2 WEEKS EARLIER
News played on TV while an orange-haired boy watched intently.
"The dungeon raids are stopped due to high civilian casualties; the town paid a heavy debt by losing their hero team," the reporter on TV announced.
"Isn't that your place?" Glenn asked.
"It is, but I just want to confirm something," the guy replied.
"The core casualties of this town were the loss of a group of highly respected people whom people here also consider as 'Heroes,'" the reporter continued.
"Ma'am, can you tell me the name?" the reporter asked a lady.
"I heard it was done by a spirit, and a very smelly and powerful one. What about you? Are you tagging along?" Glenn inquired.
"I think I might…" the guy responded.
"The people used to call them the… Bonded Souls," the lady on TV said.
The guy's eyes widened.
"Yeah, I know. You're going to…" Glenn started.
"…tag along," the guy finished.
PRESENT
Saber lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling.
What will happen to me now? Am I just… going to be alive? Saber thought.
There was a knock on the door.
"Saber? Are you there? I'm leaving the food here, don't forget to eat it," Tina called out.
She picked up the untouched food and placed a fresh one.
"New Task! Would you wish to acc-" the system began.
"Reject. And leave me alone," Saber interrupted.
"The system is still in 'Battle Mode.' Would you wish to-" the system continued.
"Do whatever you want," Saber said.
"Disabling Battle Mode," the system announced.
Saber sighed. "Alright."
"Is he still inside?" the Portion Lady asked.
"Yes, he refuses to eat and ignores to talk," Tina replied.
"Oh! Poor soul, the pain is far greater to deal with," the lady sympathized.
"Here's your yesterday's food," Tina said.
"He didn't even try to look what's inside. I'll be going now. Please take care of the boy for me," the lady requested.
"Sure, ma'am," Tina assured her.
"Hey Tina! Come and help us with this poster!" a girl called out.
"Coming," Tina responded.
"What's this poster about anyway?" the girl asked.
"The Academic Entrance exam, for recently awakened ones," Girl 2 explained.
"Makes sense since the majority of the awakened ones come up from the Resupp Ridge. What's the name of the school again?" Tina asked.
"The Aspire Academy," the girl replied.
"New Task!" the system announced.
"Reject," Saber said.
"This Task cannot be rejected," the system responded.
"Then I'll simply not do it," Saber stated.
"Rejection or Failure to complete this Task will have heavy penalty action, even death," the system warned.
"So are you going to kill me now?" Saber asked.
"If possible for discipline, yes," the system replied.
"You're scary," Saber admitted.
"Not only that, but your soul will be sent to nothingness. Void for eternity," the system added.
"That's good. Nothing is better than most of the happened things, right?" Saber said.
"You'll also return to the world where you came from to complete the life cycle there," the system explained.
Saber got up. "Tell me what to do."
"TASK: Participate in the Entrance Exam of Aspire Academy," the system instructed.
"That's it? All I have to do is take the participation certificate?" Saber questioned.
"You will also have to win it. If failed, the penalty will activate," the system clarified.
That's one of a 'Penalty' if it is said, Saber thought.
Saber came down the stairs.
"Saber! You're finally out! Are you hungry? Do you want anything?" Tina asked.
"I'm just going for a stroll, and I'm fine. Thanks for checking on me," Saber replied.
"A stroll? At this hour?" the girl questioned.
"Let her be. Get some fresh air," Tina suggested.
"Thanks," Saber said.
"This is the one I told you about…" Tina whispered.
"This is the guy who shut himself up for two weeks!?" the girl shouted.
Walking in the midnight
If it is possible, then should I just let myself turn to the void? The silence wasn't bad, and I didn't feel hungry the entire time… Maybe I'm adapting to hunger, and I don't have anyone left anymore, so what's the problem? My problem is I have to complete that life too. I can't skip it, I guess. Maybe I'll just… Saber thought.
"Meow!" a cat said.
"A cat? Is that the cat that Chloe and I used to feed in our free time?" Saber wondered, petting the cat. "Are you hungry? Should I get something to eat?"
The cat looked for someone left and right.
"Sorry pal… she won't be meeting you anymore…" Saber said, tears dropping.
The cat rubbed its back against Saber's leg and meowed softly.
"Wait here, I'll get something to eat," Saber said.
Saber came out with a can of cat food. "Thanks for waiting."
The cat ran off.
"Hey! Wait!" Saber called out.
The cat ran, and Saber followed him. The cat entered a broken and abandoned hotel. Saber entered the empty, abandoned hotel, searching for the cat.
Where did he go? Does he not like this one? Should I bring something else? Saber thought.
Saber climbed upstairs.
"Meow!" the cat said.
"Finally found you," Saber said.
Saber sensed an incoming object.
"ALERT! An incoming threat! Bow down!" the system warned.
A knife flew towards Saber's head; he dodged it.
"What the hell was that-" Saber turned back.
A hand grabbed his neck. The person was covered in a robe. Saber struggled to breathe. The guy's face was covered by a shadow.
"Finally found you. Bastard!" the guy said.
"I… don't even… know you…!" Saber struggled.
"Don't worry, you'll know me… SPIRIT!" the guy shouted.
A sword was about to behead Saber. Saber kicked him and dodged it. Saber coughed. The guy picked up the sword back.
"I've been searching for you for the past two weeks, searched every road, every corner of this town! But finally! Today I got my hands on you, spirit!" the guy exclaimed.
"Alright, so first of all, who's this 'spirit'? And second of all… YOU GOT THE WRONG GUY!" Saber shouted.
"Is that so? Then what you're saying is that you're alive?" the guy questioned.
"Are you drunk? Can't you see I'm a living being?" Saber responded.
Now that I think about it… This guy's aura is on par with the B-grade users, and according to the authorities, the spirit was a special grade. Then could it be that the kid is a spirit user? No! The spirit sorcerer is just a myth in the academy, the guy thought.
"Then…" the guy said, confused.
Saber was also confused.
"Show me that you're NOT a spirit," the guy demanded.
"Are you out of your mind? How am I supposed to 'Show' you?" Saber asked.
"You're clearly an awakened sorcerer, so show me what kind of power you have. And don't fool me," the guy insisted.
"I don't know what kind of powers I have! And how am I supposed to SHOW!!!" Saber shouted.
"So what you're saying is… that aura flowing around you is fake?" the guy pointed at Saber.
Saber was confused.
"That's enough. You're caught now," the guy said.
That's right, a spirit is always a spirit, even if he's a weak one, the guy thought.
The guy jumped at Saber with the sword. Saber dodged it and jumped out of the window. The guy jumped off the next window. Saber ran away; the guy chased him.
"What kind of mess have I fallen into!!!" Saber exclaimed, running.
"Stop resisting!" the guy shouted, running.
They ran to the field where Saber practiced with Carlos. Both stood facing each other, breathing heavily. The guy was breathing normally again, taking a stance to fight.
What kind of monster is he? He's already out of exhaustion? Crazy stamina, honestly, Saber thought, panting.
"You said… you were searching for me… but why specifically me?" Saber asked.
"I don't have any specifications. All I do is exorcise the cursed spirits as orders," the guy replied.
"Well… I'm not dead, so… why after me?" Saber inquired.
"Because you're a curse, more importantly… A lying curse," the guy said, making Saber's eyes widen.
"Are you still stuck in that?" Saber asked.
"Then show me proof," the guy demanded.
"That's enough. Who's your manager? I wanna speak to your manager, and I demand now!" Saber said.
"Enough Chit-Chat, spirit! Now Die!" the guy shouted, bending in a stance and dashing forward.
CLASH!
The guy's eyes widened as he saw Saber with his own handle.
The Core Gear? Him? the guy thought.
"You say spirits are dead people, so how can you even kill someone who's already dead?" Saber questioned.
"How do you have this? How!" the guy exclaimed.
Is this guy's screw loose? Why is he so into me? Saber thought.
"I see, you possessed this child's body, so you're not a cursed spirit but a possessed spirit," the guy concluded.
"That's enough already," Saber said, his aura glowing blue. "You wanted a taste? You'll get one."
"Finally into business, I see," the guy replied, his aura also glowing blue.
Something's not right… The aura around his body was purple a few seconds ago, so what changed? How did he do that? the guy thought.
Saber dashed, and the guy dashed.
CLASH!
The swords clashed; the guy's force was greater. Saber was pushed back. The guy swung his blade. Saber caught that hand, but the guy kicked him. Saber and the guy fought sword-to-sword.
CLANG CLING CLANK
The guy was faster. Saber missed every attack.
Knew it, my eyes are able to catch the movements, but my body isn't, Saber thought.
The guy slammed him against the rock wall of the mountain.
"Pathetic, is this the power of a 'B' grade spirit? You didn't even last-" the guy began, but his eyes widened as Saber grabbed his arm.
"A 'B' grade, you say? To tell you the truth, I always hated the 'B-grade' back then," Saber said, bursting with blue aura.
Is this… aura? How can a spirit have aura in the first place? Is he somehow cursed but doesn't know it yet? the guy wondered.
Saber punched the guy. The guy saved a close call.
He's faster now, the guy realized.
Saber's face showed rage.
I think he hit the adrenaline, I have to calm it down, the guy thought.
Saber threw a second punch, hitting the ground; the ground burst.
"Here goes nothing," the guy said, glowing in aura.
The guy and Saber dashed. Saber tried to punch him but missed every time; the guy sometimes blocked a punch or two.
He's out of control now, the guy thought.
The guy caught Saber's wrist.
"That's enough," he said.
He punched Saber's face, followed by another punch, then kicked Saber's waist, grabbed Saber's leg, and slammed him against the same mountain rock wall. Saber collected energy around his hand; the guy did the same. Both were about to clash when Glenn caught their punches. He pushed Saber back, and the guy calmed down. Glenn let go of his hand.
"Chillax now, my baby monster," Glenn said.
Saber was in dizziness.
"I've never seen you this worked up. What's the deal?" Glenn asked.
"This kid is able to-" the guy started, removing his helmet.
"I know, spirit energy and aura usage at the same time," Glenn interrupted.
"I think the kid is somehow cursed, but that spirit we want. I think he should come too," the guy said.
"'He should come too,' is that what you're saying? Sure." Glenn turned towards Saber. "Listen, kid, you have great potential, so try to contact the Aspire Academy, alright? 'As-pi-re A-ca-de-my.'"
"Is he listening?" the guy asked.
"He is, I just pushed him, that's all," Glenn replied.
The guy walked closer to Saber. "If you have the guts to face me again, then meet me here within a month. I'll be staying here for the time. That is, IF you have the guts."
Saber gritted his teeth.
"Then I'll think if you should go for Aspire Selection or not," the guy added.
"I think he had you," Glenn remarked as the guy walked away.
"Don't take those words too seriously. He's mean on the outside but soft on the inside too. Smell ya!" Glenn said.
Saber relaxed, wind blowing.
"Why taunt him? You could've said it nicely too, right?" Glenn asked.
"If I didn't have done that, he would've gotten relaxed. And he's the first besides Chris to make me serious about a fight. It was a good decision for you to step in there, otherwise, he would've got seriously injured," the guy explained.
Glenn laughed. "I think you misunderstood me."
"How?" the guy asked, confused.
"I didn't step in to save him; I stepped in to save you," Glenn clarified.
The guy's eyes widened in shock.
"Stay vigilant. That kid is the wild card that'll make you regret underestimating them," Glenn said, looking back. "Orion."
Orion clenched his fist.
"Is that so?" Orion responded.
"Do you wish to accept the task now?" the system asked.
"Accept," Saber said, standing and facing the moon. "Let's start this aspiration." He looked back with a smile. "Shall we?"