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33.33% Shadow Lord Returns / Chapter 13: The academy for champions

บท 13: The academy for champions

The figure who stepped into the room was none other than Browny, a familiar face from Zephyr's time as a prisoner at Paragox.

"Yo, Browny," Zephyr greeted, recognizing his visitor.

"Are you feeling okay?" Browny inquired, but upon closer inspection of Zephyr's condition, he amended, "Oh, nevermind, you're looking alright enough."

Zephyr grinned at Browny's characteristic banter, reflecting on how the once-powerful vampire king now found solace in humor, despite his diminished status.

"So, Browny, where are we? And what happened to me?" Zephyr inquired, though he already had a hunch about their whereabouts and his own predicament. Nonetheless, he sought Browny's perspective, hoping to initiate a meaningful conversation.

"Hey, we're in one of those trucks on our way to the academy, and you just passed out," Browny said, his voice tinged with concern. "I'm not sure what happened, but those black veins... they're not a good sign," he added, his gaze flickering over Zephyr's unconscious form. "Could be some infection or the pollution from that dead body back there," he speculated.

Zephyr brushed off the concern about his collapse; he already knew the cause. As for the black veins, he attributed them to the system absorbing the dark crystal. However, Browny's mention of an academy piqued his interest.

"Wait, what academy?" he asked, his curiosity suddenly piqued.

Before Browny could utter a word, a loud voice reverberated through the truck as it ground to a halt.

"Attention, everyone! We've reached our destination. I need all of you to step out of the truck for an important announcement!"

"What announcement?" Zephyr inquired over the din of the loud voice.

"I'm not sure, but let's go find out," Browny replied, rising from his seat and making his way to the door. "You coming? They said everyone," he added, gesturing for Zephyr to follow.

Reluctant but sensing the urgency in the situation, Zephyr rose from the bed and trailed after Browny. If they were resorting to screaming, whatever awaited them outside must indeed be significant.

They emerged from the room and found themselves in the cargo container of the truck, designed to serve as a makeshift corridor. Ahead, they could see people disembarking through the shuttle door at the opposite end. These were the rescued slaves from Paragox, all instructed to exit the truck for an announcement upon reaching their destination.

Zephyr followed Browny as they descended from the truck along with the others, joining the group gathered about two meters away from the parked vehicles. Surveying their surroundings, Zephyr noted that they seemed to be in the middle of a road. However, a glance ahead revealed that the path led only into a dense forest, effectively culminating in a dead end.

Right in front of the assembled group of slaves, three individuals stood with an air of pride and elegance that left Zephyr with a bitter taste of jealousy.

"Yeah, I'm aware I've got a bit of an ego, especially back when I was the vampire king" Zephyr muttered to himself, feeling a surge of resentment towards the individuals standing proudly before him. "But these fools, I can't stand them, even if they did rescue me from Paragox. People, whether vampires or humans, they're all the same—just trying to survive at any cost," he reflected bitterly. As a former vampire king, Zephyr held high standards, and seeing others boast without achieving what he deemed worthy only fueled his disdain. After all, defeating the vampire leader of Paragox had been easy, as Zephyr knew the leader was weak, rendering the humans' accomplishment insignificant in his eyes.

Among the trio standing before the gathered group, one was a man with jet-black hair and piercing brown eyes. Adorning his right hand was a distinctive, advanced-looking watch, marking him as James—the individual who had possessed the map of Paragox prior to their attack. Beside him stood Rock, a towering figure with bulging muscles and a rugged countenance, exuding an aura of strength. And at the center of the trio stood Captain Jared, his wild mane of hair seemingly tamed by an unseen force, his eyes flickering with a fiery red hue like smoldering flames. Gripped in his hand was a formidable katana adorned with fiery designs, its blade gleaming with a sharpness capable of effortlessly slicing through flesh.

Zephyr's keen senses didn't fail to pick up on the strength emanating from the trio before him, particularly Captain Jared in the center. "I see they're not to be underestimated," Zephyr remarked with a smirk, already envisioning the challenge of facing off against them. "Well, I might not last long, but it'll certainly be entertaining," he chuckled to himself, relishing the prospect of the impending confrontation.

"What are you yapping about, Zephyr? You're talking to yourself like a madman," Browny remarked, having been beside Zephyr and overhearing his mumblings with a bemused expression.

"It's nothing," Zephyr replied dismissively, noticing that the announcement was about to commence.

Captain Jared stepped forward, casting a glance back at the imposing figure of Rock, who nodded in understanding. With a firm stomp of his feet and a raised hand, Rock's earth manipulation abilities came into play. The ground beneath Captain Jared shifted, raising a small pillar that lifted him nearly a meter off the ground, allowing everyone to behold his towering presence.

Zephyr observed Rock's display and muttered, "Seems like he's some kind of earth ability user."

"Hello, everyone!" Captain Jared's voice resonated across the gathered crowd, not overly loud but clear enough for all to hear. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jared, a skilled fighter and adventurer from one of the academies, Orchid Academy."

'An adventurer, huh?'Zephyr thought to himself, recalling what he knew about those individuals from his memories.

Adventurers were renowned champions who devoted their lives to hunting down supernaturals. Tasked with perilous missions involving paranormal activity, they faced constant danger and were required to fight to the bitter end. Thanks to their champion status, they possessed heightened strength and resilience, increasing their odds of survival in the face of formidable adversaries.

"Why I've gathered all of you here is to seek your opinions," Captain Jared addressed the crowd, his voice firm but not imposing. "For those who wish to seek revenge against vampires and other supernaturals posing a threat to humanity, you're welcome to join us at the academy and fight to ensure your families never endure what you've suffered. However, I won't force anyone. If you choose not to participate, you may leave and live in fear, knowing you won't be able to protect your loved ones. The choice is yours."

As the slaves from Paragox pondered their options, a myriad of emotions swirled within them. For some, the thought of reuniting with their families, whom they hadn't seen in months or even years, weighed heavily on their minds. The uncertainty of their loved ones' fates gnawed at them, driving them to seek vengeance against the supernaturals responsible for their suffering. However, for those who harbored no such sentimental attachments and were fueled solely by hatred for the supernaturals, the decision came more easily.

Among them, Zephyr grappled with the existential question of his purpose in this new human existence, having arrived via transmigration and finding himself initially weakened. However, a glimmer of hope emerged as he stumbled upon a remarkable opportunity for growth: the system.

Ding!

[19h: 20m : 00s]

'Looks like I've still got nineteen hours before the system fully integrates with my body,' Zephyr pondered, his mind swirling with anticipation and uncertainty.

Behind Captain Jared, James and Rock meticulously positioned two identical devices on each side of him. With precise care, they secured the devices to the ground before simultaneously pressing a button. Instantly, two swirling whirlpools, one red and one blue, materialized above the devices.

The spiraling vortexes exerted a gentle tug, attempting to draw everyone toward their respective centers. Despite the gravitational pull, everyone stood firm, determined to withstand the forces at play.

"You see these portals," Captain Jared announced, gesturing towards the swirling vortexes. "They both lead to your chosen destinations. The red one will take you to the academy, while the blue one will transport you to a station that will reunite you with your families. Choose wisely."

Obeying Captain Jared's instructions, the group of slaves divided into two distinct clusters, each gravitating towards their desired portal. Nineteen individuals clustered around the blue vortex, yearning for the embrace of their loved ones after enduring untold hardships. Meanwhile, sixteen others, along with Zephyr and Browny, positioned themselves by the red portal, ready to embark on the journey to the academy and whatever challenges awaited them there.

"Why are you here?" Zephyr inquired of Browny, curiosity lacing his voice. "Don't you have loved ones to return to?"

"I have my reasons," Browny replied, his expression resolute, masking whatever emotions lay beneath.

As Zephyr contemplated Browny's cryptic response, excitement bubbled within him. The prospect of journeying to a place where he could hunt supernaturals and grow in power along the way felt akin to entering paradise.

"Well, everyone, you've made your choices. It's time to go," Captain Jared declared, his authoritative tone signaling the commencement of their departures. With that, one by one, the members of the group began to step into their respective portals until none remained.

As the last of them vanished into the shimmering vortexes, a lingering sense of apprehension gripped Captain Jared.

"I just hope those who chose the red portal survive the test," he murmured, his thoughts tinged with uncertainty.

******


ความคิดของผู้สร้าง
Alexcj Alexcj

Please don't forget to leave a comment—it's what fuels every author's motivation.

Your feedback is invaluable and helps me improve my writing. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Thank you for reading!

บท 14: Test of survival 1

As Zephyr stepped into the swirling vortex, a blinding white light enveloped his senses, rendering him temporarily sightless. For what felt like an eternity, he was submerged in a sea of pure luminosity, devoid of any other sensations.

After several long minutes, the intensity of the light began to wane, gradually giving way to faint hues and shapes that danced at the edges of his consciousness. Slowly, the scene shifted, and Zephyr discerned colors other than blinding white, though everything remained obscured and hazy for a fleeting moment.

Then, as if a veil had been lifted, clarity emerged from the fog, revealing his new surroundings with startling clarity. With a steady gaze, Zephyr surveyed the unfamiliar terrain, taking in every detail now visible before him.

"What is this place?" Zephyr murmured, his gaze sweeping across the vast expanse before him.

"I'm trying to figure that out myself," Browny replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty. It seemed that everyone else shared the same bewilderment, their expressions mirroring their collective confusion.

The area they found themselves in resembled a colossal arena, devoid of any seating for spectators. Its immense size stretched out before them, dwarfing their presence and making them feel minuscule in comparison. The sheer scale of the space was overwhelming, leaving them to wonder about its purpose and what awaited them within its confines.

The arena floor was intricately designed with sands resembling a miniature desert, juxtaposed against the sturdy metal walls that encased them, each segment weighing a ton. Overhead, the arena was crowned with a delicate yet durable canopy of thin glass, allowing the gentle rays of the sun to filter through without casting harsh shadows or causing discomfort.

Beneath their feet, the warm sands boasted a clean, golden-yellow hue, adding to the illusion of a desert oasis within the confines of the arena.

"Hey, guys, look over there! I see some people," a member of their group exclaimed excitedly, gesturing toward a particular direction and drawing Zephyr's attention.

Lost in awe at the breathtaking spectacle of the arena and its intricate details, Zephyr and the others momentarily forgot their confusion about their unexpected location. However, the lingering question remained: why were they here, when they were supposed to be at the academy?

As they turned their attention to where the man had pointed, another group of individuals began to materialize in the distance, gradually appearing until they were fully present. This new group comprised around a hundred individuals, both male and female, all of them sporting solemn expressions in stark contrast to the bewildered looks of Zephyr and his companions.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Zephyr thought, his unease growing as he observed the peculiar circumstances unfolding before him. "Appearing in what seems to be a modern arena, with a large group of people arriving with serious faces while we remain confused. Something just isn't right."

...

Meanwhile, in a nearby room not far from the arena, a group of individuals gathered around a large screen, their attention fixated on the live feed displaying the events unfolding within the arena.

"Hmm, it seems we have a considerable influx of recruits this year, unlike the previous year," remarked a man clad in an expensive-looking suit, his posture rigid as he surveyed the assembly within the arena. "I hope we'll see a higher survival rate in this batch, unlike last year's disappointingly few."

"Based on my calculations, we should anticipate a higher number of survivors this time, minimizing casualties," added a woman in a pristine white lab coat, adjusting her glasses as she peered intently at the tablet in her hand, which displayed the scant details of each individual within the arena. "Moreover, this year, adventurers have rallied volunteers to join our academy, increasing the likelihood of nurturing individuals with true potential to become skilled adventurers."

"I hope so," the man in the suit conceded, settling into a nearby seat with an air of calmness as he directed his gaze back to the screen.

"Just sit back and relax, sir," the lady reassured him with a gentle smile.

...

Amidst the uncertainty lingering in the arena, the piercing screech of the microphone speakers abruptly captured everyone's attention, silencing the murmurs and prompting all eyes to turn towards the source of the sound.

"Welcome, everyone! I am your instructor," rang out the melodious voice of a woman, capturing the attention of all present. "Some of you may be wondering why you've ended up here instead of the academy you were expecting. The truth is, before anyone can join the academy and become adventurers, you must first pass a test. The Test of Survival."

"What test are they talking about?" one participant voiced out, his confusion evident.

"Yeah, we were promised entry and abilities, not some test," another interjected, frustration coloring his tone.

Zephyr noticed a growing sense of discomfort among the crowd as murmurs of discontent rippled through the arena. Even the new arrivals seemed unsettled by the revelation of the impending Test of Survival, which did little to ease the tension permeating the air.

'I knew there was something strange about this situation,' Zephyr thought, his senses on high alert.

"The Test of Survival is designed to assess your potential to thrive in the harshest of conditions. Those who prove themselves worthy will have the privilege of joining our academy," the woman explained, her tone unwavering in the face of the growing unrest among the participants. "As for those who do not pass the test, well, you will find out soon enough. Let the test begin."

With those words, the tension in the arena reached a fever pitch, as uncertainty and apprehension filled the air, casting a shadow of doubt over the fate of all those gathered within its confines.

As soon as the woman uttered those ominous words, the entire arena began to tremble violently, threatening to unbalance everyone within its confines. The intensity of the rumbling was overwhelming, instilling a sense of unease and fear in the hearts of all present. Despite the structural integrity of the arena remaining intact, the unsettling sensation left everyone on edge.

Unbeknownst to the participants, four shuttle-like doors situated at each side of the arena slowly creaked open, revealing dark, hollow spaces beyond their thresholds.

Just as abruptly as it had begun, the rumbling ceased, leaving the arena engulfed in an eerie silence. For a moment, no one moved, the air heavy with anticipation and uncertainty, as everyone awaited the next development with bated breath.

"What was that? An earthquake?" a frightened female voice exclaimed, her tone laced with trepidation.

"That's impossible. This arena is constructed from the most advanced metals known to man. No earthquake could shake it with such intensity," a nearby man countered, his voice tinged with skepticism. Despite their uncertainty, they had no choice but to confront whatever lay ahead, whether it was the test the woman had mentioned or something else entirely.

As the murmurs of confusion and concern permeated the air, Zephyr remained contemplative.

"If this is a test, and trust me, I know tests, it won't be that easy," he mused to himself. His keen gaze swept across the arena, and he couldn't help but notice the four door-shaped openings positioned at each corner, a realization that dawned on him simultaneously with others in the crowd.

"Look, everyone!" a man exclaimed, his voice cutting through the tension as he pointed towards one of the openings. "It seems that earthquake was the test the lady talked about, and now the doors are open for us to leave!"

His words sparked a wave of relief among the crowd, their expressions shifting from fear to elation at the prospect of finally escaping the confines of the arena. However, amidst the jubilation, Zephyr and Browny remained skeptical.

"Zephyr, do you feel like this test was too easy? It almost feels like we didn't even undergo a proper trial," Browny remarked, his tone tinged with suspicion.

"Yeah, Browny. In all my life, I've seen tricks, and I know when I see one. And this feels like one of them," Zephyr agreed, his instincts warning him of potential deception.

Despite their reservations, the majority of the participants eagerly made their way towards the openings, their spirits buoyed by the promise of freedom. It seemed that the allure of escape outweighed any lingering doubts about the ease of the supposed test, as they eagerly sought to exit the arena and leave the unsettling experience behind them.

"Well, Browny, they're heading out, let's just—" Zephyr's words were cut short as he stumbled, kicking against something solid that sent a jolt of numbness through his toes. Bending down, he examined the unexpected object, his confusion mounting as he recognized it.

"Why is there a weapon on the ground?" Zephyr muttered, his gaze fixated on the sharp axe with its well-crafted wooden handle and secured with strips of rubber. "Browny, I think the test has begun."

As Zephyr processed the implications of the weapon's presence, a horrifying realization dawned on him. Meanwhile, the man who had directed everyone towards the escape route reached the opening, only to be halted by the chilling sounds of harsh breathing and growls emanating from within. Before he could react, a hand seized his neck in a vice-like grip, followed by a sickening crunch as a head tore into his flesh, severing it from his body and sending blood splattering across the ground.

*******


ความคิดของผู้สร้าง
Alexcj Alexcj

Please don't forget to leave a comment—it's what fuels every author's motivation.

Your feedback is invaluable and helps me improve my writing. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Thank you for reading!

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