Chapter 21: Rules

Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Rules

"You have an injury on your head," Sasha muttered as she applied medicine to the wound.

"What were you running from, a ghost or something?" Tashe asked, her worried expression deepening as she checked for other injuries on her brother.

She had been quite concerned when she saw him anxiously running as if he were fleeing from a serial killer.

"N-No, it wasn't... It was nothing. I was just trying to test my agility... My agility and stamina stats even went up a point," Sam said, smiling slightly.

He didn't want to admit that he had been chased by a ghost, especially when he wasn't even sure if it was a real ghost.

"We thought you were in danger. Don't scare us like that again, you understand?" Sasha pinched his arm, though it obviously didn't hurt him one bit.

"I won't do it again, I promise," Sam replied, smiling.

Using the skills he had gained from the Charm, he was able to hide and control his emotions, so no one suspected he might be lying.

Still, Grandpa Jin didn't seem to completely buy his explanation.

He didn't say anything, though.

Since Sam wasn't talking about it, he wouldn't ask. He didn't even think much about it.

Time passed, and soon the sun was high in the sky.

Then a huge, mountainous shadow slowly appeared, blocking the sun.

When everyone looked up, they saw a majestic ship hovering above.

"It's a Nimbus Cruiser," one of the Awakeners muttered in awe.

"Magnificent, isn't it?" Agor smirked, seeing how the students were in awe of the ship they were about to board for the Academy.

...

The sun shone brightly, casting a golden hue over the landscape, while the wind whispered through the trees as the Awakners rode the Nimbus Cruiser about two hundred feet above the ground.

"Here we are, one of the oldest institutes of our world," Ragnar announced as they came to a stop at a particular spot within the forest.

"Where is the academy?" the Awakners peered down, but all they could see below were dense trees, lush greenery, and thick vegetation.

Some of the Awakners couldn't fathom what they were searching for in this seemingly random part of the forest.

"The Academy is concealed by an ancient formation. No matter how much you look, from the outside, it appears as nothing more than a normal forest," one of the Awakners from a noble household explained.

"That's correct. The formation hides the academy and creates an illusion of a forest," the Vice Principal, Ragnar, confirmed as the Cruiser began its descent to the ground.

Once they landed, they followed the Principal and Vice Principal, watching as they seemingly vanished within a few steps.

Following suit, the Awakners entered the invisible veil.

"You can also earn credits by completing quests assigned by the academy. These tasks can range from cleaning toilets to killing bandits."

...

In the headmaster's chamber:

"Did you find anything?" Agor asked, scrutinizing the men standing before him.

They were the individuals responsible for the behind-the-scenes work at the academy, taking orders solely from the principal.

"We found the kids, but they're not waking up from the shock," one of the men reported.

"It's as if their souls have been sucked out of their bodies. They're not responding to anything," another added.

Agor closed his eyes, pondering for a moment. "Tell Roman to keep the kids under intensive care until they've recovered."

The men nodded and vanished from the room.

"Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to conduct the test in that part of the forest," Ragnar mused.

"No, that part of the forest wasn't as dangerous, but not anymore. It's been spreading. From the area where we found these kids, I can confidently say it's beginning to encroach on other areas," Agor replied gravely.

"We have to do something about it. We have to eradicate it before it can cause serious damage," Ragnar asserted with a solemn expression.

"How do we do that when we can't even see it unless it wants us to? We can sense it, but we have no means to stop it, let alone kill it, unless we have soul-related techniques," Agor remarked, clicking his tongue in annoyance.

"Soul powers and attacks... only the progenitors have those abilities," Ragnar murmured, shaking his head.

"There was someone else, a hero who possessed a technique that could target souls," Agor said, gazing out the window.

"Ryuga Tachibana."

"Well, he's dead, and he took those techniques with him. His bloodline ended with him," Ragnar replied, his expression one of dissatisfaction.

"Actually, there is a descendant he left behind," Agor revealed.

"Who is it?"

"Sam Tatsuya," Agor disclosed.

"That abnormal kid?"

"Yes, his maternal grandmother is Ryuga Tachibana's granddaughter."

"No wonder the boy possesses such formidable strength at his age, hailing from the esteemed Tatsuya and Tachibana lineages," Ragnar murmured in realization.

"The hunt... there has never been an Awakener who has performed as remarkably as he has. He's truly exceptional. I still can't fathom the sheer number of beasts he's single-handedly hunted. He's beyond extraordinary," Ragnar mused.

Agor cast a knowing glance at Ragnar, a peculiar smile playing at his lips.

"Oh, Ragnar, if only you knew the extent of his capabilities."