Overwhelming Firepower

Alexander was quite enjoying his school life. He was able to get into the S-class, he was able to learn many new things, and he had quite good friends to eat, drink, and play with.

Even though he dreams about something sad every now and then, regarding the older version of himself, when he sees the current world, he cannot help but smile.

This world was not hopeless; it was not like the world in his dreams. At least, that was what Alexander felt.

Mina was still beside him. He had met Nina, Ryan, Cael, Elion, and Catherine. He was learning from powerful instructors, and even though Lucen’s class made him feel like his body was being dismantled and rebuilt every lesson, Alexander knew he was improving.

After finishing one of his afternoon classes, Alexander was walking back toward the dormitory alone. Mina had gone with Nina and Catherine to look at some books in the library, while Ryan had disappeared somewhere after saying he had found ”something interesting.”

As for Cael, he had gone to train. That was not surprising. Cael always went to train. Alexander had already finished training and was about ready to head back to his dorm room.

That was when someone called out to him. ”Alexander Wyrd.”

Alexander stopped walking and turned around. The one who called him was a student he did not recognize. Judging from the emblem on his uniform, he was from the second year of the knight department.

”Yes?” Alexander asked.

The second-year student looked slightly uncomfortable, but he quickly hid it and spoke. ”One of the instructors told me to bring you to the old eastern training hall.”

Alexander blinked. ”An instructor?”

”Yes.”

”Which instructor?”

The second-year student hesitated for the smallest moment. ”Sir Lucen Thornehart.”

Hearing that name, Alexander became more attentive.

If it were any other instructor, he might have asked more questions. But Sir Lucen was different. That man was strange enough to suddenly call a student after class for some kind of unexpected training.

Alexander could already imagine Lucen standing in an empty training hall with two pistols in hand and saying something like, ”Good, you came. Now dodge.”

Just imagining it made his shoulder ache.

Still, Alexander did not immediately move. ”Did Sir Lucen say why?”

The second-year student shook his head. ”He only said it was related to your training.”

That sounded suspicious. At the same time, it also sounded exactly like something Lucen would say.

Alexander thought about it for a moment before nodding. ”Alright. Please lead the way.”

The second-year student turned around and began walking. Alexander followed behind him. At first, nothing seemed strange.

They passed through the academy courtyard, walked along one of the eastern corridors, and headed toward the side gate. There were still a few students moving around, so Alexander did not think much of it.

However, once they passed through the side gate, Alexander slowed his steps slightly.

”The old eastern training hall is outside the academy?”

The second-year student stiffened for a brief moment before answering. ”Yes. It was used before the academy expanded. It still belongs to the academy, but most students do not go there anymore.”

Alexander looked at his back. He was getting very suspicious about the second-year student, but seeing as what he said made a bit of sense, he did not say anything more.

The Royal Academy was old. It would not be strange if there were unused facilities outside the main grounds. Also, if Sir Lucen wanted to do something strange, dangerous, or unreasonable, choosing an abandoned place made sense.

Once the two arrived at the place, the second-year student bowed his head and left before Alexander could thank him. In fact, for a brief moment, Alexander thought he heard the student apologizing.

Alexander waited, but no one came. After ten minutes, there was no one. After an hour, there was no sign of a single person.

’Is this it? Is this the training? Is he testing my patience? Or is Sir Lucen watching from somewhere, seeing what I would do while waiting for him?... Since I need to wait, I’d better not just stand here and do nothing.’

Alexander started practicing his control over his aura mantle as he swung his sword. He was unaware that the people who were going to meet him were no longer coming.

***

Turn back the time before Alexander was called by the second-year student. Marlo had met with the two men his father sent to deal with Alexander; they were two aura users at the fourth mantle.

With them, Marlo was sure that Alexander would be taken down a peg, and he would finally act as he should.

”Do not kill him,” Marlo said, repeating his father’s warning. ”Just make sure he understands.”

The bald man looked at him and grinned. ”Young master, we know how to handle brats. We break a few bones, leave his face mostly intact, and scare him enough that he remembers the lesson.”

Marlo’s lips curled upward. ”Good.”

The shorter man frowned slightly. ”And if he resists too much?”

Marlo’s smile stiffened for a moment.

He wanted to say that they could do more. Much more. But even he understood that killing Alexander would cause trouble.

”Then make him unable to resist,” Marlo answered. ”But do not kill him.”

The two men nodded.

A little later, the second-year student Marlo had bribed returned with a pale face.

”He followed me,” the student said. ”He is waiting inside the old eastern training hall.”

”Good. You can leave.”

The second-year student hesitated. ”You promised that this would not go too far.”

Marlo’s eyes turned cold. ”Leave.”

He didn’t want anyone to get hurt, but he also couldn’t act out against a noble child like Marlo, and he was also paid. The student flinched, then quickly lowered his head and walked away.

Marlo clicked his tongue. ”Coward.”

The bald man chuckled. ”Most students are.”

”Alexander Wyrd is the same,” Marlo said. ”He only acts calm because he has not learned fear properly.”

The three of them began walking toward the old eastern training hall. They did not get far, as before they could reach the narrow road leading to the abandoned building, a voice came from above.

”Well, it’s like the leader said, some fools came to do stupid things.”