Alex flipped the Zenith Academy token between his fingers, its surface smooth and cold.
The Academy's Awakening Program.
A part of him had doubts. In his past life, he had never stepped foot inside Zenith Academy. Was it truly worth it?
But then, he thought back to the underground arena. The moment when Grimm had suppressed him with aura.
He had won the fight, but only because of his cheat ability.
If he wanted to stand at the top, he needed to understand aura at its core. Zenith might not be the strongest force in the world, but it was one of the best places to study it.
His mind was set. He would enter, learn, grow, and surpass everyone.
The problem was—the invitation wasn't direct entry. It only gave him a chance to compete for a spot.
Alex activated the token.
A faint glow appeared, and coordinates flashed across the surface.
A meeting place. Midnight. Three days from now.
A test was coming.
He smirked. Perfect.
---
The days passed quickly.
Alex spent the time preparing.
His enhancements had reset, allowing him to strengthen new items. He carefully selected his gear, making sure nothing seemed too unnatural to others.
He also researched aura awakening.
Aura wasn't something a person simply gained—it was unlocked under extreme pressure or through special methods. The Academy had techniques for guiding awakenings, but those methods weren't widely known.
Alex had one advantage: he knew what not to do.
In his past life, he had met plenty of people who had failed their awakenings, ruining their potential forever. He wouldn't make the same mistake.
Finally, the third night arrived.
---
The meeting place was an abandoned warehouse on the city outskirts.
Alex arrived early, stepping inside the dimly lit interior. He wasn't alone.
A dozen other people stood around, all looking sharp, alert. Some exchanged wary glances, while others stood alone, lost in thought.
It wasn't hard to tell—they were all competitors.
Before Alex could observe further, a figure stepped forward.
A tall man in a gray uniform, his presence commanding attention.
"You're all here," he said, voice steady. "That means you're ready for the first test."
He snapped his fingers.
The floor rumbled.
The walls shifted.
And in the blink of an eye, the warehouse transformed into a battlefield.
"Survive until sunrise."