"You little brat, are you asking for a beating?" Lucy yelled, his face flushed with anger.
Noticing the shift in Lucy's tone, Rylan felt something was wrong. "I'm really sorry," he said quickly, trying to calm the situation.
"Do you think a 'sorry' will fix everything?" Lucy retorted, narrowing his eyes. His expression wasn't exactly furious but clearly offended. After all, the boy had just insulted his appearance.
Realizing the situation was escalating, Rylan made a swift decision.
"I truly apologize! If fate allows, we'll meet again!" Those were his last words before sprinting towards the academy.
"You brat, get back here!" Lucy attempted to chase him, but a sharp pain in his back made him stop instantly. "Argh!" he exclaimed, frustrated.
Far ahead, Rylan waved and shouted: "Bye, Lucy! Don't push yourself too hard!" Then, he disappeared into the trees.
"Miserable brat... When I find you again, you'll pay!" Lucy shouted, but his voice echoed uselessly through the forest.
---
A few minutes after escaping from Lucy, Rylan reached a massive clearing. What he saw left him speechless.
Before him stood a colossal gate, so tall it seemed to touch the sky. Yet, the gate wasn't the only awe-inspiring thing.
The area was packed. Thousands of people of varying ages were gathered, some accompanied by exotic flying beasts. Each creature was more fantastical than the last—enormous eagles with golden feathers, smaller dragons, and even beings Rylan couldn't name.
For someone who had never left Stone Village, the scene felt like a dream. It was his first time seeing so many people in one place.
As he entered the clearing, Rylan noticed several eyes on him. The stares made him shiver. He wasn't used to being the center of attention, and the weight of those gazes stirred something new within him: anxiety.
"A little kid?" The phrase was murmured among the crowd. However, no one dared to speak too loudly. Everyone was there for one purpose: the test for The War Emperor's Academy.
Feeling uncomfortable, Rylan found a more secluded spot and sat down to wait.
Anyone who truly knew Rylan would have been shocked to see him at that moment. Usually lively, mischievous, and full of energy, it was rare to see him so quiet.
---
While Rylan was lost in thought, a limping figure entered the clearing. The movement caught the attention of many.
"Who's that?" someone murmured.
"An injured person attempting the test? Is he delusional?"
These comments quietly spread through the crowd as the figure approached. It didn't take long to identify who it was. Lucy, with an irritated expression, walked unsteadily into the space. Despite his experience in dealing with people, the shame of arriving in such a state was evident.
When he spotted Rylan sitting off to the side, Lucy's eyes widened in surprise.
"That little brat?"
Curious, he approached and sat down beside the boy, ignoring the curious glances from the crowd.
Rylan, still deep in thought, didn't even notice Lucy's presence. He remained still, absorbed by the scene around him.
Lucy opened his mouth to say something but hesitated. He was too tired and annoyed to start a conversation. He sighed, holding his back with one hand.
"Backache, please heal before the test starts," he murmured to himself.
Time passed, and more people arrived at the clearing. The area felt even more crowded, almost suffocating. Finally, the sound of enormous gates creaking open caught everyone's attention.
The crowd fell silent, their gazes fixed on the gates slowly opening. Despite their eagerness to move forward, no one dared to make the first step.
Six imposing figures emerged from the gates, their presence commanding the environment. Each one wore a distinct uniform, indicating their prestigious positions.
---
"Who are they?" Rylan asked, snapping out of his reverie as he noticed the mysterious figures.
"They're the Six Leaders," answered a familiar voice beside him.
Rylan turned his head quickly, surprised to see Lucy. "Since when have you been here? Still mad at me?" he wondered for a moment, but his curiosity quickly took over.
"What are the Six Leaders?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with interest.
Lucy chuckled softly. "You really did live in a cave, kid."
"Technically, yes," Rylan replied casually. "My village is isolated. Other than what I know about the Battle Forest, I don't know much else."
Lucy observed Rylan's serious gaze and sighed before explaining:
"The Six Leaders oversee the academy's main departments. Each one heads a critical area: Cultivation, Combat, Hunters, Weapons, Refinement, and Beasts.
When you join the academy, you're required to go through the three main departments: Cultivation, Combat, and Hunters. Those are mandatory for everyone."
Rylan listened intently as Lucy continued:
"In the Cultivation department, you'll learn to cultivate and become a cultivator. In Combat, you'll have to enter the Void Realm."
"The Void Realm?" Rylan interrupted, intrigued.
"It's a dimension where all races meet. Some say even beings from other worlds can be seen there. The purpose of the training is to learn how to survive in a real battlefield and deal with races beyond humans. This department uses a point system called 'Kill Points.' The more you eliminate, the higher your ranking."
"Wow..." Rylan murmured, fascinated.
Lucy continued:
"In the Hunters department, you'll be sent on missions outside the academy, hunting real monsters. They also have a point system, the 'Hunting Points.'
The other three departments—Weapons, Refinement, and Beasts—are considered auxiliary. They're not mandatory, but if you show talent in one of them, you can specialize. Depending on your performance, you may even avoid certain tasks from the mandatory departments."
Rylan's eyes sparkled with excitement. "This sounds so fun!" He wanted to laugh aloud but restrained himself because of the crowd.
Lucy, watching Rylan's expression, sighed. "This kid is completely insane..."