The courtyard of the Demonic Academy buzzed with activity from the break of dawn. Long rows of new students stretched beneath the banners of the six clans, their footsteps echoing through the majestic grounds. Sunlight reflected off the guards' armor, making everything seem alive with grandeur… and intimidation.
Chun Yeowun stood among the crowd, his face pale but determined. After surviving the Sound Test, there was no turning back; he had to pass the first trial if he wanted to survive in the academy.
A few steps away, another young man stood with calm features — Raiden, the son of the sect's Right Guardian, whose true identity was unknown to anyone. His gray eyes watched the scene in deep silence, showing neither excitement nor fear, as if the entire academy were just a small trial on a much longer path ahead.
At that moment, the system's voice echoed in his mind:
> [System Activated]
[Optional Mission: Successfully pass the first trial]
[Reward: 100 System Points]
[You may accept or ignore this mission]
Raiden whispered to himself:
"I accept."
He did not yet understand the purpose of the points, but a faint instinct told him that ignoring the system would be foolish.
---
Haming, the Left Guardian, stepped steadily onto the stone platform and spoke in a dry, commanding tone:
> "New students of the Demonic Academy, you have joined us. Now… the first trial will begin."
A heavy silence fell over the courtyard, and he continued in a serious voice:
> "Today's test is simple — anyone who can withstand the Fifth Elder's musical energy survives. Anyone who falls… is expelled immediately."
Many students trembled, whispers of anxiety spreading among them. Yeowun understood the danger perfectly… he had no inner energy to defend himself.
All eyes turned as a stunning woman in flowing red silk stepped onto the platform — Hang Suyou, the Fifth Elder of the Lust Clan. She smiled lightly as she placed a stringed instrument on the stone before her:
> "Don't worry… my wave won't kill you quickly."
Quiet laughter spread among some of the noble-born students, while Yeowun bit his lip nervously. Raiden, however, observed the scene with cold, steady eyes.
---
Hang Suyou began to play. The courtyard erupted with a sound that was not just heard but felt. The air trembled around the students; some screamed, while others collapsed, bubbles of blood rising from their mouths.
The sonic wave pierced minds, shredded nerves, and toppled anyone without sufficient inner energy.
Yeowun advanced with trembling steps, his body quivering with each pulse. His focus began to fade, and finally — he collapsed unconscious.
Raiden, however, remained standing, eyes closed, a transparent sphere of Observation Haki swirling around him like a shield, deflecting the sonic vibrations.
Hang Suyou's fingers froze mid-strum, and she blinked in astonishment:
> "Impossible… how did he not fall?"
At that moment, the system whispered in Raiden's mind again:
> [Mission Completed]
[Reward Obtained: 100 System Points]
[New Stat Added — Mental Resistance: Level 1]
Raiden opened his eyes slowly, looking at Yeowun lying on the ground, then whispered quietly, unheard by anyone:
"It seems this place… won't be boring after all."