Derrick picked up the manual Edgar had given him. The man had emphasized it so much that it would be a little foolish not to read it.And Derrick needed to know what was going to happen from here. Edgar did not behave like a guide at all and just left him with vague guidance. Derrick himself was too lazy to ask the man anything. Since there was a handy book here that did not require him to associate with anybody, why not?He started reading the manual. Its content was pretty easy to understand. Derrick had just found out that this organization was called the Martial Arts Training Academy. Not headquarters. He had Harrison and the president to blame for that. The first few lines consisted of the rules of the academy which were, to be honest, a little too few. The rules were just saying; that you can have all the freedom you want. Just don't cause any trouble outside the academy or you'll face the consequences yourself while the academy looks on with arms folded. The rules also sa
Jason looked at the state of Derrick's belongings, shook his head, and sighed. He closed the door behind himself and walked to his corner." Wait for me. I'll be out in a minute". He told Derrick as he entered the bathroom.Derrick furrowed his brows " Why should I wait for you?". He asked loudly." Just wait. There are some things you need to know". Jason's voice called out from the bathroom.Derrick was a little puzzled by Jason's request, but he waited anyway. He was unfamiliar with this place and would appreciate any new information.After some minutes, Jason came out of the bathroom with white steam rising from his body. He picked up some new clothes and wore them before turning to Derrick." You just arrived at the academy and you don't know much, but it's a rule for the roommate of the newcomer or the nearest person around to show them how things are run in the academy". " But, a guide already showed me around when I arrived". Derrick pointed out.Jason dismissively waved his
Outside the fighting hall.The two men had already walked some meters away when Jason turned to Derrick. An apologetic look on his face." Uhm, about what just happened. I'm sorry I got you involved. If I knew he was still in there I would not have brought you here". Derrick continued walking forward without answering and Jason eventually followed. After some minutes of silent walking, Derrick looked at the young boy at his side whose bored expression made it really hard to know his true emotions. " Did you challenge him or did he challenge you?". Derrick asked suddenly."Huh?". Jason was startled. " Oh, right. He challenged me. Until this morning I was higher than him in the rankings. Since he learned a spear art he has been moving upwards steadily. The guy you saw him defeat was just above me".Derrick raised his eyebrows slightly, " What spear art?"." I was going to tell you about that later. It's a martial technique. You can find martial techniques in the library. There's a se
Very early the next day, Derrick climbed up the stairs of the library with bright eyes. He had been dreaming of the library throughout the whole night. He could not wait to read all the books there. The guards were the same ones as the day before and they only glanced at Derrick perfunctorily as he passed through the doors of the library.The expected scene of towering shelves filled with ancient books and a mystical air was not what greeted Derrick as he entered. Instead, there was a small plain room with a high desk at the end. At the sides of the desk were two doors. One was closed while the other revealed a spiral staircase leading upwards. A middle-aged man sat at the desk. His face was sallow and he had a pale complexion. His ragged brown hair hid behind his high crown which made him look like he was balding.The man looked at Derrick drowsily and asked in a tired voice." What level are you?"" First Stage apprentice".The man dragged his right hand across the desk so it was p
Ring!...Ring!...Ring! An arm shot out suddenly and knocked off the alarm clock jerking violently on a bedside desk. The alarm clock fell on the rugged floor and continued ringing loudly. A pair of red eyes opened wide and stared at the white intricate ceiling. As the blares from the alarm continued from the floor, a dark figure rose from the bed to a sitting posture. The figure reached for a phone that sat on the table. It opened up the phone and scrolled through for a few seconds. Soon after a sigh escaped its lips then it stepped down from the bed and walked to a corner of the room. Flip!The formerly dark room brightened up. A man in dark pajamas appeared in the bright light. His pale white skin formed a contrast with the pajamas he was wearing. His hair was full and black. He had a handsome profile with a pair of emotionless eyes." Another monotonous day of work". He murmured as he entered the bathroom door. As he brushed his teeth in front of the sink mirror, past memor
The next day Derrick opened his eyes and saw himself on a white bed. A small stream of tears flowed from his eyes uncontrollably and he became confused. Why was he crying?And why did he have a dull ache in his heart? He sat up on the bed and looked around him. " What am I doing in a hospital?". He wondered.From nowhere, he could feel the ache in his heart get stronger and stronger with each passing second. A large wave of sadness washed over him and the stream of tears turned turned into a raging torrent. Suddenly, his memories of the events of the previous day flashed through his mind. Immediately, the force of reality hit him hard in the face.He now remembered. He had lost everything. In the next instant, a large swarm of lingering memories sped through his mind like a rushing wave.Sonia's loving smile and her hearty laughter. His mother's tired but sweet smile coupled with her caring gaze. His dear siblings and their mischievous smiles. The happy smiles on the full f
In a bustling street in the markets of Nextar cityBusiness people called out their wares, and the bustling crowds moved around. The dirty gutters packed full of waste gave out a rancid smell."Furrnown! Furrrnown!!!"The bus drivers shouted to the passing crowds while huge droplets of sweat fell from their bodies.Cold water hawkers moved with great dexterity around the moving cars as they hawked their wares. To the inexperienced eye, they were dancing on the thin line between life and death.In that same street, a statue of an ancient warrior looked at the heavens arrogantly and his sword pointed threateningly at the earth, not minding the caked droppings that birds accumulated throughout the years on his face.At the feet of the statue stood a black-haired man with pale skin who wore a slightly rumpled but clean suit. His attire made him look totally out of place with the environment. His face had a deep look of despondence and his eyes looked worn out.Derrick looked on quietly
In an unknown realmA gigantic mountain stood in the air, free from the bounds of the ground. It floated above a vast expanse of land and numerous kingdoms and empires lay underneath it. Snow white clouds surrounded the mountain and a transcendent aura emanated from it. Outside the mountain, a flock of huge white birds rode the snowy clouds and a majestic plumage of blue feathers was on their necks. Their inky black beaks and legs made a contrasting difference with the white clouds and they raised their necks proudly as they flew with an unmistakable air of majesty.Inside the mountain, people flew in and out of the mountain unfettered to the earth.They shuttled from one location to another, dressed in glamorous robes of colors that made them look ethereal and indifferent.A tall palace stood right at the summit of the mountain and coloured gems and glittering metals adorned it.An immortal palace! In the uppermost room of the palace that overlooked the mountain stood an elega