Other than Eirena and the S-rankers, everyone else had already surfaced. The water above filled with desperate gasps and splashes as students clutched the pool's edge, lungs burning.
Below the surface, the remaining figures were still.
But even they were nearing the edge.
A faint dizziness crept into their senses. Vision blurred. Thoughts slowed.
Brain hypoxia had begun.
'I… can't hold it anymore.'
Eirena's body trembled first. She opened her eyes underwater, vision swimming, chest screaming. Without hesitation, she kicked upward.
Rowan followed immediately after, teeth clenched in frustration as he surfaced.
Morevan lingered for half a second longer, stubbornness warring with survival, before finally ascending as well.
Elarith was next, his movements less controlled than before.
Only moments later, Roswayn and Magnar surfaced together, coughing, water streaming down their faces.
That left only two figures beneath the surface.
Luphar,
And Ashan.
Even Ashan wasn't untouched.
Pressure pounded against his skull. A sharp ache bloomed behind his eyes, spreading outward like a tightening vice.
'So this is as far as Movemastery can take me,' he thought calmly, even as pain flared.
'Its efficiency is incredible… but it's not absolute.'
He turned his gaze slightly.
Luphar was still there.
The giant's chest barely moved, jaw clenched, eyes locked onto Ashan with fierce resolve.
'This guy…' Ashan thought. 'So stubborn. But I can tell. He's at the brink.'
A violent pulse throbbed through Ashan's head.
'My brain's about to rupture.'
His instincts screamed.
'There's only one option left.'
'Reverse cursed technique.'
Without any visible movement, Ashan circulated positive energy inward, directing it carefully to his brain and lungs. The pain dulled slightly. Not erased, but delayed.
At the same time, Luphar made his decision.
'You're unbelievable,' Luphar thought, a grin tugging at his lips even underwater.
'Truly one of a kind.'
With a final glance at Ashan, he pushed off the pool floor and surged upward.
Ashan immediately released his breath and followed.
PWAHH…
Luphar broke the surface first, dragging in a massive gulp of air.
"Hah… hah…!"
His chest expanded as oxygen flooded back into his lungs.
'This… this is the best feeling in the world.'
His vision steadied, and only then did he realize the sheer number of eyes fixed on him.
Students. Instructors. Aren.
All watching.
Aren glanced down at his device.
"Six minutes and three seconds."
A low murmur spread through the crowd.
"That's insane…"
"Six minutes…?"
Magnar wiped water from his face and looked at Luphar.
"Where's Ashan?"
Luphar raised an arm and pointed back toward the water.
"He's.."
Before he could finish, the surface rippled again.
Ashan emerged.
Water streamed down his hair and shoulders as he sucked in a deep breath, eyes lifting instinctively toward the bright sky above.
Aren's lips curved upward.
"Six minutes and twenty seconds."
For a heartbeat, there was silence.
Then,
Applause erupted.
Cheers, gasps, stunned exclamations filled the air as students stared between the two.
"Did you hear that?!"
"He beat Luphar!"
"No.. he lasted longer than a S-ranker!"
Luphar climbed out of the pool first and immediately extended his hand.
"Well done, friend," he said with a wide grin. "That was exhilarating."
Ashan accepted the hand and pulled himself out, water dripping from his frame.
"You were incredible," Luphar continued. "How did you even last that long?"
Magnar stepped closer and gave Ashan a firm pat on the shoulder.
"I know, right? You didn't panic at all. You looked completely calm."
Luphar nodded. "He was like that the entire time. As if holding his breath was something he'd done his whole life."
Others slowly gathered around them, eyes full of awe and curiosity.
Aren turned his gaze skyward, smiling faintly.
'Norwel,' he thought.
'Someone just broke your record. If you were still alive, I'd never let you hear the end of it.'
A system window flickered into existence before Ashan's eyes.
—-------------------------------------------
Mission Achieved..
Reward Acquired:
- Horizon of the Captivating Skandha (Dagon's Domain Expansion)
—-------------------------------------------
Ashan clenched his fist subtly.
'Finally…'
'Both the cursed technique and the domain expansion are mine.'
The remaining trials passed without issue.
Ashan deliberately toned himself down, blending in just enough to avoid further attention. Without additional missions from the system, he focused on consistency rather than dominance.
By the end of the day, his selection into the next level was secured.
'That went better than expected,' he reflected. 'At this pace, I'll clear the physical trials quickly.'
'From what I heard, battle mages undergo similar evaluations but focused on magic fundamentals.'
'They probably assigned me here first because I demonstrated stronger physical aptitude.'
After changing, Luphar departed with the other S-rankers.
Ashan exited the training site shortly after.
That's when he noticed someone standing near the entrance.
"Nevil?"
Nevil waved enthusiastically the moment he spotted Ashan.
Ashan blinked in surprise.
"Since when were you waiting here? More importantly, did you get selected?"
Nevil grinned and nodded.
"Of course. I'm not falling behind twice."
He lifted his phone. "I rushed over the moment I saw your photos going viral."
Ashan froze. "…Photos?"
Nevil turned the screen toward him.
Displayed on it was a photo taken mid-training. Ashan standing by the pool in a swimming suit, water clinging to his skin, muscles clearly defined under the sunlight.
Ashan froze.
"A new friend of mine sent this," Nevil said, squinting at the screen before glancing back at him.
"You traitor. Since when did you build a body like this? You didn't say a word. I'll be honest, this looks ridiculous. Cool, but ridiculous. If someone saw this without context, they'd swear you were an S-ranker."
Ashan let out a sharp groan and grabbed his hair, fingers digging into his scalp.
"Who took this?" he hissed. "Don't tell me it was those girls. And wait, there are photos of the S-rankers too? How the hell did they even take these without getting caught?"
Nevil raised his eyebrows, a slow, teasing grin spreading across his face.
"Oh, I can feel it already," he said mockingly. "Someone's popularity is about to skyrocket. Imagine it, the biggest loner suddenly walking around with a girlfriend. That'll be painful to witness."
Ashan crossed his arms and shot him a flat look.
"You're talking big for someone who's single himself."
Nevil's grin shattered instantly.
"Tch…" He clicked his tongue. "You really know where to stab, don't you? Can't you even let me joke in peace?"
He paused, then leaned in slightly, eyes narrowing. "So? Are you interested in anyone here or not?"
Ashan scratched the back of his head, a faint, knowing smile forming on his lips.
"…There is one."
Nevil's eyes widened.
"This fast?" he blurted out. "Who is it? Come on, tell me. Don't keep me hanging."
Ashan inhaled deeply, then spoke calmly.
"Who else? I'm talking about Narasha."
Silence.
Nevil's mouth fell open. One of his eyes twitched violently.
"…You damn idiot," he snapped.
His voice shot up in volume. Ashan immediately slapped a hand over Nevil's mouth.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Ashan hissed. "Lower your voice. Are you trying to get the whole academy to hear?"
Nevil roughly pulled Ashan's hand away, eyes blazing.
"Out of all the ridiculous things you've ever said," he growled, "this is the worst. Are you seriously trying to ruin your life?"
Ashan frowned. "What's wrong with that?"
Nevil stared at him like he'd just asked whether fire was cold.
"Are you actually asking me that?" Nevil snapped. "She's a monster, Ashan. A vampire. The kind that drains blood without blinking. Being on good terms with her is one thing, dating her is something else entirely. And don't even get me started on feelings. Do you honestly think she feels anything for you?"
Ashan's expression softened as memories surfaced.
"She does," he said firmly. "And we're bonded anyway."
Nevil went pale.
"Bonded?" he whispered. "Don't joke with me. Are you saying she did something to you? A spell? A curse?"
Ashan sighed, realizing there was no avoiding it. He explained everything: the encounter, the bond, the circumstances, leaving out only the most awkward details. By the time he finished, Nevil had both hands clamped over his mouth.
"You slept with her?" Nevil whispered hoarsely. "What in the world were you thinking? I knew something was off the moment I saw you two together."
He dragged a hand down his face.
"This bond thing, it sounds like chains. Heavy ones. Can it be undone?"
Ashan shrugged.
"Probably not. And even if it could, I wouldn't try. I really like her."
Nevil grabbed Ashan by the shoulders, shaking him hard.
"Listen to me," he said urgently. "I get it. She's beautiful. Unfairly so. But she's not human. She'll live for centuries. You'll grow old and die long before she even changes. Giving your life to someone like that, don't you see how dangerous that is? You deserve a normal life."
Ashan met his gaze, calm and unwavering.
"I've thought about that," he said quietly. "But I don't think I'll regret it. And awakeners don't live normal lifespans anyway. We already walk a different path."
Nevil stepped back, rubbing his temples, pacing in silence for several seconds.
Finally, he looked up and let out a tired breath.
"You're insane," he said. "Completely insane." He paused, then sighed. "But fine. If you've made up your mind, then be ready. The future you're stepping into won't be kind."
Ashan nodded.
"I know."
He gave Nevil a small, genuine smile.
"And thanks. For caring."
Nevil scoffed softly, turning away.
"Tch. Someone has to, idiot."