Chapter: 10, Meeting the MC
Exactly 4 weeks before the winter solstice.
Within these three months, Mark finished most of the important classes in the Academy. Including Wilderness survival, Aspect training and Basic Combat class and having the basic control over most weapons like Sword, Blade, Spear, Bow, Heavy swords, Claymore etc.
He also collected many essential things he might need in the Dream Realm in [Paradise]. He didn't use the system inventory; after all, the system Inventory could only store items by weight, so he will only use it for very important things. For basic items and food he had paradise in his hand.
Today is the induction ceremony for the new sleepers. And tomorrow the total appraisal will be released after their interview. After his last set of workout, Mark quickly washed up and went to bed, excited for the new plot.
In the morning, Mark went to the cafeteria, where sleepers were gathered around a screen that displayed…
[R1: Nephis]
[True Name: Changing Star]
Mark had a slight smile as he went to pick his food. After finishing up his meal, Mark needed to help teacher Julius with some papers. Within the three months he had, Mark had graduated from every course within the Academy. Now, he is just reviewing and helping the professors with some menial tasks. Mark literally has nothing to do within the next 4 weeks. So he only improves his mastery over sorcery and weaving.
He can currently use ascended rank Names. And can only use awaken rank memories. People need to think that just because Mark has all the knowledge about Weaving and Sorcery doesn't mean he can practically perform or use those things. Just like every other being, he needs to practice the knowledge he has. And currently he doesn't have any materials to create memories, so his sorcery is the only thing that improved.
Today is supposed to be his last attribute distribution before he goes to the Dream Realm. On the way, he distributed this month's attribute points and looked at his system panel…
{[DIVINE COPY SYSTEM]
[HOST NAME: MARK]
[SOUL CORE: Void Core: 1/7]
[LEVEL: 200] [EXP: 0/10]
[Void Essence: Dormant]
[Strength: 46]
[Agility: 46]
[Dexterity: 43]
[Endurance: 44]
[Intelligence: 44]
[Charm: 45]
[ATTRIBUTE POINTS: 760]
[SKILL: {COPY (DIVINE): 3/20}
"Satisfactory." Mark muttered as he walked. He didn't use his copy for the last 3 months, and now it is all being stacked. As his attributes increased, Mark realized how strong he had become. As he previously knew, average mundane humans have 5 points in attributes. Average awakened has the attribute point of 20. Like that, average ascended has 50 and average transcended has an average point of 120.
Right now, Mark has an average attribute of 44. He is almost as strong as an ascendant while still being a dreamer. And don't talk about the power increase the spell does to you. An awakened person has twice as much power as a dreamer. Including the experience and other factors, an awakened person can deal with 5-10 dreamers based on their own strength.
But now, if he becomes an Awakened now, then it is most likely that even as an awakened, he will be invincible below the transcendent rank. If he uses all the remaining 760 points before awakening, he might even start killing great nightmare creatures as an awakened, which is considering that his enemy isn't using their devious tricks.
So, in conclusion, Mark will be stronger than a sovereign as a Transcendent. Anyway, Mark still has many things to take care of. After helping teacher Julius he needs to make a list of items and skills he needs to copy.
As he entered the class, he saw teacher Julius with a new guy. He was a short boy with pale skin and black hair. As Mark entered the class, teacher Julius looked at him and welcomed him with a bright smile.
"Come in mark. Let me introduce you to your junior. Meet him, he is Sunless. Another wise youth like you." He said
The dark haired boy looked at him and smiled, "Hello, nice to meet you."
'Definitely a pretty boy legacy' that's what he might be thinking according to mark. After all, his looks are comparable to an ascended, so, sunless thinking this is pretty much normal.
Mark was a young man with black curly hair, deep dark blue eyes, pale smooth skin and handsome facial features.
To his complete surprise, sunless stared at his face for a bit too long. When he realized what he did he quickly looked away.
Mark was stupefied, 'man, does this flaw of mine go both ways?' he questioned himself. Then shook his head. Within the three months, there were many girls who expressed their feelings to him, and it didn't have any effect on boys.
Mark put it In the back of his mind and greeted him "Nice to meet you too. Welcome to the club of nerds."
Teacher Julius scolded him "Mark! How many times do I have to tell you that just because we have more literature doesn't mean we are nerds?"
Mark looked at him and asked with an amused look "So, teacher. Are you denying that you are a nerd?"
Teacher Julius looked taken aback, but he hid his awkwardness and said avoiding the topic "It's just that I would rather spend my time teaching you than argue about something unnecessary."
Then he pointed towards the pile of documents that he was saving up for him. "Go and finish the paperwork, as on his first day, you need to contribute something for the newcomer."
Mark raised an eye and asked "How does helping you with your work have anything to do with the newcomer?"
"As a beginner in this class, I need more time to fill his mind, and you will be helping him with that. Now Go." He ordered.
Mark began working on the papers with a defeated look while teacher Julius teaches sunless. During the entire time of organizing the paperwork he felt someone looking at him, but the feeling quickly disappeared. He ignores it all together. He felt like this almost every day for the past three months.
In the evening, when teacher Julius finally finished with the class, Mark and Sunless were almost beat. Mark went to his dorm and after a brief shower, he fell asleep.
***
Early the next day, Mark was called by the combat teacher to help him train the newbies. So, he went there, only to see a tall white haired girl practicing while the teacher was guiding her. As he entered the hall, the teacher looked at him and with a smile waved at him.
"Mark, come, I found a perfect duel partner for you. Meet her, she is Nephis. Just a day of practice and I already have nothing else to teach her. You are the only one who mastered everything to perfection. I hope you can have a duel with her to gain practical experience for the both of you."
Mark looked at the silver haired girl and introduced himself "Hello, I'm Mark, Nice to meet you."
The girl looked at him and was stunned for a second, but she quickly looked away and mumbled a response "Hi, I'm Nephis, a pleasure to meet you."
"You don't need to be polite." Mark said with a playful smile. Nephis looked away and the instructor continued…
"Why don't you two start with your spar? I hope you two can get along."
After a bit of exercise Both Mark and Nephis took their stance and began sparring. Mark was mostly on the defensive, since his strength and speed is not something Nephis can match unless she wants to actually kill him.
After the entire day of relentless sparring, they stopped when Nephis was exhausted. She sat on the floor, breathing heavily while saying "I guess…this is enough for today?"
Mark wiped his sweat with a towel and said "Yes. We'll start again the next day."
*
For the next 4 weeks until the day of the winter solstice, Mark sparred with Nephis and maintained his daily routine. On that day, Mark went to have his meal. He sat next to Sunny and the blind blond girl.
As they were finished Mark heard the blond girl say to Sunny "Happy birthday."
Mark stared at Sunny, slapping his palm on his face because he forgot about this scene. This scene wasn't really important but considering their future, it was very touching. Mark quickly calmed himself and said in a shocked tone "Today's your birthday sunny? Happy Birthday."
Sunny replied with a weak "Thank you".
The academy people guided him to his room; he looked at the sleeping pod, very excited. He entered the pod and closed his eyes.
After a few moments, he heard a distant familiar voice…
[Welcome to the Dream Realm… Mark]
END