Vio stood before his father, Duke Drago, his heart pounding in his chest. He had never felt so nervous in his life. His father, a towering figure, both literally and figuratively, was renowned as one of the strongest swordsmen in the kingdom. His intelligence was unmatched, and his reputation was feared and respected in equal measure.

"Father," Vio began, his voice barely a whisper. "I have something to ask you."

Duke Drago raised an eyebrow, his gaze piercing. "Speak, son."

Vio took a deep breath. "I want to attend the Pluto Academy."

His father's expression turned stern. "Pluto Academy? That institution for commoners? Why would you even consider such a place?"

Vio knew this was going to be difficult. "Father, I understand that I have the privilege of training under your guidance. But the Pluto Academy offers opportunities that I cannot get here. I want to learn from other masters, to test myself against the best."

Duke Drago considered his words for a long moment. "And what makes you think you are worthy of such an opportunity?"

Vio's heart raced. He knew he had to impress his father. "I've trained hard, Father. I've honed my skills. I believe I am ready for the challenge."

His father nodded, a flicker of approval in his eyes. "Very well. If you wish to attend Pluto Academy, you must prove yourself worthy. I will give you a trial. If you pass, you may go."

Vio's eyes widened. "A trial?"

"A trial of skill and endurance," his father replied. "You will face me in combat. If you can last ten minutes, you may attend Pluto Academy."

Vio's heart sank. His father was one of the strongest swordsmen in the kingdom. Ten minutes against him seemed impossible.

"I accept," he said, his voice barely a whisper.

The next day, Vio and his father met in the training yard. The air was thick with tension as they stood facing each other, their swords drawn.

At his father's signal, they lunged. The clash of steel echoed through the yard as they exchanged blows. Vio fought with everything he had, his mind racing, his body moving on instinct.

Ten minutes felt like an eternity. Vio was exhausted, his arms aching, his breath coming in ragged gasps. But he refused to give up. He pushed himself to the limit, every strike a testament to his determination.

Finally, the ten minutes were up. Duke Drago lowered his sword, his expression unreadable. "You have passed," he said. "You may attend Pluto Academy."

Vio's heart soared. He had done it. He had convinced his father, and now he was free to pursue his dreams. As he turned to leave, his father called out to him.

"Remember, son," he said. "No matter where you go or what you do, always be true to yourself. And never forget your roots."

Duke Drago watched his son with a mixture of pride and concern. Vio had proven himself to be a worthy warrior, his endurance and determination far surpassing that of many adults. Yet, the Duke knew that his son was still young and inexperienced. He had barely scratched the surface of his true potential.

During the trial, Drago had held back, using only a fraction of his power. He wanted to test Vio's limits, to see how far he could push himself. The boy had exceeded his expectations.

As Vio turned to leave, a brief smile crept across Drago's face. It was a rare expression, one that Vio had never seen before. It was a smile of approval, of satisfaction.

"Remember, son," Drago said, his voice filled with pride.

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

"The journey is as important as the destination. Never stop learning, never stop growing."

Vio nodded, his heart filled with gratitude. He knew that his father's words were a testament to his approval. And as he left the training yard, he was more determined than ever to make his father proud.

Vio was elated. He had passed his father's trial and was now free to attend Pluto Academy. But before he could leave, he had one more hurdle to overcome: convincing Kael to join him.

Kael was a free spirit, a wanderer with no fixed abode. He lived by the sword, taking whatever odd jobs he could find. Vio knew that it would be difficult to persuade him to settle down and attend an academy.

"Kael," Vio began, approaching his friend with a hopeful expression. "I've got good news. I'm going to Pluto Academy."

Kael shrugged. "Oh, is that so?"

"And I want you to come with me," Vio continued. "Imagine the opportunities we could have there. We could train with the best swordsmen in the kingdom, learn new techniques, and become even stronger."

Kael considered Vio's words for a moment. Then, he smiled. "Sounds like fun. I'm in."

Vio was taken aback. He had expected Kael to be more hesitant. "Really? You're just going to accept without any questions?"

Kael shrugged again. "Why not? As long as there's a sword involved and a place to train, I'm happy."

Vio couldn't help but laugh. He had underestimated Kael's simplicity. But in a way, it was refreshing. Kael was a man of few words, but he was also a man of his word.

As Vio and Kael prepared to leave for Pluto Academy, Vio couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. He was embarking on a new adventure, one that would test his skills and his friendship. And with Kael by his side, he knew that he could face anything.

As they traveled, Vio couldn't help but wonder how Kael would fare at the academy. He was a natural warrior, but he had never had any formal training. Vio was eager to see how Kael would adapt to the structured environment of an academy.

He was also curious to see how Kael would react to the other students. Would he clash with the more traditional students? Or would he find a way to fit in?

Only time would tell. But Vio was confident that Kael would surprise everyone, including himself.

The journey to Pluto Academy was a long one. Vio and Kael, along with two guards sent by Duke Drago, traveled by horse for nearly a week. The guards were a pair of grizzled veterans, their faces etched with the lines of countless battles.

Despite their imposing appearance, the guards were surprisingly friendly. They shared stories of their adventures, their battles, and their losses. Vio and Kael listened intently, their eyes wide with wonder.

As they traveled, Vio couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Pluto Academy was a place of legend, a place where the greatest warriors in the kingdom were trained. He was eager to see what it was like.

Kael, on the other hand, seemed more relaxed. He spent most of his time gazing out at the passing landscape, a serene expression on his face.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they arrived at Pluto Academy. The academy was a sprawling complex of buildings, surrounded by a high stone wall. As they approached the main gate, Vio felt a surge of excitement.

A guard at the gate stopped them. "Who are you?" he asked.

Vio stepped forward. "I am Vio, son of Duke Drago. I have come to attend Pluto Academy."

The guard's eyes widened. "The Duke's son? Welcome, young master."

The guard opened the gate, and they entered the academy. As they walked through the courtyard, Vio couldn't help but be impressed. The academy was bustling with activity, students training, teachers instructing, and visitors wandering the grounds.

They were soon led to their accommodations, a modest room in one of the dormitories. As they unpacked their belongings.

Vio had sent the guards back. Now that they were inside the academy. Personal guards werent allowed inside. The school literally had few top 100 strongest in the kingdom as a teacher's.

You would need a maniac that regarded his life as suicide bomb and this maniac had to have enough streght to bypass the schools formations which even top 500 would find hard to passby.

Pluto was the only academy where commoners could change their life's but it was also where the most talents would be found. This was one of the reasons nobles didn't look down on commoners and also where they could rope talents for themselves.

Vio and Kael had still time left before the academy would start. They spent the next few days exploring Pluto Academy.

The academy was a sprawling complex, with buildings of all shapes and sizes. There were training halls, where students practiced their swordsmanship and magic, and libraries, filled with ancient tomes of knowledge. There were also gardens, courtyards, and even a small lake.

One of the most impressive sights at the academy was the Great Training Hall. This massive structure was filled with training dummies of all shapes and sizes, as well as giant instruments that could simulate different battle conditions. Students could practice their skills against a variety of opponents, from simple wooden dummies to enchanted creatures.

Another notable building was the Tower of Elements. This towering structure was said to contain powerful artifacts and magical energies. Only the most advanced students were allowed to enter the tower, and it was rumored that those who reached the top were granted great power.

As Vio and Kael explored the academy, they couldn't help but be impressed by the scale and grandeur of the place. It was clear that Pluto Academy was more than just a school; it was a city unto itself.

.