Chapter 28– The First Breakthrough
Chapter – The Road to E-Rank
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One Week Later…
A full week had passed since the entrance ceremony, and Alden had been pushing himself to the limit.
From early morning drills to late-night study sessions, he left no stone unturned. He trained relentlessly in weapon arts, improved his mana control, and memorized key combat strategies.
The academy's advanced training facilities were a godsend. Each area was customized for different types of training—from battle simulation rooms to elemental affinity enhancement chambers.
But today was different.
Today, Alden wasn't here to train.
Today, he was here to break through.
Inside the Mana Chamber, Alden sat cross-legged on the cold, smooth floor. The walls around him pulsed with an ethereal glow, absorbing and amplifying the mana in the air. The concentration was ten times higher than normal, making it the perfect place for refining one's mana core.
For a whole week, Alden had been circulating and compressing his mana, preparing for this moment. He could feel it—the thin barrier between E- and E-Rank.
And now, he was on the verge of breaking it.
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The Road to E-Rank
Alden closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Inhale… exhale… steady."
Mana flowed through his veins like a restless tide, circulating, refining, evolving. Every cycle drew him closer to the next stage, but it still wasn't enough.
[You're getting close,] Kuranai noted, his voice laced with approval.
"Yeah, but it's too slow," Alden muttered.
Despite the Purifying Potion cleansing his body and expanding his mana veins, the breakthrough was still a challenge. His mana fought against the forced compression, resisting the transformation.
He clenched his fists.
"Tch. Not enough. I need more."
Sweat dripped from his brow as he intensified his efforts. The mana inside him churned violently, resisting change like a wild beast refusing to be tamed.
Then—
[You're at the limit,] Kuranai warned. [One last push.]
Alden gritted his teeth.
"Fine, let's finish this."
He took one final deep breath, then forced all the mana in his body to contract—violently compressing it in a single, desperate surge.
A sharp pain struck his chest.
Then—
BOOM!
A powerful shockwave of mana exploded from his body, shaking the Mana Chamber. The shimmering walls absorbed the force, preventing the energy from causing damage.
Alden gasped.
His mana veins expanded further, stabilizing under the sudden surge of power. His mana had become denser, purer, stronger.
He had finally broken through to E-Rank.
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Checking His Status
Breathing heavily, Alden wiped the sweat from his forehead and called up his system window.
A translucent blue screen appeared before his eyes.
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[Status Window]
Name: Alden Blackwood
Race: Human
Rank: E
Mana Capacity: E+
Affinities: None
Physique: Enhanced (Due to Purification)
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[Basic Stats]
Strength: E
Agility: E+
Intelligence: C
Mana: E+
Stamina: E
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[Skills]
Eclipse Vision
Illusions & Mind Control – Can trap enemies in illusions or briefly control weak minds.
Enhanced Perception – Slows down time perception, improving reaction speed and battle awareness.
Mana Manipulation (Intermediate)
Allows precise control over mana flow and circulation.
Stealth (Basic)
Reduces presence and sound of movement.
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[Traits]
Voidstep (Trait)
Ability: Allows the user to phase through objects and enter the Void, a formless space beyond reality.
Teleportation: The user can step through space itself, vanishing and reappearing at will.
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[Weapon Arts]
Five Forms of the Crimson Moon (5-Star) [1/5 Unlocked]
First Form – Lunar Severance: A devastating single slash that cuts through mana defenses.
Shadow Fang Dagger Art (3-Star) [5% Proficiency]
A fast, deceptive dagger art specialized in speed and misdirection.
Phantom Edge Sword (2-Star) [35% Proficiency]
A precise sword style focused on counterattacks.
Swift Blade Style (2-Star) [30% Proficiency]
A quick, balanced sword art designed for rapid attacks.
Shadow Step Footwork (2-Star) [45% Proficiency] (Copied using Eclipse Vision)
Enhances movement speed and allows quick dodges.
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The Reason for His Fast Progress
Alden stared at his stats.
"This progress is insane."
Normally, it would take months to reach E-Rank from E-, but thanks to the Purifying Potion, his mana veins expanded, allowing faster absorption and refinement.
Not only that—his body had undergone subtle changes as well. His muscles had become leaner, more defined. His stamina had increased, and his mana control was sharper than ever.
[Not bad,] Kuranai mused. [But you're still too weak.]
Alden smirked. "Give me time."
He clenched his fists, feeling the raw mana flowing through his veins.
This was just the beginning.