Chapter 103 – Pact of ShadowsThe arena’s spotlight burned harshly down upon the assembled challengers, each one expected to outclass Max Vale by pedigree alone. Their bloodlines were etched in gold, their reputations polished like royal insignias. Yet, beneath the gleaming surface, Max—once the city’s overlooked underdog—was shattering expectations with a speed and precision that left even the most seasoned observers unsettled.Principal Wren’s eyes narrowed behind his spectacles, suspicion coiling like a serpent in his gut. How was Max outpacing these so-called elites? He recalled the whispered rumors: Max had been training under Miss Raelyn, the enigmatic instructor known for molding warriors out of nothing but sheer will and ruthless discipline.It wasn’t a secret anymore, but the truth was darker, more complex. Max’s sudden surge of strength wasn’t just Raelyn’s handiwork—it was a calculated evolution, something the higher-ups refused to acknowledge.

Chapter 105 — Echoes Within the Neon LabyrinthMax Vale felt the familiar hum of the Xeon System pulsate beneath his skin, a quiet storm brewing just beneath the surface. Though he had sworn to restrain his Xeon power, using it only when necessity carved a path, the raw, untamed energy still surged unpredictably within him.That day, during their journey, Max had nearly absorbed the border’s residual power—an instinctive siphoning his body rejected to acknowledge fully. He suspected that once his gravitational field saturated, any lingering energy would automatically flow into his being. The system confirmed it: once the field brimmed, it greedily devoured every trace of stray force.Every morning, Max retreated to the shadowed woods surrounding BB City to wrestle control over this volatile power, yet the Xeon current remained a wild beast, refusing to be tamed. He estimated that releasing even a fraction of his charged energy—after absorbing a mere two bl

Chapter 107 — Echoes of CollapseMax Vale slowly lifted the sleek helmet from his head, the visor sliding off with a faint hiss, revealing eyes bright with quiet triumph. Across from him, Lyra Kestrel’s face shifted from confident pride to raw disbelief as she removed her own helmet, strands of dark hair clinging to sweat-dampened skin.The battlefield around them—an endless VR expanse of swirling cosmic void punctuated by distant stars—held the tension like a coiled spring. Max’s lips curled into a subtle, almost amused grin.“Thanks for letting me win a little,” Max said, voice low but laced with wry respect.Lyra’s brow furrowed, frustration tightening her jaw. “Cut the crap. How the hell did you pull that off?” Her tone was sharp, a dagger aimed straight at his composure.Max chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Such rough language from a lady. You might want to soften your edge—some of the girls are watching.”Behind her, the

Chapter 109 – Clash of Titans at the Ring of Resolve The announcement from Principal Wren sliced through the tense air like a whip crack. “Echelon Academy versus Redemption High! All contenders, assemble at Ring-A.” The name Echelon Academy sent ripples through the vast expanse of the Xeon User Training Hall. The crowd stirred, murmurs swelling into roars. Everyone recalled the relentless storm that Max Vale had unleashed just yesterday, breaking the exchange of knowledge with brutal precision and icy command. Now, anticipation clenched their guts. Who among the Echelon ranks would dare replicate that savage dominance? Knowledge was one thing, wielding raw power through the Xeon System was another beast entirely. This was a collision not of minds, but of claws and wings, fire and steel. The bellow came again: “Ascension Academy versus Eagle Wings High! Move to Ring-F, fighters.” One by one

Chapter 111 — Veil of the Unseen VanguardThe crisp air around the dueling grounds buzzed faintly with lingering tension, like the quiet hum before a storm breaks loose. Max Vale’s gaze rested thoughtfully on the whirlwind of motion before him. Among the flurry of combatants, one figure stood out—Angy, the lightning-fast striker representing Blackrock Schools. Her presence wasn’t just notable; it was pivotal.Max’s lips curved in a rare, approving smile. “Well done, Angy,” he murmured, his voice low but edged with respect.Her silhouette darted across the field, a streak of iridescent energy flashing beneath the sun. Angy wasn’t merely participating—she was orchestrating chaos. Her speed eclipsed every other contender’s, the fluidity of her movements a seamless symphony of grace and deadly precision. Though she hadn’t yet matched Max’s own unparalleled prowess, the raw velocity she wielded carved a fearsome reputation.Max observed closely how her