Austin finally took a good look at Elena. An oval face framed by long, silky black hair that cascades down her back. A delicate, straight nose and large, almond shaped brown eyes.
"She's definitely that Elena." Austin thought. A chill went down his spine and cold sweat formed on his forehead. He recalled one of the character portraits of the main characters. 'Elena Moonshadow', the Bloodthirsty queen. Known for her cold and merciless characteristics.
Even though she was voted the most beautiful female character among the players, she never smiles and all her character dialogues were filled with curses and hateful speech for others.
She was one of the most highly sought character, players could play as. She had SS rating. Immensely powerful, known for her berserk skill and sword techniques. She could slice enemies like vegetables. But the thing that made Austin nervous and afraid right now, was her backstory.
She loses the only childhood friend of hers in her academy days, during an incident involving an eclipse defector. That event changes her completely, leading to the characteristics she had in the game. Completely opposite to this cheerful and warm Elena in front of him right now.
The description said her only childhood friend, and from Grey's memories, he could deduce only one point.
It is him, or so as to say Grey.
"So that's the reason he's so broken but not known. He fucking dies!"
"Are you alright Grey? Your face…doesn't look good." Elena asked concernedly, seeing him staring at her with a weird look on his face.
"Huh?...I-I feel a bit weak. I think I'll feel good after some rest. I'll see you later than…Elena." He hurriedly walked past her, unable to look into her eyes.
"But…" She was a bit surprised and tried to call him, but Austin was already far ahead.
"Goodbye miss Elena." Aeron quicky followed after Austin, seeing him rush away.
"Ya…Goodbye." She was left standing, confused and surprised, while Austin and Aeron were already out of the academy campus.
"Wait for me Grey!" Aeron called out, asking him to slow down, but Austin was completely lost in thought, oblivious to his callings.
"I need to stay away from her. And…I need to fucking change my death event."
*****
"This is our hostel?" Austin asked with furrowed brows.
In front of him was an old two storied building with a slanted wooden roof. Its condition was so bad that even birds refused to make their nests, fearing when it might collapse. The creepers had covered every inch of the outer walls. Dust formed layers above the walls, and cracks so large that a bed might fit inside.
"This is what you get for being the lowest in the ladder, being in the auxiliary C class." Aeron said in a nonchalant tone, acting as if it was normal.
The classes in the academy were arranged based on entrance examination rankings. Based on the written test scores and physical prowess through practical tests. Giving greater emphasis on the practical tests, which contributed almost eighty percent of the total marks.
The first hundred ranks were placed in the top S class. the next hundred in A class. the further next hundred in B class and the last hundred in the auxiliary C class. considered to be helpers in the battlefield, having no major contribution in warfare.
Austin let out a helpless sigh. What could he do. This is what one gets for being weak. Since the game started with characters already having some influence after earning merits in the war. He had no information of the academy and the events that would have happened during this time.
He helplessly accepted the situation. Followed Aeron inside, passing through the common hall, climbing the stairs and moved to his room. Aeron took some clothes and towel, and left to take a shower in the common shower area. Giving Austin some time to check the system reward he left unclaimed.
"System."
DING! The system screen appeared with an exclamation mark at the synchronization reward panel.
The cultivation techniques appeared after he clicked on the mark. Austin checked each one. Carefully reading the details. The legendary rank techniques were the basic aura and body cultivation technique, just higher in rank. He crossed the two immediately, and checked the mythic ones next.
[Apex cultivation technique:
One of the very few mythic rank aura cultivation techniques. Focuses on refining and condensing one's spiritual energy, the aura into a tangible form. One can imbue their aura with elemental property of his affinity. Extremely demanding technique, requiring precise control and strong will.]
[Void cultivation technique:
The only mythic rank body cultivation technique. Draws power from not qi or spiritual energy, but the very surrounding emptiness itself. Learn to open your body to the void and absorb its inherent nothingness. Mastering this technique allows one to manipulate void to a certain extent, allowing instantaneous movements and strikes that seemingly come from nowhere. However, any misstep in practice could result in the body being consumed by the very nothingness they seek to control.]
"Damn! That's bold. I don't want to have the fear of death all the time even while practicing." He rejected the void technique outright. It was immensely strong technique, but the strict conditions of practice made him leave it out.
The cultivation technique he was considering more was the body cultivation one's rather than the aura cultivation techniques. The reason being he was an MMA fighter in his previous life. Karate, boxing, wrestling, jiu-jutsu were his expertise.
If he could, he wanted to train his body in this magical world and recreate all the martial art moves again. But the body he was in, Grey, was already practicing an aura cultivation technique. Though the most basic one. Also the void technique was too risky, he wasn't that excited with it.
"I hope you are a body cultivation technique. Don't disappoint me Primordial rank." Austin then clicked on the primordial rank Astral cultivation technique.