Verest Training Camp

"By the way, why Roxenn's not with you?"

"Roxenn requires intense training and research. Her ability is peculiar, capable of controlling her soul. Unlike me, whose talent simply enhanced my physique to a terrifying degree, she has no idea what references she should use to activate her talent."

Roxanna furrowed her eyebrows. It was for this reason that her sister was regarded as someone with no talent in her previous life. Her talent is too confusing, for Earthling has yet to delve into the field of the soul.

She was also guilty. Back then, Roxenn had no time for training because Roxanna was being bratty and wished to be accompanied by her to the training camp.

She was overconfident, declaring she would be capable of protecting Roxenn with her strong physique.

It was a day of disgrace for the former Sovereign.

"Don't worry. That little girl is too curious for her own good. She'll manage to find a way sooner or later." Roxy assured them with a relaxed stance.

Besides Roxanna, Urapus looked lost. His advanced physique is only capable of controlling his body. He was utterly clueless about anything related to the soul.

This second aspect of being is too strange. It exists, yet intelligible and inaccessible.

Urapus must admit his inferiority in this matter. He cupped his chin, with eyes reflecting his curiosity.

Perhaps he could find some clues in the advanced knowledge of mankind worth hundreds of years of research in the training camp. Maybe he'll check out the SHOP later.

"Alright, so what do you wish to know? It may take a while to reach the capital, so take your time."

It was mostly directed to Urapus. Roxanna has received all of the necessary knowledge from her instructors at home.

"Miss, is there a way to grind our battle instinct?"

"Of course. We have these devices that could simulate a different reality. You could use the movements of your body to move within the simulation."

Urapus blinked. Why didn't Father tell me all these things?

"But that's mostly for theoretical purposes and tests. At the end of the year, you will be sent to the frontline and fight off against the Outer Forces!"

Inwardly, Urapus nodded. It's way better than in his era. Back then, the Outer Forces would wantonly invade the Earth and treat it as their playground.

The Earth was literally the battlefield!

Combined with the internal affairs of mankind that caused several problems, it was truly a dark time compared to the present.

It was the time when he was forced to be a strong Awakener, for if he was too weak, he would be killed by the invaders!

"That frontline will be your home for a week. And no one will bat an eye if you die."

Roxy pointed out the vague line in the sky, lining across the sky from south to north, like a meridian line.

"That line is present across the earth. No matter where you are, it will be there, like a guardian angel that protects the earth."

"Just how did mankind create such a frontline?"

"They use the moon."

If observed from afar, Earth would look like the current Saturnus, with a ring surrounding it. With the power of the Awakeners, along with the new addition, the inner energy, the researchers succeed in realizing the theorized frontline.

It was possible because of the lack of attacks from the Outer Forces. Back then, Urapus, the First Hero, along with his comrades destroyed their foundation to the point of nigh-extinction. It took a very long time for them to recover.

With that chance, mankind used it to create a line of defense, creating a protected haven for the desperate citizens, who felt eternally grateful to the Awakeners.

"It was all because of the First Hero that mankind could enjoy the peace of the Blue Earth. The era was named after the Phoenix, for it signified the meaning of destruction and rebirth. And when the extinguished flame is ignited once again, it'll become stronger than ever, like the current humanity."

"It destroyed itself once, and rebirths."

"We wish to honor the spirit of Urapus, like how mankind's greatest genius, Merlin did by destroying the Outer Forces as a whole by detonating himself. To ensure that what he did was not in vain."

Urapus paused. So his old friend, Merlin, died by detonating himself? He inwardly sighed.

Old friend, is that how you wish to redeem yourself?

"The First Hero's warmth enveloped the entire Earth. And we took it for granted until the last moment. That moment signified the second rebirth of mankind, similar to the first one when 99% of mankind was extinguished."

"It was to signified that the First Hero's disappearance was comparable to 99% of mankind."

Roxy took a deep breath. When it comes to the First Hero, for a powerful person like her, they couldn't help but be breathless. It took a whole frontline along with millions of Awakeners, including tens of Sovereigns to resist the current Outer Forces.

Yet the First Hero could resist them when they were still at their peak. When the 72 Heads of the Alliance of the Outer Forces still ran rampant.

It was ridiculous. Just how glorious the First Hero was back then? How kind and compassionate the man was to not lift a finger towards the ants that wished for his demise despite being hailed the Strongest Human?

The only reason she, along with the other Sovereigns believed in this legend was because of Merlin, who left a message in the form of a disk to ensure that the truth wouldn't be enclosed.

If even Mankind's Greatest Genius admired him, how could they not?

Even the arrogant her couldn't help but revere such a man. Despite her selfishness, she couldn't deny it. The First Hero is not someone who could be repeated. He is a special entity, a guardian angel of Blue Earth.

"Although some people may consider his actions as foolish, none could deny that it's honorable. I don't want you to be like him, but remember that we mankind once had such a figure. A figure who's willing to whole-heartedly fight for our beloved planet."

"A figure who we will always be proud of!"

While Urapus felt a sense of wryness and bitterness, with a bit of reminiscing, Roxanna was so excited her face was red with happiness. No matter how many times she listened to it, it's always awe-inspiring!

She secretly glanced at Urapus, who looked lost in his thoughts. The longer she's with him, the more she realizes how true her deduction was 4 years ago.

Urapus Ashford is the First Hero. She won't believe it either if she has not regressed.

If she could do it, then why the First Hero couldn't?

And from the look of it, he became even better. He's ruthless, arrogant, and especially sentimental to his close people.

Inwardly, she giggled to herself. You don't know, my beloved Hero, but this will remain a secret.

Between you, and me... And the best part is, no one will know.

Especially not her Mother!

On their journey, the helicopter may not looked much, but it was very fast. Breskon City was quite far from the Capital. Fortunately, technology has prospered in this Era, and even the speed of a helicopter could easily exceed 800 km/h.

Most of the journey was spent on the sea. At night, Urapus looked at the scenery, where the starlight was reflected by the sea that extended to the horizon.

He knows he can control the starlight power, but it remains vague. What is starlight? How could he control such a power? And what must I do to control it?

In theory, starlight is the energy taking the form of light that comes from the stars. To utilize it, he must be capable of absorbing the starlight like how he absorbed the inner energy.

"The question is, how does that work?"

Meanwhile, at the other seat of the helicopter, while Roxy was meditating, Roxanna was training her mind. She has trained her physical might in her past life and was neglecting her mind due to the guilt of her sister's death.

For Awakeners, mind and physique are like yin and yang. The concept is somewhat vague, but the theory makes sense. To train one's mind, Awakeners must enhance their temperament.

The management of the heart is the most important. To be calm, and not be provoked easily by mundane emotions.

But which human can remain indifferent? To hold back their urges to solve the grudges that they have?

It's too hard. That's what Roxanna wanted to train. To be patient, calm, and not fall into the embrace of wrath should her moments come.

There's a famous saying, that with a calm mind, one could overcome any obstacles in his life.

Thus, with training accompanying their free time, the night ends in a flash.

16th June, Year 309 of the 2nd Phoenix Calendar.

The sun rises from the east, and a beautiful island with a tall mountain comes into view.

The mountain is like a diamond, with snow topping the peak. Each parts of the mountain are connected with a circular building that pierces the heaven.

The megastructure used the landscape as its foundation, with its pillars resembling legs covering the whole landscape. From afar, it looked like an unusually tall circular spider with short legs.

It was comical until you saw it up close. Uranus wonders which creative individual designed such a menacing structure.

"Welcome to the Verest Capital, the main headquarters of mankind."

Looking at the circular tower that pierced the heaven, Urapus sighed in disbelief and amazement. Roxanna remained natural. Back then, this place was like her second home where she would occasionally rest after resisting the Outer Force's merciless onslaught.

The helicopter swiftly descended on what looked like the entrance of the megastructure, which was a whole 100-meter gate.

Roxy, as if owning the place, simply kicked the door, and it was opened without a bit of resistance. Urapus twitched. What's the use of such a big gate when a kick could open it?

"Don't misunderstand. The sensor in the gate could recognize me, whether it was my head or my toe. Even if I touch it with a strand of my hair, it would open up on its own."

"Just how often did you come here...?"

"Too often, more than I like it."

Roxy's face was gloomy. But her expression quickly changed when she saw the city inside.

"Let's go. I'll take you to the training camp. We may be a little bit late."

Roxanna has already given up. A little bit late from her Mother is equivalent to an hour of being late. And that's not even an exaggeration.

Well, there goes my memorable 'first' day of camp.

A few minutes later, Urapus and Roxanna looked up to the towering wall before them.

The training camp is what you would expect it to look like. With reinforced walls enhanced by mysterious symbols covering its area and an exaggerated amount of surveillance cameras.

It was the place where the future of mankind was trained. How could the security be lax here?

Soon, a security guard noticed them and greeted them, "Welcome, Monarch Harden."

"Hmph, don't waste too much time. Do it quickly, I may be a little bit late."

The security guard was speechless. Ma'am, it's been two weeks since the cadets were given time to get used to the camp. Yet you just arrived when the opening ceremony was about to start?

Personally, Roxy thought of it as a waste of time. Just get on with the training already. They're the future of mankind. You couldn't treat them like they were normal kids.

Two weeks in their golden age is equivalent to two years in their adult age. Such precious time must be used for something beneficial.

"Urapus, Xanna, come with me."

The security guard couldn't resist. This is the Monarch, second only to the Sovereign. What can he do if she decides to enter the camp?

Inside, the training camp was mainly made up of training fields. Gargantuan, enormous fields. They're at least a hundred kilometers each.

As for the buildings, they're quite scarce. Of course, it was considered scarce because of the sheer width and length of the training camp itself, with the enormous distance between buildings.

They served as either dorms, cafeterias, offices, or any other purposes. Thus, even if the whole place was unusually large, they could easily spot the Principal's office.

Well, Roxy could easily spot it. Urapus was speechless the whole time, marveling over the grandiosity of the enormous camp, while Roxanna took her time to enjoy the environment of the camp.

Like usual, Roxy disregarded any form of etiquette and barged into the office, revealing a calm middle-aged man with a bald head and a pair of old glasses. He wore a coat over his suit, not minding the intruder at all.

"Oi, Orhelm, you're still following that filthy, old establishment? Come on! just get on with the training already. They'll think this place is a gathering to improve their social status." Roxy grumbled in annoyance.

The bald Principal merely sipped his coffee and replied, "Roxy, they're still kids in the end. Just give them some leeway. After their test at the end of the year, they'll be revealed to the cruel reality. We have to balance the punishment and benefits, to ensure that their mind wouldn't break down by the constant pressure from the camp."

Roxy tried to argue back, but Principal Orhelm swiftly changed the topic and looked at the two kids behind her, "And who are these two kids? Surely, being personally escorted by you proves their temperament and talent."

Roxy Harden is the Monarch of War. The kids that she personally pouches wouldn't be some bratty, annoying kids. Orhelm knew her well.

Finally, Roxy relented to his will and brought the kids to the front. Orhelm wasn't surprised by Urapus's exaggerated look, nor was he surprised by the closeness of these two kids.

It was their eyes. Their eyes reflected the resoluteness children their age shouldn't have. Orhelm took a deep breath, wondering where Roxy found these two exceptional talents.

In his presence, they remained motionless. With the appropriate amount of respect and self-confidence. Inwardly, Orhelm smiled.

It seems like the camp this year would be vastly different from last year.

"Oi, introduce yourself, you two."

Behind them, Roxy grasps their hair with a proud smile. She knew the old Principal saw it. Her gaze was especially intense when she set her eyes on Urapus.

Orhelm inwardly noted. So the boy surpassed his initial expectations.

"My name is Roxanna Harden."

"Urapus Ashford. It is an honor to meet you, Principal Orhelm."

Principal Orhelm was satisfied with their introductions. Roxanna Harden is self-explanatory. She came from the same Household the Monarch served. As for Urapus Ashford, the unbending will to remain upright was evident.

Orhem couldn't wait to see the clash between these two and the rest of the cadets this year. So many impressive cadets.

The son of the Thunder Sovereign, the sole daughter of the Meykler's Head Family, the sole heir of the Sage, the inheritor of the lineage of the Angels...

Not to mention the kids that awakened the long-lost talent of their family.

Even the son of the Sovereign is present, along with the granddaughter of the previous Sovereign.

With these two mingling amongst those colossal figures, just what could possibly happen?

Will it be a clash of the century? Rivalry that pushed them to their limit? In such an environment, these exceptional kids would surely be able to maximize their potential.

This year is truly a blessing for humanity. Orhelm and Roxy exchanged a look with each other.