September 30, 3108
Neither Nero nor I suffered any serious trauma, and after receiving some medicine and compresses for our bruises, we were discharged. By the time we returned to the gym, the duel between Liam and Elysia had already ended, with Liam emerging as the victor. However, he looked far more battered than her, with nearly half of his face swollen and bruised.
On the 29th, I had a test in the Breathing Techniques course, though it was limited to a short speech from each student about a breathing technique that had significantly impacted history. I chose the breathing technique of Vilhelm Asanfrid, the first GrandMaster who specialized in Archery. He demonstrated that, like Knights and Tanks, those who excel with ranged weapons could also reach the rank of GrandMaster.
Lia opted to discuss the first breathing technique derived from the methods of the elves, NatureUnity 1☆. Though it had many adverse effects on the human body, it served as the foundation for all subsequent techniques used today.
With these, I completed all the first tests:
| Kail Vaylith |
| Specialty: Mana Armis | Rank: 601 | Age: 17 |
Attribute
Power C+
Endurance B-
Speed A-
Resistance D+
Aether Output B-
Skill Grade
Aether Manipulation B _ _
Physical Training A _ _
History and Basic Knowledge B+ _ _
Unarmed Combat B _ _
Archery B+ _ _
Breathing Technique A _ _
Time allotted: 55 minutes
Application for the assessment of physical abilities: —
At least the beginning wasn't so bad.
Now, I'm heading to the underground floor of the dormitory, which had been closed to first-year students until now. Only after completing the first tests was it opened to us.
One of the most valuable parts of Altgard Academy are the aether collection chambers. These chambers are so rare and expensive that possessing just one is enough to establish a small clan. Of course, creating one is no easy feat. In addition to the specialized materials required to facilitate entry, sustain the chamber, and safely vent gases and aether, it also necessitates a location where aether naturally accumulates. Such places are known as holy lands.
At the moment, the academy's territory is no longer considered holy land, but it once was. Thanks to advanced performance technologies, four chambers with high aether concentration were created. In atmospheric air, the concentration of aether can be found between 10% and 15%, of course, the less damaged the area is by toxins and human activity, the higher the concentration is due to vegetation and organisms.
In the Black Chamber, the aether concentration reaches approximately 25%, which is accessible to all academy students.
Starting at rank 200 and above, students gain access to the Purple Chamber, with a concentration of 50%.
Students ranked between 199 and 50 have access to the Sky-Blue Chamber, with a 70% concentration.
Finally, the most powerful chamber, the White Chamber, boasts an incredible 90% concentration—a level so rare not every major clan has them. Only the academy's top students are allowed to use it.
Access to these chambers is tightly regulated, especially for first-year students. Usage time is determined by grades, with access permitted between 1 PM and 10 PM. Until now, we first-years were not allowed to use them because our allotted time had not been decided. My personal time allowance is 55 minutes, which is granted daily for five consecutive days. Once this period is over, the allowance is renewed.
It's now 9:30 PM. I deliberately didn't come earlier because, being the first day the basement was opened to us, it was bound to be crowded. Since the chambers are shared between both faculties, I had no interest in dealing with the inevitable confrontations.
When the elevator doors opened to the -1 floor, a massive, brightly lit room made entirely of silvery metal stretched before me. Despite the late hour, the space buzzed with activity. The focus of everyone's attention was, of course, the four color-coded cubes: Black, Purple, Sky-Blue, and White. The smallest group of students was gathered near the White Cube, while the Black Cube had the largest crowd.
From behind the cubes, thick and thin cables snaked out, pulsating faintly with energy. I made my way toward the Black Cube, the one I was allowed to use. Around it, there were about 40 people gathered.
As I approached the group, I decided to ask,
"Excuse me, are all these people waiting their turn?"
A boy wearing the ManaArmis faculty uniform turned to me and answered,
"Not exactly. There are about 10 people waiting to enter right now. The rest of us are just here to register for another day," he said, gesturing toward an electronic terminal nearby.
That's convenient, I thought.
"Will the terminal work after 10 o'clock?" I asked to clarify.
"As far as I know, yeah. You just got here, right? You should try the aether chamber anyway—no one stays inside for long today," he added.
Taking his advice, I joined the line of nine people waiting to enter. From what I observed, no one stayed in the chamber for more than two minutes. Each person emerged looking utterly exhausted, clutching at the walls for support as though they'd barely survived their time inside.
Finally, it was my turn. I stepped up to the iron door, where a screen was mounted. As I approached, my student profile appeared on the screen, marked with the academy's emblem. Then, a message appeared:
| Do you want to use your time in the Black Aether Accumulation Chamber? |
| You have 55 minutes. |
| YES NO |
As soon as I pressed YES, the door slid seamlessly into the floor, revealing the chamber and allowing me to step inside. The room was empty and dark, its only source of illumination coming from the faint pulsations of energy radiating from the center of the floor. These pulsations traveled along pre-defined paths, glowing faintly as they extended toward the center of ceiling.
The material of the cube felt like some sort of metal, though it had a texture reminiscent of glass. Despite its appearance, it wasn't slippery at all, providing a stable surface.
Uuufff.
I took a deep breath, filling my lungs completely. The air here was noticeably heavier than outside, but it wasn't unpleasant—in fact, it felt invigorating.
Settling into a meditation pose with my back straight, I took another deep breath, already directing the aether into my body using my breathing techniques.
A wave of euphoria surged through me as the aether coursed into my system. My aetheric arteries seemed to rejoice, eagerly absorbing the influx of energy. But the sheer volume of aether was overwhelming—this wasn't something I could process instinctively. I had to focus on distributing it throughout my body, ensuring it didn't overwhelm me.
Huff.
I inhaled again, and another massive wave of aether entered my body.
No! I need a faster circuit!
Without hesitation, I transitioned into the Second Stage: Wind Acceleration.
Though I had already moved to combat stage, I did not activate.my aetheric armor. However, my circuit quickly stabilized, and dormant skin pores across my body began functioning at full capacity. My body felt like it had finally arrived at the place it had been searching for.
There was a slight pain due to the excess aether my body was expelling, but it was a small price to pay for how incredible I felt. Even ManaVentis, the vortex-like flow of energy within me, became more active, spinning faster and forming stronger whirlpools.
Fuhh
"That's enough for today."
After a few minutes, I stood up, feeling refreshed and relaxed, as though I had just completed an intense yet rejuvenating massage session.
Approaching the exit, the door opened automatically, flooding the chamber with bright light. The sudden change blinded me momentarily, but I quickly adjusted.
The basement was almost deserted now, with only a few students lingering near the registration terminals. I walked toward the terminals, my body feeling unusually light and relaxed.
However, the further I moved away from the chamber, the more discomfort I began to feel. It wasn't anything critical, but it was noticeable—as if I wasn't getting enough air with each breath. The sensation wasn't unbearable, but it stirred a strong urge to return to the cube.
Unfortunately, that wasn't an option anymore. A quick glance at my watch showed it was already 10:02 PM, meaning access had been restricted.
When my turn at the terminal came, I checked my remaining time. The screen displayed that I had 48 minutes left. I divided the time evenly, reserving 12 minutes for each of the next four days.
"Those seven minutes in the chamber felt five times more effective than a full hour of regular meditation," I thought to myself, marveling at the chamber's power.
October 1, 3108
"How did you like the aether accumulation chambers?" Liam asked me after our scout lesson.
"It was nice," I replied, the memory of the experience still vivid in my mind. "I came out of it feeling renewed."
"Really?!" he exclaimed, his face etched with exhaustion. "I felt like I was squeezed out after that session."
"Maybe it's different in the other rooms, but in the black one, I felt perfectly fine," I said.
"Everyone starts in the black chamber," Liam explained. "It's impossible to adapt to the others right away."
"I don't know," I mused. "I'd like to try the white one."
"Huh? Seriously?" Liam raised an eyebrow. "As far as I know, no student can last more than five minutes in there."
"Why?" I asked, curious. "I thought absorbing aether was beneficial."
"It is beneficial," he clarified, "but it's also dangerous. That room is 100 times more effective than meditating outdoors, but if you can't assimilate the aether fast enough, you'll suffocate. It's like drowning underwater."
"Then why does that chamber exist at all?"
"It's for the teachers," Liam said. "Don't think they're here just for the salary. The conditions the academy offers are better than what some clans and most guilds can provide."
"Is that the only reason your brother works here as a teacher?" I asked.
"No! Our guild doesn't have resource problems. He's here because teachers can recruit students with potential into their guilds before they graduate."
"But I thought your guild doesn't lack members?"
"We don't lack Scouts," he admitted. "But the same can't be said for Knights and Tanks. Don't worry, though—if you're interested, I'll offer you the best contract I can."
"Isn't it a bit early for that?" I replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Ahhh, Kail, you don't get it yet," Liam said, shaking his head. "Your abilities are already better than most Scouts who graduate from other academies. People like you are rare. When you finish here, your talents will make waves, forcing many organizations to take notice. But don't worry—Forest Guardians will protect you from all those suitors."
Liam spoke as if I had already agreed to join his guild.
Before I could respond, Nero threw his arms over our shoulders, grinning broadly.
"No! Kail will be my right hand in Glacier Dominion! There's no way I'm leaving him to you" Nero declared, sounding like a protective father.
"I actually—"
"Angel Warriors have excellent benefits, Kail," Elysia interrupted from my right, casually throwing another offer my way as if this was a routine occurrence.
"Hey! We haven't even finished the first semester yet!" I protested, clearly indignant about the situation they were putting me in.
But, of course, they completely ignored me.
"Forest Guardians!" Liam declared.
"No! Glacier Dominion!" Nero countered immediately.
"Angel Warriors," Elysia added, her tone as confident as ever.
"Why would a Scout join some Knight clan that doesn't even understand what we do?" Liam scoffed, clearly irritated.
"We have a specialized Scout troop, plus we can definitely offer more resources than some," Nero retorted, his emphasis making it clear who he meant.
"Even if we don't have the resources you do," Elysia chimed in smoothly, "when it comes to specialized missions for Scouts, we certainly hold our own."
The three of them were locked in a verbal tug-of-war, completely ignoring my presence.
How can I tell them now that I can't even join any organization.