My Special Ability is Growing Muscles

Even before she introduced herself, Kairo already knew which class that she was here for… Weapon Proficiency 1.

After the orientation a few days ago, Professor Caldrin didn't just send them to their dorms, he gave them the schedule for their first academic session after introducing the core and elective courses to them.

Since Nexus Academy was essentially a boarders school, there were activities scheduled for all 7 days of the week.

Weekdays, Monday to Friday were for the core courses.

On Monday which was yesterday is scheduled for only 2 classes, Mana Theory and application class, and Combat tactics and strategy class, both of which the freshers attended yesterday as the lecturers in charge did the introductions.

The Weapon Proficiency core course is the only class scheduled for Tuesday, while Hand to Hand Combat and Mana Theory again is scheduled for Wednesday.

On Thursdays, they have Hand to Hand Combat training again and the course for Physical Conditioning and Endurance training.

As for Friday, it was solely for Battlefield History and Demonology.

Weekends is when students can focus on their elective courses.

The Professor focused on the students.

"I am Professor Elara Kaine, head of Weapon Proficiency. This class is where you will learn to make your blade, your spear, and your fists, whatever you choose become an extension of your soul."

Her tone was even, clipped, as though every word had already been sharpened before leaving her mouth.

"But before we begin… choose your electives."

A ripple of excitement ran through the room. Students stood one by one, calling out their electives with pride.

"I choose Advanced Spear Arts and Mounted Combat."

"Dual-Blade Flow and Shield Discipline."

"Archery Specialization and Virtual Reality Training."

One by one, the students selected their Electives. Clearly, they've given it a lot of thought before today and like the others, the Monster Trio also declared theirs without hesitation

Adrain decided on Advanced Swordsmanship and Arcane Tactics, while Valek choose Blood Weaponry and Obsidian Arts.

As for Selene Duskbane, she choose Moonveil Staffplay and Phantom Mirage Application, an elective related to illusions.

The other nobles murmured approvingly. Their electives were declarations of identity, proof of their upbringing, wealth, and tutors.

Then it was Kairo's turn.

He froze.

Every option listed on the crystal board seemed… wrong. His ability wasn't tied to a weapon. He didn't summon fire, control shadows, or bend steel, he grew muscle. He clenched his fists until the veins bulged.

He wracked his brain, and still, nothing matched.

Attentive to her class, Professor Elara's eyes caught his hesitation. "Vale," she called, her voice sharp enough that the room shifted toward him. "You haven't chosen."

Kairo swallowed. "…Virtual Reality Training," he hesitated. "I don't know the second."

As soon as he said that, snickers broke out among the nobles. "Of course he doesn't."

"What weapon fits a slumrat's brawn?"

Valek smirked openly, his crimson eyes glinting. "Maybe a club, fits his kind."

Kairo's jaw tightened, but he kept quiet.

Professor Elara raised a hand, silencing the laughter.

She didn't glare, neither did she scold. Her voice was calm, but it cut through the room like a blade. "Your silence tells me you don't understand the value of versatility, and that alone makes you worth using as a lesson."

She stepped forward, boots clicking until she stood right before Kairo's desk.

"State your special ability."

Kairo hesitated, but subjected to the weight of her calm gaze, his throat worked. "…Muscle Genesis, I can grow and control muscle."

A flicker passed across her eyes.

Not mockery, but surprise, intrigue, then neutrality again.

"And how many of you," she turned to the class, "think this ability has no place in weapon study?"

Several hands went up, mostly nobles. Valek raised his slow and smug.

Professor Elara's lips curved into a cold smile. "Then you know nothing."

Her gaze swept the class. "In battle, you do not control the enemy's blade. You do not control whether your mana is depleted, or whether your ability fails".

"What you do control is your body, and the tool in your hand".

She turned back to Kairo. "Vale, with your ability, your fists are already weapons. But nothing is omnipotent, one day you will face something your fists cannot pierce".

"And that's where a weapon comes in. A dagger, short, fast, and subtle may save your life where raw strength cannot."

"Do not underestimate the importance of a weapon proficiency".

Her voice was calm, but heavy with truth.

"You will take Advanced Swordsmanship and focus on the Dagger Subclass. Consider it not optional, that is my advice as your professor."

Kairo blinked.

Then he nodded, slowly. "…Yes, Professor."

Professor Elara returned to the front, clasping her hands behind her back.

"Now listen well. What separates an amateur from a warrior is not ability, it is proficiency."

She let the word hang.

"Special Abilities are innate. They are the lottery of genetics, fate, and mana. You are born with them."

"But skills?" She tapped the hilt of her sword. "Skills are learned, they are honed. They can be stolen, copied, or mastered. They are the bridge between raw talent and true strength."

The crystal board behind her lit up, displaying glowing rankings.

[Skill Ranks]

F → E → D → C → B → A → S → SS → SSS.

"The higher the rank, the rarer the skill, and the more devastating its application."

She paced, her voice steady.

"But don't think the Academy will hand them to you for free. To access skills in the Library, you must earn Contribution Points. Points are the currency of growth in this Academy; without them, you stagnate."

She listed the ways. "There are multiple ways to get contribution points, either through winning duels, contributing in classes, completing field assignments, and mission deployments in your later years".

"Here in Nexus Academy, Contribution Points are your lifeblood," she finished. "Forget them, and you will drown while others surpass you."

The room was quiet, weighed down by her words.

Even the nobles, usually smug, were paying attention. The Monster Trio watched impassively, Adrain as if he already knew all of this, Valek smirking, while Selene remained unreadable.

Kairo sat in silence, hands clenched beneath the desk. For the first time, he felt the weight of his weakness, but also the flicker of a path forward.

A dagger… contribution points… and skills.

This was his first time meeting Professor Elara, but she was his favorite Professor in the Academy already.

He would carve his survival into this Academy the same way he carved muscle into his bones, brutally, step by step.

Professor Elara's voice broke the silence.

"Your electives are chosen, and your path begins now. Tomorrow, we test your hands against steel."

The class exhaled.