The towering gates of the academy loomed before Caelum, an imposing structure of silvery metal and ancient runes that seemed alive, pulsating with mana. It was more than just a doorway; it was a boundary between ordinary life and the extraordinary. For most, this moment was monumental, filled with awe and dreams of a brighter future.
For Caelum, it was just another step.
His silver eyes, cold and unreadable, swept over the bustling crowd of students gathered outside. Conversations buzzed around him—laughter, anxious muttering, and the occasional boastful declaration. Yet noone approached him. His aura, cold and unapproachable, was like an invisible wall that repelled curiosity.
He adjusted the strap of his worn leather bag, stepped forward, and felt the hum of magic as the gates parted effortlessly for him. The air shifted, charged with an almost electric energy as he crossed the threshold. A sense of power washed over him, faint yet undeniable, as though the academy itself was acknowledging his presence.On the other side of the gate, the academy grounds sprawled out like a small city, each corner brimming with life. Towering spires of polished stone and metal reached skyward, casting long shadows over the cobblestone pathways that wove between them. Crystal lampposts glowed faintly, their light pulsing in time with the mana-rich atmosphere.
Caelum paused, taking in the scene. Students of all races and backgrounds flooded the pathways, each carrying themselves with varying degrees of confidence. Some moved in tight-knit groups, their laughter and chatter carrying through the air. Others walked alone, their postures stiff with nerves or determination.
His eyes flicked from one figure to another, assessing without truly engaging. A dragonkin towered over a group of humans, his bronze-scaled tail swaying lazily as he boasted about his bloodline. A pair of elves stood nearby, their graceful movements and radiant features unmistakable. One of them casually conjured a small whirlwind in his palm, eliciting gasps from the nearby crowd.
It was a gathering of power—bloodlines, elemental affinities, and special physiques converging in one place. Yet, Caelum remained indifferent.
He walked forward, his footsteps steady and unhurried. His gaze lingered momentarily on a dark-haired boy standing alone by a fountain. Though his posture was relaxed, there was something sharp about him, a quiet intensity that set him apart from the crowd. This was Asher—the protagonist of the novel.
Caelum had expected to feel something upon seeing him in person, some sense of rivalry or threat. Instead, he felt... nothing. Just another piece of the puzzle.
With a faint exhale, he turned his attention back to the path ahead and made his way toward the orientation hall.
The lecture hall was packed, filled with hundreds of new students, each trying to claim a seat. Caelum found a spot near the back, away from the clusters of chattering groups. The room buzzed with anticipation until a sharp voice cut through the noise.
"Silence."
The speaker was a tall, stern-looking man with a presence that demanded attention. His sharp eyes swept over the room as he began to speak.
"Welcome to the academy," he said, his voice carrying effortlessly. "You are here because you have been deemed worthy. But let me make one thing clear: worthiness is not a guarantee of success. Only the best will remain here. The rest... will fail."
A ripple of tension passed through the crowd.
"In this academy, your rank is everything," he continued. "Your bloodline, elemental affinity, and physical prowess will determine your place. Each of you has been evaluated and assigned an initial rank, from F to SSS. Exceptional cases are classified as EX. These ranks are not static. They will change based on your performance in monthly evaluations."
The hall was silent now, the weight of his words sinking in.
"Fail to meet the academy's standards," the instructor said, his tone sharp, "and you will be expelled. There are no second chances."
Caelum leaned back in his seat, unaffected by the instructor's intensity. He already knew how the system worked—knew that his initial rank of C was a deliberate choice to avoid drawing attention.
As the lecture continued, he tuned out the rest of the details. His focus was elsewhere, his mind already calculating his next moves.
Caelum spent his first few days at the academy observing. He attended the mandatory classes, participated in the required training sessions, and kept to himself. While others formed groups and alliances, he maintained his distance, his cold demeanor discouraging any attempts at friendship.
It wasn't difficult to blend in. With so many students around, it was easy to go unnoticed, especially when he made an effort to downplay his abilities. During combat training, he displayed just enough competence to avoid scrutiny, his movements efficient but unremarkable.
Yet, he couldn't entirely escape notice.
Whispers began to circulate among the students, fueled by his flawless performance during the entrance exam.
"He's too calm," someone muttered. "Like he doesn't even need to try."
"Did you see how he moved during that spar? It's like he's holding back."
Caelum ignored the rumors, but he was aware of the attention they brought.
It was during a routine sparring session that Caelum first interacted with Asher.
The training ground was abuzz with activity, students pairing off for duels under the watchful eyes of their instructors. Caelum stood to the side, waiting for his turn, when he felt a presence approach him.
"You're Caelum, right?"
He turned to see Asher standing a few feet away, his dark eyes sharp and curious.
"Yes," Caelum said evenly.
He turned to see Asher standing a few feet away, his dark eyes sharp and curious.
"Yes," Caelum said evenly.
"I've heard about you," Asher continued, crossing his arms. "People are saying you're stronger than you let on."
Caelum met his gaze without flinching. "And?"
Asher's lips quirked into a half-smile. "Nothing. Just wondering if the rumors are true."
For a moment, they stood in silence, the air between them heavy with unspoken tension. Then Caelum shrugged.
"You'll find out eventually," he said, his tone dismissive.
Asher's smile widened, but he didn't press further. Instead, he nodded and walked away, leaving Caelum to his thoughts.
The exchange was brief, but it marked the beginning of something—an unspoken rivalry. While Asher saw Caelum as a potential challenge to his growth, Caelum viewed him as a variable, one that he needed to keep in check.
Later that night, in the solitude of his dormitory, Caelum accessed his system interface.
Status:
Bloodline: Endbringer (Sealed)
Elemental Affinity: Void (Unknown)
Physique: Shadow Titan
Rank: C
The academy's system may have labeled him as a C-rank student, but he knew better. Beneath the surface, his true power simmered, vast and untapped. Yet, he was in no hurry to reveal it.
For now, his focus remained on understanding the academy's dynamics and preparing for what was to come. The novel's events would soon begin to unfold, and with them, the emergence of threats far greater than anything the academy had faced before.
Caelum leaned back in his chair, his silver eyes glinting in the dim light.
Let them underestimate me, he thought. When the time comes, they'll see the truth.