Eonrift is a place where people of every single race present in Genesis can enter.
There are many entrances leading to Eonrift scattered throughout the Genesis World.
Humans control a vast area of the Genesis. But even then, there are only five entrances leading to Eonrift within the territory controlled by humans.
Eonrift is the foundation of all human strength. Without entering Eonrift and activating their powers, it is impossible for humans to compete against other powerful races.
As a result, the five entrances leading to Eonrift are fully under the control of the Federation.
Since these five entrances serve as the foundation of humanity, the Federation created five top-level academies at the locations where these entrances are situated.
All humans who have just awakened and need to enter Eonrift to activate their powers can go to one of these five academies and enter Eonrift.
Of course, being able to go there and enter Eonrift doesn’t mean one can be admitted into one of these five academies.
These five top-level academies only admit the very best among the human race.
Those who cannot gain admission into one of the five top academies can only enroll in first-rate, second-rate, or third-rate academies depending on their individual circumstances.
Slayers Academy, the one Azrael wanted to attend was also one of the five top-level academies.
There were many reasons Azrael wanted to join an academy, and even Silas and Ashara had told him to do so.
First of all, after joining an academy, he could obtain the most suitable resources for himself.
For example, Silas and Ashara had told him that they could prepare a Substance and Rune that were suitable for him.
With the influence and wealth their family possessed, it wouldn’t be difficult to acquire some Runes and Substances that he could use.
However, the number of Runes and Substances they could collect was limited and might not be the most suitable for him.
After all, Runes and Substances are extremely rare items and not easy to find.
But in an academy, as long as he had enough academic credits, he would be able to choose from among the Runes, Substances, and other resources that are most suitable for him—selected from the vast collection amassed by the Federation over the course of hundreds of thousands of years.
Not only that, but one can also find a powerful and suitable ’Essentia Art’ for oneself from among the thousands of Essentia Arts the Federation possesses.
Essentia Arts are different from skills and are very rare.
Beyond just resources, the academy also provides students with an environment suitable for their growth.
A plant raised in a greenhouse won’t survive for long after entering a wild forest.
Silas and Ashara also knew that if Azrael stayed at home and they handed everything over to him without allowing him to go out and experience how the world truly works, it would hinder his growth in the future. That was why they also wanted him to join an academy.
At the academy, there would be not only events that would allow him to witness the true face of the world but also help him grow as a person.
With his current strength and talent, they had no doubt that he could be admitted into any one of the five top-level academies. But the problem was—
"Why Slayers Academy? Why not Scarlet, Galaxy, or any other?" Ashara asked with a look of dissatisfaction. From her expression, it was clear that she did not want him to join Slayers Academy.
"I think Slayers Academy is the best choice for me," Azrael responded with a serious look.
After dinner ended, Silas sent Kael back to his room and called Azrael into his study to talk about what he had said earlier.
"What do you mean by best choice? Don’t you know how dangerous that place is?" Ashara said in a firm voice. "Choose a different academy. You are not going there."
"I know it’s dangerous, but it’s also the best place to grow faster," Azrael argued back.
Unlike the other four top-level academies, the location of Slayers Academy was a bit special.
The top five academies were built in places where entrances to Eonrift were located.
This particular entrance, where Slayers Academy was built, was actually very close to the border area.
Although the academy was not right beside the border and was heavily protected, it was still considered one of the most dangerous academies.
Humans border with the monster race, and the relationship between the two races is like fire and ice.
Slayers Academy encourages its students to participate in war, and most of the people who join it are warmongers.
Whenever a major conflict breaks out near the border, the academy issues missions related to it, and students interested in fighting in war can accept them.
It is not compulsory for students to join in the fight between the two races if they do not wish to, but most people still choose to do so because fighting in war grants a lot of merits that can be exchanged for valuable resources.
Of course, joining the war doesn’t mean the academy would send its students to fight against high-level warriors.
Students receive missions that are appropriate for their strength and rank.
However, it is also true that war is always unpredictable, and anything can happen.
Even though the academy tries to minimize risk, many students still die every year in battle.
Other than Slayers Academy, other academies also assign missions that involve considerable risk, and some of their students die every year while attempting to complete those missions.
But the death rate at Slayers Academy is the highest.
Similarly, the rewards offered by Slayers Academy are also the highest.
For Azrael, who was in a hurry to increase his power as soon as possible, Slayers Academy was the best option.
Ashara opposed his decision to go there because it was a very dangerous place.
Of course, she knew he could ignore the war missions and choose ones that were less dangerous, but she knew him too well and was certain he would definitely choose to fight in the war if there were any such missions.
In fact, she was convinced that Azrael wanted to go there precisely so he could participate in war and quickly accumulate merit to increase his strength.
She had noticed long ago that after awakening his Cold-Blooded trait, Azrael had practically become obsessed with growing stronger.
Over the last year, he had spent most of his time training, rarely taking any breaks.
"Don’t you understand what I’m saying? Since I told you that you’re not going there, it means you are not going there," Ashara’s voice turned cold, and she seemed somewhat angry.
Azrael looked at Silas for help and saw him sitting silently, observing him.
Silas remained quiet for a while before he nodded.
"Alright, you can go to Slayers Academy."
Azrael’s eyes lit up when he heard Silas’s words.
"Honey, you—" Ashara was stunned that Silas had agreed to let Azrael attend Slayers Academy and was about to say something.
But Silas stopped her and looked back at Azrael.
"You can go back to your room. Prepare well. There are just four days left before the entrance to Eonrift opens for new students."
"Thank you so much, Dad," Azrael said gratefully and turned to Ashara, only to see her glaring at him in frustration.
He sighed inwardly and walked over to her.
"Mom, I promise I won’t do anything dangerous," He said softly, giving her a light hug before immediately leaving—knowing Silas would now have to face her.
"Care to explain?" Ashara asked once Azrael was gone.
Silas smiled helplessly at her expression and was certain that if he didn’t provide a reasonable explanation, he would be sleeping on the floor tonight.
He proceeded to explain to Ashara why he had allowed Azrael to go to Slayers Academy, and as she listened, Ashara’s eyes lit up and she finally sighed in relief.
"Since that’s the case, I suppose it’s not bad for him to go there."
Seeing she understood what he wanted to do, Silas nodded, and finally felt relieved that he wouldn’t have to sleep on the floor.
(A/N: If you’re enjoying the story and have some extra Power Stones, I’d really appreciate it if you could throw a few my way!)