The vast hall of the Academy of Epponville remained silent, the echoes of the previous discussion still lingering in the air. The students sat in rapt attention, absorbing the weight of the revelations about the Great War and the dominance of humanity over the scattered remnants of other races.
Yet, even as the young Ingraving Masters processed this knowledge, the elder of the academy, an elderly figure with piercing eyes that seemed to hold the wisdom of centuries, leaned forward slightly. His voice, deep and measured, resonated throughout the hall.
"Now, let us discuss the true nature of Ingraving Masters and the path that lies before you."
A hush fell over the hall as the topic shifted.
The elder's gaze swept over the gathered students, his eyes lingering on a few notable figures—Elias, Seraphina, Ryn. He took his time before continuing.
"You have all become Ingraving Masters. Rank One. It is an accomplishment worth celebrating. However, do not let it cloud your judgment. This is only the beginning."
His voice grew heavier.
"Advancement through the ranks of Ingraving Masters is a path filled with endless tribulations. The difficulty of breaking through each rank increases exponentially. Some of you may rise to Rank Two in a few months. Others may take a decade. And some…" His eyes darkened. "Some may never advance at all."
A few students shifted uncomfortably.
"Do not think of this as merely a matter of effort. There is talent, there is comprehension, and most importantly—there is fate. The world does not grant strength freely. Many will be stuck at the lowest levels for their entire lives, never stepping beyond their limitations. It is a reality you must all accept."
A palpable weight settled upon the students. For many, this was the first time they had truly grasped the unforgiving nature of their chosen path.
The elder allowed the silence to linger before moving on.
"The first five ranks are what we call the Mortal Ranks. These define the limits of human strength within the world as we know it."
His eyes gleamed with something unreadable.
"To reach Rank Five is to stand at the very peak of the mortal realm. Those who achieve it are the lords of the land, the strongest forces among men, and the rulers of nations. They are kings, sect masters, grand elders—forces that dictate the course of history."
The students listened, entranced.
"However, breaking through Rank Five is a completely different matter. The gap between it and Rank Six is like the distance between heaven and earth. Only those who have touched the true essence of Ingravings, those who have transcended the limits of their bodies and minds, can take that step. And when they do…"
A reverent hush fell over the hall.
"They become Immortals."
The word sent shivers through many of the students.
"From Rank Six onward, an Ingraving Master is no longer bound by mortal limitations. Their lifespan extends far beyond that of ordinary humans. Their strength shatters conventional understanding. These beings are forces of nature—so rare that common folk go their entire lives without witnessing one."
The elder paused.
"Rank Six… Rank Seven… Rank Eight… Rank Nine… They exist, yet they are legends. They do not walk among men. If they do, it is because the world itself is shifting."
The meaning behind his words was left unspoken, yet it weighed upon the students.
A long silence stretched through the hall before one student hesitantly raised a hand.
"Elder," the young man asked, voice uncertain. "What of Rank Ten?"
The elder's expression remained neutral, but there was something in his eyes—something distant.
"Rank Ten?" he repeated.
A murmur spread through the students.
Elias, who had been listening quietly until now, opened his golden eyes slightly. Ryn, too, narrowed his gaze. Even Seraphina, usually disinterested, straightened in her seat.
"Rank Ten is a mystery," the elder finally said. "No records exist. No history speaks of it. Whether it is a myth or an unreachable reality… no one knows."
A strange tension settled over the room.
It was at this moment.
Sitting upon an elevated throne at the back of the hall, he had been observing the conversation in silence. His presence alone was overwhelming, his very existence exuding an invisible force that made even the elders tread carefully in his presence.
The elder, as if sensing his gaze, turned toward him.
"There is, however, one among us who stands at the threshold of Rank Six."
The students inhaled sharply.
"The Academy Leader."
All eyes turned toward the unmoving figure on the throne.
"He has reached the peak of Rank Five and is a candidate to become an Immortal."
The weight of those words crashed upon the students like a tidal wave.
This wasn't a legend from the past.
This was a living, breathing existence before them.
Someone who was on the verge of stepping beyond mortality.
Elias's golden eyes gleamed with a strange light. Ryn clenched his fists unconsciously.
The hall fell into silence, the air thick with unspoken thoughts.
And deep in the shadows, unseen by all, the Academy Leader finally opened his eyes—just slightly.
A gaze as deep as the abyss itself flickered across the room.
And then, just as quickly, it vanished
The lecture had ended.
But for many, this was only the beginning.