Max emerged from the tutorial chamber, met with a thunderous cheer that echoed across the grounds. As he adjusted to the brightness, he looked up at the scoreboard, which displayed his staggering achievement: 2.5 million points. This translated to 25 million coins, a fortune that could support his ambitions and dreams. It was a rare advantage, even for those born into the elite clans.
As he absorbed the moment, a group of his teachers and Principal Mordy appeared, offering heartfelt congratulations. Max thanked them briefly, scanning the crowd of students, searching for someone. Finally, his gaze settled on a lively circle of girls, Sophia Silver standing at its center. Smiling to himself, Max activated Shadow Dash and appeared in front of her, causing the surrounding girls to gasp and laugh.
Without a word, he pulled Sophia into a quick embrace, then vanished with her in another flash. They reappeared just outside the school building, where it was quieter. Sophia, caught off guard, was blushing furiously.
"S-sorry for pulling you away like that," Max said, a sly smile tugging at his lips as he saw her face turn even redder.
Sophia stammered, "N-no problem, Max…what did you need?"
"I just wanted to talk. How about we get a coffee?" Before she could respond, Max scooped her up, cradling her in his arms, and in a swift dash, he whisked her to a nearby café. She held on tightly, her heart racing as the cityscape blurred past. In her mind, she wondered if he had invested all his stats into agility.
When they reached the café, he set her down gently and led her to a table. They placed their orders and chatted casually, catching up on each other's progress. Max noticed the way she talked about her own experience in the tutorial, admiring her strength and resilience.
After a pause, Max brought up the topic he'd been considering. "Sophia, I wanted to ask your opinion about something. I need to pick a university, and I thought you might have some advice."
Sophia's eyes sparkled with excitement as she began explaining the options. "There are five top universities in the world," she began, ticking them off with her fingers.
Imperial Vanguard Academy: This one specializes in close-range combat but is also known for its vast array of dungeons, allowing students to hone their skills in real battle scenarios. Many students here develop fast and strong due to the constant dungeon challenges.
Celestial Sword School: Famed for having the world's largest skill library, it boasts simulations and skill copies for students to train with. Students have access to ancient and legendary skills, making it ideal for skill-focused fighters.
Dragonheart Institute: Known for balanced training, it focuses on both close and mid-range combat, providing a well-rounded curriculum for students aiming to excel in multiple areas.
Aurora Mage University: Specializes in support and long-range skills, focusing heavily on magical theory and support classes.
Galehaven University: This school is famous for its long-range tactical training, specializing in precision and ranged combat.
As she listed each one, Max considered his options carefully, and his mind kept returning to the Imperial Vanguard Academy. He could see the potential in endless dungeons, each providing fresh opportunities for combat, growth, and skill acquisition through his Soul Usurpation trait. With enough time and effort, he could amass a wide array of skills and boost his stats without spending any resources.
Sophia looked at him expectantly. "So, what do you think?"
Max nodded, his mind made up. "Imperial Vanguard sounds like the right choice for me." I'll get plenty of combat experience there and have access to dungeons, which will let me use Soul Usurpation to its fullest, Max thought.
Sophia looked with what looked like spark in her eyes and exited yet thoughtful said "If you ever need skills, you know my family can help. I'm sure they'd be willing to support the national scorer." She hesitated, glancing away as her cheeks flushed slightly. She remembered her older sister teasing her about Max when she told her how her heart used to beat faster and faster when they were young. All the teasing caused her to separate herself from max. Which she regretted deeply.
Touched by her sincerity, Max leaned in, whispering in her ear, "Thanks, Sophia. I'll have to find a way to repay you."
He turned to leave, but Sophia stopped him, gently grabbing the hem of his shirt. Standing on her toes, she planted a soft kiss on his cheek, catching him completely off guard. "Me too," she whispered, before letting go, her face as red as a rose. Even with his composed demeanor, Max couldn't help but feel his own cheeks warm slightly. His heart beating faster... For the first time in a long time, he felt a rush of genuine affection—a feeling he wasn't used to.
You have acquired a new skill: Aphrodite's Charm (Passive)
Max looked at the message and though what the absolute....
As he walked home, his mind replayed the moments with Sophia, but his thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a crowd in front of his house. Reporters and photographers had gathered, each one attempting to push past his younger brother, Sam, who was trying his best to hold them back.
Max stepped forward, his voice carrying over the noise. "I'm here."
The crowd turned, cameras flashing as microphones were thrust toward him. Calmly, he spoke, "This is my home. Please respect my privacy."
Ignoring his request, they pushed closer, filling the air with questions. Max shot a reassuring glance at Sam, then turned to the reporters, his expression cold and unyielding.
Skill Activated: Basilisk's Gaze
A wave of fear washed over the crowd, causing them to instinctively back away, hands trembling as they felt the deadly aura emanating from him. In a soft, controlled voice, he repeated, "Please respect my space. I'll make an official statement soon." To the cameras, he appeared as a respectful young man, but the reporters saw him as something far more intimidating.
New Skill Acquired: Murderous Intent
Effect: Emits a deadly aura that instills fear, scaling with combat strength and number of kills.
Once the crowd had dispersed, Max turned to Sam, who laughed, relieved. "I knew you'd pull through, big bro! And guess what—I made chicken noodles to celebrate."
Max smiled, ruffling Sam's hair. "Of course. Everything's going to be alright from now on, Sam." They shared a quick hug before settling into the kitchen to eat, savoring the quiet moment.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Expecting more reporters, Max grumbled and went to answer it, but to his surprise, his parents were standing there. Relief and happiness filled him as he welcomed them inside.
His mother embraced him tightly. "We wouldn't miss this for the world, darling. Congratulations on your success."
His father joined the hug, pride shining in his eyes. "We're so proud of you, son."
As they settled in, his parents shared stories from their journey. They explained how their first flight had been canceled, and the teleportation scrolls were out of their budget. Then, on their second flight, the sky had mysteriously darkened—a strange coincidence that occurred as Max had neared the highest floors of the tutorial. Max felt a pang of guilt, realizing that his actions may have caused a cosmic disturbance, but he kept his reaction hidden.
His parents continued, mentioning rumors they'd overheard about newly discovered relics in the northern regions. These relics might hold knowledge of ancient powers, some even older than those used in the current race wars. "There's talk of ancient races stirring again, Max," his father said, his tone somber. "If this is true, the past might soon collide with the present."
As they spoke, Max's mind drifted to everything he had learned and experienced. He thought of Sophia's kindness, his family's pride, and the future challenges he would soon face. For the first time, he felt ready—truly ready—to confront whatever lay ahead, not just for himself but for everyone he cared about.
Leaning back, he looked around at his family, letting the warmth and support fuel his resolve. The path was set, and he was determined to forge ahead, making the most of every opportunity and rising to heights beyond anyone's expectations.