Day 51 in the secret realm — 10:23 AM
The dining hall buzzed with its usual midday chaos.
Leo pushed his food around his plate, barely eating. Across from him, Hazel stabbed at her vegetables with unnecessary force.
"We should have gone to Voss," Leo muttered.
"And said what?" Hazel's voice was sharp. "That we suspect he found something? We have no proof. No evidence. Nothing."
"So we just forget about it?"
"No." Hazel leaned forward, her eyes gleaming. "We go to people who can actually do something. People with resources. People who can make him talk."
Leo's eyes widened. "You mean—"
"Class A. The real powers here. Not the academy instructors—they're bound by rules. But the students from big families? They operate differently."
Leo considered this. "You think they'd listen to us?"
"They'll listen if there's something in it for them." Hazel glanced around, ensuring no one was near. "A treasure that can boost cultivation by five ranks? That's worth a fortune. Worth killing for. The Class A students have the resources to investigate properly. And if they find something—"
"We get a share."
"We get a share. Or at least their gratitude." Hazel smiled—a thin, calculating expression. "Either way, we win."
Leo nodded slowly. "When do we go?"
"Now."
They rose and left the dining hall, unnoticed by the crowd.
Class A Lounge — 11:15 AM
The Class A lounge occupied the entire east wing of the third floor—a sprawling space filled with comfortable furniture, private study rooms, and a constant supply of free food and drink. Students lounged in small groups, their conversations ranging from cultivation techniques to mission strategies to the latest gossip.
Hazel and Leo stood at the entrance, suddenly aware of how out of place they looked in their Class C uniforms.
A boy near the door glanced up. "Lost?"
"We're here to see someone," Hazel said, her voice steady despite her nerves. "Important information. About a treasure."
The boy's eyebrows rose. "Treasure?"
"A cultivation treasure. Worth multiple rank increases."
He studied them for a moment, then jerked his head toward the back. "Sebastian's in the corner. The one with the dark hair. He handles... acquisitions."
They walked through the lounge, feeling eyes on them with every step. Class C students didn't enter this space uninvited. Ever.
Sebastian was exactly as described—dark hair, sharp features, cultivation flickering at 2nd Order, 9th Rank. He lounged on a leather couch, surrounded by three other students who looked like they could kill without blinking.
When he saw them approaching, his eyes narrowed.
"Class C students. In our lounge." His voice was amused. "This should be interesting."
Hazel stepped forward. "We have information. About a treasure."
Sebastian's expression didn't change. "I'm listening."
"A student from Class C—Nova Almond—went on a mission three days ago. He was 2nd Order, 2nd Rank when he left. He returned at 2nd Order, 7th Rank."
One of Sebastian's companions sat up straighter. "Five ranks in three days?"
"One night, actually. He found something in a cave near Ferngrove Swamp. A herb, he said. But—" Hazel hesitated. "We think there's more. The way he's acting. The way his eyes changed. Something happened in that cave."
Sebastian was quiet for a long moment.
"And you're telling us this because...?"
"Because we can't investigate ourselves. Because if there's more treasure there, we want a share." Hazel met his gaze. "Because you have resources we don't."
Sebastian smiled—slow, approving. "Honest. I like that." He gestured at the couch. "Sit. Tell us everything."
They sat.
For the next thirty minutes, Hazel and Leo described the mission in detail—the beast swarm, Nova's disappearance, his return with enhanced cultivation, the strange cave entrance they'd spotted from the high ground. They described his mismatched eyes, his changed demeanor, his refusal to discuss what he'd found.
When they finished, Sebastian leaned back, processing.
"A cave near Ferngrove Swamp. A cultivation boost of five ranks in one night. A student who's suddenly hiding secrets." He glanced at his companions. "Thoughts?"
"Worth investigating," one said—a girl with sharp features and cold eyes. "If there's more of whatever he found, it could be invaluable."
"The swamp is dangerous," another added. "We'd need a proper team."
Sebastian nodded slowly. "Then we put one together. Discreetly. No academy involvement—this stays between us." He looked at Hazel and Leo. "You two will guide the team. If we find anything, you get ten percent of the value. Fair?"
Hazel's eyes widened. "Fair."
"Good." Sebastian stood, extending his hand. "Welcome to the winning side."
They shook.
Hazel and left the lounge with lighter steps, their futures suddenly brighter.
They didn't notice the figure watching from across the room.
Sebastian's Circle — 11:52 AM
After the Class C students left, Sebastian's expression hardened.
"Gabriel." He looked at one of his companions—a broad-shouldered boy with earth affinity and dead eyes. "Pull everything on this Nova Almond. Background, cultivation history, mission records. I want to know everything about him by tonight."
Gabriel nodded and left.
"Elara." The sharp-featured girl looked up. "Start assembling a team. Four, maybe five people. All Class A. All trustworthy. We leave in three days."
"Understood."
Sebastian turned to the window, staring out at the floating islands beyond.
Five ranks in one night. That wasn't a herb. That was something else entirely.
What did you find, Nova Almond? he wondered. And how do I take it from you?
Leadership Board — 1:47 PM
Nova stood before the massive crystal display, scanning the rankings.
SECOND YEAR LEADERBOARD — OVERALL STANDINGS
Rank Name Class Cultivation Points
1 Alexander Vance S 3rd Order, 3rd Rank 12,847
2 Isabella Drake S 3rd Order, 2nd Rank 12,203
3 Marcus Blackwood S 3rd Order, 1st Rank 11,956
4 Valerius Chen S 2nd Order, 9th Rank 11,002
5 Victoria Storm S 2nd Order, 9th Rank 10,847
6 William Cross S 2nd Order, 8th Rank 10,213
7 Catherine Hale S 2nd Order, 8th Rank 9,847
8 Thomas Grey S 2nd Order, 7th Rank 9,502
9 Eleanor Vance S 2nd Order, 7th Rank 9,201
10 Julian Frost S 2nd Order, 6th Rank 8,947
11 Kaelen Stoneheart A 2nd Order, 6th Rank 8,542
12 Seraphina Cross A 2nd Order, 5th Rank 8,201
13 Marcus Webb A 2nd Order, 5th Rank 7,984
14 Darius Vane A 2nd Order, 4th Rank 7,647
...
43 Corbin Hale B 2nd Order, 2nd Rank 4,203
44 Rina Moon B 2nd Order, 2nd Rank 4,187
45 Vivienne Reed B 2nd Order, 1st Rank 4,002
...
87 Nova Almond C 2nd Order, 7th Rank 1,847
88 Hazel Wright C 2nd Order, 2nd Rank 1,832
89 Leo Chen C 2nd Order, 2nd Rank 1,815
...
104 Priscilla D 1st Order, 9th Rank 1,203
Nova's jaw tightened.
Eighty-seventh.
His cultivation was higher than most of the students above him—2nd Order, 7th Rank placed him ahead of everyone from rank 30 downward in raw power. But rankings weren't just about cultivation. They were about missions completed, points earned, contributions made.
He'd been here a month and done almost nothing.
He scanned the top ranks, memorizing names and faces.
Alexander Vance. Isabella Drake. Marcus Blackwood. Class S, all 3rd Order. True monsters.
Valerius Chen. Fourth place, despite being only 2nd Order, 9th Rank. His family's influence was clear.
Kaelen. Eleventh place, Class A, 2nd Order, 6th Rank. His old friend was climbing.
Seraphina. Marcus. Darius. All in Class A, all in the top twenty.
And then the drop. Class B starting at rank 43. Class C at rank 78. Class D scattered throughout the bottom hundred.
Priscilla was 104th. Class D, 1st Order, 9th Rank. She'd been climbing too, but not fast enough.
She needs resources, Nova thought. Better missions. Better training.
The monthly rewards flashed in his mind:
TOP 100: 100 merit points + basic resources
TOP 50: 250 merit points + medium resources
TOP 20: 500 merit points + advanced resources + technique access
TOP 10: 1,000 merit points + premium resources + private instructor sessions
He wasn't even in top 50.
That changes today.
Arena — 2:30 PM
The Arena dominated the academy's central district—a massive structure of white stone and crystal, its stands capable of holding ten thousand spectators. At any given time, dozens of matches played out across its multiple platforms, students fighting for ranking points, glory, or simple practice.
Nova approached the registration desk.
A bored-looking attendant glanced up. "Name?"
"Nova Almond. Class C."
The attendant tapped his crystal. "Current rank: 87. Looking to challenge?"
"Yes."
"Standard rules. You can challenge anyone up to twenty ranks above you. Win, and you take their position. Lose, and you drop five ranks." He gestured at the screens. "Pick your opponent."
Nova studied the list.
Rank 86: Thomas Webb — Class C — 2nd Order, 2nd Rank
Rank 85: Elena Moss — Class C — 2nd Order, 3rd Rank
Rank 84: William Hill — Class C — 2nd Order, 3rd Rank
...
Rank 79: Marcus Thorne — Class C — 2nd Order, 4th Rank
Rank 78: Victoria Reed — Class C — 2nd Order, 4th Rank
Rank 77: Julian Thorne — Class A — 2nd Order, 5th Rank
Julian Thorne, Nova thought. Class A. Rank 77.
He was 2nd Order, 7th Rank. Julian was 5th Rank. The gap was significant.
Perfect.
"I'll challenge Julian Thorne."
The attendant's eyebrows rose. "That's a twenty-rank jump. You sure?"
"I'm sure."
The attendant shrugged and processed the request. "Platform 7. Thirty minutes. Don't be late."
Nova walked toward the preparation rooms.
Behind him, whispers spread through the crowd.
"Did you hear? Some Class C is challenging Julian Thorne."
"Class C? That's suicide."
"Idiot's going to get himself killed."
Platform 7 — Thirty minutes later
The crowd had gathered—not huge, but respectable. A Class A student fighting a Class C challenger always drew attention.
Julian Thorne stood across the platform, his arms crossed, his expression amused. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with close-cropped brown hair and a confident smirk. His cultivation flickered at 2nd Order, 5th Rank—solid, experienced, dangerous.
"Class C," he called out. "You lost or something?"
Nova stepped onto the platform.
The crowd murmured at his mismatched eyes—one gold, one purple. Unusual, but some bloodlines produced such traits.
"Name's Nova Almond." His voice carried clearly. "I'm here to climb."
Julian laughed. "Climb? You're 7th Rank—I'll give you that, it's impressive for a Class C—but rankings aren't just about cultivation. They're about skill. Experience. Technique." He spread his arms. "I've been fighting in this arena since I arrived. You've done what? One mission?"
"One mission was enough."
"Enough for what? To get yourself killed?" Julian shook his head. "Fine. If you want to throw away your ranking, I'm happy to help."
The referee raised his hand.
"Standard rules. No killing—unless it's an accident." He glanced at both of them. "Fighters ready?"
Nova nodded.
Julian grinned.
"BEGIN."
Julian moved first—fast, aggressive, exactly as Nova expected. His affinity was fire, and flames erupted around his fists as he charged.
Predictable, Nova thought.
He sidestepped—not teleportation, just speed. 45% bloodline activation made him faster than any normal 2nd Order. Julian's flaming punch passed inches from his face.
"What—"
Nova's fist connected with Julian's stomach.
WHAM.
The sound was like a drum strike. Julian doubled over, air exploding from his lungs. Before he could recover, Nova's elbow came down on his back.
CRACK.
Julian hit the platform face-first.
The crowd went silent.
Nova stood over him, not even breathing hard. "Get up."
Julian groaned, pushing himself to his knees. Blood dripped from his nose. His eyes were wide with disbelief.
"How—"
"Get. Up."
Julian got up.
Nova hit him again—a straight punch to the chest that sent him flying backward. Julian hit the platform boundary and slumped against it, gasping.
"That's enough." The referee stepped forward. "Winner: Nova Almond."
The crowd erupted.
Nova didn't acknowledge them. He was already walking off the platform, his new rank secured.
Behind him, Julian Thorne lay on the ground, staring at the ceiling.
He hadn't landed a single blow.
Ranking Update
The leadership board flickered, names shifting.
Rank Name Class Cultivation Points
77 Nova Almond C 2nd Order, 7th Rank 2,847
78 Julian Thorne A 2nd Order, 5th Rank 2,203
Nova studied the new numbers.
Seventy-seventh. Better. But not enough.
He turned to the registration desk.
"Next opponent."