16-Stargate Training [1]

Standing before Le Centre Stargate, I admire its architectural magnificence. The building exudes a blend of classical French elegance and modern ingenuity. Tall glass windows reflect sunlight, while intricate ironwork adorns the balconies and railings. The stone facade, carved with faintly glowing runes, hints at the fusion of history, magic, and cutting-edge technology.As André and I step inside, the bustling atmosphere immediately surrounds us. The lobby is alive with activity—Magicians, Manaficials, and even a few Manaless individuals stride purposefully, their arms laden with magical weapons, spellbooks, and artifacts. I can't sense mana myself, so distinguishing between them feels impossible, but the aura of power is unmistakable."Dominic, over here!"André's voice cuts through my observations, pulling me back to the moment. I realize I've been standing frozen, overwhelmed by the sights and sounds.Hurrying to join André at the front desk, we're greeted by a professional-looking receptionist. Her poised demeanor matches the grandeur of the building."Bon après-midi. How may I assist you today?" she asks in a smooth, practiced tone."We wish to request access to a Stargate," André says, calm and confident."And may I inquire as to the desired rank of the Stargate?"André glances at me, silently prompting me to answer."A [E]-ranked Stargate, please," I say, my voice steady despite my growing excitement.The receptionist nods, her fingers moving gracefully as she conjures a floating, holographic monitor. She navigates through a list of available Stargates, and her movements are efficient and precise. After a moment, she looks up."Fortunately, we have one available. Please, follow me," she says, stepping out from behind the desk and gesturing for us to follow.As we walk, the sheer scale of Le Centre Stargate becomes even more apparent. High ceilings adorned with glowing chandeliers cast warm light over the spacious corridors, and the faint hum of magical energy reverberates through the air.André leans closer to me, lowering his voice. "Dominic," he whispers, ensuring only I can hear, "remember, it's against the law for minors to engage in Stargate raids without the supervision of a guardian or a certified professional Stargate Raider."I inwardly wince, realizing I'd momentarily forgotten that detail. Sylvestrian law is strict—unsupervised minors caught raiding Stargates face severe penalties, from hefty fines to the revocation of any future raid licenses."I'm aware, Dad," I whisper back, doing my best to sound reassuring.André nods, his expression softening slightly. "That's good to hear. Just stay close and follow my lead."As André and I continue walking, the murmurs of passing Magicians reach my ears, breaking the ambient silence."Hey, see that kid? He's Manaless.""Really? Oh, I see. No mana aura around him.""Another Manaless trying his luck in a Stargate, huh?"Their words are loud enough for me to hear—probably intentional. The disdain in their tone is something I've grown accustomed to. Yet, I choose to ignore it, keeping my focus forward."We've arrived," the receptionist announces, pulling my attention back to the task at hand.Before us stands the Stargate. Its dark surface shimmers faintly, a modest size compared to others I've read about—no larger than a standard door. Though unassuming, its presence radiates an eerie, unnatural energy. I recall that Stargates are ranked not just by mana but also by size—the larger they are, the more dangerous the creatures within."Allow me to unlock it," the receptionist says, tapping away on her tablet.The Stargate hums to life as glowing runes flare across its surface, illuminating briefly before shattering and fading into nothingness—a magical safeguard to prevent monsters from escaping."All set. Best of luck," she says politely before stepping away, leaving André and me standing before the gate."Got your guns ready, Dominic?" André asks, his tone calm but with a hint of expectation.I reach into my pockets and draw Galahad's Judgment, the twin pistols gleaming faintly under the lobby's magical light."Good," André says with a satisfied nod. "After you." He gestures toward the Stargate, his hand a clear signal to move forward.I step toward the Stargate, my heart pounding as its dark energy beckons me. Crossing the threshold, a wave of disorientation washes over me, and then—I find myself standing on solid ground, though it isn't earth beneath me. Clouds, tinged with hues of pink and gold, stretch endlessly in every direction. Floating platforms of similar clouds hover at varying heights around me, creating an otherworldly terrain.The sight is breathtaking yet daunting. Memories of yesterday's training with Maurice resurface, particularly the floating platforms he conjured. Those were a challenge—and now, I'm faced with something far more unpredictable."Dominic, you understand I'm only here to observe, right?" André's voice pulls me back to the moment.I glance over my shoulder at him; his stance relaxed yet watchful."Yes, Dad, I'm aware.""And you know the goal?""Defeat the Alpha," I reply firmly.To successfully raid a Stargate, one must defeat the "Alpha," which is akin to a dungeon boss in video games. The Stargates at Le Centre Stargate remain open after the Alpha's defeat because they are anchored, but the principle remains the same."Good. Then off you go," André says, giving me a small nudge forward. There's no coddling, no second-guessing my readiness.Taking a deep breath, I step further into the Stargate. The serene beauty of the floating cloudscape surrounds me, but the silence is unnerving. Too peaceful…As I tread carefully, my senses heighten, scanning the ethereal terrain for the slightest disturbance.-Crackle!The faint sound of something brittle snapping makes me spin around, guns raised. But there's nothing—just empty space.-Crackle!I whirl around again, certain I heard it. Still, nothing.My unease grows with each step, the sound repeating intermittently, seemingly from nowhere.-Crackle!This time, I react instantly, guns drawn, aiming at the direction of the noise. My gut tells me something is here.Suddenly, my instincts scream danger. Without thinking, I dive to the right, narrowly evading a flash of silver that slices through the air where I had just stood.-Clang!The sound of a sword embedding itself in the ground echoes. I roll to my feet, guns trained on the attacker—a skeletal figure, its bony frame draped in scraps of ancient armor. Its empty eye sockets seem to burn with a faint, malevolent glow as it wrenches its blade free and charges toward me.[Rapid Retaliation]Instinct kicks in as I perform a technique from the Gun Arts Manual. Sidestepping its wild slash with fluid precision, I pivot, seamlessly regaining my stance.With my gun trained squarely on its head, I don't hesitate.-Bang!The skeleton's skull explodes into fragments, its bones collapsing to the ground before dissolving into wisps of pink cloud.So that's how it works. This entire Stargate must be under the influence of an Alpha with cloud-based abilities—or something similar. Stargate environments often mirror the powers of their Alpha.For example, an icy terrain would likely signify an Alpha proficient in ice magic. However, these settings can be deceptive; Alphas sometimes wield abilities that completely contrast the aesthetic of their domain, luring challengers into false assumptions.

Strength (+1)

Agility (+1)

Speed (+1)

Endurance (+1)

Nice! A small but welcome boost to my stats.-Clap! Clap!The sound of slow applause draws my attention. Turning, I see André, grinning as he gives me an exaggerated round of applause."Well done, Dominic!" he says, his voice brimming with approval.Weirdly, his praise makes me feel… shy. Shaking off the fleeting embarrassment, I press on. My priority now is finding the Alpha. A quick survey of my surroundings reveals nothing but endless clouds. Seriously, is there anything else here?Suddenly, the cloud beneath my feet shifts, gliding forward like a moving platform. Startled but steady, I let it carry me. But to where?-Crackle!A familiar noise breaks through the silence. I spin around, and there they are—three skeletons, each armed to the teeth: one with a claymore, another with a bow, and the last wielding a spear.Here we go again.The spear-wielding skeleton charges first, its movements swift and calculated. I sidestep, aiming for its head.!But then, I feel the unmistakable danger behind me. Instinct kicks in, and I dive into a roll just as the claymore-wielding skeleton's blade slices through the air where I stood moments ago.!Not a second later, an arrow streaks past me, its flaming tip crackling with menace. This trio is working together with unnerving coordination.The claymore skeleton presses the attack, its agility belying the weight of its weapon. I duck under its swing, firing a shot in retaliation.-Bang!The archer fires another arrow before the bullet can reach its target, intercepting my shot mid-air. Their teamwork is infuriating.The spear-wielder thrusts again, narrowly missing as I twist away, rolling to safety. Regaining my footing, I shift my focus to the archer, aiming.-Bang! Bang!But the claymore skeleton blocks the shots, its massive sword deflecting the bullets easily.!Another surge of danger grips me, and I sidestep just as the spear grazes my cheek, leaving a shallow cut. The sting of blood trickling down my face sharpens my focus.Suddenly, a crackling arrow, pulsing with electricity, zips toward me. I leap to the side, narrowly avoiding it—but my reprieve is short-lived.Above me, the claymore skeleton leaps into the air, its weapon raised high for a crushing strike. Instinctively, I cross both of Galahad's Judgment in front of me to block.-Clang!The force of the impact jars me, and I realize just how strong this skeleton is. We're locked in a tense standoff, its blade pressing against my crossed guns.Out of the corner of my eye, I see the spear-wielder charging toward me, while the archer is already nocking another arrow. I'm pinned down, and my options are dwindling."Hah!"With a burst of determination, I push the claymore aside, redirecting its blade into the spear-wielder's thrust.-Clang!The clash of metal against metal echoes as the claymore deflects the spear. Seizing the brief opening, I whip one of my guns toward the archer.-Bang!The bullet strikes true, shattering the archer's skull. Its body collapses into pink clouds, dissipating into the air.One down. Two to go.The remaining skeletons seem unfazed by their companion's demise, their empty sockets fixed on me with unwavering intent. I steady my breath, guns raised, ready for the next wave. This fight is far from over.