Chapter 29 – Meteorite Strategy

The morning sun barely pierces through the mist as we gather at the cliffside training ground of Sky Island. The air is sharp, almost humming with anticipation.

Our party… it’s no longer the ragtag group we once were. Now, we’re seven strong.

“Alright, maggots!” Nyx claps her hands, grinning wide. “Today is special training! By the end of this, you’ll either be stronger than you’ve ever dreamed… or crawling back to the infirmary in tears!”

“Wait, why does this sound more like torture than training?” Kline mutter

“Because it is,” Seraphina says dryly, tightening her gauntlet. “And we signed up for it…”

“Correction—you signed us up,” Kline shoot back.

Elowen crosses her arms, hammer resting on her shoulder on the side. “Stop whining. If we want to survive the next dungeon, we need this.”

Nyx doesn’t give us time to debate. She snaps her fingers, and suddenly—BOOM!—a giant alchemic circle spreads across the field. Golems rise from the ground, spectral flames flicker in the air, and the cliffside itself twists into a battlefield arena.

Seraphina twirls her spear, fire in her eyes. “So this is it, huh? Show me what you’ve got.”

Nyx smirks. “Oh, don’t worry, princess. Today, you’re my main project. I’ll break you down and rebuild you into something glorious.”

“Break me down?” Seraphina raises an eyebrow. “Try it.”

The tension between them crackles like lightning. Even I feel shivers. This isn’t just training… this is going to be war.

Harmonia steps back nervously, clutching her harp. “Um, just so you know, I can only heal so much…”

“Don’t worry!” Nyx beams. “If anyone dies, I’ll just… stitch them back together! That’s alchemy, baby!”

“THAT’S NOT REASSURING AT ALL!” Kline, Seraphina and Harmonia shout.

Luna chuckles, muttering to herself. “Heh… fascinating. Her methods are insane, but effective. I should take notes.”

The sky explodes in color. Not fireworks, but Nyx’s vials bursting overhead, scattering sparks like stars.
“TRAINING… STARTS NOW!!”

The ground quakes. Golems surge forward, blades gleaming, their roars mechanical and unrelenting. Fire rains down like a storm of meteors.

Seraphina charges with a cry, spear clashing against a golem’s steel arm. Sparks crackle, the impact rattling the earth.

And high above, Nyx stands like a conductor, coat flaring, her grin manic.
“Dance, my little warriors! Let me see if you’re worth molding!”

Yep. Nyx is really into it.

I, however, am not.
While chaos shakes the training ground, I’m crouched beneath the Skybreaker, wrench in hand.

“C’mon, don’t jam on me now…” I mutter, tightening a mana conduit. The golems assisting me hum like oversized bees, their glowing hands welding plates back into place.

Different battlefield. Different war.

Across the yard, Luna and Elowen are sparring.

Elowen swings her massive war hammer, every strike making the ground shudder. “Oi, Luna! I need to learn how to fight a magic knight like you. Can’t let you have all the glory.”

Luna smirks faintly, sword shimmering with mana. “Very well. I’ve always wanted to test a blacksmith who dares carry a hammer into battle.”

CLANG!
Steel collides with steel.

Luna darts in, sword moving like lightning. Elowen stomps her foot, roaring:
“Fearann Sgoltadh!!”
The ground splits open, jagged earth spearing upward.

Luna flips gracefully, retreating—then blinks out of sight. She teleports, reappearing behind Elowen in a flash of silver.

But Elowen slams her hammer into the ground, chanting:
“Tine Sidhe Chaochladh! Soilsich an tír agus leannain reòthachd!”
The earth glows, liquefying into mud, pulling at Luna’s boots like a swamp.

Luna’s voice cuts sharp.
“Gwynt Fflam!!”
A torrent of wind and flame blasts out, the mud evaporating into steam, splashing Elowen in a muddy mess.

“Ha!” Elowen wipes her face, laughing. “Not bad… for the kingdom’s prettiest swordswoman.”

“I retort,” Luna replies calmly, “there are many better than me.”

“Oooh, humble now? That’s dangerous.”

Both chuckle, sweat and mud clinging to their clothes.

Meanwhile, I can’t join their training. Not yet. My uncle’s words echo in my head:
If you want to be a marksman… learn to be invisible.

Invisible, huh?
The thought makes my fingers twitch with ideas. Blueprints form in my head. I need a proper workshop, a hangar. Something bigger.

“Oi, you. Help me clear that space.” I point to a golem. It nods, stomping off to follow my orders.

Meanwhile, in the palace.

Elysia lounges in her seat, bored. Oswald yawns beside her.

“Seems like Luna and Randy are still gone,” she mutters. “Even their whole party’s vanished.”

“Man…” Oswald stretches, smirking. “I was hoping that hot babe from last night would show up again.”

Instead, the lesson drones on. Earth knowledge. Geography. Blah.

Then the doors open—light spills into the hall.

A woman walks in. Radiant. Long golden hair, eyes glowing like the sun itself. Every step is poised, confident.

Whispers ripple.
“Who is she…?”
“She’s gorgeous…”
“Wait—don’t tell me—that’s…”

Fu Xi claps once, cutting through the noise. “Settle down. This is your new instructor.”

The woman smiles warmly, voice like a bell.
“I am Aethoné Radiance. But you may call me Aethy.”

The gymnasium erupts with noise.

Elysia rises instantly, her hunter’s eyes narrowing. “I’m Elysia. Student council president. And… the one Kuzman entrusted.”

Aethoné’s gaze sharpens. Then she steps closer, smiling knowingly.
“…So you’re the one he called Hunter Saint.”

The crowd freezes.

Oswald blinks. “H-Hunter Saint…?!”

Raul barges in, scoffing. “Hah! Don’t get full of yourself. I’m the hero here.”

Alfian strides forward with his usual wink, sliding an arm toward Aethy. “Don’t worry, babe, you’ve got me instead. Dinner? Just you and—”

SLAM.
In one fluid motion, Aethoné flips him flat onto the floor.

“And that, girls,” she says sweetly, smiling as Alfian writhes, “is how you deal with a pervert.”

The girls cheer, “Kyaa!! Saint-sensei!!”

Elysia smirks and casually kicks Alfian’s face. “Good demonstration.”

Fu Xi chuckles. “Indeed. Impressive as ever, Saint Aethoné.”

Elysia tilts her head. “…Hunter Saint. That’s what Kuzman called me, wasn’t it?”

Aethoné smiles, eyes shining. “Yes. You carry his will. And I’ll make sure you surpass it.”

Raul clicks his tongue. “Tch. Flashy words. Randy’s not even here to back it up.”

Alfian groans, still pinned. “Yeah! Bet that weakling’s hiding again!”

Elysia doesn’t answer. Her silence is louder than any insult. Oswald smirks knowingly.
“Yeah, right. If Randy shows up, you’ll all eat your words.”

Aethoné lifts her hand, silencing the room. Her voice rings sharp.
“I’m not here to babysit. I’m here to make you stronger. Twenty of you—already seasoned adventurers—will train the rest of these two hundred.”

Elysia steps forward, bow firm. “Understood.”

The veterans line up. Their presence alone shakes the room.

Raul sneers. “They might look tough, but courage? I doubt it.”

Alfian smirks weakly. “Heh. Bet I’ve got more guts than all of them combined.”

“Wrong answer,” Aethoné cuts in. Her eyes gleam like a blade drawn in moonlight. She points toward the field.
“Courage isn’t something you boast about. It’s something you survive.”

The room falls silent.

Even Raul looks away.

Elysia approached Fu Xi after class, her crimson cloak swaying as she moved with quiet purpose.
“Lord Fu Xi…”

“Yes?” The old sage looked up from the scrolls, his gaze still sharp despite the years.

“…About Luna.”

“Oh?” His lips curved with fondness. “That girl has trained in both sword and magic since she was but a child. She was the only one who listened to my teachings—and to those of the other wizards. Madame Luca guided her in refinement. Now she is the finest swordswoman in the kingdom, feared even by nobles who dare not test her. She’s also learned diplomacy under Gindol and Lysander.”

“Woah… that’s seriously some royalty-tier upbringing,” Oswald muttered.

“I see…” Elysia whispered, folding her arms.

“So what of it?” Fu Xi tilted his head.

Elysia clenched her fists. “…Train me. Train me and Oswald.”

“Hoh? Now that is interesting.”

Her voice trembled, but her eyes burned. “Randy keeps growing. He has no magic, no gifts in this world, and yet—he always survives. He defeats those who do. I can’t let myself fall behind.”

“Yeah,” Oswald smirked. “And his Gundam-looking thing? Epic.”

Fu Xi chuckled. “Truth is, I’ve no special abilities either. No magic. Only discipline and will. So yes—I understand him more than you realize.”

Both Elysia and Oswald bowed.
“Please train us!”

Fu Xi studied them, silent, then sighed with a smile. “My training isn’t what you’d call gentle. But… very well.” He glanced at the sky, whispering softly, “Esmerelda… I’ll honor it.”

Everyone knew—Fu Xi and Esmerelda shared no blood, only bond. A bond forged by choice, not fate.

Meanwhile, on the Sky Island.

Sparks flew from the construction site as I tightened the final bolt.

“Oi, Randy,” Elowen called, hefting her war hammer on her shoulder. “What’s with the workshop and hangar now?”

“New project,” I muttered, leaning over the schematics. “I want a smaller, faster version of the Skybreaker. Something personal.”

Elowen chuckled. “Figures. You can’t sit still.”

Luna walked over, brushing strands of hair from her eyes. “…Randy, Elowen. What if we invited Elysia and Oswald… maybe even Marlisa? Shouldn’t they join our party?”

I froze, then sighed. “…I’m not the trusting type. Not with them.”

Elowen nodded firmly. “Especially with Nyx here. Most of the kingdom still brands her an enemy.”

“I know,” Luna whispered.

Before we could continue, Nyx appeared, arms crossed, watching the sparks fly.
“Tch. You’re not holding back at all, Randy.”

I smirked. “Need a proper home for the Skybreaker. That ship’s already infamous. If I’m building something new, it needs secrecy.”

Her eyes narrowed, curious—but she didn’t press.

“So,” Elowen asked, “what do you think about Luna’s idea?”

Nyx shrugged. “If this place remains my home, I don’t care who comes. As long as no one betrays me again.”

I stood, brushing soot from my hands. “Good. Then it’s settled.”

Elowen blinked. “…Settled how?”

I grinned. “We kidnap them.”

“HUH?!” Elowen, Nyx, and Luna roared in unison.

“If I roll out a red carpet,” I explained, “Elysia will duel Nyx on the spot. Oswald will just laugh it off. Marlisa? She’d probably broadcast our location to the world. Kidnapping is easier.”

“…You’re insane,” Elowen muttered.

Nyx narrowed her eyes at me, studying my expression. “…You think like a villain. Yet you talk about protecting this place.”

I met her gaze but said nothing. There are things she doesn’t need to know. Not yet.

Luna pouted. “Villains…”

“Villains get things done.” I tugged her wrist. “C’mon. Let’s prep the stealth gear.”

“Eh!? W-we’re not married yet!” she squeaked, blushing.

I groaned. “…I meant dark clothing. Stealth. Idiot.”

Her cheeks reddened even more. “…D-don’t call me that!”

Night falls.

The airship hovered silently above the palace, cloaked by shadow.

Target one: Marlisa.
Sleeping before her mirror, breathing softly. Luna whispered a sleep spell, and I scooped her up.

“She’s… really soft,” I muttered without thinking.

WHACK!
Luna smacked me hard. “Pervert!”

“Fine, fine! You carry her then!”

The golems ferried Marlisa aboard.

Target two: Oswald.
I caught him mid-stretch, slipping an arm around his neck. Sleeper hold. Out cold. Heavy as a damn boulder. Golems dragged him to the ship.

Target three: Elysia.
Luna slipped into her chambers, casting a sleep spell. The Hunter Saint collapsed gently into her arms.

Everything was perfect—until…

“Well, well.”

Luna froze.
Fu Xi and Mina stood in the doorway, watching with amused smiles.

“Uh… uncle. Ehehe…” Luna forced a laugh.

Fu Xi stroked his beard. “Didn’t teach you that trick, but… I’ll allow it.”

“…Eh?”

“Don’t mind us,” he said. “Randy’s behind this, isn’t he? Always cautious, always calculating. Very well.”

I returned just as the two of them boarded. My jaw dropped. “…I said three. Why do I see five?!”

Fu Xi waved cheerfully. “Because you can’t keep us out.”

Mina winked. “We’ll keep your secret. Promise.”

I groaned, pinching my nose. “…Fine. But you cooperate. No leaks. Ever.”

Fu Xi grinned knowingly. “Agreed. You’re building something precious here. Best keep it safe.”

Luna exhaled, relieved. “…At least they understand.”

I glanced at her, at Elysia sleeping, the stars gleaming beyond the deck.

“…I feel bad, dragging them like this,” Luna whispered.

“Don’t,” I said quietly. “They don’t think long-term. We do. That’s the difference.”

The airship hummed low, cutting across the clouds like a phantom. The night sky stretched forever, only the stars daring to keep us company.

Fu Xi stood by the railing, his robes fluttering in the wind, eyes locked on the vast horizon.
“If this vessel ever falls into the wrong hands,” he muttered gravely, “Gods know what devastation it could bring…”

I adjusted the throttle, voice flat. “That’s why I chose this island. It’s hidden, protected, and if anyone breaches us—we’ll know before they even breathe near it.”

“…Your security measures are impressive,” Mina said softly, though her sharp eyes flickered with quiet approval.

I leaned back in the pilot’s seat. “All thanks to my uncle. He never taught me school nonsense. Said: ‘School is for people who just want jobs. Survival’s a different lesson.’”

Fu Xi’s lips curled into a grin. “I’d like to meet this uncle of yours.”

“You’ll like him,” I replied without hesitation. “Guaranteed.”

Before the mood could get too heavy, Luna leaned against the railing, her expression firm. “Uncle, about… Nyx.”

Fu Xi chuckled under his breath. “Sharp as always. Yes, Mina already reported it. Your ‘shadow’ doesn’t miss a beat.”

Mina bowed slightly. “Lord Fu Xi. When Nyx approached Randy, I thought she’d cause chaos. Instead, she… cooperated. Unexpected, but fascinating.”

I raised a brow. “Huh. So basically, if I tried a one-night stand with Luna, Mina would just record it as ‘evidence’?”

“…Try it, boy. Try.” Fu Xi’s grin widened like a predator’s.

SMACK!
“Stupid Randy!!” Luna’s fist slammed onto my head, cheeks bright red.

Mina laughed behind her hand. “Lord Fu Xi… Randy may be reckless, but he is a good man.”

Fu Xi’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Heh. We’ll see.”

The hum of the engines filled the silence as the night grew heavier. Then, Fu Xi asked, voice low and curious:
“…Son, how do you even know how to fly this thing?”

I exhaled slowly, fingers tightening on the wheel. “…Remember when I said my uncle taught me things?”

They all turned to me.

“He showed me the world. Both its past and present. He trained me to survive even a nuclear war. He drilled animal biology into me, even the kind of beasts that only existed in myths. Vehicles? He had me piloting before most kids learned to ride a bike. And fighting? He taught me how to win without ever needing to draw blood.”

I let my voice drop, remembering his words.
“And lastly… he told me this: ‘Running away is also a tactic. Never forget that.’”

Fu Xi burst into booming laughter, loud enough to rattle the deck. “Hah! Your uncle and I will be drinking buddies, mark my words! I must meet him!!”

Mina sighed, palm to her forehead. “Lord Fu Xi…”

Beside me, Luna smiled faintly, her hand brushing against mine. “…Looks like everything is fine.”

“Heh. Just wait,” I muttered, glancing toward the sleeping quarters. “Wait until Elysia wakes up. Then we’ll know.”

The airship descended as dawn painted the horizon gold. Sunlight spilled over the clouds, and the legendary island emerged beneath us—its forests shimmering, its mountains crowned with mist.

Fu Xi’s eyes widened, awed. “By the heavens…”

Mina clasped her hands, whispering reverently, “So it’s true. The legendary island… a sanctuary reborn.”

The airship touched down softly, but the storm had only just begun.

Inside the cabin, Elysia stirred. Her eyes twitched, her lips parted. The moment she woke up.

To be continued