After everyone had finished sparring with Elysia, they were given a fifteen-minute break. The participants, worn out but determined, took the time to rest and reflect on their experiences. Elysia, ever the diligent instructor, was already planning the next phase of their training.She gathered those who needed to refine their techniques and led them to the Combat Training Hall. Others, whose physical bodies required further strengthening, were directed to the Body Hardening Hall. The halls were filled with specialized equipment designed to target and enhance various parts of the body under the watchful eyes of their instructors.Danial, Maria, a green-robed student named Aric, a bald monk named Jin with prayer beads around his neck, and a few others were selected to visit the Martial Library, a place where ancient texts and manuals held the secrets of advanced martial arts. Elysia accompanied them, leading the way through the long, echoing halls of the academy. After a walk through t
Arriving at the training hall, Danial found a quiet corner to begin his practice. The hall was filled with the sound of students training, the clatter of weapons, and the grunts of exertion. He sat down, placing both the Fire Shield and Hellfire books in front of him. Taking a deep breath, he began to study the intricate details of each technique.The Fire Shield technique required the user to channel their inner fire, forming a protective barrier of flames. It was a defensive maneuver, meant to protect the user from attacks and create a temporary safe zone. On the other hand, Hellfire was a destructive force, harnessing the most intense and uncontrollable flames.Danial thought, "What I need to do is just swap out the fire from the Fire Shield into Hellfire. To do that I will have to start with learning the Hellfire technique first." He put the Fire Shield scroll aside and opened the Hellfire technique book. He started reading carefully, understanding the human diagram that was portr
Danial was so shocked and in disbelief that he looked around the room to see if anyone had witnessed what he had just done. The room was empty, and he let out a sigh of relief. Sitting down on his bed to calm himself, he tried to process the reality that he could use both the fire and water elements. "If I can use the fire and water elements, can I use the earth element as well? And maybe even other elements?" he wondered."If I can use both fire and water, can I use earth and other elements too?" he wondered. Despite wanting to dismiss the idea as ridiculous, curiosity gnawed at him. He closed his eyes and began to concentrate, imagining the earth element. He felt a deep, grounding sensation, a connection to the solidity and strength beneath his feet. His internal energy reacted by becoming dense and heavy, almost like it was rooting itself into the ground.Soon enough, he felt a small piece of stone hovering above his fingertips. Opening his eyes, he saw the stone floating there, de
The group was so frightened by Danial's appearance that they started to intensely sweat. The one who had demanded everyone kneel before the queen was trembling in fright, but with trembling lips, he still managed to say, "W-why are you not kneeling before the queen?" Danial, concentrating on calming his internal energy, hadn't even heard them enter. When he finally registered the noise and turned his head, he saw the group and a girl in an elegant black skirt leading them. He asked in a hoarse voice, "Who are you and what do you want?" Danial was incredibly tired, having exhausted his internal energy, and needed time to recuperate. The caller, incredibly frightened, was about to speak when the girl raised her hand to silence him. In a voice as sweet as it was commanding, she said, "Hello Danial, I have heard great things about you." Danial couldn’t muster the energy to respond. He slumped from his previously straight posture, and the steam slowly began to subside. His fatigue was ev
Danial sat cross-legged, eyes closed, as the soothing flow of his internal energy began to replenish his strength. The fatigue from his rigorous training ebbed away, leaving him more centered and focused. Feeling rejuvenated, he reached for the scroll Marvin had entrusted him with: Titan's Endurance.As Danial unrolled the scroll, his eyes traced the ancient characters, absorbing the nuances of Titan's Endurance. The technique focused on the meridians—channels within the body that guided internal energy. By widening and strengthening these pathways, the technique promised enhanced energy storage and control.To his surprise, Titan's Endurance was deceptively simple. Unlike the complex techniques reliant on the System, this method was straightforward: circulate internal energy through the meridians, applying gentle strain. This strain caused minor damage, which would heal over time, resulting in stronger and more capacious meridians.Settling into a meditative posture, Danial initiated
Danial entered the secret realm and found himself standing on a vast grassland. Hills, trees, and tall grasses swayed gently in the breeze, stretching as far as his eyes could see. He was taken aback by the unfamiliar surroundings. Panic began to set in as he thought, "Why am I here? What is this place? This was supposed to be the realm of the Three Musketeers." His heartbeat quickened, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.Scanning the horizon for anything recognizable, Danial spotted a towering tree in the distance. Deciding to approach it, he hoped it might provide some answers. As he got closer, he noticed Master Balthazar and Master Yamato sitting under the tree, engrossed in a game of chess. Master Abhaya stood behind Balthazar, hands clasped, watching intently.Danial sighed in relief, realizing he was still in the realm of the Three Musketeers and not some unknown place. He approached them quietly, observing Yamato’s beads of sweat and Balthazar’s smug expression. Abhaya sa
The waiter led them to a table by the large transparent window, offering a stunning view of the cityscape. The four of them took their seats, with an extra chair remaining vacant. Danial, ever curious, glanced at Maria and casually asked, "Is there anyone you are waiting for, Maria?"Maria smiled mysteriously and replied, "Yes, I am waiting for someone."Danial initially thought Maria might be expecting Leonard, who was notably absent. However, he was unaware that Leonard was still in the medical room. As the waiter handed out the menus, Pavan opened his and his eyes nearly popped out of his head. The prices were exorbitant, with a single bottle of water costing a hundred somer dollars. Pavan closed the menu comically and waited.Danial also saw the prices and felt a twinge of discomfort. He looked at Maria and said, "Are you sure we want to dine here? It's so expensive."Maria gave a sweet smile and reassured him, "It's alright, this is nothing."Danial finally understood what it mea
Danial smiled and said, "Yes, Miss Kirk, I’ve decided. I’ll agree to teach you how to control the fire element, but I have a few conditions."Miss Kirk raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his boldness. "Oh? And what might those conditions be?"Danial took a deep breath, steadying himself before he spoke. "Firstly, I want full autonomy in how I teach you. I won’t be micromanaged or dictated to in this process."Miss Kirk smiled but said nothing, her silence encouraging him to continue."Secondly, I want to know why you want to learn the fire element so badly. Could there be another reason behind this?" Danial's gaze was unwavering, searching for any sign of deceit.Miss Kirk's smile faltered slightly, and her expression grew more guarded. "Danial, I want to learn because I want to get stronger."Danial didn’t believe her, but he had no concrete way to challenge her statement directly. Her answer felt too vague, too rehearsed. Something didn’t sit right with him. He thought for a moment, an
Danial and Crystal returned to the arena, their footsteps brisk as they hurried toward the edge of the spectator stands. The air was buzzing with anticipation, and as they settled in, a clear voice rang out across the arena."Next round—Pavan from Somerland versus Zain from Somerland!"Danial and Crystal exchanged glances. Without a word, they moved closer, their attention sharpening as they peered down at the battlefield.Emerging from the preparation area, Zain strode onto the stage with an air of absolute confidence. In her hand, she carried a black whip, its length coiling and uncoiling like a living serpent. With a casual flick of her wrist, she lashed it through the air, the sharp crack echoing through the silent arena.Danial furrowed his brows at the sight. "A whip? Is that even considered a proper weapon?"Crystal, arms crossed, responded without looking at him. "It is—if she belongs to the Devil’s Associates faction."Danial turned to her, puzzled. "What do you mean?"Crysta
Egbert stood up while clenching his blade, his entire body trembling. His eyes, wide with disbelief, locked onto Danial as his voice cracked with confusion."How can this be? How could this ever be possible?" he muttered, his face twisted in shock. He staggered back, gripping his sword so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "How could your basic technique be so powerful? How could your technique overpower my divine Crimson Reaper Arts? That is not possible. You must have cheated!"Egbert could not accept reality. His technique was not just some ordinary martial skill; it was crafted by Norman Ray, a war deity of immense power and wisdom. The Crimson Reaper Arts were revered as one of the strongest sword techniques, refined through generations, yet Danial’s seemingly simple Sword Drawing Technique had shattered it, breaking through his proudest ability as if it were nothing. It defied all logic. It was unacceptable.Egbert's voice echoed through the now-silent hall, but no one came
The battle hall was filled with murmurs and hushed voices as Danial and Egbert stepped onto the duel arena. The place still carried traces of previous battles, the floor marked with faint scars from past clashes, including Danial’s fight with Sara. But today, the tension in the air was different—more electric, more charged.Egbert’s arrogance was on full display as he sneered, his voice laced with mockery. “Kid, I’m taking pity on you for what’s about to happen. Maybe if you kneel and crawl, I’ll let you live.”Danial met his gaze calmly and replied, “No.”The single word was enough to darken Egbert’s face. His jaw clenched as his pride took a hit. “Danial, I’m giving you a way out. Once in the duel arena, I won’t let you off even if you kneel and beg for mercy.”Danial tilted his head slightly, unfazed. “Are we going to fight or not?”Egbert’s eyes twitched in annoyance before he shrugged as if he had already won. “Alright, I hope you remember what I said.”Both climbed onto the duel
Danial sat in the audience, watching the ongoing matches with mild interest. At first, he paid attention, analyzing the techniques used by different fighters, but after a while, he grew bored. The matches were too predictable, lacking the intensity of the battles he had been in. He tapped his fingers on the armrest, wondering when his final match would come.Crystal, who had been sitting beside him, noticed his bored expression. She smirked and leaned closer. “Danial, let’s go walk around the academy.”Danial glanced at her and considered it for a moment. Sitting here and watching these mundane fights wasn’t going to help him. He nodded. “Alright, might as well.”As they stood up and left the arena, they remained unaware of the shadow lurking in the distance, silently watching their every move.The academy grounds had transformed into a lively hub. Stalls lined the pathways, selling everything from cultivation manuals to exotic snacks. There were booths set up for visitors and student
Crystal descended into the rocky arena, her icy-blue eyes scanning the terrain. The environment was filled with jagged hills, uneven terrain, and rocky outcroppings—an arena that would test movement and adaptability. Danial leaned against the railing, watching her with a small smile, fully confident in her victory.Just as the match was about to begin, Leonard approached from behind, patting Danial’s shoulder with a smug grin."Danial, did you see my match just now? The tricks I used had him completely baffled—haha!"Danial turned to look at him, blinking. "That was your match?"Leonard’s face fell. The excitement in his eyes flickered. "Yeah… you didn’t see it?"Danial quickly realized his mistake and tried to salvage the situation. "Leonard, I didn’t know your match was happening. I’m sorry."Leonard forced a smile, waving it off. "Alright, no worries." He turned and walked away, but as he did, the forced smile gradually faded.Danial sighed, feeling a little guilty, but his attenti
As the tournament progressed, the excitement in the air reached its peak. The crowd roared in anticipation as each match brought forth new surprises, showcasing the sheer talent and determination of the academy's young warriors. Danial sat with Crystal, both observing the ongoing battles with quiet interest.Crystal turned to him and asked, "You already won two matches. This guarantees your spot in the Final Stage tomorrow. Who do you think your final opponent will be?"Danial shrugged, his expression calm. "I don't know," he replied simply.Just as he finished speaking, movement from the side caught his attention. Pavan had returned from the infirmary, his head and shoulders wrapped in fresh bandages. His steps were steady, but the slight wince as he moved revealed that his injuries hadn’t fully healed.Danial immediately got up and walked over to him, his brows furrowed in concern. "Why are you out of the infirmary? Your body needs rest."Pavan groaned, waving his hand dismissively.
Tyler staggered slightly as he stepped down from the arena, his legs trembling, his face pale. The match had been brief—too brief—but the experience had left a lasting impression on him. No, it wasn’t just the match itself; it was the gaze. That chilling, soul-crushing gaze that had locked onto him as if stripping away every ounce of his being. It was unlike anything he had ever faced before.His master approached, his eyes filled with concern as he placed a firm hand on Tyler’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”Tyler did not answer immediately. He walked in silence, each step feeling heavier than the last. His master was about to repeat the question when Tyler finally spoke, his voice hollow.“I want to withdraw from the tournament.”The words were so unexpected that his master was momentarily stunned. Tyler was not one to give up easily. He had trained relentlessly, fought fiercely, and had dreams of proving himself. Yet now, standing before him, was not the same student who had entered thi
As Kyle Drakon stepped into the light, an almost ethereal presence seemed to radiate from him. For someone so young, he was nothing short of stunning—majestic in a way that defied mere good looks. His face, strikingly symmetrical with high cheekbones and a sharp jawline, carried an air of effortless majesty. His nose was straight and refined, giving him a noble appearance, while his lips, neither too thin nor too full, were naturally set in a calm, unreadable expression. His skin was smooth, almost flawless, as if sculpted by the finest artisan, carrying a faint glow under the arena’s illumination.His jet-black hair, slightly messy yet undeniably stylish, fell in layered waves around his forehead and temples, enhancing the intensity of his features. Each step he took exuded confidence, his strides measured, unhurried—he moved like a sovereign who did not need to prove himself, yet commanded attention wherever he went.But it was his eyes that truly held everyone captive.A deep crims
The air inside the arena buzzed with excitement as the next match was announced. The announcer’s voice boomed across the coliseum.“Next match! Crystal Kirk of Somerland versus Zaria Dvornik of Krolea! The battle conditions—desert environment, no elemental abilities allowed!”Danial's expression hardened. He understood the gravity of this situation. Crystal’s greatest strength lay in her ice element, and now, she was being forced to fight in the most unfavourable terrain possible. A desert battlefield? There was no moisture in the air, no chance of manipulating frost, and worst of all—sweltering heat sapping her stamina.As Crystal stepped forward, she caught Danial’s expression and smirked. “Worried about me?”Danial folded his arms. “Just assessing the conditions. This isn’t exactly in your favour.”Crystal chuckled. “It never is.” With that, she strode toward the arena entrance, her icy confidence unwavering.Danial exhaled sharply, watching as she disappeared into the tunnel leadi