Chapter 13: Secrets of the Academy
As Rudra and his friends sat in the courtyard the next day, enjoying a rare moment of peace, Rudra's mind buzzed with questions. There was something peculiar about the academy that he couldn't shake off. He turned to Nand and Rhea, who were busy joking about the dungeon mission.
"Hey," Rudra interrupted, "have you guys noticed something odd about the academy?"
Nand raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, think about it," Rudra continued, lowering his voice. "This is supposed to be one of the most prestigious academies in the country, but we barely have any teachers. We only see Vice Principal Meera teaching us directly, and the classes are rare. Doesn't that strike you as strange?"
Rhea, who had been listening intently, frowned. "You know, now that you mention it, I haven't seen many other teachers either. Apart from the occasional guest lectures, it's usually just Vice Principal Meera. And yet… the academy's known for producing top-tier awakeners."
Nand scratched his head, deep in thought. "Maybe it's some sort of academy secret. Or maybe the teachers don't have to be visible to make us stronger. But yeah, it's weird."
This curiosity gnawed at Rudra, and he resolved to find answers. That evening, after training, he approached Vice Principal Meera, hoping to uncover the mystery.
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The Principal's Answer
He found Meera in her office, a spacious room filled with books, maps, and artifacts from across the realms. She looked up as he entered, her gaze sharp and perceptive.
"Ah, Rudra. What brings you here?"
Rudra took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "Vice Principal Meera, I… I've noticed that we don't have many teachers. And you seem to handle most of the important classes. I just thought that, given the academy's reputation, there'd be more… staff?"
Meera studied him for a moment before gesturing to a chair. "Take a seat, Rudra."
She leaned back, her expression turning thoughtful. "You're observant. It's true that we don't have a large teaching staff here. But that's not by accident."
Rudra tilted his head, intrigued. "What do you mean?"
"The academy operates differently from other institutions," Meera began. "We focus on cultivating talent through real-world experience rather than traditional classroom methods. Our training grounds, dungeons, and battle simulations are designed to push you beyond what any lecture could teach."
She paused, as if considering how much to reveal. "In reality, most of the instructors are actually out in the field. They're tasked with protecting our borders, gathering information on threats, and keeping the academy safe. The few of us here oversee and train students only in the most crucial areas."
Rudra processed this, a spark of understanding dawning in his eyes. "So… the teachers are also the academy's protectors?"
Meera nodded. "Precisely. The world beyond these walls is dangerous, filled with monsters, rival academies, and even traitors who would like nothing better than to see us fall. The teachers you don't see are handling threats you're not yet ready to face. And I take on many of the classes myself to ensure that the strongest students, like you, are prepared."
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Uncovering More Secrets
Just as Rudra was about to thank Meera and leave, a question popped into his head. "But then… where's the principal?"
Meera's expression tightened. "The principal… has his own duties outside of the academy. He's one of the country's top awakeners, tasked with maintaining the balance between the academy and the nation's governing forces. It's rare for him to be here in person, but his influence reaches every part of this academy."
Rudra's curiosity was piqued. The principal sounded like a formidable figure, someone who was deeply entrenched in both the academy's interests and the nation's protection.
"What's his talent?" Rudra couldn't help but ask.
A slight smile played on Meera's lips. "The principal's talent is called Celestial Judgement. It's an SSS-rank power that allows him to manipulate cosmic energy itself. Few have seen it, but those who have say it's as if he commands the stars."
Rudra was stunned. An SSS-rank talent, rare and almost mythical, was something he'd only read about in academy texts. It seemed like the academy was filled with secrets he had yet to uncover.
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Returning to His Friends
After the conversation, Rudra rejoined Nand and Rhea, who were waiting for him in the dining hall, where students were busy chatting and relaxing.
"So, did you find out anything?" Rhea asked eagerly as he took a seat.
Rudra nodded, leaning in close. "The teachers we don't see? They're all out there, dealing with threats and protecting the academy from the outside. And the principal… He's got an SSS-rank talent. Cosmic-level stuff. Meera says he's one of the top awakeners in the entire country."
Nand's eyes widened. "No way! That's incredible. I mean, if he's that powerful, it makes sense he'd be out there rather than teaching."
Rhea looked thoughtful. "It kind of explains the way they run things here. They're not just training us for exams—they're training us for real battles."
Just as they were absorbing this, a loud voice interrupted them. Shivam, who had a history of rivalry with Rudra, walked over, smirking.
"So, Rudra, getting cozy with the Vice Principal now?" he sneered. "Think you're special because you're asking questions?"
Rudra rolled his eyes. "Just trying to understand the place we're all training in, Shivam. But I guess curiosity isn't everyone's strength."
Shivam scoffed, folding his arms. "Well, while you're busy with your questions, I'm out there improving my rank."
Rhea, who rarely spoke up against anyone, raised an eyebrow. "Does it really matter how he spends his time if he's growing stronger?"
Shivam's smirk faded, and he muttered something under his breath before walking away. Nand chuckled, shaking his head. "That guy seriously has issues."
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A New Mission Looms
As the night deepened, a message flashed on Rudra's system interface.
> System Notification:
New Quest Unlocked: Prepare for the Unknown Threat.
Objective: Reach Level 25 before the academy's next assessment.
Reward: Advanced Ability Scroll and 5000 EXP.
Rudra felt a rush of excitement. Reaching Level 25 would require defeating stronger monsters, but with his friends beside him, he was ready to take on any challenge.
The next day, the students gathered in the main hall, where Meera stood with a grave expression. "In light of recent developments, you all will be entering a more rigorous training phase. Your upcoming missions will test everything you've learned so far. Remember, this is not just about ranks—it's about survival."
The room was filled with nervous murmurs. Rudra exchanged glances with Nand and Rhea, determination hardening in his gaze. This was more than just academy training; it was preparation for the unknown dangers lurking beyond.