The classroom felt… off.
Not loud.
Not relaxed.
Tight.
"…They said it's final…"
"…If you didn't reach level 15…"
"…You're out…"
No one laughed.
No one argued.
Because everyone knew—
It wasn't a rumor.
The door opened.
Kai stepped in.
For a moment, a few students glanced at him—
Then quickly looked away.
Everyone had their own problem now.
Survival.
Kai walked to his seat, posture steady despite the faint stiffness in his movement.
He sat.
Quiet.
Observing.
The teacher entered shortly after.
No greetings.
No wasted time.
"…We begin."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"…Final evaluation."
A pause.
"…Anyone below level 15…"
His eyes swept across the class slowly—
"…Will be expelled."
Silence.
Then—
"Stand when called."
"Daniel."
The boy stood quickly.
"…Level 14…"
The teacher didn't respond immediately.
Just looked at him.
Cold.
Measured.
"…Pack your things."
It landed like a hammer.
"…S-Sir…?"
"Now."
The boy froze.
Then forced a laugh.
"…Ah… you're joking, right?"
No response.
"…Right?"
His voice cracked.
The class avoided his eyes.
Slowly…
His shoulders dropped.
"…Damn…"
He sat down for a second—
Then stood again, this time weaker.
"…I really tried…"
A small, bitter smile.
"…Guess I'm just not built for this…"
He grabbed his bag.
Walked out.
Quiet.
"Mina."
"Level 15!"
Her voice shook—
But relief flooded her face instantly.
She dropped back into her seat, almost laughing from the tension release.
"…I made it…"
More names followed.
Some passed—
Barely.
Some failed—
And each failure hit differently.
One girl burst into tears immediately.
"…I studied every day…"
Another boy forced a grin.
"…Well… less stress, right?"
But his hands trembled as he packed.
Someone muttered—
"…At least you're alive…"
No one responded.
"…Kai."
Kai stood.
Calm.
"…Level?"
"…15."
A pause.
"…Early-stage F-rank."
Murmurs spread.
"…He actually made it?"
"…Seriously?"
"…Lucky…"
Rex leaned back, smirking.
"…Just barely crawling over the line."
A few chuckles.
"…Early-stage F-rank is basically the weakest tier."
Kai didn't respond.
But his gaze flickered—
Just slightly.
"…Rex."
Rex stood confidently.
"…Late-stage F-rank."
The reaction was instant.
"…As expected…"
"…That's a huge gap…"
"…He's way above the rest…"
Rex's eyes slid toward Kai.
A quiet challenge.
Then—
The door opened.
Everything stopped.
Not gradually.
Not subtly.
Stopped.
She walked in.
And the entire classroom… reacted.
"…What…?"
"…No way…"
"…She's… unreal…"
Her presence alone shifted the atmosphere.
Her beauty wasn't just noticeable—
It overwhelmed the senses.
Smooth, jade-like skin.
Sharp yet elegant features.
A quiet, distant aura that made her feel untouchable.
One boy stared too hard—
Then suddenly turned away—
"…W-what—?!"
A thin line of blood slipped from his nose.
"…Bro—?!"
Another covered his face quickly.
"…Don't look too long…"
"…I'm serious…"
Someone whispered, almost in disbelief—
"…She looks like a goddess…"
And this time—
The entire class silently agreed.
Even Kai—
Looked.
Just for a moment.
His eyes lingered slightly longer than before.
…That's… dangerous.
Not just beauty.
Presence.
Pressure.
Then—
He looked away.
Expression controlled.
She walked forward.
Unbothered.
Unaware—
Or simply uninterested.
And took a seat by the window.
Alone.
"…Transfer student."
The teacher's voice cut through the haze.
"…Aeris Vale."
A pause.
"…High-stage E-rank."
The reaction exploded.
"E-RANK?!"
"In this class?!"
"That's insane!"
Even Rex straightened.
His confidence cracked—just slightly.
Aeris didn't react.
Didn't speak.
Didn't acknowledge anyone.
"Sir, you almost skipped me."
A relaxed voice cut in.
A boy stood casually.
"…Ray."
"…Level?"
"15. Just made it."
A few students chuckled weakly.
The tension hadn't fully disappeared.
Ray glanced at Kai.
"…Close one, huh?"
No mockery.
Just a grin.
Kai exhaled lightly.
"…Yeah."
Rex scoffed.
"…Surviving doesn't mean anything."
Ray shrugged.
"…Still better than not surviving."
For a brief moment—
Aeris's eyes shifted.
Landing on Kai.
Watching.
Not his level.
Not his words.
Something else.
Something subtle.
Then—
She looked away again.
"Listen carefully."
The teacher's voice hardened.
"…Level 15…"
A pause.
"…Is not strength."
Silence returned instantly.
"It is the bare minimum…"
His gaze sharpened—
"…To avoid being discarded."
No one spoke.
Because now—
They understood.
"From today onward…"
"…Training intensifies."
"…Because outside…"
His voice lowered slightly—
"…No one will give you a second chance."
Kai sat down slowly.
The room felt different now.
Lighter for some.
Heavier for others.
He glanced across the class.
At Rex.
Confidence.
At Ray.
Ease.
Then—
At the silent figure by the window.
Aeris.
Unreachable.
Kai leaned back slightly.
A faint smirk forming.
Level 15…
Early F-rank…
His eyes darkened just a little.
This is just the start.
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