Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 617: Ryn (Refresh to clear Duplicate!)

Ryn had a younger sister.

She was also an awakener.

It was the sort of occurrence that caused both admiration and envy.

Awakeners were not born through lineage; their emergence followed no predictable pattern. Having a powerful parent or sibling might provide a faint advantage—exposure to mana-rich environments, perhaps a bit of inherited affinity—but it was far from a guarantee.

Some children of Awakeners lived and died as ordinary humans, never once sensing mana. Others were less fortunate, awakening to abilities so unstable or contradictory that they burned out their lifeforce in their youth. For someone from the Halvane family to produce two successful Awakeners in one generation was a miracle.

Lira’s thoughts darkened as she remembered the rumors. Ryn’s sister—Rynne Halvane—had vanished from public view shortly after her awakening.

A year ago, there was a rumor that said she was also accepted early into the academy due to a special talent.

Lira’s eyes flicked to Ryn again. His expression wasn’t openly hostile, but there was something taut in his gaze.

She swallowed. Could this meeting have something to do with his sister?

Did Michael do something without realizing it?

No, that didn’t make sense. Michael had only just arrived at the academy today. He couldn’t possibly have any connection to the Halvane family… and yet, Ryn’s presence here felt anything but random.

Her hands clenched at her sides. Ryn didn’t look exactly friendly right now.

Lira’s suspicion was spot on. Michael had indeed touched Ryn’s interest—though entirely by accident—and it just so happened to be related to his sister.

A week ago, Ryn had learned something that left him fuming beneath his calm exterior. The academy had released the ranking results for the new first-year students—an event most upper-years ignored, except for those like Ryn who had a personal reason to care.

His younger sister, Rynne Halvane, had been on that list. With her monstrous talent, it was expected—almost guaranteed—that she would take the top spot. Her ability was one that even some instructors envied, and her comprehension speed was absurd.

But when Ryn had seen the list, he’d stopped breathing for a moment.

His sister’s name was second.

And above hers—taking the first position—was a name he had never heard before.

Michael.

The memory still burned in his mind. His sister had smiled when he confronted her, brushing off the matter as though it didn’t bother her. But Ryn knew her better than anyone. She wasn’t the type to lose easily, nor to lie about her feelings. There had been hesitation in her tone—an uncharacteristic pause when she said that the person who took first wasn’t “ordinary.”

Ryn wasn’t a fool. He understood that rankings were determined by results, not favoritism. If Michael was ranked first, it meant he had outperformed Rynne in measurable ways. That knowledge only made his frustration worse.

He had worked tirelessly for two years, pushing himself to the limit of Rank 2, stopping just before the wall of Rank 3. And yet, despite all his power, he couldn’t secure the resource he needed to break through. The academy distributed certain rare materials to the top-ranked students of each year—a privilege meant to accelerate advancement for those deemed most promising.

If Rynne had taken first place, her status would have easily earned her one of those resources. As her brother, and one of the academy’s top fifth-years, Ryn could have used that connection to acquire the very catalyst he needed—one that would guarantee his ascension and perfect his foundation.

But now, that path had vanished.

And the reason stood right in front of him.

The man who had taken what rightfully should have been his sister’s position.

Michael.

Lira sensed the tension rising with every step Ryn took closer.

Trying to diffuse the pressure, she took a small step forward and spoke up before things got worse.

“Senior Ryn,” she said carefully, her voice steady though her heart wasn’t. “You should be careful. The academy doesn’t take kindly to upper-years trying anything weird against new students. Whatever you’re planning, it won’t end well.”

Her words hung in the air like a warning. But Ryn didn’t even glance at her.

He didn’t know her, didn’t care who she was, and certainly didn’t take advice from a student several years his junior. To him, her words weren’t even worth acknowledging. He walked past her like she was air, his eyes fixed solely on Michael.

Lira bit her lip in frustration, her nails digging lightly into her palm. She wanted to say more, but the sharp stillness in Ryn’s gaze made her stop.

He halted just a few steps away from Michael, his expression unreadable. Then, out of nowhere, he spoke.

“Are you interested in a duel?”

“A duel?”

“Yes,” Ryn said, voice calm but edged with something harder. “You’re the top first-year, aren’t you? Let’s see if that ranking of yours actually means something.”

Michael looked at him for a long moment. He didn’t sense killing intent—but fighting a fifth-year on his first day? That was unnecessary, stupid even.

“No,” he said finally. “Not interested.”

He turned to leave, motioning for Lira to follow. But just as he took his first step, Ryn’s voice followed him, tone faint but heavy with mockery.

“What a pity,” he said. “To think the so-called Michael Norman from the second round of the exam would turn out to be this much of a coward.”

Michael froze mid-step. The mention of his full name made his eyes narrow slightly.

Ryn continued, his voice gaining strength as a few students behind him exchanged quiet snickers.

“I was hoping for more from the one who made such a scene during the national exams. Guess the stories were exaggerated. I wonder what your family would think… your aunt, your cousin—would they be proud to see you running away like this?”

Lira’s eyes widened in alarm. “Wait—!” she began, but it was already too late.

Ryn hadn’t even finished his last sentence when a blur crossed the distance between them.

A sharp, echoing crack split the air.

Ryn’s head snapped sideways as Michael’s fist slammed into his jaw with enough force to make the ground tremble faintly. The fifth-year’s body staggered back two full steps, boots scraping against the paved stone, a streak of blood flicking from his lip before he steadied himself.

Gasps erupted from the students nearby.

Lira just stood there frozen, eyes wide in shock.

Michael lowered his hand slowly. His gaze was cold.