Chapter 16: One Step Before Glory

Chapter 16: One Step Before Glory

The next day had arrived, the day we were supposed to enroll in the academy.

The sun had risen a few hours ago and life was returning to normal in the capital.

In the courtyard of an inn, Hope, wearing only shorts, was swinging a wooden sword in the air.

"Ha!"

Powerful blows rent the air, a delectable sight for the inn manager.

"Mister Hope, you have a visitor."

The young man stopped and looked at the manager who was accompanied by a robust man, tall and with disheveled black hair.

"Hm, not so bad, if It was me, I would have added a few weights, but I think for a beginner it's already good."

"Oh Huh... Thanks, but it's only a warm-up, I can't risk getting injured today, my daily training is usually more brutal."

"For me, if you don't risk getting hurt, it's not training."

"... Who are you by the way?"

The man crossed his arms and cocked his chin proudly, showing off his massive pecs.

"I am an examiner from the Royal Academy of Nebula, Physical Education teacher, and especially C-class Warrior: Galviol."

"A... An examiner?! So you're the one sis said... I mean the one who will take us to the academy?"

"Yes, consider yourself lucky, it's rare that the academy sends an actual teacher, and what's more a Hand, to pick up new students. But since you have quite the reputation, we got a little out of our way."

Hope flinched.

"Reputation? Do you mean that people are already interested in me? Holy shit... I... I didn't know that my numerous fights and training had echoed all the way to the capital... Are we going now? Can I train for real just a little bit?"

His eyes lit up with joy, Hope was unable to contain his energy that was gradually being released, and Galviol raised an eyebrow.

"Hey boy, I didn't delay my activities to watch you sweat you know? Bring your friend here, we're leaving in 10 minutes. You're now part of the Royal Academy so you better behave like this."

Hope sighed in frustration and rushed inside the inn.

He darted down the stairs and down the hallway and knocked loudly on my door.

"Dora! Dora!!! Wake up! Someone from the academy is here! Doraaaaa!!!!"

He hammered the wood incessantly without understanding how futile it was.

Somewhere, in a cave, a group of bipedal lizard monsters were moving around.

The creatures ran pathetically in all directions and collided in the darkness.

"Hum? So you really can't see anything in the dark? Poor things, this is going to be scary."

One of the creatures rushed towards the source of the voice, claws extended.

"Hm? Sensitive to the sound?"

A horrible sound of flesh being sliced ??was heard, followed by the howls of the beast.

The others gathered in the center of the room, listening attentively to the surroundings.

"*Freeze*"

Suddenly, an icy wind passed through the cave, and the temperature dropped quickly and became unbearable.

The monsters screamed and ran in all directions, throwing themselves to stones and walls in their path.

Soon their movement became heavier. They trudged forward and collapsed one after the other.

[Lizard killed: 7/18]

"What tough guys, this is taking forever. *Freeze*"

I cast this spell once again, the cave was gradually covered with ice.

Gradually, the ice spread over each object, the lizards on the ground becoming statues, literally, from the inside out to the tip of the tail.

The air was now unbreathable and soon the countdown began.

[Lizard killed: 11/18]

[Lizard killed: 15/18]

[Lizard killed: 18/18]

[Quest Completed]

[You have successfully achieved the quest]

[Reward received]

[+20 exp]

[1 soul stone dropped| 2 elemental stones dropped]

[Unlocked a new skill]

[sonar acquired| defense +10/stamina +5]

"Sonar? I see, so that was that."

I quickly assimilated the stones and released my normal form.

(*Sigma body*)

I opened another portal and left the cave. Thanks to one of my skills, I could teleport directly to places where I left a special mark. noVe)lb)In

This would be very useful to do my quests when I'm at the academy, Elizabeth informed us that we would be in a dormitory.

Talking about this, today was the day of our endorsement.

I reappeared in the bathroom and went to my room when I found Hope and the inn manager at the door.

"Huh? What are you doing there?"

They turned towards me, looking desperate.

"You... Where were you?! We've been looking for you for 30 minutes!"

"30? How rude, It barely took 10 minutes!"

"10 minutes of what?! There's an examiner from the Academy to pick us up, get ready already for God's sake."

He rushed into his room to prepare his things, if you were in such a hurry you should have started there.

We went down and found the examiner.

This huge man was drinking a cup of coffee and gave us an angry gaze once he saw us.

"If it weren't a direct order from the academy, I would have left you guys here."

"We're really sorry, Mister Galviol, it won't happen again."

"What's about you, shrimp? Not gonna apologize like your friend?"

I looked at him and then turned to Hope.

"My friend and I share everything, so he's also apologizing for me."

"Bro..."

A vein appeared on Galviol's forehead. He crossed his arms and released a wave of energy, making the inn shake.

Hope and I were having trouble standing.

"M-Mister Galviol?!"

"Good, I was annoyed with all these arrogant brats, but at last this one isn't an untouchable. We're going now."

He started walking, under the stunned gazes of Hope and me.

"Dora... Why do you always seek problems?"

"I'm trying to be an angel... But people won't let me."

We hesitantly followed the huge man in a large black car. The vehicle started and we were on our way to the academy.

"Alright, so I've also been mandated to inform you of the protocol. As you have been directly recommended by a high authority, you are both official property of the kingdom. Your actions are observed, and your life will be supervised. I know that you are peasants so you will quickly understand that things here are very different from your little countryside."

"We... Understand, sir."

"Good, you have the perfect spirit to be a boot licker, that already put you above your little buddy."

Hope wanted to laugh but quickly realized the insult behind and tightened his face.

"Most of your comrades are nobles, people who have only known luxury since birth, people who spend in a day what your families accumulate in a lifetime, and they know it. The only way for you to be able to even sit in the same room as they are is to accumulate power and achievements. Which one of you is Hope?"

Hope froze an instant and pointed a finger at himself.

"So you're her little brother."

"What?! How did you..."

"I told you, from now on, you belong to the kingdom. There's nothing you can hide and everyone in the academy knows that already, I can say that you've become the talk of the last few days. The legend of the academy has a brother, and he's an Avatar Hero like her, but will he be up to the task?"

Hope lowered his head for a moment, it was quite surprising to see him so devastated, he tried very hard to hide his relationship with Elizabeth to not be carried by her fame, so this news may have hit hard.

However, when he raised his head his face showed something other than distress, his smile made his lips tremble and excitement was visible in his eyes.

"I see, I didn't expect the most important and powerful people in the kingdom to be interested in me. Now I really can't wait to show what I have."

Please don't get too carried away. Most people are just curious to know who the brother is, but they won't let someone with an E-rank walk over them. These are the elite members of the Kingdom, and they are now keeping an eye on you.

"... I couldn't ask for more. This is the only time I will say that, but you will soon understand why Elizabeth and I share the same name."

"You have guts, I'll see where it will lead you."

As the car crossed the bridge, we reached an area surrounded by opulent buildings such as teahouses, theaters, and a museum.

The topography around us had been transformed by these magnificent structures, and we were now in the heart of the bourgeois zone.

It was the first time I had ever felt so moved by the beauty of my surroundings. Every building I saw captivated me, and I felt like a child in a chocolate factory. My inner peasant was awakened from his slumber!

And then, in the distance, I saw a sprawling complex of buildings, surrounded by a massive wall - it was the Royal Academy.