Chapter 12: Forging the Blade
The news of Draven’s advancent to A-Rank spread through the academy like wildfire.
By Tuesday morning, students whispered in hallways. Professors discussed it in faculty etings. The headmaster himself summoned Draven to his office.
Headmaster Cornelius Thorne was an ancient-looking man with a white beard and S-Rank power that radiated even when suppressed. He sat behind an enormous desk made of enchanted ironwood.
"Draven Arclight." His voice was weathered but sharp. "Eighteen years old. A-Rank. Do you understand how unprecedented this is?"
"I’m aware, Headmaster."
"The youngest A-Rank in academy history was nineteen. That was Crown Prince Aldric, two years ago." Thorne’s eyes narrowed. "Now you’ve broken that record. So might call it suspicious."
Here it was. The inquisition.
"I’ve been training intensely," Draven said calmly. "Combat with skilled opponents. Dungeon expeditions on weekends. ditation and mana cultivation daily. Nothing forbidden."
"And yet your mana signature shows traces of... unusual energy." Thorne’s fingers steepled. "Dark attribute is common enough. But you also have spatial, ice, light, and now shadow affinities. Five different elents. Most mages specialize in one, perhaps two. How do you explain this?"
Shit. The Dual Cultivation technique absorbed affinities from his partners. Ice from Seraphina, Light from Elise, Shadow from Lyra. He couldn’t explain that.
[LIE. Make it good.]
"My mother’s bloodline," Draven said. "The Ashford family has records of multi-affinity awakening in tis of stress. When I nearly died in a training accident two weeks ago, sothing... activated. I’ve been adapting ever since."
Technically not entirely false. Ethan had died. Draven’s body was the vessel.
Thorne studied him. Long silence.
"I see." He didn’t sound convinced. "Regardless, your advancent is... concerning to so. Crown Prince Aldric has expressed interest in your developnt. He’s requested you be placed on his expedition team."
"I’ve already ford my team."
"Yes. With Professor Ravenclaw, Lady Valerius, Miss Nightshade, and..." Thorne checked a docunt. "...Kai Solis. A D-Rank student. Why include soone so weak?"
"Potential. His mana core is developing unusually fast. He’ll be C-Rank by expedition ti."
"Even so. The Crown Prince insists on adding mbers to your team. For ’balance and safety.’" Thorne’s tone made it clear he knew it was bullshit. "As headmaster, I cannot refuse a royal request. Two additional students will join your group."
Draven’s jaw tightened. "Who?"
"Marcus Stonewall and Vera Thornheart. Both B-Rank. Both loyal to—"
"To the Crown Prince. Of course." Draven stood. "Is that all, Headmaster?"
"One more thing." Thorne’s voice softened slightly. "Be careful in Velkari Ruins. The dungeon has been... strange lately. Monsters appearing on floors they shouldn’t. Traps activating randomly. Sothing is wrong with it. I wanted to delay the expedition, but the royal family overruled ."
"Why would they do that?"
"That, Mr. Arclight, is the question." Thorne waved his hand. Dismissal. "Good luck. You’ll need it."
[Training Grounds - Evening]
Draven gathered his team. Plus the two unwelco additions.
Marcus Stonewall was built like a tank. Six-foot-five. Muscles on muscles. Earth magic specialist. B-Rank Mid Stage. Shaved head. Perpetual scowl.
Vera Thornheart was his opposite. Slim. Elegant. Fire magic specialist. B-Rank Mid Stage. Red hair in a tight bun. Cold eyes.
Both watched Draven with barely concealed hostility.
"Alright," Draven addressed the group. "Two weeks until the expedition. We train every evening. Six hours minimum. No exceptions."
"Who died and made you leader?" Marcus growled.
"I’m A-Rank. You’re B-Rank. That’s the hierarchy."
"You probably cheated to get there."
"Prove it or shut up." Draven’s voice was ice. "In the dungeon, I’m in command. Follow orders or die. Your choice."
Marcus stepped forward. Aggressive. "Maybe we should test who’s really stronger—"
"Marcus." Vera’s hand on his arm. Restraining. "Not yet. We have ti."
Not yet. aning they planned to move against him. Good to know.
"Professor Ravenclaw will teach formations," Draven continued. "Seraphina handles crowd control tactics. Lyra teaches ambush awareness. Kai, you’re with for combat drills."
"What about us?" Vera asked sweetly. Too sweetly.
"You two practice not dying. If you can manage that, we might all survive."
Her smile was knife-sharp. "How considerate."
Astrid stepped forward. Professional mode. "Formation Alpha: Standard Combat Array. Tank forward, ranged in back, support middle. Let’s begin."
[Combat Training - First Night]
The training was brutal.
Astrid summoned enchanted constructs—golem-like creatures made of pure mana. B-Rank strength. No holding back.
"Engage!" she commanded.
The team scattered. Instinct overriding coordination.
BOOM! A construct’s fist cratered the ground where Seraphina had been standing. She rolled. Dodge. But isolated now.
"FORMATION!" Draven yelled. "Alpha positions!"
Chaos. Marcus ignored the order and charged solo. Vera launched fire spells wildly, nearly hitting Kai. Lyra vanished into stealth—good instinct, wrong tactic for team combat.
Only Seraphina responded, moving to support position.
The constructs destroyed them in three minutes.
Draven stood over his defeated team. "Pathetic."
"We’re not used to fighting together!" Kai protested. A golem had knocked him flat imdiately.
"You have two weeks to get used to it. In Velkari Ruins, enemies won’t wait for you to coordinate. They’ll kill you in the first thirty seconds. Like just happened. Again."
They trained for six hours. Failed nineteen tis. Finally managed to defeat two constructs on the twentieth attempt.
By the end, everyone was exhausted. Bruised. Frustrated.
"Tomorrow, sa ti," Draven said. "We’re doing this until you can coordinate in your sleep."
Marcus limped away, muttering curses. Vera followed, shooting venomous glances back.
The others collapsed on the ground.
"I hurt in places I didn’t know existed," Kai groaned.
"Good. ans you’re improving." Draven offered him a hand. Pulled him up.
"How are you not tired?" Seraphina asked. She was breathing hard, sweat on her brow.
"I am. But I don’t show it."
Lyra appeared from the shadows. "Found seventeen ways to kill Marcus during training."
"Only seventeen?" Draven smiled. "I counted twenty-three."
"Show-off."
Astrid approached. Dropped the professional facade now that others were leaving. "They’re going to try sothing. Marcus and Vera. Before the expedition."
"I know."
"What will you do?"
"Let them try. Then make an example."
"Draven—"
"They need to understand the hierarchy. Words won’t work. Pain will."
Astrid sighed. "Just... don’t kill them. We need the full team for the dungeon."
"I’ll try to restrain myself."
[ Wednesday Afternoon]
Draven received a summons to the Noble District. Duke Aldric’s estate.
Not the Crown Prince. His father. Duke Aldric Valtheris—his uncle, technically, since he married into the family when his brother died.
The duke was waiting in a study lined with expensive books and maps of the kingdom.
"Draven. Sit."
Draven sat. Wary.
"I’ve heard troubling reports about you and my son." The duke’s voice was asured. "Aldric believes you’re a threat."
"And you?"
"I think you’re interesting. A-Rank at eighteen. Multiple affinities. Strategic mind. You could be useful."
"Useful to who?"
"To the kingdom. To our family." The duke leaned forward. "My son is... ambitious. Sotis too ambitious. He sees enemies everywhere. But you, Draven, I see potential."
"What do you want?"
"Join us. Officially. Swear allegiance to the Crown Prince. In return, I’ll ensure your safety in the dungeon. I’ll even support your courtship of Lady Seraphina. Full royal backing."
A trap. Definitely a trap.
"And if I refuse?"
"Then you’re an enemy. And enemies don’t survive long in this kingdom." The duke smiled. No warmth. "Think carefully. The expedition is dangerous. Accidents happen. But with our protection..."
"I’ll consider it," Draven lied.
"Good. I expect your answer by week’s end." The duke waved dismissal. "Oh, and Draven? Your mother, Lady Elise—lovely woman. I’d hate for anything to happen to her."
Threat. Blatant threat.
Draven’s fists clenched. But he kept his voice level. "Understood."
Outside the estate, the System chid.
[Well, that escalated quickly. They’re threatening your mother now. How does that make you feel?]
"Murderous."
[Good. Channel that. The Crown Prince, his father, the whole corrupt family—they need to go down. But not yet. Not until you’re strong enough.]
"How strong?"
[S-Rank minimum. Maybe SS-Rank to be safe. Right now, the duke could crush you with one hand.]
Draven looked back at the estate. "Then I need to get stronger. Fast."
[Dungeon’s your best bet. The Abyss Core on floor seven. If you can claim it without dying, you’ll jump straight to S-Rank. But the risk...]
"I know. 50/50 survival rate."
[You sure about this?]
"I don’t have a choice. They threatened my mother."
[Fair point. Alright, let’s plan your dungeon run. Starting with making sure your ’teammates’ don’t stab you in the back.]
[Thursday Night]
It happened during the fourth night of training.
The team was deep in the academy’s practice dungeon—a controlled environnt for students. Draven had brought them here for real-combat simulation.
They were fighting enchanted wolves. C-Rank. Pack hunters. Good practice.
Marcus moved too close to Draven during a fight. Coincidence? No.
His fist, wreathed in earth magic, swung at Draven’s back. Crushing Blow—a technique that could shatter bones.
Draven sensed it. [Void Step]. Spatial shift. Appeared five feet left.
Marcus’s punch hit air.
"Oops," Marcus said. Not even trying to hide it. "Missed the wolf."
The wolf was fifteen feet in the other direction.
"Try again," Draven said coldly. "Properly this ti."
Marcus’s face twisted. "Fuck subtlety." He charged. Full power. "[Stone Fist Barrage]!"
BOOM BOOM BOOM! His fists beca weapons. Each punch carrying tons of force.
Draven dodged. [Void Step]. [Shadow Step]. Moving between spaces.
"STAND STILL!" Marcus roared.
"Make ."
Vera joined in. "[Fla Lance]!" Fire magic spear. Aid at Draven’s back.
He caught it. Bare-handed. Dark magic absorbing the flas.
Both attackers froze.
"Is that all?" Draven asked.
Then he moved.
[Void Palm Strike]. His hand shot forward. Hit Marcus’s chest. BOOM.
The earth mage flew backward. Crash. Hit a wall. Hard.
Vera tried to flee. Draven’s hand caught her throat. Gentle pressure. Not choking. Yet.
"Give one reason," he whispered. "One reason not to break you both right here."
"The prince—" she gasped. "—ordered us—"
"I know. And he’ll order others after you fail. So here’s the new order." Draven’s silver eyes glowed. Actually glowed. A-Rank power manifesting. "You work for now. Follow my commands in the dungeon. Keep alive. In return, I keep you alive. Betray again, and I’ll make sure the ruins claim you. Understood?"
Vera nodded frantically.
He released her. Turned to Marcus, who was struggling to stand.
"You’re strong," Draven said. "B-Rank Mid Stage. Earth specialist. Good defensive capabilities. Wasted potential in service of a prince who sees you as disposable." He extended his hand. "Work with . Actually work with . Survive the dungeon. Get stronger. Or keep being his puppet and die. Choice is yours."
Marcus stared at the hand. Pride warred with pragmatism.
Finally, he took it.
"Fine. But if you’re lying about the dungeon rewards—"
"I’m not. Floor seven has enough treasure for all of us. Rare cores. Ancient artifacts. Enough to boost everyone’s rank." Draven pulled him up. "But we only get there if we work together."
[Marcus Stonewall: Forced Ally (Temporary)]
[Vera Thornheart: Forced Ally (Temporary)]
[Achievent: Hostile Teammates Subdued]
[ 1,000 VP]
The rest of the team had watched. Impressed. Even Kai looked at Draven with new respect.
"Now," Draven addressed everyone. "We train properly. As an actual team. No more politics. No more sches. Just survival. Agreed?"
"Agreed," they chorused.
For the first ti, it felt like they might actually make it.
[Friday - Team Assignnt Official]
The academy posted official team rosters.
TEAM 7 - VELKARI RUINS EXPEDITION:
Leader: Draven Arclight (A-Rank)
mbers:
Astrid Ravenclaw (A-Rank) - Faculty Advisor
Seraphina Valerius (B-Rank High)
Lyra Nightshade (B-Rank Mid)
Marcus Stonewall (B-Rank Mid)
Vera Thornheart (B-Rank Mid)
Kai Solis (D-Rank High)
Students whispered. An A-Rank leader. An A-Rank professor. This was the strongest team in the entire expedition.
Crown Prince Aldric saw the roster. His face darkened.
His sabotage had failed. Draven had turned his planted agents.
In the royal wing, Aldric t with his advisors.
"Change of plans," he said. "We can’t rely on Marcus and Vera. Draven got to them. We need a different approach."
"What do you suggest, Your Highness?" asked his chief strategist.
"The dungeon itself. There are ways to manipulate it. Trigger boss spawns. Activate ancient traps. Make it harder for specific teams." Aldric smiled. "My father has connections with the Dungeon Guild. We’ll arrange an ’accident’ on the lower floors. Even an A-Rank can die if enough goes wrong."
"And if he survives?"
"Then we deal with him afterward. But I doubt he will. Velkari Ruins doesn’t forgive mistakes."
[Weekend - Final Preparations]
The team trained continuously. Six hours a day. Sotis more.
By Sunday, they were exhausted but coordinated. Formation Alpha was second nature. They’d developed signals. Trust was forming.
Even Marcus and Vera seed genuinely invested now.
"One week left," Draven announced Sunday evening. "Final preparations. Check your equipnt. Stock potions. Make sure your affairs are in order. Because once we enter those ruins, there’s no turning back."
"Inspiring speech," Lyra deadpanned.
"I’m not here to inspire. I’m here to survive. So are you."
That night, Draven received a private ssage. Sealed envelope. No sender.
Inside: "Seventh floor. Abyss Core. They know you’re coming for it. Good luck. You’ll need it. - A Friend"
[Soone knows your plan. Soone’s helping you. But who?]
Draven looked out his window at the academy.
One week until the dungeon.
One week until everything changed.
He was ready.
[END OF Chapter 12]
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