Chapter 82: Absolute Defence {Mass Release}

[Ding! New mission received!]

Logan rubbed his eyes slowly as he woke to the system’s message.

’Another sudden mission?’ Logan was slightly taken aback.

He removed the slender hand still wrapped around his waist and sat up carefully.

Daenerys shifted faintly to the other side of the bed, letting out a soft little groan before sinking deeper into sleep.

The screen before him vanished, replaced by a new line of words.

[Limited time mission: Steal the S-rank space technique from within the academy treasury.]

[Rewards: unique discovery, 1000 system points.]

[Time limit: 24:00]

Logan stared at the mission with narrowed eyes.

This had been his main reason for entering the academy in the first place.

And now the system suddenly wanted him to steal it already?

Too fast.

’Astra, what exactly is going on?’

Something about this mission felt wrong.

Just like the previous one.

Astra’s missions were never this simple. Besides, stealing a treasure from the academy treasury was anything but easy.

His gaze shifted toward the timer.

It had already begun ticking downward.

Meaning he had to complete the mission before the countdown ended.

[Master! A new mission has been assigned! Please proceed to complete it.]

Astra’s voice echoed within his mind.

Logan’s eyes narrowed faintly.

Something about her tone sounded off.

Subtle.

But there.

’Astra, is something happening that you aren’t telling me?’

[No, master.]

She replied after a few seconds of silence.

That brief delay only deepened Logan’s suspicion.

He frowned slightly before standing from the bed and walking toward the bathroom, splashing cool water across his face.

The chill lingered against his skin.

Inside the mirror, his own reflection stared back at him.

’A new mission... one with a timer.’

His thoughts drifted through everything that had happened since entering the academy.

Then slowly, a plan began taking shape.

There was no longer any need to remain cautious.

Aside from obtaining the S-rank space technique, he had little reason to stay within the academy anyway.

If necessary, he could simply escape afterward.

’The academy is filled with terrifying experts... but there should still be a way inside unnoticed.’

Logan’s thoughts accelerated rapidly before stopping on a particular figure.

A girl who had been almost completely irrelevant in the original novel.

Not because she lacked talent.

But because people rarely remembered she existed at all.

Invisibility.

More accurately, concealment.

She could erase both herself and whatever she touched from sight.

With her ability, infiltrating the treasury would become infinitely easier.

The anxiety pressing faintly against Logan’s chest eased considerably as the plan solidified in his mind.

Everything would go smoothly.

It had to.

After another quiet sigh, he took his bath.

Daenerys remained asleep the entire time, curled beneath the blanket without moving.

He didn’t wake her.

When Logan entered the sitting room, his gaze landed on the white cat resting lazily nearby.

Thinking about its newly evolved god-grade Origin Ability, he picked it up without hesitation.

The cat blinked at him once before settling comfortably beneath his arm.

It could definitely become useful later.

With that, Logan left the apartment and boarded an academy vehicle without hesitation.

Something told him today was going to be a very long day.

Logan arrived at the academy just as the morning alarm rang.

[Ding! Daily schedule initiating.]

[06:00 - Physical Conditioning commences!]

The mechanical voice echoed softly inside Logan’s mind as the academy vehicle passed through the enormous steel gates.

The moment the vehicle entered the grounds, Logan immediately felt the difference.

Pressure.

The atmosphere inside the academy today felt completely different from yesterday.

Yesterday, the freshmen had arrived carrying excitement, arrogance, curiosity.

Today, reality had settled in.

The enormous academy grounds were already crowded with students moving quickly between buildings beneath the dim gray light of early morning.

Nobody looked excited anymore.

Some students already had dark circles beneath their eyes. Others looked pale from exhaustion.

Several first-years were even reviewing holographic combat recordings while walking, their expressions tense and distracted.

The pressure of the academy had already begun crushing people mentally.

Meanwhile, Logan calmly stepped out of the vehicle while carrying the white cat beneath one arm.

The cat glanced around lazily before yawning.

Ignoring the surrounding gazes, Logan walked toward the massive training complex ahead where the special students had gathered.

Above the entrance, glowing words floated in the air.

[PHYSICAL CONDITIONING HALL]

The timer within Logan’s vision continued ticking downward silently.

[22:43:11]

He glanced at it briefly before looking away.

Still enough time.

For now.

The moment Logan stepped inside the hall, his eyes narrowed slightly.

Gravity.

The pressure inside was significantly heavier than outside.

Several students staggered immediately after entering.

One nearly slammed directly onto his knees.

The special students numbered only twenty, and Logan quickly realized he was the last to arrive.

The enormous hall resembled a futuristic military facility more than a training room.

Massive holographic screens floated overhead, bathing the metallic walls in shifting blue light.

At the center of the hall, Selene stood silently with her arms crossed.

The instant the students gathered, her crimson eyes swept across everyone calmly.

"Late arrivals will lose academy points. This will be your last warning for the semester."

Several students stiffened instantly.

No one doubted she would actually do it.

Then, before anyone could respond, another overwhelming wave of pressure descended across the hall.

Boom.

Several students nearly coughed blood.

Others collapsed onto one knee immediately.

Even Kaizen’s expression shifted slightly.

Selene’s voice remained calm.

"Ten times gravity. That will be your training for today’s morning lesson."

The hall exploded instantly.

"What?!"

"That’s insane!"

"Ten times?!"

The students were already struggling under double normal gravity.

Ten times was something else entirely.

Selene’s gaze moved across the crowd slowly, searching for someone.

Her eyes landed on Logan almost immediately.

After narrating yesterday’s events during the faculty meeting, the principal had personally informed her that Logan was a special case.

Someone she needed to monitor carefully.

A faint glimmer of curiosity flickered through her crimson eyes.

Although Logan was visibly affected by the pressure, he still moved steadily beneath it.

Not just him.

A moment later, Selene noticed Ethan as well.

Unlike the struggling students surrounding them, both remained standing.

Though Ethan’s expression looked noticeably strained.

Meanwhile Logan remained indifferent as always.

Selene’s gaze lingered on him briefly before shifting away.

"Run."

"The last person to reach the other side of the training ground receives a penalty."

The moment her words fell, the entire hall burst into motion.

Several students nearly cursed aloud.

Under ten times gravity, even walking felt exhausting.

Now they had to run?

Some students immediately fell behind.

Others gritted their teeth and forced themselves forward desperately.

Heavy breathing quickly filled the massive hall.

While everything was under tension and feeling panicked, by the side, a cat could be seen curiously staring at the group.

The moment he felt the pressure, Snow had acted on instinct and activated his absolute defence.

Just as the name signified, the defence was absolute.

Nothing could harm him while he was under the vague halo of his god-grade origin ability.

The most terrifying fact was that the absolute defence could defend him against concepts and laws as well, not just against attacks.

In essence, he could ’defend’ himself from the flow of time and even from the restrictions of space.

This was what having a god-grade origin ability was all about.

However, ultimately, Snow knew that freezing the flow of time would be detrimental to him so he only used it to protect himself from the pressure.

Meanwhile, Logan maintained a steady pace near the center of the group.

Not too fast.

Not too slow.

Every movement remained controlled and measured.

As he ran, his gaze casually swept across the surrounding students.

Then finally, he saw her.

A girl running quietly near the far left side of the hall.

Average height.

Dark silver hair tied loosely behind her back.

Ordinary appearance.

Not ugly.

Not beautiful.

Forgettable.

Almost disturbingly forgettable.

Even while directly looking at her, Logan could already feel his focus slipping unconsciously away from her existence.

His eyes narrowed faintly.

Found you.

Luna Vale.

In the original novel, she barely appeared throughout the academy arc.

Not because she was weak.

But because her Origin Ability caused people to instinctively overlook her presence.

SS-grade Void Presence.

An invisibility-type mutation ability.

Perfect for infiltration.

Perfect for assassination.

And perfect for Logan’s current situation.

Meanwhile, Luna continued running quietly without noticing his stare.

No.

That wasn’t entirely true.

For the briefest moment, her eyes flickered toward him.

Then immediately away again.

’He seems to be... studying me?’ she muttered inwardly, faint confusion surfacing within her usually dull expression.

Logan silently memorized her face as she increased her pace ever so slightly beneath the crushing gravity.

...

Author’s note: Remember when i said majority of the dots will begin connecting? Look forward to the coming Chapters everyone. Don’t blink, or you might end up missing it.