After hastily getting dressed in his new uniform, Kael dashed out the door, his hair still a mess from the rushed morning routine. He sprinted down the street, weaving through the crowded sidewalks filled with people murmuring about the attack.

He checked his watch and his heart sank. "I'm gonna be late!" he muttered, picking up the pace.

After a while Kael finally broke free from all chaos and saw the academy gates in the distance. The massive, imposing structure loomed over him as he pushed himself harder, his lungs burning and legs aching.

"I can't believe this is happening," he gasped, barely managing to keep his breath steady. "On my first day, too!"

As he neared the gates, the final bell rang out. In a last desperate burst of speed, Kael barreled through the entrance, skidding to a halt just as the gates began to close.

Breathing heavily, Kael straightened his uniform and tried to compose himself. He glanced around, hoping no one had noticed his dramatic entrance. A few students nearby stifled their laughter, and one of the instructors raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"Made it," Kael whispered to himself, a relieved smile spreading across his face. "Barely, but I made it."

He quickly joined the assembly, trying to blend in and look as if he had been there the whole time. As the headmaster began his welcome speech, Kael couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at the chaotic start to his day.

As the murmurs of the students filled the room, the dean stepped up to the podium, his presence commanding immediate attention. The chatter died down, and an air of anticipation settled over the hall.

"Welcome, new students, to the beginning of your journey at our esteemed academy," the dean began, his voice resonating through the hall. "Today marks the start of an exciting chapter in your lives. Here, you will learn, grow, and become the leaders of tomorrow."

Kael felt a surge of pride and determination. Despite his frantic dash to get here, he knew this was where he was meant to be. The dean continued, outlining the academy's values and the opportunities that lay ahead for the students.

As the speech went on, Kael glanced around at his fellow new students. Some looked as nervous as he felt earlier, while others seemed confident and ready to take on any challenge. He spotted a few familiar faces from his earlier years, but most were strangers who would soon become his classmates, allies, and perhaps even friends.

The dean concluded his speech with a resounding, "Welcome to the academy!" The room erupted in applause, and Kael joined in, feeling a sense of belonging and excitement for what was to come.

The dean, with an air of authority, continued his address, welcoming everyone to Illumira Academy. "Here at Illumira, your rank will determine your perks and treatment. Classes will be divided into three sections, each containing 20 students: Section A, B, and C. The top 20 students will be in Section A, while the remaining students will be divided into Sections B and C."

Kael's rank is 41, so he will be placed in Section C.

The dean's speech emphasized the competitive nature of the academy, encouraging students to strive for excellence. After delivering a few more words of wisdom, he concluded the ceremony. The students were then guided to their respective classes. Kael, along with 20 others, was led to Class C.

As Kael entered the classroom, he noticed many unfamiliar faces. Some students looked eager and excited, while others seemed anxious, casting furtive glances around the room. However, one face stood out to him—Darian Voss, the guy who had warned him during the virtual reality test against Draven. Darian was tall and lean, with tousled brown hair and a confident smirk that seemed permanently etched on his face. Without hesitation, Kael approached him. "Hey, do you remember me?" he asked bluntly.

Darian looked up, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "You?" he responded, then grinned. "How could I forget? After all that mess you created!" Darian's tone was humorous, and Kael couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, thanks to you, I managed to pass."

Kael, curious, asked, "What rank did you get?"

"42," Darian replied with a smirk.

Kael blurted out, "How did you pass?" He quickly corrected himself, "I mean, congratulations on passing!" His tone was light.

Before their conversation could continue, the teacher entered the room. She appeared to be in her 40s, with an authoritative presence. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and she wore a crisp, dark green uniform with silver trim. Her name was randomly generated on the holographic board behind her: Professor Althea Marlowe.

"Quiet down, everyone," Professor Marlowe commanded, her voice firm. The students quickly fell silent. "Welcome to Class C. Let me give you a reality check. If you're happy to be here, you shouldn't be. You are the lowest of the three classes."

Her words struck a chord with the students, and a murmur of unease spread through the room. A boy with glasses whispered to his neighbor, "I thought we did well to get in..."

Professor Marlowe's gaze swept the room again, picking up on the unease. "Yes, I see the confusion. You’re all wondering why you’re here if you’ve earned your place." She took a step forward, her heels clicking against the floor like a metronome. "This academy doesn’t just accept anyone. But it’s also not a daycare for the weak. You’re here because you have potential. But potential means nothing if it isn't realized."

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Professor Marlowe continued, not missing the subtle exchange. "You are here because we see something in you. But the real question is—can you prove it? Can you rise above your current rank and show us that you deserve to be here?"

A boy with shaggy blonde hair, sitting near the front, squirmed in his seat, clearly uncomfortable with the professor's blunt approach. "But what if we don't... make it?" he asked hesitantly, raising his hand. His voice cracked slightly as he spoke, betraying his uncertainty.

Professor Marlowe’s eyes locked onto him, and for a brief moment, the room felt colder. "Then you’ll leave. Simple as that. This academy isn’t here to coddle you. It’s here to push you past your breaking point and see who survives."

Professor Marlowe stood at the front of the classroom, her sharp gaze cutting through the students like a knife. She didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “Who is rank one in this class?” she asked, her voice cold and clipped.

The room fell silent. Kael felt every pair of eyes turn toward him. The pressure of their stares was heavy, but he stood tall. He could feel the tension thickening in the air. He could almost taste the judgment in their gazes, some skeptical, others curious.

A boy in the front row, his arms crossed and his expression a mix of disbelief and disdain, muttered under his breath, "He doesn’t look like much."

Behind him, a girl with tight braids leaned toward her friend, whispering just loudly enough for Kael to hear, “Is he really the top rank? I expected someone… more intimidating.”

Kael didn’t flinch at their comments. Instead, he locked eyes with Professor Marlowe, who was now staring at him with an unreadable expression, her gaze piercing and clinical. "What stage are you at?" she asked, her tone flat, giving no room for hesitation or uncertainty.

Without missing a beat, Kael straightened his shoulders and responded, "Soul Alignment."

A ripple of surprise spread through the class, some students glancing at each other, their faces a mix of skepticism and curiosity. There was a palpable shift in the room, as if Kael had just thrown down a gauntlet no one had been prepared for.

From the back of the room, Darian Voss, his dark eyes gleaming with a touch of amusement, leaned forward, his voice carrying just enough edge to be heard. "Didn’t you tell everyone you were at Organ Reinforcement during the virtual reality test?" he asked, his tone dripping with challenge.

Kael turned his head slightly, offering Darian a small, confident smile. “I broke through after the test,” he said, his voice steady. There was no arrogance in his tone—just the simple truth, as though it were nothing extraordinary.

A boy near the back of the room, with messy spiky hair, shot a glance at his friend, his voice barely above a whisper, though it carried clearly enough for Kael to hear. "Breaking through that quickly? He must be talented—or lucky."

Kael could feel their eyes on him now, some impressed, some already writing him off as a fluke. He didn’t care.

But Professor Marlowe was not so easily impressed. Her gaze darkened as she fixed him with an unblinking stare, her voice as cold as ice. “Do you think you’re the best, Kael?” The question hung in the air, heavy with an unspoken challenge.

Kael paused for a moment, the weight of the room pressing on him. He met her gaze, his eyes unwavering. He could feel the tension coil tighter around him, the unspoken expectation hanging like a sword above his head. He knew this moment was about proving something far more important than his abilities—it was about showing the strength of his resolve.

"No," Kael said, his voice cutting through the silence with sharp clarity. "I don’t think I’m the best. But I intend to be."

The words echoed in the room, a direct challenge to everyone there. A few of the students shifted in their seats, murmurs rippling through the room. Some seemed impressed by the sheer audacity, others skeptical, unsure if Kael could back up his words

Professor Marlowe gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, though her expression remained as hard as stone. She stared at Kael for a long moment, her eyes calculating, measuring him. Finally, she spoke, her tone harsh and unyielding. “Good answer.” The words were not a compliment; they were an assessment. "Confidence is important, yes, but so is humility. And above all, the will to improve. You’ll need more than just words to prove your worth here."

After the brief exchange with Kael, Professor Marlowe continued, "I'll be teaching you science and theories. This knowledge will also help you better analyze your Soul Parasites' abilities. Understanding the underlying principles will make you more adept in your skills."

The day progressed with various classes, each filled with new information and challenges. Kael found himself immersed in the lessons, eager to absorb every detail. The final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Kael exited the classroom alongside Darian, who had quickly become a close friend.

As they walked through the bustling corridors, Darian began to fill Kael in on the academy’s inner workings. They shared a few laughs and talked about their experiences so far. Suddenly, they came across a tall, imposing figure standing in their path.

"That's Theoran Voss, rank 2 of our year," Darian whispered to Kael.

Kael turned to Darian, eyebrows raised. "Are you related? You both have the same last name."

Darian's expression darkened, and he spoke in a low tone. "He's my brother."

Theoran, noticing their approach, turned his sharp gaze toward Darian. A smirk played on his lips. "Well, if it isn’t my little incompetent brother. Looks like you managed to pass the test after all."

The tension between the brothers was palpable. Darian's face flushed with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. "Yes, I passed," he replied curtly.

Theoran's eyes flicked to Kael, and his smirk widened. "And you, Kael, I remember you. Weren’t you the one who had to be carried by Miren in my class? Quite the weakling, aren’t you?"

Kael felt a surge of irritation but maintained his composure. He decided to ignore Theoran's taunts and instead tugged gently on Darian's sleeve. "Come on, Darian, let's go."

Theoran, seeing his words had little effect, called after them, "Running away, are we? Typical."

Kael and Darian walked away, leaving Theoran behind. As they turned a corner, Kael's mind raced with thoughts of their encounter. The arrogance in Theoran's voice had struck a nerve.

Darian muttered under his breath as they walked down the corridor, his jaw clenched in frustration. "I can't stand him."

Kael, walking beside him, didn't even glance at Darian. His focus was forward, eyes sharp and calculating. "I get it," he said, his voice low and cold.

Darian shot him a quick glance, raising an eyebrow. "What are you planning?"

Kael’s pace didn’t slow as he spoke, his words deliberate and firm. "I’m going to destroy him," he said, the certainty in his voice leaving no room for doubt. "Theoran can wear his pride like armor, but it’ll break. I’ll break him." His eyes narrowed, a hint of darkness clouding his expression. "He’s nothing more than a stepping stone, one I’ll crush underfoot when the time comes."