“Let’s go, I’ll lead you in,” Glyn declared with a smile. “This mist is the result of a terrifying array. Without guidance from someone within the academy, even a level 90 awakened might perish within the fog.”
Hearing this, Howard and Abby’s pupils involuntarily constricted sharply.
A LV90 awakened was an immensely powerful being, even by the Alliance’s standards.
The fact that they might fail to navigate this fog was truly staggering.
As they spoke, Glyn already held up a jade plaque, steering the carriage into the dense mist.
As if recognizing the plaque, the mist began to recede rapidly where the carriage passed, much like snow melting under the scorching sun, revealing a clear path.
Seeing this, Howard, Abby, and Aisha quickly followed suit.
Though the fog appeared dense, it was but a mere span of a few yards.
Once they emerged from it, a vast expanse opened before Howard.
What met his eyes was an array of magnificent buildings, with the sky clear and blue, the sun shining brightly overhead.
Every nook and cranny of the academy was bathed in sunlight, showing no trace of the fog’s obstruction.
It was evident that this layer of mist wasn’t a physical entity but rather a special array.
“Senior Glyn!”
A sudden exclamation rang out. Howard looked in the direction of the voice and saw a group of five students, their eyes wide in astonishment, fixed on Glyn.
Given Glyn’s talent and prowess, his reputation within the Holy Abyss Academy was considerable. Being recognized was, thus, hardly surprising.
The five students quickly approached.
When their eyes landed on Howard and Abby, expressions of amazement painted their faces, especially when they gazed upon Abby, their eyes lighting up.
The allure of beauty is universal.
It’s only natural for people to be taken aback by beauty. Though most wouldn’t outright drool or stare blankly.
“Zelas! Perfect timing,” Glyn, recognizing the group, said with a smile. “We have some errands to run. Could you help return these three carriages to the post station?”
Since Caitlin remained unconscious and couldn’t be carried indefinitely, the carriage was a necessity.
But now that they were back in the academy, the carriage became redundant.
Meanwhile, Aisha gently lifted the still-unconscious Caitlin out.
Witnessing this, the astonishment of Zelas and his group intensified.
“My God,” they exclaimed, “Senior Caitlin is injured! What kind of formidable monster did you all encounter?”
“Even a LV60 monster shouldn’t be a match for you all, right?”
“Senior Glyn, didn’t you go out to recruit new students? How did you end up injured?”
Hearing the barrage of questions, Glyn, trying to steer the conversation away from prying questions, said, “While our mentor was meeting other students, we faced a LV70 monster. Caitlin managed to fend it off with all her might but got seriously injured in the process.”
Cleverly, Glyn sidestepped the true details of their encounter in the Ruins and provided a different reason.
Given Glyn’s reputation as a forthright person, Zelas and his group accepted the explanation without suspicion.
Expressing their awe and condolences, they took the carriages and departed from the academy.
Holding Caitlin, Aisha said with a soft laugh, “You both should go complete the enrollment formalities. I look forward to our next meeting. Remember to call me when you decide to continue exploring that Ruins!”
With that, she tapped the ground lightly with her toe and swiftly left with Caitlin in her arms.
Aisha, sharp as ever, having recognized the potential in Howard and Abby, naturally sought to align herself with them.
Glyn, on the other hand, led Howard and Abby straight to the administration office.
Along the way, he gave them a comprehensive introduction to the academy.
The Holy Abyss Academy boasts seven dormitory buildings, two academic blocks, a training building, an alchemy building, two forging buildings, and specialized floors with simulated battlefields.
These floors are embedded with various magical formations, allowing students to immerse their souls and engage in fierce battles with a myriad of monsters in diverse environments.
This unique training method enhances their abilities. Even if one were to ‘die’ within these simulations, the consequences are minimal, perhaps just a lingering headache.
Such facilities and opportunities were unheard of for both Howard and Abby.
Their surprise was evident, and an eager anticipation welled up within them. They couldn’t wait for the term to begin!
As Glyn was introducing the academy to Howard and Abby, the trio approached the administration office.
Before Glyn could even knock, a bald man emerged, flashing a broad grin. “Glyn, you rascal! Finally back, I see. Did Daniel have you escorting the freshmen again?”
As he spoke, the bald man glanced at Howard and Abby, his expression abruptly shifting.
Detecting the man’s gaze, Howard’s brow slightly arched, readying himself to speak.
However, Glyn interjected with a chuckle, “Mr. Wales, these two students were personally recruited by Mr. Daniel himself.”
Glyn, discerning Daniel’s high regard for Howard and Abby, subtly prompted Wales to extend some courtesy towards the duo.
Taking the hint, Wales withdrew his scrutinizing gaze from Howard and nodded, “Mr. Daniel certainly has an eye for talent. I can tell these students possess immense potential.”
After a brief pause, Wales invited them, “Come in. I’ll help you with the enrollment procedures.”
These so-called procedures primarily involved recording various details about the students, from their talents to their family backgrounds.
After all, numerous factors could influence an individual’s potential.
As an institution, the academy sought to nurture the right students, considering not only their inherent abilities but also external elements.
After all was said and done, Howard couldn’t shake off an uneasy feeling.
When Wales learned of his awakening to an F-level talent, there was no discernible reaction.
Everyone Howard had met since his awakening had either looked at him in astonishment or condescension upon learning of his talent.
Yet, Wales alone remained unfazed, not even querying Glyn as to why Daniel would recruit a student with an F-level talent.
However, no matter how curious he was, Howard felt it wasn’t his place to inquire.
Once the paperwork was finalized, and they had their student IDs and essential items, Wales ushered them out without giving Howard a chance to ask any questions.
“Tsk, tsk. Usually, Mr. Wales is quite hospitable. He might not be feeling well today,” Glyn, unaware of the reason, tried to explain on Wales’ behalf.
“Mr. Wales surely has been generous to you both, gifting you ten Experience Amplifier Pills! These pills, once consumed, boost experience gains by 20% for the next twelve hours, whether you’re practicing or slaying monsters. They significantly accelerate leveling!”
Hearing of the Experience Amplifier Pill’s effects, both Howard and Abby’s eyes lit up.
Such a potent booster, a rarity even in Saint City, was now freely accessible monthly at Holy Abyss Academy.
But, of course, the supply for students was limited.
According to Glyn, regular students could only procure one pill a month.
In essence, Howard and Abby had just received a year’s supply all at once!
In addition to the Experience Amplifier Pill and their student IDs, Wales also gave each of them 10 gold coins, a special Storage Bag, and an SS-level skill scroll.
The privileges they received were well beyond what regular students obtained.
Glyn, mistakenly attributing their bounty to his prior remarks, cheerily hinted that they owed him a favor.
Dorm assignments at the Holy Abyss Academy were designated based on gender, so Howard and Abby inevitably had to part ways.
At this time, with the Academy’s term yet to commence and new students yet to arrive, Howard found himself as the lone occupant of his dorm.
Having chosen his bed and neatly organized his belongings, he eagerly unzipped the special Storage Bag.
For some inexplicable reason, he felt an irresistible draw to something inside it.
Upon opening, he discovered, to his surprise, a book.
Initially, he had assumed it might be a textbook or something related to the Holy Abyss Academy.
However, obscuring the content was a plume of purple mist, rendering the inscriptions within indecipherable.
“Purple mist? It looks rather luxurious. I wonder what its purpose is,” Howard mused, studying the book, fingers tracing its contours.
He pondered aloud, “Is this a gift for every student? Is the Holy Abyss Academy always this generous?”
As he caressed the book, a peculiar sensation arose within Howard when the purple mist entwined around his fingers. It felt as if the ethereal vapor bore a strange kinship with him.
After a moment’s hesitation, Howard instinctively channeled his inner power.
Upon the awakening of one’s aptitude and subsequent class selection, the body could harness a distinct energy, though it often manifested in a numerical form.
Skills or statistical boosts resulting from leveling up were all manifestations of one’s innate strength.
Humming— .
Almost instantly, as Howard summoned his strength, the purple mist was wholly drawn into him, revealing the book’s full form before his eyes.
[Ding! Congratulations to the awakened Howard. You have successfully comprehended the SS-level active skill — Soul Devour!”]
This sudden notification left Howard momentarily stunned.
Was the academy really giving away an SS-level skill book for free?
Wasn’t this a tad too extravagant?
Taking a deep breath to steady his excitement, Howard eagerly accessed his attribute panel, eager to discern the effects of the Soul Devour.
𝑖𝘦.𝑐𝘰𝘮