A thick blizzard dominated the entirety of the Whitefrost planes, whether it was night or day. The blistering cold and the insurmountable mass of snow made it almost impossible to travel on foot. However, against all odds, Jonathan Stellar Link dragged his tired body across the snow and ice with Amelia on his back. He would take brief rests then continue this journey, after all, he had dangerous pursuers, ones which had a much better means of transport. One week after he fled The Sunken Metropolis, deep into the unforgiving Whitefrost Lands, the pursuers from the Department of Defense finally caught up. Actually, there were only two of them; They wore standard black military uniforms as if the bone-chilling cold didn’t affect them. “It’s about you gave up on this cat and mouse pursuit, Jonathan.” One of the two, the taller one, grinned and spoke with a nonchalant tone. “...” Jonathan didn’t respond, he immediately sprung into action; The black mist burst from his body, pushing t
It wasn’t that Zeke was merely following Samuel’s whims, he was going to challenge Rodrick again to raise his rank and try to discover the peculiarity behind the sudden and inexplicable power-up.Tuesday morning, right after Zeke finished the first batch of exams, he was unexpectedly called by Maxine, telling him to come to the meeting and lounge room of the Special Investigation Squad.It was clear that Celestia wasn’t pleased with having him around, and she wanted to interact with him as little as possible, therefore, Zeke didn’t think they would invite him over.While musing with himself, Zeke headed to the Administrative Bureau Building during lunchbreak and arrived at the cozy ‘office’ of his seniors.All six members were present and sitting around a fancy and exquisite black wooden table. Maxine beckoned him to sit next to her, which he quietly did, a deep frown on his face.“Before we begin, let me make a couple of things clear.” Stated Celestia as she piercingly stared at him,
As agreed with his new colleagues, Zeke was going to challenge Rodrick for the second time. Even with the supposed drug, he had become considerably stronger, so dealing with Rodrick’s Wind Magic was possible.Finding the target wasn’t particularly difficult as Rodrick tended to hang out with Fylard and the rest in the ‘delinquent classroom’ which Julia used to frequent.The second Zeke stepped in, he caught the attention of everyone. Not only wasn’t he a ‘regular’, but, as a former Defect, he wasn’t that liked, especially by these unruly and arrogant students.“To what do we owe the honor, Zeke?”Fylard stepped first, a shit-eating grin on his bony face. His beady eyes were intently fixated on Zeke.“I came to challenge Rodrick Dontortyian.”“Me? Hah!”The burly Rodrick stood up, towering over his peers.‘He looks even bigger than usual. Is this another side-effect of the drug or?’After Fylard gave a subtle signal, Rodrick excitedly cracked his knuckles and licked his lips. “It’s ab
With no clue to find the spot he saw in his vision, Zeke closed his eyes and concentrated, hoping there would be a reaction. For the first couple of seconds, there was nothing, but, when he opened his eyes, the map twitched and moved on its own, surprising Sulong.When he looked at the youth, he saw his eyes let out an ominous black light which pierced a small hole into the map.Zeke didn’t know how it happened or what it was, but he was that was the place. While pointing at that hole, he asked,“Here… do you know where it is?”“E-em the sewers are split into three large regions. This one is the ‘safest’ and has dozens of homeless people living there.”By now, Sulong already knew that Zeke was quite unusual, even if grouped up with Erys’ students. He no longer questioned the bizarre events or inquired more than he needed to.After obtaining the ability to wield the mysterious crimson fire, he felt indebted and grateful to Zeke, opting to trust him and follow his steps rather than oppo
While Zeke and Sulong were engaged in a fight against that mysterious man, Katrina, who had sensed something, went ahead. Even though she saw the man, she ignored him and sped toward a large circular room at the end of the long sewer tunnel. There, she saw at least a dozen robed people kneeling around a large sinister altar. A sinister black light was emanating from the altar and invading the believers' bodies, making them convulse on the ground then explode into a mass of flesh and gore. This sight didn’t shock the woman as she watched for a bit. She saw the black-robbed people’s face; They were filled with bliss and joy as they welcomed their God’s aura and accepted their cruel fate with welcome arms. Only their leader was exempt from dying. He was a tall man with little hair left on his deformed head. The entirety of his eyes were jet black and his left arm was thrice as long as average with thick and thin tentacles protruding from it. Without a sliver of hesitation, Katrina da
Zeke’s venture into the sewers revealed many things to him. First, the sinister and, as-of-yet, unknown plans of the Blood Dusk Society. Second, the Paths of Extinctions System and its unexpected reward due to the unplanned and so-called ‘Blood Infusion’. Zeke got a decent amount of Stats, including Fortitude, which was incredibly difficult to increase.‘I still don’t know what that voice… my voice, wanted me to do. I want to know what happened in the sewers but I’m still too weak to go alone.’Undoubtedly, if Zeke asked, Sulong would definitely go with him again. However, the bald thug, his new ability notwithstanding, was still too inexperienced to fight monstrously strong abominations. He had been injured during that brief fight and were it not for his strong physique, he would have sustained heavier wounds, at the very least.After Zeke was done reading, he was planning to return to the dormitory to rest. It had been a long day, whether it was fighting Rodrick, suffering the dizzy
Christopher Balrand, one of the three teachers of the First Years classes, stood behind a thick and transparent wall, his narrowed locked onto Rodrick.After his ‘powers’ ran out of control, the burly student was immediately brought to an interrogation room under the Administrative Bureau Building of Erys.He had been suspected to be one of the students whose powers were strengthened through outside and illegal substance use, and his battle against Zeke was more than enough proof to lock him up. In fact, it was within Principal Solas’s authority to hand Rodrick to the Department of Defense and make them deal with the rest, but that would cause the youth to be inhumanely tortured to extract information.“We’re not allowed to use violence. How are we supposed to make him talk?”The hooded John, one of the members of the Special Investigation Squad, was displeased with how they were treating Rodrick. He stood next to Christopher and grumbled loudly, but the teacher turned a deaf ear.Upo
Thanks to the timely arrival of the teachers and the upperclassmen, the chaos that unfolded within the dormitories, specifically the First Year males dormitory, was swiftly handled. In total, there were 17 injured students, three of them needed immediate care and excessive healing from Doctor Xavier. Maxine remained by Zeke’s side, repeatedly checking up on him and instructing him not to run away on his own, as was his wont. Although panicked and still fearful, the students were ordered to return to their respective rooms and try to rest. No classes will be held tomorrow to allow them a brief respite and thoroughly investigate the whole affair. Amongst the rampaging students, the most troublesome one was Fylard. His ability had totally run out of control, thus forcing Celestia to deploy violent measures to subdue him. Even though he was taken to the infirmary, Professor Nayro remained by his side, not as an escort but as a guard. “We should’ve locked him up the moment we start
“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