The grand room was a sight to behold, with bookshelves lining the walls and a vibrant carpet adorning the floor. An orange glow bathed the room in a warm light.
In the room's heart stood a robust table, cluttered with a computer and a haphazard pile of books. Two women occupied the seats on either side of the table, their gazes locked in a silent standoff.
Justina found herself lost in the view outside the window, her eyes filled with apprehension. She was grappling with how to initiate the conversation with the woman across from her.
The woman, an elderly figure with silver hair and fair skin etched with wrinkles, peered through her glasses. Her black eyes were hidden behind the lenses. Dressed in a purple nightgown, she seemed unprepared for Justina's unexpected visit.
The woman's face held a look of disdain as she recalled Justina's audacious proposal: ‘I nominate Archie to enter Rhoman Academy.’
The woman was the esteemed President of Rhoman Academy, and Justina's bold claim had left her in deep thought.
Rhoman Academy, the top academy in the entire world. Only the crème de la crème study here. Almost every graduate was recognized as a Ranker among Rift Riders. This prestigious academy made other institutions look like mere schools in comparison.
The students who studied there were primarily from High Clans and their branches.
Unlike typical academies that accepted students through trials, the only way to gain admission to this academy was through nominations.
Each year, the graduates were granted the ‘Power of Nominee.’ Depending on their performance at the academy, they could nominate between one to ten students.
These graduates could nominate specific students to study at the academy as their nominees. These privileges were exclusive to Rhoman Academy graduates.
Most graduates would nominate their clan members or sell their nominees for echoes.
Depending on the nominees' performance, the nominators could gain more ‘Power of Nominee’ or other benefits as per their desires.
This system primarily benefited the High Clans and those with wealth and power.
Justina, a former student of Rhoman Academy, had earned a single 'Power of Nominee' based on her performance at the academy. She planned to use this nomination to recommend Archie.
The room was steeped in silence; Justina hesitated to speak, aware that there were no specific laws for Ethereal ranks.
However, an unwritten rule stated that only Graded Ethereal (mostly above A) were accepted. She was uncertain about how to persuade the woman before her to accept Archie into the academy.
To break the silence, the old woman spoke in a low, commanding voice,
“I read the report Max gave me during that ROT trial. Yes, Archie is a unique case, rifted for seven hours, but… “
“COUGH!” “COUGH!” The old woman coughed and paused for a moment, which Justina observed calmly. Then, the old woman steadied her tone and continued,
“I heard he got a Non-Graded ‘F’ Ethereal. Why do you want to nominate such a failure?”
Justina composed herself and thought of a clear response,
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“Madam Avery, I want Archie to be my nominee. I’m already prepared to face all backlashes. Let Archie join the academy.”
Avery put her right hand on her chin, pondering before responding,
“Why do you want him to study in the academy? You know very well what it’s like there.”
“Archie can’t change anything if he is an outsider.”
“COUGH!” “COUGH!”
Justina's words shocked Avery, making her cough. It wasn’t every day that she saw Justina speak like this. Avery explained, trying to make Justina understand,
"Justina, you know clearly what will happen if he enters the academy. He will be tortured until he quits. You understand this better than anyone. If you had studied at a different academy, you would have been hailed as a Graded 'A' prodigy, but there, you were mocked and looked down upon."
“Archie is not weak enough to back down from that,” Justina's firm decision made Avery raise her voice,
“You just met him. What do you know about him?”
Trying to make Justina understand her foolishness, Avery crossed the line, “Justina, I know you see him as Darwin. What happened to Darwin was a mistake. You can’t change it.”
“THUD!” Justina slammed her hand on the table, yelling in rage,
“Mistake! Grandma, our Darwin committed suicide because he was bullied. Those bastards pushed him to death.”
Justina pointed her finger at Avery,
“You did nothing to stop those brats from bullying Darwin. You have Darwin’s blood on your hands more than anyone.”
“You think I can forget my own grandson's death? You think I let him die?”
Avery's voice softened as she mourned,
“I begged Darwin to stop attending the academy. You clearly know what he said. Don’t you? Should I remind you?”
“Don’t say it.” Justina gritted her teeth, repeating, “Don’t say it, grandma.”
“Darwin said he wanted to make his big sister, Justina, proud.”
“RATTLE!” Avery’s words filled Justina with anger, and she flipped the table over.
“I said stop it.” Justina fumed, tears welling up in her eyes.
Avery retorted calmly, “I don’t want another kid to die before my eyes.”
“Grandma, I'm done lying. It’s not about changing the system anymore. I want to avenge Darwin at all costs. Archie is the one who will help me. You either give permission, or…”
Justina looked up with a grin spreading across her face,
“I know some grim secrets about the academy. I won’t care if it brings down our family. I won’t hesitate to use them.”
“SNAP!” Avery flicked her fingers, and white lights appeared, slowly swirling around the table. The PC and books that had fallen down were lifted back to their original positions.
The table rose into the air and positioned itself where it had been, giving Avery and Justina a moment to calm down.
After everything was restored to its original state, Avery asked another question before deciding,
“Why are you so stubborn about having Archie study there? What did you see in him that made you feel this way?”
Justina responded honestly, “Grandma… Madam Avery. Have you ever heard the story of one man versus a million?
A man declared war on a million warriors. Every outsider mocked him for being foolish and berated him. Slowly, he began to defeat tens, but everyone still said it was impossible to kill a million warriors.
Yet the man continued to fight. He gradually defeated hundreds and later, thousands.
Do you know what happened?
All the people who mocked him awed at his bravery and courage. Slowly, people began to stand behind him and follow him.
Soon, it was no longer one man vs. millions. It was billions vs. millions.”
“Do you think Archie can be that brave warrior?” Avery doubted Justina, who responded justly,
“Truth be told, I don’t know. I may be wrong for believing him to be that warrior. Nonetheless, I will stand behind him even in my dying moment.”
Justina’s words made Avery curious about Archie, so she ordered,
“Justina, leave and send Archie inside alone.”
Justina gave a faint smile and headed toward the door, opened it, and called out, “Archie, come inside.”
Archie entered and saw the old woman sitting on a chair in front of a table.
“THUD!” Archie looked back to see the door closed and Justina nowhere to be seen. Fear gripped Archie, and he began to panic.
Avery demanded, “Come and sit, Archie.”
Archie hesitantly walked toward the table and sat before Avery. Avery instructed,
“Place your right hand on the table.”
Archie’s hand shook with fear as he put it on the table, worried about what was going to happen.
Avery, with a grave face and cold tone, instructed, “Stay alive.”
Avery speedily placed her right hand above Archie’s hand.
“A…” Before Archie could react, Avery’s hand touched him.
Archie’s eyes whitened, his irises disappeared, and red veins curled like a web. Archie lost consciousness the moment Avery touched him.
“THUMP!” Archie’s face banged directly on the table as his mind entered a new realm.
“HOPE YOU ENTERTAIN ME, ARCHIE!”