Serenade - Chapter 48: Obstinate

An ordinary student accidentally traveled into an other universe and became the king of a small kingdom. He had gotten a “Cheating Code” of life and was able to complete something extraordinary. This is the story about a king that was able to conquer continents and leave behind him an ultimate legend that will be recited between every generation to come.

- Description from novelupdates

Facing extinction, humanity seeks salvation in the Astral Verge, a dangerous dimension accessed via portals that threatened to wipe out the entire planet.Few years later, aspiring recruit Daniel Vance enters the Verge for his final assessment, hoping to Awaken a Talent and secure his future. While others gain common abilities, Daniel secretly Awakens the mythical SSS-Grade Talent: [Soul Assimilation]. This allows him to absorb essence, enhancing gear, gaining stats and EXP from slain creatures, and crucially, absorbing attributes and skills from fallen Awakened.Witnessing the swift death of the arrogant Jaxon Rex, Daniel makes a grim choice: he assimilates Jaxon, gaining his first skill, [Kinetic Pulse]. This sets his path: scavenging the aftermath of others’ battles. He enhances gear and, after achieving his first kill on an injured beast, waits patiently to assimilate two more fallen recruits, acquiring [Quick Step] and the invaluable passive [Aura Sense].Starting as average, Daniel rapidly gains power in secret, enhanced gear, multiple skills, and boosted stats , far exceeding his peers while remaining outwardly unremarkable. He navigates the lethal Verge alone, using its inherent dangers to fuel his growth, wrestling with the moral cost of his unique, overwhelming power.

Volume 1 (Set between volumes 13 and 14)

A series of short stories set before the events of volume fourteen including how Team GROUP was formed.

Volume 2 (Set between volumes 16 and 17)

A series of short stories including two separate meetings between Touma’s and Mikoto’s parents, two tales involving two of the Level 5s of Academy City, and other funny stories involving some of the characters.

Never should be exposed, just the two of them in their youth.「I’ll be making your meals from now on, Sensei.」I, Reiyu Tenjō, am a high school teacher.When I shared some food with my neighbor, it turned out to be my student, Yuunagi Nishiki. If this fact is discovered, I might be fired from the school?That’s why we signed a 『Neighbor Agreement』 in order to keep our secret.Since we both live alone, the plan was to help each other out when one of us was in trouble——but somehow, I got won over by his cooking.Instead of helping him, I find myself increasingly spoiled and dependent that I can’t live without him anymore.‘No, Reiyu Tenjō. He’s your student, someone you are not supposed to fall in love with!’Drawing closer and then apart——their love sways ambiguously like waves.A youth romantic comedy filled with secrets between a teacher and student begins here.