The academy's training grounds were nearly deserted the morning after the evaluation. Most students were still recovering—either nursing wounds or celebrating their scores. But Max was already up before dawn, moving through a quiet corridor on the east wing of the campus with determined steps.
He had reached Level 10, unlocking his first passive ability—Mana Sensory—and while the reward was significant, he knew he couldn't afford to be complacent. Every step forward came with sharper eyes watching from the shadows.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Skill Unlocked – Mana Sensory (Lv. 1):
Allows limited detection of mana signatures within a 15-meter radius. Usable through solid surfaces. Precision increases with level.
Max closed the prompt and looked around. No students nearby. Just the rustle of leaves beyond the window panes and the soft creak of wood under his boots. He liked this part of the academy—old, quiet, and away from the attention that came with higher-ranked talents.
Leo appeared from behind a nearby column, as if summoned by instinct. "You never sleep, do you?"
"Not when there's work to do," Max replied, not breaking stride.
Leo matched his pace. "So, what's the plan? You didn't just bring me along yesterday to play tag with boars. I know that much."
Max stopped. He looked at Leo, serious. "We made noise yesterday. A little too much. I need to pull back now—observe. The stronger I get, the more important it is to stay invisible."
"You're worried someone's watching?" Leo asked, his smile dimming.
"I know they are. Yesterday, a teacher marked something in their scroll when we returned. I sensed it. And it wasn't about our kill count."
Leo nodded slowly. "So we move quiet. Lay low. Still want me digging for info?"
Max looked away for a moment. "Yes. Start with the Board. Who's sponsoring who. Who wants power—and who already has too much. I need to know where the landmines are."
As Leo nodded and disappeared into the early morning light, Max turned toward the library tower. He wasn't going there to read.
At the top level of the library, past sections of history, beastology, and elemental convergence, was a restricted floor for those with special permissions. Max didn't have one—but he had something better: invisibility through Mana Veil, and a level-up bonus that let him keep it active longer.
He slipped through the upper doors just as a professor passed by.
Inside, ancient books lined the shelves, bound in cracked leather, radiating faint auras of old spells. Max found the one he was looking for—"Relics of Tier Ten and Beyond".
He flipped through the pages until he saw it: a black-and-white sketch of an amulet, jagged and crowned with a glowing gem. The caption beneath it read:
"Tier 11 Artifact: Codename 'Ender's Heart.' Forged from post-dimensional ether. Binds to one host. Unknown capabilities. Lost following the Beastfall War."
Max's chest tightened. It was the same amulet that hung from his neck.
He didn't need the system to confirm it—he knew now without a doubt. His necklace wasn't just rare. It was a remnant from the war. The object Peter died for. The reason people like Jack and Elara had to be removed.
Max closed the book, slipped it back on the shelf, and vanished into the stairwell.
This changed everything. Again.
If anyone knew what he carried, there'd be no hiding.
[SIDE QUEST UPDATED: "Legacy of the Lost"]
New Objective: Discover the true nature of the Ender's Heart.
Back in his room, Max sat on his bed, the quiet hum of the system echoing in his thoughts. He touched the amulet, now dormant and cool against his chest.
"I'll find the truth," he whispered. "But on my terms."
Outside, the sun was rising over Grandra Academy. To most students, it was just another day.
But Max knew better.
The real game had just begun.