Leveling up the World

Chapter 837: Hannah's Story

MEMORY FRAGMENT

Imperial Academy, 35 years ago.

No one knew exactly when the Imperial Academy was created. Depending on who was asked it ranged from the fourth Tamin emperor to fifty years before the empire itself. The only thing on which everyone agreed on was that it was the only place within the capital that valued skill, loyalty, and lineage in equal measure.

Are you sure about this, your grace? an overseer asked. He was middle-aged in appearance, wearing a single bronze ring on top of his black gloves. That ring was the only thing that differentiated him from the other overseersan indication that he belonged to a specific family.

Here we go again, Countess Abella Usec thought.

The prodigy of her family, she was one of the main reasons for its rise in political power. A chance of birth, however, prevented her from becoming the next head. Technically, there was no reason for it. The empire had ended the practice three generations ago, but some of the older families desperately clung to it like a shield.

Your brother was most insistent that you consider it further, the overseer added.

Ive decided, Abella said firmly.

You can still become a noble, your grace.

The woman turned around and looked at him. For the first time in days, a smile appeared on her face.

I already am a noble, she replied. Ive been one for a while.

Left with no other option, the overseer bowed, then disappeared into the ground. Whatever ties Abella had with her family, they were now gone. No, rather they were put on hold. Imperial officers were still held in high regard; those who had become such voluntarily different from most. The countess was familiar with the game of nobles well enough to know this was a way for the imperial family to keep control of the nobles. Those who lost favor would send members of their family to join the imperial legions to make up for it; those who had earned too much favor would negotiate for their members to become instructors. Abella was different. Her decision was a combination of several things, not the least of which to anger her family.

Two metalins the size of buildings stood at the entrance of the academy. They were bigger than anything Abella had seen on the streets of the imperial palace. Surprisingly, the number of people in front of the gates was a lot less than she imagined. The imperial legion was composed of tens of thousands awakened all over the empire. The Academy, in contrast, was almost exclusively reserved for nobles from the capital itself. Then again, they were nobles in name only.

Blessings and glory, a woman in her late thirties said as Abella passed through the gate. According to her insignia, she was a sergeant in the imperial legion. Judging by the flawless state of her uniform, she had to be level fifty at least, possibly with some actual combat experience.

A large path made of crystal tiles continued to the main entrance of the main building. All candidates passed through there. It was said that at one time there had been three entrances, ease only accepting candidates of particular levels. The low-level awakened would pass through the first, becoming common legionaries, the mid-levels would pass through the middle one becoming sergeants, and everyone above would pass through the third, becoming officers.

No such thing happened this time. The vast hall had only one entrance, and one corridor leading further on. Everything else was composed of space, statues and large marble desks, with people behind them. Each desk had a line of candidates in front of ita novel concept. In the capital, waiting was a political statementthose with more power used it on those with less. Here, it appeared to be part of life.

After some hesitation, Abella went to the one with the least amount of people. The two candidates in front were quiet, not at all happy to be here. The family crests and emblems had been removed from their uniform and in an attempt to reduce their shame, but only made things worse.

Next, a bored woman in a cyan mage uniform said. By the looks of it, she didnt enjoy being here either.

Curious about the procedure, Abella focused on everything that took place in front of her.

Legionary, the mage said, sliding an aether crystal along the marble desk. Continue along the corridor.

Terrified of the experience, the candidate didnt ask any questions, just took the crystal and continued along.

That was it? Abella wondered. She imagined there being more to it. At the very least, she expected it to be like an awakening trial. There were no indications that the test had taken a realmnone of them had come in contact with a common item until well after the crystal had been given, and no spells seemed to have been used, at least as far as Abella could see.

Next, the mage said again, looking at Abella.

Right. The girl stepped forward.

Remove your blocker items, the mage said.

I dont have blocking items, Abella said defiantly. Unlike most people in her family, she didnt believe in such things. Like most high-level awakened, she liked to flaunt her level as much as possible for the sole reason that there wasnt anything others could do. Information was power, but only up to a point.

I dont have time for this. The mage yawned.

I dont. Abella crossed her arms in defiance.

The mage kept on looking at her expectantly for a few more seconds, then cast a spell. Her fingers moved through the air, then abruptly stopped.

Thats why you accomplished a hundred achievements.

One more appeared around her waist.

Thats why you became a noble without telling anyone.

One more formed around Abellas neck. The girl instantly reacted, slamming the ice shackles of her hands together. The force with which shed done it shattered the items into fragments, but moments later those fragments flew back into place, doubling in size as they did.

And now you come here, knowing full well that legionaries must forsake their last gate. You wanted to show everyone how superior you are to them, right?

No! Thats not what I came here for!

No? What, then?

The ice spread from her chains, enveloping the rest of her body. She could feel the icy chill and the pain that came with it. Her body trait was high enough to counter the effects for now, but her perception made the pain even more pronounced.

Why are you really here?

To prove Im better than anyone in my family! Abella shouted. To see how far I could get in a place that recognized skill and talent! To find others like me!

Suddenly, the ice vanished. Abella looked around. After such a scene, she was expecting everyone in the hall to be staring at her. They werent. As far as their reactions, body movements, even expressions were concerned, nothing had changed at all.

You see, my Academy also likes to show off, the battle mage said. Youve been surrounded by disfocus sphere. As far as everyone is concerned, Im giving you a hard time regarding your arrogance.

Arent you doing just that? Abella wondered.

Did you come here to hide from your family, or just to show off? he asked again.

Just to show off. There was no point in pretending at this point. Everything else was just a bonus. Deep inside, Abella wanted to become a legion general just so she could return to her family and show it in their faces.

Good. Youll go through the standard training, then officer training, and then, if you dont mess up, you might go further.

Thank you.

Of course, thats assuming you still want to join the legions.

Abella blinked. She was getting seriously mixed signals. Ever since shed come here, shed been ignored, accused of using artifacts, threatened, praised, and now now she wasnt even sure what this was.

Everyone who joins severs all bonds with their family, and that includes titles.

I know.

Its only at the emperors leisure that you might restore them, if at all.

Yes, I understand. Abella was starting to get impatient.

And I wasnt joking about the level limit. Awakened up to level eighty can join, but only if they havent passed through the gate. Youre reached eighty-seven.

Clearly Ill vow not to level up anymore.

Sweet child, the battle mage sighed. Thats not how it works. If you really want to join, youll have to have your awakening powers sealed.

Abella felt a chill colder than any of the spells she had recently experienced. Every awakened dreaded having their powers sealed. Without awakening, they were nothing. They would retain their skills, their traits, even some of their abilities, but they would never be able to improve, to grow, or enter an awakened realm.

The greater the ambition, the greater the sacrifice. The mage placed her hand on her shoulder. Do you still want to see this through?

This was the moment of truth, the decision that would determine her life. However, in order to achieve what she wanted, Abella was asked to give up everything she had so far.