ã€ŠWrath of king&#x27;s curseã€‹


 Chapter 1 : Old tales

    Dark, cold, with no sun and no moon. Elders say they once lit up the skies, and the world had never been brighter. Nowadays, it''s either black or gray; the air is thick and heavy, and breathing hurts sometimes. Fog is everywhere.

    Amidst this is where the Kingdom of Camo stands. Lofty castles and historical buildings are the icons shaping the metropolis. On the outskirts resides a small village, where commoners live in wooden, shabby buildings piled together, separated by alleys and muddy roads. The villagers are poor, but they manage to live with the goods they take from the forest.

    At the edge of the village, there is a small structure of one room. It has no ceiling and many cracks in the walls. It is shabby and unsafe, yet that doesn''t stop the children of different ages from playing inside or enjoying learning happily alongside their teacher.

    In hope of a better future for these kids, the people of the village gather money from their own savings. The sum isn''t much, but it''s enough to get new materials for the school.

    The teacher, a young man with black hair and eyes, stands in the center of the room. He smiles and then claps twice for his students to sit in order.

    "Alright, kids, let''s start our new lesson!"

    "Yay!"

    The man laughs, thinking how cute and innocent they are. He approaches a book placed on the desk next to him and opens it while sitting on an old chair.

    "Today''s lesson is about a story, a very old one from a long time ago. You kids need to know about it."

    Some kids look excited to learn, while others have conflicted emotions.

    "Every story starts with ''once upon a time,'' which means it''s important. Remember this, kids¡­ So, there were three kings who ruled the Kingdom of Camo. The kingdom was flourishing more than ever before¡­"

    "Teacher! What does ''flourishing'' mean?" a kid asks.

    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    "It means where everyone is healthy and wealthy, where people don''t go hungry¡­" he replies.

    "Wow! So there was a lot of food?"

    "And people ate all the time?"

    The children''s chatter becomes loud, each asking questions one after another, and he smiles.

    "Almost, but not all the time¡­ Let''s get back to the story. One day, a strange man appeared; he had bright golden hair and golden eyes, and possessed a strength that shocked all the people of the kingdom. Lionel was his name."

    Showing Lionel''s painting to the kids, their eyes sparkle at his heroic figure.

    "Teacher, teacher! Was he super strong?" a child says, extending his hands wide open. The man chuckles as he thinks of an answer.

    "Indeed he was¡­ so strong that with one wave of his sword, he could split a mountain. The three kings felt uneasy about this stranger coming from nowhere. Although his undeniable strength wasn''t the only reason they were afraid, it was something else. Lionel was evolving too fast for a mere human being.

    As years passed, Lionel''s achievements became countless and great. He was a hero and a savior. The commoners started calling him the People''s King, or King Lionel. Whether he was called a demon or a monster, a slash was enough to erase villains in an instant. He was always there to rescue others. Subsequently, the three kings became four."

    "So cool! Teacher! I want to be a hero like Lionel! And bam¡­ bam¡­ kill the monsters!" one of the boys shouted with a wide smile, waving an imaginary sword. Yet that smile slowly faded when he glanced at the scowling face of his teacher, who then sat back in the chair and smiled sadly.

    "Here''s the question of the day: What did your parents tell you about the black fog?"

    One kid raised his hand and then stood up.

    "It''s dangerous... and scary."

    "And how did it appear?" he asked, but the kids were puzzled; they didn''t know the answer. Thus, he replied:

    "According to the story, King Lionel is the one responsible for the black fog surrounding Camo, while some legends say the demon king appeared and brought calamity."

    "B-but isn''t King Lionel a hero? Isn''t he a human like us? And the black fog is a bad thing... Why would King Lionel want to hurt us?" another kid asked in distress.

    "Well, why indeed? Maybe because he wasn''t accepted by the three kings. They loathed him and hated everything about his power, authority, wealth, and the people''s love for him. He had it all in a short time, even though he was nothing. Soon, they were blinded by jealousy, and their own incompetence against him filled them with rage.

    So they joined forces and came up with the most hideous plan. They turned their backs on all that was right and made a deal with the demon clan to send all of Lionel''s loved ones to their deaths with a curse, wiping them out of existence. One by one, he watched the people he loved and cherished the most die, and there was nothing he could do against a strong unknown curse, leaving him all alone. With no one left to protect, he lost his purpose and wandered aimlessly through the kingdom.

    Until one day, he discovered the truth about the curse, the demons, and the three kings'' scam. Wasted between rage and grief, he appeared before the demon clan and slaughtered every single one without mercy. The sword that once shone brightly and saved people became a tool of vengeance, stained with blood. That same night, for the first time, King Lionel met the demon king..."

    The children shivered at his mention. They were always told that if they didn''t behave well, the demon king would curse them, and they would disappear without a trace.

    "Did he¡­ win? King Lionel?" one of them asked. The teacher only shook his head.

    "Their clash was powerful enough to leave nothing but ruins. When King Lionel noticed that he was losing, it was too late. He didn''t want things to end this way; the three kings must be punished. To fulfill his utmost wish, with his last breath he concentrated every drop of mana he had and cast a curse on this kingdom, leaving it in eternal darkness.".

 Chapter 2 : Nightwalker

    Silence pierced among the children. They had mixed feelings toward this king; however, it was clear on their faces that they resented him.

    "Nevertheless, that may not be the case," the teacher said. One of the children asked curiously, "How so?"

    "Ah... Legends are stories of the past, and stories can be twisted, by adding or removing some facts. So, we might never know what really happened. To be frank, I don''t believe everything written in this book. A lot of things just don''t make sense. Don''t you agree?"

    "Like what, teacher?"

    The children exchanged looks, more confused than ever, and the teacher had conflicted emotions. He continued,

    "I always tell you to seek the facts and not judge people on one scale. And things like..."

    His sentence stopped in the middle as he realized he was carried away. He smiled, putting his forefinger on his lips.

    "Well, unfortunately, matters like this are off discussion... Kids, what I said just now is a secret between us."

    Before anyone could reply, he added,

    "Oh, look at the time! Okay, kids, we''ll stop here until another day... It''s time to go home."

    "Ahh...!"

    They clamored, upset about ending the lesson at the most interesting part.

    "Come on! Before your parents start nagging me for keeping you here this long."

    Disappointed, they got up, quickly chatting with each other about what he had said earlier on their way out.

    After seeing them off, the teacher rubbed his chin and sighed, unaware that one of the kids was still sitting on the floor, staring at the storybook. When he glanced over, the four-year-old boy grinned in embarrassment. He got up and ran toward a young girl with dark black hair and light honey-colored eyes. Lifting him up, she spun him in circles while laughing.

    "Did you have fun?" she asked.

    "Mm-hmm," he nodded with a wide smile.

    The teacher smiled at the sight of the brother-sister pair. Ever since their oldest half-brother left a year ago, she had always come to pick him up.

    "Good morning, te... ah, I mean, Doctor Sam."

    "Morning, Sky. How are you doing these days?"

    Sky, the young girl who had smiled purely seconds ago, sighed in distress. She looked troubled.

    "I''ve had better days. Uncle Jin''s son keeps messing up the garden. The plants I grew for his mother are misshapen now, and... he... um... I''m so mad right now!" Her tone sharpened, and she was furious.

    Sam chuckled, then pulled an envelope and handed it to her.

    "Here, take this..."

    "What''s this?"This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    "It''s not much help, but you''ll need money since you''re leaving for the academy next week."

    Sky looked at the money in embarrassment, knowing they were struggling every day and needed money more than anything. Like the rest of the villagers, they didn''t have much. That''s why she always wore the same set of clothes every day. Sam noticed that.

    "But I..."

    "No need to worry. I promised Dante I would help you two whenever I could. It''s also my personal ego since I cherish his mother as well."

    "Of all people, you like that witch too?!"

    Sky''s expression showed a lot of disappointment at the mention of Dante''s¡ªher half-brother''s¡ªmother.

    "I heard she''s single now, and guess what? So am I. I''m sure Dante would approve of me being his stepdad. We share this special bond."

    "Sorry to disappoint you, but I can tell he doesn''t care much about her since she gave him away."

    Sam sobbed at the hard truth.

    "Alas... a man can only dream..."

    He couldn''t help but think of how unfortunate Dante was. To his surprise, the Logen family took care of him, welcoming him as a son. Seventeen years had passed since then. He had grown up so well and was about to graduate from the academy to become a nightwalker.

    "By the way, did you contact Dante about the entrance exam?"

    Sky rubbed her neck, feeling pain as her little brother kept pulling on the edge of her dress to grab her attention, tightening the collar and making it difficult to breathe.

    "N-no, cut it out! Ugh! Your sister will choke at this rate! Dean!"

    He stopped at her request and looked down. She then turned to Sam.

    "I asked the chief about it. He kept calling him, but he''s unreachable. The connection is off for some reason."

    Sam suddenly beamed and smiled like a Cheshire cat. He grabbed Sky''s shoulders.

    "Well, that''s good news!" he shouted.

    She was startled. "Wha...?"

    "Well, I don''t know about your entrance exams, but this only happens when they want to replace the chip''s data with an advanced type!"

    Seeing that she didn''t follow, he stepped back, faked a cough, and restored his dignity before continuing,

    "It means Dante passed the final exams."

    Hearing that, her eyes sparkled, and out of joy, they started jumping up and down like monkeys.

    Sky and Dean dashed home and delivered the good news to everyone. They were thrilled, and her mother cried from happiness.

    "See! I told you!"

    And their father shouted in joy.

    "Annie! Our son is a genius! Haha! He never fails to meet my expectations!"

    Sky''s mother, Annie, nodded, wiping away her tears. She turned to Sky.

    "Our Sky, too. She will pass the entrance test successfully, right?"

    "Mm-hmm, sister is a genius too, like big brother," Dean agreed with his mother.

    On the other hand, her father, Logan, had a different opinion. He stood for a moment with a harsh expression, withdrew from the conversation, and walked to the door, slamming it behind him, leaving the three of them stunned.

    Annie walked to her daughter, who looked downcast, giving her a hug and caressing her back.

    "Don''t be sad, my little Sky. I''m sure Dante can convince him."

    Sky knew her dad was stubborn when it came to this matter. Every time she mentioned it, he either ran away or ignored her completely. It was the same until now.

    Despite that, whether he liked it or not, she had already decided to do whatever she wanted at this point and would totally blame Dante, claiming it was his idea, like always.

    "Now, how about we... get things ready to celebrate this occasion when he comes back?"

    Annie then took Dean''s hand and went to the kitchen.

    Sky stood in front of the door, staring at the gray horizon that slowly shifted into shades of black fog with each passing second. This was the curse laid down by King Lionel upon Camo.

    Not only did they live in darkness, but they also couldn''t use mana directly. In the world, mana was the basis of life, no less significant than a breath or a drop of water.

    Nevertheless, the citizens didn''t stop fighting back against this curse. They made weapons and tools that generated purifying channels through which mana flowed. Unfortunately, there was a limit to mana''s usage. Though research and tests continued, over time, they found something¡ªa clue. There was something different about those born after the curse: they bore what was later called a "Soul Core." It could generate pure mana from the surroundings.

    With this discovery, they started involving the younger generation in training, hoping to tame the Soul Core. Those aged sixteen and above went to special training centers and were then directed to work in different sectors inside and outside Camo.

    The ones who graduated from these training centers were called Nightwalkers. They were classified into different grades and specialties, under the guidance of council members in the academy and the higher-ups, the ancient families.

    "Sky!!!"

    Suddenly, Annie cut Sky''s thoughts short, asking her to come and help in the kitchen.

    "Coming!" she shouted.

 Chapter 3: Brothers teammate

    After a couple of days, Dante returned home and to his surprise they already knew about him passing the final exams.

    They lived in a small house of one room arranged into corners with sheets, and where they always sleep is also where they gathered around a wooden table in the middle, the kitchen is an apse projecting out the walls.

    It was a humble feast where they ate and shared stories, their delightful laughters filled the atmosphere.

    With the ending of their mini celebration, Sky sighted Dante talking with their dad, soon after that he approached the door heading out.

    "Hey!! Where are you going?"

    Asked Sky. He turned to face her, his blue eyes looked shaded when he didn''t reply immediately.

    "I''m... visiting my mother.. it won''t take long "

    " I don''t get it! You hate her! Don''t you?"

    Dante''s gazes shifted up into the dark gray layers, all kind of thoughts filled his mind.

    " Even if I hate her, it doesn''t change the fact she is still the women who gave birth to me ".

    Sky said no more, in silence he lifted up his bag, following the muddy road, he walked up to far house standing on the hill.

    Sky sat on a flattened rock infront of the yard, as she saw his shadowed figure slowly disappeared within the mist. She waited since his visits are always short like he implied. However, seemed she was wrong this time.

    About an hour passed, still he hadn''t returned yet. Realizing that he might be late, she got up out of boredom and searched for something better to do, and that''s when she noticed couple of figures drawn near slowly. Sky''s eyes narrowed trying to know what''s coming by.

    As they were getting closer, a number of four figures became more obvious, a couple of two young girls and men. They were outstanding too much wearing long deep bule coats reached their knees that warped a black tight combat suits paired with black boots.

    They appeared to be heading into her direction.

    "Excuse me!"

    A pink haired woman waved lively at her. When she came even closer, Sky observed she had a lean body, and aside from that, they clearly seemed not from the neighborhood.

    " Hello there, you see... it''s quite embarrassing but we are kinda lost, it would be nice if you lend us a hand, would you?"Stolen story; please report.

    She looked loose at first but her polite attitude surprised Sky.

    "It''s a small village but I get you could lost here easily in this forked lanes, if you turned by that alley following it straight, you''ll come across the exit." Sky replied showing them the way.

    "Oh no, we are here looking for a man, he is ... this tall... like 178 cm, blonde hair, light blue eyes ...um...what else?"

    Judith, the girl next to her whispered.

    " Very handsome ".

    " Oh yeah, very handsome, easy to distinguish.... have you seen him around?"

    Sky''s eyes winced.

    "May I know why you''re looking for him?".

    Her patience was running thin as she asked. She thought they were stalkers, they did admired Dante''s handsome looks after all.

    "You see..."

    "What are you all doing here?!".

    They suddenly turned toward the voice''s direction. Dante rushed down to them, he was agitated.

    "Is this how you treat your friends you bastard?"

    The muscular guy laughed and locked his arm around Dante''s neck as he almost choked.

    "Ja...v..ier, L.. Let go!".

    Dante''s choked words fell into deaf''s ears .

    "That''s right, though we did came all the way from city (B) just to get to know your family, this isn''t the heartwarming welcome I had expected".

    Said the pink haired woman in disappointment.

    Dante scaped Javier''s grip and stood next to Sky, patting his neck he gave them a cold look and said:

    "I thought I clearly said to never dare and follow me, didn''t I? Winter?"

    Winter, the pink haired woman smiled shaking her head, wondering about his stubborn act. She never once understood why being so secretive about his background, it just made them more curious to the point he became the talk of the academy.

    "So... where do you live?"

    Javier asked looking around. Dante pointed his thumb behind him.

    "This cozy house is where I belong, my sweet home "

    They looked up at the small old house, then looked back at him. Curiosity was written all over their faces, waiting him to invite them in. He stood there in disquiet from their persistence.

    " By the way, who is this girl whom you seem familiar with?"

    Winter pointed at Sky who was quite to this moment. He put his arm on Sky''s shoulder unaware of her feeling uneasiness.

    "Right, I haven''t introduce you yet... my beautiful little sister, Sky. She is joining the academy next week. Sky, they are my teammates from the academy"

    Sky stared at them, they looked astonished.

    "You have a sister!" Shouted Winter over excitement.

    "Speaking of surprises! happy to meet you miss Sky"

    The other member Oba, reached her out for a handshake, yet Dante cut him off. Oba couldn''t but to just put a wry smile caressing his head.

    " Well, aren''t you being abit harsh, we are your friends"

    Dante paid no attention to what he said.

    "Sky, no need to be formal, treat them as you treat others "

    Sky was dumbfounded and didn''t know what to say.

    " Let''s get inside ".

    He walked her in whilst pushing her and they followed him. He invited them to dinner as they were celebrating anyway, he aslo introduced them to his parents. Though, they didn''t overstayed and left right after party ended.

    The next morning, Sky woke up on her mother''s weeps, where Annie gripped Dante''s blue coat he wore, whereas he was ready to leave on his first commission given by the council in city (A) .

    "Why should you leave when you just came back?"

    " Please..mom! I promise I will come back soon.. so...".

    Glaring at them with a fleer from distance, Sky chuckled upon this comical drama, then she came out of her cotton sheet and stepped closer to hug her mother tightly seeking attention.

    " What about me mom? I''m leaving soon too".

    Unfortunately, her words made Annie cry even more. It toke her awhile to finally clam down, she reposed over a sheet on the floor, and fell asleep next to Dean.

    After that, Sky and Dante walked outside the house in slow bass.

 Chapter 4 : Farwell

    While sitting on the yard''s rock, Dante sighed then said: "I''m sorry I couldn''t get you an invitation, your big brother is totally of no use...."

    He sighed again disappointed but quickly brighten up adding: "Regardless, I have no worries, you don''t need my help to pass the entrance exam."

    Sky glanced him then directed her sight to the horizon, she exhaled then nodded. Dante smiled gazing up.

    " Since you''re going to the academy, I have to be honest with you, your not kid anymore Sky, and I''m afraid I can''t took care of you out of my sight"

    She was puzzled on his sudden seriousness while he continued explaining...

    " That place... is a hell, for people like us. You will find different kind of trash all around the campus. So you must be careful of whom you call a friend, whom to trust...and whom you make an enemy out of. Specially those decadent of the four ancient families. No matter what, stay away from their sight as much as possible"

    Sky wasn''t much surprised but she asked:

    " Such an awful place, you must be hate it so much ".

    " You have no idea...however, it''s the only road we walk on and for us to get a license".

    She felt rage and sadness in his eyes, and could tell from now on, she as well will walk on a road from hell.

    "But... even with the struggle, I was able to meet them and other amazing people, I''m sure you''ll find who you can call friends as well".

    He said gazing at his teammates who were waiting him out for awhile, arguing about something.

    " So in the end you called them friends, not just teammates".

    Sky laughed slightly elbowed him.

    " Yea, I would be grateful if you don''t tell them".

    He was about to move onward yet stopped.

    "I almost forgot! If you ever happened and needed anything, you can always ask Winter. She will be an assistant professor this year, when you reach the academy, ask for her at the weapons department".

    Sky nodded and smiled back to him.

    "Its reassuring to have someone backing me there".

    He seemed more at ease and was able to continue his way, waving for last time, he joined his teammate and walked togather through the gate and then dissappeared behind the haze. Suddenly her vision blurred after the farewell. Like mother like daughter, she cried her eyes out that day.

    Soon after Dante left, she started to work even harder at miss Lenda''s garden, this is her last day since she will be leaving next moring, and she needed money.

    Lenda watched over Sky working in the garden, picking up a bag of dirt and sometimes holding a shovel digging into the soil with heavy breathes, then rest for abit. She always admired her sincere efforts.

    Lenda is getting older and grew weak by days. Sky was a great aid, she helped her not only with the garden but also in marketing, cleaning doing the laundries and stuff, she even did it for free sometimes.

    Sky always talks to Lenda about her thoughts and dreams, her eyes even glow and beam whenever mentioning the academy. Lenda noticed that while she got so attached to her, but now she is leaving.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    At first she was happy for her, yet couldn''t but to feel sadness and emptiness, including of how much she will miss her being around.

    "Little Sky, don''t you have better things to do? you don''t have to do all this. I will just tell Nilon to finish it off".

    Said Lenda with sad tone.

    "Nope... I started it and I want to finish it with my own hands, so when I come to visit next time... it would be blossoming nicely".

    Sky replied while implanting a small wild plant. She stood up and wiped her muddy cheeks then dusted her old dress.

    Observing the fog turning into darker shades, she realized it almost night.

    "I should probably go now ".

    "Oh right, before it getting darker. Ah.. and Sky, my dear, before you leave, how about we do a mini party for you?".

    Sky was delighted but her expression immediately turned sour, she put her palm on her chest, in heartbreak and sigh she said:

    "So thankful for your generosity, but it''s like rubbing the subject on dad''s face, I don''t want to cause him anymore agony".

    Lenda laughed at her serious yet dramatic reply.

    "I guess I understand where he comes from, he and I are the only ones opposing your leave. On the contrary, Dante was annoyingly urgent and managed to convince him".

    "Yea , let''s hope he doesn''t change his mind.....oh no I will be late..."

    " You better get going "

    " Let''s meet again after year, Lenda. Although I''ll be missing you".

    " Take care dear, stay cheerful and may the hardships only make you stronger".

    Saying goodbye to Lenda, she then headed home running through the alleys and racing the shifting layers of night. The moment she arrived, she heard her mother weeping behind the door.

    "Not again!" she thought.

    She hesitated before entering yet couldn''t help it, she went in and saw her mother crying, while her father stood close by, patting her back .

    The moment Annie glanced her, she dashed and hugged Sky tightly to the point she can no longer breathe properly.

    "M..mo...m..! I can''t brea..th..e!".

    "Oh.. , sorry sweetie. It''s just...your mom being silly again... and I will miss having you here... the house will feel wider and empty... and....it will be just me and your dad...and little Dean....".

    Annie''s words became throaty, and began crying again. She was miserable and messy but Logan looked frowned.

    "What''s wrong with just being stuck with me? Am I that bad?!"

    The father protested on Annie''s nagging, declaring he is hurt and not liking this.

    They looked at him for a moment then burst with laughters, Annie''s tears run while laughing in hysteria. Logan couldn''t but to laugh on this too. Little Dean wondered why they were laughing.

    After dinner, Sky began packing up, it was an easy task since she didn''t own many things to begin with. Pant, a shirt, two of her best looking clothes and the greenish training suit Dante gave her as a gift among other daily necessary things she will need.

    "So you''re really leaving..".

    A voice came from behind startled her, she turned only to see her dad resting his head on the wall .

    "Yes, according to the message, the cart will arrive with the lightest shade of gray".

    " A cart? not carrier? If I remember clearly... Dante ride a big silver painted carrier last year".

    " That what they said. It will take us through the gate to city (B)".

    Logen didn''t seem happy about this, the academy clearly discriminat between trainers. A poor attitude from highly ranked people.

    He sighed and tried to sort his thoughts into words.

    "Sky,... I just want you to know, whether you become a Nightwalker or not, this tiny house... is always open for you and your brother to come back".

    At that moment, seeing his daughter''s teary-eyes melted his heart, she wiped her tears right away, then pulled her cheeks to draw a smile.

    "See.. I won''t cry over this"

    He chuckled shifting his sight down.

    " Such ungrateful kid.."

    "thank you, dad".

    Logen smiled at her then let her be to finish packing.

    The long dark night faded away and the destined day finally came. With the first shades of gray, Dean suddenly came in yelling:

    "Cart...! Sky!!! the cart! It''s here!".

    With heavy heart Sky pulled up her small bag and went outside. Annie was waiting by the door, talking to Sky''s friend Natalie as she climbed into the cart with two others. A dark brown haired boy and a girl with black hair were already inside the cart.

    " When are you going back, sis?".

    Sky crossed sight with Dean''s brown eyes as they shined and almost cried. She stopped by the cart and kneeled down to him.

    "I will visit whenever I could ".

    " You will?"

    "It''s a promise".

    Annie shed tears all night and got puffy eyes, even at this moment she couldn''t help it and hugged them warmly.

    "Has everyone arrived?".

    Shouted the man wearing a set of brown shirt and pants sitting at the head of the cart. He was ready to go. Sky hurried and got in.

    Finally, the cart moved onward and was getting farther and farther.

    "Take care of yourself! eat well and stay healthy!!".

    Annie yelled and waved at her, she waved back smiling with almost teary-eyes.

    "I will mom.. I''ll be coming back soon".

    Dean waved his little hands as hard as he could next to his dad. Sky sighted her family for the last time untill she was no longer able to see them.

 Chapter 5 : The city

    On a road barley visible within the mist, the cart was progressing in steady pace towards City (B). Off the two sides of the road seemed there was a large fields hidden beyond the thick fog, leaving one''s speculating, how far it goes behind all that fog? In addition to that dead silence fills the area, brings someone''s worrisome.

    Of course it wasn''t the high class kind of journey, and the bumpy road made it even more uncomfortable. Therewith, the cart seemed sort of lively, whereas the grumpy boy who was sitting in the interior corner, was nagging soon after the cart started moving and all the way about how his personal space got taken by the girl sitting beside him.

    "For your information Luka, I don''t want to stick to you either."

    The boy looked irritated and sighed.

    " Then at least stop moving around! "

    The girl rolled her eyes ignoring him. Subsequently, her attention was forwarded into Natalie and Sky. She looked at them with a fake smile popped over her face that made both of them shivered uncomfortably.

    " Hi, I''m Sara, I came from a village beside yours, and this brat here is Luka. What about you guys?"

    Sky plainly answered pointing her forefinger.

    " Sky , Natalie".

    Awkwardly, she nodded.

    The waggoner who overheard their conversation chuckled at their stolidity.

    " You should get along kids, because inside the capital, you will meet up with people who are very different than you ". He noted.

    Hearing that, Sky was interested to know more, with sparkled eyes she asked:

    " Say mister waggoner, the capital... what does it look like?"

    The waggoner sighed then answered in a lazy manner.

    " First, it''s Mr Roan for you, as for your question... it''s so so ".

    Noticing the confusion in her face he laughed then continued.

    "What you should ask is what''s lurks inwards? In short, Camo is a big kingdom a very big one, therefore, most of it still undiscovered since the curse exists an..."

    "How so? "The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Roan frowned on how Sky interrupting him, yet he continued explaining.

    "Have you ever wondered why your village isn''t so far away from the capital?"

    Luke showed interest on the subject, and readily replied.

    " I remember asking my father once, he only said that it was the king''s orders".

    "True, you may not know this, but the more farther you get from the capital, the more poisonous becomes the fog".

    They were more shocked than being surprised, Roan sighted them and giggle.

    "Well of course at first no one Knew how to deal with the fog, not untill the Green family stepped in. As a start showing of a new invented device, they called it ''Storm sigil ''. Like it''s name it was a bombshell for everyone. It absorbs the posion particles of the fog then converting it into some sort of mana type thing. I''m neither knowledgeable nor understanding how this complicated stuff works, since I''m not a scientist ".

    "How odd. Isn''t this something they should tell those who lives at borders? Warn them or somthing? Doesn''t they have the right to know? And what more they are hiding?" All these questions which surfaced on Sky''s mind, were left unanswered. But she was determined to uncover all secrets and learn the truth, all at the right time. The important thing now, is to know more about the place they are heading to.

    " Mr. Roan, who is this Green family? "

    The question came out of the blue, but Roan''s reaction was nothing but surprised, he raised one eyebrow staring at her, yet pardoned her since she not from there, but at least she should have known the name, it''s a common knowledge as he thought.

    "The Greens are one of the famous ancient families. Their work focus on technological wizardry and advancement things that''s why they are neutral when it comes to politics and so on".

    Like reading her mind and what question she will ask next, he added:

    "The ancient families are people who hold positions and power inside the capital; Slivermoon family, Lionheart family, the Greens and lastly the Morgens. Each one of the families have their own specialization. And just to let you know, do not go and try to mess with them, especially the Morgens, or else before you know it, your head will be..."

    He turned back pointing out his hand to his neck like a knife doing the chopping. He was calm but dead serious, clearly it was a warning.

    They gulped, whilst the mood turned into gloominess.

    Sara then plainly added: "He is right, it''s best to stay away from the Morgens, they mostly work in shadows to the dirty work, they are killers. No body can face them even the king, he stick to being silent and turn a blind eye when it comes to them ".

    Sky thought it''s no wander her brother was wary even warned her about them earlier. Keeping that in mind, she prayed not to bump into any of them, at least until she safely graduates from the academy.

    "And... the other two families?" Sky asked.

    Roan gased up as he was thinking then replied : "Sliver moon.. let''s just say they are sword manic, most of them are melee type. and Lionhart are more into defense, unlike Slivermoon. The entire family are big and muscular "

    He then laughed. Natalie chafed her hands nervously, all this and that chopping warnings get the warmth out of her, hence she asked:

    "Mister..Roan.. is it true that everything is very expensive in city (B)?"

    A sudden dimness loomed on everyone faces, Natalie had her own concerns, which reminded others what really matters. It''s true that the academy provides them a place to sleep while training but food, clothes and weapons in addition to health care is their responsibility, and from their own pocket. To put it simply, the living in the capital is expensive and off their limits, which put them in continuous distress.That is one of the reasons why Sky was crazy about working and saving money as much as she could. Even Roan couldn''t but to be sarcastic about that.

    "Yea ... compared to your village... the costs and the taxes... "

    "...H...ha...how much exactly?"

    Luke was stuttering when he asked. They saw the grumpy kid became a shakily weakling. Roan smirked.

    " Students like you guys ...um.. about five hundred (500) ul is fine of course excluding the additional expenses ".

    "Huh!!!!!"

    A high tone screams echoed through the air, both Luke and Sky stood up, they were enraged.

    "Five hundred ul!!! A five hundred!!! that can feed up our entire families for the next six months. This is just a daylight robbery!" They thought in sync.

    " Clam down now so you can swallow the following; five hundred ul is the minimal costs of living in the city (B)..."

    Like a gaint rock hitting hard over their heads, they were shocked. Natalie turned white like a sheet, no warmth left to keep her alive after what she heard. Sky couldn''t but smiled and sneered in pain.

    " Curse the capital and curse those richs!" She said clenching her fist. Here Roan said:

    "But I wouldn''t worry too much about this because, unlike us the old bones, you can just take commissions from meracary hall inside the academy, thus you won''t starve to death ".

    " So it''s a robbery and a child laboring slavery system... great!"

    Sky sarcastically complained. Despite of that, they all just sighed in both relieve and disappointment. They already expected it would be expensive that why they saved some spare money to keep a living from for awhile, but five hundred ul is just unreal. Roan only rubbed the salt on their wounds with his heartless laughters.

 Chapter 6 :The academy

    The mist is was getting thicker by time even after six hours passed, nothing looked promising in the horizon and no mesmerizing nature to enjoy with. The lively cart became more like a funeral, so much of leaden, sombreness and quietness. They were too bored to just fall asleep. Although, not more time passed to notice a hazy big shadow. From the farthermost left to the right, a very high and wide battlements and walls with peaked apex manifested as they were heading forward.

    " Here we are kids...City''s (B) gate"

    They were thrilled, it was the first time seeing such gigantic walls.

    ............

    Getting even closer, they sighted a gaint black gate of strengthen heavy iron. Infront of it, a number of four knights were guarding the close gate. They were full armored with sliver shields and held spears with floating blue crystal emblem engraved on its heart.

    Noticing the small wooden cart coming closer so carelessly, the guards laughed loudly then stood still in the middle blocking the road. When the cart stopped and they walked toward them, Roan saw all that and sighed deeply. He got down while stating:

    " Don''t do anything stupid till I get back".

    As they nodded, he approached one of the knights. They weren''t close enough to hear what they were talking about, but Roan looked like explaining things to them.

    Few minutes passed, and Roan became more worked up, he kept on tapping the air, rubbing his head and nagging about something.

    " What do you think happened?"

    Sara didn''t hide her anxiety, something must definitely gone wrong, she thought. It was when they heard Roan roared and cursed at the knights.

    " So what if we are late five minutes?!! Wasn''t it your fault from the beginning giving us this useless cart! not even proper carrier but a damn cart!! On top of that expecting me to rush over back to you on time! Are you all out of your minds you looney bastards!!".

    Brusting with rage he wreaked his madness on them, the knight sighed, then whispered something on Roan ears. Hearing part of their conversation from a distance about the cart and being delayed, the kids were discontented assuming that the capital did this on purpose.

    Roan came back cursing and swearwording as he told Sky and the others to get down for routine inspections, pointing to the chamber on the right side of the gate .

    Shortly they were standing infront of the inspection chamber carrying their bags. The guards stopped Roan outside the chamber, one person at a time only, that what he was informed. Forbidding him from escorting them inside.

    Hence, waiting in line Sky shifted her weight left and right in attempt to see behind the broad-shouldered knight what''s happening inside. Luke was the first one to get in since a while.

    After almost an hour, they finally got permission to enter city (B). Passing through the gate casted a feeling of splendorous run down to their bones. Sky was amazed seeing a sea of people coming and going around, one passing by in a rush, some sellers overthere were yelling attracting people to their products, a very racy market. While there were groups of families who looked slightly different from others, they were a higher class people, they were doing nothing but walking around and chatting with joy, a family picnic.

    The only word left Sky''s mouth, is lifelikeness. The air was much lighter, and it''s easier to breathe. The city''s ancient buildings itself left a grate impact upon her, if they could just speak, great tales of myths and legends can easily jumb out of those grand walls. The citizens obviously lived entirely in a different world out of her''s, they looked like they didn''t care about the curse or the fog. It''s bright here even when it''s darker gray at that moment.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Natalie and the rest felt dizzy and tired staring at every corner of the city so they just fell asleep. Sky let off her thoughts wondering in the dazzling city, it took Roan''s to shout at her twice to finally get back to reality, she noticed that the cart was already parked aside the road.

    "Wake them up". He said.

    And so on, after waking up, they got down of the cart.

    "Stick to each other in pairs; one can easily get lost here. Stay behind me and never loose my track".

    When she was about to follow Roan''s lead, Sky felt Natalie''s grip pulling her dress from the back. She smiled remembering the old days back on the village when they were little kids playing in the mud, Natalie used to hold her grip like this all the time when she get scared. Sky was relieved, some things doesn''t remain the same, but Natalie is Natalie.

    They barely managed to follow Roan who was rushing through the crowds, Sky was holding Natalie''s hand while walking togather and right behind them were Sara and Luke. Till Roan suddenly stopped infront of , he was looking directly into a glowing circle engraved on the ground.

    "Come here, there is no time".

    Roan stepped inside the circle and they followed him next. In no time it started to glow brighter and was actived. Roan spoke in fast rhythm explaining while waving his hands around.

    "Kids...this is a teleport circle.. standing in it will get you transferred immediately to academy....and here... take this.This handbook has all the informations you guys need to guide you inside the academy".

    Notice the tremble while talking made their heart warm up .

    Everyone held their own handbook tightly. Roan stepped outside the circle, he wasn''t going to accompany them any farther, then Sky smiled thanking him.

    "Thank you, Mr Roan, for being this kind to us".

    Roan chuckled with teary-eyes.

    "You barts, if you want to thank me, pass the entrance exam, then rub your success on those bastard''s faces."

    "You bet!" Luke stated with confidante smirk.

    It was a few seconds, when a flashy lighting pillar embraced the kids. And when the light dimmed, Roan stood there infront of the empty circle, staring with heart full of solicitude sensation.

    Academy''s ground :

    When they opened their eyes, they found themselves in a garden cultivated with flowers of different colors and shapes, it was simply a work of art.

    "Where are we?" Sara blurred out then asked.

    Sky opened the handbook trying to figure out where they were standing, but to her disappointment, she was more puzzled flipping the pages. Turning her gasses to Luke who raised one eyebrow.

    "What?!!" He shouted.

    "Come on genuine, we are already late" .

    Preferring to ignore her, he chose the west path of the garden and walked on. Her lips raised drawing a smile as they followed him cautiously. Getting out of the garden through a short vestibule, they came across a long waiting line of young children of same age of them. Sky thumbed over the handbook again.

    "That yellow sign on the left, seems it''s where we should stand, the other silver sign is for those with invitations..."

    " And that sign overthere? Asked Natalie.

    Sky closed the handbook ironically staring with a mocking face.

    "..um.. the black sign... let''s just say... it''s for the rich people".

    Looking at the yellow sign which have the longest line, while the other signs have two or none, she plodded to take her place as well.

    "Let''s just go " .

    They stood one by one in the line, but Sky glanced Luka stood at the sliver sign, she was gazing in confusion.

    "Luka? what are think you are doing? Your place is right here.. here... ". She pointed twice at the yellow sign.

    He caressed the back of his head and looked embarrassed.

    " I ...got an invitation... from the Green family, a week ago" .

    They agaped with utter shock, they were speechless. " Yet to think the Greens invited random person from the borders? But they are one of the ancients, nothing they do is randomly, they must had eyes outside the capital. The Greens are just amazing! " Sky thought.

    "Ahh..Co...Con..Congrats, Luka! hopefully we can see each others again inside the campus" .

    It was a bitter compliment coming out of Sky, Sara and Natalie. Luka awkwardly nodded at the three girls, he was the only one standing at the silver sign, thus he picked up his bag continuing his walk to go behind the door. With conflicted emotions, the three stood by yellow signed door, waiting their turn to take the entrance.

    After some time passed,...

    " This is just cruel!!". Stated Sara.

    She sat on the floor massaging her sour legs, complaining about waiting this long .

    Sky only rolled her eyes around as if they were seeking something, it''s when her gases met a tall girl coming by. Her gesture and steps were confident, and looked very elegant wearing that light pink dress while her long soft sliver hair swinging at her back. She had charisma of a fine lady in a white fur leopard''s disguise.

    The whispers and mumblings started to raise among the other kids.

    "It''s miss Elena! "

    " She is so gorgeous.. like a doll" .

    " The king must be very proud of her, sending one of his strongest children here ".

 Chapter 7: Awakening

    "The king''s daughter then, it must be delightful to have everything ".

    Sky''s thoughts surfaced as she heard them.

    Elena''s silver eyes scaned the attendants in the hall while walking and two maids accompanied her. She didn''t stop, but kept going and went behind the black sign''s door.

    The waiting time extended almost for ten hours, which drained everyone energy and patience as they started to loose the track of time.

    Everyone were depressed, except for Sara who was sleeping like an infant on the floor, hugging her bag as a pillow snoring loudly. Seeing this some of them chuckled and some sat on the floor chatting.

    " I admit she has the guts, this is just mere torture" Said Sky.

    " You know, you could had avoided all this if you asked Dante to help you getting an invitation".

    Natalie said rubbing her sour legs. Looking at her friend who sat on floor like the others she replied:

    " If I did that won''t you be lonely? Plus, I am sure he has a lot of trouble of his own and I don''t want to be a burden anymore ".

    Lifting up her head, Natalie gased on Sky whose eyes were dim while drawing a faint smile. She then looked back at Sara, and smiled.

    " I don''t think he would ever think of you as a burden, Sky".

    Sky nodded with same expression muttering hazy words.

    " I know, but it''s better this way ".

    Suddenly, ...

    "Sky Logan, Natalie Clover..." .

    At last, Sky heard her''s and Natalie''s name along with three other people. They stood up when the man who called pointed for them to follow him.

    " Finally! Our turn.." Natalie whispered with excitement.

    Going behind the yellow signed door, their foot steps echoed through the narrow pathway while following the man to get to another hall, and stood infront of five closed doors, waiting for the man''s instructions.

    "Each one of you will step inside a room behind each door. There, you will meet up with your first and second examiners, good Luck " .Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    Sky nodded at Natalie with a nervous smile, taking a deep breathe then entered the room next to her.

    Behind the door, the first thing she sighted was a pitch-black haired woman, she had a bule eyes and dressed in a tight black suit coated with a wine colored jacket, seemed familiar to Sky.

    "Good mor.... , well it''s almost morning, right? Come and lay down here ".

    Awkwardly, Sky stepped forward, then reclined on what looked like a lab''s bed. Looking around the white roof and walls room, there were werid devices and machines at every corne, both giant and small. They made some unpleasant noise. Sky noticed the projected wide colored screen infront of the bed.

    Nervously, her forefinger started to tab the edge of bed as an involuntary movement. Her eyes followed the woman who came close holding some papers. Instantaneously, she dragged a wheeled stool to the left side of the bed then sat down.

    "So Sky from the Logans family..." The woman stated then tittered gazing at her.

    " Why nervous? Don''t be. For your first trial, we will check your soul core status... with this device right here..." pointing with a feathered pen to the machine infront of them, and added:

    "If it''s completely developed, then congratulations, you won''t have problems to pass. Quite simple, right?"

    The woman did all the talk, while Sky stared at her and to the big robotic arms, carved with ''G'' symbol on its side.

    "Alright, I need you to close your eyes tightly and never open them till I tell you to do so. You may feel like your body is burning but try to resist the need to get up, deal? ".

    "Quit simple my foot!" Sky outcried in her mind , then she asked:

    "So... will it hurt?"

    "Not as much it will hurt me seeing you in pain,, but I grantee, it''s in a bearable range."

    In empathy, the woman claimed, yet quickly changed her tone.

    " So! Are you ready?"

    She wasn''t totally comfortable about this examination, but had no choice but to follow her instructions. She then surrendered and closed her eyes.

    In a seconds, a feeling of warm sensation diffused through and inside her chest. So far, it wasn''t bad as she thought, she felt like floating in endless space. But not even a half minute passed and Sky''s screams filed the room.

    She felt like her whole body was on fire, she was like burning alive. Her mind was a mess, she wanted to jump out and run, but resisted as she was told; and almost opened her eyes if not for the woman kept reminding her to not to no matter what "I wasn''t told that it will hurt like this !!" Both her body and her thoughts were loudly screaming in pain.

    Five minutes of sustaining the unbearable continues pain, the heat finally regressed. Her small body was shaking and trembling, she huffed and puffed heavily trying to catch her breath.

    "It''s alright, you did well, I was afraid you will get blind if you opened your eyes suddenly".

    Sky ignored the woman''s words leaning aside with foggy vision, whilst get the wet sensation on her cheeks, her eyes were closed but shed alot of tears.

    Seeing this, the woman got up and walked to face the wide screen, taping and analyzing while humming.

    "Oh..that a really bad news"

    Sky twitched, lifting up her head and turned back to the woman, concerned on what she had heard.

    "Wha...what? Did I...did I fail !!"

    Busy with thinking, the woman put on different expressions one after another on her face. She sat again next to sky.

    " Did you get into some sort of accident when you were younger? "

    Sky was puzzled, confused with this sudden question, she wiped her cheeks thinking about it.

    " I think so, maybe? I don''t remember exactly what happened, but my parents told me that I was attacked by a wild bear in forest ".

    "Oh... I see. And how old were you?"

    "Eleven.. I guess".

    Sensing something wrong, she asked:

    " Why...are you asking? Is it something serious?"

 Chapter 8 : Accident

    The woman crossed her arms, meeting Sky''s gaze. Her face was fixed in a deadly serious expression. Raising just her middle finger to point at the screen, she said:

    "Your soul core has a crack; it''s small, but enough to leak some of its essential aura. I''ll be honest with you, normally we don''t accept students with such issues or this kind of core. Simply because afterwards, the overuse results in... a trainer''s death."

    It was a double shock for Sky; her body was still shivering, and she couldn''t breathe properly. She felt like her world had just turned upside down. She worked harder than anyone and barely managed to get here; all of this was thrown to the wind the moment she learned she wasn''t good enough! Gripping the bed tightly, rage rose in her chest.

    "To hell with this! This is just cruel!" she thought in agony. "Damn it!!" Slamming her fist on the bed and cursing loudly, she finally lost it. The woman was calm, as if used to this, and gazed at her with pity.

    "I know it is frustrating, but this is for your own good."

    Those words felt very bitter and much crueler.

    "How so?!" shouted Sky, her eyes full of anger. The woman sighed.

    "A leaking soul core means that your essential life force rate will drop faster than anyone''s and dry up before you know it. In a real battle, your head will be rolling on the ground in no time, like a burden you won''t be able to fight back. I can introduce you to a good doctor specialized in cases like yours."

    "Are you telling me there''s no other way?" Sky stuttered while asking.

    "I''m telling you not to lose hope; this is all I can do for you."

    Stolen novel; please report.

    "NO!!! I can''t go back this way! I... if I did... Dante!" She cried, bowing to her knees, hopeless and devastated. She thought about the people who trusted her and her promise to come back as a nightwalker. What would she tell her sweet mother? How could she face her father? Her cute brother Dean, who always looked up to her¡ªhow would he look at her from now on? Doctor Sam, Miss Lenda... Her mind burst with endless thoughts.

    "Dante?" the woman asked. "As in last year''s second ranked... Dante??"

    Sky lifted her face. She was a total mess¡ªrunning nose, puffy reddish eyes. She sniffed; all that was written on her face was being mystified.

    "What''s your relationship with him?" she asked again. Not caring much now, Sky simply answered, "He is my brother, half-brother."

    The woman''s eyes widened, recalling something that happened last year,slowly A certain flashback of old memory start to ran through her mind :

    ("What?!! A cracked core?!!" A year ago, in the same room where Sky was, the same woman had been an examiner back then. Dante shouted, shock on his face. The woman nodded. Dante glanced at his friend, who seemed to be sleeping soundly on the lab''s bed. In silence, Dante felt the bitterness of despair.

    "Is it serious? Wh... what should we do then?" Winter, who was standing there, looked agitated as she asked.

    "I''m sorry; the only way to get treated is by entering the trial session in the research sector," the woman replied.

    As Dante walked back and forth, brainstorming, it seemed he hadn''t lost all hope yet. He suddenly stopped, and a glossy spark cast in his blue eyes as they widened.

    "No, there is a way."

    The woman sulked at the assumption that her knowledge was being mistaken by this poor student. She frowned, crossing her arms.

    "Really? Then what is it, student Dante?" she stated, challenging him.

    Dante bit the edge of his lip, quietly thinking, then replied: "A long time ago, my sister got attacked by a bear. Her wound was big and deep; we all thought the worst and that she would definitely die. I ran with her on my back to the doctor of the village. The moment he saw her serious injuries, he kicked me out of the room. Back then, something about him kept bothering me; I just knew he wasn''t an ordinary person. I got kicked out, seconds passed, and what a surprise... she was all okay¡ªno wound, no scar, nothing indicated she had been attacked."

    "Nice story, and so?" the woman asked, complaining. Dante continued...

    "Here''s the thing: he said that she would recover completely in seven years or so. I was scared of losing her, so I didn''t think much about it until now. Coming to think of it closely, maybe the bear injured her core too; her wound was that bad after all. I mean, usually, a normal wound won''t take that long to recover, and no scars left to begin with? So why did Doctor Sam say seven years?"

    The woman''s eyes opened wide as she recognized the mentioned name; he was none other than the runaway next heir of the Greens family. She gulped nervously but kept silent.

    He nodded cheerfully at Winter, who was relieved. Dante then glanced at his friend, who was still sleeping carelessly. He deeply sighed and picked him up on his back, while Winter opened the door. He dashed out, and she followed him, rushing through the academy''s hallways.

    That year passed quickly, and the woman saw them again at graduation. She saw the boy with the broken core among the graduates on the stage. She focused her sight on his student ID and whispered, "Oba Brian...".).

 Chapter 9 :First trial (1)

    "Wait, miss Sky! there might be a way ".

    Pausing her steps, she turned back looking at the woman all confused.

    " Just to make sure you are not lying, when you woke up after the attack, did your parents tell you what the doctor said?" The woman asked.

    Thinking but not caring much of it she replied:

    " That I will recover in seven years but when I asked him again, he said seven months or so".

    Hearing this made the woman''s eyes twitched. She gestured rubbing her dimple while saying:

    "Like I said, there is a way. Although, probably the academy will punishment me if they found out that I let you in and you''ll be expelled. So try your best to hide it, no one should know, understood?"

    Blinking in disbelieve Sky stared at the woman, then found it suspicious, the sudden change in her mind.

    " Why? Why helping just after knowing Dante is my brother? "

    The woman rolled her eyes while sitting on the stool, she took her feather-like pen and started writing something on Sky''s documents.

    " It''s not about him that I''m helping you, it''s about a runway smart yet stupidly selfish doctor who discovered a unique ways of treatment but didn''t share it with others. Also, it happened that I believe in his judgment".

    The woman smirked narrowing her glossy snake-like eyes giving Sky a shudder, yet not fully understanding what she meant.

    "Congratulations miss Sky, passing the first trial with a healthy soul core ".

    " Wha..? For real!!" .

    Her face lightened up as if a new spark of life was given to her. A moment ago she felt like walking on thin ice and fall into despair, she failed but the she passed. It was mentally exhausting experience. The woman then added: " As for your second trial please lay down again".

    She came and laid down with plain expression, since she had a bad experience on the first trial. However, she heard the woman laughing then chuckled.

    " I really hope you pass the second trial, after all, I took the risk by letting you pass, my only wish that I''m not betting on the wrong horse".

    "What will happen in the second trial? ".

    Raising her eyebrow as she slided with the stool in lazy manner, then crossed her arms leaning against the bed''s edge, she took a close look at Sky who bemused. A wide smile loomed over the woman''s face.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    " It''s simple, you will meet some important board members of the academy. They will decide which opponent to fight and test your combat skills ".

    Sky wanted to complain about not having enough combat experiences but suddenly felt dizzy, as the room kept rotating and her vision blurred then getting darker.

    " Remember to not get discovered..Toddler!".

    The woman''s words echoed so far, whereas everything went bleak.

    "Hoy! young lady ...wake up! Hmm.. this is embarrassing".

    While almost unconscious, she heard a voice then a laugh. Slowly opening her eyelids, she sighted a man far away leaning against his hand waiting, and almost running out of patience. Forthwith, groaning in pain from the bright light nearly blinded her, she checked around the place.

    " What a waste of time. Hey kiddo! get up already!"

    Again Sky heard a man yelling at her from above. Although her vision was still foggy, she found herself laying on a middle of all white square chamber with high walls. She gazed up to see a glass window extended from one end to the other end of each top of the walls, with people staring from the other side of it.

    Some glared at her in disgust while others stared with expressionless faces.

    Confounded Sky got up then noticed herself with new outfit, wearing the same black tight suit that the woman was wearing earlier.

    " Welcome to second trial miss Sky. At first, we would ask you some questions to determine the level''s difficulty, so collaborate with us and be honest" .

    Taking a deep breath Sky nodded.

    ''Now here comes the real deal. I hope... no I must pass this''. That was what kept hovering at the back of her mind, standing beneath them and declaring she is ready to whatever comes.

    "Your family name?"

    "Logans"

    "Have you ever participated in any real competition?"

    In confusion she answered with no. A female voice intervened asking: " What he meant was.. do you have combat experiences?"

    Sky wasn''t sure how to answer so she just stuck with being honest.

    "I don''t have any experiences,

    but I used to hunt bears and othet animals with my dad".

    Regarding Sky''s point view, the man on the left wall laughed loudly then exclaimed:

    " Bears my a**! With those noodles arms? ".

    He sarcastically laughed again continuing...

    "Hey Hurricane! You can''t be serious wasting our time with every rat trying to join the academy?".

    The woman on the right wall disagreed with him.

    " How funny Helton! You made us laugh. Just because these rats kicked your son''s and student''s ass last year, don''t tell me you hold a grudge for such stupid reason".

    The woman smirked, whilst the man was furious then roared: "You...!!"

    "Enough! this is a decent board trial not kids circus, show some dignity ".

    Said the man sitting in the middle. They cut it out immediately, their faces looked disturbed while trying to hide their fear and shivering bodies. His voice had ice-cold tone that makes one''s body shivers in a warm day, as a result leaving everyone afraid.

    Waking up from her trance, Sky backed away as her gazes never shifted from the wall infront of her and where the ice-cold man stood tall.

    It was an odd feeling, how the voice seemed familiar but at the same time it wasn''t. Her mind couldn''t got rid of that thought.

    "Please, hand your trial suggestions to butlers. As for you miss Sky, your trial begins when all suggestions are done taken into consideration".

    With conflicted emotions, Sky turned her sights where the man''s gazes were fixed upon, into her left side to the erected black gate.

    Minutes passed, and Sky was waiting until the preparations were finally done.

    A robotic voice suddenly spoke and broke the silence, and the wall on her right splited and opened wide.

    [ Please get close to the weapons bar...]

    Sky couldn''t hide her amaze seeing the projected gallery of multiple-choices of weapons. Here, she was given a choice to choose a weapon from the academy''s display. She had a hard time trying to choose with the limited time she was given, yet her eyes were fixed on one edge sharpened dagger, which she took after deep thinking, since it''s the most weapon she is familiar with.

    [ Is the participant Sky Logen is sure about her weapon of choice? ] Asked the Robotic voice.

    Gripping the metallic dagger tightly, she nodded.

    [ Data collected, suggested trial all set, defier Sky ready... trial begins in 10...9...8...]

    The robotic voice confirmed the confrontation trial and proceeded with countdown.

 Chapter 10 : First trial (2)

    Subsequently, nervous Sky stepped backward, far from the gate, as if she had already put her strategy in place, firstly to obtain a clear vision of the field. Stomping one foot behind while bending forward at the front knee in what her brother calls ''first stand,'' which is just fancy words referring to the willingness to hunt.

    With the countdown almost at the end, she heard a very familiar roar; she immediately recognized it¡ªan animal she had failed to hunt with her dad once, or rather, a beast. She trembled in shock and then cursed loudly, thinking it must be that person''s doing, the one who called her a rat.

    When the gate slowly opened, silence pierced for a second before a horrific roar filled the whole chamber. Finding herself standing before a giant brown bear that looked ten times her size, with projected iron spikes shielding its back, her eyes widened.

    "No jokes!! Spiked mountain bear!!"

    Discovering her worst thoughts had come true, she bit her lips; nevertheless, she took a grip of herself, repressing her fears. She thought to stand up tall no matter what the situation was.

    Although she managed to gather some courage, the bear gave her no time to think further. Instantaneously, its four legs stamped forcefully on the ground, directing a forward attack dashing toward her.

    "Sh**! I can''t win in a face-to-face fight! I''ve got to think of something."

    Besides the marvelous efforts she made to avoid its attacks, moving randomly around the room, she brainstormed to at least figure a way to get through this trial; thus, she didn''t notice the slight change in the bear''s eyes.

    Unexpectedly, the bear paused in the middle; its eyes were fixed upon Sky with an ominous calmness that lasted for seconds. She observed it with caution, while the examiners just waited and watched, until it suddenly moved its forelimb up and then slammed the ground so hard that it quaked from the impact.

    "What?!" shouted the confused Sky, nearly losing her balance.

    Momentarily, she sighted its palm punching the floor, the shattered splinters sending debris flying toward her at incredible speed. She kneeled, crossing her arms as a shield, knowing it was already too late. Without doubt, even if she did succeed in dodging this attack, serious injury was certain. Consequently, Sky took the direct hit. As she screamed in pain from her cracked left forearm, the intensity of the strike sent her flying to smash against the wall. Her vision blurred as she heard the bear roar in satisfaction as if it had achieved victory. Unluckily, it was not done yet; it aimed for her again.

    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Sky''s body slid down off the wall, and she knelt on the ground while coughing blood. Helton''s laughter echoed through the glass room.

    "See! I told you, Hurricane..."

    Frankly, Helton succeeded in grating on Hurricane''s nerves. She looked grim, grinding her teeth when she turned back and shouted at the woman in the lab coat, in her black dress and stockinged legs.

    "Nil Green! That bear! It isn''t normal!"

    "Because it''s a mutant spiked bear," Nil replied, only chuckling in a calm tone.

    In contrast to some of the examiners'' assistants who just nodded, the others watched in conflict, wondering why in the world the Greens brought this monster onto the academy''s grounds. Thus, Hurricane thought the same.

    "They are just kids, not on the level to fight something like that!"

    Unfortunately, none seemed to agree with her or think it mattered. Hurricane sensed something was off with this trial. Her thoughts surfaced as she looked back at Sky. ''Are they intentionally targeting this student? If so, why her specifically?''

    "Don''t think too much into it, Hurricane. Overthinking things will only make you older," Nil stated, fixing her gaze on the bear and the black-haired girl who was a bloody mess, showing some interest.

    Back on the battlefield, with trembling legs, Sky picked herself up, leaning against the wall, holding her injured and limped forearm.

    ''This bear...nothing normal about it, nothing like I faced before in the forest. What should I do?'' she thought.

    In the next few seconds, she shut her eyes, her whole body shivering and screaming in pain; it took great tolerance to sustain it. Sharpening her senses, she remembered her father''s words about spiked bears¡ªthat they have poor eyesight and mostly rely on their hearing. But then again, this bear''s intelligence was higher than normal, so that may not be the case for it. ''That''s not fair!'' Sky sarcastically scoffed, thinking about it.

    Despite that fact, she inhaled deeply and then exhaled. Her gaze centered on the iron gate behind the bear''s massive figure.

    "Screw it! This is the only way!"

    With no flight choice in her hand, she gripped the fallen pieces of the demolished wall behind her, then lunged toward the gate.

    The bear''s eyes twitched and then roared agitatedly, bumping its claws on the floor twice, ready to charge when a sudden intense echo vibrated through its body, and it clamored in pain. Slipping on the ground, Sky gripped another rock and threw it again at the spikes as she kept moving; the loud echo disturbed the bear, almost blowing its tapered ears. Sky grinned at its reaction.

    "It worked! Looks like I was right!"

    "Oh, smart kid," Nil smirked while observing the bear lose its mind from the heavy ringing sound, not giving it a break.

    As she reached the gate, her footsteps came to a halt. Picking up the base, she kicked the gate multiple times to draw its attention, then quickly pulled out the dagger from her belt, standing firmly before the gate. She reviewed the plan in her mind one more time: step one¡ªmake the bear lose its temper; step two¡ªgrab its attention; step three¡ªdrop it unconscious by using its charge against it, dodging it fast to slam its head on the iron gate; so simple.

    Step four: pray it works!

    "Please work!" she said, simpering as she felt the tension rise. Then she kicked the gate again.

    The bear finally went berserk with the last noisy echo, growling in rage, stamping its forelimb in her direction. But surprisingly, the bear put its weight on its hind limbs and jumped forward.

    "Huh!!"

    Not surging in but charging from above! Sky''s plan fell apart; flabbergasted, she cursed its intelligence while she squeezed the dagger''s grip handle. At that moment, unaware of it, tiny sparks began to surround her; so hazy she didn''t notice it.

    Meanwhile, Hurricane stood up, ready to interfere; her eyes widened at the white sparks gathered around Sky''s body like a magnetic field.

    "Wha...t? What is this?! Huh! So slow!"

    Sky stated, standing stunned, gazing up at the bear marching down toward her in slow rhythm; it was as if seconds turned into minutes. She felt an unnatural heat sensation rising from her core that shortly transferred into her right arm. As if they were magnetized, the white sparks attracted to her arm, gathering around it. Bit by bit, they covered the dagger''s tip, turning it completely white. With the glowing aura filling her iris, for the first time, Sky felt a new sensation of being so light, with an incredibly strange increase of strength flowing through her body; she felt more powerful.

 Chapter 11: first trial (3)

    Set her face against the approaching danger, and posing the first stand, using momentum, she lifted up the dagger and threw it at the bear. In transonic speed the bleached dagger pierced the bear''s chest, and didn''t stop till it settled halfway puncturing the glass infront of Hurricane and where the others were sitting. The bear''s corpse collapsed over the ground.

    Everything went on a blink of an eye, Hurricane eyes widen as she was puzzled at the sight of the mere iron dagger stuck on the glass.

    "Wha..?!! Huh!..th.. this a crime!... a..assault! "

    Helton sudden shout broke the weird silence.

    " Lock her up! she is trying to kill one of the council members "

    He stood up pointing at Sky whose body kept swaying back and forth then fell down passing out.

    Hurricane exhaled then replied: "Don''t be stupid Helton, small accidents happens with rookies".

    Even though he detested the situation and Hurricane''s continues intervene, he sat down scrubbing his chin, mumbling curses.

    "Lightning?..hmm..yet no burning trace on the bear, a no is it?"

    Nil stated while trying to understand what element Sky used.

    Complicated expression loomed over Hurricane''s face, looking on the two butlers who run toward Sky for first aid.

    "A divine element, maybe? " Hurricane stated.

    Hearing this, Helton chuckled being sarcastically as ever.

    " Your humor sense is good as always. Not even decent is his highness, let alone be it for a rat to has a divi...haha..div..ha..ine...one..haha!"

    With him bursted with laughing, they heard the robotic voice.

    [ Participant Sky Logen''s second trial terminated...loading first trial''s data... ....calculating final results.... Sky Logen.. congratulations on passing the academy''s entrance exam ].

    Hurricane stared at unconscious Sky, she tittered then smiled whispering: " You did well student Sky ".

    After that, the remaining trials continued as for the other younglings, which lasted for two days before its finally over. Although alot of people applied this year but only few passed the entrance exam.

    On the other hand, by the end of trials the academy directed all the students to head toward the Greens labs. There, they will install electronic chips into the brain, they said its necessary to regulate the essentials usage.

    It''s a very unpleasant process even more than the first trial. Anyhow, from the moment Sky stepped the academy, she experienced nothing but painful events. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    They started to take classes right away, some students of course complained with the lack of rest time, although that wasn''t the only real reason they complained, its because apart from them, students in class ''C'' did not start any classes yet.

    Yawning lazily wrapped in a comfortable cotton bedding and pillow, Sky scratched her back with half eyelid opened. For hours, she was just goofing around in her new room. Till the door opened and a tall girl with faint orange and very long hair broke into the room. Sky glanced her silver uniform, gray skirt paired with white shirt and silver jacket, on the right side it had silver emblem.

    " Gee piper! for how long are you going to lay there?"

    Said the girl, taking long steps across the room then sat down on the bed''s edge.

    Sky Hugged her pillow reposing on her back.

    " Haven''t I warned you about calling me that! and don''t you realize how good this bed is? It''s like a piece of heaven".

    The girl rolled her eyes saying:

    " It''s just normal bed, don''t be so dramatic! anyways, want to hear some gossips? "

    She then giggled. Looking at the creepy smile on the girl''s face Sky cringed with discomfort.

    " It seemed that... the reason for your classes delay is the head teacher responsible for class C, lady Hurricane. She...Ah.. punched the council member Helton on the face, which lead the council to punish her for a week, funny right? ". Said the girl.

    Sky frowned and flipped to the side then replied:

    "Honestly Cheryl, even if she didn''t do this, we will still be left behind, since the classes are divided by state ".

    Cherylee the girl''s name, but Sky calls her Cheryl for short. The latter pat on Sky''s back with empathy.

    "Its okay piper... "

    Sky growled then slapped her hand away.

    "Stop calling me that !!"

    "Ehehe.."

    Hearing her giggles, Sky attempted to kick the girl''s waist next, only, she suddenly groaned in pain holding her chest, which reminded her, she isn''t fully recovered yet, due to her broken core.

    Noticing this, Cheryl became worried.

    "Are you okay?"

    Sky winced, instantly adjusted her head and faked a cough to cover up the subject, frequent lies she tells in those few couple days, however, she felt a little bit guilty about it.

    Narrowing her eyes then sighed, Cherylee got up saying: "From what I heard, your classes will start at mid dark, so make sure not to be late ".

    Sky sighed, then sat up straight on bed''s edge, leaned slightly back stretching her legs on the ground.

    "Yeah right, .. and..where are you going? Isn''t your classes already finished? ".

    Ever since she met her, Cherylee always comes back from her classes and tells Sky about her day even though Sky keeps grump at her, she got used to her by now although she finds her new roommate a friendly weirdo.

    "I have... meeting to attend.. at Lionheart''s resident". She replied with faint smile on her lips.

    Cherylee once told her about her family, apparently being a descendant of those families isn''t all happy and rainbow colors, leave it be a half blood related like her .

    Sky''s eyes followed her as she stepped out. Yawning one more time before she got up, preparing herself for the first class.

    After a shower, and wearing her uniform, she made a side low ponytail hairdo. Cherylee gave her more comfortable pair of shoes as a gift, which she took it and fit her feet in, then with a heavy sigh she opened the door and left.

    Before roaming anywhere on the academy''s lands, a clear map is highly recommended. Whereas, the land can be visually divided into three sections, the gardens, the center and the councils.

    Taking the front gates as starting point, a little bit ahead there''s the garden, on the both sides of it you will see small common buildings, and at the right side it''s where the trials were operated.

    Walking straight from the garden sky found the teacher''s hall, the biggest and highest building that resides at the center of the academy, consists of twelve floors and underground basement. It''s where are the teacher''s offices, classes, training center, the library, and of course the canteen as well.

    Right behind the teacher''s hall, two separated symmetrical buildings, not too far from each others, with a long path dividing them apart. Thoses buildings are the dorms. The left is the boy''s dorms, and the right is the girl''s, it''s where Sky resides in the mean time.

    Finally, at the end of the land, is the building where the councilors manage the academy.

    The garden is usually covered with mist, while the top of the twelfth floor tower on the center is hidden most of the time by fog especially at the darkest layers.

 Chapter 12 : A Student

    Later on, Sky gazes were fixed on the handbook, following instructions through the hallways in search of class ''C''. Passing by class ''A'' which was crowded with ancient families descendents. Then class ''B'', those who had gotten invited by important high rank peoples. Soon, she found herself infront of class ''C'' door. Noticing her shadow went hazier with the dim light casted on the dark gray layers, she wasn''t late. The door bursted open before she got the chance to touch it, showing Sara''s surprised face.

    "Ski! long..."

    "Its Sky ".

    Sky pushed her aside plainly interpreted her to go directly inside.

    Looking around the classroom, she saw five desks only which surprised her alot, so as far she remembers, the line during the entrance exam was very long. She couldn''t help but to think they entered by mere luck.

    "Sky!"

    Natalie rushed over hugging her tightly.

    "Natalie.."

    Sky was worried about her weak friend, after learning that she almost died in her trial, but then discovered that Natalie and Sara trials were fighting wild small rabbit while she had to fight a bear. Hence, jumping to the most logical conclusion, someone wanted her to fail. But then why? This is her first time stepping in city ''B'' , she doesn''t know anyone here but her people, so why? Or maybe her mind just made this up to clear the suspicious about the last incident. Anyhow, she was tired thinking of this matter as she heaved a sigh.

    " Are you alright?".

    Natalie asked. Sky chuckled at her worried expression then dragged her and sat on the chairs next to the window.

    Seeing this Sara hissed then sat close to the door, leaning her head over her arm looking fretful, which noted by Natalie. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    "..Um...Sky.. Sara is a nice person... so.."

    Side glance her, Sky rubbed her neck feeling awkwardly, then replied: "You know, I''m not that good with cheerful people like her ".

    Natalie knitted her brows saying:

    " And what about Cherylee? She still calls you piper, doesn''t she?" She then sniggered.

    Sky leaned down and slammed her forehead on the desk restlessly.

    " Ugh! don''t remind me!"

    "But honestly, I don''t understand, why piper though?"

    As she was thinking that she answered:

    " Apparently I look like old cartoon character she likes on ...T...v..?...or something " .

    She then lifted up her head hearing Natalie laughing loud, she glared at her friend for a second then her lips stretched with smile and chuckled.

    "Oh dear! Our Sky smiled " Natalie said cheerfully.

    "Ha! I''m not made of stone!" Sky shouted.

    Feeling her cheeks heated up, she hid her face into her palms from embarrassment.

    From in-between her separated two fingers, she sighted the words ''loading data...'' on the left side of her vision field. Ever since they installed the chips, these were the only phrase appeared to her no matter how much she tap on it.

    Therewith, she brought her hands down to see Natalie surprisingly glancing at the door. Thus, she leaned slightly forward, her eyes meet up with a bronze skin short boy, waist long black curly hair and gray eyes. But what caught her attention the most was the small bumps on the both sides of his head.

    The atmosphere felt tense which he sensed with all eyes caught on him. He then coughed announcing with a rough tone.

    "Hello, my name is Feng, from the... northern wind tribe".

    They looked bemused gazing at him, he felt uneasiness and wanted to explain, when a female voice interrupted his thoughts.

    "Student Feng, If you finished then sit down so we can all start over".

    Flinched Feng when he turned back to the voice he quickly crossed the classroom and sat down on his desk. The woman laughed at his nervousness, crossing arms to her chest.

    "Alright dear cuties! Looks like you''re all already here".

    Sky stared at the standing firm woman''s foreign appearance, a dark purple silky hair and dark eyes. Then it hit her the moment she recognized her.

    "Salut, my student of class ''C'', as you may have figure it out by now, from here on you will be in my care, and thus to fulfill my duty as your head teacher..."

    Walking steady forward she lifted up her wine stained jacket dramatically sat on the table crossing her legs, with the same strong tone she continued..

    "" I ...Hurricane.. will guide you " .

 Chapter 13 : privileged

    Noticing that her essential rate got reduced by one degree, she recalled that her core is broken which means she will be leaking essential most of the time. She grumbled at the fact that her essential capacity is leaking, like it wasn''t just enough being it already low.

    "One more note to keep in mind, if you have a good team with you, as a main damage dealer you won''t suffer at the beginning".

    Hurricane stated this drawing Feng''s attention.

    "Alright, I think this is all for the basics, any questions?".

    All hands lifted up at once, she sighed then pointed at excited Sara.

    "Yes, student Sara?"

    "So...can someone with sphere or rectangular core be a main attacker on a team?"

    Rubbing her chin she replied: "Well, they can but...it require two things, one is high affinity mastery, or two... a fancy soul weapon with high attack rate. However, with these requirements the pyramid core are way stronger than the others, or at least when having one of these".

    They complained making a fuss about it, then lowered their hands down except for Sky.

    "What''s affinity mastery and essential absorp..tion?"

    Hurricane gestured shaking her head saying:

    "Dante really didn''t tell you anything, huh? Maybe I should give him a hell earful when he gets back".

    Sky awkwardly avoided Hurricane''s eyes hearing Dante''s name, yet of course it''s not a secret for the academy since they have the same last name.

    "Anyways, affinity mastery is the knowledge you gain from using and understanding your element''s features.Take Natalie for example, water affinity have healing properties, so if she had full understanding about it''s nature she will develop a skill, it''s very important to keep boosting it in order to enhance your strength".

    Natalie was startled staring at the skill heal lv1, it''s seems she have already learned it but she have no idea when or where? But passed her thought maybe it was during the trials.

    "Oh! almost forgot, as for absorption or absorption rate is how rapid your essential shifts to your soul weapon. Of course, with the recommended weapon by the chip''s system, you can avoid the rapid drop. Now if there is no more questions let''s get to the next lesson, mana affinity".

    The students groaned in distress, which just fell in dead ears.

    " Hey! remember you''re not here to goof around, you''re here to be nigh...haa... nightwalkers..."

    Yawning lazily, Hurricane got back to her screen. She obviously seemed board, which wasn''t encouraging for the students either. She then walked toward the empty desk next to Sara and sat over it stating:

    "Mana affinity is the element''s trait that your soul core is drawn into. Here they are divided into four prime elements: main element, branch element, divine element, lastly the elements of unknown origin. In the main elements, we have fire, wind, earth, water which give their users the ability to recover the essentials faster than normal people, these are the common among the main. As for branch element like lighting, poison, plants, metal...etc.They buff their user speed..."This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    Natalie and Sara sighed in relief hearing that, continuing with explanation, Hurricane said:

    "Divine element, there is light, shadow, and...um..honestly I only know the basic ones since users of these elements are close to none.They also have unic abilities, some say they can teleport or travel through space...Ah..."

    Suddenly her face beamed, gesturing she continued:

    "Some say they can summon outer existence... that''s a bit exciting, don''t you think?However, like I said nobody knows the truth since everything is like the fog surrounding Camo. Actually, they are similar to those of unknown origin element.They suddenly show up on this land although the Greens tried many times to track their origin but end to fail. A mystery indeed".

    That threw Sky to think deeply about her affinity, How can she increase a mastery that even the academy doesn''t know much about it. She gazed once more at her screen, thinking is it even written right? maybe they were mistaken.

    "With this I can say I covered most of the topic, from now on it''s your turn to work harder and figure things out on your own".

    Hurricane exclaimed as her gazes were locked on both Sky and Feng.

    "Now that the morning is approaching, I will give you twenty minutes break. All of you after that, wear your training suites and meet me at training center, it''s the under ground floor of the teacher''s hall".

    Being contented with that, she stood up then left the classroom in haste, they couldn''t be more befuddled.Their thoughts were a mess.

    ''Twenty minutes only? I got here in ten minutes and the dorms...''

    Sky''s thoughts screamed looking through the window at the far away dorms. All of them got up immediately coming into same conclusion. They run through the hallways while stuffing breads on their mouths.

    "We should eat...get ready...rest and be there just in twenty minutes?!! Are you kidding me!!" Shouted Sara.

    "Rest? that wasn''t an option to begin with!" Ironically, stated Sky.

    "And why the hell this hallway is too long!" Shouted Sara again.

    Finally reaching the dorm, she dashed up to her room panting, her expression turned sour right away looking at Cheryl sleeping like a top, drooling. Since she has no time to waist, she ignored the feeling to kick her. Putting on the black training suit similar to that she wore on the trials, the only difference...it was more comfortable and not very tight. Remembering cake treats that Cheryl bought earlier, she stuff some in a hurry while closing the door.

    Running back to teacher''s hall she met with the others halfway, at that moment, they only thought of how she wasn''t joking about the class being too long today.

    A long time passed, where the gray layers of the new morning slowly shifted into darker shades. Sky dragged her corpse-like body way back to dorms, full of bruises from the hellish combat training they got from Hurricane. She opened the door and walked with heavy steps across the room, then threw her body on the bed, her buried face muted the groans. Not noticing that Cheryl sat on the bed beside her, spacing out on the air, as she was reading something on her screen.

    "Fancy to see your face after a day and half, piper".

    Not having energy to talk back, she raised up her middle finger then heard Cheryl laughing.

    "Lady Hurricane really pushed you guys over the edge. Although it might be hard but it''s kinda nice to have a caring teacher, unlike that Helton, I swear sometimes I just want... huh..Sky! Are you listening?!"

    Cheryl asked but the only reply she got was a loud snore.Time flies and Sky''s eyelids flattered then opened, she yawned while getting up, stretching her hands up with a broad smile.

    "Healed...the magic bed is so powerful..."

    She said looking revived with a lazy soft undertone.

    "It''s a normal bed...so..you up?".

    Cheryl asked while wearing her shoes ready to go.Turning her gazes outside the window, she noticed it''s already mid-dark, not much time passed since she got back.

    "Where are you going this late?"

    " Well,...Helton invited student from both class (A) and (B) to a party in teacher''s hall, it''s on the twelfth floor, for god''s sake do you believe it?".

    Sky nodded trying to fix up her messy hair not paying much attention.

    "So...you want to come?"

    She switched over to a disgusted expression instantly, Cheryl chuckled then waved goodbye at the door before she left.

 Chapter 14 : Date chip

    Like her name, she resembled an approaching tempest, a hurricane that forges ahead sweeping everything on its way, her words hits like a roaring thunder, her smile is soft like amaranthine, she looked perilous yet beamed brighter than a lighting. The storm that walked across the classroom where the four students sat thunderstrucked gazing at the young woman, from her posture, confidence and to her aura, everything about her screamed powerful. With a smirk on her face Hurricane stated:

    "Firstly I would like to congrats you for entering the academy. Secondly, I want you to know that things will not get easier from now on, especially with the fact that we are kinda late on schedule. (Cough)...so today''s class will be long...scratch that, I mean very long".

    They were discomposed hearing that, and lost the track at some point unable to get what she meant, till Sara raised her hand. Sky heaved a sigh of relief that someone is brave enough to confront this wild-looking teacher.

    When Hurricane gave her permission raising eyebrows, Sara asked pointing at the desk next to her:

    "Head teacher Hurricane, isn''t there someone missing? there..."

    "Ah..that...don''t worry about it, it''s a student with a special case, he had the permission to be absent".

    Appeared to be curious, Sky rubbed her chin thinking who is this mysterious person with special case?

    "Alright, let''s start this class, we delayed it enough, everyone...activate your chips".

    In a couple of seconds, they did what they were told, and activated it. Sky felt a sharp pain in her head when she noticed a floating words apparently only she can sees, stated [Student Sky] in the middle, with pop-eyes her gazes met Hurricane''s who winked smiling then started explaining...

    "Now press the words on the spectral screen, to see and know more about your core and mana affinity".

    Thus, without hesitation, they pressed on it and a new many sentences organized in column appeared. Again they were puzzled, neither Sky nor the others understood anything of it. Forcing themselves one more time to read, Sky had the hardest time understanding what''s written, and was the last one to lift her eyes off the screen, where it looked as a meaningless words in her view...

    Student name: Sky Logen

    Rank: 20 (student)

    Core type: Pyramid

    Soul weapon:(?)

    Mana affinity: Pure light

    Affinity mastery: 0%

    Skills: speed lv1, purification lv1.

    Essential capacity:100%

    "Huh! Wh..what''s all this?"Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    With a simper on her face, asked Sara slowly raising up her trembled hand. Hurricane consequently replied:

    "I''m sure you have many questions to ask, but I prefer you would keep them till I finish with explaining. Starting with your core types, student Feng can you tell us what''s written on your core''s type place?"

    Feng frowned as he looked deep in thoughts then just let it go and shrugged answering:

    "It''s says...pyramid?"

    Hurricane''s smile froze while commenting with gestures.

    "Attack type I see. Next we will discuss the basics, since all of you lived outside city, you must be well informed. In this world there are two types of cores, regular and irregular..."

    Seeing them all focused, she continued...

    "Regular core shaped like pyramid, sphere or rectangle. As for the irregular, just like the name they are out of the three mentioned shapes. In fact, there are so many others to divide from this last shape, but mostly, irregular is what nightwalkers or Greens goes by as a whole. Each one of these types has it''s own ups and downs so listen carefully".

    Hurricane tapped her own spectral screen, suddenly the informations they had before on their screens dissappeared, and popped instead the three regular shapes all in three-dimensions right before their face. Amazed, they began to flip, zoom and rotating the shapes, making Hurricane laughs.

    "Each core depends on Five things: attack, defense, effusion, essential rate or absorption".

    Scratching her cheek, Natalie awkwardly tried to go back to her information in previous screen, when she finally succeeded it showed:

    Student name: Natalie clover

    Rank:45 (student)

    Core type: Rectangle

    Soul weapon:(?)

    Mana affinity: Water

    Affinity mastery: 0%

    Skills: Heal lv1, shield lv1

    Essential rate:100%

    "Well now let''s see the rectangle type, which has low attack, high defense, normal effusion rate, large essential capacity and absorption. Hmm...from the data, one of you has this type. Natalie Clover, say what''s your affinity?".

    Caught of guard Natalie blushed at the sudden attention drawn to her, then nervously replied:

    "It''s wa..water..."

    Hurricane made a broad smile and said:

    "That''s a good element, people with rectangle core are more specialized in defense or effusion. Another great example we have, that of the Lionhearts family, most of them have this type of core..."

    At the end of her sentence, she glared at Feng who raised his hand yet immediately withdraw it down, embarrassed he remembered what she said about asking questions at the beginning. Hence, she continued...

    "Another type is sphere core, they are known to have both normal attacks and defense, high effusion rate, normal essential capacity and absorption".

    Noticing their pouted face everytime she mentions effusion, she explained.

    "By effusion I mean the ability to mix elements with each other, the more higher your effusion, the more powerful your attacks will be".

    She gestured pointing at herself then added:

    "Take me for example, I''m the sphere type with affinity to wind element. So when I pair my element with someone''s else element whatever they have, low or high attack rate, their attack will do double the damage".

    "Like Oba and Winter, I see" Sky whispered to herself.

    Hurricane showed a suprie face at the mention of those two, then smirked and directed her conversation towards Sky.

    "Those two together are known to be the deadliest sphere core bearers.Their affinities fit so well when their elements are paired. Let''s go back to our main topic, here we have pyramid shape; very high attack, low defense, normal effusion and lastly low essential capity and absorption".

    "How...could this be?".

    Feng and Sky whispered in disappointment, with bitter expressions that made Hurricane choke on her spit. For a dignified teacher she still has a sarcastic side that didn''t prevent her but to laugh at them slamming her hand on table, which in turn made both of them even more gloomy.

    "I bet you get a head of yourselves for a moment..."

    Bit on her lips Sky scrolled through her informations again, with plain expression that soon turned into confusion.

    Student name: Sky Logen

    Rank:20 (student )

    Core type: Pyramid

    soul weapon:(?)

    Mana affinity: Pure light

    Infinity mastery:0%

    Skills: speed lv1, purification lv1

    Essential capacity:99%

 Chapter 15 : The Greens

    Sitting quietly for awhile, she started to check her informations out of board. Opening the spectral screen to see...

    Student name: Sky Logan

    Rank:25

    Core type: Pyramid

    Soul weapon:(?)

    Mana affinity: Pure light

    Affinity mastery:0%

    Skills: speed lv1, purification lv1

    Essential rate:96%

    Her face darken seeing that it reduced again. Unlike those with main elements who can recover their essentials faster than her, it''s like 2:1%. She lose 2% of the essential only to gain 1%. She really needed to find quickly a way to balance the lose and gain rates.

    Emotions of uncertainty penetrated her mind, where she thought of telling Dante but at the same time, she wanted to depend on herself even for once. She took her time rethinking, when she noticed the essential rate dropped to 95%.This fast drop really gets on her nerves, and she is becoming more desperate than ever, since it her pride against the benefits, the scale kept swaying.

    "There''s no other way...a good little sister should always depend on her brother. Yes, I''m a good sister, he never turns his back on me, conversely...he will be happy to help...um...yea"

    She instantly used the pillow to mute her screams then threw it on the ground, exclaiming:

    "How you call yourself independent woman you smelly bag of burdens! keep it together!"

    She sighed leaning her head on the bed''s edge downcasted, then she suddenly bounced up.

    "Wait...shouldn''t I check the library first!"

    One way or another, hoping she may get into something at the library, she scrolled the spectral screen again that showed her friend''s list, then called Natalie to accompany her but to her disappointment, she turned her down.

    "I''m so sorry Sky, but lately I''ve been busy so..."

    Now that she mentioned it, Sky realized that she haven''t seen her around, thus, curiously she asked:

    "In what exactly?"

    Just when Natalie was about to answers, Sky heard a man''s voice asking her what she wants to eat. Her face darkened on the fact that her childhood friend ditched her for a man. Sensing the cold quietness from Sky, Natalie quickly exclaimed:

    "Its not what you think!! I''m studying ruin''s formats with Luka, I swear!"

    "Luka! as in Luka? the one who came with us?"If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    "Yes! We are in one of the Greens household, the one closer to academy...if..if you would like to join us I will ask him to send someone for you".

    ''Ask him?...send someone? Since when they were this close?'' Sky''s thoughts were more than confused. Something is fishy about those two and she can senses it.

    Maybe she should go, since she can''t make her friend speak, at least if she met with him, she can force him to spit out the whole thing, clearly that what she wanted but not for now.

    "No need Natalie, but anyhow, is it true that the Greens have a small library in research section?...and can..I...have a passage...entery?"

    Sky''s voice sounded hesitant, so Natalie asked Luka right away knowing she changes minds easily when it comes for asking favors.

    "Library? Yeah sure, I will tell Jim to prepare you one".

    Luka replied forcing on words written in the book infront of him, not twitching on a breathe of wind that sneaked through the window and played his hair. Natalie''s mind ceased for a second staring at him, thinking how much Luka changed in just three weeks. Now he looks like a real young master from the Greens.

    "..Natalie?"

    She gasped and felt embarrassed when caught stealing gazes, with a pink hue over her cheeks, she replied:

    "He said it''s okay, he will send someone".

    "Oh..wow! tell him he rocks!"

    She turned her face to the other side trying not to look Luka in the eyes while laughing at Sky''s reaction.

    "Study well Natalie, bye"

    "Bye"

    When the call ended Luka gazed at her being smiling.

    "I thought you and Sky were close, why didn''t you tell her about you coming here often?"

    After a deep sigh she replied:

    "I...I want to do something...by myself, not that I hate to be together or anything...it''s just I want.. to believe that I can do something without burden her, especially now".

    Hearing that, Luka''s lips lighted up with a smile saying:

    " You''re a good friend Natalie ".

    Setting up everything, Sky hastened through the gardens, the trails leaded her to end up infront of many long buildings where people with long lab coats roaming around the place, either chatting cheerfully or running from building to building while holding some strange things.

    Feeling out of place, she picked up her base and stuck to the right side heading toward the long buildings.Then stopped to read a long sign that demonstrated each floor and it''s content. It took her a couple of seconds to find the library from its symbol with the ''3rd floor'' written on the side. Walking through the glass entrance, Sky grasped at what she witnessed. People were floating around with mechanical boots like they merged out of fiction tale, and robots were everywhere staming while holding some heavy boxes. In this different wolrd far away from her village, there''s another world that totally mesmerized her for the second time.

    Suddenly a robot moved toward her, then proceeded extending its arm to the front on a human-like handshake gesture.

    "Hello, I''m Jim-44, how can I help you student... Sky?"

    She springed back with pure shock over her face.

    "Who?!!..I mean how...do you know my name?"

    The robot took a moment then answered:

    "Every student''s information had been monitored by Greens family...for security purposes".

    Getting over the shock then cleared her throat, she just nodded saying:

    "Um..well then...bye!"

    Stroll around it, then continued forward in few steps, Sky could feel that it keeps following her. It started to get on her nerves whereas she paused her steps turing back.

    "Why are you following me?"

    The robot repeated: "Can I help you student..Sky?"

    Groaning she scratched her head feeling odd talking to it, then remembered that Luka did mentione Jim earlier, could it be him?..it? Everything is complicated and hard to understand in this academy, so couldn''t but to curse city''s (B) advanced annoying sorcery, technology...or whatever it is.

    "I''m here for Greens library".

    Taking few seconds the robot reminded her she needs a passage entry from a member of the Greens which Sky stated that she already got one, mentioning Luka''s name.Taking another minute the robot opened its mouth-like orifice that spit golden ticket.

    Assuming it''s the passage entry she took it out then spontaneity wiped her dry clean hand on her clothes for some unknown reason. With the passage entry on her grip, Sky used a teleport mana circles placed on the hallway.Tapping on the words ''Greens library'' floated on the air, a marching up light enveloped her teleporting her to library.

 Chapter 16 : 100 ul

    Reaching her destination, she met with a wide golden door few steps from the circle, where the golden ticket glowed bright when it''s dim. She noticed that no one but her at the hallway, then remembered that the party must still on up in the twelfth floor, maybe that''s why the place is almost empty of people. Her thoughts were cut off when the door automatically unlatched opening wide before her, as it was inviting her to come in. Hence, she found herself surrounded with a familiar smell, a mix of aged-old books and coffee that are just like doctor Sam''s scent, for a moment it reminded her of the old times she spent back at the village.

    Awhile passed since she get there, she moved around the shelves filled with colored books of different sizes and titles that amazed her, she has never seen this count of books in one place before. Wondering in the place nearly for an hour, she came back to front holding three books then put them on a wide wooden table. Right after dragging and sat on the chair, she started to scroll through the first book, titled "The golden Era".

    Evidently, this golden Era it''s when king Lionel was denominated a hero of humanity.

    Flipping through its pages, she read several tales about Lionel, and found some discrepancy from what they were told in village, alot of things were not the same.

    It claimed that Lionel was a hero to the moment of his death, on the day that demon king attempted to loot this kingdom. And the fog curse is a vengeance act of the demon''s king subjects after it''s defeat. But they were always taught that this curse is king Lionel''s doing.

    All this ruffling and she gained nothing from it but a headache, she closed the book sunken in deep thoughts, reposed her head over the table. In the end, it turned out it''s rather more of a legend''s historical book than just a fancy looking one. But again, as doctor Sam constantly told them not to believe all what''s written. How strange; was he referring to this book? With a sigh she broke off her thoughts and picked up the next one, addressed "Mana Affinity".

    The title looked promising as she gathered alot of information from it. It stated that before, two people had similar elements as her''s in the brief kingdom''s history. However, it wasn''t much of a leading information, since they only described it as light element. As she kept scrolling she scowled even more, till finally somthing grapped her attention, those people were both lineage of Lionel.

    If they were light users, and she is a light user, and apparently only Lionel descendant capable of using this sort of element.Then how in world she got it? Her thoughts surfaced.

    "Luck..maybe?" She murmured and gestured looking confused.

    Soon she groaned starting to regret coming here, the things she read here just raised up more questions than answers.

    Putting the book aside, Sky gazes turned to the last hope of finding answers, or at least understanding more about her core and element. After reading for couple of minutes she slammed the last book covered close, balling her fist in anger.This one''s titled "Core''s Defects", pretty much let her down.

    "Dragon scales!! Star dusts!!...What the hell!! Was everyone in that era delusional?!!"

    She shouted almost cried. Leaning then swaying back and forth with chair hopelessly, she is now left with one choice.

    Then out of the blue she heard a peep sounds alarmed her, making her jump off the chair, till she noticed it was just the spectral screen getting a call from unknown number.

    She thought it was weird since she has all her college''s contact information. To get a call from unknown number, perhaps..it might not be a student. There was no point of thinking too much, thus she accepted the call.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    "WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU !!! STUDENT SKY!!"

    Flinched at the terrific shriek of Hurricane that ripped the heart out of her chest, she stammered.

    "l''m....library..sir...I mean...at the Greens library".

    Sky''s legs couldn''t stop trembling, and the long silence from the other side made her feel even worse. Well, she did get the hellish beating from her during training sessions, and now she sobs since she answered a call just to get scolded.

    "You...do you have any idea how late you are? I even got a call from the gurads about a missing student, reported by her roommate!".

    Sky''s face showed a surprise expression then felt guilty noticing how dark the shades were. Then again her mind sobered capturing Hurricane''s last words. Feeling her vein almost pops up with fury, Sky then faked a smile and replied putting the books back:

    "I''m sorry for troubling you, it will never happen again, I promise".

    "You bet you won''t, and that roommate of yours...I don''t care how much she is worried, like I don''t care if you grow diabolical horns! just kick her butt and send her to hell for waking me up!!".

    With pleasure Sky smirked.

    "Roger that head teacher".

    It didn''t took her much time to return to the dorms, furthermore, Cheryl got a dreadful punishment arise from hell.

    Sky spent the next few days forcing on physical training and studying at the Greens library. Yet unlike the other days, today is different, since they are having a friendly duels with class (B). However, in contrary to the name, it was just for decoration purposes.

    Class (B) showed no mercy, where they made the unexperienced class (C) looked pathetic.

    The duals were over in a flash and thus returned to their dorm. Sky sat on her bed whining whilst lifting her forearm, it was marked with burns caused by her opponent who was a fire affinity

    "Just because they got invitations they looked down on us, snooty brats!" Sky complained.

    Cheryl sighed then opened a small tube smelled like herbs, then poured few drops on Sky''s arm, when it made a contact with the burn she moaned at the cooling effect, then relaxed.

    During the dual when the fire hit her she thought they would heal on the spot. She had no idea that Helton would put 100ul as a price for every wound, therefore, the friendly fight was armageddon''s simulation. Council or not, that malicious doing alone made her want to punch his clownish face.

    "You should just pay it, and look...it will leave a mark..." Said Cheryl.

    Pulling the uniform sleeve slightly down, Sky looked at the mark then shaked her head angery.

    "That will only satisfy him, his laughters still ringing on my ears...do you really think he will act like that if Hurricane was there?"

    Silence pierced for a moment then they bursted laughing, remembering what happened when Hurricane poured her rage on him.

    Nevertheless, Sky thought it''s just a superficial burn, with time it will heal it self, yet still 100ul is too much for her.

    "100ul say! Probably he wants us to turn beggars by the end of year, I wish he got striked by lightning and spit golden coins or even better, choke with it!"

    "I hope that too" Cheryl chuckled.

    Thence, Sky got up so to check on others when someone knocked the door. There was a girl whom she gazed on curiously. The girl exclaimed:

    "There is..a...handsome man waiting for you... downstairs".

    Then the girl hurried and left the way she came, leaving Cheryl and Sky with utter confusion, asking who would it be?

    Fixing the sleeve, Sky went down stairs with Cheryl behind.

    "Why are you following me?" Sky scoffed at her.

    "Just curious about this handsome man".

    "ha...so you''re spying on me".

    "Aha..." Cheryl moked her.

    Getting close to the dorm''s gate the visitor''s figure became more clear, then suddenly Sky rushed out where Cheryl looked startled.

    Next to the gate, waited the man who combed his golden thread-like hair to cover his forehead from the dazzling heat wave, in a wink he saw Sky running all lively, as she smiled waving at him.

    "Dante!!"

    He smiled and waved back at her. The last time he saw her was month ago, he couldn''t hide his proudness of her archivement. Notwithstanding, she noticed his gladdened expression shifted in a seconds to dusky one. Catching her off guard, his movements accelerated even faster than her eyes can follow, Sky suddenly felt his presence next to her.

    "Wh...wha?!"

    In no time she found her hand pulled up, where the sleeve slipped up, his grip hurt but not as much as to her being startled, she had never seen this flared up side of him before.

    "NAME!!!" He shouted.

    "What?!" She was scared looking at his eyes that beamed with anger.

    "I need name Sky!!" He shouted again.

    To her shock Sky didn''t hear Cherylee shouting at to him: "It was Helton! he told..."

    Hearing no more, Dante slowly loosed his grip off Sky then vanished without a trace.

 Chapter 17 : Cheryls recommendation

    It was one step on ground and Dante''s body dashed forward with unbelievable speed not traceable to normal eyes. Having the figure of grim reaper his teeth grinded in rage with only one thought on his mind; to grave a lesson on that bastard Helton''s shity head. Till...

    "Huh!" He gasped.

    Aggressive intense fog clouded his vision and startled him to pause before it, unable to escape on time leaded him to be wrapped tight by the fog, he looked confused. Held up in unbalanced position by the fog, he stumped it couple of times, but fell and slammed his face on the hard ground unable to break free. He groaned in pain with a running bleedy nose.

    "Oh no! you actually broke his nose, Oba!" Said a female voice.

    " Dante, you''re alright dude..right?"

    Lifting up his head recognizing the very familiar affinity of Oba and glanced the female next to him, Winter.

    "Both of you better run before I fry your asses out!" He menacingly stated.

    Processing the threat into reality with the electric sparks manifested around him, instinctively both Winter and Oba retreated step back.

    "Calm down, and think rationally..."

    Their hands were up surrendered when Winter yelled then added:

    "If you assault Helton right now, not only you''ll hurt yourself but it''ll fired back on us too not to mention Sky".

    She did hope he''ll listen to voice of reason, but like usual he didn''t. He crawled struggling against the tight fog grip around him. Oba frowned attaching his palm to his forehead and sighed then turned back and nodded to Winter, the latter sighed in disappointment.

    "Don''t blame us, we meant good..."

    Winter said removing her gloves out, Dante''s eyes widen, she was serious planning to activate her poison affinity. He sensed the danger and wiggled away as possible from her. Oba told her to wait, he obviously was trying to hold back his laughters, it was amusing to see Dante struggling with that threatful glare on his eyes. Oba then kneeled to his level, trying one more time.

    "In all case we''ll get fried by you, so.. either we leave your unconscious body laying in middle of academy or... actually for a second, listen to your teammates like good leaders do".

    Dante didn''t like this black mailing at all he bit his lips, yet he deactivated his affinity while fixing his posture to sit properly, the bloody nose made Winter grasp. She pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and hurried to wip the blood.

    "I bet you enjoyed his Oba "

    Dante glared at him but twitched in pain from Winter pressing on his injury.

    "I did indeed" Oba smirked crossing his arms.

    They exchanged glares making some tension.

    "Stop this both of you! Oba, set Dante free already" Winter exclaimed with popped anger-vein.

    Oba couldn''t be grumpier at this yet he redrew it quickly.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    "Winter! Oba!"

    Dante flinched then cursed seeing Sky running toward them with Cheryl.

    "What the hell wrong with you?! Acting like a mad man?" Sky shouted kicking his black boot. That when her gazes met up with his bleeding nose .

    "What happened Winter?"

    Apparently, Sky and Cheryl didn''t witness the quarrel thanks to the fog Oba casted.

    Winter was surprised with the sudden question directed to her and immediately denied and she was out of fault. Oba was left under suspicion light. Not liking what she did he spit what happened in details. Dante knew his sister is overprotective, it was his chance to play sly when non of them saw his smirk, he started to groan in fake painful matters, and it worked like magic.

    "What you mean self defense? look at him! My brother''s nose is misshapened and bleeding! senior Oba I''m very disappointed in you!" Sky aggressively talked back.

    Oba was struck by that, he turned around silently with trembled lips. Cheryl and Sky confusingly questioned how fragile he is.

    To some level, Oba did have a sensitive side, and a little girl just told he is a disappointment.

    Dante''s joke gone far, but he did care it served him right, he secretly chuckled down there. Winter approached Sky''s ear and whispered..

    "You just opened one of his childhood''s wounds, give him a minute to recover".

    "Wha?!! I didn''t mean to!"

    Sky was startled, and on the other hand Cheryl gazed in confusion.

    "The famous (A) rank team...?"She whispered to herself.

    After what happened, Cheryl tried to break some tension and kept talking about the mini new food stake in mile town. It just raised the curiosity in Sky''s and Dante''s minds, it made their drools dropped by how deliciousness she described it, ''heavenly'' she said.

    Teleport by one of academy''s mana ring they reached the busy town in no time. Scrolling around gazing in all directions, Sky almost get lost if it wasn''t for Winter''s bright unquie hair and Cheryl among crowd, their figures are quickly notable.

    "Its here guys!" Cheryl waved at the rest to come by. She stood infront of plain wooden table with two long benchs on the sides placed on the corner of street. Sky was suspicious, the description heavenly and what she sees don''t match.

    "Its might be abit uncomfortable with people walking around, but I promise the food is so good". She emphasized at the last words.

    Dante and Sky exchange glances, then Dante raised his palm.

    "We don''t mind it, we are used to it" Said Dante commenting they don''t mind people walking around, and Sky nodded.

    "Oh..! Then be my guests" Cheryl pointed inviting them to take a seat.

    They put a blind trust on her food''s choices, Sky took the seat next to her and across from Oba, while Dante sat besides Sky and across from Winter. He tried to avoid any cause of trouble between him and Oba.

    Taking the menu Cheryl ordered some dishes after discussing it with others.

    Soon the table was filled with colorful lively dishes, the aroma filled the air made some people stare unconsciously at the dishes and on the yet to come food on waiter''s hands.

    A bit of roast meat in her mouth, Winter moaned from spices assaulted her taste buds, jt was too spicy for her, while the others stated how good and juicy the meat was.

    No left overs remained since Sky took the last chipped bread, rinsed it in meat sauce while humming happily. Dante couldn''t help but to chuckle ob his sister eating habits.

    As fast as the food came so it vanished. With how drowsy and full, Winter yawned at comfort, she hasn''t experienced such pleasure when she was outside the capital.

    "By the way Winter, didn''t you come along with Dante?" Sky asked puzzled since Dante was at the gate alone on the beginning.

    Rubbing her eyes like sleepy Winter

    "Well,... we were just to get back from a long commission at his highness, the prince''s palace. When this blondy over here decided he want to check on you before converting his commission points. While me and Oba headed to teachers hall first to convert ours star points in construction points. There we heard some gossiping about Helton interferes in class (C) business since Hurricane wasn''t around and some were injured badly. Putting the pieces together, we knew if that gossip reached Dante, there will be a massacre. So just in case, we stayed in guard infront of the building if something actually to happen... and here we are".

    Sky faked a smile, she understood some of what she said but other things were unclear for her poor mind. And learned that Dante wasn''t actually mad at her but on what Helton did, so she put herself at rest, but his act was stupid though. Her thoughts were cut off when she felt Dante massaging her dimple like some sort of comforting tool, whilst hearing him cursing Oba then Oba did the same. Honestly, she felt like she was back at kindergarten again looking at those two adults. Taking a deep breath to calm down she removed Dante''s hand off her cheeks before restoring.

    "What''s this star... construction points?" Sky asked.

 Chapter 18 : Sword skills

    A mockery glares were piercing Oba while lip-syncing the word ''asshole'' so his sister won''t hear his bad language, it did annoyed Oba. Then Dante replied:

    "Its money points that most of everyone here deals with, in selling and buying things instead of cash currency".

    Both of Cheryl and Sky were more curious so he continued his explanation giving them his full attention this time...

    "One star point equals 100ul so on. And for construction point, one point equal about.. hmm... ten star points which is about...

    "...1000ul!!" Shouted Sky shocked after doing some calculations.

    "Correct.. although at first these points were only used by academy, but with time, some shops started to do so and then the rest too, for how convenient it is. for example, whether it to buy a dress or a weapon, you need to pay directly with your bank account via the chips".

    "But won''t you get scammed easily that way?"

    Asked Cheryl.

    "Well no, because all transactions are done with secure codes. So any scammer tries to run away with it would be a fatal deed, and you can take your money back in Greens family facilities of trade, by canceling your order, but of course with an evidence supports your claims. That''s why nobody waste his time doing it... well except for some dumb individuals".

    It was a long explanation Oba felt bord.

    "Speaking of buying things, little Sky doesn''t have a soul weapon yet". He stated avoiding eye contact with her, he still taking it hard on himself which made Sky feels apologetic for what she said earlier.

    "Oh.., I forgot about that. Sky, do you have anything to do after this?" Dante asked getting up.

    "I was planning to go to library, but... if we''re going shopping with your charity it would be rude to refuse" She grinned.

    Dante rolled his eye, he knew she is just honey talker, but she''ll will take the opportunity to fork every ''ul'' he had. She''s always been stingy but also a greedy, probably she thinks of him as a rich by now.

    "Library? Why?" He curiously asked.

    In short response "Will tell you later.." She said.

    He only nodded to respect her decision for privacy, but he was still curious. The woman who was cooking in the small stove was paid generously.

    After that, Dante and Sky departed from the others after waving goodbye.

    Sky happily skipped on the road in hopes to finally found adescent weapon. Because the one in training center always breaks when her skill speed activated.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    Wondering the streets they skipped through the crowds carefully till they reached a very familiar street to Dante.

    "Let''s check these on the side first" He said dragging Sky around. Shop after shop, they explored them all until they finally found something interesting.

    A little bit fancy weapon''s gallery of a shop catched Sky''s eyes and shortly they were inside. Wasting no time her eyes rolled over the shelfs and the weapons, she was fascinated by it, there was some aesthetic sense for the ancient civilization merged with modern Camo.

    At the same time, she spoke of her affinity with Dante in the hope he''ll know something about it.

    "Hmm..pure light you said? I''ve never heard of it before..." Dante restored, after hearing about her element''s affinity. "Does it have the same properties of light element?" He asked.

    Held a grip of a metallic dagger off the shelf and inspected it carefully, she replied:

    "I think so? I''m not sure myself, but the skill I got so far are speed and purification"

    Dante looked deep in thought strolling between then shelfs. He then picked up a chain plated with catching dark red color.

    "D...did you like those chains young sir? As you can see it''s made of special...." The shop''s owner asked nervously when he noticed Dante''s choice of interest. The boy didn''t like his voice one bit, so he ignored him and put the dagger back to its place. The shop''s owner became more nervous to talk after Dante''s glare.

    "Did anything catch your eyes so far?" Dante said with some boredom in his face.

    "Um.., not really, I thought we''ll find something her but I guess not". Dante heard her reply when he stood next to her, and so did the the owner who stuttered "P..p..please costumer, wait! I have yet one weapon to show you, it might serve what you''re looking for".

    Dante''s gazes followed the man walking to upper floor, they were curious so they waited for him. When he came back with something wrapped on his hands, he looked sweaty more than before, so the siblings glared at him with raised suspicious.

    "What if he was swindler?" Sky whispered on Dante''s ear.

    "He wouldn''t dare, I mean look at him...the man looked like he would blown by the wind at any second" He whispered back. Sky nodded pitying the owner. "Leave it to me" Dante added.

    "A short Sword?!" Sky exclaimed looking at the short thin sword shown to her.

    She was lost of words staring on the beautiful dangle white long strip, from the sliver handle to the thin long crimson tip with some ruins written on both side of the blade in a shade of red, adding to it a beautiful and deadly look.

    She sighted Dante who nodded at her, then she used her chip to scan the weapon for appraisal.

    Weapon type: Sword, title [ Will of Fallen]

    Sword Soul description: The Ancient blade, thin with average sharp edges, many opponents were defeated at once under its master command, victory is guaranteed. One day the master prayed for forgiveness for those he took their souls, but no answer was given. Fallen into grief and eaten by regret, its master last command was to cut him into half but the blade defied its will, blad''s soul wish for master... ''no more''.

    Sword Skills: [Whisper of the Fallen], [Seeker of Forgiveness], [Curse of existence].

    Sky got the shiver from what she just read and almost stump on her own foot if it wasn''t for Dante lending her a grip.

    Dante tapped his screen to appraise the weapon again, sensing its oddness about this sword, he took a brief look then sighed.

    "You shouldn''t sell these kind of weapons to anyone, how you call yourself a weapon trader you steak head! I hope you get rid of it before the unfortunate happen!".

    He snapped nearly throwing it but restrained and put it on Sky''s hands aggressively. The shop''s owner eyes roamed around then nervously yelling:

    "You think I didn''t? I tried many times to get rid of it, b..but.... for some reason it kept on... getting back in the same shelf!!! That''s why I locked away!!" The owner collapsed Kneeling on his four limbs starleted them both.

    "This...sword is work of evil ....ever since I bought it, I had the worst nightmares.. non-stopping nightmares..." He was devastated.

    Suddenly the man lifted his head begging...

    "Please young sir! I''ll do anything... you can take it for free... just take it out of my life!"

 Chapter 19 : purification

    Dante''s expression turned serious pitying the man.

    "Go to Green faculty of research and look for Nil Green, if they ask you why, just say the word raven, got it..."

    "Huh?"

    "Now!!" Dante shouted.

    He frightened the man to dash out the doors without looking back. Sky was like stone sighting the whole thing, with the sword on her palms, until Dante pat on her shoulder which made her flinch.

    "It''s alright, it''s just storyline from long-time ago, nothing serious".

    known he just lied to her, she sighted him with a fleer. Accordingl, it seems the sword is a cursed tool. Thinking of it she gasped ''Wait does that mean I''m now..!!'' Her thoughts run wild.

    "Calm down, as soon when Nil Greens come to cleanse the curse''s leftover, you will be fine I promise" To not let her jumps in conclusions, Dante quickly stated.

    She noticed Dante''s trembled hand over her shoulder, he acted cool but he was worried.

    "Martyr of bravery..." She said side glancing him sarcastically.

    "I''m fed up with nightmares, no room for damn cursed nightmares to end up with only few starnds like steak head owner" He smirked with fleer.

    His reaction confirmed her worries, Sky''s eye nervously spaced out until a word clicked in her mind, ''Cleanse as in purification! wait! The skills!!''

    All of a sudden, she breathed and enhaled to grip the sword tightly, eyes closed.

    "What the hell are you doing! SKY!"

    Ignoring Dante''s yelling she actived her skill, a brilliant light covered her palms and the sword.

    At that moment, her body flelt heavy and almost let go of it, when...

    (DIE!die!kill her, stab her to death, drown her haha slowly, fragment of....ki....,dro..... aliv...)

    A hideous voice drumed loudly through her ears, it was like being cursed, but the voice gradually dissappeared along with the light in her palm.

    Dante''s big eyes were questioning surprised of what just happened. Reopening her eyes to see a newly looking sword, silver and white instead of crimson with glowing ruins in each side.

    "Its look more fancy and expensive.." she commented.

    She appraised it for again with uncertain trembling hands.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Sword: [Light of Fallen ]

    Sword soul description: The Ancient blade, thin with average sharp edges, many opponents were defeated at once under its master command, victory is guaranteed. One day the master prayed for forgiveness for those he took their souls, waiting for hundreds of years, an answer was given with a fragment of light. The blade bow in the memory of its old master with sadness and hazy smile.

    Sword skill: [Whispers of Fallen], [Brilliant Light Seeker], [ Hope Existence], [ Judgment Day].

    "Sky?!"

    Waking up to reality on Dante''s voice, her legs finally gave in as her body collapsed Kneeling on the floor. "As much as I''m glad you''re okay sis, but..." Dante restored then shouted with grim:

    "Don''t you ever scare me like that again!!"

    She felt his tip slapped her back, Sky yelped covering her face.

    "W..wait!!are you crying?! I''m sorry I didn''t mean to hurt you!!!" He freaked out and kneeled by her side when she trembled.

    "N..o,...its not you...it''s just,..this was.. A...L..ong day" she stuttered.

    He was concerned but relaxed a bit when confirmed no harm occurred.

    Soon after, Nil Green arrived with two robots on her side. She sighted the place and evaluated the situation, Dante and Sky were kicked first, they were a stumble as she called them. They were embarrassed on how they were treated, especially Dante who scratched his cheek, he still can''t get to like the Greens though. As the cleanse for the shop and weapons was done in short time.

    At the end Dante offers to walk her back to the dorm since it''s almost dark. So they teleported back to the academy.

    "Honestly, this is not what I had in mind when I got back here". Dante wouldn''t be grumpier as he stated.

    Sky chuckld as they both walked through path leading to dorms.

    "Me too. I thought of a normal day, although I''m kinda feel regretful we couldn''t have it. She totally refused to give me the sword... what a pity" Sky replied with a sigh.

    "I will talk to her again if you really like it that much"

    Her face lightened up and nodded. He side glanced her, he hesitant at first but...

    "Earlier... you wanted to talk with me about something?" He asked.

    "Oh, that..."

    She thought about it but then, she started to tell him everything happened during the entrance exam and how that mysterious woman helped her to pass, and didn''t forgot to mention her life in academy in details.

    "Spiked bear!!...Huh?...That unexpected... Cracked core!!.....pyramid?..that''s a problem...."

    That''s was Dante''s reaction in sum for his sister''s complaining about her misfortuns so far. With a smile he rubbed her head empathized with her.

    "You poor little thing... I told you this place is a hell, but...you did well so far" he stated then chuckled.

    Sky frowned as she slapped his hand down.

    "We''re only two years a part, why you acting like this?"

    Ignoring her question he rubbed her head again while his palm on his chin which annoyed her farther, but stated...

    "From what Dr.Sam said your core is nearly healed. But something must''ve gone wrong or stopped it from healing completely...I assume"

    Tend to be worried she bit her lips and logged to her main information.

    Student name: Sky Logen

    Rank: 31

    Core type: Pyramid

    Soul weapon:(?)

    Mana affinity: Pure Light

    Infinity mastery:1%

    Skills: speed lv1, purification lv1

    Essential rate:88%

    "Huh!! my mastery percentage got up!!!"

    Her shocked expression amused Dante to smile then rubbed his chin saying:

    "Maybe because you purificat the sword curse.."

    Now that he mentioned it, shouldn''t her essential rate drop more than this since she used a skill too?... Or the sword did something? Her thoughts surfaced.

    "I...I don''t know, could it be?"

    Dante shuddered wasn''t really sure himself.

    "Let''s focus on finding a solution for your core''s essential first. So far, there are two temporary ways to solve this. I remember Oba had almost a similar situation like you a year ago".

    Pausing her steps Sky was surprised. "Oba!! He had cracked core?" She exclaimed.

 Chapter 20 : soul weapons

    Yea, we were ambushed by Shadows lord subjects. He..he took the hit for me and....got injured pretty heavily, dark mana entered his soul core and...cracked it..that''s when it happened".

    Dante''s expressions were dim for a moment, while confusion was written on Sky''s face.

    "What''s dark mana?" She asked.

    His face went darker while remembering what happened, then replied:

    "Its mana infusions with demonic present and it''s poisonous to humans. Till this day, Oba sometimes struggles in pain from it, some sort of side effect".

    It was shocking terrifying thing to know, she was concerned.

    "So this demonic mana can crack someone''s core.."

    "Correct, or even shatter it completely if the offensive was a strong demon. Luckily for us it wasn''t...Ah...so like l said there are two temporary ways: one is mana potions, although it''s not a practical because its only restore 1% of essential rate".

    "And the second option?".

    "Well..., through high quality resources potions, It can restore up to 30% which make it an amazing solution".

    When they reached the girl''s dorm gates, Sky saw hope. The mentioned potions can really benefit her right now, yet a very important matter kept poking her head,...money!

    "Then...h...ow...much is...it?" She mumbled stuttering.

    Dante saw her awkward expression, he was stressed out when he sighed heavily.

    "Normal potion costs 500ul per bottle, as for high quality...it''s 1,000,00 per bottle"

    Dante then smiled and added: "And you know what, I know you can''t afford it, not because you are poor, but because I know you''re a cheeseparing" He tuned.

    Sky elbowed him hard yet he laughed and said:

    "...But if you have the right resources they can make one for you, for free!".

    She rolled her eyes wailing her luck then restoring plainly saying:

    "Let me guess, they are hard to find? or from hundreds years ago extincted somewhat materials?"

    Just remembering whats written on those book that she read made her face darken and sour.

    "Hmm, not quietly. I Know where to find them but the real problem is...most of them are in dangerous places for us to go right now".

    Blinking couple of times, Sky couldn''t help but to suck cold breath at this.

    "Then how much strong someone can be to look for them?"

    "Again, most of them not all. For the mean time I will send you a package of normal potions, with a dimensional ring you can keep it up with you all the time".

    "B..but wouldn''t that be very expensive for you? 500ul is not a joke!!"

    With a smirk waving the hair off his forehead dramatically with his hand, as if bragging how handsome he is, Dante stated:

    "You forgot that your brother not only works for the prince, but also a famous meracary..."

    He laughed and felt at the top bragging infront of her. As Sky wanted to question him, not even knew about that, a transparent screen poped in front of her made her jaw drops in shock.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    "You''re....Literally a walking charity bank!!!"

    Cringed uncomfortably at her odd choice of words he replied: "Hey now, I have been saving for almost an year so I can buy mom and dad a house here".

    ''As usual he put others first before himself unlike me'' She thought.

    He sighted her looking down, he rubbed her head like a kid again.

    "Don''t worry, you will pay me half of the price back when you graduate" He smiled.

    She slapped his hand lightly then smirked.

    "Bold of you to assume that will do"

    He couldn''t suppress his laughters to her comment, as they kept chatting unaware of the stares piercing their back heads, the many girls were spying and looking down from dorm''s windows. The front door opens suddenly showing a fake surprised Cheryl.

    "You guy, still together! so cute...love birds.." She tuned.

    Shivering at the words that hinted something odd, the siblings showed a disgusted faces.

    "The hell! he''s my brother you dumb ass tangerine head!!" Sky yelled pissed off.

    "Stop lying, you don''t even look alike, do you?" Cheryl stated confused.

    Glancing his sister vein almost pops out, Dante felt the bitter at repetitive question they always have to deal with and explain they are truly siblings, he hates the doubt people''s give about their relationship.

    "Don''t bother yourself with it, just go inside. See ya tomorrow"

    Dante was about to leave when his steps paused noticing a female figure no far infront of him with fix gazes raised the pure hate within him.

    "Is that why you refused the marriage offer from my day? You already have a lover sir Dante?"

    Sky nearly vomit at her words, now even strangers got the wrong ideas, and who the hell is she? And what marriage offer?

    "She is my sister miss Elena".

    Dante replied with a sigh then signed for Sky to enter the dorm. But he was late because Elena''s sliver eyes glared intensely at Sky behind him, it took her a second to cross her arm in attempt of challenging her.

    "What''s your name? I''ve never seen you before"

    Dante was pissed off and about to restore it''s none of her business when Sky fixed her feetsteps.

    "Sky, class C" She said with a daring glare and crossed arms with her in same posture. Dante''s face plained on this childish behavior.

    "Class C?Oh....no wonder" Elena grinned.

    "What the hell that suppose to mean you...sliver..w...." Sky growled yet not finished her statement when Dante covered her mouth with fast move, and before she spit something both of them will regret it and face a consequence.

    Elena''s eye brow raised with no intention to let it slide, she restored back.

    "Sliver what?"

    Sky was erogant to finish her sentence despite Dante''s effort to forbid her knowing how of a lousy mouth she has, he sensed she was foaming with anger.

    "She is one of the current king''s daughter, don''t mind her, let me do the talking, understood?" He whispered in her ears.

    Side eye him with rage, Sky close her eyelids to calm down, so he let her go, and turned back to Elena.

    "She just admires your beautiful sliver hair your highness" Dante stated.

    Sliding couple strands of her hair behind her ear she blushed.

    "Is that so, what about you then?" She shyly asked.

    It was alarming how fast she shifted from killer''s vibes to this all girly shy version, not to mention the question took him by surprise, its definitely a trap he thought.

    "H..huh?.W..well...yea sure...Ah...beautiful..?"

    He stuttered multiple times.

    "You''re asking or stating, sir Dante?"

    Cheryl whispered to Sky as she got closer.

    "Hey, aren''t going to help your brother?"

    Yet to notice that Sky was suppreing her laughters, sure Sky didn''t like the girl but knowing Dante sucks at dealing with girls, she can''t but laugh.

    "And miss the scene? No. So you were faking it again weren''t you?" Sky snickered.

    Cheryl laughed pretending not to hear the question, instead changed the subject.

    "You know what''s funny, they actually look like siblings more than you do" She said pointing at Dante and Elena.

    Sky kicked her leg, Cheryl yelped loudly caressing her where it pains, gaining both Dante''s and Elena''s attention.

    "A..nyway, it''s already late, sleep well you highness, bye!"

    Sky chuckled sighted him escaping his skin dodging Elena''s question, the latter was left out puzzled. So as well Sky who yawned then entered the dorm while ignoring the glares upon her on the way to her room in second floor. In relife, she opened her shared room''s door with it finally over, as she jumped on cotton bedding in comfort she hugged her pillow.

    "This....really..was..long day" Sky said yawning with half opened eyelids that soon close.

    Next morning Sky woke up earlier than usual thanks to grumpy Cheryl making a mess in the room just to find her other shoe''s pair to go to classes.

    "Hey did you see my light pink shoes?" She asked noticing Sky was a wake.

    Lazily Sky Pointed at last drawer next to closet, searching there...

    "Found it! Thanks piper...by the way, that''s a cool white sword, neat" Cheryl exclaimed as she wear it and ready to leave.

    The moment she left, Sky wondered on what she meant till she noticed the familiar white blade half warped on the edge of bed.

    "Wh...what the..! How?!....Huh!"

    The suddenly popped out spectral screen startled her even farther.

    [Would you like to appoint the sword ''Will of Fallen'' as your soul weapon?] So stated the screen.