Inside the office, it wasn't just Mr. Macau and Ms. Yumi, their homeroom teachers other teachers had also gathered. Even the principal, Ms. Rasyida, was present.
The principal asked, "How did they do?"
"Absolutely amazing. They achieved an SSS rank," said Macau.
"That's incredible. Can you show us the new vassels you've obtained?"
Kenji stepped forward first, chanting a spell while striking a pose. "Transform, Vassel Thor!"
His body transformed into a man with long golden hair and armor laced with lightning. He looked incredibly handsome, with an ideal muscular build and an impressive aura.
Thor then demonstrated his blessings.
Mjolnir Hammer (Can be controlled by thought. Its weight can be adjusted up to infinity — the heavier it becomes, the more energy it requires.)
God of Thunder (Can command lightning at will.)
Thor summoned Mjolnir and showcased its power. As he poured in more starlight energy, the hammer became heavier, yet he could still control it with his mind.
Then, Thor gave an order to the lightning: "Lightning, form a heart."
The lightning responded, reshaping itself according to Thor's will.
"Amazing! I didn't expect an SSS-ranked vassel to come with two blessings," said one of the teachers in awe.
"What about your first vassel?" asked Principal Rasyida.
"My first vassel is Hercules, and he also received an additional blessing: Nemean Lion Aura."
Kenji transformed again. "Transform, Vassel Hercules!"
Upon transforming, in addition to his passive blessing of super strength, a glowing lion-shaped aura appeared behind him the Nemean Lion. When activated, this aura would assist Hercules in battle.
"How about you, Raisa?" asked the principal.
"I also received two blessings," Raisa replied.
"Transform, Vassel Ranita!"
Unlike Miranda's first vassel, known for her defined abs and combat presence, Ranita was the embodiment of allure and mystique.
She appeared as a woman with flawless curves, a perfectly sculpted face, and long red hair that faded into purple at the ends. Her dress shimmered in hues of red and violet, elegant yet enchanting.
"I also received two blessings," Raisa announced proudly.
Summon Bone Zombie (Female)
Summon Poison Zombie (Female)
With a wave of her hand and a flash of green and purple light, two female zombies emerged beside Ranita.
The Bone Zombie bore an uncanny resemblance to the First Lady from Raisa's earlier trial a skeletal yet beautiful figure with elongated limbs, capable of forming and controlling bone structures at will. Razor-sharp bone spikes grew from her arms as if responding to unspoken commands.
The Poison Zombie, in contrast, had long green hair that writhed like living vines, surrounded by a faint toxic green aura. She could release poison in both gaseous and liquid forms from her body, and her hair itself was infused with venom she could manipulate freely.
Raisa received a brief mental image of their powers upon summoning them:
The Bone Zombie, a master of skeletal manipulation and weaponization.
The Poison Zombie, a living biochemical hazard with deadly toxins and controllable venom hair.
Both shared one frightening trait extreme regeneration. They could rapidly recover from most damage, and above all, their instincts were laser-focused: Protect Ranita at all costs.
The principal raised an eyebrow. "It seems like… your first vassel also received an upgrade?"
Raisa nodded. "Yes… let me show you. Transform — Vassel Miranda!"
In a flash of bright light, Raisa's form shifted into Miranda, her first vassel now visibly more advanced. She raised her hand and summoned a floating mechanical object.
With a soft mechanical hum, a small drone hovered above her shoulder, sleek and metallic.
"What is that?" one of the teachers asked, eyes narrowing.
"It's like a small aircraft?" another muttered.
Raisa smiled calmly. "This is a tactical drone… equipped with four miniature nuclear warheads."
A sharp silence fell over the room. Several teachers instinctively took a step back.
Who didn't know the terror of nuclear weaponry?
Principal Rasyida's face turned serious. "To think… the SSS rank allows even access to weapons of mass destruction…"
Ms. Rasyida nodded, then pulled out a brightly colored flyer from her folder.
"This is an important announcement," she said. "There will be a Beauty and Vassel Showcase specially held for elementary students. There are three competition categories:"
1. Beautiful Vassel Contest
2. Most Beautiful Vassel Pair Contest
3. Blessing Showcase Contest
"Each category will award 1 million royal coins to the first-place winner. Quite a sum for kids your age, isn't it?"
Raisa and Kenji exchanged glances. They each took a flyer. Of course, they'd have to discuss it with their parents first.
Inwardly, Raisa felt puzzled. Usually, in other worlds, contests or tournaments are about battles. Why was this one different?
Her curiosity got the best of her, so Raisa raised her hand and asked, "Ma'am… isn't there a Vassel battle contest?"
Ms. Rasyida smiled patiently. "There is. But it's usually for middle school students and above."
"You're still kids," added Ms. Yumi. "What's the fun in making ten-year-olds fight? Besides, most kids have only just awakened their first Vassel. The second Vassel usually appears in the sixth year."
She sighed softly. "You two are just too talented. Already awakening your second Vassel in your third year."
"Oh, so we're talented, huh?" Kenji responded, lifting his chin proudly.
Ms. Yumi lightly pinched his forehead. "Don't get too cocky. Every region has gifted kids maybe even more amazing than you two. Especially in the royal capital."
After that, Kenji and Raisa went home early with permission from the school, so they could ask their parents for approval to join the contest.
"Hey Kenji, what kind of trial did you experience?" Raisa asked.
"First, I woke up in a place that looked like a medieval kingdom. I was summoned by the king and given a mission to slay ten creatures that were disturbing the realm. I feel like I was there for over six months," Kenji replied with a sigh.
"Whoa, that's a long time! What about you?"
"I was sent into a world full of zombies. My mission was probably to kill all the zombies… so I detonated a nuclear bomb," Raisa answered casually.
Kenji's eyebrow twitched. "What the heck… that's brutal."
Kenji stared at Raisa with a horrified look. "Wait... you blew up your trial world?"
Raisa shrugged casually. "Not really. The world's still there. Just fewer zombies now. And thanks to that, I slept like a baby."
"What?! I had to hunt monsters without a phone, GPS, or even snacks! Six months of that was torture!" Kenji grumbled, glancing sideways at Raisa. "And worst of all… there was no…"
"No what?" Raisa tilted her head.
"No PlayStation games. That's what," Kenji declared dramatically.
As they arrived in front of Raisa's house, the front door opened, revealing Sakura, her mother, with a teasing smile.
"My future son-in-law, would you like to come in?"
"Ibu!" Raisa blushed. "Don't say weird stuff! We're only ten!"
"Oh, don't worry. I've been dreaming about having grandkids."
"You're so weird!" Raisa yelped and darted into the house.
Kenji stood there awkwardly. "I think she forgot something…" He held up the contest flyer they'd received.
Sakura's eyes lit up. "A contest? How exciting! Let's enter all three! Of course, only if you're willing to pair up with Raisa."
"Ready, Ma'am!" Kenji said with a salute.
"Just call me Mom, it's fine."
"Ready, uh… Mom," he replied, clearly flustered.
"Good! Now go tell your own mom, okay?"
Kenji nodded and jogged across the street to his own house.
That night, Raisa suddenly realized something important.
"Mom?"
"Yes, sweetie?"
"I forgot to tell you… there's a contest. I want to join categories one and three."
"Oh, but I've already signed you up for all three."
"Huh? Wait—who's my partner?"
"Who else? Of course, it's Kenji."
"But, Mom! I'm too embarrassed to do a pair contest! I don't even know how it works!"
"Oh, that one? In the pair contest, a boy and girl transform into their Vassels and wear matching couple outfits."
"Ugh, that sounds like a hassle… Where are Kenji and I even supposed to get matching outfits?"
"No worries. The school provides them. You'll represent your school. If you win, you'll represent the district too—and then every district will compete in the capital."
"That sounds like a lot of work… and seriously, why does it have to be with Kenji?"
"Oh please, you two cultivate together every day, play together every day… you're like superglue. What's the problem?"
"That's just because I don't have other friends! Forming a girl squad is impossible after they found out I'm close with Kenji… Ugh, I'm only ten and already dealing with this kind of drama."
"Oh, stop whining. You should be grateful to have a friend like Kenji. Just go with the flow. Besides… I don't think your dragon is coming back anytime soon—not after what happened during your first period."
"W-What?! How do you know about that?"
"Oh ho ho… let's just say someone's been growing quite nicely, thanks to my special supplements and that secret papaya juice recipe. Now that you've started menstruating, the effects will show little by little."