Chapter: 4: Announcement [1]
A span of two days have come to pass since I miraculously regressed back in time and found myself in the body of this teenager named Jiwoo.
After spending the two days holed up inside my room doing nothing except body exercises or finding information about the things which I deemed absolutely necessary. It was finally the morning of Monday and the day I left the room and went outside.
I opened the closet and took out a uniform which was supposedly made of a fabric similar to cotton but the sturdiness of the material made this uniform look like a protective layer of armour. I draped my body with the uniform as it easily covered each part of my body, then turned to assess myself in the mirror.
I gave myself a satisfied content smile as I corrected theuniform from some spots and stretched a little to get comfortable in the new set of clothing.
Since the moment I had found myself in this stranger's body, I have been constantly performing the rhythmical breathing technique to absorb and purify the mana ambient in the air to strengthen my body and the channels within—which were honestly still quite weak and unformed which was making it harder for me to circulate my mana throughout my body—as well as doing several exercises to slowly build the aptitude of my new physique.
The heavy dark circles from under my eyes had now disappeared and my body looked a lot better compared to jusy two days ago when even moving just a little bit was making me lethargic and lazy.
Consequently, through the process of training my body my stats had also increased a little which was a good thing. Yeah while I was exercising I noticed that my stats increased, but barely.
The difference was not something noteworthy, but for me, it was still a big game changer. Because I had to start building my strength from scratch I needed all the help I could find.
And right now the one I could rely on the most was this system like interface which had magical appeared in front of me when I had just arrived in this room.
Breaking away from my train of thoughts, I grabbed the keys from over my desk as I checked the time, which was still adequate enough until class started. I reached for the door and opened it and exited my room whilst locking the door.
With a sharp clocking noise which reverberated in my ears, I moved the doorknob to check if the door was locked then exited the dormitory building and headed for class.
Yes. Class! Since the start of my great detective work and taking two whole days to figure out the happenings around the world—if it was still the same in the past I remembered, which it was, but with the exception of some incident which I didn’t remember or felt a sense of déjà vu from seeing, I guess no one can remember every single detail with perfect precision—I came to find out that I or, Seo Jiwoo, the guy whose body I had regressed back into was a student in the world’s best academy. Lock!
An institution which was renowned world wide for being the best school, giving the perfect environment for a person to nurture themselves.
The first thought that came to my mind when I found about this particular information of Jiwoo being a student in Lock, I'd thought he might have been some big shot's kid or at least somewhat rich for being admitted to the renowned ‘Hunter’s Academy aka Lock’. But reality is often disappointing, as the saying goes. It was the complete opposite of what I had thought, or any expectations I had for him.
He was a first year student with one of the lowest ranking in the academy, with no such high-profile background supporting him. Neither was he that talented to make him look unique or whatsoever.
“Haaa...”
I sighed in defeat from having my hopes plunge into a pit from the harsh reality. But well, it is what its is. I steadied my pace and quickly made my way forward.
Another thing I learned about after looking into Jiwoo’s info was that, despite being a nobody and almost someone as unworthy and unimpprtant as a side-character, who was ranked the lowest in the academy, he was also under some debt.
No not some debt, a lot of debt.
Thirty Million won.
Fucking ‘thirty million won’.
I already have a ton of stuff occupying my mind right as of this moment and this fucking bastard’s debt is now mine to pay—I was penniless and also hopeless from dealing with so much crap just after starting to adapt to my new circumstances. Seriously, lady luck really fucked me over this time and I think that bastard Jiwoo was had in hand with her.
Fuck!! Ever since waking up in this body, problems after problems have been piling up like a mountain in front of me and it top didn’t seem to be in sight.
“Haaa...”
I paced my steps as I looked around me and found the right way to the main building where the curriculum class and standard lecture were held.
Looking around the beautiful scenery left me flabbergasted and astound. The wide gardens, beautiful structures and state of the art facilities which were created with the outmost amount of money and thought in mind for nourishing the younger generation.
In my previous life, I had never come to the ‘Lock’. As it was not accessible by the public or ordinary people even if they wanted to make a visit—except for when the academy deliberately opened its gates to the outside in case of some festivity or some event which the public could attend—, with the exception of government officials or important personnel who could only enter with special passes.
And as I was a nobody, I only devoted myself to training under the tutelage of my masters. And I also didn’t have enough money to enroll myself, even if I wanted to. I mean, my mentors would have sent me if I asked them, but I was more than happy to just train under them who were far more helpful in my progress than being a student in some academy.
Well, that is life! You can have it all, or you are born with none.
But I did heard about the academy being the world's best and finest institution. Because it was the hottest subject around the world where ever I went.
An institution which produced the strongest and most influential people around the world. Being an organization built under the Union ship of the World Leaders it was made in a way go create an environment for students to nourish themselves to become stronger, while the academy provided as much help it could in the growth of its students—but that was also dependent over the criteria of their abilities and the way they performed in the academy, their privileges were marked with their increasing ranks and influence, and your rank was the highest amount of privilege in this place, giving you more freedom to do anything who wanted to in academy rules and regulations.
Yes. When the first cataclysm; as humanity likes to call the first appearance of Dungeons and Magic, arrived and shook the society to its core.
The World was left in disarray and everyone was trying to understand this phenomenon to the best they could.
After several years of war and fighting, we humans finally settled down, and the world leaders from all around the world decided to once and for all join hands and created the World Union which held the highest commanding power in the world which commanded the hunter society and regulated laws and passed standard terminologies with the hunters and normal public in mind to create peace and harmony.
And after much consideration and talks, this broken piece of land was voted out to lay the foundation of where the academy is built now.
Lock is built over an island which is situated in the east coast of the atlantic ocean.
It was built when a big piece of land broke apart and drifted away from it original place after the first cataclysm happened which made several changes to occur world wide, changing the way we humans perceived many things. The regular normal was turned upside down.
The Lock is said to be the world’s most secured place and the best for nurturing the world’s next top hunters, and powerhouse.
And after graduating from the academy getting a well paying job at either the World Union or any other guild was guaranteed.
The island has portal like device—similar to what we humans thought and theoried about in the sense of sci-fi and mysticism—which connect the outside world to Lock, just like waking through a door, but one which connected one place to a whole different one. The portal are similar to gates which connect one place to another creating a door through which people can bypass through the space itself, covering several kilometres of distance in just a few seconds without wasting any time.
The portals had become the most used source of travel in the world, with the use of planes and vehicles used only for traveling short distances inside a city or for other matters of transferring supplies in huge amounts.
Dwelling through my thoughts I had realised I had already reached the main building and my class was now within sight.
Walking through the wide marble hallway, I saw many students wearing the same uniform as me.
A black uniform which had golden strips embroidered around the uniform’s chest area, and also around the sleeves which gave it a certain subtle charm.
‘Oh right, first years wear the black uniform. While the second and third years sophomores wear red and indigo.’ I thought as I looked around me with awe filled eyes, but perfectly hid it. I was always curious as to what the world's best academy looked like and now I had found out.
Just like before, I had studied everything I could find about the Lock or any other things that I deem necessary for my survival.
Because of this persisting habit of mine, I pushed that far in that shit hole. Before getting killed by him.
A frown creased past my face as I clenched my hand tightly and ground my teeth. A deep fury lodged in my mind—unbeknownst to me—as I remembered about the Demon king, as my face fumed with uncontained rage.
‘Right, him. As long as he's alive, the same scenario will play all over again unless he is stopped for good.'
I thought as I calmed myself down and unclenched my fist, with a breath I allowed mh mind to relax and eyes to turn cold.
Replacing my face afterwards was a calm look, rather the frown a few seconds before.
Then looking at the white door in front of me I extended my hand forward and pressed the glass screen beside the door.
The door opened with a hum. I hesitated for a moment before finally making my mind and entering.
Just as I entered I saw many desks aligned from bottom to the top and students sitting in their seats either revising some topic through their tablets or just holding a steady conversation with their fellow desk mates.
And in the middle was the podium where I suppose the Instructor gives his/her lectures. And I was curious who the Instructor of my class would be.
It felt kind of weird coming to school when never even being a student in the first place in some lavish institution.
Moving forward, I soon stopped in the left middle row desk and then sat down.
I felt comfortable sitting here for some reason and it gave me a relaxing eagerness to just melt in the background to not appear under anyones radar.
But not giving it much thought I took out my phone and opened the files which I had transferred to my phone through the laptop. They were the things which I was hoping to do in the upon coming days which were important.
“Jiwoo!”
I heard my name call out from beside me as my brows knitted.
A strange cold chill ran down my spine and I felt my body shake apparently. A string of fear attached itself to my heart as my mind clouded and I felt lightheaded suddenly.
Turning my head to my right side I saw a youth standing near me. A few feet away with his arms leaning against the seats.
He had blonde hair styled to the side and blue eyes which shined handsomely, making the youth look charming. His jawline was sharp and he looked tremendously handsome. His build still need some work but it was good enough for someone his age.
I scanned his body up and down, without making hims suspicious of my subtle action.
He was wearing the same uniform as me, but for some reason his uniform looked more gleaming. As if he was wearing the most expensive, hand-tailored uniform made from the finest master tailor.
But I think that was only because my mind was playing tricks on me.
“T-Thomas!”
I instinctively responded as a name popped up inside my head through my blurred thoughts. My voice quivered As I spoke and felt short for breath.
I had never met this guy in either of my lifes and me feeling such emotions just by meeting this fellow didn't give me a good impression of this guy. So the conclusion falls down to him being someone whom Jiwoo knew.
‘A friend or...’
I inwardly thought as I met the boy's eyes and held his gaze.
He placed his hand on my shoulder and grabbed on it hard with all this strength as an expression full of annoyance appeared over his face.
I stood up from my seat on his sudden action with knitted brows, as he glared in my direction and I felt something that only ‘he'—The Demon King, could make me feel. An emotion which always made a sickening lurch to the stir inside my stomach and claw at the insides.
Fear.
Something that I didn’t even feel, even when I died in my previous life.
But for some reason my mind was clouded with this emotion in particular as my body rejected my command.
But not displaying it over my face, I glared back in his direction with my face twisted into a frown.
Our eyes clashed for a swift second before he released his grip over my shoulder and withdrew his arm back and stood nonchalantly as if nothing at happened.
“What...? I was only checking over my friend. I was hopelessly worried to no ends when I didn’t see you over the weekend.”
He said with a devilish smile on his face, but not reaching his eyes, which were releasing malice.He pulled his chin up and looked down at me through his nose as if he was trying yo degrade me somehow by showing himself as superior.
Bringing his mouth close to my ear he spoke with a cold voice laced with as much malice and patronising edge.
“It seems like we need to have a talk, trash," Thomas exclaimed. "I have been going easy on you for the past few days, making you so disobedient. But I perfectly know when to tighten the leash around someone such as you.Come to the usual spot after classes are over. Understood?"” he added as he slowly turned his head and looked at me with his eyes narrowed and face pulled into a malicious smile.
Patting me on the shoulder twice he left and sat back down in his seat in the front rows.
Once again I sat down on my chair as I scowled.
‘So this is the kind of life you were leading, huh Jiwoo? Well, thing are going to change from this day moving forth.' I inwardly sympathised as I glared at Thomas from behind, who was now speaking with female student with a gentlemanly demeanour.
‘Thomas, huh...’
‘Well either way, Jiwoo’s problems are now my problems and taking care of his left affair is also something I have to deal with. So I think I better get my shit together.’
Just then the door of the classroom hummed opened and a male youth entered through it.
Walking over to the podium he placed his tablet on the podium and stood there with poise and authority in his posture.
I looked down at the man for a quick second as our eyes met and he snapped his head away to another pair of students in the place. His observant eyes studied all the student before he settled.
His brunette hair were beautifully tied into a ponytail which were silky and his bangs tumbling over his forehead and his sharp obsidian coloured eyes complimented perfectly with his hair adding more charm to his good looks.
His face looked outstandingly handsome m. His jawline as sharp as a blade and fair skin which was pure white and devoid of any imperfections.
He was wearing a white t-shirt and a black trouser coupled with his black shoes. His height exceeded the 6ft mark, and I think he was around 186 centimetres in height.
Overall, he looked dashing and full of youthfulness.
I could see all the eyes present in the classroom focus in his direction.
But the girls eyes were twinkling from now or then as they looked at him with their cheeks flushed red and faces pulled into a cutesy expression. There gazes didn’t even once leave the Instructor as he stood on the end of the classroom.
“Let’s start with attendance!” The Instructor said, his deep voice reverberated through the room easily.
“When I call out your name, just respond with ‘here’, alright?" Instructor said as he held the tablet in his hand once again and began taking attendance as he tapped over its screen once he was done with one student and moved on to the other.
‘Adam Griffin.’
He's the instructor of class A-7, in which currently I was.
I did study about the instructors of Lock and other stuff which would have been important for my stay here. But there was one person in particular that caught my interest whom I'd also known about even in my past life.
It was him, Adam Griffin.
I remember him from my previous life. When the second cataclysm hit humanity, he was among the people who stood on the front line defeating as many demons and monsters as possible.
I didn’t meet him directly in my previous life, but I heard talks about him often on the battlefield.
He was among one of the few hunter who didn’t run in the face of the hordes of thousands of monsters and demons, holding firm and fighting until his final breaths.
He was given the name ‘Death Sworn’ for his achievements on the battlefield for being an absolute powerhouse in the house.
And his talent was something which people marvelled over and ever envious of.
Whenever he walked on the battlefield, he would always kill his enemies without any mercy. Of course his abilities weren't just for show and he backed up all of his claims with his unyielding strength.
But he met his inevitable death on the battlefield. He is one worthy of praise. He was one of the many people who defended his world until his final moments.
If I remember correctly, I heard he died fighting a super strong guy from the demonic army’s side who ranked in the most upper echelon.
“Rank-2290, Seo Jiwoo”
Jolting me out of my thoughts was Adam’s crisp voice.
“Here!”
I said as soon as he called out my name.
“That makes it all.”
He said as he placed his tablet down on the podium.
“Today I have an announcement to make.”
He spoke with his crisp voice once again.
But just then an excruciating pain enveloped my body and I felt my head splitting and felt like hot rode were being thrust into my temples as my body tensed up. My mind felt like it was being ripped apart as each cell inside me retailed. As if someone was pinching each and every cell of my body and I was getting struck my a barrage of lightning.
The pain was something unexpected and unbearable.
I lowered my head to hide my face as it twisted into a scowl. Every second that passed felt like an eternity.
I wanted to scream over my lungs, but didn’t by biting my lips hard till they bleed.
【WARNING】【WARNING 】
I saw a window pop up in front of me suddenly. My mind was clouded by the extreme pain I was experiencing. So I couldn’t make heads or tails out of the system message.
But it indicated a warning sign.
But why?
「■■ is gazing at the host!!!」
“What?” I was barely able to stammer out.
I looked at the interface with confused eyes.
But just then the pain vanished as if it was not there in the first place as my mind cooled down and the excruciating pain left my body.
“Haaa...”
Exhaling deeply I once again looked at the interface before me.
“What the hell is going on?”
Wiping my lips with my sleeve to clear the blood off my lips, I turned my head back at the instructor who was still making his announcement.
I contemplated over the interface message as my brows knitted in confusion.Trying to form an answer, but couldn't.
‘The system was warning me of someone, but who? Just who was ut warning me of and why did something like this happen?'
‘The name was censored for some reason, but why?'
These thoughts coursed through my mind like a blank canvas without any answer as I gazed at the system interface.
“Tsk... Fuck.”
Clicking my tongue, I cursed and kept looking at the system interface.
Just what hell was happening to me?