A fierce downpour assaulted the rooftops. The sky was blanketed by a dreary dark grey. The cold wind howled.
The oppressive atmosphere of the hell-mode setting was as tangible as it could get.
Shai’s lonely footsteps echoed throughout the hallway.
After freshening up, Shai was finally making his way towards the academy’s coliseum, where the opening ceremony was currently being held.
Fear and excitement coursed through his veins.
Fear, for his life was on the line.
Excitement, for this was the world he adored so dearly.
***
[The Ijain Colliseum]
The atmosphere was lively. A stark contrast to the gloomy weather outside. As the rain poured, boisterous affairs were taking place in the coliseum, welcoming a new school year.
Mages from the Arcane Department performed using their blue-tinged mana and an artistic touch. Knights from the Mortal Department brandished their weapons in a beautiful dance. And the Creation Department put their works on display for the freshmen to admire.
Lastly, the Elite Class made their appearance. Simply standing there, each Elite drew the eyes of the crowd. Their mere presence was awe-inspiring.
“Elira! It’s Elira of House Valmasse!”
“Gasp! Is Jonathan Viska back from his Quest!?”
“Oh my god! Look at those six! It’s them! The Lullaby Party!”
“Hurry! Let’s see if we can ask for a signature as they exit the stage!”
The boisterous crowd grew rowdy as the opening ceremony reached its end. The chatter of hundreds of voices drowned out even the rain outside.
With a wistful smile, Shai waded through the crowd.
“At least I was able to see them.”
Them.
The characters he had known for such a long time. The characters who had accompanied him in his gaming journey.
The characters he adored. Whether they were a hero or villain.
***
After the opening ceremony, Shai headed towards his classroom, as per the assignment given to him via his wristwatch. With a beep, the doors automatically opened, and he was allowed to walk in.
For a moment, everyone turned their heads.
Then, seeing as he wasn’t anyone important, they resumed their conversations as if nothing happened.
Shai monotonously found his seat and closed his eyes. He made no attempts to converse with others, as he knew that he would be ostracised the moment the first examination was held.
Today would mark the first day of his life under noble oppression.
The minutes passed by, and when the familiar sound of the bell shook the halls, a figure draped in a long tailcoat strode in.
—Ding Dong!
—Ding Dong!
—Ding Dong!
“Hello, freshmen.” A gentle, deep voice. “I am the adviser for Class Opal, Thomas Veridias. I will be your guide for the rest of your stay here in the Myrlite Academy.”
Thomas Veridias stood at a towering six and a half feet tall, looking down at the students in the front row with a presence that rivalled that of berserkers. His clean and sharp appearance, as well as the way he dressed showed just how much he cared for his noble image.
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“I know that you all wish to enter the Wizard’s Tower in the future. Therefore, I will do my utmost best to make sure your dreams come to fruition. I will be present to answer any questions you have regarding your training as long as you schedule it with me beforehand. However! I will not baby you. You are all prodigies from around the world, more talented than I.”
Thomas Veridias narrowed his gaze.
“Should you grow dependent on my teachings, I will not hesitate to throw you into a training regimen that will make your sweat red with blood.”
The students went silent, wary of the threat that their adviser had given them.
Seeing this Thomas Veridias nodded.
“Seeing as you all understand this, let us proceed with today’s agenda.”
With a glance, Thomas Veridias called for his assistant to go up the raised platform. A crystal ball was placed in the air, hovering a few feet above the ground.
“It’s the event, [Awakening and Ranking],” Shai muttered under his breath.
Mana was an important magical resource in the game. It was what allowed a person to connect to the Wizard’s Tower and enter it from anywhere in the world. Thus, the awakening process was a significant turning point in many peoples’ lives.
Those who awakened had a chance for greatness.
Those who could not, were destined for mediocrity.
“I’ll hope for the best,” Shai bit his lip.
To awaken one’s mana, there were several different techniques. The most famous ones were through a special crystal ball or a close encounter with death. And, seeing as how Shai could not see any stat pertaining to his mana in the interface, he had yet to awaken.
He could not help but grow nervous.
Since all his stats were a flat one, there was a chance that his body would not be able to handle the awakening in the first place. The pouring of activating mana into his body would surely rupture his vessels if he was too weak.
‘But my Creation stat should make up for this deficiency…’ Shai thought.
Among all the stats one could have, the Creation stat was the most versatile. It involved finesse with regards to one’s body, an able mind capable of creative thought, governance over magic and therefore mana control, as well as keen senses to properly attune oneself to the process of creation.
This versatility was the reason why Shai had poured everything into Creation. He would be too imbalanced if he had done the same to a different stat.
‘I just don’t know how it’ll translate to my awakening when the rest of my stats are abysmal in stature.’ Shai inwardly sighed.
***
The awakening process was simple. The awakener simply had to put their hand on the crystal ball and accept the influx of mana within their body. Those who had already awakened beforehand would instead be able to measure their mana capacity depending on the colour that the crystal ball would emit.
Thus, Thomas Veridias went through each student quite quickly, announcing the results with a gentle yet monotonous tone.
“Student Clarence Eishia. Awakening Successful. Base Grade of D…”
“Student Wanaloi Jan. Awakening Successful. Starting Grade of C at Level 1.”
“…Starting Grade of B at Level 1.”
“…Starting Grade of E at Level 1.”
Shai obediently fell in line, watching as a familiar face walked up to the crystal ball.
“Student Levinas Hades. Already awakened. Current Mana Grade: A at Level 1.”
Levinas Hades. A student second only to the main character that the players possess. A significant talent even among talents. Depending on the progression of the story, Levinas Hades could either be the player’s friend or foe, and in a certain route, the final boss.
In fact, Shai and other players would call Levinas the ‘second player’ simply because of his traits and abilities. Levinas would sometimes even surpass the protagonist if the player wasn’t good enough.
In short, Levinas Hades was a special character, and someone that Shai had to be respectful of.
While Shai was immersed in his thoughts, gasps resounded across the room. All sorts of gazes were directed at Levinas.
Awe and admiration.
Envy and jealousy.
Love and infatuation.
Nonetheless, the awakening process continued.
“…Starting Grade of D at Level 1.”
“…”
Soon, it was Shai’s turn to stand in front of the ball.
“Student Shai, Commoner. Awakening....” Thomas Veridias’ brows scrunched up. “…Unsuccessful.”
Suddenly the gazes of all the students fell upon Shai.
An Unsuccessful Awakening.
This meant that Shai was only as talented as an average person. Someone who could not enter the tower. Thus, what use was his enrolment in the academy?
Shai’s expression fell.
‘Damn it, I should’ve known.’ He cursed under his breath. ‘If I started at a level of negative one, then my talents would obviously be abysmal.’
Thomas Veridias put a hand on Shai’s shoulder.
“Are you… perhaps, of the scholar profession?”
Shai bit his lips. “Y-yes, Sir.”
“That explains it. I wish you luck then, young man. As somewhat of a scholar myself, I know how hard it is to go through all the information of the world.”
Shai nodded with his head hung low.
‘This is a dilemma,’ His lips were bleeding now, ‘If I don’t have mana, I can’t make use of my Creation stats.’
The silent classroom watched as a sullen Shai slowly returned to his seat. Whispers of disdain and schadenfreude were like announcements over the intercom.
“Look at him. To think that we’re even classmates with a guy like that.”
“I would be terrified if I was that untalented… How would I achieve my dreams?”
“Damn, Father was right. There are indeed people who are… naturally weak.”
“Let’s see if he can cough up some useful information. Didn’t Professor Thomas say he was a scholar? He should be able to provide us with some study guides for free…”
“Good idea. Let’s find him after class.”
Yet none of these words reached Shai's ears. In his mind, a plan was slowly taking form. Desperate, like a crawling worm indeed.