Imperial Defense Academy was unnaturally silent.
The corridors where third years discussed their enlistment and choice of planet service were almost empty.
In the vast campus, cadets were only seen in the training facilities.
Of course, this was the case for third years and a significant portion of second years.
Most of the first years were still going about their routine.
Common Classes for general, yet important knowledge continued. Recently, they were taught about the survival guide in case one was lost in a Dungeon alone.
The tactics a cadet could employ in such a situation: Using beast cores to hunt an enemy, mastering various herbs to produce targeted baits and basic repair in case their cadet comm was damaged.
Then came the Special Classes. The instructors already explained what they could about the specific divine paths. Since most were Level 2, and a few were level 3, even with detailed explanations, it took little time.
All that was left was training.
Body Path Instructor took their students to various dungeons, mirror Abysses and other training facilities.
The students were taught to work in teams while they trained for their desired path.
For instance, some focused on controlling their senses so that when they reached Level 4, they would awaken in Controller Path.
The combat classes were the highlight of the day. More and more duels were held.
Narcis, Ryan and Adir were the undisputed top three. They were inching closer to level 4.
On a positive note, regardless of their level, every student's combat experience surged.
But they were still flowers in the greenhouse. After all, their only real danger was the entrance test.
So with increasing combat power, their confidence rose and, first years began to pick more and more missions.
This was common every year. It would not be a problem since they would choose the famous dungeons and raid them.
Only this time, the dungeons were overcrowded. With almost every eligible awakener trying to clear the hideouts, going to Low Dungeons now was a thankless task.
So the Vice Coordinator of the Missions' Hall was facing a huge headache. In such a short amount of time, how could he find the substitute missions?
Clad in black suit and matching trousers, he glanced at the dwindling missions. Then he focused his attention on the message sent by the Dreamer.
{This key can grant you access to any hideout. The production process is encoded on the back. I hope you make good use of it.
I am giving you the power you didn't dream. Show me fellow humans, are you worth saving?
— Dreamer}
"Does this guy really think he is a hero?" Anwir gnashed his teeth. "He must be a lucky ass who got some artifact or something. These bastards are too arrogant and make lives of people like me hard."
Knock. Knock.
"Come in." Anwir waved his hand in irritation.
His female secretary stepped over and bowed lightly. "Sir, the Astor Clan agreed to your proposal. They would grant access to their chain of islands with Level 3 beasts."
"That relieves me." Anwir outwardly sighed.
'Of course they will. If only you knew they were collecting the data on these students for future use…'
"What about the Martin and Ganbold Clans? Our students can handsome benefits guarding their medical fields and mineral mines." Anwir raised an eyebrow.
He spent almost the entire week with his lovely daughter and was disconnected from the outside world. He celebrated her birthday for a week. What's wrong with that?
However, he still remembered pitching the missions from the three clans before his leave.
'Martin Clan would secretly test their medicine on an unlucky few, and Ganbold would post missions to explore new, risky areas in the mines. That's not my concern, however.'
"Sir… Martin and Ganbold Clan…." The secretary's ample chest heaved up and down, pulling the attention of Anwir.
'Damn, hussy!' He was about to slap her for trying this cheap trick when he found sweat rolling down her forehead.
'She's incredibly nervous. Did something happen in the last week for them to reject my proposal?'
"Sir, Martin and Ganbold clans are no longer first class forces." The secretary's voice was still unconvinced. She, too, didn't want to believe those words.
"What?!" Anwir slammed his table as he glared at her. A red light shone on his hand as he growled. "Who the fuck are you joking with?"
The pressure of a Level 7 Fire Awakener descended onto the secretary. The heat didn't burn her clothes, but directly assaulted her skin.
Blisters were formed in a moment, and her blood evaporated before it could splash on the floor.
"Arrgh… S-Sir, check… the news. " She collapsed onto the floor and pleaded.
Anwir paused, and the temperature cooled down. Without caring about the woman that cried in pain, he checked the news.
{Martin Clan stands on the brink of a financial collapse….
Ganbold Clan faces an unprecedented catastrophe…}
Anwir slumped in his chair as his world came crashing down.
"No…" He clutched his hair and saw the kneeling secretary in front.
The unwillingness turned to rage, and he slapped the air.
Pa!
A fire palm smashed her to the ground as she twitched in pain. Her skin was dissolving and her breathing was growing shallow.
Anwir knew he couldn't actually kill her, but fuck it.
"Sp-a..re."
No. He needed to vent.
As another giant fire palm was about to strike her down, a change occurred.
The temperature plummeted, and Anwir felt his body freezing up.
"Garh." He tried to activate his Fire Body and warm himself, but to no avail.
He only saw two women, one young and one middle-aged, standing at the door before he passed out.
"Argh… help…"
Listening to the grunts of the half-burnt woman, Sarah sighed and took out a healing potion.
Before she could step forward, Anna took the lead and administered the medicine.
In addition to the healing liquid, there was also a strong anesthesia.
Anna looked at Sarah's puzzled face and chuckled. "We came here secretively. It's better to not let her leak anything until everything is over."
Even though Sarah didn't like confining another person's freedom, she felt it was the right course of action.
Soon after, they took a secret passage and returned to Sarah's mansion. It had all sorts of living and training facilities.
The one that elicited the most envy being the aura concentration. It was three times as higher than normal.
Of course, only the top 10 of the Amethyst List were given such a residence.
After locking the injured woman with a care taking AI, they reached the basement of the mansion.
Anna threw Anwir's body to the ground and her hand glowed blue.
Shuaa!
An ice whip materialized and lashed on the injured man.
"Arggh!"
As Anwir slowly opened his eyes, a merciless voice greeted him.
"Anwir, who did you reveal my last mission's information to?"