Chapter 61: Chapter 61 : A near death experience

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FLASHBACK

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A Few Hours Ago…

The soft hum of early morning resonated through the dormitory halls of Zenith Academy. Golden light streamed in through the arched windows, painting warm streaks across the marble floor.

Alex Dragonheart opened his eyes with a calm smile playing on his lips. Today was the day. Orientation. The first official day of his rise.

Draven, still groggy and rubbing his eyes, glanced sideways from his bunk.

“Why do you look like you won a war in your sleep?” he muttered.

Alex stretched, a glint of excitement flashing through his blue eyes. “Because I did. In my dreams, I ascended.”

Draven blinked. “You’re weird. Even weirder than usual.”

He still remembered the nonsense Alex had pulled the night before. Ever since he showed him his prototype Inviso-Tech suit—a revolutionary suit that could render the user practically invisible—Alex had been stuck to him like glue.

Alex had begged, bargained, and even offered to do one favor—anything in return for Draven to make him one too.

Draven was baffled. “Your favor is worth about as much as expired rations.”

“Come on, man. Think of it as a legacy project. The first user of your genius tech!”

To shut him up, Draven had said, “I’ll think about it.”

That gave him a little peace… until this morning.

—

The soft morning light streamed in through the stained-glass window, casting colors that danced across the polished floor. The energy of change was palpable.

Alex stood before the mirror, shirtless, steam rising from the basin near his bed. His silver hair glistened with drops of water, and his chiseled physique bore the evidence of relentless training. A constellation of old scars, battle-born muscles, and the faint glow of energy resonated from his core.

His blue eyes, sharp and determined, stared back at himself in the mirror.

With regal calm, he began to dress.

The matte-black undershirt hugged his body.

The fitted slacks, trimmed in golden lines, added sleekness.

Then came the blazer.

White, with golden embroidery and crimson lining. It slid onto his shoulders with silent majesty.

The gold insignia over his heart shimmered.

Then he turned.

A massive golden Zenith Phoenix spread its wings across the back of his blazer, stitched in metallic thread that caught the light in waves. Its feathers seemed to dance, its eyes burned with intent, and at its center blazed a sword pointing skyward.

It wasn’t just an outfit.

It wasn’t just a decoration.

It was a statement.

A crown on the back of a king.

He looked like royalty.

Alex fastened the golden buttons, adjusted his collar, then smirked.

“Time to show the world what a background character can become.”

—

Meanwhile, Draven stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his uniform. The standard Zenith Academy blazer—deep black with crimson linings, silver buttons, and white slacks—fit him perfectly. The silver phoenix insignia over the heart gleamed subtly in the morning light.

“Not bad,” he muttered.

Then Alex walked out of the changing room—and time stopped.

Draven’s breath hitched. For a brief second, he genuinely wondered if the guy had somehow turned into a royal prince.

Alex wore a pristine white blazer with crimson linings and golden embroidery so elegant it shimmered with each movement. The golden insignia on his chest gleamed like sunlight on a blade.

But the real crown jewel?

A massive Zenith Phoenix emblem in brilliant metallic thread stretched across the back—wings spread wide, flames woven into each feather, and a blazing sword pointed skyward.

The air around Alex practically pulsed with presence.

His silver hair fell in soft layers, framing a face that could have made idols jealous. His blue eyes—calm, cold, yet oddly gentle—made the whole ensemble look like it was custom-crafted for him and him alone.

“Oi… Oi… what the hell is that?” Draven stammered.

Alex raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Your uniform! Why is it different—and way, way cooler than mine?!”

Alex smirked. “Who knows? Maybe they just gave you an ugly one.”

“YOU—! I’m going to file a protest!”

They fell into their usual banter, insults flying playfully back and forth. But deep down, Draven felt a chill.

Then Draven stopped.

He stared at Alex.

Eyes narrowed.

Mouth slightly open.

As if a sudden realization dawned on him.

Then, slowly, he laughed.

A nervous, trembling laugh.

“Nah… no way. It can’t be. This joker of a freaky guy can’t be…” he muttered to himself, nodding as if trying to exorcise a demon.

Alex raised a brow. “What?”

“Nothing! NOTHING! Let’s go.”

Draven laughed again, looking at Alex and shaking his head. “Nah. That’s impossible. This freak? No way.”

Alex adjusted his collar and stepped out. “Let’s go. The world’s waiting.”

—

They left the dorm, noticing the eerily quiet hall.

“Where is everyone?” Alex asked.

“Probably already gone. Most candidates wanted to find out who made the Top 10 before orientation even starts,” Draven replied.

“Oh,” Alex nodded. “Guess we should also hurry up.”

They headed toward the warp gate located at the dormitory’s plaza. The shimmering archway hummed as they activated it, instantly transporting them to the Central Zone—a vibrant core of the academy where the main academy building was surrounded by lush gardens and towering spires.

The auditorium was only a short distance east of the main spire, clearly visible from their arrival point.

That was when it happened.

“Hey… what’s that?” Alex asked.

“Hm?” Draven turned.

Alex pointed at a small creature not far from them. It looked like a miniature fox—silver fur shimmering with a faint glow, eyes bright as moonlight, and faint rings of light pulsing around its bushy tail.

“A Moonfox,” Alex whispered in awe.

Draven blinked. “A what-now?”

“You don’t see it?”

“There’s nothing there, Alex.”

Just then, the Moonfox tilted its head and bolted southwest.

Without hesitation, Alex chased after it. “Come back here.”

He didn’t know why—he just felt he should follow it.

Draven blinked. “What the—ALEX!”

Cursing, he sprinted after him.

—

Fifteen minutes later, they found themselves deep in a thick forest.

“Twilight Sanctuary…” Draven muttered, wide-eyed. “You idiot. This place is restricted!”

Suddenly, the Moonfox stopped and looked back, pointing its tail toward a clearing as if urging alex to go in that direction.

The Moonfox looked back at them, then turned and disappeared into a misty thicket.

But as Alex took a step towards that direction, a low growl stopped him.

His feet froze. From the shadows emerged creatures that looked like armored rhinos fused with porcupines. Thick plated skin, massive horns, and long, thorn-covered tails.

“Spikoboars,” Draven whispered. “They’re territorial beasts—especially dangerous in packs.”

Alex gulped. ” Draven don’t panic it looks like i may have messed up. Time to run.”

When he turned—Draven was already gone.

“YOU ASSHOLE!”

He activated Shadow Step—his form blinking across the trees as he teleported meter after meter with each step.

Within seconds, he caught up.

“You goddamn cheater!” Draven yelled.

“Says the guy who abandoned me!”

Then the Spikoboars launched a volley of thorny projectiles.

One almost hit Draven in a particularly tragic spot.

“MY ASS!” he shrieked. “You jackass all of this happening because of you but why are they focusing mostly on me.”

Alex laughed mid-run. “Guess they didn’t like your face.”

“I swear, if we survive, I’ll kill you myself!”

They darted deeper, dodging and panicking.

Draven activated a small shield artifact just in time to block another volley of spikes.

They ran, not even realizing they were going deeper into the forest.

They kept running—until they noticed the Spikoboars had stopped chasing.

Breathing heavily, they leaned against trees.

Then silence.

“Hah… we’re safe…” Draven sighed.

“Phew,” Alex gasped. “Maybe they—”

Suddenly, shadows loomed above and fell over them.

Alex squinted. “Hey… is it gonna rain or something?”

He looked at Draven.

The guy was shaking.

Alex looked up.

A pack of Wyverns.

Big.

Many.

And pissed.

“Oh, fu—”

Fire breath charged in their throats, ready to rain death down.

Both thought it was over.

Just before the flames hit, a figure blinked in front of them.

A massive teleportation glyph bloomed under their feet.

In a flash, they vanished.

They reappeared at the central spire.

Alive.

Panting.

When they opened their eyes—they were back at the Central Spire.

Before they could rejoice, a powerful hand smacked their heads.

“Ow—HEY!”

They turned.

A man in his late 40s stood tall, robes of midnight blue and silver. His gaze was sharp as blades.

“Professor Varellian Dawnstride,” he said sternly. “You two morons just tried to get yourselves killed on Day One.”

Alex and Draven stood stiff.

“You entered the Twilight Sanctuary without permission—and a restricted part at that. The only reason you’re alive is because the sensors triggered an alert. If I hadn’t intervened—”

“We’re sorry!” both said simultaneously before he could complete the sentence.

Varellian sighed.”You’re lucky it’s your first day. Any other time, and I’d have booted you to janitorial duty for a month. Now go.”

When they explained they were heading to orientation, he smacked their heads again.

“You’re late. Run.”

They checked the time.

They were very late.

Alex blinked. Suddenly, an idea formed in his head. “Professor… could you teleport us there?”

Draven and Varellian stared at him in disbelief.

“Did you just ask the man who saved us from certain death despite all the trouble we gave him—to give us a ride?!”

Veins popped on Varellian’s forehead.

Alex, seeing this, said, “I guess that’s a no.”

He bolted.

Draven followed. “YOU NEVER LEARN, YOU SHAMELESS BASTARD!”

They finally reached the grand auditorium gates.

Panting, covered in twigs and sweat.

They pushed open the massive golden doors.

All heads turned.

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