Chapter 26: Chapter 25- Prodigy?
It can't be a coincidence that the teacher under whom Alex would be training is none other than Professor Jullie.
Is it that, because she sympathizes with Alex or is she genuinely the best person to teach him? Alex was unsure, however, talking about potential alone; he had someone else in mind when it came to wielding weapons.
Jullie is more of a mage-warrior, while Alex wants to be a warrior since his magical skills are almost useless in combat.
However, it cannot be denied that Jullie is an exceptional fighter, and someone in the top three strongest teachers in the Soulforge Academy.
Adding up her experience, surely Alex would receive essential knowledge under her tutelage.
With such thoughts, Alex could be seen currently heading toward his classroom.
The intensive training begins after the lunch break. Before that students have to attend the theoretical class, considering the importance of having knowledge before implementing it into practice.
From afar, Alex found a familiar face standing outside the classroom.
Celestria.
Alex had a feeling that she was waiting for him, and since there was no other entrance to enter the class, he discreetly tried making his way inside….
"Uh, Alex!"
…and marvelously failed.
"Celestria." He addressed her, but for some reason, the simple greeting had a major impact on her as the girl's shoulders slumped.
She looked crestfallen.
Alex heaved a sigh. He seriously cannot understand her.
"The class is about to begin." Saying so, he walked past her and entered the classroom.
Little did Alex think that the small exchange was heard by Edric, who was hiding in a corner, and upon seeing Alex walking away after waiting for a few moments, Edric panicked.
Approaching the blond, the raven-haired asked, "Why didn't you talk to him?"
Celestria's eyes were still drawn to the ground as her grip on her bag's strap turned firmer. In a shaky voice, she uttered, "He called me by my full name."
Edric couldn't believe that's the reason why she turned completely silent just now.
"Cela, it's natural for him to show formality with you considering you asked him to pretend that you two never met. And if you get disheartened by his behavior, then you can forget about ever making up with him."
Her eyes turned moist as she looked up at him and complained, "Why do you discourage me like that?"
"Because you are being immature, girl." Suddenly, a third person entered the conversation, and just by the way she uttered those words, one could tell how tired she was of Celestria's attitude.
"Amanda….you can't-" Edric was interrupted,
"Did you turn silent or stutter when you lashed at Alex in the prison?" Amanda asked sternly.
Celestria didn't have to think about that night to shake her head, "No…I didn't."
"So when you didn't feel nervous committing a mistake, why are you failing to utter a simple apology? Or is your ego becoming an obstacle?"
"Never! I can never bring pride in friendship." Celestria immediately refuted, followed by strong determined flames appearing in her eyes as she clenched her fist and said, "I will apologize to him. And that will happen today!"
Edric rejoiced and Amanda just felt elated to see her beloved happy.
If not for Edric she wouldn't even have interfered with this matter. After all, in this situation, she actually is favoring Alex's decision to ignore Celestria. But naturally, voicing it would mean she is looking to make her lover sad.
Soon the trio entered the classroom. Valarie was absent for obvious reasons, and given Alex's and Edric's condition, they also should have been. But well…
"Class, good morning." A lanky man with broad shoulders entered the classroom soon after everyone sat down.
He had pale blue hair that neatly remained combed behind his head and the man looked quite young to be a Professor. But well, Soul Energy nourishes one's skin to the point that one looks younger than one's age.
Soul Energy is essentially a part of every living being but not each one of them can voluntarily wield it as a weapon or means of utility. And those who can are known as awakened.
In this academy, everyone, naturally, is awakened.
And the person on the podium right now goes by the name Simon Ashfield. The Professor of General Studies.
Alex might have heard his name from the book but most of the things related to the man come from the previous owner's memories.
'He's one of my favorite teachers after all….' Alex scoffed.
"Class, unfortunately, I was told to concentrate on those subjects which would be beneficial for your special training. So for now, we will put a pause to the chapter we were studying last time. I hope you all can forgive me." As humble as ever, the man didn't think twice before apologizing for something he could never be blamed for.
Maybe Alex saw himself in this man; that's why he was his favorite.
"Sir, can I ask a question?" The glasses boy with straight purple hair and a height of almost six feet feet stood up.
"Ark, yes go ahead."
The said boy fixed his glasses and asked, "Why is it necessary to participate in the training? Can't we just take the test and get recruited based on our results? I mean recruitment always happens based on what we have learned until now. Now in a few days, what possibly we could learn?"
The scion of the Steelhound family who has been known for their hunting business. Naturally, the son of such an infamous family would have been trained by professionals and the best of instructors.
Considering their teaching, the boy must be feeling this intensive training is a waste of time.
"You assume you cannot learn anything in a few days, right?" The man on the stage asked with a smile. And since Ark presented the question, naturally he agreed.
Simon's smile stretched as while gesturing toward a specific student, he said, "I think you need to rethink your opinion, considering we have a prodigious genius in our classroom."
Every eye turned towards the silver head who was wrapped in bandages and was unfazed by the attention he received.
Taking a pause, Simon added, "Not only did he defeat one of the strongest students of the Soulforge Academy, but he recently slayed a B-rank beast in a labyrinth."
A round of gasps resonated in the class when they heard the news.
Defeating Aiden was still being treated as a whim by people, considering Alex only took one single attack to defeat the undefeatable swordsman. However, a labyrinth?
"Are you for real?"
"Professor, is this true?"
"A labyrinth? And that nerd?"
"B-rank…"
"Lies…not even I have faced a B-rank yet!" The last voice belonged to Ark who stared at Alex with wide eyes.
Celestria had also shock written over her face as she stared at Alex in disbelief.
The same childhood friend of hers who couldn't leave his room after the sky darkened participated in a raid and even defeated a monster of such level?
'Exactly what changed you so much….' Although she asked that, Celestria had a feeling that she knew the reason behind this sudden change.
Simon chuckled, "Believe it or not, that's the truth." Looking back at Ark, he added, "So yes, Student Ark, unless you want to be left behind you have to attend this training for the sake of a better future."
Ark sat back down, but his eyes remained lingering on Alex's back, trying to discern how a nerd got himself such a boost all of a sudden.
'Secret training? No…there is something more…' It was too good to be true.
'I think I have to ask for Mama's help investigating this one…'
—----**-----
A/N:- How was the chapter? Enjoyable? Celestria's character is a little…childish. But surely, along the way, she would have character development.
Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed the story so far, drop a review. Trust me, it helps.
Chapter 27: Chapter 26- Show me your best
Three hundred students each year and thirty teachers to teach them. Naturally, not all of them have experience and skills that can be helpful in combat, that's why the number comes down to only ten professors and instructors who can provide intensive training for the students.
To assist with the training, some Knights and Magicians from the
capital has also arrived to watch over the students and guide them as they deem right.
Jullie Vermillion is a Five-star mage warrior and someone who joined the academy as the youngest professor at the age of 23. She is a prodigy who graduated from the Soulforge Academy a few years ago, finished her internship, and joined the academy through her connection with the Headmaster.
Alex, with four more students, could be seen lined up in the training ground and waiting for the professor to arrive.
Edric wasn't here since he was assigned to someone far more experienced in the field in which the raven-haired excels.
The Knight Commander only takes one disciple at a time, and currently, Edric is his student for the next few days.
Valarie, his daughter, was under the command of Imperial Knight Raven who works under her father and is an exceptional knight.
Amanda was taken under Devon's wing, considering the girl is an exceptional witch for her age and Devon has the eye to filter out talent.
Celestria was taught by one of the Professors who goes by the name Shelby. She is a four-star mage-warrior and someone who knows Celestria personally as the lady has served as the personal tutor for the royal family before she joined the academy last year
Naturally, it was no coincidence that Celestria was put under a teacher whom the King trusted.
'Damn…I can feel his gaze on me…' Alex felt the boy on the farthest left was side-eyeing him, even though his eyes were covered with a thin black fabric.
Indeed, the said boy was none other than the prodigious swordsman and someone who held the title of 'Undefeatable' until a few days ago.
Aiden Halestorm.
After Alex defeated him, the teenager disappeared. He took a few days off and didn't appear in class. Alex heard rumors about how Aiden was spending almost twenty hours out of twenty-four in the arena, training restlessly.
It was said that the boy was no longer focused just on his sword skills but on his natural capabilities.
Alex heaved a sigh. These teenagers haven't realized the fact that no one is invincible in this world. There is always someone stronger than you, waiting to crush your ego and belief.
Alex knows how it feels when you think nothing can kill you, only for a simple poison and a .45 bullet to humble you.
Finally, the person they were waiting for, entered the training ground.
It was an enclosed vast space that could not be seen by outsiders unless they had the permit of the teacher in charge.
There were several artifacts, weapons, and medical items to support the training.
The concrete arena in the middle is where the students were standing side by side.
Vermillion wore skin-tight pants along with ankle-length boots and a white shirt with frills around her collar. With her hair fastened in a bun, she appeared to be battle-ready.
"I assume you all are aware of the motive behind this training?" She began.
The one with glasses, Ark Steelhound replied, "To score our best in the assessment test so we could get recruited accordingly."
Jullie nodded, "Indeed. So, to ensure that you all give your best in the assessment, I first need to know about you."
Looking at Aiden, she asked, "Aiden, come forward and attack me."
The green-haired girl beside Alex gasped upon hearing that. And not only that, the other two also seemed surprised to hear those words.
However, Aiden didn't show any hesitation before stepping forward. Unsheathing his sword, he pointed the blade at the teacher.
"You don't want to remove your blindfolds?" The Professor asked.
"I am aware that Professor Jullie won't move, so there is no benefit."
Jullie raised her brows, impressed by her student's observation.
The air became tense as the teenager regulated his soul energy through his body and coated it around his beloved sword.
The sheer intensity of his aura was threatening, urging Ark to keep his hands on his daggers.
Jullie remained focused but her stance didn't show any sign of being on guard.
Alex closely monitored her and Aiden alternatively.
Aiden suddenly lifted his sword above his head,
"Halestorm Phantom:"
The length of the sword increases by several folds, towering over the students and its target. The menacing sword made the others step back in fear but Aiden held it firmly and with every ounce of his strength he brought it down,
"Hammer of Judgement!"
The sword was brought down at an astonishing rate, which one couldn't expect a teenager to possess while wielding such a massive thing.
**CLANG** **BOOOOOM**
As the massive blade plummeted toward her, Jullie didn't move a muscle, her eyes locked onto Aiden's.
Just as the "Hammer of Judgement" neared, she raised her hand, catching the colossal sword with nothing more than her palm. The ground trembled under the force, sending shockwaves through the air, but Jullie remained steady, her arm outstretched and unwavering.
A stunned silence fell over the crowd. Dust still swirled around them, yet Jullie's expression was one of pure indifference.
Aiden panted under the effect of exhaustion as it takes a lot of physical and magical effort to pull off this attack.
And here…the older one withheld the attack with her bare hand.
'The difference between a human and a monster.'
Alex couldn't sense if she used any Soul Energy to withstand the excessive weight of the sword and looking at her sunken feet in the ground, it doesn't seem she has a spell that reduces the weight of objects upon impact.
Pure brute strength.
Once Aiden's sword reverted to its original state, Vermillion told him to catch his breath for the time being before she turned towards none other than,
"Alex. Show me your best attack."
For some reason…she sounded more curious than she seemed while facing Aiden.
Alex nodded as he stepped forward. He received a practice sword from the administration department after they heard about Alex's previous sword.
That pitiful thing was properly buried.
Alex arched his left leg behind him and held his sword with his right hand, the blade parallel to his face.
His right leg bent as he got into position.
Jullie frowned, seeing that stance, but she didn't say anything and just nodded for him to begin.
Alex drew a sharp breath, before chanting,
"Second Step:"
Alex charged like a thunderbolt, the air rippling around him as he shot forward, his sword gleaming with renewed energy. But just as he was inches from Jullie—before he could even complete the arc of his strike—she moved.
In a blur, her hand shot out, catching his wrist with ironclad precision. Alex's momentum died instantly, his sword frozen mid-swing. His eyes went wide in shock.
Before he could even process it, Jullie twisted his arm downward, spinning him off-balance, and soon, Vermillion pinned Alex down on the ground with an audible thud.
*THUD*
Alex winced, finding his Quicksilver failing for the first time after he mastered it.
He slowly opened his eyes and found Jullie looking at him threateningly.
Before he could have asked something, she told him, "I told you to launch your deadliest attack and I know this wasn't it."
Alex's eyes narrowed, "It's not wise to ask me to perform that stance. That technique is made to kill, not to showcase."
Vermillion smirked, "I will never blame you if you actually kill me."
Students gasped hearing that, and somehow, they also knew what technique was mentioned here.
Ark fixed his glasses and barely held himself from smirking. Finally, he would get to see that dream technique once again.
The green-haired girl looked terrified while the raven-haired girl seemed curious. Aiden had an unreadable expression on his face as he saw Alex jumping back on his feet and taking a few steps back from Jullie.
Aiden removed his blindfolds the moment Alex was called out. That's why he could see that Vermillion was actually serious this time, unlike when she faced him.
'Hmm?' Aiden noticed that Alex was actually stretching his limbs even though he had run around the field over ten times along with others.
'Is it a necessity?' Aiden studied the being who is slowly turning into an anomaly for him.
Alex has already kept his blade away and found himself a small fragment of the arena which tore away when Aiden attacked.
Picking up the fragment which was about the size of a nail, he asked, "Ready?"
Jullie nodded as she stood there with her hands hanging on her sides.
The audience held their breath as Alex dashed away, taking a turn from the farthest end of the training ground before advancing towards the teacher.
Just as he was about to reach his starting point he uttered under his breath, "Third Step:"
Jullie raised her hand with her eyes solely focused on Alex.
The silver head suddenly jumped in the air and with precise control, he twirled in the air before shooting the fragment with every ounce of energy his body could supply.
"Tempest Dart!"
His sleeve was torn, and his skin was scorched as he threw the fragment like a guided missile toward the violette.
The fragment in his hand flew from his fingers, spinning with deadly precision as it darted straight for her, aimed at a pinpoint spot.
Jullie's eyes narrowed as she joined her hands like a barrier in front of her face, and the fragment exploded upon collision.
**BOOOOOOM**
The explosion rocked the arena as the fragment collided with her barrier, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. The force behind the attack shocked Jullie, and she gritted her teeth, her muscles straining to hold her ground. Dust and debris erupted all around, obscuring the view of the audience.
Her hair whipped wildly, strands tearing free from their restraints, and the sleeve of her shirt began to rip under the sheer power of Alex's throw. It was as if a meteor had struck, and Jullie felt the raw intensity of the blow threatening to unseat her.
The crowd, including Aiden, watched in disbelief, their mouths agape as they witnessed the teacher being pushed back. Jullie struggled to remain upright, her feet digging into the ground as she fought against the force.
But in her eyes burned an unyielding fire, a fierce determination that made it clear she wouldn't back down. The intensity radiating from her was palpable, proving that Alex's warning was more than just a tactic; it was a serious challenge.
With a fierce scowl, her soul energy finally came to life as she surrounded the fragment with her energy radiation and destroyed the small fragment into nothingness.
"Haah…" Jullie heaved a sigh as she dropped her hand to her sides. Looking at her ripped shirt sleeves and burned palms, she turned her eyes toward Alex and said,
"You are prohibited from using this technique during spars."
—-----**-------
A/N:- Damn…
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
13 Power
stone 
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