A Change in Plans

Training continued day after day, each session sharpening Lindarion's understanding of his affinities and their applications.

Selene had long grown accustomed to his absurd talent, but even she found herself occasionally taken aback by his rapid progress.

Before they realized it, a full week had passed.

Lindarion's daily routine had become almost mechanical—wake up, train, eat, train again, and sleep. The meals that appeared at the well, just as Thalorin had mentioned, were barely enough for the two of them.

And yet, Selene didn't even need food.

Lindarion let out a slow breath, stretching his muscles as he finished another practice session. Then, out of nowhere, he spoke:

"I'll have to send you back for now. My dear master, the one who so kindly abandoned me in the middle of nowhere, should be showing up today since a week has passed since my arrival."

His voice carried a rare hint of disappointment. He had grown used to having Selene by his side, helping him through each step of his training.

"I understand young master," Selene responded calmly, her voice smooth and unshaken. "But don't leave me locked away for too long."

As soon as she finished speaking, shadows enveloped her, swallowing her figure whole.

Lindarion exhaled sharply.

'What's the next part of my training going to be…?'

He had become exponentially stronger since arriving here.

—[INFO]—

—[ATTRIBUTES]—

—[TECHNIQUES]—

• Serpent's Flow (Unique)

• Sovereign's Veil (Legendary)

• Mana Thread Manipulation (Mythic)

• Mana Perception (Common)

• Flow (Epic)

• Insight (Legendary)

• Phantom Onslaught (Epic)

—[SKILLS]—

• Abyssal Rebirth

• Mana Overflow (Passive)

• Accelerated Regeneration

• Mana Shot

• Pure Mana Shield

• Sovereign's Dominion (★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★)

• Phantom Step (★ ★ ★ ★)

—[BLESSINGS]—

• Blessed By Mana

• Blessings of Ouroboros (Passive Abilities)

'…I've gotten a hell of a lot stronger than before. But that's mostly because my darkness devoured the little Selene.'

He gripped his sword, flowing into a series of precise, elegant movements—slashing, thrusting, pivoting. Every strike was calculated, fluid, natural.

'Who knows when that old man is going to show up? I might as well keep myself busy.'

Hours passed. Lindarion remained in the field, spinning and weaving through his footwork like a dancer, his blade cutting through the air in rhythmic patterns.

Then, all at once, he felt it.

The space near the well distorted, rippling like shattered glass reforming. A presence emerged—calm, steady.

Thalorin had arrived.

He looked as indifferent as ever, as if he hadn't abandoned Lindarion in the middle of nowhere for an entire week.

'You senile old bastard.'

Lindarion's lips curled into a devilish grin as he slowly made his way toward Thalorin. A vein twitched on his forehead, his smile trembling with unrestrained irritation.

"!!!"

Thalorin's eyes widened the moment he sensed Lindarion's mana leaking out.

'Already at the Greater Core stage?! It's only been a week!'

His thoughts halted when he noticed something even more shocking—Lindarion's own blood rising from his skin, forming blades mid-air.

'So one of his elements is Blood Manipulation huh?'

The crimson swords shot toward Thalorin. Without so much as blinking, he sidestepped, effortlessly evading each attack.

Then, instead of reacting with caution, he burst into laughter, as if he had gone mad.

"Lindarion! You're absolutely incredible!"

'What the hell is this old man raving about?'

Lindarion's head throbbed as Thalorin dodged his attack without a single drop of effort.

"Sit."

The moment Thalorin uttered that word, an invisible force crashed down on Lindarion.

'W-What the—?!'

Even the pressure from Selene inside the cave hadn't been this suffocating. His entire body trembled, his limbs quaking as he struggled to remain upright.

'Oh?'

Thalorin observed him with keen interest and increased the pressure even further.

Lindarion gritted his teeth. He had other cards to play—his darkness, his affinities—but he wasn't about to waste them on something like this.

Instead, he did the rational thing. He clicked his tongue and sat down.

"…"

He stared at Thalorin in silence, expression unreadable.

"So… you finished exploring the dungeon." Thalorin nodded to himself. "That settles it. Your next phase of training won't be here."

'…What?'

Lindarion's brain nearly short-circuited.

"Didn't you say I'd stay here until I could start at the academy?"

His question was entirely reasonable. That was exactly what Thalorin had told him.

"Oh, I did," Thalorin admitted without hesitation. "But you're growing at an abnormal rate, so I changed my mind."

A thread inside Lindarion's brain snapped. He couldn't keep it in anymore.

"Then shouldn't you have consulted me first? Or maybe—I don't know—my parents?"

Before he could finish, Thalorin cut him off.

"Your father already agreed."

"…"

Lindarion fell silent. His smile froze. His expression turned blank.

'They screwed me over again. Tricked me. Again.'

The vein on his forehead throbbed harder.

"Fine. Then where am I going?" He forced out the words through clenched teeth, his smile cracking apart.

"A military training camp."

'…What?'

Lindarion's mouth hung open. He felt like a baby duck blinking in confusion.

"To put it another way—your father called in a favor. You'll be heading to one of Leonhardt Valerian's cities. A military training camp in Everhallow!"

'…'

Lindarion's mind blanked completely.

Meanwhile, Thalorin simply stood there, grinning.

"Everhallow? What the hell is that?"

Lindarion had never heard of it. Not even once. He was getting real tired of people making decisions for him behind his back.

Thalorin let out a long sigh before starting his explanation. This was going to take a while.

"Everhallow is a city in Velmora. You could call Velmora a country for everyone—elves, humans, and dwarves all live there in harmony under Leonhardt Valerian's rule."

He took a deep breath before continuing.

"Everhallow is home to Velmora's military training camp. It's tough to get in, but Leonhardt secured you a spot… at your father's request."

Lindarion's smile twitched. His eyes slowly closed.

'How long are they planning to keep screwing me over?'

"I don't know if you'll enjoy it, but it'll definitely be useful for you."

Thalorin's voice was calm, but his gaze was sharp, studying Lindarion's reaction.

Lindarion had to admit it—even if he didn't like being sent to some random place without warning, this was exactly what he had wanted. To train like a real soldier.

His father had refused to let him go before.

But now, suddenly, he was the one sending him there?

Lindarion exhaled, then gave a slight nod.

"When do we leave?"

"Now. Gather your things—we're heading out immediately."

'So much for a damn rest day…'

Lindarion got to his feet. Thalorin had already withdrawn his pressure, making it easier to move.

He grabbed his things—he didn't have much. Just a bag with a few clothes and, of course, his sword.

"I'm ready. Let's go."

Thalorin smirked before grabbing Lindarion by the shoulder. The space around them cracked and distorted.

And in an instant—

Lindarion found himself standing inside a room.

'…'