Part 11:
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Lucian's day began in quiet solitude. The dormitory assigned to him was more than just a room—it was a manor of luxury. A private living room, bedroom, and even a personal kitchen gave him the comfort and space he needed. After a cold shower to invigorate his senses, Lucian slipped into the academy uniform: a crisp white shirt, black trousers, and a velvet-red coat adorned with the intricate Astradel crest. His student ID, crafted from enchanted crystal, hummed faintly, glowing with ancient magical runes. It was more than just identification—it marked him as part of Astradel Academy.
Lucian moved through the motions of breakfast, preparing a simple meal from the fresh ingredients supplied by the academy's magical storage system. It was efficient, like everything else about his morning. He ate in silence, contemplating the day ahead.
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The Newcomer's Party: The Night Before
The setting sun bathed the academy in a warm, golden light. As the students gathered in the grand hall for the Newcomer's Celebration, an announcement rang across the grounds, beckoning them all. Lucian, blending seamlessly into the crowd, entered without attracting any attention.
Inside, the hall buzzed with energy. Nobles from the Valtheris, Lunaris, and Steelhart families mingled at the center, drawing attention with their prestige and status. Elves, humans, demons, and other races jostled for a chance to speak with the influential families, hoping to forge alliances and secure favors.
Lucian, uninterested in the pageantry of noble life, quietly took his fill from the buffet and left. Wandering through the academy grounds, he let the distant chatter of students fade into the background. By the time he returned to his dormitory, the world outside had grown quiet.
On his desk sat a small box. Inside was a letter from the academy's headmaster, congratulating him on his admission. Alongside it lay an enchanted Psytheos Crystal, softly glowing. Lucian picked it up and instantly recognized its purpose.
The Psytheos Crystal wasn't just a tracking device—it was a measure of power, influence, and survival. Essentia, the mysterious energy tied to each student, would dictate everything in this academy. Those who mastered it would rise, while those who failed would be crushed.
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First Day of Classes
Morning came, and Lucian made his way to Class 1-A Second, one of the elite divisions at Astradel Academy. The academy's classes were divided into ranks, from A to D, and each section was further broken into five subsections. Lucian's class was one of the highest, but he wasn't concerned about rank.
The classroom was spacious, with large windows overlooking the academy's pristine gardens. Lucian chose a seat in the back, by the window, where he could observe the entire class without drawing attention to himself.
The room quickly filled with students—most from noble families, all chattering about their ambitions, alliances, and political connections. But Lucian listened only in passing, dissecting their conversations with cold precision. Already, he could see the social hierarchies forming, the subtle power plays taking shape.
Soon after, the door swung open, and Professor entered. His presence was commanding, and the class fell into immediate silence.
"Welcome Students, I am Professor Arlin" Professor Arlin began, his voice firm. "This is Astradel Academy, where power is earned, not inherited. Do not expect your family name to protect you here. The only thing that matters is your Essentia—your will to succeed."
His eyes scanned the room, lingering on each student. "You all carry a Psytheos Crystal, which tracks your Essentia, your life force within these walls. Every success will earn you Essentia. Every failure will cost you. Fall too far behind, and you will face expulsion—or worse."
Lucian absorbed every word, his mind already calculating how the system could be bent to his advantage. The academy wasn't just a place of learning; it was a battlefield. And in battle, victory wasn't always achieved through brute strength—it was won through manipulation and strategy.
As Lucian sat quietly in the back of the classroom, his eyes drifting out the window, a thought echoed in his mind:
"Uncertainty is the veil that shrouds opportunity. Those who fear it will hesitate, but those who embrace it will find the path no one else sees."
In the silence of the room, he knew that uncertainty was not something to be feared, but to be mastered.
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The Essentia System
"Every student begins with 1000 Essentia," Professor Arlin explained. "This will be your currency, your power, and the very measure of your standing here.
"Essentia is everything here," Professor Arlin continued, his tone unyielding. "It's earned through academic excellence, combat proficiency, magical aptitude, and social influence. But be warned—Essentia can be lost just as easily."
Lucian's gaze flickered to the Psytheos Crystal in his pocket. It pulsed faintly, a reminder that the academy was always watching. The crystal was linked to the Aetherial Core, a massive ancient artifact that monitored every action within the academy. Nothing would go unnoticed.
"Those who fall too far will face severe consequences," Arlin warned. "And no amount of wealth or family power will save you. You are isolated here. The academy is your entire world now."
The professor's words lingered in the air as the class ended, students filing out one by one. Lucian stayed behind for a moment, watching as his classmates left in groups, already forming alliances. He could see their strategies unfolding—some would rely on brute force, others on political maneuvering.
But Lucian's strategy was different.
And there the official student handbook, which outlined the academy's rules and regulations. Most students would likely glance at it and ignore it, but Lucian read it meticulously, analyzing every clause and finding subtle loopholes.
"Most of them will rush to earn Essentia," he mused. "But desperation breeds mistakes. And mistakes are weaknesses."
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Lucian's Strategy
As he stepped into the crowded hallways, Lucian's expression remained unreadable. He had no interest in flaunting power or gathering allies—not yet. His goal was simple: remain in the shadows, unnoticed, while he studied the system from every angle. The Essentia system wasn't just a measure of strength; it was a tool, and Lucian intended to wield it like a blade.
"Power doesn't need to be displayed," he thought, his eyes cold and calculating. "True power lies in controlling the battlefield from the shadows, where no one sees it coming."
For now, Lucian would observe. He would let others play their games, exposing their weaknesses while he remained silent, calculating. When the time came, he would strike—not with brute force, but with precision. After all, Astradel Academy wasn't a place only for the strongest or smartest; but it was a place for those who equally are smart and strong. And Lucian had no intention of being anyone's pawn.
The academy may have been designed to break the weak and elevate the strong, but Lucian had no intention of playing by the rules.
"Nothing is perfect," Lucian reminded himself as he walked toward the cafeteria. "But imperfection is the birthplace of opportunity."
With a quiet, almost imperceptible presence, Lucian disappeared into the crowd.
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And thus, Lucian's journey through the treacherous halls of Astradel Academy began—not as a player, but as the one who would rewrite the rules.
To be continued~