Chapter 10: The Price of Ambition
I walked up to the counter, flashing a polite smile at the receptionist.
"Hello, Miss. I would like to register for the Mission Hall," I said, leaning casually against the sleek black stone surface.
The girl behind the counter looked up from her screen. She adjusted her glasses and gave me a routine look.
"If you wish to register, please place your smartwatch here," she said, pointing to a small depression on the counter surface. "We need to verify your identity."
I nodded and extended my wrist.
Clink.
I placed my smartwatch into the square scanner.
Whirrr— Beep!
A beam of blue light scanned the device. Instantly, a holographic window projected into the air between us, displaying my personal data.
[Name: Aditya]
[Age: 16]
[Class: +2 First Year, First Month]
[Level: 5]
[Credit Points: 150]
[Skill Book: None]
The receptionist's eyes scanned the list efficiently, but when she reached the bottom line, her movement stopped. Her eyes widened behind her glasses.
"Skill Book... None?" she muttered, her voice tinged with disbelief.
She looked up at me, then back at the screen, and then at me again. It was unheard of. A student reaching Level 5 purely on physical stats without awakening a single skill or using a manual? She had worked here for two years and had never seen a case like this.
She cleared her throat, regaining her composure. "Your name is Aditya, correct? You joined the Academy just yesterday after passing the entrance exam."
"Hmm," I hummed in affirmation, nodding my head.
"I see," she said, her tone becoming professional again. "However, I must inform you of the Academy's regulations. New students are required to undergo a two-month waiting period before they can register for the Mission Hall. You cannot accept missions yet."
"Miss, I came here fully prepared," I interrupted gently, keeping my smile in place. "I am aware of the rule. I also know that by paying a fee of 100 Credit Points, I can bypass this waiting period and register immediately."
The receptionist blinked, surprised once more.
"Oh? You know about the clause?" She looked at me with newfound curiosity. "I didn't expect a newcomer to have that kind of information so quickly. Very well. If you are willing to pay, please authorize the transfer."
I looked at my watch.
"Transfer," I Said
Ding!
[System Notification]
[Transferring 100 Credit Points...]
[Transfer Successful.]
[Current Balance: 50 Credit Points]
The machine chimed, confirming the payment. The receptionist began typing furiously on her holographic keyboard, entering my details into the adventurer database.
Tap-tap-tap-tap.
After a minute, she stopped.
"It is done," she announced. "Aditya, you are now officially registered. You can check your new status on your watch."
I withdrew my hand and tapped the screen. A new green window popped up, different from the student profile I was used to.
[Name: Aditya]
[Age: 16]
[Class: +2 First Year, First Month]
[Profession: Adventure Beginner]
[Level: 5]
[Credit Points: 50]
[Skill Book: None]
"Here," the receptionist said, sliding a digital pamphlet across the counter. "This contains the classification of adventurers and the requirements to rank up."
I picked it up and quickly scanned the text.
[Adventurer Classifications]
* Adventure Beginner: Authorized to take F and E Grade missions.
* Adventure Noble: Authorized to take D and C Grade missions.
* Adventure Master: Authorized to take B and A Grade missions.
* Adventure Grandmaster: Authorized to take S Grade missions.
"To promote your rank," she explained, "you must complete a specific number of missions with a high rating. Since you are a Beginner, you will start with F and E grade tasks."
I nodded, storing the information in my mind.
"Aditya, from today onwards, you are an Adventure Beginner. Take this."
She handed me a sleek, matte-black card with a microchip embedded in the center.
"This is your Adventurer Card. You can use it to accept missions starting tomorrow."
"Thank you," I said, taking the card.
I turned around and walked out of the Mission Hall.
By the time I left the building, the sun had completely set. The sky was a canvas of deep indigo, and the artificial streetlights of the Academy flickered on.
Whoosh—
A cool night breeze brushed past my face.
I began my walk back to Room 32. The campus was quiet, with most students already in their dorms or the library. My footsteps echoed softly on the pavement.
Step... step... step...
Suddenly, the hair on the back of my neck stood up. My Vampire Instincts flared.
Someone was following me.
I didn't panic. I kept walking at the same pace for a few more seconds, confirming the presence. Then, I stopped abruptly in the middle of the dark pathway.
"Who is it?" I called out, my voice cutting through the silence. "Come out. What is the point of skulking in the shadows like a coward? If you have the guts, show yourself."
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, a low chuckle echoed from the darkness.
"Heh."
A figure stepped out from behind a decorative pillar.
He was tall, wearing the uniform of a Second Year student. His most striking feature was his hair—a vivid, unnatural green. He walked with an air of arrogance that screamed authority.
I narrowed my eyes and activated my System Inspect.
Zing—
A status window appeared above his head.
[Name: Michael]
[Species: Human]
[Blood Type: A+]
[Age: 17]
[Class: +2 Second Year, Second Month]
[Level: 11]
[HP: 100/100]
[Strength: 100]
[Stamina: 90]
[Agility: 95]
[Book Skill: Fire Ability Control]
[Soul Weapon: Fire Dragon Whip]
[Active Skills: Fireball, Fire Hand, Fire Cage]
My expression turned grave as I read the data.
'Level 11...' I thought, analyzing the threat.
Currently, it was night. My passive vampire ability granted me a 20% boost to all stats. This pushed my physical capabilities from Level 5 to roughly Level 8—meaning my stats were hovering around 78.
But Michael was Level 11. His stats were in the 90s and 100s. There was a clear gap of three levels between us.
'And what is a Soul Weapon?' I wondered, eyeing the text. 'I've never seen that term before. Is that something you unlock after crossing Level 10? Or is it a specific talent he has?'
Regardless of the mechanics, I knew one thing: I had to be careful.
"As expected," Michael said, clapping his hands slowly. "You found me quickly. Your senses are sharp."
I turned to face him fully, crossing my arms. "Why are you following me? Spit it out."
"Straight to the point. I like that," Michael smirked. "I won't beat around the bush. I want you to join my team."
He took a step closer, his eyes glinting with greed.
"My subordinate, Sam, told me about you. He says you possess a rare Healing Ability. He saw you recover from a puncture wound in seconds." Michael's voice dripped with arrogance. "Consider this an honor. A healer is useful, and my team is the best."
I scoffed. "Sam's boss, huh? I know exactly what kind of 'team' you run. You use people as meat shields."
I looked him dead in the eye.
"Go find someone else. I don't have time to play house with you."
Michael's smile vanished instantly. His face contorted into a mask of rage.
"I thought I could convince you with words," he said, his voice dropping to a menacing growl. "I didn't expect you to be so stubborn. If you won't join me, then you are just an obstacle. And if you are going to be a thorn in my side in the future..."
He raised his right hand.
"...then I might as well crush you right now!"
Fwoosh!
A burst of flames erupted from his palm. The fire elongated, twisting and solidifying into a long, menacing lash. The handle resembled the head of a dragon.
[Soul Weapon: Fire Dragon Whip]
"Die!"
Snap!
Michael flicked his wrist. The fiery whip lashed out faster than sound, tearing through the air like a viper striking its prey.
Crack!
I reacted instantly, throwing my body to the side.
Sizzle—
I was fast, but the whip was faster. I managed to dodge the main strike, but the tip of the fiery lash grazed my arm.
[System Alert!]
[Damage Taken: -100 HP]
[Current HP: 7700 / 7800]
Pain seared through my flesh as the fire burned my skin.
'Damn it,' I gritted my teeth, jumping back to create distance. 'That Soul Weapon is terrifying. Just a graze took 100 HP? If that thing wraps around my neck, it could be fatal.'
I glared at Michael, my body tensing for a real fight.