[ A Few Hours Ago ]

Inside one of Celestia’s Academy’s quieter courtyards, Evangeline, Aaron, Aiden, and Isabella were gathered around Arthur, still riding the adrenaline high from the exam.

Then Arthur opened his mouth.

"I’m going to kidnap Arina Evan Imperius," he said calmly.

Silence dropped like a stone.

Evangeline’s jaw tightened.

Isabella’s eyes widened.

Aiden choked on his own breath.

Aaron nearly dropped the juice box he was holding.

All of them stared at Arthur.

Aiden recovered first.

Aiden asked. " So what’s the plan, Inside these walls, it’s nearly impossible. There are instructors everywhere for the safety of the candidates. They’re leagues above us. We won’t last long against them."

Arthur gave him a flat look.

"That’s why you’re poor as hell despite being a noble," Arthur said.

Evangeline snorted and quickly turned it into a cough, covering her mouth.

A vein popped on Aiden’s forehead.

"Alright then, mastermind," he said. "Tell us how you plan to get past them."

"You’re forgetting something," Arthur replied. "We possess something only a few people do."

He looked directly at Aiden.

"I just have to go all out using it."

Aiden froze.

Then understanding clicked.

Both he and Arthur possessed something no one else in the courtyard had—Systems. Hidden advantages that turned them from talented examinees into walking anomalies.

Aiden exhaled.

"Alright," he said. "I understand."

Arthur nodded and continued.

"You guys have only one job," he said.

"What job?" they all asked together.

"Protect Aaron," Arthur said.

Everyone turned toward Aaron.

Aaron blinked.

"Huh?"

Confusion flashed across their faces—except Julia’s, who had just arrived and overheard enough to piece things together.

"Arthur’s right," Julia said. "Out of all of us, Aaron is the only one with a talent that can help us escape. No matter where in the world we want to go."

Arthur smiled faintly.

"That is correct," he said. "Even though the entire academy is under Headmistress Athena’s protection, Aaron’s talent is something special."

He looked straight at Aaron.

"An SS-Rank Talent," Arthur said. "Dimension Walker."

Julia frowned.

"Isn’t that just a fancy teleportation talent?"

"That’s your mistake," Arthur said. "I don’t have much time, so I’ll make it simple."

He tilted his head, explaining in a clipped, patient tone.

"A teleporter jumps from one location to another instantly," Arthur said. "Aaron is a Dimension Walker. He doesn’t move through our world—he steps into another dimension, travels through it, then returns."

He held up a finger.

"Teleportation is just one thing he can do," Arthur continued. "His real power is manipulating dimensions themselves."

They all went quiet.

Aaron stared at him, mouth hanging open.

"I can... what?"

"Right now, he doesn’t know how to use it to its full potential. But if he does, he can surpass anyone in the world." Arthur said

Their eyes widened.

Evangeline looked at Aaron as if seeing him for the first time.

Isabella let out a low whistle.

Arthur clapped his hands once, snapping them back to focus.

"Alright. Enough talk," Arthur said. "All of you are tasked with protecting him. Elizabeth and I will handle all the instructors and the Headmistress. If my plan doesn’t work."

Isabella grabbed his shoulder, her eyes sharp.

"Will you be okay?"

Arthur shrugged.

"Don’t know about that," he admitted honestly. "But I know one thing—all of you won’t be safe after this. If everything works the way I’ve planned... then I’ll have the upper hand."

────────────────────────

Inside Celestia’s Academy’s Grand Hall, hundreds of candidates gathered as a massive holographic screen projected into the air.

Lines of glowing text appeared.

____________________________

『 COMBAT EXAMINATION RESULTS 』

The first board lit up.

[Combat Examination Results]

1. Arthur Celestian ..... 140 (+100) = 240

2. Aaron Vale Valmont ... 70 (+100) = 170

3. Arina Evan Imperius ..... 169

4. Victor Blackthorn .... 167

5. Elizabeth Crimson .... 165

6. Jasmine Cael Ashford .... 163

7. Evangeline Cael Ashford . 161

8. Damian Stormborn ..... 159

9. Aiden Nexaris ..... 157

10. Isabella Crown ... 155

11. Julia Vale Valmont ..... 153

12. Liana Clington ... 151

13. Diana Stormborn ..... 115

- First Place Bonus (+100)

- Arthur Celestian

- Aaron Vale Valmont

_________________________________

The hall buzzed immediately.

People pointed at the bonus note, whispering among themselves.

______________________________________

『 THEORY EXAMINATION RESULTS 』

~ RANK #1

Arthur Celestian

[ Problem‑Solving Accuracy & Intellectual Aptitude: 100% ]

[ Points: 100 ]

~ RANK #2

Diana Stormborn

[ Problem‑Solving Accuracy & Intellectual Aptitude: 99.8% ]

[ Points: 100 ]

~ RANK #3

Jasmine Cael Ashford

[ Problem‑Solving Accuracy & Intellectual Aptitude: 95.8% ]

[ Points: 96 ]

~ RANK #4

Evangeline Cael Ashford

[ Problem‑Solving Accuracy & Intellectual Aptitude: 95.5% ]

[ Points: 96 ]

~ RANK #5

Arina Evan Imperius

[ Problem‑Solving Accuracy & Intellectual Aptitude: 94.8% ]

[ Points: 96 ]

~ RANK #6

Victor Blackthorn

[ Problem‑Solving Accuracy & Intellectual Aptitude: 80.8% ]

[ Points: 82 ]

~ RANK #7

Damian Stormborn

[ Problem‑Solving Accuracy & Intellectual Aptitude: 79% ]

[ Points: 82 ]

~ RANK #8

Aiden Nexaris

[ Problem‑Solving Accuracy & Intellectual Aptitude: 78% ]

[ Points: 82 ]

~ RANK #9

Aaron Vale Valmont

[ Problem‑Solving Accuracy & Intellectual Aptitude: 75.8% ]

[ Points: 75 ]

~ RANK #10

Isabella Crown

[ Problem‑Solving Accuracy & Intellectual Aptitude: 73.8% ]

[ Points: 73 ]

~ RANK #11

Julia Vale Valmont

[ Problem‑Solving Accuracy & Intellectual Aptitude: 72.8% ]

[ Points: 72 ]

~ RANK #12 .....

~ RANK #13 .....

The screen flickered again.

______________________________________

『 FINAL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION RESULTS 』

[ Theory Examination + Combat Examination ]

~ RANK #1

Arthur Celestian

[ Theory: 100 ]

[ Combat: 240 ]

[ Overall Points: 340 ]

~ RANK #2

Arina Evan Imperius

[ Theory: 96 ]

[ Combat: 169 ]

[ Overall Points: 265 ]

~ RANK #3

Jasmine Cael Ashford

[ Theory: 96 ]

[ Combat: 163 ]

[ Overall Points: 259 ]

~ RANK #4

Evangeline Cael Ashford

[ Theory: 96 ]

[ Combat: 161 ]

[ Overall Points: 257 ]

~ RANK #5

Victor Blackthorn

[ Theory: 82 ]

[ Combat: 167 ]

[ Overall Points: 249 ]

~ RANK #6

Aaron Vale Valmont

[ Theory: 75 ]

[ Combat: 170 ]

[ Overall Points: 245 ]

~ RANK #7

Damian Stormborn

[ Theory: 82 ]

[ Combat: 159 ]

[ Overall Points: 241 ]

~ RANK #8

Aiden Nexaris

[ Theory: 82 ]

[ Combat: 157 ]

[ Overall Points: 239 ]

~ RANK #9

Elizabeth Crimson

[ Theory: 65 ]

[ Combat: 165 ]

[ Overall Points: 230 ]

~ RANK #10

Isabella Crown

[ Theory: 73 ]

[ Combat: 155 ]

[ Overall Points: 228 ]

~ RANK #11

Julia Vale Valmont

[ Theory: 72 ]

[ Combat: 153 ]

[ Overall Points: 225 ]

~ RANK #12

Liana Clington

[ Theory: 64 ]

[ Combat: 151 ]

[ Overall Points: 215 ]

~ RANK #13

Diana Stormborn

[ Theory: 100 ]

[ Combat: 111 ]

[ Overall Points: 211 ]

________________________________________

The hall grew louder.

Some students cheered, some groaned, and some simply stared at the rankings with numb expressions.

The top names—Arthur, Arina, the Ashford sisters, Victor, and Aaron—were already being whispered like titles.

Damian and Diana had finished a heavy lunch and joined Arina, Jasmine, and Liana in front of the screen.

Near the front, Damian’s group stood together.

Most candidates couldn’t help glancing at them. They were the faces that had dominated the exam—Celestian,Blackthorn Stormborn, Ashford,Crown, Valmont, Imperius, and Clington.

A few brave students tried to approach them to offer congratulations.

But the moment they saw Liana’s cold expression and Diana’s barely restrained fury, they quickly backed away.

They all read the rankings.

Liana clicked her tongue.

"Those instructors lied to us," Liana said. "They said just surviving wouldn’t get us anything. Those bastards handed out a hundred bonus points simply for surviving."

Diana folded her arms.

"I already knew they wouldn’t tell us everything," she said. "But that was a low blow."

Damian shrugged, trying to lighten the mood.

"Don’t get too mad. We’re all in the top ten at least—"

Both Liana and Diana turned to glare at him.

Damian’s brain finally caught up.

’Right... they’re not in the top ten.’

He scratched his cheek awkwardly.

"I mean... at least the top twenty."

Both Liana and Diana smacked the back of his head at the same time.

"OW!"

Arina, half-smiling at their antics, suddenly noticed Jasmine.

"Why do you look so down?" Arina asked.

"It’s nothing," Jasmine replied quickly.

"Come on," Arina pressed. "Tell me."

Jasmine hesitated.

’Maybe I should tell her...’

She opened her mouth—

The hall went red.

Warning lights began flashing along the walls, bathing everything in a crimson glow.

The holographic screen flickered before stabilizing, but everyone’s attention had already been torn away.

Murmurs rose.

"What’s happening?"

"An alarm?"

Multiple second-year and third-year students in academy uniforms appeared around the hall, moving with disciplined precision.

They spread out along the walls and balconies, forming a protective perimeter around the first-years.

Their eyes were sharp.

This wasn’t a drill.

The main doors of the Grand Hall opened.

Four figures entered.

Arthur.

Aiden.

Isabella.

Elizabeth.

They walked in without even glancing at the holographic screen that still displayed Arthur’s name at the very top.

The crowd instinctively parted as they advanced, tension radiating from them like heat.

Damian felt it immediately.

Something was wrong.

Arthur’s aura wasn’t flaring wildly, but there was a heaviness around him—a quiet killing intent that made even battle-hardened candidates shift uncomfortably.

Damian stepped forward on instinct, positioning himself between Arthur and his group, just in case this was an attack.

They reached the center of the hall.

The air rippled.

A graceful figure materialized before Arthur as if summoned by the pressure alone.

Headmistress Athena Emberfall.

Her golden hair flowed down her back like liquid sunlight, contrasting with the faint, mana dancing all around her as if someone who had pushed her power beyond normal limits long ago.

Her presence was calm.

But it pressed upon the hall like the weight of the sky.

"Stop."

Her voice was soft.

Yet everyone heard it.

"I know the situation you’re in and what you’re about to do," Athena said. "But as long as she remains inside this academy, I have a duty to protect her."

Arthur’s eyes met hers.

"Move," Arthur said, "or I’ll kill all the students gathered here."

Shock rippled through the crowd.

Damian, Liana, and Jasmine stared at him.

’Has he gone insane?’ Jasmine thought.

Athena stared at Arthur for a long moment.

Then she laughed.

It wasn’t a warm laugh.

"Then why don’t you try it?" Athena asked. "Let’s see if I can tear you apart faster than you can lay a finger on them."

Aiden and Isabella both swallowed hard.

They knew she wasn’t joking.

No one knew the true extent of Athena Emberfall’s power—but everyone knew enough to fear it.

Arthur tilted his head.

"Is that so?" he asked. "Then I’ll start with this disciple of yours."

He looked towards Damian.

"Let’s see if you can kill me faster than I can kill him. Or... you can simply hand her over, and I’ll bring her back alive. That much I can promise."

Athena’s gaze shifted toward Damian.

He stood there with his usual stubborn confidence, his aura already stirring.

Athena gaze landed back on Arthur " why does he look so sure of himself?’

Around Arthur, more auras flared as upper-year students and instructors tensed, ready to move.

He was surrounded.

Damian stepped forward, his own aura exploding outward.

"I don’t know what’s going on," Damian said, staring Arthur down, "but why don’t you try it, hotshot?"

He glanced briefly at his friends behind him before looking back at Arthur.

"Whoever you want isn’t coming with you. So fuck off...."

Arthur’s expression barely changed.

Inside his mind, his thoughts were cold and calculating.

’Start the extraction process. Make it as excruciating and painful as possible. Take as much time as you want. You can take an entire day if necessary just keep him in the worst kind of pain.’

A familiar voice answered.

[ Don’t worry, Host. These kinds of things are my specialty. ]

Notifications flooded his vision.

[ Starting Extraction Process... ]

[ Target: Radiant Valor System ]

[ Beginning Forced Extraction... ]

Suddenly Damian’s body jerked violently.

Then the screaming began.

"AAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO—AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

"MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOOOOOPPPPPP!!!"

His inhuman screams tore through the Grand Hall as he collapsed to the floor, clutching his head with both hands.

His knees slammed into the ground.

BOOM!

Inside his mind, his interface exploded with warnings.

[ RADIANT VALOR SYSTEM ]

[ WARNING: Foreign Interference Detected ]

[ Unauthorized Entity Has Entered System Space ]

[ Activating Countermeasures... ]

[ ERROR ]

[ Countermeasures Failed ]

Damian’s eyes widened in horror.

"No... no...!"

More warnings flooded his vision.

[ CRITICAL WARNING ]

[ Core Authority Being Accessed ]

[ System Integrity Falling ]

[ 91%... 74%... 52%... ]

[ SYSTEM COLLAPSE IMMINENT ]

In the hall, Damian writhed across the floor.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

His screams were so loud that some students covered their ears.

His aura flared violently before cracking apart and beginning to stutter like a flame drowning underwater.

Athena’s eyes widened.

’What the hell.....’

Damian’s friends—Jasmine, Liana, Diana, and Arina rushed to his side.

"Damian!"

"What’s happening?!"

"Talk to me!"

They tried to restrain him and keep him still, but every touch only made his body convulse harder.

Athena moved.

In an instant, she appeared before Arthur. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

One hand shot out and clamped around his throat.

She lifted him off the ground with terrifying ease.

Elizabeth, Isabella, and Aiden tensed, ready to move, weapons half-drawn.

Arthur’s voice remained calm despite the pressure crushing his neck.

"No one interferes."

They froze.

Athena’s grip tightened.

Yet Arthur merely smiled faintly, his eyes half-lidded.

There was no fear in his expression.

Only cold satisfaction.

Seeing that smile, Athena’s gaze became even colder.

Inside the hall, Damian’s agonized screams continued to echo.

--------

A/N: Sorry, guys, for being absent for the last two days. I got really sick, and I hope you all understand. 🙏