369 Academy

Vena's Royal Academy: Military branch

Duke Asai de Trichia exited the carriage whilst his elven carriage driver stood around awkwardly. Robin Sol, the half-elf had stolen his role of opening the door. And whilst he didn't have much of a boner to pick, he couldn't help but notice whilst the girl had her attention fully upon the duke. The little white fur ball on her head looking directly into his eyes as if it was sentient.

"His Grace, Asai de Trichia. Sword of humanity, friend of Vena." Still, the elf announced his arrival clearly. 

Asai immediately took in the scene, that was almost a frame perfect copy of his earlier group. The elven instructors that appeared both young and old, dressed in attires that easily identified their ranks with medals and stripes, stood at attention. As if, receiving and welcoming a military commander. 

And whilst Asai had a hunch, that he was actually the youngest, being human. He accepted their salutes with one of his own. Behind him, Miku and then Mimi exited, deliberately buying time for Mizumi to prepare herself.

"Your Grace, I am Merlin, Headmaster of this academy branch. It is my pleasure, to welcome you."

Asai inspected the elderly looking elf as much as he inspected him in return. Honestly, the man appeared healthy and fit, and in human standards, probably just entering his fifties.

"Thank you for making time out of your busy schedules to have me. Have you been informed of my plans?"

"Yes, Her Majesty's aid has already informed us that you will be holding mock battles to showcase humanity's swordsmanship. In addition, at the end of your stay, you'll be holding a seminar in which you can discuss and navigate your many battles and experiences out on the field."

Merlin leaned in a little closer to whisper.

"Your Grace, permit me to advise you. Lets not discuss the war between our two kingdoms. Let bygones be bygones."

Asai nodded in agreement. Honestly, he was still surprised at how easy it was for the elves to blink and forget. "Was it due to their long-lives? That our invasion was basically entertainment for them? Or is it unyielding faith and loyalty towards all orders their queen decrees? I know for a fact that, there are still many families back in Del Lagos who are secretly harbouring hate towards the elven..."

...

As he was led through the paths and corridors, towards the spacious training grounds. Asai enjoyed seeing the many statues of supposedly legendary weapons that were once wielded by the past kings and queens.

Glancing around, the group found themselves swamped by many beauties of all colours, shapes and sizes. All being greatly excited and curious to see the rumoured sword of humanity in the flesh. And when they did manage to lay eyes upon the man, the rumours that they heard didn't do the man's aura and aesthetics justice.

As for the men, whilst they were greatly looking forward to learning from an experienced knight such as the duke. They now felt greatly threatened, as their women swooned over the man who barely glanced his eyes over them.

"I wonder, would it sour our relations if I hand-picked the ones with the most potential? Recruiting them, and taking them back to my duchy?"

...

Entering the training grounds, upon the borders were stands that increased in height the further they went back. Allowing the spectators greater visibility. Upon the middle was a cobblestone arena that extended far and wide. Seeing most of the stands already filled, which resulted in the new arrivals having to linger just under the arena. Asai was led up upon the stage.

Pulling a little magical voice-amplifier tool out, Merlin announced their agenda.

"Greetings to all potentials and talents. Today, we have a special guest hailing from the kingdom of humans, Del Lagos. Duke Asai de Trichia, warrior and swordsman of multiple fields of battle. Conqueror of a dozen dungeons and sword of humanity. Consider yourselves lucky, as this will be our very first guest-instructor from outside Via Marea, since the founding of this academy.

Please, a warm welcome to Duke Trichia."

Whilst the elven men who appeared to be young-men, perhaps even older than him, clapped respectfully. The elven-women were cheering and whistling in addition to clapping.

After a short dozen of seconds, the applause faded as Merlin departed from the stage, leaving the spotlight upon the human.

"What kind of seminar will this be?"

"What story will he tell us?"

"Which battlefield will he recite? I wonder."

As such thoughts went around. Asai imbued mana into his vocal cords before making a short and precise statement.

"Fight me."

Robin, who was also curious as to how he would approach this class, couldn't help but take a step back in bewilderment.

"That's right, fight me. The most efficient way to learn and improve is to experience it personally with your body. Starting from the first rows of your benches, approach the stage and fight me. Those who manage to perform exceptionally well, I will personally guide you and temper your swordsmanship. Ensuring that when the day arrives, when you're called upon to march upon the fields of glorious battle.

You can be damn sure, that you're ready.

For kingdom and glory!"

After saying his little speech, the human summoned his [Phantom Menace] 

Four identical dukes appeared, all wielding wooden variants of [Ruin]

Ever since Asai recklessly threw himself into [Berserk] mode again, when that persona had ripped Xian's heart out and literally consumed it. His dhan-avenger related skills had shot up in potency.

Whilst before his clones were mostly stupid, couldn't use skills but could mimic the forms and actions of them. After absorbing the royal bloodline itself, his clones were now able to cast skills.

However, although they improved in combat ability, they still lacked sentience like Miku's Mimi. Something he believed was simply chalked up to his half-human half-dhan lineage.

Not that he comaplined regardless. He already spent a great deal of time thinking to himself, constantly entering deep-thought. He didn't need four more versions of himself, to enter dialogue with.

The four clones took up positions upon the four corners of the stages. The elven-men being more enthralled at the chance of fighting the rumoured warrior himself immediately took the chance. Forming their queue and utilizing their tricks and tips.

"Kill my clones if you can. I will simply summon them again. Don't hold back, show me your utmost!"

Being assured by the man himself, the elves did indeed try their best to kill the clones. And whilst the women were disappointed that the seminar had turned into a mock-battle, rather than hearing his stories and heroic tales. At the very least, they understood that this would indeed benefit them all greatly.

Rather than constantly having to hold back, in fear of critically injuring one and another in training. Being able to go all-out was a boon for sure. And even watching the one's up upon the stage strike, miss, block and parry. They still managed to learn not from theory, but from the closest variant of real combat they could possibly emulate. That being, the clones wielded wooden weapons, that dealt blunt damage over severing limbs.

[Phantom Menace]

Summon two phantoms 90% of caster level [Lvl 85.5]

Although they were enthusiastic about killing his clones. Being so high level, whilst the elf trainees were mostly within the 30-40s. It simply wasn't possible. At the very least, they all worked up a sweat and great fervour in taking it seriously. 

Whilst the trainees worked up a sweat, Asai kept a close eye on their performances. Trying to catch wind of any mana utilization, and potential new vassals and knights.

kophzi

[Asai de Trichia: Lvl 95]

[HP: 165 MP:155]

[Title: Monster]

[Skills unlocked:]

[Active Skills:]

[Hide]

Able to Vanish from players or monsters that are up to 15 levels higher.

[Death Call]

Brings an opponent within a 10 meter distance to your feet and paralyze it for 4 seconds.

[Double Psychic Phantom/Annihilate]

Additional 300% Damage added to a regular attack.

[Sealing Square]

Seals opponents that are within a 15 meter range

[Phantom Menace]

Summon two phantoms 90% of caster level [Lvl 85.5]

[Lingering Shadow]

Leaves a phantom after image after skill usage

[Summon Skeleton]

Skill costs both HP & MP. Maximum [25]

[Weighted Slash]

Overhead sword strike that increases caster's total [Mass] x [Velocity] by 15%

[Knife Throw]

Additional 40% damage added to your Dart Attacks.

[Summon Bird]

Summons a baby bird [Cotton] to caster side

[Inventory]:

[Decimate][Ruin]

80% of caster's normal attack to AOE zone : Full Moon / Half Moon

[Call to Battle][Caronia's Spirit]

Summon dwarven king Caronia's 1000 elites to battle.

[Bloodlust Amplification][Yokai Mask]

Wearer's bloodlust & killing intent is amplified during times of bloodshed.

[Overhaul][The Queen's Gift]

Appearance change to elven

-

[Passive Skills:]

[Royal Soul]

+20 HP/MP [Asai] Level +5

[King Slayer]

+10% bonus damage dealt as true damage when fighting royalty

[Sword Saint]

Lumix bloodline: +20% attack speed, damage, accuracy and critical rate when wielding a sword

[Sword and Dagger Mastery]

50% boost in Dagger and One Handed Sword damage

[Blunt Mastery]

50% boost in One Handed Mace damage

[Horsemanship]

The greater the bond between man and beast, the greater your unity

[Lance Mastery]

50% boost in One Handed Spear & Lance damage

[Bloodthirsty]

+25% damage against [Living] targets. Kills regain 10% of missing stamina.

[David & Goliath]

15% of damage dealt against larger targets changed to true damage

[Divinity]

Increase Divine Elemental damage by 20% and Elemental defence by 10%.

[Chaos]

Increase Chaos Elemental damage by 20% and Elemental defence by 10%.

[Stealth]

When in stealth additional 50% effect

[Deadly Blow]

200% of user's [Agility] damage bonus upon a successful critical attack.

[Mental Fortitude]

Pain tolerance +50% effect. Mental debuff durations -50%

[Masochist]

Damage drop -20%

[Survivalist]

Potion consumption effect +15%

[Immunity]

Immune to bacteria, viruses, disease and toxins

[Endurance]

Stamina, health points and endurance increased +10

[Heavy Sleeper]

Health, Mana, Stamina and physical wounds recovers faster +5

[Robin's Desire]

15% Pain & DMG transferred to [Robin] When within 20m

[Delicious essence]

Your essence now tastes sweet and addictive.

[Alcoholic]

Alcohol tolerance +40%

[Nympho]

Ignite strong sexual urges within target

[Maestro's Touch]

Target sensitivity during intimacy increased +10

[Quirky]

All non-vanilla intercourse +10 target arousal and pleasure.

[High Libido]

Seed regeneration and capacity increased. Targets receive [Healthy] status.

[Loha's Blessing]

Del Lagos Royal Blood now flows through your veins.

[Craut's Blessing]

Par'Talucca Royal Blood now flows through your veins.

[Craut's Blessing+]

God of conflict Craut's favour now flows through you. +10 HP/MP/SP

[Silva's Blessing]

Goddess of wind Silva's favour now flows through you. +10 HP/MP/SP

[Silva's Protection]

Grants immunity to hostile physical projectiles under [Divine] rank

[Clairvoyance][Par'Talucca]

Passive immunity to all magical forms of stealth

[Chloe's Faith]

Targets that willingly consume your essence +10 loyalty

[Vena's Friend]

Citizens of Via Marea + 10 likeability

[Charismatic] 

Charm +10 Only effects the opposite sex.

[Dancer]

Whilst dancing, grace and coordination +10

[Longevity]

Lifespan increased to [607.5] Aging greatly decelerated [Youth] Greatly extended.