"And if I refuse?" Aldric's voice cut through the silence like a blade, his gaze unwavering as he stared down the three figures before him. Their presence was an intrusion he hadn't invited, their intentions as transparent as glass.
Celestine Academy had long been pressured by outside forces to admit more male disciples, but these men were not here to train or contribute. They were here to exploit the academy's resources—and more importantly, its women. Despite their status as mere outer disciples from the Ironclad Order, they acted as if they owned the place. And now, their greed had reached new heights.
The moment Lady Seraphine had bestowed the Dragon Blood Divine Pill upon Aldric, their eyes had burned with avarice. This pill was among the rarest and most powerful, capable of breaking cultivation barriers in mere moments. To them, Aldric was an easy target, a powerless orphan under the academy's protection.
Ferran stepped forward, sneering. "You really think you have a choice?" His smirk was laced with contempt. "A weakling like you, only surviving because of Lady Seraphine's kindness, dares to defy us? Our Ironclad Order's elders are just outside this academy's gates. Even if I crush you right here, do you think she would dare oppose us?"
The Ironclad Order was indeed powerful, ranking above Celestine Academy in the continent's hierarchy. Power was divided into five tiers:
Palaces (like Celestine Academy)
Sects
Mansions
Empires
Divine Nations
Celestine Academy, though prestigious, was still beneath the Ironclad Order in raw strength. This imbalance emboldened Ferran and his companions, making them believe that even Lady Seraphine had no choice but to yield before them.
"Yeah," Ferran's lackey chimed in, laughing cruelly. "I'm giving you a chance to keep your dignity. You're nothing but a pathetic insect. And yet, you dare to defy us?"
Aldric's eyes turned cold. Every time someone called him trash, something burned deep inside him. But coming from these pathetic leeches? That fury turned to ice.
"Oh? You think your dear Lady Seraphine can protect you forever?" Ferran taunted, his arms crossed, relishing Aldric's silence. "What a joke! You're a waste of space!"
Aldric took a step forward, his fists clenched. "Leave now—or die."
Ferran's eyes flickered with amusement. "Hah! You've got guts, I'll give you that." With a scoff, he lunged forward, his fist hurtling toward Aldric's face.
Ferran was at the fourth level of the Body Refinement Realm—far stronger than most students of Celestine Academy. His punch, though not overwhelming, was still deadly to a so-called 'weakling' like Aldric.
Yet, in Aldric's eyes, the attack was laughably slow.
Training might not have been his strength, but observation was. His mind calculated multiple ways to counter Ferran's attack. As he moved to evade, exhaustion from earlier training caught up to him, and he stumbled, crashing to the ground.
The trio erupted into laughter.
"Hah! You see that? He tripped over nothing!" Ferran's lackey jeered.
"The Dragon Blood Divine Pill is wasted on him!" Ferran sneered, stepping forward to seize Aldric by the collar.
Aldric's decision came in an instant. With a swift motion, he snatched the pill from his robes and swallowed it whole. The laughter stopped.
"You—you actually ate it?!" Ferran's face twisted in fury. "That was mine! I'll kill you!"
The three men lunged forward, ready to beat him into the ground. But then—
Ding!
A notification rang inside Aldric's mind.
『Congratulations! You have successfully activated the Arcane Ascension System!』
『Gained 1,000 EXP!』
『Congratulations! Level up to First Level of Body Refinement Realm!』
『Level up to Second Level!』
『Level up to Third Level!』
『Level up to Fourth Level!』
『Level up to Fifth Level!』
In mere seconds, his power surged, his once-weary muscles brimming with newfound strength.
"A system? This… this is like a game!" Aldric was momentarily stunned by the absurdity of it all. But there was no time to dwell on it—his attackers were already upon him.
"Get lost!"
Aldric's body moved instinctively. He slammed his palms against the ground, twisting his body into a sweeping kick. His strike landed squarely against their chests, sending all three flying backward.
They crashed against the walls, gasping for breath, blood spewing from their mouths.
"This… this is impossible!" Ferran struggled to his feet, his eyes wide with shock. "How is he this strong?!"
Aldric took a step forward, his gaze filled with killing intent.
Ferran fell to his knees, scrambling back. "P-please, have mercy! I was wrong! I won't ask for the pill again!"
Aldric tilted his head. "Didn't I tell you to leave or die?" He reached down and picked up a nearby spear, pressing its tip against Ferran's forehead.
"No—wait! Please!" Ferran panicked, his hands trembling. Then, in a last desperate move, he reached for a hidden dagger and lashed out.
But Aldric had already anticipated it.
With swift precision, he caught Ferran's wrist, twisted it violently, and forced the dagger back into his chest. Blood splattered across the ground as Ferran let out a strangled cry.
The poison-coated blade had done its work. Ferran's eyes dimmed, his body crumpling lifelessly to the floor.
『Ding! You have successfully slain Ferran of the Ironclad Order. Gained 300 EXP and 5 Ascension Points!』
『Obtained Martial Arts: Eagle Claw Technique, Falling Feather Sword Style, Recovery Pill!』
Aldric's breath was steady. Not only had his strength skyrocketed, but now he could even absorb martial techniques from his fallen foes.
"A system that lets me grow stronger through battle… This changes everything."
With a smirk, Aldric glanced at his status window.
Host: Aldric
Level: 5
EXP: 300/1000
Ascension Points: 5
Martial Arts: Eagle Claw Technique, Falling Feather Sword Style
Divine Ability: Ascendant Mode (Level 1)
Items: Recovery Pill
Then, another message appeared.
『Congratulations! You have unlocked the Newcomer's Gift Pack! Open it?』
Aldric grinned. This was just the beginning.
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