The days after the tournament, most trainees rested. But for Ji-Han, it was the opposite.
Every morning before sunrise, he was already at the training grounds. But he wasn't alone. He was with his friends (The five talents). Though he never believed he would be friends with strong people one day, even though he was weak.
And the reason for his further training;
AFTER THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH
Chairman Min Jae-woo finished his speech and went into his personal office to rest. And he called for his personal assistant to bring him Ji-Han, because he was delighted at his performance.
Ji-Han was confused about the reason why the association president called for him. And thought wandered.
"Has he caught me using a different system?" Thought in confusion.
He arrived at the doorpost of the president's office. He entered and felt the pressure emitted from the president, and he knelt down.
The president released his pressure.
"Tsk tsk, you are weak."
Ji-Han's eyes opened wide, and he was shocked by his words. But,
"But you showed the best performance out there," the president continued.
"You are weak right now, but you have the potential of being strong." He continues
"If you have friends who are strong, why not learn from them. Because the way you fought proves you are not only a defender but can be offensive, too. So why not learn the sword it fits your physique." He advised
Ji-Han, for the first time, someone who doesn't know him gave him advice on how to be strong, and he almost teared up.
"I will follow your advice. Thank you," He appreciated and left.
And Min Jae-woo thought within himself.
"I'm waiting," he smiled.
Ji-Han went back to his dormitory and went to seek Han Seo-Jun to train him since they were now friends. He agreed. When the other four heard, they joined and said they would train with him too.
BACK TO THE PRESENT
Han Seo-jun began training Ji-Han with basic techniques.
"Your stance is wrong."
Ji-Han adjusted immediately.
Sweat already covered his body. Han Seo-jun stood in front of him, wooden blade in hand, calm and precise.
"A sword is not just for attacking," Seo-jun continued.
"It's control. Balance. Timing."
Ji-Han nodded.
"…again."
They clashed. And Ji-Han was pushed back. And they continued till the morning was so bright. While Park Min-jae and others were practicing together. Se-ah, training on her own, was observing everyone, but her gaze was fixed on Ji-Han. And this continued for a month.
Ji-Han improved in sword, casting, defense, stealth, and in absorbing energy. Though he was taught casually, it was registered in the system that he has learnt them, though the ranks were low compared to the others. And because it was graded E-rank, it was upgradeable. And amidst all, he gained a new skill, observation skill.
He was resting in his dormitory, and checking his status window, he had increased to level 20 while his sync with the system increased to 25%, opening the celestial barrier.
He stared at his stat in disbelief
[STATUS WINDOW]
[NAME: YOON JI-HAN]
[LEVEL: 20]
[CLASS: BARRIER (ASTRON)]
[STATUS: INCOMPLETE VESSEL]
[STRENGTH: 35]
[AGILITY: 31]
[ENDURANCE: 42]
[INTELLIGENCE: 33]
[LUCK: 7]
[MANA: 30]
[SYNCHRONIZATION: 25%]
Ji-Han froze.
"…25%…"
Then
DING.
[CONDITION MET]
[CELESTIAL CORE SYNCHRONIZATION: 25%]
[SKILL UNLOCKED: CELESTIAL BARRIER]
His eyes widened.
"…it's unlocked."
The long-locked skill—
Finally revealed.
[CELESTIAL BARRIER (LV1)]
[DESCRIPTION: A barrier that draws power from celestial alignment rather than mana.]
[SPECIAL: Scales beyond physical limits depending on synchronization.]
Ji-Han's breath slowed.
"…this is different…"
He scrolled further.
[SKILLS]
STELLAR BARRIER (LV6)
• BARRIER REINFORCEMENT (LV6)
• GUARD SHIFT (LV6)
• IMPACT STRIKE (LV8)
• OBSERVATION (LV1)
• BASIC SWORD TECHNIQUE (LV5 – E-RANK)
• BASIC STEALTH (LV4 – E-RANK)
• BASIC ENERGY CONTROL (LV3 – E-RANK)
• CELESTIAL BARRIER (LV1)
[ARTIFACT LINKED]
ASTRAL GUARD (LV4)
Ji-Han stared at the screen.
"…Level 20…"
His fingers trembled slightly.
Not from fear.
But disbelief.
Just months ago—
He was nothing.
Now—
He had reached a level—
Where real hunters begin.
He raised his hand slowly.
A barrier formed—
This time, it was different
Deeper.
Heavier.
The faint starlight within it—
Now felt vast.
"…so this is it…"
Not strength.
Not yet.
But
A doorway.
Ji-Han clenched his fist.
"…I'm just getting started."
DAY OF EVALUATION
Morning came, it was cold, but still and heavy with anticipation. The training camp was more crowded than ever. All trainees had gathered, no one was late, and no one dared to be.
At the center of the field. A massive evaluation platform had been set up. Mana-measuring pillars.
Combat arenas.
Ranking screens.
Everything was Prepared.
Ji-Han stood among them silently and calmly. But this time was different. He wasn't ignored.
…that's him, right?"
"The one who made top 4?"
Whispers followed him.
Different from before.
Not mockery, but curiosity.
Ji-Han didn't react. His eyes were fixed forward.
"This is it…"
A loud voice echoed across the field.
"ALL TRAINEES—ASSEMBLE!"
Instant silence.
And at the center platform stood a high-ranking association official. And also with the association vice president (Sung Ji-woo), and some guild representatives.
"Today marks your system grading." The official in charge said
His gaze swept across everyone.
"Your rank will be reassessed."
"Your abilities measured."
"Your potential judged."
A pause.
"And from this day forward—"
"You will be recognized as true awakened players."
The tension rose instantly.
"Step forward when your name is called."
The process began.
And one by one, trainees stepped forward.
Mana output measured.
Combat ability tested.
Skill efficiency analyzed.
Ranks updated in real time.
"C-rank!"
"D-rank confirmed!"
"B-rank potential detected!"
Cheers.
Shock.
Disappointment.
The board flickered constantly.
Names rising.
Falling.
Then—
"Kang Ji-won"
She stepped forward and was ranked.
"High B-rank… approaching B+."
Everyone applauded
"Park Min-Jae"
The ground cracked under his strength.
"SolidB-rank".
Everyone reacted.
"Lee Hyun-woo"
Energy surged wildly, and it was overwhelming.
"B+-rank confirmed"
Murmurs spread.
"Yoon Se-ah"
[Analyzing…]
[Evaluation complete]
"A-rank confirmed"
Everyone was shocked and murmured among themselves.
"Han Seo-Jun"
Blade drawn. One strike and the pillar is cut cleanly in half.
Silence went through….
(A+-rank confirmed)
The atmosphere changed
"A top-tier?"
"Almost approaching S-rank!"
Then a pause.
Yoon Ji-Han.
All eyes turned. And was expecting to see better results because he entered with an E grade.
He stepped forward. The same boy once mocked. Is now standing, waiting to be evaluated, and everyone was expecting a better result from him.