Exactly one month remained before the academy entrance examination.
And that month had been anything but ordinary for Felix.
As he stepped out of the hotel room, a few people in the hallway unconsciously slowed their pace. Some avoided his gaze, others turned away without realizing why.
Felix noticed immediately.
"…Did I really change that much?"
Even without checking a mirror, he knew the system wouldn't lie.
His blond hair, almost silver under certain lighting, shifted subtly with the light. His crimson eyes, calm as they were, still triggered an instinctive sense of unease in others.
This wasn't just about being handsome anymore.
It was a beauty that imposed pressure.
[Your appearance is a side effect of perfect body–Essence synchronization, Host.]
"A side effect, huh," Felix muttered.
"That sounds suspiciously like a passive provocation skill."
[It is not intentional.]
"I'm sure."
Outside the hotel, the mana tram connected to the academy's main route was already crowded. The moment Felix stepped inside, conversations briefly died down.
Then the whispers began.
"Who is that?"
"Human?"
"Don't look into his eyes…"
Felix ignored them and moved to an empty spot.
But this time, it wasn't only his appearance drawing attention. Even his tightly suppressed Essence felt wrong to experienced senses. Controlled, refined—far beyond what a normal candidate should possess.
As the tram began to move, the diversity of races became clear.
Horned Beastkin.
Silent Elves.
Heavily armored Dwarves.
And several Dragonkin.
Felix had just turned to look outside when a heavy pressure flooded the tram.
One of the Dragonkin stood up.
Gray-scaled, broad-shouldered, arrogance written plainly across his face.
"Lower your gaze," the Dragonkin said, staring straight at Felix.
"A mere human is drawing too much attention."
Felix turned his head.
Their eyes met.
One second.
Two seconds.
Then Felix smiled faintly.
"I was thinking the exact opposite."
The Dragonkin's pressure intensified.
Several candidates stumbled back, their breathing strained.
Felix, however…
Did nothing.
The wind moved—so subtly it was impossible to notice.
The pressure dispersed.
As if it had never existed.
The Dragonkin's eyes widened.
"…What did you do?"
Felix shrugged.
"Looks like," he said calmly,
"the last month was well spent."
[Essence control: Perfect.]
As the tram approached the academy station, silence fell.
Floating islands.
Layered defensive barriers.
And at the center, a towering black-and-white spire.
The World Academy.
The tram stopped.
The crowd poured out.
As Felix walked forward, he felt the weight of countless gazes. This was no longer simple curiosity—it was instinctive awareness. A sense that something was out of place.
As they neared the gates, the system warned him.
[Multiple perception scans initiated.]
"On me?" Felix asked mentally.
[On everyone. However, several scans are lingering on you.]
Felix smiled inwardly.
When it was his turn, a crystal platform appeared before him.
"Step onto the platform."
Felix complied.
The crystal glowed.
Then—
Silence.
No readings.
The examiner frowned.
"Again."
Felix stepped off, then on again.
The same result.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"It's not reading him."
"That's impossible."
"What is he?"
Felix sighed inwardly.
"I tried not to stand out for a whole month," he thought.
"Guess that failed."
The crystal suddenly cracked.
A faint breeze passed through the air.
The examiner froze.
"…Candidate," he said slowly,
"you will undergo a secondary evaluation."
Felix stepped down.
No one tried to hide their stares anymore.
Curiosity.
Suspicion.
And fear.
Felix slipped his hands into his pockets.
"Well," he muttered,
"at least no one can say I went unnoticed."
And within the World Academy—
After a month of silent preparation—
Felix had finally stepped onto the stage.