!!!!! Pr Credits To Draconis & Tembulon who not only both pred it but improved this ch's quality greatly please rep them ^^!!!
this is 80% pred and done mostly by draconis il update this with tembs copy when he completes it, but i didnt want to keep you guys waiting any longer. this is one of 1/2 chapters for today before i go on a 2 week break from writing.
Please Share/Follow/Rate/Enjoy chapter 95 :D
P.S again sorry about the late release guys :/
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Avrin was already out of bed at 7:00 am, wearing only a casual black undershirt that stuck to his skin. He began to wonder about something while his Nebula Mist recreated his usual outfit. “-I was right to decide to lay low for a little while.
I'll scope things out a bit before I make an appearance. The last thing I need is two powers hounding me to join them-” Avrin thought irritatedly in his mind before he finished and headed off.
The inn was already brimming with students eating breakfast, and there were no seats available. Some had to even stand and eat, while others chose to go out to get breakfast. Avrin decided to leave.
The town, once again, was filled with people. But this time, there were carriages lining up the paths. These carriages were different, and had an emblem on it. A white shield with a simple sword upon it.
A man wearing a grey robe was standing on a small podium besides the dozen upon dozens of carriages. “All people attending Laymist, please prepare to depart within thirty minutes. Show your application to the guards standing outside the carriage of your choice to board. Afterwards, we will depart for Laymist to begin testing.”
Avrin looked to see students flocking about, but what caught his sight were a few carriages stuck out from the rest. They were much more superior and adorned greatly, as if craving attention. The people who entered these carriages wore outfits with blue edgings, similar to Yuvi.
Of course, even these carriages had their golden eggs. Two were decorated incredibly, as if people of importance were to be entering them.
As it just so happened, Avrin spotted Fiora an Tygas enter each of these carriages with some of their subordinates behind them, Yuvi and Yesen included, meaning he was left with the plebeian looking carriages. He could only laugh to himself. He wondered to himself how he would be treated if he showed a bit of talent.
“It can't be helped.” He muttered to himself before heading over to a carriage that seemed a little far from the crowd. After showing the application that he duplicated earlier, he entered the carriage.
The interior itself was quite spacious, like a mini van. Of course, he presumed it was to fit in as many students as possible.
He quietly sat near the window and rested his right cheek on his right hand as he began to ponder some things. But within moments of him arriving, the carriage door opened again and large individual in his twenties entered. He wore a tribal looking outfit that reminded Avrin of the village in the Twisting Lands. The man had a serious expression and emitted a cold yet fierce presence.
(A.N yes the character is intended to speak like that. ))
He looked at Avrin and his face curled into a menacing smile. He extended his hand out and spoke. “I'm Mahck, nice meet you, friend.” He seemed to speak with a broken accent, as if he had just recently learned the language. Avrin could tell he was definitely not from the central continent. His skin was darkened and somewhat red. It reminded Avrin of the native north americans.
But Avrin was not hostile, and he smiled and extended his hand out. “It's nice to meet you too. I'm Herth, friend” Avrin could still feel the cold and fierce aura emitted by this individual, but as he shook his hand, he could feel he was holding his strength back. As if struggling to do so.
“Friend Herth, Mahck excited, go to Laymist, get stronger, get famous, make family proud, give family good life” Mahck spoke these words with a look of hope in his eyes as his muscles bulged from psyching himself up.
“-To help his family.. A worthy cause to get stronger and become something-” Avrin continued to speak to Mahck. “You must have trained hard. Where are you from, Mahck?”
Mahck chuckled as he sat opposite of Avrin. He replied. “North continent, forget name in this language, but yes train hard, lots of strong people there, many for Mahck to train with, but much blood. Mahck came Central continent to start new and take mother and siblings away from blood after Mahck’s father died in battle.”
Avrin heard he was from the Northern continent and his interest was peaked again. “What is it like there? Is it all bloodshed and fighting?” This question was one to know if he made the right decision in sending the others over.
“Not fighting all time. In Mahck’s old region, lots of fighting, Mahck came from Eastern part of North continent, lots of rocky mountain and lots of green forest, many tribes and people looking to get land, many tribes and people fighting each other for it.
Mahck’s tribe lost land in battle and now Mahck here, hard to get application but Mahck won application in small event.”
Avrin had a look of admiration in his eyes. This man had truly experienced a lot and cared deeply for his family. Enough to abandon his homeland to start anew for them. “Well then, Mahck, lets work hard together. Maybe one day you will be really famous so that you can have your own kingdom here.”
At these words, Mahck laughed and spoke. “Friend Herth give Mahck too much credit, still have lots to learn to rule kingdom. One day go back and kill people who killed Mahck’s father.” After he spoke, the doors to the carriage opened again and an individual completely covered in a brown, slightly tattered robe entered and sat quietly in the corner away from Mahck and Avrin and remained quiet.
Avrin paid no attention, as this person most likely had their reasons for not being social. But Mahck seemed too friendly, despite his fierce, serious look. He extended his hand out to the robed individual.
“Hello friend, Mahck greets you.” The robed individual turned to glance at Mahck’s hand for a few seconds before turning to gaze away.
This made Mahck confused. “It's ok, Mahck. People like to keep to themselves. Why don't you tell me more about the Northern continent.” Avrin spoke properly, yet his childish voice deceived him a little. Mahck looked away from the robed individual as he laughed and focused his attention on Avrin.
Soon, the carriage shook a little as it began to move, signalling that they were now headed to Laymist. Mahck and Avrin began to converse on the way to Laymist. Avrin learned that Mahck was only seventeen years of age and not in his twenties.
This amazed Avrin, but not as much as when Mahck told him he was at the early stages of the Intermediate level. Mahck could be considered a genuine genius with a good future ahead of him if he plays his cards right.
As they continued to converse, the path the carriages entered was covered in forest land as well as rocky outcrops that didn't seem to match the terrain, but Avrin didn't pay much attention to this from the window. More so, he was curious about the robed individual. They had been traveling for an hour, but this person didn't utter a word or move an inch.
Unable to help his curiosity, Avrin’s Divine Sense spread, surrounding the carriage. He got a view of the individual, which made his eyes widen a little. “Friend Herth, all okay?” Mahck noticed this subtle change and Avrin simply smiled and spoke. “Yes. I just forgot something, but it's ok. I'm sure the academy will have it.”
But in his mind he thought. “-I didn't think someone like this would appear. Isn't this a little weird?-” Avrin was a little conflicted as he gazed from the corner of his eyes at the robed individual.
The ride towards Laymist was uneventful, but this wasn't a place that bandits or raiders could casually attack. Academies such as this were protected, as they held the talents of the new generation. The empire itself would station several guard outposts along the path with scouts patrolling occasionally throughout the day.
“Mahck, I wanted to ask. You seem quite powerful, yet you choose this carriage instead of the ones in front. Why is that?” Avrin asked. He was a little curious regarding this matter, as anyone with half a mind would want to have a powerful friend like Mahck.
“Hmm.. Well, people say I look to fight and look scary, afraid of Mahck, so no choice but this carriage.” At Mahck’s words, Avrin felt a little bad for him. It wasn't his fault that he looked and appeared like that. He had grown up in a harsh environment, so it was normal in the end for them to think like that at the very least.
“What about you, Herth?” Mahck spoke. Avrin just casually replied. “I like to keep to myself, but this situation is nice. I'm sure our robed friend here has a reason too, if they want to share it?” Avrin received no reply from the robed individual. Not even a glance.
From there, he simply ignored the individual, and soon, time passed until they had reached Laymist. The academy itself was quite large, with a circular wall surrounding its entire mass. It easily stretched over at least 2 kilometers. The terrain outside of the academy seemed to be man made, with the forest not able to near within 100 meters of it, which allowed a sort of grassy plain to form.
A large, solid wall that stretched 15 meters in height had an enormous steel gate attached with Laymist’s emblem on each gate door frame. As the first carriage neared, the enormous steel gate opened, causing the ground to shake for a moment.
Within minutes, the entire convoy of carriages had arrived within Laymist Academy, which seemed exquisite students were already shuffling out being led by teachers towards the designated test location.
Avrin’s goal was quite clear. He was attending Laymist for several reasons. One was to access the Dark Abyss Chasm in hopes of finding a dragon to convert to a dark core and strengthen himself, the other was to establish a proper reputation.
Unfortunately, his previous plan didn't work the way he wanted it to, so he had to resort to this. After all, who wouldn't want a child genius at the age of 11 with limitless potential.
Of course, he understood he needed to be careful. He had assumed before that there would be people trying to rope him in if he did things incorrectly. If he allowed himself to look appealing he would attract unwanted people trying to befriend him because of his appearance, which could set off a chain reaction.
If he made himself stand out and talented, that would be even worse, by attracting people that want him to join them. Such as the Lotus or Phoenix alliances.
But if he made himself look ordinary and bide his time till he understood the academy and find an opportunity where showing his strength would benefit him, he would take it. People wouldn't consider the logical situations that things such as having a few weak friends.
This would keep Avrin busy in trying to make sure they are not hurt so keeping himself heartless to an extent as would be necessary. Of course, he understood two things.
One was that he probably would not be heartless enough to see someone weak with no support get bullied, and another was the issue regarding Mahck. Mahck himself was strong, and Avrin knew he could look after himself, which is why he didn't seem to mind befriending him.
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Mahck would have a good future when people would want to rope him in. Of course, Avrin and Mahck have already established a small friendship that may grow. “-Maybe I'm overthinking things-” Avrin thought as he got out of the carriage. He tried to relax a bit.
He didn't like to let his guard down any more. He had done so quite a lot in this world when, as a general, he had to watch his back carefully. He understood he was changing, and not all of it seemed to be for the better.
“All students, please organize yourselves under this instruction. From carriage one to five, head over to the first line. From carriage six to ten, head over to the second line” From there, a teacher wearing a clean academy outfit that only the faculty seemed to be equipped with began to call out. He wore glasses and had an intelligent look about him, but appeared to be in his late forties.
The students, who were excited, began to move about to find their line. Some forming small groups and continuing to talk to each other, as if they already understood their role. Avrin and Mahck lined up at the back, as they had been the last to walk over. Of course, the robed individual had already lined up before them.
The lines themselves were long, with at least 100 students within each, and with several dozen lines, one could imagine how many people wanted to attend Laymist. One should know that an application or a recommendation does not guarantee access, it only allows a chance to get into Laymist.
As low on the board as this academy is, they would not accept people with literally no talent in any way, shape or form that would only take up space and resources from those with a higher potential.
Laymist would only accept 1000 students, so unless someone was incredibly past a certain age without having reached a strength requirement, than they would have no hopes of getting in. For instance, a 15-20 year old with the strength of a beginner would not be accepted while a 25-30 year old with the strength of a trained individual would also not be accepted. These requirements were not harsh, but quite fair.
Those that had many, many years to develope themselves would find this requirement easy, while those that had never put in an ounce of hard work and not taken it seriously would find it difficult. It weeded out those with the mindset of wanting to play around.
Those within the academy that reached that age gap that required a higher rank would be kicked out if they could not achieve it. The time to reach it was plenty, but from middle Expert it would allow a full gap of 30 to 50 years. This was based solely on the fact that the difficulty became extreme.
The lines began to shuffle along with the chatter continuing. There were several faculty members at the sides of the line keeping things in check if anything got out of hand. Avrin would occasionally see a cheerful student exit and head over to the large building at the center of the academy, following a set path, while he also saw a gloomy student walk over towards the carriages and enter one.
It didn't take a genius to tell those who had succeeded from those who didn't. Although he was curious regarding the method of testing. He was worried it required a Spirit Stone, which made his face pale somewhat.
Avrin and Mahck stood in line for several hours until the line was cleared to the last 4 people. But inside the large hall were three old individuals seated behind a desk with 5 faculty members at both sides watching curiously.
As the next in line was called up, he was guided as if the people wanted this to end quickly. “Stand over the Spirit Link and reveal your Spirit Stone” A hoarse voice came from a black bearded man who seemed a little grumpy. The person at the front didn't dare to delay as he rushed over and revealed his Spirit Stone.
A diamond shaped crystal appeared, forming out of the mana. The stone was currently a half inch tall, but when the boy pushed his mana into it, the stone grew immediately to 11 inches, emitting a soft blue glow.
“Water mana affinity, 11 inches in height. Huh, Beginner level, not bad. Head outside and go towards the main building where you will be escorted to your quarters. Your rank is Copper” A woman who was in her late thirties spoke. She had a dignified expression and her looks were a bit above average at best.
The student let out a sigh of relief and bowed before saying his thanks and leaving. “Next!” the black bearded old man called out, to which the robed individual Avrin and Mahck were with stepped forward into the Spirit Link without being ordered.
Seeing this, the black bearded man was about to speak instructions when the individual brought out their Spirit Stone and pushed their mana into it. The Spirit Stone began to shine with a white light as it grew to a half meter within a few seconds. This sight astounded the faculty, who were somewhat blinded by the light.
“I..Incredible...holy affinity mana?” The man looked at the report the Spirit Link was connected to. One's Spirit Stone, which was linked to that person's soul, showed their age and some minor details. Such as race.
“Eighteen years of age and already at an early stage Expert level. Truly a genius. Hmm?” The man glanced at the race of the individual and his eyes widened with a little shock before turning towards the two seated next to him.
Of course, they also had this information, and their expressions were one of surprise and a little fear. “L..Lial, escort this person to Building A… Platinum rank student. Our Laymist will surely soar to the skies with such potential. We won't dare waste any opportunities. We welcome you to our Laymist Academy and will do our best to train you to step to the peak of Seleria.“ A half bald man with a mustache spoke with a kind look as the other two were two surprised from the catch.
One of the faculty members- the man named Lial walked next to the silent robed individual and greeted that person before he took them away, most likely to a place only geniuses head towards.
“Hahaha! I bet those bastards in the first hall will kick the dirt when they find out about our catch. And here I thought they would out do us with those two silver and gold ranked talents. Compared to this one, we are surely on top.” The black bearded man laughed out as he seemingly ignored Avrin and Mahck.
The woman cleared her throat and spoke. “Regardless, they are all students of our academy, and we still have two more to test. Try to set a good example and not break their hearts, Geon.” Geon- the black bearded man turned to glance at the two who were still lined up. He looked at Mahck and his eyes widened for a moment.
“Ok, ok then! You, you're up. You know what to do I take it?” Mahck gave a soft laugh and made his way to the Spirit Link. He released his own Spirit Stone and it grew to 15 inches, emitting a fierce yellow light, showing that it was earth affinity mana, which also made the three look with surprise as they gazed at Mahck’s profile. “Our luck keeps getting better! Seventeen and at the early stage of the Intermediate level with a solid earth affinity glow. Hmm.. I think he has great potential and can also lead us to victory against the other Branch Academies during the next selection.”
Geon couldn't stop smiling as he let out a heavy laugh which resounded throughout the hall. The woman glanced curiously at his profile and spoke. “It says here you originated from the North continent? Were you raised there?” She spoke, unable to help but ask.
Mahck, who stood proud with a strong look, dispersed his Spirit Stone and spoke. “Mahck is from the Northern continent and has faced many dangers to get stronger. Mahck wants to become famous and gain power to look after people that have cared for me!” He truly didn't hide his goals. Of course, such goals were not full of greed or resentment. The three looked at each other before nodding with approval.
“Jin, take this fellow to building B, and, like our extraordinary talent before, let the teachers know of his importance. We will surely help this Mahck reach his goals! Otherwise, my name will not be Truin, but Ruin!” The bald headed man spoke.
Of course, these words made some of the faculty staff feel a little weird, as it was truly a corny phrase. Mahck turned to look at Avrin and spoke. “Friend Herth, we will meet again. I look forward to our reunion!” Mahck happily laughed while he was led away.
The three then eyed Avrin as if he were the next gem. They felt maybe a third talent would appear. But as Avrin awkwardly entered the Spirit Link, he uttered words that made them look at him with confusion. “Umm...unfortunately, I don't...have a spirit stone..may I borrow one?” Hearing this, the black bearded man pursed his lips before roaring out.
“You don't have a Spirit Stone!!?! The hell are you here for?!! Do you even know what your level is?” As he spoke, spit came flying in all directions, making Truin and the female on the other side scoot away a little.
Avrin had never felt so embarrassed and also angry at the same time. He had truly no way of countering the spirit stone issue. He didn't even think that he could use one, but this didn't mean he didn't have a plan.
“Please give me a chance. I don't have a Spirit Stone, but how about a fig-” Before he could finish, the black bearded man, in his anger, continued to roar out. “ I knew someone would find a way to forge entry without the requirements.
I don't think a boy who doesn't even know his own level would manage to enter this far. let's interrogate him and find out how he made it this far. Maybe he paid someone off. When we find out who-”
The female stood up and frowned. “Just send him back. We can't make an issue out of this. If the others find out, it will cause problems… As for you, boy. If you dare speak a word about this, we will know who to punish.”
Avrin was dumbfounded. They were threatening him without giving him the chance to speak. He was definitely tempted to emit his Phantom Pulse out and let it speak for him, but he remained calm. He would definitely enter this academy, even if his first impression of the teachers was one of unfairness.
“Hmph..” He quietly uttered before grinning to himself and turning to walk off. “Fine. Who wants to join this stupid academy anyway. I'll go try my luck at Bluesky academy..”
Avrin, of course, was using a bit of strategy. He could tell that Geon had a short fuse, and using the name ‘Bluesky academy’, which Laymist considered their top rival, maybe he could lead him into acting towards him.
“Y...You little bastard..how dare you speak I’ll of our Laymist academy. Let me teach you respect!” One of the faculty members behind Geon turned into a faint blur as he rushed over to grab Avrin. Of course, if word got out that this happened, it would look bad for Laymist. The three teachers quickly stood up, but were still slow in their approach to stop their own member from attacking Avrin.
Of course, as the man neared, Avrin snickered inwardly. “-This is perfect. Let me show you half-wits the mistake you have made by underestimating me-” Avrin turned and raised his hand out towards the man and spoke. “You want to teach me respect?” Avrin swept his Divine Sense out only for a few meters before emitting his Phantom Pulse.