Ethan Nox felt an intense pain around the right side of his chick, due to the punch he just received from a male 2nd Year.
Placing his left hand on his left chick, he cast a fierce gaze at the 2nd Year Adept, the urge to retaliate lingered on him, however, Ethan forced himself to avoid trouble. "Ethan, are you okay?" Jeff who also saw the 2nd Year punch Ethan was stunned. Seeing Ethan's pained look, he couldn't help but ask. "Let's... Let's just get outta here," he quickly said and pulled Ethan out of that scene. However, Ethan still stared death into the cruel senior's eyes, as they both began a staring session. They kept exchanging promising gazes, indicating that a red line had been drawn between them. Soon, Ethan had no sight of the 2nd Year student, as they entered the boarding area of the academy. "Ah, that was a massive bang, Ethan," Jeff teased as they approached the building where their dorm room was located. Apart from the towering buildings in the main part of the academy, buildings for student accommodation were structured in the inner part of the academy. Three students were entitled to one dorm room, however, well, youngsters from rich clans could be privileged to live alone... As for Ethan who was from a Low-class clan and Jeff whose clan was barely titled as a Mid-class, they had to live together in one dorm room with another young man named Mason. For almost three weeks, Mason had been out of the academy on a mission to get a rare elixir as a punishment from Principal Bernard. The real truth right here was that the three of them committed the offense, but only Mason got caught, unfortunately. In eight days, it would clock a month since he left, and the Academy's Arcane Guild would go in search of him. Ethan and Jeff only hoped he was fine wherever he was... "Shut your mouth, Jeff. You have no idea how that hurts," Ethan cursed, slightly. 'I know it's this Double Reward stuff? Ah shit!' 'My cheek hurts.' Now, Ethan was gradually understanding the Double Reward System's explanation of the Good or Bad benefits. Martin just got slapped, and just as he was almost laughing his lungs out, he was punched by the hardening fist of a 2nd Year. To him, that was just times two of what Martin suffered. It was certain. Ethan clenched his fist, and entered his dorm room, Jeff also stepped in before him so he slammed the door shut after entering. "You should be careful now, I think you have got another enemy," Jeff said after bouncing his butt on the bed. Three beds were arranged accordingly in the extreme end of the dorm room, each belonging to one of the three chaps. The size was not bad, and at least, it could occupy a single body. "I'm not afraid of anyone..." Ethan replied. However, Jeff only chuckled upon hearing his response. Although he knew who Ethan was. Ethan was someone who wouldn't say no to challenges, he was someone who always faced his fears. But the shameless truth was that he would always lose every challenge he faced, no matter how he tried. Ethan was a complete weak figure. "You and I know that you can't stand against a 2nd Year... You can't even beat a fellow 1st Year on your own," Jeff teased with a smile. Hearing this, Ethan felt a little embarrassed. But he knew it was the truth. If he hadn't been with someone like Jeff, he would have been the highest target of bullying in the academy. Out of the six thousand 1st Years that had entered the Aetherum Arcanum Academy, Jeff had been among the few who had been doing pretty well in breaking through the Adept-level... He was more like the seniors, and just after three months in the academy, he was able to learn what many had been trying to comprehend for five to six months. Jeff was intelligent. But Ethan was... Pretty useless. He would actually say it to himself. "Yeah, I know... My father also looked me in the eye and called me a useless figure. I was a curse to the Nox Clan... They didn't even believe it when I managed to awaken my Mana Core." Ethan sighed. "But that's nothing special... Awakening one's Mana Core isn't the issue, I'm not sure if I would be able to break through to the Mystic-level stage." Ethan was doubtful of himself. At the same time, he had a dismal look on his face, and as Jeff stared at him as he spoke, he could sense Ethan's hidden grief. Jeff was really sorry for Ethan. "My mom called me a useless Noxian... That was clear enough to indicate that I have no value." Ethan added, a tear almost trickling down his temple. Ethan's memories already came flooding in, and this truly was what Ethan faced in his clan. "They rejected you, I know, but you have me. I'm sure they hated you because you became an Arcanist, that's my belief," Jeff said sadly. Ethan only looked at him for a moment and returned his gaze to the floors. "You just have to create your legacy... No one in the Nox Clan had ever become an Arcanist, I know, and this is why you have to build your legacy. Together..." Jeff tried to wrap Ethan's sorry ass with some motivation, but Ethan found it hard to believe. 'With being affected by the miserable main character's Goods and Bads, my life would be a total shit.' He actually knew that Martin's bad was far bigger than his good. That guy suffered as though he was in hell. Jeff tried to persuade Ethan to believe in himself, and they both went for the normal teachings by noon. When they got back to the dorm room, they couldn't believe their eyes. A teenage boy clad in thick silver armor and a sword could be seen lying on Ethan's bed. The duo froze, and their eyes widened in shock. After so long, he is back. Right on the bed was their best friend who had left them for more than a fortnight. Mason was back.After the apocalypse, not only The Changed were the threat that humanity had. There was a sudden existence of spiritual beasts. Although this wasn't the main threat that humanity had, they could only be seen in deserted, lonesome areas. This was why anyone who was sent into the Woodlands was given a vital weapon to ensure safety. Actually, that was why Mason was dressed in thick armor and was with a longsword.But..."Why does he stink so badly," Jeff complained, covering his nose."He smells like rotten fish," Ethan couldn't help but comment, disgusted."No, it smells more like the corpse of a Changed," Jeff corrected Ethan who suddenly glared at him upon hearing his statement."Huh? Have you got to see one before?" Ethan asked, extremely curious. "Not really... Just a dead one slain by my father. A Spark-tier Changed to be precise."Ethan found it hard to believe. Although he nodded positively, he was still curious, so he asked."Your father, what's his rank?" At first, Jeff was
"I told you, Ethan! This plant is so precious!" Mason was so delighted that he forgot that he was in a library. Of course, all libraries have got one typical rule: every visitor must be quiet at all costs."Do you forget that you are in a library?" After staring at Mason for a while, Ethan asked with furrowed brows.Hearing what Ethan just said, it was as if his reminder was a mouth-shutting spell. Mason froze, as well as his mouth being shut."Ah shit, I was just too excited," Mason said. "So, how huge is the strength we are talking about?" Ethan asked as he tried to study what was on the page.Mason hesitated a bit. "I don't really know... I can just read further since everything about the elixir is written here."Ethan nodded. "I'll just hang around then."They both agreed and Ethan left that spot. He walked around the first floor library, looking for books associated with The Changed but found no one.There were over a thousand books as said by the librarian on the first floor,
There were four lengthy ranges of tall shelves lined in the vast room, the books shrouding every space. Out of these four, Ethan hid behind one, the second one. There was a lengthy space that looked like an aisle by every shelf's compartment. But out of all, Ethan's hiding spot came to be the widest aisle. What's worse? Ethan sighted a door from the near distance... He was taken aback. He just heard the librarian speaking to the principal about the third floor. Glancing around, Ethan didn't seem to notice any other entrance unit in any part of the room, making it clear that this was the path they would take upon going to the third floor. The entrance was just a tiny distance away from his hiding spot. *Thud. Thud. Thud.* Soon, Ethan heard bold footsteps approaching his direction, well, he didn't hesitate before finding a way to get himself outta there. If he got caught by any chance, he would be fiercely punished. Ethan made a promise to himself... "No matter what happens, I
Ethan and Mason ran out of the second floor and out of the library building. Although they knew that they were in trouble, they just didn't want to be caught red-handed by the principal. At least, maybe they could spend some time preparing for their greatest nightmare in their dorm room before being summoned.Mason had this urge to cry. He had just returned from the Woodlands a few hours ago, and now he just got himself into trouble again."I can't believe I would be going to the Woodlands again," Mason said, his face painted with a dismal hue. For a moment, Ethan was silent while staring down at the concrete floors. He was lost in thoughts, imagining what version of "hell" the Woodlands would be. Many who had journeyed into the Woodlands have had different yet complicated experiences. Generally, it was known that only strong and smart individuals could enjoy the good side of the Woodlands. For people like Ethan who couldn't even learn simple martial arts for self-defense, his succ
Martin's face had a sad picture as he stared down to the ground, deeply ashamed. He couldn't even dare to raise his head to look at his fellow offenders... His acts were giving something far from boldness. "Hey! Keep working," one of the disciplinary officers shouted after noticing that Ethan's pace had lessened. Ethan was lost in looking at Martin's sorry ass and how he acted. Martin was someone with low self-esteem and wasn't bold, and this did much to make him a silent, bullying figure. Even by looking at his face, one could notice slight bruises due to assaults from stronger students. A part of Ethan was deeply sorry for him, but...'I hate him because I'm going to suffer his miseries in double fold.'Ethan mused inwardly and hastened his steps forward. Martin was later taken to join them as they progressed to the principal office. When they got to Principal Bernard's office building, he came out from his inner chamber and met them in the office compound space.As usual, his f
At first, Ethan felt a ringing sound in his head, his brows furrowing in confusion.'Extract what?' This was the second question he asked after the Sidekick Assistant System sounded in his head. Ethan slowly switched his gaze below and attempted to take a look at the hard substance he had just stepped on. Just as his gaze landed on the substance, he shrugged. 'Is this the remains of the Giant Monkey Beast?' He was pointlessly asking himself this question inwardly when the system voiced again in his head. [Yes, host. There are bones, almost rotten flesh, and meats in it. Extract the Valuables to gain more Mana Points].Hearing this, Ethan could not help but broaden his eyes. He wasn't only shocked by how one could extract Valuables from the bones and meats of a dead beast, the fact that he could gain Mana Points made him stunned. The Giant Monkey Beast was a very large beast that seemed to be exactly the size of an old gorilla. Although most parts of its body were already rotten,
Spirit Beasts are ranked Inferior Leveled, Superior Leveled, and Brutal Leveled. This brought a system of separation for the mysterious creatures, dividing the weakest from the strongest. The strongest Spirit Beasts were able to kill and devour weaker beasts, and this was why weak beasts like the Giant Monkey Beast resided around the entrance area of the Woodlands. If they go much further into the Woodlands, they will get devoured by stronger Spirit Beasts. The corpse of the Giant Monkey Beast showed a clear explanation of the merciless devouring of a stronger Spirit Beast. It was torn by the razor-sharp claws of a seemingly Superior Leveled Beast. As Brutal Leveled Beasts wouldn't even live anywhere around a hundred kilometers from the entrance of the Woodlands, one wouldn't suspect any attack from them around. They were extremely terrific, only Enchanter-level Arcanists or above could dare to intrude on their territory, and even if they did, they must be prepared as if they were
After hearing what the system said, Ethan could only let out a small, raging statement. 'Shut up, system!'They were just attacked by a Giant Humanoid Mantis from nowhere and were extremely left in shock. Now, the system said he should kill and extract the Valuables?Ethan's face almost reddened.At least, he expected the system to bring out a safe technique or idea of escape, but it was proudly urging him to kill the Spirit Beast.'A mere Adept-level Arcanists like me??? Impossible!'If anyone were to be in his shoes, almost all would see this as insanity. Which system would want its host to endanger himself when it knew that its host is a weak figure who hasn't even learned typical martial arts, much less magic?But...The Sidekick Assistant System wasn't wholely a fool. It knew what it was doing, which Ethan didn't actually understand at first. [You four can unite to kill the Giant Humanoid Mantis, and after it dies, you can go ahead and extract the Valuables].'Ohh... I get it.'