The next morning, I woke to my entire body throbbing with sore muscles and a slight ache behind my eyes. My body felt like it had been trampled, which, considering I'd just barely escaped a dungeon boss, wasn't far from the truth. My wounds pretty much closed up and seemed fully healed though probably thanks to the health potion.
I groaned as I rolled over in the dorm bed, every muscle screaming in protest. My arms felt heavy. My back was a single sheet of soreness. Even blinking hurt a little.
Yeah at least I was alive.
Today marks my second day in the game called The Hero's Academy, and I couldn't waste even a single second for what's upcoming...
I sat up slowly, squinting at the unfamiliar room. It was bare, but clean the single desk, bookshelf, small mirror, and dresser were all standard-issue. My bloodied uniform was slung over the back of the chair where I'd left it last night.
Crimson Fang Pendant. It ended up giving me quite a nice skill I only grabbed it a couple times when playing the game but at the cost of nearly bleeding out in a dungeon, it was still worth it. I should probably test out the extent of its powers later though.
I decided to open up the standard student issued laptop and check some basic information. Having a phone would probably be pretty useful so I should go buy one later, if Lucian wasn't completely broke that is.
I got up, wincing at every step, and tapped the screen. It shimmered and displayed a glowing bright screen.
The technology in this world amazed me it was even better than on Earth, but people still fought with swords, shields, and bows. They also still had a system with nobles and a king in charge of the Empire and most of humanity.
I clicked around a little until I found the Hero Academy ranking section.
I hesitated. Then tapped it.
The list expanded instantly, and a golden crest shimmered at the top:1. Caelum Stroud 2. Elric Virelion3. Seraphina Vaelore
4. Reynard Ashborne
5. Elise Noctaire
I scrolled for a while.
Then I scrolled some more.
...
1,500. Lucian Valric
Dead last.
The game never showed this. The original Lucian had been a background extra, barely a footnote. Now, I was at the very bottom of the entire academy's first-year list.
Good. No one would bother noticing me. I could gather hidden pieces and grow stronger in the shadows.
But I wasn't going to stay last forever.
If I wanted to survive, I couldn't.
The higher your rank, the better treatment you got better classes, gear, even dorms. For someone like me, taking everything I could get was crucial.
I closed the screen and turned toward the dresser. I wasn't about to stay in dead last forever though.
Not if I wanted to survive. It would be stupid to stay in last place the higher rank you are the better treatment you receive from classes, training gear, and even basic things like dorms. And for someone with nearly nothing I would taking everything I can get.
What did I need to do to catch up to them? For starters every awakened has an elemental affinity, which is the type of mana each awakened uses and while none are bad some can definitely be stronger than others if used right. I imagine they would test our affinities once the Academy started so nothing I could do there.
Rank mostly depended on mana capacity, potential, and stats. Raising rank was harder the higher you went. For now, all I could do was train my stats and maybe drink a few elixirs.
I already gained a new skill and mastering that would take priority over finding any new ones. This wasn't a game and I couldn't just use my skills with clicks of a button messing up would mean death. I haven't even touched my unique skill yet, mainly because I have the first death flag shouldn't occur for another week.
I changed into a fresh uniform, scarfed down a nutrient bar from on top of my desk and made my way toward the training grounds. The pain in my limbs hadn't faded, but it was manageable a reminder of what I'd been through. And what Id have to go through to not just survive but get stronger.
The academy city was massive more like a fortress city than a school. Huge buildings curved into spires and in the distance, I could see massive towers humming with mana. Even just going to the training grounds was an experience.
Still, it was a breath of fresh air compared to my old world, where I was stuck in a hospital bed.
I passed a few other students along the way some already arriving early, dressed in high-end enchanted robes or full military uniforms. Nobles, no doubt. None of them spared me a glance.
That was fine. I wasn't here to impress them.
The training grounds were quiet this early in the morning. I stepped through the gate, nodding to the bored looking attendant reading a scroll near the entrance. He didn't even look up.
Perfect.
The grounds were huge multiple open sparring rings, obstacle courses, target dummies, and even a mana feedback field. This was the most basic training field too for low rank bums like me. Most of it looked untouched, waiting for students to ruin themselves trying to show off.
I found an empty corner near the edge, then I pulled up the system screen again.
Skill: Predator's Instinct
Your instincts sharpen. Your senses heighten. You are prey no longer.+3 Agility. + 2 Strength. Active effect: [Predator's Glare] – momentarily heightens senses and exudes hostile intent.
I narrowed my eyes.
Last night, I'd skimmed through the description, but now I paid closer attention. The stats it gave were decent and while the active effect was a lifesaver I could barely keep it up for long with my mana amount.
So that's why I was here, I was going to train while keeping Predators Glare active in order to get used to using it in battle and seeing how long I could last.
I took a deep breath, focused, and activated it — just for a second.
Pulse.
Suddenly, the world snapped into clarity. I could hear the wind brushing against the grass. I could feel the subtle shift of air around my skin. Every movement, every sound, every smell, they all popped like someone had sharpened reality.
"Damn," I muttered, wiping the sweat from my forehead.
That… was going to take getting used to.
After a large amount of testing from just straining myself to the limits, to working out while using it to boost my senses I found I could barely keep it in full effect for around three minutes.
But… three minutes might be all I needed in a real fight. The boost it gave me in the dungeon was unreal.
Still. If I used it recklessly, I'd end up straining myself before a demonic beast even touched me.
I'd figure out how to use it. I'd climb those ranks. And the next time someone saw my name on that list, it wouldn't be at the bottom.