Calus's eyes scanned the academy in surprise. It had changed so much. When he and Mabi had been students, parts of it were still under construction.

The academy was built on the edge of a dangerous cliff. Below roared a terrifying ocean with monstrous beasts, and in front stretched a vast forest, home to platinum- and diamond realm fighters.

Now, the unfinished buildings were complete, old structures renovated, and new ones had sprung up.

"Welcome back," Arie said with a smile.

"Welcome indeed," Calus replied. "They've really done something impressive with this place."

"Of course. It is the academy the King himself invested in ," Arie laughed.

"Good afternoon, Sub-Dean," a few young adults passing by greeted her politely.

"Good afternoon," Arie replied with a smile, and Calus raised an eyebrow.

"Sub-Dean? You're working for the academy now?" he asked.

Arie nodded.

"Even if I'm not as strong as you or Mabi, at least I can give back to the world this way… at least until I get strong enoughto help," she said as they walked inside.

The academy was enormous, but more than its size, there was an almost tangible tension in the air.

A pressure that never let one relax. One was always ready, always striving to grow stronger.

This was the academy. This was where monsters were born and geniuses grew rapidly.

Throughout the day, Arie introduced Calus to everything about the academy, and he nodded appreciatively. The upgrades were massive; it was far better than he remembered. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

By the time they returned to the main courtyard, the students were all lined up, waiting for them.

"So, finally… the legend is back," Arie winked.

"Go talk to them," she said, nudging him, and Calus forced a stiff smile.

Sigh… but whatever, he thought.

Calus walked forward, thanked the remaining academy staff, and climbed the podium. From here, he could see almost every student's face. Some showed awe, some interest, some longing… some had a competitive glint.

But no matter their expressions, after a few months in the academy, they had matured. The childishness had disappeared from their faces.

It was true: war changes a person but not only men. Women too.

"Good afternoon, everyone," Calus said, taking a deep breath.

As a King-Realm expert, projecting his voice to reach the farthest corner was one of the least he could do.

"Good afternoon," the crowd replied in unison.

"My name is Calus. I was once a student here, part of the first batch, the progenitors of this academy."

Though some students might recognize him, he still introduced himself formally.

"Seeing a new batch makes me nostalgic. Your faces… that unyielding expression, your desire to be stronger, to accomplish your goals… I once had that too."

"Not only I, but my colleagues also shared the same drive," Calus said, glancing to the side at the teachers and academy staff, who nodded with bright smiles, memories of the past resurfacing: the grueling training, the moments they wished they could die, the rivalries between different groups.

"This academy isn't just a school, it functions as one. It builds your strength, but also your character. It trains you to be disciplined, to be brave, to learn from your mistakes, and above all, never be too afraid to try again after failure."

"You've just begun your journey, but surely you've made friends… maybe competitors… maybe even enemies."

"The truth is, it won't be easy for everyone. Some of you will rise… others will fall."

Calus scanned the students' faces, smiling at their intensity, but then a slight frown crossed his features. A momentary pain gripped his chest, then passed just as quickly.

The crowd sensed the shift, falling silent. Calus looked back at them and smiled again.

"I remember the past. I was a genius outside, but among my peers, I was one of the lowest. Even Mabi… she was at best in the middle. Others were stronger, more monstrous. But as the training continued, geniuses separated from monsters."

What was that?

A sudden pang of unease struck him. Perhaps it was old trauma from the academy… or maybe the students had reminded him of something.

"Some grew, others fell. The true winners climbed over the corpses of the weak and reached the top."

"Mabi and I reached the top… but why? Everyone did the same training, yet we were stronger, weren't we?"

He noticed the students' eyes glimmering with curiosity, they wanted to know the secret of the legend.

"As I said earlier: discipline. Beyond that, it depends on how much you want it, power, success, the top."

"When others rested after twenty hours of training, Mabi and I continued for four more hours."

"Rain, fog… it didn't matter. We trained, honing our combat skills but more importantly, our minds."

"Your mind leads your body. Never let your body lead your mind. You must always stay in control."

"While the academy pushed our bodies to the limit, we pushed our minds further, breaking past every limit."

"And now, look at where Mabi and I are."

"So… that is our secret," Calus concluded. The students' eyes all lit up. Even as training pushed them to exhaustion each day, even as they fell into their dorms, they now had a glimpse of what true perseverance looked like.

The remaining time could be used for training.

The teachers present even Arie and the Dean nodded in agreement. What Calus had done was impressive. For at least a month, the academy would enter a frenzy of training. This was good.

After the brief speech, the students asked questions, and Calus answered each one with a smile. Yet, the feeling of unease didn't fade, it only grew stronger and more intense.

"Thank you for today. You did really well. The students are fired up," Arie said with a laugh.

Calus replied modestly, "You're welcome. It's just what I should do."

With that, he left the academy. His spacecraft, hundred meters long appeared as he summoned it, and he climbed aboard for the journey back home.

But now, the unease had grown unbearable. He clutched his chest as a throbbing pain radiated from within.

"What exactly is going on?" Calus muttered, frowning.

**********

6/10