Legendary Architect of Apocalypse

After checking the allotment through the Academy System, the Professor brought Elias to the Academy's residential area, stopping directly before a grand mansion.

Throughout the entire street, there were many mansions, nearly all of them just as grand. Some even appeared larger than the one assigned to Elias.

"This is your assigned residence. You can use your Academy Identification to access the mansion. Now, off you go," the Professor said, clearly in a hurry to return.

"I've lost my Academy Identification badge," Elias said, tugging on the robe of the Professor, who had already turned to leave.

The Professor turned back, looking at Elias with a puzzled expression. She wondered how he had even managed to reach this place without an Academy Identification, since it was required to access the portal doors.

Just as she was about to ask, she slapped her forehead, remembering the boy's unique identity. He wasn't just a student of the Academy; he was also a descendant of a founding family.

"I will have someone deliver a new Academy Identification to you. Just wait outside the mansion until someone arrives." She freed her robe and disappeared.

The Professor left, leaving Elias alone in the residential area, right outside the gate of a mansion he couldn't yet access.

Elias wasn't in a hurry to enter either. He stood with his back resting against the gate, his mind still occupied with the man who had been bargaining for him.

"Did you recognize that man?" he asked after a long silence.

Next to him, Astralious's illusory form materialized. "I wish I did. The only thing I can tell you is that he is more dangerous than your father was when he killed me. But even that man didn't instill the kind of fear in me that the little girl next to him did."

"You found that little girl more dangerous than him?"

"I don't know how to describe this feeling. When she looked at you, I felt like she held my life and death in her hands. It's a feeling I've never experienced before, in my entire life. I can only tell you that you should stay away from her."

"No, not just stay away from her. You need to get out of this place. Given how that man wanted to kill you, and that negotiation, you aren't safe here."

Even though the Academy was supposed to be a place where Elias could grow stronger and help him, Astralious was still suggesting he run away and abandon it. Hearing his tone, Elias didn't sense any deception.

"You speak as if it's easy to leave this place." Elias looked at the empty streets around him, shining under the lights lining each side.

The place looked extremely peaceful, but it was clear that peace and the Academy were two words that could never be linked.

Even if he wanted to, he couldn't leave the Academy. First, he needed a battleship to escape. Even if he managed to take control of one, it would most likely be shot down before he could get away.

Moreover, even if he did escape after stealing a battleship, he would be nothing more than a thief, hunted by everyone. He couldn't even rely on his family for protection.

"Leaving aside the fact that it's impossible to escape from this world, even if it were possible, I still wouldn't leave," he told Astralious.

"Why not? Do you think your family name will protect you from everything? I don't think you are that naive."

Elias remained quiet, offering no further explanation. He felt it wasn't right to reveal his past life or the real reason he came to the Academy.

His only goal was to kill Dreke, his own brother. Everything else, including getting stronger, was less important. If he ran away from the Academy now, he didn't think he'd ever get another chance.

His silence made Astralious also fall silent. He didn't know what the boy was thinking, and as a spirit, he couldn't do anything about it.

"Fine. Do what you want," he said, stopping his projection to save mental energy, and disappeared.

"You know, you get angry quite fast," Elias mumbled after Astralious disappeared. "That temper reminds me quite a lot of someone I used to know."

"Why won't I get angry? It's not as if my life depends on your life." Astralious sarcastically answered. "I am just a prisoner here, waiting for his execution."

"Aren't we all prisoners, waiting for our eventual execution?"

"Stop with this philosophical garbage. You know it's different."

"How is it different? You said it yourself. You will die after I die. So we are both getting executed at the same time, if ever."

"Yeah, but you can change that fate. Your execution will be because of your own actions, or lack thereof... My execution is through no fault of my own."

"When you tried to take over my body, was that not through your own actions?"

"I had no choice in that matter. But you have a choice."

"I have no choice either. I already told you, we can't get out of here. If you want to be angry about it, then I can't stop you."

"Then don't blame me when you die."

"It's fine. You'll do enough blaming for both of us when we die." Elias crossed his arms, and closed his eyes. In his mind, one thing was final. He wasn't leaving this place without Dreke.

"Senior Dreke, which one is yours?"

Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

Elias abruptly opened his eyes as a voice fell in his ears, accompanied by the sound of multiple footsteps.

"Heh, not far?" A familiar voice came, which made Elias quickly turn. "It's just right around the corner."

He looked to the left, and saw a young boy walking with his arms around the waist of two girls. He was coming in the same direction.

"Senior, you're being very naughty with your hands. Someone might see! We should wait until we enter."

"So what if someone sees? Does anyone have the courage to raise their voice before me? Don't forget who I am!"