Shin nodded, his vision swimming with stars. He staggered to his feet, his sword heavy in his hand. The new wave of knights closed in, their movements sluggish but relentless. He took a deep breath and let the power of his fables guide him once more. The trace fable grew stronger with every kill, feeding on the essence of the undead knights he defeated.
As the hours bled into one another, the battlefield transformed into a macabre mountain of defeated foes. Their armor and weapons littered the ground like a grim monument to his desperate struggle. Yet, even as his body screamed for mercy, his spirit remained unbowed.
Finally, as the last undead knight crumbled to dust under his blade, the forest grew still. The once-deafening clang of steel against steel was replaced by the gentle whispers of the night breeze through the leaves. Master descended from her perch; her eyes gleaming with something that might have been pride.
Shin collapsed to his knees, the weight of the battle finally taking its toll. His vision swam with darkness, the edges of his consciousness frayed like a twig.
He woke up hours later, sprawled on the cold, hard ground. His body was a patchwork of bruises and cuts, but the power of his fables had kept him alive, the price paid in agony,
but by now it was a sensation he was used to.
Master was sitting next to him, her crimson eyes gleaming in the moonlight. She had a small smile playing on her lips as she looked at him, show of affection. "You did well," she said, reaching out to gently touch his cheek. "The power within you is growing at a frightening pace".
Now, you gained your first title."
Shin blinked, trying to process her words through the haze of pain and exhaustion. "Title?" He croaked out, his voice hoarse from the screams of battle.
Master nodded. "Indeed. You have earned the title of 'Slayer of the Past'.
Shin stared at her in disbelief. A title? That was something reserved for the guardians and high priests, not a mere mortal like him. He had only heard whispers of such honors, never thinking he would be worthy of one. His heart hammered in his chest as he tried to comprehend the gravity of her words.
"How is it possible?" He managed to ask, his voice a croak. "A title is for those who transcend mortality, who are closer to the constellations themselves. Only those connected to a deity wave by over fifty percent can even dream of such recognition, and even then, it requires the constellation full support."
Master's smile grew mysterious. "With me, things work differently," she said, her voice a soothing melody in the quiet night. "I have explained to you before that our bond is unorthodox, and the rules that apply to others do not always apply to us."
Shin's mind raced with questions. "But what does this title mean?" He asked, his curiosity overwhelming. "What does it do?"
Master chuckled, the sound sending shivers down his spine. "It means that you have proven your worth, my dear student," she said, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Against the tides of the undying, you have shown that you are not to be underestimated. This title will grant you a small boon, long story short you will be stronger against type of opponents you have already defeated in the past."
Shin stared at her, trying to make sense of it all. The pain and fatigue were slowly giving way to a burning determination. "....Incredible".
"So the more similar types you kill the easier it will be to kill as many, just think about how many advantages you will gain thanks also to my fables and all the styles you will absorb,
thanks to me you will become the perfect catalyst, the blade that cuts the strings of fate!"
Master said, her crimson eyes gleaming with the light of the moon, reflecting the excitement of the night.
Shin felt a surge of excitement and fear. He had come so far, from the lowest of the low to a being worthy of a title. "What's next?" He asked, his voice stronger than before.
Master stood up, brushing the dust from her black robes. "Rest now," she said firmly, her eyes softening. "Tomorrow, you will begin your test at the constellation academy.
Shin blinked, his mind still reeling from the revelation of his new title. "But they are still missing Three weeks? or not? i didn't even eat!" He murmured, his voice filled with disbelief. He had been so consumed by the battle that he had lost track of time.
Master's smile grew gentle. "In the sanctum of my barrier, your body works differently," she explained. "These trivial things you speak of, food, rest, they are but illusions,
It's a pain to create but it's quite useful"
" So long story short, i just fight to the bone and my perception of time is all wrong?"
"Pretty much yeah".
Shin looked at his master, her words echoing in his mind. He couldn't help but laugh, a laugh that was part disbelief and part relief. The absurdity of the situation hit him like a ton of bricks. He had fought for three weeks straight without knowing it? "You could have told me sooner," he said, trying to keep the humor in his voice. "I'd have brought snacks."
Master chuckled, the sound a strange mix of amusement and something else that was hard to define. "Snacks are for those who have time to eat," she replied, her voice teasing. "But fear not, the academy will provide you with plenty of challenges to forget this triviality."
Shin pushed himself to his feet, his body protesting with every movement. He knew that she was right. The academy was notorious for pushing its students to their limits and beyond.
He stumbled through the outskirts of the city, the stark contrast between the modest homes of the common folk and the grandeur of the noble district and the academy starkly apparent. The small houses with their red clay roofs huddled together like lost children, while in the distance, the gleaming spires of the academy's sanctum pierced the night sky, bathed in an eerie glow that spoke of power beyond human understanding.
At the heart of it all, dominating the cityscape like a colossal sentinel, was Devota's Tower. The colossal structure of gleaming white stone ascended into the heavens, a testament to the constellation's might. It was said that from its highest point, one could see stars bending to her will.
Shin knew that the academy was his fastest path to the tower's summit. It was here that the elite were groomed to serve the constellation, to become the living embodiments of their power. It was here that he could forge the connections and alliances that would allow him to challenge Devota and avenge his sister.
Before he could face the academy's trials, he had to undergo the affinity test that would determine his wave value to the constellation. The test was simple, the connection with the constellation is defined at birth, it never increases, there are different changes in developing your skills but there are limits that cannot overcome the lineage.
"This is why my master's fable that allows me to absorb fragments of constellations and combat styles is literally cheating"
"After killing a million undead knights I'm sure my connection to Devota wave is at least at kale's level if not higher, so compared to the 5% when I first tried the test a year ago is a different world."
thought to himself as he approached the outskirt entrance. The second test, was a sparring match against another candidate, luck was also a factor for entering the academy, for the constellations fortune is a tangible element.
The first time he had attempted this, he had been only fourteen, a skinny kid with dreams too big for his britches. Now, at seventeen, he was no longer that weakling, the opposite if anything.
The second test was a formality. He knew that with the remnants he had absorbed, his wave value was probably close to forty percent, a score that would make the most gifted students at the academy green with envy.
But the third test, now that was the real challenge. It was the one that no one talked about, the one that changed every year, and was the one that claimed the most victims among the candidates.
it is revealed only to those who pass the first two tests, and even then, it was shrouded in secrecy. It was the final gatekeeper that decided who was worthy to enter the hallowed halls of the Constellation Academy.
Shin reached his small, cramped home, his legs threatening to give out from under him.
He dragged his body to bed, master had now reached his daily limit, he didn't even remember going to sleep that the day of the first test finally arrived.