After being officially admitted, Draven received a small identification badge from the academy. It wasn't anything luxurious, just a simple symbol engraved in dark metal.
"This confirms that you are now a student," explained the silver-haired instructor. "It doesn't mean you're strong. It just means you have enough potential to train here."
Draven simply nodded.
He was already used to this kind of judgment. In the forest, strength wasn't something you declared—it was something you proved by surviving.
Zayra beckoned him with a gesture.
"Come on. I'll show you around."
They began walking through the academy grounds.
The space was enormous. Much larger than Draven had imagined when he saw the walls from the outside.
There were several training fields, each prepared for different types of combat:
hand-to-hand combat arenas
endurance fields
open areas for energy training
elevated platforms for aerial combat
In some places, instructors were observing. In others, students trained amongst themselves.
Nothing seemed chaotic. Everything was organized.
Draven quickly realized that the small academy functioned almost like a military training center.
As they walked, he began to observe the other students.
The first thing that caught his attention was a group of bestial-looking warriors training in a sandy field.
"—Beastikim—" said Zayra.
Draven had heard of them.
But seeing them up close was different.
Not all were the same.
Some had ape-like features, with long tails and strong arms, leaping between platforms as they practiced quick attacks.
Others resembled humanoid tigers, with dense muscles and sharp claws, practicing heavy blows against stone pillars.
Further on were warriors with thick manes, clearly resembling lions. Their movements were more controlled, blending strength and precision.
"Within the Beastikim race there are several lineages," Zayra explained.
"Each has different physical characteristics and fighting styles."
Draven watched one of the ape-men leap almost six meters into the air before landing with a spinning kick against an opponent.
"They seem to enjoy fighting," Draven commented.
Zayra laughed.
"Enjoy is an understatement. For them, battle is practically culture."
Draven didn't respond, but continued observing.
He understood that feeling well.
They continued walking.
In another area, a completely different group was training.
Their bodies were lighter, and their backs had white or silver wings.
"Angels," Zayra said.
The angels trained differently from the Beastikim.
Instead of brute force, their exercises focused on movement, precision, and energy control.
Some flew in circles while firing small beams of light at moving targets.
Others practiced dodging in the air.
"They're fast," Draven observed.
"Very," Zayra replied. "If an experienced angel gains enough altitude, they can dominate an entire battle."
Draven kept the information to himself.
Further on, the environment changed again.
The field was dark stone, and the heat was intense.
A group of warriors trained, enveloped in dark energy and black flames.
Some had horns.
Others possessed eyes glowing red.
"Demons," Zayra said.
Unlike the other races, the demons trained more destructive attacks.
Energy blasts exploded against reinforced targets.
One of them launched a blade of dark energy that cut a block of stone in half.
Draven analyzed the movements.
They had power.
But they also seemed to expend a lot of energy.
"Strong attacks… but little control," Draven murmured.
Zayra looked at him.
"You noticed quickly."
They continued walking.
Draven also saw other smaller races training:
warriors focused on speed
fighters specialized in defense
combatants who used elemental energy
The small academy brought together hundreds of different fighting styles.
For Draven, it was almost like studying an entire battlefield.
Each race had strengths.
Each race had weaknesses.
And understanding this could mean surviving future wars.
After some time, they arrived at a large circular arena.
Several students were gathered there.
In the center, two fighters were facing each other under the supervision of an instructor.
A Beastikim tiger-man versus a demon.
The combat was intense.
The tiger advanced with quick, heavy physical attacks.
The demon responded by creating blades of dark energy to block and counterattack.
Draven watched silently.
He wasn't just watching a fight.
He was analyzing every movement.
Reaction time.
Distance.
Attack form.
Defense patterns.
The tiger finally managed to break the demon's defense with a direct blow to the torso.
The fight was interrupted by the instructor.
— Enough. Beastikim wins.
The students around began to comment on the combat.
Zayra crossed her arms.