I stood there, frozen in shock, as the attendant's words cut deep into my heart. My father, Xavier Harken, was a warrior class who had gone missing in a dungeon. The attendant's malicious tone and sinister smile made my blood boil.
"How dare you!" I growled, my fists clenched.
The attendant chuckled, seemingly amused by my reaction. "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots. You're just a weak, unawakened brat. You'll never amount to anything."
My anger flared, but I knew I had to keep my cool. I took a deep breath and calmly replied, "I may not be awakened, but I'm not weak. And I'll prove it to you."
The attendant snorted, handing me my exam pass. "We'll see about that. You're just a caddy-in-training. Don't get too cocky."
I took the pass, my eyes locked on the attendant's. "I'll show you what I'm capable of."
With that, I turned and walked away, leaving the attendant's mocking gaze behind. I knew I had a long way to go, but I was determined to prove myself.
As I walked out of the hall, I felt a sense of purpose wash over me. I was going to make the most of this opportunity, no matter what.
"You will be joining "Class B thirteen," Instructor Ryker said, his eyes narrowing as he looked at me. "Ah, you are Xavier's son."
My lips pursed, unable to answer because of my encounter with the attendant earlier.
"Well, Xavier owes me, so by extension, you owe me," Ryker said, his eyes darkening. "How evil was my dad?" I wondered, feeling a surge of anger and hate.
"I am not my dad," I managed to say.
Ryker sneered. "Well, that's one thing that's for sure. You couldn't even awaken, even though both your parents are awakened. That also leaves us with the question of whether you're his to begin with."
The anger that had died slowly began to resurface again. I was used to being bullied, but this was different. Everyone here seemed to know my dad, and all of them hated him.
My anger was towards my dad for making it harder for me. And then towards myself for not being an awakened. And finally, towards these people who couldn't forgive the trespasses of a dead man.
"You look like you want to do something," Ryker said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I am not an unawakened like you. A lot of us here are mostly awakened. Just twenty percent are unawakened. Think twice before you attack an instructor. I will split you into tiny fragments and declare that you attacked me for no reason. Nobody will care about you. You are worthless in the grand scheme of things."
Ryker's mana began to leak from his core, making my skin crawl. This was not my first time being intimidated with mana. Usually, I would suffer severe headaches and body aches from the pressure being exuded, but today was different. Only the hair on my body stood on end, and it was from the killing intent Ryker exuded.
His mana rather felt disgusting to me. I didn't know why I felt this way, but it made my anger relax a bit. I was happy I didn't have to suffer that anymore.
"Place your palms on the crystals," Ryker yelled, his mana still leaking. I could see it too - the red smoke filling the air around him.
I glanced at the others in the room, wondering if they had colorful mana too.
"Don't waste my time, boy!" Ryker shouted.
I hurriedly placed my hands on the orb that rested on a giant white machine. The crystal began to glow, and as the golden light filled the room, my legs became weak.
"This cannot be!" Ryker screamed, ramming straight for the door. The ground under our feet was quaking.
I quickly removed my hand from the machine, and the quaking stopped after five minutes.
A man appeared by my side, his size that of a little boy, with an overflowing white beard and long, extended lashes hiding a wrinkled face. A creepy smile revealed a set of white teeth.
"I am Hans Grue. Come with me, boy," he said, his voice low and mysterious.
I followed him, feeling like I was under a spell.
"The Hans Grue is here," I thought, excitement filling my heart to be in the presence of the strongest Saint-tier mage in Karydorg, after the king.
Before he left the testing area, I saw him wave his hand, and the room was filled with purple shimmers that fell from the sky to the ground.
"What are you doing?" I asked, moving back scared.
"They will not remember this particular moment anymore," Hans Grue said. "No one in this room will remember you.
" Welcome to our home home young Man, I am Hans grue ,your new instructor. I have waited all these years for someone with your potential to surface.
What is your father's name?
Xavier harken I replied. The old man's jaw dropped in disbelief as he walked over to me. You are Elena's son?
" Yes, I replied.
My name is zeggler Harken.
"Yes I know who you are. His eyes shift from me and then he continues. I can't l3ave you here in this academy. Sorry zagglar but someone like you cannot be here.
His tone was plain with no underlying emotion in his words. You will have to transfer to our other wing. And train in battle.
I will make the arrangements. Return home and say your good byes.
The old man finished his words and sat gently his office chair. A creepy smile flashing at me. You can lead he adds.
I walk out of the office feeling born again. A new person in an old world.
Thoughts filled my head as I sat in the cab that took me from the magic academy to my doorsteps. Swiping my com link in front of the window. A notification popped alerting me of the debit to my credits.
"Thirty credits." Just to visit the academy I have spent sixty credits in a single day.