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Seconds after those two knocks, a group of people appeared, including the instructor who opened the door.
Two or three steps behind the instructor stood three people. One of them was a Sorceress, wearing a black robe with red trim, a black cape, and the country's crest (a griffin) draped across her left side, just at chest height.
On the opposite side stood a knight, you know, one of those tall guys with a shield in his left hand and a Templar sword in his waist. He wore a dark blue velvet cloak and full armor.
(Damn, that armor must weigh a ton.) Hades thought after looking at the impressive knight.
The country's crest was displayed on both the front of the shield and the pommel of the sword. —"You're like an Ancient Beast in meditation."— The Academy Director said aloud Alexandra Carter, followed by a shy chuckle.
But this sudden interruption unleashed chaos in less than two seconds.
The next thing the four visitors saw was the dense amount of spiritual energy surrounding Hades.
This unusual sight left everyone speechless, including he Academy Director. But there was an unwritten rule that should never be broken, considered taboo among cultivators, and doing so could lead to repercussions.
The interruption of meditation.
After the Director Alexandra words, Hades's mental concentration shattered. Consequently, the spiritual energy around him exploded and dispersed so quickly that even Alexandra herself froze upon realizing her mistake, but it was too late to apologize.
The first to be sent flying by the spiritual shockwave was the instructor, who flew past the headmistress just a couple of meters away. Alexandra instantly deployed a transparent protective sphere defensive spell.
Both the sorceress and the knight in his flamboyant armor are displaced, and by the time they react, they're already several meters behind. As the instructor flies past the knight, the man catches him, gripping his calf tightly.
A second later, the spiritual energy vanishes.
At this point, the four people look terrible. The least affected is the Director Alexandra, whose hair is disheveled. The sorceress tries to straighten her robes, while the knight lowers the instructor.
—"Are you alright.?"— Hades asked, but no one answers. Each tries to tidy themselves up a bit, while the knight and the sorceress discreetly make their way to where Director Alexandra is standing.
Before answering, the three glare at the instructor, so threatening that he tries to hide his neck, fearing the knight will behead him as an apology.
—"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were already meditating."— the instructor says, very embarrassed, by way of apology.
The three who were looking at the instructor turn back to Hades as if they were coordinated.
—" I just finished,"— the boy replies, showing them the meditation pamphlet. This short comment leaves the four people speechless once again.
Come on, this method is standard and used by all awakened beings.
In short, this method is written everywhere, even on cereal boxes, and for its proper use, only two key points are needed:
1. Be over 18 years old.
2. Be an awakened.
Other meditation methods are also classified, but only important or powerful organizations have them, and only you can obtain them by joining them.
—"When did you start meditating.?"— the blonde sorceress asks.
—"I started the moment I arrived in this room."— Hades murmurs.
The three turn back to look at the instructor, seeking an answer, and the still-frightened man nods.
—"Well, that is quite a surprise. I'm sorry we interrupted you."— said Principal Alexandra.
—"No problem."— Hades replied with a proud half-smile.
—"Oh, really.? Let me check."— the knight commented, taking a step forward.
The principal cleared her throat, stepping forward to block the knight's path. —"I'm sorry, Sir Bretor, but this is my school, and these are my rules,"— Principal Alexandra said, stepping forward. —"Now that you're in the first stage, it's time for the specialty exam."—
—"Specialty exam, which wasn't just four exams."— Hades asked, somewhat bewildered.
—"Actually, there are four tests, and they're designed to assess your talent. The specialty test I'm referring to is held two days later, but you're the exception, and since you've already entered the first stage, you can take it now, unless you'd like to wait two more days."— The Director Alexandra commented with a half-smile.
Hades nodded in understanding. —"Good, I'll wait for the other students."—
The Director Alexandra nodded for a few seconds until she understood his words. —"What.?"— She exclaimed.
The sorceress laughed uproariously for no apparent reason. —"Another fool."— The knight snorted at the end of the sentence.
—"I believe you are taking liberties that are not yours to take."— the Director Alexandra remarked, looking at both the sorceress and the knight.
The instructor Gerard suddenly adds. —"Look, kid, I don't think you're getting it."—
—"Getting what.?"— Hades asks, his expression much more serious.
—"I don't think you're explaining it to the boy well.."— The sorceress Alondra comments.
—"That witch won't shut up."— The knight remarks, pointing at the blonde sorceress.
The blonde sorceress snorts in disgust. °—"Watch your words, damn can of mushroom or I'll use you as a paperweight all weekend."— With that, the sorceress raises her hands, and a ball of fire appears in her palm.
The knight, with a disdainful expression, takes a step back, shielding himself with his shield and drawing his sword.
—"Enough!"— Director Alexandra shouted, then turned to Hades. —"We want to know what kind of talent you have and if you've awakened specialty.."—
—"Oh, that's why you should have started."— Hades commented. —"And how do we do that.?"—
The director sAlexandra tepped forward and extended her hand. —"You need to use this."— she said, showing a black holo-watch with a small screen on the front.
The mature, blonde, and sorceress-like woman immediately responded.. —"This is a holographic watch, and its home screen displays all your information. By the way, my name is Alondra from the Mage's Association, and I'm Rank [3], a Spiritual Master." —
—"I'm Bretor from the Knights' Association, Rank [2], a Grand Spiritual Warrior." — The knight announced loudly, almost shouting.
—"I'm Alexandra Carter, my specialty is Summoner, Rank [4]: Grand Spiritual Master and director of this Academy." — The director added.
—"Nice to meet you all, my name is Hades, and I'm Rank [0], a newly awakened Stage 1 Beginner." —
Both Bretor and Alondra, the blonde sorceress, looked the boy up and down, and it was Alexandra who spoke. —"Hades, just Hades, perhaps, you, don't you have a last name..."—
In response, the boy shakes his head a couple of times and adds, —"No, I don't have a last name. I was abandoned at birth and I'm living in my third foster home..."—
These kinds of comments are very personal..
In short, this boy is at the down of the food chain, used mainly as cannon fodder or punching bag, in case you didn't understand.
After an awkward silence, Director Alexandra points to the Holo-watch. —"To activate its function, you only need to place a drop of blood."— Hades does as instructed and, after biting his finger, places a drop of blood on the screen.
The watch activates, and a series of his data appears.
◆—◆—◆—◆—◆—◆—◆—◆—◆
Name: Hades
Specialty: Battle Warlock
Talent: Divine¹ [SSS]
Range: [ 0 ] Beginner 1st Stage
Skill: [ SSS "Divine Efficiency: X¹⁰⁰.. ]
◆—◆—◆—◆—◆—◆—◆—◆—◆
At first, Director Alexandra, the knight, and the blonde sorceress waited for Hades to speak, but he said nothing....
The boy simply stared at the screen for a few seconds.
—"So, what do you have.?"— the instructor Gerard asked, out of curiosity...
The three exchanged a brief glance with disapproving.
Because that information was personal, and if, for some strange reason, it were leaked, those involved would be scarred for life.
But no one advised the boy against it.
No one said a word; they simply waited for the result, which was revealed seconds later.
Upon reading the second section, everyone's eyes widened in shock.
—"Shit."— Director Alexandra exclaimed after finishing reading the data , her voice loud enough to make everyone stop looking at the information.
—"Shit, shit."— But it was too late, much late..
The knight and the sorceress exchanged a tactical glance before nodding resolutely. —"We can make a blood oath."— The knight said, trying to extricate himself from the impending trouble.
Now only the instructor remained, so he immediately recited aloud, —"I, Gerard Smith, swear not to reveal Hades' information to anyone or anything, and if I lie, may Pandora punish me."— With that, Gerard, the instructor, bit his left index finger and pointed to the sky, then to the ground.
Seconds after finishing the blood oath, the instructor's face looked paler, but very calm, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Moments later, the blonde sorceress's voice was heard reciting the same oath, and after she finished, it was Knight Bretor who recited the oath.
Hades' face was somewhat distorted; he didn't understand what the problem was and why there had to be so much secrecy, even an oath. —"What are they doing.? Why are they uttering one oath after another.?"—
The Headmistress cleared her throat and smiled at the boy's attitude toward such a momentous oath..
This is perfectly normal in the world of Pandora.
—"Young Hades..."— Headmistress Alexandra commented, her smile unwavering.— "Perhaps this oath means nothing to you, but for these people, it's putting their lives on the line."— She gestured to the three people a few meters away.
—"I cannot make such an oath, and you will have to excuse me for that, because my duty as the headmistress of this Academy is to immediately inform the Ruler of your situation, or the consequences for all involved would be considered treason."—
—"That's how far we've fallen.."—
The headmistress simply smiled again at the naive young man's question, and the three people involved nodded in response. But Alexandra continued. —"To give you a better idea of the magnitude of this little incident, I want to tell you that the country only has two talents [SSS], but neither of them is divine."—
Hades' eyes widened in astonishment, since there were more than four billion people in the country, but the headmistress ignored the boy's reaction and continued. —"One is the ruler's wife, and the other guy is completely insane, but with your talent, I dare say anything you desire is just a small part of an endless list..."—
—"Obviously, there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world, so we'll always ask for something in return..."—
—"I can get whatever I want, but what do you want in return.?"— Hades asks, not wanting to be swayed by empty promises.
—"Except for ridiculously absurd things, that's out of the question. Whatever you want: power, money, but above all, women. Of those, you can have as many as you desire."— Alexandra replies.
Suddenly, Hades starts laughing.— "It's funny to think that yesterday I was asking for a family, and today I can create as many families as I want."—
The four people sigh at the boy's wish..
— "Alright, alright, you can have as many families as you want, but to achieve this, you need to stay alive."— The blonde sorceress remarked, and both the knight and the instructor nodded.
Headmistress Alexandra's voice broke the silence:. —"Instructor Gerald, take the new student to select their initial skills for attack and defense."—
The instructor nodded and beckoned Hades over with a few gestures. —"Come on, kid, it's time to show you around the Academy."— Hades nodded and finally left the meditation room.
Headmistress Alexandra watched the duo disappear behind the first door.. —"It's time to make some concessions on behalf of the Association you represent, or don't you think so, my dear friends?"— The blonde sorceress and the knight nodded silently.
This is the moment they've been preparing for, and they must play all their cards.
⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜
Instructor Gerald and Hades walk halfway across campus, and on the way to the library, Hades understands for the first time the importance of talent, since the most common talent will take 4 to 5 years to reach the rank of Spirit Warrior, 10 years to become a great spiritual warrior and 20 years to become a spiritual master..
Provided that person obtains Rank 1, 2, and 3 Spirit Beast cores.
Each beast core Rank 1, is worth between 200 or 300 amethyst coins on the market, and each coin is worth 1000 gold coins.
—"With your talent, you're the only one exempt from that problem."— the instructor whispers, and continues, —"But you'll have to work hard, very hard."—Knowing this fact gives the instructor Gerald a sense of satisfaction.
It takes them several minutes to reach the building in front of one of the corners of the campus. The word "Library" is written in large letters.
—"We're here."— The instructor says, pointing to the building. —"Before we go in, let me explain the rules of the academy."—
The instructor clears his throat before continuing. —"Inside the academy, you only need contribution points.
They're used for everything, from food, lodging, supplies, items, and materials.
Some special classes even require contribution points, and to earn them, you must complete certain activities, tasks, services, jobs, or missions. Now check your Holo-Watcher."—
10,000 contribution points appear on the screen. —"How, When, and why did I get these points. ?"— Hades asks.
—"The record, by completing the first stage of meditation in just 10 minutes counts as one task."— Instructor Gerard replies, then points to the library. —"Inside, you'll find everything related to your specialty and the best skills."—
At this point, the instructor lowers his voice as much as possible and whispers. —"Upon entering, acquire three skills. (Attack, Defense, and Support. Never entrust your life to anyone, or you'll meet a horrible end.) Each skill costs 1,000 points."— With that, the instructor pats Hades on the back and pushes the boy toward the library. —"Go on, if you need advice, you can ask me. I'd be happy to help, and I won't charge you for the first question.
By the way, you can also earn points by achieving other records, killing beasts and enemies, defeating students, or completing certain private tasks as beast core sales."— As he finishes speaking, the instructor's demeanor changes completely, while Hades nods his head, showing his agreement with instructor Gerald's words.
◈—◈—◈
To be continue...
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