A Skill Maker: Reincarnation

Chapter 4

Matthew was tense, his senses flaring and his heart pounding against his chest. The slight warmth of the morning sun kissed his skin through the open window, while the soft rumble of flying cars zipped past in the air outside, echoing faintly like a subtle hum over a quiet city symphony.

His eyes strained as he stared ahead, hands darting in rapid, urgent movements—until suddenly:

"FUCK THIS SHIT!" he shouted, springing to his feet. His hand shot upward, ready to hurl the controller to the ground—

"Bro, that shit's 800 Pawns! Don't throw it, you fucker!" James Jackson barked, diving in and snatching the controller from him.

Matthew dropped back onto the couch with a sigh. James took the seat beside him and began playing, tossing a quick side-eye. "You SUCK, bruh. You played this shit easily just a few days ago... what happened to you?"

"Pssh... uh, I was just warming up," Matthew laughed awkwardly, glancing around like he was searching for a topic to deflect with.

James raised an eyebrow, smirking. "And you seem different lately... Did the breakup hit that hard?" He chuckled. "Told you she was for the streets. Don't worry though, I'm pretty sure you'll meet anoth—BITCH, EAT SHIT!"

A massive golden text splashed across the screen: Prey Slaughtered.

James jumped up, triumphant. "Bro, YOU are ASS! Bow to your Daddy, PEASANT! MWAHAHAHA!" He raised his arms and cackled like a Saturday morning cartoon villain.

"Nah, you just used me to learn the boss' pattern, you frick! Give me that! I'll show you who's the real daddy!" Matthew lunged forward and snatched the controller back, restarting their co-op chaos.

. . .

They were now out on the street, the early afternoon sun casting long shadows behind them. James walked with both hands tucked into his pockets, while Matthew strolled beside him, arms resting behind his head.

"Bro, you sure you want to apply for the Raider Curriculum?" James asked, tone casual but layered with concern. "Didn't you say you awakened a trash skill and a trash class? Your talent in raiding will be trash, bro. How about you join me in Dungeons and Politics instead? Still in the Academy, but we'd learn to run a guild, manage organizations, that kind of political shit... there's also less death involed there"

Matthew hummed thoughtfully, gaze on the sky above as they walked maybe listening, or maybe not.

"When we graduate, we'll get a certificate to join or even make our own guild," James continued. "Though we won't have dungeon clearance… which is fine for me. So?"

Matthew stopped abruptly in the middle of the sidewalk, turning toward James with a smirk. "Dude, let me tell you a secret..."

He paused, glancing around before leaning in. "I lied about my shit class and skill."

"WAIT, FOR REAL?! HOLY FUCK! WHAT DI—hmnngg—"

Matthew clamped a hand over James' mouth. "Bitch, I don't want my secret to leak!"

James mumbled under the pressure of the palm until Matthew let go. After a long pause, James nodded solemnly.

"So... why'd you hide it? And what did you get?" he whispered.

"Of course, to test who's real. And fortunately... you're one of them," Matthew said with a grin. It was a smooth lie, but it gave him cover—no way he'd reveal the truth about the System.

James beamed. "Of course, bro. You're my homie. I'd accept you even if you were trashier than an ass fly. Don't worry, my love for you is—UGH! FUCK WHY'D YOU DO THAT?!"

Matthew pulled back after landing a swift kick to James' shin.

"Stop being cringey, bro. Or I'll kick your future descendants too."

James yelped and clutched his legs together. "Aren't we best friends?! Why would you hurt your buddy like this?!"

Matthew just stared at him deadpan. -_-

"Fine! You're suddenly so boring! The old Matthew would've played along. Tsk… was the breakup really that bad?" James muttered with a pout, walking ahead.

They continued strolling. James glanced sideways. "So, what skill did you get anyway?"

"Just some D-grade skill that can cut stuff. Not going into details," Matthew replied with a yawn, his body still dragging from sleep.

"Oh, that's pretty good! Active attack type? Hell yeah!" James gave him a fist bump.

"What about yours? whats your skill?" Matthew asked after bumping his fist with him.

"What about me, huh? Don't tell me you forgot." James raised his brows and asked, looking at him with a frown.

Matthew blinked. "Uh... I don't remember you telling me."

James gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. "Bruh... how could you?! My skill is Accelerated Mind. Makes the world feel like it's in slow-mo. I don't move faster though—I just process everything super quick."

Then his face grew serious. "Anyway... I'll ask you again. You sure about the Raiders Class? Mortality rate's no joke. Entrance exam might even kill you."

Matthew smiled faintly, then threw his arm around James' neck, pulling him into a headlock.

"Come on, bro. I ain't dying anytime soon. Don't be stupid!" he laughed, ruffling James' hair as the other tried to break free.

People on the sidewalk gave them sideways glances, but the boys didn't care. They'd left their fucks at home.

. . .

Back at the apartment complex entrance, they stopped by the front door.

James turned serious. "Anyway, before I go, let me warn you... One of my trusted sources told me Hans—the walking shit—is also joining the Entrance Exam tomorrow. Same curriculum. There's a chance you'll meet them... yup, them. The whor—Evelyn is also with him."

He held out a hand clenching his jaw as he stared at him.

"Do what you want with that information. Just don't die, and pass the exam."

"Let's do our best tomorrow," he said with a smile, the tension melting.

"It'll be easy," Matthew replied, shaking his hand with a grin.

They parted ways. Matthew watched James walk off and couldn't help but smile.

'I'm pretty lucky, huh? I've been stuck thinking about how I'd find that jackass. Who would've thought he'd be in the same place as me tomorrow?'

He turned and headed into the building, missing the moment James turned back and stared after him mumbling something under his breath.

"...Who are you?"

. . . .

Matthew was deep in slumber. The room was perfectly cold, the pillow delightfully chilled, and one foot dangled outside the blanket like a rebellious toddler. It was the sleep of kings.

[DING!] [You have received a QUEST!]

Suddenly, the notification from the system that came from his very soul woke him up — his eyes landed on the sun light shining out in the window, into the city outside.. 'Its morning?'

"OH SHIT!" he blurted, sitting up in panic and fumbling for his phone. He saw records of multiple alarms that he had snoozed earlier.

7:49 AM. The Academy's routine ceremony started at 8:00. Not that he ever cared. But the entrance exam began at 8:30. That mattered. 

Completely forgetting about the system notification he scrambled into the bathroom, brushed his teeth, and showered in record time. He threw on dark green joggers with plenty of pockets, a white T-shirt, and black-and-white sneakers—clean, simple, and easy to move in.

Locking his door, he booked a ride while walking to the elevator. Minutes later, he stepped outside.

A yellow, wheel-less car hovered down to meet him. Its underside had four fin-like wings—two near the middle and two in the back, tipped with jet engine-like thrusters. It reminded him of Finn McMissile's submarine form, but airborne.

He hopped in, and soon the vehicle lifted into the sky.

To his surprise, the ride was eerily smooth. No turbulence, no rumbling. It even had artificial gravity—because when the car went completely vertical for a moment, his body didn't shift at all. Still, the unnatural stillness made him a little carsick.

As he stared out the window, the city came alive below him. Flying cars zipped around. Larger cargo vehicles hovered across lanes. Floating buildings were suspended mid-air, connected by levitating walkways. Below, a sprawling plaza buzzed with people using all kinds of futuristic tech.

Hoverboards. Actual, working hoverboards. Damn, I really am in the future.

Eventually, the Academy appeared in the distance.

The towering spire gleamed like white marble under the morning light, resembling a cross between a grand cathedral and a science-fantasy fortress. Smaller connected buildings formed a sprawling superstructure at its base.

As the car descended, Matthew noticed hundreds of students pouring into the main gate. Looks like I'm not the only one skipping morning ceremony, he thought.

He paid the 150 Pawns—thankfully still within budget—and joined the crowd heading toward the entrance.

The path leading to the Academy was lined with neat rows of trees and sculpted bushes, like a small park leading into a palace. As the crowd drew closer, the building's sheer size hit him.

Majestic. Regal. Intimidating.

Suddenly, the crowd slowed. Matthew tiptoed to see what was happening.

Up ahead, a man stood waiting.

"Who here has applied for the Raiders Curriculum? Please raise your hand."

Matthew narrowed his eyes and activated Zoom. The man looked to be in his 40s, black hair, a gentle face weighed down by dark circles. He seemed tired—but composed.

Matthew raised his hand. Others followed.

"Good. Please follow me. Those not applying for the Raiders Curriculum, head into the Academy—another professor will guide you to your exam rooms."

. . .

As they followed the man through a sleek courtyard lined with fountains and seating areas, he continued speaking.

"We're currently at the southern part of the Academy. The southern entrance is commonly used by city folks. The building you're seeing now is the Support Department—it's not the full Academy. Fun fact: the entire campus is the size of a small town." 

"But this part is the only part which is openly disclosed to the media, for security reasons.... Please wait" Then he stopped, crouched, and pressed his hand to the ground.

Moments later violet ripple surged outward—and a swirling portal formed in the air.

"Please follow me," he said, stepping through the portal.

The group hesitated. Then one brave soul stepped forward. The rest followed—including Matthew.

. . .

The moment he passed through, a cold, slimy sensation clung to his skin—like walking through wet plastic wrap. It didn't stop clinging until he'd fully stepped out. 

Looking around expecting to find the a lot of people but he was surprise to only white curtains covering all sides, he did not find the other people who went before him. It's just him in here and someone else...

Before he could recover, the girl quickly walked right in front of him.

"Hello! Good luck! And goodbye!"

And without warning, she slapped a small flat circular device onto his forehead.

He blinked—

—and found himself standing in the center of a clearing. Alone.

The sunlight filtered through the trees. A warm breeze stirred the air. He could feel the heat of the sunlight on his skin. All around him were towering trees and dense underbrush.

Breathing in, he could smell the earthly scent of the soil, he could hear the creaks of the trees, and the ruffle of the leaves from the wind and he could hear the distant songs of the birds.

A forest.

He turned slowly, trying to get his bearings, even using his zoom to check further places through the rows upon rows of tree trunks all around him.. no one was nearby.

He was about to take head out to check something but then he remembered something he had forgotten 'Right! I had a system notifation earlier —..System, open quest tab'

|Stats | Skill creation | Quest(2)|

|______|_______________|___V____|

> [One time easy Cpoints Event]

-Completion: Defeat Hans

Reward: Keep the skill: Cut(D)

Failure: Lose the skill: Cut(D)

> [To the Academy!]

-Completion: Pass the entrance Exam

Reward: 2 Cpoints 

Failure: 2 Cpoints deduction

________________________________________

'It seems like the new quest that I received was this? No need to tell me that system, I was planning on doing that anyway' Without a word he dismissed the system and looked ahead.

He didn't know where he was. 

But one thing was certain—

The entrance exam had begun.

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|Stats | Skill creation | Quest(2)|

| v |_______________|________|

[Name: Matthew Magnus]

[Current Level: 1]

[Blessing: Skill Maker T1]

[Class: Scout (E)]

[Skill/s: Zoom(F), Cut(D)]

[Creation Point: 0]

[Experience Points: 0/50]