Outworld: Awakening

The student watched as five individuals stepped out from the portal, and leading them was a beautiful woman with flowing black locks. She wore a white trenchcoat which covered most of her body, but exposed her black knee-high combat boots. Just like her boots, she wore a pair of fingerless black velvet gloves.

Most of the male students and some female students gawked at the beauty of the lady. Whether it was her hooded hazel eyes, or her small but pointed nose; none of them could look away.

Meanwhile, some students focused on the four individuals towering over the beauty. The shortest stood at an impressive seven feet while the tallest was at least ten feet. They wore black trenchcoats which complemented their black leather boots. They also wore odd caricature masks which covered their faces. Unlike the lady, they gave off a bale aura.

"My name is Hensley Maxine, I'd prefer you call me Dean Hensley. I don't intend to waste time on my speech, so I beseech you to listen carefully."

Despite speaking softly, Hensley's voice reverberated throughout the hall. Rousing those bewitched by her beauty.

"Wow... I don't think I've ever seen anyone so beautiful? She doesn't even look thirty..." Hendrix muttered as drool fell from the sides of his mouth.

Like most of the students, he could not control his fluttering heartbeat as he stared at Hensley.

"Hahaha... Is she really that special? Would you believe me if I said I've seen better?"

Hendrix titled his head, "Are you serious? You're not messing with me, right?"

"Of course. I can introduce you to them if you like. Beauties like her are quite common in Cemil," Helias said.

A bright grin flashed across Hendrix's face, 'I expected nothing less from him. I can forgive him if he introduces me to some beautiful babes...'

While l.e.w.d thoughts filled Hendrix's mind, Helias shifted his gaze towards Adam.

'What's wrong with him? Is he still pissed off with me? At least, he shouldn't sleep in the presence of a Dean.'

Just as this thought flashed through his mind, he tugged at the sides of Adam's uniform, "Adam, the officials in Varidan Academy are not to be trifled with. You don't want them to catch you sleeping," Helias whispered.

"Who said I was sleeping? Something got into my eyes, I wanted to rest them for a bit," Adam retorted.

He knew what he said made no sense, however, he had no intention of opening his eyes. He adjusted his position, but still closed his eyes.

Ruefully shaking his head, Helias said nothing further.

"Today makes it exactly two months since the doors of the Academy opened to you. During that time, I hope you've all accustomed yourselves to the rules of Varidan Academy. To be honest, I don't really care if you've familiarized yourself with the rules, or if you break some of them," Hensley paused as she scanned the silent hall.

"However, there are three absolute rules you cannot flout. Well... you can, but trust me, you would wish you hadn't. First, from now until the day of your death, you cannot betray Varidan Academy!"

"Two, if anyone of you sully the reputation of Varidan Towers by joining the abominations in the dungeons, we will erase every trace of your existence!"

Hensley paused for a second time as she scanned the room. Unlike before, the students relaxed countenance turned serious.

"What could be more serious than joining the ranks of the Demons?" Helias muttered.

Just like him, most of the students also had the same thought in mind. Meanwhile, the same moment Hensley announced the second rule, Adam's eyes opened.

"The third and most important rule, you're all forbidden from joining the Eight Gates! Unfortunately, I don't have the authority to declare the punishment for such an act. That's all I'll say on the matter."

'Eight Gates? What the hell is that?' Adam thought.

The other students also had the same thought flashing through their minds. They had never heard anything relating to the Eight Gates.

Hendrix's brows creased while he rubbed his temples, "Eight Gates? Why is this the first time I'm hearing about them? I wonder—"

"You will know about them soon," Helias whispered.

"Oh? You have heard about them?" Hendrix said.

He could not hide his curiosity as he stared at Helias. Mimicking Hendrix's actions, Adam also stared at Helias.

"Lower your voice," Helias said as he drew Hendrix and Adam closer with his arms.

"I don't really know much about them, but from the little I've heard, those guys are serious bad news. They're a guild from beyond the walls, and they are rumored to have Familiars among their members," Helias explained.

"D-Do you mean Familiars in the ranking of Demons? How could other races work with Demons? That's not possible, right?" Hendrix asked.

"That's why they have an infamous reputation in the Eastern, Northern, and Southern lands. They're undisputedly the number one guild beyond the Western walls," Helias said.

Although Adam didn't know the general outlook of Outworld, that a guild comprised of Demons and other races surprised him.

"Silence! You can save your chitchat for later."

Hensley's declaration interrupted the fervent discussions among the students, shifting their attention was once again towards the dais.

"This is the only day you will all sit together as equals in Varidan Academy. If you don't want to die, report to the registration hall and fill an expulsion form. Varidan Academy is not a place for weaklings and cowards!

"Finally, report to the training halls according to your assigned levels. The instructors will assign you to either a support class or attack class. You will also choose if you prefer to explore the dungeon alone, or on a party. E and D Level Awakened should proceed to the first training hall..."

After telling the students about their assigned training halls, Hensley spoke no further. The students watched as a portal swallowed her and the masked individuals behind her.

The luminescence rocks brightened once more, illuminating the silent hall. A few seconds later, different students rose to their feet before walking out of the hall.

"How was that an introduction assembly? She didn't even mention anything about life in Varidan Academy..."

Helias shook his head as he heard Hendrix's muttering, "Better don't let her hear you. Let's not waste time here... Oh. That reminds me, what level are you guys?"

A wry smile tugged at Hendrix's lips as he heard Helias's words.

"Are you that embarrassed to tell him about your level?" Adam chuckled. "Let's go, Hendrix," Adam added as he rose to his feet.

Hendrix patted Helias on his shoulder before whispering into his ears, "Don't forget to introduce me to those beauties". Wasting no time, he went ahead of Adam.

Before Helias could say anything, Adam's voice reached him.

"Don't think we are petty or anything, but hanging out with you will cause a lot of trouble for us. After all, we are only E level Awakened. There will be people lining up to show us our place once it's leaked."

Helias's mouth opened, 'Is he messing with me? E level? My Blessing didn't work on an E level Awakened? This is absurd...'

Helias remained seated as he watched Adam and Hendrix leave the hall. Just like Helias, different students had their sights on Adam, with different thoughts brewing in their minds.