Resting amidst a vast spread of fragmented items, a weary young man rests, seeking solace from the tiring trials of the previous day. As he slumbers, his mind transports him into a dream. Within this reverie, a singular image takes form, distinct from the complex iterations of the past. It's a mere piece of paper bearing two concise letters inscribed in striking bold ink— "N/E."

Kanji attempts to gaze closer to this image, yet he finds himself abruptly roused from his slumber.

Kanji “Each day, it keeps getting more vague. Letters now? This is ridiculous.”

Claire “ What letters?”

Kanji “Oh, you’re awake.”

Claire “Well duh! Someone had to be awake to apply all these healing supplies. By the way, we burned through like 20 of each. I hope this training was worth it.”

Kanji “ How do you feel right now?”

Claire “Weird. It’s like my body is ready to move against anything that's even moving just a teeny tiny bit. I'm also somehow now good at predicting what’s going to happen in the next second. Kinda freaky and it may take a while to get used to it. Anyway, what was that about lette-

[Achievement unlocked: Body Foundation Part 1 completed. Congrats on gaining enough strength and pushing your supernatural bodies to their limits. The system will now grant all of you two special skills (Predict and auto dodge 1s) and (Immense strength x100). Use it to your full advantage]

Kanji "Just like that, my theory on these 'special skills' fall apart."

Dave “ Holy shit! Bros, these skills are kinda nasty not gonna lie. The 100 part… is that like 100 stronger than an average dude.”

Kanji “Looks like that notification woke everyone up. And yes Dave it is what it says. Listen, everyone… I had another image but it was just a piece of paper saying 'N/E'. What do you make of it?”

Dave “It’s probably some weirdass gang sign of some space pirate, dude.”

Diana “That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard! Boss, let’s forget about it! It means nothing right now. Also, the immense strength on my end says 200 times which makes hella sense for me.”

Adrian “I agree with her earlier statement. Worrying about such details will impede our progress in our sweat-driven, tiring, and hard… training. On the second thought, let’s keep talking about it.”

Sarah “Yeah maybe it is short for something like names for some powerful gods.”

Noah “The only gods we know exist with those letters are Earthas and Neptunez”

Gwen “Everyone’s reading too much into this subject. It could simply dictate North and East. With that slash, it could also imply North East.”

Mina “Oh! It could also mean longitude and latitude! You know the letters at the end of a bunch of confusing numbers.”

Gwen “That is… quite possible.”

Azan “I’m leaning more on the northeast theory if I’m giving my two cents into this discussion.”

Amelia “Well, I believe what Mina said simply because it would be much clearer otherwise if Kanji's dream is about a particular location.”

Kanji “Enough! I see you guys are trying to stall from today’s training. I understand... the last days must have been too much. Don’t worry, it will not be a physical one this time but a mental one instead.”

Noah “Oh god, I’m severing PTSD from that time.”

Kanji “That’s tomorrow’s training. Today is all about creativity. All about strategies and tactics. All of our fights so far have been half-planned and half-thought-out on the spot. I want to use this time to explore the full extent of what we can use at our disposal in case we are under immense pressure. Who knows maybe we will even gain some special skills along the way. I have 11 VR devices that put you guys into a virtual room with a dummy. All I want is for you to approach the dummy in all sorts of ways. You and the dummy will switch back and forth between attacking and defending. On another note, we won’t be tired at all while we're in there.”

Azan “How did you even make these?”

Kanji “That’s the strangest part it appeared inside the Universal Storage almost as if the ship was alive and understood what we needed.”

Dave “Woah, so this ship has some of that advanced AI shit. Yo ship! Say fuck yeah if you get me!"

He is met with silence and everyone watches him awkwardly before turning their attention to the devices.

A hush descends upon the surroundings, enveloping him in an awkward stillness. All eyes shift towards him, before collectively diverting their focus to the electronic devices scattered on the floor before them.

Kanji "Looks like everyone is ready for some more training! Let's go!"

The warriors equip their helmets, seamlessly entering their personalized training domains. Kanji, with a steely gaze, sizes up the target before him and dashes around it with blinding speed. His movements leave behind a luminous trace of electricity, sparkling in anticipation. Channeling his energy, he conjures a colossal blade made of pure electricity, its size comparable to that of a great sword.

Deliberately, he envisions the intricate mechanics of his energy-transfer ability, concentrating on the ground beneath the practice dummy. The Aspect of Energy plunges his simmering blade into the floor, and with precision, the ethereal weapon reappears under the dummy and cleaves through the target, splitting it cleanly in two.

Kanji "Damn it. I didn't receive a special skill. Unleast, not in this place. I'll note that down-

Kanji ducks a swift right hook of the regenerated dummy.

Kanji "Oh right. I mustn't lose focus now."

Meanwhile, in a separate training chamber, Claire strategically utilizes her resources. Sacrificing a bandage, she replenishes her creation points and employs one to summon a feather. Testing the spatial limitations of her conjuring ability, she discovers the constraint of summoning items only within a limited range of a few feet. Undeterred, her inventive mind sparks with ideas. Charging towards the practice dummy, she converts the feather back into a point before conjuring a sturdy steel wire in front of her hand, tying the dummy's legs.

With a swift trip, followed by a powerful kick, she propels the restrained dummy against the chamber wall, a triumphant laugh escaping her lips as it struggles within the steel embrace. The dummy attempts a downward kick but she ducks and runs to the steel wire, reverting to a point. The dummy repeats and Claire extends her hand, materializing a substantial 100 kg weight above the dummy's head. The weight descends, causing the dummy to spin and crash head-first into the floor.

Claire "Whew! That was fun! One more time!"

In a different room, Gwen's frustration is palpable as her abilities seem devoid of creative potential. A disheartened sigh escapes her lips, but Izzy envelops her in a comforting embrace. In that moment of solace, Gwen's spirits are lifted, and with newfound determination, she stands ready to confront the training dummy alongside her friend.

Izzy dismounts from Gwen's back, transforming into a wooden replica of her. The duo charges forward in seamless synchronization, delivering a perfectly mirrored punch that shatters the dummy's wooden facade. Undeterred, the resilient training dummy regenerates, retaliating with a sweeping sidekick aimed at Izzy. Swiftly responding, Izzy's wooden arm extends, entwining the dummy's leg with an intricate network of roots, effectively anchoring it to the ground. With a daring leap, Gwen executes a powerful jump-kick, connecting solidly with the dummy's head.

Gwen "That's quite refreshing. Perhaps we go for another demonstration."

[Aye Aye, Master Nya!]

In the sanctuary of Noah's room, he meticulously examines the effects his emotions exert, striving to comprehend and harness a broader spectrum of feelings. Delving into the realm of sorrow, Noah contemplates its nuances, fully aware that, more often than not, it's the fiery surge of rage that courses through him. He envisions the demise of his comrades, a scenario devoid of blame or culpability. A veil of azure clouds envelops him, and he senses a gradual deceleration of his existence.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

However, the outcome leaves him disheartened, kindling an inner fire that contrasts with the absence of hatred. Surprisingly, his axe radiates with a vivid red flame, an unexpected manifestation of heightened power. With a single, mighty swing, the training dummy succumbs to obliteration, transforming into ephemeral dust. Noah observes in awe as the ashes undergo a miraculous reversion to wood, promptly launching an unexpected counterattack. Caught in a state of shock, time seems to dilate around him, allowing Noah to gracefully evade the strike before swiftly dismantling the dummy.

Noah "Wow.. that was interesting. Maybe this training won't be so bad."

Contemplating her inventory with a puzzled expression, Sarah raises an eyebrow as she ponders her options. Opting for a straightforward strategy, she conjures five venomous spikes on each hand, a total of ten, and hurls them simultaneously. The deadly projectiles find their mark with precision, causing the training dummy to topple over. Undeterred by Sarah's move, it promptly regains its footing and swiftly retrieves all the spikes, launching them back at her. Brimming with confidence, she responds by flinging her ring into the fray. The ring, with a swift and precise motion, intercepts each incoming spike. A seamless dance unfolds as the projectiles harmlessly veer off course, leaving Sarah unhurt.

Sarah "Okay that was fucking cool. Let's go again!"

Executing a dynamic slide kick, Diana's form glides along the floor akin to a bar of soap. However, her aim falters, propelling her towards an impending collision with the wall. Unfazed, a smile graces her face as she skillfully adjusts her footwork, allowing her to ascend the vertical surface with a fluid grace. Positioning herself, she executes a forceful downward punch, transforming the training dummy into a flattened pancake beneath her powerful strike.

The resilient dummy promptly readjusts, swiveling around to prepare a counter punch. Diana rises to her feet, fixing her focus on the precise point of impact. With a keen awareness, she minimizes her reaction time and reduces friction, enabling the incoming punch to smoothly slide along her chest without causing harm. Seizing the chance, Diana retaliates with a strong kick that sends the dummy soaring through the air.

Diana "Let's go another set!"

Adrian observes the training dummy, grappling with the internal conflict arising from his pacifist nature, deeming it futile to launch an offensive against an inanimate object. Despite his hesitation, he decides to provoke the dummy, inducing it to transition into attack mode. Taking a cautious step back, he contemplates the shield at his disposal, recalling its formidable capabilities.

Thoughts race through Adrian's mind as he ponders the potential repercussions of unleashing the shield's power. Balancing the prospect of success against the risk of backfiring, he strategically positions his shield at a precise 45-degree angle, leveraging its reflective properties. With a calculated move, he redirects the energy upward, unleashing a powerful burst that obliterates the dummy's upper half, leaving him with a satisfied smile.

Adrian "It's a start at least. Let's... Err... do it again."

Dave hurls his bat with precision towards the training dummy, only to witness astonishment as it bends gracefully around the dummy's torso. The resilient dummy retaliates by flexing the bat back into its original shape and flinging it back towards Dave, the air itself parting under the force. With a focused gaze on the bat handle, Dave taps into a magical connection, causing it to magnetically zoom back into his waiting hand with smooth entry.

Dave "Bro, I was cooking something earlier. Gonna need some time but this is good too!"

Amelia throws a knife, dispatching the dummy by piercing its head. Swiftly conjuring an illusionary double armed with a pan, she strategically positions it for defense while she maneuvers to retrieve her lodged knife from the wall. The dummy, deceived by the illusion, targets the decoy, allowing Amelia the perfect opportunity to seize her weapon and dispatch the wooden foe with another precise throw that severs its head.

Amelia "Normally, throwing your armanents is a foolish tactic in most warfare but one throw can make the largest difference. Let's see how far I go with this!"

Mina, inspired by a favorite movie scene, wields her Heart Piercer and delivers a flurry of stabbing thrusts, extracting the life energy from the wooden adversary. In a regenerative twist, the dummy reconstitutes itself, poised to strike her face with a right hook. Mina quickly blocks the impending blow with the broad side of her blade.

Mina "That was cutting it close. One more time!"

Azan envisions the dummy imploding into countless pieces, and miraculously, it succumbs to his vivid imagination, disintegrating into a pile of wood chips. To his surprise, checking his inventory window reveals that his change slots are unchanged. The wood chips coalesce and reform the dummy, charging forward with an intent to karate chop his left shoulder. Azan sidesteps with style, visualizing a potent burst of air that propels the reconstructed dummy across the room.

Azan "Oh... this will be more fun than I thought."

Their training persists throughout the night, akin to nurturing a tree, with the hope that their efforts will yield the most precious of fruits.

___________________________________________________________________________

VOLTUM "... And done. Holy shit! We actually made it happen?!"

AN "It's quite unfortunate that the rest of the cloning pods are caput."

VOLTUM "Who cares?! As long as we have this one, the war is basically over now."

JOSAI "Not really... we still haven't figured out how to teleport out of here to continue the plan."

SUSUNA "Obviously, I mean look at those bastards all ready to shoot us if we even take a single step out."

VOLTUM "It is really mortifying to stay a base with see-through walls. How do you even sleep?"

AN "I told you I don't sleep! I meditate! It is way more effective."

TIO "Reminds me of the old days when I slept in the trenches overnight. Switching shifts and looking out for enemies."

JOSAI "Seriously though how do we get out of here?! Sneaking won't work anymore!"

TIO "Relax child. We don't want to knock you out again. Anyway, I have two allies at the ready to help us. Voltum, is there another teleporter somewhere other than here?"

VOLTUM "There is that old one but I'm not sure if it still functions. Anyhow, it's located in a rather obscure location. It's best to use ICA and ICO's powers to guide them."

ICO "Catalogue 4, World map." ICA " Function 1, Guidance. Awaiting targets..."

TIO "Then it settled! Calling in... Are you there? Kaja? Xeros?"

KAJA/XEROS "Yes, madam! We are at the ready!"

TIO "Where are you two right now?"

KAJA "We are still in the old house just chilling."

XEROS "Also we didn't know you were into Taro cards!"

TIO "Hey! Leave those prized possessions alone! Anyway, I want you two to fetch us an old teleporter and bring it somewhere they won't expect but we'll leave it at that. ICA.... do it."

ICA "Kaja Jaro. Xeros Crissi. Targets confirmed. Initiating guidance."

A spectral, blue transparent glove materializes in front of the twins. Intrigued, they reach out to touch it, only to find it elusively spectral.

TIO "You two tried to grab it, didn't you?"

KAJA/XEROS "Sorry, Granny TIO."

TIO "Whatever, just make sure to get the job done."

Bidding a heartfelt farewell to their old abode, the twins commence their journey toward the east. Simultaneously, in a distant place, a former general abruptly awakens, disturbed by the resounding beat of loud drums and a dissonant symphony played by a noisy flute. Desiring respite from the intrusive noise, the ex-general tries to tightly close his eyelids and press his ears shut. Alas, the clamor intensifies and so—

KARNAT "Will you guys please be quiet?! Why are you even playing music?!"

MEYTAZ "Oh sorry. Did we mess with your beauty sleep? Ha! Verto and I like to do this every morning. It keeps our blood running as fast as a wild blur raptor."

KARNAT "Then you would be dead with that speedy blood."

VERTO "Someone's grumpy. Not a morning person, I take it."

KARNAT "Yeah... mornings are literally the worst. If only there is some way to always wake up full of energy."

Wearing smiles, the duo effortlessly pulls Karnat down from the treehouse. Navigating their way through the elevated structure, they make their way to the front gates of the expansive town.

KARNAT "What's with the rush, guys?"

MEYTAZ "Verto, I can't believe there is a Castastrian out there who hasn't tried Slouch milk!"

VERTO "I know! I pity him even more now! Poor guy."

KARNAT "You know I can hear you right-

The imposing gates yield to the pressure, swinging open with a forceful gust of wind that could sway even elephants. Unfazed by the elemental display, the resilient twins stand firm, meeting the formidable wind head-on. As the air settles, three distinctive figures come into view.

To the left stands Colt, a seasoned hunter, his scalp adorned with a unique fusion of bun and dreadlocks. His semi-muscular physique tells tales of countless exploits, and scarred arms are a testament to his hunting experience. A metal spear rests on his back, complemented by a wooden bow and a quiver of arrows. A simple leather tunic and leggings, with a cloth cinched around his waist, complete his rugged attire.

On the right, Karnat's gaze falls upon a striking woman with an air of authority. Her scalp boasts a sleek, comb-back style extending down to her knee. She is adorned in a shimmering silk dress, two scale-lined bands accentuate the garment's elegance. A belt, housing an assortment of herbs and a concealed knife, graces her waist. Notably, her teal-colored eyes, a rarity among Castastrians, add an air of mystique.

Finally, Karnat respectfully acknowledges the elderly Castastrian at the center, who reciprocates with a bow. Supporting himself with a walking cane crafted from the wood of an Icor tree, the old man gently lifts Karnat's bowed head. With a closer view, he finds that the elder's scalp is vacated with no features. Furthermore, despite his advanced age, his visage and hands bear no wrinkles. Draped in a priestly ensemble crafted from fabric so fine that Karnat can almost feel its texture with just a glance, the old sage exudes an aura of wisdom and tranquility.

?? "I have heard of you from Colt. But... I want to hear the whole story from the beginning. Would you indulge this old man?"

KARNAT "Yes of course."

COLT "Show some resp-

?? "Be quiet you! You have caused enough trouble for not only the Seer and Judge but also our guest here! Go back to your station!"

Colt looks away in anger before stomping toward the tower near the gate.

Colt, consumed by anger, averts his gaze and stomps towards the tower adjacent to the gate, showing a sneer as he passes Karnat.

KARNAT "... One silly question. You guys don't wear shoes."

?? "Either are you, my friend."

KARNAT "Well that's... Err... Okay, you got me. Lead the way."

Meanwhile, the elder, wielding his wooden crane, taps it thrice, prompting the crowd in front of him to part in deference. Karnat dutifully follows, met with an array of expressions— friendly curiosity and warm greetings envelop him as they proceed. A sense of belonging and welcome accompanies him, leading them to a grand town hall.

At the entrance, vigilant warriors open the door, allowing them entry. Inside, a central hearth commands attention, a bubbling pot of stew perched upon it. An aged Castastrian granny warmly hands Karnat a bowl, and he settles into a seat. The expectant gazes of others fixate on him, and with a knowing smile, he commences narrating his life saga— from birth, through the ranks of a general, to the inevitable pitfalls of failure.