The sound of a blade brushing against a whetstone echoed inside a cave, lit by an oil lamp. A man with pale gray hair and a neatly covered scar across his eyes diligently polished and old rusted sword.
He wore a light blue martial robe, sitting cross legged beside the flickering lamp.
His motions stilled, and the scratching sound of metal ceased. Slowly, his head turned toward the presence he felt approaching.
From experience, he knew that any entrant who entered this place would, without fail, climb to the peaks first to seek his acknowledgment. Young bloods always treated it as a challenge to overcome and a final obstacle to their goal.
Unfortunately, only disappointment awaits them, as he's not hiding in those peaks. The third exams theme is to let the entrants experience 'hunting' after a series of trying to finding their way while their path is blocked by monsters.
Just like a real mission subjugation of Agrind Beasts.
He could have positioned himself openly, but choosing a discreet location amused him. Knowing that it gave the entrants a sense of irritation, as though the answer lay before their eyes, obscured by their own grand assumptions.
Of course, some special entrants, might still find him. Just like right now.
'The first entrant… is capable.' Even at several hundred meters away, he already gauged the entrant's capability. Such is the extent of someone like him who already achieved a certain degree when it comes to aura reading.
'Then let's meet this little friend…' He took the rusted blade and stood from his seat, to meet the arriving challenger.
Wind whipped across Xian's face.
A faint path wound between the jagged peaks, obscured by dust carried by the wind, leading to the professor. A rather eccentric man who hid here rather than waiting at the summit.
After a while of walking, the wind died as the professor slowly came into view, as expecting him. It wasn't much of a journey, which is also part of the reason why he chose this door. The quickest way to get to the academy and finish this entrance exam.
"Is it information or skill? What brought you here, entrant?" The professor spoke in a rather low and weary voice that didn't match his robust appearance. It was a wounded voice, much like his eyes that never recovered.
"I simply felt that climbing up would be a waste of time." Xian replied.
"Then it's laziness and luck it seems." The professor rebutted and took a stance without even unsheathing his sword.
Xian didn't speak further and charged, longsword in hand. Using all his strength right away. He tried to start with a vertical strike, arms raised, pulling his blade back for momentum.
A flash of unseen steel deflected his attack with blinding speed, as if the professor's hand never moved to unsheathe his weapon.
Xian's eyes squinted as that instant generated a distracting flash of light.
This man was Caesar, the future advisor of the Silver Boughs, teacher of the protagonist, and master to Adrian. Along with Adrian, he will be taking two more disciple, namely, Kyrin and Brigid, two other heroine's who haven't made an appearance yet.
Of course, because of certain events, the protagonist with nothing special attached to him might be out of the picture already because of the earlier incident.
Xian staggered from the strength of the blow, numbness spreading from his palm. But he was already used to that overwhelming feeling. He already felt it plenty enough, learning to grit his teeth each time while putting more strength in his grip.
He let out an almost beast like roar, swinging vertically in a wide angle, and once again the professor parried it.
That didn't deter Xian and he kept going, faster and faster. Not even the fight with the minotaur let him attack with such abandon, since it was unfairly distracted by Fahna who had incredible speed, and weakened by Carmillia's spell.
This time, the battle was only for him to savor.
The simple longsword chipped, clashing against the unsharpened rusty blade of the professor.
At the same time, Xian felt anxiety stir in his heart.
'What is this feeling?'
Was this rush and pleasure he felt coming from him?
He had an inkling, that it's somehow related and deeply rooted to the original owner of this body's lifestyle.
The traits he possessed, the trained body reflected from the mirror, the rush he felt whenever he was about to face a battle.
Was he always like that? Where were those feelings of wanting to crush his enemies when he needed them the most in his previous life.
The professor silently parried his blows consecutively, even when Xian thought he's going to reach him.
For now, he focused on venting these distracting desire through combat.
Seconds passed until the first minute mark came and Xian was still swinging his sword wantonly.
After finally a quarter on an hour, Xian slumped on the floor, catching his breath.
"Have you calmed down?" Caesar already noticed something wrong with this entrant the moment he charged. He saw clearly why this man was able to arrive first with that level of strength, yet there is a hidden blood thirst in this entrant's heart.
Still, that wasn't something that can't be fixed and still left him impressed.
'He is almost on the verge of an average Orchid class student.' Caesar thought, recalling their exchange. There was four classes that signified a students progress in the academy. Depending on their completion of subjects, they are ranked based on four indicators.
And Orchid Rank was the second lowest of the four. That meant, he rivaled students who have at the very least, a year of training and studying in the academy.
'What's wrong with me?' A usual demonstration should've been enough, but the deep and lingering desire to fight was still present in his chest.
However, his thoughts had become clearer and the desire for combat subsided. For now…
Caesar suddenly flicked an object to Xian. It was a token, and a pin signifying his admission to the academy.
"That pin will open the same way you came from, but lead to the exit." Caesar spoke as he stood unmoving from his spot. The ground around him has a perfectly outlined trace of circle, untouched by the aftermath of their battle. Xian wondered how it would feel when he reached that superhuman level of skill.
Xian nodded without a word and decided to turn back. However he was waiting exactly for one thing.
"Take this too." This time, the professor flicked a black card, lined in golden lettering.
On it's face, 'Heath Rank Instructor: Caesar' read. Heath signified as the lowest rank of a student in the academy and the starting ranks for new admissions in the academy.
"I'm the advisor of the Silver Bough. But with your skills, you'd probably be someone listed in the section above that, the Golden Bough." Caesar shrugged, not knowing what Xian or any candidates identities are. Recently, all he's been focused about is self training.
There was also the fact, that while he can sense Xian, he couldn't tell his appearance.
"If you are interested, come to the Silver Boughs and be my disciple. Of course, this is merely an invitation. It's all up to you." Caesar spoke stiffly, who unfamiliar with invitations or coaxing in the first place.
"I will keep that in mind." Xian was satisfied. All he needed was this card to 'enter' Caesar's office, or rather training grounds. There is one crucial matter that will need its function in the near future.
Adrian, the protagonist was supposed to get this card and the player can choose the silver boughs class to open a new selection of heroine's not available in the golden bough.
But now, it's in his hands.
Xian grinned as his calm regained control.
Each step he took was silent and soon, the wind blew in his body again, as if to chase him away.
Today was a rather exhausting day for Xian. He already encountered 'Regressed' Castreyja, a problematic heroine with a established past. While her appearance isn't among his tastes, he was inclined to have more allies, even if they weren't his woman.
Then there was Ruminaria, whom he wanted to stay away from as much as possible, whose route he never touched back when he played the game.
And then there's Fahna.
Xian stopped his steps when he thought of her.
Fahna was the first heroine he had ever conquered. Unlike Carmillia whom he began to like later on. Those were times when he was down and at a low point in life. Because at the time, he still had conscience and was bothered in his way of living.
Gradually, all of that guilt vanished in the midst of enjoying Fahna's route.
To conquer her, the protagonist needed to rival her first in an area, whether it's the entrance exam, rankings in terms of merit points or defeating her thought a duel. It was the only way one could enter her gaze and garner her attention.
Xian had successfully done just that. He wanted to make sure that just like before, Fahna will end up as his woman.
Of course, there's still the very high chance of a Ruin End, whenever a player attempts to achieve a harem. Still, his greed didn't allow for any concession.
"Excuse me?"
A meek and gentle voice called out. Xian turned to see a girl had approached without him noticing.
"Are you… The professor?" She questioned, tilting her head.
Xian's expression darkened. She was someone he knew, and it wasn't exactly a pleasant to face see.
'Kryin Riegan.' The daughter of a foolish man, who only sought revenge against Renedon instead of cherishing his daughter.
And the daughter of the man he killed with his own hands. In the game, it was Morisson who finished her father, but now, while he did most of the damage, Xian dealt the final blow for the sake of exp.
'That means, once her future sight recovers… ' Through her sincere and deep wishes, she will glimpse an object of revenge at the eve of her awakening and it's heightened power.
Normally, it'd be Morissons overwhelming shadow and Carmillia's visage, causing her to go on a quest to take down the Duke with the protagonist.
But now, Xian wondered if he replaced them both or just Carmillia.
"I'm an entrant." Xian had no intentions of doing anything with her for now though.
"Eh? Then why are you…"
"I've already passed." Out of habit, Xian showed the pin he got, then he realized his mistake and own carelessness. Kyrin seemed to notice what just happened and sheepishly scratched her temple.
He eyes had covers just like Caesar, although it's design leaned more on the flowery side.
"I'm going. I don't need to prove it to you." He walked past Kyrin who didn't know what to do and an unsure expression.
Suddenly, he remembered something and decided to save this girl some trouble.
"If you want to pass, I suggest looking for a path between the peaks instead of climbing a bunch." It was a sparse show of kindness compared to what he took from this girl.
Kyrin was startled, realizing that she just got a valuable hint that would save her time and energy. Feeling that Xian was already out of her recognitions range, she shouted back. "Thanks for the advice!"
Whether Xian heard it or not, Kyrin didn't know.
"I didn't even get to ask his name." Unfortunately, her vision that disappeared a long time ago, made her rely on the only sense he could use to recognize someone.
Their voice. She made sure to remember that man's voice. Who knows, they might cross paths again sometime in the academy.