The gathering area had finally quieted down after the chaos of the rankings announcement. Students who'd passed were celebrating, while those who'd failed were being escorted out with consolation prizes and advice to try again in ten years.

Vice Dean Yara stood before the 847 successful candidates, her expression warm but authoritative.

"Congratulations to all of you," she began, her voice carrying easily across the space. "You have proven yourselves worthy of joining the Epochal Ascendance Academy. This is no small achievement—out of fifty thousand candidates, only you have succeeded. Be proud."

Enthusiastic cheers erupted. Even Aria found herself smiling at the infectious energy.

The Vice Dean raised her hand for silence. "Now, let me explain how our academy operates. Unlike sects that focus solely on cultivation, we provide a comprehensive education. Combat skills, Law comprehension, formation theory, alchemy, artifact crafting—we teach everything necessary to become a well-rounded cultivator."

She gestured, and a massive holographic display appeared, showing different sections of the academy.

"First, the Mission Hall. This is where you'll find tasks to complete—everything from hunting specific beasts to researching obscure Law principles to helping with academy maintenance. Completing missions earns you Contribution Points, which are the academy's currency."

The display shifted to show a grand building with multiple floors. "Contribution Points can be used to purchase techniques, cultivation resources, private instruction from Elders, access to special training dimensions, and much more. Everything in the academy can be bought with sufficient points."

"How many points do we start with?" someone asked.

"That depends on your trial performance," Vice Dean Yara replied. The display changed to show individual rankings. "Everyone receives base contribution points based on how well you did:

Top 10 performers: 10,000 points each Ranks 11-50: 5,000 points each Ranks 51-100: 3,000 points each Ranks 101-500: 1,000 points each Ranks 501-847: 500 points each"

She paused, then smiled. "However, Aria Vance, as the first student in academy history to achieve perfect scores in all three trials, receives a special award: 50,000 Contribution Points."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. That was five times what even other top performers received.

Aria blinked in surprise. That seemed like a lot.

"Additionally," the Vice Dean continued, "all students receive accommodation in academy housing, three meals daily at the dining halls, and access to basic cultivation resources. Everything beyond that must be earned through missions or purchased with points."

The holographic display shifted again, showing different buildings. "The Combat Hall is where you'll train fighting techniques and spar with other students or academy constructs. Injuries sustained there are automatically healed by the hall's arrays, so don't hold back."

"The Comprehension Hall contains meditation chambers optimized for understanding Infinity Law. Time dilation rooms, Law-infused environments, even direct insights from Elders—all available for the right price in points."

"The Library holds millions of technique manuals, historical records, and research papers. Basic access is free. Advanced sections require points or special permission."

"The Alchemy Hall, Formation Hall, and Artifact Pavilion are for those interested in crafting disciplines. Masters in each field provide instruction—again, for a price."

Vice Dean Yara's expression became more serious. "One important rule: you are here to learn, not to kill each other. Serious injuries during sparring are acceptable. Death is not. Anyone who kills another student will be immediately expelled and handed over to realm authorities for punishment. This rule is absolute."

She let that sink in before continuing. "You will be assigned dormitories based on your specialization and compatibility. Roommate assignments have already been made. You'll receive your room assignments and student tokens after this ceremony."

The Vice Dean paused, her expression softening slightly. "Now, before we proceed to the formal acceptance ceremony, you have one hour to say goodbye to your families and guardians. Many of you will not see them for quite some time. Academy policy requires students to remain on campus for at least the first year to fully integrate into academy life."

Murmurs of surprise and some dismay rippled through the students. A full year without seeing family?

"Use this time wisely," Vice Dean Yara advised. "After the acceptance ceremony, you officially become academy students, and your families will be escorted off campus. Go. Say your farewells."

The crowd dispersed as students rushed toward the observation areas to find their families.

Aria found her family waiting in a private meeting room Sarah had arranged. The moment she entered, Kaelen pulled her into a tight hug.

"I'm so proud of you," her mother said, voice thick with emotion. "Three perfect scores. You were magnificent."

"Thanks, Mother." Aria hugged back just as tightly.

When they separated, Sarah stepped forward with a warm smile. "That Infinite Recursion Strike was terrifying. In a good way. You're going to be a legend here."

"I just did what Father taught me," Aria said modestly.

"What I taught you was the foundation," Elias corrected, moving to stand before his daughter. "What you accomplished was through your own skill and effort. Never diminish your achievements."

Aria looked at her father, and something in his expression made her pause. "You're leaving, aren't you?"

Elias nodded. "I am. I've reached 99% Infinity Law comprehension—one step from the theoretical maximum of Stage 4 Dimensional Infinity. But I can't reach 100% through cultivation alone. I need experiences, challenges, opportunities that won't be found in one location."

"You're going to explore the Infinity Realm," Aria said, understanding dawning.

"Yes. The realm is vast—countless continents, hidden dimensions, ancient ruins, mysterious phenomena. I need to see them, understand them, integrate those experiences into my comprehension." He smiled slightly. "Stagnation is the enemy of advancement. I've learned everything I can from staying in one place."

"How long will you be gone?"

"I don't know. Months, years, perhaps decades. It depends on what I find." He reached into his spatial storage. "Which is why I made this for you."

He pulled out a necklace. The chain was made of material that seemed to exist in multiple states simultaneously—solid and liquid, real and ethereal. But the pendant was what drew the eye—a crystalline structure that contained what looked like a miniature galaxy, stars swirling in impossible patterns.

"I spent the last week forging this," Elias explained, holding it up. "I used my 99% Infinity Law comprehension, my complete mastery of Quantum Law and Space-Time Law, along with materials worth more than most Sovereign treasuries. This is not just a protective artifact. It's a lifeline."

He gestured for Aria to lean forward, and gently placed the necklace around her neck. The moment it touched her skin, she felt it bond with her soul—not invasively, but gently, like a parent's hand.

"The primary function," Elias continued, "is emergency transportation. If you're ever in a life-or-death situation, the necklace will sense it and open a direct portal to me, regardless of what dimension or realm I'm in. Distance becomes meaningless. Even if I'm on the other side of the Infinity Realm, you'll reach me instantly."

"That's... that's incredible," Aria breathed.

"But that's not all." Elias's expression became very serious. "The necklace has multiple defensive functions. The most powerful is temporal stasis. If you face a threat you absolutely cannot handle—and I mean truly cannot, not just 'difficult'—the necklace will activate automatically."

"What does it do?"

"It stops time across an area the size of a reality," Elias said calmly, as if that wasn't completely insane. "Not slow it. Not manipulate it. Stop it completely. Only cultivators who have reached 100% Infinity Law—those who have achieved The Infinite—would be unaffected. And such beings are incredibly rare in this realm. Most have transcended to whatever lies beyond."

Aria stared at him. "Father, that's... how is that even possible?"

"Stage 4 Dimensional Infinity allows manipulation of time across hierarchical dimensional structures. Quantum Law lets me target specific states of existence. Space-Time Law provides the framework. Combine all three at maximum mastery, and yes, stopping time across reality-sized areas becomes feasible." He tapped the pendant. "The effect lasts for one hour, giving you time to escape or for me to arrive."

"That's one function. You said there were multiple?"

"The necklace contains stored attacks," Elias continued. "I've imbued it with my full-power strikes—not holding back at all, pure Sovereign-level combat ability. It can release these attacks automatically in your defense. One thousand times."

"One thousand full-power Sovereign attacks?" Aria's voice cracked slightly. "Father, that could destroy... that could destroy almost anything!"

"That's the point. If something threatens your life and I can't arrive in time—if I'm too far away or occupied with something critical—the necklace will defend you. One thousand strikes means even if you face multiple Sovereigns, you'll survive long enough for help to arrive."

Kaelen had tears in her eyes. "Elias, this is... this is too much. The materials alone, the time investment, the Law comprehension required..."

"Nothing is too much for our daughter's safety," Elias said simply. "She's going to be here, in an academy full of competitive prodigies, some of whom come from major sects that might see her as a threat. She's already made herself the most notable student in academy history. That brings attention. Not all of it will be positive."

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