Chapter 15: The Gathering Storm

Alex couldn't shake the feeling of impending chaos as he left the Grand Hall that morning. The academy's announcement about an early First-Year Trial echoed in his mind—a trial designed not only to test strength but also to expose the weaknesses of those unprepared for the harsh realities beyond Zenith Academy's walls. He trudged back to his dorm, his thoughts heavy with anticipation.

Inside his small room, the muted hum of his communication crystal was the only sound. He sat on the edge of his bunk, the Seed of Ascension's subtle energy still pulsing inside him—a reminder that his hidden potential was just beginning to awaken. Alex's mind drifted momentarily, recalling his past life when he was an average, overlooked student. Now, with his cheat ability enhancing everyday items and the mysterious cube having unlocked a fragment of a power he barely understood, he was on a different path.

He pulled out the black token once more, the Zenith invitation that promised a chance at greatness. His eyes hardened as he considered the academy's teachings from Vice Headmaster and Instructor Veyron—words that painted the world in rigid tiers, from Novice to Grandmaster. In this hierarchy, every advantage counted. Alex, who had once dismissed the importance of romance and sentimental distractions with a cynical shrug (after all, "women affect my speed" was something he'd scoffed at in his old life), now found that focus and discipline were his only allies in a world governed by power and survival.

Later that afternoon, as he wandered through the campus corridors, he overheard snippets of conversation among his peers. Whispers of the trial's brutal details—of relic hunts in dangerous ruins, of aura-infused beasts guarding ancient secrets—filled the air. Some students joked nervously, light humor masking their anxiety; others wore expressions of grim determination. Alex listened silently, his mind already strategizing. He would not be drawn into petty alliances or trivial distractions. His path was set by necessity, not by the whims of fleeting emotions.

Just then, a familiar sneer cut through the murmur. Reyn Altair, the arrogant Peak Warrior with a reputation for never missing a chance to assert his superiority, stepped into view. "So, the little runt thinks he can make it in our world now?" Reyn's tone dripped with mockery as he eyed Alex.

Alex met his gaze coolly. "I'm not here to impress anyone," he replied evenly, the edge in his voice belying his calm exterior. "I'm here to survive—and to grow stronger than any of you can imagine."

Reyn snorted. "We'll see about that in the trial. Just remember, if you're too busy playing with your fancy token or your weird cube, you might forget that this isn't a game."

Before Alex could retort, Reyn walked away, leaving behind a tense silence that quickly dissolved into the daily bustle of the academy.

That evening, under the dim glow of his desk lamp, Alex reviewed what he had learned about the power structure. He recalled Instructor Veyron's lecture: aura ranks, innate talents, and artifact tiers—the very blueprint of strength. Every word reinforced his resolve. The trial wasn't merely a test of combat—it was a measure of adaptability, of raw determination, and of the ability to harness rare, hidden potentials.

His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden vibration of his communication crystal. A new message:

[External Alert: Unidentified forces detected near the academy perimeter. Maintain heightened security.]

Alex's pulse quickened. The "external threat" mentioned by the Vice Headmaster was now more than rumor. While most students would panic or seek shelter, Alex felt only a cool determination. This was the moment that could prove his worth—a chance to test not only his enhancements but also his ability to navigate real danger.

He tucked away the token and secured the cube close to his chest. Tomorrow's trial would decide much more than a grade or a rank—it might well mark the beginning of a storm that would reshape his world.

Alex exhaled slowly, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Let them come," he murmured. "I'll be ready."