Grand Arcanum Academy – The Art Library
The students followed Instructor Ignatius Pyros through the academy's combat training grounds, eventually arriving at an imposing structure—The Art Library.
It wasn't a traditional library filled with books and scrolls. Instead, it was a towering multi-floor archive, specifically housing Weapon Arts, Mystic Arts, and Combat Techniques for students to study and practice.
The building itself was massive, made of black obsidian and enchanted marble, radiating an aura of mystery and knowledge. The doors alone stood twice the height of an average man, lined with glowing arcane runes that pulsed softly.
The students murmured among themselves, excitement filling the air. For many, this was their first step toward truly personalizing their combat style.
Ignatius stopped in front of the entrance and turned to face them. His golden, reptilian eyes swept over the gathered students.
"Listen up."
His deep, commanding voice instantly silenced the chatter.
"This is the Art Library, one of the most valuable places in the academy."
"Within these walls, thousands of Weapon Arts, Mystic Techniques, and Combat Styles are stored. Some are ancient, passed down through noble bloodlines, while others are modern creations developed by grandmasters."
"However, you cannot just pick whatever you want."
He raised a clawed hand and gestured toward the vast structure behind him.
"The library is divided into floors based on your year."
"The first floor is open to all first-year students. The second floor is only for second-years, and so on. Each floor contains stronger and rarer arts."
Some students groaned at this limitation, but others nodded in understanding.
"At the end of this month, you will undergo an assessment. Based on your performance, you may be allowed to purchase additional arts using Academy Credits (AC)."
"For now, each of you will select one art from the first floor. This will be the foundation of your training for the coming weeks."
He paused, then his golden eyes narrowed.
"Do not waste this opportunity."
***
Inside the Library –
Once inside, the students were met with an immense hall lined with shelves.
Unlike the usual books of knowledge, these shelves held manuals and scrolls—each containing a different Weapon Art or Mystic Technique.
The first floor was divided into sections based on combat styles:
Sword Arts
Spear Arts
Dagger & Assassin Techniques
Unarmed Combat
Mystic & Elemental Arts
Some students immediately rushed toward their preferred sections, eager to grab a technique that suited them. Others took their time, carefully reading descriptions before making a choice.
Alistair, however, remained calm.
While the other students hurried about, he walked through the aisles with deliberate steps, his gaze flicking over the neatly arranged manuals.
"I already have a Weapon Art."
His Moonlight Swordsmanship was already beyond what most first-years could handle. There was no need for him to pick another sword technique.
But he wasn't here for that.
He was here for something else.
***
Toward the back of the first floor, there was a section dedicated to Mystic & Elemental Arts.
Unlike the Weapon Arts, which were meant to refine one's skill in direct combat, Mystic Arts focused on manipulating energy, elements, and unique abilities.
Among these were Abyssal Arts—techniques that drew power from darkness, the void, and forbidden energies.
It wasn't a popular category.
Most students avoided it due to its dangerous reputation. Some noble houses even forbade their heirs from practicing such arts, considering them corruptive.
Alistair didn't care.
His affinity with the Abyss was already set in stone. If anything, not using it would be a waste.
He scanned the shelves, looking for something specific.
Then—he found it.
A simple black leather manual sat on the shelf.
The cover was plain, with only a single name written in crimson letters:
Bloodshadow Manifestation
Alistair's eyes narrowed slightly.
He remembered this art.
In the game, it was the signature ability of the Vampire Twin veylen, a powerful pur blooded vampire who could manipulate blood and abyssal energy to form shadows, weapons, and armor with just a thought.
It was an art that allowed for extreme versatility—offensive, defensive, and even deceptive movements in combat.
Alistair reached out and took the manual.
There was no reaction. No strange aura or dark energy.
It was just a simple manual, like all the others.
"Good."
He flipped through the pages, confirming the techniques and structure.
It was just as he remembered.
"This will do."
Without hesitation, he walked back toward the instructor.
Meanwhile, other students were finalizing their selections:
Leon Valerius picked an art that combined lightning with swordsmanship, enhancing both his speed and destructive power.
Rael Thunderfang selected a bestial unarmed combat art, enhancing his already ferocious fighting style.
Princess Evelyn Aurelius chose an imperial sword and shield art, designed for a balance of offense and defense.
Sylara Ilthariel, the Elven Princess, picked a wind-imbued sword art, enhancing her already graceful combat style with speed and cutting power.
Morganna Draven selected an art fused with death energy and reaper , enhancing her connection to Hel's dark magic.
Elaine Vaelthorne, Alistair's sister, chose a lunar dual sword art, perfectly complementing her Moon Huntress blessing.
Cassandra Everwyn picked a Scythe-based combat art, enhancing her already aggressive, sweeping attacks.
Kieran Azurios, the Mermaid Prince, selected a trident spear art, perfectly designed for fluidity and adaptability in combat.
The process continued for several minutes, with each student making their selection and returning to the front.
Eventually, everyone had chosen.
Once the students were assembled again, Ignatius crossed his arms and nodded.
"Good. You've all made your selections."
His golden eyes swept over the group, as if gauging their choices.
"Starting tomorrow, you will begin training with these arts. Some of you will excel. Others will struggle."
"But remember—talent means nothing without effort."
He turned toward the exit.
"Class dismissed."
"Study your chosen art. You will need it."
With that, the students slowly began to leave the library, some still flipping through their manuals, others discussing their choices excitedly.
Alistair remained quiet, slipping the Bloodshadow Manifestation manual into his coat.
(To Be Continued...)