Chapter 8 - A Revelation
[Does the host wish to extract this Xeon Ability - Yes/No?] Max’s eyes widened as he read the notification hovering before him. "Extract… Miss Raelyn’s ability?" His thoughts spiraled into chaos. "Yes… No—wait…!" He hesitated, his heart pounding. [Host has chosen to extract this Xeon Ability.] [Initiating Powerflow Extraction…] "What?! I said no!" His mind reeled. The raw power he had sensed from Miss Raelyn’s ability flashed through his thoughts, and for a split second, he had instinctively agreed. But the realization hit him like a thunderclap—she had never wronged him like the others had. "Oh no… what have I done?" Panic gripped him as another notification appeared. [Extraction in Progress: 0% / 100%] Max’s breath hitched. Desperately, he tried to think of a way to stop it. His gaze shot to Miss Raelyn, who still held onto his arm with a firm grip. He pulled back with all his might, hoping that breaking contact would halt the process—but it was like trying to wrench his arm from steel restraints. Miss Raelyn’s expression remained unreadable, but her eyebrows twitched slightly, as if sensing something. "She’s going to lose her power if she doesn’t let go!" Max tugged harder, but she held on effortlessly. Then, something strange happened. "Wait… why isn’t the percentage moving?" His gaze darted to the floating notification. [Extraction in Progress: 0% / 100%] Seconds ticked by, yet the process refused to advance. "Huh?" A new notification replaced the old one. [Powerflow Extraction has failed.] Max blinked. "Failed? Why?" He barely had time to process this before murmurs from the classroom drew his attention. — "What is Miss Raelyn doing?" — "Why is she taking this long to inspect that reject?" The whispers seemed to snap Miss Raelyn out of her trance. Her grip loosened, and she let go of Max’s arm, her sharp gaze locking onto his. For a moment, it felt as though she was peering straight into his soul. Max swallowed hard, trying to keep his face neutral, but inside, he was screaming. "She knows! She must’ve sensed it! The Xeon System has finally gotten me killed! I was just given a little hope only to die right after—she’s going to obliterate me!" His panicked thoughts were interrupted by her voice. “Huh?” He hadn’t caught her question. “I asked… how did you channel your power through the third flow point?” Miss Raelyn repeated. Max stiffened. “Eh?” A stunned silence filled the room. Even the other students reacted with disbelief. — "Third point? Him?" — "Miss Raelyn must be mistaken!" — "No way a failure like him could ever do that!" Max himself couldn’t believe it. He opened his mouth but hesitated, uncertainty gripping him. Miss Raelyn’s gaze darkened. “Oh? So I’m mistaken?” She turned back to him. “Is there something new about your ability that you couldn’t use before?” "New ability?" His mind raced back to when he had checked his Xeon System interface. “Does this count?” he muttered. His skin rippled. A wave of shifting pigment spread from his face to his hands, darkening his complexion in mere moments. Gasps filled the room. — "Didn’t his ability only let him change his hair color?!" Miss Raelyn remained unfazed. “Max Bladeheart has successfully demonstrated his powerflow through the third point. Next time you assume I am mistaken, I will personally correct your lack of discipline.” Her icy glare swept across the class. Several students shrank in their seats, their faces turning pale. “You may return to your seat.” Max nodded and strode back to his desk. Even as he sat, he could feel his classmates’ lingering stares. "Even if I reached the third point, they still think I’m nothing." Their thoughts were almost tangible in the air around him. Yet, Max was just as shocked as they were. "My powerflow has already reached the third point?" The realization hit him like a lightning strike. "Then… this ability is real!" His fingers curled into a fist. The moment replayed in his mind—his successful transformation, the system’s messages… "I can actually steal abilities!" Excitement surged through him. But then, another thought surfaced. "Why didn’t it work on Miss Raelyn?" He quickly opened his system interface, pulling up the Xeon Awakening section. — » Xeon Awakening - Level 1 — (Allows the host to extract and merge abilities if the requirements are met. Applies to Zeta-Rank abilities [D–F Rank].) "I knew it!" His eyes locked onto the limitation. "I can only extract lower-ranked abilities… for now." His gaze then flicked to the skill level. "If this is Level 1, then upgrading it must let me steal stronger abilities!" A grin spread across his face, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous glint. "It’s all real." His gaze swept across the classroom, his expression darkening. Each person who bullied me will suffer because of my revenge. I’ll make them pay." — Miss Raelyn occasionally looked at Max while she continued teaching her classes. "That boy… something about him feels different." She immediately detected a change in his energy when she entered the room. She needed additional time to examine him because of it. Her surprise went beyond his achievement of reaching the third flow point because he stood dangerously near the fourth level. "His power might not be as worthless as everyone assumed." The transformation power that he possessed kept playing in her awareness. — Max walked home after school with a steady pace as he departed from the academy. His thoughts continuously revisited everything that had happened throughout the day. "The XAO entrance trials are in six months." His eyes showed both nervousness and anticipation. "How much stronger will I be by then?" He remembered what the XAO officials had said to him earlier. — "If you intend to enter the trials, add your name to the registry." "Only those who reach Zeta Rank before then will be eligible." "The exact date and location will be announced later." — Max recalled the day when XAO officials visited Class Three for their inspection. He had failed, as expected. The selection process had picked only a small number of candidates for immediate admission. He completed the participation form without any delay when the time arrived. His mind replayed the shocked expressions of his classmates who witnessed his decision. A period of six months will find me achieving something to ridicule their expectations. Then, another thought struck him. "Since this is all real… that means I have to complete my daily system tasks." His lips curled into a smirk. He saw a fresh direction in front of him and planned to follow it completely.Related Chapters
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 9: Attribute Points
Chapter 9: Attribute PointsMax took his time walking home from the academy, lost in deep thought. Unlike the morning rush, he wasn’t in a hurry. His mind was occupied, running through everything that had happened during the day and how he could maximize his newfound power.By the time he arrived at his residence, the entire place was empty. Normally, Raiden would have already been picked up by their mother and dropped off at home. Max was used to coming back from school to find him there.Not that it mattered. Without sparing another thought, Max entered his small, dimly lit room and sat on the edge of his old metal tub.Unlike most people who had proper beds, Max had never been given one. His parents decided long ago that he wasn’t worthy of such a luxury, so they had dumped a discarded bathtub in his room—something they had salvaged from a junkyard.For almost a decade, this had been his resting place. His small frame, stunted by years of malnutrition, was the only reason he still
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 10 - Steady Advancement
Chapter 10 - Steady AdvancementMax studied the illuminated display in front of him with a thoughtful expression."Being able to allocate five points to any attribute of my choosing is definitely useful… but looking at these numbers, five points barely make a difference."He studied the display screen intently while he examined his available choices.{Attribute Stats}»Strength: 1»Perception: 1»Agility: null»Speed: 1»Bravery: null»Intelligence: 4»Charm: null{Available Attribute Points: 5}Max used his hand to tap his palm as he thought about his options."If I spread them out evenly, the growth will be balanced, but at the same time, it might not be as impactful as concentrating them in one area…" His brows furrowed slightly.He took several moments to think before letting out a deep breath.The weakness of multiple attributes when one attribute stands out strongly could create problems. Great strength becomes useless when speed remains lacking. My strength would become useless
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 11: Cafeteria Confrontation
Chapter 11: Cafeteria ConfrontationMax stepped through the doorway.Students from different classes filled the cafeteria space while it buzzed with activity. Multiple conversations merged into a loud and disorganized mix of voices.—"Did you hear? The private photos of Kiera Lane appeared online for everyone to see.—"No way! Show me the location because I require evidence.—"She's gorgeous… Damn!"—"Titan Industries is drowning in another corruption scandal!"Students gathered in small groups to view trending content and gossip while they bent their heads over their electronic devices. Students displayed a spectrum of emotions between surprise and mirth.Max remained completely uninterested in the digital world. Throughout his life he had never purchased his own device nor did he become absorbed by viral content or social media discussions. He had always remained outside this social sphere.His eyes briefly moved toward the second floor. The upper floor served as the gathering place
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 12 – Triumph in Defiance
Chapter 12 – Triumph in Defiance"You bastard!" Jace's voice roared with fury as he launched a punch toward Max's head from the right.Roy struck his punch with the same force while standing on the left side.Max found himself in the middle as both opponents launched their attacks from opposite directions. His body briefly stiffened before his natural reaction kicked in. He propelled himself from the floor while moving backward through a quick motion.Swoosh!The two flying fists barely missed Max as they passed by his head. The force of their movements threatened to push Jace and Roy into each other.The two attackers paused only briefly after their initial attack missed. Max's disruption of their assault appeared like pure chance according to his attackers.Jace regained his footing before he launched another attack. The right fist of Jace extended toward Max's facial area."How dare you lay a hand on young master Theo!" Jace struck through the air with his punch as he shouted full
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 13 - Reckoning in the Aftermath
Chapter 13 - Reckoning in the Aftermath"You'll pay for this, you bastard!" Theo Vance's voice echoed through the cafeteria, raw with fury. His expression twisted in pain and rage as he raised his trembling, broken hand. His other arm shot forward, a swirling mass of energy coalescing at his palm.A crackling beam of fluorescent light burst forth, streaking toward Max Bladeheart with blistering speed.Max, his mind sharp and instinct honed, barely reacted before his body took over.‘Activate Dash.’The command surged through him like a whisper carried by the wind.In an instant, his senses sharpened. The world around him slowed. Every breath, every sound became a distant murmur. A refreshing sensation coursed through his limbs, filling his muscles with a boundless energy that made him feel weightless, untethered.The energy blast screamed toward him.Twoosh!Max pivoted sharply to the side, his body blurring as he dodged the attack with ease. The beam of light streaked past him, slamm
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 14: Recompense
Chapter 14: RecompenseA chime echoed in Max Vale’s mind as he strode through the bustling district, weaving past civilians rushing toward the teleportation rings.[Host has completed a Hidden Quest.]Max slowed, his brow furrowing as he focused on the glowing notification."A hidden quest?" he mused, intrigued.Before he could process it fully—"Move aside, kid!"A sharp voice cut through the air as an impatient man pushed past him, nearly knocking his shoulder. Max barely spared him a glance before stepping toward a nearby bench, settling onto the cool surface. He had just crossed a hundred meters toward the next teleportation circle, but this was worth investigating.He called up the system prompt again.[Hidden Quest Completed]Quest Details: Three individuals harbored malicious intent toward you. Eliminate them or inflict grievous harm.][Quest Rewards:]+1000 EXP+2 additional attribute points to all statsXeon Enhancement UpgradeDash skill leveled upMax’s lips curled into a s
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 15: The Punishment Begins
Chapter 15: The Punishment Begins---"Father, why did you recall the agent I sent to investigate that incident?"Yura Vance spoke with controlled annoyance while standing at a distance from his father who read an old leather-bound book from a high-backed chair. A hovering lamp created a warm glow that revealed the study while its shadows stretched across the dark wooden shelves containing ancient tomes.The man in front of him showed little interest in Yura's presence as his silver hair stood in wild spikes. His eyes moved rapidly across the pages without showing any sign of interest in Yura's question."Is that why you've come here?" The quiet authority in his deep voice made Yura feel uncomfortable as he spoke."Father, my instincts tell me we missed something," Yura pressed, stepping forward. His face showed determination which revealed his deep faith in his own abilities.His father took a deep breath before looking up from his book to meet Yura's eyes."You disturb my reading be
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 16: Miss Raelyn's Suspicions
Chapter 16: Miss Raelyn's SuspicionsThe sun was beginning to set over BB Academy, casting long shadows across the courtyard as students hurried home. The crisp evening air carried the distant hum of hover vehicles and faint chatter from the few lingering teachers still inside the buildings.Max walked steadily toward the staff wing, Block C, the weight of his punishment still pressing down on his shoulders.In his right hand, he carried a high-density cleaning module—a rectangular, sleek black device embedded with advanced purification technology. It was heavy—at least two hundred and twenty kilograms, a weight that would have been impossible for him to lift just a few weeks ago. Normally, the module had wheels to ease transport, but the head cleaner had deliberately removed them, likely expecting Max to struggle.Too bad for them.He gripped the device effortlessly, his fingers barely straining as he walked. Punishment or not, he'd endure.The teachers' block came into view—a two-st
Latest Chapter
Chapter 46: invitation
Chapter 46: invitation Max stood in the quiet dojo, his muscles taut from training. A flicker of amusement crossed his face as he sensed the presence of others outside the door. The muffled voices seeped through the wooden panels, laced with tension and hushed urgency.'Finally grew the nerve to show up, huh?' Max mused inwardly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. Without hesitation, he strode toward the door and slid it open, revealing the figures waiting outside.Four individuals stood at the entrance—two boys and two girls, all seemingly around his age. He recognized two of them from the crowd that had watched his fight against Aurora, their expressions now a mixture of apprehension and forced confidence. The other two girls, however, were unfamiliar.The moment the doors opened, the conversation among the group came to an abrupt halt. The girl with streaks of black and purple in her hair eyed Max with skepticism before leani
Chapter 45 - Drawing Everyone’s Attention
Chapter 45 - Drawing Everyone’s Attention As Cedric strode through the academy corridors, a subtle grin played at the edges of his lips. "Maybe this place isn’t such a curse after all..." His posture was relaxed but poised, his movements fluid yet commanding. Unintentionally, he was drawing the gaze of nearly everyone in the hallways. Unlike before, the looks he received were not filled with disdain or condescension—this time, they carried something different. The female students found their eyes lingering on him, an unconscious fascination flickering in their expressions. There was something magnetic about the way he carried himself—an effortless confidence that hadn’t been there before. The male students, on the other hand, observed him with quiet envy, as if struggling to place why he suddenly seemed... different. Cedric remained oblivious to their stares, his mind occupied wi
Chapter 44: Collection Plan
Chapter 44: Collection Plan The neighborhood had been in an uproar since the battle against the Bloodwolf. The news spread like wildfire—Max Vale, the quiet and often unnoticed young man who lived alone, had single-handedly taken down the rampaging beast. At first, many were skeptical, dismissing it as an exaggeration. But after seeing the bloodstained pavement and the claw marks left behind, they could no longer deny the truth. The respect Max received from the community shifted almost overnight. People who barely acknowledged his presence before now gave him approving nods or whispered among themselves when he passed. Even the XAO Inspectors who had been dispatched to investigate had questioned him extensively. They had also spoken to Angy, as she had been directly involved. However, once their inquiries were done, there was little else they could do. The Bloodwolf had been a serious threat, and Max’s intervention had prevented fur
Chapter 43: Earned Recognition
. Chapter 43: Earned Recognition A sharp Zing! pierced the air. In a flash of blue light, the lifeless body of the bloodwolf materialized on the ground. Gasps erupted all around. "What…?!" A stunned silence settled over the gathered officers and bystanders. Every single pair of eyes was locked onto the grotesque remains of the bloodwolf, their expressions a mix of disbelief and horror. The creature’s head was barely clinging to its neck, connected only by a few sinewy strands of torn flesh. Deep, gaping holes riddled its body, each the size of a clenched fist, leaking fresh rivulets of blood onto the cracked pavement. Its face was caved in, its skull visibly fractured. The sheer brutality of its injuries told a chilling story—this beast hadn’t just been killed; it had been utterly dismantled. A shudder ran through the officers as they exchanged uneasy glances.
Chapter 42: Arrival of the XAO Inspectors
Chapter 42: Arrival of the XAO InspectorsBAM!The sheer weight of the bloodwolf sent the towering tree crashing to the ground, splintering bark and scattering leaves in all directions.Max Vale stood amidst the chaos, his breaths steady despite the ferocity of the battle. His golden-brown eyes glowed faintly in the dim moonlight, locked onto the beast. He had deliberately struck its head first, knowing that its unnaturally elastic hide would make a prolonged battle difficult. A precise, powerful blow was his best chance at swiftly ending the fight.But the bloodwolf was far from finished.With a guttural snarl, the beast staggered upright, shaking its head to dispel the dizziness from Max’s previous assault. Its dark red eyes flashed with renewed aggression as it planted its claws into the dirt."Awooo!"The beast’s howl echoed through the night as it lunged at Max with renewed ferocity.Slash! Slash!Its razor-sharp claws lashed out in rapid succession, carving through the air with
Chapter 41 – The Strength of Beast Transformation
Chapter 41 – The Strength of Beast TransformationAngy spun around immediately, her heart pounding as a wave of dread surged through her.Swoosh!She shot forward like an arrow, her eyes locked onto the monstrous beast and the defenseless man beneath its shadow. The Crimson Direwolf loomed over its prey, claws poised to descend, a cruel glint in its predatory gaze.The distance between them was nearly a hundred feet, and despite Angy’s exceptional speed, she could only cover around forty feet per second. That meant she needed almost three full seconds to reach them.Three seconds too long.The Direwolf’s claws were already mid-swing.Its attack would land in less than a second.And that meant—Swoosh!Another figure moved.A blur of motion streaked past Angy’s side, so fast that a gust of wind lifted her hair in its wake.‘If even one of them dies, I fail the quest.’Max’s thoughts burned as he launched forward.[Sprint has been activated][-20 EP]His breath hitched as he compressed
Chapter 40 - A Terrifying Encounter
Chapter 40 - A Terrifying EncounterMax stood at the edge of the rooftop, his sharp gaze fixed on the commotion below. Even from this height, his heightened senses picked up the frantic movement of people converging near an apartment on the ground floor. Something was happening—something big.The apartment complex was over thirty meters tall, significantly smaller than the building where he had faced Jace Holloway. Yet, from up here, it still felt like a considerable drop.Max inhaled deeply, then took a step forward and leaped.FWOOSH!The rush of air engulfed him as he plummeted toward the ground, his sweater billowing and his silver-white hair whipping wildly in the wind. For a fleeting moment, it felt like flying—pure, exhilarating freedom.Then—BAM!He landed, knees slightly bent to absorb the impact. A dull tremor spread across the pavement, sending up a small cloud of dust. The sheer force of his descent should have jolted his body, but strangely, he felt nothing—not even a hi
Chapter 39 – Echoes of the Past
Chapter 39 – Echoes of the PastCedric collapsed to his knees, his body trembling from the lingering sting of the blow. A dull, pulsing ache spread across his face, his left cheek burning as though seared by fire. Blood dripped from his nose in slow, rhythmic droplets, the metallic scent sharp in the air. His vision blurred, splitting the retreating figure before him into three indistinct shapes, each one merging and shifting in his dazed perception.His breath hitched.Where… where did he get that kind of strength?The thought wavered in his mind, broken and fragmented by the haze of pain. His ears rang, drowning out the world in a high-pitched whine, muting the words spoken by the boy who had just walked away.Max.His older brother—no, his enemy—stood at the door, his back straight, his posture unwavering. The weight of his presence alone sent a fresh wave of humiliation surging through Cedric’s chest.And then, without hesitation, Max stepped out, vanishing into the night.The roo
Chapter 38 – Severing Ties That Never Existed
Chapter 38 – Severing Ties That Never ExistedMax walked through the bustling streets of BB City, his footsteps steady yet unhurried as he made his way toward the old neighborhood where he had spent the last ten years in misery. The evening air carried the scent of damp pavement and distant food stalls, yet none of it registered in his mind. His thoughts were singular—this was the last time he would step foot in that house.The bus ride was brief, no more than five minutes, yet each second felt stretched as he watched the familiar sights pass by the window. When the automated voice announced the next stop, Max rose from his seat, exiting onto 34th Street, where the residential sector began.Row after row of bungalows lined the street, each well-maintained yet uniform in design. This district, unlike the one where his apartment was now located, had a certain urban refinement despite its simplicity. It was a stark reminder of the life he had once been confined to—one where he had been n