My Special Ability is Growing Muscles

The two days that they spent crossing the wild zone took a toll on the students. This was why none of them stood on ceremony.

As soon as they got the go ahead from their Captains, they crashed to sleep.

Passing through the wild zone didn't just take a toll on them physically, but it also scarred them psychologically.

Watching their classmates, and for some of them their friends died in a mission they otherwise thought was relatively safe was pretty traumatizing.

But they were students of Nexus Academy for a reason; most of them were elites. They matured fast along the way and was why after the first ambush at night, none of them died during the subsequent trek through the wild zone.

Despite this though, they felt the exhaustion.

The Captains knew they could not afford to push them even further immediately, or there would be a genuine risk of them breaking.

Yes, the first mission outside the walls of Nexus Academy was supposed to be the first baptism of blood and fire after receiving lectures. It was when the students will finally put what they've been taught to use on the real battlefield.

The effect won't be as prominent if there was no danger. This was why during the field mission, the threat of death was very real.

And just a few days ago, the students felt it first-hand.

They were no longer the naïve students of 3 days ago. Now, they've bled, and they've killed to survive. They've matured more than 3 days ago.

Still, balance was needed.

This was why for this night, the instructors took it on themselves to keep night watch and protect the students while they slept.

Their snores of exhaustion sounded like the grinding gears of an engine.

At some point at night, Kairo woke up only to see one of the instructors silently kill a towering humanoid monster that was about to attack them on their sleep. Kairo sobered up quickly after witnessing it.

It took him some more time before he could sleep again, but he did.

By morning, Kairo felt refreshed.

The morning sun hung pale and distant in the sky, its light filtered through a sky heavy with dark clouds.

Here, the air itself seemed to grow colder.

No longer as disturbed by their exhaustion, with their senses sharp again, the freshers finally paid more attention to the ruined fortress.

The fortress rose like the bones of a long-dead giant.

Its gates had long since rotted into twisted iron scraps, its towers snapped in half, leaning against each other like drunks.

Black moss grew across shattered walls, and every breeze carried the hollow whistle of wind funneled through broken stone.

The instructors called the students to attention, raising their hands. "Platoons, form up!"

The Freshers, still weary from the Wild Zone trek even after the night rest didn't hesitate as they quickly fell into line.

Their legs ached, some faces still pale with lack of sleep, but at the bark of order they shuffled into their five platoons.

At the front stood Instructor Helios, the veteran assigned to oversee the mission. His armor bore scratches and dents that told more truth than a hundred boasts. His gaze swept the Freshers like a cold tide.

"Listen well," he began, his voice hard as the ruins behind him. "This place isn't just another stop on your glorified camping trip".

Kairo's eyes twitched at the mention of 'glorified camping trip'.

'He's mocking them right? The nobles'. Kairo fell in love with the Captain on the spot.

Not caring what they thought, Captain Helios's eyes narrowed on the nobles at the back. "I believe after the Wild Zone, most of the delusions that you lot approached this mission with is gone".

"It's good for you," he nodded, then his gaze hardened. "As you can see, this is a ruin, and ruins kill the careless."

He let the silence settle before continuing.

"Blackthorn Keep was once an Orc fortress during their endless civil wars".

"It fell two centuries ago, but not before war engines and blood were spilled here in rivers. Some constructs never shut down, and some corpses never found rest."

A murmur rippled through the students. Kairo caught Mira's sidelong glance; she looked uneasy, but her jaw was firm.

Helios pointed to the jagged gates. "Our job is to scout and clear the ruin to make sure the caravan passes safely".

"Not glory, not trophies, we just have to ensure this ruin poses no threat to the supply caravan". He looked at them. "This is what real soldiers do".

"You think you're too good for grunt work? Try explaining that to the merchants and civilians who'll die if we leave something lurking here."

The words silenced even the nobles.

"Make no mistake," Helios added, "the threat level inside should not exceed D rank. That means most of what you face will be F and E rank constructs or beasts".

"Alongside me, the instructors will remain on standby since we have to replenish our mana reserves and rest. But if you collapse, we'll intervene though I doubt you lots are that useless".

"As long as you can breathe, you fight. That is the only way you'll learn."

He paused, then his tone shifted, becoming colder. "And for those who still think this is just a game, remember… Contribution Points are awarded individually".

"Every strike, every assist, every kill, and every decision will be recorded. Slack off, and you'll crawl back empty-handed. That is if you survive".

That earned the full attention of every student. The word "Contribution Points" hung like a spell for even the Monster Trio.

Helios finally gestured, sweeping his arm toward the blackened gates. "There are five platoons. Stay with your platoon, and keep formation".

"When you enter, maintain lines, trust your comrades, and above all…" His gaze swept over them like a blade. "Respect the ruin".

"It's older than you, and it's seen more blood than you ever will."

The caravan drivers began circling the wagons, unhitching beasts of burden, and setting up a temporary camp outside.

The real work was for the students.

Kairo adjusted his grip on his training dagger, his stomach tight even as his eyes blazed. The Keep loomed before him, more like a tomb than a fortress.

Mira elbowed him softly, whispering. "You scared?"

He smirked despite the sweat beading on his neck. "Yeah. Only an idiot wouldn't be". He shrugged.

"Good," she muttered. "Means you'll stay alive".

The platoons finally shuffled closer as they prepared to enter deeper into the ruins. Above them all, Blackthorn Keep waited, silent and broken, but not dead.

The instructors barked the final command.

"Forward platoons, step into the ruins!"

The Freshers moved, 16-year-olds carrying the weight of a mission older than their lifetimes as their footsteps was swallowed by the shadow of Blackthorn.