CHAPTER 24: THE CINDRALOCK REP.

Later that night, I lay in bed thinking about the day’s events. My victory was a step forward, but there was still a long road ahead.

With the impressive stunt I pulled at the academy, I was sure I gained considerable recognition, yet I knew my ultimate goal was much larger. I had to uncover the truth behind my parents disappearance and protect my siblings from the dangers of this world..

The following morning, I woke up to the soft glow of the morning sun streaming through the window. I stretched, feeling the familiar warmth of my siblings cuddling by my side.

The events of the previous day replayed in my mind, a reminder of how much I had achieved and how much further I had to go.

Percy stirred beside me, yawning as I blinked up at his elder brother.

"Did you win, Levi?" he asked, his voice full of admiration and innocence.

I smiled, ruffling his already scattered hair. "I did win chomp, you can trust me on that."

Percy snuggled in closer and gave me a tight hug, his eye filled with pride and a huge smile spread across his face. "We knew you would... you are our hero Levi"

His words filled me with determination and pride. I knew my responsibility extended beyond my current capability but I will fulfill no matter what.

Everything I did from this moment forward would be to protect and provide for my siblings.

As the sun rose higher, casting a golden light over the town, I took in a deep breath as I felt the weight of my mission settle within me. The mysteries of my past was vast, the world of gates were perilous, and powerful foes lurked in the shadows. My story was just beginning, a story of strength born from hardship, resilience forged in battle and a determination that I could overcome any obstacle.

As I made my way toward the small kitchen of the house, I recalled feeling eyes on me and whispers trailing after my event.

The noble born candidates I had once envied now looked upon me with respect, some even with a hint of fear.

My victory was over a low level boss that somehow had the capabilities of a mid level boss, I guess that is what threw the candidate that was originally assigned to it off.

I quickly prepared myself to leave for the Drakensport city, because the results for the previous days exam would be ready today. On getting to the location I watched anxiously, reflecting on the battle with the mid level boss and my new skills.

I walked to the notice board and scanned the rankings and immediately I set eyes on it, I spotted my name and a huge wave of relief washed over me.

In the city of Drakensport, I ranked at an incredible top 10. but that wasn’t all, I looked further to find that my national ranking was top 100.

I exhaled in disbelief. Among the 200,000 plus participants, only the top candidates would be selected by the top RAA schools in the country. The only organisation specifically created for training individuals to become Reapers one day and enter into these gates to kill Shadow creatures before a gate break.

It was the dream of every awakened to be admitted into one of these schools.

’I made it,’ I thought to myself, feeling proud of my hard earned accomplishment.

However, just as my spirits began to lift, whispers began circulating around me. During the entrance exam, I had unknowingly attracted the attention of one of the S-Class candidates who was a genius from a powerful nobel family, and to make matters worst, he was ranked Number 1 in the city of Drakensport.

His name was Dazzai Thornhill, a prodigy with vast magical potential and the backing of influential figures from his family.

Drakensport city was known to be the financial territory of the Thornhill family, so Dazzai was commonly known as the Prince of Drakensport with his family having a lot of power and influence.

For some reason, Dazzai was appalled by the idea that a ’weakling’ like me was able to make top ten in the city of Drakensport and top 100 nationally. Although Dazzai dominated his exams, ranking at the very top in Drakensport and 5th nationally, he wasn’t too fond of my success in the combat test and it had left him with a tint of jealousy over the claims of stealing his spot light.

As regards to the RAA, there was a central academy located in the nations capital, while other branch academy locations were scattered all over the country.

Although Drakensport did not have a RAA branch, the candidates would be picked by different branches that were scattered all over the country. These branches sent representative to every exam center to pick out the finest candidates to admit into their school. This was how it was done, to get admitted into the RAA one would have to be picked by the numerous representatives that showed up during the exam event to watch.

While I was standing at the notice board waiting to be approached by any representative, a man in clothes that were slightly tattered approached me with a sharp eye. Immediately I saw him walk over I knew this was someone that finally recognised my talent and what I’m capable of.

"Golly day, isn’t it... Levi" he said with a firm expression, extending his hand for a hand shake.

"Yes it is sir..." I replied with a slight bow. "I assume you are from a branch school here to draft me..." I followed immediately without hesitating.

"Of course, your... ’Presentation’ yesterday was very enigmatic... although some school representative still think you are unworthy because your lack of physical demeanor" the man said giving me a once over look.

I raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean, my Strength was decent and I’m ranked number ten in Drakensport isn’t that enough to attract these prestigious schools?"

"well I must say you are something, but you don’t look the part..." the man said while using his right hand to rub gently on my closely skinny arms.

"I see..." I said with a nod.

"But not to worry, the school I represent isn’t one of the most prestigious in the RAA as of now, but we were a dynamite a little over ten years ago..."

"Ever heard of RAA: Cindralock?"

My breathe hitched the instance the name left his lips, if I could remember correctly, that was the exact same RAA school my parents attended before they graduated and became seasoned Reapers.

"Yes... I have heard of Cindralock" I followed.

"I’m Cyrone, a representative from RAA: Cindralock" the man said with a smile tugging on his lips.

The academy in Cindralock was way past its prime, as my parents were the last legendary Reapers to graduate from the school, and since then they hadn’t manage to draft a new pillar, the school sought of went ghost-like without much recognition, and the disappearance of my parents didn’t help much.

"So, why are you here Mr. Cyrone?" I asked, still feeling the sting of rejectiong from the top RAA schools.

The man smiled at me slightly. "Because I saw what happened in that showdown against the Shadow creature boss yesterday."

"You’re not just another awakened, there’s something absolutely special about you."

"And more than that... it would be an honour to draft the prince of RAA: Cindralock to his parents alma mata."

My heart stopped for a moment, "My... parents? You knew about them?"