The world was dim and dark, as I traverse the barren path of death, with a firm look on my ashen visage.
Blood dripped like a eternally flowing fountain from the parts of the shackles that tethered me to something indistinguishable, yet I continue walking , with no intention of giving in to the primordial fear of death waiting patiently at the threshold, with the scythe of dread raised just a few inches to take my breath away.
A gasp left me yet again as the poison pulsed in my veins, the serpents had inflicted far more damage than I thought.
I had taught them well after all...
And then.
My gaze settles upon you.
You who are still weak and remain a stain to my legacy.
Yet, even then...
You are my salvation, Daynes. I have firm faith in you, don't prove my belief wrong, for it paints my intelligence in a bad light and when that happens I get very much enraged..... So don't disappoint me, Blessed Of Nexus.
Now go, and prove that you indeed are one of the great lion.
---------
Daynes opened his eyes, as soon as the first rays of the sun entered through the blinds that revealed the beautiful scene outside– floating lands, rivers of purity and much more, and with a look of absolute composure still fixed hard on his face he sat up.
"That... was quite a strange dream" He muttered to himself–though no one could hear it for his voice was faint like the whispers of a spirit, as he got down from the white mattress, and due to his limbs feeling stiff he bent down and touched his toes.
He started stretching for a few minutes and once he was done, he stood back up as he gazed down at his soft palms, clenching it into fists. The high level of endurance was coming in handy, even such a simple exercise he used to fail at during his stay at the old tainted world.
Yet again, he reminded himself to thank this so called Bryon. For only because of his copied bloodline, the physicality of Daynes had increased.
Daynes's eyes for a brief moment turned to the door and continued to stare at it for a minute, before Sandra and her disciple entered. Due to the attribute which helped him to understand mana well, he could sense their arrival minutes before, as the energy around the environment fluctuated like electricity once they come in contact with those who possess a core(-especially the ones who are the cream of the crop in this realm.)
"So this must be Bryon.....A seventeen year old but why does he seem to be something akin to a war general?"
Daynes pondered and so he used,
[Foresight Of The Nexus Activated]
[Soul Sheet Opening.....]
[Scan failed, subjects stronger than host. Showing incomplete data]
[True Name: Bryon Mersain]
[Nexus Name: None]
[Age: 350]
[Mana Core Level 101: Warlock Rank]
[Monikers→]
[The Warlord Of Utopia]
[The One Who Crossed Death]
[The Training Freak]
[Hard Yet Soft Coconut]
[The Child Of War]
[Disciple Of Blue Witch]
[The Low Talent Who Defied Fate]
[The Introvert Lieutenant]
[Current Emotions: Shyness at meeting new people, Curious about you, Comforting as he doesn't want to scare you the new recruit]
[Alignment: Magus and Lawful Good]
–––––––
[True Name: Sandra Stella]
[Nexus Name: None]
[Age: 420]
[Mana Core Level 220: Grandmaster]
[Monikers→]
[The Blue Witch Of Paradise]
[The One Who Holds The Strings]
[The Headmistress Of Starsect]
[The War General Of Elven]
[The Darkest Elven]
[The Cursed Hero]
[The Excited Bird Of Darkness]
[Current Emotions: Tame heart, Happy like usual]
[Alignment: Magus and Chaotic Neutral]
Daynes was surprised but his face didn't show any outwardly reaction, for showing emotions in an unknown environment was a mistake, especially when the others don't know that he had a powerful guide known as system.
"Why am I even surprised? I mean I have been besieged by magic and then by this divine guide of sorts. So I shouldn't be too shocked by their age."
Daynes reasoned with himself before Sandra started speaking, as Bryon stood beside her– upright in nature with the strong gaze of a trained emotionless veteran. Yet. Dayne knew of the shyness present in the heart of the elder man.
"How are you feeling, Daynes? Hope you had a good night sleep. Oh wait!" She briefly turned towards Bryon with saucer eyes, and then turned around as she gazed at Daynes while lifting Bryon's hands almost like he was a toy for her. "This man you see, is the one who saved you and the disciple I was talking about, this is Bryon. Don't judge him by his face or hair, he is quite different in his heart"
A vague description that ended with a wink to Bryon who was biting his inner cheeks, hiding the embarrassment of his heart. He took his arm back from her grasp with a tug, and then stood in front of Daynes– who had to raise his head to look at him.
"He is quite tall, I am envious and along with that the back of my neck hurts. Can you kneel?"
Daynes thought to himself, as he was slightly jealous at the height difference.
"H-hello young recruit. I am Bryon and hope you will be good for the academy has enough troublemakers. We don't want another one"
The voice of Bryon was like steel, hard and powerful, as he gazed at Daynes with a hard gaze, appraising him.
"Sir with all due respect I am not a fortune teller so the future remains vastly unknown for me, but, I will definitely try my best not to make any complaints emerge from anyone here."
Daynes spoke to the taller man with a cross of his arms and even while being in the presence of a veteran, he remained calm and composed.
His attributes and traits were working overtime, it seems like.
----------------------
The veteran simply chuckled, amused and pleasantly surprised by the young man in front, not even soldiers on the war grounds could keep such a composure in front of him.
Was the past of the boy so horrid and dark, that he even lost his emotions? Bryon didn't have any answer.
Bryon didn't look at the eyes of Daynes for longer than necessary, for it seemed to be like an all consuming abyss that could drive even the most powerful magi mad!
"Hmmm, I hope that you remain committed to those words otherwise...."
Bryon warned vaguely and insteadly received a tight smack to the back of the head which made him flinch and stumble by a mere inch.
"Stop scaring the new recruit, you old fool"
His master scolded and even though his pride ached at being reprimanded in front of someone younger than himself, he remained silent for he knew, the scolding would become harsher if he rebelled.
"Sorry Lady Sandra"
He muttered weakly like a puppy and Sandra nodded accepting it. For now.
----------------------
Daynes was observing all of this with his hands behind his back, as he remained with his silence, waiting for their attention to turn back to him.
"They are here with some objective in mind, not just to ask me about my health or so. I wonder, are they here to guide me through this academy, though why? I mean I have the tab which I haven't opened yet. Meh, only time will tell.
Though this scene is quite funny, the one who was threatening me is now himself being scolded. Karma is real, hehe."
His thoughts were interrupted as the eyes of Sandra turned towards him, and advanced to him with a sweet smile.
"Don't mind my disciple.....He is not good, with people"
Sandra spoke, placing her hands on both shoulders of Daynes who nodded unmoved by the spectacle that had happened.
Though inside was a much different story all together even with his eerie calmness.
"Her hands....are crushing me!! Does she not realize her own weight?!!"
Even though Sandra placed her hands on his shoulders to be friendly and comforting, she didn't realise, that the boy in front, could still feel the immense weight for no matter how much she sealed her magic back. She couldn't seal it completely..... that's why she was quite scary to the amateurs and those under her.
This was why she was elected as the Headmistress after all.
His knees felt weak yet he stood still with a calm gaze, as he spoke once she removed her hands, with an innocent smile that hid the power beneath.
"It's ok Miss, I don't mind. I am sure that he had good intentions just like a teacher, who yearns to take proper care of his pupils and place of work"
Daynes spoke like an adult which didn't fit his age, and he too matched her smile.
"Oh right! That reminds me. I am sure you must be curious about our visit right?"
Daynes nodded at her words, which made Sandra explain.
"You see, the chairman has issued a decree long back, that forces the staff members who are free to introduce the new recruits around the academy.
Even though the academy tab is given....I think he wanted us to be friendly with our disciples.
Anyways let me give you a brief overview for I know you haven't opened the guide tab.... Frankly no one does during their first time.
As you know, this academy is called Starsect and it's a place for budding magi to prosper their powers.
We offer you a three year course, and with alloted vacations and missions every now and then. Though if you want, you can always come back to this academy for your additional specialist degree when you feel like it.
Fun fact, the academy actually serves as a housing place for even those who have already graduated, for mages only go outside this realm for missions or so, but most of the time they rest in the dormitory.
Anyways, getting back to the main info. You are officially a first year, and the other details, well I am too lazy to explain but the TAB will suffice for that.
Your curriculum has been transferred to your tab, and now follow us, we will introduce you to your first class. Do make some friends even if you are an introvert..., you can't survive without a group, loneliness is a lie remember that.
Exploring you can do later."
Sandra finally finished in one breath releasing out a sigh as Daynes nodded faintly following her speech rate.
"How? I mean seriously. How can someone speak so fast without risking the chance of suffocation due to no air?
Oh yes, Magic"
And just as they were about to walk out, the door opened violently and stepping inside was a beautiful girl with hair as yellow as a lemon.
She had a look of emergency and fright, as her sapphire eyes flickered over them three. She would have definitely asked about Daynes, but there were far more pressing matters.
Her slender figure covered by a green gown trembled and sweat like waterfall dripped down from her brows.
Finally she took some deep breaths and spoke with some stuttering and the words that came out were something that deeply unsettled the two seniors.
"D-d-daemon! A DAEMON HAS SPAWNED IN THE COURTYARD!!!"
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Sorry for the short chapter 😭.