Far above Celestial Academy, beyond the reach of student senses, the man in the long coat adjusted the glowing visor over his eyes. Data streamed past in pale blue lines—movement patterns, reaction speeds, neural anomalies.
All of it converged on one name.
DAMON VALE
"Unclassified," the man murmured again, amused. "No registered lineage. No documented awakening. And yet…"
The screen flickered, replaying fragments from the exam—Damon's impossible predictions, his mid-battle adaptations, the way the environment itself bent to his timing.
"A system," the man concluded.
Behind him, a subordinate hesitated. "Should we report this to the council?"
The man raised a hand. "Not yet. Let the academy pressure him first."
His visor dimmed slightly.
"Systems reveal their true nature only when cornered."
Back on the academy grounds, Damon paused mid-step.
The noise of students faded. The world dimmed.
[System Intervention — Choice-Based Upgrade Available]
[Condition Met: High Observation Risk + Growth Threshold Reached]
A translucent interface unfolded before his eyes—clean, sharp, undeniable.
SELECT ONE PRIMARY PATH (TEMPORARY):
A. PREDATOR MODE
Enhanced threat prediction
Increased reaction dominance
Higher neural strain
B. ARCHITECT MODE
Environmental manipulation optimization
Team synergy amplification
Slower personal growth rate
C. GHOST MODE
Presence suppression
Damage mitigation through misdirection
Reduced offensive output
Damon's heart beat once—hard.
He thought of the watcher.
Of Lira behind him.
Of Will charging forward without fear.
"I don't need to disappear," he whispered.
His eyes hardened.
→ PREDATOR MODE SELECTED
[Confirmation Accepted]
[Limiter Temporarily Relaxed]
[Warning: Neural Load Increase — Proceed with Caution]
The world snapped back into focus.
Lira glanced at him. "You okay?"
Damon nodded. "Yeah. Just… ready."
The combat arena was massive—tiered platforms, adjustable gravity fields, adaptive terrain. Students filled the stands, buzzing with nervous excitement.
An instructor stepped forward, scarred and unimpressed.
"Today," she said, "we stop pretending this is a school."
The floor shifted. Targets rose. Energy constructs hummed to life.
"Pair up. No holding back."
Whispers followed Damon immediately.
"That's the Unclassified one."
"Think he's all hype?"
A speed-enhanced student stepped forward, smirking. "I'll take him."
The match began.
The opponent moved first—fast, confident.
Too confident.
Damon's vision sharpened.
[PREDATOR MODE ACTIVE]
[Threat Trajectory: Mapped]
He didn't chase.
He waited.
At the exact moment the speedster committed, Damon stepped—not away, but inside the attack. His counter was clean, precise, and devastating. The opponent hit the ground before the crowd realized what happened.
Silence.
The instructor's brow lifted slightly.
Lira stared. Will's smile widened.
[Combat Data Acquired]
[Growth Rate: Accelerated]
High above, a visor glowed brighter.
"So," the watcher said softly, "you chose to hunt."
Damon straightened, crimson eyes scanning the arena—not arrogant, not afraid.
Just alert.
The academy had started pushing.
And he was finally pushing back.