The Emergence of a New Strongest?
“Haah.” Principal Ludwig Rich pressed his forehead and let out a deep sigh.
The raid by the Ability Supremacists. Then the commotion stirred up by the Crea Kingdom revival forces. These were the events that had unfolded at the Continental Academy in less than half a year. It was beyond astonishing—it was utterly baffling. If there had been prior incidents like this, he might have been prepared. Even after enduring all that chaos, he’d assumed no more such disasters would occur. If there truly was a god in this world, surely it would show some mercy and hold back on further trials.
Sadly, the principal’s wish was only half right—and half wrong. No more trouble came from outsiders. The problem exploded from within. And not just any problem, but the absolute worst kind: a “rampage.”
At least the exam hall had been built as the sturdiest, most isolated structure on campus, prepared for every contingency. Had it not, the freshly rebuilt academy would have been shattered once more—not by external enemies, but by the hands of its own students. A tragedy had nearly unfolded.
“Principal. All the professors who were there have gathered.”
“Please, sit. We have much to discuss.”
Of course, he hadn’t summoned them for a scolding. If the professors had triggered the rampage, or if the exam itself carried such risks, perhaps. But from every angle, the conditions made no sense for this to happen. The odds had been near zero.
What he needed now were eyewitness accounts from those closest to the scene, those who had seen it most clearly. It would have been ideal if he’d been there himself, but honestly—who could have predicted this?
“How were the four students who entered rampage state?”
“Fortunately, none suffered serious injuries during suppression. Two regained consciousness right away, and the other two recovered enough after the shock to stand on their own.”
What made rampages so terrifying was their potential to devastate the victim’s body. They weren’t commonplace, but far from unheard of. Just when memories faded, rumors would surface—and inevitably, at least one life would be lost. Worst of all, the stronger the ability, the greater the danger during rampage.
And of all people, it had to be those four. Flam Phoenix and Portus Sparrow. Kalligo Evdors Rune and Rel Carhan. Top first-years all. The professors must have been utterly horrified.
“By the time the professors here rushed in to suppress them, the situation was already over.”
“Yes, Principal.”
“And the one who handled it was first-year Abel Rothschild?”
“Correct.”
Again. Abel again. That student, smack in the middle of yet another absurdity. If he’d been the one rampaging, it wouldn’t ache his head like this. But no—Abel had subdued the rampagers. Single-handedly. Effortlessly.
By any logic, impossible. No matter the skill, subduing rampaging ability users without major wounds required at least two opponents of equal power. Far harder than killing. Suppressors always outnumbered their targets. Yet Abel shattered that norm. The rampagers had the numbers—one against four. Subdued cleanly, no serious injuries.
Astonishing on its own. But the true shock hadn’t even started.
“You said Abel wielded a new ability.”
“That’s what we saw.”
The principal reviewed the file on Abel from his secretary. From the Ascal Kingdom. Verified abilities: two. Physical Enhancement and Swordsmanship. Nothing unusual. Right—up to here, just a promising standout. But suddenly, a brand-new ability? Not the end of it?
“Professors know this, but dual and multiple abilities aren’t even comparable. You’re aware.”
“Yes, Principal. Of course.”
“And that incomparability doesn’t always mean good news. You know the brutal overload multiples put on the body.”
Dual ability users cropped up now and then. Multiples? Nonexistent. Coexistence was impossible from the start. The instant it happened, the body collapsed. Far beyond its limits. Rare multiples had emerged, but upon fully awakening all three, their lives ended in their twenties. Worse, every known case involved utterly unrelated abilities. No synergy whatsoever—pure, crushing burden on the user. As if the world had sealed it shut.
Yes. That was the aptest description.
“Yet three from Abel. Physical Enhancement. Swordsmanship. Now energy absorption and emission?”
“We understand your shock, Principal. But that’s precisely what we confirmed.”
“No chance of error from the initial verification?”
“Just to be sure, we re-tested Abel’s abilities ourselves right after. Confirmed: Physical Enhancement and Swordsmanship. And the new energy absorption and emission—solid.”
Then what is this? Had Abel defied the world’s own laws? From another world? Casually hopping lines drawn in stone?
“How’s Abel holding up?”
“Perfectly fine.”
“After that mess. Using three abilities. And fine?”
Yes. Still nonsensical. Three abilities, all synergistic—no horrific burden? While the rampagers couldn’t even rise, he’s unscathed?
The principal let out a hollow “Hahaha,” slumping deep into his chair. So ridiculous, he muttered aloud for all to hear.
“…Seriously, is he from some other world? Does this even make sense? Huh? Does it?”
The professors managed only awkward smiles, unable to respond. “Another world”? Others would call him insane. The kid himself might take offense.
“Anyway, good work, everyone. Aside from the exam hall rubble, no major issues—it’ll blow over. The Continental Academy’s infamous for mishaps. Especially after two big ones lately. Even the Empire will let this slide.”
“The rampagers aside, what about Abel? If he’s truly a multiple ability user, we can’t ignore the overload risk.”
“But no anomalies, right? Can’t lock him in the infirmary for treatment that isn’t needed.”
True enough. “Treatment” implied injury. Abel had none. If anything, his pristine condition was the problem. Even the newcomer ability meshed seamlessly with the originals—too stable.
In the end, no real conclusions. The meeting wrapped.
Once the professors filed out, Principal Ludwig sighed again.
…At first, I thought we’d just gained an exceptionally talented student.
Now? Far beyond. He’d never witnessed anyone wielding three abilities so casually. And the real terror: now a multiple user, what stopped four? Or more?
“…”
Something clicked. He rose, approached the bookshelf. Student references to advanced instructor tomes on ability training. Scanning, he pulled one free with a nod.
It had been ages since abilities took root in this world. Countless studies conducted. And still, researchers toiled on. Much had been uncovered. More to come.
But amid it all, one unsolved riddle: where did these ability powers originate? Their starting point?
Hypotheses abounded, but hypotheses they remained. No firm answers. Research had limits in peering back through time.
Even jests circulated among researchers:
“What if abilities just… dropped from nowhere? Not evolved, not developed. Something nonexistent, suddenly here. Like a god one day bestowing them.”
“Ridiculous. Then something else could drop later, right? Some brand-new thing the world’s never seen?”
For some reason, today those researcher jokes struck the principal as anything but funny.
A brand-new something. One who deviated further on sheer willpower. On endurance alone. Inevitable, really.
“Principal.”
The door opened. His secretary entered, delivering two pieces of news.
“…Hm.”
Perfect timing. Those individuals. Each at the pinnacle of their single ability. They might offer answers. Or something close.