Seven Years Later,
Ding...Ding
The system notification pops up
[ Daily Quest Completed ]
[ Run 10km ]
[ 100 push-ups]
[ 100 pull-ups]
[ 50 squats ]
[ 50 crunches ]
Rhys looked at the system window cross-eyed as he gulped water down his throat. He was covered in sweat. One could see his amazing physique and abs as he was exercising shirtless on the orphanage grounds. By this time, his body had developed quite well, given his good looks and finely developed muscles. A lot of girls around his age had a crush on him, but he wasn't interested in such things.
Completing up the daily quest of exercise helped him to shape his body. These quests started to arrive three years ago when he started preparing for his goal. He now knew what he had to do in this life, and that was an achievement in its own. As the path got clearer, he started to prepare at full pace. There were no excuses, just discipline and hard work, which helped him to achieve a good physical form.
Rhys opens up his status window.
[ Status Window ]
[ Name: Rhys ]
[ Title: The Cursed One ]
[ Age: 13 ]
[ Class: ??? ]
[ Level: 2 ]
[ HP: 100 ]
[ Mana: 1 ]
[ Strength: 15 ]
[ Agility: 15 ]
[ Intelligence: 30 ]
His stats were progressing quite slowly, and his mana had a progress of one. Rhys knew that it had something to do with the killing, but he left that thing for later to figure out.
"Hah, looks like that's enough training for today."
"Hey boy, the director has called you to the office."
One of the helpers told Rhys as he was heading towards the change room.
After getting fresh and changed, Rhys headed towards the director's office.
knock..knock
"Please come in."
As Rhys entered the office, he saw Anna working at her desk. She was a bit older, her hair had turned grey, and she had gained a bit of weight. Remembering how skinny she was, it was a good thing. Although she developed wrinkles, her smile still had that warmth in it. She corrected her specs and looked up towards Rhys.
"Oh, it's you, Rhys, please have a seat," the director said softly.
Due to her friendly and warm nature and good progression with kids, Anna acquired the position of Director as the former director retired.
"Seeing how you train on the ground daily and work hard to achieve good health really makes me feel proud," the director said while pouring tea from the kettle and passing the cup to Rhys.
"May I know why I have been summoned over here?"
" I see, your nature of response hasn't changed till date." She smiled.
"Well, I know you don't like sweet long talks, so I will keep it simple for you."
Saying so, the director passed a letter to Rhys. Just having a look, he understood what it was.
He slowly takes a sip of tea, giving a sharp, cunning smile.
"May I know what it is, Rhys?"
"You know the content of it, what's the meaning of even asking me?"
The director looked at Rhys with a serious face.
"Ha…Okay, this is my request letter for admission to the Military School of Celestria."
He said it with confidence, and his eyes had determination in them. Looking at those fierce eyes, the director could tell that he was being sincere about it. She changed her tone and softly said.
"Look Rhys, I have known you since your first day in this orphanage, and I am telling you this not as the Orphanage's Director, you should reconsider this. You are a scholar, and I am sure that if you try to be in a different field, you will definitely succeed in it, and don't worry, if you want to study something different, we will support you as much as we can. So think again, you still have time."
"I am sure you know our empire's condition better than anyone over here, with all that you want to go to the military school? And to too in the Military School of Celestria? That school is a playground for nobles and royalty. I know that getting into such a school is an honour for anyone in the empire, especially commoners like us, but there is a boundary between us and them."
"The environment over there will be quite harsh, and the path you have chosen for yourself will lead you to eternal despair. Given what you have gone through as a five-year-old, I don't want such things to happen again. You are thirteen; you still have one year after this to figure things out before you leave the orphanage. Think this through."
"Rhys, the admission criteria are very tough; only the nobles and royalty can pass through the gates of that school. Look, I am not trying to demoralise you, but one should know that some things should remain untouched; otherwise, it can create chaos."
"Exactly my point, Director, some things should remain untouched; otherwise, they will create chaos, and in this matter, that something is me, and others should mind getting in my way; else, they have to pay a hefty price for the interruption."
Seeing Rhys unfazed and giving a bold reply, the Director knew that Rhys wasn't going to back down easily on this matter, but she was genuinely concerned for Rhys.
"Ok so let me tell you the harsh reality: such a school requires you to pay a huge amount if you want to enter it, which you obviously don't have."
"I know, but I can have a letter of recommendation from a military-funded orphanage's Director, and I just have to pass an admission exam."
Anna was shocked by Rhys's reply and gave him a blank look.
"I have done my homework, Director." Keeping his serious face, he replied in a sarcastic tone.
"Sigh...Alright, do what seems correct to you. But remember, I will always welcome you no matter what. This is your home, don't forget that."
Saying so, the Director signs the paper.
"Sure."
Rhys gives a devious smile.