Marcus returned to Luminaris Academy the next morning with a carefully practiced expression of surprised excitement. He wore his academy robes with his new Bronze Rank badge prominently displayed—a small bronze shield emblem that replaced his previous Iron Rank marker.
The reaction was immediate.
"Marcus?! You're Bronze Rank?!" A student spotted him first, eyes widening.
"When did that happen?"
"How did you advance so fast? You were Iron - Mid Stage just a few weeks ago!"
Marcus played his role perfectly, looking embarrassed by the attention. "I'd actually been stuck at Iron - High Stage for months. I finally saved enough from selling potions to buy a batch of high-grade mana crystals and broke through last night during cultivation."
It was close enough to the truth that he could deliver it convincingly. He had been at Iron - High Stage. He had broken through last night. He just conveniently left out the part about absorbing a pirate captain's crystallized remains.
Gerald Thornhill pushed through the crowd, his Bronze - Low Stage badge suddenly less impressive now that Marcus matched him. "Selling potions? You're just a student!"
"Bronze Rank Alchemist, actually." Marcus pulled out his certification badge and showed it casually. "I passed my examination three days ago. Professor Blackthorne sponsored me."
That caused another wave of reactions. Bronze Rank Alchemist and Bronze Rank Cultivator? Most students took years to reach Bronze in even one discipline.
"That's... actually impressive," Gerald admitted reluctantly. "Though Bronze - Low Stage is still pretty weak. I've been Bronze Rank for over a year now."
"Congratulations," Marcus said mildly, taking a bite of the pastry he'd been carrying. "I'm sure your family's wealth purchasing mana crystals for you had nothing to do with that."
Snickers from the crowd. Gerald's face reddened, but he couldn't really argue—everyone knew his family bought his advancement.
Professor Blackthorne appeared, cutting through the gathered students. "Mr. Aldrich, congratulations on your breakthrough. Though I'm not surprised given your recent certification." She studied him with interest. "Bronze - Low Stage, but your aura feels... unusually solid. Strong foundation."
Marcus had worried about this. Absorbing Redfield's crystallized mana had given him a more robust cultivation base than normal Bronze - Low Stage. He'd prepared an explanation.
"I spent a long time at Iron Rank building my foundation, Professor. I wanted to make sure my base was stable before advancing."
"Wise decision. Many young cultivators rush advancement and pay for it later with unstable cores." She nodded approvingly. "You should register your new rank with the academy administration. Your dormitory assignment will change—Bronze Rank students have access to better facilities."
Better facilities meant better cultivation chambers, access to the advanced training halls, and most importantly, less suspicion about his activities. Bronze Rank students had more freedom and fewer restrictions.
After registering his advancement, Marcus made his way to Advanced Combat Applications—a class previously restricted to Bronze Rank and above. Professor Kellan ran this class, and it focused on practical combat techniques.
The training hall was impressive: enchanted floors that could repair themselves, practice dummies that fought back, and combat rings with protective wards to prevent fatal injuries.
"Ah, Mr. Aldrich!" Kellan called out. "Heard about your advancement. Welcome to advanced training. Grab a practice weapon and pair up—today we're working on weapon techniques enhanced with mana reinforcement."
Marcus selected a training dagger from the rack—similar weight and balance to his Null-Steel daggers, but without the enchantments or poison coating.
"Pair with Thornhill," Kellan instructed. "You're both Bronze - Low Stage, should be evenly matched."
Gerald looked less than thrilled but took position opposite Marcus in one of the combat rings.
"Rules are simple," Kellan explained to the class. "First to land three hits wins. Mana reinforcement is encouraged, but no destructive spells. Begin!"
Gerald immediately channeled Bronze Rank mana into his training sword, the blade glowing with power. He charged forward with a straightforward slash.
Marcus sidestepped easily—months of assassin training made academy combat feel slow. He parried Gerald's follow-up strike and countered with a precise thrust that stopped an inch from Gerald's throat.
"Point to Aldrich," Kellan called.
Gerald's face darkened. He came again, more carefully this time, using proper form. But Marcus could see every move telegraphed in his stance. He deflected three strikes, then slipped inside Gerald's guard and placed his dagger against the noble's ribs.
"Point to Aldrich."
The third exchange lasted longer as Gerald tried to use his year of experience as Bronze Rank. But Marcus had spent three months fighting to the death against actual enemies. Gerald's textbook techniques were predictable, safe, academic.
Marcus disarmed him with a twist of his wrist, caught the falling sword, and held both weapons at Gerald's neck.
"Match to Aldrich," Kellan announced, sounding impressed. "Thornhill, you're too rigid. Aldrich, excellent adaptation. Your technique is... unconventional but effective. Have you had combat training outside the academy?"
"I practice a lot, Professor," Marcus said, handing Gerald back his training sword. "I really don't like losing."
"That's evident." Kellan studied him. "After class, stay behind. I want to discuss something with you."
The rest of the class went similarly. Marcus was paired against various Bronze Rank students and won every match. His actual combat experience against dangerous opponents made him far more skilled than students who'd only trained in safe environments.
After class dismissed, Marcus approached Professor Kellan. She was examining a training dummy that he'd accidentally broken during the last exercise—his Bronze Rank strength still felt unfamiliar, and he'd hit harder than intended.
"Mr. Aldrich," she began without preamble, "your combat skills are far beyond what a newly advanced Bronze Rank should possess. Your movements have the efficiency of someone who's fought for their life, not someone who learned from textbooks."
Marcus kept his expression neutral. "I've done a lot of solo training, Professor. Practicing forms, sparring with practice dummies—"
"That's not what I see." Kellan interrupted. "I see someone who knows exactly where to strike for maximum damage. Someone who doesn't waste movement. Someone who fights like a professional." She paused. "Have you been taking mercenary contracts?"
It was a logical assumption. Many students took mercenary work to earn money for mana crystals. Nothing illegal about it, though the academy discouraged it due to safety concerns.
"A few escort missions," Marcus lied smoothly. "Guarding merchant caravans in the outer districts. Nothing dangerous, but it taught me to stay alert."
Kellan didn't look entirely convinced, but she nodded. "Just be careful. Real combat is different from academy training. People die when mistakes are made."
"I understand, Professor."
That evening, Marcus attended his first Bronze Rank alchemy workshop—an exclusive class for certified alchemists where they worked on more advanced formulas.
Professor Blackthorne led the workshop personally. "Today we're attempting Bronze Rank Barrier Potions. These create temporary magical shields—useful for protection during combat or dangerous alchemy experiments."
She demonstrated the technique, and Marcus followed along carefully. The formula was complex, requiring precise manipulation of defensive mana matrices while brewing.
His first attempt produced a potion that worked, but the barrier it created was weak—barely Bronze - Low Stage quality.
"Acceptable for a first try," Blackthorne commented. "The defensive matrix needs better integration. Try again."
Marcus's second attempt was better—solid Bronze - Mid Stage quality. The barrier would stop most Bronze Rank attacks.
"Much improved. You learn quickly."
What she didn't know was that Marcus was already planning how to use his 100x Effect to create Platinum or Diamond-grade barrier potions. Defensive items that could stop almost anything, perfect for his paranoid preparation.