Zarek, I am still waiting for you. I am waiting for you." A woman's voice kept whispering to me, haunting and melodic. I could not hear her well, but the words seemed to echo in my mind, persistent and relentless.
I tried to concentrate on her face, but it was covered up, hidden behind mystery. All I could see was her reflection in a wavy water wall that separated us. The water rippled and shimmered, making her features distorted and adding to the surreal atmosphere.
The surroundings were disorienting. It was as though we were walking on an upside-down platform against all logic and gravity. The cool liquid at my feet would give me this sense of floating while I felt her standing there, her very presence comforting but at the same time unsettling on the other side.
The air was thick with an ethereal mist, and the dim light cast long, wavering shadows. Everything seemed familiar and yet strange, like I was stuck in a dream from which I couldn't awaken.
"Who are you?" I attempted to question; however, the soft lapping of water and whispering of the wind muted my voice. The response to my inquiry remained the continuation of the whisper: "I am still waiting for you. I am waiting for you."
It was all the same. I woke up from this dream again—it kept repeating and haunting me to the point where I lost count. "Hey, system, are you there? How many times have I been dreaming the same dream?" I asked. It had become a habit to confirm if the system was still there every time I woke up. With no other person to talk to, the system became my ever-patient listener.
"No need to keep track of it. You have been asking me the same question repeatedly. I am not your personal diary. However, the host has been dreaming the same dream 1,181 times over the last three years," the system responded quickly, its tone sounding irritated once again.
Time had long since passed a quarter till midnight, but the room still was silent in calmness. The moon had dimly illuminated the window by which the lowly inn-room was bathed in a very soft light. I looked to Leo, fast asleep in his bed, salivating a bit onto his pillow. His countenance, often so full of determination and life, now showed peace and childlikeness.
Tomorrow, the prestigious Magic Academy will hold its entrance exam, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and anxiety. It seemed I had arrived in the kingdom at just the right time. Leo had mentioned that the academy was now accepting applicants regardless of their status, a welcome change that opened opportunities for many, including myself.
Though excited by Leo's enthusiasm, he acknowledged not knowing exactly what to study to pass the test. I worried the most about the written section. To win, I needed to become better educated in magic and to learn as much as possible about this empire. The source for such information would be the world-renowned archive of the empire. I heard back then that the empire boasted an impressive library filled with tens of thousands of books - an ocean of information waiting to be uncovered.
As the clock struck nearer to midnight, I decided. I had to go to the library and dig into its wealth of knowledge. This was my chance to prepare for the exam and secure my place at the academy. I carefully got out of bed, making sure not to disturb Leo's slumber. The night was quiet, but my resolve was strong. I would do anything possible to secure myself a future in this new world.
"System, route me to the empire's archive," I whispered softly.
The system responded quickly, with a tone that felt crisp and businesslike. "Calculating route. Estimated travel time: 10 minutes over rooftops. Exit the inn and go up to the roof."
I slipped silently out of the inn and scaled the side of the building, quickly finding myself atop the roof. The city spread out below me, dimly lit by lanterns and moonlight.
"Move west along the rooftops for 300 meters," the system directed. "You will pass by the town square."
I leaped from rooftop to rooftop, my movements fluid and precise. The cool night air rushed past, and the cityscape blurred into my moving picture. Below me appeared the town square with its fountain quietly gurgling in the night.
"At the end of this row of buildings, turn left and continue for 200 meters," the system continued. "You will reach Arcane Avenue."
I turned left, vaulting over chimneys and skirting around skylights. Arcane Avenue stretched out ahead, wider and grander than the previous streets. The rooftops here were more ornate, requiring careful navigation.
"After 200 meters, you will see a fork in the rooftops. Take the right path onto Scholar's Lane," the system instructed. "Scholar's Lane is known for its quietness and serene atmosphere.
I went the right way, hurrying down Scholar's Lane. The buildings here were impressive, with tall spires and intricate designs. The air was charged with a subtle energy, testifying to the knowledge contained within these walls.
Continue for 100 meters until you reach the grand staircase leading up to the archive," the system concluded. "The archive is located at the top of the staircase, identified by its tall, arched doors and intricate stonework.
I walked up to the grand staircase, a moment for me to view the vista. The steps were wide and imposing and went toward the tall arched doors of the archive, hinting at the vastness of the knowledge stored within.
I descended silently to the street and climbed the staircase with determination. This was my chance to delve into the empire's wealth of information and prepare for the entrance exam of the academy.
I approached the grand staircase leading up to the archive, pausing to assess the situation. The archive's gigantic doors were slightly ajar, allowing a glimpse of the grandeur inside. Two guards stood vigilant at the entrance, their presence imposing and their senses sharp. However, I had trained for moments like this. My stealth abilities far surpassed what they could detect.
Activating my advanced stealth magic, I could feel my presence dissipating. Breath, aura, even heartbeat all became impossible to detect. My form melted into the shadows; a ghostly, silent movement during the night.
"System, confirm that my presence is completely eradicated," I whispered internally.
"Presence successfully erased. You are now undetectable to most magical and physical senses," the system replied.
With my presence concealed, I moved swiftly and silently toward the entrance. The guards remained unaware as I slipped past them and into the archive.
As I stepped inside, I was greeted by the awe-inspiring sight of the archive's interior. The vast hall was illuminated by soft, magical lights, casting a gentle glow that highlighted the intricate architecture. Tall columns that were highly ornamented bore up a high ceiling which was indeed a work of excellence in art. Shelves bordered one side of the walls with a volume beyond counting: each of them crammed to bursting with well-kept books and scrolls. There was just too much information here to process.
Row upon row of dusty tomes seem to go endlessly, each a specialization of the intellect. A mist of old-paper smell and even leather envelops the space, inducing an atmosphere at once venerating and wise. At the end of the nave is a long reading room full of easy chairs and beautiful tables of oak that sited scholars within comfort and invite research.
I gave myself a moment to marvel at the beauty of the archive. This was more than a library; it was a sanctuary of knowledge, a testament to the empire's dedication to preserving and sharing wisdom. As I moved further inside, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. Here, among these ancient tomes, I would find the information I needed to pass the academy's entrance exam and secure my future.
Inside a glorious archive, amassing the enormity of such knowledge within one's walls, I activated that system. "System, de-crypt each book in here and import every piece of that information directly to my brain, please," I commanded.
The system replied immediately, "Activating Authority Level 1: Data Decryption and Import. This process will gather all information from the books without having to open them one by one. Note: This may trigger serious headaches and mental stress.
I steadied myself, knowing that the pain would be extreme, but knowing at the same time I could bear it. "Proceed," I replied resolutely.
Within seconds, I felt a rush of data flooding into my mind. Information overflowed into my mind, and the sheer volume of it was overwhelming-the contents of each book being inputted into my brain at an incredible speed, so it was as if countless voices were whispering ancient secrets, magical theories, and historical records all at once.
The headache started almost immediately, a searing pain that radiated from the center of my skull. I gritted my teeth, focusing on my training to withstand such agony. I had endured far worse during my years with the dark association.
For the next 30 minutes, I remained perfectly still, cloaked in my advanced stealth magic. My presence was undetectable, even to the powerful guards outside. As the information continued to engrave itself into my mind, I felt a strange mix of pain and enlightenment. Each piece of knowledge added to my growing understanding of magic, the empire, and the world around me.
It was finally over. The voice of the system penetrated through the mist of pain. "Data Decryption and Import complete. All information successfully integrated."
I took a deep breath as the pain gradually receded from my body. The knowledge, now stored within my mind, was vast and intricate, and I knew that it would prove invaluable for the entrance exam to come.
Standing in the grand archive, allowing the new knowledge to settle into my mind, I realized that just having a great quantity of knowledge is not the same as having the experience to use it appropriately. The system had given me this incredible wealth of information, but my brain is not a computer chip. Information had been registered there for retrieval whenever it was needed, but I could not use all of it instinctively.
It was as if this knowledge was now in my head, a library full of knowledge that I could tap into at will, yet it was not a part of me. If the situation required such knowledge, I could reach for it, but my capacity to understand and utilize it would be up to my own experience and understanding. It would be from practice and a greater understanding, not just knowing. This made me realize that I needed grounding. While I had gotten ahead of the curve, I was still human and needed to grow.
It was finally the day of the examination. The sun had begun to shine through the curtains early in the morning, announcing that this was the day. Both Zarek and Leo were ready; one could sense their eagerness. They left the inn and walked to the town square where the teleportation circles were located. Magical circles enable one to travel instantly to anywhere: to the front gate of the famous Magic Academy.
As they reached the town square, they were faced with a long line of hopeful applicants waiting to take the entrance exam at the academy. The square was abuzz with nervous energy, and excitement and tension hung in the air. Zarek and Leo joined the queue and waited patiently for their turn.
After what seemed like an eternity, their turn arrived. They entered the teleportation circle, and Zarek found the location of the target area with the assistance of his system. In a flash of light and a brief sensation of weightlessness, they found themselves transported to the front gate of the academy.
In the blink of an eye, they stood before the magnificent gate of the largest magic academy in the empire. The gate was an enormous 300 meters in length, with walls towering a good 100 meters to the sky. Zarek felt the magic embedded into the stone itself, fortifying the gate and the walls against even the most devastating attacks.
It was 10 in the morning, yet they had been sitting there for two hours. At last, the gates creaked open to reveal the way to their futures. But such was life in the academy- rules that were stern. There was a magical barrier setup, allowing only third-rate and above magic users passage. Thus, even though applicants were welcome from all walks of life, only people with enough magical prowess would be allowed inside.
An uproar broke out amongst the students as they grasped at the meaning of the barrier test. Most of them were first- and second-class magic users, and the thought of not being able to pass through the barrier was enough to send them into a whine and nearly into despair.
"This can't be!" cried one student, throwing up his hands. "How are we going to get in if we don't have enough magic power?"
"I've been training for years," another student said, her voice quivering with anxiety. "But I am but second-rate. It's not just! "
The murmurs of discontent spread quickly, and students complained and clamored. Amidst the commotion, Zarek and Leo exchanged relieved glances.
Zarek and Leo approached the barrier, feeling the hum of its magic. Leo took a deep breath, his determination evident. "This is it," he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.
Zarek, relying on his radar sense, felt the barrier's energy. He knew this was the first real test—one that required not just knowledge, but inherent magical strength. As they stepped forward, the barrier's magic reacted, assessing their abilities. They passed through effortlessly, a testament to their readiness and potential.
Truthfully, both Zarek and Leo were only of third-rate magic power, and they were lucky enough to pass through the barrier test. As they walked away from the barrier, a sense of relief washed over them.
"That was nerve-wracking," Leo admitted, his voice filled with relief. "I can't believe we made it through the first test without any problems."
Zarek nodded, knowing it was a monumental achievement. "Yeah, we lucked out, but we cannot let our guards down. Still, there's a long way to go."
Although Zarek understood the manipulation of magic and the theories behind it to perfection, he knew that it was only with the power of magic, a good source of mana, and innate talent that one could advance to such levels. The greater the strength of magic power and the greater the mana reservoir, the more possible it became to reach above third-rate and to fifth-rate and beyond.
Zarek and Leo were not the kind of talents with raw magical power, that's why they were third-rate. But there was still a hope for him. If Zarek is determined, rigorously trains himself, and learns to use their skills strategically, then he would probably be promoted to fourth-rate. It wasn't going to be easy and was going to be a hard labor, but it was achievable.
"We may not possess the most powerful magic," Zarek said. "But we can try to work harder and get better. There's a chance for fourth-rate if we push ourselves." To make it seems normal that Zarek has a goal in entering the academy and for Leo to not lose hope.
Leo nodded his head, and his determination sparked again. "You're right. We will do our best and see how far we could go. "Inside the school gates, the sprawling campus received them, majestic in its grandeur, even greater up close. The path to becoming students at the Magic Academy had begun. With it was their journey to a world of magic and discovery.