The sound of steel clashing against steel echoed throughout the Royal Knight Academy as dozens of trainees sparred across the massive training grounds. Mana flared in different colors around the arena, illuminating the morning air with bursts of fire, lightning, and wind. The noble students drew most of the attention as instructors watched from elevated platforms, nodding approvingly whenever someone displayed exceptional talent.Leon Valcrest stood behind the crowd with his hands clenched tightly behind him. He was breaking in sweats despite the cold morning air. Every time they had trainings, he would focus on them and try imitating the moves, but today, his attention remained fixed on the center arena.“Next! Cedric Vaughn!”Thunderous applause erupted instantly as the silver-haired noble and top student casually strolled forward. He walked towards the center platform and confidently placed his palm against the crystal orb positioned at the center of the platform, releasing his man

That night, Leon was with Roan and Taylor in their usual hideout when Heidi soon joined them. Out of the three, she looks the most pale and one would think she is sick. Sometimes, Leon would think she was dying and was trying to keep it away from them. But then, even if that was true, what can they possibly do? It’s not like they have any money for a proper treatment.“Where have you been? You didn’t join us for meals in the cafeteria,” Leon asked her the moment she sat with them.“She was busy washing the plates you used to eat,” Roan said almost immediately and Heidi pushed him off the small stool he was sitting.Even as pale and weak as she may appear, she still has strength in her than most boys.Leon was already vibrating in anger and the next second, he stood and kicked a blameless can so hard that it went crashing against the wall. He clenched his fists hard and it was evident that he was tired of it all.“How much longer do we have to be treated as trash? The noble students ha

By midnight, things already took a bad shape. Another order was given:“Every trainee must fight alongside other soldiers regardless of your level of mana.”Leon fought beside other trainees and ordinary soldiers, and before he knew it, exhaustion consumed his body. Still, he knew he needed to keep going.Everywhere he looked, people were dying. They were either getting killed or taking their own lives because of fear of the new monster that now terrorized them.It was not just the undead now. Another new creature had already entered the capital, one that is most feared—an abyss creature.Never in Leon’s life did he imagine that such damnation would befall him in one night. Being just a trainee, he knows that he stands no chance, yet, he couldn’t give up, seeing how the Royal Knights fought desperately just to protect them.He hoped that the child he was trying to rescue earlier was safe. The female knight had told him she would look after him and send him and his mother to safety onc

Two minutes into the fight, Leon could already sense that the undead were being controlled by some sort of sorcery. He had imagined where they were coming from and how they keep increasing in number. He knows that the undead had been exterminated a long time ago and it didn’t make any sense that they are suddenly back.He stopped fighting and lowered his sword. At the same time, an undead lunged toward him and without thinking, he drove his fist through its chest with enough force to shatter it to bones.The undead all stopped, as if surprised. Even Leon froze. He couldn’t believe he had such strength.The undead became violent and they all came at him at once. Leon simply raised his hand and crimson fire exploded from his palm.BOOM!The creatures disintegrated at once and not one was spared.“That’s what I am talking about,” Valtherion laughed excitedly in his head.Leon stared at the flames surrounding his hand and he was left speechless. His entire body pulsed with overwhelming en