Chapter 7- Tower Of Athilium
’Since I know what I can do with this. The next three years will be extrely crucial.’ Zen thought to himself. He knew how crucial they were for his future and how utterly important they were to create his foundation.
He had done himself irreversible damage by ignoring his powers for that ti, and then when he started, everyone else was so ahead of him that his abilities barely made him reach the sa level by the ti he was 50 years of age, when in reality... He could’ve been the strongest Hunter in the world, and that would’ve changed so much about his life.
’No point in crying over spilled milk now. I am going to make use of every second I have.’ He thought to himself. ’However... That being said, what is this second rune I was given?’
Coming to the most crucial detail, the Tower of Athilium. Focusing on the skill, it opened the details for him.
[Na: Tower of Athilium]
[Type: Manifestation]
[Level: ???]
[Evolution Requirents: ???]
[Description: A Tower of endless floors, stretching into the heavens above. A trial that only that who carries the will shall pass.]
"What..." Zen frowned. ’It has no levels and no evolution requirents? And what does it an by trial? This is sohow even more confusing now. What does it want from ?’
Zen knew that this tower, whatever it was, had the answer inside of it, and it seed that he could access the tower the mont he activated the skill. So, he decided to put that on hold until he is back ho, where nobody could see him.
’Dammit. I don’t like this at all.’ Running his hand through his hair, Zen looked up, just as the Hunter and his group walked into the room. It seed the shock from what he just witnessed was still lingering on his face as he seed completely perturbed.
His eyes wandered to Cipha and Zen, and then he quickly looked away. Zen could tell that he truly didn’t want anything to do with the two of them. They were far above his pay grade, and it wasn’t even funny.
They were about to be the two most important youngsters in the world, and he had to sohow deal with that.
"Ehem, first of all, congratulations on your awakening. You have finished the first step of your journey as Hunters, but this is far from the hardest one. The true test begins now. I am sure all of you received your interface ssages and checked your first runes. Your runes are your abilities, and depending on what they do, your role as a Hunter will be determined."
"Question, sir!" A student raised their hand.
"Yes?"
"What will happen to us now?"
"Well, you have two possibilities. You will either be scouted by one of the guilds or clans if they see that you have potential. Or, you can sign up for the Hunter Association test and beco a certified Hunter who only works for the Association and doesn’t have any affiliation with any guild or clan."
"I see..."
"Man, if I get scouted... I would genuinely cry..."
"Forget it. Only the best of talents get scouted, we are nobodies..."
"Yeah, soone like Miss Cipha... She will definitely be fought for tooth and nail."
"Have you forgotten what her family is? She’s a Heavensoul, for god’s sake. They won’t let her go even if they have to wage a war for it."
"Yeah, you’re right. I forgot."
’They’re not wrong. Heavensoul is one of the strongest clans in the world. They are the best environnt to grow as a Hunter... But...’ Zen looked at Cipha silently. ’That isn’t what’s going to happen. Cipha is far from the person Heavensoul could control.’
"So, for now, you have so ti to get familiar with your new powers. Your body will take a few days to assimilate the energy and fully reconstruct. After that, it is your choice. Any other questions?"
"What about those who don’t want to join any clan or the association?" One student asked with a confident, almost cocky smile on his face.
So students giggled, knowing that he was just joking. After all, who was in their right mind who wouldn’t want to join one of the two sides that would provide them with the resources to grow stronger and beco a full-fledged Hunter?
"It is simply not a viable option if you truly have a desire to beco a professional hunter. Working alone, you won’t be able to get the resources or the backing to survive."
"..." Zen looked at Jack silently. ’He isn’t right. You can definitely be a rogue Hunter and succeed. If anything... A few rogue Hunters went on to beco the strongest in the world. It’s a matter of knowing where to go and what to do, and that’s my plan.’
Zen knew that joining a clan would give him a lot of shortcuts, but he wasn’t looking for shortcuts... He was looking for an efficient advantage. He wanted every ounce of power he could get, and a clan would simply restrict him from doing whatever he wanted.
’With the things I’m planning to do... No clan or association will let .’ Zen shook his head.
However, what he wanted to do was still slowly taking shape, and he didn’t want to rush it.
"Any more questions?"
"..."
"Good. If any of you want to assess their rank, then head to the closest Hunter Association branch. The assessnt is completely free. I wish you all luck in your future endeavors and to be heroes for our people."
The students then started leaving one by one as they headed back ho. They were excited to tell their parents and loved ones about the big news. Their lives will change forever from here on out.
Zen watched as everyone walked away and then pushed himself off the wall to leave, too. However, that was when Jack called for him.
"Mr Zen, Miss Cipha. Can you two please remain here for a bit? I need to talk to you." He said.
Zen stopped, looked at the Hunter, and then at Cipha. ’ and here... Oh no...’ Zen panicked inwardly. He wasn’t ntally ready to face his wife like this. But, he also had no choice; this was a part of what happened in the past, and he knew what Jack was going to say.
Inhaling subtly, he approached the hunter.
"What is it?"
"Ummm..." The man seed hesitant for a second. "You two are... As you may know, not quite average. After your awakening, you both have unlocked imnsely strong potential. It is advised that you move carefully in the next several months. Once the news is out, you will be the center of attention wherever you go. Miss Cipha shouldn’t face a problem due to her background, but for you, Mr Zen... We have run a background check on you, and we advise you to join a clan as soon as you can to avoid any threat."
"..."
Cipha looked over her shoulder at Zen, who seed oddly unbothered. He was clearly an average boy, and yet the look in his eyes was simply off. He didn’t look his age whatsoever.
"Thanks for your advice. I will keep that in mind." Zen said.
Then, he turned around and started walking away. His eyes kept wandering back to Cipha secretly, but he clenched his teeth and didn’t let his desires take over. ’I know I won’t be able to hold on for three more years... But... I can’t just approach her now, it will seem so weird.’
He needed to find the right opportunity to do that. Perhaps that will co very soon. As he left the gymnasium and looked around, the school was still bustling with activity. People are celebrating, and others are crying tears of sadness.
Zen looked at the scenes silently for a second. His eyes lost focus for a second as he fell into deep thoughts. The realization struck him at that mont that his journey had begun again. He was now on the road to becoming one of the strongest hunters in the world.
’No.’ He shook his head. ’Not one of the strongest. I want to be the strongest. The strongest hunter to ever walk the earth. I want to be so much stronger than every other existence in the world. I need to be at the peak of power in this world so that nobody could hurt those I care about ever again.’
His determination was higher than ever, and his desire for revenge was only flaring up by the second. Zen wasn’t going to let any of that happen again. He was going to reshape this world to the way he saw fit. Erasing all the evil and corruption from it.
"I have never seen a red aura like yours before."
As Zen was standing there, he suddenly heard a voice that sent chills down his spine. He froze for a second, not knowing how to react, before he turned around. There, standing before him in her full glory, was Cipha... His wife.
"..." Zen remained silent for a second. ’In the past life, she didn’t approach . Why did she do that now?’
He had changed another part of the past.
"Is that a complint?" He asked.
"Take it as you will," Cipha said coldly as she eyed Zen. "You’re Zen Levian, correct?"
"Yes," Zen replied. ’It’s so odd hearing her say my full na like this. She’s also giving the ’strangers’ eye’. But, knowing Cipha, she probably saw the potential in and wants to establish so sort of connection that would benefit her. That actually wouldn’t be too bad...’
"I’m Cipha, Cipha Heavensoul."
"I know of you... You are a bit of a celebrity around the world, no?" Zen asked with a calm smile.
"I wouldn’t call myself a celebrity, but if that’s what you think," Cipha replied.
"So, why is soone of your caliber approaching ? I reckon it’s not to be friends, is it?"
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