Zyphera's POV
As we walked our way to the medical department, another message appeared, the ethereal orange still mesmerizing as before
Skill: Lusful Gaze
Duration: 100s left
This must mean I have exactly 99 seconds before Mrs Kindle returns to her normal form, there still quite a lot of things I would to try before she actually gains her conscious.
But we're really walking slow, the duration might even end before we reach the medical department.
I'll just make of it before we reach the medical department, "Mrs Kindle, would you kindly send everything in your bank account to my bank account."
"Of cause, what are your banking details?"
I told her my bank details and she straight up sent me everything that was on her account, it was a $1000, not much but at least better than nothing.
Also there's something I want to try, if she'll still follow my commands after she's gained conscious.
"Mrs Kindle, after work, I want you to accompany me into tower, you'll tell the guides that I'll be under your protect."
"And since you're C-Ranked, surely you have the privilege of bringing atleast one unawakened person into the Tower."
Target Aisha Kindle:
Is resisting the order.
What? She's resisting the order, why? Could it be she wants to make sure I'm safe, or is it something different.
"Mrs Kindle, you'll be sure to do as ordered, right?" This time, I said it as an actual order, not a request.
"Okay," She said. So I sometimes need to be firm.
Skill: Lusful Gaze
Duration: 10s
"One last thing, give me a goodbye kiss."
System: Lusful Intent Detected
Skill effect has been enforced.
I guess this skill's actual origin, is, to be used for one's lust. I guess I'll use it for that...sometimes.
Mrs. Kindle leaned in and pressed her lips against mine. The softness caught me completely off guard, sending a wave of goosebumps down my spine.
When her lips finally parted from mine, the gentle breeze that met them made me miss her warmth instantly.
Skill: Lusful Gaze
Duration: 00
"Zyohera, why does someone as grown as you need goodbye kisses?" She asked, surprising me.
Don't tell me, she remembers everything that happens during her hypnotized state. But she's not making fuss, so it might not be a bad thing.
"Its not like that's a bad thing, and I actually like your kisses." Let's see how she responds to this.
"Well I guess, I can keep this on for a while." Her face was cherry, a face even more beautiful when blushing.
---
In the car sat Zyphera and Aisha, heading toward the nearest Tower.
The tension in the air was subtle but present. Zyphera stared out the window, the cityscape blurring past. His mind wasn't on the passing scenery, but rather on an idea—how he would test the activation of his mysterious new skill.
His mana had finally recharged to one hundred percent after the strange incident yesterday, and since then, he'd deliberately avoided making direct eye contact with anyone. Not that it had been difficult—he usually spent most of his school hours asleep, uninterested in anything the teachers had to say.
Roughly ten minutes later, the car came to a halt.
Before them stood the Tower.
It was massive—truly massive. So tall that it defied human perception. Its peak was shrouded in clouds, disappearing into the sky itself. One could stare for minutes and still never see its summit, giving it a strange vanishing point effect that made the heart tremble. The structure radiated a pressure, not physical, but spiritual—a weight that made the air feel thicker the closer one got.
Its surface was a polished black stone—obsidian-like—smooth, ancient, and unnaturally cold despite the sun above. Veins of faint purple energy pulsed occasionally along its surface, as if the tower itself were breathing.
Aisha parked her car in the designated area. Without a word, she stepped out and walked beside Zyphera toward the entrance.
Two guards stood on either side of the obsidian double doors—both towering, armored men radiating strength. Their expressions were professional, eyes sharp. The doors themselves were colossal, easily over ten meters high, carved with ancient, runic symbols that softly glowed when one approached. They were doors that promised trials, and warned of death.
"Awakened card, please," one of the guards requested firmly as they neared.
Aisha produced her card, a sleek silver rectangle embedded with her credentials and mana signature. Upon scanning it, a low chime rang out from the scanning device, and a holographic screen hovered for a moment, displaying her rank: C-Rank Awakened.
"Please sign here," the other guard added, handing her a digital pad. "The minor accompanying you will be under your direct responsibility. Any death or injury within the Tower cannot be appealed under national law."
Zyphera raised a brow at the wording but said nothing. Aisha signed calmly, seemingly familiar with the process.
Once verification was completed, the guards stepped aside. The moment the doors opened, a wave of cold air and unnatural silence washed over them.
Inside the Tower was… unexpected.
A massive hallway stretched forward, far longer than Zyphera imagined. It was lit with artificial bulbs, but the light felt dim, almost reluctant to shine. The walls were polished stone, not as dark as the exterior, but still muted in tone. The floor was smooth, and their footsteps echoed hauntingly in the emptiness.
Aisha broke the silence.
"I personally believe," she said, her voice echoing slightly in the eerie hallway, "that the Tower was made as a tool—to give people the chance to become gods."
Zyphera turned to glance at her.
"Not literally," she added. "But in power, in scope... in what we can eventually do. The Tower is opportunity—cruel and fair."
She continued walking, heels tapping rhythmically. "But before you can begin your climb, you must first prove yourself."
She stopped just before a glowing archway, pulsing softly with green and blue light.
"This is the Tutorial Gate. Every Awakened must go through it first. It's the first test. It decides if you're even qualified to enter the first floor of the Tower."
Zyphera looked at the archway, feeling a subtle pull in his chest.
Aisha turned to him, her expression serious for once.
"Take this seriously, Zyphera. People can die here. In fact… most people do."
She didn't say it dramatically—there was no flair, no fear-mongering. Just cold fact.
"Don't expect help from me once you're inside. The tutorial isolates you. You'll be alone."
Zyphera looked up at the archway, the pulsating light now seeming like a heart… beckoning.
Alone?
Good.
That was how he preferred it.
He took a step forward, preparing himself.
Time to see just what his new eyes—and the strange power that came with them—could really do.
They continued walking in silence, the atmosphere between them heavy with unspoken tension, until they reached yet another set of towering obsidian doors—these were smaller than the main entrance, but still impressive in scale and intricately carved.
Aisha came to a stop and placed her hand lightly against the wall beside them.
"This is where I stop," she said softly, her voice reverberating slightly in the quiet corridor. "I can't go any farther than this. These doors are a separation point.
Once opened, they act as a directional gate—split by Awakening Rank and climbing eligibility. For me, it'll transport directly to the First Floor of the Tower... but for you, it will send you to the Tutorial Floor."
Zyphera glanced at the doors. They radiated a strange hum—not magical, but deeper, as if vibrating with the expectations of all who had passed through them.
"I see," he said after a moment. Then he turned to face her. "I guess I'll see you on the First Floor."
Aisha gave a short nod, a ghost of a smile playing at her lips. "Assuming you survive, yeah."
Zyphera smirked and stepped forward.
With a light push, the doors swung open slowly, revealing a blinding white space beyond. He squinted instinctively, but what lay beyond the brightness wasn't light at all—at least, not the kind produced by a sun or bulbs.
It was a dull brightness, lifeless and sterile, yet somehow... it felt alive.
The floor beneath his feet was a smooth white surface, slightly reflective, like polished marble mixed with liquid glass. Strange flowing patterns moved beneath the surface, shifting slowly like drifting clouds in milk. The air was oddly clean, unnaturally still, and thick with some invisible pressure.
Despite the complete absence of wind, heat, or even scent, Zyphera felt something watching him.
Alive… but nothing living in sight.
No birds, no insects. No sound of wind. Just silence. And yet, the entire space pulsed with a faint awareness, as if the environment itself was conscious and waiting—judging.
Then, just ahead of him, a translucent screen shimmered into existence. It floated mid-air, about chest height. Unlike the red and gray system messages he had encountered before, this one was a deep, calming blue. Elegant runes bordered its sides, softly rotating like a clock's gears.
The text read:
---
[TUTORIAL FLOOR: SOUL INITIATION]
> Welcome, Zyphera.
Your presence has been verified.
This Tutorial will determine whether you are worthy to begin the Tower's climb.
This test is individualized. Tailored. Designed to isolate your essence and expose it.
You cannot leave until the Tutorial is complete.
You may die here.
> Begin Tutorial?
[YES] — [NO]
---
Zyphera stood silently, absorbing the weight of the message. He clenched his fist, his mana responding automatically to his will. The strange pull within his chest—the mark of the new skill he had yet to test—thrummed faintly with anticipation.
He stepped forward.
"Let's begin."
His finger hovered over the "YES."
Then, without hesitation, he pressed it.
---
—Objective—
Reach the end by making your way through all of the set traps.
All damage will be fully recovered upon reaching either end of the Tutorial Hall.
Good Luck.
---
The screen vanished, and before Zyphera could take a step forward, a sharp whistle split the air.
An arrow.
It screamed through the air with deadly speed, aimed directly at his head.
His body reacted before his mind could, instinctively stepping back—and just as he did, a shimmering magical barrier flared to life around him, blocking the arrow with a crackling hum. It disintegrated into dust against the shield's energy.
Zyphera exhaled in surprise.
"That… was way too close."
He looked around, realizing that the space he stood in must be the designated safe zone. A launching platform, of sorts. The shield must only exist here, providing a brief moment of grace before true danger begins.
A deep sigh escaped him as he scratched the back of his head.
"Now I really wish I had paid more attention in school…"
Still, he wasn't helpless.
From what he could recall, the Tutorial Floor was meant to test speed and agility above all else. That much, at least, he remembered.
Fortunately, he had prepared in his own way. With a simple mental command, he summoned his Status Plate. A pale orange screen materialized in front of him:
---
STATUS
Name: Zyphera Drakonis
Age: 20
Status: Curious, Intrigued
Level: 2
Titles: None
Class: None
Stamina: 100%
Mana: 100%
Stats:
Constitution: 10
Strength: 5
Agility: 5 → 15 (after point allocation)
Intelligence: 15
Magic: 0
Mental Solitude: §§
Stat Points Available: 0
---
He had dumped every available point into Agility, and the result was immediate. His body felt lighter—effortless. It was as if gravity had lost its hold on him. His limbs tingled with raw kinetic energy, like a trained athlete rediscovering their full potential after years of stagnation.
He grinned.
"Let's do this."
Zyphera stepped forward, back into the hallway. The moment his foot touched the trap-bound floor, another arrow launched—but this time, it seemed sluggish. He sidestepped it effortlessly, as if swatting away a fly.
What had been a near-death experience just moments ago now felt laughably simple.
He began walking at first, calmly observing each section of the hallway. But with each trap dodged, each pit avoided, the adrenaline in his veins surged. Walking wasn't enough. The energy crackling through him demanded more.
He broke into a run.
Arrows whistled past him in droves. Some were aimed low to trip him, others came from hidden alcoves in the walls, but his enhanced reflexes handled them with ease. Pits opened beneath his feet—he leapt without thought, clearing them with grace. Mechanical spears tried to impale him from the ceiling, but he slid under them like a dancer on instinct.
He was untouchable.
More than that—he was enjoying this.
He couldn't help but laugh mid-run, the kind of laughter that came from pure, reckless joy. This was supposed to be dangerous, terrifying… but for Zyphera, it was exhilarating. A game he was winning without effort.
And just like that—it ended.
He reached the far side of the hallway, unscathed, lungs steady, heart racing with elation. A part of him genuinely wished he could start all over again. The sensation of control, of movement—it had awakened something in him.
But he suppressed the urge. The path ahead called.
Before him, a portal shimmered into existence—an ethereal, swirling mass of starlight and magic. Its core pulsed like a heartbeat, and it radiated raw, unfiltered mana. It was beautiful. It was alive.
Zyphera stepped into the portal without hesitation.
And was transported to space.
Literal space.
He floated in a vast void littered with countless weapons suspended in mid-air—swords, axes, spears, daggers, bows, scythes, staves, even crude sticks. All hovered as if waiting for someone to choose them. The air was cold and silent, the stars behind them distant, unmoving.
A new message appeared:
---
WELCOME TO THE ROOM OF CHOICE AND TRAINING.
> Based on your performance, you have unlocked access to multiple beginner-tier Classes.
Please select the Class that best aligns with your nature.
Once a Class is selected, this realm will collapse, and you will be transported to the First Floor of the Tower.
---
Zyphera's mouth parted slightly in awe.
He slowly floated forward, weaving between the suspended weapons, eyes wide with wonder. Each one gave off a distinct aura—some subtle, others overwhelming. He reached out and touched a sword with a silver-blue edge.
A screen popped up immediately:
---
Class Name: Swordsman
Class Type: Combat – Weapon Mastery
Effects:
Grants sword-related class skills.
Unlocks sword-specific Class Quests.
Increases comprehension of sword-based techniques by 1.5×.
Passively boosts sword proficiency over time.
---
"Hm... Not bad," Zyphera muttered, impressed.
He let go of the sword and turned toward a nearby mage staff, intrigued by the elegant spiraling wood and embedded crystal.
As his fingers brushed the staff, another screen appeared—
---
Class Name: Mage
Class Type: Magic – Versatile Caster
Effects:
Grants magical skills and spells.
Unlocks a variety of mystical class quests.
Provides multiple branching paths (Elementalist, Enchanter, Arcane Scholar, etc.) as you progress.
Enhances mana efficiency and magical comprehension.
Zyphera studied the glowing staff in his hand, feeling the subtle hum of arcane energy pulsating beneath his fingertips. The Mage class was promising—full of possibilities, flexibility, and raw power. And yet… it didn't click.
He let the staff float away and continued drifting through the realm, touching other weapons: a spear that granted the Lancer class, a pair of twin daggers for the Rogue, a warhammer tied to the Templar, a glowing crystal orb linked to the Summoner. Each weapon offered something different, something functional—but nothing spoke to him on a personal level.
They all felt... uninspired.
Ordinary.
"I'm looking for something different," he murmured to himself. "Something me."
He continued wandering, frustration growing with each dismissed option. Despite the realm's radiant beauty and cosmic atmosphere, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.
His eyes scanned the void once more—endless weapons, but none unique. None called to his soul.
"Are these the only classes one can get in the tower?" he asked, not sure whether he'd even get a response.
"No, there countless classes in the tower, these only act as base for your path." A deep voice responded.
If these really are just for the base then it did not matter which path he would choose, that's what Zyphera thought.
With that thought, he chose the current best path in the realm... The Mage Class.
As he held the mage staff, "I choose the Mage Class as my base class."
---
Initiating system awakening...
Error, User already has system...
Attempting to remove system...
Removal failed...
Scanning System Data...
Foreign System has been recognized...
Initiating P.L settings...
Initiating P.L class awakening...
Awakening Successful...
---
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