Terran was walking through one of the many hallways with a defeated expression on his face. He had suffered through his morning class in anticipation of getting answers from his blessings training teacher Silvia. Only, upon arriving at her class, he had been met with the face of a substitute. Apparently, Silvia was busy helping the school prepare for an event that was set to take place on Friday.
Perhaps an event was not the best word. It was more accurately an outing. However, Terran knew very little about it. Oliver had briefly mentioned it on Terran's first day. He had told him it was rather dangerous, and every student was required to participate. But unfortunately, that was the extent of his knowledge. It was very odd that information on a rumored dangerous event was so scarce. Still, Terran had not concerned himself with finding an answer. Or perhaps it was more accurate to say he had forgotten about the event altogether. After all, so many things had been happening.
"Oh well, I guess I'll learn more tomorrow."
With that, Terran headed to the library to complete his same routine from the previous day. He still had a cooldown on his trials, and he was not about to waste his time pretending to concentrate on a yoga mat.
----
When Oliver returned to his dorm, he found a sulking Ken, looking slightly moodier than usual.
"What's wrong princess, didn't get enough beauty sleep?"
"Tch, what are you talking about dumbass?"
"Oh, you don't remember. After you guys went out 'drinking' you passed out, and then Terran carried you back to the dorm like a little princess."
Ken raised an eyebrow at Oliver's words. "Did anything else happen?"
"How am I supposed to know, maybe if you'd included me, I would have been able to tell you."
Ken just rolled his eyes in response. "Included him, in what? Murder?" He didn't even know what had happened. One thing did click; Terran had mentioned his blessing could heal. "It's likely that he had healed me." It was also possible that he had healed the men to remove the signs of wounds. The only question left was how they had died. It was simply not possible for someone with a healing blessing to kill all 3 of them.
Whatever the answer was, one thing was for sure, and that was Oliver certainly didn't know. If anyone could give him his next clue, it would be Terran.
"Now where could that other annoying bastard be right now."
----
"Achoo!" Terran sneezed, causing him to drop the bar of his bench press on his chest.
"Gazoontite! Are you alright?" Someone said as they ran over to help lift the bar.
"Ha-ha, yeah I'll survive! I just don't know where that sneeze came from!"
That evening, an announcement heard by the whole school went out over the intercoms stating for all first-years to gather at the central auditorium by 4:30 AM. All who did not attend would be kicked out of the academy, and anyone who was late would face harsh consequences. Additionally, they had been told to bring nothing with them to the auditorium. With the exception of personal weapons, not even their phones were allowed. Everything they would need would be provided for them. Of course, all this information had been sent out before, but this was the final reminder.
Hearing this, Terran dreaded the thought of his alarm going off so early. So much so, that in the end, he decided to just pull an all-nighter. Perhaps this was not his best idea, but the time was once again 11 at night, and if he headed back to his dorm, he would at most get a little over 4 hours asleep. However, that was only if he managed to fall asleep instantly. Although some nights had been better than others, he had been having trouble falling asleep. The truth was, he didn't trust himself to wake up, and he doubted the good one rem cycle could do for him.
With so much deliberation over such a small matter, Terran continued his training into the night. He had already completed his dailies but didn't have anything else to do.
Soon, a smile formed on his face dripping with sweat.
[Strength +1]
Although it was nothing compared to the stats he got from daily quests, Terran felt a sense of achievement. In fact, he was actually happier about this increase than the former. Perhaps because the work better fit the reward, and this was his accomplishment, not a handout from the system. Of course, this was not to say he didn't like handouts.
The night went on, and no other messages popped up. After he was done training, he used one of the gym showers and put on a fresh uniform. From there, he switched to reading, all the way into the wee hours of the morning, this time for pleasure instead of knowledge. He had already studied for a few hours, and he believed if he looked at one more page of runes his eyes would begin to bleed.
Finally, it was time, and so Terran dropped his things off at the dorm before heading to the central auditorium. He was surprised to see that his two roommates had already left, and so after throwing his bag in he didn't waste any more time.
Upon entering the auditorium, Terran was bombarded by the sound of over 200 students chattering over each other. The auditorium was very chaotic as barely anyone was sitting. Instead, people were clustered up in giant groups. Everyone was antsy about the unknown events that would soon be in motion.
Luckily, Terran was able to spot an energetic Oliver waving him over. Next to him were five other students.
"Looks like Oliver has been working hard to create his little gang to take over the school."
One was a shockingly beautiful female student, seeing her, Terran wondered just how Oliver had convinced her to join his little band. Next to the girl were two male students, from the way they kept sneaking glances, it was obvious why they had joined the group. Finally, there was a pair of twins, one male, and the other female. Both seemed to be keeping their heads down as if they were hoping no one would notice them.
Hovering around the group was a listless Ken. From his appearance, it seemed he somehow managed to get even less sleep than Terran. If Terran had to guess, he had walked over with Oliver, but didn't want to associate with the group, nor did he have anywhere to go.
As Terran made his way over, Ken's eyes momentarily lit up as if he wanted to say something. However, after observing the large audience, he went back into his previous state.
"Wow, not even a week and you already found a carpet to tear up! You gotta tell me your secrets man!"
Hearing Oliver's exclamation, the female student's face momentarily flashed with disgust. However, it vanished as fast as it appeared.
Meanwhile, Terran was just confused. Did Oliver think he was working a night job as a handyman? "I don't recall telling him anything along those lines."
"Huh, what are you talking about?"
"Ha-ha, you don't need to play dumb with me! A brother always knows!"
Clearly, Oliver had made up his own idea for why Terran had not come back that night.
Terran could only helplessly shake his head in the direction of his roommate who couldn't seem to wipe off his silly grin.
"So, do you know anything else about what's happening today?" Terran questioned as it was the thing floating around at the top of everyone's mind.
Oliver clicked his tongue in response. "Nope, no one ever does. Despite these events happening multiple times a year, the details never seem to get leaked. The only things I've heard is that we will be gone for a week, and if history is accurate at least 5% will not return."
"How scary," Terran commented. However, his face told a different story. On the inside, he was quite looking forward to the coming day. If he hated anything, it was mysteries, and a big one was on the verge of being revealed. How could he not be excited?
As the minutes ticked by, more students continued to flood into the auditorium. Slowly, the flood turned into a trickle, as the time neared, the clusters began to disband as everyone found their seats. The school's chancellor was supposed to make an appearance, and no one wanted to get in trouble. Before anyone knew it, the time had arrived.
With an air of confidence and splendor, a man outfitted in a perfectly tailored suit made his way to the stage. His apparel dripped elegance as he came equipped with everything from cuff links to a pocket square.
As the shockingly young chancellor stepped up to the microphone placed at the center of the stage, he gave a few solid taps. The light taps filled every corner of the auditorium as everyone fell quiet.
"Good morning!" A normal statement, yet only silence resonated around the auditorium. From the way the man had been carrying himself, everyone had expected him to get straight to business. So much so that no one realized they were supposed to respond.
"Ah, I guess everyone is still tired. That's understandable. Let's try this again. Good morning!"
This time, prepared, everyone responded with a corresponding response. It was still a bit weird for such a man to start a speech the same way as countless other guest lecturers.
"A pitiful response, but it will have to do. I'm so glad to see so many new faces brimming with potential! You are all the future of the Oasis. Not only as residents but as the last bastion of humanity will quite literally rest on each and every one of your shoulders."
Hearing these words, a chill ran down many spines. Everyone had grown up hearing that the future of humanity would rest on the shoulders of the blessed. Yet, these words had always gone in one ear and out another. Of course, it would as they were the ones with true strength. However, hearing these words now, that statement had suddenly felt more like a reality.
"Today, you all will learn what is, perhaps, the biggest secret within the Oasis. Wealth, fame, power, you can obtain anything this world has to offer after learning this one secret! A secret that holds the key to the salvation of humanity!"
Terran could have sworn he had heard a familiar set of words before, but this was only a passing thought that wavered as the speech went on.