Chapter 8 - One Week (1)

Darius was still in shock over being able to live longer by simply killing monsters. However, there was still one part of the skill which he didn't understand at all.

It said that he would be able to get stronger with his <Life Steal> skill, however at the moment he had only figured out how to live longer.

But, still, it wasn't like he could ask the system.

In fact, he had tried to do so as he wanted to figure out more things about his system and his skill, however, no matter how many times he would ask.

The system simply wouldn't answer, leaving him in the dark.

"So, are you still decided on heading toward the Avalon Empire?" asked Ashe, hoping that he would change his mind.

Because she knew how horrific the empire could be for weak awakeners without much power. She wasn't sure what sort of skill and system Darius had awakened.

But, there was one thing which she was sure of at the moment. It was about his stats, they had to be really bad considering what he did in the past which is absolutely nothing.

There was not an ounce of muscle on Darius's body, however, she couldn't let that determine his worth as he had killed a goblin quite easily and on his first try.

She had to admit that it had impressed her a little to see such action coming out of Darius who once seemed to be a lost cause.

However, she still knew that he hadn't trained his body at all as it was visible. She had no idea how he had gotten such skills with a knife, but it didn't really interest her.

"Uh, yeah, why wouldn't I be?" asked Darius, unsure why Ashe seemed hesitant to bring him there.

Ashe, however, had some arguments ready against him leaving the forest and the small wooden cabin which he had previously called home.

"Well, do you even have an idea of what you want to do over there?" she asked, knowing that he didn't even know what was in the Avalon Empire as he could only see it from far away.

'Well, I don't even know what I can do over there. I have no idea what's popular in this world,' thought Darius.

"Couldn't you just guide me there and tell me about what I can do?" said Darius as if it was evident that such a thing would happen.

"I guess I can do that, however, I have a question relating to what you would be doing in the Empire," said Ashe, waiting a little, making sure that she had grasped Darius's attention.

Seeing Darius look her in the eyes, she began telling him her question.

"There will be one major choice when arriving in the city. The first one is to join the Adventurer Guild which I'm part of, so that you will be able to earn some income to survive."

Darius hearing that first choice wasn't that interesting as he had noticed that Ashe seemed bound to the Empire or the Adventurer Guild as she called it.

"The second option which, in my opinion, is a lot better, especially for a person as young as you would be for you to join the Royal Academy," she said as she stopped talking, thinking that Darius must have heard about it before.

However, confusion was the only thing Darius possessed at the moment, as he couldn't but wonder what this Royal Academy even was.

He had no choice but to ask her what it was.

"So, what is the Royal Academy?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot that you lived so far away from the Empire ever since you were young," said Ashe, apologizing for not realizing such a thing,

Then, after her apology, she started her explanation over the Royal Academy.

"The Royal Academy is quite the renowned place actually that's why I forgot to tell you what it was. Basically, the Royal Academy is the best academy in the world which is the reason for the fame it currently possesses."

'Best Academy in the world? Can I even join that?' thought Darius as he knew that he had just awakened.

"In the academy, you won't have to worry about anything, food, lodging, whatever you might need will be given by the Royal Academy. In fact, you have any problem joining as they accept everyone inside the Academy," said Ashe, responding to Darius's previous thoughts.

'They accept everyone? But, then how can they even be the best academy if they do such a thing,' thought Darius not understanding how it was even possible.

"However, not everyone can stay inside the academy for a long time. I don't have too much information about that subject, but all I know is that it that it's very competitive to awakeners and that you will have to work hard to keep your spot."

'Work hard? That's not a problem,' thought Darius as he had always worked hard even in his previous life trying to perfect his skills to the maximum that he, humanly, could.

However, there was one big problem, Darius's lifespan which was of only six months.

It really wasn't a long time at all, which is why Darius proposed something to Ashe, some sort of proposal which would be the perfect choice.

"Let's say that I delayed my arrival to the Royal Academy and instead got stronger here by killing monsters. Could I join it later or is there some sort of deadline to joining the academy?" asked Darius as he wanted to be able to have some more lifespan before joining a school where he didn't know what would happen inside.

Ashe was overjoyed, hearing him say that since that was all she wished. She wanted him to stay inside this forest as long as possible before learning about the cruel world which surrounded them.

"Of course, you can stay here. In fact, you can stay here for as much time as you want," she exclaimed excitedly, not even answering Darius's question.

"And what about the deadline for joining the academy?" reminded Darius.

"Oh, right. Well, there's one week until the Opening Ceremony of the Academy, so if you want to join it then you'd need to get there before then."