The guild hall still buzzed with laughter and celebration 🎉.
Coins clinked.
Voices overlapped.
Victory still echoed in the air.
Then—
The old man sat beside Aren.
For the first time that night—
his smile disappeared.
His posture straightened.
His voice lowered.
"Aren… that academy you were accepted into…"
"…it's nothing like this guild."
The air grew heavy.
Aren lifted his eyes from his book 📘.
The Three Divisions ⚖️
The old man raised three fingers.
First — The Forge Division 🔨
"Where sand becomes stone… and stone becomes steel."
"Blacksmiths. Rune-smiths. Alchemists."
"They don't just create weapons…"
"…they create things the kingdom itself fears."
Mira swallowed.
Second — The Combat Division ⚔️
"Where bones break."
"Blood spills."
"And only the strong walk away."
"Duels. Hunts. Arena battles."
"Mercy is considered weakness."
The guild quieted.
Third — The Mind Division 🧠
"Tacticians. Strategists. Illusionists."
"They don't swing blades…"
"They decide who dies."
He lowered his hand.
"You'll fit somewhere."
"No doubt."
Rules That Aren't Rules ⚠️
Mira leaned forward nervously.
"W–what kind of rules do they even have…?" 😟
The old man gave a dry laugh.
"Rules?"
He raised one finger.
Rule One:
You cannot kill civilians.
(Students are not civilians.)
Second finger.
Rule Two:
You cannot kill staff.
(Students are fair game.)
Mira nearly collapsed 😨.
"Y–you're saying they can kill each other?!"
The old man nodded.
"As long as it follows Academy law."
Silence spread.
Eyes turned to Aren.
He didn't react.
Why Allow Killing 💀
The old man's gaze darkened.
"Because they don't train adventurers."
He tapped the envelope 📜.
"They train the kingdom's future monsters."
Hunters.
Assassins.
War leaders.
"People who must walk through blood…"
"…before they face the real world."
He exhaled slowly.
"Those who can't survive it…"
"…become part of it."
How 'Classes' Work 📚⚔️
Mira whispered,
"Do they even… teach properly…?" 😰
The old man chuckled.
No warmth.
"They teach."
"But not gently."
Classes are optional.
Walk out whenever you want—
If you survive the consequences.
Exams are real missions.
Kill real beasts 🐉.
Hunt real criminals.
Bring back proof.
"Grades don't matter."
"Living does."
He pointed at Aren.
"The strongest students aren't the smartest."
"They're the ones still breathing."
Dorms Are Battlegrounds 🏚️⚔️
Mira gulped.
"A–are dorms at least safe…?"
The old man laughed loudly 😂.
"Safe? No."
"You can challenge anyone."
"Beat them."
"Throw them out."
"Take their room."
He shrugged.
"As long as it isn't forbidden…"
"…it's allowed."
The One True Law 🧠
The old man placed his hand flat on the table.
Everything slowed.
He spoke carefully.
"If it is not forbidden… it is allowed."
He looked directly at Aren.
"That place was built to forge monsters."
"Ones strong enough to protect the kingdom…"
"…from things we don't even speak about."
The Final Warning 🌑
Mira's voice trembled.
"Aren… aren't you scared?"
"People might try to kill you there…" 😟
Aren closed his book.
"They can try."
Silence.
Heavy.
Absolute.
The old man stood.
Exhaled.
"Well then…"
"Welcome to the Royal Academy."
Aren nodded once.
"I won't break any rules."
The old man smirked 😏.
"I'm not worried about you breaking rules."
He turned toward the door.
"I'm worried…"
"…you'll break the Academy."
No one laughed.
The celebration died.
Somewhere far away—
Thunder rolled 🌩️.
And soon—
Aren would walk straight into it.