SYSTEM ASCENSION

In the black empire there are anomalies, and one of them was Jordan. Even at the academy, he stood out. Cold, aloof, detached, sarcastic, you name it. He was well known for his lazy gait, slow talks, witty comments and brutal demeanor. But today—today was different.

He had stopped attending the academy for a week and suddenly showed up today.

He instantly drew all attention.

He was smiling. Today, he didn’t come in his casual clothes, but the school uniform. A robe-like navy blue wear, with trousers underneath.

All students were left speechless.

All teachers were left dumbfounded.

He walked into his classroom and casually took a seat among the row of seats carved into the wall.

”...”

His eyes twitched in irritation. ”What?!”

They all flinched.

A teacher chuckled. ”You seem to be in a good mood today, your highness.”

”Of course I am,” he huffed. ”My elder brother is back.”

”Your elder brother?” They began to murmur.

”Jordan, a girl sitting beside him. She was Puna. A girl who had always bothered talking to him. She leaned closer. ”You had an elder brother?”

He leaned away. ”Yes.”

She leaned even closer. ”I have never heard of that! What does that mean you’re not the Crown Prince?”

”Did we have a conversation where I said I was the Crown Prince?”

He shoved her face away.

”But...”

”Shut up! Geez!”

The teacher’s communication device suddenly chimed. She glanced at it, and her expression changed.

”Oh. They’re here already.”

The students looked up.

”Who?” someone asked.

”The visiting school from Salvador,” she said. ”Everyone, get up. We’re going outside to welcome them.”

Bare feets were silent against the floor as the students began filing out.

Jordan stood immediately. His usual lazy expression had disappeared.

’They’re here? Then...’

The teacher glanced at him.

”It seems his highness is deeply interested.”

Jordan ignored her. He walked out with the others, his eyes already searching the entrance.

The students gathered outside, forming a line as the visiting school approached.

The portal opened, led by Sienna and Coco. They all wore their uniforms, trying so hard to ignore their lingering pain.

News had already spread.

”I heard they were all knocked out during the mark removal ceremony. ” A student of the black empire muttered.

”I expected that much. Not anymore can I get used to staying beside his highness.” Another one said.

”They must need those herbs grown in the flowery.”

Puna chuckled softly, watching the teachers and professors exchange greetings.

”Weaklings.”

She glanced at Jordan, but his eyes were wandering.

He looked through the crowd. His eyes moved from face to face.

His smile slowly faded.

’Where was he?’

He broke the line and stepped forward.

”Mother.”

Sienna’s eyes followed her son’s voice.

”Oh Jordan. There you are—”

”Where is Irue?”

Her smile fell slightly. She immediately backed it up with a chuckle. ”He... didn’t come along.”

”...”

”...”

He turned around.

”Jordan?”

He walked straight past the teacher. The excitement that had been on his face only moments ago was gone. He pushed open the classroom door and walked inside and slammed it behind him.

The students exchanged confused glances.

”Excuse our intrusion. We’ll be going to the flowery.” Sienna smiled.

”Oh, no problem, your highness.”

The veil students exchanged greetings with Ringoff students, before returning to their classes.

Jordan had returned to his seat, his expression cold.

They all ignored him, and went on with class.

The teacher talked about the anatomy of a body, down to even the meridians and soul, and how to control how far they can see.

As the class went on, Puna continued to stare at Jordan. He wasn’t listening. He just stared.

”Jordan?”

She leaned closer and tapped him.

”...”

”Jordan!”

The teacher’s attention was drawn to them.

”Teacher, he spaced out.” Puna frowned.

”Cover his eyes with your hands.” The teacher instructed.

Puna did just that and immediately, he yanked her hand away.

”You’re back.” She smiled.

”Away from me, lady.” He shoved her off.

She laughed. ”How far are you looking? Your eyes are already bleeding.”

”Huh?” He blinked.

Blood ran down his cheeks from his dark orbs, and dropped on his clothes.

”You’re becoming terrifying.” She continued. ”Even the teachers can’t see that far.”

The teacher tilted her head. ”What are you looking at?

Jordan suddenly remembered what he was staring at. His eyes brightened.

”The portal. He’s coming.”

”What?”

He stood and dashed off, slamming the door behind him. They all exchanged glances.

”Wait for me!”

”I want to see too!”

”Who is it!”

The teacher just watched them till the class was empty. Then she released a breath of pure bliss.

”Running is better than teaching theories.”

She ran after them.

They arrived in the same portal the Ringoff students had come in through.

It wasn’t activated.

They continued to stare at it and murmured. Suddenly, it shimmered and spinned. The murmuring increased.

”Someone is coming?”

A hand burst through and they all moved back.

Then a leg, and full body.

Tiana grinned. ”Passing through a portal is nauseous.”

She looked around and her eyes settled on him.

”Jordan!”

She raced over, and jumped on him.

All the female faces immediately tightened into a frown.

He caught her with a slight chuckle.

The rest continued to step out of the portal. Quil, Claude, Tyler, Fayera, Kael next and finally Elias.

He drew all their attention immediately.

The double layer clothes showed that he didn’t come as a student. A blindfold was drawn over his eyes, and his long hair shrouded his face.

”Brother.” Jordan’s face brightened.

”Brother?” The teacher looked between both of them. ”He’s older. Is there an older prince?”

She narrowed her eyes, watching Jordan utter words to Elias.

’He’s already using a blindfold at this age. I should check him...’

She looked deeper, trying to gauge his power level, but all she saw was an endless sea of darkness.

”... what...”

Something began clawing at her back, pulling her. She felt shivers down her spine. She turned around and saw no one. A bell rang in a distant place, and that was the trigger.

She felt herself peeling. Skin first, muscles next, layers by layers with no one to help. She couldn’t even shout for help.

Until a hand shook her.

”Teacher.”

It was Jordan.

Her consciousness returned. She blinked once and fell on her butt.

”You shouldn’t look too deep.” he grimaced. ”You might go insane.”