The following week didn't just pass; it detonated like a slow-motion bomb within the freshman ranks. The air in the dormitories grew heavy and depressing as the "initiation" began in earnest.
Under the guise of "guidance," James and his band of seniors began a systematic campaign of terror. Whenever private training appeared on the schedule or a freshman was caught roaming the grounds alone, the seniors would pounce. They didn't just spar; they looted, stripping the new blood of their Academy points and mana stones.
The situation spiraled when a group of bruised freshmen attempted to report the thefts to the Law Enforcement Hall. To their horror, the senior officers didn't take notes they laughed. The "peacekeepers" were in cahoots with the predators. Even Lucas, despite his Rank 8 status and Mage agility, had been cornered and robbed twice. He spent his nights in the Phoenix Wing cursing James's entire bloodline.
Alex Kellen, fueled by his noble upbringing, eventually confronted the seniors. But they played the role of innocent mentors to perfection, and whenever the tension reached a breaking point, Law Enforcement conveniently arrived to "de-escalate," preventing Alex from ever landing a solid blow.
The silence of the Alpha Class was shattered one morning by a roar that shook the very dust from the rafters.
"All rise, you bunch of pussies!"
Professor Noah strode to the front, an evil, jagged smile plastered across his face. His mind flickered back to the previous night, when Gideon had visited his quarters and slid a heavy pouch of mana stones across the table.
"Just overlook some instructional sparring, Professor," Gideon had whispered.
Noah had weighed the bribe and chuckled. "Fine. But don't touch that Ragnor bastard. I don't want that crazy old hag Olivia breathing down my neck."
Back in the present, Noah slammed his fist onto the podium. "Listen up! Once a month, the Academy holds a Joint Field Duel. It's your entire batch against the seniors. I've informed the other classes you have the numbers. 400 of you against their remaining 30."
The Academy's recruitment cycle was a meat grinder. They only took fresh blood once the previous batch reached their final years. By then, most had washed out, died, or become "Helpers" elite Silver-peak staff whose skills were feared across the realm. Only thirty actual "students" remained in the senior tier, the ones still desperately clawing for a chance at the Gold Stage.
"They have the experience; you have the numbers," Noah shouted. "We start with their weakest against whoever you choose. Let's see if you can actually fight or if you're only good at eating expensive carp!"
The class erupted. Most were fed up with the bullying and believed that, with their 400-to-30 advantage, they could finally exact revenge. Ryan, however, leaned back, his eyes narrowing into cold slits.
The vultures have struck early, he thought. They're going to beat this batch black and blue. But beneath his exterior, he was smiling. This is the perfect environment to cultivate subordinates. Panic makes people desperate for a leader. When a group of students approached him and Alex for help, Ryan simply looked away.
"What does your lack of strength have to do with me?" Ryan asked, his voice cutting like a winter wind. "Why should I help you unless you intend to become my subordinate?"
He spared a pointed look at Lucas. The mage was deep in thought, remembering David's message: The vultures hunt in packs. Having already felt the sting of Gideon's "guidance," Lucas finally realized that to survive a decade of this grind, he needed a backer with a plan, not just a hero with a heart.
The training field had been magically terraformed into a dense, humid jungle. As the 400 freshmen marched in, they were met by thirty sharp, predatory auras. The seniors stood on a raised ridge, mocking smiles on their faces, looking down like wolves eyeing a flock of sheep.
Gideon stood at the center, licking his lips as he spotted Alex Kellen. The golden goose, he thought.
"Hey, juniors!" Gideon shouted with false bravado. "Let's make a bet. Whoever loses the duel hands over their monthly mana stones. We get double the resources you do, so if you win, you hit the jackpot. And to make it 'fair,' the winner stays in the ring until they drop. You have 400 people grind us down with stamina if you're brave enough!"
"But you've already looted us empty!" one freshman barked.
Gideon laughed. "I'm sure the rich heirs among you can 'help' their brothers." He signaled toward Alex and Jasmine. "Besides, I don't know anything about this 'looting' you speak of. Hahaha!"
Jasmine, having already decided to align with Ryan, looked at him for guidance.
"Don't give a single penny to these fools," Ryan said loud enough for those nearby to hear.
Alex and the other noble heirs were shocked by Ryan's coldness, but they couldn't force him to pay. And after the duel with Alex, no one was brave enough to try and take it from the "Ragnor Monster."
Fueled by a "hero" complex, Alex looked to the other noble houses. After a round of nods, he stepped forward, trapped by his own sense of justice. "Fine. We accept. But we choose our fighters, regardless of rank."
"Deal," Gideon smirked.
The match began. The senior's "weakest" was a 29-year-old man at the Bronze Peak. From the freshman side, a young girl at the Bronze Early Stage stepped up, encouraged by the roars of her friends.
It wasn't a fight; it was an execution.
Within seconds, the senior moved with a cruelty born of a decade of bitterness. He didn't just defeat her; he broke her arm, snatched her stones, and kicked her unconscious body toward the infirmary helpers.
The cheering freshmen went silent. The reality of the "Initiation" hit them like a physical blow. Ryan and David stood at the back, looking almost bored. Beside them, Jasmine was trembling, her knuckles white.
"Relax," Ryan whispered, not looking at her. "They won't use a heavy hand on you. You're too valuable as an alchemist to break and they don't want to die from me and olivia.
Jasmine took a shaky breath, realizing he was right, and forced herself to calm down. Alex, however, was vibrating with rage. His golden aura flared as he watched his classmate being treated like trash. He didn't see the trap; he only saw the injustice.
"Next!" Gideon shouted, his laughter echoing through the trees. "Who else wants to 'learn' from their elders?"