Meanwhile, Luke had clashed with Kukri. Sparks flew with each meeting of steel, the sound of metal ringing out like clashing thunder in the otherwise quiet grove.
His sword isn't that heavy… but something's making it feel heavier than it really is, Luke thought as he held firm.
He gritted his teeth as he pushed back, the force behind Kukri's attack bearing down unnaturally hard. Luke's muscles tensed beneath his uniform, sinews coiled with strength. For someone his age, his body was absurdly powerful—honed not just through relentless training, but through the immense boon of his system-enhanced attribute points. Still, even with such advantages, this man—Kukri—was a different beast.
"You're not bad," Kukri said, his voice light, almost amused. "You would've been a challenge... had you learned how to use Raiki."
With a sudden surge, Kukri pressed down harder. His blade glowed faintly, invisible pressure expanding outward like a gravitational field. Luke's knees buckled slightly as he parried, angling his sword just enough for Kukri's blades to slide off. Sparks danced in the air as steel screamed against steel.
Luke used the moment to backstep rapidly, putting distance between them.
It's that Raiki energy again… He mentioned Raiki the first time he appeared, Luke thought, narrowing his eyes. His mind raced, trying to analyze the flow of energy, the rhythm of movement. But in that fleeting moment of reflection—
Kukri vanished.
He reappeared behind Luke like a phantom.
"Vexical Strike!" Kukri roared.
Luke spun on instinct, blade raised just in time to catch the blow—but the force sent him flying. He was hurled backwards like a ragdoll, slamming into a tree thick with bright green leaves. The old trunk groaned, splintered, and snapped under the impact, its roots dry and brittle. The tree collapsed with a mournful creak, as if sighing in death.
He got faster again, Luke thought, panting as he staggered back to his feet. A gash ran down his shoulder where the blade had grazed him.
But Luke wasn't done.
He lowered his stance, eyes focused, heart beating steady as he began to draw on something deeper—an inner strength he had barely tapped into before.
Dragon's Descent.
A pressure rippled outward from his body.
Kukri, who had casually been approaching again, slowed to a halt. His eyes narrowed.
He backstepped.
'Did he gain Foresight at this age?' Kukri thought, cautious now.
'No… it's not Foresight. It's similar, but different. While one has Foresight for the first time, they lose all reason…' Kukri assessed the boy's composure carefully. 'I doubt he's done this more than once anyway.'
But then—he felt it.
A shift in the air.
An invisible weight pressing in from all sides.
What's this feeling? Kukri thought, a cold chill crawling down his back. He focused his Raiki into his eyes—an advanced technique to perceive that which should remain unseen.
And he saw it.
A silhouette.
A vast, serpent-like dragon—a Long—its mouth open in a silent roar as it spiraled down from the heavens toward him. Its body shimmered in ethereal light, streaked with black flame and translucent scales. It wasn't real in the physical sense, but in terms of energy—of will—it was overwhelming.
It's coming straight for me.
Kukri's pupils contracted.
"Shit!!" he cursed.
He had no time to dodge. He raised both arms and gathered all the Raiki he could into a single, one-way shield—the highest form of instantaneous defense he could muster.
The impact came.
The area was engulfed in a violent surge of unseen force. The ground blackened—not burned or rotted—but eroded, as if rust had devoured the life out of it. The silhouette of the dragon screamed silently as it passed through Kukri, tearing through the space he occupied.
Dust and wind exploded outward in a thunderous shockwave.
When the light faded, Kukri knelt on the ground, both blades buried deep into the dirt. Energy crackled around him, his body frozen, seemingly paralyzed.
He's still alive? Luke thought in disbelief, panting, sweat running down his face. His hands trembled slightly. This is the first time I've seen the true effect of this technique…
Without wasting a second, he charged.
He wouldn't let this monster recover.
But just before he closed the distance—
"Stop!!"
A voice rang out—deep, calm, and commanding. It struck Luke like a bell tolling in his mind.
That voice… Luke froze, eyes widening.
From above, a man descended, floating gently as if the wind itself bore him down.
Professor Euric.
Luke turned his gaze upward, his chest still heaving. "He's laid his Raiki all over the area," Euric said, his tone grave. "He can retract it and shoot them out like spears if you get close enough."
From the ground, Kukri laughed.
"Hahahaha!"
He stood upright as if nothing had happened. The injuries were gone—no sign of pain or fatigue.
He healed himself, Luke thought, shocked.
"Unchanging you are, huh, old man," Kukri said with a mocking grin.
"Welp! My job here's done," Kukri added. Then his form began to dissipate—like smoke dispersing in the air.
"It was fun, kid. But next time, I won't let my guard down," Kukri said, his voice fading with the mist.
Even as he vanished, Kukri's thoughts lingered.
That kid's a future problem. It's a shame I couldn't kill him before the academy puts up their guard…
He was gone.
Luke approached Professor Euric, now standing on solid ground once more.
"The remnant energy is gone. Seems he's truly gone," Euric muttered, his expression unreadable.
"Professor, what was that energy that man was using? And how is he related to you?" Luke asked, still tense.
"We'll talk later. For now—" Euric began.
"Hey!! Luke!!"
A voice rang out through the trees.
It was Persin, running back with Felior behind him. Relief surged in their expressions as they saw Luke still standing.
----------Aftermath--------
Jevon had been taken to the school doctor by Tergil, while the remaining students were swiftly returned to the academy grounds. The outdoor test was officially called off and replaced with an indoor assessment instead.
Although students were warned strictly not to speak of the incident, as if nothing had happened, the truth spread like wildfire.
Almost every First Year—and even many Second Years—had heard about the mysterious attacker, the deaths, and the terrifying energy that shook the forest.
A week later, Luke stood quietly in front of Professor Euric's office.
The memory of that battle still lingered in his bones.
He knocked.
It was time for answers.