Klarion was hard-pressed to keep his calm when his character sheet appeared in a status window in front of him. To say there were some changes was an understatement.
Name: Klarion von Sturmwacht
Race: Human (Noresyn)
Class: TBD - Level 1 (Free Points = 30)
Profession(s): TBD
Essence(s): TBD
Faction: Treverorum Empire - House Blacksword
Rank: Scion - Unlanded
Aura: -
Majesty: -
Eminence: -
Strength: 24 => 54
Dexterity: 19 => 49
Vitality: 35 => 65
Endurance: 43 => 73
Intelligence: 27 => 57
Wisdom: 17 => 47
Charisma: 10 => 40
Luck: 6 => 16
Traits: Greater Soul Oath (Unknown - Hidden)
Skills: N/A
Abilities: N/A
According to how much his stats had grown, the ceremony had led to him gaining slightly more than seven levels worth of stat points. That was an insane number of stats for his level, given what Alesin and Rolfun had explained to him. While he did not feel that different, Klarion knew that he would need to engage in some serious training later to make sure he had a handle on his new capabilities. But he would have to set that aside for now.
The Lord Sentinel lifted a gauntleted hand from the hilt of his greatsword to gesture at the crystal altar. A low chime, pleasant to the ear, echoed throughout the amphitheater as the green flame over the altar flickered and faded from sight. A faint crackling came as the crystal altar began to shimmer, its solid form unraveling into thousands of tiny hards that hung suspended in the air, glinting like stars. With a sweep of his hand, the shards coalesced into a swirling vortex, then vanished entirely, leaving only an empty spot on the stage where the altar had previously stood.
With the attention of most of the scions of nobility fixed on the Lord Sentinel, Klarion turned his attention back to his status window, focusing on the three additions to his character sheet. While he had a general idea of what Aura, Majesty, and Eminence meant as words back on Earth, that did not mean they would mean the same thing under the System. Mentally, he selected each in turn, asking for additional information. Thanking, three pop-ups appeared that clarified a few of his questions but did not fully address how each worked in practice.
Aura
The manifestation of your physical and martial presence. Aura influences those weaker than you, compelling awe, fear, or submission. Wielded actively in combat or intimidation, Aura allows you to project overwhelming force without needing to lift a finger. It can make even the faintest gesture with a weapon carry an air of undefinable dominance.
Majesty
The intangible power of respect and fortune that flows to and from your lands, people, and position. Majesty governs the respect you command as a noble and the prosperity you bestow upon your domains. It affects how others perceive your authority and inspires loyalty in followers. Majesty can be employed as a charm-like force, persuading or calming those weaker than you. Its influence enhances your ability to sway individuals and govern effectively.
Eminence
The enduring reputation and renown of your noble station. Eminence represents your legacy and the weight of your name. It passively enhances the benefits and gifts granted to you by others, as well as your overall standing in the social and political spheres. Eminence does not require active use; instead, it ensures preferential treatment, better opportunities, and heightened respect in dealings with peers and subordinates alike.
While he wanted to look more into each, Klarion’s attention was pulled back to the stage as the Lord Sentinel moved to the edge to address the gathered scions. Klarion leaned forward in his seat, doing his best to make sure he missed nothing.
“My sincerest congratulations to you all for successfully unlocking the benefits inherent to those of the nobility who have sworn loyalty,” The Lord Sentinel’s voice was tinged with pride. “We now turn to the next phase of your induction into the Imperial Academy as first-year noble students. I present to you, Vice-Chancellor Thaddeus.”
A figure stepped forward from the shadows along the back of the stage. Moving with slow, deliberate steps, the figure was gradually revealed to be an old man. His face was marked by deep lines and scars; his skin was weathered as though it had been carved of old leather. Though frail in appearance, he wore a dark, tattered cloak with the insignia of the Imperial Academy emblazoned upon his chest. The Vice-Chancellor’s eyes were piercing, a cold grey that seemed to see through the very souls of those he looked at. This was a very dangerous man.
Vice-Chancellor Thaddeus stepped forward to the edge of the stage, his presence commanding the attention of the entire amphitheater. His scarred, weathered face looked out over the sea of first-year nobility, many of them still reeling from the vents of the ceremony, their expressions a mixture of awe, nervousness, and uncertainty. His piercing grey eyes swept over them slowly, assessing their every movement, their every expression. The silence stretched as he took his time, letting the tension build, before finally breaking it with a deep, rumbling voice that carried across the vast chamber.
“Young scions of the Empire, my congratulations to you all for passing your first test,” the Vice-Chancellor said, his voice calm yet imbued with an undeniable authority that immediately drew every eye. “You are now all officially first-year students of this Imperial Academy.”
Klarion raised his hands to clap, as that was what generally was given in response to congratulations like the one they had just received. Apparently, that was only a thing that happened on Earth, as no one else moved to do so after Vice-Chancellor Thaddeus paused. Klarion awkwardly lowered his hands, glad no one else had seen what he had been about to do. Thankfully, the Vice-Chancellor chose to continue his orientation speech at that moment.
“The Imperial Academy is not merely a place of learning,” Thaddeus continued. “It is the crucible through which the future leaders, warriors, and scholars of the Empire are forged. Each of you is here today because of your descent from those who succeeded in fulfilling these roles in the past. The potential you possess through your bloodlines will either be nurtured to greatness or crushed beneath the weight of your own inadequacies.”
The words coming from the Vice-Chancellor hit Klarion hard. The weight of expectation pressed heavily on him already, and here was one of the leaders of the Imperial Academy saying on day one, before classes had even started, that there was a very real possibility that he might not make it. Forcing himself to set those concerning words aside, Klarion focused on the fact that the green flames had judged him worthy and, the strangeness of the other messages of the System aside, had unlocked his access to the benefits of being nobility within the Empire. Yes, that was how he needed to think about it. If the Imperial Academy was a crucible, Klarion would just need to exert every effort he could to emerge from it as tempered steel — stronger, sharper, and ready to prove himself worthy of participating in whatever was coming for Earth in its looming integration into the System.
“The Empire spans not just worlds but entire realms of existence. It faces challenges from countless hostile races, emerging threats, and cataclysmic events across the multiverse. This Imperial Academy’s mission is to prepare you, the next generation, to confront and overcome these dangers. Here, you will learn to master your access to the System, to wield your skills and abilities as weapons, and even earn special traits, all to sharpen your capacity to defeat those who seek to destroy the Empire. By the time you leave this Imperial Academy — if you survive the training — you will no longer be the same person who entered. You will be stronger, faster, more capable, and — above all — indispensable to the Empire’s future.”
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With a sweeping motion of his gnarled hand, Vice-Chancellor Thaddeus conjured a massive sigil that glowed faintly in the air over the center of the stage. In a twisting motion with his fingers curling, he spun his hand, causing the sigil to shift into a floating, semi-transparent board. A final snap of his fingers sent words racing across its surface. As words were constructed into sentences, it began to become clear that what the Vice-Chancellor had called into being was a detailed list of rules and expectations for first-year students at the Imperial Academy. As the words finished appearing, the Vice-Chancellor continued speaking.
“Let me make one thing abundantly clear: the Imperial Academy does not tolerate failure, weakness, or insubordination. Each of you is expected to adhere to the rules and regulations of this institution, and infractions will not be met with leniency,” Thaddeus’ gaze settled on those who sat nearest the stage, in the seats set aside for those of the Archducal houses, “regardless of your rank.”
Thaddeus gestured above and behind himself at the board that remained hovering in the air. Words shifted to simple animated figures, which began to act out the various rules. Klarion would have been entertained, but for the fact that what the Vice-Chancellor was covering was so important to his future at the Imperial Academy.
“When an instructor, professor, or Dean gives you a command, you will follow it without hesitation,” Thaddeus said firmly. “Defiance will lead to swift disciplinary action.”
The figures shifted on the board to show one clearly giving a large box to another in the uniform of a student. As soon as the student received the box, another figure dressed like a Sentinel appeared on the board to take it.
“The Imperial Academy is about pushing its students to excel under their own merits and efforts. No outside assistance will be tolerated.”
The figures shifted again, this time into two clearly wearing armor and wielding swords. They began to clash as another figure looking like what Klarion assumed to be a professor stood nearby.
“Dueling between students is allowed but must be conducted in designated arenas with proper supervision.” Thaddeus’ face took on a grim expression. “Unauthorized combat on the grounds of the Imperial Academy will result in immediate punishment, up to expulsion or worse.”
With a perfunctory wave of his hands, the glowing board of rules hovered for a moment longer before dissipating into streams of golden light. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd of assembled first-years, lingering briefly here and there for reasons Klarion was not able to determine. He was just thankful that he had not been one that attracted the extra attention of the Vice-Chancellor.
“Though there are others you will learn of in the months ahead, these are the most important rules by which you will abide,” Thaddeus stated, his gravelly voice again echoing through the amphitheater. “I will reiterate: fail to follow them, and the consequences will be swift, severe, and inescapable. Yet, for those who adhere to them and excel, the rewards you will find here are boundless. Know always that the Imperial Academy is a meritocracy, but merit is not just about your power or abilities. It’s about discipline, respect, and responsibility. ”
It was at that moment that the Vice-Chancellor turned grim, and the lighting of the amphitheater almost seemed to dim as he spoke again. “Not all of you will make it through the first year. Some will fail to keep up with their classes; others will break under the pressure or worse. Do not take your time here lightly.”
“Now. There is one final thing you, as new first-year students, need to be aware of: the Imperial Academy Exchange.” The Vice-Chancellor’s grim expression returned to a more neutral one, and the amphitheater seemed to brighten again. Raising his gnarled hands high, his sleeves slid down his bony arms to reveal intricate tattoos of shapes and whorls interspersed between words and symbols that Klarion could not make out the meaning of. Thaddeus’ hands began to move in rapid motion before coming to a sudden halt when he slammed both fists together in a burst of green light that flashed across the amphitheater. Without warning, a System window appeared before Klarion.
Imperial Academy Exchange
Vice-Chancellor Thaddeus has granted you acces to the Imperial Academy Exchange. An internal currency tracking system, as a student you are now able to earn special seals and coins via the completion of assignments or activities that you can exchange for special items, training, opportunities, bonds, and more! Just remember: the Imperial Academy is always watching.
Rare Currencies
Seals of Valor (0): Earned through acts of honor and justice.
Seals of Cunning (0): Earned through acts of subterfuge and subversion.
Seals of Brutality (0): Earned through acts of ruthlessness and viciousness.
Seals of Discovery (0): Earned through discovering secrets and hidden things.
Seals of Arcana (0): Earned through contributions of spellcraft and magical study.
Common Currencies
Coins of Knowledge (0): Accumulated through participation in classes, top exam scores, mentoring, and leadership roles.
Coins of Service (0): Accumulated through the exchange of items, loot, and resources at the Hall of Bonds.
Klarion’s red-gold eyes quickly skimmed through the details of the Imperial Academy Exchange. At first, he was struck by the complexity of the various seals and coins, but then he considered the deeper meaning behind the classifications. The wide range of possibilities and approaches to one’s time here at the Imperial Academy, as reflected by the various seals and coins, showed him that this was not just a currency system but also a map of pathways to dominance during his time here.
His mind buzzed with the possibilities. A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. He wasn’t yet sure how to go about earning these seals, but he knew that he would work as hard as possible to navigate the process successfully so that he could carve out his own place here. When he shifted his gaze to consider the coins, his grin faltered, replaced with a thoughtful frown. Knowledge Coins, tied to academic success and responsibilities, seemed straightforward enough, though the idea of his performance being so openly tracked still unsettled him somewhat. Service Coins, on the other hand, carried a weight he didn’t fully understand. Items and training he got, but the notion of trading resources and loot, whatever those ended up being, for servants at the Hall of Bonds made him uneasy. It suggested that loyalty here was transactional. Apparently, the warnings Alesin and Rolfun had given him about the need to focus on loyalty and trust were truer than he thought they would be.
His eyes returned to the final words at the top portion of the System window: the Imperial Academy is always watching. Given everything he had experienced so far, he did not think those words were anything but literal. He would be judged not just by his professors and instructors, but also by an invisible, omnipresent force at the Imperial Academy. Moreover, while he did not expect that he would feel any need to violate the rules that the Vice-Chancellor had touched on, he would still have to be careful. Unfortunately, given everything that had happened in the ceremony, the odds of him being able to float by under the radar were already much lower. And that was before he even knew that he was going to be one amongst only a few dozen associated with an Archducal House, as compared to the literal hundreds of scions coming from the middle and lower nobility.
No, despite the spectacle of his ceremony, his goal of avoiding unnecessary attention still held. While what had happened with the green flame, and his own transformation, had made him a focal point, he still hoped he could attempt to blend into the sea of other first-year noble scions even if it required significant effort on his part. His own rank compared to so many others was a curse in this regard, but if he could find ways to avoid overt displays of power or ambition, then it still might be possible to avoid at least some potential enemies.
Then again, given how the lead scion of House Ironclaw had glared at him right after his own ceremony, his efforts to avoid attention might not even matter. If that was the case, he resolved that he would do everything in his power to get ahead of his potential enemies as soon as possible. Klarion dismissed the window, leaning back in his seat, arms crossed. Yes. If the Imperial Academy wanted to forge its students through fire and pressure, he would have to meet it head-on.
Vice-Chancellor Thaddeus remained standing at the edge of the stage, apparently patiently waiting for the remaining students to finish examining what being granted access to the Imperial Academy Exchange meant. How he was tracking that, Klarion had no idea, but it was the only explanation that made sense for why he was still standing there. Thankfully, Klarion did not need to wait long.
Clasping his hands behind his back, the Vice-Chancellor’s voice boomed once more across the amphitheater, “Now, our ceremony draws to a close. You will proceed outside where you will be given a campus tour by the Sentinel that escorted you to this amphitheater. After you familiarize yourself with the grounds, halls of learning, and the residences you will be staying in, you will have the opportunity to engage in various orientation events that will help prepare you for life within the Imperial Academy.”
The Vice-Chancellor began backing up in the direction from which he had emerged onto the stage. “When you retire to your residences tonight, you will find detailed information regarding the courses you have been assigned and your class schedules. Classes begin tomorrow. There will be no leniency for tardiness or lack of preparation, so I encourage you to get a good night’s sleep and arrive early.”
Halfway back down the stage, the shadows of the far wall reached out tendrils to twist up around the Vice-Chancellor. While gasps came from many of the gathered first-years, Thaddeus did not react except to smile. Just after the shadows reached his head, they ripped apart to return to the wall, the Vice-Chancellor gone like he had never actually been on the stage.
Given that sometime after the arrival of the Vice-Chancellor the Lord Sentinel had left the stage, all the first-year students took this as permission to leave the Amphitheater of Induction. The mention of orientation events, which likely included eating and drinking, had clearly seized the attention of the majority, as many were already heading out toward the exits. Relieved to no longer be the target of so much attention, Klarion let out a slow breath and settled in to wait a few minutes to avoid the rush.
His brief respite was shattered when a whisper came from behind him.
“Welcome to the Imperial Academy, Klarion.”