"The realm supposedly has hundreds of Spirit Essence Fruit trees," Martina continued. "Maybe thousands. Nobody knows for sure because the first scouting teams haven't finished mapping the entire space."
She leaned back, crossing her arms. "So naturally, every academy imdiately started preparing expeditions. Chaotic Star Academy included. The problem is, the realm has entry restrictions."
"What kind of restrictions?" Levi asked.
"Cultivation level and age," Martina said. "The dinsional barrier only allows people below Fiendgod realm to enter, and only those under thirty years old. "
She counted off on her fingers. "So that ans the academies can't send their veteran instructors or powerful elders. They're limited to sending students, mostly second year and third year and then us Elite Class students who have the best chance of surviving and actually securing resources."
"Which explains why everyone's been training so intensely," Levi observed.
"Exactly!" Martina snapped her fingers. "The academy announced three weeks ago that they'd be selecting students based on the upcoming tournant results. Top perforrs get priority slots for the realm expedition. And since everyone knows this is potentially a once-in-a-lifeti opportunity…"
She trailed off and continued. "Everyone's been pushing themselves to the absolute limit. The competition is insane."
Levi blinked his eyes and held his chin in thought.
It would be brutal.
"When does the expedition start?" he asked.
"That's still being finalized," Martina said. "The realm's entrance isn't stable yet—sothing about dinsional fluctuations that need to settle before it's safe for mass entry. Current estimates say it'll be ready in about a month, maybe five weeks. The tournant in two weeks will determine who gets selected from our academy."
She studied Levi for a mont, her expression becoming more calculating. "You're planning to participate, aren't you? In the tournant."
It wasn't really a question.
Levi didn't answer imdiately. He looked down at Luna, she had already fallen asleep in his lap. The golden wyvern at his feet had also dozed off.
His cultivation level hadn't advanced, he was still a Peak Genetic Soldier, sa as when he'd entered. But cultivation level wasn't everything.
"It would be nice to know how strong everyone has beco."
Martina nodded. "You'll need to register before the deadline that's in three days. The preliminary rounds start two weeks from now, but you'll want to review the tournant format and rules before then."
She stood up, suddenly energized. "First things first—l, you need to eat actual food and get so rest. You look like you've been living on raw at and adrenaline for six months. There's a decent cafeteria two buildings over that stays open late, or I can order sothing delivered if you don't want to deal with crowds right now."
As she ntioned food, levi suddenly realized just how hungry he was. If it weren't for his divine cooking skill, the food in the abyss was basically trash. One couldn't even use basic ans to produce fire as the food in the abyss was crazy enough to sniff all flas. Only by using the fire from Astra diamonds can one cook which is rare.
"Delivery," he said. "I'm not in the mood for crowds."
"That's alright," Martina agreed, already pulling out her holo-watch to access the academy's food service network. "Especially with the way you're currently broadcasting 'I've killed people and I'll do it again' vibes to anyone within fifty ters radius."
She paused, glancing at him. "Any preferences? Food allergies? Strong opinions about cuisine?"
"Protein," Levi said. "Lots of protein. And anything with actual flavor."
Martina grinned. "I can work with that."
As she started placing an order, Levi carefully shifted Luna to the couch cushion beside him and stood. He rolled his shoulders, feeling joints crack and settle.
The apartnt was larger than he rembered. Or maybe it just felt that way after six months in the Abyss, where space was at a premium and everywhere you looked held potential threats.
He walked to the window and looked out at the other buildings. Evening was settling in, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. Students were still visible in the distance, small figures moving between buildings or training in courtyards.
Peaceful. Safe. Civilized.
It felt strange after the Abyss.
"Order's placed," Martina announced from behind him. "Should be here in about thirty minutes. I got us a protein feast—grilled dinsional beast steaks, roasted vegetables, so kind of energy-infused rice that's supposed to help with cultivation, and a few desserts because why not."
Levi turned from the window. "Thank you."
Martina looked montarily surprised by the genuine gratitude in his tone, then smiled. "No problem."
She moved to sit on the couch, carefully avoiding Luna's sleeping form. "So while we wait for food, want to give you the rundown on the tournant favorites? There are probably twenty students who have legitimate shots at top rankings, but five or six who are the real contenders."
Levi returned to the couch and sat, nodding for her to continue.
"Alright," Martina said, settling into what was clearly going to be a detailed briefing. "Let's start with the top of the food chain—the students you really need to watch out for…"
---
The food arrived exactly when promised—delivered by a nervous-looking academy staff mber who clearly sensed Levi's killing intent even through the apartnt door. Martina handled the transaction, tipping generously and ushering the delivery person away before they could linger.
The al was exactly what Levi needed. The dinsional beast at was rich and flavorful, packed with the kind of energy density that only ca from creatures that had cultivated their own power. Each bite felt restorative, feeding not just his physical hunger but replenishing so of the deep reserves he'd depleted during his ti in the Abyss.
Luna woke up at the sll of food and imdiately started begging, making pitiful squeaking sounds until Levi gave her small pieces of at. The golden wyvern also roused, accepting offerings with the dignified air of a noble receiving tribute.
As they ate, Martina continued her briefing on the tournant landscape.
"The absolute top tier is dominated by three people," she said between bites. "First is Marcus Kane—you might rember him from the trial examination. Tall guy, always looks vaguely condescending, has that whole 'I'm better than you and we both know it' vibe."
Levi had a vague recollection of soone matching that description.
"Marcus is already a Fiend warrior. He broke through two months ago," Martina continued. "
She took a drink before continuing. "Second is Elena Volkov. She's already broken through to Early Fiend Warrior realm, which puts her in a different weight class than most students. Her family runs one of the major dinsional beast hunting corporations, so she's been training to fight monsters since she could walk. Uses a hybrid style combining weapon techniques with beast companion synergy. Rumor is she has at least three contracted beasts, each one worth a fortune."
"And the third?" Levi asked.
Martina's expression beca more serious. "Kade Thorne. He's… different from the others. Doesn't co from a powerful family, doesn't have access to unlimited resources, but he's probably the most naturally talented fighter in the entire Elite Class. Mid-level Fiend Warrior cultivation, but his combat instincts are insane. It's like he can read opponents' movents before they happen."
She paused, studying Levi. "The interesting thing about Kade is that he's got a similar reputation to you—ca out of nowhere, surprised everyone with his performance, has killed multiple opponents in sanctioned duels. People respect him but also keep their distance."
"You're saying we're similar?" Levi asked, tone neutral.
"In so ways," Martina said carefully.
"Though obviously your circumstances are… more extre. Kade worked his way up through talent and determination. You…" She gestured vaguely. "Your training was different."
Levi almost smiled at that. "Fair point."
They continued eating as Martina worked her way through the rest of the notable competitors—students with powerful techniques, those with wealthy families backing them, a few dark horses who might surprise everyone. Her analysis was detailed and impressively thorough, suggesting she'd been paying very close attention to the academy's social and combat hierarchies.
By the ti they finished eating, Levi had a much clearer picture of what he was walking into. The tournant would be brutal, the competition fierce, and the stakes higher than normal given the secret realm opportunity.
Good.
After six months in the Abyss, he was kind of excited to battle his fellow mates and see the disparity in strength.
Martina started clearing away the empty containers, consolidating trash with practiced efficiency. "You should probably shower and get so actual sleep," she said.
She paused at the bedroom doorway, looking back at him. "Oh, and Levi? One more thing."
"Yes?"
"Welco back," she said simply. Then she disappeared into the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Levi sat on the couch for a few more minutes, Luna curled up on his lap again, the golden wyvern dozing at his feet.
Levi sighed as he clenched his fists. His right eye shone crimson while his left eye pure gold color.
"Finally here."
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