Ars's breath came in gasps, each inhalation feeling like sucking in shards of glass. The cold obsidian floor beneath him was the only thing that felt real, an anchor in the storm of vision that had just shattered his world.
Cold sweat drenched his temples, and his heart pounded wildly in his chest, a war drum accompanying pure terror.
Mordigan. The Demon King. The Hunter of Arcana.
Those names were no longer mere *lore* from the game. They were a death sentence hanging over him.
The vision of the Star Knight whose soul had been cruelly torn away was etched in his mind, a terrifying promise of what awaited him if he failed, if he was found. He was no longer a player seeking adventure; he was a fugitive in a cosmic game where the stakes were reality itself.
Yuki whimpered anxiously, licking his cheek with his small, rough tongue, trying to pull him back from the brink of despair. Ars hugged the little fox, its soft fur the only comfort amid his paralyzing fear.
"You see now, Wanderer," the tower's voice echoed, no longer sounding like a neutral tester, but a serious mentor.
"The burden of Arcana Zero is not the absence of power, but the absence of a defined identity. You are pure potential, and because of that, you are both the greatest threat and the sweetest gift to He who wishes to paint the world with the colors of his ambition."
"What should I do?" whispered Ars, his voice hoarse.
"How can I fight... that?"
"You can't. Not yet," replied the voice with brutal honesty.
"Beneath the dojo where you study, there is a library. Within it lies the knowledge of this world—its history, its geography, its politics, its magic, and its monsters. The dojo will always be open for you to hone the Way of the Wanderer you have just discovered. Master your sword. Absorb its knowledge. Understand the world you are about to enter."
The voice paused for a moment, as if giving him time to digest it.
"Stay here until you are ready. Time passes differently inside this World Shell. Take advantage of it. When you feel that your knowledge and sword are sufficient, destiny will give you a sign."
The light in the observatory dimmed, leaving Ars and Yuki alone in silence. Fear still gripped him, but beneath it, the seeds of determination began to grow.
The voice was right. He couldn't run. He couldn't hide forever. The only way forward was to become stronger—stronger than Nael had ever imagined.
"All right, Yuki," said Ars, his voice now more confident. He stood up, sheathing Muga at his side. "It's time we learned."
---
Six months passed in the blink of an eye, yet it felt like an eternity.
Ars' days followed a disciplined rhythm. He spent his mornings in the quiet dojo. He no longer had Kenshi Bisu as his teacher, but the *kata* he had been taught were engraved in his muscle memory.
He repeated them thousands of times, every day. At first, his movements were stiff, a clumsy imitation. But slowly, he began to understand the philosophy behind them.
*The Way of the Wanderer* was not about memorizing techniques. It was about understanding the flow, adapting, and making the sword an extension of his intent.
He began to experiment, combining movements, creating his own variations. He practiced against his own shadow, imagining different types of enemies. Muga, the 'Selfless' sword, responded to his growth.
The blade seemed sharper, its balance felt more perfect, and sometimes, when he reached a state of total focus, he could feel a faint resonance between his soul and the steel of the sword.
He spent his days and nights in the tower's library. It was not a dusty room filled with leather-bound books.
When Ars entered, the room transformed into a constellation of light. Each point of light was a book, a concept. By touching it, the knowledge flowed directly into his mind.
The history of the world unfolded before him, not as boring text, but as a living epic. He witnessed the creation by the Six Gods, the formation of the 22 Major Arcana as pillars of reality.
He studied ancient wars, the rise and fall of great empires. He read about the final war against the Nether Abyss 500 years ago, where the Demon King Mordigan was driven back but not destroyed, sealed back into his domain by the alliance of Arcana holders at the time.
He devoured information about geography—the Kingdom of Selesterra, where this tower stood, a strong and prosperous human kingdom; the Draconian Empire in the east, ruled by dragonkin; the mysterious Elven Wilderness in the south; and the northern mountains, home to the tough dwarves.
He learned about society, the complex magic system based on elemental affinity—something he completely lacked except for his minor illusions—and about various monsters, from lowly goblins to ancient dragons sleeping atop mountains.
Most importantly, he learned about the Zenith Academy in the capital of Selesterra. The academy was not just a school of magic or knights.
It was the most prestigious institution on the continent, where geniuses, nobles, and individuals with extraordinary talents from all races gathered. Its graduates often became important figures in the world.
It was a center of power, knowledge, and most importantly, a bustling place. The perfect place for someone to hide in plain sight.
During that time, Yuki also grew. His body was slightly larger, and his fur appeared thicker and shinier.
His [Little Fox Fire] could now perfectly roast [Crispy Forest Nuts], an achievement they both celebrated joyfully. Their bond grew deeper.
Ars no longer had to guess at Yuki's emotions; he could feel them as clearly as his own—affection, loyalty, and endless playfulness.
After six months, Ars stood atop the observatory once more. His body was leaner and more muscular. His movements were more efficient and confident.
His sapphire eyes no longer radiated only the spirit of a gamer, but also the calmness of a swordsman and the sharpness of an analyst who had studied his world.