Tendrils of dark mist enveloped Northern’s body as glistening black tapes deftly wove themselves around his form.
For a fleeting moment, he could scarcely discern what was unfolding, despite his eyes clearly observing the shimmering obsidian ribbons dancing across his skin.
An intricate, mechanized black armor composed of segmented onyx metal plates slithered into place over his pale flesh, bestowing an angular, futuristic aesthetic.
The ebon steel plating possessed an almost supernatural luster, the surfaces so infinitely dark they seemed to absorb all light.
The suit enveloped much of Northern’s body, revealing an imposing visage.
Across various sections, glowing azure energy conduits emanated an eerie radiance.
These illuminated lines followed the contours and geometric patterns of the armor, accentuating its sharp facets.
On the chest area, a pair of larger glowing blue elements stood out prominently, reminiscent of a dragon’s smoldering eyes.
Additional armored pieces adorned his shoulders, forearms, and a tail curled out of his lower body.
The helmet seamlessly fused with the neckpiece, two vicious horns twisting forth from its crown.
Four eerie blue eyes, alight with an unsettling glow, gazed out upon their surroundings.
Northern flexed his fingers, assessing any potential restrictions to his mobility.
‘Smooth.’
Apart from its ethereal lightness, the armor moved with him like a second skin – sleek and unencumbering.
If anything, his movements felt more fluid than usual.
With a mere thought, Northern dismissed the helmet.
They folded inward with practiced efficiency, coalescing into a collar at his neckline while those two devilish horns remained affixed to his head.
Unable to visually confirm their presence, his fingers traced the lustrous curves.
‘Crap, am I a devil now?’
Northern surveyed his environs once more, intending to explore one final facet of his newfound abilities.
However, an anomalous occurrence disrupted his plans.
Someone entered the chamber he occupied in reality, and for some inexplicable reason, he could sense their presence.
Dismissing the Night Terror armor, he postponed further experimentation.
For now, he needed to assess this unusual situation.
Thus, he transitioned back to the plane of reality… gently opening his eyes.
For the first few minutes after regaining consciousness, Northern kept his eyes firmly shut, steadying his breathing to avoid any noticeable changes from his unconscious state.
Even the slightest variation in his respiration pattern had caused the woman seated beside his bed to swiftly turn her head.
But upon perceiving no further fluctuations with his eyes closed, she sighed and looked away.
‘As perceptive as ever,’ he mused inwardly.
He needed no visual confirmation to identify her – the lingering scent of alcohol and fiery vermilion tresses were unmistakable.
He felt an unexpected swell of relief that Instructor Annette was the first to greet him upon awakening.
‘I suppose I’ve truly returned home, eh…’
After Annette departed, Northern opened his eyes and sat upright, momentarily closing them once more before surveying his surroundings.
Nothing particularly remarkable – his bed sat central within the modest chamber, dilapidated furnishings scattered haphazardly. The floor and walls were constructed of interlocked brick.
A solitary window to his left filtered in meager rays through white veiled curtains, casting minimal illumination into one corner while shrouding the rest in shadow.
Darkness held no impediment for Northern’s sight.
His perception of the world remained unparalleled and constant, transcending mere light and dark.
He could also sense his environs, though this wasn’t a feature of [All Eyes].
Perhaps an effect of his attributes? Or simply his newfound ability to manipulate Void essence had granted such discernment. His very physicality felt lighter now.
‘It could be due to the evolution…’ Northern pondered briefly before his thoughts drifted to the number of individuals he sensed nearby.
Breathing patterns and footsteps provided the telltale signs.
‘Why are there so many people here?’ The question nagged internally.
“I suppose I should investigate,” he murmured, rising cautiously and slipping out the door.
Peering out first to ensure the corridor was clear, Northern emerged into a dimly lit, narrow hallway with regularly spaced doors lining the walls – undoubtedly more private quarters.
The layout was familiar, reminiscent of structures he had inhabited before being relocated to the tower.
‘If I follow this path, I should reach the exterior.’
His intention was to ascertain precisely how many individuals occupied this place – a curiosity piqued upon initially waking and sensing the multitude of respirations and footfalls.
After a brief sojourn, Northern emerged onto a balcony protruding from the main throne hall’s upper levels.
It seemed a vantage point from which a sovereign would address their subjects.
A troubled frown creased his features as an unorthodox, perplexing scene unfolded before him.
‘What is this?’
Makeshift tents sprouted haphazardly across the immense chamber’s floor while huddled groups conversed in tattered attire. Some drifted toward the exit, their purpose unclear.
‘Why are there so many people here?’ he mentally stammered, gripping the balcony’s edge as trepidation blossomed.
Northern had been certain departing the rift would return him to his home.
Being sent there without consent implied he would be promptly returned upon completing that objective. Or so he’d always assumed.
Yet now, his heart quailed as a disquieting premonition took root – that something far worse may have transpired.
He could even discern individuals around his age, familiar faces from their academy entrance day. All of them looked ragged, rough, with different patches of metal plates adorning their forms.
Some he could perceive were strong and others… not worth his attention.
At a glance, he spotted a black-haired girl garbed in black armor with a crimson cloak striding beside a white-haired companion in a sleek white ensemble.
The latter’s gaze suddenly met his before the raven-tressed woman followed suit.
Northern’s expression contorted into a horrified scowl.
‘Crap… something is horribly wrong here. I can feel it – something terrible has happened.’
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[A/N]
Thank you guys always for the support. We have reached the end of the first volume and will immediately proceed to the next volume.
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