25

The luxury car smoothly rolled to a stop at the entrance of Xerth Academy. The academy gates were wide open, and thousands of students—both new and old—were gathered, filling the air with excitement, nervous whispers, and anticipation.

As the doors of the car unlocked, the first to step out was Samael Flameheart.

A wave of silence spread across the crowd.

Everyone turned to look at him.

Samael Flameheart—the son of the strongest warrior in Aurelia, the prodigy with SSS Rank talent—had arrived.

The students barely dared to breathe. Many of them had only ever seen him in live broadcasts, and now, seeing him in person was overwhelming.

Then, Felix Ashford stepped out.

Unlike Samael, his presence didn't cause much of a commotion. He was well-known as the heir to the Moonlight Guild, but he wasn't as famous as the Flameheart family. Still, some werewolves in the crowd exchanged glances, acknowledging their fellow clansman.

Then, Ashton Walker stepped out of the car.

The crowd's murmuring instantly intensified.

"Who is he?"

"He got out of the same car as Samael Flameheart?!"

"Is he from a powerful family?"

"Wait, I don't recognize him…"

Curious gazes followed Ashton as he adjusted his backpack, his expression unreadable. He was dressed in simple but neat attire, carrying only the essentials—basic clothes, amenities, and a few personal belongings.

Unlike Samael and Felix, he didn't exude a dominant aura, nor did he seem to care about the attention. He simply walked forward toward the academy gates, ignoring the whispers around him.

Felix walked beside him, scowling at the unnecessary attention. Samael, on the other hand, remained indifferent, his golden eyes sweeping over the crowd as if none of them were worth acknowledging.

Once they stepped past the gates, an instructor standing on an elevated platform called out in a loud, commanding voice.

"Attention, all visitors, guardians, and family members—this is as far as you go! Only students are permitted beyond this point!"

A murmur spread through the crowd as parents and older siblings reluctantly said their final goodbyes. Some students were emotional, while others walked forward with firm determination.

Ashton simply observed everything in silence.

One by one, students stepped forward as academy staff handed out high-tech bracelets—the official Student ID of Xerth Academy.

When it was Ashton's turn, he took the bracelet and inspected it briefly.

It was sleek and black with a holographic interface. The bracelet displayed:

Name: Ashton Walker

Rank: E (Novice)

Talent Grade: A Rank

Academy Year: 1st Year

Status: Student

The bracelet wasn't just an ID—it also tracked achievements, allowed access to academy facilities, and even functioned as a communicator.

After everyone received their bracelets, they were directed toward a massive hall.

At the center of the hall stood a giant teleportation portal, glowing with blue energy.

An instructor stepped forward again.

"This is the outer branch of Xerth Academy. The real academy grounds are within a protected zone, accessible only through teleportation. Step forward in an orderly manner. The moment you enter, your training begins."

The crowd tensed. Some swallowed nervously, while others clenched their fists in anticipation.

Samael stepped forward without hesitation, vanishing into the portal.

Felix followed soon after.

Ashton took one last glance around before stepping into the swirling energy—leaving behind the outside world and officially entering the real Xerth Academy.