The city of Ardent was alive with its usual chaos—merchants shouting, hunters patrolling, and magical neon signs flickering over the busy streets. But Kael walked through it all silently, unseen and unnoticed. He had survived S-rank dungeons, avoided attention from rival hunters, and trained quietly. Yet something gnawed at him inside.
I need to understand this power.
The Dragon System pulsed faintly in his chest, golden energy rippling under his skin. Kael had learned to manipulate it, control it, and survive with it. But he didn't know where it came from. He didn't know the full extent of its potential. And most importantly… he didn't know what it could become.
---
Word had reached him of an academy—the Ardent Combat Academy, the highest-ranked institution for hunters and warriors in the city. Every year, aspiring students from all over the continent competed for admission. The entrance wasn't based on rank alone; every applicant had to undergo a power scan—a magical, technological evaluation that measured one's energy output, potential, and adaptability.
Maybe… this is the way to know how strong I really am, Kael thought.
Bell raised an eyebrow when he mentioned it. "You want to enter an academy? You? E-rank Kael?"
Kael didn't answer immediately. He shook his head slowly. "Not for status. Not to show anyone. I want to know… how far I can go. The Dragon Core—my abilities—they feel like they have limits. But I don't know what those limits are. Maybe the academy can tell me."
Bell frowned, uncertain. "It's risky. They'll scan your power. If anyone notices… well, you know the rest."
Kael's gaze hardened. "I know. That's why I'll be careful. I'll keep my true strength hidden. I just need to learn… more about the system."
---
The entrance exam was set at the academy's towering gates, a massive structure of steel, stone, and glowing enchantments. Kael walked toward it with Bell close behind. The main gate shimmered with magical glyphs, scanning every entrant for energy fluctuations.
A guard called out: "Name, rank, and current power reading, please."
Kael stepped forward. He knew the system could suppress output slightly. He didn't want anyone to see how much potential he really had.
[Dragon System – Stealth Mode: Partial Energy Suppression Activated]
The golden glow dimmed just enough to appear as a slightly above-average E-rank aura.
The magical scanner hummed, bright light sweeping over him. Numbers and metrics floated into the air. Guards and examiners murmured as they read the results.
"Hmm… unusual," one whispered. "Energy signature inconsistent… adaptive… but weak. Barely above E-rank."
Kael kept his expression neutral. The Dragon System whispered softly, almost amused. They do not understand you yet. Good.
---
After several minutes, the gate opened. Kael stepped into the academy grounds—a sprawling campus filled with training fields, lecture halls, and arenas. Students of all ranks walked confidently, some flaunting power in subtle displays, others discussing tactics with companions.
Kael felt a strange mixture of curiosity and caution. Here, he could observe others, learn new skills, and push the Dragon System further… without anyone knowing the truth about him.
Bell nudged him. "See anyone interesting?"
Kael's eyes scanned carefully. A group of higher-ranked students practiced combat nearby. Their movements were sharp, coordinated, almost professional. But their energy output… none of them matched the subtle intelligence of the Dragon Core.
This is perfect, he thought. I can learn, I can train, and I can remain hidden. No one will know my true strength… yet.
---
That evening, Kael found a quiet rooftop overlooking the academy grounds. The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the fields. He activated the Dragon System quietly, running Observation, Minor Manipulation, and Adaptive Influence. The golden glow was faint, barely visible.
This is only the beginning, he whispered. I'll learn my limits… and then I'll grow beyond them.
Somewhere below, students laughed and trained, oblivious to the quiet hunter watching from above. Kael's pulse quickened. For the first time, the future felt within reach.
And for the first time, he realized: the academy wasn't just a place to measure power. It was a place where his secrets, his growth, and his potential would be tested—all without anyone suspecting the truth.
The real challenge begins now.
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