Chapter 101: Tranquil Veil And Iron Pulse

Training Ground Astralis Arcanum,

The training grounds quieted down as Zane’s calm but commanding voice carried across the field.

“So first,” he said, folding his hands behind his back, “let me explain both techniques.”

His gaze shifted to the left, toward the mage group. “The first—’Tranquil Veil.’”

The students leaned forward instinctively, as though they already knew something important was about to be revealed.

“’Tranquil Veil,’” Zane continued, “is a technique for mages to use when they need to settle their minds and sharpen their senses before casting spells or dealing with arcane matters. When you invoke this technique, you’re not merely calming yourself—you’re weaving a thin layer of mana that wraps around your consciousness, much like a mist or a light shield. Its greatest effect is separation—from distractions, stray emotions, anxiety, and the noisy clutter of thought. With the veil settled, your mind becomes quiet and clear. Your perception sharpens, signals from magic become easier to interpret, and the weight of mental fatigue lessens.”

He let the words sink in before finishing, “Stress recedes. Mistakes are fewer. And in the chaos of battle, this technique grants you composure—an unwavering calm to guide your spellcasting.”

A wave of murmurs rippled through the mages. Some looked astonished, others skeptical, but all were captivated.

Selene, standing near the front, pressed a hand to her chest. Her deep blue eyes shimmered with excitement as she whispered, “Amazing… just by his explanation, it feels so ethereal.” She glanced toward Jax, who wore his usual goofy grin yet listened intently, head tilted as though trying to look serious.

Selene’s lips curved in a small smile. Those strange training methods Professor Zane put us through… they’ve already helped me so much. But for him… her gaze lingered on Jax. …it’s been even more effective.

Zane’s eyes shifted to the right, toward the warrior group.

“Now,” he said evenly, “the second technique—’Iron Pulse.’”

He straightened his posture, his voice gaining a subtle strength. “This technique is for warriors, to steady their bodies and sharpen their instincts before entering combat or facing intense challenges. When you channel Iron Pulse, you’re not merely calming your mind—you’re aligning your inner energy with the steady beat of your heart, creating a rhythmic flow of mana through your muscles and nerves. Its greatest effect is grounding you in the present moment. Fear, tension, scattered thoughts… they fade away, replaced by calm readiness and razor-sharp focus.

With Iron Pulse engaged, your reflexes become faster, your movements more precise, and your endurance under strain improves significantly. The constant rhythm steadies your breath and relaxes your muscles, holding fatigue and panic at bay. It grants a powerful sense of control and discipline, allowing you to face chaos with unwavering resolve and strength.”

The warrior students exchanged glances. Their faces lit with anticipation, each imagining what it would feel like to master such a technique.

Maera, however, frowned slightly, her beastlike tail twitching behind her. It sounds amazing… but as a beastman, I don’t fight with calmness. My instincts thrive on ferocity, not quiet rhythm. What should I do?

Ron, meanwhile, leaned forward with a grin, muttering under his breath, “Cool technique…” His eyes gleamed with eagerness to try it out.

Lia, too, felt her heart quicken, her expression brightening with excitement. To move sharper, faster, more precise under pressure… it’s perfect for me!

Around them, the other warriors whispered to one another, the tension and fatigue from the earlier training almost forgotten. Excitement was beginning to replace exhaustion.

Zane’s sharp gaze swept across the warrior group, reading them with ease. He let out a faint chuckle.

“Well, that was the explanation,” he said calmly, “but I can see on some of your faces—on the warrior side especially—that a few of you are worried or unsatisfied. For example… Miss Maera Stormheart.”

Maera blinked, her golden-olive eyes widening. She was caught off guard and quickly straightened her posture, forcing a nervous chuckle. “N-no… it’s no problem, Professor…!”

Zane only smiled, shaking his head. “There is a problem. And I know exactly what it is. Some of you—just like Maera—are thinking that your fighting style is different. There are two kinds of warriors: those who fight with technique and calculated control… and those who fight through instinct, like Maera.”

A ripple of surprise went through the students. Maera’s tail flicked sharply, her expression stiff with shock. Her olive-green eyes shimmered with both awe and unease. H-he knew exactly what I was thinking…

Zane continued, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of authority. “But listen closely—Tranquil Veil and Iron Pulse are not rigid, single-principle techniques. They are adaptive. They mold themselves to the mindset of the user while still granting the full benefits. That is the true advantage of the techniques I am teaching you.”

The training ground fell utterly silent.

Students exchanged astonished glances, whispers sparking like firecrackers.

“Adaptive techniques…?” one muttered.

“That’s… impossible, isn’t it?” another whispered.

The weight of Zane’s words hung heavy. Techniques that adapted to a user’s instincts or mentality were the kind of rare treasures only whispered about in noble families or locked away in royal vaults. Such things were not taught—they were guarded, hoarded, and fought over.

Yet here stood their professor, teaching them something of that caliber… casually.

Selene’s lips parted in shock, her eyes shining. Even Ron and Lia’s confident expressions faltered as the enormity of what they were being given sank in.

Zane clapped his hands once. “Well then… let’s begin.”

He turned toward the mage group.

“Close your eyes and find a comfortable seat,” Zane instructed gently. His voice carried a calm authority. “Inhale slowly through your nose. As the breath fills your chest, will your mana to rise from deep within—imagine it as a fine, silvery mist gathering at the center of your mind. Exhale softly, feeling the mist begin to settle around your thoughts. With each breath, shape the mana-mist into a gentle veil that wraps your consciousness, blocking out stray emotions and outside noise. Keep your breaths slow and even. If your mind wanders, imagine the veil thickening, softening all distractions into silence. Let this calm deepen with every breath, until your thoughts are clear and your magical senses feel sharp and steady. When you feel peace settle within… you’ll know the Tranquil Veil is complete, and your mind is ready for magic.”

The mages—including Selene—obediently lowered themselves onto the ground, sitting in lotus poses. Slowly, they began to follow Zane’s every word, breathing in unison as if trying to be drawn into a rhythm only he could weave.

The warrior students watched curiously from the side.

Jax, however, started to sit down as well, crossing his legs with exaggerated seriousness.

Zane’s sharp gaze immediately caught him. “Not you, Jax. You’re not learning this.”

Jax froze halfway, then scrambled to his feet with a goofy grin, scratching the back of his head as if nothing had happened.

Zane’s lips twitched but he turned to the warriors.

“Now… warriors.” His voice deepened, firm and commanding. “Stand tall, feet solid on the ground. Close your fists and focus on the steady beat of your heart. With each heartbeat, picture your mana pulsing from your core, spreading into your arms and legs. Take a deep breath in through your nose, and let your breath guide the flow of energy out to the tips of your fingers and toes. As you exhale, sense your muscles relaxing, your nerves settling—imagine the mana tightening your focus, like iron being forged in a smithy. Repeat this with every heartbeat and breath: mana pulses outward, bringing calm and control, filling you with steady strength. Stay here, cycling mana with breath and pulse, until you feel rooted—body and mind in harmony, clear and ready for action.”

Almost instantly, the warriors shifted into firm horse stances, closing their eyes as they sank into the rhythm of heartbeat and breath. The air around them grew heavy with focus.

And then—Jax moved again. This time into a horse stance, mimicking them perfectly.

Zane’s eye twitched. “No, Jax. You’re not learning this either.”

Jax’s grin faltered, his shoulders stiffening. Did I… do something wrong? he thought nervously, stealing glances at the others while trying to play it cool.

All around the training ground, students were absorbed in their practice—mages trying to sink deeper into the mist of Tranquil Veil, warriors trying to ground themselves through the rhythm of Iron Pulse. The air was alive with focus, mana stirring faintly as each student tried to grasp the essence of their respective technique.

Meanwhile, Jax stood awkwardly between the two groups, glancing left and right as if he had been forgotten. His hands twitched, his goofy grin flickering on and off, unsure of what to do.

Finally, unable to bear the silence, he shuffled toward Zane. “Umm… Professor Zane…” His voice carried both nerves and a forced chuckle, his expression a mix of awkwardness and unease.

Zane’s gaze shifted to him, calm and steady. “Hmm… Jax.”

Jax rubbed the back of his neck, forcing a smile. “Uh… did I do something wrong? I mean—why am I not allowed to learn any of this?”

For a moment, Zane said nothing, simply watching him. Then, at last, he spoke. “I had originally considered letting you learn one of these techniques. But after observing your growth compared to the others, I changed my plan.”

Jax froze. Internally, he was crying rivers. Damnit… I knew it. My growth was way too suspicious. That’s why he’s forbidding me from learning these techniques! His thoughts screamed while his face remained caught between a grin and despair.

Zane took one look at Jax’s expression and chuckled softly. “Ahaha… look at your face. So predictable. No, Jax—I’m not holding you back because you’re suspicious. I’m not letting you learn these techniques because I have something better for you.”

Jax blinked, his goofy grin slowly returning as hope lit up his eyes. “Something… better…!?”

Zane’s smirk deepened. “That’s right. You’re a hybrid warrior, not bound to one path. So, I constructed a technique suited precisely for you—taking into account both sides of your nature, and your specialty with guns.”

Jax’s jaw dropped. Then his smile grew wider and wider until it nearly split his face. “A custom technique… for me!? Professor, that’s insane! What’s it called? What is it!?”

Zane’s eyes gleamed as he spoke. “It’s called—Convergent Stillpoint.”

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