---
Nathan laughed and approached Steven, whispering,
"I'll see you in three months when the academy starts."
Then he turned and walked away.
Steven thought for a moment that he wanted to kill Nathan, but he remained kind-hearted—he wouldn't kill anyone unless the other party tried to hurt or kill him. Despite all the harm and hatred he had experienced in his past life, he never considered taking someone's life just because they annoyed him. Steven still preserved his humanity, even though the world seemed entirely against him.
*I want to leave this academy…* he sighed. *What am I supposed to do when the academy begins? I'll have to meet the main characters every day.*
Steven moved toward the exit, but on his way out, he felt some gazes upon him. A shiver ran through his body, so he hurried out.
What Steven didn't know was that those gazes belonged to some girls who had claimed him as their "child."
One girl whispered after he left,
"He's even more handsome than on the screen."
"Yes, yes!"
"Oh my God, this year is going to be amazing! There are so many beautiful students."
"Yes, with our child Steven too! And David, Kai, Leonard… oh my God, I can't handle it!"
One of the boys who overheard them muttered in jealousy,
"Calm down! What matters is personality, not looks. Girls should choose based on character, not appearance."
One of the girls angrily retorted,
"Huh? At least a guy needs to look good for us to tolerate him. Not to mention having no personality—just like you!"
The boy shouted in anger,
"What did you just say?"
"You girls should be like Eira and Agnes. Eira has a noble and wonderful personality, and Agnes is kind and innocent. But you? You're tomboyish girls. No one will marry you."
The girls screamed,
"Tomboyish?!"
A huge argument broke out between the boys and the girls.
---
Kai, who had gathered with Elisa, said,
"Elisa, the test is over, and the academy begins in three months. That means we won't meet during this period."
"That's unfortunate… I wanted to fight more to defeat you," Elisa replied.
"Let's see who's ranked first. Me or you? The results will be announced two weeks before the academy starts."
Kai laughed,
"Of course I'm first."
Elisa said,
"Hmm, let's see."
Kai suddenly remembered something and said,
"Ah, yes. Do you remember the boy who stumbled and accidentally revealed the stairs? We were in a hurry and didn't think to thank him."
Elisa shook her head,
"No, I don't know him."
Kai said,
"Hmm, doesn't matter. We'll meet him at the academy anyway."
---
Steven arrived home. Mark and the cat greeted him.
"Welcome back, brother! Did the test finally end?"
"Yes, it's over," Steven replied.
Bayern, rubbing against Steven's leg, said,
(Steven, I won't let you enter this academy alone. I'll go with you no matter what. I won't let you feel sad again.)
Steven bent down, picked up Bayern, and played with him a little before setting him down. Then he said,
"Mark, I'm going to shower now. You can continue your training."
Mark said,
"Brother, you reached Rank +C."
Steven smiled, ruffling Mark's hair. Mark, accustomed to this, accepted it obediently.
"Well done," Steven praised.
Mark felt happy from Steven's compliment.
Steven seemed to remember something and said to Mark,
"I met that girl you told me you saved."
Mark frowned, asking,
"What girl?"
Steven said,
"The strange girl you saved in the lab three years ago."
Mark remembered and, in disbelief, said,
"What? Really? How did you know it was her?"
Steven replied,
"She matched your description. Ah yes, you're now Rank-C. You can watch the video of the test."
Mark was shocked.
"What? How?"
Steven turned and left, smiling lightly, heading for the shower.
*This will make him train a lot.*
---
Steven finished his shower and cooked some food for himself. Mark was probably watching the test recording in his room, so Steven ate alone.
Well, not entirely alone—he prepared a fish for Bayern, so they ate together.
After finishing, Steven thought about the first monster he would turn into a shadow.
*There are many useful types of monsters… hmm, I want one that can fly to help me travel in the future. Why did I make this world without planes even though it's so advanced?*
Since monsters appeared in this world, any flying machines vanished, so all aerial equipment was banned. This led to further development of land transportation like trains.
During the time Steven was mastering Shadow Arts, he thought about which monsters would be most useful in the future. He decided the first shadow should be a Light Eagle, which could be found in a guild dungeon. The second would be a Gray Wolf from a cave near Mor City. The third, a Marsh Snake with deadly venom.
*The fourth… must be defensive, so a Rock Golem is suitable.*
*The last one… should be good at hiding, so a Phantom Chameleon fits.*
All these monsters are Rank-A, so very strong. The Light Eagle is extremely fast, the Gray Wolf is excellent for close combat and is intelligent, the Marsh Snake is deadly venomous, the Rock Golem has exceptional defense, and the Phantom Chameleon can change color to hide and move silently. Steven believes the dagger he obtained for disguise skills contains material from this chameleon.
---
To divide the human map: there is one continent, Heidel, split into four main cities.
1. Oro – Steven's city, contains the academy.
2. Mor – famous for its festivals and beautiful scenery.
3. Aram – known for the best relaxation spots.
4. Mira – near the sea, known for its seafood.
Steven decided these monsters would be his main companions. He could even increase their power by improving and developing his Shadow Arts.
Although he couldn't acquire all these monsters in the next three months, he planned to sneak into the academy, so it wouldn't be a problem.
Steven was exhausted from spending a day and a half in the capsule, so he decided today would be a rest day. He went to his room to sleep.
Though naturally lazy, Steven knew he had to train hard in this world on the brink of destruction to change the future he had written.
He lay on his bed and fell asleep.
---
Steven stood in a pitch-black place.
*What… where am I?*
He examined his surroundings but found nothing. He remained standing alone, unsure how long he had been there.
Then he heard movement. A completely black figure appeared, taller than Steven, yet strangely familiar. The figure seemed sad, head bowed.
It raised its head and looked at Steven, beginning to cry.
The figure stepped toward Steven and grabbed him. Steven tried to resist but couldn't.
"You must save them. Never let them die," the figure said loudly and sadly.
"This is the last time. Use it well."
The figure pushed Steven back.
"Become stronger… stronger."
Steven's vision blurred.
"The academy… sacrifice… kill…"
Steven was confused and couldn't hear the full words.
He woke up, sweating, wiping his face, and realized his eyes were wet with tears.
*What was that dream?*
*Who do I have to save?*
*Do I need to become stronger than I am now? Why? What's the academy, sacrifice? And… kill? I didn't hear it all.*
He had many questions, then frowned.
*Why am I giving this dream so much importance? I must have been really tired from the capsule.*
Steven left his room and drank cold water. Mark wasn't in his room, probably training in the basement.
*Did I motivate him too much? He must have trained enough. I should get him out of the training room.*
Steven descended to the basement and opened the door. The room was white, filled with various training tools and a less advanced capsule than the one used in the academy test.
He saw Mark swinging mana-covered daggers, sweating profusely.
"Mark, that's enough," Steven said.
Mark noticed Steven and stopped, saying hesitantly,
"But, brother—"
Steven interrupted,
"No buts. Come on, I want to have dinner outside."
Mark asked,
"What? Is it evening already?"
Steven nodded,
"Yes."
Mark thought,
"Alright, I want to go to a good restaurant."
"Okay," Steven replied.
Seeing Mark drenched in sweat, he said,
"You should shower first and change your clothes."
Mark laughed,
"Yes, of course."
He went to shower. Steven changed into jeans, a white T-shirt, and white shoes, looking like a very handsome celebrity child.
"I'm done, brother," Mark said.
"Let's go," Steven replied.
"Meow," Bayern appeared and ran to Steven.
"Oh, Bai, you're back?" Mark said. Bayern usually left and returned as he pleased. Neither Steven nor Mark worried since he always came back.
*(Take me with you!)* Bayern rubbed against Steven's feet. Steven picked him up and said to Mark,
"Let's take him with us."
Mark nodded, stepped toward Bayern, and said,
"Come, I'll carry you."
Bayern turned his face away, *(No way I'll let you carry me!)*
Steven laughed,
"He doesn't want you to carry him."
Mark felt wronged, turned his face, and muttered,
"Fine, I accept reality. I'm not loved by cats."
Steven laughed,
"Let's go."
---