Class: Shadow Monarch Affinity: Divine Shadow & Lightning Innate Talent: Lineage of the Shadow God Strength: 1.07 » 1.18 Endurance: 2.01 » 2.50 Essence Capacity: 2.05 » 2.90 Updates are released by novel{f}ire.net Intelligence: 2.50 » 2.53 Familiar Bonds: Fiend Wolf Echoes of Memory: Obsidian Blade Fang, Celestial Star Bow, Blackcoil Armor [Warning: Core system still evolving. Further functions will unlock as the system evolves.] [Dungeon Boss Reward: Skill: Aura of Ashura received] Michael was sitting in his room with his system screen in front of him. "Still weak, I need to get stronger," Michael said, clenching his fist. His mind kept replaying that match, each and every part of it. Legacies are totally built different, each of the skills they used for attacks were refined and perfected. "They must at least have reached 7 in their system status... that means they are close to reaching the full limit of an Awaken," Michael said with a sigh. The limit of an Awaken is 10 percent, and the further they climb the ranks of ascension those limits increase until they reach godhood. Michael didn’t even know if humanity had a human who had climbed the ladder of ascension and obtained godhood or supremacy. Michael leaned back against the wall, his breathing calm but his thoughts storming like thunder. The faint glow of his system screen painted his face in shades of violet and black, reflecting the eerie beauty of his shadow affinity. His wolf familiar, the Fiend Wolf, stirred restlessly in the corner, its golden eyes watching Michael as though it could sense the weight on his mind. "Seven..." Michael whispered again. "If they’re already that far, then I can’t stay at this pace. I’ll be crushed the next time." The thought of defeat dug deep into his chest. Not because of pride but because of helplessness. The legacies that fought against each other didn’t just use their skills; they wielded them with a heritage perfected over generations. Techniques born in bloodlines older than empires. This only made Michael feel more helpless. He had no one to rely on or someone to help him, but still, he couldn’t let them surpass him or break him. He needed to get stronger, and quickly. After all, he only had about a few more months left in the academy. Each student is allowed to stay in the academy for a year before they are freed and must then contribute 2 years of their life serving under the government and contributing to humanity. So it’s either you join the government or you join a hunter or a legacy family. But most students, after graduating from the academy, decide to challenge their first dungeon, while some might decide to form a cohort then challenge the dungeon. So each student has a variety of decisions to choose from. Michael hasn’t decided which of them to pick yet, but he still had some time before he is forced to pick. But right now he needs to get stronger, and that means he needs to absorb more cores and challenge tier 1 dungeons. But each dungeon will cost him a few Valor Shades, and Michael didn’t have that much money on him. Or he could borrow from the academy, but that would need him to pay back with interest. So right now Michael was having a hard time picking out an option. In another room, two men were facing each other. The office was vast and commanding, with towering shelves pressed against the walls, heavy with ancient tomes, rolled scrolls, and glass cases that safeguarded rare artifacts. A massive desk of dark oak rested at the far end, its polished surface scattered with neatly stacked parchments, quills, and glowing crystals that pulsed faintly with mana. Behind it stood a high-backed chair draped in deep velvet, facing the room like a throne. The ceiling arched high above, painted with shifting constellations that seemed to move slowly across the surface, while tall windows framed by crimson and gold curtains allowed shafts of light to spill inside. Enchanted lanterns hovered in the air, casting a steady, warm glow that mingled with the faint scent of parchment and polished wood. To one side, a grand globe rotated gently on its own, displaying lands and seas that shimmered faintly with magic. On the opposite wall hung a rack of weapons and relics, each humming softly with dormant power. The air carried a weight of history, authority, and secrets, as though the room itself was alive, watching all who entered. "Principal Orion, I know that this might seem like we are asking much, but this is for the sake of humanity, damn it," the man said, slamming his hands on the desk. "You are asking me to deploy unprepared students to fight for the government. You are basically sending them to their death, don’t you understand that?" Principal Orion said. "There is an increase in dungeon outbreaks, and more dungeons are appearing without any sign of warning," the man said. "Isn’t that an issue that should be handled by the government? Why drag the students into this?" Principal Orion argued back. "The government is trying their best to stop the dungeon outbreaks, but we can’t focus on every point. Most of our hunters are fighting the Endless Organization, and if they are called back, the organization might use it as an opportunity to attack," the man said. "This doesn’t make sense," the principal said while stroking his chin. "Why is there an increase in dungeon outbreaks and also the Endless Organization started attacking more frequently? Isn’t that suspicious?" "Exactly, that’s why the government is trying to stop them," he said. "But don’t worry, each student will only be challenging a level one dungeon, and this will create an opportunity for them to grow stronger." "If you need someone to help push back the dungeon outbreak, then why don’t you meet the legacy families or guilds? Why force the academy?" the principal asked. "The government doesn’t have strict access or power to command the legacies, but we have recruited some major and smaller guilds. We are aiming to use the students to lure out their families," he said. "The legacies might make a move if they see their kids are in danger, but I promise you none of the students will be put in harm. And we noticed there is an increase in legacies’ admission into the academy this year, so this could work out for us," he said, and the principal nodded. "So, Principal Orion, we hope you comply with us," the man said before disappearing. The principal sighed. "I knew that it would soon get to this." "I guess the academy will go through a major schedule restructure. Most academy activities will be postponed from now. Hope that nothing happens," the principal said, ready to obey the government.