I looked at the student standing beside Professor Vyene. He glanced at me, smiled, and I flinched for some reason I couldn't explain.
Umm… isn't he Kaiser Hawkins? The genius of his era?
Professor Vyene shifted her sharp gaze toward me.
"Ray Nouzen," she said coldly, "I hope you plan to pay attention today. You've already wasted enough time sleeping through lectures. If you feel like doing it again, leave the class."
I just nodded, saying nothing.
"Hmph." She turned back with a scowl, though I caught the faint irritation in her eyes.
Because of his father, we can't punish him like the others, she thought bitterly. He never pays attention, and I'll have to report this to the headmaster again. Such a pain in the ass.
She sighed, then looked back at the boy standing beside her.
"Kaiser, give your introduction to the class and take seat B-29."
Kaiser bowed politely. "Thank you, Professor."
He turned to face the class. Half the students stared with curiosity, others with envy, and a few with plain jealousy.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke. "Hello everyone, my name is Kaiser Hawkins. Please take care of me in the future."
And that was it.
The class blinked in disbelief.
"That's all?" one whispered.
"Is he an introvert?" another muttered.
"Or does he just have social anxiety?"
The silence broke when Cristina clapped cheerfully, and others followed, filling the room with light applause.
Kaiser nodded once, walked over to his seat beside me, and sat down. He smiled faintly.
"Hi."
I didn't bother replying. Instead, I kept my eyes fixed on the smart board, where Professor Vyene began her lesson again.
"Now," she said firmly, "tell me—what is mana? I don't want textbook definitions. I want your understanding. Your perspective."
Several hands rose.
"Yes, Mirra?"
The copper-haired girl stood up, her voice steady.
"Mana," she began, "is the essence that binds all life. Every living being is born with a reservoir of it, though its size and purity differ. But raw mana itself doesn't make you strong. What matters is how well you can breathe it in, circulate it, refine it, and then release it as force. That's why techniques exist—mana breathing, circulation methods, resonance exercises. Training can expand your reservoir, but talent decides the pace. With only hard work, you might crawl like a turtle. But with talent, you soar like an eagle."
Professor Vyene's eyes softened slightly. "Good. Very good."
Another student raised his hand. "Professor, then what does ranking up in the Foundation Tier actually mean?"
Vyene nodded. "A worthy question. Listen carefully."
She flicked her hand, and glowing runes appeared across the blackboard, each word shimmering faintly with mana.
"Every student begins their journey in the Foundation Tier. Advancement in this tier is not about destroying enemies or hurling flashy spells—it is about mastery of your own flow. The stronger, more stable, and more efficient your circulation, the higher your rank. From the moment you awaken mana, you are placed into this tier."
The runes shifted, forming a ladder-like diagram:
The Ten Levels of Foundation Tier
1. Ember – The spark of awakening. The faintest flicker of mana within you.
2. Kindle – The stage where that flicker steadies into a small flame, weak but alive.
3. Surge – Mana circulation begins. Power starts to rush like streams in the body.
4. Thread – Mana lines form. You can guide energy into finer, controlled flows.
5. Pulse – Mana rhythm synchronizes with your heartbeat. Strength and speed rise.
6. Stone – The body hardens under mana reinforcement. Durability improves.
7. Edge – Mana sharpens, cutting through resistance. Offense grows deadly.
8. Glow – Energy radiates naturally, surrounding the body in a visible aura.
9. Core – The reservoir condenses into a defined 'core state.' Mana loss reduces drastically.
10. Break – The barrier of the Foundation Tier. Your core strains to evolve.
Professor Vyene tapped the board, and the glowing runes pulsed with light.
"Each stage is a refinement of your flow—stronger circulation, denser mana, greater resonance. Advancement is not simply power—it is control, harmony, and stability. And when you reach Break, you are ready to attempt your first true evolution—the leap into the Core Tier. From there, you stop being a student of mana… and begin the path of a true wielder."
Silence filled the room. The words weighed heavily, like a promise and a threat at once.
"Your assignment," Vyene said, breaking the tension, "is to write a detailed report on your mana growth. Describe your strengths, your weaknesses, and your goals. Be honest. This will decide how I guide you in the coming months."
The lecture ended, and the bell rang. Next was the Combatant Class.
---
I stood lazily, tugging on my combat suit—the academy's black and silver uniform for training. Tight gloves, reinforced plates, flexible enough to move.
As I adjusted my spear strap, Kaiser leaned casually against the wall.
"Why the fuck isn't he with the class toppers?" I groaned in my mind. Then, his voice came.
"You really fell asleep during Professor Vyene's lecture?" he asked, amused. "Aren't you worried about exams? What'll you even write?"
I smirked. "Unlike commoners, my father hired tutors when I was eight. I already know the theory. I'll manage." I stepped past him, sighing. "Besides, I don't want to be late to Velmard's class. Ugh. I hate that muscle-head."
Kaiser chuckled, following me into the massive training hall.
The hall was breathtaking. Rows of reinforced dummies lined the floor, enchanted with mana resistance. Elemental chambers flickered with fire, water, and lightning for specialized training. Mana-reactive weights hovered in the air, glowing faintly. Everything here screamed power and prestige.
Kaiser glanced around in awe. No wonder this academy is ranked third in the entire Gaia region.
"HEY! You two—quit chatting and get over here!"
The booming voice shook the air.
Professor Velmard stood in the center of the hall, a mountain of muscle wrapped in a black combat coat. His bald head gleamed under the lights, a scar cutting across his cheek like a blade mark. His eyes were merciless, dark pits that judged everyone equally.
"We're starting sparring matches," he barked. "Let's see who's trained, and who's been slacking. Anyone I find lacking will attend my special classes—two extra hours every day under me. No excuses."
A groan escaped my throat. Just my luck.
Velmard's eyes scanned the roster. "First match—Ray Nouzen versus Lucas. Weapons ready. To the ring!"
I froze, then scowled. Of course it had to be him.
Lucas was already grinning on the opposite side, his sword gleaming in hand. He was ranked Pulse (5th stage). Me? Surge (3rd stage).
I clenched my spear, stepping forward. This was going to be brutal.
Velmard's grin widened. "And no safety gear today. On the battlefield, blood will flow. You fight not to win—but to survive. Remember that."
My grip tightened.
This wasn't just sparring anymore.
This was survival.