The sun hung low in the sky, casting elongated shadows across the training grounds of Dawn Academy. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and the faint aroma of blooming flora from the nearby gardens. Students bustled about, some engaged in sparring matches, others immersed in animated discussions about their recent lessons.
Amidst this lively atmosphere, a teenage boy, appearing to be around sixteen, a full-fledged adult by Eldraus standards, strode purposefully through the crowd. His eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the area until they settled on Kaelen. A smirk played on his lips as he approached, his posture exuding confidence, bordering on arrogance.
"Come here you bastard, if I don't beat you half to death today I'm not a man".
"And who might you be?" Alex inquired, his tone neutral but with a hint of curiosity.
"Just another nameless bastard. Just beat him up, Kaelen; no need to waste time talking," Jered interjected, clearly unimpressed and accustomed to such confrontations.
The teenager's face contorted with annoyance, his pride evidently wounded. "I am... T—"
"Stop! You heard the man; we got no time. Just bring it on," Kaelen interrupted, his voice devoid of politeness, matching the intruder's earlier disrespect.
"Hurry up," Jered demanded, crossing his arms and stepping back to give them space.
"It will be done in a flash," Kaelen replied, rolling his shoulders and preparing for the impending clash.
"Haha, very arrogant indeed," the teenager sneered, stepping back and assuming a combat stance. With a swift motion, he activated a skill, conjuring a barrage of wind blades that sliced through the air, followed by a thunder fist; a skill known for its electric damage and speed enhancement. He lunged towards Kaelen, leaping into the air with impressive agility.
Kaelen dodged each and every wind blade with precise and calculated movements without using any skills and as the man's electrified fist hurtled towards him, Kaelen calmly activated Life Veil. His heightened senses, honed through rigorous training and the passive skill Third Eye, allowed him to perceive the attack's trajectory with clarity. Sidestepping to his right, he narrowly avoided the blow, feeling the static energy brush past his cheek. Seizing the opportunity, Kaelen retaliated with a swift knee to the attacker's stomach, eliciting a grunt of pain. Before the man could recover, Kaelen utilized Blink thrice in rapid succession, delivering a punch to the ribs, a kick to the face, and finishing with a powerful uppercut.
In mere moments, the challenger lay sprawled on the ground, unconscious. To the onlookers, it appeared as though Kaelen had multiplied, attacking from multiple angles simultaneously.
Kaelen exhaled, his breath steady, though his muscles ached from the exertion. He preferred to conclude battles swiftly, conserving his mana and minimizing the use of spells. However, as a cleric, his physical prowess was inherently limited compared to that of warriors.
"I could have finished him in one move," Jered mocked, a playful grin on his face.
"Say that after you have defeated me," Kaelen retorted, unwilling to be seen as the weaker one.
Their banter was interrupted by the arrival of a teacher, who glanced briefly at the unconscious teenager before addressing Alex.
"Alex Dallas, since you are already above level 50 and older than 10, you will be moving to Building Block C and start attending a new class."
Alex's eyes lit up with anticipation. For someone who had reached level 55 and held a silver rank, the beginner classes offered little challenge. He had been awaiting this transition, eager to delve into more advanced studies.
"Go pack your things and proceed to Room No. 257. Collect your new ID from the academy's office," the teacher instructed before departing.
As Alex turned to leave, a realization struck him. "Wait, that means I don't have a personal servant anymore. Who will wash my clothes? Who will clean my room? Who will run my errands?" His gaze shifted towards Kaelen, a mischievous smirk forming on his lips giving Kaelen goosebumps. Without uttering another word, he departed, leaving his companions behind.
"Alex, that son of a bitch. I thought he was a well-mannered kid. He left without even saying goodbye, abandoning his brother after a small success and did you see his face just now, what the heck was that. He will not achieve great things in life," Kaelen grumbled, clearly irritated.
Jered, however, remained unfazed. He had anticipated this move and understood his brother's ambitions.
"Whatever. I'm not in a good mood today. I'll collect the XP today," Kaelen declared, storming off.
"Wait, wait for me!" Jered called out, hurrying after him.
The trio had, over time, capitalized on the naivety of their colleagues who arrived unprepared. Initially, they offered meals for free, but soon recognized it as a good business opportunity. They began charging 500 XP per meal, issuing IOUs recognized by the system. Most of the academy's students hailed from noble families and considered it a worthwhile expense. However, as months passed, their stipends proved insufficient, leading them to accumulate more debt, and they had no other choice but to promise that they would repay double at the semester's end.
Even the poor commoner children, with limited XP, who were particularly vulnerable were not spared. Kaelen, in particular, targeted them, saying that early hardships in life would better prepare them for future challenges. The Dallas brothers supported this approach, valuing resilience over comfort.
That night, the dormitories echoed with the pleas of students begging for leniency. Even the so-called heroes, those who once stood up for others, found themselves ensnared in debt, including Neal Throdan, the very black system awakener who awakened on the same day as Kaelen. His growth had been stunted by the very scam he failed to oppose.
Meanwhile, the teenager who had challenged Kaelen earlier was stirred awake by the cold floor, bewildered. "Why am I sleeping here on the floor?" he murmured, rubbing his head and trying to piece together the events that led him there.