The next day Nereus arose before dawn refreshed and ready for class. But while he made his way to the Teaching Forum, he made sure to take a moment to assess the results of yesterdays' cultivation session.
'Oh wow I managed to reach the peak Wave Adept rank!' he exclaimed while checking his innards, 'As expected from the mighty Leviathanic Accords, it truly is the most miraculous cultivation art. I can only imagine how much faster my cultivation will be once I obtain proper resources and nutrition for this body...'
As Nereus thought back to all of the ancient secrets and techniques he still remembered and only needed a sufficient cultivation to utilize, he couldn't help but break out into a wide grin.
Back in his time as ruler of the seven seas he had studied and obtained a vast amount of knowledge related to Mer and Sealocke cultivation, abilities, and even some well-hidden relics.
And while locating most of these relics might be a challenge now due to how geography and territories can shift with the passage of time, thanks to the excellent almost photographic memory characteristic of the long living Leviathan species, he still recalled most all of the knowledge related to Mer and Sealocke cultivation and abilities.
"All that is needed is time and sufficient resources... Oh crap, speaking of time I need to hurry and get to the Teaching Forum." With a flourish and mighty stroke of his muscular azure tail Nereus then jetted straight towards the direction of the Forum and didn't stop for even the swimming by fish that were in his path.
Soon enough he arrived at his destination and unceremoniously took his seat, once again, in the very front row.
The other Mer youth were slowly filing in and taking their seats as well when Ruth, Rave, and the instructor appeared flanked by two guards armed with Sharp Shell Spears and another dark-haired merman wearing official looking regalia on his upper body.
'Hmm well this should be interesting....' thought Nereus as he narrowed his eyes at the Sharp Shell Spears and his two stepsiblings who were now taking their seats and joining the class.
"Well isn't this a first' Jonny's familiar voice sounded out just as his plump figure took a seat in the spot right next to Nereus, "I never would've thought I'd see the day Argent Nyx beat me to class haha. You're usually the last one up in the morning, I guess you truly have changed"
Nereus rolled his azure eyes at Jonny's statement before asking in a hushed tone, "Hey do you know who that merman is right there?"
He gestured towards the important looking merman wearing an expensive looking tunic in the Vorteesi Clan's black and blue colors.
Besides his clothing the merman looked otherwise like a plain and unassuming fair skinned, middle aged merman.
He had close cropped dark hair with no facial hair, wasn't particularly muscular or skinny, handsome or ugly, and even his tail was neither big nor small. Altogether if it wasn't for his tunic causing him to stick out like a sore fin Nereus probably would have never even noticed him.
"Who? Oh, you mean Byron, he's just the Inner Core messenger." said Jonny matter-of-factly, "I've seen him swimming back and forth running errands all the time within the Inner Core, usually he's busy delivering some important message from some big shot or another so for him to be here bright and early today must mean he has something pressing to take care of. Ooh I bet he's here to give you and the twins your invites into the Inner Core!"
Nereus shook his head in mock disagreement.
Being that him and his two fraudulent stepsiblings were the only dual affinity Sealockes within the class he was almost certain that they'd be recruited in some way eventually.
'But today of all days? Isn't this too sudden?' he couldn't help but think.
"This soon? I don't think so, selections weren't slated to happen for another two weeks or so, right?" Nereus protested.
"They could've moved things up after hearing about you and the twins, I heard that there were worries over not having enough veritable talent to compete against the other big sects in the next tournament so maybe they're trying to get an early start on recruiting and training. Who knows? But either way I suppose we'll find out soon enough..."
Judging from the nervous and excited chatter from the other students in the class, it looked like Jonny wasn't the only one who believed this possibility.
Nereus noticed that just about every student had an anxious smile on their faces as they discussed in hurried whispers what Byron's unexpected visit today could mean for their chances of becoming Inner Core disciples.
At that moment the Mer instructor's stern and commanding voice echoed within the Forum saying, "Alright, alright class settle down. Now as you all may know the Biannual Inner Core Disciple Selection is coming up soon, and this year, instead of the usual 2 there are 5 spots available."
Hanvic paused as a flurry of discussion erupted amongst the students at this development before continuing.
"With that being said, you are all each other's competition and shouldn't get comfortable just because of the increased number of available spots. Which leads me to my next point, for the first time ever, this year and in a few moments actually we will be giving out only 3 early decision badges to the most promising students. These selected students will have a spot specially reserved for them as an Inner Core Disciple, but this is contingent on them passing the four tests of eligibility and most importantly staying in possession of said early decision badge"
"For the next two weeks the chosen 3 students must accept any combat challenges for their badges by other students and in any case they lose, must hand over their badge and Inner Core disciple spot to the victor. However, If you manage to protect your badges for the 2-week duration and pass the four eligibility tests, the gates of the Inner Core will warmly welcome you. As far as the other two available spots, they will be awarded as usual with the requirements being that you pass the four eligibility tests, have reached the peak of the Wave Adept rank, and are selected and approved by the Admission's Council of Mer. Now, without further ado I will give out the 3 Early Decision Badges to the most promising students within the class. When I call out your name please quickly swim forward and accept it"
Immediately after the Mer instructor finished speaking the Forum erupted into a frenzy.
The Sealocke students in the back rows all cheered and smiled excitedly as they realized this change increased their chances of potentially becoming an Inner Core Disciple, all they had to do was take out one of those specially chosen geniuses.
The Sealocke students in the first three rows however had an annoyed yet intrigued expression on their faces as if they were still waiting and trying to calculate how this would turn out and potentially affect them and their chances as well.
Why would the Admission's Council of Mer change the selection process so suddenly?
And surely, they knew that even the most talented student can be beaten after being tired out from facing many combat challenges. Were they intentionally planting a target on their most talented students' backs? they wondered.
"Ruth and Rave Nyx!" the instructor then called out while holding two shiny golden badges in his palm.
His words had caused another frenzy amongst the Mer students as they eyed the shiny golden badges.
The mertwins Ruth and Rave wasted no time in swimming forth and pompously accepting their badges.
At the same time, they made sure to shoot a sharp glare at all the other students in the class as if silently warning them not to challenge them before swimming back to their seats.
A wave of silence then spread out within the Forum as everyone eagerly awaited the announcement of the owner of the final early decision badge.
Everyone had already decided the mertwins getting badges was a given considering their cultivation level was at the peak of the Wave Adept rank and their dual affinity status, however they felt the owner of the final early decision badge could be anybody's guess...
After noticing he had everyone's full attention again the instructor gave a tight smile and continued,
"Very well, before I reveal who this last Early Decision badge shall be going to, I must caution those of you who may have intentions on it and aspirations for becoming an Inner Core disciple. Be warned, the position of Inner Core Disciple, like the tyrannical waters of our world, is not for the meek or the weak. You will be expected to have frequent sparring matches with your equally talented peers, to participate in often times dangerous open waters training, and of course to participate in the Great Clan Disciple Tournament annually..."
At this moment the Mer instructor looked out at the sea of Mer students and noticed the anxiousness on many of their faces, deciding that his dramatic pause had gone on long enough he then said,
"If my words of caution have not dissuaded you then good luck and may the odds be in your favor. Now without further ado, this last Early Decision badge goes to... Argent Nyx!"
"..."