Morning light streamed through the window, casting a soft glow across the room.
Qalish stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his academy uniform.
For a moment, he paused—
Looking at his own reflection.
Messy black hair fell naturally over his forehead, slightly unkempt yet somehow fitting him perfectly.
His eyes…
A clear shade of blue. Calm, yet carrying a depth far beyond his age.
His features were sharp and well-defined—
Not overwhelmingly handsome, but undeniably attractive.
The kind of face that wouldn't immediately stand out in a crowd…
Yet the more you looked, the harder it was to ignore.
Back on Earth—
He could have easily passed as an average idol.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today…
Was his first day at the Monster Academy.
Foxy sat quietly on his shoulder, her fluffy tail swaying gently.
"Stay quiet today, okay?" Qalish whispered.
Foxy let out a soft chirp.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before leaving, he stepped into the main room.
His parents were already there.
Qalish's eyes flickered slightly.
Monster Analysis.
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🔍 Father's Status (Hidden View)
Name: Viridis Lumen
Level: 19
Crystal Type: Wood Element Crystal
Crystal Rank: D
---------------------------------------
Monster: Verdant Bark Ursus
Rank: D
Type: Beast
Element: Wood
Skills (3/4): Root Bind , Bark Armor , Regrowth
Potential: C Rank
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🔍 Mother's Status (Hidden View)
Name: Viridis Rohany
Level: 17
Crystal Type: Fire Beast Crystal
Crystal Rank: E
---------------------------------------
Monster: Blaze Wing Sparrow
Rank: E
Type: Beast
Element: Fire
Skills (2/3): Fire Feather , Heat Pulse
Potential: D Rank
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Qalish's gaze softened slightly.
"They've worked this hard… just to survive…"
"Eat properly before you go," his mother said gently.
Qalish nodded.
"I will."
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After a short meal, he stepped outside.
Two familiar figures were already waiting.
"Finally! You're late again!"
A cheerful voice called out.
It was Aiden—his childhood friend.
Messy brown hair, energetic expression, and always full of life.
Next to him stood a girl.
Long silver hair. Calm expression. Gentle yet observant eyes.
Ailyn.
"You're late," Ailyn said softly.
Qalish smiled faintly.
"Just a little."
The three of them had grown up together.
Their bond…
Had nothing to do with status or rank.
Ailyn, despite coming from a wealthy and mysterious family—
Never once looked down on Qalish.
To her—
He was simply a friend.
"So?" Aiden leaned forward.
"What kind of Monster did you get?"
"Just an F Rank fox," Qalish replied casually.
Aiden blinked.
"…Seriously?"
"It doesn't matter," Ailyn said calmly.
"You're still you."
Aiden crossed his arms.
"Yeah. Rank or not, you still Qalish."
He grinned.
"Just don't drag us down too much, okay?"
Qalish let out a small laugh.
"…Idiot."
His eyes flickered.
Monster Analysis.
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🔍 Aiden's Status
Name: Aiden
Level: 1
Crystal Type: Beast Crystal
Crystal Rank: B
---------------------------------------
Monster: Iron Fang Wolf
Rank: B
Element: Metal
Skills (2/6) : Steel Bite, Iron Body
Potential: A Rank
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🔍 Ailyn's Status
Name: Ailyn
Level: 1
Crystal Type: Spirit Crystal
Crystal Rank: A (S Rank Hidden)
---------------------------------------
Monster: Sylpharia Wind Spirit
Rank: A
Element: Wind
Skills (2/7): Wind Blade, Speed Boost
Potential: SS Rank
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Qalish's eyes narrowed slightly.
Aiden… B Rank.
Ailyn… A Rank… No—S Rank hidden.
"As expected…"
"She's not normal."
Ailyn came from a wealthy family.
At least…
That was what most people believed.
But those who paid closer attention—
Knew there was something… different about her.
Her background was never openly discussed.
No one knew which kingdom she truly belonged to.
No one knew her family name beyond what was shown.
Yet—
Even the academy instructors treated her with subtle caution.
It wasn't just wealth.
It wasn't just status.
It was something else.
Something deeper.
Something… hidden.
Qalish narrowed his eyes slightly.
She's not just rich…
There's something more behind her.
"Let's go! We're going to be late!" Aiden shouted.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monster Academy
The academy stood tall—
A massive structure built from white stone, with glowing crystals embedded into its walls.
Students filled the courtyard.
Excitement. Pride. Anxiety.
Then—
A familiar voice echoed.
"Well, if it isn't the F-Rank loser."
Qalish turned.
Nateant.
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🔍 Nateant's Status
Name: Nateant
Level: 1
Crystal Type: Beast Crystal (Light)
Crystal Rank: A
Monster: Light Horn Lion
Rank: A
Element: Light
Skills(3/7): Holy Charge, Radiant Roar, Light Armor
Potential: S Rank
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nateant smirked.
"You still came? I thought you'd give up already."
Aiden stepped forward.
"Watch your mouth."
"Oh? The B Rank wants to act tough?"
Nateant laughed.
"…And an A Rank."
He glanced at Ailyn.
"At least you two have value."
Then—
His gaze shifted to Qalish.
"Unlike him."
Qalish said nothing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Enough."
A firm voice cut through the air.
Instructor Kael Draven stepped forward.
"Class, gather."
"Today…"
"You begin your journey as Awakened."
He raised his hand.
A Crystal appeared.
"Your Crystal determines your starting point."
"But—"
"It does NOT determine your ending."
He continued:
"To grow stronger…"
"You must evolve your Monsters."
"And remember this—"
"Every 20 levels, a new Crystal will form in your Inner Space."
Murmurs spread among students.
"That Crystal will allow you to contract another Monster."
"However—"
"The rank of the new Crystal will ALWAYS match your original Crystal."
"Which means…"
"If you want stronger Monsters…"
"You must evolve them from the beginning."
Qalish's eyes flickered.
"So even new contracts… don't change the limit."
"Then how do you upgrade a Crystal rank?" a student asked.
Kael answered calmly:
"Through Monster evolution."
"Only by raising your Monsters beyond their limits…"
"…can you affect your overall growth."
Qalish fell silent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kael continued:
"Tomorrow—"
"You will enter the academy training grounds."
"A controlled forest known as…"
Verdant Hollow Forest
"It contains Monsters between Level 1–3."
"Perfect for beginners."
"Prepare yourselves."
Qalish clenched his fist slightly.
My first hunt…
Foxy shifted on his shoulder.
Qalish looked forward.
Calm. Focused.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside his mind—
The system panel flickered.
[New Quest Available]
Qalish froze.
"A quest…?"
A faint smile appeared on his face.