A soft breeze rustled through the wildflowers. Sunlight shimmered gently across a quiet pond near the borders of the Kak Empire.
A boy lay beneath a tree, one hand resting on his chest, eyes closed as if dreaming.
In his mind—**her voice** returned.
A gentle touch ran through his hair. Then, a horrifying vision. A monstrous claw pierced her chest, and blood splattered across his skin.
> "Be brave... Be strong... The world needs you, Rudra."
He stirred, blinking slowly.
A voice shouted nearby.
A soldier in silver-black armor approached, boots crunching the grass.
> "This pond connects to the eastern sea. It's not safe to nap here!"
Rudra sat up, calm and expressionless.
> "I wasn't sleeping. I was... remembering."
The soldier frowned but softened.
> "Even so, your father is waiting. Hurry to the royal palace."
> "I'll be there soon."
He looked into the water. The reflection staring back at him wasn't a child—it was someone waiting to become something greater.
---
## **Scene: Royal Palace – Morning**
Inside the grand palace, Emperor **Gator Yan** stood tall in crimson robes. His eyes bore down on Rudra.
> "Rudra, have you forgotten? Today is your first day at Medicine Hall Academy."
> "No, Father. I remember."
> "Then get ready. You're not just anyone—you carry the name *Yan*."
Rudra nodded. In his room, he opened a sealed parcel from the academy—a freshly folded uniform bearing the emblem of the Medicine Hall.
He changed quietly. When he removed his shirt, a large scar across his chest was visible. His hand clenched into a fist.
> "One day… I'll kill every last monster."
---
## **Scene: Medicine Hall Academy – Gates of the Freshers**
Students gathered from across the empire—boys and girls between eight and fifteen years old, some gripping tokens, others their weapons.
As Rudra walked past, whispers followed him.
> "Isn't he too young?"
> "That's Prince Rudra Yan. What's he doing here?"
Rudra ignored them. His eyes stayed fixed on the towering marble structure of **Medicine Hall Academy**, one of the Nine Sacred Academies.
At the gate, a white-robed man stood waiting.
> "Rudra Yan," the man said. His long beard swayed in the wind, and his glowing blue eyes studied the boy. "You're the last to arrive."
His name was **Master Sak Kun**.
---
## **Class Begins – Foundations of Power**
Inside a wide marble hall, the students sat in a half circle. The walls shimmered with spiritual runes.
Master Sak Kun's voice rang clearly.
> "Today marks your first step. You stand at the beginning of two powerful paths. Every cultivator must choose one."
He raised his hand, and two glowing figures hovered above him.
---
## **The Two Paths of Power**
> "Each of you is born with either:
>
> * **Elemental Energy**: You may become a **Beast Knight**.
> * **Spiritual Energy**: You may become a **Spiritual Master**."
A few students raised their hands. One spoke up.
> "Master, what's the difference?"
Master Sak Kun nodded.
---
### **Beast Knights**
* Those born with **elemental energy** may awaken their **Elemental Core** and become Beast Knights.
* To begin cultivation, they must refine a **Beast Knight Granth**, which contains:
* A **Beast Soul**
* A **Weapon Form**
> "Upon choosing their Granth, it binds for life. A knight can only have **one elemental affinity**."
Each time they advance in rank, they unlock **two new elemental techniques** from their Granth automatically.
* There are **9 ranks** in total.
* To ascend between ranks, a Beast Knight must break through **seven chakra gates**, enhancing their strength, elemental capacity, and speed.
To break seals on their Granths, they must use **blood drops**.
---
### **Spiritual Masters**
* Born with **spiritual energy**, they awaken their **Spiritual Core** and cultivate it into **Spiritual Stars**.
* The number of stars they form reflects their mastery and level. There are **five spiritual levels** based on star count.
Spiritual Masters can:
* Break seals on granths using spiritual stars.
* Learn techniques from **Spiritual Technique Granths** (trap, seal, healing, offense, defense).
* Create both **Beast Knight** and **Spiritual Granths**.
* Produce **medicine pills** and **recovery potions**.
> "They may fight directly or support others from behind. But make no mistake—Spiritual Masters are the backbone of every great force."
---
## **A Sudden Announcement**
Master Sak Kun clapped his hands.
> "In three weeks, we begin the **Freshers Tournament**. You will form teams of three. The top team shall receive:
>
> * 5000 Medi Coins
> * One Tier-5 Beast Core
> * Recommendation to the Outer Academy Trials."
The hall exploded with excitement.
> "A Tier-5 core?! That's priceless!"
> "Only Beast Vein Knights can absorb that!"
Rudra, sitting silently, smiled faintly.
> "A Beast Core, huh? I might need one sooner than I thought."
**Closing Scene**
As students filed out, a girl passed Rudra silently. Her aura was cold,
and her eyes sharp.
On her wrist shimmered a faint **butterfly-shaped mark**.
Rudra paused.
> "That mark... I've seen it before…"
To Be Continued...