One Week after first lecture–
A week had passed since the start of the Grand Arcanum Academy.
For most students, the first week had been an overwhelming mix of brutal combat classes, mana theory, strategy lessons, and adapting to the harsh reality of the academy's structure.
For Alistair Vaelthorne, it had been routine.
Wake up. Train. Attend class. Train again. Repeat.
He had barely paid attention to the student body outside of his combat sessions.
But as he walked into the lecture hall, something was different.
A buzz of excitement filled the air—whispers, murmurs, even laughter.
And then, the first thing he heard—
"Did you see the new combat video? Even Leon and Dain tried it!"
Alistair paused mid-step.
He frowned slightly, glancing at the students gathered near the entrance, all huddled over a floating holographic screen, eagerly replaying a battle recording.
And then—
He heard his own name.
"Apparently, this all started because of Alistair Vaelthorne."
He sighed internally.
What now?
****
He took his seat near the back of the hall as the lecture had yet to start, but the conversations continued.
More students were watching the Academy Combat Network (ACN)—a student-run magic network where fights were posted, analyzed, and ranked.
And right there—
On the trending page, at the very top—
A video titled:
[Exiled Vaelthorne Solo-Kills 200 Goblins Without Mana]
Alistair's eye twitched.
…Who the hell recorded that?
As he listened to the discussions, he pieced together the situation.
His video had gone viral—the first student in years to fight against overwhelming numbers without using mana.
And now?
Others had started trying to replicate it.
But—
They couldn't.
Or at least, not at the same level.
Leon Valerius, the so-called protagonist, had attempted to fight 100 goblins without mana, relying purely on his swordsmanship.
He had won—but the strain showed. He had needed to activate his lightning enhancement near the end to keep up.
Dain Drakonis, the dragonkin prince, had tried 120, using only his brute strength. But his natural draconic resilience gave him an advantage.
Kieran Azurios had attempted a 90-monster challenge, but even he had needed to use mana mid-fight to compensate for stamina loss.
Elaine Vaelthorne and Morganna Draven had both done smaller trials, limiting mana use but still struggling to fight as efficiently.
Even the Vampire Twins had been caught testing their physical combat ability, though they relied on their bloodline enhancements.
Yet—none of them had attempted 200 enemies.
Alistair tapped his fingers on the desk.
This wasn't unexpected.
Of course, other elites would take it as a challenge.
But he hadn't expected someone to record his session and upload it.
He leaned back in his chair, sighing.
To him, it wasn't that special.
It was just another training session.
The others saw it as a feat of strength, a bold challenge—but to him, it was just refining his swordsmanship.
They were focused on the numbers.
He was focused on perfection.
And that was the difference.
As more students piled into the lecture hall, conversations continued.
Some admired him.
Some resented him.
Some were simply in awe.
But most importantly—they were watching.
Alistair had unknowingly set a precedent.
A new standard of combat for first-years.
And now—everyone was trying to catch up.
He closed his eyes briefly.
Let them try.
He wasn't here to impress them.
He was here to become stronger.
And that was all that mattered.
The lecture hall was packed with students, all seated in anticipation.
It wasn't just another history class.
It was one of Selena Loventis' lectures—and that meant no one was going to be bored.
Even Leon, who usually only cared about combat classes, sat forward in his chair, his eyes locked on the front of the room.
The reason?
Selena Loventis, the Enchantress of Desire.
The moment she stepped onto the podium, the atmosphere shifted.
Selena was breathtaking—red hair cascading down her back in waves, her deep golden eyes glowing with a mischievous light. She wore a form-fitting black and gold dress, elegant yet tantalizing, with subtle runes woven into the fabric that enhanced her natural allure.
Leon and several other male students subtly straightened their posture, their gazes following her every movement.
Even some of the girls—who should've been immune—seemed entranced.
Then—she smiled.
"Welcome, my dears," she purred, her voice like silk laced with honey. "Today, we're diving into a topic more important than any war or spell—understanding the nations that rule our world."
She waved her hand—
A massive holographic map of the world appeared, floating in mid-air, showing the different races and their territories.
---
1. The Human Empires – The Dominant Force
Selena gestured toward the center of the map, where sprawling kingdoms and imperial banners waved.
"The Humans," she began, "are the most politically ambitious of all races. While they do not have the sheer physical superiority of dragons, vampires, or beastkin, they have something else—adaptability."
She pointed at the three major human nations.
1. The Aurellian Empire – The strongest human nation, ruled by the Aurelius bloodline.
Governed by the Imperial Family, the empire is the heart of politics and war.
Their military is vast, and their knights are blessed by the gods.
2. The Holy Kingdom of Solis – A theocracy ruled by the Church of Lumina.
The center of divine magic and healing.
They see necromancy, abyssal magic, and vampirism as heretical.
3. The Ashen Dominion – A militaristic kingdom built on conquest.
Ruthless, expansionist, and favors strength above all.
They have the highest number of mercenary guilds in the world.
And others...
She turned to the class.
"What makes humans so dangerous?" she asked, her crimson eyes glinting.
Morganna smirked from her seat. "Their greed?"
Selena laughed. "Partially, my dear. But more importantly—their ambition. Unlike other races, humans do not live long. So, they seek to carve their legacy into history before they die."
The class fell silent, contemplating her words.
Then, she moved on.
---
2. The Dwarven Kingdom – The Unbreakable Forge
Selena flicked her wrist, and the image shifted to a mountainous region.
"The Dwarves are a race of master blacksmiths and warriors," she said. "Their kingdom, Khaz'Gorund, lies deep beneath the mountains, where they forge weapons that rival even dragonsteel."
Traits of the Dwarven Kingdom:
Known for their unmatched craftsmanship.
Their warriors specialize in rune-etched armor and enchanted warhammers.
They are slow to trust, but once they forge a bond, they are fiercely loyal.
Selena's lips curled into a smirk.
"And they have a saying—'A dwarf's grudge outlives a dragon's flame.' If you ever cross one, be prepared for them to hold it against you forever."
---
3. The Elven Dominion – The Eternal Guardians
The map shifted again, displaying lush, mystical forests bathed in ethereal light.
"The Elves," Selena said, "are the longest-lived race. Their kingdom, Sylvanor, is a land of ancient wisdom and natural magic."
She nodded toward Sylara Ilthariel, the High Elven Princess, who sat gracefully with her arms crossed.
"Elves believe they are the purest race," Selena continued, "and because of that, they often see humans as reckless and beastkin as savages."
Sylara's golden eyes narrowed slightly but did not contradict her.
Traits of the Elven Dominion:
Masters of spirit magic, nature magic, and archery.
Extremely prideful—they believe their long lifespans give them superior wisdom.
Maintain a strict isolationist policy—outsiders are rarely welcomed.
Selena smiled. "So, if an elf ever calls you 'childish,' just know—it's not a compliment."
A few chuckles echoed through the class.
---
4. The Beastkin Tribes – The Unchained Warriors
The map shifted again, showing vast plains, jungles, and tundras.
"The Beastkin are not a singular nation," Selena explained. "They are divided into clans and tribes—each ruled by the strongest warrior among them."
Rael Thunderfang and Lyria Starfang nodded approvingly.
Traits of the Beastkin Clans:
Governed by strength, not birthright.
The strongest becomes the leader, regardless of heritage.
Many are born with heightened physical abilities and have a deep connection to their primal instincts.
Selena glanced at Rael, her eyes twinkling.
"They say a Beastkin never forgets a scent. So if you ever cross one… well, don't expect them to forgive you anytime soon."
Rael grinned. "Damn right."
---
5. The Dragonkin Empire – The Lords of the Sky
A fiery kingdom appeared on the map, filled with floating islands and volcanoes.
"The Dragonkin," Selena continued, "are a dying race, but still one of the most powerful."
She turned to Dain Drakonis, whose golden reptilian eyes gleamed with pride.
"Their nation, Draconis Imperia, is home to some of the strongest warriors alive," she said. "They value combat above all else—and see magic as a tool, not a necessity."
Traits of the Dragonkin Empire:
Their physical strength surpasses most races.
Many possess draconic abilities, such as fire-breathing or scales resistant to magic.
Their emperors are chosen through combat—only the strongest can rule.
Selena smirked. "And they don't tolerate weakness. If you challenge one, be ready to fight."
Dain cracked his knuckles. "Obviously."
---
6. The Vampiric Courts – The Eternal Predators
The map darkened, revealing a land shrouded in eternal night.
"The Vampires rule the land of Nocturne, where the sun never rises," Selena said.
Lunara and Veylen Nightshade smiled in amusement.
Traits of the Vampiric Courts:
Highly political and manipulative—every word is a game.
Masters of blood magic and illusionary spells.
View humans as both prey and entertainment.
Selena's voice dropped to a whisper.
"And remember—a deal with a vampire is never one-sided."
---
The lecture continued, covering Merfolk, Demons, and more.
But one thing was clear—
Every nation had strengths, weaknesses, and ambitions.
(To Be Continued…)