[Ding! Your summoned creature has used its origin ability ’Copycat’ and copied SS-rank Fire Element.]

Logan’s expression shifted.

"What?"

For a brief moment, he thought he misheard.

But no.

The system didn’t make mistakes.

His gaze slid toward Snow.

The small creature stood lazily atop the dragon’s back, pacing without a care, as if it hadn’t just replicated one of the highest-tier origin elements in existence.

No resistance. No backlash.

No reaction from the dragon.

It hadn’t even noticed.

Logan went silent.

Then—

A single thought surfaced.

...Ridiculous.

His eyes lingered on Snow a moment longer.

So it can copy origin elements directly.

Not mimic.

Not imitate.

Copy.

A slow breath left him.

Then the value of S-rank users just changed completely.

...

Nothern Origin Academy...

There were four main origin academies spread throughout the world.

Their purpose was simple. Raise the next generation. Refine them. Train them to wield their origin abilities to perfection, so they could stand against the threats of origin creatures and origin dungeons.

Nothern Origin Academy was considered the weakest in overall strength, but that was expected... after all... how could the protagonist not emerge from the weakest academy, in the weakest state, in the weakest country?

Gathered across the academy grounds were youths, all aged eighteen. The natural age of awakening. No one had ever awakened earlier.

On an elevated platform stood a young lady, her long, slender legs catching the soft glow of the morning light. She wore a fitted pencil skirt that hugged her curves before draping cleanly to her knees, her posture alone radiating authority.

Her chest wasn’t overly exaggerated, yet the smooth, creamy skin drew the eye, making it difficult not to steal a second glance at those twin peaks.

She looked down casually, her gaze carrying a quiet weight that commanded respect.

"Principal," a young man called from the side. The vice principal. He wore a dark blue tuxedo, his presence imposing, his beard and mustache trimmed with precision.

Hands tucked into his pockets, the principal turned slightly toward him, waiting.

"I think that’s everyone. We should commence this year’s entranc—"

His words cut off.

A deafening sound tore through the air. Something massive flapping.

"Whoaa!" a youth muttered, head snapping upward as the light dimmed.

"Is that... a dragon?" another whispered, his mouth parting in shock, fear creeping in.

The principal, Lady Seraphina, glanced up, her brows knitting before she exhaled and shook her head.

"Why is she causing such a commotion so early in the morning?"

The vice principal said nothing. His gaze remained fixed, sharp and unblinking.

The massive creature hovered overhead for a moment, its wings beating against the air before it descended, its neck lowering with a strained groan toward the ground.

The crowd held their breath.

The sheer size of the behemoth pressed down on them, their curiosity spiking as their eyes searched for the one riding it.

Then they saw her.

A fair, graceful woman stepping down calmly from the dragon’s neck, its scales forming natural steps beneath her feet.

Her appearance was alluring, composed. Enough to leave several mouths dry.

But that wasn’t all.

"Who’s that?" one youth muttered, surprise creeping into his voice as he noticed another figure behind her.

Logan descended with quiet ease, each step light, his presence wrapped in calm confidence.

Snow glanced at the crowd. Its eyes rolled slightly, dizziness creeping in under the weight of so many gazes.

Still, it stayed perched on Logan’s shoulder.

The dragon’s neck curved beneath them as they made their way down.

Daenerys let out a soft giggle, the sound light and melodic, brushing against the ears of those listening.

"I hope I’m not late?"

The principal’s lips twitched.

Daenerys ignored it, continuing forward with unhurried steps, her hips swaying faintly as she made her way up to the stage, joining the instructors.

"Is that an instructor at the academy? Damn, I want her to be my instructor!" one student said, eyes gleaming.

Some attention shifted to Logan. His white-silver hair stood out sharply, catching the light.

Seraphina’s gaze lingered on him before she leaned slightly toward the vice principal.

"Who’s that young man?"

If Daenerys brought him, he wasn’t ordinary. But how far that went... she didn’t know. Daenerys had always been unpredictable.

The vice principal shook his head, eyes still locked on Logan.

Using the silence left in the wake of their arrival, the principal cleared her throat.

"Welcome to the entrance test of the academy.

"In this world, everything is decided by strength. As such, we have no interest in written tests or the like."

A brief pause. The air stilled.

"The test will focus on a single aspect. An origin gate."

She let the words settle before continuing.

"You will be sent into an artificial origin gate filled with monsters of all ranks. Kill twenty rank 1 origin beasts within the allotted time, and you will gain entry into the academy. For rank 2 beasts, kill ten, and you will also qualify."

A slight shift in her tone.

"As for rank 3 beasts... although they are present, I advise against testing your luck."

The weight of her words sank in.

"Who the hell would even think of killing a rank 3 origin beast? One can only pray they don’t run into something like that!" a young man muttered, unease flashing across his face.

"True. Best option is to find a team and hunt together."

As if responding directly, Seraphina spoke again.

"There are a few rules.

"You are forbidden from forming teams. Inside the origin gate, it is every man for himself. Kills made as a group will not be counted."

A ripple of tension spread.

"Secondly, killing a fellow participant is allowed. In fact, doing so grants you half of their points."

The air grew heavier.

"However... death inside the origin gate is no different from death in the real world. Remain cautious at all times."

Silence followed.

Then, a smile slowly formed on her lips.

"Since there are no questions... let the entrance test begin!"

Crack...

It started beneath a student’s feet. A thin fracture. Then another.

The cracks spread outward, branching like spiderwebs across the ground.

Logan glanced down at them, unmoved. No panic. He already knew.

This was how the examination began.

Internally, though, something stirred.

Curiosity.

Where were the other six S-rank origin ability users?

If he could find them... if Snow could copy their abilities...

The thought alone sent a faint shiver through him.

The cracks reached him.

In the next instant, the ground gave way.

He dropped.

Pulled down into the origin gate.

Within moments, every student vanished into the depths, a new world unfolding before their eyes.

The ground above sealed itself, the fractures knitting back together as if nothing had happened.

At the same time, a holographic display flickered into existence across the sky, revealing the scenes within the origin gate to those outside.

"I wonder who will emerge first in this entrance test..." the principal murmured, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "It’s the first time we’ve had six S-rank and above participants. The competition will be fierce."

"I doubt it’ll be much of a competition."

The voice drifted in lazily, edged with quiet confidence. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

A few instructors turned.

"What did you say, Daenerys?"

Daenerys chuckled softly.

"Do you want to make a bet, Seraphina?"

Seraphina’s gaze sharpened. "What kind of bet?"

Daenerys’ smile deepened, just slightly.

"What did you say?"

Daenerys smiled faintly.

"Do you want to make a bet?"

"What kind of bet?"

A soft chuckle escaped her.

"Everyone’s points combined..."

A brief pause.

"...won’t match one person."

Silence.

Seraphina stared at her.

Trying to read her.

To find hesitation.

There was none.

"Who?"

Daenerys’ eyes drifted toward the display.

Toward a single figure.

Falling.

Calm.

Untouched by fear.

Her smile deepened.

"Isn’t it obvious?"

A beat.

"Legion."