"Awaken, Najin…"
A mysterious voice whispered, beckoning me from the depths of unconsciousness.
"Your time has come. Soon, you will be reborn, and forget everything you have ever experienced."
I slowly opened my eyes, only to be greeted by an impenetrable darkness. There were no sounds, no shapes, no signs of life - just an eerie void that engulfed me completely. But despite the disorienting sense of isolation, I felt a familiar warmth that radiated from within.
As I attempted to rise, I realized that my legs had become useless, leaving me to flounder in the darkness. My exhaustion was overwhelming, making it nearly impossible to stay awake. But I knew that I had to push through, to understand what was happening to me.
The voice spoke again, its tone evoking a sense of mystery and intrigue.
"You are approaching a new life, Najin."
"One that will wipe away your memories and give you a chance to start anew. But first, you must face the unknown."
I couldn't fathom what the voice was talking about.
What new life?
What memories did I have to forget?
I tried to recall my past, but it was a blur, a fleeting glimpse of something I couldn't quite grasp.
As I struggled to understand, the voice continued to speak.
"You will face many trials, Najin," it said.
"And you will be tested in ways you never thought possible. But you must remain strong. You must persevere."
The voice's words only heightened my sense of confusion and apprehension.
What trials?
What tests?
And why was I the one who had to endure them?
Suddenly, a searing pain ripped through my head, rendering me helpless. I fell to the ground, writhing in agony, as my vision and hearing began to fade. I could feel myself slipping away, my consciousness fading into the inky blackness.
But just as I thought all was lost, the voice returned, its words ringing through the darkness.
"You must not give up, Najin."
"You must fight. You must find the strength within yourself to overcome."
As I lay there, my body numb and my mind empty, I couldn't help but think back to the pain that had consumed me earlier. It had been all-encompassing, suffocating me until I thought I couldn't take it anymore. But somehow, I had found the strength to keep going, to push forward even when all hope seemed lost.
And yet, as I lay here now, listening to the voice that seemed to be coming from nowhere, I couldn't help but feel like I was back at square one. My body was failing me once again, and this time, it felt like there was no coming back from it. I wanted to speak, to ask for help, but my voice had abandoned me.
The voice continued to speak, its words hauntingly sad.
"Wake up now, your time is coming," it said.
And with each passing moment, it felt like a weight was pressing down on me, crushing me beneath its burden. I felt myself slipping away, my mind breaking into a million pieces, and I knew that I was powerless to stop it.
But even in that moment of darkness, I clung to the memory of the pain that had propelled me forward before. I knew that I had to keep fighting, to find the strength to push through this darkness and emerge on the other side. And with that thought, I felt a renewed sense of determination rising within me, propelling me towards the light.
"…"
In the blink of an eye, I vanished without a trace. The world around me was still, and the only sound was the beating of my heart. It was a sound that echoed through the void, reminding me of the fragility of my existence.
As I stood there in the silence, I couldn't help but wonder what awaited me in the future. What was my purpose, and why did I feel so drawn to the unknown? The questions danced in my mind, taunting me with their elusive answers.
But then a voice broke through the stillness, a voice that was familiar yet mysterious. It whispered to me, beckoning me forward into the depths of the unknown. And I followed.
"Najin, rise and shine! If you don't get out of that bed, I'll be forced to push you out myself!" barked a familiar voice.
Startled, I jolted upright in my bed, rubbing my bleary eyes.
"Huh? What's going on, Yato? Why are you in such a hurry?" I yawned.
"It's our first day at the academy stronghold, Najin! The fate of our future lies in our hands. We can't afford to be late."
"Ah, I see. Thanks for the reminder."
"Are you even listening to me, Najin? We need to get going before we're tardy again, all because of your laziness!" Yato retorted with a hint of annoyance.
"Relax, Yato. I'll be ready in no time."
As I dressed in my simple black kimono, I reflected on my isolated existence. Yato was my only friend in the village; the others shunned me for reasons unknown to me. But their fear of me was palpable, and I couldn't help but wonder when they would see the truth of my character.
But my musings were cut short as a realization dawned on me. Something was amiss, but I couldn't quite place it. Suddenly, a memory flashed before my eyes, and I shuddered. Was it a dream? Or was it real? The lines between reality and dreams were blurred, and I couldn't shake off the eerie feeling that lingered.
However, I pushed the unsettling thought aside and focused on the present. Yato was waiting for me outside, and I couldn't afford to keep him waiting. He was not one to tolerate tardiness lightly, and I had the bruises to prove it.
As I bid farewell to the village that was once my home, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of nostalgia. It held memories that were precious to me, despite the disdain of the villagers.
But I was determined to make a name for myself in the academy stronghold, and I knew that the road ahead would be arduous. However, with Yato by my side, I was ready to face any challenge that came my way.
As I stepped out into the crisp morning air, I took one last look at the village and whispered.
"Thank you, dear villagers. I will make you proud."
Author's Note:
For those who are not familiar, Twilraem is a city that caters to the wealthy and noble who have a deep passion for martial arts. Although the city is divided into several sections, it is not yet crucial to the story.
One particular area, Jaxell Hill, is known for its abundance of power force. However, it is also home to many impoverished individuals struggling to make ends meet.
End:
As we trudged up the peaceful road, the stillness of the air made me nervous. The villagers we met along the way were friendly and welcoming, giving us small gifts for our journey. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was not quite right.
"I swear we've been walking for hours," I whined.
"Don't be such a baby, Najin," Yato retorted, attempting to sound like a seasoned traveler.
"The journey is just as important as the destination."
"Easy for you to say," I grumbled.
"Your legs aren't about to fall off."
"What we need is some action!" I exclaimed, feeling the need to shake things up.
"Action, you say?" Yato replied, with a mischievous glint in his eye
"What do you propose we do?"
"We run!"
"Wait up!"
The scenery was stunning, with vast fields and shaded groves dotting the landscape. Finally, we caught a glimpse of the academy, towering over the small mountains.
But as we drew closer, I felt a sense of unease settling over me. The air was thick with tension, and there were too many well-trained magicians present for my liking.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a man in a long black suit standing on the balcony, ready to give his speech. He looked like he had stepped out of a vampire movie, with his slicked-back hair and cold, calculating eyes.
"My dear students," he began, his voice silky smooth.
"Welcome to the academy. You have all been chosen for your exceptional talents, and it is my pleasure to guide you on your journey to greatness. But beware, not all of you will make it to the end."
"Uh, excuse me?" I interrupted, my eyebrows raised in disbelief.
"Ah, I see we have a skeptic among us," the man in black kimono replied, his lips curling into a sinister smile.
"Well, let's just say that the academy is not for the faint of heart. You will need to have nerves of steel and a backbone made of titanium if you want to succeed."
"Great," I muttered to myself.
"I should have stayed in bed."
The man in the long black suit stood at the front of the room, commanding the attention of all those present. His voice boomed through the hall, filling the space with an air of urgency and importance.
"Attention, everyone!" he cried out.
"The time has come for the entrance exam to the prestigious Crescent Stronghold. Gather around, and listen up!"
The mages stood still, their eyes fixed on the speaker, eager to hear what he had to say. The man continued, his words laced with authority and power.
"Before we begin, it is important to understand the rank system that governs the Crescent Stronghold," he said, his voice rising in intensity.
"As you all know, the ranks are divided into three subdivisions," he continued, his gaze sweeping across the room.
"The first subdivision is the Higher Existence. This is a level of power that few can achieve, and even fewer can maintain. It is the pinnacle of magical ability, and those who reach it are truly exceptional."
"The second subdivision is the Lower Existence. This is where most of us fall, but even here there are levels of distinction. To become a fully developed Lower Existence, you must rise above the tenth and final rank, which is itself divided into ten smaller ranks. This is no small feat, and it requires dedication, skill, and perseverance."
The room was silent, the weight of the man's words hanging heavy in the air.
"It sounds daunting, I know," he said, his voice softening slightly.
"But do not be discouraged. The Crescent Stronghold is a place of opportunity, and with hard work and determination, anything is possible."
Just as he finished speaking, the air around them began to shift and pulse with an intense source of mana. The man in the long black suit paused, his eyes widening in recognition. Without a word, he stepped back to make way for the arrival of Grandmaster Aries, the leader of the Crescent Stronghold.