As Hammon readies to engage Lancelot, a power release of zect cut through their own zect permanently cancelling both of their zect and disabling them.
How many times must I warn you not to release your zect on campus grounds huh Hammon?, The Mysterious figure said moving in close to them with her zect echoing through the entire campus grounds.
Zect is the release of ones aether from their inner pathway which then allows one to generate a very intense and strong aura around the person. Depending on the level of ones pathway, a person zect will be capable of paralysing, driving a person to insanity, breaking a person's will, temporarly preventing one from releasing their aether, crippling ones cultivation pathway or even killing someone based on how powerful ones pathway level is. A person with a lower pathway level than their opponent would find their will and mind broken just by the total release of their opponents zect only if they posses a lesser willpower than the opponent.
Afterall zect can be very dangerous if released on campus grounds especially when you consider the fact that it is you two. Therefore as the head of the student protection council it is my duty to bring down anyone that I deem can cause harm to the wellbeing of students in this school and currently it is you two, The mysterious figure said as he/she slowly unsheathe their sword.
Hahaha It is so nice to hear your sweet, gentle voice Sylvie. Even when you are serious, your voice just makes it hard for me to actually take you seriously. Well you are right I did release my Zect which is a violation of the student code but I had to or else this idiot(Lancelot) would have killed this good for nothing piece of shit over here (Ashen). Secondly aren't you also releasing your zect on campus grounds, Hammon said.
You seriously didn't need to add that you know hahaha, ashen thought to himself
Well!Well! Well if it ain't Sylvie. The beautiful Elven Princess and also one of the 20 genuises in the world. The Leader of the student council and one of the strongest student in all of Aetherion Academy. As much I respect you, this is not something you should intefere in woman, Lancelot said in a sarcastic and enraged tone as he proceeds to stare down at Hammon.
That's enough from both of you. I will give you two choices. Surrender now and walk away or choose to fight and incur my wrath. What will it be?, She said as fully unsheathes her sword and standing gracefully like a knight.
As much as I would like to fight the both of you, this is not a good place. Therefore, I shall wait till the start of the tournament and put you overconfident pieces of shits in your place, Lancelot said as he proceeds to walk away.
Disaster had been averted and just when Ashen thought everything had calmed down, a new problem emerged
You! boy, you mind telling me your name, she said as she calmly sheathes her sword back in place
Sylvie is talking to me? like "The" Sylvie. Have I finally been noticed, Is she planning on making a move on me? No!No!No what am I even thinking. She's way out of my league in terms of everything. There's no way she would like someone like me, Ashen thought to himself.
Cat got your tongue? I just asked a simple question. I didn't mean for it to come off as intimidating or frightening, she said with a gentle and worried look
No! yo-you didn't do anything Lady Sylvie. I was just still trying to recover from the zect release earlier, Ashen said unable to bring out his words properly, blushing in Sylvie's presence.
Hmm! About that. Do you mind telling me how you were able to suddenly open your pathway? How are you suddenly enveloped in zect which can only be acccessed by one with aether which you definely did not posses? and Most importantly, why do you reek of the stench of "Those People"?, In an instant the once friendly, angelic Sylvie became Ashen's Nightmare. With her murderous intent so strong that it made it hard for even Ashen to look at her, talk or even breathe.
Wh-what do you mean? I don't understand, Ashen said as he struggles to even bring out his words or breathe. His lungs almost deprived of air and blood driping from his mouth and nostrils.
Well I noticed that too. That was one of the main reason why I decided to come check it out and it hard to be this worthless bastard. How did you suddenly develop aether huh Ashen? or did you think you were so much better than us that you decided to not reveal your power? Well it doesn't matter as you are probably part of "Them" and you shall die, Hammon said as he stares down at Ashen with pity and disdain.
Die! Why should I die for something I don't even know? I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time and now I'm going to die because of something that's beyond my control? Ha! I see now in this world Power really is everything. If I had power from the start, would things have been different? Maybe I would have friends, I would also be able to party and have fun like how the others do, I would be able to fight alongside my friends and build strong bonds with them and maybe just maybe I would have a girl. If what everyone respects is power, then I shall gain power. If it is fear then I shall become that fear afterall what matters in the end is results, Ashen finally thought to himself and came to a realisation. A realisation that would later become his regret.
Ashen filled with his own self found convction releases his own zect, breaking free from the pressure of Sylvie's murderous intent and for a moment shocking both her and hammon.
What's this power? It feels calm yet rough, peaceful yet violent, pure yet corrupt. Just what is this?, they exclaimed. With a grim look on their faces.
Results! All what matters is result. I shall no longer be looked down on anymore. I-I will kill both of you, Ashen said as he laughs fanatically almost as if he had gone made from realeasing his aether.
Is that so Mr. Ashen then I pressume I would have to put an end to this, a mysterious voice cuts in
Before Ashen could react and look back to see who this figure was, A pressure so great that it could turn the body of a normal person to swish presses him on the ground. Unable to move or do anything.
T-this power! It is that of Professor Tharlic, Ashen squeezes out his last words before passing out.
Mrs. Sylvie and Mr. Hammon I believe you both have some explaining to do on your actions earlier and as for Mr.Ashen, I will take him to my chambers for questioning, said Professor Tharlic
I could have handled him Sir. You didn't need to interfere in this, Sylvie said as she sounded very frustrated and displeased
I know you could have Sylvie afterall even if 10 of him were to attack you at the same time, you would still come out on top. I only intervened to save the boy as you made your emotions get the best of you Sylvie and almost put the other students in danger. For just that you and Hammon will have 100 points deducted from your crystal points and also one of you has to forefeit their spot the tournament. That's all I have to say, said Professor Tharlic as he proceeds to leave the campus grounds with Ashen.
The rest of the students that bore witness to all these were all shocked and horrified.
Moments later
within Ashen own's inner world he floats. He floats in this endless and unfathomable abyss.
where am I?, he asked himself as he slowly starts to regain consciousness.
Ashen fully regains consciousness only for him to realise where he is and start throwing a tantrum.
Oh shit! how did I end up here? Am I going to die? No-No but I can't just die here without anyone knowing what happened to me or how I died. Also I can't just die single, I haven't even felt that lovely and warm touch of a woman yet, Ashen repeatedly muttered to himself until....
You are actually so pathetic. I gave you my power, my essence. Which in turn changed your talentless, worthless, pathetic body into a body brimming with talent, aether and beauty yet what do you do with it? you grovel beneath the feet of such weak creatures begging for someone to save you. Now that I look at it, it makes sense why you were never blessed with the fortune of power as someone as useless as you would have still found a way to be useless, said the Divine being
Hm you are right.... but why the hell are you living in my body? Also why do you look like me and why do you suddenly talk like people from my era? That is so creepy, Ashen said as he holds himself in the comfort of his arms and starts shivering like that of someone in a cold.
Because I inhabit your body, I share all your thoughts, memories and even appearance. You could say we are one now. Also you posses my power and my essence therefore I would have to take the same shape and form as you. I choose to reside in you but I am starting to regret it now.
Hahaha! well you are right I'm really useless. I couldn't even defend mysef even though I knew my body has changed and I could now use Aether, I still begged for someone to save me. Even still, you do not understand how it feels to be weak your entire life okay. Yes! I may be weak and pathetic but unlike you I was never born with any amazing power, strength or talent. I had nothing yet I tried. When everyone would go to sleep, play games, hang out with friends, I will be training. I trained so hard I couldn't feel anything in my palms anymore yet what did that amount to? Nothing. No matter what I did, I was still bullied, ostracised and cast away by everyone as if I was something not even worth looking at. You say you have bestowed upon me your power yet you talk as if having all this power could change my life within a day. These people have trained with Aether for years yet you expect me to best them? If having your divine power can easily solve all my problems then I don't want it. I want to become stronger through my own suffering, I don't want to become strong just because a "Divine Being" bestowed their power upon me rather I want to become strong on my own terms. Therefore, If you think I'm not worthy of your power, you can take it from me after all I never wished for it in the first place, Ashen said as he started sobbing.
The words of Ashen resonated with the Divine Being and for a moment it didn't feel shame or pity for Ashen but rather it felt a sense of happiness.
You are right Ashen. I haven't lived your life yet here I am scorning you and looking down on you rather than praising you for your will and strength. If I should say I guess I am the weak one over here. You have earned my respect Boy and as such I shall give you full control over my power and essence until the "Day of Prophecy" but that doesn't mean you shall immediately become powerful enough to kill or defeat "masters of aether" as I am going to respect your wishes and let you grow in power on your own. As you can see all this endless and bottomless abyss is your power. A power capable of devouring everything and continue to expand infinetly. Fully master this power and become stronger far stronger than you are now for the "Day of Prophecy" .Therefore from here on out, I shall not interfere in your affairs no longer, said the Divine Being as his essence begins to fade away.
What do you mean by the "Day of prophecy"? and Just who are you?, Ashen shouted
Become strong enough to access this world freely then I shall tell you about the "Day of Prophecy" and how to stop it. As for my name...,The Divine being leans in closely to Ashen, whispering his name into the boy's ears.
Wha-What I-it can't be, Ashen was horrified and frightened just by hearing the name of this Being.
This is goodbye for now. Grow stronger and come talk to me again someday. Oh! and for the record you won't be able to tell anyone about the conversation we had here.
Why?, Ashen asked
You will see, I guess our time is up, The Divine being said with a smirk on his face.
No!No! wait there is still more I need to know. Waittttt!, Ashen screamed waking up from his dream and being brought back to reality.
As much as I would like to know what you were dreaming of and ask you about what happened two days ago with you, sylvie , Hammon and Lancelot I think our time has been far spent, Professor Tharlic said as he stares outside the window of his chambers.
T-Two daysss, Ashen screamed so loudly that even the birds flew away from the tree right outside the chambers.
Yes! but luckliy enough you woke up right before the start of the tournament. Sylvie requested that you replace Hammon in this tournament and she also sends her apologies for her earlier display.
But why would she choose me as a member of the tournament team? I'm not even that strong or is it a plot to kill me?, Ashen asked Professor Tharlic.
The Professor laughs
As cold and intimidating as Sylvie comes across, she is not one to just murder a fellow student on a groundless note. I explained to her why you had that "smell" on you and that's why she apologised and decided to add you to the team I pressume. Plus I'm also interested in how you were suddenly able to open up your Aether Pathways.
Well it all happened that day I left for the forbidden forest. I got attacked by some Rakushen Wolves and for some reason that fear of dying caused my pathways to open and awaken.
Hm! That makes sense. you can leave now, make your way to the great hall. All the other teams from the various academies including yours are all waiting for the Headmasters speech.
Thank you sir!, Ashen bows his head and proceeds to make his exit.
Oh! and by the way Ashen. Live and become strong. You can go now, Professor Tharlic said.
These words from the Professor was strong enough to spark something within Ashen. As for the first time someone actually believed in him causing his dead spirit to rekindle again now filled with conviction to become stronger and stop "The Day of Prophecy".
At the great hall, Ashen is the last to enter with all eyes staring at him. Ashen remarks to himself how if this was the old him, he would have faltered and stared down in shame but now brimming with conviction and confidence, a physique and face that many would envy, with his head held high walks through the aile of the "Great Hall". His presence and aura silencing the entire room and putting everyone in awe. It was almost as if they had seen a completely new and reborn Ashen. From the once weak little boy to one who makes others gasps in his presence.
Hm! That show off, Sylvie said.
well!well! well! who do we have here, Axel remarked.
I'm going to kill that peasant no matter what, Lancelot still sobbing from his humiliation.