1 The Awakening (1/2)

Dark Lord of Tartarus

Chapter 1

The Awakening

Part 1

”—haaah, back here again…”

The man with a black hair and blue eyes muttered to himself.

What the man was referring to is Cedeas Academy. The school is like normal schools but, it also teaches about what people called Magic. This school also teaches academics whereas many people chose this school to learn both academics and magic.

The man entered the school when suddenly his friend shouted his name.

”Hey! Xyn! Wait up!”

Xyn looked back.

”Oh Hearl it's you.”

His friend Hearl caught up to him and they walked together.

”You've been gone for two weeks. What happened?”

”Ah, something personal happened. I don't want to talk about it.”

Xyn said in a sad and low voice.

”Is that so? Well, you missed a lot of lessons.”

”Magic lessons are easy, academics are unnecessary.”

”Eh? Really now?”

”Yes,” Xyn replied instantly.

Hearing what Xyn said, Hearl has nothing to say anymore.

As they are walking to their classroom, a group of fellow students and schoolmates stood beside the way to their room. Xyn, looking at them, was noticed by one of the group. Noticing Xyn, he called his group with a smug look on his face.

”Yo, if it isn't the one with a weird ass name,” the leader of the group said.

Xyn inhaled and exhaled in frustration and annoyance.

”Long time no see, Draven, what's up with you now?”

”None of your damn business,” Xyn replied.

”Oh, now you can talk like that in front of me. You've grown some guts.”

Xyn furrowed his brow in annoyance and anger and glared at the guy.

”Woah, Sorry, Berto, but we're going to be late so we must be going now.” Hearl intervened and pulled Xyn and continued to walk forward.

”Oh yeah, Xyn Draven! Magic evaluation is this afternoon. I'm looking forward on seeing how far you have gone for someone who has no innate gift.”

Xyn glared to Berto out of the corner of his eyes then looked backed on his way.

”Don't mind that bastard, Xyn.”

”That guy pisses me off. He may be strong but he's one arrogant bastard. I really want to crush him.”

”Yeah. Well, that guy has a gift and you… you know… and plus, he trains and have grown strong, so it's going to be difficult for you as a spellcaster.”

”I know, I'm just a mere spellcaster after all.”

Xyn and Hearl had reached their classroom. Inside were some familiar faces for Xyn. The ones inside noticed Xyn and gasped in surprise as they saw him.

”Xyn? Xyn it is you!”

”Yes. It's me, Edmund,” Xyn said while smiling.

”Hey Xyn, long time no see. What've you been doing?”

”Hey Robie. You know, something that's the same, and something that's new”

”You've been gone for two weeks Xyn. We missed you.” His friend said while he tapped Xyn's shoulder.

”Thanks, Ronald. I also missed you guys a lot.”

”What's wrong Xyn? You look depressed.”

”Ah, nothing, Leden. I'm just thrilled to see you guys again,” Xyn smiled that seems like a forced one.

That was a lie. Based on what happened to him, being thrilled at this moment was not the case. It was an entirely different thing. And his friends seem to notice that something was off about him. Being gone for two weeks means something must have happened but his friends didn't mind it for now. Xyn's friends have no idea what has happened to him within this past two weeks.

Xyn's other classmates talked to him and asked questions but his reply's like evading the answer they were looking for. Then, their teacher for the hour came and Xyn and his classmates sat on their seats.

***

Xyn and his friends, Hearl, Edmund, Robie, Ronald and Leden, have been friends for a few years. Until now as 12th Graders, they're still together in the same classroom. Of course, there are some other people in the classroom that are Xyn's friends, but only his best friends are the only ones that are very warm to him.

His best friends sees him as a joyous person and just like his friends, he likes – or loves – beautiful ladies. He interacts and respond to people he knows warmly. Xyn and his best friends get a lot of fun when they are together.

But as the day passed by, everything about Xyn seems entirely different just like the North Pole thatswaps position with the South Pole.He is completely different than before. The thought that has crossed his friends' mind is an exaggeration. But it can't be an exaggeration because he is not the Xyn they have known since before. He might be someone pretending to be Xyn. In other words, a doppelganger. But, there's no way a doppelganger has ever existed because doppelgangers are but characters in fictional stories.

***

It's 3 in the afternoon. Students were called to a certain building in the school. This is where the magic evaluation is being held, and a lot of students were present.

Xyn and his friends were also in the building to be evaluated. There are 7 counters for the evaluation so, no matter how many students were present, it will be quick. And also, the process of evaluation is simple and swift.

”I wonder what my power level is now. I'm so excited!” Hearl said in an energetic way.

”Me too, I worked too hard to be stronger so I'm hoping to increase at least two levels.” Edmund said.

”Well , I learned a few new low tier spells so I hope that it can at least increase my level.” Ronald said.

”I trained hard so maybe that can at least increase the number,” Leden said.

”Hm, of course we're all excited.” Robie said.

After expressing their excitement and thoughts, they looked to the one who has been silent all this time. They looked at each other in confusion with the question, ”what's going on with him?”

”Yo Xyn!” Edmund called Xyn.

As though awakened from his slumber, Xyn frantically looked at his friends that took a few seconds before he could reply.

”O-oh yeah, y-yes, what were you talking about?”

”Talking about?! Never mind that. You were spacing out. You alright?”

”Yes, of course I'm alright,” Xyn answered Edmund's question.

”Look Xyn, we have been noticing that today you were a bit… off. You sure you're alright?

”As I said, Yes, I am alright.” Xyn replied to Robie's question.

”hmmm, if you say so” Hearl said.

Sensing that Xyn seems to be not in the mood, they stopped asking questions to him and looked forward to the counter. They were all in the same line and are about to reach the counter.

”Yes! My turn.”

Hearl said in excitement then placed his hands on the panel.

”Yeah! From 10 to level 12!

”Wow, that's great Hearl!” Robie praised him.

Hearl took the printed paper from the device and moved aside.

”Alright it's my turn”

Edmund placed his hand on the panel.

”Yes! From level 11 to 14! That's additional 3 levels.”

”Congratulations Edmund, that's a great improvement”

”Thanks Ronald”

Edmund took the printed paper from the device and moved aside. Then Ronald placed his hand on the panel.

”Level 14! From 11 to 14, so I'm on the same level as Edmund, huh.”

Ronald took the printed paper and moved aside. Then Leden moved forward and placed his hand on the panel.

”Woah, to 15 from 11?”

”That's amazing Led!” Robie praised him.

”Yeah this is amazing.”

Leden took the printed paper and moved aside, then its Robie's turn.

”Aah, 13 from 11, this is okay, I think.”

Robie looked back at the silent Xyn, noticing that he's quite off he said:

”So I'll be going now Xyn, see you at the exit” He smiled to his friend.

Xyn nodded in response.

Robie took the printed paper and moved aside.

Xyn looked at the panel then the female operator asked him:

”Full name please?”

”Ah, Xyn Draven Nightfall.”

The operator looked at the monitor, she seems to be looking for something, perhaps she's looking for Xyn's name on the records.

”Alright, you can place your hand on the panel now.”

Doing what the operator said, Xyn placed his hand on the panel. He felt like something is sapping on his hand, probably because the machine is absorbing his mana to calculate his power level.

The scan is completed. The operator frowned to the result.

”Hmmm, from 13 to 18? How did that happen?” Xyn said in a cold voice.

”H-how? To someone who has no innate gift to reach that level at that age is quite bizarre.”

***

The device used is a Power Level Calculator, this device is used all around the world. This device can calculate one's stats such as mana capacity, power level and detect if innate magic is present in a person. Experiment shows that the higher the level of a person, the harder it is to increase the calculated level. The highest power level ever recorded was level 50, it was 8 years ago and the name of the person was not publicly announced for some reason. There is no maximum level, for a person can always get stronger.

For magic has existed and exercised for centuries, magic's use has been greatly developed and improved. Magic has been used to fuel technologies and power the cities. In addition, magic has been improved to work like technology itself through high tier spells. For instance, a magical monitor or menu to operate certain objects or machines. But the monitor used in the evaluation is only on the device, for only high level magicians can cast Technological Spells.

In this world of Earth, most people have innate gifts or magic. Majority of the ones that have gifts has the power to control the elements such as fire, ice, earth, and wind. The ones that have innate gifts are more powerful than the ones who don't, like, for instance, the spellcasters. For ones that have no gift, mostly of a spellcasters, it is not easy to increase one's power level and can't be hastened. What happened to Xyn is uncommon and really strange.

***

”I suppose this is a mystery to be solved in another time,” Xyn said.

Xyn took the printed result and proceeded to the exit.

Xyn went out with his friends. His friends were quite shocked on knowing his power level and all had the same question as ”how?”

While Xyn and his friends are walking, Xyn was holding the result paper and still staring at it, and then someone suddenly snatched the piece of paper. Surprised, Xyn quickly looked at him and what he saw was the most annoying monkey he has ever seen.

Indeed, he was a monkey that has been bullying and mocking Xyn for a long time. This monkey only seems to bully Xyn for enjoyment and have no special reason.

”Would you look at this? How the hell did you achieve this?” the monkey said while showing the paper to his fellow monkeys.

While his friends were also surprised, Xyn said in annoyance:

”What the hell do you think you're doing?”

”What do you think? I'm looking at your results!”

”Why in the hell would you look at my results, Berto?”

”That's because I heard of your results and wanted to see for myself. But still, I'm level 20 and a mere spellcaster like you with no gift is still weak.”

”So what?”

”Hmmm, I wonder why you don't have a gift. Oh, was it because your mother also doesn't have a gift herself and is only a mere spellcaster?”

”You don't have the right to speak about mother!”

”And oh, your father left your mother right?! Was it because she's a tasteless woman?”

Xyn clenched his fist in anger.

”I wonder how is your poor and weakly mother n –.”

Before Berto can finish his sentence, suddenly a force hit his face and was blown a few meters away. It was Xyn who punched him on the face. Anger, no, rage is evident on Xyn's eyes.

”Why do you always insult me?! Why do you have to drag mother into this?! I had enough!”

Xyn casted the spell [Strengthen Force] which he improved to a silent spell himself. It is a spell that temporarily enhances one's physical strength.

”Cheh! Now you did it.” Berto said while standing up.

”It seems like you want me to be angry for no reason but! You've crossed the line!”

”Xyn wai—.” Edmund's words were interrupted.

”Bastard!” Berto screamed while charging at Xyn.

”[Defense Shield]”

A magical shield appeared on Xyn's arm.

Xyn positioned his arm to defend his body and the shield blocked Berto's fist. Xyn leaped back to gain some space because a spellcaster is at a disadvantage in a close combat.

”You won't get far enough!” Berto threw a fireball at Xyn.

Xyn saw the flames and cast a spell effective against fire.

”[Frost Bolt]”

A magic circle appeared on Xyn's hand and a body of ice intercepted the fire causing a light mist.

”What?!”

”[Ice Arrows]” Xyn casted a follow up attack.

The reason he did not use [Ice Blast] again because once a spell is cast it goes into a cool down.

”--!”

Noticing the arrows, Berto frantically moved his hand into a swiping movement releasing a short wave of flames destroying the projectiles.

”Gifted ones really are troublesome opponents.” Xyn muttered to himself.

”I didn't expect that you can put up a fight”

”You underestimate spellcasters, you punk!”

”Cheh, 'punk' huh.” Berto's hand formed into a fist and moved it back in like a ready to punch position and said, ”I'll burn you!!” and struck out his hand releasing a blast of flames.

”[Enhanced Frost Bolt]” Xyn quickly casted and a body of ice larger than before flew out of the magic circle and clashed against the blast of flames.

”Damn it.” Berto said in irritation.

As he was about to charge at Xyn a shout reached his ears.

”THAT'S ENOUGH BOTH OF YOU!!”

Xyn looked at the source of the shout and there he saw a man with a good body build and apparently trained a lot. He recognized the man as a training coach of the school, and going against him would be a bad idea.

”THE TWO OF YOU ARE GOING TO THE PREFECT OF DISCIPLINE OFFICE OR I'LL BEAT YOU UP!”

Knowing that a teacher had come, Xyn forcefully calmed himself because there's no point in fighting anymore. He also noticed Berto glaring at him but he paid him no heed.

After that, the teacher pulled them and pushed the both of them. In the office, both of them were chided by the teacher and let them go afterwards because it was their first offense. In order to have no more fighting, Xyn was dismissed first and he went home.

Part 2

Xyn opened the door of the house and entered. He turned on the lights and there he saw the lonely room. The house itself was silent, with no one to warmly welcome him, and that gave a pain in his heart. Xyn felt so empty, and lonely, and as a matter of fact he, is alone. All alone. That's because the other person that's supposed to be here was not here anymore.

Xyn went to his room and sat on the bed and a sign of grief showed on his face.

Why is this happening to me? Why did that have to happen? Why did you have to die… Mother? I'm all alone now.

Xyn said in his mind. Then, a shed of tears slowly fell from his eyes.

***

Xyn's mother, Reyna, was a kind and supportive mother and cared so much for Xyn. Reyna cooks very delicious foods to fill the belly of Xyn and they go out together to places like a mall or plaza and other places. Xyn and his mother are the only ones occupying the house and living a simple life because his father left when he was still young.

Reyna's last moments were at a jewelry store. She was there to buy a gift for her son when suddenly an armed group of eight entered the store and came shooting everyone. This was a notorious group known for murder and robbery. While the group was shooting, Reyna casted a spell [Widened Defense Shield], protecting herself, the mother and the mother's daughter on her back hoping to survive this attack. But there were a lot of opposition with strong magic weapons – magic powered rifles. Unable to hold out, Reyna's shield broke apart and dispelled, and then here came her demise as well as the mother and her daughter on her back.

For the long evil deeds and ruthless slaughter of the group, the authorities responded quickly. When the robbers were going out of the site, they were met by an overwhelming number of authorities and not for long, all the robbers died.

Xyn was in house waiting for his mother so he sat on the couch in front of the TV. When Xyn was watching television, here he saw the news of the robbery. The names of every victim killed were announced and when he heard the name of the person he so loved and cared, his eyes widened and he froze, while the information was being processed in his mind. He didn't believe it. He could never believe it. He could never ever believe what he just heard from the TV. So he hurriedly went to the said hospital where the victims were brought. Seeing is believing. He needs to see to believe but is also hoping that it wasn't what he feared most. But, fate was cruel. He saw the face of his lifeless mother. As he saw her, tears welled up from his eyes, and he slowly walked closer to the corpse. When he was close, he hugged her lifeless body, wailing in grief.

Grief and anger filled Xyn's heart. Grief of losing his mother, and anger to the culprits. He was so angry that he wanted to crush those culprits until they are nothing but crushed meat, but they were already dead so Xyn can't do anything anymore.

Xyn used the savings from his house and bought a simple coffin, then buried her with the help of one of the neighbors – an old man – in a place where his mother loves. A place of nature. A place where tall trees stand and flowers all around. His mother sometimes brought him here to enjoy the surroundings and feel the fresh air. Then, Xyn has been alone since then. The reason he has not yet went to school for two weeks was mostly because he was still grieving and don't want to go to school yet.

***

Xyn conjured up the visage of his mother, her brown hair and blue eyes. He has always thought that his eyes came from his mother and his mother agreed with him and she added that his black hair came from his father. He vaguely remembered his father's face but he remembers his black hair and black eyes.

His mother once told him the story between his mother and father's love story and the change of his mother's last name to ”Nightfall”. His mother told him once that his father did not abandon him and his mother, and told Xyn that someday his father will comeback. Therefore, his mother is waiting for his father's return. However, the mother didn't want to always talk about the father for some reason. Thus, Xyn doesn't know the name of his father. Maybe he didn't ask because of his mother's feelings or because he just has no interest in his father.

Damn those people! Why did you have to kill her? If only I can torment them myself!

Xyn cursed the culprits, and then recalled a monkey face from his school. Just thinking about that guy makes his blood boil. How dare that monkey speak about mother? What does he even know? Xyn wanted to beat up the guy, but he can't. That's because gifted ones are strong opponents for mere spellcasters. In addition, that monkey face's level is higher than Xyn so his chance of winning is low.

Humans… driven by their greed and foul desire… Humanity itself now seems to be corrupt.

Xyn knew that there are also good people, however malevolent and immoral people greatly outnumbered the good ones.

As Xyn was thinking of the distressing events. He clenched his fist in anger, and thinking that fate is cruel indeed. Then, he felt a sudden surge on his chest.