Level Up Arcana

Onwards to the Training Complex

The current situation was dreadful for everyone in the Bluestar World, but there was nothing they could do about it except continue to survive.

Perhaps their act of 'accidentally' awakening the map was their fault, but they couldn't unwrite what had happened. The damage was done, and the world had already changed.

Adapting to the circumstances was the only solution for now.

Raiden turned to face the students he'd just saved. His eyes quickly scanned the group, doing a mental headcount.

"Six people?"

The buzz-cut guy, Ash, had disappeared already.

Raiden's jaw tightened slightly. He hadn’t noticed the coward slipping away the moment no one was looking. While he felt disgusted by Ash's earlier actions of pushing those girls toward the zombies to save his own skin, Raiden couldn't be bothered to enforce judgment in this chaotic time.

Everyone was fighting for survival. Some people just showed their true colors faster than others.

"What are your names?" Raiden asked the remaining students, keeping his voice steady and calm.

The group looked at each other nervously before speaking up.

The first girl, one of the two Ash had betrayed, stepped forward. She had shoulder-length brown hair and red-rimmed eyes from crying. "I'm Lila," she said quietly. "Lila Chen."

The second girl beside her nodded. "Maya. Maya Reed." She had darker skin and kept her arms wrapped around herself protectively.

A tall, lanky boy with messy black hair spoke next. "Finn. Finn Carter." His voice cracked slightly, but he tried to stand straight.

Another boy, shorter and stockier with freckles across his nose, raised his hand awkwardly. "Owen Park."

The fifth student was a girl with glasses and neatly tied hair. She looked more composed than the others. "Iris."

The last one, a quiet boy who'd barely said anything since being rescued, finally spoke. "Dante. Just Dante." He didn't offer a last name like Iris.

"Alright," Raiden said, nodding to each of them. "I'm Raiden Crowe. This is Jace Rowan, Mira Valen, and Kade Mercer." He gestured to his group. "Stick close to us. We're heading to the training complex."

"The training complex?" Finn asked, confusion crossing his face. "Why there?"

"Because that's where the weapons are stored," Mira answered before Raiden could. Her tone was matter-of-fact. "And the garage. If we're getting off campus, we'll need transport."

"Plus the academy's exit gate is right next to the complex," Kade added. "It's our best shot at getting out of here alive."

Lila's eyes widened. "You mean leave Arcana High? But what about the professors? The headmaster? Shouldn't we wait for them to handle this?"

Raiden shook his head. "Look around. Does it look like anyone's handling this?"

The distant screams and explosions served as his evidence.

Lila's face fell, but she didn't argue.

"Everyone ready?" Raiden asked.

They nodded, though fear was written clearly on every face.

"Then let's move."

The group began making their way across the courtyard, heading toward the western side of campus where the training complex stood. The path ahead was littered with debris of broken statues, overturned benches, scattered books, and papers blowing in the wind.

And of course, bodies. So many bodies.

Most of the bodies were torn apart beyond recognition. The others were still twitching, in the process of turning into zombies. A few survivors ran past them in the opposite direction, not even sparing them a glance.

Raiden forced himself to keep moving forward. He couldn't save everyone. He could barely save himself and the people directly around him.

Focus on what you can control, he told himself. One step at a time.

They hadn't gone far when a zombie stumbled out from behind a pillar, blocking their path. It was a professor.

With a quick look, they recognised him to be Professor Hardin from the History department. His robes were shredded, and half his face was missing.

Jace made a strangled noise and took a step back.

The zombie lunged.

Raiden moved on instinct, sidestepping to dodge the claw strike whilst swinging the metal rod. It connected with the professor's skull, caving it in with a sickening crunch.

[You have killed a Level 3 Spirit Circle Zombie and acquired its mana]

The white orb shot into his chest. Raiden barely registered it anymore. The notification was becoming routine, which was a disturbing thought all on its own.

"Keep moving," he said, voice flat.

They pressed on.

More zombies appeared as they traveled — students, staff, even a few guards who'd been stationed around campus. Each time, Raiden, Mira, Kade, or Jace would step forward to handle them.

Jace made his first kill when a zombie grabbed Maya from behind. He screamed and swung the metal rod wildly, somehow managing to bash the creature's head in. When the white orb entered his body and the system notification appeared, he looked like he was going to be sick.

But he didn't let that impact him negatively. He took a deep breath and kept moving.

Mira was next. A pair of zombies cornered Finn against a wall. She cast a basic fire spell and a small flame shot from her palm, hitting one zombie square in the face.

It shrieked and stumbled backward, giving her time to finish it off with a sharp kick to the temple which lopped the head off its neck.

The second zombie turned toward her. She didn't hesitate to unleash another fire spell, then a brutal stomp to its skull when it fell.

She looked at her hands afterward, expression unreadable. Then she turned to Finn. "You okay?"

He nodded shakily. "Thanks."

Kade got his turn shortly after when three zombies surrounded them near a fountain. He'd always been good with fire magic, better than most students their age. Now that talent was being put to actual use.

He thrust both hands forward. "Pyro Burst!"