Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Chapter 45: The Winners Chapter 45: The Winners The rankings were in.

First place: Noah.

Second: Elijah.

Third: Sophie.

These three wouldn’t just walk away with glory—they had earned the rare right to choose their own mentor and meet the Dean of Apex Academy. A privilege so coveted, most only dreamed of it. For many, this moment was the ultimate goal. For them—it was only the beginning.

The test was over. Spectators dispersed, their awe lingering in the air like static. Conversations bubbled with excitement, disbelief, even quiet jealousy. Life outside the arena resumed its pace, though the world itself felt subtly altered—plans rewritten, priorities shifted, all because of this one extraordinary event.

Noah now stood under the sunlight with his shadow finally returned to him... and his loyal beast, Neko, perched proudly on his shoulder. The feline’s black fur shimmered faintly, like oil slick over velvet, and her purple eyes gleamed with contentment.

"You were amazing, Master," Ester said, voice brimming with admiration as she stepped beside him. Her black hair danced with the wind, eyes soft with pride.

"You’re incredible, Noah," Neko added with a satisfied purr. Her tail flicked behind her, ever so smug.

The two beamed with pride, thrilled to see him triumph before the world, even against the so-called Chosen One. It was no small feat—it was the stuff of legends. Of whispered stories passed down in hushed tones among wide-eyed initiates.

Noah gave a soft smile. He was happy. They were back. Together. Whatever chaos lay ahead, it no longer felt quite as daunting.

"So," a voice chimed from behind, light with sarcasm. "What’s it feel like to beat the Chosen One?"

He turned slightly. Sophie stood there, arms crossed, a teasing smirk on her lips and strands of wind-tousled hair framing her face. Her aura buzzed faintly, the residual energy from the final battle still clinging to her like a second skin.

He met her gaze with an easy confidence. "Refreshing," he replied. "Want to give it a shot? Might be your turn next."

She laughed, short and melodic. "Tempting."

There was an ease between them now—born not just from combat but from shared respect. Now they are getting closer. Sophie is accepting more and more Noah as her husband.

Just as Noah opened his mouth to fire back, another voice cut through the moment.

"We’re moving out."

Damon’s voice carried weight. He stood before the eighty victorious students, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd like a general surveying his troops.

This year had been more brutal than most—and the monsters that emerged, even more unpredictable.

His gaze lingered on Elijah—still silent, still nursing his wounds—and then on Noah. These two... monsters in their own right, he thought. Unshackled potential.

He clapped once.

A brilliant magic circle in blue and white flared beneath their feet, pulsing with ancient light. Runes spiraled outward, delicate and fierce.

"We’re heading to our realm. Ivor."

And in a flash of blinding radiance, they vanished.

...

They reappeared moments later in a breathtaking city of towering buildings, crystalline spires, and people clad in sharp blue-and-white uniforms. The ground shimmered faintly beneath them, alive with threads of magic. In the distance, massive gates opened and closed like lungs, breathing in the pulse of energy that ran through the city.

Yes, the academy was big enough to be considered as a city.

"This is Apex Academy," Damon said casually. "Not gonna waste time explaining everything. You’ll figure it out."

Some students gasped quietly. Others looked around with barely-concealed awe. Every structure around them hummed with power. It was less an academy and more a sanctum—sacred, structured, surreal.

He pointed toward a large, ornate building that seemed to pierce the sky itself. Gold inlays ran across its marble surface like veins, and floating lanterns lit the path leading to its entrance.

"Rest up. Classes start tomorrow. Rules, orientation—all that comes then."

He turned to the top three.

"You three will meet the Dean first thing tomorrow. Your mentors—you’ll pick them later when your schedules align."

He started walking away, then paused with a grin.

"Oh. And I’m one of your teachers. Weapon training. If you use weapons—or want to learn—report to me."

He vanished without fanfare, like a ghost shedding light.

The students looked around, murmuring among themselves. Some tried to process what they were seeing; others focused on what lay ahead. Most began drifting off to their assigned rooms—quietly, some limping, some still whispering about the final moments of the test.

Elijah said nothing and walked off with Elizabeth and Leona behind him. His expression unreadable. Not anger. Not defeat. Something else.

Reflection? Calculation?

One by one, the others scattered—except for a few.

Yuki. Anya. And of course, Sophie—still firmly at Noah’s side.

Noah raised an eyebrow. "Didn’t expect to see you make it, Anya."

The petite, green-haired girl puffed out her chest. "Anya is strong," she said proudly, fists on her hips. Her bright green eyes sparkled with determination, the kind that didn’t come from arrogance—but from having survived what others couldn’t.

And Noah didn’t doubt it. To make it into the final eighty out of thousands... she wasn’t just lucky. She was lethal.

What’s her talent system?

[Talent: Pulverization (SS Rank) – Anything she touches will be pulverized.]

His eyes widened slightly.

SS-rank? Seriously? Since when did this become common? Seriously this is going too far. And this kind of destructive power... that’s insane.

I want it.

[Affection level: 60%]

[Note: She appreciates the tea you gave her during phase one of the first test. Finds you handsome. Wants to grow closer.]

Noah gave a thoughtful nod. 10% more? Easy.

"Well, congratulations, Anya."

She beamed. "You too, sir! You were so cool in that last fight. Like—like—BOOM! POW! So many lights and ice."

He chuckled. "Thanks."

Then he noticed Yuki. She hadn’t moved. Her amber-orange eyes locked onto his silver ones—intense, unreadable. Not aggressive. Not admiring.

Just... focused. The way a warrior appraises a sword they want to master.

Sophie smirked. "Why’re you looking at my husband like that? Falling for him already?"

Her tone was playful, but Yuki didn’t react. Her gaze didn’t waver.

"Teach me," she said flatly. "What you did in our fight. I want to learn."

Sophie blinked. "Rude."

Noah chuckled internally. Classic Yuki. If it wasn’t sword-related, nothing could faze her.

"I didn’t learn that through technique," he said. "It was my aura."

"I’ll still learn. Just explain the principle."

He tilted his head, intrigued. "And what’s in it for me?"

She paused. Confused. She genuinely hadn’t thought about that part.

She thought about what she could give him.

Her sword, her techniques... those were sacred. The legacy of her master. She couldn’t trade them.

So what could she offer?

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Yuki’s expression twisted like someone trying to solve a complex equation with no formula. It was oddly adorable.

Noah watched her, amused. She really was like a blank page—isolated, a little broken, and easy to mislead.

But he wouldn’t.

Instead—

"Alright," he said. "I’ll teach you. But in exchange, I want your friendship."

Yuki blinked. Tilted her head.

Friendship?

The word echoed in her mind. Her master had mentioned it once—told her to find people she could trust. People who wouldn’t abandon her when the swords were down and the war quieted.

Her expression softened. She nodded.

"Yes. Friendship."

Noah smiled.

How cute.

A gust of wind rolled through the academy.

Tomorrow, everything began anew.

—End of Chapter 45—

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Chapter 218: Dual Volley, Suppressing Orochi!