Night settled quietly over Eclipse Hunter Academy.
Most of the dormitory lights had already gone dark.
Exhausted first-year students collapsed into their beds after the entrance exam and orientation.
But one training field near the edge of campus was still occupied.
Lysander Vale stood alone beneath the moonlight.
The training ground was silent except for the faint rustle of wind through the trees.
Kagekiri rested lightly in his hand.
The blade absorbed the moonlight instead of reflecting it.
Like a piece of night itself.
Lysander exhaled slowly.
His body still ached from the battle with the Wolf King earlier that day.
Every muscle protested when he moved.
But stopping now would be stupid.
He had barely survived his first real fight in this world.
That alone proved one thing.
He was still weak.
He lowered his stance.
Left hand resting on the sheath.
Right hand gripping the hilt.
Focus.
Breath.
One step forward.
Draw.
Slash.
Sheath.
Click.
The sound echoed quietly across the empty training ground.
Lysander frowned slightly.
"…Still rough."
Inside the sword, Nythera's voice echoed faintly.
"You hesitate."
Lysander rolled his shoulder.
"Because my body can't keep up."
"That is obvious."
Her tone remained calm.
"You possess the blade."
"You possess the technique."
"But your body remains that of an amateur."
Lysander sighed.
"You're very encouraging."
Nythera ignored the comment.
"Void Draw Style requires precision."
"Timing."
"Control."
"You currently possess none of those."
He rested the sword against his shoulder.
"…Working on it."
A faint blue screen appeared in front of his eyes.
The system.
Training Suggestion
Mana Circulation Practice Recommended
Purpose:
Stabilize mana flow and improve elemental compatibility.
Lysander sat down on the stone training ground.
Cross-legged.
The academy's Mana Theory class earlier had explained the basics.
Mana existed within every living being.
But most people never learned to control it properly.
Hunters trained to circulate mana through their bodies.
Improving strength.
Speed.
Endurance.
And elemental affinity.
Lysander closed his eyes.
He focused inward.
At first there was only darkness.
Then—
A faint current.
Warm.
Slow.
Mana.
He carefully guided the flow.
Through his chest.
Down his arms.
Across his spine.
Back toward his core.
The circulation gradually became smoother.
More stable.
Then suddenly—
The mana changed.
It sharpened.
Crackled.
Lysander's eyes opened instantly.
A tiny spark jumped across his fingertips.
Electricity flickered briefly.
Then vanished.
"…There it is."
The system appeared again.
Lightning Element Fragment
Status: Activated
Elemental Compatibility:
Lightning — Low
Lysander studied his hand.
Earlier that day the system had granted the Lightning Element Fragment as a reward for altering fate.
At the time he only understood one thing.
It would help him hide.
Now he finally felt its power.
Lightning mana flowed through his channels.
Wild.
Fast.
Unstable.
Inside the sword, Nythera spoke again.
"…You possess two opposing forces."
Lysander glanced at Kagekiri.
"Void and lightning."
"Yes."
"Void consumes."
"Lightning erupts."
Her voice remained calm.
"A volatile combination."
Lysander smirked slightly.
"Sounds fun."
Another system screen appeared.
New Training Path Available
Lightning Enhancement
Basic Ability:
Lightning Body Reinforcement
Effect:
Temporary increase in speed.
Lysander stood slowly.
This was perfect.
Lightning abilities would allow him to fight in public without exposing Void Draw.
To everyone else…
He would simply appear to be a lightning swordsman.
Exactly what he needed.
He focused again.
Mana circulated.
Lightning sparked across his palm once more.
A little stronger this time.
But still unstable.
It would take training.
Lots of it.
Then—
A calm voice echoed in his mind.
Not Nythera.
The system.
"Adaptation speed acceptable."
Lysander blinked.
"…You can talk?"
"Yes."
"Communication protocol unlocked."
"Direct guidance increases survival probability."
He leaned slightly against his sword.
"So you're basically my advisor now."
"Incorrect."
"I am a fragment of Abyssion's authority."
"Advisory interaction is incidental."
Lysander chuckled quietly.
"Right."
Before he could say anything else—
Footsteps echoed across the training ground.
Heavy.
Confident.
Lysander turned.
Someone else had entered the field.
Tall.
Broad-shouldered.
Short dark hair.
Lightning mana flickered faintly around his body.
Caelum Draven.
One of the strongest swordsmen among the new students.
His sharp eyes locked onto Lysander instantly.
"…You."
Lysander tilted his head slightly.
"Me?"
Caelum walked closer.
Practice sword resting on his shoulder.
"I saw your duel earlier."
His gaze narrowed.
"You moved well for someone who lost that easily."
Lysander shrugged.
"Maybe you're overthinking it."
Caelum stopped a few meters away.
Then pointed the practice sword toward him.
"Good."
A faint grin appeared on his face.
"I needed a warm-up anyway."
Lightning mana flickered along his blade.
"Let's spar."