Chapter 9 Survivor Academy

Olivia carefully observed her new surroundings, heart pounding as she caught students who were stealing glances at her. ´Am i also famous here?`

This school was slightly different from the picture she had seen of the former school before the monster's arrival. It was massive, circular, like a fortress built to withstand the end of the world. Its sheer size was both awe inspiring…and terrifying.

" The school has 3 floors in total."

Alexa's voice pulled her from her thoughts. Olivia turned to see the flame wielder watching her carefully, as if sensing her curiosity.

" Each floor corresponds to a different power level," Alexa continued. " The first floor is level 1, second floor is level 2, and the third…well, that's level 3."

Olivia listened intently. Every piece of information could mean life or death.

"The first level belongs to the Ascendant Ranks, divided into three tiers. The first tier is Ember Level. It is the initial awakening stage, where one's power flickers like a fragile flame. The second tier is the Inferno Level, it is when strength begins to surge, granting formidable abilities, but control remains unstable. And the third tier is the Aetherborn Level, it is where mastery begins, allowing wielders to manipulate energy with precision."

She paused, before continuing.

"The second level is the Cataclysmic Ascension, which is also divided into three tiers. The first tier is the Doom Bearer Level. The people in this level are those who herald destruction, their presence alone invoking chaos.The second tier is Cataclysm Warden Level. The beings in this level are strong enough to withstand and manipulate world-ending forces. And the third tier is the Abyss Sovereign Level. This is a level for beings who reign over devastation itself, commanding the abyss at will.

And the third and final level…"

Alexa turned to Olivia, her gaze sharpening with intensity. 

"…is the Arcane Dominion. These individuals possess power beyond comprehension. They don't just survive in this world, they reshape it. Only a handful exist, and they are also divided into three ranks. The first tier is the Eldritch Tyrant Level. The people in this level can bend reality, and they are feared even among the strongest. The second tier is the Ethereal Overlord Level. These are masters of creation and destruction, their will shaping entire regions. And the third and rarest tier, the Primordial Ascendant Level. They are the apex of all existence, standing above gods and calamities alike."

Alexa gaze sharpened as she spoke of the Arcane Dominion. Her eyes flickered in admiration. Olivia swallowed hard. Could she even dream of reaching such heights?

" But the system said I was in level 4,"she thought. " Is it different from these rankings?"

" if it is divided into ranks, then what about the system level?" She couldn't help but ask.

" The system is almost the same with the rankings, the higher your level in the system, the more your ranking upgrades. You know your ranking level when you are at level 2 in the system"

"Oh"

Olivia nodded. 'But why is my ranking not showing? I am already at level 4.'

A look of annoyance flickered through her eyes, before asking Alexa her next question.

" Which level are you at?"

Olivia asked, she wanted to know how strong this flame wielder was, that always made her presence overbearing.

Alexa looked at her with a tight smile.

" Unfortunately, I am still at the third tier of Cataclysmic Ascension… Abyss Sovereign."

Olivia's jaws dropped. " Did she just say " Unfortunately", she reigns over destruction itself"

" Close your mouth," Alexa teased. " A fly might consider it home"

Olivia snapped her mouth shut. For some weird reason she felt… small. Weak. She needed..power. Not just strength, but absolute control over her own fate. 

She clenched her fist, determination burning in her veins. She would not be weak. She would not be disposable. She would rise…until no one could control her again.

"Olivia?"

Olivia heard a distorted voice calling to her. She saw Alexa shaking her shoulder, her eyes widened in surprise.

" I know all this might be overwhelming to you, but try not to be overwhelmed. If the others discover your fear, they will feed on it"

Alexa warned. Olivia, who was in a daze, finally took notice of her environment. They were now in a big hall filled with students.

Olivia nodded her head, she could feel her fear outweighing her determination.

"This is going to be a bumpy ride" she muttered under her breath.

"I will leave now, get used to the environment."

Alexa left before Olivia could protest. Olivia's throat throbs up and down, making a weird noise. She felt alone and different.

The students look aloof, without a care for the world. Olivia felt her legs slightly shaking.

"I can do this"

She tried to encourage herself.

Bump.

Olivia almost stumbled to the ground, her eyes turned angry, she turned around to confront the person.

" Why did you do….that?"

Her eyes locked into the eyes of the stranger. His black hair was neatly combed, his icing blue eyes held hidden secrets and power. He was 6ft 2in tall. He looked older but he was handsome.

" You were standing in my way."

He said in a matter of fact tone, his eyes swirling with mischievousness. Olivia was taken aback by his attitude.

"He is handsome, but that doesn't mean he can talk to me however he wants."

"A simple "excuse me" would have worked."

"Apologize."

A voice rang behind them, a girl with yellow blonde hair walked towards, her boot clicking against the marble floor. She looped her arm through his, her piercing blue eyes narrowing at Olivia. The air shifted, thick with silent tension.

Olivia felt all hair stood in protest, their presence was sending shivers down her spine, for some weird reason, she stood still stupefied.

"Apologize," the blonde girl repeated, stepping closer. Her voice dripped with authority, as if the mere command should force Olivia to submit.

Olivia's jaw tightened. No. She had been forced into enough things already. She clenched her fists, meeting the girl's glare with a defiant gaze.

"I can't," she said, voice steadier than she felt. "He was the one who bumped into me."

The room fell silent. Then came the whispers.

"Oh, she's done for."

"That's Klaus Reyes…and Lydia Frankston she's talking to, does she have a death wish?"

"The newbie's got guts, but guts won't keep her alive."

The girl's eyes darkened, a flicker of something dangerous passing through them. She glanced at Klaus, whose expression remained unreadable. Her lips curled into a smirk. She wanted to impress him.

"Well then. Don't say I didn't warn you." 

she smirked, stepping back as her fingers flexed. A faint red glow flickered to life around her clenched fist.

A blast of heat surged toward Olivia, her eyes widened in horror.

She felt her skin tingle, and then…

Clash!