Inside a dimly lit room, only the lights coming from the numerous screens displayed on the wall lit up the room.
The room bore a striking resemblance to the Ravenstein control room, with different operators manning various monitors, and multiple screens being displayed on the walls, each monitoring different regions.
At the back of this setting, two figures stood side by side, overseeing the entire operation. The first was a man wearing a pure white suit, and he stared intently at the live footage displayed on the screens.
This room was the control room that the academy used to monitor the new students, particularly the first year students.
The academy was, as its name implies, a school. But it wasn't a typical educational institution. It focused on training and molding youths into warriors.
Contrary to expectations, there were hardly any normal school activities like classes. Upon entering the academy, every student would be thrust directly into live combat without warnings.
While there were still some classes and training sessions, they were incredibly scarce, especially for first year students.
The screens displayed different regions where all the first year divisions were transported to.
Sector one, the academy, was massive, with the regions the first years were transported to being at least 1000 km away from each other, and this was all just in the outer part of the academy.
Depending on the year, the theme and location for the students would change, with the first years occupying the outer parts of the academy, the second year the middle part, and the third year the inner parts.
Beside Harrison stood a strikingly beautiful woman, well-endowed in all the right places. She also had grey hair and bore a slight resemblance to Harrison.
"It seems you are more interested in this year's entrants, Dad," she remarked.
Harrison, who didn't remove his gaze from the screens, furrowed his brow slightly.
"Isabella, I thought I told you to address me by my appropriate title when we're in public spaces," he reprimanded.
Isabella turned her gaze to her father, who remained silent. A knowing shake of her head followed.
She knew this stubborn man the best, he was her father after all. No matter how trivial the matter was, if it contradicted his principles, he wouldn't relent, even if his life was on the line.
With a short sigh, Isabella relented. "I apologize… Vice Principal."
Harrison nodded, seemingly satisfied with his daughter's change. He decided to answer her inquiry, "Apart from the fact that many heirs from tier-one families entered the academy this year, I'm sure you watched the battle between those two."
Isabella nodded. There was no need for Harrison to mention the names of those two monsters. Almost every academy staff member watched their battle and was shell-shocked by what they had witnessed.
Harrison continued, "Those two will undoubtedly grow to become strong pillars of humanity. And I'll make sure their growth goes unhindered, no matter the cost," Harrison declared, his resolve permeating the room.
Isabella released a large, audible sigh. 'He's doing it again,' she thought, parting her lips with a shake of her head.
Opting to leave the matter, she redirected her gaze back to the screens
…
Back at the expanse, as soon as Atticus saw the army of monsters coming from every direction, his gaze turned frigid.
With the speed the beasts were all moving at, they would reach them in under just 5 minutes.
Atticus allowed himself to drop downwards, landing back on the ground gently.
Aurora and the other Ravenstein youths all turned to him with their inquisitive gazes, clearly trying to ask what was going on.
The forest was kilometers away from the middle of the expanse where they were all in. It was a distance none, currently aside from Atticus, could see through.
Aurora had also wanted to fly up and join Atticus in the air, but Atticus hadn't spent that much time in the air, seemingly just seconds.
The rest of the youth in the expanse all broke into chatters and murmurs, everyone wondering what was going on as the ground kept trembling.
Atticus's mind was working at a fast speed, trying to figure out how best to handle this situation. There were currently a lot of things Atticus had to consider with many questions needing answers.
Why had they suddenly transported them here? Why did they ask the other students to choose a leader? Why were they suddenly being attacked by an army of magical beasts just a few seconds after being transported?
Atticus could stand here all day listing the things he couldn't understand, but instead of doing that, he shook his head, clearing out all of the useless thoughts.
Harrison had already told them where to get their answers, through their artifact. But now clearly wasn't the time for that.
In the current situation of things, those answers were all quite literally irrelevant. There was only one thing that mattered now—how was he going to handle the current situation.
Atticus was very confident in his power; he could, if he wanted, at the very least escape if things got dangerous. But considering all the things that had happened so far, Atticus decided that that approach wasn't necessary.
There had always been one constant fact since he had stepped into the academy, and it was the first instruction they were all given when they started the test—none of them could die.
If their lives were ever in danger, they would get protected.
But even with this assurance, Atticus refused to let his guard down.
He was about 90% sure that they were all being tested right now, which meant that depending on their performance here, they would be graded. Given the sheer magnitude of the attack, Atticus was sure that this was very important.
So, having come to that conclusion, what was Atticus's role here in all of this?
It was simple; he was the 'leader,' exactly as his title implied.
And what does a leader do?
They lead.
As Atticus's thoughts churned, a second had not even passed in reality.
Abruptly, he unleased his aura, a subtle wave that seamlessly blanketed every youth clustered in the vicinity.
Although his aura wasn't overwhelming as he was still maintaining his Advanced+ rank. But regardless, the aura was still able to stop the youths from chattering and getting their attention.
Atticus focused on the earth element, elevating himself from the ground, making sure everyone of the youths could see him.
"Listen up," Atticus's voice reverberated, a controlled boom that defied the need for shouting; in fact, it was as if he was talking casually.
After he had ranked up his bloodline, a lot of new things opened up for Atticus. Things that Atticus could never dream of using his elements to do became as easy as breathing.
Currently, he was manipulating the air to increase the intensity of his voice, making sure that everyone in the area could hear him clearly.
"I am Atticus Ravenstein, and I have been designated as your leader," his voice reached the ears of all the youths in the expanse.
Atticus couldn't call himself a born leader. In fact, the closest thing to a leadership position he had ever been in was during group projects back on earth.
But even though he wasn't a naturally born leader, Atticus believed that there was an easy way to lead.
This way required him to have a particular quality, an attribute that no matter the circumstances, people would always revere.
Regardless of how many people there were, regardless of how stubborn and proud they were, be the strongest in the room and you'll have everyone's attention.
There was only one way Atticus could lead more than 1000 youths so abruptly, and that was by showing them overwhelming strength.
Atticus continued,
"Currently, thousands of beasts are closing in on us from all directions and all escape routes are blocked," he declared, allowing his words to sink in for a few seconds, making sure everyone of them knew the severity of the situation.
Then, with a deliberate increase in the intensity of his voice, Atticus continued, "I am well aware that most of you only joined this group because of my rank, not even knowing who I am. I know you all might find it weird to suddenly start obeying orders of a guy you just met."
"But let me show you why it would be in your best interest to do so."
With a gradual raising of his right hand, the earth beneath them began to rumble, intensifying the earlier tremors.
Struggling to maintain balance, many youths bent down in an attempt to stabilize themselves.
Suddenly, the ground within a 200 meter radius around Atticus surged, a colossal mass carrying all the youths skyward.
The ascending platform continued its ascent until it reached a towering 60 feet high.
Everyone, including the Ravenstein youths, all held open their mouths wide.
This overwhelming display of power, was it really done by their age mate? It was truly hard to believe that Atticus was 15, the same age as them.
It was quite unfortunate that the first years weren't able to witness the fight between Atticus and Kael. Only they know how they would feel if they did.
Before any among them could regain composure, Atticus continued, his voice oozing with confidence,
"It's simple really; I am the strongest."
