"What?! There's no way there's an S-Tier! That's insane!" The black-haired boy blurted out, eyes wide.
The crowd erupted in shock, murmurs rippling through the hall after the instructor's announcement.
"It's been over fifteen years since the academy produced an S-Tier War Maiden," the red-haired girl said, her voice tight with disbelief.
"It's terrifying… but exciting," the black-haired boy added. "Another class already has an S-Tier Core Pilot. If those two bonded, their future would be limitless."
"That won't happen," the red-haired girl said with a smirk. "I heard she already has a boyfriend."
Dozens of heads turned at once.
Their gazes locked onto a silver-haired boy dressed in black.
…Why is everyone staring at me?
"Kairos! Let's break up!" Asa said sharply.
"…Break up?" I echoed.
Fragments of memory surfaced.
Right. I remember now. The original owner of this body was obsessed with her—an absolute simp.
"That's right," Asa said coldly, her eyes sharp with newfound arrogance. "I'm an S-Tier War Maiden now. I'll make this simple—I don't date beneath my rank."
Laughter broke out across the arena.
"That's brutal," the black-haired boy said. "Dumping him in front of everyone. Ice-cold."
"Cold?" the red-haired girl scoffed. "Kairos doesn't even deserve to stand next to her. She's S-Tier now. Only the best can bond with her."
"Kairos," Asa said, crossing her arms, chin raised. "You heard them. Don't think about getting back together. Don't even look at me."
"Wow. She's full of herself. Too bad for her—I'm not the same guy she dated. Watching her regret this later might actually be fun."
"That's fine," I said aloud. "But what if my awakening tier turns out to be S… or higher?"
Asa burst into laughter. "Kairos, the odds of that are basically zero. You can't be serious."
"Exactly," the black-haired boy sneered. "You'd be lucky to hit D-Tier. Maybe C, if the stars align."
"He's just salty," the red-haired girl added cruelly. "Trying to cling to Asa after getting dumped. Pathetic."
"That's enough," the female instructor snapped. "Quiet down!"
She turned toward me. "Kairos Walker. Step up to the Mana Core."
"…Very well, Ms. Bell."
I walked up the stairs.
War Maidens.
Core Pilots.
A new era.
"Here I come."
I placed my hand on the Mana Core.
The sky darkened.
Lightning split the clouds.
A golden beam of energy descended, engulfing me. Wind howled as the light condensed at my forehead. My vision flared—my eyes glowing gold.
"Oh my god!" Ms. Bell cried, raising her arms to shield herself.
Asa stared, frozen.
"Is this—"
A second beam crashed down.
The two merged.
*********************
Arca Academy-Dean's Office
The Dean shot to his feet.
"That light!" he shouted. "That's the indicator for SSS-Tier!"
"There were two of them!" the secretary gasped.
"…A double SSS-tier trait," he whispered.
"That's right, sir," Mrs. White said, fingers flying across the console.
"The system identifies him as Kairos Walker. Senior year."
"Kairos Walker?" The Dean grinned.
"Excellent. Let's meet this young man."
*********************
Dead City
An older man in a blue-and-black uniform stared into the distance as twin pillars of light pierced the heavens.
"Governor Hawke," the man behind him said, tense. "What was that?"
"That phenomenon is known as a Double SSS-tier being born, Celeb," Hawke replied calmly.
"…So humanity has produced another once-in-a-generation prodigy." Hawke nodded. "Perhaps the end of the Chthari threat is finally within reach."
*********************
"…Where am I now?"
System Message
Greeting, Host.
"A system?" I muttered. "Classic transmigrator perk. Alright—what can you do?"
System Message
You have awakened the Omega System.
This awakening grants three god-tier traits.
Trait One: Omniscan – Full access to all War Maiden data, including hidden traits.
Trait Two: Perfect Concordance – Perfect resonance with any War Maiden at maximum output.
Trait Three: Transcendent Energy Reserve – Energy reserves increased by 1000×.
"…That's a stacked lineup."
A grin spread across my face.
"Oh yeah. I'm reaching the top."
"System—anything else I should know?"
System Message
The more experience you gain handling War Maidens,
The more rewards you will unlock.
Continue to grow strong.
"Nice. I love rewards."
"Handsome! Pick me!" a bright voice called out.
"I've got upgraded lights and tons of transformation modes!"
My vision snapped back to the Atlar Stage.
The crowd was in chaos.
"What?!" Ms. Bell shouted. "He awakened with double SSS-tier traits?!"
"I thought Asa's S-Tier was insane," the black-haired boy muttered, shaken.
"But this… this isn't even comparable!"
"Bond with me!"
"I'm stable and built for long battles!"
"Choose me!"
Dozens of War Maidens shouted at once—some flaunting their frames, others their designs, upgrades, or sheer confidence.
"Whoa, whoa," I said, raising my hands.
"Girls, you're trying way too hard."
"Kairos!" Asa shouted, pushing through the crowd, panic and desperation bleeding into her voice.
"Come here. We need to talk."