Awakening: Reincarnating With the SSS-Level Extraction Talent

"Welcome, initiates," Dominic's voice rang out, deep and resonant, carrying an unshakable authority, "Congratulations on completing the Golden Star Academy Entrance Examination and earning your place here!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, the prospect of immense power driving their excitement.

Aurelia clapped as well, but Alex's eyes narrowed as he studied the chairman.

He knew that nothing suspicious would happen at the start, but even then, knowing about the future made Alex cautious.

Dominic raised a hand, and the crowd immediately fell silent again.

His eyes scanned the crowd, lingering momentarily on some of the top-ranking players.

Alex felt a sharp chill when Dominic's gaze landed on him.

The chairman's piercing stare seemed to dissect him, as if he could see through every layer of his being.

"Now, enjoy your time here, but remember," Dominic continued, his tone turning ominous. "Everything comes at a cost. Your energy, your efforts... all of it will contribute to building something beautiful, something greater than any of you could imagine."

The chairman's final words lingered in the air like a foreboding echo.

Alex's expression darkened as he heard the last part of the sentence.

The phrase was far too deliberate, too reminiscent of what he had learned about their twisted plans to use players and NPCs alike as tools for power.

Dominic's voice rose again, pulling Alex from his thoughts.

"To the top ten, our most outstanding participants, you have proven yourselves to be exceptional. Among you, one name stands out above all: FateBreaker."

The crowd's reaction was immediate.

A mix of cheers, applause, and scattered boos filled the air.

Some players glared enviously at Alex, while others simply looked resigned.

Aurelia puffed her chest proudly, as if she had personally contributed to Alex's victory.

Dominic's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "FateBreaker, congratulations on securing the top spot. Your efforts and strength are commendable."

The chairman's gaze locked onto Alex again, and this time, the weight of his aura became almost unbearable.

Alex felt his muscles tense involuntarily, a cold sweat forming on his brow. It wasn't just power, it was as though Dominic's presence itself sought to crush him.

For a moment, the world around them seemed to still.

The two stared at each other, the tension palpable. But Alex refused to look away.

Despite the suffocating pressure, he stood firm, meeting Dominic's gaze head-on.

The chairman's smile widened ever so slightly, and he turned his attention back to the crowd.

"You all have potential. Prove yourselves worthy of the opportunities before you, and you may yet achieve greatness."

The players began to disperse, the tension easing as Dominic's overwhelming aura receded, and he vanished in a flash of golden light.

Excitement returned as they discussed their plans to explore the academy and its countless opportunities.

Ding!

[Enter the Golden Star Academy to claim your #1 Spot reward!]

Alex, however, wasn't as eager to do that yet.

The encounter left a bitter taste in his mouth, and he couldn't shake the feeling that Dominic had singled him out for a reason.

He glanced at Alice and Aurelia, both of whom were now staring at him expectantly.

"Let's get out of here," Alex said suddenly, his voice low.

His instincts told him to leave, to regroup and prepare for whatever was coming.

Without waiting for a response, he grabbed their hands and activated his World Map, ready to teleport away.

"Wait, we're leaving already?" Aurelia protested, her excitement fading into confusion.

"Yes," Alex said firmly. "This place isn't safe. Not for us, and definitely not for anyone else."

Before the golden gates of the academy fully opened, Alex grabbed Alice and Aurelia's hands and vanished in a flash of light.

"Wait, what-" Aurelia was shocked, but couldn't finish her sentence.

When the teleportation light faded, Alex, Alice, and Aurelia found themselves in the familiar surroundings of the Mage Tower, more precisely inside of [Arceus' Chamber].

However, something was different this time. For the first time in ages, Arceus wasn't there.

Instead, sitting casually in a high-backed chair near one of the desks, was Artemis, the two-winged angel.

Aurelia's eyes widened in awe.

"W-Wow," she whispered, her voice a mix of shock and admiration.

Her gaze was locked on Artemis, who radiated an otherworldly aura, his divine wings draped behind him like a cloak of light.

The angel's sharp eyes flicked toward them, "Yo, human."

Alex glanced at Artemis, mildly surprised.

The angel wasn't as cold or hostile as he had been during their last encounters.

Perhaps Artemis had begrudgingly accepted that Alex's meetings with Arceus weren't going to stop anytime soon.

"The master isn't here right now. He went to that [Grand Mage Order] gathering or whatever," Artemis continued, flipping a page in the book he was reading.

His tone was calm, even nonchalant.

"Hmm…" Alex tilted his head, confused. He hadn't expected Arceus to be out. "Alright," he muttered after a moment. "I'll just wait here, then."

"Feel free." Artemis returned to his book, seemingly uninterested in Alex's presence.

Alex shrugged and turned his attention to the chamber, filled with weird items, but the one that attracted his attention was [Reward Box], a small ornate chest sitting on Arceus' desk.

The box contained the various items Arceus was supposed to reward him for completing difficult tasks.

His curiosity piqued, Alex leaned closer, inspecting its intricate carvings and wondering what he might get next.

Beep! Beep!

[You aren't allowed to open that, student!]

Arceus even made a custom alert, how amusing.

Meanwhile, Aurelia was still entranced by Artemis.

Her wide eyes kept flicking between the angel's regal demeanor and his glowing wings.

She had been fascinated by all the things she saw in the game, and angels were no different, this was the closest she'd ever been to one.

Artemis seemed like a living, breathing myth.

Unable to resist, she slowly crept closer, her hand outstretched toward his wings.

She was utterly captivated, desperate to know what they felt like.

Would they be soft like feathers? Or perhaps they glimmered with some kind of divine energy? She wasn't sure, but she was determined to find out.

Alice was beside Alex, watching the box too.

But once the man turned around, all he saw was Aurelia, on the verge of touching Artemis' wings.

"DON'T-!" Alex's shout rang out, but it was too late.

Artemis stiffened instantly, his serene expression replaced by a glare of pure fury.

His teeth clenched as he snapped his book shut and stood in one smooth motion.

"Foolish human!" he growled.

His voice, though not raised, was sharp and dangerous, carrying the weight of divine authority.

Aurelia froze mid-step, her hand mere inches from his wings. Her fascination turned to confusion, then fear, as Artemis summoned a golden blade in his hands.

"Did you not realize?" Artemis hissed, his blade gleaming as he unsheathed it. "The wings of an angel are sacred. They are our pride, our rank, our very essence. To touch them without permission is an unforgivable insult!"

After all, that's why these angels were ranked by the following hierarchy: two-winged, four-winged, eight-winged and even ten-winged for the highest ranks.

"H-Huh?" Aurelia stammered, too stunned to move.

The angel raised his weapon, the air around him crackling with energy.

Alex's head snapped up just in time to see the strike coming.

"Dammit!" he swore under his breath.

In an instant, he was moving, his body a blur of speed as he dashed forward. Discover more content at empire

He threw himself between Artemis and Aurelia, ducking low and raising his arms to shield her.

SLASH!

The blade connected, a burst of light erupting from the impact.

-7,839,216!

[You have died! "Blessing of the Fox Spirit" has tanked the attack in your place.]

Alex staggered back, his vision briefly going dark before the blessing's effects pulled him back from the brink of death.

A faint, translucent barrier flickered around him as the skill dissipated, having absorbed the otherwise fatal blow.

"Oh," Artemis said, lowering his weapon. His anger had cooled somewhat, replaced by a look of mild surprise. "I didn't mean to kill you. My target was the female human."

"It's… fine," Alex muttered, exhaling heavily as he steadied himself.

Aurelia's face was pale as she nodded rapidly, her wide eyes brimming with guilt. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't know it was such a big deal-"

Before she could finish her sentence though, there was a thunder sound in the chamber, and before anyone could react, Arceus appeared in the middle.

"Damn bastards, forcing me to attend these stupid meetings," he groaned before realizing everyone's presence, "Oh? Company, it seems, more than before at least."