Every time Nick closed his distant eyes, the voice awaited him. Always patient. Always certain. It echoed only one word:
"Return."
In Astreon, there was a rule that every person had to follow, regardless of status or rank. Every child born on the planet must attend Astria Academy upon turning sixteen.
Astria Academy was not a school. It was a place that determined who mattered in this world—and who was merely useful. It did not cultivate scholars or philosophers; it forged warriors. Warriors destined to stand against the heavenly beings who had once annihilated their planet… their home.
Every successful student was granted a prestigious rank. The strongest among them might even be selected for a mission to seek the Orbs—mysterious relics said to hold the key to reclaiming all that had been lost. To be chosen for such a task was the highest honor on Astreon.
Every child dreamed of entering Astria Academy. Every child dreamed of becoming strong.
Every child—except Nick.
Because Nick knew the truth.
He knew how powerful those beings truly were. He understood that no amount of training, no matter how brutal or relentless, would allow even a single human to truly stand against them.
Not for long.
Then, one day, a package arrived at Nick's home. Inside was an envelope and a uniform for Astria Academy. His parents rejoiced uncontrollably, their faces lit with overwhelming pride and joy. Yet Nick himself felt nothing. He had never been excited to join Astria.
But that changed.
Astria offered an opportunity—the chance to locate the Orbs and, perhaps one day, return to Earth.
And so, he made a vow. He would rise above all others within the academy.
The following week, Nick prepared to leave for Astria. His parents bid him farewell with tearful yet joyful eyes. Upon arrival, he presented his envelope at the gates and was granted entry.
"It's magnificent," Nick murmured in awe as he stepped inside, his voice carrying both shock and admiration.
"Lowly people like him shouldn't even be allowed to enter," sneered several students, their gazes fixed on him.
Nick heard every word. Rage flickered within him, a desire to silence them all on the spot. Yet he restrained himself. Acting recklessly would only place a bounty on his head among the nobles.
"Even if the planet changes, humans never do," Nick muttered bitterly, pressing forward.
Ignoring the insults of the nobles, he walked on—until he witnessed a scene that halted his steps.
A boy with glasses was being mercilessly beaten by several high-ranking nobles.
Within Astria Academy, status was visibly marked upon one's chest:
*Black Badge – Students from impoverished backgrounds and low status
*Red Badge – Children of merchants and business families
*Silver Badge – Lower nobility
*Gold Badge – High nobility
*Diamond Badge – Royal lineage, heirs of kings and queens
The boy being bullied wore a Black Badge.
To Nick, such scenes were nothing unusual. Like most others, he chose to ignore it and continue walking.
"You do not deserve to be here. We will ensure you are so broken that you won't even make it to the entrance exams," one noble said coldly.
"Please… I'll do anything you want. Just stop…" the boy begged through tears.
But his pleas were meaningless.
One of the nobles soon returned with a sharp blade.
"Cut off all his fingers," he ordered casually.
The boy trembled, begging desperately for mercy—but the blade was already raised.
And then—
It stopped.
A hand had seized the noble's wrist mid-air.
It was Nick.
"How dare you filthy hands touch me?" the noble snapped furiously.
"I wouldn't have," Nick replied calmly, "if you weren't such a worthless noble, tormenting someone weaker than you."
The noble's expression twisted in rage, and he lunged forward—
But before anything could escalate, an authority figure intervened. The commotion forced everyone to disperse.
The boy with glasses, still trembling, turned toward Nick with tearful gratitude.
"Thank you… My name is Kael," he said.
Nick's expression softened slightly. "I'm sorry I couldn't stop it sooner."
Kael shook his head quickly. "Don't apologize. It's my fault for being weak… for not being able to stand up for myself."
Before they could speak further, an announcement echoed through the hall, ordering all participants to proceed to the exam grounds.
Kael grabbed Nick's arm. "We'll be late. Come on!"
Together, they rushed forward and managed to secure seats just in time.
"Everyone present here is welcomed from the depths of my heart," the announcer declared warmly.
"Every year, countless students enter Astria Academy with hope and ambition," he continued.
Then his voice darkened.
"But most are crushed before they even begin."
Kael leaned toward Nick. "Only half of the participants pass the entrance exams every year."
He explained further:
"The entrance exam is simple. You are randomly paired with another student and must fight. The battle ends only when one is unconscious or yields. The winner advances. The loser is expelled immediately."
"This year," Kael added nervously, "it will be even more difficult. A royal heir is participating."
Nick listened silently, his resolve hardening.
"I will defeat whoever is placed before me," he said quietly.
"Let the entrance exams begin!" the announcer declared.
Round after round passed. Students rose and fell. Some advanced. Many were expelled.
Eventually, Nick's name was called.
"Round 22: Rehmon von Basten versus Nick Karlheilm."
Kael turned to him. "Good luck."
"Thanks," Nick replied calmly.
As Nick stepped onto the arena, his eyes widened slightly.
His opponent was the same noble from before.
"You?" Nick said.
Rehmon smirked. "Being a noble has its advantages. I can alter matchups and acquire illegal artifacts."
Nick remained unfazed.
What disturbed him was not the man before him—but the crowd.
They jeered, insulted, and mocked him simply for his background, already declaring his defeat before the fight had begun.
Rehmon, growing impatient, charged forward with his enchanted sword. It swung down in a lethal arc—but Nick evaded effortlessly.
Again. And again. And again.
Each strike missed.
The crowd's shock slowly replaced their mockery.
Frustration consumed Rehmon. With a roar, he unleashed his most powerful artifact—a devastating blast of energy hurtling directly toward Nick.
For the first time, it seemed unavoidable.
The explosion consumed the arena.
Silence fell.
Rehmon smirked, certain of victory.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Kael, devastated, lowered his head and began to turn away.
But then—
The smoke began to fade.
A figure stood within it.
Unharmed.
Unshaken.
Unbroken.
Kael's eyes widened. A smirk formed on his lips.
"He's still there…"
Gasps filled the arena.
Nick stood without a single scratch on his body.
Rehmon's confidence shattered.
"I think…" Nick said calmly, drawing his blade, "it's time I stopped playing with you."
In an instant, he moved.
Faster than sight.
Strikes rained down from every direction—relentless, precise, overwhelming. Rehmon could not track him, let alone react.
Again and again, Nick struck.
Until finally—
Rehmon collapsed, unconscious.
Authorities rushed onto the arena and carried him away toward the medical wing.
Before losing consciousness, Rehmon muttered weakly:
"It's not that I am weak… he is just too strong…"