Abyss City

The atmosphere in Abyss City is vastly different from my hometown. 

Here, it's bustling, with countless people everywhere.

The architecture is also different. 

In my village, there are no buildings with two floors, but here, there are many with two or even more.

What's even more spectacular is the sky. 

There are many floating islands up there.

"Stop behaving like that, it just reminds me of an embarrassing past. 

Looking here and there, just like a country bumpkin from a remote village." 

Sariel scolded me.

"But that's exactly what I am, isn't it?"

I just found out that Sariel has a background similar to mine.

"By the way, where are we going?"

"Over there, to the tower in the center of the city."

The floating islands in the sky are indeed eye-catching, but the most striking feature of this city is the tower in the center. 

The tower is incredibly tall and massive, making anyone who sees it wonder what's inside.

"Sariel, what is that tower?"

"That is Aldenlink Academy."

"Are you serious?! Isn't that too big for an academy?"

"Aldenlink Academy is the best academy, with thousands of students from all over the world. 

So, its size and the number of inhabitants are just right."

'Thousands of students from all over the world,' Aldenlink Academy is truly remarkable. 

The fact that I will be studying here makes me very excited.

"By the way, why are people in the city wearing all black?"

Sariel and I continued flying toward the city center. 

But along the way, many people, or almost everyone, were dressed in all black. 

Even Sariel was dressed in all black.

"Is it the culture of this city?"

"No, it's not a cultural thing. 

The hero of the city just passed away, so they are mourning his death." 

Sariel answered with a sad voice.

Perhaps the hero she mentioned was a friend of hers.

"Oh, I see."

It's a good thing I'm also wearing all black. 

If I had worn all white, I would have stood out. 

Just like the people in this city, I am also mourning the death of my grandfather.

After flying for about five minutes, we finally landed at our destination. 

Sariel then handed me a golden card.

"What is this card?" 

I asked Sariel after taking the golden card.

"Almost all students at Aldenlink Academy enter through a recommendation. 

That card is my recommendation for you. 

You just need to hand it to the receptionist."

"My grandfather said that things like this aren't good. 

A person should be accepted based on their own abilities."

"Do you believe you could be accepted just by relying on your own abilities?"

"Of course not." 

I immediately answered honestly.

"You answered so quickly. 

Do you have no shame?" 

Sariel sighed. 

"But, even though you're getting a recommendation, you still have to take the test; all applicants do. 

If you fail, then you won't be accepted into Aldenlink Academy."

"So, this card is meaningless, isn't it?"

"Enough, just get in line!"

"Alright."

The registration area was located around the tower. 

This area was divided into two: one for commoners and one for nobles. 

Since I am a commoner, I went to the commoners' registration area.

Then, I experienced the torture of life.

The scorching sunlight burned me from outside. 

The heat made the applicants sweat, creating an unpleasant odor. 

I felt dizzy and nauseous at the same time. 

My sweat-soaked clothes added to my discomfort.

I endured all of this suffering for over four hours.

I really wanted to give up and go home to take a bath.

"Look at the nobles' area; it's so quiet that there's no need to queue."

"Here, it's like a sea of people, while over there, it's like an empty desert; but why are there more receptionists there?"

"It's so unfair. They have seven receptionists, while our area only has three."

I agreed with the people around me who were discussing this. 

It must be nice to be born a noble; I wish I had been born a noble. 

Always having enough to eat, possessing great wealth, and always being treated with respect wherever they go. 

The privileges they have are so many, it makes me envious.

Finally, my suffering was about to end. 

There was only one person left before it was my turn to register.

But suddenly, a tall and burly man with a smug expression approached, cutting the line without hesitation and standing directly in front of me.

The man acted as if the long line behind him didn't exist—like an animal that knew nothing of manners.

My eyes widened for a moment, shocked by the audacity of this bull-like man.

My blood began to boil, surging from the depths of my grieving heart.

Waiting in this physical and mental torment was already painful enough.

I felt like slaughtering this bull right here and now.

But my grandfather had taught me manners—manners that now felt like a burden.

"Excuse me, sir. I think you should queue from the back, like everyone else."

The man slowly turned to look at me, scanning me from head to toe with a disdainful gaze.

"Oh? What's a little kid like you going to do? I probably didn't even see you because you're so short."

That insult cut deep into my heart.

My body is indeed short because I'm malnourished.

Being called short is something I hate the most, second only to being called an orphan.

I bit my lip, restraining myself from ending this bull's life on the spot.

Be patient, Arc; he only insulted you once, no need to execute him.

"Please don't be rude.

This isn't about body size; it's about respecting others.

Everyone here is waiting for their turn.

So, go to the back of the line."

The man merely laughed, displaying a condescending smile while raising his finger.

"What can a puny body like yours do?

There's no point in trying to look tough.

You're the one who should get lost.

Or should I knock you down with just one finger?"

This bull has no idea how much I've suffered while waiting.

How dare he tell me to suffer even more!

The rage inside me had surpassed its limit.

I didn't care about anything anymore.

My chest was bursting with heat.

"You asked what I could do with my puny body, didn't you?

I can do this with my puny body."

I grabbed his finger, and with one thought, I stopped his heart from beating.

The bull that was standing confidently suddenly staggered.

His eyes widened in panic, his breath abruptly stopped, and his hand reflexively clutched his chest.

"Little boy, what did you do to me... My heart, it's not beating..."

His expression drastically changed—from shock to confusion, then to deep fear.

I just stared at him coldly.

"In your next life, learn some manners."

His body began to lose balance.

His legs trembled violently, and his knees gave way to gravity, causing him to fall hard to the ground.

In an instant, the man lost his life without knowing the cause.

The people around were shocked by what they saw.

They didn't know what had happened; they just saw the man collapse like a broken puppet.

But their frightened gazes were fixed on me.

I didn't care about them.

I only felt a strange satisfaction creeping inside me, cold and sharp.

All of this thanks to the Grimoire of Life.

Without the Grimoire of Life, I wouldn't have been able to retaliate against the bullying of Mark and his friends.

Without the Grimoire of Life, I wouldn't have been able to attend Aldenlink Academy.

Without the Grimoire of Life, I wouldn't have been able to defend myself against the oppression of this bull.

It all comes back to the creator of the Grimoire of Life.

I am truly grateful to you, Life Sage.

Finally, it was my turn to approach the receptionist. 

I walked casually, stepping over the corpse of this cow.

"Please," I said as I handed the golden card to the receptionist girl.

"A golden card... You're quite extraordinary." 

The receptionist was slightly surprised.

"What exactly is so extraordinary about it?" 

I was puzzled by her words.

"What's extraordinary is that you won't go to jail even if you commit murder in broad daylight, because you have a recommendation card from a high-ranking mage."

So this receptionist knows what I've done. 

Moreover, she said it with a straight face as if she was used to murder. 

What kind of city is this, really? 

Is it truly as beautiful as it seems?

"So, do I have immunity from the law?"

"Of course not. 

You're not being punished because that person was from outside the city. 

If he was from within the city, you would still be punished."

"I see..." 

I was a bit disappointed.

"This is your participant card." 

She handed me a card.

"Come back in a week for the talent assessment, written test, and interview."

"Wait a minute! 

After suffering in line, it's not over yet and I still have to come back?"

"Yes, that's the procedure."

"Damn it...!"

I walked away with my body slumped and weary, holding the participant card.

Not long after, I met Sariel, who was enjoying tea in a cool café not far from the tower. 

Her actions made me unable to help but feel envious of her.

"Today is bright, isn't it? Why are your clothes wet?"

"I'm drenched in my own sweat because it's so hot outside. 

I want to take a shower quickly."

"I understand you're uncomfortable, but we can't go home yet. 

I still have unfinished business."

"Why didn't you finish it earlier?"

"I was very busy. 

Even a moment before you arrived, I was still working."

"Then finish it quickly."

"It won't take long. Let's go."

Sariel led me to a flower shop. 

After choosing a bouquet of white roses, we walked towards a place I didn't know.

White roses...? 

I've heard white roses symbolize purity, respect, and... eternal love.

Is she going to meet her lover? 

But the atmosphere around her seemed so somber, as if a shadow of sorrow haunted her steps. 

I've heard Sariel also recently lost someone she loved.

As I wondered in my mind, we unknowingly arrived at a quiet park.

In the center of the park stood a statue, surrounded by countless bouquets of flowers. 

A few people gathered around it, some crying with deep sadness, while others prayed earnestly.

My eyes were drawn to the statue. 

It was an incredibly realistic statue—so lifelike, as if it was ready to move at any moment.

But what shocked me to the point where my heart seemed to stop beating was the uncanny resemblance this statue had to me. 

Almond-shaped golden eyes, silver-white hair, pale white skin, and a sharp face—it all looked exactly like me. 

Even the saber hanging at its waist looked like my saber or my grandfather's.

At the base of the statue, a grand inscription read: 

"Hero of Abyss City, Arcanor."

The name... even the name is very similar to mine.

Could he be my...? No, impossible. 

There's no way someone who refused to take responsibility for his own child could be a hero.

Impossible! Whether it's true or not, I won't accept it.