Congratulations! A new self-taught combination skill has been unlocked: “Cross Blade Extension Strike.”
Congratulations! The skill—The Phantom Leap—has leveled up! Current level: 5/10.
Thorne’s head was on a swivel, and he looked throughout the energy-stained battlefield. He breathed deeply as fatigue washed over him. The exhilaration of battle was leaving him, but the excitement of learning new knowledge and techniques was just beginning.
“So, we won,” Thorne mumbled as he looked down at the unconscious student, “And I got a new skill.” He said as he looked over the system announcement. Before he could examine too much, habit kicked in as he gazed at the black spectrum girl. He bowed to her, just as he did during his stay in the wilderness; “you were a worthy opponent.” He murmured before turning around to face Zal and the rest.
Zal stood a couple dozen feet away from Thorne. A wide grin played across his face as he trod near him: “Good job, man. You were almost as good as me.” He chuckled while holding one of his hands out.
Thorne—flashed a small smile—and grasped Zal’s hand; “Hopefully, in the next couple hundred years, I might be better than you.” He said as the handshake was released.
“No,” Zal said, shaking his head. You can’t fantasize over impossible events, Thorne. That’s unhealthy.”
Chuckling softly, Thorne walked over to the rest of the group with Zal.
“Good job everyone!” Zal shouted as the pair reached the main group. “We might have to ask Jacky if we can fight more than fifteen. That was too easy,” He quipped.
Moravian’s face scrunched as he glared at Zal; “Procka and I got eliminated you fool. You’re just lucky you had Thorne.”
“Well, don’t worry,” Zal started, placing his hand on Moravian’s shoulder while his teeth gleamed with a nonchalant smirk. “You got eliminated for a good cause.”
“Oh, you human scum!” Moravian growled as he grabbed Zal.
Zal, laughing, continued to mess with the undead.
Lyra—who was laughing a discreet, tinkling laugh—held up her hands with a rare smile on her face; “All right you two, settle down. You cannot be so rambunctious in front of the master.” She giggled.
Zal and Moravian—who hadn’t noticed Jacky’s sudden appearance in the circle—stopped their roughhousing and stood straight.
“My bad, Jacky,” Zal said, scratching his neck.
“You’re fine, you’re fine.” Jacky said, beaming at the man, “After all, congratulations are in order. You just beat the fifteen best grade one students in the academy!... Apart from you five, of course.”
Thorne nodded, ‘That makes sense. Some of those students were pretty strong.’ He once again looked over at the zombie woman, ‘especially her. It seems that those types of summoning techniques are crazy powerful.’
Jacky then stood tall and cleared her throat, “Now, it's time for what you are all waiting for.” She said, deepening her voice, “Follow me. Now it’s time to go to the new world.”
Thorne, as well as the rest of the group, gasped in shock upon hearing Jacky’s proclamation. “Wait,” Lyra interjected. What about packing and supplies?” she asked with a puzzled gaze.
Jacky looked back at Lyra, “All your prepped travel bags have been taken to the ship already. Everything you’ve thought about and the things you haven’t even considered has been packed.”
Nodding, Lyra didn’t continue the conversation and began to follow after the yellow spectrum master. She led the five-person group to the teleporter at the end of the artificial desert but held off before activating it.
With a stern look, she began to speak to the group; “I will say one thing,” She started, her usual frilly excitement gone, “In this next room will be the most important people in the whole Zupu academy. Show proper respect, and whatever you do, do not interrupt.” She looked into each of their eyes and made sure that none of them shirked away or complained; “Good, let’s go.”
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WHOOSH!
Thorne and his company of dirty, blood-ridden companions appeared in an area that was fundamentally contrary to where they were before. The artificial sun was gone, replaced by intense fluorescent lights, and the expansive desert was replaced by a cramped warehouse-like room. Thorne gasped as he looked more intently at the space; ‘It’s a hanger.’ He realized.
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He knew this mainly because of the massive ship parked in the room. In terms of size, it was almost triple Master Khal’s ship, and its sleek eight-colored paint job made it quite the eye-catcher.
At the end of the hanger was a transparent blue wall that led out into the city. Thorne could watch the distant hovercars and trains soar by as they traversed their way in the massive super colony.
Standing in front of the ship was where Thorne’s shock exploded. Around a dozen people were standing in an orderly line. For one, the four masters of each student's respective spectrum stood there: blue for Lyra, black for Moravian, amber for Zal, and orange for Procka.
The only Master who wasn't present…was Master Khal. ‘Of course,’ Thorne sighed; he had expected this to happen.
What had really stunned Thorne, though, wasn’t the headmaster's normal masters. It was the two other individuals who gave off the same pressure as headmaster Ahron. ‘Grandmaster's,’ Thorne thought as he surveyed them.
They were a diverse trio; there was one amber grandmaster—a human woman who was elderly beyond belief—a blue grandmaster—a weird fish, dwarf hybrid. She had the tail of what appeared to be a mermaid, while her head was square and gruff, just like dwarves. Then, of course, with a brown spectrum crystal, stood the ever-diminutive headmaster Ahron.
As Jacky led the students to the small precession, Thorne noticed that the elderly amber spectrum grandmaster had stepped forward slightly. ‘So, she’s going to be the one to make the speech, huh,’ Thorne thought.
A burst of ozone assaulted Thorne's nose as he approached the hanger. However, the others didn't seem bothered by the coppery smell, and Thorne simply had to bear it without reacting.
Finally, after a short walk, they reached the group, and Jacky wordlessly filled in with the other Masters. Thorne and the other students lined up, shoulder to shoulder, as they awaited commands.
“Today, as we gather here, I stand before you as the eldest grandmaster, humbled by the opportunity to address such a bright and talented group of individuals.”
The older human women began. Specks of unwavering wisdom permeated each word she spoke. Thorne listened intently as she continued.
“Your presence here signifies not only your exceptional abilities but also your unwavering commitment to knowledge and exploration. You will embark on a remarkable expedition, one that holds great significance for not only our academy but for the entire outer universe.”
Nodding, Thorne sighed slightly. ‘I have no idea what the outer universe is. I wish I could build my foundation of knowledge more, ' he thought as he listened. After all, I’ve only been away from Earth for a little more than six months.
“You see, my dear students, this expedition is not an ordinary venture into the unknown.” The grandmaster continued. Her amber eyes surveyed each student, instilling the importance of her message. “ This is a journey that will shape the course of history and determine the destiny of nations.”
Suddenly, the woman’s wrinkled face tightened, and her eyes shifted from a look of motherly love to a gaze of fury, “Other academies and factions, driven by their own ambitions, are competing fervently to gain control of the new world that awaits us. The stakes are high, and our challenges are formidable.”
“This world—one devoid of the system—will be lawless and full of strife. That will come with its rewards, yes; the untapped amount of pure energy, and abundance of natural treasures.”
Thorne gasped, ‘So that’s it.’ He remembered everyone’s reactions to the initial announcement that they would travel to a systemless world. It had been nothing but excitement. ‘So , this was why. The usual sparseness of energy will be gone, and natural treasures—which I’ve never even seen before—will be abundant.’ Thorne smiled slightly, ‘I guess this will be fun.’
Suddenly, as the woman continued, her gaze turned cold; “However, what comes with this supply of treasure and power is trust. The academy has trusted you to act in its best interest, and we will hold you to that.”
Thorne sighed as he looked down at the floor, ‘I guess I can’t take everything.’
“In this pursuit, power alone will not be enough to secure our success. It is true that power can provide us with a certain advantage. Still, true greatness lies in the ability to harness that power responsibly, with maturity and wisdom.” she said, referring to her maternal tone and demeanor.
“We must remember that power is not an end in itself but a means to achieve something far greater – a better future, a world enriched by our discoveries and accomplishments. Power alone cannot guarantee our victory! " she said with a smile.
Raising her fist, a mighty shield appeared in her hand. The metal was a work of art; a perfect circle of bronze and diamond. It shimmered in the florescent light and would catch the eye even in a city of gold. “To triumph in this expedition, we must embrace the essence of teamwork. Each one of you possesses unique talents and abilities that, when combined, create a formidable force.”
She looked over the group of students. Thorne looked back, and met her wizened elder eyes, “Together, we can overcome any obstacle, navigate uncharted territories, and unravel the mysteries that lie ahead. Let us foster a spirit of camaraderie, cooperation, and trust, for it is through unity that we shall prevail.”
She then turned to headmaster Ahron and the four accompanying masters, saying, “In the face of challenges, remember the lessons you have learned within these hallowed walls. Draw, upon the knowledge imparted to you by our esteemed faculty, but also trust in your own intuition and judgment. Believe in yourselves, for you have been chosen to embark on this extraordinary journey for a reason.”
The headmaster, other grandmasters, and masters nodded to her, Silently pressing her to continue, “As I conclude, I implore each and every one of you to embrace this expedition with a sense of purpose and passion. The world eagerly awaits the discoveries you will make, the knowledge you will unearth, and the contributions you will make to the Zupu Academy.”
She gestured forward with her spare hand, “Go forth, my dear students, armed with power, united in teamwork, and fortified by the maturity that comes with wisdom. May your expedition be a shining testament to the indomitable spirit of the combative, and never yielding, Zupu Academy!” she shouted, raising her shield to the sky. The other teachers and grandmasters did the same, and a spark of energy lit up the hanger as the mighty ship’s ramp extended.
“Thank you!” The eldest grandmaster shouted, as the group of five began walking up the ramp, “and may you all be blessed by the celestials with a safe journey ahead.”