The Next Day: The First Lecture of the Week Begins

Langst: Today's lesson is very important. Last time, we discussed Shinta and learned that it flows from a part of the brain called the Shinta Source. Today, we’ll talk about the classifications of Shinta.

Kinto: Classifications of Shinta? I thought it was just random powers you’re born with.

Langst: Shinta is something we cannot fully understand or predict. Let’s begin. Shinta is divided into two types: Shinja and Shingen. Shinja refers to the random abilities a person is born with, like Karez's magnetic power. Shingen, on the other hand, is an auxiliary power.

Leo: Auxiliary power?

Langst: Yes, it helps in battles but cannot win battles on its own. It’s acquired through training or battles. Of course, battles are the quickest way to develop Shingen, but they are also the riskiest. Shingen is divided into three main categories:

First - Offensive Shingen: This involves sudden bursts of speed that exceed the user’s normal speed, making it useful for surprise attacks.

Second - Defensive Shingen: When activated, it creates a shield that protects the user from physical or ability-based attacks. You can even control where the shield appears.

Sai (thinking): This sounds very useful.

Third - Control Shingen: This allows you to manipulate objects around you, such as making a rock float.

But it doesn't end there. These three categories branch out into even more types of Shingen, and if you are strong enough, you can create your own unique Shingen.

Beatrix and Leo (thinking): This is truly amazing!

Langst: However, you must choose the Shingen you want before attempting to activate it. It’s not random like Shinja.

The students excitedly head to the training building to try activating their Shingen. They begin practicing daily. A week later, only Sai, Leo, and Mary have yet to succeed.

Sai: Looks like it's just us now.

Leo: Yeah.

Mary: It’s not like we’re going to give up.

Sai concentrates, attempting to activate his Shingen.

Sai: Shingen!

A shield appears in front of him, and he finally succeeds in activating his Shingen.

Mary: You did it!

Leo, meanwhile, focuses deeply, disconnecting from the outside world.

Leo (thinking): Something’s missing... a missing piece.

Suddenly, Leo finds himself in a dark place with only one person in front of him—a figure identical to himself.

Leo: Who are you? And where am I?

The figure: This is your mind, and I am you.

Leo: What do you want... me?

Leo’s Mind: You want to activate Shingen, but you can’t.

Leo: Yeah?

Leo’s Mind: Have you wondered why?

Leo: I’ve wondered, but I thought I just needed more time to master it.

Leo’s Mind: You’re wrong. Even if you tried for a thousand years, you wouldn’t master it. Because you’re afraid.

Leo: Afraid?

Leo’s Mind: Afraid of losing again. Since your defeat, you’ve become so hesitant. You constantly see yourself as less than others. You say you’ll get better and stronger, but your fear holds you back.

Leo: That’s...

Leo’s Mind: Do you understand now? You’ll never move forward if you remain scared, hesitant, or regretful. Either overcome your fear or stay its prisoner forever.

Leo’s focus returns to reality.

Leo (thinking): I’ve been ignoring this truth ever since my defeat against Kyotai. But for how long? It’s now or never.

Leo: Shingen!

Leo suddenly dashes at an incredible speed toward the dummy, destroying it with a single blow.

Leo: I did it!

A Month After Leo Joined the Limitless Academy

During training time

Mary: Sai, don’t you think Leo trains too much?

Sai: Yeah, he really does train a lot.

Mary: Why does he train like that?

Sai: He seems very excited.

Beatrix: Catch!

She throws a water bottle to Leo.

Leo: Thanks.

Beatrix: Shouldn't you rest a little?

Leo: I’m not done yet.

Beatrix: Training maniac.

Leo: Better than wasting time on trivial things.

Beatrix: True.

After finishing his training, Leo says

I’m leaving now.

Beatrix: Where to?

Leo: The first garden.

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Leo and Sai head to the first garden to have some fun.

Sai: This place is really beautiful.

Leo: Agreed.

Sai: Should we get some ice cream?

Leo: okay, why not.

At the ice cream shop, Leo and Sai stand in line to order, then sit at a table with their ice cream. While they eat, Langst arrives with some news.

Langst: There you are. I’ve got news for you. We have a mission.

Leo: What kind of mission?

Langst: Follow me, and you’ll find out.

They follow him to the academy entrance, where the other students are already gathered.

Sai: Everyone’s here.

Langst: There’s a Daimas we need to investigate near the kingdom’s border.

Karez: So we need to eliminate the Daimas?

Langst: Exactly.

Leo: So, it’s just a reconnaissance mission?

Langst: Yes.

Kinto (thinking): Seems boring.

Two students: When are we leaving, sir?

Langst: Looks like the brother and sister are eager. We’ll leave in 15 minutes, so prepare yourselves. There’s a room with various types of equipment for you to choose from.

Sai: Shall we check out the room, Leo?

Leo: Alright.

(thinking): Though I’m not really interested.

They enter the room and find an array of armor and weapons.

Sai: There’s so much stuff here. Look at this sword!

Leo: Too long.

Sai: Look at this bow!

Leo: Seriously?

Sai: Wait, look at these gloves!

Leo: They suit you.

Sai: Don’t they?

Sai: Are you sticking with your wooden sword?

Leo: I don’t think there’s a good sword here.

Karez: What about this one, Leo? A black sword, medium-length, perfect for your height and hands.

Leo: It does fit!

Leo unsheathes the sword and swings it.

Langst: That’s…

Leo: Professor Langst?

Langst: My old sword.

Sai: You used to fight with a sword, Professor?

Langst: Yes, I did.

Leo: It must be strong, then.

Langst: It is. Its name is Lin.

Leo: Lin, huh? I’ll take it.

Langst (with a faint smile): Good.

Leo: Can I leave my wooden sword here in the room? I don’t want to throw it away; it helped me a lot.

Langst: Yes, you can.

Leo places his wooden sword with the other swords in the room.

Sai: The sword looks awesome.

Leo: Indeed.

Sai: Mary, aren’t you taking anything from here?

Mary: No, my bow is better.

Sai: Alright!

After 15 minutes:

Langst: Is everyone ready?

Everyone: Ready!

Langst: Let’s go, then.

Mary: How are we traveling?

Langst: Using your abilities.

Kinto and Leo: Again??

Langst: Of course.

Beatrix: Tornado!

A tornado appears in front of Beatrix, and she stands atop it.

Beatrix: Who wants to ride?

Kani: Is this safe?

Beatrix: Yes.

Kani, Kano, and another student join Beatrix on the tornado.

Karez: No other choice…

Karez gathers a bunch of metals and sticks them together, forming a surface he can stand on. Kiyutai and Kinto join him.

Leo: Betelus.

Betelus forms, and Leo, Sai, and Mary climb aboard.

Langst: I think I’ll ride with Leo.

Langst also climbs onto Bitless.

Langst: Let’s go.

As they fly, Mary speaks up

Mary: Are those gloves ordinary?

Sai: Uh… I’m not sure.

Mary: You took them without checking…

Langst: Leo.

Leo: Yes?

Langst: Bitless feels very light, almost hollow inside.

Leo: It is hollow inside.

Langst: Does that mean any strike could make it dissipate?

Leo: That’s right.

Langst: Why is it hollow inside?

Leo: Because I don’t have strong control over Shinta. I form it on the outside, but the inside remains empty. I need to train my Shinta control.

Langst: You can do it. Everyone was like you at first.

Leo (smiling): Thanks for your words.

Langst: No thanks needed.

Upon Arriving at the Daimas

Langst: Are you all ready?

Everyone: Of course!

They enter the Daimas through a long corridor.

Kano: When will this corridor end?

Langst: I think it's over... with a wall.

Beatrix: What? How will we get in?

Langst: Search the corridor; we might find something helpful.

After a little searching, Sai discovers something.

Sai: Teacher! I think I can push this rock.

Langst: Wait, step back.

Langst pushes the rock, revealing three doors in front of them.

Langst: Alright, here's the plan:

Sai, Kyotai, and Kinto will take the left door.

Leo, Beatrix, Kariz, and Garin will take the middle door.

I'll go with Kano, Kani, and Mary through the right door.

Let's move out.

The doors close behind them as they enter.

Leo: Oh, come on!

Suddenly, the floor beneath them gives way, and all three groups fall into tubes, sliding down at high speed.

Beatrix: Where are we going?!

Kani: It's so cramped in here!

Kyotai(calmly): This wasn’t part of the plan...

Sai: What the—

Langst: Is this normal? Really, old man...

Leo notices a light at the end of the tube and shouts

Leo: If you can hear me, we're almost at the end!

Karez and Beatrix: That's good news!

Leo reaches the end of the tube and finds himself in mid-air.

Leo: What is this?!

(thinking): I can’t summon Betelus while falling like this! I’m going to die. Think, think, think!

Before he hits the ground, Beatrix uses her ability to catch him.

Beatrix: That was close.

Leo: Thanks.

Karez comes out next, and Beatrix helps him land as well.

Kariz: I wonder how the others are doing.

Beatrix: Hopefully, they're alright.

Garin exits the tube, surrounded by mist that gently lowers him to the ground.

Garin: That was quite the drop.

Name: Garin

Ability: Mist

Beatrix: So, it’s clear the Daimas we saw above ground was just a decoy. The real Daimas is underground.

Leo: This place is enormous.

Kariz: Don’t let your guard down; monsters could appear at any moment.

Leo: Don’t worry, we won’t. Because they’re already here.

Misshapen monsters emerge in front of them.

Leo: Get ready.

Sai's Group

Sai reaches the end of the tube and clings to the edge.

Sai: It’s a long way down.

Hearing someone approaching from the tube, he sees it's Kinto and grabs him as he comes out.

Sai: When Kyotai arrives, we need to be on the ground to catch him.

Kinto: How are we supposed to get down?

Sai: Leave that to me.

Sai uses his ability, throwing Kinto upward. Then he propels himself to the wall, running along it to reach the ground before Kinto. Once there, he sprints to where Kinto is falling and catches him just in time.

Kinto: Oh, my god.

Kyotai exits the tube next, and Sai catches him too.

Kyotai: What is this shitty daimas.

Kinto: Look over there.

They see dozens of ghouls approaching.

Sai: No time to catch our breath.

Kinto: Doesn’t seem like it.

Langst’s Group

Kano exits the tube and finds himself falling but uses his ability.

Kano: Quicksand!

The ground turns to quicksand, cushioning his fall.

Name: Kano Winn

Ability: Sand

Kano: What is this place?

Kani and Mary exit next, landing in the quicksand before Kano deactivates his ability.

Mary: Where’s the teacher?

Kano: No idea.

Kani: Guys...

Kano: What?

Kani: Those are... giant insects.

Mary: This is disgusting.

Langst emerges elsewhere, alone.

Langst (thinking): What’s going on? This isn’t a normal Daimas. Did they mess up the map or its evaluation?

A single monster rises from the ground.

Monster: Who are you?

Langst: I’m the teacher of the students you separated, Langst. And you?

Monster: I am the leader, Greisen.

Langst (thinking): He must’ve chosen me as his opponent because I’m the strongest here.

Langst: Shall we begin?

Langst’s hands transform into blades.

Name: Langst Vitaline

Ability: Blades

Chains emerge from Greisen’s body.

Greisen: Of course.