The rift closed with a silent ripple, the world folding back into the stark white light of the ACI Rift Chambers.
Students staggered out, some leaning on each other, others limping, bandaged and bloodied, clutching bags filled with beast cores.
Muzan stepped out last, black coat pristine, Onyx Edge sheathed across his back, silver eyes calm. Behind him, Alice followed, breathless but unbroken, while Kai and Mira trailed, exhaustion etched into their movements.
---
Instructors with clipboards moved among the students, recording injuries, retrieving beast cores, and directing the medics.
Instructor Lei's eyes swept across the crowd before landing on Muzan.
"You. Renka Muzan."
Muzan's gaze met hers, unfazed. "What?"
She stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she examined the faint crackles of lightning still sparking at his feet.
"Rank One," she said, lips twitching in something like a smirk. "You've drawn eyes, whether you like it or not."
---
Later, in the coliseum, massive screens displayed rankings in glowing blue light:
> 1. Renka Muzan – 316 cores (Shadowfang Alpha Subjugation) 2. Kai Tenrou – 211 cores 3. Mira Gale – 190 cores 4. Alice White – 184 cores …
Gasps and whispers filled the air.
"He's insane…"
"Is he really just a novice?"
"Wait, he took down an Alpha solo…?"
Kai's jaw tightened as he stared at the board, his fists clenching. Mira nudged him, whispering, "You'll get him next time."
Alice's blue eyes softened as she watched Muzan standing below the screen, indifferent to the attention.
---
> [Mission Complete: Ranked First]
[+3000 Sovereign Points]
[Intermediate Tier Shop Unlocked]
The system's voice was calm, almost amused, as it chimed in Muzan's mind.
---
A brief ceremony followed.
Students filed forward to receive novice badges and resource cards. Muzan accepted his badge silently, slipping it into his pocket while ignoring the instructor's congratulatory words.
---
That night, the ACI campus was alive with celebration.
Bonfires crackled in the dorm courtyards as students laughed, cheered, and boasted about their kills. Food and mana-infused drinks were shared, lights hanging from floating runes above.
Mira approached Muzan near the edge of the courtyard, a bottle in hand.
"You're strong, you know that?" she said, flashing a grin. "But don't think I won't catch up."
Muzan glanced at her, then back at the dark sky. "Catch up if you can."
Mira chuckled, downing her drink before walking off to rejoin her faction.
---
Alice approached next, clutching a cup of steaming tea, her eyes shimmering under the lantern lights.
"I… wanted to say thank you. For back there, in the rift."
Muzan's silver eyes flickered, unreadable. "You survived. That's enough."
Alice's grip tightened around her cup. "It's not enough for me."
He glanced at her, pausing, but said nothing.
She lowered her gaze. "I'm going to get stronger, Muzan. I won't slow you down."
She turned, walking back into the warm glow of the courtyard, leaving Muzan in the cold edge of the shadows.
---
Later, in his room, Muzan sat cross-legged, cultivating under the cold moonlight filtering through the window.
Lightning and flame coursed through his veins as he cycled the Draconic Flame Body Tempering Art, his breathing calm, the air around him humming with restrained power.
> [Draconic Flame Body Tempering Art: Intermediate Stage 8%]
Within his Soul Space, Veldora's voice rumbled:
> "Control your impatience, Muzan. Power without clarity will shatter you."
Varan's softer, teasing voice followed:
> "But don't get too calm, kid. The world's about to get noisy."
Muzan's eyes opened, silver irises reflecting the moonlight, the Onyx Edge resting across his knees.
He felt it—a watchful presence, distant but precise, probing around him like a blade's edge.
Someone was watching.
---
> [New Mission Generated: Unknown Observation Detected]
[Optional Objective: Trace the Observer]
[Reward: Sovereign Points +2000, ???]
A cold smirk touched Muzan's lips as he gripped the Onyx Edge's hilt.
"Let them watch."
Lightning crackled quietly around him, illuminating the darkness of his room.
The celebration outside continued, unaware that within the quiet of a single room, the gears of ascension had begun to turn once more.
---