Eswald's Academy (1)

Confusion clouded Aaron's expression as he stared at the notification, his eyes scanning the message repeatedly in an attempt to grasp its meaning.

"A beast soul? I thought those only dropped from Soldier Rank beasts and above," Aaron mused, his prior knowledge of beast souls gleaned from fragments of information he had discovered online and the enlightening discussions in the cultivation group chat. Although some of the equipment sold in shops could rival the power of beast souls, most were artificial and pale in comparison to the awe-inspiring allure of genuine beast souls.

The concept of a beast soul intrigued Aaron immensely. He knew that it wasn't a physical object that a cultivator had to carry at all times, but its enigmatic nature fascinated him. With a surge of Spirit Energy, Aaron called out, "Forest Wolf!" As if in response to his summoning, a dagger materialized in his hand, its handle adorned in a vibrant green hue while the blade emitted an ethereal glow. A sense of satisfaction washed over him as he marveled at the weapon. When he held the dagger, he could feel the Spirit Energy aligning effortlessly with his intentions, making it easy to perform specific skills without exhausting too much energy.

"The Spirit Slash!" Aaron exclaimed, his eyes filled with wonder. The intricate patterns and movements required to execute the skill seemed within his grasp. He couldn't help but wonder if the beast soul was the catalyst for this newfound ability. Although Aaron knew that beast souls came in various forms, ranging from armor and swords to maces, axes, and even bows with Spirit Energy-formed arrows, they were one of the rarest and most sought-after types.

"Lucky," Aaron muttered to himself, acknowledging the stroke of fortune. Nevertheless, he dismissed the beast soul for the time being, opting to continue wielding his trusty sword. With his current cultivation level, he could easily replicate the Spirit Slash skill, albeit with some practice.

"Let's continue," Aaron declared, his eyes scanning the surrounding area as he ventured forth. The prospect of obtaining more beast souls and selling them to disciples for a respectable sum of money sparked his interest. Though his family had regained their former prosperity, having some extra funds for emergencies wouldn't hurt.

***

Aaron sprinted through the forest, engaging Forest Wolves one after another in combat. However, his streak of luck seemed to have run dry as no more beast souls dropped from his adversaries. Nonetheless, he reveled in the bountiful amount of Spirit Energy the wolves provided, each encounter further enhancing his connection to this mystical force.

[Absorbed Spirit Crystals: 344] *+111*

"Alright, with no more immediate threats in this forest, it's time to grind!" Aaron declared, a smile adorning his face.

***

[Absorbed Spirit Crystals: 1209] *+865*

Aaron continued battling one wolf after another, his cultivation becoming an unbroken cycle of absorbing crystals. He seemed inexhaustible, making the Forest Wolves his archenemies. Finally, after a long stretch of time, Aaron left the hunting dimension naturally, his body devoid of sweat or the overwhelming pain he had grown accustomed to.

As the school day commenced, students scurried about, their breaths heavy with worry evident in their eyes. Voices filled the air with expressions of frustration and anxiety. "Damn it, I still can't comprehend the last math lesson. I'm screwed!" one student exclaimed. Another muttered, "I feel like I'm going to wet myself!"

Observing the scene, Aaron couldn't help but chuckle, finding solace in the fact that he was exempt from their stress. "Exam week," he muttered knowingly. Having already graduated from university, these exams held no significance for him.

"All right, settle down!" a stern-looking teacher commanded, their gaze piercing through the anxious students. "If you look left or right without permission, you're out. Speak or breathe out loud, and you guessed it, you're out. Understand?"

"Yes, sir," the students replied in unison, their voices filled with a mix of apprehension and obedience.

"Very well. You may begin."

The sound of pages being flipped resonated throughout the hushed classroom. Aaron perused the exam paper, a smile gradually spreading across his face. 'Easy,' he thought confidently.

***

A week passed, and the arduous exams came to a close. As Aaron left the school grounds, he spotted his parents waiting at the gates, their expressions brimming with concern. "Son, how did you do?" they inquired anxiously.

"It was a breeze," Aaron replied, his eyes shimmering with newfound radiance. His skin appeared fair and luminous, surpassing even the complexions of the girls who had left alongside him.

...

[Absorbed Spirit Crystals: 120] *NEW*

[Cultivation: 9th Realm (Unranked)] [0/10,000] *NEW*

...

[Feline Steps: 10th Realm (Peak Mastery)]

[Basic Spirit Energy Manipulation: 5th Realm (Peak Mastery)]

[Basic Swordsmanship: 10th Realm (Peak Mastery)]

...

The continuous battles with forest wolves and the intense training sessions in the center made acquiring Spirit Energy as natural as breathing for Aaron. Despite his parents' constant nagging to study, he still had achieved a breakthrough. However, the real challenge awaited him beyond these exams—the entrance exams for Eswald's Academy.

With a touch of worry in his voice, Aaron acknowledged, "The true test lies ahead."

It was time.

The Eswald's Academy entrance exams awaited him, a pivotal moment that would shape his future.