The morning arrived, dreary and damp. I awoke with a sigh, my limbs feeling heavy and my joints stiff.
The training from the previous night lingered on me — hours dedicated to enhancing the harmony between my soul and body, pushing myself until my breath was labored and my mana flickered.
Yet, little had changed.
'I wish there was a more effective way to assess my progress,' I murmured quietly.
A pale-blue window materialized above my hand, casting a gentle glow in the dim room.
—〔Arthur Caelum / Arthur Valen〕—
Soul Level: 89 〔Tier 8 Arch-Mage〕[Partially Locked]
Body Level: 13〔Tier 1 Mage〕
Soul-Body Synchronization: 48%
Health: 132 / 200
Mana: 641 / 900
Profession: Arcane Scholar
﹂ Specialization: Elementalist
﹂ Branch Affinities:
・Primary: Fire
・Secondary: Wind
・Tertiary: Echo, Spatial (Locked), Aether (Dormant)
Known Spells:
・Flare Bolt 〔Fire – Beginner〕
・Windstep 〔Wind – Movement Technique〕
・Mana Needle 〔Neutral – Basic Precision〕
・Barrier Weave 〔Defensive – Surface Layer〕
・Pulse Flare 〔Fire – Intermediate Blast〕
Skills:
・Mana Flow Analysis – Detect and analyze mana flows in real-time
・Reaction Weave – Enhances limb synchronization with casting intention
・Focus Breathing – Regulates spellcasting rhythm and stabilizes mana turbulence
・Dual Cast – Once per day, instantly replicate the last cast spell without cost 〔Cooldown: 24h〕
・Arcane Reconstruction – 〔Locked〕
・Wind Chain – 〔Locked〕
・??? (Unawakened Skill – Tower of Final Rites)
Innate Traits:
・Combat Insight – Grants real-time predictive edge in combat maneuvers
・Dual Resonance – Harmonizes soul affinity with elemental fields for multi-type casting
・Residual Instinct – Remnants of Valen's habits influence reactions and battle posture
———————————————————
'...What on earth?' I gazed at the display, astonished. So much potential lay hidden within — this body possessed extraordinary capabilities, even if much of it remained sealed behind barriers I had yet to breach. Spatial and Aether.
Affinities that most mages only dared to speak of.
It appears this interface—
[Please refer to me as the System.]
...
Very well... It seems this 'System' can reveal a person's future potential... I wonder what else it is capable of... Naturally.
But pondering could wait.
Today, the fissure teams were to be announced, and all students were instructed to assemble at the open field adjacent to the academy's peach garden.
...
The students assembled just outside the peach orchard. Morning dew clung to the neatly trimmed grass, and a light fog still hovered in the low areas of the field. A gentle breeze stirred the pink blossoms above.
Professor Halwen faced the group, his expression weary yet resolute. "You will be placed into fissure investigation teams according to your midterm scores, resonance compatibility, and your demonstrated judgment during practical exercises. These are not combat missions. Your safety is our utmost concern—act accordingly."
He activated a panel, causing floating glyphs to form into luminous banners in the air.
Team 1: Arthur Valen, Lira Vintelle, Enzo Marek, Sevia Kolt
Team 2: ...
Team 3: ...
"Team 1 is to report to Instructor Dren immediately after this assembly," Halwen instructed before departing, leaving the field to the assistants.
Arthur squinted at the banner, his eyebrows lifting as he noticed the first name next to his—Lira Vintelle. Before he could look around, a voice interrupted him.
"You're the soul desync guy, right?"
He turned to see a girl with sharp gray eyes and cropped white-blonde hair loosely tied with a velvet string.
Her expression was not mocking, merely Blunt.
"...Yeah. That's me," Arthur replied.
She extended her hand. "Lira. Try not to stumble during casting today."
Arthur blinked, taken aback by her dry humor. He shook her hand nonetheless. "Arthur. I'll do my best."
As they merged with the rest of Team 1, a realization struck him. That calm, focused demeanor… he recognized her now.
She was the one from the Mana Fold Resonance Test—the girl who had remained unfazed even as the energy warped around her. While others wavered, she stood with her eyes closed, as if attuned to a distant melody only she could perceive.
Arthur glanced at her again. She reminded him of someone.
...
The tent was alive with whispers and the sound of rustling parchment as each group gathered in their designated areas. In the center, a floating map projection displayed color-coded paths.
Instructor Dren pointed with a conjured pointer. "The goal is straightforward: reach the checkpoint labeled Point Sigma. You have six hours. Be aware that the terrain may change, and mild spatial distortions are anticipated."
Arthur leaned in, his brow furrowed. "Do we have any information on what lies between us and the checkpoint?"
"Mana disruptions, unstable platforms, and possibly low-tier echoes—none of which should pose a fatal threat," Dren responded. "However, don't let your guard down. Survival is the top priority."
Lira tilted her head. "What are the consequences if we don't make it?"
"You will fail the field assessment," the instructor replied bluntly. "But that's preferable to sustaining a broken rib or worse."
Enzo scoffed nearby. "They always say that, but we know they're evaluating us on style."
Sevia adjusted her gloves. "Let's put on a show that impresses and keeps us safe."
...
Each student stood by a supply table, collecting necessary items. Arthur tested the elasticity of his spell-thread gloves, while Lira examined a set of thin, rune-etched plates.
Enzo tossed a mana stim vial in the air. "So, who's taking charge in there?"
Sevia pointed to Lira. "I nominate the calm one."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Wait, why her?"
"Because she remained composed during the resonance test," Sevia explained. "That level of calm is significant. You, no offense, looked like a marionette with its strings ablaze."
Arthur rolled his eyes. "None taken."
Lira simply stated, "I'm fine with leading, but only if we all agree to listen to one another. No lone heroes."
Enzo clicked his tongue. "Fine, just don't hold us back with too much democracy."
The fissure pulsed like a tear stitched with light and shadow, surrounded by humming crystal shards.
Team 1 stood just outside the entry barrier, observing the wind ripple across the landscape.
Arthur adjusted his bag. "Once we enter, we can't depend on direct signals. The mana threads will become tangled."
"Then let's pair up," Lira proposed. "Arthur and I will team up, while Sevia partners with Enzo. We should move in a square formation and only communicate when absolutely necessary."
Sevia agreed. "Keep in mind that the fissure mimics thoughts. Avoid lingering on fear or memories. Maintain a clear intent."
Arthur took a deep breath. 'Easier said than done,' he thought, but he focused himself. He was no longer the person he used to be.
"Are we ready?" Lira inquired.
"Born for this," Enzo replied with a grin.
"Let's proceed," Arthur commanded.
With that, they ventured into the unknown.
...
Or so they believed...
A piercing shriek filled the air.
Everything was blindingly white.
I couldn't see anything, even with my eyes wide open.
It was painful.
My eyes...
I could hear screams...
...
After what felt like an eternity, my vision began to return.
The stark white began to fade, and gradually, I could see again.
Red.
Everything was soaked in red.
The smell of blood hung heavily in the air—thick, metallic, and unmistakable. It wasn't fresh, yet it wasn't old either. Warm iron seeped into the stone, much like ink stains paper—permanent and silent.
Enzo lay at my feet, impaled.
Sevia... half of her face was destroyed...
Charred marks marred her neck.
And Lira...
She was nowhere to be found.
...
I had witnessed blood countless times.
Whether on the battlefields of my past life or seeing my wife dismembered by those I had sworn to protect...
or perhaps... the blood of my king staining my hands...
This time, however, it felt different.
I felt a wave of nausea.
'Of course, this is my first time seeing blood—No... that's not accurate.'
I felt strange.
[Warning! Warning!]
[Soul-Body Synchronization rate increasing drastically]
[Soul-Body Synchronization: 51%↑]
I was reminded of my seventh birthday, surrounded by family and friends... hailed as a genius... destined to be the heir of the Valen Family.
"I— Everything fell apart. All because of him. THAT BASTARD!!?"
'What... these memories— they arn't mi—'
[Soul-Body Synchronization: 59%↑]
[Personality Fragmentation Imminent]
My exceptionally talented younger brother was a remarkable prodigy in both practical applications and theoretical concepts, in contrast to my own abilities, which were limited to theory alone. Gradually, everything began to fall apart... starting on that bleak day...
...
To Be Continued...