"It's still early for you but I'm just giving you a heads up. Starting from the second year onwards, most students will choose a faction, or in Avalon we called them Guilds. There are many benefits of joining Guilds such as protections, better trading networks and it's easier to do missions with your guild mates than a stranger. Guilds are run by students and some of them have ties with the academy.
For example, Alchemist Guild and the Blacksmith Guild are what we called ALG, Academy-Linked Guilds. It is a suitable guild for those who have expertise in said field and the academy supports them for potential development.
For the rest of the guilds, what differentiates them is the style of management. Some run the guild as if they are a crew, where everyone is equal and have a say in the guild. The most popular guild in that category is Anonymous. They are a mysterious bunch who wear masks and their true identity is hidden.
They are an elite group, however what makes them stand out is, they have been around for at least 50 years. Students can only remain in the academy for 5 years so this year, it is at least the tenth generation.
Some of the guild works like a company where they have a lot of investors and appoint one person as the spokesperson or representative. The most obvious example of this type of guild is the Merchant Guild. They have a wide network and it is often said that there is nothing that they don't have. Of course, the items will always go to the highest bidder. They don't care about anything else except making profit.
The most common type of guild is the one run like a gang. The guild will be led by a leader, or Big Boss. Currently, the strongest guild is the Gang 180, led by a fifth year student known as Botak Chin. This is the most vicious guild and try to not associate yourself with them to avoid the hassle.
Right now, they are being kept in line because its two rivals, the Valor Guild and the Honor Guild are not far in terms of influence and power. Take it as a triangle, where two will always keep one in check." Khaleed explained a lot of things to both Ibnor and Edison.
Ibnor would sometimes ask a few questions while Edison would silently listen to everything the two discussed. He is just observing the brothers and their surroundings. However, he noticed that the majority of people around them, the girls especially pay their attention towards Khaleed. Even he had to admit that Khaleed is a charismatic man, especially with his smiles when he was talking with Ibnor. In his train of thoughts, there was one where he doubts the relationship between Khaleed and Ibnor.
"Are they really brothers? The elder looks so dashing while the other... is very plain," he thought.
Suddenly, Khaleed took out his SD and his face turned expressionless and his gaze icy. His fingers run through the interface and he puts his SD back into his pocket. A moment later, Ibnor got a notification from his SD. When he saw the notification, he immediately looked towards Khaleed. It turned out that Khaleed has already transferred him 5000 AP. Just as he was about to say something, Khaleed stood up from his seat.
"I have to go now. Don't worry about the guild thing. Even if you didn't join any, like me, you will still be able to survive," he said and started walking away.
As if remembering something, after a few steps, he stops and without turning to face Ibnor, he continues speaking.
"I do not belong to any guild but I'm a member of a party called the First Echelon. See you later, litter brother."
After finishing their dinner, Ibnor and Edison both return to their room. Edison went straight to bed after showering while Ibnor started to meditate.
The next morning, both of them went to their class. The class is a small auditorium where the seats are descending from the entrance and by the end of the room, stood a stage, big enough for a band performance. Both of them took a seat on the far right in the middle section. Soon, the seats are filled with all the 35 people who passed the entrance test yesterday.
A muscular man with dark hair and thick eyebrows walks in. His movement seems slow but with only a couple of steps, he reached the stage at the end of the room.
"Hello everyone. My name is Raoul Jonson but you can call me Instructor Raoul. I will be your academic advisor for the rest of your duration here. You are the third batch of the first year for this year. Would you mind introducing yourself to the rest of us?" he said, gesturing to the students. "Starting from the front seat, yes, you."
They begin to introduce themselves.
"My name is Chad Crombell. Level 54 Battle Grandmaster. My weapon of choice is a spear."
"My name is Joseph Dimitri. Level 55 Battle Grandmaster. I'm a sword user."
"My Name is Luna Dimitri. Level 55 Battle Grandmaster. I use twin daggers."
"My name is Nana Wulandri. Level 56 Battle Grandmaster. I'm a rapier user."
The moment the girl finished her sentence, the whole class went silent. So far she has the highest level of them all. This proves that she is a genius. A glint of excitement can be seen in Instructor Raoul's eyes.
"Continue," he said. The rest of them continue, some of them stating their level while some don't.
"Edison Yo. Archer."
Instructor Raoul raised his eyebrow. As a ranger who mainly uses bow and arrow, other archers intrigue him.
"Ibnor. I haven't learned any weapon skills," said Ibnor, disinclined to say neither his last name nor his level.
"Trash.." a voice blurted out.
"What's wrong?" asked Instructor Raoul.
"There are only two kinds of people who haven't learned any weapon skills at this age. Either they are very untalented or too lazy to be bothered to learn. In any case, both are trash," the student said, clearly looking down on Ibnor.
His name is Johan Marcello, a Level 53 Battle Grandmaster. Whispers start to spread throughout the class. Few who come from Pyrion, except Edison, are well aware of the existence called Ibnor Ezad. An overbearing good for nothing in all of Pyrion. Instructor Raoul looked at Ibnor but to his surprise, Ibnor acted like nothing was happening. No remorse, no agitation and not even anger. He simply sat there, seeming lost in thoughts.
"Interesting..." thought Instructor Raoul. Then he asked Ibnor. "Are you just going to take it lying down?"
"Uh.. What?" Ibnor asked back as if confused.
"He just called you trash. Do you want to do something about it?" said Instructor Raoul.
His impression towards Ibnor is lower now. He didn't mind weak students, but he looks down on those who are cowards. He still didn't jump into any conclusion because logically, a coward would never pass the entrance test.
"Oh, I've heard some random dog barking but, it is just a dog isn't it? Why would I pay any attention to it?" replied Ibnor nonchalantly.
"Sssss..." everyone sucked in their breath when they heard that. Those from Pyrion only smiled as they expected such an answer.
BAM!
"Who are you calling a dog, you piece of shit?" Johan slammed his hand on the table but Ibnor still didn't pay any attention to him.
This agitated Johan as Ibnor's reaction made him feel like he was a monkey performing an act on his own.
"Instructor, I wish to challenge him in a duel!"
"What do you say?" Instructor Raoul turned to Ibnor, asking him.
"Not interested." Ibnor gave a short reply. Johan now is seething with anger.
"Looks like those from Pyrion are all cowards!" said Johan.
As a Cyrionian, Johan was raised being taught that strength is everything and they look down on other nations like Kyrion and Pyrion. However, this comment made the rest of Pyrionian in class clench their fists and grit their teeth. All of them are filled with more disdain towards Ibnor for dragging Pyrion down. Ibnor only smiles.
He knows how Cyrionians are fond of battles and he understands how normal teenagers think. Johan obviously didn't mean any ill intention as he simply talked without thinking and his knowledge of the world is shallow.
"Fine. I will accept your duel, only if you challenge Instructor Raoul first," said Ibnor. Everyone is looking at him like he just said the most absurd thing in the world.
"How can I challenge Instructor Raoul? You are just making an excuse to run away from the duel," retort Johan.
"Why not? I'll accept your challenge after that."
"Instructor Raoul is at a much higher level than me. Even if I challenge him first, I would be beaten to a pulp and can't do another duel. Your condition is unfair,"said Johan.
"So, when you refuse to duel someone with a higher level than you it is unfair, but when I did the same, I'm a coward? Bro, I'm a freaking Spirit Master but what are you? Are you proud of bullying at a low level like me?" asked Ibnor.
"I.. I.."
"You what? I've heard about Cyrion's warriors. They don't act like you," said Ibnor.
"But you called me a dog!"
"When did I call you that? Which ears of yours heard me calling you a dog? Ask anyone in the class, when did the sentence 'Johan, you are a dog' left my mouth," said Ibnor.
"You just did. And earlier, even though you didn't say it, it is implied." Everyone in the class has the same thoughts.
"You just did it again!" Johan is exasperated.
"It was just an example, I never say those words. Go on, ask anyone in the class," said Ibnor gesturing to the rest of the class.
His level of shamelessness made everyone from Pyrion, including Edison, want to find a hole and hide inside it for the rest of their lives. Johan looked at everyone in the class. The rest of them no longer wanted to be a part of this farce and pretend to be busy with their own things.
"You see? It's just a misunderstanding on your part. So, why don't we just sit and enjoy our first class together. Let Instructor Raoul do his job or he might get fired. His wife is dead and he had to support his six children by himself. Don't make it hard for him. Have pity on the poor instructor," said Ibnor while patting Johan's back.
"You little fucker. Why are you cursing me for having a dead wife?" though Instructor Raoul.
His eyes were twitching and he clenched his fist so hard that it trembled, to calm himself down. Johan reluctantly agreed to sit. After a short while, the class is calm again. The rest of the class introduce themselves to the last person.
"As today is your first day here, I will tell you something that can help you to survive both in the academy and outside world. As you already know, we encourage freedom and in a way, we want you to be independent. So, he has few elective classes that are open for you. You are free to choose any, many or none of the classes but I would suggest you to take just one of these classes.
I'm referring to something that we here in Avalon Academy call 'Second Job'. It is a class where you can learn to be an Alchemist, Blacksmith, Artisan or a Cook. Let me explain what these Second Jobs do. As an Alchemist, one will learn about various herbs and plants, which includes their properties, usage and benefits. This will allow you to create a potion. There are many types of potion but the most well known potion is the Health Potion and Spirit Potion."
"Excuse me, Instructor," Just as Instructor Raoul is about to continue with the explanations, a student raises his hand.