"Okay everyone, take your seats—it's time to start."
Monsoon's voice rang sweetly, ruler tapping against her palm with unnerving rhythm.
Shen sat awkwardly between the two princes. He felt like an intruder at a family table. What made it worse was the sight of Cain and Leo beside him—both of them looked as if they had gone twelve rounds with a bear. Their eyes were swollen, lips puffed like duck bills, and faint ruler marks scored their skin so clearly that Shen could have measured inches off their faces.
A chill ran down his spine. Was this Monsoon's doing?
"Shen!"
His soul nearly left his body. Shen snapped ramrod straight in his chair, heart hammering in his chest.
"Y-Yes, Miss Monsoon!"
"You'd better pay attention to this next part. You're going to need it."
He sighed in relief when she turned her back to the board. Thank heavens. Not the hit list. Not today.
---
Monsoon began to write as she spoke. "Do you know the physical body types?"
"No, miss. I… wasn't much of a student. My master barely taught me magic, let alone this." Shen's voice stayed polite, though inside he cringed.
Cain, Leo, and Monsoon all turned to stare at him, their eyes saying the same thing: Is this guy for real? Did wolves raise him?
"Ahem," Monsoon smoothed her robes. "Then listen closely. In order of power, from weakest to strongest:
Mortal
Apprentice
Practitioner
Master
Grandmaster.
"Within each rank, power grows in stages—lower, middle, higher, peak. And the difference is vast. For example, two lower mortals would fall to a single middle mortal without question. A peak mortal? They could crush a dozen high mortals."
As she explained, Shen's thoughts drifted. The system's words replayed in his mind after hours of training
[Middle Mortal class unlockable. Requirement: one Middle-class beast defeated.]
His energy control had improved—he could now maintain Water Blade for thirty minutes—but he was still weak. If I want to rise quickly, I need real fights. Beasts. Blood. Not lectures.
[Threat Analysis engaged.]
A translucent panel blinked into life on his left. Names and ranks scrolled before his eyes:
[Leonidas: Middle Intermediate Class]
[Cain: Higher Intermediate Class]
[Monsoon: Middle Master Class]
Shen's stomach sank. They were monsters. Every single one of them. Cain was only a step away from Master level. Shen's hands clenched beneath the desk. I need to grow stronger—fast. I'll ask Aceton after class if there's anywhere I can fight beasts.
---
Shadows Outside
Far from the warmth of the classroom, a small covered boat glided into the city's canals.
The King's advisor sat stiffly beside a man cloaked in crimson, his face hidden by a hood.
"Are you certain you can kill him?" the advisor whispered, worry lacing his voice.
The hooded man said nothing. He simply nodded, cold and silent.
The boat slowed at a junction. The advisor disembarked quickly, tugging his cloak tighter. "I'll get you in. After that… what you do is your own affair."
The man remained seated. His lips curled into a grin.
"Such a lovely city," he murmured. Then he chuckled, voice like gravel dragged across stone.
"I can't wait to burn it all to ash."
---
Shen's Request
When class ended, Shen made a beeline for Leo. "Where's your father?"
"He should be training in the arena. Why?" Leo tilted his head.
"Thanksbye." Shen sprinted off before another word could be said.
Inside the arena, Aceton—Hydris—sat cross-legged in meditation. Sweat poured down his brow, veins bulging with strain. His aura rippled with frustration.
"I've been stuck at Lower Grandmaster too long…" he muttered. Fear gnawed at his heart. What if this is my peak?
A guard bowed low. "Your Majesty, Mister Shen requests an audience."
"Let him through," Aceton said with weary amusement.
Shen approached and bowed deeply. "Grandmaster Aceton, I have a favor to ask."
"Speak."
"Is there anywhere I can… battle beasts? Here, in the castle?" Shen forced the words out quickly, praying the king wouldn't dig deeper.
Aceton blinked, surprised. "No. We have training partners, weapons, spell tomes… why beasts?"
Shen swallowed. "I need… practical experience. I learn best through action." A half-truth. Better than the full truth.
"Ah. That is important." Aceton stroked his beard thoughtfully. "When next we dock at port, you may disembark and hunt to your heart's content. A forest lies to the east—you'll find your challenges there."
Shen's eyes lit. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Aceton smiled. "Come. I'll show you our next destination."
He guided Shen into the strategy chamber, maps pinned across the walls. With a wave of his hand, the table glowed, magic tracing glowing blue lines across the continent.
"Next port!" Aceton commanded.
The map shifted, revealing a massive city on the northern coast.
"There. One week's journey. Prepare yourself, Shen. The forest there will test you."
Shen bowed low before parting ways. One week. That's all the time I have to prepare.
---
The Library's Secret
The castle library stretched endlessly before him. Thousands of shelves. Miles of books. The sheer size made Shen dizzy.
After searching, he found the directory podium, flipped through its index, and located the section he needed. His feet carried him down to "AB-76."
Books lined the shelf—spellbooks, manuals, grimoires glowing faintly with power. Shen grabbed one at random.
[Constitution not high enough to learn skill.]
Another. Same message. And another. Again. Shen gritted his teeth. His weak body was a wall he couldn't yet scale.
Finally, one book glowed in his hands: Swordfighting for Beginners.
[Would you like to learn this skill? Yes/No]
Shen blinked. "Yes."
The book vibrated violently, then dissolved into green light. In an instant, knowledge poured into his mind—stances, slashes, footwork, breathing. His muscles twitched, aching to move. He felt the weight of a blade he didn't yet hold.
"This… this is incredible." He laughed under his breath. "I don't need to rely on spells. I can build myself with martial skills instead."
Another book caught his eye—Iron Body.
He accepted it, and this time warmth filled his core. His skin tingled as if wrapped in invisible armor, his lungs swelling with new endurance. This wasn't just defense; it was survival.
Shen smirked. "Good. Let's see how far I can push this."
---
Brothers at Odds
Elsewhere in the castle, Cain hunched over a desk, quill scratching notes furiously. His face glowed pale in candlelight.
Leonidas leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "Really, brother?"
Cain didn't look up. "What?"
"You bury yourself in books while your body weakens. Magic alone won't save you."
"I don't need a sword arm when I can kill with thought and fire," Cain muttered.
Leo stepped closer, frustration etched in his features. "Enemies won't care about your arrogance. They'll exploit your weakness. Physical and magical balance is the path to true strength."
"They won't live long enough to try," Cain shot back.
Leonidas sighed, shaking his head. "Keep thinking like that, and I'll be standing at your grave far too soon."
He left quietly.
Cain stared at the words he had written, ink smudged by trembling fingers. A single tear traced his cheek. He whispered to the empty room:
"…I can't let him see I'm afraid."