The explosion Xers caused during his trial threw the entire palace into chaos.The palace residents were shaken, and Sensei Urhuma was rushed to the royal infirmary with severe injuries. Xers, on the other hand, was granted a two-day leave.
He spent those quiet days sitting in the palace garden, lost in thoughts of the past — of his village, of the friends he had left behind in the war. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Sabre appeared, walking toward him.
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"How are you, Xers? Feeling any better? You don't have to fear your potential. The power you're looking for is already within you.When I first joined the Ranshi army, I went through the same pain. I never wanted to raid your villages… It was the emperor's command."
"Why tell me all this now? Is there something you're trying to say?"
"N-no. I just want you to remember what I said — in this world, only the strong survive."
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Xers didn't fully understand what Sabre meant, but he didn't dwell on it. All he wanted was to learn how to control the beast within.
A week passed. Urhuma had completely recovered and was ready to resume training. Xers met him again in the palace courtyard.
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"Are you alright, Sensei? I… I'm really sorry."
"It's fine, my boy. I know your heart."
"I didn't mean to hurt you. Really."
"I understand, Xers. You carry a dangerous power — one that must be brought under control. But we don't yet know if your skill level is high enough to handle it. That's why, today, I'll teach you G-Technic."
"Wait, you mean… my mask is ready?"
"Yes. Right here."
Urhuma reached behind his back and pulled out a D-Tier Mask, handing it to Xers.
"W-wow! It's… incredible!"
"Calm down, Xers. There are even greater ones out there — natural masks. They're nearly impossible to craft artificially. The strongest you can make by hand is a B-Tier."
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With his new mask, Xers resumed training. Urhuma began teaching him the foundations of G-Technic.
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"There are a hundred forms of G-Technic — some for defense, some for offense, some for long-range magic.You'll specialize in close-range combat. Let me explain a few of the key abilities:
1) GQ #41 — Sends a sharp slash wave forward from your blade. Low stamina cost, great for real battles.2) GQ #P — A passive ability that constantly infuses your sword with spiritual pressure.3) Ghost Step — A short-range burst movement. Use it wisely — it drains stamina fast.
These three will form the core of your combat strategy. To learn more advanced abilities, we'll need a new mask — but remember, crafting a new one erases the old powers. It's a risky trade."
"That's… amazing! Urhuma-sensei, please, let's train nonstop!"
"Of course, my boy. That's why I'm here."
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Xers threw himself into training. Though he struggled at first, he slowly began to master each technique. Day by day, his movements grew sharper and faster.
Then came a field test.Urhuma and Xers traveled to a dark valley filled with Shadowia's lesser beasts — twisted creatures that once were humans and animals before the Great Explosion mutated them.
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"Urhuma-sensei… are we really doing this? I-I'm not scared, but… maybe a little nervous."
"Listen, Xers. To achieve anything in life, you must first overcome fear.One day, you might even have to fight those closest to you. That's the truth of this world. Strength decides who stands."
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They descended to the bottom of the valley — and the creatures began to emerge. Urhuma raised a protective barrier and stepped back, leaving Xers alone.
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"S-Sensei?! What are you doing?!"
"To succeed, you must face your fear yourself, Xers."
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Left with no choice, Xers drew his sword and charged forward.
He cleaved the first monster clean in half, then impaled the second through its stomach. Using Ghost Step, he blinked behind another creature and cut it down.
"Hah! Not so hard after all!"
He kept fighting, slicing through beasts with reckless ferocity — diving under one, leaping over another. Instead of tiring, he grew faster, his bloodlust rising.
"Hahaha! This… this feels incredible!"
More monsters appeared — thirty of them now surrounding him.
"Wait—there were barely twenty before! Why are there so many now?!"
"It's time, Xers! Use it!"
It was his first chance to test GQ #41 in open space. He didn't know if it would work — but he had no choice.
Xers closed his eyes, breathing deep. His heartbeat slowed. His blade began to glow black.Then, as he opened his eyes, he roared louder than ever before:
"GQ #41!!!!!!"
A jet-black slash burst from his sword, five meters wide, tearing through rock and air alike. It struck the beasts head-on, slicing them cleanly in half. The sound echoed across the entire valley.
Urhuma stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief.
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"Y-you did it, Xers! You conquered your fear! That's exactly what you had to do!"
Xers was overwhelmed with pride — as if he stood in the heavens themselves. But then, a purple light flickered in his chest. It pulsed faster and faster; his heartbeat roared in his ears. His body went limp, collapsing onto the ground.
"Xers! Are you alright?! XERS!"
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When Xers opened his eyes again, he was in the academy's infirmary bed. Urhuma and the royal doctor stood nearby, examining strange readings from his body.
"W-where… am I?"
"You're safe, Xers. Don't worry. That purple thing inside you spiked your heart rate — you blacked out, but you're alive. The doctor says it was an adrenaline surge. Nothing fatal. But we need to figure out what that purple energy is. Rest here for a day or two. Sabre will speak with you after."
"Understood, Sensei… but thank you — for helping me overcome my fear of battle."
"Hahaha! Don't make me laugh, boy. That's what a Sensei's for. Now rest — I've got work to do."
"Thank you, Sensei."