Chapter 268
Work harder
The next day, after the staff had checked IAM one last time and confirmed there was nothing wrong, they finally let him go.
IAM thanked them quietly before stepping outside. The crisp air greeted him as he turned to look back at the building he had just left.
The building behind him stood tall and orderly, its structure carrying the typical academy facilities. The exterior walls were a smooth white. Broad red stripes ran along the borders of the roof and windows, giving it a distinctive contrast that made it impossible to mistake for anything but a medical wing.
Panels of black glass framed the entrance, reflecting the courtyard in detail. The academy's emblem was displayed above the doorway.
IAM sighed inwardly, hoping he wouldn't be paying another visit to the infirmary anytime soon.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone—thankfully, Yohan had the presence of mind to bring it along and keep it safe while he was out.
The screen lit up as he checked the time. It was around midday; the others were still in lessons. For a brief moment, he felt a twinge of regret at missing class. Every lesson counted, and he hated falling behind—but it couldn't be helped this time.
He slipped the phone back into his pocket and exhaled softly. He could always catch up later. The others would help him, as they always did.
His goal right now was to head to the library, a place he hadn't intended on revisiting as often as before—but plans had changed.
He realized now that he needed to put far more effort into his path, to understand and master it properly. Even if it was a dead path among other things, that didn't mean it lacked potential.
There were still far too many things he hadn't yet established—things that every ascender worth their salt would already be forming. His sets were incomplete, scattered ideas without solid foundation. The Base Methods, Special Methods, Combo Methods, Trump Methods, Healing Methods, and even the dreadful Death Method—all of them still beyond his grasp.
Each one represented a layer of his growth, a different approach to combat, survival, or recovery.
These weren't optional. These were the frameworks every ascender built upon as they climbed higher. And no matter how loose or unpredictable his own path was, he needed to have them.
Without structure, he'd only be wandering blindly, relying on instinct instead of progress.
The reason he felt this way was because of that being—it had shown him, in no uncertain terms, just how weak he truly was. The sheer difference between their strengths was like the distance between sky and earth.
He had to work harder. Much harder. Even if it meant doing exactly what that being wanted, he couldn't allow himself to remain this powerless. The only alternative was to die without meaning, and that wasn't something he would accept—not after everything.
And then there was the Circle of the Accursed. He hadn't forgotten about them, not for a second.
They were ancient, layered with power and experience built over tens of thousands of years. Compared to them, he was nothing more than a flicker. He had to catch up—somehow, some way.
Even though catching up to that would be a mountain taller than anything he'd ever faced.
But he wouldn't be climbing it alone as he thought of Thor and the others who would certainly want their demise.
Thinking of Mr. Graveyard, a quiet resolve stirred in him. That man's strength, it was something IAM felt he needed to reach. No, not just reach. Surpass. If he wanted to stand on equal ground, if he wanted to truly change anything, then being "good enough" wouldn't cut it. He had to be at least as strong as Mr. Graveyard… maybe even stronger.
And then he would get his payback, He felt the words scripted on KASSARA settle in his mind, clear and unwavering: "To those who rest, I am peace. To those who run, I am End."
Not just Mr. Graveyard—Hen, Riley, Bell, Milo, Jason, Loria, and the rest. Every one of them would meet the same fate.
Shoving the thought to the back of his mind for now, IAM looked for the nearest parking space and got into the mini car, heading toward the library.
After driving through the winding paths of the academy grounds, IAM passed stretches of vibrant scenery that seemed almost unreal in their brightness.
Fields of deep green grass swayed gently in the breeze, dotted with bursts of colorful flowers that ranged from soft pastels to vivid crimsons and golds.
Trees with sleek black trunks and glossy leaves formed shaded corridors along the road, their branches arching overhead like natural tunnels. Small fountains gurgled quietly in courtyards, and the occasional bench invited quiet contemplation, though IAM had little time to pause.
Finally, the form of the library came into view. He eased the mini car into a nearby parking spot, the hum of the engine fading as he prepared to step out.
He quickly stepped out, noting how his driving skills had improved, and made the short walk to the library.
When he finally reached the building, he paused just before the steps.
It loomed before him like a sleeping colossus. its architecture was striking. Smooth walls caught the glow of the sun, giving the surface an almost living quality, as if the building itself was breathing softly. The dark windows reflected shards of light, and the tall, arched doorway seemed to invite him in while hinting at the countless secrets waiting inside.
IAM quickly entered the library and began searching for the books he needed—texts that offered guidance on constructing the sets for his path. Each title seemed chosen, contained advice and strategies that could help him organize his abilities more efficiently.
After gathering the necessary volumes, he made his way to the second floor and slipped into a quiet reading booth. The familiar scent of paper and wood filled his senses, and a strange sense of nostalgia settled over him.
The last time he had been here, he had broken into experienced and survived the stranger phenomenon—a memory that felt distant yet recent as he prepared to focus once more.