The next morning, sunlight filtered through the windows as Aura stretched in bed. As soon as he stepped out of the room, he noticed something different. Lily and Kael were smiling—genuinely, for the first time in days.
"Aura," Lily called joyfully. "The goblins… they've called off the attack. The academy stepped in for us!"
Kael nodded beside her. "Our scouts returned early this morning. The goblin war chief himself delivered the message. They're retreating."
Aura blinked, stunned. Was this because of the vice president? He remembered the man saying, "I'll do something about that."
On the way to school, the village streets were bustling. Foxy children played again. Adults wore relieved smiles. A merchant passed by, humming a tune. The air was lighter—hopeful.
When Aura reached the school, he didn't waste time. As soon as he spotted the vice president, he marched up to him.
"Sir… was that you?" Aura asked, staring into the man's calm eyes.
The vice president smiled, his sharp features softening. "Yes. I told the academy. If something happened to your village, it would be a waste." He chuckled. "They sent a messenger right away."
Aura bowed lightly. "Thank you."
Then he looked up, determination burning in his eyes. "Can I fight stronger monsters now? At least level 7 or 8? I can handle them."
The vice president's expression hardened slightly. "No."
"Why not?" Aura frowned. "I just want to train harder."
"You're only Level 4. A Level 8 monster's strength is comparable to two Level 8 humans. You're asking to jump four levels."
"I can do it," Aura insisted. "Please trust me."
The man sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Listen, I've already reported your progress to the academy. If something happens to you, I'm responsible."
"Wait—you already told them about me?"
"Of course. Do you think the academy would help your village for free?" he asked with a small smirk. "They know your name now."
Aura was silent for a moment. "Then… can I at least fight Level 4 monsters?"
The vice president thought for a moment, then finally nodded. "Only if you pass a test."
Aura tilted his head.
"We'll release a single Level 5 monster. If you can handle it, I'll open Level 4 access."
Without waiting for a response, the man led Aura down to the chamber arena again.
Inside, he tapped some commands into the control panel. "Let's see what you've got."
A gate creaked open, and a snake-like monster slithered out, its scales dark as stone and eyes glowing red.
Aura didn't wait. Before the creature could even react, he dashed forward, his fist glowing golden.
"Dragonpunch Sutra!"
A thunderous crack echoed through the chamber as his punch drilled straight into the monster's face, smashing its skull into the floor. The beast twitched once—and died instantly.
[+5 XP. Current XP: 5/1000]
Behind the glass window, the vice president and the chamber technicians stared in disbelief.
"…Did he just one-shot a Level 5?"
Then the vice president burst into laughter. "Alright, alright! You win. I'll unlock Level 4 and 5 monster chambers. You're not normal, kid."
He personally opened the gates to the next rooms and walked away humming.
Soon after, two more gates opened.
[+4 XP]
[+4 XP]
Aura raised a brow. "System, please mute the XP notifications again."
[Confirmed.]
With that, he dove into combat. Blades of claw, tail whips, snapping jaws—it was endless. Aura didn't stop. His body moved like water and fire, shifting between strikes and dodges, fists glowing.
Hours passed.
A soft, golden light enveloped his body.
[Level Up! You've reached Level 5.]
[Skill Gained: Detection]
Description: Allows you to perceive the level of any living being up to 20 levels higher than your current level. Any being more than 20 levels above you will display as [Level: Unknown].
Aura paused and took a deep breath.
"System," he said. "Show me my stats."
[Displaying status...]
Name: Aura
Race: Unknown (Classified)
Class: Mystic Combatant
Level: 5
XP: 22 / 1800
HP: 190 (+40)
Attack: 39 (+14)
Defense: 62 (+24)
Mana: 78 (+24)
AP: 16 (+8)
SP: 9 (+5)
Skills:
Primordial Aura (Upgradable – Cost: 20 SP)Humanization (Not upgradable)Imaginary World (Upgradable – Cost: 20 SP)Supernova Flame (Consumes 6 mana/sec – Not upgradable)Detection (Not upgradable)
Martial Arts:
Dragonpunch Sutra
"Ah…" Aura exhaled, smiling faintly. "Now that's progress."
He left the chamber, his steps a little slower than usual. The vice president saw him and gave a small wave.
"You done already?"
"I'm Level 5 now," Aura replied calmly.
The vice president blinked. "…Of course you are. Why am I even surprised anymore?"
"I'll go home now," Aura said.
"Go rest. You've earned it."
At home, he was greeted with warm food, soft laughter, and a very sleepy Riku. Even the Queen had come to dine.
"Everything going well at school?" she asked.
"Yes," Aura nodded. "Also… the vice president helped stop the goblins. He said it was for me."
Kael and Lily exchanged shocked glances. The Queen narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. "The Royal Academy acted directly?"
Aura nodded. "He said it was because of my potential… and also told them about me."
The Queen's eyes glinted with pride. "You've made waves already."
"What's your current level now?" Lily asked curiously.
"Five," Aura replied, almost casually.
The room fell into stunned silence again.
Even Kael choked slightly on his drink. "Already…?"
The Queen laughed softly. "Then you truly are destined for greatness."
After dinner, Aura retreated to his room, lying on the bed beside Riku.
"System," he whispered, "I forgot to assign AP again. Allocate everything to mana."
[Allocating 24 AP to Mana...]
[Updated Stats]
HP: 230
Attack: 43
Defense: 86
Mana: 102 (+24 from AP) = 126
AP: 0
SP: 14
Aura smiled, pleased with the increase.
[Note: At Level 4, your stats already exceeded the average Level 10 of other races. With Level 5 now attained, you're capable of challenging higher-tier monsters for faster growth.]
"Faster leveling and more power… I like that."
Aura curled up beside Riku, the warmth of the blankets mixing with the satisfaction of the day.
Sleep came easily.
Tomorrow, he would train harder.
He had one month until the Monster Challenge Arena.
And he would be ready.