[Slayer University — Infirmary, two days later]
(Diopha lay on his bed in the infirmary, staring blankly at the ceiling.
His body had stabilized, but the weight of his recent mission still pressed heavily on him.)
---
[System Window — Update]
Game Core:
— Current synchronization: 28%.
— Vital status: stable.
— Physical recovery: 80%.
— Cooldown before next overload: 7 days.
---
Diopha (thinking, sighing):
28%... and my body's already at its limit.
If I'd pushed to 30%, I might be six feet under right now…
---
(Mini-Zenkai floated calmly beside him, arms crossed, face impassive.)
Mini-Zenkai (coldly):
— You're alive.
That's already more than I expected.
Diopha (groaning):
— Thanks for the vote of confidence, Sensei… really heartwarming.
---
[Instructor Hall — At the same time]
(A closed-door meeting among the academy's top instructors.)
Head Instructor (serious):
— The report from the "Claws of the Abyss" dungeon… is troubling.
— The main guardian, ranked A+, was supposedly defeated alone… by a single student.
And without any fatal injuries on his part.
(The instructors exchanged heavy, meaningful looks.)
---
Female Instructor:
— This student, Diopha Hitari…
Triggered abnormal readings during the mission.
His mana flow doesn't match any standard human parameters.
---
President (tapping the table, deep in thought):
— That kid was classified as "Special" for a reason.
But if he's an uncontrollable threat… we'll have to take action.
(A heavy silence fell over the room.)
---
[Back to Diopha — Infirmary]
(He received a private notification from his Game Core.)
Game Core:
— New quest unlocked:
Side mission: Awaken advanced body stabilization.
• Objective: Endure synchronization rates above 30%.
• Reward: Reduced lifespan penalties.
---
Diopha (thinking, clenching his fists):
30%… That's my next wall.
(He slowly sat up, his muscles still stiff.)
---
Mini-Zenkai (staring at him emotionlessly):
— You brushed death…
And yet, here you are, ready to shatter yourself again.
Diopha (smirking faintly):
— Tch…
It's not like I have a choice.
If I wanna survive…
I have to master all your damn powers, Sensei.
---
[Quick Flash — Diopha's thoughts]
(He recalled losing ten years of life in a single attack.
Then images of Milim and Douriel training at their own pace—
unaware of the burden he carried.)
---
Diopha (thinking, determined):
I have to keep this secret.
No one can know that…
every time I use this power… I'm cutting my own lifespan.
---
[System Notification — Discreet Pop-up]
Game Core:
— Next critical threshold: 30% synchronization.
— Potential appearance of Alter Ego: Zenkai Shin — Phase 2.
---
(Mini-Zenkai, hearing this, smirked faintly for the first time.)
Mini-Zenkai:
— Phase 2, huh…
If you survive that far…
Then maybe… you'll be worthy of inheriting my legacy.
---
(Diopha looked up, his eyes burning bright despite his exhaustion.)
Diopha (thinking):
I will survive.
And I will take full control.
No matter the price.
---
To be continued…