"What are you people doing in there?! Why is the entire floor shaking?!"
"If you don’t open the door right now, I’m notifying the Hunter Association!"
Asher glanced around the room, which had become a complete mess, before looking at the huge cracks spreading across the walls.
After two seconds of silence, he turned toward Irene.
"You’re a C-rank hunter."
"So?"
"The Hunter Association should cover part of the damages caused by an out-of-control awakening."
Irene instantly understood what he meant.
"You want me to take the blame for you?"
"Strictly speaking, if you hadn’t been here, this building might have collapsed."
"I feel like after awakening, not only has your personality changed, but your skin has gotten thicker too."
"Perhaps it’s a side effect of the bloodline enhancement."
Asher answered without changing his expression.
Irene stared at him for several seconds before finally sighing helplessly and walking toward the door.
The next morning.
Aegis Gate Academy.
This Hunter Academy, located in the center of the Upper District, occupied almost the entire eastern region.
Its silver-white walls stretched for dozens of kilometers. Countless training grounds, academic buildings, and mana towers of various architectural styles were spread throughout the campus, while above the main gate floated an enormous shield nearly a hundred meters tall.
A silver sword was embedded at the center of the shield.
This was the emblem of Aegis Gate Academy.
Although six days remained before the official Awakening Examination, a massive number of candidates had already gathered outside the academy. Luxurious hovering vehicles descended from the sky from time to time, while the young members of prestigious hunter families entered the academy accompanied by guards and servants.
Compared to them, Asher—wearing ordinary clothes and lacking even standard hunter equipment—appeared particularly inconspicuous.
Irene walked beside him.
After last night’s breakthrough, she had officially completed her rank certification at the Hunter Association. The gray badge that had once represented a D-rank hunter had now been replaced by a bronze badge signifying her new status as a C-rank hunter.
"When we enter the reception hall later, don’t argue with the registration staff."
Irene lowered her voice.
"Although Teacher Lina left behind a Special Recommendation Badge, she left the academy many years ago. The instructors in charge of admissions may not be willing to acknowledge that recommendation."
"What if they reject it?"
"I’ll resubmit your application as an active C-rank hunter."
"The success rate?"
"Less than fifty percent."
Asher’s expression remained completely unchanged.
The two followed the crowd toward the academy’s main gate.
The guard responsible for verifying identities accepted the dark-gold recommendation badge. His previously casual expression immediately changed. After carefully checking Asher’s identity information several more times, he finally returned the badge.
"Special Recommendation Candidate—Asher Veyron."
The guard entered the name into the registration terminal.
But just as the identity verification was about to pass, the device suddenly emitted a sharp alarm.
[Warning!]
[The applicant’s identity is under dispute.]
[Recommending Instructor: Lina Veyron.]
[Instructor Qualification: Revoked.]
[Recommendation Authority: Invalid.]
The moment she saw those lines of text, Irene’s expression darkened.
"How is that possible? This badge was issued while Teacher Lina still possessed instructor privileges! According to academy regulations, even if the instructor later resigns, Special Recommendation Badges that have already been issued shouldn’t become invalid!"
The guard frowned. "I only follow the system’s results. If there’s an identity dispute, you can apply for a review at the Admissions Hall."
"But let me remind you—the academy director overseeing admissions for this year’s freshmen was appointed by the Valdris Family."
Valdris.
The moment he heard that name, Asher’s gaze turned slightly colder.
It seemed that even after Lina’s death, the influence that family had left upon her had never truly disappeared.
Just then, a luxurious black hovering vehicle engraved with a silver lion crest slowly descended from the sky.
The crowd gathered outside the academy instantly moved aside.
"It’s the Valdris Family’s car!"
"I heard their twin daughters are participating in this year’s Awakening Examination too."
"Didn’t those two awaken long ago?"
"They’re only taking the exam to determine the freshman rankings. How could ordinary candidates possibly compare with them?"
Amid the surrounding whispers, the vehicle door slowly opened.
The first to step out was a young girl dressed in crimson battle armor fashioned like a combat dress.
She possessed dazzling crimson hair that resembled blazing flames, along with strikingly beautiful features full of confidence. Wisps of fire continuously circled around her, noticeably raising the surrounding temperature.
Behind her stepped another young woman whose appearance was almost identical.
Unlike her sister, she had long silver-white hair and wore an exquisitely tailored black academy uniform. Her expression was calm, her gaze sharp, and the instant she stepped out of the vehicle, a thin arc of violet lightning flashed beneath her feet.
Mira Valdris.
Nova Valdris.
Cassian’s twin daughters.
And Asher’s nominal younger sisters.
Both had already reached the age of eighteen.
The moment they entered the range of the system’s physique detection, the panel before Asher automatically unfolded.
[Adult female possessing the Valdris Bloodline detected.]
[Additional mission requirements satisfied.]
[Target One: Mira Valdris.]
[Age: 18]
[Hunter Rank: D]
[Talent: A-Rank Flame Dominion.]
[Target Two: Nova Valdris.]
[Age: 18]
[Hunter Rank: D]
[Talent: A-Rank Heart of Thunder.]
[Additional Mission Officially Activated.]
[Before the Midterm Examination begins, cause an adult female of the Valdris Family to voluntarily request the host’s Secret Essence.]
[Mission Reward: S-Rank Skill Fragment.]
[Failure Penalty: The Gatebreaker Bloodline Seal will deepen.]
Looking at the approaching twins, Asher slowly narrowed his eyes.
At that same moment, Nova, who had already walked past him, suddenly stopped.
She turned and looked toward the name that still remained displayed on the registration terminal.
Asher Veyron.
Nova stared at that surname for several seconds before shifting her gaze onto Asher’s face.
For the first time, a visible change appeared in her eyes.
"Veyron? What is your relationship... with Lina Veyron?"