8 Welcome to Discipline!

As one of the select few to study at the renowned Discipline Academy, I had the immense privilege of being in the heart of wealth and power.

The magnificent capital, main site of my school, shone with a unique glory, drawing the most influential members of society to its walls.

No wonder, some individuals from royal families of neighboring countries signed contracts to join the Academy.

But beyond the outer beauty, the Academy hid unusual features and properties, making it a place where people struggled to achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams.

Just to clarify, there were sages and other great personalities on this planet who dared to say that the Academy was an independent kingdom in its own right.

Witnessing all its fascinating landscape, I could agree with their thoughts.

The large and impressive campus, with its majestic buildings and luxury rooms fit for a king, were proof that the Discipline Academy was, without a doubt, a palace of knowledge.

Nonetheless, to be honest, I wasn't excited about being a student at this legendary school acclaimed by many.

Instead, I shivered with fear of the future that awaited me.

'Kidnappings, betting competitions, battles to the death..'.

The script of that dark-trashy game, which gave birth to this planet, was disheartening and inhumane to its characters.

Not even Taliyah Roosevelt, the protagonist, was safe from the dangers that lurked in the dark alleys of the institution.

I didn't want to be here, but if I wanted to save Mael, I had no other choice.

In addition to that statement, how could I possible be sure that by escaping the events of this storyline I would have a peaceful life?

What if, having accepted Mael's offer to be adopted, the butterfly effect had already drastically altered the course of history?

What if I make a mistake and this world turns to hell?

Foremost, what if Taliyah dies?

That was why, as one of the main romantic ''capture targets", I had to frequent this cursed place.

"The director is waiting for you, Mr Dashner."

A woman in a elegant suit greeted me, spitting out information.

"Right. Could you guide me to his office if possible?"

The woman nodded in agreement.

''Of course, Mr. Dashner. It's not that far from here. So, please follow me this way'', she gestured with her hands.

Erasing my dark thoughts, I started walking beside the tall blonde woman.

Finally, the events of this cruel game would unfold in this world.

My heart was pounding harder than usual.

I had been preparing myself for quite some time, striving for twelve whole years to get stronger, just for this.

Just to survive a little more.

'I will certainly make it.'

Tucking my concerns into a hidden box in my mind, I took confident steps forward.

****

The headmaster's office at the Discipline Academy was a place of rare opulence, equipped with all modern amenities and crammed with shelves adorned with objects from all corners of the world.

At the same time that I admired the beauty of the room, I was already waiting for it — after all, it was identical to the scenes presented throughout TWOF.

'Wonderful', I thought.

Opposite to me, Johan Elspring, the director, was sitting at his majestic desk, watching me with an awed and expectant gaze.

Johan was a stout man with a bulging belly and broad arms.

His head was smooth and only a few strands of hair stuck out from the ends.

Furthermore, although his smile might appear attractive, in reality, it was sallow and repulsive like that of a snake that deceives its prey.

"So you're Steelheart's chosen grand disciple?"

Johan asked, a wide smile on his face.

In this world, meritocracy was an unquestioned reality, especially in the Juno Kingdom and its military installations.

At the Discipline Academy, it wasn't different, as a student's worth was measured and determined by their innate talent and its grade rank.

To begin with, it didn't matter how "gifted" or "hardworking" you were.

By having a bad innate skill, everything you built would disappear like dust.

Unfortunately, it was impossible for anyone to increase their skill rating, as it was something they were born with.

The most an individual could do would be to increase their mana circle so that their powers become relatively more powerful.

"Your skill is astounding, right? Mael Dashner, the Steelheart, is known to be impulsive, but his S rank is enviable. So, I assume you honed your skill before attending the Academy, didn't you?"

The man's expectations were, indeed, exaggerated.

''Then, go ahead and tell me what your innate ability is. What fascinating talent do you have to show me?''

I shook my head from side to side, drowning his hopes with a shower of cold water.

''Actually, I never used my innate abilities willingly. They just just help me with my training. It's not something I necessarily control with my will."

The bald man narrowed his eyes like a reptile.

His earlier sallow, yellowish smile crooked as he unconsciously changed his expression to one of bewilderment.

''But… but all self-respecting adventurers train their innate abilities…? At least, can you tell me what their level is? Have you analyzed them yet?''

I nodded in agreement.

I've always wondered why Mael, my mentor and one of the heroes of the kingdom, chose me as his disciple.

When I finally asked him, the old man explained to me that my abilities were perfect for body training, even though they weren't powerful or brilliant.

But, there was a clear problem.

The director of the Academy expected that I, Rodiel Dashner, as a member of the Dashner family and trained directly by Mael, would become the next highlight of the Academy.

Unfortunately, I knew that I wasn't even the strongest among my peers, and moreover, my skills were only of a lower rank.

''They are D-ranked. Both are at the same stage. In the end, they are not something I should be proud of. Still, they serve their purpose."

When asked by the director about my abilities, I nonchalantly replied that they were only D-Rank.

The answer seemed to hit him like a bullet and he was shocked as he expressed his displeasure as he expected me to be a role model at the Academy because I was a disciple of a hero.

''What? You mean to say that the disciple of one of the heroes of Traumann's War has an ineffective trait? You're kidding me, right?''

He said, as he hit the table hard.

Red as a fresh tomato, he scratched his head awkwardly.

This man was extremely immature.

''Goddammit. Did that damn man trick me again?''

As the director of a renowned institution, I expected Johan's behavior to be appropriate for the position.

However, it looked like I was sorely mistaken.

His demeanor matched the game's descriptions — a dull wretch who lurked behind falsely pleasant facades.

Comparing me to my mentor, the legendary Mael Dashner, he held out of non-ordinary expectations of myself.

Nonetheless, I didn't have amazing innate abilities like that old fart.

''Even so, wait... I shouldn't have trusted Mael's words. He claimed that you would be the sharpest knife among the tools...''

Johan's eyes widened and he blurted out these words without thinking.

With none of the consideration he'd shown before, the director looked at me and fired off nasty comments without a second thought.

''At no point was it said that my abilities were powerful, Director.''

He growled violently.

''Moreover, I aim to become someone who doesn't depend entirely on his abilities. My master seems to agree with me on this topic."

''Who in their right mind would say that sort of thing? Even your master, Steelheart, has an S-Rank ability!''

Johan rolled his eyes and his torrents of mean speech showed his lack of consideration.

He looked at me with disdain, almost as if going crazy.

''I will only believe it when I see it for myself. Give me your hand right away, boy."

His true nature was coming out more and more.

He was nothing but a greedy bastard who would take advantage of his students for his own gain.

With a deft gesture, I held out my hand to Johan, allowing him to assess my innate talents.

He placed a glassy triangular stone in my palm and squeezed my hand tightly around it.

Suddenly, a series of dancing letters appeared from the stone like a hologram, revealing my talents.

[Dragon's Determination]

[Rating: D]

[Effect: Exponentially increases the user's physical abilities based on the amount of mana used.]

- - - -

[Fists of Effort]

[Rank: D-]

[Effect: Doubles the result of the user's physical training.]

Johan was stunned by the results, falling silent in shock.

His rage against Mael spilled over to me; his eyes burning with hatred and disgust.

But I maintained my usual posture, hurling my question without hesitation:

"So, now that the discussion is over, can I attend the school already?"

Under the fierce intensity of his plump eyes, I patiently awaited his answer.

****

[ Royal Class Training Room ]

[ First year area ]

For everything worth its salt there is a pinnacle. It is the essence of how the world works, after all.

In the elite class of the best academy in the Juno Realm, Discipline, it was no different.

Of course, naturally, there was am unreachable genius even in the cream of talented people composed entirely of A and S ranked skills.

A genius among geniuses.

An individual who was only born every millennium, to shine and mark history as never before.

Someone destined for greatness, even if he didn't intend to pursue it.

The undisputed number one among the first-year cadets was a seventeen-year-old boy with hands callused from training, a perfect jaw, expressive features, and a body chiseled like a statue.

With his bright blue eyes and wavy dark brown hair, he was coveted by many of the female cadets at the institution.

His name was Truman Belmont.

However, most people chose to call him by his famous nickname "Moon Sword".

''Are you referring to the Steelheart disciple?''

Truman was considered the pinnacle for Discipline students to reach.

He was also known as the Academy's crowning achievement.

Even among the children of the Royal Class, which officially represented the school, he was considered especially talented.

To put it bluntly, the difference between his abilities and the second best student in the school was as big as a mountain.

Therefore, each thing he spoke had a much greater meaning than he intended.

''Are you by any chance interested in this, Belmont?''

"If you wish, we will find out every bit of information about him, my king!"

Sweat trickled down the boy's forehead as he exercised.

The students around him bombarded the boy with various comments and questions in a display of excessive devotion.

It was almost as if Truman was a true king.

''There are rumors that claim he's not strong at all. His skill rating is merely D-grade.''

"But should we judge him by his skill rating? Like, isn't Mael Dashner famous for his body beyond human capabilities?"

"You've got a pretty good point."

Concentrated on the repetitions of his exercises, Truman did not respond, even though he was assaulted with questions of all kinds.

Raising and lowering with legs as thick as a log of wood, sighs of admiration could be heard leaving the mouths of all the students who watched that display of impressive power.

Yet, the individual in question did not carry a little at all.

Disconnected from reality, he closed his eyes and sank into thoughts of his past with a distant expression.

''Steelheart, ins't it?'' He muttered.

His interest stemmed from the fact that Steelheart, a legendary adventurer respected by millions of people on the continent, was the only individual who had surpassed his father's skills and prowess, becoming one of the most powerful members in the Alliance.

It was humiliating to think that the Sword Saint, an imposing and wise figure even among the other heroes of the Traumann's War, had been ignominiously defeated in four successive blows by a single man.

If his father, the greatest swordsman in the world, was a monster and he, as his son, was considered a genius...

Then what about that man's student?

'Anyway, I admire him.'

Controlling his breathing so he wouldn't get wheezy and conserve his energy, the boy was a little puzzled.

At first, his father was against him going to the Academy, saying he wouldn't learn anything new or surprising there.

However, it was because of Steelheart - the one who defeated the person he most admired - that the young man moved across the continent to enroll in the Discipline Academy.

''Are you going to neglect everything I've told you and taught you so far, Truman?''

His father's words still haunted him to that day.

He wanted to believe that by attending the Academy he could become stronger than Steelheart.

Like that, he could challenge him and regain his father's honor.

But in the end, for Truman Delmont, who was a genius among the greatest geniuses on the entire continent, not even the best-prepared educational institution on the planet was enough to steer him in the right direction.

In reality, it was just plain boring.

Since the school year started, about two months ago; he held every record possible to be achieved at the academy.

Without no problem, he left his mark as the best student in the history of the academy and his own series.

Therefore, he had become the undisputed pinnacle of the early years.

'If that person really was tutored by Steelheart himself, then he will climb to the top on his own.'

With these considerations in mind, Truman had a modicum of interest in the situation.

Even so, he didn't intend to intervene… at least not for now.

As if it were all just a theatrical performance, he would watch and enjoy every second of it.

'However,I hope it doesn't take too long.'

The new student would have to prove his strength and demonstrate a level of skill befitting his title in order to maintain the dignity of the Dashner family and the Steelheart...

And then Truman would be able to enjoy himself to the fullest, releasing his own restrictions to fight properly.

Cracking a majestic smile, he began to imagine how a battle between the two would unfold.

''Hehe...''

That afternoon, like a child, his imagination took over his reasoning.