Chapter 10 : Nexus city (2)

[March 14, Year 5031]

Nexus City was famous for housing the world's most legendary retired hunters, many of whom had settled into roles as instructors at Starlight Academy.

The streets buzzed with life—students, association members, and academy staff moving purposefully through the city's seamless blend of magic and technology. 

Towering buildings, some seemingly defying gravity, stretched toward the sky, their surfaces pulsing faintly with enchantments. 

A subtle hum of mana filled the air, woven into the very infrastructure of the city.

As part of the Human Association's domain, Nexus City was one of the most secure and prestigious places in the world.

No hunter could enter without approval—a necessary safeguard for humanity's future.

'I'm glad that Nyra was not allowed to enter the city,' Ash thought, glancing at Melissa. She was utterly captivated by the city, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the sights.

She looked like a child lost in a dream, practically bouncing on her feet.

Ash smirked. 'Now that Nyra's gone, this is my chance. If anyone sees me with her, I'll get dragged into the spotlight for no reason... and my peaceful life at the academy will go straight to hell.'

He began backing away, carefully slipping into the crowd. Melissa was too absorbed to notice.

Step by step, he vanished like a shadow.

Once he'd put a good distance between them, he let out a relieved sigh.

'Finally, I'm free.'

"It's not like I was enslaved or anything," he muttered, weaving through the bustling streets. 

"But damn, it was uncomfortable. I'm not the type to get hung up on pride, but… haah, that's just how the world works. The strong get what they want. Everyone else has to fall in line."

His hands curled into fists as his gaze hardened.

'That's why.

In this world, survival isn't enough.

I want to be feared—by demons, angels, and everything in between.

I want my name to make the heavens tremble and the abyss shudder.

And for that, I need to get into the academy.'

A faint smirk tugged at his lips.

"There's a saying," he murmured. "The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do."

He chuckled softly. "Then I'll just have to be crazy enough."

Ahead of him, a building unlike any other in the city loomed over the skyline. It resembled the blade of a spear, sharp and imposing, as if it were piercing the heavens themselves.

It was one of the Human Association's main headquarters, the central hub for all matters related to Starlight Academy, including applications.

The interior of the building was just as grand as its exterior. Polished white walls reflected the bright, almost sterile lights, and the air carried a faint metallic tang mixed with the subtle buzz of mana.

People moved with purpose—students, staff, and association members, all sharply dressed and focused on their tasks.

Floating holograms displayed everything from upcoming events to academy rankings and the achievements of notable hunters.

Ash walked up to the reception desk, his expression calm but focused.

The receptionist, a young woman with sharp features and short brown hair, barely glanced up from her screen.

"Good morning," Ash said. His tone was polite but clipped. "I'd like to know how to apply for Starlight Academy."

The receptionist tapped a few buttons on her console, and a holographic screen flickered to life in front of him. 

A list of instructions and requirements appeared.

"You'll need an ID crystal to start," she explained in a flat, professional tone. "If you don't have one, you can apply for a temporary crystal at the counter to your left. 

Once you've completed the application, you'll proceed to the Human verification process, where we'll record your mana signature and conduct a basic aptitude test."

"Where do I get the application form?" Ash asked.

The receptionist pointed to a row of kiosks along the far wall. "You can start the process there. If you need assistance, there's a guide stationed nearby."

"Understood. Thank you."

Ash headed toward the kiosks, letting out a quiet sigh.

'Even applying here feels like a chore,' he thought as he reached the glowing screen of a kiosk.

He retrieved a small ID crystal from his pocket—the one he'd found upon transmigrating into this world—and placed it on the scanner. The screen flickered before his information loaded.

A series of forms appeared on the screen. Ash started filling them out, listing basic details like his name, age, and background.

When he got to the section about combat experience, he hesitated.

'What am I supposed to put here?'

"Fighting to survive since the day I got here"?' He smirked at the thought but decided to keep things vague. 

"Basic combat training and practical experience in varied environments," he typed.

Once the form was complete, a prompt appeared instructing him to proceed to the verification room.

The room, marked with glowing runes, was easy to spot. Inside, the walls were covered with intricate carvings, glowing faintly with magical energy.

"Step forward and place your hand on the verification orb," said a stern-looking man standing by the entrance.

Ash walked up to the orb, which pulsed faintly with energy. As he placed his hand on it, a tingle ran through his fingers. The orb glowed brightly, and the man gave a curt nod.

"You've been verified. Head to the aptitude testing area down the hall."

Ash thanked him and moved on, his thoughts churning.

'They're probably checking if someone's a demon in disguise,' he mused.

The aptitude testing area was buzzing with activity. Applicants filled the room, some visibly nervous, others brimming with confidence. 

The air was thick with tension, mingled with faint traces of mana from the tests being conducted.

A tall woman in a black-and-gold uniform approached him. Her sharp gaze swept over him, her presence commanding immediate respect.

"Name?" she asked curtly.

"Ash Burn," he replied.

She checked a floating screen in her hand and nodded. "We'll start with aptitude testing. Follow me."

Without another word, Ash trailed behind her toward a smaller chamber off to the side.

The room was cold and silent, save for the faint hum of magical equipment. At its center, a large crystalline orb floated, its surface rippling with soft, iridescent light.

The woman gestured for him to step forward.

"Place your hand on the orb," she instructed. "It will measure your mana compatibility and overall potential. Stay still until the reading is complete."

Ash nodded, his heart pounding. He reached out, pressing his palm against the cool, smooth surface.

A tingling sensation spread through his fingers as the orb pulsed with energy. Faint waves of light flickered across its surface, growing stronger with each passing second.

The woman studied the readings intently, her face unreadable.

After a few tense moments, the light intensified, and a soft chime echoed through the chamber. Symbols and numbers projected into the air above the orb.

She examined them briefly before announcing, "Your mana compatibility is Legendary rank, but your potential caps at Grandmaster."

Ash froze.

Grandmaster.

{A/N: Grandmaster - A Rank, Legendary - S Rank}

The words rang in his mind, drowning out everything else. His hand slipped from the orb, his body moving on instinct as he took a step back. His face betrayed nothing, but inside, the weight of the result hit like a punch to the gut.

Grandmaster rank… That's it?

He swallowed hard.

A bitter laugh threatened to escape, but he pushed it down.

The bare minimum to get into the academy.

That was all he amounted to.

After everything I've been through… everything I've endured… is this really all I'm worth?

The woman continued, indifferent to the storm raging inside him.

"You qualify for the entrance exam. Follow all instructions carefully—failure to comply results in disqualification. First, proceed to the orientation hall for a briefing on the exam structure."

She handed him a small, glowing badge.

"Wear this at all times. It will track your progress."

Her gaze lingered on him for a moment before she added, "And remember—aptitude only shows what you might achieve. Without effort, even reaching B rank will be difficult."

Ash took the badge in silence, his fingers tightening around it.

"You have one day to prepare. Use it wisely."

With that, she turned away, dismissing him without a second thought.

Ash stood there, unmoving. The crystal orb behind him flickered once before dimming, as if mocking him.

When he finally stepped out, the bustling testing hall swallowed him whole. Voices rang around him—sharp, excited, alive.

Hope filled the air.

Hope for a future they all dreamed of.

Yet all he felt was emptiness.

'I was aiming to surpass everyone… to be unshakable. But I'm barely scraping by.'

His steps slowed.

He found a quiet spot near one of the large windows and leaned against the cold frame.

Outside, the city stretched endlessly, its towering spires and glowing runes a testament to humanity's greatness.

A greatness he had once believed he could claim.

But now, that dream felt impossibly distant.

He exhaled slowly, his breath fogging against the glass. The weight of reality pressed down on him, heavy and suffocating.

'No. Stop.'

He forced the thought down, straightening. His eyes sharpened.

'So what if it's the bare minimum? It's still enough to get me in.'

And once he was inside the academy—

'I'll rewrite my fate.'

Bitterness curled into something sharper. 

Determination.

If the world only respected strength—

Then he would become strong enough to rewrite its rules.

***

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