Aliya practically bounced beside Leo as they stepped out of the classroom. Her eyes sparkled, and her smile was bright enough to light the corridor.
"I already knew what my electives would be before I even joined the academy," she said proudly, flicking through the holo-screen projected from her wristwatch. "Beastology, Weapons Theory, Elemental Focus, and Rune Theory. Easy choices."
Leo blinked slowly. "You… already planned all that?"
"Of course."
Leo let out a quiet sigh.
This was the first time he was even hearing that the full curriculum had been available early—uploaded onto the AetherNet weeks before the term began. Meanwhile, he'd been so focused on awakening and surviving the entrance exam that he never thought to check anything beyond basic requirements. Now it felt like he'd skipped an entire preparation phase.
He groaned under his breath. "I guess the library will be my next stop…"
Behind them, Drex snorted. "Next stop? Brother, just move in."
Mary and Drex caught up, both tapping their wrist displays.
"We're taking Galactic History as our main elective," Mary said. "Everything else matches yours."
Drex nodded with the solemnity of a philosopher. "History matters. If we don't know our past, we'll repeat our mistakes."
Leo gave him a flat look. "You sound like a retired scholar."
Drex shrugged. "I sound educated."
Aliya giggled.
When everyone finalized their choices, the wristwatches flashed:
SELECTION CONFIRMED.
CLASSES BEGIN NEXT WEEK.
ENJOY YOUR FREE DAY.
Aliya gasped happily. "We actually have the rest of the day off!"
Leo nodded—then froze mid-step.
A cold realization hit him.
His status.
He had forgotten about daily quests again. He quickly called up the interface in his mind.
The familiar pale-blue system window appeared.
---
THE CELESTIAL SYSTEM
Name: Leo Stevens
Race: Human
Level: 1 – 0 / 100 EXP
Abilities:
Lightning
Space
Time
Energy: 150
HP: 150
Strength: 15
Agility: 15
Endurance: 15
Energy Remaining: 150
Skills:
Insight – improves all cognitive abilities
Battle Master – grants superior combat understanding
Daily Quest:
100 push-ups
100 squats
100 sit-ups
5 km run
Reward: 10 EXP + 1 Free Stat Point
---
Leo exhaled in relief. The baseline for a low Tier-1 awakened was 15 across the board. He wasn't behind. He was exactly average.
"That's… actually good," he murmured.
Aliya tilted her head. "What is?"
"Nothing. Just… making progress."
She nodded with a smile, accepting the vague answer.
Leo's eyes drifted to the bottom of the system page.
5 km run.
At least the distance was shorter than yesterday's.
He almost smiled.
Almost.
But reality returned just as fast. If he stayed average, he'd be swallowed by this universe without leaving a mark.
Not with a system backing him.
Not when the alliance depended on its future fighters.
He lifted his head.
"Let's head to the training grounds."
---
Training Grounds – Noon
The academy's training grounds stretched out like a hybrid between a combat stadium and a fortified military camp. Dozens of stone sparring circles glowed faintly with embedded runes. Alloy training dummies stood lined in rows, ready to endure elemental blasts. Weapon racks gleamed under the sun, stocked with every basic armament imaginable.
Students filled the area—practicing footwork, channeling energy, sparring under supervision, or working through physical drills.
Drex whistled low. "This place looks like a war camp."
Mary smirked. "Because it basically is."
Leo drifted toward a nearby weapon rack. Something tugged at him—a whisper of instinct, a familiarity he couldn't explain. Maybe it was the Battle Master skill nudging him.
His eyes landed on a simple wooden sword, dark oak with a clean, balanced design.
He reached out and wrapped his hand around the hilt.
Aliya watched him. "Going with swordsmanship?"
Leo nodded. "Feels natural."
Drex grabbed a long wooden spear. "Range is superior. Why run to your opponent when your weapon can greet them first?"
Mary chose a pair of wooden daggers. "Speed is my ally."
Drex snorted. "More like chaos."
Mary shrugged without shame.
Aliya selected a short, light sword. "Weapon Theory requires us to try different weapons anyway."
---
Sparring Circle 12
Leo stepped into an empty circle and tested the wooden sword's weight.
It felt… right.
His stance wasn't elegant, but it was steady—natural. He inhaled, raised the sword, and began practicing the simplest arcs: vertical, horizontal, diagonal. His movements were stiff at first, but the rhythm improved quickly.
Drex leaned on his spear behind him. "You don't look completely terrible."
Leo gave him a deadpan stare. "Your encouragement overwhelms me."
Aliya approached with her short sword. "Want to practice together?"
Leo blinked. "You sure?"
"Of course. Two minds learn faster than one."
They took their positions opposite each other.
"Okay," Aliya said, lifting her blade. "Attack lightly. I'll block."
Leo swung gently.
She parried with ease—and he lost his balance.
Aliya caught his arm before he stumbled and adjusted his stance. Then she corrected his grip. With Insight sharpening his perception and Battle Master refining his instincts, he absorbed the adjustments instantly.
They went again. And again. Each swing grew smoother. Each parry cleaner. Laughter slipped out whenever someone messed up a step.
Across the field, Brion—the jealous student from earlier—spotted them sparring.
His left eye twitched.
Brion's thoughts:
Why is he practicing with her AGAIN? Why does she laugh when he swings!?
I trained three hours yesterday! I lifted TWO dummies!
Why isn't anyone impressed with ME!?
Drex muttered under his breath, "That guy's jealousy aura is about to reach Tier-1."
Leo and Aliya transitioned into dodge-and-counter drills. Leo attacked softly while Aliya dodged. On the fourth swing, he misstepped—
—and Aliya stopped her blade a hair's breadth from his shoulder.
She exhaled with a smile. "Nice practice. You're learning fast."
Leo shrugged modestly. "I'm trying."
Drex called out, "You two look like protagonists warming up. Or side characters preparing to get humiliated. Haven't decided yet."
---
Break Time – Galaxy Talk
They rested near the fountain, cooling down. Drex brought up a glowing galaxy map, the hologram floating above his palm.
"You know," he said, "Instructor Ravel's lecture reminded me—the Tri-Alliance is only a few centuries old. Elves and dwarves were fighting demon invasions long before humans joined."
Mary nodded. "Beasts too. Some planets are still uninhabitable because Tier-8 and Tier-9 beasts dominate the territory."
Aliya's voice turned soft. "That's why academies like ours exist. So we can defend our worlds."
Leo listened, quiet as always.
The universe was harsh.
But at least… he wasn't facing it alone.