[POV: Albert von Anderson]
I was always walking behind Shinji. I have always done it since I first saw him.
Now that I realized the power of magic, I wouldn't be someone who would look up to him anymore.
My father, teacher, and friends say I should try challenging Shinji to see if I have surpassed him. Unfortunately, he was already in retreat at that time. My hopes were crushed but I knew that once Shinji went out, it would be the moment that he could pass the number 1 academy's exam.
As expected, he was able to enter Gold Coffin Academy with his genius. With such news, I went to find him again for a challenge. What was annoying was that I couldn't find him no matter where I tried to find him. If I were to go to a specific class he wouldn't be there. I thought that I would encounter him eventually but here we are.
Although I did say I was looking for him, I was also trying to have a smooth, free, and happy school life.
I turn my head to my side looking at Audelia. She is a very pretty girl who I bumped into while I was in a hurry to magic construct class.
It was a funny spectacle, she immediately tried to apologize only to bite her tongue. I tried calming her down by saying it was also my fault and that It wasn't a bother but I made it worse once I told her my name because she freaked out and began apologizing even more.
I had to assure her that I won't attack her family. Her imagination is too dark...or maybe that is what nobles of high status do? That is too cruel to do just because they bumped into you. There must be laws to stop this.
Another person I met is Drax who had rivaled me in the academy's entrance exam. Although he had flunked the written test, he far surpassed me at the combat test. In the end, we had a tie but the academy decided to put me in first.
This also gave me the idea of forming a hunting group with them.
I feel guilty for challenging Shinji out of the blue, I haven't even consulted the team if we were to postpone the hunting. Fortunately, they didn't mind it and even Drax was intrigued with the turn of events.
When we arrived at the purple hill we encountered some poisonous mushroom monsters there were burned down by Adalinda. We also arrived at their camp where we encountered Sirena Brise. Shinji introduced everyone to Sirena and vice versa and told her about the situation.
Another thing is that Drax had hit all the Spike Grass... according to Shinji. Although I don't know what method he used to find that out, he did say that he'll help Drax forge several throwing knives.
He tosses his magic pouch to Sirena. He also asks Drax to be a referee. Which the latter obliges.
He turns to me and says, "We've arrived. Let's fight then.", He also adds, "I will only use what I have on myself."
He raises his arms as I scrutinize him. He is wearing Gold Coffin Academy's uniform. It was a black vest with golden tapestry and a black shirt with golden outlines. A unique thing is that the material used on the uniform is used specifically to help students in hunting.
Gold would normally shine but this one doesn't while its cloth is a durable material that can stop fatal injuries from happening to them. It is a great life saver.
Shinji's Note: R U Sure About That?
He also has black slacks with gold cuffs and a black tophat with a golden rim. Both of his palms had red-brown leather gloves and currant-colored shoes. In his right hand, he held a black cane with a golden handle in the shape of a '~'. On his other hand is a stack of green cards which have a similar color to the Spike grass that had been encountered.
His shoes, gloves, and hat aren't part of the student's uniform so they might be his creations. Is everything so simple?
"Are you sure you're just going to use them?", I ask
"I'm doubling down here but I'll still win.", he says in a certain tone.
Drax raises his hands to the sky, "Never in my life have I pictured myself doing this but here we go."
He breathes in as I keep my focus on Shinji. He then says, "Take your positions. No killing and fatal injuries. The fight ends once someone forfeits or when someone is beaten. Ready?"
We both nod as my blood boils and my body tenses up. I try calming down by taking deep breaths.
"3!"
"Albert! you can do this!", Audelia cheers me on.
"2!"
I give her a smile and turn back to Shinji.
"1!"
Drax then shouts, "Wallop!"
------------------------------------------------------
[POV: 3rd]
Albert creates a magic circle
2 Star [LightRay]
Shinji holds his cane opposite to its gold handle and swings it like a golf club. The handle smashed into the projectile redirecting it back to its sender.
2 Star [Beam Walk]
Albert is surprised at the redirected attack but still dodges it nonetheless. He does a spell on the sole of his shoes and slides away.
Shinji leaps back and makes a finger gun directed at Albert.
Multiple 1 Star [Mana Bullets] + Constant 1 Star [Mana]
Multiple shots of light with a blue hue appear flying from the magic circle on the tip of his finger. They flew accurately to multiple vital parts.
2 Star [Shine Zone]
Albert defends himself with a shield and activates multiple LightRays. The barrage of enhanced mana bullets couldn't overwhelm the shield of light
Shinji counters by taking out several cards and throwing them accurately at the blasts. At their point of contact, something exploded and a smokescreen began diffusing in the surroundings.
Albert couldn't see but still held up his barrier and sent another attack.
2 Star [Bright Wave]
Semi-invisible light passed through the cloud of smoke. Albert hopes to hit Shinji but he was startled to see the latter tearing through the AOE with his own staff.
Albert guesses that the staff's handle has a special effect on light but he couldn't think about it too much as another flurry of enhanced mana bullets flew into his defense.
His sole lights up again with magic circles. Albert tries to back off to keep some distance away from Shinji but then he sees the latter hurling his staff straight into his shield. Because of the close distance and the momentary surprise, the staff hits the barrier and breaks it but Albert still backs off with his magic.
Another set of mana bullets zipped through the air. Albert tried to set up another Shine Zone but the instant he started trying, his body sustained several cuts. He realizes that several cards coming from his left and right appeared and made several cuts into his body.
A while ago, when Shinji made a smoke cloud for a diversion. He threw several cards with strings out and used his staff as a distraction against Albert.
As the pain started assaulting him, Albert gritted his teeth and made a barrier surrounding him. It is just in time as he was able to set up the shield before the magic hit him. Adrenalin courses throughout Albert as he looks again at Shinji.
Albert created several LightRays and targets Shinji again. He can't afford the latter to retrieve his cane. He also sends out a Bright Wave ahead of time to repel any cards that he would literally throw at him.
1 Star [Mana Shield] and 1 Star [Strength Up]
Shinji responds with Mana Shield and stands his ground. He endures the pressure done by the Bright Wave as it breaks his magic barrier. Shinji then avoids the incoming LightRays with some footwork and magic attached. His hat flies off but he grabs it back onto his head.
1 Star [Doubt Step: Fake Out] + 1 Star [Speed Up]
With the sudden increase in speed, Shinji startles Albert by arriving near the former's staff in seconds. Hooking the staff with his feet, he lifts it up into the air and grabs it then dashes straight to Albert.
2 Star [Glaring Fist]
Albert shoots out a floating fist that is 3 times the size of his own. Although the spell is slower than a LightRay, Shinji couldn't possibly avoid it at a close distance.
1 Star [Wu Long Technique: Extension]
The staff pierced the fist of magic but it wasn't enough. Shinji backed away a single step. Fortunately, he still had something he can use.
1 Star [Ground Crack: Knuckle Sand]
Targeting the end of his staff, Shinji punches the staff. The force transferred to the other side and blasted the fist. Shinji redirected the magic to the ground.
The magic exploded and generated enough force to push Shinji up in the air. Using his mana, Shinji applied mana to the strings connected to the thrown cards. The string reacted and retracted.
Albert took the bait and casts another Glaring Fist at the vulnerable Shinji in the air leaving himself vulnerable without a shield. Again, several cuts riddle his body. The pain made him kneel on one knee but he still did his best to maintain a Shine Zone as his last defense.
It is unfortunately futile. Shinji fell down while swinging his staff towards Albert's Shield. It broke with enough strength.
Shinji stood in front of Albert as the former pointed a finger gun at him.
"Bang! Knockout! You lose.", Shinji smirks.
"Ugh, I lost...", Albert hung his head down.
Kaitlyn seems to recognize something from the fight but couldn't put her finger on it, 'Did he make another reference? How lax is he to be able to that?'
Drax thinks, 'I know I did say wallop but why did you only just use mana bullets? That is an outrageous handicap...'
'That...is the 1 Star earth fist technique I once practiced...', Quad has a thoughtful look.
Audelia came running to Albert and started casting healing spells.
Adalinda stares at Shinji scrutinizingly to see if she can gouge any secrets from him.
Sirena smiles like it was as expected.
Kaitlyn shakes her head since she shouldn't be thinking about such ridiculous things. She asked Shinji her burning question, "Albert seems to be sweating excessively. His movements and mana control also have slowed down. Is that your doing?"
Shinji explains calmly, "Perceptive I see. Of course, it is poison from my blood. It causes stamina fatigue and mana fatigue. It also causes fever and dizziness."
Drax asks flabbergasted, "Qi, Mana, and Phyce? Dude, are you some all-rounder build?"
Shinji scoffs, "Pot calling the kettle black."
Drax sweatdrops and keeps quiet.
Shinji smiles again and says, "Nevermind that, once the other members of our group gather I'll make those throwing knives for you."
He then began munching on the fruit of a monster to regain stamina and to stimulate mana recovery.
He also turned to Albert, "You have become strong. You were able to cast several magic spells and you would have been able to cast twice as much if it weren't for my poison. If it weren't for the [Photo-Gold] on my staff then the strength behind those spells would also be twice as strong and destructive. What you need to do is focus on your surroundings. Attacking people when their vulnerable is good but you also need to ensure that it isn't a trap. What you could also do is prevent the trap from working. If you would have backed away using a spell and set up another shield then you would have avoided my trap. A mage must always keep a distance."
Albert looked up again to Shinji and nods his head. He sighs in his lack of combat experience. It is understandable however since the hunting group he made are all skillful and that made up for their lack of experience.
Shinji then took off the handle of his cane and placed it in his magic bag after retrieving the bag from Sirena. He had to replace the wood and the golden handle had other uses after being charged up by Light-attributed mana.
From a far distance, Lin and Dongmei see a flashing light on top of the poison hill. They sped up and arrived at the top. They only saw the aftermath of the battle not because they weren't fast enough but because they only saw the light too late.
Lin questioned Quad, "What is happening here?", to which Quad explained the situation.
Shinji again introduced them and vice versa.
Adalinda remarks, "It's quite a chore to do it 3 times."
Shinji chuckles and replies, "You get used to it."
When it became her turn to be introduced, Sirena herself did it by saying, "I am Sirena Brise, Shinji's Childhood friend.", She flaunts as if she won something
Dongmei felt ticked off, "I am Dongmei von Shiraki. Since you are Shinji's friend does that means he is open to options?"
Suddenly everyone turns quiet. Drax stands beside Shinji and asks, "Is this?", but was immediately interrupted by an answer
"Yes.", Shinji answers as they both stare at Dongmei and Sirena looking at each other. Dongmei feels threatened. Sirena puffs up her chest and glares.
"Well sh*t.", Drax says to which Shinji replies, "Sh*t indeed, but don't worry."
Out of nowhere, a door appears at the center of the camp. It opens and several spells came out of the door. Then headmaster Hideo crosses the door.
Dongmei and Sirena stop their glaring contest and look at Hideo when he stared at them curiously.
"Was I interrupting something?", Hideo spoke to them.
Shinji elbows Drax. Drax got the hint and says, "No sir, you're just in time."
Sirena and Dongmei furrow their brows at Drax. Drax sweatdrops and elbows Shinji and says, "You owe me."
Hideo shakes his head and stares at Shinji.
He asks him, "Is what Sirena said true?"
Shinji replies, "Absolutely, I don't have much proof but my life would be on the line if I were lying."
Hideo nods and walks back to the door, "I'll prepare for it then. However, can I ask? How much have they prepared?"
Shinji states gravely, "For each person, there are 2 people with a rank above targeting them. Except for you, Ms. Agatha and Sir Ambrosio will each be targeted by three rank 8. five Rank 9 will target you."
Hideo furrows his brows and was about to leave through the door but stops. He looks at Adalinda von Vermillion and then looks at me. I shake my head and state, "She on our side. The Vermillions have already reformed."
Although not known by the commoners and nobles. The royalty does have the exact number of Rank-8 and Rank-9 while also knowing of the existence of Rank-10 individuals. Because of the number of Rank-9, it can be said that there may be a rank-10 leader in the midst of Kagai-Sha. Only the Gala Emperor is the most commonly known Rank-10 among the royalty.
Kagai-Sha is the same exact organization that worked with the Vermillions to throw over the empire so it is a surprise that they were able to come back even stronger. Shinji deliberates that someone external force outside the empire helped. Hideo also assumed so but is still waiting for the Kagai-Sha's attack to prove Shinji's words.
Strength also means fame so it isn't likely that the Rank-9 known by the empire are part of Kagai-Sha...or at least betraying the empire openly.
Hideo then leaves through the door and the thing disappears.
Drax furrows his brow when Hideo left. Knowing that the headmaster is an important person that doesn't drop by willy-nilly, he asks Shinji, "What the hell is going on?"
Shinji responds, "Kagai-Sha"
Lin, Dongmei, Adalinda, and Albert became enraged.
Audelia and Quad feel worried and distressed.
Kaitlyn and Drax were clueless as the former didn't study history while the latter didn't bother to remember his history lessons.
Sirena already knew what is happening so nothing much changed about her mood.
Seeing Kaitlyn and Drax in a confused state, Quad explained to them the history and tragedy of what Kagai-Sha did.
Understanding the situation and connecting the dots, both Kaitlyn and Drax remember what Shinji mentioned. Each of them is going to be hunted by 2 individuals 1 rank higher than them.
Kaitlyn being more perceptive than others theorizes that Kagai-Sha has a mole that was able to give information about Gold Coffin Academy's students.
Drax opens his system and looks through his skills and spells, he simulates fighting off against individuals that are both smart and stronger.
"If I'm going to be completely honest only 5 of us here are able to fend off our opponents. Namely, Me, Quad, Lin, Dongmei, and Kaitlyn. No offense but everyone else is not prepared for the fight."
Adalinda mentions, "According to what you said, with your rank and physical capabilities wouldn't it be too hard for you to fight against them?"
Shinji replies, "Good question, I have a plan. I'll be sure to get a Rank-3 [Mana Heart] and Rank-2 [Qi Core] before they ambush us. By then I'll be able to pulverize their bones, burn their meat and offer their blood to Technoblade"
"Technoblade?", Audelia asks confused.
"Nothing, you won't get it. Just know that he is saying a joke.", Kaitlyn says in exasperation.
"Aside from that, you need to get going and sleep. We have going to have a long day tomorrow and train our skills... well, except for me since I'm going to make some weapons.", Shinji comments.
Adalinda asks, "Did you really bring us back coincidentally or did you know this was going to happen?"
"I don't know what you mean Princess Adalina.", Shinji replies with a wide smile.
She pouts and takes out her magic bag to set her tent, "Whatever, as long as it isn't an intent to harm me or the group."
Shinji then turns to Lin and asks, "You do have [Treasures], right?"
Lin smiles a toothy grin, "I sure do. Even Sis Mei has [Treasures]."
Shinji stretches and says, "Yosh!", he then takes out an anvil and hammer.
Seeing this, Lin gives Shinji the [Treasures]. Lin thinks that Shinji is the one who told the location of the dungeon and he also claims to have forging skills. There are still opportunities in the future to explore dungeons anyway.
Dongmei also draws near and places a talisman that silences the sound around it. She gave the treasure to Shinji with a separate ring saying that the ring is an extra gift. Shinji accepts.
Before Shinji started, Sirena walks in between Shinji and Dongmei. Shinji asks Lin to look over their bodies while they are unconscious and Sirena activates her powers. Sirena gets a massive head for overloading herself but still manages to bring both Shinji and Dongmei into her dream space.
[Death Reversal: Schrödinger]
Unbeknownst to her, Shinji had a factor in her successful activation of power.
.
.
.
Author's Note: Is it bad that I'm anticipating the day someone calls out on me for a plothole? I feel like everything in my story is just me b*llsh*ting but it also makes sense in my head. Is this what goes on in an average author's mind? Was every story just the dao of b*llsh*t?