It was 8 a.m.
Jin-Su didn't get an inch of sleep.
He sat up in bed, his mind still swirling with the remnants of his nightmare. The fear of waking up in the future, of discovering this was all some kind of punishment, still lingered. But reality hadn't shifted. He was still here, back at the academy, and today was the coronation.
Pushing himself out of bed, he headed to the bathroom, going through the motions. The warm water from the shower cascaded down his body, but it didn't refresh him—he didn't feel the need to cleanse himself. His skin wasn't dirty. He wasn't tired, hungry, or thirsty, even though it had been hours since he had eaten or slept. I'm different now.
He dressed in his formal uniform, noting how pristine it looked—navy blue with sharp gold trim and the academy's insignia stitched on his chest. The insignia itself was simple yet elegant—a golden circle with an open book at the center, flanked by wings and a sword running vertically through the middle. This insignia, worn by all students, represented the academy's core values: knowledge, power, and protection.
After a brief breakfast with Min-Ho, during which he pretended to eat and drink, Jin-Su made his way to the grand hall with the other first-year students. The hall was vast and awe-inspiring, its high arches and stained-glass windows casting multicolored light across the crowd. Banners bearing the academy's crest hung from the ceiling, swaying slightly as the large gathering of students took their seats.
Jin-Su sat with the other newcomers, observing the buzz of excitement and nerves around him. Today was a big day for everyone—it marked their official induction into the academy's hierarchy. A meritocracy in full display, he thought, noticing how those of higher merit sat closer to the front, their uniforms more decorated. Students with silver and gold-trimmed jackets exuded confidence, while those with simpler, plainer uniforms sat further back, hesitant.
The crowd quieted as the grand doors at the front of the hall creaked open, and in walked the principal, the three deans, and a figure Jin-Su hadn't yet encountered—the leader of the Student Union. The four of them commanded the room's attention as they stepped forward, their presence setting the tone for the entire ceremony.
Jin-Su's gaze landed on the principal first. He was a man of impossible youth, looking no older than twenty-five, with flowing silver hair that reached his knees. His pristine white robes were adorned with golden runes, shimmering faintly as he moved. His insignia was unlike anything else—an intricate combination of symbols, including a heart encased in armor and surrounded by a circular aura. A unique mark of authority.
The whispers started again. "They say he's over a billion years old."
Jin-Su raised an eyebrow. Let's see if that's true. He activated Abyssal Knowledge and scanned the principal.
Name: Seo Dae-Hyun
Class: 5th Immortal
Shorten Ability List: [Data Restricted]
Stats: ???
5th Immortal. Jin-Su smirked. Well, that explains the aura.
Next to Seo Dae-Hyun stood the three deans and the leader of the Student Union, each representing their own authority.
The Martial dean, Kael Hwang, was a hulking man, easily over seven feet tall, with arms as thick as tree trunks. His black uniform barely contained the bulging muscles beneath it, and his expression was one of quiet focus and discipline. His insignia—a heart protected by two bandaged fists—glowed faintly on his chest, marking him as the ultimate Martial expert. His presence was as solid as a fortress, exuding raw physical power that demanded respect.
Kael Hwang
Class: God Binder
Shorten Ability List: Primordial Strength, Primordial Body, Strength is Wits
Stats:
Strength: 80/90
Agility: 40/60
Endurance: 85/90
Willpower: 70/80
Charisma: 50/70
To Kael's right was the Magic dean, Aria Moon, the same woman who had stopped the fight between Jin-Su and Kang-Woo. She wore a flowing purple robe, decorated with silver accents and arcane symbols. Her long black hair cascaded down her back, and her emerald eyes shimmered with quiet intelligence. Her sapphire insignia glowed brighter than the rest, a testament to her mastery of the arcane. Her insignia featured an eye surrounded by flames and arcane runes—a symbol of her command over magic.
She had made history as the only student to ever receive the Purple Trimmed Uniform in her first year—a color that represented mastery far beyond her age. The only other person to achieve such recognition was the legendary warrior known as Atlas, the God-Killer, who was hailed as the strongest man in the world, a master of all classes and subclasses.
Aria Moon
Class: Psycho-Sorceress
Shorten Ability List: Arcane Primordial, Elemental Causation, Mind Mastery.
Stats:
Strength: 40/55
Agility: 50/65
Intelligence: 80/90
Willpower: 85/90
Charisma: 78/85
Finally, the Spirit dean, Elys Ha, stood with a calm smile, her light blue robe flowing like water. Her presence was gentle but authoritative, her movements graceful and deliberate. Her insignia—a hand reaching out to grasp a flickering flame, symbolizing the bond between life and spirit—pulsed softly. Jin-Su recognized her from the shop where he had bought the turtle statue, and now it was clear—she was not just a shopkeeper but a master of the Spirit class.
Elys Ha
Class: Ethereal Warden
Shorten Ability List: Soul Binding, Ethereal Manipulation, Ethereal Travel, Spirit Primordial
Stats:
Strength: 40/60Agility: 60/75Intelligence: 75/90Willpower: 80/90Charisma: 85/90
Standing beside them was the Student Union leader, Song Yun-Hee, a girl with short, bright red hair and piercing green eyes. She wore a pristine uniform with Gold Trim, her presence striking and authoritative. Her insignia—a lion's head encased in a shield—symbolized her leadership and strength. She stepped forward and addressed the students with a confident smile.
Thus the main show of the coronation begin. It is the show of future prospects to the watchers all over the globe.
As students were called up one by one, their uniforms shifted in color as they were appraised. The Martial Insignia—a heart protected by two bandaged fists—glowed on the chest of the students who chose the Martial path. For those who chose Magic, the Magic Insignia—an eye surrounded by flames—blazed on their uniforms. Spirit students received the Spirit Insignia—a hand grasping a flickering flame. Each insignia was a visual representation of their chosen path, and as the students were appraised, their uniforms transformed, their merit reflected in the trim.
Those who received Trim less uniforms saw their uniforms turn a solid red, blue, or green—depending on their major. Higher-merit students earned Silver Trim, while the most promising received Gold Trim. No one in the history of the academy had ever received Shining Radiance in their first year, a uniform said to be so brilliant it could blind the unworthy.
The first few students stepped forward nervously, earning polite applause as they received their respective insignias. Some students earned Silver Trim, a few even receiving Gold, but the room remained relatively calm.
Then, Tae-Min was called.
The frail-looking boy, his uniform slightly disheveled and his posture tired, stepped forward. Whispers rippled through the hall. He doesn't belong here, they murmured, but Jin-Su watched with sharp focus. He knew better than to judge someone by their appearance.
The deans exchanged glances and handed Tae-Min a multicolored insignia—red, blue, and green woven together. His uniform shifted into a mix of those colors, but the real surprise came when his trim glowed Silver, signaling his current strength.
The hall fell silent for a moment, uncertain how to react. How did someone like him get a multicolored insignia? The applause that followed was slow and unsure.
Jin-Su's eyes narrowed, and he activated Abyssal Knowledge.
Name: Tae-Min
Shorten Ability List: [Skills Hidden]
Stats: [Stats Hidden]
Strength: 40/60Agility: 50/65Endurance: 45/55Intelligence: 65/75Willpower: 75/85Charisma: 55/70
Status: Disguising true potential
Hiding his strength, huh? Jin-Su thought. Interesting. Tae-Min's stats were impressive—far above what he allowed others to see. While others might have doubted him, Jin-Su now knew this boy was much more than he appeared to be. He could even be displaying a lie right now.
The ceremony continued, and soon, Kang-Woo was called up.
He stepped forward with his usual swagger, his large frame and scarred face drawing everyone's attention. As he reached the deans, they handed him a Martial insignia. His uniform shifted into a bright, gleaming gold, a symbol of his strength. But the room was silent. No one applauded. Instead, all eyes watched him warily. Kang-Woo, known now as the academy's bully, didn't care for the silence—his ego wasn't diminished by it. Instead, he turned to face Jin-Su directly, his lips curling into a cold, knowing smirk. Slowly, he raised his hand to his throat, dragging his thumb across his neck with deliberate precision, the threat lingering in the air like a silent promise of violence.
Jin-Su met his gaze calmly, unfazed by the threat.
Mina was called up next. Her teal hair flowed as she walked gracefully toward the deans. She wore her uniform with quiet pride, and when they handed her the insignia, her uniform shifted into an elegant blue with golden trims. The room applauded politely, but as she turned to return to her place, she threw a playful wink in Jin-Su's direction.
Jin-Su barely reacted to Mina's wink, maintaining his composed demeanor. Inside, however, he felt a flicker of amusement. But his focus quickly shifted back to the ceremony.
Finally, it was Jin-Su's turn.
He stepped forward, his movements controlled, each step deliberate. He felt the eyes of the deans and the crowd on him, but he was calm. His mind was already analyzing the significance of what was to come.
As he reached the deans, there was a moment of silence, as if everyone was waiting in anticipation. Kael Hwang nodded in acknowledgment of Jin-Su's choice: "Martial." But both Aria Moon and Elys Ha exchanged knowing glances, their eyes scanning him with curiosity. It was clear that they sensed something more about him—something they couldn't quite place.
After a brief pause, the deans handed Jin-Su a multicolored insignia—red, blue, and green, woven together seamlessly. His uniform began to shift, the colors morphing into a swirling mix of hues. But then, something else happened. As the insignia settled on his chest, his trim began to glow—not silver, not gold, but purple.
The crowd, which had been silent in observation, erupted into a low murmur of shock. Whispers quickly spread throughout the hall.
"Purple? Isn't that—"
"How did he get it?"
"He's just a first-year…"
It was a rare honor, something that had only been seen once before with Aria Moon herself. And now, Jin-Su stood there, wearing the Purple Trim, the second person in history to achieve such recognition.
For a moment, there was silence, the weight of the moment hanging in the air. Then, the clapping began—slow at first, but it quickly grew louder, filling the hall. Students and even some of the higher-ranking faculty members were applauding, recognizing the significance of what had just happened.
Jin-Su accepted the applause with quiet grace, his expression unchanged. Let them wonder.
As he turned to return to his place, he couldn't help but feel millions of eyes on him. And specifically It was Kang-Woo, still glaring at him from across the room. The "cut-throat" gesture had been a clear threat, but it was nothing Jin-Su hadn't faced before. He glanced back at Kang-Woo, maintaining eye contact for a brief moment before turning away.
Back in his seat, Jin-Su felt the weight of the multicolored insignia on his chest, the significance of his position slowly sinking in. This wasn't just about power—it was a statement. I'm going to change everything. He recalled how in the past he was a silver just like how Min-Ho was. Min-Ho no matter what happened win, loss it didn't matter, he would always encourage Jin-Su. They were brothers and always together.
Then, while reminiscing, Min-Ho's name was called.
Jin-Su watched as his roommate walked up, slightly more nervous than the others who had gone before. Min-Ho's demeanor was calm, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his step. The deans, however, seemed to regard him with mild interest. After a brief moment of deliberation, they handed him a double-colored insignia—blue and green, signifying both the Magic and Spirit paths. His uniform shifted, turning into a hybrid of the two, with the emblem of a flickering flame surrounded by arcane runes.
"Both?" Almost slipped from Jin-Su's mouth.
In the past, he was only selected for Magic.
I seem to have influenced him already. I must repay what he gave to me, Thought Jin-Su.
The Silver Trim adorned Min-Ho's uniform, a respectable acknowledgment of his potential.
Min-Ho blinked, clearly surprised but grateful as he accepted the insignia. The crowd clapped politely as he returned to his seat, but Jin-Su could tell from the look on his face that Min-Ho hadn't expected such recognition.
As Min-Ho sat back down beside Jin-Su, he gave a small, slightly awkward smile. "Guess I'm not completely hopeless, huh?"
Jin-Su smirked. "You never were."
***
After the final students had received their insignias, Principal Seo Dae-Hyun stepped forward once again. The hall fell into a complete silence, the weight of his presence commanding absolute attention. His silver hair shimmered under the lights, and his piercing gaze swept across the room.
He didn't waste time with pleasantries. His voice was calm, direct, and carried an unmistakable authority.
"Today, you have all been given insignias—marks that represent your starting position in this academy's merit-based system. Some of you wear gold, others silver, and a few of you have been recognized with purple. But I want to make something clear."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in.
"It does not matter where you start. What matters is where you end. Whether you wear gold, silver, or purple today is irrelevant if you do not maintain and improve upon it. By the end of your time here, you can fall to the deepest of hells or rise to the highest of heavens."
His eyes moved slowly across the room, ensuring that every student understood the gravity of his message.
"This academy will only show you the road—or roads—you can take. It will be up to you to follow it, or better yet, to create your own path."
The finality of his words hung in the air for a moment before he took a step back, signaling the end of his brief speech. There was no applause, no fanfare—just a heavy silence as the students absorbed the meaning behind his words. The deans remained still, their faces impassive, offering no further commentary. They were content to let the principal's words stand on their own.
Then, Song Yun-Hee, the Student Union leader, stepped forward. Unlike the principal, her demeanor was more approachable, though no less authoritative. She smiled at the students, her red hair catching the light as she addressed the crowd with a more energetic tone.
Her uniform was different then the others. It was a pristine white jacket with Gold Trim, making her stand out among the other students. The white fabric shimmered subtly in the light, giving her an almost regal appearance. Her jacket was tailored perfectly, hugging her form while maintaining an air of authority. The Student Union insignia—a lion's head encased in a shield—was embroidered on her chest in gold thread, standing out against the white background. Beneath the jacket, she wore a dark, fitted shirt, adding contrast to the brightness of her uniform. Her pants were a deep navy, tucked into polished black boots that completed the look. The combination of the Gold Trim, the white uniform, and the bold insignia made her seem both approachable and powerful, radiating leadership with every movement. Her short, bright red hair contrasted sharply with the uniform, making her stand out even more. Combined with her green eyes, the ensemble gave off an aura of both power and approachability.
Name: Song Yun-Hee
Class: Student Union Leader
Shorten Ability List: Leadership Aura, Charisma Amplification
Stats:
Strength: 40/60
Agility: 55/70
Endurance: 50/65
Intelligence: 70/85
Willpower: 75/90
Charisma: 85/95
"Hello, everyone! As the Student Union leader, I'm here to remind you that while merit is the foundation of our academy, the voice of the students matters just as much."
Her voice was confident and warm, radiating charisma as she spoke.
"The Student Union is here to make sure every student has a say in how this academy operates. We're not just here to represent you—we're here to work with you. Whether it's improving the facilities, organizing events, or addressing concerns about life at the academy, your voice can make a difference."
She paused for a moment, her eyes scanning the crowd, making eye contact with several students to build a connection.
"And if any of you feel like taking a more active role in shaping our school, we'd love to have you join the Student Union. There are many ways to get involved, and together, we can make this academy an even better place for everyone. There are also fun clubs to join."
The word "club" resonated deeply with Jin-Su. Something related to Club was important. But what was it.
After Song Yun-Hee concluded her speech, her bright smile widened as she turned back toward the crowd. "Before we wrap things up, there's one more thing. The microphone will be open for the next hour for anyone who wishes to speak. If any student wants to stand out, make their voice heard, or say a few words, feel free to come forward."
The room buzzed with energy, students whispering among themselves, but before anyone could react, there was a sudden movement. Kang-Woo, with his broad, muscular frame and fiery demeanor, pushed through the crowd, walking directly up to the platform. Without hesitation, he made his way toward the mic, practically brushing past Song Yun-Hee as if she were invisible.
He didn't even wait for her to step aside. "Move," he said sharply, and though Song Yun-Hee began to shift to give him space, he didn't wait for her to fully clear the area. He stepped forward, grabbing the microphone with a grip so tight that his knuckles turned white.
As Jin-Su watched Kang-Woo storm the platform, his thoughts briefly drifted to Song Yun-Hee. Clever move, he mused, recognizing the subtle brilliance in her open mic offer. It wasn't just a formality—it was a smart way to get the new students to engage with each other, to step out of their comfort zones and make a statement early on. By offering them the chance to speak, and steal some attention she was fostering competition, creativity, and ambition—forcing the newcomers to interact and form bonds or rivalries from day one
The hall fell silent.
"I'm not here to make a speech," Kang-Woo's voice boomed through the speakers, his sharp gaze scanning the room until it landed squarely on Jin-Su. "I'm here for one thing."
Kang-Woo's eyes burned with intensity as he pointed directly at Jin-Su. "You!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the grand hall. "I challenge you. Right here, right now. A duel. You and me."
A murmur spread through the crowd, the tension rising with every second. Kang-Woo's challenge was clear—he wasn't going to let the earlier fight stand. He wanted revenge, and he wanted it in front of everyone. "I want a rematch. You think you deserve that purple trim? Prove it. Right here, in front of everyone."
The crowd's whispers turned into a buzz of excitement. The idea of seeing a fight between two of the academy's most notable first-years was too tempting for many to ignore. Some students started murmuring about the implications and whether is this really allowed or not. Kang-Woo was testing Jin-Su's status, challenging his newly earned place.
Jin-Su stayed calm, even as every eye in the hall turned toward him. He didn't rise immediately, letting the tension build as Kang-Woo stared him down.
"I have one condition," Jin-Su finally said, his voice calm but sharp as he stood from his seat. He walked forward with a deliberate pace, making sure every step echoed in the silent hall. "If I win, I want something in return."
Kang-Woo smirked. "Fine. What do you want?" There was a flash of arrogance in his eyes, as if he expected nothing from Jin-Su that he wouldn't easily refuse.
Jin-Su's gaze hardened. "If I win, you'll serve as my right-hand man. You'll fight by my side, and you'll follow my lead."
The crowd gasped at the audacity of the demand, but Kang-Woo didn't flinch. Instead, he laughed—a deep, throaty sound that sent a chill through the air. "You want me, Kang-Woo, as your lackey? You've got guts, I'll give you that."
He straightened, his demeanor shifting slightly, becoming more serious. "Fine. If you can beat me in an all-out fight, I'll swear my loyalty to you. And if you lose, it will be YOU who will be the lackey."
For a moment, the room was filled with a thick, palpable tension. The stakes had been set, and both of them knew that this wasn't just about pride. Kang-Woo was putting everything on the line.
Jin-Su, still composed, took a deep breath. He hadn't expected Kang-Woo to make the challenge so public, but it worked in his favor. If he could win this fight—here, now, in front of the entire student body—he would gain much more than just a victory. He would secure a key piece for his future.
Kang-Woo may not have known it yet, but he made Jin-Su's job a lot easier.