Roy woke up to someone banging on his door.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling.
For a few seconds, he couldn't remember where he was.
Then the events of the previous night came rushing back.
The underground chamber.
The hunters.
Raijin.
The Guardian.
His father.
Roy groaned and pulled the blanket over his head.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Roy!"
It was Leo.
"Wake up! We're going to be late!"
Roy sat up.
"What time is it?"
"Almost eight!"
Roy's eyes widened.
He jumped out of bed.
"Why didn't you wake me earlier?"
"I've been knocking for ten minutes!"
Roy quickly changed and grabbed Raijin.
The moment his hand touched the sword, a faint pulse traveled through his body.
Roy stopped.
Again.
He could feel something moving inside him.
His Nexis felt different from yesterday.
He couldn't explain it.
It was almost like his body was slowly getting used to something that had always been there.
Roy opened the door.
Leo stood outside with his arms crossed.
"You look terrible."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
They headed toward the classroom.
Leo kept looking at Roy.
"You're acting strange."
"I'm always strange."
"No. This is different."
Roy glanced at him.
"How?"
"You're quieter."
Roy thought about it.
Maybe Leo was right.
Yesterday, he would have asked a hundred questions about the hunters.
Now he couldn't stop thinking about the same thing.
Who was my father?
The question had been bothering him all morning.
Before he could say anything, they reached Class 1A.
Most of the students were already inside.
Jenny waved at them.
"You're late."
Leo pointed at Roy.
"Blame him."
Roy sat down.
"Traitor."
"You're welcome."
The classroom filled with laughter.
For a moment, everything felt normal again.
Then the teacher entered.
The room became quiet.
It was the same black-clad instructor who had tested Roy when he first arrived.
He placed several books on the desk.
"Today we're doing something different."
Everyone paid attention.
"We'll be checking everyone's Nexis progression."
A few students immediately started talking.
Roy leaned back.
Progression?
The teacher continued.
"Some of you have been training hard since the beginning of the semester. Others…"
His eyes moved toward a few students.
"…haven't."
The class laughed.
The teacher ignored them.
"Your Nexis isn't something you can measure only by how many techniques you know. Control matters. Physical condition matters. Experience matters."
He looked at Roy.
"And combat experience matters."
Roy immediately knew what was coming.
"Roy. You're first."
Roy stood.
Leo whispered.
"Good luck."
Roy walked toward the front of the classroom.
The teacher placed a small crystal on the table.
"Place your hand on it."
Roy did.
The crystal lit up.
Numbers appeared.
NAME: ROY
NEXIS: LIGHTNING
RANK: SPARK
NEXIS OUTPUT: 198
The classroom became quiet.
Roy stared at the number.
"198?"
The teacher looked surprised.
"You've increased your output considerably."
Leo smiled.
"That's my guy."
Roy looked at the crystal.
Something didn't feel right.
The number kept changing.
198.
199.
200.
Then—
220.
The crystal flashed.
Everyone stepped back.
The teacher quickly removed his hand from the device.
"What happened?"
Roy looked at his own hand.
"I don't know."
The crystal suddenly cracked.
A thin line appeared across its surface.
The teacher's expression became serious.
"Roy."
"Yes?"
"Step away."
Roy did.
The crystal continued glowing.
Then it shattered.
The class went silent.
Roy stared at the broken pieces.
"Uh…"
Leo raised his hand.
"Can we get another one?"
The teacher ignored him.
He was staring at Roy.
"You've awakened."
Roy blinked.
"What?"
The teacher took a deep breath.
"Your Nexis has crossed the threshold."
The words appeared on the crystal's remaining surface.
RANK UPDATED
SPARK → AWAKENED
Roy stared.
For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
Then he smiled.
"Finally."
Leo jumped out of his seat.
"Roy!"
Roy turned.
Leo gave him a quick high five.
"You actually did it!"
Roy laughed.
The entire classroom started talking.
Some students looked impressed.
Others looked annoyed.
One student sitting near the back clicked his tongue.
"Awakened already…"
Roy heard him.
He looked over.
The student quickly looked away.
The teacher raised his voice.
"Enough."
The room became quiet again.
He looked at Roy.
"Don't let this go to your head."
Roy nodded.
"I won't."
"You're still weaker than many Awakened students."
Roy's smile disappeared.
"Could you at least let me enjoy it for five seconds?"
A few students laughed.
Even the teacher smiled.
"Sit down."
Roy returned to his seat.
Leo leaned toward him.
"So what does it feel like?"
Roy thought for a moment.
"Different."
"How?"
"I don't know."
He closed his eyes.
His Nexis moved through his body.
Before, it had felt like something he had to control.
Now it responded naturally.
Like breathing.
Roy opened his eyes.
"I think I can use more of my power."
Leo nodded.
"Then we'll test it after class."
Roy smiled.
"Deal."
But the teacher wasn't finished.
"There is one more announcement."
The room became quiet.
"Starting tomorrow, the first-year students will begin their practical combat training."
A few students immediately became excited.
"Finally!"
"About time!"
"Does that mean we're fighting beasts?"
The teacher nodded.
"Beasts, combat simulations, weapons, and team exercises."
Roy's eyes lit up.
Leo noticed.
"You're enjoying this too much."
Roy smiled.
"Sounds fun."
The teacher continued.
"Your performance will affect your evaluation for the upcoming survival test."
Roy's expression changed.
The survival test.
He had almost forgotten about it.
Five-person teams.
Team captains.
And somehow, Roy had been chosen as one of them.
The teacher looked directly at him.
"Roy, as a team captain, you will be expected to lead your group."
Roy nodded.
That was going to be interesting.
After class, Roy and Leo headed toward the training grounds.
The academy was already busy.
Students were practicing with weapons.
Others were using their elements.
Some were sparring.
Roy stopped near the edge of the field.
He looked at his hands.
"I want to test something."
Leo stepped back.
"Should I be worried?"
"Probably."
"Great."
Roy took a deep breath.
He closed his eyes.
Lightning slowly gathered around his body.
It wasn't wild like before.
It was controlled.
Smooth.
Roy opened his eyes.
The Lightning moved toward Raijin.
The sword hummed.
Then—
BOOM!
A burst of Lightning spread across the training ground.
Students nearby turned around.
Roy immediately stopped.
He looked at Raijin.
"What was that?"
Leo stared.
"I think your sword just answered you."
Roy frowned.
Before he could say anything else, a voice came from behind them.
"Roy."
He turned.
Kenneth Void stood there.
The principal looked at Raijin.
Then at Roy.
"You shouldn't be using that sword yet."
Roy frowned.
"Why?"
"Because you don't understand it."
Roy looked down at Raijin.
"Then teach me."
Kenneth was silent.
For a moment, Roy thought he would refuse.
Instead, Kenneth nodded.
"After your practical training tomorrow."
Roy smiled.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Kenneth turned to leave.
Then he stopped.
"And Roy…"
Roy looked up.
"Don't use the ability you unlocked last night."
Roy's smile disappeared.
"How did you know about that?"
Kenneth didn't answer.
He simply walked away.
Roy watched him leave.
Leo slowly turned toward him.
"Okay."
Roy looked at him.
"What?"
"Your life is seriously weird."
Roy laughed.
"Yeah."
He looked at Raijin again.
The sword gave another faint pulse.
Roy couldn't help smiling.
He had finally reached the Awakened stage.
But somehow, he felt like that was the least important thing that had happened to him.
Tomorrow, his real training would begin.
And Roy had a feeling the academy was about to become much more interesting.