Chapter 26-Ernst Institute

One month before the founding of the Dawson Kingdom, the Ernst Institute was finally open for enrollment.

The Ernst Institute were built based on the template of the original Ernst Institute located on the former Fenlai Kingdom of the Holy Union. The size of the entire campus was twice the size of the original. Classrooms, dormitories and all facilities were built based on the original campus.

The Dawson family requested the builders, planners, artisan, and craftsman to build the new campus the same as the previous Ernst Institute as possible, and make a reserve piece of land for future construction. The only difference between the old and new institute was, there is now a new warriors department in addition to the original magus department. Aside from this, there are many stone sculptures inside and outside the campus. There are also large training ground for magus and warrior training.

Before the enrollment, the management of the Ernst Institute led by Sarah, the Dean of the Institute, conducted a selection test for the children ages eight and above. Since it was the first year of operation, the standards for accepting students were also lowered. They conducted both magic aptitude test and warrior selection test. If the children pass the magic aptitude test, they can enrol in the magus department. If the children have no magic aptitude, they can try the warrior selection test. The warrior selection test was simple, they just have to complete and pass the obstacle course used by the soldiers to train their bodies.

For the warrior selection test, there are more or less tens of thousands of participants, but due to age and not good physical ability, there are only four hundred children who manage to complete and pass the obstacle course. They gritted their teeth and never give-up while experiencing the hardship of the obstacle course. Many of the participant who passed the warrior selection test were children of common people in the kingdom.

The selection of students lasted for two weeks before the opening of the Ernst Institute. After the selection, only five hundred students were admitted for enrollment. There are one hundred magus students and four hundred warrior students.

The tuition fees are free for the citizens of the kingdom, while the institute charged an outrageous price for the students coming from other territories. The Ernst Institute provides free lodging and gives monthly food subsidy for poor students.

Aside from Ernst Institute, there also many schools for magus and warriors being constructed at the different cities of the kingdom to provide training for the children of the citizens.

During the enrollment on the Ernst Institute, the important people of the kingdom such as King Monroe and his family, his ministers and many invited guest from other territories such as the Proux Gallery and envoys from other kingdom and empires. Aside from them, the students and their family were given a tour inside the campus.

Before entering the campus, the visitors were welcomed by the two lifelike twenty meter high stone statues of a smiling man and a woman, resembling Ernst parents, with welcoming gestures at every people entering the main gate of the campus.

"What a wonderful work of art."

"It's a work of a grandmaster sculptor."

"Magnificent!"

The guest from the Proux Gallery and sculpture aficionados can't help but marvel at the lifelike statues and stood there for a long time, while other visitors are already inside the campus.

Inside the campus, the visitors noticed the various establishments such as hotels, restaurants, bars, clothing stores and different services industries that caters student needs.

Walking further to the center of the campus, the visitors marveled again at the five meter high, scary, and lifelike stone statues of magical beast Fire Dragon, Winged Pegasus, Blackbear, Dragoncat and Thunderwing Pegasi arranged in circular manner. The most eye catching was a stone statue of a beautiful young lady, riding on the Thunderwing Pegasi with a big smile on her face.

The visitors also noticed a gorgeous big lake near the back mountain. Various trees, flowers, and stones were arranged beautifully. On the center of the lake was an island with a big boulder. Atop the big boulder was a stone statue of a young man, playing with his flute while sitting. On the shoulder of the young, was a sleeping tiny magical beast, Velocidragon.

After hours of touring inside the Ernst Institute, the visitors have big smiles on their faces as they left the campus. They all agree that Ernst Institute was the most beautiful school in the continent. Adding to that fact, a Deity were also teaching in the school once a month. Making all of them very eager to let their children admit in the institute.

The parents of the students were delighted that their children was admitted in the Ernst Institute. They are assured that their children will have a bright future once they graduate from the institute.

One month after the establishment of the Dawson Kingdom, Ernst has a spare time again to teach students. To be exact, his earth divine clone who teaches students. He went towards the training grounds.

A quarter of land inside the campus was used to build a large training ground for magus and warrior students. In the training ground, a complex obstacle course was also built to train students strength, speed, and endurance. Besides the obstacle course, an arena was built for the students to spar and to be use for yearly tournament.

On the training ground, Ernst was watching Anna, Jenne and Keane fights a group of 6th rank magical beast constructs made of Earth Essence.

"Bang!"

Keane was caught off guard and was hit by the tail of the magical beast. Thankfully his ice armor protected him from being injured, but now it is broken.

"Focus Keane!" Anna shouted.

During the past month, the three of them become good friends. Being his elder brothers student's, Anna treated the two siblings well.

"Alright, I will be careful next time." Keane keeps his vigilance, he want to avoid being caught off guard again. He charges towards the magical beast construct nearest to him.

Anna chanted silently, then she cast 'Wind-style magic spell-Supersonic' to boost the speed for the three of them.

Jenne also finishes chanting her spell, she cast 'Water-style magic spell-Protected Icy Carapace' on Anna, Keane and her. The three of them now had an ice armor all over their body.

Seeing Keane already fighting the magical beast construct, Anna and Jenne also moves and support Keane. With one month of coordination, their teamwork were excellent.

Anna and Jenne were both magi and warrior, they use their swords to fight magical beast constructs in close combat. Their fighting style were very similar to Ernst. Close combat was their main battle style, while magic spells are only use for support.

The students watching the battle at the sides, enjoys the fight, while the magus teachers were amazed, as if a new door was open to them. So, this is how a magus fight? To them, close combat was their weakness, the same for many magi, but seeing Anna and Jenne fight in close combat, they admired them in their hearts. They now understand why the institute orders the magus students to train as warriors.

A few minutes later, all the magical beast constructs are now destroyed. Anna, Jenne, and Keane are panting heavily. The three of them suffered different injuries, but they are still cheerful after defeating so many magical beast constructs. Suddenly, a white light envelop them, healing their injuries quickly.

"Not bad, you three did well. Next time, you will face more powerful constructs, not just magical beast but also human constructs. Train more."

"Yes brother/teacher."

Then Ernst turns towards the students and teachers of the institute. "Now, you have already seen how a magus fight in close combat. A magus who can't fight in close combat is not a good magus. What if you used up your spiritual energy during battle? What will you do? Run? Does your opponent show mercy because you have no spiritual energy left? Of course, they will not. A magus must cover all their weaknesses by training as a warrior, or tame a magical beast to protect them. My advice is simple, train yourself as a warrior. Many magi here might look down on warrior training, even call them barbarians who only fought in close combat. Me, my mother and sister were all magi, but we trained hard as warriors. Training as a warrior will be another path for you aside from being a magus. Becoming a Saint were much easier through warrior training." Ernst pauses for moment, to let the students and teachers digest his words.

"Aside from attending class, warrior training and completing the obstacle course during Monday to Thursday. Fighting magical beast and human constructs every Friday shall be added to the students course. In addition, every three months, all student shall participate in a life and death battle against a real magical beast in the forest at the back mountain."

For the past month, the Saint-level magical beasts of James, Douglas, and Roger catches low-level magical beast from the Forest of Darkness and put them in the forest at the back mountain. There are now numerous magical beast living inside the forest at the back mountain of the institute.

The students were afraid as they listen to Ernst words, but they are still eager to try. Being guided by a Deity was a once in a lifetime opportunity for them. Besides, they are not sure if they really die during the battle. Furthermore, they are sure there are teachers watching them to prevent any accident.

"Every month, there will be an individual and group ranking competition. You or your group will be rank based on how many and what rank of magical beast or human constructs you destroy. The group category should have a maximum of five members, either all are warriors, all magus or mixed of both. For this event, I will create a ranking board for individual and group ranking competition and the top ten in the ranking will be rewarded as long they maintain their rank for the whole year."

"Not only the students have the chance to be in the ranking board, teachers will also participate in battle against magical beast and human constructs. I don't want any idles here in the institute. If you have a good ranking for a year, you will be rewarded. Train hard everyone." Ernst left after speaking.

In the sky, three Saint-level combatants were listening to Ernst lectures, they couldn't help but to smile. "Milord, if young master plan works, we will have many experts in the future coming from the institute." Douglas said.

"What if the whole kingdom hosts a yearly tournament? To participate in the tournament, the combatants needs to be in the top three in the ranking board of each city. But instead of fighting magical beast and human construct, they will battle each other." Roger told his ideas.

"Nice idea, I will talk about this to Monroe. I bet Monroe will be pleased when he hears your suggestion." James smiles towards Roger.

"Come, you two, let's go to the Mt. Blackraven and have a spar. This time, I will not show any mercy." James laughs at Douglas and Roger.

"Milord, we will beat you to a pulp this time."

"Hahaha." The three Saint-level combatants left the sky of Ernst Institute while laughing.

At the back garden of the Blackshadow Castle, Ernst original body was watching Steward Greg and Andrea battle a 8th rank magical beast construct made of fire essence.

Ernst doesn't want them to die, so he encourages them to train hard. When they were still residing in Fenlai City, Steward Greg was already a 6th rank warrior, while Andrea was a 4th rank warrior. After arriving at the O'Brien Empire, the two of them already started their training again. Though they started training again, they have a solid foundation. Now, Steward Greg is already promoted to 8th rank warrior while Andrea is a 6th rank warrior. With Ernst guidance and support of the family, they are showing their talent as a warrior. When Monroe becomes the king of the Dawson Kingdom, they stop being the administrator of the kingdom. Now, they are taking care of the Blackshadow Castle and the management of the Ernst Institute.

"Bang!"

The magical beast construct was finally destroyed. Steward Greg and Andrea finally heave a sigh of relief. Both of the smiles at each other.

"Clap clap clap."

"Nice fight. Your fighting styles have improved well. Take a good rest. Always training is not good. A combination of work and rest is the best way of training." Ernst praised them.

"Thank you, young master."

"Don't be so formal in front of me, when there is no people around just call my name. I appreciate it." Ernst smiles at them then left.