"Because advancing through the Grades differs from person to person."
Daniello spoke while gazing over the students in the lecture hall. Some were still entering—perhaps late. His smile faded for a moment, but quickly returned to his lips.
'What an act!'
Arsene thought to himself. Yet there was some truth behind it. Wasn't it forbidden to enter after the lecture had already started?
This only disrupted the flow. Daniello closed the massive door leading into the hall, and with a wave of his hand, rune-like characters, imbued with magic, floated through the air. The letters struck the door and sealed it firmly.
Daniello turned back to the class, a smile that now seemed genuine stretching across his face.
"Good. Now, let's continue!"
"Singularities and their types—yes! And advancement—we were just there. I almost forgot where we left off!"
"But before we dive deeper, there's something important to point out: Grades differ depending on the type of singularity. For example, Information and Weather types only have two Grades—Grade 1 and Grade 0."
"Meanwhile, other types have four or even five Grades."
"This means that anyone possessing a singularity of the Information or Weather type will always be considered stronger than those from the other types—unless those others reach Grade 1 or 0."
"For instance, someone with an Information singularity at Grade 1 only needs to advance once to reach Grade 0. Additionally, the moment they awaken their singularity, they are immediately Grade 1—same for the Weather type."
"But for other singularities, you'll often find yourself starting at Grade 3 or 4. And it will take more than four advancements to reach the peak, Grade 0."
"That's if you don't lose yourself along the way—which most do. The farthest most people from Grade 4 can hope to reach is Grade 1... and that's if you're lucky enough to even get to Grade 2."
"Because advancing is neither easy nor casual. Let's take you all as an example—you found out last year, in the second Class, that you could start advancing."
"A year has passed since then... but has even one of you advanced a single Grade?!"
Daniello let his gaze linger on the students as if expecting someone to raise their hand and shout, 'Me! I did it! You're wrong!'
Of course, no one did. Daniello smiled, because he knew the truth—and none of the students took it as an insult. They all knew he was right.
Advancing was just that difficult.
But why was it so hard? That was the very question Daniello had prepared to answer.
"It's difficult... but it's also easy. It depends on the individual. Throughout history, there have been rare cases of people advancing four entire Grades in a short span of time. These cases are recorded in history books—they're not just rumors. Perhaps even today, there are those who have done it, but kept it hidden for their own reasons."
"But why was it easy for them and hard for you? What's the difference? It's a personal matter—something unique to each individual. Do you know why?"
"Because even if two people possess singularities of the same type, they don't have the same singularity exactly. More precisely, they don't have the same mutation, nor the same genes or bloodline!"
"I'll explain just how easy advancing through Grades can be—but you'll also understand why it's so hard and requires sacrifice."
"Advancement depends on how much you use your singularity."
"As long as you keep using your singularity, over and over, you can advance! As long as you understand your singularity—as long as you can feel it like a living being inside you—as long as your blood boils from wielding it—"
"You can advance easily."
"But is it really that easy? Of course not!"
"And why? It's all because of luck. If you're lucky enough to be born with a small, manageable Mutation, you'll find it easier to advance."
"Mutations determine whether you can advance or not. What are Mutations? They're the reverse backlash of singularities—some even call them divine punishment, because singularities once didn't exist in this world. They're foreign to us."
"And so, the gods punished us with Mutations for adapting to these foreign singularities."
"Mutations vary depending on singularity type. Since there are six types of singularities, there are six kinds of Mutations:"
Physical Mutations
Spiritual Mutations
Magical Mutations
Illusory Mutations
Energy Mutations
"It's more accurate to say there are only five types, because Information Mutations are usually a mix between spiritual and physical."
"When a singularity user frequently uses their singularity, they strengthen their Mutation. This backlash gradually grows, negatively affecting the user, until it either leads to death or causes them to lose control. In the One Throne Alliance, any singularity user who loses control is killed immediately."
Most students didn't seem surprised or shocked at Daniello's words. Even though it sounded harsh, they knew it deep down. Each of them had lived their entire life carrying a Mutation. Each had cried nights away, cursed their fate—whether from being deformed externally or internally, in mind or body.
Each one knew the feeling of being cursed by their own singularity—the feeling of being their own worst enemy. The singularity they thought would save them, give them a chance at greatness, was the very thing ruining them, pushing them toward death.
But despite the negatives, the advantages outweighed the risks. That's why everyone was still trying. Everyone wanted to change their fate. Everyone knew there were only two options: either achieve their dreams—or die.
And the bigger your dreams, the greater your chances of surviving.
That's why everyone chose to walk this path—everyone wanted to show the beauty of their singularity, despite the curse of their Mutation.
Daniello continued speaking,
"Mutations can become deadly weapons against their owners. Using your singularity at every chance you get, at every crossroad you encounter, in every corner you're cornered into... will only hasten your death."
"For example, a person with a Physical singularity that allows them to transform into an animal—repeated use could lead to a Mutation that leaves them stuck permanently in their beast form or causes them to lose all rationality. They would cease being human."
"And such cases aren't rare. In fact, it happened here at the academy three years ago!"
Arsene listened carefully to that last part, and two thoughts crossed his mind.
First was about Sarl—he constantly used his singularity. Was his duplicate always with him? Arsene realized he should probably warn him about the risk of an oncoming Mutation.
The second thought... was about the bat monster and the shark beast they encountered inside the academy's Mana Shard Mine.
Were those monsters once human too—transformed by Mutations?
Maybe, especially after what Daniello had just said.
Arsene wondered silently,
'And me... what kind of Mutation might I have?'
He smiled, completely unconcerned.
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Author here , another schema so u can understand:
Singularities → 6 Types:
→ Information, Weather, Body, Spirit, Magic, Illusion
Grades Progression:
→ Info/Weather: Grade 1 → Grade 0
→ Others: Grade 4 → Grade 0 (needs many advancements)
Advancement:
→ Use singularity often
→ Deep understanding
→ Blood resonance feeling
→ Depends on luck and mutation
Mutations:
→ 5 Types: Body, Spirit, Magic, Illusion, Energy
→ Info = Body + Spirit mix
→ Overuse causes mutation → loss of control or death
Consequences:
→ Mutation = Death or Execution
→ Big dreams = Higher survival