"Apex Energy… the very essence of all combat strength in this academy. You cultivate it, you wield it, you push past your limits with it."
"But before you can master it, you must answer a simple question—"
The crisp, clear voice rang out through the hall, where a total of about 500 students sat, their attention fixed on a lady surrounded by various holograms depicting different elemental images.
Gas-like in nature and possessing various colors, Ryuk immediately recognized one among them—a white-colored energy, unmistakably Frost Energy.
"What is Apex Energy, really?" Instructor Katherine asked, her piercing purple eyes scanning the students.
"Some say Apex Energy is the fundamental power that governs all life and combat."
"It is divided into forms, as you can see..." she continued, swiping through the floating holograms.
"There are the basic elements—Fire, Water, Earth, and Air—along with more complex amalgamations of these elements.
"The most common amalgamations are dual-element combinations, followed by the rarer triple-element combinations," she explained, her voice drawing the students in.
"For example, Lava is a fusion of Fire and Earth.
"Metal is a combination of Fire and Earth.
"Lightning arises from Fire and Air.
"And Frost, a blend of Water and Air..."
She was still explaining when, suddenly—
A heavy tremor shook the ground beneath them, causing a ripple of shock through the hall. The students turned their attention toward Ryuk, confusion and curiosity flashing in their eyes.
"What is that?" one student muttered.
Instructor Katherine followed their gazes to Ryuk, who sat frozen under the weight of the stares. He was about to speak when a chilling sensation crawled up his spine. Slowly, he turned his head upward.
Isha.
She was right behind him. One of her claws rested under her chin as she observed the instructor with a thoughtful expression.
Ryuk’s face twisted.
"What the hell are you doing now, Isha?"
"Get back!" he whispered harshly, barely concealing his frustration.
But then, a voice echoed in his mind.
"The lady is interesting. I want to learn from her..."
"Stop that bullshit and get back inside!" he hissed under his breath. The class had fallen completely silent, making his whisper seem unbearably loud.
"No."
"I order you!" Ryuk snapped, but Isha remained unmoved.
That was when a notification flashed before his eyes.
[Error, Host!]
[Host can no longer forcefully send Isha back to the Pet World due to her increased intelligence and power. However, she may come in or go out of her own will.]
[If the Host wishes to keep Isha in the Pet World, King’s Aura must be activated and maintained to prevent her from emerging again.]
Ryuk gritted his teeth, frustration evident. But before he could react—
"Ahem."
Instructor Katherine cleared her throat.
Ryuk felt his soul leave his body as he turned, only to find her mere inches from his face, her pink gaze locked onto him.
"I… Uh… You see…"
"I’m so sorry, Instructor Katherine! I’ll get her out now!" Ryuk stammered, already preparing to activate King’s Aura.
But then—
Instructor Katherine stretched her hand toward Isha’s large forehead.
To Ryuk’s astonishment, Isha didn’t recoil. Instead, she allowed the instructor’s hand to rest gently against her head, her eyes narrowing slightly in what could only be described as pleasure.
"Your assessment never revealed that you were a Beasttamer…" Instructor Katherine remarked, her gaze shifting to Ryuk.
His brows furrowed.
’How does she know about Beasttamers?’
"You didn’t think you were the only one with that ability, did you?" she asked with a knowing smile.
"Beasttamers may be rare, but there are a few dozen among the second- and third-year students."
Ryuk’s eyes widened.
"There are!?"
"Your Frost Wyvern seems well-domesticated and highly intelligent. I can vouch for everyone in this class being safe."
"It can stay."
She gave Isha one last affectionate rub before returning to the front of the class.
"Huuu…"
Ryuk exhaled in relief.
For a moment, he had genuinely thought he was in trouble.
"As I was saying," Instructor Katherine continued, "there are triple-element amalgamations as well. For instance, Radiation, which is a fusion of Fire, Light, and Darkness. Gravity, a combination of Earth, Air, and Darkness. And so on."
"Beyond these double and triple amalgamations, there exists a rarer category known as Unique Amalgamations—and I believe there are a few geniuses among you who possess them."
Her words stirred whispers among the students as they exchanged glances. The holographic elemental projections around her faded.
"One of the most notable Unique Elements is the Void Element, also referred to as the Shadow Element."
"Which among you possesses the Shadow Element?"
The class hardly needed to search.
A Shadow Walker rose to his feet.
With a slow, deliberate motion, he raised a finger, and at its tip, flames of shadow danced ominously.
The students observed in fascination.
Shadow Walkers were usually draped in dark robes, their figures concealed. However, academy regulations required uniforms, forcing them to shed their cloaks.
Now, their true appearance was exposed.
Surprisingly, they looked humanoid.
Their ash-black skin bore dark, intricate lines running across their bodies. Their pitch-black eyes swirled with a strange vortex at their core, and some even had shadow-like gas seeping from their shoulders.
Watching the eerie, flickering shadow on the young man’s finger, Ryuk couldn’t help but wonder—
What exactly was the Shadow Element capable of?
"Another special element is the Life Element—a fusion of Earth, Water, and Light."
A female elf raised her hand.
In her palm, a ball of brilliant energy swirled, its aura brimming with vitality, growth, and incredible regenerative power.
"Then, of course," Instructor Katherine continued, "there are even more unique elements, some of which are only possessed by interdimensional beings."
"In short, some claim that Apex Energy is simply a manifestation of a wielder’s natural affinity."
"But that is merely a textbook definition."
Her tone shifted, becoming sharper.
"Outdated and basic knowledge—only suitable for children."
A few students frowned.
That was the definition they had always known.
Apex Energy—the expression of one’s natural affinity.
Yet, Instructor Katherine was suggesting otherwise.
Was there something more to it?