonna sleep through the whole lunch break." Reo shrugged. "Let him rest. He looks like he got hit by a truck." Luna frowned. "He''s been like this for days now." She reached across the table and flicked Kyle''s forehead. "Hey. Wake up." Kyle let out a low groan. Lifting his head just enough to glare at her with one eye half-open. His voice was rough, heavy with sleep. "What?" "You''ve been avoiding us," Luna said, resting her chin in her hand. "Three days. No training. No sparring. You just disappeared. What gives?" Kyle rubbed at his face with both hands. Trying to wake up. "Been busy," he muttered. "Training." Reo let out a short laugh. "What kind of training makes you look like you''ve been awake for a week straight?" Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kyle didn''t answer. He just let his head drop back onto his arms with a tired sigh. Luna wasn''t letting it go. She picked up a single pea from her tray and flicked it at him. It bounced off his sleeve. Kyle didn''t even react. Before anyone could say more. Two figures approached the table. Eleanora and Serena. Both carried trays and wore the crisp, clean look of people who actually got sleep. Eleanora''s pale blonde hair was pulled back neatly, her posture straight as ever. Serena stood just behind her, eyes cool and unreadable. Her violet gaze sweeping over the group. "Mind if we join you?" Eleanora asked. Her voice was polite, but it had that usual chill edge to it. Kyle blinked and sat up straighter, though his movements were slow. Reo grinned and gestured at the empty spots. "Go ahead, Your Highness. Table''s all yours." Eleanora gave him a mildly annoyed glance before sitting next to Kyle. Serena followed. Placing her tray down and starting to eat without a word. Luna, of course, jumped at the chance for gossip. "So, Eleanora," she said, leaning in a bit. "Is it true your sister made a third-year cry during sparring yesterday?" Eleanora sipped her water, then replied flatly, "He just hyperventilated." Reo barked a laugh. "Same thing." Kyle, eyes half-closed. Mumbled into his arms, "She''d make a demon hyperventilate." Eleanora''s lips twitched. For a moment, it looked like she might smile. Almost. The group kept talking. Classes, training, the usual academy gripes. Reo launched into a story about Professor Hale''s "training from hell," and Luna chimed in with dramatic reenactments. Kyle listened, sort of. Most of it was just background noise now. His thoughts were fuzzy. His eyes heavy. Then. A shadow fell over the table. A girl with fiery red hair stood there. Clutching a folded piece of paper like it might catch fire in her hands. She was tall, with freckles dusting her pale nose and wide hazel eyes that looked everywhere but directly at Kyle. She looked like she wanted to run. "Um," she squeaked. Voice barely louder than a whisper. Everyone at the table turned to look at her. The girl swallowed hard, her knuckles white around the paper. Then. Suddenly, she stepped forward and thrust it toward Kyle. "H-Here!" Kyle blinked, still half-asleep. His mind taking a second to catch up. "...What?" "It''s¡­ for you," she stammered. Her cheeks were bright red, and her voice cracked at the end. Before Kyle could say anything. She dropped the note near his tray and turned on her heel. She practically sprinted away. Nearly slipping as she rounded the corner and vanished into the crowd of students. Silence fell over the table like a dropped curtain. Then¡ª Luna burst out laughing. "Oh my gods. Was that a love letter?!" Kyle stared at the folded paper like it was some kind of trap. "What? No. That can''t be. Why would¡ª?" Before he could finish. Reo snatched the letter off his tray. "Only one way to find out!" "Reo!" Kyle reached across the table. But Reo leaned back, holding the note just out of reach with a huge grin. "Nuh-uh," Reo teased. "This is important social information. I gotta read it for science." He cleared his throat and began in a dramatic voice. "Dear Kyle. I''ve noticed you in Advanced Mana Theory¡ª" "Give it back!" Kyle growled, lunging forward again. "¡ªyou''re really smart and, um, really¡ª" Reo was halfway through the sentence before his hands suddenly went empty. Serena had snatched the letter from him without a word. Her expression was unreadable as always. She passed it back to Kyle with a single, quiet gesture. Kyle took it. Shooting Reo a glare. "Thanks," he muttered. Brushing his thumb across the folded paper. Luna tilted her head. "You''re actually gonna read it?" Kyle nodded slowly. Still a bit red in the face. "Yeah. I don''t know her. But she went out of her way to give me this. The least I can do is read it properly." Luna let out a dramatic sigh. "Aww, look at you. So thoughtful." "I''m not gonna ignore someone who had the guts to do that in front of a whole room." Reo leaned in. Teasing grin in place. "So, what if it is a love letter?" "Then I''ll give her a proper answer," Kyle said, his voice calm. But a little more serious now. "I''m not looking for that kind of thing right now. But I won''t just laugh it off." That earned a few surprised looks around the table. Luna blinked. "Huh. That''s... actually kinda nice." Even Eleanora glanced over with the faintest smile on her face. Like she had expected him to say that. "She''s Mira Farrow," Eleanora said suddenly. Breaking the short pause. Kyle turned to her. "You know her?" "She''s in our mana theory class. From class C1. She always sits in the back row." Kyle nodded slowly. He remembered seeing a girl with red hair sitting near the window. Quiet. Didn''t speak up much. "How do you know that?" he asked. Eleanora picked up her glass of water, sipping slowly. "I pay attention." Luna smirked. "Ohhh, someone''s a little too observant. Jealous much?" Eleanora''s hand paused on her fork. Grip tightening just a little. "Don''t be ridiculous," she said coolly. Reo leaned back, clearly enjoying himself. "Nah, nah, it''s okay. I mean, if Kyle starts getting fan mail now. We all gotta watch out. Next thing you know. He''ll have a fan club." Kyle groaned. Leaning his head into his hand. "Please no." Luna nudged him with her elbow. "C''mon, pretty boy. Take the compliment." "I''m not a pretty boy." "You kinda are," Reo said with a mouthful of mashed potatoes. Kyle didn''t even lift his head. He just flipped him off with a lazy hand. Serena. Who had stayed quiet through most of this, finally spoke, her tone flat. "If the clown show is over. We have combat drills in twenty minutes." Luna let out a dramatic groan. "Ugh, don''t remind me." Kyle sighed, fingers still brushing the folded note. "I might skip." Eleanora raised an eyebrow. "You can''t skip." "Watch me," Kyle muttered. Reo grinned. "If you don''t show. I''m dragging your half-dead body there myself." "I hate all of you," Kyle mumbled into the table. Luna giggled. "You love us. Deep, deep down." The bell rang, sharp and loud. Signaling the end of lunch. Everyone began picking up their trays. Kyle stayed seated for a moment longer, eyes on the note in his hand. This day had taken a weird turn. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 123: The Confession [2] The bell rang, sharp and loud. Cutting through the noise of the cafeteria. Chairs scraped the floor. Trays clattered. Students stood up in clusters, talking and laughing as they made their way toward the exits. Kyle stayed seated for a moment longer, his eyes fixed on the folded note still in his hand. With a quiet breath, he slipped it into his pocket. Dragging himself to his feet, he muttered, "Combat drills... great." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He took a few slow steps toward the exit. Then he froze. ''Wait... Mira Farrow?'' ¡ª Students were lined up in rows. Most already sweating under the weight of their practice gear. The Combat Training Hall buzzed with noise. Grunts, groans, and the soft thud of boots against dirt. The air was hot and heavy with effort. Kyle lay flat on his back in the grass, arms spread wide, chest rising and falling. His combat suit clung to his skin with sweat. His hair was damp. Every muscle in his body screamed at him to stop moving forever. Instructor Hale had once again vanished and left them under the care of Anastasia. A decision Kyle regretted more and more with each passing minute. He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. Staring up at the celling like it had personally wronged him. "Damn you, Hale¡­" he muttered under his breath. ¡ª Meanwhile, far away from the noise and suffering. Inside a cool and quiet office on the other side of campus¡­ Instructor Hale leaned back in a plush chair, legs kicked up on the desk. A steaming mug of coffee rested in his hand, and the smell of roasted beans filled the room. "Ahhh," he sighed with satisfaction. "Anastasia is such a great assistant. She handles everything so well." He sipped slowly, eyes closing in comfort. "I should let her take over more often. Gives me time to relax." Then, out of nowhere, he sneezed. Loud. "Eh?" He sniffed, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. "Weird. Is someone cursing me?" He looked around, shrugged, and smiled. "Nah. Who would curse their favorite instructor?" Still grinning. He leaned back deeper into his chair, humming a happy tune as he took another sip. ¡ª Back on the training field. It was a very different scene. Kyle was still sprawled out on the ground, arms limp. Next to him. Reo lay in the same state, his arm flopped over his eyes like he''d given up on life. A little further down the row. Luna was face-down in the grass, unmoving. "I can''t feel my legs," Reo groaned. "I don''t wanna feel mine," Luna mumbled, her voice muffled by the ground. Kyle didn''t speak. He just kept breathing. Maybe if he stayed still long enough. They''d forget he was here. Then a sharp, no-nonsense voice cut through the air. "Everyone, pair up! Sparring practice begins now!" Anastasia. Groans echoed from all directions. No one had the energy for more. Kyle let out a long sigh. Finally. Sparring might be less painful than the endless running. Maybe he could pick someone chill. Someone who''d go easy on him. He turned his head toward Reo, ready to ask him to team up. But before he could say a word, a shadow fell over him. A hand rested firmly on his shoulder. He froze. Slowly, like a man staring into his own doom. Kyle looked up, and there she was. Anastasia. Towering over him, arms crossed. A smile on her face that made him want to run. Her long black hair was tied back in a high ponytail, and her bright crimson eyes sparkled with the kind of joy only sadists felt during training. "You''re with me, Kyle," she said sweetly. His soul left his body. "What?" he croaked, voice dry. "You heard me," she said, smirking. "Up." ''Why me?!'' Kyle screamed inside his head. ''I just want to sleep!'' Out loud. He forced himself to sit up. Every part of his body screamed in protest. "Professor, with all due respect¡ª" "None taken," she cut in, still smiling. "Now grab a practice sword." Next to him, Reo. The traitor that he was. Snorted loudly. "Good luck, man." Kyle shot him a glare full of betrayal and promises of future revenge. Then, dragging himself upright like a zombie. He grabbed one of the wooden swords from the rack nearby. What followed was a nightmare. Anastasia didn''t go easy. Not once. She didn''t hold back. She didn''t slow down. She struck with the speed of a viper and the precision of a master swordswoman. Every hit felt like a small explosion on his bones. Kyle tried to block. He tried to dodge. He even tried to beg for mercy at one point. None of it worked. By the time the session ended. Kyle was a wreck. When Anastasia finally clapped her hands and announced the end of practice. Kyle dropped his sword like it weighed a hundred pounds. His arms were jelly. His legs barely worked. He wasn''t even sure he was breathing right anymore. He stumbled off the field and met up with Reo and Luna, who looked almost as bad as he felt. Reo clapped him on the back. Nearly knocking him over. "So," he said with a grin, "How was your private lesson?" Kyle didn''t even answer. He just glared at him. Luna laughed. "I''ve never seen someone get hit that many times in ten minutes. You looked like a training dummy." Kyle groaned, rubbing his sore ribs. "I hate everything." Reo threw an arm around his shoulders. "Hey, cheer up. At least you got special attention from the Crown Princess herself." Kyle''s eye twitched. "I''m going to sleep for a week." Luna grinned. "Good luck with that. We''ve got Advanced Mana Theory at dawn." Kyle''s soul, already battered and bruised, left his body again. ¡ª Back in his cozy office. Instructor Hale sneezed once more. "Huh," he muttered, rubbing his nose. "That''s the second time¡­" Shrugging. He leaned back in his chair again. "Must be dust." ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 124: The Confession [3] The hospital corridor stretched before Mira Farrow. The air smelled sharp. Full of disinfectant, mixing with the faint sweetness of old flowers from the gift shop down the hall. It made Mira''s stomach twist. She leaned against the wall. Her fingers digging into the peeling paint. Trying to stay upright as the doctor''s voice echoed in her head. "Lila''s condition¡­ it''s progressing faster than we anticipated," he had said. His voice had been low, and careful. Like words could break her. She remembered how he wouldn''t meet her eyes. Just stared down at the chart in his hands. "The degeneration is spreading through her nervous system. There''s no cure. We can slow it, maybe, but we can''t stop it." Mira''s throat had gone dry. She could barely speak. "How long?" The doctor hesitated, adjusting his glasses. "A month," he said finally. "Maybe two months if we''re lucky." She had gripped the edge of the desk so hard her hands hurt. "There has to be something. Anything. Clinical trials, research studies¡ª" "Even if there were¡­" the doctor had glanced away, his voice getting quieter, "the cost¡ª" "I don''t care about the cost!" The words had exploded out of her before she could stop them. Her voice had cracked. Then, quieter. "Please. She''s only eight." But the doctor had only sighed and lowered his eyes again. His silence was worse than a no. Now, back in the hallway. Mira stood in front of Lila''s hospital room, forehead pressed against the cold metal frame. She could hear the heart monitor inside. Steady and slow, beeping like a ticking clock counting down. She pictured her dad, eyes sunken with exhaustion, hands rough from endless hours at the factory. He never complained, not once. But she knew he was breaking under the weight of it all. She wiped her eyes on her sleeve. The tears came anyway. She couldn''t let Lila see her like this. Lila didn''t need more worry. Taking a deep breath. Mira opened the door. Sunlight slipped through the half-closed blinds, casting soft lines across the bed and floor. Lila looked up from her coloring book. Red hair sticking out in messy curls like she''d just wrestled her pillow. Her face lit up when she saw Mira. "Mira! You came!" she said. Her voice rougher than yesterday but still full of joy. "Of course I came," Mira said, smiling through the ache in her chest. She crossed the room quickly, dropping her backpack beside the chair and careful not to bump anything. Lila''s crayons and drawings were spread across the little table beside the bed. Pages full of rainbows and smiling animals. "I brought you something special today," Mira said, kneeling beside her. She reached into her bag and pulled out a shiny new box of crayons. The 64-pack with the sharpener in the back. Lila had stared at it in the gift shop window for days. Lila''s hazel eyes widened. "No way!" she gasped, reaching out with both hands. Her fingers shook a little. But she grabbed the box and hugged it to her chest. "These are the good ones! Dad said they were too expensive¡­" Mira swallowed hard. She kept her smile steady. "I saved up my lunch money," she said, ruffling Lila''s wild hair. "Figured my favorite artist needed the best tools." Lila giggled, already tearing the box open. The crayons spilled into her lap like a pile of tiny, colorful treasures. She held each one up, as if checking for magic. "I''m gonna draw you the best picture ever," she said seriously. Picking a bright purple crayon and going straight to work. Mira sat down in the chair beside her, watching quietly. Lila''s small hands moved with care, even though they shook now and then. The sunlight lit up the freckles on her cheeks, making them look gold. For a moment, it felt almost normal. Like they were at home again, sitting at the kitchen table, not in a hospital room surrounded by machines. Time passed slowly, gently. Mira didn''t say much. She just watched her little sister draw, trying to hold the moment still. After a while, Lila yawned and reached for Mira''s phone on the nightstand. "Can I play that animal game? Just for a little bit?" she asked with her usual pout. The one she knew Mira couldn''t say no to. Mira hesitated. The doctors had told them to limit screen time. But the look in Lila''s eyes¡­ She just wanted to feel normal. "Ten minutes," Mira said, unlocking the phone. "Then rest, okay?" "Okay!" Lila said, already scrolling through the apps with fast little fingers. She tapped into the game, then suddenly paused. Her eyes narrowed. "Mira¡­ who''s this?" She held up the phone. It was a photo of Kyle, taken during one of his study sessions in Library. His dark hair was messy, falling over his forehead, and he was frowning at a math problem like it had insulted him personally. Mira''s heart skipped. She''d taken it weeks ago, when she''d first noticed him. Just a stupid, secret thing she''d never meant for anyone to see. She''d forgotten that picture was even in her gallery. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she reached for the phone. "Oh, that''s just someone from school. Nobody important." Lila pulled it away, holding it higher. Her eyes sharp and full of mischief. "He''s cute," she said matter-of-factly. Mira froze. Then Lila tilted her head, her expression dead serious. "Is he your boyfriend?" "What? No!" Mira''s voice shot up like she''d touched something hot. Her face turned red as she waved her hands in the air. "He''s just¡­ just a guy from my class, okay?" Lila raised an eyebrow. Giving her that smug look. "You''re blushing," she said in a sing-song voice. Poking Mira lightly on the cheek. "You loooove him." Mira groaned, dropping her head into her hands. "I am not blushing. And I definitely do not...ugh, Lila!" But the grin on Lila''s face was too bright to argue with. It lit up her whole face. Chasing away the dull tiredness that had lived there for too long. Her red hair was a mess of curls that stuck out in different directions, and her hazel eyes sparkled like she''d just found the best secret in the world. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mira sighed and leaned back in the chair beside the bed. The old cushion squeaked under her weight. "Okay, fine," she muttered, folding her arms. "Maybe I kind of like him. Just a little." Lila squealed so loudly that a nurse walking past the door gave them both a look. Mira gave her an apologetic smile before the nurse walked away shaking her head. "I knew it!" Lila said, practically bouncing on the bed. Until the motion turned into a cough that made her curl forward, holding her side. Mira jumped up, heart in her throat. But Lila waved her off. "I''m okay," she said, a little breathless. "Just got too excited." When she leaned back against the pillows again. Her cheeks were still flushed. But her smile hadn''t faded. If anything, it had only grown. "So," she said slowly, drawing the word out. "When do I get to meet him?" Mira almost choked. "Meet him?" Her eyes went wide. "Lila, we''re not even... There''s nothing to meet! He doesn''t even know I like him." Lila''s bottom lip stuck out in that perfect little pout she always used to get her way. "Please?" she asked softly. "I never get to meet any of your friends anymore. And he looks nice." She turned the phone toward herself again and studied Kyle''s picture like it was the most important thing in the world. "He''s got kind eyes." Mira swallowed hard. Her chest ached. Before everything. Before the diagnosis, the hospital stays, and the endless tests. Lila had always been the loudest, friendliest person in the room. She loved people. She used to beg to come with Mira and her friends just to sit and listen to their jokes. Now¡­ now she barely left her bed. And something as small as a silly photo on a phone was enough to make her whole day. Mira looked down at her hands. "He''s really busy with school," she said quietly. Lila''s smile faded, just a little. She didn''t say anything. She just picked at the edge of the hospital blanket with her fingers, eyes down. Mira''s heart twisted. "Just for a little while?" Lila whispered. "You could tell him I''m your favorite sister. I promise I won''t even embarrass you. Much." She glanced up with a teasing grin. That did it. Mira looked at her. Lila''s hospital gown was too big now, and the dark circles under her eyes made her look older than she was. But her smile. Her smile was still stubborn and strong. Still full of hope. "Okay," Mira said softly. "I''ll¡­ I''ll ask him to visit." Lila let out a tiny cheer, like it was Christmas morning. "Promise?" Mira smiled despite herself. "Promise." Lila held up her pinky. Mira hooked hers around it, careful not to squeeze too hard. Her sister''s hand felt too small, too fragile. But Lila didn''t seem to notice. She launched right into a flurry of questions. "What''s his name? What''s his favorite color? Does he like dogs or cats better? What kind of music does he listen to? Is he good at math or do you have to help him a lot?" Mira leaned back in the chair, letting her sister''s excited chatter wash over her like sunlight. She had no idea how she was going to ask Kyle. She didn''t even know if he''d say yes. But that didn''t matter right now. Because Lila was smiling again. And that was enough. ©¤©¤©¤©¤ Chapter 125: The Confession [4] Dear Kyle, I hope this letter doesn''t come off as strange or awkward. You probably don''t even know who I am. I sit near the back in Advanced Mana Theory. You''re usually taking notes like your life depends on it. You always look so focused, like you''re solving some huge puzzle no one else even notices. I think that''s really amazing. But¡­ that''s not really why I''m writing. I have a little sister. Her name''s Lila. She''s eight years old. And she''s very sick. The doctors call it Nervous System Degeneration Syndrome¡ªNSDS for short. It''s rare and¡­ there''s no cure. Her nerves are breaking down bit by bit. First it was her legs, then her arms. She''s losing control of her body, and they say it''s only going to get worse. She used to be this little ball of energy. Running around the house, drawing all over the walls, laughing at the dumbest jokes. She loved everything loud and colorful. Now she can barely hold a crayon without her hands shaking. Most days, she just lies in bed. She''s in the hospital now. Has been for a while. And honestly, we don''t know how much time she has left. I don''t really know why I''m writing this to you. Maybe it''s because you seem like someone who listens. Or maybe I just needed to ask someone. Anyone. The thing is. Lila saw a picture of you on my phone. It was from study hall. I didn''t even mean to keep it. It just¡­ happened. She found it while playing a game on my phone, and when she saw your face. She smiled, like really smiled. She said you looked "kind." And when I told her you were smart too. She lit up. Then she asked if you could come visit her. Just once. I know it''s a weird thing to ask. You don''t know me, and you definitely don''t know her. But I''m not asking for me. I''m asking for her. She doesn''t get to meet new people anymore. Her world is just the hospital now. IVs. Beeping machines. Nurses and doctors. She doesn''t go to school. She can''t play with friends. But when she talked about meeting you, she got this spark in her eyes that I haven''t seen in weeks. If you could spare ten minutes. Just talk to her, let her ask you questions, maybe make her laugh... I would be so grateful. You don''t have to do anything special. Just¡­ be there. If you can''t, I understand. I really do. But if there''s any chance you might say yes. Please call or text me. My number''s at the bottom. Thank you, even just for reading this. ¡ªMira Farrow ???? xxx-739-8412 ¡ª¡ª¡ª Kyle stared at the paper, his hands still and tense. He hadn''t expected this. Not even close. He thought maybe it was a letter from someone with a crush. Something innocent and awkward. But this? This wasn''t awkward. This was real. He read the letter again, slower this time. Every line felt heavier the second time through. The way she described Lila. Funny, loud, full of life. And how that light was fading¡­ It hit something deep in his chest. He didn''t know Mira. Not really. He remembered seeing her. Always quiet. Always leaving class quickly. He never guessed she was going through something like this. Without thinking too hard. He grabbed his phone and punched in the number. One ring. Two. "Hello?" The voice was soft, nervous. Breathless. "Mira?" he asked. "It''s Kyle. From class." A sharp inhale. She didn''t say anything at first. But he could almost feel the panic on the other end. "I got your letter," he said gently. "About your sister." Silence. "You don''t have to explain anything," he added. "I''ll go with you." There was a quiet sound on the line. A breath that caught. Maybe a sob. "Really?" she whispered. Her voice cracked. Kyle nodded, even though she couldn''t see him. "Yeah. Just tell me when." ¡ª Kyle ended the call and let his phone drop onto the bed beside him. ''Mira Farrow.'' The name echoed in his head, sharper now. He''d almost forgotten about her. In ''Path of Transcendence'', the novel he''d read in his past life. She''d been a minor villain. A footnote in Cedric''s story. A tragedy wrapped in a few throwaway lines. But here, now? She was real. Her sister, Lila, was real. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kyle exhaled through his nose, rubbing his face. His memories of the novel were fuzzy in places, but this much was clear. In the original timeline. Mira awakened a powerful ability during her ranking trials in second year. By then. Lila was still alive, barely. A flickering candle moments from burning out. The demons had taken advantage of that. They''d whispered promises to Mira. We can save her. Just sign the contract. And she had. A lowest - level demon contract. Barely more than slavery. It stripped her of free will. Turned her into a puppet forced to fight against humanity. And in the end? Cedric was left with only one terrible solution. Her death She hadn''t even saved Lila. Kyle sat up, running a hand through his hair. The letter crumpled slightly in his grip. ''Things are moving faster.'' In the novel, Lila had clung to life for a year longer. But Mira''s letter made it sound like month. weeks, maybe. That changed everything. Kyle looked down at the paper again. The words were messy, ink smudged in places where Mira''s hand must have shaken. She smiled for the first time in weeks when she talked about meeting you. His jaw tightened. He couldn''t let her sign that contract. A knock at his door cut the thought short. "Kyle?" Aurelia''s voice, muffled through the wood. "Dinner''s here. The stuff you ordered." "Yeah. Be right there." He folded Mira''s letter carefully and tucked it into his pocket. He''d visit Lila. And then? He''d figure something out. Because if there was one thing Kyle refused to accept. It was fate. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 126: The Confession [5] The academy gates stood tall behind Kyle. He shifted on his feet, trying to get comfortable. He had a bag hung on his shoulder. Inside the bag was a coloring book. Not just any coloring book. One with magical beasts and floating castles. Full of swirling colors and enchanted places. It had glittery pages and tiny sticker stars. He''d picked it out from a small shop near campus. The wind tugged at his hair, and the sky overhead was cloudy. The kind of gray that came before a light rain. He checked his phone again. Still no new messages. Then, in the distance. He saw her. Mira Farrow walked slowly toward him. Her steps looked tired, like each one took effort. Her red hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail, and a few strands had come loose, falling around her face. She looked pale. Her eyes were red and puffy. With dark circles under them like bruises that hadn''t faded. "Hey," she said quietly, her voice a little rough. "Hey," Kyle replied, just as softly. They stood there for a moment, not speaking. The silence stretched out. Mira''s fingers twisted in the sleeves of her sweater. Like she didn''t know what to do with her hands. "Thank you," she whispered. "For coming. I... I didn''t think you actually would." Kyle gave a small shrug and adjusted the strap of his bag. "I said I would." Mira nodded quickly. Blinking as if she was trying to stop tears from falling. She looked away and rubbed her eyes with the heel of her hand. "Right. Yeah. Just... thanks." She took a deep breath and motioned toward the bus stop down the street. "It''s not far. Just a few stops." They walked together in silence, their footsteps soft against the pavement. When the bus arrived. They sat next to each other, but not too close. Mira kept her hands locked together in her lap. She stared down at them like they might fly away if she let go. Kyle looked out the window. The city passed by slowly. Gray buildings. People hurrying down the sidewalks. Cars rushing through puddles left by last night''s rain. The moment they stepped inside the hospital, the smell hit him. Antiseptic, bleach, something else underneath it. The air felt too clean. Like it had been scrubbed too many times. Kyle''s nose wrinkled, and he understood what Mira meant when she said Lila lived here now. Mira moved like she knew every hallway. Every turn. The nurses nodded at her as she passed. Giving her small sympathetic smiles. She didn''t smile back. Finally, they stopped outside a door. There was a handmade sign taped to it. Crooked and colorful. Glitter clung to the paper, and the words were written in large, bouncy letters. LILA''S ROOM ¨C KEEP OUT (UNLESS YOU HAVE CANDY) Kyle smiled before he could stop himself. Mira rested her hand on the doorknob but didn''t open it right away. She glanced back at him. "Just¡­ if she says anything weird. Don''t take it seriously, okay? She gets excited. And she doesn''t have much of a filter." Kyle gave a short nod. "Got it." Mira took a breath and pushed the door open. Sunlight spilled into the room through partly closed blinds. The walls were covered in drawings. Crayon rainbows. Strange animals with wings. Stick-figure people with big smiles and even bigger swords. It didn''t look like a hospital room. It looked like someone had tried very hard to make it a place where dreams could still live. In the center of it all. Tucked into a pile of pillows, was a little girl. She was smaller than Kyle expected. Her skin was pale, almost paper-thin. And her freckles stood out sharply against her face. Her red hair matched Mira''s. Though it was wild and unbrushed, curling around her cheeks. An IV line ran from her arm to a beeping machine beside the bed. But she didn''t seem to care about that. The moment she saw them, her eyes lit up. "Mira!" she shouted. Lifting her arms as if to reach for her sister. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then she spotted Kyle. Her mouth dropped open. "OH MY GOSH. YOU ACTUALLY BROUGHT HIM." Mira let out a sigh and rubbed her forehead. "Lila. Inside voice¡ª" "IS HE YOUR BOYFRIEND?" Lila asked. Pointing directly at Kyle like she was accusing him of a crime. Kyle nearly choked. Mira turned bright red. "Lila! No! He''s just a friend! From academy!" Lila narrowed her eyes at both of them. "Hmm." She crossed her arms. "Prove it." Kyle blinked. "Uh. How?" "If you''re just friends. Then you won''t mind if I ask him to marry me instead," Lila said with a grin. Mira groaned and buried her face in her hands. "Oh my god." Kyle laughed. He couldn''t help it. It was quick and real, slipping out before he could stop it. Lila laughed too. Her whole face lighting up. "I''m kidding," she said, rolling her eyes. "Mostly. But you are really pretty." She tilted her head. "Do you like dragons?" Kyle blinked again. "Uh¡­ yeah?" "Good," she said with a very serious nod. "Then you can stay." Mira just shook her head. But Kyle saw the way her shoulders relaxed. Just a little. He stepped farther into the room and gently took the bag off his shoulder. "I, uh¡­ brought you something," he said, reaching inside. Lila''s eyes widened. She gasped so loudly it almost startled him. "PRESENT?!" Lila''s voice filled the room. Kyle smiled and reached into his bag. He pulled out the coloring book. Thick and shiny. The cover full of swirling clouds and giant dragons. Castles floating in the sky, and creatures with wings made of light. Lila''s eyes went wide. She reached out with both hands. Fingers trembling as she touched the cover like it was something magical. "This is¡­ so cool," she whispered. For a second. Her excitement faded. Her grip weakened, and the book almost slipped from her hands. Kyle leaned forward quickly and caught it before it could fall. His fingers brushed against hers. Her skin was freezing. She didn''t seem to notice. She looked up at him with a smile so big it almost didn''t fit her small, tired face. "Will you color with me? Please? Mira always picks the boring colors." Mira let out a loud groan. "I like blue, okay?" Kyle chuckled and sat down on the chair next to the bed. "Yeah," he said, voice soft. "I''ll color with you." Lila cheered and flipped the book open right away. Her small hands turned the pages until she found a huge dragon. Its wings spread wide. Its body coiled around a mountain. "This one!" she said. "And you have to use the glitter pens. Mira hates glitter." Mira pulled another chair closer and dropped into it with a dramatic sigh. "You''re a menace." Lila grinned and stuck her tongue out. "You love me." Mira''s smile stayed, but it changed. Softer. A little sad. "Yeah," she whispered. "I do." They colored together for hours. Kyle let Lila boss him around like she was the queen of the room. "No, Kyle! Dragons can''t have green wings. That''s gross. Use purple!" she said. Passing him the sparkliest pen she could find. He laughed and obeyed. She talked the whole time. About her favorite fairy tales. About how she used to draw comics about a brave squirrel named Captain Nutwhisker. About the nurse who always brought her extra jelly cups. Her words started fast and happy, but the longer they talked. The slower her voice got. Like her body couldn''t keep up. Kyle noticed Mira glancing at the monitor next to the bed. The little green line that jumped every time Lila laughed. Her smile would falter when Lila coughed, but she never said anything. Just rubbed her sister''s back gently and whispered something too quiet for Kyle to hear. But for those hours. Lila wasn''t sick. She wasn''t stuck in a hospital room. She wasn''t hooked up to machines or watched with worried eyes. She was just a little kid with big dreams. A noisy laugh, and a new coloring book full of magic. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 127: The Confession [6] Lila had fallen asleep. Curled up on her side with the coloring book still in her arms. One hand rested on a half-colored dragon. As if she didn''t want to let go even in her dreams. Mira leaned over and carefully tucked the blanket around her. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She brushed a bit of hair away from Lila''s face and kissed her forehead. Her movements were soft and full of care. Like every small action carried a promise. Kyle waited near the door, not wanting to break the quiet. When they stepped out into the hallway. The soft hospital lights buzzed above them. The air smelled the same. Clean. Cold. But now it felt heavier. Like the silence left behind had followed them out. Outside. The sun was low in the sky. The breeze was cool, and the first hint of night crept in around the buildings. People walked past them without noticing, heading home or talking on phones. The world kept moving. Mira stopped on the sidewalk. Her hands were stuffed into the pockets of her hoodie, her shoulders hunched against the wind. "Thank you," she said. Her voice was raw, quiet, but steady. "You have no idea what today meant to her." Kyle stared at the ground. Then looked up. "It wasn''t a big deal." Mira shook her head. "It was." She looked up at the sky for a second. Like she was trying to hold something back. Then she looked at him again. "She doesn''t get good days anymore," she said softly. "But today¡­ today was a good day." Kyle didn''t know what to say to that. His throat felt tight. His hands were still in his pockets, clenched without him realizing it. So he just nodded. And Mira smiled. A tired, thankful smile that said more than words could. ¡ª¡ª¡ª [Next Day] Kyle walked down the long hallway of the Academy''s Instructor Office Building. His footsteps echoed against the polished marble floors. The sound sharp in the quiet afternoon. Tall windows lined the corridor. Letting in sunlight that spilled across the floor in long golden rectangles. Dust danced in the air, catching the light. At the very end of the hallway stood a heavy oak door. Darker than the rest of the building. In front of it. A guard stood straight and still. His academy uniform crisp and neat. As Kyle approached. The guard''s eyes locked onto him, sharp and unreadable. "Can I help you, student?" the guard asked, voice polite but firm. "I''m here to see Vice Principal Seris. I have permission." The guard didn''t move. He raised an eyebrow. "Your ID, please." Kyle reached into his pocket and fumbled around before pulling out his student card. His fingers trembled slightly as he held it out. The guard took it and studied it closely. Then he touched the comm unit clipped to his shoulder. "Vice Principal? There''s student Kyle Valemont here to see you. Says he has an appointment." A pause. "Yes, ma''am." Another short pause. "Understood." He handed the card back and stepped to the side. "You may enter." Kyle nodded and tried to steady his nerves. He pushed the door open. The office inside was large but messy. Books and papers were piled on every table. Even stacked on the floor in the corners. There were so many things scattered around that Kyle wasn''t sure how anyone worked in here. Soft light filtered through the half-closed blinds, painting thin lines of gold across the desk in the center of the room. Behind it sat Seris Voidcrest. The Vice Principal of Solvayne Academy. She didn''t look up right away. She leaned over a stack of papers. Her pen scratching quickly across the page. The golden tips of her elven ears peeked through her hair, glinting in the light. After a few more seconds, she finally stopped writing and leaned back in her chair. "Kyle," she said, her voice warm but clearly tired. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" Kyle stood stiffly. Feeling out of place in the quiet room. He shifted his weight from foot to foot. His mind going blank even though he''d gone over this a hundred times in his head. Seris tilted her head and studied him, her golden eyes calm but curious. "You look like you are about to ask for something either very expensive or very illegal. Which is it?" "Neither!" Kyle said, a little too loud. He winced and cleared his throat. "I mean... it''s about a student here. Mira Farrow." At the name. Seris''s expression softened. "I heard about her sister''s condition," she said quietly. "Nasty business, NSDS." She waved toward the chair across from her. "Sit down. You''re making me nervous just standing there like that." Kyle sat down quickly. The leather chair creaked under him. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I visited the hospital yesterday," he said. "Lila¡­ she''s just a kid. And she''s..." His voice broke for a second. He swallowed and tried again. "I was wondering if maybe your Soul Heal ability could help her." Seris let out a slow sigh and rubbed her temples. "Kyle, Soul Heal doesn''t work like that. It''s not a miracle spell." "But you fixed my mana core!" he said quickly. "That was¡ª" "Different," she said gently, cutting him off. "Your core was damaged. But it was still whole. NSDS... it''s not the same. It''s degeneration. The body''s breaking down, nerve by nerve. There''s nothing for me to heal. The tissue isn''t damaged. It''s disappearing." Kyle looked down. His shoulders sagging. He''d known it was unlikely. He wasn''t foolish. But he had hoped. Really hoped. "So there''s really nothing?" he asked softly. Seris didn''t answer right away. She studied him for a moment, quiet and thoughtful. Then she stood up and walked to the window. She reached for the cord and pulled the blinds all the way open. Sunlight poured into the room, washing the clutter in gold. She stood there for a second, looking out at the academy grounds. Then she turned her head slightly. "I didn''t say that." Kyle looked up, surprised. "What do you mean?" Seris turned back to him slowly. Crossing her arms over her chest. "Soul Heal might not be the answer," she said. "But that doesn''t mean we''re out of options. There are other things. Experimental treatments. Rare artifacts. Even a few high-level potions." "Some of them might not fix the damage. But they could slow it down." Kyle leaned forward, his heart racing. "But... wouldn''t those be¡ª" "Expensive?" Seris raised an eyebrow. "Hard to find? Maybe not exactly legal in certain provinces?" She gave him a small, tired smirk. "Yes. All of the above. But not impossible." For a second. Kyle didn''t speak. He just stared at her, hope slowly rising in his chest. "You''d help?" he asked quietly. Seris let out a long breath as she walked back to her desk and sank into her chair. She looked tired. But there was a hint of something softer in her eyes now. "I''ll make a few calls," she said. "I know some people in the medical research division. I can ask around. I''m not promising anything, but..." She shrugged. "We''ll see what we can do." Relief crashed into Kyle like a wave. His chest felt lighter. He almost laughed. "Thank you. I mean it. I don''t even know how to¡ª" "Stop right there," Seris cut him off, holding up a hand. "No need to start writing me poems or naming your firstborn after me." Kyle blinked. "You''re not doing this for me?" "No." Her voice was firm. She leaned her chin on her hand, watching him. "I''m doing it because it''s the right thing to do. And because..." She smiled slightly. Her golden eyes twinkled with mischief. "I have got a soft spot for sweet, overly serious kids who keep throwing themselves into other people''s problems." Kyle felt his cheeks heat up. "I''m not a kid." Seris gave him a look. "Could''ve fooled me." She leaned back with a dramatic sigh. "Honestly. At this rate I should just adopt you." "Would probably save me the trouble of always having to clean up your messes and patch you back together." Kyle groaned and buried his face in his hands. "Please don''t start that again." "What? You''d make a fine son. Bit reckless. Constantly in trouble. But your heart''s in the right place." She let out another sigh. "Although I suppose Aurelia would fight me for custody." Kyle peeked at her through his fingers. "I regret coming here." Seris chuckled, a warm, real laugh. "No. You don''t. And neither do I." The room fell quiet for a moment. Then Seris straightened up, more serious now. "I''ll let you know when I hear anything. But for now..." She reached into a drawer. Rummaging around until she pulled out a small wooden box. It was dark and polished, with a delicate silver latch. She tossed it gently toward him. "Take this to the hospital. It''s not a cure. But it should help Lila feel a little better." Kyle opened the box slowly. Inside was a small silver bracelet, simple but beautiful. In the center was a blue gemstone, no bigger than a marble, glowing faintly. "What is it?" he asked. "A minor artifact," Seris said, waving her hand. "It helps regulate mana flow. Eases nerve pain and boosts energy a bit. Won''t stop the illness. But it should make her more comfortable." Kyle stared at the bracelet for a second. Then closed the box and slipped it carefully into his pocket. "Thank you," he said softly. "I know it''s not enough, but¡ª" "Kyle." Her voice was calm but firm. "You don''t have to keep thanking me." Kyle stood and started to leave. But just as he reached the door. Seris called out, "And Kyle?" He turned back. "Tell that little girl I said to hang in there. And tell her sister..." She paused. Her voice softened. "Tell her there''s always hope." Kyle smiled. "I will." As he stepped into the hallway and the door closed behind him. Kyle let out a long breath he hadn''t realized he was holding. It wasn''t a cure. It wasn''t a solution. But it was something. And sometimes, something was enough. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 128: The Confession [7] Kyle stepped out of Seris''s office. The heavy oak door clicking shut behind him. He paused in the hallway for a moment. Blinking as his eyes adjusted to the bright afternoon light streaming through the tall windows. The polished marble floors gleamed underfoot as he glanced at his mana band to check the time. 2:47 PM. He still had Advanced Mana Theory in thirteen minutes. Professor Zeke would probably mark him absent if he skipped, but right now, that didn''t matter. Not compared to what he needed to do. His fingers tightened around the small wooden box. He could still hear Seris''s voice in his head. "It''s not a cure... but it should help." The hallway echoed with distant voices as other students moved between classes. Kyle ducked his head and quickened his pace. His boots making soft tapping sounds against the floor. He needed to get to the hospital. Now. As he pushed through the academy''s main gates. The crisp autumn air hit his face. Leaves swirled across the cobblestone path in shades of gold and red. Kyle pulled out his phone with one hand while flagging down a city bus with the other. The message to Mira was short. Kyle: Heading to the hospital now. Meet me there? The bus doors hissed open. Kyle climbed aboard, swiping his transit pass as his phone buzzed in his hand. Mira''s reply popped up almost immediately: Mira: Already here. What''s going on? Is everything okay? Kyle typed quickly as he found a seat near the back: Kyle: I''ll explain when I get there. He hit send just as the bus lurched forward. Leaning his head against the window. The glass of the window was cool against his temple as he leaned his head on it. Watching the world blur past. Shops, trees, people... they all faded as his thoughts returned to Seris. In the novel he had read in his past life. Seris hadn''t helped Mira. She had never gotten involved. Did she not know about Lila''s condition back then? Was it too late for her to help Lila when she found about her condition. Or had someone told her this time? Kyle frowned, rubbing his eyes. Or Maybe things were changing because of his presence here. The thought sent a weird mix of hope and fear through his chest. The bus ride passed in a blur of city streets and crowded sidewalks. Kyle barely noticed the stops until his phone alarm buzzed. His cue to get off. He stood up just as the bus pulled to a stop in front of Valtheras City Hospital. The hospital loomed over him as he stepped onto the pavement. Its glass windows reflected the afternoon sun, making the whole building seem to glow. Kyle took a deep breath. The sterile scent of antiseptic already reaching him even from outside. Inside, the lobby buzzed with activity. Nurses in pale blue scrubs hurried past with clipboards. Visitors clustered around the reception desk, and the occasional patient shuffled by in slippers and gowns. The air smelled like disinfectant and stale coffee. Kyle spotted Mira almost immediately. ¡ª¡ª¡ª [Mira''s POV] The hospital chair dug into Mira''s back. She''d been sitting in it for hours, watching the slow rise and fall of Lila''s chest beneath the thin hospital blanket. The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound in the room, steady and unchanging, like a metronome counting down the seconds. Lila looked so small in the bed. Her freckles stood out starkly against her pale skin, her red hair, usually wild and untamed. Lay flat against the pillow. The IV in her arm pumped clear fluids into her veins, keeping her hydrated, keeping her alive. For now. Mira''s fingers tightened around the edge of the coloring book in her lap. Lila had fallen asleep mid-stroke, a purple crayon still clutched in her hand. The dragon on the page was only half-finished, its wings a swirl of glitter and color. ''She was so happy yesterday.'' The thought made Mira''s throat tighten. She hadn''t seen Lila smile like that in weeks. Not since the last round of tests, not since the doctors had sat them down and said the words no sister should ever have to hear. "There''s no cure." Mira swallowed hard, forcing the memory away. Her comm-crystal buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, blinking at the message glowing across the surface. Kyle: Heading to the hospital now. Meet me there? Mira''s breath caught. She hadn''t expected to hear from him again so soon. Not after yesterday. Not after she''d poured her heart out in that stupid letter and then practically thrown it at him in the cafeteria like some desperate, lovesick idiot. But he''d come. He''d actually come to see Lila. And Lila had lit up because of it. Mira typed back quickly, fingers shaking. Mira: Already here. What''s going on? Is everything okay? The reply came fast. Kyle: I''ll explain when I get there. Mira stared at the words, her stomach twisting. What could he possibly have to explain? Had something happened? Had he changed his mind? Had he¡ª Stop. She forced herself to take a deep breath. Overthinking wouldn''t help. Gently. She set the coloring book aside and stood. Stretching her stiff legs. Lila didn''t stir, her breathing slow and even. Mira brushed a strand of hair from her sister''s forehead. Then quietly slipped out of the room. The hallway was bright, sterile. The sharp scent of antiseptic burned her nose as she made her way toward the elevators. Her sneakers squeaking against the floor. Nurses bustled past, pushing carts or carrying clipboards, their faces tired but kind. Mira leaned against the wall near the elevators, arms crossed over her chest. She didn''t have to wait long. The doors slid open, and Kyle stepped out. He looked exhausted. Dark circles shadowed his eyes. His uniform was rumpled, and his hair was a mess. Like he''d been running his hands through it too much. But when he saw her, he straightened, his expression shifting into something determined. Mira pushed off the wall. "What''s going on?" she asked, voice low. Kyle hesitated, then said, "It''s good news, actually." Mira didn''t relax. Good news didn''t exist in hospitals. Not for people like her. Not for people like Lila. "I talked to Vice Principal Seris," Kyle continued. "About Lila''s condition." Mira''s breath hitched. Seris Voidcrest. The Void Empress. One of the most powerful mages in the kingdom. And Kyle had talked to her? About Lila? Mira''s hands curled into fists at her sides, nails biting into her palms. She didn''t dare hope. Not yet. "She said she''ll help," Kyle said. "Not a cure. She didn''t promise that. But she''s going to look into experimental treatments. Rare artifacts. Things that might slow the degeneration." He paused. "And she''ll help with the costs, too." The words hit Mira like a physical blow. Her knees gave out. She hit the floor hard. The impact jarring up her legs, but she barely felt it. A choked sound escaped her. Half laugh. Half sob. As her vision blurred. Someone was helping. Someone was actually trying. "Thank you," she gasped, voice breaking. "Thank you, thank you¡ª" Kyle crouched beside her, awkwardly patting her shoulder. "You should thank Vice Principal, not me. She''s the one pulling strings." Mira shook her head violently, tears spilling down her cheeks. "No, this... this is enough. Just knowing someone''s trying¡ª" Her voice broke on the last word, the months of fear and helplessness and quiet desperation finally overwhelming her. Her breath hitched, and she pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes, trying to stop the tears. She hadn''t cried in front of anyone in months. Not since the diagnosis. Not when she''d sat through countless treatments. Not even when she''d written that desperate letter to Kyle. Not since she''d promised herself she''d be strong for Lila. But this¡ª This fragile hope, this sudden possibility that things might not be as hopeless as they seemed? It shattered something inside her. Kyle waited silently, giving her space. The hospital noises. The distant chatter of nurses. The squeak of wheels. The hum of the overhead lights, filled the quiet between them. Finally. Mira dragged in a shuddering breath and wiped her face with her sleeve. Kyle reached into his storage ring and pulled out a small wooden box. "She sent this, too," he said. Opening it. Inside. Nestled against dark velvet, was a silver bracelet. A single blue gem glowed faintly at its center, pulsing like a slow, steady heartbeat. Mira reached out with trembling fingers, brushing the bracelet like she was afraid it might vanish. The metal felt warm against her skin. The runes tingling slightly where they made contact with her fingertips. "It''s an artifact," Kyle explained. "Helps with pain and gives a little energy boost." Mira swallowed hard, her throat tight with emotions she couldn''t name. She could already picture Lila''s face when she saw it. The way her eyes would light up. The delighted grin that would spread across her face as she examined every detail. She always loved shiny things. "Let''s go give it to her," she whispered. Kyle nodded. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mira pushed herself up, using the wall for support. Her legs felt weak. But she stood straighter than she had in weeks. Like maybe, just maybe, things could get better. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Author Note: Hey, lovely readers! Newbie here. ???? So, what did you think of this arc? I wanted to experiment with something a little different. Did it land for you? Let me know your thoughts! ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 129: The Confession [8] Chapter 129: The Confession [8]Kyle stepped off the bus. The academy gates standing tall ahead of him. The afternoon sun stretched long shadows across the cobblestone path. Making the air feel warmer than it was. A soft breeze rustled the golden leaves scattered across the ground, carrying the faint, crisp scent of autumn. Everything looked the same. But Kyle felt different. His mind was still stuck at the hospital. Thinking about Lila¡¯s small smile when she held the bracelet. The way her eyes lit up just a little. Mira had cried. Hugging him tightly before whispering, "Thank you." And when Seris arrived. The whole mood in the hospital changed. The doctors moved fast. Transferring Lila to a better room, talking in hushed but hopeful voices. It was like the moment Seris stepped in, everything shifted. Kyle let out a long breath and ran a hand through his messy hair. ¡¯Did I really change Mira Farrow¡¯s fate?¡¯ He wasn¡¯t sure. The walk back to the academy quarters felt longer than usual. He hadn¡¯t slept properly in two days. His uniform was wrinkled. His boots dusty. And he just wanted to fall face-first onto his bed and forget about everything for a while. "KYLE!" The sudden shout made him flinch. He looked up and saw Luna and Reo standing near the academy¡¯s main fountain. Luna was waving both arms like she was trying to flag down a moving airship. Her short white hair bouncing with each step as she jogged toward him. Reo followed behind her, slower and more relaxed. But his sharp green eyes didn¡¯t miss a thing. Luna skidded to a stop in front of him, hands on her hips, eyes narrowed. "Where the hell have you been?! You missed Advanced Mana Theory! Professor Zeke looked like he wanted to kill someone." Kyle blinked. ¡¯Right. Class. I completely forgot.¡¯ "Uh... yeah. Something came up," he said. Rubbing the back of his neck. "Something came up?" Reo raised an eyebrow. "And why do you look like that?" Kyle glanced down at himself. His blazer was wrinkled. His boots were scuffed. And there were clear shadows under his eyes. He probably looked like someone who¡¯d spent the night in a gutter. "Just had some stuff to take care of," he mumbled. "What stuff?" Luna leaned in closer, her eyes narrowing. "You¡¯ve been disappearing for days. First you vanish into the library, and now you look like a zombie." "Be honest. Are you secretly training for midterms or..." She lowered her voice dramatically. "Did you finally get a girlfriend?" Kyle coughed. Nearly choking. "What? No!" "Ohhh," Reo grinned, elbowing him. "So that¡¯s why you¡¯ve been sneaking around! Who is she? Someone from Class B? Wait... Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s that girl who gave you a letter in the cafeteria!" Kyle groaned. "It¡¯s not like that." "Then what is it?" Luna asked, folding her arms. "You are being all weird and mysterious." He hesitated. He wanted to tell them, to explain everything. But it wasn¡¯t his story to share. Mira didn¡¯t need more people poking into her life. And Lila¡¯s condition wasn¡¯t something to gossip about. "It¡¯s just... personal," he said quietly. "I was helping someone. That¡¯s all. But it¡¯s not something I can talk about." Luna and Reo exchanged a look, eyebrows raised. Reo shrugged. "Fine. Keep your secrets." "But you do owe us," Luna added, poking him in the chest. "We had to cover for you today. Zeke looked ready to assign a fifty-page essay on mana convergence." "Yeah," Reo said. "We told him you had sudden mana exhaustion. From training too hard." He grinned. "You¡¯re welcome." Kyle winced. That was definitely going to bite him later. "Thanks," he said. "I¡¯ll make it up to you." "You can start now" Luna said, grabbing his arm. She tugged him toward the east gate without giving him a chance to argue. "We¡¯re going to that cafe I told you about last week. No excuses." "Wait. I was going to go back to the dorms and¡ª" "Nope." Reo slung an arm around Kyle¡¯s shoulders and steered him forward. "You have been ghosting us for days. It¡¯s time to pay up." Kyle groaned. But he didn¡¯t pull away. He had been ignoring them lately, caught up in everything with Mira, Lila and Library. And honestly? A hot drink sounded amazing right now. ¡ª¡ª¡ª The cafe was tucked into a quiet corner near the academy¡¯s east gate. It looked small from the outside. Just a little building with a slanted roof and big windows. But the warm light spilling from the door made it feel inviting. The scent of roasted coffee beans, fresh pastries. The bell above the door gave a soft ding as they stepped inside. The place was cozy. Dim lights hanging from the ceiling, soft music playing in the background. A few students sat in the back. Hunched over books or whispering in low voices. Luna didn¡¯t hesitate. She made a beeline for a corner booth and threw herself onto the cushioned seat. Stretching her legs out like she owned the place. Reo followed, sliding in beside her with a small yawn. While Kyle took the chair across from them. A waitress walked over. Probably a student too, judging by her uniform. She had short blue hair tucked behind her ears and the kind of bored expression that said she¡¯d rather be anywhere else. She dropped three menus onto the table without saying anything. "What¡¯ll it be?" she asked after a few seconds. "Three caramel lattes," Luna said right away, like she¡¯d been here a dozen times already. She scanned the menu with hungry eyes. "And ooh. The chocolate croissants! Let¡¯s get two of those. No, three." "Make it four. I¡¯m starving," Reo added. The waitress scribbled their order down without looking up and walked off without another word. Kyle leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. The smell of sugar, chocolate, and coffee filled the air. It was the kind of place that made you forget how tired you were. For a moment. Kyle just sat there, letting himself breathe. No stress. Just this. Luna rested her chin on her hands and narrowed her eyes at him. "Okay. Now talk. What¡¯s really going on with you?" "I told you. It¡¯s nothing big," Kyle said. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Liar." Reo flicked a sugar packet at him, and it bounced off his blazer. "You never skip class. And you definitely don¡¯t walk around looking like a half-dead ghost unless something serious is going on." Kyle looked down. His blazer was still wrinkled. He probably had bags under his eyes too. He couldn¡¯t really argue with them. He sighed. "I¡¯ve just been dealing with some stuff. Outside the academy." "Family stuff?" Luna asked. Her voice a bit softer now. Kyle shook his head. "Not mine." The two of them shared a glance, not saying anything for a moment. "You know you can tell us, right?" Reo said. His usual teasing tone was gone. "We¡¯re not just here to mess around." "Well, I am," Luna said with a grin. "But yeah. If you¡¯re in trouble or something, just say it. We¡¯ve got your back." Kyle looked at them both. They were serious. He felt a small pang in his chest. Guilt, maybe. He hated lying to them. But this wasn¡¯t something he could explain. Not without dragging Mira and Lila into it. "I know," he said quietly. "Thanks." Just then. The waitress returned. Setting down three steaming mugs of caramel latte and a small basket with warm chocolate croissants, their edges flaky and golden brown. Luna¡¯s eyes lit up. "Yesss. Food!" As soon as they started eating, the mood shifted. Luna launched into a ridiculous story about Professor Zeke¡¯s latest lecture. Complete with hand gestures. Groans. And over-the-top impressions. Reo added his own sarcastic comments every few seconds. Mimicking Zeke¡¯s voice. Rolling his eyes dramatically. And even pretending to fall asleep in the middle of Luna¡¯s rant. Kyle couldn¡¯t help it. He laughed. His body still felt tired, but the tension in his chest loosened a little. Sitting here, with warm drinks, flaky pastries, and the sound of his friends joking around. Things almost felt normal. For a little while. It was easy to forget about everything else. By the time they stepped back outside, the sky had already changed. The sun had dipped behind the trees. Leaving streaks of orange, purple, and soft pink across the horizon. The air was cooler now, and the wind rustled the leaves as they walked down the quiet path back toward the academy. "Okay, now are you gonna tell us what¡¯s really going on?" Luna asked, poking Kyle in the side. "Nope," Kyle said with a tired smile. "Worth a shot," Reo said with a shrug. Luna huffed. But she didn¡¯t press him again. As they reached the gates. Reo clapped him lightly on the shoulder. "Whatever it is. Don¡¯t be dumb and try to do everything alone." "Yeah," Luna added. "We¡¯re way more useful than we look." Kyle smiled faintly. "I¡¯ll keep that in mind." They split up at the dormitory crossroads. Luna and Reo heading toward the student dorms, chatting about something he barely heard. Kyle turned toward the instructors¡¯ quarters, walking alone. His thoughts drifted back to the hospital. But right now? Right now. All he wanted was sleep. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 130: The Weekend Trip [1] Chapter 130: The Weekend Trip [1]The alarm buzzed like an angry wasp trapped under a glass. Kyle groaned and blindly reached out. His hand smacking the nightstand until his fingers finally landed on the alarm clock. With a tired slap. The buzzing stopped. Silence returned to the room, thick and still. He didn¡¯t move at first. His face was half-buried in his pillow. His body sunk deep into the mattress like it had fused with the bed. Every inch of him felt heavy, but not in a bad way. It was that deep kind of tiredness that came after finally getting a good night¡¯s sleep. Something he hadn¡¯t had in days. The last few days had been chaos. First. Long hours digging through books in the academy library. Trying to uncover anything about Zalrielle. Then came Mira and Lila, and everything that followed. It had all caught up with him. And last night. His body had finally given up. He¡¯d collapsed into bed and hadn¡¯t moved since. Slowly, with great effort. Kyle pushed himself up. He rubbed his eyes. Yawning so wide it felt like his jaw might pop out of place. The sunlight pouring through the window was way too bright. Stabbing into his skull like tiny needles. "Too early," he muttered under his breath. Even though the clock clearly said it was almost ten. Dragging his feet. He made his way to the bathroom, each step feeling like it took real effort. He turned on the tap, splashed cold water on his face, and gasped. The shock of it hit him like a slap. Snapping his mind awake. He leaned over the sink. Water dripping from his chin as he blinked the sleep from his eyes. He brushed his teeth next. Scrubbing away the awful morning breath. Then splashed more water on his face. Just in case he started dozing off again. Still in his wrinkled sleep shirt and a pair of old shorts. He wandered out into the hallway, barefoot. The floor felt cold against his skin. The apartment was quiet. Peaceful. The only sound was the soft flip of a page being turned. He turned the corner and found Aurelia curled up on the living room sofa. A cup of steaming coffee in one hand and a fashion magazine in the other. Her legs were tucked under her, and she looked completely at ease. She didn¡¯t even glance up when he entered. "Morning," Kyle muttered, voice rough. Aurelia finally looked at him. Her sharp blue eyes scanning him from head to toe. Her lips curled into a smirk. "Good morning, Sleeping Beauty. Decided to wake up, huh?" Kyle let out a groggy grunt and dropped onto the couch beside her. Without asking. He reached for her coffee and took a sip. Then he nearly gagged. "Ugh. Bitter," he muttered, scrunching up his face. Aurelia rolled her eyes and took the mug back. "It¡¯s coffee, not a milkshake. Grow up." Kyle wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and gave her a look. "Tastes like dirt." "It¡¯s called black coffee," she said. Flipping another page. "Some of us have taste." He opened his mouth to fire back. But stopped when she reached over and ruffled his already messy hair. Her fingers tugged through the tangled strands. "Vice Principal told me what you did. For Mira Farrow and her sister," she said quietly. Kyle looked away. "Wasn¡¯t a big deal." Aurelia gave his hair one last pat. "You did good." He didn¡¯t know what to say to that. So he just stood up and stretched. His back popped, loud and satisfying. "What do you want for breakfast?" he asked. Aurelia set her coffee down and leaned back. A slow, thoughtful smile crept across her face. "Actually... let¡¯s go out. Mall breakfast. Shopping. And while we are at it," she said. Pointing to his head. "We¡¯re cutting that mop." Kyle blinked and grabbed a strand of his hair. It had grown longer than he realized. The tips brushed past his ears now. "Didn¡¯t notice," he said. "It¡¯s bad. You look like a stray." "Thanks," he muttered dryly. "Go get dressed," Aurelia said, waving him off. "And try to look like a human being, for once." Kyle grumbled but headed back to his room. ¡ª [One Eternity Later] ¡ª When Kyle finally came back out. Properly dressed and mostly awake. Aurelia was already waiting by the door. Her arms were crossed, her foot tapping like a ticking clock. The second she saw him, she narrowed her eyes. "That took you ten years," she said flatly. "It¡¯s just pants and a shirt." "I had to find something clean," Kyle said. "You don¡¯t want me walking around smelling like a corpse." Aurelia sighed. "Unbelievable. Girls get ready for dates faster than you." "I¡¯m not trying to impress anyone," he said. Slipping on his shoes. "Clearly," she muttered. Grabbing her keys. "Let¡¯s go before I regret this." They stepped out into the morning sun. The air was cool. But not cold, and the sky was a bright, soft blue. The academy parking lot was mostly empty. Weekend mornings were slow. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They were halfway to Aurelia¡¯s car when someone called out behind them. "Hey! Wait up!" Kyle turned around and spotted Seraphina jogging toward them. Her long pink hair bounced behind her. And she looked way too energetic for this early in the day. She had car keys in hand and a smile on her face. Aurelia blinked. "You¡¯re up early." Seraphina grinned. "Heading to Victoria Mall. You?" Aurelia hesitated. "...Same." Seraphina beamed. "Perfect! Let¡¯s go together." Before either of them could stop her. She marched over. Opened the passenger door of Aurelia¡¯s car, and hopped in like she owned it. Aurelia stared. "Did you seriously just¡ª" Seraphina buckled her seatbelt and gave a bright, innocent smile. "Well? What are you waiting for?" Aurelia exhaled slowly. Her patience wearing thin. "I hate you." "No, you don¡¯t," Seraphina said sweetly. Kyle chuckled and got into the back seat without saying a word. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 131: The Weekend Trip [2] Chapter 131: The Weekend Trip [2]The moment they stepped into the mall. Kyle knew he had made a mistake. It was loud. Crowded. Way too many people for his liking. Children ran past with ice cream in their hands, leaving sticky trails behind. Music thumped from the nearby stores. The smell of perfume, fried food, and sugary drinks mixed into the air like a confusing fog. Bright lights flashed from window displays. And every few seconds. Someone¡¯s laughter would cut through the noise. Kyle walked behind Aurelia and Seraphina like a lost puppy. Both girls didn¡¯t seem to care about the crowd. They looked completely at home. Aurelia walked like a queen, chin high, every step calm and confident. Seraphina was the opposite. Bouncy and full of energy. Like she was born to be in a place like this. Her bright pink hair swayed with every step. Drawing attention from half the people they passed. And they were getting attention. People stared. Whispers followed them. A group of girls near a makeup stall even giggled when Kyle walked by. One of them waved. Kyle blinked and quickly looked away. He shoved his hands into his pockets. Trying to act like he didn¡¯t notice. Aurelia glanced back with a smirk. "Enjoying the attention?" "No," Kyle said. His voice flat. Seraphina laughed. "You are such a bad liar." "Haircut first," Aurelia said, already turning toward the escalators. "You seriously look like you¡¯ve been sleeping in a tree." Kyle sighed but followed without arguing. The salon was shiny and clean. With big mirrors and chairs that looked more expensive than necessary. Everything smelled like shampoo and hairspray. A woman at the front desk looked up when they walked in. She had stylish dark hair, sharp eyeliner, and a name tag that read Lina. The second her eyes landed on Kyle. Her smile grew way too wide. "Oh my," she said, stepping around the desk. "What do we have here?" Kyle frowned. "Uh..." "He needs a haircut," Aurelia said. "Something that doesn¡¯t make him look homeless." Lina¡¯s eyes sparkled. "Oh, I love a challenge." Kyle gave her a look. "You know I can hear you, right?" But no one listened. Lina had already started running her fingers through his hair. Mumbling things like "such volume" and "so much potential." Kyle was shoved into a chair and covered with a black cape before he could say anything else. Aurelia and Seraphina took the seats nearby. Looking like two judges on a fashion panel. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Not too short," Aurelia said. "Keep it messy. But in a good way," Seraphina added. "Maybe layered?" Aurelia mused. "Ooh, and undercut on the sides," Seraphina nodded. Lina nodded along like they were giving orders from the heavens. "Yes, yes. I see it." Kyle tried again. "Can I¡ª" "No," all three women said at the same time. Kyle leaned back in the chair and gave up. Lina got to work. Scissors moving with expert speed. Kyle sat in silence. Occasionally flinching when she tilted his head too suddenly. The haircut took forever. Lina moved with scary focus. Snipping slowly. Muttering compliments about his face like he wasn¡¯t even a person. "You have got great bone structure" she whispered at one point. Kyle stayed still and tried not to die from embarrassment. Finally. Lina spun the chair around. "Done!" Kyle looked at his reflection. It was... him. But not the messy, half-asleep version. His hair was still long. Just trimmed and shaped better. The sides were cleaner. The top was layered, and it actually framed his face. He looked. Dare he think it. Decent. Aurelia stood and nodded. "Better. Now you don¡¯t look homeless." Seraphina leaned in. "Honestly? It¡¯s kinda hot." Kyle choked. "What?" Lina smiled proudly and patted his shoulder. "You¡¯re welcome, handsome." Kyle jumped up so fast he nearly tripped on the cape. "I¡¯m done. I¡¯m out." Aurelia paid while he made a break for the door. Next came the part Kyle was truly dreading. Clothes shopping. They walked into a big clothing store. Full of racks, mirrors, and bright lights. A cheerful girl with short black hair bounced over to them. Her name tag read Mia. "Hi! Need help finding anything today?" she asked, eyes landing on Kyle. Before he could say no. Seraphina jumped in. "Yes," she said. "Lots," Aurelia added. Mia clapped her hands. "Perfect!" Kyle didn¡¯t even get to argue before clothes started flying his way. Shirts, jackets, pants, even shoes. He lost count. They shoved him into the dressing room and stood outside like judges at a fashion show. First Outfit: A black shirt and dark jeans. Seraphina tilted her head. "Meh. Too plain." Aurelia frowned. "He looks like a waiter." Second Outfit: A navy blue sweater and gray pants. Aurelia crossed her arms. "Hmm. Better." Seraphina smiled. "Brings out his eyes." Kyle groaned again. "Are we done yet?" Third Outfit: White T-shirt, black leather jacket, black pants. There was silence outside the door. Then Seraphina said, "Okay that¡¯s not fair." Aurelia pointed. "We¡¯re buying that one." Even Mia. Who had been quietly watching, nodded with approval. "You look amazing." Kyle tugged at the jacket. "It¡¯s tight." "That¡¯s why it works," they all said. In the end. He tried on at least thirty outfits. They picked ten. At the checkout. Mia scribbled something on a small piece of paper and handed it to Kyle with a shy smile. "In case you, um... need help with clothes. Or... anything." It was her number. Kyle blinked. "Oh. Uh. Thanks?" Mia giggled and waved as they walked away. Seraphina watched with narrowed eyes as he tucked the paper into his pocket. Once they were outside. She leaned closer and smiled too sweetly. "Getting numbers now, huh?" Kyle blinked. "It¡¯s not like I asked¡ª" Aurelia rolled her eyes. "Let¡¯s just go before you start a fan club." Kyle followed silently, heart thudding. But... as they walked away from the store. He noticed something. Seraphina, usually all smiles and jokes, was a little quieter. Her tone had changed. Was she... jealous? He shook the thought away. No. ...Right? ¡ª¡ª¡ª Chapter 132: The Weekend Trip [3] Chapter 132: The Weekend Trip [3]Kyle¡¯s stomach growled loudly as he trailed behind Seraphina and Aurelia through the crowded mall. He didn¡¯t even try to hide it. The scent of food coming from the nearby court hit him like a wave, fresh bread, bubbling cheese, sizzling meat. It made his mouth water instantly. "I¡¯m hungry," he said. A bit louder than he meant to. "Let¡¯s eat first." Aurelia glanced at her sleek wristwatch. "We don¡¯t have all day." "I could murder a pepperoni right now," Seraphina added. Her eyes already locked on a neon-lit pizza place just ahead. "Come on. That place looks perfect." Kyle didn¡¯t argue. His feet practically dragged him toward the smell of dough and garlic. They slid into a booth near the window. The red vinyl seat gave a loud squeak under Kyle as he sank into it with relief. Across from him. Seraphina leaned her elbows on the table like a kid on a field trip. Aurelia sat straight-backed and composed. Brushing invisible lint from her dress. A teenage waiter shuffled over with tomato sauce on his apron and a notepad in hand. He looked half asleep. "Special today¡¯s the four-meat monster with extra cheese," he mumbled. "I¡¯ll take that," Kyle said without even glancing at the menu. Aurelia raised an eyebrow. "Of course you will." "I¡¯ll have the margherita," she told the waiter. "Fresh basil. Light on the oil." Seraphina flipped her menu around and pointed. "That one. The Inferno." The waiter blinked. "That¡¯s... the one with triple chili peppers." "I know," Seraphina replied with a grin. "Can¡¯t wait." As the waiter left. Kyle leaned back and looked toward the open kitchen. He watched the cooks toss dough high into the air, spinning it with practiced flicks of the wrist. Others were piling toppings on pizzas at lightning speed. Sliding them into huge brick ovens with long paddles. Flames glowed inside. It was almost hypnotic. When the food finally arrived, Kyle¡¯s eyes widened. His pizza was massive. Layers of meat, gooey cheese, and just the right amount of burnt crust on the edges. Grease shimmered under the overhead lights. Aurelia¡¯s pizza looked tiny in comparison. Neat slices, fresh mozzarella, and a single basil leaf per piece. Seraphina¡¯s, though... hers was steaming. Glowing red with chili flakes and oil. Kyle squinted at it. "You sure that¡¯s edible?" Seraphina took a huge bite without hesitation. "Mmm. Perfect." He stared. "Are you trying to kill your taste buds?" Seraphina smirked, wiping a smear of chili oil from her lip. "What¡¯s the matter, Kyle dear? Scared of a little heat?" "Not scared," he muttered. "Just not insane." Aurelia was already cutting her slice with a knife and fork. "You two are actual barbarians." The meal continued with the usual bickering. Kyle devoured his pizza like he hadn¡¯t eaten in days. At one point. Seraphina offered him a bite of hers just to mess with him. He took it. Big mistake. His entire mouth lit on fire. Kyle coughed. Face turning bright red as he grabbed the nearest glass of water and chugged it down. Seraphina laughed so hard she nearly fell out of the booth. "Lightweight!" "I hate you," Kyle said, fanning his mouth. Aurelia didn¡¯t even look up from her plate. "Told you." After they finished eating and paid the bill. Aurelia handed over a sleek black card like it meant nothing. She stood up, brushing her skirt smooth. "Alright. Now that you¡¯re fed, it¡¯s time for the real task." Kyle blinked. "What real task?" "Shopping," she said. Kyle groaned. Seraphina grabbed his arm before he could escape. "You¡¯re our fashion consultant now. Try to act useful." He was dragged, quite literally, into the women¡¯s clothing section. The place was a maze. Rows of racks, shelves piled with shoes, walls covered in handbags and accessories. Soft music played overhead, and the air smelled like a mix of floral perfume and expensive leather. Aurelia immediately headed for the formal section. She ran her fingers over a sleek black cocktail dress with a thoughtful look. "What do you think, Kyle?" He squinted at it. "...It¡¯s black?" Seraphina snorted behind him. Aurelia sighed. "You¡¯re hopeless." Meanwhile. Seraphina was having the time of her life. She had already pulled out a red off-shoulder dress that left little to the imagination. "Too much?" she asked. Holding it against herself and tilting her head. Kyle¡¯s face burned. Before he could say anything. Aurelia answered sharply, "Yes." What followed was two full hours of Kyle sitting on a soft bench outside the changing rooms while the girls showed off outfit after outfit. "Too plain." "Too bright." "Too tight." "Too... short," Kyle said weakly as Seraphina came out in a leather skirt and crop top combo that made him choke on air. "Too small," Aurelia declared. "You¡¯re just jealous it fits me better," Seraphina shot back at Aurelia, smirking. She struck a pose, and Kyle suddenly found the ceiling very interesting. As they tried on more outfits. The pile of clothes to purchase grew higher and higher. Kyle was just glad he didn¡¯t have to carry them. Thank the gods for storage rings. Without them. He would¡¯ve been buried under bags. Eventually. Aurelia narrowed her options down to ten elegant dresses. Seraphina had Fifteen. They reached the counter, and the cashier stared at the pile like it was about to fall on her. She rang up the total with wide eyes. It was enough to make most people faint. Aurelia calmly handed over a platinum card without blinking. As they exited the store. Kyle spotted a familiar face across the wide hallway of the mall. Daniel Hearth. A fellow student from Solvayne Academy. Daniel stood near a sunglasses display, pretending to admire a pair. But his eyes kept drifting toward Seraphina. Kyle narrowed his eyes slightly. "Someone¡¯s popular today," he muttered under his breath. Seraphina glanced over, following his line of sight. She smirked when she noticed Daniel quickly look away. Suddenly very interested in the price tag on a pair of aviators. "Jealous?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Kyle snorted. "Of Daniel? Please. That guy once set his own hair on fire during a potion exam." Aurelia pulled out her mana band to check the time. "We should head back. Kyle still needs to¡ª" "No," Kyle said firmly, cutting her off. "Whatever it is, no. I have reached my shopping limit." "But your hair looks so much better now," Seraphina teased. Ruffling his freshly styled locks. Kyle swatted her hand away, frowning. "I¡¯m going to the electronics section. Alone. You two can go stare at shoes or something." As he walked off. He heard Aurelia whisper, "He¡¯s learning." Seraphina laughed behind him. ¡ª¡ª¡ª The electronics store was cool and quiet. A peaceful escape from the chaos outside. Blue-glowing shelves lined the walls. Filled with the latest mana-tech gadgets. Kyle wandered between them, stopping at a display of communication crystals that pulsed gently with light. He checked out a few projection orbs. Tested the hologram quality with a tap, and even eyed a sleek new VR combat visor. It looked amazing. But the price tag made him wince. He was leaning over a row of enchanted headphones when a store employee approached. She wore a neat uniform and had a friendly smile. "Those come with built-in noise-canceling runes," she explained. "Great for blocking out noisy roommates." Kyle nodded. "Sounds useful. Just browsing, though." As he turned to leave. He nearly walked straight into a petite girl balancing three boxes in her arms. She stumbled slightly but caught herself. "Oh! You¡¯re Kyle Valemont, right? From first year?" she said quickly. Her name tag read Emily, and her eyes were wide with recognition. "I¡¯m also from Solvayne. Second year." Kyle rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah... that¡¯s me." Before the conversation could go further. A familiar voice interrupted. "There you are," Seraphina said, walking up beside him with a casual swing in her step. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Aurelia stood just behind her, arms crossed. Emily looked from Kyle to her two stunning professors at his side. Her eyes widened a little more. "I¡¯ll, um... let you get back to your... friends." She quickly turned and hurried off. Nearly dropping her boxes in the process. Seraphina tilted her head. "Making more admirers?" Kyle groaned. "Shut up." Aurelia smiled and held out a small black bag. "We got you something. For putting up with us today." Kyle raised an eyebrow but took the bag. Inside was a sleek. Mana-powered watch with a dark silver band. The face displayed the time, lunar phases, and even a tiny charm that showed weather predictions in animated symbols. It was simple, practical, and far too nice. "You didn¡¯t have to," he said, blinking at the gift. "Of course we did," Seraphina said, brushing it off like it was nothing. Kyle hesitated for a second. Then reached into his own storage ring. "Well... I got you two something too." He pulled out two small boxes and handed them over. Each one held a bracelet. Delicate silver chains enchanted. One has teardrop-shaped moonstone that shifted from pale blue to violet depending on how the light hit it. The other was braided band of rose pink and black that resembled intertwining flames. "Thanks for today," Kyle said, trying to sound casual. Aurelia blinked. Caught off guard. "You bought us gifts?" Seraphina opened hers and smiled faintly. "Not bad, Kyle. Not bad at all." They left the mall together. The sky outside washed in soft orange and gold as the sun dipped toward the horizon. The parking lot glowed under the sunset. Cars casting long shadows across the ground. Kyle walked between the two girls, watch on his wrist, a half-smile on his face. "Same time next week?" Seraphina joked as they reached the cars. Kyle groaned loudly. "Never again." But the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth told a different story. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Author¡¯s Note: Please let me know if you don¡¯t like this kind of Chapters. ¡ª¡ª¡ª