Library

Beyond the entrance lay the tiered training grounds, divided into distinct levels.

The lower tiers were bustling with younger students practicing basic combat forms under watchful instructors, while the higher platforms loomed above, filled with jagged terrain and reinforced barriers, clearly meant for advanced students who dared to push their limits.

'It was this early, and students were already up and training during their induction,' Raen thought

The contrast was stark: beginners trained in the safety of leveled platforms, while the upper tiers bore the scars of countless brutal battles.

Next, they arrived at the dormitories carved deep into the mountain itself.

The housing was separated by rank, with the lower-ranked students assigned to the outer quarters and the elite living closer to the mountain's core.

Small banners hung outside each dormitory, signifying the divisions within the academy, their colors representing different specializations and achievements.

At the heart of the academy stood the central arena, a grand coliseum surrounded by tiered stone seating.

Raen could almost hear the echoes of past duels, blades clashing, roars of victory, and the heavy silence of crushing defeat.

This was where disputes were settled, talents were showcased, and reputations were forged.

The instructor pointed lazily at the Beast Hall, a colossal structure with towering pillars and intricate carvings of legendary beasts adorning its entrance.

This was the core of all gatherings, announcements, internal competitions, and moments of clan-wide importance.

The hall's sheer size made Raen wonder just how many students and instructors were currently within the academy's walls.

Further ahead, the group arrived at the Trial Grounds, a vast forested expanse enclosed by towering cliffs.

The dark treeline seemed to pulse with unseen dangers, and even from a distance, Raen could sense the lurking presence of powerful beasts within.

It's not like they tried to hide it

This was where students would undergo the infamous Beast Trials, tests that could elevate their status or end their journey prematurely.

Finally, they were shown the Hall of Records, a grand library built from polished stone and reinforced with beast cores to protect its contents.

It housed cultivation manuals, clan history, and countless records of past achievements and failures.

The air around it seemed heavier, filled with the weight of knowledge and ambition.

Raen absorbed it all, feeling both excitement and unease settle in his chest.

This was no ordinary school; it was a battlefield of ambition, and only the strong would thrive.

The instructor sighed again and waved them forward with little enthusiasm.

"Alright, that's enough sightseeing," he muttered.

"Let's move on."

The instructor wasted no time in laying out the academy's rules and regulations.

He gave them only a brief introduction to the major infrastructures, leaving the rest for them to discover on their own.

Then, in a tone that suggested he had recited these words countless times, he delivered the three general rules:

They were like laws or by-laws, to be exact.

The first was something everyone already knew, and Raen,, in particular a,d, experienced was Power is Everything.

"Strength determines status, resources, and authority.

The weak serve the strong, and disputes must be settled through duels.

However, while domination is encouraged, killing is strictly forbidden within academy grounds," The instructor said

"Secondly, You Earn What You Take.

Nothing is given for free.

Training, shelter, and weapons must be claimed through merit, battle, or strategy.

Theft and deception are fair game, but harming another's bonded beast outside sanctioned combat is a grave offense"

He said while staring at the group of students who were looking eager, he showed no emotion regardless.

"The third and last rule is for you to know that Survival is Your Responsibility, not ours.

The academy will not protect you.

Failures are cast out, and outside these walls, death is a certainty for the unprepared"

"Personally, I would advise you to Trust no one blindly, for secrets are weapons, and only those who carve their names in blood will be remembered, and only then is kinship formed"

The instructor delivered the rules swiftly, as if they were etched into his tongue, his tone lazy and disinterested.

Then, just as abruptly, he turned and left, sparing no more glances

.

.

.

"I swear, this has to be the laziest instructor I've ever seen," someone muttered from the crowd.

Raen, however, had bigger concerns.

He had no idea where to go from here.

Finding a dormitory seemed like the logical next step, but he had no clue how to get one.

Just as he was about to wander aimlessly, he noticed five students breaking away from the crowd and heading in a particular direction.

Normally, he wouldn't care, but this group was different.

These were the five prodigies who had advanced past the first stage of Primal Awakening during the Beast Assimilation.

Taking a deep breath, Raen steadied himself.

Maybe they knew their way around.

Maybe getting familiar with one or two people wouldn't be so bad.

He had barely taken a step when someone suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Raen Thalor?"

He frowned.

"Who's asking?"

A fist slammed into his gut before he could react.

"Try to be polite. I'm not sticking my neck out for you for no reason."

Doubling over slightly, Raen gritted his teeth, glaring at the girl who had struck him.

She appeared to be around his age, his height, and judging by her Demeanor, his class.

'A fellow newbie.' he thought

"Who the hell are you?" he demanded.

"Rachel Thalor. My grandmother says you owe her a debt, and you'll be paying it off by assisting me. Understood?"

Raen's mind clicked.

'Lady Agatha?'

This was not how he had expected things to go.

Shouldn't he be the one seeking her out?

He had forgotten about their connection at first, but in a group of only fifty people, they were bound to cross paths eventually.

Rachel snapped her fingers in front of his face.

"Spacing out already? Did you hear me?"

Raen exhaled sharply, regaining his composure.

"I understand, Rachel."

"Good." She crossed her arms.

"Normally, I wouldn't have bothered approaching you, but you seem passively naïve, so now you owe me another one."

Raen narrowed his eyes.

"How exactly?"

She smirked.

"You were about to approach those stuck-up rich kids, weren't you?" She gestured toward the five prodigies.

He said nothing, his suspicion growing.

"If I'm not mistaken, they're already cozying up to Silas. And last I checked, his family has a score to settle with you."

Raen's eyes widened slightly.

"How do you know this?"

Rachel turned, motioning for him to follow.

"Let's walk."

With no better options, Raen adjusted his luggage and fell into step behind her.

He noticed she carried little baggage as well, making him feel slightly less out of place.

"I was just trying to figure out how to get a dormitory," he admitted, feeling a bit foolish.

"Then you owe me another favor because unlike someone walking beside me, I actually did my research."

Raen sighed.

"I get it."

"Good." She kept her pace steady.

"Those five weren't aligned with Silas before the assimilation. But after your little stunt, rumors spread that you got your hands on a powerful beast core. Some even say the elder was just jealous, afraid you'd surpass his position."

Raen's stomach tightened.

"And what do you think?"

Rachel gave him a sidelong glance.

"I think it's all nonsense."

Raen frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"For starters, if you had really assimilated with a top-tier beast, you'd have at least reacted to that punch I threw at you." Her tone was matter-of-fact.

"And as for you threatening Silas's position? Please. You don't have a backer or a benefactor. No one's handing you power on a silver platter."

Raen remained silent, processing her words.

Rachel smirked.

"Like I said, you're naïve."

Meticulous.

Raen had assumed Rachel was just a tomboy acting tough, but this was unexpected.

She was sharp, too sharp.

A part of him wanted to avoid her altogether, but another part worried that if he did, she might dig even deeper into his secrets.

Instead, he came to a different conclusion.

'Better to keep her close.'

If he couldn't outmaneuver her, maybe he could learn from her.

"I feel insulted," Raen said with a chuckle.

Rachel rolled her eyes.

"It's not funny enough to laugh at, and you should feel insulted, that was the point. You're weak, you got yourself into trouble, and you need strength. You can't gather it alone, and that's where I come in. Understand?"

Raen hummed in thought.

"I understand. You've done your research on me, though it's incomplete... What about your own story?"

Silence.

Then, without answering, Rachel simply said,

"We're here."

Raen looked up and frowned.

"The Hall of Records?"

"Yep," Rachel said casually.

"All initiates register at the Hall of Records. In other words, the library."