Felix stood by the open window, letting the air brush against his face.
The city below was vast—far larger than anything he remembered from his previous world.
Towering buildings blended modern architecture with arcane designs, glowing lines of mana running through metal and stone alike. Flying vehicles crossed the sky in orderly lanes, while runic screens projected advertisements and announcements in midair.
"So this is a 'more modern' world," Felix muttered.
"Yeah… you undersold it."
[Your assessment is noted, Host.]
Felix ignored the system and focused inward instead.
"Alright," he said calmly.
"First objective: reduce Essence pressure."
He closed his eyes.
The moment he did, the world seemed to slow.
Thanks to Absolute Understanding, his awareness plunged inward without resistance. He didn't need meditation manuals or breathing techniques. The concept of Essence itself unfolded before him like a diagram etched directly into his mind.
Essence wasn't just energy.
It was intent.
Existence.
Authority in its most primitive form.
Felix could feel it—vast, violent, and completely unrestrained within him.
"…No wonder I stand out," he muttered.
Most cultivators struggled to gather Essence.
Felix's problem was the opposite.
"System," he asked,
"how do normal people suppress this?"
[Through long-term conditioning and imperfect control methods.]
"In other words," Felix said,
"trial and error."
[Correct.]
Felix smiled slightly.
"Good thing I don't do trial and error."
The Essence within him shifted.
Instead of forcing it down, Felix rearranged the concept.
Pressure wasn't something that had to leak outward—it was simply unused output.
Like a blade without a sheath.
With a single mental adjustment, the Essence folded inward, circulating smoothly through his body.
The oppressive feeling vanished.
Outside the window, a passing bird that had been startled mid-flight relaxed and continued on its path.
[Objective 1 completed.]
Felix opened his eyes.
"That was easier than expected."
[That is not normal, Host.]
"I'm starting to notice."
He stretched his body, joints cracking lightly.
"Next: physical foundation."
Felix glanced around the hotel room, then sighed.
"…I really hope this body can handle what I'm about to do."
Ten minutes later, the room was silent again.
The bed frame was bent.
The floor had several hairline cracks.
And Felix stood in the center, completely fine.
He exhaled slowly.
"This body's potential is absurd."
Without formal training, he could already sense how muscle fibers, bones, and even organs responded to Essence reinforcement. His physique adapted in real time, optimizing itself with each movement.
[Heretical physical growth detected.]
"Don't make it sound like a crime."
Felix wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead.
"Alright, final objective—knowledge."
He picked up the phone again, but this time didn't search randomly.
"System," he said,
"tell me what isn't written about the academy."
There was a pause.
A long one.
[The academy entrance exam does not measure raw power.]
[It measures control, adaptability, and resistance to interference.]
"So hiding strength is mandatory."
[For most candidates.]
Felix raised an eyebrow.
"For me?"
[For you, it is survival.]
That got his attention.
"Explain."
[Multiple factions monitor the academy indirectly.]
[Individuals who violate expected growth curves tend to disappear.]
Felix chuckled softly.
"Good thing I violate definitions, not curves."
The air around him suddenly shifted.
A gentle breeze formed inside the room, circling him playfully.
It wasn't mana-heavy or violent—just… free.
[Wind Affinity detected.]
[Reward synchronization in progress.]
Felix blinked.
"Oh? Already?"
The breeze responded, flowing closer, brushing against his skin like a curious creature.
In that instant, Felix understood it.
Wind wasn't force.
It was movement without restriction.
Freedom.
He lifted a finger.
The breeze sharpened, compressed, then dispersed—perfectly controlled.
"…This feels unfair," Felix admitted.
[Wind Affinity unlocked.]
[Compatibility: Perfect.]
Felix laughed.
"Of course it is."
Suddenly, a new notification appeared.
Hidden Sub-Task Completed
Condition: Natural Affinity Resonance
Result: Wind Essence Sensitivity ×10
Felix stared at the screen.
"…System."
[Yes, Host?]
"I haven't even entered the academy yet."
[Correct.]
"And this is already happening."
[Correct.]
Felix leaned back against the window frame, eyes sharp and amused.
"Then I guess," he said softly,
"the entrance exam is going to be interesting."
Far away, within the World Academy—
Several detection arrays flickered for a brief moment.
Then returned to normal.
Unnoticed.
For now.