BOLDVORN SYSTEM: THE ADVENT

RECUIRTED

CHAPTER 03

The hallway leading to the results board buzzed with excitement.

Dozens of applicants crowded around the massive digital display, cheering, celebrating, or lamenting their fate.

Luke stopped a few steps away and let out a weary sigh.

Not again...

"Why does everyone have to crowd the screen?" Taking a deep breath, he squeezed through the sea of people until he finally stood before the enormous display.

Thousands of names scrolled across the screen, each accompanied by a rank and assigned department.

Luke's eyes quickly searched for his own for few seconds, he found it.

Luke Asvigard — Zeta Fyrgen

A small smile appeared on his face.

"I made it..." His shoulders relaxed.

After years of failure, he had finally been accepted into E.A.F.K, even if it was only as a Zeta_ the lowest rank.

"I guess this is better than nothing."

"Hey, Luke!" A familiar voice called from behind.

Luke turned and smiled. "Lyra."

She made her way through the crowd before stopping beside him.

"I've been looking everywhere for you."

She folded her arms with an eager grin. "So, did you pass?"

"I did." Luke nodded. "I'm officially a Zeta Fyrgen."

Her face immediately brightened.

"Congratulations!"

"Thank you." Luke smiled before asking, "What about you?"

Lyra rubbed the back of her neck almost shyly. "I was assigned to the Gamma Rank."

"...Gamma?" Luke blinked.

His expression froze. The third-highest rank...? Seriously?

Almost instinctively, his eyes drifted toward the statistics displayed beside her name.

EP: 2000

His own record quietly appeared beside it.

EP: 20

Luke stared silently for a moment. Six hundred...Mine is only twenty, I knew the daughter of a noble family would be talented...But this much? No wonder her older brother became the third Alpha Fyrgen of the Northern District and she's younger than me...

He couldn't help letting out a quiet laugh.

Lyra tilted her head. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"It's nothing." Luke quickly looked away. "You just surprised me."

She smiled sheepishly. "I guess I did."

Luke extended his hand. "Congratulations, Lyra, you earned it."

She happily shook his hand.

"Thank you."

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke, the excitement surrounding them suddenly felt distant.

Luke finally broke the silence. "Looks like we won't be serving in the same unit after all."

Lyra nodded. "Probably not, Gamma-ranked recruits are usually assigned to raid Blizzard gates."

Luke gave a small smile. "And Zetas, usually handle excavation work or low-level Gates like the Ant gate."

He shrugged. "Someone has to do it."

Lyra frowned slightly. "Don't underestimate yourself, everyone starts somewhere."

"I'll try not to." Luke chuckled.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a sleek black card trimmed with gold.

"Here." She handed it to him. "My phone number."

Luke accepted it. "I thought you said we probably wouldn't meet again."

"We probably won't." She smiled. "But that doesn't mean we can't keep in touch."

Luke slipped the card into his pocket.

"I'd like that."

A mechanical announcement echoed throughout the building.

"Attention, all newly recruited cadets, please retrieve your assigned badges through your System before proceeding to your respective departmental faculties to collect your uniforms and orientation materials."

Luke glanced upward. "That was quick."

Lyra laughed softly. "I guess they don't waste time around here."

She adjusted the strap of her shoulder bag. "I should head to the Mage Department."

Luke looked at her in surprise. "You're a Mage-type Fyrgen?"

She nodded proudly. "That's what my awakening assigned me."

She then looked at him curiously. "What about you?"

Luke scratched the back of his head. "My System still says my class is unregistered. So, I'll probably end up joining the Melee Department for now."

Lyra frowned thoughtfully. "That's unusual, but maybe your awakening isn't fully complete yet."

Luke nodded slowly. "That's what I was thinking too."

She smiled. "I'm sure it'll work itself out."

Luke returned the smile. "I hope you're right."

Lyra took a few steps backward before waving.

"See you at the matriculation ceremony."

Luke raised a hand in return. "See you later."

With that, the two walked in opposite directions, neither of them noticed that this would be the last peaceful conversation they would share for quite some time.

As Lyra disappeared down the corridor, translucent blue interfaces began appearing before every newly recruited cadet, one after another, they accepted their official badges.

A similar screen materialized before Lyra.

— AWAKENING COMPLETE —

Congratulations. You have successfully been recruited as a Fyrgen.

All registered data are synchronized with the Altar.

Please accept your official badge.

Subject: Lyra Regalia

Class: Mage

Rank: Gamma

Growth Potential: Standard

Skill Compatibility: Moderate

EP: 2000

Intelligence: 70

HP: 1550

Passive Skills: 2 (Level 2)

Lyra tapped Accept, the interface dissolved into countless particles of light.

A silver badge shaped like the letter G materialized in her palm, she smiled faintly before pinning it neatly to the left side of her uniform, without another glance, she continued toward the Mage Department.

A moment later, another screen appeared before Luke, unlike Lyra's, its borders flickered as though the data hadn't finished processing.

— AWAKENING INCOMPLETE —

Congratulations. You have been recruited as a Fyrgen.

Please accept your official badge.

Notice: Your awakening data remain confidential and unrefined.

Subject: Luke Asvigard

Level: Lvl 0

Class: Unregistered

Rank: Zeta

Growth Potential: Highly Adaptable

Skill Compatibility: Low

EP: 20

Intelligence: 10

HP: 90

Passive Skills: None

Luke stared at the floating screen. Unregistered…so even the System doesn't know what I am.

He pressed Accept.

A bronze badge engraved with the letter Z appeared in his hand, Luke quietly pinned it to the left side of his shirt.

Before he could take another step, a second notification immediately appeared.

— SYSTEM NOTIFICATION —

Your Awakening remains incomplete.

Please select a temporary combat specialization.

Option 1: Summoner (Mage Class)

Option 2: Fist/Blade Combatant (Melee Class)

Option 3: Mixed Class (Mage & Melee)

Luke frowned. Temporary? So, my real class still hasn't awakened.

He studied the three choices.

A mage relied heavily on Essence and a melee fighter relied on physical combat but neither truly suited him.

If I don't know what I'll become, then I might as well learn both.

Without another thought, he selected the third option.

The interface shimmered.

— AWAKENING INCOMPLETE —

Selection Confirmed.

Temporary Class Assigned: Mixed Class (Mage & Melee)

Current Job: None

Luke read the message twice before sighing. A mixed class, I guess that's better than having nothing.

The interface slowly disappeared.

Luke adjusted the badge on his chest one last time before turning toward the opposite corridor.

Whatever awaited him in the Melee Department, it was only the first step of a much longer journey.

********

Luke collected the brown uniform box from the woman behind the counter.

"Here you are." She smiled politely.

"Please make sure you're present for this evening's matriculation ceremony."

"I will." Luke gave a small nod before turning to leave.

He had barely taken two steps, everything stopped.

The chatter inside the department vanished, the rustling of clothes, the footsteps, even the humming lights overhead became silent.

Luke slowly looked around.

Every person in the room stood completely motionless, a student remained frozen halfway through opening a locker, a staff member stood with paperwork suspended in midair, even a falling pen hung motionless above the floor.

Luke's heartbeat quickened. This feeling, I've experienced it before.

A familiar voice echoed through the silent hall.

"Hello, Luke."

Luke froze, his breathing became uneven. He slowly turned around.

Standing several meters behind him was the cloaked figure, its face remained hidden beneath the hood, only a pair of glowing purple eyes stared back at him.

Fear instantly gripped Luke's body, his legs refused to move.

"Interesting." The figure tilted its head slightly "Your fear has grown since our last meeting."

Luke clenched his fists.

Stay calm. Don't panic. He swallowed hard before forcing the words out. "What....do you want from me?"

The figure began walking toward him, its footsteps produced no sound. "I admire your conviction."

It stopped several feet away. "The desire to uncover your family's killer...and to find Gena."

Luke's eyes widened. How? How does he know that?

Sweat slowly rolled down the side of his face.

The figure chuckled. "You're wondering how I know."

Luke instinctively took a step back. "Stay away from me."

A translucent screen suddenly appeared before him.

— WARNING —

Emotional Spike Detected: 70%

Dominant Emotion: Fear

The cloaked figure glanced at the notification before letting out an amused laugh.

"So, the System can measure emotions now or is it just for you. How fascinating."

"You..." Luke's expression hardened. "You caused all of this."

The figure remained silent.

"You were there that night, my family died because of you!" Luke roared as he rushed forward, his fist shot toward the figure's face.

Then, it stopped, barely an inch away.

No matter how hard Luke pushed, his arm refused to move any farther.

His eyes widened in disbelief. "What...?"

Another notification appeared.

— WARNING —

Hostile actions against the System's Overseer are currently prohibited.

Action Cancelled.

Luke gritted his teeth.

The figure calmly looked at the suspended fist before speaking.

"You, see? The System won't allow you to harm me."

Luke slowly lowered his hand. "What are you?"

The figure ignored the question. "I created your System Link; it was born from your conviction."

Then its voice became colder. "But look at you. Weak. Broken. Consumed by fear."

It took another step closer.

"Do you truly believe someone in your current state can defeat your enemies...or find Gena?"

Luke clenched his jaw. "I'll become stronger, I don't care what it takes."

The figure remained silent for several moments.

Then, it spoke; "For once… I believe you."

Luke frowned. "If you're the one who created my System, then why am I the weakest rank?"

"You ask far too many questions. "The cloaked figure sighed. "I'm merely a watcher, nothing more."

Luke stared at him. A watcher?

"My purpose is to observe, to ensure your journey proceeds as intended. I do not interfere; I do not rescue and I do not fight your battles until you make yourself worthy of the title.”

What title? Luke remained unconvinced. "Then how am I supposed to get stronger?"

"The answer has always been in front of you." The figure folded its arms beneath the cloak. "The System, follow its guidance. Complete its trials. Survive. Everything else will reveal itself in time."

Luke lowered his gaze, "If following this System is the only way to find the truth..."

His fists slowly tightened.

"...then I'll do it, I'll borrow its power, even if it belongs to a demon."

For the first time, the cloaked figure gave a faint laugh. "Careful, power always demands a price."

The frozen world suddenly trembled, sound slowly returned, the lights buzzed once more.

People resumed walking as though nothing had happened, time had begun to move again.

The cloaked figure's body gradually dissolved into black particles.

Luke took a step forward. "Wait. Who are you?"

Only the figure's glowing eyes remained visible.

"My name, it isn't important."

The last of the darkness faded away.

Its final words echoed softly through the hall. "When the time comes, you'll know."

Silence returned.

Luke stood alone, he let out a long breath before shaking his head. "...Have it your way."

A faint smile appeared on his exhausted face.

"Stalker."

Adjusting the box beneath his arm, Luke walked toward the exit.

Unbeknownst to him, his real journey had only just begun.