Another week passed, and thanks to Kossi becoming my mentor, my affinity had improved by a good margin.
“Status.”
==================
— {[Lucien Crow]} — +
Goal: Defeat the Primordial Giant of Destruction
Age: 16
Affinity: 12.3%
Silvion Academy (Year 6864): Rank 4000
Overall Rating: E
* Affinity: E-
* Combat: E+
* Technomancy: E-
* Stamina: E+
Skills:
Jack of All Trades Lvl 1
Allure (Passive)
Energy Recovery (Passive)
==================
However, despite my constant efforts to improve my body, there seemed to be no progress. My rating remained an average of E. I couldn’t help but wonder how long this would take. It was starting to annoy me.
The first month in Beyond Phantasia was about to wrap up, and I knew I needed to grow stronger, or else I would not be able to catch up to the main characters. Despite Teacher Kossi's guidance, I still needed to find additional ways to strengthen myself.
After going through my notes, I remembered a minor skirmish set to happen somewhere outside the academy grounds. If I timed it right, I’d be able to snag an item — a ring. It definitely had some kind of effect, though what exactly it did…I didn’t recall it in my notes. My notes focused more on the major events, leaving the smaller details a bit fuzzy. Still, it was worth the risk; anything that could give me an edge was worth trying.
I secured permission to leave the academy for “work,” I made my way to the aerorail station. The aerorail was a sleek, futuristic monorail system, suspended in the sky by advanced technomagic and aether power. It practically glided along, linking most cities together in the continent.
At the kiosk, I paid for my ticket, though the number blinking on the screen made my wallet ache.
"A thousand credits for a train ticket. Ridiculous," I muttered, staring at the ticket on my datachron. “I’m back to the hundreds…”
I waited patiently as the clock inched closer to one in the afternoon. Finally, the aerorail arrived with a quiet hum, its sleek metallic body reflecting the sunlight as it hovered above the platform. I stepped inside, finding a seat near the window and settling in as the doors slid shut behind me.The interior was surprisingly spacious, with cushioned seats facing large windows that offered views of the academy and its surrounding landscapes.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
As the aerorail sped up, I leaned back in my seat, hoping to enjoy a rare moment of solitude. Outside the window, the academy’s towering spires and lush grounds faded into a blur as we headed toward Elenthas, a town just beyond the Varrenwood Forest. It was a peaceful enough place, known mostly for its thriving marketplace and nearby forest trails. Hopefully, my notes were correct.
My fingers tapped idly against my seat. It was an uneventful ride — at least until I heard an all-too-familiar voice.
Tsk.
“Well, if it isn’t Lucien Crow,” Novian’s tone was friendly, his usual upbeat confidence laced with that air of nobility. I inwardly cursed my luck, keeping my gaze firmly on the passing scenery. Maybe if I didn’t respond, he’d lose interest and move along.
“Heading somewhere interesting?” Novian asked, plopping into the seat across from mine with a casual grin. His uniform was neatly pressed, and he looked more like someone going to a prestigious family event than someone taking a quiet trip to the countryside. “I’m also aware you’re ignoring me.
I sighed. “Just… errands,” I replied vaguely, keeping my voice neutral. “What about you?”
“Ah, same,” he said, his gaze steady. “Actually, I heard there’s an old archive of sorts around Varrenwood. Thought I’d check it out. You know, family history and all that. But you — don’t you usually stick to campus?”
“No,” I replied. “Just trying to make a living since I can’t afford school.” Hopefully, that would be enough to satisfy his curiosity.
But this guy was really persistent.
“It’s funny, you know,” he said, his gaze locked on me. “This rest of the month so far, you’ve been quiet.”
I shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of his attention. “It’s nothing impressive. I got lucky with everything up till now.”
Novian raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. “That may be true, but aren’t you ambitious? Don’t you want to prove yourself? The things you’ve accomplished don’t seem to align with just ‘luck.’”
“Not particularly,” I replied, keeping my tone neutral. “Just want to graduate.”
“Really? You don’t want the recognition? What’s holding you back?” he pressed, genuinely curious.
I shrugged, trying to downplay my feelings. “It’s just not my style. I have enough on my plate without drawing more attention to myself.”
He leaned closer, still intrigued. “You’ve got a point there, but don’t you think staying quiet could backfire? What if you miss opportunities by blending in?”
"I'm just trying to get through this month. Right now, it's not about seizing opportunities for me," I replied nonchalantly.
He chuckled. “You really are interesting, Lucien. What’s your endgame, then? Just surviving the academy?”
“Survival is the priority,” I said. “After all, not all of us can afford such luxuries.”
With that, the rest of the ride passed in relative silence. When we arrived in Elenthas, the town’s lively marketplace filled the air with sounds of vendors calling out deals and the scent of fresh-baked bread mingling with the rich earthiness from nearby forest trails.
We both exited the train, standing for a moment at the edge of the bustling station. I glanced at Novian, silently hoping we’d part ways, and soon.
“Well, Lucien,” Novian said, eyeing the path that led to the deeper part of Varrenwood Forest, “are you planning to head into the forest? What’s your objective out there?”
“Just some personal business,” I replied, keeping my answer vague.
“Personal business, huh? You sure know how to keep things mysterious,” he teased. “I guess I’ll let you go. You’re not going to let me tag along, are you?”
I shook my head. “No, I think it’s better if I go alone. Maybe next time.”
“Fair enough,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I won’t pry any further. Just don’t get lost out there. The woods can be tricky.” He gave a nod before heading toward the south trail.
I watched him go, feeling a small wave of relief as I turned and took the north trail. It wasn’t long before I was alone, the noise of the town fading into the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional call of wildlife. The deeper I went, the quieter it became, and soon, all I could hear was the steady rhythm of my footsteps on the forest floor.