Free Web NovelChapter 103: First Year Assembly
"Power isolates you," the Grandmaster announced. "Many of you believe your awakened talents grant you invincibility. You assume a high-ranking blessing guarantees a prosperous future. That specific mindset will end your life faster than any dungeon boss. You will make fatal mistakes on your journeys. You will trust incorrect allies, misjudge your enemies, and face situations where your innate abilities completely fail you. Survival requires adapting to those exact failures."
He released the podium and stepped closer to the edge of the stage. He gestured toward the distant glowing portals lined up along the academy walls.
"Life demands a steep price for true strength," the Grandmaster continued. "You only truly learn how to fight when your back hits a wall. Today marks the beginning of your practical education. We will separate your first class sessions based entirely on your chosen combat styles."
He pointed toward a portal swirling with crimson energy. "Those who wish to master physical weapons and close-quarters combat will travel to the Martial World. You will learn the mechanics of physical violence from the ground up."
He shifted his hand toward a towering archway glowing with sapphire light. "Those who prefer to cast spells and manipulate elements will enter the Spire of Magus. You will study the intricate flow of mana and advanced magical theory."
The students exchanged glances. A boy near the front raised his hand high above the crowd. "Do we just follow our assigned talent type?" ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
"You possess complete freedom to choose your destination," the Grandmaster clarified. "A mage might find themselves entirely drained of mana and forced to swing a blade. A swordsman might need to cast a basic healing ward to survive an ambush. Your innate talent dictates absolutely nothing here. You can select either path regardless of your specific awakening."
He walked back behind the podium and tapped another rune on the surface. "Before you make your choice, you should check your streaming devices. The system has officially updated the first-year leaderboard. You can view your current standing alongside your stream statistics right now."
Thousands of mechanical owls fluttered their bronze wings. Translucent blue screens materialized in front of every single student in the courtyard. They tapped their interfaces to bring up the official academy rankings.
The first-year students swiped across their glowing screens. Most of their individual profiles displayed a strict zero. Some proactive individuals who had already initiated their broadcasts boasted fifty or a hundred points from random viewer donations.
Suddenly, wild whispers broke out across the pavilion. The murmurs rapidly escalated into chaotic shouts. Students pointed at the very top of their glowing monitors.
[ 1. Solo Man - 340,960 Points - Rank: F - House Nova ]
’That 100,000 points payout from winning the duel was so easy.’ Solomon smirked as he stared at his name at the top.
Arthur Vance adjusted his thick glasses and leaned closer to his hovering owl. He tapped the floating monitor repeatedly to verify the staggering six-digit number sitting securely at the number one spot.
The third princess of the Bririth Kingdom dug her manicured fingernails into the fabric of her elegant dress. She glared at the glowing text, instantly connecting the streamer’s profile to the soaked boy from their unfortunate encounter at the entrance gates.
"Is the system broken?" a student yelled from the Zenith House gathering area. "How can someone possess over a hundred thousand points on the very first day?!"
"He is an F-Rank!" another girl shouted, gesturing wildly at her mechanical bird. "A novice cannot possibly farm that much wealth! Who is this person?"
Balzac leaned his weight against the marble pillar on the stage and chuckled quietly. He watched the absolute pandemonium unfold among the first-years. He reached into his coat pocket, pulled out his silk sleeping mask, and slipped it back over his eyes.
The Grandmaster watched the chaos erupt across the courtyard with a completely blank expression. He tapped the glowing crystal on the podium a second time. The resulting sharp ring instantly cut through the wild shouts of the first-year students.
A woman wearing a pristine, tailored academic uniform stepped forward to take his place at the wooden stand. This was Madam Alfoy. Solomon immediately recognized her sharp facial structure.
She shared an uncanny resemblance to Marco Alfoy, the second-year student he had recently beaten unconscious during an official arena duel. She cast a chilling gaze over the silenced crowd.
"You have all spent the last week reading the mandatory rulebook," Madam Alfoy announced, her voice projecting crisply across the pavilion. "You should already be entirely aware of your academic obligations. Regardless of whether you choose the Martial World or the Spire of Magus, every single one of you must earn a total of ten stars from your practical classes."
She held up a single manicured finger. "One star is awarded upon completely mastering a single lesson. There is absolutely no time limit attached to this specific academic requirement. You may take as much time as you need to comprehend the material. Furthermore, you will receive instructions regarding mandatory group and house missions when those specific events arrive on the calendar."
Madam Alfoy leaned closer to the crystal microphone. "Anyone who fails to secure their ten stars will face immediate expulsion from this academy. You must also remember your concurrent obligations. Taking your time with classes does not pause your streaming quota. You are still strictly required to generate fifty thousand points every thirty days to maintain your enrollment."
Solomon leaned against a stone pillar near the edge of his house gathering area. He crossed his arms and listened to the professor.
He had already shattered the monthly financial quota by amassing 240,960 points during his labyrinth run. Securing a few stars from combat classes sounded completely trivial compared to fighting an undead paladin.
’To be honest, I was thinking of taking on a mission of the outside world, but I guess I forgot there will be classes and lessons at the academy. I will just accept the mission in the martial world while I learn new things.’
