The academy was a massive building, it had what looked like pillars at the side, decorated with stones and moving towards the sky. It was simply astounding.
As he moved closer, it seemed like the stones walls were threatening to swallow him with their large expanse.
The main castle-like building stood tall, boasting of high windows that gleamed under the sun-light.
The large doubled ironed door at the entrance beckoned at him.
This was the academy.
"That's enough, time to get to what I came here for." He said, pushing the wide doors apart. He would simply ask for directions if he got lost.
Just as he stepped forward, there was a collision, and papers flew to the air.
"Can't you see where you going?" The girl snapped at him, and went down immediately, "I am going to be late because of you." She snarled, her hands moving frantically.
"I am so sorry, I didn't know you were coming." Paul bent down, and he picked the papers on his side.
It wasn't wise to create a bad impression of yourself on a first meeting.
He picked up the final stack of paper, and looked at the girl, "Please let me help you out. I'd carry the papers to your destination for you. It's the least I can do." He uttered, pushing his plans aside.
That training could wait. He was now a student so he had all the time.
Vivienne…
It was like a whisper in his soul but it was one he wasn't familiar with. He turned to the girl who was busy smoothing her dress. Would she able to work on her own?
The girl raised her head, a frown on her face, "Let's go." She said without giving him a chance for another option.
She took to her heels, and Paul had no choice but to catch up with her.
He looked down, and on her leg was a faint glow.
Was she using her powers to sprint?
It was what he did in his hey days, he was able to coat himself and fly. It took quite an amount of energy but it was never a problem for him.
Would she be alright?
The entrance wasn't far but she still ran.
They arrived at the gate, and Paul dug his feet into the ground, skidding to a stop right behind her. His speed was quite sufficient, even when it was not in full power.
They stopped behind a stall, and the girl took his stack along with her to someone behind the stall.
Paul remembered the boy as the same person who gave him an ID card. It seemed like the old students were the ones tasked with such issue.
He stayed by the side and watched the interaction, hoping to properly apologise later.
The girl bowed her head, placing the documents on the table.
She opened her mouth to apologize, "I am sorry Senior, and I was delayed. I would have gotten here faster but—"
Smack! The slap landed with brutality.
The sound travelled far, startling the people around the gate.
They had stayed behind to settle some fees, and they were waiting for the admission documents, who would have thought they would be right on time for a drama show?
His palm had connected with her cheek, fast and unforgiving, a red imprint appeared on her cheek.
Paul froze, wide-eyed.
"Senior, but I… I…" The girl held her cheeks, her lips trembling not from the pain but from plain shock. It shouldn't have happened, at least not now, not here.
It wasn't her fault, if it wasn't for that guy she met. She clenched her fist. "It's not—"
"There is no excuse for inefficiency! If you showed such mistakes in the battle field, I would have done worse." The student said with spite, his hand coming down for another strike.
However it stopped mid-air.
A strong grip wrapped around his hand. "That's enough. She apologized already." Paul's tone was flat, hiding his livid emotions.
He held the stare of the person who was an inch taller than him.
Slapping a girl was going too far, and he wouldn't stand by and watch. If he couldn't help Vivienne, he should be able to do this.
The boy glared down, "Who are you?"
At soon as the words left his mouth, a pressure started to build.
"No, Rey, stop—" The girl moved but it was too late.
At the snap of his finger, what looked like a rune formed above his head, and in the blink of an eye, a large beam for fire shot down, the force of the fiery projectile raised the pebbles on the ground as it faced its target.
Paul's eyes widened, it was too late to react and if that thing touched him, it would probably be his end.
He thought fast, and his arms crossed over his face.
There was no time to move, so taking it head on was the only choice.
With his defense, he would at least be able to reduce the effect of the hit.
But before the attack could land, a silver glow flashed and the rune above Rey's head shattered.
"Enough Rey!" A tall figure appeared, his cloak flowing in the wind, and a silver glow covered his body.
The crowd gasped at the simplicity yet powerful feel of his attack.
They would recognize that white head anywhere, it was the academy's renowned headmaster.
Paul opened his eyes, expecting to find himself in a hospital but he was still standing, and there was someone's back facing him.
"What?" He muttered. The air was still and it looked like nothing had happened.
The man turned back and Paul held his breath. It was like a chain on his soul, those white irises, this man was powerful and he definitely would not want to get on his bad side.
Facing the senior student, the man frowned. "Striking a student is one thing but unleashing this level of attack in the open is something entirely different. You should know better."
Rey took to his knees immediately, bowing his head.
"I apologize for my mistake and oversight, Master Kael. I am ready for my punishment."
Paul corked his brow, this guy acted like an entirely different person. Who was Master Kael that so much respect was accorded to him?
He glanced to his right, to see even the girl was bowing down on her knees.
Was he meant to do the same thing too? He was confused.
Master Kael walked forward, and he helped the girl to her feet.
His fingers touched her cheeks, and the red mark disappeared like it was never there, revealing a pink and girlish blush.
"Rey, see me after you are done here." He muttered, and then he vanished, a silvery glow leaving the area.
Paul tried to move forward, but something held his shoulders.
No. Someone.
He turned back to see a pair of white eyes staring at him with a smile. "And you, follow me."
Before he could form his next thought, he felt his body get sucked. Silver light enveloped him, turning the environment into a silver line.
His pulse slowed and he felt weightless.
"What is this?" Even his voice was slurred but just as soon as it happened, everything went back to normal.
A soft voice floated into his ear, "It's called spatial transportation. Welcome to the Ascension peak academy." The words came with a slow wind.
Paul could still not feel his limbs, and he wasn't going to take any chances standing up.
"Give me your hand." The calm voice came again and he opened his eyes, ignoring the ringing in his head. There was a palm in front of him and he took it.
In that moment, a stream of energy flowed through his body, and he could feel it move down to his limbs, giving him the strength he needed at the moment.
"Thank you." Paul uttered, bowing his head in gratitude.
"I should be thanking you instead. Thank you for stepping in." The man's voice wandered before coming to a pause.
Paul raised his head, allowing his eyes to take sight of his current location.
They were inside a room, it looked like a study with the massive shelves filled with books, and there was a rosewood chair, located behind a shiny mahogany desk.
The desk was littered with countless papers and other documents.
The room was rather lonely, and a slight shiver passed through him. Even when he was in his full peak of power, he wouldn't stay in a place like this.
Then he recalled something, and faced the man. "Thanking me?"
Master Kael took off his cloak, and he walked to the chair, taking his seat. "Yes…"
He answered, his eyes staring intensely at the boy. "You don't need to worry about it but I appreciate it. I understand this is your first day here but you have gotten involved in quite a scene."
A smile appeared on Kael's face but it wasn't going to fool Paul, at least not yet.
"I couldn't stand and watch." Paul observed the man's expression.
Would he be punished for standing for the right thing? If that was the case, he would gladly leave this academy.
The man's smile increased. "I know, that's why you are being pardoned."
Paul was suspicious but he decided to maintain his cool, "Thank you. Sir, why did you bring me here please?" He asked, getting impatient.
Kael studied the boy quietly.
There was something strange about him—too calm, too still, like someone used to carrying weight far heavier than his frame should allow.
His eyes didn't dart, didn't plead or boast. They just... stared, like they were looking at something beyond
That calmness, that stillness—it was the kind of quiet you gained after war, after loss, after experience.
And then there was the aura—a thin line of divinity.
Something in it tugged at Kael's memory—like the echo of a presence he'd studied for years.
Could it be?
Kael inched forward, his chin resting on his hands. "Has anyone ever told you that you look like the divine champion?"
It was impossible but the gamble was necessary.
Despite the suffocating pressure, the expression on Paul's face didn't waver for a minute and he kept quiet.
The chair shifted back, and Kael relaxed, "I would have said you do but I have followed the divine champion and his trails for years, I'd know him when I see him." His lips lifted in a proud smile.
Paul nodded, "I have never been told that, Sir." He said in a calm voice.
He was right.
There was no way anyone could talk about his resemblance to the divine champion when he was the Champion himself.
"It's a thought but now that I look closer, you aren't him. Not sure you could be him either." Kael said, whispering the last statement. .
"You may leave now, and find Lisa, give her this and she would show you around. Thank you for your effort…"
"Paul." The champion answered. No one knew his true name, because his title had simply defined his identity.
Now that he thought about it, he had to change that.
He gave a smile, "My name is Paul Veritas, Sir. Thank you for your help. It is much appreciated."
He reached forward and took the card.
As soon as the card was in his hand, a silver light appeared, and the surroundings vanished.
Kael stood from his seat, and walked to the window, "I still don't believe you are dead, Divine Champion, and I won't rest till I find you."