The monitoring officer nodded and began operating the control panel.
"Understood, Supervisor."
In today's increasingly tense global landscape, there was no need to create a potential enemy for "Order" over a mere B-rank world that had already undergone its first phase of development.
"Supervisor, I've marked the world as a sensitive region and removed it from the Heaven's Eye System."
The supervisor patted the officer on the shoulder in approval.
"Well done. These are turbulent times. When selecting worlds, we must be extremely cautious."
"Let's avoid sending the system to develop certain small-to-mid-sized worlds that could easily lead to conflicts."
Currently, S-rank worlds such as "Great Desolation," "Abyssal Demons," "Genesis," and "616" were on the verge of war. A massive battle that could engulf countless worlds was imminent. Only "Kyushu," "Order," and "Black Tower" remained barely neutral. But if war broke out, it was only a matter of time before they too were dragged into the fray…
At this thought, the supervisor couldn't help but sigh.
"Sigh…"
The world of "Order" had always been one that loved peace, ill-suited for warfare. If they had to face off against a dozen S-rank worlds at once, it would be incredibly difficult to hold their ground.
At that moment, another staff member turned around and spoke up.
"Supervisor, we've already developed most of the unaffiliated mid-to-small worlds. Should we continue siphoning resources from the subsidiary worlds of 'Higashi' next?"
The supervisor smacked the man on the head and scolded him.
"You know what to do, so don't go blurting it out so carelessly!"
"Understood, Supervisor."
The man rubbed his head, grinning sheepishly before returning to his station.
"Higashi" was the weakest of the S-rank worlds, and more interestingly…
To put it simply, as long as you were stronger than them, even if you took their resources, they would bow and scrape, welcoming you with open arms.
So why not take advantage of that?
Thus, plundering "Higashi's" resources had become an unspoken agreement among the other S-rank worlds.
...
Countless years later.
Inside the "Order" World, at the God-Tier System Academy.
Those who entered the highest academy of "Order" were anything but ordinary.
In this world, one in a billion were chosen at birth—prodigies whose consciousness was vastly different from the norm, with a stability and intensity a million times greater than that of ordinary beings.
With specialized training and the assistance of advanced instruments, these individuals could project their consciousness across the myriad worlds, assuming the role of systems to extract the very essence of existence.
And the God-Tier System Academy was where these chosen ones were trained to become fully-fledged systems.
It was the start of a new academic year.
The instructor stood on the podium, his expression solemn as he spoke.
"The first principle of being a system is to never develop emotions toward your host."
"Joy, anger, sorrow, pleasure—these are emotions that systems should neither have nor express."
"The relationship between a system and its host is purely transactional, a mutual exchange of benefits. Letting emotions interfere will cloud your judgment and lead you to make foolish decisions."
He paused momentarily and turned his gaze toward a particular student in the classroom.
"Mikazuki, do you agree with what I just said?"
Some students followed the instructor's gaze, their expressions puzzled.
"What's going on? Why does it feel like the instructor is hinting at something?"
A nearby student looked incredulous.
"No way, don't tell me you haven't heard of Mikazuki?"
With an exasperated sigh, the student tapped two fingers against his companion's forehead, transmitting information directly into his mind.
Mikazuki—
A prodigy among prodigies.
A legendary figure in the God-Tier System Academy.
Five years ago, he passed every test with top marks and secured his system qualification even before graduation.
As a system, his growth was extraordinary—simultaneously extracting the essence of five different worlds. Even veteran systems struggled to accomplish such a feat, yet Mikazuki, a mere rookie, had done it.
But just when everyone thought he was destined to soar to unimaginable heights…
He made the gravest mistake a system could make.
He developed feelings for his first host.
When the extraction process was complete and it was time to withdraw, instead of taking the harvested essence with him, he left all of it behind for his host.
A cardinal sin among systems.
As a result, Mikazuki was stripped of his system status and ordered to return to the academy for retraining.
The academy, having invested considerable resources in him, was reluctant to simply discard such a talent. The decision was made: if Mikazuki could recognize his mistake, he would be reinstated.
But…
Mikazuki met the instructor's gaze, his expression calm.
"Instructor, I believe you are correct, but I do not believe I was wrong."
Because he never wavered in his belief, he remained at the academy year after year…
The instructor shook his head in disappointment, his eyes turning cold.
"Hopeless. Frankly, the academy should have expelled you long ago."
Scornful whispers spread through the classroom.
"The once-legendary figure has become nothing more than a cautionary tale."
"Giving up his essence for some insignificant being from a low-tier world… utterly incomprehensible."
"Honestly, how did someone like him even pass the graduation exam in the first place?"
Just then, laughter echoed from the doorway.
"Hahahaha! Truly the ignorance of summer insects speaking of ice, and well frogs discussing the ocean."
The instructor frowned and turned toward the entrance.
A man in a white robe, a longsword at his waist, strolled leisurely into the room. It was he who had spoken so mockingly.
The instructor narrowed his eyes in displeasure.
"You are not one of our academy's students, are you?"
The students murmured amongst themselves.
"Where did this guy come from? Why is he acting so arrogant?"
"That smug grin is really irritating. I kind of want to hit him with my 'Essence Technique.'"
"Don't be reckless… his energy signature feels stronger than our instructor's."
Mikazuki trembled slightly.
The aura surrounding the white-robed man felt so familiar. Could it be…?
No… that was impossible.
The man leaned casually against the wall, tilting his head with a smile.
"Indeed, I am not from your academy. I am an exchange student from the 'Kyushu' world."
Hearing this, the light in Mikazuki's eyes faded.
"It's not him… How could it be him? What am I thinking…?"
The instructor's expression changed slightly before quickly forcing a smile.
"Oh, an esteemed guest from 'Kyushu'? Welcome, welcome!"
Students: Tch! (The instructor chickened out? Lame!)
...
The white-robed man strode toward Mikazuki, smiling.
"I believe Mikazuki's actions were correct. He made a wise investment."
Mikazuki's eyes widened.
The man met his gaze and grinned.
"Because I was his first host."
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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