"—Vic, why don't you try coming to Academy? Aegis is definitely worth it's title of a highly renowned and influential Hero organisation. As someone who has experienced their facilities first hand, I can definitely vouge for it. Victor, I want you to seriously think about this...I only want the right thing for my sweet younger brother. If you come to Aegis, you will definitely become more powerful."
'Hoh. The academy, huh..'. I mused inwardly as I read Adrianne's letter.
To be honest, I was considering it lately. I just found it a little surprising and unexpected that Adrianne would be thinking the same.
'Actually, no. Considering how she is, it's no suprise. She would propose this sooner or later...'
I was already closely leaning towards the option lately since I got back. It was between either, somehow get into the Academy, or venture out into the world.
I planned on giving my family some bullshit heartfelt excuse about self-discovery and what-not, then seek out thing's like Dungeons, or even Inheritance dungeons too. Those things were terrifying, but very effective.
I would just travel the world and gather different sources of experience and slowly raise my strength.
I also had to seek out the fragments of Goliath, and I also wanted to learn more about Laplace and a few other necessary things I took note of.
Maybe I'll become an Adventurer or something of that sorts. Honestly, it was a wild shot in the dark. But as long as I had the system, Meta with me, I knew I'd definitely get stronger.
It beat just remaining in the comfort of the mansion by leagues.
I drummed my fingers on the table in thought.
'What do you think, Meta?'
[AEGIS poses better prospects for you] Meta said.
I hummed a little before saying:
'Elaborate.'
There was a slight buzz inside my head as Meta promptly replied. Her synthetic and illusionary voice echoed in my mind.
[For starters, it's a specialized facility which has already groomed and develop countless powerful individuals. It's provides resources that many could fail to afford in a lifetime. While venturing out to become an Adventurer has perks of its own, in manners or experience and maturity, it is also a blind shot in the dark. Anything could happen during one of your travels, anything could go wrong. Inheritance Dungeons, or even ones on nearly similar class to the Dungeon of Laplace of Entropy, are nearly almost nonexistent. You may become an Adventurer or Traveler for years, but still he unsuccessful. In the end, it's a matter of luck.]
'And I'm seven thousand years behind luck... literally.'
Well, I guess it's decided then.
I'm going to Aegis.
[That would be the most eligible course. In the end, once you graduate and still harbor similar thoughts as now, you will even be more eligible to be on an Adventurer or Traveler and continue with your goals.]
Meanwhile, I only had a limited period of time to choose the Academy. Meta's words better put perspectives in place.
Going to the academy was the better option of the two.
I summarised all of my thoughts and interactions with Meta in a few seconds before Nina could notice then turned my attention back to the letter.
After that, Adrianne mostly just described how her life was going and things like that. Apparently she was scouted by multiple organizations, and is amongst the top three top students of Aegis. This meant, Adrianne was In large demand from all over.
The letter concluded with my sister threatening me to send a reply as soon as possible.
By the time I was done, my tea had turned cold. I didn't mind too much as I slowly got up.
"Is there something?" Nina who patiently and devotedly waited by my side all this time said with a small bow.
"No, not really. I've had my fill for now. I'll be taking a small walk for fresh air, you're dismissed until later. Go have some rest, Nina."
Saying so, I smiled and left the pavilion. A pleasant and warm draft of wind blew past and whipped through my hair.
Now then...I had to figure out what to do with all that money I made last night.
"Ah, that's a pain. I was originally going to use it to fund my adventures, but I guess it can wait. Why does it sound like I'm whining over having too much cash..." Silently, I decided to leave all my loot inside Hamlet for the meantime.
It doesn't hurt to have extra cash, and it would definitely come in handy sooner or later.
Having idle thoughts, I took a casual stroll round one of the annex buildings.
Before I head to Aegis, there were only a few things left to do.
I stretched my hands over my head as I yawned tiredly.
Ah, it think it's about time I make a fake breakthrough to 'Mortal Rank'.
Since the moment I Awakened, I was intentionally delaying my progress and advancement to hide it. If I became too strong, it will gather unnecessary attention on me. But as this continued, it became less and less necessary and easier to hide thanks to Adrianne who was deflecting all of the attention from me.
Then I found the Ring of Solomon that allows me to hide any aspect of my existence as I wish.
There was no longer any need to slow down. I could now really continue to get stronger while hiding.
[All that said, for the current you, it'll take at least a year or close to breakthrough from Mortal Rank to Eta Rank.] Meta, my ever charming system, whispered into my mind.
'All because of my damned Blessing of Ether attribute...' well, not quite.
I might be a Mortal Rank Awakened, but my body is definitely slightly more stronger and developed because of my extended exposure to higher quality Aether. Now nothing short of that quality would barely suffice to raise even my level by one.
I was still getting stronger like any other Awakened of my rank, but it's...kind of like, my standards are just higher and different.
By level 35, I'll break through and become Eta Rank. I'm currently level 27, that's eight levels away. It didn't seem much, but it is. Especially for me.
One year. Meta estimates I'd gather enough energy in one year from now. I'll have to work two times...no...four time harder than others now.
The depressing thought made me smile.
I stopped behind one of the buildings and leaned against the wall while I raised my head and stared at the drifting clouds and blue sky.
If I attend the a academy, that might be the latest before I make a breakthrough. Until then, I can pretend to become Mortal rank here to raise my chances of being eligible to attend Aegis.
The minimum age is 16. I'm currenlt 15...so all of my plans and the things I had to do more or less tallied with one year.
With that, my next course of action for the following year is complete.
I'll make adjustments due to the corresponding changes or information I may find. Until then I'll do my best to rank up, and get into Aegis.
I'll utilise Thier facility, and all the resources that can provide me to get stronger. Once I graduate — if by then it isn't too late — then I'll become a traveller. I'll explore the world and seek out the answers to my questions.
Who is Laplace?
What is the System?
What exactly is the Calamity?
How do I survive?
How does it concern me?
When will it begin?
I guess it was time I actively began. The hero already failed me once in the vision I saw. I had to prepare countermeasures for that apocalypse.
My family...me, everything. Relying on that burning bastard would definitely be the end of me. But if possible, maybe there was also a way I could use the hero.
Ah, but that would require me finding him out first. Chances of that are expectantly low, to be honest. I had no idea who they were, all I knew was they burned with bright illusionary flames
'The future can be changed.' if the System could show me that vision and assign me a quest that requested me to 'survive' that meant if was possible.
In the vision, everyone was dead after all.
There was a slight possibility, a small chance — maybe in a separate timeline or multiverse — that the Hero won -
Well, the plan is still the same anyway. I'll adjust my set of actions with any corresponding sequence of events that happens along the way.
If I don't find the Hero, good.
If I do find them, even better. I don't know what exactly I'd do, but I'll think of it then.
The hero failed once, but they're the Hero for a reason.
'They can be useful.' if not for the world, then for me. As long as I have to survive I've decided I'll utilise whatever option or resources I can find.
To live the life I want, I'll do anything. Of course I still plan to live leisurely, that thought hasn't changed but is only even more reinforced!
I'll get stronger, but it isn't just to survive the Calamity, it's to rule my own destiny.
Wether be it the Hero, the Calamity, the Demon king, Meta, or the one responsible for all this.... I'll live. I'll live and survive and take my own fate into my hands. I'll lead my destiny myself, and I'll destroy whatever stands in my way with whatever means necessary.
This was my second life. This was my redemption. The damend universe knows I'm not bending the knee this time.
"Haha...haha hahahaha..."
And to achieve all that, Aegis will merely be a stepping stone.
I was full of dark ecstacy as I laughed. There was sadness, grief, anger, dark excitement, and disgust inside of me. All of which were targeted at myself and my measly existence of course. So it was a self mocking laugh...one of sinister promise.
I made up my mind.
In one year, I would attend Aegis.
•••AUTHOR'S NOTE•••
Hey, guys. I want to start with assigning stone goals, and awarding extra chapters, and I'll need your help and support.
As this will be my first official time, let's start small.
•For every 10 Golden Tickets, One extra chapter
•For every 20 powerstones, One extra chapter.
The target and goals will be effective from now, and so I hope you continue to support me. Thank you for everything.