Everyone fixated their gaze on the screens, bracing themselves for what seemed like an inevitable death, but...

Anon activated yet another skill, unleashing the power of <7 Steps Phantom Leap>.

[7 Steps Phantom Leap] [Thief Class Exclusive Skill] [S-Rank]

[The ultimate manifestation of a thief's cunning and agility. With each step, shadows gather beneath the user's nimble feet, coalescing into ethereal platforms suspended in the air. This extraordinary skill harnesses the power of mana, drawing it from the surroundings and channeling it into the fabric of space itself.

As the thief initiates the Leap, their movements become a blur, defying gravity's laws. The first step propels them into the air with supernatural velocity. With each subsequent step, a new platform materializes, a fleeting bridge to the heavens, granting the thief an unparalleled advantage in traversing impossible heights and spanning great distances.

The platforms, born from the convergence of darkness and mana, emit an otherworldly glow, tracing the thief's path with an aura of mystique and intrigue. The air crackles with electric anticipation as the thief effortlessly dances across the shadowy platforms, leaving onlookers in awe and bewilderment.]

[Mana: Consumes 50% of your remaining mana]

As soon as he activated the skill, two majestic wings formed at his back, emerging from the black flames enveloping Anon's body, granting him an ethereal grace.

[Warning: 25% Mana Remaining]

"Let's do this, baby!" Anon shouted triumphantly as he leaped from the edge of the mountain, propelled by incredible speed that covered half the distance of the treacherous valley in a single bound.

"HOLLLLLYY SHIIIIIIIIT!!!!!!" Landon stood up from his chair, unable to contain his excitement. "Ladies and gentlemen, as you can see, Anon just jumped off the mountain and already covered half the distance to the other end."

"Wow, what is this kid even made of?" Seraphina admired Anon with wide eyes.

"He jumped off just like that?" The crowd gathered in front of the academy's gate marveled at the screen before them.

"He's got guts, that's for sure."

"Unbelievable! He's going to die!"

The crowd buzzed with murmurs and speculations about Anon.

"Hahaha, Ms. Letti, your student is heading towards his death. Any last words for him?" Seti taunted Letti.

Letti ignored her, focusing on the screen, nervously chewing her thumbnail.

'Anon, will you die today, or will you write your name in the history of this kingdom?' Letti wondered, her eyes wide open.

This question wasn't just on Letti's mind; half the kingdom pondered the same.

The race was being broadcasted not only in Anon's continent but on all the other six continents as well.

People from different corners of the world sat at the edge of their seats, their hearts pounding with anticipation.

"Here goes nothing." Anon placed his right leg on an invisible surface formed by mana.

Anon soared through the valley at bullet-like speed. When he touched the mana-formed surface, the stored potential energy in his body, produced from the initial jump off the mountain, transformed into kinetic energy, propelling Anon forward with a boost.

"Hahahaha, this is awesome!" Anon's voice echoed through the valley.

Luna looked up, searching for the source of the scream.

To her surprise, she witnessed a flare covered in dark flames racing through the valley like a rocket.

"What is that?" Luna wondered, unaware that it was Anon himself.

"What the hell? Did he just get a mid-air boost?" Seraphina's eyes widened in astonishment.

"Yes, Seraphina. This kid is no ordinary commoner, and that technique is also an S-Rank technique. It's called '7 Steps Phantom Leap.' I have only heard of it until now, but today I saw it in action." Landon's excitement filled his voice.

News of Anon using an S-Rank technique quickly spread among the crowd, leaving them in awe.

"What? An S-Rank technique?"

"How can a commoner know an S-Rank technique?"

"Maybe he stumbled upon a treasure or something."

"It's entirely possible."

Boom

Anon landed on the other side of the valley and continued running.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the inevitable has been reversed. The moment we've all been waiting for has arrived. The tables have been turned upside down. Anon, a commoner, has taken the lead in the Kingdom's Night Run against a noble!" Landon's announcement resonated with enthusiasm as he stood up from his chair in excitement.

The spectators erupted into cheers and applause, thrilled by the unexpected turn of events.

"That was refreshing!" Anon exclaimed as his muscles returned back to normal, and the pitch black flames covering his body transformed back into their original crimson red color.

"Hahaha, let's go, Anon. So, what were you saying again, Mrs. Seti ?" Letti mocked Seti, a triumphant smile on her face.

'Fuck you, bitch,' Seti thought, glaring back at Letti's mocking expression.

In Kale's office...

Pssttt

"H-He crossed the motherfucking valley in a single fucking jump! How is that even possible for a kid like him?" Kale's shock caused him to spray wine out of his mouth.

Among the second-year girls in the commoner section...

"Wow, he is like the wind, unstoppable and unrestricted," one girl commented.

"No, he is like a tornado, not giving a fuck about anything in his way until he achieves his goal," another girl added.

Inside the office, Gia and Yumi engaged in a serious conversation.

"This is the last time I am asking you. Either you get me inside your brother's bed, or I will be the one to end our friendship," Yumi pleaded, gripping Gia's hand with a pleading expression.

"If you ask me that one more time, I will be the one to end it first," Gia replied, her tone serious.

"Please," Yumi begged, hoping for Gia's help.

"I told you, I'll talk to him."

"Okay, thanks." Yumi expressed her gratitude with a hug.

[Critical Alert: 15% Mana Remaining]

[Mana fatigue will start at 10%]

'Fuck.' Anon muttered under his breath, realizing the imminent mana exhaustion and the challenges that lay ahead.

Determined, he pressed forward, pushing his limits and defying all odds. The world watched in anticipation as he embarked on a legendary journey that would forever change his destiny.