In a world where magical power shaped kingdoms and devastated civilizations, there were those who followed a different path. A harsher and more painful path.
While magicians raised their Circles through the natural flow of mana and chanted spells capable of tearing the sky apart, there was a class of warriors who walked against the tide of that era.
They were called Soul Knights.
To nobles and scholars, they were merely stubborn fools trying to imitate the brilliance of magicians with handmade swords. But to those who had already witnessed a true Sword Master, that comparison was absurd. After all, these swords could cut through the continent itself.
Unlike magicians, knights were not born with the same ease in manipulating the world's mana. Instead, they shaped their own power through their bodies, muscles, bones, blood, and pain. They forged their own Magic Circles through training, discipline, and combat.
And, when they finally reached the Sixth Circle, something changed. Not only in their bodies, but also in their souls.
"When my blade cut for the first time, I felt my heart burn. But when I infused my soul into it... I felt my existence scream."
That was what most knights said when they reached that level of power.
Starting from the Sixth Circle, knights awakened the Soul Ability. It was neither a technique nor ordinary magic. It was the ability to fuse one's own soul with the weapon being wielded, making every strike carry a part of the knight's existence.
"That's the path you're following, isn't it, Kai?"
Kai nodded. That was the path his father had told him he admired, and following that path was something he had wanted since childhood.
Enrico then continued explaining:
"Knights have three levels of classification."
Magic Knight: at the beginning, they are nothing more than soldiers with hardened bodies and weapons enchanted with basic magic. Their swords are infused with mana compatible with each user and can strike enemies with considerable force, but they remain limited to the Sixth Circle. They are still far from understanding the true weight of becoming a Soul Knight.
"Even after three years at the academy, I can barely keep the Sixth Circle stable... Is my soul too weak?"
Vice-Captain or Soul Sword Bearer: only when the knight reaches the limit of their body does their spirit begin to manifest. Upon becoming a Soul Knight, the warrior's sword is covered by a living aura, pulsing with the energy of their soul. The weapon vibrates according to their emotions, grows alongside their experience, and can cut through magical defenses as if they were paper.
But everything has a price.
Each strike delivered drains a portion of the knight's soul, slowly bringing them closer to madness. If the sword breaks, part of their soul will also die with it.
"My soul is cracked... but if this is the only way to protect them... then let my blade break with me."
That was a phrase spoken by the third user of the Soul Ability, a thousand years ago. Since then, all knights learned those words to understand the danger of surpassing their own limits.
Enrico paused briefly before continuing.
"And the final level is the Sword Master, also called the One Who Breaks the Law."
The students' expressions became more serious.
Only one among thousands of knights could reach that position.
It was not merely a matter of strength. It did not depend solely on technique. It was necessary to break the Law of the Sword, an invisible barrier placed by God itself within the human mind, a limit created to prevent the Supreme Sword from emerging and threatening the balance of the world.
The first Sword Master spent more than fifty years training to develop that technique. When he finally succeeded, he left behind a phrase that would be remembered for generations:
"The sword was not made to dominate creation... and that is exactly why I will dominate it."
By breaking the Law of the Sword, the knight ascended to a completely different level, where their weapon became a pure manifestation of their soul. In this state, they could fight Seventh Circle magicians and even survive against a Ninth Circle magician.
Even if they lost, their existence would have already become a living legend.
Liam and Elian seemed increasingly excited as they listened to the explanation, while Valença seemed more focused on understanding every detail.
Serenya, on the other hand, looked at Enrico with a curious expression.
"This is incredible... but there must be risks, right?"
Enrico nodded and continued explaining.
"Yes. Every use of the soul damages the user's essence, but these injuries can be recovered with some time. Now, if the weapon is destroyed, part of the soul is lost forever. In addition, Knights can lose their sanity or even become Hollows, soulless warriors who wander the world in search of battles."
Kai also brought up an important point.
"There's another problem. The Soul Sword evolves according to the knight's will. But... if that will is weak, the weapon may simply refuse to fight."
Enrico nodded, smiling as he shook his head.
"That's why I'm a fan of Knights. While magicians can blow up mountains or even affect the world with their magic, knights walk across the battlefield using their own sweat, enduring injuries and advancing through battles."
Kai smiled upon hearing those words. Serenya, however, still had some doubts.
"But, as you already said, shouldn't this be only for those who get stuck in the Sixth Circle and follow the path of the knights?"
"Yes, that's right. But just as knights fought to reach that level, why don't we use this knowledge to develop ourselves as well? We can follow in their footsteps. I know magicians have their pride, but if they use the knowledge of magicians to evolve and we use their knowledge, won't we all become stronger?"
Kai quickly nodded. He seemed especially excited by the idea of more people following the same path as him. After all, that was one of the ideas the protagonist would develop in the future, when he reached the Eleventh Circle by combining the two paths. In the original story, however, he would die before managing to go beyond that level. This time, Enrico was bringing that idea forward.
"There are two ways to acquire a Soul Weapon. In the first, knights place their souls into existing weapons, and they evolve alongside them, potentially even acquiring new abilities. It is possible to obtain new magic in other ways, but a Soul Weapon can make us even stronger."
[You talk too much.]
Enrico completely ignored the system and its antics. Besides, that joke had already passed in chapter three.
"The first way is to place the soul into a prepared weapon, like Kai's father did with the sword he always carried."
Everyone looked at Kai, who became a little embarrassed and scratched the back of his neck.
"And the other is to create a weapon with magic, from nothing. That's what I'm doing with my bow."
Kai's eyes seemed to have stars in them as everyone looked at Enrico. There was not only surprise on their faces; there was also the feeling that he was far ahead of them.
'Damn, I can't let the subordinate get so far ahead of me.'
'I didn't expect this from my rival. But we shouldn't be surprised. He's a genius.'
'I have to get stronger soon and get my rematch.'
Elian, Caelan, Liam, and Sílvia were also thinking about how good it was to have someone like that by their side. Virelle and Damian remained behind the wall, wanting to enter and talk to Enrico, but neither of them wanted to seem strange by suddenly appearing.
Meanwhile, a small insect made of ice remained on top of one of the boxes. Its eyes glowed discreetly as it watched everyone inside the storage room.
The one behind that insect was Elaris, the student council president. She had discovered that Enrico and the others had risen in Rank and was now watching everything with great interest, already thinking of a way to get Enrico to join the council.
Elaris placed a hand under her chin as she followed the conversation through the insect's eyes.
"Enrico..."