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Chapter 84 – Classes Begin: Friends, Auctions, and First Discoveries
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The academy bells chimed softly at dawn.
Lucius, still sore from yesterday's mission, stood at the entrance of the massive Whitehorn Academy's Grand Lecture Hall.
Today would be different.
No fighting.
Instead — learning, history, strategy, survival.
And connections.
This was the true beginning of his life as a student.
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First Period: History of Races and Worlds
The Grand Lecture Hall was enormous, enough to seat thousands.
A tall woman with silver hair — Professor Linaria Valen — entered, the room falling silent instantly.
> "Welcome to World Histories and Races," she said, voice cold but powerful.
"Today, we speak of the Insect World."
The students sat up straighter.
The Insect World — the place responsible for wiping out entire continents on Earth.
Lucius's pen moved quickly across his notebook.
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The Insect World
> "It is divided into Five Grand Hives," Linaria explained.
"Each Hive ruled by a different Queen."
"The species are: Blood Beetles, Mind Wasps, Death Ants, Shadow Locusts, and Flesh Spiders."
Lucius's mind sharpened.
He memorized the list.
Important for future survival.
Linaria continued:
> "Currently, Hive Three — Death Ants — control the destroyed continent of Veridonia."
"Their warriors are mindless... but their generals are terrifyingly intelligent."
A shiver ran through the room.
Lucius tapped his quill.
Someday... he would face them.
He would need more than wolves and vines.
He would need an army.
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Lunch Break — Making Allies
During lunch, Lucius sat under the old Godtree in the Academy courtyard.
Kael joined him, tossing an apple up and down.
"So," Kael said, grinning. "That was brutal yesterday. You're strong. But you can't solo this world, y'know?"
Lucius looked at him sideways.
Was Kael offering... friendship?
He considered it.
A sword needs a shield.
A commander needs soldiers.
"Fine," Lucius said. "We'll work together."
Kael beamed.
Across the courtyard, Mira Sunfall and Garen Holt waved.
Their team was slowly forming.
Lucius didn't trust easily.
But survival demanded alliances.
For now.
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Afternoon: Academy Auction House
After classes, Seventeen buzzed in Lucius's mind.
> "Seventeen: Little Master, there's an auction happening today in the Academy's Trading Hall! Rare beast eggs, dungeon cores, seeds... Hehehe... want to go?"
Lucius's curiosity flared.
He grabbed Kael and Mira and headed to the Silver Pavilion, where the Academy hosted its monthly auctions.
Inside, dozens of students — and even some Teachers — crowded around glittering glass displays.
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Auction Highlights
An elder student with a golden badge acted as auctioneer.
> "First item: Egg of a Minor Thunder Wyvern!
Starting price: 100 Spirit Coins!"
Gasps echoed.
Kael whistled. "No way we can afford that."
Lucius watched, unimpressed.
The egg was cracked — damaged.
Not worth it.
Instead, his gaze shifted to a less-noticed corner.
There, a withered old man displayed a plain, gray seed.
A strange aura clung to it.
> "Unknown Beast Tree Seed.
Starting price: 20 Spirit Coins."
Lucius's heart thudded.
A new Beast Tree?
Potentially powerful — or disastrous.
Seventeen whispered urgently:
> "Seventeen: It's not unknown to me. That's a Ghoulshade Tree seed! Plant it, and you can grow beasts that hunt by night, camouflaged in darkness!"
Lucius didn't hesitate.
He quietly bid.
No one fought him for it.
20 Spirit Coins. Cheap.
In a few minutes, the Ghoulshade Tree seed was his.
And so was the future it promised.
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Evening — New Domain Expansion
That night, under the blood-red moon of his personal Domain, Lucius knelt.
He dug into the soft soil beside the Ironbone Tree and planted the Ghoulshade Seed.
The ground trembled faintly.
The soil darkened, absorbing the seed.
Notifications appeared:
> [Ghoulshade Tree Planted!]
[Time until sprout: 48 hours.]
Lucius grinned.
Soon, he would gain night-beasts.
Silent assassins for his growing army.
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Special Notification
Just as he was about to leave, another notification appeared.
> [Domain Upgrade: Minor Fog of War unlocked!]
A silvery mist began to rise across his Domain.
It wasn't thick — yet — but it provided limited concealment.
Enemy scouts would have difficulty detecting his beasts now.
Seventeen chirped happily:
> "Seventeen: Hehe, Little Master... soon you'll have a real kingdom!"
Lucius's eyes gleamed in the misty half-light.
A kingdom of the dead.
Of monsters.
Of loyalty.
And he — a King without a crown — would rise.
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[End of Chapter 84]
Word Count: 2178
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The morning sun bathed Whitehorn Academy in a golden glow.
Lucius stood on the packed dirt field behind the main Academy grounds, along with hundreds of other students.
Today wasn't a day for quiet lectures or history.
Today was for combat.
Practice.
Testing skills against other students — a critical step before actual missions began.
The Academy believed in forging strength early.
The battlefield would not be kind later.
Neither would the instructors today.
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First Practice Session: Sparring Matches
Sir Darian Holt, the Combat Instructor — a broad-shouldered man with an iron gauntlet on one hand — stepped onto the field.
His voice boomed:
> "New students! Today, you fight each other.
It is better you bleed here, than die in the wild."
Students shifted nervously.
Some whispered excitedly.
Others gripped their weapons tighter.
Lucius stayed calm.
He wanted to fight.
He needed the practice.
Seventeen buzzed inside his mind:
> "Seventeen: Be careful, Little Master! Some students hide their strength!"
Lucius smirked.
So did he.
Sir Darian clapped his gauntlet once, and golden letters floated into the air:
[Practice Round 1: Random Sparring]
Names matched themselves into pairs.
Lucius read the list quickly — and found his opponent.
> [Lucius Grey vs. Teron Vale]
A tall, skinny boy with sharp green eyes stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.
Lucius walked out to meet him.
No words were exchanged.
The signal was given — a sharp flash of light — and the match began.
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First Duel: Testing Power
Teron moved fast.
Wind magic gathered at his fingertips.
Sharp gusts shot towards Lucius like knives.
Lucius sidestepped smoothly.
Predictable.
Lucius's hand flashed — summoning two Bone Wolves from his internal domain.
The skeletal beasts charged, fangs snapping.
Teron cursed and leapt back, casting a gust spell to scatter them.
Lucius used the opening — he rushed forward, low and fast.
BAM!
His shoulder crashed into Teron's ribs, knocking the wind out of him.
Before Teron could recover, Lucius pointed two fingers at him, energy gathering.
> "[Vine Snare]!"
Roots exploded from the ground, binding Teron's legs.
The match ended.
Sir Darian raised an eyebrow but nodded approvingly.
> "Winner: Lucius Grey."
The crowd murmured.
Some impressed.
Some wary.
Lucius simply returned to the sidelines, calm.
First match: easy.
But it wouldn't stay that way for long.
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Lunch Break – Strategy and Conversations
Later, at the Academy cafeteria — a massive building with enchanted ceilings showing the sky — Lucius, Kael, Mira, and a few others sat around a table.
Kael munched a meat pie.
> "Damn, you crushed that guy," he said, mouth full. "Where'd you learn that move?"
Lucius shrugged.
Practice.
Pain.
Survival.
He didn't bother explaining.
Mira leaned forward, curiosity burning in her violet eyes.
> "Lucius, your summons… they don't feel like normal tamed beasts. What are they?"
Lucius paused.
Carefully.
> "Just a… different kind of summoning. My class allows it."
Mira didn't push further.
Good.
He couldn't reveal the Necromancer part yet.
Too early.
Too dangerous.
---
Afternoon Session: Advanced Practice
The second half of the day focused on team battles.
Small squads were formed randomly.
Lucius found himself paired with Mira, Kael, and a stoic boy named Ronan — who specialized in defensive magic.
Their opponents: a stronger team — second-year students with real mission experience.
Seventeen chirped:
> "Seventeen: Careful! They're trying to crush your spirit!"
Lucius smirked.
Let them try.
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Team Battle Begins
The senior team moved fast — like wolves against rabbits.
Lucius's team almost broke formation immediately — but he barked a quick order.
> "Kael, cover Mira! Ronan, shield the back!"
He himself moved into the center — the heart of the formation.
The senior team's leader, a spear-wielder named Dorian, lunged straight at Lucius.
Lucius met him head-on.
Bone Wolves flanked Dorian, forcing him into a defensive stance.
Meanwhile, Mira launched beams of radiant energy, forcing the enemy mages to split.
Kael darted around, slashing opportunistically.
Ronan's barrier shield protected their rear.
Minutes passed — the battle raged.
Dust filled the air.
Lucius took a small cut across his cheek — but smiled through the blood.
He was learning.
Adapting.
Growing stronger.
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Final Clash
Sensing an opportunity, Lucius gathered his mana.
The earth beneath the enemy team cracked.
Roots exploded upward, binding two opponents.
Kael capitalized immediately — knocking one unconscious.
Mira blasted another into submission.
Only Dorian remained.
Lucius faced him.
Mano a mano.
The two circled.
Breathed.
Then clashed.
Steel rang against summoned bone.
Lucius took a hard blow to his side — ribs likely bruised.
But he endured.
Waited.
And at the right moment — he drove a summoned bone spike into Dorian's foot, pinning him.
Then swept his legs.
Dorian hit the ground with a thud.
Victory.
Sir Darian called it:
> "Winner: Lucius Grey's Squad."
Cheers erupted from the first-year students.
Pride swelled in Lucius's chest — briefly.
Then he calmed himself.
This was just the beginning.
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After the Match: New Opportunities
After the match, while Lucius nursed his ribs, Sir Darian approached him.
The man's heavy hand clapped Lucius's shoulder.
> "Good instincts, Grey. You learn fast.
Report tomorrow morning. You're being considered for Advanced Combat Training."
Lucius blinked.
Advanced Training — offered only to elite students.
Better mentors.
Better missions.
More danger.
More rewards.
He nodded, silent.
Inside, his mind burned with excitement.
Seventeen chirped happily:
> "Seventeen: Hehe! Little Master climbing the ladder already!"
Lucius smiled thinly.
Yes.
But every climb meant greater risks.
He would need more power.
More beasts.
More allies.
More everything.
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Night: Domain Expansion
That night, Lucius returned to his hidden Domain.
The Ghoulshade Tree had sprouted — a dark, twisted sapling now growing beside the Ironbone Tree.
A faint fog covered the ground.
Lucius knelt, touching the new tree's bark.
Power thrummed faintly.
Soon — night-beasts would hatch.
Silent hunters.
Lucius's army was still small.
But not for long.
He checked the God Shop.
A new item flashed:
> [Beast Tree Sapling: Dreadthorn Hydra Tree — Price: 2500 Points]
Lucius's breath caught.
A Hydra Tree?
A tree that birthed multi-headed serpent-beasts?
Seventeen whispered:
> "Seventeen: That's a big one, Little Master. If you plant that, your Domain will become very dangerous."
Lucius's fists clenched.
A new goal.
Points.
Power.
And when the time came...
A true king would rise.
Among the dead.
Among the monsters.
Among t
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Chapter 86 – Academy Practice Grounds: Power Measured in Blood and Spirit
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The dawn mist clung low over Whitehorn Academy.
Today wasn't about lectures.
It was about power.
Testing it.
Proving it.
The Academy Practice Grounds were massive — arenas surrounded by floating spectator platforms, enchanted training dummies, obstacle courses, and even live summoned beasts for upper years.
Lucius adjusted the strap of his training armor.
Kael and Mira were beside him, both silent.
Even they felt the tension.
Today was the first official combat assessment.
Not a fight to the death — but close enough that mistakes would cost blood.
The instructors stood high above in floating towers, watching with cold eyes.
Lucius narrowed his gaze.
He would not be weak.
Not here.
Not ever again.
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Instructor Talen Greaves — a burly man with scars across his jaw — floated down.
He barked, his voice booming over the fields:
> "First-years! Today, you will display your summoned beasts, your physical strength, and your magical abilities! You will be scored accordingly. Rankings begin today!"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Rankings.
Lucius grinned inwardly.
Finally, a way to rise — and crush obstacles underfoot.
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First Test: Summoned Beast Display
One by one, students stepped forward, summoning their bonded beasts.
Kael summoned a sleek Wind Wolf.
Mira called forth a crystalline Fire Sprite.
Both earned nods of approval.
When Lucius's turn came, he stepped into the stone circle.
Seventeen giggled in his mind:
> "Seventeen: Show them your little family, Master~"
Lucius raised his hand.
Three beasts appeared:
Grimfang, the Ironbone Wolf (now twice as large, armored in black bone plates).
Nightshade Vine, a creeping vine-beast from the God Tree.
And a newly sprouted Ghoulshade Cub, a shadowy beast with gleaming eyes.
A gasp traveled through the watching students.
Three summons!
And all... unnatural.
Talen Greaves leaned forward, interested.
> "Name and class?"
Lucius's voice was calm.
> "Lucius Drestfall. Necromancer-Summoner hybrid."
Talen scribbled notes on a floating parchment.
> "Rare Class. Very good. Proceed to the second test."
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Second Test: Physical Combat
The students lined up at weapon racks.
Lucius selected a simple bone-forged spear from his domain inventory — lighter than it looked, but strong.
His opponent?
A bulky first-year from the Eastern Territories, armed with a warhammer.
The match began with a roar.
The bulky boy charged, hammer swinging.
Lucius sidestepped, fast as a snake, and stabbed at the boy's exposed flank.
The spear glanced off armor — but the force staggered him.
Lucius didn't stop.
He swept low, tripping the boy.
With the flat of the spear, he struck the boy's helmet with a clang.
Instructor Talen raised a hand.
> "Enough. Winner: Lucius Drestfall."
Cheers broke out from Lucius's small group.
Kael pumped his fist.
Mira laughed.
Lucius only adjusted his gloves, calm.
This was just the beginning.
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Third Test: Magical Affinity and Control
Floating elemental crystals appeared before each student.
Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Shadow, Light.
Students were expected to touch the crystals — and the stronger the reaction, the higher their affinity.
Kael touched Wind and Water — both glowed brightly.
Mira's Fire crystal blazed almost blindingly.
Lucius walked forward.
He touched Shadow first.
It exploded with black mist, swirling violently around him.
Students gasped.
Even instructors leaned forward.
A rare — perhaps extreme — affinity.
He touched Earth next.
A slow rumble — moderate.
He hesitated, then brushed Death Energy — a hidden black crystal placed only for special testing.
It blazed in his hand, lighting the air with cold fire.
Talen's eyes gleamed with undisguised interest.
> "Very rare," he muttered. "Very dangerous."
Lucius let go calmly.
In his heart, he heard Seventeen cackling:
> "Seventeen: Hehehe... They don't even know what you can really do yet, Little Master!"
Lucius smiled faintly.
Good.
Better they underestimate him — for now.
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Announcement of Preliminary Rankings
By sunset, the assessments were complete.
Talen floated above the crowd, a golden parchment unrolling in the air.
Names appeared, one by one.
Top 50 students.
At first, Lucius didn't care.
Rankings were for the arrogant and the blind.
But then—
> "Rank 17: Lucius Drestfall."
A wave of murmurs.
Some awe.
Some envy.
Some hate.
Lucius's mouth twitched into a small, sharp smile.
Good.
He would climb higher.
Seventeen buzzed happily:
> "Seventeen: See? Only 16 more insects to crush, Little Master~"
Lucius's heart burned quietly.
Not just crush.
Dominate.
Rule.
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Night: Domain Growth Continues
Returning to his hidden Domain, Lucius inspected his Ghoulshade Tree.
The sprout had grown rapidly — now a small, thorny black tree radiating shadow energy.
Notifications rang out:
> [Ghoulshade Tree matured to Level 2!] [New Night Beasts can be summoned!]
New options blinked open:
Shadow Hounds — fast, deadly pack hunters.
Night Stalkers — small assassins with venomous claws.
Shade Ravens — flying scouts capable of blending into darkness.
Lucius chose Shadow Hounds first.
His army needed speed.
Mobility.
He invested 50 Domain Points into the first batch.
A small portal opened at the tree's base.
Out loped three shadowy figures, red eyes gleaming.
Lucius crouched, inspecting them.
Lean.
Silent.
Feral.
Perfect.
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Closing
As Lucius stood beneath the rising blood-moon sky, surrounded by his growing forces, a strange emotion pulsed through him.
Not happiness.
Not pride.
Anticipation.
He was growing.
Faster than anyone knew.
And soon...
Whitehorn Academy would know fear.
Real fear.
Not from demons.
Not from beasts.
But from a boy with a black crown, hidden beneath shadows.
Lucius Drestfall.
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