Heaven's Descent Walk I

With the Inter-Academy Festival looming, I pushed myself harder than ever in training. My main goal was clear—reach Integration-rank before the Festival began. Anything less would be unacceptable.

In the meantime, mid-terms had rolled around again, but the format had changed from last year. Instead of dungeons, it was more like our mid-year evaluations. This time, however, our skills were being assessed directly by the professors.

All second-year students were gathered in a massive, high-tech training arena, ready to be tested. The process was straightforward: starting from the lowest ranks, each of us would demonstrate our abilities in front of one of the three professors, after having our mana rank evaluated. 

Professor Nero, with the help of AI, would then analyze the performances of all 100 students and rank us from 1 to 100.

But there was another twist this year. Unlike before, these mid-terms could actually change our official class rankings—a rare occurrence, likely influenced by the increasing involvement of demons in the shadows.

However, as my gaze swept over the arena, I couldn't help but freeze at the sight of a familiar figure. The towering presence of the Martial King stood among the professors.

My master.

He wasn't supposed to be here. The Martial King wasn't one for casual evaluations, and seeing him now, as a senior professor, was a testament to how much things had changed since I arrived at Mythos Academy. He had come here because of me, and his presence added a gravity to the event that hadn't been there before.

The students around me were buzzing, their whispers growing louder as they recognized who he was. The Martial King's reputation as an unrivaled warrior, with strength that dwarfed even Radiant-rankers, spread fear and awe through the crowd.

Rachel, standing beside me, crossed her arms, her gaze flicking toward the Martial King. "Your master, right?" she said in a low voice, her expression neutral but knowing. "You really are full of surprises, Arthur."

I nodded, not taking my eyes off him. "He's not here for show. If he's overseeing these mid-terms, it's for a reason."

Seraphina shifted nervously. "Do you think he'll be harder on you because you're his student?"

I let out a small chuckle, though I knew her worry wasn't unfounded. "He's always been hard on me. This won't be any different."

Honestly, the training Magnus put me through was nothing short of hellish. Every day was a grueling battle, pushing my body and mind to their limits. But in the end, it was all worth it.

Every second of it was worth it.

The effectiveness of the training was undeniable, and I could feel the results in every fiber of my being. I was stronger, faster, more attuned to my abilities than ever before.

Soon, the mid-terms began, starting with Rank 100. Four students at a time stepped forward to demonstrate their skills under the watchful eyes of the professors—and now, the Martial King himself. Each performance was analyzed down to the smallest detail, as Professor Nero's AI recorded and evaluated every movement, every attack, every bit of mana control.

The tension in the room was palpable. This wasn't just about showcasing skills; it was about proving who deserved to rise in the ranks.

I watched as the first group of students took their turns, their performances respectable, but not groundbreaking. The professors were focused, occasionally making notes, while the Martial King remained impassive, his arms crossed as he observed.

As the mid-terms progressed, the pressure mounted. Each rank brought more experienced students to the stage, the gap in power becoming increasingly obvious as we moved closer to the top. Elemental displays, weapon mastery, and mana techniques—everything was being judged.

Finally, it was time for Class 2-A.

"Rank 5: Rachel Creighton, Rank 6: Ian Viserion, Rank 7: Cecilia Slatemark, and Rank 8: Seraphina Zenith, please step onto the stage!" the professor announced.

I watched closely as the four of them took their positions, assessing their performances and their current strength. They had all made significant improvements since the Sovereign's Tournament. Rachel, in particular, had grown immensely—she had reached White-rank and now wielded a bow with deadly precision.

'She's ready to take back Rank 4 from Jin,' I thought, impressed by her control and focus.

After their showcase, the final round was upon us.

"Rank 4: Jin Ashbluff, Rank 3: Ren Kagu, Rank 2: Arthur Nightingale, and Rank 1: Lucifer Windward, please step onto the stage!" Professor Nero called out.

The four of us moved forward, the air thick with anticipation. My eyes quickly found Magnus Draykar—my master, the Martial King—standing across from me, waiting. 

'So, he chose this matchup for me,' I mused, feeling both a sense of determination and calm settle within. It made sense that he'd want to test me personally. This was no ordinary evaluation; it was a trial crafted by the one who knew me best.

The stage was set, and I could feel the weight of everyone's eyes on us, waiting to see what would happen next.

I stood before my master, feeling the weight of his gaze. 

I swallowed hard as the pressure settled on my shoulders, but it wasn't mana or bloodlust. No, it was something deeper—a warning from my instincts. 

My senses screamed at me, telling me just how powerful the man standing across from me truly was. Every part of me was aware of the immense strength he held back.

A smile tugged at my lips as I reached into my spatial ring, summoning my sword. The moment it appeared in my hand, Luna's sigils flared to life across my skin, glowing softly as I released Lucent Harmony. 

The energy flowed through me, and I felt ready.

The moment Lucent Harmony flared to life, I felt the familiar surge of power coursing through me. My master's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, as if acknowledging the challenge, but he made no move—just stood there, his presence overwhelming.

I couldn't afford to hesitate.

With a quick flick of my sword, I launched forward, slashing at Magnus with all the speed and precision I had honed through countless hours of training. He blocked effortlessly, his stance unyielding. It was as if I hadn't even scratched the surface of his defenses.

Without missing a beat, I weaved mana into the air, casting a 5-circle spell. Flames erupted from the ground beneath him, spiraling upward in an attempt to catch him off-guard. But Magnus, with a casual step, evaded the blast, his movements almost too fast to track.

Undeterred, I followed up with another spell—this time, a combination of lightning and wind. The crackle of electricity filled the air as the spell coiled around my sword, amplifying my next strike. But Magnus remained unphased, deflecting the attack as if it were nothing more than a breeze.

'He's not even trying,' I thought, gritting my teeth. 

I could feel the gap between us, and yet… I wasn't finished. Not by a long shot.

I activated Lucent Harmony fully, allowing its power to envelop me completely. The sigils on my skin brightened, and my senses sharpened. Time seemed to slow as I prepared to unleash God Flash: Absolute.

In a single instant, I vanished from sight, reappearing behind Magnus in a flash of light. My sword slashed toward him, the sheer speed of my movement intended to be unstoppable. It was the pinnacle of my offensive technique.

But Magnus turned. His hand moved in a blur, blocking my attack effortlessly. 

I stumbled back, eyes wide. Even God Flash: Absolute hadn't worked.

For the first time, doubt crept into my mind, but I pushed it aside. If I was going to beat him, I needed something more. Something beyond what I had shown so far.

That's when I knew what I had to do.

I activated my second Gift—Soul Resonance. The world around me shifted as I tapped into the ability, my mind focusing on Magnus. Even though I stored one of Magnus's abilities before, since he was in range, I could avoid using the stored ability and use anyone of his abilities, including the one I stored already.

I zeroed in on his footwork—the effortless way he moved across the battlefield as though he wasn't even touching the ground. That was Heaven's Descent Walk, a technique known for its unmatched mobility. 

As I resonated with his soul, I felt a surge of energy, and suddenly, my body moved like his. I stepped lightly, my movements faster and more fluid than ever before.

Magnus's eyes flickered with surprise as I rushed toward him again, this time with his own footwork technique under my command. I danced around him, matching his movements, closing the gap between us. For the first time in this battle, I saw the slightest glimmer of approval in his gaze.

Now it was a real fight.

With Heaven's Descent Walk boosting my mobility, I weaved between attacks, dodging blows that would've otherwise overwhelmed me. My sword clashed with his again and again, each strike more precise, more controlled, as I pushed my limits.

But Magnus was still a step ahead. Every attack I launched, he countered. Every maneuver I made, he saw through.

Even with Soul Resonance, I wasn't quite there yet.

But I couldn't stop now. Not when I had come this far. My master expected nothing less.