System notifications continued cascading before Vaelor's eyes in a relentless stream of information. His heart hammered with anticipation as he eagerly examined each new acquisition.
[Limit Break](Passive Special Essence)
A fundamental transformation achieved by those who comprehend the ultimate boundaries of martial cultivation. Through permanent restructuring of meridian pathways and acupoint resonance, the Martial Cultivation God's four core attributes are amplified tenfold at all times.
When approaching death's threshold, survival instinct triggers automatic circulation through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, temporarily elevating all attributes to thirty times their base values.
[Phantom Step](Supreme Martial Technique)
An ultimate assassination art requiring weapon implementation. Channels fifty percent of total vitality through the Conception and Governing Vessels in a single explosive burst. The wielder's qi and blood achieve perfect synchronization with their weapon, creating an attack that pierces through all defensive barriers and cannot be evaded by conventional means.
Critical damage potential: 1000% Meridian recovery period: Five minutes
[Celestial Annihilation](Forbidden Martial Technique)
Detonates the practitioner's complete blood essence reservoir, forcing qi circulation into an accelerated state known as Starburst Mode. While active, consumes one percent of physical stamina per second.
The violent energy flow purges all negative status effects and nullifies control techniques through sheer force of will. Hardened blood-qi forms an impenetrable barrier around vital acupoints, increasing defensive capabilities by 1000%. Hyperaccelerated meridian circulation boosts attack speed by 500% and critical strike probability by 300%.
No recovery period required between uses.
[Infinite Velocity](Movement Martial Technique)
Expenditure of concentrated vitality through the leg meridians enables instantaneous spatial displacement to a target's immediate vicinity. Control-type techniques cannot interrupt the movement due to complete qi isolation during execution.
Current maximum range: 300 meters (scales with cultivation advancement) Meridian stabilization period: 3 seconds (resets immediately upon eliminating a target)
"Holy..." Vaelor's eyes widened to an almost comical degree as he processed the technique descriptions. "This is absolutely insane."
The passive essence alone—a permanent tenfold increase to all attributes—defied every principle of balanced game design. That single effect would make him stronger than most professionals ten levels above him.
And the three martial techniques? Each one was powerful enough to be considered a signature ultimate ability. Having all three simultaneously felt like cheating reality itself.
"Is this what mythical-tier professions are like?" he wondered aloud, struggling to wrap his mind around the sheer power disparity. "This doesn't just bend the rules—it completely shatters them and sets the pieces on fire."
He felt like someone had handed him a loaded gun in a world where everyone else fought with wooden sticks.
Taking several deep breaths to calm his racing heart, Vaelor pulled up his updated status panel.
Status
[Character: Vaelor Draeth]
[Race: Human]
[Age: 17]
[Level - LV0 (Unranked)]
[Profession: Martial Cultivation God (Mythical)]
[Talent: Unlimited Amplification (Primordial Origin), Absolute Insight (Divine-Tier), Emberwood Flame (E-Rank)]
[Physical Strength: 630]
[Strength: 610]
[Speed: 620]
[Spirit: 670]
[Luck: 5]
[Intents: None]
[Laws: None]
[Passive Special Essence: Limit Break]
[Active Skills: Phantom Step, Celestial Annihilation, Infinite Velocity]
[Practice Method: Vibrational Force Technique, Basic Martial Arts (Perfect Mastery), Basic Breathing Method, Basic Body Forging Method]
[Equipment: None]
[Free Attribute Points: 0]
[Evaluation: A monster wearing human skin]
"Terrifying," Vaelor whispered, genuinely shocked by his own statistics. "This is just... completely absurd."
Context made these numbers even more ridiculous.
Average adult humans possessed four-dimensional attributes ranging between 6 and 10 points. To officially register as a Tier 1 Warrior with the Warrior Association, professionals needed to reach minimum thresholds of 100 Physical Strength and 100 Strength.
Through the Trial Spire's generous rewards combined with his [Limit Break] passive essence multiplying everything by ten, Vaelor's strength had rocketed past 600 points!
If he told anyone about these statistics, they'd probably die from shock on the spot. Or accuse him of hacking reality.
Even warriors who reached LV9—the absolute peak of Tier 1 before advancement to Tier 2—only gained 10 attribute points per level. If someone dumped every single point into Strength across all nine levels, they'd have maybe 90 bonus points. Combined with equipment and training, reaching 200 Strength was considered exceptional.
Meanwhile, Vaelor hadn't even reached LV1 yet, and he was sitting on attributes approaching 700 in multiple categories.
If he activated his martial techniques for a tenfold attack multiplier... his effective power would shatter 6,000 points.
That approached the theoretical limits of a Tier 3 professional!
"Okay," Vaelor muttered, running his hands through his hair. "Deep breaths. Process this later. Let's see what's in the reward chest before—"
[Spatial transfer initiating in 10 seconds]
[Returning to original coordinates...]
"Oh, right. Guess I'm opening it later then." Vaelor shrugged as divine radiance enveloped his form.
"Wonder what Cade awakened? Probably something ridiculous knowing his luck..."
Thornhaven First Combat Academy - Athletic Grounds
Students materialized in cascading bursts of light, their voices immediately filling the air with a chaotic mixture of celebration and despair.
"YES! I awakened as a Battle Mage!" one boy shouted, pumping his fist triumphantly.
"Not bad—I got C-Rank talent. Could be worse," a girl said with visible relief.
"What about you?"
"Don't ask," her friend groaned. "I awakened as a Chef. A Chef. In a world where Abyssal Spawn are trying to eat humanity."
Nearby, a girl who'd confidently proclaimed her desire to become a mage sat cross-legged on the ground, tears streaming down her face. Her job awakening had resulted in... Farmer.
The unfortunate boy who'd bragged about guaranteed S-Rank talent stood frozen at a forty-five-degree angle, staring dramatically at the sky while a single theatrical tear rolled down his cheek.
"I awakened as a Dancer," he announced to nobody in particular, his voice hollow with trauma. "My origin talent is called 'Rooster's Pride.' Do they... do they expect me to literally sing, dance, and rap my way through combat?"
Someone patted his shoulder sympathetically. There were no words that could help.
In the midst of the chaos, Seraphine Vex had attracted a considerable crowd. She'd successfully awakened as a rare-tier Shadow Mage with an A-Rank talent, immediately catapulting her into the academy's elite tier.
Classmates swarmed her like moths to flame.
"Sera, you're incredible! That's amazing!"
"You're definitely getting into a top-tier Combat University with those qualifications!"
"Shadow Mage is such a cool profession. When you become a big shot, remember us little people..."
Seraphine accepted the praise with characteristic modesty, though her eyes kept scanning the crowd as if searching for someone specific.
Cade Fenrir turned in circles, his expression growing increasingly anxious. "Where the hell is Vaelor? Everyone else has already returned..."
Their homeroom instructor, Selene Mordain, approached with her usual no-nonsense demeanor. "Cade, report. What did you awaken?"
Cade scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "C-Rank talent called Beast Empathy. Job awakened as a Monster Veterinarian. Honestly? It fits my personality pretty well."
Instructor Mordain nodded approvingly. "Solid choice. Veterinary specialists are always in demand for—"
"ALDRIC'S BACK!"
The shout cut through every conversation. The entire assembly turned as one to witness the Elite Class's top-ranked student materialize from light.
Aldric Wintercrown stood tall and proud, his aristocratic features arranged in an expression of casual superiority. He looked like someone who'd just won a competition without trying.
Headmaster Gareth Ironveil strode forward immediately. "Aldric, what origin talent manifested?"
Every eye locked onto the young noble with intense focus.
Aldric smiled faintly and raised one hand. Wind immediately began swirling around his palm, growing in intensity until a miniature cyclone danced between his fingers.
"S-Rank Origin Talent," he announced with practiced nonchalance. "Tempest Incarnate."
He paused for dramatic effect.
"Job awakened as Epic-Tier: Storm Sovereign."
The collective gasp was audible across the entire athletic field.
"S-RANK!"
"The first S-Rank awakening this year!"
"And an Epic-tier profession! That's insane!"
"He really is the academy's number one prodigy!"
Students stared at Aldric with expressions ranging from admiration to awe to barely concealed envy. Several female students pressed hands to their hearts, their faces flushed with obvious infatuation.
"HAHAHA!" Headmaster Gareth's booming laugh echoed across the grounds. "Outstanding work, young Wintercrown! Your family will be proud!"
Moments later, the remaining Elite Class stars emerged from their respective trials.
Cassius Shadowbane, Rowan Ashford, Lyris Ashenvale, and Kaelith Frostborn all appeared within seconds of each other.
While Kaelith maintained her characteristic ice-queen expression—completely unbothered by the attention—the other three practically radiated smug satisfaction.
The announcements came rapid-fire:
Cassius Shadowbane had awakened an S-Rank offensive talent called Iron Domination and job awakened as the Epic-tier profession Blade Saint.
Lyris Ashenvale had manifested an S-Rank mental-attribute talent named Shadowlight Manipulation and achieved the Legendary-tier profession Phantom Weaver.
Rowan Ashford had awakened an S-Rank nature talent called Forest Dragon's Blessing and became the rare-tier Verdant Elementalist.
"FOUR S-Rank talents?!"
"And one Legendary-tier profession?!"
"In previous years, getting even one S-Rank was considered miraculous! This year we have FOUR?!"
"The gap between geniuses and normal people is just... depressing."
The Elite Class members basked in the adoration like celebrities on a red carpet. Students crowded around them, desperate for attention from those clearly destined for greatness.
Lyris sidled up to Kaelith with a knowing smile. "I honestly expected you to awaken S-Rank as well, Kae. A-Rank is still respectable though."
Kaelith had awakened an A-Rank healing talent called Restoration Circle and job awakened as the common-tier profession Medic.
Facing Lyris's obvious attempt at provocation, Kaelith's expression remained completely neutral. "I find the result perfectly suitable for my purposes."
Lyris's smile widened, clearly interpreting the response as defensive posturing. "Of course. I'm sure you do."
Meanwhile, Cade continued scanning the crowd frantically. "Where IS he?! Almost everyone's returned already! Why hasn't Vaelor appeared?!"
Seraphine had similarly abandoned her admirers, her gaze systematically searching each cluster of students with barely concealed concern.
Then—
A brilliant flash of light erupted near the formation's edge.
When it faded, Vaelor Draeth stood calmly in its wake, looking slightly bemused by all the noise and chaos surrounding him.
Seraphine's eyes immediately locked onto him, and something flickered across her usually stoic expression—relief? Recognition? Something else entirely?
Whatever it was vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by her standard unreadable mask.
But she'd definitely noticed him.
And across the field, rainbow light flickered momentarily in Vaelor's dark eyes before fading to normalcy.
The trial had changed him in ways that went far beyond simple statistics.
Now came the interesting part: seeing how the world would react.