The Central Assembly Hall remained silent as Kael Varynshade continued his explanation. Thousands of aspirants listened carefully, knowing that the information being given might determine their future inside the Realm.
Kael's deep voice echoed across the stone hall.
"As you all know, the Soul Core is the center where your power grows stronger."
Many students nodded slowly.
A few of them whispered quietly to one another.
"Oh… so that's why they gathered everyone."
Another student replied in a low voice.
"Yeah. They want us to understand the ranking before we enter the Realm."
A tall aspirant folded his arms and said with excitement,
"And Kael Varynshade himself is explaining it. Do you realize how rare that is?"
A girl beside him nodded.
"People like him are battlefield legends. They don't waste time teaching academy students."
Another student whispered with admiration,
"My older brother once said Kael Varynshade led nine victorious wars for the Shadow Clan. He's practically a living legend."
Many students were clearly pleased that someone so powerful was explaining the system to them.
Meanwhile, Kael continued.
"Immediately after entering your first Realm Sorcery Trial, you will begin to sense your Soul Core."
Some aspirants instinctively touched their chest as if trying to feel the invisible center of power.
Kael continued calmly.
"Your Soul Core develops through several ranks."
He paused briefly before naming them.
"Beast."
"Colossal Monster."
"Devil."
"Great Demon."
"Great Tyrant."
"Colossal Titan."
A tense silence spread through the hall.
Those names sounded terrifying.
One student whispered nervously,
"Those ranks sound like monsters."
Another replied quietly,
"They probably represent the strength needed to reach them."
Kael continued explaining.
"Your Soul Core grows stronger by absorbing essence from creatures within the Realm."
Some students frowned in confusion.
Kael clarified.
"This is done by consuming the flesh of defeated creatures and absorbing their power."
A few aspirants grimaced.
"So we have to eat monsters?"
Another shrugged.
"If that's what it takes to grow stronger, then yes."
Kael continued.
"Each rank of creature provides approximately two hundred points toward the growth of your Soul Core."
Whispers spread again.
"Two hundred points?"
"So if we defeat multiple creatures, our core evolves faster."
A thoughtful student whispered,
"Higher rank creatures probably give more points."
Another answered nervously,
"Higher rank creatures might also kill us instantly."
Kael then concluded calmly,
"That concludes the first phase of the explanation."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Now for an important instruction from the academy."
Every aspirant focused again.
"After leaving this hall, each of you will report to the academy counselors."
He raised three fingers.
"You will tell them three things."
"Your title."
"The name granted to you by your clan."
"And your aspect."
Several students whispered.
"What's an aspect?"
Kael explained.
"An aspect is the nature of your power."
He gave examples.
"Some aspects specialize in combat."
"Some specialize in shielding."
"Others deal with healing, utility, or support abilities."
Many students began discussing among themselves.
"So everyone's ability is different."
"That means teamwork will matter."
Another student whispered,
"The academy probably needs that information to train us properly."
Kael confirmed this.
"The academy will use this information to organize training."
Then he added something unexpected.
"During the coming months, the weaker aspirants will receive more attention and training."
Some students looked surprised.
"They're prioritizing the weak?"
Another shrugged.
"If weak students die early, the academy loses potential fighters."
Kael finished calmly.
"Stronger aspirants will receive less supervision."
After that, he simply said,
"That is all."
Without another word, Kael Varynshade stepped down from the platform.
Immediately the hall erupted with excitement.
Hundreds of students rushed forward.
"Lord Varynshade!"
"Sir!"
"Please sign this!"
"I want an autograph!"
But just as the crowd reached the platform—
Kael vanished.
His body dissolved into shadows and disappeared completely.
The crowd froze.
"He disappeared!"
"That was a shadow technique!"
Another student whispered in awe,
"That's the power of the Shadow Clan…"
Soon academy staff began directing everyone.
"Report to the counselors!"
"Form lines!"
Thousands of aspirants rushed toward the counselor building.
Long lines quickly formed across the courtyard.
Students nervously discussed their powers while waiting.
Eventually…
it was Feyi's turn.
He stepped into the small office quietly.
A tired-looking counselor sat behind a wooden desk filled with papers.
The man barely looked up as he spoke.
"Sit."
Feyi sat.
The counselor dipped his pen into ink.
"Let's begin."
He asked the questions one by one.
"What is your title?"
Feyi answered calmly.
"Soul of Void."
The counselor paused briefly, slightly surprised by the unusual title, but he still wrote it down.
Then he continued.
"What name were you given by your clan?"
Feyi answered truthfully.
"Voidless Clan."
The pen stopped.
Slowly the counselor raised his head.
His eyes hardened.
"What did you say?"
Feyi repeated calmly.
"Voidless Clan."
The counselor suddenly slammed his hand on the desk.
"You should never joke about that clan."
His voice was filled with anger.
"And you certainly cannot lie about belonging to it."
Feyi replied honestly.
"I'm not lying."
The counselor's expression turned furious.
Before Feyi could react—
SLAP.
The blow struck his face violently.
Feyi fell from the chair.
Blood burst from his nose and mouth.
The counselor pointed to the door angrily.
"Get out!"
His voice echoed across the hallway.
"Do not insult this academy with such lies!"
Feyi stumbled outside.
Students immediately stared at him.
"What happened?"
Someone asked the counselor.
"He claims he belongs to the Voidless Clan."
The reaction was instant.
"What?!"
"He's lying!"
"You can't joke about that!"
A group of angry aspirants surrounded Feyi.
One pushed him.
Another punched him.
Soon several students began beating him.
"You liar!"
"How dare you say that name!"
Feyi collapsed to the floor as fists rained down on him.
Then a powerful voice thundered through the hallway.
"ENOUGH!"
Everyone froze.
A tall man walked forward.
It was Sanctified Aurelian—the professor who had brought Feyi to the academy.
His presence alone forced the students to back away.
Aurelian lifted Feyi from the ground.
The crowd quickly scattered.
Aurelian carried him toward the academy healer.
Blood still dripped from Feyi's face.
After a moment, Feyi spoke weakly.
"…Do you believe me?"
Aurelian looked at him calmly.
"Do you remember the day you told me about your clan?"
Feyi nodded.
Aurelian sighed quietly.
"Listen carefully."
"Do not tell random people about the Voidless Clan."
Feyi frowned slightly.
"Why?"
Aurelian answered seriously.
"If you had said that in front of a Sacred or Sanctified warrior…"
He paused.
"…you would either be a ragdoll."
"…or a dead boy."
They soon reached the healer's chamber.
After leaving Feyi there, Aurelian quietly departed.
Later, after receiving treatment, Feyi slowly returned to his dormitory.
His body ached.
His face was bruised.
But one thought kept echoing in his mind.
Why did everyone react with fear and anger when they heard the name…
Voidless Clan?