The morning sun filtered weakly through the high branches of the academy's forest perimeter, casting long, dappled shadows across the stone courtyard.
Eli stood at the edge of the training grounds, his cloak slightly tattered from the previous day's hunt, the faint glow of newly formed marks on his arm hidden beneath his sleeve.
He didn't sleep well.
Dreams haunted him of the Wildfang's breath on his neck, of the strange voice of the system, and of the unknown force that lingered like a phantom in the corners of his thoughts.
But today wasn't just another day.
Today, he'd no longer stay silent.
A group of students filled with four familiar faces, led by Marcus stood near the training ring, laughing as they noticed Eli's approach. Their jeers echoed across the courtyard, louder than usual, mocking the "commoner with a death wish."
Eli's pace didn't change.
Then, from behind the sparring post, a girl stepped forward. She had pale gold hair braided down her back, adorned with woven bands of violet silk.
Her eyes were cool silver, her bearing regal, but not arrogant. Her name was Dira Balemont, and she wasn't just another noble with name but also the skills showcasing a generational talent.
The others noticed her too.
Marcus smirked and said loud enough for her to hear, "Better step aside, Princess. I'm not afraid of you"
Dira didn't flinch. Her gaze moved between Eli and Marcus, sharp and measuring. "Yet, you should be!"
Marcus scowled.
Eli stepped forward at last. "Don't waste your breath, Lady Balemont," he said calmly. "He's stronghold has never been Bravery."
The words surprised even himself.
Gasps fluttered across the courtyard.
Then Marcus struck.
A fast jab aimed at Eli's stomach, predictable. But this time, Eli moved. Not with panic, but with poise. He twisted his stance, and drove a precise knee into Marcus's ribs. The boy staggered back.
One of the others lunged forward.
Eli pivoted, parried with his forearm, then swept the attacker's leg with a maneuver that felt instinctual almost guided. The bloodline within him stirred, glowing faintly under his skin.
It was not the raw power of a seasoned warrior, but the precision of someone awakening to his true nature.
The rest of Marcus's group scrambled back.
Marcus, breathless and humiliated, glared. "You'll pay for this."
Eli wiped a bit of blood from his lip. "No, it's just beginning."
Dira watched, eyes unreadable.
The sparring grounds of the academy were relatively quiet after cold and fiery encounter between Eli and Marcus, the air warm with a gentle breeze drifting through the tall pines at the training perimeter. Eli had just finished practicing a few basic sword forms when Dira approached.
She wore the standard training gear, though her aura made it anything but standard calm, focused, yet commanding. Her silver blonde hair still tied back in a high tail, and her deep violet eyes shimmered with an intensity that made even upper year students tread carefully.
"You're improving," she said, nodding toward his stance. "But your growth is still quite slow."
Eli blinked. "My Growth…? How do you know?"
A sly smile played on her lips. "Let's spar, I'll show you "
"Me?" he replied, still surprised how one of the top beauties in the school knows him or his growth.
They circled each other, wooden practice blades in hand. Dira's movements were fluid like dancing water and Eli tried to keep up, activating the minor enhancements from his recent synchronization jump, but each activation showed little to no difference.
Every time he attacked, Dira countered with ease. Her blade slipped through his defenses like she knew his moves before he did. She didn't taunt or gloat she was precise, calm, and mercilessly efficient.
A minute into the bout, he was disarmed. Another, and he was flat on his back and so the results repeat until he gave up feeling defeated, a shallow line on his collarbone where her blade had stopped just short of cutting.
He stared up at the sky, chest heaving.
Dira stood over him, offering a hand. "You've got potential. But you're still far too raw and far too late."
He took her hand reluctantly. "You make it look so easy."
She glanced away. "It's not. But you don't get stronger by taking the easy route."
As she walked away, she turns one more time and smiles whispering "I'll teach you how tomorrow" the system interface flickered in his vision.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Target: Dira Balemont
Estimated Combat Tier: High Tier 3. Current synchronization spike detected.
Eli froze.
High Tier 3?
He barely survived his encounter with a Wildfang and Dira was nearing a power level that was exponentially beyond it. The realization hit like cold water. His recent win had given him confidence and excitement but it was false comfort.
He was still near the bottom.
Still breakable.
Still far from ready.
And the world was already miles ahead.
Eli heads back to his room feeling defeated but also motivated, the flickering lantern cast warm shadows across the stone walls. Eli sat cross legged on his bedroll, the chill from the window barely noticeable against the subtle heat radiating from his core.
"System," he whispered.
[Ascension Interface – Online]
- Name: Eli Caelith (Hidden)
- Tier: Fledgling Core – Tier 2
- Ascension Points: 15
- Bloodline Sync: 6%
- Path Progression: 1%
- Title: Initiate of the Path
- Weapon Bond: None
He stared at the "Tier 2" tag again. It still felt surreal. Just last week he was being tossed around like dirt by Marcus and his gang. Now, he'd killed a Wildfang on his own.
He tapped the glowing symbol, and the system expanded, displaying the known Tier Ladder.
- Mortal Pathway
- Tier 0 – Spark Initiate:
Barely aware of mana. No internal circulation. Most people remain here their entire lives.
- Tier 1 Pathwalker:
Learns to draw and manipulate mana externally. Fragile but foundational. Entry-level combatant.
- Tier 2 Fledgling Core: (Eli's Current Tier) Begins forming an inner mana core. Body enhancement begins. Basic spell imprinting becomes possible.
- Tier 3 – Steelbound Core: Core solidifies. Physical resilience grows. Able to withstand blunt force and light mana attacks.
- Tier 4 – Ember Vein: Mana veins are ignited. Great boost in speed, mana control, and instinctual technique flow.
- Tier 5 – Ether Pulse: Mana becomes a second bloodstream. Reaction speed, spell execution, and combat instinct are heightened.
Eli scrolled further. The tiers beyond that was the path where true power resides
Ascendant Pathway
- Tier 6 Soulbrand Adept: The mana core links to the soul. One can imprint their aura into attacks or defenses. The foundation for personal techniques and legacy arts.
- Tier 7 Astral Stepper: Can bend energy layers around them. Known for momentary blinks or ghost-step movement. Elite assassin and scout tier.
- Tier 8 Domain Bearer: A domain is awakened a manifestation of one's will and mastery. Few ever reach this. Territory-controlling beings.
- Tier 9 Arcborn Ascendant: Merges body, mana, and soul into a singular perfected state. Time perception alters. Mana command at the speed of thought.
Eli paused at the final tier. The screen dimmed slightly before continuing.
Forbidden Path Celestia Class (???)
Details: Unknown
Requirements: ???
Note: Very few recorded. Linked to ancient bloodlines and the first realms.
He exhaled, leaning back on his palms. "So, that's the road ahead…"
It wasn't just about becoming stronger. It was about becoming more. More than a Caelith heir. More than a bullied outcast. More than what they told him he'd never be.
He closed the interface, its glow vanishing with a soft pulse.
In the silence, he muttered, "One tier at a time."