The familiar blue Status Window appeared before me, shimmering above my head as if celebrating an achievement I had believed to be far out of reach for years.
---
[Status Window]
Name: Nyx Fearn
Age: 16
Rank: Awakened
Core Type: Superior Core
Mana Capacity: 210 / 210
Elements:
• Lightning
• Void (?)
Primary Attributes:
Strength: C-
Agility: C-
Endurance: C
Vitality: C
Perception: C+
Mana Control: C+
Secondary Attributes:
Magic Resistance: D+
Recovery Speed: D
Mental Endurance: C-
Martial Arts:
• Transcendent Blade Style —
First Form: Soul Pulse
?
?
????
Traits:
• Mana-Harmonized Body (Hidden)
• Dual Eyes (Inactive)
---
I froze for several seconds, staring at the screen as if my mind hadn't fully caught up with what I was seeing.
"I… really broke through?"
I muttered quietly, even though I was alone in the room. A heavy feeling settled in my chest—pride mixed with confusion and disbelief. Over the past few days, I had focused solely on discipline and training… but I never expected a breakthrough to happen tonight of all times.
But what truly caught my attention—what literally stole my breath—wasn't the Awakened rank.
It was that single line.
Transcendent Blade Style — First Form: Soul Pulse
"That's impossible… how?"
I stared at the words as if they might disappear the moment I blinked. This art—no, this style—had been completely sealed when I transmigrated. Back then, all I could see was its name, without any details. Even the being that brought me into this world had told me nothing about it.
And now…
The first form had appeared.
Soul Pulse…?
I closed my eyes for a moment, focusing inward. A faint sensation—like a thin line of light running through my nerves—told me that this technique wasn't just a simple attack.
A small line of text appeared beneath the technique's name, a brief explanation:
— An attack that pierces defenses and momentarily doubles the user's speed upon activation.
"An attack that doubles my speed…" I murmured.
"Probably for about two seconds."
Speed had always been my weak point compared to others.
But now…?
A smile spread across my lips before I even realized it.
"This… is amazing."
If the first form unlocked simply by breaking through to this stage, did that mean the next forms would appear at Rank B?
I didn't know.
But uncertainty quickly turned into excitement.
For the first time, this style didn't feel like a dormant legacy—it felt like a weapon that would grow alongside me.
"I'll find out soon enough."
I slowly closed the status window and lay back on the bed. My body was exhausted, yet my heart was beating with restless energy.
Still… sleep eventually claimed me.
---
I woke up feeling energy flooding through my limbs, as if I had downed ten cups of coffee at once.
I stretched lazily… then glanced at the clock.
I froze.
"…I'M LATE!!"
I jumped out of bed, threw on my clothes so fast I nearly wore my shirt inside out, and burst into the hallway. The sound of shoes pounding against the floor echoed as other students rushed toward their classes as well.
After about five minutes of fast walking—borderline running—I reached the classroom door just before the automatic systems sealed it shut.
I slipped inside, barely catching my breath, and headed to my usual seat.
Only a few seconds passed before the door opened again.
Carmilla entered.
Her long pink hair was neatly tied back. She swept her gaze across the room before speaking in her usual dry morning tone:
"Good morning, students."
She carried a medium-sized wooden box, placing it on her desk before continuing:
"These watches will serve as your identification within the academy. They are linked to your initial points and personal files. Use them carefully."
Murmurs spread through the class as each student stepped forward to receive one.
I took mine—a black metallic band with silver edges—and returned to my seat, turning it over in my fingers.
Carmilla clapped her hands lightly.
"Alright. Before today's lesson, we'll conduct a simple test to determine your elemental affinity. I believe most of you have been waiting for this."
She opened a small pouch and pulled out a transparent crystal about the size of a fist. Inside it, a faint light moved as if it were breathing.
"All you need to do is place your hand on the crystal. It will handle the rest. I'll call your names in order."
---
"Rank 20: Leon Ashford."
Leon—the short-haired boy who constantly acted arrogant—stood up and approached the crystal.
He placed his hand on it.
Fwooom.
A gentle current of air swirled around the crystal as the light turned a bluish-green, forming a slow-spinning vortex.
"Wind element. Good," Carmilla said.
Leon returned to his seat with his usual smug grin.
"Rank 19: Dimitri Falcon."
A slender boy with calm features stepped forward.
When he placed his hand—
The crystal glowed a deep green, like the color of dense forests.
"Wood element."
One by one, students went up.
Colors shifted—red, blue, yellow, earth…
Nothing truly shocking.
Until—
---
"Rank 7: Ethan Green."
Ethan stepped forward confidently.
The moment he touched the crystal, it darkened for a brief second—
Then faint shadows spilled out, wrapping around his hand like black smoke.
Loud murmurs filled the classroom.
Carmilla spoke with clear amazement:
"Darkness element… excellent. Extremely rare."
Ethan smiled brightly before returning to his seat.
---
"Rank 6: Charlotte Astria."
Charlotte stepped forward, her long white hair swaying behind her.
The boys stared at her with a mix of admiration and awe—not just because she was beautiful, but because she was the academy director's only daughter.
She placed her hand on the crystal.
Suddenly—
The light shimmered translucent blue… then turned sky-white… then shifted into a pale golden glow, like the spirits described in ancient tales.
Small rings of light formed around the crystal, floating briefly before fading.
Carmilla froze.
"This… this is Spirit Affinity?"
Shocked voices erupted throughout the room:
"That's impossible!" "Spirit?!" "Isn't that one of the rarest types of magic in the world?!"
Charlotte said nothing.
She simply withdrew her hand calmly and returned to her seat.
---
"Rank 2: Leander Vallis."
Leander stood up—his golden hair and golden eyes reflecting the light of the room, as if he were walking radiance itself.
He stepped forward with steady confidence and placed his hand on the crystal.
Less than a second passed—
Before the crystal ignited with four colors at once.
Blue.
Red.
White.
Green.
The colors intertwined, dancing like beams of light.
Gasps echoed across the room.
Carmilla's voice—shaken for the first time since the year began—rang out:
"This… Four-element affinity? Water, Fire, Wind… and Light…?"
---
After that…
Every student turned to look at me before Carmilla finally spoke:
"Rank 1: Nyx Fearn."
Her voice carried all the exhaustion and shock she had endured over the past few minutes.
I stood up slowly.
Stepped forward calmly.
The crystal before me.
The class behind me.
All eyes fixed on my back.
I took a deep breath—
And placed my hand on the crystal…
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