Panting, the students finally sat down on their benches.

"Good job, everybody!"

Mr. Benjamin praised the students after their training.

"This is a great start. From now on we will continue focusing on each individuals abilities, so you are ready to use them when the Aether Synthetisation starts. I also have to make an important announcement about the upcoming tournament. As you've probably already heard, there is going to be a tournament very soon. Usually first graders don't go far but they still participate in it. Obviously since I'm the best teacher at this school, my teaching is gonna bring you further than the other students." he explained with a smirk on his face.

They had been training for four hours.

'So, that's the reason why he went ballistic on us. Well, better this way for me.'

"What's 'Aether Synthetisation'?"

"Aether Synthetisation will be thought to you when you've got the basics of fighting ready. But more to that when we're there. For now take a shower and get it going."

"Yes, Mr. Benjamin!"

The students stood up and started leaving the room.

"Johan! Stay here for a second."

"Yes, Mr. Benjamin?"

"Look, I've seen your skills and it seems that you are quite talented. You're Rank B already. If you keep training, maybe next year, when you're a second grader you can place high in the tournament. I have high hopes for you."

"Wait... how do you know my Rank? I don't think I told you before?"

"Well, if you use our devices your stats are shown on the data site of the academy. We don't know your Rank directly but with the stats we have a rough estimation. Obviously the Rank isn't just limited to your ATK power or you DEF but it comes out relatively close. Don't worry about it though,, since we are not allowed to tell anybody outside the higher ups."

Johan didn't think about that. Of course, they would do that to get as much info about the students as possible.

"I see. That's good to know. I have a question, though. Do you know about Reece Brock?"

"Hmm? Reece? Of course! He was one of my students in first year. Now he's one of the best Rankers in the tournament ranking."

Johan wanted some information about him. If he wanted to get stronger then knowing what the predecessors did was useful.

"Ahh okay. Then do you maybe know how he used to train?"

The teacher smiled.

"I see what you did there. You wanna get the juicy details, huh? Sure, but why don't you ask him yourself? He should be in the training room in the evenings. It's the private training time for high ranking Rankers."

"That's great. Thanks a lot, teach. Then I'll get going."

"See you tomorrow. Make sure to tell me how it went."

Mr. Benjamin changed his expression immediately when Johan left the room. He started dialling a number on his phone.

duruduruduru

duruduruduru

tik

"Hello, Boss. The thing you asked about,... it's done."

"Good. Keep him in check. The higher ups need a new 'candidate' very soon. His position in the von Parseval family will bring us a fortune. Keep up the good work."

"... Yessir."

tik

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'This... f#cking piece of shit! These monsters!'

Benjamin clenched his teeth. He knew that he was in pinch. After he brought 'them' the 'candidate' last time, they did the most unhuman things possible to him. They used these students to make purifying items with their blood and body parts since they were fresh Rankers. This had been going on for decades now. He himself only got involved a couple years ago. At first they offered him handsome amounts of money for a few extra jobs. He was told that for favouring a high ranking student and training him better than other students he would live a lot more luxurious life. But as everybody know, nothing comes for free.

When he arrived at the first sacrificial ceremony he was shocked beyond belief. People you would think were heroes, watched a student get mutilated and then had a feast. Since he was there they took pictures of him and blackmailed him later, when he tried to bail. From then on they put him in charge of bringing students regularly. Every now and then he would take a student out for a private training session and then bring him over. He would do it in a way, where the student had to keep quiet about the training so nobody learned about the fact that he was behind it. The students he chose had higher than usual Ranks and were mostly from other classes. Since he was well known in the college, he would just get to them through his connections. Like other students or even teachers.

That being said, let's get back to Johan...

...

"Whew, the teacher seems to be an awesome person. He trained Reece Brock himself."

Adrian, who was waiting outside, looked at him with big eyes.

"Wait, are you for real?"

"Absolutely! He even knew about my Rank. The school gets our data through the training appliances. Anyways, let's get to the next class. The teach is gonna be angry again, like last time."

"Woah, they know our Ranks??"

"Yes, now come."

...

Arriving home, Johan first checked Videl's status. Since he had healed her and taken the drop of blood he hadn't checked her status. He wanted to wait for a bit until a couple days had passed.

Stats:

Videl da Silva

Age: 17

Attribute: Aether

Rank: D+ (Damaged)

ATK: 25

DEF: 19

SPD: 23

MANA: 23

SPA: Sword Dancer (C+) (Damaged)

Ability: One can use the sword extremely efficiently. Quick and nibble moves.

Limits: Damaged core. Poor aether connection. (Potential: SS)

'Woah! It changed this much in just a couple of days? Her Rank went up and it now only says 'damaged' core. The 'extremely' is gone.'

THAT IS THE POWER OF THE LIGHT ABILITY. IN JUST A FEW WEEKS SHE WILL BE AT AN EVEN HIGHER RANK. THE ONLY THING MISSING IS HER AETHER CONNECTION. THAT WON'T CHASNGE THAT EASILY. YOU NEED TO STRENGTHEN YOUR OWN SYNERGY FIRST AND THEN HELP HER GET HER CONNECTION BACK.

'I think the teacher was talking about that when he said 'Aether Synthetisation'.'

INDEED. YOU WILL LEARN TO USE YOUR CORE TO CONNECT TO THE AETHER. THIS CAN TAKE A BIT OF TIME BUT WITH YOUR ABILITIES I'M SURE YOU CAN GET THERE FAIRELY QUICKLY.

'That's good. Videl needs to get stronger very soon.'

Johan stood up and went to the kitchen. A few maids were preparing food for Johan.

"Ahh, Lord Johan, you're here."

Rachel looked at him with a big smile. She was someone who always had something to smile about.

"Yes, yes. Indeed, you're very noble Lord Johan has arrived."

"My Lord, what can we do for you? If you're here for the food, then rest assured, we're almost done."

"No worries. I just came here to see my beautiful maids working. How is everybody doing? It's only been a bit, but it seems you've become accustomed to the kitchen already."

The maid all turned around and greeted him.

"We're also happy to see you, Lord Johan."

It seemed like they had found a good place to work and live in.

"That's awesome. Now I have a task for you, Rachel. Come to the living room later."

"Yessir! I'll be there."

"Good. Now prepare my meal, I'm starving."

...

After havin his meal, Johan received a visit by Videl.

"Lord Johan, I hope the food was to your liking."

"It was pretty decent. They're great cooks. Coming to you, though, you seem to be more energetic now. How is everyday life going?"

"Life definitely has gotten better. It feels like all of the compromises are gone. Even my scar is healing slowly."

He stood up and walked towards her.

"Hmmm,... now that you say it, it does look a little lighter than before."

She blushed from him looking at her. Johan noticing her reaction, smiled and patted her head.

"Now, now, my little Videl, you know that we're not married yet, right?"

"Wha-... Ahm, I don't know what you mean." shw claimed while looking to the side.

"I see. Well, we have a lot to do for now. Get ready, I'll show you the training facility. Tomorrow I'll get you an instructor who will teach you the basics, so you don't get overwhelmed by your new abilities."

"...Lord Johan, why are you doing all of this?"

"Well, I like you. I guess that's why."

sob sob

"Thank, yoou."

"Whatever, why did you come here?"

Wiping her tears, she pulled out a little package. In there was a key and a letter from his mother.

"Wait, where did you get this?"

"Your, esteemed mother, Sylvia von Parseval, brought this over today morning. She also brought the things that were in the main house. The things that your brother left for you."

"Ah, I see. Thanks for bringing me this. I'll take a look so go ahead and bring me the stuff she brought over."

"Yes, Lord Johan."

Johan opened the letter and kept staring at the letter for a while.

...