Hell's Academy

Jarlon Valley, Nermasis Ridge,

Six men in black capes, with the Aresoul logo on their black and white uniforms, sat along a dock that extended far out into the water.

The scenery in Jarlon Valley constantly changed neared Nermasis Ridge. One reason for this was because it was a Preternatural Zone, but the other was because it was closest towards the unclaimed shrines.

The Unclaimed shrines were 10 patches of land where the victors of the youth competition would build areas to train their best students. The Varlen had them for the last 10 years, and the Dream Ki in the area still caused Nermasis Ridge to change environment every few hours.

A few hours ago, when Orel and his leader, Nillon, got here, it had been a dark region devoid of life. Mountains seemed to be layered on top of each other like bricks, dead trees burned around them, and the feeling of chaos got evoked by even the simplest step forward.

However, that all changed a few minutes ago, the land had seemed to transform in front of their eyes. Like a well had started to flood an entire village, the dark landscape had been transformed into an oasis. On the water, a large dock had appeared that cut a path between the two iron gates.

Nillon, the student of Respell, had been told to wait here until Howard showed up. After he killed them, the Aresoul would be able to claim Jarlon Valley! Currently, his team had already killed 30 Varlen that tried to bypass them!

There was no way Howard could get by them, literally, without a miracle! The dock made everything in the area clear for miles. The mountains had all been submerged in the strange land full of Dream Ki. Squeezing his fist, Orel nearly exploded while looking at his leader. His face jiggled when his mouth opened, sweat pouring down his body from the sweltering heat.

"Uaahhh! Why are we still waiting? I wanted that girl, but not this bad! Why are we waiting for those cowards?" Orel stomped the floor, unable to hold back his discontent. "Damn it! What are they doing! Trying to discover the secrets of the Furnace!"

"Orel, patience is a virtue. You can go a few hours without food," Nillon sighed and held out his hand, causing the iron gate in the distance to enlarge. "Once we kill them, Respell already said he'll make me leader of the Sixth Station. Big Boy, If you can just be patient, everything can work out!"

"So, let me get this straight. Barabin, of the Four Guardians, agreed to give up the Ki Reservoir, and put his best students down here! Ha, this is too good! You think you can protect the exit while I take the green haired girl onto one of those boats."

To be precise, 10 boats had appeared against the dock when the landscape had changed. They looked like they'd come from the surface.

Nillon had gone boating with his father before something called to him. The next day, he found a glowing door in his room and ended up in front of Respell.

Unlike the Horned, which had to fight to get in the surface, the Exland Empire and the Aresoul had come to an agreement. The Exland Empire would give the Aresoul the coordinates of new talent in exchagne for certain favors! Just like they found Jenny, they had good enough technology to locate magicians!

Ultimately, their ability to new recruits, however, was at risk if they didn't have the Ki Reservoir! The Exland Emprire's power wouldn't be the only one to go down! They'd also be less likely to send them the strongest recruits! They used one way portals to bring students down, but without the coordinates, it be like trying to fish for a small rock in an entire ocean!

The Exland Empire and the Aresoul relied on each other more than they'd like to admit. One wanted to dominate the surface, and the other had plans to claim the entire Furnace!

"I think they're coming," Nillon pushed Orel down behind the one lone rock remaining in front of the dock. "I'll attack Howard. You attack that green haired girl. You other four, all attack Reece! She's a Channelor in the B rank! Even I would have trouble fighting her!"

"Remember, go for the kill immediately! Howard can absorb Ki remnants! However, without any Authoritarians around, this will be his grave yard!" Nellon had done his research on Howard.

He knew that he also could use Dream Ki, so had made dozens of wards that he'd stored inside his 8 doors. To get into the A rank, a Magician needed to be able to use 8 doors. In each door, they could store different techniques.

Feeling the connection with the space inside of him, he smiled as Howard appeared with three people by his side.

"I've been waiting so long for this day! The day I finally can take control of the Sixth Station! The day where our teacher finally respects me!" Nellon smiled and grinded his fist into a ball. "Now hurry up and get in range!"