Chapter 71: Merlin [1]

Chapter 71: Merlin [1]

A boy with amber eyes, dark and unkempt hair that covered the top of his ears and his forehead, as well as a simple shirt with the Aurelius Logo labelled on it, stood in the middle of a dense forest.

He wore large red sneakers and currently stood completely still, his eyes closed and head slightly lowered.

Standing under tall trees, the countless falling leaves were enough to indicate it was currently Autumn, as the wind made the boy's hair dance on his forehead.

The tall grass coated his ankles and the smell of pollen and plant life one would notice while standing in the middle of thick vegetation wafted under the boy's nostrils.

However, the boy wasn't focused on this.

No, instead he was focused on his brain, the left hemisphere to be exact.

-CLICK

A mental click played in the boy's mind as he snapped his eyes open, instantly disappearing from his position as his silhouette blitzed around the small clearing he was in.

In seconds, the boy suddenly appeared in his original position.

Only this time, both his hands were full with the countless leaves falling from the trees as they had disappeared from midair.

'This is the First Gate of Opening. Cool!'

Isaac grinned in satisfaction as he dropped the leaves, wiping his hands on his pants.

It had been one week since Isaac had learned of his Natural Nen Affinity.

At that time, nothing much had changed in the Academy.

The only major event was the announcement of the Excursion to Ashton City in three weeks.

Naturally, the students were excited upon hearing they'd be visiting Ashton, as well as the infamous Hale Dojo.

'If only they knew.'

Isaac shook his head.

The reason his stress was less evident now, was because the First Gate cleared the mind, allowing Isaac to be calm during, and even after, its activation.

However, despite him feeling better about everything, it still didn't change the state of things.

Oliver was still in his Scenario, alive and well, there had been no updates on the side of Onyx and Xavier and Harrison was still bugging Isaac about the duel.

'But that doesn't mean there isn't good news.'

In this past week, Isaac had nearly mastered Gyo and Shu, the easiest of the Advanced Nen Techniques, and can perform En and In but only while focused.

This brought Isaac to his problem with En, the Nen Technique that allowed Isaac to expand his Aura in a radius around him, detecting anything that entered that space.

Though it was true he needed a sensory ability, he didn't think En could be the one.

Well, at the moment at least.

This was because it needed immense focus, making it impractical to use in battle.

Additionally, it only covered a small radius. Though Isaac was well informed of anything happening within his radius, it didn't help him sense danger coming from afar at high speeds.

Only when it came into his radius could he sense it, and by then, it was too close to walk away unscathed.

Therefore, Isaac's hunt for a sensory ability or Art, as well as the more important combat Art, continued.

Of course, if Isaac wanted an easy way out, he could confront Harrison and accept the deal to fight for him.

But he had no interest in this.

Not only would this come with countless tedious and unwanted attention, but it could also blow his cover.

All this risk for a Combat Art that was likely three stars or below was not worth it.

'Status.'

[Name: Isaac ???

Status: Satiated

Stage: 1

Inherited Character: Wanderer

Race: Human

PS: Nen (Proficiency Level: 4)

Hatsu:

100% Efficiency

Transmuter Lvl. 3 (MAX. 10)

80%

Enhancer Lvl. 2 (MAX. 8)

80%

Conjurer Lvl. 2 (MAX. 8)

60%

Emitter Lvl. 1 (MAX. 6)

40%

Manipulation Lvl. 1 (MAX. 4)

0%

Specialisation

[Unless Scarlet Eyes are active]

Nen Abilities:

Avatar Projection (Lvl. 1)

You can create a perfect ethereal clone of yourself. Though it cannot speak, or show emotion and the time it is active isn't very long, this ability holds immense potential.

Perks:

Immortality (Lvl. MAX)

"Yes, Grandfather."

Jett answered simply.

He currently stared at his fingers, playing with them as a drop of sweat rolled down the side of his face.

His timid posture, paired with his weak eyes and quivering lip, was enough for anyone to guess the emotional state of the boy.

"I've just heard about the battle that ensued a week ago. The battle where you fought the Rank 1. When were you planning to tell me?" Jett's Grandfather asked.

As he said these words, Jett's timidness grew as he stammered.

"I-I was..."

Before Jett could finish, his Grandfather cut him off.

"Why didn't you tell me you challenged that boy in front of the whole class and kicked his ass?!"

Jett's Grandfather burst out in laughter as he yelled joyfully, slapping his thigh as he did.

"But Grandpa...I lost." Jett spoke, confused.

"And?" The old man paused as he raised an eyebrow.

"Well, aren't you mad I didn't win?"

As if he'd realised something, the old man sighed as he smiled, replying shortly after.

"Jett, listen to me son. It isn't about winning or losing. I mean, sure, winning is pretty sweet and you should do your best to attain victory, but that isn't what it means to be a man."

Jett listened intently as he raised both eyebrows.

"Being a man is knowing you took the step no one else could. It means overcoming your fear, being strong on the inside, as well as out, allowing you to protect those close to you."

"Knowing how hard it must have been for you to stand before that boy...well, I couldn't be more proud."

Jett's expression slowly changed as the words sank in. It wasn't long after that a bright smile could be seen on the boy's face.

"With that being said, we as Hale's do not accept a loss twice. Next time, I want you to beat that boy."

The old man grinned widely as Jett nodded with a bright smile.

"Oh, guess what. Do you remember that Longfield girl? After the fight, she congratulated me and started asking me all sorts of questions about my strength. She was really interested in me."

Jett spoke enthusiastically, moving closer to the hologram.

"Ahahaha, that's my boy. Now remember what I told you about the girls, Jett. If fast and quick is a miss..."

"Play it slow and steady till I catch the fish. Got it, Grandpa!"

Jett nodded, remembering the poems his Grandfather would read him as a child.

However, suddenly, the old man's expression changed to a serious one as he spoke.

"Jett, the reason I called is to inform you of the bet I've arranged with your Vice Principal. The main attraction of the Dojo Showdown this year is you vs any first-year student of Harrisons. He has chosen his student."

Jett's ears perked as he paid attention.

"Do you know anyone named Isaac?"

***

Isaac sneezed as he walked into the room of his dormitory.

'I don't think allergies and the common cold should be a problem for me now that I have the Zoldyck Genes.'

Isaac pondered but soon shrugged it off as he threw himself face-first on his bed.

He was exhausted.

Opening the Second Gate proved far more difficult than the first, as he would need to apply constant pressure on the Gate to open it for the first time.

Once opened, he could freely control it, however, doing it for the first time is what was tricky.

Therefore, after being unsuccessful, he felt mentally drained.

'I wonder if Zach is home...'

Getting up from his bed, Isaac walked toward the door, however, his thoughts and movement were cut short and he dropped to the ground.

Suddenly, a scorching and piercing pain erupted from his neck as he clutched it with one hand.

The pain shot through his body as the area on his neck felt as though it was on fire.

However, despite the pain, he was able to tolerate it.

It was nothing compared to some of the events he'd been through.

Despite this, this pain didn't last long, as in a few seconds, it stopped.

Isaac breathed heavily on his hands and knees, sweat dripping from his face.

'What the hell was...'

Before Isaac could continue, something caught his attention and he raised his head to look forward.

"Hello."

A feline creature with black fur purred before Isaac as he sat.

Isaac paused.

'Did that Cat just...talk?'

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Long chapter today, enjoy!

Next chapter title: Merlin [2]

As the days go by, I realise more and more how much I need an auxiliary chapter. I promise, I will get to it...soon.

Also, if 1 chapter a day isn't working out for you, you can always find more on my /JustMYSTERY

And as usual...

POWERSTONESSSSSSSSSSSSSS

(We're at rank 11! I did not think we'd make it back to the bug leagues so quick. Thank you all!)