BORN OF DOOM

Chapter 8: ADMITTED INTO EVERCOAST ACADEMY

Stepping foot on the outskirt of the Evercoast Awakened Academy, he stared at the giant gate of the academy. Just from the outside point of view, the academy looks like a giant fortress made out of onyx stones with beautiful and intricate workmanship, used for the walls. Every kids that successfully awakened an ability, be it a potent one or a discarded one, they were all accepted.

Even those that are yet to awaken due to some reasons like missing the awaken ceremony, not being able to attend due to some reasons known to them, some due to the distance. They were admitted to give a try in the academy.

The admitted awakened were either at the beginners and novice level, all except Rina Willis and few kids who skipped two entire levels and are presently at the amateur level due to their titan level resonance.

"So this is where father wants me to be." Vondrel murmured.

The memories of his conversation with his father resurfaced to him.

"What! I am admitted into the Evercoast Awakened Academy....how is that even possible??" He asked with a wide eyes

"That is a question i can't answer..." His father, Mark said

"The only thing I can tell you is that, getting you into that academy was really an hassle, i had to pull some strings I wouldn't have pulled, but....." He paused

Giving Vondrel an assuring smile, he continued. "It's not for you to worry about, I want you to focus, you should focus on your self and experience things of this world beyond this outskirts."

"I know it won't be easy, considering the fact that you are not an awakened, but you are a child with great potential. And I have this feeling that being in this clan will limit your potential."

" I will bear the consequences for the strings I pulled.....I hope you become strong, really strong, I hope you and your sibling become strong enough to pull us out of this shithole."

With that said, Mark stood up and walked towards the door. He opened it, but before going out he said something.

" Go get ready, you are leaving a day or two from now" he then walked out.

Coming back to the present, his thought wondered to the perils he encountered when traversing the distance from his clan to the Evercoast Awakened Academy.

Vondrel's journey to the Evercoast Awakened Academy was a testament to his unyielding determination. Despite being a failure in the eyes of many, he refused to give up on his dream of becoming a great figure even if he doesn't awaken any ability.

The journey was arduous, spanning treacherous landscapes and treacherous foes. Vondrel faced countless challenges, from raging rivers to running for his life in the pursuit of ferocious beasts, each one testing his resolve and strength.

He traveled in the company of a man from the Evercoast country, who he didn't know how hi father was able to persuade to accompany him through the journey to the academy. The man doesn't seem to care if he survived or not, he only lifts a finger when his life was threatened.

He kept on hustling words like.....

"Keep up trash, you are lagging behind. I can do well to leave you here in the middle of no where, your death can't be a burden for someone like me who is from the Evercoast country."

" Your father sure wasted his efforts on you, is this how you really want to survive in the academy??"

"Just drop dead already, haven't you tried enough. "

"You look really pitiful, gods, i would have hanged myself if i were you"

"What! Is it just me overthinking or are these beasts attacks getting harder and frequent with each passing day. Seems they are getting mad, seeing a wretch like you walking through their lair."

Not minding his words, Vondrel kept on moving forward with unwavering determination. His only real companions are the weight of his pack and the whispers of doubt in his mind. The road was long and unforgiving, winding through dark forests and over jagged mountains.

Vondrel's body screamed in protest, his muscles aching from the constant strain. His mind reeled from the isolation, the silence broken only by the sound of his and the mans footsteps, and also the unending curses hurled at him by the man.

But still, he pressed on, driven by a fierce determination. He knew that the academy was his only hope, his last chance to prove himself.

And yet, despite the hardships, Vondrel found moments of beauty on his journey. A sunrise over a tranquil lake, a starry night sky, a gentle breeze rustling through the trees.

These moments gave him strength, reminded him of the world's beauty and wonder. They fueled his determination, his refusal to give up.

Finally, after several days of travel, Vondrel saw it - the Evercoast Awakened Academy, shining like a beacon on the horizon. His heart swelled with pride and exhaustion, his spirit soaring with hope.

He knew that this was just the beginning, that the true challenges lay ahead. But Vondrel was ready, his heart ablaze with determination. He would prove himself, no matter the cost.

Getting to the academy, he was now left alone as the man parted with him and went his way.

He could see kids staring at the massive gate with awe, some were lined up in a straight line meant for students to collect their academy ID, before walking into the embrace of the academy.

"Hey.... what are you doing standing there, care to join the queue?" a voice resounded in his ear from behind, jolting him out of his mirage of thoughts.

Vondrel looks back and could see an handsome guy with blonde Afro hair cut, a tall guy with body like a gymnast.

"sorry, I was just lost in thought." He replied

"No problem lad come join the queue, you don't plan to stand there all day." The boy said with a smile.

"Anyways my name is James, James Chuks." James added

"Okay...thanks." Vondrel replied awkwardly

' What person lesrns someone's name and doesn't reciprocate.' James thought, he shook his head as he walked to join the queue.

After two hours, it got to James turn, he was asked to fill a form, then he placed his hand on an hand scanning machine. He was scanned and giving an ID with his room number and student number.

As he walked to join the long queue, Vondrel's admission to Evercoast Academy was met with shock and ridicule. "How did a failure like him get in?" a student who recognized him as the boy who couldn't awaken an ability whispered. Few professors that were attending to the long queue raised an eyebrow, wondering if it was some kind of mistake.

Vondrel knew he didn't deserve to be there. He had only been admitted due to reasons he wasn't aware of. But he was determined to make the most of it, to prove himself.

However, life at the academy was sure going to be far from easy. Vondrel was shunned by peers who learned of what transpired on the awaken ceremony, treated like a lowlife. Students spit at his feet, call him names like "Worthless" and "Waste".

Some professors voiced their dissatisfaction at seeing someone like him at the gate of the academy, they could do nothing to stop him from getting into the academy, all they did was sneer at him, making snide comments about him. "You're only here because of a mistake," one professor taunted. "You'll never amount to anything."

Vondrel tried to ignore them, to focus on his reason for being in the academy. But it was hard. He felt like an outcast, a constant reminder of failure.

A fat boy walked towards him, accompanied by his little minions. "Hey, Failure," He spat "What are you doing here?"

Vondrel tried to push past him, but they wouldn't budge. "You're not worthy of being here," another student spat.

Vondrel's anger boiled over, but he knew he couldn't fight back. He was already at a disadvantage, a lowlife in the eyes of the academy.

So he did the only thing he could - he endured. He took the insults, the spit, the ridicule. He knew that he had to prove himself, to show that he was more than just a failure.

He felt like he was living in a nightmare, a never-ending cycle of humiliation and shame.

And yet, despite it all, Vondrel refused to give up. He knew that he had to keep pushing forward, no matter how hard it got.

Because in the end, he knew that he was more than just a failure. He was a warrior, a fighter. And he would rise above the hate, above the ridicule. He would prove himself, no matter what it took.

Without responding, he simply walked past the boy and his minions with an unbothered expression.

"Did he just ignored us" one of them said angrily.

"Should we deal with him??" Another said

The fat boy raised his hand to stop them from going after him.

" No need, we would get him while in the academy premises."

When it gets to Vondrel's turn, he was asked to do the same thing everyone before him had been doing , when he get to where he was suppose to fill in his ability, he decide to skip it. The officer in charge of the enrollment asked.

"Why didn't you fill that? " She asked

"Emm.....i don't have an ability yet." Vondrel replied

"What do you mean you don't have an ability.....oh you learnt a sword art, that's good, but you will need an ability to survive here in the academy, because life will be a living hell for you here. " she said

"Okay thanks ma'am I'll scale through." Vondrel replied with an awkward smile

" Lots of people said same thing with that same conviction, but most of them end up being left behind, dead or no where to be seen or heard of. Be careful lad and don't get your hopes up." the officer said.

He then collected his ID and went on his way to search for his dormitory.

Before leaving the officer decided to give him a last warning.

" When you come across one of the gifted or a noble, I would run for my dear life if I were you. Don't die in there kid, survive and ensure you achieve your words."

Vondrel turned around to give a polite bow before finally leave the area to search for his hostel.

' I already have an idea of what I am going to go through here if I don't get stronger. I just wish there is a way.' he thought

" Father, mother, I don't want to fail you but here I am not knowing what to do. " he stopped on his track and stared at the sky.

" Lift your head up to the sky and repeat, the sky is your starting point." the words of his mother resurfaced in his mind.

With that, he sighed and walked off into the academy.