Leon was standing outside the class while trying to listen to the lecture. He couldn't help but feel miserable.
When he arrived at Ward, he was confident and excited. Years of training under his master's tutelage had increased his confidence.
According to his master, he was a genius who could lead Earth. Having seen her strength firsthand, he believed that he did have something special if someone so strong was praising him.
But he was just a frog in the well. Leon never thought that he would be among the top cadets, but being ranked 2991 was a big shock to him.
The first demonstration also helped him open his eyes.
"But the war wasn't won without losses. It left 3 out of the total 7 continents unhabitable and 30% of the total population died. The opening of the Gates was termed as Second Great Disaster."
Listening to the cadet speaking inside the class, he recalled the first demonstration.
At that time, a sudden bloodlust had alarmed him. The bloodlust was thicker than even his master's, but it vanished so suddenly that he couldn't pinpoint its source.
His instincts were blaring alarm at him, and it hindered his reasoning ability. Then his opponent suddenly used his stigma and Leon unintentionally used his art.
"Thankfully, I didn't use the true form."
It was only later that Leon realized his mistake. His opponent was too unskilled to be the source of that bloodlust. Had Leon not deviated his attack at the last second, he wouldn't have been able to show his master his face.
The fight also helped Leon open his eyes. Leon realized that everyone must have some special stigmas. This would explain why he was only ranked 2991.
"They must have some special stigma. Unlike mine, which only hinders me."
Of course, the main reason behind Leon's low rank was his low level, below-average stats, and the fact that he was a magic swordsman. It was a miracle that Leon was able to even enter Ward. Not that Leon knew about these things.
"Yahallo!"
Leon looked at Lilith, who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere and tried to startle him.
"What are you doing here?"
Leon wondered why she wasn't in any class. Even if the classes weren't compulsory for this week, she could get in trouble for wandering like this.
To Leon's question, she just stuck her tongue out and blurted another question.
"Speak for yourself. Aren't you also roaming yourself? And why do you always have your guard up?"
She tsked at the end as she couldn't surprise Leon because he always remained observant of his surroundings.
Leon could only helplessly smile. He couldn't understand Lilith one bit.
She was attentive enough to realize that he had his guard up, even though he was standing in a relaxed posture. But she couldn't deduce that he wasn't roaming but rather punished to stand outside.
Though Leon understood, this was how she really was. For the past two weeks, he was with her. He realized that she was smart only when something related to combat came up.
Leon opened his mouth to correct her, but Lilith spoke before him.
"Leon, doesn't he seem familiar?"
Leon saw that Lilith was pointing to his sparring partner on the first day, Nathan.
As far as he knew, he never saw Nathan and Lilith interacting. But from her tone, he could tell that she wasn't joking.
He was racking his head when Lilith spoke again.
"Didn't we meet him during the Elza Square incident?"
Elza incident was when Leon and Lilith had met even before coming into Ward.
"Really? I don't remember him, though."
"Isn't he the…."
***
Every training center in Ward was in the south of the campus. The total number of training grounds was almost 30. And were divided depending on ranks, year, and classes.
To the west were dormitories. There were a total of five dormitories, four for each year and the last for the campus staff. Cadets are assigned the floors depending on their ranks, with the lower floor housing low-rank cadets and the top floors housing top-rank cadets.
In the east was the research department. Everything ranging from the development of magic devices to alchemy took place here.
All the administrative buildings are to the north of the campus. At the head of the location was a large white building that housed the most important departments.
In the middle of the campus was where the classes took place.
Ward was located on Bermuda island, an artificial island that was created seven years ago. Outside Ward, there was a large city that covered the complete island.
Ward was over 50,000 acres and taught every type of awakeners, be it combat-type, support-type, engineers, or researchers.
I was in the combat department's Katana Class. In this world, the holy trinity of weapons was Katana, Wand, and a Gun, hence the name of my class.
"What is it exactly?"
I was sitting inside the common training grounds. This was a training center available to 1st-year cadets from rank 3000 to rank 2000.
It was long past midnight, so the training ground was almost deserted.
In my hands was a black orb about the size of my fist.
This orb was the third object I got other than the Ether manual and 'Art of 'Eridu'.
I supplied ether into the orb to use it.
=======
Insufficient energy! Insufficient energy!
Terminating the Ether connection!
User must have 20 stats in Ether!
=======
This message appeared every time I tried to open the orb.
I have 13 stat points in Ether currently. This meant that I needed to level up twice to reach 20 stat points.
"It will take time before I can see what it is."
I placed the orb back in my ring and began thinking about other things.
"I should be able to complete the constellation today."
Unlike what I had expected, the speed of completion of the constellation slowed down at the end. I wasn't able to complete the constellation during the week.
The classes were going to start in seriousness from today. I wanted to complete my first constellation before that.
CLICK-! CLICK-!
I tapped on the panel and selected the difficulty.
[Lvl 7 difficult selected]
A section on the ground opened. From there, three spheres hovering in mid-air came out.
'Scan'
The stars brightened with even greater luminosity than before.
[Begin]
Two spheres flew towards me from my left and right while the other one didn't move.
I dashed backward while holding my sword.
The spheres covered the gap but with my high agility I was able to stall for some time.
The spheres attacked my abdomen and head, respectively.
I used the flat surface of the sword to block them. The moment they clashed with my sword….
'Construct'
PHZZZT-!
A sword appeared above them. Without wasting any time, the sword fell on them.
"What-!"
But the moment the sword was about to cut the spheres, the last spheres appeared and smashed it.
Maintaining my composure, I again used my art.
'Scan'
The constellation again began forming. But this time it was different.
The lights towards which the stars shot towards each other slowly started turning golden.
p
This time, the spheres attacked in unison. I again used my sword to block them.
'Construct'
PHZZZT-!
A sword materialized in the air and flew straight towards the spheres.
The third sphere again flew to destroy the sword that had appeared when suddenly another static sound resounded.
PHZZZT-!
Another sword materialized behind the third sphere!
Before the sphere could dodge it was already stabbed by the sword.
Taking the opportunity, I swung the greatsword in my hand and slashed at the two spheres in front of me.
The sword cut through them like butter, ending the training.
[Training Completed]
[User Rating: C]
[Leaderboard – Can only be accessed in highest difficulty]
"Huff…Huff.."
Listening to the mechanical voice, I plopped down to the ground while gasping. Constructing three greatswords in a short time was taxing.
Still, I could feel the corners of my lips rising. I had completed my first constellation.
"Now I can construct the greatsword without scanning!"
This was the result of the constellation turning golden.
"Constructing only takes about 2 seconds and I don't need to waste Ether for scanning."
This greatly decreased the preparation time and removed the burden of scanning the weapon.
Although this only applied to the greatsword. It was still a big addition to my combat prowess.
I could finally say that I was practicing 'Art of Eridu', the legacy art of the First King in earnest.
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