Astralis Arcanum was the most powerful academy within the Divine Empire of Iaionia, and its influence spread far and wide within the empire. The Academy was a national asset, producing many valuable talents for the Empire.Malachi did not know much about this Academy because, in his past life, it was already destroyed by the time he gained strength. How such a powerful academy like Astralis Arcanum could be wiped out in a single night remained a mystery to him.“Even with my memories from my past life, there are still questions I cannot answer.”Nevertheless, regardless of his desire for answers, his ambition to become the strongest remained of utmost importance.His gaze returned to the map. “Checking all the buildings one by one will take too much time. I have to do something.”The blue, cloudy skies gradually turned dark as nighttime descended. The moon rose high in the sky.Malachi, cloaked in dark attire, swiftly moved above the rooftops, leaping and traversing from one rooftop t
Malachi let out a sigh as another arcane bolt came flying towards him. He tilted his body to the side, making the bolt missed its mark.On the tower, Stork frowned as he kept missing his shot. He activated his Eagle’s Vision, making his vision keener and capable of spotting distant targets with exceptional clarity.His hand grabbed an arcane bolt from his Aetherial Quiver, enchanted to hold a vast supply of arcane bolts, ensuring he was always ready for distant kill.With swift motion, he released another bolt towards Malachi. Once again, Malachi moved his body right at the last second, but Stork already anticipated that.With his ability ‘Wind Whisper’ Stork manipulated wind currents to adjust the trajectory of his arcane bolt, ensuring it reach its mark.The bolt changed direction, and went towards Malachi’s chest. “I got him!” Stork announced, but he was soon disappointed as the bolt went through Malachi like he wasn’t there in the first place. Then Malachi vanished, revealing tha
While Mary and Alyssa were talking, they did not realize that Malachi was inside the ceiling, listening to their conversation.He heard them talking about bones and how it manage to turn non-living objects into hideous creatures. The talk went on for hours until the both of them decided to leave.“This is my chance. Seraphina, keep a lookout for me.”“Humph! Didn’t you say that you work better when alone.”Malachi ignored her and tried to cut the ceiling only to find out that it was made from a powerful material. ‘I can’t get cut it. I need to enter from the entrance.’He slipped out and landed in the hallway, only a few meters away from the door. His feet was silent. They didn’t make any sound even when he jumped from 5 meters.His movement was so discreet that the 5 thieves that tried to pick the door did not notice him. All of them wore dark attires that covered their entire body except their eyes.One of them who seemed to be the leader said: “All of you owe me a lot of money. I j
A few hours earlier.Malachi summoned his Stygian Dagger as four shadow hands grabbed on all of Mary’s limbs. Lifting her in the air, preventing her from moving or trying to escape.“Why are you doing this? Is this about the bones? Alyssa said my life is going to be in danger, but I don’t expect it to be this soon. I will tell you everything I know about the bones. Please spare me.”Malachi raised an eyebrow. ‘Is this really the target? A member of the Syndicate shouldn’t act like this.’The boy raised his palm. A line of fire formed on it, creating a sigil that changed every second. Malachi approached.“What are you going to do?” Mary watch in horror. “No. Don’t torture me. I will tell you anything you want to know.”Malachi put his palm on the bare skin of her stomach. Nothing happened. He checked her wrist, her ankles, her back. There was no Umbral Brand on her body.“You’re not the target,” Malachi said.Hearing that, Mary was a bit confused before she let out a sigh of relief aft
Malachi returned to the Academy. Although he failed the mission, he did not care as he already got what he wanted. With ease, he walked to the mission hall and reported the situation.The target was an impostor. It was possible that the target switched identity with someone else and was still in hiding somewhere else.“Although you did not complete the mission, you will still earn half of the merit of this mission, so that will be 50 merit points. That’s actually quite a lot for your first mission.”Malachi then requested to leave the region for a few weeks.“Well, this shouldn’t be allowed, but since you did not die on your first mission and manage to obtain a valuable information, I will let you.”Suddenly, a firm hand slammed on the table. “Who give you permission to give such permits?” A man glared at the receptionist before he set his gaze towards Malachi.“You want to leave the region? You haven’t even graduated yet. You shouldn’t even be allowed in the mission hall, and now you
Malachi stood in the dimly lit chamber of the Shadocraft Academy. The chamber was one of the academy’s facilities, and Syndicate members could rent them for their personal use. Malachi spent 10 merit points to rent this chamber, and spent 40 merit points to obtain a high quality corpse. A high quality corpse simply meant a corpse with minimal wounds or damage to its organs.The quality of his undead was determined by the quality of the corpses. The more damaged a corpse was, the lower its quality would be when he turned it into an undead.“What corpse did you buy?” Seraphina asked.Malachi rolled his eyes. “Is your job asking questions or helping me? Why is your god sending a useless minion to me?”Seraphina pouted. “Humph! You think I am useless? Check this out!” Seraphina blew an ethereal wind that brushed past Malachi’s face. The wind looked extremely cold, but Malachi did not feel it.The wind then moved around in the air before forming an ancient and cryptic text.“This is necr
Malachi knew that this abomination he had created was now under his control, bound to his will through the dark magic he had harnessed. But with this power came the responsibility of maintaining dominion over it.Having an undead was like having a wild beast as a pet. The more higher the quality and the stronger the undead, the difficulty of controlling it became significantly harder.The quantity also mattered. The more undead a necromancer control, the more effort he needed to control them. That was why a lot of necromancers decided to only control a few high quality undead instead of commanding a whole army of undead. Only powerful necromancers dared to command thousands if not tens of thousands of undead. There were huge cons of picking this path however. Necromancers who had an army of undead usually had low individual strength. It meant that they rely on their undead army to their bidding. If they were caught in personal combat, they would lose. These necromancers preferred t
Malachi's confident smile remained as he held out the Fragments of Aetherium Crystal for all to see. The inn's atmosphere shifted from one of amusement to one of intrigue and curiosity as patrons whispered and pointed at the valuable crystals. Some even wondered why this kid was brave enough to bring those crystals all alone.Monkey Monk's expression changed from one of dismissive arrogance to one of apprehension. He knew the worth of those crystals, and the stakes had just been raised far higher than he had anticipated. Malachi took a step closer to the table where Monkey Monk presided. "Can I play now?”Monkey Monk hesitated, glancing around at the expectant faces of the inn's patrons. He couldn't afford to back down now; his reputation as a fearless gambler was at stake. "Very well," he said with forced confidence. "But only if you're willing to match my bet with those crystals." Malachi nodded, his eyes never leaving Monkey Monk's. He placed the Fragments of Aetherium Crystal o
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