Extra's Guide to Surviving a Dark Fantasy World-Chapter 72: Towards the Academy-1

"I am not interested in giving you some speech or assuring how you lot are humanity’s future or its shining beacon of hope because you are not."

"Sure, you might be the most talented one among your generation, but the way you are now, it wouldn’t take more than a slightly stronger beast to get rid of you from the battlefield. You are nothing but a dormant seed, buried deep underground, looking for lights and resources to turn into something truly formidable."

"It is my job that it comes to pass, especially in these trying times. I am sure all of you have heard this already, but we have decided to change our entire curriculum this year. We have also decided to introduce some new systems to motivate our students to improve themselves."

"Starting this year, everyone in the student body is mandatory to wear those stars on your uniforms." She pointed at the ones on our chest.

"These stars would determine your cultivation levels and the way you are treated in the academy. We need you to become stronger, and we need to do it quickly, meaning we can’t waste valuable resources on the less talented. That’s why cultivation resources will be distributed on the basis of those badges, with those with higher cultivation receiving more."

This caused quite a stir among the students. Around me, a few others bearing two stars on their chests shifted uncomfortably, their expressions betraying their desire to speak out. Yet, fear kept their voices silent.

"But do not despair." She continued. "For you’ll be given a fair shot to those resources. Starting this year, the academy is going to implement a dueling system where students can challenge each other for resources, lodgings, or anything else. Also, those with higher tiers of cultivation are hereby forbidden from refusing a duel; if you want those resources, you’ll have to fight for them."

"Other than that, all students would have access to a mission board where you can partake in the Expansion initiative and earn contribution points, later exchanging them for resources or money or whatever else you want."

"The detailed guide to all these new rules will be provided to you in your rooms along with your luggage." She took a deep breath.

"This year of Sacred Guard Academy is going to be different than any previous ones. You will be pushed to your limits, and we will make sure that you turn into the indomitable tree you are supposed to be."

"So why don’t you step outside and make your way towards the academy? Anyone who doesn’t cross the main gates by sundown will be automatically expelled."

Saying so, her figure suddenly turned to mist, disappearing into thin air. At the same time, the room around us began to shake.

What is happening?

I was about to run towards the wall when the shaking suddenly stopped; at the exact moment, the door to the hall burst open, revealing a somewhat striking scene outside.

"What is this?" One of the boys closest to the door spoke while cautiously walking towards it. "What is happening? Where did the city go?"

The crowd of students suddenly shook, slowly walking towards the door trying to catch a glimpse of outside. I moved in as well, while making sure I stayed in the back. I didn’t knew what was happening but I wanted others to try it first.

A thin layer of mist covered our surroundings, revealing the faint traces of broken down moss covered buildings, far into the distance one could see the outline of a huge mountain, squinting my eyes I could see buildings built on it’s top, strangely resembling a city.

Looking at the sudden change outside, I momentarily frowned before immediately returning my expression to normal. This... wasn’t it a bit too similar to the room in the Gleaming Wastes, the one we had used to travel through forts?

That was the only thing that could explain the sudden change in the surroundings, although the method of transportation was a bit crude with the shaking and all, but it did seem to be similar.

"Everyone please calm down." A familiar voice in the crowd prompted everyone to turn their head to the side. There near the front stood the figure of Aria Nyrith, dressed in a uniform with three stars on her chest.

Made sense she was the first one to gain her bearings, she had experienced the same thing aswell after all.

"Please try to stay calm, looking at our situation there is a good chance we have been teleported in the center of Wailing Hollows, if we make too much commotion it’s bound to attract some beast." This made sure to shut everyone up as the crowd listened in silence.

"This is clearly some kind of test from the academy; Miss Mia just now had said the same thing as well to make sure that we crossed the main gate before sundown." Another voice came out of the crowd as a boy with blonde hair walked out in the front with a smile on his face, his very presence enough to shut down the nervous crowd.

Just one look at him was enough for me to recognize him, especially the one shining star on his chest displaying the first tier of Essence Gathering.

Seylith Serenth, the first prince of House Serenth, pointed towards the mountain. "I think it’s safe to assume that we need to reach that mountain in the distance."

"But this is the Hollows; they can’t just leave us here like that. What if we are attacked by monsters?" One of the students protested.

This idiot, had he not heard her speech just now? I slightly shook my head.

"None of us will die, I can promise you of that." Seylith smiled, causing a warm feeling to envelope the crowd. "This is simply a test; I am sure we’ll be able to safely reach the academy as long as we work together."