Encounter 28: slow days
The battle was over—but the ripples it left behind were just beginning.
---
Main Camp — 30 Minutes After the Drake Battle
Medical tents were buzzing. Injured students were being stabilized with healing spells and potions. The rest sat on logs or crates, rehydrating, whispering about the fight.
But all eyes kept drifting to one figure:
Rolien Edric.
He sat quietly, coat still tattered, left arm limp after the second launch of Punching Line. A few engineers hovered nearby, offering to help with adjustments, but he waved them off.
Sophia stood nearby, arms crossed, protective and amused.
> "You know you've officially broken the upperclassmen, right?" she muttered.
"They keep trying to find your name on last year's records."
Rolien tilted his head lazily. "Tell them to check the janitor logs. I was probably cleaning back then."
That earned a short laugh from her.
---
Elsewhere… inside a shadowy tent near the forest line
Luke sat across from the stranger who'd appeared after the battle.
The cloaked man's face was still hidden beneath a low hood. But his voice was smooth. Charismatic.
> "You saw what they saw. A prodigy. A golden boy. The professors fawning over him already. You don't want to be another nameless face, do you?"
Luke's jaw was clenched. "What do you want?"
The man chuckled. "I want what you want. Recognition. Power. Revenge."
He placed a black ring on the table. The inside of it pulsed faintly with runes—forbidden runes.
> "Wear this. And I'll make sure next time it's you they fear."
Luke stared at it.
And for the first time…
He didn't look away.
---
Instructor Briefing Room, Command Tent
Professor Elric stood silently before the battlefield projection.
The drake's corpse. The destruction. The movement analysis. The clean, surgical way the beast had been dismantled.
All done by one first-year.
And that first-year? Wasn't using any magic.
No spells. No chants. No circles.
Just force—raw, bone-breaking, tendon-snapping force.
Mendell finally broke the silence.
> "That wasn't luck. That was design."
Elric's brow furrowed. "There's no sign of mana output from him. Not even residual. He's not suppressing it… He simply doesn't have any."
Ordan, the oldest of the three, shifted uncomfortably. He had seen a lot in his time—but this?
He leaned forward, voice low.
> "You know who else didn't have mana?"
The room quieted.
> "The Iron Phantom. The first Warden of the East. They said he moved like a demon—stronger, faster than any mage, and immune to enchantments. Could crush golems barehanded."
Mendell's eyes widened slightly. "You mean... the Heavenly Body?"
Ordan nodded. "It's not a gift. It's a curse. Born without mana—but with a body that defies natural law. Muscles that don't tear. Reflexes that warp instinct. Pain means nothing. Wounds close like steam vanishing."
He turned back to the crystal showing Rolien still calmly adjusting the screws on his arm.
> "It's supposed to be impossible now. The last confirmed bearer of the Heavenly Body was the current Emperor, and that was nearly forty years ago."
Elric murmured, "And the scroll that taught control over that body was sealed in the imperial vault. No one outside the royal family has access…"
They all turned to the screen again.
Mendell said what they were all thinking.
> "So how the hell does a first-year have it?"
Elric looked grim.
> "Because he's not just a first-year. He's the youngest son of Grand Duke Edric."
Ordan exhaled sharply. "And trained by Sir Marcellus… The last swordsman to walk beside the Emperor in war."
---
Back at the camp, a few upperclassmen huddled around the fire, whispering as they watched Rolien from afar.
> "I heard stories… about a warrior like that. The one they called The Iron Phantom."
"Said he never used magic. Didn't need it. Punched through steel, walked through flame."
"You think that guy was real?"
"I think he just walked past us carrying a broken arm like it was nothing."
Sophia overheard them and smirked quietly.
She didn't correct them.
She just let them wonder.
[Late Night – Luke Arcadia's Tent]
The ring gleamed in the pale moonlight, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat.
Luke stared at it for a long time, fingers trembling.
Then—he slipped it on.
The moment he did, a rush of cold air wrapped around him. Shadows clung to his skin like ink soaking into fabric. His veins darkened for a moment, and something ancient stirred inside him.
> "Let's see how long that 'Heavenly Body' of his holds up," he muttered under his breath.
---
[Next Morning – Academy Courtyard]
The students had returned early by sky-carriage. Morning fog still lingered, dew coating the grass. But the courtyard was anything but quiet.
Groups of students leaned against walls, benches, and stairwells, buzzing with excitement, gossip, and wild speculation.
> "Did you hear? That guy with no mana took down the drake alone."
"You mean Rolien Edric? The Grand Duke's youngest?"
"They say he's the reincarnation of the Iron Phantom—you know, the one from the border legends."
"No way. That guy's real?"
"What if he's the next Emperor?"
Rolien passed them, hands in his pockets, a tired look on his face.
> "Iron what?" he muttered. "What am I now, Iron Fist? Are they reading comic books?"
Behind him, Sophia let out a soft giggle.
> "Just ignore them, hihi."
He gave her a flat look. "What's so funny, Third Princess?"
She smiled sweetly, walking ahead. "Nothing. I'm just happy that everyone finally recognizes my fiancé~"
> "...Fiancé?" he blinked. "What? Hey—who said I agreed?! Hey—oi! I invoke my rights! I have rights!"
But she was already skipping ahead, waving to the crowd like a royal celebrity.
---
[Later – Mana Manipulation Class]
While the other students focused on refining their spell circles and mana control techniques, Rolien sat cross-legged on the back bench, far from any magical devices.
He wasn't here for the class. He was here for the loot.
He opened his item box with a mental command.
[A+ Rank Drake Core – Obtained]
[Molten Fang x3 – Obtained]
[Charred Scale (High Durability) x8 – Obtained]
[Drake's Heartflame – Sealed Item]
[Skill Blueprint: "Burst Vault Step" – Locked]
[System Alert: Core Absorption possible. Spirit Core Evolution Threshold reached.]
Rolien tapped the side of his prosthetic arm, and a faint interface flickered to life just under his sleeve.
> "So if I absorb this core… it'll refine my spirit node and unlock new blueprints."
He paused, watching the swirling flame inside the orb.
> "...But I gotta do it slow. Too much at once and I could blow the entire spirit circuit open."
He began the process gently—pressing the orb to his palm and channeling the absorption through a tiny valve in his arm.
A low hum resonated through his bones.
---
System Alert:
> ✅ Partial Absorption Complete
🔓 New Skill Unlocked: "Burst Vault Step"
🔓 Weapon Blueprint Available: Drake Spine Blade [Prototype]
🔄 Spirit Pressure Capacity Increased
⚠ Evolution to Spirit Tier II – Pending Stabilization
---
Rolien smirked faintly to himself. "Now that's a reward."
He didn't need to be the Iron Phantom.
He was just getting started.
Academy Drill Grounds – Noon
The sun hung high, casting sharp shadows across the dirt-packed field. The arena was shaped like a coliseum, lined with enchanted pillars that could shift the terrain at will. Dozens of students gathered on the bleachers, whispering with anticipation.
At the center, a wide platform glowed with runes.
A magical voice echoed through the grounds:
> "Today's training evaluation will include personal combat performance, tactical coordination, and mock battle ranking. Points will contribute toward end-of-semester ranking and squad placement."
Professor Elric stood beside a board etched with names. Students were already split into units.
Sophia waved lazily from her group, clearly at ease.
Rolien stretched his shoulder slowly, feeling the new spirit flow settle in. The Drake Core had enhanced his natural pressure by at least 15%, and more importantly—it unlocked "Burst Vault Step," a short-distance dash combined with a heavy boost to impact force.
> "Still calibrating?" Sophia asked, walking up beside him.
"More or less. The punchy part's fine. The landing part… still sucks."
She snorted. "At least warn me before you turn into a missile next time."
---
Match 1 – Mock Duel Evaluation
Rolien's name flashed onto the board. His opponent? Ryder Cael, a well-known 3rd-year swordsman and elemental user. Fire-type. Ranked #18 in the Academy's junior division.
As Rolien stepped onto the arena floor, students leaned in.
> "That's the guy from the drake incident."
"You think he can fight someone with real combat magic?"
"Ryder's a ranked duelist. He's not gonna lose to some no-mana upstart."
Professor Elric raised his hand.
> "No killing blows. First to surrender or leave the ring loses."
Then dropped it.
> "Begin."
Ryder dashed forward, blade igniting mid-stride.
> "Don't think your luck's gonna carry you here, rookie!"
Rolien didn't respond. He side-stepped cleanly, letting the blade pass an inch from his chest.
Whoosh.
A normal student would've been caught in the afterburn. Rolien? Already behind Ryder before the flame died.
Boom!
A single palm strike to the back of the ribs sent Ryder tumbling.
He recovered fast, blasting a wall of flame to create distance.
> "I'm not done!"
He launched a barrage—sword slashes infused with magic, heatwaves warping the air.
Rolien ducked under the first, let the second graze his jacket, then—
Skill: Burst Vault Step
He vanished in a blink—no mana, no chant, just pure pressure and movement.
Ryder's eyes widened.
> "Wha—?!"
CRACK!
Rolien's prosthetic arm hit him square in the chest, absorbing shock through the plates, sending him flying out of the ring.
> "Winner: Rolien Edric."
Dead silence.
Then:
> "...Was that spirit movement?"
"He moved like a shadow—he doesn't even have mana!"
"That's not just physical strength. That's something else."
Up in the stands, a few of the professors exchanged glances.
Mendell whispered, "He's adjusting to that core already?"
Elric replied, "Faster than expected. And that new dash? I don't see any casting marks. He's inventing his own rhythm."
---
Back in the waiting zone
Sophia met him with a raised brow. "Show-off."
Rolien just shrugged. "He swung too wide. Rookie mistake."
"I liked the Boom! part."
"You say that every time I hit someone."
She smiled. "Yeah. It never gets old." But Rolien sigh.and both Leto and Mira raise an eye brow.
" Well. Remember we had a group mock dual after this. I'm tire already just by thinking of it"
And both of his teammates laugh.
"How about we go to canteen first before going to the mock duel?" Sophia asked. And both of them nodded.
Few minutes later after eating they waited and watch few of team duel some are exiting but some are boring then the professor call they're team.
The mana-forged battlefield shimmered beneath the midday sun. The terrain was shifting—trees, stone pillars, and arcane ruins emerging from the earth in real time. The crowd of students lining the arena grew louder with each passing moment.
High above, instructors sat with their eyes narrowed, waiting.
> "Next match—Squad 12 versus Squad 3!
Squad-to-squad live evaluation. Non-lethal wards in effect. Full marks awarded for coordination, technique, and control!"
The crowd was still buzzing as Squad 12 exited the arena.
Rolien sheathed his blade with a clean click, walking with the others toward the holding area where the other cadets were regrouping. Sophia was basking in the attention. Leto stayed quiet as ever, while Mira wiped her bow down in satisfaction.
Rolien, though?
He heard a faint chime—only in his mind.
A cold, sterile tone.
---
> [System Alert]
🔔 Mission Complete: "Silence the Loudmouths"
Objective: Defeat a squad of ranked upperclassmen in formal combat.
Bonus: Deliver critical blows using unique sword styles.
Performance: [A+]
Style: [Unknown Technique – Flagged for Archive Study]
———
Reward:
✅ EXP Gained: 18,400
✅ Bonus EXP for Skill Diversity: +4,000
✅ Public Reputation Increased (Academy: Moderate)
✅ Level Up!
✅ Level Up!
Current Level: 31
———
Additional Reward Unlocked:
🟦 Blueprint Discovered: "Kinetic Shear Blade"
🔹 Description: A high-frequency sword designed to vibrate spirit pressure through armored opponents. Compatible with drake core resonance.
🟨 Trait Awakening Threshold: 82% Reached
[Trait: "Spirit Architect"] – Passive awakening imminent…
---
Rolien blinked.
He hadn't even realized how fast his movements had grown—how much more fluid the katana felt in his hand, how quickly his body was syncing with the internal spirit pressure flow.
He looked down at his prosthetic arm.
> "Kinetic Shear blade huh? This is fun!" he mumurs
Squad 12 entered the field with familiar ease.
Rolien, calm as ever, coat flapping lightly behind him.
Sophia, already stretching like this was just a morning warm-up.
Mira, bow resting at her back, scanning the terrain with practiced eyes.
Leto, tall, sharp-eyed, spear user with controlled footwork and a tank's presence.
They moved like a unit—not just a collection of classmates. These were the same cadets who'd survived an incursion, who'd held the line against an A+ drake. They didn't need words to sync.
Their opponents, Squad 3, were cocky upperclassmen—third-years, known for bullying the younger teams during drills.
Their leader, a red-haired longsword duelist named Rance, grinned arrogantly as his squad lined up across from them.
> "Well, well, if it isn't the drake brats."
"Let's see if you're as good without a dragon to kill."
Sophia just yawned.
Rolien? He drew a slim, reverse-gripped katana and muttered under his breath, "Hope they're better at this than at talking."
---
Combat Start.
The horn sounded—and the field exploded into motion.
Mira instantly climbed to higher ground, letting fly a volley of arrows to suppress their spellcaster. Leto locked weapons with Squad 3's tank, his spear twisting with efficient strikes and controlled momentum.
Sophia intercepted the dual-dagger rogue mid-rush, dancing through a sharp exchange of blows.
That left Rance charging toward Rolien with fire-laced fury in his eyes.
> "You think just 'cause you beat a beast you're worth anything in a real duel?"
He struck fast. Good form. Controlled power.
But predictable.
Rolien ducked the first arc, pivoted sharply.
> Technique: Saber Feint.
A deliberately wide horizontal slash—bait.
Rance moved to intercept high—just as Rolien rotated low.
> Technique: Zwerchau.
A sudden low horizontal slice—precise, unorthodox, from an angle no local swordsman would think to use.
It clipped Rance's side and knocked him off stance.
Before he could recover—
> Katana Quick Slash.
A fluid, almost lazy flick from the sheath to his shoulder—stopping just shy of skin.
Duel ward shimmered. Score registered.
Rance staggered back, wide-eyed.
> "W-Where'd you learn that?!"
Rolien didn't even change his posture. "You react like a textbook."
---
Above the field
The professors leaned in, confused.
> "That wasn't an Empire technique."
"I've never seen that footwork. Not even among the Eastern Sects."
"It's like… like he's cutting from angles we don't train for."
Mendell muttered, "Where in the hell did Sir Marcellus find this kid?"
---
Three Minutes Later
Squad 3 was down. One by one, clean takedowns. No excess force. No showboating.
Squad 12 stood victorious. Calm. Untouched.
> "Match complete—Squad 12 wins."
The crowd broke into whispers and stunned silence.
> "They didn't even struggle."
"Leto was stonewalling like a champ."
"And Rolien—what kind of swordsman even moves like that?"
---
Back in the squad zone
Sophia walked up with her usual smirk. "You didn't trip over your ego. I'm proud."
Rolien slid his katana back into its sheath. "He left his guard wide open. Rookie mistake."
Mira gave a thumbs-up from a distance, and Leto just nodded once, sweat dripping from his chin.
> "Clean teamwork," he said, not even winded.
> "Yeah," Rolien muttered. "Too clean. They weren't expecting a real fight."
As Rolien sat on a bench just outside the arena, quietly rotating his shoulder and inspecting the scuff on his katana sheath, the familiar hum rang softly in his mind.
> [DING!]
[SYSTEM UPDATE – MISSION COMPLETE]
---
✅ Mission: Silence the Loudmouths
Type: Combat (Ranked Evaluation)
Difficulty: B-Rank (Dynamic Adjustment based on target level)
> Objectives Completed:
– Defeat Squad 3 (Upperclassmen)
– Maintain team integrity (All allies unharmed)
– Deliver final blows using original sword techniques
– Style Bonus: "Earth-Origin Blade Forms" [UNREGISTERED]
---
> Performance Grade: A+
Battlefield Efficiency: 92%
Tactical Score: 81%
Recognition Bonus: + Moderate Influence (Academy Public Opinion Shift)
---
📈 Rewards:
EXP Gained: +18,400
Technique Bonus: +4,000
Style Multiplier (Non-Mana Combat): x1.2
[Level Up!] → Level 30
[Level Up!] → Level 31
---
🎖️ Additional Rewards:
> 🟦 Blueprint Unlocked: "Kinetic Shear Blade"
– Type: Prototype Weapon
– Description: A compact vibrational blade designed to pulse high-frequency spirit pressure through armor and scale.
– Status: Compatible with prosthetic arm socket interface.
– Crafting Requirements: 1x Drake Core, 3x Molten Fang, 5x Tempered Alloy
> 🟨 Trait Progression Update:
– Trait: "Spirit Architect" (Passive Development)
– Progress: 82%
– Note: Trait Awakening conditions nearing threshold.
– "Awakens upon real-time adaptation in battlefield synthesis."
---
Rolien exhaled slowly, letting the system feed fade into the back of his mind.
He tapped his prosthetic arm lightly, then his fingers curled. The interface blinked once beneath the metal skin.
> "Spirit Architect… Kinetic Shear Blade… Guess the system wants me building things again."
"You ....looked happy?" Sophia asked
Two Days Later – Vangarth Academy
The chaos of mock battles had passed. No more sword clashes. No system alerts ringing in his head. Just the simple rhythm of chalk tapping on boards and pages rustling as students frantically scribbled notes.
The campus had returned to its routine—sort of.
> "Hey, hey, is that him?"
"That's Squad 12, right?"
"I heard he used no magic and still flattened third-years…"
"They're calling him the Iron Phantom now."
Rolien sat under a tree beside the central fountain, reading through a worn field repair manual. A cooling drink rested beside him, untouched. The sun filtered through the canopy, flickering across the pages like rippling glass.
Nearby, Sophia rested on a bench, sipping from a bottle of cold tea with both legs stretched like a noble lounging on her throne.
> "You're really gonna study? After getting two levels in a day?" she asked, lazily tossing a pebble into the water.
> "You still flinch when your spirit ring jams mid-cast," Rolien replied. "I don't want that happening to my blade."
> "Tch. Killjoy."
Mira and Leto were a few meters away on the grass, quietly eating lunch and comparing rune diagrams. Life was normal.
Almost too normal.
---
Later That Day – Cafeteria, 2nd Floor Balcony
The afternoon haze had turned golden as Rolien pushed his tray aside and leaned against the railing. The gentle buzz of students filled the air. Some nodded respectfully as they passed. Others avoided eye contact entirely.
He didn't care either way.
Then a uniformed aide approached, quietly.
> "Cadet Rolien Edric?"
Rolien looked up, chewing.
> "Yeah?"
> "You've been requested to report immediately to Tower 4, conference room Sigma. The guest says it's urgent."
> "Guest?"
> "He didn't give a name. But the headmaster approved it personally."
Rolien narrowed his eyes slightly. That wasn't standard protocol.
He stood, brushing off crumbs, and glanced toward Sophia and the others.
> "I'll be back."
> "Want me to follow?" Sophia asked, suddenly alert.
> "No. It's probably just some noble nonsense."
He walked through the halls alone, hands in his pockets. Quiet. Calm. Like always.
---
Tower 4 – Conference Room Sigma
The door was slightly ajar, like it had been left open on purpose.
He stepped inside, boots quiet on the polished floor.
At the far end of the room stood a man.
Tall. Composed. Gray cloak. Back turned. Hands clasped behind him. His presence wasn't loud—but it commanded the space.
Rolien took one more step.
The man turned—
And the door behind Rolien clicked shut.
> Fade to black.
---
TO BE CONTINUED...