The sound of a blade brushing against a whetstone echoed inside a cave lit by a dim oil lamp. A man with pale gray hair and a neatly covered scar across his eyes diligently polished an old, rusted sword.
He wore a light blue martial robe, sitting cross legged beside the flickering lamp.
His motions stilled, and the scratching sound of metal ceased. Slowly, his head turned toward the presence he felt approaching.
From experience, he knew that any entrant who entered this place would, without fail, climb to the peaks first to seek his acknowledgment. The moment entrants saw the peaks outside, they would treat what lay ahead as a challenge that needed to be overcome.
Unfortunately, only disappointment awaited them at the top, as he was not hiding in any of those peaks. The third exam's theme was to let the entrants experience 'hunting' after a series of trials where their paths were blocked by monsters.
Just like a real mission subjugation of Agrind Beasts.
He could have positioned himself openly, but choosing a discreet location amused him. Knowing that it gave the entrants a sense of irritation, as though the answer lay before their eyes, obscured by their own grand assumptions.
Of course, some special entrants, might still find him. Just like right now.
'The first entrant… is capable.' Even at several hundred meters away, he already gauged the entrant's capability. Such is the extent of someone like him who already achieved a certain degree when it comes to aura reading.
'Then let's meet this little friend…' He took the rusted blade and stood from his seat, to meet the arriving challenger.
Wind whipped across Xian's face.
A faint path wound between the jagged peaks, obscured by dust carried by the wind, leading to the professor. A rather eccentric man who hid here rather than waiting at one of the summits.
After a while of walking, the wind died as the professor slowly came into view, as expecting him. It wasn't much of a journey, which is also part of the reason why he chose this door. The quickest way to get to the academy and finish this entrance exam.
"Information, skill, or luck? Which of those brought you here, entrant?" The professor spoke in a rather low and weary voice that did not match his robust appearance. It was a wounded voice, much like his eyes that had never recovered.
"I simply felt that climbing up would be a waste of time," Xian replied.
"Then it's laziness, it seems." The professor rebutted and took a stance without even unsheathing his sword.
Xian did not speak further and charged, longsword in hand, using all his strength right away. He started with a vertical strike, arms raised, pulling his blade back for momentum.
A flash of unseen steel deflected his attack with blinding speed, as if the professor's hand had never moved to unsheathe his weapon.
Xian's eyes squinted as the instant generated a distracting flash of light.
This man was Caesar, the future advisor of the Silver Boughs, teacher of the protagonist and master to Adrian. Along with Adrian, he would take two more disciples, namely Kyrin and Brigid, two other heroines who had not made an appearance yet.
Of course, because of certain events, the protagonist with nothing special attached to him might be out of the picture already because of the earlier incident.
Xian staggered from the strength of the blow, numbness spreading from his palm. But he was already used to that overwhelming feeling. He already felt it plenty enough, learning to grit his teeth each time while putting more strength in his grip.
He let out an almost beast like roar, swinging vertically in a wide angle, and once again the professor parried it.
That didn't deter Xian and he kept going, faster and faster. Not even the fight with the minotaur let him attack with such abandon, since it was unfairly distracted by Fahna who had incredible speed, and constricted by Carmillia's spell.
This time, the battle was only for him to savor.
The simple longsword chipped, clashing against the unsharpened rusty blade of the professor.
At the same time, Xian felt a tinge of anxiety stir in his heart.
'What is this feeling?'
Was this rush and pleasure he felt coming from him?
He had an inkling, that it's somehow related and deeply rooted to the original owner of this body's lifestyle.
The traits he possessed, the chiseled body reflected in the mirror, his level most likely forced to its lowest, and the rush he felt during his spar with Serika despite his weakness.
Was he always like that? Where were those feelings of wanting to crush his enemies when he needed them the most in his previous life.
The professor fluidly parried his blows consecutively, even when Xian thought he was going to reach him.
For now, he focused on venting these distracting desires through combat.
Seconds passed until the first minute mark, and Xian was still swinging his sword wantonly.
After a dozen minutes, Xian finally slumped on the floor, catching his breath.
"Have you calmed down?" Caesar had already noticed something wrong with this entrant the moment he charged. He saw clearly why this man was able to arrive first with that level of strength, yet there was an uncontrolled bloodthirst in his heart.
Still, it was something that can be fixed and his current combat prowess left him impressed.
'He has the potential to be a rank holder,' Caesar thought, recalling their exchange. There were four ranks that defined a student's standing, determined by performance, combat evaluations, and overall merit.
The Heath rank, which numbered the most in the academy, was mostly held by second-year students who had their fair share of hardship in their first year. The Orchid rank was populated mostly by experienced but average seniors. Then there were the Iris and Rose ranks, only attained by the true elites.
'What's wrong with me?' Xian clutched his chest, if he didn't tire out to the point of dizzying, he would still be swinging his sword because of the lingering crave for battle he had.
However, his lack of stamina managed to clear his muddling thoughts.
Caesar suddenly flicked an object to Xian. A token slid on the ground and glinted along donning Rozenfalls symbol, signifying the proctors acknowledgment.
"That pin will allow you to open the passage you from." Caesar spoke as he stood unmoving from his spot. The ground around him has a perfectly outlined trace of circle, untouched by the aftermath of their battle.
Xian wondered how it would feel when he reached that superhuman level of skill. He nodded without a word and decided to turn back, however he was waiting exactly for one thing.
"Take this too." This time, the professor flicked a black card, lined in golden lettering.
On it's face, 'Heath Rank Instructor: Caesar' read. Heath signified as the lowest rank of a student in the academy and the starting ranks for new admissions in the academy. While a Heath rank instructor, signified his status to hold heath rank students as disciples.
"I'm an advisor of the Elite Class. But with your skills, you'd probably be someone listed in the section above that, the Royal Class if you're from an impressive background." Caesar shrugged, not knowing what Xian or any candidates identities are. Recently, all he's been focused about is self training.
There was also the fact, that while he can sense Xian, he couldn't tell his appearance.
"If you are interested, come to my faculty and be my disciple. Of course, this is merely an invitation. It's all up to you." Caesar spoke stiffly, unfamiliar with invitations or coaxing in the first place. Even though he knew being a Heath rank instructor meant he was at the lowest of ranks, he could not pass up getting a capable apprentice. So he thickened his skin and gambled on the hope that this entrant would come.
"I will keep that in mind." Xian was satisfied. All he needed was this card to 'enter' Caesar's office, or rather training grounds. There is a crucial matter that will need its function in the near future.
Adrian, the protagonist was supposed to get this card and the player can choose the Elite class to open a new selection of heroine's not available in the Royal class.
But now, it's in his hands.
Xian grinned as he regained his calm and control.
Each step he took was silent and soon, the wind blew in his body again, as if to chase him away.
Today was a rather exhausting day for Xian. He already encountered 'Regressed' Castreyja, a problematic heroine with a established past. While her appearance isn't among his tastes, he was inclined to have more allies, even if they weren't his woman.
Then there was Ruminaria, whom he wanted to stay away from as much as possible. He had never touched her route when he played the game.
And then there's Fahna.
Xian halted when he thought of her.
Fahna's route was the first he ever finished, unlike Carmillia whom he began to like upon discovery in that very route. He was at his lowest point in life during that time and the game was the only way he could escape reality.
The guilt of ignoring his problems and coping through this game made his days unbearable at first, but after the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction he got in playing Rozenfall…
All of that guilt vanished amidst the enjoyment and pile of achievements before his eyes.
Fahna's route, in particular, demanded one thing. To conquer her, the protagonist needed to rival her early on and succeed, whether it's the entrance exam, rankings in terms of merit points or defeating her thought a duel. It was the only way one could enter her gaze and garner her attention.
Xian had, ironically managed to do exactly that, this time. Now, he wanted to make sure Fahna would still be his woman despite the game turning into reality.
Of course, there's still the very high chance of a Ruin End, an event of consequence whenever a player attempts to achieve a harem. Still, his greed didn't allow for any concession.
"Excuse me?"
A meek and gentle voice called out amidst his thoughts. Xian saw that a girl had approached without him noticing.
"Are you… The professor?" She questioned, tilting her head.
Xian's expression darkened. She was someone he knew, and wasn't exactly a face he wanted to see.
'Kryin Riegan.' The daughter of a foolish man, who only sought revenge against Renedon instead of cherishing his daughter.
And the daughter of the man he killed with his own hands. In the game, Morisson was the one who finished her father. But now, while he did most of the damage, Xian dealt the final blow for the sake of exp.
'That means, once her future sight recovers… ' Through her sincere and deep wishes, she would glimpse her object of desire at the eve of her awakening and its heightened power. And her innermost desire would undoubtedly be to see her father, but that would only show her the cruel truth.
Normally, it'd be Morissons overwhelming shadow and Carmillia's visage, leading her on a quest to take down the Duke with the protagonist.
But now, Xian wondered if he had replaced them both or if only Carmillia remained. There was information circulating among her fans that, in her story, she even managed to severely wound Morisson and survive. That told Xian everything he needed to know about how ridiculous she would be in the future.
"I'm an entrant." Xian had no intentions of doing anything against her for now though.
"Eh? Then why are you…"
"I've already passed." Out of habit, Xian showed the token he got, then he realized his mistake and own carelessness. Kyrin seemed to notice what just happened and sheepishly scratched her head.
Her eyes had covers just like Caesar, although it's design leaned more on the flowery side.
"I'm going. I don't need to prove it to you." He walked past Kyrin who seemed unsure what to do.
Suddenly, he remembered something and decided to save this girl some trouble.
"I suggest going to the path between the peaks instead of climbing them." It was a sparse show of kindness compared to what he took from this girl. He didn't know how shes going to find her way, but he still said it anyways.
Kyrin was startled, realizing that she just got a valuable hint that would save her time and energy. Feeling that Xian was already out of her recognitions range, she shouted back. "Thanks for the advice!"
Whether Xian heard it or not, Kyrin didn't know.
"I didn't even get to ask his name." Unfortunately, her vision that disappeared a long time ago, made her rely on the only sense he could use to recognize someone.
Their voice. She made sure to remember that man's voice. Who knows, they might cross paths again sometime in the academy.