Read Novel Full Chapter 662: Exchange Concluded (Edited)
Chapter 662: Exchange Concluded (Edited)
More than a month in the academy was enough to enrich Michael’s knowledge about the supernatural world.
If those below Rank 3 were said to be laying the foundation to wield true power, then Rank 3 and above were when one truly gained it, as the universe itself acknowledged their existence.
The first step was to comprehend a law and condense it into a law seed, then use it to ascend beyond one’s foundation.
This was Rank 3.
The next step was to comprehend one’s law to the extent it could be manifested outward. It was not as simple as using it. One had to transform the law seed into a law domain.
This stage was known as creating the seed of a world within oneself, and it marked the hallmark of a Rank 4 being.
Above this was Rank 5, where that domain transitioned into a small world capable of containing living creatures.
Rank 3 was within Michael’s reach, but Rank 4 and 5 were still far away, and only the heavens knew when he would attain them.
So something related to beings at that level naturally caught his attention.
He no longer frowned at the thought of meeting the kingdom’s higher-ups and even felt he should be a bit more proactive.
But first, he needed to understand the situation.
In the Lionheart Kingdom, the power stages went from Basic to Intermediate to Advanced to Grand Stage, and then to the Great Stage, which was equivalent to a Rank 3 being.
Above that, a Rank 4 was known as a Legendary Being.
"The secret realm of a legendary being?"
Arianne nodded softly. "To make things easier to understand, allow me to summarize everything from the beginning," she said.
Michael leaned back slightly in his chair, listening.
"It all started when the old king stepped down from the throne to retire," she continued.
Michael’s eyes narrowed slightly. He had already known of the king’s retirement from the moment he encountered the natives in the Land of Origin.
In fact, he had even encountered two of the possible successors to the throne during his time in the capital. One had appeared during the auction, and the other he had seen in Mage Lian’s office.
Still, he couldn’t see how the king’s retirement connected to the secret realm she mentioned. He didn’t interrupt, though.
"It is said that there has never been a Lionheart King without the strength of the Grand Stage," Arianne began. "Every ruler in our history, without exception, has held that level of power."
Michael tilted his head slightly, curious now. "Every king?"
She nodded. "Yes. I’ll let you in on a secret, though it’s one known among noble houses and those with influence."
"Every talentless Lionheart King in history that reached that level was helped."
Michael’s eyes narrowed faintly. "Helped?"
"Through a ritual," Arianne said simply. "A ceremony known only to the royal bloodline and their closest retainers. It forcefully pushes the chosen heir to the peak of the Grand Stage, granting them the strength worthy of a ruler. In a world governed by power, expecting the mighty to obey someone weaker than themselves would be folly. So the ritual was created to ensure that the one on the throne would always stand above their peers."
Michael stayed silent, listening. He didn’t need her to explain why such a practice existed.
Arianne continued, "Thanks to the royal family’s vast resources, the process is not deadly nor as corruptive as other methods that could achieve the same results. But it does have one major drawback."
Michael’s brow furrowed slightly. "Which is?"
"The loss of lifespan," Arianne said softly. "Or rather, the lack of it. Those who undergo the ritual gain immense power, but their life expectancy remains ordinary. They cannot share the longevity that people of their power enjoy."
She reached out for a grape before continuing again. "The only way to overcome that limitation is to ascend, to break through and become a Great Being, one beyond the Grand Stage itself. That is why the old king chose to retire. After decades of rule, he decided to pursue ascension and left the kingdom to seek opportunities beyond its borders."
Michael acknowledged the logic in silence. The ritual made sense in a world where strength ruled. Yet the path beyond it was as cruel as it was clear. Ascension was never easy, not even for those who clawed their way to the peak of Rank 2 on their own.
His time in the academy had taught him a truth. Breaking into Rank 3 did not demand a powerful strength. It demanded understanding.
In theory, even a mortal could step into Rank 3 in a single breath if their grasp of reality crossed a threshold. But in reality, if people steeped in power failed at it year after year, a mortal reaching it might as well be a myth.
Back to the matter at hand, Michael could already guess how the secret realm had come into play. His hunch was confirmed the next moment.
"It was during the old king’s travels that he found an entrance to a secret realm. The exact one I’m talking about now."
Still, Michael was confused about one thing. With the value of such a realm, how was it his turn to know about its existence?
If it were him, he would hoard it for himself. He didn’t believe a king with the power to decide the life and death of millions would be more generous than him.
Fortunately, Arianne’s next words cleared his confusion.
Arianne read his doubt and answered with a calm nod.
"You are thinking the royal family would never share a realm like this," she said. "You are right to think so. If they could hide it, they would. However, they could not."
Michael waited.
"The realm announced itself the moment the kingdom found its entrance," she explained. "With signs that any expert could read. It was vast, and its presence alone stirred the world. Even powerful figures outside the kingdom took notice. You know the saying—’a man with a treasure is a guilty man.’"
Her eyes met his. "That is why you are hearing it now. Because of the pressure from other nations, the kingdom had no choice but to share this treasure."
Michael was beginning to understand, though one thing still puzzled him. "Even if that’s the case, what does that have to do with me? Surely the kingdom has people capable of entering the secret realm."
Arianne smiled and replied, "Yes, but unfortunately for the royal family, the secret realm has an age restriction. No one above thirty can enter."
Michael’s brows rose slightly.
"Coincidentally," she continued, "there are many young and strong people in the kingdom, but very few at your level. You just happen to be one of them—if not the best of them. After all, you defeated the prince of an empire."
Michael’s expression, calm at first, shifted slightly at her words.
"Sorry, excuse me?"
*
Back in Aurora, all three students that belonged to the top 3 of the first year had told director Arven what they wanted.
Director Arven gave a smile as the three finished stating their choices. "Good," he said, folding his hands behind his back. "In a few hours, you’ll receive your requested items. If you need to use them, use them wisely, because in one week’s time, you’ll be heading to Hell."
The word hung in the air like a curse.
Even though they had heard its name before, the way the director said it made the room fall silent for a moment.
Hell.
It sounded ominous.
"In this one week," Arven continued, "you should prepare yourselves because your trip to Hell isn’t a simple excursion. It’s an assessment."
Michael, seated beside Rynne, frowned slightly.
Michael glanced briefly at Rynne, who looked as though she already knew. The third student beside them, however, appeared just as puzzled as he was.
"An assessment?" he asked. "What do you mean by that, Director?"
Arven’s smile didn’t fade. "Exactly what it sounds like. The academy’s first-year evaluation for its top students will take place in hell."
"Hell is a dimensional zone with a hundred floors. Each floor is a world of its own. Your task, as the academy’s top first-years, is simple. You must clear at least five floors before you can leave."
Michael’s brows furrowed slightly. "So we’re to fight our way through five worlds and then return? That’s the assessment?"
The director nodded. "Yes, but don’t think you’re the only ones doing this. Every major Awakener Academy across the world sends its top students into Hell during this time too."
"So that means aside from demons, you’ll also be seeing your fellow peers!"
"Not just them. This might also be your chance to see another race different from us."
"After all, Aurora is not the only realm that has access to Hell. Thousands of races do as well."
*
Thanks for reading today’s Chapter.