Cast Off the Cocoon
Shed the cocoon. His Physical Enhancement was gone. The ability that had let him wield his sword with far greater flexibility was no more. All that remained were his two arms, two legs. And all the effort he'd poured in until now, along with the sweat that remembered it.
Any other ability user would have despaired at losing the very power that defined them as an "ability user." Without an ability, they could no longer call themselves one. They'd be left as just someone a bit stronger than average—or maybe no different at all.
But Abel was different. Even when his ability vanished, he hadn't broken. He'd wanted an ability more than anyone. To achieve Ability Awakening, he'd poured in unimaginable effort. Every day had been a trial of breaking his own limits with unyielding patience. Every moment a chain of agony as flesh tore and bones cracked.
Forged and tempered steel. It might not look the prettiest, but its strength was real.
All he'd built to survive in this world now became his strength in this moment.
The opponent is an ability user like me, with Physical Enhancement. The good news is that this guy's focus is more on Ability Seal than body strengthening.
Abel was a man of this world, yet not entirely. In a place where power meant abilities, where the genre was crystal clear, he knew exactly how to turn reality into the future he needed.
Most ability users focused on honing their powers to the limit. They chased endless growth, crushing foes with overwhelming might as the ultimate high.
Abel wasn't completely opposed to that path. He'd trained relentlessly to improve and master his abilities, too. But he'd walked another road as well: what to do when his ability was sealed or temporarily unusable.
Wasn't it a pattern everyone saw? That cheat ability in ability-user stories that nullified the enemy's powers at least once.
Take it, take it. Dodge this one.
From childhood, he'd pushed his body to ridiculous extremes for awakening. That was the main reason. But he'd gained side benefits: greater stamina, tougher endurance, sharper situational awareness.
Jureung was human, after all. Even with his immense Ability Seal, that didn't change. Every ability use drained stamina. No infinite maintenance existed. And the stronger the ability, the faster the drain.
Thwack! Thud!
Jureung's fists slammed into his shoulder and chest. For a split second, sensation vanished from his shoulder, and his ribs felt cracked—nearly forcing a grunt past his lips.
But Abel played it off like nothing. He'd cracked and broken bones plenty before. He'd endured pains that numbed the senses long ago.
Now, he needed to induce misjudgment in his foe. Make him impatient. That was best. Hide the pain. Act like he could tank this easily. Force out those heavy straights instead of light jabs. Demand more stamina. Compel stronger ability use.
That was Abel's strategy. Against an enemy who could use abilities while he couldn't, it was the best way to close the gap.
Crack!
"Ngh!"
But damage was piling up on Abel's body fast, too.
Almost there. This guy's at his limit. Breathing's ragged, and his Physical Enhancement is half as strong as at the start. The end's coming soon. But when it does...
His own limit might hit first. That initial blow had been too much. Without it, he could've lasted longer. He needed more training. More sweat, more blood.
Even as defeat loomed, Abel couldn't easily accept it—not with regret gnawing at him.
Whoosh!!
Flames erupted from all sides. But these were different from the usual.
Fire was a phenomenon, not a living thing. It burned if there was fuel, but died in ashes. So pyrokinesis users' techniques were inevitably massive. More power, more area to keep the flames alive.
By that measure, these incoming flames weren't big at all. Yet they blazed with impossible brilliance. And even stranger—they were fluttering like wings.
Butterflies, not mere fire, swept over the area!
"Lord Abel!"
At Seria's voice, Abel instantly widened the gap with Jureung. He regretted not finishing it, but he had no intention of dying nobly or taking the enemy solo.
The moment Abel pulled back, dozens, hundreds of butterflies swarmed Jureung. His Ability Seal field naturally enveloped the area, nullifying any ability that entered.
Boom boom boom!!
But what if the attacks were so numerous they filled the space? Not just touching, but living entities circling, probing, then striking the weakest points all at once?
"Gah!"
Jureung screamed for the first time. His seal faltered, letting even more butterflies flood in.
No matter the technique or power, it existed within the ability's range. But this felt different. Like facing not the ability user's power, but another living being alongside them.
"This is ridiculous...!"
He regained composure and reactivated the seal, but his movements were fully locked down after that.
While Abel caught his breath, Seria rushed over and checked him.
"Are you okay?"
"...Those butterflies. Your doing, Miss Seria?"
"I don't really know. I just thought I wanted to help you, Lord Abel, and then..."
"Impressive."
No wonder the enemy felt too strong. Yeah, this had been a bad matchup from the start. But if it was for an Awakening event, it made sense. Not an impossible plot twist.
So this is Awakening.
It tracked. This so-called golden generation of freshmen had a ridiculous lineup. To stand not just prominent but overwhelmingly above, they needed something beyond basic awakening.
One nagging question, though: Why Seria first? There was Flam, Portus, even Kalligo.
He'd pegged her as a side character who'd stay modest, but this sudden growth?
"You all still standing around?! Get out of here, now!"
"Prince Kalligo?!"
"While you two caused this chaos, I tossed Flam and Portus far away. Just us left—hurry!"
Abel instinctively glanced back. The fight wasn't over. His gut said leaving it unfinished would make for a tougher foe later.
"Abel. Don't even think it. Your body's in no shape for empty heroics."
"...You're right, Prince Kalligo."
"Let's go. Another chance will come. Survival first."
True enough. Whatever it took, he had to live to achieve anything.
Abel turned without regret. Then Jureung's shout rang out.
"Abel Rothschild! I won't forget your name!"
"..."
"And the girl beside you! My mistake. I thought you were worthless rejects like the dregs, but to think you had the qualifications to open the door and cross over!"
Qualifications to open the door and cross. That's what they called Awakening here.
More importantly, he'd gleaned key info. Since he wasn't shocked, Seria wasn't the only one who'd Awakened.
"I'll await our next meeting. Wait for it—both of you."
Should he end it here after all? Abel hesitated.
But the approaching presences forced him to abandon the thought.
"Move, now!"
Supported by Kalligo and Seria, Abel barely escaped the annex. Faculty who'd just fought their own battle approached from ahead.
"Your Highness! And the two students! You alright?!"
"We're fine. Head to the annex quick—their leader seems to be there."
"Understood!"
The faculty charged toward Kalligo's pointed direction. Behind them, a male student—Rel—eyed Abel and Seria alternately.
Who's this guy? Looks like he pulled his weight with the professors.
The sprawled Flam and Portus. Kalligo mid-scolding. Rel, lingering with glances. And Seria supporting him.
One girl. Four guys.
The moment he saw that promised lineup...
"...Ah, damn it all."
Abel collapsed in shock.