Chapter 6: Back to School & Secret Hustle
The Academy loomed in the distance, towering and sterile against the morning sun. Vacation was over. Students streamed back into classrooms and training halls, laughter and chatter filling the halls—some reluctant, some eager. Roy walked among them, calm and confident.
He had learned a lot over the vacation. The beach battles, treasure hunt, and hidden absorption of shards—his S-rank fluxite had quietly grown stronger, his weapons more responsive, and his Puls storage more capacious.
But he also realized something crucial: nanite crystals and bone marrow were the fastest way to earn money, gain materials, and train. Yet, his fluxite's automatic absorption made ordinary collection risky. He needed control.
***
### Fluxite Control Training
Back in his dorm room, Roy focused. "Absorb only when I say so," he muttered. Umbryon and Zephyros pulses hummed softly. Small holographic shards floated, waiting.
At first, the fluxite absorbed without control, fragments disappearing instantly.
After repeated practice and adjustments, it obeyed only on command, leaving the rest intact.
"Good," Roy said, flexing his fingers. His Dule Gun hummed in response. Now, he could safely collect valuable nanites and crystals without losing them to instinctive absorption.
***
### Secret Missions: Confident & Strong
Under the cover of dusk, Roy met his allied team for a secret mission.
"Ready to see what you've really got?" Lyra teased, water shimmering as she prepared her Veyra Puls.
Roy smirked, adjusting his wristband. Shadows flickered with Umbryon, and wind currents from Zephyros swirled around him. "Try to keep up."
The field was crawling with hundreds of Neutrons, C-level and a few B-level.
Umbryon shadows tripped enemies and obscured attacks. Zephyros currents enhanced speed and reflexes. Lyra wove liquid shields and healing streams. Kira planted Terralith stone barriers that absorbed and anchored attacks. Taro zipped with Voltaris lightning strikes, stunning foes. Jean's Pyrrion flames burst fiercely, forcing enemies back with heat and explosions.
"Roy! You're… unbelievable!" Taro exclaimed, staggering from his own lightning strike.
Roy grinned. "Just… good timing."
He collected Neon Crystals and bone marrow, absorbing only the ones he wanted. By the end of the mission, he had a massive haul and confidence radiating from him.
***
### Merchant Trials
Roy sold part of his loot the next day.
The first merchant dismissed him as a D-rank student. "Not worth my time."
The second merchant, older and sharper-eyed, noticed his haul. Eyes wide, he whispered: "Pulsars these days… and with storage systems too?"
Roy smiled faintly. The fluxite pulsed, storing remaining shards efficiently. He left with credits to spend on elemental training.
***
### Elemental Training & Pulsarite Absorption
Roy purchased:
- C-rank Zafiron Pulsarite to enhance Zephyros Puls
- Umbryon shard to deepen shadow affinity
Back in his dorm, he placed the shards in front of him.
"Absorb now," Roy commanded. Fluxite integrated the shards carefully, merging with his elemental affinity.
Stat panel update:
- Fluxite Level: S
- Pulsar Level: Advanced
- Level: 44 → 45
- Puls Storage: Increased
- Elemental Affinity (Zephyros): Enhanced
- Elemental Affinity (Umbryon): Enhanced
- Weapon Efficiency: Upgraded
***
### Bone Marrow Cultivation & Muscle Training
Roy prepared a portion of bone marrow, known for enhancing Puls storage, strength, and muscle growth. Sitting cross-legged, he focused:
- Pulse circulation: directing Zephyros and Umbryon energies through his muscles.
- Breathing exercises: slow, rhythmic, channeling strength into every limb.
- Muscle training: he lifted weighted training implements, enhanced by pulses, feeling his biceps, back, and legs respond faster.
Lyra peeked in. "Wow… you've been busy. And your muscles… even I'm impressed!"
Jean crossed her arms, flames flickering faintly with Pyrrion energy. "Concentration… control… you're not just getting stronger. You're mastering your body."
Roy flexed slightly, grinning. "Exactly. Bone marrow, pulses, and some old-fashioned muscle work."
Minutes passed. Energy flowed evenly through him. The wristband projected new stats:
- Level: 44 → 45
- Strength & Agility: Significantly increased
- Puls Storage: Max for current tier
- Elemental Affinity: Noticeably stronger
- Weapon Efficiency: Optimized
***
### Sparring: Testing Level 45 Strength
Roy decided to test his strength against some classmates.
"Alright, who wants a challenge?" he asked casually.
Kira stepped forward, Terralith shield raised. Lyra grinned, preparing her water shields and healing. Jean reluctantly joined, flames flickering with Pyrrion intensity. Taro buzzed with Voltaris lightning crackling.
The fight ignited instantly:
- Kira's earth barriers absorbed blows while she landed powerful shield strikes.
- Lyra's water shields buffed the team and healed injuries quickly.
- Jean's fire bursts forced tactical retreats with heat and explosive force.
- Taro's lightning disrupted enemy moves with speed and shock.
Roy flowed through shadows and winds—dodging, striking, countering—his muscles syncing perfectly with Pulses supported by his fluxite enhancements.
No one landed a clean hit.
Lyra laughed breathlessly. "Okay… okay, I surrender. You're insane!"
Jean's fiery eyes softened with admiration. "Level 45… and controlling both elemental pulses with this finesse. Not bad."
Roy smirked. "Just keeping busy."
***
### Reflection
Walking back to the Academy after training, muscles sore but energized, Roy felt satisfaction:
- Mastered fluxite control.
- Absorbed elemental Pulsarite safely.
- Cultivated strength with bone marrow and pulses.
- Tested his strength in sparring.
- Reached Level 45, stronger physically, elementally, and mentally.
The secret missions, careful control, and targeted cultivation had paid off. Roy was ready for the challenges ahead—strong, confident, and more dangerous than ever.
The Academy had no idea what walked its halls now.