The aftermath of the combat simulation still hung over Damon like a storm cloud. His body was trembling—not from exhaustion, but from the subtle pull of the system, quietly observing every heartbeat, every neuron firing.
[Tier 1: Initialization Phase — 68%]
[Combat Acceleration Trait Activated — Prototype]
[Warning: External Observation Detected]
The system's alert blinked in his vision, a tiny red pulse he couldn't ignore. Someone—or something—was monitoring him.
The exam hall had emptied. Students whispered, others left in small groups. Damon's gaze swept the corridors. Shadows clung to the corners, moving against the natural flow of light.
[Restricted Evaluation Zone Engaged]
[Level-Up Permission: Conditional]
[Note: External Threat Unknown]
The voice of the examiner from before echoed faintly in his mind—not aloud, but through the system.
"Unclassified candidates… are not meant to be seen by others outside the official evaluation."
The warning was subtle, almost dismissible—but the system made Damon feel it physically, like the air itself had tightened around him.
The system pulsed. A faint translucent text overlay appeared in his vision—something he hadn't seen before.
[Rule Hidden: Observation Override — Unauthorized Interaction Prohibited]
[Effect: System Will Intervene If Threat Detected]
His crimson eyes narrowed. He wasn't sure whether it was a restriction… or a warning.
And then, movement.
Down the hallway, a figure emerged. Cloaked, almost blending with the shadows, small but fast. The system blinked repeatedly.
[Unknown Entity Detected — Lethal Potential: High]
[Recommendation: Evade / Observe / Prepare]
Damon's heart didn't race. He had no choice: he couldn't let himself be caught off guard.
The figure lunged.
He barely moved—yet the system adjusted every microsecond of his posture, muscle tension, and reaction.
[Emergency Adaptive Protocol Engaged]
[Motor Acceleration: 45% Temporary Boost]
[Neural Output: Optimize Defensive & Offensive Coordination]
The attacker struck with a blade that shimmered with energy—a weapon designed to bypass standard defenses. Damon stepped aside. The blade slashed a corridor wall instead. Sparks flew.
The system whispered internally:
[External Threat Is Not Part of Exam]
[Intent: Unknown, Likely Assassination or Observation]
Another figure appeared, flanking him. Faster than anything Damon had faced in the simulation, almost inhuman.
He twisted, struck, dodged—all controlled by the system—yet the system also stayed silent when he needed judgment. It was adapting in real time, but not making decisions for him.
The hallway became a blur of shadow and energy.
[Observation: Unclassified Candidate Under Real Threat]
[Protocol Override: Partial Autonomy Granted]
[New Trait Unlocked: Threat Prediction (Prototype)]
Suddenly, Damon knew where the next attack would come from before the opponent even committed. Not consciously—his body moved before thought.
The first attacker hit the wall again. Sparks flew. The second lunged—and Damon rolled, grabbing the attacker's wrist and flipping him over in one smooth motion.
The system pulsed:
[Warning: Neural Load Critical]
[Suggestion: Limit Recalibration Needed]
He ignored it. The fight was simple now. Not hard, but precision demanded absolute focus. The system adjusted reflexes, predicted movements, minimized energy waste.
When the last attacker fell, unmoving, the hall went silent—except for the faint hum of the system and Damon's uneven breathing.
The system flashed one final message:
[Restricted Evaluation Zone: Complete]
[Candidate Performance Logged]
[External Threat Eliminated / Monitoring Initiated]
Damon understood something terrifying:
The exam wasn't just a test of skill or ability.
The system had hidden rules, monitoring for survival and potential threats.
Someone wanted him removed or observed, and the system would intervene—but only partially.
He wiped sweat from his pale, frail skin. His crimson eyes burned with awareness.
This wasn't just about the Celestial Academy.
It was about him surviving a world that wanted him controlled—or dead.
[New Objective Generated]
Survive. Adapt. Discover.
And somewhere in the shadows, unseen, eyes watched. Waiting for the next move.