《The Mythical Necromancer》


 The End and the Beginning

    Eat, game, sleep.


    Eat, game.


    Game.


    Game...


    ...


    Before high school, Zhou Liang had been an honor student¡ªa shining star. He excelled in sports, led his peers in student council, and was the pride of his family. His life brimmed with promise, and his parents often imagined a bright future for their son.


    But everything changed the summer before high school. That was when Zhou discovered Legends of Eryndor, the hottest new MMORPG. It started innocently enough¡ªa few hours here, a late night there. His parents thought it was a phase¡ªa harmless distraction before the rigor of high school began.


    But they were utterly wrong.


    By the time school started, Zhou had become a ghost of his former self. He stopped hanging out with friends, quit sports, and handed in his resignation to the student council without a word of explanation. His grades plummeted.


    "Zhou, food''s ready! Please eat with us tonight," his mother would call, her voice tinged with both hope and desperation.


    "Be there in five," Zhou mumbled every time, his eyes glued to the glowing screen. He never left his chair.


    His father, once proud and supportive, grew angry. "This is unacceptable! You''re throwing your life away! Get out of that room and go to school!"


    But Zhou didn''t respond. After one explosive argument, his father gave up, retreating to silence. His mother tried to bridge the gap, knocking softly on his door every evening, but Zhou''s world had shrunk to the four corners of his monitor.


    Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Zhou''s obsession consumed him. He skipped meals, ignored his body''s warnings, and pushed through exhaustion in pursuit of virtual victories.


    One fateful week, Zhou didn''t leave his room at all. Not for food. Not for water. Not for sleep. His mother stood outside his door, pleading. "Zhou, please... at least drink some water."


    There was no answer.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Five days later, when his mother finally forced the door open, she found Zhou slumped in his chair, his screen still glowing with the login screen of Legends of Eryndor.


    ...


    [ABCD NEWS LIVE]


    "Seventeen-year-old Zhou Liang was found dead last night in his home," the news anchor announced solemnly.


    "Medical reports confirm the cause of death as severe dehydration and malnutrition after five consecutive days of gaming without food or water."


    The screen cut to a discussion panel. "Parents are growing concerned about the addictive nature of these games," a woman said. "Many are considering stricter regulations to protect their children. But can we really blame the games, or is it something deeper?"


    A panelist responded, shaking his head. "Teenagers like Zhou Liang lack balance and control. Grounding them or banning games won''t work. The issue is far more complex¡ªthis was a tragic failure on multiple levels."


    ...


    Zhou''s mother insisted on holding a funeral for him, however his dad was still in complete shock.


    ''How did I even raise a kid like this, was it my fault?'' he thought as tears rolled down his cheeks.


    They did, in fact, hold a funeral a few days later where only two people attended¡ªhis mother and father. They were mourning in grief, crying for him¡ªthe only two people in the entire world who were.


    Both of Zhou''s parents believed it was their fault, and that they should have cared more about him, but in reality, it was their son''s own choices that led him down this pit of obsession.


    ...


    As Arthur''s consciousness faded from his life, an array of fragmented memories resurfaced:


    The cold glow of the computer screen,


    The dull, repeating sounds of leveling up,


    and the walls of his hollow room closing in on him rapidly.


    Was this really all my life amounted to?


    Then it all went black.


    ...


    Then came a weird sensation of weightlessness, a swirl of bright lights that disoriented him.


    Am I d-dead..?


    I''m s-sorry mom and dad, for everything


    Zhou Liang had just died a miserable death and wanted to cry, but couldn''t because he was¡ªwell dead...right?


    He thought about what had just happened as he moved his arms to cover his eyes from the gleaming radiance that suddenly appeared in front of him.


    His eyes were readjusting from darkness to light, as if he was just waking up from a coma. Zhou was very confused as he knew for sure that he passed away.


    Then, he noticed two people¡ªa young man who was sitting beside a bed and woman who was on the bed, holding Zhou up while laying down.


    "Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat!"


    Zhou couldn''t understand a single word of what was coming out of their mouths.


    Then as his eyes finished adjusting to this unfamiliar place, he heard a beep sound.


    A notification suddenly popped up in front of him.


    [System]


    [Auto-translating new language]


    [0%]


    [37%]


    [100%]


    [Complete]


    "Aww.. its a baby boy!"


    Zhou''s eyes opened wide as he realized what just happened.


    ''I-Is this a dream?''


    Although he was a gaming fanatic, Zhou had read enough webtoons in his life to know what was going on. He started bawling his eyes out¡ªnot with tears of remorse, but with joy¡ªif his prediction came out to be right.


    ''Ha! Finally! What the actual¡ª!''

 Arthur Grimwood

    Arthur Grimwood''s new life began with the simplest, yet most important of acts¡ªhis naming.


    "Let''s call him Arthur," Alice said, her voice soft but determined as she cradled the newborn in her arms. Her blue eyes sparkled with affection as she lovingly gazed at the warm, rosy cheeks of her child.


    "I like the sound of that, Alice!"


    Frederick Grimwood, a broad-shouldered man with calloused hands, grinned as he leaned over to kiss her forehead. Despite the rustic appearance of their cottage and humble circumstances, his pride in their small family was evident.


    Arthur''s tiny body stirred in his parents embrace. Inside, however, his mind raced.


    Arthur Grimwood?


    The name echoed in his thoughts, proving the reality that he was, in fact, reincarnated. He had read many similar webtoons, however experiencing it firsthand was overwhelming.


    For the first time in his life, Arthur had a sense of gratitude.


    I really am sorry, mom and dad. I have been reincarnated in a new world, and this time I will make the most of it.


    This was his second chance.


    ...


    Weeks had passed, and Arthur''s sharp mind had take note of his surroundings. The Grimwoods lived in a modest cottage nestled within the edge of a dense forest.


    The thatched roof leaked when it rained, and the furniture held markings showing years of wear. Yet, the cottage was filled with a charming warmth¡ªAlice''s gentle humming as she cooked over the hearth, and Frederick''s low, stead voice recounting tales of his youth as an adventurer.


    Whenever Alice took him on a walk, Arthur''s senses tingled at the soft smell of wood and earthen land outside.


    From his small, wooden crib near the window, Arthur could see glimpses of the outside world: tall trees that swayed in the breeze, the occasional rabbit darting through the underbrush, and, in the distance, the faint outline of a village. Despite their unpretentious and muted lifestyle, the Grimwoods seemed content.


    Arthur, however, was more intrigued by something entirely different¡ªthe system that had appeared shortly after his birth. It was eerily similar to the RPG interfaces he had once obsessed over:


    [System]


    [Name]: Arthur Grimwood


    [Level]: 0 (0/100 exp)


    [Guild Rank]: Only Available With Academy Certificate


    [Military Rank]: Only Available After Reaching Platinum Guild Rank


    [Physical Skills]: Only Available After Reaching Level 5The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    [Aether Skills]: Only Available After Reaching Level 5


    [Class]: ERROR


    [Stats]:


    Strength: 1


    Speed: 1


    Aether: 5


    Intelligence: 12


    ...


    Throughout the following weeks, Arthur stared at the interface whenever he could, analyzing every detail. The "ERROR" beside his class gnawed at him, as he knew for sure that it wasn''t a normal occurrence in this world.


    Based on his previous knowledge of RPGs, this usually meant there was a hidden or completely broken class, but he could only hope as he had no way of figuring it out.


    He noted the requirements for unlocking guild and military ranks, his curiosity piqued.


    An academy certificate? Platinum rank?


    Arthur mused. This world''s structure seemed far more intricate than any game he''d played. The high intelligence and Aether stat intrigued him, hinting at a potential affinity for some sort of magic, though he couldn''t confirm anything yet.


    As he pieced together information, Arthur''s observations about his new parents deepened:


    Alice was kind and nurturing, with a hint of determination that suggested she had faced her share of hardships.


    Frederick, though rough around the edges, was like a strong, iron-willed guardian, showing his trait of being a quiet, earnest protector that made Arthur respect him immensely.


    They were a stark contrast to his distant parents in his previous life, although he missed them often, and Arthur found himself cherishing their small acts of love.


    ...


    Life as an infant was frustrating for someone with a fully developed mind. Arthur''s attempts to move his tiny limbs often ended in failure. His efforts to communicate were met with cooing responses, much to his irritation. Despite this, he began to pick up snippets of the local language from Alice and Frederick''s conversations, aided by the system''s earlier auto-translation.


    One evening, as Alice rocked him gently in her arms, Frederick returned from the village with news.


    "The elder''s concerned," he said, setting down a small sack of supplies. "The soil enchantments aren''t holding like they used to. Crops are struggling, and there''s talk of hiring a mage adventurer to investigate." Arthur''s ears perked up.


    Magic? Enchantments?


    His excitement grew, but he could do little more than listen for now. Based on his father''s frequent visits to the village, he pieced together that Aether, the stat on the system interface, was used to inflict some sort of enchantment which allowed the village crops to grow at a much faster pace. However, something had been disrupting the enchantment, which was why a mage had been called to figure out the issue.


    ...


    A week later, as Frederick prepared for another trip to the village, Arthur noticed something unusual.


    A faint hum filled his mind, soft at first, like a distant whisper. Slowly, it grew louder, escalating into a deafening roar that sent shockwaves of pain through his tiny body. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever experienced¡ªa suffocating weight pressing against his thoughts, threatening to shatter them.


    [Warning: Aether containment is unst-


    FIND THE KING OF THE OCCULT


    The system notification flashed before him, startling him. Arthur''s infant body tensed, his tiny fists clenching as he tried to make any sense of the message. His eyes darted around the room, but nothing was out of the ordinary.


    Frederick, oblivious to Arthur''s internal alarm, kissed Alice on the cheek and stepped out the door.


    "I''ll be back by sundown. Keep the door locked," he said firmly.


    Alice nodded, but Arthur could sense the unease in her posture as she watched him leave.


    ...


    As the door closed, Arthur''s thoughts raced.


    Unstable Aether containment? Is it dangerous? What should I do?


    From this notification, Arthur could assume that the system was in place to contain Aether, a dangerous yet helpful element, making his skin crawl.


    However, the King of the Occult? He couldn''t begin to image what kind of force could have caused that kind of pain within him.


    It felt like my head was about to implode into a billion pieces.


    For now, he could only wait and observe, his mind buzzing with questions about the world he had been reborn into.


    This is just the beginning, he thought as determination welled up within him.


    I''ll uncover everything about this place, no matter what it takes.

 A Storm is Brewing

    Today marked the day where Arthur Grimwood''s humble life took a complete u-turn.


    Rain pattered on the rusted windows as Frederick Grimwood wore his worn-down leather coat, preparing for yet another trip to the village. Although his confident demeanor gave the impression of an invincible giant, Alice had doubts.


    "Are you sure you need to go today?"


    Alice''s voice was shaking with worry. She stood near the door, tightly holding Arthur in her arms. Though he was unable to speak, he could feel the tension stirring in his mother.


    Frederick turned, offering a reassuring smile.


    "I''ll be alright Alice. We are just running a little low on supplies, and the elders wanted an update on the soil enchantments."


    He leaned down and kissed her forehead as usual.


    "I''ll be back by sundown, but keep the door locked."


    Alice hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. She reached up and adjusted Frederick''s coat, her fingers reluctant to let go.


    "Please Frederick, stay safe," she quietly whispered.


    Frederick ruffled Arthur''s short, hazel hair with his rough, yet gentle hands.


    "Look after your mother for me, you''re the man of the house now!" he said with a grin before stepping out into the rain.


    His large silhouette faded quickly into the foggy forest, as if he was being swallowed by the storm.


    Arthur''s infant body tensed with uneasiness. He couldn''t explain it, but something about this trip felt different.


    ...


    As the day went on, Arthur noticed his mom''s behavior was different than usual.


    Alice spent the day keeping herself busy, humming while folding clothes, keeping the fire going, and preparing food, with an occasionally glance outside the window, hoping to see her love.


    Arthur wasn''t a baby, he could tell that she was trying to mask her anxiousness by comforting him in his crib.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    By afternoon, the sky had darkened. The clouds gathered, heavy and full of rain, turning the light drizzle into pounding rain.


    Alice lit a candle, a mere substitute of the true warmth that Frederick brought, in an attempt to imitate him, trying hard to cope.


    She paced in front of the window muttering to herself:


    "Maybe he stayed in the village, it''s raining quite hard.."


    Her voice shivered, not because of the cold, but because of the absence of her light, Frederick.


    She moved to the window, peering into the void, willing for him to appear, but the forest remained silent, the storm''s intensity drowning all her hopes.


    Eventually, she grew restless, bolted the door, and sat by the fire, embracing Arthur closely:


    "He''ll be back, trust your father," she murmured, more directed to reassure herself rather than the child. Arthur could feel her hands shaking as she tightened the embrace.


    That night, Arthur dreamt of the faint hum¡ªa sound that grew into a roar, splitting through his skull like a knife. When he woke up, the hum lingered at the ends of his consciousness, a very subtle yet persistent reminder that something was wrong.


    ...


    The next morning, Alice had enough.


    She bundled Arthur in a thick blanket, put on a old, ripped raincoat, and set off for the village. The main storm had passed, but it was still drizzling and freezing. The forest was eerily quite, sending shivers down Arthur''s spine. The mud stuck to Alice''s boots as she trudged on the path, her pace quickening with nerves even with a child in her hands.


    The village was quite active due the need to repair damages from the storm, but the cheerful banter of the village folk faltered at the sight of Alice and her child.


    She asked every single villager for any information about Frederick, but their responses were all the same with a sympathetic look on their faces.


    "He left the village before the storm got worse," he said, scratching his head. "Said he wanted to get home before nightfall."


    Alice''s face paled, but forcefully put on a smile and thanked them. With determination, she kept asking losing a little hope with each negative response. By afternoon, she returned to the cottage, her body slumped under the grief.


    ...


    Days turned into weeks, and Frederick remained missing. Alice made trips back and forth to the village, holding on to the sliver of hope that she still had. But each visit ended with the same results, breaking her mind little by little.


    Arthur watched her very closely as she was mentally unstable. Though he couldn''t speak, he understood the storm of emotions she was feeling right now. She didn''t move or even touch Frederick''s belongings, as if she was afraid it would erase his existence.


    Despite her state, Alice continued to care for Arthur with unwavering love. She smiled for him, sang lullabies, and held him close when the nights were cold. But Arthur could see through this mask when she stared out the window for a moment too long or wiped her eyes when she thought he wasn''t looking.


    After seeing this and truly realizing what had happened, Arthur wasn''t just angry, he was furious.


    F*ck. This was my second chance and I ruined everything. I failed to protect the people most important to me. I don''t care if this is a game or a dream or the f*cking afterlife. F*ck the system. F*ck the Occult. F*ck all this.

 Solvaris Grand Academy

    A year had passed.


    Arthur had grown into a toddle, about 3 years old, however was unusually smart for his age. Not only his body, but his mind strengthened. He calmed his boiling emotions, however the atmosphere in the house had changed significantly.


    I need to stay calm to keep Mom safe, and to find out what happened to Dad.


    Alice, though her love never wavered, was in deep grief. She tried to hide it as Arthur had now grown, but he could see through her facade. Alice spoke of Frederick less often, but Arthur carefully noticed her glances at the door, as if expecting him to barge through with his goofy grin.


    She was very kind despite the sorrow she carried. Arthur felt some of her warmth coming back when she was teaching Arthur simple tasks, like gardening and baking. Through their peril, the bond between Alice and Arthur grew steadily:


    Alice sat by the fire, her eyes reflecting the flickering of the flame. She tightly held a small, worn-down pendant. Arthur watched across the room, his body unable to move at the same pace as his mind. He knew that pendant was his father''s, though Alice never spoke a word about it.


    "Mom.." he said softly, his voice finally getting used to his ears.


    Alice flinched and quickly tucked the pendant in her pocket. She turned to Arthur with a smile that didn''t speak through her eyes.


    "Yes sweetheart?"


    Arthur reached out his tiny hand, his words failing. Instead, he crawled into her lap, resting his small head on her chest. He could feel her heartbeat, the rhythm showing her longing for Frederick. She loosened up and gave him a warm embrace.


    "I''ll protect you Mom," Arthur whispered, more to himself than her.


    Alice''s breath faltered but she didn''t respond. She only hugged him tighter, reluctant to let him go.


    ...


    Other than emotional distress, Arthur often grew frustrated with his little body. He tried to train physically by chopping logs for the fire and doing some basic sword movements, but he tired quickly due to his age.


    Instead, he decided to experiment with Aether. After a few weeks of meditation and focus, he could control the amount of Aether he was emitting, however he couldn''t use it all.


    Arthur also had a habit of staring at the system interface, as if he was just now comprehending the reality. He noticed that the ERROR message next to his class flickered. This caused him to day dream about all the possibilities and what it meant.


    ...


    Arthur''s mind, far older than his tiny body, stirred with questions.


    What happened to Father? What does it have to do with the Occult?If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    The system offered no clues, yet he was sure he could hear that same humming¡ªlike a distant whisper telling him something.


    ...


    Arthur spent most of his time reading the torn books stored away in dusty, old boxes. With this, he gained lots of information:


    They were living on a continent known as Eryndor, where many cities and villages were scattered around the royal capital, Solvaris. This was where the Solvaris Grand Academy was located, a prestigious school for exceptionally talented individuals, which were sorted out in a grand trial.


    As for the Guild, one had to graduate the Academy to obtain a certificate, which would allow them to enter the Guild.


    The Guild had many different tiers:


    Bronze I, II, III


    This was an entry-level for beginner adventurers, however they were nothing to scoff at, as they had graduated the Academy to even be eligible.


    Silver I, II, III


    This was intermediate adventurers with proven skills, as they were able to reach Silver Rank.


    Gold I, II, III


    Gold included elite adventurers with years of experience, able to handle major threats. After reaching Gold III, adventurers were required to take a test to be promoted to Platinum I.


    Platinum I, II, III


    After passing the Gold Promotion Test, adventurers would have to do exceptional¡ªeven legendary feats to reach the next level of Platinum Rank.


    Mythical Rank


    This was the pinnacle rank, reserved for the strongest. There were only a handful in Eryndor who held the Mythical Rank.


    There was also Military Rankings, which were only available to those who had at least a Platinum I ranking, as it was an extremely dangerous job. The main goal of the Eryndor Military was to eradicate the entirety of an organization known as the Occult. Members of the Occult used human blood to enhance¡ªrather corrupt¡ªtheir Aether and make it stronger. They weren''t even considered human to the loyal citizens of Eryndor.


    The Military Rankings (+ the usual Guild Rankings of these positions) were as follows:


    Soldiers (Plat I): These were just soldiers who had reached the Platinum Rank and signed up for military.


    Bronze Lieutenant (Plat I-II): Entry-level officers managing small units of soldiers.


    Silver Captain (Plat II-III): Leaders of multiple small groups, overseeing battles and small strategies.


    Gold Commander (Plat III): Experienced leaders who led larger battalions while making important strategies.


    Platinum General (Mythical Rank): There were only a handful of these, they oversaw entire armies and were the Marshal''s right hand men. In addition, they directly served the King and came up with main battle strategies.


    The Mythical Marshal: This was a singular title held for the supreme military leader. This person was so powerful that even the King''s wealth and power cowered in sight of them.


    The Academy and Guild gave points based on how well one completed a task. The points were distributed using a system interface and were used to calculate one''s rank.


    Arthurs eyes widened as he read about this.


    So I''m not the only one with a system? Huh, interesting..


    However, what was far more intriguing was that the system is only visible at a certain age based on one''s intelligence, meaning that usually the system awakens in children around the age of 8-10. But because of Arthur''s high intelligence stat due to the reincarnation, the system was already there, the moment he was born.


    Another interesting part of the system was the class. From what he had read, people have to come in physical contact with a magical technology located in the Academy to awaken their class. But something was obviously different about Arthur, as all the books never mentioned anything about there being an error in the system.


    Is the error somehow linked to the Occult? I mean, they have the power to inflict pain directly in my mind, maybe they can mess with the system? Also, how the hell does all this have to do with my reincarnation? What is the purpose or motive for someone to do that??


    From all this information Arthur decided on his goal:


    To be strong enough to take down the Occult and find out what happened to my father I need to climb up the ranks. I know he''s alive, I can feel him.


    First step is the Academy.

 One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for Arthur

    Arthur Grimwood was now eight years old.


    It took a few days of persuasion, but Alice finally agreed to his enrollment in the Solvaris Grand Academy.


    Throughout the past 5 years, Arthur grew significantly, not only in mind, but his body. With Frederick gone, Arthur had to take on more responsibilities: carrying supplies back and forth between the house and the village, chopping logs to keep the fireplace going during the chilling winters, and other tasks.


    Though they didn''t change by much, his stats increased because of the changes happening in his body:


    [System]


    [Name]: Arthur Grimwood


    [Level]: 0 (0/100 exp)


    [Guild Rank]: Only Available With Academy Certificate


    [Military Rank]: Only Available After Reaching Platinum Guild Rank


    [Physical Skills]: Only Available After Reaching Level 5


    [Aether Skills]: Only Available After Reaching Level 5


    [Class]: ERROR


    [Stats]:


    Strength: 5


    Speed: 4


    Aether: 7


    Intelligence: 17


    ---------------------------


    The strength and speed increase were from completing daily chores, but he also meditated for hours on end to increase is Aether stat and read hundreds of books from the village to learn more about this world.


    ...


    Alice had fortunately recovered from the past, focusing more on the future and her child.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    As they were on a rickety, wooden caravan being pulled by old mules on their way to Solvaris, Alice kept fussing about Arthur:


    "Please, Arthur be careful. Don''t judge anyone without knowing what circumstances they are going through. Don''t do drugs or blood magic, and please do not make any enemies. Just please, please stay safe."


    Arthur grinned as he gazed at the beautiful countryside. He had just seen the land of Eryndor in books, but the tranquility of the green grass, blue skies, and pillow clouds had him in a trance.


    "Of course Mom, who do you think I am," Arthur laughed, hugging his mom.


    ...


    After a few days of travel, they were finally at Solvaris. It was greater than the book described. One could only see the true glory of the royal capital with their eyes. Arthur couldn''t help but look at every corner of the city.


    It was a bustling hub of adventurers, magic, and power, with towering spires at the center, symbolizing the home of the King and his family.


    Arthur was wishing he had multiple eyes so he could see everything, but he would have lots of time to explore once he was in the Academy.


    ...


    They stopped at an inn which was very crowded mostly likely due to the Academy trial.


    Arthur overheard some talk about it:


    "What class are you trying to awaken?"


    "I want at least a Silver, maybe a Gold rank if I''m lucky."


    "I heard the King''s daughter was aiming for a Platinum Rank class."


    "Ha, the only thing going for her is her noble blood, nothing else."


    ...


    "We will rest here for the night, you need to make sure you get good sleep for tomorrow," Alice said when we entered the small, dusty room with a bed and moldy chair.


    "Yes Mom, I know that I will do good," Arthur responded, exhibiting Frederick''s confidence.


    Alice smiled and kissed him goodnight before blowing out the candles.


    It''s been a while since I felt like this.


    Though he was brimming with confidence, he was still quite nervous.


    Love all of you... Mom, Dad, Alice, Frederick.


    ...


    Arthur yawned, stretching his arms.


    "Haha, finally up? You looked like a bear in hibernation," Alice laughed, Arthur joining in. "I got some food from downstairs, quickly eat and get ready."


    Arthur slipped on some clothes while eating a piece of bread and drinking some milk. Arthur was used to this kind of food as they were definitely not the richest family in this world, but he didn''t mind.


    They had to get to the Academy before noon, so they hurried out the inn.


    I will never get used to this... It''s more packed than freaking Shibuya.


    The city was even more active then yesterday. There were vendors selling objects infused with Aether, bizarre street food, and so much more that Arthur didn''t have time to see.


    They arrived at the gates of the Solvaris Grand Academy. They were tall and huge, overflowing with history and Aether energy.


    Under the looming gates, many parents were giving their goodbyes, as they wouldn''t see their child till the next break.


    "Arthur. Not everyone will be nice. Doesn''t mean you should be like them too. I know you will be a bright student. I am proud of you and I love you," Alice said softly. A tear fell from Arthur''s cheeks as he tightly hugged his mother.


    This is it. Everyone, this is the beginning of my new journey.

 The Trial Begins

    Arthur took his first steps into Solvaris Grand Academy. He was still awestruck by the architecture and sheer scale of the grounds. There were towers and numerous buildings that he was excited to explore, shimmering banners that gave off an essence of Aether, and students of all kinds of backgrounds mingling.


    He was surprised at the amount and variety of kids. He noticed a very luxurious carriage lined with diamonds, and a girl around his age surrounded by soldiers. Arthur assumed this was the King''s daughter, Ella Solvaris.


    Ella carried herself with confidence, her golden hair reflecting the sunlight, braided with threads of expensive silk. Her piercing blue eyes met Arthur''s with a terrifying calm. Yet he noticed that she had a hint of curiosity in the way she glanced at the students.


    Arthur quickly averted his gaze, not looking for unwanted attention. He had read about the royal family of Eryndor¡ªthe King''s daughter, Ella, was known for exceptional Aether affinity, even at such a young age.


    ...


    Arthur joined the rest of the new students in the grand hall that could easily fit hundreds of thousands of people. The ceilings were law-defying, painted with mythical heroes and beasts. A faint glow emitted from the walls, pulsating with Aether.


    "Welcome, prospective students, to the Solvaris Grand Academy," a man began, his voice resonating with the spacious hall. By first glance, Arthur could tell he was extremely strong, the way he carried himself.


    "I am Headmaster Eldrin Soren. Today you stand on the brink of greatness. But remember, greatness is not given¡ªit is earned."


    He made a swift gesture with his hand, causing shimmering Aether-infused banners to appear, each representing the rankings of the Guild.


    "Today''s trial will determine you worthiness to join this Academy. It will test your mind your body, and, of course, your Aether potential. Pass, and you will earn a place here among the best and be ready to awaken your class. Fail, and the gates will remain closed until the next trial."


    A wave of murmurs spread throughout the crowd, but Arthur stayed silent, his mind focused on what lay ahead.


    ...


    The students were led out of the hall and onto a massive open field.


    The space began to shimmer with Aether, transforrming into a landscape of forests rivers, and stone ruins.


    Arthur''s eyes widened at this sight. Suddenly, the Headmaster''s voice boomed across the entire trial area.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "The trial consists of three stages. The first will test your intelligence¡ªyou will have to solve a puzzle to gain access to the second stage. The second will test your physical capabilities. And the final stage will test your Aether potential.


    Arthur''s system pinged faintly, notifying him of the upcoming challenge:


    [System]


    [Stage 1]: Intelligence Trial


    [Objective]: Complete the puzzle


    --------


    He clenched his fist with determination, raring to go.


    ...


    Arthur approached the puzzle which was in front of a large rock wall: an ancient stone with smaller stones marked with unrecognizable symbols. He noticed other students struggling, muttering to themselves as they were trying to decipher the actual meaning of the symbols.


    Because of his intelligence he figured out that the puzzle was using the symbols as a trick¡ªyou didn''t have to translate them, but just had to recognize the pattern.


    "This looks like a logic puzzle," Arthur muttered to himself. The stones rearranged themselves every few seconds, forming different patterns. His intel stat gave him an edge, allowing him to easily spot the reoccurring sequences.


    Using his innate ability to focus that he trained at home, he quickly moved the stones in the correct order and placed his hand on the now glowing stone.


    This caused the rock wall to shift, creating an opening for him to go through. There was also a wooden staff left on the ground, so he picked it up figuring that it was going to be helpful for the next stage.


    One down, two to go.


    ...


    As he passed to the next area, he noticed Ella standing in front of her puzzle. She solved it with no effort, her expression unreadable. For a moment their eyes met.


    "You''re fast," Ella said, her voice carrying a sliver of surprise.


    "So are you," Arthur replied, trying to form a slight smile.


    She tilted her head a little, as if curious about him.


    "What''s your name?"


    "Arthur Grimwood," he said with a hint of pride in his voice, finally getting to use his name to introduce himself.


    "I''ll remember that, Arthur," she said, turning to her own path.


    Arthur stood there and watched her leave, a feeling he had never felt before stirring in his chest. Ella was nothing like the spoiled princess he was thinking of.


    What is that aura I can feel from her? Just how strong is her affinity for Aether?


    ...


    Before he could think about his interaction with Ella, someone cut off his thoughts.


    "Don''t get cocky, commoner. You got lucky coming this far."


    Arthur turned to see a boy with sharp, arrogant features smirking at him. The boy then spit at his feet in an attempt to rile Arthur. His maroon, silk robes marked that he was of noble blood, and he carried an expensive-looking sword with a polished wood handle and Aether-infused metal.


    "And you are?" Arthur asked calmly.


    After what had happened to him in the past, he could easily control his emotions and wouldn''t get worked up over such an insignificant comment. He knew that in this world, unlike his, strength and power meant more than status.


    "Damien Alaric, of the noble Alaric family, so you better remember my name when I leave you in the dust." the boy said, taking a step forward. "What''s your name, filthy commoner?"


    "Arthur Grimwood,"


    Damien glanced at his wooden staff, "That stick suits you, Grimwood," he said in disgust. "Fitting for someone who crawled out the dirt."


    Arthur gave a little smirk, not intimidated by him whatsoever. "We''ll see."


    ...


    Arthur stepped through to the second stage, a dense forest teeming with magical creatures he had never seen before. The air was thick with competition, and he heard a distant roar that made the hair on his arms stand up.


    He clenched his wooden staff and took another step forward.


    His system pinged softly:


    [System]


    [Stage 2]: Physical Trial


    [Objective]: Reach Level 1

 A Test of Strength

    Arthur took slow and careful steps as he entered the dense forest. The air was thick with Aether, his senses heightened, almost overwhelmed by such an environment. Strong rays of sunlight gleamed through the canopy, casting patterns on the forest ground. Despite the beauty, Arthur could still feel the tension.


    This is no ordinary forest¡ªit is a battleground filled with beasts, designed to test our limits.


    The system notification brought him back to reality.


    ?System?


    ?Stage 2?: Physical Trial


    ?Objective?: Reach Level 1


    I''m guessing I need to defeat a couple magical beasts to level up.


    Easier said than done, he thought as he heard a screeching sound in the distant.


    Arthur tightened the grip on his wooden staff. Although it wasn''t much or anywhere near Damien''s sword, it was better than using his bare hands, so he had to make it work.


    The sound of rustling leaves broke his train of thoughts. A small creature emerged from a nearby bush¡ªa fox-like beast with orange fur that emitted a strange glow and sharp fangs. Its eyes locked onto Arthur, and its it growled as it crouched down, ready to pounce.


    ?System?


    ?Emberfang Fox - Level 1?


    "Let''s see just how strong you are," Arthur muttered, raising his staff in defense.


    The fox lunged, its speed startling him. Arthur tried to dodge, but got nicked on his cheek by the fox''s wolverine-like claws. As the fox went in to strike him a second time, Arthur rolled out of the way and swung the staff horizontally. It was the strike he used to cut logs back at home, so it was like second nature.


    The powerful blow connected with a satisfying crack, and the fox yelped in pain, retreating momentarily.


    It circled him, growling low. Arthur''s mind raced.


    I can''t only rely on brute strength, this fox is way too damn fast..If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Watching its movements closely, he baited an attack, side-stepping at the last second. This time he drove the staff into its side with all his strength. The fox collapsed, whimpering before going still


    A soft ping confirmed the victory:


    ?System?


    ?Experience Gained?: +25


    ?Progress to Level 1?: 25%


    Arthur exhaled, wiping the sweat on his forehead. "One down..."


    ...


    As he was looking for his next target, he spotted another student in combat with a group of glowing wasps. The boy was panicking, flailing his weapon wildly, but Arthur chose to keep moving. It wasn''t his fight and he had to focus on his own goals.


    As he slowly made his way through the dense trees, Arthur saw a large beast¡ªa Lumivine Serpent, its scales shimmering under the sunlight. He crouched near a bush, observing as it battled another student. The girl wielded a beautiful Aether-infused spear with impressive precision, her movements calm and controlled.


    "Ella," Arthur realized, recognizing her blonde hair catching his gaze.


    Ella''s control over Aether made Arthur stare in awe. She channeled energy into her spear, the weapon glowing brightly as she went for a strike. The serpent tried to move away, but it didn''t stand a chance. With a finishing blow, she pierced its skull, and the beast collapsed.


    Arther felt a mix of awe and determination. She made it look effortless, but he knew that was a much stronger beast than the Level 1 fox he had faced.


    I need to step up my game. He thought, continuing deeper into the forest.


    ...


    Arthur soon stumbled upon yet another student who was surrounded by 3 shadow wolves¡ªsleek black creatures a little larger than the fox he had fought earlier.


    ?System?


    ?Shadow Wolf - Level 2?


    They had menacing red eyes and long, pearly-white fangs. The student, a boy slightly younger than Arthur, swung a small dagger desperately but was clearly outmatched.


    Arthur hesisitated:


    Getting involved would cost me time and energy. But I can''t just leave such a young student alone. I mean, I can at least farm some exp.


    "Hey! Over here!" Arthur shouted, banging his staff against a tree to draw the pack''s attention.


    The boy looked at him in shock:


    "What are you doing? Run!"


    Arthur ignored him, trying to assess the situation. The wolves, thought a little larger, were not as fast as the fox. He had to play this smart if he wanted to win.


    "Try to get their attention," he calmly ordered the boy.


    "O-ok. Hey you stinky wolves! I''m here!" the boy said nervously, his voice faltering as they turned their piercing gaze back to him.


    These wolves have very little intelligence...


    Arthur had to act quickly, as the wolves got ready to pounce on the boy.


    He rushed forward to the wolf at the back and struck him vertically, directly at the skull. The wolf suddenly fell to the ground:


    ?System?


    ?Experience Gained?: +35


    ?Progress to Level 1?: 60%


    However, Arthur knew this strike wasn''t enough to one-shot this Level 2 magical creature. He looked down to his weapon to see a distinct purple glow, showing that he had unintentionally infused Aether in that strike, just like what Ella had been doing.


    He didn''t have time to think, though. He quickly infused Aether in his staff and swept the remaining two wolves with substantial power.


    ?System?


    ?Experience Gained?: +70


    ?Level 0 > 1?


    ?Stat Points Gained?: +5


    ?Progress to Level 2?: 6%

 The Final Trial

    I gained 5 attribute points. I expected something like this after leveling up. I guess I''ll just put them into my strength and speed, since I need to improve my physical over mental.


    Arthur allocated the points accordingly, feeling surprised at the difference:


    ?System?


    ?Name?: Arthur Grimwood


    ?Level?: 1 (30/500 exp)


    ?Guild Rank?: Only Available With Academy Certificate


    ?Military Rank?: Only Available After Reaching Platinum Guild Rank


    ?Physical Skills?: Only Available After Reaching Level 5


    ?Aether Skills?: Only Available After Reaching Level 5


    ?Class?: ERROR


    ?Stats?:


    Strength: 7


    Speed: 7


    Aether: 9


    Intelligence: 17


    ---------------------------


    This wooden staff feels so much lighter in my hands, and I feel like I could set the world record for the 100 meter! And my Aether went up! Must be from learning how to infuse it in my attacks..


    "T-thank you. I don''t know what would have happened without you.." the boy whimpered.


    "Thank you, for the exp. But please, stay more aware of your surroundings. Try to locate singular beasts rather than a group, if you want to fight. Otherwise, you can always go back," Arthur advised.


    "I''ll continue and try my best. But thank you again."


    The boy looked like a commoner, with worn down clothing similar to Arthur, so he understood the boy''s determination to continue.


    ...


    Arthur realized that there was still time left, so he took this opportunity to get some exp.


    After leveling up and gaining stats, fighting these beasts, even the larger ones. The notifications kept rolling in:


    +35 exp


    +50 exp


    +35 expIf you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    +70 exp


    ¡­


    After killing countless beasts Arthur for a couple more hours had not only reached level 2 but also level 3, giving him an extra 10 stat points:


    ?System?


    ?Name?: Arthur Grimwood


    ?Level?: 3 (30/2500 exp)


    ?Guild Rank?: Only Available With Academy Certificate


    ?Military Rank?: Only Available After Reaching Platinum Guild Rank


    ?Physical Skills?: Only Available After Reaching Level 5


    ?Aether Skills?: Only Available After Reaching Level 5


    ?Class?: ERROR


    ?Stats?:


    Strength: 10


    Speed: 10


    Aether: 13


    Intelligence: 17


    ---------------------------


    The second trial should be over soon, he thought.


    As if it read his mind, a soft ping shifted Arthur''s glance.


    ?System?


    ?Stage 3?: Aether Trial


    ?Objective?: Show your capabilities with Aether


    "What¡­?" Arthur mumbled to himself.


    Do they want us to just use an Aether-infused attack??


    He quickly located a nearby monster and with lightening speed, he infused an immense amount of Aether in his staff, stepped forward, and slashed down.


    This all happened in the span of half a second.


    On impact, the wooden staff shattered and the level 2 beast disintegrated instantly.


    +35 exp


    Oops, looks like the points I just allocated in Aether and strength made quite the difference.


    ?System?


    ?Trial?: Congratulations Arthur Grimwood. You were 1 of 12 students who passed this year''s trial.


    Suddenly, Arthur was spinning rapidly, feeling like he was falling off a cliff and shut his eyes.


    After a couple seconds, he opened his eyes to see himself in a small, yet elegant looking room.


    He looked around and saw 11 other students including Ella and Damien, who had a look of surprise on his face.


    "You got lucky this time, Grimdirt was it? Even though you passed, you must''ve only reached level 1," Damien smirked with his superiority complex, "I was able to reach level 2 and the stat point I gained from it puts me at a different level than you."


    Arthur looked shocked.


    "Ha, surprised are you Grimdirt?"


    He only got 1 stat point for leveling up?? But I get 5.


    Silently, Arthur decided it would be best to not tell anyone this, for now.


    "Congratulations, all of you," A voice boomed.


    All the students turned around to see the Headmaster standing there, his prescence creating a strong pressure.


    The Headmaster sighed because of how few passed. However when his gaze shifted to Arthur, his eyes widened.


    "Level 3? Just how fast where you killing these beasts? We haven''t had someone reach level 3 in the Trial for decades."


    He can see my level? Well I guess I should''ve expected that from such a profound master. Anyways, I probably reached level 3 so quickly due to the fact that I have been getting 5 times the stat points.


    Ella, Damien, and all of the other students where in shock as they whispered about him.


    "Level 3? I barely got to level 2¡­"


    "I didn''t even get Level 2. Just what kind of monster is he?"


    "Ahem. You will each be assigned a senior who will guide you to your dorms and show you around our esteemed campus."


    With the flick of the wrist, the Headmaster summoned 12 seniors and assigned them accordingly.


    The senior with Arthur was a tall, older, teenage girl with long brunette hair. She was wearing a uniform with a purple emblem symbolizing the Academy color. She looked kind and had a warm smile on her face, reminding Arthur of his mom when he was still a baby.


    "Hello, Arthur. My name is Grace Stamm and I will be helping you get familiar with this place!"


    "Thank you for your help Senior Grace," Arthur said respectfully.


    "You can drop the formalities, just call me Grace!"


    "Alright then, Grace. Where will be heading first?"


    "First I will show you to your dorm, where you can get a few hours of rest before I show you the remaining. Then you will go to get your class awakening!"


    Hmm.. Looks like I will finally get to find out my class.


    But a deeper thought crossed his mind.


    What about the error..?

 Mythical Rank Class: Necromancer

    Grace led Arthur to his dormitory, and on the way, he was in complete awe looking at the immense power that the buildings held.


    "This is your building, for Class 1 students. The Academy has 5 Classes numbered 1 to 5. You will climb up the classes based on your ability, and once you are recommended by a teacher in Class 5, you will be eligible to take the graduation exam, but there''s still a while before that," Grace explained.


    "Then, what class are you?," Arthur asked.


    "I''m in Class 3, but I''m about to take on an important and difficult mission that will hopefully promote me to Class 4," Grace said as she handed Arthur a key with the number 54 on it.


    "If you go straight down there and take a left, you should find room 54," Grace pointed.


    "Thank you,"


    "No problem! Rest for a bit, then meet me outside the building at around 4. Make sure you are wearing your uniform, as you are now a fellow student," Grace said.


    As Arthur was walking towards his room, he recognized a familiar face.


    "Arthur. I heard from the Headmaster that you got to Level 3 already. How did you do it?" Ella asked.


    "I just grinded beasts over and over again," he responded.


    "Yes. I did too," she said, looking at his curiously. "Fine. If you don''t want to tell me, don''t. But I will catch up to you Arthur Grimwood."


    "I hope to see it," Arthur said, smiling.


    They then crossed paths, going to their rooms.


    Arthur inserted his key into the door, and opened it to a luxurious room with a bathroom, study area, and a soft, cloud-like bed that was enough to fit 2 people.


    On the bed there was a uniform with that same purple emblem that was on Grace''s uniform.


    He took off his worn, old clothes and put on the fresh uniform, the soft silk soothing his skin. But he would always keep his old clothes as they were his father''s when he was a boy.


    Arthur lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling, not feeling like thinking about anything. His eyes slowly closed by themselves, his mind completely blank.


    ...


    Arthur woke up a couple hours later at the four rings coming from the clock tower. He realized it was time to go, so he took his keys and headed outside.


    "Hey, Arthur!" someone said near him.


    "Oh, Grace." he said as he looked in her direction.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    "It''s time to go to your class awakening!" she said, looking more excited than him. "Are you ready? What class are you hoping to get?"


    "Uhh.. I don''t really know much about what kinds of classes there are.." he responded, scratching his head.


    "Hmm. There are 2 main types of classes: support classes and physical classes. Support classes mostly heal or attack from a distance using Aether. Physical classes attack from a closer range and infuse Aether into their weapons rather than spells. These classes are ranked based on their uniqueness and potential, so a basic Aether Apprentice is Bronze Rank depending on their affinity for Aether. An elemental mage like an Inferno Warden is considered more powerful, therefore it is in the category of Gold. Same goes for physical classes." she explained.


    "What about Mythical Rank classes?" Arthur asked, curiously.


    "Haha. The only known Mythical Rank class is rumored to be the Mythical Marshal''s Heavenly Knight class, but even that is just a rumor. The Mythical Rank class is honestly just an ancient legend that was written in some old ruins."


    "Interesting..." Arthur muttered.


    "Anyways, here we are," Grace said as she gestured her hand. A grand building with the Academy emblem on the front stood before them.


    Arthur walked through the gigantic gates, feeling the Aether emit from all around him. He looked around to see many students sitting and a stage with the students who passed. Arthur walked up the steps to join his fellow classmates who were lined up before a a crystal orb, that visibly contained an indescribable amount of Aether.


    He looked down at all the students, from a variety of classes and of different ages. There were even teachers standing on the sides.


    I didn''t know people would be watching.. Though I guess this is a very important event for the school.


    Since, he had came last, Arthur would have to wait for the others to get their class awakened until his turn came.


    "Welcome, welcome," the Headmaster''s voice boomed. "Although there weren''t quite as many students as the previous terms, I can tell that this group is made up of very talented individuals," he said as he glanced at Arthur.


    "First we have Princess Ella Solvaris, of the royal family!"


    Many people applauded, and in the audience, Arthur could see a man and woman wearing the same style of expensive-looking silk that Ella wore during the trial. He assumed these was her parents, the King and Queen because they were surrounded by powerful military members whose aura could be felt from the other side of the school.


    "Please, touch Awakening Orb to discover your class," the Headmaster ordered.


    Ella approached the orb and raised her hand to it, causing it to emit a bright, yellow light.


    "Congratulations! You have awakened the Platinum Rank class, Celestial Mage, one who draws power from the stars, able to summon meteors and celestial shields!" the Headmaster said, smiling at the fact that there was good talent in this batch. But he was still waiting for the surprise that Arthur would bring.


    After a couple of other students who awakened Bronze and Silver Rank classes, Damien Alaric was next.


    "Next. Damien Alaric, of the renowned Alaric family. Please step up and touch the orb."


    Damien went ahead and did what he said. The orb then let out a strong, maroon light.


    "Great job. You have awakened the Gold Rank class, Furyblade, a class that is able to channel raw rage to enhance speed and power, unleashing devastating attack combinations."


    As Damien walked past the rest of the students with a smirk on his face, he whispered, "See that Grimdirt? That''s true power. I''ll be surprised if you are even able to awaken a Silver Rank class. Hell, I''ll be surprised if the orb even gives you a class!"


    After a few others, it was finally Arthur''s chance.


    "Next is Arthur Grimwood, a talented student who showed great promise during the trials. Go ahead."


    Arthur lifted his hand slowly and calmly. As his fingertips made contact with the cold glass, a sudden darkness enveloped the entire hall. A couple of students yelped at this sight. Even the Headmaster started trembling in fear.


    "Co-congratulations, A-Arthur Grimwood. You have awakened the N-Necromancer class, h-harbinger of d-death, c-capable of summoning the d-dead and turning the t-tide of a-any battle i-instantly. The f-first recorded M-Mythical Rank class...e-ever"

 Harbinger of Death

    The silence following the Headmaster was deafening. Tension filled the air in the hall as every pair of eyes turned toward Arthur, their expressions a mix of fear and awe.


    Arthur stood frozen in time, his hands resting on the orb covered in a dark green shadow. He could feel an otherworldly chill radiating from it, as if it had glanced through his soul, leaving a fragment of its power behind.


    "A... Mythical Rank class?" someone in the crown whispered, their voice shaking.


    "It''s impossible!" another student exclaimed.


    Arthur glanced at the Headmaster, whose face was quite pale. He took a deep breath and regained his composure.


    "Indeed, Arthur Grimwood has awakened the Mythical Necromancer class," he announced.


    The murmurs among the audience grew louder. Students were whispering to one another, teachers exchanged uneasy glances, and even Ella and Damien stared at Arthur with shock.


    Damien, however, quickly masked his shock with a sneer.


    "A Necromancer? How fitting for someone like you, Grimdirt. Playing with dead things suits you."


    Arthur ignored him, prioritizing his thoughts.


    The Mythical Necromancer... Harbinger of Death?


    These words sounded daunting and exhilarating in his mind. Although he had no idea what all this truly meant, he could feel the power of the title, holding deep responsibility and power.


    "Silence!" the Headmaster''s voice boomed, commanding everyone''s silence and attention. "This is an unprecedented event in the Academy''s history. As such, Arthur Grimwood will undergo careful evaluations to ensure the safety of all students and faculty."


    Arthur could read between the lines:


    They don''t trust me.


    But he understood the feeling of fear, as he himself experienced it.


    "Until further notice," the Headmaster continued, "Arthur will be monitered closely under the supervision of Aether Professor, Lucian Verlan. For now, it is best for this to be kept within the walls of the Academy."Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    At the mention of Professor Verlan, whispers rippled through the crowd once more. Known as the Academy''s most formidable mage and a very strict instructor, Verlan was respected, and feared, by students and staff alike.


    From the side of the stage, a tall man with graying hair and sharp, piercing blue eyes stepped forward. His long, dark robe and confident stride exuded aura.


    "Professor Verlan," the Headmaster addressed him, "Arthur Grimwood will be placed in your care, I trust you will ensure his portential is properly cultivated, and more importantly responsibly managed."


    Verlan looked at the Headmaster, his expression unreadable. "Understood, Headmaster."


    He turned his gaze to Arthur stabbing his soul as he studied him, piece by piece. "Follow me, Grimwood. Your training will begin now."


    ...


    As the ceremony concluded, Arthur followed Professor Verlan out of the hall. The whispers and stares of the other students followed him like shadows. Most kept their distance, as if he carried a disease, while some watched him in curiousity.


    "Arthur!" Ella''s voice called out.


    He turned to see her approaching.


    "Congratulations," she said, though her voice was catious.


    "Thanks," he replied simply.


    "I don''t know what it means to have a Mythical Rank class," she admitted, "but I hope you understand the kind of attention this will bring you. Not all of it will be good. I understand because of my status."


    "I figured as much," Arthur said, glancing at a group of students, who quickly averted their gaze.


    Ella hesitated, then added, "Still, I''m.. impressed. I''ll be watching to see what you do with this power. But don''t think I''ll fall behind you."


    With that, she quickly turned and walked away, leaving Arthur alone with Professor Verlan.


    ...


    They stopped at a secluded training ground behind the Academy. The area was surrounded by high stone walls etched with protective Aether enchantments, ensuring the containment of any damage.


    "Let''s get one thing straight boy," Verlan began, his tone sharp and commanding. "This class that you have, is unlike anything the Academy, or the world for that matter, has seen in hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of years. Your powers are unknown, dangerous, and potentially fatal if left unchecked."


    Arthur nodded, unsure of what to say.


    Verlan continued, his piercing gaze unmovable. "The Headmaster may see potential in you, but I see it as a liability. My job is to ensure you don''t become a threat to yourself or anyone else."


    Arthur clenched his fists. "I didn''t ask for this power."


    "No one chooses their class, Grimwood, " Verlan said coldly. "But they do have the choice of what they make of it. Now, show me what you can do."


    Arthur hesitated. "I... don''t know how to use my powers yet, professor."


    Verlan sighed, rubbing the sides of his head. "Typical. Fine. Let''s start with the basics. Focus on the Aether within you. Draw it out, and let it flow through your body."


    Arthur had already known the basics of Aether control, so he could easily emit Aether throughout his body. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, imaging a diagram of his body''s circulation. However, instead of seeing the vibrant, blue light of Aether through his veins, there was a dark energy stirring within him. It was cold and heavy, yet it pulsed with raw, untamed power.


    As he focused this power, a faint, eerie aura began to surround him, a deep purple mist swirling at his feet. The temperature in the air dropped noticeably, and the plants near him withered.


    W-what is this Aether...

 The Academys Trial Tower

    Verlan stepped back, feeling fear for the first time in a while. Such a power was unheard of throughout the empire. However, he quickly regained his composure.


    "Enough. I can see that you are only Level 3, but it is imperative that you get to Level 5 as quickly as possible. The best possible place to do that for you would be the Trial Tower of the Academy," Verlan explained, pointing to the large spiral structures. "Boy, you should be very thankful for the Headmaster, as these kinds of resources aren''t given out to new students. This Trial Tower is usually only accessible to Class 3 and above, so be grateful."


    "Thank you, sir," Arthur said with respect.


    ...


    Arthur stood before the towering structure that cast a shadow over the entire north side of the Solvaris Grand Academy. The tower was carved from black obsidian, streaked with glowing blue lines of Aether. It brimmed with an unexplainable power.


    Arthur noticed groups of students preparing to tackle the tower.


    His focus, however, was solely on the task at hand. Professor Verlan''s words echoed in his thoughts:


    "If you want to truly unlock the potential of your class, reaching Level 5 is crucial. The First Trial Tower is the fastest way to get there, but it''s not for the faint of heart. Even the early floors can be lethal for the unprepared."


    He gripped his short sword that he had chosen from the Academy Armory. It wasn''t the most glamorous weapon, but the weight felt right to him.


    "Already climbing Arthur?" a familiar voice cut though his anxiousness.


    Arthur turned to see Grace nearby, her newly polished armor and twin daggers glinting under the sunlight. She smirked, her casual confidence a stark contrast to the ominous aura exuding from the tower.


    "I''ve already been through the first 10 floors a few times already, so I figured I''d give you a few pointers before you dive in."This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Arthur nodded, grateful for her advice. "What should I expect?"


    "Well, the first ten floors are manageable¡ªbasic beasts and traps. But don''t underestimate them. Each floor gets harder, the enemies adapt to your fighting style, and the boss that appears at floor 5 and floor 10 is extremely difficult. Keep moving, conserve your energy, and don''t get cocky. The rewards are worth it though."


    "What kind of rewards?"


    Grace shrugged. "Depends on how high of a level the enemy you kill is. You will definitely pick up a few Aether Crystals, maybe some items, and even a skill scroll if you are lucky. And of course, exp."


    Arthur clenched his firsts. Level 5 is just a few floors away.


    "What about past floor 10?" Arthur asked, curiously.


    "Right now I am challenging level 11, which is exponentially harder than the previous floors. As for the record, it was floor 19 set by our Headmaster himself. It is said that the boss on floor 20 is extremely powerful, rivaling even Gold Commanders!" Grace laughed. "You should be proud of yourself even if you pass the first 2 floors as a Class 1 student."


    "Well," Grace said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Good luck in there. Don''t get yourself killed," she added with a smile.


    With that, she turned and joined a group of older students preparing for the 11th floor. Arthur took a deep breath, stepping toward the glowing entrance. The air shimmered as he passed through the translucent blue barrier, and a cool sensation washed over him as he entered.


    ...


    Inside, the first floor was dimly lit by orbs of faint blue light near the walls. The room was circular, with stonework that seemed to give off a strange energy.


    ?System?


    ?Welcome to the Trial Tower?


    ?Objective?: Clear the Floor


    A low growl drew Arthur''s attention. Emerging from the shadows was a hulking wolf-like beast, it''s black fur with streaks of dark blue Aether.


    ?System?


    ?Shadowfang Beast - Level 4?


    Arthur tightened the grip on the staff, with his new, dark Aether. He had practiced infusing Aether into this weapon instinctively, but he was still inconsistent.


    The beast charged, its claws raking the air, leaving behind a shadow fitting for its name. Arthur rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. He countered with a upward strike, infused with a faint purple glow. The strike landed on the beast''s chest, causing a pained snarl.


    It retaliated with a swipe of its claws, catching Arthur''s shoulders. He winced as pain shot through his side, but he didn''t falter. Drawing on the combat he learned in the Trial, he baited an attack, sidestepped, and drove sharp sword downward with all his strength and Aether.


    ?System?


    ?Experience Gained?: +500


    ?Progress to Level 4?: 21%


    Arthur exhaled, wiping the sweat off his forehead. He could already feel how much more intense this was compared to the Trial.


    Suddenly behind him, a pack of three more Shadowfang Beasts appeared.


    Ah shi*. here we go again

 Climbing The Tower

    After one painstakingly long hour, Arthur fell on the ground staring at the ceiling of the first floor.


    It''s finally done.


    ?System?


    ?Level Up!?: 3 > 4


    ?Name?: Arthur Grimwood


    ?Level?: 4 (100/5000 exp)


    ?Guild Rank?: Only Available With Academy Certificate


    ?Military Rank?: Only Available After Reaching Platinum Guild Rank


    ?Physical Skills?: Only Available After Reaching Level 5


    ?Aether Skills?: Only Available After Reaching Level 5


    ?Class?: Necromancer


    ?Stats?:


    Strength: 13


    Speed: 12


    Aether: 15


    Intelligence: 17


    --------


    Arthur suddenly felt all is fatigue fading away. This was an effect that happened right after one leveled up.


    Time to move forward...


    He walked up the ancient, spiraling stairs to a small opening in the ceiling with the same translucent barrier at the entrance.


    ?System?


    ?Congratulations on clearing the first floor of the Trial Tower?


    ?Next Objective?: Clear the second floor


    Out of nowhere, a heavy roar echoed from the other side of the large floor. Arthur instinctively tightened his grip on his sword, his heart pounding.


    A large beast, similar to an adult wolf, came at him with speed faster than Arthur could comprehend. It slammed its huge paw against Arthur shoulders, causing him to fly into the wall.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "This is going to be difficult. This guy isn''t only fast, but has power in his swings," Arthur groaned to himself.


    He pushed himself off the cold stone wall, his body aching from the impact, slightly trembling.


    He looked down to his shoulder, realizing that ice had frozen on to it. The wolf-like beast, now fully visible in the glow of the Aether, growled as it got ready to pounce again. The tips of the wolf''s paws were covered in ice and Arthur could see its breathe coming off its icy fangs.


    ?System?


    ?Enemy Detected?: Dire Frostwolf ¨C Level 5


    ?Skills?: Frost Slam, Glacial Dash, Enhanced Reflexes


    "Level 5..." Arthur muttered to himself, examining the notification window, "And the dash from earlier with the frost slam. Not to mention its enhanced reflexes. No wonder it packs such a punch."


    He raised his sword, infusing the mysterious, dark Aether that came with his class. Even though he hadn''t unlocked any Necromancer skills, Arthur was still smart and had basic fighting abilities.


    Think, Arthur, think. It''s fast and powerful, but every beast has a weakness.


    The Frostwolf wasted no time, charging toward him with its Glacial Dash. Arthur barely dodged, feeling the icy gust of wind trailing behind the beast''s claws. He swung his sword down, hoping to hit the wolf''s exposed side, but it turned mid-dash, avoiding the attack effortlessly.


    The beast quickly spun and slashed using its sharp claws, but Arthur was ready and brought his sword up in time. The impact reverberated with Aether, pushing him back.


    Arthur gritted his teeth in pain. He couldn''t keep trading blows like this, and he definitely did not have the endurance to last against such a beast.


    He realized the only way he could win this is to use offense.


    ...


    Arthur steadied his stance, his eyes looking around the room. The frost covered floor and jagged icicles hanging from the ceiling gave him an idea. He began circling the wolf with very exaggerating movements, hoping to get its attention.


    "Come on... take the bait," he muttered.


    The Frostwolf snarled, the streaks in its fur glowing brighter as it charged again. Arthur ran toward a cluster of icicles hanging near a wall, his heart racing. Just as the wolf leaped at him, he dove to the side, just in time.


    The wolf crashed into the wall behind him, causing a cascade of sharp icicles to rain down. It howled in pain as several shards stabbed him in its back and hind legs.


    Nice. Now it can''t use its Glacial Dash, meaning I can start the hunt now!


    Arthur didn''t waste a second. He surged forward, and thrusted his sword into the wolf''s neck, making it howl in pain before a notification pinged in front of him.


    ?System?


    ?Experience Gained?: +800


    ?Progress to Level 5?: 900/5000


    However, not even for a second did Arthur let his guard down.


    That can''t be it, there must be more on this floor.


    As if the tower read his mind 2 more Frostwolves and a pack of level 4 wolves appeared out of nowhere. But this time Arthur was ready.


    I understand now.


    Before the Frostwolves could react, he took down the entire pack of level 4 wolves in one strike with the strength that came from his level 4 stat points.


    +100 exp


    He then got the attention of the other 2 wolves and dashed to another wall with icicles hanging precariously, ready to be used as his weapons.


    The wolves used their glacial dash, but Arthur easily saw it coming, baiting them to hit the wall and get struck with the falling icicles. While they were still dazed, he went in for the killed and finished them.


    +1600 exp


    ...


    After repeating this against multiple waves of enemies, a notification appeared.


    ?System?


    ?Congratulations on clearing the second floor of the Trial Tower?


    ?Next Objective?: Clear the third floor

 Infernal Warden

    ?System?


    ?Level Up!?: 4 > 5


    ?Skills Unlocked?: Physical Skills, Aether Skills


    At the sight of this notification, Arthur got excited. He closely examined what skills he had unlocked:


    ?Physical Skill Unlocked?: Phantom Step ¨C Temporary burst of speed and agility [Level 1]


    ?Aether Skill Unlocked?: Summon Abyssal Warrior ¨C Summons an undead ally to fight alongside you [Level 1] [Capacity: 0/1]


    He then distributed all of his points in Aether, making sure he had enough to use his new summon.


    ?System?


    ?Level Up!?: 4 > 5


    ?Name?: Arthur Grimwood


    ?Level?: 5 (500/8500 exp)


    ?Guild Rank?: Only Available With Academy Certificate


    ?Military Rank?: Only Available After Reaching Platinum Guild Rank


    ?Physical Skills?: Phantom Step [Level 1]


    ?Aether Skills?: Summon Abyssal Warrior [Level 1] [Capacity: 0/1]


    ?Class?: Necromancer


    ?Stats?:


    Strength: 13


    Speed: 14


    Aether: 20


    Intelligence: 17


    --------


    I''m finally getting stronger. But this is nowhere near enough to save father and take down the Occult. I need to continue.


    He recalled some books on how summoners used Aether as an extension, allowing them to create a summon, however he never read anything about them having a capacity or multiple summons.


    Before Arthur moved onto the next floor, he emitted his dark Aether and pulled it out of himself, creating a skeletal warrior twice his size, fast as a cheetah, and more powerful than any of the monsters he had fought before.


    ...


    Arthur continued on and decimated the monsters on floors 3 and 4, netting him 2 levels. He had gotten used to the phantom step, as it was similar to the Glacial Dash from floor 2, but a lot more useful as he could easily stop and change directions. Additionally, his phantom step skill had leveled up, making it quicker and requiring less stamina.


    The Abyssal Warrior that he could summon was insanely strong, making these floors a breeze compared to floor 2. However, he had now reached the fifth floor, where Grace warned that there was a powerful boss.


    ?System?


    ?Congratulations on clearing the fourth floor of the Trial Tower?If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ?Next Objective?: Clear the fifth floor [BOSS]


    Seeing this notification, Arthur quickly summoned his Abyssal Warrior before climbing up the stairs to the ominous boss floor.


    The moment Arthur stepped onto the fifth floor, a surprising amount of pressure made his knees buckle. The room was cavernous, its walls rocky with Aether crystals that pulsed in sync. In the center stood a massive armored figure, making even Arthur''s Abyssal Warrior look small. It wielded a large greatsword that seemed to have a dark flame covering it.


    ?System?


    ?Boss Detected?: Infernal Warden ¨C Level 8


    ?Skills?: Hellfire Slash, Blazing Aura, Infernal Roar


    Arthur''s grip on is sword tightened. "Level 8... Great. Just what I needed."


    The Infernal Warden turned its glowing gaze toward Arthur, letting out a deafening roar that pushed back Arthur, causing him to fall. The temperature in the room spiked, and the Aether crystals were burning red.


    Arthur glanced at his Abyssal Warrior. "It''s your time to shine."


    The Abyssal Warrior charged with unrelenting speed, its skeletal body forming a blur as it swung its jagged, sharp blade at the Warden. The clash of weapons echoed around the chamber as sparks flew from their swords.


    Arthur didn''t waste any time watching. He activated Phantom Step, his body surging forward in a burst. The Warden, however, wasn''t like the previous monsters¡ªit had some sort of intelligence. It parried the Abyssal Warrior''s strike with one hand and swung its massive sword at Arthur with the other. He barely dodged, the flames grazing his clothes and searing his skin.


    "Focus Arthur," he muttered to himself, circling the boss to look for an opening.


    ?System?


    ?Status Effect?: Burn [Minor]


    He gritted his teeth in pain.


    Looks like that Infernal Roar wasn''t just for show.


    Arthur directed his Abyssal Warrior to distract the Warden while he looked for a gap in the seemingly indestructible armor of the boss.


    There!


    He found a small opening under the Warden''s neck piece, allowing him to jab his sword in its shoulder.


    The Infernal Warden grunted in pain, quickly whirling around and smacking Arthur with its other hand. Arthur''s head was bleeding profusely as he tried to recover, but the Warden''s relentless attack kept coming.


    Arthur couldn''t do anything so he put his hands up and closed his eyes, his last moments being a huge monsters about to crush his entire body.


    Suddenly, Arthur spotted a blur through the gaps of his fingers, striking the boss from the side with an extremely powerful attack.


    "I forgot I had you!" Arthur said, laughing in pain.


    However, the Abyssal Warrior was different than before. It was not only stronger, but had a gaze that emitted an immense killing intent, as it continuously dashed and struck the Warden with its sword.


    Does my summon... have emotion?


    The Infernal Warden didn''t last a second under the warrior''s attack.


    ?System?


    ?Congratulations on defeating the Infernal Warden?


    ?Experience Gained?: +5000


    ?Progress to Level 7?: 12,000/18,000


    Arthur tried to get up, but dropped to one knee, panting. His Abyssal Warrior stood silently beside him, its intense aura calming down.


    ?System?


    ?Rewards?: Infernal Core [UNCOMMON], Infernal Skill Scroll [RARE], 1 Strength Aether Crystal [COMMON], 2 Speed Aether Crystal [COMMON].


    ?First Trial Tower?: You have been deemed incapable of continuing. You will be sent back and any fatal injuries will be healed.


    Arthur''s looked down as his body faded, leaving behind a blue glow, similar to Aether.


    The tower was right. Since I didn''t level up from that fight, I definitely would''ve been destroyed in the next one.


    As Arthur was being teleported, he took a closer look at the items he had obtained. They were stored in the system''s convenient inventory:


    ?Inventory?


    Infernal Core [UNCOMMON] - Can be used to craft/enhance Infernal items/skills


    Infernal Skill Scroll [RARE] - Can be used once to obtain an Infernal Skill from the Infernal Warden


    1 Strength Aether Crystal [COMMON] - Can be used to increase Strength Attribute


    2 Speed Aether Crystal [COMMON] - Can be used to increase Speed Attribute


    These items will be imperitave to my growth.


    Suddenly, Arthur reappeared outside the trial tower. His arms and legs felt like jelly, causing him to almost collapse.


    "Please tell me you at least passed the first floor," a bored voice said.


    "P-Professor Verlan. Yes, I passed the first floor," Arthur said, breathing heavily.


    "Oh?" Verlan said, eyes slightly widening, "Then did you pass the second floor, boy?"


    "Yes, Professor."


    "The third?"


    "Yes, Professor."


    "The fourth?"


    "Yes, Professor."


    "The... f-fifth floor, Arthur...?"


    "Yes, Professor. I beat the boss of the fifth floor and returned due to my injuries."


    However, Professor Verlan just stood there. And, for the first time since he had come to the Academy 20 years ago, he had an insane smile on his face...

 A Spark Ignites

    "You cleared the fifth floor... in your first attempt?" Verlan asked again, his voice slightly trembling.


    Arthur nodded, still panting from the tower. "Yes, Professor. Barely. The floor 5 boss nearly killed me, but I managed to¡ª"


    Verlan cut him off, throwing his head back in laughter. "A class 1 student! Cleared the fifth floor! By the Aether gods, this is unprecedented!"


    The commotion drew lots of attention to them, and students turned to see what had made the usually serious Verlan to be chuckling.


    "Did he just say fifth floor?"


    "That''s impossible for an underclass man!"


    "Even some class 4 and 5 seniors are unable to clear the fifth floor solo!"


    "Ha, must be lying to impress Professor Verlan!"


    Arthur winced at the growing attention. He wasn''t one to enjoy being in the spotlight, especially when his head was throbbing from the fight.


    "Professor I¡ª"


    "Silence, boy!" Verlan interrupted, stepping closer to Arthur with a soul-piercing look in his eyes. He grabbed Arthur by the shoulders, firmly. "Do you even realize what you''ve just done? What this means?"


    Arthur blinked, a little confused. "It means I need to train harder? The tower said I wasn''t capable of continuing."


    Verland laughed again, releasing Arthur and shaking his head. "Train harder? Oh, you''ll be doing much more than that. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to clear the fifth floor at your age, let alone being along and it being your first attempt? No, of course you don''t, boy."


    Arthur frowned. "I just want to get stronger, Professor. I don''t care about how rare or difficult it is."


    Verlan''s grin widened at an unprecedented rate. "Stronger? Oh, you''ll be stronger after this. The Academy is going to invest heavily in you. Don''t you understand? You''re no longer just a student. You''re a prodigy."


    Arthur''s got slightly annoyed.


    Prodigy?


    It felt like a heavy chain being placed around his neck.


    All I want is to grow strong enough to save father, not paraded around and pampered as some extraordinary talent.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    "I appreciate the recognition, Professor," Arthur said cautiously, "but I''d prefer to keep this low-profile, because of my own goals."


    Verlan raised an eyebrow. "Low-profile? Ha! That''s not an option, boy. The Tower records everything. The Academy will know. The nobles will know. And trust me, once they do, everyone will want to get their hands on you."


    Arthur''s stomach churned at the thought.


    "It''s honestly dangerous, but don''t worry," Verlan continued, his voice lowering. "I''ll ensure you''re protected¡ªfor now. There are forces that even our esteemed Headmaster cannot stop. For now, let''s keep the exact details of your performance between us for the time being. We don''t need a mob of guild recruiters and nobles families outside your dorm room."


    Arthur sighed in relief. "Thank you, Professor."


    "Don''t thank me," Verlan said with a smirk. "You''ll be paying me back soon enough, boy. I''m going to make sure you are ready for what is going to come. And trust me, you''ll need to be ready."


    Arthur didn''t like the sound of that, but he nodded. "Understood, sir"


    "Good. Now, go rest. You look like you''ve been through hell, and, frankly, you probably have." Verlan said with a chuckle.


    As Arthur limped back toward the dormitory, he couldn''t shake the feeling that his life had just become far more complicated than he had anticipated. The weight of his achievements in the Trial Tower pressed down on him, heavier than the Infernal Warden''s blows.


    Still, he clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. Whatever lay ahead, he would face it head-on. For his father. For the fight against the Occult. And just for the sake of growing even stronger.


    As he disappeared down the hallway, Verlan watched him with a glint of something unreadable in his eyes.


    "Arthur Grimwood," Verlan murmured to himself. "You might just be the key to changing everything."


    Arthur woke up the next morning feeling like he had been hit in a head-on collision with a semi-truck. His muscles ached, his head throbbed, and his Aether reserves felt like a dried up well. Even though the Tower had healed his life-threatening injuries, the soreness was a reminder of how tough this tower was.


    Dragging himself out of bed, he stared at his reflection in a dusty mirror by the wall. His face was pale, with dark circles under his eyes, but his gaze had a certain confidence that resembled Frederick. He opened his system interface, reviewing the progress he''d made.


    ?System?


    ?Name?: Arthur Grimwood


    ?Level?: 8 (12,000/18,000 exp)


    ?Physical Skills?: Phantom Step [Level 2]


    ?Aether Skills?: Summon Abyssal Warrior [Level 3] [Capacity: 0/1]


    ?Class?: Necromancer


    ?Stats?:


    Strength: 16


    Speed: 16


    Aether: 25


    Intelligence: 19


    ?Inventory?:


    Infernal Core [UNCOMMON], Infernal Skill Scroll [RARE], 1 Strength Aether Crystal [COMMON], 2 Speed Aether Crystals [COMMON]


    ------


    Arthur hovered over the Aether Crystals he had obtained and decided there was no point in waiting.


    ?System?


    ?Item(s)?: 1 Strength Aether Crystal [COMMON], 2 Speed Aether Crystals [COMMON]


    ?Obtained?: +3 strength, +5 speed


    ?Updated Stats?:


    Strength: 19


    Speed: 21


    Aether: 25


    Intelligence: 19


    ------


    Arthur suddenly felt a rush of energy coming back to him, but was still extremely tired.


    His fingers hovered over the Infernal Skill Scroll. "Should I use it now?" he muttered to himself. The scroll promised a rare skill from the Infernal Warden boss, something powerful enough to make a difference in future battles. But a part of him hesitated. One thing he learned from the Trial Tower was the importance of preparation and strategy.


    "Not yet," he decided, storing the scroll back into his inventory. "I need to understand it better before I use it."


    I''m close Father. Just wait a little more. Please...

 Special Squad

    The sun hung high over Solvaris Grand Academy, casting its golden rays across the training grounds. Arthur trudged toward his morning class, his mind heavy with thoughts of the Trial Tower and Verlan''s warnings.


    As he entered the lecture hall, whispers rippled through the room like wildfire.


    "That''s him, isn''t it?"


    "Cleared the fifth floor on his first try¡­ Can''t believe it."


    "No way a first-year could do that. Maybe Verlan exaggerated."


    Arthur ignored the murmurs, slipping into an empty seat in the back. He preferred to stay out of the spotlight, but it seemed his classmates had other plans.


    "Arthur!"


    A familiar voice called out, and he turned to see Ella bounding over, her face lit with excitement. Behind her trailed Damien, who looked far less enthusiastic but curious nonetheless.


    "You''ve been the talk of the entire Academy!" Ella exclaimed, plopping into the seat next to him. "Is it true? The fifth floor?!"


    Arthur sighed. "Yes, but I didn''t exactly breeze through it. The boss nearly killed me."


    "Still!" Ella leaned closer, her eyes sparkling. "That''s incredible! Most of the class two and three students struggle with even floor 3. How did you do it?"


    Damien crossed his arms, eyeing Arthur skeptically. "Luck, maybe? Or did you find some exploit the rest of us don''t know about?"


    Arthur met Damien''s gaze calmly. "Hard work and a bit of desperation."


    Before Damien could reply, the door slammed open, and Professor Verlan strode in, his presence commanding immediate silence. He scanned the room, his sharp eyes settling briefly on Arthur before moving on.


    "Class, today we''ll discuss coordinated combat strategies,skills you''ll need if you ever hope to survive in real battlefields or deeper floors of the Trial Tower," Verlan announced. "But before we begin, I have an announcement."


    The room tensed, every student leaning forward in anticipation.


    "Due to recent¡­ developments, I''ve been tasked with forming a special training squad composed of promising students. Those selected will receive advanced guidance and access to exclusive resources." His eyes flicked to Arthur again.


    Ella gasped. "A special squad? That''s amazing!"


    Damien raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess. Arthur''s already on the list."


    Arthur sank lower in his seat, wishing he could disappear.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Verlan continued, ignoring the murmurs. "The first members of this squad have already been chosen: Arthur Grimwood, Ella Solvaris, Damien Alaric, and¡­" He paused for effect, scanning the room. "Grace Stamm."


    Arthur blinked in surprise.


    Grace?


    At that moment, the classroom door creaked open, and Grace strolled in, looking completely unbothered. She gave a mock salute to Verlan before sliding into a seat near the front.


    "Nice timing, Stamm," Verlan said dryly. "Your punctuality never fails to impress."


    Grace smirked. "Wouldn''t miss this for the world, Professor."


    Verlan rolled his eyes before addressing the room again. "The rest of you, don''t be discouraged. Perform well, and you might earn a place in the squad. For now, we''ll begin with today''s lesson."


    ...


    After class, Verlan summoned the newly formed squad to the training grounds. Arthur found himself standing alongside Ella, Damien, and Grace, the latter looking particularly amused by the situation.


    "All right, listen up," Verlan began. "You four have been chosen for your potential, but potential means nothing without effort. Over the next few weeks, you''ll undergo rigorous training designed to push you to your limits. You''ll also learn to work as a team, which is essential for survival in higher-level challenges."


    Damien scoffed. "A team? With him?" He jerked his thumb toward Arthur. "No offense, but I work better alone."


    "None taken," Arthur replied evenly.


    Verlan''s expression darkened. "You''d better get used to it, Alaric. In the real world, lone wolves die first. If you can''t cooperate, you''re out."


    Damien glared but said nothing.


    Verlan turned to the group. "Your first task is simple: a sparring match. Two-on-two. Let''s see how well you work together¡ªor don''t."


    Arthur exchanged glances with the others. Before he could say anything, Grace clapped her hands together.


    "Perfect! I call Arthur," she said with a grin.


    Ella frowned. "What? Why him?"


    "Because he cleared the fifth floor, obviously," Grace replied. "And I want to see if he''s as good as everyone says."


    Arthur sighed. "This isn''t exactly¡ª"


    "Enough chatter," Verlan barked. "Arthur and Grace versus Ella and Damien. You have ten minutes to strategize. Begin!"


    ...


    Arthur found himself pulled aside by Grace, who immediately started laying out her plan.


    "Here''s the deal," she said. "You keep Damien busy. He''s strong but predictable. I''ll handle Ella¡ªshe''s quick but lacks raw power."


    Arthur hesitated. "Are you sure? Damien''s got a reputation for being a tactical genius."


    Grace winked. "Trust me, I''ve got this."


    ...


    When the match began, Damien and Ella wasted no time launching their attack. Damien charged straight for Arthur, his longsword gleaming, while Ella darted to the side, her daggers flashing.


    Arthur summoned his Abyssal Warrior, which intercepted Damien''s strike. Meanwhile, Grace danced around Ella''s attacks with surprising agility, her own blade moving like a blur.


    The battlefield was chaotic but exhilarating. Arthur and his summon worked in rhythm to hold off Damien''s relentless onslaught, while Grace kept Ella on the defensive.


    But as the minutes ticked by, it became clear that teamwork was lacking on both sides. Grace often ignored Arthur''s positioning, while Ella and Damien argued mid-battle over their approach.


    "Stop running off!" Damien snapped as Ella broke formation again.


    "Stop being so bossy!" Ella shot back.


    The match ended in a draw when Verlan called time. He looked thoroughly unimpressed.


    "Pathetic," he said. "None of you displayed any real teamwork. If this were a real battle, you''d all be dead."


    Arthur glanced at his teammates, who looked equally frustrated.


    "Tomorrow," Verlan continued, "we''ll start working on group tactics. Dismissed."


    As the group dispersed, Arthur lingered, his mind racing. If this was the squad tasked with handling the Academy''s ''recent developments'', they had a long way to go.


    But as he walked away, he couldn''t shake a small, flickering hope. Perhaps this mismatched team could become something greater, only if they could learn to trust each other.

 The Tournament Announcement

    The next day, the training grounds buzzed with passion throughout everyone. Groups of students practiced combat drills, their weapons clashing against training dummies and sparring partners. Arthur stood with his newly appointed squad, awkwardness thick in the air after their lackluster performance the prior day.


    "Listen up," Verlan barked, cutting through the noise as he approached the group. "Today, we''re moving beyond sparring matches. There''s an important announcement regarding the kingdom''s annual team tournament. Consider this your motivation to get your act together."


    Ella''s ears perked up. "A team tournament?"


    "That''s right," Verlan said. "An opportunity to showcase your skills and represent Solvaris Academy. Winning teams receive immense rewards, including resources, artifacts, and even a chance to have their names recognized across the kingdom."


    Arthur noticed Damien''s eyes gleam at the mention of recognition, while Grace merely smirked as if already planning her victory speech. Ella, on the other hand, practically vibrated with excitement.


    "Sounds like my kind of challenge," Grace said with confidence.


    Damien crossed his arms, taking a sharp glance at Arthur. "If we can function as a team, that is."


    However, Arthur couldn''t blame him. Their performance the previous day had been, to put it simply, disastrous.


    Verlan continued. "This tournament isn''t just about raw strength. You''ll be facing other teams in scenarios designed to test your teamwork, strategy, and adaptability. Fail to work together, and you''ll fall, hard."


    Arthur felt the weight of Verlan''s words.


    "Given the ''promising potential'' of this squad," Verlan added with a sarcastic tone, "you''ve been automatically entered as potential reps of the Academy."


    Ella gasped. "Automatically? That''s huge!"


    Damien scowled. "Or a setup for failure."


    Verlan ignored him, contuing, "You''ll have two weeks to prepare. Expect rival teams of upper classes, as well as the other academies, to bring their best. And, of course, nobles will be closely scouting on the competition."


    "Sounds fun," Grace said sarcastically.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Damien sook his head. "More like a mess..."


    Ella raised her hand. "Professor, will we know who the other teams are beforehand?"


    "Some," Verlan replied. "Others will remain a surprise. For now, focus on your training. And Arthur," he added, "try not to carry the team on your back. They''ll need to pull their own weight too."


    Arthur nodded, though he didn''t miss the sharp glance Damien shot at him.


    ...


    The squad gathered at one of the Academy''s outdoor training fields. Arthur stood across from Damien, Ella, and Grace, their expressions determined.


    "We need to sort this out," Arthur said, breaking the silence. "If we can''t work together, we''ll lose before the tournament even begins."


    "No kidding," Damien muttered. "Maybe you should focus on fighting like part of a team instead of a lone hero."


    Arthur frowned. "I didn''t ask for that title."


    "Enough," Ella interjected, stepping between them. "We all have strengths and weaknesses. Let''s figure out how to use them to our advantage instead of arguing."


    Grace clapped her hands. "Finally, someone sensible. Here''s an idea: let''s play to our strengths. Arthur can tank damage and summon an extremely powerful reinforcement. Damien handles tactical decisions and frontline combat. Ella, you''re quick, perfect for recon and flanking. And me? Well, I''m good at everything."


    "Modest as always," Damien muttered.


    Grace smirked. "It''s a burden."


    Arthur stepped forward. "All right. Let''s test this out. A mock scenario,Damien leads, Grace supports, and Ella and I follow his strategy."


    Damien raised an eyebrow. "You''re letting me take charge?"


    "You''re the tactician, aren''t you?" Arthur replied.


    For the next hour, the squad ran through simulated missions, gradually learning how to communicate and cover for each other''s weaknesses. They were far from perfect, but by the end of the session, Arthur noticed a small shift in the group''s dynamic.


    Ella was quick to follow Damien''s commands, while Grace surprised everyone by actually taking her role seriously. Damien, for his part, reluctantly admitted when Arthur''s warrior provided crucial support.


    "We might not be hopeless after all," Ella said with a grin as they wrapped up.


    Damien sighed. "We''ll see."


    Grace stretched, a confident smile on her face. "Well, I don''t know about you lot, but I''m feeling pretty good. Let''s crush this tournament."


    Arthur couldn''t help but smile. They had a long way to go, but for the first time, he felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this mismatched team could pull together in time.


    ...


    As the sun dipped below the horizon, Arthur lingered on the training field, practicing his summoning technique. The shadowy form of his Abyssal Warrior loomed before him, its presence a reminder of the power he wielded, and the responsibility that came with it.


    "Arthur," a voice called from behind. He turned to see Verlan approaching.


    "You stayed late," the professor remarked.


    Arthur nodded. "There''s still so much I need improve."


    Verlan studied him for a moment before speaking. "You have a long road ahead, Grimwood. But remember, strength isn''t just about power, it''s about trust. You''ll need to trust your team if you want to survive what''s coming."


    Arthur glanced at the horizon, determination reflecting onto his eyes.


    "I''ll make it work," he said quietly.


    Verlan gave a faint smile before turning away. "Good. Because this tournament is only the beginning."

 The Tournament Begins

    The sun shone brightly over Solvaris Grand Academy, reflecting its rays across the magnificent arena which held thousands of people. Rows of seats were filled with students, professors, and even nobles, all eager to witness the Academy''s annula team tournament.


    Arthur stood with his squad near the edge of the arena, the roar of the crowd shaking the ground. Massive banners bearing the Academy''s purple emblem fluttered in the wind as the names of the competing teams flashed on magical displays above the arena.


    "Look at this crowd!" Ella said, her voice nervous with excitement. "This is going to be amazing!"


    Grace rolled her eyes, though the edges of her lips tugged up. "Try not get distracted, Ella. We''ve got a tournament to win."


    Damien, arms crossed with a serious look on his face, scanned the arena. "Focus up. These teams aren''t pushovers. The first round will be the most chaotic."


    Arthur nodded, his thoughts mirroring Damien''s concerns.


    He''s matured quite a bit. Though I can feel the tension still between us.


    The Academy tournament wasn''t just a display, it was proof. The team that emerged victorious would represent Solvaris Grand Academy in the kingdom-wide competition, where the stakes, and the challenges, would be a lot higher.


    A booming voice echoed across the arena, silencing the cheering. The headmaster of the Academy, a figure with long, silver hair and a certain aura, stood on an elevated platform in the center of the arena.


    ¡°Welcome, students, staff, and esteemed guests!¡± the headmaster began, his voice magically amplified. ¡°Today marks the beginning of our annual team tournament, a tradition that not only celebrates excellence but also determines who among you has the strength, skill, and unity to represent Solvaris Grand Academy on the kingdom¡¯s grand stage!¡±


    The crowd erupted into applause.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "The first stage of the tournament," the headmaster continued as the crowd quieted down, "is a series of elimination matches. Teams will face off against each other in one-on-one battles. Only the victors will advance to the next round. These matches are designed are designed to test your teamwork, strategy, and prowess."


    Arthur took a glance at his teammates. Ella''s excitement was evident, while Grace looked ready to take on the world. Damien, on the other hand, wore an analytical expression, his eyes darting from team to team. Over the past two months, the bond between the team was slowly, but surely growing, which could be seen with Damien, who was nothing like he was before.


    "You''ve all been preparing for this moment," the headmaster said, his voice carrying both encouragement and caution. "Remember, strength alone will not carry you to victory. Unity and trust between your teammates will be your greatest asset."


    The magical displays above the arena began to shimmer, names and team matchups appearing for the first round. Arthur¡¯s breath caught when their first opponent was revealed: Team Ashthorn, a group known for their aggressive combat style and flawless coordination.


    ¡°This just got interesting,¡± Grace said, a glint of excitement in her eyes.


    Damien frowned. ¡°Ashthorn¡¯s no joke. They¡¯ve been training together for over a year. This won¡¯t be easy.¡±


    ¡°Nothing worth doing ever is,¡± Arthur replied, clenching his fists.


    Verlan appeared at their side, his expression as sharp as ever. ¡°Ashthorn will push you, but that¡¯s the point. If you can¡¯t adapt and work together, you¡¯ll be eliminated here and now.¡±


    ¡°We won¡¯t let that happen,¡± Ella said confidently.


    ¡°Good,¡± Verlan replied, his gaze lingering on Arthur. ¡°You¡¯ve got potential, but potential means nothing without results. Show me what this squad is capable of.¡±


    ...


    As their names were called, Arthur and his team stepped onto the arena floor. The crowd roared, the noise a mix of excitement and anticipation. Across from them, Team Ashthorn took their positions, their leader, a tall, broad-shouldered boy with a greatsword, grinning confidently.


    The arena¡¯s energy shifted as a magical barrier rose around the battlefield, sealing the two teams inside. The headmaster¡¯s voice rang out one last time.


    ¡°Teams, take your positions! The first round begins now!¡±


    Arthur tightened his grip on his staff, summoning his Abyssal Warrior. The dark figure materialized behind him, its purple, glowing eyes fixed on the opponents.


    Damien barked orders immediately. ¡°Arthur, keep their tank occupied. Grace, disrupt their formation. Ella, flank their healer. I¡¯ll deal with their leader.¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± Arthur said, moving into position.


    ¡°Let¡¯s show them what we¡¯re made of,¡± Grace added with a smirk.


    The signal to begin sounded, and chaos erupted.


    ...