I have received some feedback on the story so far, and I wanted to take a moment to address a few recurring comments regarding Vane's personality and the early pacing of the Academy arc.
1. On Vane's Arrogance Some readers have noted that Vane seems arrogant or overly confident, even after entering Zenith. This is intentional. You have to remember that before this, Vane was a Crime Lord. He was the "King of Puddles" who survived by projecting absolute confidence and ruthlessness. While he was humbled him physically, Vane's mindset is still that of a survivor who believes showing weakness is a death sentence. Furthermore, he was given the title of Special Admission 1. He feels the need to keep his head high to fit that role. He is wearing a mask to survive the sharks, but rest assured that significant character development is coming. He will learn and he will change.
2. On Early Failures and Humiliation There are moments in the early Academy chapters where Vane struggles or is outright humiliated. This is a realistic consequence of his background. He is a street rat with no formal education entering an institution populated by the wealthiest and most well-trained elites in the world. It would make no sense for him to suddenly ace advanced magical theory or defeat sword masters on his first day. These failures, while painful, are necessary for his growth.
3. On Power Progression To clarify, Vane is not starting this story as an overpowered god. He has a powerful ability, but he is not broken yet. The "face slapping" moments and the domination of his rivals are coming, but they must be earned. He cannot immediately bully nobles who have spent their entire lives training for this. The journey is about him closing that gap and eventually surpassing them. The power fantasy is coming, but patience will make the payoff much sweeter.
Thank you for reading and sticking with Vane as he climbs out of the mud.