ONLINE: Blades of Eternity

"The Ice Jade Princess?" Kaelen replied with a surprised look on his face as he quickly shifted his gaze away from Morris and kept it on the young lady who is standing beside Professor Gareth.

But his gaze didn't stay long on her before his eyes suddenly locked gazes with the same young lady. And for a moment, Kaelen couldn't look away. There was something profoundly unsettling about her gaze. It was as if her eyes pierced straight through him, seeing every secret he tried to hide.

The expressionless face she wore only amplified the intensity of the moment. The world seemed to narrow down to just the two of them, the bustling noise of the academy fading into the background.As their gazes locked, Kaelen felt a wave of cold wash over him, not just physically but emotionally.

It was an uncomfortable, almost oppressive sensation, as if he were being enveloped in a frigid mist. His breath caught in his throat, and for a split second, he felt an inexplicable sense of vulnerability, as if she could see into the deepest parts of his soul.

The chill wasn't just external; it seeped into his very being, making him feel exposed and uneasy.The moment was fleeting but felt much longer. Kaelen's heart raced as he fought the urge to shiver. He tried to hold her gaze, but the intensity was too much.

He eventually looked away, breaking the eye contact, and immediately felt a sense of relief, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders. The lecture hall suddenly seemed warmer, and the normal sounds of the students seated in the hall returned to his ears.The girl, however, remained composed and indifferent, as if nothing had happened.

She turned her gaze elsewhere while still keeping the expressionless look.

'So this is what it feels like to look at a formidable person right in the eyes' Kaelen thought as he silently sighed in relief. Luckily, everything that just happened didn't get Morris's attention.

"Good day everyone!! As you all might have already known, I am Professor Gareth and am here to resume you all introductory class" Gareth suddenly spoke up with a passionate look on his face. But right after, he first took a quick glance at the Ice Jade Princess before he continued in a more calmer tone.

"Right here beside me is the acknowledged second strongest of this prestigious Academy who is called the Ice Jade Princess"

"What!?"

"The second strongest of this Academy!!?"

"What in the world!!?"

"What is such a person doing here!!?"

As soon as the students seated in the lecture hall heard what Gareth said about the Ice Jade Princess, they immediately erupted with a shocked looks on their faces. But Gareth expected this reaction from them as he continued.

"Although I don't know why she gave us the privilege to grace us with her presence. But she informed me earlier that she will state the reason why she here after the class"

"Huh? I wonder what was the reason that made her come here?" Morris suddenly said with a curious look on his face. As for Kaelen, he currently have a creased brows on his face as he thought.

'Why am I having a bad feeling about this?'

"Now without further a do, let us begin the second phase of the introductory class" Gareth said in more louder voice as he took a step closer to the students while the Ice Jade Princess just stood motionlessly behind him with her eyes closed.

"What you will be imparted with today will be the academy's classes and ranks"

"Classes and ranks?" Kaelen suddenly said with a confused look on his face. It seems like Gareth heard what Kaelen said as he slightly nod his head to confirm what Kaelen just said while he replied.

"Yes you all heard right. We will be talking about classes and ranks."

"Now that you have passed the probation period for the academy and now officially a student of this prestigious academy, it is high time you know the sticks and rocks of the world" Gareth said while waving one of his many fingers before he continued.

"In the world of Aetheris, individuals possess a variety of unique abilities and talents, often tied to their innate magical potential and training. These abilities are broadly categorized into "Combat Classes," or "Classes" for short which define a person's role, skills, and strengths in both combat and other practical applications.

Combat Classes are not merely professions or titles; they represent a person's innate affinity and the type of magical energy they can channel most effectively."

"Each Combat Class has its own set of specialized skills, techniques, and abilities, often requiring rigorous training and mastery of specific disciplines. These classes are crucial in the social and military structures of Aetheris, influencing everything from personal duels to large-scale conflicts.

The classes also play a significant role in everyday life, as they determine an individual's potential and societal role."

"Just so you know, The system of Combat Classes was initially developed by the founding members of this prestigious academy to create a standardized method of teaching and evaluating magical and combat abilities. Before this system, abilities were often taught in an unstructured manner, which varied greatly between regions and instructors.

The founding members of the academy aimed to create a unified and efficient training regimen to maximize the potential of each student."

"The academy's founders, who were experts in various magical and martial disciplines, observed and categorized the different types of abilities into distinct Combat Classes. They identified common traits, strengths, and limitations among individuals, leading to the creation of specific classes like Swordsman, Mage, Archer, Healer, and others.

Each class was designed to focus on certain aspects of combat and magic, such as offensive power, defensive capabilities, support skills, or versatility."

"Well that covers what am allowed to say concerning the classes in this world, you will naturally know more concerning classes when you go further in the academy or can even read about them in the school's library" Gareth finally said before he took a breather.

"Just to let you know, I kept a book about combat classes on the desk in your room" Morris suddenly said to Kaelen in a whisper.

"Oh you did? Thank you then. Seems like I don't need to go to the school library" Kaelen said with a wry smile on his face. But before Morris could give Kaelen a reply, Gareth suddenly continued on his explanation.

"Now let's talk about the ranks in this school"

"At this prestigious Pace Setter Academy, students are rigorously evaluated and ranked based on their abilities, achievements, and potential. This ranking system helps organize the student body, guiding them towards the appropriate level of training and challenges. It also fosters a competitive environment that encourages growth and excellence.

The ranks are divided into several tiers, each representing a different level of proficiency and experience."

"The first rank is the Novice rank, This rank is the entry-level tier for new students. It includes those who have just been admitted to the academy and are beginning their training in their respective Combat Classes."

'So we are currently in the Novice rank' Kaelen thought as he listened attentively.

"The next rank is the the apprentice rank. The Apprentice rank is the next step up from Novice, where you guys will begin to specialize more deeply in your chosen fields. At this level, you will start to understand the intricacies of your abilities."

"The next rank is the adept rank. The Adept rank is for the students who have shown considerable skill and knowledge in their class. They are well-versed in the fundamental techniques and are beginning to master more advanced skills."

"The rank after that is the formidable expert class. The Expert rank is reserved for students who have achieved a high level of mastery in their chosen class. These students are among the most skilled and knowledgeable in the academy. Apparently, the Ice Jade lady who is with us now is currently in this rank"

'Expert rank!?' Kaelen thought with a shocked look on his face. Not only him, but the whole students seated in the hall were having similar expressions on their faces. But Gareth didn't look like stopping in his explanation as he continued.

"The next and final rank is the elusive master rank. The Master rank is the pinnacle of student achievement in this Academy. Masters are considered prodigies, having achieved a level of skill and knowledge that surpasses even many professional mages and warriors.

Only one person have achieved this kind of rank since the creation of the academy and he is currently the acknowledged strongest student in the academy"

"Damn.... I wonder how strong he will be?" Morris suddenly said with a dazed look on his face.

"Yeah right?" Kaelen replied with the same expression on his face. But Gareth was taking notice of them as he suddenly said calmly

"Now that you guys have known the basic knowledge of being an internal student, here comes the end of the introductory class. By tomorrow, you all will be assigned to your designated classes to begin training"

"And now, the Ice Jade Princess will like your attention regarding why she is here today" Gareth continued as he suddenly turned to face the Ice Jade Princess who still has her eyes closed.