Alex brought Noah and Sophia to a remote location and handed each of them a student robe and a storage ring.
"These robes represent that you are students of the Eldoria Magic Academy," Alex said calmly. "They also have an invisibility function. You can activate it simply by willing yourself to become invisible."
He paused, his expression turning serious.
"I should warn you—this invisibility only works against normal people. Mages can sense you immediately. I don't want to attract unnecessary attention, so we'll leave the town using these robes. Do you both understand?"
"Yes," they answered in unison, nodding firmly.
"Good. Now, try to imagine your body becoming transparent, like water," Alex instructed. "You'll feel something brush against you. Focus on that sensation. If you do it correctly, you'll turn invisible."
He patiently guided them through the process. After several failed attempts, both Noah and Sophia finally succeeded, their figures fading from sight.
Alex then led them out of the town. Though invisible, he could still see the nervousness and anticipation in their eyes. This was the first time they were leaving the place where they had grown up.
This town is their beginning, Alex thought. They'll probably miss it.
As Noah and Sophia crossed the town gate, they both turned back one last time, silently engraving the familiar scenery into their memories.
When they return, Alex mused, they won't be helpless children anymore—but powerful magicians.
Once they were far enough, Alex had them change back into their normal clothes and erase their tracks.
As they walked, Alex pondered where to build the academy. He examined the provincial map in his mind, but none of the locations seemed remote enough.
"System, I need some help," Alex spoke internally. "Can you suggest a suitable place to build the academy?"
[I cannot provide assistance without conditions, host. Complete the missions assigned by the system, and you will receive appropriate rewards.]
"What are the missions?" Alex asked.
[Mission 1: Recruit one student.]
"Haven't I already recruited two?" Alex replied internally.
[No, host. You have only verbally recruited them. For official recruitment, they must take an oath of loyalty to the academy. Only then will they be recognized as students of the Eldoria Magic Academy.]
"Isn't that a bit extreme?" Alex questioned.
[This is the bare minimum in this world. Some academies erase their students' memories to ensure loyalty. This world follows the law of survival of the fittest. If you are not ruthless enough, you will be crushed.]
Alex sighed. "You really know where to hit."
After walking a short distance away from the gate, Alex stopped.
"Noah, Sophia. Wait a moment."
They halted and turned to face him.
"Now that you are about to become true students of the Eldoria Magic Academy," Alex said, "there's something you must understand—the hidden side of this world."
Their expressions grew serious.
"This world is called PHENON. Many species live here, each occupying different regions. Power struggles, clan massacres, slavery—everything is permitted. Power is the only truth. Friends can become enemies overnight, and enemies can become allies just as easily."
He continued, his voice steady.
"Academies recruit students to strengthen themselves. To prevent betrayal, many erase their students' memories entirely."
At the mention of memory erasure, Noah and Sophia stiffened, instinctively stepping back. Fear flickered across their faces.
"Don't worry," Alex said quickly. "Our academy isn't like that."
They visibly relaxed.
"However," Alex added, "I do require you to take an oath—never to betray the academy. If you do, you will be struck by lightning and die. This is to prevent the leakage of academy secrets. If you don't wish to take this oath, I won't force you—but I also can't take you with me."
Noah and Sophia exchanged glances. They had already prepared themselves for harsh realities. Without hesitation, they nodded.
"In the name of the heavens," they declared together, "we swear never to betray the Eldoria Magic Academy. If we break this oath, may the heavens strike us with lightning and extinguish our souls."
[Ding! Congratulations, host. Mission completed.]
[The system will now locate a suitable place for the academy and transfer the host and students.]
[Mission 2: Recruit 10 students.]
[Mission 3: Increase host magic rank by one level.]
In the next instant, Alex, Noah, and Sophia were teleported.
They appeared in a forest surrounded by towering trees so tall that their tops vanished into the clouds.
Alex's face darkened.
"System… where the hell are we?" he demanded internally. "And what are these trees? I can't even see their tops. Don't tell me this is the place."
[No need to panic, host. This is the Forest of the Dead—the most dangerous forest in all of PHENON.]
"Are you trying to kill me and find a new host?" Alex snapped. "This is a literal death zone! I'm reporting you to the God of Reincarnation!"
[Calm down, host. I have no intention of replacing you. Precisely because this forest is so dangerous, few dare to enter it. The academy will generate a protective barrier that disrupts beast senses. This area is also the most remote part of the forest. Only beasts of magic rank 1 to 4 wander here.]
[Sometimes, the most dangerous place is the safest.]
Let's hope you're right, Alex thought grimly.
Noah and Sophia were trembling, sweat rolling down their faces as they stared at the cloud-piercing trees.
"Headmaster… where are we?" Noah asked, forcing out the words. "How did we get here?"
Alex smiled faintly.
"Welcome to the Eldoria Magic Academy."
"System," Alex said internally, "construct the academy here. Make it as cool as possible. Name it Eldoria Magic Academy."
[Understood, host.]
A thick fog instantly enveloped the area. The sounds of hammering, grinding, and roaring energy echoed endlessly. After half an hour, the noises ceased, and the fog slowly dissipated.
A magnificent structure emerged.
Before them stood a colossal academy, its presence overwhelming. A massive gate bore the words:
WELCOME TO MAGIC ACADEMY
Alex stared, completely dumbfounded.
"Isn't this… a bit too big?" he muttered.
The academy grounds were as vast as a small country back on Earth.
Alex could only say one thing.
"Holy shit… Jesus."
And thus, in this forsaken forest, the foundation of a force that would one day shake the entire world was laid.