Chapter 19: The Gates of the Academy
The Chronology of the Empire In this world, time was measured not by stars, but by the pulse of the Vane.
1 Mojerk consisted of 27 Vers (Days).
7 Mojerks formed 1 Berao.
10 Beraos completed 1 Vers (Year).
Kings usually ruled for two full Vers before passing the crown to a sibling or a son. The world was currently in the middle of the year 2000 Vers, standing on the threshold of a new era—2001 Vers.
Six Mojerks had passed since the night Ren almost lost his life in that alleyway. His right arm had healed, the bone knitted back together by Go's high-grade potions, though it still ached during cold nights. His left eye, however, remained a dark, hollow scar—a permanent price of his survival.
Following the advice of the restaurant owner and with Go's reluctant help, Ren had finally done the unthinkable: he joined the Vaner Academy. Go had warned him that the life of a Vaner was a path of blood, but Ren had only one reply: "I can't protect Hana if I'm just a waiter."
Ren stood before the towering iron gates of the Academy. He looked sharp, dressed in a black suit with a long black trench coat and a deep purple shirt. He skipped the tie, preferring a more rugged look, and wore dark black glasses to hide his missing eye. The white cat, Snow, sat at the apartment window watching him leave; she had become a silent guardian for Hana in his absence.
"New recruit?" one of the guards asked, eyeing Ren's glasses.
"First day," Ren replied shortly.
"Head inside. Your Sansei is waiting in the courtyard," the guard muttered, waving him through.
The Academy was massive, filled with the sounds of clashing steel and elemental explosions. As Ren walked through the halls, his fake "Elite Card"—a gift from Go—ensured no one questioned his presence. It had even helped him get a discount on his rent.
Suddenly, a thick cloud of cigar smoke drifted into his path. A man leaning against a stone pillar exhaled slowly. He looked incredibly cool, wearing a tactical vest over a dark shirt, his hair messy but intentional.
"So... you're Ren Mirto?" the man asked, his voice gravelly.
"I am. And you?"
"I'm your Sansei. Name's Kimo," the man said, flicking his cigar ash. "Follow me. I don't care about your fancy suit or your recommendations. I need to see if you're actually worth my time."
Ren followed Kimo to a private training ring.
"Your first test is simple," Kimo said, gesturing to a young man standing in the center of the ring. "You have to defeat my weakest student."
Ren tightened his gloves, his one good eye narrowing behind his glasses. "Understood."
Kimo smiled, but his eyes didn't match the expression. Weakest? Kimo thought, watching Ren's stance. In this group, my 'weakest' student is stronger than most Tier 1 soldiers. Let's see if you survive the first ten seconds, kid.
"You're the fourth student in my squad," Kimo called out. "Now, get in there!"