Lucen Rubero POV
'What did I just see? The boy had just absorbed the book. It was impossible. Even geniuses needed 1 hour of the highest talents! Did he already know the skill?'
My mouth was agape, hanging open, watching the blue streak enter his mind. I could respect secrets, but this was not something I could begin to fathom. I wouldn't pry, but I would observe him more closely from now on. I watched him begin to ascend the mountain.
'Can he not see the path?'
It was in plain sight.
High pain tolerance, now mentally challenged, and perhaps a hidden gem. I shook my head in exasperation.
'He needs to be resculpted for sure,' I thought.
I watched him trek from the east, and luckily for him, the wind was blowing on him, helping him ascend the mountain.
I watched him pant and hug himself as he attempted to keep himself warm.
His body was scrawny and underdeveloped, which did not match his attractive, pretty boy face.
'Am I turning gay?'
I slapped myself with both hands on my cheeks.
'FOCUS!'
I quickly put on my new wig as he approached the top. He somehow managed to create a new path as if the snow opened for him.
'It seems the world is desperate for me to become his master,' I thought smugly.
'Handsome master with his handsome disciple. Perfect.'
Channeling my mana, I cleared the top of the mountain and filled it with pink petals fluttering around, replacing the falling snow.
I reduced the domain size around the temple to reduce the consumption rate; this was a draining task.
Thinking back to the boy's learning speed. I chuckled.
'The younger's always overtook the olders' not knowing Aeron was an extreme exception.
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Aeron POV
'Let's try.' The world seems to listen to you' part of the Ichor'
I looked up at the daunting mountain I would have to scale. He was trying really hard to be different.
For some reason, I had ominous premonitions. A shiver crawled up my spine, and a certain face of the Sakura con popped up in my mind.
'He probably wants to make me his disciple or something'
I looked east and ascended from there. As if sensing my intent, the snow beneath my feet softened, increasing my grip and reducing the difficulty of walking up. The wind, which seemed against me at the beginning, brushed across my skin as if caressing me. It pushed me upwards slightly, and I couldn't help but grin softly at the unknown feeling.
It was still freezing as the frost formed on my lashes, but neither the weather nor the surroundings ever seemed to be against me. I shivered with faint content as I continued to the top.
I had walked for around 4 hours in the darkness, and it was now 3 am. The coldness seemed to fade away as I felt a familiar warm aura begin to embrace me.
My fingers, feet, and ears were all frozen, willing myself step by step as I moved forward, towards the pink embrace.
Still, despite all the pain, I didn't complain nor let out any noise of discomfort, focusing on moving my numb legs.
With blurry vision, I gazed at the broad back, standing still, surrounded by pink petals.
I hadn't realized it, but at some point, the snow had turned to a light rosy color, and falling snow had transformed into falling blossoms.
A deep voice reached my ears.
"Sleep, we will talk again later."
Once again, I slumped onto the floor, unmoving.
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Another couple of hours later, I woke up fully recovered. The effects of my
C-rank skill was effective.
I was in some kind of hut with the faint odor of plums drifting through it. My clothes were switched into ones that matched the Pink Plethora. It was clear what he wanted—clear as the light of day.
Being his student was fine, as he didn't have any grand aspirations. He was probably going to say something later about it, but it would sum up to be
'As my disciple, you have to be cool and carry on my legacy of awesomeness.
So it wasn't really an expectation, as it was something I already had.
'Was I getting cocky? He might have started rubbing off on me.'
Another week of this pink and his creepiness would probably be detrimental to me.
Standing up I hardened my resolve and exited the small hut.
Expecting to face the chilliness, I was greeted by...a lot of pink.
Lucen was sitting facing me on a cherry blossom throne, staring at me.
"You have enthralled me through your sheer determination and will. I am the S+ ranker Plum Blossom Saint, Sakura Sanity slayer of high-ranked demons."
There was a pause before a tornado of petals formed around and a different kind of pressure weighed down on me, a kind but forceful one.
He was showing off. His voice was full of intent, and despite speaking normally, his voice resonated through my mind.
"Become my disciple, and you shall be rewarded with strength and power beyond your imagination. Anything is possible with your potential. When enemies hear your name, let them quiver and allies rejoice. Accept my mantle -------"
I acted like I was listening, but I was trying to stop the shivers that had overcome me. I shuddered at his flowery language, and in the middle of his speech, I bowed and exclaimed,
''Disciple greets Master Rubero.''
"I never told you my name."
My jaw clenched, and I cursed inside.
"But it seems my reputation precedes me, and you are clearly in awe, but addressing me as a teacher is enough, as I was never a fan of those useless antiques."
I wiped my nonexistent sweat and said,
"I have decided to dual-wield the Daishō Teacher, but I have yet to get the weapons as the academy starts next week, so I came hoping to gain a body fit for combat."
Stroking his wig, Lucen pondered in thought while murmuring, "Dual wield, huh?"
"Why take such an unknown route? The path of dual-wielding is of few, and many fail to find themselves as they get torn apart by their own two weapons. Weapons are not just extensions of your limbs but a harmony that should work with their rightful owner. Yes, they are powerful, but the last known Daishō wielder imploded entering S-rank, and none had wielded such ever since. "
My eyes glowed with determination and a natural defiance. I met his curious gaze and declared,
"This path is one I must take—a path un-walked and untouched. Only dual-wielding can grant me a freedom that no other weapon can give."
I paused.
"I fly to discover, not to follow or lead. Only those who wander will find new paths, and the right path is never the easiest. Those are my beliefs."
I bowed. Waiting for a reply, I lifted my head only to see Ruben smile at me; without his wig, a genuine smile blossomed across his face.
"By the time the academy starts, you will be ready to dual-wield. Your training starts now."
"You have 10 days in my domain. Any good swordsman has good stamina and strength, and to dual-wield, both arms must be of the same strength. Attach these to your arms and legs, and they will never be removed until I say so...even in the academy."
My face paled as each of the braces was 15 kilograms. Frowning, I ceased my emotions, replacing them with resolution and a slight anger.
'These shackles were nothing compared to the ones I already had'
And like that, 10 days passed.
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Lucen Rubero POV
His name was Aeron. Everything he had done in the past 10 days shook my core. He absorbed anything I taught him the first time, never complained despite the harshness, and ate anything I fed him, from pills to plants.
'How could anyone trust a stranger that easily? Perhaps my reputation precedes me.'
His learning speed was unrivaled, and his mana control, though unrefined, was overflowing as if the mana listened to him. I wanted to question his talents but abstained as everyone had their enigmas.
He was also close to forming an aura, but that was for a while yet.
A foreign energy was also resting in his body, but I left it alone as it did not do anything to harm the boy.
'The only thing holding him back was his physique, but in the past 10 days, he sculpted it to perfection that even I could envy. His recovery speed was fast... Was my D-rank skill always that powerful?'
I was extremely satisfied. It had been a long time since I left this bleak temple.
I only remained here in respect to a past colleague of mine, who was raised here and died fighting demons.
Because of the Araxys kid, a new purpose sprouted within me; after all, 'You had to wander to find a new path.'
I examined my sword, 'Kordana.'
"It has been years since the world has spoken my name; let us show them who we are, Kordana."
The sword hummed in anticipation.
I watched the boy limp down the mountain, holding his buttocks from my constant beatings.
The waves he would create would engulf those unready to sail.
'Status'
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_Lucen Rubero_
Bloodline: Rubero
Description: 'There is a season for everything, and we bloom under the harshest of conditions.'
Your mana is colored pink, and plum blossoms follow where you go. They bloom even in the harshest seasons, so you will shine brightest in the toughest of adversities.
[Domain: Sakura Frost]
Rank cap: SS+
Rank: {S+}
Str:60 {S+}
Agi:62 {SS-}
Int:57 {S}
Luc:36 {B}
Dex:59 {S+}
Per:63 {SS-}
Cha:60 {S+}
Charm: B+
Skills: -----------> Many
Talent: Pink Plethora {A} Plum Blossom Saint {S} Demon's Bane{SS}
Battle art: Prunus Avium {IV} Deceptive counter {II} Unarmed Plum Combat {I}
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'See you at the academy kiddo.'
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Aeron POV
Limping down the mountain, the ten days that had passed were a fruitful endeavor.
I hadn't used any weapons, but I had learned a little unarmed combat, but mainly my body and stamina had seen a massive increase.
Cool Mind allowed me to recover at a rate that allowed me to train after 5 hours of rest.
The training was hard, and there were many times where I wanted to give up, but Poker's gaze stopped those thoughts.
My mana efficiency increased, but since my bloodline was locked, the mana I used was still a light turquoise shade.
Mana changed color according to your bloodline and nature, like how Lucen had a pink one.
But it could wait.
'Status'
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_Aeron Araxys_
Bloodline: Araxys (chained)
Description: A yearning for freedom
Rank cap: EX
Rank E
Str: 2 {E} --->3 {E}
Agi: 3 {E}--->3.9 {E+}
Int: 1 {E-}-->3 {E}
Luc: 26 {A-}
Dex: 2 {E}--->3 {E}
Per: 5 {E+}-->5.5 {D-}
Cha: 10 {D+}
Charm: A+~S [growing]
(Stats are double the shown number due to Vanity of Binded.)
Battle art: Unarmed plum combat {I} 35%
Description: 'No weapons? No worries!'
Ability 1: Blooming
During unarmed combat, agility increases by 5%.
Ability 2 (locked): Plum Blossom steps
FP: 1753
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It was Saturday, the day before I had to meet my sister. Something in my body compelled me to listen, and I didn't like it.
'Why was it like this? Another restriction?'
I made my way straight to the academy, which was next to the capital: Felicitas. The novel described it as a large campus, almost a town in itself.
It was a four-hour journey, leaving me with 3000 credits.
'Why was everything so expensive?'
Hopping off the bullet train, a stunning sight welcomed me.
A grand castle stood in front of me, levitating. The gates were adorned with plasma guns and men in black wearing black sunglasses. The walls were an obsidian black that glinted, reflecting the cybercity. Within the wall was a pristine white castle, embellished with blue and gold flags waving in the wind.
It was immaculate and pleasing to the eye with a presence that screamed, 'Only enter if you are worthy.'
The steps that led to the gate were almost invisible, decorated with a see-through red carpet.
It seemed more like where nobles lived rather than an academy. It was majestic.
My eyes rounded in a light fervor at the thought of studying there.
Students, who were also beginning to flood the place for the ceremony, stared at the castle in excitement.
Chatters of friends and hushed whispers surrounded me. They were all in smart wear while I was wearing trousers with my hood up.
A couple of scorns and snickers came in my direction, but I couldn't care less. I didn't know if I could afford a suit with my remaining credits.
I didn't want to stand out, but my funds were a little tight.
There were a few others on the platform also in the same getup as me. There was no poverty, but there were many who couldn't afford the luxuries the rich had.
I was about to leave and find a place to rest, but silence overcame the constant gossip. Following the crowd with my hood up, I looked where they stared.
Coming off a private train was a girl. Black hair and ruby-red eyes graced her perfect face. Her was around 166 cm, and it was perfectly straight.
Both girls and boys stared in awe, watching her step off the train. She was wearing a formal suit that wrapped around her body. She looked like a secretary, but her presence said otherwise.
A heroine blessed with the archer class.
The precious daughter of the guild leader of the third-ranked guild: Nocturn.
Valencia Nocturna.
She was a rather sad heroine who was bound by the expectation of being the best.
It was rather vague, as in this world it was close to being impossible to be 'the best' yet those were her constraints. She was the first to die in the hero's party.
Valencia died with many regrets.
I focused back on examining her like the crowd. Her gaze was empty, void of emotions, and it never met anyone as if she were staring at nothing. A breeze carried the scent of lavender across the crowd, causing even more infatuation from the crowd.
She walked away with a straight back that seemed rather lonely.
'Interesting' I thought, before being the first to leave the crowd to find a place to settle for the night. No one had noticed me leave.
Everything here was part of the academy, and the residents here were all talentless workers. They provided a safe refuge for those who couldn't fight despite robots being available. They all had a soul contract to not divulge the secrets of the academy, but they were described as being happy.
Walking to a hoverboard, I took it to the closest hotel and turned back after glancing at the prices... $10,000 a night. My eyes twitched.
'Let's sell off the dragon essence first instead.' I pulled up the academy web and searched 'Lunar Auctions' and yes, it was only active online and at night.
It was anonymous, but they took a massive 40% of the payment for their privacy and reliability. Everyone there was bound by S-ranked soul contracts, and spilling information would result in painful torment before death.
Whereas 'Dawn Auctions' took 10% but your name had to be present on the item you sold and you would have to give the item yourself during the day to the auction place in Felicitas.
'This transaction needs to be done in person,' I thought.
I pressed customer service, and two seconds later, I got swallowed by a shadow, leaving no evidence behind except for the hoverboard that went back to its parking spot.