Nova was jolted awake by the sound of hushed whispers. Blinking his eyes open he found his seven generals standing around him, watching him like curious tourists observing an animal in the wild.
The moment Nova stirred they averted their gazes feigning innocence as if they had just been admiring the scenery.
“How long did I sleep?” He asked as he stood up, brushing dust off his clothing.
“Around an hour and a half” Alaric answered after an awkward pause, realizing no one else was going to speak.
Nova gave a curt nod. “Have you all sorted out your things?”
The seven nodded in unison.
“Good.” Nova’s eyes glinted before he added, “Try to keep up.” Without further warning, he dashed off southward with blinding speed.
Scrambling after him, the generals did their best to keep pace. Malachi finally shouted, “Boss, the academy’s to the east! Why are we heading south?”
“I need to visit my friends” Nova said nonchalantly, showing no sign of effort despite the relentless pace.
As he ran, Nova glanced back, noting that all his generals had their weapons drawn. ‘Their attributes should be in the 150s total. Not bad.’
While Nova mused over their progress, the generals couldn’t help but wonder who these mysterious friends were—and just how powerful they must be to associate with someone like Nova.
It wasn’t long before they reached the southern district, although Nova had slowed his pace slightly to avoid leaving them behind.
Fifteen minutes later, they stood before an opulent mansion. Guards patrolled the perimeter, and servants bustled about their tasks with quiet efficiency.
“Boss, are your friends... rich?” Hector asked, his eyes wide as he took in the grandeur of the estate.
The others perked up, eager for more details about their enigmatic leader.
Nova chuckled. “Rich is an understatement.” Without further explanation, he strode toward the mansion’s grand entrance.
Snapping out of their awe, the generals followed close behind. Inside, the lavish decorations and intricate craftsmanship left them speechless. It became clear they had vastly underestimated the wealth and power required to build such a place.
“Indeed, rich is an understatement” Malachi muttered under his breath, earning nods of agreement from the other six as they trailed behind Nova through the grand halls.
Despite passing through half the mansion, Nova hadn’t seen any sign of his friends. He finally approached a maid with a warm smile. “Where are my friends?”
Recognizing Nova, the maid returned the smile. “They returned a month ago but left two weeks ago for the academy.”
“The academy? Why would they go there?” Nova asked, his curiosity piqued.
Without hesitation, the maid replied “They thought you’d be there. Plus, the President invited some of them to teach.”
“Teach?” Nova’s eyebrows lifted in surprise before he burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the halls and startling his generals. After a few moments, he collected himself. “Thanks!”
Turning to his team with a mischievous grin, he declared, “It’s time for us to study hard.”
Adira raised an eyebrow. “Boss, can’t you just check the academy by teaching, like your friends?”
“Yes, but where’s the fun in that?” Nova responded matter-of-factly before pivoting and heading toward the mansion’s exit.
Once outside, he turned to Shira. “I have no idea where the academy is. I’ll follow your lead.”
“Leave it to me, boss” Shira said with a nod before darting ahead. Nova and the others followed closely behind.
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As they sprinted, Darius glanced at Adira who was running beside him. “Ready to charm the students into joining your organization?” he teased.
“I don’t need to charm them” Adira replied with a confident smile. “I’ll just show them my skills.” She tilted her head toward Malachi. “He’s the one who’ll charm everyone into joining the Blades of Freedom.”
“‘Charm’ huh?” Hector scoffed. “More like con them into joining.”
“I heard that, big soldier” Malachi shot back, flashing a sly grin. “I don’t con anyone. I’m just that good.”
Nox slowed down just enough to add “Don’t forget about Alaric” before speeding up again.
Adira, Darius, Malachi, and Hector all turned to Alaric, their eyes narrowing with curiosity.
Darius couldn’t resist asking, “You seriously don’t plan on recruiting anyone?”
“No.” Alaric’s voice was firm as he met their curious stares. “You don’t have to worry. I’m your boss too, you know. I don’t need to stoop so low as to lie to you.” A small smile softened the seriousness of his words.
“Shameless” Adira, Darius, Malachi, and Hector muttered in unison.
Nova overheard them and couldn’t help but smile to himself. ‘They’ve become more comfortable with each other’ he thought with satisfaction.
In the distance, a majestic gate loomed, framed by towering walls made of the same white metal Nova had once seen at Federation HQ—metal he still couldn’t identify.
Shira slowed her pace, falling behind Nova as her role as a guide was complete. Nova’s gaze swept upward, pleased by the sheer size of the academy. The walls were at least 20 meters tall, with the gate spanning at least ten meters in width.
As they approached they saw a small queue of people lining up at various enrollment booths outside the gates, each undergoing registration.
Without turning around, Nova asked “Do they want us to send them our Status to confirm we have the class ‘None’?”
“No,” Alaric responded. “They’re aware that asking for Status information could offend a lot of people.”
Nova raised an eyebrow. “Then how do they screen?”
“They’ll admit anyone who shows up but…” Alaric paused to clear his throat. “If someone can’t progress due to class limitations they deal with it… harshly. From cutting off limbs to outright execution, depending on how long the person has been here.”
‘That works too’ Nova thought, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips before he stored his spear in his Inventory.
Seeing this the others soon did the same.
They then quickly located an empty booth and Nova began walking toward it. But halfway there, a sharp shout cut through the air.
“STOP RIGHT THERE.”
Nova turned his head toward the commotion and saw an old man driving a horse-drawn carriage. The man, dressed in plain but well-maintained clothes, had been the one who shouted.
‘Have we regressed to using carriages again?’ Nova’s lips twitched.
Darius stepped forward, his tone firm. “What do you want?”
The old man glanced at Darius with an air of superiority. “I’m taking that booth. My young master can’t wait any longer.”
Nova’s brows furrowed slightly ‘Young master?’
The generals turned to Nova, their eyes silently asking for guidance. Seeing their reaction, the old man’s gaze shifted to Nova as well, sensing he was the leader.
Noticing Nova’s stunned expression a smug smile spread across the old man’s face. Thinking the young man had recognized him or his master’s status, the man spoke again. “No need to be afraid. I’ll let you off without a beating this time. Just don’t let it happen again.”
He then called toward the carriage, “Young master, I’ve found a free booth.”
A muffled sound of acknowledgment came from inside.
Nova snapped out of his brief daze and turned to Malachi. “Do you recognize this guy’s origins?”
Malachi scrutinized the man and shook his head. “He’s probably from a low-ranked family.”
Nova nodded, his gaze settling coldly on the old man. “I’ll spare your life this once since there’s someone with the ‘None’ class in your family.”
He didn’t wait for a reply. Instead, Nova muttered calmly, “Cut off his right arm.” Before continuing “Let’s move.”
A figure darted from behind Nova with lightning speed.
Before the old man could even react, his right arm was severed and flung into the air. The figure reappeared behind Nova, a dagger in his hand, its blade glistening with fresh blood.
For a moment the old man stood frozen, eyes wide in shock. Then the pain hit him like a tidal wave and he let out a piercing howl that echoed across the courtyard.
Nova didn’t spare him a glance as he continued toward the booth.
The few dozen onlookers near the gates froze in place, eyes wide with fear.
Someone just attacked in front of one of the four academies.
In the month they had worked there no one had ever dared commit such a brazen act.
The man’s wails of agony filled the air, but none of the onlookers dared intervene or even speak to the group responsible.
Suddenly, the carriage door burst open. The so-called young master sprinted out, his face a mask of fury. He halted in his tracks when he saw the blood-stained stump where his servant’s arm used to be.
“WHO?” he roared, scanning the crowd.
All eyes shifted toward Nova’s group.
The young man’s gaze locked onto them, his face burning with rage. “It was you?”
Darius halted his steps, his tone steady but cold. “I’ll give you a piece of advice: stay where you are and pretend nothing happened.”
The young man stood trembling, his rage threatening to consume him. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, the sound of his teeth grinding barely audible over the fading echoes of the old man’s screams.
Yet, despite his fury, he knew better than to act rashly. Only two kinds of people would dare to do this in front of one of the four academies—madmen or those with real power.
After a long, tense silence, he finally muttered through gritted teeth, “I, Owen Wilson, will repay what you’ve done.”
The moment Owen’s name echoed through the air, the crowd around them began to murmur, recognizing the young man and speculating about the situation.
Yet, amid the growing whispers, there was one person who paid them no mind.
Nova stopped abruptly in his steps when he heard Owen’s words.
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