《Ashes of Hell》Chapter 14 - Training - part 4
Advertisement
"I'm sorry to inform you, Mr. Nestor, but your 'key' is of the lowest rank. Thus I couldn't assign you a single room like I did for your companion, Mr. Linneo.
I can tell you more this time. Your key has basically lost all its uses, as you can feel, it already cannot help you in calming your status.
Probably you didn't think about it, but as soon as you arrived here it helped you in keeping your cool after a moment of extreme shock.
After all, this is what low-graded keys do, transporting you here after death and ensuring you don't die soon after due to a panic attack."
Teresa, this time, explained thoroughly why Nestor had to share his room with someone else. She even went out of her way to add more information.
'Is she feeling guilty about last time? A sweet girl indeed, however, I have the feeling that judging people simply by appearances here, isn't very wise.
Nonetheless, I won't throw away my key just like that, it is a keepsake for me. It is both the end of my previous life and the start of my new one.
Plus it is not true that I didn't make a psychological check on myself. Every sane person would do that after experiencing death, key or not.'
After a quick shower, Nestor put back on both his trousers and jacket, which he hoped he could wash up in the following days. Maybe even buy a new set of cloth, since the temperature in Ceres was constant at all times and never went a certain limit, it being from 25 to 20 degrees Celcius.
Thus it was never truly cold, but it wasn't as hot either. Nestor had walked a lot in the past two days, thus he started to feel some sweat smell coming from his clothes.
Soon after Linneo knocked on his door, signaling that twelve hours had passed from when they went into their rooms.
'It's not surprising that I slept for so long, after all, that I went through. I really need to buy a lot of stuff for myself, earlier having some soap to use in the shower wouldn't have been that bad.
Advertisement
I also need to buy some food and water, even stockpiling some for emergencies could be a good choice.
The problem is that I don't have money, I'll ask teacher for a way to find a job as soon as we'll have our first lesson.
Right, he didn't even tell me when or how we'll get in touch, it's not like I can search for him through the entirety of the academy.
Maybe he even has an office where he studies, but the doors of the academy tend to move, they usually don't stay in the same spot for long.
Damn, so many things to do. Linneo was kind enough to keep count of how much time passed, but I won't be able to always rely on him.
I'll have to buy if not an artifact at least a few candles to be more autonomous for the next few days. I have also yet to sell the jacket, though I'd hope not to sell my trousers.'
A few ridiculous thoughts lingered on his mind, would it really hurt to experience an ounce of exhibitionism? After all, he never attempted this kind of thing his whole life, well now two lives.
Jokes aside, Nestor stretched a bit his shoulders and went straight for the academy, until reaching Teresa's reception office and asking her about his room.
Ten minutes later they were walking on the sidewalk of the perfectly straight streets of the city. Strange floral-shaped street lamps were adoring the main avenue leading to the valley of avarice.
The lamps were giving a bright green light, enhancing the natural shade of the climate in the city. Lush bushes and neatly trimmed trees were also present on the sidewalk.
Nestor could also already see an increased number of shops on both sides of the road.
Many people were also busy traveling the road. Some were running at unbelievable speeds, at least for Nestor standards, many others were traveling by carriage or some strange steed.
"Oh my! This is truly unbelievable!"
In particular, the sight of humongous reptilian beasts, reminiscing him of lizards, was absurdly shocking for Nestor. Before, during his trips between the gate, the academy, and the lodgings he had not seen them.
Advertisement
Mostly students like him, normal people, and some speedsters were bustling in the academic zone.
But now it was non-other than chaos, so many strange and unbelievable beasts that he was about to collapse. Either from fear of being stepped on and eaten, excitement from them being able to be tamed, or embarrassment from showing such vivid emotions.
Until now the duo had been talking about their past life, sharing some bits every so often.
Linneo showed great respect and admiration toward his ancestors. They had built their city, Ulhul, inside a gigantic glacier, being exceptionally sturdy it had taken them decades only to carve through the ice, even with the use of magical artifacts.
Nestor on the other hand had spoken of the marvels left behind by the roman empire. During his past life, he had visited Rome quite a few times, as it was the beating heart of the religion he professed. He described the magnificent buildings that almost rivaled that of the chained city. Even if here, they were abnormally bigger, some were very similar.
"Nestor, I understand your surprise, however, you need to make your skin thick in front of such occasions. Back In my homeworld, remaining shocked before an unknown fiend would spell death.
I am sure it must be the same here, if not much worse. Keep your composure at all times, that is my motto."
A smile appeared on his face, as Linneo observed Nestor's expression of disbelief slowly changing back to normal.
" Thank you for reminding me. I'm all good now, let's go."
Soon enough, Nestor's straight expression was put to test, perhaps a little too soon for his own taste.
The duo arrived at the far end of the avenue, from where they could see a wide plaza, kilometers wide. Many other streets converged here, channeling a seemingly endless stream of all kinds of humans and sentient creatures alike.
The plaza was packed with stands and merchants willing to sell their goods. The crowded appearance of the place remembered Nestor of the great open-air market back in Florence.
Yet his jaw almost dropped to the floor once he saw what stood in the middle of the plaza.
Sitting on a greyish stone throne, was a giant humanoid figure. The duo was currently facing the back of the sitting figure. However once on his legs, the individual could reach almost thirty meters height.
Nestor couldn't distinguish their features very well from the distance, however, he could tell that the figure was wearing a white hooded robe adorned with golden embellishments.
His left arm was resting on the stony armrest of the throne, while the right one was pointing at the sky.
'That's not exactly what he's doing, He's pointing straight to the sun!'
Even if he noticed as much, Nestor couldn't have been possibly the only one to do so. Many others must have had the same sensation, yet like him, they couldn't know the meaning of the gesture.
"This is a sight to behold, truly. Maybe while we make our way to the giant, we could also check on a few shops to complete our errands."
Apparently, Linneo had already been tasked by his teacher to buy for him a few ingredients here in the valley. While Nestor had already shared his intent to purchase a time-related artifact.
Linneo pointed out that this was the right decision since normal tools wouldn't work properly in the city. The reason being, that here was easy for newcomers to remain scammed out of their few belongings.
Finally, he confidentially praised the generosity of his teacher, as he had gifted him such an artifact, which he used to keep track of time.
'I thought it might have been related to one of his personal skills, yet he has been cheating all the time hah!'
The duo made their way toward the center of the plaza while checking on a stand every so often.
At a certain point, a particular tent caught Nestor's attention. A wooden sign directly announced the owner of the shop and said:
"Levante's exquisite emporium".
Advertisement
Borne of Caution
An irritated Pokemon might tell you to stop what you're doing. An irritated animal will probably just attack you. Pokemon, for all their power, would be open books and a breeze to care for to any competent animal handler on Earth. After a fiery death, a professional zookeeper who never outgrew Pokemon games ends up in the world of Pokemon. The entire world is thrown onto its side.
8 205Memory Lane
Five child prodigies are invited to an elusive tech CEO's private island. Surrounded by enigmatic geniuses, Daniel is forced to face his past through everlasting, haunting, memories. Unravel the mysteries of the island along with the characters inside, but try not to get killed. How does one move on? Must you forget about your past to truly overcome it? If this is going to be the future, why live in the present? Complete
8 110Escapia: A VRMMO
Escapia is a huge open world where every floor and every boss is designed differently, there are 10 classes, and there are hunting spots and activities in each floor! After our main characters are trapped in Escapia, they try to finish the game in order to return to their world. But to finish the game, they have to level up, fight the bosses on the floors, and unlock all the floors. On the last floor, there is the developer of the game himself. Finally, Escapia is truly an MMO! So with all its pros and cons... In the game, they have to grind, talk to NPC's and balance and upgrade a lot of power systems at the same time. To say the least, Escapia is a dark comedy on the one hand and a VRMMO story where various maps and worlds are explored on the other! I'm an author in Meganovel, Royalroad and Webnovel for now! Picture: https://tr.depositphotos.com/18265217/stock-photo-alien-world-in-winter.html Meganovel Version: https://www.meganovel.com/book_info/31000269578/Games/Escapia-A-VRMMO Webnovel Version: https://www.webnovel.com/book/escapia-a-vrmmo_22681838305752305
8 111Class Systems
A random young man wakes up in a random new world rife with violence, magic, and power. Finding himself in a body that already has abilities, he has to learn to manage his rage if he wants to survive.
8 102Our Chaoz ; Our Reality [New Breath]
We've all at one point, imagined living in a game-like reality. We've read the books, we've watched the shows. So has Kyle, but not even he could see it coming. Delving into a brand new game, Kyle and his guild find themselves in the very center of a war-torn world. His past, present, and future all converge on him, as his very emotions threaten to shred him apart from the inside. Kyle and his guild take it upon their shoulders to survive this world of Chaoz. The Gods of this world only toying with them, Kyle shuns them, he and his guild listen to no one. He and his guild align themselves with no one, no one but themselves. Have you ever thought about what would happen? What would happen if a guild of assholes were stuck in a "summoned to a fantasy game-world" setting? Take my hand and read on, I'll lead you through it. Through the discovery of one's self. The loss of one's everything. The surrender of one's beliefs. And the sacrifice, of one's life, for another. Take my hand dear reader, and allow me to show you, my world of Chaoz.
8 180The Eternals
The story follows three perspectives thousands of miles away in a world shattered by war between a magical race called Ninevans and humans.Leo is the Prince of the Union, heir and first in line. To gain achievement equal to his godly parents, he decided to journey south to the mysterious broken land of Dandaria.Crystal is a Gifted- a Ninevan born with magic. But the magic she was born with, being one of the forbidden ones, has always been her greatest curse. Tangled in the mess of politics and conspiracies, she tries to survive in a world caged by a tyrant.Fredrich is noble conscripted to defend the human realm against the Ninevans. Reluctant and bloody, he experiences the cruelty of war firsthand.Three paths divided, three paths destined to converge. Forces of long ago are waking, forces which destroyed the world once. The world needs the Eternals once more. ***This novel has a prequel titled "The Union" which is already finished in Webnovel. Readers of this novel don't need to read the prequel. The story is slow at first and a lot to take in with branching mysteries. But please be patient as this is an epic fantasy which will extend for hundreds of chapters. Maps will soon be added.The cover image is not mine and a fan art of The Stormlight Archive series (my favorite book series). Credits to the owner
8 124