The Veiled Man
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Martial Arts Vs Magic - Chapter 75
🕑 Added 2025-01-15 16:45:36 +0000 UTCChapter 75: The New Hero Assembly
I returned to the dorms in the evening, the day’s last sunlight slanting low through the windows. The door wasn’t locked from inside, so I expected to find Lilian the moment I stepped in. She was usually all over the place, cleaning, cooking, or running errands.
Instead, the room was empty. “Lilian?” I called softly, kicking off my shoes as I took off my blue overcoat. I heard the sound of splashing water from my washroom.
A second later, the door to the small showering area creaked open, and a wild Lilian peeked out. Soaked hair clung to her shoulders, droplets rolling down her bare arms. “Oh-!”
She wore only a thin towel around her torso that looked like she'd barely put it on, and water dripped onto the floor. Before I could say a word, she jumped at me. I caught her instinctively, arms wrapping around her damp figure.
“You’re finally back,” she said, sounding a bit breathless. I could feel her heart pounding against my chest. “I missed you.”
I felt her body's warmth, but managed to let out a laugh, setting her gently on her feet. “Shouldn’t you lock the door if you’re showering?” I teased, flicking a drop of water off her nose. “Put on some clothes before you hug me.”
“Why?” She asked with a cute frown, “it's not as if we haven't done that before.”
“Um…” I cleared my throat, making her grin at me.
“Whatever, I'll be back, wait,” she said, turning away. As she disappeared into the adjacent room to dress, I ruffled my hair and exhaled, half-amused, half-relieved to see her here after two weeks. A minute later, she returned, donning an oversized shirt and toweling off her hair.
“All fresh,” Lilian announced with a hint of faux pride. “You missed me, right?”
“You know, Lilian, it'll be complicated if someone came and saw you wearing my clothes…” I said, but she just shrugged.
“I don't care. We Lunewolves love to wear our mate's clothes, we love their scent mingling with ours. Is that wrong?” When she asked it like that, eyes full of stars, I didn't have the heart to reject her.
I shrugged my shoulders in the end. “Do what you please,” I smiled and motioned for her to follow me.
A few seconds later, we ended up by the balcony at the rear of our place, a small space that overlooked a portion of the academy grounds. Leaning against the railing, I gazed out over the patchwork repairs and lingering scaffolding.
Lilian stood beside me, arms folded. “I thought it'd be fixed by now. So many [Earth Mages] and other builders are working, after all.”
“Means the damage is just that great. That aside,” I began, “how’d the hunting go?”
She ran a hand over the railing. “Not bad, I guess. But not great,” she admitted. “We split up at one point. I went off by myself, while Solara and Nebula teamed up. The two of their levels soared, except for me.”
“Oh?”
“Solara gained six levels, somehow,” she said, scowling. “Her new martial arts are insane. Those wings are a cheat. Nebula got three. Honestly, as the lowest leveled among us, she should have gained more than Solara. And me? One lousy level.” She ran a hand through her newly dried hair, frustration plain on her face. “I mean, I guess it’s to be expected. I’m close to a sort of threshold—levels come slower these days. But still…”
I reached over and patted her head, my fingers brushing against her soft ears. “You’re already strong, Lilian. We all know it. Better one level at your stage than ten levels at Solara’s.”
She shook her head, looking only slightly mollified. Then, I recalled the main reason I wanted to talk to her. “...What’s up with Nebula?” I asked. “She seemed distracted this morning in class. Actually, she’s been off for a while now. And as you said, she should have gained more levels.”
Lilian’s expression darkened. “You know, your fiancée’s always involved in weird stuff. Holy Knights, birthdays, these random crises. She can’t go a month without drama—unlike me,” she scoffed.
“Yes, yes,” I showed her an easy smile. She didn't like me talking about Nebula, so I humored her a little by ruffling her hair.
“...But yeah, she definitely acted strangely these past two weeks. We fought some mid-tier monsters, nothing that should’ve fazed her, and she got herself wounded multiple times. She might've been in serious trouble without Solara’s flames and some emergency healing potions.”
My concern grew. Nebula was a careful fighter—rarely reckless. For her to slip up repeatedly meant something was deeply on her mind. “I see,” I murmured, heart sinking. “I’ll talk to her soon. Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.”
Lilian watched me in silence for a beat, then nodded. “Good. She wouldn’t tell me anything. But if it’s affecting her combat abilities, it’s bigger than petty drama, y’know?”
I offered a grim smile. Deciding to lighten up the mood, I added, “Finally worried for your lover-in-law?”
“....” She stared at me and scowled, giving me an incredulous look. “You didn't just say that word.”
I just shrugged, turning my gaze back to the horizon. The sun angled sharply across the academy’s silhouette, casting the half-repaired rooftops in bright orange.
We stood that way for a moment. Then Lilian shuffled her feet, voice dropping, “About the cult, are we ready to—?”
“Shh.” I lifted a finger to her lips, nodding toward the streets below our dorm. My eyes sharpened as I observed them.
Two figures strode along the pathway below, each radiating enough power that my Demonic Sphere hummed an alert. Their auras were easily in the seventh ascension range. One hefted a long spear, his blue hair short. The other carried a bow over their shoulder, with red hair tied in a ponytail.
[Marein Azuretide; Level 111]
[Ignarion Emberflare, Level 127]
Lilian’s eyes narrowed. “Who are they?”
“I think… the New Hero Assembly,” I said, barely recalling. “They’re descendants of the heroes who defeated the last demon king. Their ancestors are the party members of your grandmother. Most of these descendants graduated from the academy and decided to form an adventuring party together. The New Hero Assembly.”
“They must be investigating the demon fiasco or just patrolling,” Lilian guessed, “Either way, that’s some serious might right there if their entire party is that strong. A party of Seventh Ascensions… no wonder they’re arrogant to title themselves heroes.”
“If you put it that way,” I shrugged. We stayed quiet until the two unknown heroes disappeared around the bend. Only then did I lower my voice again. “Anyhow, about the Outer God Cult. I decided that we’ll let them and the many other adventurers here handle any immediate trouble for now, yeah? I’m not strong enough to pick a fight against that group yet.”
I said, and she sent me a doubtful look. “Really?”
“That skill I used has consequences. You saw it,” I shrugged. “Plus, there’s a cooldown period. It’s better to just pull Iaskin out of it for now.”
A fleeting memory of Lilian’s wounded trek home flashed in my mind. I was surprised to wake up from my three days’ coma to find her injured. She’d risked her life to gather intel about that shady cult, returning with half-healed injuries. The details she’d learned were ominous. I knew about them from the game, but it wasn’t in-depth. So her intel was valuable.
The Cult of the Outer God Xohr'Veskhaan was an organized group worshipping cosmic beings beyond mortal comprehension. The entity Xohr'Veskhaan could fight against any of the Twelve Gods of this world on equal grounds. If such a being was allowed to descend into this mortal realm, like the cult was planning, it’d mark the end for us all. From Lilian’s in-depth report, it wouldn’t be wise to get involved against them just yet.
I’d prefer not to get involved with them at all and let this world’s heavy hitters take care of it, but my brother was ensnared in their ranks. The thought made my stomach twist when I recalled his fate in the game.
“Thank you for everything you learned about the cult,” I said. “I’m sorry you got hurt in the process.”
Her lips parted into a grin. “Come on, you need to be more ruthless and cold than that as the leader of your own cult. What’s up with thank yous? Anyhow, they’re an insidious bunch. Sorry, I couldn’t pry deeper without alerting them.”
“I understand.” I leaned my forearms on the balcony railing. “Still, the most critical piece is that Iaskin’s involved. I can’t let him stay tangled up in their nonsense any longer. We’ll have to do something.”
Lilian nodded. “Agreed. But be careful, will you?” Her tone softened with concern. “They’re no small fry. All this is too much without that weird skill, even for you.”
I smirked faintly. “Hence why I have you—my unstoppable little wolf.”
“Little?” She rolled her eyes, but her cheeks were alight with a proud warmth. “But sure, that’s my job, young master. What’s our immediate step?”
Back off from the railing, I rubbed the back of my neck. “As I said, Iaskin. First step is dealing with him. It’s been enough hiding in the bushes. I need to confront him properly.”
“Good luck,” she smiled.
****
I didn’t find Iaskin in his dorms. His friends said he’d been out for a few days, and they didn’t know when he’d be back. I wasn’t too worried; the Cult would only properly appear in Episode 8, and its story would conclude in Episode 10.
I had a lot of time before Episode 8, Episode 6: The Black Dragon's Ambition, and Episode 7: The Forbidden Tome. I also had to focus on them.
Since I forgot Nebula’s Episode 4 and the Winter Festival’s Episode 5, and therefore could not prepare well for them, I’d decided to write things down about the next episodes. It allowed me to plan things better, and then I burnt the pages off.
“Iskandaar Romani?””
A voice called when I stepped out of the 2nd year dorms and into the garden. I turned to find glistening black hair swaying in the air while purple eyes gazed into my golden ones. A young man the same age as Iaskin, except built like a tank, as he approached me. What timing. I paused before nodding in respect. “It is me, yes, Senior Drakovar.”
“What is a first-year doing here?” Another voice followed from behind the dorm door, and a girl walked in. She was as tall as him, also quite muscular, wearing a sleeveless tank top as she stopped beside her twin brother. “Don’t be nervous, we’re just curious.”
Oh, there definitely are reasons to be nervous. I thought, smiling at them. They were the children of the Black Draconia Duke, the Black Dragon Twins. They were the older siblings of Kael Drakovar. Kaine Drakovar and Lyra Drakovar.
Unlike what they said, there were reasons to be nervous as they loomed over me. Their younger brother must have complained to them about me, perhaps still holding grudges from the Orientation Incident. Plus, the Black Draconia Family had a complicated relationship with the Romani Romani. They wanted to pick on me.
Not that they were strong, though.
[Kaine Drakovar, Level 51]
[Lyra Drakovar, Level 51]
Just some second years. I can deal with them easily if they act up. I noted and replied, “I came to see my brother, Iaskin. Family members, who are fellow students, can visit each other’s dorms if I’m not wrong?” I asked, and they exchanged glances.
“You’re not wrong,” the twin brother, Kaine, said. He smirked, “I heard Iaskin isn’t here for a few days. Say, why not come with them and hang out? We were holding a party tonight with some others. Come get along with your seniors.”
“Yes,” Lyra eyed me as if trying to tempt me. “We’ll have fun as we get to know each other. Yes~?” Any other first year, and they’d have given in. Not me, though.
“Ah, I’ll pass,” I said. “My fiance’s waiting for me.” I turned around and walked away before they could force me to comply. I heard a click of someone’s tongue as I left the area.
****
I was walking through the academy’s eastern hallway, far from the second-year dorms, when a voice called out from above, lilting and familiar. “Iskandaar~!”
Great. My name seemed to be on everyone’s lips today. I looked up, already sensing who it was due to my Demonic Sphere, and spotted Solara descending gracefully through the hallway’s large windows. Her wings flared as she landed beside me, feathers catching the soft glow of nearby lanterns.
“Hey,” I greeted, raising a hand. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“Fancy?” She folded her wings neatly behind her, her tone teasing. “When did you become a 70-year-old nobleman? Anyway, whachu doing here alone?”
I chuckled. “Went to check on my brother, but he wasn’t in his dorm. Then I ran into a pair of delightful second-years who tried to rope me into their little party. The Draconia Twins—Kaine and Lyra. I think you might have heard of them.”
“Oh no, I did. They’re not good company,” she fluttered her eyelashes. “How did you escape?”
“Said my fiancée was waiting for me.”
“Classic,” she said with a grin. “Where is she, though?”
“No idea, probably in her dorms,” I replied. “What about you? What’re you up to?”
“Boredom patrol,” she said, nudging me. “Was taking a flight and then saw you wander the hallway. Thought I’d keep you company since you looked so lonely.”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “True that. It’s easy to feel lonely when facing the walls of this ancient academy. You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.”
“I’ll see,” she shot back with a playful tone. Was there something different about her today? I couldn’t point it out. We chattered lightly and for a while, and the glow of lanterns caught on her crimson feathers as the evening deepened. It was peaceful.
Until my Demonic Sphere prickled with sudden alarm.
A strange energy flickered at the edge of my senses, gone almost as soon as it appeared. I halted in my tracks, prompting Solara to look at me, eyebrows raised. “Iskandaar?” she asked softly. “Something wrong?”
I kept still for a second, letting the sphere’s feedback churn in my mind. “Yeah, I just did,” I murmured. “Something weird. It was faint, but…” I turned to Solara. “Can you bring Amelia here? Tell her it’s an emergency.”
The calmness of the situation was shattered immediately. Her feathers stood up in alarm, and she seemed ready to protest, unwilling to leave me alone, but when my look didn’t falter, she sighed. “Alright,” Solara said. “I’ll be back in no time.”
“Sure.” I offered a quick smile and watched them walk off. Once she was out of sight, I let out a breath and turned in the opposite direction, down a winding hallway I’d rarely used. The deeper I went, the dimmer the light became until I spotted a door leading to a descending stairwell—some sort of basement entrance.
My Demonic Sphere brushed the boundary of that unusual energy again.
With a grim nod, I reached behind my back and conjured the Phantom Hand. Though it wasn’t terribly mana-intensive, I usually kept it off to conserve every drop. Right now, caution felt prudent.
Step by step, I descended into the basement’s darkness. Even the faint glow from the corridor above vanished as I wound deeper down. But my sphere was a reliable guide, letting me navigate without stumbling. That unsettling energy had vanished, though, leaving me scanning the shadows for any hint of movement.
I’m sure it wasn’t a false call. Is the suspect using some sort of skill to hide their presence? I theorized.
Then, without warning, a dagger pressed against my throat from behind. A sliver of cold metal nipped my skin, and my heart jolted.
“What are you doing down here, student?” A low, somewhat magical voice demanded. The speaker sounded female, and something in her tone hinted at lethal confidence.
For an instant, I feigned panic. “I- I’m sorry— I’m just, please—” My voice wavered dramatically. But the second I sensed the assassin relax a fraction, I vanished mid-sentence with Void Step, reappearing behind her.
My Phantom Hand dissipated since it wouldn't help here, and I summoned my Starlight Sword in a burst of radiant light. Its glow illuminated the cramped passage, revealing a slim figure dressed head to toe in black cloth. Her white hair was stark against the darkness, and her pointed ears betrayed her heritage.
“A dark elf,” I breathed, my tone serious now, raising the sword. “Here to finish what your demon friends started?”
She hissed, parrying my sword with her dagger. Sparks flew, the corridor lighting up with each clash. “I’m not with the demons. We have a misunderstanding,” she countered, voice low but tense. “I’m insulted that you think I'm one of the Demon King’s lackeys.”
“Yeah, sure,” I spat. “You’re a dark elf just like them.”
“Racist much?”
“Hey, you just tried to slit my throat.” I tried to defend myself before realizing conversing was pointless. “Come forth, Vyrn!”
At my shout, the pendant around my neck shimmered. A swirl of pale energy shot forth, coalescing into the ghostly white owl that was my newly bound spirit. For a moment, I watched it with mixed feelings. Vyrn, as I’d come to name it, wasn’t exactly the cooperative type.
“That pendant—!” The dark elf started, but I ignored her, pressing the advantage with my sword.
I’d spent two weeks trying to bond with the owl spirit, coaxing it with my mana, offering it mental clarity during my meditations, and occasionally speaking to it as if it could understand me. But nothing worked. The spirit wasn’t hostile, just… distant. Cold, almost. It came when summoned and obeyed the pendant’s authority, but there was no connection.
It felt more like wielding a powerful but indifferent tool than forging the kind of partnership I’d imagined. I couldn’t help but feel frustrated, though I didn’t blame the bird. Elven spirit familiars were legendary for their aloofness, and bonding with one often took years. Perhaps Vyrn was no different. Maybe it was still assessing me, deciding if I was worth its loyalty. Or maybe, I mused, it just didn’t care for humans.
I didn’t like that, but for this encounter, it’d do. I raised a hand, and Vyrn’s ghostly eyes flickered, faintly acknowledging that it awaited my command. “Attack!” I ordered.
It glided forward with an eerie shriek, launching gusts of wind edged in spirit power. The dark elf gasped, slashing wildly to repel the airborne assault.
We traded blows in a tight arc of steel and spirit-infused winds, each footstep echoing on the stone floor. Our blades sounded like the fall of iron rain as she cursed under her breath, weaving sideways to avoid the owl’s bombardment.
“Let us stop this, I’m your alumni!” she cried out between parries. “I studied here—Will you just listen?”
“Hah, really? An elven assassin studied in Waybound years ago when the elves hated humans? Yeah, sure.” I lunged, forcing her to pivot. “Stop lying.”
“No, it's true. Calm down!” she shouted, her dagger carving a faint line of sparks along my sword’s aura. “I was in the same class as your professor, Katheran. Even if I am not your alumni, if you have that Elven Spirit Pendant, we have no reason to kill each other. We’re on the same side!”
Her claim gave me pause, but my instincts still screamed distrust. There was a reason for it, too.
[Selthira Duskbane, Level 117]
She was stronger than Katheran. Firstly, it meant I couldn't let my guard down. While in my current state, I wasn't totally helpless against a 7th Ascension, I couldn't win if I didn't give my all. I was just trying to hold it in and wait for Amelia.
The danger of that aside, how could she be Katheran’s classmate? He held the title of reaching the 7th Ascension at the youngest age, and he was Level 112.
If she was stronger than him, shouldn’t she have that title?
Whoever this Selthira Duskbane was, she had to be lying.
Vyrn used that chance to strike her. The owl could have done better, but it was hard to instruct it while also fighting on my own, so it mostly just floated around. The dark elf dodged Vyrn’s attack, but staggered backward when my Starlight Sword slammed into her. She's skillful with the dagger, I noted, seeing her block it with minimal damage.
But by now, irritation flared in her eyes. “You’re an annoying one, junior. Fine, then. I’ll start taking this seriously.”
“Sure thing,” I said. “Me too.”
Before I could tap into a True Demon God Art, a shout rang out from the staircase behind us. “—Will you two please stop embarrassing me?!”
We both whirled. Amelia stood at the entry, her expression hard and her hand raised. A sphere of gold light gathered in her palm and illuminated the entire basement like the sun. I noticed Solara beside her, panting rapidly as she looked at me, making sure I wasn't injured. Vyrn somehow flapped toward her, sitting on her head. That surprised me.
Ameilia’s eyes narrowed at us, and her voice pulled my attention away. “Why’re you fighting in my school, boy?”
“Hey, that's rude,” I pointed my sword at Selthira. “This person, she’s suspicious—”
“And you,” Amelia cut me off, twisting to face the dark elf, “Isn’t it embarrassing to get pushed back by a first-year? Your ancestors would scorn you for letting a newbie corner you.”
Selthira frowned and let out a frustrated growl, stomping a foot. “He’s a first-year?! That’s nonsense!” She glared daggers my way. “And I was holding back.”
Shit, what's going on now? I turned off my Starlight Sword, calling back my Phantom Hand since Amelia knew her.
Amelia just sighed, rubbing a hand across her forehead as she looked at me.” This is Selthira Duskbane, a distant niece of mine. Her family is considered a sister family to our Duskleaf House. She’s also part of the New Hero Assembly.”
“Oh.”
“Really?” Solara asked from the side. “So she must be the descendant of the Shadow Hero? Incredible.”
Seeing Solara recognize her, Miss Selthira looked a little proud while I raised a brow. Why didn't she introduce herself as that? Then again, I wouldn't have trusted her.
Amelia continued. “Yes, she is. Along with her team, she came to investigate these demon allegations, worried about the involvement of dark elves. Since she and most of the others in her team graduated from Waybound.”
“See?” The dark elf jabbed a finger in my direction. “I did not lie when I said I was Katheran’s classmate.”
“But-” I was surprised, “How is she Level 117 when Katheran is Level 110?”
“How did you know my level?”
Amelia replied, “It’s true that Katheran is less leveled than hers now, but he’d have been higher if he didn’t become a teacher. But I heard he plans to go on a training rampage after his recent series of failures.”
“That’s…” I blinked, folding the sleeves of my Phantom Hand. “It makes sense, now that I think about it.”
Amelia waved dismissively. “Hah, yes. Anyways, Iska, head back to your dorm. Don’t provoke any more of my family, nor your seniors. Especially these kids who call themselves the New Hero Assembly. Please don’t tangle with them unless you really have to. They’re a headache.”
My eyes darted from Amelia to Selthira, and then I exchanged glances with Solara. She just shrugged.
“You're too strong for your age,” The dark elf still studied me warily, perplexed by how I’d nearly matched her. “Are you a hero's descendant?”
“Selthira, sweetheart,” Amelia called, “he's the grandson of Sikandar.”
“...Oh.”
I decided to send back Vyrn, who grumbled a little when the pendant shot a beam of mana at her, and she dissolved away from the mortal realm, vanishing into the spirit realm.
“Solara, come,” I said, stepping away. My gaze flicked to Selthira one last time, meeting her suspicious stare with a half-shrug as Solara stepped beside me. I could sense we’d cross paths again, for strong people never succeeded in avoiding each other.
I gave Amelia a quick nod and left, ascending the stairs back to the hallway’s relative calm. The click of Solara and my footsteps echoed as we disappeared from view.
**
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The Veiled Man Note: Since we’re on Amazon now, and the advertisement is going as a harem, I might drop a picture of the female characters here and there in some chapters for readers of that taste - like with Lilian here. I’d done that before too, but stopped when people complained about thirsty pictures 😂 but that doesn’t matter anymore. Let me know if you guys don’t like them though
Comments
WarStalkeR
Ignore the whining about thirsty pictures - real readers will appreciate them either way :D
hawkshe .
I liked the pic
James Faulkner
Tftc
