Episode 27
“The advancement exam, you say?”
“Yes. A cadet as exceptional as you certainly qualifies to take it.”
Zeke had already given some thought to the idea of advancing early. In his previous life, Reina had managed to skip grades and graduate from the six-year academy program in just four years.
Howard stroked his impressive Kaiser mustache as he looked at Zeke. “There’s no need to overthink it. You’re more than capable…”
“I’ll do it,” Zeke interrupted before Howard could finish.
His eyes burned with determination. ‘Any chance to graduate early from the academy is more than welcome.’
Howard smiled, clearly pleased with Zeke’s response. “Excellent. I’ll arrange for the advancement exam. Show us what you’re made of.”
Zeke nodded and left the dean’s office. Once alone, Howard opened a drawer and retrieved something from a hidden safe—a communication crystal linked to a secure line. He dialed a number, and static filled the air as the connection was made.
A light on the crystal indicated the call had gone through. Howard spoke into the receiver in a hushed tone. “Both pureblood awakeners have agreed to take the exam.”
The person on the other end gave Howard instructions, which he listened to intently, nodding in agreement. “Understood. I’ll handle it accordingly.”
With that, the light on the crystal dimmed, and Howard returned it to the safe. He stood up, adjusting his mustache as he gazed at his reflection in the window. “Things are getting interesting.”
Three days after his meeting with the dean, Zeke received notification about the advancement exam. Without knowing what the test would entail, he headed to the advanced cadet training room.
Inside, Reina Draker was already there, her eyes blazing with competitive spirit. Since the aura evaluation test, her rivalry with Zeke had only intensified.
Zeke tried to avoid her gaze. ‘This is exhausting.’
Reina was a prodigy, destined to be recorded as one of the academy’s greatest talents. Yet, being compared to someone like Zeke, who was considered beyond the norm, seemed to overshadow her abilities. However, Reina seemed more focused on viewing Zeke as a rival, fueling her determination.
As the tension between them simmered, someone entered the training room with a thud. It was the supervising instructor and a knight in Draker regalia.
Zeke was momentarily taken aback. ‘The Wooden Sword?’
Aul Draker, known as the Wooden Sword, was someone Zeke had crossed paths with in his previous life. His massive frame, solid build, and the large scar across his face were intimidating. Even his aura suggested he was far beyond the level required for an academy advancement evaluation.
The instructor stepped forward to explain. “Zeke Draker, Reina Draker, your advancement exam will be overseen by Aul Draker, a senior knight from the main house.”
Both Reina and Zeke bowed in respect to Aul, who silently observed them.
The instructor continued, “The exam will be a sparring match. Use all your skills for ten minutes. Understood?”
Reina responded loudly, while Zeke simply nodded.
The instructor turned to Aul. “Shall we begin?”
Aul nodded and pointed to Reina first. She drew her sword and faced him.
“Let’s do this…”
A senior knight of the Draker family was at least a Blue Knight. But that was just the minimum; each one was a seasoned warrior with over a decade of real combat experience. They were the pillars supporting the Draker family.
As Reina took her stance, Aul drew his sword—a unique weapon, unlike a typical arming sword. Zeke recognized it immediately. ‘He’s using an Eastern Empire saber even now.’
The saber, with its single-edged blade, was longer than a standard sword. In Aul’s large hands, it was an imposing sight. Yet, Reina quickly shook off the intimidation and regained her composure.
She launched a swift attack at Aul, aiming for his thigh. Aul stepped back, effortlessly dodging her strike. Reina adjusted her stance and attacked again with her dragon-slaying technique, but Aul merely sidestepped, avoiding her blade without swinging his saber.
Reina’s movements were astonishing for a first-year cadet, but her limits were clear. Aul evaded her attacks, then slipped into her blind spot, tripping her with a simple foot maneuver.
“Ugh!”
Reina lost her balance and fell. She quickly got back up, gripping her sword tightly.
“Huff… huff…”
The effort of attacking Aul had already drained her energy, leaving her breathless. Then, for the first time, Aul raised his saber.
Boom!
He stepped forward and swung his saber. Reina tried to block it with her sword.
Crack!
The impact sent her flying across the training room, crashing into the wall with enough force to crack it.
“Ugh…”
Reina struggled to stand, but her body wouldn’t cooperate, trembling uncontrollably. Moments later, she lost consciousness.
Medics rushed in, placing her on a stretcher and swiftly transporting her to the infirmary.
‘Brutal.’
Aul was as unyielding as Zeke remembered—a man of stone. Aul returned to his spot and gestured for Zeke to step forward.
Zeke drew Bahamut and addressed Aul. “Is there a specific standard for evaluation?”
Aul remained silent, offering no response.
‘He’s a tough one to deal with.’
Unlike Duke, whose intentions were easy to read, Aul was like a tree encased in iron. Even during the Third Continental War in his past life, Aul had been the same—an impenetrable yet upright knight. Despite being an enemy, Zeke had admired him.
‘A man too noble to die in such a pointless war.’
Zeke gripped Bahamut, pushing aside his emotions, and faced Aul. In an instant, he vanished.
Whoosh!
Using his phantom step technique, Zeke left afterimages around Aul, encircling him.
Swish! Swish!
Zeke’s sword aimed for Aul’s openings. Like with Reina, Aul twisted his body, evading Zeke’s strikes.
Zeke increased the speed of his phantom steps, multiplying his afterimages from three to five. Five blades targeted Aul’s vital points simultaneously.
Whoosh!
Aul raised his saber, blocking Zeke’s attack from behind.
Boom!
Aul turned, pushing against Zeke’s sword. Zeke deflected the saber and dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding being thrown back like Reina.
Aul’s seemingly simple movements carried immense power.
‘I can’t let my guard down.’
Zeke had to carefully balance his strength, unable to reveal his full power. Yet, he couldn’t afford to perform poorly and fail the advancement exam.
He stepped back, catching his breath. Unlike with Reina, Aul held his saber in a ready stance.
Then, he took a single step forward.
Rumble!
The pressure from that single step was overwhelming. Zeke couldn’t help but smile at the challenge of facing a strong opponent.
Battling a formidable foe was like opening a new path.
Vroom!
Zeke’s sword hummed with energy. He used his phantom step and unleashed his dragon-slaying technique.
Dragon-Slaying Technique
Chapter 3, Verse 1
Crescent Slash
The crescent-shaped slash, imbued with aura, flew toward Aul.
Boom!
Aul tilted his saber, blocking Zeke’s attack. Zeke used the rebound to spin.
Dragon-Slaying Technique
Chapter 4, Verse 1
Full Moon Slash
His sword traced a large arc, descending toward Aul’s head with centrifugal force.
Aul anchored himself and swung his saber upward.
Crash!
The clash of Zeke’s Full Moon Slash and Aul’s upward strike echoed with a massive shockwave. Zeke couldn’t fully absorb the impact and was pushed back.
‘Huff… Controlling my aura is definitely challenging.’
Then, Aul spoke to Zeke for the first time.
“Zeke Draker.”
He pointed his saber at Zeke.
“Show me your full strength.”
Zeke realized that Owl hadn’t shown his full strength yet.
At the same time, Owl sprang into action.
Whoosh!
Unlike before, he took a more aggressive stance, swinging his sword with precision.
Swish!
Blades flew toward Zeke from all directions.
Clang!
Zeke raised his sword, deflecting the attack.
But the onslaught was relentless.
The blades twisted at odd angles, striking from unexpected directions, seeking out any gaps in Zeke’s defense.
Gritting his teeth, Zeke blocked Owl’s attacks.
“This strange Eastern swordsmanship… he used it back then too.”
He recalled the battlefield before his return, where he had struggled against Owl’s unpredictable style.
A strike from above would suddenly change course and come from the side, or a low attack would shift upward.
The constant shifts made it nearly impossible to defend. Watching Owl employ his full range of skills, Zeke realized he needed to step up his game to advance.
Vroom!
A powerful vibration emanated from Zeke’s body, not his sword.
Dragon Slayer Technique
Gale Force
Shadow Step
In an instant, Zeke accelerated so quickly he seemed to vanish.
Vroom!
He enveloped his body in aura, enhancing his muscles and joints to increase his agility—a technique derived from Gale Force.
With his speed, Zeke dodged Owl’s blade and closed in on him.
Whoosh!
Zeke’s sword shot toward Owl’s vital point with lightning speed.
Then it happened.
Thud!
Owl swiftly stepped back half a pace, creating an opening to draw his sword against Zeke.
Boom!
Zeke blocked the powerful strike with his sword, but the force sent him flying across the training ground, crashing into the wall like Reina before him.
Crash!
The impact was so strong that Zeke broke through the wall.
The healers had to rush in once again.
Owl finally lowered his sword, watching as Zeke was carried to the infirmary.
At that moment, a voice rang out.
“You rascal, you’ve really done a number on my student.”
Duke appeared out of nowhere, landing in front of Owl. Owl immediately bowed his head.
“Greetings, Duke Draker.”
“Duke, you’re as stiff as ever.”
“I’m glad to see you’re well.”
“Well, with all the lazing around I do, I better be healthy. But more importantly…”
Duke grinned, throwing an arm around Owl’s shoulders.
“So, what do you think of my student?”
Owl pressed his lips together before speaking slowly.
“Disqualified.”
Duke was taken aback.
“What? You’re saying he’s disqualified?”
Owl shook his head.
“No, I mean, I’m disqualified as an evaluator.”