Outworld: Awakening

Unlike the other students, Adam appeared in a theater-like hall. He could see over fifty students seated while staring at a masked instructor below. Behind the instructor, he could see a towering mirror which projected a map.

"Dratol, Cemil, Wrathriver Necropolis, Wazar Region..." Adam muttered.

One didn't need to tell him what the map represented. A few students spared a glance at his direction, with most of them curious why blood covered his uniform and hair. However, none of them took a special interest in him.

Unlike other gatherings he had experienced, Adam noticed none of the students discussed with each other, and the instructor didn't pay attention to the students at all. Saying nothing, Adam took a seat. However, his gaze still lingered on the map.

With each passing minute, portals opened and threw students into the room. The moment a student occupied the last seat, a buzz filled room. The students demeanor changed as they stared at mirror below.

The map from earlier had been replaced with the depiction of Varidan Towers.

"Welcome Students. My name is Thomas Lowell. For some of you, this would be the first and last time we will be in the same place. If you're here, then you've passed the assessments of your combat instructor, and have been deemed worthy to undertake missions from Varidan. For this, I must congratulate you."

All the students focused on the short instructor who had a hunchback. Some donned confident smiles while others indifferently awaited further instructions.

"Unlike a normal academy, a student of Varidan can't progress to the next year based on academic performance. In fact, it only contributes to a paltry ten percent of your final grade—"

"Sir, isn't that too little? What makes up the other ninety percent?"

The student and the instructor turned towards a fair-skinned young lady who wore a large fedora.

"You are student 127, right? Matilda Kurtz, right? Please don't interrupt me next time. You will have the opportunity to speak later. The rest of you please take note." Thomas's voice was just as calm as before.

'She didn't introduce herself, yet he knows her name. He didn't even look at a file or anything, how did he do that? Does that mean he knows the details about everyone here?' Adam thought.

Just like him, the other students also had the same train of thought, and their countenance turned serious.

"Don't worry about such minor details. Memorizing the information of a thousand students is not a big deal for me. Your information won't escape Varidan Towers," Thomas declared.

Apparently, he had sensed the changes in the demeanor of the youths.

"Without further interruptions, I will now explain some vital information to you. Do you know what this image represents?"

Thomas pointed at the mirror as he focused on the youths. However, silence greeted his words.

"I expected nothing less. Burn this image into your hearts, because it represents the place which would control your fate for the next three years. This is the former Grand Dungeon conquered by Priestess Emria, Varidan Towers. If you have any intention of progressing to the next year, you would have to earn the approval of the Elders in Varidan Towers."

Thomas paused as he observed the reaction of the students.

"And, the only way to gain their approval is to complete your assigned missions. You would each be assigned assignments based on your rank. Usually, for E and D ranked Awakened, you would have to slay five Familiars. To graduate from Varidan, an E or D ranked Awakened would have to slay at least thirty Familiars," Thomas declared.

Several students swallowed hard as their faces turned white. The mouths of some opened, yet they said nothing.

"It's not too late. You can still leave Varidan before they assign you a mission. You don't have to sacrifice your life to pass the assignment. Now, raise your hand if you would like to voluntarily withdrawal from Varidan Academy."

Silence greeted Thomas's words. Although some students hesitated, they kept their hands lowered.

"For the last time, raise your hand if you want to voluntarily withdrawal from Varidan Academy. Think about it carefully. If you choose to remain, you cannot decline any mission given to you. And if you choose to disobey Varidan Towers, an adequate punishment would follow. More often than not, death is the least punishment received. You have been warned."

For the second time, none of the students raised their hands.

From where Adam sat, he could see several students visibly struggling to make a decision.

'No wonder Hendrix said the number of students would reduce drastically. How do they expect D and E ranked Awakened to kill at least thirty Familiars in three years? If the graduation requirements for lower ranked Awakened is this stringent, what would higher ranked Awakened have to do?'

Just as this thought reach Adam's mind, the fedora wearing young lady raised her hand. Her actions drew the attention of all the students.

"Anyone else?" Thomas said as he stared Matilda.

He waited a few minutes more, however, only Matilda raised her hand.

"Matilda Kurtz, please proceed to the registration hall to complete your withdrawal. You will be banned from entering Varidan Academy for the next two years. Don't be ashamed of the decision you have taken. Unlike you, some people here won't see the end of the year. Training harder. Good luck."

A portal swallowed Matilda after Thomas's declaration. Most of the students were livid Thomas expected them to die, however, they said nothing.

"Take a look at the map," Thomas said as he pointed to mirror. The image it projected had once again returned to that of the map. Unlike before, the map was animated.

Adam could see animated winds blowing over the arid lands of the southern region which comprised the Wazar Region.

To the east, he could see depictions of lush vegetation, rising peaks and twisting rivers and seas. Dratol, Cemil, Wriathriver Necropolis and other Nations occupied this section of the map.

Mountain peaks covered in snow dominated North on the map. However, towards the west of the map, Adam could see a thick wall all the way from the edge of the south towards the edge of the north, separating the west from the other regions.

Unlike the animated portions of the map, all Adam saw was the words 'Beyond the walls', written in blood red.

However, the four zones on the map shared a feature in common. Adam could see glistening golden stars and black crucifix marks, concentrated in some regions than others.

"This is a map of Outworld. However, I'm not here to give a geography lesson. There are only two things of importance on the map. One, the black and golden marks represents the location of Lesser Dungeons and Grand Dungeons. Remember it well. Based on your current strength, never attempt to enter a Grand Dungeon! Death would be a sweet escape if you do. Two, you all see the wall, right?"

Some students slowly nodded, but said nothing.

"Unless instructed by Varidan Towers, you're forbidden from venturing over the walls. Do not even think about exploring the dungeons there. Well, this rule will last for only while you are a student of Varidan. Once... if you graduate, then you can do whatever you want. However, whether or not you are still a student, you're forbidden from joining the Eight Gates!"

Just like with Dean Hensley, the students could sense the emotions in Thomas's words.

"A miniature version of the map will be handed over to you before your assignments. Please take care of it. If you lose it, you will be punished. Finally, there are different subset dungeons within Varidan territory. They lead to various Lesser Dungeons in the Eastern Nations.

"Once you step into the dungeons, Varidan Towers can no longer protect you. You will have to protect yourself from any danger. Remember, the beings living in the dungeons are not your only foes. You will also have to watch out for the Awakened from different Guilds and those without Guilds. Do you have questions for me?"

Thomas folded his hands as he stared at the students who raised their hands.

A few seconds later, he pointed a tanned young lady who cross-dressed.

"Sir, how are we going to survive if all the Awakened compete in the same dungeon—?"

"What did you spend the last few weeks on? Lesser Dungeons are divided into ranks. The highest tier is an A ranked dungeon while the lowest is an unranked dungeon. You will be assigned missions based on your rank. The odds of meeting an Awakened above the rank of a dungeon is slim. So don't worry about that," Thomas explained.

Turning his head to the side, he pointed towards a young man.

"Do we get to keep the loots from the dungeon? Or do we hand them over like the Awakened from the guilds?" The young man's round eyes stared at Thomas.

"Varidan has no use for whatever you find in the Lesser Dungeons. Do with it whatever you see fit. I'm sure you already know that. Right, Wesley?" Thomas said as he tilted his head towards another student.

A beautiful smile donned Wesley's face as he reclined on his seat. One of the main reasons Awakened trooped to Varidan was because they allowed low ranked Awakened to keep whatever loot they got from the dungeons. Just like Wesley, some students wore beaming smiles after Thomas confirmed the rumors.

"You, what is your question?" Thomas said as he pointed towards the area Adam sat.

'Damn it. He should have picked me. This guy looks like the kind of person who doesn't enjoy answering too much questions.'

Adam's face sank a little as he stared at the young lady beside him. Although he raised his hand too, Thomas picked her instead.

"Sir, please tell us about the what lays beyond the walls. We have all heard the rumors of the beings living there, but what we know is shrouded in mystery."

Adam's countenance brightened as he subconsciously nodded at the young lady. She asked the same question he had in mind.

"Student 499, right? Annalise Tempest, right?" Thomas said.

Saying nothing, Annalise nodded.

"As much as I would love to tell you all I know, I'm afraid your rank is too low for such an information. Trust me, it would do you know good. If you earn the trust of Varidan Towers one day, maybe you'll know about it. The only other option is to visit there yourself, but I'd advise against it. If you're lucky, you can get firsthand information from the students who came from over there. However, I doubt they'd tell you anything. Next question." Thomas said as he pointed to a blonde youth.

"Sir, are we free to join any guilds during our stay in Varidan? Will that be going against the rules?"

"You are free to do whatever you like. However, with your lack of experience and rank, I doubt a reputable guild will approach any of you. Those worth their interest would at least need a rank C. All right, last question," Thomas said as he pointed towards a young lady.

"Sir, what about the dungeons? Since there is a finite—"

"You are mistaken. I never said there is a finite number of dungeons. The marking only shows you active dungeons. Each day, new dungeons spring up. Although some competition may arise for higher leveled dungeons, Awakened with your rank won't experience anything like that. That is all I have to say. Two weeks from now, Varidan Towers will assign your first mission. Use that time to prepare adequately. Take care."

Before the students could react, a portal swallowed them. In the once crowded room, only Thomas, and a student remained.

"Sir, why did—?"

"Don't speak or show any reaction. I'm using my Blessing to discuss with you. But if I waste too much time, they will become suspicious. Have you located Erik Gilmore yet? If not, try to locate him before your first mission. He has something important to tell you. With that said, I will take my leave. Take care of yourself, Adam." Thomas interjected.

'Huh? Who the hell is this guy? Is he one of Vicar's men?' Adam's eyes quivered, but he showed no further reaction.

Still seated, Adam watched as Thomas entered a portal through the mirror.

'I Will wait another few days for a feedback from Wallace, if I don't receive any news, I will search Dratol myself. Hopefully, Wallace didn't leave with the gold.'

Just as this thought filled Adam's mind, a portal appeared under his seat, teleporting him out of the room.