Shadowborne Ascension-Chapter 1: Start...

What is Void?

It's quite difficult to define. Sometimes it's a representation of nothingness. Sometimes a blank space. And sometimes it's a... name.

[True Name - Voidborne Shadow]

Kaiser stared at the familiar yet unfamiliar hologram.

His head tilted slightly. Confusion? No. Curiosity.

"That's new,"

A soul stirring voice escaped his throat as his black eyes glinted ominously.

Running his hand through his hair, he gazed at the distant yet towering gate with an apathetic expression before glancing at a flyer on his hands

'PEGASUS WILL ACADEMY '

....

"How is it?" a purple haired youth asked as he dressed himself.

"The northern gangs have submitted," the maid attending to him said stiffly. "The southern ones still resist."

Apollo paused, shirt half-buttoned, revealing the tattoo coiled like a serpent across his spine.

A wave of fear radiated from the maid, subtle—but there.

"They'll submit by month's end," she added quickly.

Apollo smiled faintly.

He then turned to the flyer on the table.

PEGASUS WILL ACADEMY.

'I wonder what kind of interesting kids will be there...?'

"Prepare the car."

....

Crash!

A wolf corpse the size of a cow crashed down unceremoniously as a boy with long golden hair blew smoke from his gun which was of the awakened rank.

[You have slain an Awakened Beast, Moon Predator]

[Your art grows stronger]

A feminine yet cold voice announced to him, signifying his hundredth kill since his awakening.

"Ah so tiring." the boy exhaled with mirth dancing in his eyes. His body was soaked in blood but he acted as though he was unbothered.

"A hundred kills... Still not enough?"

"It doesn't matter." A firm and adult voice brought him out of his reverie as a man silently landed behind him, his figure unassuming but his aura nevertheless overwhelming. It was something that even Sebastian could not help but marvel at.

"The only thing that matters is your results."

The man in a medieval suit said grimly— the scars on his face once echoes of his own past struggles.

"Understood, Fifth Uncle"

Sebastian replied with an equally grim smile as he gazed at the dark horizon.

'I have high hopes for you.'

The fifth uncle, seemingly satisfied, hummed as golden flames ignited the paper in his hands containing the words:

'PEGASUS WILL ACADEMY'

....

"I'm not really good at this Aunt, but I'll make you proud"

Liam, a brown haired boy with similar brown eyes stated with a serious look as he gazed at the older woman before him.

"No matter what happens or what you do, I'll always be proud of you"

Aunt Mary said with a warm smile as she playfully ruffled his hair, bringing a smile on his face too. The room, although lavish contrasted the woman's poor condition.

Her frail figure sitting on the bed sent a sting through his heart— sharpening his determination.

'I'll become a dragon at Pegasus Will'

Liam cheered himself inwardly as his eyes shone with an obsessed glint.

....

"Morning class"

Silence blanketed the bustling class as a stunning female teacher entered, her eyes cold and calculating, as deliberate as her steps.

"Welcome to Pegasus Will once again, I'll be your homeroom teacher for your entire stay in this institution provided you are not expelled"

The teacher said with a cold smile on her face, sending shivers through some cadets.

"You can call me Itou Arisa or Instructor Itou. I believe your brain should be able to get it now don't you? Here in this Academy, there are a few ground rules that are never meant to be broken. The first rule is Killing of fellow colleagues. This act is especially looked down upon by the Academy. Any case discovered will be dealt with by immediate death. Even your family will face the repercussions."

The students gulped, tensed at the unreserved manner of the school's behavior.

"Secondly, the act of partaking in unauthorized duels. As a precaution against bullying and any sort of unwarranted violence, any student caught involved in an unauthorized fight will be expelled. Fraud, scamming, or using position of power will also be dealt with by a suspension for three months— essentially a whole semester."

Looking at the class, she leaned forward slightly, her chest weight unintentionally enlarging, and spoke in a heavy tone. "Any questions?"

Although intimidated, a silver haired boy stood up and spoke to her brashly.

"Hey! But what if—"

Suddenly, he froze. For the first time in a few months, he felt fear which was shared by majority of the class. Itou Arisa was practically glaring at him. Although it was a mundane act, the pressure behind such act was heavy.

"Sit." Instructor Itou said— no, commanded.

He sat— sweat rolling down his spine.

"Now raise your hand like a civilized human and ask your question politely."

Gulping, the boy hesitantly raised his hand and croaked out his question.

"What if we were forced into an argument or fight. Can't we beat them up?"

"Hmm." Nodding slightly, she answered. " Engaging in unwarranted fights results in expulsion. Understood?"

"But we can't just—"

"Un-der-stood?"

"Yes, mam."

Gazing at the students with a softer look— if it was, she decided to start their introductions, pointing at a guy sitting at the front.

"Morning, uh, my name's Chris Donald and I want to be a powerful mage in the future." The boy who had a chubby body with brown hair and brown eyes, stood up and introduced himself awkwardly.

Next to him was a girl with dark purple hair and sharp black eyes with long polished nails.

"Mordica Nerth"

Her cold reply earned her a few scowls from the others but all she did in response to that was to pay more attention to her nails.

'Straightforward. I like that.'

Sebastian chuckled inwardly, paying more attention to his looks than to the introduction.

The next student, a guy with blonde hair and yellow eyes stood confidently as he introduced himself.

"I'm Liam Bright. I love to get along with people and my best sports are football, baseball, basketball and badminton."

By the time he was done introducing himself, a lot of girls were already looking at him with eyes full of stars.

The introduction continued until it reached the last student, a strikingly pale boy with black hair and black eyes.

The air chilled slightly as he spoke.

"Kaiser Solace."

Just that.

No bravado. No ambition.

But something about it made the room fall silent.