"Ah, President!" Ethan stammered, quickly rising from his seat. He fumbled for words, his nervousness evident. "Yes, sir. Mr. Michael has already entered the assessment chamber."

The president smiled faintly, his demeanor calm and approachable. "No need to be nervous," he said reassuringly. "I’m just here out of curiosity."

Ethan nodded and sat back down, though his hands still trembled slightly. The president’s interest made sense—Michael wasn’t just an Ascendant; he was a second-tier citizen. Second-tier citizenship carried immense prestige, rivaling the status of high-ranking officials. A second-tier citizen registering as an Ascendant was a rare and noteworthy event.

"Which level do you think Mr. Michael will achieve?" the president asked casually, leaning against the edge of Ethan’s desk.

Ethan hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Sir, considering Mr. Michael’s status as a second-tier citizen, I believe he’ll have First Level Ascendant strength." He paused, adding thoughtfully, "For people of his status, becoming Ascendant is often straightforward. Some simply take genetic enhancement drugs to follow the Gene Warrior path."

The president nodded in agreement. "True. Though the Gene Warrior path has its limitations, it’s still enough to qualify as an Ascendant."

Before the president could leave, the display screen flickered. A single beam of light lit up, signaling Michael’s progress.

"He’s begun," Ethan noted aloud, his voice tinged with anticipation.

The president, who had been ready to leave moments earlier, decided to stay. He leaned closer, intrigued. "Let’s see how far he gets."

The atmosphere grew tense as the second beam of light appeared almost instantly after the first.

Ethan blinked, his heart skipping a beat. "That was... fast."

Before they could process it, the third light illuminated, followed immediately by the fourth. The lights continued to appear in rapid succession, each one brighter than the last.

By the time the seventh beam lit up, the room had fallen into stunned silence.

Ethan's mouth went dry. He struggled to form words, his gaze glued to the screen. "Seven beams... That’s—"

“Seven beams? That’s… late Second-Level Ascendant?” Damien muttered, his voice laced with confusion. Second-Level Ascendants weren’t unheard of in Neo Astralis City, but they were exceedingly rare. What truly shocked him wasn’t just the level but Michael’s age—a mere 19 years.

Most Second-Level Ascendants Damien had encountered were in their forties, seasoned individuals who had spent decades honing their strength.

Meanwhile, Ethan Cole sat frozen, his mouth slightly agape. A peak Second-Level Ascendant—it was a title reserved for legends. In Ethan’s five years at the association, this was his first time witnessing one.

“In Neo Astralis, even an early Second-Level Ascendant is a rarity. A peak Second-Level Ascendant, and at his age…” Ethan’s thoughts raced, his heart pounding.

He glanced at the display screen, envisioning the destructive potential Michael held. According to official combat standards, a peak Second-Level Ascendant could level an entire block of towering skyscrapers with a single strike.

Damien broke the silence, his tone firm. “Ethan, let’s go. We’re greeting Mr. Michael in person.”

Ethan blinked in surprise but quickly nodded. The president of the Ascendant Association himself personally welcoming someone? It was unheard of. Damien, however, had already made his decision. Initially, his intent was to establish a casual rapport with a promising Ascendant. But now, realizing Michael’s potential, Damien knew he needed to approach with utmost respect.

............

The Assessment Room

Stolen story; please report.

Michael opened his eyes as the virtual cabin released its hold. He stood, his expression calm but thoughtful.

“Close, but not enough.” He shook his head slightly. After defeating the seventh opponent, the system had generated a Third-Level Ascendant for the next challenge. Michael, curious about the gap between himself and the next realm, engaged the opponent using only his Titanium Will Stage power. At first, he held the advantage. Gradually, the balance shifted, and he was ultimately defeated.

“If that figure was an early Third-Level Ascendant, then my true strength might already be at its peak,” Michael mused. He hadn’t used his full capabilities, preferring to keep his trump cards hidden.

He pushed open the door to the hallway, his sharp gaze landing on two figures waiting for him—Ethan Cole and a middle-aged man whose air of authority was undeniable.

“Mr. Michael, allow me to introduce President Damien Voss,” Ethan said hurriedly, his tone deferential.

Michael’s eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Damien. The president of the Ascendant Association was one of the top five figures in Neo Astralis City, wielding influence and resources that few could match.

Damien stepped forward with a friendly smile. “Mr. Michael, it’s an honor to meet you.” His tone was warm, almost humble, a contrast to what Michael expected.

Michael raised an eyebrow but nodded politely. “President Voss.”

Damien chuckled lightly. “No need for formalities. If it’s alright with you, just call me Brother Damien.”

Michael’s lips twitched slightly at the familiarity but didn’t comment further.

In a well-furnished room within the association, Michael and Damien sat across from one another.

“Mr. Michael, I’ll get straight to the point,” Damien began, his expression serious. “I’m here to request your participation in the upcoming Amethyst Star Arena Tournament on behalf of Neo Astralis City.”

Michael tilted his head, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes. “Arena battles?”

Damien nodded. “Yes, one of the most prestigious events across the Stellar Human Alliance. Ascendants from various cities compete in one-on-one battles, broadcasted live to millions. It’s both a test of skill and a spectacle of power.”

Michael leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable. “Why me?”

Damien didn’t hesitate. “Because you’re perfect for it. The tournament is limited to Ascendants under 100 years old, and your strength—already nearing Third-Level—places you among the strongest in Neo Astralis. To put it bluntly, if we don’t send you, our chances of success are slim.”

Michael nodded slightly, his sharp mind piecing together the significance of Damien’s words. The tournament wasn’t just about entertainment. It was a statement of a city’s strength, a way to showcase its Ascendants and secure recognition within the alliance.

Damien’s expression turned grim. “Our rankings in recent tournaments have been abysmal. If this trend continues, I’ll likely have to resign. The Stellar Human Alliance views these rankings as a measure of a city’s potential. A poor performance reflects poorly on all of us.”

Michael considered this in silence, weighing the implications.

“I’ll be honest with you, Mr. Michael,” Damien continued. “We’re not expecting miracles. Even making it to the top 4,000 would be a victory for us. If you agree to participate and achieve that, the association will reward you with 200 million Eclipcoins.”

Michael’s eyes flickered at the mention of such a substantial sum. He wasn’t immune to the allure of wealth, especially given his current financial strain. High-grade nutrient solutions, essential for maintaining and advancing his strength, weren’t cheap. And as his power grew, so would his need for rarer, costlier resources.

“Two hundred million,” Michael repeated, his tone contemplative.

Damien nodded eagerly. “That’s right. And Neo Astralis will cover all additional expenses for your preparation.”

Michael’s decision was swift. “I’ll think about it.”

Damien smiled, sensing the unspoken agreement. “Take your time, Mr. Michael. There’s still a year before the tournament. Just know that we’re here to support you.”

With that, the two men stood, leaving the room together.

............

Half a Year Later

Aurora Grove, House No. 69

In the dimly lit underground training chamber, Michael sat cross-legged on the cold, metallic floor. The room was silent, save for the faint hum of energy radiating from the walls. His breathing was steady, but a subtle shift in the atmosphere drew his attention.

Something had changed.

Michael’s mind plunged deep into the recesses of his consciousness, navigating the intricate pathways of his psyche. At the core he saw it—the Otherworldly Passage.

Majestic and towering, it shimmered with a surreal brilliance. Its colossal frame seemed both infinite and incomprehensible, a gateway defying the very fabric of reality. What truly caught Michael’s attention, however, was the faint glow now encircling its outer edges, a glow that had not been there before.

“It’s ready,” Michael murmured, a flicker of excitement breaking through his composed demeanor.

The Otherworldly Passage, Michael had learned, was a mysterious construct that allowed him to traverse time and space. But its power was not without constraints. Each journey required an accumulation of energy, which was reflected in the gradual illumination of the passage:

1.Outer Edge Lighting: Enables consciousness-only travel.

2. Inner Area Lighting: Allows physical travel.

3. Core Area Lighting: It may bring about a profound transformation in the passage itself.

When Michael had returned from his first journey, the passage had revealed these rules to him. The energy required for each phase varied significantly—while the outer edge took roughly 10 to 12 months to charge, the inner area could take years or even decades, and the core area might take centuries.

“Consciousness transport, huh?” Michael’s lips curled into a faint smile. He wasn’t bothered by the restrictions.

Traveling physically was far too risky. The energy buildup took too long, and the danger was exponentially greater—if he died while traveling in his physical form, there would be no coming back. Consciousness travel, on the other hand, was safer and more practical.

Still, he wouldn’t act recklessly. “I need to prepare,” he thought.

Michael opened his eyes and stood. The training chamber’s cold air brushed against his skin as he left the underground room, his mind already formulating a plan.

He considered the risks. “What if the flow of time in the other world is too similar to this one?” he pondered. “If I stay there for decades, I can’t afford to lose years here. Too much is at stake.”

The thought gave him pause, but it didn’t deter him.

Stopping at a door down the hallway, Michael pushed it open. Inside was a workspace cluttered with notes, diagrams, and models.

Michael’s gaze drifted toward his scattered research. “After this trip, I should be able to deduce the next stage beyond the Heavenly Ascension Stage of the martial path,” he mused.

For months, Michael had been refining his understanding of martial arts, combining his experiences from his last journey with the knowledge stored in NovaSys. Once he finalized his deductions, he planned to upload them to the system in exchange for merit points, the universal currency of advancement in the Stellar Human Alliance.

“If I can accumulate enough merit points, I’ll advance my citizenship rank,” Michael thought, his eyes gleaming. Ascending through the ranks was not just a matter of status—it meant access to greater resources, privileges, and power.

Michael took a deep breath, his thoughts crystallizing into resolve.