Secret Forest

"Today, I shall explain how royal authority is constructed upon this land." The knowledge Scholar Heide imparted today piqued the interest of every student.

"First, we must understand that the maintenance of a nation is inevitably supported by three pillars: population, power, and economy."

"Among these, power can be further subdivided into three categories: public order, military, and high-level combat strength."

"Public order is easy to understand; the patrol squads in villages and towns, the guards—these are things you see daily and all fall under this category."

"Military power often refers to the personal guards of various nobles, knight orders, the state's direct legions, consultant spellcaster groups, and so on."

"High-level combat strength, however, is something few people know about." Scholar Heide tapped the blackboard with a thin wooden rod.

"If the gap in the rank of transcendent Aspect Powers is greater than three, it will result in a terrifying, crushing effect."

"For instance, when a Third Order knight clad in full-body steel armor charges, even if five hundred men are arranged in a dense phalanx, they will be easily pierced through, like a rolling stone crushing grass, without the slightest possibility of obstruction."

"When that Third Order knight swings his sword with full force, the cold light of the rotating blade can instantly slay ordinary men within twenty meters, even if those men are wearing iron armor, it would be of no avail." Scholar Heide described the terrifying nature of knights.

"Therefore, if a nation lacks sufficient high-level transcendents to hold the line, it is easily crushed in a one-sided defeat on the battlefield."

No wonder those who reach the 'Knight' stage are recruited by various nations and become the lowest-ranking lords, the young girl thought to herself.

"Those among you who have already reached the 'First Order' should understand the gap I am speaking of." As he said this, many eyes converged on the golden-haired girl in the front row.

Iona (First Order - Blazing Sun) was one of the rare transcendents who practiced the "Blazing Sun" Aspect Power; the resources required for this path were rare, and ordinary people dared not even hope for them.

"Teacher, besides knights of the 'Castle' path, are there no high-level ranks for other Aspect Powers?" a commoner student asked curiously.

"Of course there are. Every 'Aspect Power' has its high-level existences, but the probability of you seeing them is very small."

"For example, transcendents of the 'Spiral Fish' Aspect Power are often found near lakes, marshes, and the sea. Those who practice the 'Mist Shadow' Aspect Power are mostly assassins, thieves, illusionists, and tricksters. Practitioners of the 'Dead Ember' Aspect Power are mostly grave diggers, bone-stitchers, and black witches, who are shunned by the people."

"How do we get in touch with these ranks? I mean, where do they learn these things? Do they just figure it out themselves?" someone continued to ask.

"There are some hidden organizations or schools that teach these secret arts and abilities."

"I know you are all curious about how to find these organizations and schools. In fact, they are not far from us." Scholar Heide, for once, acted mysterious and held up a finger.

"Heh, the 'Candlekeep School' I belong to is actually a similar organization, though we appear in the public eye quite often."

"Let's put it this way: such organizations and schools are quite strict about recruiting new members because certain resources are exceptionally rare; they are only willing to cultivate those with talent." Heide shook his head slightly.

"In a sense, I am actually a failure. I was never able to break through to the 'Third Order - Secret Speech' rank, and only later turned to practicing the 'Second Order - Castle' scholar rank."

"If you are the most outstanding among you, you should have hope of going to such places and coming into contact with the truly high-dimensional power and knowledge of this world." He slowly closed his eyes and stroked the white beard on his chest.

Afterward, the old man opened his eyes, and his deep gaze slowly swept across the room.

"Viscount Xuefeng and I can jointly recommend one student each year to go to the Secret Forest within the Regas Kingdom. There, you can come into contact with a world beyond the imagination of ordinary people, and there are also transcendent paths leading to Aspect Powers above the 5th Order."

"However, it is also completely different from the outside world. You will no longer have your current identities, and if you die inside, no one will ask after you, because the law cannot constrain those powerful existences that transcend common sense."

"Fortunately, even such powerful schools need fresh blood; they need to pass on knowledge, secret arts, and even certain beliefs. If you meet their wishes and requirements, you will be accepted by these schools, become one of them, and leave the realm of mortals."

Has it finally come? Iona looked at Scholar Heide, suppressed excitement emerging in her eyes.

The reason she was willing to come to this remote city was not only because Viscount Xuefeng was her distant relative, but also because Scorched Stone City held a quota for recommendation to the Secret Forest. Only there could she come into contact with high-level secret knowledge and have the opportunity to become a truly powerful transcendent.

If she advanced to the 4th Order or higher, even the Grand Duke of Regas would respect her and release her father from the dungeon. If she went further and became a 5th Order existence, she could even sway the situation of this country.

Other cities had similar recommendation quotas, but these were often reserved for high nobles or special individuals and were difficult to fight for. If her father hadn't met with disaster, she could have gone to the Secret Forest this year, but now...

She had to live under someone else's roof, staying in this godforsaken place.

It wasn't just Iona; the other students also looked at Scholar Heide with eager and expectant eyes. As for the danger Scholar Heide mentioned, it was not even considered by anyone.

Where is there no danger? Even at home, one could be snatched away by a passing Ti Wolf. In this era, the average life expectancy of an ordinary person was only a little over thirty; true elders were exceptionally rare.

Secret Forest... Mick clenched his fists, his nails digging into his flesh, and secretly swore.

"I must go there. Brother Jero, this must be the reason you sent me to Scholar Heide, right? Yes, it must be."

When Yero heard the teacher mention the Secret Forest, he was initially excited, but soon became dejected. It was not the first time he had heard the term, and his experiences over the past two years had taught him that he was by no means a genius and would never get such an opportunity.

If it were me... Solin straightened his posture, his eyes fixed on the old man on the stage, his heart surging.

"Father, I know you have always had regrets about not being able to truly step into the threshold of the Third Order, and I will absolutely overcome this regret and walk the path you have never trodden."

There should be the inheritance of the Radiant Moon there... Sylutia thought of this, and a little expectation rose in her heart.

But everyone is longing for it; the competition will be very cruel, won't it?

The students each harbored their own thoughts, and the state of mind that had slackened during this period became heated once again.

Whether for their own future, the expectations of their families, or to explore more possibilities and see a wider world, this was their best choice.

A nobody, or famous throughout the world?

The answer had long since appeared in their hearts.