Austin and Evan walked side by side along the wide stone road leading away from the Jade estate. The afternoon sun hung low, casting long shadows that stretched across the pavement.
Austin was unusually quiet.
After a few moments, he glanced sideways at Evan.
"So," he said, trying to sound casual, "what did my father want to talk about?"
Evan shrugged.
"Nothing important," he replied calmly. "Just some advice."
Austin narrowed his eyes.
"That's suspicious."
Evan smiled faintly but said nothing more.
Austin clicked his tongue and quickly lost interest, his attention shifting as always.
"Oh right!" he said suddenly. "Did you hear? A new dungeon appeared near the outer district."
Evan's steps slowed slightly.
"A dungeon?"
"Yeah," Austin said, his eyes lighting up. "The guards confirmed it this morning."
Evan frowned thoughtfully.
Dungeons were not rare in this world—but they were never insignificant.
"They're gates," Austin continued, clearly enjoying explaining. "Fragments of destroyed worlds that overlap with ours. Once they appear, the space around them twists."
Evan nodded. He knew this much.
"The one near the city is a Tier 2 dungeon," Austin said. "Low-level, but still dangerous."
A Tier 2 dungeon.
That meant—
"A team of Tier 2 awakeners with a Tier 3 leader," Evan said, finishing the thought.
"Exactly," Austin replied. "Destroy the dungeon core, and the distorted space returns to normal."
Evan's gaze darkened slightly.
"And if it isn't destroyed," he said quietly.
Austin's tone turned serious.
"Then the monsters come out."
Once monsters left the dungeon, tracking them became extremely difficult. They would scatter, hide, and slaughter indiscriminately. Entire districts had fallen that way in the past.
Dungeons and awakeners followed the same brutal logic.
Higher tier—greater power.
Higher tier—greater destruction.
"That's why the city's mobilizing quickly," Austin said. "They won't let it linger."
Evan hummed in acknowledgment.
After parting ways, Evan returned home alone.
The moment he stepped inside the estate, he felt it.
The pressure.
"Where have you been?"
The cold voice came from the main hall.
Evan looked up.
Leon stood there.
His eldest brother.
Nearly twenty-one, tall and well-built, his presence alone carried the oppressive aura of a high-tier awakener. Leon had awakened early and progressed smoothly through the academy. He was the pride of the family.
"I was out," Evan replied calmly.
Leon's eyes narrowed.
"Out?" he repeated. "While the family is preparing resources?"
Evan said nothing.
Leon stepped closer.
"You've been spending a lot of time with that Jade brat," Leon said disdainfully. "Do you really think associating with him will raise your worth?"
Evan clenched his fists.
"Austin is my friend."
Leon laughed softly.
"Friendship?" he scoffed. "Only strength matters in this world."
In the next instant—
Pressure crashed down on Evan.
Leon released a fraction of his power.
It was like being crushed under a mountain.
Evan staggered back, pain exploding through his chest as he slammed into a pillar. Blood welled in his mouth.
"You're weak," Leon said coldly. "And talentless."
Evan struggled to breathe.
"And yet," Leon continued, "you dare to waste resources? To dream beyond your station?"
At that moment, footsteps echoed.
Their father entered the hall.
"What is going on?" he demanded.
Leon straightened.
"Father," he said respectfully, "I was questioning Evan."
His father glanced at Evan on the floor—then back to Leon.
"What about?"
Leon's eyes gleamed.
"I believe Evan stole from the family," Leon said. "For his academy entrance examination."
The air turned heavy.
The family was short on resources. Every credit mattered.
Their father's expression hardened.
"Is this true?" he asked Evan.
Evan wiped the blood from his lips and stood.
"No," he said firmly.
Leon sneered.
"Then how did you pay ten thousand credits?" Leon demanded. "Don't tell me you earned it."
Their father's gaze sharpened.
"Withdraw from the academy examination," he said suddenly.
Evan froze.
"The fee will be half refunded," his father continued coldly. "Five thousand credits. Your brother needs it."
Silence.
Evan stared at him.
"No," he said.
The refusal echoed.
Leon's eyes widened slightly in disbelief.
Their father's face darkened.
"You dare refuse?" he asked.
Evan's voice trembled—but not with fear.
"I passed," Evan said. "I earned my place."
His father laughed bitterly.
"You have eaten from this family," he said. "Lived under its roof. Leached from it."
Evan's nails dug into his palms.
"If you insist on leaving," his father continued, "then repay what you stole."
Evan understood.
Ten thousand credits.
"Fine," Evan said quietly.
He turned and walked away.
Back in his room, Evan focused on healing.
The injuries from Leon's pressure were serious—but this world was different. Aether responded to will and understanding.
As Evan circulated it carefully, something flickered deep within him.
The Star System observed silently.
Later that night, Evan met Austin. Evan told everything that happened with him to Austin.
"That bastard Chris," Austin said angrily. "Did you know his brother and your brother are actually friends?"
Evan's eyes darkened.
So that was the connection.
Everything was intertwined.
Chris's jealousy.
Leon's disdain.
Power shielding power.
Evan clenched his fist.
"Don't worry," Evan said quietly. "I'll settle things."
Austin blinked.
"With who?"
Evan looked toward the city lights.
"With all of them.
"Once I get through this… I'll make sure Chris regrets ever looking down on me."
The stars above shimmered faintly.
And somewhere deep within Evan—
Something awakened.