28 - Imperial Academy.

Imperial Academy.

Jon felt a wave of anticipation surge through him as he stepped through the magical portal leading to the Imperial Academy. The air around him twisted, and in the blink of an eye, he found himself in a new setting. He looked around, trying to soak in every detail when his eyes landed on a grand statue, and his mind quickly drifted to the academy's history.

A century ago, Danagorn, the most powerful sword mage in Aeloria and the first to achieve SS rank, had founded the academy in a separate dimension after "vanquishing the Dragons." The official narrative claimed it was to prepare young talents to maintain future peace in Aeloria. But Jon knew better. After all, he was a veteran of the Aeloria game, which had now become his reality.

'He never truly vanquished the dragons,' Jon thought, recalling the game's lore. Danagorn had used a spell to seal the dragons in a separate dimension. It was a temporary fix, a ticking time bomb that would eventually unleash the dragons back into the world.

In the game, the protagonist would be tasked with resealing the dragons. And when he succeeded, Pyragon, the most powerful dragon, would seal its soul into one of the protagonist's friends—a character who had always envied the hero's strength. Empowered and enlightened by Pyragon's soul, this friend would become the catalyst for a series of apocalyptic events that would plunge half of Aeloria into chaos, triggering the main quest.

'For Pyragon, as long as humans exist, dragons can never rule Aeloria,' Jon pondered, feeling the weight of the information. He knew that if the game's events unfolded in reality, he would have a crucial role to play.

But now, one question haunted him: 'Is history still doomed to repeat itself, or has my presence here altered the course of events?' He had no answers, only uncertainties and a growing sense of responsibility, when a system message appeared.

==================== IMPERIAL ACADEMY ====================

------------------ Points and Currency System ------------------

- Monthly Credit: Each student receives 100,000 points monthly.

- Conversion: At the end of the 3rd year, points are converted into "Tils."

--------------------- Basic Amenities ---------------------

- The academy provides meals, clothing, and accommodation.

------------------------ Commerce ------------------------

- Academy Store: Purchase equipment, books, and resources. Seasonal special offers available.

- Student Trading: Exchange points for items like skill books, equipment, and potions.

------------------- Classes and Activities -------------------

- Theoretical Classes: Free of charge

- Specialized Classes: Cost points

- Combat Arena: Earn merit points. Accessible from the 1st year.

- Dungeons: Earn merit points. Loot belongs to the academy.

- Mentorship: Offer or receive mentorship in exchange for points or merits.

------------------- Merit Points -------------------

- Accumulate merit points for perks.

------------------ Rankings and Rewards ------------------

- Top 5 in Class: Receive a significant points bonus.

- Top 10 Each Year: Receive luxury accommodations with personal training rooms enhanced by enchantments to improve your performance.

--------------------- Academy Exams ---------------------

- Special Events: Participate in seasonal events to earn rare items or merit points.

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

Jon looked at the notification he had just received, a mix of surprise and relief flooding his face. He was happy because this setup in the Imperial Academy didn't exist when Aeloria was just a game. This indicated that many things could have changed, including the future. But he was also surprised; the academy's system was meticulously designed to separate the elite, and he didn't expect to be part of it so soon due to a verification error.

'Is this a good omen or a bad sign?' Jon wondered, trying to process all the information coming his way. His thoughts were interrupted when a male figure appeared, hovering a few feet above the ground in front of the academy's new students.

The man looked to be in his early 30s, with short black hair that contrasted sharply with his dark, piercing eyes. His physique was that of an athlete, the kind that would make any gym-goer feel inadequate. He radiated an aura of authority that instantly captured everyone's attention.

"Congratulations on being selected for the Imperial Academy," the man began, his voice resonating with a gravity that seemed to make the air itself heavier. "I am the Director, Danagor Velascolus. You are here because you've shown exceptional potential. But make no mistake, the path ahead is fraught with challenges."

Jon felt a shiver run down his spine. 'So this is the caliber of people who run the academy,' he thought, both impressed and slightly intimidated.

"In the coming years, you will be shaped into warriors, mages, and leaders. You will be tested in ways you can't even imagine. Some of you will fail, others will excel. But all of you will change, for better or worse," Danagorn continued, scanning the young faces below him. "The choice, in the end, is entirely yours."

Jon felt the weight of Danagorn's words as if they were an invisible hand squeezing his heart. He knew the academy would be a proving ground, a place where he would discover his limits and perhaps his destiny. But now, hearing the director, he realized it would also be a place where he would confront the uncertainties and mysteries that had surrounded him since he found himself in Aeloria.

'This is where it begins,' Jon thought, feeling a mix of anticipation and apprehension. 'The stage is set, the players are ready. Now, all that remains is to see how the story unfolds.'

And with that, he joined the other new students, each absorbed in their own thoughts and feelings, as they prepared to take the first step on a journey that promised to be nothing short of extraordinary.