Mission one

[Intelligence: 70]

Seon yawned before closing the book. He had just finished the last book in the library and memorized the map. Getting up, he placed the book back on the shelf.

[Syncing with database... 91%]

Seon had discovered that he could sync the system with the database in his room. He took a quick shower and put on his new uniform, which he had found in his closet. It fit perfectly. Realizing that his hair had grown out a bit, he grabbed a pair of scissors and trimmed a few inches off his bangs, leaving the back as it was. Grabbing a few books according to his schedule for the day, he had breakfast before heading out.

He stepped into the elevator and went to class, finding the other captains already gathered in the common room. They weren't talking—just glaring at each other. Unlike the rest of the students, they had lessons alone, just the four of them.

Seon sat down and began reviewing his logs. He was reading through his stats when a hand landed in front of him. Looking up, he saw Captain of Unit C glaring at him.

"I heard from a little birdie that you aren't that strong—just smart. Is that true?" C asked.

Seon didn't answer. He wasn't trying to make friends, especially not with people who attacked him before even greeting him. However, he was surprised at how quickly Renji had gathered information.

"Don't ignore me," C growled through clenched teeth.

He moved to strike Seon in the face, but—

[Emergency Quest – Defeat the Captain of Unit C]

Quest: Defeat Captain Renji in a one-on-one duel.

Failure Consequence: Reputation loss, team confidence drop.

Reward: [Adaptive Insight] (Active Skill - Requires Activation)

[Stealth Step activated.] [Active Combat activated.]

Seon pushed himself back using the table, evading Renji's attack. Renji rushed at him again, but before he could strike, Seon used Stealth Step to move behind him. Grabbing the chair he had been sitting on, he swung it into Renji's back, knocking him down. The moment he hit the floor, Seon pinned him with the chair.

"You little—" Renji spat, struggling beneath him.

[Caution ⚠: User's opponent has activated a skill.]

"Stop."

A voice rang out, and suddenly, Seon was shoved back with such force that he crashed into the wall.

[HP dropped to 60]

[Quest Complete]

Skill Unlocked: Adaptive Insight

Type: Active → Passive (Once Learned)

Activation Cost: Requires focus + stellar energy

Effect:

Text-Based Learning: When activated while reading, Seon can absorb knowledge and techniques instantly. Mastery still requires practice.

Observation-Based Learning: If he sees a technique in action, he can temporarily copy it. To make it permanent, he must activate the skill and attempt the move himself.

Passive Use: Once successfully activated and practiced, the ability becomes second nature.

Limitations:

Higher-level techniques require multiple activations to fully learn.

Some skills (like bloodline abilities or advanced magic) may be unlearnable unless Seon meets specific conditions.

Overuse in a short time causes mental fatigue, slowing learning speed.

Seon ignored the system window and slowly stood, clutching his ribs. X stood over Renji, smiling. Seon hadn't sensed any celestial power from X, yet the sheer force of his push had taken 40% of his health.

"Now, now, C. Z defeated you fair and square—no need to be a sore loser," X said, clapping his hands twice. "Alright, everyone, take a seat. We're starting the lesson soon."

X moved to the front, turning on the holoV. Everyone sat down.

The lessons were unlike anything Seon had experienced in the slums. X handed them tablets containing all the military's collected data about their units. He then taught them how to operate these tablets, which were nothing like the ones used for news and entertainment.

The tablets controlled access to their unit buildings, determined their meal plans, scheduled their training, and even managed their Crimsons. Seon was taken aback by how much power they were given, but that shock was short-lived as X began explaining the missions they would soon undertake.

"The leaders of your units are responsible for training their teams," X continued. "However, captains are in charge of strategy and battle plans."

"You may have been informed that your unit would consist of students from your school. However, as of yesterday, we've doubled each of your units with some of our own members. The four units make up Squad A. They will handle monster extermination, fights, and duels against the Children of the Sun."

The atmosphere in the room shifted. Seon watched as the other captains stiffened. Fighting monsters was expected after yesterday's speech, but the Children of the Sun…

No one said a word. No one dared to protest after witnessing how X had handled the fight earlier.

X changed the holoV display, beginning an explanation of training modules and how exams worked within the military base.

Seon collapsed onto his bed, exhausted. After what X had called the "introduction," he wasn't sure how to feel. The military was actively competing with the heroes.

[Celestial Nexus completely synced with information from the database.]

Seon synced his tablet with the system to make navigation easier. The other captains already knew how to use their celestial power, but he had only received his system a week ago. He needed every advantage he could get.

Pull up the new members of Squad Z.

The system displayed the profiles of his team, arranged by their strongest abilities. Half were physically strong, while the others were intelligent but weak. Seon studied their schedules as he ate, splitting them into four groups: scouts, tanks, medics, and long-distance fighters. Using the extra information from the system, he adjusted their uniforms according to their roles.

Feeling satisfied, he returned to his logs to check his latest quest reward.

New Skill Unlocked: Tactical Foresight (Active/Passive)

Effect:

Passive: Instinctively notices patterns in combat, enemy habits, and weaknesses.

Active: When triggered, he can simulate battle scenarios in his mind, seeing multiple possible outcomes in seconds.

Upgrade Potential: Eventually allows prediction of several moves ahead in a fight.

New Skill Unlocked: Danger Sense (Passive)

Effect:

Low level: Vague sense of nearby danger.

High level: Pinpoints the exact source of danger and allows instant reactions.

Seon slumped in his chair, completely drained but pleased. These skills would help ease his nerves. He still needed to work on his physical traits, but for now, this was the best he could get.

Suddenly, his room went dark. His holoV switched on, and all the lights flashed yellow.

[Message from X: Mission—gather your unit in front of the main building.]

[Stealth Step activated.]

Seon shot up, quickly putting on his uniform before rushing downstairs. The common room flashed red, blue, and white lights. It was dark outside, and the rest of the buildings remained quiet.

Nexus, activate the mission lights for Unit Z and sound the alarm.

Immediately, the lights switched, and an alarm blared. Through the windows, he saw students jerking awake. As soon as the doors unlocked, he connected his watch to the speakers and took a deep breath.

"WAKEY WAKEY! GET DRESSED—IT'S TIME FOR MISSION ONE."

He had been part of a team before but had never been a leader. Nervous? Maybe. But he refused to let anyone slow him down again.

"IF I DON'T SEE YELLOW IN THE COMMON ROOM IN FIVE MINUTES, I'LL MAKE SURE YOUR ASS IS SENT HOME TONIGHT."

As students scrambled, he gave one final order.

System, start locking the dorm doors.

He watched as people poured into the common room, rushing out before the doors could close completely. Some were yawning, others half-asleep, but his attention remained on those already in uniform, standing at attention. Their discipline stood out.

It didn't take long for the rest to catch up, and once satisfied with the turnout, Seon led them outside. He quickly scanned the crowd, noting that most of the unit was present. The ones missing were likely still in their dorms.

Through the system, he issued an order to their crimsons, ensuring they were sorted into their assigned groups based on their uniforms. Once that was set, he commanded them to move out.

Glancing at the other units, he saw nothing but disorganized chaos—some struggling to stay awake, others fumbling to assemble. Unlike them, Seon had spent the night mastering the system, and now it was paying off.

He wasn't about to let go of this small grip on power. He had scraped and fought for every inch of survival, and he wasn't going back to the slums. No matter how low he had to go, he would find a way to stay on top.