Growth - 6 (Final)

The hover boat journey was quiet, the AI smoothly guiding the craft toward its destination. Through the small viewport, Alex caught brief glimpses of distant landscapes and sprawling fields, reminders of the vastness of the empire he was steadily uncovering.

As the hover boat steadily approached its destination, Alex didn't rush to prepare himself for landing. Instead, he remained comfortably seated, choosing first to thoroughly explore the Skills section of his system. He meticulously reviewed each detail, ensuring he fully grasped their potential long before reaching the Academy.

[Skills]

Resource Assimilation (Basic Mastery): Passively absorbs knowledge and skills by observing and analyzing others, with the potential for accelerated progress through proactive engagement. Enhances learning efficiency, enabling rapid adaptation and acquisition of new skills, particularly effective in environments filled with diverse expertise and knowledge.

Mental Construct (Novice Mastery): Offers a versatile internal mental space that allows detailed simulations of various scenarios, strategic planning, and theoretical experimentation. Enables adaptive learning, scenario testing, and precise anticipation of interactions, battles, and negotiations, significantly improving his strategic flexibility and readiness.

He took his time, understanding thoroughly how each skill could serve as a cornerstone in his growth. Alex realized the depth of these abilities would offer him substantial advantages within the Academy and beyond.

Only after fully exploring and understanding his skills did Alex finally rise, noting through the viewport the Academy's grand gate gradually emerging into view. The gate stood immense and impressive, crafted from a mysterious material that shimmered softly in the daylight, hinting at a subtle yet profound enchantment. Its towering structure, decorated with intricate patterns that resembled swirling galaxies and flourishing vines, invoked a sense of both wonder and humility. The letters spelling "Arcana Celestalis Sanctum" seemed to pulse gently, radiating an air of majesty—each word chosen carefully, combining the mysteries of magic, the boundlessness of space, and the diligent journey of cultivation into a harmonious blend. Misty clouds, sometimes tinged with faint, colorful hues but mostly soft white and gentle gray, wreathed around the gate as if guarding its secrets. Alex's eyes fixated on this magnificent sight, momentarily captivated by its grandeur.

A soft chuckle broke his reverie. "You know, Prince Alex," the royal guarad began lightly, "legend has it that students once got so lost admiring the gate that they missed their entrance exam entirely. We've since learned to fetch them in advance." The instructor's tone was playful and warm, easing Alex's initial tension.

Smiling, Alex turned to the royal guard, appreciating the gentle humor. "I'll do my best not to become another legendary tale," he replied with quiet amusement.

The royal guard laughed heartily. "Good to hear!"

As the hover boat landed gently, he took a deep breath to center himself, mentally prepared for the next steps. Stepping out confidently onto the paved stone courtyard, he saw instructors and students affiliated with the Aroullis Empire awaiting his arrival.

As Alex stepped into the courtyard, the assembled instructors and students greeted him in perfect unison, their voices blending harmoniously: "Welcome to the city of Arcana, Prince Alex."

A senior member, evidently responsible for managing the courtyard and new arrivals, stepped forward with a respectful smile. "Greetings, Prince Alex. Allow me to provide you with some initial information. Your quarters have been prepared within the Courtyard's main residence hall. We will guide you through all the necessary procedures for your enrollment and studies. Should you require anything, please do not hesitate to ask."

He turned briefly to an attendant standing nearby, quietly issuing instructions. "Please ensure that Prince Alex's meal is prepared immediately, and have his quarters ready with a warm bath for him to freshen up."

"Right away," the attendant replied respectfully before moving quickly to carry out the instructions.

"We hope your stay in the Courtyard will be comfortable, Prince Alex," the senior member continued with genuine warmth. "Rest well and prepare yourself; the Academy's joining ceremony will soon begin."

Alex offered a grateful nod. "Thank you. I'll make sure I'm ready.

As Alex walked through the courtyard, his thoughts drifted to the city of Arcana itself—a renowned hub of innovation and progress. It was well-known for its advanced research laboratories, where cutting-edge experiments in magical and scientific fields pushed the boundaries of knowledge. Magical institutes dotted the city, each dedicated to unraveling the secrets of elemental manipulation and mystical arts. Technical firms thrived here, supported by vast fortunes from influential companies and driven by an abundance of ambitious startups. Yet, despite Arcana's impressive advancements, Alex knew much of its innovation depended heavily on knowledge and breakthroughs provided by the Academy. Many of the renowned companies and vibrant startups that thrived within the city had been founded by Academy students or professors or relied extensively on their expertise and insights. Arcana was not just a city of boundless opportunity; it was a place deeply interconnected with, and largely influenced by, the Academy itself. The city thrived on a constant flow of knowledge, ideas, and innovations that originated within the Academy's walls. One notable example was the famous AetherTech Laboratories, a leading firm in magical technology whose groundbreaking innovations in energy manipulation and mana-driven devices were entirely based on research initially conducted by Academy professors and perfected by their talented students. Alex understood that, although Arcana appeared as a beacon of independence and prosperity, it was fundamentally dependent upon the Academy's intellectual contributions.

Alex's thoughts sharpened with ambition. His ultimate vision was clear—he intended not only to excel academically but also to thoroughly understand the intricate networks within Arcana. He aimed to unravel the connections between influential groups, individual scholars, local innovators, and the channels of knowledge exchange that wove the city's vibrant fabric together. Each thread of insight he uncovered would be crucial, providing the foundations upon which he planned to build a legacy capable of reshaping the very essence of the city itself.

Yet, Alex reminded himself to remain grounded in the present. First, he needed to ensure his admission into the Academy was successfully completed. Equally important was the task of filling in the significant gaps in his understanding—especially regarding the mysterious figure known only as 'He,' whose role in Jemica had been vaguely hinted at but never clarified. Jemica itself remained shrouded in secrecy; his family had maintained a deliberate silence, even his mother offering only cryptic expressions of concern.

Determined, Alex resolved to address these mysteries systematically. His immediate goal was clear—begin cultivation, strengthen his foundations, and diligently complete the system missions to unlock further capabilities. One step at a time, he thought firmly, steadying himself for the journey ahead.