Ray shook his head. "I think it's better if we each choose different secondary occupations. That way, when we start crafting our own battle armor in the future, we can cover each other's weaknesses."

"That makes sense," Raziel Phoenix said brightly. "I've already decided. I'm going to be a mecha maker! It focuses more on technique than theory, so it suits me perfectly. What about the rest of you?"

"I haven't decided yet," Barbara replied.

"I'll study mecha mechanics," Lily said indifferently.

"What?" Raziel Phoenix stared at her. "Mecha mechanics? You're a girl! I thought you'd go into mecha design."

Lily glanced at him coldly. "Only brainless people think like that."

"You—"

"Alright, alright," Ray interrupted helplessly. He had long since grown used to their constant bickering. "Go eat and rest."

*

After spending several months together, Ray gradually realized that Barbara and Volt got along best, while Raziel Phoenix and Lily were like oil and water. Though Lily appeared gentle on the surface, she was actually proud and distant, maintaining a clear boundary between herself and the others.

The amusing part was that everyone got along well with Ray, leaving him to naturally assume the role of mediator.

Ray cherished this companionship deeply. He had been born with a so-called trash martial soul and possessed the weakest cultivation among them, yet he had still been allowed to stand alongside these geniuses in class zero. Now that he had seized this opportunity, he couldn't allow himself to slack off.

He no longer compared himself to others. Instead, he compared himself only to his past self. As long as he was improving, that was enough.

The final exam was approaching, and it was a team exam. As captain, and as the one with the lowest cultivation, the pressure resting on Ray's shoulders was immense.

After dinner and some light exercise, he began meditating. During his meal, he had already finalized his plan for the next three days.

*

Early the next morning, Ray left the academy grounds and headed straight for the Blacksmith's Association.

After purchasing several materials, he entered a forging workshop and began three full days of closed-door forging.

The sound of hammering rang nonstop. During the day, he forged until his arms trembled. At night, he returned to the dorms utterly exhausted and dual cultivated with Volt using a strand of Silverfalls Vine.

"Ray, come here for a moment."

After finishing his forging for the day, he received a message from Nigel.

"Yes, teacher. I'll be right there."

He made his way to Nigel's office. By now, the association staff recognized him as Nigel's disciple, though none of them knew that this nine-year-old boy was already a third-rank blacksmith.

Under Nigel's instructions, all of Ray's forging commissions were routed through Kaelan to conceal his rank. A nine-year-old third-rank blacksmith was simply too shocking. Until Ray reached Spirit Forging, Nigel strictly forbade him from drawing attention. That was why Ray never wore his blacksmith badge.

"Teacher!" Ray was greeted respectfully as he entered.

"Ah, you're here. Sit," Nigel said gently, handing him a metal card.

Ray examined it carefully. The surface was covered in intricate lines, forming a profound and unfamiliar soul circuit.

Turning it over, he saw three familiar words engraved on it:

Spirit Ascension Platform.

"Spirit ascension platform?" Ray asked in surprise.

Nigel nodded. "The rebellion period is about to begin. This is an invitation card. The rebellion platform is far more dangerous than usual, but the opportunities inside are equally great. Go temper yourself."

Ray immediately returned the card. "Teacher, this is too precious. You should give it to senior sister Rachel instead."

Nigel chuckled. "She already has one. You two can look after each other."

Ray scratched his head awkwardly. "Our class is already scheduled to enter the rebellion platform as part of our final exam."

Nigel was genuinely surprised. "West Ocean Academy treats class zero this well? It seems they truly value you."

Despite that, Nigel didn't take the card back. "Keep it. I obtained two cards anyway. The rebellion period lasts seven days. Entering one extra time will only benefit you."

Ray's heart stirred.

"Tomorrow is the start of the rebellion period," Nigel continued. "Prepare well. And if you encounter Rachel inside, take care of each other."

"Yes, teacher."

Ray knew that Rachel still felt conflicted about him. In her heart, Nigel seemed to favor Ray more than her, which fueled her competitive streak. She was gifted in forging and possessed excellent control over temperature thanks to her inherited martial soul. She was already preparing for Thousand Refinement, but still needed time before reaching the third rank.

As Ray left the office, he clenched the metal card in his hand.

The rebellion spirit ascension platform was about to open.

And this time… he would step inside stronger, steadier, and far more prepared than before.

After returning to the dormitory, Ray didn't head back to his own room. Instead, he stopped in front of another door and knocked.

"You're back. What is it?" Raziel Phoenix opened the door and frowned slightly. He had been stuck cultivating alone for days, bored out of his mind with no one to drag outside.

"Come to my room. I've got something for everyone," Ray said with a wave, already turning toward the next door.

It was late evening, and everyone had just finished dinner. It didn't take long before all five of them gathered inside Ray's room.

"Well then, Captain," Barbara said with a grin. "What's so mysterious that you had to summon us all?"

Ray didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached into his storage ring. With a soft clatter, several metallic items spilled onto the bed.

"Try these on. Tell me if anything needs adjusting."

The moment they saw what he handed out, everyone froze.

They were vests.

Metal vests.

Each one was forged from countless thumb-sized silver metal disks, linked together in an ingenious chainmail structure. The armor bent and flowed naturally when lifted, astonishingly light for something made of metal. Upon closer inspection, faint cloud-like patterns drifted across the surface, giving off a subtle, exotic sheen.

"So light…" Barbara muttered in disbelief. "What metal is this?"

"Cloud Titanium," Ray replied. "An uncommon metal. I purified it with Thousand Refinements, then forged it into chainmail. It's light, but extremely tough. When we enter the spirit ascension platform, everything on us gets scanned and carried in. If we wear these, we can use them inside."

Volt hesitated. "Isn't this… kind of cheating?"

Barbara snorted. "Cheating? We're just being smart. The rebellion platform doesn't ban equipment."

Barbara slipped his vest on and moved around a little. "It doesn't restrict me at all. Volt, punch me."

"…Alright."

Volt threw a straightforward punch into Barbara's abdomen.

Bang!

Barbara flew backward and landed on his backside.

"Ouch! You didn't have to hit that hard!" he yelped.

Volt replied coolly, "If it can't take a real hit, what's the point? You weren't hurt. You were just knocked over."

Barbara rubbed his stomach, blinking in surprise. "…He's right. I don't feel any pain."

Lily looked at Ray quietly. "So this is what you were doing these last three days."

Ray nodded. "It's preparation. Call it cheating if you want, but at least we won't be as fragile anymore. If we can survive even a minute longer inside the platform, that's more time to hunt soul beasts and earn points."

Raziel Phoenix stared at the vest in his hands, then looked up at Ray. A trace of shame flickered through his eyes.

So that's what he was doing…

"Hurry up and put them on," Ray urged.

They tested the vests one by one. Though Ray had little experience tailoring armor, vests were simple enough, and he had even accounted for Volt's transformation by making his slightly larger.

When everyone finished adjusting theirs, Ray extended his right hand.

"That's it. Let's give it everything tomorrow."

Raziel Phoenix immediately placed his hand on top. Volt followed, then Barbara. After a brief pause, Lily added hers as well.

"Let's do it!" the five of them shouted together.

*

Early morning.

A thick fog blanketed West Ocean City, muffling sound and reducing the world to hazy silhouettes. Despite the dreary atmosphere, the Spirit Tower was buzzing with activity.

As one of the Eighteen Pillars of Heaven, the West Ocean Spirit Tower was an entrance to the rebellion spirit ascension platform.

A single entry card could fetch over a hundred thousand federation coins at auction, with no fixed market price. The chance of spirit ascension was slim, but for that sliver of hope, people would pay anything.

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