Let's set aside Felix's aching waist for now.
The World Championship had come to an end before anyone realized it. As the host's voice thundered out the victory of the European team Sunflower, the arena erupted in cheers. No one had expected a team that fell into the loser's bracket in the very first round to claw their way back, eliminate Warrior in the loser's finals, and then topple the mighty Dynasty in the grand finals.
That upset sent the European player base into a frenzy. People who had never even touched the game were suddenly curious, and many were already waiting eagerly for version 2.0 to launch so they could step into Ark themselves, to become adventurers in Terra.
The results for the CN region weren't bad either: Dynasty finished second, Yanyu Pavilion took fourth place. From North America, Evil Geniuses secured fifth, and sixth went to Korea's T1. Out of the final eight, seven teams had direct ties to Tomorrow's Development. The only outsiders were the still-dazed T1. The rest were all familiar with one another, and after the tournament ended, the organizers booked out a luxury restaurant so the pros could exchange intel over a buffet.
"Ah… what a pity. Seventh place this time. Still, at least we didn't go out round one."
Dreamchaser sighed. His team, BaTu, would be bringing in fresh players next season, but what they really needed was a coach—someone as sharp as Degenbrecher, who could dissect and guide their teamfights with precision.
Coaching had always been the bottleneck in Ark esports. No one could possibly master every class in detail, so coaches often had to bluff their way through. That lack of deep tactical knowledge was why BaTu kept fumbling teamfights. Still, this was only the first season; Dreamchaser chose not to dwell on it.
Across the room, the group of pros who had joined Tomorrow's Development had gathered, led as always by Huangtian Houtu and Cabus, the very first to have dealt with the Pioneer. Even off the stage, their rivalry still simmered, though the fire was much dimmer than before.
Within Tomorrow's Development, the pros who had trained under Degenbrecher were all well acquainted with one another, their strengths roughly equal. That balance was why the winner's and loser's brackets had been so bloody and unpredictable—every team was a potential champion. Huangtian Houtu felt regret, but his eyes were already fixed on next season.
Dandao Dantart had reached the Top 12 in the solo bracket, alongside another warlock from Blue Rain, also in the Top 12. For Blue Rain, who hadn't made it to the team competition, it was a much-needed shot in the arm. Their fans back home in CN would have the spring split to look forward to.
That night, every pro logged back into the game. They filled the second floor of Tomorrow's Development headquarters, renting out the bar completely. More than a hundred players were packed inside—boasting, bickering, laughing, picking fights, some even trying to poach players. It was chaos, but joyous chaos.
"Hard to believe we're heading home soon… 2.0 won't be up for at least a week. Ugh, I can't wait."
Dandao Dantart glanced at the wild crowd. Players who usually kept a clean public image in front of the cameras were now cutting loose. Huangtian Houtu and Cabus had already started a PvP brawl, while someone was running the betting pool on who would win. The room roared with laughter and jeers.
"Let's meet up offline when we're back. CN did well this time—I'll treat everyone to dinner."
Cheng wandered over to greet them.
Xi Yiye smirked. "Yeah, with the second-place prize money, you're loaded. Time to bleed, rich boy."
"What prize money? After splitting, it's barely a hundred grand. Can't even buy a house."
"But the sponsorships, though. You'll be rolling in endorsements for months."
Xueyu scoffed at the humblebrag.
"I'll check with my captain later, see if she's coming."
"If Yan Fei shows up with your squad's good sisters, I'll call you mommy on the spot."
"Ugh, you're disgusting. You just want to date a pro? What then, rope our captain away in a year?"
"Heh heh heh. Xi Yiye, you really don't want to know what it feels like when your captain gets stolen, do you?"
And so the players of Terra spent their final nights in 1.0—celebrating, laughing, sparring, remembering. It was a farewell, but also a promise of what was to come.
---
Far away in the northern wastes of Ursus, Mr. Han hosted a gathering for Infected players before logging off, celebrating the strong results the CN region had achieved in the world championship.
In Lungmen, ordinary players and high-level veterans held a grand farewell party for version 1.0, organized by MagicZX and his friends. They rented a whole line of stretch limousines, cruising through Lungmen's night to savor a taste of upper-class extravagance.
Meanwhile, in Siracusa, Qiu Muyu led dozens of players through the rain-soaked streets on a transport mission, their laughter echoing amidst the calm of Terra's vast land.
And then, with the sunrise, Terra's streets fell silent once more—only the fading echoes of players' joy remained.
[Version 1.0: Fire of Terra has ended. Version 2.0: Fortress of Civilization is coming.]
[Estimated downtime: 27 Terra days]
---
Felix listened quietly as Loughshinny reported on the sudden, collective disappearance of the adventurers. He waved her concern aside, urging her to continue her lessons instead.
When it came to Originium arts, Loughshinny was his teacher. But when it came to matters of governance and leadership, Felix was the one she admired and revered.
"Teacher Felix… Even in Londinium, so many in the Lower Boroughs still can't find work. Even the most basic labor jobs—they're shut out. Why is it that in this age, unemployment is still so high?"
Felix hesitated. Instinctively, his mind reached for the darker answers—expel the unemployed, wipe them out with neutron strikes, hand the territory to a neighboring country and use war to "solve" the problem, or even turn half of them into rations to sustain the other half. But those were too cruel, too hellish. How could he ever taint Loughshinny's pure heart with such thoughts?
"It's simple," he said at last, choosing honesty over brutality. "There just aren't enough jobs."
He leaned back slightly, explaining in a level tone. "A typical Terran graduates from university and wants to land an internship or a stable job. But competition is fierce, and openings are few. Maybe only ten percent of graduates find work right away. The rest? They try again the next year—only now they're competing not just with each other, but with a whole new batch of younger graduates."
"And the cause of this?"
"What is it?" Loughshinny asked softly.
"Because almost all of Victoria's industries have already been carved up by corporations and noble families. No flexibility, no innovation. Some lucky graduates get in—because their parents already worked for the company. Family loyalty becomes their ticket in. But what about everyone else?"
Felix gave a faint, wry smile. In truth, it reminded him of the corporations back in his previous world. But in Victoria, it wasn't conglomerates monopolizing the nation—it was the dukes and nobles. They split up industries like private fiefdoms, ensuring loyalty through bloodlines. Father to son, mother to daughter, generation after generation.
For ordinary people, jobs were scarce. For Infected, nearly nonexistent.
"That's why, Loughshinny, I have no intention of expanding into Victoria in the future. The moment Tomorrow's Development enters, those nobles would tear it apart piece by piece."
She nodded quietly, murmuring a soft mm in response.
Violence and conquest were not the answers she sought. That path was for those who relied purely on muscle and force. Loughshinny was too gentle for that. Gentle to the point that she feared hurting others. And because of that, her path would be harder, more treacherous—a road where few would be harmed, where perhaps only she herself would bear the wounds.
She had already resolved to walk it.
Fortunately, along that road, Teacher Felix would be at her side.
The political theory lesson finally came to an end. With the subject shifting, Loughshinny stepped up to the lectern, her soft voice carrying through the quiet room as she began explaining the principles of Originium and its arts.
Felix had already learned quite a bit under Professor Naumann, and on paper he bore the lofty title of "Doctor of Originium Arts." Theory wasn't a problem for him. What he lacked was practice.
To wield Originium Arts, a medium was needed—a staff. Since Felix wasn't infected, he produced a staff he had crafted himself. From its materials to the embedded Originium structure, it was built to be the perfect tool for a beginner. It was the same type as the one he had once gifted to Mandragora, though without any ornamentation—purely functional, just enough to get the job done.
---
[You have triggered a C-Rank Quest: Trial of Awakening]
Felix froze.
He knew what this meant. Every Awakening Trial was different. Some were straightforward, others brutal—it all came down to luck.
[Quest Details: Only by pushing yourself beyond your limits can you break the shackles.]
[Quest Objective: Endure five minutes under Degenbrecher's assault.]
[Reward: 20,000 EXP]
[Reward: Mastery of Originium Arts]
"…Are you kidding me?" Felix's eyes widened. Five minutes against Degenbrecher?
He hadn't misread it. Five full minutes.
Every professional player who had sparred with Degenbrecher barely lasted twenty, thirty seconds at most—and that wasn't even one-on-one. It was one against fifteen.
How on earth was he supposed to last five minutes? More like five minutes of being turned into a punching bag.
"Teacher… what's wrong?" Loughshinny noticed the shift in his expression and asked, her voice tinged with worry.
"It's nothing. Just… thinking."
Felix reached over to ruffle her hair, telling her to get some rest before leaving quickly. Loughshinny stood alone, fingertips brushing the strands of hair he had touched. Her lips curled into a faint smile.
---
Heading toward the training hall, Felix mulled it over. Degenbrecher's strikes were vicious, every bout a whirlwind of speed, power, and unpredictability. She never repeated her tactics—she lived for combat. That was what it meant to be a natural-born warrior.
But the quest never said he couldn't use his constructs. Maybe that wasn't cheating. After all, power was still power. What mattered was who wielded it.
So, he summoned Degenbrecher.
"You want a sparring match?" Degenbrecher rested one hand on her sword hilt, her tone carrying a hint of disbelief as she repeated his request.
"That's right," Felix replied, fastening the best armor he could reinforce onto himself. "I need to feel that pressure up close. Otherwise, I'll never break past this wall in front of me."
He met her gaze steadily. "I can't always stand behind you and let you protect me. That's not who I want to be."
"Oh?" Degenbrecher's lips curved upward. "You're getting bolder. More charming. More like a real man."
Her voice carried an edge of amusement. "Hard to believe the fragile Sankta could produce someone like you, Boss."
With that, she drew her blade in a fluid motion. "But if you're serious, then I won't hold back completely."
"This is just training—"
Felix didn't even finish the sentence. His body reacted on instinct, springing back just in time as Degenbrecher's sword slammed into the training hall floor with a deafening crack. The blade was buried deep, less than a heartbeat after she had moved.
"Show me what you've got, Felix. Let me see your progress."
Felix could barely manage to dodge. His heart sank—because in Degenbrecher's world, there was no line between training and real combat. For her, training was war.
The sharp edge of her blade left fresh gashes across his mechanical armor. Felix stumbled back three steps, retreating to the edge of the training room. So far, he hadn't managed a single effective counter. In close combat, reach meant everything, and he had never trained with weapons. All he had to rely on now was his reflexes—bolstered by his stats, he managed, again and again, to narrowly slip past Degenbrecher's relentless strikes.
But striking back? Not a chance. He didn't even dare to try. Every move from Degenbrecher pressed him further into a corner; one misstep and he'd collapse.
Even in his past life, he had never been this desperate. Maybe it was because he had been a support player, or maybe because when he sparred with the dragon-like master, he always relied on the arsenal of a machinist instead of raw fists.
This was the first time he had fought relying solely on his body. And yet—this was exactly the battlefield that awaited him in the future.
"Oh? Interesting."
Degenbrecher slid her longsword back into its sheath. Then, with deliberate calm, she drew her twin swords.
Felix's chest tightened. That meant Degenbrecher was about to get serious.
But his body was already at its limit. In truth, the fact he was even still standing was a miracle.
The storm came in the next heartbeat.
Boom!
The training room wall exploded outward, leaving a gaping hole. Felix lay sprawled on the ground, coughing up blood, battered and shaken.
And yet, he didn't curse, didn't despair. He wanted to feel this helplessness, this crushing weight of powerlessness. To embrace it fully. So that in the future, he could fight with everything he had to ensure this feeling never returned.
A small blue flame quietly bloomed at his side.