Chapter 1 — Awakening of Skills
The morning sun spilled across the city of Valeria, glinting off the spires of the Guild Hall and the countless towers that stretched like fingers into the sky. Today was the day every student at Arcanis Academy had been waiting for—graduation evaluation. The day the world would see what skills they had awakened, and the first step into their futures.
Kael adjusted the strap of his satchel, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves tighten his chest. Around him, his classmates chattered, laughter bouncing off the stone walls, but his focus was elsewhere. This wasn't a festival. This was the day that decided whether someone would rise or fall in the hierarchy of this world—a world where skill defined destiny.
The streets were alive with guild banners fluttering, the marketplace humming, and the occasional rogue mage testing a small fireball in the distance. It was modern in many ways—cobblestone streets lined with neon signs and floating lanterns, carriages powered by magic engines—but it still held that unmistakable fantasy charm: dungeons could appear anywhere, monsters could crawl from the shadows, and a single skill could make someone a legend overnight.
Kael took a deep breath. Today, his path would finally reveal itself.
The evaluation chamber was massive, a circular hall with crystalline walls that reflected the sunlight like a thousand mirrors. At the center floated the Arcanis Core, a sphere of shifting light that recorded and measured every student's abilities. Students lined up, their robes rustling, each waiting for their turn.
When it was Kael's turn, he stepped forward. The Core pulsed, casting ripples of light over him. A quiet voice echoed in the chamber:
"Skill detected: Shadow Step. Rank: C."
Kael blinked. C? Not the highest, but it was… unusual.
Shadow Step wasn't flashy like the fire magic some of the top students got. It was subtle, precise, and completely tactical. A skill like this didn't show power at first glance—it had to be mastered.
The Core shimmered again.
"Potential detected: High."
A small smile crept onto Kael's face. High potential. That meant if he trained, learned the limits of this skill, he could surpass almost anyone.
After Kael, the evaluations of the others continued.
Kaito thundered forward, his presence solid and immovable. The Core pulsed:
"Skill detected: Earth Fist. Rank: B. Potential: Moderate."
Kaito grinned, rubbing his hands together. He didn't need flashy. Strength and defense suited him perfectly, and he loved it.
Haruto ignited a tiny arc of flame between his palms.
"Skill detected: Flame Arc. Rank: A. Potential: High."
He puffed his chest, flames dancing eagerly. True to his personality, fire mirrored his energy—aggressive, passionate, unstoppable if unleashed.
Shin stepped forward silently, eyes flicking around the room. The Core hummed softly.
"Skill detected: Mind Spike. Rank: C. Potential: Very High."
His skill was subtle, cerebral. Illusions and mental manipulation, barely noticeable now—but with enough strategy, it could turn the tide of any battle.
Airi floated forward gracefully.
"Skill detected: Healing Light. Rank: B. Potential: High."
Her aura radiated warmth. Not the kind of person to fight head-on, but the glue that kept a team together.
Finally, Mika stepped up, flipping her twin arc-blades in a casual spin.
"Skill detected: Arc Blade. Rank: B. Potential: High."
Her style was fluid, offensive yet versatile, a perfect hybrid. She smirked at Kael as if to say, Let's see what you've got.
When evaluations ended, the six of them gathered outside the chamber. The sun was higher now, the city bustling, and guilds already sending recruiters to observe the graduates.
Kael looked at the group. They weren't friends yet, not fully—but there was something about this team. Complementary skills, complementary personalities, and something else—an unspoken trust.
"I guess we're partners now," Kael said, giving a small nod.
"Partners, huh?" Haruto grinned, sparks of fire curling around his fingertips. "Guess I'll have to carry all of you through the first dungeon then."
Kaito laughed, slapping Haruto on the back. "Try not to get us killed first."
Airi smiled softly, looking at Kael. "Let's do our best together. We'll need it."
Mika twirled her blades, eyes glinting. "This should be fun."
Shin didn't say much. He merely observed, calculating. But Kael caught the hint of a small smile.
It was a beginning.
The first dungeon appeared that afternoon, just outside Valeria's guild territory—a ranked dungeon, irregular and sudden, as all dungeons were. Rumors had already spread: small monsters, clever traps, and the chance to test skills in a real fight.
Kael's heart raced. This wasn't a test in a chamber—it was the real thing. He looked at his team, each with their own nervous excitement. This was where skills met reality.
"Ready?" Kael asked.
"Always," Kaito said, cracking his knuckles.
"Let's see what we're made of," Haruto added.
Together, they stepped into the dungeon's entrance. Shadows shifted, stone walls twisted unnaturally, and the faint sound of growls echoed from deeper within.
Kael felt a thrill. This was it—the first real step into the unknown.
And even if the world seemed normal today… Kael knew, somehow, there was something hidden beneath it all, waiting for the right time to reveal itself.
End of Chapter 1