Chapter 77: Departure and Jump!

Nero took a taxi to the outskirts of New Arcadia City, following the location marked by the System.

Beyond the developed area lay a vast forest inhabited by Vicious Beasts and Spirit Beasts, some reaching as high as Tier 3.

’Hopefully, I won’t run into anything that strong.’

Nero was confident he could handle a Tier 1 Beast, but encountering something two tiers above that would be troublesome.

After paying the driver, he headed toward the forest entrance.

However, before he could enter, his phone rang.

"Yo, Nero! Where are you?"

It was Lucas.

"I’m at home. Have you reached the camp?"

"Yep! We just arrived, and they’re already calling us for the opening ceremony. They didn’t even give us time to rest!"

"Well, you went there to train, didn’t you?"

"Yeah, but I thought they’d at least let us admire the place first."

Lucas chuckled before continuing.

"Anyway, they’re going to confiscate our phones so we can focus on training. I thought I’d call you before that happened."

"For the whole two months?"

"No idea when we’ll get them back. Anyway, keep training while we’re gone! Once I return, I’ll teach you everything I’ve learned."

"Shouldn’t you learn something first before promising to teach it?"

"Hahaha! That’s why I’m giving you two months to prepare for my greatness!"

Suddenly, Jasmine’s voice came from the background.

"Give me that phone, idiot!"

"Hey! I’m still talking!"

After a brief struggle, Jasmine took over the call.

"Nero, make sure you behave while we’re gone. Don’t go around collecting more girls."

"What does that even mean?"

"Nothing! Just don’t cause trouble until we get back."

"I wasn’t causing trouble in the first place!"

"Then keep it that way."

Lucas could still be heard complaining that he hadn’t finished saying goodbye.

"You’ve already said goodbye three times!" Jasmine snapped before turning her attention back to Nero.

"Anyway, good luck with your training. We’ll see you in two months."

"Same to you guys."

After ending the call, Nero smiled.

’Those two...’

Lucas had barely arrived at the camp, yet he had already called to check on him.

Before Nero could put his phone away, another call arrived.

This time, it was Serina, she was video calling him.

"Mr. Savior~ I’m going to miss you!"

Her beautiful face appeared on the screen, framed by dark hair with blue strands underneath.

"I’ll miss you too."

"Oh? Will you miss me or my kisses?"

Nero coughed.

’Does she have to ask that while I’m standing outside?’

"Both, if you really want to know."

For once, Serina seemed caught off guard.

A faint blush appeared on her cheeks before she smiled.

"My, you’ve become much better at answering me."

"You’re the one who asked."

"And I’m very pleased with your answer."

Then, someone called for the students to gather behind her.

Serina glanced toward the voice before returning her attention to Nero.

"Don’t forget me while I’m gone, alright?"

She blew him a kiss.

"Mwah! Bye-bye, Mr. Savior~"

With that, the call ended.

Putting his phone away, Nero finally entered the forest.

The trees grew thicker as Nero followed the System’s directions, occasionally checking his surroundings for beasts.

’General William must be at the camp too.’

Remembering the general’s warning made him sigh.

Although Nero hadn’t let those words affect his confidence, he certainly hadn’t forgotten them.

His friends would spend the next two months receiving military training from experienced instructors, while he would be training alone.

They were already ahead of him in several areas.

’If I don’t improve quickly, that gap will only grow wider.’

Fortunately, Nero had something they didn’t.

The Ultimate Choice System.

It had already given him opportunities he could never have obtained on his own, and now it was leading him toward a mysterious training location.

’I just hope this place is worth it.’

He continued deeper into the forest.

Meanwhile, at the military training camp, Serina had already surrendered her phone and joined the other students for the opening ceremony.

Hundreds of students from different universities stood in formation.

Before them was Colonel Marcus Hale, a stern-looking officer who examined the students with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Listen carefully! You weren’t brought here to relax or collect certificates. For the next two months, we’ll push every single one of you beyond your current limits!"

The students fell silent.

"Our primary goal is to help you achieve Mana Convergence!"

Hearing those words, several students exchanged excited looks.

Mana Convergence was a special state that allowed the body to draw Mana directly from the atmosphere when pushed beyond its normal limits.

However, it wasn’t something that could be achieved through ordinary training.

"Don’t misunderstand!" Colonel Hale continued. "It won’t be easy. Your bodies must first reach a point where their existing reserves are no longer enough to the point that the Mana in the atmosphere will rush towards you. This is the most effective way."

"Some of you will probably start calling this place hell before the first week is over!" He added with a sneer.

The excitement among the students quickly faded.

Even Lucas no longer seemed particularly enthusiastic.

"Your instructors will explain your assignments. Now, report to your respective groups!"

As the formation began breaking apart, Lilly was about to join Jasmine when someone approached her.

"Lilly! So you came!"

A pale-looking girl with long black hair and striking red lizard-like eyes stood before her.

Lilly immediately recognized her.

"...Claret. What do you want this time?"

Claret was a student from Genesis University, another prestigious institution in New Arcadia City.

She possessed a mutation-type Talent called Vampire, which allowed her to generate and manipulate blood.

She could turn her blood into weapons, control its movements, and even replenish her blood supply by drinking blood.

Thanks to her mutation, Claret was considered one of Genesis University’s most talented students.

Unfortunately, she also had a rather annoying habit.

Whenever their universities held friendly competitions, Claret would challenge Lilly.

And every single time, she lost.

That didn’t mean she was weak. Claret was talented enough to compete with students like Lilly and Richard, which only made her repeated defeats even more frustrating.

"This time, I’m definitely going to beat you!" Claret declared. "Let’s see how long everyone keeps calling you the top rising Awakener after I crush you!"

"You...."

Claret didn’t wait for her reply and turned toward Richard.

"And you! Don’t think you’re getting away either!"

Richard looked confused.

"...What did I do?"

"I’m going to defeat you too!"

"Alright?"

"And Lyris! You’re next!"

Lyris blinked in surprise. Was she under the hit list too...?

Claret then pointed toward Lucas and Jasmine.

"You two better prepare yourselves as well!"

Lucas looked at his sister speechlessly. "Did we do something to her?"

"Don’t ask me."

Finally, Claret’s attention settled on Serina.

"And especially you! I’m going to beat every single one of you!"

’Is she stupid?’ That was what everyone thought at the same time.

Meanwhile, Serina smiled sweetly.

"My, how ambitious. I’ll look forward to it, Miss Claret."

Claret’s expression darkened.

"Don’t look down on me!"

"Of course not. I think it’s wonderful that you haven’t given up after losing so many times."

"...YOU!"

Jasmine clicked her tongue seeing this.

It seemed the military camp was going to be even more exhausting than she had expected.

Meanwhile, Nero had finally reached the location marked by the System.

Unfortunately, there was a little problem.

"...What the hell?"

Before him was an enormous chasm separating the forest into two sections.

The gap was far too wide for him to jump across normally, and the bottom was hidden in darkness.

Nero checked the System’s map again.

’Did I take a wrong turn?’

No.

The destination was directly ahead of him.

Just as Nero was wondering what to do, a notification appeared.

[Jump.]

Following that, one more system panel opened up.

[Ding! Choice Activated]

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[A/N: Sorry for the late upload. I have a really bad fever. Also, we were really close to 500 Power stones last time. I think we can do more this week. So drop the book a power stone or two to support it. Thank you.]