Soon, the Regalons entered a facility called the Star Driver Pool and arrived on an exotic planet of water filled with stars that held imnse gravitational pulls and strange orbiting streams around it.
To practice in this 2-star facility, one normally had to pay points—but Almond and the others didn’t pay anything and simply entered, appearing above the ocean on a large island where students could stay for free.
The mont the Regalons arrived, a figure was already sitting across from them on a plain chair, ten ters away.
"Nice to et you, Regalons. I like the na."
Almond and the others sat down on chairs they created.
"It looks like we’ll be having our first private class here." John Wicked smiled.
Almond could feel unfathomable power from him—it was outside his scope.
John Wicked, a Grim Sunderer, was the equivalent of a Grim Emperor, just one step below a Grimlord, the ultimate position of power.
"I want to beco a Grimlord, and I’ll be having your help for that. You don’t mind, right?" John grinned.
"You helped us by risking your life, so it’s natural that we will help you. And it seems you have ideas on paving the path for the Regalons as well," Almond said.
"Correct. The foremost thing I need to beco a Grimlord is allies—trustworthy and powerful allies."
"I have many in that sense. A whole world, but they are all in my party," John Wicked grinned. "I want another party that can acquire the position of Grimlord."
"You bear the potential for that, but so do many. However, only a handful can survive and grasp it. But with here, your success is virtually guaranteed—given that you cross all hurdles that co our way." John Wicked’s eyes glinted. "I’m going to make you part of the world of Grimlords, but the minimum requirent to enter that world is being Tier-3."
Almond raised his eyebrows. "So it will be after we graduate?"
"Indeed. And I’ll whip you up good so you can keep up with fellow Grim Students who are being grood by other Grimlords in preparation to enter that world."
John waved his hand and showed a screen with faces and nas.
There were other Regalons—
Theo, Paloma, Zauna, Christina, Jas, Aarav, Liam, Ruyi, Natalia, Emma, Marcu, Maya, Kira, Noah, Tejas, and Valentina.
"I’ve managed to add these Regalons to this academy. The more people we have that can work together, the faster you’ll progress and graduate. But the maximum ti you have is one year. All the top Grim Students will graduate exactly one year after participating in a tournant. This tournant will determine your starting boons in that world."
Lily blinked. "When you say the world of Grimlords, what do you an exactly? How different is it from the uncountable variety of worlds that exist within this Grimverse?"
"Oh, it is vastly different. It is another system—one that the most powerful people in all six Tier-0 cosmoverses broke open and manifested." John Wicked smiled. "The Origin of Reality, the Source, the Birth of Everything is linked to that place, wrapped up in thick, tight mystery—and a threat that seems to have driven the most powerful beings to seek power to be free."
"Free?" Admiral Rudra’s eyes narrowed. "Are they not free despite being the most powerful?"
"Indeed. They are not free. They are subjected to the power of sothing far higher—sothing that begets everything. Who exactly created this structure of impossibly vast Tier-0 cosmoverses, the rules and powers? Each Tier-0 cosmoverse is a sentient will, but it creates and follows rules that seem to be set up by sothing else, soone else—a power that constructed this reality."
"And this special world that connects all six Tier-0 cosmoverses is the playground to nurture and grow people. Only the most exceptional individuals can gain entry there, and my first job—and your first task—is to prove you are in that league during this first year and earn your place there."
John smiled. "Only if you succeed will I succeed in my plan to make a grand entry as a top player there."
"So that’s how it is." Almond nodded, a faint trace of excitent coursing through his eyes as well as Lily’s.
"Yep. For now, I just wanted to tell you this. Next ti, we’ll et in an official class. Go and take that top palace on the Freshn Mountain. You have two days left."
"All the best—and don’t forget to have fun."
John gave a two-finger salute before he disappeared.
"Fun, he said," Silvester laughed. "How about we head to the Grimverse Student City first and spend the points we earned today?"
"It’s been a while since I drank." Hiroshi nodded.
"Then let’s go and et up with the others." Almond smiled.
Lily grinned. "And have a party."
...
The Regalons got together in the city and went to the entertainnt district for a night of partying, gaming, and overall fun.
Completing the mission—with top ranks, no less—had given them more than enough points to splurge.
There were also more Regalons in the club now, so three or two Regalon teams could take on different missions and earn more points.
Club points were granted through the mbers’ activity and performance in missions. Club points could be used for many things to benefit mbers in all ways.
That was also the reason one of the requirents for graduating was joining a club, but beyond that, it was to use the benefits brought by the club to enhance their potential and beco more powerful.
After hours of fun, the Regalons—now with sixteen more mbers—went back to Freshn Mountain.
"Hold on!" Natalia stood before Almond and Lily. "If you two go, there’s no suspense—we’d win for sure. So, you will not challenge the people in that palace."
"And you too, Admiral Rudra." Natalia pouted.
"Then who will go?" Rudra blinked.
"I can go," Julian said with a grin.
"Nope. We’ll decide that by lots." Natalia clapped as starry translucent cubes with music notes inside appeared.
"There are twenty-seven of us, but not including you three, I have twenty-four music notes here. Each has a number that will be revealed once you grab it."
"So, we’ll challenge the owners of that palace based on our numbers."
"Sounds good."
"Alright, spread the lot, Nat."
And so, it started.
The other freshn who were ditating saw the commotion at the base—it was rare for so many people to gather.
Most other Grim Students had joined existing clubs. Rarely, a few created new ones, but they didn’t have many mbers—unlike the Regalons, who already had twenty-seven.
"Are they going to challenge the palace at the mountain top?"
"But I heard the rank 6th student on the overall Grim Student Examination leaderboard is staying there—with a bunch of other people!"
"This group is big, but the challenge rules are one versus one. Do you think they can beat them?"
"Don’t care. But watching should be fun—let’s go."
"Oh, this is a rather good chance. Hello, folks, can I join you in spectating them while I live-stream for my world’s people? I’d like to ask for your comnts, too, if you don’t mind."
"Uh... sure."
anwhile, the Regalons began their ascent toward the top of Freshn Mountain.
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