A soft chime rang through the classroom. Not harsh—just enough to draw attention.
Mr. Thorn, the Class 1-D instructor, stood up from his desk. He wore a dark tunic, worn boots, and carried himself like someone who'd seen more battles than lectures. Just a man who taught with his fists and his experience.
He scratched the back of his neck and sighed. "Alright, kids. Eyes up."
The room quieted. Although only Class D, everybody held hopes of advancement.
Mr. Thorn had a way of commanding attention without raising his voice, despite being a Class D teacher he was clearly a powerful knight.
"It's the first of the month," he said. "And you know what that means."
Kyode sat a bit straighter, the subtle hum of the system returning to his mind like a heartbeat.
[Aura Event Detected: Monthly Academy Combat Evaluation – 1,207 Spectators Projected.]
[Grade Multiplier Potential: A+]
[Mission: Defeat Karl Halden in combat with maximum flair.]
Mr. Thorn folded his arms across his chest. His tone was easygoing, but the message was clear. "Today's our monthly combat evaluation. Everyone fights. No exceptions."
A wave of groans rolled through the class like a ripple in a pond.
"Yeah, yeah," Thorn chuckled. "I know it's not your favorite day. But these evaluations? They're how we rank you. Sort out internships. Scholarships. Fieldwork invites. More importantly—it's how we figure out who's got a shot at surviving out there."
He leaned back slightly against his desk. "Here's the deal. Every student in this academy wears the same uniform—black and gold. No extra flair. No fancy badges. Doesn't matter if your parents are dukes or stable hands. In this room, you're all on equal footing."
Kyode's gaze flicked down to his clothes. The fabric felt surprisingly light, reinforced at the seams, built for movement and durability.
Thorn gestured, and a shimmering projection lit up behind him—a glowing map of their world, Zafir. The globe slowly spun in the air.
"Before we head out, let's do a quick refresher for those who still haven't learned anything from me. Zafir—our home planet. E-rank on the universal scale. Not exactly prime real estate, but we've got heart."
The projection zoomed out, revealing a spiral of planetary systems. Thousands of ranked worlds blinked like stars.
"The higher the rank, the stronger the monsters, the richer the land, the tighter the politics. Zafir isn't special by galactic standards—but we have history. Blood. Culture. Conflict."
The image zoomed back in, focusing on Zafir and its three large empires.
"First, the Legacy Empire," Thorn said, pointing to a violet-shaded territory. "Made up of Aliens. They came here a few generations ago. Aliens, sure, but they've built power fast. Their king? Unknown but not human. They see Zafir as a resource."
The map shifted again.
"Next, the Alfir Empire." A calm, oceanic blue spread across another continent. "Queen Alfir rules here. Strongest being on the planet—some say she could destroy a continent with a whisper. She doesn't fight, though. Her empire's neutral ground. No invasions, no conscription. Just peace."
The last empire glowed red.
"And then we've got us. The Royal Empire. Proud, a little too proud maybe. Obsessed with bloodlines and heritage, but it's home. We train harder, push harder. That's why our Royal Academy pulls students from all over—even from Legacy and Alfir lands, even Queen Alfir once attended the Royal Academy."
Thorn stepped away from the map, letting it fade.
"We don't know what the next decade holds. Wars. Beasts. Alien intervention. That's why these combat evaluations matter. We don't just test your strength—we prepare you to survive."
He paused. His voice lowered—not sharp, but full of weight.
"Some of you made it here on grit. Some on luck. Doesn't matter. Today's about what you do with the chance you've been given. Don't disappoint."
With that, he clapped his hands.
"You've got ten minutes to prep. Meet at the arena."
The arena loomed ahead—massive and carved from age-old stone. Its domed ceiling shimmered faintly with barrier enchantments, preventing death.
Students from Classes 1-A through 1-E gathered in rows along the terraces. Higher-ranked classes looked down with aloof expressions, while 1-E huddled like they were waiting to be fed to wolves. The true elites, the S-Class students, didn't participate in monthly evaluations. They watched from private balconies above—spectators more than students, fighting only during the annual combat evaluation.
Everyone wore the same black-and-gold uniform. Same stitching. Same cut. No emblems. No clan markers. The Academy made sure no one could rely on reputation when they stepped into the ring.
Kyode walked through the archway and stepped onto the arena's stone path. His breath came slower now. Focused. The air was thick with tension. Chatter buzzed from the stands—students, staff, and even nobles who came to scout talent.
[Aura Event: Combat Evaluation Arena – Now Active]
[Target: Karl Halden – Class 1-B, ranked 107th in the academy]
[Complete Mission 1 With Your Own Flair!]
A voice echoed through the magical amplifiers overhead, carrying across the arena.
"First match: Karl Halden of Class 1-B… versus Kyode Namis of Class 1-D!"
There was a pause. Then the reaction came in waves.
"Karl? First match? Against… who?"
"Kyode Namis? That's the bottom of the barrel…"
"Wait, isn't he the one ranked 789th?"
Karl Halden stepped forward through the opposite gate. He moved like someone used to being watched—lean, confident, practiced. His brown hair was tied back in a short tail, and a polished blade rested casually at his side. He didn't grip it. He didn't need to. Just standing there, Karl looked like he already knew the outcome.
Kyode stepped out as well, to other students he appeared foolishly calm, he stood tall, towering over Karl by at least five inches. His sword a basic academy provided weapon. He stared Karl, amused that someone so weak could be rank 107th.
Karl seeing Kyode's confidence, faltered for just a second, his smirk falling flat. 'Why, why is this weakling staring at me like some ant to be crushed? You, with no power dare disrespect me?'
[Estimated Spectator Reaction: Confusion → Curiosity]
[Optimal Aura Farming Strategy: Shock and Overwhelm. Style Rating Multiplier Applied.]
Karl raised an eyebrow as Kyode took his place across from him.
"You sure you're in the right arena?" Karl asked, voice lazy but not unkind. "They might've mixed up the names."
Kyode didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
Mr. Thorn's voice echoed again from the center platform.
"Combatants ready?"
Karl rolled his shoulders. "Ready."
Kyode inhaled deeply, drawing his stance upright. "Ready."
"Then begin."
The world slowed.
Karl didn't hesitate. A blur of motion—his sword left its sheath, gleaming under the enchanted arena lights, the point aiming straight for Kyode's chest.
He was fast.
But Kyode didn't move. Didn't blink. Didn't draw his sword.
Karl's sword closed in—an inch, then half an inch.
Kyode's hands moved like water.
He caught the blade between his index and middle finger.
Gasps rang through the crowd. Even Karl's eyes widened.
Then Kyode exhaled.
A wave of force burst from his breath—not magic. Just raw physical pressure, enhanced by a body that had been rebuilt by the system to perfection.
Karl flew backward, tumbling across the arena like a leaf in a storm. He skidded to a stop just before the barrier wall. Still conscious, but stunned.
Silence.
Then roars of disbelief.
"Did he… catch it?!"
"What was that? Wind magic?"
"No way… he didn't even flinch!"
Mr. Thorn's lips twitched into the faintest smirk.
Karl, still on the ground, coughed and looked up. His expression had shifted—no longer smug. Curious. Almost impressed.
[Mission Completed: Farm Aura at School!]
[Rewards: 100 Aura Points, Beginner Gift Pack, Talk with System Creator, Cool Sunglasses Unlocked]
[System grade: B+ = 10x multiplier. 1,000 AP earned]
Kyode stood in the center of the arena, breathing slowly. Calm. Focused. He grabbed a pair or sunglasses from his pants and slid them on comfortably.
A nobody? Maybe yesterday.
But today?
The whole academy had just witnessed the rise of something new.
And the Aura Farmer had only just begun to sow his legend