Here, once a person completes their 10th grade (age 16–17), they can join academies for the awakened—if they are one—or continue on to other fields.
---
Kyle, done with breakfast, got up from his seat, checking the time as he did. 7:43 AM.
He turned to the others. "I'll be heading to school now."
There was the usual back-and-forth as they wished him a good day.
"Well then, have a nice day, Kyle," his mother said.
Emi chimed in cheerfully, "Bye~ brother, have a nice day!"
Smiling, he returned the sentiment and stepped out of the dining hall.
At the door stood a man who appeared to be in his 40s.
Offering a graceful bow with one hand over his chest, he said, "Good morning, young master. The car's ready for departure anytime," with a courteous nod.
It was Mr. Miles—Kyle's butler. A man who had been with the Ordal family since Kyle was a child. Dressed in a sharp black suit, well-groomed, with gentle eyes and a calm smile, his manner was always precise yet comforting, and his measured voice carried a quiet warmth.
"Good morning, Mr. Miles," Kyle responded. "Let's head out, then."
Outside the mansion, a beautiful fountain marked the center of the pathway. Well-trimmed trees and colorful flowers lined the path, enhancing the estate's elegance. Everything was pristine, just as one would expect.
Out there a car was parked. The sun glinted off the polished exterior of the car as they approached. It radiated luxury.
Inside, the leather seats offered a soft, enveloping comfort. The smooth hum of the engine promised a flawless ride—a perfect blend of performance and luxury.
As they drove through the gates, Kyle looked out the window, his thoughts drifting to Valor Academy of the Awakened—ranked first in all of Aurelia. That's where he wanted to enroll.
Summoning his system, he thought:
"Status."
---
[------------------STATUS WINDOW-------------]
Name : KYLE ORDAL Age : 16
Ability : 1. Combat Foresight [B]
2. Guardian Forge. [S]
Aether : C Strength : C Agility : D Perception : D+ Vitality : C [-------------------------------------------------------]
A blue panel flashed before his eyes, revealing his stats and abilities.
It was a decent level for someone his age with no real combat experience.
Though he had done basic training, that alone wouldn't take him far. He needed professional guidance and real combat if he wanted to reach the top.
He checked his abilities again:
1. Combat Foresight: See incoming attacks three seconds ahead. Works if the attack is within the field of vision.
2. Guardian Forge: Can form full combat armor around the user, enhancing every stat.
Stage 1: Dawnguard
Stage 2: ???
???
He understood the full potential of his powers, but he still hadn't unlocked the later forms of Guardian Forge.
Dismissing the panel, he stared at his reflection in the window.
"I'm still weaker than I thought," he muttered. He needed to grow stronger if he wanted to protect the people around him.
---
Meanwhile, at Ron's place—
After finishing breakfast and the dishes, Ron checked the time on his phone.
"7:47 AM. I should head out now," he said to himself.
Heading into the living room, he saw his father, William, sitting on the couch with his laptop.
"Hey Dad, I'll be heading out now," Ron said.
Turning toward him, William replied, "Alright. Have a good day. Also, I'll be home late tonight, so go ahead and have dinner without me."
William was the CEO of a mid-sized construction and development firm called Buildwork Corporation—a company that handled infrastructure and housing projects for both government and private clients.
"I see… Alright then. Don't overwork yourself," Ron said, already turning to leave.
"Don't worry, I won't," William chuckled, knowing full well Ron wasn't the talkative type—but he still cared for others.
Outside, Ron walked through the neighborhood, his pace steady. The morning sun stretched long shadows across the road. A few shops were opening, shutters clattering up, and the smell of fried snacks wafted through the air. People were starting their day—some sweeping porches, others locking their gates.
A kindergarten bus honked softly as it stopped outside a gate. Ron barely glanced at it—he knew the routine.
Passing the usual bakery, he nodded at the old man always sitting outside and kept walking.
The bus stop came into view. Three people were already waiting. One of them was a young office worker he saw every day.
Soon after, the bus arrived. Ron boarded with the others and found a seat by the window.
He, too, was thinking about Valor Academy—the best and most demanding institution. He had to be ready for anything if he wanted to join.
Looking ahead, he mentally called out:
"Status."
---
[------------------STATUS WINDOW-------------]
Name : Ron Ashford Age : 16
Ability : Absolute Copy [S]
[Copied Abilities]
Aether : C+ Strength : D+ Agility : E+ Perception : D Vitality : C [-------------------------------------------------------]
His stats were above average—and he had an S-rank ability. Not bad. But not overwhelming either.
To copy an ability, Ron had to know what it was and make physical contact while copying. That part was awkward, especially for someone like him. Even then, he didn't copy the person's experience—just the ability itself—meaning he had to train it from scratch.
And the copied abilities were lower in rank then the original, so he had to train and raise their ranks.
He could also use multiple abilities at once, but how many—and how long—depended on how much strain and energy consumption his body could handle.
So he trained. Quietly. Every day. He knew he could become strong if he didn't give up.
He looked through his current copied abilities:
1. Physical Enhancement [E+]
2. Combat Intuition [D+]
3. Shadow Step [D]
He had taken these from other students—one of them being his friend. But it took a lot of effort to master and improve them. He also kept his original ability a secret—if people knew, it would make copying others nearly impossible.
And Valor Academy? It wasn't just the best—it was also the perfect place to "borrow" more abilities.
The bus screeched to a halt.
"We have reached District 5. Please remember to take all your belongings," the driver called out.
Ron got off after paying the fare, and checked the time—8:01 AM. He still had time. Walking toward school, he noticed other students along the path. For today, he was gonna take it easy. Not that it was anything new.
Walking along, the school came into view. The gates were open as he entered the campus. It was modest in size and well-maintained.
At that moment, he received a text from his friend saying he had saved a seat for Ron and that he should come inside the auditorium. Replying quickly, Ron moved toward the auditorium.
Outside the auditorium, flowering vines climbed the stone pillars that framed its broad front steps. A rustling breeze stirred the school flags fluttering from the rooftop. Students milled about, chatting in small groups.
---
At the same time, Kyle arrived at Silverleaf Academy in District 1.
The car pulled up at the gate, and Kyle stepped out. After that, the car drove away as Kyle entered. The campus was pristine, with excellent infrastructure and a strong sense of order.
Following the flow of students, he made his way toward the auditorium. Along the way, some called out to him—it was Luke, a close friend of his.