Kael opened his eyes to a world alive with color. The air smelled of magic and stone, warm but tinged with something sharp—something dangerous. The sky rippled with shifting clouds, casting light over a land that seemed almost painted. Mountains jutted like jagged teeth, rivers glimmered with mana, and far below him stretched the sprawling towers and spires of Arclight Academy, perched atop a high plateau.
He flexed his fingers. Twin axes—Ruin and Reaver—rested in his hands. Their chain pulsed faintly, attuned to his grip, a perfect extension of his will. His rainbow-colored eyes flared faintly in response to the magic suffusing the air. He breathed in slowly, savoring the sensation of life in this new world.
The State of the Continents
Arclight Academy was situated in Eryndor, one of the seven major continents of this world. Magic was pervasive, but its distribution was uneven. Nations and cities measured power meticulously, and rankings defined lives:
Novice (F): New to magic or combat. Cannot cast advanced spells or wield significant weapons.
Apprentice (D): Basic control of mana or combat skills. Some can wield simple weapons effectively.
Intermediate (C): Competent. Can hold their own in group skirmishes.
Advanced (B): Recognized fighters or mages with specializations. Often used as squad leaders or elite guards.
Expert (A): Commanders or high-ranking mages. Their influence is political as well as military.
Master (S): Legends in their own right. Can challenge entire battalions, reshape battlefields, or break minor magical artifacts.
Grandmaster (SS): Near-immortal power. Only a handful exist in the world at any given time.
Mythic (SS+): Names whispered in fear. Capable of destroying cities, leading armies, or challenging gods.
The academy itself trained students to reach S+, though very few even reached SS. Rank progression was competitive and sometimes brutal, with students failing exams, duels, or missions if their aptitude faltered.
Tension Across the Continent
The world teetered on the brink of war. Kingdoms, once at peace, had begun fortifying borders. Rumors of a dark cult—the Oblivion Veil—spread like wildfire. This cult specialized in forbidden magic, summoning monsters from other planes, and infiltrating kingdoms to assassinate leaders. Scholars whispered that the cult's ultimate goal was to break through the barriers separating the continents, creating chaos and plunging the world into darkness.
Everyone, from nobles to merchants, warriors to mages-in-training, felt the tension. Even Arclight Academy, ostensibly a neutral institution for training, had heightened security. Students were instructed to train hard, as the world outside was no longer safe. War wasn't coming—it was already at the door.
The Academy and Kael's Place
Arclight Academy sat at the peak of a plateau, sprawling across several square kilometers. The central spire housed the headmasters, libraries, and archives. Dormitories stretched across the plateau in rings, each designated by rank potential. Fields for combat practice, mana pools, and obstacle courses covered the outer grounds.
Students whispered about the entrance exam, which would determine not only their dorm assignments but also their rank within the academy hierarchy. Many aspired to S-tier recognition, dreaming of becoming the elite who would protect kingdoms—or, if daring, topple them.
Kael observed quietly from the edge of the plateau. He had no interest in politics, friendships, or glory. All he wanted was to train, grind, and grow. He had seen the failures of his previous life and knew one truth: power alone was the path to freedom.
Power Ranks in the Academy
The academy used a formalized ranking system for students:
F (Novice) – barely trained, raw talent.
E (Beginner) – basic skill, can cast simple spells or wield a weapon reliably.
D (Apprentice) – steady control, begins showing specialty in combat/magic.
C (Intermediate) – capable of small unit leadership, tactical awareness.
B (Advanced) – can face elite opponents, significant influence on missions.
A (Expert) – ready for real-world conflict, powerful spells, or battlefield dominance.
S (Master) – legendary for age group, could influence political/military events.
SS (Grandmaster) – exceptional, nearly immortal skill, reshapes battlefields.
SS+ (Mythic) – godlike, feared across nations.
Most students broke through E to D, some reached C, a few rare prodigies reached B, and almost none saw S-tier or above in their lifetime.
Kael knew this system well, even though it was new to his eyes—because he remembered similar grading and ranking systems from his previous life, in games and simulations. He could already sense his own potential far beyond what most students would ever dream.
The Silent Observer
As students trained and prepared nervously for the coming exam, Kael's attention wandered to the wider picture. Kingdoms in the continent were sending emissaries, military tutors, and spies to the academy. All were watching for the next generation of protectors—or assassins.
And in the shadows, he thought, the Oblivion Veil did not sleep. Their agents were already inside kingdoms, planting seeds of terror. Kael didn't care for politics… but the thrill of an unseen enemy, the challenge of combat, made his pulse quicken.
He flexed his fingers, axes in hand. Rainbow eyes glinting. The world is dangerous.Good. That's exactly how he liked it.