Gasping for breath after sprinting through the halls, I came to a stop in front of the Door's of the Grand Hall.
Everything that followed in the novel stemmed from this ceremony. Mortis would give his speech that would infuriate the masses, the rivalries would start, and the wheels of fate would turn. And now, somehow, I was part of it. This was where everything would....
"Yo! What's the holdup? You planning to stand there all day?"
A rough feminine voice woke me up from my thoughts.
Turning around I was stunned seeing one of the characters from the novel in front of me.
In front of me was a short girl with a tomboyish vibe, her messy auburn hair falling haphazardly around her face. Her bright blue eyes were sharp and playful, sizing me up with a quick glance.
A cocky smirk played on her lips, the kind that hinted at mischief and confidence. Her arms were crossed over her chest, fingers tapping against her arm as if impatient as she looked me up and down.
"You gonna move, or do I have to shove you through the doors myself?" she teased, raising an eyebrow as if daring me to respond.
"That's definitely Reyna "
"Uh… right, sorry," I muttered, stepping aside awkwardly.
The girl rolled her eyes but grinned, nudging me with her shoulder as she strolled past. "Relax, newbie. No need to get all worked up. The real fun's inside."
"But... you're also a first year"
One of main female characters of the novel Reyna the love interest of Reinhard who was initially shown as the protagonist of just to be later put to the sidelines when mortis is put in the spotlight.
Reyna let out a short laugh, shaking her head. "Yeah, but first year or not, I'm not standing around like a lost puppy," she said, flashing that cocky grin again. "You've got to own it, y'know? The academy's just a bigger playground."
I sighed her confidence was infectious but it was too funny listening someone who is basically a child say that I could barely contain my laughter but I don't think she noticed.
As I followed her inside ,The Grand Hall was massive, its arched ceilings and intricate banners displaying the symbols of the four great houses of humanity that sponsor the Astrea Academy.
A soaring hawk amidst swirling winds that represents House Zephyris.
A flaming sword that represents the house of Valour.
A swirling mass of darkness that symbolises house Storm.
A skeleton dragon is the symbol of house Set.
In middle there was blue star the symbol of royal house, house Astrea founded and by the strongest human in history Lord Astrea his first name is literally Lord most people do not realize this and those that do cannot make fun of it due to his might.
This year the academy had children not only from the 4 great houses but the royal house as well, Speaking of children of the 4 great houses one of them should be giving a speech right about now.
Mortis Pov
Backstage, Mortis stood alone, staring down at the small card in his hand. His thumb absently ran over the scratched-out name beneath his first, "Valerius," once so carefully engraved, now little more than a faint outline.
The letters had been intentionally marred beyond recognition, leaving only "Mortis" visible. He liked it that way. There was no need for reminders of a legacy he had long since abandoned.
His appearance was as striking as his reputation. Pale skin, smooth and almost porcelain-like, contrasted sharply with his jet-black hair, which fell straight and effortlessly into place. His sharp, handsome features carried an eerie, almost otherworldly quality.
But it was his eyes that were most unsettling silver, reflective, like twin mirrors that seemed to see everything while giving nothing away. Cold, calculating, and devoid of warmth. They were eyes that had witnessed far more than most could fathom.
Astrea Academy ID
User ID: Mortis [Valerius]
Age: 16
Program: Year 1 Combat Program
School Rank: 1/2055
Talent: Immeasurable
Profession: Swordsman
Element: Unknown
Mortis shoved the ID back into his pocket, letting out a slow breath. The title of top student was meaningless to him just another expectation, another reminder of who people wanted him to be. In truth, being ranked number one wasn't even a reflection of his true power.
He hadn't cared about surpassing the heir of House Astrea or anyone else for that matter. His strength stood apart, something beyond what could be quantified by the academy's ranks.
==Status==
Name: Mortis
Age: 16
Element: Void
Title: The Absolute
Strength: D-
Agility: D-
Will Power: C-
Mana: D-
Overall: D
His Power was much higher than others it had been built by the torment of the visions of the future.
While others were struggling to each E he had long since reached D even when didn't put effort into growing his strength ,his natural talent had long since gone beyond human it more resembled mythical beasts.
While others struggled to inch their way toward even an E-rank, he had long since ascended to D. And the unsettling part?
He hadn't even tried. His natural talent was beyond human. It was something more akin to the mythical beasts forces of nature that carried out the will of creation.
He heard the murmur of the crowd growing louder, signaling it was time. Mortis straightened up, his gaze sharpening as he made his way to the stage entrance. The Headmaster stood there, waiting.
Though he appeared to be in his forties, Mortis knew he was far older his unnaturally smooth skin and ageless demeanor betraying his true age. His jet-black hair and neatly trimmed beard were devoid of a single gray strand, an unsettling contrast to the ancient presence he exuded.
His eyes or rather, the absence of them were still as disturbing as Mortis remembered, two pitch-black voids where irises should have been, constantly watching, always analyzing.
The Headmaster gave a short nod as Mortis approached, though there was no warmth behind the gesture, only silent, unblinking observation.
Mortis returned the nod without a word, stepping past him onto the stage. His boots echoed loudly against the polished floor as he made his way to the podium.
The Grand Hall was packed, thousands of students from the four great houses, all waiting, all watching. His eyes swept the crowd, finding familiar faces heirs to noble bloodlines, elites with power and status. They all looked so small.
He could feel the weight of their expectations, the whispers of resentment, envy, and fear rippling through the room. Mortis didn't care. He had one thing to say, and they weren't going to like it.
Gripping the podium, he leaned forward, letting his voice cut through the silence like a blade.
"Look at you. Every single one of you." His tone was calm, almost conversational, but it held a sharp edge. "Proud, privileged, walking into this academy thinking you're special because of your family, your name, your house."
A ripple of discomfort moved through the audience. Mortis continued, unphased.
"But here's the truth." His eyes gleamed coldly. "You're not. You're weak. Every last one of you."
The hall erupted into murmurs, some faces reddening with anger, others paling in shock. Mortis allowed them a moment to stew before continuing.
"You don't like it? Good. But it's still the truth. This academy is where the strong rise, and the weak are crushed beneath them. And in this world, I am at the top. You will not surpass me. You can try, you can struggle, but none of you will ever reach where I stand."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.
"One more thing," he added, his voice growing icier. "From this point on, I am not 'Valerius.' You will address me as Mortis. My last name is no longer yours to speak."
The room was tense, a storm of emotions swirling among the students some stunned into silence, others bristling with indignation. But Mortis didn't care. They could seethe all they wanted. They were nothing to him.
Just as Mortis was about to step away from the podium, something in the crowd caught his attention Kai.
His gaze lingered on the boy longer than it should have. While most of the students were caught up in the ceremony, Kai sat off to the side, quiet and unassuming, not drawing attention to himself. Yet, there was something different about him, something that made Mortis pause.
Kai's wavy black hair fell just above his eyes, tousled slightly as if he had just rolled out of bed. His eyes, however, were what truly stood out deep purple, but with a faint, almost imperceptible hint of red swirling within, like a hidden ember waiting to ignite.
There was a subtle intensity to them, as if they were looking beyond the present moment, seeing more than what was in front of him.
Mortis narrowed his eyes briefly, something about Kai felt... off. Different from the version of him that Mortis had known in the timelines that had passed. Something had changed.
Intriguing.
Mortis narrowed his eyes slightly but kept his thoughts to himself. He stepped back from the podium, leaving the hall in a stunned silence.
Whatever was going on with Kai would reveal itself in time. For now, the wheels of fate had been set in motion, and he would watch how it all played out.
The fun was only just beginning.