Born In Ashes: The Enigma

(You have completed the task— Enter the Elite Class of the Slayers Academy as the rank one student)

(Reward— Class Level Artifact— Purification Ring)

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The moment Azrael woke up, two notifications flashed before his eyes, informing him that he had completed his task.

'It seems no one was able to go beyond level 8 in the Tower of Trials before the assessment ended,' Azrael thought inwardly and from his inventory, he took out the reward he had just received.

A silver ring with a very small, shining white crystal embedded in its center appeared in his hand.

Azrael examined the ring, and his status window immediately displayed its information.

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---) Purification Ring (Class Level): A ring made of Morning Silver and a Purification Crystal.

Level Requirement: Level 11 and above.

Effect— After equipping, the user can use the Light Purification skill once per day.

---) Light Purification: Removes all status abnormalities such as curses, debuffs, poisoning, and others from the user. The effectiveness of the skill depends on the severity and level of the abnormalities. If the level of the abnormality is too high, Light Purification will not be effective.

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Azrael studied the details of the artifact and was pleasantly surprised by its effect.

Class-level items that could protect their wielders from curses, poison, debuffs, and other status abnormalities were extremely rare.

Poison and curses, in particular were some of the most difficult threats for low-level rankers to handle, as they were notoriously hard to defend against.

In fact, a high-level curse user could cast a curse on a target from across an entire galaxy, killing them without alerting anyone.

'Now that I am a class-level warrior, I had already planned to acquire an artifact that could protect me from things like curses and poisoning. This really came at the perfect time,' Azrael thought, before putting the ring back into his inventory.

He planned to wear it later as if he wore it now, he wouldn't be able to explain to Ashara where he had obtained it.

As mentioned before, most artifacts came with level requirements. (Chap—56)

The Purification Ring Azrael had obtained could only be used by those at level 11 or higher.

This restriction was also why Azrael had high-level props instead of artifacts as props could be used by anyone regardless of level.

Of course, there were also powerful artifacts that had reduced level requirements, but these were usually weapons such as swords, spears, or other combat gear.

High-level accessory-type artifacts, however, almost always came with high level requirements that matched their rank, just like the class level ring he had received that couldn't be used by those below class level.

After freshening up, Azrael went downstairs and found Ashara already waiting for him.

Even Maelir, who had been absent from home for the past few days—most likely due to the strange incident that occurred when Azrael had activated his power was there.

When Azrael saw Ashara, he felt a tinge of sadness. Now that the academy term had begun, she would be returning today.

But knowing that joining the Slayers Academy was necessary to achieve his goals, he sighed inwardly and kept his feelings hidden.

'It's the first time I've felt emotions like this… and honestly… it's not bad.'

"When will you be going back, Mom?" Azrael asked as the three of them sat down for breakfast.

"Right after breakfast," Ashara replied calmly.

"So soon…" Azrael was surprised at her answer.

"There is no welcome ceremony for new students at the Slayers Academy," Ashara explained. "You'll begin attending classes immediately—today or at the latest, tomorrow. You will also be assigned a dormitory at the academy, so you won't be living outside. Since you'll get busy right after entering, there's no reason for me to stay here any longer."

Azrael looked down at his breakfast plate and nodded.

"I see." He thought for a moment before speaking again.

"Well, there is still quite some time before the academy opens, so I'll see you off."

"Sure," Ashara said with a smile.

"If you want, you could stay here for a few more days. Azrael could also live here instead of in the academy dormitory," Maelir suggested.

Ashara glanced at him, then shook her head after a moment.

"Silas is handling most of the work at home on his own, and he must be in need of help. I can't stay here any longer."

Although Ashara had refused, Maelir still felt pleased that she had explained her reasons calmly instead of rejecting him coldly like she normally did.

Once breakfast was over, Ashara, Azrael, and Maelir headed for the Federation Building so that Ashara could use the cross-galaxy teleportation formation to return home.

They didn't fly this time; instead, Maelir drove the hover car himself, with Ashara and Azrael sitting in the back.

During the ride, Ashara spoke seriously, reminding Azrael to take care of himself, eat on time, and avoid doing anything dangerous. She also told him to call home once a day to update them on his situation, and to come home whenever he had the chance.

Azrael nodded at her words and agreed to everything she said.

Before long, the car stopped in front of the Federation Building. Just like when they had arrived on Planet Arkanis, there were still many people there.

The three of them headed inside, and thanks to Maelir's presence, they didn't have to wait long before a staff member led them to the cross-galaxy teleportation formation.

"Remember everything I told you. If I find out you are skipping meals or neglecting yourself, I'll beat you when you come home," Ashara warned.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll follow everything you said," Azrael reassured her with a light hug.

"Take care and say hello to Kael and Dad for me."

Ashara hugged him back before stepping away and entering the teleportation formation.

'I have already spoken to that old woman. She'll find you when she has time,' Ashara's voice echoed in his mind as the formation began to glow.

Azrael silently nodded and watched as her figure vanished from the room.

He gazed at the now-empty formation with a lost look in his eyes before taking a deep breath, his expression sharpening once more.

'Let's see what this Slayers Academy has in store for me.'