Growth Through Fury
I decided there was no point in hiding it anymore. Carefully cradling Psi in my arms, I stood up from my seat. All eyes in the classroom naturally turned to me.
“My ability… it’s dinosaurs.”
The classroom fell silent in an instant. The sound of someone dropping their pen echoed loudly.
I continued slowly. “I can do a gacha pull using mana stones. The gacha can give me dinosaurs, or tools to enhance abilities or grow dinosaurs.”
As I finished speaking, a strange silence settled over the room. Some faces showed confusion, others simple curiosity. But the assistant instructor, who had been listening quietly, let out a scoff.
“What a trash ability.”
It was a light sneer. “Gambling with mana stones on probability? Your only firepower is that puny little creature. Now I get why you’re bottom-tier.”
Then, a faint mutter came from the back. “That guy… doing it again…”
“Something like this happened last time too… barely stopped it…”
“Shh.”
The air in the classroom turned icy. I gritted my teeth.
“I don’t care if you judge my ability.” My voice came out calmer than I expected. “But Psi is family to me.”
As my words ended, Psi carefully slipped down from my arms. She planted her small feet on the floor, positioned herself in front of me like a shield, and glared at the assistant instructor. Her tiny body was overshadowed, but her eyes burned with clear defiance.
The assistant instructor burst into louder laughter at the sight. “What’re you gonna do with that pathetic power?”
He tilted his head, looking down at Psi. “First time I’ve seen someone bring a pet to Awakener Academy.”
Several students’ expressions hardened. The assistant instructor seemed oblivious to the mood, continuing with amused relish. “Fine, whatever… let’s see.”
He slowly raised his hand. “Training should be like real combat, after all.”
A small fireball formed at his fingertip.
That’s when the instructor spoke. “Stop that.”
But the assistant ignored him. “Instructor.” He chuckled lightly. “In the end, power is everything for awakeners and the academy. If you’re weak… you die.”
His gaze fixed on me and Psi. “Weak summons like that die outside before they even make it here anyway.”
Casual words, as if it were no big deal. He sneered at Psi. “Dying now might actually be a mercy.”
With a playful expression, as if it were just a joke, he flung the fireball straight at Psi.
“Stop!” The instructor’s shout exploded.
But it was too late.
“No!” I threw myself in front of her on instinct. Searing pain grazed my back. Not fatal, but the smell of burning flesh filled the air.
“Psi… you okay?”
I looked up to see Psi’s eyes trembling. Her small body shook violently.
That’s when it happened.
Intense Rage Detected
Temporary Ability Release — Feather Missile (Psittacosaurus Exclusive)
The status window flashed and vanished. Psi’s tail feathers turned crimson.
In the next instant, her tiny body launched into the air. Dozens, hundreds of feathers rained down like arrows from the sky.
“What—?”
The assistant was caught off guard. No time to defend.
Each feather was sharp as a blade. They embedded deeply into the classroom floor and walls, overwhelming him.
A short scream. Then silence.
I rushed over and scooped up Psi. “It’s okay… Dad’s fine. Calm down.”
The crimson feathers slowly returned to their original color. Psi burrowed into my arms, trembling, letting out soft whimpers as she nuzzled my face.
The classroom was deathly quiet, not even a breath to be heard. The assistant lay collapsed on the floor, bleeding from gashes across his body, unconscious.
And four pairs of eyes—now completely different from before—fixed on me.
The instructor, who had watched everything, finally spoke quietly. “You alright?”
He approached. His voice was low, but far more grave than usual. “…Sorry.”
His gaze flickered briefly. “Didn’t think he’d cross the line like that.” His eyes shifted to the fallen assistant. “I should’ve stopped it… too late.”
A moment of silence passed. The instructor scanned me once more.
“Still… just like the principal said.” He glanced at the assistant again, then back at me. “Endless potential. You might look weak and insignificant now, but with enough time and mana stones, you could grow stronger than anyone.”
Another pause. “That’s the judgment the principal and I made about you.”
He called for someone to carry the assistant to the infirmary. “Morning class ends here. Dismissed.”
On the way to the infirmary, classmates approached one by one. Han Yura’s eyes sparkled as she said, “That was insane just now.”
Kang Tae-jun nodded with arms crossed. “Body okay?”
Seo Ha-rin was expressionless but briefly lowered her gaze. “…Pushed too hard.”
Lee Sea silently checked my condition. Interest, concern, and clear intrigue. A total shift from before.
While lying on the infirmary bed receiving treatment, Psi never left my side. Clinging to my arm with her small body, head bowed low. As if saying it was her fault I got hurt.
I gently stroked Psi’s head. “Psi, Dad’s really okay.”
Only then did a tiny sob escape her.
At that moment, the door opened. The principal entered.
“Causing quite the stir on your first day.”
Her tone was light, but her eyes sharp. “Still weak, yet so bold.”
I met her gaze directly. “Yes. He insulted my family.”
The principal stared at me for a moment, then chuckled softly. “Well, I did get to see something interesting.”
She gestured, summoning someone. “The assistant who attacked you has been immediately suspended and detained.”
She stated it matter-of-factly. “Unauthorized ability use within the academy is a serious crime. Especially against a student.”
Her eyes chilled briefly. “This isn’t just crossing a line—it’s shattering it.”
She paused. “An investigation will proceed separately, and depending on the results, expulsion or even awakener license revocation will be considered.”
Psi still stood protectively in front of me, glaring at the principal. The principal smiled at her.
“Little one, don’t worry. I’m not here to attack.”
She handed me an envelope. “Your uniform and dorm key. They’re yours now.”
She paused again, then gestured once more. A small box floated over. “Rather than cash, I figured this would be more useful. Compensation for the assistant’s reckless attack.”
I opened the box. Inside: 30 mid-grade mana stones. My breath caught.
“This… it’s too much.”
The principal stood slowly. “Compensation… and an investment.”
She said clearly, “You’re the type who’ll rise. To very high places.”
Her words rang like prophecy. Psi gripped my hand tightly, as if she’d heard the promise too.
After the principal left, I finished treatment and headed to the dorm with Psi in my arms. The assigned room was cleaner than expected. Barely any luggage, but after today’s marathon, it didn’t feel so alien.
I changed into the new uniform and sat on the bed. Gently stroking Psi’s head. “You did great.”
Psi leaned into my touch, eyes narrowing in contentment.
I slowly opened the status window.
Psi [Psittacosaurus]
“Grown a lot… in just a few days.”
35%. A clear jump from when we first met.
And that battle earlier. “Temporary ability release, huh…”
I muttered lowly. “Psi, you were pretty mad, right?”
Psi looked up at me, her dark eyes quivering slightly. No words, but I felt it.
Of course, Dad… the dad I love got hurt because of me.
I smiled and hugged her tight. “Thank you.”
Psi let out a soft cry, rubbing her face against my cheek.
I’ll get stronger. Once I’m all grown up… I’ll always protect you, Dad.
That resolve reached me.
I placed the mana stones on the desk. 30 mid-grade ones. The principal’s “investment.”
“With this…”
I opened the system window and converted them all to gacha tickets. Light scattered, numbers appearing.
◈ Quantity: 10
Ten tickets. Not a small number.
I took a deep breath. Psi looked up at me with expectant eyes from beside me.
I smiled. “Psi.”
Her small foot climbed onto my knee.
“Let’s pull together.”
The room’s air thickened with tension. No telling what would come out.
But this time, I wasn’t scared. Psi was with me.
And… we weren’t alone anymore. I had a feeling we’d meet new family this time.
I carefully summoned the system window. A roulette wheel of light slowly materialized before us.
Psi tilted her head, staring at it like it was brand new.
“This… is how we meet our family.”
Psi let out a small cry, nodding as if she understood.
I smiled and gently took her tiny foot. “Together on three.”
She placed her foot on my hand. Warmth spread through.
“One… two…”
My heart raced a bit faster.
“…Three.”
I pressed the roulette with Psi. Light flashed, the wheel spinning wildly.
Glowing rewards blurred past: dinosaur eggs, growth tools, special abilities, and mysterious prizes.
Psi watched wide-eyed.
“Wonder what family member’s coming this time…”
I murmured softly. The wheel began to slow.
Psi gripped my finger tightly, tense.
I smiled at her. “It’s okay.”
Then quietly, “No matter who comes… we’ll get along great.”
The light steadied. And in that moment—
I felt an odd certainty. This pull would dramatically change our story.
And that change… would probably start right now.