Jeremy gave a modest nod, fighting to keep his expression composed. “Yeah, they’re my parents.”

A ripple of murmurs spread through the surrounding rows as students whispered among themselves, glancing in Jeremy’s direction. The atmosphere shifted, curiosity giving way to a subtle awe.

Another boy, shorter but broad-shouldered, leaned over from a few seats away. “So, what’s it like? Growing up in the shadow of legends?”

Jeremy hesitated, his mind flashing back to the moment he first learned about his parents’ fame—only a few days ago. But he couldn’t let that show now. He gave a confident smile. “It’s… a lot of responsibility. They’ve set the bar pretty high, and now it’s on me to live up to it.”

Perci leaned closer, her excitement barely contained. “I knew you looked familiar! I have a poster of your dad on my wall. Seeing you now, it makes sense. You’ve got his eyes.”

Jeremy felt a blush creep up his neck but managed to nod, pretending this was old news. “Yeah, I’ve heard that before.”

She grinned, her enthusiasm undimmed. “I’ve heard stories about your parents—the wars they’ve led have contributed to like half of humanity’s total essence so far. If you’re anything like them, this year’s gonna be wild.”

Jeremy felt a mix of pride and anxiety but kept his cool. “We’ll see. I’ve got a lot to prove.”

Marcus frowned slightly, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. “Wait a second... Perci and I met during the entrance exam. I don’t remember seeing you there. How’d you get in?”

Perci’s eyes widened, her curiosity shifting to surprise. “Yeah, I didn’t think anyone could skip the exam.”

Jeremy paused, realizing this was his moment to explain. “My parents pulled some strings. I guess it’s one of the perks of being a Hoppins.”

Marcus leaned back, nodding slowly. “Guess that makes sense. Still, it’s kinda weird. The exam was tough—had to really push myself to get in.”

Perci added, her voice quieter, “I had to fight for my spot too. Being here on a scholarship means I have to work twice as hard just to keep up.”

Jeremy gave her a thoughtful look. “I didn’t know that. Sounds like you’ve already been through a lot just to be here.”

Perci shrugged, her determined smile returning. “Yeah, but I’m ready. I’m here to prove I belong.”

Marcus grinned, his initial surprise giving way to admiration. “Well, you’ve already got a head start just being a Hoppins. Everyone here’s going to want to be on your good side.”

Jeremy chuckled, though inside, the revelation still felt fresh and strange. He couldn’t deny the thrill of their attention, but part of him was still processing it all. For now, though, he would play the role they expected.

Perci smiled. “Bet you’ve already unlocked a ton of Skills, haven’t you?”

Jeremy chuckled modestly. “I’ve been working on a few,” he admitted. “You know, just trying to live up to them.”

Another student chimed in, their voice tinged with envy. “Man, if I were a Hoppins, I’d be strutting around like I owned the place.”

The group around him laughed, nodding in agreement. Their admiration was palpable, feeding Jeremy’s growing sense of accomplishment. The validation surged through him, making every achievement feel even more significant.

One of the students, a lanky boy with a curious expression, leaned closer. “So, Jeremy, what’s your plan? Do you also plan to tear up your enemies with magic like your father?”

Jeremy shrugged, keeping his tone light but purposeful. “I’m not sure yet, my parents have always told me to focus on the basics, and that I’ll learn what I want to focus on while I’m here at the academy.”

Marcus, ever the conversationalist, leaned forward, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Alright, Jeremy, since you’re practically academy royalty, any tips on how to survive this place?” His tone was playful, but there was a genuine curiosity beneath the jest.

Jeremy grinned, trying to balance confidence with humility. “Honestly? I’m figuring it out just like you guys. My parents never told me much about what to expect, preferring to focus on training my Skills.”

Perci nodded eagerly, her green eyes sparkling. “Makes sense. No matter what happens, having more Skills wouldn’t hurt anyone.”

Jeremy nodded. "Exactly. They always said, ‘A strong foundation is key.’ So, I’m sticking to that for now.”

Marcus smirked, leaning back in his seat. “Well, you’ve got the right attitude. Some of us might not have legendary parents, but we’ll catch up.”

Perci grinned, nudging Marcus. “Speak for yourself. I’m aiming to unlock Introspection before the end of the year. What about you, Marcus? Got any hidden talents?”

Marcus chuckled. “Oh yeah, that’s a big one. I’ve been trying to unlock that as well, but my parents said not to get my hopes up anytime soon. Aside from that, my family’s big on Swordsmanship, so luckily I managed to unlock that before the start of the academy. Maybe not the flashiest, but it gets the job done.”

Jeremy's eyes lit up. "Swordsmanship, huh? That's impressive. My dad's always talked about how important it is to have a core Skill to focus on."

Marcus nodded, grinning with pride. "Yeah, it’s been in my family for generations. My dad says it’s more than just swinging a blade around—it’s about focus and precision."

Perci chimed in, her curiosity piqued. "Have you ever had to use it, like in a real fight?"

Marcus shrugged. "A few times, mainly during training with my brothers. Nothing serious, just enough to know I can hold my own." He paused, his gaze turning thoughtful. "But I’m hoping to really test myself here. See where I stand against others."

Jeremy could relate to the desire for challenge. "That’s what I’m looking forward to, too. Back home, it was always just my brother and me. Now, there’s a whole academy of people to learn from."

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Perci leaned in, her expression a mix of admiration and mischief. "I’ll bet you two had some epic sparring matches. Who usually won?"

Jeremy smirked, a spark of brotherly pride in his eyes. "It’s pretty even. Andrew has this stubbornness that’s pretty hard to beat. When he sets his mind on something, he doesn’t back down."

Marcus chuckled. "Sounds like a fierce rivalry. I’d pay to see that."

Jeremy’s grin widened. "Maybe you will. Andrew’s here, too, and he’s not one to stay in the background."

The conversation shifted as the group began speculating about their upcoming lesson. Perci’s excitement was infectious as she rattled off the possibilities. "I hope we get to do something hands-on. Sitting through a lecture after all this excitement would be hard."

Marcus agreed. "Yeah, give me something like combat training or a Skill challenge."

As they stood to head toward their first lesson, the energy among the group crackled with a mix of nerves and excitement.

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The group of friends filed into the classroom, their conversation fading as they settled into their seats. Jeremy slid into a spot near the middle beside Perci and Marcus, bracing himself for a lesson he already knew inside and out. Still, he kept his focus sharp—there was always a chance of gleaning something new from a fresh perspective.

The door closed with a soft click, and a tall woman with sharp, calculating eyes strode to the front of the room. She carried herself with a quiet confidence, her presence commanding immediate attention.

“Good morning,” she began, her voice calm but firm. “I’m Instructor Mira Kellan. Today, we’ll cover the fundamentals of the Status. Some of you may already be familiar with this information, but it’s vital we start with a common understanding.”

Jeremy exchanged a glance with Marcus, who sat next to him, arms crossed with his usual air of confidence. Coming from a powerful family, Marcus likely knew all this inside and out. On Jeremy’s other side, Perci was a different story. Her posture was tense, her eyes wide with focus, eager to absorb every word.

Mira turned to the blackboard, writing three words in crisp, bold letters: Skills, Essence, Tiers.

“Skills are the backbone of your growth,” Mira began. “Their potential depends on rarity—Basic to Conceptual. Rarer Skills offer more but cost greater Essence. Each level adds points to Body, Mind, or Soul.”

Marcus leaned slightly toward Jeremy, his voice low. “Pretty basic stuff,” he whispered.

Jeremy nodded, keeping his focus forward.

“Essence fuels your Skills. It’s finite, and primarily obtained from Dungeons. But when Dungeons run dry, civilizations fight and kill each other for it. Essence means survival. The more Essence a civilization has, the more and the better fighters and crafters they have, which in turn makes it easier to kill others for even more Essence.”

Jeremy caught Marcus giving a small nod, his usual composure shifting into a more serious demeanor. The gravity of Essence as a resource wasn’t lost on anyone, especially Perci, who was furiously jotting down notes.

Finally, Mira tapped the third word. “Now, Tiers mark your growth. Each increase of your Tier requires a number of fully invested Skills. The rarer the Skills are, the greater boost the Tier up gives your stats. Once used for Tiering however, a Skill’s rarity can never be increased again."

Jeremy glanced at Perci. She was biting her lip, her mind racing through the implications. Every move she made would be crucial if she wanted to stand alongside peers like Marcus—or him.

“Questions?” Mira asked, her sharp gaze scanning the room.

Perci hesitated, then raised her hand again. “Can Skills increase in rarity after they’ve been maxed, but before they’re used for Tiering?”

“Yes,” Mira replied. “You may work to increase a Skills rarity at any point. But once used for a Tier up, that rarity is set in stone.”

Marcus leaned back in his chair, whispering to Jeremy. “Standard procedure. Still, it’s good to hear it reinforced.”

Mira’s eyes swept the room, her gaze lingering on each student as she spoke. “Essence is not given freely.” She paused, allowing the gravity of her words to sink in. “While you are here, you’ll have access to as much as you can earn—but there’s a catch.”

A murmur rippled through the room. Marcus shifted in his seat, his confident expression flickering with a hint of concern.

Mira continued, her tone steady but firm. “You’ll be assigned a monthly quota for access to Dungeons depending on your monthly standing in your classes. For this first month, you will all be given five opportunities to delve a Dungeon. This is how you’ll earn your Essence while you’re here in the academy. And once you graduate…” She let the words hang, the tension thick in the air. “You’ll owe humanity ten times the Essence you’ve been loaned.”

Jeremy felt the weight settle in his chest. Around him, students exchanged uneasy glances, the enormity of the debt dawning on them.

“You won’t physically return the Essence you’ve earned. Instead, through your service, you will generate far more. By the end of your duty, you will have in you ten times the Essence you started with, either taken as spoils of war, or received as payment for your support.”

Her tone hardened slightly as she continued. “This is not a burden—it is an honor. Humanity invests in you so that you can become a pillar of our survival. Every step you take, every Essence you gather, is a contribution to the strength of our species. This is the academy’s pact with you: we will give you the tools to grow, and you will use that growth to secure humanity’s future.”

Jeremy felt the weight settle in his chest. Around him, students exchanged uneasy glances, the enormity of the expectation dawning on them.

Perci’s hand shot up, her expression a mix of determination and apprehension. “Instructor Kellan, what happens if we can’t meet that goal?”

Mira’s gaze hardened, her eyes sharp and uncompromising. “Failure to meet your contribution is not an option. You will remain in service to humanity until your duty is fulfilled. But,” she added, her tone softening, “you are here because you have potential. Use your time wisely, and you will not only meet that goal—you will surpass it.”

Jeremy nodded slowly, whispering to Marcus. “Yeah it makes sense. With the stakes as high as they are, they can’t afford to hand out our limited Essence without expecting something in return.”

Perci, her pen still poised, whispered, “It’s a heavy price, but at least we get a chance to prove ourselves. For some of us, it’s the only shot we have.”

Mira continued, her tone firm. “Your first assignment will involve delving a beginner Dungeon to familiarize yourselves on how they work. These beginner Dungeons do not pose any danger and are incredibly rare and valuable, so make sure to learn as much as you can. Of course, this assignment will not count against your monthly quota.”

Jeremy felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The idea of delving into a Dungeon was both thrilling and daunting. He had trained for this, but now it was real.

“As first-year students you will be grouped with others for this assignment to ensure safety and learning,” Mira said. “Afterwards, the academy has more Dungeons of varying Tiers that you may delve on your own initiative. It is these Dungeons that you will use your quota on.”

He glanced at Marcus, who met his gaze with a determined nod. Perci, meanwhile, looked deep in thought, her pen now tapping softly against her notebook.

Mira’s gaze softened, but her voice remained steady. “This is not just about survival. It’s about becoming the best version of yourselves. Remember, every Essence you gather, every Skill you master, brings you closer to fulfilling your potential—and your debt.”

With that, she stepped back, letting the gravity of the lesson sink in.

“Prepare yourselves,” she concluded. “All of you have at least one Skill unlocked, and to provide that Skill with Essence, your first Dungeon delve will be tomorrow. Dismissed.”

As the students began to gather their things, Jeremy turned to his friends. “Well, looks like we’re diving in sooner than I thought.”

Marcus smirked. “Ready to see what you’re made of?”

Jeremy nodded, a determined smile spreading across his face. “Yeah. Let’s see what this academy is really about.”