Still quiet atmosphere only the smell of book pages opening mixed with scents of different types of elements wafted the nostrils of the teenagers who got accepted by grimoires.
"Inventor Lukas Ashmore do you expect anything from today's selection test," said Gavin glancing at the long grey beard old man who smelt of beast hides, but his clear black eyes held an unforeseeable proud demeanor of a professional.
"Who knows let's just continue to watch," he said
Woosh! Woosh!
The large ancient like shelf quickly had less and less of grimoires and happy shouts of teens holding large books with the front differing with the number of empty sockets.
"Wow look 'Allsmiles' has a 4 socket grimoire doesn't that mean he is a genius quad elemental vein wilder?" said a fellow in the crowd.
Even the old man Lukas held a smile looking at the creepy grinning boy as his grimoire made fluttering sounds and the empty sockets intensely lit up with the elements of earth, wind, fire and water.
"He has the same potential as Geoffrey Lancelot judging from the intensity of the light he is truly loved by those natural elements, he is just left with opening a rare or legendary class if he aims to be a general, if he wishes to be a zenith then a mythical class is a must too bad it's hard to be chosen by a grimoire of that caliber," said the old man.
"Please don't mention that traitor Geoffrey again, Inventor Lukas," said lieutenant Gavin with a firm tone.
Lukas only shook his head and continued scanning the hall as the grimoires continued to whiz by his ear to their selected masters. ' Maybe I will find someone today,' thought Lukas.
A shout reverberated in the hall " Damn it! I got an {uncommon} class swordsman," said a youth with a dejected tone.
"Why is fate so cruel I'm a duel element vein wielder but my grimoire gave me a {Common} class lancer," said another youth.
"Hahaa I got a {rare} class Tanker at least I can dream of becoming a powerful 1000 men lieutenant," said a giant youth jumping around and kissing his newly synced grimoire.
Allsmiles wiped the drool off the corner of his face, his heart excited 'I got a {legendary} class it was not a lie I must find that man again after arriving at the republic of Klein and be recruited in the heavenly alchemy military faction, all that is left is a career choice in alchemy,' thought 'Allsmiles'.
As the others started chattering ceaselessly making a commotion due to their excitement, Otto who by now still had no reaction towards a grimoire frowned with his eyes closed.
'What is going on here?' thought Otto confused at why not a single grimoire came his way.
He opened his eyes glancing around the hall looking at the glistening chandelier reflecting the constant awakenings.
A purple scaled grimoire came shooting towards him lifting up his hopes.
Woosh!
The grimoire passed his side towards a girl raising up her hands catching it into her embrace with a content satisfied expression mixed with relief.
After a few minutes the grimoires from the bookshelf became silent and unmoving showing the end of the session.
"Good almost all of you have your grimoires it appears you all are more talented than yesterday's bunch," said Lieutenant Gavin.
"Those who did not receive acknowledgement from a grimoire please exit the hall you are a failed product of the republic of Klein," continued Lieutenant Gavin.
Wide eyed expressions of surprise surfaced as others turned their heads around, scouting for the ones that failed and after a moment, exclamations of shock filled the hall.
Because it was not a group of individuals that failed but it, was only a single person, in fact the one known as the number one fighter in white village due to his terrifying ability to control his body with frightening concentration.
"Hey isn't that Otto? The kid that is said to have an inborn ability to meditate despite not wielding a grimoire," said a girl in the crowd.
"Yeah, he once got invited to join Allsmiles gang and refused and since then, has been at each others throats him and Allsmiles," said the friend next to her.
With the gazes of the crowd full of ridicule from just how he was treated a moment ago for having enough talent to come late, and now some of those who were jealous now laughed at the misfortune of the so called talent.
Isn't he just a fluke?
Despite all those disgusting gazes on him Otto felt a little confused, not discouraged, but ever since that inventor came in, he felt a weird sensation towards him.
"Hmm! kid turns out you're the only one who has failed, quite frankly your case is rare indeed. Your elemental heart veins must not be mature yet, but as you are already 16 if the day ends without getting a connection to a grimoire it will be over for you to ever become a Grimm," said Gavin looking at the boy with pity.
But Otto did not hear a thing at all but stared at the old man Lukas as if pondering on an important matter.
Inventor Lukas ashmore also noticed his gaze and became puzzled for a moment but then a knowing sly grin surfaced on his dry lips. ' Haha another seeker of death has appeared, if he has the guts he will come to me I won't make the decision for him. Come!' thought the old inventor.
"Please exit…" before Gavin could finish speaking, Otto Started walking towards the stage with a resolute face.
" Kid even if you come closer to the stage the grimoire will not select you, it has to come to you," said the Lieutenant but then Lucas also stopped him from speaking any further gesturing him to just observe.
Otto climbed up the stage numerous eyes fixed on him, till he reached the tall 2 meter long robed Lukas and stretched out his hand. "The thing inside your sleeve can I have it?" said Otto.
Exclamations if surprise and shock resounded in the hall, " What the hell is he on about? Is he going crazy like his failed uncle too?"
"It must be that he can't accept not being chosen by a grimoire and wishes to be given one specifically made for him by the inventor Lukas," said one of the youths in the crowd.
Lukas smiled at the young boy reached into his long robe and pulled out a black grimoire holding four sockets in the shape of a diamond.
"So you have chosen it have you? This is one of my special case grimoires made from an unknown beast skin and also a mysterious scripture of a class that has probably not been practiced in this world and no matter how much we tried it has not been ranked yet since it rejects being scanned for all we know it could even be a low ranked class too," Said Lukas.
"Huh!?A special case grimoire? Indeed this must be a special type of grimoire that deviates from the other classes," Said Gavin.
Every Grimoire held a class from Swordsmanship, archery, investor, alchemy, blacksmith, necromancy, healer and many more and obviously a new class meant that the user will be a one of a kind and different from the flock of sheep if the class will also give a higher rank as it may lay a foundation to become a zenith.
Classes rank from common, uncommon, rare, legendary and finally mythical and also a basic measurement system for skills, abilities and weapons.
Similar to a known Zenith Grimm whose class is said to be at a mythical rank that gave her skills to evolve and control the weather before she was a zenith, it was said she was a nightmare when she entered the battlefield because she could take only one type of elemental Grimms with her to battle then turn the battlefield into terrain fit for only her soldiers elements.
And when battling demonic monsters she could make the weather unfavorable for those monsters element and defeat them with less effort, truly a nightmare for her opponents.
Gavin gave a envious look at the Black grimoire if it was not for already having one he would have tried his luck to see what class he could get by using the grimoire before him because it was worth testing to get a better class and become a zenith with tons of wealth, military power and godlike influence.
But alas it looked like it also needed a four elemental heart veined individual to use it and since he is only a one veined user he could only blame it on his poor fate.
"Kid let me tell you this, you are not the first one to sense the presence of this invention of mine, and there were others that tried to get the approval of this grimoire but it burned the ones that attempted to seek its approval and turned them to a pile of ashes even crystal statues."
Otto continued to nod his head and opened his mouth while starting at the black book, "I could sense the resentful emotions left by the ones who tried to seek its approval that is why I hesitated a bit but my goals are bigger than the fear of death and a little hardship," said Otto with a resolute tone his purple jewel eyes carrying a desire to possess what was held Infront of him.
"I like your guts kid this grimoire is a little stubborn so you must come to it, if you manage to sync with it then I will give you a gift, granted you also allow me to study your class," said Lukas watching Otto with an expectant and hopeful gaze.
Otto nodded agreeing to the terms and Lukas removed the orb that held the grimoire trying by all means to avoid touching it.
Otto then stretched out his hands as the rough scaly texture of the grimoire rested on his palms.
Ping!
[New candidate challenger detected]
Said a feminine voice inside his mind as the connection with his grimoire started.
[First tribulation of the immortal sinful sage Mana martial arts begins]
Sniff! Sniff!
The scent of burning flesh started to ooze out in the hall, glancing closely the grey dirty peasant clothes on him they began to ignite and his whole body combusted into flames of orange red color.
"Aaaaa!" with a loud howl of agony like a soul being tortured in hell's fire Otto felt his very soul to his flesh being stabbed by millions of flaming needles.
And like being in the mouth of a volcano his spirit and body were being constantly suppressed my flames as if to engulf him.
'I need to focus,' thought Otto as he began meditating despite the hellish biting flames that blocked all other senses.
That was what made Otto so scary as a human hybrid, even in unfavorable situations his talent to meditate and focus had surpassed even the veteran soldiers in the battlefield who already long had grimoires and battled countless monsters and beasts.
It was a gift and he made sure to maximize on it for keeping calm in seemingly impossible situations, this had led him to think outside the box and always prevail.
"Thank goodness for the inhuman vitality hybrids like us have, if not I would be long dead from these flames,' thought Otto as he started accelerating his heart beat to activate his 4 heart veins of fire, darkness, space and the most rare time element.
His fire, dark, space and time veins began to glow intensely like the sun releasing intense elemental radiations with the desire fuse with each other as they moved closer and closer together and merge.
'What type of grimoire fuses veins what is happening here?' Thought Otto, as he started perspiring to the heaven defying scenario happening to his body.
Then destructive chaos like energy started to get collected, the fused veins glowed to form an unknown elemental vein. Intensified radiation appeared from the glowing vein burning every cell of Otto's body and changing into unknown states of matter.
Every fiber on the fit body of Otto started to burn up eating itself releasing black mucus that immediately got burned by the flames releasing a pungent smell of rotten charred oily waste from his skin.
Lieutenant Gavin's nose twitched forcing him to unsheathe his rapier and cut open a spatial vertical rend sending the smoke to oblivion.
After what seemed like a whole 20 minutes Otto's fire space, darkness and time veins fused to form a new crystal like singular stem pillar with rainbow like hue releasing chaotic ominous world defying energy, the source of all destruction was now born within his body every fiber of his body was now tougher and he felt a hint of evolution on his hybrid body.
[Tribulation of first path of immortal sinful sage has been passed]
[Sync with Grimoire is established]
[Subject was perfectly compatible for the immortal sages sinful path]
[Sinful Sages infant Chaos stem has been established]
[Status]
Name: Otto Alarick
Hybrid Species: Human [??]
Elemental Heart vein: Sinful sages infant chaos stem
Class: {Unknown} Mana Martial Arts
Career: none
Level: 1
Title: Grimm Beginner
Class Title: First path sinful immortal sage apprentice
Cores: None
Core skills: None
Class skills: {Legendary Tier 0-} Claymore sinful combo branch blade arts
Career skills: none
Abilities: {Rare Tier 0+} Meditation
Gene exp: 0
Attribute points: 0
Grimm stat points: 0
Attributes
Health: 2/8
Mana: 6/14
Stamina: 1/9
Stats
Strength: 7
Agility: 5
Intuition: 10
Vitality: 15
Intelligence: 5
Will power: 9
Defense: 6
Passive skills
{Unique Tier 0-} Radiation resistance
{Rare tier 0+} Flame resistance
Active Skills
{Legendary Tier 0-} Claymore sinful combo branch blade arts
*List of claymore sinful combo Branch blades*
Basic Stab
[Completion rate 0%]
Basic Horizontal slash [Completion rate 0%]
Basic Vertical slash [Completion rate 0%]
Basic Diagonal slash [Completion rate 0%]
Class Item: <{Unknown} Seven sets of the immortal sinful sage>
[Item slots]
< Empty Claymore>
The grimoire released a ominous evil, vicious aura containing an other worldly savageness from the underworld of an unknown era.
'Sinful sage? What kind of scripture was infused with this grimoire to be so evil to fuse elemental laws of this world like mixing tea with water? No wonder people died from such a tribulation, and I got a unique skill one? I thought these could only be found on beasts.' Thought Otto
"Hahahaha," a maniacal laugh boomed from Lukas's mouth tears of joy present at the corners of his eye.
"Good, good well done kid here this is a recovery pill," said Lukas taking out a orb with a feint green hue.
Without waiting for the charred burned Otto who thanks to his vitality was still alive.
Lukas inserted the pill in the boys mouth.
Seeing that Otto had now started his healing process inventor Lukas signaled at Lieutenant Gavin to clear the hall.
"Okay everyone clear the hall and come back after 3 days to go and begin your military training and career selection, settle your matters during that time and prepare yourself since… you might die hehe," said Lieutenant Gavin with a sadistic smile.
A chill ran down everyone that saw that smile causing them to swallow nervously.
Among the crowd the girl who caught the grimoire had a worried expression since the very beginning looking at Otto as he suffered.
Having a resolute expression she took one last glance at him and dashed out the hall no one knew her thoughts.
Allsmiles only gazed at Otto with a wide grin but his eyes contained a hidden envy because he noticed among the four elements of Otto was 'time' that he always wanted and the reason he tried to recruit him in his gang but was refused.
"Kikiki! If you refuse to obey then you must be destroyed before you pose a disturbance to me," said Allsmiles as he quietly walked away.
In a short time the hall became empty, the chandelier sparkled in the hall and the wooden floor reflected the light as it was beautifully vanished.
After an hour Otto opened his eyes as the pill elixir was fully absorbed and his health and stamina bars were stable enough to heal with vitality after a day and half.
"How do you feel kid?" asked Lukas with a little worry in his expression.
Otto seeing this felt a little warm in his heart, since it is his first time hearing such words of concern "I'm feeling quite better, will have to focus on meditating to completely heal myself," said Otto.
Inventor Lukas pulled out a small porcelain bottle with a cork on top "Here drink this healing potion too it will help a lot."
A look of surprise appeared on Gavin's face staring at the healing bottle held by the old man, how could he not realize the famous {Uncommon} rank potion made by powerful alchemists who have powerful flame skills at the heavenly alchemy military faction base.
Otto not knowing this snatched the bottle and gulped it down.
Vitality +2
Like cooling morning dew water, Otto's dry throat became moistened with the taste of honey and a cooling feeling reached his stomach then spread to the rest of his limps healing and repairing the burned tissue.
"And here wear this," said Lukas taking off his cloak.
That is when Otto realized his clothes were burned to oblivion "Did anyone see me naked?" asked Otto.
He was to concentrated in his pain and healing awhile ago so did not pay attention to his surroundings.
Gavin only smiled, "Such a terrifying calm headed boy worried of being seen in his birthday suit is quite interesting, Haha but not to worry you were covered in so much black sot no one saw a thing before I made them leave," said Gavin.
'Phew!'
Patting Otto's shoulder Lukas had a wide grin, " Now tell me your harvests what is the class you received from the grimoire?"
Otto covered himself with the cloak that hid his whole body and the cloak resized itself to his measurements due to it's enchantment.
"Well it's a {Unknown} Mana martial artist class," said Otto.
Nodding his head slowly inventor Lukas gazed at Gavin, "Indeed I have never heard of such a rank in a given class. I trust you won't mention of this to others lieutenant Gavin?"
As if offended Gavin rebuked the old man, "What do you take me for? I'm not a spy but a warrior, this information won't exit my mouth."
"Good then. Anything you can tell us about your item slots Rank?" said Lukas
Item slots came in different ranks and types too, for various classes.
Some classes like swordsman could at times only have one item slot and that slot could only store swords proportional to the given rank and lower so even if one had a legendary sword the grimoire could not store it if the slot ranked lower the weapon.
A complete body set of a class was more powerful and also their ranks also boosted the stats and combat power of a Grimm.
Also if one had a full body set even a common rank full body set could overpower an incomplete set of an uncommon ranker.
Otto hesitated for a while Lukas saw it and said, " I will give you more potions that can increase some of your stats and 3 attributes and I will help you make items that can fit the slots of your set since I am a legendary rank inventor," said Lukas confidently.
Gavin became once again speechless at the shamelessness of this inventor, such a high ranking inventor to sweet talk a kid with potions and weaponry like this.
Otto remained calm, thought of the benefits and saw would lose nothing at all.
"Deal, it is an {unknown} Complete Set called < Seven sets of the sinful immortal sage>"
Both Gavin and Lukas sucked in a breath of cold air, with wide eyes "A seven set!? And complete!!"