36.

With the teleportation array up and running, I had Wilhelm send my allies letters about it and if possible to connect their territory with mine.

The next day, Felicia, and I introduced Blackwood Estate to Adjest and she was really surprised to see a clean and bustling city. She was also surprised to taste the snacks that are produced in my territory. The two girls started going shopping while I waited for them. I was kind of curious as to why they are always buying clothes when they could just have someone tailor make it for themselves since they have the money for it.

After their shopping spree, Adjest returned to Dresden to rest and she had her personal class to attend tomorrow.

{6 Years Later} (A/N: Speed Run!!)

In the blink of an eye, 6 years quickly passed by. 6 years is a quite a long time. In the training room of Duke Blackwood, there's two individuals having a test of their skills. One individual is holding a golden spear while the other is holding a short sword.

The one holding the short sword is at a range disadvantage due to the spear but when she had the chance, she would close in and try to attack at every possible chance. Of course, the one holding the spear isn't going to make it easy for her, he would dodge to a blindspot and would retaliate in an angle that is hard to dodge, forcing the girl to back away and return to the status quo.

"Brother, why are you like this?" The girl, Felicia said in irritation.

"What do you mean, I have the range advantage so I'm using it to its full potential." The boy, Aegis, said with a smile.

"Geh. Not only is closing the gap really hard, once you get close you can't even comfortably get a strike since your attacks always go to weird spots." Felicia said which made me chuckle.

"Then instead of dodging, why not go for an attack and trade blows? Ever thought of that? Or train your defense to the point that you can block any strike from any angle." I asked her and she fell into a deep thinking state.

"Alright, one more time. En Garde!" I shouted as I rushed forward with my spear attacking in the perfect distance. Taken by surprise, Felicia had to block my attack. She deflected my spear heavily but I let go of the spear and sway my body backwards to avoid her strike and by using my feet on the ground, I kicked the fallen spear and caught it and continued attacking.

A lot has happened in 6 years. With Wilhelm's guidance, Felicia is starting to show her talents in swordsmanship. In her own volition, she trained with the soldiers and would spar with them for experience. The soldiers would hold a betting game whenever Felicia would challenge someone. Although she trained with the soldiers, her demeanor as a prim and proper noble never changed but she had matured a lot after being trained by Aunt Lisa. She also volunteered to help in sorting documents that was sent by the departments that needs my seal to proceed with the plans.

As for my personal strength, with body control hitting the limit of my body at my age, I switched my sights to using aura, improving my techniques, and magic. With my experience, I managed to reach the Pawn rank Aura user, the same as a two-circle rank mage. As for my magic, I managed to stabilize my 3rd Circle strength and could flawlessly release 3rd Circle spells. If I wanted to improve, my mana control and capacity would be the key. Training my mana control is a little hard since I was used to being a 6th circle mage and my habits from being a 6th circle mage is being implemented to my current 3rd Circle strength which is delaying me a lot from training. For the capacity, its even tougher since I need to use up my useless mana, I need to refill it once again by using the human magic system. Lastly, <8 Steps>, with my current strength, I am able to use<8 Steps, 2nd step> constantly and the 3rd step for a few moments. Recklessly using 8 steps can break your body from within so a little caution is a bit necessary.

Many changes also happened in my entire territory, with the public schools being built, many were interested in it and many nobles tried asking to invest on it but I declined them because I don't want anyone tainting my talent polishing machine. Many were dissatisfied by my answer but when they heard that they are also going to pay for the students tuition, they backed out of it. With the current state and prosperity of my territory, I can handle the expenses easily.

Hebrion Academy didn't react much since they are confident about their own influence. When they learned that their interests lies separately, they continued going in their own way.

Finding teachers to teach in my public school is pretty easy. I thought that I would have to poach professors from Hebrion Academy but Wilhelm proposed to hire merchants with good reputation to teach arithmetic. We hired those working in the departments to teach them how to read and write. As for the history teachers, we literally hired those historians who wanted to share the past to more people.

After a few more rounds, Wilhelm cut in and stopped the two of us.

"Aegis, aren't you gonna be late at Hebrion Academy? Today's the enrollment exam, isn't it?" Wilhelm asked me.

"Oh yeah, that's right, Brother. I heard that Big Sis Adjest is going to enter Hebrion Academy's enrollment exam." Felicia said as she remembered about it.

"Yep. I'll just go for a quick bath and I would go. Its not like I'm one of those who will start in the exam." I said nonchalantly as I ran to my room and showered.

'Desir would return at this day.' I thought to myself. The future is going to become unpredictable this time with two people changing history.

'Whatever happens, all I can do is plan for those inevitable events. As for those that can be changed, I can limit them with the help of Desir.' I closed my eyes as I let the water run down in my skin.

After changing my clothes, I went to the teleportation array alone. Wilhelm knows that the Hebrion Academy's security is top notch especially with the help of the magic tower.

As I arrived at the place where the teleportation array is placed, Felicia is standing there wearing a gown.

"Brother. Win and take the top spot." She said as she raised her fist to me.

"Obviously." I said as I bumped my fist into her fist.

After that, I got teleported to Dresden. With Idom aware of my arrival, he was waiting for me outside the teleportation array building.

"Duke Aegis." He called my name and bowed respectfully.

"Its been a while, isn't it? Take me to Hebrion Academy." I said with a light smile.

"Yes. Duke Aegis. It is indeed been a while." Idom replied as he closed the door of the carriage.

In no time, we managed to arrive at the entrance of Hebrion Academy earlier than expected. When I got down the carriage, many eyes followed me. They knew who's son or daughter of the noble family arrived with the appearance of their sigil. As soon as they saw my carriage's sigil, many looks of awe, envy, and respect are staring at me. I was used to it so I didn't bother with them.

I arrived at the hall where the assigned professor will give a speech about the entrance examinations.

Many people who knew my face tried to talk to me but I just exchanged pleasantries with them and shook them off. I looked at one person who's in the middle of the crowd. He's wearing a white sleeved shirt looking at the hall in excitement.

I saw the assigned professor, walking in the stage when I saw the man I was looking at earlier act differently.

'Looks like he's returned.' I thought calmly. I needed strong individuals to succeed in changing the history. We basically have the same goal so I don't mind helping him out.

"It is an honor to meet all of you today. I am Professor Bridgette." She introduced herself to those who want to take part in the entrance examination.

"I know that many of you have gathered here in hopes to attend our academy and for that reason, I can't express enough gratitude for your determination." Bridgette said but the crowd were mesmerized by her beauty and her allure. Hearing their remarks, Bridgette is slightly irritated.

"Hey, you over there! I can hear everything, you know?! Don't talk while I'm talking!" Bridgette released her irritation on the poor soul and continued her speech.

"Anyway. I admire your determination, but unfortunately, not all of you will be accepted. Following the normal procedures, all of you will be taking the traditional exams... And after the exams, we will only accept the top 600 students into our Hebrion Academy." Bridgette explained causing the crowd to become nervous. They started asking each other for any info about the exams.

"The Entrance exams will be to clear the mission objectives within the shadow world." Bridgette continued explaining.

"There is no need to be scared. The shadow world you are about to enter is not the real shadow world. Instead, it is a simulated shadow world only meant for testing purposes. In any case, all of you will have a designated mentor who will explain more details about the exams for you. For the class of 3613, your entrance exam #172 will take place in two hours. I hope to see you all there!" Bridgette finished her speech with a smile. Before she got down from the podium, she spotted me who is standing at the back, sticking like a sore thumb because no one is around me. She gave a faint smile before leaving the stage.

Of course I saw her smile being directed at me, I chuckled. Its been a long time since I've encountered Bridgette. The last time I've heard from her is that, once she passed down everything she knows to Adjest, Adjest told me that she left to travel around the Empire to gain more experience of the world.

While I was thinking about when my mentor would appear, the man appeared before me. His body build screaming 'alpha male', his green-mint hair turned into a central long hair mohawk and a ponytail tied to the back from single braids on both sides of his head.

"Who would've thought that they would assign you as my mentor." I said helplessly. Of course its none other than Argeria G. Roglan Nimbias.

"I simply said I know you so they agreed to put me in as your mentor. By the way, I'm itching to know your strength after all these years." Argeria said with a huge smile on his face.

"You're not my match and will never be one." I uttered as I rolled my eyes at him. Our talk reached the ears of the other examinees and got their attention.

"Why don't we have a go?" Argeria said a little heated as his fighting spirit manage to affect those onlookers to look away in fear.

"Enough. I still need to complete my entrance exams." My words carried pressure as it silently dispelled the leaking fighting spirit of Argeria. Many examinees were stumped to see that the oppressive feeling was gone after I spoke. Many people are gossiping each other and I couldn't help but shake my head. I haven't even entered the Academy yet and because of this guy it already caused me trouble.

"Alright. If you say so. It will only be a matter of time before we fight each other anyway." Argeria said as we found a quiet space to talk. Before we left the hall, I saw Desir Arman at the corner of my eye, clutching his chest while crying his heart out. I looked away as I knew what he's currently feeling. The feeling of immense helplessness and confusion.

"So, how much do you know about shadow worlds?" Argeria asked me as he entered his job as a mentor.

"An extremely dangerous calamity. The worst that mankind has been faced with. You can say that it is a parallel world similar to ours, and they would open up every year.

Within the shadow world, there are infinite amount of worlds within it. Some worlds might be relatively easy while some might be extremely dangerous. These worlds are based on the past historic events that happened in the current world we live in today.

Because these worlds are based on the past historic events, the magic society has been able to create 10 different levels in gauging the shadow world. The higher the levels, the higher the difficulty." I said to him but I left out the most important thing and Argeria noticed that.

"And why do you think that the shadow world is the worst calamity that mankind has faced?" He looked at me with a serious face. Different from his usual goofy face. That's why you can't hate this guy even if he's all muscles or an arrogant prick. In front of reality, he displays a level-headed decision and compassion towards his comrades.

"The reason why the shadow world is a threat to mankind is because of the never ending shadows eating and corroding away the world we live in. Any land that has been devoured will be engulfed in shadows, and will leave no trace of life or existence behind. To sum it up, no living things can survive in a land devoured by the shadows. That's why clearing the shadow world is a must and musn't underestimated." I explained to Argeria and he gave me a nod.

"I'm amazed by your knowledge of the shadow world considering that you haven't entered the academy yet." Argeria said with acknowledgement.

"As you know, there are two, no, three powers trying their best to compete for the resources found in the shadow world, especially technological knowledge, those are the knowledge that are sought after by those people. As for those three powers, it is mainly the Western Kingdoms, Hebrion Empire, and Outsiders. I presume you know of them, yes?" He asked and I nodded.

"Ten years after the <One Day War> that you participated in, the Western Kingdom signed a peace treaty with Hebrion Empire.

With the fragile peace treaty ongoing, the two of us could only compete with the Western Kingdoms through the shadow worlds. And as a student of the Academy we are required to take part in that competition.

As for the outsiders, no one knows what their goals are. They are a mysterious group of people that acts in the shadows.

Well, since you already know this much then all you need to do is clear the shadow world you're in and you'll be accepted. With your strength, I'm confident that you'll take the top." Argeria said with confidence as he patted my shoulders and motioned to follow him.

We entered the Academy and saw other examinees expressing their awe towards the interior design. Argeria continued to lead me to the examination site.

"Oh, right. I forgot to show you your group placements." He said as he showed me the group placements in a note tablet.

"Heh~ interesting. Are they going to test who's stronger than me and her?" I asked with amusement.

[Group D, Line D

●Adjest Kingscrown

●Desir Arman

●Romantica Eru

●Aegis Blackwood

●Travey Tykus]

"Maybe, I don't really understand what they want. Anyway, are you going to join Blue Moon party?" Argeria asked me.

"Why should I join that boring fatso. All he does is flaunt is noble superiority. Nobles must be this, nobles must be that, why don't he replace the emperor so that he can declare that as a standard?" My words were not sugar coated at all and Argeria laughed after hearing my words.

"Looks like Professor Pugman would be having a hard time since you can join any party freely." Argeria said and I smirked.

[The Entrance Exan will begin soon. Test Takers, please start heading over to the examination site.]

The announcer spoke and we both know that its time.

"Don't chicken out after entering the shadow world." Argeria slapped my shoulders real hard before leaving me.

=============================

Finally, the beningging of the manhwa.