After the gruesome, merciless beating—ahem, "training"—the kids had undergone, none of them could move a muscle. Their battered bodies were practically glued to the floor until maids had to carry them off to their rooms.
Noah lay flat on the bed, his limbs spread like a fallen starfish. Though the bruises and cuts had been healed, the pain still lingered—raw, sharp, and unrelenting. His entire body screamed in protest.
But through it all, one question echoed in his mind.
"System, I have pain resistance… so why does it still hurt this much?"
[Host, it's because of your Pain Resistance that you were able to last that long during training.]
"But I sacrificed my pain. Why am I still feeling it?"
[You sacrificed the pain and fear tied to your previous soul, Host. But you also sacrificed your entire soul in the process.]
[The current soul within you is a fusion of yours and the original Noah Von Augustus. While your emotions are gone… his remnants still linger.]
[That residual humanity—that leftover sense of pain, fear, and empathy—comes from him.]
"Tch… So that's why."
He let out a heavy sigh, closing his crimson eyes for a moment. The pain hadn't been just physical. That training session had pushed his very limits—again. He didn't want to go through something like that again anytime soon.
"System, create a total recovery skill. One that nullifies all pain, wounds, and status effects."
[Activating Skill Weaver to create requested ability...]
[Skill Creation in Progress... 1%... 50%... 100% — COMPLETE.]
[Skill Created: Revive (S)]
Skill: Revive (S)
Rank: S
Description: Instantly restores the user's body to peak condition, eliminating all pain, wounds, fatigue, and negative status effects.
Restrictions:
Does not heal mental or soul-based damage.
Requires 60 seconds of stillness to activate.
★ Special Feature: Auto-Revive – If the user's life is in critical danger, the skill activates automatically.
Uses per Day: 2
"Good enough. Revive."
A vibrant emerald light enveloped him like a warm spring breeze. The ache, the stiffness, the raw throb of muscle and bone—all of it vanished in a flash. His body felt light again, as if he had just bathed in elixir.
"I feel like I could fight again… Not that I want to."
He stretched lightly, feeling no resistance in his joints. A grin tugged at his lips.
"Oh, right. System… didn't you say there's a new feature that could help me grow faster?"
[Affirmative. The feature is known as "Soul Space"—currently locked behind your soul imprint. However, with System Authority, we can forcefully unlock it.]
"You're going to rob me again, aren't you?"
[Host, I have no idea what you're talking about.]
"...How much?"
[Only 20,000 CP to unlock Soul Space. And 5,000 CP per slot to allow others access.]
"ONLY? You blood-sucking spirit parasite! And why do I need to pay extra to bring people into my own soul?!"
[You're using your Authority to unlock something early. The price of causality must be paid.]
"Tch… Fine. Rob me blind. Unlock Soul Space with 6 total slots."
[Gladly, Host. 45,000 CP deducted.]
[By the Authority of Creation...]
[Forcibly Unlocking Soul Space...]
[Soul Space Unlocked.]
Soul Space
An ethereal pocket dimension anchored to Noah Von Augustus's soul. More than just a haven, this realm accelerates growth, training, and mastery at impossible speeds.
Key Features:
Time Dilation: One day outside = Ten days inside.
Infinite Mana: Unrestricted mana pool.
Pain Nullification: Train beyond limits with zero pain.
Accelerated Healing: Injuries and status effects heal rapidly.
Adaptive Environment: Change terrain, weather, and challenges at will.
Meditation Chamber: Boosts mental clarity and magical focus.
Secure Storage: Safely store items in a dimension with zero weight.
Skill Transfer: Skills mastered inside Soul Space carry over fully to real-world use.
Caution: Your real body remains vulnerable while inside. Only enter when in a safe location.
Remaining Slots: 5
Entry Requirement: Skin contact with the user.
"...Skin contact?"
"SYSTEM! This wasn't your doing, was it?!"
[I don't know what you mean, Host.]
"Layla's gonna love this… but what about the others? I can already see Charlotte threatening to obliterate me."
"Forget it. I'll use it alone for now."
"System, how do I enter?"
[Just focus on your soul imprint and will yourself inside.]
"Alright…"
He placed his hand over the imprint, shut his eyes, and focused. In an instant, he felt his consciousness being pulled—no, sucked—into another realm. His body collapsed on the bed with a soft thud.
[Inside the Soul Space]
Pitch black. Silent. Empty. The void was infinite.
"Let's change that."
He raised a hand.
"Sky, turn blue. Weather: cool. Transform the area into a dense training forest."
Reality warped at his will. A vivid sky painted itself overhead. Cool winds rustled through the suddenly emerging trees. Within seconds, he stood in a lush forest, the scent of nature all around him.
"Perfect."
"Astral Mirage Clone."
Eleven identical versions of himself shimmered into existence. Each clone held the same strength, same mana, same potential.
"Ten of you, pick an element each and train its basics. Fireball, Water Ball, Shadow Spear, Light Spark—whatever fits."
"Also, basic sword techniques. Upward slash, downward slash, diagonal, thrust—keep going until I say otherwise."
"Use Mind Acceleration if needed. One hour here equals one day outside. We've got a full seven days."
The clones nodded and began their individual regimens without hesitation.
Noah exhaled, sitting cross-legged beneath a tree.
"Now... what should I train?"
He paused.
"Swordsmanship? Nah, that'll come after I re-master the basics. Sword Aura? Not yet."
His crimson eyes sharpened.
"Mana Domain. Hell yeah."
He focused, circulating his mana with precision.
"MANA DOMAIN."
The world shifted. Every particle of mana around him came into his awareness.
"Still not enough..."
"Domain Expansion."
In a heartbeat, his range doubled. He could feel everything. The forest, his clones, even the elemental surges they released.
"Time still shows no progress, huh? Well… It's not just an element—it's a concept. It'll take time."
He smirked.
"If I can't master it myself, I'll use that favor the Headmaster owes me for saving Olivia."
"System, wake me up before morning. I want to train in the real world too."
[Affirmative, Host.]
Noah closed his eyes, the realm humming with energy and silent growth.
[Real World – Morning]
The system woke him with five minutes to spare. He withdrew all his clones instantly. A flood of knowledge poured into his mind from the week-long training. It was seamless. Natural.
He didn't feel tired—only empowered.
That is… until—
ZAAAP!!
"GAH—!!"
Two lightning bolts struck him from behind.
"You're late by two minutes." his father growled, eyes gleaming.
Noah snarled, gathering mana. "Not today, old man!"
He countered with his own lightning. The moment shocked his father—but only briefly. Then he smiled with excitement.
And proceeded to beat—ahem, train—Noah even harder.
Just like that, the routine continued.
Morning beatdowns until he passed out.
Nighttime training within the depths of his soul.
And so, a month passed...
-To be continued…