*TLDR of one change I made*
===
The Potential Ranking is a measurement of three factors.
Casting Speed
Mana Capacity
Avatar Strength
Casting Speed referred to how long it took for a Mage to Cast their Spell.
Mana Capacity referred to how many Particles were present in a Mages Avatar as that was the maximum quantity of Particles they would be able to control.
Avatar Strength referred to the Mages ability to rewrite the Mana Wavelengths in the Physical Realm through the Ethereal Realm.
Meaning that if a Mages Avatar was stronger than another Mages Avatar at rewriting the Mana Wavelengths then their spell would overwhelm the other Mages Spell.
*Now without further ado, onto the chapter*
===
'I'm dying!' I cried in my mind.
I arrived at Nieva yesterday and spent the rest of my money buying hiking gear with only enough to buy a train ticket home.
I had on a relatively thin coat that would protect me somewhat from the cold.
In my hands was climbing gear.
Luckily the mountain had a path most of the way up but to get to the cave with the Technique I had to veer off the path.
'Heck I probably will die at this point.'
I've never climbed a bloody mountain before in my life.
Why the hell would I?
Do I look like I want to die?
I had a rope attached to my waist and I kept planting these fucking metal things in the rock crevices.
I even had an ice pick for good measure.
I haven't even slept since I started!
I'm so fucked.
At least the stuff I bought was relatively sturdy so it wouldn't break and was relatively safe.
I've been climbing for 31 hours straight.
The harsh winds battered against me threatening to knock me off.
And then it happened.
I missed.
That's it.
I missed.
I missed putting the piton in and it fell.
I was stuck.
Well shit.
Planting my feet in some natural crevices, I detached myself from the rope.
Taking out the ice pick, I began looking for nooks and climbing up the mountain without a safety net.
This is so dumb.
But I had no choice so I continued.
I don't know how long had passed, however, I saw a light up ahead.
Slowly climbing up the rest of the way to the ledge, I lay down on the cold snowy ground.
It's been really hectic since I came here, and I was just glad to have a rest.
Raising my head slightly, I noticed a cave in front of me.
There was a light coming from inside it.
Standing up and making my way into the cave, I followed the source of light.
Eventually, I ended up in a large cave, and in the middle stood a burning bush.
What the hell was I?
Moses?
Making my way toward the burning bush I suddenly felt a force push me back.
"Halt, child." came a deep voice that filled the cave.
Damn, maybe I really am Moses?
Should I take off my shoes?
"Why have you come here?" asked the voice.
Hmm.
Why have I come here?
Pondering over his question for a minute I finally got the answer I was looking for.
"I seek salvation," I answered, my eyes focused on the burning bush.
"What if that salvation came with a great cost?" asked the voice.
"Everything has a cost, whatever the cost may be, none is too great for my salvation," I answered.
Silence filled the cave for a minute before the voice finally spoke again.
"So be it, remember your choice human for you may later come to regret it." the voice said before everything returned to silence.
Although his ominous last words scared me a bit, I had no choice but to keep going.
After all, if I don't then I'll die anyway.
Stepping forward carefully I noticed that the barrier blocking me was gone.
As I got closer to the burning bush it suddenly started blazing like an inferno.
The inferno then flew at me before engulfing me.
***
Opening my eyes I realized I was no longer in the cave.
I was in the middle of nowhere.
Everywhere was covered in snow and a blizzard was raging.
How the hell did I get here?
Moreover, I didn't have any of my things with me, all I had was my t-shirt and pants, even my shoes were gone.
As I started walking on the snowy ground with my bare feet I realized that no matter which way I went the blizzard pushed me back.
After an hour of walking, my stomach grumbled.
After 3 hours my throat was parched.
After 10 hours my feet ached so bad I thought they would fall off.
However, I kept walking.
After all, it's probably a test, right?
I as the author knew of no place that would match this.
Therefore it was safe to assume it wasn't real, right?
I don't know how long has passed at this point.
At some point my legs gave way and I fell down.
So there I was, on my knees unable to move as the blizzard battered my body.
I had to keep moving, but I physically couldn't.
So I crawled with my bare hands.
I crawled until my feet got frostbite.
Until my hands got frostbite.
Until I couldn't even move my body anymore.
Why did I keep moving, despite everything?
Why did I ignore the pain and keep pushing?
Well, the answer is simple really.
Test or not, the moment I stop moving and look back it'll be over.
If I stop moving and give in to the hopelessness that pervaded me.
If I stop and accept my fate.
If I give up.
Then I'll die.
And that scares me.
I don't want to die.
Despite all the moments in my life when I wanted to die.
I was truly scared of dying.
I don't know what awaits me when I die and that scares me.
So I keep moving, always.
Because if I stop and look back, and let the fear catch up to me.
Then it's over.
As I lay there in the snow, the blizzard raging around me.
As my eyes dimmed.
I retained the last shred of my sanity.
I held onto it with every shallow breath.
I wouldn't let go no matter what.
And then the darkness consumed me.
***
"Truly you are something, human." came a deep voice, waking me up.
Opening my eyes slowly, I realized I was back in the cave.
Drip!
Drip!
The sound of something dripping onto the cave floor echoed throughout the cave.
Realizing that it was coming from me, I hurriedly wiped the tears that came out of my eyes and stood up.
I could swear I heard a faint chuckle.
Who are you to judge?!?
Stupid voice guy.
Suddenly I noticed that the burning bush was gone and in its place lay a scroll and a book.
A Martial Technique and a Unique Spell!
A Unique Spell was different from a regular Magic Spell.
Magic Spells were freely available to learn as one only had to learn the Mana Code for them which was essentially like an activation sequence for the specific Particles in the Magic Spell.
Now that wasn't to say that any mage could learn any spell they wanted as each mage has an Affinity for specific Particles and therefore can only cast certain Magic Spell Types.
However, a Unique Spell was not freely available for any Mage to use, it was a Spell whos Mana Code could only be learned once and then it belonged solely to the Mage who learned it.
Making my way over, I picked them both up.
First, I looked at the Unique Spell.
===
[Frozen Domain (B)]
'Creates an Icy Domain that permeates frost and will hinder the casting speed of all Mages inside besides the user'
===
This Magic Spell was an Elemental-Type, Domain-Type Magic it seems.
Domain Type Magic - Space Particles:
Domain Magic involves selectively isolating targets within a target area. It can create a space where carbon dioxide gathers in the center, while all other gasses are pushed out, for example.
Elemental Type Magic - Elemental Particles:
Elemental Magic involves the manipulation of Elemental Particles such as Air, Fire, Water, Earth, Light, and Darkness. Elemental Particles involve the transmission of different types of energy and are arguably the most common Particles as they can be found attached to almost all other Particles.
Huh, well it couldn't hurt to have more Spells.
Circling mana through the book in my hands, it dissipated like dust and a glow of white light enveloped me.
Turning my attention to the ancient-looking scroll, I picked it up and opened it carefully.
===
{Azrael's Legacy}
[Art Of Annihilation]
First Form: ???
1 Soul Required.
In order to fully unlock [Art Of Annihilation], the user must consume souls. The stronger the soul the less required.
===
Souls?
Hmm.
I was unsure what it meant but I didn't have time to find out, as I had no idea how long I was out because I had to hurry back to arrive at school on time.
Circling mana through it and absorbing the Technique, I grabbed my stuff and hurried out of the cave.
As the light in the cave dimmed, a deep voice was heard one last time.
"Perhaps this one will survive."
***
Arriving at my apartment, I noticed a large package on my doorstep.
Grabbing it and bringing it inside, I placed it on the table.
Despite the school emblem on it, I was deeply suspicious.
After all what if it was a bomb sent by Syndicists?
Carefully opening it and stepping back, I waited but nothing happened.
Peering inside the box, I found a navy-colored uniform.
First-years wore blue.
Second years wore red.
And third years wore black.
Inside the box were also a number of school books.
Suddenly my phone dinged.
Grabbing it I looked at the message that had arrived.
It was from the academy.
—
Dear Isaac Moreau congratulations on your assignment to class A-1,
As your rank assignment is 26 you shall be housed accordingly.
You have been assigned to the double-bedroom apartment complex the 'Tier 2' living quarters.
We expect to see you on the 1st of January for orientation.
Sincerely,
Rosaria Admission Staff.
—
Oh no.
Like seriously oh no.
How am I supposed to have a relaxing life if I'm in the protagonist's class?
I mean I get I'm the villain but…
And I have to sleep with a roommate?
As the safety of the upcoming Mages was of the utmost importance, students had to stay on campus and were only allowed to leave on the weekends or with special permission.
However, the campus was massive.
It was a massive floating island.
Sighing, I began unpacking.
*Important Message*
So Happy Holloween guys, hope this chappy made your day just a little bit better.
but anyways you guys probably want to know what's so important, well...
Holloween Art is here for the 2 love interests so far, technically I have art for everyone in volume 1 so far and Halloween art for them too but you guys will have to tell me if you want it uploaded cuz I don't want to spoil if u guys don't want it. so anyways il post the art in the comments for Emilia and Anna.
I also noticed that a bunch of comments were deleted so sorry about that it's from all the editing.
Also, feel free to check out the author's comment if you're having a bad day, <3 Hugz.