CHAPTER 198: A LITTLE WAKE-UP CALL [1]

Kyle stepped out of Academic Building 5. The midday sun warm against his skin as it filtered through the sprawling campus.

The air smelled faintly of freshly cut grass and the lingering ozone of mana-powered machinery.

Students milled about, some rushing to classes, others lounging on the courtyard benches. But his attention snapped to the two figures waiting for him at the base of the stone steps.

Reo and Luna.

Reo was leaning against the iron railing. One foot propped up lazily, his usual cocky grin in place. His green eyes flicked over as Kyle approached, sharp with anticipation.

Luna, on the other hand, stood straight, arms crossed. Her silver hair almost glowing under the sunlight. She looked like she had been waiting longer than she wanted to admit.

"You took your sweet time," Luna said, arching a brow. "Get lost on the way down?"

Kyle shrugged, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Something came up." He hesitated for half a second before adding, "Just had to talk to Aurelia about something."

Luna’s gaze lingered, just a beat too long. Like she could see right through the half-truth. But she didn’t press.

Instead, she exhaled through her nose and looked away. As if deciding it wasn’t worth the effort.

Reo pushed off the railing, rolling his shoulders with a crack. "Doesn’t matter now. Let’s get to the training grounds." He bounced on the balls of his feet, fists already clenching in anticipation.

"I’ve been itching for a real spar all day."

Kyle shook his head. "How about we hit the Virtual Simulation instead?" He tilted his head, meeting Reo’s challenge head-on.

"We can go all out there without worrying about holding back." A pause, just for effect.

"And since my rank’s sitting at Silver Grade 2 now. I won’t have to pull punches to match you."

Reo’s grin turned razor-sharp. "Oh, you are on."

Luna sighed. But there was a flicker of interest in her eyes. "Let’s go then."

———

The Private Training Building was a privilege reserved for the Academy’s elite—the top ten students of each year. No credit deductions, no time limits. Just pure, unrestricted training.

The structure itself was sleek. All polished steel and reinforced glass, reflecting the sunlight in sharp angles.

Two massive mana-powered torches flanked the entrance, their flames burning an eerie, steady blue. The air hummed faintly with energy. The kind that made the hairs on Kyle’s arms stand on end.

Inside, the atmosphere was different. Quieter, heavier.

A few senior students moved through the halls. Some heading toward the Elemental Chambers, others disappearing into the Gravity Rooms.

The sound of muffled explosions and clashing steel echoed from somewhere deeper inside. But no one flinched. Just another day at the top.

Kyle led the way. His boots clicking against the polished black floors as they moved toward the Virtual Simulation wing.

The pods were separated by year, each section marked clearly with glowing holographic signs.

Reo let out a low whistle as they entered the first-year area. "Still can’t believe we get to use these whenever we want."

Luna rolled her eyes. "You’d think after months of being in the top ten, you’d stop being surprised."

Kyle chuckled, walking toward his designated pod. The thing was sleek—metallic, with a glass lid that sealed shut during activation. A small screen on the side displayed the user’s details in crisp, glowing text.

His read:

KYLE VALEMONT – RANK 9

Officially, he was still rank ninth.

He could challenge the higher ranks if he wanted. His strength was easily beyond most of them, but he couldn’t be bothered.

The benefits of climbing the ranks? Bigger dorms, personal maids, better facilities.

But he already lived with Aurelia in faculty quarters that were just as good, if not better.

And cooking? ’Please.’ He’d take his own meals over academy food any day.

Reo and Luna took their pods. Rank 5 and rank 6, respectively.

Kyle tapped the screen on his pod, bringing up the settings. A holographic interface flickered to life, casting a pale blue glow across his face.

"Sent you both the connect request," he said.

A soft chime sounded from their pods as they accepted.

Then, he adjusted his own settings.

His fingers moved quickly, suppressing his "Silver Grade 2" rank down to "Peak Bronze Grade 1", matching Reo and Luna’s current level.

Same rank. Same physical stats.

But mastery?

That’s where the real difference lay.

With a final tap. The pod’s glass lid slid shut with a quiet hiss. The world around him darkened.

For a moment, there was nothing.

Then—

Light.

Kyle blinked as his vision cleared, the world materializing around him.

He stood in the middle of an endless training ground, the sky a perfect, cloudless blue. The ground beneath his feet was solid, the air crisp with the faint scent of ozone, like the calm before a storm.

He looked down.

Instead of his uniform, he wore the academy’s black combat suit, form-fitting and reinforced for battle. The material flexed with his movements, lightweight yet durable enough to withstand high-impact strikes.

And in his hand—

Zalrielle.

The sleek black tachi gleamed under the artificial sunlight. Its edge so sharp it seemed to cut the light itself.

Kyle frowned.

’How are you here?’ he thought.

’I don’t know,’ Zalrielle’s voice echoed in his mind, amused. ’Maybe because our soul cores are connected.’

’Or, this simulation is just weird.’

Kyle exhaled. ’I guess it doesn’t matter.’

A grin tugged at his lips.

’This just got a lot more interesting.’

—

A few yards away, Reo and Luna materialized, already testing their weapons.

Reo spun his spear. A sleek, silver spear, in a smooth arc, the blade catching the light. His usual lazy grin was gone, replaced by something sharper, more dangerous.

The way his stance shifted, the way his grip tightened. This wasn’t the same laid-back guy who napped through lectures.

Luna, meanwhile, flexed her fingers.

Twin short swords materialized in her hands, their edges shimmering with frost. The air around her grew colder, tiny ice crystals forming at her feet.

Kyle observed them for a second, then rolled his shoulders, gripping Zalrielle tighter.

’How about we give them a little wake-up call, Zal?’

The blade hummed in response.

’This will be fun.’

———