That night, alone in his dorm room, Eli sat cross legged on the floor. His fingers trembled as he placed his palm on the cold stone. He closed his eyes, steadying his breath.
"Let's see if you're real…" he whispered.
And then the glow began soft, golden, and warm spreading from his chest down his arm, forming ancient runes beneath his skin.
The system whispered:
[Ascension Code: Active]
[Sync Progress: 1%]
[Class: ??? – Bloodline Locked]
Eli's eyes opened, surprised how the system answered to his thoughts.
He knew he wasn't ready, not really. But he also knew hesitation would leave him behind. And with the way some of the nobles already looked at him like he was just another dirt stained commoner he had no room to slack.
Eli closed the interface with a sigh, leaned back on the stiff mattress, and stared at the ceiling. The dorm was shared, but his roommate hadn't shown up since the semester started. Maybe that was for the best.
"Tomorrow," he whispered, "I'll plan how to take it down."
The Next Morning Academy Grounds
Eli stepped out of the dormitory just as the first light broke through the morning fog. His uniform clean, but slightly faded fit him well enough, though it still felt too formal. He adjusted the collar, shouldered his satchel, and moved through the stone paved courtyard toward the main lecture hall.
Today, the lecture was on elemental affinities and mana theory. But Eli's mind was already in the forest.
The massive oak doors of the main lecture hall creaked open as Eli pushed them gently, stepping into a room already buzzing with conversation and energy. The lecture hall was built like an amphitheater, with rows of ascending stone benches forming a half circle around the central stage where professors delivered their teachings. Tall stained glass windows filtered in golden morning light, casting scattered rainbows across the polished floor.
Students were already seated in small clusters some chatting excitedly, others skimming their spellbooks or sharpening blades, a few just trying to stay awake. Most wore pristine uniforms lined with family crests or house sigils, proudly stitched across their shoulders.
Eli stepped in quietly, drawing minimal attention. A few eyes flicked toward him some curious, others dismissive. He kept his gaze low and moved along the left aisle, feet light on the worn stone steps.
Finding a vacant seat near the back, far enough to avoid notice but close enough to hear clearly, he sat down and exhaled slowly. The bench was cold under him, grounding.
He set his satchel at his feet and pulled out a single notebook and a worn quill. Around him, whispers continued.
"Did you hear the Crown Prince might visit next month?"
"They say that girl from House Mirrel already has her aura blade!"
"Ugh, commoners shouldn't even be in this class…"
Eli heard it all, but didn't react. He was used to being overlooked or judged.
Instead, he opened his notebook, eyes focused, hand steady.
The door closed behind him with a thud as the instructor walked in, robes fluttering slightly as he took his place at the center.
"Settle down," the professor said, voice sharp and commanding. "Today, we discuss the elemental affinities and its foundational theory."
As the murmurs died, Eli's hand tightened around his quill. His attention was locked in, but part of his mind wandered again to the Wildfang wolf. To the forest waiting beyond the safety of these walls. And to the challenge ahead that would push him further than any class ever could.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION – ASCENSION CODE ACTIVE][Primary Mission Reminder: Trial of the Fang]
Objective:
- Defeat 1x Tier-1 Wildfang Wolf
- Time Limit: 48 Hours (34:28 Remaining)
Rewards:
+3% Bloodline Synchronization
1x Lesser Body Enhancement Pill
1x Weapon Bond Token
+15 Ascension Points
Title: Initiate of the Path
Failure Penalty:
-1% Bloodline Synchronization
Stat Growth Lock for 48 Hours
Eli jolted slightly in his seat, the sudden blue glow of the translucent system panel catching his eye like a candle flame in the dark. His classmates didn't react they couldn't see it. Only he could. The Ascension Code lived within him now, embedded in his bloodline.
The voice of Instructor Kale droned on from the front of the class, scribbling something about elemental affinities on the arcane board. Mana theory. Important, but today, it barely registered.
Eli's mind spun.
*34 hours left.*
He'd hoped the system had forgotten, of course it hadn't forgotten.
'Wildfang Wolf… still the same target.'
He tried to suppress the tension in his jaw. These beasts were fast, vicious, and often hunted in packs. Even a lone Tier-1 variant would be dangerous especially without proper gear or experience.
His jaw clenched as he kept his head down, pretending to jot something down while his thoughts raced. A Wildfang wolf? That was no rabbit. Those beasts were fast, aggressive, and known to hunt in packs. Even a Tier-1 was dangerous for someone barely out of foundation training.
"Mr. Eli?"
The professor's voice snapped him back.
"Yes, sir?" he replied quickly, sitting up straighter.
"I asked what does the circulation of aura depend on when aligning with elemental affinity?"
Eli blinked. ".
'...The flow of internal
mana channels, influenced by natural affinity and mental clarity."
A beat.
The professor gave a slight nod.
"Correct. Focus next time."
Eli exhaled.
He glanced around the room. Everyone else looked so at ease laughing, whispering, or lazily taking notes.
Where the hell would he even find a Wildfang? He couldn't just waltz into the main forest grounds without permission. The instructors would notice. He needed to be smart.
His mind drifted back to a place near the outskirts past the old hunting trail, beyond the training arena ruins. There had been sightings of mana beasts near there. Too risky for most, but it might be unpatrolled.
[Tracking Nearby Wildfang Activity…]
1 Detected: Western Ravine, 2.1km beyond outer boundary
"This system sure is helpful" Eli says with satisfaction, now he only needs to think smart and act fast enough to not die to a wild fang.
Eli's fingers tightened around his quill. He had no choice. If he wanted to grow stronger, if he wanted to stop being the easy target he'd always been this mission was his test.
Tonight, he'd prepare and hunt.