Awakening
Two months have passed since I entered the Academy. During this time, my friends and I died eight times. Killed us, as always, Amedeo. I also went to the Goddess of Wisdom... or, I'm beginning to suspect, stupidity. Indeed, after my negative answer to the question “did I notice anything strange behind me,” she simply sent me back to the hostel. I went up to her for almost two hours ... I won’t forgive! I will pick up the right moment and take revenge! .. Well, okay, I digress. Everyone on my team was able to awaken their magic except for me. This is sad. I don't understand why my magic doesn't awaken. What am I doing wrong? After all, the catalyst for magic is the fear of death ... maybe I'm not afraid of it? It makes me feel like I'm dragging my comrades back. Amedeo did not order the use of power outside the training ground, even if they could acquire it. If the whole team could wake up, then she rested until the end of training with the God of death and the beginning of training with David. Because of me... my comrades are being killed and killed... but those who have awakened the power can train at the first training ground. Where exactly Eve and I were. She called me to practice.
The range is noisy. Everyone trains their magic, which sometimes made me jealous.
- Let's start? Eva asked me.
“Yes, of course, you will train me with your bloody whip, sadist.
- What? How can you say that, you fool,” Eve laughed.
This sweet creature, when it just awakened its magic, its power, launched something like a blood bomb at me on the training ground. I almost glued the fins after that. I already have enough of Amedeo.
- OK OK. It was a joke. Let's go to train, - I patted my friend on the shoulder.
At the training ground, I noticed that Eva had secret admirers who come to see the girl every time. They stare at her and are clearly breathing unevenly. It's a little scary.
- Got it. What am I, a pop star? She looked at them irritably.
- I would be glad! I chuckled.
- What is there to be happy about? They follow me everywhere I go!
Okay, I take back my words. This is strange…
~~~
After training, Eva and I went to our rooms, we had to sleep. It is difficult to adapt to the regime, but we try. It is impossible to get used to only one thing - to awakening ones. Every morning they blow their horn like crazy.
Opening the door of my room, I saw Aran training with his fire elemental. He created fire in his palm and tried to change its shape. The fire went out abruptly as soon as the guy saw me.
— Oh, Alester! How did you train with Eva? Aran asked.
“Okay…” There was a sudden deathly silence.
I sat down on my bed. He hung his head, watching as my neighbor again tried to figure out his strength ...
“Aran…” I clenched my fist, “I’m sorry to drag you down, if I could…
“Stop it,” Aran cut me off immediately, “we are friends, you are our leader, I will be with you to the end and I believe that you will wake up soon.” We still have a month. And the rest never considered you a burden, it was you who inspired and led us two months ago, only because of you we were able to wake up. So don't say that.
I was genuinely surprised by these words. 'Cause deep down, I'm afraid... I'm afraid they'll leave me. After his words, even it became somehow embarrassing.
“Thanks…” I whispered with a smile.
“Do you know what I wanted to tell you, Alester? You’ll never believe it,” Aran squinted slyly.
- Speak.
- Ivan somehow smuggled the wine and invited two girls to his room.
I jumped out of bed and couldn't believe what was being said.
- What? What?! Vanya is a puffball? Modest? I do not believe! You're lying!
“I was stunned myself,” Aran shrugged.
“We have to protect our friend from female charms, don't you think? After all, if it is opened with alcohol, then our friend will go crazy.
“I agree with you, Father Tsar,” Aran nodded.
We quickly and secretly ran out of our room, the main thing was not to get caught by Amedeo's subordinates. Looking out at the landing, they saw one. Stands by the window, but falls asleep on the go. Let's get around easily.
Slipping like the wind, we were on the floor above. Caretakers again. No problem. In the morning they are mad, and at night they are sleepy flies. So, we passed the first, the second, that's it, we see the finish line.
Moving quietly, on tiptoes, we approached Vanya's door. They just wanted to knock, when they heard:
- Christina, Masha, here are two bottles of wine, as you asked, now please give me your number twenty.
What, why is he asking for their number? Aran, seeing my face, shrugged. But with our ears pressed against the door, we learned the answer.
— Ha-ha-ha! neighed the two beasts.
- Well, why do you need this number? one of the girls asked.
I, like Aran, also wonder why?!
“I need it for a friend: our number one, and because of this, we are always the first to go to fight. If we had number twenty, Alester could watch how Amedeo fights, his tactics and strength, and not wallow in the infirmary and collect rumors ...
“So you’re doing this for the God Slayer?” How nice,” said the first girl.
“Maybe we can do it differently?” the second suggested.
- Differently? Vanya asked. - And what do you want?
- Jump from the fifth floor, if you don't die, then so be it - we'll give it back.
The girls laughed like hyenas. I, clenching my fist, was angry to the limit. Such anger seized me that I longed to kill these fools. Looking back at Aran, he saw how the wall near Vanya's door began to melt - the neighbor was also furious.
“Alright… I’ll jump off!” So be it!
I stomped and kicked the door round. He didn't even care about the caretakers. Aran followed me into the room. There were two girls in the room. Their faces were rat-like, which seemed to reflect their nature. From our eyes, they understood: they will not do well if they do not get out of here.
The young ladies quickly realized, and ran out like bullets. But I still grabbed one by the hand and said:
- Give Vanya back the wine!
Without further ado, the girl handed over the bottles and immediately disappeared with her friend. Vanya stood bewildered. He glanced from corner to corner.
Aran quietly closed the door. Before that, he looked out to see if we had attracted any attention. It was surprisingly quiet.
Are you completely stupid? Do you want to die? I barked at Vanya.
"Alastair…" the plump sighed heavily. - You ruined everything, if I jumped off, I would immediately turn into a bird, because the condition was to jump off and survive.
Whoa, unexpected! It seems that Vanya is a fast learner… two months ago he was a shy guy… he has changed, only for good or for bad – that is the question.
“Ha-ha-ha,” Aran began to laugh with might and main. Let's have some wine! Let's forget about it and have a good evening. When will you have time to rest like this?
The offer was approved in seconds. The table was set quickly. Or rather, what happened. Bread and sausage are our entire diet. It went with a bang... We just wanted to drink a little, but it turned out as always: we sucked two bottles to the bottom and went to buzz on two of David's subordinates. The third floor of the hostel just could not sleep. One frame named Aran got so drunk that he began to sort things out with them. And when my neighbor did not like something in the statements of these two, he launched a fireball at them. They barely managed to dodge. Vanya tried to stop him, but I didn’t care, and I just stood there and had fun with might and main. The evening was good, but its outcome was not pleased ...
~~~
Mornings are not good. Because of yesterday's skirmish, we were reprimanded. Our trio of drunken faces were forced to clean the third corps, which is intended for battles between candidates and front line soldiers. Here they found out who is stronger. In a word, the likeness of the Colosseum in a simplified form. Our task is to clean the arena. It's good that it's not a tribune.
I stood in the center of the arena and took deep breaths to keep from throwing up. There were already buckets and mops near me. The walls of the arena are covered in gore, so you have to work hard.
So our scumbag came up, judging by his appearance, he was very ill in the morning, well, very much. All blue, it smells good.
Aran, how are you? I asked with a grin, remembering last night.
“Alester, my friend, I am dying, could you wash my…” he held out his rag to me.
“No,” he held out his hand in protest. “If you hadn’t set off your fireball, we wouldn’t be here. So, as they say, with a drunken demand doubly.
“Good,” Aran squatted down. - Damn, Vanya was lucky, he was sent to the infirmary to help.
- You're right. Amedeo is having fun today in earnest. Killing everyone again...
***
After cleaning the third building, Aran and I went to the room. I needed to sleep, because the night was stormy and short. I even had dreams where Amedeo lies defeated under my feet. Aran said that I laughed when I slept. I'm already delusional...
Swinging after a fruitful sleep, I went down to the first training ground. It was empty, because today is the day when Amedeo has fun with those who have not awakened. There are few like me, there are more viewers. That's why it's so empty here. But a surprise awaited me - I met a girl in a snow-white mask.
It seems that this is Ekaterina Brown, the leader of the sixth detachment, if my memory serves me right. Interesting to watch her...
The girl in the mask worked with a long sword. Having covered the weapon with fire, she began to practice swordsmanship. Her movements were smooth, beautiful and like a dance. This sight was mesmerizing.
Wow, how hot it became at the training ground, already horror! I wouldn't want to quarrel with her.
“Will you be watching me for a long time?” the maiden stopped her dance.
“Sorry if I interrupted your training, Ekaterina. Just… moving beautifully…
I immediately hit myself on the forehead with my palm ... you move beautifully. What the hell am I talking about! I would also say "you breathe beautifully." The first impression is clearly spoiled. We don't talk to anyone anyway. All units are mostly for themselves.
“You are Alester, leader of the first team.
Yes, he is the one.
"Do you want to practice with me?" - Ekaterina suggested, raising a fiery sword at me.
Remembering how she wielded a sword, he immediately said:
“I'm sorry, but I'll probably refuse.
“Your will, I’m usually here at night, if you want, come.”
Through the mask, dark brown eyes were visible, in them I saw a fierce fire of hatred for everything in this world. What, I wonder, could happen to her? You are not born with this attitude...
The girl returned to training, and I, a little shy, decided to return to the room. After all, if you compare her level and mine ... this is heaven and earth.
***
The next day, Aran and I were again sent to clean the third building. I was already sick of this long wall that never ended. And we are three and three. The blood had eaten into the walls, and our nerves were on edge. I sometimes looked with hatred at Aran for his fireball. Even cursed.
- Missed a spot!
A woman's voice made us stop. When I turned around, I couldn't believe my eyes. A girl in a mask sat on the podium. Now I have my own stalker?
"Why aren't you in the infirmary?" I looked at her in surprise.
- It's very simple: I won the fight with Amedeo. More precisely, he allowed us to win, and the last of our team woke up.
Aran and I stood like idols, not believing her words. Then my friend grabbed my neck, made a hold, and whispered in my ear.
Is that the cheeky girl? Aran asked with a smile.
- Yes Yes!
~~~
Aran released me, lifted the rag up, twirled it and made a bow.
— Milady! he shouted. “I’m looking for a wife, you’re just right…”
"No," she shut up my friend with a grin. — Wash, guys, carefully.
Catherine waved her hand, got up and left, as if she had never been there. But here Aran was inspired, his eyes burned. He had a dream... well, a dream. He wants to find a wife. He proposes to every beautiful or mysterious girl to marry him. But so far, only failures.
“Nothing shines for you,” I put my hand on Aran's shoulder. “Now KEEP WASHING THE FUCKING WALLS!” Fucking fireball!***I'm on the stairs. I'm covered in sweat and suffocating. I was again summoned to the tower of the Gods... only now I'm standing in front of the door with the sign "Amedeo - God of Death". And the funny thing is, Albertine's room is opposite.There is only disappointment in my heart. Amedeo killed us again, and all because of me. How many times do I and my friends have to die for my power to awaken? What the hell am I doing wrong?!Alester, come on in.No sooner had I knocked than they called me. Do the Gods have cameras built in somewhere?Opening the door, I went in. His room is luxurious, everything is decorated with paintings, Persian carpets. The golden statues of the Griffins were pleasing to the eye. Social life in all its glory.God was sitting at a wide table, covered with papers and seals. He didn't have the usual snake smile on his face. Why did I feel unea
Her hands were shaking from adrenaline, and a crazy smile appeared on her face. Joy, happiness, that I could. I managed.“I didn’t expect this,” God said in complete confusion, but immediately coming to his senses, he looked at me. - You're awake. And now. - Amedeo broke my ice spike, as if nothing had happened - it's time for me to revive your comrades.- What does it mean?God dusted himself off and went to my comrades. The barrier was asleep, the doctors are already there. As if they knew everything in advance.- Was it a performance? Full of anger, I asked.“Yes and no,” Amedeo gave an incomprehensible answer.The God of Death took his severed hand and pressed it against the stump, the limb immediately fused. Not even a scar left.“If you hadn’t awakened, your comrades would indeed have died. You're a Godslayer, do you think we'd kick you out of the academy just like that? Moreover, do you think you could easily defeat me, the second generation of Gods?- Of course not. But not by
We entered the classroom and collapsed on a free desk. All the candidates were whining in pain, and I could see in their eyes how they were cursing everything.“Al, if I die, don't send my corpse in this armor to my parents. If they also bury me in them, my spirit will definitely not rest,” my friend asked me.— Aran, calm down, we will survive. Look, it's hard for Vanya and Eve too, but they hold on. We will endure everything, brother,” I said with hope in my voice.The Goddess entered the classroom. Her black hair was blowing in the wind even though we were indoors. Some kind of magic...Hello candidates! Let's start the lesson." Minerva smiled at the whole class.Ah, a ray of light in pitch darkness. We listened carefully, this knowledge will keep us alive. She explained that she would teach with us for five months and would hammer all the necessary knowledge into our heads. Today's lesson was dedicated to the Renegades and the fourth generation. Everyone knows everything she said
The New WorldThe sun lazily rolled over the huge massive mountains. It was damn hot, so Aran and I crawled into our room and lay silently on our beds. A month passed, and we got tired of suffering garbage. I was ready in a week to go to either Amedeo or David. I even already missed the blue armor that woke us up every morning. The body was filled with energy that you no longer know where to put. After all, the God of War clearly specified that magic cannot be used. Dot.There was a knock on the room. Aran rushed like lightning to an unknown guest. I opened one eye and watched. A man in blue armor stood in the aisle. He gave two bags to Aran and closed the door.Rising up, I inquired about the contents of the package.- It's armor! Aran shouted joyfully and threw one of the two packages in my face. - They said to put on and go to the second training ground.Frowning, he thought of swearing at his friend, but finally he wanted to see his armor more.- Let's see ... Wow, how light, I ca
“Okay, but your friend won’t come with you?” she looked at me.Aran, oh you are a semi-finished store product. That's betrayal! No, this is different, this moron laid eyes on her, you can immediately see how he sticks to her. At the same time, winking at me so that I would go to him, and not refuse ... Okay, what to do with him, I won’t leave him."Oh, I'll be right there.Here is our trio from the second squad of Elementalists assembled again. Catherine stood before us like a teacher before the youths.“Show me a couple of times, and that’s enough for us,” I sighed. “Otherwise one comrade forgot the word friendship,” I looked at Aran.- I have one question - how to control the flow of magic in the legs? Because I took quite a bit, but it didn’t turn out the way I wanted.Amedeo kept looking askance at our trinity. But apparently, he understood that Ekaterina would teach us. So, it makes no sense to come up to us and show how it's done. After all, the first detachment was just as scre
“I don’t even know… It’s okay to make Space with your feet, but with your hands?! It’s impossible, your fists simply can’t handle it,” Ekaterina began to reason. "Maybe you could try something else?"“No, I decided that I would do it,” I gave my answer."Then," the girl shrugged her shoulders, "I'm not your helper." I'm sorry, I have more people to help.As soon as she started to leave, she turned around and said goodbye:Tip: Come up with something new. Do not stay on the same place.Yes, and now I'm in a complete stupor. Even Catherine can't help me.Assuming the posture of a sage, I began to reason. What will help me do this? I cover my hand, and I am carried away into the distance ... and if you pour in magic and envelop not my fists, but my whole hand with ice! Let's try...Approaching the column, I began to pour magic up to the shoulder blade and cover it with ice. The ice was flexible, but hard, and it exuded magic.Hit! There was an explosion, like a cannon being fired. The co
Van, are you all right?" - moving away from Eve with Aran, I asked the drooping Vanya. “Don’t worry, everything will be chirp-chirp, I assure you. And about corpses and bones, accept it, because now the whole world is like that. The sooner you understand it, the sooner you'll get used to it.“You're right, you have to accept it,” Vanya said with a small smile. “It's just…everything was fine until we left the forest and headed for the city.We need to find a home for us so that we can rest in it, and preferably in several cities. And it is necessary to distribute who will do what. This will distract them.“Vanya, you will get food,” I began to distribute duties. “Eva, you will cook,” the girl immediately wanted to argue, but I managed to interrupt her. Don't mind, it's women's work. Aran and I will be on the lookout for enemies, and send you Gadget messages to gather. We will change. Today I'm with Aran, tomorrow with Vanya, then with Eva. And we start now. No objections, you need to c
Our team is ready. We left our shelter, hid in the same house and waited for a message from Vanya, where the Minotaurs would be.They waited a long time, a very long time. It became boring ... But what can you do.As for Aran, I know what spells he has, but what Eva has, I found out today. She can use Blood Needles - a long-range spell that needs a lot of blood, the second - Sword, the third - Slash and the last - infuse magic into the armor. Will go. It was not for nothing that Vanya caught animals for her this morning and hung them on her. She has plenty of blood. She won't get lost. There are three Minotaurs, everyone takes one for himself, as soon as someone kills the Minotaur, he goes to the aid of someone who can't cope. So we decided.Here is a message from Vanya, they are in the southeast of us, about six kilometers. Let's go, we have about ten minutes to get to them.Using Space, we finished in five minutes. They hid in a dilapidated house. Time to start.I sent a message to
The Rancia empire prospered. Those terrible times when the Ransians fearfully expected the birth of their own children are far behind. With the accession to the throne of the new emperor Claude re Tigras the First and Empress Daisyre re Tigras, the people stopped living in fear and excitement. Now every Ransian, human or not, had the same right to life and happiness. The persecution of non-humans stopped, because the ruling family also did not belong to the human race, mixed marriages began to appear more often, and cities grew. Life became calmer, now the imperials were not afraid to travel between cities, risking being in the mouth of some monster. All creatures, of course, did not disappear, but as a result of a number of innovations introduced by Claude from the experience of his mercenary life, they greatly facilitate the fight against these creatures, forced them to go away from human habitation or hide deep in their holes. Man again became the dominant race on the planet, and e
- Oh, those boys. Alita purred as she slid off her man's lap and sat down on Claude's bed. “In general, sweetheart, when we burst into the hall, we only made it to the finale, when you, with completely wild eyes, rushed towards the door until you stretched out on the floor, not having reached us a few steps. And then Alexander quickly stepped forward, ordering that you be lifted and taken to the imperial chambers and called for a doctor, and then he explained to everyone present that according to some ancient law, I don’t know where he dug it up, you become the next emperor, taking the place of the deposed you ruler. We didn't even believe what we heard. You are Claude and the emperor. It sounded kind of unbelievable. And to be honest, they also managed to catch this cold, so they thought it was the result of a fever. But as it turned out, no, they heard right and you were really glorified as the future emperor. He cleverly organized everything here. So even the few dissatisfied witne
- Infections... It's people like me that you call an infection?- Yes. To be honest, I even liked you a little, not often non-humans managed to hide from my eye for so long, and your stupid principles ... naive, frankly childish, but noble, made me smile. However, the fact that you are a monster cannot be changed and you have no other destiny than to die.“It’s like seeing which one of us is a monster.— Ha! Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror?“Appearance says nothing about a person. Yes, my eyes and ears are different from human, but there is much less blood on my hands than on yours.- What are you talking about. Turn around. All these people could live if not for you.“My fault for their death is no less than the one who set them on me. At least I was only defending myself, not sending them to their deaths.They died because they were doing their duty.Or because they were left with no choice.This conversation did not lead them anywhere, without bringing clarity or sat
And now only three of them remained, the horses carried the tired mercenaries forward, whipping dust into the air and crumbling the age-old stone into the sand. Two hot streams of steam escaped the air from the wide, nervously quivering nostrils of the driven horses. No one believed that they would catch up with the warrior, only hoping that the emperor would not realize his terrifying plan immediately upon the arrival of his assistant. On the horizon in front of them rose the towers of San Pen, brightening up the dull landscape with each kilometer growing higher and higher, delighting and frightening at the same time. Claude did not know what awaited them in the capital, for the first time he did not have at least some slightly thought-out plan, only one desire to be in time, not to be late, to stop. Inside, everything was shrinking from a bad premonition, but the guy drove away uninvited thoughts. You should never take on a job with a gloomy attitude to its failure, otherwise, every
Leata's voice broke through her rage-clouded consciousness. "Finally!" the guy exhaled, looking at the best thing to do in order to retreat without consequences for his health and life. It was not far to go, the creatures had already almost pressed him to the failure, from which the mercenary was separated by several steps, he needed only a couple of three seconds to get the coveted vial and jump over to the other side. Taking a step back, he seized the sword more comfortably and threw the dagger at the creature closest to him, slashing the blade across the entire expanse available to him and forcing the creatures to retreat a couple of steps. Here are his seconds. Rushing back, he removed the blade with one hand, and with the other he felt for the coveted cork. Which is specially marked so as not to be confused with others. The previous experience of using this remedy in the battle with sectroses taught him decently, but there was no time to sip drop by drop. Let it be what will be.
Aiyana, hurry up. Something is not happening.- One more second. Here it is! - the girl purred enthusiastically, pressing the lever near the capsule, and completely not noticing what was happening around.- We have no time. It's time to go.- Not! Until I find it, I won't leave.- Crap! Is it worth your life?- Yes!Discouraged by the answer, the mercenary fell silent for a few seconds. That's devotion! She could be admired if he and his comrades of life did not depend on her.Tell me what to look for! - finally, unable to stand it, he grunted, finally entering the room and feeling the cold enveloping from all sides.- You don't know the language.But I can see. I'll find it by sight. Show me or we'll all stay here.She did not argue further, obediently showing what symbols she had to find. There were few of them, at most four, of which one was a letter, and the rest resembled modern numbers. It was not even a name, but rather a code. He moved along the nearest shelving unit, running
At Leata's remark, Claude only shook his head, as they approached the ruins, Leatrice became more and more irritable and angry. He did not know what was eating her, most likely she was also afraid. After a quick bite, they hit the road. The sounds that accompanied their breakfast didn't help their appetite, and neither did their conversation. In anticipation of a meeting with the owners of these voices, people unanimously grew gloomy, but walked, carefully looking around. It gradually began to get light around, mischievous rays gently ran across the grass, reflected in drops of dew, flashed on people's weapons, playfully looking into their eyes and blossomed with a gloomy rainbow, reflected from the surface of the lake. The one that Leata called the "Lake of the Dead". For what it received such a name, no one knew, but the assumptions were different. Maybe the ancients drowned their dead in it, or maybe this is due to some mysterious story, since the lake was no different from its cou
- What the hell! cried Claude with a loud splash as he went under the water. The turbulent river picked up its prey with the joy of a small child who discovered in his power a toy he had long desired. The big man was twisted and twisted, sometimes hitting the side of the shell. Water clogged in his mouth, nose, forcing him to spit, smearing haze before his eyes. You can't give up! Claude remembered that he was not alone in the water, but he did not have time to really see the creature that had so cleverly discounted him. However, this did not give a reason to underestimate her. Ripping up the water with powerful strokes, he forced himself to swim up. Thank the Gods, he did not have time to take aside. The shell, like a native, clung to him, dragging him along, trying in vain to pull him under him. The body already almost did not obey him, bound by a terrible cold. Pushing off from the surface of the water, Claude desperately jumped up in an unsuccessful attempt to grab the edge, feeli
— Falcon. Daisyra prompted, following his gaze. For her, this distance was not a problem. - Beautiful.- Yes. And lonely.- How are you!- What did you get?“This is how we met you in that tavern.- When it was. Seems like another life.- Yes. And I'm glad we met.- And I.They had a strange conversation, they seemed to be talking and at the same time not. Pictures of their meeting floated before his eyes, taken apart by the words of the girl, and seeing himself, he looked and did not recognize. Now he was no longer the same person. Claude has changed. Becoming somehow something ... more integral, but still in his chest did not want to melt a tight lump that appeared there in childhood, as if not allowing him to free himself from the cage created by himself.- For me, he is not alone, but strong. Rolk muttered thoughtfully.— Who are you talking about? Caer joined in, also following his eyes sparkling in the rays of the sun, following the bird circling above them.- About both.“We wi