Vol.01: Ch.08: The Unseen Power: Darell's Mysterious Encounter

When Darell pushed open the door, a sudden rush of energy took hold of him. The surroundings he found himself in were nothing like he had ever seen before. It was as though he had been transported to a completely different realm, one filled with an ethereal darkness. But, what caught his attention were the small orbs of light scattered around the area. They varied in size and shape, but all of them radiated a warm, comforting glow.

Darell was completely mesmerized by the beauty of this otherworldly realm, his jaw dropping in awe as he took in the scenery around him. It was almost as if he was under a spell, completely lost in the moment. And, even though he couldn't explain it, a sense of comfort enveloped his body, filling him with a euphoria that he couldn't resist.

As Darell stood there, lost in his thoughts, a voice called out from behind him. "Beautiful, isn't it?" it said.

Darell didn't register the voice at first, his mind still preoccupied with the enchanting scenery around him. He simply nodded his head in agreement without turning around.

But then, a split second later, realization dawned on him. He quickly spun around, his body instantly taking a defensive stance. He had no idea who the voice belonged to or what their intentions were. All he knew was that he had to be ready for anything.

Darell strained his eyes, trying to get a better look at the figure standing before him. But all he could see was a giant orb of light, shimmering brilliantly in front of him.

The orb spoke again, "Not a bad response speed for someone your age," it said, pausing for a moment before continuing, "You are a lucky lad to have met me."

Darell couldn't help but scoff at the orb's statement. He wondered what the orb wanted from him and if he should trust it. But something about its radiant energy made him curious to learn more.

The orb continued to shimmer before Darell, its presence commanding attention. "Do you know who I am?" it asked.

Darell shook his head, his mind still trying to comprehend the situation. "Well, all I can see is the orb of light in front of me," he replied, trying to recall the voice he had heard earlier.

The orb sparkled in response, almost nodding in agreement. "Even if I show you my real figure, you may not recognize me," it said.

Darell was even more confused now, unsure of what to make of this strange encounter. "Is this part of the test?" he asked, hoping for some clarification.

The orb of light dimmed for a moment before suddenly shining brightly once again. "Test?...Oh!" it exclaimed, as though something had just clicked into place.

In an instant, another orb of light materialized before Darell, and from it emerged an unconscious middle-aged man. Darell recognized him as the examiner responsible for the test.

He approached the orb cautiously, his fists clenched and ready to defend himself if necessary. He knew that whoever was hiding behind the orb was an incredibly powerful person. His Inspect skill had failed to work on them, indicating that they were far stronger than anyone he had ever encountered.

As he took in the scene before him, Darell couldn't help but notice that the unconscious man was no ordinary being. He was a person who was proficient in rank 08 spells and his presence alone was enough to make Darell feel small and powerless. Despite knowing that he stood no chance against such a formidable opponent, Darell refused to back down without a fight. He was prepared to defend himself with all his might, even if it meant risking his life in the process.

When Darell stood before the orb, its radiant glow caught his attention. "Perhaps it was Fate for us to meet here, young lad," it spoke, its voice resonating in the air around them.

Darell felt uneasy at the mention of Fate. He had always been skeptical of such claims, believing that one's destiny was shaped by their own actions, not by some predetermined path.

The orb seemed to sense his apprehension and reassured him, "Don't be afraid, as you don't have anything valuable enough for me. I have arrived here to give you something that belongs to you."

Darell couldn't help but scoff at the orb's words. "There is no such thing as Fate," he rebuked. "People who brag about Fate are hypocrites, as they are the ones who steal other people's opportunities. Even if Fate was real, then what is the meaning of our existence if our lives are already predetermined, and our birth and death are already set in stone on a particular date? A crippled person with no hope may become a powerhouse if they stumble across a supreme treasure. Such encounters change a person's 'Fate'. One only has to work hard enough to change their destiny."

"HaHaHa!", the orb's maniacal laughter echoed through the air, and Darell couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. "What's so funny?", he demanded, his frustration mounting.

The orb seemed to take pleasure in his irritation, taunting him with a cryptic remark. "You are indeed its legacy," it said, its voice dripping with amusement.

Darell was puzzled by the orb's words, unsure of what it meant. "What do you mean?" he asked, hoping for some clarity.

But the orb remained silent, leaving Darell to wonder about the meaning behind its enigmatic statement. "Who are you talking about?" he pressed, growing more and more frustrated.

"When the time comes, you will learn the truth," the orb replied cryptically, leaving Darell with more questions than answers.

The orb simply shimmered, "I hope you succeed in whatever you are trying to achieve, young lad," it said in a voice that was both soothing and mysterious. "May Zephirah bless you with a long life of happiness!"

The orb's mysterious words echoed in Darell's ears as it suddenly enveloped him entirely. Darell struggled to free himself, but the orb's power was too strong for him to break free. He was trapped, and his heart raced as he wondered what was happening to him.

Then, a sudden rush of knowledge surged into Darell's mind, overwhelming him with an excruciating pain that seemed to split his head open. He grasped his head tightly and writhed on the ground, tears streaming down his cheeks. The pain was too much to bear, and he screamed out in agony.

For what felt like an eternity, Darell lay there, consumed by the unbearable pain. But eventually, his body gave in, and his eyes rolled back as he fell unconscious. The world around him faded to black as he slipped into an unconscious state, unaware of what had happened to him.

After what seemed like an eternity of darkness, Darell began to stir. As he slowly regained consciousness, he felt a sharp pain in his head and his eyes felt heavy. Slowly, he opened his eyes to find himself in a dimly lit room. A table and chair were the only furnishings in the otherwise empty room. To his surprise, an old man was seated on the chair, his eyes closed as if in deep thought.

Darell quickly checked himself for any signs of harm but found nothing amiss. A sense of relief washed over him as he realized he was safe.

After a few moments, the old man opened his eyes and a warm smile spread across his face. "Ah! Darell Rogers! You have passed the test," he said. "You can go and meet Instructor Walter on your way out. He will explain further details."

Darell was perplexed. He had no recollection of a test, or of any old man. The only thing he remembered was the mysterious orb and the excruciating pain he had experienced. The old man seemed to sense Darell's confusion and simply smiled enigmatically.

As Darell made his way out of the room, his mind raced with questions. What was the test? Who was that old man? And what did the orb do to him? Despite his apprehension, Darell couldn't shake off the feeling that whatever was happening was part of a greater plan. He felt a strange sense of calm and reassurance, as if some divine power was watching over him.

As he stepped out of the room, he was greeted by Emma's beaming face. Her eyes sparkled with joy and her smile could brighten up anyone's day.

"Hey, Darell! I'm so happy you made it here!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around his.

Darell couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth spread through him as he hugged her back. "Me too, Emma. It's good to see you," he replied with a grin.

Emma's expression turned mischievous as she leaned in close. "You know what this means, right? We can finally be together as newlyweds in the academy!"

But before Darell could even respond, Walter appeared next to them, his presence commanding attention.

"I hate to burst your bubble, Emma, but the academy has strict policies on co-ed living arrangements. Members of the opposite gender cannot stay in the same room," he informed them sternly.

Emma's face fell, disappointment etched across her features. She shot Walter a look of disgust, as though he had just ruined her life.

Walter cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the group. "Ahem... Allow me to remind you of the rules and regulations of this Academy," he began, speaking with a measured tone.

"We have separate dormitories for male and female students. As per your parents' instructions, Emma, Ariel, and Lilith have been assigned to one room, while Eric and Darell will share another."

Walter proceeded to outline the hierarchy of the students, with third years being the senior-most and first years being the newest arrivals.

He continued, "There are different tournaments and events that will be held throughout the year, with strict rules that must not be violated by any student, regardless of their family's position in the noble hierarchy. If anyone is caught breaking the rules, they can expect severe consequences from the Academy."

"To monitor your progress, you will each receive special status cards, which the teachers will use to grade you based on your performance in these events. Your day will be divided into morning magic classes and afternoon combat classes, with opportunities to earn special badges for exceptional performance."

Walter also explained the location of the halls where students could purchase necessary items and equipment. "Finally," he added, "it's important to remember that even though there are many rules in place, some students may still consider themselves above the law. It's best to avoid them."

All of them listened attentively, nodding their heads in agreement.

As the group left the hall, Walter's voice echoed behind them, "Alright, it's time for you to begin your journey in the Academy. Good luck, as you will need it."

They were then led to their respective rooms by another instructor, where they settled in and unpacked their belongings. The new surroundings were met with a mixture of excitement and reverence, and no one was content to simply lie down and rest. Instead, they all eagerly explored the academy, taking in everything around them.

When Darell looked around, taking in the sights and sounds of the academy, he couldn't help but feel excited. This was his chance to start a new life, to leave behind the past and embrace the future. The possibilities seemed endless, and he knew that with hard work and determination, he could achieve anything he set his mind to.

Thousands of kilometers away from the planet, in the dark void of space, a figure suddenly materialized. It was like nothing anyone had ever seen before. The figure was completely black, from head to toe, and had jet black hair that shone in the dim light of the stars.

The power emanating from the figure was so great that it distorted the space around it, warping the very fabric of the universe. The figure slowly opened its eyes, revealing that they were completely white. It looked in the direction of Darell and muttered to itself in a low, ominous tone.

"I have kept our promise," it said, the words echoing through the void.

A few minutes later, the figure dissipated into nothingness, leaving no trace behind.

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