Hours later, the students received their swords.Each one was crafted specifically for their powers. The data sent to the machine had customized the pre-made swords. No one but the rightful owner could wield them. But these swords, capable of transferring abilities in a team setting, could even stop incredible powers.Once everyone received their sword, they immediately kept them at their side. Another boy walked up to Tansen:— "How are you? Feeling any better?"Tansen didn't respond. The boy called out:— "Come on, we're friends."Tansen:— "A bit better, but I'm still incredibly down. Ren, do you think that man was right?"Ren furrowed his brows:— "No way. Look, being an Eta means you're at the lowest level, but you're still far stronger than a regular person."Tansen smiled."That's true… I did earn the right to join D.C.T. No matter what, I'll do what my ancestors did."Ren smiled back."Then let's handle it together, alright?"Tansen shook his head lightly and smiled."Seems like I can't even stay down when you're around."Just then, a woman carrying a sword on her back entered the classroom. She walked with firm steps toward the board and introduced herself:"I am your combat instructor. Starting today, you'll be training with me. My name is Nathey Grons. Pleased to meet you."Nathey led all the students outside. She began training with Maleno, the one at Alpha level.
Maleno launched the first attack. She sent a wave using her ice element, then sliced through the air to reduce visibility. Channeling her E.I.S. power into her sword, she unleashed the Mortoz attack, targeting Nathey. The area was filled with dust. As everyone waited for it to clear to see the result, Maleno was suddenly struck hard from the right. She was thrown to the left, crashing into a tree and collapsing to the ground. It became clear that Nathey had landed the blow with her sword's hilt, without even using E.I.S.
Nathey turned her back to the students and spoke loudly:"I'm an Alpha-level warrior. I've single-handedly eliminated all the variants that have appeared in the last decade. You too could become like me… in time. When I was your age, I had already achieved outstanding success. And still, I continue to grow."Ren looked at Tansen. Tansen was so focused on Nathey that his hands seemed to have warped from gripping his sword's hilt too tightly. Nathey noticed and smiled."You, the Eta-level one… Come and show me what you've got."Everyone in class protested, thinking this was an unfair match. But neither Tansen nor Nathey would back down.
This time, Nathey struck first. With the flat of her sword, she hit Tansen hard in the chest. He flew ten meters back. The sound of cracking bones made everyone flinch. Hearing those sounds, Nathey started to sheath her sword—but just then, Tansen slashed with his sword from a distance using his remote-cutting ability. Nathey dodged, but she was angry now. With the sharp edge of her sword, she slashed from Tansen's stomach up to his shoulder. Tansen was gravely wounded.
Nathey paused, realizing what she had done. She had flown into a rage. She immediately stepped back."Call a doctor!" she shouted at the students.
But before she could even finish her sentence, Tansen's sword was flying toward her. Nathey drew her sword to deflect it."This is foolish," she thought. "Who throws their sword while injured?"At that moment, Tansen raised his right hand and launched another cutting attack. This time, it struck. A gash opened across Nathey's abdomen. She dropped to her knees. Tansen stood up and summoned his sword back. Just as he was about to deliver the final blow, D.C.T. soldiers arrived and intervened, stopping them both. Medical teams rushed in.
When Maleno opened her eyes, she was confused."What happened here?"Ren began to explain.
At the D.C.T. hospital, Leron—the head of the research division—entered the room."Two days ago, you injured Nathey, someone not even Alpha-level fighters could scratch. How did you do it?"Tansen chuckled bitterly."She's my sister. I'm used to fighting with her, but I didn't expect this rage episode… to go that far."Leron frowned."That's not an answer."Tansen sighed."Fine, fine. If you observe long enough, you always find a weak spot."Leron shook his head."It's tragic that someone like you is still ranked Eta."Tansen buried his face in the pillow."Ugh… I know. It's such bad luck. I'm just as strong as my sister—"
Just then, the room darkened. There was still light, but it was dim. Tansen saw a smoke-like darkness approaching. He wanted to run, but his body was frozen. The smoke wrapped around his legs and slowly covered his entire body. As it seeped into his ears and nose, he felt like he was burning—but there was no mark. He shot up in panic, drenched in sweat. Someone was beside him—his sister… She had fallen asleep at his bedside. Night had fallen."Maybe it was all a nightmare… or it was real. I hope it's the former," he muttered.Nathey heard his voice, slowly opened her eyes, and upon seeing Tansen, hugged him tightly and began apologizing. When she was medicated, she acted completely like an adult.Tansen asked:"How long have I been asleep?"Nathey answered in a sad voice:"Two weeks.""Two weeks? What? The last thing I remember is talking to Mr. Leron…""You suddenly collapsed during the conversation. This is the first time you've woken up since."
Tansen had recovered and was discharged. He resumed his training and classes. However, the fact that no one knew about the dark events that had occurred filled him with rage. In every sparring session with Maleno, he gave it his all—yet he lost every time. He needed to find a solution for both his weakness and the dark threat.
While training with Ren, a dimensional portal opened in the middle of the school. Ren gripped his sword tightly."This portal… it shouldn't be opening here. Why now, after all these years?"The reason was unknown, but it no longer mattered. Their swords were ready. They stood alert against the monsters expected to emerge. They waited… but no creatures appeared. Maleno frowned."Something's off. The D.C.T. soldiers should handle this."
As the soldiers approached the portal, a sudden shockwave killed a few and seriously injured others. Monsters began pouring out. The school had already been evacuated, but civilians outside were still in danger. The young warriors drew their swords and attacked. After killing several monsters, a dagger flew from the portal and pierced Tansen's shoulder.
Maleno and Ren used their powers to take down all the creatures coming through. Meanwhile, Tansen had collapsed. His sister—Nathey—checked on him, then gripped her sword, preparing for the arrival of a new threat: a variant.A young and elegant girl emerged from the portal. She was no older than sixteen, but her power contradicted her age.
Nathey launched the first attack. It was blocked. A counterattack followed. Elemental powers and E.I.S. techniques nullified each other. They were equally matched. Finally, Nathey used her special ability—Light Refraction. In this attack, the opponent feels as if they're struck as many times as there are beams of light hitting them.The variant was severely wounded and opened a portal to escape.
D.C.T. medical teams were quickly tending to Tansen's wound. But as he realized the variant was escaping, he jumped into the portal without thinking.Nathey noticed too late. The portal closed."No! No, no, this can't be! Why would he do something so foolish!"
Once again, Tansen was surrounded by that darkness. The black smoke crept over him like always."It was you, wasn't it?" Tansen said.The black smoke recoiled, gathered into a single point, and took on a humanoid form. White light streamed from its eyes and mouth, while the rest was pitch black."What are you talking about?" the dark entity said.Tansen was furious."Come on! Are you going to tell me that following her into the portal was my choice? You always show up whenever I start doubting my decisions!"The black smoke grinned. Its mouth twisted grotesquely."You're right. Stabbing your sister, your weakness, coming to this dimension—it was all me."Tansen clenched his fists."Then you shouldn't have let me bring my sword here!"He drew his sword and charged at the dark entity. But before he could get close, it vanished. A girl appeared in front of him—the variant. Tansen redirected at the last second to avoid hitting her, tumbled to the ground, then quickly stood and approached her."Are you okay?" he asked.