Chapter 47 – An Unexpected Invitation
The days passed in a monotonous routine—morning training, classes, beast taming, weapon arts, mana theory, aura control, and telekinesis practice. Alden had settled into a rhythm, constantly improving himself while keeping a low profile.
Today, however, was different.
As he sat in the classroom, going over the details of his training plan in his mind, the door opened, and a young man with dark brown hair and striking erald-green eyes walked in, exuding an air of natural confidence.
Leonhardt Valerian—the protagonist of the ga.
He was on the verge of reaching C-Rank, already surpassing most of their classmates despite the early stage of the academy.
Leonhardt scanned the room before his eyes landed on Alden. "Blackwood."
Alden raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"
Leonhardt grinned. "We're heading to the café near the academy. Why don't you co with us?"
Alden blinked. Huh?
He glanced past Leonhardt, where the rest of the main cast stood, watching him curiously.
Standing beside Leonhardt was Alicia von Rosenheim, her fiery red hair and golden eyes as striking as ever. She crossed her arms, looking at Alden with her usual sharp gaze.
"I didn't take you for the social type, Blackwood," she remarked.
Alden smirked. "I'm not. That's why I'm confused."
Next to Alicia was Seraphina Everfrost, the girl who once held the original Alden under her influence. Silver-haired, ice-blue eyes, and an aura as cold as ever. She didn't say anything, simply watching with mild interest.
A beastkin with wild silver hair and amber eyes grinned, revealing sharp canines.
Luca Ashenpaw, the rowdy warrior of their group. "C'mon, man, don't be a loner. It's just a café, not a battlefield."
Beside him, an elven girl with dark green hair and glowing erald eyes nodded. Sylvara Nightwhisper, a prodigy in nature magic.
She smiled faintly. "You could use a break, Blackwood."
Another girl with long blonde hair and soft blue eyes, exuding a gentle aura, walked up with a kind expression.
Elena Brightwind, a Saintess Candidate of the Holy Church. "It's just a casual outing. No harm in joining us, right?"
Finally, Reynard Faulkner, with ssy black hair and golden fox-like eyes, leaned against the doorway with a lazy smirk.
"Unless you're scared of making friends?"
Alden sighed. What's with these people?
Kurenai chuckled in his mind. "Just go with them. Maybe they'll entertain you."
Shiranui yawned. "Or bore you to death."
Alden scratched the back of his head. "Fine. But if it's boring, I'm leaving."
Leonhardt grinned. "Deal."
---
The Academy Café
The café was a popular spot, bustling with students enjoying their break. Alden followed the group inside, ignoring the murmurs from other students who were surprised to see him with the academy's strongest first-years.
They found a table big enough for all of them, and soon, drinks and snacks were placed in front of them.
Alden leaned back in his chair, observing the group.
Why was he here?
He wasn't part of the main cast. He wasn't the protagonist's best friend. Hell, in the original ga, he barely had two minutes of screen ti before getting humiliated.
And yet, here he was.
Leonhardt took a sip of his coffee and looked at Alden. "So, Blackwood... what's your deal?"
Alden raised an eyebrow. "My deal?"
Leonhardt smirked. "Yeah. You got into S-Class despite being E-Rank. Everyone's talking about it."
Alden shrugged. "Luck."
Alicia scoffed. "There's no way the academy would put soone in S-Class based on luck."
Seraphina, who had been silent, spoke up. "You've changed, Blackwood."
Alden turned his gaze toward her. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
Seraphina held his stare. "No. Just surprising."
Luca laughed. "You must've had so insane training. If you ever wanna spar, let know."
Alden smirked. "I'll pass for now."
Reynard leaned in with a fox-like grin. "You're hiding sothing, aren't you?"
Alden took a sip of his drink. "Aren't we all?"
The group fell silent for a mont before Sylvara chuckled. "He's not wrong."
Leonhardt grinned. "Alright, I'll stop with the questions. Just wanted to see if you were worth inviting again."
Alden rolled his eyes. "Don't push your luck."
The conversation shifted to other topics—academy events, training thods, upcoming exams. Alden mostly listened, occasionally throwing in a sarcastic remark.
By the ti they left the café, he realized sothing.
He didn't hate their company.
Alden walked back to the academy with the group, hands in his pockets, Kurenai and Shiranui murmuring in the back of his mind.
"So, you've been adopted by the main cast now?" Kurenai teased.
"Tch, humans are strange. First, they reject you, and now they want to be friends," Shiranui huffed.
"That's just how things work. People are drawn to strength and mystery."
Alden ignored them, keeping his focus on his surroundings.
As they neared the academy entrance, whispers spread among the students.
"Isn't that Alden Blackwood? The disowned noble?"
"Why is he with Leonhardt and the others?"
"I heard he got into S-Class by so mistake. Maybe they're just ssing with him?"
Alden didn't react. He had expected this. His sudden rise in status was bound to attract attention—both good and bad.
Leonhardt didn't seem to care about the rumors. He turned to Alden and grinned. "See? That wasn't so bad, right?"
Alden shrugged. "I've had worse."
Alicia crossed her arms. "You're not as insufferable as I thought, Blackwood."
Alden smirked. "I'll take that as a complint."
Seraphina gave him a glance but didn't say anything. She seed to be deep in thought.
Luca clapped him on the back. "Next ti, we should spar. No running away."
Alden sighed. "We'll see."
As they reached the academy dorms, the group split up, each heading to their own rooms.
Alden closed the door behind him, letting out a long breath.
"Making friends now, huh?" Kurenai chuckled.
"Not friends," Alden muttered. "Just... keeping my options open."
"Hmph, whatever you say," Shiranui yawned, curling up inside his mindscape.
Alden sat on his bed, pulling up his status window.
---
[Status Window]
Na: Alden Blackwood
Race: Human
Rank: E
Mana Capacity: E
Affinities: None
Physique: Enhanced (Due to Purification)
Basic Stats:
Strength: E
Agility: E
Intelligence: C
Mana: E
Stamina: E
---
Skills:
Mangekyō Sharingan (Active)
Kamui (Short-Range) – Can shift parts of the body into another dinsion.
Illusions & Mind Control – Can trap enemies in illusions or briefly control weak minds.
Enhanced Perception – Slows down movents and improves reaction speed.
Mana Manipulation (Interdiate) – Allows precise control over mana circulation.
Stealth (Basic) – Reduces presence and sound of movent.
Telekinesis (Beginner) – Allows movent of objects using mana and willpower.
Aura (Beginner)- strengthen the strength, agility,and reaction ti
---
Weapon Arts:
Five Forms of the Crimson Moon (5-Star) [1/5 Unlocked]
First Form: Lunar Severance – A devastating single slash that cuts through mana defenses.
Shadow Fang Dagger Art (3-Star) [10% Proficiency]
Phantom Edge Sword (2-Star) [40% Proficiency]
Swift Blade Style (2-Star) [35% Proficiency]
Shadow Step Footwork (2-Star) [50% Proficiency]
---
"Still not enough," Alden muttered.
Even though his progress was fast, he knew he wasn't strong enough yet. The world was full of monsters—both literal and figurative.
If he wanted to survive, he needed to push himself harder.
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