Chapter 6: "The Forgotten Ones Rise"

Support Class One

When Renji Takahashi arrived at the classroom, he found it already packed.

All thirty-two members of Support Class One were present.

The one who stood out the most was Yuna Hoshizaki, sitting front and center in the first row.

Today, Yuna wore a pure white dress, giving off an aura of beauty and grace that felt untouchable, almost sacred.

But that didn't stop others from showing up early, just to sit in the same class as Yuna. Even if they could only admire her from afar, it was worth it.

Renji gave her a couple of glances before finding a seat by the window in the back row.

Looking at a school beauty twice was only natural—respect, really—and something written into a guy's DNA.

After all, Yuna truly was stunning.

But that was it. Just two glances. Renji knew better. Women only slowed down his sword-drawing speed.

Only when your heart is free of distractions can you stand at the summit of this world.

Renji had lofty goals. There was no way he'd sheathe his sword just because of a girl.

Five minutes later, the sharp click of high heels echoed across the floor as a graceful figure entered the room.

Everyone turned their heads—and many gasped.

It was Shizuki Hayashi!

The Dean of Students herself had come to the Support Class?!

No one could believe it.

In the past, Support Classes were usually taught by inexperienced or low-ranked teachers. Honestly, they were pretty much left to fend for themselves.

After all, support students were seen as having little training potential.

But this time, for the first time ever, a top school administrator was leading the class. That completely caught them off guard.

"Judging by your faces, I can tell you're surprised," Shizuki said, adjusting her glasses as she scanned the thirty-two students. Her sharp gaze made many sit up straighter without thinking.

"To be honest, I was surprised too. Since the founding of Azure Dragon Academy, this is the first time a Dean of Students has been assigned to a Support Class."

"I'm sure you know why."

"It's because your Support Class is the strongest one in history."

"This is the first time two double S-level students are in the same class."

"But make no mistake—this special treatment is entirely thanks to Yuna Hoshizaki."

"So, the rest of you, while you should be grateful to Yuna, you also need to make the most of this opportunity."

"Your abilities may be the lowest in the academy, but under my guidance, you'll learn useful and practical skills. How far you go depends entirely on your effort."

"And starting today, remember one thing: everything you learn is for your own survival—so you don't die on the battlefield later."

Shizuki's words left the whole room silent.

The aura of the Dean of Students was no joke.

"Good. Looks like you're all paying attention."

"Here's the plan."

"Today and tomorrow, you'll focus on learning your personal abilities."

"Starting on Day 3, we're heading outside the city to face real monsters," Shizuki announced.

"What?! The third day?!"

The class burst into shocked whispers.

"Didn't we usually leave on the fifth day?!"

After awakening abilities, fighting monsters was every psychic's duty—and the ultimate test of Azure Dragon Academy students.

Normally, classes would head out on Day 5. Why move it up to Day 3?

"Quiet."

With a single word, Shizuki silenced the entire room.

"I know you're surprised. I'll tell you the truth. Monster activity outside Azure Dragon City is increasing. To be safe, you need to adjust to combat as quickly as possible."

"Your job now isn't to complain. It's to learn your abilities as fast as you can in these two days. Understood?!"

After a brief silence, everyone answered with an unenthusiastic "Yes."

The news hit hard.

"Alright, let's begin. Come up and get your Power Books."

From under the podium, Shizuki pulled out a stack of books.

The Power Book was an invention of Azure Dragon Academy, refined over many years. It taught everything from beginner to advanced ability training.

How much you could learn depended on your own talent and effort.

Each category of abilities had two or three beginner-level skills—basic stuff even the slowest student could learn.

One by one, students lined up to get their books.

When it was Renji's turn, he grabbed two books—one for Wood Release, and one for Spirit Eye.

Back at their seats, everyone started studying.

Learning from a Power Book was simple. Inject your spiritual energy into the book, and it would feed back the training method for that ability.

The book didn't just explain it in words—it guided your spiritual energy flow directly, even giving step-by-step feedback.

As long as you followed the guidance, you would learn the ability. This was the greatest invention since spiritual awakening began.

The Power Book ensured that every person who awakened abilities could learn enough to survive in the harsh world outside.

Azure Dragon Academy—and others like it worldwide—had become irreplaceable forces in human survival.

Renji had two Power Books.

Well, technically one book and a single page.

The Spirit Eye book was just one lonely page... and it only taught one skill: Photographic Memory.

This skill could record things like text, faces, and monster appearances—nothing particularly useful in battle.

In short, Spirit Eye users typically joined the battlefield analysis teams, gathering monster intel from the rear. But even then, it required sharp minds and real combat experience to be effective.

Renji sighed.

"So this is why people say Spirit Eye is the most useless ability..."

He couldn't argue with that.

After all, compared to the Sharingan—an ability that could memorize and copy anything—the Spirit Eye was barely a knockoff.

Calling it a useless power wasn't wrong; it was just the weakest one among known abilities.

At least in Azure Dragon Academy's rankings, Spirit Eye was bottom tier.

Renji couldn't deny it.

Luckily, his Wood Release book looked a lot thicker...