"So, my disciples. If you have made it this far, then I assume you are not complete idiots, and understand at least the basics of the procedures involved in forming a core," Fig said, as he stared at the students one by one, almost as if challenging them to say something.

Dante knew the answer decor. A Core was formed when a human absorbed a Monster Core.

However, behind the simple answer were millions of questions. He still could not understand how a cultivator could know a suitable path. The problem of having grown up without the resources for cultivation, as in Dante's case, translated not only into physical consequences. His understanding of cultivation was limited.

In a moment of courage, Dante raised his hand. Beyond the physical, it was time to correct the flaws in his knowledge.

"Excuse me, elder. I wonder if you could give us a brief introduction to the Monster Core system? I believe that everyone here knows the basic theory, but I would like to hear from someone more experienced," said Dante, speaking loudly to hide his embarrassment.

Besides Dante, several other disciples nodded in agreement, waiting for an answer. Most probably, his doubt was the same as that of many others. Since cultivation was an essential part of everyone's life, there was no absolute answer, or only one right answer. Cultivation could be interpreted from many angles. The only answer that mattered, in the end, was advancement.

The one-eyed professor gave a slight smile. "Very good, white-haired. By the way, I'm disappointed that only one of you raised your hand. I bet my eye that it still works that you all learned something today. Even among the wealthiest of you. After all, even the knowledge of the clans is hardly up to date as fast as the great sects."

Fig turned away from the students. With quick steps, the professor headed toward the middle of the arena. Arriving there, he stretched his hands out in front of him and opened them in the shape of a fan. In the path left by his hands, his Qi formed three spheres.

"Pay attention. Although I am the teacher who deals mostly with monsters business, knowledge can never be too much for wimps like you all."

He pointed to the sphere on the right. "A cultivator, at least a cultivator by what we understand 'normal', gets access to Qi when he absorbs a Monster Core. Of course, a normal person can manipulate Qi that comes from artifacts, but only the most basic ones. We know them as Iron. When the cultivator absorbs the Monster Core, they advance to the Bronze stage. At this stage, the level of ability to manipulate Qi varies. Some can only try to consolidate the core, while others can already channel the first techniques. Some say that real cultivation begins only at the Silver level, when the cultivator opens his meridians and consolidates his Core."

With a flick of Fig's fingers, the first sphere compacted itself, and after it was the size of a lump, it rotated. Satisfied, Fig returned to the explanation, addressing the second sphere.

"When a cultivator has formed his core and has effectively become a Silver, it is necessary for the Qi channels to be fully opened. The opening of these channels often concurs with the use of the first Qi techniques. At this stage, the cultivator must choose a path, and work on his body and core so that he can make progress. From this point, it is important to remember that a cultivator's innate potential depends mainly on two factors."

Fig looked at the students one by one, his smile giving way to a wistful look. "The first is the core's raw strength. Monster Cores have diverse rarities, see the monsters that are obits of. The stronger the monster, the stronger the Core. The other important detail is the compatibility of the core with the cultivator."

"Elder, is that why disciples of the same clan usually follow the same path? To make sure that there will be compability between Cultivator and Monster Core?" asked Asta, the short boy who was friends with Nadia.

As Asta spoke, Dante thought he saw sparks of Qi coming out of the boy's mouth. He wondered what the Monster Core was. Alias, curiosity was general. Dante had never experienced such diversity. He couldn't wait to learn about the monsters of everyone there.

The interruption didn't seem to bother Fig. In fact, he seemed even more excited. He probably was one of those teachers who needs student interaction.

"Another winner with a good question. Usually, clans seek the same Monster Core to deliver to disciples. This is because the affinity between grower and monster is genetic, so you can be sure of the compatibility. That said, this practice can also lead to a certain stagnation, as new combinations can generate even stronger synergies."

Dante had always dreamed of being one of those legendary cultivators from the stories. Those who could get their hands on cores of legendary monsters, and get rare types of Qi and physiques, which put them far ahead of the rest.

Pointing to the sphere in the middle, the professor moved his finger against it and traced a line of it in the air. The lines represented the channels, which were created at the Silver level. So far, Dante was keeping up, although some things were new. He had studied through the materials he could get his hands on, after all.

Heading towards the last sphere, Fig placed his hand on it, and the Qi moved. After a few seconds, the new form was complete. It looked like a doll. The representation of a human body was clear.

"Last but not least, there is the use of Oversoul. Oversoul is a technique that puts the body in direct contact with the Monster Core. This means that the Monster Core is able to modify the physique of the cultivator. So, as you advance through the stages, you will see more and more cultivators with eccentric looks. Some allow themselves to be completely modified by Qi," Fig said. "When Oversoul is actually tapped, that is, when the cultivator reaches Gold, it can temporarily increase affinity with the Monster Core, to gain physical characteristics of the monster, albeit temporarily."

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The professor stretched out his right hand in front of his body. After wrapping it in Qi, the hand transformed. The human hand gave way to a monstrous green hand, with brown claws and shallow fur.

After a few seconds, he reversed the process. Only when the Oversoul was deactivated did Dante realize he had been out of breath for seconds. The Qi pressure had exploded during the use of the Oversoul.

After a few seconds, Fig looked at the students and asked, "does anyone have questions?"

Dante was sure he had never seen so many hands go up in such a small period of time. It seemed that not only he had questions about cultivation, after all.

Fig seemed to expect this reaction from the students, because immediately afterwards he said, "Very good! Professor Marco will certainly be thrilled to answer all your pertinent questions in the proper class for that."

Amidst voices that showed disappointment, Fig moved further away from the students. The professor stopped a point north of the arena. Closing his eyes, he brought both hands forward, almost as if he were clapping his hands. A gray aura was visible on his skin.

Dantes just wondered what Fig's monster might be. The combination of green fur and gray Qi did not remind him of any species. Of course, there were thousands, but still Dante struggled to find any resemblance.

In Fig's diagonal frames, four cages suddenly appeared as if they had materialized in mid-air.

Dante couldn't help but sketch a small smile. Here, magic, or rather cultivation, was indeed happening. People could do amazing things, and not just use their energy to work more efficiently than a normal person.

Focusing on his core, Dante again felt a strange sensation. Although it was still there, a low-silver core, its form differed totally from how it had been before the initial trial.

Dante refocused on the class. He could deal with that later.

"Here, we have prime examples of your worst nightmare and cog of your greatest dream: monsters!" said Fig, as he signaled for the students to come closer.

Dante looked at the cages in wonderment. Few times in his life had he seen monsters, and only from afar. All experiences, in fact, comprised Dante running to escape danger. Monsters in the wild were dangerous, even for normal cultivators. Technique and Qi didn't always matter when a bite could rip a head off.

As everyone approached, the professor quickly stood in front of the fourth cage, located to the northwest.

"Monsters are the main reason you are here. The uncontrolled growth of the creatures could put humanity in check. So the large sects work together to train new Slayers, and thus control the monster numbers."

Fig pointed to the cages next to him. "In the first cage, we have a gnome representing the level F monsters. Inside the second cage, there is a mountain rabbit. This monster is able to dash through the earth with the aid of its horn. It is an E class. Next, we have an air crocodile, which can move in the air and in the water. It is a very common type of D-Class."

Giving the students a moment to glimpse the animals, Fig stopped the explanation there, purposely leaving the last cage uninformed.

Dante could hardly imagine the power of those monsters. Although they resembled normal animals, they were monsters bathed in Qi.

Whistling to get the attention of those present, Fig stepped out of the front of the last cage. As soon as his body moved away, the monster in there flailed about desperately, trying to grab the air outside its cage.

"That's a Class C monster, Black Lizard. Be careful with it. Being at or near the Gold stage is recommended for dealing with a Class C monster. A Silver, at least, is recommended for anything lower in power. This monster is a rare specimen. Besides using Qi, it can use a rare sub-type that alters the sensory abilities of its prey. Even a Gold should be careful dealing with types like this."

"Professor, what about the other grades of monsters? Doesn't the school have any specimens to show us?" asked a student Dante didn't recognize, with curly blonde hair.

Fig gave a hearty smile. "Ah, my dear, we do. But any kind of superior monster would be very dangerous, considering that some could kill most of you with a glance."

After the answer, in counterpoint to the smile that still stamped Fig's face, a morbid silence took over those present. It was easy to forget that, despite everything, those who were there had a simple goal for when they became strong: to kill monsters. To slay.

No one knew for sure the origin of the creatures. What Dante knew was that the apparitions had no time and no place, happening randomly. Soon after appearing in mysterious ways, the monsters did not discriminate. They attacked everything and everyone within their reach. Dante knew that some stronger monsters could have logical reasoning, but he had never witnessed such a feat.

In this way, Slayers, cultivators whose purpose was to protect the general population, were needed all over the world. The foul language said that many of the ancient and powerful Slayers no longer cared about humanity and lived only to accumulate power.

However, in Dante's opinion, that was a lie. After all, if it weren't for the Slayers, he wouldn't have been alive for many years. And he would not have the opportunity to restore his clan.

With another clap of hands, just as they appeared, the cages instantly disappeared from sight.

With an even more frightening smile, Fig looked at the students. "Now, disciples, it's time for fun."

All students received the first assignment. They were to go into the forest and slay monsters. Dante couldn't help but feel a chill in his stomach. This would be their first actual combat. His body, recently improved by training, would be put to the test.

Dante was also worried about his Qi. Any instability could be lethal.

Dante found Rim, Sabrina and Hector, and set off toward the trees.

At that moment, much was going through Dante's mind. However, one thing was obvious. He was not there to fail.

He was going to become a Slayer.

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In the distance, Fig watched his students. At the looming altitude, he would be able to evaluate everyone's performance, and take action if necessary. Of course, only if it was very necessary.

"You were pretty happy down there, huh? Been a while since I've seen you talk so much to a new class," said Marco.

Marco was observing the class from the beginning. He enjoyed getting to know his new disciples. It was interesting to compare the before and after they encountered the harsh reality.

"What can I say? It's an interesting class. I'm looking forward to seeing what that 'special' group will come up with during this year. I hope they can live up to expectations." Fig said, as he looked at the students below. Soon, the fighting would begin, and things would get interesting.

Marco agreed.

He had always been an honest Slayer. Giving resources only to those who deserved them. So, he wasn't exactly a fan of the idea of favoring one group. This way, they would have to earn it, just like everyone else.

But, deep down, he trusted this boy. From the moment he saw him in the bar, he felt an unshakable willpower in him. There was nothing better than the desire to protect his family to serve as an incentive to cultivate.

He was always curious to compare each of the classes. This one started out large, with over five hundred disciples. Soon they would discover how the criteria for passing grades worked, and the chaos would begin.

Still, despite everything, Marco couldn't help but feel pleased with what was happening. He was a man who hated to owe favors, and with the favor he would pay this year, he would owe no one else.