Monday, May 25, 675—the final day of the midterm exam, and the last few hours the students would spend on the island of Jigwa.
At 7:30 AM, the air was crisp, and a gentle breeze stirred the leaves, creating a pleasant rustling sound, while the flowing water of the river added an undeniable beauty and elegance to the surroundings.
Yet, hidden within this paradise lay a hell, fraught with endless hardships and challenges.
The first-year students had endured a great deal of misfortune during their time on Jigwa. Nevertheless, the number of students eliminated remained relatively low.
Eighty students were disqualified for various reasons—some nearly losing their lives while battling waves of monsters, others falling victim to lethal poisoning.
Additionally, 45 students were killed by Edward in the early stages of the midterm exam—just hours after it began—before Edward himself was killed by Yuta during the second quarter of the exam.
In total, 126 out of the 560 students were eliminated, leaving 434 remaining on the island. These students had gathered toward the center of Jigwa, keeping as much distance as possible from the "Origin Tree"—a move driven by their own survival instincts.
The students were eager to leave Jigwa, having suffered through so many trials and tribulations. Although only two and a half days had passed in the outside world, the time spent on the island felt like eleven full days and nights—a period consumed by battles against beasts and an environment that seemed like an inherent enemy.
With only a few hours left before their departure, the participants felt a sense of relief as they conversed among themselves.
The same was true for the inhabitants of the five continents, all of whom were engaged in heated discussions about the events that had unfolded during the examination.
---
Meanwhile, on the Northern Continent, near the Hua Yu clan...
An eighteen-year-old youth wandered through the forests of Northern Mount Yun Gai, his long, coal-black hair reaching his waist. His dark, expansive eyes were so deep and void-like that they resembled bottomless abysses. He wore the attire typical of a Gu Master, with a belt around his waist adorned with three stars—a mark signifying a Rank 3 Gu Master.
He moved without a specific destination, attempting to gather his scattered thoughts. He then channeled the energy from his primeval sea into a Rank 3 Moonblade Gu.
A three-meter-long, crescent-shaped blade of moonlight erupted from his palm, hurtling toward a "Hundred-Beast King" class boar that was charging at him with great speed.
"Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!"
Xiao Haoran narrowed his eyes slightly as he dodged the attack of the boar, which was as massive as a full-grown elephant.
Leaping over the beast, he directed the Moonblade toward its weak point—its neck—severing its head from its body. A satisfied smile spread across Xiao Haoran's lips as he gazed at the boar's carcass lying on the ground, then at his own palm, where the crescent-moon tattoo had reappeared.
"I am stronger than I was in my previous life, even while remaining at the same third rank."
"Back in my former world, attempting to fight a 'Hundred-Beast King' rank beast would have been nothing short of sheer madness—a death wish, pure and simple."
"Yet, I managed to kill it with absolute ease, despite being only at the intermediate stage of the third rank. Quite an achievement, indeed."
His expression returned to a cold, indifferent mask as he looked down at the boar. He began to skin the creature and harvest its horns, using a sharp dagger—aided by his 'Moon-Governing Gu'—to sever the massive, multi-meter-long horns.
Within a few minutes, Xiao Haoran had finished skinning the boar and securing its horns.
The thick hide of an ordinary boar might be valued at around 100 spirit stones; however, given that this was a 'Hundred-Beast King' rank specimen, the value of its hide and horns increased significantly—the hide alone was worth 650 spirit stones, while the horns fetched 456.
In total, the hide and horns of a 'Hundred-Beast King' were worth 1,106 spirit stones. Only a fool would let such a bounty go to waste.
Having finished, Xiao Haoran departed the scene immediately, leaving the rest of the carcass behind—after all, it was the body of a colossal boar, and he had no way to store it within his own storage Gu. Secondly, the scent of blood would attract other beasts—creatures he might not be able to defeat if they swarmed him—so it was better to leave the carcass behind and move on.
"That's enough for today... It seems today is the final day of the midterm examination for that Versalkin Academy."
Xiao Haoran muttered this to himself as he leaped through the treetops with great speed and agility.
A few minutes later, Xiao Haoran arrived at the gates of the Hua Yu Clan.
Entering the clan grounds, he found the streets completely deserted, leading him to a single conclusion:
"They must all be at the clan center, watching the conclusion of the midterm exam."
"Wasting my time watching someone else's progress—what a squandering of my precious time."
With that, Xiao Haoran headed off to sell the boar's hide and tusks, paying no mind to an event that had shaken the entire human world—as if it were of no consequence at all.
---
On the Southern Continent, within the Tae Clan...
The renowned investigator Tae Hoon and his daughter, Tae Chung-ah, sat in their usual spot, watching the final moments of the midterm examination.
Tae Chung-ah was struck by the level of skill attained by her peers; she spoke with astonishment about the prowess and strength of the Versalkin Academy students:
"Father, the students of Versalkin Academy are incredibly skilled—veritable monsters—especially a few of them."
"There's Jia Guilford, daughter of the Magic Emperor; the son of the former Magic Emperor, Beatrice; and Kethali, daughter of the Magic Master Balgord." "In addition to that, there's the son of the 'Strongest Human' and head of the De Moliere-Roitch family, his relative Grey, and the heir to the Mount Hua Sect, Jian Yi."
A smile spread across Tae-hoon's face as he looked at his daughter, who was brimming with excitement—her eyes overflowing with the determination to become the strongest.
"But, Father, there were some monsters even among the commoners."
A look of feigned puzzlement crossed Tae-hoon's face as he gazed at Tae Chung-ah.
"And who are these 'commoners' who managed to impress you?"
"They're Berfika Al-Aslahan, Tom Fragelson, and Armin Sigmort. They're all first-year students in the same class—except for Jiya, who's in the 'Legend' class."
Tae-hoon gazed at Tae Chung-ah for a few seconds before speaking with complete composure:
"Haven't you forgotten someone?"
A look of confusion crossed Tae Chung-ah's face as she gazed at her father, her chin tilted upward.
"Who do you mean when you say I've forgotten someone?"
Tae Chung-ah's eyes widened as she realized whom her father, Tae-hoon, was referring to.
Her expression shifted into a mixture of annoyance, hatred, and contempt.
"You mean Yuta Caseral—the son of the Marquis of Yamirzas, who was demoted from a baron to a marquess a few months ago, right?"
"He is gifted; he defeated the scions of the Great Duchies and the heir to the Mount Hua Sect, and he even faced three deities simultaneously. He is a terrifying entity."
"And yet, he is someone who follows the Demonic Path. This means the Orthodox Faction loses another rising talent, while the Demonic Faction gains a truly formidable one. Haaah..."
A sigh, heavy with frustration, escaped Tae Chung-ah's lips involuntarily.
Tae-hoon let out a soft chuckle as he watched her—a reaction that only deepened her irritation at his mockery.
"You're mistaken in how you describe Yuta. He is far worse than just someone who follows the Demonic Path, my dear Tae Chung-ah."
The frustration vanished from her features, replaced by deep surprise and bewilderment.
"What do you mean—'worse' than that?" "He killed Edward Brezik in front of the entire population of the five continents—without a shred of concern. You even mentioned before that he possesses a demonic nature, rooted deep within his very being."
Tae-hoon took a sip of his tea as he listened to her. He remained entirely unperturbed by her blunt and impolite reaction.
After all, Tae Chung-ah was only eighteen and still knew little of the world; her response was, to him, perfectly understandable—there was no reason to be bothered by it.
"In this world, there is white and black, good and evil. When you encounter those who are 'good,' you rarely face any major trouble. But when dealing with the 'evil'—the villains—you must always remain on guard against their treachery and betrayal."
"Yet, there are others—far more dangerous, and far harder to fathom, sway, or negotiate with—who exist in the 'gray' area. To them, good and evil are merely tools to achieve their own ends. They will do anything to serve their own personal interests."
"That is why, when I say Yuta has a deeply rooted demonic nature, it means he belongs to that 'gray' category—he isn't simply a 'villain.' Even villains and scoundrels, after all, tend to have some form of principles."
"But individuals like him possess no principles or morals whatsoever. You must be very careful around such people, my dear daughter, Tae Chung-ah."
Stunned by Tae-hoon's words, Tae Chung-ah clenched her hand—a gesture of respect.
"Thank you for your counsel, Father Tae-hoon." Meanwhile, inside the observation hall at Versalkin Academy...
Academy Director Soliver and his deputy, Carter Bligers, were present. Before the academic year began, Carter had worked with officials from the Celestial Immortals Academy to coordinate preparations ahead of the students' arrival.
The two academies were originally slated to merge for an entire year, but the decision was halted for several reasons—including an inter-academy competition and the millennial celebration of the victory over the Demon Realm—along with other undisclosed factors.
The instructors currently overseeing the three tiers—Regular, Elite, and Legendary—as well as those slated to teach them in the future, were watching the unfolding events on Gigua Island in real time.
"This year's students are truly impressive! Only 80 have been eliminated so far—that's an achievement in itself," remarked Yoshika Kiyotowa with clear admiration.
"Hahahaha! This year's cohort is absolutely remarkable—especially that student, Yuta Caseral. He took down Edward with such ease, even though Edward had already eliminated 45 other students. It's a truly stunning feat!" exclaimed Deputy Director Carter Bligers, visibly impressed by the new students' skills.
Director Soliver's expression sharpened, his eyes widening as he heard Carter praising Yuta.
After all, Yuta had threatened him—mentioning his daughter, among other things—so it was only natural that he would harbor a deep hatred for the boy.
Yet, due to the intervention of the 'Sky Division,' he was left completely powerless to act against him—a reality that only fueled his growing rage and frustration. Nevertheless, he decided to play along with his deputy, Carter Blighers, and refrain from showing any hostility toward a student from the Versalkin Academy—doing so would have dealt a severe blow to his own reputation.
"Yes, you're right. After all, he is the top-ranked student—the best and strongest among the first-years."
"Not much time left now. Tomorrow, they return to the Versalkin Academy; they must be quite eager to leave this hellhole, wouldn't you say, Carter?"
"Indeed. Given that they've faced death at every turn, it's only natural that they'd be excited to get out of this examination site."
Meanwhile, Bao Xin-yi, the instructor for the 'Legends' class, and Kaito Ishikawa, the instructor for the 'Elite' class, were discussing the upcoming integration between the Versalkin Academy and the Heavenly Immortals Academy.
The two academies had been following this tradition for thousands of years.
Each academy would select its finest students and send them to the other institution for an entire year—an arrangement designed to help them adapt to a different environment and interact with individuals from entirely different worlds.
This event, which takes place every century, has consistently kept the students of the Versalkin Academy at the forefront of cultivation.
After all, the fantasy realm—designated as 3525336 df—is inhabited exclusively by users of 'Datian Roots,' leaving no room for those who wield Mana or 'Gu' to thrive. However, due to the differences between the worlds, the very structure of the souls of those entering that realm would undergo a transformation. Although this process was intensely painful, it granted the students the ability to survive in environments devoid of mana or natural energy.
"I've heard of Yao Changji from world 3525336-df. There are many rumors about him; it is said that he has defeated numerous masters of the Demonic Path."
"He is considered the pride of the Orthodox Faction in his world."
Bao Xinyi spoke calmly as she reviewed the profiles of the students in the 'Legends' class—a group under her supervision.
However, Kaito Ishikawa recalled something Yuta had said several weeks earlier, when the name Yao Changji was mentioned.
Flashback:
"Have you heard of Yao Changji, Kaito Ishikawa?"
Kaito remained kneeling on one knee, looking at Yuta, puzzled as to why he was asking.
In the eyes of the people in his world, Yao Changji was a beloved figure—a man of great honor and chivalry.
Kaito Ishikawa remained silent for several minutes before answering Yuta's question:
"Yes, I have heard of Yao Changji, the heir to the Yao family. He is a well-known figure; he helps everyone and dedicates most of his time to defeating and subduing the warriors of the Demonic Faction."
A mocking smile spread across Yuta's lips as he gazed down at the kneeling Kaito.
"You know something? The most poisonous frogs are often the most beautiful and innocent-looking. The deadliest entities are, more often than not, the most beautiful—not the ugliest."
Kaito's expression shifted to one of confusion as he looked up at Yuta, who sat upon his throne, staring back at him.
"Are you saying that Yao Changji only pretends to fight the heir to the Demonic Arts, while he himself is that very heir?"
"Precisely. Yao Changji is an incredibly cunning old fox; he would gladly frame anyone as the heir to the Demonic Arts if it meant securing personal gains or furthering his own interests."
"He reminds me of Gu Changge from the novel *I Am the Villain in a System*—or perhaps *I Am the Destined Villain*." Kaito did not understand Yuta's final remark, nor did he attempt to. Nevertheless, he gathered one thing: they were about to face a dangerous enemy.
An adversary as perilous as the "Scorpion" organization—a group that lurks in the shadows, manipulating the world without anyone even realizing it.
Yao Chang-ji does much the same in his own realm, pulling the strings from the shadows, unnoticed by all. This is a reality that demands extreme caution—especially once they enter Yao Chang-ji's world next year.
End of flashback.
Kaito returned to his own thoughts, then cast his gaze toward the list of students, checking on their progress. [Number — Name / Surname — Date of Birth]
01 — Yuta Caseral — 23 / 07 / 659
02 — Beatrice Azwasen — 18 / 06 / 663
03 — Ruichi de Molière — 03 / 04 / 659
04 — Lucy Kathali — 12 / 12 / 659
05 — Grey de Molière — 14 / 03 / 659
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09 — Tom Fragelsen — 11 / 01 / 659
10 — Armin Siegmort — 22 / 02 / 659
11 — Perfika Alaslhan — 28 / 03 / 659
12 — Hua Jian Yi — 15 / 10 / 659
...........
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18 — Kristan Yorgam — 10 / 11 / 658
19 — Nicholas Yorgam — 04 / 02 / 659
20 — Kazuhiro Kenzayel — 03 / 05 / 659
21 — Leon Brittain — 12 / 08 / 659
22 — Inuyasha Brittain — 12 / 08 / 659
Kaitowa's gaze remained calm as he assessed the developmental level of each student—until his eyes rested upon Yuta Caseral and Beatrice Azwasen.
They were monsters who ruled the elite class with an iron fist, possessing a level of talent the likes of which the world had never seen before. Ring... ring... ring...
Kaitwa opened his phone and found a message from Yuta that left him somewhat puzzled.
[Mr. Yuto]
[The ceremony is about to begin. All that remains is for the guests to arrive—and for the guest of honor to lose his honor. The world will be stunned by this spectacular sight.]
Kaitwa closed his phone and turned his gaze toward the gates, which displayed everything happening inside Jijwa Island.
Everything appeared normal; there was nothing suspicious to be seen.
"The calm before the storm, the peace before a war... It seems a massacre is about to unfold, involving the guests, the 434 students, and the 132 instructors—who were stationed here to monitor the students and clear out any dungeons that exceed their level. That makes for 566 people in total, it seems."
---
Grey sat down, watching as Ryuichi sheathed his sword, a weary smile etched across his face.
"Not much time left now—just a few hours until the midterm exam ends, right?"
"Yeah, you're right. We've really pushed ourselves these past few days. Honestly, I just want to sleep for days on end and eat in bed without lifting a finger. That would be better than any reward the academy could offer—unless, of course, the reward is a vacation!"
Ryuichi looked on, bewildered by Grey's words, before bursting into laughter at his constant grumbling.
"Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!" "Grey, you really are a strange one!"
Grey glanced at Ryuichi with slight annoyance, then laughed it off, as if nothing had happened.
---
Elsewhere, Jia slowly opened her eyes; her body was racked with exhaustion and fatigue.
"Ugh, my head! It hurts so much!"
Jia groaned, struck by pain the moment she regained consciousness.
A few minutes later, the pain subsided. She headed to a nearby stream to wash her face, only to discover that her black hair had turned white, and her light-violet eyes had shifted to a deep crimson.
To her further bewilderment, she had ascended to the rank of "Sacred Ruler" in just eleven days.
She had bypassed the "Senior" rank, reaching "Sacred Ruler"—and then "Master Ruler"—in an incredibly short span of time, in a manner that was as strange as it was incomprehensible, even to her.
Though her expression was one of pure astonishment, deep within her being, she sensed that she had not yet tapped into even 0.000001% of the power that lay dormant inside her.
She stared blankly toward the lake, then fastened her sword at her waist.
A nagging feeling took hold—a sense that something was amiss—though it took her a few minutes to fully grasp what it was.
Her intuition warned her that something was wrong; the silence was too profound, harboring the seeds of an impending, dire catastrophe.
Although she had never before made decisions based on her intuition, she figured there was no harm in taking precautions. Should something unexpected occur—for nothing in this world is perfect—the possibility of students coming under attack, however slight, remains a real one.