True God In Another World (Tensura x Tbate)

Chapter 90 - Attack on the Academy Pt.1: The Beginning

Kathyln Glayder POV

"Is everything ready?" Brother asked, his impatience evident in his clipped tone. He stood with his arms crossed, the emblem of the DC gleaming under the bright lighting of the training room.

"Everything has been set up. We're just waiting for Doradrea to bring the mana-resistance artifacts," Kai replied from his position near the barrier control panel. His fingers hovered over the complex array of crystals and runes that controlled the room's defensive systems.

We were gathered in the training area of the DC room, a spacious chamber specifically designed for combat practice. The walls rose high above us, reinforced with protective enchantments that had taken teams of mages months to properly layer. The floor beneath our feet was covered in specially crafted tiles, each one inscribed with intricate patterns designed to absorb excess mana during training sessions. After the recent attacks on the academy, these training sessions had become more frequent and intense. The underlying tension was palpable – we all knew another attack was inevitable.

"Where's the captin? Isn't he joining?" Claire asked as she performed her pre-training stretches, her red hair tied back in a neat ponytail.

"The director's assistant, Tricia, asked him to help out, so he won't be joining us," Feyrith answered, his usual cheerful demeanor somewhat subdued.

I felt a familiar twinge of disappointment at the news. After yesterday's rigorous session, I had hoped to continue learning from him. It had been three days since Claire, Feyrith, and I began our private training with Rimuru, and already I could feel the difference in my understanding of mana manipulation.

The theoretical lessons had been enlightening, but yesterday's practical application had been transformative. His methods challenged everything I'd been taught about conjuring. My muscles still ached from the unusual exercises he'd had us perform – movements designed to change how we perceived and channeled mana.

Traditional conjurers like myself were typically discouraged from physical training. The noble families believed that physical exertion would interfere with a conjurer's mental focus. But Rimuru's approach demonstrated how physical conditioning could enhance our mental focus and mana control, rather than diminish it.

"Sorry everyone, I'm late!" Doradrea's voice echoed as she rushed in, her arms full of mana-resistance bracers. The artifacts gleamed dully in the room's lighting, their enchanted surfaces catching and reflecting the light in subtle patterns.

"We're all here. Turn on the barrier, Kai!" Theodore called out, taking his position in the training area.

"On it," Kai responded, activating the barrier system with practiced movements.

The moment the barrier flared to life, I knew something was wrong. Instead of the usual transparent blue shield that should have enclosed the training area, a blood-red barrier materialized around us. The color sent an immediate chill down my spine, and my magical senses screamed warnings.

"Huh? That's weird. Why is the barrier red?" Claire asked, her hand instinctively moving to her weapon. The concern in her voice matched the growing unease I felt.

"Kai! I think there's something wrong with the barrier! Shut it down!" Brother shouted, his voice tinged with growing alarm.

"Haha! Great joke, comrade! How about you let us out now?" Feyrith attempted to lighten the mood, but the tension in his voice betrayed his concern. His fingers tightened around his wand.

"Maybe he can't hear from outside?" Claire suggested, approaching the barrier cautiously. She pressed her hand against it, testing its strength.

Theodore stepped forward, his body glowing with enhanced mana as he struck the barrier. The impact resonated through the room like a thunderclap, but the barrier remained unchanged, not even flickering under the force of his attack.