Four months later
5:00 AM
My mother woke us up. The holiday was over, and the second academic stage had begun. And to be honest, this is the first time I've felt excited about such things. Maybe because Kinto lived with us for four months.
My hair had gotten a bit long. I think I need to tie it.
I tied it in a style called... the "man bun"? A strange name, but it still looks nice.
When we arrived at the academy's lake, we found everyone there and teacher Langst standing in front of the lake.
"Mary!" Sai called out, smiling.
Mary said, "You finally arrived," waving her hand.
"Four long months have finally passed," I said to her.
She agreed, saying, "They were indeed long. But I wonder why the teacher is here."
Karez and Garin were already present, as were Kyotai, Kani, and Kano. The students from Class A were also present. But Beatrix and a boy from Class A were still absent.
As I was thinking about it, they finally arrived.
Langst spoke, "Now that you're all gathered, I'll explain the reason for your presence outdoors. Griff is sick, so he didn't come today. As for the reason you're here: the second academic year won't be at the academy, and you will not have a teacher. You will go out into the world to put everything you learned at the academy to the test."
First, you were evaluating our level throughout the past year, and now you want to turn us into wanderers??! What kind of academy system is this! They make me feel like I'm in some kind of novel…
Langst continued, "And of course, you cannot go to your homes at all. If you do, you'll be expelled. As for food and the rest, rely on yourselves. You may split into only two teams—more than that will cause the split class to be dismissed. Now, go."
Everyone was silent like the forest surrounding us, looking at each other. Truly, what are you supposed to do in a situation like this?
We started moving together for about an hour until someone appeared—someone we did not expect. Someone I thought I'd never see again in my life: Yarasou. And with him, a strange girl we didn't know.
"Hello," he said with a calm smile.
His hair was black with a hint of brown. His pupils were blue… but not like Sai's. Yarasou's eyes were blue like ice, with its clarity and coldness. His eyes were sharp yet calm at the same time. He was as tall as teacher Langst, about 190 cm.
A body you might think is weak but carries overwhelming strength. A medium-built body yet bearing huge muscle mass. Dark blue clothes bordering on purple with a noble character—and indeed, Yarasou is from the noble Vitalis family.
"What are you doing here, old man?" Sai commented.
If he's an old man, then I'm a corpse…
"I'm in my twenties…"
Neron Ryum stepped forward and said, "The high director of the kingdom's academies, is there something you need from us?"
"Learn some manners from him. Anyway, I want to take you with me. You'll undergo training like you've never seen before. Training that will make you fifty times stronger."
First Langst gives us an unbelievable piece of news, and now Yarasou… Were they planning this?
Two students from Class A objected—Arkan and Seron.
"The professor said we could split into two teams, so I'm not going," said Seron, and Arkan immediately agreed, "Neither am I."
The woman standing beside Yarasou opened a portal, and then Yarasou spoke
"As you wish. You are now mere side characters in the story of this world."
What a sarcastic comment. He didn't even ask us if we agreed or not. What confidence.
We stepped forward to enter, but Neron, Karez, Garin, and Kyotai hesitated for a moment, as if analyzing the situation carefully. In the end, they entered with us.
As soon as we exited, Yarasou said, "I'm here, Rivan."
A man stood in the middle of a dirt clearing surrounded by trees. Tall, and his face wasn't visible because of the straw hat he's wearing, but i could feel his eyes, piercing, as if evaluating each of us since our birth.
"I thought you'd be late," he said while looking at Yarasou. "So, these are the students?"
"Yes," Yarasou replied confidently.
I turned to Sai and whispered, "Who is that?"
Before he could reply, Yarasou said in his usual tone, "This is your trainer. But no one must know about this training... not even the academy."
Beatrix folded her arms and said in a somewhat tense tone, "I'm starting to think you're going to kill us."
Mary joined the conversation with that quiet seriousness, "Are you guys villains?"
Sai laughed lightly and said, "Could be."
I said sarcastically, "Do you think a villain would admit he's a villain?"
But Brika's voice interrupted us all "shut up..."
Yarasou, still wearing his calm smile, said in a sharp tone, "If we wanted to kill you, you'd already be dead."
Zalen, as usual, responded with a sarcastic comment: "Good news…"
Kani asked, "Now what?"
Yarasou pointed to the mysterious man and said, "Rivan is the one who will explain."
Rivan took a step forward. His voice was calm, but it carried a strange power.
"It's simple. In this world, there are many combat styles, but nine of them are considered the most common: hand-to-hand, feet, claws, sword, dual swords, bisephar, daggers, bow, and spear. Of course, there are more, but they're rare—either because they're difficult or because they don't suit everyone.
Today… each of you will choose a combat style to train in. Even if you've never used that weapon before… we'll teach you from scratch."
I looked around. Most of the faces were amazed, some were stunned. And of course, I was amazed like them, but I didn't feel the intense excitement that showed on some of their faces.
"This… is really great," said Sai, unable to hide his smile.
Damian muttered as he put his hand on his chin, "Combat styles… interesting."
Even Garin, who's usually silent, asked, "I wonder what their benefit is."
"You'll find out soon," Rivan replied.
Itor raised his hand, "Excuse me… what is the bisephar?"
Garin answered instead of Rivan, in his usual quiet voice, "A sword with two blades… like the one I have."
I nodded and took a step forward, "Alright then… when do we start?"
But Yarasou, as usual, changed everything in an instant.
"Leo… come with me."
I froze in place, "Huh? Me alone?"
"Yes. I'll be your trainer."
"Why?"
He simply said, "You'll see."
I didn't know if this was good or bad, but Kinto commented,
"It's good—you won't be around to annoy me."
"Shut up!" I shouted at him, and he smiled mockingly. I pray the gods make him swallow his own venom!
"Leo will return after two months," said Yarasou after Fyorai opened a portal.
"You must finish your training within this period."
"Alright!" everyone replied in unison.
I entered with him. Behind me, the gate closed.
Yarasou's house was a small wooden home, old-looking, but firmly standing in place amidst this calm land. There were no nearby houses, nor any sign of life besides us.
"Pay attention to what I'm going to say," he said as he opened the door. "Your room is on the second floor, next to the dressing room. The kitchen is to your left, and the bathroom is at the end of the house. Got it?"
"Yes…" I mumbled. I was still thinking about the more important question… why am I alone?
"Now, follow me. We're going to the basement."
"Huh? Are we fixing water pipes?"
"No… just follow me."
We descended the wooden stairs downward. The basement was dark at first, then a small light lit up the place.
Yarasou opened a side door in the stone wall. Behind it… a vast space, a massive underground hall, unbelievably wide.
I stood at the entrance, staring in awe. "This… this is the size of my village. No, even bigger."
"Really?"
"Yes… why do you even own such a space?"
He walked ahead of me as he answered, "I used to train here years ago. Or hide… from certain people."
I raised my eyebrows. "Who?"
"No names."
"Okay… but, did you really need all this space just for training?"
"Yes. That's why my house is in an isolated area. I need a place like this."
I walked toward him, my curiosity not allowing me to stay silent. "What is your ability? What kind of ability requires such a size?"
He turned, looked at me for a moment, then said, "My ability… is ice."
"Ice? Do you really need all this for that?"
He answered in a firm tone. "Many abilities are powerful, but they lack a strong user."
I nodded silently. I started to understand.
He finally said, "Now… let's begin."
---
Rivan's House – Basement
Rivan gently pushed the door open, revealing utter darkness where nothing could be seen. He stood at the threshold and turned to those behind him, saying, "Come on, enter."
With cautious steps, Rivan and the students entered one after another. As soon as the last foot stepped inside the room, the candles hanging on the cold stone walls ignited, lighting a long corridor sloping underground.
The group stood silently, before Karez broke the silence with a question, "What is this place?"
"Your training ground," Rivan replied confidently, then raised his hand in front of them.
In an instant, nine stone doors opened before them, each door pulsing with a mysterious aura.
"Each door leads to a trainer specialized in a different combat style. You will not leave until you master the style completely. Now… choose."
A short silence filled the place.
"We won't leave?" Sai murmured doubtfully.
"We're definitely going to get kidnapped…" said Mary as she looked around nervously.
"If they wanted to kidnap us, it would've been over the moment we entered," Neron replied simply.
Mary looked at him in surprise.
"You're right… what's your name again?"
"Neron."
One by one, they began to choose
Kinto chose the dagger style.
Garin chose the Bisephar style.
Sai, Kano, Arian, and Zalen chose the hand-to-hand combat style.
Neron and Kyotai chose the sword style.
Mary and Kani chose the bow style.
Damian chose the claw style.
Brika and Kaiser chose the spear style.
Itor and Hakan chose the foot-fighting style.
Rivan turned to those remaining. "And you two?"
Beatrix asked calmly, "Is there training for weapons that support abilities?"
"Of course," Rivan answered, then looked at Karez.
"I think I need to develop my ability first," said Karez.
"Alright, you two will stay with me. As for the rest… enter."
Everyone went through their doors, each according to their choice, and their voices gradually faded into the dark corridors.
---
Yarasou's House – Training Arena
I stood in front of Yarasou, my sword, Lin, wrapped in darkness, in my hand.
"What are your techniques?" Yarasou asked as he watched my movement.
"I don't have many. I can shape things, and the strongest one is a small dragon I made and named Beatless. Sometimes, I also wrap my hand or sword in darkness."
"I mean combat techniques for your ability…"
"Ah, I have only two: Gravity Point and Black Hole. I developed them at the academy."
"Show me."
I focused, and darkness covered my hand, from which dark threads emerged, pulling everything around them.
"This is Gravity Point," I said confidently. I developed it myself, of course I'd be confident and proud!
"Excellent. And the other?"
Darkness flowed from my feet, forming a black aura on the ground.
"The Black Hole. It prevents anyone in its range from moving."
Yarasou shook his head.
"Supportive techniques, but they don't cause direct damage. Don't you have anything offensive?"
I hesitated for a moment. "I have one. I launch a dark beam that erases everything in front of it. As long as my Shinta is strong enough, nothing will survive. But it drains me to the point where I need two days of rest."
Yarasou chuckled and said cheerfully, "You reminded me of a technique I have—when I use it, no living thing survives it, but I won't survive either. Let's leave that for now. What about defensive techniques?"
"I don't think I have anything defensive."
Yarasou sighed, "Alright, we'll start from here. We'll work on developing offensive and defensive techniques."
I smiled, as if a burden had been lifted from my chest. "That's exactly what I need."
---
The Nine Corridors – Training Rooms
Hand-to-Hand Combat Room
Sai, Zalen, Kano, and Arian entered a room with a sandy floor and stone walls. Inside stood a young man with calm features who said, "I am One. Welcome."
"Is that your school rank?" Sai asked hesitantly.
"No, it's my name."
"Oh, sorry..." Sai muttered.
Arian asked curiously, "Are all the trainers' names numbers?"
"Yes. Let's get to our main topic now. The hand-to-hand combat style doesn't rely solely on physical strength… You need the agility of assassins, without being assassins."
Foot combat style Room
"Your name is Two?" Hakan asked.
Claws Room
"An honor to meet you, Three." Damian said.
Sword Room
"Two months will be enough for me to learn the basics and the sword style."
Niron, who had already mastered the sword basics, said nothing.
Number Four said, "Two months only? People need years... But if you're confident, let's see what you've got."
Bisephar Room
"Six? A unique name." said Garin, smiling.
Daggers Room
"Seven? That number reminds me of someone." said Kinto, Looking at the door after it.
Bow Room
"Eight, huh?" said Mary
Kani, nervously "I hope we don't actually get kidnapped…"
Eight, with a faint smile "I won't kidnap you…"
Spear Room
"Nine? Does that mean you're the weakest?" Brika said, Placing her hand on her waist.
"No, the numbers don't represent our strength." said Nine after wielding his spear confidently.
---
Rivan's House – Backyard
Rivan, Fyorai, Karez, and Beatrix walked out into an open dirt arena surrounded by trees on three sides.
Karez, looking around, said, "We're going to train here?"
Beatrix, with a smile: "A suitable place."
Rivan said firmly, "Let's begin training!"
Karez stood in the center of the arena, a hint of hesitation on his face, as specks of dust swirled around him.
Karez said in a mysterious tone, "Even though my ability is magnetism… sometimes it feels like it behaves differently."
Rivan approached him, "Magnetism? A great ability. Is your Shinta level not good enough to control it fully?"
Karez slowly shook his head, frowning, "No… I can use it well, but sometimes it doesn't feel like just magnetism."
Rivan nodded silently, his face reflecting some puzzlement.
Near the other end of the arena, Beatrix was preparing her weapons that support her ability.
Fyorai looked at her, smiling, "Your ability is wind, so it should be easy to use."
Beatrix replied, lowering her eyes toward the weapon,
"I know… I use it easily, but I don't know how to use it offensively. I learned a little from Damian, since he has the same ability, but what I learned isn't enough."
Fyorai laughed and teasingly said, "Do you read comics?"
Beatrix raised her head excitedly, "Yes!"
"Why don't you try imitating the techniques comic characters use? Your problem isn't power—it's imagination."
Beatrix smiled in surprise, "Great idea!"
---
Yarasou's House – Evening
Yarasou said as he watched me, "Your ability opens many doors for you… offense, defense, support… But I assume it weakens during the day or in bright places."
I nodded, "Yes, it does."
"That means your best combat environment is dark places or nighttime."
I answered confidently, "Moreover, I can see in the dark."
Yarasou smiled, "An advantage that gives you full superiority in the dark." But then he said seriously, "But it's hard to force someone to fight in the dark."
I replied with determination, "I'll finish my Shinta training within one week."
Yarasou smiled with mocking admiration, "Your confidence is high."
"Of course."
---
Limitless Academy – Monitoring Room
Langst opened the room's door quietly, while Griff sluggishly walked out from exhaustion.
Langst said, "Go to sleep, I'll take over now."
He sat in front of the magic crystal that reflected faint images of the student's locations, and inhaled deeply. Night had begun to envelop the academy in its stillness, but what he saw was not reassuring.
Langst thought, "They went west? It seems they've already crossed the kingdom's borders… and Seron and Arkan haven't returned with them yet… wait…"
Langst focused his gaze on the crystal. "Griff isn't skilled at sensing Shinta… but I am. The Shinta emitted by the students is too weak… Don't tell me Yarasou is the one who did this!"
He stood up immediately and contacted Elizabeth to come and take his place in monitoring, then left the academy heading to a place he knew well.
---
Yarasou's House – Twenty Minutes Later
Yarasou felt a familiar Shinta energy in front of his house, so he stood up and said to Leo, "I'll be back shortly."
Leo replied in surprise, "Alright?"
Yarasou opened the door to find Langst standing there, worry filling his face.
"Yarasou!" Langst said.
Yarasou replied calmly, "I was expecting your arrival, to be honest."
Langst stepped closer, "What exactly are you doing?"
Yarasou answered without hesitation, "I took the students to Rivan to train them, and as for Leo… I'm training him myself."
Langst said "You're lucky that Griff can't sense Shinta clearly."
Yarasou gave a slight smile, "That's why I took them easily."
Langst's tone changed slightly, "Leo is still a student, don't say anything serious to him yet."
Yarasou raised his eyebrows and said confidently, "Do you think I'm stupid, my old friend?"