Chapter 98: Luke
Morning came fast, and Azrael was not in his room.
Neither was he in the hallway, nor was he out exploring.
He was in Abaddon’s office, standing as though it were a military briefing and Abaddon were his commander.
[To think they would wake you up this early for some meeting,] the system said in his mind.
’What is wrong with that?’ Azrael asked.
[Nothing.]
Azrael furrowed his brows before refocusing on Abaddon.
He was not alone.
The other students from the academy stood there too.
Abaddon’s eyes moved across the group as if he were counting them.
Then he sighed.
"One week holiday for you all, huh?" He said, lightly.
But to the students, it felt more like a threat than a casual remark.
Abaddon smiled faintly as he observed their reactions.
’So fearful,’ he mused.
He locked his fingers together and rested his chin on them.
"I have something prepared for you all to enjoy your one week break," Abaddon continued after a brief pause.
The students furrowed their brows at the sudden words.
This was the Patriarch, someone who barely expressed emotions, offering privileges to ordinary students.
The weight of his words settled.
"I am sure you have all noticed by now that there is an extra person here."
Abaddon’s eyes flickered with genuine interest as he said those words, as though he wanted to witness something unfold.
The students did not need to look or count again. They already knew who the extra person was.
And they knew Azrael.
Abaddon leaned further into his chair.
He was silent for a moment.
"The competition only allows seven candidates, not eight."
Several thoughts rose in the students’ minds at once.
The only one that held reign among all of them was the hope of not being the one removed.
Before their thoughts could spiral too far, Abaddon brought them back.
"Do not worry. I will not be selecting randomly. There will be a competition between all of you."
As he spoke, footsteps began to approach from behind.
Instinctively, they all turned.
It was Erebus, approaching the main table where Abaddon sat.
He did not acknowledge the students as he passed. Not even a glance.
He reached Abaddon.
After a brief exchange without words, Abaddon nodded.
"It is ready."
Before anyone could ask a question, Abaddon spoke again.
"The dungeon where the trial will take place."
He paused.
"You are all at tier six, so there should be no issue with what I have prepared."
Erebus began walking toward them.
A swirl of essence wrapped around his hand as he approached.
As the essence faded, what remained were rings.
Eight of them, each carved with intricate runes that glowed and pulsed with pure essence.
He handed one to each student without a word, then turned and returned to his position beside Abaddon.
"The rules are simple," Abaddon said.
"The dungeon is filled with monsters ranging from tier one to tier six. Your goal is to kill as many as possible to accumulate points."
He paused, letting the information land.
"The rings are trackers. Anyone can locate anyone else within the dungeon by channeling essence into them."
The students’ expressions tightened at that. Abaddon was telling them outright that they could fight each other inside.
"There are two ways to exit the dungeon," Erebus continued, his tone flat.
"The first is by using the ring itself. Doing so will transfer half of your total points to the last person you fought. If you have not engaged anyone, a quarter of your points will be deducted instead."
He did not pause before moving to the second.
"The second is by finding a return stone. These are scattered throughout the dungeon and carry no penalty. Your ring will alert you when you are near one."
Everything settled at once and the students could only exhale as they waited for what came next.
Abaddon glanced toward Erebus.
He received the signal immediately.
He raised his hand.
That was the last thing the students saw before the pull took hold.
Azrael looked around with furrowed brows.
He stood in an endless expanse of pure twilight.
Neither dark nor bright. Something sitting perfectly between both.
He scanned the area for the other students.
There were none.
Just him.
"At least this way I do not have to worry about accidentally killing anyone," Azrael said with a crooked smile.
"Livia. Rion," he called, his voice calm.
A flicker of starlight appeared above his head instantly, dimming just as quickly.
In its place was a small, petite figure with wings larger than her entire frame.
Livia gripped Azrael’s head tightly as she materialized.
In front of him, Rion appeared, growling and beating his chest.
"What is the excitement about?" Azrael muttered with a smile.
He did not linger.
After that brief pause, he began walking forward with Rion in the lead.
After a few moments, he stopped.
"Zareth," he said.
White flames unfurled along his arm like a serpent, solidifying into a sleek white katana with an unopened eye at its center.
"Yes!" Zareth called in Azrael’s mind as he emerged.
"Time to drink blood."
Azrael did not even acknowledge that.
"Tracking arts," he said.
A flicker appeared on the sword instantly.
Azrael’s mind was flooded with an influx of information.
Everything within a kilometer was laid bare. Monsters, return stones, and one student running forward with dual daggers.
"If I wanted to be cruel, I could just beat him until he gave up," Azrael said with a smile.
"But I cannot make him lose twice, can I?" He muttered.
The person was none other than Luke, the same one Azrael had beaten to claim his spot in the academy.
Although he had not beaten Luke officially, anyone who watched the match could tell without a doubt that Azrael was stronger than Luke.
’I should just fight the monsters around, if he is still within my range after that, then I will target him,’ Azrael concluded with a mental sigh.