L.E. Miranda

SSR - Chapter 69: Tournament (4)

In his room, Rylan did handstand push-ups while shirtless.

52, 53, 54…

After a while, he somersaulted and stood up with a sigh.

“It’s too easy.”

Even without circulating his mana, exercise using only his body weight no longer strained him in the least. Still, some training was better than no training at all. Now that he was traveling, the most important thing was maintaining a routine. He couldn’t let himself stop training.

Stretching his body,...

SSR - Chapter 68: Tournament (3)

In the main room of the Flameheart manor, Gerard looked at Rast Vaard with a grave expression.

“Are you certain?” he asked in a low tone.

Rast, Calan’s father, nodded while looking equally serious.

“Yes.”

Gerard closed his eyes with a sigh.

“…How many people can we gather into a team?”

“Not nearly enough. My forces are spread thin as they are, since we’re trying to destroy everything Evenon Bled built. It’s why I’m here in the first ...

SSR - Chapter 67: Tournament (2)

Hayden watched the incoming Magic Missile with a deadpan expression. He waved his wand. A golden Magic Shield took shape around him. It matched the color of his eyes. The moment the Missile crashed against it and dispersed, he dismissed it and pointed his wand at his opponent, a boy with brown hair and eyes.

“Magic Missile,” he cast, much faster than the boy had.

The boy blinked before hurriedly chanting, but it was too late. Hayden’s Magic Missile flew toward the boy’s th...

SSR - Chapter 41: Build-up (5)

The journey back to the city was uneventful.

None of the captured Mages tried to make a run for it or fight back. Rylan guessed that it was because the difference in power level had been made clear. It was only natural; none of them had landed a clean hit even when they fought together, and he had already made his willingness to kill them clear. Fighting back would be suicide. Under this threat, it seemed that none of them had realized their value.

Still, he kept his guard up. Alt...

SSR - Chapter 66: Tournament (1)

Regis Flameheart looked through the window at the crowd of students entering the Academy grounds for the exams with a smile. Standing in a corridor inside the building closest to the entrance, he took in the view. Hundreds of young, hopeful Mages following their dream. It was a good sight. Even though he had gone through the same process, the number of applicants still amazed him. He ran his fingers over the insignia on his blue robe, right over his heart. He had been like them, and he had su...

SSR - Chapter 65: The Insurmountable Gap

Jasmine entered her carriage alongside Liam, throwing glances at him.

Why is he so angry?

Liam had tried to hide it so far, but it was impossible not to notice his anger. Everything had started when she introduced Rylan to him. What kinds of things did her brother know about Rylan? They sat down, opposite to each other.

“Jas,” Liam immediately said as he stared deep into her eyes, myriad emotions in his. “I won’t stop this spar but promise me that you’ll n...

SSR - Chapter 64: Entrance Exams (2)

Silence.

Jacob lowered his Shield with a frown.

“…The power and density were both lacking for a Second Circle Mage,” he stated after a second.

“No, they were average,” the black-haired professor retorted, then looked at Rylan. “Please cast it again, student.”

Slightly confused, Rylan cast the spell once more after Jacob raised another Shield. The Missile crashed against it and disappeared after a second, just like before. He looked at the professors.

SSR - Chapter 63: Entrance Exams (1)

Rylan looked at Aelfric and Sarah with a grin.

“So? Ready to go?” he asked after stretching his arms.

Aelfric repeatedly nodded. He was wearing the same clothes as he did in the Flameheart manor – simple shirt and pants covered by a red robe. In the same vein, Sarah wore one of her standard black and white outfits.

“Rylan! Have you heard?” Aelfric said excitedly, eyes shining as he took a step closer.

Rylan tilted his head.

“The tournament! Luna told ...

SSR - Chapter 62: Prelude (4)

At its peak, the sun pressed down the earth with light and heat. The winds were the only solace of the people outside the carriages, in a line that led to one of the capital’s gates.

Standing next to their carriages, which remained in line, Luna and Aelfric talked and laughed. A few meters to their left, Rylan rubbed his chin as he looked at the capital’s city walls.

Around twenty-five meters tall.

They were also considerably thick. It was a necessity when faced...

SSR - Chapter 61: Prelude (3)

The horses sunk their hooves into the ground as the coachman pulled the reins, making the carriage stop in place. The door immediately opened, and the young woman popped out with an angry look. She only reached Rylan’s shoulders and looked weak, but he could feel the level of mana within her. She was at the Second Circle, getting close to the Third.

Not bad.

She took firm steps toward the bandits, as if they would never be able to hurt her. A middle-aged man stepped out...

SSR - Chapter 60: Prelude (2)

It was the start of the fifth month since Evenon’s death.

Rylan focused completely on raising his magic combat skills with his father. It was only possible because he didn’t need to Level up. Instead of trying to learn too many spells, he concentrated on becoming more proficient with the ones he’d already learned. There was no point in having many weapons if he couldn’t wield them well.

Much faster than before his Trait changed, Rylan made progress. Every day he advanced b...

SSR - Chapter 59: Prelude (1)

Rylan stood up and stretched his body with a pensive expression. It was an important question. He had already delayed his Evolution for a long time while he trained.

“How do you think the Magic Academies would react to it if I didn’t go through the Evolution?” he asked after a few seconds of silence. Gerard rubbed his beard.

“In a way, it would be a point in your favor. They would know that their teachings would be able to affect your Evolution and therefore your path. On ...

SSR - Chapter 58: Metamorphosis

Rylan felt as if he had undergone a complete metamorphosis.

Like a butterfly escaping its cocoon, the shedding of his previous Trait brought immediate change. Every training session became more effective, as he could now push himself for longer. His concentration improved, as did his memory. Every day was lighter, despite the increasing intensity of the training. In the end, he improved like he had never before in this life.

Two months passed by. It was now the beginning of the fo...

SSR - Chapter 57: No Longer the Same

The days slowly passed by, one by one.

Every day, Rylan went just a little bit further. He got closer and closer to the ‘wall’ he’d perceived while training with the soldiers. Every step was strenuous and burdensome, but he did it all the same. Every time his Weak-willed Trait screamed at him, he forcefully shut its mouth. And now, finally, he was at the critical point.

Rylan heaved in the middle of the clearing, trembling. However, he didn’t lower his sword and maintained...

SSR - Chapter 56: Dilligence (6)

In the deepest part of the Flameheart estate, surrounded by trees and tall grass, Rylan and Gerard faced each other. Rylan stretched his body.

“Now, pay attention. This will be the first time you’re learning a new spell,” Gerard said, lifting his staff. It was the staff he used the most.

Rylan felt his father’s mana resonate with the world. There was no chanting and it was faster than even Evenon. He had barely a moment to step back before the earth beneath his previous po...

SSR - Chapter 55: Dilligence (5)

Rylan ran in the forest. Drifting pushed his body forward as his eyes darted around. Every step slightly upturned the earth and grass. He weaved between the trees under the sun rays that pierced through the dense canopies. The air was damp and heavy, making his shirt stick close to his body.

Nothing yet.

Even at this speed, his awareness never wavered. His perception captured his surroundings in full as he looked for claw marks and paw prints. Of course, he saw traces of ...

SSR - Chapter 54: Dilligence (4)

Rylan walked alone through the streets of Cantavega, wearing his training clothes. One hand rested on the hilt of the sword on his waist. His gaze was clear as he felt the stares. His honed senses picked up on the whispers of the people who were looking at him or walked by his side.

“Hey, do you think the rumors are true? Did he really fight a Fourth Circle Mage and survive?”

“Nah, no fucking way. We’re talking about Rylan Flameheart. It’s more likely for all of that to ...

SSR - Chapter 53: Dilligence (3)

Rylan did push-ups on the floor, shirtless. Sunlight peeked through the curtains, shining upon his well-defined body. The sun was just rising above the horizon. After finishing his set, he lay his back against the floor and started doing sit-ups. He then moved on to squats and lifting the heaviest books in the bedroom to work out his arms.

I need heavier stuff.

His body was incomparable to before he remembered his past life. His training had paid off, with the help of the...

SSR - Chapter 52: Dilligence (2)

Rylan sat on a chair in front of Gerard’s desk, looking at the study’s shelves. The man sat down on his plush chair, facing him. For a few seconds, the two of them merely stared at each other before Gerard sighed.

“I don’t even know where I should start. You know way too little about everything,” Gerard said. Rylan didn’t point out his father’s increasingly frequent habit of sighing. “You’ve probably even forgotten what you already learned, since it was so long ago.”...

SSR - Chapter 51: Dilligence (1)

Rylan sat on the edge of the bed with his eyes closed, shirtless. Gerard’s hand touched his body as the man spoke.

“Relax. Let the mana flow through you.”

His father’s red mana entered his body, making him feel as if a stream of hot water was flowing through him, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It followed the path of his blood vessels until it reached his metaphysical Mana Core and surrounded the Core, but there was no intent to harm him. After extending to his entire body...

SSR - Chapter 50: Preparation for Training (2)

A beautiful black-haired woman wearing a white robe walked in. She bowed as she looked at Gerard, then again once she looked at Rylan.

“Master Gerard, young master,” she raised her body and showed Rylan a genuine smile, letting out a breath with her hand on her chest. “I’m so glad that you have woken up. We were so worried.”

He could tell at a glance that she wasn’t lying. The emotions he could see in her eyes were telling enough. She was someone who truly enjoyed bein...

SSR - Chapter 48: Showdown (3)

Speaking was painful. Every time his lungs expanded as he breathed, all the burns on his torso hurt. He had only gotten this injured because he had tried to protect Calan and the guards behind him.

A few moments of silence ensued.

“All of you, leave! Whoever stays behind will face the full wrath of the Vaard family!” Calan’s voice echoed. Rylan glanced back at him. He donned an expression full of complicated emotions, but Rylan could see that he meant his words. Nobody would...

SSR - Chapter 47: Showdown (2)

Even though the staff was made of wood, his sword barely sunk into it. Evenon’s arms shook, then faltered. As the blade continued to descend, he tilted the staff, making the steel only cut his shoulder slightly.

Unshaken, Rylan kicked Evenon’s chest and pushed against it, creating distance between them. He heard the air leaving the man’s lungs. However, despite this, Evenon continued to chant. Rylan immediately dashed forward. He couldn’t give Evenon any time to cast. He didn’...

SSR - Chapter 46: Showdown (1)

Rylan and Sarah headed out of the estate with decisive steps. Even though they walked quickly, his sense of balance was unshaken. One hand on the sword’s hilt, his senses trying to grasp his surroundings accurately, he headed towards the shopping district. The city was different. People stayed to the sides of the main roads; some spoke in hushed tones, while others spoke loudly.

“The City Guard is going to the shopping district! I just saw them pass by!”

“Are you serious? ...

SSR - Chapter 45: Build-up (9)

Finally, the fateful day arrived. It started like any other.

Rylan raised his body on the bed. He stood up and pulled the curtains in front of the window. The daylight immediately shone on his shirtless body. He opened the window, breathing in the fresh air that carried the scent of flowers from the garden. Nodding to himself, he turned around and walked up to the body-length mirror. He eyed his figure attentively. Since he was only wearing shorts, he could see most of his muscles.

SSR - Chapter 44: Build-up (8)

Rylan ran on his way back to the estate, trying to build his Endurance, which he hadn’t increased with his Free Points. He couldn’t stop training; every bit would help him get an edge over Evenon.

I still can’t tell what Circle he’s reached.

The moment when Evenon’s mana had surged had replayed in his mind countless times, but he lacked the knowledge necessary to measure the man’s level. He was working on it with Gerard, but he still knew too little. He clicke...

SSR - Chapter 43: Build-up (7)

Rylan’s next two days were spent training with Gerard and familiarizing himself with more spells and Skills. It was now the fourth day.

The ground shook. Rylan stared at the shambling three-meter-tall troll sprinting towards him. The grass and shrubbery were crushed as every step upturned the ground. Leaves fell from the trees, drifting in the air. The monster’s roar seemed to shake the very atmosphere. From behind a tree, another, smaller troll appeared.

He shot forward towar...

SSR - Chapter 42: Build-up (6)

Everyone in the room turned to look at the man who had spoken, including Rylan. The man was tall and handsome, with grey hair and beard, and dark eyes. His most notable feature, however, was the serenity he exuded as he donned a calm and collected expression. He continued to speak.

“Evenon’s death or imprisonment won’t instantly dismantle all that he’s built. His absence will only mean that everyone he’s associated with will try to occupy his position. Most likely, the Lady wi...

SSR - Chapter 40: Build-up (4)

Rylan stepped forward, bloodied sword in hand. The scarlet dripped down the edge, falling upon the soft grass. It was obvious what this was about. In the end, Evenon had chosen to act first; Rylan’s death would mean the loss of his most valuable customer, but there were plenty more to be roped in. The man needed to get rid of a possible liability. As they had promised to kill each other, this situation wasn’t surprising at all.

It's also a way of gauging my power.

If ...

SSR - Chapter 39: Build-up (3)

Calan listened to Thomas’ report with a grin.

“—And two students in the Royal Magic Academy shared their deals and conversations with the criminal in exchange for absolution.”

Calan nodded. It was a good strategy to obtain truthful statements. By offering forgiveness for their crimes in exchange for information, the City Guard had managed to obtain a great amount of it. After a few seconds, Calan spoke.

“…We still lack concrete, hard evidence.”

Thomas nod...