7 days later
Knock..knock
Vaan heard a knocking sound as he scribbled in his worn notebook.
He opened the door and saw Daisy standing there in a black and white, high-low skirt paired with a cropped long-sleeve top.
"Rowan, do you know what day it is today?" she asked, her face showing clear annoyance.
"Yeah," he nodded.
"Then what the hell are you wearing? Don't you know we're going to the Sphere today?" she shouted.
The Sphere is an academy for the awakened, located in the southwest of Lunaris.
They plan to join the academy in six months, after awakening their bloodline when they turn 18.
Today, Rowan and Daisy are heading there to attend the entry test.
But there he was, wearing old, worn-out clothes like he was going to a mining site.
She rushed into his room, picked out black jeans and a casual white shirt, and handed them to him.
"Wear this."
Vaan just stood there, dumbfounded.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, confused.
"Are you going to watch me while I'm changing?" he asked.
It was then that she realized she had just told him to strip in front of her. Her face turned red with embarrassment.
"Nooo!" she exclaimed, waving her hands in denial. She quickly rushed out of the room, calling over her shoulder, "Hurry up and come quickly!"
He locked his room after she left and changed into the clothes she had picked.
Then he returned to his notebook and continued writing.
07.08.2342
This is the day his life has turned upside down.
For the past week, he had been preparing a plan for this day.
If he couldn't change what was going to happen today, everything would unfold the same way it had in the past, and they would die.
He glanced at the notes, which contained information about the skills and fighting styles of three people.
He stared out the window at the clouds and murmured, "I won't let it happen again."
_____________________
A carriage set out for the Sphere with two academy guards named Mark and Jack, along with Daisy and Rowan.
Both guards were Intermediate E awakeneds, sent by the Sphere to guarantee the safety of the applicants.
The route to the southwest from the forest where the orphanage was located was filled with bandits. If the bandits saw the guards, most of them wouldn't dare to attack.
It would take one day to reach their destination, and half the day had already passed as night began to fall.
Inside the carriage, Mark glanced at Rowan, who had been silent since the journey began.
"Yo, kid. What's your name?" he asked, trying to strike up a conversation.
Rowan, however, didn't even open his eyes, appearing to be asleep.
"Hello, can you hear me?" Mark waved his hand in front of Rowan's face but got no response.
"Sorry, he's always like that," Daisy apologized on Rowan's behalf.
"Okay, no problem. What's your name?" Mark asked.
"Daisy."
"Oh, nice name. So, why do you want to join the academy?" he asked with curiosity, knowing that commoners weren't typically welcomed in an academy filled with nobles like the Sphere.
It was common knowledge among the people of Lunaris.
He was genuinely intrigued about why they were attempting to enter the Sphere instead of opting for other minor academies.
"There isn't anything special. I just want to be strong enough to protect what I have. But if I join minor academies, I can't become strong enough for that. So that's why," she replied with a steady and resolute voice.
"I really look forward to this year's test," Mark said, stroking his chin with an amused expression on his face.
"I won't disappoint you," Daisy declared confidently.
"Hahaha, you're not only pretty but also bold," he laughed heartily, clearly impressed by her bold statement.
They continued their conversation throughout the journey, unaware of the dangers lurking in the shadows.
___________________________
In the middle of the dense forest, a group of rugged bandits with rough accents and shady personalities hid behind thick trees and bushes.
"Keep yer heads down, lads. They should be here any minute. Remember, we catch 'em alive. Big bucks for fresh slaves," ordered the bandit leader to his six accomplices.
"'Bout time we got a decent haul. Sick of these scrawny commoners," they laughed in anticipation.
"Why we gotta wait in the dark like this? Can't we just grab 'em and be done?" one of the bandits grumbled.
"Use yer brain, you fucking idiot!" the leader smacked the grumbling bandit on the head.
"They have two awakened guards with 'em. So get yer shit right."
"But the boss is advanced E awakened anyway. They can't do shit," another bandit said confidently.
Then, they heard the sound of a carriage approaching.
"Seems like our precious goods are here," the leader sneered.
Everyone grinned and tightened their grip on their weapons, ready to strike.
The carriage stopped right before reaching the bandits' hiding spot.
Inside the carriage, Vaan's closed eyelids suddenly opened.
"Status" he muttered.
______________________________
NAME : VANITAS EL DARKTE / ROWAN
RACE : HUMAN
AGE : 17
BLOODLINE : UNAWAKENED
GIFT : STEALER
-STATS-
STRENGTH : 8
AGILITY : 9
INTELLIGENCE : 20
VITALITY : 10
CHARM : 50( VANITAS EL DARKTE) / 15( ROWAN )
_______________________________
STEALER
- You can steal one of the bloodline skills of the people you kill.