The world had changed.

  An Unranked had defeated a Titan.

  And now, the Academy of Arcadia would never look at Batman the same way again.

  The Colosseum still buzzed with disbelief, whispers spreading like wildfire.

  “How did he—”

  “He has no Essence! No abilities!”

  “This shouldn’t be possible!”

  Batman remained silent, his body barely holding itself together. Every breath was a reminder of the cost of victory. He didn’t win because of raw power. He won because he was Batman. But the System didn’t care about logic. It only cared about results. A golden notification appeared before him.

  [Victory Confirmed.]

  [Rank Increase: 4812 → 3210]

  Batman exhaled.

  Not enough.

  If he wanted answers…

  if he wanted control over this world…

  he needed to climb higher.

  A heavy hand nded on his shoulder. Batman turned. Gigachad grinned down at him, his body still covered in battle wounds. “Congrats, bat-boy,” he said. “That was the most fun I’ve had in years.” Batman didn’t reply. Gigachad chuckled. “You’re not much of a talker, huh? That’s fine.”

  He extended a hand.

  The entire Colosseum held its breath. Batman stared at the hand for a moment. Then—he shook it.

  Gasps. Shouts.

  A Titan acknowledging an Unranked?

  The academy had never seen anything like it. And from that moment on—Batman was no longer just another student. He was a threat.

  Far above the Colosseum, in the highest tower of the academy, a figure watched. Golden robes. A mask that concealed their face. The voice was amused. “So… the Traveler survived.”

  Another voice, this one colder. “He didn’t just survive. He won.”

  Silence. Then—

  “Interesting.”

  The figures disappeared into the shadows.

  And Batman had no idea what he had just started. ---