"Yay, he came back! I was starting to get bored. Oh, and by the way, are you guys reading this? Please give this stupid god some help—I'm starting to think he'll never finish my story."
I sighed, standing in my cramped apartment room. The sunlight spilling through the curtains made the space feel almost cozy, but the stack of unfinished paperwork on my desk ruined the illusion. "Maybe some training would help clear my head. Rose did send me here for a reason."
Walking over to the desk in the corner which was cluttered with old books, scattered Tarot cards, and a mug of cold tea I'd forgotten to finish, I grabbed the folded note she'd left. Rose's elegant handwriting filled the page:
"The fiends are on the move, and the Dark Oblivion Syndicate has been sighted in Vesperia. No updates on Nico yet, but the Syndicate's leader, Raseem—now calling himself the Oblivion Sovereign—has been spotted. Rumors suggest he might be A-rank or higher, though we have no confirmation. Their Consul remains a mystery, but their Pillars are estimated to range between C and B rank. These are just rumors, though; be cautious. They might be more organized—and stronger—than we think. They've been linked to several high-profile assassinations and destabilizations across Vesperia."
"Great," I muttered, slumping into my chair. "Keep an eye on a mysterious Syndicate, track down Nico, and somehow expand my knowledge while I'm at it. So much for a relaxing day off."
I skimmed the rest of the note:
"I've arranged for Lilith and Vallen to join you at the Academy. Maiden's Eye approved the collaboration, and Lilith's is on track to become the youngest Pillar in their history. She's been balancing roles in both the War and Logistics Divisions, so she should be useful. Vallen, on the other hand, is still rough around the edges. As an Elite Striker in the Combat Division, his raw power is unmatched, but his control…well, that's where you come in. Train him. Teach him. Keep him alive.
One last thing: enjoy the Academy, but please try to follow these rules:
Don't drown anyone waterboarding or inducing water intoxication. Body augmentations of others? Off-limits. Osmosis is a last resort. Divinations—don't rely on them too much. Absolutely no killing while you're there. If you slip, I can't guarantee I'll save you.
May the Vermillion blaze your path…Rose."
"Great," I muttered again, staring at the paper. "She might as well have added, 'And don't have any fun. Typical Rose—always piling on responsibilities with a smile. Still, if anyone had earned the right to boss me around, it was her."
"Don't drown anyone. How was I supposed to know that guy couldn't swim?"
I dropped the paper, went to get dressed, and headed out. Before I left the door my phone went off, it was Vallen.
"Yo, What's up," I said.
"Damn, bro why do you sound so dry? Where you at?" He asked.
"On my way to train, why?" I replied.
"That's exactly what I wanted to talk about. Two years ago, you had less control over your arts than me. Let's see how much you've improved." Vallen's excitement was like a puppy discovering a new chew toy. I envied his energy but also wanted to strangle him for it.
"Yeah no. Like literally almost every chapter has been a fight I'm tired of fighting." I replied sighing.
"Oh my god, you only 'fought' at the beginning of the chapter you had enough rest. Meet me at the Training area near Vermillion's Vespeian Branch. I'll see you there." Vallen said before he hung up fast.
"Ugh, human interaction is so exhausting… he'll keep pestering me until I show up though if that still hasn't changed. Guess I'll just make my way there then." I thought out loud, locking my door and walking out of my apartment building on the street.
The streets of Trenton Ave weren't exactly bustling, but the faint hum of conversations, the occasional whoosh of a passing hover-scooter, and the smell of grilled meat from a nearby food stand gave the place its usual chaotic charm.
The Vermillion's Vespeian Branch loomed ahead, its sleek, obsidian-like structure standing out against the older brick buildings around it. I sighed again, already regretting agreeing to this. Still, there was a small part of me that didn't mind. Training with Vallen might be exhausting, but at least it wouldn't be boring.
As I neared the towering structure, I couldn't shake the feeling that this 'training' would be more trouble than it was worth. But then again, when was anything with Vallen ever simple?
"Hey, over here Luci! Surprised you actually showed." I heard the scream from my right and there Vallen was, definitely grown so I'd say about 5"11, Caramel skin, Locks free falling all over his face, Same red and black plaid, with his black combat pants and boots, both with the Vermillion Phesant symbol.
"Hey, dipshit still shorter than me even after all the training. Sigh… I guess you have been cursed." I replied.
"Hey I have you know I grew a whole 4 inches so keep an eye out I'll be up there soon." He said to a 6"4 guy.
"Sure…you said you wanted to train right? Let's go, I guess I can show you a few tricks." I stated, walking past him into the building.
"Say how would you say the last two years were for you? Given your mental…I would have expected a huge crashout after 'The Cry' but according to what Rose told us you handled yourself and the situation with a clean head. Are you okay?" Vallen asked sounding like he was concerned.
I stopped mid-stride, my hand brushing the doorframe of the building as Vallen's question hit me harder than expected. For a moment, I debated brushing it off with a smart-ass remark, but the weight of his tone, the genuine concern layered beneath his usual banter, froze me in place.
"Am I okay?" I echoed, more to myself than him, before turning to look at him. His expression wasn't mocking or teasing like it usually was. Instead, he looked serious—something rare for Vallen.
"Well, let's see," I began, leaning casually against the wall. "Two years ago, Nico, my best friend, decided to drop off the face of the earth without so much as a goodbye. Kien—who I thought had my back—vanishes too, leaving me with more questions than answers. And me? I get to play the fun little game of trying to hold it together while everyone expects me to be some unstoppable force of nature. Oh, and let's not forget the cherry on top: the whole 'Cry' incident where I nearly drowned myself in a sea of my rage and despair."
I paused, letting out a dry laugh, one that didn't quite reach my eyes. "So, yeah, Vallen, I've been great. Top-notch mental health over here."
Vallen tilted his head, his lips twitching in a faint smirk that didn't quite hide the worry in his eyes. "Sarcasm aside, Luci, you didn't crash. You could have, but you didn't. Rose said you've been throwing yourself into training and raiding like a man possessed, but that's not the same as losing control."
"Losing control?" I repeated, crossing my arms. "You mean the thing everyone expects me to do? The thing I've been one bad day away from doing since…well, since I could remember? Yeah, sure. I didn't 'crash,' but let me tell you, Vallen when you spend two years running on rage, anxiety, and sheer stubbornness, you don't exactly come out of it with a 'clean head.' I didn't crash. I compartmentalized. Big difference."
I tapped the side of my temple with two fingers. "You know what I learned during my little isolation experiment? If you focus all your energy on one thing—like training, for instance—you can ignore the screaming void in the back of your mind. I named my Gift, by the way: Sea of Creation Tamtu. Fitting, isn't it? Endless potential, endless power, all bottled up like a storm waiting to explode. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?"
Vallen didn't respond immediately. He just stood there, arms folded, his eyes scanning my face like he was searching for something. "You're still angry," he said finally. It wasn't a question.
"Of course I'm angry," I shot back. "Anger's practically my default setting. But at least now, it's…focused. I've turned it into something useful. Rage is a hell of a motivator when you learn how to aim it."
"And what about the other stuff?" Vallen asked, softer this time. "The anxiety, the…you know, everything else?"
I shrugged, looking away. "Still there. Always will be. But the thing about drowning, Vallen, is that you either fight like hell to swim, or you let it pull you under. And me? I'm not about to sink. Not yet."
I pushed off the wall and opened the door, gesturing for him to follow. "Come on, let's do this. You wanted to see my new tricks, right? I've got plenty of pent-up energy to burn, and I'm in the mood to punch something that fights back."
Vallen followed, his smirk returning. "You know, for someone who claims to hate human interaction, you're surprisingly good at pep talks—twisted as they are."
"Yeah, yeah, don't get used to it," I said, rolling my eyes. "Now shut up and get ready to lose."
"Like hell, I will." He laughed.
As we stepped inside the Vermillion Pheasant Aether Training Ground, I felt the shift in the air—a palpable hum of energy that buzzed against my skin like an electric charge. The structure was colossal, a modern colosseum fused with the sleek functionality of a high-tech arena. Massive steel arches reached skyward, their surfaces etched with glowing Aether circuits, pulsating in rhythmic waves of crimson and gold. The lines twisted and turned, weaving intricate patterns like a living tapestry, each pulse echoing the energy of those who trained within.
The floor beneath us gleamed with polished black metal, segmented into massive plates that seamlessly fit together. Golden veins of Aether energy coursed through the cracks, flowing toward the insignia in the center of the arena—a fiery Vermillion Pheasant, wings unfurled in a triumphant blaze. The emblem wasn't just a symbol; it radiated an aura of power, its fiery outline shifting and flickering like it was alive.
Above, a series of glowing orbs hovered in perfect formation, their light illuminating the field like artificial suns. They adjusted dynamically, shifting brightness and focus to accommodate every movement within the space. Around the perimeter, observation balconies and command stations overlooked the field, their walls lined with monitors that displayed real-time energy readouts, tactical projections, and training data.
The field itself was vast, large enough to accommodate any combat scenario, from duels to full-scale squad battles. Aether conduits spiraled up the walls, connecting to mounted energy cannons, shield generators, and environmental modifiers. I noticed a section of the floor could shift and transform—panels splitting open to reveal obstacles, elemental emitters, or holographic constructs for simulated combat.
Red and black banners hung along the upper walls, emblazoned with the Vermillion Pheasant crest. They fluttered slightly as if stirred by an unseen breeze created by the raw energy circulating in the air. The atmosphere was thick with potential, every corner of the space a testament to the strength and pride of the Vermillion Pheasant Syndicate.
"This is where you've been training?" I asked, my voice barely audible over the subtle hum of the Aether machinery.
"Yep," Vallen replied, his grin as wide as ever. "Pretty impressive, right? Wait till you see it in action. The field can shift to match the energy signature of the fighters—it's like sparring in your element. But don't worry; I've got home-field advantage."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes, though the corner of my mouth twitched. Despite his bravado, the sheer scale and precision of the training ground were impressive. This wasn't just a place to fight; it was a forge for warriors, designed to push every combatant to their absolute limit.
"Home field advantage, huh?" I said, cracking my knuckles. The hum of Aether around me felt like a challenge waiting to be answered. "Let's see how long you can hold onto that."
"Ok let's make a bet whoever wins has to call Lilith a bitch to her face and has to do whatever the other says for a week," Vallen added with a smirk.
"Sure, let's do a Pact to make sure you stick to it," I said, my voice calm but laced with challenge.
"Bet!" Vallen replied without hesitation, his grin widening as he stepped closer.
I raised my hand, palm outward, and focused. Threads of crimson Aether began to flow from my fingertips, twisting and spiraling like living strands of energy. Vallen mirrored my motion, his own Aether—a brilliant golden hue—weaving out from his hand. The threads moved as though alive, seeking each other out in the space between us.
When the threads met, they intertwined, forming a tight, glowing knot in midair. The knot pulsed once, then twice, before sinking into the space between our chests. A faint glow lingered, and for a brief moment, I felt a subtle pull deep within me, as if part of my soul had been tethered to his.
"There," I said, dropping my hand as the glow faded. "Now you can't back out unless one of us dies. You good with that?"
Vallen rolled his shoulders, a playful smirk still plastered on his face. "Pfft, of course, I'm good with it. I'll win anyway, so I don't have anything to worry about."
The faint glow of the Pact still lingered, a barely perceptible line of energy that stretched between us, as if the Aether itself bore witness to our agreement. It wasn't just a promise—it was a bond, an unbreakable contract tied to our very existence.
I flexed my fingers, feeling the subtle weight of the Pact. It was a simple thing on the surface, but its implications were far deeper. Breaking a Pact wasn't just impossible—it was fatal. The threads tying us together would unravel violently, tearing through the offender's very soul.
Vallen didn't seem fazed by that fact, though. If anything, the glow in his eyes was brighter, his excitement even more palpable. "You ready to lose, Luci?" he teased, stepping onto the training field with a swagger that made me want to knock it right out of him.
I cracked my knuckles, letting a grin tug at the corner of my mouth. "You better hope you're ready to call Lilith a bitch, because I'm not holding back."
We moved to the center of the arena and the fight began immediately. The arena's faint hum of Aether flowing through its structure filled the silence between us. Crimson energy from Vermillion's emblem pulsed faintly beneath our feet, matching the tension in the air.
Vallen tilted his head, cracking his neck with a feral grin. His caramel skin glinted under the overhead lights as faint, golden streaks of energy flickered across his body. "Hope you're ready for this, Luci. No holding back."
I smirked, stretching my arms out lazily. "Oh, don't worry. You'll wish I did."
We squared off, the Aether-charged air vibrating with the force of our anticipation.
Opening Moves: The Initial Exchange
Vallen wasted no time, lunging forward with explosive speed as a golden Thermal Aura erupted around him. His first strike—a straight punch aimed at my center—radiated searing heat, warping the air around it.
I sidestepped at the last second, using Dragon's Whisper to glide smoothly out of range. The force of his missed strike cracked the floor, sending shards of metal skittering.
"Missed," I teased, spinning into Serpent's Evasion, my body flowing like water to evade his follow-up kick. His heel carved through the air, leaving a heat trail behind.
"Slippery as ever," Vallen growled, his grin widening. He stomped the ground, releasing Atomic Wave Step, a concussive blast of golden energy that spread out in all directions, forcing me to leap back.
Before I could fully stabilize, he appeared above me, twisting mid-air for a spinning axe kick. Golden energy spiraled around his leg, the raw force aimed directly at my shoulder.
"Gotcha!" he shouted.
I reacted in time, crossing my arms and focusing on Dragon's Claw Breathing into my defense. His strike connected, and the impact sent a shockwave rippling through the arena, but the force was mitigated as I redirected the energy downward. My feet dug into the ground, creating twin trenches as I slid back.
"Not bad," I said, shaking out my arms. "But you're still playing checkers."
Vallen's brow furrowed, and I grinned, summoning my Arcana's Will. The air shifted as a glowing Tarot card appeared before me, flipping slowly to reveal The Tower (Reversed).
"Let's see how you handle a little chaos," I said.
Arcana vs. Instinct
The reversed Tower's influence pulsed through the battlefield, creating unstable energy currents that crackled unpredictably. Every move Vallen made triggered bursts of chaotic energy that distorted his balance.
He pressed on undeterred, charging forward with a barrage of blows. I countered with Dragon's Flow, redirecting his strikes with fluid precision. Each clash sent sparks flying as his searing heat met my adoptive Aether.
"Chaos isn't gonna save you," Vallen growled, unleashing Thermal Nova Strike, a flurry of punches that left molten streaks in their wake.
I parried with Heaven's Strike, each of my counter-blows infused with flowing Aether that absorbed and redirected his energy. The arena floor glowed with intricate patterns where our energies collided.
As we clashed, another Tarot card materialized: The Moon (Upright). My movements became more fluid, and my instincts sharpened. With the Moon's influence, I predicted his next move—a sweeping low kick charged with golden flames.
I leaped into the air, flipping gracefully before summoning Dragon's Knee, a fiery strike aimed at his shoulder. Vallen managed to block, but the impact forced him to slide back, his boots leaving molten trails on the floor.
"Still standing?" I asked, landing lightly.
"You're not the only one who's grown," he shot back. His Nuclear Pulse Aura flared, a golden storm of energy erupting around him. The intense heat warped the air, and his grin turned feral.
Mid-Battle: The Turning Point
I pulled another card from Arcana's Will, this one revealing The Hanged Man (Reversed). Chains of Aether materialized around Vallen, locking his movements and sapping his energy.
"Feeling stuck?" I taunted, summoning Sea Serpent's Embrace. Water, glowing with crackling Aether, spiraled around me before lashing out like a living whip, coiling around Vallen's limbs.
He roared in defiance, channeling his Nuclear Ego. The chains strained against his golden energy, cracks forming along their length.
"Not enough to hold me!" he shouted, shattering the chains in a burst of raw power. The backlash forced me to release the Serpent, and he immediately closed the gap.
With Radiant Flare Step, he moved faster than I expected, slamming his fist into my ribs. Pain exploded through me as I flew back, hitting the wall with enough force to dent it.
"That all you've got, Luci?" Vallen taunted, his energy burning brighter.
I coughed, shaking off the impact as another card appeared: The Star (Upright). My body surged with renewed energy, the pain fading as my Genesis Energy healed me.
Final Clash: The Card of Self
As the fight reached its climax, both of us were running on adrenaline and raw power. The arena was a wreck, with molten craters and cracks covering every surface.
One last card appeared in front of me, glowing brighter than the others. I knew instantly what it was: The World (Upright)—the Card of Self.
Energy surged through me, a perfect harmony of my abilities and instincts. My movements became a seamless blend of precision and power as I charged forward, unleashing Dragon's Tempest, a spiraling vortex of elemental energy that engulfed the battlefield.
Vallen responded with his strongest move: Atomic Cataclysm, a devastating blast of golden energy that erupted from his core, pushing back against my Tempest. The two forces collided, the arena shaking as the energy clashed.
For a moment, it was impossible to tell who would come out on top. But the harmony of The World gave me the edge. My Tempest surged forward, breaking through his Cataclysm and slamming into him with unrelenting force.
When the dust settled, Vallen was on one knee, breathing heavily but smiling. "Damn…you got me this time."
I extended a hand, grinning. "Guess you're calling Lilith a bitch after all."
"Damn it, I'm so dead." Vallen sighed, grabbing my hand and hoisting himself up.
"That was pretty cool back there though what was that? Those glowing cards that kept appearing?" He asked.
"Arcana… Tarot cards, I use them to read the flow of the fight and also buff and or debuff the enemy." I replied. "I learned it when I raided a team with a Psychic Tactician who said Taort helped her. I just didn't think this would happen to it though." I finished.
"Well, regardless that was cool. I gotta run that back a couple of times." Vallen said.
"Later I still have some things Rose told me to do," I replied.
"You mean the fiends? Yea, I know that's why she sent us remember?" He added sounding confused.
Then I remembered that the note said that she sent them here too. Ugh, I do like seeing my friends again but I can handle this. I feel like she still thinks I'm that explosive.
"I mean grant it I did flood the Citadel like 18 times, and I did drown those guys during training, and purposefully didn't help my raid team. But that's cuz they said they didn't need me so I had to prove my point. Now was it an Orange Rift yes but again am I the bad guy? Like can yall vouch for me?"
"Rigth my bad I forgot yea will I still gotta make some rounds and do other errands but I'll see you around," I said trying to walk off fast.
"You're trying to do it again, aren't you? Rose told me that you've been trying to find the gate to the Void. You planned to get rid of the void by trying to destroy it from the inside? How do you know you can even do this?" He asked.
"This bicth likes to tell everyone my business I should've…" I whispered to myself.
"Listen I'm just looking for it okay? Maybe that's where Nico is too you never know?" I replied.
"Listen I get that the first Volume happened fast ok shit us and half the readers don't even know what happened but dude you're letting this eat you up way too much," Vallen said.
"I get that you don't know a lot about yourself so I feel like that has something to do with your mental right now but Nico wouldn't want you to go through this–" Vallen stated before I cut him off.
"He told me to save him! He asked for help and I couldn't so why don't you figure out how to fix that big ass patch of earth you scorched! Blowing out half the medical field must way on your mind." I spat back.
"What–What are you talking about?" He asked confused with distraught painted across his face.
"Oh— shit…Nothing it's fine I'm sorry I… I need to go." I said, trying to walk away before he grabbed my arm squeezing tight as hell.
"Speak now!" He said with pure anger in his tone.
"Ask Rose not me," I replied snatching my arm away from him.
"I may have gotten colder and more distant but at least I'm in reality, and my reality is that I have lost a friend to darkness I have no power to fight back right now, a weird fate told to me by some chibi dragon that I have some grand power that being want and will come for. I can't protect you all Nico was proof of that even if I had just awakened fully. I still knew how to fight, I still knew that going into that rift was wrong. Even logic told me that his going to the Nexus was a very bad idea but I didn't speak up. This is on me I have some blame to bear and me being the closest to him I should've known." I stated.
"Lu that's not fair to us, Nico, or yourself." He replied.
"Neither is Life Val gotta get used to it," I said, leaning forward, Genesis Dive, I stated stepping through the veil and flying out the hole in the top of the building.
When the dust settled, Vallen was on one knee, breathing heavily but smiling. "Damn… you got me this time."
I extended a hand, smirking. "Guess you're calling Lilith a bitch after all."
"Damn it, I'm so dead," Vallen sighed, grabbing my hand as I hoisted him up.
"That was pretty cool back there, though. What was that? Those glowing cards that kept showing up?"
"Arcana," I replied casually, cracking my neck. "Tarot cards. They help me read the flow of a fight—buff me, debuff the enemy. Learned it raiding with some Psychic Tactician who wouldn't stop talking about them. Didn't think they'd turn into… this."
"Well, whatever it is, it's badass," Vallen said, rubbing the back of his head. "But we gotta run that back a couple more times."
"Later. I've got stuff Rose told me to handle."
"You mean the fiends? That's why we're here, remember?" He tilted his head, confused.
The reminder hit harder than it should've. Right. The note had mentioned they'd be here too. I do like seeing them again, but… I can handle this on my own. Why does Rose still think I'm about to explode?
I mean, okay, sure. I did flood the Citadel—what, eighteen times?—and, yeah, maybe I drowned those guys during training. Oh, and there was the time I left that raid team to die in an Orange Rift, but they said they didn't need me. Was I the bad guy there? Like, y'all reading this—can you vouch for me?
I sighed. "Right. My bad. Forgot. Anyway, I've got errands to run. See you later." I turned to leave, trying to make a clean escape.
"You're looking for the Void Gate again, aren't you?" Vallen's voice stopped me in my tracks. "You think Nico's in there? That you'll destroy the Void from inside? How do you even know you can do that?"
I muttered under my breath, "This bitch loves airing my business to everyone."
"Listen, I'm just looking for it, okay?" I shot back. "Maybe Nico's there. Maybe not. I have to check."
Vallen's voice softened. "I get it, man. The first volume happened so fast, that even half the readers barely knew what was going on. But you're letting this eat you alive."
"And you're not?"
Vallen stepped closer. "I get it, Luci. You're searching for answers, trying to make sense of all this. But Nico wouldn't want you to—"
"He asked me to save him!" I snapped, the words spilling out before I could stop them. "And I couldn't. So why don't you focus on fixing that giant scorch mark you left in the medical wing instead?"
Vallen froze. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Oh, shit. I hadn't meant to say that. "Nothing. Forget it. Ask Rose if you're so curious." I started walking again, faster this time.
"Speak now." His hand shot out, grabbing my arm like a vice. His voice was low, dangerous. "What. Did. You. Mean?"
I yanked my arm free, avoiding his gaze. "Ask Rose. Not me."
He stared at me, his anger giving way to something deeper—concern, confusion.
I turned away, the words spilling out before I could stop them. "I might've gotten colder, but at least I'm in reality. And my reality? I lost a friend to darkness I can't fight yet. I have a 'grand destiny' shoved in my face by some chibi dragon, and beings want what's inside me. I couldn't even protect Nico. I knew that rift was a mistake. I should've stopped him. But I didn't. And now he's gone."
"Luci, that's not fair. To you, to Nico, to us—"
"Neither is life, Val. Better get used to it."
I stepped forward, my hand carving through the air as I muttered, "Genesis Dive."
The veil parted before me, the air rippling like liquid glass. As I stepped through, the world distorted, bending and shimmering around me. The sky stretched out into an endless, shimmering sea, and I began to swim, propelling myself forward with effortless grace.
"God, that pissed me off. I need to strangle something," I muttered, the words carrying across the silent expanse of the Sea of Creation.
I paused mid-motion, letting my irritation simmer. "For all you people imagining a majestic dolphin swim...you're wrong. When I find you, I'll drown you. It's called swimming because I'm stepping into the veil—into the Sea of Creation, which you lower life forms can't see. To you, it probably looks like I'm floating or flying. But hey, that's on you for having basic vision."
I smirked, pushing forward again, the currents of the invisible sea bending to my will. "Now, back to the story. Enough fourth-wall breaking."
Reality snapped back as I reached the outskirts of the city, hovering above the bustling streets. My train of thought veered to more practical matters. "I can't raid without a license. Rose waved it when I was with her, but now? Shit. I could take the exam early...but that defeats the purpose of keeping a low profile."
I stopped mid-air, an idea forming as I held a hand to my face. A thin layer of water coiled over my features, shifting and reshaping under the influence of Genesis Modification. My reflection in a nearby window showed a completely altered visage. The water-formed disguise looked flawless, masking my real face beneath. The water shimmered faintly as it adjusted to every micro-expression, blending seamlessly with the contours of my face.
"Perfect," I said, inspecting my handiwork. "Now they won't know it's me. But what about my Art? If I use anything from my Gift, it'll draw attention. I can stick to healing Arts, but...ugh. Being the healer is an ass. Total ass."
I landed gracefully on a rooftop, scanning the city below as I mulled over my options. "Striker? Too flashy. Mage? Also too flashy. Guardian? Too bulky. Summoner? Nah. Tactician? Not in the mood. Supporter? I'd rather die. Rangers, though..."
A grin tugged at my lips. "I've got it."
I shot forward, flying at high speed toward the Wave Rider Association. The sleek, modern building came into view, its crystalline facade shimmering under the sun. Landing smoothly at the front entrance, I stepped back onto solid ground, the water disguise still perfectly in place.
This was going to be fun.
The doors swung open, and chaos greeted me. The place was alive with noise—laughter, arguments, the occasional crash of a chair being thrown. Parties crowded every corner, some gathered around tables stacked with drinks, others arm-wrestling or boasting about their latest Rift victories. The bar was particularly loud, the clinking of glasses punctuating the rowdy cheers.
In the middle of it all, a bored-looking receptionist sat at a sleek counter, barely paying attention to the commotion around her. I weaved through the crowd, jumping over a cluster of fighters brawling over some spilled drink. A few heads turned.
"Probably shouldn't have done that. People are staring," I thought, catching a few curious glances. Some watched with interest, others gave me the quick once-over before returning to their conversations.
"Oh, you seem pretty nimble! Are you here to register as a Wave Rider, sir?" the receptionist asked, her tone professional but slightly amused.
"Yes," I replied, stepping up to the counter. "I'd like to register as an Archmage—specializing in tactics and mid-to-long range."
Her eyes widened, blinking as if she hadn't heard me correctly. "An Archmage? Wow, no one's asked for the Archmage exam in a while. Are you sure you're up for it?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Ma'am, no offense, but I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't."
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Fair enough. Just so you're aware, if you fail, there's a three-month waiting period before you can retake the exam. Now, may I have your name for the license?"
I froze for a split second. Couldn't give her my real name, not if I wanted to keep a low profile. The first thing that came to mind slipped out.
"Raziel…Raziel Delmar."
She typed it in without question. "Okay, Raziel, please head through the doors to your right and follow the hall. The exam proctor will meet you there."
"Thanks," I said, turning toward the indicated hallway.
As I walked away, I felt more eyes on me—sharp, curious stares that burned into my back. Mentioning Archmage had struck a nerve. The Archmage class wasn't for amateurs, after all. Most considered it the "overachiever's path," a class requiring unparalleled precision, creativity, and strategy. And apparently, I was now the lone idiot trying to prove I belonged.
"They probably think I'm about to flop," I thought, catching glimpses of whispered bets and smirks from the corners of the room.
I stopped just before entering the hallway. With a flick of my fingers, small water hands formed around me, pointing in every direction I felt a glare. They coiled into crude middle fingers, earning a mix of laughter and annoyed scoffs before vanishing into mist as I stepped through the doors.
The sound of the rowdy crowd faded as the doors shut behind me. A grin tugged at my lips.
"Let them think what they want. They'll see soon enough."
The hallway stretched ahead, illuminated by soft, flickering Aether lights embedded into the walls. Each step echoed ominously, the anticipation gnawing at my mind. The nameplate on the door at the end read: Teach DaMarshall – Proctor of the Archmage Trials.
I pushed the door open, stepping into an expansive chamber that looked nothing like the rowdy Wave Rider hub. The space was sleek and modern, with glowing Aether grids lining the walls and floor. At the far end stood a tall, imposing figure with a silver streak running through his braided hair. He wore a tailored black and gold coat with intricate Aether runes glowing faintly on the sleeves. His sharp amber eyes fixed on me the moment I entered.
"So, you're the one bold enough to apply for the Archmage trial," Teach DaMarshall said, his deep voice carrying authority. He studied me for a moment, then smirked. "Raziel Delmar, was it? Let's see if your tactics and skills live up to that name."
"Bring it on," I replied, crossing my arms. "I'm ready."
"Confident. Good," he said, clapping his hands together. Aether rippled through the room, and suddenly, several translucent panels appeared in the air, each displaying a different scenario. "The Archmage trial consists of three stages: Analysis, Execution, and Strategy. I'll explain each as we go. But first, let's test your ability to analyze."
Teach waved his hand, and one of the panels expanded, showing a simulated battlefield. Tiny, glowing figures moved across it, representing two opposing forces.
"Your task is simple," Teach said. "Tell me how to secure victory for the blue team with minimal casualties. You have one minute."
The figures on the battlefield moved in real-time—blue forces defending a narrow canyon while red forces prepared a siege. I scanned the terrain, noting the choke points, the blue team's limited numbers, and the red team's overwhelming artillery.
"Okay, think fast. Their artillery is the problem. The canyon's narrowness works to my advantage…"
I pointed to the panel, marking a position. "Pull the front line back here and reinforce the canyon walls with Aether barriers. Use long-range fire from the rear to collapse these unstable cliffs on the enemy's artillery positions." I paused, smirking. "And deploy a decoy force here to bait their vanguard into the canyon before the collapse. Minimal casualties, maximum damage."
Teach raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Efficient. Let's see if your execution matches your vision."
The battlefield projection vanished, replaced by a high-tech arena. Several floating targets appeared, zipping through the air at unpredictable speeds. Each one was marked with a specific elemental resistance: Fire, Ice, Lightning, and more.
"This test evaluates your precision and adaptability," Teach explained. "Hit each target with the appropriate element. You have sixty seconds. Begin!"
The first target shot past me, marked with Ice Resistance.
"Water to Lightning," I muttered, forming a small, high-pressure sphere of water in my hand. It crackled with electromagnetic energy as I launched it, the target exploding in a burst of sparks.
The second target was Fire Resistance. I formed a whirling orb of water, freezing it mid-air before slamming it into the target, shattering it like glass.
Targets came faster now, each requiring split-second decisions. My hands moved on instinct, blending elements with my water using Quantum Aether. Each strike was precise, and calculated. A Fire-imbued water blade, a gravity-enhanced torrent, even a super-cooled shard that pierced through a Lightning-Resistant target like butter.
By the end of the round, the arena was littered with fragments of destroyed targets. Teach stroked his chin, nodding. "Impressive. Most would have faltered halfway through."
I smirked, flicking the residual water off my hands. "I told you, I'm ready."
The room shifted again, this time into a full-scale arena. Artificial terrain rose around me—jagged rocks, flowing rivers, and scattered obstacles creating a chaotic battlefield. Teach stood at the center, flanked by five glowing constructs shaped like humanoid phantasms. Each one radiated elemental energy, their glowing eyes locked onto me.
"This final stage combines tactics and combat," Teach said. "Defeat these constructs while maintaining control of the battlefield. Show me how an Archmage truly fights."
The constructs charged immediately, their movements coordinated. The first one, a Fire Elemental, unleashed a wave of flames, forcing me to dive behind a rock.
"Alright, time to get creative."
I formed a thin veil of water around my body, infusing it with Quantum properties to repel the heat. As the Fire Elemental closed in, I struck with Serpent's Evasion, weaving through its attacks and slicing through its core with a water blade infused with Ice.
The second construct, an Earth Elemental, tried to trap me with spiked walls. I leaped upward, using a Genesis Burst to propel myself higher. Mid-air, I summoned Tidal Spearfall, raining down spears of pressurized water that shattered the Earth Elemental's defenses.
The remaining three constructs surrounded me, their combined attacks threatening to overwhelm me. I grinned, pulling out a Tarot card from my deck.
"The Chariot, Upright!" I shouted, slamming the card into the ground. A surge of speed and precision flowed through me as I dashed between the constructs, slicing through their cores with water-infused strikes that shifted between elements—Fire, Lightning, and Gravity.
The final construct, a massive Wind Elemental, unleashed a hurricane that tore through the arena. I planted my feet, channeling water around me to form a vortex. "Let's end this."
With a roar, I unleashed Eternal Crestwave, a massive wave of water infused with Gravity and Lightning. The wave crashed into the Wind Elemental, compressing its energy into a concentrated sphere before detonating in a burst of light.
The constructs shattered into fragments, the arena falling silent. Teach clapped slowly, a rare smile crossing his face.
"Well done, Raziel," he said. "You've passed the trial. Your creativity and precision are a testament to your potential. But remember, an Archmage's true strength lies not just in power, but in how they adapt to the chaos of battle."
I smirked, brushing off the dust. "Chaos is kind of my thing."
Teach handed me a sleek Aether badge with the words Wave Rider – Archmage engraved on it. "Welcome to the ranks, Raziel Delmar."
As I left the arena, I could feel the eyes of everyone in the hub on me. Some whispered, others stared, but one thing was clear— I'm the shit pullin' this shit off.