Chapter 19: The Role of a Catastrophe

The Warblades' training grounds were alive with activity as the members prepared for their first club activity of the semester. The air buzzed with excitement and anticipation, the upperclassmen moving with purpose as they checked their equipment and discussed strategies. Luciel stood near the entrance, his golden eyes scanning the room. He felt a mix of nervousness and determination, knowing this would be his first real test as a member of the Warblades.

Katharine appeared beside him, her long black hair tied back in a loose ponytail and her red eyes gleaming with excitement. "Ready for your first mission, rookie?" she asked, her grin wide and teasing.

Luciel nodded, his eyes shining with curiosity. " What exactly are we doing?"

Katharine's grin widened. "Virtual reality war simulation. It's one of the most intense training exercises we do. You'll love it—or hate it. Either way, it'll be unforgettable."

Before Luciel could respond, Kaelith's voice cut through the chatter. " Gather up!"

The members quickly formed a loose circle around Kaelith, their expressions shifting to focus and determination. Luciel joined them, standing near the front as Kaelith began to explain the mission.

"Today's simulation is a large-scale war scenario," Kaelith said, his blue eyes scanning the group. "We'll be divided into squads, each with a specific objective. The goal is to work together to achieve victory. But remember, this isn't just about teamwork. It's about understanding your role on the battlefield."

He paused, his gaze lingering on Luciel for a moment before continuing. "Luciel, you're with me. The rest of you, form your squads and get ready. We start in five minutes."

The members dispersed, moving to their assigned positions, but Kaelith motioned for Luciel to stay. As the others left, Kaelith led Luciel to a quieter corner of the room, his expression thoughtful.

"Luciel," Kaelith began, his voice low. "I want to talk to you about your role in this simulation—and in the future."

Luciel tilted his head, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. "My role?"

Kaelith nodded. "In the Union's military structure, awakeners are assigned roles based on their rank and abilities. S-ranked awakeners typically serve as generals and commanders, leading armies and making strategic decisions. A-ranked awakeners are squad leaders, responsible for smaller units and tactical maneuvers. But for people like us—those with the potential to reach SS rank—our role is different."

Luciel's eyes widened slightly. "SS rank? But there are only eight SS-ranked awakeners in the Union, right?"

Kaelith's smile was faint. "Exactly. SS-ranked awakeners are walking catastrophes. Our role isn't to lead armies or command squads. It's to overwhelm the enemy single-handedly. We're the ones who turn the tide of battle, who strike fear into the hearts of our enemies. We're the ones who can level entire armies if necessary."

Luciel absorbed this, his mind racing. "So... you're saying I won't be working as part of a team?"

Kaelith shook his head. "Not in the traditional sense. Teamwork is important, and you'll need to understand how to fight alongside others. But your ultimate role is to operate independently, to be a force of nature on the battlefield. That's why I'm pulling you to my side for this simulation and for the whole semester. I want to teach you how to think and act like an SS-ranked awakener—even if you're not there yet."

Luciel's golden eyes glowed faintly as he processed this. "So, what do I need to do?"

Kaelith's smile widened. "For now, watch and learn. I'll guide you through the simulation, but I want you to focus on understanding the bigger picture. Think about how you can use your abilities to disrupt the enemy's plans, to create mayhems, and to dominate the battlefield. In the future, you won't be just a soldier; you will be a weapon of mass destruction."

The virtual reality chamber was a massive, dome-shaped room filled with advanced technology. The members of the Warblades stood on circular platforms, their bodies connected to the system via neural interfaces. Luciel stepped onto his platform, his heart pounding with anticipation. As the system activated, the world around him dissolved, replaced by a sprawling battlefield.

The simulation was breathtakingly realistic. The sky was a stormy gray, and the ground was littered with the remnants of a war-torn landscape. In the distance, enemy forces were gathering, their numbers overwhelming. Luciel could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him, but he forced himself to stay calm.

Kaelith's voice echoed in his ear through the comms system. "Luciel, stay close to me. Watch how I move, how I think. This is your first lesson."

Luciel nodded, his golden eyes scanning the battlefield. Kaelith moved with purpose, his every move had meaning and a goal behind it. As the enemy forces advanced, Kaelith raised his hand, and a storm of purple lightning erupted from the sky, decimating the front lines. 

Luciel's eyes widened as he watched the devastation. Kaelith's power was overwhelming, his movements precise and calculated. This was on a completely different level from the spar they had. He was controlling the flow of the battle to accommodate his will. Luciel was sure that Kaelith had to be much stronger than a normal B+ Awekener.

"Your turn," Kaelith said, his voice calm but firm. "Take out the enemy's flank. Don't hold back."

Luciel didn't hesitate. He summoned his swords of light, their blades glowing with pure mana. With a burst of speed, he turned into a streak of light, closing the distance between himself and the enemy flank in an instant. The swords shot forward, cutting through the enemy forces with ease. Luciel moved with a precision and ferocity that surprised even himself, his golden eyes glowing brighter with each strike.

As he fought, he began to understand what Kaelith meant. He started to understand the role Kaelith wished to put him in. His role wasn't to follow orders or stick to a plan. It was to disrupt, to dominate, to overwhelm.

The battle raged on, but with Kaelith and Luciel leading the charge, the Warblades quickly gained the upper hand. The enemy forces were no match for their combined power, and the simulation ended in a decisive victory.

As the virtual reality system deactivated, Luciel stepped off the platform, his body trembling with exhaustion but his mind buzzing with excitement. Kaelith approached him, his blue eyes gleaming with approval.

"You did well," Kaelith said, his smile genuine. "You're starting to understand your role. But remember, this is just the beginning. You have a long way to go."

Luciel nodded, his golden eyes glowing faintly. "Understood."

Kaelith clapped him on the shoulder, his smile widening. "Good. Because the next simulation will be even harder. And the one after that? Well, let's just say you'll need to be at your best."

As the members of the Warblades began to disperse, Katharine approached Luciel, her red eyes sparkling with excitement. "Not bad for a rookie," she said, her grin wide and teaching as she pinched Luciel's cheek.

Luciel chuckled, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. 

...

After the simulation, Kaelith led Luciel to Headmaster Gabriel's office. The walk was quiet, but Luciel could feel the weight of Kaelith's expectations pressing down on him. When they arrived, Gabriel was seated behind his desk, his piercing gaze fixed on a stack of papers. He looked up as they entered, his expression unreadable.

"Kaelith," Gabriel said, his voice calm but carrying an edge of authority. "What brings you here?"

Kaelith stepped forward, his smile faint but determined. "Father, I need your help with Luciel."

Gabriel raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to Luciel. "Oh? And what exactly do you need my help with?"

Kaelith crossed his arms, his blue eyes serious. "Luciel's current fighting style is fit for duels and small-scale battles. But if he's going to fulfill his potential, he needs to learn how to wipe out countless enemies with a single move. He needs to learn techniques meant for leveling the whole battlefield."

Gabriel leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "Those kinds of techniques require immense mana capacity, control, and a deep understanding of one's elemental affinity. Luciel's rank and mana potency are still too low for such techniques."

Kaelith shook his head. "His mana capacity is already comparable to someone in the C+ rank even while being at D+ rank. It's only the potency that is still at D+ rank. But with the right guidance, he can start learning. And even if he can't fully utilize the technique now, it's better to start teaching him early. He needs to understand the mindset required to wield such power."

Gabriel studied Luciel for a moment, his gaze piercing. "And what do you think, Luciel? Are you ready to take on this kind of responsibility?"

Luciel met Gabriel's gaze, his golden eyes glowing faintly. "I am. I know it won't be easy, but I'm willing to put in the work."

Gabriel sighed, his expression softening slightly. "Very well. I'll show you the path, but understand this: you have to create your own technique by using your own imagination, and with that, I cannot help."

Luciel nodded, his expression serious. "I understand, Headmaster. I won't let you down."

Gabriel stood up and walked around the table. He said with a smile, "Then let's begin. "