Nexus Ascension: My Comprehension Defies the Heaven Chapter 5: Are you the instructor

Following a short clash with his despised sister, Grey collapsed into bed, worn out from the day's turmoil, and rose renewed the next morning—spot on at 9 AM.

The previous day, Nova-5 High School had summoned him to address his dropout decision. Classes had come to an official close, leaving every student—pseudo-evolver or real evolver—deep in preparations for the admission tests to Blue Star's leading four universities.

Naturally, this sparked the query: Why target universities when they could enlist in the Evolvers’ Association like Alissa and serve as full-time warriors battling corruption fields?

Straightforward. Benefits and supplies.

Resources formed an Evolver’s vital lifeline—the higher the ascent, the steeper the resource demands grew. Top universities brimmed not only with skills and evolution routes but also granted direct entry to cultivation materials, practice areas, guidance from Rank 3 and Rank 4 masters, plus safeguards beyond the reach of typical Evolvers.

In plain terms: universities served as launchpads to supremacy. The Association offered battlefields. Universities provided the tools to transcend them.

Far beyond mere schools, these universities acted as Evolver research centers. New skills and methods emerged daily there, honed for virtually every evolution route. For the average person, gaining these gems meant enrolling at a elite university... or shelling out fortunes most couldn't touch.

Emerging from one of these elite institutions instantly boosted a person's Citizen Rank. A standard First Rank citizen—like most on Blue Star—jumped to second tier post-graduation, securing elevated rights along with a military rank, often kicking off at captain.

This marked a massive surge in standing and strength. Certain alumni even ascended to governorships over Blue Star's key cities.

The elite institutions included: Sun and Moon Academy, Star Constellation Academy, Heaven’s Gate Academy, and Celestial Flame Academy.

Their fame held solid ground. Each drew support from a Rank 4 titan, entities whose power supposedly matched the Federal Master, the lone head of the Evolvers’ Association and all of Blue Star.

Rank 4 represented a whole new plane of being. One strike from these powerhouses could rattle a continent. Should they rage unchecked, tales swore they might obliterate a continent with a mere finger flick.

These fearsome beings founded the premier universities for a single purpose: to cultivate fresh prodigies capable of repelling the Corruption Fields.

Year by year, humanity ceded territory. Vast swaths of livable land fell to corruption, warped irreparably. Top experts held that purging every corruption field would end their rebirth forever.

"I should definitely aim for one of those top universities after becoming an Evolver," Grey pondered.

Superior paths craved greater resources. As one plotting a brand-new evolution trail, Grey craved resources above all... plus sparks of insight. Universities overflowed with both. The deeper his advance, the tougher the path steepened. Thus, in Grey’s view, entering a top academy transcended mere ambition—it was essential.

Putting that thought aside, Grey rose. His destination today: the Evolvers’ Association Open Training Zone in Sector 6.

Sector 6 boasted the biggest training facility, perpetually packed with Evolvers sharpening their powers. Grey’s strategy stayed basic—observe, absorb, commit to memory. Fortune might let him catch someone wielding spiritual energy openly in the public space. Otherwise... slipping into a private chamber to watch a top-tier Evolver would do.

In the worst case, ejection awaited. Yet that minor risk paled against etching diverse energy flows into his brain.

An hour later, Sector 6, Central Plaza.

Blade-like skyscrapers of glass and steel arched skyward, etched with pulsing energy veins and ads. Vertical gardens cascaded along their flanks, vines and flowers shimmering in neon tones. High overhead, suspended bridges linked towers like glowing sky filaments.

Street level throbbed with vitality. Holo-billboards splashed dynamic hues across the air, crowds surging through broad boulevards under synthetic light domes. Sleek vehicles glided noiselessly, mirroring violet and indigo sign glows.

Above, drones patrolled in precise formations, trailing soft wakes through the heavens. A low buzz filled the air—tech and greenery fused into Sector 6’s singular pulse.

"The technology of this world... it’s at least a thousand times more advanced than Earth."

Clad in a black t-shirt bearing "I Love Nova City" on the back, Grey halted before a Sector 6 skyscraper, sighing in wonder.

He tilted his head up, marveling at the colossal edifice. This housed the Evolvers’ Association branch—and the Open Training Zone within.

Even from afar, a crushing presence seeped from the structure. Potent Evolvers lurked inside, no doubt.

Nova City held three such branches: Sector 6, Sector 3, and Sector 1.

Thus, most local Evolvers congregated at these spots—for drills, prep, or assembly before Corruption Field raids.

With this in mind, Grey advanced and crossed the threshold.

A bald figure in a black suit stood rigidly professional, umbrella gripped firmly overhead. His keen air marked him far from a regular greeter.

"Miss Lia, care for refreshments?" he inquired courteously.

Under the umbrella waited a woman of stunning allure. Her mere stance lent the moment an air of grandeur.

Onlookers stole awed looks as they passed.

Black shades hid her eyes, paired with a baggy oversized tee that slipped to expose a sports bra strap. The relaxed outfit fluttered softly with her motions.

Her poise screamed grace, yet her look held faint exasperation.

She pivoted toward her bald companion, face near tears. "Albert, we’re inside the Association’s training zone. There’s no sun here. Why are you even holding an umbrella over my head?"

She half-suspected her guard needed a mental checkup. A doctor’s visit might help.

At Miss Lia’s grumble, Albert kept his stoic mask. Moments later, he quietly dropped the umbrella.

"..." Miss Lia shook her head, pulling out her phone.

Her mission today: meet a veteran Evolver instructor she’d hired to probe the rare Zenith Sword Art. This notoriously tough skill promised huge boosts to her fighting prowess.

Mastery hovered within grasp, basic entry stage tantalizingly close. Yet something eluded her, prompting expert counsel. She’d tapped an instructor boasting high proficiency in the art.

Skill levels spanned six tiers: basic entry, intermediate, advanced, master, grandmaster, and finally completion.

This blade art ranked among the toughest to grasp, with under a hundred Nova City successes.

And here she lingered, an hour deep, awaiting her guide.

Her phone showed messages; instructor Daniel Carter should’ve shown an hour prior.

[Daniel Carter: Sorry Miss Lia, something came up. My wife got angry at me... She’s a demon when she’s angry, and the only way to calm her down is by buying her ice cream. I’m currently on the run to the grocery store to buy some. Please understand my situation. I promise I’ll be there in an hour.]

[Lia: Fine, I understand, Mr. Carter. I will wait for you here...]

[Daniel Carter: Thank you, thank you, thank you, Miss Lia!]

[Daniel Carter: To identify me in the crowd, I’ll be wearing a black t-shirt with the print "I Love Nova City." I’ve got an average face and slightly long hair, so you should be able to spot me quickly.]

[Lia: Alright.]

That marked his final note. No "I Love Nova City" tee wearer had appeared yet.

But as the notion struck, the training zone doors parted. In strode a youth with lengthy black locks and plain features, sporting a black t-shirt emblazoned with "I Love Nova City."

"This is Instructor Daniel Carter?" Lia’s face shifted subtly.

Youth hadn’t crossed her mind for the instructor. He seemed her peer!

She brushed it off quickly. Evolvers enjoyed extended lives, halting physical aging post-Rank 2. Daniel Carter had to be a formidable Rank 2.

Still, a plain-faced Rank 2 stood out. Rank 2 brought a second evolution, refining their form to striking perfection. Beauty often followed.

No matter. She approached the oblivious lad scanning the training Evolvers with interest.

Halting before the puzzled Grey, her bald escort a pace back, she dipped in a light bow.

"I greet the instructor," she murmured with a gentle smile.

"Huh?" Grey blinked blankly, peering left, right, even rearward. No one else lurked near, so he jabbed a thumb at himself.

"Me?"