Professor Cedrick stood at the front of the classroom, a sense of anticipation hanging in the air. He had called in several individuals, and two members of the academy staff entered with the imposing scale of trial, an ancient-looking device that gleamed under the fluorescent lights.
"Alright, we will begin your ranking analysis," Professor Cedrick announced, placing the scale carefully on his desk. His voice was calm and steady as he surveyed his students. "Who wants to go first?"
After a moment's hesitation, Edrick, with an air of calm confidence, raised his hand. "I'll offer myself first," he said, striding toward the front with pride etched on his face.
"Put any of your fingers on the scale," Professor Cedrick instructed as he gestured toward the device. Following the order, Edrick placed his index finger on the scale. Suddenly, a bright light radiated from the device, and a cheerful voice echoed through the classroom, "Edrick Aquarius, rank Aether!"
A stunned silence fell over the room, broken only when a voice pierced through—Fenn, his eyes wide with astonishment. "Aether?! Isn't it rare for a student just entering the academy to achieve Aether?" His surprised tone ignited a wave of murmurs among the students, who began to chatter excitedly.
"Calm down; we need to continue," Professor Cedrick said, his voice rising above the noise as he signaled for Edrick to return to his seat. He couldn't suppress a smile, thinking, *Not bad; rank Aether from the beginning.*
The process continued, with each student stepping up to face the scale, their ranks unfolding like secrets revealed. But by the time it was Ashura's turn, the atmosphere had shifted. Many students had already turned their attention elsewhere, absorbed in their own results, except for Edmond, who seemed unusually intrigued. Even Professor Cedrick awaited Ashura's ranking with a hint of curiosity.
"As usual, put any of your fingers on the scale," Professor Cedrick instructed, his tone serious despite the casualness of the words.
Ashura walked forward, a heavy weight settling in his stomach. He hesitated before placing his thumb on the scale. Suddenly, a blinding light flooded the room, more intense than any that had preceded it. Every set of eyes, previously distracted, snapped to the front, riveted by the spectacle.
"Ashura Kanon, ranking: Undetermined," a child's voice emanated from the scale, echoing through the hushed classroom.
"THE HELL!!!!" Liraeth exclaimed, his disbelief punctuating the stunned atmosphere. Gasps of shock rippled through the crowd, each student frozen in place, processing the unexpected twist. Ashura stood before them, his heart racing. *I know I don't have the talent that others in the Kanon family possess, but to have my core ranked as undetermined—are you kidding me?!* His complexion paled to the point where one might think he was about to collapse.
Professor Cedrick, now standing directly in front of Ashura, scrutinized him with furrowed brows. Gone was his usual calm demeanor; a serious expression replaced it. *How is this possible? Each being, even the abyss, has a core in their body. How can student Ashura rank as undetermined?* He racked his brain, grappling with the strange outcome of Ashura's result.
As the classroom buzzed with whispers and incredulous comments, Edmond watched Ashura intently, a cunning smile creeping across his lips. *Just as I thought. Ashura, my friend—well, not really—you truly are unexpected.* His gaze brimming with excitement fueled the escalating energy in the room.
In stark contrast, Jarek couldn't contain his laughter. "Hahaha! It seems your result truly befits your title as 'Defactus!'" he guffawed, the words dripping with scorn.
That comment echoed through the room, reminding everyone of Ashura's unfortunate title, one even the commoners were aware of. The atmosphere grew thick with the realization of his luck—or lack thereof. *Just how bad can it get?* they wondered, each mind spinning with the implications of Ashura's unprecedented outcome.
Professor Cedrik quickly snapped back from his thoughts and addressed Ashura. "We will discuss this matter more privately. For now, you can return to your seat."
Ashura, his face pale as an onion, trudged back to his seat, cursing his body under his breath.
After the commotion had subsided, Professor Cedrik resumed his lecture. "Since you all have received your ranks, this will help your foundation to be more steady. Your rank will automatically be shown on your student card, so please make sure to take care of it," he instructed the class.
The lesson continued until evening.
"Ugh, I'm so tired," Ashura muttered as he walked down the corridor toward his dormitory, feeling a slight relief that the shameless Edmond had some work to do and left him behind.
As Ashura arrived at his dormitory, he unexpectedly stumbled upon a familiar face, one every student knew. "Oh my, good evening, student Ashura," Ferris said with a calm smile.
"Urrgh, goo-good evening to you too, honorable student Ferris," Ashura replied, his tired and lazy expression reflecting his desire to escape the encounter.
"Looking at your condition, you must have just returned from training," said Ashura to Ferris
"Yeah, I just finished up with senior Veramount, but please keep it a secret. I don't want any commotion to happen. The reason I'm telling you is that both of you are family," Ferris said.
Ashura, hearing Ferris's words, couldn't help but furrow his brows. "Family, huh? Hahaha, how laughable," he whispered under his breath. Ferris, unaware of Ashura's remark, continued to smile as if nothing were amiss.
"Well, I'm sure you're tired. I don't want to waste your time any longer. I will excuse myself first, then," Ashura said, turning to walk away without waiting for Ferris to respond.
Behind Ashura, Ferris felt a pang of guilt. "Urrgh, did I perhaps make him angry?" he wondered aloud. His face quickly shifted to a serious demeanor. "Just like I thought, he's strong," he remarked, his eyes still fixated on the spot where Ashura had stood moments earlier, recalling the orientation day.
*When I began my speech, I carefully analyzed all the new students in the hall. Some of them were worth noticing until I laid my eyes upon Ashura. No matter how I tried, I couldn't find an opening to strike at him. But the rumor says he's defective and a wasted potential of the Kanon family,* Ferris thought with a smile. *Now, I can't help but want to spar with him,* he whispered to himself as he walked back to the training ground where Veramount was located.
## In the Ashura Room
The air was thick with anticipation as Ashura moved quietly around his dimly lit room. While other students readied themselves for sleep, he was focused on something far more significant. He rummaged through his luggage, retrieving a high-grade magic stone that glimmered faintly in the darkness. Carefully, he placed it in the center of a meticulously drawn circle.
"Alright, the preparation is finished," Ashura muttered under his breath, settling into the circle formed by the magic stones. A sense of purpose enveloped him as he straightened his posture and took a deep breath. He began to speak the incantation, his voice echoing softly against the walls.
**"O veil of Nyx, enshroud mine eyes,
By tongues of old where silence lies.
I call thee forth, realms unknown,
Guide my soul to the Dreamer's throne.
By shade and shadow, dusk's embrace,
Draw me deep to that hidden place.
Where visions stir and phantoms roam,
Lead me now to Abyss's home."**
With the last word whispered, Ashura clasped his hands tightly around the stone. "Somnium Abyssi," he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. Suddenly, a powerful wave of energy enveloped him, causing the room to vibrate with an otherworldly resonance. The once-bright colors of the magic stones began to fade, their vibrant hues drained into the growing darkness.
In that moment, Ashura felt himself being pulled into a realm devoid of light, slipping into a world of shadows and silence. It was both exhilarating and terrifying.
Regaining his focus amidst the overwhelming darkness, Ashura prepared to speak again. He took a calming breath, channeling his thoughts toward the next incantation, the weight of the moment heavy in the air.
"By the gaze of Nyx and shadows' grace,
Grant my sight in this forsaken place.
Let darkened veil to light unbind,
Reveal the truths that night confined."
"Oculi Noctis,"Ashura declared, his voice ringing with conviction. The instant he spoke those words, a flicker of light burst forth from within the shadows, granting him sight in this abyss. As the darkness receded, he could finally perceive the world around him—a realm where shadows danced and the air hummed with secrets waiting to be unveiled.
"Now, let's get back to my training. Today, I will beat that level 13 monster: Gorgaroth," Ashura declared, his eyes fixed on his prey.
Before him stood Gorgaroth, a terrifying abyss monster embodying an ancient, relentless hunger. Its muscular arms, gnarled and powerful like a king goblin, were cloaked in scaled armor, ready to crush rock with ease.
Ashura's gaze was drawn to the beast's long, serpent-like tongue, slick with venom, capable of ensnaring foes before they knew their fate. But most chilling was its massive abdomen—a fanged maw wide enough to devour a cow in a single bite. Despite the fear racing through him, Ashura felt the thrill of the challenge. Today, he would conquer the darkness.