The air inside Aetherion Academy's vast hallways was cool and refreshing, but my mind was anything but calm. I was released from the infirmary earlier today, and with the upcoming test looming in the next few days, I found myself walking toward the main square, where students were asked to choose their departments. The weight of that decision pressed on my mind.
There were so many departments to choose from:
Knight Department, for those who would lead on the battlefield.
Mage Department, where one could learn to bend the world's mana to their will.
Dual Magic and Knight Department, combining the art of both combat and spellcraft.
Alchemist Department, for those who mastered potion making and other forms of support.
Military Strategy and War Strategist, for the tacticians who would lead entire armies.
Healers, who could save lives on the battlefield or within the city walls.
Each department had its own significance. The Alchemist Department was known for its profitability; being an alchemist could secure wealth and stability, as their potions and creations were highly sought after. On the other hand, knights, mages, and strategists often found themselves in high positions within noble families or in the military, where power and influence could be more valuable than wealth alone.
I weighed my options carefully. Choosing the wrong path could mean losing out on opportunities, prestige, or worse—my future. I wanted to be strong, but I also didn't want to chase a path that wouldn't suit me.
As I stood there, contemplating, a thought crossed my mind. That blue screen I saw earlier… what was it? And why did it appear to me? Could it be related to the abilities I'd never known I had? I tried something impulsive. "Status," I muttered under my breath.
To my surprise, the blue screen materialized once again before my eyes.
---
⟦ Diluc Ashborne ⟧
Rank: 9
Dexterity: 8/10
Strength: 7/10
Intelligence: 6/10
Endurance: 5/10
Agility: 7/10
Mana Rings: 4/10
Skills:
Weapon Mastery (Proficient in all weapons)
Keen Senses (Heightened perception)
??? (Locked)
??? (Locked)
??? (Locked)
Attributes:
Void
Lightning
Darkness
Unique Talent:
Beast Tamer (Loved by Monsters: Neutral monsters will favor you, and aggressive ones will become neutral)
??? (Locked)
---
I stood frozen, staring at the screen in disbelief. Weapon Mastery? Keen Senses? Beast Tamer? How could this be? I never trained in combat, and I spent most of my life bedridden due to illness. The fact that I had these skills and talents was mind-blowing.
But my initial excitement was quickly tempered by a stark realization. Even with these seemingly impressive stats, they were below average compared to the other cadets here at the academy.
Most of the students were already hovering around Rank 8 or even Rank 7, and their physical and magical abilities were far more developed than mine. Some of them had trained in prestigious schools since childhood, and others came from powerful families with access to ancient teachings. Compared to them, my Rank 9 and average stats were barely enough to make me stand out.
"Even with this system, I'm still below average," I muttered, clenching my fists. The realization stung more than I expected. Sure, I had some interesting skills, but would they be enough to compete here?
And then there were the locked skills. I eyed the unknown abilities displayed as question marks on the screen. Maybe those were powerful abilities that could turn things around for me, but I had no idea how to unlock them. Would they reveal themselves in time, or was there something I needed to do?
My attributes—Void, Lightning, and Darkness—were intriguing, especially Void and Darkness. These elements were incredibly rare, even among high-ranking mages. But as much as I wanted to use them, I knew they would be useless to me for now. It was almost impossible to wield those elements at lower ranks, and even those who had reached Rank 4 or higher struggled with them.
At least I had Lightning, which was a bit more accessible and could help me progress, but still… it felt like a daunting mountain to climb.
My thoughts drifted back to the locked talents and abilities. Could they be the key to unlocking my true potential? Or were they just a red herring, teasing power I might never achieve?
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. My attributes... Lightning. A smile tugged at my lips. At least I got one relatively accessible attribute. Void and Darkness, while undoubtedly powerful, were practically unusable at low ranks. Even mages who reached Rank 4 or higher struggled to master those elusive elements. I was fortunate in that regard, though using them would be a distant dream unless I advanced significantly.
It was an overwhelming discovery, one that left me wondering—Why me?
I wanted to know more. I wanted to know why I had these powers. But no matter how many questions I asked aloud, the system didn't respond. It was just a static display of my status and abilities, like some hidden part of myself laid bare.
Was it destiny? Or some kind of cruel joke?
In the midst of these thoughts, I remembered my family—The Ashbornes. They took me in when I was an orphan, gave me a home, and made me one of their own. I had younger twin siblings who looked up to me, and a loving father who always said I had potential, despite my frailty. If only he knew the truth about me now.
I felt a renewed sense of purpose rising in my chest. I had the strength, the skills—abilities I never imagined possible. Maybe, just maybe, I could become someone strong. Someone important.
But first, I had to choose a department.
I looked around at the students milling about, all of them as conflicted as I was. They likely didn't have a mysterious system guiding them, but that didn't make their choices any less critical. The Mage Department would give me the training to use Lightning, but the Knight Department would hone my physical abilities, especially given my proficiency in weapons. The Dual Magic and Knight Department seemed like an obvious choice for someone like me, but it was also highly competitive.
There was also the Beast Tamer ability... Did that mean I had some connection to creatures? Could I join a department where that talent would be nurtured? Or would it only manifest under special conditions?
I sighed. This decision was going to change my future, and I couldn't afford to rush it. But I couldn't stand here forever, either.
"Why would I get a system like this?" I murmured to myself, trying to make sense of it. Why would I, of all people, get something so... fantastical? There had to be a reason. A purpose. I kept thinking about it, but the more I tried, the more my head began to spin.
Maybe there were no answers, at least not yet.
I decided to leave the questions for another time. Right now, I had a choice to make. I needed to focus on the present and choose a path that would help me grow. If I couldn't find the answers now, maybe I'd discover them along the way.
With that thought, I took a deep breath and headed toward the registry desk.