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I'm too old to be isekai'd!

Andres, a middle aged father, wakes up in an unfamiliar world. With an unfamiliar name, donning an unfamiliar face. A world where mana and technology co-existed. Where humanity did not solely rule the planet. Races and creatures thought once as myths now exist as they vie for control on the once conquered world. Amidst all this confusion, a sense familiarity. As if he has heard of this place, somewhere, at a different time and place. "So God has a name? What is it again? Arcus?...." "I feel like I've heard about you before... Rowan was it?" As the pieces start falling into place... "I can't believe I got isekai'd into my son's novel..." A fate surely worse than death. 'Remember son, it's darkest before dawn.' A mantra he once used to provide a semblance of control on his life. Passed down to his progeny, has come back to bite him in an unexpected way. In order to survive and return home, he will need to prepare himself. With his knowledge of what is to come he will tip the scales ever so slightly in his favour. But there's one small problem... "Which one of my son's book am I in?"

Shano_with_a_T · Fantaisie
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15 Chs

Chapter 14

"Come get your weapon; let's see if you can get the Dean in trouble."

The instructor took the case from the assistant's hands as I made my way toward him. The other trainees just looked on in confusion, probably wondering why my weapon was with the instructor, why it was not among the varied weapons stowed or leaning against the weapon racks, or why its size was small enough to fit in such a compact container.

As I stood before him, he lifted the case up and held it toward me. He then promptly put his thumbprint on the middle of the metallic case's surface. A beeping noise followed, after which the locks slid open, and the instructor lifted the case.

Inside were two familiar handguns—William's gifts to me from back then.

"This is a first time even for me. It has been verified by security, and we've confirmed that it hasn't been tampered with in any way.

Unless an instructor has given you permission, you are not allowed to take these guns out of their case. If it is reported and proven that you did so without prior authorization, you will face legal charges under the authority of Phalanx itself.

You are also responsible for keeping your weapons safe at all times. The academy does not care how prolific your family is or how old your ancestral lineage dates back. No one will be lugging your weapons for you.

Do you understand?"

He stated in a stern tone, as if to impress the weight of his words as much as he could, as far as verbal warnings could go.

"Yes, instructor."

I picked up one of the guns with my right hand, holding it with a firm grip. The gun's smart feature activated as soon as I did, powering up the bulky eight-shooter in the process. I angled the gun about, performing a quick check before opening the cylinder and finding it empty.

Of course, it would be. It was already surprising that I was allowed to bring a gun into this academy, let alone two.

"No bullets. We will provide you with non-lethals whenever necessary, such as in a private range. An archery range will be modified specifically for gun-shooting practice just for you. However, for now, the range that will be arranged is limited in quality—something I hope you will understand. The academy is accommodating, but its investments need to be sound.

If you can prove your potential to Phalanx, then the board won't be too hard on you. The Dean wanted to let you know.

That's all I have for you at the moment. Any questions?"

"Yes, I do have one."

"Ugh…" The instructor grunted, visibly irritated.

"What do you mean by non-lethal, exactly?" I asked.

"Non-lethal to M.E.s, that is. That's why you're not allowed to open-carry it outside secure and monitored areas. There are a lot of trainees here who cannot stop calibers designed against the Talim.

And for obvious reasons, you are not yet a trusted trainee of the faculty. Any other questions? If not, then I want to see you perform. Now."

It was not like I was dilly-dallying. I just wanted to make sure. M.E.s—or mana-enhanced individuals—are practically licensed knights already. The barest minimum of a knight could easily block tactical missiles—plural. Let alone hypersonic bullets from an ordinary gun.

But I digress. The thought of getting the academy to invest a little more into me did cross my mind after hearing what the instructor had just said. But with my inheritance and William's connections, these facilities that Phalanx could provide me with were things I could afford for myself.

Staying low-key, becoming a licensed knight, establishing connections, and ensuring Rowan's smooth progress was the primary goal. However, incentivizing the academy and justifying the Dean's decision was a priority objective too.

I finished checking the first gun and placed it back in the case before taking the other one and inspecting it like I did the first.

Bonnie and Clyde—the prints engraved on these beauties—custom paid for by yours truly. A reference that had been, unfortunately, wiped from this world's history.

When I was done, I picked up both revolvers and stood in position. With my fellow trainees as my audience, I started channeling my red mana to imbue it into my guns.

It took not even a second before they were fully saturated, a menacing hue of red structured around them.

"Done," I said as I lifted the barrels in the air.

"Yup, looks like it. Impressive stuff," he said as he nodded in the iconic Thinking Man's gesture.

It was anti-climactic, but that is how imbuing mana should be—as instantaneous as you can make it. With this little performance, the Dean and his friends should be a little satisfied, if only for a moment.

"All right, at least we know you can integrate—and quite well too. Now, let's put them back inside since you won't be needing them for the rest of today."

With a token of affirmation, I complied, placing both the handguns back in their respective positions.

I'll be seeing you two later, I thought to myself.

With that, I went back toward the other trainees for further instruction. We had at least two more hours before we would be released, after all.

"Good, that's about a third of the class able to integrate—some better than others, needless to say... Ahumm."

Instructor Anolly paused, swiping away at the tablet.

"Now, for the rest of the remaining time, I want those who are able to integrate to help a fellow trainee who isn't able to. You will be judged based on your understanding of the theory and the effectiveness of your explanations.

Meanwhile, I will be going around and listening to the advice being given, interfering whenever I deem it necessary. My three assistants will be doing the same.

You will have thirty minutes per pairing; after that, you will need to look for a new set of partners. I'll allow no more than three trainees that need assistance per tutor.

You may begin!" gestured the instructor as he swung his right arm to shoo us away.

I think it is too weird that I do not have a weapon on me while everyone else does.

I thought of getting my pistols back, but they were not necessary for the activity, so I doubted he would hand them back to me.

Just when I figured I should get myself a bow from the weapons rack, I felt a tap coming from behind me. Upon turning around, I found three trainees looking right up at me.

"Heya! Name's Rell, right?" a blonde youth with a beaming smile asked.

"That I am, miss. Do you people want to work with me for a bit?"

"Yes, please! I'm Hemmie, by the way!" she saluted, placing her right hand flat where her heart should be. The two other trainees with her followed suit. Their actions were too slack and informal, clearly meant for pleasantries and not to show respect for rank—an action that civilian folks would mimic at times.

"I'm Halene, nice to meet you," said a young woman with turquoise hues to her hair and eyes.

"Joseph," added the man, his deep red hair and eyes complementing each other.

"You may call me Rell," I replied, placing my hand above my heart and straightening my stance modestly for the salute to match the vibe of the group before me.

Hemmie giggled at my action before asking me an odd question.

"I thought you were going to insist on a handshake? It's good to be flexible."

"Hm? Why would I?"

The knight's salute was a memory I recovered from my life as a young Rell. Although it was a rare gesture among my father, Axelius, and his business associates' circle, it still occurred from time to time.

I am not sure what the deciding factor is between the two, so I assume it is more of a 'stick to what you know' sort of deal.

William also preferred to shake hands; I almost never saw him salute.

"Nothing, it's just a little too old school and formal for people like us. But you're OK—I like your kind of old school…"

"Ha! Thank you. You have a way with words, Hemmie. I think we will get along just fine."

"Ahem..."

The male youth behind Hemmie chipped in, his eyes locked on her as he gestured to the assistants roaming around the field, observing.

"Em, come on. Stop playing around. Let's just get this done."

Joseph leaned toward their other companion, Halene, and nudged at her to pipe up as well.

"Y-yeah, don't hog his time to yourself, Em. Rell, I know you use a gun, but do you perhaps also know a thing or two about bows? If so, then I could really use your help. Their geometries are very different, so it's fine if you don't. I'm all right with general tips as well."

"Sure, I actually used to practice the bow before adapting to a gun. But Joseph is right. Let us do this somewhere a little quieter and away from the rest."

I pointed toward an empty spot close to the benches hugging the walls of the field.

"Yes, let US do just that!" Joseph piped, making exaggerated gestures. He looked incredibly close to mimicking William, whom I doubted he had met.

Hemmie slapped his shoulder, sending the man a step back.

"What are you doing? Stop it," she said in a hushed voice.

"Wow, you're on his side already? My lord, Em."

"Sorry about Joseph here. He's very insensitive with these things," Halene added, stepping over to my side.

"..."

Jesus Christ... is Joseph not their friend? Why are they being antagonistic with him all of a sudden?

"No, you exaggerate. I am sure he means it only as a jest—I think it quite funny too. I do speak weirdly compared to the modern youth."

"You're so right, it's actually so cute!" Hemmie cajoled.

I am starting to think I can do no wrong all of a sudden...

"Well, I think we have dallied enough. Shall we?"

After making our way to a more distanced location, I proceeded to explain what I know of weapon and mana integration.

Starting with the basics and citing common knowledge theories, such as separating the person from their mana and weapon—essentially a spiritual disconnection of sorts.

As well as imbuing an approximate mana requirement based on the geometry of a weapon—a natural or resonant frequency, if you will. This could be achieved by simply experimenting with the amount of mana being released, provided there is sufficient control to begin with.

This all sounds well and easy, but the struggle comes from the application of theory. Very rarely does theoretical knowledge translate to practical experience, and it is the same with mana—perhaps even more pronounced due to its varied nature.

"You are doing great, Joseph."

"Ugh…"

It had been some time since we had started. All three trainees were now visibly sweating, their faces contorted to different degrees as they struggled to maintain control over their mana output.

"You keep on saying that I'm doing well, but I ain't seeing progress. You sure you're not just fuckin' with me?"

"No. I, as a matter of fact, am not." I extended a hand toward his sword, beckoning him to pass it over.

"Red mana is powerful and violent, which earns it its notoriety when compared to other types. But, in reality, it is the simplest one in my humble opinion."

Joseph flipped the sword in his hand, holding on to its blade as he pointed the handle toward me. I picked up its hilt, waiting for Joseph to let go of the blade before lifting it upright.

"Feel as your mana should, as the textbooks often puppet. This is true; however, just because red mana is violent does not mean you should be too."

I stared at the sword before me, focusing on the blade. I imbued it with mana, communicating with the weapon for a good ten seconds before it saturated, signaling a complete integration.

"In reality, the trick lies not in matching the violence of it. No, it is in the simmer before—the compounding of it before it is unleashed."

I swung the sword slightly, allowing the mana coating the weapon to lose its structure and disperse.

"Don't you use guns?" He asked skeptically.

"That does not mean that I am incapable of something as basic as this," I uttered, specifically denoting the base nature of the challenge, trying to get a rise out of Joseph.

"What do you think, Joseph? Have I been clear enough for you?"

I held the sword by the blade and gestured the weapon's hilt toward Joseph.

"Controlled anger, huh?"

He looked toward Hemmie and Halene, both cringing at the sight of our playful conflict. He stared at them for a good moment before facing me once more. He grabbed the sword's hilt firmly before stating:

"I think with you around, I won't be having much trouble with the anger part at the very least."

I've been ironing a bunch of things out to make the novel consistent going forward.

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