The next morning, Liam was jolted awake by a sharp beep from his academy watch.He opened one eye.A blue holographic notification appeared above his wrist.[Combat Class][Location: District H][Room 1313 — Attendance Required]Liam stared at the notification for a few seconds before finally remembering where he was."Right... classes."He sat up and stretched.His body felt surprisingly good after the previous night's breakthrough. There was still a faint soreness in his muscles, but compared to how he had felt before he began cultivating, it was nothing.He quickly washed up, changed into his academy uniform, and left his room.District H was one of the academy's many training districts. Blackthorn Academy was so enormous that students didn't attend classes in a single central building. Different years and groups were assigned to different districts, and Room 1313 had been placed in District H.As Liam stepped outside, he noticed someone else leaving the room at almost the same tim

The chaos spread across the training hall.Students who had spent the first session carefully choosing their weapons were now using them against anyone unlucky enough to cross their path.Liam kept moving.He wasn't trying to overpower anyone. He was simply trying to stay alive.Suddenly, a sword came toward his shoulder.Liam shifted half a step to the side, and the blade passed him. At the same moment, a spear came from his blind spot.Liam ducked.The spear passed over his head and struck the sword user's weapon instead.CLANG!The two students stared at each other.Liam was already gone."This is getting ridiculous," he muttered.Then he suddenly heard a shout from across the hall."Move!"Liam looked up and saw a swordsman and at the same time the swordsman swung his sword.The other user was a chain user and immediately blocked it.BOOM!Both were pushed backward, but neither seemed willing to give an inch."I don't care if you're a human prodigy!" the swordsman shouted. "I'm no

Back in Room 1313, Liam stood across from the other three members of the room.Lily's crimson eyes were fixed on Lucas."Can you handle Maguire?"Lucas leaned back slightly."How would I know? I've never fought him before."Maguire was the only other Silver-level student in Room 2000, and according to everything Liam had managed to learn about their opponents, he was a terrifying fire mage.If Lucas couldn't deal with him, their chances of winning the group battle would drop significantly."The real problem is the other three," Karl suddenly said.His eyes shifted toward Liam."There is a weakling among us."Everyone clearly knew what he was implying.Liam adjusted his glasses and smiled. It was clear that none of them knew he had broken through.Suddenly, without saying a word, Liam reached into his pocket and pulled out his dagger.Everyone stared at him strangely until he suddenly threw it.WHOOSH!Karl's eyes widened as the dagger flew toward him. He instinctively tilted his head.

The third duel was between Liam and Maguire.Liam's expression fell. How could they pair him up with a Silver-level witch?Not just any Silver-level demon, either. Maguire was an insanely talented Silver-ranked witch.Liam stepped onto the platform.Across from him, Maguire was already waiting. The Silver-ranked witch looked at him for a few seconds before sighing."You're Liam Carter, right?"Liam adjusted his glasses."Yes."Maguire glanced at the Runic Railbow in Liam's hand."I've heard about you. You're not bad for a Bronze-level human."Liam said nothing.Maguire shook his head."But you're fighting me."His eyes narrowed."Quit now."A few students in the audience laughed.Maguire continued, "I'm not interested in hurting you. If you surrender, I'll let you walk away."Liam looked at him calmly."No."Maguire frowned."You understand that I'm Silver?""I do.""And you still want to fight?""Yes."Maguire stared at him for another moment before sighing."Then don't blame me."Th

Liam looked at Lucas."How did you know I was monitoring Maguire?"Lucas, however, didn't answer.Before Liam could ask again, the academy announcement sounded throughout the arena.[Group Battle commencing.]Lucas turned away from him."Forget that for now. We need to win."Liam frowned, but there was no time to press him.A staff member approached and handed each of them a small scroll sealed with the academy's crest."Break the seal when you're ready."Liam looked down at the scroll."So we're being teleported?""Correct."A moment later, all four of them broke their seals.Light swallowed their bodies.The next thing Liam felt was solid ground beneath his feet.He looked around.They were standing in the middle of a forest.Tall trees surrounded the battlefield, their thick branches blocking out most of the sky. Rocks and patches of grass covered the ground, while a faint magical barrier surrounded the entire area.Far above the battlefield, several enormous holographic screens fl