Chapter 365

Chapter 365: Current State of the Academy

Time flies, and the Inter-Academy Competition in Emanas is just around the corner. Without the active interference of the teachers this year, the competition is bound to be unique. Various strategies that were previously restricted are now being employed, and each academy is preparing abundantly.

In an unstable environment, students, longing for stability, have increasingly aligned their behaviors towards centralization and collectivism. Though there is less diversity, the joint efforts of these exceptionally talented students have created a spectacular scene rarely seen before.

The four academic grades are gradually consolidating, and after sparring, competing, negotiating, arguing, and fighting, each faction has ultimately produced an absolute leader.

From the high tower of the Far-Seeing Tower, ‘Iron Fire Roaring’, Jack Ed.

From the unyielding bridge, ‘Cold Iron General’, Darci.

From the contemplative temple, ‘Spectral Dance’, Sisina.

From the city fortress by the lakeside, ‘Black Death’s Lament’, Osumuna.

From the central school building, ‘Shield of Justice’, Maelorn.

Some faces are familiar and expected, such as Darci and Maelorn. Sisina, though usually uninvolved, is the chief of the Temple Academy and a recognized genius in the Necromancer Sequence, so her emergence as a leader was anticipated.

Jack Ed from the High Tower Academy is particularly noteworthy. The High Tower should have been unified under Gene Nerland, who not only served as the chief but also gained widespread trust due to his knowledge and innovative achievements.

However, unfortunately, the owner of the ‘Crown of Cogs’ suddenly collapsed recently and is still recuperating. In his absence, a student named Jack quickly integrated most of the Magic Sequence students and decisively defeated the independently acting Dragon Sequence students. On the eve of registration for the competition, the High Tower Academy decided to appoint him as the new chief and organize the participants.

This rapid change and competition within the High Tower Academy are no less than those in the Fortress Academy. Unlike Lolan Hill in the past, no one in the academy currently commands the same level of influence as to resist Jack and his followers.

Although the Fortress Academy remains divided internally, it publicly supports Osumuna. Lolan Hill remains silent, supporting the ongoing competition through her silence. Under Osumuna’s unique methods, her club is fervently loyal, making it impossible for other students to gather accurate information. Similarly, after Lolan Hill’s consolidation, she spent some time purging and identifying internal spies. With the mythic-level information perception ability of the young lady, her operations are as secure as a well-fortified fortress, leaving no room for other academies to find weaknesses.

Thus, the only way to obtain relevant information is through the scattered remnants within the Fortress Academy. However, those with any strength or reputation are either recruited by Osumuna or incorporated into Lolan Hill’s club. The remaining members are merely marginal figures, providing only confusing and contradictory messages when questioned by other academies.

In the end, the outside world perceives Osumuna, this newly promoted sophomore, as perhaps a witch, having achieved absolute dominance within the academy through unimaginable capabilities. The reputation of the ‘Black Queen’ spreads throughout the academy.

—

Northern High Tower Academy, White Tower Restaurant.

Nie Ling, Alena, and Letis rarely gathered together. Beside Nie Ling stood another girl, seemingly a new friend she had made. If observed together, it would be easy to understand why they became friends. They both weren’t tall, and looked around 15 years old, appearing very petite.

To point out the obvious difference, it would be their hairstyles. Nie Ling had long, straight, milky-white twin tails, which looked traditional with a hint of playfulness. The other girl had shorter, tied-up light golden twin tails with large butterfly hairbands, and her hair tips barely reached her shoulders, giving her a lively and cute appearance.

“This is my new friend, Elyo,” Nie Ling introduced them.

“Hello, seniors.” Elyo nodded politely, holding her black and white pleated puffy dress, bowing to the older sisters.

“You’re welcome. Suddenly feeling old, how does that happen? I’m still a beautiful young girl,” Alena replied, lightening the atmosphere.

“Yes, you don’t need to boast anymore,” Letis commented lightly, then responded more seriously.

“Hello, I’m Letis. This somewhat silly one is called Alena.”

“Letis said bad things about me again,” Alena didn’t mind.

“Yeah, this is Elyo. Although these two seniors are weak, unreliable, and can’t cook, they are indeed good people,” Nie Ling said earnestly to her friend.

“Yes, yes, Elyo understands, I won’t bully the two seniors,” she nodded seriously.

Watching the two self-important little ones, Alena felt it necessary to establish her authority as an elder.

“What do you mean by weak, unreliable, and can’t cook?”

“I’m also very powerful.”

“But I can defeat you in three moves,” Nie Ling said calmly, slightly lifting her chin, despite her height not allowing her to look down on the other. After joining the High Tower Academy, she sparred with Alena earlier, resulting in Alena’s defeat.

Alena looked at the arrogant little girl. “I’ve advanced to Sequence 5 now.”

“But I can defeat you in three moves,” Nie Ling continued.

“I’m a genius at cultivating demonic beasts, maybe I’ll even raise a dragon in the future.”

“But I can defeat you in three moves.”

“In fact, I can cook too, like the specialty seafood from the South.”

“But I can defeat you in three moves,” Nie Ling said again, her milky-white twin tails swaying as if they were tails, almost pointing to the sky.

“Can we not talk about this? It’s rare to meet someone better than me,” Alena complained, lying on the table.

“But Sister Lolan defeated me in just one move. She’s caring, cooks well, and has a gentle personality,” Nie Ling raised her finger and counted.

“Lolan is an exception; comparing her isn’t fair. Right, Letis?” Alena finally sought help.

“Indeed, Lolan is no ordinary person,” Letis responded thoughtfully. Born as the legitimate daughter of a prestigious family in Rourna, she had seen many top nobles and geniuses since childhood, but compared to Lolan Hill, they all fell short.

This gap wasn’t about talent but something hard to describe. If forced to explain, it would be like everyone else being small fish in a river, while she was a bird in the sky.

“Even excluding Sister Lolan, Alena is still weaker than me.”

“Yes, yes, but our Magic Sequence pursues wisdom, using tools and natural environments, rather than relying solely on instincts like your Dragon Sequence. The power of a mage lies not just in combat, but in many other areas,” Alena said, raising her finger.

“That’s prejudice. We dragons are smart too, with comparable wisdom,” Nie Ling puffed up her cheeks.

—End of Chapter