Damn...I really need to fix tmy current mana capacity problem faster.. I can't let what happened yesterday happen to me in a real battlefield. I have to meditate while maintaining healing impact at low levels for a longer time. That way, Elandor's limiter will be gone even before we are done here in Orynthia. Though I can feel it wearing off by now, but still it's not enough.
I began condensing healing magic on both of my fists, just like what I do when I'm about to use healing impact and meditate while doing it. While Blaze, Byakuren, and Nochtrael are watching me as if I am going to pass out again.. but I will never let that happen to me again this time.
INSIDE RAVENSHARD'S HQ
Just a normal day, creating writing their reports.
Elandris spoke. "Commander Valenis!"
"What?"
"Did you know, Lucien knocked out Sylendor out cold in once punch!"
Sylendor is clearly annoyed.
"Hey! Stop spreading false news.."
"Captain, you are with them yesterday..tell me is that true?" Valenis asked.
"Y-yes... Partly.." Caeleth answered.
Erendil added "With healing magic..."
Valenis was contemplating if everything he heard was real. "Healing magic you say?..this Lucien folk is Interesting..."
Sylendor looking away, because clearly he's embarrassed of what happened.
LUCIEN – IN HIS ROOM
Yeah baby! I actually held it longer than last time. Still feels like it's draining my mana, but not like before. It's getting manageable… slowly. My mana pool is ridiculous. Probably because of that thing I got when I was reborn here. "Mana Override."…but Blaze makes everything worse. His fire affinity boost keeps messing with my output control.
So now it's like…an Olympic-sized pool, and I'm draining it through a faucet. Except that faucet is being forced to pulse and shake every time Blaze breathes near me.
And then, there's Byakuren. He's different, His presence doesn't mess me up, if anything, it actually sharpens me. Like my senses are being tuned in real time… kind of like that friendly neighborhood hero from my old world. Useful. Stable. Actually helpful.
...Now that I can hold this for much longer, I have to think of different ways of using it. Maybe...just maybe, I can use my fire based magic to fling my self above while charging it. And dive down towards the enemy? No maybe it can work in the whole battlefield too, like an AoE skill...but what should I call it? Hmmm maybe, I can also throw it and us it as a blinding magic too?.. Surely this elven folk will hate me for using healing magic in to a war crime scenario. They value law, they value order, they value tradition... But me? I value progress.
THE NEXT DAY – RAVENSHARD'S TRAINING GROUNDS
Elandor opened the door with his usual confidence... But this time instead of Caeleth, Erendil, Elandris, and Sylendor... There's a menacing guy. I feel like I've seen him before but I can't remember where, and behind him, three other members. One with bow, one with a staff, and the other one has... nothing?
Elandris shouted. "Hey guys! It's Lucien, he's here!"
The moment we stepped fully into the training hall, the atmosphere shifted. Not chaotic like yesterday. Heavier. Measured. The menacing guy I noticed earlier turned toward us slowly. His gaze landed on Elandor first.
"Greetings, High General Elandor of the Silver Vanguard," he said calmly. Then his eyes moved to me. "And if it isn't the boy who defeated Sylendor in one punch."
Sylendor instantly snapped. "Hey! That's not what happened, Commander! He told me to stand there." He pointed at the exact spot like it would defend his honor.
Elandris crossed his arms. "And you agreed to do that."
Sylendor turned away, clearly sulking. "…that's not the point."
The man stepped forward. "I am Valenis," he said, tone calm… but there was something off about it. Controlled. Like he was holding something back. "Nice to meet you properly this time."
He didn't wait for a response. Just walked past me, casually checking the weapon racks like he owned the place.
"Nice to meet you too, I'm Lucien–"
"No need to trouble yourself, kid," Valenis cut in without even looking at me. "I know what you've done."
…okay. That's not creepy at all. I leaned slightly toward Elandris and whispered, "Hey… who's the new guy?"
Elandris smirked. "Knight Commander of the Dawnguard Phalanx. He's the one handling us."
"…okay?"
"And," he added, lowering his voice a bit, "mid-tier S-rank assassin."
I froze for half a second.…assassin? Wait. So that two daggers with him... Red cape… entrance… that pressure…holy shit. Was he the one at the entrance of Orynthia that tried to stop us?
Before I could process that further– A female elf stepped forward confidently. Long bow resting on her shoulder. "I'm Thalene," she said. "S-rank archer." She pointed to the girl beside her. "And that's Thalindra. My younger sister." Staff user. Yeah… definitely a mage. But what element does she use? No idea.
Then another guy raised his hand casually. "I'm Aelion. S-rank healer." He smiled lightly. "I hope you can teach me that attack."
"…uh," I scratched my cheek awkwardly. "Yeah… maybe." From the side–
"Listen, Lucien," Valenis spoke.
My attention snapped back to him.
"You will spar with Thalene and Aelion."
"…wait–hold on." I blinked. "Two?"
Valenis didn't even hesitate. "Thalene is an archer. Naturally weak in close combat. That's why Aelion is assisting her." He crossed his arms. "They will support each other. I assigned a healer instead of a tank to even the chances."
"…even?" I stared at him. "They're S-ranks."
Elandor's voice cut in from behind. "You don't choose your enemies on a battlefield."
"…of course you'd say that."
"Begin."
No countdown. No warning.
*FWIP–!*
An arrow shot straight at my head.
"–!"
I twisted instinctively, the arrow grazing past my ear. Another came immediately.
*FWIP–FWIP–!*
Too fast. I moved. Side-step. Pivot. Duck.
"Damn–!" She wasn't just shooting. She was also moving. Light. Fast. Every shot repositioned her. Every step made it harder to close the distance.
I kicked off the ground, trying to rush her–
–but the moment I shifted direction–
*FWIP–!*
Arrow straight to my blind spot. "–tch!" I forced my body sideways, barely avoiding it. That's when I noticed it. She wasn't aiming where I was. She was aiming where I would be. "…predicting?" I muttered.
I pushed forward again–faster this time, but my body suddenly felt heavier.…fatigue again? No–
I glanced at Aelion. He stood calmly behind her, glowing faintly green.
Ah. Of course. "Seriously?" I muttered. "Infinite stamina cheat?"
He smiled. "Support role."
"Yeah, no kidding!"
I shifted direction mid-run and rushed toward him instead. Take out the healer first. Basic rule.
But–
*FWIP–!*
An arrow slammed right in front of my face, forcing me to stop.
"Not happening," Thalene said calmly.
I clicked my tongue. Every time I moved toward Aelion, she blocked. Every time I chased her,:she ran. Every time I tried to outpace her, she predicted. Everything I did…was pointless.
From the side, Valenis spoke, voice steady.
"Today's lesson is endurance and persistence."
"…you've got to be kidding me," I muttered.
*FWIP–!*
Another arrow–this time I barely tilted my head–
–but I felt it. A sharp sting. "…!" My hand went to my cheek. Blood. "…seriously?"
"Focus," Elandor said flatly. I exhaled slowly.
Right. No distractions. Green light flickered in my hand as I healed the cut instantly.
But I could feel it. Valenis was watching. Not just watching. Studying. Every movement. Every reaction. From the corner, another presence entered the hall.
Heavy footsteps. Shield.. and what's this? A huge ass broad sword? I glanced for a split second– Elandris waved. "Hey Faelar! You're here! Come watch this!"
So that guy is Faelar huh? He then sat down beside him casually.
And in that exact moment–
*FWIP–!*
"–!"
Another arrow grazed my cheek again. "…okay." I wiped the blood, eyes sharpening. "That's enough." I lowered my stance slightly. Breathing steady. Body adapting.
"Endurance… right?" I muttered. Then I moved again.
But this time– I didn't rush. I watched. I think it is the perfect time to test it... I gathered healing magic in my fist just like when I'm about to use healing impact but this one is much smaller and only emits faint mana signature, I bet they can't even sense it, and they think I'm only healing my bruises earlier.
I tried to form a small orb of compressed magic inside my fist... I threw it near Thalene's feet. Then –
*BOOM-!*
End of chapter.