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2024-10-29 19:42:56Hah, it’s fine I guess.
Can’t keep on hating every doctor I came across, it’s too much work.
Taking a deep breath, I retained my composure.
With that, the doctor blitzed through the checkup, going as far as to ask about my medical history and if I had any problems up there.
“No.” I answered bluntly.
She nodded as she penned down something.
After that, she took my blood and urine for some more tests before coming back out with a smile on her face.
“You are quite healthy, Jeremy.”
“...I try my best.”
“Here you go.” She handed over an ID card with my face and basic details on it. “Welcome to the Academy for the Gifted.”
“Thank you.”
“I hope you enjoy your stay.”
“I hope so too.”
After I took possession of the ID card, she allowed me pass the door behind her which led me to yet another hallway, even though this one was shorter than the previous one.
I walk down the hall until I got to a split.
Following her direction, I took the left split and walked down till I got to another door.
Ugh, how many doors are there?
Knocking gently, I placed my other hand on the door handle.
“Come in.” a gruff voice answered.
I opened the door and walked into a classroom with over 50 chairs which looked pretty worn out.
Everyone seemed to be here, including the rude man from earlier… is he really going to be our instructor?
My stomach churned at the thought.
“Have a seat.” He said without bothering to look up, casually going through the file he had in his hands.
I quickly took a seat like the others as we waited for the rude man to address us.
A few seconds passed before he finally closed the file roughly and turned to face us.
With a smirk, he counted. “1,2… 30.”
Uhmm, I don’t think that’s how you count… also, what are you counting?
“You must be wondering why I skipped the rest of the numbers between 2 and 30. Well that’s because 1 and 2 represent the number of candidates that managed to pass the first test in flying colors.”
I furrowed my brows as the man made eye contact with me.
Did he read my thoughts?
Shit!
Wait a minute… he said something about a test.
What happened in the registration room was a test?
That messed up shit?
What the fuck!
Also, only two… that meant…
I glanced over to where the pale girl sat before switching to the red head.
Now that that I think about it, those were the only ones still standing after the light came on.
No, actually, the red head looked nauseated. The only person that was unaffected was… my gaze landed on the pale girl.
How the hell did she go through that without flinching once?
Is she some kind of monster?
She seemed to notice my gaze as she turned to meet my eyes.
Shit.
I quickly turned away while gulping.
This is crazy.
Just then I heard the rude man chuckle. “My name is Rodger Smith. I will be your physical therapy instructor. I hope you all give me a good show while we are at it.”
“…”
“Whenever I talk, I expect your reply to be, yes sir.”
“Yes sir!”
“Good. Now tell me, what do you know about Explorers?”
Huh, what kind of messed up question is that?... Also, why is he asking?
Suddenly, the skinny kid from earlier put up his hands. “Explorers are people that leave Haven to reclaim the outside world for future generations.”
“Hoh, that’s a pretty nice one.”
Yet another hand went up. “They are heroes of humanity.”
“Oh wow, Heroes. That’s neat.”
I noticed another hand go up when Rodgers added without remorse. “If you all believe that nonsense, then I believe this set is made up of a bunch of fools!”
What?
I don’t think I heard that correctly.
He continued without bothering to check our expressions. “Explorers aren’t heroes neither do they champion some worthy cause. They are fools willing to risk their lives to figure out the truth behind the collapse of civilization.
“I mean, why else would someone place himself at the hands of madness and death when he could stay in the Tower and live a peaceful life?”
Was he mocking those willing to risk their lives for the greater good?
Did he see them as fools?
No… that’s not right, if not for them, there’s no way we would be able to recover the outside world.
I mean, is he not aware of the current state of the Heart?
How could he say something like that?
“You should think carefully if you want to come into this academy because once you get in… there’s no way out.” Rodgers remarked with a snicker. “Whatever goal you want to achieve…is it worth placing your life at risk?”
“Yes.” I answered without thinking.
Rodgers and I make eye contact as the others turn to me as well.
Oh well, there’s no going back now.
“I don’t care what you think about Explorers but there’s no way you’d ever be able to convince me that they aren’t Heroes. Unlike deadbeats like you that remain here in the Tower, they are willing to risk their life to return the outside world to their future generations.
“They know just how terrible it is to live your whole life in a Tower when there is a wider world out there waiting to be reclaimed. So yes, to fulfill my father’s dream of reclaiming the world… I am willing to sacrifice my life.”
… Wow, did I just say that out loud?
Fuck, that was cringe.
But that was my belief.
Dad always told me stories about that world with a blue sky, ocean, wildlife… he never experienced any of that but he believed that one day if he worked hard enough… we’d be able to experience it together.
For his sake… for my sake, I will complete his wish and reclaim that world.
Clap…clap
“Interesting.” Captain Rodgers said smilingly. “I like people like you. People with fire burning in their hearts. But the question remains… would that fire keep burning after you experience what lays behind the fog?”
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I couldn’t answer his question.Even though I answered a variant of said question yesterday, I hesitated.Leila had asked and now this rude bastard asked me again.It was at a level where I had to step back to reevaluate what I understood.I bit my lower lip to keep calm. Recalling what I read in dad’s journal, I pondered on what I’d do if faced with those situations.Even though the outside world was a beautiful place, right now it was crawling with Otherworldly, creatures residing in the Fog with only two goals.Death and destruction.They were part of the reasons why humanity had to abandon that world and live within a Tower.And even now, their existence threatened ours.Would I be able to handle it?I couldn’t be sure any longer.Fear slowly crept into my heart and the crazy captain seemed to notice as he cracked a mocking smile upon seeing my expression.He must think of me as an impulsive teen with only big dreams and no idea on how to fulfill them.Meeting his gaze aggravated
At World's End Entry 12
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At World's End Entry 13
“Today being an introductory class, we will be discussing basic information about Explorers, who they are, why they are important to the Tower and what mindset to have as a candidate.”A middle aged man wearing a dirt brown suit with glasses and a weird moustache, stood at the podium, addressing us.He looked familiar with his slightly large build and chubby cheeks, maybe because I had seen him quite a few times in Dad’s lab.He was one of his fellow Explorer buddies that was more inclined to seeking knowledge than fighting monsters.Anyway, his name was Professor Charles Webber and he completely disappeared after my dad’s death.Just like several others that acted friendly when he was alive and left the moment his death was deemed as suicide.What Leila said was right that Dad’s death had something to do with the Twelve since no-one had the guts to step up to refute the claims of Dad committing suicide.The problem though was which of them did it?If I remembered correctly, most were
At World's End Entry 14
I wasn’t comfortable eating in a crowded table so I looked around for a place to sit.As my search reached a climax, luck shone upon me as I find an empty table… that is if I don’t count the pale girl currently occupying it.Shit, how come she’s here?Wait, it’s lunchtime, stupid… as I tapped my head, she noticed my presence as she looked up and momentarily, our eyes met.Oh no… I instinctively gulped as I recalled the vomit incident.Sure she said it was okay but it’s not like that makes it okay, right?I mean that’s a terrible first impression.Hah, wait, she doesn’t seem disgusted to see me.I said this because her expression was quite normal. But what if that’s her angry face?Shit, now that eye contact has gone on for so long, do I have to say something?Ugh, I really don’t understand how this works.Don’t judge me for not knowing what to do!...it’s really hard to think right now.“Are you looking for a place to sit?” she suddenly asked.Do I respond with a yes or a no?... Would
At World's End Entry 15
Darkness yet again… this should be my second time in this state.I feel the same thing… like I’m an extension of it.It’s weird to experience the same thing since last time was so random.This time, it wasn’t like I intended to come here again but I ended up here regardless.But the instructor said something about feeling peaceful.I followed the meditation technique to the letter so why am I here instead?Not a world of beautiful flowers or a world with a clear blue sky… just darkness.Was it a sign of something to come?... I’d rather not think too deeply about it.I should stay calm…there’s no reason why I should feel scared.The darkness might be suffocating, but that’s only because I’m not used to it.If I accept it as an extension, wouldn’t that mean that the discomfort would disappear as well?Take a deep breath… that’s better.Hmm, this meditation thing isn’t so bad after all.Just then, I felt a light tap on my shoulder, dragging me out from the reverie I felt.As I opened my
At World's End Entry 16
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At World's End Entry 17
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At World's End Entry 18
I couldn’t understand it. I know it was indeed good to challenge myself but I was worried. Worried about failure. Would I be able to handle it if I failed? But then again, how could I allow the thought of failure stop me from trying? Hadn’t I come to the Academy to challenge myself? To gain the strength required to finish Dad’s goal? Wasn’t that why I left an easygoing life with Leila? So what was the need to hesitate? Sure it wasn’t my plan to go the hard route but did I have a plan to begin with? Of course not! The only thing I knew as I stepped into the academy was that I had to become an Explorer to fulfill Dad’s wish. I don’t know why Leah picked out Gold rank martial arts but it did nothing to slow down my plans. If anything, it kept me on my toes and that was what I needed. Without knowing it, I had become a bit lax. Now was the time to step up. So as I made my way to the Weapon’s hall, I knew what had to be done. It hadn’t been long since Leah and I parted ways
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Entry 170
The Otherworldly were graded according to a system created by mankind after constant bouts with them.From E, it ascended thusly; E, D, C, B, A, S, SS and lastly Godspawn.Two things were used in the grading process.One was the destructive capabilities of said monster while the second was the utility of their ability.Which meant a flame monster could be lesser than a monster that can’t be seen simply because the monster that can’t be seen won’t be easily beat.For the flame monster, there would surely be ways to counter since it’s seen but the other… the first step would be to see it no?Other criteria was put into consideration as well, like how hard was it to kill one or like how fast were their regenerative capabilities.Of course this applied to most Otherworldly.Yes, most.The SS and Godspawn were different.They were a class that defied natural laws and created conundrums that defied everything humanity had come to understand.The difference between an SS and a Godspawn was t
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Entry 169
It was a simple plan with a simple purpose in mind.Reginald, Veronica and Jeremy.These three had abandoned the pain and suffering from that time during the newbie massacre to come together for a singular reason.What was the reason you might ask?... It was purely revenge.Revenge for their fallen comrades that had died unjustly at the hands of scheming bastards that hid within the shadows.The fact that they had found out whom the perpetrators were made it all the more better.At least they wouldn’t move like headless flies.Now they could move with the desire to kill the one that caused them the grievance they were still suffering even as they sat in Jeremy’s room, talking with smiled on their faces.Leah hadn’t been fooled when she saw them smile and laugh so energetically.It was most likely because they didn’t want her to worry.Unfortunately, she no longer had eyes that could be deceived.Leah only listened to the hearts of those she communicated with and currently, as she list
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Entry 168
Veronica sighed as she rose from her bed and walked over to the door to open it only to find her father standing outside.“Dad, you?” Veronica said.Her father nodded. “Were you sleeping?”“No… not yet.” Veronica shook her head in response.“I thought as much. Alright, let me come in first.” With that said, he casually entered without giving Veronica much of a choice to refuse or anything of that sort.She watched on as he sat on her bed and made himself comfortable before tapping on the bed.“Come sit.”Veronica pursed her lips before letting out a sigh. “still as intrusive as ever.”Sitting beside her father, she waited for him to talk.He pondered for a bit before he spoke. “how are you feeling?”“Fine.” Veronica replied.Her father glanced at her and after a bit of scrutiny, shook his head. “that’s a lie.”“If you already know, then why ask?”“To know if you are willing to tell yourself the truth.”“…The truth is too painful to accept.”Her father stared at her solemn face and aft
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Entry 167
It all happened so suddenly.One moment, the thugs were trying to take down Jeremy and Marcus to take away their belongings and the next moment, they were writhing on the floor like worms that had salt poured in them.As they groaned and gasped for air, Jeremy looked on with an expressionless look on his face.Meanwhile, Marcus was somewhat terrified.Just what power had Jeremy used?He couldn’t even begin to fathom it.But then he wondered. If he had such an ability… wouldn’t Ria still be alive now?Wouldn’t he have been able to save Ria and ensure nothing happens to her?As that thought came, Marcus found himself pondering on it more and more until he could hardly think of anything else.Then he heard Jeremy’s voice. “This not power you should hope for.”His voice snapped Marcus out of his reverie, causing him to realize that he had Ben staring off into nothingness for a bit too long.Then he glanced at Jeremy who was staring intently at him.“how did you do that!” Marcus immediatel
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Entry 166
“You heard about the fire?” Jeremy inquired with a raised brow.Reginald nodded. “It was a dangerous affair after all. It’s one of the few times when an entire floor was threatened. If anything had gone wrong, we would have seen casualties in the thousands.”“I agree. And that was just a side effect.”“A side effect, you say?” Reginald raised a brow.Jeremy replied. “Yeah. Apparently, Marcus only had to kill some mafia leader that had his hands on the black market on that floor, engaging in unsavory activities including drugs, prostitution and slavery.”“that… wait, you said the orb is a Vestige?” Reginald asked.Jeremy nodded. “it is.”“so how did he use it?... Aren’t Vestiges objects that only react to variance?... So how did he activate it?”“I have no idea.” Replied Jeremy in all honesty.He was also quite curious to figure out how it happened.It was a known fact that even ordinary Explorers could not use Vestiges because of their lack of variance.But Marcus managed to do so des
