“I’m not a teacher, so I won’t pry any further.”

The Dean eyed Zeke for a couple of breaths before standing up and opening the door.

“Return to your dormitory and… no more nocturnal wandering or you will receive Black Stars.”

Zeke and Emilia nodded and scurried away, soon finding themselves back in the forest.

While he was in deep thought, she stole glances at him and tried to say something only to stop at the last second.

The short trip back to the open campus was filled with nothing but a tense silence. However, before they separated, Zeke halted his feet and asked her,

“What were you doing in the middle of nowhere?”

Instead of answering, she apologetically bowed her head,

“I’m sorry. Really really sorry!”

“Huh?”

Taken aback, he raised his eyebrow, not knowing how to respond.

“I now know what I did wrong. I… I never wanted Amelia to die or for her parents to get attacked. Please believe me!”

“It’s not me who you should apologize to. Still, at least you’re remorseful, unlike your friend.”

With teary eyes and an emotional and regretful expression, she nodded.

“I no longer talk to her. I won’t bother anyone else! I don’t want to be haunted by Amelia’s ghost!”

‘She really seems to believe that.’

Zeke sighed and turned around to leave, “You’ve seen what excessive bullying leads to. I hope you learned your lesson.”

“I did! Goodnight!”

She sprinted toward the Dormitory Building only to be scolded by Erva, who was patrolling the area. As for Zeke, he aimlessly wandered the empty campus while trying his best to avoid the few teachers patrolling the area.

Unfortunately, he didn’t find any suitable spot to regularly visit for completing the Daily Tasks. As he was feeling tired and his mind was preoccupied with what happened earlier, he returned to his room.

“A-ah!”

Alan, whose bed was closest to the door, freaked out when he saw it open so abruptly. Only when Zeke entered did the flustered boy breathe a sigh of relief and resume playing with his phone.

Samuel was already sleeping and Azmer was meticulously studying, not even acknowledging anyone’s presence, pretending as if they did not exist.

Zeke clicked his tongue and laid on his bed, his eyes glued on the Rune of Life.

‘The Crown… I’ve never heard such a term, at least not one related to Aether. Also, ‘Degradation of Physiological Functionalities’? It couldn’t make it more ambiguous if it tried! How am I supposed to deal with this now I’m stuck in Erys?’

[User: Zeke Orland]

[Race: Human]

[Level 3 (1/40 EXP)]

[Strength: 51]

[Agility: 49]

[Aether: 42]

[Fortitude: 6]

[Paths: Martial Arts (1/12) inactive | Aether Voltage (22/22) active | Groundbreaker (1/32) inactive]

[Skills: Fists of Fury(Proficiency 100%) - Aether Control(Proficiency 66%) - Voltage Zap(Proficiency 100%) - Spark (Proficiency 15%) - One-star Side-kick(Proficiency 99%) - Life Motus(Proficiency 45%) - Rune of Life (Proficiency 5%) - Voltage Arrow (Proficiency 40%)]

[Survival Skills: ‘Rune of Life: Voltage Manipulation(Proficiency 0%)]

[Available PE: 12]

[Available Skill Points: 1]

[Available Paths of Extinction:

Pyromancer Path (5 PE)

Hydromancer Path (6 PE)

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Electromancer Path (10 PE)

Fighter Sub-Path (2 PE)

Pugilist Sub-Path (4 PE)

Inexhaustible Path (10 PE)

Pain Junkie Sub-path (3 PE)

Sreyzhanian Rune Path (8 PE)

The Death Walker Path(50PE)]

He had enough PE to unlock the Sreyzhan Rune Path, which he had been meaning to do. However, the Death Walker Path not only was catchy but it appeared right after the so-called unsuccessful implementation.

Alas, the cost to unlock it was too great and it would take a while to obtain so many Points of Extinction, especially since he had become unable to freely do the Daily Tasks without attracting unwanted attention.

After a long internal debate, in which he dazedly stared at the floating magical-like box, Zeke spent the accumulated PE on the Sreyzhan Rune Path. It was a hopeful safety precaution, meant to lessen or negate the re-emergence of the blue lines from earlier.

[Allocate 8 PE into the Sreyzhanian Rune Path: Y/N?]

‘Yes.’

[Sreyzhanian Rune Path Unlocked: Derived from the archaic Sreyzhan Empire, which excelled in Rune Formation, Rune Engraving, Rune Enchantment, and Rune Creation. Through the use of the ‘Seven Symbols’ and dozens of varying equations, the Sreyzhanian pioneers gave birth to an ingenious design called ‘Runes’.]

[You obtained the skill ‘Rune of Death’]

[You obtained the skill ‘Sreyzhanian Arts’]

[You gained 5 Aether]

[Rune of Death: Unlike its counterpart, Rune of Life, the Rune of Death acts as a medium between absorbed negative energy and the incompatible vessel of the user. When the minimum limit is reached, the absorbed energy will be converted into Life Aether, which, in turn, will either increase the user’s regenerative faculties or, if the Rune of Life is engraved on the user, it will store the Aether within it.]

[Sreyzhanian Arts: A lacking collection of the renowned combat abilities once deployed by the Sreyzhanian Military Forces. Can only be used if the user is Lv5 or higher.]

[Rune of Life: Voltage Manipulation(SS): Voltage Energy can now be unleashed at a minimal Aether cost and can also be used to boost other skills.]

Zeke saw the Rune of Death engrave itself on the back of his left hand. It was circular in shape but the symbols were different and colored jet black instead of sky-blue. He felt no pain, just a fleeting itch as fully formed itself after half a minute.

Besides how conspicuous it was, much like the Rune of Life, he felt no tangible changes. Nevertheless, he wasn’t wholly disappointed by his choice.

‘The killer’s black mist… maybe it’s considered a ‘negative energy? If so, I can use the Rune of Death to absorb it?’

His Aether stat had increased significantly, making it easier to use the costly skills like ‘Voltage Arrow’ and ‘Voltage Zap’ several times before succumbing to exhaustion. Moreover, with the help of the new survival skill, he would be able to fight for a longer period of time.

The last thing was the available Skill Point, which Zeke didn’t know how to spend. He had a decent amount of good skills and choosing randomly or based on their current performance would be unwise. As much as he wanted to upgrade Rune of Life and see where it led, he restrained himself and finally closed his eyes, falling asleep shortly after.

…

The next day, early in the morning, Zeke was stopped by none other than Fylard and his lackeys.

Rodrick was grinning from one ear to the other as he stepped forward, trying to intimate Zeke with his large physique.

“I challenge you.”

Zeke frowned and stared back at the youth. By now, Rodrick should’ve known that he was no match, which made his brimming confidence suspicious, to say the least.

They were standing in the hallway, and the loud declaration caught the attention of the students around them. After all, challenges weren’t particularly frequent as there was a possibility of getting injured even with a teacher overseeing the battle.

“What’s wrong? Afraid to lose?”

Hearing only silence, Rodrick chuckled and leaned closer, but he was pulled back by Fylard.

“Your rank is much higher than Rodrick’s. I see no reason to reject his challenge.”

He paused and smiled as he swept his gaze across the crowd forming around them,

“Everyone I asked knew almost nothing about your ability. That got me intrigued, you se-”

“Here to cause some trouble again? You impotent prick!”

An arrogant and considerably loud voice echoed across the momentarily silent hallway. A group of girls passed by the crowd and stopped in front of Fylard. At their front stood one of the leaders of the First Year ‘Circles’, a girl by the name of Francesca Moon.

Surprisingly, she wasn’t an unparalleled beauty, as one might expect. She had black hair tied into a ponytail, an average face and a slightly fit body.

“Francesca!”

Fylard wasn’t pleased with the girl’s arrival. He completely ignored Zeke and coldly snorted as a tense staring contest began.

“I knew you were a wimp! Targetting a lower-ranked student to boost your fragile ego.”

“Big words for a bitch like you. It’s only morning yet you’re already in heat? Why don’t you go play house with your obedient servants of yours.”

Francesca glanced at the quiet Zeke, a faint smile forming on her face.

“Never mind that… how about we settle this on the ring? It’s a formal challenge. How about it?”

“...”

Fylard’s expression turned ugly as he gritted his teeth and glared at her. Eventually, he backed away and left, choosing not to fall into temptation and fight her. Francesca was one of the strongest amongst the First Years and her ability was unique and outrageously powerful, so much so that she had already been approached by the Department of Defense.

They asked her to leave Erys and join them, promising sponsors and the best of teachers at their disposal. All that was because of her ability, which, apparently, made her highly sought.

“What are you looking at? The show is over!”

The crowd fearfully dispersed and those who were left were Francesca’s group of girls and Zeke. Stone-faced, he looked at her and patiently waited, certain that she purposely interfered to help him.

“Zeke Orland, I presume? A pleasure!”

She stretched her hand for a handshake, so he reciprocated. Her soft hand squeezed him with more force than necessary, but she didn’t overdo it.

“Yes. And you are Francesca Moon.”

“Indeed I am. I’ll cut through the case and say what I came here to say, if you don’t mind.”

“Go ahead.”

Before she continued, she raised her hand and beckoned someone from the back of her group. A couple of seconds later, the shy Alan, Zeke’s roommate, squeezed himself between the giggling girl.

Francesca patted his head and said, “I want you to join my circle. It’s rare for a Defect to rise so quickly and unexpectedly, and that’s enough for me to want you.”

“I’m from class E. I don’t think it will work out.”

“So what? It’s not like Julia cares. That gorilla only thinks about fighting. If you come under me, no one will bother you, not even Harold Volcun. I will also share a couple of secrets that will help you improve and climb to the top 20.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll have to refuse. Well then, the lesson is about to start. See you!”

His response was swift and immediate, which left Francesca briefly stunned.

“Mhm! I do have a soft spot for the stubborn type!” She stated while letting out a questionable moan, which made Alan twitch and back away.