However, as the battle went on, Rose’s weaknesses began to show.
Despite her considerable progress from recent training, she still seemed somewhat inexperienced compared to Kent and his team, who had been working together for quite some time.
The battle ultimately ended with Lucy’s dagger stopping just short of Rose.
Rose looked a bit stunned; she hadn’t expected to lose.
After all, during the past few months of frontier battles, she thought she’d grown quite strong.
But facing Kent and his team, she was still defeated.
“Miss Rose, I’m sorry,” Lucy offered.
“It’s… it’s nothing,” Rose replied, trying to hide her disappointment.
Daniel approached, addressing Kent and the others:
“I can tell you’ve all been honing your skills well. Keep absorbing mana and aim to reach the tier-gold level soon. Also, from now on, whenever Rose leaves Crossbridge Academy, I want you to guard her closely. Understood?”
“Yes, sir!” they responded.
Then, Daniel turned to his somewhat dejected daughter.
“Father, I’m sorry. I… I lost,” she admitted.
“There’s no need to be discouraged. Recognizing your weaknesses allows you to improve. Your next goal is to defeat all four of them. Can you do that?”
“I absolutely can!” Rose replied, lifting her head with determination.
…
As the Mistriver Realm’s opening approached, students from various academies finished their tasks and returned, especially those in the frontier towns who started heading back early.
Gradually, the academy began filling up again.
The returning students had shed their former immaturity; they were no longer the pampered greenhouse flowers they once were but now carried a sense of maturity, the result of battling spell beasts on the frontier.
The experience had left an indelible mark on their spirits, and once they had time to settle down, they would grow even stronger.
Crossbridge Academy was flourishing. Even Rowan, who reported these developments to the headmaster’s office, was visibly pleased.
“Daniel, you wouldn’t believe it! Those kids who went to the frontier—they’re like entirely different people now!” he exclaimed. “The self-doubt and innocence are gone; they’ve all become steadier.”
Rowan was thrilled; he had watched these students leave the academy a few months ago, feeling a bit worried at the time.
Now, seeing how they’d returned, he was pleasantly surprised.
These changes proved the academy was thriving, and much of it was thanks to Daniel’s leadership.
“Give them time to settle in,” Daniel said. “After so much combat, they need a proper rest.”
Rowan nodded, understanding well Daniel’s point.
Everything needed a balance—fighting when it was time to fight and resting when it was time to rest.
Daniel seemed to recall something and asked,
“By the way, has everything Dragonscale Bank sent been set up?”
“Headmaster, you needn’t worry; everything was assigned as soon as it arrived,” Rowan replied promptly.
“We’ve ensured each student has the best environment to grow.”
“The luna tree seed has matured; in a few days, the students will be able to transform their frontier experiences into personal strength,” he added.
The luna tree, a rare item procured from Dragonscale Bank, had been a source of concern for Rowan when they first obtained the seed.
Now, seeing it thrive and the returning students benefiting, he felt a pang of envy.
He hadn’t had such an environment when he was young; even using a mana stone had required caution.
“Only students raised by our academy may live in the luna tree area,” Daniel instructed. “Those who joined later may only be allowed if there’s extra space, as a reward for exceptional contributions.”
“This way, we can ensure a clear distinction. The students who’ve been with us from the start are our foundation; we must ensure they have the resources to advance in tier. They stuck with the academy during tough times.”
“We should reward those who contribute to the academy generously to foster their development. As for those who joined later… we should select the most valuable among them to become core students, thus motivating others to feel pride in joining Crossbridge Academy.”
Crossbridge Academy had grown significantly, including the original students, orphans Rose had brought in, and the mages and knights drawn by the academy’s reputation.
With more people came greater complexity, so distinctions had to be made.
Those who had grown up within the academy were its core, while newcomers, drawn by fame or resources, were more like affiliates.
Only core students were reliable for the academy’s long-term growth.
“The headmaster’s office will keep an eye on this,” Rowan assured. In the past, such concerns were irrelevant, but the academy’s growth demanded greater attention to these dynamics.
Suddenly recalling something, Rowan turned to Daniel and said,
“Headmaster, rumors have been spreading in Riverside City lately.” His face grew grim.
“People are saying that Crossbridge Academy’s transformation was funded by using the former headmaster’s entire inheritance and borrowing a massive amount of mana stones. Some even claim the academy is barely holding together, like a house in a storm, ready to collapse at any moment. Even worse, there are accusations that we’re accepting knights and mages just to sacrifice them to demons!”
“These rumors have been spreading quickly across Riverside City, and I’ve heard that some who were planning to join us are now hesitating.” Rowan looked worried; these rumors were impacting the academy.
“Headmaster, should we address this or investigate the source of these rumors?” Rowan asked.
Daniel simply smiled and shook his head.
“No need. It’s likely the work of the other two families, using these petty tactics.”
Rowan frowned. “You mean House Lunastone and House Windwhisper are behind this?”
Daniel nodded.
“It’s actually a good thing. We can use these rumors to help us identify those truly loyal to the academy. It’s a sort of trial in itself.”
“Yes! This way, we’re getting a preliminary screening for free!” Rowan exclaimed, realizing the strategic advantage. This turn of events repurposed these negative rumors into a beneficial filter, a perspective House Lunastone and House Windwhisper likely hadn’t anticipated.
“They’re probably trying to gain an edge because of the Mistriver Realm,” Daniel continued.
The Mistriver Realm affected the distribution of benefits in Riverside City, with Crossbridge Academy, House Lunastone, and House Windwhisper each selecting eligible candidates to enter the secret realm.
Benefits were then divided based on performance, fostering competition without direct conflict.
“Also, we should start planning the academy tournament,” Daniel said.
“We’ve already prepared the structure; it can begin in a few days,” Rowan responded.
“Good. Let’s confirm the candidates for the secret realm, and then let me know—I’ll help boost their strength. It’s time to show those fools just how much Crossbridge Academy has evolved.”
…
Mia and her friends had been in Riverside City for a few days since coming from Black Bear Town.
Rose had rescued her and her brother from House Windwhisper, prompting them to join Crossbridge Academy.
For Mia, it was beyond her wildest dreams to grow, study, and progress alongside others.
“Mia! Something terrible happened!” A young girl rushed over in a panic.
“Peggy, what happened?”
“Your brother, Dane… he’s been taken! They’re saying he’ll be expelled from the academy!”
“What?!”