"Rebirth Palm."
"Rebirth Palm."
"Rebirth Palm."
A green glow repeatedly bloomed from Aster’s palm as healing energy poured into the unconscious girl.
After using the technique continuously for several minutes, he finally let out a long sigh.
"Phew... Finally, she’s completely healed. I honestly thought I wouldn’t be able to heal her fully with a Basic Proficiency martial art."
Just then, the rumble of engines echoed through the area.
Several military vehicles rushed toward the destroyed train, while a soldier flew overhead, directing the others from the sky.
"He must be the captain of this rescue squad."
Aster raised his hand.
"Captain!"
The flying officer immediately noticed him and landed nearby.
His gaze swept over Aster’s military college uniform before relaxing.
"You’re from the Military College? I’m glad to see you’re unharmed." He looked around the devastated battlefield. "Can you tell us which direction the terrorists escaped?"
Aster casually pointed toward the two unconscious men and the three corpses lying nearby.
"They’re the terrorists."
The captain frowned.
"Student, this isn’t the time for jokes."
"Captain!" Before he could continue, one of the soldiers rushed over.
"We’ve searched the train. There are no civilian casualties!"
"No casualties?"
The captain frowned. "With explosions on this scale... not a single death?"
Another soldier hurried over.
"Captain! According to the survivors, a young man wearing the Military College uniform saved everyone."
The captain froze. "A Military College student?"
Almost simultaneously, everyone turned to look at Aster.
The captain stared at him in disbelief.
"...Student."
"Did you save them?"
"Yes."
Silence.
Moments later, another soldier ran over.
"Captain! We’ve confirmed the identities of the three dead bodies and the two unconscious men. They’re all wanted terrorists."
The captain slowly looked back at Aster. His expression was filled with shock.
"...Don’t tell me..."
"You defeated all of them?"
"Yes."
For a second, the captain simply stood there.
Then..
"Hahahaha!"
His booming laughter echoed across the battlefield.
"Excellent!"
"You’ve done a magnificent job, student! What is your name?"
"Aster. Military College. Under General Cassius."
The captain’s smile widened.
"General Cassius? Were you heading back to college?"
"Yes."
"Perfect. I need to report to the General anyway. Come with us. I’ll give you a ride."
Aster smiled.
"I’d appreciate that, Captain."
Meanwhile...
Inside a long black luxury car. The green-haired girl slowly opened her eyes.
"Young Lady... you’re finally awake."
The driver, a middle-aged man dressed in a black suit, glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
She blinked in confusion.
"Mr. Rus... Where am I?"
"On our way home. The Master is extremely angry. You disappeared without informing anyone."
The girl ignored his complaint. Instead, she looked into the mirror. Her reflection stared back at her.
She gently touched her cheek. "It’s completely healed..."
Then the image of a young man wearing a black Military College uniform appeared in her mind.
A faint smile blossomed across her face.
"Mr. Rus."
"Yes, Young Lady?"
"I want you to find someone."
Soon afterward...
A military vehicle stopped in front of the Military College. Aster climbed down before turning toward the captain.
"Thank you for the ride, Captain."
"Oh, don’t mention it. I needed to meet the General anyway."
The captain extended his hand. My name is Gareth. You can call me Captain Gareth."
Aster shook his hand. "Understood, Captain Gareth."
After returning to his villa, Aster collapsed face first onto his bed. He buried his face in the pillow and sighed in satisfaction.
"Ah... Home sweet home."
Within minutes, he had fallen asleep.
Dream Realm. "I’m back."
Aster stretched lazily before taking a deep breath. "I really love this place. Every time I come here, both my body and mind feel completely refreshed."
He sat down and opened his system.
"Hmm... Let’s improve Rebirth Palm today."
Closing his eyes, he focused. "Rebirth Palm." A palm strike wrapped in green light shot forward.
Again.
"Rebirth Palm."
"Rebirth Palm."
"Rebirth Palm."
He trained continuously throughout the entire day and night.
Finally...
System
Rebirth Palm(Master) Level 25
Aster smiled in satisfaction before opening his full skill list.
"Now that I’ve decided to participate in the National College Ranking Tournament... I need to strengthen my combat skills."
His eyes scanned the list before stopping.
Crab Hook
Solar Slash
Strike
Parry
Grapple
"These are the most useful skills I have right now. For the next few weeks, I’ll devote all my time to leveling them."
The following morning... Aster received a summons from General Cassius.
"The moment I finally decide to train seriously... People suddenly start remembering I exist." He sighed helplessly before knocking on the office door.
"Come in."
Aster entered.
General Cassius looked up from his desk and smiled broadly.
"I heard about your actions during yesterday’s terrorist attack. You’ve made me incredibly proud."
Aster scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Thank you, General."
After a brief pause, he asked, "But do we know why they attacked the train?"
General Cassius let out a long sigh.
"This is classified information. But since you played such a significant role in yesterday’s incident... I think you’ve earned the right to know."
Aster listened attentively.
"The terrorists were sent by another country."
"Another country?"
"Yes."
"Their mission was to kidnap the President’s daughter. Who happened to be on that train."
"So that’s what they were after..." After thinking for a moment, Aster asked,
"Do we know which country?"
"We don’t have definitive proof. But if I had to guess... My suspicion falls on Country C."
Aster’s expression turned serious. "Country C? I’ve heard it’s the largest nation in the world. Why are they targeting us?"
General smiled faintly. "They may be the largest... But we are the strongest."
He leaned back in his chair.
"Aster. Do you know why a small country like ours became the world’s strongest nation?"
Aster shook his head.
"It’s because of the Trial Tower."
"Trial Tower? That sounds like something straight out of a fantasy novel." Aster thought.
General Cassius continued, "You’ve probably never heard of it before. That’s only natural."
"It’s an extremely well-guarded secret, hidden behind a powerful high-level formation."
Aster’s curiosity instantly peaked. "What exactly is it, General?"
"As the name suggests, it’s a tower. But you can also think of it as a massive dungeon. Every floor is its own world."
"Each floor is larger than the previous one. The monsters become increasingly powerful."
"And most importantly... It’s filled with priceless treasures and rare resources."
"Our country rose to become the strongest by exploiting those resources."
"And now... Country C wants the Trial Tower for themselves."
The room fell silent.
Finally, General Cassius smiled.
"Every year... Only a handful of people are granted permission to enter."
He looked directly into Aster’s eyes.
"And I’m proud to say... You’ve been selected."
Aster’s eyes widened.
"...Me?"
"Yes."
"Because of your outstanding performance... And because you saved countless civilians. including the President’s daughter..."
"You’ve been rewarded with a chance to enter the Trial Tower."