Exciting Schedule For Training

…

After arriving at a safe place, far removed from the chaos of the previous battle, the lady inside his mind suddenly declared, "After this, we're going to have a long training session. You're really solid in terms of basic fighting – at least by mortal standards. But what you'll be facing from now on will be the kind of dangerous creatures that leave most men shuddering and lurching from fear and disgust."

She continued, her tone growing more serious, "I'm sorry to say this, but for the first time when I woke up from your supposed death, our lives became bound by a vow. You could even say I literally resurrected you from death. In return, you're going to help me. It's a demand of equivalence, of sorts."

Puzzled by the lack of understanding, he raised a question, "Can I ask a question, lady?"

Arion slowly spoke with respect, amazed by the lady inside his mind. Not only had she granted him magic, but she also provided him with a wealth of knowledge about a magical art that was supposed to be reserved for the important people of the 13th realm – far away from him, who had been just an ordinary person mere hours ago.

"Go ahead," the lady replied, pleased with the boy. Not only was he smarter than most people his age, but he was also sensible and patient, with motor coordination that was remarkably fine.

'I guess it wasn't wrong for me to give all my trust to her. This kid is really talented,' she thought silently.

Even though she had already explained how they would both have a {Soul Resonance}, allowing them to synchronize their actions and the magic she wove for combat, it was nonetheless a challenging feat. Yet, without even having time for him to practice, the boy could follow all the magic she intended to use – almost instantaneously.

"What do you mean by a vow? And about resurrecting me – does that mean you can revive someone to life?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"It's a vow of equality. I revitalize you, giving you a second life, and I also become part of your soul. In return, you will help me accomplish my goal. As for the second part, no. I can only revitalize and heal you like before, once, in my current state."

Skipping over the part about her goals, he was fascinated by her second statement. "So, there will be a time when you can do it? I mean, restoring a dead body?"

"Yes, but only for the dead who haven't passed the thirteen-minute mark. After that, there's nothing I can do."

"Well, that's cool enough. But if, at that time, I'm not killed and instead die of old age, what happens then?"

"You will still be brought back to life. I will also revitalize your body to your prime condition. And the vow will still be in effect. It was decided when you wore the necklace."

'The necklace, huh? So, it wasn't blood that accidentally touched the necklace that brought me back to life, but my death. Wait a second! The necklace???' Arion's hand swiftly reached for his neck, only to find nothing there.

"Don't bother; the necklace is just a part of me. It has already fused with you by now."

"You said it was decided when I wore the necklace? Do you know who it was that put it on my neck?"

Deciding to skip this conversation, the lady reminded Arion, "We will talk later. There's still something we need to stop, isn't there?"

"Oh right! I'm sorry!" Arion exclaimed, immediately moving toward the center of the supposed ritual.

As he hurried along, he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Great, I'm bound by a vow and I don't even know who put a magical necklace on me. This is just like that time I accidentally joined the chess club thinking it was a cooking class."

The lady chuckled softly in his mind, "Oh, don't worry. I can assure you that our training will be far more exciting than any cooking class. Just try not to burn anything down, okay?"

Arion grinned, "No promises! But I'll do my best to keep the fire to a minimum!"

…

Passing the shrubbery and some trees, Arion held a makeshift bundle of branches adorned with leaves and attached shrubs to blend into the surrounding environment. He had managed to kill two more Void Spawns, this time without making a sound or causing any disturbance. Behind him, lay a corpse of a gigantic spider.

As he peered through the bushes, he noticed a large number of Void Spawn circling a group of men dressed in black cloaks.

These men sat cross-legged on the grass in the wide playground located in the center of the academy, a place where students and teachers often gathered to relax and socialize.

The cloaked figures seemed to be chanting strange words that grated against his ears, creating an unsettling atmosphere.

In the center of their formation, Arion spotted several floating black orbs surrounding a massive serpent statue, intricately carved from an unknown black stone. He couldn't quite articulate the feeling that washed over him, but there was something about the statue that made him feel as if it were alive.

Narrowing his eyes, he focused on the base of the statue, where he sensed that there were objects placed. As his vision adjusted to the dim light of the night sky, he felt a sense of familiarity wash over him. Suddenly, his eyes widened in horror as he realized what he was looking at. It was thanks to his enhanced vision that he could see clearly in the darkness.

It was human heads.

Human heads of the people from the academy were arranged grotesquely at the base of the statue.

Arion subconsciously clenched his fists tightly, his teeth grinding together as rage bubbled within him. No wonder he hadn't encountered any students or teachers along the way.

'Don't tell me all of their heads are there?' he thought, his heart racing with a mix of anger and disbelief.

...

- {Strength}: This Rune conjures a mystic force that boosts an object or substance's ability to withstand immense pressure or force applied to a body part.

Picture it like a magical protein shakes for your muscles! When activated, it temporarily supercharges the physical strength of the Arion or an ally, enabling them to perform jaw-dropping feats of power. Whether it's lifting a boulder that would make a weightlifter weep or delivering a punch that could send a dragon flying, this Rune has got your back.

Just remember, the effectiveness hinges on the quantity and quality of the Soul Essence injected into the Rune Matrix Orb – the final, dazzling form of the Rune. So, if you're planning to lift a mountain, maybe skip the cheap stuff and go for the premium Soul Essence. Your muscles will thank you!

- {Harden}: When activated, this Rune acts like a superhero cape for the targeted defenses, making their skin or armor significantly tougher and more resistant to physical damage for a limited time.

It's like putting on a suit of armor made from the toughest materials known to mankind – only without the clunky weight!

In Shera's case, she can even harden the layer of the aura surrounding Arion's body, transforming it into a solid, impenetrable shield that can deflect attacks from the *Spoiler Alert*, the notorious villain who tried to turn their Moonsong Academy into a knitting club.

So, when the going gets tough, just remember kid, with a little magic and a lot of luck from being an MC of a story, you can turn your defenses into an impenetrable fortress – or at least a really tough marshmallow!

...