The president's office.

Luthor's expression was grave as he stared at Aaron. "How did this happen?"

Aaron forced a bitter smile. "This batch of new students is simply too extraordinary. I failed to stop them in time. I take full responsibility. But, President, you must admit that these students are true prodigies. With proper guidance, they'll become the pillars of West Ocean Academy.

"The situation escalated because, at the final moment, two Soul Grandmasters from class one used an incomplete soul fusion skill. It's likely an extremely powerful fusion that requires at least three rings to fully manifest."

"Soul fusion skill?" Luthor's brows rose, excitement flashing through his eyes. His anger visibly eased.

"Yes. Even incomplete, it was strong enough to break both of Raziel Phoenix's arms. But what happened next was even more shocking. A one-ring Soul Master from class five, with only a ten-year soul ring, suddenly erupted in power. His right hand transformed into a dragon claw. With just two strikes, he broke through the soul fusion skill."

Luthor stared at him. "A one-ring Soul Master breaking a soul fusion skill? Are you telling me a fairy tale?"

"I wish it were," Aaron sighed. "But over a thousand teachers and students witnessed it. I couldn't fabricate this even if I wanted to. In my opinion, Ray's mutated martial soul is likely a legendary body martial soul from Central Academy."

Luthor inhaled sharply.

A body martial soul… combined with a mecha… that would create a terrifying genius.

The mere mention of Central Academy filled his eyes with reverence.

"If that's the case," Luthor said slowly, "then today's incident can be pardoned. It was simply too unexpected. Director, submit a detailed report."

Aaron nodded. "Ray originally possessed Silverfalls Vine, but this mutation suggests the possibility of twin martial souls. That would make him a genius, not trash. President, I have a proposal."

Luthor narrowed his eyes. "Go on."

Aaron gave a bitter laugh. "Given the current state of the first grade, I don't think the Class Promotion Tournament should continue normally. From today's match, even the second grade—no, perhaps not even the third grade—can withstand their strength. These students are… dangerous. I believe they require special treatment."

Luthor leaned back. "What kind of special treatment?"

Aaron's eyes gleamed as he spoke, his voice brimming with excitement. "With talents like these, an ordinary class simply won't do. I propose that we establish a special class, in addition to the existing five. This class will gather only the true geniuses, and they will be nurtured with the academy's strongest teaching force, from the intermediate division all the way into the advanced division.

"They'll remain within West Ocean Academy for at least eight… no, nine years. With proper guidance and concentrated resources, these students will become the foundation of our future glory. When that time comes, West Ocean Academy's rise will be inevitable!"

Luthor fell silent, deep in thought.

He had to admit that Aaron's words struck directly at his heart. A special class, backed by the academy's full strength, created solely to cultivate top-tier geniuses…

If this year's students truly possessed such exceptional potential, then this could very well be the turning point West Ocean Academy had been waiting for.

He had long envied the first-rate academies of the central cities, those capable of recruiting elite students from across the federation. The strong grew stronger precisely because they dared to invest everything into talent.

Although West Ocean City was prosperous thanks to its ocean resources, the academy itself sat in a corner of the continent. Geography alone had dissuaded countless gifted students from enrolling. In truth, West Ocean Academy could only be considered lower-middle tier on the continental scale.

Perhaps… this year's intake really was different.

"Then," Luthor asked slowly, "who do you believe is most suitable to lead such a class?"

Aaron didn't hesitate in the slightest. "Alfred."

Luthor's gaze sharpened.

"He's the strongest teacher in the academy," Aaron continued firmly. "The outcome of the tournament clearly reflects his teaching ability. When he was still in the advanced division, he never fit in, isolated himself, and never revealed his full strength. But that only makes him more suitable.

"These elite students are different from the rest. They don't need harmony. They need pressure. Alfred is the perfect whetstone to sharpen them."

Luthor nodded slowly. "I agree. I'll submit this proposal to the board of directors. You may go."

"Yes, President." Aaron bowed respectfully before leaving.

As he exited, joy bloomed quietly in his heart. The president had been convinced.

Not only had he avoided responsibility for the chaos of the tournament, but he had also successfully redirected the focus onto the academy's future. Of course, beneath all that calculation, he truly did harbor expectations for this new generation.

*

When Ray awoke from meditation, dawn's pale light had already crept into the room.

Raziel Phoenix was still absent, recovering in the infirmary. Miel and Lucius remained immersed in cultivation. After class five's string of victories, everyone had become unusually diligent.

Ray, however, felt something different.

Power.

A restless, surging power filled his body, making him want to tilt his head back and roar at the sky.

Only now did he finally have time to examine himself properly after breaking the first seal. He raised his hands, studying them carefully. At first glance, nothing seemed different, yet his skin was smoother, fairer, and far more elastic to the touch.

His soul power had clearly risen by at least one rank. More importantly, his control over it had improved significantly, a direct result of his strengthened spiritual power.

How much stronger am I now?

He wasn't sure. He'd never measured himself like this before.

So this is the power of the Golden Dragon King's first seal…

Recalling the sensation from yesterday's battle, Ray focused his mind. Almost instantly, a familiar heat surged through his right arm.

Golden light blossomed.

Convex, rhombus-shaped golden scales spread across his right arm like armor. Power exploded outward, yet his hand hadn't fully transformed into the Golden Dragon Claw.

He concentrated harder, circulating both soul power and physical strength. The bones within his hand began to shift. His palm swelled, fingernails lengthening into sharp claws.

A tyrannical aura leaked out.

This was it.

After breaking the first seal, his right arm's strength had doubled just from the golden scales alone. Activating the Golden Dragon Claw further multiplied that strength and granted the terrifying crushing property.

Powerful… truly powerful.

Yet the price was immediate.

His soul power drained at an alarming speed. In just a few breaths, nearly a third of it was gone.

Ten seconds.

That was his limit.

As expected, weakness washed over him at the tenth second, and his hand reverted to normal, though the golden scales lingered faintly.

An insight struck him.

The Golden Dragon Claw required both his bloodline power and soul power. The scales, however, relied solely on bloodline power.

I really was lucky yesterday…

If Barbara and Volt had fully mastered their soul fusion skill, or simply dragged the fight out, he would've lost once his soul power ran dry. His victory had hinged on perfect timing and the absolute suppression of dragon bloodlines.

The Bone Dragon King, despite its name, was still a dragon. Before the Golden Dragon King, it had no choice but to bow.

I'm still far from strong enough.

Yet Ray wasn't discouraged. Compared to his past self, this was an enormous leap forward. His physical strength, endurance, and explosive power had all risen dramatically.

At the very least, no one could call him trash anymore.

Oh right… Gold.

Remembering his spirit soul's transformation, Ray tried to summon it, only to smile bitterly. His soul power was completely exhausted. He couldn't even release his martial soul, let alone his spirit soul.

Rank 13.

Still too low.

Others were nearing rank 20. If he didn't push harder, the gap would only widen.

More effort. I need more effort.

He quietly slipped out of bed, washed his face, drank a glass of water, and left the dormitory for a morning run.

The track welcomed him with cool air and empty lanes.

"I am as lithe as a swallow!" he shouted, accelerating instinctively.

The world blurred as he ran. Wind brushed his cheeks, scenery streaked past, and an exhilarating freedom filled his chest.

Then—someone appeared in front of him.

Too late to stop.

"Careful!"

A gentle force caught him, spun him around, and dispersed all his momentum. Ray barely felt dizzy, but when he looked up—

He froze.

Before him stood a tall, slender girl, around fourteen or fifteen. She wore a pink tracksuit that complemented her milky white skin. Long blue hair was tied neatly back with a comb, swaying softly.

For a split second, Ray forgot how to breathe.

The girl was strikingly beautiful, with delicate features and large, clear eyes that seemed to reflect the morning sky. Bathed in the soft sunlight, she appeared wrapped in a faint golden glow. For a moment, Ray was completely stunned.

"S-sorry!" he hurriedly apologized. That single instant left a deep mark on his heart. She's so pretty… even prettier than Senior Sister Estella Silver!

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