Orion stood in the town square once again. He had appeared at this place three times in three days. But his goals were always different. Today, he was here to go back to Terra.
Orion stepped forward and stepped into the Return Gate. His body felt as if it was dismantling, turning into individual cells, and then as if the world itself was transforming, splitting into atomic particles and then merging back into an entirely different world. In a moment, Orion found himself on Terra.
Many first-timers were known to puke on their first dimensional travel. Thankfully, Orion didn't puke.
Orion looked around; it was a travel terminal. To orion it looked like a mix between a metro station and an airport. You could use teleporters here to travel into the abyss. Outside the terminal were countless vehicles whizzing by. They reminded Orion of the UFO he had seen in movies back on Earth. Flat saucer-like objects that levitate and move by manipulating the electromagnetic energy of Earth – no, it should be called Terra.
"I still need time to fully accept this world," Orion muttered to himself. He had barely arrived in this world a week ago.
Just as he was about to leave the terminal, someone called his name. Orion turned around to see a boy about his age running toward him. Orion had faint memories of this boy. He was Kael. Kae and Orion were classmates. His birthday came a month ago and he had awakened a powerful class called Volt Maniac. It was a B-rank. His talent, Volt Fury, allowed his heart to produce electricity and channel it through his body. He would become extremely fast and powerful. His strike will release destructive lightning energy. He can even shoot lightning out of his palm at an opponent. His other talent, Thunder Spear, gave him mastery of the spear. He was Zeus in the body of a man. Infact he had given himself that name.
Kael extended his hand for a handshake. Orion shook his hand and immediately regretted it as he felt a slight zap that tingled his palm as he quickly pulled back his hand in reflex. That was the favourite trick of Kael.
Kael laughed, seeing his reaction. "Buddy, what are you doing here? I heard about your awakening. You failed. I am really sad, but don't worry, I will always be there. Ask me if you need anything."
Orion smiled. Kael was a good man at heart. He, too, came from a humble background and didn't like the rich nepo kids.
"Actually, about that, I didn't actually fail. The awakening stone must have malfunctioned. I had actually awakened as a mage." Orion said as he shot a small water bullet at the trash can beside the terminal.
Using mystical abilities in Terra was possible, though the federation didn't recommend it and even punished public use of destructive abilities unless in a special situation. But for such small use that didn't do any harm, the federation didn't care. They had far more important stuff to do.
"Man, you should complain. The academy should stop using those old awakening stones and get some new, good ones." Kael said, surprised to see Orion using waterbullet.
"Yeah, but it will hardly have any impact. Just another complaint log in their system," Orion said. Only he knew the truth. The awakening stone had failed to react because he hadn't awakened one but four SSS-rank classes. Such a situation had happened before. Researchers said that the energy within the body was too overwhelming or complex for the awakening stone to recognise the profession. It generally occurred in case someone awakens a really powerful class or multiple classes. The awakening stone simply overloads.
"Yeah, let's forget about that. We should have a celebration," Kael said, clearly happy.
"Yeah, that's a good idea. I should throw a party," Orion said. He had the money to spend.
Soon, Orion and Kael were in front of a restaurant. Kael had contacted and called a few more friends. When they heard that Orion actually had awakened and was throwing a party, they all rushed. They were all good friends and were genuinely happy for Orion.
When Kael saw the place Orion had come to, he hesitated a bit. He knew about Orion's condition. They were from a similar humble background.
"Orion, are you sure we are eating here?" Kael asked.
"Chill, man. I will not ask you to share the bill. I have more than enough. I have saved quite a bit for my big day," Orion said.
Kael visibly relaxed.
Other guys arrived after some time. Monty, James, Kevin, and Ben. Soon, the group was inside, and Orion ordered the food. Since Orion wasn't worried about the bill and had said that he would cover the bill, the others were relaxed.
Soon, the food was served, and they started enjoying it.
"So, Orion, spill the beans. "Which class did you actually awaken? " Monty asked. He was the only one in the group who hadn't undergone the awakening ceremony yet. His turn was next month. The academy conducted an awakening ceremony once every month, and all the students who had their birthdays within that month would participate in that ceremony. Kael, James and Ben had awakened a month before. Kevin was in the same group as Orion and had awakened a D-rank assassin. James was a C-rank Heavy Knight, and Ben was a D-rank healer.
"It's Elemental Mage. I can command the elements of fire, water and lightning. It's a B-rank class," Orion said.
Everyone gasped. B-rank profession. That was the same as Kael. And Orion was a mage with three different elements, and two of them, fire and lightning, were quite powerful. The popular mage class with two destructive elements was like a cherry on top.
"Orion, are you planning to get back with Lily? Since you have actually awakened, and its a B-rank class, higher than Marcus, you have a good chance," Kevin said. He was there when Lily broke up with Orion in front of everyone.
"Nah, I am good without her," Orion said nonchalantly. He already had a wild night with Luna, who surpassed Lily in every way. Why go back? The real Orion might have feelings for her, but he didn't.
"That's the spirit. A man should have his pride. A backbone that doesn't bend for bitches," Kael said, laughing. Others nodded. Since Orion actually had a B-rank mage class, many girls would give their all to be with him. Orion didn't need to beg. Lily should be the one to beg. After all, she was the one who broke up.
After the food, the group planned to go to a nearby arcade. Entertainment was always popular, be it on Earth or Terra. And with the advanced technology of Terra that surpassed Earth, it surpassed all possibilities.
They registered for Abyss Virtual Simulator. It was a popular game that many played. And thanks to a mysterious alien technology that some scientists have foundby chance, it was almost real-life-like. The Neurolink Simulator connects directly with consciousness, and you feel like you have jumped into a game world for real. Your body comfortably sleeps in the neuralink pod while you game.
Everyone soon logged into the game. Everyone had their accounts, except Orion. He, too, had an account, but since he had awakened, he should be able to create an avatar that had his actual classes. Soon, he completed the procedure. The Neuralink had managed to identify all four of his classes and copy them into his actual game. The game started in a flash.
The group found themselves standing in a virtual world that looked like the First Sanctuary Wilderness. Wind swept through a rugged valley beneath a crimson evening sky. Jagged rocks rose like broken teeth from the ground, and the distant howls of monsters echoed through the wild.
With a ping the game objective popped up in front of them. They had to kill 50 monsters.
Kael rolled his shoulders as arcs of faint electricity danced across the length of his spear. As a Volt Maniac, thunder was practically flowing through his veins. Beside him stood James, towering and immovable like a fortress. Heavy steel armor covered him from head to toe. In one hand, he held a massive shield, in the other an equally enormous sword. The ground seemed to tremble slightly whenever he shifted his weight. He should be called a tank.
Behind them, Monty and Kevin appeared like shadows. Twin daggers. Quiet steps. They were like wipers that sneak from behind before finishing the prey in one strike. Orion was in the back, a wand in his hand, ready to shoot fireballs and lightning bolts at the first sight of a monster. Ben stood in the middle, holding a wooden staff with an emerald crystal embedded at the top. He was ready to heal anyone the moment they were injured.
Soon monster appeared in the distance.
Tiny green-skinned creatures with big glowing yellow eyes, sharp nails longer than their fingers, and yellow teeth that drooled with foul smelling salaiva.
Goblins.
Orion started casting out his spells. Fireballs and lightning bolts rained down on the evil creatures like judgment. Few managed to get past the spell barrage and rushed toward the group. But others were ready. Monty and Kevin acted first, moving between the monster-like coiling snakes, picking on one and finishing it with a few clean slashes.
A few who managed to get past even Monty and Kevin faced Kael and James. Kael was like a grim reaper, each strike from his spear ending the life of a monster. James, on the other hand, was tank. Goblins tried to bite through his armor but instead their teeth broke. Whenever James swung his heavy sword, three to four goblins would be crushed.
After some time they had finished all the goblins. Orion checked the game objective. They have reached a count of 40.
"Ten more monsters are left," He muttered to himself. Just then, he felt tremors. The ground was shaking. That only meant one thing. Something heavy and powerful is coming.
Orion spotted them. This time they were larger. Red-skinned giants at least twice the size of an average human. Each one carried a giant axe. Black tattooed rings were etched on their bodies. Two long boar-like tusks came out of their mouth.
Orcs. Ten orcs running toward them
Orion immediately started raining his spells once again. But it hardly had any impact.
"Pour more mana into your spell, and target one orc at a time," Kael said, advising Orion.
Orion poured quite a bit of his mana into his spell this time. A lightning bolt as thick as a human arm snapped out of his wand and struck down one of the orcs. The orc immediately fell to the ground. Its head had exploded from the lightning.
"Yes, just like that," Kael encouraged.
Orion smiled. This time, he tried fireball. The fireball grew the size of a football before Orion sent it hurling toward the orcs. Few orcs dodged the fireball, but not everyone was lucky. The fireball struck one of the unlucky orcs. Fireball burst into flames as the orc roared in agony. The flames were burning him. He tried to extinguish the flames with his hand but that only caused more flames to appear on his hand. Orcs were known to sweat a lot, and their sweat had quite a bit of oil. And for fire that was like fuel. It burned stronger till the orc collapsed to the ground.
Two were dead just like that. Orion casted out two more lightning bolts and took down another two orcs. Only six remain. But Orion didn't cast out anymore spell, and acted like he was exhausted and his mana had depleted. Orion still had some mana, enough to cast two or three more spells, but he didn't want to show his full power now. Orion had future plans.
But it didn't matter. Taking out four orcs before they have even reached the group is a good thing. Ben immediatly casted a mana recovery spell on Orion. Orion could feel it. His mana was recovering at a faster rate.
It was time for Monty and Kevin, and they didn't disappoint. They rushed at one of the orcs. The orc swung his axe, as if planning to kill both of them in one slash. But Kevin and Monty were better. They dodged the axe with their speed and lunged at the monster, slashing at its neck. Deep gashes appeared in its neck as the orc gurgled, its hand gripping its neck to stop the gushing blood. But it was no use. It fell on its knees and collapsed.
Monty and Kevin had already moved to another target, and soon another orc collapsed.
They didn't stop there. They attacked other orcs too, but not deadly strikes on the neck, but instead, slashing at their legs and back. The four orcs that were still alive roared in fury, swinging their axe wildly to strike at the duo.
Kael moved at that time. Lightning cracked around his body and spear as he zapped from his place and appeared in front of the He struck with his spear, plunging it into the monster's chest. Lightning cracked from his spear, and the orc's chest exploded, blood spraying in every direction. That made it seven orcs dead.
Another orc clashed head-on with James. They were like two giants fighting. Each swing of the orc met James's big shield. James sword strikes, on the other hand, carved deep gashes in the monster's body. It soon fell.
Only two remained. Kael and James finished another with combined attacks, while Monty and Kevin finished another.
The world disintegrated as everyone woke up inside their neuralink pods.
"That was a good game," Kael said, coming out of the pod. "Orion, you were awesome."
Others nodded happily. Everyone had a good day.
They left the arcade and walked to their neighbourhood. They were all from the same locality.
They passed by the academy on their way. It was when someone called to Kael amd James. The group turned to see that it was Marcus and his group. Lily was among them.
"Kael, James, I thought that your standards had risen after awakening. But it seems old habits don't go away. You are still hanging out with this poor, pathetic trash. And there is even a looser who failed at his awakening ceremony," Marcus sneered.
Kael and Marcus were never on good terms.
Marcus came from a rich family and was in line of heirs to the Monteverde Consortium. His father was currently in the second sanctuary of the abyss and had chains of stores under his name, and his grandfather was the boss of Monteverde Consortium, a powerful third sanctuary surpasser.
Kael, on the other hand, came from a humble background. Kale and Orion always gave their best in class, be it training exercise, combat or academics. Orion always came first, Kael was second, and then third would be Marcus. That was why Marcus hated them. How could these poor scholarship kid be above him? The anger only grew when Kael actually awakened a B-rank Class.
Marcus knew that he might not awaken a class that powerful, but he was sure that with the surplus resources his family had at their disposal, he would not fall behind.
His happiness only grew when Orion failed at his awakening. Finally, one of the two people he loathed most was out of the league. Without awakening, they were worlds apart. Orion had nothing, a poor orphan. Marcus had specially recruited Lily into his team to rub salt on Orion's wound. But that day, Orion didn't react much.
Marcus was happy they were meeting again. He could still mock Orion to satisfy his own ego.
Orion might not react to Marcus. But Kael was a hot-tempered one.
"It's none of your concern who I hang out with," Kael remarked, anger flaring in his eyes.
"I am only caring about your well-being. I have heard that being with unawakened trash who fail in their awakening ceremony brings bad luck," Said mockingly.
He might be talking to Kael, but his target was Orion.
"Let me tell you something, Marcus. My brother Orion is not trash. In fact, he has awakened. The school awakening stone must be faulty to not detect his class," Kevin said.
"Oh, really. What class did he awaken? Trash picker." Marcus said, laughing. He didn't even consider the possibility of Orion awakening a powerful class. Adrian, Lena and Mark laughed along with Marcus. Only Lily didn't laugh. Instead, her face showed a look of disgust, as if he had seen something bad, something she didn't want to see.
"No, my brother Orion had awakened a powerful elemental mage class. It's B-rank. I believe that higher than your C-rank Bladestorm." Kael remarked. This time, Kael's group was smiling. Even Orion had a smile plastered on his face.
Marcus and his group had stopped laughing. They had faces of shock and disbelief.
"No, you are lying. Poor pathetic trash like Orion can never awaken. I refuse to believe it," Marcus said hysterically. It was as if he couldn't accept it. His ego wasn't allowing him to believe it.
Orion finally spoke.
"Marcus, it doesn't matter whether you belive it or not. The truth is that I have awakened, and it's a powerful elemental mage class.And I will prove it in Graduation Ceremony. That's next month right. Be prepared to watch me sweep the floor with you. The world will know who clean the trash."
Kael and his group snickered. Orion too had a sharp tongue. He just kept it in check.
"I will kill you," Marcus shouted. A sword materialised in his hand as he lunged at Orion.
Everyone was shocked. Using awakened power in public to attack someone was forbidden. James immediately stepped forward and summoned his giant shield to protect Orion. The sword clashed against the shield, producing a metallic clang. Kael immediately activated his Volt Maniac class as a lightning crackled across his body. A chainmail armor appeared on his body, and a spear crackling with lightning materialised in his hand. He was ready to stop Marcus. Even Kevin and Orion had their weapons in hand. Orion was holding his Crystal Antler Wand, while Kevin was gripping two daggers. Monty, who hadn't awakened yet, retreated back.
Even Marcus's group got ready to stop him if he went out of control. Nobody wants to face a Bladestorm class head-on. They are known for their speed and sharp attacks. Only James was strong enough to take Marcus without any injuries, and that too because of his armor and shield.
Thankfully, the authorities were alerted immediately, and a few teachers appeared to stop Marcus. Even the Academy Principal was there. He didn't want any such fights between his students, and that too right in front of the academy gate.
Thankfully, Marcus calmed down. He, too, knew the consequences of not following Federation rules and regulations. It didn't matter if his father and mother were evolvers of the second sanctuary, or his grandfather was a third sanctuary surpasser. There were cameras and surveillance everywhere, and it would be very easy to find out that Marcus was the one who attacked first and started the mess.
The principal managed to handle the situation. It was a headache for him, too. The one in the wrong was Marcus, a C-rank Awakener with popular Bladestorm class. Even his family was powerful. On the other hand, Kael was a powerful B-rank class awakener. And James, he too was a C-rank class awakener a popular profession many guilds fought to acquire. And if what they are saying is current, Orion who was previously classified as null was actually a powerful elemental mage with elemental affinity to water, fire and lightning. Many guilds will clash to acquire him.
He didn't want to offend any side. He gave a thorough lecture to everyone involved on following Federation rules and regulation and not to use their awakener talents to attack other in public.