Chapter 9:The iron fortress 4
---
After my Master left, I decided to go out and explore the place, even though I already knew it. Since it was dinner time, I headed to the dining hall.
The moment I entered, the hall was packed with soldiers. I went over to see the food and found the usual meal: soup, mashed potatoes, and a piece of bread.
I took my plate and moved to an empty table at the back. For a few seconds, people glanced at me suspiciously before returning to their meals. I pulled out the chair, sat down, and began eating quietly.
After a while, I felt someone approaching from behind. Then I heard a voice:
"Hello, are you new here?"
I turned around and saw a boy of average height, brown hair, black eyes, and a small beauty mark under one eye.
"Yes, I am," I replied.
He looked at me for a moment, then asked,
"Mind if I sit here?"
I looked at him and said,
"And if I say no, will you leave?"
He laughed naturally.
"Haha, looks like you already know the answer."
He pulled a chair and sat directly across from me.
"My name is William. I'm sixteen. And you?"
…Sixteen?
How did someone so young get in here? Was he really that talented?
And just William? Seems like a commoner.
"My name's Daniel. Sixteen too."
His eyes widened in surprise.
"What? You're sixteen as well? That's rare! And since your name is just Daniel… you're a commoner too! How did you get in?"
I decided to keep my identity hidden for now.
"Oh… I got in through a connection. What about you?"
He smiled proudly.
"Me? My uncle works here. He's a veteran soldier. Pretty cool, right?"
…Yeah, indeed.
He asked,
"So, why did you come here?"
I thought for a moment, then answered,
"To get stronger… I want to enter Oxford Academy."
He slammed both hands on the table and shouted,
"What?! Oxford?! I'm going there too!"
"Shhh—don't shout, you fool!"
…What?
Did he just say he's going to Oxford too?
"Hey… can you repeat that?"
"I said I'm going to Oxford too."
"What? And how will you pay for it?"
There's no way a commoner could afford Oxford.
He said excitedly,
"Oh~ I got a scholarship. What about you?"
…A scholarship?
The one they give to only one student each year? Among hundreds… no, thousands of applicants?
How talented is this boy?
"Oh… my family has been saving for years, and I also plan to apply for a scholarship," I said.
He smiled.
"Wow! You're really lucky, my friend."
…Since when are we friends?
"So, what are your talents?"
"Me? If you mean talent… I can use Lightning magic, Healing, and Fire. I can manipulate Aether, and recently I started learning a magic called Star Magic."
…Star Magic?
The same one the greatest genius in the world—or maybe in history—George Astaros, spent two full years mastering the basics of?
Seems like he's confusing it with another magic.
I smiled sarcastically.
"Oh really? Then why don't you show me Star Magic?"
Impossible.
William smiled.
"All right, here goes."
…What?
He immediately began transforming Aether, combining it with magic, linking them through almost endless paths, shaping them in his hand… until suddenly a crystal-like star appeared, colored a mix of blue and purple.
A strong aura poured from him, surrounding him and lighting up the entire hall.
…What?!
What the hell is this?
He wasn't joking!
The light and aura disappeared quickly, and the soldiers around us stared in disbelief, whispering to each other.
I already knew what they were thinking.
William was panting, sweat pouring down his face, as if he had drained his life.
"As you can see, my friend… I can only use it briefly, and it drains me completely."
I said quickly,
"Don't push yourself… I'll transfer some Aether to you."
I placed my hand on his back and began pouring Aether into his paths.
"All right… that should be enough."
He stared at me in shock.
"Daniel… thank you. But… how?"
"How what?"
"How did you fill half of my Aether… and I'm rank three?"
Ah… that.
"I somehow did it."
He looked at me seriously.
"Daniel… tell me honestly. What's your rank?"
I sighed.
"My rank… is Fifth."
A moment of silence passed, then he shouted,
"What?! Fifth rank?! How is this possible? Are you really sixteen? No… are you even human?!"
I covered his mouth quickly. Thank God our table was far away.
"Yes, I'm human like you… but I seem to be extremely talented. Who knows… maybe I'm the Chosen One."
He smiled bitterly.
"The Chosen One? Maybe you are. Honestly, I thought I was the most talented at least in our generation… but after seeing you, I realize how vast the world really is."
Suddenly, a huge shadow appeared behind us, and an angry voice shouted,
"You two! What's all this noise?!"
I turned quickly, speaking politely,
"Sorry, sir, we were just doing a small experiment. Please forgive us."
He looked at us for a moment, then said,
"All right… don't let it happen again."
"Understood, sir!"
He turned and left.
…That was close.
"For now, let's rest. We have training tomorrow."
"Yes, you're right… oh! What's your room number, Daniel?"
"Room number… 039."
His eyes widened.
"Really?! My room is 040! We're neighbors!"
"That's good. Well, let's split for now."
"Good night, Daniel!"
"See you tomorrow."
---
I collapsed on the bed, letting out a soft sigh as the mattress released air beneath me, like a breath of relief sinking into my body.
"I'm really tired…"
I looked around and found my roommates asleep. The room was big, yet there were only four people, including me.
It doesn't matter.
…William.
This boy is terrifyingly talented.
He rivals George Astaros himself… maybe even surpasses him.
Someone like him needs to stay by my side.
He will be very useful in the future.
---
Aether Capacity Ranks:
Rank 1: 20–50 paths
(Everyone starts here when opening their paths – average age 8)
Rank 2: 50–100 paths
(Increasing difficulty of sharing and transferring Aether)
Rank 3: 100–200 paths
(William's rank)
Rank 4: 200–320 paths
Rank 5: 320–470 paths
(Current protagonist's rank)
Rank 6: 670 paths
Rank 7: 900 paths
The protagonist's rank in his previous life was Rank 6.
---