In two years
Fertile lands of flaming horned wolves.
- Why do you need that Diolan Academy? I have friends in the Guild of Herbiologists, you will be well received there
The old man tried once again to convince Haldar to come to the Herbiologists' Guild, where they would continue their research together. Over these two years, they together wrote two more Volumes, about Miraculous (31-71 levels) and Supreme (71-120 levels) plants and trees.
The old man really liked Haldar, but he did not reveal his identity to him, but continued to be the local branch head of the Herbiology Guild. He easily wrested this position from the local head, and gave him a position at the main headquarters.
Haldar, collecting his things and papers, shook his head at the old man's words.
- Well, I already promised, so I'll go.
- Oh, well, okay, here's a seal for you that you are a member of the Guild of Herbiologists
Denfor shook his head, took out the seal and handed it to him. Haldar took the seal and saw on it a large tree with five fruits, and around it there was a garden. Denfor, seeing Haldar's interest, decided to tell him:
- This is your seal, you are now a rank 4 herbiologist (level 101 - 120), yes, you lack a little strength, but your knowledge compensates for this requirement. Each fruit on the tree is one rank
- Thank you very much, but what does a garden around a tree mean?
Haldar understood that the fruits denoted his rank, and the tree a system, but could not understand why there was a garden there. Denfor approached and pointed to the garden:
- This means that you have passed the annual Guild test for the title of King of the Garden
- But... I didn't go through
Haldar scratched his skull in bewilderment. He spent all his time training with Elam and researching herbiology. There was no way he could pass this test. Denfor, smiling, patted him on the shoulder:
- Your three treatises were highly appreciated by the Guild. You have made a very great contribution to our profession, so the Elders decided to give you this title without a test. If you finish your fourth treatise on the Higher Plants, you can claim the next title - Lord of the Earth
"With this seal, you will be well served in any building of our guild, and our other allies will also show you respect." So don't lose it well
- Yes
Haldar hid the seal and nodded. He realized that she could still be useful to him. It wasn't so bad to have a profession through which he could support himself. Having collected his things, he and Elam returned to the city of Randafir where Meris and Erald were already waiting for them.
Denfor, also packing his things, was about to leave when he remembered one piece of garbage:
- Oh, I definitely forgot to tell him about the contribution points that he received for three treatises.. But I don't care, I think he'll figure it out himself
For the first treatise he received 10k points, because it dealt only with ordinary plants and herbs.
For the second, he was already given 90k contribution points, herbs of the second rank were very common, so the knowledge of how to increase their growth was well appreciated.
For the third, he was already given as much as 400 thousand points; herbs of the third rank were in great demand among Mortals who were trying to break through to the rank of Supreme, although even the highest also needed them in large quantities.
***
- Haldar you're late
Erald saw Haldar and Elam and shouted to him. Erald had grown well over these three years, but Haldar was not far behind. They both became taller and stronger in body. Haldar smiled and scratched his head when he heard him:
- Well, I was detained a little by the head of the herbiology branch
Elam and Meris immediately thought:
Yeah, say thank you for letting him go. If he wanted, no one could stop him from stealing you
- Yes? Okay, let's go, they're waiting for us
Erald threw his paws behind his head, said cheerfully and moved first. Haldar smiled and followed him. They had both changed a lot over these three years and were already ready for the next challenge that life would throw at them.
Elam and Meris followed them, when suddenly Elam remembered one thing:
- Wait, I forgot to do one little thing... Go without me
- Elam..
- Uncle Elam, we will go with you, and then we will move together to the academy
Erald said smiling, and Haldar nodded. Elam had no choice but to let them go with him. Enrollment at the academy lasted exactly one day, but right now it was only morning and the start of enrollment, so they wouldn't be too late if they were delayed.
Not far from the City of Randafira there was a large river along which quite large ships could sail. Elam led them out of the city to a small harbor. They moved together to the trading stalls in the harbor.
Walking along them, Elam finally noticed the one for whom he came here. He walked up to an old rat who was sitting and selling various old trinkets. The old rat slowly raised its head and saw Elam, smiled and said:
- Master Elam, you came to me again after 4 months
- I hope I didn't distract you too much from your business, Dimshiur
Elam answered with a slight smile. The others just watched them on the sidelines. Haldar and Eralda were very interested to know who this old man was. They knew that Elam constantly visited different harbors every few months.
During the training they visited many places around the Nesholt world. And they knew that Elam was absent very often due to the execution
various tasks from the mercenary guild to provide for their damaged lands.
- Business goes on as usual... But let's not talk about it, it's unnecessary. The main thing is how much luck did you bring this time?
Elam simply smiled, and together they boarded the ship that was nearby. Dimshiur also invited the others, but Meris only waved his paw indicating that this was unnecessary. Dimshiur understood, and the two of them went to the ship.
- So one percent accumulated on forty-two thousand Kern. Ha ha ha
Core crystal level 180.
Dimshiur calculated the percentages using a special tool, and then laughed. Elam lazily lay down behind a chair, and then, like an old man laughing, he put several spatial rings on the table.
- This will be enough to cover interest and part of the debts
Dimshiur immediately grabbed the rings and quickly checked. He smiled and nodded to Elam. Seeing that everything was fine, he stood up and was about to leave, Dimshiur also stood up and, walking next to him, said:
- I hope you haven't forgotten. Winter is coming... and that means you'll need even more crystals
- I know
Elam answered briefly, continuing to walk. The crew of the ship bowed goodbye to Elam, but he did not pay attention to this and said a short goodbye before quickly leaving towards the waiting Meris and the children.
- Good luck
Dimshiur only smiled slightly and said to the team:
- It's time for us to sail too, prepare the sails, we're moving out.
- Yes, sir!
Dimshiur stood at the bow of the ship and looked at the backs of Elam and the others in the distance. And then one man from his crew came up to him and stood next to him. He did not have very strong energy, but a very strong smell of herbs and elixirs emanated from him.
- I don't like him, sir.
- Haha, are you still sulking about those incidents?
Dimshiur laughed and tried to calm the man down.
- This idiot has no manners when communicating with elders, but you are the master... So indifferent to what is happening in the world that you were even nicknamed the Impassive Lord of the Four Archipelagos, but why do you indulge him in everything and communicate politely with him?
- Ha-ha-ha, we communicate as conveniently as possible. Okay, let's go, we'll have to rack our brains again and rebuild our budget.
- What!?? Have you really agreed to lend him crystals again?
The man, in shock and bewilderment, asked the old man walking inside the ship. Quickly approaching him, he asked:
- Sir, I really don't understand you, how can you give a loan to someone who didn't even leave anything as collateral?
- How come you didn't leave it? He left
- And what did he leave?
The man obediently leaned towards the old man, wanting to hear the answer to his not modest question. Dimshiur stroked his beard and for the last time looked in the direction in which Elam had disappeared.
- Own life
***
- Well, we can all go
- Let's go
After all matters were settled, they returned to the city and moved towards the Academy. Erald and Haldar were eager to find out what kind of Academy of Geniuses and Monsters it was, which was known throughout the world.
They have heard all sorts of rumors, but it is better to find out in person than to hear from someone else.
Soon they began to approach the academy.
Before this, they could only observe the huge buildings and towers of the Academy from afar, but now they will be able to see them very close and even enter them. One of the towers was hidden in the sky, and all the others were huge and majestic, showing the greatness and power of one of the 6 most powerful Great Academies.
Near the entrance to the academy there was no guard, no one except a bear man who was lazily sitting at the table waiting for new applicants to their academy. Only in the distance did several crowds of onlookers gather who each time gathered to see how the admission to the Great Diolan Academy was going on.
The Great Diolan Academy had only conducted three enrollments, and this was the fourth. The crowd watched and waited for another show, as they had in many past sets. Some clans sent their offspring to the Academies, but Diolan practically rejected all of them due to the fact that they did not pass the entrance tests.
And many conflicts occurred that were like a performance to these onlookers. But there hasn't been a single conflict in this set yet. Some came and if the man nodded, then they passed, and if not, then they left disappointed.
There have already been quite a lot of candidates in this recruitment, as many as twenty-five applicants, and this is just the beginning of the recruitment. And he rejected several more applicants. The applicants and their elders left in disappointment, and the examiner sat lazily, closed his eyes and waved his paw and said:
- Come on, next one
The examiner yawned sluggishly, but suddenly he sharply opened his eyes, because he felt something strange. Opening his eyes, the old man was confused; a young lady stood in front of him, holding out her hand.
This girl was not accompanied by anyone. She looked very beautiful in a blue long skirt. The girl was very well-groomed and gentle. Her blue hair matched her clothes making her truly beautiful, like the ocean itself.
-Can I pass the first test?
The old man was at a loss because he realized who she was and it was very strange that she was alone and unaccompanied and still came to the exam at their Academy. While the old man was
in confusion, she asked gently, there was no strength in her voice, but it was very pleasant to the ear.
- You? Does your family know you're here?
The old man came out of his trance and gloomily answered the question with a question. He couldn't let her in until she confirmed his guesses. Out of the corner of his eye, the examiner looked for her accompaniment among the crowd.
- It doesn't concern them. I'm free to go wherever I want
The Fairy Girl snorted arrogantly. The examiner frowned as this was not what he wanted to hear, but suddenly he felt two eyes on him and, looking into the crowd, he noticed two powerful elders from the fairy race who were hidden in robes. Each of them was a Supreme Ancestor at the peak of level 220!
Only the strongest of their world reached the Ancestor level; this was the peak of the Supreme limit before becoming Eternal.
One of them nodded slightly, and the examiner noticed it. He hesitated for a moment, but still waved his paw and pointed towards the second test.
- Hmm... Yes, but you don't need to pass the first test. Follow that path and you'll come to the second challenge.
- Thank you!
The girl clapped her hands joyfully and cheerfully walked along the path to the second test. Hondoin wiped his sweat and, looking into the crowd, could no longer distinguish those terrible elders. Suddenly, he felt two shadows pass by him very quickly, but he did not react at all.
Hondoin smiled tensely and thought:
- Another monster, I hope her grandfather knows that she is here, and if not, then I ask Bios mercy for our academy
- Next
- Grandpa, we also apply
Haldar and Erald immediately hurried from the crowd to approach old man Khondoin. The examiner immediately looked at them, and then at those who accompanied them. Seeing Meris and Elam, he was surprised once again. There are so many strong masters visiting their academy this time, which arouses suspicion.
- Oh Bios, what a day
They were no weaker than those two elders earlier, but Meris's title alone was enough to understand that they were no match for him.
He did not recognize Elam because he was not so famous, although he has powerful power, but with Meris it is a different story. Meris was one of the Seers, as well as the ancient Dux who commanded one of the legions of the 3rd army.
Hondoin wanted to come up and greet the old man, but he pointed his gaze at the children. The bear understood what Meris wanted and smiled and turned to the children.
- Okay, come closer
Khondoin said smiling and called Haldar and Erald closer. They approached him and he touched each of them.
- The age is appropriate and so is the minimum Energy level. You are passing. To reach the next test, follow this path and you will immediately reach it
Hondoin verified age by examining bone tissue, so they could not be deceived, but they could be changed.
Hondoin was an Ancient at level 190 and the owner of Rank 7 of the Masker profession and could notice the replacement, exchange, deception, substitution or disguise, so it would not be possible to deceive.
Haldar and Erald were a little surprised by such an easy first test, but the next one will probably be more difficult. They thanked Hondoin and moved towards where he indicated:
- Thank you, grandpa
And Elam and Meris calmly followed them, keeping some distance. Hondoin bowed to them as they passed him, and then continued recruiting applicants.
- Next
Soon Haldar and Erald reached the end of the path, which ended in a large tower, and near it there was a table and a monolith. A man from the tree race was sitting at the table.
He gave off an aura no weaker than Hondoin; he was an Ancient, just like him. They approached him because they believed that he was the next examiner. The tree raised its eyes to them and pointed at the monolith with its branch:
- If you are applicants, then we will begin the second test. It's pretty simple. Touch the Monolith and it will show your level
- If your ascension level is 24 or more you go to the third test, and if it is above level 31 then you are allowed to go to the last test
Haldar and Erald nodded and took turns touching the Monolith. With each touch, the monolith was illuminated with a certain intensity. The male examiner immediately wrote down the results. Their results were both Master level 38.
- Applicants, what are your names?
The examiner wrote down the results and looked at them. He had to write down their names since they would go straight to the fifth test.
- Haldar
- Erald
- Yeah, done. Now go to the site of the last test, and it's over there
The examiner wrote down the names and then pointed towards one of the arenas in the distance. The third and fourth tests took place in the tower next to him, but the fifth was in the arena.
They nodded and quickly walked to the arena. Their spirit was burning because they fight in the arenas, which means they passed easy tests like these.
Meris and Elam immediately moved to the viewing places, and the tree, also recognizing Meris, bowed in farewell and continued his business.
At this time in one of the Deans Towers.
- Hu-hu-hu, there are a lot of little monsters and geniuses this year, but I wonder how many of them will remain in the end. Total ten applicants
ov jumped from the second test straight to the fifth!
Valsak the Fairy Dragon was watching the entire academy. From the Deans Tower, every part of the academy could be seen, nothing could escape his eyes. And then he noticed that another group of applicants had almost gathered near one of the arenas for the fifth test. He turned around and said:
- Another group of applicants is almost ready. Moutris why don't you check them out yourself?
- Dean Valsak, am I a wild errand dog?..
Moutris Sova said displeasedly while sitting on the sofa in his office. He sometimes looked down at what was going on at the academy, but then again the boss sent him on such small assignments.
- Come on. Let's get over your nerves. I might even think about giving you less work.
Valsak looked at him and grinned. His eye began to twitch. He knew that this was not true at all, but again he could not refuse. He gave in and made no further attempts to refuse in any way.
- OK OK. I have a hard life, that's all
- Stop whining, let's go
Valsak shouted to him, who had already stood up and began to walk towards the exit of the office.
- Pesky old Khrych!
Moutris shouted and slammed the door, but Valsak just smiled and sat down in a chair and continued to do his papers.
At this time, Haldar and Erald were already approaching the arena, which was the site of the fifth test, and Meris and Elam were already sitting in their places.
In the spectator seats were many ambassadors and elders of various clans and orders from all over Salwar. They immediately noticed the appearance of Meris and Elam since not everyone was allowed to walk around the academy, but they could only guess who they were since there were no those present who could recognize them.
Only those who were close to the applicant who was participating in the trials, as well as ambassadors and their escorts from various clans and orders, were allowed to be on the territory of the Great Academy of Diolan. And violators were quickly found and expelled or eliminated.
Three applicants were already standing in front of the entrance to the battle platform itself, and when Haldar and Erald approached, the group of applicants was ready and their examiner was about to arrive.
Those three were the fairy girl who had gone earlier, and the other two were another girl from the black panther race and a boy from the tiger race.
The boy exuded a tyrannical aura, swords played softly in his eyes, and his spirit burned. The fairy girl only gently played with a leaf from the tree, as if distancing herself from worldly troubles, and the other girl only stood arrogantly and did not pay attention to anything, preparing for the test.
When Haldar and Erald approached them, each of them reacted differently. Haldar wanted to ask if they had gotten there, but suddenly the wind rose and a guy named Orel, about 15 years old, came out, but his aura was terrifying.
- Hello, Applicants! I am Wistan, a second year student at the Great Diolan Academy. I will guide you to the Test site. Here's my logo
Before going to the Academy, they naturally made the most ordinary inquiries. So they knew what the real emblem looked like. Having provided evidence of belonging to the Academy, the children nodded and greeted:
- Welcome!
- Okay, while you follow me, I'll tell you what the fifth test is. The fifth test is a real battle. If you can't pass this test, then you've just wasted your time.
Wistan, leading them through the inner halls of the Arena, spoke, and everyone listened attentively. Erald decided to ask because he wanted to know more about the fifth test.
- Can you tell me more about the fifth Test?
- Yes. The fifth test is mainly to test the applicant's combat experience. Some applicants are doing well, but they have lived all their lives in a noble family and had many privileges
"They have no life experience, let alone combat experience." The Academy will not accept such people. The rector once said: - Spoiled and spoiled since childhood, Refuse
Wistan simply spread his paws. The academy's training program was too monstrous in its physical and psychological stress. If you don't have even the slightest life and combat experience, you won't stay here long. There were even those who went crazy because of which there was a scandal and it was accepted that such people should not be accepted.
- Could you tell me about the Diolan Academy?
Haldar decided to ask, although he had heard a lot about the academy, it was better to hear directly from those who study here.
- Yes, I can, we're already approaching, so I'll tell you briefly. And yes, that's right, the Great Diolan Academy, and not just the Diolan Academy. The difference is big, you just can't imagine. Although the Academy was founded ten thousand years ago, it has already become one of the six Great Academies
- In total, about two thousand applicants were accepted into the Academy, but those who graduated were less than seven hundred. All the rest were either expelled due to failure to pass the tests, or voluntarily left the academy for personal reasons or unable to cope with the academic program
- How many students are studying right now?
Another guy decided to ask too, seeing how everyone was asking
but there is a possibility.
- Right now there are fifty applicants studying at the Academy, including me
Wistan, already approaching the testing platform, answered and began to wait for the next question.
- If there are so few students studying at the Academy, isn't the income low?
The girl with a gentle aura also decided to ask. After all, she couldn't understand that if the academy had so few students, was it really rich? If the Academy is poor, it means it will not be able to provide its students with a decent stay and study.
- No, not at all. You will find out everything yourself when you enroll. At our Academy, the conditions and rules are clear
The conditions for admission to the Academy state: They must be 13 years of age or younger, and their Ascension level must be level 24 or higher.
Academy Graduation Condition - The applicant must be less than 100 years old and must have reached Supreme Level 121, and after that must pass through the Hall of Masters or the Supreme Hall of Masters, where he will encounter copies of past graduates.
The Academy has only 640 real graduates. They are all mind-blowing geniuses. The rest of those who did not graduate did not achieve the conditions, voluntarily left the academy or died during the tests, or died at the hands of other creatures
- How did they die during the tests?
Haldar was very alarmed by this. What kind of tests are these that you could die there. And how the Academy even allowed them to die. Why doesn't the Academy care about students at all?
- You shouldn't worry about this yet... You haven't entered the academy yet to worry about it
Wistan replied with a slight fear in his eyes. He could not flinch from the memories of his recent trials. After all, he is already a second year student, not a first year student.
- Well, here we are
Wistan led everyone to a huge platform. Around the platform at the top there were seats for spectators, like in the Colosseum. There were not many people sitting in the spectator seats since not everyone was allowed into the academy. All the spectators immediately paid attention to them.
-Where is our examiner?
The panther girl asked Wistan, who had his back to them, with a cold expression on her face. Haldar and the others immediately turned their attention to him. Wistan turned around and said smiling:
- Your examiner is ME!