No matter how he looked at it Lionel couldn't wrap his head around the science before him. 'There is no way he really needs to carry that giant on his back.'
"Uh, Fukuro… Do you need to borrow my spatial ring? I have more than enough space." But before Lionel could get anywhere with his words, Sakura interrupted him, "Don't waste your words, he calls it his form of 'meditation'."
"Right. Meditation, indeed." Lionel's eyes twitched, 'Meditation she said!'
These two only seemed to get weirder and weirder as time went by. One went about terrorizing people in their sleep while the other looked like a straight replica of him, if it wasn't for the different hairstyles he would have to doubt his identity.
[Author's Note: The little terror is none other than Sakura, if you were wondering.]
He'd also learnt on this rather 'safe' journey, that they were actually related to him from his mother's side. They were his cousins.
He didn't know much about her except that when he was young his mother disappeared.
He looked for picture of her but no matter who he asked he couldn't find any, but his father made sure to raise him to the best of his ability, and Lionel was always thankful for that.
Not many could succeed in playing the roles of two.
Lionel would always ask about his mother or why she left him, he couldn't even remember her face, why couldn't he see her?
But as he expected he never got an answer from his old man, and one day he just stopped asking.
His father had always told him that he had to be the best, that someday he would understand.
Everyone else was always allowed to show themselves but he had to be forgotten, playing the incompetent son. Sure he was a genius chef but nobody knew of his talent in cultivation, and besides a few old monsters not many people even knew about his existence. Most believed he was adopted.
Even worse was that he was stuck doing nothing besides cleansing his soul and body for 5 years.
'Why did I ever trust that old man! Look at these two. How come he never taught me how to make those flashy balls of light?'
If the people around saw what he called flashy balls of light they might very well faint where they stand. Nodding his head he continue, 'Flashy indeed I mean look how it makes those holes on the ground.
He shouted out to them as they fought as if cheering them on. It seemed he left the dirty work to them never joining in.
'That Bastard.' Fukuro thought as he slashed into the monster before him, delicately separating the flesh from the bones. Some might call his actions a work of art.
'Always thought the techniques that man taught me were shady. How come they seem so beautiful when they fight.
"Old geezer, I still remember that one time he made me eat, blergh!'
Lionel didn't feel good mumbling into silence as he recalled the things that were forced down his throat, 'Some chef he was...'
...
When they had finished their battle Lionel saw it fit to prepare a meal using the flesh of the slain beasts.
Lionel was naturally in charge of cooking. Even Fukuro's eyes would brighten when he began.
Nobody truly knew his talent for Ether Magic but everyone knew that mythical chef of Luxuria. They say that most who taste his food could not go back.
...
"It seems the Labyrinth is up ahead." They had been traveling for days by now a little more and they would reach their destination, a little more and it will be revealed.
'The Labyrinth!' The closer you were to the labyrinth, system the easier it was to lose yourself to the sight that lay in wait.
When they had finally reached the top of the mountain peak they were greeted by an extraordinary view. A grand canyon turned swamp, with what could only be described as a mechanical monstrosity lying in its wake.
"A Dragon!"
Anyone who didn't look closely would be easily mistaken. Although it seemed like a fallen creature with all the greenery covering its surface and the huge trees in its vicinity, its artistic concept would forever be imposed.
This was the first labyrinth mankind had ever conquered and though it brought hell in its time, man couldn't help but appreciate its natural beauty, it could also have been enhanced by the Academy for just this effect.
[Author's Note: I feel terraforming would be possible in such a time, well bleh.]
"Talk about artistry hey?" Sakura could not help but laugh her heart out as she appreciated the scene before her.
She did look rather cute wearing a black shirt whose sleeves were folded along with a waistcoat on top of it, baggy pants and gloves. It really matched well with her black hair with amber tips, and black eyes.
Fukuro wore something similar, except no waistcoat and it was a black turtle neck, along with glasses.
As much as they stood out, Lionel would look like the leader to anyone who saw them, he wore a white t-shirt and black baggy pants, though some might find his fashion odd.
It was then that they finally noticed the other groups and individuals surrounding them. Few were injured but most, like them, had no trouble getting to this point.
If they did they might as well head back, the Academy was no playground. One might very well lose their life in a moment of carelessness.
A particular young man looked towards Lionel and smiled, blond and blue eyes. He sat alone with his palms against the rocks, after a moment of hesitation it seems, he decided to wave.
'Great now some faggot is staring at me.' Lionel couldn't help but roll his eyes at this. After paying attention to the man for a moment more under the scrutiny of his gaze, he moved his focus to the man he felt was more interesting.
'Azure, 4th Lock!'
He could recognize it due to the fact that he couldn't sense this man's state of being, with his senses it should be impossible to not sense someone below the Fourth Lock.
The realms, or state of being in this world were quite simple. The first stage being 'Azure, 1st Lock: Cloud Temple.' It focuses on the cleansing of the mind, body, temple, and soul.
Not many people need to spend long in this Lock since it's less of an integration and more of a cleansing. A year at most is spent on this Lock. Lionel though, has been doing it for over 5 years.
Most his age would have moved on the 2nd Lock: 'Material Temple' then again most common people stop here.
But no one on earth or very few had ever sealed the 9th Lock at least according to general knowledge.
This Lock was called… 'Dominion!'
Even though he does not have much power due to the level of his realm in terms of spatial awareness he was completely unmatched.
'Cleansing the body until it truly becomes one with the universe.' This is what his father thought up, it would take a long time to complete this first stage but if achieved this creates a demon when put in the hands of a man who understands a body and uses a knife.
The man Lionel paid attention to finally stepped up, "I think that should be all of you this time around. Anyone still not here is either dead or not needed. I am your examiner and you all will partake in 'Mercy's Labyrinth.
"Take these wrist bands the rules shall be explained to you as you enter." He did not say much before distributing the wristbands with a wave of the hand.
Everyone received a wrist band that seemed to reveal countless information via mind transfer, when put on. Personal and external data could be recorded and repeated, for the first time everyone got a feel of their competitors, but some people when looked at, all the wristbands revealed was error.
Lionel's group seemed to stand out the most because they were all errors. He stood smiling with a teen clinginf to his side, under normal circumstances he would seem like the next friendly, extremely handsome guy, but in the eyes of the others he seemed no different from a devil that should not be provoked.
The examiner nodded his head, 'It seems the exams won't be as boring this time around.'
[Author's Note: Please do see fit to give me advice of corrections where needed.]
"Sir I would like to…" The girl who spoke up was cut off by the examiner.
"I believe you've all gone over the rules and content of this exam? If so you may begin."
The girl's face turned deadly pale, but no one cared. This wasn't a place to be asking questions, it was a place to survive.
With his words you could see young men and women alike and even some kids jumping and running, or even falling off the peak all seemingly seeking death.
They all headed for the entrance of the labyrinth. It didn't really matter who entered first for everyone would be counted only when they entered.
Fukuro looked unto Lionel and said, "I'm going ahead." After putting his massive bag away he disappeared from sight, leaving everyone stunned.
"Awwn he didn't even tell me goodbye! It looks like I'm stuck with you again Oppa." Sakura took out her usual puppy eyes as she yearned for some pity.
Lionel wanted to come up with excuses but at the end of the day couldn't think of any so he shook his head, "It seems so, but before that…"
'Boom!'
A wild torrent of energy which drew the attention of all participants who hadn't left the vicinity, exploded from Lionel's body, creating a large crater as bent his neck, stretching it a little.
"Ah finally 2nd Lock, hahaha!" After the breakthrough he let out a maniacal laugh before he come back to his senses.
"Let go."
With that he ran off the peak and jumped.
'I thought he said he doesn't know any spells? How does he expect to land?' After being stunned for a moment, Sakura cracked a smile and did the same.
'Did he just say 2nd Lock?' The examiner squinted.
Maybe what was surprising wasn't the great commotion caused by what was supposed to be a breakthrough to the Second Lock, but rather the teen girl who had been standing next to him, completely unaffected.
'Monsters indeed.' The examiner let out a massive grin.