The elder in the center stepped forward.
Xane noticed that this old man differed from the one at the awakening ceremony.
Though he had the same big red beard, along with thin hair mixed with a couple of whites, he carried a heavy presence that made everyone focus on him.
Elder rubbed his beard and said in a loud voice, "Heirs of Zenaris. You stand here today not as children but as warriors who have proven your worth."
A ripple of tension passed through those standing. Some straightened their backs, while others cast glances toward Melina and the elites at the front.
Xane remained still, watching.
The elder continued, "The Awakening Trial has ended. Not only have you all survived the cursed land and returned alive, but every one of you is able to form a powerful hex core."
At this, he saw many around him puffing their chests like they had some big thing.
Xane asked Zayn,
Zayn mentally nodded. [Yeah, everyone here should be at least at Copper or above hex potential. The Hex Master Academies only accept students with Copper and above core potential.]
This cleared up a few things, but Xane asked,
Zayn sighed. [Oh, sorry. There were just so many things that must have slipped my mind. As for the potential levels, there are nine total: Rust, Iron, Bronze—those are weak. Then Copper, Silver, Gold—mid-tier. And finally, Dark Gold, Adamant, and Mythril. That's the elite level.]
[Yup.]
Xane looked at the elites and asked,
Zayn let out a small laugh. [Man, the protagonist of this world, has an Adamant core. Do you think any random elite would be at the same level as him?]
[They all should be somewhere between Impure Dark Gold, Pure Dark Gold, and Impure Adamant.]
Xane squinted a bit at this pure and impure thing. He was about to ask more when the elder continued. "You all have faced the cursed lands and conquered them, but this is only the beginning. Your path to becoming a Hex master starts now."
The elder did not wait and gestured toward the academy representative in the green coat.
"For centuries, the Zenaris family has been bound to the Tenebris Academy. The academy is the training ground for our next generation of Hex masters. Every heir who proves their worth enters the academy, where they will hone their power, sharpen their minds, and claim their place among the strongest."
The elder said the last part with open arms, as if making some grand declaration.
Many nodded their heads at this. Some at the back even puff their chests as if they had already achieved something great.
Then the elder glanced at everyone, his eyes lingering on those at the front a little longer before he said, "But the academy is no mere school. It is a battlefield. A war between the most elite within the Ashen Pact. It is the place where you all have to showcase the upcoming power of the Zenaris. We will reward those who perform well, and this family has no place for those who fail."
A silence formed in the hall. Only a few people's somewhat loud exhalations were audible.
Xane could sense the fear among those around him. It did not take him long to realize that everyone in the back was at risk of family expulsion if they failed.
This did not look like a house of spoiled noble children but more like a war camp.
No, this was the war camp that took place before the academy war.
The elder's voice darkened.
"And so, as is tradition, each heir of Zenaris will now sign the Contract of Entry."
At this, the academy representative stepped forward. Unbothered by the entire speech, he simply took out an old parchment from his coat and showed it to the crowd.
"This is the official contract that will connect you to the Tenebris Academy," he said, waving the contract as his sharp eyes scanned the hall.
Xane felt the weight of his gaze pass over him, but didn't react.
"The terms of the contract are simple. The academy will provide you with information and resources to help you become better hex masters. In return, you must pass the year-end task."
Many murmured in confusion, so the academy overseer clarified, "This is a binding contract that activates upon failure. If you fail the year-end task, you will lose your will and become a slave to the academy."
"What?!" some blurted out aloud.
Others started murmuring. "This is just a slave contract."
Xane just stood there in shock. Slave contact, but why? He clenched his jaw at the possibility of his becoming a slave.
The academy representative ignored them and said, "You have the choice to not sign the contract, but then you cannot attend the Tenebris Academy."
The moment they heard the last part, many shivered.
Xane asked Zayn with wide eyes,
Zayn sighed. [Yeah, but it's just to scare us. Don't tell me you think a big noble household would let their young generation become slaves.]
Xane paused. The shock of being a slave had stopped him from thinking this through.
He thought for a moment and realized this academy contact made no sense. That was when he noticed that even though there was panic at the back, the first half of the heirs remained completely calm.
Even if they had known about this contract beforehand, showing no reaction meant there was more to this contract.
He wasted no time and asked Zayn,
[It's not just Tenebris Academy, Xane. All five hex master academies in the Ashen Path region have these entry contracts, and all noble households are on them. In the Ashen Pact, you can't become a hex master without signing the contract.]
Xane rubbed his forehead as he sensed a big scheme. He took a deep breath to prepare himself. It looked like Zayn had some lead on at least this thing.