---
Chapter 27: Greenleaf Academy — A New World
The first glimpse of Greenleaf Academy took Ray's breath away.
Beyond a final hill, the trees opened up to reveal an enormous fortress-like structure, sprawling across the landscape.
Tall stone towers with green ivy snaking up their sides.
Wide marble bridges crossing over shimmering lakes.
Training grounds, combat arenas, magic towers — all woven together like a living city.
Above it all, a giant stone archway marked the main entrance, engraved with glowing silver letters:
> "To the Strong, Belongs the Future."
The caravan rolled to a halt before the gate.
Other groups of children and youths from distant villages were arriving too — some on foot, some on horseback, a few even arriving on tamed flying beasts.
Excitement buzzed in the air.
Ray's hands tightened on his spear.
---
A group of Academy Instructors stood at the gate, wearing deep green cloaks fastened with golden oak-leaf pins.
One stepped forward — a tall woman with silver hair tied back in a braid.
Her voice rang out, calm and strong.
"Welcome, new seeds of humanity!
From today onward, you step onto a path of strength, glory… or death.
Greenleaf Academy does not coddle the weak."
A heavy silence fell.
Ray felt his heart hammering.
"This Academy will test you," she continued. "In body, in magic, in mind, and in will.
Those who cannot endure… will be sent home.
Those who survive... will stand at the front lines against the Gates."
She gestured, and a dozen instructors moved forward, handing out tokens.
Each token was a thin piece of wood, carved with a number.
Ray glanced down at his:
> [Token 713]
"Your number determines your trial group," she announced.
"Follow the signs. Report to your group leaders by sunset. Trials begin tomorrow."
---
As the crowd began to move, Seventeen spoke softly in Ray's mind.
> "Greenleaf Academy is divided into three main Divisions:
- Combat Division — For warriors, beast tamers, archers, and summoners.
- Magic Division — For mages, healers, and enchanters.
- Special Division — For scouts, assassins, scholars, and those with rare classes.
Placement is determined after your preliminary trials.
Fight well, Host. Fight smart.
Survive.**"
Ray nodded to himself.
No backing down now.
---
The academy courtyard was massive — a bustling square larger than the entire Dawnedge village.
Stalls sold weapons, armor, potions, and beast cores.
Other students sparred in open arenas.
Several squads of government army soldiers — wearing black and gold armor — marched in formation.
Magical bulletin boards floated in the air, glowing softly, posting missions and bounties.
This was a living world, a battlefield of the strong.
And he was now a part of it.
---
Ray found the sign marked "700–750" and joined a gathering group of students.
A sharp-eyed young woman with a sword at her hip — Instructor Maren — stood before them.
She looked barely older than 20, but her eyes were hard.
"Listen up, brats," she snapped.
"I'm not your mother. I'm not your friend.
I'm here to forge you into weapons — or break you trying."
Some kids swallowed nervously.
Ray just kept his expression blank.
Maren tossed a scroll into the air.
It unfolded itself magically, displaying glowing names and numbers.
"Tomorrow at dawn, your first trial begins.
Basic Assessment: Strength, Speed, Magic Control, and Combat Skill."
She pointed to a black stone building nearby.
"You will live in the Initiate Dorms until your Division is decided.
Rooms are shared. No complaints.
Dismissed!"
---
The Initiate Dorms were simple, sturdy, and noisy.
Ray found himself sharing a room with two other boys:
Kiel — a cocky-looking archer with quick hands and quicker smiles.
Jonas — a bulky shield bearer who snored like a dying bear.
They barely spoke as they unpacked, sizing each other up silently.
Ray claimed the corner bed, setting his spear carefully nearby.
Later that night, as the moon hung high, he sat by the narrow window, staring at the glowing campus.
He felt it deep inside —
This was only the beginning.
Tomorrow, the trials would start.
Tomorrow, he would show them — and himself — what he was truly capable of.
And deep within his hidden Domain, the Frostwolf Tree trembled slightly — a new pup being born.
> "Grow, Host. Grow your strength, your army, your ambition.
The world does not wait for the slow."
Seventeen's cold whisper drifted in the air.
Ray smiled grimly.
He wasn't planning to be slow.
He would rise — one kill, one step, one beast at a time.
---
(End of Chapter 27)
---
Chapter 28: First Trial — Strength, Speed, Survival
The sky was still dark when the academy bells rang out, loud and sharp.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Ray jolted awake instantly.
In the dorm room, Jonas cursed under his breath, while Kiel rolled out of bed, already dressed and stringing his bow.
"Move it, unless you want to miss your trial," Kiel said with a smirk.
Ray tied his boots quickly, slinging his spear onto his back.
His heart was calm, but his blood thrummed with quiet excitement.
Today was the beginning.
---
The Initiate grounds were packed with students.
Hundreds of boys and girls stood in long lines under the cold morning light, all grouped by their token numbers.
Instructors stood waiting near giant stone testing pillars, enchanted with glowing runes.
Instructor Maren appeared again, her green cloak fluttering in the wind.
Her voice cut through the early mist.
"Three tests today:
Strength. Speed. Combat.
Each will be scored.
Your combined points will decide your Academy Division and your initial ranking."
She smiled coldly.
> "The weak will be sent home."
A few students shifted nervously.
Ray tightened his fingers around his spear.
He wasn't going home. Not now. Not ever.
---
First Test: Strength
The strength test was simple — smash your fist into the stone pillar as hard as you could.
The stone would glow according to the force.
The minimum passing glow was faint blue.
Higher levels could reach green, yellow, or even red.
Jonas was first.
The big shield bearer grinned and smashed his fist into the pillar with a roar.
BANG!
The stone flared — a solid green glow.
The instructors nodded slightly.
Next came a skinny-looking boy. His fist barely made the stone flicker blue.
He bit his lip, looking terrified.
> "Pass," an instructor said coldly.
"Barely."
---
Ray's turn came soon.
He stepped up silently, feeling the gazes around him.
Some students whispered, noticing his small frame.
Ignoring them, Ray drew a slow breath, concentrating.
His muscles coiled like springs.
Then —
He struck.
CRACK!
The stone pillar flared bright green, close to yellow.
A murmur ran through the crowd.
Even Instructor Maren raised an eyebrow slightly.
Seventeen chuckled softly in Ray's mind.
> "Excellent. Body control and burst strength — high potential.
You're not just surviving, Host. You're standing out."
Ray stepped back calmly, hiding his grin.
---
Second Test: Speed
The speed test was a straight dash across a 500-meter track.
At the far end, a floating crystal would mark the finish line.
The top 10 fastest runners would get bonus points.
"Ready!"
"Set!"
"Go!"
Boom!
Ray launched forward like a released arrow.
The world blurred.
Other kids surged beside him, some faster, some stumbling.
Kiel was incredibly quick, racing ahead with the grace of a hunting cat.
But Ray's training — running from beasts in the forests, chasing prey, dodging monsters — made his legs strong.
He sprinted with all his strength.
Halfway mark.
Three-quarters.
Final stretch.
Gritting his teeth, Ray pushed harder.
He crossed the line among the Top 10 finishers, panting hard but smiling slightly.
Another victory.
---
Third Test: Combat
Finally, the combat arena.
Instructors had prepared dozens of circular sparring rings.
Each match would be one-on-one — no killing, but knocking down or forcing a yield.
Ray's opponent was a stocky boy wielding a heavy mace.
The boy sneered as he entered the ring.
"You're skinny," he said. "This'll be quick."
Ray just nodded silently, lowering his stance.
The referee — a bored-looking knight — raised his hand.
"Begin!"
The mace boy charged, swinging wide and brutal.
Ray dodged sideways, feeling the wind of the blow whistle past him.
Before the boy could recover, Ray struck:
Whap!
The butt of his spear slammed into the boy's ribs.
The boy gasped, staggering.
Ray didn't stop.
Two steps forward, a sweep —
The boy's feet left the ground.
Thud!
He landed hard, groaning.
Ray planted the tip of his spear near the boy's throat.
The referee raised his hand.
"Winner: Ray!"
---
Around the arena, students whispered.
That spearwork — fast, clean, efficient.
Not flashy.
Deadly.
Even Instructor Maren was watching now, a small thoughtful frown on her face.
---
After all the matches ended, students gathered again.
Maren stepped forward, holding a glowing list.
"Provisional rankings based on today's trials," she said.
She began reading names.
Ray stood silently, waiting.
> "Rank 8: Ray Darkthorn."
The words echoed.
Some students turned to stare.
Top 10.
Ray breathed out slowly.
Not bad for a village boy.
But this was only the beginning.
He would climb higher.
Much higher.
---
As the students dispersed, Seventeen whispered again, amusement clear in his voice.
> "Good start, Host. But strength alone isn't enough.
Soon, the real world will come — politics, allies, betrayals, blood.
Are you ready?"
Ray smiled faintly.
He didn't answer.
He would show Seventeen — and the entire Academy — through actions, not words.
One step at a time.
One battle at a time.
---
---
Chapter 29: Academy System — Points, Coins, Missions
The sun rose higher over the Academy grounds, casting long golden rays over thousands of young talents gathered together — warriors, mages, archers, summoners.
The First Academy Trial was over.
Now the real game began.
---
Inside the Assembly Hall, all first-year students sat on long benches, buzzing with excitement and nervous whispers.
Ray sat calmly, his spear resting against his shoulder, listening.
On the huge stage ahead, Headmaster Velric stood, robes shimmering faintly with mana.
Beside him, rows of senior instructors, government soldiers, and strange officials in black coats waited.
When Velric spoke, the hall fell silent instantly.
---
The Academy System
> "Listen well, Initiates.
Your survival — your rise — will depend not just on strength, but on your ability to gather resources.
Power must be earned.
You will need points, coins, alliances, and reputation.
Welcome to the real Academy."
He gestured, and huge glowing letters appeared in the air.
---
1. Academy Points (AP)
Awarded for missions, competitions, and contributions.
Needed to buy better weapons, armor, spells, skills.
Needed to qualify for graduation.
(If your points drop to zero? Immediate expulsion.)
---
2. Country Coins (CC)
A special currency used outside the Academy.
Can be traded for land, businesses, rare potions, army ranks.
Earned by exceptional performance in Academy missions and government contracts.
---
3. Missions
Missions were divided into tiers:
---
> "Complete missions, earn points, earn coins — or fall behind.
The Academy does not feed the useless."
The Hall buzzed louder.
Some students looked panicked. Others, excited.
Ray just smiled slightly.
Seventeen spoke inside his mind, voice amused.
> "Efficient system, Host.
Harvest points, harvest wealth, harvest...power.
And remember — if you fall behind, you won't just be expelled.
You'll become prey."
---
Rankings and Rewards
Velric continued:
> "At the end of every month, we will rank students based on accumulated points.
Top 100 will receive bonus AP, better dorms, private training rooms, even cultivation materials.
The Bottom 100...will be punished."
Some students shivered.
Ray's eyes gleamed.
So it was a race — an endless climb, or endless fall.
Good.
He liked that.
---
Special Announcements:
The Headmaster's tone shifted slightly.
> "**This year, several new features are added:
1. Slave Collars can now be bought with AP.
2. Special Auctions — rare beast corpses, ancient relics — once a month.
3. Government Army Recruitment — starting from D Rank missions.
4. Intercontinental Tournaments — qualifiers begin after six months.**"
A massive cheer broke out.
Slave Collars? Beast corpses? Auctions?
Ray's heart pounded faster.
Seventeen whispered darkly:
> "Host, imagine... an insect queen enslaved...
A frost giant corpse bought cheap...
Entire armies built by your own hands."
Ray grinned.
He could already see it.
Not just survival.
Domination.
---
First Mission Board — Open!
The hall shook as giant boards unfolded from the ground, glowing softly.
Hundreds of mission slips appeared.
Students surged forward, fighting for missions.
Ray stood back a moment, observing.
F-rank missions: gathering herbs outside city walls.
E-rank missions: guard a caravan.
D-rank missions: clean out a goblin nest.
Jonas ran up grinning.
"Come on, Ray! Let's take a team mission! More points, more loot!"
Ray nodded.
Building allies was important.
But also... testing them.
> "Trust must be forged in blood and sweat, Host, not in words,"
Seventeen whispered.
---
Ray picked up a mission slip.
[Mission: Scout an abandoned village outside Green Hollow Woods. Threat level: E Rank. Reward: 100 AP + 20 Country Coins.]
Perfect.
Adventure.
Danger.
And a chance to grow.
He tucked the slip into his belt.
His journey had officially begun.
Not as a villager.
Not as prey.
But as a predator.
---
(End of Chapter 29)