Notes

Transcendence



Chapter 5: "The Studious and The Study"

[FIRST SECTION]

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the boys’ dormitory buzzed with life. The main hall was filled with chatter and laughter as students exchanged stories from the day.

A door suddenly shut with a decisive click.

Inside his room, Shiro let out a sigh of relief, pressing his back against the door. His face was flushed red, his thoughts a storm of embarrassment.

"That was embarrassing. I'm an idiot!"

His mind replayed the scene from earlier—Ely’s golden eyes gleaming mischievously, her teasing smile far too close to his face.

"You're cute, Shiro-chan!"

Her playful voice echoed in his head.

Shiro’s entire body tensed. His face turned an even deeper shade of red as he groaned in frustration.

"AAAHHHH!"

He banged his head against the wall, steam practically rising from his head.

"I'M REALLY AN IDIOT! I WON’T FALL FOR THAT! NO WAY!"

Yet, the memory wouldn’t leave him alone.

"Tee-hee!"

He could still hear Ely’s giggle, see her wink in his mind.

His expression darkened.

"Why do I feel like I’m having a thing for her?! She's dangerous! Her pure charm is diabolical!"

After a minute of deep breathing, he forced himself to calm down, rubbing his temples.

"Okay…focus."

He walked to his desk, sat down, and cast Arcane Art: Spatial Circle. A shimmering circle formed in the air, and from within, he pulled out several books he had borrowed from the library.

"This Arcane Art is useful. With it, I can store anything—tools, weapons, materials…"

He reached his hand into the circle and pulled out a set of skewered meats, still fresh and steaming.

"…even food!"

His stomach rumbled in approval.

"Time to dig in!"

He took a bite, savoring the rich, well-seasoned flavor.

"Mmm!"

His eyes closed in bliss.

"The meat in the canteen is great! I'm glad I grabbed these before heading back."

As he chewed, he reflected on his earlier escape.

"Good thing I had those smoke bombs. I used up two, but they're easy to make as long as I have the ingredients. I figured Ely-sensei would try to stop me, so I set up a decoy and slipped away with the real one. Now I can enjoy my food in peace."

His thoughts drifted further.

"My appetite keeps growing… Even several skewers might not be enough to satisfy me. My body keeps demanding more nutrients, especially after adapting. Back home, food was never a problem. Wild boar meat always made my mouth water. But Bully Boar meat? Now that was superior. Still… nothing beats Nina-chan’s cooking."

A fond smile tugged at his lips as he continued eating, chewing slowly to savor the flavor.

"Ever since my body started adapting, my hunger has increased. A simple meal isn’t enough anymore. My body craves nutrients constantly… and monster meat satisfies that need better than anything else. It’s crucial for me—especially for the two Arts I created."

After finishing his meal, he took a long sip from his leather flask, sighing in satisfaction.

"That should hold me over for the night. As long as I don’t burn too much energy, I won’t get hungry fast. I’ll have to eat a lot in the morning before Siri-sensei’s class."

He glanced at the books on his desk.

"Now then..."

Shiro leaned forward, flipping open a book and immersing himself in its contents. Page by page, he absorbed the information, his thoughts deep in analysis.

The Eleven Classes
"There are eleven known Classes..."

Swordsman – Masters of swordsmanship. Melee-type, close-range, offensive role. (Blade Arts).
Mage – Spellcasters. Ranged-type, medium to long-range, various roles. (Maji Arts, Light Arts, Dark Arts).
Spearman – Experts in spearmanship. Close to medium-range, offensive role, precise strikes. (Point Arts).
Ranger – Ranged-type, medium to long-range, support and offensive. (Point Arts).
Tanker – Melee-type, close-range, defensive and support. Powerhouses. (Blunt Arts).
Healer – Support and defense. Spellcasters. Close to long-range. Restorative and buffing magic. (Maji Arts).
Brawler – Hand-to-hand combat. Melee-type, extreme agility, offensive. (Combat Arts).
Priest – Support-type. Counteracts Dark Arts. Buffs and defensive magic, purifies curses. (Maji Arts, Light Arts).
Assassin – Melee-type, offensive, stealth, ambush tactics. (Blade Arts, Maji Arts, Dark Arts).
Rogue – Melee-type, offensive, stealth, scouting, utility. (Blade Arts, Maji Arts, Dark Arts).
Summoner – Support-type, spellcasters. Summons familiars for combat or assistance. (Maji Arts, Arcane Arts).
Shiro closed the book with a quiet bop, exhaling deeply.

"That's a lot to understand and remember. Still, I get it—each Class has strengths, weaknesses, and unique roles."

Then, he recalled something.

"Oh yeah… Maiden told me to check something."

"Status," he muttered.

A glowing screen materialized before him, displaying his personal information.

Name: Shiro
Rank: G
Class: Survivalist
Traits: Fragility, Adaptability
His eyes moved to the sections detailing skills and abilities, neatly categorized under disciplines.

"There are eleven disciplines as well..."

Ancient Arts
Arcane Arts
Blade Arts
Blunt Arts
Blood Arts
Combat Arts
Dark Arts
Light Arts
Maji Arts
Neutral Arts
Point Arts
"So many different paths… yet so diverse."

One detail in his status stood out.

"It’s strange how last names aren’t shown here, only first names. That’s a good thing. Nina-chan told me to keep my last name hidden. I hope neither Siri-sensei nor Ely-sensei—or anyone else—asks about it."

His hand instinctively reached for the three amulets around his neck. Among them, one stood out—a Sun Amulet and a Moon Amulet.

Shiro’s grip tightened.

"I am a Miraku."

He tucked the amulets beneath his shirt.

"Yet, despite being one, I haven’t mastered the Sun and Moon Rituals. Without that mastery, I can’t properly wield the Ancient Arts. I've only managed to learn a single skill from each ritual..."

His gaze drifted toward the ceiling, frustration flickering in his expression.



A past memory resurfaced—Shiro, five years old, standing before his father, struggling to grasp the Ancient Rituals. His small hands trembled as he tried to form the proper stance, but the energy wouldn’t respond the way he wanted.

"That's okay, Shiro!" His father’s voice was warm and reassuring as he knelt to his son’s level, placing a firm yet gentle hand on his shoulder. "Even learning and honing at least one skill still calls for celebration!"

"But both the Sun and Moon Rituals have many distinct abilities. I admit they're too difficult!" Shiro's frustration was clear, his voice slightly trembling, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"I get it, son. You want to learn them so badly, but I don’t want you to force or rush yourself," his father said, his tone calm but firm. "Ancient Rituals require strict mastery. Using them without proper control leads to unbearable consequences… unlike the rest of the Arts."

His father adjusted his posture and continued, his eyes filled with both wisdom and pride. "Listen, Shiro. Did you know how all Arts were created?"

Shiro, still frustrated, looked up, curiosity flickering in his silver-blue eyes.

"The Ancient Arts—the very first discipline—were created by the Progenitor, our very ancestor, the first and original Miraku. After he appeased the Ancient Gods, ended the mortal conflicts, and restored all balance millennia ago, he was blessed by the Ancient Gods themselves. It was they who gave him the name 'Miraku'—the name that we, his descendants, carry and pass on."

Shiro listened intently, his small hands clenched into fists, absorbing every word.

"As for the Ancient Rituals he created… from them, the Ancient Arts were born—the absolute discipline harnessing the powers of the Ancient Gods: Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, and Tsukuyomi, the Moon God. However, the Ancient Arts were impossibly difficult for anyone to master. So, the Progenitor divided this discipline into ten distinct Arts: Arcane Arts, Blade Arts, Blunt Arts, Blood Arts, Combat Arts, Dark Arts, Light Arts, Maji Arts, Neutral Arts, and Point Arts. These became the foundation for all warriors, scholars, and practitioners across the world. Everyone was able to harness these sub-branches, making them more accessible."

His father’s grip on Shiro’s shoulders tightened slightly, not in reprimand, but in encouragement.

"Our ancestors, on the other hand, could wield the Ancient Arts because they—like us—carried the Progenitor’s blood and will. However, most of them could only master either the Sun Ritual or the Moon Ritual. Only a very few… could master both."

Shiro's breath hitched slightly.

His father smiled, tapping his own chest. "Myself included."

Shiro’s eyes widened, awe and determination flickering within them.


[End of First Section]





[Second Section]