As I finally reached my destination—the academy—I couldn't help but pull off a spectacular drift. My tires screeched, smoke billowed, and a thunderous roar echoed through the air. With that flashy entrance, every eye turned to me.
It wasn't because my car was some sleek luxury beast. No—just an old monster I'd tuned myself. But to them, it might as well have been a spaceship.
Voices erupted near the gate.
> "What the hell...? Did that guy just drift into the academy?"
"Bro, is that even legal? That thing looks like it belongs in a junkyard... or a war zone."
"Tell me I'm not hallucinating. Did we just get Fast & Furious: Cultivator Edition?"
A group of seniors leaned on the railing nearby, smirking."Here we go again. Every year, one of these clowns shows up thinking they're the main character.""Main character? More like a sidekick with a screw loose.""Nah, he's giving unhinged anime villain who peaked in high school vibes. I kinda respect it."
Laughter followed.
I heard every word. I just didn't care.
Calmly, I rolled down the window and stuck my arm out, letting the warm breeze brush past my fingers. A red light scanned the bracelet on my wrist. It beeped, granting access. Instantly, details about my room assignment and living area appeared on the small screen.
This bracelet was more than a fancy ID. It could store items, display information, and serve as a secure gateway. I could even control what part of my identity it revealed. One of the few pieces of tech in this world I actually appreciated.
With the gates now open, I drove into the academy grounds. As I passed the towering walls, a quiet ping sounded from the bracelet. My class assignment had been updated. I glanced at it, then kept driving toward my housing.
Housing here was tiered:
Low-Class Housing: Affordable and basic. A place to sleep, nothing more.
Middle-Class Housing: Better facilities and privacy—for a price.
High-End Housing: Reserved for wealthy students or those ranked in the Top 30. Personal butlers, servants, and luxurious living spaces.
VIP Housing: Exclusive to the Top 10. Private advanced training rooms, AI tutors, personal chefs, even elite trainers.
And the Park? Well... let's just say it was something else entirely. An advanced combat zone disguised as paradise.
I'd chosen the middle-class option. It was enough.
As I parked and stepped out of the car, a scanner above the door registered my bracelet. The door slid open.
I'd already submitted my preferences, and the interior matched them exactly—black-and-white tones, minimalist layout, with a few anime-themed decorations. An open kitchen, a bedroom with a king-sized bed, a compact training room, and a small lab for personal research.
Perfect.
There were no mandatory activities planned for the first day. I had no desire to explore or socialize. The academy, the people—they didn't matter.
I only cared about one thing: my bed.
And that was how my first day at Lightspire Academy came to an end.
---
Second Day
I heard my alarm and woke up from a beautiful dream.
"Ah, I really don't want to wake up... I just want to sleep more," I said in frustration.
Sometimes I wonder how great it would be if I could sleep as long as I wanted. Sleeping is the best activity for me, right after eating.
After getting up, I went to the kitchen and made myself a black coffee.
"What could be better than black coffee in the morning?" I said.
I think I might be the only one who still drinks black coffee for energy. Humanity has invented many drinks that are tastier and healthier, but what can I say? My love for coffee runs deep.
After finishing my coffee, I went to the training room and did some light exercises. Then I headed to the washroom. After freshening up, I made a simple breakfast and got ready for class. A white shirt and black pants.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
"How can someone be this outrageously handsome? With a face like this, I could probably start a fan club by accident."
Then I slipped on a black mask. Obviously not because I'm too good-looking or anything. I just like masks. Fashion, you know?
It's not like I'm trying to stop people from fainting in the hallways. Or being mistaken for a girl. Definitely not.
...Okay, maybe a little. I mean, what do you want from me? This face was a genetic accident.
I grabbed my earphones and mobile, then headed toward my classroom. As I reached the classroom door and looked at the class number, something clicked in my memory—something I had almost forgotten. Or maybe I just didn't care.
I was in the same class as the protagonist of this novel and the other main characters.
"Well, let's see what the future holds. I'll plan based on what happens next."
When I entered the classroom, no one paid attention to me. I chose a window-side seat in the corner. As I sat down, I noticed the room had gone quiet. Everyone was staring at someone.
He had white hair, red eyes, and an aura that screamed power. Instantly, I knew who he was. Jin Kairon. The top-ranked student of the year. The protagonist.
Beside him stood a girl of cold, devilish beauty. Her long white hair framed a face too perfect to feel real, and her crimson eyes gave nothing away—not warmth, not interest, not even annoyance. She wasn't trying to stand out. She just did. Effortlessly.
There was no smile, no friendliness—just a quiet, distant elegance that made people hesitate before speaking.
She looked like someone who didn't care what the world thought of her. And somehow, that made everyone care even more.
"Mom, I think I finally found a beauty who could match yours," I whispered to myself.
Her name was Aya Kairon. Jin's sister.
"Their family has some crazy good genes," I muttered.
Jin Kairon took the opposite corner seat. Then, Aya started walking—toward me.
"Wait... is she coming to sit next to me?" I said to myself.
She stopped beside me and chose the seat on my left.
"Fuck," I whispered.
She cast me a quick glance, then looked away.
That's when I remembered: I was the only one here without cultivation. These people were cultivators. Their senses were sharper than any normal human's.
"Fuck. She definitely heard that," I thought, trying to calm my aura.
More students walked in. Two girls—also main characters. Best friends: Lyra Thorne, with black hair and gray eyes, her beauty sweet and innocent; and Mira Aven, with golden hair, brown eyes, and bold, radiant looks. Behind them was another guy.
Zaren Holt. Amber eyes, black hair, and raw testosterone. Handsome. From a powerful family. Ranked No. 3 this year. Another main character. A second protagonist, you could say.
"This might be the only day in my two lives I've seen so many handsome and beautiful people together," I whispered slowly.
They walked over and sat beside Jin.
"Good. If they sat near me, I might've had to change classes," I muttered.
Then a woman entered—around 27, fox-like features, wild beauty. My brain almost short-circuited as she walked to the board.
"Attention everyone," she said. Her voice was like magic. The room went silent.
"Hello. I'm Emily Carter, your class teacher for the year. We'll be spending a lot of time together, so let's start with introductions. Stand up one by one, state your name and your rank. Keep it brief."
And so, the introductions began.
"Hello, my name is Jaxon Nyir. Ranking: 600."
"Hello, my name is Selene Veyra. Ranking: 250."
"Hello, my name is Jin Kairon. Ranking: 1."
The class turned to look at him. Even those who didn't know him before now knew.
"Hello, my name is Mira Aven. Ranking: 5."
"Orion Strath. Ranking: 4."
"Lyra Thorne. Ranking: 6."
"Zaren Holt. Rank 3."
Then came my beauty, Aya.
"Aya Kairon. Rank 2," she said, her tone cold and graceful.
My brain almost stopped working.
"Arishu," Miss Emily called.
I was lost in thought, staring at the beauty beside me.
"Arishu!"
"Arishu Arishu Elcarth, Rank 2000," I blurted, snapping back and standing abruptly, nearly losing my balance. I straightened myself and sat down. Some students laughed.
"Why are you wearing a mask in class?" Miss Emily asked.
"I have a skin allergy, ma'am," I lied.
"Oh right. You're the one who never cultivated or tested your talent, correct?"
I could feel the stares now. And the laughter.
"Yes, ma'am. I got admitted based on my research, not cultivation."
"So, you can't cultivate?"
"No, ma'am. I just never tried."
"And your talent?"
"Never tested it."
Now I could feel my aura in complete negative. Everyone here had started cultivating at 11 or 13. I was 16 and hadn't even tried.
"Well, that may have been acceptable before, but you're my student now. Come here. We'll test your talent right now."
"Okay, ma'am."
I walked to her. She pulled out a black stone.
"Place your hand on this," she instructed.
I did. A warm sensation spread through my palm. The stone glowed faint blue.
Miss Emily looked disappointed but quickly hid it.
"E-rank talent," she announced.
I felt a bit bad. But not for long.
If I couldn't overcome even this small hurdle, how would I ever chase immortality?
Some classmates didn't care. Others wore mocking smiles. I ignored them.
"Okay, ma'am," I said, returning to my seat.
Miss Emily continued, "This is your first class. We'll be covering history—how humans got this far, how this academy was founded, and the cultivation levels. For those who don't know," she said, glancing at me.
She began the lesson. I already knew this from the novel.
A history only 200 years long, yet packed with chaos.
In 2021, while the world was recovering from COVID-19, catastrophe struck. Strange portals opened. Creatures from fantasy emerged—Elves, Yao, and advanced machines. The invasion was swift and brutal.
Missiles, bombs, and guns were useless. People died before they understood what was happening. But humans refused to kneel.
As Earth's environment changed and energy began to flow, humans started cultivating.
It was slow. Many perished. But over time, they adapted. By 2070, peace returned—barely. Skirmishes continued, driven by pride, resources, and ancient grudges.
Then, in 3000, the real threat came: demons. Unlike anything before. Perfect killers. Even united, the four races couldn't stop them.
Ironically, humanity benefited. While demons focused on stronger races, humans perfected cultivation and tech. But by 3015, demons turned their gaze to us.
Finally, the races united. They fought back. Reclaimed land. Redrew the map.
North: Elves in crystal cities. South: Beastkin, wild and primal. West: Mechari, beings of machine and mind. East: Humans—steel cities, modest power, unmatched innovation.
And in the center, veiled in storms and shadow, lay the Demon Domain.
Yes, this wasn't the Earth you knew. Bigger. Wilder. One massive continent.