After the intense fight in the arena finally came to an end, the energy that had filled the place slowly began to settle. The roaring cheers from the crowd faded into scattered conversations as people started to leave their seats, satisfied with what they had just witnessed. However, not everyone rushed out. Some remained where they were, lingering in anticipation, hoping that another match might begin soon and deliver the same level of excitement.

Jane stretched slightly before glancing around at the gradually thinning crowd.

"It’s probably night right now. I think we should be heading back," she said, her tone calm but certain.

The others quickly agreed. It had been a long day, and they had already experienced more than enough for one evening. Not only had they explored the academy, but they had also witnessed the virtual arena and everything it had to offer. With classes waiting for them in the morning, staying any longer didn’t seem like the best decision.

One by one, they began to sign off from the system.

The moment they did, their surroundings shifted instantly. The arena disappeared, and their senses returned to reality. They found themselves back inside the capsules they had entered earlier, the lids opening smoothly as if responding to their return.

Cool air brushed against their faces as they stepped out.

Lucian let out a deep breath, his expression filled with lingering excitement.

"This will probably be my favorite place to train from now on," he said, clearly impressed by everything they had just experienced.

"Me too," Jaden added without hesitation, still energized from watching the battle.

He looked around for a moment before asking, "So... where are we going now?"

Jane placed a hand lightly on her stomach before replying, "I’m a little hungry, so how about we go to the cafeteria before heading back to the dorms?"

Lucian smiled immediately. "That’s exactly what I was thinking."

The plan seemed simple enough, and everyone was ready to go along with it.

However, just as they began to move, Shadow spoke up.

"You guys go ahead. I have something to do," he said calmly before turning away from them.

He didn’t wait for a response and simply walked off.

Talia’s eyes followed him for a brief moment. She didn’t say anything, but it was clear from her expression that she noticed something was off. There was a certain weight in his steps, as if something had been on his mind for a while now.

Still, she chose to remain silent.

Meanwhile, Shadow walked alone through the academy grounds. Even at night, the place was far from quiet. Students moved about in groups, talking and laughing as they went from one place to another. Lights illuminated the pathways, casting long shadows that stretched across the ground.

But Shadow didn’t stop.

He continued forward until he reached a quieter part of the academy, eventually slipping into a dark alley where no one was around.

Once he was certain he was alone, he raised his hand slightly.

A faint surge of wind gathered around him.

Using his wind magic, he propelled himself upward, scaling the wall of the building with ease. His movements were swift and controlled as he climbed higher, soon reaching the rooftop.

But he didn’t stop there.

He continued moving, jumping from one building to another with precise control, his figure blending into the night as he made his way across the rooftops.

Eventually, he reached his destination.

A tall clock tower stood isolated from the rest, towering over the surrounding structures. It was quiet, distant, and nearly impossible for anyone to reach without special means.

Shadow landed at the top and let out a slow breath.

"Finally... somewhere I can be alone," he muttered.

For a moment, he simply stood there, letting the silence settle around him.

Then his expression shifted slightly.

"System," he called out internally, his tone more focused now. "Considering everything that’s been happening lately... all these strange events that keep bothering me... I’ve been thinking about something."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"How can I get stronger faster? I haven’t received a quest in a few days now, so I want you to explain it to me in more detail."

A soft sound echoed in his mind.

Ring~

The system responded.

[As explained before, the system possesses access to unlimited mana and has no restrictions on what can be created using it. However, the host’s physical body is still weak and cannot withstand the system’s full potential.]

[This limitation is the reason the system uses "System Points" as a form of progression.]

[The system rewards the host based on accumulated experience. For example, when the host defeats a beast or engages in meaningful combat, knowledge is gained. This knowledge can be related to combat, awareness, strategy, or other forms of experience.]

[The system then amplifies this experience and converts it into System Points.]

[These points can be exchanged for items, abilities, and spells.]

[Each spell or item has a specific cost, determined by its power and complexity.]

[The purpose of this system is gradual adaptation. As the host gains experience and collects points, the body slowly becomes stronger and more capable of handling greater power.]

[Over time, this progression allows the host to safely use abilities that would otherwise be impossible to control.]

Shadow listened carefully, taking in every detail.

"I see... I kind of had a feeling it worked like that," he muttered.

Then another thought crossed his mind.

"So does that mean these quests can appear not just from fighting beasts, but from anything that helps me gain experience and grow stronger?"

The system responded immediately.

[That is correct.]

[Based on the host’s recent interactions, the most effective way to gain experience at this time is through participation in the virtual reality arena.]

[The arena allows the host to engage in combat, improve skills, and gain practical experience in a controlled environment.]

[This will accelerate growth efficiently.]

A faint smile appeared on Shadow’s face.

"That’s exactly what I wanted to confirm," he said quietly. "And it’s also the reason I came here."

He lifted his hand slightly, looking at the bracelet on his wrist. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"I want to understand this system better... to figure out the origin of this bracelet too and getting stronger while I’m at it."

His expression hardened.

"There are too many things I need to do."

His voice lowered, becoming colder.

"I need to get stronger... I need to find a way to see my family again... and if possible..."

He paused, his eyes darkening.

"...destroy the ones who caused us to be separated."

The air around him felt heavier for a moment.

His tone made it clear that he wasn’t speaking out of anger alone. There was something deeper behind his words—something far more dangerous.

After a few seconds, he lifted his head and looked out toward the horizon.

The night sky stretched endlessly before him, quiet and calm.

But his thoughts were anything but.

"There’s also the issue with the demons," he continued, his voice more composed now. "Their clash with us... it’s only a matter of time."

He let out a slow breath.

For a brief moment, silence returned.

Then he spoke again.

"Let’s log in."

Without hesitation, Shadow lay down on the cold surface of the clock tower, placing himself in a comfortable position.

The world around him slowly faded as he activated the system once more.

And just like that—

He entered the virtual arena again.