Nevil sat alone inside a massive training hall. Sunlight poured through the glass roof, bathing the wide space in a warm glow. In one corner, a neat pile of weapons rested against the wall – swords, shields, and spears arranged with care.
The door slid open.
Ashan stepped in, hands in his pockets, smiling faintly.
"Oh… you came before me. That's good."
Nevil immediately stood and walked over, rubbing the back of his neck.
"You called me out of nowhere, you know. I won't lie, I'm a bit nervous."
Ashan chuckled. "Relax. Before anything else, I need to ask, did you apply for the three of us?"
"Yeah," Nevil replied, nodding. "Everything went smoothly. I told them Narasha recently awakened and hasn't taken her rank test yet. They said she'll need to do that before enrollment."
"Good," Ashan said, nodding in satisfaction. "Then what happens if someone re-awakens after submitting their application but before the enrollment?"
Nevil thought for a moment before answering. "In that case, they're required to renew their rank before enrollment. The academy only accepts final, verified ranks."
"Perfect."
Ashan reached into his pocket and took out a glowing pill, the one that had absorbed his blood. He placed it in Nevil's palm.
Nevil blinked. "…What's this?"
Ashan smiled calmly. "A mana-boosting pill. It permanently increases mana capacity."
Nevil's breath caught.
"H-Holy lords…" His fingers trembled slightly as he stared at it. "Do you have any idea how rare this is? Where did you even find something like this?"
"I had five," Ashan said casually. "I decided to give one to you."
Nevil froze.
For a few seconds, he couldn't speak. His jaw tightened, eyes burning. He turned his face away and closed his eyes, forcing the emotion back.
"…Man," he muttered hoarsely, "I don't know how I'm supposed to repay you."
Ashan stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Aww.. Don't talk like that. Aren't we brothers?" He smiled warmly. "I don't like the idea of me growing stronger while you're left behind."
Nevil inhaled deeply. "So that's why you asked about re-awakening." He swallowed. "What rank would I reach if I take this?"
Ashan tilted his head.
"Probably… B-rank."
Nevil's eyes widened.
"B-rank?" His voice cracked. "You're joking, right? Does this really turns me into a B-ranker?"
Ashan took a few steps back and gestured forward.
"Why don't you find out yourself? Go on, swallow it."
Nevil stared at the pill for several seconds. Then, clenching his fist, he shut his eyes and swallowed it whole.
At first, nothing.
Then, a white light burst from his body, flooding the hall. Nevil staggered as violent pressure surged through him.
"Ugh…!"
His stomach twisted. He dropped to one knee and vomited violently. Veins bulged along his arms and neck, muscles twitching uncontrollably as his mana core was forcibly reshaped.
Ashan watched silently, alert but calm.
After a few agonizing minutes, the light faded.
Nevil slowly stood up, one hand pressed against his abdomen, breathing heavily.
"…My mana core," he whispered. "It expanded, several times over."
He clenched his fist, eyes shaking. "I can feel it. The output… it's on another level."
—------------------------------------------
Name: Nevil Arashahn
Age: 24
[Power Rank- B]
[Specialty- Combat Fighter]
[Strength- 90]
[Stamina- 80]
[Endurance- 110]
[Agility- 100]
[Other Powers and Skills]
<>Power Punch - B+
Increase the punching effects by three folds
<>Double Slash - B
Give a shared balance to wield two swords a time and launch two attacks at a time
<>Threat Detection - B
Ability to sense upcoming enemy's difficult level and attacks beforehand
<>Titan's Grip - B+ (New)
Chances of losing a weapon or shield will decrease.
—------------------------------------------
Ashan smirked inwardly. 'A new skill right after hitting B-rank. Solid. Perfect for a combat fighter.'
Nevil looked up, eyes shining.
"It worked… I really got stronger."
Ashan clapped. "Congratulations, Nevil. You're officially a B-ranker."
Nevil suddenly stepped forward and pulled Ashan into a tight hug, his shoulders shaking.
"Just say the word," he said fiercely. "I'll go to hell and back for you."
Ashan patted his back gently.
"Haha.. No need. I just want to see you living the life you always dreamed of."
Ashan's gaze then drifted toward the pile of weapons nearby. He walked over and picked up a sword, testing its weight.
'Even though I have Sukuna's cursed technique, I've never properly learned swordsmanship,' he thought. 'But with the Sharingan and MoveMastery, I can absorb it effortlessly.'
'Nevil is the perfect teacher.'
Turning back, Ashan's Sharingan activated, its glow faint but sharp.
"Hey, Nevil. I was thinking about learning swordsmanship. You're the only one who can help me right now. Can you teach me?"
Nevil smirked and drew his sword. "Do you even have to ask? I'll teach you everything I know."
He began demonstrating, starting from basic stances and footwork, gradually flowing into advanced techniques. Each swing was precise, controlled, and powerful.
Ashan watched silently, copying everything with his Sharingan. Every movement was etched into his mind, clear as crystal.
'I get it,' Ashan realized. 'I've made his swordsmanship my own. What looks complex on the surface becomes simple once you see its core.'
When Nevil finished, he turned toward Ashan confidently.
"My sword feels steadier now. Stronger. I can finally bring out its full potential. So? Did you understand anything, or should I start again from the beginning?"
"No need," Ashan replied calmly. "I got it all. I'll show you. Tell me if I'm doing anything wrong."
Ashan stepped forward and reproduced Nevil's techniques flawlessly. Each stance, each slash, each transition executed with terrifying precision.
Nevil's eyes widened. 'What the hell…?'
He stared in disbelief. 'He learned everything in one go? The Ashan I know was never this talented. It took me a year and a half to master those techniques… This is just cheating.'
Ashan lowered his sword. "So? Anything to fix?"
Nevil burst out laughing.
"No, you little monster. You mastered it perfectly. You just made me feel ashamed."
Ashan smiled faintly. "By the way, there are a few openings in your techniques. I noticed them after trying them myself."
Nevil frowned, confused. "Openings? Did I mess something up? Why didn't I notice?"
"Let's duel," Ashan said simply. "You'll understand."
Nevil's grin sharpened. "Oh? Sounds good. Then shall we?"
They took their stances, swords pointed forward.
Clash!
Steel rang through the hall as their blades collided.
Swish.. clash.. clang!
They exchanged attacks rapidly, dodging and countering with near-perfect timing.
'We're evenly matched,' Ashan thought.
Then he increased his speed.
Nevil immediately matched it.
Suddenly, Nevil lunged toward Ashan's waist.
Ashan angled his body, narrowly dodging the strike, and countered with a circular slash aimed at Nevil's shoulder.
Nevil froze for a split second, then leapt backward just in time.
'He almost got me,' Nevil realized, heart pounding. 'That one-second gap… my right shoulder was completely exposed.'
He grinned sharply. 'How sharp. He saw through a weakness I didn't even realize existed.'
Their duel continued.
As the fight went on, Ashan identified several small flaws, while Nevil began noticing them himself mid-battle. They adjusted, tested, and refined their movements repeatedly.
By the time the session ended in the afternoon, both were exhausted, but satisfied.
Nevil felt elated, not only from his re-awakening, but from the breakthroughs in his technique.
After agreeing to take the rank test the next day, the two parted ways.