"We are here! Everyone out, one at a time," The same raspy voice grated. The students didn't need to be told twice. Eager to avoid conflict on day one, they disembarked in orderly fashion.
A towering structure greeted them, a strange creature carrying supplies, a girl floating in the air manipulating objects, building a golem-like creature statue, and a young boy practicing his flame magic, hitting the target. Ed was in awe, witnessing scenes he had only read back home.
"From now on, you'll be attending the academy; The Azurlea Academy." The man spoke with great familiarity as he guided Ed and others inside. When the guards by the gate saw the man, they opened the gate and bowed in response; he merely waved. The way I look at the man's demeanor, it seems he is in a quite high position within the academy.
-Daily Quest: Devour Atmosphere Soul
-Reward: 35 XP
- - -
The familiar system voice rang beside Ed's ear as the system window materialized before him. It gave him a daily quest just like those games he used to play.
'Daily quest? So I get daily quests too. Perhaps the system is not that useless as I thought it to be!'
'Devouring Atmosphere Soul is another term I'm unfamiliar with.'
[Blood Torment]
Ed just thought about using the ability, and it activated. His vision changed to the naked eye; he could perceive the souls of all things. When he looked at the old man, he could see in his chest area a blue flame, which was burning calmly compared to the others, and it was the largest.
'I could do that with blood torment! If I'm correct, the soul's size and brightness defines ones power' ed thought inwardly.
He could feel a connection to all things, and he was cautious, as if he were to devour a soul unknowingly; he didn't know how he would handle such a situation.
'For now, let's not mess with this ability.' As he thought about turning the ability off, his vision returned to normal.
While Ed was tempering with his 'Blood Torment' ability, they had reached the dorm area. Ed ignored the explanation on libratory and things that least interested him.
"This is the training facility, this is where you will train and become strong. The facility has everything you need for your improvement," He paused and turned around.
"Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself. Forgive me. I'm Darious Windhell, the combat professor." Said Darious.
"Only students from C-ranked are allowed to use the more advanced training facility available on the 2nd floor," he announced, and some of the students grimaced while others complained inwardly. While it was cruel, in reality, it was to motivate the students to improve themselves.
Inside the facility, there was target practice again. For swordsmen, there were golems to spar with. As for mages, there were strange glowing mannequins for mana control and so on.
"There are also facilities I haven't introduced, but I have to end it here, you don't wanna tag with an old man like me, you can visit the facilities yourselves." Darious laughed, contradicting his intimidating aura.
"Visit the main hall and get your dorm room key and number. I'd suggest doing it as soon as possible," Darious said as he left the group.
'Finally, let's test the ability then,' Ed closed his eyes.
[Blood Torment]
Again, his vision turned otherworldly in that state; he could perceive things far beyond the ordinary. This time, activating his ability, he felt familiarity and decided to do his daily quest.
Ed raised his arm, and within a fraction of a second, he felt a cold, grim sensation on his skin. He focused the power in his palm, and one by one, from his fingers, a blue flicker of flames appeared. Soon, grayish energy from the atmosphere entered Ed's palm he felt like his insides were burning.
[Atmospheric Soul Acquired rank F]
[Daily Quest Complete]
[+35 Xp]
[100/35]
When the burning sensation ended, in the same way the system flooded Ed, he was drenched in sweat.
'What the hell was that?' He asked
[Your body is not used to such power yet; it's just a side effect. With time, your body will adapt.]
The system voice replied.
-
-
-
In the main hall,
Ed had appeared in the main hall and went to the counter section where he would receive his dorm key.
On the counter, there was a young man in his mid 20's, he had blonde hair, crimson eyes, wore a linen shirt, and had glasses. He was tampering with a crystal-like device.
"Excuse me, I'm here to get my dorm id" Ed said. The man narrowed his eyes and looked at Ed with annoyance, slammed a key on the counter table, and returned to his earlier activity. The key had the number "208."
'What an odd man,' Ed remarked inwardly.
Taking the key, Ed went to his designated room number, which was located on the second floor.
"Here it is." When Ed was about to unlock the dorm door, a voice called out. It was a familiar voice; it was the same boy he had met in the transport. It was Raelith Greywet.
"Isn't it, Ed?" Raelith spoke in a cheerful voice as he slapped Ed's back.
"Once again were together, huh, fate really is an interesting factor, isn't it, friend?" Raelith laughed. Beside raelith there was another boy with sky-blue wavy hair, red eyes, and he had strange black carving on his arms. It resembled serpant symbol.
"You know him, Raelith?" The youth beside Raelith asked, narrowing his eyes slightly
"Yeah, sort of. We met on the way, in the transport vehicle"
"I see," He nodded
"I'm Evans Nova, the spirit mage! Spirit mages are cool!" Evans said as he pointed at himself with a wide grin.
"I'm Ed Orves, the swordsman. Nice to meet you, Evans," Ed said as they shook hands.
"Let's have a blast this year. This is just the beginning. If anyone messes with you, your bro has your back," Evans said with his energetic enthusiasm.