The alarm buzzed before sunrise. Han Jiwoo rubbed his face, arms still aching from the resonance test. A week had passed, yet the memory of the explosion and the strange energy that followed refused to fade.E-rank. Dual attribute. Unknown. Those words echoed in his mind like an annoying loop he couldn’t turn off.His phone vibrated on the desk. “Mom” flashed on the screen.He answered. “Mom?”“Jiwoo, you look pale. Are you eating properly?” her voice was warm but edged with worry.“I’m fine. Just tired.”His father’s voice joined in from the background. “We reviewed your awakening data. The resonance was… unusual.”“Yeah,” Jiwoo said, leaning back. “They called it ‘unknown.’ Whatever that means.”There was a long pause on the other end. Then his mother spoke softly, “Did they treat you badly because of it?”“Some stared. Some laughed. It’s fine.”Seojin’s tone shifted to command. “Eclipse Academy’s entrance exam is next week. Enroll there.”Jiwoo frowned. “Eclipse? Isn’t that where s

The first day at Eclipse Academy’s Combat Division didn’t start quietly — it started with chaos. “Form up! Three lines!” Instructor Baek Gunho’s voice hit like thunder. Every student snapped to attention. Jiwoo fell beside Minjae, with a wooden sword in hand. “I’m Instructor Baek Gunho,” he said, eyes sharp, tone harder. “S-Rank combatant. Former Vanguard. I’m not here to babysit. I’m here to see who deserves to stay.” Whispers broke out. “Wait, that Baek Gunho?” “The Sword of the Red Dawn? He’s a legend!” “Your first drill’s simple,” Baek said. “Survive.” The floor panels opened with a hiss. Dozens of training dummies rose from hidden compartments, each armed with wooden swords. “No mana. No armor. Only raw strength. Begin.” Someone in the back raised a hand. "Sir, how long do we—" "Until I get bored." "What? Is he serious?" "Without mana? We'll get killed out here!" "That's insane—these dummies hit like a maniac!" The dummies lunged. Panic swept the lines — first-year

The morning bell rang through Eclipse Academy, cutting through the lingering fog that hung over the courtyards.Students streamed between the stone paths, laughter and chatter blending with the faint hum of mana channels flowing underfoot.For the Combat Division, it was supposed to be an ordinary morning — drills, conditioning, and basic weapon forms. But today was different.A notice had been posted on every dorm board at dawn:Combined Lecture — Combat & Elemental Divisions: Mana Theory and Combat Applications.Instructor Chang Soomin & Instructor Baek Gunho.The kind of class where most first-years prayed not to embarrass themselves.Jiwoo adjusted his uniform collar as he walked beside Minjae across the courtyard. The air still smelled faintly of oil and stone dust from yesterday's drills. His body felt fine, though a dull heaviness still lingered in his chest — like he hadn't fully woken up."You sure you're good?" Minjae asked, hands tucked behind his head. "The nurse said you

Morning light spilled over the training field, cutting through the faint mist that clung to the academy grounds.The Combat Division stood in formation, rows of gray-and-silver uniforms gleaming under the rising sun. The air hummed faintly — the sound of mana channels beneath the field, alive and restless.Instructor Baek Gunho paced in front of them, hands behind his back, eyes sharp as blades."Formation drills. Three rounds," he said. "Keep your core steady — no one leaves until I say so."A whistle cut through the air.Wooden swords clashed. Students grunted, stumbled, and swung.Among them, Han Jiwoo moved with quiet precision — not the strongest, not the fastest, but unyielding.His strikes were clean, his stance unbroken. The memory of Baek's spar still lingered in his body, the rhythm of each swing carved into muscle.Baek watched from the side, arms folded. His gaze flicked to Jiwoo once — unreadable — then back to the rest."Discipline first. Power comes later," he barked. "