A few more days passed in relative peace as everyone prepared to depart for their chosen academies. A strict notice had been publicly displayed, engraved onto tall stone slabs near the central plaza. Anyone ranked above 200 was free to choose any academy of their liking. The rest, if they wished to enroll, would have to meet the respective instructors and professors in their designated zones. Only after approval would their metal plates be officially registered for admission.

Large boards were set up across the grounds, listing the academies and their respective specializations, giving everyone a clear basis for decision-making. Yet what truly caught people's attention wasn't the specialties—it was the ranking. Seven academies stood at the forefront, ranked clearly from one to seven. As expected, nearly everyone set their sights on the top three, though reality quickly reminded them that desire alone wasn't enough.

There were other, smaller academies as well, but they faded into the background, overshadowed by the sheer presence and reputation of the imposing seven.

1. Valencrest Royal Academy

2. Velerath Grand Academy

3. Aurelius Beast Academy

4. Drakensoul Academy

5. Eldros Academy of Taming Arts

6. Ardent Sovereign Hall

7. Soul Astra Academy

Among academies ranked 4 through 7, their overall power was considered roughly equal. Though each specialized in different areas, none could decisively overpower the others. The top three, however, stood on a different plane altogether. They were true all-round academies, housing nearly every known department and discipline. Their faculties were filled with veterans and monsters in their own right, guaranteeing elite training and education. It was often said that even trash could be polished into a diamond—if one managed to step inside their gates.

Instructors actively searched for the metal plates they had already set their eyes on. With the spatial mage holding the coordinates of every plate, approaching promising candidates was effortless. During this period, many attempted to approach Lily. Most of them came from the top three academies; the others didn't even dare try their luck.

But Lily rejected everyone with a single word, her tone flat and final, before turning and walking away. What baffled people even more was the fact that she had refused invitations from all three top academies, leaving behind nothing but murmurs and speculation in her wake.

At some point, Leo approached Brant. Brant's face immediately lit up, delight evident in his posture, as he assumed Leo had finally decided to join Aurelius Beast Academy. The two exchanged pleasantries, brief but cordial. Soon after, Leo had a new metal plate forged. When it activated, it once again displayed him as alive—along with that overwhelming score of nearly 400,000.

The reaction was immediate.

An uproar swept through the candidates like a shockwave. Whispers turned into heated arguments, fingers pointing toward the scoreboard in disbelief. To many, it reeked of something fishy. The most plausible conclusion spread rapidly—

The score was rigged.

Involuntarily, people began labelling the first rank as a fraud.

But there was one person who never doubted it.

"See? I told you he was alive," Dale said with a faint grin, glancing sideways at Enra.

Enra stiffened slightly, the memory of Lily's cold, piercing stare from that day still lingering in her mind.

"Y-yeah…" she replied hesitantly, her voice lacking conviction.

Another wave of commotion rose from a different corner—this time, from the people of Kendru.

"Look! The big shot is alive!"

"Must be Young Master Zolton. I heard he was barely clinging to life when the demons attacked. His metal plate probably malfunctioned."

After being brutally swatted aside by Lily's treant and left at death's door, Zolton had been transported back to the city. A healer treated him under the assumption that a demon had inflicted those injuries.

These people were supporters of Zolton and Alric—followers they had gathered after both stood up against the person who mocked them upon their arrival in the city. Their numbers, however, were pitiful. Reduced to just ten after the trial, most of their original group had perished.

Even so, having ten followers was no small feat. Especially when many preferred to join established factions for protection and then enroll in the same academy together. Such early consolidation established a leader's presence within the academy grounds, granting them leverage from the very beginning.

Professors and instructors welcomed such groups with open arms. Recruiting a large number of candidates directly impacted their standing within the academy—especially when the talents involved were promising.

And with Zolton and Alric both possessing 4-star Beast Taming talent, alongside another member with 3-star Iron Body talent, academies were more than willing to accept them. Any talent ranked three and above was already categorized as good.

Alric, with his naturally shrewd temperament, knew Lily harbored hostility toward him. He also knew—perhaps better than anyone—that she was stronger than Zolton. A clash between them was inevitable. He had already planned to quietly withdraw from the faction and go solo, but never found the opportunity. Zolton constantly nudged him for advice and pointers. As nobles from the same city, Zolton felt comfortable ordering him around, especially since Alric technically held a lower noble rank.

On one occasion, Alric jokingly suggested they aim for the top three academies. With their collective strength, it wasn't impossible.

To his surprise, Zolton agreed.

Without hesitation, Zolton led his faction—now numbering sixteen members, all possessing talent ranks of two and above—straight toward the recruitment zones.

By sheer luck, they encountered a visibly frustrated instructor from Aurelius Beast Academy, who had been struggling to recruit good candidates. When Zolton mentioned his 4-star talent and Super Rare soul, followed by Alric's identical talent rank but Rare soul, the instructor's eyes lit up instantly. Without further deliberation, he admitted them on the spot before striding away with a satisfied smile—his three-day quota fulfilled in one stroke.

A Super Rare soul alone was already a guaranteed pass. Pair it with a 4-star talent, and it became an admission with flying colors. Add another similar talent and a coordinated faction to the mix, and the decision became inevitable. After all, a faction was a unified force—like a pack of hyenas. Weak individually, but formidable together.

But among them stood a lion—Zolton.

And beside him, his equally strong mate...?

Alric.

Of course, the frustrated instructor admitted them.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.