Outside the Academy, I stood there–completely stunned. It was too grand, it exceeded all my expectations. The gate was towering but didn't feel intimidating–it felt welcoming.
I took a deep breath before entering the Academy. After a while of being lost, I finally found the room where my examinations will take place.
I sat in the front row, not yet comfortable enough to sit near anyone else. I look around, finding many Namelesses just like me, but also finding lots of Bloodline members. The air in the room felt cold to me, I was too nervous.
Time passed by so slowly that I felt my hair slowly rising. Thankfully, this all came to an end when the Professor entered the room.
She had long green hair, and to add to her emerald-green eyes only made her feel more authoritative but not in a bad sense. She seemed kind yet cold when there was a need for it. She was dressed in a white uniform and black skirt that looked to be the Academy's uniform for the Professors. What was most intriguing were her silver colored glasses, I don't know why I felt so interested in them.
She lets out a soft cough, trying to gain our attention before speaking with a calm yet not overpowering tone, "Today is the entrance exams to see who will be able to get enrolled in the Academy. I am Lina of Innovation, you may call me Professor Lina or Prof Lina if you will."
She continued to explain while walking around the room, "The first exam will be a written one, or to put it simply–a test. But don't worry, most of it is just basic concepts and if you find yourself with an advanced question, just try to make deductions, it's not that hard." She added, "Even if you fail, it doesn't immediately mean that you can't pass the entrance exam."
She then started handing us the test papers.
I started answering the questions, a little confused about why most of them are history questions. I wondered if the test papers are randomized so each of us gets to answer a different topic, if so–I'm quite lucky. I always loved history so this was a breeze.
When I finally got to the last question, I was too shocked. It wasn't even a history question!
I unconsciously muttered, "What the…"
I then started reading the question thoroughly, "What definition from the choices below is the closest to the correct definition of Imprinted Souls?"
"Imprinted what now?"
I shook my head, reading each choice, "The first one is: Imprinted Souls also refers to ghosts.
The second one: Imprinted Souls refers to souls that have been attached to a physical object.
The third: Imprinted Souls refers to souls that have been cursed by the marks of the unknown.
The fourth: Imprinted Souls refers to souls that cannot leave their bodies."
I was still confused but I tried to analyze it, muttering my answers, "The first one is just a ghost so it doesn't seem as concrete an answer. The second one is a contender just because it's more detailed. The third one… sounds very unfortunate, and I hope that's not the case since it sounds painful. As for the fourth one, it just sounds confusing."
I shook my head again, making my choice, "Second one it is I guess. God, I hope I'm right." I then corrected myself, "God? What am I saying? They don't exist."
I then flipped my paper and found another paper. I thought it was another test which made me anxious but when I started reading its contents, it turned out that it was just a survey.
I raised my hand slightly, but lowered it after feeling nervous.
Professor Lina seemed to have noticed this, so she went up to me and asked me with concern written all over her, "Is there anything wrong? Did you run out of ink? Do you need extra papers?"
I bit my lip, calming myself down as I answered, "There was another paper and it seemed to be a survey. What is it about?"
"Oh? It's just the enrollment form. I mixed them with the test papers so that I won't need to give them out separately."
"Thank you."
I quickly got back to work, finishing the enrollment form in a few minutes.
I reviewed my previous answers while waiting for the timer to end.
"Time's up! Return your papers."
After passing all our papers to her, she told us, "The next exam will take place in gym eight. You all can go there now."
The other examinees stood up and started heading there but I first, packed my belongings before following them since I didn't know where gym eight is.
…
At the gym, I was once again stunned. It was huge! The walls were painted golden while the floor was dyed silver. The ceiling was a map of the Land.
Professor Lina then entered the room and said, "If any of you can enter the state of mind called Hex Zone, please do so now. Entering it is the last test."
I raised my hand, my nervousness dissipating, "How do you enter the Hex Zone?"
Professor Lina gave us a brief explanation, "You just need to split your mind into two. One will control your body while the other will enter the astral realm called the White Palace. Within the White Palace lies your Heart, an object of great significance to you not only because holding it allows you to use your abilities, but also because it hints at your future."
I didn't quite understand it all but from what I understood, I just needed to split my mind into two. One will stay in my body while the other will somehow enter the White Palace.
I closed my eyes, feeling only my thoughts. I felt nothingness until my thoughts began hitting each other. And at that very moment, I split them by forcefully pulling them apart.
I opened my eyes, only to see myself in two places at once.
One was at the gym while the other was at a familiar near-empty white void.
I look around, finding a hook. It was weirdly shaped and I wondered why my Heart is a hook of all things. I then remembered that I had once entered the White Palace when the Magician forcefully awakened me.
I then took hold of the hook and a barrage of information then attacked me! But it didn't feel completely right either. It's like knowing something is not right despite having no clue why. I could only think of one analogy: it's like knowing fire is hot despite never touching it yourself.
I felt like I would fall to the ground but I didn't. I managed to stand like nothing had happened.
I tried to process the information that I just obtained:
I learned that I could create 'Marks of A Thief,' which allows me to 'hold' an object like I am using my hands. But I can't hold anything that I physically cannot carry. The weight that I can hold is significantly weaker than when my body holds an object.
There is also a limit to how many marks can exist at the same time. By stacking marks, I could hold heavier objects but I could only stack up to five marks in a single object. Each stack increases the weight that I can 'hold' by 25%. So, if I use all five marks, I could 'hold' an object 125% of its original weight.
To remove the marks placed down, I have to leave the White Palace which would remove all the previous marks.
"Or to put it simply, I can create marks that I can place upon objects to allow me to move them around. I can stack up the marks to a maximum of five marks and remove all these marks. I have to leave the White Palace. This is information overload." I added, "Isn't this just telekinesis with extra steps?"
I tried testing it, finding a small rubber ball. I placed five marks on it. I felt as if I was holding with my hands but that wasn't the case.
I made it float, making me feel quite excited.
Professor Lina asked me, a smile forming on her lips, "Is this the first time you manually tried entering the Hex Zone?"
"Yes, it is."
"You have passed. Here, take this key. It has your dorm room number." She added, "It should be near the Blooming Garden area. If you find it hard to find, go ask one of your fellow students."
"Thank you, Professor!"
"No need to thank me, this is all your efforts taking effect right now."
I soon left the gym. I pumped my fist, incredibly happy that I passed.
While walking within the halls of the Academy, I spotted a young boy, about my age.
My steps halted, in complete awe.
He had long silky white hair, porcelain white skin, and dull black eyes that made me feel shiver. He wore a black uniform, black pants and shoes, the uniform granted to the Academy's students. He is Zixin, Zixin of Longevity, Lady Xiu Ying's dearest brother–the Prince.
A young girl walked towards him, she had long brown hair, snow-white skin, and gleaming golden eyes that radiated warmth. She was dressed in a golden gown with countless flower patterns. She is Jinhua, a Nameless and the current–Headmaster.
"Zixin, don't leave me like this. People would actually think we're dating if you keep doing this."
"You're the only one who thinks like that. Most people probably think we're just close friends."
"Are you as dense as ice?"
"I don't know the answer. Go study it yourself."
I stood there, irrational fear crawling up my spine. I didn't understand why, and maybe that's what made this experience worse. A tiny seed was planted in my heart out of fear.
When they both disappeared from my sight, I immediately ran towards my dorm. Sweat dripped down my face and fear carved in my soul.
Once I was finally there, I closed my door, sat down, and leaned against the door.
I started taking steady and deep breaths, trying to understand what had just happened, "Why… Why did I feel fear? Isn't Zixin uncaring enough not to bother with me? So why… why?!"
Before I knew it, my eyes began drooping and I fell asleep. My body couldn't handle the weight of my mental exhaustion plus my physical exhaustion added together.
…
Two months passed before I knew it and I sat within the library, studying as usual.
An eager student came up to me, took one of my books, and introduced himself, "It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Cael, a Nameless, and starting from today, we are now roommates. I was assigned to the same room as you."
I greeted him, introducing myself, "I'm Elmer, a Nameless. Why did you take the book?"
"I want to read it too."
After a bit of thinking, I gave him permission to read the book. Well, it wasn't even mine to begin with but I borrowed it first so…
I shook my head, continuing to study.
Cael asked with a smile, "So, what are your interests?"
"I enjoy reading books regarding history and abilities."
"Oh? We share a common interest!"
I turned to look at him, commenting, "It seems we two will get along quite well."
We continued to study until night fell. We walked together back to our dorm.
While on the day, we talked, sharing our interests.
I asked Cael, "Since you're also a Nameless, why did you enroll?"
He explained, "I had a master who took care of me when I lost my parents and friends."
I felt bad so I immediately replied, "I'm sorry for bringing it up."
"I'm used to it." He added, "My master is my hope so when he told me to study within the Academy, I had no reason to refuse."
I then told him my past and how I met Charlotte and Michael who later became my found family.
"We aren't much different, huh?"
I smiled at him, happy to have made a new friend so quickly.
Two months passed. Cael and I quickly became the best of friends.
Cael always treated me, and despite my constant refusal, he never stops so I always eventually give in. Free food is free food you know?
In my history class, the Professor was discussing the Historical Tales.
I listened intently, writing down everything that I heard.
He explained, "The main theory behind them is that they are propaganda used to sway the common folk at the time."
When class ended, I immediately went up to the Professor and asked, "Prof, is there anything else about Historical Tales?"
He replied with a calm smile, "You found it intriguing? Historical Tales isn't really a topic worth getting into due to how vague it is. And Historical Tales isn't our current topic remember? It's propaganda used in the past."
I sighed, "Thank you, Prof."
He patted me on the back, and said, "Study well, you have a bright future ahead of you."