Capítulo 18: The Price of Failure
"How do you know?"
Words were spoken and the trap was closed. Midgard's face lit up with a broad smile. While the young boy was trembling with anguish, she opened her arms wide.
"After so long…"
"W-who are you? How do you know?!"
Ignoring his words, she moved closer to him.
"You have no idea, how long I've been looking for you…"
"Stay away!... Stay away from me!... You...You...ARGH!"
Suddenly, he fell to his knees holding his head, a red glint in his eyes.
"Wait wait! I'm sorry! I'm sorry-AAaarght!!
The young man's body was enveloped in a vibrant red and orange aura, which gracefully danced around him. Midgard paused, her expression filled with tenderness as she observed the mesmerizing sight before her.
Gradually, the swirling aura began to diminish, and the young man once again fell into silence, kneeling on the ground. In front of him, the young woman knelt down and gently cupped his cheeks with her hands.
"Are you okay? Can you st-"
Before she could finish her sentence, Dora grabbed her arms with a red glint in his eyes.
"Stupid! Stupid! You're really stupid!!! That's why we never call you out, you idiot! This is the last time I'll let you out!"
He shoved the woman in front of him aside and marched furiously towards the wall, coming to a halt before turning to glance at her once more. She simply grinned, almost seeming to taunt him, fully aware that she had the upper hand.
"Ah, I feel a sudden increase in your energy, compared to earlier."
"Who the hell are you?!"
"Hm, how ironic, shouldn't I be the one asking that? How interesting, I have seen endless things but you are the most unusual case I have ever met. So there's a lot of people in you, isn't it?"
The next second, Dora had her pinned against the wall, his hand on her throat.
"This is your final warning, WHO ARE YOU?"
She gently grabbed his arm, with the wickest smile ever seen.
"Calm down, we can't have a real conversation with such a small window of time... But don't worry, we'll have all the time in the world once the ceremony is over... After so long..."
She stroked his cheek again and whispered.
"I was looking for a diamond but I found platinum. I will never let you go, my little toy."
Before he could respond, the locker room door opened. Hope came running and accidentally bumped into him, causing them to fall.
"Ouch… Sorry miss… Oh! There you are!"
The red glint disappeared from Dora's eyes, replaced by an orange spark.
"Who is Miss? You piece of shit."
"No, YOU are a piece of shit! What was that?! How did you lose like that??
"Oh! I don't have time for this right now, Move!"
Dora looked at Midgard but only found a void where she should be, the woman was gone.
"Damn it…"
He got up, Hope was still barking and soon Thomas and Barron came out too. The first looked at him with distinct disdain.
"You… Why did you join the Academy? There's no way someone like Lady Elizabeth would recommend you for no reason. Why are you so weak?"
He tried to forget about the damn woman and play the last part of his little game.
"I… I don't know… Maybe she just recommended me because I'm Hope's best friend…"
"What the fuck man!? Why are you lying? You are stronger than that, Thomas, could he pass the test again?? Something weird must have happened."
"Are you even listening to yourself?" Barron walked past them and bumped into Dora. "That's why I can't accept that they've accepted peasants… This is not your playground, the weak have no rights and no complaints here, do you hear? Do you think we will give you our precious time? Know your place, idiots!"
He headed towards the battlefield again but stopped abruptly.
"Don't ever come near me again, If I have to fight against you again, I will crush you. I can't believe they made me travel for a fool."
Dora looked at him with a small smile and blood boiling in his veins.
"Don't worry, mark my words: after today, you will never see my weakness again."
Thomas trailed behind them and motioned for them to come along. They proceeded through the tunnel and returned to the battlefield, where the students welcomed them with cheers before switching back to jeers upon Dora's arrival. It was a pitiful scene, as the Avatar title shield was dropped, the true nature of the bourgeoisie was exposed.
"Get out of here, beggar!"
"Avatars are really overrated."
"Why is he allowed to join our classes? I'm going to complain to the direction!"
Praise for Hope and Barron's performance had been replaced by a hunger to destroy the only vulnerable target, a wonderful world. The examiner waved his hand for silence and raised his crystal ball.
"I received the deliberations of the bar of the academy. After evaluating your abilities, your future assignment has been designated as follows: Hope Balder, rank rating, E-rank, potential rating, D-rank, affiliation: class D. You will be under the supervision of the Vice President of the Student Council, Thomas Villeneuve."
Thomas placed his hand on his face in frustration while Hope emitted a soft sigh of disappointment.
"Next Candidate: Cid Barron, Rank Rating, D, Potential Rating… B-rank."
Numerous individuals in the audience began speaking loudly. As soon as he stepped into the arena, it became evident to all that a major situation was about to unfold, surpassing all expectations.
"Affiliation, Class C, this is an exceptional situation, You were originally supposed to be directly under the supervision of a teacher, but we received a surprising request, from someone who volunteered to be your guardian, so from now on, you will be supervised by the student council president, Iris Avalon."
Several exclamations rang out in the stands, the announcement of the choice of the most beautiful and strongest girl in the academy, the very one who came closest to the legendary heroine, as tutor of the exam prodigy entry. This was simply the most perfect combo imaginable.
"Damn... Iris? Why??"
"She...She volunteered? She asked that herself?!"
"I'm so jealous…"
"Hey guys, Maybe we've been too nice with this guy..."
The reactions were mixed, some were euphoric about the formation of this duo, others were sulky, disgusted to know that Iris would spend time with Barron.
The boy readjusted his hairstyle, completely disinterested in the situation, while Iris left her seat, a phone in her hand.
"I can't believe you did that... This Cid looks very problematic..."
"It's normal, he's in a league above everyone, you can't expect him to be all sugar and kisses. I can't wait to train with him!"
"Shouldn't we wait? The ceremony is still ongoing..."
"Why? The rest is not important, let's go."
They left just like that, not even noticing the return of the insults and booing from the public as soon as the examiner reintroduced the last candidate.
"Candidate Anesidora Carper, rank rating, E-rank, potential rating... E-rank, affiliation: class E."
A thunder of insults rained down on Dora, he raised his head, smile on my lips, to admire these people whose hearts were united in a single emotion.
Hope was shaking as he stared at the ground and Barron was tapping his foot.
"This is also a special case, we weren't expecting one of you to... Show this kind of performance, so after deliberation, you must be assigned to a student from one of the E classes. We will do some interviews to find someone to monitor you, within this week."
The insults mixed with bursts of laughter, the show had surely exceeded the expectations of the best circus in the world.
After the results, the examiner announced the end of the exam and little by little, the students left the arena.
Dora, Hope, and Barron remained the only ones in front of the building. Since the results were revealed, Hope had not uttered a single word. Dora looked at him briefly before tossing a bottle into the ocean.
"Ho~pipi? What's going on? Is your voice playing hide and seek?"
He didn't answer, usually, this kind of thing would tickle him but maybe this time the damage was too big.
"Come on, it's not even night and I haven't heard your voice, I'm worried... Hello? Is there someone in this body?"
"Idiot."
"Hm? So there's a life!"
He just turned towards Barron and pointed his fist at him.
"I recognize your victory today, I recognize that I've terribly underestimated you, but write this somewhere: I'm going to surpass you. From now on, you are my rival, so watch your back!"
"You? My rival? Do I look like a babysitter?"
"Don't say that, Cid, that's actually pretty interesting."
They turned towards the arena, where the voice came from. Iris stood there, smiling as usual. She was accompanied by Thomas and the girl with pink hair.
"Having a rival is actually a very good way of becoming stronger, This is not only a challenge for you but also for us, as mentors, isn't it, Thomas? Let's see who's the best."
"You can't be serious, with all due respect, Miss, I'm at a disadvantage."
"Eh? Why disadvantage? I am the strongest Hero, and soon to be D-rank!"
"You sure know how to run your mouth."
"... When you think about it, I'm the one at a disadvantage, Miss Iris seems like a better teacher!"
"You little…"
Iris and the girl laughed as Hope and Thomas were arguing. Barron adjusted his hair and turned to Dora.
"Hmph, at least you have guts, and you're not just a big talker."
They turned silent after that, Dora could see the face of Iris, who stopped smiling, and the girl next to her who often glanced at him. It was a good situation at first but now it was becoming the best day of his life.
"Anyway, what about a dinner to celebrate your success? As your tutor, Cid, the first lesson that I want to teach you is to eat a lot. A lot of healthy food."
"I have my diet, so no thanks."
"Are you sure? If you refuse then we'll have to start training now."
"She's serious you know? Let's call it a day and go to eat, my treat."
"Thank you, my glorious Master Thomas! Can I wash your shoes?"
They laughed again and started walking away, It could have been a perfect ending but Dora needed to achieve the last step of his masterplan.
"Can I come too?"
Once more, they fell into silence, exchanging glances before resuming their walk. The boy's grin grew wider, impossible to contain.
"Okay, maybe later then? Hope? Hey, wait, we're friends, Let's meet later to explore the..."
"SHUT UP!!!!"
The wind picked up this afternoon. Hope turned around, his face angrier than ever. Tears were beginning to form in his eyes.
"I have nothing to do with you anymore, If you want to play then go ahead, play! I'm very disappointed."
Dora's eyes narrowed but my smile widened.
"So? Does that mean that you're not my friend anymore? Just because I'm now weaker than you?"
This time, Thomas intervened.
"From what I see, you're the one betraying your friend. I don't know him yet but what I saw today was a guy fighting at your own place. Learn from him."
He put a hand on Hope's shoulder and they started walking again. Dora turned his back at in turn and then remembered one last detail to settle.
"Iris, does that mean that your proposal to join the council is out of the question too?"
"... Please, stop this, we're not getting anything by quarreling."
"Maybe you not, but we... Remember this, Hope, YOU made the final decision."
Dora walked away and they did the same. Force prevails, if you have no power you have no opinion and you lose value.
This is not a general rule to live, this is a rule to know who is around you. Dora had a world at his feet until he chose to show weakness.
But he was far from being weak, he just needed to be a twig at that moment to complete his freedom.
Capítulo 19: The Truth of The System
The academy's massive grounds were surrounded by a vast expanse where the students resided.
Upon registration, Dora was assigned a room number and entered a dormitory building that surpassed all others in size.
Dora, being a commoner, would never have had the opportunity to step foot in this place.
However, due to his agreement with Elizabeth, he was granted a special permission, a prestigious scholarship from the most strongest.
Initially, his intention was to confront the nobles who opposed his presence and put his immunity pact to the test, however, following a particular incident that occurred during the day, his plans took a different turn.
(Gamma body)
The entrance was swept by a powerful gust of wind, causing a stir among the students who were engaged in conversation as they made their way through the building, navigating stairs and hallways and catching others off guard. As it arrived at the expansive desert expanse, the wind swirled around before vanishing without a trace.
The entrance was hit by a forceful gust of wind, disrupting the conversations of the students passing through the establishment, making its way through stairs and corridors and surprising those in its path.
Upon reaching the vast desert floor, the wind twirled around before taking a human form.
(Sigma Body)
Dora began walking, and as he took each step, my body seemed to sink into the ground.
It was as if his body turned into a shadow, gliding across the floor, passing by several doors before returning to its original form in front of one of them.
After a deep breath, he placed a black card in front of a small screen that flashed, unlocking the door.
Stepping inside, his expression tense, he found his suspicions confirmed.
Midgard was reclining on a large bed, engrossed in a book. Upon seeing him, she greeted him with her trademark smile.
"Hydra, by Deüs Krönor, is the story of a crew of sailors who face a monster with several heads, each with a different power and capable of replacing itself. Thus, it can survive by sacrificing one of its heads, usually the most useless, and as long as one head remains, it won't die, Isn't that interesting?"
All of a sudden, a massive shadow materialized beneath Dora, giving rise to numerous arrows that encircled Midgard, with three positioned menacingly under her throat.
"Ah, such vigor... Are you maybe angry because I spoiled the story? I didn't tell you how the monster died..."
"One more stupid thing and I will introduce you to the afterlife. Who are you and what do you know about the system?"
"Hmm, why are you always so violent? I come in peace. If you continue to doubt me, you will really upset me, my adorable toy."
Five more arrows approached her neck, she closed the book and sighed.
"Good, good, you win, I'll tell you everything but I prefer civilized discussions, withdraw your weapons."
"No."
"... So persistent. Alright, you're the strongest here so you set your rules. You want to know how I know your system right? Maybe this could help you."
Dora was completely paralyzed when a blue screen, resembling that of the system, appeared after the woman raised her left hand.
"So you can see it too? As I thought."
Dora was utterly surprised. How could this be? He had been using the system for as long as he could remember and had never come across anyone else with a similar feature.
To him, it was a distinctive trait, his own unique ability. How was it possible that she possessed it?
"Could you take away your attack now? Now you have a reason to listen, and you can trust me, you want to know what I have to say."
Dora, still reeling from the unexpected revelation, hesitated briefly before withdrawing his attack.
Midgard then assumed a more relaxed position and gestured for Dora to take a seat on the bed.
"Could you just tell me who you are? For fucking sake!"
"Don't be so hasty, I will tell you everything you want to know. First of all, let's make it clear, You and I are the same, we are both using a similar singularity, in the form of this system. We are the same, but we are also different, my dear toy, you are an Avatar and I am what we call a 'Player'."
Upon receiving that information, Dora decided to take a seat on a sofa positioned in front of her.
"Don't worry, it's normal to be lost in this situation, It's not your fault, neither mine. The one at fault is this world... Have you ever wondered why you are called an Avatar?"
"... I... You mean because I can use many classes?"
"Branches, the definition here says that if you're able to use many branches, you're an Avatar, but why this word? A finger, a hand, why should the upper class be called Avatar? Why not a body? People take many words out of their context and use them in very inappropriate ways, this is part of the imperfection of humanity."
As she rose to her feet and approached him, his senses heightened.
The familiar sensation of being pursued by a predator, which he often experienced during hunts, overwhelmed him.
However, despite this instinctual response, he remained motionless. The predator's claws delicately rested against his cheeks.
"You, on the opposite, are different, You are what we define as a true Avatar, not because of your powers but because of this thing that only the likes of you and I can use: the system. This is what makes the difference between them and you. They are mere frauds, jokes of a living being, but you, you are perfect, you can use every ability, you can use the system... You are a perfect avatar."
"Wait... Let's say that I believe your story... How do you know that? What are you? What is a player?"
She gazed directly into his eyes, her pupils contracting. She then let go of his face and approached the window, where she observed the sunset.
"What a beautiful sight... It's a shame that it's fated to annihilation."
"What do you mean?... Are you talking about the rifts?"
"Little toy, let's play a game will you? From this point onwards I won't ask you about your privacy, your goals, your life, I won't interfere with whatever you do, but in return, don't ask about my origins. I'll only tell you what you need to know."
"I thought you were gonna try to convince me, seems like you're not really motivated."
"One should never play all his cards before the end of the game, dearie. And you're not suicidal, so you'll be motivated. Tell me, as an Avatar, for so long, how come you're still E-rank?"
"... Is this related to the rifts?!"
"Hm-hm, what did we say about no rushing? But no, let's put it another way, you must have played video games... Oh, but you were a peasant, do you even know what it is?"
"Jerk."
"Ah, Good. So imagine a character, in a game of... RPG, you train him a lot and one day he reaches max level of a job. Now for him to go further, you need to change to a further class. Imagine that, he is a knight, and you want him to become a paladin, how do you proceed?"
Dora nodded, slightly confused.
"I change his class? Is that the answer you're... You're... Wait, what?"
"You finally get it? An avatar can't evolve alone, because he is a program of the system. You are not allowed to make any decisions. You are a slave. And this is where I come in action."
She opened her screen again where a message appeared, 'Select your Avatar'.
"My system, the one from the supremes one gives me access to everything the system has to offer. I am a Player, I can see and control everything, but I can't exploit it, I can open a quest but I can't do it, I can activate a virtual shop, but I can't buy anything. And this is where you, the Avatar, come into action."
She stood before him and shut her eyes, a resolute expression unfamiliar to her.
"Soon, this world will face a succession of disasters that will wreak havoc on all creations. I am not allowed to say anything, but I can assure you that what you and I can do is the closest thing to a possible solution. So, Avatar Anesidora, I, the player Midgard, wish to make a pact with you: Let's fuse our power to take revenge on this world and thus, create the purest version of the system, You want power and freedom, I want to see how far we can go, so become my Avatar and let me be your Player."
Night had descended upon the world outside. Midgard extended her hand towards Dora, wearing a smile that exuded assurance and affection, no longer the chilling grin it once bore.
"Now this is really going too fast."
"It only means that we've been late."
"... You don't look like someone trustable too."
"I'm pretty sure that you've been betraying people's faith for a very long time too, We are both monsters and monsters don't eat each other."
"Sounds fair... But since you're going to be my Player, doesn't that mean that you're going to possess me?"
"Absolutely not, Like I said I can't use the system, but I can control the events. We will just share our power. I can't give you a better example yet but be sure that for me, you are more precious than the world."
"This is the second time that someone threatens me with an invisible menace to make me do their deeds..."
"... Maybe, but this is hardly a regression, this is an evolution. So, my little toy, are you ready to bite the forbidden fruit?"
|Character selection activated: |
|Select your Avatar 0/1 |
"...You wicked snake, let's get this over quickly."
Dora extended his hand in response, initiating a handshake that symbolized a pivotal moment in history.
|Character selection activated: |
|Select your Avatar 1/1 |
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200+ Ranking de
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8 Piedra de
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