Atticus stared squarely at his drill sergeant. Had he just heard this man right?
'Something must be wrong with his eyes.'
'I think so too,' Atticus responded to Ozeroth's remark and raised an eyebrow while looking at Viktor.
"Train?"
"Yes. This is the purpose of a training camp," Viktor replied calmly, his expression unwavering as he met Atticus's eyes.
They both fell silent, locked in a stare. One was confused, the other unyielding.
"Okay." Atticus decided to play along.
'You can't be serious,' Ozeroth instantly protested. The spirit simply couldn't imagine a scenario where training under this grandmaster-rank demon would be beneficial to Atticus.
'Come on. I'm curious. Let's see what he has in store for us.'
Atticus understood where Ozeroth was coming from, he felt the same way. However, his curiosity was taking over in this situation. Even after witnessing what Atticus had done just moments ago, Viktor remained firm in his stance.
Viktor's gaze narrowed slightly, a hint of surprise flickering across his face at Atticus's agreement.
"Good. What you have just shown in that competition has undoubtedly proven your power. However, I won't clear you if that's all you have."
As his drill sergeant, Viktor had the authority to either pass or fail Atticus based on his performance. It was as absurd as it was insane, yet Viktor seemed to be taking it very seriously.
Viktor picked up the large bag at his side, strapping it onto his back before turning to Atticus.
"The first few months of camp focus on basic training. People like you, strong, talented, powerful, have come from all corners of the world. Some were raised in battle. Some have never seen a real war. But it doesn't matter."
His gaze hardened.
"Because out there, on the battlefield, your strength alone means nothing."
"This army isn't made up of individuals. It's not a playground for you to show off your gifts. You all come from different places, different backgrounds, different bloodlines, but when you stand in this war, you fight as one. One army. One force."
"Basic training exists for a reason. We're not here to see flashy powers. We're here to see if you can actually fight, if you can hold your ground."
His eyes bore into Atticus, assessing, judging.
"Because in war, power means nothing without skill."
"You have to use everything at your disposal to survive, your mind, your hands, your environment, your enemies, everything. If you think war is just about throwing around big attacks and hoping for the best, you're already dead."
He paused for a moment before adding,
"This particular program was just implemented."
His last words made Atticus's eyes flicker slightly. His mind had already begun working before he even told it to, piecing everything together.
He had found it odd.
The military camp was supposed to be a place where recruits were trained. So why were they limiting their abilities?
To him, the mana negation zone wasn't necessary. Yet, they had still implemented it.
And now, the military was prioritizing skill over power? It wasn't normal.
"The mana negation zone… why was that included in our test?"
Viktor's brows furrowed.
'His insight is extraordinary.' Even now, Viktor was still observing and assessing Atticus. As his drill sergeant, it was his duty.
The obvious answer to Atticus's question would be that the military wanted to test and rank them based on their skill.
But Viktor could tell that wasn't the answer Atticus wanted. His mismatched eyes held something deeper, as though he had already figured everything out.
"Is something happening at the war front?" Atticus decided to ask directly, his words growing sharp. "A major shift in the dynamics with the Zorvans?"
Viktor's expression darkened. His eyes flickered with different emotions, as though he had suddenly recalled a past he wanted to bury.
He turned to Atticus, contemplating whether or not to speak. He exhaled before nodding, as though making a decision.
His voice turned grave.
"The war has taken a huge turn."
Atticus's eyes sharpened. It was about time he gained some real insight into the war.
"It happened very recently. Before, we were able to keep the Zorvans at bay. Their numbers were insane, somehow always coming back in greater numbers, but we managed to maintain a standstill."
"But now… something changed. The Zorvans have developed a technology that negates mana in an entire area. In every battle fought on the front lines, our soldiers can't use their full power."
Atticus's eyes narrowed.
"Just like the Nullites?"
Viktor gave a single, firm nod.
"Yes. Except this isn't an ability, it's engineered. A battlefield-wide suppression of mana, cutting off any ability that relies on it."
"Only the Nullites thrive in this environment. And the few humans like you, those with spiritual energy and unique bloodlines that don't rely solely on mana. That's why you're all more valuable now."
Atticus folded his arms. "With our combined minds, we should be able to figure something out."
It was strange. If this suppression was engineered, then there should be a way to counter it. Why hadn't they found one yet?
Viktor's expression tightened.
"That's the thing." He shook his head. "Our scientists developed countermeasures, devices designed to reintroduce mana into the environment and neutralize the Zorvan field."
Atticus didn't miss the frustration in his tone.
"But the Zorvans' device simply negates it back."
"So now, we've developed suits that supply their users with internal mana, stored in artifacts that allow for continuous replenishment."
Atticus raised a brow.
"This is why every soldier who doesn't have a natural skillset outside of mana is a liability," Viktor said, his tone harsh. But Atticus understood.
He nodded without changing his expression.
"Alright. What is the basic training about?"
"Weapon mastery. Hand-to-hand combat. Endurance training without mana. Combat classes on Zorvans and how to defeat them. Fear and stress training,"
Viktor spoke rapidly as he explained.
"The first four months of the training camp will focus on all of this. Only when you pass them will you move to the next stage."
'Boring.'
Atticus ignored Ozeroth's remark.
"Alright. I'd like to take each of their tests right now."
Viktor didn't show any surprise or change in expression. 'As expected.'
Considering Atticus's personality, it was obvious that he would ask this.
Viktor nodded. "Okay. First, weapons mastery."
He reached behind him, pulling out a sleek, black artifact strapped to his back. Without hesitation, he pressed a large circular button at its center.
A wave rippled outward, spreading across the entire island in an instant.
Atticus's eyes sharpened. Then, he felt it.
Or rather, he didn't.
'I can't feel mana anymore…'
Not just around him.
Not just in the immediate area.
The entire island.
Everything felt… lifeless. As though the very essence of energy had been stripped away from existence.
Viktor's voice broke through the eerie silence.
"I've just negated all the mana on the island. Every single training exercise will be conducted in this environment."
"If you want to do personal training, if you want to strengthen your body, then you can reactivate mana for yourself."
"But here with me, you fight like a soldier. No mana. No crutches."
Atticus's gaze lingered for a moment before he nodded.
"Follow me."
Viktor suddenly took off. Atticus didn't hesitate.
He followed, keeping pace as the two moved through the dense forest expanse. Trees blurred past them, the cool air cutting against their skin as they traveled deeper into the island's terrain.
After a few minutes, Viktor abruptly stopped.
Before them was a large clearing. And in the center, a standing pod.
As they approached, a mechanical arm jutted out from the side of the pod, a glowing scanner igniting.
Atticus's eyes narrowed. His senses stretched, analyzing.
'Harmless.' He concluded.
The scanner passed over Viktor first, then over Atticus. A low hum filled the air as the pod processed.
Viktor exhaled, placing a hand on the machine.
"This isn't like human technology. This device… its capacity can't be compared."
"This pod can analyze and generate opponents tailored to your exact power level."
"It can create something that can mimic even paragons, to a certain extent, their techniques, their movements, their combat efficiency. Every weapon master in Eldoralth's history, every recorded style, every battle-tested technique is stored within this pod."
A sharp beep cut through the air. The pod lit up. Then—
An AI voice spoke.
"General Atticus Ravenstein."
"Core rank: Grandmaster."
"Power output: Paragon rank."
"Weapon of choice: Katana."
"Select training."
Viktor didn't hesitate.
"Weapons training."
The pod glowed brighter.
A deep whirring sound vibrated through the air as the machine began constructing.
A form materialized inside the pod, shifting, molding, coming to life.
Then, it stepped forward.
A faceless figure.
Slender. Tall.
Holding a katana.
Its aura was intense. Deadly.
Viktor watched as the entity slowly lifted its blade.
"The level has been increased because it's you," Viktor stated, his tone serious. "To pass this portion of training, you have to defeat it."
He explained quickly before retreating.
He didn't just move a few meters, he left the area entirely.
The battle that was about to ensue was not one that a grandmaster could be in close proximity to.
'It should take him a few days to land a hit. A little over a week, probably, to defeat and pass the test,' Viktor concluded as he created distance.