CHAPTER 26: TIGHT RESOLVE

"Its very much alive." Jackson added, looking up at the towering buildings and the dungeon gates visible in the distance.

After a few more minutes of walking, we arrived at the new house Cyrone had scouted for us.

The home was large and sturdy, with enough rooms for everyone and a spacious yard where Percy and Jackson could train and do all soughts of out door activities they desired.

The house was located in a very desolate neighborhood, and although it was close to where many unsealed dungeon gates were, it felt secure.

"This is it," I said, standing at the entrance as I unlocked the door. "Our new home."

We stepped inside, the light flooding the hallway of the house. It was far larger than our previous place, and both Percy and Jackson immediately ran off to explore their new rooms.

I smiled as I looked around. It wasn’t just a house, It was a fresh start for all of us and as we settled in, I couldn’t help but think about the upcoming challenges at Cindralock branch. I had to prepare myself for the task I had at hand, and most importantly for the mystery that surrounded my parents disappearance.

"Their disappearance might have something to do with that gate at the school, and on the anniversary of their disappearance, a mysterious gate opened and instantly broke in the town, simultanously I awakened this mysterious power and this system"

I muttered to myself as I gazed out the window. "I’ll find the truth and I’ll get stronger and I will clear that gate"

My resolve hardened, the next Chapter of my life had started and it was more than just leveling up, it was about uncovering my family’s past and preparing for the trials ahead.

»»»«««

The morning air was cool as I stood in front of the gates of RAA: Cindralock school. I could feel the weight of the moment as I prepared to walk through them. The academy loomed above me, its towering spires stretching toward the sky.

It was once the number one rated school in the nation, known for producing legendary Reapers, including my parents. Now, it was a shadow of its former self, but I could sense that beneath the surface, it still held power, secreats and promise.

I glanced back at Percy and Jackson who had accompanied me to the spot, "You guys remember everything I told yoou?"

They both nodded in unison. "Yes don’t worry about us, Levi. We will be fine... we’ll train and stay safe all day, if there’s an event of dungeon gate opening close to the house we shoould report to the local authorities and do not enter the gate for any reason whatsoever..." Percy said.

Jackson tilted his head with a smile, "We’ll be strong like you someday...Levi"

I knelt down and patted their heads. "You’re already stong. Just take care of each other."

I straightened up, my gaze hardening as I faced the academy. "I’ll find out what happened to our parents. I promise."

With a final wave, I turned and walked toward the entrance. As I approached, I noticed other students arriving, some in groups, some alone, but all of them carrying the same air of determination. These were the ones who, like me, had been chosen because they couldn’t get into the other prestigious RAA schools.

Some were from lesser known or even fallen noble families, while others were the overlooked talents who had been rejected from the top schools for maybe their low awakened power, lack of strength or simply because they didn’t look the part or they didn’t look attractive enough, there were numerous reasons why one wouldn’t be selected by those schools.

The schools grounds were vast, with training areas, libraries, and dormitories spread across a sprawling landscape. It felt old, almost as if it had been built long before the the city itself was founded.

"Levi!!" a voice called out to me from behind.

I turned around to see Cyrone, the representative who had recruited me after the entrance exam. He was a tall man with dark hair that streaked with gray lines and a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce through the air.

"Welcome! I didn’t think you’d show up so early, considering the tight traveling circumstance. That good; punctuality is the first lesson if you want to succeed here."

I nodded. "I wanted to be ready for whatever comes next."

Cyrone smiled faintly. "You’ll need that attitude. The academy might not be what it used to be, but don’t let that fool you."

"The challenges here are real, and many students who come through these gates fail to rise to the occasion."

"I won’t fail," I said firmly.

Cyrone’s smile widened, but there was a hint of something else, perhaps sadness or warning in his eyes. "I know you wont, your parents were two of the best students RAA: Cindralock has ever seen. You’ve inherited more than just their blood."

My chest tightened at the mention of my parents. I had so many questions but I knew this wasn’t the time. "What happened to them?"

Cyrone’s face became serious that instant. "Chap, that’s a question I’ve been asking myself for a long time."

They were involved in a mission into one of the most dangerous gate that when the Anti-arcane energy oozing from it was recorded, it measured way above an S-Rank dungeon gates’s qualification. I don’t know what they were doing, but I think entering a dungeon gate that measures above S-Rank is a death wish for anyone.

Cyrone turned to look at the massive stone building in the distance, "I was their instructor at the time, they were the few who were skilled enough to attempt it."

"They disappeared," I said softly, my hands clenching into a fists. "And everyone said they were dead."

Cyrone placed his hand on my shoulder. "we don’t know that for sure Levi. That’s why I approached you... there’s more to their story, and I believe you have what it takes to uncover the truth, at the very least they are your parents and you deserve some level of closure."

I took in a deep breath, steadying myself. "I’ll do whatever it takes,"

"Good," Cyrone said. "Then, let us begin."

"Once again, welcome to RAA: Cindralock!"

»»»«««

As we passed the students, I noticed the wide range of emotions ethced on their faces. Some were excited, others were nervous and a few looked as though they were already doubting their decision to be drafted here.

But my mind was focused on only one thing, which was the dungeon gate connected to the academy, the one that no one has been able to shutdown for over fifty years and for some reason, the gate hasn’t broken in all that time.

The gate had been left untouched for five decades, and only the most daring, reckless or drunk would even consider to enter the gate.

It was tied to my oath, I know this because of Cyrone said when the gate appeared fifty years ago their was a sudden rift surging through the country and their was a massive spike in the appearance of gates all over the country.

And also Reapers who went on missions into subsequent gates began to go missing here and there, one them being my parents.

So, I really want to find out what is going on here, I would have to look at where it all started.

At that moment, we arrived at a large lecture hall and the orientation began with an introduction by the Chancellor of the school, an older man with a stern demeanor and an aura of power that suggested he had seen his fair share of battles back in the day.

His speech was brief and straight to the point, emphasizing the importance of discipline and perseverance. After the necessary fomalities, I was assigned to my dormitory. It was a modest room, with a bed, a desk and a window overlooking the vast trianing grounds.

I sat on the bed, staring at the academy grounds below, where students were already beginning to spar and train.

As night fell, I opened my systems interface, checking my stats after the long journey and the intense training I had put myself through inpreparation for the academy.

~Strength: 48~

~Agility: 41~

~Endurance: 49~

~Intelligence: 53~

~Memory: 48~

~Arcane Reserve: 2000/2000~

My Strength, Endurance and Agility had increased significantly and with each level I felt myself growing closer to uncovering the truth. But I still acknowledged the fact that I had a long way to go.

Lying back in bed, I closed my eyes, realizing that work would begin the next day so I needed as much rest as I could invent.

This academy had secrets, and somewhere within it was the key to the gate that swallowed my parents— those before me.

Everything might not make sense now, but if I am not lost I am definitely in the right place. Maybe it was fate that allowed me to not get drafted into the top, most prestigious RAA school, maybe I should be here more than anywhere else in the world. The journey ahead would be long and perious but one thing is for sure...

"...It starts from that dungeon gate..."