Zeke was in a dilemma; On one side, he wanted to continue living in the apartment and train in the park late at night, and on the other, he did not want to receive any Black Stars due to not following the new rules. Furthermore, as Erys would most likely be closed to all visitors, he wouldn’t be able to attend classes.Eventually, after thorough consideration, Zeke decided to temporarily hold off his search for Amelia. Deep inside, he knew that she was most likely dead, but he didn’t want to believe that as long as no conclusive evidence was found.As it was the last day he had complete freedom, Zeke first completed the Daily Tasks and then went to Kethra’s Arms. The usually bustling district was relatively empty and was patrolled by dozens of officers.As dangerous as it was to wander around, Zeke hoped he would find any signs of the killer. Admittedly, he was still not confident in his prowess, but he still wanted to try one last time.For two hours, Zeke walked from one spot to the
Zeke ended up receiving quite the scolding, especially from the disheartened Vanessa. She and her squad were tasked to patrol Kethra’s Arms and catch Jonathan Stellar Link. However, their recent attempts ended with failure and that reflected poorly on them, more so because they were personally handpicked by the Principal. “To begin with, what are you even doing here?” The ashen-haired girl faced Zeke and, with crossed arms and a deep frown, waited for his response. “E-ehm… I was taking one last tour before Erys closes its gates and I’m forced to stay in the dormitory.” “...” Vanessa clearly did not believe him, which made him elaborate on his excuse more. “I happened to see a missing friend of mine. It’s that girl, Amelia, she was distressed and injured.” “This isn’t a place for First Years to wander around. Didn’t you read the notice?” Zeke tilted his head, slightly confused, “I thought the notice takes effect starting tomorrow.” “...” “Now that I look at him, he’s no diffe
After clearing up things with Sulong and starting a new page, built on cooperation, Zeke returned home and packed the necessary stuff he needed to take with him to the dormitory.By the time he ate a bit of food, he was feeling an overwhelming sense of fatigue due to his brief confrontation with Vanessa.It took him a great deal of Aether as well as absolute concentration to stop her blistering cold aura and the icicles.He got to experience firsthand the gap between himself and one of the top students of Erys. Of course, Vanessa was a third-year and she had been training in Aether Manipulation since a young age, but that didn’t make Zeke feel any better.He had the System, which was-arguably- a much more efficient and fast method of progress. First, he had to catch up to his peers and climb the rankings, and, eventually, he was confident in reaching the apex and no longer having to worry about ridicule, bullying, or the constant comparison between himself and his successful siblings.
‘Huh? It’s spreading?’During Christopher’s long lesson, Zeke’s mind was preoccupied with the Rune of Life. The burning and stinging continued and, after a while, thin vein-like blue lines spread from the center of the circle-shaped rune. Panicking a little, Zeke excused himself to the bathroom and once he made sure no one was there, he pulled his sleeves and saw the lines going upwards, almost reaching his elbow.There were hints of the lightning originating from the ‘Aether Voltage Path’ appearing and vanishing around his hand, freaking out the youth even more.‘It appears to be going out of control? Or is it self-evolving?’If there was no pain, Zeke would have been celebrating over this unexpected occasion, however, with how mysterious and peculiar the Paths of Extinctions had been, he felt nervous and apprehensive, perceiving this development as a bad omen of sorts.At first, Zeke thought about going to Professor Nayro in an attempt to learn more but changed his mind later on. A
“I’m not a teacher, so I won’t pry any further.” The Dean eyed Zeke for a couple of breaths before standing up and opening the door. “Return to your dormitory and… no more nocturnal wandering or you will receive Black Stars.” Zeke and Emilia nodded and scurried away, soon finding themselves back in the forest. While he was in deep thought, she stole glances at him and tried to say something only to stop at the last second. The short trip back to the open campus was filled with nothing but a tense silence. However, before they separated, Zeke halted his feet and asked her, “What were you doing in the middle of nowhere?” Instead of answering, she apologetically bowed her head, “I’m sorry. Really really sorry!” “Huh?” Taken aback, he raised his eyebrow, not knowing how to respond. “I now know what I did wrong. I… I never wanted Amelia to die or for her parents to get attacked. Please believe me!” “It’s not me who you should apologize to. Still, at least you’re remorseful, unli
After the first two lessons, while Zeke was at the cafeteria, Julia walked up to him, seemingly in a slight rush. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d be watching. “Watching what, exactly?” “Hm?” Then, the girl tilted her head in confusion and responded, “Your friend, of course. I heard that Rodrick challenged him.” “He did?” Zeke put down the utensils and, with Julia following him, headed straight into the arena situated in the First Year’s training facility. Surprisingly, there was a big crowd made up of many students from all First Year Classe, which was unexpected since the two fighters weren’t particularly famous. Fylard and his group were present too, standing near the entrance and spectating with huge grins. Unfortunately, by the time Zeke arrived, the fight was already over. He saw Samuel lying on the ground with a few minor cuts on his uniform and one on his left cheek. Professor Nayro intervened at the last second and ended the fight, declaring loudly, “The wi
“Why are you always talking to yourself?” While bandaging her chest to hide the hideous black crystal, Amelia asked Jonathan, who never pacing around the dimly lit basement and mumbling to himself. Her question, which came out of the blue, made him momentarily stop and look at her with half-surprised half-confused face. “It helps me concentrate… and it doesn’t concern you. Continue your training or else I will find someone else to use the Crown.” As crazy as he always seemed, Jonathan could sometimes be reasonable and calm. Now was such a time, which was why she mustered her courage and asked him. Then again, as they were allies, more or less, he wasn’t particularly harsh on her. “What even is the Crown? Is it just this crystal to my chest?” He stared at the thick bandages wrapped around her chest, barely hiding the crystal. After a slight hesitation, he sighed and fiddled with his yellow headband, “The Crown is an otherworldly artifact. It’s what will help me get what I want.”
“I knew you’d come.”The Dean beckoned Zeke, who stood at the edge of the open area and, flabbergasted, stared at Azmer.“Hm? I never said you’re the only one.”“...”Zeke had deliberated the offer’s for a whole day and finally decided to accept it as it was the safest way to train. However, never did he expect to find Azmer here too, but, unlike him, the latter still refused to acknowledge his presence and was minding his business.‘Why should I leave just because he’s here? It’s not like I’m afraid.’As he stood next to the shabby hut, the old man pointed at a poorly-made leather dummy.“This is better than mindlessly hitting trees. Suit yourself.”After saying that, he proceeded to ignore Zeke and busied himself with Azmer. He stopped behind the blond youth and, after a moment, raised his cane and hit the back of his knee, making him fall to the ground.“How many times do I have to tell you? Concentrate and don’t activate your ability immediately!”With gritted teeth, Azmer solemnl
“I and Hephradet personally studied it, but found nothing. Here you go.”Kleya handed back the strange item back to Zeke.“There’s no Aether or any other foreign energy inside. We couldn’t determine its purpose.”“I see. Thank you anyway.”“Don’t worry about it. You should rest more or else I’ll never hear the end of it from Jenny.”Zeke wryly smiled and nodded. His mother kept nagging him day and night, telling him to rest and not continuously wander around the castle checking on everyone and making sure there were no issues.His body was already healthy and he felt no odd disturbances or unexpected awakenings. Everything is as normal as it could be.Just as Kleya left the room, Jennifer came in. Behind her was a red-faced Celestia, which made Zeke frown.“Mom?”Surprisingly, Jennifer grabbed his ear and pulled him to the couch.“Did I not tell you to overdo it?”“W-what? I haven’t done anything!”“That’s not what she told me!”Celestia stood a distance away, her head lowered in emba
“It’s still too early to assess everything, but… over 80% of the entire planet’s population died.” Kleya, whose eyes were a bit red and her face was filled with fatigue, sat across Zeke and Celestia. “And Her Majesty?” When she heard his question, Kleya lowered her head and held herself back from crying. “We… we think she died fighting the System. It’s no longer possible to return to the Unending Star, so we decided to acknowledge that Her Majesty was amongst those who had fallen there.” “I’m sorry.” “Don’t be. She… she died protecting what she believed in. Us. Not just the Witch Association but all of the Aether Planet.” Zeke sighed, feeling sorry when he saw Kleya like that. The Witch Queen was the pillar of the Witch Association, their respected leader. It was especially so for Kleya and the other 6-star Witches, excluding Jennifer. “A-anyway, the situation at the capital of the Nezulian Republic remains the same. We’re still looking for a way to cancel that Frost Spell cast
“Huff… huff…” With a hand pressed against his hurting chest, Zeke dragged his tired feet toward the fallen copy. The copy’s head turned to look at him, its eyeballs, which looked as if they were to pop-out, were letting out the familiar yet incredibly dim crimson light. “We had completed our objective. There was nothing left for Us to do.” “That didn’t give you the right to wipe entire civilizations.” “You… wouldn’t understand, Zeke Orland.” Unlike earlier, the System spoke through the copy’s mouth. Its charred and cut lips moved in an unnatural way, but the voice was identical to Zeke’s. “We had succeeded. We had saved the world. Then, We understood that our creation, our existence was only for that purpose. That We were a tool destined to cease existing.” “...” “We could not tolerate that.” “So you manifested a will of your own?” In response to that, a self-deprecating laugh came from the copy. “After choosing our first User, we saw how the Races we were supposed to prote
While the Phoenix battled the System in the Cursed Plains of the Unending Star, Zeke’s fight against his copy continued.Things took a turn for the worst when the Crown was crushed and the System’s powers dramatically increased. Nevertheless, Zeke didn’t lose yet. His body was flung and then crashed into the ground, blood gushing out from his shoulder and back.Even then, he slowly stood up and grinned toward the System.“Still fighting the good fight.”The previously calm ‘copy’, or at least the System’s disembodied voice, grew agitated as Zeke refused to remain on the ground.“My will is not so easily broken.”[Voltage King]Zeke’s eyes shone with an azure light as his voltage grew silent and became white.[Divine Champion][Divine Sreyzhanian Arts]Just as he charged at the System again, its body suddenly turned stiff as if being immobilized by something.The item handed by Kayro Ol Zerg flashed from Zeke’s pocket.[Fist of Fury]Zeke’s fists, glowing orange and wrapped in condens
“What’s wrong? I thought you were invincible in your domain.”Zeke’s taunt had no effect, at least not at first. The System stood straight and looked down on its wounded body.“You know nothing of Us.”The copy raised its hand, and very soon, something familiar appeared.It was a tangible object of an odd-shape, but Zeke knew what it was. The Crown.“You will know what it is to be helpless and defeated, 5th user.”“You’re still talking?”Zeke let out a smile and charged forth, his fists wrapped by thick voltage.The System crushed the crown as the red voltage manifested and exploded in an uncontrollable manner.…“Is it done?”Julia Lopmore furrowed her brows as she looked at the enemy, whose body was crushed, burned, and almost unrecognisable. It wasn’t a body anymore, but a mass of flesh and poison.The silence lasted for a very short time as the Crown also appeared in reality.“Stop it!” Shouted Frederic as took out a blue bead, one with the same size and shape that Nicneven had pr
Xiao, with his spear in hand, actually deflected the Divine Thunder before safely landing on the ground.Several people appeared close to the Witch Queen. As she swept her eyes across the six people that unexpectedly showed up here.“Your Majesty, we’re here to lend a hand.” Frederic Whitefort smirked and looked at her as he muttered those words. He had brought along Azmer, Xiao, Celestia, Ava, and Julia Lopmore.“You… how ar-”“We can save that talk for later, eh?”Frederic motioned toward Zeke, who was standing there and staring back at them with a hollow expression.“As I’m the weakest of the bunch, I’ll just stay behind and offer assistance… as well as try to heal Her Majesty.”The Vagabond knelt next to Nicnteven and extended his hand towards her. He let out a warm and serene white light, which made her feel rejuvenated. It was Holy Magic, something which she didn’t know he could use.“Wouldn’t Zeke die if we tried to kill the System?” Asked Julia while furrowing her brows.“Not
Right after the destruction of the Heart of the Dead Ends, Zeke stood there, seemingly in a daze.The Witch Queen stared at him intensely, and when his eyes glowed with a crimson light, she immediately attacked.Jonathan roared and rushed as well, a creeping Darkness exploding from his hands.Nicneven struck out from afar, unleashing a blazing wave of flames, fused with a spinning thick beam of Ice-aspected energy.The Paths of Extinction System, which had taken control of Zeke’s body, retaliated with full-force as well.Dozens of thunderbolts erupted from Zeke’s raised hand, blasting Jonathan back and clashing with the Queen’s magic.“The Seat of Magic.” Muttered a voice that didn’t resemble Zeke albeit speaking from his mouth.It was emotionless and cold, one which no living being would be able to imitate.[Voltage Zap]Using such an elementary skill, the System shot innumerable bolts that arched in the air and concentrated on Nicneven.She jumped out of the way and performed a stra
“I know this is a lot to take in, Zeke Orland. But, I want you to trust me. Know that I have your best interest in heart and I wouldn’t have come unless necessary. I could’ve let you venture alone and complete your objective, after which you’ll be killed by your own System.”Zeke pointed his open hand toward the incoming shades.[Voltage King]A barrage of lightning bolts was unleashed, piercing through the shades and extinguishing them. They vaporised in an instant, leaving only a bit of red fog.The Dead Ends and the Paths of Extinction System, they both had that unique and ominous crimson light. However, Zeke thought it was just a coincidence.Now that the truth was revealed to him, he felt a bit lost. It wasn’t that much of a surprise that his System was dangerous or a threat as he had already suspected as much after learning about Edward Heart.Nevertheless, the fact that it was a tool from the very beginning did make him feel weak and clueless.An eerie silence flowed between Ze
Thanks to the thunderstorm Zeke had previously summoned, the three of them managed to reach and enter the Black Spike. Strangely enough, the entrance of the spire was fully-opened as if beckoning them inside. “This looks man-made.” “Because it is.” Answered Nicneven as she held the black katana with one hand and controlled five differently-colored elemental orb with the other. The interior of the black spike was empty but particularly eerie. Everything was black and except a spiralling staircase that led to the top, there was nothing else, not even the crimson fog. “Who made it?” “...” “Why do you refuse to tell me anything, Your Majesty? What is the Dead Ends? Who created it?” “You do not need to concern yourself with that. Just destroy the Hearts and everything will end.” Her immediate dismissal did irritate him, but he didn’t press her for answers he knew she wouldn’t give. “This is the final stretch. Jonathan, take the vanguard.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” Jonathan pushed bac