In light of the war against the demons and the frequent occurrences of demonic possessions and tales of death, humanity maintained a heightened state of vigilance.
Consequently, children who lacked educational capabilities and had been dismissed from the program were compelled to enroll in exorcist school, forging pacts with demons to contribute to the war effort as soldiers, bodyguards, and wayfarers.
Conversely, academically proficient children ascended to influential positions, became prominent figures, and provided the necessary resources to finance the war.
The soldiers valiantly held the frontlines in battle, while those who became bodyguards safeguard the prominent figures who funded the war.
Wayfarers, skilled in the art of exorcism, embarked on hunting expeditions to obtain crucial materials for the war. Essentially, they fulfilled the role of dedicated travelers.
___
Mickey slowly opened his eyes, squinting against the pale light filtering through the high windows. As his vision cleared, he took in his surroundings, and his headache intensified. He found himself lying on a hospital bed in a massive room filled with identical beds. The sterile smell overwhelmed him. It feels like he had stumbled into a nightmare.
[Warning!!]
[Vervain and wild rae have been detected]
[User is allergic to these plants]
[All stats are dampened by 70%]
Without warning, Mickey's headache surged, forcing him to squint with agony. His strength seemed to vanish, leaving him drained. His body grew heavier and trembled as though he had come down with a fever. He quickly inspected what the system was going on about.
[HP: 3]
[Strength: 3]
[Stamina: 3]
[Agility: 3]
'Has this system malfunctioned or what?' Micky felt the urge to exclaim, but his mind was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Urgh, disgusting! This place reeks of vervain and wild rue. I can't stand the stench." Zany coughed
"So you know what they are. Then I assume you have a good explanation for all these drawbacks." Mickey asked
"It's quite simple, actually," Zany started with a cough, "They are demon repellents used to ward off demons. They are antiques of the druids used in the war many years ago."
"They greatly weaken us, and through our bond, you are also being affected. That should explain the sudden drawbacks."
Mickey was still starting at the bad news when another notification popped up.
[New Quest]
[Auxiliary quest: Stay 50 meters away from vervain and wild rue.]
[Reward: 1XP/hr]
"I'm starting to believe the system is stingy." Mickey felt like vomiting blood. "I don't even know the plant. How the hell do I know I am close to one?"
"I will feel sick. You will feel sick, and the system will NERF you." Zany replied.
"Oh!" Mickey exclaimed, feeling a bit stupid.
He could see kids his age scattered throughout the room. Some are awake, their bewildered eyes mirroring his own confusion. Others appear to be still asleep, trapped in a deep slumber. He tried to make sense of it all, searching for answers.
"What is this place, anyway? How did I end up here?" He whispered to Zany.
His voice broke the uneasy silence, attracting the attention of a nearby boy named Flynn. Flynn rubbed his temples, clearly struggling with the same intense headache that plagued Mickey.
"I... I don't know. I was just at home, and... and now I'm here. It was all a blur." Flynn said a bit groggy.
Mickey's eyes dart across the room, locking onto others when he heard the large double door creak open. Walking in was a poised-looking Paladin in dark red leather uniform. Accompanying him was a young lady wearing glasses, her hair neatly tied up in a bun. Engrossed in her work, she diligently scribbled notes on a pad.
All the kids looked up, their attention pivoting toward the Paladin. Their chatter faded into a hushed silence as his imposing presence commanded respect and authority.
"Attention, young warriors! I demand your undivided focus!" his voice thundered, echoing of the walls.
Everyone, including those who were just waking up, sat up straighter, their eyes intently fixed upon the Paladin.
"The Astral Sanctum shall be your home for the next three years, a sanctuary where courage and honor will be instilled in each and every one of you!" He said, and as expected, the kids' eyes widened.
Murmurs of confusion runned through the room. The Paladin raised his hand, halting any restless movements or whispers as he continued.
"But make no mistake, younglings! These walls do not exist to coddle you. They serve to forge you into formidable exorcists, prepared to face the impending chaos as future replacements! Unfortunately, you were all born in times of chaos. Therefore, joining the struggle for survival is non-negotiable. You will fight!"
He paused, letting their imagination run wild with endless possibilities. Then, with an authoritative gesture, he pointed to another double door at the far corner of the room
"Behind that door lies your practice armors." He said, "Now, your current objective is to suit up and prepare for the most crucial test of all! Your aptitude, your determination, and your skills will be assessed, honed, and transformed!"
The Paladin's words resonate through the room, filling the air with an electric energy. He scanned the room, his gaze sweeping over each and every child, trying to guage their potential and determination.
He then turned to leave but stopped in his tracks. Without turning, he said with a hint of pride. "Remember, young warriors, you are not alone. The bond you forge with your fellow comrades will be the cornerstone of your strength. Together, there is no challenge you cannot overcome!"
With that, he whooshed away in a gust of wind.
But young lady stayed behind to coordinate their preparations. However, she didn't have to lift a finger. It seems the Paladin's inspiring words had echo in their hearts. Not all, but most.
They rose from their beds and made their way towards the double door. The assistant helped them into a room where they quickly suited up. Afterward, she guided a total of 700 kids to a training facility.
___
"What was that all about?" Mickey asked
"Well, it appears you are in a cram school for exorcist." Zany replied in Mickey's mind.
"Oh, I didn't know something like that existed." replied Mickey, not really knowing how to feel about all the sudden changes after he got expelled. Abruptly switching schools was a bit hard for kids to get accustomed to in the first place.
"That makes us two. Something like this never existed during my adventure with your grandfather." Zany recalled. "That answers why you were knocked out before getting here."
Of course, people knew about Astral Sanctum being a school for exorcism. But those were the higher-ups who contributed greatly into the war. And it seemed those who graduated to become exorcists swear an oath to keep it a secret as well. Therefore, the general public heard no word of it.
"Haa! This is perfect. I wouldn't have to go through the stress of training you then." Zany yawned lazily.
"??!"
On their way there, Mickey couldn't help but gasped at the sight of the place. The place was so huge, almost like a small-size city. Once in a while, they passed by victorian-style buildings that evoked a sense of elegance and grandeur.
These buildings were characterized by intricate architectural details, ornate facades, and symmetrical designs. Their structures featured steep roofs, arched windows, decorative moldings, and towers, giving them a timeless and enchanting charm.
They capture the essence of the victorian era, transporting these little viewers to a world filled with magic, mystique, and a touch of nostalgia.
Before they knew it, they were before the training facility. It was a large, grand, and imposing building, with a massive arched doorway made of dark wood, with a pair of heavy brass doors that were covered in mystical inscriptions. Flanking the entrance are two black stone pillars, and above it, was a large stained-glass window.
As they neared the double door in a straight file, it creaked open by itself, sending chills down their spine.
"Feels like a haunted house!" Flynn whispered to Mickey, standing next to him.
He was a regular looking kid, but what made him stand out was his abnormally pale skin, white curly hair, and his deep dark eyes that was a stark contrast against all the white.
When they entered the dimly lit room, they were startled by the sound of the door shutting behind them. All heads spun around, only to find that when they faced forward once more, the dark room had astonishingly transformed into an expansive field with a metallic ground, with a large blue sky above.
This didn't go without a few screams and exclamations from the kids. Out on the field stood the same paladin who spoke with them before.
"I warmly welcome you all to Enchantopia, our humble training facility." He greeted with a smile.
"I won't waste much of your time, as I have said it all in our previous encounter. But," He continued...
"Some of you are from prestigious backgrounds whereas others are from humble homes. Regardless, those in possession of a pendent should put them one, as this test will be testing your basic ability as a beginner exorcist. Those that do not have must still take the test. Since you will need to be graded anyway."
"Your power levels, after this test, will be displayed on the cuirass of your leather armor for all to see, so don't disappoint." He ended with a smug look.
From left to right, they pulled out their pendents - ones of different colors, shapes, and gemstones. Glistening brightly, everyone's own stood out starkly, showing their uniqueness. This course of action was a dead giveaway to those who didn't own one.
"Oh crap!" Mickey whispered.
***