ch 97

Raelen woke up just before dawn, watching as the first light began to filter through the dormitory window. Outside, the academy grounds were shrouded in early morning mist, giving the surroundings an almost ethereal feel. He could hear the gentle breaths of his fellow students still asleep around him, but his mind was already set on the day ahead.

Today marked the beginning of his second day in this new world, a world of guilds, rivalries, and hidden powers. For Raelen, who had seen countless realms and fought in wars that shook the heavens, there was a thrill to starting fresh, albeit disguised as a teenager attending a Hunters Academy.

He quickly made his way down to the academy’s vast training grounds, hoping to test the limits of his current strength in solitude. The grounds themselves were a marvel—open plains, dense forests, rocky crags, and artificial lakes all designed to push students in every environment imaginable. It reminded him of battlefields he had once commanded, but there was a difference here. He wasn’t fighting to conquer or to defend an empire; he was here to understand, to grow.

Lost in thought, he was jolted back to the present by the sudden appearance of a familiar figure.

“Couldn’t wait for the day to start?” asked Lana, the dark-haired girl he had sparred with the day before. She stood at the edge of the grounds, her sharp eyes studying him intently.

Raelen turned to her, offering a slight smile. “Could say the same to you. Thought I’d get some time alone to clear my mind.”

Lana crossed her arms, a faint smirk playing on her lips. “I don’t take breaks. Keeps me sharper than the rest.”

He raised an eyebrow. “That so? You don’t seem like someone who’s worried about keeping up with the others.”

She shrugged. “Normally, I wouldn’t be, but you’re different. I’ve never seen anyone pick things up as quickly as you did yesterday.”

Raelen’s smile widened, but he remained cryptic. “Experience helps.”

Lana looked at him, her curiosity unhidden. “Maybe. Still, something tells me there’s a lot more to you than what you let on.”

He gave her a knowing look but deflected. “Maybe someday I’ll share a bit more, but for now, we’re all here to learn, right?”

Before she could press further, the distant bell signaled the start of morning classes, and Raelen made his way to the main training hall, eager to see what new techniques he might uncover.

---

In the training hall, the students sat attentively, waiting for the instructor—a tall, wiry man with a piercing gaze and a military posture. Raelen listened as the instructor introduced the day’s lesson: mana channeling.

“Good morning, cadets,” the instructor’s voice cut through the air. “Today, we’ll cover the basics of mana channeling. And before you get excited, know this: mana channeling is not about brute strength. It’s about control, understanding your own body, and precision.”

The instructor gestured to a set of training dummies at the front. “When you channel mana correctly, you can amplify your strength, increase your speed, and even manipulate the elements. Like this.”

He extended his hand, a faint blue aura emanating from his palm. In a quick, fluid motion, he released a concentrated burst of energy, striking one of the dummies with enough force to shatter it into pieces.

Raelen observed closely, a flicker of excitement stirring within him. Though familiar with similar concepts from past lives, he was eager to see how mana control worked in this world.

The instructor scanned the room, his eyes narrowing as they landed on Raelen. “You. Step up.”

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Raelen stood, making his way to the front, where the instructor handed him a small, clear crystal. “Channel your mana into this and let’s see what you’ve got.”

Holding the crystal in his hand, Raelen focused inward, drawing on the raw power within him. A soft glow began to emanate from the crystal, its light intensifying until it pulsed in a steady rhythm.

The instructor’s eyes lit up with approval. “Good control for a beginner. Now, try directing that energy outward and aim at the target.”

He extended his hand, feeling the energy flow through him as he visualized the force he wanted to release. With a quick exhale, he released the energy in a concentrated burst. The impact wasn’t as powerful as the instructor’s, but it hit the dummy hard enough to knock it back.

The instructor nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. “Not bad, cadet. You’ve got potential.”

Raelen returned to his seat, satisfied with the outcome. As he sat, he remembered something he hadn’t explored yet—the “system” granted to him by the goddess. He focused, bringing up the faint interface in his mind’s eye.

---

**[System Interface: Raelen]**

*Level: 1*

*Class: Hunter-Initiate*

*Skills: [Mana Channeling] (Basic), [Light Manipulation] (Locked), [Illusion Creation] (Locked)*

*Experience Points: 10/100*

The display was simple, much more limited than the abilities he once wielded, but it had potential. He could see slots for skills and a leveling system, hinting at the chance to reclaim his powers in new forms.

*“Looks like we’ll have to unlock you one skill at a time, old friend,”* he thought, a sense of purpose growing within him. This journey wouldn’t be quick or easy, but the system had limitless possibilities.

Lana, who had been watching him quietly, tilted her head. “Lost in thought?”

He closed the system, his attention snapping back to her. “Just… thinking about the potential we have here.”

She smirked. “You’re either a genius or crazy. Maybe both.”

---

The day’s classes continued, with each student attempting to channel and control their mana with varying degrees of success. Raelen observed his peers closely, noting their strengths and weaknesses, occasionally offering quiet advice to those struggling beside him.

During a break, Lana approached him, her expression thoughtful. “So, you’re pretty good with mana control. Better than most here, anyway.”

Raelen shrugged. “It’s just about understanding the flow. Once you get that, it’s easier.”

“Easier?” Lana laughed, shaking her head. “Some of us have been training for years just to do the basics.”

He glanced at her, a slight smile tugging at his lips. “I guess I pick things up quickly.”

She narrowed her eyes, still unconvinced but clearly intrigued. “You’re still a mystery. But I’ll figure you out one day.”

Before he could respond, the instructor called the class back for their afternoon sparring session.

---

The sparring grounds were buzzing with anticipation, and Raelen soon found himself paired with Finn, a burly student with an easygoing demeanor. Finn took his stance, his confidence evident in his posture.

“Ready to go?” Finn grinned, raising his weapon.

Raelen nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Whenever you are.”

They squared off, Finn moving first with a swift jab. Raelen sidestepped effortlessly, countering with a low sweep that forced Finn to jump back. Raelen sensed Finn’s strength but also saw the gaps in his defense, places he could exploit if he wanted to end the match quickly.

“Not bad,” Finn admitted, eyes gleaming with excitement. “But I’m not done yet.”

He attacked with a series of quick strikes, but Raelen moved with practiced grace, parrying each one and looking for an opening. The onlookers murmured, impressed by the fluidity of his movements. Finally, with a swift maneuver, Raelen disarmed Finn, bringing his weapon to the larger boy’s chest.

Finn let out a laugh, raising his hands in surrender. “Alright, you win. Didn’t think I’d be beaten so quickly.”

Raelen offered him a hand, helping him to his feet. “You’re strong. Just need to tighten your defense.”

Finn grinned, patting him on the back. “You’re something else, Raelen. I’ll have to watch my back around you.”

The instructor, who had been observing from the side, nodded approvingly. “Well done, both of you. Keep that focus, and you’ll go far.”

---

As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the academy grounds, Raelen found himself looking out at his fellow students, feeling a sense of connection he hadn’t felt in centuries. The bonds he was forming, the trust he was building—it was a new, strange feeling for someone who had spent so long as a lone warrior.

Lana approached him as he watched the fading light, her expression softer than usual. “Hey, Raelen.”

He turned to her with a smile. “What’s up?”

She hesitated, then met his gaze with a serious expression. “I don’t know what your story is, but… if you ever need someone watching your back, you can count on me.”

Raelen studied her for a moment, sensing the sincerity in her words. He gave her a nod, his expression warming. “Thanks, Lana. I’ll remember that.”

As she walked away, he felt a newfound warmth, something he hadn’t expected in this journey.

Looking back up at the night sky, he took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and calm. For the first time in ages, he felt like he was part of something again—something worth protecting.