Yulen Academy.
A high class elven establishment, located within the elven capital.
To send a child to Yulen Academy was to make a firm decision as a parent.
To give up one's child in the hopes that their child would become someone great.
To send a child to Yulen Academy was to revoke ones name as a parent, completely emancipating their child from their own household.
The students of Yulen Academy would move on campus to live within the dorms. Visiting or leaving the campus outside of school activities was strictly prohibited, in the name of producing students who showed the ultimate academic excellence through complete independence from their parents.
Currently, the man known as Ingran Lerandi stood at a podium in a large auditorium, filled to the brim with elven families.
Some families were of high class, wearing excessively extravagant outfits. Others were clearly of lower standing, yet they wore formal attire nonetheless.
Almost every group present was a set of parents and their children- the students who were to attend this Academy.
One particular group of elven students however, had not a parent in sight. The four sat together in their own seats, casually awaiting the speech which was soon to be presented by the principal.
Two males, and two females.
One male sat calmly, hands folded and a confident grin adorning his expression. His hair had been perfectly styled, and his own elegance was perfectly appropriate for the formal event.
The other male sat with his arms crossed, a bored expression on his face as he looked around to witness the many families surrounding the group. This male too wore a formal suit, and his hair had been styled for the occasion, yet his own demeanor suggested that his own birth was not that of a noble.
Sitting beside this male was a girl who wore a clean yet simple dress, and she sat quietly while her green eyes jittered back and forth from person to person with nervousness. Clearly uncomfortable within the scenario, she looked to the male beside her for comfort, to which her lips curled up ever so slightly, smirking as she was reminded of something.
This girl had dark bags underneath her eyes, and her hair had been straightened for the occasion, though it was obvious that this girl did not take care of her own body and appearance very often.
Finally, there was a woman who gave off the absolute aura of dominance.
Her long hair was pure white, and it rolled down her head naturally, giving her an aura of untouchable beauty. With an arrogant expression, her own sharp eyes glared back and forth between the people who surrounded her, as if they were nothing more than eyesores.
These people were the antiheroes, and they had infiltrated Yulen Academy through the efforts of the Determined, and were now to become students within this prestigious school, in order to counter the actions of the Indeterminant and establish themselves within this final untouched nation, so that their eventual takeover of the world would progress without a hitch.
Standing forth with a welcoming yet oddly unsettling smile, the principal stood at the podium with pride, holding out his arms in magnanimous manner.
"To the families of our precious new students, and to the students themselves..... I bid you a welcome to our fine institution. Please, be seated."
With this introduction, the eyes of all quickly turned to the man, and the chatter between each family ceased. Everyone took their own seats, and the man had acquired the attention of the room.
Looking forward with a serious expression, the man made a fist, grasping the air within his palm.
"There are chains which we are bound by from the moment of our births. And that is- our own dependence on others. Without the ability to care for ourselves, we force our parents to do everything in our stead. They provide for us. They teach us. They assist us. And they do so without the slightest bit of hesitation, for the sake of the younger generation."
Despite the fact that there existed no microphone, magical waves carried the voice of the man throughout the spacious auditorium. His bold tone entered the ears of all present, capturing them in breathless manner.
"HOWEVER. This immense amount of love and care is not usually paid back in kind. Not only do children who are spoiled in this manner grow up to be reliant on all those around them, but they will continue to use their own parents, leeching off of those who work hard while never paying them back. Our goal here at Yulen Academy is to take this burden off the parent, to shovel it ourselves for a time, and to bring your children to learn to do everything for themselves."
The man spoke thus, to which many parents appeared to nod in agreement.
"By completely isolating them from any parental assistance, I can guarantee you at the very minimum, that never again will your child ever burden you with the responsibility of caring for them. You have brought these children up for many years, and it is time for them to leave the nest and become their own people. Some..... even many of you parents, will never see your children again after this day, for if your child is unable to reach great heights, then we will place them in a lower position within the military where their talents may at the very least be put to use. By enrolling within our academy, you are ensuring that your child will no longer be acting as dead weight within this society."
With brutal words, the man spoke to all, yet the parents within the crowds did not appear surprised in the least.
Each and every parent who had brought their child to school in this place was one who was willing to give up their lives as parents, for the guarantee that their children would at the very least become self sufficient.
This prestigious Academy was not a place which was explicitly meant for nobles. Due to the intense government funding they received from the council, the Academy was able to provide their services publicly, to all parents willing to completely sever ties between themselves and their children.
While most elven parents within the Alliance could never handle such a thing, those who were willing would place their children within this school.
"Within each and every clam, their is a filthy layer of mucus. In order to find this mucus, the shell must first be pried open. By placing your children within our care, you have opened this shell, and what is inside will be laid before all. I will say here and now to all you who are aware- those who attend this school will undergo no small amount of hardship. Our examinations and teaching methods are meant to challenge the students to the point where even the most inferior specimen will become well above the average for this nation. However, that is not up to myself to decide. It is completely up to the students to decide for themselves."
Stepping away from the podium, the man begun to walk across the stage as he continued speaking.
"Within each and every clam, there is a layer of mucus and filth. However, it is by introducing something which is foreign- something which is considered to be a threat to the clam- that a defensive mechanism is awakened. This defensive mechanism will begin the cultivation of something beautiful, something extravagant, something that is well above average."
Looking to the parents with a smile, the man paused with intensity.
"A pearl."
Walking back to the podium, the man turned as he continued to speak.
"Each and every student here holds the potential to produce a pearl for themselves. And it is our duty to encourage them, to challenge them, and to nurture them so that they will be able to do so. Yet there is no clam which can produce a pearl without first relying on immense amounts of pressure. I hope for the sake of you parents and for the sake of your children, that your child will be the one to produce such a pearl. For those who do not, they will fall into mediocrity, however we ensure you that they will live a life within our military forces where they will achieve at least minor success, despite their mediocrity as people. For those who produce pearls, however, they will rise as the stars of this next generation, becoming people who are far greater than those around them. And the most prominent example of this would be the pride and joy of this Academy, Velphis Gersta- the only elven man to ever breach the 8th tier."
With a broad smile, the man beamed as he spoke this name, invoking it with such pride that the spirits of all the parents were lifted just by hearing it.
"A man who represents the very essence of success, and is proof of the efficiency and high quality of our methods. The man who is said to be as strong as a hero himself, and whose existence allows us to remain outside the affairs of the human nations. I wish for each and every one of these students to become men and women like him. And with enough work and dedication.... they surely will."
At this statement, the parents begun to clap loudly, cheering out in awe and happiness.
The parents who were willing to give up their children forever did so for one single reason.
They wanted their child to become something great.
Something which they would then be able to turn to their friends, boasting and bragging about endlessly.
"That is my child."
"My son did that."
"My daughter did that."
With these desires, these parents took an all or nothing gamble.
A gamble where they would lose their precious children, in exchange for a reward later down the line which may or may not pay out.
They were fools who were enticed at the success of a single individual, overwhelmed with the mindset that their children should be able to do something just as great.
'After all, my child has my own genes. There is no possible way in which they won't achieve greatness.'
'Regardless of what trials they endure, my child is sure to succeed. I will watch and wait for the news of their success.'
It was as if someone were to see a news article of someone winning the lottery, only to be inspired to go and purchase a number of lottery tickets themselves.
Idiocy.
With these thoughts, the parents looked with joy to the man who stood before them, offering his hand to them as he made immense promises.
'Disgusting beyond nature.'
'A filthy man who hides behind pretty words.'
'Reminds me of the Indeterminant.'
'And the parents are nothing more than bots, selling off their children in order to receive praise for their kids success.'
'Their egos are overinflated, to the point where they seem to believe that the very existence of someone related to them is destined to become some sort of hero.'
'Pricks.'
'They don't seem to realize just how hard it is to meet such high expectations, and then they take the credit for themselves.'
Four figures in particular were displeased with the scenario around them, though they did not allow it to show on their expressions.
For they were not here to cause a disturbance.
They were here for the purpose of an undercover assignment, in order to gain an advantage on the enemy who truly stood in their way.
'This would appear to be one of the disturbing systems which I intend to destroy. With each and every passing day.... my own desire to see this world end increases.'
The elven man who held an aura of refinedness looked forth at the principal, staring at him with thinned eyes as his lips curled upwards.
'However, I am willing to have patience. After all, it is through careful planning and rational decision making that we will uproot every last system within this corrupted world.'
These four beings were the antiheroes.
Sent to this world to create chaos, uprooting every last semblance of society and redefining it as they pleased, they were existences of madness.
Beings of ultimate power, of which only one man stood in their way.
And in order to defeat this man, they plotted.
They were willing to fall further and further into the recesses of their own monstrosity, and at their head stood a woman who knew suffering better than anyone.
'We will make this world crumble. And we will make every one of these deceptive manipulators beg for their deaths.'
Surrounded by the clapping and cheers of the parents around him, the elven figure sat up, and clapped once.
Then, again.
With slow clap, a wicked grin drew itself across his face as he mockingly added his own support to those around him.
'Bravo, Sir. Bravo.'
----
"We will allow the parents some time now to say their goodbyes to their children, for it will be a long goodbye indeed. Please feel free to take as much time as needed, however when you are finished please exit the auditorium in orderly fashion. Following this, we will begin instruction for the students, therefore all students are to remain within the building until told to do otherwise."
With these words, the principal stepped off the stage, allowing for the families to do exactly as instructed.
The four who had no parents simply remained in their seats, however they watched as the other students said their farewells to their parents.
Many were hugged, and smiles filled the room, yet these smiles were oddly stiff.
For parents who were seeing their children off in such a manner, there were no emotions.
No tears flowed from the eyes of these people, nor did they appear to be distraught in the least.
No cries were heard, no outbreaks or intense scenes, merely smiles.
A smile which Trevor, as a businessman, knew all too well.
The smile which someone would give a client when sealing a deal.
The smile which one would give to someone they first met, in an attempt to make a good impression.
A smile which beamed goodwill and radiance, while masking the inner thoughts and dark emotions within.
The smile his stepmother had given him, on that first day she met him.
The smile of someone who couldn't care less about the person before him, but was forced to get along with them for the sake of personal gain.
On seeing these scenes around him, Trevor's face stiffened.
"Are you alright? You seem a bit.... off right now.", Samantha whispered.
"Nothing of the sort. I am merely simulating the vast number of ways in which we will one day slaughter these people.", he whispered back.
At this, Samantha grinned seductively, thinning her eyes.
"I see."
Placing her hand on his own, she whispered back.
"Don't think too hard then. Because there are more ways than even you could imagine."
----
Not even 10 minutes had passed before all the parents had left, and the students took their own seats once more.
'Take as much time as you need, I believe they said. Certainly, they were.... quite efficient with leaving their children behind.'
With these thoughts, Trevor turned to the principal who once more took the stage.
"It would appear that the parents have left. Do you all understand what this means?"
Speaking with a kind smile, the man held himself up with good posture, however suddenly his tone dipped.
"You all are nothing more than trash who has been abandoned by even your parents. Useless garbage, who they believe will never amount to anything unless measures which are at least this extreme have been taken."
Many students flinched at the sudden twist in personality of this man, yet four in particular- the four who did not have parents to say their goodbyes- did not so much as blink an eye at the statement.
Instead, they all grinned.
'Do you think we don't already know that?', Trevor wondered as he laughed inside his mind.
"However..... it is because you are trash that we have collected you. And we will place you through a fire, so that you may hopefully exit as shining glass, rather than as smitten ashes."
'A fire, eh?', Ashley thought while holding back a giggle. 'I don't think this man understands what it means to truly be surrounded by the flames of hell.'
"We will teach you how to carry yourselves. We will teach you how to use magic, and how to become exceptional magicians, thinkers, warriors, and most importantly- exceptional people."
'Ah? He seems to believe himself to be among these exceptional people.', Samantha thought. 'How pathetic. It is always comedic when they believe themselves to be powerful.'
"You will be molded by the best of the best. Our instructors pride themselves as craftsmen, and the students are the clay which they will mold. So I encourage you all to allow yourselves to be molded into something great."
'Hahaha.... you think you have what it takes to craft anything without putting the labor in yourself?'
With a grin, Garett smiled in such a way that his fangs would have shown, was he not currently underneath Samantha's illusion spell so that he took the appearance of an elf.
"To begin, I will explain the ranking system. Within this school, we use a point system to measure the current status of our students. You will begin with 0 points on a scale which goes up to 100, and depending on your behavior, demeanor, grades, athletic abilities, and magical progress, we will award and deduct points from you. Those who hold more points will be granted rewards and benefits, and those who hold less will be given less. It is as simple as that. Therefore, I encourage you all not to fall behind quickly, for others will soon gain an advantage over you, and it will require all the more effort to improve your standing."
With haste, the principal immediately begun to explain the system.
A system where those who were successful were given more opportunities to be successful, and those who were not were thrown into a downward spiral of failure.
'Reminds me of earth.', Garett thought.
"Now then.... we will begin with the first examination. Every student here has the opportunity to get ahead of the pack, so I would encourage you to do so. You will all be released in a moment, after which your goal will be to find the dormitories, where you will receive the keys to your dorms. However, this is an examination. The dorm in which you are awarded will be dependent upon your performance. Therefore..... begin."
With this statement, the man immediately walked off the stage, leaving the students to their own devices.
At first, there was an awkward silence as the students looked around with confusion, however a single student stood up and calmly walked out the door.
It was then that the students came across a realization.
They were in competition with one another.
A sense of urgency came across the students, and they all begun to rush out of the building.
'It's likely a race....'
'Those on top will be awarded more points and better housing than the others!'
'I have to be quick about this!'
As the students rushed out, four remained seated, merely watching as this occurred.
"Should we attempt to follow the rabble? After all, when I can read the mind of that man it's not exactly difficult to find out his own intentions and the intricacies of this so called 'test'.", Samantha stated while turning to the others.
"No, there is no need.", Trevor replied. "We already have stood out more than necessary as a result of the fact that our parents did not come to see us off. Of course, we could have disguised some people as our 'parents', however I saw no need to go to such efforts. From this point on, we will make every attempt to blend in with the other students. Nothing more, and nothing less. We are not here to learn, nor do we have the same goals as the other students, therefore we will blend into the crowd, living our lives as the other students do..... until the day in which the Indeterminant appears."
"And on that day?", Garett asked.
"What else? We destroy all who are a nuisance to our new world."