Chapter 307: That’s The Spirit
Golden light spread over the interface.
[ 6,200 CP has been spent. ]
[ 1 Platinum Archetype Key has been used. ]
⸢ Heroine (Anti-Hero) is being created. Please wait. ⸥
Lancet rested his head on his pillow and watched the system begin its work.
⸢ ... ⸥
⸢ Solaris Ashen is being woven into the world’s lore. ⸥
Somewhere beyond the dorm, history changed.
⸢ ... ⸥
⸢ Cinderhold, House Ashen and the Mystical God Phoenix are being woven into historical records. ⸥
⸢ ... ⸥
⸢ Solaris Ashen is being woven into Carrion Spire’s political, military and family histories. ⸥
⸢ ... ⸥
⸢ Solaris Ashen is being woven into citizen memories, bloodlines, Guild records, government archives and surviving accounts from the Era of Rebirth. ⸥
⸢ ... ⸥
⸢ The Phoenix Statue and Solaris Ashen’s coffin are being added to the Awakener Supreme Academy Museum registry. ⸥
Lancet’s eyes shifted toward the Academy grounds beyond the dorm wall.
Just a minute ago this wasn’t the case, but now, that museum had always contained that coffin and statue.
Now, it was factually true that students had walked past the coffin for years and instructors had taught lessons beside the broken statue.
The mayor of Carrion Spire had donated both relics long ago, and everyone who knew the museum would remember the ceremony.
⸢ ... ⸥
⸢ Ashen Rebirth cycle is being synchronized with the present timeline. ⸥
⸢ ... ⸥
⸢ Bound Summon conditions are being established. ⸥
⸢ ... ⸥
Ding!
⸢ Heroine (Anti-Hero) created successfully. ⸥
⸢ Solaris Ashen is presently deceased within her sealed coffin in the Awakener Supreme Academy Museum. ⸥
⸢ Time until Ashen Rebirth: 1 day, 17 hours, 42 minutes. ⸥
Lancet stared at the countdown. Then another notification opened.
⸢ Bound Summon registered: Solaris Ashen. ⸥
⸢ Lancet Leogardt has been established as the catalyst for the upcoming resurrection. ⸥
⸢ Solaris Ashen will become fully active as a Bound Summon once Ashen Rebirth is completed. ⸥
Lancet dismissed the screen and lowered his head into his hands.
He had done it.
Somewhere inside the Academy Museum, beneath wards, glass and several decades of dust, a dead woman now existed.
Her bones waited inside a coffin.
A broken god watched over them.
And in less than two days, both would begin to burn.
Lancet placed the empty tray on the floor, pulled the blanket over himself and sank into the mattress.
He had a Fire Mage. Frieda would have her teacher and Solaris would have her kingdom.
Carrion Spire, well, it would eventually have a serious problem.
Lancet smiled into the pillow and tried to close his eyes.
But... there was one thing he couldn’t stop thinking about.
Her.
There was this character Lancet had always wanted to create. He got up from bed again and summoned the Heroine Creation screen.
[ Summon Slots : 2 ]
"Thank the Elders."
He immediately started drafting her. Yes, the plot hadn’t aligned for her to show up, but he just couldn’t wait any longer.
***************
The next morning came and the Inter-Class Competitions continued.
The eighth challenge replaced weapons with desks.
Four long tables stood across the crystal-blue platform, one for each Class in Class Group-D. Each table held two representatives, a row of answer crystals and a narrow screen that displayed the question before the speaker read it aloud.
No barriers surrounded the arena this time. No medics waited near the exits. The most dangerous thing on the field was the number of students discovering that they should have paid attention in class.
Lancet sat with the other Summoners and watched Kasto adjust his collar for the fourth time.
Anita slapped his hand away from it. "Leave it alone."
"It feels tight."
She made a face at him. "It wasn’t tight five seconds ago."
"What can I say?" Kasto shrugged. "I became more nervous."
"Your neck did not grow because you’re nervous."
Kasto looked toward the enormous crowd surrounding the platform. "Imagine if I fail a question. I rather get punched in the face with a flame fist."
Anita caught his face between both hands and turned it toward the question screen. "Stop looking at them. You’re here because you know things."
"I also know they’re all watching."
"Then try not to embarrass me."
Kasto stared at her.
Anita released him and sat back with a pleased smile. "Better?"
"Not really, Anita."
Lancet leaned forward from the Summoner section and called down, "Kasto!"
His friend looked toward him.
"You’ll be fine buddy. Just think of the crowd as robots!"
Kasto made a thinking face. He couldn’t tell whether Lancet was being supportive or just taunting him. Maybe a bit of both.
"I’m going to answer every question just to spite you!"
"That’s the spirit."
Min Tu sat beside Lancet with her arms folded. "He’s going to panic on the first question."
"Nah. Kasto basically knows everything about the magic system and history. He’ll be fine."
Min Tu glanced toward him, then toward his teammate. "Anita is smarter."
"I’m not sure," Lancet pursed his lips. "I think she’s braver though."
The other faculty representatives took their seats.
Elementalist-D had selected Leslie Letterknight and Frieda Castleloft. Leslie sat straight with her white hair gathered behind her neck, while Frieda looked far more comfortable, a happy smile on her face.
She knew answering questions wouldn’t hurt anyone.
Enchanter-D sent Amira Vineheart and Jon-Mark. Amira arranged three writing tools beside her answer crystal even though she only needed one finger to activate it. Jon-Mark studied the tables and scoreboards.
Specialist-D chose Renan Falconhart and Sienna Starbridge.
Renan looked prepared because Renan always looked prepared. Sienna leaned toward him, whispered something and smiled when he gave her a brief answer.
Kasto saw them and swallowed.
Anita followed his gaze. "You’re not fighting Renan."
"I know."
"Then why do you look like he’s about to stab your answer sheet?"
"He knows everything."
"He doesn’t know more than you... or me." She elbowed him playfully. "Come on! This isn’t a battle! It’s a quiz. This is where we usually shine."
Kasto narrowed his eyes. "You’re right. Screw it then." He cocked his shoulders. "Let’s do this."
The speaker stepped to the front of his booth.
"Students, administrators and honored guests, welcome to the eighth challenge of the Inter-Class Competitions!"