[Corven Umbrovante]:
Corven gazed out the window at the moving trees of the endless forest below, his face unreadable, his eyes distracted and his mind lost in thought.
He had spent most of the night exploring that archive he found in the Shadow Space. He found many things useful inside such as distant histories of his bloodline and different figures and their journals. He also found technique scrolls that imprinted themselves in his mind when he unscrolled them. Two of them he was able to understand, though he suspects he'll be able to learn more when he reaches a certain level of mastery in his shadow manipulation. He figured he could just master Shadow Tendril and Shadow Clone and then learn somewhere along the lines.
That said, the Archive itself was vast — too vast to explore completely in one night. Instead, Corven spent most of the night familiarizing himself with various sectors of the Archive. He found a console at the center of the archive that indexualized the sectors and sections of the archive. He found the database on the digital console that listed the millions of books and journals and artifacts within the room. Corven even found a section with handwritten journal entries of his ancestors, describing their travels and adventures. Though Corven hadn't managed to find anything related to the Sealing, so he had to assume that this archive was indeed made before the Sealing of the Shadow Realm and the war with the Chaos Realm.
He did find cultivation scrolls, though they were for Transcendent Stages and above. Corven wasn't sure why, but he had a feeling that if he tried to use them at his current cultivation level, he'd spontaneously combust… Wisely, he chose to take a mental note of them and continue on exploring the index and the archive itself.
As he watched the trees pass, he was brought back to reality when an overhead female voice said "This is your captain speaking. We will be arriving at Lucid Dream Meadows in approximately 5 minutes. Please get ready to deboard. Check to make sure you have all your belongings, check your surroundings and thank you for choosing Supersonic Trail Speedway 287; I hope you enjoyed your stay. There will be a Professor waiting for you outside the station, so please keep an eye out. Thank you."
Corven looked out the window and what he saw was indeed a sight for sore eyes: The campus was easily the biggest campus Corven had ever seen, many times bigger than any college or university campus on Earth, with one, big modern castle surrounded by 7 modern mansions, each built different and more unique than the last, likely representing the 7 faction houses within mythorus Academy. Corven saw a stadium twice the size of any football stadium Corven had ever seen and a large gladiator pit located behind the castle.
Surrounding the campus itself was a busy town, quiet but productive, silently buzzing with activity. There were various shops and buildings lining this town, and, like the ground of the academy, the grounds of the town were neat and bricked, making a smooth road for mounts. This town was known as "Lucid Dream Meadows."
As the Train pulled into the train station, Corven noticed four other similar length trains pulling into the same station on the tracks beside theirs, coming from different directions.
"Now arriving, Lucid Dream Station. Doors open to the right," the female overhead voice sounded. "Please gather your belongings, look both sides before crossing the tracks. And, again, thank you for choosing Supersonic Trail Speedway 287."
Corven made sure he got everything within his Shadow Space, and then made his way out of his room, and out of the compartment, where he met with Cimon and Celeste as they made their way towards the exit. The corridors were already bustling with other kids, but thankfully, Corven's compartment was already close to one of the exits, so they did not need to wait long before they exited the train.
As the trio got off, they followed the crowd of students to a platform away from the tracks where a tall man stood, wearing a black and red expensive looking suit, with black dress shoes and a red button down shirt, with black slacks. He had silver cuffs to each wrists that had intricate designs on them and, strapped to his back was a Stygian black and red blade. Corven did not know it but his blade was called "Soul Bitter" and it was a Peak Legendary grade weapon, from what Corven could sense. He had a black and red long coat that reached past his knees — It was black on the outside and red linen on the inside. He looked to be relatively young — No older than 27, but Corven could feel the power of his presence — he was at least at the Chaotic Stage, Corven just knew; maybe even the early levels of the Legendary stage. At the very least, he was at the peak of the Ascendent stages, that was for sure.
And there was something else… A connection he could feel that seemed to have already formed between them. It was faint and slow, but it was there. And, evidently, the man sensed it, too, as he had taken a distracted moment to fix his hard gaze Corven's way, head tilted, curious, before coming back to himself and addressing the gathered students.
"Silence!" his voice rebound across the pavilion, tone so commanding, everyone instantly shut their mouths. "I… am Athan Eubuleus," as he spoke, his red hair and red eyes seemed to glow in the morning sun like flames… Flames of blood, his hair styled but in a wild kind of way. "I will be guiding the first years to the main castle."
For a brief moment, his eyes locked with Corven's eyes, before he looked away, and continued. "For the older students, please head to either the main castle or your dormitories. You already know where you need to be."
A handful of older teens and older youths headed out, heading towards either the castle or one of the seven mansions surrounding it. Some walked, others ran; Corven saw some summoning mounts. Either way, they trekked across the town towards the campus of Mythorus.
Whenever they were gone, Athan continued. "I will not tolerate annoyances nor any nuances throughout this stroll, so keep to yourselves and obey my commands."
The other students were quieted. They weren't sure they liked this man, but, considering he was obviously a professor at the academy and he had a powerful aura, no one said anything about how they felt about him out loud. In the cultivating world, the strong reigned supreme; they made the rules — And everyone else followed them.
Eventually, a squadron of chariots arrived, each pulled by griffons. Each student was instructed three to a chariot while Athan rode on the back of a black pegasus, leading everyone towards the campus at the head.
Corven, in a chariot with Celeste and Cimon, rode silently, with Cimon reigning their griffon. Marxes, Jabari and one of Celeste's cousins rode in the chariot behind them.
It wasn't long before they landed on the laws of the campus's big castle. Many of the students were gawking at the modern castle before them. They knew it would be big as they had seen it from the station. That said, it was even more grand in-person, up and close. Even a few noble born students were nodding their approval at such a sight. They may have been nobleborn, but even they could admit the castle's magnificence.
Athan Eubuleus watched as the students looked at the massive modern castle in awe, even as the chariots pulled by the griffons flew away, Athan waited, giving the students a second to soak in the view. It was not every day new students got to see such a castle up close and personal for the very first time. This was an experience best left to be marinated in the first time.
Eventually, Athan spoke. "Welcome…to Mythorus Academy! This will be your home for the next 6 years of your lives, so work hard. You are the next generation of cultivators — Your stories are only just beginning," Athan said, taking another moment to let his words sink in, briefly eyeing Corven, inquisitively. "Now follow me. The Avouching Ceremony is about to begin, where you will, hopefully, be claimed, if you're a demigod, tested for your affinity and sorted into your factions, which will be like your academic family during your stay at Mythorus Academy."
Athan opened the grand, bronze double doors onto a Great Hall with two stairways on either side leading to the upper areas of the castle and a passageway on the left, right and ahead that led to other corridors of the castle. A few passing students — later year students who had already arrived at the academy before their arrival — attempted to approach some of the first years, to cause trouble no doubt, but, with only a glare, Athan scared them off. Eventually another adult approached, followed by two more.
The first was a well-muscled blond, tan-skinned man with sky blue eyes and a mighty aura. He wore a white long sleeve button down that displayed his great physique and a pair of neatly ironed khakis, with brown leather boots and matching leather shoulder pad armor on his right shoulder. A Chaotic rank silver sword was strapped to his back. He was of Chaotic rank, Corven was certain, likely mid-level Chaotic rank based on his aura.
The next was a tall, athletic brunette with a clever face and caucasian skin. He was at the low-level Chaotic rank, though he carried no weapon — Corven had a feeling he had more mischievous ways of fighting than anyone else around. He wore simple pants and a tunic with a leather jacket and boots.
The last was a caucasian woman with violet red wine eyes and hair, with a slim, spoon build and a magic staff strapped to her back. She was at mid-level Chaotic rank. She wore a slim dress that complimented her eyes and matching heeled slippers. She moved with grace and beauty befitting someone of her level.
"Faction Head Athan, welcome back," the muscled one patted Athan on the shoulders, hard. To which Athan just glared at the man, who only slightly flinched, before scratching the back of his head. "Forgot. Your antisocial, no touching rules, my bad."
'So he's a faction head…,' Corven thought to himself, tilting his head in curiosity, before turning to Celeste, who was looking at Athan respectfully. 'I wonder what house she'll pick, though… Then again, not my business.'
Athan chose not to respond. Instead, he looked like he did not want to be there. He then looked behind him at the wide eyed students watching this interaction and could not help but sigh heavily. He'd rather be anywhere else in the world than on Freshman Duty.
The mischievous one looked behind Athan, to the student collective of first years. His gaze was like that of a trickster; mischievously glinted and predatory. Corven could tell immediately that he did not like him. At all. "So this must be the new batch of first years," the brunette's eyes fell on the students, but most of them had to look away, uncomfortable. Whenhis eyes fell on Celeste and then on Corven, they both held his gaze, surprising him, if his brief wide eyes were anything to go on. "This is quite the promising line up we have this year…," he looked between Corven and Celeste, interest evidently piqued. "My name is Draco Jackson — I'm the head of the Infernis Faction. If either of you are interested in joining my Infernis Faction, just let me know."
Corven had to viscerally fight his gag reflex at the smile this man was giving him. 'Hell no, motherfucker. No way in fucking hell!' he thought internally, but the man seemed to think his reaction was one of overwhelming bashfulness and just continued his pukably mischievous grin. Celeste was not in any better state; she had to will herself to stay kindly smiling, but her eyebrows were twitching as if uncomfortable.
"Stop being a creep, Draco, you're scaring them," sounded the voice of the only woman present, pulling Draco out of the way by the ear. She then stepped forward. "I am Madea Helios J.r, head of the Mysti Faction," the woman said, introducing herself, looking at Celeste. "My doors are always open if you want to talk… And, between us girls," she put her hand up to whisper to Celeste, though her voice was still heard by everyone present. "us girls should stick together. I propose you join my faction. Many of our members are women. The men are mostly just slaves."
"Alright, alright, enough of that. No one wants to join your insane Amazonian-influenced cult woman!" snapped Draco Jackson, irritably.
"Well, at least it's not a cult of trickers!" snapped back Madea.
The two began arguing like children. In that time of distraction, the buff man spoke. "I am also a Faction Head… Name's Cole, Cole Seger, of the great and righteous house of House Seger —- I am head of the Heavenly Faction," the muscled one said, gruffly. "My faction is the strongest amongst all the factions in the academy. All the ones worthy and all the ones strong are welcome in the Heavenly Faction."
Many nobleborn with smug expressions eyed Cole with smirks, as if they were thinking that getting into the Heaven Faction was written for them. Many of them view getting into this faction as their birthright. They were legacies of this school — their parent's parents went here; If they couldn't get into the best factions like their forefathers, it was going to be hard writing home to their parents about it. And a faction as strong as the Heavenly Faction was the ideal faction to be in at the Academy. As far as they were concerned, they were already inside it, at least by a step or two.
"Stop poaching students before their Avoucing Ceremony!" snapped an annoyed Athan. "I am in charge of bringing this batch of students to the ceremony, and I shall do so without you devils corrupting their decisions."
"Oh, Athan, just because the Shadow Faction has the most median of rankings amongst the 7 factions doesn't mean that you have any right to tell us what we need to do," smirked Draco mischievously, his honey milk tone like venom even to Corven's own ears, caused Athan's face to sour.
"Now, now, Draco, that's enough," cautioned Madea, voice feigning sympathy as she looked at Athan. "Perhaps it will be within this batch of students that you will find your own apprentice, Athan… You are, after all, the only one of us faction heads — and even the only one amongst the Senior Instructors — here without one."
Athan ignored the both of them, though, stepping past them to lead the group of students into the Dining Hall, where 21 long tables resided — Three per group at 7 parts of the hall, evidently splitting these tables into seven groups of three, likely representing the 7 factions of the Academy. There were already students at two of each tables in all 21 tables, their chattering quieted by the arrival of the term's first years. These students were definitely 2nd to 6th year students, Corven realized as he noticed some looked slightly older than him while others looked to be 19, going on 20 years of age.
Each group had a different color cloth on their tables. One group had sky blue, while another had deceptive red. One had steel grey while another had violet-red. One had indigo blue while another had earthly green. Corven even saw a table group with dark black table cloths. Each of these clothes had their faction crest at the center of their tablecloths.
Lighting up the Dining Halls were glowing, multi colored orbs that floated overhead, glowing up those below. Various windows showed the Academy grounds and wallings outside. At the front of the hall itself was a singular, semi-circular table where three more instructors sat, watching the new years' arrivals with rapt interest in their eyes.
The first woman was ginger, with green eyes and a curvaceously slim form. She had caucasian skin and Corven thinks she was at the low level Chaotic Stage, from what he could sense. She wore a green, flowing dress with flowers in her head and matching slippers. A pair of long diggers were sheathed to her hips and she eyed the new arrivals with the gaze of a cat, keen and deductive.
The person next to her was also caucasian, with brown eyes, brown hair and an average build. He wore a brown intellectual suit, and glasses and had many alchemic jewelry and runic symbols as accessories, all likely powerful artifacts. He held no weapon and was only at Peak Demigod rank, but Corven knew he shouldn't try to mess with this one — Despite his low level cultivation and his nerdy appearance, his inquisitive stare was cold and soul-searching. Corven's instincts told him this one was not one to be messed with.
The last guy was a latin deep tan, with deep brown eyes, wild messy black hair and a lean, athletic build. He was a low level Chaotic rank cultivator, and wore a white button down, black slacks and shoes under a long lab coat. He waved at Marxes upon seeing him, to whom waved right back.
"Do you know him?" Corven heard Jabari ask Marxes.
"He's Dr. Bruce Lee Bacchius of House Bacchius, though we just call him Dr. B most of the time," Marxes stated plainly. "House Bacchius is a banner house for my family. We've always gotten along and we have strong ties with them."
Upon entry into the Dining Hall, Cimon left to sit at the black cloth table, wishing Corven and Celeste good luck. Eventually, the other three teachers also left for the head table, leaving Athan to organize the remaining students into a line, as he began to speak, his mere voice demanding the silence of the halls instantly.
"Welcome, students, to this year's Avouching Ceremony!" Athan's voice reverberated across the hall. "I, along with the 6 behind me, will be your faction head instructors for the semester. Today, we shall sort you all into your factions shortly. But, first, we must go over a few things.
"First on our agenda are Student Points and House Points. Student Points will be given to those who go above and beyond; they are used to access the Great Library, which have all kinds of skill books, technique scrolls and cultivation techniques one can practice. You can also acquire Student Points when you win duels and different challenges, to which I will explain next. House Points are points collectively given unto factions, when, at the end of the year, will be tallied and the top three houses will be awarded with entry unto the Great Library.
"Next, Duels and Challenges. Because of the Student Ranking system we have in place, duels and challenges are allowed, and must take place on the Training Grounds. The challenger, if won, will go up in the ranking, taking the place of the challenged. If the challenger loses said duel, then nothing happens to either of them. One can only challenge those ahead of them; not behind.
"Missions and Quests issued by the town's Adventurer's Guild that are successful will also boost one's placings in the Student Rankings, so feel free to get your Adventurer's License in town if you have yet to do so. It could be a big help. Also, most missions, or quests, have little to no time limit, so there shouldn't be much pressure on completing them. They are separated into Tier D to Tier Z tiers, but only Transcendents can take on Tier SS to Tier Z missions and only Ascendants can take on Tier B to Tier S missions, so unless you are of the Ascendant Stage students, or are secretly Transcendent Stages, I would advise you to only take on Tier D to Tier B missions.
"We have a President and a Vice President, but sadly, they are off campus at the moment. As faction heads, we will act on their behalf. If you have any problems or issues or even questions, please, feel free to contact us. We will do our best to maintain order in their absence.
"Before I forget, allow me to introduce you to your faction heads. I am Athan Eubuleus, head of Shadow Faction."
Athan looked to the big guy from earlier, who spoke up next. "I am Cole Seger, of House Seger. Head of the Heavenly Faction."
"I am Draco Jackskon," Draco stated proudly. "Head of the Infernis Faction."
"I am Madea Helios J.r; daughter of the sorceress Madea Helios, granddaughter of the demigodess sorceress, Circe, and the current head of the Mystic Faction," said Madea, proud and thick with emotion.
'That's a long ass title,' Corven thought internally0, but said nothing.
"I am Rowena Rae, proud member of House Rae," the ginger head woman said. "Head of Nature Faction."
"I am Dr. Bruce Lee Bachius," Bruce stated professionally. "Head of the R&D Faction."
"And I am Tommen Rizzer; head of the Psychic Faction," the last man said, pulling his glasses up to his face.
"I believe that should be everything, yes?" Athan looked behind him to his colleagues, who all nodded their approval, before looking ahead of him at the students lined before him. Clapping his hands, he said "Now, let the ceremony begin!"
A group of instructors brought out a table that had a crystal ball atop of it. The crystal ball was completely see through, and showed no signs of being special whatsoever. Corven had a feeling it served a purpose, but couldn't decide what. He knew he was about to find out, though.
"This crystal ball is a powerful artifact. By touching this crystal ball, we shall see your aptitudes and which element one is attuned with via color,"Athan explained. "If you are a demigod, it will send a cosmic signal to your godly parent, whom, should they decide you worthy, may claim you during this process, as their offspring.
"One by one, you will all walk up to the crystal ball and it will show you your aptitude and talent," Cole said, professionally. "Many demigods have been claimed by their godly parents during this process, so let us hope this year's batch will have a few sights for the eyes, yes? You will be sorted based on your aptitudes and on which faction finds you compatible. Should one not find you compatible, you will be immediately sent to the R&D Faction as either a forger or researcher."
As Cole paused to let this sink in, Corven noticed that the R&D Faction had the largest number of students. 'Must be those who wanted to be there and those who had no say in the matter,' Corven thought to himself.'
"When I call your name, step forward, and place your hand on the glass ball," Cole stated, reading from a paperclip. "Let us begin. Lucas Nirvana. Step forward."
An arrogant noble golden haired boy stepped forward confidently, his face smug. He placed his hand on the glass sphere. Instantly, it glowed vibrant blue, before glowing yellow. Then it when back to crystal clear.
"Nice, very nice. Sky and lightning aptitudes. Very—-," Cole began, but, then, like everyone present nearly jumped out of his skin when thunder rumbled outside, followed by flashes of lightning as an eagle appeared out of nowhere. It squawked as it circled overhead in the hall, before turning into lightning and disappearing from view.
"Claimed by the thunderer, Zeus, himself," mused Cole, nodding in respect. "I want you in my faction. Who will you choose, though?"
But Cole wasn't the only one with his hand raised from where he was seated. The other faction heads also had their hands raised. They all wanted the boy; who wouldn't? A chance to mentor the son of Zues, a god king of his own pantheon? To be his son alone meant you had a vast talent pool in pretty much every field you venture, whether combat or cultivation. That was an opportunity like none other. Everyone had their hands raised… Well, everyone but Athan Eubuleus, who kept his hand down.
But Lucas Nirvana already had his own mind made up. "I choose to join the Heavenly Faction." With a cheer from the Heavenly Faction tables and a kick in his step, he headed to the sky blue tables, where a group of Heavenly Faction students welcome him with open arms. This left Cole smug, as he grinned at his fellow faction heads, chuckling to himself as he took in their spite and irritation. "Gotta love the thunderer…," he muttered quietly to himself, before addressing the clipboard again.
"Next up… Alexander Caelus," Cole continued.
Alexander Caelus was a noble Corven had noticed before on the train. He sensed malicious intentions from his gaze earlier though Corven paid him no heed — It wasn't like he cared to, either. Even now, when Alexander made his way up to the table, and was attuned with the Sky, and a literal olive branch grew from the crystal ball as an owl appeared out of nowhere, circling Alexander's head before disappearing in a mist of grey.
"Avouched by the goddess of wisdom…," murmured Cole, as everyone had their hand up, everyone but Athan, who continued to have his hand down. Alexander chose the Heavenly Faction. "Next, we have Jolina Topez."
Jolina Topez was a latin girl who ended up having an affinity for magic as the crystal ball glowed violet red, and ended up joining the Mystic Faction, or the table with the violet red cloth. She was not a demigod.
Two more names were called, neither were demigods. They were twins, who ended up joining the Psychic Faction at the Indigo blue table.
"Aiesha Monroe," Cole called out, as a dark skinned girl who eventually got avouched by the Egyptian goddess of the hunt, Neith decided which faction to join. She eventually joined the nature faction, or the earthly green table, as she had an affinity with nature, though the Heavenly, Infernis and Mystic Faction wanted her as well. Athan continued to not raise his hand.
Two more students joined the Heavenly faction and two more joined the Infernis Faction, or the red table. Joe Charles, who turned out to be a child of Loki and Gabe Twines who was a distant descendant of Seti, the Egyptian god of trickery, both joined the Infernis Faction. For any of the four of them, Athan had not raised a hand.
'I wonder,' Corven looked at Faction Head Athan, before looking at the furthest of the three tables to the left of the room — the black cloth tables of the Shadow Faction, no doubt. The kids there were very emo, punk and alt-dressed for the most part. They were quiet and reserved — there were a few social ones and a handful of normies, but Corven honestly found himself tempted to join them…
"Corven Umbrovante!" Cole said Corven's name with a slight sneer of unimpressiveness.
Cole wasn't sure why, but Corven reminded him of Faction Head Athan — Quiet, reserved, but very capable. As a noble, he was certain he'd never heard of a 'House Umbrovante,' so that left Corven being a commoner. Athan was not a commoner, which means being reminded of Athan through Corven left a nasty distaste in Cole's mouth he could hardly ignore, let alone hide.
'He's probably just an average talent,' Cole told himself, nodding internally to himself. 'A talent found at the bottom of a barrel could never measure up to nobility, let alone royalty!'
Corven sensed Cole's distaste — He just didn't care enough about it to address it. He made his way to the glass orb, curious eyes watching him, but he paid them no heed. Many of them recognised Corven from the incident on the supersonic speed train. They were curious of what made Corven special enough to be recognized by two great house heirs. They were going to find out.
As he reached out to touch the glass sphere, he'd only just touched it when it shone a deep purple, before shifting to midnight blue, then dark black, then sky blue before, finally shifting to blue violet.
This occurrence caused the surrounding crowd to instantly silence. 'Five affinities,' Athan thought, surprised briefly. 'Interesting….'
"F-five affinities," stuttered Cole, speechless, standing from his seat in alarm. "Shadow, Night, Darkness, Sky and Spatial affinities!? H-how is t-t-this p-possible?"
"This is—," Athan as well as the other faction heads were too shocked to speak properly.
"To have five affinities…," Cimon muttered from his seat at the Shadow Faction tables. "I knew he was special, but this…".
What happened next sent the room into deathly silence.
Suddenly, all light vanished from the entire castle as well as the sky above the campus, the surrounding town and the forest surrounding it. It was like absolute darkness descended upon them, despite it being complete daytime outside. No one was able to see anything whatsoever… Everyone but Cimon and Corven, who had night vision and could see in absolute darkness, and Athan and a few of the Faction Heads, who could vaguely sense what their surroundings were despite the darkness.
Everyone was startled and getting a bit nervous. Such events had never happened before, not even when Cimon and Achlys were claimed by the Primordial gods of Death and Sleep respectively. What came next put those who were able to keep their calm on edge.
"Kaw! Kaw!" the sounds of a murder of crows sounded along with the flapping of wings, sending shivers down everyone's back.
No one could see still, but they could hear everything. No one moved, even as an ominous voice unlike any they've heard sounded from all around them in the darkness like a deep, rough echo that ricocheted off the walls of the school and even the town and beyond. Their words? A single, repetitive word: "Erebus." It was said over and over and over again.
By the time it was finished, the darkness slowly subsided and daylight replaced it once more. And all eyes were on Corven.
The entire hall was shocked silent beyond whatever words one could have thought. Even when the crows vanished and the darkness was completely dispersed, no one could say a thing. They were reeling from their own shock, a silent fear finding their way in a few of the youths present.
Even the Faction Heads were perplexed by this series of events. Eventually, it was Athan Eubuleus, who, despite not once raising his hand for any of the other students, raised his hand for Corven.
This action, however shocking, prompted the other faction heads to all raise their hands.
"Corven Umbrovante, son of the Primordial father of the Eternal Darkness, Father of Death and Embodiment of darkness itself, Supreme Lord of of Darkness and Shadow and the Firstborn Son of the House of Khaos…," Cole said, looking at Corven with newfound interest, even as he listed the titles of his father. "I want you in my faction. Will you heed my call?"
The other faction heads gave Cole the stink eye, even as he spoke with a confident smile on his face. The other faction heads, while having their hands up, were not happy with Cole. They knew that Cole was a Poacher in every sense of the word. And he basically always got what he wanted when picking new students to join his faction. And though they had their hands raised, they were certain Corven would pick Cole and his Heavenly Faction.
"Hell no," Corven said simply.
"Good choi— Wait, what?" Cole smiled briefly, before his face displayed a shocked expression. He was surprised by Corven's answer, considering everyone wished to join the Heavenly Faction. It was the Heaven Faction, for the sake of the gods! "What did you say? I'm not sure I heard you correctly.
"Nah, you heard me correctly. I'm not interested in joining your faction," Corven said, digging his pinky in his ear, before sighing heavily. Then he turned to Athan, bowing in respect as he spoke. "I wouldn't mind joining your Shadow Faction and becoming your apprentice…".
This startled the other heads. They weren't sure why Corven found interest in Athan's tuteliege, especially over Cole. Athan himself was briefly taken aback and perplexed, his facial expressions reflecting so before he fixed them. He hadn't intended to acquire an apprentice — A new student for his faction? Sure, but an apprentice?
'That said, he is a primordial spawn, and her son…,' Athan contemplated. 'Anything I teach him, he'll likely absorb like a sponge. That's not a bad trait… But still….".
"I accept you in my Faction. As for apprenticeship? You will have to impress me for me to accept that," Athan said, his face hardened by his resolve.
"I understand," Corven stood and made his way to black cloth tables, where Cimon and the rest of the Shadow Faction students were seated.
'Lucky bastard got a Primordial Spawn for his faction,' thought Cole darkly, as he glared at Athan, who promptly ignored him. Then he eyed Corven and thought 'That boy would've been better under my tutelage. Perhaps an accident should happen to him soon. Maybe that'll teach him.'
'That boy is quite the talent,' thought Draco. 'Perhaps one I may need to deal with eventually. After all,' Draco's eyes shone with greed. 'if I can't have a Primordial Spawn in my ranks, then why should someone else?'
"Next up, Jabari Ausar!" Cole announced from his clipboard.
Jabari confidently made his way to the crystal. Upon touching the crystal, it glowed a foggy grey, indicating Jabari's Death Affinity, before it shifted to a ghostly blue, then to pure black, indicating Jabari's Spiritual and Darkness affinities respectively.
As he had three affinities, all of the faction heads wanted him, especially since Death and Darkness were both rare affinities, but, in the end, Jabari chose the Shadow Faction. He took his seat by Corven and Cimon after doing so.
"Next we have… Celeste Lumianrs," Cole announced, reading the name aloud. "Please make your way to the crystal to check for your affinity."
A murmur burst through the crowd of students. They had heard rumors of Celeste Luminaris being a Primordial Spawn, but they had no proof. Plus, she was the Princess of House Luminaris – all the boys and some of the girls found her beautiful, even amongst cultivators, who were naturally more beautiful than normal people thanks to their mana rejuvenating their bodies. In this world of cultivation, appearances can be just as important as status.
Primordial Spawns are the term used to describe one born of the Primordials. In the cultivation world, cultivators can be anyone, but certain traits and talents often put some ahead of others, such as being a demigod or having a bloodline advantage in terms of species. But those born to primordials are naturally talented in pretty much any and every field they step in — Sadly, like with all power one acquires, it often comes at a cost.
Primordial Spawns are quick to lose themselves to the madness that comes with their inherent power — much more so than other cultivators or beings that exist in their world. This madness can cause them to slaughter countless in their episodes or make decisions that leads to mass genocide or the eradication of an entire race or species, more than often acquiring the dislike and distaste of the common people and nobles alike.
However, parentage plays a crucial role in deciding the chances of madness corrupting a Primordial Spawn. If their primordial parent was known to have madness or to make harsh decisions, then their child would most likely end up like them, so it was important for one to know about the primordial a primordial spawn is born from. This was why everyone had their reaction to Corven, who, as a son of Erebus — the most mysterious of Primordials, and whom no one knows anything about. It was an uncertainty that no one could feel comfortable with.
It was also why, if Celeste turns out to be a child of the Primordial of light and day, no one will throw her shade, as Hemera was known as a peaceful goddess, so should Celeste be one. Or, at least, have a higher chance of not falling to the madness, anyway.
Confidently, Celeste made her way out of the line, and up to the glass crystal ball. As she touched the glass ball, it first glowed a pure, bright white, before turning sky blue, then to fiery orange, and then shifting to earthly green. It turned golden before shifting to blue violet, before turning clear once again.
The room was silenced once again. They couldn't believe their eyes — Another monster with six affinities? This was… unreal.
"Six affinities, this time with the affinities of Light, Sky, Fire, Life, Order and Spatial…," Cole was staring at Celeste in awe, almost in reverence.
"What a combination…," muttered Madea with interest. "And a girl. I want her in my guild. Lord knows what you men would do to waste such a talent."
All the faction heads wanted Celeste in their factions. Afterall, such affinities and talent could make a fine pupil. However, before they could raise their hands in offering, light rays appeared from the outside, through the windows, drawn to Celeste like a magnet of the Sun outside. Sudden wings of fire sprouted from Celeste's back, turning the temperature around those who were near her higher every second they were near, as if she were a phoenix, and Celeste herself began radiating light like a Sun herself.
As the light show continued, everyone looked at Celeste as if in reverence of her radiance. Corven had to used his shadow manipulation to shield himself from the light show —- He felt his stamina dropping like crazy as he used his shadow power, but the headache he was feeling from the lightshow was worse. It felt as if his eyes were burst and he was sure that no one else was having this kind of reaction —- the heat was comforting to the others, the light was elegant, but, to Corven, it seemed that light was his weakness. He felt a mild irritation at the thoughts, before it grew as did his exhaustion. He was tempted to sink into a corner and create a wall of darkness but decided that would be mean towards the girl.
He was thankful, however, the light show ended, but he was still left slightly sweating. Gods, he hated light!
"Chosen by the Light Mother, Hemera herself," Cole was awestruck, just like everyone else. First Corven with the father of darkness, now Celeste with the mother of light. This was almost too much to take in at the moment. "Daylight's Mother, Lightbringer & Daughter of the first Progenitoi of gods, Nyx and Erebus. We greet you."
All of the faction heads raised their hands, but Celeste had already decided her pick. She immediately went to join Corven at the Shadow Faction tables to everyone's surprise.
Cole couldn't believe what he was seeing. Since when was the Shadow Faction so popular that two primordial spawns and a rare aptitude student choose it over his own Heavenly Faction? This was so frustrating!
As Cole gave Athan his briefly chilling glares, Athan just ignored him —- and the other faction heads' —- envious gazes, his face neutral. Inside, he was having a hard time not to laugh in their faces. Internally, he was proud he had managed to get a second Shadow house descendant for his Shadow Faction. It made things much easier for him…