As Ethan stepped out of the Alchemy Building, a strange sense of disbelief washed over him. He glanced at the alchemist book in his hand — he was now Rank 9 in alchemy. Alchemy in the empire was a prestigious discipline, its rankings ranging from Rank 1 to Rank 9. And according to the information he had gathered, only three Rank 9 alchemists existed throughout the entire empire. Now, he was the fourth — a feat he had achieved not through decades of painstaking research or countless failed concoctions, but by simply allocating system points. The thought made him pause. What would those old alchemists say if they found out I bypassed years of work in seconds? He couldn’t help but chuckle. Just as he turned to leave, a sudden commotion drew his attention. Voices, laughter, and footsteps echoed from the courtyard ahead. Curious, he looked up. A group of students was walking toward the Alchemy Building, led by a beautiful young woman whose presence instantly drew attention — Lirien.

The midday sun spilled gently over Moonlight Magic Academy as Ethan and Sophia stepped out of the Grand Auditorium. The air was warm, but a strange tension clung between them. “So…” Sophia glanced sideways, brushing her golden hair behind her ear. “What’s your plan for the Trials?” Ethan shoved his hands into his coat pockets. “Still thinking. This competition’s not just about flashy magic or swordplay. There's more at stake, and I need to think bigger.” Sophia smirked. “Smart. Most just charge in swinging. But you…” She tilted her head playfully. “You don’t strike me as ordinary.” Ethan gave her a dry look. “Coming from the girl who publicly clung to me and made half the academy think we’re dating, I’ll take that with a grain of salt.” She laughed. “Guilty. But I was just helping you out. And it was fun.” They continued walking in silence until they reached the academy gates. Ethan's eyes locked onto a luxurious carriage parked nearby—a majestic, obsidian black frame in