The Third Return of the Necrotic Magic Swordsman

[14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country.

”Lucas, be silent for a moment and heed my words,” she commanded. Lucas complied immediately, and I did the same.

”Both of you, pay attention,” she began, her words sending a wave of shock through the surrounding students.

”Out with it, Lyre. I dislike suspense,” Lucas interjected, receiving a glare that could silence even the boldest.

He stepped back, remaining quiet.

”Here’s the deal, boys: join my guild and be part of my team...” Lyre was mid-sentence when I interrupted her.

”Sorry, not interested,” I declared, walking away and leaving Lyre speechless as I headed towards the principal’s office.

”Ah, Lyre, I feel the same. I’d rather not join a separate guild; it can get messy, and I’d prefer to avoid that. So, thank you for the offer, but no,” he added, following my lead towards Tess.

The students began to murmur, wondering why we had declined the offer. It wasn’t that her guild was inferior; on the contrary, it was highly esteemed, admitting only those with a class rank above C.

The guild, known as , held the 100th rank globally in Ceruleth.

While it might not seem impressive at first glance, considering the myriad of guilds emerging and growing in power daily, maintaining a strong position at the 100th rank indicated its strength. Otherwise, it would have declined this year. Yet now, two novices, not even of high rank, had spurned the invitation of this formidable guild led by the GuildMaster’s daughter. This blunder could very well become the talk of the city.

Lyre was still in shock, enraged yet unable to act due to their own responsibilities.

”Lucas, you may get away for now, but I swear, I, Lyre Dawnfield, will surely bring you into our guild, Evan,” she declared as she walked away to join her guild members.

After everything had settled, the Principal decided to gather all the students to receive their CGA IDs.

”Okay, students, follow me to the inspection area to get your IDs,” he instructed, and all the students began to follow him like sheep.

After a few twists and turns, they reached the hall where several people sat behind their desks, busy with their tasks.

There were exactly five desks, each equipped with the necessary items for the identification check.

”Okay, students, please form five lines and approach the appraisers,” he directed. The students moved towards them and divided into five lines; I was in the third line, Lucas was in the first, and Lyre was absent since she wouldn’t become a hunter in CGA—after all, if your father is the guildmaster, why would you need to be a member of the government?

Everyone was being registered in the database as their true status was verified by their skills.

When Lucas’s turn came, he was easily recognized as a Battle Mage (E). When my turn arrived, Lucas and Lyre’s eyes were on me like predators eyeing their prey.

”Hello,” I greeted the man who looked somewhat bored, to say the least.

He didn’t respond to my greeting; instead, his eyes glowed faintly as if he had used his skill, and he began to write down everything he observed.

The data he entered on the registration form was as follows.

__

Name: Evan Ravencall

Race: Human

Class: Necromancer (D)

Rank: Tier 1

Level: 1

Talent: None

Skills: Undead Summon, Bone Fang Strike, Shadow Bolt, Power Slash, Arcane Bolt

Note: The ability to sustain two skills from different classes could make him a valuable seeded hunter for the Branch. It is recommended to recruit him into the CGA.

__

That’s just the way it is, nothing more, but there may be an issue when I should have six classes in my section and five talents with quite a good reputation.

I imagine this guy’s eyes would have popped out of his head. But now, it was as normal as can be.

The Nexus Prime system didn’t even receive the proper status update. Now I understand why they referred to our system as quite backward compared to the Eternal Omni-Verse System, which is more like hell and heaven, not heaven and earth.

It was like comparing one billion to one.

He was eager to see more of its functions and how it described his status.

Unfortunately, he had to wait because it was about three months until the next reboot shutdown.

So, he let it go and looked at the card ID he received after everyone had their appraisal completed.

In some corner, Lyre was waiting for someone to arrive as a guild member came and handed her some papers.

These showed the appraisal results for Evan and Lucas.

Evan was clear, except his skill set included two extra skills that didn’t match his class, causing Lyre to wonder if he was being truthful or if he was still concealing his primary class by some means. She decided to investigate this later while Lucas’s report lay before her.

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Name: Lucas Bennett

Race: Human

Class: Battle Mage (E){?}

Rank: Tier 1

Level: 1

Talent: None. {!}

Skills: Arcane Strike, Mana Shield, Fireball

[Note: It is not recommended to allow him to join the CGA due to low potential and a high chance of elimination before the first ascension.]

__

Upon reading the note and founding that something was amiss in the Lucas status, she was convinced that there were hidden meanings in the statuses of those individuals and was determined to uncover them before she could rest easy.

Observing that everyone had received an ID card, she anticipated the forthcoming events and instructed her assistant to retrieve the item her parents had arranged for her.

The assistant acknowledged with a nod and departed, leaving her in solitude.

She noticed Miriam’s elation as he was about to receive backing from a senior officer like Darian.

”Listen up, kids,” he announced, ”for your inaugural dungeon raid. I’ve arranged some gifts for each of you that will aid in your quest. Be sure to accept these tokens I’ve prepared.” With a clap of his hands, attendants arrived, bearing cardboard boxes, from which various items protruded, making it clear to all what they contained.

And the item that was unveiled was...

-- To be continued --