College Square was still buzzing after Selene Frost's spectacular S-level awakening. Discussions, whispers, envy, and a thousand shades of emotion churned through the crowd like a restless tide.
But at the center of it all—
Alex Blake stood silent.
Until a sharp, icy voice cut through the air.
"Alex… are you ignoring me?"
Selene Frost stepped forward, her long silver hair swaying behind her like flowing moonlight. The frost-like aura she emitted made the students around her feel as if winter itself had descended.
Her beauty was breathtaking—porcelain skin, clear blue eyes, a face sculpted like snow-carved jade. But her gaze… cold and proud, as though she stood atop a towering glacier looking down at an insect.
Alex slowly turned his head. His expression remained flat, calm, unbothered.
He said nothing.
Selene frowned. "Why do you look so annoyed? Are you angry about what I said earlier?"
Around them, sneers and sarcastic whispers spread.
"Of course he's annoyed. He awakened an F-level ability, what else can he do?"
"Poor guy. The Blake Family must be furious."
"Hmph, to think an S-level goddess like Selene was once arranged to marry him… what a joke."
More voices joined in.
"Blake Family? They're strong, sure—Cain Blake is level 50… but even a level 50 can't save useless trash."
"That's true. Look at the Frost Family—they have an S-level heir now."
"And the Thorncrest Family has Leonidas Frost's B-level special ability to strengthen their alliance. Compared to that… Alex Blake is finished."
The three great families of Silverpine City—
The Blake Family, the Frost Family, and the Thorncrest Family—
were all gathered here at this ceremony, their younger generations witnessing this dramatic contrast.
Selene lifted her chin even higher, confidence swelling after hearing everyone's approval.
"Alex," she said softly, though her tone was laced with superiority, "you should understand that with the path you've awakened… we cannot stay connected anymore."
Alex finally met her gaze.
Calm. Empty.
Not angry. Not hurt.
Just… indifferent.
"Then don't," Alex said quietly.
Selene blinked. She didn't expect him to agree so easily.
"You—"
She clenched her fists. "Alex Blake, you should know your place! You're acting like you're the one abandoning me!"
But Alex simply turned around.
"I don't care about your opinion," he said flatly, walking past her.
Selene's pupils shrank. Rage and humiliation flashed across her face.
"You—! Stop right there!"
She stomped, voice trembling.
"You think you can just walk away after being dismissed by me?"
But Alex didn't pause.
Didn't hesitate.
Didn't even look back.
Selene called again, louder.
"Alex Blake!"
Even the surrounding students took a step back.
Not because of Selene…
But because of the man she was yelling at.
No matter how weak Alex's ability was, the Blake Family was still one of Silverpine City's pillars.
With a Level 50 cultivator—Cain Blake—at the helm, few dared push the line too far.
Selene's status was high, but Alex Blake was not someone to provoke recklessly.
Still, she gritted her teeth and snapped:
"Fine. Walk away! But don't ever think of approaching me again! Someone like you isn't worthy!"
Alex didn't respond.
He didn't slow down.
Because in his mind…
everything that just happened was insignificant.
An S-level ability?
A Frost Family princess?
Their opinions?
None of them mattered next to the system awakening inside him.
Alex left the academy grounds and walked back toward the Blake Family compound. As soon as he stepped inside the large estate, the servants and maids greeted him warmly.
"Young Master Alex, welcome back—"
"Young Master, how was your Awakening—"
But Alex brushed past them without stopping.
"Mind your own business."
The servants froze, shocked—not at his tone, but because the usually quiet Alex was… different.
More distant.
More decisive.
Alex headed straight toward his room, itching to open his system interface again. He was halfway up the stairs when—
"Alex."
A deep, steady voice came from the living room.
Every muscle in Alex's body stiffened.
He had forgotten—
His father was home today.
Slowly, Alex turned toward the source of the voice.
A tall, broad-shouldered man sat calmly on the sofa—
Cain Blake, patriarch of the Blake Family, Level 50 superpowered warrior, one of Silverpine City's strongest.
His black hair was streaked with faint silver strands, not from age, but from the intense energy he wielded. His presence was like a sleeping beast—silent, unmoving, yet crushing.
Alex swallowed.
"D-Dad… I didn't expect you to be here today," he said, forcing a small laugh.
Cain Blake raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you walking so fast?"
Alex's heart trembled.
He knew he had been caught.
"Come here," Cain said.
Alex exhaled slowly, then walked toward the living room, trying not to show his panic.
The chapter ended with him standing before his father—
expression stiff, pulse rapid—
wondering just how much trouble he was about to be in.