As Fejiro headed proceeded to enter the classroom for the new year, he was greeted by a large space with elevated seats.
Immediately in the opposite direction of the seats was a large board and in front of it was a small stage where the teacher would stand.
He then proceeded to sit in the middle row of the seats. The total number of seats were forty. All the students were blue grade, so the only way to tell who was stronger was by the concentration of energy in their bodies. Because of this, each grade was divided into smaller ranks 1 to 10. As such those with ranks 1 to 3 were in the lower ranks, 4 to 7 were in the middle ranks and finally 8 to 10 were the upper ranks.
The seats were then divided into two parts. The seats on the left were for those with a higher power level while those on the right were for those lower.
There was no sign that said students should sit this way, but there was an obvious discrimination between the levels.
This meant that Fejiro should sit at the back of the seats on the right but he chose not to because he didn't want to feel any more of an outcast than usual.
Soon after the class soon began and their teacher for this year was Mrs. Ani.
The teaching started with her welcoming everyone back and began telling them what they would experience this time.
"Welcome back everyone, I am Mrs. Ani and I will be your new teacher this final year. Since this is your final year, you will taught how to survive in the outside world, specifically to say the other realms."
"Most of you will join the Royal Knights and help in strengthening the realm. Some may become freelance warriors working for a private organisation."
"While 'others' might take up other professions like working in the academy, trading or even be part of the miners"
Although most students probably didn't notice but Mrs. Ani just told everyone how they would end up after leaving the academy.
Stating those with higher power levels would be part of the knights while those with low strength would end up as underpaid miners.
This clearly didn't register well with Fejiro as he showed it visibly.
"Mrs. Ani?" Fejiro asked.
"Yes what is it?."
Her expression immediately stiffened. She knew who Fejiro was and wondered why he came back to the academy and why he was even asking a question in the class.
She believed a low power level boy like him could not be worthy of her time but for the sake of others she would let him.
"Please could you please enlighten us with your reason why some of us would become miners."
All the attention in the class was on him, even Sprite couldn't help but stare.
He was a low level, probably the lowest in the city but still he seemed to have hopes of becoming a powerful warrior.
People like him just couldn't reach higher than miners, even though he would be lucky if he even qualified for the position. One didn't just need stones to grow stronger but also talent as well, if not they won't be able to absorb them properly and it would go to waste.
"With your current power level, nothing much can be expected from you, the most you could achieve is an average freelancer."
"Mrs. Ani, you seem to be forgetting that everything is possible. Even I, a lower level have done things that were thought to be impossible for someone like me."
He began to stare at Sprite who quickly turned away and hid her face in shame remembering how she was humiliated by him.
"Is that so? But that doesn't mean you can progress far. You can't even purchase a low level energy stone." Mrs. Ani said with a sinister smile.
But her smile didn't last as she saw Fejiro toying with something around his neck.
Taking a closer look, it was revealed to be an energy stone, but she had never seen this one.
'How could he possibly afford it?' She asked herself.
"Where did you get that?" She asked impatiently wanting to find out quickly.
"Sorry can't tell you, it's a secret. But how about this,we bet that by the end of the year I would have broken the stone. If you win, you can continue with your discriminated teaching, but if I win you will have to admit that being a lower level does not define your life." Fejiro proposed.
"Arrogant brat! Fine I accept."
Though she was filled with rage, inwardly she wanted to prove him wrong and that one accidental win didn't mean anything.
She believed in the fact that for one to become stronger not only must they train but also must have a high power level.
A high power level ment the better chance of using a high level stone and the higher the stone, the stronger the warrior would become.
Training became very difficult the stronger one became and so it was not an important aspect to grow stronger.
She could not believe someone like Fejiro could get anywhere far with his power level.
Someone of his strength could not even use the lowest of all energy stones.
But what bothered her most was the fact that he was in possession of a stone and this was one she had never seen in her life.
The energy stones varied based on levels. The deeper in the mine the stone was found, the clearer it became.
The stone in Fejiro's hand was very clear with a hint of red colour and it had a golden yellow core.
This was odd because all the stones available didn't have cores.
'Where could he have gotten something like that.' She asked herself.
She decided to ignore the matter believing that he would never be able to use it. Though still wanted to find out more about it.
She believed it might be able to improve her strength and move her up the ranks of the Royal Knights.
The class proceeded as usual except everyone now gossiped Fejiro in front of him so he could hear.
They thought it was foolish for anyone to confront a teacher like that especially one who was part of the Royal Knights.
Fejiro thought little of this and just shuggered it off with a forced smile.
Soon after the class was over and the students moved out to begin their combat class. Their teacher here was Mr. Raphael. He was a fairly tall man with an average build for someone of his age. He was also well knowledgeable when it came to fighting techniques.
"HEY YOU!!!." A familiar voice sounded.
Fejiro turned around and what stood in front of him was last person he wanted to see on his first day.