Capítulo 3: Chapter 3: Altar
"Have a firm stance, rotate your breathing at a constant interval and release your intent through the punch." Luck recited.
He was currently following along the old book to attempt the moves in the pictures.
He was trying out the combat technique the boy he fought had used, Serpent Stance. Based off the instructions in the book, it appeared to be just a simple jab. However, every time Luck performed the move, it didn't have the same speed and elastic nature that was described in the book.
He knew that a powerful attack required the force of every muscle that was needed. But despite knowing how to perfectly execute the technique, it seems he's still lacking something.
The book has a series of techniques named after animals, specialising in different areas of either offensive, defensive or evasive techniques. It shows images of how it is supposed to be performed. There's also a method of breathing for each move, being called a rotation.
Luck was supposed to incorporate the breathing rotation alongside the execution of the technique. But he guessed that his failures were due to either him requiring much more practice, or it was simply due to his underdeveloped, frail body.
The moves in the book were quite unique and he was only trying them on a whim. In his original world, moves like these were probably ineffective compared to the combat techniques in the military — specialised for killing. After all, he guessed that this was a book for children to learn basic fighting.
Such ambitious names for a regular punch made him chuckle a little.
As Luck finished reading, he closed the book before examining his sickly body.
"My sickness should eventually be cured if my research on Alpha Cells were correct." Luck mumbled, clenching his small and pale hands.
Luck knew that cells were the building blocks that made up all lifeforms. If there were microorganisms that wanted to harm his body such as bacteria or viruses, his Alpha Cells should be able to devour them.
At the moment, Luck had gained a partial immunity towards fire. Despite having one of his palms regenerate from the severe burn, even feeling slight comfort from the candle flame now, Luck knew that it didn't mean his entire body had gained complete resistance.
If he really wanted to gain a complete immunity towards fire, he would have to completely burn his entire body for hours — an idea that caused chills to run down his spine.
Luck definitely wasn't a masochist, he had only burned his palm to figure out whether he had fused with the Alpha Cells. And that had taken up a lot of his willpower stemming from his curiosity as a scientist.
Luck paced back and forth in his room, thinking about his next course of action. Being in a medieval world, with knowledge from the future that could practically make him a God, he knew his future looked promising.
He simply had to escape this place and start inventing useful things. With his Alpha Cells and knowledge, he was bound to have an easy time in this life where everyone else was ordinary.
Tomorrow, Luck decided he should form an escape plan. He had only briefly explored the Sanctuary. From his observations, he didn't find anything that looked like an exit. He realised that it was probably hidden, making him even more sure that some shady business was going on here.
Deciding what to do for tomorrow, Luck casually rested on the straw mat before closing his eyes, drifting into sleep.
...
As Luck woke up, he noticed his familiar surroundings, making him breathe a sigh of relief.
"Everything that happened so far wasn't a dream." Luck mumbled, inwardly delighted.
He did feel somewhat melancholic about his previous life.
Luck had still been in the prime of his life on modern Earth, however, he had dedicated most of that time to studying and researching, eventually being qualified to conduct experiments in outer space. Though, that didn't mean he was a complete loner and a workaholic — he's had his fair share of women and good experiences.
His parents were average for the most part and treated him well. However, Luck wasn't particularly close to them. They gave him a place to stay and food to survive, but they were always busy so he barely interacted with them — simply studying and trying to pursue his own interests.
Despite being stranded in a new world, he wasn't too deeply concerned, especially with the advantage of his Alpha Cells.
As for his close relationships from his past life, he felt a tinge of sadness, but that was all. He understood that nothing is everlasting; through time or through death, people eventually forget and move on, or they cherish those special moments as memories.
After wrapping his left hand up with some cloth, Luck exited his cave.
Luck had noticed a few children also waking up and moving about. They seemed to be walking towards the direction of where they'd be provided food.
Deciding to follow, Luck eventually found himself waiting in line.
The cloaked man was currently handing the children their food.
Looking around, he noticed a group of children that were already eating at a corner, getting many envious stares.
'Those are probably Lord Thel's favourites.' Luck guessed, staring at all the fruits, meats and herbs that they were consuming.
There were five people in that group. Each of them looked much healthier than the rest of the children.
'To be given such special treatment, I wonder how they did in the Crucible. All of them are probably very talented in fighting.' Luck thought to himself.
As Luck patiently waited, it was eventually his turn as he stood in front of Lord Thel.
"Hm, you had passed the first round." He spoke with a thoughtful expression, before taking out something.
"Here's your portion my child." The cloaked man graciously handed the black bread and waterskin to Luck.
'This... is the food? Is it even edible?' Luck contemplated, his lips slightly twitching.
Holding what the man had so graciously given him, Luck quickly felt how hard the black bread was.
Forcing a grateful smile, Luck responded,
"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Thel!"
"Haha, a polite one. Be on your way now my child." He gave a generous smile. However, it only made Luck feel uncomfortable. To him, it felt like his eyes were looking at him as if he were an inferior being or merely livestock.
Quickly disappearing from his sight, Luck had found himself a nice spot to sit down and eat his bread.
'Hopefully... it tastes better than it looks...'
Tearing off a bit of the black bread and throwing it in his mouth, Luck's face immediately scrunched.
"Bleghh..."
Luck felt as if he was chewing on concrete. Furthermore, the texture was awful and the taste was even worse. It was sour, bitter and somewhat earthy, causing his taste buds to feel attacked.
'This was a staple food during the medieval times? I'm starting to want to go back to modern Earth!' Luck complained with a hint of bitterness.
As Luck was lost in his thoughts, a familiar face had arrived in front of him, giving him a toothy grin whilst extending her hand.
Seeing the young girl he had conversed with yesterday, Luck knew she was here to collect her payment from him for the information he received.
Luck simply tore half of the black bread with a bit of effort before handing it to her.
She seemed slightly stunned but quickly smiled.
'Did I perhaps give too much?' Luck dismissively thought.
"Hehe, thanks!" She quickly spoke, before taking the portion of bread and sitting down next to him.
To his surprise, the girl was devouring that piece of bread as if it were the tastiest thing to exist.
With her mouth slightly stuffed, she spoke,
"My name is Avice. What's yours?"
"... Luck!" He replied. He almost used his original name just as a natural response. However, 'Luck' is his new identity now.
"Is the bread good?" Luck casually asked. He had almost spat it out the moment he tasted it, however, Avice was treating the black bread as if it was a dish from a five-star restaurant. Coming from his world, where he tasted plenty of delicacies, such food here was rather hard to get used to.
"It's great! I haven't been able to eat much as the children that lost in the first round were only given a third of what you had received." The girl replied happily.
'Only a third? No wonder some children had starved to death here. My portion was barely enough to sustain me.' Luck pondered. Children needed plenty of food to grow. He knew that situations like this one in the medieval times were quite common. Some peasants couldn't even eat anything on some days.
'This place is quite cruel. If children lost at the first round, they'll probably never win another round due to being starved from the lack of food. They wouldn't have any energy to fight.' Luck analysed.
It made that boy's actions and anger towards him seem more justified.
Even so, even if he knew this information beforehand, he still would have done the same thing if provoked.
Luck had a philosophy that once you were trampled by someone, it became nearly impossible to lift your head back up.
He had always chosen his battles carefully and faced every challenge with unwavering resolve.
That was how he had lived his life.
As Luck was deep in thought, he heard his stomach growling.
Sighing helplessly, Luck knew he had to eat.
He stared at the unappealing black bread. Reluctantly, he tore a piece off and threw it in his mouth before taking large gulps of water to help force it down.
Luck decided to eat the bread to not starve, using water to make it a little bearable.
After some time had passed, as Luck was silently eating and casually conversing with the girl, the cloaked man suddenly spoke up.
"My children, I will now take you for the aptitude ceremony, please follow me."
Eating the last bit of bread, Luck casually stood up and followed the group of children. He was quite curious about what the aptitude ceremony was. From Avice, he knew that Lord Thel places a lot of importance to this.
After a few minutes of walking and going through different paths, they eventually found themselves going down a long spiralling staircase.
"Huh?"
Luck had a confused expression. When Luck was exploring the Sanctuary, he didn't remember seeing any staircases.
Luck quickly dismissed it. He simply thought he may have just missed it when going through all the paths.
The spiralling staircase seemed almost endless. The only sound made by the group of children was their footsteps, echoing all around them.
Luck felt as if he was going into the endless abyss as the chilling air pricked at his skin.
Fortunately, they soon arrived in an extremely dark space with torches that illuminated the stone walls.
The eery atmosphere felt somewhat suffocating for the children, however, everyone remained quiet.
"Hm?" As Luck was walking, his bare feet felt an indentation.
Although it was hard to notice, Luck discovered that the floor had strange symbols carved on it.
'What are these?' Luck pondered.
Luck decided it was probably nothing as he began observing his surroundings.
Luck noticed that at the centre of the room, there was a sinister-looking altar made of black stone, covered in ancient runes similar to the floor.
The altar looked rather menacing with the black iron spikes coming out of the edges. Furthermore, at the very middle, a mysterious sigil seemed to have been carved on it.
Luck felt a little anxious. He knew that in the medieval times, many people were quite crazy and believed in stuff like curses, witchcraft and other supernatural things. Luck hoped he wouldn't become a sacrifice or something like that to appease the Gods.
Lord Thel suddenly spoke.
"I will begin the aptitude ceremony now. Please wait patiently until you are called out by me to the altar."
His tone was serious and conveyed a lack of emotion towards the children.
The cloaked man limped his way to the centre of the room before he suddenly waved his hands which caused the candles surrounding the altar to light up with an eery green fire.
Luck's pupils immediately constricted from surprise. This was like witnessing a magic trick for the first time. He slowly began feeling that the world he was in was much more strange than he had initially thought.
'What did he do? The candles randomly caught fire with a simple wave of his hand? Even the colour of the candle flame looks strange.' Luck thought, his eyes focused on the cloaked man.
The man then took out a few glass bottles within his cloak before pouring its contents onto the altar. The potions mixed together, forming a glowing liquid that seeped into the lines of the strange sigil.
A sulphur-like stench immediately permeated the area, causing Luck's nose to slightly flare up.
Once the man finished all his preparations, he said, "One child may come up now."
However, all the children were silent and no one moved a muscle. Even though most children were quite stupid, everyone had an innate caution, an instinct that made them hesitate towards mysterious objects.
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