I woke up as usual at exactly 7 a.m. My body had already adapted to the routine—I didn't even need an alarm anymore. For a few moments, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, gathering my thoughts. A new day at the academy. New opportunities… and new problems.
I got up, washed my face with cold water, fully waking myself up.
Time to train.
But the moment I stepped outside, I noticed something immediately.
Mana density.
It was higher in the academy than in the capital estate. Not by much, but enough to feel. The air seemed slightly heavier, more насыщенный. Breathing felt different. Even recovery was a bit faster.
Though… at home it was roughly the same level. The estate wasn't built randomly either.
Whatever. Time to train.
It took me a bit of time to find the training grounds. The academy was huge, and without a map it was easy to get lost. I turned the wrong way a couple of times, passed other buildings, but eventually found the right place.
When I saw the training ground, I wasn't surprised.
It had everything.
Weighted gear. Dumbbells. Weapon racks. Separate areas for practicing combat techniques. Even designated sparring zones.
Everything needed for proper training.
Of course, I knew about the gravity rooms. But I also knew they required a monthly subscription paid with academy credits. Top 20 got a discount… but it was still a cost.
Another way to force students into taking missions.
Someone was already there.
Jian Lei.
He trained silently, completely focused, as if nothing else existed. Every strike was precise, calculated, without wasted motion.
He noticed me.
We exchanged a brief nod.
No words.
That was enough.
After that, we both returned to training.
I trained as usual, but something felt slightly off. Maybe it was the fatigue from yesterday's fights, maybe the new environment.
In the end, I finished earlier than usual.
Though overall, the efficiency was about the same. Most advanced academy features were still locked for me.
Almost everything here depended on academy credits.
Not exactly expensive… but enough to push students toward missions.
I returned to the dorm, took a shower, changed, and headed to the cafeteria.
It was already crowded.
Most faces were unfamiliar—background characters. But even among them, there were differences. Some looked confident, others nervous, some loudly discussed yesterday's fights.
A few glanced at me.
Probably because of the rankings.
I took some food—simple but nutritious—and sat at an empty table.
The food was not only filling but actually good. As expected from an academy like this.
I ate quietly, alone.
And honestly, I liked it.
Until someone sat down next to me.
Eleris and Cecilia.
Right… they had known each other even before the academy.
"Do you remember the promise?"
Eleris spoke immediately, without wasting time.
"I didn't forget."
I answered shortly.
"Then let's fight right after classes."
She looked pleased. Too pleased.
Cecilia stayed silent.
And I had no intention of starting a conversation with her.
I didn't have time for that right now. Nor the desire.
I quickly finished my meal.
"After classes then."
I nodded to Eleris and stood up.
First general lecture.
I already knew what the introduction would be about.
Right after that—Mana Beast Ecology.
Pure theory.
Habitats, behavior, environmental conditions.
Boring.
But necessary.
As much as I wanted to skip it—I couldn't.
It would be on exams. And more importantly, it would be useful.
Hunting beasts meant money. Resources.
I thought about it while students filled the lecture hall.
It was a general course for all first-years.
Around two hundred people. Maybe more.
Noise, conversations, movement—the room quickly filled with life.
Then Eleris sat next to me.
Cecilia sat beside her.
Why me?
I didn't understand.
I wasn't even the strongest.
Though… I didn't really care.
The lecture was about to begin. It would last about thirty minutes.
The professor entered.
A woman, around thirty.
Black hair. Blue eyes.
Margaret Hale.
Our homeroom teacher.
Not a major character, but not just background either. Mostly responsible for dealing with problems students create.
She began the lecture.
Topic—academy credits.
You could buy almost anything with them: manuals, potions, artifacts, access to training facilities.
I already knew all this.
The first five minutes were boring.
Then came the important part.
How to earn credits.
Missions.
And only missions.
She explained calmly, clearly.
Mission rank depends on the strength of the target. The more dangerous the enemy—the higher the rank.
But not all missions involve combat.
There are scouting, investigation, escort missions.
In those cases, rank depends on risk and complexity.
Some missions cannot be done solo.
In such cases, teams are formed.
Then she moved on to students.
Everyone except the top 20 starts at rank F.
Top 20 start at rank E.
Failure results in penalties.
Loss of rewards, rank reduction, restrictions.
To rank up, you must complete a certain number of missions and pass evaluation from your supervisor.
I listened, mostly confirming what I already knew.
The students, however, reacted differently.
Some took notes seriously.
Some whispered.
Some looked tense.
Others overly confident.
The professor finished explaining.
Then came standard rules.
Duels outside official arenas are prohibited.
But inside—fight as much as you want.
And other formalities.
Finally, the introduction lecture ended.
I stood up.
Next—another theory class.