The academy rarely fell silent.
But today, the main hall was quiet enough to hear footsteps echo.
Liam stood alone at its center, hands resting calmly at his sides, expression unreadable.
Before him sat the highest authority of the academy—
Principal Arvane.
The elderly man appeared frail, his silver hair thin, his posture relaxed.
Yet the air around him carried pressure far heavier than steel.
Behind Liam—
The doors slammed open.
"They're here."
Two figures entered with barely restrained fury.
Alpha's parents.
His father was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in luxurious robes embroidered with glowing blue sigils—marks of status, wealth, and political influence. His gaze was sharp enough to wound.
His mother followed close behind, eyes cold, lips pressed tight with contempt.
Between them walked Alpha.
His arm was wrapped in thick bandages. His face was pale, but the hatred burning in his eyes was unmistakable.
The moment he saw Liam, his expression twisted.
"That's him!" Alpha shouted. "He attacked me!"
His mother stepped forward instantly.
"Principal Arvane, my son was nearly crippled by that student. We demand justice—no, punishment."
Alpha's father scoffed, his eyes cutting toward Liam.
"A Yellow Core trash injuring a Blue Core elite?"
He laughed coldly.
"Do you expect us to believe this was a fair accident?"
Whispers rippled across the hall.
Principal Arvane raised a single finger.
Silence fell instantly.
"Liam Vale," the principal said calmly.
"You will speak. Tell us what occurred."
Liam lifted his head.
"I was assaulted during training," he replied evenly.
"Alpha struck first."
Alpha's father slammed his palm against the desk.
"Lies! My son would never attack someone so far beneath him!"
Liam's expression did not change.
"He kicked me," Liam continued. "Then prepared a mana-enhanced strike aimed at my chest."
The temperature in the hall dropped.
Mana-reinforced strikes to the chest were not sparring techniques.
They were lethal.
Principal Arvane's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Is this true, Alpha?"
Alpha clenched his fists.
"…He was in my way."
"That is not an answer," the principal said flatly.
Alpha's mother stepped forward sharply.
"Even if he did, that does not justify what followed! My son's mana circulation was disrupted. His future could have been destroyed!"
At that moment—
A faint pulse echoed inside Liam's mind.
[Hostile Intent Detected.]
Source: Alpha's Father
Threat Level: Moderate
Status: Monitoring
Liam remained silent.
Principal Arvane turned his gaze.
"Instructor Halvors."
The instructor stepped forward without hesitation.
"I witnessed the incident," Halvors said. "Alpha initiated physical contact. Liam defended himself."
A sharp intake of breath spread across the hall.
Alpha's father laughed bitterly.
"Defended himself?"
"By shattering my son's bones?"
Halvors met his gaze evenly.
"By surviving."
The word fell like a hammer.
Principal Arvane folded his hands.
"This academy does not punish students for defending themselves against lethal intent."
"Lethal?!" Alpha's mother cried.
"Mana-enhanced chest strikes can kill," Arvane replied calmly.
"Even Blue Core students understand this."
Alpha's hands trembled.
Liam spoke again.
"I stopped once he lost the ability to continue," he said quietly.
"I did not pursue him further."
Silence returned.
Principal Arvane studied him carefully.
"A Yellow Core student," he murmured,
"with restraint… and precision."
His gaze sharpened.
"…Interesting."
Alpha's father stepped forward angrily.
"So that's it? You'll let this end here?"
"No," the principal said.
He turned his gaze toward Alpha.
"Alpha will undergo disciplinary training for reckless aggression."
Alpha stiffened.
Then Arvane looked back at Liam.
"Liam Vale will receive a formal warning—for excessive force."
A pause followed.
"However," he continued,
"no further punishment will be issued."
Alpha's parents stared in disbelief.
"This isn't over," Alpha's father said coldly.
"You've made enemies you don't understand."
Liam met his gaze calmly.
"I understand enough."
The system pulsed quietly.
[Threat Logged.]
[Future hostility may escalate emergency protocols.]
Principal Arvane rose from his seat.
"This matter is closed."
The meeting ended.
As Liam turned to leave, he felt it—
Attention.
Not from the nobles.
Not from the students.
From the principal himself.
"Liam Vale," Arvane said softly behind him.
"Be careful."
Liam paused only briefly.
Careful?
He had already died once.
This time, he would survive—
even if the entire world pushed back.
The academy bell rang at dawn.
All first-year students were summoned to the central lecture hall—a command rare enough to spark unease.
Liam took a seat near the back.
Since the confrontation with Alpha's family, he could feel it clearly now.
Eyes followed him.
The world was watching.
Principal Arvane stood at the front.
Behind him, a massive magic diagram rotated slowly in the air.
"From today onward," he announced,
"you will no longer be treated as children."
The diagram expanded.
Power Structure of the World
"All awakened individuals begin at Level 1."
New text appeared.
Level 1–20: Foundation Stage
• Body adapts to mana
• Failure results in permanent weakness
Level 21–80: First Transformation
• Muscles, bones, and veins reshaped
• One magic ability may awaken
Level 81–130: Second Transformation
Level 131–180: Third Transformation
Level 181–230: Fourth Transformation
Level 231–280: Fifth Transformation
Level 281–330: Sixth Transformation
Level 331–380: Seventh Transformation
Level 381–400: Eighth Transformation
The pressure in the room thickened with each number.
"Beyond Level 400," Arvane said slowly,
"lies Godhood."
The hall exploded into murmurs.
"Few reach it," he continued.
"Fewer survive the attempt."
Liam felt his Red Core stir faintly.
Four hundred…
Distant.
Yet inevitable.
"The fastest method of growth," Arvane said,
"is the dungeon."
A new projection appeared.
A colossal stone gate carved with ancient runes.
Beginner Dungeon Trial
"Starting tomorrow," Arvane announced,
"all first-year students will enter dungeons as part of official assessment."
The atmosphere tightened.
"These dungeons are monitored," he continued.
"But they are not safe."
"Injury is expected."
"Death… is possible."
Silence reigned.
"There will be rankings," Arvane added.
Interest flared instantly.
"Performance will be judged by kills, survival time, teamwork, and growth."
The diagram changed again.
A radiant symbol pulsed at the center.
First-Place Reward: Core Resonance Blessing
Gasps filled the hall.
"This blessing temporarily synchronizes mana across the entire body," Arvane said.
"It strengthens all recipients—regardless of core grade."
Even Golden Core students leaned forward.
"This is your opportunity," he concluded.
"To rise—or be left behind."
As students erupted into discussion, Liam remained still.
Inside him, the system activated.
[Level Interface Unlocked.]
Level: 1
Transformation Stage: None
Recommended Growth Path: Dungeon Combat
[Note: Legendary Core allows accelerated leveling.]
Liam exhaled slowly.
Beginner dungeon.
Levels.
Transformations.
And a reward capable of changing the hierarchy itself.
Perfect.
Others would fight for glory.
For reputation.
For recognition.
Liam would fight for something simpler.
Survival.
Strength.
A future where no one could ever corner him again.
As students poured from the hall, Liam's gaze sharpened.
If first place made everyone stronger—
Then he would take it.
Not for them.
But because every step forward brought him closer to a height where no one—
not nobles,
not systems,
not even fate—
could decide how his life would end.