"Ok everyone. Let's get to the Main objectives for the day."
The woman raised her hand, and the air shimmered as a massive holographic projection ignited. It wasn't just a map; it was a living, breathing blueprint of the academy grounds. Towers of obsidian and glass stretched toward a digital sky, surrounded by swirling mists that marked the restricted zones.
"My name is Lady Gaga... And as you can see, this here is the academy," she announced, her voice echoing with a practiced authority. "It has everything you can ever dream of: dungeons, ruins, and teleportation gates. The ruins and dungeons are classed into three ranks, which you'll learn when you start your classes, while the teleportation gates can be accessed for free—but only to Elite Students."
She paused, her smile taking on a sharper, more predatory edge. "Those who aren't Elite Students will have to pay ten thousand academy points."
The mention of "points" hung in the air like a cold fog. Before the murmurs could escalate, she added, "Before you ask, Academy points are what we use in the academy. We don't take gold coins."
"Huh?"
"This... What about our gold coins then?"
"What are we going to do?"
The recruits shifted uncomfortably. For many, gold was the only security they had left.
"Don't worry, your gold coins are still useful," Gaga said, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, relishing the transition from panic to tentative relief. "You can exchange one hundred gold coins for ten points. That's the minimum exchange rate."
She gestured to the Galaxy Bracelets on their wrists. "You can gain points by killing in dungeons and secret realms. Not only that, you also gain a lot of points by completing quests and missions assigned by the academy!! You can sell them or trade them with your classmates. Your points account will be linked to all your Galaxy bracelets, so it'll be safe. How you use it is all up to you."
Her eyes flickered toward Mirabella and Grace, the tension in the room thickening. "About your rooms? Don't worry. Each one of you will gain your own rooms, no hindrance to your privacy... Of course, you will lose 100 points each month for your accommodations."
She smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Is there any question?"
"I have one."
All heads turned to Grace. Her hand was steady, but her eyes were searching, filled with a gravity that went beyond simple curiosity.
"Oh, Grace Gabriel, go ahead. What's your question?" Gaga asked.
"Actually... I have two," Grace said, her voice clear. "First question: in these ruins and dungeons, if a student gets killed in one, do they die for real? And my second question: are the classes placed differently with each of our bloodlines, or are we going to learn all?"
The hall went silent. Gaga stared at her for several seconds, her expression unreadable before she slowly nodded. "I left this information out to see who would ask... Good job, kid."
Her tone turned somber. "Yes, if a student gets killed in any ruins or dungeons, they die for real... That is also why there are three rank stages. You can only pick the stage you can clear."
She shifted her focus to the second question. "And yes. All classes will be different. We can't teach a knight anything about Mages. They can't use spells, so it'll be a waste of time, but we can teach them how to counter them... No bloodline is invincible, unless you have the All-bloodline."
"All-bloodline? What is that?" Phillip asked, his confusion echoing through the ranks.
"All-bloodlines are people who awakened with the eleven known bloodlines," Gaga answered. With a wave of her hand, the holographic screen shifted to a complex chart of power. "The Eleven Bloodlines are categorized into five. One: Warrior and Knight are placed in one category because these two have a very big similarity... Both have high attack, defense, and health. But there is something different."
She exhaled deeply. "I can't believe I am teaching you this now."
"You don't have to."
Lord Hayatobi stepped forward, his presence like a physical weight that pressed down on everyone in the hall. The air seemed to grow colder, more pressurized.
"They will start their tests tomorrow... After the test, they'll learn all this in class," he said, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the youngsters.
"Get this straight everyone!! None of you are allowed to fight one another on the school grounds!! Even in the school dungeons and ruins, you aren't allowed to kill one another in there!! If you break this rule, you'll be killed—a life for a life."
His aura flared, a terrifying display of power that made the stone floor seem to hum. "You are all students of the Dragon Empire; none of you are allowed to kill one another!! Only when one challenges the other to a death battle, and the challengee agrees to it! If he or she refuses, you must back down!!"
He turned his gaze toward the Elites, who instinctively recoiled. "My eyes are everywhere..."
He turned back to the terrified new recruits. "There are a total of five tests before you can be accepted as true cadets! If you fail three of these tests, you won't have the right to join the military power!! You will only join one of the three guilds. If you fail all the tests!! You will become a citizen of the Dragon Empire, but you gain nothing!! No title or honor to your name!!"
"Tomorrow!! Your tests start. Fail, and you will be disgraced for life! Tonight, enjoy yourself!!!"
"That is Lord Hayatobi to you..." Mirabella whispered to herself. "Speak without a care for your feelings. Ruthless."
"I have a question."
Mirabella and the others froze. It was Grace again. Even after Hayatobi's terrifying display, she stood her ground.
"Yes, Grace?" Hayatobi asked. His tone was surprisingly calm, acknowledging her courage.
"About our parents... Since we arrived here, we haven't seen any of them."
The question struck a chord with every earthling in the room. Hayatobi's expression didn't soften. "Anyone older than 30 will be placed in a galaxy space... Only youngsters are allowed in Galaxy Fall. The duty of freeing your parents will rest on the youngsters' shoulders. If they become a citizen of an empire, their parents will finally be released in Galaxy Fall in the designated location—that's if they're still alive."
".....?!!!"
The revelation was like a physical blow. Grace's hands began to tremble. "What... What if their kids get killed in Galaxy Fall before becoming a citizen?"
"Of course, once the kid gets killed... his or her parents will be sent back to the original world and will never set foot in Galaxy Fall," Hayatobi said flatly.
"Thank you," Grace whispered.
The atmosphere in the hall shifted instantly. It wasn't just about survival anymore; it was about the lives of their families. Earth was a wasteland of monsters; being sent back was a death sentence.
BAM!!
Men and women in black suits entered, carrying silver trays piled high with exotic delicacies that smelled of spices unknown to Earth. Smooth, ethereal music filled the air, trying to mask the tension of the previous moments.
"All of you, enjoy yourselves!!" Gaga chirped.
As the feast began, women and men in elegant red and black suits approached the Elites, bowing low. "Greetings, master."
Grace stared at the attendant bowing before her, while Mirabella accepted the gesture with a practiced nod.
"Oh! I forgot... The Elites all have attendants," Gaga explained. "They take care of your needs and work... They will follow any of your orders."
".....?!!!"
The envy in the room was palpable.
"Is there a way to become one?" someone shouted.
"Yes, there is one way," Gaga replied. "Donate ten million gold coins to the academy and you'll instantly become an Elite."
"Ten million?!"
"What the hell?!"
Mirabella didn't hesitate. She turned to Carl, who was standing behind her like a shadow. "Go and get it."
"Huh?" Carl stammered.
"You need to become an Elite student. There are a lot of benefits—the free Teleportation is already more than enough reason to have it."
"Ok. But ten million—"
"—Just go," Mirabella interrupted, her gaze softening only slightly. "We have fifteen million with us. Using them for you isn't something you should be thinking about. Go ahead."
Even her own attendant looked shocked, staring at Mirabella in disbelief. Carl took a breath, stepped out of the shadows, and walked toward the officials.
"What is it, young man?" Gaga asked as Carl approached.
"I want to donate ten million to the academy and gain the elite status."
".....?!!!"
Silence as deep as an abyss descended on the hall.
"What... What did you say?" Gaga asked, her composure finally breaking. "If you have that money, you'll have hundreds of thousands of points for exchange."
"I know, but this is what I want... What should I do?" Carl asked, his voice gaining strength as he looked Hayatobi and Gaga in the eye.
Hayatobi looked from Carl to Mirabella, a faint, intrigued glint in his eyes. 'So he is the one with her a month ago... Fascinating.'