Morning sunlight spilled through the dormitory window. Aaron sat on the edge of his bed, still replaying yesterday in his head. Hundreds of Dust Crows. Creatures so weak most hunters wouldn't waste a bullet on them. Yet those worthless birds had dumped three hundred and fifty thousand experience straight into his lap.
"System."
The translucent panel unfolded in front of him.
Host: Aaron Emegrey
Class: Laborer
Rank: E
Level: 22
EXP: 66,000 / 75,000
He stared at the line until it blurred. "…Level twenty-two."
Somehow five levels in one afternoon still felt off. A week ago he was grinding at ten like every other nobody. Now this. However, the real proof sat in his body. He clenched his fist once. Muscles answered smooth and heavy. No strain. Just power waiting.
He stood up, walked to the window, and pushed it open. Cool air hit his face. He gripped the metal frame and squeezed. The frame groaned under his fingers. A small dent appeared. Aaron let go fast and shook his head.
"Too much," he muttered. "Still getting used to it."
He glanced at the attributes.
Strength: 92
Agility: 62
Constitution: 65
Spirit: 31
Free Attribute Points: 10
Ten points left. He dumped five into strength and five into agility without thinking. The numbers updated instantly. His shoulders felt looser already.
The Abyssfang Blade leaned against the wall. Legendary. Attack power plus one ninety-five. In this world that number changed everything. Common blades gave scraps. Rare topped out around fifty. Epic crept near a hundred. Legendary jumped the gap hard. His sat dead center. Balanced. Deadly. And it had come from a random boar.
He chuckled under his breath. "The system really doesn't believe in playing fair."
Just then the door slammed open.
"BROTHER AARON!"
Rei barged in like the room owed him money, phone already out.
Aaron didn't even flinch. "You're loud. Again."
Rei ignored it and shoved the screen under his nose. "Look at this crap! The forum's gone full stupid."
Aaron raised an eyebrow. "What now?"
The academy forum filled the screen. Hundreds of posts popping every minute. Top thread: Elimination Round Predictions.
Rei scrolled fast, finger jabbing the glass. "Zheng Luic first. Kang Yue second. Some other hotshots third. And you… thirtieth. Thirtieth, man! After you wrecked Zhang Wei in qualifiers? That guy was level six!"
Aaron leaned against the desk and crossed his arms. "It's not wrong."
Rei stared like Aaron had grown a second head. "Not wrong? Brother Aaron, you're sitting on legendary gear and levels they can't even dream about. Yet these idiots have you at thirty?"
"Let them think what they want," Aaron said. He picked up the Abyssfang Blade and slid it into the sheath at his hip. The weight felt right. Natural.
Rei scratched his head hard. "You're way too calm. I'd be pissed."
Aaron opened the door and stepped into the hallway. "Predictions don't matter."
Rei hurried after him. "Then what does? Come on, tell me."
Aaron looked back once, eyes steady. "Winning."
Rei froze mid-step, then burst out laughing loud enough to echo down the corridor. "That's the spirit! Hell yeah!"
They walked out together. The academy grounds buzzed. Students sparred on the training fields, others huddled in groups whispering strategies, voices tight with nerves. A couple glanced their way, then looked again when they saw the blade at Aaron's hip.
One guy muttered to his friend, "That's the Laborer kid, right? Still think he'll make it past round one?"
Aaron didn't slow down. However, he caught the words. A faint smirk tugged at his mouth. While everyone else scrambled to prepare, he had already stepped into a different league. Three days left. When the elimination round started, the whole academy would finally see the difference.
Rei nudged him. "You hear that? They still don't get it."
Aaron kept walking. "They will."