The aftermath of the banquet was handled by the teachers who eventually arrived. They attempted an investigation but discovered only that the perpetrator could be anyone within the academy. With no clear leads, there was nothing they could do.
The incident conveniently aligned with the end of the school year, allowing the students time to distance themselves from the disturbing experience. It was not the act of fighting that unsettled them, but the realization that even the academy had become a dangerous place.
Bastion spent the summer break with Seraphina, Elyra, and Lilia, dedicating their time to leveling their skills and arts. With only a year's worth of dungeon dives left before reaching the next Rank, they were determined to improve their chances of earning stronger classes.
Bastion dedicated himself fully to improving his class skills. He constantly smoked Manaleaf and occasionally drank mana potions just to maintain the mana needed to cast his skills without pause.
Despite his efforts, by the end of summer break, he had only managed to raise Diamond Rain and Diamond Steed to level 2.
"I can see why it would take a century just to reach Rank 1," Bastion complained as the group made their way to homeroom on the first day of their third year.
"It's not so bad. I managed to reach level 2 in all my skills," Lilia proudly said as she displayed her skills list.
[Skills:]: Water Barrier 2, Mystic Mend 2, Mystic Veil 2, Mystic Downpour 2, Water Curtain 2, Summon Familiar (Misty) 2, Frost Ray 2, Magic Hand 2, Shocking Grasp 2, Minor Illusion 2, Amplify 2, Dash 2, Dodge 2
Lilia had been working hard even before the summer break to level up her skills. It was clear she deeply valued the skills she had received, especially given her past. Thanks to her dedication and two months of uninterrupted training, she managed to elevate them all to level 2.
"Good luck getting all of those to level 3," Bastion said with a smirk.
Lilia visibly paled and sighed in resignation. It would take her years of focused effort to push them all to level 3.
"I told you not to give me too many skills," she grumbled.
"You can always just rank up now," he offered.
"No way. I'm not wasting such precious skills," she replied firmly. "How's Elyra's progress?"
"Conceal reached level 3," Bastion answered.
"Wow."
They hadn't been in many battles over the past few months, so it wasn't surprising that Elyra's combat skills had fallen behind. Even so, the fact that she managed to raise Conceal to level 3 through consistent use was impressive. It was also clear that it was the only skill she had focused on.
"How about you, Seraphina?" Lilia asked.
"Summon Bottle and Analyze are both at level 3," she said proudly.
She used both skills so often that it wasn't surprising they were the first to max out.
"You must've brewed a lot of potions," Bastion remarked.
"Just basic ones I sell in Southspire."
"Damn. I should probably sell all the extra gear I've been stockpiling too."
Bastion hadn't stopped experimenting with enchanting either. He typically finished at least one enchantment each night and had already accumulated a pile of items with decent effects that could sell well.
As soon as they entered homeroom, they immediately noticed the tension in the room radiating from Professor Thornton, their homeroom teacher.
This reminded Bastion regarding the big reveal Seraphina had mentioned regarding the state of the world. It was scheduled for the first homeroom of the third year.
Bastion immediately scanned the room and spotted Julius sitting prim and proper, ready for another boring lecture. He had to stifle a giggle.
The group took their seats and waited with bated breath as the class began.
"Some of you may have already uncovered this truth in the Grand Library," Professor Thornton began, his voice echoing across the room, "so what I am about to say may not come as a surprise. Still, it must be formally stated for the record."
"The world we inhabit is far greater than just our kingdom. The Kingdom of Brilliance is but one of over a million kingdoms spread across The God's Continent. And while you may believe our monarch to be the highest authority, in truth, our governance answers directly to the Central Empire."
"The Central Empire, which governs us from the very heart of the continent, is not ruled by mortal kings or queens but by a pantheon of gods. These divine beings of unimaginable power united long ago to bring order to the God's Continent. It is their authority that created the five empires and their laws that maintain balance across the land. The rules they set are absolute. No kingdom may defy them without consequence."
He let the weight of that sink in before continuing.
"In our kingdom, the strength of individuals is strictly limited to Rank 2. This is not a coincidence. It is the will of our divine patron, the Goddess of Brilliance. No citizen, no noble, not even a royal, may rise beyond Rank 2 while within our borders. Should such an individual be discovered, they will be swiftly hunted down and eliminated by the Empire's enforcers, all of whom are Rank 4 and above."
"This is why information regarding Rank 3 and higher is severely restricted. Unauthorized dissemination of such knowledge is punishable by immediate execution. No trial. No appeal."
"There are exceptions," he added pointedly, allowing his gaze to briefly flick toward Bastion, "but they are extremely rare and closely monitored."
"The limitation is not arbitrary. It exists for our own protection. Individuals at Rank 3 possess destructive potential far beyond anything you've witnessed, capable of leveling buildings with a wave of their hand, threatening entire cities by themselves. In a kingdom such as ours, whose economy is based on production quotas and stability, even one such individual could devastate it."
"You, however, are not average citizens. You are students of the Royal Academy. You have been selected because you show the potential to surpass Rank 2. This is why you are given access to truths the general population will never learn."
"You will not remain in this kingdom forever. Once you reach Rank 3, you must leave. That is the law. As such, the remainder of today's lecture will cover your available options once that moment arrives."
Hands shot up immediately before the professor could continue, students eager to ask pointed questions about the specifics. Among them was none other than Julius Lionhart, the future king of the kingdom.
"Yes, Julius," the professor acknowledged.
"Why is the kingdom forced to give 80% of its profits to the Central Empire?" Julius asked, unable to mask his frustration. "Can't we defend ourselves instead of relying on these so-called protectors? And what about the Demon Lord? Isn't he clearly above Rank 2?"
His rapid-fire questions came out in a flurry, his voice tinged with desperation.
"The Goddess of Brilliance herself designated our kingdom as Rank 2," the professor replied calmly, though his words carried weight. "No one, not even the king, can oppose her decree. The 80% tribute we send to the Central Empire pays for enforcers capable of protecting us from threats beyond Rank 2. This includes the Demon Lord, who is currently sealed within the Sword of Power."
He paused, allowing the gravity of that statement to settle over the class.
"As for the demon worshipers, they are no higher than Rank 2," the professor continued, his gaze sharpening. "That makes them our problem. It is the kingdom's responsibility to defend its citizens from threats within its limits."
The accusation was clear, and Julius visibly wilted under the pressure. He had no proper rebuttal. He was still a prince, still learning the true scale of power at play. The realization left him feeling like a child being scolded, ashamed for even entertaining the thought of resisting the Central Empire when they were so vastly outmatched.
He looked around the classroom, focusing specifically on the dukes. Their expressions were blank and unreadable. It became painfully clear that they had already known the truth when he asked for their support. Yet they had nodded along, offering approval as if they were humoring the naive words of an ignorant child.
The weight of the realization struck him hard. His entire world collapsed as he understood that he truly was just a child, making promises about things he did not understand. What made it even worse was that no one had ever taken the time to correct him.
While Julius wrestled with an identity crisis, Professor Thornton continued fielding questions about the specifics of the kingdom's situation.
Some students asked why the general population was not informed of these truths. The answer was simple: only those who needed to know were allowed to know.
Others questioned the reasoning behind the Goddess's decision to limit the kingdom to Rank 2. The professor responded plainly that no one knew except the Goddess herself.
Still more inquired about what specifically qualified as restricted Rank 3 information. According to the professor, anything capable of causing mass destruction or leveling buildings with ease fell under that classification.
Bastion flinched slightly at that last point. His cannon certainly qualified. Though he had never tested it extensively, he could easily imagine the devastation a single artillery shell might inflict on a building.
With most questions addressed, the professor finally moved on to explain the paths available to students once they reached the threshold of Rank 3.
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