Forest of Obscurity
Namer University
Academia City, Namer Island
8th September 385 Post Global Unification
Eighteen years after the Hailey Incident
"Well… that didn't go the way I expected," Professor Wingram said.
He and his aide, Ayden, had been watching the clash between Eren Walker and the Hero candidate unfold on the monitors. Wingram couldn't hide his astonishment. He had been far too quick to judge. Because the soul scanner had failed to read most of Eren's data—and because the boy lacked status—Wingram had dismissed him as the weakest of the first-years. Yet Eren had shattered every one of those assumptions.
For someone at the third tier of the Initiate stage to dominate opponents ranked higher than himself spoke volumes. Among cultivators, the ability to fight above one's rank was a clear indicator of cultivation quality and potency. The higher the realm, the wider the gap between tiers—especially in the later stages.
Cultivation itself was divided into three realms, each subdivided into stages and tiers. The first was the Mortal Realm—the realm Eren Walker currently occupied. It consisted of four stages: Initiate, Acolyte, Superior, and finally Master. The Master stage was the peak of mortal existence. It was the summit most Casters and Magic Warriors dreamed of reaching—and most never did. Wingram couldn't help but imagine what kind of monster Eren Walker might become if he ever reached that level.
He would be able to challenge those of the higher realms…
The second and third realms were where gods and true monsters walked. They were realms Wingram himself had once dreamed of reaching. But after breaking into the Master stage, he had encountered a bottleneck he could not overcome. Trapped within the Mortal Realm, he could already feel his lifespan slowly slipping away.
As Wingram drifted into those bitter thoughts, unaware to him—or to any of the students below—two figures stood above the forest, hidden within the clouds. Both had suppressed the pressure of their presence so completely that no one could sense them. And yet, even restrained, an unmistakable aura of authority and regality bled from them.
Aguero Agni Kazhan raised an eyebrow as he observed the confrontation between Reo and Eren. He was impressed. Reo's opponent had seen through his sword technique—something that should have been impossible for someone at the lower tiers of the Initiate stage. Aguero knew that sword art intimately. After all, as Reo's master, it had been he who refined it.
"That kid is impressive," Aguero said, glancing toward Alexander Kinsway as they continued observing the evaluation. "Going toe to toe with the Hero candidate like that."
"Hm. Perhaps," Lexa replied flatly.
She was not impressed. To Lexa—the Sword King—Eren's performance fell short of expectations. As a fellow Irregular, she remembered what she had been capable of at his stage, and it far surpassed what he had shown. Still, she couldn't deny there were external factors at play, which was precisely why her interest in this unknown Irregular hadn't faded. Watching her expression, Aguero let out a quiet sigh.
"I still can't believe you chose to become an instructor," he said. "Was being a Division Commander really that boring?"
"And I can't believe the Hero candidate is attending Namer," Lexa countered. "As his master, isn't his education your responsibility?"
"I see no issue with Reo attending Namer," Aguero replied evenly. "This is simply another stage of his development."
"And deliberately suppressing his advancement?" Lexa asked. "Is that part of it too?"
Aguero smiled faintly. "So you noticed."
"It's obvious," Lexa said. Her internal senses had already picked up on the irregularity in Reo's cores. "They're fully saturated with World essence. He should have broken through to the next rank by now. And yet he remains an Intermediate. What game are you playing, Kazhan?"
"As I said," Aguero replied, "it's part of his development."
"Hm. You're aiming for him to win the Hero Challenge," Lexa said.
"I want him to survive," Aguero corrected. "He's a dear student of mine. Perhaps now that you're a teacher, you'll understand that."
Lexa frowned immediately, dismissing the notion outright. She had no interest in mentoring anyone. The only reason she'd taken the instructor position was her curiosity about Eren Walker. Lexa was bored—and when she was bored, she sought distraction. Eren Walker and the mystery surrounding him were perfect entertainment. Losing interest in the observation, she turned away. With a single step, she vanished from the sky and reappeared elsewhere on the academy grounds.
This section belonged to the faculty. Lexa had been granted an entire building to herself—a three-story mansion surrounded by a vividly colored garden. At its center stood a water fountain, crystal clear and softly flowing. Waiting beside it was a figure with gunmetal-gray hair and crimson eyes, dressed in a dark blue and black uniform.
"So," Reyna Greyron asked, "what do you think?"
Lexa walked past her with a yawn as the mansion doors opened of their own accord. Rey followed the Sword King inside, and they eventually settled into one of the study rooms. Lexa took a seat by the fireplace, flames crackling softly as warmth filled the room. Rey sat beside her, watching closely, trying to read her commander's thoughts.
"I didn't see any sign of that power you showed me," Lexa said at last.
"You saw my memory fragment of the event," Rey replied. "Do you think I was wrong?"
"Nah," Lexa said dismissively.
Rey frowned slightly. "That's just it. Everything about him makes no sense. A seventh Irregular appearing out of nowhere—and somehow tied to the Azural King. Do you really think it was a coincidence that Master Alastor discovered him right after the break-in at the Zangrest Library?"
"Coincidence?" Lexa scoffed. "I don't believe in it."
"Do you think he's dead… the Azural King?" Rey asked quietly. "It would explain why the seal on the Zangrest Library finally weakened enough to be breached."
"I doubt it," Lexa replied. "From what I know, the Azural King was one of the strongest mages to ever walk this world. Easily top five among those I've fought. There aren't many things capable of killing someone like that."
"It's been eighteen years since the Hailey Incident," Rey said. "Since his disappearance. The anniversary is next month." She paused. "Next month, Eren Walker turns eighteen."
Lexa's eyes shifted. "Did you look into the orphanage staff?"
"Yes. Most of them are standard believers—nuns assigned by the church," Rey said. "But one person stood out. The director, Mother Ruth Vanakar. She was once a Master-class Hunter with an impressive record. A Superior-realm mage. Then she abruptly quit, took holy vows, and was assigned to the Nation of Haumea."
"That surname…" Lexa murmured. "It's familiar."
"Yes," Rey nodded. "The Vanakar family was once a Great Minor Manaborn family—nearly wiped out sixty years ago. They were saved by—"
"The Zangrest family," Lexa finished, eyes narrowing. "Back when it was ruled by the Azural King."
Zangrest family.
Azural King.
Zangrest Library.
A seventh Irregular.
The threads twisted together uneasily. Rey opened her mouth to speak, then stopped, studying Lexa's expression.
"I may not be as close to you as I am to Master Alastor," Rey said carefully, "but I can tell something's bothering you."
Lexa didn't have her usual bored look. That alone was telling.
"I was thinking about Eren Walker," Lexa said.
She leaned deeper into her chair, drawing one knee up as her thoughts drifted back to the forest—to the fights she'd observed.
"What about him?" Rey asked.
"There was something… off," Lexa said. "Something that bothered me. I can't tell what he was feeling while he fought."
She had seen it—the strange, unreadable expression in Eren's eyes. Not rage. Not fear. Not ambition. Something unfamiliar. No matter how many times she replayed the image, she couldn't decipher it. And that unsettled her.
A faint smile tugged at Lexa's lips.
I'm glad I took this teaching job, she thought. Looks like something interesting really is hiding here after all.
****
After the Hero candidate and his companions warped away, Eren and Ash continued in silence. They cleared out the remaining simulated Maleficants efficiently, earning points without exchanging a word. They were drawing close to the exit—the thinning number of Maleficants made that much clear.
As they advanced, Ash kept stealing glances at Eren. He'd been doing it since they split off, quiet as ever, never voicing whatever was on his mind. Eren noticed, of course. He could tell Ash wanted to say something, but he didn't press him. The silence didn't bother Eren while there were still enemies to fight. Now, with barely any Maleficants left, it was starting to grate. When Ash glanced at him for what felt like the fifth time, Eren stopped and turned sharply.
"Say it," Eren said. "Whatever you're thinking."
Ash hesitated. "The Hero candidate… how was he?"
Eren scoffed. "That's what you've been dying to ask?"
"What else would I talk about?" Ash replied.
"I figured you were going to lecture me for wasting time fighting him," Eren said. "Now I don't have enough points to break into the top five."
His clash with Reo had eaten up valuable time—time he could've spent hunting more Maleficants or stealing points from others. Part of him had believed he could defeat the Hero candidate and take his points outright. That hadn't happened. He was still sitting at five thousand and sixty-nine merit points.
"How many do you have?" Eren asked.
"Eight thousand," Ash answered.
Eren faced forward again, a faint frown settling on his face as they pushed through a curtain of low-hanging branches. Beyond them lay a broad stone road leading to a towering black gate. Students crowded the area before it. Some sat on the ground, drained and exhausted. Others stood in small groups, chatting quietly as they waited.
As Eren and Ash approached, several students turned to look at them—and their expressions soured. The ones Eren had beaten. The ones he'd taken points from. He ignored them, his attention settling instead on Reo and his group, already gathered near the gate. Reo met Eren's gaze briefly and gave a single nod before turning back to his companions.
A moment later, Belle Satou joined Eren and Ash. Eren hadn't crossed paths with her during the evaluation, so they'd never teamed up—but judging by the calm confidence she carried, she'd done well on her own.
"So, you guys survived," Belle said.
"Were we ever in danger?" Eren replied.
"Hm. The Forest of Obscurity has been known to trap people in its deeper regions," Belle said. "Its enchantments are that powerful."
"If the forest is that dangerous, then why the hell are we holding a test in it?" Eren shot back.
As Eren and Belle spoke, a small group of students approached them. Eren recognized them immediately—some of his earlier victims. Two were Nobleborn, while the third wasn't an aristocrat but hailed from a wealthy and influential family.
None of them looked pleased.
"You… you vermin…" One of the green-haired nobles pointed at Eren, his rage plain to see. "How dare you raise a hand against your superior—"
"Move."
The guttural command cut him off.
All three students turned around to find Victor Jaeger and his teammates standing behind them. The color drained from their faces. They yelped and scattered instantly, fleeing the scene.
Victor approached Eren, Ash, and Belle.
He paused briefly upon noticing Belle among them, one eyebrow lifting in mild surprise, but he said nothing. His attention snapped back to Eren and Ash.
"Asterion…" Victor growled. "You damn bastard."
His aura began to rise—
Then abruptly fell.
Professor Wingram and his aide, Ayden, had arrived. Sensing their presence, Victor withdrew, retreating with his group without another word. Professor Wingram's gaze lingered on Eren for a moment before he turned to address the gathered students. With a snap of his fingers, a large screen materialized in the air, displaying the evaluation results.
"It appears you've all survived the forest. Good," Wingram said. "Displayed on the screen are the results of your evaluations. As stated before, the top five rankers will receive one thousand merit points monthly."
He swept his gaze across the crowd.
"For those who failed to reach the top five, remember—there will always be opportunities to challenge your classmates for their points."
Wingram gestured toward Ayden.
"I'll be leaving the remainder of the orientation to my aide."
He cast one final glance at Eren before turning and passing through the gate.
Unaware of the professor's interest, Eren focused on the results screen. He didn't bother scanning through hundreds of names.
When his eyes reached sixth place, he stopped.
There it was.
Eren Walker.
"Sixth place… damn. I was so close," Eren muttered.
He turned to Ash. Ash had secured second place with eight thousand points, right behind the Hero candidate, who had retained first place with nine thousand and two points. Third place belonged to Nox Havok with seven thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine points. Victor Jaeger claimed fourth with seven thousand, four hundred, followed closely by Rhea Mogarin in fifth with six thousand points.
"Looks like I'm tenth," Belle said casually.
"How is that even possible?" Eren muttered. "You're way too strong to be ranked tenth."
Eren prided himself on judging strength accurately, and he had already pegged Belle Satou as one of the most dangerous first-years. Belle merely grinned at the comment. Rankings didn't interest her much—her focus lay elsewhere, firmly rooted in her research.
Ayden, Professor Wingram's assistant, stepped forward, drawing the attention of the students. The bulky, red-haired man cleared his throat and began addressing the first-years.
"The gate behind me leads to the student dormitories, where you'll be assigned your rooms," Ayden said. "Each year is housed in a dormitory designated by color. First-years will be stationed in the Orange Dormitory."
He paused for emphasis.
"The top five ranked students will each receive their own private buildings within the Orange Dorm sector."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"As for classes," Ayden continued, "you'll be given a one-week break to acclimate. Use that time to explore the academy grounds, familiarize yourselves with your schedules, and learn the school rules. Classes will officially begin the following week, starting with an announcement from the Academy Director."
A hand shot up.
Ayden sighed. "Yes?"
It was Percy Osborn—the rich student Eren had defeated earlier.
"Professor Wingram said we could issue challenges for duels," Percy said.
"That is correct," Ayden replied.
"How does it work?"
Eren smirked. Sounds like someone wants a rematch.
"By pressing the academy insignia on your left chest pocket," Ayden explained, "you can submit a duel request, including the terms and the name of your chosen opponent. The challenged party must accept for the duel to proceed."
He raised a finger.
"However, students ranked in the top five have the privilege of refusing challenges. Those outside the top five do not."
Eren had no intention of refusing any challenge. If anything, he hoped many of his classmates would come after him—it would be the fastest way to rack up merit points.
"One more thing," Ayden added. "There is an interclass ranking tournament, held annually. Further details will be provided during your practical field classes."
He turned toward the gate and gestured forward.
"For now, follow me—to the place you'll be spending the rest of your lives as Namer students."
The gate creaked open.
****
Eren stood alone in the single room assigned to him, unpacking his belongings in silence. He appreciated the privacy—something he'd rarely known—but couldn't help feeling a faint sting of resentment that he hadn't been granted a mansion like Ash. Several hours had passed since Ayden finished guiding them through the Orange Sector Dormitory for first-years.
The tour had begun in the mansion district. Elegant, three-story estates lined the path, each extravagant in its own way. The top five Hunter candidates had each been awarded one of these mansions. From there, the rest of the students were led to a towering residential complex—where Eren learned something unexpected. The hundred students who had entered the Forest of Obscurity were not all first-years.
They were Hunter Candidates—students selected for combat aptitude and field operations. The rest of the first-year Eren encountered in the dormitory were Scholar Candidates, students dedicated to studying the deeper mysteries of Anima and magic. Just like the Hunters, the Scholars had their own rankings. Their evaluations were based on the academy's entrance examination. And at the very top of that list—
Belle Satou. It turned out one could be both Hunter and Scholar. As the number-one Scholar candidate, Belle had also been granted her own mansion, which left Eren here. A single room, shared by none—but surrounded by many. Still, he didn't complain. Compared to the orphanage—where he'd shared cramped quarters with Ash—this was a significant upgrade. After finishing his unpacking, Eren settled onto the floor in a lotus position. His black grimoire rested before him as he turned his focus inward, examining his Spirit Core.
Darkness enveloped him. Eren found himself submerged in what felt like a vast, endless ocean. At first, panic surged—his instincts screamed at him to hold his breath. But he didn't need to. He could breathe just fine. Then he felt it—a gentle but irresistible force pulling him downward. Instead of resisting, Eren let it guide him. As he descended, realization dawned.
This must be my Soul Sea.
Ash had explained it once: the Soul Sea was the mental manifestation of one's soul—both a conceptual space and a real, internal one. It was the origin point of the Spirit Circuit, the foundation upon which cultivation was built. As Eren sank deeper into the darkness, a light appeared below him. It grew brighter… and brighter… until he had to close his eyes.
When he opened them again, he was standing in a crimson hall. Towering columns supported nothing at all—there was no ceiling. Above him stretched a sky of luminescent, nebula-like light. At its center burned a colossal sphere, radiant and intense, blue flames rolling across its surface like a living star. Eren squinted. Then froze. There wasn't just one. There were four. Four blazing spheres rotated close together, bound in a slow, harmonious orbit.
My Spirit Cores…
He hadn't known there were four of them. The cores revolved steadily, drawing in the surrounding energy as they turned. When Eren focused on their motion, he felt a response—an answering pull. Anima flowed inward. The cores absorbed it hungrily, essence saturating their inner membranes as his cultivation deepened—quietly, steadily, and far beyond what anyone else realized.
Most cultivators have to meditate—actively cycle their cores to grow.
But mine… cycle on their own.
Eren absorbed the realization in silence. His Spirit Cores were passively circulating Anima without deliberate focus or meditation. Was that because he was an Irregular? He still didn't fully understand what being an Irregular truly meant. Only that he was different—fundamentally so—from ordinary Ascendant Mages. As that thought settled, something else drew his attention. At the far end of the crimson hall stood a shape he hadn't noticed before.
A throne.
…Or something meant to resemble one. The structure was formed from a massive beast's skull, its jaws spread wide, elongated fangs curving outward like ivory pillars. Nested within its maw sat an ivory seat, its armrests sculpted from smaller skulls. The cushion was deep crimson, as though blood were perpetually flowing across its surface.
The backrest wasn't solid. It was a void. Not darkness—but a rupture, a line dividing space itself, separating the hall from something deeper. Something endless. Eren felt it immediately. There was something within that void. Something was calling to him.
Without realizing it, he stepped closer. Faint whispers curled into his ears, indistinct yet insistent, urging him to sit—to claim the throne. His hand reached for the armrest—
—and was seized.
"NO. Not today."
Eren spun as a dark-blue, luminous figure slammed into him, hurling him away from the throne. The world shattered—and he was expelled violently from his Soul Sea back into reality. Eren gasped, heart racing.
Too many questions.
Too many things about himself he didn't understand. As his vision steadied, a small dark-blue orb hovered before him. Instinctively, he reached out and caught it. The orb dissolved into blue smoke, flowing into the obsidian ring encircling the middle finger of his right hand.
[Spirit Weapon Awakening: 41%]
The voice echoed in his mind. Eren stiffened. Even the gauntlet… wasn't fully awakened.
What would it be like at full power then?
He thought back to the overwhelming force the weapon had displayed before—and whether he should have used it against Reo.
No.
He shook his head.
The Spirit Weapon consumed far too much Anima. Overusing it would have been reckless—and drawing that kind of attention would have invited consequences he wasn't ready to face.
I'll have to master it, he realized. Properly.
Eren picked up his black grimoire and studied it again. No matter how he probed it with his internal senses, it felt like examining himself. The same presence. The same resonance.
What are you? He wondered. Where did you come from… and how did I even manifest you?
That strange sensation—the one he'd felt from the throne—lingered faintly within the grimoire. Which meant only one thing. They were connected. He flipped through the pages, passing over unknown runes he could neither read nor comprehend. Eventually, he reached the sections written in the common tongue. One portion detailed martial techniques—precise movements and forms required to channel power efficiently.
He skimmed it.
He had already mastered the fundamentals of the Battle Style, and his Anima fortification was progressing smoothly. Instead, Eren turned to the section that had been drawing his attention for some time now—
—and finally let his focus settle there.
[Dominion of the Crimson Anvil]
An Ability Factor that projects a territory where conflict forges reality, and reality exists only to be refined through war.
[S-Rank Ability Factor]
This ability had once belonged to Alastor Kinsway.
Eren remembered the moment vividly—the way his grimoire had exhaled a mist of darkness, swallowing a part of Alastor's spirit weapon. From what little he'd managed to decipher, the truth was unsettling. The grimoire didn't merely record power. It consumed it. It devoured the essence of others—Ability Factors, spells, battle arts—and assimilated them as its own. Once taken, those powers became permanent entries within its pages. That was why it bore its name.
The Tome of Devourer.
"So… does that mean I have to devour other people to get stronger?" Eren muttered.
The thought unsettled him. He didn't like the idea of stealing strength from others. He wanted his power to be his own—earned, refined, mastered. And yet… the grimoire was his magic. An extension of his soul. If devouring was its nature, then refusing to use it—
Wasn't that just another form of self-imposed limitation? Eren exhaled slowly and turned the page. To his surprise, another section was legible.
[Basilisk Heart]
After devouring the heart of a Non-Awakened Basilisk possessing a Mythical Physique, Devourer has assimilated the bloodline and physical traits of the Mythical Serpent Race.
Eren stared at the words. His pulse quickened. This wasn't just about techniques or spells. The grimoire could take bloodlines. Physiques. Not just power—but what someone was. Slowly, Eren closed the book. Whatever this path led to… it was far more dangerous than he'd first believed. And yet, his desire to grow stronger burned all the brighter.
Eren extended his hands once more. This time, he centered his mind completely as he initiated the process of acquiring the abilities of the Basilisk and Alastor Kinsway. Learning from a grimoire was never as simple as reading and memorizing spells. For a Mage to truly wield a grimoire's power, the knowledge had to be engraved into the Spirit Circuit itself. Only then could a spell—or an Ability Factor—be fully understood, mastered, and made one's own.
Eren knew this pain well. He had endured it once before when he engraved the martial art taken from the grimoire into his Spirit Circuit. He remembered every agonizing second. This time was worse. Far worse. He focused his internal senses on the grimoire's pages. His mental force—the power that extended perception beyond the physical—reached out and interfaced with the tome. Knowledge surged from the pages and flooded into his mind.
Then the engraving began. His mental force carved the runes directly into his Spirit Circuit. Eren felt his insides ignite. It was as though molten lava coursed through his veins. His blood boiled, followed by the Anima circulating within his circuits. The pain eclipsed anything he had ever endured.
Spirit nodes—the connective junctions of his Spirit Circuit—began to rupture open one by one. His circuit expanded violently, new pathways forming within his body as the structure of his cultivation was forcibly rewritten. And this time, he wasn't engraving a single art.
He was engraving multiple powers at once. The strain was unbearable. The agony mounted until his consciousness finally gave way. Eren collapsed, swallowed by darkness as the grimoire continued its silent work.