Chapter: CHAPTER 325. Lines in the DustThe night after the rooftop fight, the academy refused to sleep. Rumors spread like fire through the dorm corridors. Every whisper carried a new version of the same story, Oliver Vale, the unstable student, the Retaliant, the one who fought the Iron Banner and lived.By morning, the academy was a pressure cooker. Fear hummed in the walls. Even the teachers spoke in hushed tones. “He blew up the roof.”“No one saw the attackers leave.”“They say his eyes glow like an awakened beast.”Oliver walked through the cafeteria with Billy at his side. Conversations stopped when he entered. Eyes followed him everywhere.He sat down with his tray of untouched food. Billy sat across from him, muttering, “You know, being famous isn’t as fun as people think.”Oliver didn’t respond. His gaze was distant, fixed on nothing. Billy sighed. “You didn’t sleep, did you?”“No.”“You’re thinking about what Kael said.”Oliver nodded slowly. “She was right. The more I use this power, the less it listens to me.
Last Updated: 2025-11-08
Chapter: CHAPTER 324. Ambush on the RoofThe sky burned with streaks of orange and violet as the sun began to set over the academy. The rooftops gleamed under the fading light, and the wind carried the faint scent of metal and ozone.Oliver stood at the edge of the rooftop training deck, his shirt damp with sweat. He was breathing hard, hands wrapped in old bandages, eyes sharp and alert.Billy circled him lazily, rolling his shoulders. “You’re pushing yourself too hard again.”Oliver smirked. “And you’re still too slow.”Billy grinned. “Says the guy who almost blew up the field yesterday.”“Accident,” Oliver said.“Sure,” Billy replied. “And I accidentally knocked down a wall once. With my face.”Oliver chuckled, the first real laugh he’d had in days. For a moment, the tension between them eased, the quiet hum of the city below blending with their breathing.“Alright,” Billy said, raising his fists. “Let’s go again. Defensive spar. No explosions this time.”“Deal,” Oliver said, taking his stance.They began to move, slow,
Last Updated: 2025-11-08
Chapter: CHAPTER 323. Power and ConsequenceThe morning sky glowed pale gold, soft light filtering through the academy courtyard. The air felt calm, almost too calm, the kind that comes before a storm.Students gathered for morning drills, forming neat lines on the practice field. Their chatter filled the air until the instructor’s whistle cut through the noise.“Focus up! Defensive forms, positions!”Oliver stood in the front row, shoulders squared. Sweat already traced his neck, though the air was cool. He exhaled slowly, trying to quiet the hum under his skin, that pulse of energy that hadn’t stopped since the night in the tunnels.Billy nudged him from behind. “You good, man? You look like you’re about to melt the floor.”“I’m fine,” Oliver muttered.He wasn’t. The System had been whispering since dawn, quiet, rhythmic, like breathing that wasn’t his own.[Energy reserves: 132% of stable output.][Recommendation: Discharge.]He tried to ignore it. The class began their formation drills. The sound of synchronized steps echo
Last Updated: 2025-11-07
Chapter: CHAPTER 322. The Underground RingThe night air was thick with humidity and the faint hum of machinery. Oliver stood near the back of the maintenance corridor, his hoodie pulled up, shadows swallowing his face. Beside him, Billy adjusted a small flashlight, its weak beam cutting through the dust. “Are you sure about this?” Billy asked. His voice was low, wary.Oliver nodded. “If I’m going to stop Sikes, I need to understand how he works. What he built.”Billy exhaled through his teeth. “Understanding him won’t make him less dangerous.”“I don’t care,” Oliver said. “He’s turning people into weapons. I can’t ignore that.”Billy muttered, “You’re starting to sound like the old me, before everything went to hell.”The metal grates beneath their feet creaked as they walked. Pipes ran along the tunnel walls, dripping water. Somewhere ahead, faint echoes rose, cheers, clapping, the roar of a crowd.Billy stopped and turned off the flashlight. “We’re close.”They crouched behind a half-open maintenance hatch. Light leaked th
Last Updated: 2025-11-06
Chapter: CHAPTER 321. Faction GamesThe rain had stopped, but the air inside the academy still felt heavy, like a storm waiting to return.Days had passed since the raid, yet the tension hadn’t faded. Students whispered about “the Retaliant,” half in awe, half in fear. The once-busy courtyards now grew quiet whenever Oliver appeared. He had become both a legend and warning.Billy noticed it too. “They look at you like you’re a ghost,” he muttered as they crossed the courtyard.“Maybe that’s what I am,” Oliver said softly.Billy gave a crooked grin. “Then you’re the first ghost who can punch holes through steel.”But behind his humor, Oliver saw the truth, fear lingered in both of them. They were waiting for the next move. Because Sikes Wilbert never stayed silent for long.That move came two days later. A message appeared on Oliver’s desk during morning class. A thin envelope, no signature. Only his name, written in perfect handwriting. He hesitated before opening it.Inside was a small black card. A symbol was engrav
Last Updated: 2025-11-06
Chapter: CHAPTER 320. Aftermath and RumorsThe sun rose over the academy like nothing had happened, golden light touching broken walls and shattered glass. But everyone knew better.The air was thick with whispers. The gym had been destroyed. The Gambit Gang had invaded, and Oliver Beckett, the “failure”, had beaten them.Every corner buzzed with stories, half true and half wild. “He fought ten of them alone!”“They say he can bend metal with his mind.”“Sikes Wilbert’s people are watching him now.”Oliver walked through the courtyard quietly, his hood up, his hands in his pockets. Each voice felt like a weight pressing against his back.The students who once laughed at him now moved aside when he passed. Some stared in awe, others in fear.It should have felt like victory, but it didn’t. The System was silent, too silent.He reached the infirmary doors and pushed them open. The smell of antiseptic hit him immediately. Billy lay on a bed near the window, his chest bandaged, one arm in a sling. He looked up with a grin that ba
Last Updated: 2025-11-06
Chapter: Chapter 221The university admissions agents started arguing loudly.Draken stood there watching them fight over which of them would win him over to attend their school but deep inside, he was not interested.Draken had other ambitions. He didn’t want to take the normal journey anymore, as he had been through things none of them could bear.The homeroom teacher noticed and hurried over. "Draken, hurry and choose which school you want to attend!"The admissions agents quieted down and turned to Draken.Draken replied calmly, "Thank you for your offers, but I want to try to create my own academy into the top-ranked space for talents."Everyone fell silent.Draken had thought about this for a while and knew it was his goal. With his talent and strength, he felt he should aim for the best school in the country.The other admissions agents quickly tried to change his mind."Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?""Berserk College didn’t even send anyone to invite you. They don’t seem serious.""Th
Last Updated: 2024-08-16
Chapter: Chapter 220When Gaffa announced Draken as first place, the entire room fell silent.Everyone thought they misheard, but recalling Draken’s performance, they realized it made sense.Class Two students cheered collectively.“Draken is amazing!”“He’s the pride of F-level talent!”“Number one in the entire state! Draken made a miracle happen!”The students in other classes had mixed emotions. They didn’t feel great knowing the top student was from another class.“Prepare for the second stage of the exam, now we will have a halftime break,” Gaffa said.The mages began to rest as they stopped their formations. The students returned to their classrooms to rest.Draken also went back to his class to rest. Many people approached him, curious about his strength improvement.“Draken, how did you get so strong?”“Yeah, how can an F-level talent improve so quickly? Any tips for us?”“I understand Draken comes from a low-income family and can’t afford good equipment and potions. He’s extraordinary to have im
Last Updated: 2024-08-09
Chapter: Chapter 219Draken turned to Lord Luke and said, “The exam rules require me to accept the first two matches. If I win, I can choose whether to accept the next match.”“I also have the right to pick my opponent.”Lord Luke frowned and asked, “Are you saying you’re rejecting my challenge? Are you a coward?”Draken glanced at the black horse behind Luke. Using his Eye of Truth, he saw the horse’s stats.Night Spirit HorseAttack: 40Speed: 700Health: 930Mana: 100Defense: 200 The horse’s speed and health were impressive. Draken thought having this horse would make his travels easier. Although cars existed in this world, rare mounts like this were more valuable.Draken decided it would be great to have this horse. “Lord Luke, if you want to fight me, you must place a bet.”“If I win, I get your horse!”Luke clenched his teeth. The horse was his prized possession. How did it quit just like that? But he thought beating an F-level talent would be easy, so he agreed.“No problem, but what if you lose?
Last Updated: 2024-08-07
Chapter: Chapter 218Draken activated his Split Claw skill, and in an instant, he destroyed all the vampire bats flying towards him!Everyone watching was shocked.“What just happened? Did he really kill all those bats in a split second?”“This doesn’t seem like F-level strength.”“These bats are Lord Nazzy’s strongest attack, and Draken just blew right through them!”Even Lord Nazzy himself was stunned. He knew how powerful his vampire bats were, and normal attacks wouldn’t usually harm them much.Lord Nazzy glanced at Draken and started to rethink Draken’s power. Seeing Draken’s sharp claws made him nervous. He realized he might not be able to beat Draken.Draken, not wanting to waste time, charged at Lord Nazzy. Seeing Draken rush at him, Lord Nazzy tried to run away, but Draken was too fast. In the blink of an eye, Draken was right in front of him.“Damn it. He’s too quick!” Lord Nazzy shouted in shock.“Didn’t you say you found me a grave?” Draken asked coldly. “You’re the one who’s dead!”Draken sa
Last Updated: 2024-08-06
Chapter: Chapter 217Akpi was shocked by Draken’s words.He quickly backed away, trying to put some distance between them.“Why aren’t my attacks working?” Akpi wondered aloud.After thinking for a moment, he reassured himself, “You must have focused all your training on defense. That has to be it. Your attack, speed, and health must be much weaker than mine.”Confident once again, Akpi decided he could break through Draken’s defenses with his speed over time.Just then, Draken’s figure flickered and vanished!In a flash, Draken reappeared right in front of Akpi.Akpi’s eyes widened in disbelief. Draken’s speed was faster than his!Draken raised his right hand, which transformed into a powerful dragon claw. His muscles expanded, scales emerged, and five sharp claws gleamed menacingly.Akpi was stunned. How could such a fierce-looking dragon claw be considered the weakest F-level talent?Swallowing hard, Akpi stammered, “Bro, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things…”Draken remained calm. “I told you
Last Updated: 2024-08-05
Chapter: Chapter 216Gaffa stood in the center of the formation and shouted, “Start now! Find your opponents! You have one minute!”Immediately, more than half of the male students in Class Two locked their eyes on Draken and moved toward him.One student rushed forward and yelled, “Draken! Let me be your opponent!”This made the others panic. They all wanted to face Draken and didn't expect someone to cut in line.“Draken, come and fight me. I’ll be gentle!”“Draken, we used to be friends. Let me have this opportunity!”“Grant me this opportunity, and I’ll make it up to you!”The scene was chaotic as everyone rushed toward Draken. He gave a faint smile, finding it ironic how they had just comforted him in class. Their hypocrisy was now clear.A quick-footed student reached Draken first. “I’m the first here. I’m Draken’s opponent. The rest of you are too late!” he announced proudly, thinking his ranking would improve easily.The others stopped, filled with regret.“This guy sure runs fast!”“I missed it.
Last Updated: 2024-08-02
Chapter: Chapter 126The march east did not grow easier. Each day the air grew heavier, darker, as if the very sky bent low with dread. The land was sick beneath their feet. Ash drifted over fields where no fire had been. The rivers they crossed ran black, thick as oil, and the priests whispered that the water carried curses.Soldiers grew silent. At first, they marched with songs and cheers. Now they moved with bowed heads, their boots dragging, their voices hushed. Every sound felt swallowed by the land itself.On the seventh day, they found a village burned to nothing. But unlike the others, this one held no corpses on the ground. Instead, the air carried whispers. Faint, chilling voices rose from the ashes, as if the dead still begged for water, for mercy, for life.The soldiers froze. Some clutched their ears, others fell to their knees. A priest cried out, “The shadow binds their souls! This is Vazquez’s work!”Mason stood in the center of the ruin, silent, his silver eyes scanning the ash. His s
Last Updated: 2025-09-28
Chapter: Chapter 125The messenger’s words still hung in the tent like smoke. “The east burns. Vazquez’s remnants gather. The shadow is not dead.”No one moved. The kings sat frozen, their crowns heavy on their heads, their eyes wide and pale. The generals stared at the messenger as though the words themselves were poison.It was Queen Seraya who spoke first. Her voice was low, sharp as a knife. “Then all our arguments mean nothing. If the shadow marches, none of us can stand alone.”King Alaric snarled, his hand clenching the table. “And you would put us all under him?” He jerked his chin toward the camp outside. “That… creature who walks in fire?”“Creature or not,” said Lord Brennar, his scarred hands steady, “he is the only one the men will follow now. You know it. I know it. Deny it if you wish, but the fire has already crowned him.”The tent erupted again. Voices clashed, curses flew, pride and fear filled the air like smoke, then the flap opened, and Mason entered.He did not storm in. He did not s
Last Updated: 2025-09-28
Chapter: Chapter 124The fire shuddered. The great column of flame, tall as a tower, trembled as though it would tear itself apart. Sparks burst in every direction. The heartbeat thundered, faster, stronger, rattling armor and splitting stone.Men screamed. Women wept. Some fell to their knees, pressing their foreheads into the ash. Others stumbled back, hands over their faces, crying that the fire would consume them all.The priests raised their arms higher, their voices shrill. “The Saint is here!” they shouted. “The Flame Eternal rises!”But even their cries cracked with fear, for the fire shook like a living beast ready to break free.The column of fire began to fold inward.At first it sank slowly, as if collapsing under its own weight. Sparks spiraled down, drifting like burning snow. The glow dimmed to gold, then to red, the edges shrinking smaller and smaller.A whisper spread through the crowd. “It’s fading. It’s over. He’s gone again.”Some soldiers sobbed in despair. Others sagged in relief, b
Last Updated: 2025-09-27
Chapter: Chapter 123The altar was gone. In its place stood fire. A column of flame towered from the earth, white at its heart, gold at its edges, sparks falling like embers of a forge. The light blinded the valley, brighter than sun, searing the eyes of all who looked upon it. Heat washed over the battlefield, heavy and suffocating.The heartbeat shook the ground again. Once. Twice. Steady, louder, stronger. Men fell to their knees, some in awe, others in terror. Priests shrieked and wept. Kings shielded their faces with their cloaks. Soldiers cried out to gods old and new. The flame pulsed. Shadows leapt and twisted across the broken stones. For an instant, shapes seemed to move inside the fire. One priest cried out, his eyes wide and wet. “I see him! The Saint walks with wings of fire!” He tore at his robe, beating his chest with bloody fists. “Bow! Bow before the Flame Eternal!”Another priest laughed, wild and broken. “No! Look! A crown of light rests upon his brow. He is the king of fire, ruler o
Last Updated: 2025-09-26
Chapter: Chapter 122The altar shook like a living thing. Stone groaned beneath the weight of its own breaking. Cracks raced across the black surface, glowing at the edges with faint light. Sparks shot upward in bursts, swirling into the night. Each pulse was stronger than the last.Soldiers stumbled back, some falling to their knees, others clutching their weapons as if blades could protect them from fire. Shouts rose, raw with panic. “What is it? Is the rift opening again? No, the fire, look!”The cracks widened, a low rumble echoing deep below. The sound was like a heartbeat, steady, unrelenting, felt in the ground and in their bones.Norra dropped to her knees again, pressing her hands to the stone. Her palms burned but she didn’t pull them back. Tears streaked her face, her eyes wide. “It’s him. I know it. I know it’s him.”John crouched beside her, his silver eyes sharp, his jaw tight. He felt it too, the pulse, the heat, but his voice was steady, measured. “Something’s coming, yes. But whether it’
Last Updated: 2025-09-26
Chapter: Chapter 121Ash drifted down like snow. The battlefield was a graveyard of silence. Only the wind moved across the broken altar, carrying the smell of stone, blood, and smoke. The rift was gone, burned away, but its shadow still lingered in the air, and yet, sparks rose from the cracks.At first they were faint, like fireflies, drifting upward in silence. Then more came, glowing brighter, swirling together in slow, gentle spirals. They gathered above the ruins, small lights in the dark sky. A murmur spread through the soldiers. Heads lifted. Eyes widened. Some gasped, others fell to their knees.“Look,” a soldier whispered, pointing. “The fire’s still here.”“It’s him,” another said, her voice trembling. “It’s Mason.”Norra pushed forward, stumbling across the broken ground until she reached the heart of the altar. She dropped to her knees, pressing her hand against the stone. Her skin burned, but she did not move it away. She closed her eyes.Yes. There it was. A pulse beneath her palm. Faint
Last Updated: 2025-09-25
