Anita
Anita stared at the slouching figure of the Dean before her.
“Is it true?” she asked.
The dean sighed, his wrinkled old face frowning under the weight. “Yes, sadly it is. I couldn’t do much-'' he began, but Anita was out of patience.
“No, you could have just followed the rules. Corriss broke them, Ray just defended himself.” Anita stated.
“Anita, Ray is a commoner that killed a noble. A ranked noble that was the son of one of the major organizations in the city. I fear that overrides any rules in the matter.” The Dean said, full of sighs and excuses. Anita had heard enough.
“I fear I have a moral objection to your decision.” she stated.
“Anita, if you’re about to leave then I suggest you rec-” the dean began, but was once again interrupted by her.
“Oh, I am not as foolish as that. I will be a Mage, don’t you worry, Dean Retrenouz. I suggest you prepare a certificate, a special one, I am attempting the path of greats.” Anita said, sauntering off before the Dean could protest.
The path of greats wasn’t hard to find, it was just next door. Anita took a deep breath and stepped in. The door opened to a room of black fog, filled with a hazy figure.
‘Th-the ma-mages of o-old he-hear your call, Anita. And they shall not let you passsss!” the figures said, wasting no time to attack her. Anita just stared at them.
“ A pity” she said, pointing her finger at the room, “The Void finds you wanting.” A black glow shot out as the room filled with darkness once more. The only sound was the tapping of her heels as they moved forward to the next room.
To attack her brother was to attack her, it was the way it had been since they were born, and it was how it would be after. Anti would see to it that these fools remembered that.
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Ray
‘Huh, what do you mean?’ Norman asked. Ray just looked at him suspiciously. Was it an act? Or was it serious? Ray had no way of knowing. Ma might, with her knowledge element.
“Ray, come on, we’re going.” Aunty Ariana’s voice said behind him.
Ray turned around to find her standing by the door of her disc vehicle. Ray boarded it without a word, finding it already filled with everyone else.
Rena looked at him, and then at the cat on his head. And then back at him.
“Ray, why is Norman here?” she asked, clearly confused.
“Well, you’d have to ask him. I have no idea.” Ray answered, looking up at the furry snout poking out of his hair.
“The cat can wait.” Aunty Ariana said. “Now that Corriss is dead, Erkland will not let you go. Not under any conditions. To make things worse, I just heard that one of the Xnarthan lieutenants will be coming with that meddlesome disciple of theirs. The lieutenant is Tier 25.”
“Will it turn violent?” Ray asked.
“I doubt it. The Xnarthan are proud, arrogant. No, they will take the ‘smart’ way. An increase in taxes here. An accident or two there. A thousand small cuts to kill off your revolution. The Xnarthan are experts at that. A bit too good in my opinion. But my opinion doesn’t matter. I suggest you think things over, plan a bit. Corriss’ death has complicated things.” she said.
“I will drop you off at the bakery, and you can get things going. On the side, I will see what I can do about the Order of Mage-Warriors.” she continued.
Ray sat down on one of the chairs, turning towards Rena, but was interrupted by a blue screen appearing.
Tier 9 human killed: 2700 mana gained
Mana shield (bronze) destroyed: 300 mana gained
9596/12,400
Glitter Alchemist (Fae)
A Fae alchemist that wields the power of glitter.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
+10 free stats per level
[Alchemy] -> [Fae Alchemy]
Fae child (lost)
A lost child of the Fae on his way home.
+10 free stats per level
[Fae seeker] skill gained
Glitter Mage
A Mage unseen, unheard of. A Mage that fought against great odds and won, that reached the heights of Tier 7 before attempting the change. A Mage that braves the world with glitter in his wand and magic in his heart.
+13 free stats per level
[Glitter Combat]-> [Glitter Magic]
[Alchemy]—> [Glitter Alchemy]
[Learning]—> [Magic Learning]
Element strengthening x 2
Glitter sub-element: invisibility
Ray’s heart filled with joy. A hundred ways of doom hung over him, but he couldn’t help it. To achieve one’s dream was a great thing indeed. And Ray had just done it. The class was just what he wanted. [Glitter magic], the [Learning] metarmoshis, the [Alchemy]...the class was just what he needed.
Not wasting any more time, Ray chose it.
Stats gained!
13 × 7= 91 free stats ready to be assigned.
[Glitter Combat]-> [Glitter Magic]
[Alchemy]—> [Glitter Alchemy]
[Learning]—> [Magic Learning]
Element Glitter has been strengthened: 1500 mana gained
Tier 7 (11,096/12,400)
[Magic Learning] has leveled up thrice to level 3: 700 (100+200+400) + 6 to intelligence
Tier 7 (11,796/12,400)
Glitter Magic has leveled up twice to level 2: 600 (200+400) +3 to Combat +3 to Aura Force
Tier 7 (12,396/12,400)
Alchemy has leveled up once to level 1: 100 mana +2 to Wisdom
Tier 8 (12,496/12400)
Tier up completed.
“Hello!” Rena’s voice called out, “Empire to Ray! Have you gone mad while you were away? Corris make you dumb using some magic tool?”
“Huh?” Ray replied, dismissing the notifications. “No, I just got a new class. Was picking it and getting all those notifications.”
“A new class? What, did you win some kind of System lottery?” Rena asked.
“No, I just reached Tier 6. A new class has to be chosen every five levels after that.” Ray said.
“No, it's only five for the first one. The System told me that the real class for the first ten levels is the one you close at Tier 6, it's why you get stats for the first 6 levels. The same doesn’t happen every time.” Aunty Ariana said, interrupting.
“I am just a few mana off from Tier 6… Wait, you got to Tier 6, Ray? Corriss was worth a lot, eh?” Rena said.
“Yes, though I got to Tier 7 before that.” Ray answered.
“Wait, you’re Tier 7?” Rena exclaimed.
“No, I am Tier 8…” Ray said as everyone turned towards him. “I just reached it a few minutes ago.”
“Ray, you’re going to sit right here and tell me all those juicy secrets you are hiding. I want those Tiers too.” Rena said, her eyes staring at Ray like she wanted to gobble him up.
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Anita
“A new morsel!” the spirits in the latest room exclaimed as Anita walked in. The taunts got old fast.
The path of greats was the Academy’s trial for new heirs. Anita would be able to call herself next in line for the position of Dean if she passed it. The trial also scaled to the trial-takers Tier, so it was basically a walk in the park for her. A dozen spirits a Tier above was harsh for most people. Not for her.
Void appeared on her finger as she pointed her finger at it, “No, but you’re getting boring.” Anita said as a black light shot out. Void did not discriminate, it just killed. The element would reduce any object it came in contact with to its molecular form. Or energy in case of these spirits.
The wails died out, leaving a single white light floating in the middle of the room. A spirit. Anita rolled her eyes. A test. The spirit was either a sneak attack, or a test of whether she would show mercy. Or even both.
Anita walked towards the spirit, Void on the tip of her finger. The spirit, in the form of a little girl, shriveled in fear, shying away from Anita.
Anita sighed as she put off the Void, instead hugging the spirit. “Now, now, it’s okay.” she said, preparing her defenses and ways to kill the spirit. The spirit was likely a trap. As predicted, the spirit screeched as she let out some kind of light, probably to burn her. Anita just voided her before that.
“What a nice trick. Tell me, does anyone still fall for it. I would think that chivalry was dead with all the things you are doing.” Anita stated as the last door opened. The path of greats was passed.
“The spirit was Tier 13, you know. So yes, a lot of applicants have fallen to a trap with two Tiers more than them.” the Dean answered.
“Oh. So the Academy is full of fools.” Anita stated.
The dean frowned, saying, “Are you listening to what you’re saying, Anita? The Academy has given you everything it could. Has fulfilled every request it could. And now, because of one event…”
“Oh? Was it just my imagination that you banned me from leaving the Academy grounds a few days ago? Or when you wanted me to marry that Fartallis idiot? Do not act coy, Dean, the Academy only acts as long as it's in its favor. Now, if you will excuse me, I am leaving. The path gives a graduation certificate, yes?” Anita said, walking out. The sound of a staff slamming sounded out as a barrier appeared before her,
“I cannot let you do that, Anita. I fear it's just not possible for the Academy to let an heir leave” the Dean said.