"Unknown..." Asher said as he looked at the quest.
It was something he was going to do, as the clue for the next seal on his sword was hidden in the Trials Ground, according to the way Asher deciphered the clues from the riddle he saw in that book.
But there was also the fact that Asher wanted to enter the Trials Ground anyway, as it was a place that he couldn't enter in his previous life.
Looking at the system notifications, there were many things that needed to be checked as well, but there was not enough time to do it.
There were only 13 minutes left for the reporting time, and he needed to rush to the Trials Ground, as there was a procedure that was mandatory for all students to complete before entering.
Failing to reach on time would result in him being removed as one of the candidates to enter the Trials Ground.
"I can check it later," Asher said as he stood up and went into another room to change his clothes.
He was still wearing the clothes that he used to infiltrate Halcyon. It didn't take long for him to do that, and soon enough, Asher was standing in the lift of the Ranker's Dorm.
There was nobody in the lobby, and Asher made his way towards the nearest portal that would lead him to the Trials Ground.
Meanwhile in the Outer Sector of the World Academy, many students were standing outside a huge temple-like building that had a large staircase.
The surrounding area was filled with grasslands, with a cold wind blowing. There were small groups of professors standing in front of the grand staircase.
Even the S Rank Hunters, who were part of the security teams, were stationed around the boundaries of this place.
Many students were on their guards because beyond that staircase, they could feel a very large flow of mana.
Inside the vast white temple, mana was leaking wildly.
This was the location of one of the SSS Rank Artifacts of World Academy, the very artifact that increased the mana density of the entire flying island.
"Attention, students!" A loud voice halted the murmurs of the many students gathered here. The source of that voice was none other than Xander Demarcus, the Vice Principal of World Academy.
"As most of you know, this temple is the gateway to the famous Trials Ground," he said, capturing the attention of all the students present.
"All of you, including students from various other academies, are allowed to enter this place because you have earned the right," he continued.
"But remember, we will not tolerate any trouble here," Xander said with a commanding tone.
Unlike the past, when the Trials Ground was a free area not under any single authority, the rights to enter were now controlled by the World Academy.
"All of you present will take a mana oath to follow a certain rule before we allow you to enter," Xander continued, raising his hand as many words made of mana appeared in the air.
"As you know, what you see or face inside is different for each student, but there are places where you will encounter other students," Xander explained.
"In such cases, there might be conflicts as there had been in the pas
"Nobody is allowed to inflict serious injury or attack with killing intent against others inside," Xander declared, the words floating in the air for all the students to see.
Trials Ground was a place where much blood was shed, both outside and inside. However, such actions are no longer permitted.
"Anyone who breaks this rule will be expelled, regardless of their status, and your actions will be judged accordingly," Xander concluded.
His commanding aura was sufficient to instill this fact in every student's mind, although words alone weren't enough.
That's why each student had to take a mana oath before entering this place. Normally, elite families would never allow their children to be bound by a mana oath, but this place was special.
It was the High Council's decision that this rule would be followed by all, regardless of their status.
A bit far from the crowd in the observer area which was near the Portals, a group of four students was drawing attention due to their identities.
"I can't see him in the crowd," Damian said, scanning the crowd of third-year students.
"Should I message him again—There he is!" Damian exclaimed as he spotted someone at the portal.
Not just him, but many others turned to see who used the portal to arrive at the last minute. They saw a face now well-known to everyone inside World Academy.
Damian raised his hands as Asher turned around and saw the twins with Damian and Amelia.
"Good luck, and hurry up!" Damian shouted, pointing at the group of professors signaling the students to form a line for their oaths.
Asher turned, nodded at Damian, and moved towards the line of students. His arrival made many students exchange glances.
After all, it was surprising to see someone a year below them enter the Trials Ground, especially the infamous heir of the Greville family.
"At least he arrived on time," Damian said, turning to look at Amelia.
"He would be the only one to arrive so late for such an important event," Amelia said with an annoyed look on her face.
"Don't be like him, ok?" Amelia turned towards the twin as Livia nodded her head, while Damian chuckled a bit.
'She would never say that to his face,' Damian thought, while looking at Amelia's reaction.
Though she appeared annoyed, she was internally relieved that Asher wasn't late. Unlike herself, Amelia knew Asher was ready to enter the Trials Ground.
'I hope he finds one thing to focus at inside there,' Amelia thought in her head.
There was a reason nobody stopped Asher from entering the Trials Ground: they all wanted him to find something to focus on.
Currently, Asher was enrolled in Mage Course Classes, but even Arthur and Sylvie wished for Asher to concentrate on his swordsmanship, believing that learning Mage Theory was futile for him in the long term.
Arthur had intended to convey this to Asher himself, but it was Nathan who advised Arthur and Sylvie to allow Asher to pursue his interests within World Academy.
Nathan was the only one aware that Asher possessed the Rune of Eirdin, which Nathan himself had, thus understanding the importance of Mage Theory and how it could aid Asher.
However, this was unknown to others, and everyone, including Damian and Amelia, thought that Asher would find something beneficial in the Trials Ground.
Nathan himself had discovered the essence of his sword art within the Trials Ground, which he later developed.
But not everyone was pleased with this scenario; many were apprehensive about how much Asher Greville would improve after returning from the Trials Ground.
They were not looking forward to the prospect of such a person becoming even more powerful.
"I guess they are afraid of a monstrous talent getting stronger," Professor Neyman remarked, laughing.
"He is already at the level of the current third-year students, so it's obvious that many would keep an eye on him," Professor Elsa replied.
The other professors remained silent, observing the students, but their thoughts were not much different.
There was another group of Professors that were standing with the mana oath devices near the staircase.
"Tsk, but why are we allowing someone of Garcia's Blood to enter such a place?" a professor said with annoyance.
Many professors looked up, but none commented on his statement, because deep down, they harbored similar sentiments.
It wasn't just a few professors; most of the third-year students were not exactly pleased to see Alyssa, who was in her wheelchair, standing among them.
But due to the rules and Xander's overwhelming aura permeating the entire place, not a single student dared to cause a ruckus.
However, this didn't stop the students from whispering among themselves, especially since there was an unexpected student standing there as well.
Alan Astaria was also entering the Trials Ground, surprising many students. Accompanying him were Jack Allister and the other students who were part of Leonard's faction.
Alan was entering on the recommendation of the First Ranker among the current fourth-year students, and the presence of both Alyssa and Alan was causing quite a stir of whispers.
And those whispers did not please Alan.
"Don't let them rile you up," Jack advised, placing his hands on Alan's shoulders.
"Just focus on the Trials Ground," Jack encouraged as Alan nodded, clenching his fist.
'These bastards, I will show them all who I am,' Alan thought, controlling his anger.
Jack turned his head to glance at a distant place and nodded.
In the observer area, separate from where Amelia and Damian were standing, Leonard Tarvian was present, watching the opening of the Trials Ground as well.
A small smile appeared on Leonard's face as he observed Asher walking towards the Oath Room.
"I guess you'll like my little surprise," Leonard muttered before turning to leave.
