If the outer gates had been grand, the Academy itself was a different world.
Set upon a plateau overlooking Vel Serin's western cliffs, it was part fortress, part palace, part sacred ground. The main hall soared like a cathedral of stone and glass, and every wall hummed with the echo of swords drawn in centuries past.
Statues of former Grand Blades, the greatest cultivators in history, lined the courtyard. Some held swords, others bare fists. All looked down on Aelric as he passed—judging or welcoming, he couldn't tell.
> [Quest Update: "The Academy Beckons" - Complete]
[Reward: +10 System Points | Entry Rank: Bronze Tier – Rank 3]
> [New System Thread Unlocked: Academy Trials]
[Upcoming Event: "Opening Duel – Rank Placement"]
[Time Remaining: 3 Days]
Aelric was led to the Initiate Dormitories by a tall, silent servant in silver robes. The halls echoed with voices—dozens of other first-year students arriving from across the continent.
He passed a boy in violet silks, two swords at his hips, mana glimmering off his skin like oil.
He passed a girl in dark crimson armor with one eye bandaged and a calm, deadly smile.
He passed a monk with bare feet and scars along his jaw.
Everyone here was dangerous.
Everyone here had talent.
His room was small but well-furnished. A clean bed, a desk of polished wood, and a window facing the training grounds. Aelric dropped his pack, unwrapped his sword, and stared at it for a long time.
His father's blade. Iron-worn. Not flashy. But still sharp.
You always said I'd find my own path, Aelric thought. Well... I'm carving it.
Later, he made his way to the Hall of Records to register officially.
The hall was domed, filled with mana crystals that flickered with light as students touched them. A large crystal hovered in the center, manned by a robed registrar.
"Name?" the woman asked.
"Aelric Vaelion."
"Lineage?"
"Noble House Vaelion. Thalorion Dominion."
The woman blinked, as if surprised. "The house that fell last month?"
Aelric's jaw tightened. "Yes."
A pause. Then she nodded.
"Cultivation?"
"2nd Grade," Aelric said calmly.
"Proof?"
He held out his palm.
Mana surged through him—a slow, controlled spiral. The crystal pulsed in response.
The registrar's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Not bad for a Dominion noble. Rank: Bronze Tier – Rank 3."
Aelric bowed and turned—only to nearly collide with another figure entering the chamber.
A boy, older than him, maybe seventeen. Tall. Amber eyes. Mana swirled around him like a storm barely held in check. His robes bore the mark of House Ravaryn—one of the high clans of Auraleth.
The boy looked down at him with lazy disdain.
"Careful, peasant."
Aelric met his gaze calmly. "I'm a noble."
The boy snorted. "Thalorion doesn't count."
Before Aelric could reply, the System chimed.
> [Rival Encounter: Kael Ravaryn – 4th Grade Cultivator | Rank: Silver – 1]
[System Thread Update: Rivalry Initiated]
Kael turned without another word and walked off.
Aelric stood still, feeling the weight of it settle in his chest.
The stronger they are, the harder they fall.
That evening, Aelric joined the other first-years in the Central Arena, a massive stone circle surrounded by viewing platforms. A white-robed instructor stood waiting.
"Three days from now," she said, "you'll face your first test—the Opening Duel."
"Win, and you earn prestige, resources, and rank."
"Lose—and you'll begin your year on your knees."
Laughter from a few cocky students.
But Aelric didn't laugh.
His hand gripped his blade hilt.
Three days.
Three days to sharpen his blade, his body, and his mind.
Back in his room, the System blinked to life again.
> [New Technique Available: Phantom Step – Tier I Movement Skill]
[Unlocked: Internal Realm – Blade Seed Awakening Possible]
He sat cross-legged, breathing slow.
He let his consciousness slip inward… into the new space the System had created.
Darkness gave way to light.
And at the heart of it—
A seed of silver flame, shaped like a blade, floated in a vast, empty realm.
> [Would you like to awaken the Blade Seed?]
Aelric's breath caught.
He reached toward it.
Yes.