BOLDVORN SYSTEM: THE ADVENT

CHAPTER 01 "Welcome to the Enlistment Alliance for Fyrgen Kind, also known as E.A.F.K. All applicants should proceed to the registration area and form two orderly queues. The recruitment examination will begin shortly." The announcement echoed through the enormous hall, repeated by dozens of speakers mounted high along the walls. The registration hall was unlike anything anybody had ever seen. Hundreds of hopeful recruits filled the vast space, their voices blending into a constant murmur of excitement and anxiety. Some laughed with friends to hide their nerves, while others silently revised notes or stared ahead, lost in thought. The polished marble floor reflected the bright lights overhead, along the brown walls hung large golden-framed portraits of legendary Fyrgen warriors who had sacrificed their lives protecting humanity. At the very center of the hall stood a towering stone statue of a male figure in ancient attire, his sword planted firmly into the ground. Beneath the statue were two words engraved in bold letters_ THE SAVIOR. Uniformed soldiers stood at every corner of the building, their gray combat uniforms spotless and their expressions unreadable. Resting beside each of them was a long-electrified staff, a reminder that discipline inside E.A.F.K. was taken seriously. Luke quietly stepped into the hall, he wore a black leather jacket over a plain white shirt, matching leather trousers, and sturdy boots that had seen better days. His black hair fell neatly over his forehead, while his warm brown eyes darted nervously from one face to another. There are... so many people. His heartbeat quickened. Looks like even more applicants came this year. I hope I don't embarrass myself again. He tightened his grip on the admission card in his hand before making his way toward one of the queues. "Excuse me." A gentle female voice called from behind. Luke froze, his shoulders stiffened before he slowly turned around, standing before him was a girl around his age. Her long blond hair was tied into a neat ponytail, and bright blue eyes sparkled beneath the ceiling lights. She wore a simple orange dress with a black shoulder bag resting against her side. "I'm sorry," she said with an apologetic smile. "Did I startle you?" Luke quickly shook his head. "N-No... not really." Unfortunately, his trembling voice betrayed him. The girl couldn't help smiling to herself. He's definitely scared. "My name's Lyra Regalia," she said politely. "I'm actually looking for the registration desk. Is this the right direction?" Luke pointed toward the opposite end of the hall. "Over there... just follow the signs." "Oh." She looked where he pointed. "Thank you." Luke gave a small nod before preparing to leave. "Wait." He stopped again. "Are you here for the recruitment exams too?" Luke hesitated. "...Yeah." "First time?" She inquired. A faint smile appeared on his face, though it carried little happiness. "No." He looked down at the card in his hand. "I've taken the exam several times." Lyra blinked. "So, you've been here before?" "I've failed every time." There was no bitterness in his voice, only disappointment. For a brief moment, silence settled between them. Instead of pitying him, Lyra smiled warmly. "Well... maybe this year's different." Luke looked at her in surprise. Most people would've laughed after hearing he'd failed more than once. She simply wished him luck. "I hope so." He forced a small smile. "You should head to registration before the line gets longer. They'll need to stamp your admission card." "Oh!" She glanced toward the growing crowd. "You're right." She took a few steps before turning back. "I never asked your name." Luke scratched the back of his neck. "I'm Luke." He paused. "Luke Asvigard." "Nice to meet you, Luke." "You too." Lyra waved before disappearing into the crowd. She seems... nice. Luke watched her leave. He quietly joined the queue, though his thoughts had already drifted elsewhere. A familiar memory resurfaced, one he wished he could forget. --- ~One Year Earlier~ Back then, Luke still believed hard work alone could change his future. The E.A.F.K. recruitment examination had become his greatest goal, he studied every night after work, trained whenever he found spare time, and refused to give up no matter how many times people told him it was pointless. That morning, he sat patiently inside the waiting room alongside dozens of other applicants. Every few minutes, another name echoed through the speakers. One by one, hopeful candidates disappeared through the examination doors, finally his turn came. "Luke Asvigard." His body instantly tensed, he stood, inhaled deeply, and walked inside. The examination hall was arranged like a classroom, rows of desks stretched across the room. An examiner distributed question papers before speaking calmly. "You have one hour, you may begin." The room became completely silent, pens scratched against paper, no invigilators walked around the room, there was no need. Everyone knew E.A.F.K.'s surveillance systems could detect even the smallest attempt at cheating and anyone caught would be permanently banned from future recruitment. Luke focused entirely on the paper before him, question after question, page after page. By the time the examiner announced the end of the test, his fingers were sore. "Time's up." The answer sheets were collected immediately. Without giving anyone a chance to discuss the exam, officials directed the candidates toward another building. Assessment Phase Two_ The Awakening Examination. This stage determined whether an applicant possessed a compatible System capable of synchronizing with Essence, without it nothing else mattered. Inside the chamber stood dozens of white capsules arranged in perfect rows, each resembled a futuristic coffin standing upright. Luke stepped inside when instructed, the transparent door sealed shut with a soft hiss. A gentle blue light slowly scanned from his feet to his head, for nearly ten minutes, the machine remained completely silent. Then a beeping sound twice. Beep! Beep! The door slid open. "The scan is complete," one of the technicians said. "Results will be released tomorrow." Luke thanked him before quietly leaving the facility, there was nothing more he could do now except wait. Later that afternoon, Luke reported for his part-time job at one of the busiest restaurants in the city. The evening rush kept him on his feet for hours as he moved from table to table with practiced efficiency, serving meals with a polite smile despite the anxiety weighing on his mind. Every now and then, his thoughts drifted back to the recruitment exam. Tomorrow... Tomorrow I'll finally know. By the time his shift ended, the streets had already been swallowed by the night. The cool evening breeze brushed against his face as he made his way home, carrying a small paper bag in one hand. The front door had barely opened before two small figures rushed toward him. "Welcome home, big brother!" Moses and Gena shouted together, wrapping their arms around him. Luke laughed softly as he ruffled their hair. "I've only been gone a day. Did you two miss me that much?" "Of course!" Gena replied with a grin. "We were waiting for you!" Moses added. Their mother stepped out from the kitchen, wiping her hands with a towel, though she looked tired from a long day, her gentle smile brightened the room. "Welcome home, Luke. How was your day?" "It was fine, Mom," he answered, slipping off his shoes before walking into the living room. "I brought something for everyone." He placed the paper bag on the coffee table. The moment the words left his mouth, Moses and Gena practically dived toward it. "Snacks!" The two siblings eagerly tore the bag open, laughing as they argued over who got the bigger packet. Their mother sighed, folding her arms. "Luke, you spoil those children too much." Luke smiled. "If I don't, who will?" She shook her head with an amused laugh. "You really are impossible." Moses stuffed a handful of chips into his mouth before looking at Luke. "So... how did your exam go today?" "I think it went well," Luke replied honestly. "The results come out tomorrow." "You'll definitely pass this time!" Gena said confidently. Luke wished he shared her optimism. "I hope so." His mother walked over and rested a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You've worked harder than anyone I know.” She began. “Whatever happens tomorrow, don't think your worth depends on one exam." Luke lowered his eyes. "I know... but I really want this." His mother smiled gently. "And one day you'll get it." The warmth in her voice eased the weight on his heart. Luke forced a smile. "I'm a little tired." He reached for a bottle of soda from the table. "I'll be in my room." "I'll bring your dinner when it's ready," his mother called after him. "I'll take it!" Gena volunteered excitedly. "Thanks." Luke smiled as he climbed the stairs. As he closed the bedroom door behind him, the cheerful voices downstairs slowly faded. He lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling. Please...Just this once...Let tomorrow be different. --- The next morning, Luke arrived at the E.A.F.K. recruitment center long before sunrise, hundreds of applicants had already gathered around the massive electronic results board. His heartbeat pounded louder with every step. Please...Please let me make it this time. His eyes scanned the list until he found his name. Luke Asvigard. Assessment Phase One: Passed Assessment Phase Two: Failed Status: Rejected Reason: Unawakened Candidate. No System Link Detected. Essence point: 20 Luke stood frozen. The excitement drained from his face. "...Again." He let out a quiet laugh, though there was no joy in it. "So, it wasn't enough." Even after passing the written examination, it meant nothing, without an awakened System, he could never become a member of E.A.F.K. He lowered his head and quietly walked away from the crowd. As he stepped outside the recruitment center, someone stood several meters ahead_ a figure dressed entirely in a dark cloak, its face remained hidden beneath its hood, only two glowing purple eyes stared directly at him. Luke immediately looked away. Probably another applicant... He turned down another street. His footsteps suddenly slowed; the cloaked figure was there again. Standing silently in the middle of the road. "What...?"Luke rubbed his eyes. No... That's impossible. He quickly crossed to the opposite side. The figure remained perfectly still until Luke walked past, as they crossed paths, an icy chill crawled through his entire body. His breathing became uneven. "W-What was that?" He looked back, the street was empty, the figure had vanished. --- Luke tried convincing himself it had all been stress, unfortunately, the feeling never left. Later that afternoon, while working at the restaurant, the same icy sensation returned, his hands trembled as he carried a tray of meals toward a customer's table. Something was standing behind the woman. Luke slowly raised his head, the cloaked figure was watching him, not moving, not speaking, just watching. His eyes widened; the tray slipped from his hands_ plates shattered across the floor, customers gasped as food scattered everywhere. "Young man!" one of the waitresses shouted. "What's wrong?" Luke pointed with a shaking finger. "Behind... behind that woman..." Everyone turned, there was nothing there. The woman frowned in confusion. "I don't see anyone." Luke's breathing became heavier. "I... I swear someone was standing there." One of the older customers smiled sympathetically. "You must be exhausted." Another chuckled. "Poor kid probably needs some sleep." Embarrassment washed over him. Was he really imagining things? Or was something following him? --- That evening, Luke hurried home, desperate to put the strange day behind him. As he turned into his street... His heart stopped. Orange flames rose high into the night sky, smoke covered the neighborhood. His house_ his home was burning. "No..." The paper bag slipped from his hand. "No!" Ignoring the terrified shouts around him, Luke sprinted toward the inferno. "Someone stop him!" a woman screamed. Two firefighters rushed after him, but Luke slipped past them before they could grab hold of him. Without hesitation, he charged into the burning house, smoke immediately filled his lungs, heat scorched his skin. "Mom!" No answer. "Moses!" Nothing. "Gena!" Only the crackling of fire. He forced his way through the collapsing hallway, coughing violently. Then he reached the living room, his world fell apart. His mother lay motionless on the floor. Moses was trapped beneath her lifeless body. Blood stained the walls and soaked the marble floor beneath them. Luke collapsed beside them. "No..." His trembling hands reached for his mother's shoulder. "Mom..." She didn't move. "Moses..." Nothing. Tears blurred his vision. "No... please wake up..." His voice broke into desperate sobs. After several moments, something suddenly struck him. "Gena..." He looked around frantically. She wasn't there. Luke stumbled toward her bedroom. "Gena!" He searched beneath the bed, inside the wardrobe, behind the curtains, even the bathroom. Nothing. "Gena!" His voice echoed through the burning house. "Please answer me!" Silence. Then a hoarse voice spoke from behind; "Hello, Luke Asvigard." Luke slowly turned. Everything around him had stopped, the flames no longer danced, the smoke no longer moved, even the falling debris hung motionless in the air. Standing behind him was the cloaked figure, those glowing purple eyes stared into his soul. "You..." Luke whispered. "What did you do?" "I merely stopped time," the figure replied calmly. Luke clenched his fists. "Where's Gena?" "She isn't here." "You liar!" Luke charged without thinking, throwing wild punches fueled by grief and rage. The figure effortlessly stepped aside, avoiding every attack. "I didn't harm her." "Then where is she?" The figure remained silent for a moment before speaking. "Her body was taken over." Luke froze. "What...?" "She killed your mother." "...No." "Then she set this house on fire." "No! you lair" Luke grabbed a burning piece of wood and swung it with all his strength. Again, the figure avoided the attack with ease. "You're lying!" The figure looked at him without emotion. "No." Luke's hands trembled; tears streamed down his face. "Gena would never hurt anyone." The cloaked figure's next words shattered what little remained of Luke's world. "Gena never existed to begin with." Luke's eyes widened. "...What?" "You heard me." "You're lying!" His voice echoed through the frozen house. "She exists! She's my sister! I grew up with her!" The figure slowly raised a hand. "You will understand the truth someday." Before Luke could react, the figure lightly tapped his forehead. Darkness swallowed everything.