Chương 325: The Wall
Time passed in a steady rhythm at the Chase residence. Over the months, Cecilia, Rachel, and Seraphina visited often, their presence adding a welcome brightness to the otherwise quiet days.
Two months slipped by, and soon it was time for the final exams of Mythos Academy—our gateway to graduating from the lower years.
Graduating from the lower years marked a significant milestone. Continuing to the fourth year and beyond was technically optional. For many, even holding a degree from the lower years of Mythos Academy—the most prestigious academy in the world—was already a monumental achievement.
Yet, despite the option to stop, most students chose to go the full distance. After all, if you'd clawed your way into Mythos Academy, why settle for anything less than the full six years?
The theory exams were, as expected, devilishly challenging, but they passed without incident. And so, the day of the graduation ceremony finally arrived.
As Rank 1, I had the honor of being named the Sovereign. Rachel, of course, was the valedictorian—no surprises there. What did catch me off guard, though, was Seraphina taking the title of salutatorian.
I hadn't pegged her for such an academic force, but then again, Rachel's dominance had always been so overwhelming that she eclipsed everyone else's achievements. Rachel didn't just ace her exams; she obliterated them. Every single one. Even in subjects where the average score languished around 40%, she achieved a perfect score. It was nothing short of academic annihilation.
Seraphina, for her part, was no slouch either, averaging an impressive 91.7%—a testament to her intelligence and diligence. Considering the average score across the academy hovered at a respectable 76.7%, Seraphina's achievement stood tall. Every student here was brilliant, but even among such bright minds, she shone.
And then there was me. Well, let's just say missing an entire year doesn't do wonders for your GPA. Thanks to certain "special" circumstances, I barely scraped through to graduate. If grades were a race, I was the exhausted runner staggering across the finish line while Rachel had already claimed the trophy, done a victory lap, and was probably sipping celebratory champagne.
Still, a pass is a pass, right?
And I was the Sovereign and Rank 1 anyway, so… yay me?
Well, at least that was what I told myself.
As part of the graduation ceremony, both the Sovereign and the valedictorian were required to deliver speeches. Rachel and I took our turns. Hers was polished, articulate, and brimming with effort—unsurprising given her talent for public speaking. Mine? Let's just call it a serviceable "do-your-best" speech, hastily cobbled together and promptly forgotten by everyone, including me.
After the speeches, the ceremonial routine took over: degrees were handed out, hats were thrown, and countless pictures were taken. Naturally, Rachel, Seraphina, and Cecilia stayed glued to my side the entire time.
Among the sea of faces, I spotted Rose—now Rank 9 and the pride of Class 3-B. Our interactions had dwindled over time, which was a bit of a shame. But after rejecting her, maintaining a connection felt… complicated.
Graduation, all in all, was dull. A parade of formality and fleeting sentiment. Yet it left me with a lingering question, one that gnawed at me as the day drew to a close.
Should I even bother staying for the full six years?
For most students, completing the six-year program was essential, a gateway to better opportunities. Royals and nobles often stayed for the prestige or simply because it was an incredible experience. Mythos Academy wasn't just a school; it was a crucible of growth.
I couldn't deny how much I'd gained. A Grade 5 art, invaluable exposure to knowledge, the Mythos I.D.—essentially a universal key to any city—and the mentorship of Master Valerie, who had been instrumental in developing my Grade 6 art. And, of course, the three women who had become such an integral part of my life.
Yet, looking forward, what could the academy offer me that I couldn't achieve on my own?
Beyond theoretical knowledge, not much.
I had already established my own guild, Noctalis, with Kali Luna and Jin Ashbluff's reluctant but indispensable help. I wasn't planning to job-hunt or submit applications; the lower-years degree I now held was more than enough for legitimacy. And, frankly, I was already stronger than most of the academy's staff.
If I skipped the remaining years, I could focus on reaching Immortal-rank, delve into the mysteries of the Tower of Magic, investigate the Tower of Alchemy, and grow my guild into a force capable of preventing the impending civil war.
Still, leaving the academy entirely wasn't a decision to be taken lightly.
'I'll think about it when tuition for the fourth year comes due,' I decided. Sometimes, it's best to leave certain choices for another day.
I walked through the familiar halls of Mythos Academy, flanked by Seraphina, Cecilia, and Rachel. The years we'd spent here—well, one and a half in my case—came flooding back with every step. Memories of lessons, battles, and quiet moments carved their way into my thoughts.
Honestly, I couldn't deny it. This place felt a little like home.
I remembered the café with its unexpectedly good sandwiches, the one restaurant that could make anyone's day better, the arcade we all avoided because the games were hilariously bad, and the garden that offered the perfect setting for a late-night walk. Every corner of this place held a story, a piece of the life we'd built together.
When the sun began to set, we bid farewell to the academy's halls and returned to our respective homes. For me, that meant reuniting with my parents at the estate. Uncle Chase joined us not long after, his booming laugh filling the air as he shared tales from his ventures.
Yet, beneath the warmth of these moments, my mind churned with anticipation.
It was time.
Time for me to break through to peak Integration-rank.
The thought brought a weight to my chest. Not fear, but something close to reverence. Because this step wasn't just about growth—it was about facing the Wall.
The Wall. A name whispered with both dread and awe among mages. While there were similar barriers between Ascendant and Immortal-rank, and again between Immortal and Radiant, this Wall was infamous for a reason.
It wasn't just a barrier—it was the barrier. The ultimate test, the sharpest divide, the one most likely to halt even the greatest talents. Its conversion rate was abysmally low, a graveyard for countless ambitions.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself. Sitting in a lotus position, I felt mana flow freely through my body, unrestricted by the confines of my core. It was like a river breaking through its banks, flooding every fiber of my being.
As my connection to the sword deepened, so too did my mana capacity and output. I could feel the shift, the moment of transformation. The threshold blurred, and then, with a final surge of energy, I crossed it.
Peak Integration-rank.
I exhaled, my breath steady, my body humming with newfound power. But as I opened my eyes, the euphoria dimmed, replaced by the sight before me.
There it was.
The Wall.
It loomed in the distance, a metaphorical mountain yet impossibly real to my senses. Its sheer, impassable form radiated challenge, daring me to even consider scaling it.
And for a moment, all I could do was stare.
'Am I supposed to be impressed?' I wondered, tilting my head slightly as I gazed at the Wall.
Honestly, it didn't seem that impressive. Not to me.
The awe inspired by the Wall was proportional to a person's talent. For those destined to reach Radiant-rank, the Wall loomed high but conquerable, like a formidable challenge one could overcome with time and perseverance. But for those forever trapped at Integration-rank, it was an insurmountable peak, a cruel monument to their limits—a mountain that pierced the heavens, defying every attempt to climb it.
'So, I need to evolve my Sword Resonance to Sword Heart to scale it?' I mused, extending a hand toward the Wall's base. My fingers brushed against it—not cold, not hot, but pulsing faintly, as though it were alive and aware of me. Its presence hummed with an unspoken promise: Prove yourself worthy, and you may ascend.
This was it. The complete peak of Integration-rank.
The pinnacle of power attainable without fundamentally altering body or soul. Here, I had reached the zenith of humanity's natural potential—a realm where power was contained wholly within, bound by the limits of flesh, mind, and spirit as they were born.
But beyond this Wall? That was the realm of beyond.
There, power rewrote the body, reshaped the soul. It was the threshold where mortality became something greater. Where each step carried the weight of a world, and every breath burned brighter than the stars.
I closed my eyes for a moment, grounding myself in the present. The Wall was not merely a barrier of power—it was a testament, a question posed to all who dared approach: Are you willing to transcend what you are?
And I was ready to answer.
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