5 ACADEMIA: THE LOST PARADISE
Alab had already speculated that this initial ranking will be based on their selected skills. As he had 4 skills at D-rank and below, it was a given that he was ranked bottom.
He scrolled through his [Status Window] and clicked in his [Skill] section. His mindfully-selected skills were then unfolded.
[Unique Skill:
Conversion (SSS) (Active)
(Omitted)
Active Skills:
Skeleton Trainee Summoning (E)
Description: You are now affiliated with the dark attribute. A skeleton trainee is an undead inclined to dark power and sword art. It can be resummoned endlessly with sufficient mana.
MP Cost: 9
Cooldown: None
Item Upgrade (D)
Description: The ability to upgrade an item by one level. Can be used to D-grade items and below.
MP Cost: 49
Cooldown: None
Passive Skills:
Luck (E)
Description: You are slightly lucky.
Effect: +0.000001% Luck
Mana Cost Reduction (D)
Description: Reduction in mana cost of skills.
Effects: - 1% mana cost
Zero Cooldown (SSS)
Description: An ability created to wield the strongest skill to exist which has a millennia of cooldown time. Allows the user to activate skills with no restraints of cooldowns.
Effects: -100% cooldown ]
With the [Skeleton Trainee Summoning] as the sole exception, Alab strictly considered synergy above all. Four of his skills sought to maximize the potential of his SSS-grade unique skill [Conversion].
Alab felt a hurry to test his skill and convert items into points. He had a multitude of simulations that lacked verification.
"It would be best if I can find an item now", Alab mumbled.
Immersed in his skills, Luke proceeded, lacking interest in the crowd that erupted in turmoil upon recognizing their ranks. A part grinned in celebration while a large portion barraged the man with opposition.
Still, Luke continued.
"I believe you have clearly witnessed what happened a while ago. And I believe you wouldn't want such tragedy to befall you", he uttered.
His composed tone silenced the hostility thrown by participants. They could only wag their tails in submission to a larger power. With no more rebuttals, Luke walked, tracing along the pavement of the stage down to the verdant soil.
He strode forward, his upright back facing the tight-lipped crowd. The dancing of the robust grass along the melodic air halted as the luminous dark shoes of Luke Silver pressed on them, leaving a flattened footprint in the greeny stretch.
After minutes of walking ahead, he halted as he arrived at his intended spot. Pointing his foot to the soil, he turned around and he overlooked the participants before him. With discreet gestures, he muttered.
"Behold, imprint this glorious image in your mind. Prepare to be enchanted by the wonders of Academia. Participants and soon-to-be students, I grandly present to you all, THE ACADEMIA"
*flick*
With a flick of his hand, the fog restraining their sight receded to the side. Like being fanned with a sharp storm, the fog dissipated, unveiling the mysteries it concealed.
The participants squinted as strong daylight rushed to their eyes. Melodic hymns as birds chirped along the pitches of runny water and falsetto of breeze that broke free from the constraints of the fog, filled the area with inviting symphony.
They took their time adjusting to daylight engrossed in the soothing music. Then, with their sight adapted, stars filled their eyes as the alluring landscapes of the Academia drew their eyes in.
"wow"
"This... Is this where god lives?"
"Is this... the Lost Paradise?"
Hesitant participants forthwith relinquished their reluctance. The picture of Academia is etched on their mind. Bewitched, they just couldn't live a single day without adoring the beauty of Academia.
Atop a mountain rested the pointy castle of fluctuating hues. Kissed by daylight, the khaki polished majestically emitted golden tints that gave it a nobility ambiance. Under the overcast atmosphere, it magnified as it reflected a pinkish shade, starring a Disney vibe.
The immense castle stretched another 100 meters tall above the mountain, overlooking the equally mesmerizing expanse under it.
The castle embroidered towers of spherical and quadratic frames. On its pavement walls, barricading the castle by 15 meters tall, connecting spherical towers joint the 10 meters thick wall, sufficient to accommodate numerous humans and armaments atop the wall. The spherical watchtowers stretched for another 5 meters high with battlements fortified in the walls.
Towers of quadratic shape filled the corners of the main castle, fusing the edges and curved sides of the castle, producing a grandiose structure. Balconies enclosed by balustrades protruded out the castle sides with access from the respective corridors.
Towers' conical roofs with pointy excess concealed behind the clouds.
Teaching quarters peeked through the opened glass windows as the opaque curtains swayed with the cool breeze brought by the runny water below the mountain.
A cascade of water falls at a height as the river flows over the steep incline of the cliff, generating a water body at the side of the mountain. Lush greeneries surrounded it with gems of ranging pigments were apparent under the clear river.
Lastly, an arch bridge connected the main gate of the Academia to the hill where the participants were at. It ran with balustrades on each side. Pointy roofs covered the small quadratic resting structure in each joint of the arches.
Adoring the otherworldly sight, the participants forget the lawlessness of this world. Their hearts were bewitched to secure a foothold in Academia.
As they were immersed in the magnificence of Academia, Luke channeled his mana into the beads once more. With the sway of his hand, the fog on their right side receded.
This time, stench assaulted the nose of the participants. An eerie breeze pinched their skin as they jolted. The scorching daylight emerging from the newly unveiled area filled their eyes.
Turning their heads, a desolate area greeted their sight. Barracks filled with pits in rusty roofs rested on barren land. Intense daylight permeated the parched ground as dust soared along the steam above the surface.
Crevices were apparent in the bricked walls of the poorly arranged barracks. The barracks were small and each distance apart from the other. They were the typical barracks built in the medieval period for troops. There were about hundreds of them.
Creaking noises came as the bamboo bridge with rope as the handhold wobbled.
Avoiding the onslaught of dusty winds, Luke covered his mouth with a cloth as he muttered.
"A week from now, you will be partaking in the entrance examination to be a full-fledged student of Academia. In the meantime, as you do your preparation, you will have to stay in the barracks.", he explained, his expression clear that he was not going to entertain any rebuttal.
