Mage Ascendant: Urban System Awakening

The Outcast's Dilemma

In the heart of the bustling mage hunting academy, a peculiar incident unfolded, forever changing the fate of a young man named Tony. As the sun cast long shadows over the training grounds, a hushed concern rippled through the gathered students.

"Hey Tony! Wake up…"

"Is he dead….?"

"His heart stopped beating…"

"Tony…!"

These whispers of panic swirled around Tony as he lay unconscious on the ground, surrounded by a curious crowd. Suddenly, Tony was rudely awakened from this strange slumber, drenched by a sudden deluge of water.

"What happened?" Tony, the lanky teenager, groggily inquired, bewildered by the sudden turn of events.

"You passed out a minute ago," a concerned female voice replied.

Tony's eyes darted around, trying to make sense of his surroundings. He found himself encircled by his peers, but one burly figure, in particular, stood out.

"What's wrong with you! You stupid prick! We were in a duel, and suddenly, you blacked out with a single blow!" the bulky aggressor barked, his voice dripping with anger.

"That's enough, Flash! Training is over. You can all go back to your classes," the principal's voice boomed, quelling the tension in the air. With a reluctant dispersal of the onlookers, the impromptu spectacle came to an end.

"Tony! Meet me in my office now!" the principal's tone carried a mix of disappointment and anger, leaving Tony with a heavy sense of foreboding.

As Tony nervously approached Mr. David's office, he couldn't help but recall the familiar pattern of his visits here, usually revolving around his subpar performance in the Talent fighting tests or overdue school fees.

"You called for me, sir," Tony said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes, I did," Mr. David replied, his penetrating gaze focused on the young man. Tony's heart raced, knowing all too well what this meeting might entail.

"You've been putting the school under immense stress and tension since your enrollment here!" Mr. David's anger simmered beneath his words, causing Tony to swallow hard, his heart pounding in his chest.

"I'm sorry, sir," Tony stammered, his voice barely audible.

"I should be the one apologizing, Tony," Mr. David remarked cryptically, his words hanging heavily in the air.

"What do you mean, sir?" Tony asked, confusion and anxiety etched across his face.

"I'm sorry, Tony, but you can't continue to attend this school," the principal declared, his voice heavy with finality.

"Please, sir, give me more time! I'll pay the fees…" Tony's plea was cut short.

"It's not about the fees, boy. It's about you! You've been a constant source of trouble for the school. You're nineteen and still in grade D, while your peers have advanced to grades B and A. If there were a grade lower than D, that's what you'd deserve! You haven't even mastered the most basic skills!" Mr. David's frustration erupted.

Tony's heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces. He could already imagine the devastation his family would feel. They had invested so much in him, and now it seemed like all was in vain.

"But, sir, please, just give me one more chance…"

"There won't be any more chances! You were nearly killed today, Tony, for the thirteenth time this term. I can't risk being arrested or putting the school in jeopardy," Mr. David's tone was resolute.

"Sir, what am I going to tell my mum? I need to graduate and get my certificate so I can join the mage hunting clan. I…"

"Mage hunting?" Mr. David interrupted, disbelief in his voice.

"Yes, sir, that's my dream. I want to earn enough to take care of my mum's hospital bills," Tony explained, his desperation palpable.

"You must be out of your mind, boy. You've never demonstrated even a basic skill. Do you have a death wish or something?" The principal's incredulity deepened.

"I…"

"Leave now!" Mr. David's final verdict echoed through the room. "Get the hell out of my office and my school. Now!"

With a heavy heart, Tony left, determined not to leave with any physical wounds or broken bones. Fire mages like Mr. David were known for their short tempers, and Tony had experienced enough of their wrath.

As Tony made his way through the school corridor, heading to his locker to retrieve his backpack, he couldn't help but reflect on the cruel twist his life had taken. His damp hair and uniform were testament to the day's trials. At nearly six feet tall, with fair skin, messy black curly hair, steel-blue eyes, and a pointed nose, he had an almost Asian appearance.

Upon reaching his locker, Tony retrieved his backpack, locking it back with a sense of finality. However, his locker rendezvous took an unexpected turn when he encountered Flash, the relentless tormentor who had given him the nickname "Tiny" due to his skinny and weak frame.

"Not in the mood, Flash," Tony replied, fear and defiance warring within him.

"What did you just say?" Flash grabbed him by the collar, raising him off the ground effortlessly. Laughter erupted from the onlookers who had gathered to witness the spectacle.

"Let me go, Flash. I haven't done anything to you," Tony pleaded, his voice strained.

"I get to decide that!" Flash sneered, his grip unrelenting. Tony's struggles were futile; Flash, a grade B fire mage and the son of the city's president, was feared and respected among his peers.

"I didn't do anything to you! Why do you always pick on me?" Tony's frustration finally bubbled to the surface, and he clenched his fists in a feeble attempt to fight back.

"Ooh! Little Tony's gonna fight back, huh?" Flash mocked, goading him further. "Sure, I will. I'm tired of being bullied by you all, and I told you I'm in a bad mood!" Tony's voice wavered, and tears welled up in his eyes.

"Alright, strong man, what are you gonna do? Show me what you've got," Flash taunted, pushing Tony backward. In a moment of emotional eruption, Tony retaliated with a punch, channeling all his frustration into that one blow.

"Is that it? Pathetic." Flash effortlessly caught Tony's wrist before his fist could make contact.

"Is it about time you remembered your place," Flash grinned, his eyes gleaming with malice as he prepared to unleash his fire magic.

"Fire palm," he muttered, and a low-level flame erupted from his palm, searing Tony's wrist with searing pain.

"Please, stop!" Tony screamed in agony, tears streaming down his face. But Flash showed no mercy; he continued to torment his defenseless victim.

"Now you're begging? What happened to the brave strong man I just saw earlier? You can't fight now, huh?!" Flash's cruel taunts echoed through the corridor.

Just as Tony's pain seemed endless, a commanding voice rang out from behind, putting an abrupt halt to Flash's sadistic actions.

"Stop!" The authoritative command came from Charlotte, Flash's twin sister, who had arrived on the scene.

Everyone turned their attention to Charlotte, an average-height teenager with a slender figure, fair skin, long violet hair cascading down to her waist, and striking purple eyes. She approached her brother with an air of authority.

"What do you think you're doing, Flash?" Charlotte's voice was filled with reproach.

"It's none of your business, Charlotte. Stay out of this," Flash retorted, his anger still simmering.

"Well, it is now," she declared firmly, drawing a clear line.

Tony watched in relief as the rich siblings engaged in a heated argument. Among all the academy students, Charlotte was the only one who sympathized with him, and she possessed the courage to stand up to Flash.

"So you're choosing him over me!" Flash seethed.

"It hasn't come to that, but if you really want the truth—hell yeah!" Charlotte's response was laced with defiance.

"Hell yeah! Screw you, Charlotte!" Flash was incensed but dared not lay a hand on his elder twin sister, who was also a grade B water mage, often stronger than him.

As the siblings exchanged heated words, the watching crowd dispersed, no longer interested in the spectacle.

"What are you all staring at?!" Charlotte's sharp reprimand sent the bystanders scurrying back to their duties. She then turned her attention to Tony, who had suffered a painful ordeal.

"I'm sorry about my brother's behavior," Charlotte said, genuine concern in her eyes.

"You shouldn't be. I wouldn't have been hurt if I didn't try to fight back. And it would have been worse if you hadn't shown up," Tony replied, his gratitude evident.

"Let me see. Does it hurt much?" Charlotte moved to inspect his wounds, but Tony withdrew his hands.

"It's okay. I'm fine now," Tony reassured her.

"That's great. I'll be off now. Try to stay away from my brother; he can be a jerk sometimes," Charlotte advised before leaving.

Tony overheard some of his peers mocking him, further stoking the fire of his humiliation. However, he ignored them and made his way toward the exit, eager to avoid further trouble.

"What am I going to do now? What will I tell Mum?" These questions weighed heavily on his mind. Since his father's death, his family had sacrificed everything, including selling cherished possessions, to enroll him in the mage academy. Their hopes rested on him graduating and becoming a successful mage hunter, yet it seemed like all was crumbling.

Tony checked his wristwatch; it was past five, and he needed to reach the dumpsite before six. As the sole breadwinner, he worked tirelessly after school to provide for his family. His mother's severe heart condition required urgent medical attention, and his seven-year-old sister had been forced to leave school due to unpaid fees, languishing at home for nearly a year.

Despite Central Tyker's status as the most influential city in Tyker, survival remained a daily struggle for many. Only the CEOs and mage hunters lived comfortably, and Tony's aspiration was to join the latter group. But with his current predicament, he felt light-years away from achieving that dream.

"I wish I could get rich overnight," Tony sighed, his heart heavy with the weight of responsibility. Without changing out of his wet clothes, he hurried to the dumpsite, determined to face the challenges of another day, one that seemed filled with uncertainties.

Meanwhile, in a secluded corner, Flash and his group of students were hatching a sinister plan.

"You ready, boys? We're going to pay Tiny a visit at his workplace," Flash declared, his anger still smoldering.

"He has the nerve to make my sister turn against me and humiliate me in front of everyone," Flash seethed, his fists clenched.

"We're with you, Flash," his cohorts chimed in. They all exuded an intimidating presence, their dangerous-looking haircuts reflecting their unwavering loyalty to Flash.