Star Fall (1)

Last year, Kang Jinwoo had risen to pro from the Foundation League. Even if it was by luck, a pro was a pro, so he calmly awaited the start of the tournament. His pro debut was about to begin.

A small space, roughly a square yard, held simulation devices: a helmet to wear on the head, a simulation chair, and a simple monitor.

"Ah, this must be the 'creation magic' connector my teacher mentioned."

Kang Jinwoo picked up the helmet linked to a genuine 7-level creation magic. He took a deep breath, knowing its terrifying price tag. As the 5th-place finisher in the Foundation League, he'd earned his pro promotion. But he knew better than anyone that this spot belonged to Seong Jiho. That's why he'd lived these past three months with brutal intensity. Even now, closing his eyes brought back those days of giving his all, crystal clear.

"So, I'll make this Ranking War one I won't be ashamed of."

The Ranking War was his chance to prove to the public that this spot was rightfully his—and to show one other person his worth.

'Become someone worthy of that position. You're a pro now, aren't you, Pro Kang Jinwoo?'

He wanted to stand tall before that 8-year-old mage, Yu Eunha. He wanted to say he was different now.

'I'm not the me from back then.'

A clear, dry voice rang out. Steadying his breath, he slipped on the helmet.

Seconds after donning it, Kang Jinwoo realized he'd dropped into a virtual Abyss.

"Gah?!"

His mind panicked, but his body moved as trained.

A blast of wind pressure halted his fall, letting him land lightly on the dirt.

"This is the real simulation?"

The lifelike environment and sensations at his toes felt utterly real, spiking his tension. He'd tried VR and precise sims countless times, but nothing this realistic. His heart pounded; sweat slicked his palms.

"S-Still, to be proud of this spot, I need top 60 at least."

Half of 120. He'd placed 5th out of 32 before, so top 50% should be doable. Steadying his nerves, violet rifts in the air began spawning abyssal entities.

"Ah. These..."

Grade 1 abyssal entities—humanoid but zombie-like, dubbed "walkers."

"What, just Grade 1? Piece of cake."

Tension eased; strength surged. He was a vet from that brutal Foundation League, a pro mage now. This Ranking War? No sweat.

'Mages peak in their mid-to-late teens, right?'

At 13, he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠might outshine those in their 20s or 30s.

Massive wind arrows tore through the air, shredding the walkers.

'Easy. This difficulty? No problem.'

Clearing the first wave, settlement hit, ushering the next.

"Wha— no break?"

Grade 2 entities spawned before he could sit.

"Gr-Grade 2 right away?!"

A horde of mixed Grade 1s and 2s; he bit his lip.

'Didn't expect to use my ace this early...'

Difficulty ramped faster than expected, but he steeled himself. Teacher warned the Wave Stage's pace was relentless.

'Everyone'll chain As to skip ahead. Fall below average, and penalties hit.'

Recalling his master's words: scores deduct below average, so chain As to Difficulty 15 at least. Full throttle, no mercy.

Three airborne blades whistled threateningly, slicing entities.

"Wind Blade's the one."

His custom upgrade of 3-level Wind Cutter—4-level efficiency and power.

'Make this my signature, become the icon of wind.'

He unleashed a barrage.

Six blades in a flash ended the wave.

"Hah... hah..."

Dizzy vision, overheating brain, tears pricking—but he endured. At 13, a year older than Hong Jiyeon, as the oldest rookie, he'd set an example.

"I won't fall behind!"

Wave 3 (Difficulty 5): A clear. Wave 4 (Difficulty 7): A clear. Pushing superhumanly with chained As—then a red alert flashed.

"Wha?!"

What? Stunned, he stared as Wave 5 (Difficulty 9) began. Average at 10 already?

'I've chained As—how am I behind?'

This meant even perfect As left him below average.

"N-No way..."

Dazed, Wave 5 hit.

Breath caught. He'd been pushing unsustainable pace—sky spinning, fingertips violet with strain. Yet below average? Grinding his teeth at the Grade 3 horde, he wiped blurring eyes with his sleeve.

'Time.'

Not just As—how fast and efficient. Sadly, time's value wasn't equal for all.

*

Honestly, it was boring. I cast a 2-level spell at the Grade 3 horde.

Entities turned to violet blood on spawn.

'Normally, 2-level wouldn't touch 'em...'

But essence realm imagery core and Secret Transmission Dynamics ether control made it possible.

"Boring..."

No Grade 4s; just more Grade 3s.

'0.5 seconds ahead of Monica's calculated pace. That's +3 over average, right?'

Ranking Wars end around Wave 20—no Grade 5s likely.

'Grade 5s are tricky to sim. Even Lee Han struggled with 'em.'

Next wave pouring; I chained spells.

Three spells merged; Grade 3s melted. But clearance slowed.

"Tch, what kinda Grade 3s are these?"

Some tanked the chain, standing firm.

'Simmed with insane magic resistance, huh.'

Easy to tweak specs in sims—monstrous Grade 3s weren't surprising.

Salvo finished stragglers; I clicked my tongue.

"Time's dragging."

Clear times stretching.

"Get caught at this rate."

I smirked, gathering ether. Time for the trump card prepped for this war: Secret Transmission Dynamics.

*

Hong Jiyeon caught her breath, eyeing the alert.

Blood surged in her lungs.

"Refinement Hell fits perfect, gu ma."

No breather—Grade 3 horde. Street-level apocalypse monsters, endless in waves. Sim or not, mental strain was real.

"But I'm still fresh! Take this, ya bastards!"

For this war, daily ether control drills.

"Ya thought I lacked talent? Bullshit!"

Foundation League grind: chaining four basics, no utils, pure attack. Not talent shortage—skipping basics for hard/high-level spells? Nah, solid foundations.

Basics only made it hell. But now?

"Behold! Power of drilled basics!"

Swift, precise casts. Flawless imagery—no waste. Polish made perfection.

Massive fireball erupted, igniting the ground. Panting, she gathered ether again. One more A, and top 60 secure.

'But that's not enough.'

No Four Heavenly Kings this time—top spot.

'Four Heavenly Kings? Hilarious.'

She knew: Isara was a hype bubble. Time to pop it.

"I'm the real genius over Goldma!"

Here, all bubbles burst—she'd reclaim her right.

*

Watching the broadcast, Hajieun stared blankly. Speechless, she exhaled held breath. Hands clenched white-knuckled.

Before Hajieun's eyes loomed the Ranking War's unbelievable standings.