Changes in Physical

Aizen realized how pathetic Mada City was after taking another look at the people living in the slums. The lifestyle on the outskirts was much different from the urban center.

He felt compassion but, at the same time, understood that if he failed to thwart the Omni War, then the fate of these people would be a distant memory.

Along the way, he kept pondering what to do so that things wouldn't go wrong and whether all his decisions so far had been the right and correct choices.

It wasn't long before he arrived at Raven Academy and accidentally crossed paths with Ayduin.

"Where have you been? Are you alright?" Ayduin asked worriedly.

"I'm fine. You don't need to worry. I'll talk to Sir Ainkrad later. There's somewhere I need to go before class." Aizen answered with a relieved face.

"Oh, okay. I'll go first, then." Ayduin answered while caressing the back of his head. He slowly kept an eye on Aizen's fading away figure and looked at his back. "I feel like he's getting taller. Is that just my feeling? Ah, never mind."

Meanwhile, Aizen arrived at Dante's room. He was allowed in after knocking on the door.

"I'm sorry to have worried you. I had some urgent business beforehand and had to withdraw from the event without notifying the others." He said while bowing. Even though his goal was important as it involved the survival of the Azure Realm, he couldn't ignore the elders who had raised him in the orphanage like Dante.

But Dante wasn't angry and just looked at Aizen while stroking his forehead. "If I asked you what urgent business it was, you wouldn't tell me, would you?"

Aizen didn't answer and kept his head down. He knew that even if he didn't respond in any way, Dante would know the answer.

"I knew it. You really have changed. You used to always obey what I said.

"Em. The other elders said you're going through puberty. So, they told me not to be too strict and force things on you.

"You are free to choose what you want. Just don't leave the orphanage and disappear somewhere. Your younger siblings there still need an older brother like you.

"I have revoked your Mage Division's student token. Thus, you no longer need to come to class and focus on your training. Your fight in the competition was extraordinary. I hope you have a bright future and can take care of the orphanage if we, the elders, are no longer in this world."

"Elder, you can't say that. Previously, I thank you for your understanding. But I still have many shortcomings. Without elders, it would be impossible for me to run and manage the orphanage. Even if I was helped by others,"

"You're so mature. I think your change isn't bad." Dante said while leaning his back against the back of the chair. He was relieved to see that Aizen was alright. But also felt a bit regretful that the children that he raised at the orphanage would not go on to become mage students.

Aizen raised his upper body from his bow and smiled subtly. "Elder also doesn't need to pay for my schooling anymore starting next season. I can pay for it because I have a part-time job with Milo's father."

"Fine. But don't push yourself too much. I'm still doing fine financially."

"Alright, elder," Aizen answered and left the room with a carefree heart because the elder who raised him in the orphanage no longer propelled him into the mage class.

Dante then stood up and faced the small window behind his chair. He saw the school yard which was quite vast. "He's grown up now."

On the other hand, Aizen arrived at the Class 3 Knight Division and was given an attitude and look of isolation by Ainkrad. He had been ignored since he came in and had not been asked anything during that time.

But he didn't really care and let it happen. While his classmates were training as usual, he headed to the weapons cabinet and picked up four weights for a total of 40 kg.

He felt the fight against Rashagul really pushed his limits to the top. He had also sensed while recovering for several days in the slums that his body had begun to undergo unusual changes.

His height increased dramatically within a few weeks. Back then, he was only 161 cm tall. Now, he was 168 cm tall.

He knew and understood that youth was still in its infancy. Even in his previous life, he also grew up to 181 cm tall.

But the situation he was in was too different. At that time, he had increased by 20 cm in 30 years, whereas now he had gained 7 cm in just a few weeks. His body weight and muscle mass have also increased slightly.

'Is this because of Reeva's power?'

Yes, right. The power of the Goddess of Thunder, Reeva, had returned though not entirely. He could use lightning magic again, even though the amount was few and limited.

That meant more levels of the Heavenly Thunder technique that he could use were unlocked. And it also opened the door for two other skills, which completed him as a Supreme Knight.

Heavenly Wrath and Divine Tempest!

His decision to improve his physique was correct. Because as his physique became and formed for the knight level, more and more freely, he began to use the power of the ancient spirit, Reeva.

The decision to choose 40 kg over 30 kg was also correct since the current him would have no trouble using the latter.

Ainkrad, who saw Aizen's actions, told his other students to continue outside the training ground room. He walked up to Aizen.

"New weights? It looks like the old ones made you feel nothing. How about sparring with me? You don't need to take off those weights.

"Incidentally, I want to beat you up because I'm annoyed that you disappeared at an important event. Well, let it be in the past."

Ainkrad picked up a wooden sword and made a battle-ready stance. He motioned for Aizen to step forward with his left hand.

"Sir Ainkrad, you don't mind if I use Dragon's Breath, right?"

"Sure. Just come to me."

Ainkrad didn't tell Aizen to take off the weights. Because apart from wanting to vent his frustration a bit, he also knew that the sparring would be more useful as practice.

Despite his disappointment, he knew that Aizen was still his most talented student, who still had a bright future ahead. He may be annoyed. But he would not hinder his student's development.

Aizen walked to the center of the training ground opposite Ainkrad. He adjusted his breathing well and took the usual stance with his left side forward and the Dragon's Breath Spear held in both hands.

Ainkrad's gaze narrowed, and he immediately used Mana Aura without much whimsy or hesitation. He then sped away so fast that the eyes of the students trying to peek at the entrance of the room couldn't keep up.

Teng, Teng--

Suddenly there was a sound of clashing weapons toward Aizen. The students were surprised to see that their instructor's attack didn't hit Aizen. They thought Aizen had changed and might have a chance to win.

"Where's that technique with full area coverage? Use it."

Aizen just smiled and understood what Ainkrad meant. But he didn't intend to use the Heavenly Thunder First Movement technique. He just wanted to hone the basics of his fighting style.

His techniques didn't need to be honed anymore because he had used them many times in his previous life. Even Raijin, a Pandaquill of ancient beasts, a sentient being that had the balance of power, acknowledged that all of his techniques were perfect and didn't need to be trained and developed anymore.

This time, Aizen sped up, attacking first, while Ainkrad was ready to receive him. He launched spear attacks from all sides with good movement, even though he was using new weights.

Of course, Ainkrad had no trouble at all. But at the same time, he also found it difficult to counterattack.

There were no openings!

It was easy to block because Aizen's movements weren't so fast that he couldn't keep up. Unfortunately, every time he thought there was an opportunity to attack, he immediately saw Aizen's movement that would catch up and counterattack if he continued with his plan.

Ainkrad decided to increase his speed a bit. And coupled with his current state of using Mana Aura, it could be said that he had already begun to use the fighting prowess of a true Knight level.

He managed to move freely and let Aizen behind his movements. Next, he landed several slashes with the wooden sword that made a loud sound when it came into contact with his student's body.

But Aizen didn't fall. He gritted his teeth and managed to launch dangerous thrusts, even though they didn't hit Ainkrad in the slightest.

The sparring continued because every time Aizen successfully defended against the attack, Ainkrad couldn't help but increase his power little by little.