"BOTH OF YOU, START!"
"Full Moon's Cry." Luna unleashed her skill.
[Full Moon's Cry] [Werewolf Race Exclusive Skill] [S-Rank]
[Full Moon's Cry, an ancestral skill whispered in the depths of werewolf lore, stirs primal forces within. When the moon ascends to its fullest glory, a howl echoes through the night, triggering the awakening of hidden power. The werewolf, bathed in the ethereal glow of moonlight, experiences a surge of heightened ability. Muscles ripple with untamed strength, senses sharpen to unearthly acuity, and a feral aura emanates, marking them as a force to be reckoned with.
Increases all spells and skill's effects by 200%.]
"Awoooooooo..."
Luna's voice echoed through the academy grounds as she unleashed her powerful skill, Full Moon's Cry.
Her muscles rapidly expanded, growing to 1.5 times their original size within a minute. A surge of untamed power surged through her veins, marked by her feral aura and heightened senses.
"Seraphina, did you see that? That's the legendary skill of the martial house that I was telling you about the other day," Landon exclaimed, awe-struck by Luna's display of power.
"Now, that's truly a legendary skill," Seraphina replied, her eyes wide with amazement.
"Wait, look at Luna. She's using another skill," Landon pointed out as he observed Luna carefully.
"Lightning Sprint..." Luna declared.
[Lightning Sprint] [Martial Arts] [A-Rank]
[Lightning Sprint, a surge of electrifying power that courses through the veins, granting the user the swiftness of lightning itself. When this skill is unleashed, the individual becomes an embodiment of electrifying speed, streaking across the terrain with blinding velocity.
Harnessing the Lightning Sprint, the user's speed is boosted to an astounding 150% for 50 minutes, granting them an almost supernatural advantage in any race or pursuit.
However, the might of Lightning Sprint demands its due. The relentless consumption of mana, a continuous drain of 50 mana per second, taxes the user's magical reserves with unyielding intensity. No other skills can be used when this skill is active.]
[Cooldown: 1 hour and 50 minutes.]
[Speed increased By +200%, Current Speed 350%]
Luna crackled with blue lightning as her fur stood on end from the static electricity.
"See ya, loser," Luna taunted before vanishing from the academy grounds with blinding velocity, leaving her astonished peers in awe.
"Landon, did you see that? Because I certainly didn't. That girl left with such velocity that I don't think the Commoner kid can even catch up to her," Seraphina mocked Anon.
Landon, however, sensed that Anon, the Commoner kid, had something up his sleeve. As he observed Anon preparing to sprint, he felt a surge of anticipation.
"No, I have a feeling that this Commoner kid is planning something. Look, he's preparing to sprint as well," Landon spoke.
Everyone's eyes turned towards Anon as they observed him.
Anon crouched down and touched the ground with both hands, assuming a running stance.
As soon as Anon heard Luna's words, he activated another skill.
[Phoenix Ignition] [Berserk Class Exclusive Skill] [B-Rank]
[Phoenix Ignition, the fiery embodiment of relentless determination and indomitable spirit. This formidable skill engulfs the user in an infernal fire, transforming them into a blazing streak hurtling across the landscape. As the flames dance and flicker, the runner is consumed by an unyielding passion, propelling them forward with unparalleled speed and strength. Each step ignites the ground beneath their feet, leaving a trail of scorching embers in their wake. The searing flames envelop their body, emanating an aura of awe-inspiring intensity and igniting their very essence with the mythical creature's power, the phoenix. Boosts your speed by 500% until your stamina runs out.
However, such fiery power comes at a price. Harnessing the Phoenix Ignition demands a tremendous amount of stamina, exhausting the user's physical and mental reserves with each fiery stride. The flames that surround their body, while empowering, inflict searing heat upon the user, testing their endurance and resilience. The relentless consumption of stamina leaves the runner vulnerable to fatigue and potential burnout if sustained for too long.]
[Mental fatigue debuff neutralized due to
[Critical Alert: Stamina is decreasing at an incredible rate.]
[Skill
[You've tapped into the wild energies of mana around you, granting you infinite mana for 10 minutes.]
Numerous screens appeared in front of Anon as soon as he activated the skill.
"This is the perfect skill for a headstart, and to solve the stamina issue, I've activated the stamina boost skill. It taps into the wild energy reserves of mana around me, granting me infinite stamina for 10 minutes straight. After a 5-minute cooldown, I can use this combo again," Anon thought, chuckling.
As soon as Anon used the
"Wooooahhhh, look at that, Seraphina. That kid is no joke. He used his first skill, and he's already on fire," Landon exclaimed, surprised by Anon's display.
Zooom
Anon left the academy grounds with even greater speed than Luna, leaving a trail of fire behind him.
"Wow, that kid really is on fire. I think someone has come to challenge the nobles," Seraphina remarked, her voice filled with both surprise and excitement.
"Heh, that's just a flashy skill. I've read about it. It requires an immense amount of mana and is only good for short sprints. How is he going to sustain a long run like this with that skill?" Seti, scoffed, dismissing Anon's skill as a mere show-off as she casted a mocking smile towards letti.
But Letti, aware of Anon's true abilities, worried silently. She knew that using Phoenix Ignition would drain him of his mana quickly, and a long run like this would be a test of his endurance.
As she watched Luna running alone on the screen in front of her, Letti couldn't help but think, 'Fuck, Anon, why did you have to use that skill first? It will drain your mana dry.'
She also believed that the skill consumed too much mana and was only suitable for short sprints.
Little did they know, Anon had his own plans and was ready to defy expectations. The flames of determination burned brightly within him, propelling him forward on his path to challenge the nobles and win this race as he crushes their spirits entirely this time.
10 minutes later after the race started...
"Ladies and gentlemen, as you can all see, Luna is still ahead of Anon. But where is Anon? He's nowhere to be seen on the screen. What happened to him? Did he forfeit? Did he lose?" Commentator Seraphina asked with excitement.
"Well, we all knew that the skill Anon used at the start was a real stamina eater, but I was hoping to see him catch up to Luna. It seems like that won't be happening," Landon spoke with a disappointed expression, longing to witness Anon's comeback on the screen.
"Don't worry, Landon. Maybe a miracle will happen," Seraphina reassured.
"Come on, Anon. If you don't catch up to her here, we are definitely bound to lose today," Letti thought anxiously, biting her nails as she stared at the screen.
"Look, there he is," a girl's voice echoed from the back of the Commoner's section.
"Huh...?"
"What? That's impossible," Seti exclaimed in surprise as she gazed at the screen.
"Seraphina, look at that. I told you he would be back. My boy Anon is back," Landon shouted, rising from his chair in excitement.
"Landon, calm down. We're commentators, not audience members. Keep your excitement in check," Seraphina laughed and reminded him.
"Yes, Anon!" Letti exclaimed, jumping up with joy as she noticed a bright flame trailing behind Luna on the screen.
Seti, on the other hand, wondered how Anon managed to catch up with Luna so quickly. His stamina should have depleted by now, yet he continued to run.
"I can't see him clearly, Seraphina, but I can tell it's definitely Anon," Landon stated.
"Oh, look, he's now visible," Seraphina pointed at the big screen.
Anon appeared on the screen clearly, his body still engulfed in crimson flames, wearing a maniacal expression on his face.
"Wow, that smile doesn't bode well. It seems like a crazed individual running toward his goal," Seraphina observed.
"No, Seraphina, that's the look of a person fueled by passion and effort. If you think he's not working hard for this, just look at his shoes," Landon exclaimed in astonishment, pointing at Anon's shoes.
Seraphina glanced at Anon's shoes, her eyes widening in surprise.
"What the hell? He's not wearing shoes anymore? But he had them when he left the academy," Seraphina questioned.
"Why did he remove his shoes?" Samantha asked, puzzled.
"I don't know, maybe some kind of barefoot running fetish," Jake replied.
"Our school's uniform doesn't include shoes. He must have worn custom-made shoes, and due to the absence of magical enchantments, they got vaporized from the speed he's running with," Frank explained, overhearing the siblings' conversation.
Both of them looked at Frank with astonished expressions.
"They evaporated?" they asked in unison, their mouths opening wide in awe.
"Yes," Frank confirmed.
'That fucking animal. What lengths will he go to defeat us? If only he were a noble. Hahaha, I can't even imagine it,' Frank thought, silently laughing as he watched the big screen.
Frank already knew that the Commoners were going to win this test from the start because they had Anon on their side. That's why he wasn't even trying to give his best.
'What the fuck? How did he catch up to me?' Luna wondered, taken aback by Anon's sudden appearance.
'Well, it doesn't matter. Your speed will decrease greatly at the next hurdle, and as a werewolf, it will give me a boost,' Luna thought, determined to maintain her lead.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment we've all been waiting for has arrived. The first hurdle of the first kingdom, and for the knowledge of the audience, let me declare that this is a record-breaking Kingdom's Night Run, surpassing all previous races.
Luna Warwood reached the first hurdle in a staggering time of 14 minutes and 56 seconds. My partner Landon will now explain to you all what the first hurdle of this race entails. Landon, please enlighten us," Seraphina announced.
"Absolutely, Seraphina. The first hurdle of the race is Venomheart Gulch, a valley between two mountains, measuring 10 km wide and 5 km deep. Just a week ago, there was another mountain between the two, but it mysteriously vanished, forming this valley.
Upon careful observation, it's evident that Luna Warwood has the advantage here. Werewolves possess sharper senses of smell and sight, which will help her in this stage. What do you think, Seraphina?" Landon asked.
"I agree with you on that matter, Landon. Luna has a significant advantage for winning. Will Anon be able to catch up this time?" Seraphina asked, adding suspense to her voice.
Anon and Luna were currently running up the mountain, with Anon still a few kilometers behind Luna.
Luna reached the mountaintop and began descending into the dark valley. Her eyes glowed blue, allowing her to see clearly in the darkness as she continued running without stumbling over any rocks or trees.
"Sucker, you will lose..." Luna shouted loudly, her voice carrying to Anon, despite his heightened senses.
"Hahaha... let's see who will win and who will lose," Anon chuckled as he increased his running speed.
"What the hell is happening? Anon isn't decreasing his speed at all. What is this kid thinking? What's his plan, Landon?" Seraphina spoke, her eyes widening in confusion.
Anon was supposed to reduce his speed at this point and jump into the valley, then increase his speed once inside. However, he was doing the opposite.
"I-I don't know, Seraphina. This kid is full of surprises. I can't predict his next move," Landon said, standing up from his chair and eagerly observing Anon's actions.
Everyone's attention shifted from Luna to anon, realizing that witnessing a noble werewolf girl crossing a valley at night was no big feat, but watching a Commoner preparing for what seemed like his demise was more thrilling.
In the second-year class, the Commoner section...
"He is going to die. Gia, your brother is going to die." A girl shouted.
"Yes, why the hell isn't he stopping or slowing down?" Another girl added.
"Don't worry, he's my brother, and I know he doesn't plan on dying before conquering every single woman in this land," Gia spoke in a carefree tone, leaving the other girls bewildered.
In Kia's class...
"Kia, any final words for your brother before he meets his end?" Kia's teacher asked, glancing at her.
Kia remained silent, her gaze fixed on the screen, her face filled with tension.
'What is he planning in that evil mind of his?' Kia wondered.
In Kale's office...
"Now, now, I think I conducted this test for no reason. This kid is crazy as fuck. Even if he had topped the beginner's exam, he would've died later. Well, who cares?" Kale muttered, sipping his wine as he looked at the screen.
'It's time,' Anon thought as his maniacal smile transformed into a menacing laughter.
Suddenly, the crimson flames engulfing Anon's body turned pitch black.
15 minutes before the race started...
"Anon," Letti strode purposefully towards Anon's seat at the back of the library, her eyes filled with urgency.
"Yes...?" Anon looked up, his curiosity piqued.
"There has been a significant change in the race track," Letti spoke, her voice tinged with concern.
"What kind of change?" Anon asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"Take a look at this." Letti unfolded the map of the kingdom, revealing intricate paths and landmarks.
Anon examined the map, his gaze fixated on the familiar depiction. "It's the same map. What's the problem here?" he inquired.
Letti's finger traced a route, leading to three mountains standing side by side. "Look here," she pointed, her voice laced with apprehension.
Anon's eyes followed her finger, and he raised an eyebrow. "Alright, what about them?" he questioned, trying to decipher Letti's unease.
"In every kingdom, the racers are required to overcome three hurdles: a sea, a desert, and a forest. But this time, the track has undergone a drastic change. An additional hurdle has been added," Letti explained, her voice betraying a hint of anxiety.
Curiosity sparked within Anon. "What is this new hurdle?" he probed, his mind already churning with possibilities.
"You see these three mountains? One of the middle mountains vanished mysteriously two weeks ago, leaving behind a perilous valley. The once-solid ground has been replaced by treacherous terrain filled with colossal rocks and towering trees. That's the new obstacle you'll have to pass through. To make matters more worse, your first competitor will be Luna Warwood, a werewolf with an inherent advantage over you, Fuck that director." Letti revealed, her worry etched on her face.
Anon's eyes widened momentarily, a flicker of recognition passing through his mind. 'Hmm...? Ah, now I remember. I was wondering why these mountains looked familiar. Turns out, this is the very mountain that I blowed up during my first railgun test,' he recalled in his mind.
He gazed at the map, his expression shifting to one of determination. "Don't worry, Luv. I have a plan," he assured her, a confident smile playing on his lips.
Letti's surprise was evident as she looked at him in disbelief. "You already have a plan?" she asked, astonished.
Anon nodded calmly. "Yes," he replied, his voice filled with conviction.
"Are you fucking with me ? I just informed you about this change. How could you possibly think of a plan in such a short time?" Letti inquired, her curiosity piqued.
Anon's gaze softened as he offered an explanation. "I simply kept my mind calm, allowing the ideas to flow naturally. Sometimes, the solutions reveal themselves when we let go of the chaos and trust in our instincts," he revealed, a hint of wisdom in his words.
'WTF ? Why is he talking like that ?' Letti thought to herself.
Back to the present...
"Landon, what does this crazy kid plan on doing? He shows no signs of slowing down, let alone stopping. Will he meet his death today?" Seraphina's voice rang out, a mix of concern and intrigue.
Landon leaned in closer, his eyes fixed on the screen displaying the unfolding race. "I'm also eager to witness Anon's next move, Seraphina," he admitted, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Meanwhile, Letti's eyes remained transfixed on the screen before her, filled with a mixture of worry and anticipation. "Anon, what do you plan on doing?" she wondered silently, her heart pounding in her chest.
Seti couldn't help but laugh on anon. "Yes, die now, kid," she muttered, a twisted smile forming on her face.
Inside the Commoner teacher's room...
"He's about to die." one teacher remarked, their tone filled with faux sympathy.
"Yes, my deepest condolences to him," another added, a tinge of sarcasm in their voice.
Amidst the discussion, a female teacher chimed in with admiration, her voice tinged with a hint of infatuation. "What a smart and attractive young lad. It's a shame he's fated for doom," she mused.
"Yeah, he does have that charm, but ultimately, he's headed for his death." another teacher chimed in, their tone resigned.
On the mountain...
"It's time," Anon whispered to himself, his maniacal smile transforming into a menacing laughter that echoed through the air.
[Shadowsoar Strengthening] [Shadow Assassin Exclusive Skill] [S-Rank]
[A skill exclusive to the elite shadow assassins, Shadowsoar Strengthening is a formidable technique that taps into the depths of darkness to unleash an unparalleled surge of power. When invoked, the user's body becomes shrouded in a captivating veil of shadows, a tangible manifestation of their dominance over the realm of darkness.
With a surge of commanding will, the shadows answer their beckoning, obediently serving the wielder. In an instant, the user's strength skyrockets, their muscles coiling with raw potential as they become an unstoppable force. Every movement becomes a testament to their amplified might, each strike resonating with darkened ferocity.
However, this dark empowerment comes at a steep cost. The skill exacts a heavy toll on the user's mana reserves, draining a staggering 3000 units in a single activation. Such a formidable expenditure places the shadow assassin in a precarious position, as the price of unleashing this extraordinary power leaves them vulnerable once the shadows recede.
For a fleeting duration of 10 seconds, the Shadowsoar Strengthening bestows upon its wielder unparalleled strength, commanding the shadows as loyal allies. Yet, the high mana consumption serves as a constant reminder that the embrace of darkness must be wielded judiciously, for even the darkest powers have their limitations.]
Suddenly, the crimson flames engulfing Anon's body transformed into pitch black, and his muscles doubled in size, pulsating with newfound power.
His speed increased exponentially, causing even the noble audience to take notice.
'This power is awesome.' Anon thought, marveling at his bulging muscles, empowered by the shadows.
[Warning: 50% Mana Remaining!!!!]
A large red screen materialized before Anon, a stark reminder of his dwindling mana reserves.
"I know, I know, just one more time," Anon declared defiantly, his determination unyielding as he approached the end point of the mountain.
Everyone fixated their gaze on the screens, bracing themselves for what seemed like an inevitable death, but...
Anon activated yet another skill, unleashing the power of <7 Steps Phantom Leap>.
[7 Steps Phantom Leap] [Thief Class Exclusive Skill] [S-Rank]
[The ultimate manifestation of a thief's cunning and agility. With each step, shadows gather beneath the user's nimble feet, coalescing into ethereal platforms suspended in the air. This extraordinary skill harnesses the power of mana, drawing it from the surroundings and channeling it into the fabric of space itself.
As the thief initiates the Leap, their movements become a blur, defying gravity's laws. The first step propels them into the air with supernatural velocity. With each subsequent step, a new platform materializes, a fleeting bridge to the heavens, granting the thief an unparalleled advantage in traversing impossible heights and spanning great distances.
The platforms, born from the convergence of darkness and mana, emit an otherworldly glow, tracing the thief's path with an aura of mystique and intrigue. The air crackles with electric anticipation as the thief effortlessly dances across the shadowy platforms, leaving onlookers in awe and bewilderment.]
[Mana: Consumes 50% of your remaining mana]
As soon as he activated the skill, two majestic wings formed at his back, emerging from the black flames enveloping Anon's body, granting him an ethereal grace.
[Warning: 25% Mana Remaining]
"Let's do this, baby!" Anon shouted triumphantly as he leaped from the edge of the mountain, propelled by incredible speed that covered half the distance of the treacherous valley in a single bound.
"HOLLLLLYY SHIIIIIIIIT!!!!!!" Landon stood up from his chair, unable to contain his excitement. "Ladies and gentlemen, as you can see, Anon just jumped off the mountain and already covered half the distance to the other end."
"Wow, what is this kid even made of?" Seraphina admired Anon with wide eyes.
"He jumped off just like that?" The crowd gathered in front of the academy's gate marveled at the screen before them.
"He's got guts, that's for sure."
"Unbelievable! He's going to die!"
The crowd buzzed with murmurs and speculations about Anon.
"Hahaha, Ms. Letti, your student is heading towards his death. Any last words for him?" Seti taunted Letti.
Letti ignored her, focusing on the screen, nervously chewing her thumbnail.
'Anon, will you die today, or will you write your name in the history of this kingdom?' Letti wondered, her eyes wide open.
This question wasn't just on Letti's mind; half the kingdom pondered the same.
The race was being broadcasted not only in Anon's continent but on all the other six continents as well.
People from different corners of the world sat at the edge of their seats, their hearts pounding with anticipation.
"Here goes nothing." Anon placed his right leg on an invisible surface formed by mana.
Anon soared through the valley at bullet-like speed. When he touched the mana-formed surface, the stored potential energy in his body, produced from the initial jump off the mountain, transformed into kinetic energy, propelling Anon forward with a boost.
"Hahahaha, this is awesome!" Anon's voice echoed through the valley.
Luna looked up, searching for the source of the scream.
To her surprise, she witnessed a flare covered in dark flames racing through the valley like a rocket.
"What is that?" Luna wondered, unaware that it was Anon himself.
"What the hell? Did he just get a mid-air boost?" Seraphina's eyes widened in astonishment.
"Yes, Seraphina. This kid is no ordinary commoner, and that technique is also an S-Rank technique. It's called '7 Steps Phantom Leap.' I have only heard of it until now, but today I saw it in action." Landon's excitement filled his voice.
News of Anon using an S-Rank technique quickly spread among the crowd, leaving them in awe.
"What? An S-Rank technique?"
"How can a commoner know an S-Rank technique?"
"Maybe he stumbled upon a treasure or something."
"It's entirely possible."
Boom
Anon landed on the other side of the valley and continued running.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the inevitable has been reversed. The moment we've all been waiting for has arrived. The tables have been turned upside down. Anon, a commoner, has taken the lead in the Kingdom's Night Run against a noble!" Landon's announcement resonated with enthusiasm as he stood up from his chair in excitement.
The spectators erupted into cheers and applause, thrilled by the unexpected turn of events.
"That was refreshing!" Anon exclaimed as his muscles returned back to normal, and the pitch black flames covering his body transformed back into their original crimson red color.
"Hahaha, let's go, Anon. So, what were you saying again, Mrs. Seti ?" Letti mocked Seti, a triumphant smile on her face.
'Fuck you, bitch,' Seti thought, glaring back at Letti's mocking expression.
In Kale's office...
Pssttt
"H-He crossed the motherfucking valley in a single fucking jump! How is that even possible for a kid like him?" Kale's shock caused him to spray wine out of his mouth.
Among the second-year girls in the commoner section...
"Wow, he is like the wind, unstoppable and unrestricted," one girl commented.
"No, he is like a tornado, not giving a fuck about anything in his way until he achieves his goal," another girl added.
Inside the office, Gia and Yumi engaged in a serious conversation.
"This is the last time I am asking you. Either you get me inside your brother's bed, or I will be the one to end our friendship," Yumi pleaded, gripping Gia's hand with a pleading expression.
"If you ask me that one more time, I will be the one to end it first," Gia replied, her tone serious.
"Please," Yumi begged, hoping for Gia's help.
"I told you, I'll talk to him."
"Okay, thanks." Yumi expressed her gratitude with a hug.
[Critical Alert: 15% Mana Remaining]
[Mana fatigue will start at 10%]
'Fuck.' Anon muttered under his breath, realizing the imminent mana exhaustion and the challenges that lay ahead.
Determined, he pressed forward, pushing his limits and defying all odds. The world watched in anticipation as he embarked on a legendary journey that would forever change his destiny.