The Fresher's was not held at Nova, instead it took place at separate private establishnt which was fairly fancy and popular. Only the most wealthy individuals can afford it.
That's the na of the establishnt, where our wealthy seniors have arranged the event.
Well the owner is rather wealthy himself, considering the fact that it has an orchestra, food court, gaming zone, and a swimming pool for so reason.
The waiter and waitresses were serving drinks, of course the drinks are non-alcoholic as the legal age for drinking is still 19 and above.
"Rank... is just a number."
Everyone's attention was fixed on the stage towards a certain individual, our beloved Rank-69 hero 'Defender' was giving his legendary speech.
He was a citizen of [Stormshade] which can be identified by his silver long and curly hair that almost reached his shoulders.
"Many of you dream to achieve the top spot. Rank-1, Rank-5, Rank-10, maybe even Rank-50. But let tell you sothing... Not everyone can be a star. So of us... we shine in other ways."
Soone comnted from the back. "But I don't wanna be a Rank-69 hero."
Pause.
'Defender' continued.
"For example... I was once in a mission with 'Hope', and we fought a Fallen!"
'When did that happen!? I can't recall!'
I noticed few students leaned forward, clearly intrigued by his claims.
"...By holding them for whole five minutes, before the Hero 'Hope' killed them all."
Silence.
I couldn't belief what is happening.
'Son of a bitch!'
"It was an intense five minutes. I saw my life flash before my eyes. But... for it was like failing my entrance exam and being rejected by won, but still... I stood my ground!"
Clap...
A single awkward clap echoed from the back.
"So of you might fear failure. You think when you don't reach the top, you're worthless. Well look at ! I am Rank-69, the most disrespected number in existence..."
But then, amidst his speech I noticed sothing.
'W-Wait, is he crying?'
"People laugh at when they hear my rank, they don't take seriously, they think... they think I am worthless! Heck! Even my own sidekicks introduced themselves first."
'I can't! Please make him stop!' I silently pleaded.
"But guess what? I'm still here. I'm still fighting. I still matter."
A few students nod, so actually feel inspired.
'Are they insane or what!?'
"Man, I actually feel bad for him, now..." soone whispered from the back.
"So rember, even if you fail, even if the world laughs at you, even if you wake up one day and realize your only fan is your mom..., you only need to do one thing. And that is to keep going."
He raised his hands triumphantly, he looked around, his breathing heavy.
"..."
Clap... Clap... Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
The whole banquet roared with claps, even I couldn't stop myself from clapping, and I felt genuinely bad for him.
I turned my head and looked towards Anna.
"That was really depressing and weirdly inspiring at the sa ti." I said.
Anna looked at and added, "I don't know whether to cry or laugh."
The speech ended, and now Alex stood on the stage. "W-Well, Umm... thanks, Mr. Defender, your words, we will rember it."
Alex continued.
"Now, moving forward! Let's invite the Rank-1 of First Year, Miss Aria Frostheart," Alex's eye turned to the direction of Aria and continued, "If you don't mind, can you co to the stage—"
"No, thanks." Aria, who sat on the front row with rest of her girl's group, just straight out rejected the offer.
"..."
'Cold as ever.'
"A-Alright, i-if you say so," Alex stuttered as his face beca sweaty, he turned his face away from Aria.
"I feel bad for him," I whispered.
Alex continued, despite all the embarrassnt he had a weird grin on his face. "Let's move on to the next phase? Did everyone co prepared with their partner!? If so then get oooon theee daaance flooor!"
"..."
What the fuck is wrong with people? They are getting weirder day-by-day.
~Music
Suddenly, the music started playing, the mbers of the orchestra synchronized their footing as they played a harmonic song.
Soon after, so of the male students stood up, locking ard with their female partners, I looked—No, Anna and I looked towards them before our eyes landed on a certain individual.
Aria Frostheart.
She was surrounded by a group of students, both male and female. They were inviting her for a dance, and Aria brutally rejected each one of them.
Their hearts crushed, their beliefs shattered as they took a final look at Aria before she walked away.
"The fuck am I witnessing?" Anna questioned, her voice carrying full of disgust towards them.
"Yeah, sucks to be her." I answered back, averting my eyes from Aria and towards a drink in my hand. A translucent blueberry mock tale with a bit of lemonade juice.
Yes, just the way I like. My concentration was wholly set on my drink as I made it twirl inside the glass.
"Zane, prepare yourself, she is coming here." Anna's warning shattered my concentration.
'Fuck!'
After shattering every heart she now sailed in our direction.
But one thing I noticed: her movent was flawless, her black gown twinkling with all the shiny patterns, her black shiny hair bouncing with every step she took.
She looks... angelic.
No wonder boys went crazy for her.
Smack!
Beside , Anna smacked with her elbow, setting free from my thoughts.
"...Sorry. I got lost." I admitted.
"Lost in what exactly?" Anna squinted her eyes before she added, "falling for her?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" I refused her reasoning.
What? , to her?
Never!
Her eyes reminded of my master.
"Good evening Zane, Anna," Aria greeted us before taking a seat beside Anna.
"G-Good evening, Aria," Anna was surprised.
"Good evening," I also greeted her back.
'Why did she co here!?'
Due to her sudden decision to take a seat beside us, several students were now staring at us. Well not 'us', they are glaring at ''.
'What did I do?' I cried inwardly.
"Zane, that outfit looks great on you," Aria complinted, before she took a glass of blueberry mocktail.
"!"
Anna's mouth hung open, as she tried to comprehend what Aria just said. And I can tell just by looking at her that she is getting the wrong ideas.
Giving up, I tried explaining to her.
"Look Anna, yester—"
But before that happened an unexpected guest arrived.
"Howdy guys," Julius said taking a seat beside , "what are you guys talking about?"
Perfect timing!
"Hello Julius, that outfit looks good on you, you look dashing," I complinted nodding my head multiple tis towards Julius, making it sound as close as Aria's complint towards .
Silence.
"..."
But sothing was not right, now all three were staring at with weird looks in their eyes. And Julius is now... distancing himself from .
'Did I say sothing wrong?'
Wait...
I did say 'sothing' wrong!
What am I a fool?
'Fuck!'
"Look Julius, just forget what I just said—" as those words left my mouth, I froze mid-sentence. My hand went numb, all the hairs on my skin stood up, it felt... disturbing.
I stood up.
"Zane?" I ignored the call.
Looking around, my gaze scanned every detail around . My hand went toward my pocket, where my Inventory Ring was kept.
"Zane...? Chill dude, I was just jokin—"
"The Elentals are not resonating." I said.
"What?" Julius seed confused, "Zane, you are acting weird—"
I hurriedly held Julius's hand, and with a serious tone I shouted at the top of my lungs.
"ANNA! HOLD ARIA'S HAND AND CLO CLOSE TO !!"
All the activities in the banquet halted, the students' gaze shifted to four of us.
Anna, without any question, did as I instructed, I trust her. She understood , after all, she once saw the real ....
I held Anna's hand. I gripped it tightly.
I once again analyzed the place.
Where?
Who?
This is the human domain.
This can't be happening.
"Zane... what are you doing—"
"Shut your damn mouth!" I scolded.
An artifact?
Unique skill?
What is this?
I can't sense it.
I felt all five Elentals weakened.
My resonance with the Elentals is fluctuating.
This only occurred when... soone changed location.
But why now?
A barrier?
No...
A space ti manipulation?
I tried activating my skill.
[Distortion.]
Nothing happened.
Not a skill. Then?
An artifact that can alter space?
"Of course!" Now I understood.
This was large scale teleportation spell.
As I ca to the final conclusion of my deduction, the world around shifted, white light shimred from the ground, engulfing each and every living being caught within it.
I only blinked my eyelids once, and when I opened them, I found myself staring at a tree, covered in an endless darkness.
It took less than a millisecond, nobody could comprehend what was happening.
"Eh?"
"Wha—!"
"Wh-What happened!?" It sounded like Anna, "Zane?"
"Are you here? Zane!"
I gripped her hand, "Anna relax, and ignite a small fire."
After relaxing, Anna snapped her finger and a small fire lit up her finger tip.
The little fla of fire only illuminated the four of our faces.
All four of them were safe.
"Zane, where are we?" Aria from the other side still gripping Anna's hand asked. Despite the situation we are in, her voice was calm.
I don't know, how should I explain this to them?
The mont we were teleported here, I felt a sudden change in my Elentals.
My Ice Essence got weakened and my Fire Essence was stronger compare to the other four.
But, we are not at [Pyrestone].
That much I can tell.
By analyzing the ti zone Pyrestone's current ti should be around 11:00 AM.
But... on the sky, there's a full moon.
I have read countless books.
And utilizing those knowledge, I concluded...
"Demon Continent."
End of Chapter.
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