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Chapter 5: The Measure of Potential
Narrator: Valen Veridian
As I blinked, my eyes—4 years had passed since the cruel event.
I stood at the giant gates of the Academy. They shined like the sun in front of us. All the prodigies of our generation had gathered in the Imperial Academy.
All the kids in the Kiel Empire dreamed of joining the Imperial Academy, but what they didn't know was this—it was a path for the strong and a slaughterhouse for the weak.
But sadly, they were too deep in their dreams. Dreams that made them legends in their fantasy world.
But now I know… all people dream of something.
It doesn't matter if they are from your planet or ours.
We were too young to understand that.
As I stood facing the Imperial Academy, I fixed the crest of House Veridian on my chest.
But somehow… it felt heavier than steel.
Back then, I didn't realize it—it wasn't because of the weight, but rather the memories it carried.
The Imperial Academy stood before us as a symbol of Kiel—
A fortress that shaped countless rulers, warriors, and strategists of the Empire.
And it would continue to do so.
It was the place that would break me—no...
Not only me.
But all of us.
What a thing to think about.
I'm dead, yet here I am, thinking about him.
Anyways, let's not get carried away.
My emotions were unreadable as I walked to the gates of the Academy.
Countless noble heirs surrounded me and continued to walk by my side.
Their hearts pounded loudly as they walked to the Academy.
But not all were the same—some were filled with determination, some with fear.
But me? I wasn't noticing them.
I searched the crowd, looking for one man.
Marcus Alderwood.
I knew he would come to the Academy.
But we all knew one truth—
It was this place where the future of the Empire would be decided.
It was the place that would break us…
And shape us to be the rulers of the continent.
Or so we thought.
There were trials made to break us.
Then break us more—until we had nothing left.
Yet I knew one thing:
I was not going to break.
Even if it meant wearing a mask of guilt.
I thought I had already endured the worst the world had to offer…
But there were memories still buried deep inside my mind.
The Academy was ruthless.
They conducted a pre-trial to eliminate the unworthy—
The Trial of Potential.
In that trial, we had to infuse mana into our hands and place them on a pillar.
That pillar would decide our worth.
The grades of potential were divided into 6 tiers and further into 4 sub-parts.
The parts were:
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Mortal Tier – Insignificant people who would remain that way, without any worth.
Knight Tier – Disposable fodder. Good pieces, but replaceable.
Elite Knight Tier – A stage where talent began to shine, and the past was left behind.
Grand Tier – A stage of prodigies. Whether noble heirs or commoners, they were destined for something big.
Saint Tier – The chosen ones who would reshape the history of the Empire.
Divine Tier – The beings bound to surpass their limits and reach the realm of gods.
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No one here had the Divine Tier.
Yet we had dreams that surpassed even that.
All the noble heirs came forward—
And it is about time I tell you about the major families of the Empire and their heirs.
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The Swords of the Empire — The Veridian Family
Heir: Valen Veridian (Me)
Leader: Kairos Veridian
We were the sword of the Empire.
The strongest family in the Empire.
Our history was carved out of blood.
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The Shadows of the Empire — Evernight Family
They were the assassins of the Empire.
They said those who saw their truth did not see the sunrise.
Heir: Selene Evernight
She moved in the shadows.
Blessed by the Goddess of Shadows (S-Rank)
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End of Chapter 5
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