Hope and Misery

Verdantial Academy is a prestigious institution for cultivators, created solely to nurture skills and talent.

While at the academy, your status outside whether royalty, great family, first, second, or third-rate family doesn't matter.

The academy is situated in Luminaris City, which is under the Lumina family.

Despite being inside the city, the academy itself is much larger due to space formations used to expand its territory.

It is one of the safest places in all of Verdantia; no external forces can breach the academy without permission.

Those who enter the academy are isolated from the outside world for seven years. During these seven years, you are on your own.

The academy only provides you with necessary equipment to cultivate and increase your knowledge.

The first two years are focused on theory, and after that, practical training begins.

For practical training, you can choose martial art manuals if you are a martial artist or spells manuals if you are a mage that suits you.

The most important thing in the academy is merit points.

During your seven years, you can gain merits through your performances and jobs you take in the academy.

Passing exams gives points, finishing tasks and jobs gives you merits, and winning duels gives you merit points.

With merit points, you can exchange for many things that money can buy outside, making merit points the currency of the academy.

"No one must meddle with the rules, or the consequences will be harsh," a man proclaimed, sitting at a large table surrounded by other people in a meeting setting.

The room was grand, with high ceilings and walls adorned with ancient tapestries.

A sense of authority and tradition permeated the air.

"Yes, Great Instructor Graymare," the rest answered in unison, their voices respectful and attentive.

"You may all go back to your duties," Great Instructor Sir Leonardo Graymare said, his eyes scanning the room.

As everyone began to stand and leave, he added, "Oh, Seraphina, may I have a word?"

As everyone else left the meeting place, only Leonardo and Seraphina remained.

The room grew quiet, the air thick with unspoken expectations.

"I understand that the elite first-year students under your care this year are almost all from the great noble families," he began, his tone measured.

"So carry out your duties as you always do, and tell those instructors under you that under no circumstances should they show favoritism due to the statuses of students."

"Here in Verdantial Academy, we uphold our principles."

"Yes, Great Instructor," Seraphina replied, her posture straight and professional.

"And what do you think about this year's bunch?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"It's an interesting group, full of talents."

"On average, they are all between the 4th and peak of the Foetal Realm," she answered, her voice steady and thoughtful.

"Oh, what a talented bunch," he said, leaning back slightly.

His fingers tapped rhythmically on the table as he considered her words.

"But I couldn't see the realm of one of them... the one named Oasis."

"He seems to be the youngest in the group," she added, her tone reflecting both curiosity and concern.

"What? You can't see his level?" Leonardo's interest sharpened, his eyes narrowing.

"Is he perhaps using a concealing artifact?"

"Interesting indeed," he mused, leaning back further.

His fingers steepled under his chin.

"Oh, he was that one…" His eyes widened slightly as he recalled the events of the Whispering Exams.

"That kid is talented... We witnessed him kill a D-rank mystic beast during the Whispering Exam at Sylvaneth,"

he continued, admiration evident in his voice.

"He showed remarkable talents, using blue flames and wielding a sword."

"I'm not sure whether he's a battlemage or a martialmage, but I'm impressed."

"Especially considering his master died during the carnage of three towns and he is still working hard."

"So, he was the number one in the exams?" Seraphina asked, intrigued.

"Yes, he was. I also gave him the Verdantial Academy Map artifact," Leonardo confirmed, nodding.

"Who is assigned to him as a personal instructor?" he inquired.

"Selene, sir," she replied.

"interesting."

"You may take your leave," he said, dismissing her with a nod.

Left alone, Leonardo walked to a large window, looking down at the buildings, mountain peaks, and streams that comprised the academy's vast territory.

His expression was thoughtful, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Interesting. Verdantia never fails to produce," he murmured, his eyes reflecting both anticipation and satisfaction.

"You left behind an interesting pupil.. my old friend.."

The future of the academy seemed promising, and he felt a surge of excitement at the potential these new students held.

Somewhere in verdantia...

Cough... cough... cough...

"Boss, boss, take it easy," a figure spoke urgently, leaning over a man lying on a makeshift bed.

The dim light of the cave flickered, casting long shadows on the rough stone walls.

"Dammit, I almost got killed. Who was that old man?" the injured man growled.

His voice was rough, filled with pain and frustration.

The scene gradually became clearer as a shadow darted away from him. Barnabus the Slayer lay on the bed, his body battered and broken.

His once formidable frame was now a shadow of its former self, wrapped in bloodstained bandages.

His right arm was missing, and his left eye was covered by a crude patch.

The pale light from the torches illuminated his gaunt, pallid face.

"Boss, at least you are slowly recovering," his subordinate spoke, trying to offer some comfort.

"Fuck slowly recovering! I lost an arm and an eye. Look at me!" Barnabus spat harshly, his voice trembling with rage and despair.

His remaining eye blazed with fury and helplessness.

"And now I'm merely at the peak Tabula-Rasa realm, and my mana heart is damaged," he continued, his voice breaking with bitterness.

Cough... cough... cough...

"Dammit!" Barnabus roared, coughing up more blood.

Each cough seemed to drain more of his strength, leaving him weaker and more vulnerable.