Nestled within the misty valley, Sero stood tall. Its imposing facade rose from the earth, a magnificent amalgamation of enchanted stone and towering spires that seemed to pierce the sky.

The main entrance is flanked by intricately carved marble statues depicting legendary warriors such as the Hero of Light. The central courtyard, a vast expanse of cobblestone and mosaic pathways, served as the heart of the academy.

One can see a glimpse of the future soldier training their swords.

The entrance of Sero. Space warped and caused a collapse but before it expanded further, it was stopped by the mist. Mist consumed the mana with greed.

Two people walked out of that collapsed space. The keeper turned around, his eyes scanning Adrain. The pale skin, shaking hands, and sweaty forehead, none of them left unnoticed by him.

' Bearly able to withstand this amount of mana. He is not fit to be a mage. I guess some people are despised by Mana. ' The keeper noted his thought. From the moment Adrain, he had been observing every moment.

The result was normal but compared to others, he was truly meant to struggle. The keeper sighed inwardly.

Adrain's vision returned. He felt like his organs were turning upside down. He coughed and dropped to the ground unable to hold up.

He puked.

" Are you done? "

Adrain nodded, wiping his mouth. His eyes moved left to right. He touched the mist around him. His hand phased through as it should but.

' It is alive. '

He got up. In front of him was a grand entrance, standing there made him feel small. He was small compared to Mighty Door.

" From here we will part. "

Adrain smiled. Clenching his hands into the first, he asked. " What is your name? I know it is rude to ask now but at least I should know the one who changed my life. "

The keeper remained the same expression. " Q. "

Adrain noted in his heart.

He turned around and walked toward the door.

" Good luck, soldier. "A whisper passed through Adrain.

He placed his hand on the door. ' This should be enough. ' Adrain said to himself. He remembered the thing he had to do to get inside the Academy.

A faint energy enveloped him. He disappeared from the keeper's view.

***

Another shift in the space, this time it was subtle. Adrian managed to withstand the pressure of this time.

He regained his sense quickly. First, it was the sense of smell. Cigarette smell.

It was a delicious smell also dizzy. Nothing like that shitty one on the street, Adrain can tell that he was smelling a high quality.

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Soon light entered his eyes. He was standing in the room. The wall was filled with various paintings. Some were beautiful flowers, and some were brutally depicted war scenes.

He heard a cough. Adrain immediately looked in front of him. A wooden table, the Skull of a monster, light entered through the window. The wind carried the curtain and the Lone man sitting while leaning on the chair.

He didn't see the face because the man was facing the window. His hand holding the burning cigarette. From the man's posture, Adrain knew that he was resting.

The man lifted his hand and inhaled the smoke. The other hand grabbed his forehead. The man got up.

His hair fell onto his forehead, smoke coming out of his eyes. His black eyes pierced through Adrain's soul. A small scar on the lip made his smooth face a little rough.

" Name. " The man said. No, he ordered.

" Adrain. "

The man nodded. He opened a drawer and took out a glass and bottle.

" Call me, Major Ran. " Ran said. He poured the alcohol and smelled. He nodded and immediately drank.

The glass was harshly placed on the table. " Great. "

Adrain frowned but he remained silent.

" My job is to raise soldiers. Specifically Aura users. Do you know the duty of soldiers? " Major Ran asked.

" Carried the order and judgment of Empire. " Adrain replied.

" I see. It was a shallow answer. " Major Ran murmured. He shook his head.

" The training will last for 3 months. The course you will attend will have thirty people. You will learn the basic skills of every weapon. " Major Ran said. He pointed to the door behind Adrain.

" Go. Follow the arrow and you will arrive at the dorm. Tomorrow at 4 AM. You will know what I mean. "

Adrain nodded and opened the door. Immediately a yellow arrow appeared in the air. The arrow slowly moved forward guiding Adrain's path.

The hallway was silent avoid of any voice. Adrain felt uncomfortable. He was used to the noisy street.

After a few turns, he arrived at the closed door. The arrow passed through the door.

Adrain stopped for a moment. He turned around, trying to remember the path he just took. He memorized clearly.

He took a deep breath and opened the door. The sunlight bath his body. He placed the hand trying to cover his eyes from the light. He adjusted the light and took a step.

He saw a large building standing tall. The yellow arrow was far ahead. Adrain walked quickly.

Around him was just plain ground. Some small plants were placed on the plain.

He didn't know where he was. He recalled the summary about Sero in the book which Q gave him.

' Sero, the Academy of Future, is the centre point where Empire trained their soldiers. Nobles also attend Sero. But their status was higher and their class were more advanced than commoners. '

' Nobles will also be sent to the war but their position will be higher than cannon fodder. Some talented students can even become general. '

' As for commoners, they can only show talent or will remain on the way within three months. '

Adrain smiled at that sentence. He shook his hand lightly. Arriving at the dorm, he opened the door.

He didn't have talent. That's the fact he knew.

But that didn't matter. He just needed to stay alive. Life will give him a surprise. As it always does.

He saw someone sitting. The woman was reading a book. Her gaze was focused. She closed the book as she noticed the newcomer.

She wore a long blue shirt, and on her shoulder was one white strip. She didn't say a word.

She got up and walked to the large closet beside her. She opened and took out a large backpack.

Adrain walked toward her. The arrow had disappeared.

" Take this and your room will be 301. Don't ask me. Just search on your own. " Her tone was rough and it had faint anger.

Adrain grabbed the backpack. He didn't talk. She was grateful for that. She needed some alone time to ease her life for a moment.

As Adrain was about to walk off to find his room.

" Wait. " She stopped him.

" Cut your hair. We don't need long hair. And inside the backpack, you will find a set of needles and ink. Ask your roommate to tattoo. 301-B. I wanted the tattoo on your neck. I had to be visible. "

Adrain nodded. He left but he heard her whisper.

" Make it visible. " She repeated herself. " So we can identify your corpse. "

She grabbed her mouth. Memories of the dead emerged. Tears formed and they fell onto the book.

Sobbing echoed in the hallway. Adrain's gaze was empty. His steps became harsher.