Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 266 Discussion

Michaelʼs first impression of Brian had been simple.

The old man was powerful.

His second impression—what had stuck with him the most before they started interacting more—was that Brian was incredibly blunt.

Kind? Maybe.

But even that kindness came with a certain sharpness, a no-nonsense edge that didnʼt care for relationships or pleasantries.

That was Brian.

Michael almost blurted out, ”Youʼre mean,” but held his tongue.

In any case, it seemed like his family was fine—and that was what truly mattered.

Of course, Michael still wanted to confirm it with his own eyes.

But before he could even ask where they were, the world around him shifted.

In a flash, he found himself floating midair beside Brian.

On instinct, his undead snapped to a combat stance.

Though Michael was just as surprised, his trust in Brian ran deep—deep enough that his immediate reaction was to calm his undead before they moved.

However before Michael could speak, Brian beat him to it.

However, before Michael could speak, Brian beat him to it.

”What happened to you, kid?”

Michael met the old manʼs sharp gaze. From the very beginning, heʼd noticed Brianʼs observant eyes, constantly analyzing him like an open book.

”I got an opportunity in the Land of Origin,” Michael answered calmly. ”I didnʼt actually advance.”

It wasnʼt a lie, not really. But it wasnʼt the full truth either.

Brian didnʼt say anything for a few seconds. His silence was more pressing than a dozen questions. Michael could feel his scrutiny deepen.

”I see,” Brian finally said, voice slow.

For a moment, Michael thought the old man believed him—until Brian started listing things.

”Your body,” he began. ”Itʼs near flawless. Like it was sculpted from the best materials available.”

Michael blinked.

”Your skin—smooth, tight, and vibrant. Even those ʼHoly Childrenʼ—you know, the ones raised from birth on body-cleansing treasures—would look dull standing next to you. Iʼve seen them. Youʼre shining brighter.”

Michael didnʼt even know what a ”Holy Child” was, but he wasnʼt given a chance to ask.

”And then your face...” Brian paused, his tone suddenly weird. ”Beautiful. Not handsome—beautiful.”

Michaelʼs eye twitched. ”Teacher Brian...”

”What? Iʼm just saying what I see,” Brian shrugged with a completely serious face.

Michael turned his face slightly, expression unreadable. If he wasnʼt used to Brianʼs bluntness, he mightʼve actually thought the old man was mocking him.

However, in his heart he was starting to understand Brian current action.

His form after evolving was surely the cause of all this.

In fact if anyone familiar with him didnʼt notice anything different about him, that would say a lot….

”And finally...” Brianʼs tone grew more thoughtful. ”The mana. It clings to you. No, more like... it wants to serve you. That kind of passive mana attraction...”

He looked at Michael again, sharp and unblinking.

”Itʼs similar to those naughty elves,” Brian said, squinting at Michael. ”Except you donʼt have long ears.”

Michael blinked.

Elves?

Teacher Brian had met real elves?

A mix of confusion, curiosity, and a little suspicion flickered through him.

”Thereʼs only one high race that shares traits with elves,” Brian continued, voice low.

Michael suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.

”High Humans. A neutral race,” Brian said slowly, each word weighted.

Then he gave Michael a pointed look.

”How did you become a High Human, kid?”

”No, no—I shouldnʼt be asking about your opportunities,” Brian muttered, shaking his head.

But that didnʼt stop him from commenting anyway.

”Still… youʼre one lucky bastard, kid. Stumbling upon a treasure that could change your race. I suppose only in a place like the Land of Origin could a weakling like you luck into something so absurdly precious..”

Michaelʼs eye twitched, but he held his tongue.

It was clear Brian still believed the race change was some sort of opportunity—and Michael had no plans to correct him.

If anything, that misunderstanding worked in his favor.

Still… it seemed the change to his race was more obvious than he thought.

Heʼd assumed cutting his hair would be enough to hide it.

He was too naive.

And… was that envy heʼd heard in Brianʼs voice?

Michael couldnʼt help but be shocked by the thought.

Brian—the man who looked down on Awakeners, who dismissed anything related to the system or its strange phenomena—envying something he gained from the Land of Origin?

Was the High Human race really that special?

Michael treasured his new race, of course, but was it that valuable?

His curiosity flared…

Unable to hold it in, he looked at Brian and asked, ”Is the High Human race really that special, Teacher Brian?”

Brian snorted, eyes narrowing.

”You idiot. You think Iʼd praise you if it wasnʼt?”

Michael flinched slightly, more from the tone than the words.

”The High Human race isnʼt just special—itʼs absurd,” Brian said bluntly. ”Even among high races like the Elves or the Dragons, at their peak, High Humans arenʼt inferior. Not even close.”

His gaze turned sharp, his voice calm but with an undertone of weight. ”You think Iʼm just saying this for fun?”

Michael opened his mouth, then closed it.

”Canʼt you feel it?” Brian asked suddenly, voice dipping. ”That power inside you—itʼs not something a normal human would have. Imagine you were still human right now. Same rank, same experience, same effort...”

He raised a brow.

”Now imagine fighting yourself—your old human self—against your current body as a High Human. Who wins?”

Michael paused, really thought about it.

The answer was obvious.

And honestly? A little terrifying.

Brian continued, voice quieter now, like he was speaking more to himself. ”Advancing through ranks gives you more power. But changing your race—especially to something like this—changes your foundation. Thatʼs the difference between stacking bricks and forging steel.”

Michael remained silent, but inwardly, he began to understand why Brian had reacted so strongly.

However, there was also something Michael was curious about.

”Teacher Brian?”

”Yes?”

”Youʼve seen a lot of races?”

”Quite a few.”

”Are demons part of them?”

The question made Brian pause.”Youʼre talking about the incident, right?”

”Yes.”

Brian immediately knew what he meant.

The recent chaos caused by the demonic supernaturals.

But what most people didnʼt know was that those beings had been acting in collaboration with actual demons.

The only reason Michael was even aware of that truth was because of what he had seen with his own eyes.

The first time he ever encountered a demonic cultivator, they had used a certain material to summon those cracks.

Demon remains.

It had haunted him ever since.

Now, hearing Brian talk about races—Elves, Dragons, High Humans—Michael couldnʼt help but wonder.

Were demons included in that grand scale too?

Or were they monsters like he had also suspected?

Michael caught a flicker of conflict on Brianʼs face before it quickly returned to his usual indifferent expression.

”Donʼt ask those kinds of questions now,” Brian said, his voice low. ”Youʼll understand once you enter an academy.”

He turned to stare directly at Michael and added, ”Which, given your current condition… shouldnʼt be hard.”

Michael frowned, disappointed by the abrupt dismissal. But the moment he heard the word academy, his eyes lit up.

This—this was why he loved talking to the old man.

Brian was a walking library.

A mean, grumpy library… but still a library!

”Can you tell me something about the academy, Teacher Brian?” Michael asked, hopeful.

Fortunately, this time, Brian didnʼt dodge the question.

”As you probably know, there are two main types of academies,” he said. ”One caters to Cultivators, the other to Awakeners.”

Brian continued, his voice steady and firm.

”Letʼs start with the Cultivation academies. Theyʼre older. Much older. Theyʼve existed before the Awakener system was even a thing.”

Michael listened intently.

”Their goal is simple: build a foundation for their students. There are no shortcuts in cultivation. No stats. No panels. Just you, your body, and the path you carve.”

Brian glanced at Michael. ”Which is why I find it hilarious when system kids act superior. You think some floating numbers and flashy abilities make you strong? Cultivators crush that kind of arrogance before breakfast.”

Michael didnʼt respond, though his lips twitched slightly. Classic Brian.

”Each student walks their own Path. Some focus on body refining. Others on magic, energy control, spiritual projection, weapon paths, or alchemy.”

Brian folded his arms. ”But itʼs not just about strength. Cultivation academies also teach you about the world. Other races, their habits, histories, weaknesses. You want to understand elves, dragons, beastkin? Youʼll learn. Thatʼs why I said to wait.”

Michael tilted his head.

Brianʼs tone turned dry. ”Compared to the Awakenersʼ academy, it looks more like a pure school.”

”Itʼs more like an organization,” Brian said with a shrug. ”Iʼm a cultivator, so I canʼt speak much on their system. Take my words as a grain of sand.”

He paused, then added, ”I know they teach and train and all that. But honestly? It just feels like a watered-down version—or maybe about the same level—as the Supers Association and its members.”

Michael blinked.

The cultivation academy he understood.

But the Awakenersʼ academy?

Michael shook his head.