The cavern dissolved around us, the corpses of wolves fading into sparks of light. In their place, the marble floor of the Grand Hall reformed beneath our feet. The torches flared to life, illuminating rows of teachers watching from the balcony.
Gasps and murmurs followed me as I stepped forward—untouched, clean, while the others bled and panted.
The Vice Principal raised her hand, silencing the noise. Her eyes, sharp as a hawk's, settled on me.
"Zeryth Malakar," she said. "Show us."
I tilted my head. "Show you what?"
"Your system," she replied evenly. "The Academy requires transparency for S-Class candidates. Your status. Now."
For a moment, silence clung to the air. The Principal's gaze bored into me like a weight. Malrik looked confused, still catching his breath. Isolde glanced between us, wary.
Very well.
I willed it, and my system unfolded in shimmering text before me, visible to all.
[
Tier: S- (Unstable Ascendant)
Level: 12
Titles: Shadow Schemer, Beast-Eater, System Reaper
Traits Integrated: Predator's Instinct, Wolf Agility, Blood Scent, Enhanced Resilience
Attributes:
Strength: 72
Agility: 85
Endurance: 68
Intelligence: 91
Willpower: 95
Unique Skill: Reality Override
Penalty Buffer: 0 ]
Gasps rippled through the hall. Teachers whispered in disbelief.
"A boy of twelve with an S- rating—"
"Impossible, unless—"
"System override? But how—"
The Vice Principal's lips curved slightly. It was not a smile. More like satisfaction at a rare gem found.
"I will take him," she said calmly. "Zeryth Malakar will be my disciple."
The hall erupted with noise, but no one dared oppose her.
Meanwhile, the Principal's heavy gaze shifted to Malrik. The boy stood straight despite his exhaustion, fists clenched, his aura still burning faintly like an unquenchable fire.
"Malrik Veynor," the Principal intoned. "Show us your system as well."
Malrik hesitated only a moment, then opened his status.
[
Tier: C+ (Rising Flame)
Level: 12
Titles: Burning Resolve, Iron Will
Traits: Flame Affinity, Tenacity, Warrior's Endurance
Attributes:
Strength: 64
Agility: 59
Endurance: 70
Intelligence: 48
Willpower: 77
Skill: Flamebrand (Ignite weapon with fire, scaling with Willpower)]
The Principal's stern face softened with rare approval.
"Your raw spirit, your refusal to bend—even in hopelessness, you fought. That is the mark of a hero."
Malrik's eyes widened.
"I will take you as my disciple," the Principal declared.
This time, the hall roared with approval. Teachers nodded, some even smiled. A chosen hero under the Principal's wing—it was exactly the kind of story they believed in.
Isolde remained silent, her hand tight on her blade. Forgotten, for now. But her eyes lingered on me with quiet calculation.
I bowed my head slightly, masking the twist of amusement in my lips.
The Principal had chosen his hero. The Vice Principal had chosen her monster.
Perfect.
Two sides of the same coin—light and shadow—shaped within the Academy's walls. And I was exactly where I wanted to be.
As the ceremony closed, I whispered inward, to the System I had devoured and remade.
"Status… hidden protocols."
A private line of text flickered where none but I could see:
[
I smiled.