<h4>Chapter 214: Inside the Academy</h4>


    Kiara and Ophelia remained uneasy despite the official’s calm assurance that there was no danger. Both of them knew Eleanor was an awakened Elizabeth. She might be many things, but never weak. Yet none of the academy staff appeared even remotely troubled by her condition. Eleanor, meanwhile, looked as though she were merely sleeping, her expression serene, her breathing steady. With no outward sign of distress, they forced themselves to wait patiently.


    Atst, after more than half an hour, Eleanor’sshes fluttered and her eyes opened. But instead of regaining full awareness, she fell into a daze. Within her mind, a translucent disy bloomed into view. Nora’s voice echoed softly.


    "Master, please examine what you have gained from this upgrade. This panel was pre-programmed by the academy, but I can also show you some additional information... though that lies beyond their design. I suggest leaving that forter, when you have the time. For now, read through this. The others are waiting for you to wake."


    The official rose from her seat and tapped the rune again, disengaging the restraint upon Eleanor’s chair.


    Eleanor’s gaze settled upon the glowing panel before her eyes.


    [Status Screen]


    Cadet Name: Eleanor Elizabeth Raynor


    Cadet Number: 10156659


    Institution: Ascendance Academy of Midgard


    Race: Werewolf (Alpha)


    Bloodline: Mind Reaver (Awakened), Thunderbolt (Dormant)


    Cultivation Level: Awakened


    Academy Points: --


    Unique Abilities:


    Mind eleration [Active] – Cognitive speed vastly heightened; capable of predicting enemy movements in real time.


    Bloodlust Instinct [Passive] – Sharpensbat instincts to lethal efficiency while inbat mode.


    Eidetic Memory [Passive] – Perfect recall of every experience.


    Adaptive Muscle Memory [Passive] – Newly acquired skills are instantly integrated into the body.


    Universal Comprehension [Passive] – Immediate understanding of all spoken and writtennguages.


    Night Vision [Passive] – wless vision in total darkness.


    Combat Skills:


    Tactical Foresight [Passive] – Battlefield analysed at a nce; enables optimal targeting and movement.


    Killing Precision [Passive] – Strikes automatically direct themselves towards vital points.


    Predator’s Awareness [Passive] – Senses minute shifts in an opponent’s intent or movement.


    Overdrive Focus [Active] – Channelstent energy into heightened speed and reflexes for a brief duration.


    Mind Arts:


    Mental Lock [Active] – Locks onto a chosen target, suppressing all distractions until the kill is achieved.


    rity Veil [Passive] – Immunity to illusions, mind-control, and memory tampering.


    Memory Erasure [Active] – Erases selected memories from weaker beings for a limited span.


    When she finished reading, Eleanor decisively closed the screen. Though questions crowded her mind, she pushed them aside forter. Her vision sharpened as awareness returned, and she nced around.


    The first person she noticed was the official seated before her. The woman was smiling faintly. "Congrattions. Can you see your status?" she asked.


    Eleanor nodded. "Yes."


    "How many academy points do you have?"


    "None. There are two dashes in the line," Eleanor replied.


    "Excellent," the woman said as she produced a ck wristwatch-like device and set it on the desk. "Wear this. Although it looks like a watch, it is far more than that. It establishes your link to the academy. From now on, you must wear it at all times. It is resistant to heat, water, and impact. The moment you wear it on your wrist, it will sync to your body. It also functions as a tracker... should the device ever be forcibly removed, protectors will rush to yourst known location. In addition, it constantly monitors your health. If you suffer any mortal injury, the academy will be alerted immediately. Now, please put it on."


    Eleanor obeyed, fastening it securely to her left wrist.


    "Good. Now open your status again and check your points," the woman instructed.


    At a mentalmand, the translucent panel bloomed once more before Eleanor’s eyes. She scanned directly to the line.


    "Academy Points: 0"


    Closing the screen, she said aloud, "Now the point is zero."


    "Correct," the woman confirmed. "That means your system is properly connected. The device will keep your points updated while you are inside the academy. Once you leave, it will be useless and must be returned. One final piece of advice... your status screen is yours alone. Not even the principal can ess it. If you wish to keep any abilities hidden, simply refrain from sharing them."


    She leaned back slightly, her tone softening. "Now you are ready to enter the academy. Your friends have been waiting long enough. If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask one of our officials... we are here to assist you."


    Eleanor rose smoothly to her feet. "Thank you." Her gaze drifted to Kiara and Ophelia, who still stood nearby with concern written across their faces.


    "Let’s go," she said, striding towards the teleportation gate. The two followed without hesitation.


    ***


    The instant they stepped through, the world shifted. They emerged inside a spacious hall. Several white-robed men and women lounged in chairs ahead, chatting idly amongst themselves. At the cadets’ arrival, three of them broke off and approached. One was a Naga in human form, the other two were merfolk whose steps carried a graceful, fluid poise.


    Eleanor stiffened slightly. Up until now, at the front office... she had seen only fairies serving as officials. She had assumed the entire academy staff belonged to the same race. Yet here, before her eyes, were representatives from across the known world: werewolves, vampires, kitsune, merfolk, and more. Clearly her assumption had been mistaken.


    A merfolk woman came forward, extending a pale, webbed hand. Her sea-green eyes gleamed with an amiable lustre. "Cadet 659, I am Ondina Marise di Mare. I will be your guide from here. A room has already been assigned to you in the dormitory ording to your cadet number. Please follow me."


    "Okay. Thank you." Eleanor epted her hand with a firm, courteous shake.


    Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Kiara and Ophelia each being greeted by their own assigned guides.


    "Don’t worry," Ondina said, catching her nce. "We will all walk together. There is a single dormitory for cadets, though rooms are distributed by cadet number. You may not be direct neighbours, but it is very possible you will be on the same floor. At the moment, we are standing in the teleportation hall of the Administrative Building. I will take you now to your dormitory so you may settle in."


    Turning towards the rest of the group, she added brightly, "Shall we go together?"


    The others nodded, and so Eleanor and herpanions fell in step behind her.


    Exiting the teleportation hall, Eleanor found herself in a long corridor. The teleportation hall stood at its far end, while doors lined both sides of the passage. Brass tes gleamed above each doorframe, etched with neatly ordered numbers.


    Ondina raised her voice slightly so all could hear. "Right now, we are on the first floor of the Administrative Building. The rooms on both sides belong to the administrative staff. Your guidebook contains a detailed map that exins the function of each office. This building has three levels... the second floor is for the principal and the higher officials, while the ground floor contains the offices of professors and academic staff. Normally, you will have little reason toe here, but I strongly advise you to remember the room numbers listed in your guidebook for emergencies."


    Her eyes swept over the group, pausing briefly on Eleanor and herpanions. "You must have already been told how important the guidebook is. But let me remind you once more... today you must remain in the dormitory except at dinner. Use this time wisely to memorise the guide. From tomorrow onwards, your days will be consumed by physical training and academic studies. Free time for personal reading will be rare."


    She stopped speaking for a moment, then added in a steadier tone, "Today we are here to help you settle in. From tomorrow, we resume our normal duties at the academy. I work in the ounts department. Lotus and Corallina..." she gestured towards the Naga and the second merfolk at her side, "are with the estate department. Unless an emergency arises, you may not see us again. So, if you have any questions, ask now."


    Eleanor thought for a moment before speaking. "I heard those who join as academy staff must leave their ns behind ande to Kvernheim to live. Is that true?"


    Ondina inclined her head. "You heard correctly. All staff who join the academy must sever ties with their ns to ensure the academy remains impartial. If they are married and have children, their families must also move here. The fairies dwell near Lord Yggdrasil. Dragons, however, have no ns... they live in territories, usually in pairs. Their birth rate is low, and when their young ones mature, they leave to im a new territory. Dragons dislike crowded cities and seldom remain in human form for long, so most keep to their wilderness territories rather than living here in Kvernheim. The city itself was built slowly over centuries by academy staff and their families. To this day, only we academy staff, the dragons, and the fairies could ownnd within its borders. The rule applies equally to all."


    She paused, her tone softening. "Of course, leaving one’s n can bring a psychic toll. Yet the prosperity offered to future generations outweighs the loss. Unlike the professors, we staff enjoy priority whenever general recruitment opens. My father, too, serves as academy staff. I was epted because my qualifications met the standard. Many of us are now second or even third generation. But do not worry... under the watchful gaze of Lord Yggdrasil, no one dares practise discrimination here."


    The corridor stretched on and on. For more than five minutes they walked before finally descending to the ground floor. Eleanor noticed how the numbering changed... the first floor held roomsbelled 101, 102, and so forth, while the ground floor was marked with 001, 002, and so on.


    Atst, they stepped out through the main entrance. And a splendour unfolded before them. A majesty of nature intertwined with the grandeur of ancient architecture greeted their eyes, so breathtakingly beautiful that for a heartbeat Eleanor felt her chest tighten.