Jobba was flabbergasted. His whole body unable to move for a couple of seconds. Even though Malachi said that he had massacred an entire village before, he did not believe him at first since some children liked to brag and exaggerate their stories. But the scene in front of him proved that everything he said before was real. What Malachi showed him earlier wasn't a trick. It was pure strength and power. The other children didn't even have time to realize that they were being massacred. It happened so quickly. So quick, in fact, the children didn't even scream or shout in pain.Jobba's thoughts raced. Malachi knew that he was much more powerful than the other children and waited for them all to come before killing them. He didn't do anything until the last second and became the sole winner of this test. He didn't even let a single one survive despite knowing that the academy was accepting 5 students.Ruthless, intelligent, talented. His legs shivered at the thought of how a child wit
The trees blurred away from view as the carriage sped through the forest. Malachi sat by the window, his elbow resting on the wooden frame while he looked at the ever-changing scenery outside the carriage. The sky was clear today, bright blue, almost reaching afternoon. Tall grasses swayed in the gentle breeze, their golden tips shimmering in the sunlight. In the distance, a river meandered lazily, reflecting the vibrant blue of the sky. Malachi looked ahead, his gaze fixed upon the mesmerizing scene unfolding before him. The rhythmic sound of hooves thumping against the earth filled the air, creating a soothing and almost hypnotic melody. Two majestic Crystalhooves, their antlers shimmering with iridescent colors, were harnessed to the carriage, their powerful forms pulling it forward effortlessly. Their steps left behind fleeting trails of magical light, casting an enchanting glow on the forest path. Malachi could feel the tranquil aura of the Crystalhooves as they moved with gra
The carriage moved further into the academy grounds, and Malachi noticed that the architecture within was as mesmerizing as the exterior. The corridors and chambers were grand and luxurious. The structure as a whole exuded an aura of mystique and grandeur, making those who visited it feel a sense of anticipation.The carriage came to a stop at an empty square. A man with sharp blue eyes and a scar across his left cheek was waiting at the center. Feeling the carriage stopping, Jobba stepped out, and Malachi followed him.“What is this? Where are the other children?”“I will bring them here at another time. For now, take care of this one.”“Jobba, you should know that my time is precious. How can you waste my time for only taking care of one child? Bring the others here.”“They haven't done the test yet. It will take some time, so take this one first, Mascarino.”Mascarino frowned and glanced at the boy who looked young and innocent. He even noticed the smooth hands without any calluse
Bantania and the other seniors stood there, panting heavily, their disbelief evident in their wide-eyed stares. Malachi had managed to evade every single one of their attacks effortlessly, leaving them feeling frustrated.Malachi lazily dodged another punch as he was deep in thoughts. The young students here were quite talented and skilled in physical fighting. They weren’t dumb either as they used many dirty tricks when attacking him. It was clear that they reached this academy by defeating many other children before. The academy basically filtered out the weak and picked the best to train in this academy. ‘I do not want to waste time here. I need to do something so I can be free from attending class.’Malachi stepped forward, his hand formed the shape of a blade, and he struck towards one of the boy’s chests.With a loud thud and cracking sound, the boy got the wind knocked out of him as he fell to the ground and vigorously gasped for air.“Help! I can’t breathe! Help me!”The othe
Mascarino, one of the Professors of Assassination within the Shadowcraft Academy. Naturally, since he was able to become a professor in this academy, his skill must be way above the average. And it was a fact that he was a seasoned assassin. One could sense his confidence from the way he carried himself; unwavering faith in his skill.His background was no joke either. Unlike most members in the syndicate who came from slums and sewage, Mascarino was born into a family of skilled assassins. From a young age, he was trained in the deadly arts. He honed his skills through years of practice and missions, becoming one of the most renowned assassins in the underworld.Malachi could understand Mascarino’s power at a glance. In his current body, it was impossible to defeat him unless he had time to prepare.“Do I get time to prepare?” Malachi asked.“No. You and me. Right now.” Mascarino rolled up his sleeves and massaged his arms.Without further warning, Mascarino suddenly blinked out of e
Malachi was allowed to return to his room, and so he did. He wouldn't be able to learn anything new from the class anyway. The professor's skills and abilities were basic for him. Mascarino was far stronger than Malachi; if it wasn't for that, Malachi wouldn't have struggled so much. But, if he really wanted to defeat the professor, he could. He just did not want to reveal all of his abilities yet.In the bout earlier, he didn't even use all of his skills yet. His intention from the start was to impress the professor to grant him special privileges and to prevent the other students from shouting out complaints.The only way to do that was to show his capabilities to them all. His fight against the professor was merely a show for them to approve of this privileged access. No one would complain about it; in fact, they would nod and admit that Malachi deserved this privilege.In a day, he managed to earn the respect of his peers, impressed the professor, and earned a privilege within the
The sun came into view, illuminating the trees and plants that had waited for it all through the night. Malachi was meditating while perched on a rock when the grass swung in the wind and ruffled his hair.His lungs threatened to drag the adjacent grass into his nose as he inhaled deeply. The grass in front of him was flattened as he let it out through his mouth, creating a tremendous wind."My strength has increased," Malachi spoke. The reason he wasn't fond of physical activity was that it was more efficient to increase his physical prowess through meditation. Sure, there were times when he needed physical activity to break through his limits, but it wasn't necessary to do it every day. Using his mind, soul, and dark magic, he was able to break every organ in his body and repair them simultaneously, making his body more resilient.Dark magic was a potent source of energy capable of offensive or defensive purposes, but it could also be used for healing and much more, such as trapping
"How do you plan on obtaining a Death Guard? If you want to create a powerful undead, you will need a very good corpse. A corpse of a powerful figure, perhaps?""That's exactly what I need. Luckily, I know someone who knows the location of this corpse. It was the corpse of an Ancient King of the past, said to be the most powerful warrior of all. With his full might, he could be said to cleave a small hill into two. His strength dwarfed even the strongest warrior today.""Was he your Death Guard in your past life?""No. Someone found him and used him to fight against me. I barely managed to destroy him even with my full strength.""What is the name of this Ancient King?""I don't know. His existence was a secret until he was summoned to fight against me.""Okay, so what is your next step?""I will have to get out of here and find the person that knows about this information.""Who is it?""It's a student in a quite renowned academy."...Astralis Arcanum Academy was a gigantic academy
After the unsettling events of the evening, Malachi made his way back to his room within the estate, his footsteps echoing softly in the dimly lit corridors. Upon entering, he gracefully sank onto the bed, exhaling a calculated sigh of feigned exhaustion. He sprawled there, his posture a picture of weariness, yet his mind was anything but at rest. Malachi was acutely aware of the ever-watchful eyes that monitored his every move, invisible threads of scrutiny woven throughout the noble’s domain.No sooner had he settled than the door creaked open, revealing a maid pushing a cart laden with refreshments: a pitcher of fresh orange juice, an assortment of fruits, and an array of snacks. She approached with a quiet efficiency, placing the cart beside him with a deferential bow before turning to leave, her movements practiced and unobtrusive.Malachi’s gaze followed her departure, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, appreciating the predictable routine of hospitality—or perhaps, su
In the moonlit garden of the estate, an air of anticipation and amusement filled the air as Malachi and the tall, blonde nobleman faced each other. The gathering of nobles, drawn by the prospect of a light sparring session between the renowned Malachi and one of their own, stood around in a semi-circle, their expressions ranging from curiosity to outright glee.The nobleman, his rapier hanging elegantly at his waist, introduced himself with a flourish. “I am Lord Edric, a humble practitioner of the blade,” he said, his voice carrying a note of pride. He offered Malachi a slight nod, the gesture a subtle acknowledgment of respect typically given to a commoner by a noble.Malachi, understanding the nuances of the gesture, responded in kind. He bent his knees slightly and bowed his head, maintaining eye contact with Lord Edric. This posture indicated his respect for the noble’s status, yet it also conveyed his readiness to engage fully in the spar.As they prepared to begin, another nobl
As Malachi stepped into the grand hall of the estate, he was immediately struck by the opulence that surrounded him. The room was a dazzling array of colors and lights, filled with beautiful women in flowing gowns and handsome nobles in their finest attire. Each person there held a tall standing, rulers of their own territories, their power and influence palpable in the air.Surveying the room, Malachi couldn’t help but think that this gathering was much more significant than he had initially anticipated. The small, relatively poor town he had been staying in seemed an unlikely place to draw the attention of such high-ranking nobility. His reputation, it seemed, had spread far and wide, or perhaps these nobles were facing a threat so grave that they were willing to use any means to increase their odds of survival.As he mingled through the crowd, a noble approached him. The man carried himself with an air of authority and grace, his eyes sharp and assessing.“Master Malachi, it’s a
In the heart of the city, amidst the bustling training grounds, Malachi was deeply engaged in instructing a group of new recruits. His methods were unconventional, yet highly effective, drawing a crowd of onlookers who watched in awe. The children he had trained stood by, observing and learning from his every move.As Malachi demonstrated a complex maneuver, a soldier approached him, navigating through the crowd with a sense of purpose. The soldier, clad in the city’s guard uniform, carried himself with a respectful demeanor.“Master Malachi,” the soldier called out, drawing Malachi’s attention. The recruits paused, turning to witness the interaction.Malachi turned, his expression calm and inquisitive. “What is it?” he asked, his tone neither welcoming nor dismissive.The soldier bowed slightly, a sign of deep respect. “I bring a message for you, sir,” he said, extending his hand to present a magnificent letter. The envelope was adorned with gold embellishments, its craftsmanship ind
As Garrick, driven by a mix of rage and desperation, charged towards Malachi, the air around them seemed to crackle with tension. Malachi, his expression unchanging, calmly assessed his adversary. He knew the bandit leader was no match for him, but he also understood the importance of making a statement.In a fluid, almost effortless motion, Malachi extended his hand, summoning the shadows around him. A bolt of dark energy, pulsating with malevolent power, coalesced in his palm. With a flick of his wrist, he released the Dark Bolt, directing it straight at Garrick.The bolt tore through the air with a hiss, striking Garrick squarely in the chest. The impact was devastating, the dark energy consuming him in an instant. Garrick’s body crumpled to the ground, lifeless, a look of shock forever etched on his face.As Garrick fell, a notification flashed.[You have killed a bandit].[You have received 20 soul points]. These acknowledgments of his deed were mere formalities to Malachi, insi
The aftermath of the raid was a scene of chilling efficiency. The bandits, with ruthless precision, gathered the trembling women and herded them back to their camp. The night air was heavy with a mix of fear and resignation as the captives shuffled along, their futures uncertain.At the camp, the bandits, with a twisted sense of hospitality, allowed their captives to clean themselves. The women, still in shock, moved robotically, their minds numbed by the night’s horrors.As the women bathed under the watchful eyes of their captors, Malachi observed them with a detached curiosity. His gaze was analytical, searching for any sign of rebellion or escape plans. But all he saw were broken spirits and defeated bodies.Later, as the bandits gathered around a roaring fire, the leader, a burly man named Garrick, made his appearance. His eyes, dark and calculating, scanned the captives with a predatory gaze. “Well done, boys,” he praised his men. “A fine haul tonight.”Malachi, still in his dis
The city, usually bustling with the everyday clamor of its inhabitants, was blissfully unaware of the new threat lurking within its walls. A group of bandits, cunningly disguised as merchants, made their way through the city gates. The guards, diligent but unsuspecting, waved them through without a second glance. But the keen eyes of the street children, who had learned to notice the unusual in their daily struggle for survival, immediately sensed something amiss.Eli, one of the children who had recently started training under Malachi, narrowed his eyes as he watched the carriage trundle through the streets. “Something’s not right about them,” he muttered to his companions. The group of children, their curiosity piqued, decided to follow the disguised bandits at a safe distance.The carriage, instead of heading towards the bustling market square as one would expect from merchants, stopped at a restaurant near the military barracks. The bandits chose a table outside, ostensibly to enj
The following day dawned with a new challenge for the children under Malachi’s tutelage. As the sun rose, casting its golden rays over the barracks, Malachi led them into the dense forest where the soldiers were already engaged in a hunt. The soldiers, formidable and seasoned, moved with precision and confidence, hunting giant bears, wolves, and other fearsome beasts.“Watch closely,” Malachi instructed the children. “Observe their tactics, their coordination. There is much to learn from them.”The soldiers, aware of their young audience, seemed to take pride in their prowess. They displayed extravagant moves, working in pairs to efficiently track and take down their targets. Each move was a blend of strength and strategy, a dance between predator and prey.The children, wide-eyed with amazement, whispered among themselves, pointing out the soldiers’ techniques and the fluidity of their actions. They were particularly impressed by how even in the face of danger, the soldiers maintaine
After the refreshing bath in the lake, Malachi's demeanor shifted from nurturing to demanding. "Now, we run," he announced, his tone leaving no room for debate. The children, still catching their breath from the earlier exercise, exchanged weary glances but dutifully followed as Malachi set off at a steady pace.The run was grueling. Malachi led them over several kilometers of undulating hills, each ascent more challenging than the last. Then, without warning, he veered off towards a mountainous terrain. The children's legs burned with fatigue, their breaths shallow and rapid. The sun, now high in the sky, beat down mercilessly, adding to their exhaustion.Some of the children began to falter, their steps slowing, bodies slumping towards the ground. Voices of protest rose among them, pleading for a respite. Malachi, however, was unyielding. "Keep going," he commanded. "True warriors find strength even in their weakest moments. This training is not for the faint-hearted."His words, t