The Fated System

The evening suns painted the sky in hues of amber and gold, illuminating a cobblestone road dusted with the day's wear. The twin suns painted a fantasy-like glow across the desolate plains, devoid of life save for one unfortunate soul. Here, a young boy lay, his body a testament to cruelty—bruised, battered. In a different realm, on Earth, he had been Jared, a programmer who met a heroic end trying to save a girl from a robbery in a final act of bravery, or stupidity depending on how one looked at it. Now, he was an anonymous figure in a land shrouded in mystery on the brink of death once more.

Consciousness crept back into Jared, now inhabiting this new form. His eyes, azure like the depths of an unexplored ocean, flickered open. He was lost in a haze of memories from his past life, clashing with the gritty reality of the present. Pain throbbed through him, each ache echoing his confusion. Etched into the back of his hand was an intricate crest—a Venn diagram of three circles interlocked with an inverted triangle, set starkly against his tanned skin, surrounded by an outline of white scars.

Struggling to rise, every movement was a battle against his battered body. The world around him was an enigmatic blend of ancient architecture and unexplainable magic. The road behind him seemed to hum with an unseen energy. Scattered nearby were a tattered bag and what appeared to be study materials—papers and books sprawled out, whispering secrets of a life he couldn't remember.

As he staggered onto the road, each step a mix of determination and disbelief, a carriage thundered toward him. He barely had time to register the danger before darkness claimed him once again.

Regaining consciousness, Jared found himself in an environment that was a stark contrast to his ragged state. The carriage was lavishly adorned, its opulence overwhelming. Panic surged as he realized he was bound head to toe, the luxurious confines of the carriage becoming a gilded prison. His attempts to struggle were met with sharp pain, plunging him back into unconsciousness.

When the carriage finally halted, Jared's foggy mind clung to snippets of conversation from outside. The door swung open, revealing a woman who exuded elegance and authority. Her gaze was piercing, surveying him with an intensity that felt almost tangible. She spoke commands that revealed her status—not directly to him, but enough for him to glean her importance. "Yes, Vice-Headmaster," the men replied to her orders, their voices echoing with respect and fear.

Jared was then moved to a location he would later learn was the academy. His next awakening was amidst arcane symbols, in the heart of a ritual circle. Lit candles formed a pentagram around him and incense lay burning at his feet while the scent of rosemary and pine floated through the room. Alone and frightened, he screamed for freedom, his voice echoing off unseen walls. The Vice-Headmaster suddenly returned as if called by his screams, and her shock at his liveliness morphed into a calculating gaze. She looked at him in utter confusion and exclaimed, "You... you're alive?" She paced closer and whispered almost to herself, "I swear I had finally found a free corpse to use in my ritual... anyways I can't just kill you to get the corpse or my ritual won't work so I guess you are free to go." His terror ebbed into confusion, then cautious relief, as she unfolded her dilemma. She proceeded to begin untying Jared's hands when she suddenly gasped. 

Noticing the crest on his hand, she made an unexpected offer. "You're from the Hecrule family? Why didn't you say so as soon as I walked in I greatly apologize for what I have done." The lady began stuttering and apologizing every which way only adding to Jared's confusion. 'Who is this woman and who are the Hecrule's? Why does it matter? And she needs a dead body for WHAT? What the fucking hell is going on here and why am I involved in this...' Jared's mind was finally fully awake and confused as hell as to what was going on around him, last he remembered fully he was walking in the streets witnessing a robbery... why was he in some devil ladies office?

"Listen, I am going to offer you waived entry into the academy for both the payment and the exam in return for your silence. You are about to or have just finished primary schooling based on your age and knowing your family you have an attunement to the ritual arts- but even you would have trouble passing the entrance exam so you must know how valuable this opportunity is." The lady paused as if waiting for Jared's response. He looked around and tried to rally his thoughts to form some sort of analysis of the situation. After thinking for a second he finally responded, "How do you have the power to ensure that? No offense Ma'am but I have never seen you before so I am not sure who you are or how you can offer me that... also where am I?" The lady threw back her head and laughed, "Oh I am so sorry I forgot my manners, you must remember I expected you were dead so I was not intending to have this conversation kekeke, I am the Vice-Headmaster of Tilanaz, the esteemed ritualism academy. As for where you are, we are in Tilanaz! Currently ranked the fourth best magical academy in our nation as you surely know. As for how I can ensure your position here, not only am I the Vice-Headmaster, but I am the third most powerful ritual caster in the nation. We can say I ran a special test how about that." She winked at the man and he was dumbfounded as to her reaction. After a short pause as Jared was collecting his thoughts, the lady sighed, "If you still cannot choose then let me add one more layer to the offer, I will personally mentor you and guide you while you are here at the academy how does that sound? Are you in?"

Jared, still grappling with the surreal circumstances of his arrival at the Ritual Academy of Tilanaz, found himself in the presence of Vice-Headmaster Jania, a figure of elegance, authority, and hidden power. His mind, swirling with questions about this strange new world, spurred him to seek answers.

"Vice-Headmaster Jania," he began cautiously, "how is Tilanaz ranked fourth in the nation? And what exactly is this academy all about?"

Jania, looking mildly surprised by his apparent ignorance, responded with a patient, if somewhat perplexed, demeanor. "Tilanaz is renowned for its rigorous training in the ritual arts. Our methods, although occasionally deemed controversial due to their engagement with otherworldly forces, have earned us a prestigious position among the magical academies of our nation," she explained. She then detailed the reason for the academy's secluded location, deep in the foothills, away from civilization to prevent the dire consequences of their potent rituals from affecting nearby settlements​​. "That is probably why you did not recognize where you are, even though your family has ties to this academy we do not allow those who cannot practice the ritual arts themselves to set foot here in case something goes wrong."

"As for our curriculum," Jania continued, unfolding the essence of what Tilanaz offered, "our students begin by learning the basics of ritual combat, ritual theory, sealing rituals, and the rituals for body enhancement to withstand the effects of higher-level rituals. They then progress to intricate Ritual Tattoos, enabling us to quickly summon and harness magical energies. The essential Shadow and Wild Gate rituals are the apex of our magical power and allow us to contact devils and fey for contracts and bindings respectively." Her eyes gleamed with pride as she spoke of the diverse branches of specialization available to advanced students, including Curse, Fey Binding, Devil Contract, Enhancement, and Spell Rituals​​.

Jared listened intently, absorbing every word. The sheer depth of magical knowledge and practice at Tilanaz was overwhelming, yet thrilling. He had only imagined these things before in the worlds he helped create while being a programmer and never imagined he would be able to take part... maybe this was karma at work and he was able to come to this world in return for trying to save that girl's life.

Jania's expression turned more serious as she described the academy's style and orientation. "A Ritualist here is marked not only by their magical prowess but also by the rituals tattooed onto their bodies for swift power access. Depending on their chosen branch, they can be agile and swift or resilient and sturdy. And while we have a wide variety of what we sacrifice for rituals, we typically are striving for peace. Unfortunately, we face discrimination due to the nature of our magic and the fact that we can deal with devils or otherworldly beings," she shared, hinting at the complex dynamics of their world​​.

The conversation shifted to the academy's competitions, the Royal Rally, held every two years, where students competed for recognition and resources. "In years second, fourth, and sixth, the Rally is a testament to the strength and skill of our students. It's a fierce contest of magical ability and strategic thinking," Jania explained.

As Jared digested this information, Jania suddenly scrutinized him. "I've offered you much, Jared. In return, you must place in the top three for your year, upholding my legacy. Do we have an agreement?"

Jared's mind raced. Despite the bizarre and abrupt nature of his arrival, he felt an urge to embrace this opportunity. He nodded firmly, "I accept your offer."

Jania smiled, a mix of satisfaction and cunning. She motioned Jared to follow her to a small table on the side of the room where a white-hot needle lay. With a swift motion, she grasped Jared's hand and pressed the needle into his skin, carving an intricate circle. Jared's scream echoed through the chamber, but Jania held his hand firm with surprising strength. As she finished she waved her hand over the burned marking, and the pain vanished, leaving only the scar.

"That was a binding agreement between us," Jania explained. "I've imparted a unique ritual spell to you, my life's work. In exchange, I'll always know your whereabouts." As she spoke she walked to the wall and pressed a button by the doors, "Now go back to your home, say nothing save for we met in normal circumstances and you passed my test so I gave you advanced entry thanks to your performance and your family name and I will see you in three weeks where I will explain how to use that spell on your hand." 

As Jania concluded her revelation she left the room without a second glance at Jared. A solemn procession of Tilanaz's guards suddenly entered and motioned for him to leave the room with them. Dressed in ceremonial robes that bore the insignia of the academy and covered in magical circle tattoos, their presence added a sense of gravity to the situation. Their faces, stoic and unreadable, suggested they were accustomed to the unusual happenings within these ancient walls. Jared, still in a daze from the whirlwind of events, followed them obediently, his mind a tangle of thoughts and emotions.

As they navigated the labyrinthine corridors of Tilanaz, Jared couldn't help but marvel at the architecture. The academy, nestled deep in the foothills and isolated from civilization, was a blend of mystical charm and daunting power. The central building, grand and imposing, housed what appeared to be the core classes for students of various levels. The air was thick with a sense of ancient magic, and Jared felt as if countless eyes watching him from the shadows of the stone walls​​.

As they moved through the academy, Jared's eyes caught a glimpse of a young girl engrossed in a ritual within a small room filled with professors. Her concentration was palpable, her movements fluid and confident as she traced intricate patterns in the air where blue glowing words and lines appeared. She glanced towards Jared was a mix of curiosity and focus before quickly looking back at her work, leaving him with an impression of someone deeply committed to their craft. Her presence served as a stark reminder of the academy's purpose – a place where the arcane was not just studied but lived and breathed.

Finally, they arrived at the grand gates of Tilanaz. The outside world felt strangely distant, as if he were stepping back into a reality he had momentarily left behind. The carriage awaiting him seemed mundane in contrast to the mystique of the academy. Climbing aboard, Jared's mind raced with the possibilities and challenges that lay ahead.

As the carriage rolled away from Tilanaz, Jared's thoughts were a maelstrom. The information Jania had imparted about the academy's curriculum - the complex rituals, the binding and contracting with devils and fey, and the rigorous training paths - loomed large in his mind. He wondered about the students he had seen, especially the girl drawing the ritual in the air, and what his future interactions with them might hold.

Jared's journey ahead was unclear, but one thing was certain: he had been thrust into a world where magic was real and potent, a world far removed from his past life. He realized that to survive and thrive in Tilanaz, he would have to adapt quickly, embracing the arcane arts that would now shape his destiny.

As the carriage disappeared into the distance, the grand towers of Tilanaz loomed in the background, a silent testament to the ancient knowledge and power that resided within. Jared knew that his return to Tilanaz would mark the beginning of an extraordinary new chapter in his life, one filled with magic, challenges, and the unraveling of mysteries in this enigmatic new world. Not a few seconds later a mysterious-looking panel appeared before his eyes with a small ding.

[-----------------------------------]

[Jared Martel, aka Kendell Hecrule]

[Bond Power: 100 | Spiritual Power: 100 | Demonic Power: 100 | Elemental Connection: 0]

[Intelligence: 100 | Strength: 100 | Vitality: 100 | Agility: 100 | Charisma: 100]

[Rituals: Tatiana's Ghostly Body | Bond Level: 1] 

[Forbidden Rituals: Planar Transfer | Attempts: NULL]

[-----------------------------------]