The morning light, inside Noah's room, Noah was still sprawled across his bed, eyes shut in deep sleep, when he felt something poking at his cheek. His eyelids twitched before he slowly opened his eyes. At first, his vision was hazy as the sunlight poured directly onto his face. He blinked a few times, fighting off the drowsiness, then turned toward the source of the poking—only to find his younger sister, Yserie, sitting at his bedside. Her knees pressed into the mattress, her head resting on one hand while the other continued prodding his cheek.
"Brother, wake up," Yserie said softly, her voice laced with a lazy smile. She looked tired herself, faint dark circles shadowing the skin beneath her eyes.
"Ugh… Yserie?" Noah muttered, dragging himself upright, pressing a hand against his head as a mild headache pulsed there.
"How was your sleep?"
"Good… I think…" Noah answered faintly.
"Didn't I lock the door? How the hell did she even get in?" he thought.
"Well, sleepyhead, while you were dreaming away, the exam probably already started," Yserie teased, her smile mischievous yet sluggish.
"Exam?" Noah repeated in confusion, a nagging sense gnawing inside him as if he had forgotten something crucial.
"Yes—the ESS, Elite Student Screening. Did you forget that?" Yserie raised a brow, astonished he could overlook something this important.
"Ah… right… I—I'll get ready…" Noah stammered nervously. Yserie shot him a peculiar look, as if puzzled by his reaction, but said nothing more. She hopped lightly off the bed, her steps feather-soft as though her body had no weight, then turned toward the door. Before leaving, she glanced back with a playful grin.
"If you pass the exam, I'll give you a reward," she said, blowing him a kiss in the air. The silence between them thickened immediately, Yserie's cheeks flushing red. Panicked, she blurted out, "I-I'm leaving!" and hurriedly grabbed the doorknob, fumbling before slamming the door shut behind her.
"…What was that about?" Noah whispered, bewildered, before exhaling deeply and staring down at his hands.
"Today's the big day for many… the day they prove themselves and earn their place in prestigious universities, chasing their future as Sentinels. How I've always hated this day… I still hate it." His hands trembled; he clenched them tightly.
"I'm afraid. I just want to stay, to sleep longer, to spend more time with Yserie… but… can I really let it all slip by? I'm not the only 'failure,' but I was given power… the System. It's unfair to so many…" His thoughts spiraled, a bitter chuckle slipping from his lips as he dragged his hand through his hair, tugging it harshly.
"To neglect such a gift would be a crime," he muttered with mocking self-contempt. That's when the familiar chime of a notification rang. He lifted his head toward the glowing System screen.
[Skill: Influence Field (Rank S – Level 1)]
Category: Manipulation
Classification: Active
[Skill Effects:]
[Willborne Reach] (Active):
Expands perception and influence across a 500-meter radius.
Non-living matter within range can be moved, lifted, rotated, hardened, or shattered through intent alone.
Power output scales with mental focus and mana expenditure.
[Kinetic Dominion] (Active):
The environment becomes a direct extension of will.
Earth may form spears, walls harden into shields, air compress into traps.
Manipulations respond fluidly to instinct and emotion, requiring no gestures or incantations.]
"…This is the skill I gained after completing the mission… Yet, for some reason, I don't feel the same joy I had when I obtained Foresight. Why?" Noah whispered shakily. Suddenly, he slapped his cheeks hard until they reddened.
"Focus, Noah Grace! You didn't die ten times just to give up before your story even starts!" His thoughts roared. A faint smile tugged at his lips. His chest still felt heavy, tight, but an even greater strength welled up inside him. He rose quickly from bed, showered, and changed into proper clothes.
Minutes later, Noah descended the stairs into the living room. There sat Yserie, curled up on the couch, hugging her knees to her chest, watching the television in silence. When she noticed him, her eyes widened.
"A-are you going already?" she asked nervously.
"Huh? Yeah. Didn't you wake me up for this?" Noah asked, confused. Yserie cursed herself internally—of course that was the reason.
"R-right… that's what I did," she murmured, her voice fragile, barely audible like a broken breath.
"I'll be going then," Noah said uncertainly, turning toward the door. Just as his hand brushed the knob, Yserie suddenly grabbed his arm tightly, pulling him back. Shocked, Noah looked down. Her head was bowed, her silky pink hair shadowing her face, only her flushed cheeks visible.
"Y-Yserie?"
He could hear her ragged, quickening breaths. She raised her head slightly, her eyes shimmering with a hunger, a fierce desire. The sight reminded him of wild beasts eyeing him with raw, ravenous hunger. Noah shivered, fear prickling him before he forced himself to meet her gaze again.
"Brother," Yserie said with a teasing lilt, suppressing a giggle.
"Y-yeah?!" Noah's body tensed, rattled by unease.
She lifted her head fully, locking eyes with him. His pupils shook—not from discomfort this time, but from a strange, budding joy. Yserie's eyes gleamed with pride and warmth. She broke into a broad, radiant smile, nervousness still present in the beads of sweat on her forehead, her brows trembling with both fear and hope.
"Crush them."
Noah froze, words caught in his throat. How many brothers would envy him right now—an adorable sister like Yserie cheering him on before such an exam? Even in her clumsy attempt to act strong, she was still unbearably sweet. A quiet smile touched Noah's face, and he raised his thumb in reply.
"Alright."
———
In the city center, near the bus station, a graceful young woman stepped down. Her long, silky red hair spilled past her shoulders, a pair of sunglasses perched on her nose, and a wide-brimmed hat shielding her from the sun. She wore a long white coat adorned with embroidery along the hem. Adjusting her hat, she smiled with a confident, almost masculine charm.
"It was a long journey… I mustn't disappoint the director," she thought. She turned to a passerby nearby.
"Excuse me?" she asked politely.
"Yes?"
"…Do you know where Ronchel High School is?"
———
Inside the school's exam hall, on a raised platform, two examiners stood.
One had wild, spiky red hair like a hedgehog, a scar etched along his lips, and crimson eyes that scanned the hall with piercing focus. He wore the official Sentinel uniform, and carried himself with blatant arrogance.
Beside him was a man with long black hair cascading down his back, his dark eyes heavy with fatigue. A black aura seemed to seep around him, emphasizing his exhaustion. He wore the same Sentinel's cloak, though his demeanor radiated laziness. He stifled a yawn.
"I don't see any talent here. Looks like we wasted our time," the black-haired man muttered.
"Noctis, we're not here to find talent—we're here to wake them from their slumber, to free them from their restraints," the redhead replied.
"Rael, since when did you start spouting proverbs?"
"I'm just looking for someone who can entertain me in a real fight!", Rael chuckled, His tone carried both excitement and menace.
Noctis sighed internally. Mistake asking this musclehead anything.
Among the students, whispers erupted.
"Isn't that Rael Veldric?!"
"You mean the A-Rank Sentinel, the 'Red Hawk'? That lunatic who loves fighting more than breathing?!"
"And the other one… that's Noctis Vinye!"
"The guy who supposedly sleeps through missions but has never failed a single one?"
"Wait, you mean Dusk, the forgotten Sentinel?!"
The name-dropping spread like fire. Awe filled some students, fear crept into others, and many realized this exam was anything but ordinary.
"Why are two A-Rank Sentinels here?" one student whispered.
"They rarely attend student exams. Something's off…"
At the hall's entrance, Blake and his group loitered impatiently.
"Damn it, hasn't that bastard shown up yet?!" Blake growled.
Victor Garth, one of his cronies, taller and broad-shouldered, with brown hair and green eyes, looked uneasy.
"What if he doesn't come?"
"He will…"
The voice came from behind—Liam, stepping closer.
"What makes you so sure?" Blake asked.
"I know him better than anyone else here," Liam replied firmly, his expression hard. Blake felt a faint chill.
"It doesn't matter. We'll find him during the test. And even if we don't, he won't make it out alive."
Blake smirked, arrogance dripping from his expression as he and his group walked away, leaving Liam behind.
"I have to warn Noah… Blake actually hired someone to kill him", Liam thought, dread and urgency washing over him.
"Alright, brats, gather up! The exam starts now!" Rael's booming voice echoed, pulling the students toward the platform.
"He's still not here…" Liam thought with a trace of relief. If Noah's absent, at least he'll be safe.
But just then, the double doors swung open. Noah staggered in, leaning against the frame, panting heavily. Every eye turned toward him; whispers exploded like wildfire.
"What's that 'Flaw' doing here?"
"Why's he out of breath like that? Gross."
"Does he really think he can pass? Pathetic."
Rael and Noctis studied him silently.
"Excuse me," Noah said between breaths.
"Can I still take the test?"