In his previous life, Leon had been assigned to [Higher Domain #54] out of the 100 available domains.
That domain had been his ho for a very long ti.
He knew its structure, its opportunities, its dangers, and the key locations that could accelerate growth during the early stages.
If possible, it would have been optimal to return there imdiately.
With his knowledge, he could dominate it far more efficiently this ti around.
Unfortunately, the [World Map] was still on cooldown.
He could not use it yet. Leon clicked his tongue lightly. "Unlucky."
Still, he did not look too concerned.
’I’m guessing the overall structure is similar,’ he thought calmly.
While each [Higher Domain] had its own unique features, the system always followed a certain logic.
The details would differ. The foundation would not.
More importantly, though, Leon needed to know where Emilia had appeared.
Without hesitation, he opened his ssage panel to contact her, but paused when he saw that she had already sent him a ssage.
The notification was only about a minute old.
Communication was only possible between players who were both inside the [Higher Domain].
The mont he arrived here, the restriction lifted.
It also ant he still could not ssage Eleonore, David, or anyone else who remained behind.
Fwoosh!
He opened the chat.
[Saintess: You’ve been inside the assessnt for a few hours. I’m in "Higher Domain #3."]
Leon blinked slightly.
"A few hours?" he muttered.
To him, it had felt like twenty or thirty minutes at most. Ti distortion inside trials was nothing new, but it was still irritating.
He quickly replied.
[Celestial: Alright, perfect. Manage for now. I’m in "Higher Domain #1" but I’ll get to your domain soon.]
A few seconds later—
[Saintess: Alright (✿◠‿◠)]
Leon smiled faintly at the cheerful response.
Emilia was not in a [Higher Domain] he was familiar with either, but that was fine.
As soon as the [World Map] cooldown ended, he could travel.
For now, he would focus on what was in front of him. Even if he had to spend a day alone.
Each [Higher Domain] shared a remotely similar frawork, much like the [Lower Domains].
However, unlike the [Lower Domains], travel between domains was possible here. That changed everything.
Because players could move freely, the [Heavenly One] deliberately made each domain more distinct.
The differences created opportunity, and also made each [Higher Domain] so different from another they were pretty much each unique.
In [Higher Domain #54], for example, the first major structure that helped players grow quickly was the [Warrior Tower].
It was a massive tower where players could challenge floors filled with monsters, testing their strength and earning rewards based on performance.
But in this domain... There was a city unlike what he expected.
Leon narrowed his eyes as he observed the massive structure in the distance.
"Oh well."
He did not hesitate.
He dashed forward toward the city at high speed. The plains blurred beneath his feet, and the towering walls grew closer within seconds.
At the very center of the city, he could already see a massive structure rising above everything else.
That had to be the focal point.
Surprisingly, no guards stopped him at the gate. There were no inspections, no interrogations.
As soon as he crossed into the city—
Ding!
[You have entered "Divine Academy City."]
[The next event will happen in 3 hours. Please await until then.]
"Huh?"
Leon’s eyes narrowed.
"Academy?"
And just like that, he understood.
In his previous life, he had heard rumors about a specific [Higher Domain] that contained an actual academy for players.
It was not run by players, but by natives of the domain. They taught combat techniques, magical theory, skill optimization, and efficient leveling strategies.
It functioned almost like a training institution.
Players could enroll, attend classes, complete academy quests, and significantly improve their growth speed.
On paper, it sounded incredible.
However... Leon had also heard darker rumors.
The teachers and chairman were all natives.
And supposedly, many of them were influenced, directly or indirectly, by the [God of War] and the [God of Magic].
Leon did not doubt that possibility.
If the gods wanted influence in the [Higher Domains], establishing an academy would be a perfect thod.
Train promising players. Guide them, and control them.
"I’ll need to be careful," he muttered.
Another thought surfaced imdiately.
’I also need sothing to hide my ID.’
Right now, his na "Celestial" had just been broadcast across all 100 [Higher Domains]. If soone saw his ID here, it could create unnecessary attention.
He needed a concealnt thod. For now, though, he decided to observe.
Even if he had no real need for an academy, considering he likely possessed more experience than most of its teachers, there was still potential value.
He rembered hearing that during the event, the most outstanding player could receive special rewards.
The "event" ntioned in the notification was likely the entrance selection process. It apparently occurred once every two weeks.
Leon glanced at the tir. His timing was almost perfect.
Still, before committing to anything, he wanted to assess the domain further.
As he walked deeper into [Divine Academy City], he noticed sothing.
Many players were wearing insignias on their clothing.
The symbol depicted a sword and a staff crossed over each other.
’The emblem of [Divine Academy], I suppose.’
The city itself was bustling. Tens of thousands of players moved through its streets.
Shops lined the roads. Training grounds were visible in open plazas. The overall atmosphere felt structured, disciplined.
Soon enough, Leon reached the academy itself.
It was massive. Truly massive.
The building could easily accommodate tens of thousands of students at once.
Wide stone steps led up to a grand entrance, and in front of it lay an enormous square where players were gathered, discussing strategies or sparring.
Leon stepped forward toward the entrance.
Beep!
[Only students may enter the "Divine Academy."]
"...Hm."
So enrollnt was mandatory. Leon did not believe that was the only reason for the restriction.
If the academy was truly under godly influence, they would likely monitor who entered carefully.
If what he had heard was true... Then so of these teachers needed to die eventually.
Leon slowly turned around, deciding to leave the square for now and explore elsewhere.
But just as he did—
BAM!
He collided with sothing solid.
"My bad," Leon said calmly as he looked up.
And then he froze for a split second.
"You are not allowed to be here."
The figure standing before him was enormous. At least 2.5 ters tall.
His build was massive, muscles pressing against heavy armor that looked forged for war.
A large sword rested at his flank, and his eyes looked down at Leon with an oppressive presence.
Appraisal!
---
[Divine Academy Teacher, Alikar]
[Level: 100]
[Talent: ???]
[Combat Power: ???]
[Details: A teacher of Divine Academy, extrely proficient in swordsmanship.]
---
Leon’s pupils shrank slightly. Level 100. That was the cap for the [Higher Domain].
And this was not a player. This was a native.
He kept his expression calm. As he t Alikar’s gaze, he noticed sothing unsettling.
There was a faint trace of madness in those eyes.
’Yeah... these guys are definitely connected to the gods.’
Leon could almost feel a faint resonance.
It was not strong enough to label him as a direct servant, but there was sothing linking him to the [God of War].
And more than anything, it was strange.
Why were there level 100 natives stationed at the very beginning of a domain?
Leon scanned the area discreetly.
Alikar appeared to be the only teacher present at the mont.
His race was unfamiliar, though he looked sowhat like a half-giant.
"I’ll only repeat it one more ti," Alikar said slowly, his hand inching toward his sword. "You are not allowed to be here."
An oppressive aura spread outward.
It pressed against Leon’s body like invisible weight.
Leon did not move recklessly. He simply nodded slightly and stepped away.
He was not foolish enough to fight a level 100 native whose combat power he could not even see.
Even with his revival title, that would be pointless. For now.
But his mind was already calculating. There would be no rcy later.
’There are 100 [Higher Domains],’ Leon thought with a quiet sigh. ’Finding every servant of the gods won’t be easy.’
It might even be impossible to identify them all.
But that did not an he would ignore them.
In the end, anyone aligned with the gods would beco his enemy.
Leon turned away from the square, exiting the imdiate vicinity of the academy.
A slow grin spread across his face.
It seed his arrival in the [Higher Domain] was going to be far more intense than he initially expected.
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