Chapter: 20

[Once you’re in the academy, every privilege you had for being the son of the Lord will be removed. And whoever is appointed as the Chief of the Academy, never cross his lines.]

He didn’t mind it when he heard it, but he now realized it after experiencing it. He was against one of the strongest in the Demonic Cult.

“I apologize, sir.”

Chun Kungwun bowed and the other five heirs smirked.

The training ground went quiet after Chun Kungwun’s embarrassing moment. Left Guardian Lee Hameng continued, “I know what your question is. You think just one chance is too harsh? There will be special privileges given to those who move forward into the next stage.”

Everyone became intrigued. Those who stayed in the academy longer came out with more powerful prowess and higher titles.

“The first privilege is medicine. You will be given a medicine ball called the Black Dragon Ball. This is given each time you overcome the challenge.”

This ball was created within the Demonic Cult. It wasn’t as good as the one created in Sorim, but it was still good enough that made the person who consumed it would gain twenty years worth of internal energy. In simple math, passing the six tests would give the person one hundred and twenty years worth of internal energy. Of course, this was also the kind of medicine that would build immunity after continued use, but it was still a good privilege.

‘Six stages, huh...?’

Chun Yeowun also seemed interested. He had no internal energy right now, but if he were to pass all six tests, he would be given the chance to increase his internal energy instantly.

“The second will be the books to the martial arts secrets. If you are martial artists, you all should know the importance of such books.”

This was one of the most important privileges in the academy. There were many books within the academy, and even the books from the six clans’ martial arts were stored within the academy.

‘Books!’

This was what Yeowun needed the most. With the Nano Machine’s power, he was able to learn the dagger skill, but he needed to get stronger.

“The library has five floors. The higher the floor, the stronger the books. You will be given access to a higher floor once you go up the stages.”

The fifth floor, which was the last floor, was full of secrets to various martial arts manuals of Wulin itself.

“However, you all won’t even go near the fifth floor, so give up.”

Hameng spoke discouragingly, but the second privilege was still astounding. Not to mention, all of this also meant that whoever the students were, or wherever they came from, they all had equal chances to obtain greater power if they could take it. It meant that stronger the person was, the more powerful they would get.

‘So, this was why...’

Yeowun realized why everyone said it would be different once they were in the academy. In the academy, no one who would be protected by privilege or their family bloodline. Everyone was under the same food chain.

“If you pass the first stage, you are low-ranked warrior. Second, middle-ranked. Third, high-ranked. I hope none of you from military clan backgrounds stay only at the second to third ranks like losers.”

Hameng spoke to students with a smirk.

“Oh, but even those of you who only want to be mid to high-ranked warriors will still be given medicine balls. Don’t worry.”

As Hameng said, the academy gave privileges to even the low-ranked warriors, which was a good opportunity to warrior prospects who want to become more powerful. These ranked warriors had a huge difference in power, with the high-ranked warriors being the most powerful and fewer in numbers.

“If you pass the fourth stage, you will be given the title of Squad Leader, and you will be given the title of Clan Leader upon your fifth stage test. For the sixth stage, it won’t matter with you all so I’ll just skip it.”

Hameng said that because he had his reasons. The sixth stage test was almost impossible and less than ten people would manage to pass the test. That’s why Hameng didn’t anticipate such an event.

“And although you all start out with the same cadet rank, you will all come to have different ranks per the progress through your stages. You will then need to obey your superior.”

That was the core element of the academy. One who does not strive higher will be left to rot. Chun Yeowun looked on eagerly. If he had survived until now, it was time for him to go up in the food chain.

“Don’t be too happy. Most of you will not even go further than the third stage.”

Hameng cracked a smile as he gave his closing statement.