In the auditorium, every student was listening carefully; they didn't wish to get yelled at again.
"Null Circle is the time it takes for a Null to appear. It happens every nine years, and since this cycle repeats, it's called the Null Circle," the teacher said calmly, his mood completely different from a moment ago. "You are new to the Academy and have little to no knowledge of the world."
He was right, as the new students who joined were just normal people seizing a chance; some students didn't even know how to read.
"Anyway, you should know about the people who saved Earth, right?" the teacher said, looking at the students, and everyone nodded.
"They are the ones who taught the world about the strange events happening around us and made us humans strong enough to face the Dimensional Beasts. So, how do we fight Dimensional Beasts?"
"By becoming Waywalkers!"
"Indeed, and now you are all here to become Waywalkers, right?"
"Yes!"
Excitement rippled through the students. Even Rolex, sitting in the last row, felt a surge of anticipation. For a brief moment, as the teacher's words echoed in his mind, he allowed himself a flicker of hope—a hope that maybe he, too, could rise above the streets.
The teacher smiled at the eager faces before him. He wasn't particularly interested in teaching newcomers who knew nothing, but he was curious to see what they could bring to the Academy.
"We talked about Waywalkers in yesterday's class. Can someone repeat what we covered so we can move on? There are quite a few new faces today," the teacher said, glancing at the latest arrivals.
A student stood up; he wore some decent clothes, though he had no footwear. Despite that, his face was filled with confidence and a touch of disdain as he looked at the other students.
"Waywalkers is a cultivation discovered by our Ancestor Heroes during the First Null. It is said that the Waywalkers were a race from beyond our world—higher beings who controlled the very essence of nature. Our Ancestor Heroes stumbled upon their legacy and cultivated in that mysterious world for over 300 years. To become a Waywalker, one must choose a Way in the Nine Ways and begin absorbing the Natural Energy of the world," the student said confidently.
"Good," the teacher nodded, pleased that at least someone had paid attention in yesterday's class. Then his expression turned serious. "But there is one more thing you all need to know."
The air in the auditorium grew cold.
"The Waywalkers' race... and their world... were destroyed by the Dimensional Beasts," he said grimly.
The students' faces stiffened.
"Higher Dimensional Beasts are strong—very strong. They are monstrosities beyond human comprehension. It is good to have dreams of killing Dimensional Beasts and saving people, but you must also understand your limits." His voice dropped, heavy with warning.
"No human can kill a Higher Dimensional Beast."
'No human can kill…' These words echoed in Rolex's mind. He knew very little about Dimensional Beasts because there was not much information about them outside the Academy. For a long moment, he sat in silence, feeling the weight of the revelation press against his chest, mingling with the hunger and desperation of his daily struggles.
The teacher paused, watching as the students' expressions shifted from curiosity to fear, then continued. "Our Earth's greatest threat appeared on Ninth Null. It was said that the beast, known as Dimensional Breast in the Third Realm—the Abyss—was the most powerful we have ever faced on Earth. That beast was beyond the norm, a harbinger of annihilation. And the most frightening truth is... our Ancestor Heroes discovered that there are Seven Realms for Dimensional Beasts..."
A chilling silence fell over the auditorium. Rolex's mouth hung open; though he had learned much before, this was the first time he heard such devastating truths. The gravity of the revelation seemed to suspend time, each second stretching long as every heart in the room absorbed the dire message.
"Remember," the teacher said slowly, his eyes sweeping across the auditorium to ensure his words sank in, "while I share these truths with you, you came here to become Waywalkers! You are here to protect people! You are the saviors of Earth in its darkest hour. In this Academy, we learn the true art of cultivation—the Way of Sigils. Only then will you have a chance to challenge these terrors."
At the mention of the Way of Sigils, a murmur ran through the students. The teacher continued, "The Academy has long honed the secrets of the Way of Sigils—a discipline that uses Ancient Symbols, Patterns, Inscriptions, and the very Language of nature to channel Natural Energy, offering you a means to protect yourself and others."
The students absorbed every word, their eyes wide with a mix of wonder and fear. Even Rolex, whose mind was still reeling from the earlier revelation, felt a spark of hope. Yet, as he sat there, the weight of these revelations pressed on him. He thought of his own struggles on the streets, his hunger, and the harsh life he'd endured. Now, in this room, with these new ideas swirling around him, he felt both dread and a burning determination to rise above it all.
As the teacher concluded the lecture, he said, "You must understand, aspiring to defeat these creatures is not a dream to be taken lightly. Your ambitions must be tempered with reality. The power of the Way of Sigils is hard—you have to be disciplined, make sacrifices, and maintain constant vigilance. The path of a Waywalker is not for the faint of heart. It is a journey into the very heart of chaos."
A low murmur ran through the hall. Some students exchanged nervous glances while others looked determined, fists clenched in silent resolve. The teacher's words echoed in the silence that followed, and Rolex felt his pulse quicken.
"Anyway, this is for today. Everyone, gather here tomorrow at sharp 5:30 a.m.; see you all in the morning." The teacher dismissed the class. The students began leaving the auditorium—some groups excited, others thinking of leaving the Academy—but they had already paid, so they wouldn't get their money back.
Rolex remained seated, lost in thought. He was not that talented, but that didn't mean he couldn't dream; he wanted to become strong, very strong. If he were to have any hope of survival or vengeance against the Dimensional Beasts, he must first master the Way of Sigils.
He made a silent vow to learn the Way of Sigils and push himself beyond his limits, even if it meant venturing into madness and pain.
"Huh." Rolex took a deep breath and calmed down as he looked around. He saw some people still sitting in their seats, but then he walked out. The cool air hit his face as he stepped into the garden. Following the path where the students stayed, he noticed something unusual.
He saw the guy who had spoken during the call—the student who wore no footwear. He sat on the clean grass, seemingly lost in thought. So, Rolex approached him.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Rolex asked with a smile.
That guy opened his eyes and looked at Rolex up and down. "Nothing, just thinking about doing something with this dead body."
"Huh?"