Aamon and his team made their way through the bustling heart of Dusk City—not the decaying alleys of the slums, but the refined and orderly sector on the opposite end. This part of the city pulsed with wealth, cultivation, and power. The air was cleaner, the buildings more ornate, and guards patrolled with sharp eyes and sharper blades.
At the far end stood the Teleportation Hub, a large circular plaza embedded with ancient runes that shimmered faintly beneath the midday sun. Marble obelisks surrounded the platform, each humming with latent spatial energy.
Only those of 4th Order or higher could use the central array for free once per month.
Aamon stepped forward, his long golden hair swaying behind him. Alexia and Yue followed, cloaked in the grace of their own quiet power. The nearby cultivators parted instinctively, sensing their combined aura—unrefined yet dense, like a storm waiting to be unleashed.
The teleportation circle flared as Aamon spoke the destination aloud.
"Astralis Dominion City."
The circle responded immediately, glyphs flashing in succession before a blinding light engulfed the group. In a heartbeat, the world shifted.
—
They reappeared atop a platform suspended by silver pillars, surrounded by glowing barriers. The change in energy was immediate—Astralis Dominion City pulsed with dense spiritual energy, far richer than Dusk City.
The city spread out below them like a living tapestry of power and ambition. Grand towers of stone and crystal pierced the skyline, and cultivators of every kind moved with purpose through the streets. Here, the weak were few, and the strong walked openly.
Aamon could feel it.
Almost everyone in the city was at least 2nd Order, and many possessed powerful auras far above that. It was a place where geniuses gathered, where factions clashed in the shadows, and where opportunity and danger danced hand-in-hand.
"This place is…" Alexia whispered, her gaze sharp as she took in the streets. "…built for monsters."
"It's where we belong now," Aamon said, eyes fixed forward.
Yue nodded silently.
They didn't waste time. Following the signs carved in polished stone, they made their way through the city's central district until it loomed into view—
The Astralis Dominion Academy.
It wasn't merely a school.
It was a fortress.
The walls were high and reinforced with spiritual inscriptions that shimmered faintly even under the sun. Atop the gate stood statues of ancient heroes, long-forgotten founders of the academy, carved from obsidian and starlight stone.
It radiated prestige, mystery, and challenge.
Two guards in navy-and-silver armor stepped forward as they approached. Their expressions were neutral but firm. One extended a hand.
"Halt. Entry is restricted to academy personnel or prospective candidates with an invitation or test ticket."
Without a word, Aamon reached into his cloak and withdrew the ticket the Dusk City guildmaster had given him. It gleamed faintly with astral light as he held it up.
The guards examined it. Their eyes widened slightly at the seal imprinted at the center—a mark reserved for direct referrals from recognized Guild Leaders.
The lead guard straightened and stepped aside.
"Welcome to Astralis Dominion Academy. You may proceed to the Inner Courtyard for orientation."
Aamon nodded once and stepped forward.
Beyond the gate lay their next challenge.
The trials of the academy would begin soon.
And none of them intended to be left behind.
Soon after passing the academy gates, Aamon and his team were led deeper into the fortress-like grounds by an attendant in navy robes. The inner layout was grand, yet efficient—sprawling halls of crystal glass, hovering platforms, and towering spires that rose into the skies like fangs carved from moonlight.
Eventually, they reached a massive open training ground, wide enough to host an army. The arena-like space was bordered by stone terraces and metallic runic pillars that shimmered faintly with defensive enchantments.
Aamon's gaze swept over the vast field. A crowd of five to six thousand people had already gathered—each one a candidate vying for a place in the Astralis Dominion Academy. Their auras clashed subtly in the air, forming an invisible storm of ambition, desperation, and hidden power.
Some wore polished armor; others dressed in robes, leathers, or battle-worn cloaks. Their eyes gleamed with pride or paranoia, and many already sized up their potential enemies.
A floating platform hovered above the field, and moments later, a tall figure descended onto it—an Incharge of the Trial.
He wore the robes of the academy's administration, embroidered with golden threads that formed constellations and lines of flowing script. His presence was calm, but his aura made the air tighten for a heartbeat—6th Order at the least.
He raised a hand, and the murmuring of thousands quieted.
"Welcome, prospective cultivators of the Astralis Dominion Academy."
His voice carried effortlessly across the entire arena, enhanced by spiritual resonance.
"The entrance trial will be conducted in two stages. Only those who pass both may earn the right to step into the academy's sacred halls."
"Round One… is a free-for-all badge hunt."
Gasps and murmurs spread through the crowd.
"Each of you will be assigned a single badge. Your objective is simple: survive, fight, steal, or outwit your competitors to gather as many badges as possible."
"Only the top 300 badge holders will pass the first round."
His tone darkened slightly.
"Do not kill. Do not maim beyond recovery. You are still guests of the Astralis Dominion, and those who break the rules… will not leave whole."
The weight of his words sank into the field.
Then, the Incharge's eyes swept the crowd.
"One final rule—subordinates and contracted spirits are forbidden from participating. This is a trial of personal strength, judgment, and survival."
Aamon's expression didn't waver, but beside him, Alexia tensed slightly. Yue gave him a serene glance before both girls nodded.
"We'll return to the territory," Alexia said, folding her arms. "Call us when it's done."
"Be careful," Yue whispered. "There are too many eyes here."
Aamon nodded silently, and with a brief glow of light from his palm, he activated the territory recall rune. In a flicker of emerald light, both Alexia and Yue vanished, returning to the Celastine Domain.
Now alone, Aamon stepped forward as academy attendants began moving through the crowd, handing out silver-edged badges to each trial taker. When he received his, he inspected it briefly—it was bound to his life force and would track his activity during the trial.
He clipped it to the inner lining of his coat.
He could feel the stares already—some curious, others hungry, a few malicious.
But he didn't care.
This was the battlefield.
And he had already fought his way up from the bottom once before.