We stood alone in the courtyard.
The academy noises felt distant, irrelevant.
My master finally spoke.
"You've reached the point where you deserve to know my name."
I turned toward him.
He removed his cloak.
For the first time, I saw him clearly.
"I am Vaelor Dreyn," he said.
The air trembled.
Even the system went silent.
That name—
I didn't know its meaning yet.
But the world did.
Far away, in sealed chambers and ancient halls, reactions erupted.
"Vaelor Dreyn? Impossible!"
"He vanished decades ago!"
"The War Butcher… is alive?"
Fear spread faster than rumors.
Back in the courtyard, I swallowed.
"Who are you… really?"
Vaelor looked at the sky.
"A failure," he said calmly.
"And a survivor."
He turned to me.
"I once stood where you stand now," he continued.
"Limitless potential. Endless enemies."
His gaze sharpened.
"They tried to control me. When that failed… they tried to erase me."
The system pulsed again.
[Legendary Mentor Confirmed.]
[Hidden Path Unlocked: Predator Ascension.]
Growth Rate Increased Further.
My heart pounded.
A legendary butcher.
A man feared by nations.
And he was my master.
"You're not training to be strong," Vaelor said.
"You're training to be untouchable."
He stepped closer.
"And that means the world will come for you."
As if on cue, the academy alarms rang.
Mana barriers flared.
An instructor shouted from afar.
"Elder! A high-level envoy has arrived!"
Vaelor smiled faintly.
"So soon…"
High above the academy gates, a group of figures descended.
Robes marked with ancient sigils.
Power rolled off them like a tide.
One voice echoed across the grounds.
"Hand over the boy."
Silence fell.
Vaelor placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Watch carefully," he said.
"This is how legends answer."
The Endless Growth System pulsed violently.
[Major Event Incoming.]
I clenched my fists.
The stage had just expanded.