Wren's reason for visiting the tranquil lake was to study the book and apply for side tasks. Although her points were increasing, they were still too low to purchase anything substantial, and she knew that if the ban on free things was lifted, she would have to rely on buying everything she needed. As she sat down on the serene lake's edge, surrounded by the gentle rustling of cherry blossoms and the soft lapping of water against the shore, she opened her system and scrolled through the list of side tasks available to her class.
She decided to start with the low-tier missions, wanting to get a feel for what it was like to complete tasks that were slightly above her usual routine before taking on anything more unpredictable. After carefully selecting five tasks that were supposed to be completed the following week, Wren headed off to her dormitory, her mind preoccupied with the possibilities and challenges that lay ahead.
By the time she arrived at the dorm, it was well past curfew, and the building was shrouded in an eerie silence. The halls were dark, with only faint moonlight filtering through the windows, casting long shadows on the walls. The only sound was the soft echo of her footsteps as she walked down the deserted corridors. At some point, Wren shivered, despite the warmth of the evening, the silence and darkness making her feel a sense of unease. She regretted having a dorm room so far from the main hub, but as her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she made her way steadily towards her room.
However, as she approached her door, one thing caught her attention and made her move quickly - the sound of murmuring guards. Their hushed tones seemed to carry an air of urgency, and Wren's curiosity was piqued. The guards' voices were low and serious, speaking in hushed tones about something that sounded like "Война" - the Russian word for "war". The sound sent a shiver down Wren's spine, and she felt a sense of trepidation wash over her. What could be causing the guards to speak of war in such a guarded manner? Wren's heart beat a little faster as she quickly unlocked her door and slipped inside.
Inside the dorm, the dorm was shrouded in darkness and as expected everyone was asleep except for one person - Kai Blackwood.
His dark gaze met Wren's as she moved to her bed, studying her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. Wren pretended that his gaze wasn't intimidating, but she couldn't help feeling a sense of unease as she slid into her bed, facing him with an annoyed look.
"Where were you?" Kai's hushed voice resonated through the room, barely above a whisper. Wren pursed her lips before replying, her voice cool and detached. "Why do you want to know?" she asked, her eyes locked on Kai's, daring him to push the issue.
Kai smirked, his lips curling up in a sly smile. "So that next time, I'll give a brief explanation on why you're not in the dormitory," he retorted, his voice laced with amusement. Wren rolled her eyes, turning her back to Kai and facing Ashley's side of the bed. She closed her eyes, trying to shut out the awareness of Kai's gaze still on her.
But even as she drifted off to sleep, Wren's body seemed to sense Kai's presence, and she felt chills run down her spine. She was acutely aware that Kai was watching her, and she knew he wasn't asleep at all. The tension in her mind was palpable, and Wren's instincts told her that Kai was waiting for something, or someone.
The next morning, Wren woke up to find Kai's eyes red and his voice hoarse. It was evident that he hadn't been getting much sleep, but the fear he had instilled in everyone prevented them from asking questions. Wren, in particular, didn't care about Kai's well-being, her deep-seated resentment for him making her indifferent to his state.
As she got out of bed, Wren avoided eye contact with Kai, not wanting to engage with him any more than necessary. She knew that Kai's gaze would still be on her, watching and waiting, and she wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of reacting. Instead, she focused on getting ready for the day, her movements quiet and efficient as she prepared for her class.
***
One week had passed since that night, and the academy had undergone a subtle transformation. With backers backing various students, the atmosphere had become slightly more tense, especially when dealing with situations outside of class. Wren had completed her missions and earned points, but her stats remained disappointingly low.
Frustrated with being stuck at the E level, she was desperate to move up to the D level before the month ended. After class, Wren visited the principal's office, hoping to find a solution to her problem. Unfortunately, she bumped into Kai Blackwood, who was seated in the office, his eyes fixed intently on her as she entered.
The principal, seemingly aware of why Wren had come, gestured for her to take a seat. "So, you want to boost your stats, huh?" he said, his voice dripping with a sinister tone.
"You think you're ready for the big leagues? You think you can handle the carnage, the bloodshed, the screams of the defeated?" He leaned forward, his eyes glinting with a fierce intensity. "I'll give you a chance to prove yourself. Next week, a match is going to happen between students in the martial art and combat class. Any student can participate, regardless of level or class. But let me make one thing clear: it's not for the faint of heart."
The teacher's voice was like a whip, cracking through the air. "You'll be facing off against opponents who will stop at nothing to win. They'll break your bones, rip your flesh, and leave you bleeding on the floor. You'll be matched based on your skills and abilities, and the fights will be intense. It's a clash of wills and strength, where only the strongest survive. And by survive, I mean you'll be left standing, with your dignity intact and your stats boosted."
He leaned back in his chair, a sly grin spreading across his face. "The winner will earn 5000 stats and power points for each victim defeated. A small fortune, if you will. But the loser... ah, the loser will be left with nothing but shattered bones, broken dreams, and the humiliation of defeat. Their stats will be stripped away, given to the winner as a trophy. And let me tell you, the pain will linger long after the fight is over. You'll be haunted by the memories of your defeat, and the shame of being outclassed."
The teacher's eyes seemed to bore into Wren's soul, as if searching for any sign of weakness. "So, I ask you: are you prepared to take the risk? Are you prepared to face the brutal reality of the match? Because once you step into the arena, there's no turning back. You'll be fighting for your life, for your pride, for your very existence. You'll be fighting to prove yourself, to show the world that you're not just a weak little E-level student."
The teacher paused, his expression turning cold and calculating. "But if you're not willing to take the risk, I'll give you an alternative. You'll need to complete five side tasks for me, and they're not going to be easy. You'll need to prove your worth in other ways."
He handed Wren a folder containing the task details. "Task one: infiltrate the heavily guarded botanical garden at midnight and retrieve a rare species of flower.
Task two: hack into the academy's mainframe and retrieve classified information on the top-ranked students.
Task three: navigate through the treacherous abandoned mine on the outskirts of the city and retrieve a valuable mineral.
Task four: participate in an underground fighting tournament and win three consecutive matches.
Task five: sabotage the academy's rival school's annual tournament by any means necessary."
The teacher's voice was merciless. "These tasks will be difficult, and they'll push you to your limits. But if you complete them all, I'll give you a reward. You'll earn 1000 stats and power points each, and you'll be one step closer to reaching the D level. But if you fail... ah, if you fail, you'll be stuck at the E level forever."
Wren's eyes widened as she read through the task details. They were impossible, but she knew she had to try. She glanced at Kai, who was watching her with an unreadable expression, before turning back to the principal.
The stage was set, and the stakes were high. The question was, would she take the risk and participate in the match, or would she take on the side tasks?
The teacher's voice cut through the silence, his tone merciless. "Don't waste my time with hesitation. If you're not sure, then leave now. But if you're ready to take the leap, then sign your name on the dotted line. The choice is yours."
Wren was stuck, her mind racing with doubts and uncertainties as she weighed her options. The competition seemed daunting, with its promise of brutal battles and uncertain outcomes. On the other hand, the side tasks were complicated and difficult, but they offered a sense of control and potential reward. After a while of thinking, she made her decision. She reached out to the documents and signed.
She chose the side task, her determination growing as she realized that the potential reward was worth the risk. Although they were complicated, she would gain more stats than losing it in the competition.
The teacher's devilish grin still lingered in her mind as she was escorted out of the office, the documents detailing the tasks clutched tightly in her hand. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she recalled the teacher's words, his voice dripping with a sinister tone.
Holding the documents, Wren's first approach was the dorm, where she saw students bustling about, preparing for the competition.
She had seen posters of the competition on the system and bulletin board, and the prize was hard to resist. 5000 points for each contestant defeated was really something no one would resist.
The halls was filled with students discussing strategies, sharing tips, and cheering each other on. It was so bad that she wasn't sure if she would be there to watch it happen since her schedule was going to be tighter the following days.
As she walked through the cafeteria, Wren noticed the excitement and anticipation in the air. Students were laughing, chatting, and high-fiving each other, their faces set with determination. Many had signed their names, others were buying snacks in advance to watch the big show.
The tension was there, and the energy was infectious. Wren, however, remained focused on her own mission. She didn't have time to get caught up in the excitement.
After lunch, everyone headed off to training, their determination and focus palpable. The training rooms were filled with the sound of clashing steel, the smell of sweat, and the shouts of instructors.
Many didn't want to win such a grand prize, they wanted to prove themselves, to show the world that they were more than just students. Wren, on the other hand, would be visiting the library like she visited the cafeteria with no rest. If she wanted to complete her tasks, and advanced to the next level.
...
That night, Wren looked into each detailed side task, each one complicated than the last.
The botanical mission; her first mission.
The botanical garden was a sprawling oasis in the heart of the city, a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
The home to a vast array of plant species, each one carefully cultivated and maintained by the garden's skilled horticulturists. The garden's lush greenery and vibrant flowers created a sense of serenity and wonder, making it a popular destination for students and faculty alike.
At the heart of the garden was a rare and exquisite species of flower, known as the "Kandul." The Kandul was a delicate, pale-blue flower that bloomed only once a year, under the light of the full moon. Its petals were intricately shaped and colored, with a subtle sheen that seemed to glow in the moonlight.
The Kandul flower was highly prized for its beauty and rarity, and it was said to have a number of unique properties that made it highly valuable to botanists and researchers.
The flower was heavily guarded by the garden's security team, who were tasked with protecting the garden's valuable plant species from theft and vandalism. The garden's security measures included advanced surveillance systems, motion detectors, and patrol guards.
To retrieve the Kandul flower, Wren knew she needed to navigate through the garden's security measures undetected, avoiding the guards and cameras that watched over the garden's grounds.
The garden's layout was complex, with winding paths and strategically placed plantings that made it difficult to navigate.
The flower was located in a secluded area of the garden, surrounded by a ring of smaller flowers that seemed to glow in the moonlight.
To reach the flower, she would need to use her knowledge of the garden's layout and security measures to evade detection and retrieve the flower without being seen.
The task would require Wren to be stealthy, resourceful, and determined. She would need to use her skills and knowledge to outsmart the garden's security measures and retrieve the Kandul without getting caught. If she succeeded , she would be one step closer to completing the tasks set by the teacher and earning the reward. But if she failed, she would be putting herself at risk of detection and punishment.