Every Higher World had one great similarity. It wasn't in the kind of goods they exported, or the fact that they all had powerful warriors. After all, every world had goods that fetched them a great sum because these goods were found nowhere else. And though it seemed improbable because of the vast number of worlds there were, each world had its own signature export. For some, their exports were even human resources – strong warriors hardened by war. As for having powerful warriors, it wasn't a distinct feature since to become a Higher Planet, that planet had to have a trove of powerful men and women. What really made Higher Worlds similar was their connection to God Academies.
Each Higher World was a place of longing for those of the Lower Realms, for it was only by getting to a Higher World that a man or woman will be in touching distance of the elite, God Academies. The stronger the Higher World was, the greater the number of connections it had to God Academies. So there were Higher Worlds with connections to only one God Academy, some with connections to two, and some with connections to ten. The number of God Academy branches, popularly referred to as God Roots, situated on your world told just how much power your world had. Over time it had come to become a form of authority and display of might – bragging rights of a sort.
However, there were also situations where some Higher Realms had grown so powerful that a singular entity had bought them out. These Higher Realms were referred to as Chief Higher Realms. Though they were still under the jurisdiction of the God Clans, their power was in no way inferior to some of these God Clans. For Chief Higher Worlds, it wasn't prestigious to have several foreign institutions taking root in their land. It was rather insulting, since it meant that they didn't have full control of what was thought to be theirs. So for realms such as those, prestigious God Academies approached and made offers, each better than the former, seeking to plant themselves within the borders of that world. After all, Chief Higher Realms produced stronger warriors than the other Higher Realms. Being rooted in such a planet meant that there were more geniuses willing to utilise your institution. And more geniuses equaled greater prestige and a stronger backing.
Planet Celestial however, was a strange Chief Higher World. It had power so great that many placed it only below the 7 Heavenly God Clans in terms of power. Yet they had never allowed any God Academy to take root in their home. Every offer from every academy had been turned down. It didn't matter if it was Emperor Academy, or God's King, or even Monarchy, which was the greatest academy there was. They had all been turned down. But, they said seasons were for a time and times for a particular season. So it was with Planet Celestial. The Celestial Race that had been so resistant in allowing others into their world had suddenly undergone a change of heart. The people renowned for their stubbornness, and not just their strength, had finally shown some changes. They had allowed the God Academies to come in!
Finally, after an entire history of seclusion and sealing themselves off from the rest of the Universe, the planet was ready to welcome its first batch of God Roots. Yes, Roots. For they had allowed three academies to come in. Emperor Academy, a place that boasted of several Elder Gods and the great God King Ra; God's King Academy, the school that churned out geniuses like the Brute King and the Absolute Queen, probably the strongest couple in the Universe, and was backed by Odin himself; and King's Crown, the prestigious new academy and the one that had the greatest potential.
Each of these institutions were behemoths, and the fact that they had compromised, choosing to coexist within Planet Celestial, spoke of just how mighty the Celestial Race was. In response to their trust in him – so much so that they had willingly sacrificed their pride and competitive natures – the Celestial Emperor made them a promise.
"You shall have the greatest geniuses of this generation. Two to each."
It was a promise weightier than gold, and the main reason why the academies were so quiet although they had been here a few months already. Yet that quiet was bound to exist no longer. At least for the next three months, there was only going to be noise and competition. For the end of the year admissions had begun! And the entire Planet Celestial was enveloped in the joy and excitement of their first God Academy admissions! One could feel this excitement anywhere: in bars, inns, diners and eateries. Each man and woman – Greater and Lesser Celestial – was excited at the prospect of something new. For they were experiencing just that; a series of exciting emotions that they hadn't known for millions of years.
In one of these many pubs, several men and women were discussing the events that were currently happening. And just like any other discussion, the focus of their comments were the young geniuses that made the cut – and those whose paths had been predestined long before. So basically, they were gossiping.
"They say Kahn the Great and Max the Tormentor are going to God King's," a man with a long beard and arms as large as a tree trunk stated with a face full of excitement. Yet it was hard to tell whether his excitement was from the ongoing trials or the large number of beers he had downed in nothing but a few minutes. For his face was as red as the behind of a pig.
This man was seated at a table that hosted seven other men – and a few women. Each person possessed extraordinary aura, and the swords that were strapped to their backs that gave off such a rich scent of blood and grime suggested that they were people who bathed knee deep in blood. For such individuals to be talking about god academies showed just how much of an impact these institutions had wherever they went.
"Yes. They are the two chosen to go to God's King. The Reaper's Edge, Sarong, and the Canyon's Mouth Sharon are those going to Emperor Academy." One of the women at the table took a long drink out of her beer before speaking. Although she had drunk so much, her eyes were still focused and her bearing steady. She didn't look like one who had indulged in wine and merry all night. But that was exactly what she had done.
"That's nothing . Broken Saber Joe and Mountain Breaker Juan are going to King's Crown. Each of them are highly impressive. If Roses Thorns Luis wasn't considered as part of the younger generation any longer because of his overwhelming strength, I am sure he would have been part of the teams joining the God Academies."
"Yes. You are absolutely right."
"If only I was younger," one of the men sighed and said.
"Yeah right. When you were their age was your power any close to theirs?" One of the women mocked with a large grin on her face. Her comments caused several of the others to snicker as they teased their friend. For their friend was a late bloomer. He had only reached his full potential long after exceeding the average age of growth for every Celestial. Even Lower Celestials didn't experience a low like their friend had during those years.
"Besides, the Emperor promised the academies his best. That automatically rules out old coots like us – and Lower Celestials. Unfortunately we fall under both categories."
"Man, the Emperor is really pulling out all the stops, isn't he?"
"Indeed. Those six are the best our race has to offer. All of them are Greater Celestials too, so there is no question of sincerity on the path of the Emperor. Although if you ask me, the Emperor is being a little too sincere."
"What do you mean?"
"I think our Lord is being too nice to the God Academies. It is almost as if he wants something from them. After all, why would he break the rules of the planet and go against the traditions of old to invite outsiders in if not for something important."
"That is very true. But that just makes one wonder, doesn't it?"
"It does: what does the Emperor seeks from these academies?"
This table was particularly loud, but in the noisy bar they could barely be heard. However, a few tables away, there was one paying much attention to their words. This person was fully cloaked and had her head bowed down. Yet even from the few features that remained unhidden, one could tell that she was a beauty. Even more notable, she was no Celestial!
This didn't come as a surprise. Inviting the God Academies in meant inviting people of other races in as well. For there were sure to be outsiders eager to pass the trials and become God Students themselves. This young woman was one of the many who came pursuing such a dream. But unlike the many, her participation was the most dangerous out of all those who had come. For she wasn't an ordinary woman. She was an Eternal!
She had taken a great risk coming here to change her fortune; to pursue the images of her talented parents and mysterious great grandfather. Yet this risk hadn't been merely taken on a whim. For her aura and race were hidden by the Origin Divine Artefact called Eternal Throne. This artefact was joined to her as a tattoo on her back; an inscription that protected and guided her.
"It seems we have stumbled upon something interesting Reiki," the lady mumbled and the tattoo on her back glowed slightly.