Three days passed since the explosion at the orphanage. Ryse died in the fire along with three future members of Squad Ophelia, explaining my huge increase in Karma.
I tried experimenting more with this mysterious power and realised I could extract partly a person's fate.
In the first case, I extracted a bandit's fate to a one, not zero, and left him in the woods tied. He died one day later from wild animals.
Next, I extracted another person's fate to fifteen and did the same initial conditions. He was still alive after two days and someone found him in the woods, saving him.
After much speculation, I realised fate is something like a life force, despite random fluctuations in the timing of death.
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Loi Krist
Fate: 43100
Role: Background Character
Karma: 2072
Talent:
-Sword Tier 6[43100/60000]
Attributes:
-Holy Tier 2
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The condition to upgrade is incredibly expensive and full extraction replaces my sword talent.
It's more cost-efficient to use full extraction rather than upgrading.
Suddenly, my sister shoves her hair in my face.
"MPH??!"
"Loi, you are spacing out again." My sister says, sulking.
"Ah...haha, I'm sorry about that. Where were we?" I ask.
I pat my sister's shoulder-length fluffy black hair to comfort her. She sits on my lap with a book that she wants me to read.
The dazzling sunlight filters through the natural canopy as we rest below a tree. The gentle rustling of leaves and chirping of nature accompany the sound of my brothers' playful antics. Tranquillity and serenity.
Once in a while, this isn't so bad. I used to hate reading for my sister but now I have learnt to enjoy every passing moment without regret.
"Christina! Come here, I will read for you. Loi, go wash yourself and get ready for the academy." My mother rushes out of the cabin and says.
Christina jumps off my lap and runs to my mother with the book.
Right, today is the start of a new semester after the break. I enter my room and gaze at the outfit hung on the wall.
A uniform consisting of a black coat with silver embroidery lining the edges and two buttons sewn below the long collars. The emblem of the academy, featuring a crossed sword across a majestic gryphon, is prominently displayed at the back.
Underneath the coat hides a long-sleeved white shirt, a black necktie, and long trousers. I pull the coat and straighten the uniform, touching the soft material.
...
How do I feel wearing something I used to be proud of?
...
Nothing.
I change into my uniform and step out of the cabin.
The mother gazes at me from afar.
"Well look at you! You perfectly fit the uniform now! I told you that buying a bigger size is better! Isn't that right, Christina?"
"Mhm." Christina nonchalantly nods on my mother's lap.
I smile at my family. "I will be off now."
The prestigious Akatski Academy is rooted in the Noble District and school time is the only time commoners can step into this realm.
I climb the stairs from the Ground Section up the slope of the mountain before stopping at the golden gate. Guards check my identity and block my entry.
"Head straight for the academy." the guard says.
I comply and follow the path laid out.
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The sight of a sprawling castle with towering spires looms closer. The aura of timelessness crafted from dark, aged stone graces the academy with an elegant facade.
As students embark on the stony tiles, they enter the spacious courtyard housing a marble fountain of crystal-clear water. An orb at the top pours water into the neverending fountain.
Behind the courtyard lies training grounds with racks of wooden equipment. Some hardworking students are seen already practising or sparing.
"Loi!" a familiar voice calls out behind.
The familiar presence runs up to me and attempts to pat my back, I instinctively step aside to evade it.
!?
"W-Woah...!" The boy catches himself from the stumble. "Heh, show off, who said you can dodge that?" The boy says with a playful smile.
I stare at his face in silence. A commoner like me, this outgoing boy sports a mane of brown hair to his shoulder and black eyes. This is Aiden, my only true friend in this "Laws of the Jungle" academy.
"Loi? What's wrong?"
"No, nothing. I ate something bad this morning." I lie.
"Damn..." Aiden replies.
His death resurfaces in my mind; the images I do not want to remember become clearer. His body was torn into pieces by outworlders. The sight of his crushed face and rolling eyeballs became my permanent scar of nightmares.
"How are your parents doing?" I ask Aiden.
"My parents? They are doing fine. Why?"
"Nothing, just curious."
Aiden raises his brow. "You sound like my father."
"My bad."
Aiden scratches his head but sighs it off. "Well, whatever. Anyways, are you prepared for the test?"
Yes...I remember. The long five-month break was given to seniors of the academy for us to train and travel the world. After that, the instructors will provide "missions" for us to undergo. That is the test.
"Yeah," I reply.
"Nice, I wonder what the test is..."
Up close to the academy, a large overarching entrance threatens arriving students with Brobdingnagian pressure, framed by two massive stone pillars adorned by bas-reliefs depicting the scenes of legendary sword battles with mythical creatures.
"What a waste of space" was Aiden's first thought about the entrance.
The interior is a blend of rich dark wood and stone paneling with ornate rugs decorating the floors.
The academy consists of five levels. The classrooms and lecture halls reside in the second. Further up, one will notice an entire level dedicated to library facilities and a large arena on the rooftop.
Beneath the arena is the headmaster's quarter, reserved for the principal office, council chambers and a private archive of the strongest techniques and information developed over the academy's origin.
I never had the opportunity to enter the secret archive, I need to find a way in.
Aiden and I go to the main lecture hall with ascending curvature rows of seats. More students stroll in as we take our seats. Soon, the hall was filled to the brim.
Aiden sighs at the sight of several familiar faces.
Ahead of us is a woman of ethereal image with long moonlight hair. Her tresses are adorned with delicate jewellery hairpin and her cerulean blue eyes exude mysterious elegance, Irina Nelson. Her father, granted the status of a viscount, is famous for the sword.
In actuality, Her family is only standing due to her father reaching the level of a grandmaster.
The realm of swordsmanship is divided into five. From the lowest: Apprentice, Elite, Master, Grandmaster, Lord. Throughout history, there were only five people who reached the Lord's realm.
In the rows behind is Mina Yvelle, a striking young woman with long ebony-black hair tied into a ponytail. Her piercing sapphire gaze often sends chills. However, her looks, quiet persona, and talented status land her as a fiancee of an important figure, Prince Julius Linux, the eighth son of royalty and the man seated beside Mina.
With resplendent hair and eyes representing the sunlight, an undeniable air of regal arrogance surrounds his vicinity.
"Those fucking glares again..." Aiden mumbles.
I gaze at what Aiden meant. Three commoners of black hair and eyes with a similar aura to us glare at Aiden. Carl, Kim, and Lily. All three have the support of nobles and went into an argument with Aiden five months before.
When the entire cohort is present, a line of instructors enters the hall, exuding terrifying pressure.
A burly man with a physique reminiscent of the mountain strained against the fabric of his dark weathered attire stands out. A colossal sword straps to his back, proclaiming the battles won and fears instilled.
"Welcome back to hell, young cadets of valour and potential! All of you must remember that you stand on the precipice of greatness, on the peak of challenges and opportunities to become the best of the best. What is our creed?!" The burly man shouts.
"Suffer and struggle! The weak are not needed!" Thunderous roars of thousands of cadets explode.
"You are not merely here to learn! You are here to master and thrive! You are here to conquer and win! Embrace challenges and overcome them! You only have one chance as a warrior. Failure equals death! Understood?"
"Yes!"
...
This man is Kaine Hapos, the greatest teacher I could ask for. He does not discriminate regardless of status and he leaves no disciples behind unlike other instructors in the academy who are mostly biased against commoners.
"Good. For starters, we will assess how much you've grown over the past five months." Kaine says.
The instructors place five boxes at the front. Each box contains metal plates carved with numbers corresponding to the missions. Kaine explains each mission tied to each box, allowing us to choose our assessment. Although four boxes are fairly simple escorting or transportation missions, the last one is monster hunting, specifically orcs.
Bits of chatters and whispers pop up.
"Wow, a mission designed for the privileged to show their capabilities," Aiden says. "Hey, Loi, let's pick the first escort mission. It's the simplest."
Cadets around the room walk forward to pick their respective missions.
...
"Aiden, I'm feeling like a madman today," I say
"Huh?"
My priority right now is to prevent my father's death and to meet the culprit, I need to attract some attention.
I walk in the opposite direction of the masses.
"H-Hey hey hey...don't tell me you are going to...?"
Aiden shakes his head, warning me.
I respond with a smile and move towards the last box, erupting massive gasps in the air.