The first rays of dawn pierced the horizon, and the students gathered at the school
an air of anticipation hanging over them. Today was no ordinary day—it was the day the school would tally the points earned in the Demi-World.
The atmosphere was electric, buzzing with excitement and a hint of nerves.
This time, the rewards would not be limited to the top three students at a certain grade.
Instead, the school had decided to recognize the top three performers from each classroom, a decision that had sent ripples of excitement through the student body.
The senior students, though more accustomed to such accolades, couldn't help but feel a twinge of superiority.
After all, they had spent nearly three years honing their skills and developing their abilities.
The first-year students, on the other hand, had barely had a month to find their footing in the world of lord's and territories
Despite this, the enthusiasm of the newer students was infectious.
They chattered excitedly amongst themselves, their eyes shining with anticipation.
For them, this was more than just a chance to earn rewards—it was an opportunity to prove themselves, to show that they had what it took to stand alongside their more experienced peers.
As the teachers began to arrive, a hush fell over the crowd.
The students straightened, their expressions turning serious.
The moment of reckoning was at hand, and each of them was ready to face it with determination and pride.
The air crackled with potential—a sense of possibility that only served to heighten the excitement.
The day had only just begun, but already it was clear that it would be one to remember.
As the teachers began the process of calculating the points, the students could barely contain their anticipation. The stage was set, and the rewards awaited.
Meanwhile, in the quiet sanctum of the principal's office, Long Su sat beside Teacher Li, his heart pounding in his chest.
Across from them, the principal sat, his face a canvas of shock and disbelief.
The atmosphere in the room was heavy, laced with a tension that seemed to seep into the very air.
The principal's eyes were wide, and his pupils dilated with a mixture of astonishment and incredulity.
His mouth hung slightly open, as if the words to express his feelings had fled, leaving him in a state of speechlessness.
He stared at Long Su, his gaze piercing, yet clouded with confusion.
His brows furrowed, creating deep ridges in his forehead that spoke of his consternation.
A bead of sweat trickled down his temple, a testament to the intensity of his emotions.
His hands, usually steady and composed, trembled slightly as he reached for the glass of water on his desk, taking a sip in an attempt to compose himself.
Long Su shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the weight of the principal's gaze heavy upon him.
He glanced at Teacher Li, seeking reassurance, but found her expression equally unreadable.
The silence stretched on, thick with anticipation.
The principal, finally regaining some semblance of composure, placed his glass back on the desk.
His hands, still trembling, left wet fingerprints on the polished surface. He cleared his throat, the sound echoing in the silent office like a thunderclap, and leaned forward,
his eyes still fixed on Long Su.
"I must confess," he began, his voice hoarse with shock.
"Your achievements are beyond anything I could have anticipated. I find myself quite at a loss for words."
His confession hung in the air, a stark admission of his astonishment.
Long Su, his nerves frayed, could only nod, his mind racing with questions.
What had he done to elicit such a reaction from the usually stoic principal?
The principal, recognizing the confusion etched on Long Su's face, leaned back in his chair and drew a deep breath, his demeanor shifting from disbelief to a more composed, explanatory tone.
His eyes, still glimmering with a hint of astonishment, met Long Su's, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"Long Su," he began, his voice regaining its usual timbre of authority. "Let me explain why Teacher Li and I are so astounded by your achievement of establishing a city in your Seed World."
"You see, the process of city-building is a gradual and meticulous one, and it's quite extraordinary for a first-year high school student like yourself to have made such remarkable progress."
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in.
Long Su, his curiosity piqued, sat up straighter, his full attention fixed on the principal.
"Every student begins by constructing a village within their seed world," the principal continued, his hands gesturing to emphasize his words. "Using the gold coins that your world generates naturally, you purchase raw materials such as wood, stone, and other resources."
"As the number of households in your village increases, your influence within your Seed World grows, and eventually, your village will be officially recognized by the law of your world seed."
The principal's gaze grew more intent, his eyes locking onto Long Su's. "However, the number of households required for this recognition varies from person to person. According to the knowledge we possess, the minimum number of households needed for a village to be recognized is forty-five."
The principal, his demeanor shifting to that of a mentor imparting wisdom, continued his explanation. "Secondly, once you've established your village and your summoned units reside within it, you'll notice a significant change."
" These units will no longer be under your direct control, as they'll now fall under the influence of the village's seal. To summon them henceforth, you'll need to summon the entire village, inclusive of all its structures and components."
His gaze softened, acknowledging the complexity of the process. "While building a village might seem like a straightforward task, it's far from simple. The endeavor requires not only a significant amount of resources but also a considerable investment of time. "
"This can pose a considerable challenge for students without substantial financial backing, often leading to immense pressure and stress."
He paused, allowing the gravity of his words to settle into the room. Long Su, absorbing the information, felt a surge of empathy for those who struggled under such circumstances
"Progression through the academic years comes with its own unique set of challenges,"
the principal continued. "Second-year students are tasked with upgrading their village to a town and constructing two additional villages to support it."
" By the time they reach their third year, students must further develop their town into a city, supported by two towns and a total of four villages, to qualify for graduation."
The principal leaned back in his chair, his gaze growing distant, as if recalling his own journey through the academic curriculum.
"Of course, for those with the means, there's always the option of purchasing ready-made settlements—districts, towns, or even cities. However, such a choice comes with a hefty price tag. Even I, with all my years of experience, have only resorted to it once."
Long Su, his mind buzzing with this new knowledge