I WAS The Rank–1 Hero-Chapter 112: Special Training [2]

"...best skill?"

"What does that mean? Do I have to show my skills?"

Murmurs filled the space between the students as Envy gave them their task for today's training.

For starters, she was here to witness the best of our skills.

A grin spread across Envy's face as she narrowed her eyes before opening her mouth.

"You don't have to show me all those fancy skills," she continued. "Just present the skill that you yourself consider the best..."

A silence fell over the training hall as I saw some students exchange glances—some with worry, others with excitement.

Frankly, without being told, the most excited were the noble kids, as they got to showcase their most prominent skill in front of a single Ranker.

They're easy to read, I thought while focusing on the skill I was about to display.

I didn't plan to use any of my skills related to Authority Holders.

According to Nathalia, if I activated my Authority Holder skill and, by some bad luck, another Authority Holder was nearby, they would instantly become aware of my existence.

So, for that reason, I had to use my skills wisely. However, today, after hearing my master's offer of getting an early leave from her training session, I had no intention of losing this golden opportunity.

I needed to win.

At any cost, I didn't want to train like hell—especially under a sadistic devil.

Beside me, Anna and Aria were readying their weapons as they smoothly stretched their bodies.

Just then, I noticed Aria's face.

"Guh!" I instantly felt challenged.

Because in her eyes, I could see the fire of determination, and I knew exactly why.

She wanted that early leave too...

But I wouldn't let that happen. Because today, I was going to win.

—Clap!

A sharp clap resonated throughout the entire training hall, capturing everyone's attention, including mine.

I turned my head and saw some fluctuation of Ice Essence around Envy.

She was removing the glove from her right hand, exposing the milky skin beneath it.

But the way she was doing it... her actions... it was enough to capture the stares of all the male students.

My eye twitched at the sight.

Seriously! That's just a hand!

This generation is done for.

"W-Wow..."

"She's so pretty."

"I-I have been blessed."

Aria and I just stared at them.

She had a daughter…! For god's sake!

After removing the glove, she placed her index finger on the ground, bending her waist to a full ninety degrees.

That sight alone multiplied the stares directed at her severalfold.

Sera, who had been quiet for a while, spoke up.

'Your master has a nice figure. I'm impressed.'

I sighed.

Not you too!

Sera clicked her tongue at my comment.

'What?! I'm just appreciating what's good!'

I seriously had no words left. So, I let her be.

Never mind.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Envy murmured something.

"…This much is sufficient, I think?"

"Oh no..." I quietly muttered under my breath.

I knew exactly what she was trying to do.

The others, however, seemed confused, but they didn't interrupt her.

The temperature around me suddenly dropped, the winter chill becoming more intense.

"W-What is happening?"

Shudders ran through everyone's bodies as they squeezed their coats tightly.

Ice Essence gathered at the tip of Envy's index finger at a high concentration.

And the moment her finger barely touched the ground's surface—

—Rumble! Rumble!

The area around us froze, and a thick, almost crystal-like wall rumbled up from the ground.

Countless cubic ice blocks—numbered from one to a hundred—rose in an instant.

Covering the entire training hall from floor to ceiling, all four walls transformed into an icy fortress.

And it all happened in just the blink of an eye.

I was always left astounded by her display of Essence control.

What she had just done was something that could only be achieved with an immense understanding of Elemental Essence.

Controlling every coordinate of this vast training hall within milliseconds was a feat only she could accomplish.

As Envy stood up and turned toward us, she tilted her head and said,

"...Stop gazing at me and move to your positions."

Silence fell for a moment as some students blinked, finally processing what had just happened.

"H-Huh?!"

"What just—?!"

"That was so cool!"

I ignored the murmurs and took my position.

Walking forward, I noticed Aria was following me too.

I wasn't even surprised.

She was her daughter, after all.

Of course, she had seen her pull this type of stunt before.

Taking my position in the sixth zone, I turned around.

Where was Anna?

She wasn't following Aria, so—

As my gaze landed on the group of students still standing there with their mouths hanging open, I saw Anna among them.

Her expression mirrored everyone else's—utter shock.

—Sigh.

Letting out a sigh, I ignored her for the time being and focused my attention on the skill I was about to display.

Sera, however, didn't understand something as she asked.

'What makes everyone so shocked?'

Of course, she would ask.

For someone like Sera—who held Essence control beyond even Envy's and could wield all five Elemental Essences like me—Envy's display didn't seem impressive.

Because what she had just done was something only a few people could accomplish.

And among those few, she stood at the top.

Her Essence control was that extraordinary.

Even I wasn't a match for her.

'But that's just basic.'Sera shared her point of view.

I shuddered at her comment.

Just basic?!

I knew Sera had millennia worth of experience, but the way she said it showed just how little I truly knew.

I guess I had to learn a few things from Sera.

How much do you know about Elementals? I asked her.

Thinking for a second, she replied.

'More than you, I suppose.'

"..."

That settled it.

If she was so confident in her knowledge, then I couldn't help it.

Filling in my plan, I requested her.

Teach me all of it when we get back to my dorm.

There was a silence for a moment before I heard a tongue-clicking sound in my mind.

'Tsk! Too much work.'

Hey! The hell do you mean 'too much work'?!

This damn ghost. I was seriously going to exorcise her today.

'Stop calling me a ghost!'

Now she sounded angry.

To be fair, Sera had lived over millions of years, so she must have possessed knowledge beyond my reach.

H-Hey, don't get angry… Alright, I'll do this— with each new thing you teach me, I'll treat you to whatever you want to eat.

'...'

Umm… Sera?

Did she not—

'Alright.'

She agreed before I could even think of any other bait.

You got yourself a deal.

I hurriedly accepted before she changed her mind.

Unaware of what was happening outside, I was busy chatting with Sera.

Meanwhile, Envy, after scolding the students still staring at her, forced them into their positions.

Then, grabbing everyone's attention, she explained the rules.

"Step up according to your platform number. Showcase your skill to me."

That was all she explained before crafting an ice throne out of nowhere and taking a seat.

"..."

"..."

All of us exchanged looks.

Their eyes fell on the person standing on the first ice platform.

Aria Frostheart.

The very daughter of the woman seated on the ice throne.

Aria stepped forward into the middle of the training hall.

Envy rested her chin on the back of her hand and spoke.

"Begin."

Before proceeding, Aria slightly bowed her head, raising her hand in a swift motion before uttering a single word in her calm and cold voice.

"Ice Domain."

Aria's eyes glowed with a fair white light as her body resonated with the Ice Essence surrounding the hall.

The atmosphere was filled with minute droplets of moisture. Aria activated her skill, Ice Domain, a technique that froze those droplets in an instant.

However, it required absolute precision—she had to control each droplet, linking them together like beads on a single thread.

It was truly a supreme skill if executed correctly. Imagine a scenario where one was surrounded by a group of people. A single-use skill like this would freeze every motion, every fluid, every blood vessel inside the body, as well as every other droplet in the air—choking all to death in an instant.

All the hair on my body stood up as adrenaline rushed inside me.

Covering my grinding face, I muttered.

"No wonder she was her daughter."

I had to admit—Aria had good control over the Essence.

It wasn't great like her mother's, but in the near future, it could even rival mine.

I had competition.

I needed to learn from Sera as soon as possible.

The air froze instantly. The sweat on my head froze, sticking to my skin. The sheer coldness inside this hall, which was already covered with ice, was unbearable.

I could hear a few students beside me clattering their teeth.

It took only fifty seconds before the droplets froze, and I found myself struggling to breathe.

It continued…

Some of the students even dropped to their knees, holding their necks, choking for air.

But both the mother and daughter didn't avert their gaze.

If I wanted, I could eliminate this Ice Domain in an instant, but I decided not to—

Who knew what my master would do?

Three minutes passed. The number of students who fell to their knees increased, yet Aria still didn't deactivate her skill.

The students who remained were using their own skills to sustain themselves.

To everyone's relief, Envy raised her hand.

"That's it."

Aria deactivated her skill instantly before bowing her head one more time.

After carefully thinking, Envy acknowledged her.

"Well done, ...next."

A small smile could be seen on Aria's face as she nodded before returning to her platform.

Soon enough, one by one, the students were called before my turn came.

"Next."

I moved toward my master, slowly taking my steps. I had already decided what skill I would display to secure my victory.

As I walked, my gaze focused on the skills appearing on Fate's Interface—a violet transparent window created by the God of Fate, given to Authority Holders.

______________________

『Authority: Paradox』

『Stigma: Mark of Ylthea』

『Skill List』

>〘Distortion〙

>〘Elemental View〙

>〘Paradox Invoker〙

>〘Ruler〙

>〘Immortality〙

>〘Appraiser〙

〘More…〙

____________________

Reaching the spot, I met my master's gaze.

It held the same intense stare.

I, too, stared into her deep black eyes as she silently read me.

I hadn't told her about Authority Holders or the Gods—she was still unaware.

Closing my eyes, I activated my first skill.

"Ruler."