After the unexpected battle in the forest and the mysterious stranger's appearance that dispelled all danger, Kael Phong, Draven Longfang, and Lania Snowveil returned to Astra Academy feeling heavy and unsettled. Each had their own thoughts but all wondered about the magic suppression barrier and the solemn figure wearing glasses.
Back at the dormitory, Kael Phong was surprised to find Longlong, his loyal beast, lounging on the rooftop, calmly munching on half a watermelon.
He frowned and asked, "Where did you go? We almost died!"
Longlong finished chewing, wiped its mouth, and replied nonchalantly, "I went to investigate something. There is a strange aura around Lumielle that I felt was unsettling."
Kael froze. "Wait… Didn't the magic barrier block you?"
Longlong tilted its head, eyes flicking with suspicion. "Magic barrier? What are you talking about?"
Kael was stunned. After a moment, he hurriedly recounted everything: the suppressive barrier in the forest, the summoned beasts, their powerlessness, and how Draven fought until the end.
Longlong's fur bristled and its silver hackles stood on end. Eyes blazing, it growled, "Those trash dared such filthy tricks? If it happens again…" Longlong's voice dropped low "I'll help you deal with them once and for all."
That night, Kael sat by the window, silent. He replayed the entire battle: his weak body, sluggish speed, fear at being unable to protect his friends. Even with Longlong by his side, once separated he was nothing but an ordinary person.
If I stay this weak forever… how could I protect anyone?
The next morning, after breakfast at the academy, the three decided to register as adventurers to earn some income a popular choice among Astra students.
The Adventurers Guild was located on the southern edge of Lumielle, near the wild frontier. It was a massive warrior-style building with an iron dome and a large steel black gate adorned with ancient beast motifs. Around it, adventurers from all around gathered some laughing boisterously, others wiping blood from their weapons or repairing damage to their armor.
They entered the grand hall, where a Rank Evaluation Orb stood at the center a magical device that assessed personal level.
Lania approached first. The orb glowed pale blue, displaying a fiery fox dancing around the text marked: [Lania – Rank B]
Draven followed. The orb shifted to deep red, showing an armored tiger growling beside the text: [Draven – Rank B]
Finally, Kael stepped forward. He placed his hand on the orb, which shuddered weakly. A faint glow revealed a weary little turtle alongside the text: [Kael – Rank D]
The air turned tense.
Rank D… Kael shrugged and forced a smile. At least it wasn't Rank E.
Lania glanced at him with sympathy in her eyes. Draven patted his shoulder, calm and supportive: "Don't let a letter define who you are."
They chose a low-tier mission: eliminate a pack of Common-rank beasts disrupting a farmstead outside the city suitable to their level.
The mission began smoothly. Kael's Canon Turtle took out each Ironfang Wolf with a precision cannon blast, earning admiration from Lania and Draven. But just as they believed the task was about to end…
The atmosphere shifted abruptly.
A chill crawled down their spines. Trees shivered without wind, as an invisible force pressed upon them.
Longlong straightened, fur bristling and eyes narrowed: Something is very wrong. Extreme killer intent. Someone is watching us.
Before the words finished, a column of magical heat shot down from above to their location. Thanks to Longlong's warning, they dove away just in time, leaving a smoking crater scorched by intense fire magic.
A stranger emerged from the haze.
He made no effort to hide. Cloaked in ashes gray, wearing a silver mask that concealed his face except for embers red eyes. In his hand he carried a dark sword surrounded by twisted whispers Soulbound Sword.
Without a word or wasted motion, he raced forward like lightning. In an instant, he was before Kael, the dark soul sword cutting through the air, aiming straight for Kael's chest.
Kael froze, unable to dodge or defend.
The bladed soul sword hovered inches from Kael's throat.
BAM!
A thunderous impact split the wind an invisible blade tearing through space at light speed. The intruder's sword was knocked aside, its corrupted energy cracking like breaking glass. Simultaneously, a silver gray figure descended from above, slashing through the smog with a slender sword that glowed faintly like wind itself.
Kael looked up, eyes wide: It's him… the man who saved me that day!
The sword-wielding stranger didn't speak. He simply stood between the youth and the mysterious attacker an immovable wall.
Unphased, the intruder spun his Soulbound Sword and dashed forward once more, silent and lethal.
SWISH!
CLANG!
The soul sword was halted midair. The cloaked man flicked his wrist back as if controlling wind itself with a skill so refined it held the strike, surrendering neither to the weapon nor to the opponent.
He was far beyond an average adventurer.
Realizing defeat, the intruder snapped his fingers, conjuring a magical smoke bomb dark gray swirling into a vortex then vanished.
Gone?
Kael looked around frantically. The cloaked man gently retracted his sword, his gaze lingering on the dissipating smoke embers.
Who… are you? Kael stumbled forward, voice trembling. Why did you save me… again?
The man turned, hesitation in his masked eyes before hardening into cold resolve: Because… you possess a power that many would spill blood for.
He paused, voice heavy as judgement: And that power… still does not belong to you.
Longlong frowned silently. Lania and Draven stood motionless time seemed frozen.
Wait! Kael called out as the man turned to leave. Tell me… your name!
He paused.
GaleKaze.
The name caused Lania to gasp: GaleKaze The Sword Wanderer? The monster hunter who singlehandedly severed the wings of the Blood Moon Super Dragon in the Northern Expedition?!
Kael nodded, heart pounding. Seizing the moment, he bowed deeply: Please teach me swordsmanship! I… don't want to keep running.
His words were humble, but his eyes burned with abyssal determination. The name GaleKaze made the masked man frown slightly, then he exhaled.
Alright. Because I do not want evil to claim what you cannot yet control, I'll teach you.
From his robe he withdrew a scroll and dropped it at Kael's feet. It unfurled like a mission list.
Kael stooped to read, face draining color as he took in the contents:
Run 100 laps in the inner city
Do 1,000 push ups
1,000 squats
1,000 sit ups
Perform basic sword swings 1,000 times every morning
Copy The Foundations of Sword Theory by hand three times a week
This… this is a sword training plan or slave labor?
This is warming you up, no more. Endure for three months, then we'll talk.
With that, GaleKaze turned and walked away, as light as a breeze, footsteps unheard.
Kael stood in the clearing, scroll clenched in his hand. Behind him, Lania and Draven approached, unsure whether to console or laugh.
Then Draven lightly smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder: If it's you, I believe you can do it.
Kael tightened his grip on the scroll, eyes igniting with resolve: For Longlong, for both of you, and for myself… I will grow stronger. Even if my legs bleed, I will keep moving forward.
[End of Chapter 11]
Next Chapter 12: Return Everything, Principal and Interest