CHAPTER 281: ZAID’S REEMERGENCE

His courtyard became a haven of profound tranquility. Victor sat cross-legged beneath a blooming cherry tree as the soft petals occasionally drifted down around him.

A pure ethereal white aura surrounded his figure as he entered deep meditation.

Days and nights blurred in the game world, and each passing moment was an opportunity to improve his cultivation foundation.

He unfurled the scrolls Lady Li Yang had given him, scrolls inscribed with intricate diagrams of healing cultivation techniques which unsurprisingly complemented the White Dragon’s legacy.

One of these, which was called Celestial Restoration, proved particularly challenging, requiring precise manipulation of qi currents within his body to activate healing effects.

Victor spent long hours focused, manipulating minute threads of qi, trying and failing until at last, the golden notification flashed before his eyes:

[ Celestial Restoration – Mastery Achieved: 5% ]

Victor exhaled deeply, allowing himself a small, satisfied smile.

Aside from healing techniques, Victor diligently practiced his martial skills.

Each morning in-game, he’d rise early, stepping into the clearing behind his courtyard to perform martial techniques he had mastered from Lingyun Realm: Shadow Crescent Strike, Gale Strike, Iron Palm and a couple others.

His blade danced fluidly, tracing mesmerizing arcs through the air as he refined each strike further by tireless repetition.

He occasionally activated his Void Emperor bloodline, enveloping his training grounds in his own spatial domain. Each hour outside became nearly a day within, enabling Victor to refine his techniques with astonishing efficiency.

[ Bloodline Integration Level: 89% → 91% ]

"Slow but steady," Victor muttered with determination while clenching his fists as he felt the faint boost to his power and comprehension of spatial manipulation.

...

...

(( The Next Day ))

The sun had already sunk beyond the vast horizon, painting the Awakened Academy’s underwater dome in deep, calming shades of blue and indigo.

Victor let out a soft sigh of relief as he wiped the last countertop clean.

The feedhub was currently quiet... devoid of the hustle and chatter that had filled it earlier.

Today marked the end of Victor’s feedhub duty, and he couldn’t help but feel relief. He enjoyed cooking occasionally, but being forced to serve meals as punishment was mentally tiring.

He stretched his arms, feeling the satisfying pull in his muscles.

"Finally done," he muttered before tossing the damp cloth aside.

Just as he was about to exit, footsteps echoed softly behind him. Turning around swiftly, Victor spotted Zaid standing calmly in the entryway.

The third-year student wore his usual serene, almost nonchalant expression with his eyes holding a curious glint.

His short, brown hair and sharp eyes made him easily recognizable, and his calm aura emanated subtle authority.

Victor paused upon spotting this face that he hadn’t seen in weeks.

He knew exactly why Zaid was here, and dread crept into his chest, mixed with a hint of curiosity.

"Zaid," Victor greeted cautiously. "Didn’t expect to see you here."

Zaid smiled faintly while stepping forward slowly. "I gave you one week to think about becoming my M1, Victor. It’s been four weeks now."

Victor cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. He had genuinely pushed Zaid’s offer to the back of his mind. Between Ascendant Realms, the Legacy competition, his punishment, and the anticipation of the Outland Excursion, he’d simply forgotten.

Now the question hung heavily in the air, unavoidable.

"I...uh, it’s been busy lately," Victor admitted honestly, sighing deeply. "Sorry. I know I should’ve decided by now."

Zaid chuckled lightly before nodding in understanding. "I’ve been watching your progress closely. Even though you’re on punishment detail, it seems you’ve hardly allowed it to slow you down. First place in the warriors Legacy Weapons competition, consistently exceeding expectations despite your rank, and your performance overall is far above what any of the instructors anticipated. You’re a rare talent."

Victor felt warmth creep up his neck at the unexpected praise, but his face remained mostly neutral. "Thanks. But honestly, I’m still hesitant."

Zaid tilted his head curiously. "Care to share why?"

Victor frowned thoughtfully. "Becoming an M1—it’s a huge commitment. Going on real missions, outside domes, beyond safe territory... with a third-year senior at that. There are too many unknowns."

Zaid raised an eyebrow as a faint smirk formed on his lips. "You don’t seem like someone afraid of the unknown. In fact, your record suggests otherwise."

Victor shrugged, admitting inwardly that Zaid was right. "True. I like a challenge. But I also don’t rush decisions when they can affect my future."

Zaid considered Victor’s words carefully. "I understand your caution. But let me tell you more about what being my M1 entails. As you know, I’m a third-year student. I specialize in high-risk operations and high-level infiltration. My awakened class is Assassin and I possess a legacy weapon too, called the blade wraith..."

Victor listened attentively, genuinely intrigued. The Blade Wraith was capable of dealing swift, precise, and deadly strikes while remaining almost completely undetectable... a weapon that could turn invisible.

"As my M1," Zaid continued, "you’ll participate in real-world missions—not simulations, not excursions—genuine battles and recon missions beyond cleared zones. You’ll accumulate real experience, prestige, and mana points at a faster rate than any of your classmates. The Academy will give you special privileges as my apprentice, and you’ll have access to special training areas and resources usually reserved only for third-years. Not to mention, you can also make real money."

Victor swallowed, feeling excitement tug at his chest. The allure of genuine experience was strong. Not to mention about making money that could be spent in the real world.

Zaid sensed Victor’s contemplation and pressed further. "Think about it. Your classmates might face their first Drakenar, Sylrith, or Umbryx in their third year. You’ll face them in your first. You’ll be stronger, smarter, and far more battle-hardened than any of them by graduation. Plus, you’ll have someone who’s been there—someone who can guide you through the harsh realities of this war."

Victor nodded slowly. Zaid’s words were persuasive. "And what’s in it for you, exactly? Why choose me?"

Zaid’s calm demeanor remained.

His eyes emitted a thoughtful gaze. "Because I see potential. Not just potential to grow stronger physically or magically, but a warrior’s spirit—a spirit unshakable in the face of adversity. I believe that one day, you’ll surpass even me."

Victor blinked, slightly stunned by the sincerity in Zaid’s voice. This was a genuine compliment that seemed devoid of hidden agenda or manipulation.

"Look," Zaid continued seriously, "I know what people think of me. Some call me reckless or a lone wolf. But the truth is, I value talent. And I believe you have what it takes. We can help each other grow. My rank rises if you excel, and your potential skyrockets by training under me. It’s mutually beneficial."

Victor exhaled slowly, weighing the offer carefully. "Can I have one more night to think about it?"

Zaid smiled warmly, not at all offended. "Absolutely. But this is the last night. Tomorrow, I’ll need an answer. Deal?"

Victor nodded firmly, finally shaking Zaid’s outstretched hand. "Deal. Tomorrow, I’ll give you a definite answer."

Zaid turned and walked towards the exit before pausing briefly at the doorway. "Remember, Victor, the world doesn’t wait for those who hesitate. When opportunity knocks, you either open the door or you don’t."

With those words lingering in the air, Zaid departed quietly, leaving Victor alone in the dim silence of the feedhub.

Victor leaned back against the counter, sighing deeply as Zaid’s offer echoed through his mind.

As Victor’s shift ended, he set down the last tray with a look of relief.

He bowed to the cooking staff, exchanged warm farewells, and strolled slowly out into the cool evening air.

Three weeks of forced labor remained... probably three weeks of sweeping banquet halls, scrubbing floors, hauling crates but he didn’t mind.

Fortunately, they were barely having one lecture per day since the Outland Excursion began so he would have plenty of time to himself.

Which also meant, more time for Ascendant Realms.

The days flew by very quickly and the endless cycle that had consumed him remained: one daily warrior lecture, the stolid punishment assignments through midday, and then many hours under his sheets, playing Ascendant Realms.

He devoted this timing almost entirely to cultivation: refining qi in the Nascent Soul realm and pushing his Void Emperor bloodline integration ever closer to completion.

During this time, other batches also headed out when it was their turn to experience the Outlands Excursion.

Reed came back describing how spectral magical wolves tried to break into section k-22 only to be repelled by the instructors.

Apparently, it wasn’t abnormal for magical beasts to do this.

Rylan had tales of quaking earth elementals and Danny recounted of the number of Drakenars in captivity.

They had truly experienced what the outside world looked like.

Victor still sat safe in the academy’s bubble, waiting his turn since his batch was at the dead end.

It would be another four to five weeks before he faced the outside world, but he’d turned the delay into opportunity: every moment in the game world was a chance to deepen his mastery, to edge closer to peak Nascent Soul strength.