Novel Full Chapter 549: Timer
Chapter 549: Timer
Rank 3 spanned from level 51 to 75. Rank 4 extended from level 76 to 100, while Rank 5 began above level 100.
To Michael, only matters concerning Rank 3 and beyond were worth his attention. Though the power did not come directly from him—which was partly wrong since undead were technically part of a necromancer’s ability—his five Rank 3 undead gave him the confidence to disregard most other Rank 2 opponents.
Even setting his undead aside, his personal strength was far from weak. It might be too much to claim he was invincible at Rank 2, but it wasn’t far off. There weren’t many who could match him at that level.
Even the assistant teacher who had just attended to them—despite being a level 47 Awakener—did not stir the slightest sense of threat in Michael. Still, knowing the world was vast and filled with countless unique individuals, he never allowed himself to believe he was the only extraordinary Rank 2.
Yet, no matter how unique he was, Michael was nothing but dust before a Rank 5 Awakener. In truth, even a seasoned Rank 3 creature could still pose a serious challenge to him in his current state.
This goes to show how powerful the powers above him were. And what startled Michael most was that the Vice Principal was a Rank 5.
That raised another question. How strong was the Principal? Could they be Rank 6? Did such a rank even exist? And if it did, just how powerful would one be at that level?
Of course, it wasn’t guaranteed that the Principal had to surpass the Vice Principal. They might also be Rank 5. Still, the thought alone was enough to ignite Michael’s curiosity.
A Rank 5 Awakener was far beyond his current reach, but the knowledge that one stood within the academy only deepened his excitement for the place.
If there was more than one Rank 5, then surely the academy housed a significant number of Rank 4 and Rank 3 Awakeners as well. Even someone as formidable as the assistant teacher—who at level 47 would be considered impressive elsewhere—could only hold the position of assistant here.
That fact alone spoke volumes about the sheer strength and foundation of this academy.
Michael whispered under his breath, “I’m not sure how strong the other nine first-rank Awakener academies are… but it’s hard to imagine them being much stronger than this. That would be insane.”
His heart still raced with excitement, but he forced himself to calm down. He leaned back on the cot, letting the buzz settle. Dwelling on it too long would do him no good.
After a moment, his eyes began to wander around the temporary dorm. Some of the candidates around him were still shaken from the announcement, most keeping to themselves. Some sat stiffly on the edge of their beds. Others whispered in tight clusters, their voices low and tense. No one spoke too loudly.
Michael didn’t bother trying to join any of them. He wasn’t here to make friends, at least not yet. Observation was enough. The important things would reveal themselves in time.
He exhaled softly and closed his eyes, letting his thoughts drift.
Michael raised his left hand.
There, etched into the skin, was a black tattoo.
A sun rimmed with delicate snowflakes.
It hadn’t been there before. The mark had appeared the very moment he was transported to this place.
Michael narrowed his eyes. The design reminded him of his Mark of Origin tattoo—the one that branded his status as an Awakener and served as the key to enter the Land of Origin.
Only… this one functioned differently.
If the Mark of Origin was his universal passport, this mark seemed to be a localized variation, one that granted passage to another location within the Land of Origin itself. To think an academy had the power to create such a link… that was impressive enough on its own.
Michael flexed his fingers slowly.
“Is this,” he murmured under his breath, “the means of a being comparable to a Demigod?”
The thought sent a faint chill through him. He remembered the mysterious realm of black waters and suspended suns, and most of all—the woman who had appeared there. Gagye. The Vice Principal. A Rank 5 Awakener.
Michael let out a quiet breath, suppressing a wry smile.
Whatever lay ahead in this academy, it was already clear: this place was built on powers so high above his current reach they might as well be looking down from the heavens.
At the very least, even if this so-called academy didn’t function like a traditional school—which he strongly suspected—attaching himself to such a powerful group could only be to his benefit.
A thoughtful look appeared on Michael’s face.
The exam was important, but so was his territory. Vanishing without explanation for half a day could raise unnecessary questions, and Michael wasn’t about to let suspicion grow among those under him. At the very least, he had to show his face before slipping away again.
With this in mind, he drew in a steady breath, then closed his eyes and focused on the new mark. The strange sun-and-snowflake pattern pulsed once, as if answering his intent.
A beat later, when Michael opened his eyes, he was standing once more in his study room.
The air was still, the familiar scent of parchment and ink grounding him instantly.
Michael exhaled slowly.
He turned to look at his left hand and saw the mark was still there.
This meant he could return except unlike how he returned, this time he needed to go through that “ritual” again.
Michael let his gaze linger on the black tattoo for a moment longer before lowering his hand.
He moved toward the chair by his desk and sat down, the wood creaking softly under his weight. Outside the tall windows, the night had already claimed Thornvale. Yet, judging from the faint glow of lanterns dotting the manor grounds, it was still early. His people would not have retired for the night just yet.