The door opened with a soft click.
Raiven walked into his room, his feet dragging along the floor as he found his way to his bed.
He sat on it, his eyes never leaving the system screen in front of him.
[Slot 1: Two-handed Axe]
[Slot 2: Grayback Chest Plate]
[Grayback Chest Plate: A Rare Rank Chest Plate made from the Soul Shard and Heart of a Grayback Tortoise.]
[Even though it is a Rare Rank Chest Plate, it does not have any unique skills, but it has immense durability.]
Raiven willed it, and the chest plate instantly appeared in his hand.
It was grey-colored.
Raiven ran his fingers along its smooth surface.
It wasn't too thick.
"And that's exactly how I like it," Raiven muttered, "it won't hinder my movement and speed too much."
He put the chest plate back in the inventory.
He laid down, his eyes fixated on the ceiling.
"Thanks again, mum," he whispered.
Stella, his mum, gave him this chest plate in the garden.
Though she smiled all through when she was speaking with him, Raiven could tell.
She was worried, which was normal.
Her son was entering a Hole alone, after all.
But well...
Raiven closed his eyes.
'I have no intention of dying...'
*********
'Survive and raise an undead.'
That was the first thought Raiven had as soon as he woke up.
He looked outside. It was still dark.
Normally, he wouldn't wake up by this time, but today was the Solo Hole Entry, and all the new students were expected to arrive at the academy on or before 7 a.m.
Raiven quickly freshened up, but he didn't wear his uniform.
He wore a black short-sleeved shirt and black trousers that had numerous pockets, together with a pair of sturdy black boots.
He stood in front of the mirror, staring at himself.
"Alright, let's go."
He exhaled deeply before leaving his room.
It was already getting bright a bit, and the sound of singing birds could be heard.
Raiven arrived outside the mansion.
Near the gate, a car was parked.
It wasn't the car that usually carried him to the Academy.
He recognized this one.
It was his elder sister's car.
Allen and Stella were standing in front of the car, smiles plastered on their faces.
Raiven smiled and walked towards the car.
"Come here," Stella instantly said, pulling Raiven in for a hug.
Raiven hugged her back.
"I'll be fine, mum," he said, his voice reassuring.
"I know," Stella said, closing her eyes. "I know, son."
Allen tapped Raiven on the back.
He didn't say anything, but his expression spoke louder than words.
Raiven nodded at him.
He looked at the door of the mansion.
Lily was standing there, staring at him.
Immediately their eyes met, she gave him a small wave with a smile.
Raiven waved back at her.
With that, he entered the car.
As expected, Verah was already inside, seated beside him.
The car drove out of the mansion, heading towards the academy.
It was very early in the morning, so the road wasn't too busy yet.
The chilly wind of the morning passed through the small gap in the window, brushing Raiven's skin.
The silence on the road was peaceful.
The distant twinkling lights of skyscrapers added to the whole beauty.
The silence in the car prevailed.
Until...
"Are you tense?"
Raiven didn't avert his gaze from the road.
"No," he replied. "I don't know how everything will turn out, but I know I'll be fine."
Verah turned her head, staring at him.
"I like that," she said, crossing her legs. "That's the kind of mentality I want you to have."
Raiven nodded.
They finally arrived at the Academy.
Cars were already parked. Other students had already arrived.
Raiven and Verah came down from the car and began walking towards the rows of buses parked in front of the academy hall.
A few minutes later, the open space was already filled with students.
The sky was brighter than before.
Klein stood in front of the students.
AHEM!
All the students instantly focused on him.
With a smile, he began.
"As you all know, it is time for the Solo Hole Entry. You all already know what that means," he said.
"The rule is simple. Return with ten Soul Shards, and you will officially be accepted into this prestigious Academy."
The students began murmuring among themselves.
They already knew that this was the requirement, but hearing it again struck up conversations.
Klein clapped his hands.
"Alright, settle down, everyone," he began, "these buses here will carry different sets of students to different Holes. Each bus will carry 15 students each to a Hole."
Raiven knew how Holes worked.
If 15 students wanted to enter a Hole, they would have to be in physical contact to appear in the same place.
But if they weren't in physical contact, they would appear in different places in the Hole.
Of course, it was a Solo Hole Entry, so nobody would be in physical contact with each other.
"Alright," Klein continued, "as soon as you hear your name, go to bus one."
With that, one of the female staff behind Klein began calling names.
Within minutes, three buses were already full.
Suddenly, Raiven felt a strong pull, yanking him backwards.
As soon as he regained balance, he saw who it was.
It was Verah.
Before he could say anything, she grabbed his right hand, raised it, and wore a bracelet around his wrist.
"Do your best, Raiven," Verah said, looking at him straight in the eyes.
She didn't wait for his reply.
She began walking back to her car, leaving Raiven speechless.
Raiven stared at the bracelet.
'What the hell just happened...?'
Everything happened so fast.
He had even thought Verah had already gone.
He furrowed his brows.
He gently removed the bracelet and put it in his inventory.
It entered, meaning Verah had already removed her Soul Energy from it.
[Slot 1: Two-handed Axe]
[Slot 2: Grayback Chest Plate]
[Slot 3: Soul Shield Bracelet]
[Soul Shield Bracelet: An Elite Rank Item. When activated, a barrier envelops the wearer, blocking any dangerous attack.]
[Note: This bracelet can only be activated 3 times before it becomes useless.]
Raiven's eyes widened.
"I'm definitely prepared..."
And in that exact moment...
"Raiven Ashland!"