The train stopped at the exact time the girl said it would.
Outside the window, Almond could see a part of the grand structure that was part of the mysterious Starry Horizon Academy.
The cabin’s door opened, but it looked strange like it was a portal.
The girl went in first like a wind and vanished.
“Go on, brother Almond. It’s an entrance ceremony for us since we are here for the first time,” Zek grinned.
“Looking forward to it,” Almond smiled as he entered through the door and arrived in a huge ground facing the massive obsidian black structure with colorful structural additions, decorations, and carvings.
Thousands of other people were on the same huge ground.
Zek appeared nearby as well and more people were arriving from the trains that everyone could see high up, stationed in the sky without rails.
There were three sun-like celestial objects high in the sky that gave light, and the wind was gentle and cool.
Almond breathed, feeling all of his cells energized.
It wasn’t long before the trains started moving and soon vanished as they traveled at the speed of light or perhaps, even faster.
“That girl in our cabin was a returnee, so she is not here. The returnees go to a different ground. So everyone here is a first-timer,” Zek informed.
“I see,” Almond nodded.
Suddenly, everyone heard a voice coming from above and looked up.
“Welcome, aspirers, to the Starry Horizon Academy.”
A figure floated above of a middle-aged man with a kind yet overbearing smile, wearing a long white robe with dark gold and blue patterns. He had a thick, curvy white mustache and a beard that enhanced the overbearing vibe from him.
“I am the head counselor of the academy, and you may address me as Counselor Maroon. Everyone will be evaluated on the basic spectrum and parameters first, which will also determine your classes. The entrance ceremony will begin tomorrow with the show of the top 10 new students with the highest scores in the evaluation, who will also be getting some rewards,” Maroon smiled. “The rewards will remain a surprise. Now, without further ado, proceed towards the magic gates, where you will automatically arrive in a private room for the evaluation.”
Right before the big academy doors, a huge magic gate manifested, stretching 100 meters wide for the ease of entering for a large number of students.
Counselor Maroon vanished while the students began moving.
“See you later, brother Almond. Good luck with the evaluation.”
“You too.”
Almond entered and arrived in a rather normal room with a couch, table, and a rectangular standing mirror.
“Welcome to the starry academy, kiddo.”
A rather muscular voice reached his ears from a creature.
“Hi,” Almond blinked as he looked at the black cat with blue gem eyes, sitting above the mirror.
The cat licked his paw before saying, “Stand in front of the mirror. Let’s see what assets you got first.”
Almond nodded and walked in front of the mirror. The mirror faintly glowed before it wobbled and then details appeared on it.
[Almond Crowshade]
-Awakened Elemental Sources:
—> Golden Haze Lightning (S)
—> Lumeir (C)
—> Wind (B)
—> Light (C)
—> Sand of Vibrant Wave (C)
—> Pseudo-Space (-)
—> Pseudo-Void (-)
-Acquired Power Source:
—> Spirit Dealer (SS)
—> Riftveil Grimblade (Legendary)
—> Seeker Keymaker (Mythical)
-Innate Talents:
—> Heir of Oblivion (Mythical/???)
—> Rygaroth’s Reign (Legendary)
-Lifeform Proficiencies:
—> Mana (Tier-1 / Level 9)
—> Body (Tier-1 / Level 5 )
—> Mind (Tier-2 / level 1 )
—> Soul (Tier-1 / Level 1)
—> Will (Tier-2 / Level 10)
“Well, well, aren’t you a bag of surprises?” Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire
Almond didn’t even realize when the cat appeared on his shoulder and was looking at the mirror.
“You shouldn’t be here, but you’re here. I suppose that is thanks to the Seeker Keymaker. Grimworld does like to give surprises to some lower lifeforms, I must say.”
‘Damn, this cat knows everything.’
“Indeed, I know.”
“…”
The cat moved and floated in front of his face, looking at his eyes. “You are rather interesting, boy. Well then, let’s move to check your combat ability now.”
“What weapon do you want?”
“Sword.”
“Alright,” the cat’s eyes glinted before a wooden sword appeared, floating beside the cat. “Don’t touch it yet.”
Almond blinked and stopped himself.
“Touching the sword will send you to a different place. You will only be able to use Prana and…let me adjust something in you.”
*Crack…*
Almond heard a crack coming out of his body and frowned.
“Good, I’ve destroyed all skill runes you got. Now, you can go.”
“Wait, what?!” Almond quickly looked inside his source space and his heart turned cold.
Every single fucking skill rune got destroyed! They lay there in the skill room, cracked.
‘No fucking way! My passive skills too! I needed it!’ Almond felt a surge of anger.
“Hold your horses, son.”
The cat slapped his head, forcefully bending his mind as his attention forcefully shifted to it and his anger vanished.
‘What the fuck?! How powerful is this cat?!’
“I am supremely powerful, the most powerful existence in this academy because I am the academy itself. Your imagination and mind severely lack the capabilities to comprehend my power, so do not bother.”
“…”
“Your skill runes are broken, but they haven’t vanished. Your first task in the academy will be to regain your skills naturally using Prana. Forget about skills and skill runes. They no longer exist. They are products only for the first layer.”
Almond was surprised, “Then what are the products of combat here?”
“Your ability to wield Prana. Your ability to execute Prana in your way with your assets. You will create abilities. Passive abilities, active abilities. They are fundamentally and exceptionally different than skills. Skills would be something you naturally execute within your ability usage. Your combat ability will entirely change, becoming a notch higher because that’s how everyone fights on the second and third layers.”
“Oh…” Almond’s eyes shone. It would be wrong to say that he wasn’t excited about this. Deep down, he was thrilled that he was here.
“Now, touch the sword and show me your combat talent.”
“Yes, sir.”
Almond grinned and touched the sword.