The morning sun filtered softly through the treehouse windows, painting golden patterns across the floor. Aura was still buried under the warm blanket beside Riku, his soft golden hair a mess. The peaceful moment didn't last long.
"Aura! Wake up!" Lily's cheerful voice called as she gently shook his shoulder.
Aura blinked, yawned, and rubbed his eyes. "Five more minutes…"
"Nope! You're already late for school!"
Hearing that, Aura bolted up. "Wha—?! I'm late?!"
After a quick breakfast and brushing off Lily's playful teasing, he dashed through the village toward the school tree. The leaves rustled above him as he ran, feet barely touching the wooden bridges.
When he reached the class, the door was already open.
Inside, a tall, broad-shouldered beastman stood at the front of the classroom. His skin was rough, his ears slightly pointed, and two tusks peeked from under his lips. A long braid of dark hair hung over one shoulder, and his furred tail twitched in annoyance.
"You're late, Aurelian," the teacher's deep voice boomed.
Aura froze at the door.
"I'll allow it this time. But next time, no entry. Got it?"
Aura quickly bowed. "Yes, teacher! I'm sorry!"
As he stepped inside, the system chimed in.
[System Notice]
Name: Gorrak
Race: Orc-Wolflin
HybridLevel: 25
Bloodline: Common
Position: Homeroom Teacher
Aura took his seat, catching his breath as Gorrak began his welcome lecture.
"This school is officially managed by the Beast Department of the Southern Royal Academy. There are three such partner schools across the southern region, and ours is the only one located in a fully beast-race village."
Gorrak's voice held weight, and the class listened closely.
"There are four academic years here. In your second year and onward, you may attempt the Royal Academy Entrance Exams. Pass, and you're in. Fail, and you continue your training here. After the fourth year, if you still haven't passed, your time in this school ends."
He paused. "Got it?"
"Yes, Teacher!" the class echoed.
Aura gulped. "Second year, huh? That's not too far."
After some more instruction, the lunch bell rang. As everyone got up, Aura stood and stretched, ready to eat.
Just then, two large ogre boys approached him. Both had bulky arms and tusked grins. Their uniforms barely fit their massive frames.
"Well, well," one said, cracking his knuckles. "If it isn't the golden-eyed human. Must think he's better than everyone."
Aura looked at them, expression neutral. "Excuse me."
He walked past them without a second glance.
The ogres turned red with frustration but didn't stop him. Not yet.
Aura sat under a tree and quietly enjoyed his meal. But when he returned early to the classroom, he witnessed something he didn't like.
The same ogres were towering over a small Foxy boy, barely older than Aura. The boy trembled as one ogre grabbed his collar.
"I told you! Bring five coins every lunch! Or else!"
"I—I forgot…" the Foxy stammered.
Before Aura could look away, the system chimed again.
[Quest Triggered]
Save the Foxy boy and make a name for yourself. Reward: Martial Art – Dragonpunch Sutra
Aura's eyes widened.
"A martial art? System, what kind of skill is this?"
[Dragonpunch Sutra: Basic martial art focused on short-range explosive strikes, scales with strength and aura affinity.]
Aura hesitated. "I was going to ignore it, but…"
He sighed, stepped forward, and placed himself between the Foxy boy and the ogres.
"That's enough."
The ogres paused, then scoffed. "You've got guts, human."
[Quest Complete. You have learned: Dragonpunch Sutra]
Aura blinked as the knowledge entered his mind like a flowing river. His muscles tingled.
"I'm giving you a warning," one ogre growled. "Step aside or get beat."
Aura's eyes sharpened. "No."
In the next moment, the system buzzed again.
[Skill Activated: Imaginary World]
The world shimmered. In a blink, Aura and the three ogres were transported to a different dimension—a warped space of glowing clouds and shifting terrain. The wind was still, and the silence was eerie.
[All stats temporarily increased by 10%.]
Level: 1
Race: Primordial Dragon
HP: 137
Attack: 18
Defense: 29
Mana: 43
AP: 0
SP: 0
Skills:
Primordial Aura (Upgradable)
Humanization
Imaginary World (Upgradable)
Dragonpunch Sutra (Upgradable)
The ogres looked around, confused. "W-What is this place?!"
Aura narrowed his eyes. "It's my world."
One ogre charged. Aura ducked low, concentrated, and let his energy surge through his fist.
"Dragonpunch!"
He struck the ogre's ribs—BOOM! The ogre was launched several meters away, groaning.
The second ogre ran toward him. Aura twisted, aiming for the gut—"Dragonpunch!"—and the ogre flew backward.
With a final pulse, the dimension collapsed.
The class stared as the ogres reappeared with Aura, both unconscious, blood trickling from their mouths.
"What just happened?!"
"Where did they go?!"
"Is he a mage?!"
The teacher arrived just as other students carried the injured ogres to the infirmary. Gorrak looked at Aura, surprised, but said nothing.
The rest of the class whispered and murmured, but no one dared challenge Aura again.
After school, Aura walked home quietly. As he reached the village center, many of his classmates followed behind him.
"Hey, Aurelian! That was amazing!"
"You really saved that kid!"
"Are you secretly a beast disguised as a human?"
Aura just smiled shyly. "I just didn't want to ignore someone being hurt."
The Foxy boy he saved ran up and hugged him tightly. "Thank you!"
Aura patted his head awkwardly. "You're welcome…"
That night, after a hearty dinner, Aura curled up beside Riku again, exhausted.
As he drifted into sleep, the system made one final update:
[Heart Echo Increased: 43% → 49%]
[Emotional Stability: good]
[Reputation with Foxy Village: Kind-hearted Cub]
[Status: Integration successful. Monitoring continues.]