The classroom smelled faintly of old stone and polished wood. Forty desks were arranged in neat rows, each holding a student who had passed the world's first successful cultivation aptitude test in centuries.
The students of Class C—one of five classes at Vale Ascension—had been told very little. Only that they could now sense spiritual energy, and that was enough to place them among the first to walk the newly opened path of cultivation.
Arin Vale sat near the middle, next to a girl with short black hair and sharp eyes: Sera Tain, his childhood friend. Like Arin, Sera came from an ancient family—different in name, but just as old in roots. Their families had watched over forgotten techniques for generations, waiting for a time when they might matter again.
That time had come.
Arin didn't talk much. His robes were finer than most, his posture trained, but he kept to himself. Sera, by contrast, leaned forward with quiet confidence. She was sharp, serious—but always seemed to watch out for Arin even when he didn't notice.
And then came the loud crash of a desk sliding out of place.
"Sorry! Sorry! I tripped on the—wow, these are real stone tiles! Fancy!"
The boy who stumbled in was large, round-faced, and grinning like he'd just won a lottery he didn't enter. He dropped into the seat behind Arin and Sera with a puff of breath and a satisfied nod.
"Name's Renji," he said loudly to no one in particular. "Can't believe I made it. My grandma cried. I cried. Then she hit me with her cane. She's strong. Might be secretly a cultivator."
Sera glanced over her shoulder with a raised eyebrow. Arin gave a small smile without turning.
The room went quiet as Instructor Saelen entered. Tall and composed, his presence calmed even the energetic ones like Renji.
"I am Instructor Saelen," he said. "Realm Three."
He let the words settle. Realm Three wasn't something most people could imagine, but the way he said it made it feel less like boasting and more like setting expectations.
"You are Class C. Forty students, chosen from thousands who applied. Five classes in total, each like yours. A–E. You've already passed your first gate—the ability to sense energy."
No one dared speak.
"Your principal is a Fifth Realm cultivator. The strongest publicly known figure in this region," Saelen continued. "And yes—cultivation techniques have existed for centuries. But until last year, they were useless."
He gestured, and glowing lines shimmered across the wall—maps, symbols, flowing energy spirals.
"Spiritual energy only returned recently. Before then, the world was dry. The ancient families preserved knowledge, but knowledge alone was not enough."
A few students looked toward Arin and Sera—old names carried quiet weight.
"Now that energy flows again, those techniques work. Some rose quickly. Others will rise slower. What matters is this—you are all starting now. Equal in spirit, if not in preparation."
He paused, scanning the room.
"Your first week will focus on breathing, sensing, and basic control. We do not rush cultivation. Rushing gets people hurt."
Renji raised a hand half-heartedly, then lowered it when Sera kicked his chair leg.
"Save your questions for tomorrow," Saelen said. "For now, remember this: talent may get you into this room, but effort will decide how far you go."
He left with no further ceremony.
As murmurs filled the room, Renji leaned forward between Arin and Sera.
"So… does Realm Three mean he can fly or just throw rocks really hard?"
Arin finally laughed—just a little.
It was a good start.