"Name?"
"Ramon Brenden".
"Level?"
"1st year".
"Affinity".
"Umm…,"
The blonde-haired young lady finally raised her head from her record book as she looked at the little boy standing before her. "You came to purchase a technique without knowing your affinity?"
"Kids these days".
"I can go find it".
"Doesn't matter, I can't wait," She stamped on a piece of paper before tearing it and giving it to the boy. "Afterall, it's not my contribution points".
Ramon looked at the piece of paper.
He read. "Ticket- Level 1 astral technique".
With a grin, he turned around and swaggered away.
"What a brat!" The blonde-haired lady cursed under her breath. "Not even a simple thank you!"
"I heard," Ramon laughed from far away. "Thank you!"
The lady was surprised. "Hmm, he has a pretty keen hearing sense".
At this moment, Ramon was inside the big academy library. For the past few weeks, he had visited here a few times but since he was not a fan of reading, he only paid attention to the exclusive section for astral techniques.
His attention was mostly drawn to the astral sword techniques, he never failed to be fascinated by them despite only getting to see their details yet.
A week ago, even as he attended lectures back-to-back, farming for contribution points, he already set his eyes on one of them.
With the paper indicating that he already spent 60 contribution points out of his original 64, he finally gained access into the exclusive section of this library for astral techniques. Inside here now, he felt even more fascinated.
The section of the library for astral techniques had 4 levels, each level corresponding to astral techniques from level 1 to 4.
Level 1 astral techniques were created for Legionnaire Stage Warriors.
Level 2 astral techniques for Knight Stage Warriors, level 3 for Commander Stage Warriors, so on and so forth.
The paper ticket that Ramon got granted him access to only level 1.
Entering inside, despite the distraction from the sheer catalogue of techniques before him ranging from 60 to 120 contribution points, he ignored everything as his eyes got set on one.
Looking at the piece of wooden tablet holding the technique, Ramon could feel vibration from the sheathed Sword Breaker, she was excited.
He looked at the name.
>Battojutsu Sword Technique: Slicing Mountain; Thrusting River<
>Cost: 60 contribution points<
>Author: Unknown<
[This is a 2 moves sword technique.]
[The first move, Slicing Mountain is a reverse diagonal cut from the hip to the opposite shoulder. It is more effective when amplified by astral energy.]
[The second move, Thrusting River is a swift thrusting attack to the opponent's throat or torso, leaving them no time to react.]
[When using Slicing Mountain and Thrusting River in a combo move, Slicing Mountain provides the foundation, giving Thrusting River more momentum to deal an even more dangerous critical hit.]
…
[Remark: A good swift combo move for sword beginners.]
Ramon's eyes gleamed on seeing the blank author tab, perhaps this was another reason that drew him to this sword technique.
Despite ending his escort mission already, Ramon managed to build a relationship with Shaggy after that as he became akin to his school father.
Anytime he had questions, he asked Shaggy and some time ago, he confirmed that an astral warrior despite majoring in one path of the astral world can still pursue skills and abilities from other paths.
It was also through Shaggy that he learned of the secrets of techniques like this. Most techniques created by astral warriors were always credited to them.
Those with unknown author tabs were not credited to an individual because they were created by astral travelers.
The astral warriors felt too self-righteous to claim ownership of a technique created by so-called criminals, but at the same time they felt reluctant to attribute honor to the true creator.
This resulted in no name being attributed to the author.
Knowing that an astral traveler created this was all that Ramon needed. 'Hehe, I must get it!' This was his motivation.
And finally, today, he got it.
Immediately after he got the technique, Ramon ignored everything else, including his 2nd and 3rd lecture for the day as he retreated into his hostel room.
Locked inside his room, Ramon trained with his first astral technique.
Fortunately, he didn't have to study and meditate with the technique, there was a magic crystal embedded on the wooden tablet, a recording device that could project a video of a man executing the astral sword technique.
The video lasted only 2 hours before the energy of the crystal would deplete.
Locked inside his room, for the entire 2 hours, Ramon stared, completely entranced by the movements of the man executing the sword technique.
Enraptured in the display of sword finesse, Sword Breaker vibrated in excitement. After the 2 hours was complete, Ramon stood up and closed his eyes.
Focusing on the feeling he experienced when watching the man swing his sword, Ramon soon envisioned his sea of consciousness as his astral energy flowed.
His right hand held Sword Breaker's hilt and his golden astral energy flowed.
Whoosh!
Ramon unsheathed Sword Breaker who was already coated with his golden energy as with his eyes snapping open, he cut diagonally upwards.
Instantly after the cut, Ramon stopped his sword, then he thrust swiftly.
BOOM!
"Arghhh…!" A loud female voice shrieked in shock.
Ramon's eyes widened in shock.
His training just resulted in him accidentally blasting a hole through his room all the way to the room opposite his!
"Uh oh…,"
Non academic staff of the academy came to meet Ramon, fixing the hole while recording a debt of 10 contribution points in his academy account.
Ramon begged them to keep his 4 remaining points intact that he'll pay back in no time, they agreed after much pleading.
As soon as the staff left, Ramon sat cross-legged as he focused on his sea of consciousness, absorbing astral energy to fill back his reduced sea.
15 minutes was all it took him to fill his sea of consciousness back to the brim with astral energy. 'I'm improving, that's 3 minutes faster than before'.
Ramon was not idle though, he stood up and grabbed his sword.
"Finally!"
His eyes gleamed. "It's time to hit the combat arena".
Apart from lectures, there was another way to earn contribution points and it was in the combat arena. There, students could challenge each other to duels where they could stake their contribution points as bet.
For the past 3 weeks, Ramon fought the temptation to go try his power against his classmates but finally, he was ready to go.
…
Ramon Brenden, one of the Specialists among the first years.
His specialist ability rapidly amplified his proficiency with the sword and sword abilities, he was already the best first year student of the sword department.
Rumors said his sword could cut through anything and anyone.
And finally, this Specialist made his way to the arena.
Seeing him, it was inevitable, he drew a lot of attention. Even if Ramon didn't like it, he had no choice since instructor Guendouzi and Mr. Patrick's classes already made him a popular face among the first years.
"I challenge you to a duel!" A student with long black hair challenged.
"4 contribution points".
"Huh?" The student was surprised.
"4 contribution points are my bet, stake yours". Ramon stared at this student.
The student was stunned. Normally, students just making their way to the arena took their time to observe other students to see the competition before agreeing to a duel, this fool actually agreed to fight without hesitating.
He grinned. 'I hit the jackpot'.
He stared at Ramon with a smirk. "I also bet 4 contribution points".
There were coordinators watching from the edges of the combat arena, they supervised duels and made sure that casualties were avoided.
Entering a combat ring in the combat arena for the first time, a lot of attention was drawn here even as Ramon felt like this was where he belonged.
'This is my destiny,' He grinned as he admired himself in the stage.
'Freedom…, this is my destiny'.
'Like my mentor said, who cares about peace in a world of astral travelers?'
DING!
As soon as the bell rang, golden energy exploded from Ramon's right leg as he went on a dash, showing his greater control over his astral energy.
His speed was so fast that the opposing student barely reacted.
"Ahh…!" He could only yelp as the opponent's sword slashed towards his neck.
Clang!
Ramon's sword hit an invisible metal wall as it stopped, mere inches away from beheading the student who was now drenched in cold sweat.
For a 10-year-old child, murder was still a foreign and horrifying scenario, Ramon went all the way only because he knew that the student would be saved.
"Ramon Brenden wins". The coordinator announced.
Ramon just became 4 contribution points richer.
"Anyone else…," He barely demanded it when another challenge came.
"I challenge you to a duel!"
Ramon grinned. 'Fame has its benefits, nice'.
For the next 30 minutes, after his first opponent, Ramon fought 3 other opponents, staking all his contribution points each time and he won all of them.
His last opponent gave him a bit of challenge but a bit of improvisation was all he needed to win; he didn't even need to use his new technique.
'This is disappointing, is there no worthy opponent to make me use my astral technique? I want to use it!'
By now, Ramon was now 64 contribution points richer and as his debt was automatically deducted, his total was now 54 contribution points.
His next strategy was to taunt his classmates to draw out a more powerful opponent but he didn't have to, one stepped out voluntarily.
"I challenge you". A handsome white-haired boy stepped out.
"…!" Shock rippled through this combat arena.
"It's him!"
"Aegon the Specialist!"