Once he began to grasp the basics, Mikael was about to attack a training dummy but noticed it wasn't positioned in the middle of the room and was still near the wall. He paused briefly to move the dummy to the center.
With the target in place, he took aim and swung the chained sword downward.
"Bang!" The sword missed the dummy and struck the ground with a loud thud.
'...' Mikael coughed awkwardly before silently retrying. "Swish." This time, the sword followed the same motion but successfully struck the top of the dummy.
After this initial success, he continued attacking the dummy, alternating between downward slashes and horizontal strikes, both from the left and right. He even attempted thrusts, which proved challenging but occasionally succeeded.
Just as he finished a swing, a notification appeared:
[Your proficiency in creating and manipulating aura threads has reached the required level. You have learned the skill: Aura Threads Creation and Manipulation.]
[Aura Threads Creation and Manipulation - Tier 1, Level 1 (Active/Passive Skill)
Description: This skill facilitates the creation and manipulation of aura threads while simultaneously enhancing their strength. It is divided into two parts: Active and Passive.
Active: When the user channels extra aura into the threads, their durability increases significantly at a higher aura cost. However, the durability-to-cost ratio remains highly efficient.
Passive:
Threads created are 50% stronger.
Controlling and reinforcing threads costs 25% less aura.
Controlled threads move 50% faster.
Threads are easier to control.
Conditions for Level-Up:
Become proficient in creating and manipulating aura threads: 0/100%.
Spend 250 LP: 0/250.]
After reviewing the new skill, Mikael whistled, impressed. 'My first Tier 1 skill, and honestly, it's pretty impressive. It's also the first skill I can actively use in combat. With this, I can reinforce my threads using aura, which should help address one of the weaknesses in the fighting style I'm developing.'
'The fact that the swords I control are connected by threads, which could be cut. But using this skill will drastically reduce that risk. For now, though, this fighting style isn't ready for real combat, so let's get back to training.'
He resumed his training, continuing to attack the dummy. This time, he incorporated movement into his strikes, which added a level of difficulty compared to his stationary attacks.
As he moved faster and faster while attacking, it became clear his control was improving. Just as he felt confident enough to try using his right-hand sword simultaneously with the one controlled by the thread on his left, another notification appeared:
[You have reached a certain level of fame by being a commoner who secured first place in the second test of the Central Academy's entrance exam.]
[First level of the "Famous" quest reached. +1.5K LP.]
Seeing the notification he had been hoping for, a small smirk appeared on Mikael's face before he returned to his training.
This time, he modified his routine slightly. He grabbed a training sword in his right hand and simulated a fight, while simultaneously using his left hand to control another sword, attacking the training dummy.
The training proved challenging as it required him to perform two different tasks at once, demanding intense focus, which was mentally exhausting.
[You have pushed your mind hard by multitasking. +1 Intelligence.]
"Oh," he remarked, pleasantly surprised, before resuming his training.
By the time he finished, he had gained 5 Intelligence points, but more importantly, he had made significant progress in using the chained sword. It still wasn't perfect, but it was much closer to being reliable. He knew, however, that to improve further, he would need real combat experience. Training could only take him so far.
Meanwhile, as Mikael continued his training, articles about him had already begun circulating on the internet.
A COMMONER: THE STRONGEST FIRST-YEAR AT CENTRAL ACADEMY?
Below the headline was a picture of Mikael exiting the second test, his expression indifferent and unreadable.
Recently, the annual entry tests for the prestigious Central Academy took place. As always, the event attracted a large number of aspiring students, though the majority left in tears after being unable to pass.
What stands out this year, however, is the winner of the Academy's second test, which evaluates students' battle power—a commoner! Yes, you heard that right. The top performer in a test designed to assess combat prowess is not a noble but a commoner. Naturally, one might wonder how he managed to surpass nobles from powerful families, many of whom received superior training and education. Could he possess extraordinary talent?
No! Surprisingly, while his talent is rare, it's not extraordinary. Take a look below:
Name: Mikael Angelini
Age: 21
Talent Type: Double Talent Type
Talent Level: Average
Power Levels: F- Aura, F- Mana
As you can see, although he has the rare double talent type, his talent level is merely average. Even more astonishing is that his aura and mana levels are only ranked F-, far below some of his opponents, who had E- level aura and mana. This begs the question: how did he triumph against stronger opponents?
Could he have cheated? While it might cross some minds, it's highly unlikely that anyone could cheat under the watchful eyes of the Central Academy. More likely, Mikael possesses an exceptionally trained body, a high level of weapon mastery, or extraordinary proficiency in aura manipulation. Perhaps he is a remarkably skilled spellcaster. For now, we can only speculate, but one thing is certain: his remarkable feat has captured the attention of everyone.
Stay tuned for more updates!
Oblivious to the articles being written about him, Mikael wrapped up his training session. After taking a quick shower, he left his apartment and headed toward Central Academy.
Following a short walk, he arrived in front of the majestic academy and couldn't help but feel impressed, just as he had the day before. He paused briefly to admire the architecture before passing under the grand arched gateway.
Once inside the courtyard enclosed by the academy's walls, he followed the signs leading him to a crowded area filled with multiple boards displaying student names.
The atmosphere was thick with tension and anxiety. Around 8,000 students had taken the test, but only 1,000 would pass. Mikael approached one of the less crowded boards.
"Damn, my name isn't there," a dejected man muttered.
"Hell yeah, I passed! I freaking passed!" another shouted in joy.
Mikael ignored the chatter around him and focused on the top of the board, scanning for his name.
Accepted Students:
1st - Amelia Mournsky
2nd - Lucas Henker
3rd - Aria Cliffborne
4th - Mikael Angelini
…
He stopped reading after spotting his name. However, seeing himself in 4th place, despite winning the second test, made him clench his fists in frustration.
'I expected this, but it's still frustrating. I got the best possible score, yet I'm stuck in 4th place because my talent is only average. And that's with a dual-talent type. Without it, I'd probably be lower, maybe around 10th.'
'It's not ideal, but I'm not going to cry about it. Still, it annoys me.'
Just as he was about to let it go and move on, a notification popped up, lifting his spirits.
[Quest: Student Life completed.
Rewards: +1K LP.]
This brought a small smile to his face. He dismissed the notification and turned his attention to a smaller board next to the main one listing the accepted students.
Important Notice:
All accepted students must proceed to the cafeteria to join their assigned groups.
Group Assignments:
Group 1: Students ranked 1st to 20th
Group 2: Students ranked 21st to 100th
Group 3: Students ranked 101st to 200th
Group 4: Students ranked 201st to 300th
Group 5: Students ranked 301st to 400th
Group 6: Students ranked 401st to 500th
Group 7: Students ranked 501st to 600th
Group 8: Students ranked 601st to 700th
Group 9: Students ranked 701st to 800th
Group 10: Students ranked 801st to 900th
Group 11: Students ranked 901st to 1,000th
After confirming what he needed to do, Mikael left the crowd and followed the signs pointing toward the cafeteria. Upon arriving, he was surprised by its sheer vastness. The immensity of the space was emphasized by its high ceilings and the marble floor stretching far into the distance.
The white floor reflected the light streaming in through the large windows, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. The white furniture added a modern touch to the room. The neatly arranged tables and chairs made the cafeteria feel more like an upscale restaurant than a typical school dining hall.
The space seemed large enough to accommodate thousands of students simultaneously without feeling crowded. At the moment, however, the cafeteria was empty of students eating. The only people present were teachers holding signs with group numbers written on them.
Clusters of students sat around the teachers, corresponding to their assigned groups. Mikael quickly spotted the teacher holding the sign for Group 1. She appeared to be in her late twenties, with green hair and matching green eyes. Her glasses and serene expression gave her a gentle, approachable aura. A few students were already seated near her.
Mikael approached quietly and took a seat not far from her. As he glanced around at the other students, he noticed a few familiar faces—some of them were individuals he had taken out during the second test, though he didn't know their names. There were also several people he didn't recognize at all.
The only person he somewhat knew was Amelia, who was engrossed in her phone. Feeling someone's gaze on her, Amelia looked up, spotted Mikael, and gave him a challenging smirk, as if to say, Next time, I'll win!
Noticing this, a few nearby boys, who clearly admired Amelia, clenched their teeth in irritation. Their frustration was compounded by the fact that Amelia had smiled at a commoner. However, none dared to cause trouble after what had happened with Eric Saurdane the previous day.
Mikael kept a neutral expression, unfazed by Amelia's silent challenge. Seeing his lack of reaction, Amelia shrugged and returned to her phone. Mikael also took out his own phone, having already assessed the students around him.
Over the next several minutes, more students arrived and took their seats. Eventually, a bell rang, and the teacher cleared her throat to draw everyone's attention.
She waited for a few seconds until the surroundings quieted, then began speaking in a soothing voice.
"Hello, everyone. I'm your homeroom teacher, Emily Auror. You can call me Miss Emily, Miss Auror, or even just Emily—I'm not too concerned about formalities. Oh, and I'm an SS- ranked Wind Mage."
As she finished speaking, a miniature tornado formed in the palm of her hand, swirling with precision and power. A few seconds later, the tornado dissipated seamlessly, and she smiled before announcing, "But before we begin, I need to take attendance!"
"Mikael Angelini."
"Here," Mikael replied.
"Hello, Mikael."
"Lucas Henker."
"Present,"
The roll call continued until Emily closed her notepad and said, "All good! All 20 students are present! Now, before we start, follow me to your homeroom classroom."
After speaking, she stood up and began walking, with all the students following her. While they walked, she added, "Oh, and if you could remember the path, that would be best. After all, every time you have class with me, it'll be in this room."
"But don't worry if you forget; there's a map on the wall and also on the bracelets you'll receive. Though, I must admit, it can sometimes be a bit unclear."
They soon arrived at a classroom that, like the rest of the academy, was magnificent. The floor was made of intricately patterned stone, the desks were beautifully carved from wood, and the chairs looked remarkably comfortable. The ambiance of the room was enhanced by large stained-glass windows that allowed sunlight to filter through in vibrant hues.
Mikael took a seat at one of the desks near the back of the classroom. Seconds later, everyone else was seated.
Emily's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she saw that no one had caused any trouble. She began speaking, "Listen carefully. I have a lot of important information to share."