In this world, power was measured with ruthless clarity.
The known ranks ranged from F-rank, the lowest, to SS-rank, the highest. Each step upward was not a ladder, but a wall—one most people would spend their entire lives staring at.
There were no verified records of an SSS-rank ever existing. Such a level was regarded as purely mythical, spoken of only in legends as a godlike state. Whether it truly existed or not was unknown.
Probably unknown on purpose.
Each major rank was divided into three sub-ranks, representing progress and mastery within that tier.
For example, E-rank followed this sequence:
E– → E → E+
E– (Unstabilized Rank):
This sub-rank represented someone who had just broken through from F+ into E-rank. Their power had increased, but it was unstable. Without proper training and adaptation, they were often weaker than their rank suggested.
In other words—strong enough to hurt themselves.
E (Stabilized Rank):
This indicated successful adaptation. The individual could now use the abilities of the tier reliably and without exploding from the inside.
E+ (Peak Sub-Rank):
The ceiling of the tier. Those who reached it stood at the threshold of the next major rank. Achieving E+ was the foundation required to break through into D– rank.
The difference between sub-ranks was noticeable but manageable.
The difference between major tiers?
That was existence-altering.
However…
Not everyone could climb freely.
Every individual was born with a fixed talent—an inherent limit inherited from their parents or enforced by the laws of the world itself. There were no recorded cases of talent increasing after birth.
Some people were born to soar.
Others…
Were born to stall.
And judging by my body, I had been born to stall, trip, and faceplant directly into the dirt.
✦✦✦
After class, I headed straight to the academy's training grounds to stabilize my newly acquired D– rank.
The place was enormous—an 800-meter circular field, carved into the land like a perfect arena. It looked less like a training ground and more like a place where dreams were gently crushed under professional supervision.
I started running.
"Gasp… gasp…"
My lungs immediately filed a formal complaint.
"…Damn it," I muttered. "What kind of bargain-bin body did I reincarnate into?"
Even after breaking through in rank, the effects of severe malnutrition were painfully obvious. My muscles screamed, my legs felt hollow, and my stamina evaporated faster than my pride.
"I can't even run two laps…"
I slowed to a jog, then stopped entirely, hands braced on my knees.
So this is what being strong but starving feels like.
Amazing.
Ten out of ten.
Would not recommend.
I glanced around.
Only a few students were training. Most were probably enjoying their first day—laughing with friends, forming alliances, or flirting like the fate of the continent depended on it.
"…Figures," I muttered.
"They're all living their main-character arcs."
I straightened and sighed.
"Meanwhile, I'm the lonely background character doing cardio."
I shook my head and forced myself to run again.
Pain shot through my legs instantly.
Yep.
Still a background character.
After one painfully slow lap, I collapsed onto a bench and summoned my system.
[ STATUS WINDOW ]
[Name: Alden Von Astra]
[Race: Human]
[Age: 17]
[Rank: D– (Unstabilized)]
[Bloodline: Dormant (ERROR)]
[Stats:]
[Strength: 14 / 100]
[Agility: 15 / 100]
[Endurance: 11 / 100]
[Intelligence: 41 / 100]
[Mana: 0 / ???]
[Luck: SSS+]
[Mental Stability: 65%]
[Condition:
• Malnutrition (Moderate)
• Soul Fusion (Incomplete)
• Dimensional Residue Detected
• Rank Instability (Active)]
[Skills:
• Aura Pressure (Passive) — D-rank
• Mana Sensitivity — E-rank]
[System Note:
⚠ Subject classified as an Unidentified Variable]
I stared at the screen.
"…Endurance eleven," I said flatly.
"So my legs weren't being dramatic. That's just reality."
Just then—
"Yo. You alive?"
I looked up.
A tall boy with ash-brown hair stood nearby, resting a wooden practice spear on his shoulder. His build was lean and practical—clearly trained, clearly functional.
Behind him stood a shorter girl with fiery red hair tied into a high ponytail, stretching casually with sharp, energetic movements.
"You looked like you were about to pass out," the boy added.
"I was negotiating with the idea," I replied honestly.
The red-haired girl snorted. "First day and already dying? Impressive."
"Kael Draven," the boy said. "D-rank. Stabilized."
"Mira Ashfall," the girl added proudly. "E+. Almost D–."
Of course they were.
I nodded. "Alden."
Their expressions shifted slightly.
"…You're that guy?" Mira asked.
I sighed internally. "Depends. Which 'that'?"
"The one who insulted the entire class like it was a hobby," Kael said, amused.
"…Ah. That one."
Mira laughed. "I liked it. You've got guts."
Or suicidal tendencies, I thought.
As we spoke, my system chimed softly.
❖ DING ❖
[Training Detected]
[Physical Adaptation Initiated…]
A mild warmth spread through my muscles—not dramatic, not flashy. More like my body reluctantly agreeing to cooperate.
❖ DING ❖
[Stat Adjustment Confirmed]
Endurance: 11 → 13
Mental Stability: +2%
Rank Stability: +4%
I blinked.
"…Huh. So you do reward suffering."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "You okay?"
"Yeah," I said slowly.
"My body just stopped actively plotting my death."
Mira grinned. "Nice. Stick around. Training's more fun when you're not dying alone."
I allowed myself a small smile.
Maybe…
Just maybe…
This academy wouldn't be completely unbearable after all.
And as the system faded into the back of my awareness, one thought remained crystal clear:
This was only the beginning.
The beginning, unfortunately, hurt.
A lot.
Five minutes later, I was lying flat on my back, staring at the sky as if it personally owed me an apology.
"This," I said weakly, "is what peak physical conditioning looks like."
Mira crouched beside me, hands on her knees, peering down with visible amusement. "You sure you're D–rank? You move like an F–rank with ambition."
"That's called efficiency," I replied. "I skip unnecessary steps. Like standing."
Kael leaned on his spear, watching calmly. "Your movements aren't bad. Your body just can't keep up."
"Yes," I agreed. "That is, unfortunately, the problem."
I pushed myself up with a groan and sat cross-legged. My muscles trembled like they were one inconvenience away from quitting permanently.
Still, something felt… different.
Not stronger.
But less fragile.
Like my body had stopped panicking every time I asked it to do something mildly athletic.
❖ DING ❖
[Rank Stability Increasing]
[Unstabilized D– Rank: 38% → 42%]
I narrowed my eyes.
"So you're telling me," I muttered, "that all I had to do was suffer consistently."
Mira tilted her head. "Are you talking to yourself?"
"Yes," I said. "It's a coping mechanism."
She laughed. "You're weird."
"I prefer 'efficiently unhinged.'"
Kael gestured toward the far end of the training ground. "If you're serious about stabilizing D–rank, you should focus on controlled repetition. Short runs. Basic forms. No overexertion."
I blinked at him. "…You're being helpful."
He shrugged. "You insulted everyone equally. That earns a strange kind of respect."
That explained a lot about this academy.
I stood again—slowly, carefully, like an elderly man disguised as a teenager—and began jogging at a pace that could generously be described as "alive."
One lap.
Then another.
My breathing steadied.
Pain remained, but it dulled—less screaming, more grumbling.
❖ DING ❖
[Physical Conditioning Improved]
[Endurance: 13 → 14]
"…Progress," I whispered reverently.
Unfortunately, that was when my luck kicked in.
"STUDENTS."
The voice echoed across the training grounds like a death sentence wrapped in authority.
Every spine straightened.
I turned to see a tall woman approaching, clad in a black academy uniform trimmed with silver runes. Her presence alone pressed down on the air.
Sharp eyes. Scar across one eyebrow.
Instructor.
"Who's she?" I asked quietly.
Mira swallowed. "Instructor Valeris."
Kael winced. "Combat fundamentals."
Ah.
So this was how I died.
Valeris stopped in front of us, her gaze sweeping over the trio like she was evaluating livestock.
"…You," she said, pointing at me.
I raised a hand weakly. "Still alive. Technically."
She stared.
"…D–rank," she said flatly. "Unstabilized."
"Yes, ma'am. Very."
"Hmph." Her eyes narrowed. "You're the one who caused the disturbance in class."
"I prefer the term 'educational disruption.'"
Kael closed his eyes.
Mira stepped back.
Valeris smiled.
I did not like that smile.
"Good," she said. "Then you'll be joining tomorrow's foundation combat assessment."
I froze. "Tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"With my current body?"
"Yes."
"…Is there a medical waiver?"
"No."
I sighed.
❖ DING ❖
[New Event Triggered]
[Academy Assessment: Combat Foundations]
[Condition: Mandatory Participation]
Of course it was.
Valeris turned and walked away without another word.
I stared after her.
"…So," I said slowly, "does this academy offer posthumous awards?"
Mira laughed so hard she nearly fell over.
Kael patted my shoulder. "Welcome to Arcane Academy."
I exhaled, glanced at my aching body, then at the system hovering faintly at the edge of my vision.
D–rank.
Unstabilized.
Malnourished.
Targeted by an instructor.
And somehow—
I smiled.
Yeah.
This really was only the beginning.