Knight Academy

On the Path of Ares, it felt as though I were climbing Mount Olympus...

The reason for this was the material used to construct the steps.

With every step I took, a fatigue akin to climbing tens of meters of mountain path was imposed upon my body.

Relying entirely on the "Ghoul Arm" I had just obtained, I forcefully dragged myself forward, completing the latter half of the journey.

To be honest, Han Dong felt this was unfair.

Knight-Errants who majored in the "Crusader" talent had stronger physiques than others, so climbing stairs like this would surely be much easier for them.

After climbing the stairs and standing on the platform, Han Dong could clearly overlook the commoner districts built against the outer city walls, including the Samael District where Nicholas used to live.

It should be noted that the four major commoner districts were built in the east, south, west, and north.

The location of the police substation was near the edge of Samael... close to where the Ghoul incident occurred, and also near the Gana Commoner District, the hometown of the Black Rose Knight, Barton Martini.

Otherwise, merely transferring between commoner districts would take a considerable amount of time.

In front of the platform.

There stood a white stone building with a circular domed roof, enclosed by ten-meter-high stone walls on all sides. The interior of the Knight Academy could not yet be seen.

There was only one option: enter the white stone building.

The entrance utilized mechanical engineering.

As Han Dong approached, steam propelled pistons, causing the interlocking gears of various sizes on the brass door to turn, and the door opened outwards on its own.

Revealing a sumptuously decorated interior room, primarily constructed from brass.

On rows of steel steam bookshelves lining the walls, various freshman archives were neatly arranged.

Seated at a steel round table in the center was a peculiar administrator.

He wore a wide-brimmed hat and a large number of metal accessories... most notably, half of his face beneath the brim was replaced by brass mechanical components.

Han Dong did not know if this person's brain was still intact.

"Please present your Knight Card."

A standard, yet magnetic voice emanated from his semi-metallic mouth.

As Han Dong handed over his card, he carefully observed the man's metallic profile. Through the hollowed-out brass gaps, he could faintly see intact and normally functioning brain tissue.

"Valen Nicholas.

You passed the 'Four-Star Difficulty Beginner Event' and chose the less common major, [Mysticism].

You have passed the review of the interview committee, and there are no significant issues with your background or character.

Your card is now fully activated, with the addition of 'Vault,' 'Academy Pass,' and 'Bounty License' functions.

The living stipend you receive during your studies, or monetary rewards from completing bounty events, will be recorded in your 'Vault.' You can access it at any bank in the Holy City and enjoy priority treatment.

Furthermore, you may freely enter the normal areas of the academy, and you can accept bounty missions that occur within the city from the commission offices or churches located within the academy or the city."

The golden Knight-Errant card was fully activated through a device resembling a typewriter.

Concurrently, the administrator retrieved a specially made book with a metal cover from a safe within the iron table. It also bore the insignia of crossed swords and a white horse head.

"Knight Manual (Academy Edition)"

"The Knight Manual contains the relevant procedures for freshman registration. Please follow the instructions within to complete the process.

Additionally, the relevant academy rules are listed inside the book. Be sure to familiarize yourself with all of them in a short period; violating the rules will result in severe disciplinary action.

Please note that this manual is unique and cannot be shared with others. If lost, you will need to reapply to the academy administration."

"Understood."

Han Dong carefully flipped through the contents of the manual.

The preface detailed the enrollment process for 'Knight-Errants.'

1. Please proceed to your respective department based on your major to receive your course schedule, and complete 'certification' and advisor selection according to the different requirements of each department.

2. Go to the student dormitory area within the academy and obtain your room number using your Knight Card.

"It's quite similar to a university... I wonder what the Mysticism Department will be like. From what the administrator said, it seems that majors in [Mysticism] are the rarest among Knight-Errants."

He exited the white domed building.

High coverage of green forest, Open marble roads, Metal kerosene street lamps built tens of meters apart, The fresh air he inhaled invigorated Han Dong, giving him a sense of being in a paradise.

Due to the vast area occupied by the Knight Academy, there were school bus stops at all important locations within the academy... Before long, Han Dong boarded a spacious carriage for free, heading towards the [Mysticism Department].

Han Dong noticed that directional signs were erected at every intersection.

The five main majors correspond to the five most important institutions within the Knight Academy. However, there are also other important and indispensable institutions, such as:

The Knight Tower, responsible for managing Knight-Errants.

The Adventurer's Guild, which issues dangerous bounty quests for the Holy City.

The Market District, where free trade and the buying and selling of goods take place.

And associations related to various technical fields, such as the Mechanical Manufacturing Association, the Alchemy Association, the Textile Association, and the Writers Association, among others.

Han Dong was very interested in the Alchemy Association. He was also a bit curious about the Writers Association.

However, the Knight Academy lacked a typical university landmark: a library.

"Perhaps the library has been divided and set up within different departments according to book categories, due to the different main majors?"

The carriage arrived at the academy area managed by the Mysticism Department.

The previously lush and green academy scenery instantly transformed. Han Dong hadn't expected such a drastic change.

Tightly packed black, withered trees clearly demarcated the boundary from the academy's public areas.

A large number of crows perched on the branches of the dead trees.

Occasionally, the cries of a banshee could be heard from the depths of the forest.

At other times, the shadow of some giant spider could be seen flashing through the trees.

Even without a surrounding wall, no one dared to trespass into this forest.

A relatively wide main road cut through this gloomy forest, winding its way towards the main building complex of the Mysticism Department.

Of course, to step onto the main road, one needed to verify their identity at a black, hollowed-out metal gate. It seemed that as long as one stayed on the main road, they would not be attacked by monsters or spirits in the forest.

As Han Dong alighted from the carriage and took out his Knight Card, a crow from a nearby branch flapped its wings and landed on the top of the iron gate.

Its black eyes stared at the card and Han Dong's face.

Creak...

The iron gate slowly opened, granting passage.