Chapter 19: The New Record
Mike's eyes narrowed as a notification appeared on the glowing interface projected above the misty jungle floor.
[Ding!]
Fragment of Essence Binding has been collected.
A glint of surprise flashed across his face. Essence Binding? Here? In the Misty Mountain Gate?
He'd only heard of the legendary material in hushed whispers during study sessions. A component linked directly to legacy skills—rare abilities that defied even academy records.
His heart skipped.
"So this is what I've been looking for…" Mike whispered.
Do you want to challenge the Normal Mode?
Essence fragments will only drop after defeating bosses aligned with the legacy skill's elemental system.
The interface continued:
Essence Binding is recognized by the gate due to the detection of a dormant Legacy Skill.
To unlock the full Essence Binding, you must gather fragments from multiple element-aligned bosses.
That meant the Tidebreaker King, a water-elemental boss, had been just the beginning. Mike exhaled slowly. "Looks like I've opened a deeper path."
"We'll need to go further," he said, turning to the group.
Jek raised an eyebrow. "You sure? That boss gave a good fight—and that was easy mode."
"Normal mode's going to be a real challenge," Auline added, adjusting her bow with a flick of her wrist.
Eira's eyes softened. "We don't have to rush. We've already gained levels. But…"
Mike nodded . "I know. But this… This fragment isn't something you see every day. I need it—for the legacy skill."
They all stood quietly for a moment.
"Is that the skills we obtained last examination?" Jek asked.
Yes!
"Then let's do it," Jek grinned. "We've got more to prove anyway."
"Am I the only one with no idea?" Auline asked with a confused face.
"Let just proceed for now, let Eira tell you later", Mike quickly replied.
…
[Ding!] Challenge: Normal Mode - Proceeding…
The environment shifted once again. Mist thickened. The sky above grew dimmer, the light filtering through the canopy taking on a darker, colder hue.
—
Outside the Gate
"WHAT?!"
A student near James practically screamed, shoving his finger at the leaderboard screen. "They broke the record?!"
James leaned forward, arms crossed, his lips twitching into a smirk. "Interesting. That Mike really has potential."
"They cleared the easy boss and broke our time record!" the underling snapped. "But they're not coming out. Don't tell me…"
James' eyes narrowed. "They're going into Normal Mode?"
Another beep from the floating interface confirmed it.
[Ding!] Mike's team has initiated Normal Mode.
"Tch…" James clenched his fists. "Are they aiming to beat us completely?"
—
Back inside the Gate
[Ding!] Level Up!
A golden glow enveloped each member of the group.
[Level Up Achieved!]
Mike: Level 16 → 17
Jek: Level 15 → 16
Eira: Level 18 → 19
Auline: Level 17 → 18
Jek laughed, fists clenched. "Easy Mode boss gave me enough EXP to level up again!"
"Same here," Auline said, spinning her dagger. "Honestly, I feel like we're just warming up."
"Do you two even know the meaning of exhaustion?" Jek asked with a groan. "We've been fighting all day!"
"How about you two?" Auline turned to Mike and Eira, her eyes glimmering.
"I'm okay," Mike replied, rolling his shoulders. "It's been a while since I had a real fight. This is helping me refine my combo skills."
"It's also perfect training for the Freshmen Contest," Eira added with a determined smile.
Jek's jaw dropped. "Wait—you're both joining that?!"
"Of course," Auline grinned smugly. "We're still freshmen, even if we entered early. We're going to dominate."
Mike chuckled. "Then let's keep going. No need to waste this momentum."
They pressed forward into the dense jungle, where the next trial awaited.
—
Inside Normal Mode
After defeating stage 2…
Another Boss Fight…
The terrain twisted into new shapes. Crumbling ruins covered in blue moss surrounded a shallow pool at the heart of the clearing. Mist rose steadily, shimmering with mana.
At its center stood a creature—a serpentine water beast fused with coral-like scales and glowing blue eyes.
[Ding!]
Boss Appeared: Tide Serpent of the Hollow Marsh
[Level 18 – Water Affinity]
— Monster Panel —
Name: Tide Serpent of the Hollow Marsh
Realm: Elite Boss – Level 18
Strength: 195 | Physique: 188 | Agility: 175 | Mana: 210
Skills: Aqua Burst, Tail Cyclone, Tidal Wrath, Water Cloak (Passive – Reduces physical and non-magical damage by 20%)
The ground quaked as the massive serpent emerged from the marsh. Coiled muscle and gleaming scales shimmered with moisture, its entire body cloaked in a film of mana-infused water. Its eyes glowed with deep-blue intensity, promising violence.
Pressure burst outward like a crashing wave. The very air thickened.
Mike's eyes sharpened. "Focus up. This one's different."
The Tide Serpent struck without hesitation—its tail whipped down like a tower collapsing. Jek rolled to the left, fists hitting the ground.
"Earth Bind!"
Spikes of rock and thick roots shot up, aiming to restrain the beast. But the serpent moved like liquid through the cracks, its Water Cloak shimmering as it slipped free.
"It's got resistance!" Jek cursed.
"Current Surge!" Mike's feet splashed as water gathered beneath him, launching him mid-air. His Crystalline Sword shone, slicing downward with a trail of frozen mist.
CLANG!
The blade skated off its slick scales.
"Barely even a scratch?!" Mike grit his teeth as he landed.
"It's not just tough," Eira observed, her eyes narrowing. "That cloak's absorbing mana impact."
Suddenly, the serpent turned, charging straight at Auline with a crushing roar.
Auline smirked. "Radiant Thread!"
Luminous strands of mana burst from her fingertips, weaving into a glowing shield of light in front of her. The serpent's lunge slammed into it—and was pushed back slightly, dazed by the counterforce.
"Thanks," she muttered, disappearing into a Moonstep Mirage, her body flickering between illusions.
The Tide Serpent shrieked and coiled tightly.
[Tidal Wrath Activated!]
A vortex of water exploded outward, consuming the battlefield in a spiral of violent waves. Trees bent. Rocks shattered. Jek roared as he raised both arms.
"Earth Shield!"
A wall of stone formed, absorbing part of the water's impact as it tried to crush them.
Eira's mana pulsed. Her body ignited in a vibrant orange aura.
"Heartflare Adaptation!" she shouted. "Burn through it!"
She launched Phoenix Spiral, a flaming spear of condensed mana. It streaked through the serpent's cloak, causing the water to boil into mist. The creature writhed in pain.
"Now, push!" Mike commanded.
He surged forward. "Wave of Lotus!"
Two blades of spiraling water energy sliced across the serpent's neck. The water cloak shimmered, cracked, then shattered as icy mist enveloped its wounds.
The beast roared furiously, firing an Aqua Burst in retaliation.
"Spread out!" Jek yelled, leaping sideways. "Way of Nature!"
He slammed the ground. A shockwave rippled outward, unbalancing the serpent for a breath.
Auline capitalized instantly. "Lunacall Bloom!"
Mana flowers of soft blue exploded along the serpent's tail, weakening its core as Eira launched her next wave of flame-based Burning Resonance bolts. Each one struck like a burning needle.
Steam burst from its body. The serpent's movements slowed.
Mike's eyes flared with mana. "It's ending now."
His Crystalline Sword crystallized anew with frozen energy. "Crystallization—Full Surge!"
He slashed down in a wide, icy arc. The blade glowed brilliantly and cleaved into the serpent's core.
The Tide Serpent shrieked.
Its body convulsed violently, thrashed… then collapsed.
[Ding!]
Boss Defeated – Tide Serpent of the Hollow Marsh
Fragment of Essence Binding Acquired
All Team Members – Level Up!
— Team Data —
Mike (Tier 2 – Level 18)
Strength: 189 | Physique: 178 | Agility: 172 | Mana: 180
Skills: Crystalline Sword, Wave of Lotus, Current Surge
Legacy Skill: ??? (Unavailable – Requires Essence of Binding)
Jek (Tier 2 – Level 17)
Strength: 175 (+30) | Physique: 170 | Agility: 162 | Mana: 165
Skills: Earth Bind, Earth Shield, Way of Nature
Eira (Tier 2 – Level 19)
Strength: 184 | Physique: 157 | Agility: 173 | Mana: 192
Skills: Phoenix Spiral, Heartflare Adaptation, Burning Resonance
Unique Skill: Ember Pulse Veil – Transforms into defeated monsters at 50% stats
Auline (Tier 2 – Level 18)
Strength: 142 | Physique: 150 | Agility: 189 | Mana: 178
Skills: Moonstep Mirage, Radiant Thread, Lunacall Bloom
Passive: Lunar Veil – Reduces mana strain and enhances recovery for nearby allies
A radiant fragment floated toward Mike, glowing silver-blue.
He clutched it tightly. The second fragment.
Outside the Gate
Cheers exploded around the crowd.
"They did it! Normal Mode cleared!"
"They shattered the province's standing record!"
"Who are these guys?!"
The screen updated:
New Record: Fastest Completion of Normal Mode (Team) – Mike, Jek, Eira, Auline – Green Ant High
James clicked his tongue. "Tch."
"They've gained over 1000 points in just one day…" a student muttered.
James turned. "Get ready. We're heading in tomorrow. They're not the only ones who can break records."
As if on cue, an elder in crimson robes floated down between them.
"Enough."
His voice was calm, but the pressure in his tone was unmistakable. Tier 4 aura, at minimum.
"You will not cause a disturbance here," he said, casting a glance at James and Mike's approaching team.
The elder's gaze lingered on Mike, his eyes narrowing.
"You… have something unusual," he murmured to himself. "Interesting…"
Then, he turned and vanished in a swirl of wind.
Mike froze. ???
Jek leaned in. "Did he just… recognize you?"
Auline tilted her head. "You really are a trouble magnet, huh?"
Mike remained silent, clutching the glowing fragment in his hand.
There was more to this legacy skill than he'd realized.
And now… others were beginning to notice.