Chapter 1 – Aura Zero
The grand hall of the Heavenly Dominion Academy was alive with whispers and laughter. Banners bearing the emblems of the most prestigious genius families hung high above polished marble floors, reflecting the brilliant auras of their students.
Auren Vale entered quietly, his posture impeccable, yet inside, he bubbled with amusement. So many geniuses, all puffed up like peacocks. I wonder who will laugh first…
The scanners in the hall had already done their work. The display above his head flashed "Aura Level: 0.00". Silence rippled, then exploded into murmurs.
"Is this… a joke?" one of the top geniuses muttered, voice tinged with disbelief.
Auren smiled faintly, a secret sparkle in his chest. Heh, let them stare. They have no idea how much fun this is about to be.
He stepped forward, and the instructor, a tall, refined woman whose aura radiated authority, met him with an appraising gaze. Even from the distance of a hundred students, he noticed the graceful curves of her figure, her age somehow only adding to her elegance. Forty-five… stunning. Honestly, the beauties I admired in my heart before feel average compared to her.
Auren's lips curved into a polite smile. Better butter her up before anyone else does.
"Welcome, Auren Vale," she said, voice warm but commanding. "You are in Class Zero. Here, you will be challenged beyond what you think you can endure."
Auren inclined his head slightly. "Thank you, Instructor. Truly, it's an honor to be taught by someone of your… remarkable talents." His words were honeyed, smooth, and sincere—the kind that made people like you immediately, even without meaning to.
The corners of her lips twitched as she raised an eyebrow. Hmm… maybe this one isn't as weak as the readout suggests.
He internally chuckled, watching the geniuses around him. Every face radiated pride, arrogance, and self-assurance—exactly what he needed to fuel his little game. Yes, yes… all of you, please continue underestimating me.
The instructor clapped her hands, commanding silence. "Your first test is the Pressure Room. Only those who survive its trials may proceed to the next stage."
Auren's chest fluttered with excitement. Finally, a proper playground. Let's see how much fun we can have.
The doors of the Pressure Room swung open, and a wave of intense aura assaulted the students. Fire, ice, and elemental pressure pressed against their bodies. Most students immediately flinched or stumbled. Auren, calm on the outside, was internally buzzing like a child opening presents. Oh yes… this is exactly the kind of challenge I live for.
A genius classmate, tall and cocky, stepped forward, smirking. "I hope you fail, Zero. It'll make me feel smarter just watching."
Auren chuckled softly in his mind. This is perfect. Humiliation first, then dominance later.
The genius fired off a rapid sequence of aura attacks, designed to overwhelm and humiliate. Auren barely moved—his internal thoughts racing, noting patterns and storing pressure like currency. Every insult, every attack… I'm counting. And I'm enjoying it.
Minutes passed, and Auren stumbled slightly under the intensity. Not because he was weak, but because he wanted to appear human. The genius sneered. "Pathetic. You're already breaking a sweat, and your aura is… nothing."
Auren grinned internally. Exactly how I like it.
By the end of the trial, while many students failed outright, Auren had endured longer than anyone expected. He hadn't broken the Ice Princess' record—yet—but he had made it far enough to catch the instructor's attention.
The instructor stepped closer as he exited, aura flowing around her like soft wind. "Well done, Auren. Your ability to endure is… unusual. I look forward to seeing how far you can go."
Auren bowed deeply. "Thank you, Instructor. Your guidance is… invaluable."
One step closer to making her smile daily… he thought. Perhaps the first in my little collection of hearts.
From the upper balconies, two senior students observed quietly: the Ice Princess and the Demonic Princess. Neither paid him more than a passing glance. To them, he was invisible—a new student, barely worth notice. But curiosity stirred within the strongest girl of the class, the one whose aura radiated power and beauty. She had not yet felt interest—only mild curiosity.
Not yet, Auren mused, internally noting her aura. But you will.
The Pressure Room had been humiliating, yet he had secretly absorbed small amounts of residual aura from the environment, storing it in the depths of his being. Every whisper, every mocking glance, every attempt to break him had become fuel.
He stepped out into the hall, chest calm, smile polite, yet inside, he bubbled with a mixture of delight and mischief. Humiliation first, fame later. Love even later than that…
The other students whispered, some in awe, most in disbelief. Class Zero was supposed to be weaklings; Auren had made it halfway through a trial meant to crush geniuses.
Just wait… he thought, watching the geniuses argue and compare themselves to him. Wait until I surpass their records. Wait until the Ice Princess' name is mentioned in the same breath as mine…
And somewhere in the back of his mind, the instructor's presence lingered. He smiled faintly. If she likes compliments, maybe she'll like me.
The day ended, but Auren's mind continued to buzz, silently plotting, absorbing, and enjoying every tiny ripple of curiosity and jealousy around him. The geniuses thought they had seen a weakling. They had only glimpsed the first layer of the storm.
And as he walked toward his dormitory, one thought hummed through his mind louder than the rest:
This is going to be so much fun.
> A curious aura in the back row of the academy catches Auren's attention—a student whose power is unmatched and whose presence feels… important. She doesn't know him, but something tells him she soon will.