I opened my eyes to the ceiling.
For a moment, I thought I was dead.
Then pain came sharp, splitting, relentless. My brain felt like it was boiling inside my skull. Every nerve screamed. My body felt light, detached, like I was floating somewhere between life and oblivion.
So this is what surviving feels like.
Damn it… I really thought I was going to die.
This world no, this academy it's a beast hiding in a scholar's robe. I take back my words . I don't like this world.
And then, as always, the cold blue glow greeted me.
[Congratulations]
[HOST: LUCIEN VALECREST]
Race: Human
Rank: Expert (Mid Tier)
Age: 18
Strength: 80
Agility: 60
Intelligence: 150
Mana: 60
Aura: 60
Aether: 30
Will: 20
Overall Evaluation: C− (Mid Tier)
Talent Grade: SS (White)
Bloodline: Architect Bloodline
Architect Level: Tier 1 (Level 1)
Architect Skills:
• Time Genius — Comprehend, analyze, and break down aura and techniques in seconds.
• Copy — Replicate analyzed abilities.
• Merge — Fuse abilities into higher forms.
System Points: 0
Acquired Skills:
• Reactive Step — rapid evasion (Rank D)
• Gravemind Pattern — fear/aura burst (Rank D)
• Vyre Sweep — stealth strike (Rank D)
• Battle Aura Defense — aura barrier (Rank E)
Recent Skills Acquired:
• Ice Storm — large-scale freezing burst
• Aqua Weave — water conjuring and fluid control
New Power Sources:
• Sun Aura
• Fire Aura
• Healing Aura
• Lightning Aether
• Water / Ice Aether
[Quest Successful: Acquired First Position and Survived]
Rewards:
• Upgrade to Architect Tier 1 (Level 2) — allows comprehension of higher ranks and the ability to visualize power patterns in real time.
• Full Merge Skill Unlocked
• +300 System Points
The glow faded.
Silence followed.
Only my breathing, ragged and uneven, filled the room.
I couldn't even move without feeling like my bones were cracking. But despite everything, I laughed. Just a dry, broken sound.
"Congratulations on surviving," huh?
Like that's something worth celebrating.
And it seems that even though I almost died I can't shake the benefits. I acquired new skills and new power sources. Incredible.
Still… I stared at my stats again.
The growth rate it was absurd. Too fast. Too deliberate. This system wants me to evolve. It's feeding me strength like it's on a timer.
It's not just a tool. It's alive.
I remembered that entity the voice that told me to release him.
Maybe this is why. Maybe that's what it wants.
But my gut's never been wrong, and right now it's screaming that something's off. Something just doesn't sit right with me .
Then came the thought I didn't want: Kael Stormbringer.
Where did he vanish to? One second he was there, planning with us the next he was gone.
And those infiltrators how the hell did they breach Elarion's barrier?
They weren't there for chaos. They were there for something specific.
That memory again my mother, her voice, the shadows saying they needed a fragment.
A fragment of what?
Could there be another one hidden inside the academy?
The more I thought, the worse the pain got. But I didn't stop.
I hate unanswered questions. Holes in my knowledge are open wounds and right now, I'm bleeding curiosity.
Still, I couldn't let it derail me.
I have a goal.
A promise.
And a revenge that won't fade.
My eyes hardened.
"I'll burn everything they love… slowly."
Knock. Knock.
A voice on the other side of the door nervous, trembling.
"Lord Valecrest summons you. Immediately."
Of course he does.
Perfect timing.
I forced myself up. My legs felt like wet paper. Every step sent knives through my head, but pain is better than disobedience.
By the time I reached the hall, my vision was a blur.
He was there.
Lord Valecrest.
Calm. Cold. Unreadable.
To his right, Aria and Darius were already standing there heads down. They had looked up surprised to see me . This man is really a pain in the ass .
My head was screaming from too much analyzing and thinking , I could barely feel my body parts . My wounds are healed but I'm so weak and sore . Yet he doesn't care and I'm here trying to hold the door for support.
At this point I really wanted to hear the bullshit he wanted to say .
I froze. My pulse stopped for a second.
His voice cut through the silence—measured, disappointed, deadly.
"Must you always bring shame to this family?"
You have got to be kidding me