Chapter - 11 [ Heaven ]
On a long road surrounded by an endless stretch of desert on both sides, a sleek black car sped down the seemingly infinite path.
Inside the luxurious vehicle, Victor sat across from a charming woman whose demeanor exuded authority and confidence.
She was dressed impeccably in a black coat, paired with black pants and a white shirt with the top buttons left undone.
Her attire struck a balance between professionalism and allure, further emphasized by the way she adjusted her glasses with a deliberate grace.
Crossing her legs elegantly, she rested her hands on her thigh, her posture exuding maturity and composure.
"You should be able to see the mountain range soon," she began, her voice soft yet clear, effortlessly cutting through the silence of the car.
"In the very middle of those mountains lies our Aura Manifestation Institution, Heaven."
Victor met her gaze briefly, his expression calm and composed, before shifting his attention to the scenery outside the window.
Just as she described, the car was approaching a vast and towering mountainous region that seemed to stretch endlessly into the horizon.
The Heaven Institution was not located in Surruk, where Victor had spent much of his life. Instead, it resided in Rio, a country situated on the eastern edge of the global map.
Unlike other nations, Rio was unique—it was an island classified as a continent in its own right. Known as the largest country in the world, Rio boasted the strongest military force and served as a beacon of power and innovation.
Three rifts existed within its borders, two of which were under the jurisdiction of the government.
The third, however, was managed through a partnership between Heaven and MAD.
---
The car continued its journey, and soon, the endless expanse of scorching desert gave way to a breathtaking view of lush greenery and majestic mountains.
It was a dramatic and sudden shift—one moment, there was nothing but hot sand and an unforgiving sun; the next, there were chilly breezes, verdant trees, and the serene beauty of nature.
"Could you tell me more about the credit system here?" Victor asked, breaking the silence. His gaze returned to the woman seated across from him.
It was better to learn the intricacies of Heaven's rules and regulations directly from someone knowledgeable.
The credit system, in particular, was a crucial aspect he needed to understand, as it played a significant role in daily life within the institution.
"Certainly," the woman replied, her lips curving into a polite smile. "Credits are the backbone of the institution's economy. Think of them as money, but with a twist. You cannot buy credits with money, though you can convert credits into money if needed."
She adjusted her glasses once again before continuing, her tone measured and deliberate.
"There are various ways to earn credits. Essentially, anything you can do to earn money in the outside world can also earn you credits here.
For instance, you can take up tasks, participate in competitions, or even trade with other students.
However, the most common method for first-year students is the monthly allowance provided by the institution."
She paused briefly, as if to gauge Victor's understanding, before elaborating further. "Every first-year student receives a monthly allowance of 50 credits. This amount increases by 30 credits each subsequent year.
Additionally, students have the option to venture out and hunt for crawlers, though I wouldn't recommend it. The risks far outweigh the rewards."
Her smile grew slightly wider, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. "Of course, these are details you can easily find in the guidebook. However, as a special student, Mr. Victor, you enjoy certain privileges. For instance, you will start with a balance of ten thousand credits."
Victor's expression remained composed, but inwardly, he couldn't help but acknowledge the advantage he had been granted.
"That's enough to live comfortably in Heaven for at least two years, isn't it?" he remarked.
"Exactly," the woman confirmed with a nod. "Your status as a special student comes with many benefits, but it also places you under higher expectations. Use your resources wisely."
Victor's keen senses told him that the woman, Jenny, was no ordinary staff member.
She was an Aura User, a high-ranking Second Grade at that. Her position as the lodge manager required not only administrative expertise but also formidable strength to command respect.
Jenny had coincidentally arrived in Rio at the same time as Victor, which was why they were now sharing this journey to the institution.
Heaven was an enormous establishment, divided into numerous areas to accommodate its diverse functions.
One such area was the lodge section, where special students like Victor were provided with exclusive accommodations.
The institution covered the cost of lodging and daily meals, but any additional expenses had to be paid for using credits.
The pricing system within Heaven was notoriously steep, especially for items and services beyond the basics.
While meals were reasonably priced, other luxuries and resources were intentionally overpriced to encourage students to manage their credits judiciously.
"I heard there are more special students enrolled this year compared to previous years. Is that true?" Victor asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Yes, that's correct," Jenny replied, her tone tinged with pride. "We consider ourselves fortunate to welcome such a remarkable batch of students this year."
Her gaze shifted to the mountain peaks in the distance, a contemplative look crossing her face. She seemed to sense the winds of change sweeping through Heaven.
Victor had been keeping up with the news and was well aware of the high-profile names among this year's special students.
The Princess of Waria, the prodigy twins from the Phoenix family, and the youngest son of Emperor Khan were just a few of the illustrious figures enrolled alongside him.
Although the complete list remained confidential, the presence of these individuals hinted at the extraordinary talent gathered at Heaven this year.
---
As the car approached the gates of the institution, Victor's eyes were drawn to the towering walls that loomed 10 meters high.
The massive metal gate at the entrance stood as a symbol of security and exclusivity.
After a thorough inspection by the guards, the car was granted entry, and they proceeded into the sprawling campus.
Heaven was more than just an educational institution; it was the size of a small city, bustling with activity and innovation.
Numerous clubs and organizations operated within its boundaries, vying to recruit talented students into their ranks.
Over 40% of the staff were Aura Users, a testament to the institution's prestige and reputation as the best in the world.
At the heart of Heaven's success was its esteemed principal, Robertstin Riverstone.
A living legend, Robertstin was a First-Tier Aura Grade User who had survived the Dark Age.
At 113 years old, he was the oldest living human on Gazzile and widely regarded as the strongest Aura User alive.
Stories of his exploits painted him as an invincible figure, and even Victor couldn't help but admire the man from afar.
"We're about to reach the lodging area," Jenny informed Victor as the car slowed to a stop in front of a seven-story building. "From here, someone will guide you to your flat."
"Thank you, Miss Jenny," Victor said politely as he stepped out of the car, carrying a small bag.
His remaining luggage was promptly handled by the waiting staff members.
A female staff member with a warm, practiced smile approached him. "Student, please follow me to your floor," she instructed in a sweet voice.
Victor followed her into the building, where they boarded an elevator that ascended to the top floor.
When the doors slid open, the staff member gestured for him to step out.
"This entire floor is yours," she explained, handing him a solid black card.
"This card serves as your key to the flat and also functions as your ID. Your uniforms have been placed in the cabinet in your bedroom, and the instructions for using the facilities are provided in the manual inside."
She proceeded to give him a brief tour of the spacious flat, detailing its amenities and answering his questions before departing with her colleagues.
---
Later, as Victor sat on the balcony, a gentle breeze carried the refreshing scent of the surrounding mountains.
The view was nothing short of spectacular—sunlit peaks, lush greenery, and a tranquil atmosphere that seemed worlds away from the harsh desert he had traveled through.
This level of luxury was a privilege few could afford. The entire building housed only five students, each occupying their own floor, along with five staff members to attend to their needs.
Victor glanced at his phone, reading the latest notice in the first-year group chat. "An orientation for first-year students will be held in a week," it read.
"Classes will commence two weeks later, on April 1st. Attendance at the orientation is mandatory."
Setting his phone on the glass table in front of him, Victor leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
The energy in the air was palpable, a testament to the rift located at the far end of the mountain range.
It was an ideal environment for meditation, and Victor intended to make the most of it.
Releasing a small amount of his aura, he began to absorb the surrounding energy.
His ability to meditate in any position was a skill he had honed over time, allowing him to focus his mind regardless of his posture.
As he delved deeper into his meditation, a faint smile played on his lips.
The density of his aura had doubled compared to what it was a year ago. With the abundant energy present in Heaven, it was not an impossible feat for him to triple his aura density within a year.
After meditating for half an hour, Victor decided to stop. There was no need to rush; he had ample time to cultivate his aura gradually.
Pacing himself was crucial to ensure his progress remained stable and consistent.
For now, his immediate task was to connect his ID card to his student account, as the female staff had explained earlier.
Only after completing this step could he use the card as a payment method, both online and offline, within the institution.
It was a simple process that took less than a minute to complete. Just as he finished, the faint sound of a car engine reached his ears, growing louder as it approached the building.
Curious, Victor rose from his chair and moved to the balcony, resting his arms casually on the railing.
He gazed downward, where a car identical to the one that had brought him to Heaven pulled up to the entrance below.
The same staff members who had welcomed him earlier now stepped forward to greet the new arrival.
As the car door opened, Victor's eyes sharpened, and a familiar face stepped into view. His hazel eyes blinked, focusing intently on the figure who emerged with an air of regal elegance.
"Princess Novaria," he murmured under his breath, his voice almost inaudible. The young woman below appeared ethereal, her presence radiant as though she had descended from an upper realm.
Her every movement exuded grace and nobility, commanding attention without effort.
It was impossible to ignore her—a captivating blend of beauty and authority that immediately set her apart.
Novaria's gaze shifted toward the building before her, her piercing eyes scanning its structure.
It was only then that she noticed a figure standing on the balcony of the top floor. There stood a young man, his posture relaxed yet composed.
Handsome and mature, he regarded her with a calm, steady gaze, devoid of the excitement or nervousness that most people displayed when meeting someone of her stature.
A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she nodded politely, acknowledging his presence.
Her gesture was met with an equally composed nod from Victor, a welcoming response that carried no unnecessary flourish. After the brief exchange, Victor turned away from the balcony and stepped back inside his flat.
His thoughts shifted to practical matters as he walked toward the cabinet where his uniforms were stored. It was time to prepare for the days ahead.
---
Why did so many young men and women who awakened their aura aspire to enroll in institutions like Heaven? The answer was simple and straightforward.
The allure of these institutions lay in their connection to MAD, the unified organization responsible for dealing with mutated animals and crawlers.
To join MAD, a certificate of excellence was an absolute requirement—a document that only these elite Aura Manifestation Institutions could issue.
MAD operated much like a government body, offering stable salaries to its employees. However, that was just the beginning.
For Aura Users, the organization also provided opportunities to earn substantial extra income by undertaking missions assigned by MAD.
These missions, often dangerous and demanding, were highly rewarding. Whether it was hunting down a dangerous crawler, exploring uncharted territories, or protecting vital assets, the financial incentives were immense.
For many, joining MAD represented not only a chance to contribute to humanity's survival but also a pathway to wealth and influence.
It was no surprise, then, that institutions like Heaven were seen as stepping stones to a brighter, more prosperous future.
In essence, the opportunity to earn thick money while wielding their unique powers was an irresistible prospect for most young Aura Users.