Chapter 3: The Hunger for Power

The Academy was a fortress of knowledge and strength, where the brightest minds and the strongest warriors trained. Gabriel, however, was starting from nothing.

He was given access to a simple training program, but it became clear quickly that he lacked the natural talent many others had. He wasn't a prodigy, nor was he blessed with an overpowered ability from the start.

But he had something else.

Hunger.

Not for food—though he never forgot what it felt like to starve—but for power, for survival.

If he had to work harder than everyone else, he would. If he had to learn magic from scratch while others were born into it, he would.

[New Skill Acquired: Adaptive Learning]

His System responded to his determination, granting him an ability that allowed him to absorb knowledge and skills faster than normal.

Every spell, every combat move, every piece of technology he encountered—he studied, memorized, and mastered. His progress was slow at first, but the more he fought, the more he learned.

And the stronger he became.