One morning, in a grassy, wide vacant field, more than thirty youths sat quietly on the grass beneath three towering trees. The space was vast, and the breeze blowing through that place was cool.
This place was part of the Adventurer's Training Field.
Here was where the training and battles of every student of the Sacred Dragon Institute took place. But today, this place would be used to welcome the new students of the institution.
Each of these youths had their own unique qualities. The only thing they shared in common was the white uniform they wore, bearing the emblem of a golden dragon on the left side.
Innocent expressions were evident on their faces as they looked up at the man standing before them.
At a glance, this man appeared to be in his mid-thirties. He had thick eyebrows and an intimidating pair of black eyes. His hair was strikingly black as well. He wore a blue uniform that also bore the golden dragon emblem.
This uniform signified that he was an Instructor in this institution, the Sacred Dragon Institute.
The Sacred Dragon Institute was an institution established by the Royal Clan, the Sacred Dragon Family, thousands of years ago. It was founded to be a school for young adventurers with exceptional abilities and talent in combat—young adventurers who did not come from especially influential clans or families.
Every year, the Sacred Dragon Institute held an examination to admit new students. But passing the examination was not an easy feat.
This year, thousands of adventurers took the exam, but only a little over thirty passed. That alone showed how difficult the examination set by the institution's leadership was.
The exam measured strength level and talent. Also, no examinee could be over seventeen years old. If an adventurer failed any of the three qualifications, they lost any right to enter the institution.
"Listen up," the man demanded as he swept his gaze over the gathered youths. "I am Kiden Sylveria, an Outer Instructor."
"Because you passed the examination given by this institution, that means you are not trash! And now that you are students of this institution, you must obey its laws. Is that clear?!"
His voice was not loud but carried a stern insistence.
"Understood, sir!" the youths sitting on the grass answered.
"Instructor Kiden, may I ask a question?" a chubby boy stood up and raised his hand.
Kiden's brows furrowed, surprised that someone already wanted to ask a question. Nevertheless, instead of being annoyed, he was pleased and spoke. "Speak."
"Instructor, what is an 'Outer Instructor'?" the chubby boy asked curiously, extending his hand toward his seatmate. His friend gave him a high-five and chuckled softly.
"An Instructor is part of this institution's officials. We also teach and guide you in learning the fundamentals about the world of adventurers, like levels and ranks. However, you will still be the ones to decide the path you will walk in the future. We are here to train and teach you. That is our duty as Instructors. You will choose the skills you wish to learn, and we will guide and advise you."
"And just like in your clans, the Instructors in this institution are also ranked according to their power and influence. Those with the least influence here are you students, followed by the Outer Instructors, Inner Instructors, Core Instructors, and finally, the head of the institution—the Institution Master." As Kiden explained, the young adventurers began whispering among themselves.
"So that means Elder Kiden is one of the ones with the weakest influence in the Sacred Dragon Instit—"
The chubby boy didn't get to finish his sentence because he noticed that Kiden seemed to be growing horns in annoyance. He quickly sat down, scratching his head awkwardly. "Hehe… Just kidding, Instructor Kiden…"
"Hmph! Even though Outer Instructors have the least influence among the Instructors, you must still respect us. Without us, the Outer Intructors, no one would teach new students! That means most of the students here in the institution started with us before moving on to other Instructors!" he said irritably.
Kiden immediately reflected on his words. His anger dissipated, and he let out a sigh, remembering that he too had been a mischievous youth.
After a moment of silence, Kiden's expression grew serious as he looked over the thirty-plus students.
"Some of you may have already been taught by your parents or relatives what adventurers are—what are we. But because this is my responsibility as your Instructor, I still need to explain it to you, so listen carefully." He paused and studied each student before continuing. "Strength. This is what will determine our fate as adventurers—our lives and deaths. In this world, respect is earned through strength and power."
"All things—creatures, plants, and people—have what is called 'soulforce' flowing within them."
"Most living beings are composed of body and soul. Those who can only strengthen their bodies may become ordinary warriors. But those who can strengthen their souls are destined to become extraordinary. Soulforce is energy that comes from nature. It is a gift from the creator to all beings. You must know that soulforce is the source of life—even the grass you sit on has it."
The students stared at the grass they were seated on. They tried to sense it, and their eyes widened as they felt a strange energy emanating from it. It was only a faint energy, but it gave them an odd sensation.
"Soulforce is merely borrowed from nature. And when a living being dies, its soulforce returns to nature to spread once more. In this world where we are called adventurers, this cycle repeats over and over."
"We adventurers have what is called a 'soulforce coil,' located just below our navels. It serves as a core for the soulforce we absorb from our surroundings. We also have a 'soulforce pathway,' which channels soulforce into the coil."
"Think of soulforce as our blood, the pathways as our veins, and the coil as our heart. Isn't it our heart that continuously pumps blood through our veins until it returns again? The same concept applies to soulforce, soulforce pathways, and soulforce coil."
"There are various ways to increase the amount of soulforce in our bodies: connecting to the environment through meditation, absorbing energy from natural resources, or consuming medicines called 'Soul Enhancing Pills.' These rare pills can only be crafted by Alchemists."
"Of the three, meditation is the most natural, safe, effective, and economical method to raise our level as adventurers."
"Thanks to soulforce, we adventurers can do many things. We may go days without rest or food because soulforce is a natural energy from nature. Soulforce can also strengthen a person's body, senses, and other abilities. However, all of this has limits. When an adventurer exhausts their soulforce due to overuse, there is only one possible outcome…" He paused again to look at the new students before speaking, "…and that is death!"
Fear welled up among the young adventurers at Kiden's words. They had to take everything he said to heart because their lives depended on it. They were still ignorant of this world. They did not yet know the dangers that awaited them as adventurers.
Kiden smiled as he saw the anxious expressions on their faces. "The amount of soulforce within the coil represents an adventurer's strength. In this world, adventurers are known by different ranks: Bronze Rank, Silver Rank, Gold Rank, Scarlet Gold Rank, Profound Rank, and Sky Rank—each divided into nine levels, from 1st Level to 9th Level."
"…"
Elder Kiden continued explaining. All thirty-plus students listened intently.
"For now, you are not yet allowed to study skills and techniques from this institution because most of you are only at the 5th Level Bronze Rank. You can only begin studying skills when you reach 8th Level Bronze Rank because the skills and techniques here are far stronger and more difficult than those of your clans. With your current level of physical resilience, learning techniques would be dangerous. You must wait until you grow stronger."
He surveyed each student's face and nodded slightly.
"Mm. You may now return to your dormitories. If you need to consult me, you can find me at the Contribution Hall."
--
As the young adventurers were about to leave, an annoying laugh burst from one of the boys.
"Hahaha. Fate, indeed," sneered a boy. "I can't believe a member of the Azure Wood Family managed to pass the examination. Truly astonishing."
Everyone turned in surprise upon seeing and hearing the boy's words. He had eyes like a fierce tiger and thick, dark brows. He also wore a white uniform like the others, but in addition, he had a small badge pinned to it—a black badge stamped with a black tiger.
"Seve Marren from the Black Tiger Family… What is he doing? Does he have some grudge against that boy to humiliate him like this?" some students wondered aloud.
"Azure Wood Family? Black Tiger Family? Don't you know there's a feud between those two clans? The Black Tiger Family wants to buy the Azure Wood Family's properties for a cheap price. But their family head refused. That's why a feud grew between them," explained another student.
"Trying to buy them out for cheap? Hmph! The Black Tiger Family really are arrogant and oppressive! Clearly, they're squeezing the ordinary clan!"
"Shh. Don't be so loud, or he'll hear you. And don't forget—the Black Tiger Family is still an Aristocrat Clan. Their overall power isn't something to be trifled with."
"…"
"Seve Marren. If you have nothing important to say, don't waste my time." The silver-haired boy spoke coldly. His beautiful golden eyes glared sharply at Seve Marren.
This boy was Finn Doria—5th Level Bronze Rank, sixteen years old, and one of hundreds of members of the ordinary Azure Wood Family. Because the Azure Wood Family was just an ordinary clan, they had only sent their three most talented youths to take the examination. In the end, only Finn succeeded.
Seve's expression darkened when he heard Finn's words. "What right do you have not to respect me?! You only come from an ordinary clan! Do you think I can't teach you a lesson just because we're inside the institution?!"
"Hmph." Seve snorted, his gaze full of contempt. "Finn Doria, remember this well. It won't be long before the Azure Wood Family is wiped from the Sacred Dragon Kingdom. And when that day comes, you'll face a fate worse than death. Hahaha."
After he said this, Seve turned away, laughing loudly. Two boys followed him, their eyes also full of scorn for Finn.
Finn clenched his fists, his whole body trembling. Suddenly, images of the people dearest to him flashed through his mind. They were all smiling at him. These images were his family—his father, mother, and his younger sister.
'I won't let that happen! I will grow stronger—for my family, for my clan! Even if I must defy the whole world, for my family, I will never give up!'he vowed silently. He gritted his teeth and began walking away from that place.
Nearly everyone watching looked at Finn Doria with a mix of pity and regret. It was true that the Royal Clan did not allow open wars between clans, but of course there were always exceptions. The Royal Clan would always favor an Aristocrat Clan over an Ordinary Clan. So even if the Azure Wood Family was destroyed by the Black Tiger Family, it was highly likely the Royal Clan would just turned a blind eye.
--
Aurora Town, Azure Wood Family
The Azure Wood Family was just an ordinary clan among dozens of such clans in the Sacred Dragon Kingdom. Its overall strength was not particularly great. Its influence was among the lowest of all ordinary clans.
This clan resided in the small town of Aurora.
In the meeting room, five seated figures looked worried as they sat in their chairs. Deep concern was plain on their faces.
"Family Head, what if none of them passed the examination…?" asked an elderly woman.
"That would mean the destruction of our clan is truly inevitable. Perhaps the Black Tiger Family is already working to erase us from the Sacred Dragon Kingdom. At this point, I have failed our ancestors. If I die, I don't think I could face them… they won't be able to forgive me…" sighed an old man. His hair was pure white, and his face deeply wrinkled—signs of age and countless troubles.
"That vile clan is going too far!" said another man.
"There's nothing more we can—"
"Family Head! Family Head! Two of the three we sent to the Sacred Dragon Institute have returned!" A member burst into the room, shouting happily.
The five elders' eyes widened as they looked at each other. "T-two? That means…one was accepted?! At last! After ten years, someone from the Azure Wood Family has entered the Sacred Dragon Institute again!"
"Quickly, let them in! I want to know who passed! Was it Sig or Damian?" joy lit up each of the Elders' faces.
Moments later, the two boys entered. They could not look the old man in the eye, their gazes fixed on the floor, clearly ashamed of their failure.
The five elders' eyes widened. "Sig, Damian?! Then…"
"Hahaha! I knew that boy wouldn't disappoint me! That boy—I won't scold him when he gets home. Hahaha!" One of the five adventurers burst out in jubilant laughter.
"Third Elder, we're happy for you. This time, your son, Finn, has truly given our clan hope again. Hahaha!" Everyone laughed with genuine relief.
"Elders, Family Head, we ask for your forgiveness. We were useless—we failed to pass the institution's trials!" The two boys fell to one knee.
"What are you saying?!" scolded one woman, the Second Elder of the Azure Wood Family. "Aside from the Third Elder, none of us made it into the Sacred Dragon Institute in our day either. Are you saying we were worthless, too?!"
"N-no, that's not what we meant—" the two stammered, flustered.
"That's enough! You two, tell us later what happened in the examination. And since this is one of the happiest days in our clan's history, we'll hold a celebration and a feast!"