Chloe Bennett sat in the back of the sleek Bennett family limousine, the leather seat cool against her thighs as the car glided through Seoul's morning traffic. Her life had always been measured by achievements.
Born into the powerful Bennett family, she had learned early that love was not given freely — it was earned through perfection. Top grades in every subject, flawless social appearances at elite gatherings, and now the pressure of awakening to a class worthy of the family name. Only when she excelled did her parents offer the briefest nod of acknowledgment. Anything less brought silence or quiet disappointment.
She had never known the simple warmth of care until she met Alex Vanderbilt. He never demanded perfection. He stayed beside her even on days she scored one mark short of first place or stumbled during public speeches. His quiet support had become her safe place, the one corner of her world where she could simply be Chloe instead of the Bennett jewel.
She glanced at her phone for the tenth time that morning. Alex's replies to her messages over the last three days had been short and delayed. She understood why — the sudden appearance of Lucas, the shock of two Mythic classes, the weight of being a Vanderbilt heir under sudden global scrutiny.
Still, worry gnawed at her. She smoothed the navy pencil skirt over her peach-shaped butt and adjusted the hem of her white blouse, the sheer black stockings whispering against her legs as she shifted.
The limousine slowed at the university's grand outer gate. Unlike the open red-carpet chaos of the awakening day, only students and their single allowed helper could pass beyond this point. The maid opened the door with practiced grace. Chloe stepped out, heels clicking on the polished stone path, her modest chest rising with a steadying breath as she took in the sprawling campus once more.
A short distance away, the Apex Vanguard convoy had already arrived. Enforcers stood in a neat line, their black tactical gear gleaming under the morning light. James Vanderbilt was hugging Alex tightly, patting his son's back with fatherly warmth.
"Take care, son. Know that your father cares about you."
Alex hugged back, offering a difficult, strained smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
James then turned and patted Lucas on the back. "Don't forget what we discussed before."
Lucas smiled back, nodding clearly and raising his voice just enough for those nearby to hear. "Don't worry. I will take care of my little brother."
Alex scoffed softly and turned away. The moment his gaze landed on Chloe, his entire expression lifted. He moved toward her with Sophia walking quietly at his side, the maid's voluptuous figure swaying gently in her crisp uniform.
Chloe's soft smile bloomed. "You okay?"
Alex smiled in return, the tension easing from his shoulders. "I'm good. Let's go."
They walked forward together along the wide university path lined with mana-trees whose silver leaves shimmered in the breeze. Numerous seniors and new students moved in clusters around them. As Alex and Chloe passed, the whispers started immediately.
"That's Alex Vanderbilt… the Golden Heir."
"And Chloe Bennett beside him. What a lucky kid."
"Two Mythics in the same family… this batch is insane."
"Did you see the news? The other Vanderbilt — Lucas — also got Mythic. Abyssal Sovereign."
"They're basically royalty now."
Chloe leaned closer to Alex, her voice soft. "Alex… everything is fine at home, right?"
Alex chuckled lightly, though the sound carried a hint of strain. "Stop worrying about me, worry cat. Focus on how our life is going to be from now on."
A senior student pointed them toward a large registration pavilion. "New students! Over here for identification!"
They approached the long counter where staff in university robes waited. After confirming their details and scanning their mana signatures, both received identical runic bracelets — sleek silver bands etched with glowing academy runes that would track merits, access restricted zones, and serve as their official student ID.
The staff member smiled politely. "For now, head to your assigned class for initial orientation. Good luck."
Alex turned to Sophia, his smile warm and familiar. "Sophi, I'll be back. Wait for me."
Chloe glanced at her own maid and gave a similar quiet instruction before the two of them continued deeper into the campus, the weight of the runic bracelets a constant reminder that their new life had officially begun.
The assigned lecture hall for the new first-years stretched endlessly in every direction, a spatial pocket dimension designed to feel infinite. Rows of floating desks and comfortable rune-etched seats extended into a soft golden haze, the ceiling lost in a starry simulation of the night sky. Mana-lamps drifted lazily overhead, casting warm light over hundreds of nervous students already seated or milling about.
The moment Alex and Chloe stepped through the grand arched entrance, the entire hall fell into a heavy, reverent silence. Every head turned. Conversations died mid-sentence. Even the floating mana-lamps seemed to dim slightly in respect.
Alex walked beside Chloe, his golden spear safely stored in his spatial ring, Sophia trailing a respectful distance behind them. Chloe's modest navy pencil skirt hugged her peach-shaped butt with every step, sheer black stockings catching the light as her heels clicked softly against the polished floor.
From the front row, Ethan Cole spotted them immediately. "Alex!" he shouted, waving both arms like an excited child. He practically vaulted over two desks to reach them. "Over here, bro!"
Alex managed a small smile as they made their way to the seats Ethan had saved. Ethan slapped Alex's back the moment he sat down, leaning in with his usual loud energy.
"Man, you should've seen the look on everyone's faces when you walked in. Still riding that Mythic high, huh? Golden Heir! I'm telling you, we're basically legends already—"
Before the students could even begin to breathe normally after the pressure of Alex Vanderbilt's presence, the hall's grand doors opened once more.
Lucas Vanderbilt stepped inside.
Today he wore a fitted black jacket over a crisp white shirt, dark jeans that accentuated his powerful thighs, and limited-edition artifact shoes that shimmered with faint spatial runes. The outfit was simple yet expensive, the kind of effortless elegance that made him look both mature and dangerously sexy. His dark hair was swept back, blue eyes sharp and calm as he scanned the room.
Murmurs erupted instantly.
Female students' eyes burned with open attraction and awe, whispers spreading like wildfire.
"He's so handsome…"
"Look at how he carries himself… so mature, so sexy."
"That jawline… and those shoulders…"
The boys shifted uncomfortably, jealousy plain on their faces.
Lucas moved forward with that same unhurried, predatory grace. Halfway down the aisle, his gaze caught the twin-tailed girl from the awakening ceremony — Kira, the skinny girl with the modest chest and ample ass who had awakened the Epic healer class. She glanced at him, and the moment their eyes met, she flustered, cheeks turning pink as she quickly looked away.
Lucas offered her a small, genuine smile before continuing forward.
Kira's heart skipped. Why did he smile at me…?
He chose an empty seat near the middle of the hall and sat down, scrolling casually through his phone while the class continued to fill.
Time passed. The hall grew louder as more students arrived, but the tension never fully left the air.
Then the grand doors opened again.
Vice Head Master Professor Darius Grimwald entered.
Many students whispered immediately, voices hushed with awe and fear.
"Omg, that's the Vice Head Master…"
"Dude, I heard he eats dragons for lunch. Is it real?"
"Shut up, idiot. That's an S-rank. If he hears you, you're dead."
Professor Grimwald was a tall, imposing man in his late fifties with steel-grey hair cropped short and a neatly trimmed beard. His dark academic robes bore subtle combat runes along the edges, and his presence alone made the air feel heavier. He scanned the students with sharp, calculating eyes before stepping onto the raised platform at the front.
"Before we begin," he said, voice deep and commanding, "if there is any fool here who doesn't know how to view your class details, simply say 'Open System' in your mind."
As he spoke, the door at the side of the hall opened once more.
Vivienne Laurent slipped inside, slightly out of breath. She wore a fitted cream blouse that accentuated her generous curves and a sleek pencil skirt that hugged her hips and butt. She apologized softly to Professor Grimwald as she hurried past, drawing every eye in the room.
Many students — mostly boys — kept staring at the sway of her backside as she walked down the aisle, their gazes lingering shamelessly.
Lucas smirked, noticing exactly how many were drooling. He caught her eye as she approached and slid into the empty seat right beside him.
Vivienne gave him a quick, flustered smile as she settled in, adjusting her skirt over her thighs.
The jealousy in the hall thickened instantly. Several boys shot dark, envious glances toward Lucas, while a few girls whispered heatedly among themselves.
Professor Grimwald continued as if nothing had happened, but his eyes flicked briefly toward the back rows where the two Mythic heirs now sat side by side with the legendary heiress between them.
The orientation had officially begun.