The system suddenly announced its name as though it felt insulted being referred to as a mere system.
Of course, as a powerful artificial intelligence that once served the God of chaos, even as nothing more than an assistant created to serve its master, it naturally had its own pride.
Sensing the bitterness in its emotionless voice, Carson's brow twitches slightly.
'Did I hit a nerve?' He wondered.
'Okay, please take care of me from now on, Evangeline.'
[Understood!] Evangeline replied in its usual emotionless voice, though he didn't know if it was just a figment of his Imagination, but her voice seemed to be slightly happy as it responded to him.
However, Carson couldn't stop his lips from subconsciously curving upwards into a faint smile.
The class continued smoothly afterwards, and Mr Mason continued his long, detailed explanation on the topic of dungeons and their mysteries.
Many of the students present listened intensely as Mr Mason continued his explanation. Their interest piqued. Carson also wrote down everything explained by Mr Mason attentively.
It was only after two or three-hours doing class finally ended with the faint sound of the bell.
"Alright, onto your next class." Mr Mason said as he gracefully erased what was written on the whiteboard.
Carson quickly picked up his notebook and packed his bags before heading towards the door. From behind, someone approached him with hurried steps.
"Hey, can you tell me why you came here so late?" Luna asked as she gazed at him worriedly.
After all, Carson was someone who always arrived on time for all of his classes, as his attendance was perfect. This was definitely the first time he had ever shown up so late.
Hearing her sudden question, Carson's brow furrowed as he recalled what had happened on his way to class.
"... I got into some trouble on my way to class, that's all." He said succinctly.
"You got into some trouble. Should I be worried?" She inquired with a furrowed brow. Luna gazed at Carson's side profile with a serious expression etched on her face.
The two walked through the crowded hallway together as the sound of their fellow classmates resounded continuously.
"No, you don't have to worry, I'll take care of it." He responded.
"Eh, you will take care of it." Luna's steps came to a halt as she gazed at him somewhat sceptically.
'H-How exactly is he going to do that?' She wondered.
"What kind of trouble did you get yourself into?"
"... Please do not worry, I doubt it's something worth concerning, anyway, we should go," Carson replied, changing the subject as he grasped her hand and quickly made his way to his next class. Luna didn't resist and allowed herself to be dragged along.
"Wh-What class do you have next?" Luna asked curiously.
At her question, Carson pondered to himself before uttering, "I have physical training next."
"Physical training, are you going to be okay?"
She asked, worry evident on her face. Carson was currently an unevolved human, as his physical body was greatly inferior to that of an evolved human. Not to mention, he also wasn't good when it came to doing anything strenuous.
The physical training at the magic academy was greatly difficult and put a lot of pressure on those who aren't physically strong. Because of this, physical training was his least favourite subject, at least in the past.
'Now that my body is much stronger, I should be able to get a good grade in this class.' He secretly thought to himself.
"You don't have to worry about me... I'll be fine," Carson said with a reassured smile adorning his face. However, that wasn't enough to calm her troubled heart.
"Besides, as a member of this academy, I have no other choice but to participate in training."
While the academics were very important, what really matters here are the physical training lessons, as everyone here is expected to be the next protectors of humanity.
Even if Carson wasn't an evolved human, he wasn't an exception, after all, he also attended this academy like everyone else. After walking for roughly ten minutes, they finally arrived at the entrance to the training grounds.
The room was spacious and filled with different types of weapons for either close-range combat or long-range.
The instructor was already standing in the centre of the training grounds as he waited for the students to get ready.
"Lady Ella seems to be the centre of attention, as usual," Luna muttered as she observed the crowd of students gathering nearby.
Carson also turned his attention towards the crowd and said with some bitterness in his voice, "It's only natural. After all, Ella is from a very powerful family."
[Checking status....]
[Error detected. The stats of the individual "Ella" cannot be read at this time. The active skill
"Eh?" Carson couldn't help but raise an eyebrow as he let out a strange noise. Unreadable, he didn't understand why he couldn't read Ella's stats.
'Is it because she is stronger than me?' He wondered.
'Do you know why I can't read her stats?'
[Answer: The individual called "Ella Elsher" seems to be intentionally hiding her status. Unfortunately, it is impossible for me to analyse her stats during this time. The only information available is her name. Ella Elsher.]
Evangeline explained, Carson's lips curved into a wry smile as he noticed Evangeline's usual monotonous voice held a smear of displeasure; she sounded annoyed. As though her pride had been wounded.
"She intentionally hid her stats. To be able to do something like that." Carson gazed deeply at Ella, who leaned gently against the wall with an unreadable expression on her face.
'She isn't normal.' He thought inwardly.
Ella Elsher is currently 16 years old and the current heir of the Elsher family. One of the five great families that specialises in the use of ice manipulation. Ella was also viewed as a prodigy by those around her from a very young age.
"Lady Ella, I'm from a powerful family that specialises in the sword. Let's work together."
"No, I'm from a powerful family that uses water manipulation. In terms of effectiveness and compatibility, I'm more suited to be Lady Ella's partner."
"Dream on. With my mental control, I can easily assist Lady Ella."
The students all shouted one after another. Ella's expression was cold and indifferent as she closed her eyes. Carson dragged Luna along as they both made their way towards the instructor, completely ignoring what was happening behind them.
Standing in the corner of the room, Ella opened her eyes and peered at Carson's face closely as her eyes flashed with a peculiar glint. After observing his figure closely for a moment, she closed her bright violet eyes once again, completely ignoring the muttering around her.
"Hm, a new instructor?" Luna said as she observed the instructor who stood tall and imposing in the distance. Carson subconsciously followed her gaze as he also noticed the instructor as well.
A middle-aged man holding a three-meter-long silver spear with short black hair dressed in a black military suit stood with his back straight.
The pressure that he exuded was simply overwhelming, to say the least. 'Hm, I don't recognise him. Is he a replacement for the previous instructor?' He wondered.
'Evangeline, can you assess the instructor?' He inquired curiously. He was really curious to know how strong the instructor was in combat.
[Understood!] came Evangeline's immediate response.
—————
Name: Jax Bernard
Race: Superior human
Tier: Evolved human (Mid stage)
Age: 34
Level: 23
Mana: 300
Soul power: 50
Magic: Wind
Strength: 104
Defence: 100
Dexterity: 200
Agility: 200
Intelligence: 100
Hp: 200/200
Skill:
[Perfect precision.] (level 4) (Passive skill)
[Description: Perfect precision
—————
"Amazing, his stats are so high," Carson mumbled to himself. This was the first time he had seen someone with such high stats. However, what really surprised him was his skill, 'A skill capable of never missing its target, and an 20% of chance of landing a critical.' He shuddered at the terrifying effect of the skill.
'As expected, he is really strong.' He thought inwardly. However, strangely enough, he only felt the urge to fight. As though an insatiable hunger for power has been kindled deep within his soul.
'My guess was right, there really seems to be something off about Ella, how was she able to hide her status from Evangeline?' His mind went back to what happened earlier. He furrowed his brow in doubt, but at that moment.
[Notice: New quest is now available.]
Evangeline's voice resounded within his head.
'Eh, a quest?' The unexpected news greatly surprised him.
"What kind of quest?" He inquired.
[Description: Raise your level from level 3 to level 10 in less than 3 hours.]
[Rewards for completions: Master will receive 10 spiritual points to distribute freely.]
[Penalty of failure: The master will suffer agonising soul pain for 30 minutes.] Evangeline explained in a flat, emotionless voice.
Reading the description that reflected within his bright blue pupils, Carson couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
'Raise my level from level 3 to level 10 in less than 3 hours.' It seemed easy enough. When he saw the rewards, he couldn't help but feel a bit of eagerness in his heart.
However, when he saw the penalty of failing to complete the quest within the given time limit, Carson couldn't help but sweat cold buckets.
'I really don't want to suffer any agonising pain, especially not soul pain.' He thought inwardly. However, the rewards were tempting enough for him to accept it.
'Can you tell me how I can raise my level?'
Carson asked Evangeline. Based on his experience playing video games, he would probably have to kill monsters and gain experience points, but currently, he couldn't see anything of the sort on his screen.
[Answer: There are currently two ways to raise your level. One is to kill other living beings and absorb their soul power to strengthen your body and soul.] Evangeline explained fluently.
"Soul power?" Carson muttered with a confused expression etched on his face.
"Hm, did you say something?" Luna asked, confused. However, Carson only smiled gently at her and shook his head.
'What is soul power?' He inquired.
[Soul power is a special energy produced by the soul. Once you absorb it, not only will your entire existence strengthen, but your overall potential will also strengthen as well... All living beings on this planet have been absorbing soul power from since they underwent their evolution.]
'I see... Come to think of it, considering everyone had their own level and skill, I guess I shouldn't be surprised.' He thought inwardly.
Over the many years, many researchers have tried to find out the reason behind the sudden evolution of Earth and its inhabitants.
But no matter how much they had research there were no satisfactory results.
That was to be expected, as aside from Carson, no one else could have access to the system and its functions.
Those were his thoughts, but in actuality, evolvers would in fact become more aware of the system as they continue to evolve and absorb a higher quality of soul power. Once their soul core strengthens to the point that their spiritual sense improves, they would be able to interact with the status of the Akashic records.
The system, Evangeline, was created by the combination of chaos and creation by the goddess of creation and the god of chaos. She was mainly created to be an imitation of the true system which governed the universe.
The true system, the Akashic records, was the system which allowed humans and other creatures to evolve. As the evolvers grew stronger, they would eventually gain access to the system. Ever-present, the Akashic record was the foundation for the universe, laws, dimensions, and even all forms of energy were within the influence of the Akashic records.
Evangeline was a system which had developed its own will. Her purpose was to act as a support for the god of chaos; she also had access to the Akashic record as well.
Since the beginning, they have been absorbing the soul power of other living creatures. The wars between humans, beasts, and monsters also helped strengthen either side as they kept absorbing each other's soul power.
Humans, elves, mermaids, beasts, and monsters, all living beings, had their own souls and constantly produced soul power, which is then absorbed when killed.
[The second method that could help raise your level is to find soul stones and absorb the soul power hidden within.] Evangeline explained.
'Hm, soul stones?' He tilted his head in confusion.
[Answer: Soul stones are formed from the lingering soul power of an existence. Whenever an evolver kills another, they directly absorb the soul power. However, whenever an evolver dies from natural causes such as illnesses or old age, their soul power is dispersed into the atmosphere and eventually becomes soul stones instead.]
Carson's mind went blank when he heard this, 'If that's the case, then the only way for me to level up is to kill.' He felt an indescribable repulsion at the thought of killing another living being.
Although he was being trained to kill, being taught something and actually doing it were completely separate things.
His hand trembled as he imagined taking another living being's life. Watching him from the side, Luna furrowed her brow.
"Carson, are you sure you're okay? If the training is too much for you, then I'll talk with the instructor." She whispered in his ear, noticing his slightly pale face.
"N-No... I'm fine, don't worry." Carson replied.
'If I want to become stronger, then this is something I must do.' He thought.
"Good morning, class. I am Jax Bernard, and I will be instructing you for your training today." The instructor, who goes by the name Jax, suddenly spoke as he noticed everyone had finally settled in.
"Today, you will all be doing some close-quarters combat to measure your strength." His voice boomed across the room, reaching everyone's ear.
Many of the students became excited when they heard that. Particularly, the ones who specialised in both offence and defence.
Carson's lips curved upwards into a faint smile.
This was the perfect opportunity for him to test his new strength. However, in the distance, Ella, who had been ignoring everyone until now, finally opened her eyes. She subconsciously turned her attention towards Carson, who stood a few meters away from her.