Although his triumph in the Illusion Garden garnered attention from the Supreme General,
Auren was not immediately elevated to the top ranks.
Instead—he was thrown into another storm:
the jealousy and fear of the other students.
In the Lambioda Central Academy cafeteria,
whispers turned sharp.
> "That's him... the kid who suddenly jumped to top skill level."
> "There's no way that's legit... there must have been outside help. Maybe he's a descendant of a dark mage."
> "He's just a student in the top 997, unworthy to sit among us."
>
Auren passed them in silence,
yet his steps did not falter.
He was used to being sidelined.
But someone approached him.
A Top-Rank student named Draxil,
dressed in full uniform complete with a noble family crest on his chest.
> "You're the one called Auren, aren't you?"
> "We want to 'test' the authenticity of your strength.
> But not in class... in the Unsanctioned Arena."
>
Auren met his gaze calmly.
> "Are you afraid that my strength is real?"
>
Cheers erupted from behind.
Several students were stoking the atmosphere.
That night, the Unsanctioned Arena – A Forbidden Location Beneath the Academy
Built since ancient times as a place for clandestine fights,
a place where students could settle 'personal matters' without instructor intervention.
Auren stood in the ancient magic circle,
surrounded by the top 4 students from Top Rank B upwards.
Draxil led them, his smile confident.
> "Show us...
> if your 'inheritance' is not just the dream of a passed-out nobody."
>
Auren simply stared.
Then behind him, the system screen appeared on its own.
> [Voidstep – Advance – Top Level 1 : Active]
>
In an instant, Auren vanished.
One of his attackers was suddenly thrown against the arena wall, his body partially burned.
> [Echo Burn – Top Level – Top Level 1 : Active]
>
Circles of fire engulfed the arena, but did not harm Auren.
One by one, they fell—not from severe injuries,
but their spirits shaken by a power they could not yet comprehend.
Only Draxil remained, trembling, kneeling.
Auren approached.
> "You asked earlier if my strength was real?"
> "Just ask them."
>
Draxil did not answer.
He bowed his head in fear—
not at Auren,
but at what might be lurking behind Auren's form.
Behind the shadows, someone watched.
A cloaked silhouette with faintly purple eyes.
They smiled thinly.
> "The Heir has shown their fangs."
> "But they do not yet know...
> that it is only a small piece of a much larger puzzle."