Chapter 15
The green-rocky desert stretched endlessly under the sun's oppressive heat. Five figures moved steadily through the arid landscape, their eyes locked on the shimmering silhouette of a great city in the distance.
Blaze walked at the forefront, his toned physique and short black hair ruffled by the wind. His white shirt clung to his body, drenched in sweat, yet his grin remained unfazed. If anyone saw him now, they'd probably mistake him for a young gym master on an extreme training session.
Beside him, Nephis glided forward, her flowing black dress embroidered with delicate pink patterns. Her serene expression made her look like an expert swordswoman on a pilgrimage.
Lucas trudged along, his brown hair wild, his black leather jacket adorned with metal studs. His scowl could make bandits flinch, though Blaze suspected he was just cranky from the heat.
Kaito, the black-and-yellow-haired trickster, was practically bouncing as he walked, his sleek black shirt with yellow stripes adding to his mischievous air.
And lastly, Akira, the group's innocent-looking princess, practically glowed in her elegant white dress adorned with golden embroidery. Despite the rough terrain, she seemed completely at ease, as if she belonged in a royal palace rather than a rocky wasteland.
As they approached their destination, the full majesty of Central City came into view. Despite being in the heart of a barren desert, the city defied logic with its lush greenery. Trees lined the streets, rivers flowed through stone canals, and towering spires reached toward the sky.
The group reached the city gates, where armored guards checked their wooden planks—temporary identity tokens for outsiders. After a few scrutinizing glances, the guards allowed them inside.
Once in the city, the group was immediately captivated by its four grand districts:
The Wizard District, home to the Wizard Knight Academy, where the continent's most elite warriors trained.
The Merchant District, bustling with traders and rare artifacts.
The Residential District, filled with extravagant homes and simple lodgings alike.
The Research District, where scholars conducted groundbreaking studies on mystical arts.
Their destination was clear—the Wizard Knight School trials were tomorrow. The group checked into an inn to rest.
Well, most of them did.
Blaze's Exploration
Blaze, unable to ignore his curiosity, slipped away to explore the city. He was particularly intrigued by the white pills he had taken from the Iron Clad Bandit.
After asking Kaito, he learned they were ordinary healing pills, used to stop bleeding and accelerate recovery. However, what puzzled Blaze was how they instantly restored his HP upon consumption.
"Seems like my Chaos System is the reason," he mused.
Pausing in a quiet alley, he decided to check his status.
---
Name: Blaze
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Level: 7 (300/14500 EXP) Foundation Phase Stage 7
HP: 100/100
CP: 200
Strength: 24 → 28
Defense: 25 → 29
Dexterity: 20 → 23
Stamina: 19 → 22
Senses: 13 → 15
Stat Points: 8
CS (Combat Essence/Score): 1500
Artifact: None
Spell: None
Skills:
Astral Strike
Astro Punch
Feral Pounce
Rejuvenation (New)
Skill Shop:
1. Aerial Strike (150 CP)
2. Timer Crush (200 CP)
3. Mega Whop (400 CP)
...
Affinity: None
Innate Ability: Chaos Eye (Gold) - Locked
---
"Hmm… I should save my points until I know what I'm facing in the trials," Blaze thought.
Suddenly, a commotion caught his attention.
Following the noise, Blaze arrived at a crowded street, where people stood frozen in hushed whispers. At the center of attention was a frail young man, his body covered in bruises and cuts, tied to an earth pillar.
Standing before him was an expressionless youth, dressed in an elegant white robe embroidered with a golden dragon. His long black hair gleamed under the sunlight, and his mere presence exuded dominance.
From the murmurs of the crowd, Blaze pieced together the story.
The White Dragon Squad Member—one of the six most prestigious squads in the Wizard Knight Academy—had deemed the frail man guilty of a grievous crime.
What was this great offense?
He had accidentally splashed mud on the robe of the White Dragon Squad member.
Even after the man had apologized and cleaned it up, the arrogant young noble had decided punishment was still necessary.
Blaze watched as the boy picked up a small pebble, channeling wind energy into it before flicking it. The tiny rock sliced into the man's skin, opening another wound.
The noble repeated the process, this time channeling earth essence, ensuring the pebble carried bruising force along with its sharpness.
The crowd remained silent, heads lowered, afraid to intervene.
The frail man, barely able to stand, clenched his fists, preparing for the next strike.
The noble smirked and lifted another pebble.
Blaze had seen enough.
As the noble flicked his wrist, Blaze moved instantly.
Snap!
The crowd gasped as Blaze caught the pebble mid-air, his fingers effortlessly halting its momentum.
The frail man's eyes widened in shock.
The noble's expression didn't change, but his silver-edged eyes narrowed slightly.
Blaze's short black hair rustled in the wind as he looked at the noble, a dangerous gleam in his eyes.
"You know what?" Blaze said, his voice calm but laced with anger.
His fingers clenched, crushing the stone into dust.
"That's quite enough." He said.
TO BE CONTINUED…