"Arthur Ukrov, you must obey! You are not allowed to use the power of investigation in any way, or you will be expelled from the academy!"
These are the memories I received while being in Arthur's body.
What could this mean?
I thought for a second and decided to check my gadget.
•••
[Hello, Ukrov]
» Enter the black network
» View body statistics (body check required)
» Store
» Bank
» Marketplaces
» Social network
» Academy
» Call a van
» Followers' clan
» Contract
•••
In my gadget there was no option like clan or contract, especially van, and why is it written about entering the black network if there is only the white one?
Probably this is connected with his murder.
However, I will not be curious because there are risks.
•••
"View body statistics"
— Tap
In front of me appeared a hologram showing Arthur's whole body, which was photographed during the check.
•••
"Loading"
...
"Unable to connect with the body, try again later or repeat the body check."
•••
Maybe it is because I entered his body? Or he himself didn't go to the check?
Many questions that will remain without answers, but we need one option.
•••
"Academy"
— Tap
Luckily, I quickly found myself because the system was smart and advanced.
•••
"Student: Arthur Ukrov."
[Do you want to view student data?]
•••
I pressed the button [Yes].
•••
[The student's grades are above average, there are some small bad marks.
Performance excellent.]
•••
Sounds interesting, but what if we look how many times he was called to the director?
•••
"Student absolutely clean"
[The student has no punishments, the student has a kind character.]
•••
What? "Kind" and "Arthur" in one sentence? Are you kidding me??
I decided to look again rubbing my eyes, but the result was the same, and after a couple of minutes of thinking, someone started speaking in the academy microphone.
— All students gather right now in Building A!
And after this voice, the crowd started going toward the voice.
I closed the gadget and went after the crowd...
I still didn't know what buildings there were here, but apparently if we go after this voice we will come to Building A.
While I was walking I heard people whispering about something, but I heard how they worried because this was not only an expensive academy but also a difficult one. I can understand their worries.
But now I need to think how I will talk with my parents of my current body and with Arthur's parents.
Since we only just entered the academy probably Arthur has no friends, well if he has then maximum 1–2, I don't think more.
While I was speaking in my head, we already came to Building A, and we gathered in a group, and stood straight and waited until on the big screen a person would appear.
Building A was very large.
If to compare its size I would say it could be compared with a shopping center, but with 5 floors.
In the center stood a huge pillar, on which hung 4 big screens from all sides.
Apparently in them they will speak about the new students of this academy.
First started speaking a blonde girl with blue eyes, her appearance was a little cute and a little rough, but perfectly balanced, so that some students could simply drown in her eyes.
But I didn't care, now my goals are much more important than all this.
— Students of Cadina, from today you officially are our students, you will be given: Special gadget adapting to you yourselves, Special academy uniform, Premium rooms, Food cooked almost by the best chefs of the country, and such education that even if a student is stupid he will still understand 40% of what is said.
The whole crowd in unison started raising fists up and praising the academy.
'Are you dumb? You pay just a cosmic amount of money to pay for this study, and this is still little of what they can provide...'
Oh, why did I start to get angry?
Maybe it is because now I have Arthur's brain?
And while they spoke another ten minutes, came the end of the speech for the new students.
— We wish you pleasant rest and study, we believe you will become geniuses with our technologies. Don't let us down! Good luck to all.
Blah-blah-blah... Boring speech that nobody wants to listen to, well at least I don't want to.
— Step forward to save your fingerprints for access to your room numbers!
Oh, this is what we need, finally normal information.
I immediately went to the registration desk and scanned my "hand."
— Your number 147. Congratulations on enrollment!
As soon as they gave me my room number, I was already standing near the elevator, when suddenly other students like me approached.
I wanted right now to learn more about the body check function in the gadget, because it could help me understand Arthur better.
Luckily, in the elevator there was a guide, to whom I could ask all questions.
While waiting for the elevator, I asked her:
— "Can you tell me more about the body check? I haven't had time to pass it yet. It only detects diseases, right?"
— "Body check? It's a universal program that allows you to find your abilities and predispositions, including your genetics. You can search any information about your body in this option."
I didn't think this information would be so useful... I hadn't even looked at all the functions of the gadget before I was eliminated.
For some reason, I noticed all the students started looking at me with very curious eyes.
They looked at my gadget and saw the hologram "Number 147."
Apparently they guessed who I was.
— "That's Ukrov!!"
— "Really? Can we take a photo?"
— "Oh, you also have a room on the 14th floor?"
And I finally remembered that I became top 1 in attention...
Now I need to get used to it.
I wanted to say I wouldn't take photos or talk with anyone, when suddenly something blinked at the speed of sound.
— Blink. Blink.
Suddenly all gadgets in the elevator turned on, and on the hologram appeared a girl reporting the latest academy news.
Mostly it was about the weather and repeated conditions of living, probably for those who hadn't heard.
While the news played, the students finally left me alone and started discussing them.
"Apparently students here are especially polite."
But at the end of the news came the information I wanted most.
— "Student Shon Demian was killed. He was found with dagger wounds. According to experts, a new type of mana was used. And ten minutes later, two more students were killed: Veris Krols, Alexander Shver. The investigation is ongoing."
All students in the elevator went silent.
"Oh, that was me."
"Wait? Ten minutes later two more were killed? What? Didn't I enter the body of the main criminal Arthur?"
"Someone else is killing people in the academy...?"
As soon as the elevator doors opened, my gadget strangely blinked black... and white?
---
Gadget |
"A member of the Followers' clan is watching you."
---
Hmm?
Someone is watching me? Could it be Arthur's enemies he hadn't dealt with?
And the Followers' clan? I remember something like that in Arthur's gadget...
Maybe I should risk pressing this strange function?
---
Gadget |
"Followers' clan."
"Enter?"
[Yes] ‹No›
---
Gadget |
"Followers' clan."
"Do you want to get information about the person watching you?"
[Yes]
---
Gadget |
"Followers' clan."
Observation: You are being watched by •Dark Sleeper, Kule Derrot•
---
Kule Derrot? If only I knew who that was...
Why do I have Arthur's body but not his memories? Strange logic!
I rushed out of the elevator at maximum speed toward my room.
Fast. Faster! Fastest!!
I quickly scanned my handprint, confirmed it in the gadget, and entered the room.
Luckily, the gadget stopped blinking strange colors, but I don't think it will last.
As soon as I leave the room, the surveillance may resume.
I calmed myself and put my suitcase against the wall.
The first thing I noticed was the setting sun, blinding me with its crimson light.
Everything around was neat, furniture in place, perfectly cleaned. And since I was top 1, they gave me the best floor with the finest renovation.
This was truly my dream room.
But then I noticed on the table a dagger emitting heavenly light, and beside it a neatly folded white note with the symbol of a black snake biting its tail.
"Note to Arthur Ukrov."
I opened the note and read carefully:
*"Arthur Ukrov.
You bought the Blade of Immortals from us on credit.
Pay the debt within three days.
Failure to pay will result in repossession of your soul and body.
— The Black Network."*
I inherited not only Arthur's body, but also his problems? So that's why he demanded money from me...
But doesn't he already have plenty? Top 1 of the academy, most likely his family is well-off too.
"But the letter says 'Blade of Immortals'...?"
I turned my deep gaze toward the dagger covered in runes, radiating a pure white aura.
I picked it up to analyze.
Hm.
At the touch of the dagger I felt its coldness and a faint vibration.
Maybe this is connected to mana?
And at that moment, an idea appeared.
I opened the gadget to analyze the dagger in my hands.
---
[Hello, Ukrov]
» Enter the black network
» View body statistics (body check required)
» Store
» Marketplaces
» Social network
» Academy
» Call a van
» Followers' clan
» Contract
---
"Store"
"Buy high-precision weapon analysis for type 'Dagger.'"
"You are purchasing this on credit, do you confirm the order?"
"Yes."
"Please insert the dagger into the hologram."
"Analyzing..."
....
...
..
.
"Weapon successfully analyzed."
---
Blade of Immortals
"Immortal Treasure of the Black Network."
- Durability: 87/100
- Mana Affinity: New type of bloodline mana
- Statistics:
- Rank: B → can rise to A+ through a chain of killings
- Strength: C
- Speed: A
- Innate Effects:
- Shadow Veil — the dagger hides traces of mana, making the murder "invisible" to academy sensors.
"There are still 5 abilities, but they will only unlock after the debt is paid and as the user's abilities develop."
Note:
This weapon was borrowed from the Black Network. Failure to return or pay the debt will result in repossession of your body.
---
| Closing gadget. |
This is an incredibly powerful weapon, but paying the debt within three days will still be difficult, and I don't even know the amount I need to pay!
I'll have to enter the Black Network and go to one of their establishments to learn more.
— Ding Ding!
Huh?
The gadget sparked with flashes and showed me an announcement from the Academy.
———
[Dear students, tomorrow the academy will begin its first test! Prepare yourselves and adapt to your rooms.]
———
Now I am caught between three forces, and any mistake can cost me my life.
Ahhh...
I would love to enjoy studying, if only not for Ukrov's problems.
I'll have to solve Arthur's debts while attending classes...
I think I can handle it.
— Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Who is knocking so late at night?"
Wait. Could it be...
Now its 4 forces...
Now I had no doubt, I became ARTHUR.