03

"Well that was tiring"

I was just their laying on my bed, think of what had transpired last night.

At first it was slow, Luna had said a few words and even started a conversation.

But the later it got, the more she started to talk. Like an unreasonable amount of talking.

At first I didn't mind since I knew her personality and was trying to help.

But at one point, she should have stopped but she didn't, and now it's 10 in the morning!

"She talked from 7 ish at night to the end of 9 in the morning the next day! That's got to be a record!"

"At least it wasn't boring or who knows when I would have fell asleep. Especially since I know a decent amount about her already."

Luna Stormheart, one of the strongest characters in the novel.

As her last name hints, her abilities relate to storms, more specifically the lightning of a storm.

She is the fastest character in the novel, as well as arugably the best sword user in the novel.

Since she is a part of the Stormheart family, she was given a couple of Rank 5 manuals.

"If I remember correctly it was, Arc of Light Style and Thunder Flash Steps"

She was also trained since birth giving her a head start.

"Speaking of training, I should also train. I need to see how my skill affects me, especially that level 5 sword."

*****

After forcing myself to leave the comfort of my bed, I had walked around the academy.

I was new to the place, so I needed to learn the layout of the school.

It was big, but the school itself was very simple to understand.

All students were separated by years, which in turn gave us separate buildings to go to.

So I just needed to memorize one building and not the others for this year.

So after my exploration, I headed to the training grounds.

Currently it was empty, probably because the school hasn't started and students are still learning about the school.

But this was perfect for me, as no one was around to watch me.

So I took out my sword from my inventory, and I admired it for a few minutes and it's beautiful design.

But soon started my training and started swinging and almost instantly, my body and mind started to move the sword with what seem like perfection.

My body knew how to use my greatsword and my mind was able to understand how to move it.

It was like a perfect circle, and the longer I did it the better I became at it.

'Is this the effect of a Grade S skill! It's amazing!'

The feeling of getting better every second that passed and how my mind was able to comprehend it felt great.

As time passed, I had eventually stopped after a few hours.

I looked at the sky and at my best estimate, it was around 5, maybe a bit more or less.

'That was really enjoyable. And I feel stronger, but that's enough for today I need a break.'

I put my sword back in my inventory and headed back to my dorm, which had a shower luckily.

*****

After my shower, I laid in my bed.

'After today, 1 day left until school starts. Actually…. Before school starts, I can get that movement technique. Since it's actually hidden here in the school.'

Hidden, actually more like long lost, in the school was a Rank 5 movement manual.

It was originally found by the protagonist but he already had a Rank 5 movement technique, so he gave to one of his harem members.

'What was it called again? It was something dumb….. ah! The Fool's Dance! That's what it was called.'

I don't know much about it, besides that it has 3 styles and a hazy memory of its description.

'It was something like when the fool dance, he can even trick reality itself. Or something like that. Sounds good to me tho.'

But right now, I couldn't care. I just wanted to sleep.

Afterall, staying up all night and doing a several hours of training lesson was not a good idea in a single day.

******

The next morning, I woke up with a refreshing feeling.

'It seems all I needed was a good night of sleep.'

Happy that I was feeling great, I decided that some physical activity and exercise would be good.

Afterall, if I don't stretch out enough my body will probably be under tons of stress.

Since it was later in the morning, lots of people were walking around and talking.

I ignore most of them but every once in a while a few girls waved at me. I usually waved back.

I guess this is what charm at A+ level gets you.

Entering the gym, there was tons of students. Luckily their was as much equipment as their were students.

So I when to the treadmill to warm up and start my workout.

*****

Finishing my workout, with a final lift of a weight. I headed straight back to my dorm as I needed a shower.

Afterall, a workout is meant for you to sweat.

But along the way, I saw Luna. Since I was heading her direction I decided to greet her.

"Luna, how are you?"

Luna turn around and her eyes seem to gleamed when she saw me.

"Erik! I'm doing good! How are you. Hmm? Are you sweating? Are you sick? No, you probably finished a work out seeing that your veins are worked up"

"Wow, good observation. Yeah, I'm doing good. I'm just heading back to take a shower. It seems your social skills have improved."

Since she was out in public grounds and not on a training ground. I had assumed that she was socializing but her next sentence left me shocked.

"Uhmm, actually no. I still can't speak to people. I just look at them…. And it gets awkward.

I have tried tho! But every time, it seems my body doesn't want to say anything.

I even had a weird misunderstanding with some random person. They thought I like them because no words were coming out and I was staring.

I mean who even things that? Well, whatever… but so far…. Your the only person I had a normal conversation with."

"Really? Then are you still trying?"

"Nope. I gave up yesterday, no matter how hard I tried. I just couldn't start a conversation."

'Well... at least I helped her realize that sooner than originally….. even if I couldn't solve the core problem'

"Well…. Your obviously able to do it, hence our conversation right now. Why don't you try to talk to people as …..quirky?….. as you?"

"Quirky? I guess being an introvert is a bit quirky….. but who exactly?"

"Not sure, I'm not exactly as "well connected" as a normal person or noble, so…. Yeah, I wouldn't know."

"Yeah, I guess….. oh by the way, what class do you have? It should say in our student IDs."

'My guess is class 301, the class of the characters in the novel.'

I pull out my student ID, and as I expected class 301.

"Yay, we're in the same class! Class 301, my best friend has the same class at me! Wait, what's your rank?

450 out of 2000, that pretty good. Your definitely above average, so you be at least a little skilled."

'Best friend? It hasn't even been a ...You know what, it doesn't matter. Guess I'm her best friend now.'

"Yeah, I'm a little skilled. Oh, what's yours? You must be high up there."

"Yeah, your looking at Rank Number 3! Impressive right?"

"Yeah, it is. Well, I'm going to take a shower and prepare for tomorrow, see you tomorrow?"

"For sure, I'll see you in class. Bye"

"Yeah, bye"

Parting ways and heading back to my room. Luna's telling me of her rank reminded me of the first and second rank.

Rank 1 was held by Aria Dawn and Rank 2, the protagonist of "Dragon Knight of Fire", Drake Sunclaw.

Aria Dawn is a magician, well not exactly, she can be classified as a saint.

So she is technically a magician, but wields a power related to the divine.

Aria Dawn, was raise as the next Saint by the churches.

She specializes in light magic and support spells.

The skills and manuals she uses make her a formidable opponent.

'She is also a little weird, for being a saint she is a lazy, prideful, and very wrathful person.'

Then their Drake Sunclaw, the main character.

Now he is a magic swordsman, which means he uses both a Magic technique and sword technique.

Both at rank 5, and he also has a rank 5 movement technique. He also possesses a very power skills that are related to dragons.

Now, in this world, dragons are extinct or never existed. Either way, it does matter much as dragons are seen as being of extreme power.

And since Drake's skills are dragon related they are powerful.

Which amplifies his powers and magic even further. Now he is just a normal person, expect for the part where he is actually a Dragon.

Not physically, well kinda, but his soul is that of a fire dragon. Well, it might be a human soul now? Not sure, maybe a mix of both.

'Well doesn't matter, but at least he acts human, maybe he is truly a human, but he probably a mix."

Luckily, the novel doesn't start in the academy arc, but instead it starts with a whole childhood arc.

This is where the "dragon" learns to be human.

And also show how he is overpowered and his uniqueness compared to others.

His childhood arc just humanizes himself as he collects manuals and skills, that match his previous dragon abilities.

Hence the title "Dragon Knight" and "Fire" in the novel title.

Now he isn't weird, but he just lacks common sense. Which I guess is weird, yeah….. never mind he is also weird.

But at least he doesn't cause trouble, trouble just follows him.

"Well more about that later, actually probably tomorrow.... I'm just going to take a shower."

******

Now that I had showered, it was time to get my hands on The Fool's Dance technique.

Now it was a pretty simple thing to do.

'All I had to do was talk to a tree…. So act like a crazy person... cool, cool, simple enough'

So that exactly what I was planning to do, but it wasn't exactly a normal tree.

Well it looked like it, but it is actually it was ancient tree that lived through many eras.

Their were some things that match up to the tree's history and age, but their spread all over the world.

"Well let's hope that no one is around when I'm talking to the tree."

*****

Luckily no one was around this tree, as it stood alone in the middle of this park.

The park was a nice spot in the academy were you could relax, but it was basically barren with a few benches and this big tree.

"Now what do I say? Maybe something dumb? Hmmm?

I'll figure it out as I go, who needs a plan? I'll just wing it what's the worst that can happen?"

*Thump*

After about 10 minutes of talking, something fell on my head.

"Ow, that hurt"

Their on the floor laid a book, on it is said [The Fool's Dance].

Using the system I was able to get a description of it.

[The Fool's Dance](Rank 5): The Fool's Dance is a movement style characterized by three movements. It is said that when the fool dances, reality itself appears to be tricked. The effects of "The Fool's Dance" are captivating and surreal, as it manipulate perception through their movements, creating an enchanting spectacle that leaves observers questioning what is real and what is illusion. It's as if the person moves through the impossible.

"Wow, the description is a little off putting but I ain't one to complain. Time to pratice."

Luckily, my skill works on all manuals especially ones that require the physical body.

******

After finishing up and preparing for tomorrow, I was finally ready for school.

Night finally arrived and I was preparing for bed.

"At least I was able to learn the first movement"

I open up my status to look at my progress so far.

Character Status Board:

Name: Erik Darksoul

Rank: E+

Strength:E+

Agility:E+

Stamina:E+

Intelligence:E

Mana Storage:E+

Charm:A+

Additional Section:

- Trade: [Sword Lvl. 5]:

- Skills:

[Martial Soul](Grade S){Passive}

- Techniques:

[Fallen Star Style](Rank 5):

Style #1: Fallen Aura

Style #2: Counter Vanish

Style #3: Black Star Burst

[Style #4-7 Locked]

[The Fool's Dance](Rank 5):

Style #1: Here I am!

[Style #2-3 Locked]

-Inventory:

[Soul Breaker](S++):

Effects: Unbreakable, Lightweight, Permanent Sharpened, Soulbound, Enhanced Abilities, and Soul Strikes

The first movement was called "Here I am!", which took a while to get the hang of but I eventually figured it out.

This movement allowed me to basically look like I teleported, boost my speed to the extreme, hide my presence, and basically be invisible in plain sight.

Now it isn't truly teleportation, but instead a perfect illusion is created as I move which messes with perception.

Since movement is about getting to plot B from plot A, all I have to do is see time quickly while my opponents see time slowly.

Think of it as frames, if your wanting to look backwards and your facing forward, you quickly spin around.

Now with more frames, you can see everything between the front to the back.

The more frames, the more you see and the faster it is to turn around.

But if I lower the speed of your frames all the way down, you are stuck at one frame and unable to see new until the next frame which takes a long time to appear.

Once the next frame appears, it will be of you looking backwards. After all that is your objective, but you couldn't see anything between the first frame and the last frame.

So this first movement creates an illusion that gives the effect of maximizing my frame speed for myself making me fast and lowering the frame speed to the bottom for onlookers creating the effect of slowness and messing with the way they can progress information .

It's perfect as I am able to hid in frames they can not see, so they can't sense me or see me, even if I'm next to them, as mana and perception go hand to hand.

So even if they use mana to search for me, your mana will also be affected by the illusion. Giving you incorrect and incomplete data.

And that's the basic run down for the first movement.

'Well at least it is overpowered as hell. But I think it's time for bed. Afterall, it's officially the start of the Echo Arc.'