Chapter 40: First-Year Students Task, Complete the Tower's Tutorial

Karl and Celeste turned on the TV, and almost immediately, an announcement rang out.

A shadowed figure appeared on the screen, its entire form concealed in darkness except for a pair of glowing eyes staring straight ahead.

[Welcome, first-year students of Starlight Academy.]

The figure's voice was distorted—unnatural but not completely unintelligible.

There was an air of authority in the way it spoke, as if whoever this was held a significant position within the academy.

It wasn't just some random spokesperson; this person had power, and they were here to deliver something important.

[I'm sure many of you are eager to begin your journey—to learn, to grow, and to conquer.]

[But before that, there is one final task you must complete.]

[Only then will your registration be truly complete, and only then will you prove your worth.]

"Huh?"

"What?"

Karl and Celeste exchanged confused looks.

This wasn't what they were expecting.

After all, they had already gone through the grueling [Entrance Examination] to gain admission into [Starlight Academy].

That alone had been brutal, one of the most difficult trials an [Awakener] could face just to get into a school.

So what was this about? Was there something they had overlooked?

[I am sure many of you have questions, but…]

The figure snapped its fingers, and beside it, a glowing blue hologram appeared, displaying the towering structure of the [Tower of Trials].

Its many floors stretched endlessly into the sky, the peak disappearing into the clouds.

[Consider this your first "task" as official students of Starlight Academy!]

Excitement rippled through the dorms.

Even with the soundproofing, Karl could hear the muffled shouts and cheers from outside the window.

"What are the 'tasks' exactly?" Karl asked, eyes still locked onto the screen.

Celeste gave him a knowing smile, "They're basically how first-years progress through the academy, somehow, this is the only piece of information we have somehow."

"...That tells me nothing," Karl muttered, but he kept watching.

[Starlight Academy] was unlike any other institution.

It didn't follow conventional teaching methods because it didn't need to.

Only the strongest, the most capable, were allowed to step through its gates.

That meant most students were already expected to know the basics of what an [Awakener] needed to survive.

Theory classes? Nearly nonexistent.

Practical lessons? Rare, and only to refine specific things like [Mana Applications].

Instead, the academy focused on real-life experience.

The [Tasks] were what truly shaped the first-years.

They weren't simple assignments or controlled exercises—they were trials, pushing students to their absolute limits.

'I have a lot to learn,' Karl thought to himself.

A lot about this place was still a mystery to him.

Not just to him, but to Celeste and even most of the other students.

Starlight Academy was famous for keeping secrets.

The figure continued speaking, snapping Karl out of his thoughts.

[Let's get straight to the point.]

[Your first task is simple: complete the "Tower's Tutorial" within the next month.]

"What the hell…" Celeste muttered.

Even Karl felt a flicker of surprise.

The [Tower's Tutorial] wasn't just some basic introduction for beginners.

It had nothing to do with the [Novice Trial] either.

Instead, it referred to the first five floors of the [Tower of Trials].

Floors 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5—collectively known as the [Tower's Tutorial].

The reason for that name? These floors were designed to be the initial proving ground for new [Awakeners].

They were meant to force people to sharpen their skills before advancing further.

But calling it a "tutorial" was misleading.

The dangers there were just as real as any other part of the Tower.

The monsters were relentless, the environment itself could kill you, and one mistake could mean death.

Meanwhile, the other first-years were buzzing with nervous chatter, but the figure on screen showed no signs of stopping.

[Any "Awakener" who wants to be taken seriously already knows that clearing these floors is a necessity.

It is the bare minimum.]

[You will have exactly one month to complete this task.]

[We do not care how you do it—form teams, get carried, or struggle alone.]

[In the end, all that matters is whether or not you succeed.]

[Failure means expulsion.]

Silence.

Then, the TV flickered off.

Beep! Beep!

A sharp notification rang through the air as Karl's and Celeste's smartwatches activated.

A holographic screen popped up in front of them, revealing their new task.

[Starlight Academy - First-Year Student]

[You have received a task!]

[Objective: Complete the Tower's Tutorial (1/5)]

[Time Limit: One Month.]

And with that… they were on their own again.

"That's… it?" Karl frowned.

He had expected at least some guidance.

Maybe a briefing or a strategy session for new students.

But no—just like that, they were being thrown into it.

Celeste sighed, rubbing the back of her head, "Well, my father always said that first-years are considered amateurs.

Maybe this is part of it?

They expect us to figure things out ourselves."

"So all we need to do is complete the task and get stronger?"

"Pretty much."

The other first-years were already moving.

Across the dorm buildings, students were getting ready, discussing plans, and forming parties.

No one was wasting time.

Everyone here had a [Profession] strong enough to secure them a spot in [Starlight Academy].

They had survived the [Entrance Examination].

None of them were weak, none of them would give up.

Even if it meant putting their lives on the line, they would push forward.

It was still early, only 8 AM, yet even then, there was no such thing as an "appropriate time" to climb the tower.

"Should we try the second floor?" Karl grinned, excitement flickering in his eyes, "I don't see anything else to do."

Celeste brightened, "Sure! But we should find out where the portal is first."

The first five floors required students to physically locate the portals to advance.

The reward for completing the [Tower's Tutorial] was unlocking [Fast Travel], which allowed instant access to floors from anywhere.

That alone was a good enough reason to clear the tutorial.

Determined, Karl and Celeste left their dorm, stepping into the [Residential Area].

As soon as they exited the building, their smartwatches buzzed again.

[The portal to the second floor is located nearby.]

[However, you will have to travel further for the following floors.]

Karl shrugged, "Guess we should add each other first."

"Right."

They tapped a few buttons on their smartwatches before lightly bumping them together.

Ding!

[Celeste Frost has been added to your friend list.]

[You can now transfer Credits between friends.]

Karl briefly noted the last feature but ignored it for now.

Following the signs marked for the second floor, the duo walked toward the portal.

Eventually, they arrived at their destination—a massive square, even larger than the one for the first floor.

Hundreds of first-years were already there.

Some were forming parties, others were finalizing strategies, and a few just stood there, hesitating.

At the center of the square, the portal to the [Tower's Second Floor] stood tall.

A swirling vortex of deep purple energy, humming with power.

Karl glanced at Celeste, "Ready?"

She smirked, reaching out her hand.

Ding!

[Celeste Frost has joined your party.]

They were going in alone.

Just the two of them.

No hesitation. No second thoughts.

As others waited and planned… Karl and Celeste stepped forward.