Darkness.
Then, the sound of the wind, dull and distant, as if blowing from an endless gorge.
Mark found himself standing on a devastated battlefield. The sky was crimson red, and black lightning flashed through motionless clouds. Around him, mountains of lifeless bodies: men, women, creatures. Broken swords, torn banners, dried blood drawing unknown runes on the ground.
Atop the highest of those mountains-composed only of bone and flesh-sat a hooded figure on a twisted, black throne.
It did not move. Only his gaze, it was aimed straight at him.
Mark could not see its eyes, but he knew he was being watched.
He took a step back. The throne creaked and the figure slowly tilted his head. Then, very slowly, the mouth, hidden in the shadows, moved.
The lips moved, but no sound came out of them.
Mark tried to understand.
It sounded like ... an ancient language. Or maybe ... his name?
Then, the figure raised a single hand - skinny, unnaturally long fingers.
A vague, but unmistakable gesture: awaken.
The sky ripped open in a flash of light.
The roar of awakening swept over him like a wave.
Mark suddenly heaved himself up on the infirmary crib, drenched in sweat. His heart hammered in his chest as if he had been fighting for hours.
A calm voice came from behind a curtain:
âYou're finally awake!â
It was Aaron, his eyes shining.
âYou slept for a whole day!â
Mark looked around, still confused.
âH... did I win?â he asked in a rough voice.
A more mature voice answered, coming closer:
âYes, Mark. You won.â
It was the rector of the academy. Behind him, Anna and Rob emerged running toward their son still bandaged and in pain. They hugged him tightly.
âMark, I'm glad you woke up, I wanted to tell you in person.... The Convergence Academy is happy to accept your admission!. For now, enjoy the day. You will leave tomorrow morning together with Aaron.â
said the rector smiling and walking away.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Mark was still confused but the news had brought him to his senses.
âMark! We saw you on TV! When you unlocked your oneness, your father fainted!â
said his mother, beaming.
âThat's not true! I just had a sugar crash!â
replied Rob agitatedly.
Anna laughed and approached Mark, covering her mouth with one hand:
âThat's not true, he had had his fill of pancakes with maple syrup!â
All three burst out laughing.
âWe are really proud of you, finally your dream is coming true,â they said with a look full of pride and happiness.
Then Anna turned to Aaron:
âAnd who is this boy?â
Aaron stood up, stood in front of Mark's parents, knelt down and said:
âI met your son and we became friends.
Would you allow me to stand by him?â
An unusual gesture. No one kneels to ask for friendship, even in front of the royal family.
Mark's parents looked at each other for a moment, then laid a hand on Aaron's shoulder:
âThere is no need to kneel. Friendship is not asked for, it is given.
And from today ... you are part of the family.â
-Break-
The day passed quickly and soon night fell. Alone, with silence all around, Mark could finally open his system.
[System:
Name Mark lv 4 Apprentice
Life: 175 hp
mana: none
Fatigue: none
Uniqueness:
- Aberration of Perseverance (Usage unknown)
- Ardor (allows the user to ignite his or her soul, increasing each statistic for every second it remains active)
Skill
- Agile Sword Technique lv 2 (His sword skill)
- Consciousness Base lv 5 (Thinks logically, ignores emotions, passive)
- Thick skin base lv 8 (Reduces damage and pain received)
- Perfect balance base lv 6 (Increases the subject's balance)
- Ultra focus base lv 10 (Increases concentration, speed and thinking and accuracy)
- Berserker Base lv 1 (Subject enters a state of chaos that allows for increased damage)
Character points: 15
- Strength: 14
- Dexterity: 14
- Sense: 9
- Stamina: 17
- Intelligence: 6
Mark didn't know what to say. He had really become stronger.
[Notice: assigning characteristic points].
'I think this will do.'
Characteristic points: 0
- Strength: 19
- Dexterity: 16
- Senses: 12
- Stamina: 20
- Intelligence: 8
Mark glimpsed his new Onenesses. Aberration of Perseverance was blocked. The description read âUnknown.â
Then he stopped on Ardor: it was the same skill he had seen Elija use.
How could this be possible? Uniquenesses are supposed to be ... unique.
'Maybe it's an error in the system?'
I have to see it for myself.
The infirmary was connected directly to the arena-Mark had free access.
He got up and moved silently.
He tried to activate Aberration of Perseverance, but a message stopped him:
[Warning:You do not have the rights to activate this ability. Activation of Oneness blocked].
'How strange...'
He then decided to test Ardor.
A crimson aura enveloped him like a fire burning from the heart.The system tracked the surge of his statistics, one after another, as his breathing deepened.
There was no doubt: it was Elija's own Oneness.
How could this be possible?
Doubt crept like a shadow into Mark's mind.
âBetter think about it tomorrow,â he whispered, as he closed the interface and let the aura slowly fade away around him.
He lay down, his body still sore but his mind now far away.
And it was only when the light went out completely that the figure in the stands moved.
A shadow among shadows, impossible to see but not to feel.
Its presence was like a blade in the dark: thin, sharp, and directed only at him.
âSo you...â murmured a cold voice, â...have been chosen.â