The academy rarely fell silent.
But today, the main hall was quiet enough to hear footsteps echo.
Liam stood alone at the center, hands at his sides, expression neutral. Before him sat the academy's highest authority—Principal Arvane, an elderly man whose presence carried weight far heavier than his thin frame.
Behind Liam, the doors slammed open.
"They're here."
Two figures strode in with fury barely contained.
Alpha's parents.
His father was tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in expensive robes embroidered with blue sigils—proof of influence and wealth. His mother followed, eyes sharp, lips pressed into a thin line of cold anger.
Between them walked Alpha, arm wrapped in bandages, face pale but burning with resentment.
The moment Alpha saw Liam, his eyes filled with hatred.
"That's him!" Alpha shouted. "He attacked me!"
His mother stepped forward instantly. "Principal Arvane, my son was nearly crippled by this student. We demand an explanation—no, punishment."
His father's gaze cut into Liam like a blade. "A Yellow Core trash injuring a Blue Core elite?" He scoffed. "Do you expect us to believe this was fair training?"
Whispers rippled through the hall.
Principal Arvane raised one finger.
Silence returned immediately.
"Liam Vale," the principal said calmly. "You will speak. Tell us what happened."
Liam lifted his head.
"I was assaulted during training," he said evenly. "Alpha struck first."
Alpha's father slammed his palm against the desk. "Lies! My son would never attack someone so far beneath him!"
Liam didn't flinch.
"He kicked me," Liam continued. "Then prepared a mana-enhanced strike aimed at my chest."
The hall stiffened.
A strike to the chest during training was no accident.
Principal Arvane's eyes narrowed slightly. "Is this true, Alpha?"
Alpha clenched his fists. "…He was in my way."
"That is not an answer," the principal said.
Alpha's mother sneered. "Even if he did, that doesn't justify what happened next! My son's core circulation was disrupted! His future could have been ruined!"
At that moment—
A faint pulse echoed in Liam's mind.
[Hostile Intent Detected.]Source: Alpha's FatherThreat Level: ModerateStatus: Monitoring
Liam remained still.
Principal Arvane leaned back. "Instructor Halvors."
The instructor stepped forward immediately. "I witnessed the incident. Alpha initiated physical contact. Liam defended himself."
A sharp intake of breath spread across the hall.
Alpha's father's face darkened. "Defended himself?" He laughed coldly. "By breaking my son's bones?"
Instructor Halvors met his gaze without fear. "By surviving."
The word landed heavily.
Principal Arvane folded his hands. "This academy does not punish students for defending themselves against lethal intent."
Alpha's mother's eyes widened. "Lethal?!"
"Mana-enhanced strikes to the chest can kill," the principal replied flatly. "Even Blue Core students know this."
Alpha trembled.
Liam finally spoke again.
"I stopped when he lost the ability to continue," he said. "I did not pursue further harm."
The hall fell quiet.
Principal Arvane studied Liam carefully.
"A Yellow Core student," he murmured, "with restraint… and precision."
His gaze sharpened.
"Interesting."
Alpha's father stepped forward angrily. "So that's it? You'll let this go unpunished?"
"No," the principal said calmly. "Alpha will receive treatment and disciplinary training for reckless aggression."
Alpha's mother stiffened. "And this one?"
Principal Arvane looked directly at Liam.
"Liam Vale will receive a warning—for excessive force during training."
A pause.
"However," he continued, "no further punishment will be issued."
Alpha's parents stared in disbelief.
"This isn't over," Alpha's father said coldly, eyes locking onto Liam. "You've made enemies you don't understand."
Liam met his gaze.
"I understand enough," he replied quietly.
The system pulsed again—this time silent.
[Threat Logged.][Note: Repeated hostility may escalate emergency protocols.]
Principal Arvane stood. "This matter is closed."
The meeting ended.
As Liam turned to leave, he felt it—something subtle but unmistakable.
Attention.
Not from students.
From the principal himself.
As Liam exited the hall, Arvane's voice echoed softly behind him.
"Liam Vale… be careful."
Liam paused only briefly.
Careful?
He had died once already.
This time, he would survive—even if the world itself pushed back.
And now, powerful people had begun to notice.
The academy bell rang at dawn.
All first-year students were summoned to the central lecture hall—an announcement rare enough to spark unease. Liam took his seat near the back, senses alert. Since the confrontation with Alpha's family, he felt it more clearly now—
The world was watching him.
Principal Arvane stood at the front, hands clasped behind his back. Behind him, a massive magic diagram slowly rotated in the air.
"Listen carefully," the principal said. "From today onward, you will no longer be treated as children."
The diagram shifted, numbers appearing in glowing script.
Power Structure of This World
"Magic strength is measured not only by Core Grade," Arvane continued, "but by Levels."
The hall quieted.
"All awakened individuals begin at Level 1."
The diagram expanded.
Level 1–20:Foundation Stage
No transformation
Body adapts to mana
Failure here leads to permanent weakness
Level 21–80:First Transformation
Mana reshapes muscles, bones, and veins
One Magic Ability may awaken
Level 81–130:Second Transformation
Level 131–180:Third Transformation
Level 181–230:Fourth Transformation
Level 231–280:Fifth Transformation
Level 281–330:Sixth Transformation
Level 331–380:Seventh Transformation
Level 381–400:Eighth Transformation
Each stage appeared heavier than the last.
"After every fifty levels," Arvane said, "a new transformation occurs. With each transformation, the body evolves—and new magic abilities may awaken."
A student raised his hand. "And after Level 400?"
The hall held its breath.
Principal Arvane's eyes darkened slightly.
"…Beyond Level 400 lies Godhood."
A shockwave of murmurs exploded.
"Few ever reach it," he continued calmly. "Fewer still survive the attempt."
Liam felt his Red Core stir faintly.
Four hundred…
That number felt distant—yet inevitable.
The diagram vanished.
"Levels are gained through combat, survival, and mana mastery," the principal said. "And the fastest method—"
He turned.
"—is the dungeon."
A new image appeared: a massive stone gate carved with ancient runes.
Beginner Dungeon Trial
"Starting tomorrow," Arvane announced, "all first-year students will enter Beginner Dungeons as part of their official assessment."
The room buzzed with tension.
"These dungeons are monitored," he continued, "but not safe. Injury is expected. Death—possible."
Silence.
"This is not punishment," Arvane said. "It is preparation."
He paused.
"There will be rankings."
A ripple of interest spread instantly.
"Performance will be judged by monsters defeated, survival time, teamwork, and growth."
Then—
"The student or team that achieves first place will receive a reward."
The diagram changed again.
A radiant symbol pulsed at the center.
Dungeon First-Place Reward
"A Core Resonance Blessing," Arvane said.
Gasps filled the hall.
"This blessing temporarily synchronizes mana across the body, strengthening every student who receives it, regardless of core grade."
Even Golden Core students leaned forward.
"This is your chance," Arvane concluded. "To rise—or be left behind."
The lecture ended.
Students erupted into discussion.
"That blessing could push me straight to Level 30!"
"I need first place!"
"No way a Yellow Core survives a dungeon."
Liam stood quietly.
Inside, his system pulsed.
[New Function Unlocked: Level Interface]
[Current Level: 1][Transformation Stage: None][Recommended Growth Path: Dungeon Combat]
[Note: Legendary Core allows accelerated leveling.]
Liam exhaled slowly.
Beginner dungeon.
Levels.
Transformations.
And a reward that could shake the balance of the entire class.
Perfect.
Others would fight for glory.
For pride.
For recognition.
Liam would fight for something simpler—
Survival.Strength.And a future where no one could ever corner him again.
As students poured out of the hall, Liam's gaze sharpened.
If first place makes everyone stronger…
Then he would take it.
Not for them.
But because every step forward brought him closer to a heightwhere no one—not nobles, not systems, not even fate—
could decide his end for him.