After entering the towering city office, Zane became acutely aware of his surroundings.
A sea of people flowed in every direction. Youths bustled through the grand corridors—each bearing sidearms at their waists, wristwatches gleaming with embedded mana nodes, and swords of all shapes and sizes strapped across their backs. It didn't take long for Zane to realize the truth: They were all new recruits. Just like him. All freshly awakened, all here to join the Academy.
Each group seemed to be led by someone experienced—a senior Academician or a licensed Superhero, just like Shelby, who now guided their group of twenty-eight from Whistler Town.
Shelby moved like he belonged. He greeted passing acquaintances with nods, short waves, and the occasional sharp grin when someone called out to him from afar.
It was a hectic day. No one stayed still. The lobby buzzed with conversation, footsteps, the rustling of papers, and the faint hum of magical tech running in the background. Every group was here to apply, submit details, and register for admission—an administrative mountain that would take hours to climb.
Eventually, Zane's group reached the main registration counter. Shelby stepped forward and handed over a thick file filled with documents and verification forms. The staff received it with practiced efficiency.
A few minutes later, Shelby emerged from the counter section with a rare smile. He motioned for the group to follow him to a quieter, less congested wing of the building.
They passed through a corridor into a private multi-block lodging area.
Shelby turned to address the group.
"Everyone, pick a room. Order anything you want to eat—it's all on me. Relax for today. We start training early tomorrow. Get a good night's rest."
There was a flicker of confusion in the group's eyes. Some of the youths looked at each other, their thoughts the same:
Why start training here? Shouldn't we be training at the Academy itself?
But none of them dared to ask. To them, Shelby was still that grumpy, no-nonsense senior who didn't entertain questions lightly.
Except Zane.
"Why train?" he asked plainly.
Shelby turned to him, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then he answered, "Alright, I'll explain. A week from now, the competitive tournament to decide the Ranking List for your batch will begin. It'll last a full month. The official announcement and rules will be sent to your room shortly. That's why we train."
With that, he waved them off. "Go settle in."
One by one, the twenty-seven youths picked their private chambers and entered. Zane found his and stepped inside.
The room stunned him.
It was luxurious—mana-powered climate control, a massive bed, floating screen interfaces, auto-refreshment systems, and a panoramic view of Artemis City glowing in the distance. Every inch whispered high-end craftsmanship and wealth.
As Zane wandered deeper into the room, admiring its opulence, he heard the door hiss open behind him. Shelby walked in casually.
Then, without warning, Shelby flopped onto the bed and let out a relaxed sigh.
"Huh... this bed's way too comfortable."
Zane blinked. "Are you seriously planning to sleep here too?"
Shelby didn't open his eyes. "Just for a while. I've been running errands all day. Let an old man rest."
Zane chuckled softly. Some grumpy senior he is.
The moment Shelby's head hit the pillow, a thunderous snore erupted from his mouth. He snored like a lion in hibernation.
Zane shook his head with a wry smile and moved to the floor, settling onto the thick mat. Just as he was about to lie down, a familiar chime rang in his ears.
It had been silent ever since he passed through the Teleportation Chamber.
His virtual vision—the one that allowed him to view other people's statuses—had vanished. He had assumed the System was in some sort of dormant or slumbering state.
He had been right.
Ding!
[System Re-awakening Successful]
[Body Analysis Beginning...]
Ding!
[Host: Zane Carter (Human)]
[Stats]
Strength / Physical: 86 (Base) + 5 (Divine Radiance) + 10 (Radiant Strike) = 101
Agility / Speed: 85 (Base) + 5 (Divine Radiance) + 10 (Luminous Step) = 100
Mana / Intelligence: 89 (Base) + 5 (Divine Radiance) + 10 (Sacred Barrier) = 104
Health Bar: 390 / 390
Mana Bar: 430 / 430
[Book 1 – Divine Judgment]
Attribute: Light
Compatibility: ???
Grade: ???
Tier: Unlocked Tier 1
Tier One Skill Unlocked: Summoning Moon
When you activate Summoning Moon, you gain the following attributes:
— All Stats: +697
— Unlimited Mana
— 100% Regeneration
— Spell Duration: 3 Minutes
— Cooldown: Usable Once Per Week
Mana Required to Activate: Chaotic Spatial Mana (20% Accumulated)
"Chaotic Spatial Mana?" Zane muttered under his breath.
[Chaotic Spatial Mana is a mass of Light Elemental Mana with high exposure to Chaotic Spatial Laws.]
[When the Host is exposed to Chaotic Spatial Mana, the Book embedded on the back of your right palm will absorb it automatically.]
Zane thought it over. The strange energy he had felt in the Teleportation Chamber—it had to be that. So all he needed to do was go back and expose himself to it a few more times.
"This skill… will be my trump card. With +697 to all stats for three whole minutes?" he murmured. "No one could even scratch me. But the problem is the mana. I can only recharge it by going into that chamber… I just need four more exposures and it'll be ready."
Determined, he sat cross-legged on the mat and began gathering mana from the surrounding environment. His internal reserves were already full, but he wanted more. He was going to force his mana volume higher.
He activated Divine Radiance, using its light-affinity to draw in ambient mana. But the attempt failed. Again and again, he tried—and failed.
Nearly two hours passed. At last, with aching muscles and dimming concentration, something shifted inside him. A breakthrough.
Ding!
[Stats Updated]
Health Bar: 390 / 390
Mana Bar: 480 / 480
Zane let out a quiet breath. He had expected his Intelligence stat to increase along with his mana bar, but it hadn't budged.
"So... only the mana volume increases like this. That's fine too," he concluded. "If I can keep this up, I'll eventually have an ocean of mana to draw from."
Satisfied, he stopped for the night. His body ached from the strain, his vision blurred slightly from fatigue.
Then, without warning, sleep crashed over him like a wave. He lay down on the mat, eyes closing the moment his head touched the fabric.
And for the first time in a long while, Zane slept soundly—completely unaware of the powerful trials waiting for him in the days ahead.