One Week Later
A week had passed since Arthur delivered the Divine Essence to Valerian County.
Rein had finally awakened from his coma. Arthur had already spoken with him via a video call, but due to strict academy regulations, visiting him in person was still prohibited. Now that Rein was safe and conscious, Arthur didn't feel the same urgency to rush to his side. Word had spread that Rein not only awakened but had also formed a Divine Core and advanced to Rank 6. When asked about his element, Rein simply smiled and said, "That's a secret."
Drake had also awakened his Divine Core, advancing to Rank 2. Previously, he possessed a Gold Grade core, but the Divine Essence had transformed it, enhancing both his growth rate and potential. While Divine Essence sounded simple to the ignorant, Arthur knew better—Divine Essence was the literal fragment of a god's being. How much power one gained depended entirely on the strength of the god from whom the essence originated.
But such matters would be explored in later stories.
For now, the academy continued. Nyx's suspension was finally lifted, and he officially joined the first-year combat classes. Arthur had also passed his Basic Mana Theory exam under the guidance of Azhar. With that, he now had only two classes per week for the rest of the semester.
In the training grounds, the sharp clang of blades colliding echoed through the air. An indigo mana aura flared as Nyx fought fiercely against Nyssara, whose weapon was cloaked in a soft, brilliant white glow. Their strikes created shockwaves powerful enough to shatter nearby boulders.
With a burst of movement, Nyx melted into the shadows and appeared behind Nyssara, launching a swift strike. She ducked under the blow, responding with a ground-level kick that Nyx narrowly avoided by leaping up and sending a conjured mana blade toward her.
Nyssara infused her weapon with Sword Aura, the white glow intensifying as she slashed forward. The resulting force pushed Nyx back several paces.
Just as she was about to pursue, a siren sounded, followed by a cheerful voice.
"Stop!" Varek Kaelthorn, their weapons instructor, called out, his smile wide with approval. "Impressive. Very impressive."
He approached Nyx with a gleam in his eyes. "You've improved, Nyx. Feels like the prodigy from back then is finally back."
Nyx gave a rare smile. "Thank you for not giving up on me, teacher."
Varek turned to Nyssara. "Your technique is refined. If we had continued, you might've bested him."
Nyssara shook her head. "I think Nyx was adapting to my style mid-fight. He's getting faster."
"No," Nyx replied, chuckling softly, "you have too many techniques. Even if I adapt, I'll lose eventually."
Varek chuckled. "Enough praise, we've got another match to watch."
Across the field, Arthur was engaged in a three-way spar. He faced Synthros and Elias simultaneously. One wielded elemental magic, the other a blend of ice and swordplay—but Arthur was holding his ground.
Elias froze the ground beneath Arthur, but Arthur was ready, leaping off with mana-infused feet. He conjured two mana blades and hurled them at Elias, who responded with an ice barrier. At that moment, Synthros caused tree roots to burst from the ground, binding Arthur's leg. From the treetop, he launched a barrage of mana bullets.
Arthur vanished using his A-rank footwork—Gale Step—and reappeared in front of Synthros, slicing toward his neck.
But it was an illusion. Synthros had already blinked behind him.
"You're good with magic," Arthur said calmly.
Synthros grinned. "You shouldn't be talking in the middle of a fight."
Suddenly, a space ripple appeared. Elias used his S-rank skill, disappearing into another dimension and launching a devastating strike.
Arthur, a Void Element user, sensed it. He activated his S-rank skill—Elemental Sword: Mirror Fang—his blade instantly replicating Elias's own weapon. The two strikes collided in mid-air, hurling both boys back several feet.
Before Arthur could recover, Synthros unleashed Hellfire, a red flame bursting from his palm. It accelerated threefold, scorching everything in its path. Arthur disappeared again, reappearing in Elias's shadow.
"I won't fall for that twice," Elias said, blinking away.
But Arthur was already smiling. At Elias's new location, a black lotus bloomed—Shadow Trap.
The lotus struck before Elias could react. He was cut, and his body dispersed into particles, removed from the field.
"You used that skill five years ago…" Elias muttered.
Arthur shrugged. "What can I say, Your Highness? It's still a favorite."
A massive spear struck at Arthur from another dimension. Synthros smirked. "Look at me, Mr. Yearlord."
Arthur barely dodged, though the edge grazed his arm.
"You're stronger than I expected," Arthur admitted. "That magic—when did you cast it?"
"In another dimension," Synthros replied smugly. "Not bad, right?"
Arthur nodded. "Then block this—if you can."
Before Synthros could respond, his body was split in two. A strike had landed from an unknown angle.
Arthur whispered to himself, "Null Edge," a legendary technique that ignored all defense.
Synthros's body was far too durable for ordinary attacks—even with aura. That's why, despite being a mage, he fought up close. But Null Edge cut through even that.
Still, Arthur admitted to himself—Synthros is dangerous. He's nearly at Peak Rank 2. Once he breaks through, my advantage might vanish.
He exited the field with a calm expression.
Varek approached the trio. "Elias, you were impressive, but remember—always think from your enemy's perspective. Arthur baited you."
He turned to Synthros. "You too. Don't get cocky. Arthur was preparing his finishing move while talking to you."
Finally, he faced Arthur. "You held back. Don't. Use your strongest move if the enemy's weak—you might not get another chance."
All three nodded.
Elsewhere, another duel concluded—
Jullian flipped back, avoiding the full shot, but his boots scorched from the blast.
From the sidelines, Nyx leaned forward. "He's forcing Jullian to move more than usual."
Nyssara nodded. "And Jullian's making Saryn over-extend. They're both adapting in real-time."
Back in the arena, both combatants stood, breathing harder now.
Saryn wiped blood from his lip. "You're faster than I remember."
Jullian's flame flickered around his spear, coiling up like a serpent. "And you're louder."
They clashed again—spear against blade, bursts of mana flaring with every strike. Jullian's form was fluid, every strike placed with intent. Saryn's style was raw but creative, mixing punches, kicks, and well-timed gunfire to create unpredictable angles.
At one point, Saryn used a mana step to teleport directly above Jullian, firing a scatterburst of wind bullets downward.
Jullian leapt into the burst—insane at first glance—but mid-air he twisted, absorbing the damage through his dark flame shield, and stabbed his spear forward with a concussive flare.
Saryn caught the blow with a mana-formed buckler and landed rough, skidding.
For a second, they both stood still, panting.
Jullian's left shoulder was singed. Saryn's ribs were bruised.
Saryn raised his gun again.
Jullian lowered his spear slightly.
Varek raised a hand.
"That's enough."
Both combatants froze, then slowly backed off. There was a brief silence in the training yard before scattered applause broke out.
"That," Varek said, smiling, "was a duel worth watching. Perfect contrast—instinct and strategy, speed and control."
He walked toward them.
"Jullian, your precision is as deadly as always. But sometimes, a little unpredictability goes a long way."
Jullian nodded slightly.
"Saryn," Varek said, clapping him on the back. "You fight like a man who's lived through war. It shows. But don't rely too much on tricks—when you meet someone like Arthur or Nyx, they'll see through the second layer."
Saryn smiled and gave a respectful nod.
Then Varek turned to the rest. "And that concludes today's combat session."
The students let out a collective exhale.
"Assignment for the week—write a thesis on the Earth-World Empire Civil War, five centuries ago. Due next class."
The students groaned but nodded, scattering toward the dorms.
Nyx muttered to Arthur, "Can't we just go back to fighting?"
Arthur smirked. "Sadly, history doesn't bleed."
As students began to leave in groups, Jullian approached Saryn.
"Next time, I won't let it end in a draw."
Saryn chuckled. "Who said I was trying to draw?"
The two shared a look—one of grudging respect.
And from the sidelines, Elias watched them both, a calculating glint in his eye.
"Well done, both of you," Varek praised. "Today's class is over."
Elias lingered beside Veylan. "Can you see through that boy, Nyx?"
Veylan shook his head. "My skill doesn't work on those stronger than me. I can only see his rank."
"What is it?" Georgina asked, leaning in.
Veylan hesitated, then whispered, "…Intermediate Rank 2."
Georgina's face twisted in disbelief. "That can't be right!"
Veylan sighed. "Believe it or not, he's surpassed us both."
Nearby, Threx—the demon prince who had joined their group out of amusement—chuckled.
It just gets better and better, he thought.
He had watched every duel—not just with amusement, but with surgical precision. His demonic gaze peeled past the surface of mana and skill, dissecting the very nature of each fighter.
Every single one of them…
Divine Cores.
Arthur, Jullian, Nyssara, Saryn… and even that boy Nyx. Humans—barely more than children—each carrying the mark of a god's essence within them.
He clenched his jaw slightly.
This shouldn't be possible.
He had thought it was coincidence at first. Perhaps one or two rare talents. But now? Five Divine Core holders, all clustered under Arthur's banner, and every one of them growing rapidly—far too rapidly.
Then there was Arthur himself.
No matter how much I try to see through him… I can't.
Even with the power of his Demonic Eyes—blessed by a sovereign of the abyss—Threx couldn't pierce the shroud surrounding Arthur. The mana signature was unstable, deceptive. The boy claimed to be a crystal core, but his movement, his void blade, his suppression—it wasn't just experience.
He moves like a monster that's been reborn.
His fight today wasn't even his best. Threx had seen Arthur five years ago. Back then, he thought he was witnessing a fluke. Now he knew better.
Arthur Valerian wasn't just strong.
He was unnatural.
Threx's lips curled into a grin—not out of mockery, but thrill.
A group of Divine Core holders led by a boy I can't see through…
What are they planning? What are they becoming?
He glanced sideways toward Georgina, then Elias, both of whom still wore disbelief on their faces after learning Nyx's rank.
And even the so-called Saintess still walks around pretending she's a Crystal Core?
His grin widened.
Something is coming. I can smell it in their aura. The humans are shifting. No… something's pushing them beyond the natural limit.
His demonic blood stirred at the thought.
And when that moment comes—when Arthur's mask finally cracks open—I'll be there to witness what kind of beast he truly is.
After all… monsters like us always find each other in the end.