Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 883: Rank Advancement [2]

Michael took a slow breath.

At this point he felt he could no longer keep the matter to himself. Advancing to Rank Three was an extremely important step. If something truly went wrong during the process, the consequences could be severe.

Michael was not willing to gamble with something like that.

"...I should probably ask someone."

He did not intend to explain the entire situation. There was no way he could reveal everything about the Origin Will or the ridiculous requirements he had just completed. But perhaps an instructor might know something about unusual advancement situations. At the very least they could confirm whether this was normal.

With that decision made, Michael did not hesitate any longer. His figure blurred slightly.

A moment later Michael pushed open the door of his manor and stepped outside.

He had only taken a single step into the courtyard when suddenly he stopped.

A strange sensation ran through his body.

It was subtle.

But impossible to ignore.

Michael frowned slightly.

"...What is this?"

The feeling was difficult to describe. It was not pain. Nor was it pressure. Instead it felt almost like a faint pull, as if something somewhere was calling to him.

Michael slowly raised his head. His eyes instinctively moved upward toward the sky.

The academy’s secret realm possessed its own artificial sky. Above him countless stars shimmered faintly across the darkness.

Yet at that moment Michael could not shake the strange feeling coming from deep within his body.

It felt as though something inside him was responding to something above. Calling to it. Or perhaps summoning it.

Michael’s gaze remained fixed on the starry sky.

"...Why does it feel like..."

Michael’s voice trailed off.

Before he could finish the sentence, a thunderous voice suddenly exploded across the entire secret realm.

"Which bastard decided that advancing to this level should be done inside the academy!"

The roar echoed through the realm like rolling thunder. The voice sounded furious. Yet strangely, the anger could not completely hide the excitement within it. It almost sounded delighted.

Michael blinked.

"What?"

Before he could react further, his surroundings suddenly distorted.

His vision shifted.

Space itself seemed to fold.

In the next instant five figures appeared directly in front of him.

Michael froze.

Because the moment those individuals appeared, an overwhelming pressure filled the courtyard. Their presence alone made the surrounding air feel heavy.

Among them stood a familiar figure.

Director Arven.

However, unlike his usual erratic demeanor, the academy director was staring at Michael with a strange expression.

Confusion.

And he was not the only one. The other four individuals standing beside him were also staring at Michael with identical expressions.

Five pairs of eyes locked onto him.

All of them were observing him carefully.

Silently.

After several seconds one of the elders finally spoke.

"...Are my eyes playing tricks on me?"

Another figure slowly rubbed his chin while continuing to stare at Michael.

"No."

His voice was calm.

"Unfortunately our eyes seem to be working perfectly."

He paused for a moment before continuing.

"And it appears the Rank Three supernatural we sensed... is this youth. However, why is he still at Rank Two? And how could he even summon that phenomenon?"

Silence fell again.

Michael’s heart skipped a beat.

Because at that moment he clearly recognized something terrifying.

All five of the people standing before him were Rank Four superpowers. Director Arven alone was already a terrifying existence within the academy, yet now there were four others standing beside him.

Facing five Rank Four powerhouses at once, even someone as calm as Michael could not remain completely composed.

He swallowed slightly and looked toward the only familiar face among them.

"...Director Arven."

His voice was slightly stiff.

Michael hesitated for a moment before asking the question that had been bothering him since earlier.

"Is something... wrong with me?"

Director Arven did not answer immediately. Instead the man stared at Michael for several seconds as if examining something invisible.

Then he suddenly asked a strange question.

"Michael... have you done anything strange recently?"

Michael blinked.

"...Strange?"

Director Arven nodded slowly.

"Yes. Anything unusual. Anything abnormal. Anything that might have... provoked the universe maybe?"

Michael was completely confused by the wording.

He shook his head.

"No."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"Well... I was trying to advance just now."

Five pairs of eyes immediately sharpened.

Michael noticed the change and quickly added, "But I can’t for some reason."

The courtyard became silent again.

Director Arven slowly rubbed his forehead.

For once the academy director did not look absent minded or half insane like he usually did. In fact his eyes were unusually clear. Strangely sane.

After a moment he lowered his hand and looked at Michael again.

"...Michael."

His tone was calm, but there was something strange hidden beneath it.

"You truly are special."

Before Michael could ask what that meant, one of the other Rank Four powerhouses suddenly spoke.

"We should not wait any longer."

His expression had become serious.

"If we delay further, a disaster might strike the academy."

Another nodded.

"The phenomenon has already begun forming."

Director Arven sighed softly.

"Yes. You are right."

Before Michael could react, Director Arven suddenly moved.

His figure vanished.

The next instant he appeared directly in front of Michael.

Then the world blurred.

Space twisted violently around him.

Michael felt the ground disappear beneath his feet.

In the blink of an eye the environment around him changed completely.

The manor courtyard vanished.

In its place appeared a vast forest.

Tall ancient trees surrounded them on all sides.

Michael immediately noticed something else.

They were no longer inside the academy’s secret realm.

This was the real outside world.

Yet the five Rank Four powerhouses were still standing beside him.

Michael looked around in confusion.

"...Director Arven."

His voice carried clear bewilderment.

"What is happening?"

Director Arven did not answer. Instead he slowly raised his hand and pointed upward.

"Look."

Michael frowned slightly but followed the direction.

He lifted his head toward the sky.

The moment he did his eyes widened.

Above the forest a massive dark storm was forming.

Black clouds were gathering rapidly.

Lightning flickered within them like furious serpents.

The entire sky looked as if it was collapsing.

And strangely Michael felt an undeniable connection to it.

"What manner of advancement is this?"