The smell of pine trees, jarring and out of place, rushed into the crowd of teenagers. Athelei was startled by this incoherent scent, and so were the others. It was like the sudden appearance of a zen garden, incense wafting about, bringing only peace and tranquility.
However, this garden would have appeared in the midst of a battlefield — wholly out of place indeed.
A magnetic presence made itself known.
All gazes were drawn towards the lady in the light-blue ball gown, arriving from within the depths of the orchard.
[Name: Hyourin Lynn Ai]
[Age: 21]
“Hm?” Athelei’s nose twitched, and his eyes narrowed in an analytical gleam. “This aura… A Dictator at [Rank 1 — Gaseous Phase]?”
To be able to influence a large area with her presence alone; such was an ability that a Dictator would have. With her [Will] turning into a gas-like substance, she would be able to spread it throughout the area, influencing the minds of everyone present.
It was very different from an Evolver who would train their bodies to the limit. Dictators trained the force of their intentions.
Intrigued, Athelei closely observed the lady in blue.
***
Hyourin, emerging from the depths of the academy’s orchard, felt ecstatic. She had fought for the chance to welcome the new students, and it was worth it.
Just gazing upon the crowd before her, it was clear that the number of aspiring applicants was a landslide compared to last year. Moreover…
“Those who have achieved Rank 0 in their respective Classes, please step forward.”
There were a few promising individuals among the youngsters this time. They all stepped forward, albeit some with a slight hesitation. Most of them, however, advanced with more than one step, brimming with confidence. To have achieved Rank 0 at sixteen was an impressive feat in a city like Hilva.
Those at this Rank, at this age, would have a guaranteed entry into the Eternal Pursuit Academy. They had the right to boast.
“Good,”
Hyourin nodded, and a faint smile spread across their lips. Counting a total of eleven Rank 0s, she would be able to buy at least three Eagle Focus Pills to supplement her training. With these three pills, she could save up on a month’s worth of effort, allowing her to do more with her time.
“Now, those who have stepped forward may fall in line. I will guide you all through the Orchard of Time. As for the rest, a few examiners will arrive shortly to see whether or not you are worthy of pursuing eternity.”
With these words, and the group of eleven teenagers following closely behind her, Hyourin left, bringing along the scent of pine trees.
***
Such bold claims, I couldn’t help but smile in ridicule.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Pursuing eternity? The Orchard of Time?
The true Orchard of Time would not be present within this mortal plane, that was for sure. It exists as the foundation of the universe itself — its trees, representing timelines while each fruit, representing a seeker of eternity.
For a mere mortal school to make such references… I couldn’t help but wonder which lofty presence had plucked a string of causality. The Eternal Pursuit Academy was something I had written, yes, but I had not bothered to craft much detail with regards to its origins.
My words back then were probably along the lines of, “This was a school inspired by a being of Time.”
Nothing more, nothing less.
“Sigh,”
Nevertheless, I was not in the position to openly ridicule such a school. Currently, I was a mere ant in the grand expanse of the universe, incapable of creating even a ripple. And although the humans that surrounded me were the same, to them, this planet was their everything.
No… perhaps their horizons were limited only within the city walls of Hilva.
That was how weak I was, forced to cower beneath the strength of something atomic with regards to the size of just one galaxy.
Carrying this newfound frustration, I awaited the arrival of the examiners.
***
The wait didn’t last long. In fact, it didn’t even last a minute. A group of well-dressed individuals, all in uniform, emerged from the depths of the forest. Carrying with themselves the status of being in their respective Rank 0s. Most of them seemed to be Dictators, as various coloured lights flashed wherever their gaze landed. Their intentions, although weaker than the lady before, were still visible to the naked eye.
“Everyone, please line up according to your abilities.” An examiner stepped forward. “Those who pursue unique classes may approach me. Aspiring Evolvers, please approach Examiner Geni. Wishful Artists, please approach Assistant Hol. While those who aim to be Dictators may approach anyone whose [Tangible Wills] align with your ideals.”
Suddenly, a small stampede took place as the students rushed to line up before their respective examiners.
***
[Your trait,
Another piercing pain assaulted my mind as I thought about which line to go to. Feeling the nausea swamp me, I staggered. The stampede of aspiring students then surrounded me, and I could do nothing as the human tide pushed me to and fro.
[Your trait,
[Your trait,
[Your trait,
“Ugh, shut up,”
My groans were drowned by the sheer chaos brought about by excited teens. Their shoving and lack of care for their surroundings wasn’t helping my headache at all. The world was spinning as if I was drunk.
[Your trait,
More than that… where was my other trait trying to lead me? I felt an even sharper pain pierce into my brain if I so glanced at the Dictator, Evolver, and Unique Class examiners. Does it want me to be an Artist? A Class that wasn’t so developed in this region of the world?
A Class that the people of Hilva City did not care about as much?
“Damn, these traits really do want me to be some random ant on the road!” I exclaimed in frustration.
Looking at the Artist examiners, not a shred of pain assaulted me. My footsteps naturally brought me over — but with great difficulty, and even more pain because of my delays.
It was like walking through quicksand. These damn teenagers had no desire to be orderly — and the examiners simply watched it all happen.
It was a struggle to line up as I ended up at the back of the line when everyone had finally settled down. Although the noise was still great, at least no one was pushing others around or cutting in line.
More importantly,
[Your trait,
[Your trait,
Thank the gods.
I was alive. My mind could finally function normally again.