The world snapped back into focus with a flash of white light.
Arlen staggered slightly as the teleportation platform solidified beneath his feet. The familiar scent of steel and ozone from the academy's central chamber filled his lungs. Dozens of exhausted students appeared around him — some bruised, some limping, all with the look of people who had just clawed their way through hell.
Applause thundered through the vast hall as instructors and spectators from the viewing gallery above rose to their feet.
> "They did it…" murmured one of the senior examiners. "Out of two hundred and sixty participants, only eighty-three made it back alive."
Arlen glanced around, searching. Lira was standing beside him, silent but steady, her silver hair disheveled, a thin cut across her cheek. Ryn leaned heavily on his greatsword, and Selene sat on the floor, smiling faintly despite the exhaustion.
Across the room, Jay caught Arlen's eye and raised a hand in salute. Both of them exchanged tired grins — no words needed.
---
Results
The main screen at the front of the hall flared to life. Rows of names began scrolling upward until the top ten stopped, glowing brighter.
> Final Rankings – Forest of Trials
1. Team 12 – Survival: 100%, Monster Eliminations: 183
2. Team 9 – Survival: 100%, Monster Eliminations: 169
3. Team 4 – Survival: 75%, Monster Eliminations: 140
...
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
> "Wait — Team 12? That's Frost's group!"
"They beat Team 9? Jay's group had more combat points!"
"How—?"
Ryn pumped his fist, grinning broadly. "Ha! Told you we'd crush it!"
Lira simply crossed her arms, eyes fixed on the leaderboard, her lips curving into the faintest of smiles.
> "Expected," she said quietly. "We had Arlen."
Arlen blinked, slightly embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It wasn't just me. We worked as a team."
Selene gave a soft laugh. "You really don't see it, do you?"
---
Behind the Observation Glass
High above the arena floor, inside the control chamber, several instructors were reviewing data projections.
Holograms replayed fragments from the Forest of Trials — especially the moment when Arlen's energy had spiked beyond measurable levels.
> "Rewind sector 4A, timestamp 31:07," one examiner said sharply. "Right there — that blast."
They zoomed in, replaying the instant Arlen struck the Behemoth. The energy wave expanded outward in golden-white light, melting through stone and suppressing mana readings within a hundred meters.
> "His System recorded an Overclock Protocol… but no student is authorized for that function," another said. "How did it activate?"
"Unknown," replied the older instructor, frowning deeply. "Either a malfunction — or something much more dangerous."
A hush fell in the control room.
> "Keep it classified. For now, monitor Frost. Don't alert him… yet."
---
Recognition Ceremony
By late afternoon, the survivors stood before the academy's grand courtyard. Banners waved, and holographic lights shimmered around the fountain as the head instructor addressed them.
> "You've all faced death — and triumphed," he announced proudly. "From this day forward, you are recognized as full Academy Cadets of the Adventura Division. Wear your badges with pride."
Assistants moved through the crowd, handing each cadet a silver badge inscribed with glowing runes. When Arlen received his, it pulsed faintly in his palm — almost in resonance with his internal System.
> System: Integration level increased. Access to new functions unlocked.
He blinked, feeling the faint vibration in his veins. For a second, he swore he heard a voice — not the System, but something… older.
> "Do not lose yourself again…"
He froze, looking around, but no one else reacted.
> "Arlen?" Lira's voice snapped him back. She was watching him curiously.
"Yeah," he said quickly. "Just spaced out."
She frowned slightly but said nothing.
---
After the Ceremony
As the crowd dispersed, Jay found him leaning against the academy gates.
> "First place, huh? Guess I should've known," Jay said with a grin. "You keep pulling crazy stunts."
"You're not doing bad yourself," Arlen replied. "Second place isn't exactly losing."
"Yeah, yeah. But next time, I'm taking the top spot. You'll see."
They both laughed, the tension easing for the first time in days.
But behind that laughter, Arlen couldn't shake the lingering unease in his chest. That burst of power — that voice — it hadn't been a hallucination.
> System: Warning. Unknown data anomaly detected.
Stabilization required.
He clenched his fists, hiding the faint tremor in his hands. Whatever was happening inside him… it wasn't over.
---
Meanwhile — Somewhere Beyond
Far above the academy, in an orbital command station cloaked within dimensional mist, a figure in white robes watched the same recordings.
> "It's begun," the figure murmured. "The fragments are waking."
Another voice, deeper and older, replied through the intercom.
> "And the System?"
"Unaware of its master's true identity. As planned."
The figure's eyes glowed faint blue — the same as Arlen's.
> "Let him grow. The universe will test him soon enough."
---