[Ruvian’s POV]

The next morning came.

Before the sun had properly risen into the sky, and before any of the so-called mandatory lectures even began, Ruvian had already started moving through the forms.

Again and again.

Measured strikes cut through the cold morning air as he pushed his body through countless drills — sword practice, footwork, breath control, stance transitions. Everything was repeated with almost obsessive precision. He was trying to grow more accustomed to the overwhelming boost granted by [The Endseeker].

And more than anything, he needed to rewrite his muscle memory.

The cheat-like system of Editorial may have refined his physical abilities and elevated his strength far beyond what it once was, but it could not teach him how to properly wield that strength.

That part?

He had to do it himself.

And so, he trained.

Sweat slowly dripped down his neck while his breathing gradually turned heavier, yet Ruvian never stopped moving. At the same time, he also dedicated part of his usual training window toward mana control, spell casting speed, and refining the circulation of his Spellcore.

Then, finally before ending his drill, he decided to inspect his [Runeheart].

==========

{}---『RUNEHEART』---{}

◇ Name: Ruvian Castelor

◇ Age: 17

◇ Spellcore: Tier 2

◇ Rank: Third-Class Magus

◇ Magic Affinity: None

◇ Relevance Tier: Stage III – Pivotal Extra

◇ Plot Points: 30,720 (PPs)

◇ Current Arc: Arc 2 – Beneath the Banner of Enrollment

[Mana Resonance: (30/500)]

==[General Attributes]==

Strength: D-

Agility: D-

Endurance: D-

Vitality: D-

Perception: D-

==[Mage Attributes]==

Mana Control: D-

Casting Speed: D- 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Magic Power: D-

Mental Strength: S

Mana Sensitivity: D-

Mana Essence: [1150/1150]

==========

==[Innate Blessings]==

- [Blessing of Indomitable Will]

==[Affinity Mastery]==

- [Pure Mana (Advanced)]

- [Wind (Intermediate)]

- [Darkness (Basic)]

==========

’Hmm, there is still not much change yet... though my mastery over Pure Mana has finally reached the Advanced Stage.’

Ruvian let out a small satisfied smile.

At the very least, his training was producing visible results.

’Well, this should do for now.’

The faint flow of mana surrounding his body gradually dispersed soon after.

Then, after washing himself and changing into a fresh set of clothes, Ruvian calmly made his way toward his usual morning class.

*****

Later, as the sun slowly tilted westward, the alchemical laboratory burned with activity.

A cold blue light bathed the stone walls from overhead crystals, giving the entire chamber the eerie hue of a drowned cavern beneath the sea.

The air smelled strong and unpleasant — a mix of burned resin and strange liquids still boiling inside an open flask.

The long tables were filled with many alchemical instruments: glass tubes, old mortars covered in scratches from use, and pestles stained by leftover essences.

And in the middle of it all, Corwin stood completely drenched in exertion.

Sweat soaked through his clothes while his small hands moved frantically from one step to another — grinding, measuring, pouring, filtering. Trying desperately to maintain rhythm against the crushing pressure of time itself.

His breathing had already become uneven. Fingers trembled slightly from exhaustion while his sleeves remained rolled back carelessly in haste.

Across from him, Ruvian silently watched.

One of his hands rested lightly against the edge of a stool while the other held a softly ticking stopwatch.

His expression remained calm.

"Go faster."

Corwin gasped sharply for breath, panic immediately surfacing within his voice.

"I—I’m going as fast as I can!"

Ruvian said nothing in return.

The only thing that answered Corwin instead was the quiet ticking of the stopwatch echoing throughout the laboratory.

The second passed without mercy, and so did his gaze.

At the workstation, the cauldron let out a serpentine hiss as a precisely levelled dose of Emberlead powder was folded into the base mixture. The liquid inside reacted immediately, its clear amber color turning into a boiling molten gold.

"Good. Now stabilize it," Ruvian said calmly without even looking up.

"Three stirs. Counterclockwise."

Corwin’s arms trembled heavily from exhaustion, his muscles already close to giving out.

From the far side of the laboratory, Instructor Howard stood silently near the shelves, his expression filled with both curiosity and disbelief.

He had seen many talented scholars before.

He had also seen desperate ones too.

But never had he seen someone perform alchemy at such a brutal speed while still maintaining this much control and precision.

Alchemy was a discipline where even the smallest mistake could ruin everything. One extra drop or even a brief moment of distraction could easily destroy the elixir completely. Yet Corwin still continued with careful movements and surprising accuracy.

"Amazing..."

Howard quietly muttered to himself.

But Corwin had no strength left for praise.

His breath came in uneven gulps, chest rising and falling like a bellows pushed past its limit. His fingers struggled to cork the flask. With the final ounce of effort he could summon, he slid it onto the table.

"Done," he managed to say. (+100PP)

Ruvian clicked the stopwatch.

His gaze flicked to the reading, then back to Corwin impassively.

Then, with the faintest of nods, he spoke.

"...Not bad."

Despite the tremor still running through his arms, Corwin managed a faint, uneven grin. But beneath the surface, a question lingered...

"...Why?" he asked, his voice still hoarse. "Why are you pushing me this hard? What’s the point of training me to brew at this speed?"

Ruvian’s gaze lingered on him for a while.

Then, unexpectedly, the edge of his mouth lifted.

"You’ll need it. For the Island Test."

He spoke casually.

"You keep saying you want to be useful for your team, right? But you can’t really fight. You only know basic swordsmanship and a few magic spells," Ruvian continued. "Low mana. Poor combat training. That’s your excuse."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Well then... from now on, don’t just support them with swords and magic."

"Support your team with alchemy too." (+300PP)

Corwin froze instantly, his next breath getting stuck in his throat.

From the far side of the laboratory, Instructor Howard shifted slightly, crossing his arms while raising a brow with clear interest.

"Support them with alchemy, huh?" he repeated slowly, his voice filled with doubt and curiosity.

"Don’t tell me—"

Ruvian reached across the table, pushing aside scattered ingredients, burned notes, and empty bottles before his hand stopped on top of an old leather book.

He flipped through several pages before stopping at one particular formula.

Then he turned the book toward them.

On the page was a strange potion formula heavily filled with mana. The notes explained how the mixture would explode violently once it reacted with a certain amount of force and mana.

It was an alchemical weapon.

A grenade hidden inside a glass bottle.

Both Corwin and Howard immediately looked back toward Ruvian.

The smirk on his face only grew wider.

"So," he said dryly, sounding almost amused.

"Who’s ready to start....?" (+250PP)

──────── ✦ ────────

[Chapter 187: Blowing Things Up?]

Plot Points= 31,370