Chapter 98: Week Of Traditions

–Chapter 98–

Things had gone better than Dean anticipated, and the previous day had been as productive as any eighteen-year-old could hope for.

Time spent with Astrea, learning about his father, and a few hints about his mother. All this while preparing mentally and physically for Hel'Khar.

With all of that, including a three-million-quid deal, of course he went to sleep after Olsen arrived.

He started the new day fully aware that the previous night's notifications were still stacked like messages from an angry girlfriend.

Having been too tired, or for the sake of honesty, too fulfilled to even read through them the night before, Dean had saved them for today.

He went through the series of objectives completed, the experience points gained, and his general progression, with the awareness that a lot more depended on him now and he had to step up.

Midway through a new push-up rep, he read through the orange interface in front of his eyes even as beads of sweat dripped from his forehead.

[You have completed several self-imposed objectives.]

[You have gotten closer to Astrea Vermith and your interest level has increased.]

[Rewards: 3000 EXP]

[You have completed a sparring session with a rival.]

[Rewards: 3000 EXP]

[You have chosen friendship over immediate profit.]

[Rewards: 4000 EXP]

[EXP Accumulated: 10000 EXP]

[Total EXP: 14600 EXP]

Looking at the total, Dean could tell another rank-up was close, but he wasn't there yet.

Closing the reward portion of the system, he navigated to the character profile interface.

He slowly stood from his plank position, his eyes darting across the profile.

[OVERALL SYSTEM STATUS]

[Name: Dean Gray]

[Soul: Dean Faust]

[Age: 18]

[Race: Human]

[Summoner Rank: Elite - Tier 8]

[Attribute Unlocked: Body of the Sage, Sage Tool Wielder]

[Active Perks:]

Hermit's Eye

Sage's Circuit

[Experience Points: 14600]

[Inventory: Rend - Sage of Severance, Imperfect Shard]

[SUMMONING STATUS]

[Summoning Skills - Channeling Lv 5, Resonance Lv 1]

[Permanent Skills/Abilities:]

Rebound Core (Grade: C-A)

Refraction Field (Grade: B-S)

[ACTIVE BONDS — 3/3]

[Familiars]

[1 - Wind Sprite]

[Class - Common Peak]

[Skill: Gale Breath (E-grade), Wind Scythe (D-grade)]

[Bond Growth - 10%]

[2 - Earth Elemental]

[Classification: Common - Mid]

[Skill: Earth Tap (E-grade)]

[Bond Growth - 2%]

[3 - Ash]

[Classification: Paradox - True Bond]

[Skill:]

IMU

Free Form: Morph

[Traits]

Lesser Adaptability

[Current Copy Slots: 4/4]

[Unique Skill]

Eternal Imprint [Ash Bond] (2/2 Slot)

[Transformation]

Dire Wolf Battle Form

---

Dean coughed when he saw the rank of the new skill he'd acquired through Ash's unique skill.

To think its potential could climb all the way to S-rank. The colossal diamond protector was no joke. After all, it had survived and even pushed back Leona.

But as impressive as the skill was, it made Dean ponder something even more impressive.

His [Haoken].

Dean's eyes swiftly moved to his inventory.

The blade dubbed by the system as the Sage of Severance stayed there alongside the Imperfect Shard.

Dean swallowed slowly as he reached for his chest, fiddling with Nessa's lucky charm.

He didn't need to admit it, but he believed the thing was working wonders for him.

Right now, his own slow progression was the limitation on his growing set of abilities and even his familiars.

I have to get stronger...

He stared at the profile for another moment before pushing the interface away with a sigh.

This was a new day, and he had places to be.

Quickly, he wore a black traditional haori over a pure white inner shirt, with the Gray family's burning crescent moon crest on the back.

His black pants blended perfectly with a pair of black boots and fingerless gloves.

Outside the dormitory, the courtyard was already rowdy and crawling with students from different classes.

However, even among the crowd, he was able to easily spot Olsen, who had left much earlier, saying something about assisting with the setup for the Student Week activities.

Walking directly toward the gentle giant, Dean ignored the stares and gazes that followed him courtesy of his attire.

"What's happening?" Dean asked, stopping several feet from Olsen.

The boy simply gestured toward the sudden assembly of students who, regardless of species, stood side by side.

"It's a general assembly," Olsen said calmly as he brushed his hair back with his fingers and then patted Ash, who had been on Dean's shoulder since before he left the dormitory.

The slime, currently transformed into a miniature dire wolf, purred at Olsen's touch, its large rainbow-like eyes staring directly at the boy.

While the duo played, Dean took a broader look at the assembly, trying to spot faces he knew.

There were a few.

Including Vanessa, Andre, and for the first time since the cafeteria exchange with Rogue, the snake summon user.

Cain.

Admittedly, the boy carried a presence that attracted people instead of pushing them away. Unlike the third years.

The third years, a small bunch of no more than fifty students carried themselves with a completely different aura. Every one of them looked like they'd seen too much to be bothered by any of this.

Dean was about to move closer when a loud tap echoed across the open space.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Mr. Richard appeared at the top of the stairs.

His eyes were violent, but the spiraling pattern was absent.

No mind reading.

Dean believed the spiral pattern was the tell that the mysterious man was using his ability.

In Richard's presence, the entire area settled into immediate decorum.

The man let out a low cough as he leaned on his staff.

Waiting until all the noise disappeared completely, his lips curved into a comfortable smile.

"Hello, everyone. Welcome to Franseint's Student Week program."

Silence followed the statement as if he was deciding what to say next.

Then his eyes drifted toward the first years.

"For our newcomers... this is not a holiday. This is tradition."

The second years within the crowd shifted uncomfortably.

They had been in this very spot before and knew what was coming.

"This week, this tradition exists for you to understand what Franseint is all about outside the confines of the classroom. So I encourage you to explore. Meet new people. Friends and rivals alike."

He paused and firmly tapped his staff against the floor.

"That is your assignment."

The nerves around most of the first years began dissolving and they started to relax.

The worst had passed.

Then suddenly Richard's eyes shifted to the second years.

His gaze was cold and impossible to decipher.

"Second years," he began, limping forward to the edge of the steps.

"It is your time," he continued. "Either you rise or you fall."

The man launched into a short sermon and, after a few minutes of both terrifying and educating the second years about the massive shoes the third years would leave behind, he finally reached his point.

The ranks, standings, and talent levels across all the other academies in Zhrea were now theirs to match.

Richard finished with a smirk and basked in the applause of hundreds of second and third years.

The seniors obviously knew ways to massage the man's ego, as evidenced by the smile that kept growing wider.

"Thank you, thank you," Richard laughed. "As always, no classes this week. All meals are communal. Activities are mixed-year by design. And lastly, the schedules are posted at every entrance."

With his speech done, Richard signaled a few third years to accompany him and slowly limped away, allowing the students to breathe in relief.

"That was intense," Olsen said quietly, almost as if he were talking to himself.

Dean nodded, though he didn't necessarily agree.

Habitually, his eyes scanned the courtyard, which was gradually thinning as time passed.

He had seen a few familiar faces earlier, but a few others weren't present.

One was Ymir.

He couldn't find his ginger-haired mentor anywhere.

The same went for Astrea.

It seemed neither of them had graced the assembly with their unique presence.

Though he recalled Ymir saying she was part of the planning team and they were forcing her to be responsible.

Oh well.

He turned toward Olsen, who had pulled one of the activity pamphlets from a nearby stand.

"So, bonfire tonight," Olsen said while waving the pamphlet in front of Dean and gesturing for him to come closer.

Dean obliged.

Grabbing the pamphlet, he read through it, confirming Olsen's words and the other activities planned throughout the week.

But among the mixed-species games and various events, the most important thing to Dean was missing.

He understood why.

It was unofficial.

The Hel'Khar battle with Marcus.

The most important event in his next few days.

"Are you ready?" Olsen asked as if he could read Dean's mind.

Dean narrowed his eyes and turned toward him.

"Ready for what?"

"The bonfire."

"Oh."

Dean rubbed the back of his head.

They walked toward the entrance of the main building alongside the other students.

Behind them, inside a large clearing, wood was being stacked high near the stone fire pit.

Lanterns were strung between posts.

Long wooden tables and chairs were arranged in curved rows.

By tonight, it would look completely different.

And the celebration would begin.

Ash bounced once on Dean's shoulder, its large round eyes observing him as the first lights were lit.

Boom!

–End of Chapter–