*Chapter 2 – The Academy of Changing Rules**

The crystal gate shimmered in the sunlight, towering over the trio as they arrived at the entrance of the prestigious Shinzoul Academy. Guarding it were two low-ranked Soul Stealers—humanoid beings clad in dark knight-like armor, completely hollow inside. They stood motionless, like statues carved from darkness itself.

> *"Creepy as ever,"* Karl muttered under his breath.

Shiro glanced at them and began narrating internally.

> *Soul Stealers… unlike Soul Dwellers—who were once humans corrupted by mana—Soul Stealers were born from the very fabric of reality during the First Catalyst Event, also known as the First Human Extinction. Back then, these monsters looked like soul-mutated snakes or grotesque beings made from a collage of corpses—some with crocodile torsos, others with twisted human limbs and reptilian skulls. They had multiple mouths across their bodies and pitch-black hollow eyes.

> Over time, the weaker ones adapted. They took on humanoid forms to deceive people—calling out for help using childlike voices or familiar faces. But humans, as always, found a way to fight back. Eventually, we learned to tame the weaker Soul Stealers.

> The process is simple—either use a permanent mind-control spell… or beat the life out of them and inject a synthetic hormone called C.A.M.H.

> Cruel? Maybe. But what else do you expect from humanity?*

The gate opened on its own, revealing a wide hallway embedded with futuristic tech. Two massive staircases of glowing purple light stretched upward, crossing over each other like strands of DNA—one spiraling left, the other right.

"Every time I climb these stairs, I question the academy's logic," Karl groaned, already tired. "And we still need to take the lift after this? Seriously?"

Shiro shrugged. "Beats me. Maybe Ruby knows. Her dad designed the academy, right?"

"Well... Ah…" Ruby hesitated, avoiding their gazes. "It's… because the design looks cool

Karl stared blankly. " Really That's it?"

"Yup!" she said, flashing a proud smile.

Shiro leaned in and whispered to Karl, "Yeah, she definitely doesn't know either."

Karl smirked. "As expected from Ruby."

Ruby pouted. "I heard that."

They all laughed softly and continued up the left stairway.

---

After the stairs, they reached the lift and stepped inside. Ruby pressed a glowing panel.

"So, where are we headed today?" she asked.

Karl sighed. "Who knows. This place has the weirdest rules. Classes change locations every day, and this whole building is four kilometers wide—with four layers of spatial distortion. I still get lost sometimes."

"Because 'change is essential for growth,'" Shiro quoted sarcastically, mimicking their director's voice.

"I agree with you completely," Ruby nodded. "But really, where are we going?"

"Maybe Shiro knows," Karl said.

"We're going to LOTM," Shiro replied.

Ruby blinked. "What…?"

Karl smirked. "I know what he means."

"Wait, what?"

"We're going to the peak of the building," Karl explained dramatically. "Because 'LOTM' is the peakest piece of fiction ever written."

Shiro grinned. "Exactly."

"LOTM for life!" they both shouted in unison.

Ruby facepalmed. "You two are hopeless."

---

When they reached the top floor, Shiro checked the panel beside the corridor.

"Classroom 2-A… that's ours today."

They walked in.

Seven students—four boys and three girls—were already seated, chatting loudly. As Shiro and Karl moved to their seats, two of the boys threw mocking glances.

"Well well, look who finally showed up," one of them snickered. "The lost puppies."

"Yeah, one of them probably forgot his homework again."

Karl clenched his fist slightly. Shiro frowned but said nothing.

Before either of them could respond, a cold voice echoed behind them.

"Don't you dare say anything bad about them."

Ruby stepped in, her crimson eyes sharp and commanding. Her glare alone made the two boys shrink in their seats.

"They may be idiots—but they're my friends," she added.

Shiro leaned toward Karl and whispered, "She's protecting us, but… honestly, she's kind of scary."

"I know, right? That's why I call her the 'Purge Queen of Death,'" karl muttered.

---

Everyone took their seats as silence fell over the room.

The door opened again, and a tall man entered.

He wore a brown shirt with the **Shinzoul flag** emblazoned on the back. His body was built like a fortress, his hair black and his eyes golden. A vertical scar stretched from his jaw to his neck—marking a history of battle.

Shiro stared with a mix of admiration and awe.

> *Mr. Azathos Kurasaki—our class teacher. The mightiest warrior in all of Shinzoul. He was once a Slayer, feared and respected across the continent, but retired to train the next generation.

> We're lucky.

> He's not just powerful—he's kind. Supportive. Especially toward me.*

Azathos stepped forward, his voice deep and composed.

"Students… I have something important to tell you."

The classroom buzzed with excited chatter as Mr. Azathos Kurasaki, the legendary warrior and now their class teacher, stood at the front.

His cold golden eyes scanned the room.

"Silence," he said, voice calm but firm.

The room instantly quieted.

Azathos placed his hands behind his back and began, "What I'm about to say may come as a surprise. Tomorrow is your **graduation ceremony**. Yes, you heard me correctly—each and every one of you has passed the Final Test."

The students burst into gasps and cheers. Some laughed in disbelief. Others hugged in joy.

But Shiro Nagatsuki just… froze.

*Passed…? Me?*

His thoughts spiraled as vivid **flashbacks** hit him like waves crashing against his chest.

---

**\[Flashback 1 – Archery Exam]**

The moment he held the bow, it shook in his hands. He focused. Took a deep breath. Let the arrow fly.

**Missed.** Not just once—**every arrow missed.** Some didn't even hit the target board.

---

**\[Flashback 2 – Magic Class]**

"Focus your mana through the core," the instructor had said.

Shiro tried. And tried again. But no spell activated. No glow. Not even a flicker of magic.

Just… silence.

---

**\[Flashback 3 – Battle Planning Simulation]**

He was assigned team leader.

His plan had seemed solid in theory—but on the battlefield, it nearly led to his entire squad being wiped out.

His decisions caused panic, injuries, and a near disqualification.

---

**\[Flashback 4 – Swordsmanship]**

One of the few areas he could hold his own.

He wasn't the best, but his form was decent. His instincts worked.

Still, compared to Karl or Ruby… he was nothing special.

---

**\[Flashback 5 – Modern Weapon Training]**

He held a plasma rifle. His instructor screamed, "Just press the damn trigger!"

Shiro blinked. "Where's the trigger?"

He never figured it out. Not even once.

---

**\[Flashback 6 – Demon Combat]**

It was supposed to be a low-rank demon.

He charged forward, thinking he could land a blow.

He ended up on the ground, coughing blood, saved by a last-minute intervention from a senior.

---

Shiro covered his face with one hand, muttering under his breath, *"I still don't know how I passed…"*

Despite it all, a faint smile tugged at his lips.

*Maybe this is what luck feels like. Or maybe... there's more to me than I thought.*

---

Azathos continued, unfazed by the students' varying reactions.

"Tomorrow at 8 a.m., bring your parents. But today… is your **final lesson**. We'll go over the foundations—particularly for those who've clearly been surviving more on luck than knowledge."

His eyes flicked toward Shiro again.

Shiro nearly choked. *Was that directed at me?*

Azathos turned toward the board and picked up a chalk.

"Let's start with the **structure of our world**."

---

### **The Rise of a Broken World**

"A thousand years ago, the universe twisted. We call it the *Corrupted Fabric of Reality*. That moment reshaped our world—ripping open the boundaries of space and time. Magical energy flooded in. Demons were born. Spirit beasts. Mutants. Monsters."

"Entire civilizations were erased. Kingdoms were burned to dust. Bloodlines vanished. Humanity was on the edge of extinction."

"But humans… we adapted. We learned to control mana. We fought back."

Azathos paused, then added in a lower voice, "The scientific reason for mana lies in our interaction with space-time distortions. During the catastrophe, fragments of these anomalies embedded themselves in human blood. Over generations, they became genetic. That's why every one of you can access mana."

---

### **Geography of the World**

Azathos sketched a rough map on the board.

"There are **eleven major landmasses** left, known as **domains**. These are all that's left of the old continents. Each has a unique environment and culture."

"Our own domain, **Shinzoul**, is the most technologically advanced."

He pointed to nearby ones. "To the west lies the **Geo Domain**, filled with resource-rich mountains. To the east, **Izuka**—home of mystics and swordmasters."

"And then there's the **Sea of Flames**…"

A silent chill washed over the room.

Azathos spoke slowly. "Once the capital of the Toantian Domain, it was destroyed a hundred years ago during a battle between the King of Salvation and the demon **Inferno Nephris**. The clash created a **black hole** in the heart of the region. Now, the entire Sea of Flames is scorched by **eternal fire**. Night temperatures hit 70°C. Day climbs to 110°C. The land itself burns. Forever."

The class sat in stunned silence.

Across the room, Shiro noticed Karl rubbing the back of his neck—a strange **crown-shaped mark** glowed faintly.

Karl frowned. "I don't know\... It kinda feels weird."

"You good?" Shiro asked.

Karl shrugged it off. "Probably just nerves or something."

Azathos resumed. "There's also a domain sealed completely from human reach. The **Demon Realm**—cut off by a mysterious barrier. No one knows who made it. Or how."

Ruby hesitantly raised her hand.

Azathos nodded. "Yes, Ruby?"

She cleared her throat. "Sir… is it true there's a **12th domain**? Something called the *Sea of Spirits*?"

Azathos stiffened.

"That's just a myth," he said coldly. "A bedtime story. If it existed, the **World Government** would have found it. Satellites cover 80% of the planet. The rest are unobservable dimensional rift zones. Nothing lives there."

Still… some students didn't look convinced.

---

### **Politics and Power**

Azathos drew a triangle on the board.

"Every domain has multiple **countries**, and each country has its own **king**. These kings answer to higher rulers—**Lords, Tyrants, or Domain Overlords**. All of them report to the **World Government**."

He paused for emphasis.

"It consists of **7 wise humans**… and **7 Overlords**—the strongest beings alive."

Shiro's fingers curled into a fist.

*So that's who rules the world…*

---

### **Species and Power System**

"The world isn't just home to humans," Azathos continued. "You'll encounter **Elves, Beasts, Dreamers, Soul Reapers, Vampires, Werewolves, Soul Dwellers, Phasers, Monsters, Ghouls, Dragons, Spirits,** and **Mutants**."

Karl raised a hand. "Sir, not gonna lie… *Elves are kinda hot.*"

Ruby glared at him. "You damn pervert."

The class chuckled. Azathos sighed.

"Now focus," he continued. "Let's talk about the **Power System**—it's based on **Mana Density**. This is the amount of magical energy your body contains. It's determined at birth, but you can increase it through training… or by absorbing mana from others."

"Most common method?" he added. "**Killing.**"

A few students swallowed hard.

"But beware—those who rise too fast without strong mental control become **Mana-Corrupted Monsters**."

"Humans first awakened mana after exposure to the Corrupted Fabric. The energy fused with our DNA. That's how you're all able to use it."

"There are **seven attributes**: Pyro, Hydro, Aero, Nature, Light, Cryo, and **Darkness**. Everyone is born with one and becomes an **Artibuter**."

"Each attribute has 4 tiers: A, B, C, D. And each tier is divided into **semi-stages**, from 7 to 1. The lower the number, the higher the power."

"Some gifted individuals can even form **pocket dimensions**—small realms linked to their soul. A few are born with them. Others awaken theirs later."

"The rarest of all? **Dark Artibuters**. They can manifest **emotion-based weapons**—blades forged from grief, rage, or sorrow."

"The denser your mana, the stronger your powers. But all of it—mana, attributes, dimensions—depends on one thing…"

He tapped the board.

"**The Fabric**. The governing law of all powers. A subject too complex for now."

---

Azathos looked around the class one final time.

"There are potions, drugs, and devices that can temporarily boost your powers—but remember this: **Real strength isn't taken. It's earned.**"

And with that, the bell rang.