"Silver, do you comprehend the reason for your defeat yesterday?" Instructor Lumiel inquired, her gaze steady and expectant.
"I underestimated Leon's abilities," Silver responded, casting an intense glare at Leon. Yet, due to her gentle and feminine demeanor, her stare seemed more endearing than intimidating.
Silver was partially correct; her primary error was underestimating the seven ascended ethereal warriors, not solely Leon.
Leon, disregarding Silver's glare, shook his head and explained, "My ability is straightforward. I gather information on every ethereal arm I encounter, automatically memorizing its owner and capabilities, forming a comprehensive database. I was aware of 'Sunset Slash' from the outset of our battle, but realistically, I couldn't devise a countermeasure."
"The assaults executed by El and Emilia were mere distractions. Coupled with Cloudy's ability to diminish sensitivity, we bought Shun enough time to devise a successful defense."
"The singular flaw of Sunset Slash is its one-time damage. As long as that one instance of damage is nullified, the attack becomes futile. With this premise, Shun crafted the perfect weapon for us—a shield that vanishes after a single hit but possesses the extraordinary ability to completely negate that hit."
"By baiting out the most potent attack of the Blade of Yin and seizing that moment to deliver a fatal blow, we secured our victory."
"Instructor Lumiel, that was our only chance of winning, and my calculations were correct."
Silver's gaze shifted to Shun, now filled with surprise and acknowledgment.
Lumiel applauded, "Silver, your defeat was far from disgraceful. The creation of such a formidable weapon, I'm astonished it's classified as merely ascended. Utilizing its synergy with Leon's Information Intelligence, countering it is nearly impossible."
"The first lesson imparts a vital principle, a renowned saying from the eternal dynasty of An: Two fists can't defeat four hands, let alone fourteen."
"Citizens of Lordrixis possess one unique ethereal arm and one unique ability type, underscoring the importance of teamwork and collaboration. Without teamwork, ascended ethereal warriors will never overcome a complete one, such is the reality of ethereal arms."
"Without El, Emilia, Cloudy, Vito, or Jaylen, Shun would never have had the chance to create the shield unnoticed by you."
"You underestimated everyone's abilities, and most fatally, you underestimated their collaboration."
Silver sighed, nodding in acknowledgment.
"Lesson two: get to know and bond with each other," Lumiel announced with a smile. "Nothing enhances teamwork more effectively than that."
The students shared an awkward silence. SIGMA Academy never ceased to surprise its students.
"If you don't know where to start, how about sharing a story from your past?" she continued. "Our experiences shape who we are."
"Sounds good to me," Jaylen smiled.
"I'm fine with that," Emilia agreed.
"I'm not really fine with that, but I'll do it," El shrugged.
"I'm not going first," Leon declared.
"I will," Vito volunteered, his voice filled with determination, though his eyes held sorrow.
"I've recounted this story to dozens, hundreds of people. But every time, tears linger in my eyes."
"Unlike any of you, I'm not 14 years old."
"My ethereal arm grants me absolute immortality, but to me, it's more a curse than a blessing."
"People said the aura I exude creates a sense of distance, and I could tell by the number of friends I had. But one person always stayed by my side, an enthusiastic purple-haired girl obsessed with following me around."
"She told me the aura I emit only brought us closer. We would lie on the plains, gazing at the stars, fireworks, and each other."
"And one day I realised, I think she likes me"
"But like everyone else, no one can stay with me forever. She eventually passed away, a destined end for a mortal life."
"And then I realised, I think I like her too."
"In contrast, I'm not fond of love."
Leon's somber voice followed. "I never understood why people were so obsessed with interactions and relationships."
"I've always enjoyed being alone, a sense of freedom that allows me to live in a world consisting solely of myself."
"The awakening of my ethereal arm proved me wrong. I realized I couldn't achieve anything by myself. But being alone for too long eventually forms a hard, spiky shell around you, protecting you from danger but also preventing you from finding someone to rely on."
"Then I met Jaylen Shielram, someone who accepted my imperfections, who ignored the pain my spikes caused him, and became my only friend."
"But now it seems I will have six more."
Jaylen, patting Leon on the back, began his story.
"People say one person can't change the world, and that's true."
"But from a very young age, nothing made me happier than seeing other people's happiness."
"Then I realized, I can't change the world, but I can change other people's worlds. That's why I strive to be kind to everyone, hoping one day we can all change each other's worlds."
Next was Cloudy.
"Compared to you guys, my life was dull and boring."
"I'm just an ordinary girl, nothing more, nothing less. No meaningful stories, no interesting pasts."
"But I know I exist in this world to fulfill a purpose."
"I haven't found it yet, but I will never stop seeking it."
Then, Silver spoke.
"There was always a voice within me, talking to me as if it truly existed."
"My parents told me I was meant to have a twin brother, but due to a medical incident, he never had the chance to witness the world."
"But I always felt he was with me, observing the colorful emotions of this world, supporting me when I needed it."
El was the next speaker.
"I was born into a wealthy family, but it always seemed I wasn't meant to be."
"Compared to others, I always felt incompetent and useless. I only brought shame to my family's name."
"So I left home, but I will return one day, proving to everyone that I can achieve as much as they can."
Subsequently, Emilia began speaking.
"The world is filled with nightmares and sorrow, and I probably know it better than anyone else."
Shun tightened his eyebrows.
"I lost everything I once had, and wherever I went, it always seemed like I brought misfortune with me."
"But God gave me something that filled me with limitless confidence and strength."
"Hope."
"I kept telling myself that tomorrow would be a better day. Even if it didn't turn out that way, I never stopped believing."
"And look at me now, an ascended ethereal warrior, the future star of the kingdom." Emilia finished with a bright and genuine smile.
The only one left was Shun.
"My story is somewhat similar to Emilia's."
"I can relate to her, with your life being nothing but a tragic mistake, all you have is hope."
"But unlike her, I survived in a different way."
"People call me shameless and evil, but I don't care."
"If there is no future, I will construct it with my own hands, no matter the cost."