Chapter 12: Birthday: The System

The whole class stood in the weapon hall, hypnotized by the workmanship of every sword, axe, and bow that lay before them. Azrael's eyes ran down the lines of glittering blades, his senses electric with anticipation as he thought of choosing his weapon. Adam stood beside him, his wonder barely contained.

"This is amazing," Adam whispered, wonder etched in his voice. "I have never seen so many weapons in one place.

Azrael grinned. "Something, right? This hall is older than most of the instructors here. Every weapon has a story, a legacy of battles fought and victories won."

Adam ran a hand over the hilt of a finely crafted sword. "And we get to choose one?"

"Yeah, but choose wisely," Azrael warned. "A weapon isn't just a tool; it's a partner.

Without even letting Adam say a word, Madam CJ clapped sharply and garnered the attention of all in the room. "Alright, students, enough staring. Today, you will be choosing the weapon that best harmonizes with your mana and spirit. Choose wisely, for the bond you make will determine your strength in combat.

The students began to go down the hall, picking up weapons, feeling the weight and testing the balance. Azrael reached for a curbed blade of elegant, dark-metal sheen when a sudden tremor shook the ground. Weapons rattled in their stands, and a wave of unease passed through the room.

Madam CJ's eyes narrowed. "Everybody, step back from the racks.

Another stronger tremor followed. Dust fell from the vaulted ceiling. The enchanted sconces danced, dulling the glow that lit the hall. From a distance, an ominous horn sounded through the corridors.

"What's going on?" Adam whispered, his hand shaking on the hilt of a dagger.

"Quiet!" Azrael hissed, his eyes darting toward the entrance. He tightened his grip on the curved blade. "Something's wrong."

Great double doors boomed open, and in ran a robed figure, panting. "Madam CJ! We have to get out now! A breach—unknown entities—there's no time!"

Madam CJ's composure broke. "Back to your dorms! Now! This session is over. Questions later! Move!

The group was thrown into instant confusion, and the fear began to seep in. Indecisive, the students did not move a limb until Madam CJ cast a sharp glance at them, and then they moved. "Go! Now!

Azrael let the blade fall back onto its stand, turning to follow the others. He gave Adam a brief strained look before they both ran out into the corridor, joining the stream of panicked students.

The entities that had breached the academy were a terrifying sight. Twisted, shadowy figures, half-human, half-nightmare, moved with unnatural speed.

Their elongated limbs ended in razor-sharp talons, and their faces were obscured by swirling darkness, where faintly glowing red slits marked their eyes.

Tendrils of smoke-like energy writhed around their forms, distorting the air as they advanced.

They were known as Void Reapers, creatures of malevolent energy that could drain mana and life from their victims with a single touch.

As the last student fled through the corridor, Azrael glanced back just in time to see Madam CJ raise both hands. Her fingers traced a complex pattern in the air, leaving trails of radiant blue sigils that shimmered like liquid fire. With a fierce command, she unleashed a spell.

"Dispel Arcanum—Storm Nova!"

A torrent of crackling lightning burst forth, leaping from her hands like a living storm. The lightning forked and coiled through the air, striking each Void Reaper in rapid succession.

The creatures spasmed violently, their smoky forms tearing apart as the electric surge overloaded their dark energy. In an instant, the corridor blazed with light, and an ear-splitting boom shook the very walls.

Azrael stood frozen, mesmerized by the raw power as the storm faded. The air was thick with the stench of burnt ether, and the remnants of the Void Reapers evaporated into nothingness, leaving only silence behind.

"Move!" Madam CJ's sharp voice snapped him out of his daze, her eyes blazing with urgency. "There are more coming. Get to safety—now!"

---

The next morning, Azrael woke with a groggy start. A knock on his door, accompanied by giggles and excited whispers, drew him from his sleep. His head ached, a dull throbbing spreading through his temples.

"Who the hell is making all that noise?" he grumbled, rubbing his eyes. Stumbling out of bed, he made his way to the door and pulled it open.

"Happy birthday!" a chorus of voices shouted.

Azrael blinked in the cluster of students standing before him, holding colorful boxes wrapped in ribbons. They beamed at him with badly restrained enthusiasm.

"Wait… it's my birthday?" He rubbed the back of his neck in dismay.

"It is! We couldn't forget!" a girl chimed, pushing a present toward him. "Here, open it!"

A blinding blue screen then appeared right before his eyes, concealing the students from his sight. His heart started racing with glowing symbols and lines of text that filled his vision.

"System initializing… Synchronization in progress…"

"What the—?" Azrael stumbled backward, his heartbeat quickening. Before him, the interface pulsed with a soft glow, data streaming across the screen in symbols he couldn't read.

"What is this?" he whispered, reaching out to touch it.

The screen flickered, and a calm, detached voice filled his mind. [Welcome, User. You have been selected for integration with the Harem Codex.]

Harem… Codex?" he repeated, confusion mounting. His mouth went dry as more words appeared.

[Harem Codex online. Scanning environment. Scanning user parameters. The Goddess would like a word with you.]

Azrael's head spun. His breath came in short gasps as reality blurred around him. The last thing he saw before the darkness took him was concerned faces of his classmates shouting his name.

Then, everything went black.