_______________________________________________
Morning came too fast.
Arakio woke up on the rooftop,
his clothes torn,
his body aching.
But he was alive.
"That wasn't a dream…"
he whispered.
The system window appeared quietly,
as if it had always been there.
_______________________________________________
◼ STATUS ◼
Name: Arakio
Strength: 2
Endurance: 3
Agility: 1
Aura: Sealed
Bhuk (Hunger): 2.8%
Condition: Injured (Minor)
_______________________________________________
"…I actually got stronger."
Not much.
But enough to feel the difference.
For the first time in his life,
his body responded when he wanted it to.
_______________________________________________
A loud announcement echoed through the city.
"All candidates for the Academy Assessment—
report immediately."
Arakio froze.
"The academy…?"
He had registered months ago.
Back when he still believed effort alone was enough.
He almost laughed.
"Guess I'm not backing out now."
_______________________________________________
The academy grounds were massive.
Tall white towers.
Cold stone floors.
Guards wearing aura like armor.
Hundreds of candidates stood in rows.
Strong ones.
Confident ones.
And then—
Arakio.
Whispers began instantly.
"Isn't that the fat guy?"
"Why is he even here?"
"He'll fail in five seconds."
Arakio kept his eyes forward.
For once—
their words didn't hurt as much.
_______________________________________________
A man stepped forward.
Silver hair.
Sharp eyes.
The Examiner.
"This test is simple," he said coldly.
"Show us your worth."
A massive crystal lit up behind him.
_______________________________________________
◼ TEST 1 ◼
Aura Measurement
_______________________________________________
One by one, candidates placed their hands on the crystal.
Numbers appeared.
120.
340.
980.
Cheers.
Gasps.
Then—
Arakio's turn.
He placed his hand on the crystal.
Nothing happened.
The crystal stayed dark.
Silence.
Then laughter.
_______________________________________________
"Zero?"
"Is that even possible?"
"Did it break?"
The examiner frowned.
"…No aura detected."
_______________________________________________
◼ SYSTEM WARNING ◼
Aura is sealed.
Forced release may cause death.
_______________________________________________
Arakio pulled his hand back.
"So this is it…"
he thought.
Failure.
Again.
_______________________________________________
"Wait."
A calm voice echoed across the ground.
Everyone froze.
From the highest tower,
a man walked down slowly.
Black coat.
Expressionless face.
The Principal.
He stopped in front of Arakio.
Cold eyes met tired ones.
"Tell me," the principal said,
"why are you here?"
Arakio swallowed.
"Because…"
his voice shook,
"…I don't want to disappear."
The principal stared at him.
Then—
he smiled.
Just slightly.
_______________________________________________
"Interesting."
He turned to the examiner.
"Pass him."
The crowd exploded.
"What?!"
"Is this a joke?!"
"He has zero aura!"
The principal raised his hand.
Silence returned instantly.
_______________________________________________
"Those with power," he said,
"learn how to use it."
His gaze sharpened.
"But those with nothing—
learn how to survive."
His eyes returned to Arakio.
"And survival…"
"…creates monsters."
_______________________________________________
◼ SYSTEM UPDATE ◼
Hidden Condition Met
You have been acknowledged.
Bhuk (Hunger): +1.5%
New Objective:
Enter the Academy.
_______________________________________________
Arakio felt it again.
That emptiness—
growing deeper.
But this time—
it didn't scare him.
He bowed slightly.
"I won't waste it,
he whispered.
_______________________________________________
That night,
inside the academy dorms—
Arakio stared at the ceiling.
Weakest candidate.
Zero aura.
Passed by exception.
He clenched his fist.
"Laugh while you can…"
The system window flickered.
_______________________________________________
Next Trial Approaches.
Starvation accelerates growth.
_______________________________________________
Somewhere deep beneath the academy—
something ancient stirred.
And it was hungry too.
_______________________________________________
Chapter 3 Ends...
_______________________________________________