Trickster Wukong

-SLAM

In a large and open auditorium with wooden floorboards and lights of a similar colour, countless teenagers could be seen conversing, laughing and showing off supernatural abilities.

However, this all came to a halt as the large door to the auditorium opened. 

A skinny boy, his clothes drenched and hair so wet it covered half his face, stood like a statue before the door.

"Did he walk through the storm?" 

"He's late. I wasn't expecting anyone to arrive at this time." 

"Is he smiling? What's wrong with him?" 

"I'm not sure, but we should move away; his crazy might be contagious." 

The students joked, soon looking away and continuing to what they were doing, leaving the peculiar boy standing, dripping as he continued to smile.

'Remember this day, people. It was the day you first lay eyes on greatness.'

Though Illian thought this, a shiver coursed through his body as he realised he was standing in the cold, no one caring about what he had to say.

'Geez. Although I'm an Inheritor now, I still have the body of a regular teenager. A weak one at that.' 

Illian was well aware of his skinny frame, with not an inch of muscle visible.

As Illian walked through the crowd, he didn't have the problem of being blocked as everyone naturally moved away from the wet person.

Because of this, it was also easy to find an empty bench to the side.

Using his forearm to wipe his face and push up his wet hair, Illian looked around.

'Everyone here is an Inheritor.'

Illian knew this even before he'd entered the auditorium, but he was underwhelmed.

They all seemed…normal.

Thinking this, Illian paused as he stared at the crowd, his hands hidden in his pockets.

In the next second, he revealed his sharp teeth, a needle in between them, pointed toward the crowd.

'With one word…I could destroy everything and everyone here.' 

However, Illian raised an eyebrow as this thought flashed through his mind.

Realising he'd just brought out his staff, he quickly swallowed it as he fell deep in thought.

Without even knowing, he'd brought his staff out.

Illian looked down, gripping his chest as he could feel his heart racing.

'What was that?' 

"You're scaring everyone." 

A voice snapped Illian out of his trance as he looked to the side, only to be met with a familiar face.

Illian's eyes narrowed as he stared quietly at the black-haired female with blue eyes, a few other individuals standing behind her.

'Claire Vanheart.'

"What do you want?" Illian glared, the sour taste from Zoey still on his tongue.

Claire's indifferent expression never changed as she paused, replying soon after.

"I came to introduce myself. My name is Claire Vanheart." 

Illian stared, turning his head as he looked back to the crowd.

'There's no point now.' 

"I'm Illian Hale." 

"Woah, his eyes are Golden. I've never seen that before." A female's voice came, speaking everyone's mind as Illian's hair no longer covered his eyes.

"Also, Claire, are you sure? I thought we were looking for that Spencer girl." 

Illian shot his head to the side as he stared at one of the girls behind Claire.

The girl wore large round glasses, matching well with her light freckles and her hair in two pigtails and Illian was also able to notice the large smile that seemingly never left her face.

And most prominently, a vintage-looking camera hung from her neck.

"Hannah, can't you read the room?" A boy beside her shoved her.

His simple brown hair and brown eyes matched well with his simple demeanour.

"Oh, sorry Eric. Sorry Claire." Hannah apologised to both of them.

"It's fine." Claire sighed and turned her eyes to the last girl in the group.

"Amy, any luck?" 

A ginger-haired girl walked past Claire, looking around the crowd.

"No. I promise we used to live in the same neighbourhood as kids. I know what she looks like." Amy sighed as she looked back, her eyes meeting with Illian's.

"Hi, my name is Amy Law. Great to meet you." Amy introduced, stretching out her hand with a simple smile.

Illian stared at the hand for a second, soon pulling out his hand from his pocket.

Illian's hand reached out, grabbing Amy's. However, as he did, Amy's expression changed to a startled one.

Amy felt the icy hands clasp hers, the bony fingers twitching violently as the veins showed the most life, bulging.

Instinctively, she yanked her hand back.

Meanwhile, Hannah gasped as she put both hands over her mouth, her pupils dilating.

'I knew he was cursed…but that's…' 

Claire stared, almost horrified, her indifferent demeanour crumbling.

Seeing this reaction, Illian simply put his hand back into his pocket, his expression indifferent.

Though his demeanour was neutral, he was currently having an opposite reaction inside.

'Ha! Fucking pussies.' 

Illian chuckled inwardly. He enjoyed these kinds of mischievous pranks everyone once in a while.

It took his mind off things.

"What's wrong with him?" Eric whispered, though still heard by everyone.

"He's hurt. Don't be so insensitive." Claire replied, causing the others to regain their rationale.

"Yeah, you're right, I guess." Eric reluctantly accepted, his glare shifting toward Illian for a second.

In the next second, an awkward silence erupted.

"Um, so Illian. What were you doing before all this?" Hannah blurted out, sweating as she nervously laughed.

Claire rolled her eyes at her clumsy friend.

Illian glanced at her for a second, taking a second to think about his answer.

"Hmm, I was trying to kill myself." 

"..."

One could almost see the life being drained from Hannah as her face paled. 

Eric and Amy stared with an expression of discomfort as the boy's weirdness was starting to affect them.

However, after everything, they really didn't know if he was joking or not.

"There she is!" 

In the corner of her eye, Amy noticed a familiar figure as a bright smile appeared on her face.

All four teenagers shifted their gaze in one direction, noticing the girl wearing a baseball cap, her blonde hair pushed through the gap on the back of the hat, as well as a coat and leggings.

The group quickly followed Amy who walked toward the girl, glad they were leaving the situation they were in.

Claire paused for a second, soon following them as she halted looking back to Illian.

"I hope this goes without saying, but stay away from her." 

Illian and Calire's eyes met as they glared at each other. For once, he was not amused.

"You've already taken enough away from her." 

She added, though in a hushed tone, finally walking away.

Illian stared as they each introduced themselves to the seemingly introverted girl.

It wasn't long until he looked away, staring at the two-headed silver coin in hand.

"Woah, there she is." 

"I can't believe it. It's true."

"Hell yeah, it is; who else do you know who has that hammer?"

"I heard she was able to awaken with a National Weapon and a Perk at once." 

The crowd parted for a single figure who stomped toward Claire, soon standing before her.

"Vanheart, are you mesmerised by what you see?" 

The girl stood before Claire, his auburn hair flowing down her back, her sharp features complimenting her superior-like demeanour.

"Igor." Claire glared.

But most notably, resting on her shoulder was a large and robust hammer. 

With symbols etched onto it, its shape and size seemed as though no one could hold it so leisurely as it looked half the size of a car.

[Name: Devon Igor]

[Legend: Thor]

[Pantheon: Norse Mythology]

'Struck by lightning on the day of her awakening. It's almost as cool as my awakening.' 

Illian watched amongst the crowd.

"Say Claire, I still don't know your Legend. Mind sharing with the class?" 

Devon grinned cockily, though a part of her was genuinely curious.

"You'll find out during the Ranking Tournaments after our scenario." 

Claire retorted, refusing to share in the submissive nature of the others.

'Ranking Tournament? Well, I'm not surprised.' 

It seemed even in Horizon, like everywhere else in this world, was run on a hierarchy system.

And it was going to be a Tournament that would decide it.

Though this was a perfect chance for Illian to prove he was the best, he felt a sense of dissatisfaction as he sighed.

The reason for this was…

'That shit sounds boring.' 

A Tournament that potentially lasted weeks of hundreds of students battling. 

The time Illian would be fighting wouldn't even compare to the time he'd spend watching others fight.

'No, that won't do.' 

"Hi." 

Illian turned his head as his thoughts were interrupted by the figure who now stood over him.

With styled blonde hair and bright blue eyes, the teenager fashioned a warm smile.

'Who's this?' 

"Do you mind?" The boy asked, pointing to the bench Illian sat on.

Though Illian stared for a second, he soon turned away.

"The bench isn't mine." 

The boy nodded as he took a seat beside Illian, a second of silence passing as they stared at the scene unfolding before them between Claire and Devon.

"So, are you nervous about your first scenario?" The boy asked, seemingly making conversation.

However, Illian had no intention to entertain it as most of his mind was absent of distant thoughts.

"It's whatever." 

Illian mainly felt this way because he still didn't completely understand what a scenario was.

"Well, you might want to familiarise yourself with your Status window. You won't be able to summon it inside the Scenario. Or use the system at all for that matter."

This time, Illian turned his head in curiosity, raising an eyebrow.

"Status? What do you…" 

However, before he could finish his sentence, upon saying the first word, a familiar screen appeared before him.

[Name: Illian Hale-Zara

Status: 

Cursed with Certain Death (1 month and 21 days)

8th Grader Syndrome

Rebirth: Sun Wukong, Monkey King

Stage: 0

Fables: (0/5)

Perks: 

N/A

Arts: 

N/A

Stats:

Strength: F-

Agility: F-

Stamina: F-

Charm (Zara): F+

National Treasures: 

Ruyi Jingu Bang (S-Rank)]

Illian flinched a little as the unexpected screen took him by surprise. 

And though he was surprised, as the seconds passed, that confusion was multiplied but for a different reason.

'What the hell is this crap?' 

"I guess you found it. It's a Status window that shows your basic information." The boy chuckled seeing Illian's reaction.

'Yeah, I figured out that much. But this is supposed to be my information yet I've never heard of some of this stuff.' 

Illian calmed himself, taking a deep breath.

'Hale-Zara. Who's Zara?'

Though Illian asked this, he couldn't help but remember Monroe's words.

"Is your name just 'Hale'?" 

He didn't know what she meant, but as time passed…

'Why am I getting the feeling…that I don't even know who I am?' 

First his Grandpa now this?

Additionally, Illian couldn't help but think it was important too.

After all, one of his stats seemed to be named after it.

Upon thinking this, Illian's face contorted to one of frustration and annoyance as he bit his lip.

'Can someone explain to me how my Charm is an F+?' 

And as his eyes moved upwards, the boy sitting beside Illian chuckled awkwardly as he watched the boy bite his lips with bulging veins on his forehead.

'8th…Grader…Syndrome?'

"Tell me about stats." Illian sighed, calming himself as he turned to the boy.

The boy smiled as he gladly answered.

"Well, the three main stats are Strength, Agility and Stamina." 

"But, although uncommon, it's known for some Inheritors to awaken an additional stat exclusive to them depending on their Legend." 

Illian nodded. It seemed Charm was something unique to Illian.

'Though I have an idea of what everything else can be, I have no idea what Fables are and...' 

Illian paused, mostly focused on "Rebirth".

'Isn't that supposed to say "Legend"?'

"What about…"

Before Illian could finish, he noticed the boy's gaze averted, fixed on a small part of Illian's hand peeking out from his pocket.

In the next second, the boy scoffed as he rose to his feet, looking away.

"It was nice to meet you, Illian Hale, Grandson of Xavier Hale." 

Illian tightened his eyebrows as he glared at the boy.

"You're supposed to be his Grandson? The man who embarrass-…dishonoured my family? You're just a cripple." 

The boy looked back, his demeanour completely changed, seeming like a different person as the detestable hate that oozed from his eyes knew no bounds.

"No matter. I will regain my family's honour. I will prove I am better than him. And I'll start with his offspring." The boy hissed, turning his head again.

"Wait a minute, is that…" 

"No way, when did he get here?" 

In the next second, a few of the students started turning their eyes toward Illian. More specifically the boy.

"The name's Zachery Dream. It was great to meet you, Illian." 

Zachery turned back, the previous warm smile returning to his face as he waved his hand.

As he did, Illian witnessed the water soaking his body seemingly disappear in an instant.

'What…'

"It's Zachery Dream!" 

A female yelled, pointing, a few others blushing as he smiled.

Even Devon and Claire couldn't help but avert their gaze, glaring at him, Devon's smile fading.

[Name: Zachery Dream]

[Legend: Poseidon]

[Pantheon: Greek Mythology]

Even a crook like Illian knew the name Dream. 

The head of the family was a member of the Pentagon.

But his older brother was truly something else.

'He also knows Grandpa. But since Zoey knew too, it's probably his father who has a deeper relationship with Grandpa.'

Illian glared at the boy, practically being worshipped as he walked away.

Illian's Grandpa had left a few years ago and he hadn't heard from him since. 

He wasn't worried the old man was dead or anything but simply waited for him to return. 

Even today.

However, the more he heard about his Grandpa, the more a thought seeded itself in his mind.

'Could Grandpa have been…no, that's impossible…he'd have told me…right?'

"Pay attention!" 

A heavy and authoritative tone came from the stage of the auditorium. 

All the teenagers looked in unison; their eyes fell on a large, bulky man.

With a bald head and a large ginger beard, the scar on his forehead added to his intimidating nature.

"For those who do not know, I am the Principal of Horizon Academy." 

"I hope you've made your peace knowing this might be your last hour conscious on this world." 

Everyone could feel their heart race as their gaze stayed glued on the man, including Illian.

"You will now enter your Scenario!"