Preparing for the Academy

I chose [Mind's Eye] as my first priority. Out of all the options, I had a gut feeling it would help me the most to bridge the gap in experience between me and the others. If I could see through their techniques and predict movements, I could compensate for raw power with precision.

Besides, with my Willpower at [A+], I should be able to sustain its effects for a longer duration than most. That alone might give me an edge in the Academy.

[Phantom Step] was my second choice. Its utility with my growing agility was undeniable, and paired with [Death's Instinct], it would let me weave in and out of danger like a ghost.

It wasn't an official skill yet—just something that seemed to bloom naturally within me during the trials. But if it was born from me, then it deserved a name.

"Phantom Step," I whispered to myself, testing the sound of it. It fit.

I glanced at the old butler standing silently near the door and pointed at the two choices I had settled on.

"Tell my father… he can decide if I deserve both skills or just one."

The butler gave a small, approving nod. "Yes, Young Master."

With practiced grace, he gathered the tablet and slipped quietly out of the room, closing the door with a faint click.

I exhaled, tension I hadn't realized I was holding finally slipping from my shoulders. Dropping back onto the bed, I let the soft mattress swallow me whole. My body felt like lead, weighed down from everything that had happened over the last few days.

Still… I wasn't done yet.

I brought up my Status screen, watching as the glowing text flickered into existence above me. My gaze lingered on the new Trait and the hard-earned Manual I'd gained from the trials.

This power wasn't just a gift—it was a responsibility. I needed to understand it fully, learn how to wield it properly before the entrance exam began.

[A Peace of Heaven] – Trait

A fragment of celestial serenity infused within your soul. The trial tempered your heart, and in doing so left you tethered—however faintly—to the divine. This fragment heals, adapts, and anchors you amidst chaos.

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Effects:

Your body, mind, and soul recover naturally even in hostile environments.

Resistance to mental, spiritual, and chaotic attacks increased slightly.

You emit an imperceptible aura of calm; lower beings hesitate to harm you unless provoked.

??? (The trait has yet to fully awaken.)

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"The heavens left you a gift, but even a gift can twist the one who clings to it too tightly."

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Blossom of Heaven – Manual

An incomplete cultivation art born from the void between mortality and godhood. The path begins not with strength, but with harmony: your body, mana, and soul must bloom as one to grasp even the faintest thread of ascension.

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Stage I – Petal Unfurling (Active)

Slightly enhances all physical attributes.

Attacks carry a faint "Heavenly Intent" that weakens corrupted or chaotic creatures.

Unlocks Heavenly Pulse: releases a short-range aura burst that destabilizes enemies (1x per Day).

Progress to next stage: 0% (Requires profound insight and further trials to evolve.)

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My eyes scanned the information on the glowing screen, line by line. There was a lot to process, and the weight of it settled heavily on me.

The first ability from the Blossom of Heaven Manual alone was an incredible boost. It must've been the reason why my stats had shifted so drastically. Even though I was technically inside the trial for four months, it hadn't counted for more than a single day in the real world. And yet, my entire being felt different—sharper, stronger, as if my very soul had been reforged.

But it wasn't just raw power.

The Heavenly Intent… That was something else entirely. A pure, cleansing force designed to counter corruption. It was the perfect bane against the twisted followers of Esethos and the creatures serving the God of Beasts. Just thinking about that made a shiver crawl down my spine.

The question that lingered now: how do I progress to the next stage?

If the first stage had demanded trials that almost broke me, then the next would probably take even more time, more effort, and maybe… more pain. It wasn't something I could rush.

Still, I couldn't deny how game-changing this was already.

The first ability of my new Trait alone was astonishing. It would let me fight longer, endure critical situations, and push past the limits of fatigue. In the long run, that would put me a step above others—even those with higher ranks or more prestigious bloodlines.

A quiet excitement bubbled in my chest.

Stretching my fist out in front of me, I focused on the Heavenly Intent flowing through my body.

A warmth bloomed in my core, spreading outward. It was… calm. Serene. Righteous.

Then, my fist began to glow—a soft white hue wrapped around it like a second skin, humming faintly with power. It felt pure. A clean, untainted strength born for one purpose: to slay evil and cleanse corruption.

"Amazing…" I whispered under my breath, staring at my glowing hand.

The light slowly faded as I released the intent, and my arm fell limply back onto the bed. I let out a long sigh. The mattress felt impossibly soft beneath me, like it was cradling my tired body.

Still, sleep wouldn't come just yet.

Reaching over, I grabbed my watch and flicked it on. The familiar hum of the holographic screen filled the room as glowing menus appeared in the air above me.

"Let's see…" I murmured, scrolling lazily through the options.

I still had a little time before I should force myself to sleep.

Maybe I'll check what kind of novels are trending these days.

Old habits die hard, I guess.

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Morning arrived with an annoying kind of brightness.

I ate what I assumed was my usual lavish breakfast. Delicate dishes, expensive ingredients, even the cutlery probably cost more than an average person's month of wages.

Honestly? It was good—really good. But still…

"Rich people are the worst," I muttered under my breath as I wiped my mouth.

…Good thing I was one of them now.

After finishing up, I made my way to the high-tech training ground hidden beneath the mansion.

Of course there was a secret underground facility. Why wouldn't there be? It's not like this place screamed 'eccentric billionaire' enough already.

I had no idea it even existed until the butler mentioned it offhand yesterday. If he hadn't said anything, I probably would've spent the morning swinging a stick in the garden like an idiot.

The elevator descended deep into the earth with a faint hum, and when the doors opened…

My jaw tightened slightly.

The training ground was massive—at least the size of a football field, and with a ceiling so high it could fit a two-story house. Sleek, reinforced walls lined with glowing panels surrounded the area, and every kind of training configuration imaginable was neatly tucked away: gravity modules, elemental resistance zones, even combat simulators.

This is insane, I thought. And yet, exactly what I'd expect from a family like the Thornevales.

I strolled across the polished floor until I reached the weapon rack. My fingers traced over blades of various shapes and sizes before settling on a katana-shaped training sword. It was the closest match to the blade I had wielded during the trial.

A small sigh escaped me.

It would've been nice if I could've taken that sword with me… but I guess being greedy isn't always an option.

Gripping the weapon tightly, I walked to the center of the field and activated the training dummies.

With a mechanical hiss, several humanoid figures rose from the ground in front of me. They stood motionless, their blank faces staring straight ahead.

I closed my eyes, inhaling slowly.

In my mind, I pictured the Knight from the trial. The way his blade flowed like water—smooth, calculated, devastating. Every movement had purpose, every strike carried an almost divine precision.

It wasn't just swordsmanship. It was art.

There were a few ways to acquire a sword technique in this world.

The simple route was to obtain one as a skill—a ready-made package of knowledge, instantly usable. Convenient, sure… but shallow.

Then there was the harder way: learning directly from a master. Or in my case, trying to copy a being whose blade still haunted my memory.

It would take time—maybe a lot of time. And there was no guarantee I could fully replicate what I saw.

But I didn't care.

The way his sword moved was mesmerizing. It wasn't just something I wanted. It was the only thing I wanted.

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