The warm light of morning filtered through the cracked blinds of Isaac's dorm room. He stretched, the ache from the previous day's battles still lingering in his limbs. The memory of synchronization with the Dawnbringer sent a faint shiver through him. It had been intoxicating—a feeling of invincibility unlike anything he'd known. But the effort had taken its toll, and now his body reminded him just how human he was.
The system interface flickered to life as he sat up.
---
[Status Panel]
Name: Isaac
Level: 5
Health: 120/250
Mana (MP): 20/150
System Points (SP): 750
Skills:
Gevurah's Purging Flame (Rare)
Tiferet's Radiant Mantle (Epic)
Synchronization Progress:
10% (Isaac the Flame Warden)
20% (Isaac the Dawnbringer)
Quest Log:
Entrance Exam: 24 hours remaining.
---
Isaac's gaze lingered on the countdown. The entrance exam was drawing closer, and he knew the academy wouldn't make it easy. The stakes were high—synchronization boosts, skill fragments, and five pulls. It wasn't just a test; it was survival.
"Better get moving," he muttered, rising to his feet.
---
Training in the Outer Layer
The academy grounds stretched far beyond the dormitories, encompassing sprawling forests, rugged training fields, and shimmering lakes. Isaac had chosen the outer layer, an isolated area often overlooked by other recruits. It was quiet, away from prying eyes and unnecessary distractions.
He stood in a clearing, his focus on a series of training dummies arranged in a rough circle. The system's voice chimed in his mind.
----
[Side Quest found: The Road of the Strong]
Objectives: Improve skill efficiency and energy conservation
Reward: +10 to all stats & 2% synchronization based on skill usage
---
Isaac think to himself which synchronization should he raised. He raised his hand, summoning a flicker of flame that coiled around his fingers. Gevurah's Purging Flame was destructive, precise, and dangerous but with only 10 % synchronization, he decided to raise it and the challenge lay in controlling it.
With a flick of his wrist, he sent a narrow jet of fire toward the nearest dummy. The flames seared through the air, striking the target cleanly and igniting it in an instant. Isaac frowned. The strike had been effective, but the mana drain was noticeable—a steady pull at his reserves.
"Too much power," he muttered. "I need to focus on efficiency."
He raised his other hand, channeling the energy into a smaller, more contained burst. This time, the flame flickered faintly, striking the dummy but leaving it intact. Isaac scowled.
"Too little."
---
From above, hidden among the leaves of a nearby tree, a pair of sharp eyes observed his every move.
The girl sat perched on a branch, her legs swinging lazily as she watched him with interest. She had short, snow-white hair that framed her face, her playful smirk emphasizing her sharp features. Her medium stature gave her an athletic,she have a perky breast close to c cup,she has a confident air, while her form-fitting academy uniform highlighted her chest.
"Not bad for someone who ranked dead last," she mused aloud, her voice carrying just enough to reach him.
Isaac froze mid-strike, his brow furrowing. He glanced toward the source of the voice, spotting the girl perched high above him. Her posture was relaxed, but her gaze was anything but confidence. Her sharp green eyes were locked onto him, analyzing his every move with laser focus.
"What do you want?" he asked flatly, returning his attention to the dummies.
The girl's smirk widened. She leapt gracefully from the branch, landing softly on the ground a few feet away. "So cold. Most people at least say hello when they're being watched."
Isaac ignored her, summoning another flame and launching it at the next dummy.
The girl crossed her arms, tilting her head in mock offense. "What's wrong, too shy to talk to a girl? Or is it because you're embarrassed I saw you burn through all that mana?"
Isaac exhaled sharply, glancing at her. "If you're here to waste my time, find someone else."
Her laugh was soft, but her sharp gaze never wavered. "Oh, you're interesting, alright. How does someone who ranked dead last on the compatibility test suddenly pull off a fire skill like that?"
---
Isaac's apathy had always been an obstacle. At the Awakener Academy, a recruit's compatibility according to their emotion and drive was everything to awaken their skill and abilities. Passion, ambition, and emotional drive were the core traits required for awakening. Without them, unlocking abilities was impossible.
Isaac's complete lack of motivation had made him an anomaly. His test scores had been abysmal, showing no indication of latent potential. He had been written off as a failure by most of the academy, a curiosity rather than a recruit.
And yet, here he was, wielding flames with precision and purpose.
The girl's smirk softened, replaced by a glint of curiosity. "I'm Lyra, by the way," she said, leaning against a nearby tree. "Top of my compatibility class. Everyone thought you will be expelled because of your abnormal circumstances. And yet…"
She pointed at him, her sharp eyes narrowing. "You're doing something impossible."
Isaac shrugged, throwing another controlled flame at the dummies. "Not my problem."
Her smirk returned. "Oh, I like you. You don't care what anyone thinks, do you?"
Isaac didn't respond, his focus remaining on his training. Lyra watched in silence as he continued, her playful demeanor masking her calculating mind.
---
Most recruits crumbled under Lyra's scrutiny and aura. Her sharp instincts allowed her to evaluate a person's worth within moments, dissecting their strengths and weaknesses with ruthless precision. It was a skill she relied on, one that ensured she always stayed ahead.
But Isaac was different. His indifference was infuriating, yet intriguing. He didn't seek approval or recognition. He simply worked, his stoic focus unshaken by her presence.
Lyra tilted her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Maybe you're worth keeping around," she murmured to herself.
---
By the time Isaac finished, the sun was dipping below the horizon, casting the training field in shades of orange and gold. He wiped the sweat from his face, his body aching from the effort.
Lyra had vanished at some point, leaving no trace of her presence. Isaac didn't dwell on it. He returned to his dorm room, exhaustion pulling at him with every step.
As he collapsed onto his bed, the system chimed softly in his mind.
----
[You have rested in bed]
Restored all HP & MP
[Side Quest Completed]
+10 to all based stats & Synchronization efficiency increased by 2%.
[Status Panel]
Name: Isaac
Level: 5
Health: 260/260
Mana (MP): 160/160
System Points (SP): 750
Skills:
Gevurah's Purging Flame (Rare)
Tiferet's Radiant Mantle (Epic)
Synchronization Progress:
12% (Isaac the Flame Warden)
20% (Isaac the Dawnbringer)
Quest Log:
Entrance Exam: 24 hours remaining.
----
Isaac closed his eyes, his mind drifting. The memory of Lyra's teasing voice lingered faintly, but he pushed it aside. Tomorrow was another day, and the entrance exam loomed ever closer.
---
A/N: The first of the many Female lead hope you like it. I'm gonna find the right image for the girl.
Leave advice and criticism here
[IMAGE]