With the registration process complete, Sebastian felt a weight lift off his shoulders. The sleek silver bracelet snug around his wrist signified his official status as an Awakener, albeit at the humble F rank.
As the group dispersed from the registration hall, the instructor's voice cut through the chatter, commanding attention.
"Attention, everyone," he called out, his authoritative tone silencing the room. "Now that you're official members of the Alliance, you have the opportunity to join our academy's official guild: Varun's Wrath."
Sebastian's ears perked up at the mention of the renowned guild.
Led by a formidable B-rank guild leader who was instrumental in the founding of the academy, Varun's Wrath held a prestigious reputation. Joining would provide not only a sense of camaraderie but also access to valuable resources and guidance.
"The guild is open to all newly registered Awakeners," the instructor continued, his voice carrying a hint of pride. "Members of Varun's Wrath will receive free housing and meals within the academy grounds until they reach level 30, at which point they will be transferred to the guild's headquarters."
Sebastian exchanged a glance with Marissa, their unspoken agreement evident in their shared nod. The prospect of continuing their studies while being part of a renowned guild was too enticing to pass up.
"We're in," Sebastian declared, his voice steady with determination.
Marissa echoed his sentiment with a smile, her eyes alight with excitement. "Count us in."
The instructor nodded approvingly, a hint of satisfaction in his gaze. "Excellent choice. You won't regret it. Welcome to Varun's Wrath. We have all the information needed to enrol you into the guild, so don't worry and head back to the academy to rest."
As the other students began to disperse, Sebastian felt a surge of anticipation coursing through him. The path ahead was clearer now, filled with new challenges and opportunities.
After the students dispersed, Marissa noticed Elena nearby with her own classes, so she dragged Sebastian over to introduce him. Elena, like a big sister to Marissa, had a calming presence. With her chestnut hair cascading down her shoulders and warm brown eyes reflecting kindness, Elena's appearance matched her gentle demeanour. A level 2 mage with the ability to heal, Elena possessed a quiet strength that resonated with those around her.
Sebastian noticed Elena's presence occasionally during their time at the academy, but he never paid much attention to her. Marissa, on the other hand, often spoke fondly of Elena and her supportive nature.
"Hey, Sebastian, come meet someone," Marissa called, tugging on his sleeve.
Sebastian followed her lead, his curiosity piqued as they approached Elena.
"Elena, this is Sebastian," Marissa said with a warm smile. "Sebastian, meet Elena. She's been looking out for me since forever."
Elena offered Sebastian a friendly smile, her gaze assessing but not unfriendly. "Nice to meet you, Sebastian. Marissa talks about you all the time."
Sebastian nodded politely, returning Elena's smile. "Likewise, Elena. It's good to finally meet you."
As Marissa and Elena engaged in conversation, Sebastian observed Elena's calm demeanour and the way she effortlessly balanced seriousness with warmth. Despite his initial indifference, Sebastian found himself drawn to Elena's presence, her quiet confidence resonating with him.
Their conversation flowed naturally, with Elena sharing anecdotes about her experiences on the first floor and her aspirations for the future. Sebastian listened intently, his interest piqued by Elena's insights and perspective.
As their discussion turned to abilities, Elena mentioned her proficiency in healing, a skill she had gained after awakening.
Sebastian leaned in, his tone gentle but persuasive. "You've been looking out for Marissa all this time, right? Think of us as an extension of that. We can look out for you too, Elena. Together, we'll be stronger and safer."
Elena hesitated, the weight of Sebastian's words sinking in. The prospect of tackling the Tower again was both daunting and exhilarating. "I don't know, Sebastian. The Tower is dangerous."
Sebastian's lips curved into a confident smile. "The Tower is where we'll gain power and experience. With your healing and our combat skills, we'll be unstoppable. Think about it, Elena. We could achieve great things together."
Marissa nodded in agreement, her voice softening. "Sebastian's right. You've always looked out for us, Elena. Now let us look out for you. We can do this together."
Elena looked between Marissa and Sebastian, a mix of uncertainty and hope in her eyes. "Alright. I'll join you, but just for a bit. I want to help out Marissa, but I'm not sure if I'm ready for guild life."
Sebastian's expression softened further, showing a rare glimpse of concern. "We understand, Elena. We'll make sure to be careful. Together, we'll conquer anything that comes our way."
As they continued their conversation, Sebastian considered his own abilities. He hadn't yet tested his regeneration skill, but it would probably be weaker than Elena's healing.
The thought of raising his own healer or even devouring Elena for her ability crossed his mind. She would be nothing but a means for Sebastian to become stronger, to reach his own goals.
With Marissa and Elena by his side, Sebastian felt a surge of anticipation, not for camaraderie, but for the power he could gain. He was ready to face whatever challenges awaited them in the Tower, not as allies, but as stepping stones to his own ascent.
After their conversation, all three of them returned to the academy. They enjoyed a meal together in the dining hall, discussing their plans for the next day.
As their meal concluded, Marissa proposed a training session. "Why don't we head to the training grounds?" she suggested. "It'll give us a chance to get used to each other's combat styles and test out Elena's healing."
Sebastian and Elena agreed, eager to put their abilities to the test. They made their way to the outdoor training grounds, where the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the sparring area.
Sebastian eyed the training dummies, his mind already formulating strategies. "Let's start with some basic drills," he suggested. "Marissa, you and I can work on our offensive techniques while Elena observes and provides support."
Marissa nodded, her enthusiasm evident. "Sounds good to me," she replied, a determined glint in her eyes.
Sebastian took up a defensive stance, his movements fluid as he dodged Marissa's strikes. Despite her petite frame, Marissa's agility and speed made her a formidable opponent. Sebastian found himself impressed by her skill, his respect for her growing with each exchange.
Meanwhile, Elena watched from the side lines, her brow furrowed in concentration. As she observed Sebastian and Marissa's sparring, she noted the nuances of their combat styles, searching for weaknesses and opportunities to provide assistance.
After a few rounds of sparring, Sebastian suggested they switch roles. "Now, Marissa, why don't you take a break and let Elena join me in combat?" he proposed.
Marissa agreed, wiping the sweat from her brow as she stepped aside to allow Elena to take her place.
Elena hesitated, her nerves evident as she faced Sebastian. "I'm not sure I can keep up," she admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Sebastian offered her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Elena. Just focus on what you do best—your healing ability. I'll help you get used to fighting."
With newfound confidence, Elena joined Sebastian in combat. As they sparred, Sebastian tested the limits of his regeneration, allowing Elena to land a few blows while also slightly injuring her to gauge the effectiveness of her healing.
To his surprise, Sebastian found Elena's healing ability to be remarkably potent. Even minor injuries seemed to vanish within moments, leaving no trace behind, unlike his regeneration which needed a few minutes to deal with them.
Impressed by her ability, Sebastian couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
As the training session drew to a close, Sebastian reflected on their progress.
Despite his initial doubts, he had to admit that Elena's healing ability would be a valuable asset. With her support, he and Marissa could push their limits even further, conquering floors without worrying much about injuries.
But beneath his facade of camaraderie, Sebastian's mind churned with darker thoughts. Elena's healing ability was powerful, way more than his own regeneration. If he could harness that power for himself, there would be no limit to what he could achieve.
As they left the training grounds, Sebastian's mind buzzed with thoughts of his next steps. He couldn't shake the feeling of envy that had gripped him during their training session. Elena's healing ability was undeniably powerful, and Sebastian couldn't help but wonder if there was a way to make it his own.
As they walked back to the academy, Sebastian fell into step beside Marissa, his mind racing with possibilities. He pondered over his abilities, particularly his Devour, considering its potential to level up. With each step, his thoughts turned darker, consumed by a hunger for power that seemed insatiable.
Sebastian's heart quickened with anticipation as he envisioned himself ascending to new heights of power. The thought of becoming the strongest Awakener fuelled his ambition, driving him to push the boundaries of his abilities further than ever before.
In the depths of his mind, Sebastian knew the risks associated with his pursuit of power. He understood the moral implications of killing to steal abilities from others, but the allure of strength was too potent to resist. He was willing to do whatever it took to achieve his goals, even if it meant sacrificing his morality along the way.
With each passing moment, Sebastian's resolve hardened. He made a silent vow to himself, a pledge to unlock the full potential of his Devour ability and ascend to the pinnacle of strength.
No obstacle would deter him, no sacrifice too great.
He was determined to seize his destiny and claim his rightful place as the strongest, perhaps even a god?
Was humanity not given such power to attempt and become a being like that?
Was it wrong for Sebastian to have such thoughts?