"Huh... more?" Ulric mumbled, causing Alaric to nod rapidly in response as he muttered,

"Do you know why the human race has been able to churn out multiple powerhouses to safeguard the future of humanity despite all the odds stacked against them?" Alaric questioned.

Musing over the question for a little, Ulric’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Because they are... amazing?"

"Wrong!" Alaric spat. "Because of academies."

Ulric’s eyes widened at the words. He had heard the term before, but not enough for it to matter.

Alaric seemed to see that as he continued, explaining in great detail.

"Hundreds of years ago, humanity was constantly faced with multiple threats. Beast raids, demon attacks and were still struggling to find balance with the new races. They were vast in number, but the powerhouses were too few. So they came up with a way to solve that problem. Through academies."

He paused to inhale sharply before continuing. "The most talented of the younger generation were picked out and given the best resources humanity had acquired. Knowledge to nurture their growth and so much more.

And in a short span of time, the results were apparent as all these quickly fueled their growth, giving humanity a new hope.

As time passed on, the academies were divided into several ranks, depending on the results and the talents nurtured." Ulric breathed, taking in all of the words like a sponge. Almost as if he were afraid of missing out on even a single detail.

"Normal academies are at the bottom of the rung. But still, some guilds in great cities would fight for their talents to secure a spot in one of them.

Next are the elite academies. Slightly better, which take in regular geniuses. Nothing too amazing. But the slight gap creates a massive difference in status in society. Most geniuses fall into this category.

As for third place, top academies come in. This is for the absolute prodigious geniuses. Almost every talent in great cities dreams of entering a top academy. The status and resources are just massive."

Alaric muttered, pausing to stare at Mira, his eyes narrowing on her.

"Maybe you should join one." He sighed. But before he could even finish.

He could already see the mischievous twinkle sparkling across her eyes, making him give up.

"Uh, no... Grandpa... I don’t want to go away. Who else will listen to all your rambles and drink all the amazing tea?"

"Hmm, you cheeky little girl!" Alaric breathed, shaking his head slightly. She was far too gone.

But it didn’t matter now. Discarding all other thoughts, his face grew grave as a glint of genuine recognition flashed across his eyes as he muttered.

"Beyond top academies are ancient academies. This is the place for absolute monsters like you. You should strive to enter an academy like this..." He paused, correcting himself mid-sentence.

"You have to!" It was the only place he could think of with resources enough to fuel Ulric’s growth. At least enough for him to barely form up the strength before his presence was detected.

Taking it all in, Ulric nodded, muttering the word beneath his breath. "Ancient." It sounded very powerful. Was that where people as strong as him were? People who could offer him worthy challenges?

As the thought formed, the smile on his face widened. He had planned to leave Tempest and explore the realm in search of adventure. But looking back, he couldn’t help but smile wryly.

It seemed he had been a little naive. But the old man’s words gave him something to aspire to. Something that would aid him in his lifelong conquest for strength.

Still, one question remained. As he raised his head to voice it.

"Does this mean ancient academies are the greatest?"

Hearing his question, Alaric’s lips twitched faintly. He had forgotten about the youth’s equally monstrous ambition.

Pausing for a moment, the look of recognition morphed into pure awe. Before he sighed quietly.

"There is still one. The one that lies at the absolute top. But it’s too far away, you shouldn’t focus too much..."

Before the words slipped out of his throat, Ulric pried in curiosity. "Tell me more."

Causing Alaric’s head to drop slightly. Smiling listlessly. Oh, the youthful ambition. He missed it.

He mused. Before raising his head. Suppose it wouldn’t do any harm to tell him as well.

Perhaps it would serve as a lesson to the youth. There were peaks beyond peaks. Goals that weren’t achievable no matter how much one yearned for them.

"The highest are the supreme academies. Revered all across the human race, with only four of them. Unlike the rest... to even qualify one would need an SSS-rank talent. The absolute top talent formed only in one in a million people."

Muttering this, he expected the youth’s face to drop. But the smile on his face only widened. If he had to pry into his mind, he would guess the youth was thinking something along the lines of, easy enough.

Did he even know the meaning of an SSS-rank talent? Alaric mused, suppressing his twitching palm from smacking some sense into him for the umpteenth time.

Still, he continued. Hoping the rest of his words would dissuade his hopeless cause.

"Beside that, one would need great status. Something a low-ranked noble from a small city wouldn’t cut."

Wading through the endless doubt Alaric cast at him, he listened to the benefits of joining a supreme academy.

The words making his breath hitch.

"If you somehow manage to enter a supreme academy." He paused, muttering beneath his breath. "Most probably in your dreams. The benefits are endless. And so is your status as your future is destined to be one of the great emperors of humanity. Hell, even the royal family wouldn’t be able to do anything against you." Alaric blubbered on, until he lost track of it all.

Finished, he paused to let Ulric take it all in. It was all just too incredible. All that remained was one thing he was in the dark of as he asked.

"Can you tell me more of the royal family?"

He barely managed to let the words out before Alaric shot him down.

"No!" He huffed. The brat was chewing off more than he could swallow.

"You are too weak." He feared if he told him about them, most of his determination to grow strong would fizzle out. It was just too early.

And as if to emphasize, he berated.

"Most of your peers in the great cities are at D-rank with the geniuses at C-rank." He spat,

"The supreme geniuses are probably at peak C-rank and if there are holy sons or daughters in this generation they are probably already beyond..."

Before he could continue, he suddenly stopped as if he had said more than he should have.

Ulric clenched his fists at the side. With every word, his weakness was driven deeper into him. But not for long.

Grabbing the tea he had set aside, he chugged it all in one gulp. Instantly after, his eyes lit up in a brilliant crimson sheen. Enlightenment crashing down on him in waves.

Nodding slightly at Mira and the old man, his voice trailed behind him as he vanished into the shadows.

"I will be back... soon."

He now knew what he must do.