At the same time Max's world shifted forever, elsewhere in the capital city of Noverra, in the highest tower of the Elemental Council, shadows gathered.
The Council Hall was a place of elegance and danger. Massive stained-glass windows cast colored patterns on the marble floors, but beneath that beauty lay secrets, blood, and power.
Jack Frost stood with his arms crossed, eyes closed, cold mist curling around his boots. He wasn't just a student—he was heir to one of the most powerful legacies in the world.
Behind him stood three other students: Celia Rugpt, Alen Voss, and Mira Zhao—each from top-tier bloodlines, each recently awakened with blue-tier talents.
But the true figures of authority loomed beyond them. Three figures sat around a circular table—The Council's Upper Board.
Old, powerful, and dangerous.
"We have located traces of the Tier 11 artifact's signature," said one of the elders, a woman with silver eyes and golden flame coiling around her fingertips.
"Where?" Jack asked without looking up.
The elder smirked. "A slum district. Around Zone 7. But it's faint. Someone is suppressing it… hiding it well."
Celia tilted her head. "Do you think it's Peter's descendant?"
"He had a child?" Mira asked, surprised.
"He might have," Alen muttered. "But Peter died 16 years ago. He wouldn't have left the artifact with just anyone…"
"He wouldn't," the silver-eyed elder agreed. "He was too careful. Which is why this changes everything."
She waved her hand. A hologram of a glowing necklace hovered in the air.
"If the artifact is reawakening, then the prophecy might be real after all."
Jack finally opened his eyes. They glowed a faint blue.
"We'll find it. I'll find it."
He turned to the others. "When we enroll in the upcoming inter-academy tournament, keep your eyes open. If this 'Max' is out there… we'll know."
Meanwhile, Max had no idea that his awakening had already begun to send ripples through the world.
The next morning, he packed his things quietly. He had received his assignment: Low-Class Academy – Zone 9.
It was barely more than a glorified combat orphanage. The facilities were broken. The training was outdated. But to Max… it was perfect.
The weaker he looked, the safer he'd be—for now.
He boarded the bus with a few other low-ranked students, most of them still bruised from the Awakening Ceremony.
Max sat alone, quietly reading through the system's new menu.
[Daily Quests Available]
• Train Physical Strength – 0/100
• Practice Mana Control – 0/100
• Meditate – 0/1 hour
[Hidden Quest: Discover the Origin of the Artifact]
• Progress: 1%
He smirked to himself.
They all thought he was a joke.
But soon…
The world would remember his name.