CHAPTER 33: ACHILLES SHIELD

Godfrey was stunned as he stood on a serene slope road, right before a private apartment surrounded by neatly arranged trees and flowers blooming in quiet splendor.

Staring at the card in his hand, he still couldn’t believe an entire apartment had been given to him.

Apparently, this special treatment was because he came third during the competition. Isolde got one, and so did Snow and Cecil, the other two were the sophomore’s top students, so rank or no rank, they naturally received preferential treatment.

The rest of the students stayed in large rooms, two per room, while all the Polaris students were rewarded with private apartments.

Godfrey simply couldn’t understand the level of flamboyancy these people lived on. Their aloof expressions, their outrageous arrogance, it all pricked him the wrong way.

He would stay out of their path, as long as they stayed out of his.

The only bitter thought tugging at him now was the distance between his apartment and Isolde’s.

After opening the door with the card, Godfrey walked into the apartment. The lights automatically lit up, revealing a living room set with a soft leather sofa, a huge TV, and polished wooden aesthetics that brightened his eyes.

He carried his luggage to his room, set everything in order, and collapsed on the bed. With his hands behind his head, he stared at the ceiling as his thoughts began to wander.

Unconsciously, he replayed the times his summons had fought. Before long, his mind returned to the Adaptive skill, Aegis Shield, the one Snow had used against Isolde.

It looked remarkably powerful, and now that he thought about it, something like that would make Mountain far stronger.

His great shield was one of his main weapons, but recent enemies had shown enough offensive power to crack it, neutralizing one of his most iconic abilities: reflection.

If Mountain could strengthen that shield with something akin to Aegis, then he would truly become an immovable wall.

Godfrey was certain that by tomorrow, they would leave the city and venture into the more dangerous parts of the dungeon, territories teeming with raptors and undead hordes.

The thought alone tightened his resolve. Enhancing Mountain’s shield would be the best way to ensure more points.

***

Godfrey sat on Mountain’s stone throne, leaning forward with his fingers entwined, his ocean-blue eyes locked on the two Knight-Captains facing off against each other.

The chamber of summons was a grand square hall, bright white with marble-like tiles, tall pillars, and ancient engravings etched into the walls. Torches lined the walls but burned with a steady golden flame.

Mountain stood tall, tightening his grip on his immense shield. His armour, the huge pauldrons and cuirass, made him look like a walking fortress. His stern eyes never wavered from his opponent from within the helm’s slit.

Across from him stood Ballista, his great bow held loosely in one hand.

Godfrey raised an eyebrow. He could almost feel the tension, the rivalry, thick in the air between them. It stunned him for a moment.

And in that brief moment, Ballista moved.

He mounted his great bow, manifested an arrow, drew, and released. The sound that followed shook the chamber as the arrow tore through the air, slamming into Mountain’s shield and piercing through his shield arm!

Mountain slid backward, the impact tearing cracks into the stone floor until he came to a stop. Blood dripped from his arm, splattering across the pristine white tiles.

Lightning faintly crackled over his armour, his body trembling. Yet with a heavy grunt, he straightened, raised his shield again, and marched forward with bold steps, ignoring the massive arrow still lodged in his flesh.

Godfrey’s eyes narrowed. ’So this is the difference between a Golden Order Knight built for offense, and one built for defense...’

He understood. Both were enhanced by the perks of their armour, but right now, Mountain had been ordered to only defend. Against Ballista, who unleashed offense like a storm, he couldn’t stand.

Most times, Adaptive Skills awakened when a summon was cornered, when survival demanded evolution. This should be Mountain’s chance to learn.

The second arrow came, piercing Mountain’s shield once more, burrowing into his cuirass. Godfrey’s face twisted. His chest grew heavy at the sight of Mountain bleeding through his armour.

He frowned heavily. "If he dies here, that’s it. A dead summon can’t be respawned."

’Maybe I should order him to evade... but will that awaken a shield skill? No. It would only be a waste of time... I can’t push it.’

His thoughts snapped as Ballista summoned a new arrow. This one was different, its shaft glowing red, its golden head crackling violently with lightning. The Bow Knight’s entire body sparked with golden arcs of energy.

Godfrey’s eyes widened. Elemental Infusion?! Just like the variant Mountain had but designed to deal great damages!

The release was instant. The air exploded, lightning screaming like a banshee as the arrow shot forward. Godfrey barely had time to register what he was seeing before the arrow collided with Mountain. The chamber erupted in a blinding golden flash.

The shockwave tore through the hall. Pillars shattered, stones blew out of place. Even Godfrey, barely remained on the throne, wincing as debris cut shallow wounds into his skin.

But when the light died down, Mountain was still standing.

Godfrey staggered upright, his jaw slack as his eyes caught the sight. Mountain’s shield... had changed.

No longer the oval great shield, it now stood like a titan, over seven feet tall, broad and round. Its face gleamed pure white, a thick golden sun emblazoned at its core with rays etched in delicate detail. The rim of the shield shone with heavy gold plating, and the ground around it bore the marks of destruction, shattered tiles, cracked stone, except the space within the shield’s boundary, which remained untouched.

Godfrey’s breath caught. ’That... isn’t Aegis Shield.’

Ballista, unshaken, nocked three arrows and fired in rapid succession. The arrows struck the mighty shield, only to ricochet off, spinning wildly mid-air before curving back toward the shooter.

Godfrey’s eyes widened, astonished. He could see that Mountain controlled the ricochets and their directions.

His lips curved into the faintest smile. Ballista summoned the crimson arrow once again, his whole body blazing with lightning, the skill Godfrey quietly named Trail Blazer.

The arrow tore through the air, colliding with the sun-shield. Mountain staggered back three steps, the floor cracking beneath him.

The shield held. The damage reflected, sending Ballista crashing to his knees, a smoking wound carved deep across his chest.

"Ballista!" Godfrey called out.

The Bow Knight raised his head with a weak nod, showing he was alive. Mountain, his massive shield still planted firmly into the ground, waved his bloodstained arm as though to say ’you injured me first.’

Godfrey did not know whether to laugh at his fortune that both summons now had powerful skills that would be even more formidable in Black-Out State or cry that they were both badly injured. He would need to meet the school nurse.

"That skill was nothing like Aegis Shield... I’ll call it Achilles Shield."

...

A/N: Fulfilled the promise and kept three Chapters free. Once it clocks 24 hours from this moment , I’ll have to lock. I feel reluctant to but I also need the money and that’s the only way to get more readers.

110 powerstones and over 50 golden tickets, we’re going strong! Thank you, I can literally see your love for this story.