Squad Goals and Relentless Training
Zien smirked and pulled out his phone. The site he had open was the academy's exclusive homepage.
1st Place - Zien - 1080 SP
459 SP from the Gate evaluation exam.
500 SP from the Mage Tower incident.
Zien was the overwhelming first among all first-years in SP points.
"We can go on off-campus activities whenever we want, with whoever we want. It's basically running a guild from within the school."
Zien's goal wasn't the 3rd or 4th rank gates distributed inside the academy. He needed the diploma, but there was nothing left for him to learn here.
'What if I can clear high-rank gates outside while attending school?'
Then he could grow even stronger than in his previous life, thanks to gate rewards.
And if he trained Isabel Blitz and Chris Arun using his past life's experience? By graduation, they'd have an elite party rivaling not just Desire, but even government-affiliated Sabers.
"Alright."
To make it clear, Zien wrote on the blackboard. All three topics were gate-related.
1. SP Acquisition
2. Recognition and Funding
3. Government Gate Participation Approval
"Sounds like a solid plan, but is number three even possible?"
Isabel asked. The government strictly limited gate participants due to penalties. Typical ones included desertification, manifestation, and mana overload. Handing 5th or 6th rank gates to students and failing would mean the government got finger-pointed.
"They probably won't let us."
Zien nodded at Isabel's sharp point.
"That's why we need to win. For this plan to work, we need recognition and fame."
Zien looked at Isabel and Chris.
"This off-campus event—Battle Survival—is huge. Winning it will stamp our name on guilds and the government alike. That's reason number two."
Isabel, who had been listening quietly, nodded. Success meant operating a guild while following school rules.
As Zien said, stacking achievements would give them the impact of a mid-tier guild as students. Pointing at the rundown clubroom floor, Zien continued.
"And the last reason is simple: this clubroom we're in. If we don't take first, we lose it. Can't run a guild without an office, right?"
"That's pretty realistic."
Chris nodded, then continued with a serious face.
"Lose the clubroom, fail the publicity, delay the plan... everything goes to hell, huh?"
The rewards for first place in the event were massive. Waiting until second year would be too late. This was a once-in-a-lifetime golden opportunity.
Chris clenched his fist with resolve, and Zien placed a hand on his head.
"Don't worry. What we have to do is simple."
Something about Zien's voice sent a chill down Isabel's spine.
"...And what's that?"
"Get stronger."
Training and tempering.
Of all his talents from his past life, this was the one he was most confident in.
"Chris, once your mana training's done, you'll learn your Magic Tool next, then real combat. I'm expecting big things from your Magic Tool."
Caught off guard by the praise, Chris looked up at Zien.
"Huh? You really... expect that much?"
"Yeah. Just keep doing what you're doing."
Chris's growth was astonishing.
He'd just lacked the method before. His personality was wired for effort, and he had people to protect. Zien saw that as great motivation.
'Chris will keep getting stronger.'
Soon, Daven's gang wouldn't be able to bully him. The problem was...
'Isabel.'
Chris had plenty to teach despite his struggles, but Isabel was perfect except for one flaw. Right now, she stood with arms crossed, glaring at Zien with half-lidded eyes. That gesture carried layers of meaning.
"Just so you know. I'm already strong."
Isabel struck first.
Zien responded calmly.
"I think so too."
Zien was seasoned.
Start by agreeing. Slip past their guard while they're off-balance.
"Isabel, your 100m sprint record?"
"100m? Around 4 seconds?"
That put her average among Sabers. But there was a trick to Isabel's record.
"Without body reinforcement?"
Her mana potential was ridiculously high. At Zien's pointed question, Isabel trailed off with an "Uh...". Her time without mana was pathetically bad.
"......"
As expected, Zien nodded, and Chris stuck out his tongue in shock.
"15 seconds? Whoa, that's... brutal. Slower than a regular person."
"I'm a ranged attacker. Why do I need stamina?"
She said it defiantly, but Isabel had lost her momentum. Plus, Zien had already saddled her with a heavy debt.
"What if you can't use mana?"
Zien's hypothetical was valid.
It had happened in the Mage Tower, and no one knew how gate penalties worked.
"W-Well..."
"Don't worry, Isabel. Stamina training's way easier than building mana."
"No it's not."
A schedule from morning to night, packed with stamina work. Isabel's face went pale.
"You're insane."
All the exercise she'd done before was light jogging. This schedule up to Battle Survival was pro-Saber level.
"No way... this is impossible."
"It is."
A pro hero's custom regimen. From diet to potion ingredients, all listed. Isabel's face drained of color.
"No, I'll straight-up die."
Possible, but Zien brushed off her whining.
"Isabel, get ready. Schedule starts today."
In the vast forest on Arcana's outskirts, Zien and Chris were sparring.
Clang! Clang!
The skill gap was overwhelming, but victory didn't matter. Sparring as training. Once Chris's mana hit a certain level, Zien had sparred with him for days. It honed his strengths and unlocked potential.
"Hya!"
Chris slashed his dagger with every step. Short, concise moves for real combat. Somehow, his dagger felt similar to Zien's sword.
Bam!
Chris kicked off the air and lunged. Clang. Sparks flew, dagger sliding off Zien's sword.
Shing!
Like a snake on a tree, Chris's dagger was fast and nimble.
Thud!
But before it reached his wrist, Zien body-checked him.
"Gah!"
Lightweight Chris tumbled far from the impact.
"That was close, Chris."
Potion chug. Stamina drills. Mana training.
Plus top-tier coaching—Chris's skills had skyrocketed. The biggest change was his Magic Tool: his eyes.
"Last training, so full power?"
As Chris channeled mana into his eyes, Zien steadied his stance.
'Just as I predicted.'
As Zien foresaw, Chris awakened his Magic Tool soon after.
Magic Tool Awakening
Reads opponent's next attack trajectory from their stance. Elevates focus and insight to magical levels. Can predict bullet impact from gun angle—applies to spears and swords too. Tracks subtle muscle and posture shifts.
Clang! Clang!
'What a cheat ability.'
Zien was impressed.
Insight bordering on future sight. And Chris could use it with Farsight simultaneously. Like now—left eye Farsight, right Insight Eye.
Clang! Clang! Kang!
Farsight gave near-360° long-range vision, handling ambushes and snipers. Chris burned all his mana in a flurry.
Cling! Clang! Cling! Crack!
"Like the daggers?"
Zien swung his cheap iron sword down. Chris crossed his twin daggers to block.
Sparks flew.
"Best ever."
"Good."
Clang! Kang!
"Isabel made them for me."
Zien chopped down; Chris dodged swiftly.
"Mage Tower daggers, right?"
Chris nodded and tossed a dagger at Zien.
Whoosh! Clang!
Fast throw, but Zien deflected easily. He always matched Chris's level to maximize growth.
"This skill? Martial artist territory."
"Nah, not that good!"
Chris grinned, swinging wildly, then narrowed his eyes.
Whoosh.
At his gesture, the dagger in the ground absorbed mana and flew back. Zien stood in its path—a backstab dagger.
Snap!
Zien caught the dagger behind his back effortlessly.
Snap.
He tossed it back to Chris.
"Good work."
That meant training was over for the day. As usual, Chris hadn't landed a hit, frustration on his face.
"Argh! Didn't even graze you today."
Against Zien? That was spoiled complaining.
"Nothing to be down about, Chris. Magic Tool uptime's longer, stance way better."
"Heh, well... thanks to you, Zien."
"Just keep mana training till the event. And this."
Zien tapped the band on his wrist. From his pocket: leather shoes. Not ordinary—the artifact from capturing Hyperus, with the Mana Elixir.
"What're these tacky shoes?"
"Don't freak out, Chris."
Zien snapped a photo with the artifact app. Info popped up on his phone.
Grade: Mystic
Shoes made from the feathers of the monstrous bird Hyperus. Crafted with 4th zone magic, legend says they make your body light as stepping on wind.
Effects:
• Footsteps become quieter.
• Movement speed increases.
"Whoa! An artifact?!"
"Yeah."
Windstrider Boots suited Chris more than sword-user Zien. Chris was the assassin checking snipers. The effects let him close gaps faster. Examining it frantically, Chris asked in panic.
"You're really giving this to me? This thing's super rare!"
"We're a party. We'll clear gates together."
Zien paused briefly in thought.
Having great comrades was a Saber trait. Gates often valued teamwork as much as power. He'd cleared an 8th rank gate thanks to his team.
Peil. Sina. Lija. Zien believed Isabel and Chris had even higher potential. And he had the experience to awaken it.
"Investing in comrades is never a waste."
"Whoa... you sure you're really 17 like me?"
His conscience twinged, but Zien had to affirm.
"Of course."