[Ray Dawson]
Ray collapsed onto the floor, his chest rising and falling with each heavy breath. Across from him, Irvin lay sprawled out, looking just as wrecked.
"How the fuck are you still moving after increasing the weight?" Irvin groaned, wiping sweat from his forehead.
Ray smirked, rolling his shoulders. "Just practice harder. You'll get there eventually."
"Tsk. Monster," Irvin muttered under his breath.
Ray ignored him, pushing himself up into a sitting position. His eyes drifted across the training ground, scanning the other students.
His attention landed on Grace and Elysia, locked in combat.
Elysia moved with an effortless grace, her strikes fluid yet precise. At first, he had assumed she wasn't that strong. But that assumption had been a mistake.
Grace was no slouch either. Despite her class specializing in healing, she fought like a seasoned warrior, her movements honed through rigorous training.
They clashed, their blows exchanging in rapid succession. Grace closed the distance, throwing a high kick aimed at Elysia's ribs. Elysia sidestepped, seamlessly flowing into a counterattack—a spinning back kick that forced Grace to retreat.
Ray leaned forward slightly, watching Elysia's every move.
She's incredible.
A stray strand of her silver hair slipped over her face as she dodged a strike, and for a split second, he felt the urge to brush it aside. His fingers twitched before he clenched them into a fist instead.
Focus, idiot.
Still, his eyes lingered.
"Oi, you're staring too hard," Irvin teased, a sly grin spreading across his face. "If you like her that much, just say so."
Ray scoffed. "Shut up."
Irvin clicked his tongue. "Man, just imagine getting beaten up by your own crush every day. Sounds kinda sad."
Ray shot him a look. "It's not about that."
Irvin smirked. "Oh? Then what?"
Ray exhaled. "It's… annoying."
"Huh?"
He ran a hand through his hair, his voice quieter. "She always looks so untouchable. But she's kind and talks to everyone politely. And for some reason… that irritates me. I don't know why."
Irvin blinked, then started laughing. "Bro, you sound way too invested."
Ray clicked his tongue and stood up. "Forget it."
Still, his thoughts kept circling back to something else.
Or rather, someone.
Elysia had just finished her spar, wiping a bead of sweat from her cheek. As she turned, her red eyes met his for the briefest moment.
Ray froze.
She flashed him a polite smile—the same neutral, pleasant expression she always wore. Then, without a word, she looked away and walked past him.
A heartbeat later, he realized he'd been holding his breath.
Irvin snickered from the side. "Damn, that was painful to watch. You didn't even blink."
Ray clicked his tongue. "I swear, if you say one more word—"
Irvin held up his hands in surrender, still grinning. "Alright, alright. Keep simping in silence."
Ray sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He wasn't simping.
…Right?
Shaking his head, he pushed all unnecessary thoughts away and turned his focus back to the sparring sessions. His eyes landed on Ash, who was fighting Instructor Leonard.
He's improving ridiculously fast.
Ash sidestepped a feint, countering with a perfectly timed elbow strike. Leonard barely parried in time before Ash followed up with a knee aimed at his ribs. The precision was frightening.
He never repeats the same mistake. It's like he memorizes everything in an instant—what works, what doesn't.
A genius in combat. Yet…
If his potential rank were higher than A, he'd undoubtedly be a monster. But alas…
Ash barely talked to anyone, never wasted time on unnecessary things, and had this obsessive way of improving.
Ray frowned, remembering something.
Didn't he tell me to 'just focus on getting stronger'?
Does he even understand his own advice?
Ray had seen talented fighters before, but Ash was different. Most people trained to get stronger. Ash fought like he had no other choice.
It's like he's chasing something no one else can see… or running from something no one else can feel.
Ray exhaled sharply and shook his head.
"Whatever," he muttered. He had his own goals. Figuring Ash out wasn't one of them.
With that, he dismissed the thought and pulled up his Status Window.
**
<Status>
Name- Ray Dawson
Race- Human
Age- 12
Rank - Apprentice (E-Rank)
Class- Sword God (????)
Affinity- Fire, Space
--
<Attributes>
Strength- 113
Agility- 110
Vitality- 111
Intelligence- 109
Stamina- 112
Mana- 114
Charm- 103
Stat Points-{0}
**
My growth is good. I'm getting stronger faster thanks to my trait—[Limitless Growth].
Everything's progressing well... but when will the system's search be over?
His gaze shifted to the floating system messages.
[System is currently searching for a clue regarding ##%$# in the web of fate.]
[Due to high energy consumption, the system will enter a 1-week sleep mode.]
[If the search is completed ahead of time, system will wake up]
[If the user comes near ##%$#, the system will issue an alert.]
[Estimated time until discovery: 2 days.]
Two more days... then I'll finally know who's interfering with my fate.
But strangely, I don't feel any change despite the interference.
Whatever. It doesn't matter.
At the end of the day, strength was all that mattered.
Ray exhaled sharply,
No more waiting.
No more overthinking.
He picked up his sword and stepped back onto the sparring grounds.
Time to train again.
***
Meanwhile, At Night...
The air was cool as Ash moved toward the train station, dressed in casual clothes with a bag slung over his shoulder. The streets were quieter at this hour, but he kept his pace steady.
Two days earlier than Ray. I just hope nothing unexpected happens.
He didn't know when Ray would leave the academy for his quest. The story had already deviated from what he remembered.
Originally, in the novel, Ray had traveled to Iron Hold City for a quest on the weekends, when the academy was closed. But now? The timing was uncertain.
But if I can get that Rune, I'll be much stronger.
His anticipation was at an all-time high. He also carried the Ring of Healing with him. Even though it was still on cooldown, it was better to have it than leave it behind.
There's always a chance something could go wrong. I hate uncertainty.
With that thought, he boarded the train, leaving Nexus City behind—his destination.
Iron hold City.
***
[Iron hold City]
A city renowned for its iron defenses, standing tall at the edge of the human continent.
It shared a border with the Elven Continent—despite humans and elves being allies, skirmishes still occurred from time to time, making the fortress a critical defense point.
Upon reaching the city, Ash booked a decent inn for a two-day stay.
Skipping one day of classes will cost me five credits…
I have enough to last four days, but if I spend it all, I won't be able to access the academy's advanced facilities later.
First-year students were given 50 credits per month for the first semester. However, from the second semester onward, they had to complete missions to earn credits.
I need to finish everything within two days…
Hah, there's a lot to do.
Getting the next Rune wouldn't be easy.
Honestly, should I be happy or frustrated that because of Melissia's interference, I was not able to get this Rune before?
Originally, he had planned to obtain the Rune before the entrance exam. But even though his chances were high, the risk was even higher.
There was too much risk, and my identity would've been exposed.
But now?
Ash glanced down at the Shadow Cloak in his hands—the one he had received from Melissia.
With this, I don't have to worry about my identity anymore.
Yet, something about the situation felt strange.
The cloak itself was also a Rune. And now, because of Melissa, he was about to obtain another one. One he was originally supposed to get… but didn't.
If she hadn't interfered back then, I would've gotten it earlier.
And if it weren't for her, my identity would have been compromised.
It was too complicated and too ironic.
His thoughts twisted, forming loops of contradictions.
But in the end, none of that mattered.
Ash exhaled and opened his Status Window, scrolling down to the Shadow Cloak's description.
**
Item: Shadow Cloak
Rank: Grandmaster (A)
Description:
- Masks the wearer's mana signature and body, making it nearly impossible to identify them through magical or sensory means.
-Reduces the wearer's presence to near nonexistence, making them hard to sense even when standing nearby.
-Temporarily allows the user to blend into darkness for up to 15 seconds.
Cooldown- 30 minutes
**
With this, no one will be able to track me. No one will be able to predict my movements.
His satisfaction grew, a rare moment where he allowed himself to revel in his gain. It wasn't often that things worked out in his favor, but this time, he had come out on top.
Tossing the cloak over his shoulders, he adjusted it slightly before exhaling.
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
Now… let's get the plan Started.
***
A/N: Alright, dear readers! Ash needs an alias—something cool, something powerful, something that screams "legend in the making." Got any ideas? Drop them in the comments! Let's make Ash even more iconic together! 💀🔥