I continued writing after relaxing a bit.
My trusty illusory pen appeared again, now completely white with a blue feather… for style.
I mean, to train my illusions better.
~~~
Base structure: still unknown.
Guard shifts: the guard who patrols the area around the rooms changes every 8 hours.
Every 30 minutes, they take an object from their pocket and use their mana to activate it: probably a mechanism to signal that there are no problems in the area.
Organization ranks:
- Initiate: newcomers, the unawakened, and most of the 1-star guards.
- Operative: the rest of the guards, 2-star awakened like Ronald, and the scientists.
- Elite: Instructor Jin. I'm not sure about his level since I can't perceive anything from him, but he's probably a 3-star.
I haven't seen anyone else with this rank.
Everyone shows great respect toward Instructor Jin, even Ronald himself.
- ???: since Jin is used as an instructor, there's probably someone of higher rank in the base, likely the director.
I know, I know, I haven't discovered much, but once I rank up I'll start using my wind affinity to scan the base more effectively and listen to conversations.
Don't worry, I'll be careful.
Even I understand it would be suspicious if, all of a sudden, the corridors of an underground base were hit by a tornado.
I want to beat Marcus to a pulp.
Aaaah, when will that day come?
No, maybe he'd enjoy it… better confirm first, just to be safe.
I haven't seen Daren and Lyra since the first day. I wonder where they are in the base, and how I'll react when I see them again.
~~~
I made the pen disappear. Now I could create it twice without problems, three times if I pushed myself to exhaustion.
It wasn't much, but it was definitely an improvement.
I had also discovered that my mana needed about 2 hours to fully regenerate.
Victor, on the other hand, needed 3 hours.
This difference was probably linked to the body's compatibility with mana.
Higher compatibility meant faster recovery.
At least, that's what I thought. I wasn't entirely sure.
I looked around, unsure of what to do.
We had been told to focus on meditation before going to sleep, but for me, that wasn't an option.
I felt something inside me, ready to explode.
I was pretty sure that even 5 minutes of meditation in my current state would push me to mid 1-star level.
With nothing else to do, I lay down on the bed.
I took a deep breath, and in an instant my room disappeared, replaced by my beloved island between clouds and sea.
Instructor Jin had told us that we could enter our soul world at any time.
He had also mentioned that we would leave our bodies vulnerable outside.
So it was only recommended in safe areas like the base and, in the future, absolutely forbidden during missions.
However, that space itself was the perfect place where each individual could meditate and try to rank up.
I wasn't here for that. I just wanted to relax before going to sleep, so I sat on the highest rock and started watching Aurora's relay around the island.
I had tried to get closer to Harry to watch a movie but…
Same thing every time.
One moment I was a step away from him… the next I was smashing my head against a tree, falling into the water, or hitting my pinky toe against a rock.
So I had reluctantly given up.
I rested my head on my hand and began to relax, planning my next moves.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back in my room.
I didn't know how much time had passed, but I didn't care.
I closed my eyes once more and fell asleep.
…
The training field was different than usual that day.
There were weapons everywhere, neatly arranged as if waiting to be claimed.
Swords of all kinds, spears, daggers, shields, and even bows.
Ronald stepped forward to get everyone's attention.
"You've been here for four months. Starting today, we'll test different types of weapons to see which one you show the most compatibility with."
A pause.
"Number 12 chooses first. Then 33, 7, 1, and 5. And so on, based on your level. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
"This is a gift from Eclipse.
Don't disappoint us!"
"No, sir!"
I looked at my companions.
It was incredible how much they had changed in just a few months: from frightened, sad children to loyal subordinates.
Was it the extreme conditions? The loss of companions? The isolation from the outside world, or Eclipse's subtle indoctrination?
I didn't know.
But the human mind is easy to manipulate, especially at a young age, so maybe a result like this was to be expected.
I looked away. This wasn't the right time to think about these things.
"Next. Number 33!"
Hearing those words, I took a slow breath and walked toward the swords.
I had no experience, so I would choose at random.
I stopped in front of the rack.
Long blades, short ones, thin, heavy… some polished, others worn.
I reached out and picked one.
The blade I chose was heavier than I expected. It wasn't unbearable, but I didn't feel comfortable.
I turned toward Ronald.
He simply looked at me and then slightly raised his sword.
I observed him and tried to copy the stance he had just shown me.
The movement was slow and stiff.
Probably normal, since it was my first time.
"Loosen up."
Maybe not that normal.
I inhaled and tried again.
Slash.
The blade came down, but the angle was wrong.
Step.
Turn.
My body didn't follow.
I clenched my teeth and tried again.
Again.
Slash.
This time I tried to correct my wrist.
I could feel Ronald's and everyone else's eyes on me.
No pressure.
Again.
Again.
Again.
After a few attempts, I felt my breathing grow heavier and my hands become slightly sweaty.
"Enough."
Ronald's voice stopped me instantly.
I froze, the sword still raised halfway through the motion.
"Zero talent for the sword."
I slowly lowered the blade.
For a moment, I stared at the metal like a man who had just discovered his girlfriend cheating on him.
Then I nodded.
"Understood."
I put it back in place without another word and returned to the others.
...
Dear magical diary of my secrets,
I've discovered something very important:
the world hates me.
We started weapon tests a week ago, and I've finally found my partner.
Spoiler: it's not a sword.
I still remember the first day when I walked toward the swords full of expectations.
Result?
Zero talent for the sword.
And do you remember the result after trying the spear?
Exactly.
Zero talent for the spear.
Perfect.
Fantastic.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Okay, I'm fine.
I'm not upset, I swear.
It's not like I wanted to fight with a sword.
And I definitely didn't want to say things like:
"You're not bad with that sword." or
"Interesting technique, who taught you?"
No, no.
I'm not that childish…
I WANTED A SWORD!
A katana, a longsword, a rapier, anything!
I had already imagined myself using illusions to create 100 clones and attack from every direction at the same time.
It was perfect.
It was beautiful.
AND NOW IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!
Because guess what?
I have talent with…
the bow.
Yeah.
The bow.
Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against archers, they even have their own charm.
BUT I WANTED A SWORD!
THAT JERK VICTOR, EVERY TIME HE TRAINS WITH HIS TWO-HANDED SWORD, LOOKS AT ME WITH A SMIRK!!!!!
EVEN NUMBER 7, WHO IS THE DEFINITION OF A SILENT ASSASSIN, USES A KATANA!
What an unfair world. This is an incredibly unfair world.
Maybe I'm going crazy.
No, I'm perfectly sane.
Everyone else is crazy.
So now my morning training has changed: it includes physical warm-up, dagger drills and hand-to-hand combat for close-range fighting, and archery practice.
I haven't made much progress in studying the base…
…I wonder how everyone back in the village is doing.
It's been 4 months since I "left for the city."
Does anyone miss me?
I do.
I hope to see them again soon.
I wonder how much Viola has grown.
How are Rayan, Arthur, and Rita doing without me?
Probably fine.
I hope to see them again soon.