As soon as Leon stepped through the academy's towering gates, he noticed the shift in atmosphere. 1Students stood in small groups, chatting quietly-until their attention turned to him. Conversationspaused. Heads turned. Dozens of eyes watched him, their expressions a mix of confusion, curiosity, andsilent judgment.
Leon walked forward calmly, though he could feel the weight of their stares. Not one of them lookedfriendly.
Why are they staring at me like that ?' Leon thought.
Meowww...
A soft meow broke the tension.
Leon looked down and saw a small black cat padding toward him, her tail raised confidently. She rubbedher head against his pants, purring.
"Well, hello there," Leon said with a faint smile as he crouched down and gently scratched behind her ears.
Meowww~ she purred again, pushinginto his hand.
"Excuse me, gentleman?" a voice called out
Leon looked up.
A man in a spotless white robe was walking toward him. Embroidered on the upper corner of his robe wasa symbol-two cupped hands with a golden liquid flowing between them, and a rising sun behind
Yes?" Leon replied, standing straight.
The man studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable. "You're a commoner, aren't you ?
Leon blinked."Yeah...
The man's brows furrowed slightly. "Have you lost your way ?"1
'No." Leon pulled out a small sigil that he got from Derisa's letter from his coat and held it out. "Here"
The man's eyes narrowed as he took it. He examined the crimson jewel and the crest around it
"A Knight's sigil... and not a low-grade one," he muttered, then gave a tired sigh."l don't know what's goingon with this academy-more and more commoners every year.
He handed the sigil back and pointed ahead. "Go inside the hall and wait. The headmaster will address youguys.
Leon pocketed the sigil and nodded silently. As he turned, he muttered to himself, "Wel.. that was sometop-tier discrimination.
He glanced down, but the black cat was gone.
He sighed and walked toward the massive hall at the heart of the courtyard. The doorway was arched andlined with paintings of magical beasts-dragons, phoenixes, and other creatures he couldn't name.
As he stepped through, he felt itimmediately-magic.
The painted creatures' eyes followed him as he passed under the arch
What the fuck is this place?' Leon thought as he looked at the hall's size in awe.
The hall was far larger than it had appeared from outside. Towering ceilings stretched a hundred feetabove, and strange, glowing beings floated far overhead, just beyond clear sight. z
'This is space magic,' he thought with a neutral expression.
The floor beneath his boots gleamed like polished obsidian, and one entire wall was covered in portraitsFaces of former graduates over the last three years-most of them noble, judging by their attire
Only two portraits belonged to commoners.
There's no way only two commoners got in over last three years... that means for some reason, they didn'make it out of here, Leon thought, his jaw tightening,'"'m not dying in this place just because someonethought giving me a scholarship was a fucking award. l should've asked that bitch for some moneyinstead.
Swish
Suddenly, a stage shimmered into existence in the center of the hall. An old woman appeared atop it.
wearing a long, black ceremonial gown.
"Attention, new students," she said, her voice magically echoing across the hall-and far beyond. "pleasegather here.The Headmaster will address you shortly."
'She's strong. No doubt about it,' he thought, narrowing his eyes
Within minutes, the hall filled with new students, rushing in and forming groups based on their uniforms.
Leon remained on the side,observing.
A sudden breeze swept through the room, and then-an old man appeared on the stage.
He looked ancient. His long white beard nearly touched the ground, and his robes shimmered faintly withmagical runes. magic rings adorned every tinger, and strange artifacts hung from his wrists and neck. 2"Hohoho.. Hello, children, *cough-Cough*" the man chuckled, then coughed. "l am your Headmaster. i'd tellyou my name, but you'll have to earn the right to know it."
He paused, letting the silence settle.
"l see many bright faces here today. But let me make one thing clear-your noble blood does not guaranteeyour place in this academy."
His tone sharpened.
There are ten thousand of you here right now. By noon, only five thousand will remain. That is the reality ofthis world, Survival of the Fittest. We do not care who you were-only what you can do."
The room grew tense.
"And if anyone dares to bribe a teacher into passing you... l promise you, neither you nor your siblings willgraduate from any academy in the Human Kingdom. Ever."
Leon raised an eyebrow.
"Wel, Looks like old man believes in equality huh ?' Leon thought as a smirk spread across his face. "Now," the Headmaster continued,"let me introduce you to the Seven Houses of this academy.He pointed to different sections of the hall."Those in green robes are The Alchemists of House Virellis."In sapphire blue-Mages of House Aetherwyn.""In red and black, the Swordbearers of House Drakemor.'Deep purple marks the Summoners of House Zevrath."1"Golden robes belong to the Enchanters of House Aurinox."'White-robed Healers stand with House Solvayne.""And finally, those in black robes with eerie auras-Magis of House Umbraeth."Leon's gaze drifted over each group. Every house had its pride, its hierarchy, its power."These seven Houses will compete for points across five years and whichever house wins at last, shall beawarded with magic items, Jobs, Riches and much more" the Headmaster finished."Now, your trialinstructors will guide you from here on."
He smiled faintly as he noticed, A single student standing away from all the groups, Leon, "May the gods bewith you and Demons be against you. HoHoHo *Cough-Cough*." .And with a flicker of light, he vanished once again into thin air.
Hall of Velthorne Academy...
The grand hall now stood nearly empty. Every house had already departed withtheir trialinstructors-except one.
The Alchemists of House Virellis still sat quietly, waiting
The moment they let me go, i'm bolting back home and getting in bed withElaine,' Leon grumbled internally, as perverted thoughts started to enter insidehis mind. But his train of thought derailed instantly when a deep, magicalchime echoed through the entire academy!
[House Points will now be displayed.]
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted.
Every corridor across the academy stirred to life as students from every yealcame rushinginto the hall like a wave.Iin a matter of seconds, the place thatwas almost silent was now a hurricane ofexcitement and speculation.'The hell's going on now?" one of the new kids shouted, clearly overwhelmed.A massive holographic projection materialized mid-air, visible from everycorner of the hall. The points board appeared, glowing and floating like divinetext:
1. House Umbraeth-3495 Points
2. House Zevrath-3310 Points
3.House Aurinox-2985 Points
4. House Solvayne-2910 Points
5. House Drakemor-2755 Points
6. House Aetherwyn-2690 Points
7. House Virellis-820 Points 6
Leon blinked."Wait... House Virellis is dead last"He stared at the numbers with a neutral expression. The room was buzzing with reactions.Damn it, those swordsmen overtook us again," a mage in sapphire robes muttered, shaking his head.And just as quickly as it had filled, the hall began to empty out-students leaving in loud, hurrying waves. All thatremained were the freshmen ofHouse Virellis, and their frustration.
Why the hell are we last?"a noble kid stood up,clearly frustrated.
What do you expect?" came a deep, almost amused voice. A tall man in the same green robes as the students steppedforward from the hall's edge. "Alchemists don't exactly win duels against mages or swordsmen" 5Who are you?"another student asked
I'm Mr. Malkof. Your trial instructor," the man replied with a grin."Now come. i'l take you for a walk through House Virellistragic history.. until we reach the Alchemy Lab and tell you why we are last for the last thirty years."
The group rose and began to follow Mr. Malkof without wasting another second.
Leon walked with the rest, though his eyes were busy scanning something else entirely.
Where the hell are the MllFs in this academy? Not a single one in sight so fa...Are they banned or what?
That thought came to an abrupt halt.
Your sword is your soul in battle. Become one with it," came a powerful, feminine voice from the open training ground totheir left.
Leon's head snapped toward the source..
Standing there was a mature woman in her 40s-glorious blonde hair, toned muscles, big, soft boobs, and a fluffy hugeass
Target acquired, Leon thought, his eyes-focused on her curves
Leon continued to stair at her as he walked past the whole corridor
"Anyway," Malkof continued, "that's why we're losing. You get challenged to a duel? Decline it. One wrong step, and you"lose points for the whole house.Then everyone will hate your guts.
We are just helpers in battlefield, Nothing more. Most of us don't even see the face of battlefield in their lifetime untilitget's really ugly."
By now, the group had arrived in front of the Alchemy Lab-a surprisingly modest-looking structure from the outside. 1
Alright. Inside, everyone..
The door opened, and what looked small from the outside revealed an impossibly large chamber inside-another cleveruse of spatial magic.
Rows upon rows of pristine tables stood neatly arranged, each equipped with flasks,vials, and ingredients laid out onthem to brew potions. Students took their seats, their expressions turning serious as they scanned the things sitting infront of them.
No one sat near Leon-as everyone already knew he was a Commoner. All except one
A quiet girl with calm eyes wordlessly sat next to him, ignoring everything but the teacher.
Malkof walked forward."Before you are the basic tools, medicinal herbs, and a written recipe
Your task is to brew a minor healing potion. No magic, No skil, No talking. Any violation and you're out expelled on thespot."
You have ten minutes. Begin.
The room erupted into quiet activity as everyone started to pour water into their bowls
Leon calmly poured water into his bowl as wel, eyeing the three types of herbs in front of him. He scanned the paper lying
on one side of the table:
'Crush and add Dun-Dun leaves. Boil until impurities rise, skim them off Add pure mana.lfthe liouid glows crimson andsettles into a deep red,congratulations-you've passed.
Leon scratched his head."Which of these is even Dun-Dun?!
He glanced at the girl beside him-she was already using the leaves from the third bowl.
'Shit Screw it. l don't even care about being expelled.' Leon thought as a smirk spread across his face and he used hisskill
[Name: Hermit Tree's Leaf]
[Type: Leaf]
[Rank: Common]
[Description: Used for crafting minor mana recovery potions. Precision required. Small errors may ruin the brew
[Name: Dun-Dun Plant's Leaf]
[Type: Leaf]
[Rank: Common]
[Description: Known for fog-producing properties when exposed to pure mana.]
Leon frowned. Wait,that doesn't match the healing recipe at al... .re they trying to make fog potions or fool out ofus ?Before he could dig deeper, another student abruptly stood up in just 3 minutes he had completed his potionI've completed mine!
Malkofwalked over and peered at the red liquid
A beautiful color. You've passed. You're free to leave and pick your classes," he said with a warm smile and withouthesitation, took a sip from the flask.
Sip.
"Mmm... Nice."
10 minutes have passed and about 300 students have already left the lab after completing or failing in their potion
brewing.
Okay, That's Time. Please put your equipments down..lf you are found with anything from the table in your hands. Youwill be expelled on the spot." The teacher spoke as he immediately started looking at the potions of the students
"Pass, Go"
"Pass, Go."
"Failed. Go Home.
"Failed, Go Home."
"Failed. Go Home..
After checking everyone's potion, the teacher finally reached onto Leon's desk
As soon as he looked at Leon's potion, he noticed that it was completely black
Failed, Go Home."
'Thank you." Leon replied with a smile as he stood up from his chair and started walking towards door.Wai.. Those vials in your pocket You can't take them with you.. Please return them, they are academy's property." Theteacher spoke. 1
Shit' Leon thought as he slowly pulled the vials out and the teacher was left stunned as soon as he looked at the vials.Both of the vials were filled with liquids. One of them was light green and another one was light blueWait, These." As soon as the teacher looked at the potions in them his eyes widened in supriseHe immediately took them from Leon opened them and took a sip from each potion.
*sip-sip*
"Hmm.. You were trying to fail on purpose, weren't you, Kid ?" The teacher asked with a smile."I failed the task, l didn't make healing potion. So,l can go home right ?" Leon asked with a neutral expression.'Fuck,l shouldn't have crafted that skil.' Leon thought as he regretted his actions. 2No, l take back my words.. You have passed and so have you, Who brewed all three potions girl, both of you can now goand select your classes." The teacher spoke with a smile.
[Congratulations! You have learned the skill, {Instant Craft} Successfully]
[Name: Instant Craft]
[Rank: F]
[Level: 1]
[usage: 2/30]
[Description: Once used, user can craft F-ranked potions immediately without any preparations or equipments exceptempty vials and the craftingingredients.
The skill consumes a huge amount of mana with every craft and once used,it can't be used for the next 24 hours. skilcan be leveled up by brewing more and more potions, with every level up potion's effects will be upgraded by 5% andmana usage will also increase by5%] 1
[Mana: 100 mana/ Potion]
[Cooldown: 24 Hours]
"Heh..tupid system,i never mentioned how many potions can l craft in one go but testing it here was a bad idea. Leonthought as a smirk spread across his face.
Leon stood silently in the hallway, a class selection form resting in his hands. "Fill out your forms quickly. I'll cake you to your dorms after this," Mr. Malkof announced, his voice frm as he glanced at thegathered students.
Whispers began to rise like smoke from a fre as everyone's attention turned towards Leon.
"How the hell did that commoner pass?
"Didn't the teacher say he failed at first?"
"He must've bribed the teacher."
"I think the teacher passed him because he is also a Commoner."
"Both ofthem are fucking trash."
The noble students hissed their comments, not even bothering to lower their voices. Leon could hear every word crystal clear.'These motherfuckers really know how to talk sweet... even when they know I'm listening" Leon's face remained expressionless,his eyes scanning the form in his hands.
'Each House has seven class types based on their specialty... Alchemists have:
1. Potion Brewing
2. Material Transmutation
3. Herbology & Magical Plants
4.Explosive Alchemy
5. Poison & Antidote Crafting
6. Alchemy Theory
7. Experimental Lab
..and I don't give a shit about any of them."
He fipped the page, and that's when his eyes caught something interesting.
Non-Attending Students:
Students who cannot afford the Academy's hostel or transportation fees may choose this option. They are only required to attendtwice a month, must participate in one House Duel Competition per month, and join every open Clas held once every threemonths.
A wide grin spread across Leon's face.
'Hell yes. That's what I've been looking for.
Without a second thought, he checked the box, randomly selected some classes, and stood up
He walked up to Mr. Malkofand handed over the form
"Here."
"Oh, the kid who was caught 'stealing' potions," Malkof said with a knowing smile as he accepted the form.
Leon's jaw twitched.
'Fuck off, That shit was mine-I made it. l wasn't stealing anything.
Malkof gave the form a glance, then looked Leon dead in the eye
"You sure you want to choose the Non-Attender route? You're already on scholarship. All your fees are covered."I'm sure."
'IfI can graduate while lounging in bed with MlLFs, why would I waste time in boring classes?
From behind, a sneering voice pierced the air.
'It's better, this garbage won't be sitting with us."
A vein pulsed on Leon's forehead.
"Hey, hey, hey-why be mean to such a sweet kid?" Another noble student approached with a grin, placing a hand on Leon'shoulder. Skinny, smug, and stupid face.
Leon narrowed his eyes.
'I mean, do you even know what his mnom mustdone to get him in here? Probably sold herselfto some old bastard just so thispiece oftrash could come here on a scholars
PAK!
THUD!
The noble's words were cut short by a brutal uppercut. Blood spurted from his mouth as he hited the ground, his tongue caughtbetween his teeth.
"I'm sorry," Leon said fadly. "My hand slipped."
"You... You bastard! I'm a 3-star noble! You're dead! i'll tell my father and-"PAK!
Another punch straight to the nose, more blood gushed out ofhis nose."Ahhhhhhh..." Fredrick shouted as he grabbed his nose with both ofhis hands."Oops. Slipped again, Sorry." Leon replied with a fat face as he looked at the noble kid."Hey! Calm the fuick down!" Malkofsnapped, stepping in immediately. "Mr. Fredrick, go to Solvayne House's Dorm Master. she'lheal you up. You, come with me. The rest ofyou fnish your damn forms.
Fuck, I can't spend one day in peace." Fredrick shouted as he immediately took Leon to his ofhce.
Malkof's Ofce..
Leon sat calmly, arms crossed, Malkofpaced in front ofhim, clearly stressed.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" Malkof asked as he pointed his fnger towards leon.
"My hand slipped." Leon replied with a straight face.
"Do I have 'Dumb' written over my forehead ? You don't have any idea what you have done in anger, Kid.You hit a 3-star Noble's kid. Once he leaves the Academy walls, he'l come for your life. Nobles don't forget. They don't forgive.Leon shrugged. "l don't care."
Malkofopened his mouth to speak, but the door slammed open.
A woman in her 40's entering inside the ofice long blue hair, sharp sapphire eyes, enormous boobs hanging freely and a hugePair ofass-cheeks.
Malkofimmediately bowed. "Madam Aria.
'This is the one who punched Fredrick?" she asked, her eyes narrowing at Leon.
"Y-Yes, ma'am, But I have everything under control-"
"You commoners always think you have things under control. In reality, you're completely out of controlIf you had it under contro.l.. Then how did he punched him twice ?" She asked with a serious expression.
"M-Ma'am... [-l was just-"
She stepped forward and dropped a single glove on Leon's shoulder
Malkof gasped. "Oh, shit.."
"Fredrick has shown this boy some mercy. Since the incident began on Academy grounds, he's agreed to settle things here. Afiendly duel-in one hour, in Solvayne House's ring. This will serve as a lesson to other commoners who've forgotten their placeDon't be late or I can't guarantee the safety ofthis kid." Aria spoke with a very arrogant voice as she turned around to leave.
"Oh.. and his Non-Attender and Hostel Privileges have been revoked." Aria spoke as she left the ofhce.
"Fuck." Malkof spoke with a serious expresion as he grabbed his forehead. "she wants to send a message to the Commoners evenmore she hosted it in her house's ring.
Fuck, Why does this always happen to me ?"
Leon picked up the glove, staring at it in silence.
"I thought I could live peacefully in this world. But as long as bitches like her exist.. that's only a dream. 3Even ifl earned money, Nobles like her won't let me live in peace and l am not going down without fucking every MlLF in thisworld, including that bitch.
I will turn her into a fucking Cum-Dump, A disposable feshlight for my dick and throw her aside after using her body..l wastaking it very easy until now, but l can't do this anymore." Leon thought with a serious expresion as he clenched his fst and usedhis skill.