The instructor let out a slow breath before continuing, his voice taking on a grim certainty.
"Officially, the world is still governed by human governments. Presidents, prime ministers, kings, and councils all still exist. But let's not pretend that they are the ones who hold the real power."
He glanced around the room, his gaze sharp.
"In the end, power dictates authority. No matter what laws are written, no matter what titles are given, the one with the greatest strength will always be the true ruler."
His words carried an undeniable truth—one that had been proven time and time again throughout history.
"And in today's world, the strongest are the Sovereigns."
A few students swallowed nervously.
"Each continent is ruled—whether officially or unofficially—by its Sovereigns."
He began to list them out.
Africa has two Sovereigns. A land of vast resources and ancient legacies, it required two pillars of strength to maintain order.
Europe has two Sovereigns. A continent filled with remnants of old powers and new threats.
America has only one Sovereign. But that does not mean it is weaker—because the lone Sovereign of America is one of the strongest beings to ever exist.
The instructor's voice darkened.
"The governments try to resist. They pretend they still hold control. But the truth is, they only rule because the Sovereigns allow them to. If a Sovereign wished to take complete control, there would be no force on Earth capable of stopping them."
A chilling silence filled the classroom.
"However… the Sovereigns are not mindless conquerors. They do not seek thrones or political rule. Their power is absolute, but their interests lie elsewhere. And as long as the governments do not interfere with their goals, they remain in the shadows."
Hope could feel the weight of those words.
These were not ordinary leaders. These were not kings bound by laws.
They were monsters in human form.
And the world's survival depended entirely on their mercy.
The instructor shifted the discussion.
"Now, let's move on to the consequences of the Veil's incursion."
His gaze swept over the students.
"When the Veil creatures first attacked, many civilians were killed instantly. But for those who survived? They faced a fate just as cruel."
A heavy silence followed.
"Entire populations had to be evacuated. People were forced to flee their homes, their cities, their entire countries. And where did they go?"
He let the question hang for a moment before answering.
"They flooded into the three remaining continents."
Hope already knew where this was going.
"America, Africa, and Europe became overcrowded with refugees. The continents were never meant to hold this many people. Resources stretched thin. Governments struggled to maintain order. And worst of all… millions were left with nothing."
His voice lowered.
"That is why, no matter where you go, you will see countless homeless people wandering the streets. Countless orphaned children with nowhere to go. The world has more mouths to feed than it can sustain."
His tone turned bitter.
"The powerful live in fortresses of wealth. The weak die in the streets. And the gap between them only continues to grow."
Hope clenched his jaw.
He had seen it himself.
The desperation. The hunger. The cold reality of a world where the strong thrived and the weak were forgotten.
But this wasn't new.
This had always been the way of the world.
The Power Structure of the Veil-Marked – The Four Major Stages
The instructor straightened.
"Now that we understand the state of the world, we move on to something more relevant to you all—the power system of the Veil-marked."
A slight shift in the classroom.
This was the part the students truly cared about.
This was the knowledge that defined their future.
The instructor's tone turned firm.
"There are four major stages of power among those marked by the Veil:"
1. Awakened – The first stage. The beginning of the journey.
2. Ascended – The step beyond. Where true power begins to manifest.
3. Transcended – A level where the body and soul reach heights beyond human limits.
4. Supremacy – The peak. The level of Sovereigns and the strongest beings to walk this Earth.
However, he did not stop there.
The Hidden Stages Between Power
The instructor took a step forward.
"Between these four stages, there are hidden phases. And these hidden phases determine your true potential."
His gaze locked onto the students.
"For those who have yet to survive their first trial, they are merely referred to as awakened Until you prove yourself in the Ashlands, you are nothing more than a number—a contestant waiting to be consumed."
A chill ran through the room.
"But after you awaken, the real struggle begins. Because the gap between each major stage is immense. And the only way to bridge that gap… is through these in-between phases."
He listed them out.
1. Awakened Devil – The stage between Awakened and Ascended.
"At this level, an Awakened is no longer ordinary. They begin to grasp the true nature of their power, but they are not yet strong enough to break into Ascended. This is the most dangerous stage, as many never make it past this point."
2. Ascended Terror – The stage between Ascended and Transcended.
"Here, an individual is strong enough to challenge entire battlefields. But they have not yet reached the transcendence of the truly powerful. They are feared, but not yet legends."
3. Corrupted Titan – The stage between Transcendent and Supremacy.
The instructor's expression darkened.
"This stage… is different."
A deep silence filled the room.
"To reach Supremacy, one must undergo something terrifying—corruption by the Veil itself."
A few students flinched at that.
Hope narrowed his eyes.
Corruption?
The instructor continued.
"It is called the Corrupted Titan stage because, at this level, the contestant must embrace the very thing they have been fighting against. The Veil does not allow anyone to reach Supremacy without a cost. And that cost… is corruption."
Hope felt a cold realization settle in.
So that was the price.
To reach the highest level, to step into Supremacy, one had to accept the corruption of the Veil itself.
A twisted irony.
The same system that gave them power… was the very thing that destroyed them.
The Veil Creatures Follow the Same Path
The instructor then delivered the final revelation.
"The stages of power do not only apply to humans."
His voice lowered.
"The Veil creatures follow the same system. But unlike us… they do not need to undergo corruption."
A few students shuddered.
"They are already corrupted. From the moment they exist, they are one step ahead of us. And the highest-ranking Veil creatures are called…"
He paused.
"Demon Generals."
The room fell into absolute silence.
Hope's fingers twitched slightly.
Demon Generals.
If Supremacy was the peak of human strength… then they were the peak of Veil creatures.
And if humanity's strongest had to corrupt themselves just to reach that level…
Then what kind of monsters were the Demon Generals?