Cultivation Academy.

Current Day.

A young man stood with wide eyes as he took in the scene in front of him. Teenagers bustled past him as they filtered excitedly into the building ahead of them. It was one of the largest buildings he had ever seen and had a modern pagoda style to it.

'Today is really the day.' The young man thought. 'My first day at the Cultivation Academy.'

The young man pinched himself on the arm just to confirm he wasn't dreaming. He had waited patiently for this day for years. He had studied every book he could get his hands on about the earths history and the mysterious energy known as Qi.

His big brother was the only family the young man had left after his parents had died in a beast invasion and ever since that day, he had sworn to become the strongest cultivator that ever lived. He would be the one to save everyone from the beasts and finally bring absolute peace to the world.

"Get your head out of the clouds again, Oz." His brother said from beside him as he clapped down a large hand on the young man's shoulder. "You need to focus and train hard whilst you're here so the Guild can't say anything when you graduate."

"I know, Quinn." Oz grumbled and looked up at his brother.

When the humans began to cultivate, they formed their own guilds to group up and push back the beasts. Quinn had managed to join a relatively powerful guild in their city and wanted to get his younger brother, Oz, to join as well. But they said that they would only let him join if he manages to reach at least the second rank in cultivating.

A ball rang out from inside the huge building and students began to enter through the large front doors.

"Good luck." Quinn said as he gave his little brother a push towards the the school. Oz took a deep breath before staring up at the school with pure determination shining in his blue eyes.

'Now, my journey finally begins.' He thought as he stepped past the threshold of the academy.

The hallways were full of chatter as students excitedly talked and laughed with each other. Oz fished around in his pocked before pulling out a folded sheet of paper that had a simple map printed on it. New first years were ordered to report to the auditorium and Oz squinted at the paper before walking off in what he hoped was the right direction.

He studied his surroundings as he neared the end of the hallway.

Students milled around in groups wearing simple gym suits in the colours red, blue or black. Red symbolised the second years, blue the third years and black the fourth years. Some had golden embroidery on the front of their jackets to symbolise what cultivation rank they were.

There were five rank's in total that we knew of. Each rank consisted of ten levels that the Cultivator had to pass, their names were:

Rank 1 - Foundation

Rank 2 - Core Refining

Rank 3 - Body Infusion

Rank 3 - Spirit Transformation

Rank 4 - Heavenly Tribulation

Rank 5 - Transcending Divinity

Nobody has reached passed Rank 5, so it is unknown if there are further ranks then that. But those in the Transcending Divinity Rank, however few there are, are considered Gods amongst men.

"Hey newbie!" A loud voice called out from beside Oz as an arm came round his neck. "Are you a first year too?"

"Yes." Oz grunted as he tried to pull away from the vice like grip the other guy had around his neck.

"Me too!" The other guy exclaimed happily. "I'm Xiao! What's your name?"

"Oswald," Oz said as finally took a step back from him. "Just call me Oz."

"Nice to meet you Oz." Xiao said with a huge grin. Now that Oz got a good look at Xiao, he was shocked. Xiao was huge with well formed muscles, looking more like he was in his twenties rather than eighteen like Oz.

"Are you a cultivator already?" Oz asked incredulously.

"No, of course not!" Xiao chuckled loudly as he brushed a hand through his short blonde hair. "I'm part of the the Wu family so I've been practicing martial techniques since I could walk. Adds a little beef to the bones over time."

"A little?" Oz mumbled in disbelief. He had heard of the Wu family before, they were a part of the originally cultivators with one of the largest guilds that covered all five of the fortress cities.

"We better hurry or we're going to be late." Xiao pointed out and wrapped his arm around Oz's neck again before dragging him towards the auditorium. There was no way for Oz to fight against Xiao's grip so he let himself be dragged away.

Oz had always kept a healthy routine of nutrient dense foods and exercise in preparation to start cultivating… but looking at Xiao, maybe he didn't do enough.

They entered a huge domed room lined with rows and rows of chairs. An ocean of students made their way to each seat and Oz couldn't believe just how many students were going to be in his year.

"Move," Xiao ordered a couple of guys who had been sitting in the front row.

"What but we just got-" the guy started arguing before the one sitting beside him put a hand over his mouth and dragged him away.

"That was Xiao Wu you idiot! The Wu family is the strongest cultivating family out there!" The student whispered furiously to the guy as he dragged him away.

"Look two seats opened just for us," Xiao grinned innocently at Oz before pulling him down into the chair.

Why was this guy being so nice to him?

'Xiao is from a major important family, if people knew who he was, he would have countless students flocking to him and trying to gain his favour.' Oz thought with a frown. 'Perhaps that will happen once we finally begin classes. He will soon forget about me.'

"Settle down, settle down!" A loud voice rang out over the crowds and the remaining students quickly ran to their seats. A woman stood on the large platform at the front of the room. She was dressed head to toe in reinforced beast armour, her long blonde hair pulled tightly back which showcased the gnarly scar that ran down her right eye.

"Good morning first years," her voice was crisp and clear like a bell. "My name is Daiyu Wu and have just graduated my fourth year of the academy which now makes me an Elder. I will be in charge of taking care of you all."

"Wu?" Oz raised an eyebrow at Xiao.

"My sister." Xiao mumbled back. "Don't worry, she hates my guts so I won't get any special treatment."

"Today you will be tested to determine what spirit roots you possess. To those who don't know, your spirit roots will reveal what affinity you are compatible with. Once we know that, we can then give you techniques that will compliment them." Daiyu explained.

"We will be calling you up one by one. All you must do is place your hands upon this device, after which you will given a Qi stone and be sent to the library to collect your starting techniques."

The excitement from the crowds of first years was palpable. Even Oz had his fists clenched in anticipation. Xiao noticed this and he smiled to himself slightly.

"Starting from the end of the first row, approach the stage." Daiyu ordered and the student at the opposite end of Oz's row stood and approached the small device that was beside Daiyu. She gave him a nod and he hesitantly placed his hand flat against the device. A small hum filled the air and a holographic screen appeared in front of Daiyu.

"Congratulations," She said as she scanned the information in front of her. "You have fire spiritual roots. Gather your Qi stone and make your way to the library."

The student could barely contain his excitement as he half rushed to the other teacher to collect his stone.

"Lucky," Xiao murmured. "I want fire too. What about you Oz?"

"Anything." Oz answered automatically. He honestly didn't care what he had, whatever element he got, he would train it to its limits and beyond.

As each student went up and discovered their spirit roots, the more Oz's excitement grew.

"My turn." Xiao winked at Oz before he sauntered over to the stage, his sister glaring at him the whole time. He lifted his hand and Oz noticed the small flinch Xiao made before placing his hand down flat.

"Fire roots," Daiyu called out, not bothering to even look at Xiao before motioning for him to get off the stage.

'I guess they really do hate each other.' Oz thought and then gulped as he realised it was finally his turn.

He stood and approached the stage, each step heavier than the last.

"Place your hand," Daiyu instructed and a sweat broke out down Oz's back. He complied and pressed his hand against the cold metallic device.

'I wonder what it will be.' Oz thought. 'If I could have water spiritual roots like Quinn, that would be great - he could teach me all his techniques.'

Silence filled the auditorium and Oz casted a quick glance at Daiyu, a frown on her face.

"Place your other hand on the device." She ordered and Oz felt nauseous all of a sudden. What was going on?

He complied and placed his other hand on the device. The silence was almost deafening as everyone seemed confused and anxious to see what was going on.

"How strange," Daiyu cocked her head as she scanned the holographic screen infront of her. "It seems that you don't have any spirit roots."