The rumors spread faster than wildfire.
The news that Auren had accepted a secret offer from General Zehnar became a hot topic—not openly,
but in whispers and venomous glances.
The students who were once merely envious…
had now transformed into genuine haters.
> "He's not worthy! He's just a student from the lowest rank!"
> "General Zehnar is just using him. He's nothing more than a puppet!"
> "If he gets access to the Hierarchy Tower, then we are all threatened!"
>
Three large factions formed within the Central Academy:
* The Anti-Auren Faction — led by his former classmate, Gellius, who now felt betrayed because Auren hadn't told him anything.
* The Neutral Faction — silent, but following developments with wary hearts.
* The Supporter Faction — small in number, but having witnessed Auren's strength and courage firsthand.
The most painful part didn't come from enemies,
but from an old friend—Lisea,
the only one who had ever protected Auren from bullies when they were young.
Now her face showed hurt.
> "You hid everything from me… I thought we were the same, but it turns out you chose to walk alone."
>
Auren looked at her silently.
> "It's not me who changed…
> But the world that doesn't make room for those who rise too quickly."
>
Envy turned into sabotage.
On a night of private training,
his sword was replaced with a fragile replica.
On the day of the exam, his data 'disappeared' from the system.
And some students began hiring low-level assassins to test Auren's 'limits'.
However, Auren remained silent, never retaliating directly.
He knew—every action would be recorded by the system.
And more than that… he didn't want to kill people who weren't even worthy of being called opponents.
On the other hand, in a secret room beneath the academy,
General Zehnar sat in the dark, watching recordings of it all.
> "The world shows its teeth so quickly…"
> "Let's see… if the boy will survive without losing his soul."
>