"Ahh, it seems we have another one eligible to take the entrance exams for our profound academy," a voice echoed in Alex's mind. "Even though he is quite old, he should still be able to become an acolyte. Well, it's hard to say; it will all depend on his talent and his will to survive, I suppose. Hahahaha."
Although Alex was not yet awake, the voice assured him that he would remember these words. The voice belonged to the great Arnold, who welcomed Alex to Darkwoods Academy. Arnold emphasized that Alex was not a student but an examinee and that to become a student, he had to pass the entrance exam.
"The qualifications for passing are quite easy, but might be hard for you," Arnold continued. "All you have to do is become an acolyte before the age of 30. Most students come here at the age of 10, so you are quite behind. I would recommend you train hard to become an acolyte because only death awaits the ones who fail to pass the entrance exam. When you are awake, come visit me, and I will teach you a basic way to gain mana."
The voice suddenly stopped, leaving Alex to look around the unfamiliar room with curiosity. He observed strange dried herbs scattered on a table and an assortment of peculiar potions and brews strewn about.
Alex couldn't contain his excitement at the thought of being admitted to a magic academy. This could be the power he had been missing to become a main character. Even though the voice had mentioned an entrance exam, he was confident in his abilities.
With brisk steps, he walked to the door of the room, which rumbled as if the entire building were in motion. As he fully opened the door, he stepped into an office with a man sitting at a desk. The man appeared to be around thirty with short green hair, dark black eyes, and scale-like protrusions on his face.
"Ahh, it seems you are awake, child," Arnold said with a knowing smile. "It seems to me that you are quite eager to learn about this academy and about magic, aren't you, my boy?"
"Yes, Arnold," Alex responded, "I've dreamed of magic since I was a little boy. Please teach me the way to get mana."
"You can call me Dean, little one," Dean Arnold corrected. "Well, before I teach you about mana, let me teach you about our academy and this world. What you have been told might not be entirely true."
Dean Arnold continued his explanation, delving into the intricate nature of the world Alex now found himself in.
"The world of Garland, as it is known in this region, is not a separate world in itself," Dean Arnold began, attempting to elucidate the concept. "Instead, think of it as a coin with two distinct sides. One side is Garland, which we refer to as the mortal realm, and the other side is called Ede, the magical realm. These two realms exist in parallel, with little to no interaction between them. The Darkwoods and similar places act as bridges connecting these two sides."
Dean Arnold went on to clarify that the bridges between the realms were seldom used, mainly due to a strict prohibition against interaction between them. He confessed that the exact reasons for this prohibition remained unknown, and he urged Alex not to press for answers in this regard. The Darkwoods, much like other bridging locations, had been sealed off. However, the weakening of this seal had allowed a dangerous being to cross over to Garland, where they intended to conduct a forbidden ritual.
In this dire situation, the ancestor of Dean Arnold, a dragon with poisonous breath, had taken it upon himself to protect Garland. The dragon's venomous power proved instrumental in combating the malevolent being. In a twist of fate, the entity now known as the "Tree of life" was not benevolent at all. It was, in fact, widowwood that had gained sentience. This creature had wreaked havoc in the magical realm, claiming countless lives.
The widowwood ventured to Garland with the sinister intent to grant creatures eternal life, albeit in the form of magical zombies. Dean Arnold's ancestor had valiantly put an end to this threat, saving both Garland and Ede from a potential invasion. However, the dragon was left stranded in the Darkwoods and unable to return to Ede.
In this forsaken place, the dragon founded Darkwood Academy, where he began recruiting children from Garland to become mages. The dragon, you see, grew immensely bored with his solitary existence, the dean explained with a chuckle. Teaching the mystical arts to eager young minds became a way for him to pass the time. It's not that he didn't care for the students, but rather that he needed to stave off the monotony that came with his immortal life.
In a twist that sounded like a plot from a fantasy tale itself, the dragon had harbored another, more complex motive. The magical bridges between Garland and Ede were not only a pathway for creatures but also played a crucial role in maintaining the seal between the two realms. As it turned out, the more magical power that thrived on these bridges, the weaker the seal became. And that was precisely what the dragon had intended.
Dean Arnold elaborated that the dragon, my ancestor, recognized that by gathering talented students and nurturing their magical potential, he could contribute to the weakening of the seal. With enough magical power congregated on the bridge, the seal would eventually weaken to the point where he could leave Garland and return to his place in the magical world.
It was an ambitious endeavor, motivated by both the desire to impart his knowledge and a deep yearning to return to a grander and more dynamic magical world. In his own realm, the dragon held a prestigious position at Wyrmhaven Academy, a renowned institution that far surpassed Darkwood Academy in its grandeur.
In essence, Dean Arnold continued, Darkwood Academy serves as an introduction to magic for people from Garland. It's a place where they can discover and nurture their talents. For the exceptionally gifted, there's the possibility of being scouted by Wyrmhaven Academy, where my ancestor works, and thus enter a world of magic far beyond their wildest dreams."
The dean concluded his explanation with a question: "Do you have any questions, young man?"