Arthur was trying to sense the flow of mana. Suddenly, something appeared around him—unclear, vague. He still couldn't quite tell what it was, but he could feel its presence.
After practicing mana controlandperception, Arthur began reviewing the day's lessons. Anos had already gone over them and fallen asleep. Arthur got ready for bed too, but then he noticed something strange…
He could hear everything around him—his roommates, the usual sounds outside, even whispersthat were barely audible. This level of hearing was unnatural, but Arthur didn't pay much attention to it. He simply tried to fall asleep.
But the problem grew worse day by day. It gradually became an unbearable torment for Arthur. His mind felt like it was on the verge of breaking. Every second passed like thousands of years. A flood of information from his surroundings constantly poured into his brain, making it impossible to maintain control.
Arthur could no longer focus properly in class. He was hearing and sensing multiple things simultaneously. This was the result of his intense training and focus on sensing mana. Arthur had shown incredible talent in perceiving mana—and that very talent had become his greatest nightmare.
One month had passed since the academy began.
During that time, Arthur had learned to read and write the basic letters, even studying beginner-level books. Anos and Julius had also made impressive progress. Julius excelled in swordsmanship, while Anos was very successful in basic magic training. But Arthur was facing a serious problem.
Every night he practiced mana, but he noticed he was hearing more and more sounds. Even with his eyes closed, he could *see* the flow of mana around him—as clear as day. The sounds became so overwhelming that he could no longer sleep. Nights became torturous.
Arthur finally decided to share what was happening with Anos and Julius. His friends grew worried. He then decided to speak with Professor Charles.
Upon hearing Arthur's story, Professor Charles looked surprised.
— "That's very strange… When did these symptoms start?"
— "About a month ago. And they keep getting worse."
The professor paused for a moment and said:
— "This is a rare phenomenon, especially at your age. It's called the *Bell of Torment*. Your mind has accepted mana as a new sense. That means your brain is constantly receiving a massive influx of environmental information—information that would be overwhelming for most minds. If this continues, it could cause a complete mental and spiritual breakdown. And that's extremely dangerous."
— "So… you mean even if my eyes and ears were destroyed, I could still see and hear?"
— "Yes. Because this perception is through mana—not physical senses. Your mind interprets mana data and converts it into images and sound."
Arthur asked anxiously:
— "How can I control it?"
The professor replied:
— "It's not curable. But you *can* learn to filter the information. Meaning, you decide how much of your magical perception is active."
— "Can you help me?"
— "Absolutely. In all my years of teaching, I've never seen someone master mana perception this quickly—in just one month. Starting tomorrow, we'll train together every day after class."
Arthur smiled:
— "Thank you, Professor!"
The next morning, in Professor Charles's class:
Professor Charles: "Alright, everyone. Today we're going to talk about the Voice of the World and the Skill System."
Excitement buzzed among the students.
The professor continued: "There are several types of skills. The lowest tier is *Basic Skills*. Things like healing minor wounds, telepathy, or enhanced jumping—abilities common among various races.
The second tier is *Elite Skills*. These might include multiple basic skills and can have a strong environmental impact.
Above that are *Unique Skills*. Only one person can possess a unique skill at any given time, and it cannot be transferred until the wielder dies.
Finally, there are the *Divine Skills*. These transcend natural laws, and only a handful of individuals in history have ever acquired them."
Hands shot up.
One student with golden hair and crimson eyes asked:
— "What is the Voice of the World?"
The professor smiled: "The Voice of the World is a narrator of great events—an awareness that knows past, present, and future. When something monumental occurs—like the rise of a Demon Lord or the birth of a hero—the Voice announces it. It also speaks in your mind when you acquire a new skill, confirming your success."
More hands went up.
— "Who created the Voice of the World?"
Professor: "No one knows for sure. But according to ancient records, it's believed that the Creator God brought it into existence. Even now, it remains one of the great mysteries…"
The knowledge the professor shared opened a door to a new world for the students—one they had never heard of before. It quickly became one of the most important things they had learned at the academy so far.
An hour passed, and the professor kept teaching and answering students' questions. Some asked about the Voice of the World, others about the skill system. The professor responded with kindness and precision.
As the last hour of class approached, he said:
"Alright, that's all for today. If you have questions, save them for the next session. Be sure to practice what we covered—I may ask you about it next time. Goodbye for now."
A few nights after that revelation, Arthur had another strange dream—this one more vivid than any before. He found himself in a foggy, endless plain where time seemed to stand still. In that heavy silence, a voice spoke to him—fragmented, distant:
"Your role... has not yet begun..."
"A remnant of one who chose freedom..."
"The seeing eye... remains shut…"
The next morning, Arthur noticed changes in himself. Without even trying, he could sense things previously unknown to him—like seeing the color of mana around people or detecting lies through subtle shifts in their energy flow.
At first, he feared these were signs of the *Bell of Torment* growing worse. But one night, nearly three months later, while training with Professor Charles, something changed. The professor paused, stared at Arthur, and said:
"This perception… it's not normal. It's as if your soul is connected to something beyond our world…"
Then he added: "It seems you're on the path of *Awakening*."
Arthur, confused and curious, asked: "Awakening?"
Professor Charles explained:
"Awakening happens when a person crosses the usual boundaries of their existence. Their soul expands and they can absorb skills beyond what ordinary humans can. For example, I am a *Wise Human* — the first stage of evolution. This rank grants me greater magical power and raises my soul's capacity for special skills.
But you... at such a young age, you are approaching awakening. That's both admirable and worrying."
Arthur asked, "So, the Wise Human isn't the final stage of human evolution?"
The professor smiled and said:
"No, that's just the beginning. After the Wise Human comes the *Holy Human*, and finally the *Divinity Human* — the ultimate stage recorded only once in history.
But Arthur... for someone your age, this path is very dangerous. Because when awakening is complete, a massive flow of mana enters the body. For a child's body, this amount of energy can be fatal."
Arthur, worried, asked: "Is there no way to prevent it?"
The professor said:
"I can't promise anything. Because you're already on the brink of evolution. But if we're lucky, your body might adapt to the conditions."
After this conversation, Arthur returned to the dormitory and shared the topic with Annus and Julius. Worry was visible in both their eyes. They couldn't help him, and that feeling of helplessness weighed heavily on their spirits.
But Arthur didn't give up. As always, he continued practicing mana perception. In the middle of one of his exercises, suddenly a voice echoed in his mind:
→ {Elite Skill "Mana Perception" successfully acquired}
→ You can now fully sense and even control the flow of mana. Even if the target's eyes or ears are damaged, you can still see and hear by converting surrounding mana into information. Also, you always have 360-degree vision, making ambush nearly impossible.
→ {Unique Skill "Eye of Truth" successfully acquired}
→ You can now predict a few seconds into the future, detect any lie, and even view and copy the memories and skills of those you know well. The Eye of Truth can obtain all information about a target through a simple evaluation, even what they try to hide.
Arthur froze. Not one skill, but two at once.
He was no longer just an Normal boy.
Arthur realized that if others found out about his new powers, they would never look at him the same way. Some might try to pull him down out of jealousy or cause trouble for him. Worse, if news spread that a seven-year-old child had awakened a unique skill, it would certainly bring various dangers, possibly making him a target for demonic sects' experiments.
He pondered silently for hours and decided to keep this secret to himself. The next day, he didn't even tell Professor Charles or his close friends. As usual, he woke up before dawn, exercised with Julius, continued sword training and other daily tasks, and finally sat in Professor Charles's magic class, taking notes on what the professor said.
Fortunately, it wasn't like before when a flood of information entered his mind all at once. With the help of the elite skill "Mana Perception," he could now easily manipulate his perception and adjust it accordingly. This skill helped Arthur sleep peacefully at night and ended the daily torment he endured.
Two hours into class, while taking notes from the professor's lecture, Professor Charles said: "Well, as our class hour draws to an end, I want to talk about an important topic: skills."
All the kids listened excitedly.
The professor continued: "Can anyone tell me the difference between magic and skills?"
Sophia raised her hand and said: "Skills are part of divine powers. Each skill, at any level or rank, allows its user to manipulate the laws of nature. The main difference from magic is that to use magic, you need to recite spells or perform specific rituals, but skills activate instantly, as long as you have mana."
The professor smiled and said: "Correct, as always, sharp and precise. But let me add something more. Sophia's explanation is complete but not enough. The most important difference between magic and skills is their effect on the surrounding reality. Magic, with proper knowledge and spells, can change the world around you, but skills directly rewrite the laws of nature."
He paused and said: "Of course, this is a big advantage, but skills also have weaknesses. A powerful skill might work better in the hands of a weak person than in a strong one, and vice versa. Also, magic can be learned, but skills cannot. Many might have basic skills, but elite skills are rare, and unique skills... only one person can have one at a time."
A heavy silence filled the classroom.
A student raised a hand and asked: "How is it possible for someone to have a unique skill?"
The professor answered: "Only when the skill itself chooses you."
Everyone looked surprised.
The professor continued: "Some skills have souls. Personalities. Only when a person is truly worthy and their soul matches the skill, the skill accepts and awakens itself."
Annus asked: "So these skills can talk to their users?"
The professor said: "Yes, some can. But it depends on the type of skill. Only when they decide it's safe and won't harm the user."
Another student asked: "Do you have a unique skill too?"
The professor paused and spoke calmly: "No... I haven't been able to awaken my unique skill. I only have two elite skills. But with them, I'm one of the strongest magicians in the country."
He smiled and continued: "Not having a unique skill doesn't mean weakness. You just need to find your path and get strong by another way."
He paused again and said: "And one more thing. Four months after the start of your school year, a ceremony will be held in the Great Hall, which all of you must attend."
Annus asked: "What kind of ceremony is that, professor?"
The professor smiled and said: "It's an annual event that reveals each of your potentials for skills. Some of you might already have those skills but haven't fully awakened them yet, or are on the path to acquiring them in the future."
After class ended, all the students headed toward the Great Hall.
The academy's vast stone hall buzzed with students' whispers. Arthur looked anxiously at the upcoming turns, and Julius, approaching the line, muttered under his breath:
"Everyone's skill name spins above their head. What a situation."
Annus curiously asked: "Does it only show the name? Or does it show something else too?"
Arthur, with a strange unease, barely whispered:
"I don't know!... but I don't feel good about it."
A few students had gone before them and came down with excitement or embarrassment. Suddenly, Professor Charles, a middle-aged man with gray hair and a purple robe, stepped forward and said calmly but firmly:
"You are all gathered here to discover the truth within yourselves. The platform will reveal the essence of your being... a skill arising not from outside, but from the depths of your soul. This skill might be magical or unique. But remember: knowledge is the beginning of the path. One who knows and hides, is sometimes wiser than one who shouts with pride."
Hearing this, Arthur's heart trembled. It was as if the professor spoke directly to him.
When it was Arthur's turn, step by step he went onto the platform, feeling the ground beneath him was no longer real. His fingers were numb. The platform's white light glowed... a moment something unfamiliar and complex appeared in the air... but quickly vanished and was immediately replaced by another word:
Skill: Mana Perception
Everyone murmured: "A rare skill..."
But Arthur knew that was not the first word that had appeared. His hands trembled. He decided to say nothing.
When he came down, Julius looked at him:
"Are you okay? Your face is pale."
Arthur gave a weak smile:
"Just nervous..."
Professor Charles smiled upon seeing Arthur's skill. Arthur had managed to awaken a unique skill at such a young age, which intrigued Charles. But he knew what consequences would follow if others found out. Professor Charles had noticed, but didn't want anyone to realize it, so he tried to manipulate the information and quickly erased the first word that had appeared.
A few minutes later, Annus and Julius also received their skills: "Explosive Energy Control" for Anos, and "Reinforced Shield" for Julius. The three returned to the hall, but something strange awaited them.
A boy with golden hair and ice-blue eyes blocked their way with a smug grin.
"Well well... an orphan, a kid without family, and a liar. Looks like the academy has really gone downhill."
Julius, calm and icy, said:
"You're William, right? Son of one of the courtiers?"
The boy sneered. "So you know me. Better remember that everyone has their place... some are born to serve the world."
Annus tried to say something, but Julius stepped forward:
"Then let me show you, in your own language, who's who."
Before anyone could react, a small explosion sounded in the distance. William, eyes blazing, lunged forward and punched Julius hard in the chest, but Julius didn't step back, as if he wanted that. Using his skill, he reinforced his body. With a single blow, he knocked William to the ground.
Silence.
Professor Charles's voice approached the scene, pounding like a hammer on the silence:
"This is no place for fighting."
Julius stepped back calmly. The professor glanced briefly at William and said nothing, only:
"Everyone return to your rooms."
That night, in his room, Arthur still thought about the vanished word. An unknown skill... was it so powerful or dangerous that the magic system hid it? Or had he hidden it himself?
Annus yawned: "Well... what a day."
Julius smiled: "But from now on, we better keep an eye on that blond kid... his look smelled trouble."
Annus laughed: "Many are like that in class — William, Elizabeth, and others. They think because they're nobles, they have the right to dominate others. I don't deny their views, but since they bother us, I want to get rid of them."
Arthur was lost in his own world, not paying attention to their words, staring into the darkness. For the first time, he felt that the secrets inside him would not always remain hidden.
The next day, the kids went to sword training class.
Julius, who was always excited about this class, was ready with enthusiasm. Unlike him, Annus didn't care much; he was weak at swordsmanship but attended because it was mandatory.
The sword training class took place in the practice and combat hall. When the class started, the instructor entered—a tall man in his late thirties with black hair and eyes. He was Kyle, the same person who held the entrance exam.
Over these four months, Kyle focused more on the basics. He taught a new technique daily and besides swordsmanship, he also taught martial arts. Many kids avoided his classes because of his strictness and intense training, but for Julius and Arthur it was no problem; from day one, they knew what to expect and had started tough physical training at dawn.
The instructor looked at the group and said:
"Today is a practice fight. Everyone fights one opponent. We have only one rule: the fight continues until one of you surrenders."
Students faced off one by one. Suddenly, one boy with a muscular body and golden hair—William—started bullying his opponent violently. His fighting resembled torture more than training.
The instructor shouted: "Enough!"
He quickly stepped forward, stopped William, and said seriously:
"This is a practice fight, not a real war. Don't do that again. If I see it again, you'll be punished."
William said carelessly: "Okay, I won't do it again."
The instructor went to a wounded girl—Beatrice—and asked worriedly:
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Beatrice said: "I think my hand is broken."
The instructor took her hand and cast a healing spell. Her wounds and pain healed quickly.
"You're better now, but you should rest."
He sent Beatrice along with another girl to the dormitory, then told the rest:
"Continue. And William... your behavior was dangerous. You could have caused serious injury."
Minutes later, the fights resumed. Julius, who had quickly defeated his opponent, approached William.
With a steady gaze, he said,
"Are you ready to fight me?"
William hesitated for a moment. He knew Julius was one of the strongest in the swordsmanship class.
"Sure. Just don't say it's my fault if you get hurt afterward."
Julius calmly replied,
"It's time I showed you what it feels like when someone stronger stands up to those who bully the weak. If you're really strong, you should protect others, not hurt them."
William laughed.
"Protect? The only thing that matters to me is myself and my own interests. Why should I care about anyone else?"
Julius sighed.
"Talking to someone who has no logic is pointless. So, let's prove with swords who's right."
The fight began. William attacked Julius's face quickly, but Julius coolly dodged and with a swift move struck William's right side. The blow was so powerful that William immediately fell to the ground.
Looking down at him, Julius said,
"If you're smart, you'll remember this lesson well. Otherwise, you'll only make others hate you more."
William was in severe pain, but his eyes burned with hatred as he stared at Julius. In that gaze, a wave of revenge was clearly raging.
All the students were shocked, but some were glad Julius had taught William a lesson. At least they were happy that William wouldn't bother them anymore.
The teacher said nothing, only smiled and said,
"Very well, class is dismissed for today. In the next session, you'll learn the style of the Sacred Swordsmanship, so rest well and be ready for tomorrow."
Arthur was happy that Julius had defended someone, but worried that William might seek revenge and bring harm to Julius.
William came from a wealthy and influential family and was definitely one of the people with a lot of power within the academy.
Arthur thought maybe William would try to get Julius expelled from the academy. He decided to wait for the right moment to act.
In his mind, Arthur said,
"Maybe William will regret what he did later, so for now, it's better to hold back. But if he tries to hurt Julius, I already know what to do."
Arthur decided to push the negative thoughts away and joined his friends.
He smiled, gently tapped Julius on the back, and said,
"I'm really glad you're trying to protect others. It shows how much you've grown, Julius."
Julius smiled and said,
"Yes, definitely. I always help others, but that doesn't mean I forget about myself. So don't worry, Arthur."
Anos said,
"Iagree with Arthur too. What you did was impressive, but it might have serious consequences."
Julius asked with a slightly upset tone,
"Like what?"
Anos answered,
"William comes from a rich and powerful family. His father is a Viscount and has great influence in the Royal Academy. We need to be careful about who we pick fights with."
Arthur added,
"Anos is right. Doing the right thing is honorable, but carelessness can have more serious consequences."
Julius became a bit upset and said stubbornly,
"Doing the right thing is always right. No matter what."