Episode 26
“An upgrade to administrator privileges with the Hero King Kaishir’s secret swordsmanship manual?”
The quest offered more rewards than Zeke had anticipated.
He studied the map, contemplating the location of Kaishir’s ruins. The presence of barbarians was a concern, but it wasn’t enough to deter him. The potential value of the Hero King Kaishir’s legacy was too great to ignore.
Before the legendary dragon slayer Terracan Draker, the most renowned hero was undoubtedly the Hero King Kaishir. Yet, his feats were so legendary that many debated whether he was a historical figure or merely a myth. No ruins had ever been discovered, and little was known about him. If these were indeed his ruins, they would surely be filled with invaluable artifacts, not just the secret swordsmanship manual.
Zeke committed the location of Kaishir’s ruins to memory and closed the map. He then glanced at his remaining 730 points and decided to spend 50 points to unlock the second level of dragon skills.
― Dragon Skills Level 2 ―
Dragon Scale Armor (Locked) / Dragon Claw (Locked)
Unlocking Level 3 requires 300 Karma Points.
Zeke read through the descriptions of the newly unlocked dragon skills.
― Dragon Skills Level 2 Overview ―
Dragon Scale Armor: Dragon scales harden the skin, providing excellent magic resistance. (Unlock requires 80 points)
Dragon Claw: Summon powerful dragon claws to strike down enemies in one blow. (Unlock requires 80 points)
The second-level skills, like the first, offered many useful abilities. Zeke decided to unlock Dragon Scale Armor and Dragon Claw first, as they were essential for combat.
Dragon Skills (Level 2 Unlocked): Dragon Eyes (Proficient) / Dragon’s Majesty (Proficient) / Devour (Beginner) / Dragon Speech (Locked) / Dragon Scale Armor (Beginner) / Dragon Claw (Beginner)
The Dragon Speech skill, acquired after absorbing Bahamut’s heart, remained locked. It seemed he needed to reach a higher skill level to use it.
Zeke purchased 120 points worth of enhancement potions and decided to save the remaining 400 points for future system upgrades.
He immediately began training with the newly unlocked Dragon Scale Armor and Dragon Claw skills, aiming to master them for use in battle. His skills were growing to a level unmatched by his peers.
“We will now begin the aura practical assessment!”
The special class students gathered in the central training ground. The instructor addressed them with a commanding voice.
“As you know, the aura practical assessment is the most important part of the semester evaluation! If you don’t perform well, you won’t advance, so give it your all!”
The instructor’s stern words made the students tense. The test involved each student being called up to undergo a series of physical and aura assessments.
First, they measured the students’ physical activation to gauge their aura awakening level, followed by how long they could sustain aura infusion in their swords.
The first student called up underwent various agility and strength tests, such as high jumps and long jumps. The instructor meticulously recorded the results.
“Focus your aura into the sword.”
The student took a deep breath, drawing aura from their lower dantian into the sword. The blade trembled slightly before the aura dissipated.
The instructor noted the aura’s duration. Watching the other students, Zeke reminisced about his past.
“The special class is definitely different from the regular class.”
In the regular class, few students had opened their lower dantian, and it was rare to see anyone infuse aura into their swords effectively. But in the special class, even if the duration was short, all students demonstrated the ability to focus aura into their swords. The skill gap was evident from the start.
Even among these talented special class students, there were clear differences in ability. Those who failed to harness their aura properly received low scores and looked devastated.
“Next! Owen Siemens.”
Owen Siemens, the second son of a prominent family, stepped forward, drawing everyone’s attention.
Owen enveloped himself in aura, moving with fluid grace as he leaped into the air. His long jump and strength tests surpassed all previous records.
“Phew…”
Owen looked pleased with his performance. The Siemens family, known for their expertise in aura control, had developed the academy’s advanced aura training curriculum. All Siemens family members were naturally gifted in precise aura manipulation.
Owen focused his aura into his sword, the blade vibrating with a distinct hum.
“Wow, he’s already at the stage where the sword sings.”
“That’s just before the Violet Knight level.”
Even the instructors were impressed. At thirteen, Owen displayed aura control skills that would be considered prodigious for an adult in most families.
Owen returned to his seat, satisfied. His performance left the other students intimidated, unable to showcase their abilities fully.
After a few more students, it was Reyna Draker’s turn.
Reyna addressed the instructor, “May I be evaluated using the Dragon Slayer technique?”
The instructor hesitated, “That’s an advanced student evaluation. If you fail to execute it properly, it could negatively impact your score.”
“I understand.”
After a moment’s thought, the instructor nodded. With permission granted, Reyna gripped her sword and summoned her aura.
The moment she began, her sword resonated with a clear hum.
“Wow…”
The instructor couldn’t help but exclaim. It was hard to believe someone her age could wield aura so naturally.
Reyna executed the Dragon Slayer technique with precision, her movements seamlessly infused with aura. Her performance was more polished and accurate than even the advanced students, leaving the instructor in awe.
Reyna completed the basic form of the Dragon Slayer technique flawlessly, as if she were the embodiment of the manual itself. The instructor applauded, unable to contain his admiration.
“Incredible.”
Few advanced students could perform the Dragon Slayer technique’s basic form so perfectly. Reyna returned to her seat, her peers looking at her as if she were untouchable.
Only Owen Siemens glared at her, clenching his teeth.
“Damn it.”
He had believed that in aura control, he surpassed Reyna, a pureblood awakened. But the results only highlighted the gap between them.
Owen’s eyes narrowed at the gloves on Reyna’s hands.
“If I were a pureblood awakened, I’d be better than you.”
Reyna, however, paid no mind to Owen’s gaze. Her focus was solely on one person.
“Zeke Draker. Step forward.”
At the instructor’s call, Zeke rose slowly. He addressed the instructor.
“I’d like to be evaluated using the Dragon Slayer technique as well.”
The instructor frowned, “Do you think the semester evaluation is a joke?”
“You didn’t say that to Reyna Draker.”
The instructor’s expression soured. He had allowed it for Reyna because of her diligence and reputation as a genius. But Zeke, who often skipped aura practice and seemed indifferent, appeared arrogant.
The instructor spoke with irritation, “If you fail to execute it properly, you’ll receive a failing grade.”
Zeke nodded, drawing Bahamut from its sheath. Though Bahamut was a legendary sword, it appeared unfinished and worn. The other students snickered at the sight.
“Ha, does he think he can do it just because he’s a pureblood awakened like Reyna Draker?”
“Let’s see if he can even perform the Dragon Slayer technique.”
Zeke ignored the murmurs around him.
“Alright…”
He slowly channeled mana into Bahamut, converting it into aura.
As the aura began to manifest, Zeke quickly dispersed it.
“It’s harder to hold back.”
He proceeded with the Dragon Slayer technique.
His body moved instinctively, honed by two years of relentless practice before his return to the academy.
He leaped, slicing through the air with his sword. The movements were so familiar that he didn’t need to think, his body and hands moving on their own.
He executed the basic form with caution, careful not to reveal his full strength.
Having completed the form, he returned to his original position, looking at the instructor.
The instructor stared at Zeke in disbelief.
“A… Violet Knight?”
Zeke glanced at the spot where he had performed the form.
Despite his efforts to hold back, it seemed Zeke had unconsciously released more aura than intended.
The ground of the training field had cracked in the pattern of his movements.
“I tried to match Raina’s level… but I guess it can’t be helped.”
Zeke chuckled softly as he noticed the cadets staring at him in shock, Owen looking dumbfounded, and Raina glaring at him with a fierce competitive spirit.
Unlike his past life, it seemed he wouldn’t have to struggle with the aura practice exam this time around.
The real issue arose the next day.
Out of the blue, the academy’s headmaster, Howard Draker, summoned Zeke.
Zeke, who didn’t harbor the best feelings toward Howard, ascended to the headmaster’s office with a stern expression.
“Come in, Zeke.”
Howard Draker greeted him with a smile that seemed all too friendly.
“Please, have a seat.”
Wary of the headmaster’s excessive cordiality, Zeke took a seat on the sofa.
Howard personally poured tea and placed it in front of Zeke.
“Thank you.”
Though he didn’t feel grateful in the slightest, Zeke offered a polite thanks but left the tea untouched. In truth, he felt an urge to throw the hot tea right at Howard’s smug face.
Howard began to speak, his eyes fixed on Zeke.
“I received the report on yesterday’s practice evaluation. You achieved quite remarkable results.”
“It was just luck.”
“No, no, luck alone couldn’t have allowed a thirteen-year-old to awaken an aura at the level of a violet knight.”
The atmosphere was pleasant, but Zeke couldn’t help but see the current Howard overlapping with the one from his past life—the Howard who had expelled him from the academy.
“It’s a disgrace to have an unawakened student like you in this academy. As of today, you’re no longer a cadet here. Leave everything related to this place behind and get out immediately.”
“Headmaster, please… just one more chance. I promise I’ll awaken my aura by next semester!”
In his past life, Zeke had pleaded with Howard, tears in his eyes.
But Howard had coldly cast him out.
Zeke had been forced to wander the continent with nothing, living a life where he barely survived, erasing the name Draker from his identity.
Zeke suppressed the surge of anger that threatened to rise within him.
Then Howard got to the point.
“So, Zeke, how about taking the advancement exam?”