Level Up Arcana

Mira's Request

By the time Kade finished explaining the basics of handling the weapons, everyone who wanted a gun was given one. A single magazine clip for each of them.

Handguns were distributed first since they were easier to carry and use. Those who preferred melee weapons kept their swords and axes but took a handgun as backup.

Bulletproof vests were also given to anyone who wanted one. The night vision goggles were divided among the group leaders.

Raiden strapped a vest over his uniform and holstered a Glock and three magazine clips at his hip. The Silvermoon Sword remained his primary weapon, but having a gun made him feel marginally safer.

The sun had fully set by the time they finished arming themselves. Darkness pressed against the windows, broken only by distant fires burning across the campus.

"We should rest," Mira said. "Everyone's exhausted. We've been running on adrenaline for hours."

Raiden nodded. She was right. They needed sleep. Tomorrow would bring new challenges.

"Find rooms on the second and first floors," Raiden announced to the group. "Stay in groups of three or more. Barricade your doors. Although the training complex's gates are locked, anything could happen, so we must be vigilant at all times. If you hear anything within the complex grounds, whether zombies, explosions, anything — wake everyone up immediately."

The survivors dispersed slowly, exhaustion finally catching up to them. Some were too tired to even speak. Others clung to each other for comfort.

Raiden found a clean practice room on the second floor, close to the stairs leading up to the third floor. It had a single window, a few training mats, and most importantly, a door that locked from the inside.

He barricaded it with a wooden bench, then collapsed onto one of the mats.

For the first time since this nightmare began, he let himself relax. Just a little.

His body ached everywhere. His mana reserves had refilled somewhat, but he still felt drained. The Silvermoon Sword lay beside him, within easy reach.

Raiden closed his eyes and sleep came almost instantly.

---

Morning light filtered through the window, filling the room with a pale and gray hue.

Raiden woke to the sound of voices in the hallway. He sat up slowly, every muscle protesting. His mouth tasted like copper, and his uniform was stiff with dried blood.

He splashed water on his face from a bottle he'd found in the room, trying to wake himself up properly. The cold water helped, shocking his system back to alertness.

After a quick cleanup and changing into a spare training uniform he found in a storage locker, Raiden headed downstairs.

The entrance hall had transformed overnight. Survivors had organized themselves, creating sleeping areas, rationing food and water, and even setting up a makeshift medical station for the injured.

And in the center of it all, a crowd was gathering.

Raiden spotted Jace near the front and made his way over.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"Meeting," Jace said. "The higher-level students called everyone together. They want to discuss survival plans."

Raiden nodded and pushed through to the front. Mira, Kade, and a few other students who'd reached at least Level 2 stood together, clearly the ones organizing this.

Mira spotted him and waved him over. "Good, you're up. We need to discuss defenses."

The meeting began shortly after. One of the older students, a third-year named Marcus spoke first.

"We've got about fifty people here now. Most are low-level or non-combatants. We need to strengthen this building's defenses if we're going to hold it long-term."

"Agreed," Mira said. "We should reinforce the gates, set up watch rotations, and establish supply lines for food and water."

"And also training," Kade added. "Everyone who can fight needs to level up. The stronger we get, the better our chances are of surviving."

The discussion continued for another twenty minutes. They discussed logistics, responsibilities, and guard shifts. It was organized chaos, but at least it was organized.

Raiden contributed where he could, offering suggestions based on what he'd read in webnovels and survival guides. Some ideas were accepted. Others were dismissed.

Eventually, the meeting wrapped up. People dispersed to their assigned tasks.

Raiden was about to head out with Jace when Mira approached him with a tense expression on her face.

"Raiden, can I talk to you? Privately?"

He nodded and followed her to a quiet corner of the hall.

Mira hesitated, which was unusual for her. Although she always had a cold and detached expression, she was normally so confident and direct. But now she looked... worried. Vulnerable, even.

"What's wrong?" Raiden asked.

"It's my friend," Mira said quietly. "My childhood friend. She's in the girls' dormitory."

Raiden's stomach sank. The girls' dormitory was on the opposite side of campus, very far from the training complex.

"You want to rescue her," Raiden said. It wasn't a question.

Mira nodded. "I know it's dangerous. I know the smart thing is to stay here and fortify our position. But I can't just leave her. Not if there's a chance she's still alive."

Raiden studied her face. Mira Valen, the top student, the ice-cold beautiful genius who never showed weakness, was asking for help. And not in a commanding way — she was genuinely asking.

He should say no, because it was a reckless idea. Stupid, even. The dormitory was probably overrun with zombies by now.

But Raiden also understood. If he were in her shoes and it were Jace trapped somewhere, he'd do the same thing.

And besides... he wanted to get stronger. Killing more zombies meant more experience and more levels.

"Alright," Raiden said. "I'll help."

Relief flooded Mira's face. "Thank you. I—thank you."

"We'll need a small team," Raiden continued, already planning. "Three people max. You, me, and Kade."

"What about Jace?"

"I trust him to hold things down here," Raiden said. "Someone needs to guard the armory and make sure none of the survivors with bad intentions gets access to those high-caliber weapons. Jace can do that."

Mira nodded slowly. "Okay. When do we leave?"

"Give me an hour to prepare. We'll move at midday when the sun is at its highest. For better visibility."

"Agreed."

Raiden found Jace and explained the plan. His friend looked worried but didn't argue.

"Just... be careful, okay?" Jace said. "Don't do anything stupid."

"When have I ever done anything stupid?" Raiden asked with a small grin.

Jace stared at him. "Do you really want me to answer that?"

Despite everything, Raiden laughed. It felt good. Normal, even if just for a second.

An hour later, Raiden, Mira, and Kade stood at the training complex gate, fully armed and ready.

Raiden had the Silvermoon Sword and his Glock, and extra magazines strapped to his side. Mira carried a handgun and kept a sword strapped to her belt. Kade had an M16 slung over his shoulder and a combat knife at his belt.

They were as prepared as they could be.

"Stay sharp," Raiden said. "Watch each other's backs. If things go bad, we retreat immediately."

Mira and Kade nodded.

Raiden pushed open the gate and they stepped out into the ruined campus, heading toward the girls' dormitory.