SYSTEM ASCENSION

”Why? Why are you running away from home, Irue?”

”...”

Richard stood up and walked to the curtains. He pulled it open, bringing light into the room. The candle flickered slightly and went off. It produced a trail of smoke that mixed with the smoke from the cigar.

”You kept me on edge.” He turned around, and stared at his son.

”I was worried.”

Elias didn’t move an inch, nor did he utter a word.

”Odd, am I?” Richard tilted his head towards the window. ”I should have focused on all that. Running an empire, but I found myself worrying about a child that does not need me.”

”...”

”Keeping silent?”

”...”

”Right.”

Richard walked to the tray and picked up the cigar. He brought it to his lips and took a deep draw. Then, he glanced at Elias.

”Are you not saying anything because you killed your mother?”

That question tore a visible flinch from Elias. His eyes widened a bit, and his knuckles folded.

”You’re not one to feel guilty. I guess you changed.”

”How...did you know?” Elias finally spoke.

”How did I?” The man finally exhaled the smoke from earlier. ”She predicted it.”

”What?”

”Your mother predicted her death, in your arms.”

Elias’ knees felt weak.

”How...”

”She can read the lines between reality, if you must know. Fate, some people call it. Or perhaps the future. Or just a clearer possibility of something you might likely do.”

”And I...”

”You killed her in every way possible.”

Elias subconsciously reached for the door handle, gripping it tight before he realised that he was doing it.

”Well, we can’t say she’s dead if her soul is in you anyways.” Richard added. ”I guess that’s a plus.”

”Why? Why is her soul in me?”

Richard languidly shrugged. ”How should I know?”

”What?”

”Your soul is bonded to your mother’s. From the start, she never belonged to me. She belonged to you.”

Richard put the cigar in his mouth and walked to him. He got to his son that was taller than him, and tapped his shoulder.

”You should go to the tomb.”

Richard walked out right after, leaving him standing there.

He stood for a moment longer, before turning around and leaving the room. His feet felt heavy, like something was pulling on them.

As he left the private wing, someone was leaning against the wall, waiting for him.

He stopped.

”Have the rest settled in?”

”You looked worse than the rest right now.” Quil replied.

He pushed off the pillar and walked to Elias.

”Are you alright?*

”No.”

”Figured.” He chuckled.

Elias walked past him.

”Where are you going?” He turned around.”

”The tomb.”

”A tomb?” Quil followed him. ”I didn’t expect this empire to have one, considering how Roche poofed into the air back in the trial.”

Elias almost laughed.

”We don’t need one. It’s for burning candles.”

”Candles for the dead? A remembrance ritual?”

”Yes.”

Quil didn’t say anything else, but just followed.

”You should return to the rest.”

”...”

”... right...”

___

The first day in black empire was more refreshing than they had initially thought. Except the weak students, constantly wrapping their own energy around their body to survive, everything else progressed smoothly.

They were given their own rooms randomly, in a fortress close to the palace. The black empire didn’t seem to mind status or gender, because all rooms were given close to each other, and no different either.

However, the leading family and the professors were given a different building entirely.

Afterwards, they had a feast. Dishes and fruits they had never seen before were served, and they all had their fill.

Only Mona had returned to the fortress with them, but when they asked him about Elias, he just shrugged like he had no idea on who they were talking about.

Meanwhile, security was tightened to the max. For Joran who was visibly freaking out, escaping was impossible.

When the sun had begun to set, Rowen leaned over the metal railing in the balcony and stared at the city.

”I feel like I’m forgetting something important. What was it...”

He yawned. ”if you don’t remember, then it’s not important.

RINGOFF ACADEMY

Ringoff academy students gathered around after class was concluded. They were murmuring words about how exciting it would have been to be in the advancement class and follow on the black empire trip, when something drew their attention.

The air around the official teleporter of the academy shimmered slightly as it was activated.

A few professors and acting principal Owen were gathered around it. Finally, from the light of the teleporter, came the visitors.

Students. The visitors were students of another academy.

”It’s already that time of the year huh?” A boy muttered. ”Torzi empire is hosting this year.”

The students were indeed from Torzi empire. They wore their dark blue uniform, with a tag in their hands that showed them as the student council.

Twelve of them.

A female stepped forward and bowed slightly.

”Master Owen.”

”Welcome to Ringoff Academy.” Owen smiled. ”We’re thrilled to have you here.”

He ushered them. ”Come with me.”

The visitors followed him.

As they walked past, the students began to mumble. ”I heard the student council cleared a B ranked gate last week. They all came back alive.”

”Came back alive? I heard that not a single one was injured.”

”They looked strong.”

A girl leaned closer to her friend. ”Do you think their student council can win against ours?”

”Are you kidding me?” Her friend laughed. ”Our president just needs to say a word and their heads...” She made an explosion sound.

The girl laughed, and nodded. ”Forget the council president, I’m sure the Black-eyed can take them all on.”

The steps of one of the Torzi empire female students faltered. She stopped walking entirely, silver hair whipping forward abruptly. She turned to the girls.

They flinched, and looked away.

She approached them and stopped cold before them.

”Hey.”

”Y...yes...?”

”You...” she pointed a finger, silver eyes boring into the one who spoke. ”you said Black-eyed right now, right?”

The Ringoff students exchanged glances.

”Ye...s?”

She leaned closer so sudden that the girls moved back.

”Is he short? Long hair. His sealing stone has a crack on it?”

The girls looked at themselves again.

”No, quite the opposite.” One of the girls replied.

She continued to stare at them like she could fish the answer from their eyes.

The council president of the Torzi empire finally noticed her gone, then casually clapped her hand.

”Yvonne, let’s go.”

”...”

Yvonne slowly leaned back. White hair shrouded her face, hiding her expression.

For a moment, she stood still.

”C’mon.”

Her eyes followed, and she moved.

”Coming.”