NOVEL NEXT Chapter: 77: Decision Made
Adam Griffin
“Be sure to review all of the materials by the end of the week that we went over today, and prepare diligently for the upcoming mock exam next week that I have decided to conduct unexpectedly,” as my voice echoed through the wide classroom, I saw the faces of the many students sitting, turn a shade darker in worry for themselves on the mention of the sudden mock exam I had conducted before the arrival of the actual midterms. I slowly turned around, my gaze landing over the holograms hovering in the air in front of me.
“Is there anything anyone wants to ask about today’s class?” I asked, but no voice resounded, as all I heard were the worried whispers and light mumbling noises of the students.
The midterms were an important part of maintaining your rank in lock. If you only had the brawls, but not the brains to keep up with the others, then someone might just overpower you with a strategy alone. Because, learning to use your brain in battle was far more efficient—and a more deadlier, and far stronger and sharper weapon—than just having the strength to end it all with having more factors of defeat in that victory.
Because a strategic mind is far impressive than simple brute strength. And strangely enough, Seo Jiwoo came to mind, an individual whom perfectly fit that description. Jiwoo certainly sounds like an intriguing individual with a combination of strategic thinking, intellectual prowess, and a profound understanding of mana. While brute strength can be impressive and helpful in certain situations, the power to command your mind and the skillful manipulation of mana can often prove to be more effective and versatile in various scenarios.
Strategic thinking involves the ability to analyse complex situations, anticipate outcomes, and formulate plans accordingly to such scenarios. Seo Jiwoo’s proficiency in this area suggests that he possesses exceptional cognitive abilities and an innate talent for strategizing.
Moreover, his mastery over mana at the ripe age of sixteen further enhances his capabilities and backs this claim of mine.
His real strength I had yet to fully comprehend, and put my head around, but his mind was sharp. And the factor of his understanding and sublime control over mana was something which even I had come to be fascinated and intrigued about. His ability to command mana and use it like no other was almost impossible for kids his age.
At first I was merely curious about the youth—after observing him in the tournament—, but the further I observed him—as if I was being drawn to him, to see what other actions he would, could, perform next, what new thinks I could discover about him, through him, what steps could lead him into what outcomes—had made me further intrigued in the boy.
And it was also strange for me to be absorbed into someone so much. At first when I had joined the Lock under my Father and Headmaster Owens approach and request, I was rather disinterested by the students here. Well honestly, I had no interest in even coming to lock in the first place after graduating, but after being persuaded by Headmaster Owens a few times to leave the comfort of my home library and attend the prestigious academy, I had no other choice. My days had been spent secluded amongst the thousands of books that lined the shelves, delving into the intricate world of mana augmentation and conjuring, compacted into the pages, which allowed me to pass my days in my early childhood.
But I think he saw potential in me, which I think was wasted, and couldn’t be fully realized within the confines of my own study. He persuaded me and my Father that the academy would provide the necessary environment for me to grow, and hone my skills in ways I couldn’t even imagine.
All in that, I was grateful of him to allow me to break free of my ignorant ways.
But in the case of the students here, not like their talent was any less, but they were simply not intriguing enough to me, as if they were simply following whatever the academy instructors fed to them. They had no such creative methods and imagination of their own, to think and do something out of the box—the methods which had been taught for far too long in the academy—, which could make me curious about them. Except for the top ten. But even them to the bare minimum. Because, change is needed from time to time.
But after working in the lock for the last five and a half years as an instructor, I finally met the kind of talent I was looking for.
Seo Jiwoo’s strength was at least equal to a
But, if Jiwoo was given a few more years and he was nurtured in the best of environments, he would definitely—certainly—became a strong and influential individual in the future. He might even shake the very foundation on which the hunters’ system was built upon. He might even come to surpass me one day, by the amount of innate talent and promise I see in him. Plus the people around him—as if they are simply affected by his presence alone—begin to change slowly. Even Park Jiyoung whose shortcomings which I had observed early in her ability to analyse and fight, have improved exponentially. And she was the closest to Seo Jiwoo, among the top ten.
Like the saying goes: the strong always attract the strong.
“Instructor!” As I turned around, my gaze drifting away from the holograms floating in the air—which had many complex mana theories displayed over them—, as I heard a feminine voice come from behind me. My eyes drifted across the horde of students as they landed over a youth who sat in the middle rows of the classroom. She had raised her hand, with her shiny brown hair placed above her shoulder and tied into a braid.
Setting the tablet in my hand down on the podium in front of me, I caught the youth’s gaze as I replied. “Yes?”
She caught my gaze, as her cheeks turned slightly red. She stood from her seat with poise, taking a deep breath, as she quipped. “Does the part about the integration theory of mana relevant to the upcoming mock exam?”
I placed my hand over my chin in thought. The integration theory of mana was an advanced term of mana manipulation, which is mostly learned by those who are either mages or had the ability to use mana and shape the mana into a spell on their command or use its deviations. And it was more often used in the physical test of the mid term, to shape the mana into something, or to release it into a specific object or to command the nature of an element or its deviation all in itself.
Its an intermediate class subject just below the advanced studies of mana agglomeration and conglomeration. But it wouldn’t be a part of the test, because its only taught to the students in theory in the first years.
“It in itself is an important subject but, I don’t—,” but just as the words were about to leave my mouth, I bit back on those words, as I left an oppressive pressure littering the air around me.
I felt the hair at the back of my head stand at end as I felt cold sweat.
‘What’s this intense wave of bloodlust?’ I thought with my brows furrowing in distress, as I saw the students frown in horror. Most of them flinched and shuddered in their seats, as if they could be knocked unconscious by the pressure alone. They looked to be short of breath.
“Stay inside the classroom,” I ordered, as I rushed to the entrance of the classroom, slightly tapping the panel on the side, the doors hummed open as I rushed in the direction of where that potent amount of bloodlust was emanating from. It was unlike any pressure I had sensed before. Only a seasoned hunter could release such a potent presence.
Just who is it?
But my question was answered shortly after, as I saw a small crowd of students just ahead of me. But almost all of them were rolling over the floor of the hallway on their limbs. Among them were first, second and even third year students. They had paled faces and horror filled eyes as if they had witnessed some terror happen in front of them. The pure fear and dread on their faces and eyes alerted me, as they chocked on their breathes. The pressure had gotten more intense the closer I moved toward it.
But my gaze drifted on to the individual who was standing amidst the crowd of students who were looking at him as if he was some kind of monster. I quickly recognised the youth with glossy black hair, as his hand was drawing closer to the throat of the assistant instructor—Roy Kaiser—whom had been recently recruited by lock a few weeks ago.
Roy Kaiser was on his knees, his eyes displaying a subtle tinge of fear, horror and shock, as he kept looking up at the youth with glossy black hair, who had caused this commotion.
But, the clear indifference in Jiwoo’s eyes was something which I had been perplexed to see. His emotionless face and eyes bore intently down at the youth who had no where to run—as if he was a mouse trapped by a cat.
As if Jiwoo was playing with him—like his plaything—, the sheer intensity of his pressure was enough to knock out any
Many questions formed in my mind as I was caught of guard by the sudden realisation of his true strength. Jiwoo’s strength was now equal to a
But I quickly intervened before things could become ugly. “What’s going on over here?”
Just as my voice reverberated in the vicinity of the hallway, the subtle amount of bloodlust Jiwoo had released disappeared as he withdrew his arm back, and the intensity in the air dissipated allowing the students to breathe.
***
As we walked through the hallway, I silently turned my head in Jiwoo’s direction. He kept walking behind me in silence as he didn’t spoke a word.
The frown over his face clearly spoke for him, as if he was going through some predicament. There were dark circles under his eyes—which clearly indicated that he hadn’t slept properly—, as his eyes returned to how they were before, indifferent and icy.
I could never have imagined seeing Jiwoo making such an expression, and his ability to hide his emotions as well as the potent amount of bloodlust he had released was something which not even seasoned warrior who had gone through life and death situations could easily do. But for a kid like him to do something like that? Just what kind of life had he led so far to become like this? The more I thought I had begin to understand Jiwoo, the more of a mystery he became to me. And if he hadn’t been stopped in time he would have certainly killed Roy, by the look in his eyes.
“Get in,” I said, holding the door of my office open for him as we both stepped inside. Just as Jiwoo entered I quickly closed the door shut.
“What the hell were you thinking of doing back then if I hadn’t intervened, huh?” I grumbled, as I pinched the middle of my brows and sighed. “Just what did Roy Kaiser do to offend you for you to perform such a reckless stunt of humiliating him in front of everyone?”
Jiwoo took a moment, a tinge of uncertainty in his eyes as he caught my gaze, as if he wasn’t sure himself why—what—he had done back then. “I agree I did bump into the guy by accident, but, he was the one being the ass. I simply apologised on my own accord, but it seemed like he wanted something more than an apology.” He shrugged.
I sighed deeply, strolling closer to the chair near the desk on the further end of the office. “Jiwoo you do realise that you just humiliated an assistant instructor in front of the school and tried to harm him. If he makes charges against you it might pose a problem for you in your time here at the academy.”
Near the end of my sentence, I sighed again. But Jiwoo was unaffected by my words, as if he didn’t care what Roy could do—would do— against him.
But, he was far stronger than Roy in the stature of raw strength, as he held a lot of promise for the future, but for now, in political stature he lacked a lot in that aspect, yet. In the end, he was just a teenager who didn’t come from any affluent background, or didn’t have anyone backing him up, so he was an easy target for the ambitious bunch ready to do whatever to rise up in the ranks, by whatever bone that was thrown towards them by the higher ups.
“But, I don’t think Roy would publicise the topic of his shame that he was bested by some student, and no less, someone from the first year,” I added with a wry grin as I remembered Roy over his knees struggling to balance his body under Jiwoo’s released pressure.
That guy was honestly a pain to deal with. His arrogant personality had something which many Instructors had come to despise about him. And I think he would get fired quicker than I thought he would be. There were quite a few complaints about him from the students’ side as well.
“So why did you come to the academy all of a sudden?” I asked resting my arm on the armrest of the chair, crossing my legs and leaning comfortably in the chair. “Weren’t you supposed to be on a leave of absence for a few more days?”
But Jiwoo didn’t answer immediately. I gestured him to the couch placed in the left side of the office. He walked closer to it and took a seat and began to elaborate to me that he had asked for a meeting with Headmaster Owens, that was why he had came back to the academy all of a sudden.
What did he had to speak with him? I mused, looking at the youth who slowly stood from his seat, and so did I, as we both made our way out of my office and strode closer to the Headmaster’s office. I didn’t ask anything on the way, but Jiwoo had something on mind as he frowned deeply in thought.
***
Seo Jiwoo
Adam knocked on the thick red wooden door of Samuel’s office which had a plain swirling design with groves over its surface. Afterwards, he took a firm hold over the knob and pushed the door open. As I entered Samuel’s office behind Adam, my eyes landed over the interior which looked lavish and well maintained. From the shiny floor to the beautiful ceiling everything here looked expensive and exquisite.
There was a wooden desk on the further end of the office where Headmaster Owens sat, with several rows of parchment and documents resting over his desk. I squinted my eyes and saw they had many reports written over them, which were maybe about the recent events involving the academy’ students or some other important matter.
One such he was currently holding firmly in his hand, as he read through the details written over it as we entered.
Two designer seats which were made from red char wood were placed near his desk, with two couches placed behind them with an oak wood table in the middle, with a dull brown carpet laid over the floor, which only added more to the beauty of the office.
Many fine artistic paintings were hung on both sides of the walls, as Adam stopped a step away from the desk and respectfully greeting him.
“Good Morning Headmaster Owens.”
Samuel placed the piece of document down on his desk, as he shifted his gaze from the rows of documents and towards us. His solemn face turned into a bright and warm smile as he gestured for us both to sit.
“Please come, have a seat both of you." Samuel muttered. "But, I wasn’t aware that Instructor Adam would be arriving together with you."
"He just tagged along on his own," I said with a wry smirk, as the Instructor looked at me with a hurtful expression over his face as if my words had genuinely hurt him, but his brows were playfully risen. I took the seat to my right and Adam took the one on left. Then a heavy silence descended over the room for a moment as Samuel was the one to break it.
“You requested to meet me at such a short notice? I was surprised if I have to be honest,” Samuel said with a playful smile as his smile slowly widened.
“Sorry about that,” I said in reply, leaning back in the seat.
“So, what is it that you wish to speak with me about Seo Jiwoo?” Samuel asked, his eyes gracefully looking at me. His white hair were slicked back as usual and his beard had grown a little since the tournament, but had been groomed properly. He wore an elegant black suit, with a pair of square shaped glasses which enhanced his masculine aura.
I took a deep breath as I clasped my hands and looked him intently in his eyes.
“Headmaster Owens,” I respectfully said with a determined voice. “The reason I asked for a audience with you today is because...I wish to leave the academy.”
My words hanged in the air, as Adam looked at me with uncertainty in his eyes as his brows furrowed in surprise. Same was the case with Samuel, he had been caught of guard by my sudden proclamation, as his facade of solemnity had crumbled and he looked at me with his confused eyes.
“Can I first ask the reason, as to why you have come to such a conclusion?” Samuel asked, as he rested both elbows on the armrest and quickly recomposed himself. But the uncertainty in his eyes was something which was palpably visible.
I sighed lightly, thinking what answer I should give, to make myself look reasonably and right. The reason I had decided to leave the academy was because, I now had to enter the dungeon trials—the system based quest—, and I wouldn’t be able to return to Earth until I cleared the supposed quest.
But, there was another reason for it. The silence in the air hung heavy as I looked at Adam then turned to look at Samuel.
“I have been thinking about it a lot since the past few days, but the only conclusion I was able to arrive at was that, I should leave the academy.” Samuel’s brows furrowed in deep thought as he looked at me with a confused expression. Both of them were caught of guard by me suddenly wanting to leave the academy—which not many would even consider doing, because of the acceptance rate being really high. “I don’t think I can grow any stronger staying here in Lock,” I answered honestly. For me to gain levels, I needed to constantly enter dungeons, fight stronger monsters and enemies to allow myself to grow stronger, and staying in the academy wouldn’t allow me to do that. And I would be under constant surveillance of the Instructors here, which would put me at a clear disadvantage because I hid my strength from most—which a majority of the students had came to discover now, including Adam and Samuel.
“It’s not like I am saying that the instructors here are incompetent in the subjects and field they teach, but, rather they are all good people I have come to respect, who have taught me a lot and allowed me to break out of my shell of ignorance and helped me with the things I had lacked before,” I slightly turned my head in Adam’s direction, before continuing. “Everything that I have consumed so far in my stay here at Lock has taught me many things which I needed to improve on, as well as my shortcomings.”
“Then what’s the issue?” Adam finally spoke since our arrival in the office.
“Its uhhh...rather more of a personal reason,” I hesitantly answered.
Samuel rose a brow in question as he asked. “Personal reason?”
“Its my sister.” I said. “She has developed a rare condition called: the cold slumber.” Just as I said Samuel and Adam gasped in surprise under the mention of cold slumber.
Because of the rarity of the condition, it was considered an illness which was incurable and impossible to wake up from. And Samuel and Adam might know about it.
“I really sorry to hear that, Jiwoo,” Samuel sympathised as his eyes displayed a subtle softness in them now. “But...,” Samuel paused, taking the moment to allow the heaviness of my words to fleet, before continuing. “If your decision for leaving the academy is regarding your sister’s condition, then the academy can provide support in those regards as well. And I don’t think anyone would complain about it either. If you reveal your strength that is?”
The real reason I didn’t wanted lock’s support was because of time. Things were escalating at a much faster pace than I could have imagined, and I needed to adapt to those changes as fast as I could.
And to reveal my strength was also an issue entirely on its own. Because, many would try to harm or manipulate me or Jihye if they knew about me. And accuse me whether or not I was a demon's contractee, because of the abnormal rate at which my strength was growing, which was impossible for anyone my age to achieve.
A thin smile carved up my lips as I looked at Samuel with grateful eyes. “Thanks for that but...the real reason is something else,” I paused, hesitant, rather what—or rather how—to say what I needed to. Could I trust these two? With a deep and refreshing breath I spoke. “The real reason why I am leaving the academy is because, I have been presented with an opportunity to grow stronger. And I believe I might be able to do something about my sister’s condition as well along the way, because I don’t want to regret anything anymore. I already have a lot of regrets.” I finished with a dry humourless chuckle. “And I have thought long enough about taking this decision.”
“Jiwoo, I can’t tell you that I perfectly understand what you are going through,” Samuel said with a subtle warmth in his voice. “But, if that ‘opportunity’, you mentioned can allow you to become as strong as you wish to be, then we won't hold you back,” I looked into Samuel’s eyes, and I gave him a thin smile with a nod. “And I hope you don’t do something that you will come to truly regret one day.”
I understood the inclination of the point he was making, and nodded back in silence to reassure him.
“But, I want you to know this, that despite everything, you can trust us. If you ever need help, we will always be there.”
“I know,” I returned with determination in my voice. I stood from my seat, as I slightly bowed my head in a gesture of respect and gratitude. “Thank you! Headmaster Owens and Instructor Griffin, for everything you have done for me so far in my stay here at the academy. Thank you for covering about what I had done during the tournament. I didn’t get to say this before, but, thank you.”
Samuel nodded as he straightened in his seat and stood, extending an arm out for me to take. I took it and shook it firmly. “You too. Jiwoo, take care of yourself. And remember always, whatever you do, cherish your life and do what you think is right. Even if at some point that things get hard and unbearable and you are unable to continue forward, remember, there are people who will always be there to lend you a hand.”
With a bright smile over his face Samuel finished. His last sentences caused my heart to feel reassured, that I had gained some good allies since regressing. That I could trust them.
“Yeah, I will keep that in mind,” I said with a deep breath, letting go of his hand, as I looked at Adam who had also stood from his seat.
“Then I wouldn’t want to take anymore of your precious time. Once again, thank you Headmaster, Instructor. And, goodbye.”
Samuel returned with a firm nod, as he sat back down on his seat.
Afterwards, Adam and I exited the office, as we both walked side by side in the wide and clean hallways. But I looked at my Instructor, who had helped me quite a few times now.
Under his tetulage, I had learned and discovered many new things, came to correct my ignorant and rudimentary methods of understanding mana—which I had now accumulated over two life times—and also have had an extremely fun and memorable time being taught by someone after such a long time.
“Well, that came as quite a shock, if I have to be honest,” Adam said, pacing his steps with poise. His brunette hair which were let loose swayed lightly as he walked, I caught his dark eyes looking at me. “But, we can’t just forcefully hold back our students, if they wish to leave themselves. And its a real shame that you are leaving just like this.” Adam said with a tinge of disappointment in his voice, which caused my lips to mischievously pull up—which felt nonetheless refreshing and soothing for me at a time like this—, seeing my Instructor so sorrowful over my departure.
I might just tear up for real. Hmm...Nah!
“Don’t worry, you can just find another guinea pig to help you pique your curiosity even after I am gone,” I said, as I shot Adam a wide grin.
“Easier said than done,” Adam played along with a raise of his brow with a playful expression over his sharp face.
I had came to personal like Adam as a mentor and as well as a friend. And the guy was honestly a lot of fun to be around once I got to know him. His humour was something which I couldn’t find in the kids about Ryuya’s age or so, so I always felt kind of awkward around them. But Adam was someone just a few years younger than me, if I took into account the years I had lived in the past. I think he was in his late twenties.
But that was if I considered my mental age—consisting of both of my lives—, compared to that my physical age was that of an adolescent teenager.
“Thanks Instructor, for everything.” I said as we reached near the western exit of the main building.
“No need to call me Instructor any more,” Adam said with a serious tone which caught me off guard. “Just call me Adam from now onwards. I am no longer your Instructor starting today, as you have left the academy.” I saw a thin smile pull up on his lips as he sarcastically exclaimed.
As Adam said, he stopped in his tracks, and extended an arm towards me, as I took it a moment later.
“Wherever you are going, take good care of yourself Jiwoo.”
“And, you go easy on the kids once I am gone, Adam,” I said with a grin, shooting Adam an innocent wink, as Adam gave me a weird raise of his brow. I firmly shook his hand and then strode away, and out of the main building.
The bright sunlight basked me in its warmth as I walked closer to a nearby bench which was only a few meters away. Behind it was a patch of lilies growing which lightly swayed by the passing breeze, as the fresh smell of the flowers made the scenery more delightful and breath taking.
I took a seat, as I leaned my head back. I hadn’t really slept that well for the last few days, thinking about what the next step I should take. But a lot had happened in the past few days, and I already had a mountain full of things to deal with. And one of them was regarding whether I should disclose my past to Master and Fujimoto.
I sighed, taking a deep and slow breath, as I grappled with my own thoughts.
Suddenly, I heard gentle foot steps approach in my direction as I peeked an eyes open and bobbed my head slightly to my left. I saw a woman approach in my direction as she covered each of her steps with poise and calculation.
She came to a halt in front of me, as I quickly recognised the woman in front of me.
The long waist length brunette hair which shined in the bright light of the sun, as well as her attractive face which didn’t have a single wrinkle over it, as well as her amber eyes which gleamed with an enigmatic, yet subtle beauty to them. She caught my gaze as she greeted me with a warm smile over face. But there was something about her—something which I couldn’t exactly put a finger on—which was making me extremely wary of this woman. As if all of my secrets—even the most deepest ones—were bare to this woman. My intuition was telling me that I needed to be careful of her.
She was wearing a casual dress, which had an auburn colour, which complimented her slightly darker skin tone, with a light skin colour trench coat on top.
Laurena Lianard. The woman I had been curios about since the incident after the tournament.
And since then I had tried to gather information about her, but I couldn’t find much, regardless of how hard I tried, even going to the lengths of asking Salvador for help. But nothing unusual came out about her.
I didn’t know how to explain the reason; how she had appeared when I had used leap to ride the pathways and appear behind the training facility on the last day of the tournament.
“You mind if I sit here?” She asked with that warm and soft smile still etched to her face, as she regarded with a subtle softness in her eyes, which made me confused and even more wary of her. Just what was this woman thinking? I couldn’t perfectly read her.
“Go ahead,” I gestured, crossing my legs and leaning my back comfortably against the bench.