Arthur was trying to sense the flow of mana. Suddenly, something appeared around him—unclear, vague. He still couldn't exactly tell what it was, but he could sense its presence.
After practicing mana control and perception, Arthur began reviewing the lessons of the day. Anos had already reviewed and fallen asleep. Arthur also prepared for bed, but suddenly noticed something strange...
He could hear the surrounding sounds clearly—even the noises of his roommates, the normal sounds outside, whispers that were barely audible. This abnormal hearing accuracy was strange, but Arthur didn't pay much attention. He tried to sleep.
One month passed since the start of the academy.
During this time, Arthur managed to read and write basic letters, even studying beginner-level books. Anos and Julius also showed significant progress. Julius excelled in sword fighting, and Anos was highly successful in practicing basic magic. However, Arthur was facing a serious problem.
Every night, he practiced mana, but he realized that he was hearing more and more sounds. Even when his eyes were closed, he could "see" the flow of mana around him; everything was as clear as daylight. The sounds were so overwhelming that Arthur couldn't sleep properly. Nights had become torturous for him.
Finally, Arthur shared this issue with Anos and Julius. His friends were concerned. Then, they decided that Arthur should speak to Professor Charles.
Professor Charles was a bit shocked when he heard Arthur's words.
– "This is very strange... How long have you had these symptoms?"
– "About a month. And it's getting worse every day."
The professor paused for a moment and said:
– "This is a rare phenomenon, especially at your age. It's called the Bell of Doom. Your mind has accepted mana as a new sense. This means your mind is constantly receiving vast amounts of information from the environment—information that is overwhelming for ordinary minds."
– "And what does that mean? Does it mean that if my eyes and ears are destroyed, I can still see and hear?"
– "Yes. Because this perception works through mana, not physical senses. Your mind processes mana information and turns it into images and sounds."
Arthur asked worriedly:
– "How can I control it?"
The professor replied:
– "It's not curable. But you can learn to filter the information. You can decide how much of your magical sense will be active."
– "Can you help me with that?"
– "Of course. In all my years of teaching, I've never seen someone master mana perception this much in just one month. Starting tomorrow, after every class, we'll practice together."
Arthur smiled:
– "Thank you, Professor!"
**The next morning, in Professor Charles' class:**
Professor Charles: "Alright, children, today we're going to talk about the Voice of the World and the skill system."
Excitement surged among the students.
Professor continued: "We have several types of skills. The lowest level are the 'Basic' skills. For example, wound healing, telepathy, or the ability to jump high—things that are common among various races."
"The second tier is the 'Elite' skills. These may include multiple basic skills and have a higher environmental impact."
"Next, we have 'Unique' skills. Only one person can possess such a skill at a time, and it is non-transferable as long as the person is alive."
"Finally, we have 'Divine' or 'Godly' skills. These transcend the laws of nature and only a very rare few in history have been able to achieve them."
Hands began to rise one by one.
A student with golden hair and red eyes asked:
– "What is the Voice of the World?"
The professor smiled. "The Voice of the World is the narrator of great events. It's like an awareness that is aware of the past, present, and future. When something significant happens—like the rise of a demon lord or the birth of a hero—the Voice of the World announces it. Also, when someone acquires a skill, this voice plays in their mind, signaling that the skill has been successfully acquired."
More hands went up.
– "Who created the Voice of the World?"
Professor: "No one knows for sure. But according to ancient records, it is believed that the Voice was created by the Creator God. Yet, the mystery remains..."
The professor said, "Alright, that's enough for today. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the next session. For now, goodbye."
---
**A few nights after this revelation, Arthur had another strange dream.**
This time, the dream was clearer than ever. He found himself in an endless foggy plain, a place where time seemed to stand still. In this heavy space, a voice spoke to him; the voice was fragmented and vague:
*"Your role... has not yet begun..."*
*"Remind the one who chose freedom..."*
*"The all-seeing eye... is still closed..."*
The next morning, Arthur noticed changes within himself. Without even trying, he could sense things that were previously unknown to him: seeing the mana colors around people or detecting lies through subtle changes in their energy flow.
At first, he thought these were symptoms of the *Bell of Doom* disease. However, one night about three months later, during a practice session with Professor Charles, the situation took a different turn. The professor paused for a moment, stared at Arthur, and said:
*"This perception is not normal... It's as if your soul is connected to something beyond our world..."*
He continued: *"It seems you're on the path of *Awakening*."*
Arthur, confused and curious, asked: *"Awakening?"*
Professor Charles explained:
*"Awakening occurs when a human transcends the usual limits of their existence. Their soul expands and they can absorb skills that are beyond the capabilities of ordinary humans. For example, I am a *Wise Human*—the first stage of the evolution path. This status grants me greater magical power and increases the capacity of my soul for specific skills.
But you... You're getting close to Awakening at such a young age. It's both impressive and concerning."*
Arthur asked: *"So, a Wise Human isn't the final stage of human evolution?"*
The professor smiled and said:
*"No, it's just the beginning. After the Wise Human comes the *Sacred Human*, and finally, the *Divine Human*—the final stage that has only been recorded once in history.
But Arthur... For someone your age, this path is very dangerous. Because when Awakening fully occurs, a tremendous amount of mana enters the body. For a child's body, this amount of energy can be lethal."*
Arthur, worried, asked: *"Is there no way to prevent it?"*
The professor said:
*"I can't make any promises. Because you're already on the verge of evolution. But if we're lucky, your body might be able to adapt to the situation."*
After this conversation, Arthur returned to the dormitory and shared the matter with Anos and Julius. Worry was visible in both of their eyes. They couldn't help him, and this sense of helplessness put a great deal of psychological pressure on them.
However, Arthur didn't give up. As always, he continued practicing mana perception. And in the midst of one of these sessions, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind:
> *{ Elite Skill "Magical Sense / Mana Perception" successfully acquired }*
Now the user can fully sense the flow of mana and even regulate it. Even if the eyes and ears are destroyed, the user will still be able to see and hear, as mana is converted into information. The user also has a 360-degree vision, making ambushes almost impossible.
> *{ Unique Skill "Eye of Truth" successfully acquired }*
Now the user can predict the next few seconds, detect any lie, and even view and copy the memories and skills of individuals they have enough knowledge of. Additionally, the Eye of Truth can obtain all the information of a target through a simple evaluation, even those the target tries to hide.
Arthur was stunned. Not one skill, but two... and both at once.
He was no longer the ordinary boy he once was.
Arthur realized that if others found out about his new powers, they wouldn't look at him the same way. Some might try to bring him down out of jealousy or create problems for him. Even worse, if the news spread that a seven-year-old child had awakened a unique skill, he might become the target of demonic factions.
He thought about this in silence for hours and decided to keep this secret to himself. The next day, he didn't tell Professor Charles or his close friends anything. As usual, he woke up before dawn, exercised with Julius, then continued his swordsmanship practice and other daily tasks, and finally sat in the magic class taught by Professor Charles.
Professor Charles said, "Well, as we approach the end of our lesson, I want to talk about an important topic: skills."
All the students listened eagerly.
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 the user to manipulate the laws of nature. The main difference from magic is that magic requires a chant or specific steps, but skills activate immediately as long as you have mana."
The professor smiled and said, "That's right, as always, sharp and precise. But let me add something. Sophia's answer is complete but not enough. The most important difference between magic and skills is their impact on the surrounding reality. Magic, with the right knowledge and chant, can change the world around us, 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 strong skill may work better in the hands of a weak person than in the hands of a strong one. And vice versa. Also, magic can be learned, but skills are not like that. Many might have a basic skill, but elite skills are rare, and a unique skill... only one person can have it at a time."
A heavy silence fell over the class.
A student raised their 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 stared in surprise.
The professor continued, "Some skills have a spirit. They have a personality. They only awaken when a person is truly worthy and their soul resonates with that skill."
Anos asked, "Do those skills communicate with their users?"
The professor said, "Yes, some can. But it depends on the type of skill. Only when they deem it appropriate and are sure that they won't harm the user."
Another student asked, "Do you have a unique skill, Professor?"
The professor paused for a moment and said softly, "No... I couldn't awaken my unique skill. I only have two elite skills. But even with them, I am one of the strongest wizards in the country."
He smiled and added, "Not having a unique skill doesn't mean weakness. You just have to find your path and become strong in another way."
He paused and said, "And one more thing I want to mention is that after four months of starting your academic year here, there will be a ceremony in the Great Hall where you will all need to participate."
Anos asked, "What kind of ceremony, Professor?"
The professor smiled and said, "A ceremony that happens every year. It determines which skill you have potential for. Some of you may already have the skill, but haven't fully awakened it yet."
After Professor Charles' class ended, all the students moved toward the Great Hall.
The massive stone hall of the academy was filled with the murmurs of students. Arthur, feeling a strange anxiety, stared at the upcoming events. Julius, as they approached the stage, muttered under his breath:
"Everyone steps up, and a name of a magical skill floats above their head. What a mess."
Anos asked curiously, "So only the name is revealed? Or is there more?"
Arthur, with a growing sense of unease, whispered, "I don't know... but I don't feel good about it."
Several students had already stepped up, some coming down with excitement or embarrassment. Suddenly, Professor Charles, a middle-aged man with gray hair and a purple robe, approached and spoke with a calm but commanding voice:
"You all have gathered here to discover the truth within you. The stage will reveal the essence of your being... a skill that rises not from the outside, but from the depths of your soul. This skill may be magical, or it may be something unique. But remember: knowing is the beginning of the journey. He who knows and hides, is sometimes wiser than he who shouts with pride."
When Arthur heard these words, his heart skipped a beat. It felt as though Professor Charles was speaking directly to him.
It was Arthur's turn. He stepped up to the stage, feeling as if the ground beneath his feet was no longer real. His fingers were frozen. The white light of the stage gleamed... for a moment, something unfamiliar and complex appeared in the air, but it disappeared too quickly, only to be replaced by another word:
Elite Skill: Magical Sense
Whispers filled the air: "A rare skill..."
But Arthur knew that this wasn't the first word that had appeared. His hands shook. He decided to keep quiet.
When he descended from the stage, Julius looked at him and asked, "Are you okay? You look pale."
Arthur forced a weak smile, "Just stressed..."
A few minutes later, Anos and Julius also discovered their skills: "Explosive Energy Control" for Anos, and "Reinforcement Shield" for Julius. All three returned to the hall, but something strange awaited them.
A boy with golden hair and icy eyes, wearing a smug grin, blocked their path.
"Well, well... an orphan, a boy without family, and a liar. How much has the academy's standards fallen?"
Julius, calm and cold, said, "You're William, right? Son of one of the nobles?"
The boy smirked. "So you know. You better remember your place... some are born to serve the world."
Anos wanted to say something, but Julius stepped forward:
"Then let me show you, in your own language, what happens when you cross the line."
Before anyone could react, a small explosion echoed in the distance. William, with fiery eyes, lunged forward and landed a hard punch to Julius's chest, but Julius didn't step back. It was as if he had expected this. With his skill, he had reinforced his body. In one swift move, he sent William crashing to the ground.
Silence.
Professor Charles's voice, as he approached the scene, struck the silence like a hammer:
"This is not a place for fights."
Julius stepped back slowly. The professor cast a brief glance at William and, without saying anything, ordered:
"Everyone return to your rooms."
That night, in their dorm room, Arthur still thought about that word that had vanished so quickly. A skill, unknown... Was it so powerful or dangerous that the magic system hid it? Or had he hidden it himself?
Anos yawned, "Well... that was quite a day."
Julius smiled and said, "But from now on, we'll have to keep an eye on that golden-haired kid... his look screams trouble."
Arthur stared into the darkness. For the first time, he felt that the secrets within him were not going to stay hidden forever.
The next day, the kids went to swordsmanship class.
Julius, who was always excited for this class, was ready with enthusiasm. Unlike him, Anos didn't care much about it because he was weak in swordsmanship, but he still participated due to the mandatory nature of the class.
The swordsmanship class was held in the training and combat hall. As the class began, the instructor entered—a tall man in his late thirties with black hair and eyes. He was Kyle, the same person who had conducted the entrance exam.
Over the past four months, Kyle had focused mainly on the fundamentals. Every day, he taught a new technique, and in addition to swordsmanship, he also taught martial arts. Many of the students avoided attending his classes because of his strictness and the intense training, but for Julius and Arthur, it was never a problem. From the first day, they knew what they were up against, so they had been starting rigorous physical training at dawn.
The professor looked at the group and said:
"Today is time for a training fight. Each of you will fight against a partner. There's only one rule: the fight continues until one of the two submits."
The students began fighting one by one. Suddenly, one of the boys with a muscular build and golden hair—William—started bullying his opponent. He hit so harshly that the fight seemed more like torture than training.
The professor shouted: "Enough!"
He quickly stepped forward, stopped William, and spoke seriously:
"This is a training fight, not a real battle. Don't do this again."
William, indifferent, said: "Alright, I won't do it again."
The professor moved towards the injured girl—Beatrice. He asked with concern:
"Are you okay? Did you hurt anywhere?"
Beatrice replied: "I think my arm is broken."
The professor took her hand and performed a healing spell. Her wounds and pain quickly healed.
"You're better now, but you should rest."
He sent Beatrice with one of the other girls to the dormitory and then told the others:
"Continue. And William... your actions were dangerous. You could have caused serious harm."
A few minutes later, the fights resumed. Julius, having quickly defeated his opponent, walked up to William.
With a steady gaze, he said:
"Ready to fight me?"
William hesitated.
William hesitated slightly. He knew that Julius was one of the strongest.
"Sure. Just don't blame me if you get hurt after this."
Julius calmly replied,
"It's time to show you what it feels like to bully the weak. If you're really strong, you should protect others, not hurt them."
William laughed.
"Protect? The only thing I care about is myself and my own interests. Why should I care about others?"
Julius sighed.
"Talking to someone who lacks logic is pointless. So let's settle this with swords and see who's right."
The fight began. William quickly charged at Julius's face, but Julius dodged calmly and landed a quick strike to his right side. The blow was so powerful that William immediately collapsed to the ground.
Julius looked down at him and said,
"If you're smart, you'll remember this lesson well. Otherwise, you'll only make others hate you even more."
William, in immense pain, glared at Julius with eyes full of hatred. In that gaze, there was undoubtedly a wave of revenge brewing.
All the students were in shock, but some were glad that Julius had given William a lesson. At least they were happy that William wouldn't bother them anymore.
The teacher didn't say anything, just smiled and said,
"Very well, that's enough for today's class. Next session, you'll learn the holy swordsmanship style, so make sure to rest well and be ready for tomorrow."
Arthur was happy that Julius had stood up for someone, but he was worried that William might take revenge on Julius.
William came from a wealthy and influential family, and he definitely had significant influence in the academy.
Arthur thought about the possibility that William might do something to get Julius expelled from the academy. He decided to wait for now and take action at the right time.
Arthur thought to himself:
"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 I'll do."
Arthur decided to push the negative thoughts away and join his friends.
He smiled and gently patted Julius on the back, saying,
"I'm really glad that you're trying to protect others. It shows how much you've grown, Julius."
Julius smiled and said,
"Yeah, of course. I always help others, but that doesn't mean I forget about myself. So don't worry, Arthur."
Anos said,
"I agree with Arthur. What you did was admirable, but it might have bad consequences."
Julius asked with a slightly upset tone,
"Like what?"
Anos replied,
"William comes from a powerful and wealth His father is a Viscount and has a lot of influence in the Royal Academy. We need to be careful about who we clash with."
Arthur added,
"Anos is right. It's true that doing the right thing is honorable, but recklessness can have more serious consequences."
Julius, a bit frustrated, said in a defiant tone,
"Doing the right thing is always right. No matter what happens."