"Hurry up with that, will you?" ordered a tall man who looked to be in his late thirties. His beard had been recently shaved, giving him a sharp, commanding appearance.
"YES, SIR!" several boys replied in unison.
They carried a throne across the compound, which was as large as a football pitch, and placed it at the far end. The throne was set at the center of a long red carpet that stretched all the way from the opposite end of the grounds."Mr. Kine, what's going on here?" asked another man, much younger—perhaps in his mid-twenties—his voice filled with confusion.
"You're new, so you wouldn't understand," Kine replied authoritatively.
"What do you mean by that?"
"This is the ascension of a King."
"Ascension?"
Ascension ceremonies were held for those who gained the title of King.
"Then this third year must be exceptional."
Kine glanced at him. "And who told you it was a third-year student?"
"A second year, then?"
"No."
"Don't tell me…"
"Yes. It's a first-year student."
"What? But the first years were admitted just a week ago!"
"Yes—apparently, during that period, the second KING got the first-year annoyed that he beat him up so badly we couldn't even recognize him…"
He paused, pressing a hand to his head. "I'm getting a headache just talking about it."
"Are you okay?" I asked, trying to help.
"Don't worry. I'm fine."
Eventually, all the preparations were completed, and the ceremony began. It was a sight to behold. During the ceremony, the head of the school explained the power levels of DECI.
DECI is the fundamental energy through which beings exert power that transcends human limits. It has existed for over twenty centuries, long before modern civilization, alongside creatures known as DECI Beasts.
Those who can wield DECI are known as DECI users, and they are divided into three distinct categories:
The Below
Humans who possess physical DECI prowess. Their strength, speed, and durability surpass normal human limits through sheer bodily enhancement.
The Middle
Users gifted with magical DECI prowess, allowing them to manipulate elements, energy, and supernatural phenomena.
The Above
Rare beings who possess both physical and magical DECI prowess. Each category is significantly rarer than the one before it, making The Above exceptionally uncommon.
DECI Levels
All DECI users, regardless of category, progress through the same seven-tier level system:
Future
Present
Past
Primal
Genesis
Time
Origin
Each level represents a vast leap in power, not a gradual increase. The gap between stages is immense, often insurmountable for most users.
Upon reaching Genesis, a DECI user is recognized as a true powerhouse. From this level onward—Genesis, Time, and Origin—reside the majority of those worthy of the title:
KINGS.
"Kayden… that first-year ascending the throne looks a lot like you," a friend whispered.
"I know," Kayden replied coldly.
Jayden… you're dead now, he thought.
Kayden was a second-year student—a KING candidate, a prodigy. Born into a humble household, he had spent his entire life striving to excel at everything he did. Failure was never an option.
The ceremony ended sooner than expected. Two weeks passed, and lectures resumed as usual.
Kayden sat quietly in class when the newly crowned second KING entered.
Silence fell instantly, just as it always did.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Yadah," Jayden said as he approached the teacher's desk.
"Yes… how may I help you?" Yadah asked carefully.
"Sorry for the interruption," Jayden replied, clearly in a hurry. "I'd like to have a word with Kayden Bunir."
Jayden's eyes locked onto Kayden's, a faint smile curling on his lips.
"What is this about, Jayden?"
They had moved to a narrow, secluded room. The air felt heavy.
"I know—" Jayden began.
"I told you not to get involved with the KINGS," Kayden snapped, irritation lacing his voice.
"What did you expect?" Jayden shot back. "He insulted you. And Mom. And Dad."
Kayden clenched his fists. "Then he deserves worse."
"Don't," Jayden said firmly. "Leave him to me."
Kayden exhaled slowly, forcing himself to calm down. "Fine. Then why did you interrupt my class just to talk to me?"
He leaned against the wall, waiting.
"I've gotten a lead on Father's whereabouts."
The words shattered Kayden's composure.
"What did you find?" He grabbed Jayden by the shoulders, the height difference between them obvious.
"Relax—it's not much," Jayden said, pushing Kayden's hands away. "When I became KING, the First KING told me about an organization called Hance."
"Hance?" Kayden muttered.
"They recruit former KINGS. No one knows why." Jayden rubbed his chin. "I think Father's disappearance is connected to them."
Kayden froze.
Hance…
He remembered seeing the name on one of their father's documents—just a week before he vanished.
"So?" Kayden asked. "Anything else?"
"Nothing," Jayden admitted. "I searched everywhere. Every platform. All I found was meaningless noise."
"I see…" Kayden straightened and walked toward the door. "Keep looking. Anything at all."
He paused, fists tightening.
"Or… I could beat the First KING until he talks."
Jayden reached out, stopping him.
"No need," Kayden said calmly. "That's all he knows."
He stepped out and shut the door behind him.