After hearing about the use of contribution points, everyone finally reached a place filled with many small houses neatly arranged in rows. Each house bore a number carved above its door, faintly glowing under the sunlight. Just by looking at them, the students could already guess that their future residence would be decided by the number they had received.
A faint murmur spread through the crowd as excitement and anxiety mixed together.
But before they could get carried away, reality struck again.
There were four distinct rows of houses—clearly separated, standing like silent witnesses to rivalry and competition. The students were ordered by the four leaders to stand according to these rows, their footsteps crunching softly against the stone ground as they moved into position.
The atmosphere intensified.
The leader of the number one house—Jupiter—stepped forward. His presence alone commanded attention. His robe fluttered slightly as he looked over the gathered students before speaking.
"You see," he began calmly, "before you entered the academy, our classes had already started two months ago. And so, the contribution point system you've just heard about… it has already been in effect for two months."
Some students stiffened upon hearing this.
"Our academy made such rules on purpose," he continued, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "So that new students feel pressure from the very beginning—and do not relax even for a moment. The house contribution points have already been accumulating."
His smile widened with unmistakable pride as he raised his voice slightly.
"Currently, Jupiter stands at the top with 102,000 contribution points. Second place belongs to Mars with 90,000 points, followed by Mercury at 78,000, and finally Venus with 52,000 contribution points."
A quiet stir rippled through the crowd.
It was Darius who spoke next. He stepped forward, his tone firm but encouraging.
"Adrian is correct about the scores," he said, glancing briefly toward the Jupiter leader, "but this ranking is only temporary. Anyone can still win this year, and with your help, we can easily catch up."
Next, Mercury's leader, Wesley, came forward. His expression was gentle, yet his eyes burned with quiet determination.
"As Darius said, anything is possible," Wesley added. "Points can burst upward for any team at any time. That's because of you—our new students. Combined with us seniors, we can become champions. You just need to believe in yourselves."
Then it was Aries' turn to speak.
"Last year," she said calmly, "we were the winners of this contest." Her voice did not waver even as a few whispers surfaced. "It's true that we are at the lowest right now, but you never know when the tables will turn. We may become champions once again."
Adrian stepped forward once more, his gaze sweeping across the students.
"You might have a question," he said. "Why do those with water elements stay with water, and fire elements stay with fire?"
He paused deliberately before shaking his head.
"That is not truly the case. We are giving you a chance to change your house. You may join the house where your friends or family members are. We are allowing you to choose the best house for yourselves."
Darius followed up smoothly.
"We sometimes call this the poaching round," he said with a small grin. "We'll be making offers to you. Of course, these offers are mainly for the top twenty to fifty students."
Wesley nodded and added, "Those ranked below that must decide on their own whether they wish to leave their current house. We will explain which house provides the best facilities—and why we believe we can become champions this year."
Finally, Aries spoke again, her voice ringing clearly through the area.
"Well then," she said, "let the poaching round begin."
Adrian wasted no time.
"Jupiter became second last year," he said confidently, "and this year we are at the top. Many believe it's because we poached top-level students—and while that is partially true, it's not the real reason."
His eyes sharpened.
"We take the most dangerous missions—and succeed in all of them. Do not assume that all pills come from Mars, or that formation masters only belong to the water sect and therefore should go to Venus."
A few students shifted uneasily.
"Yes, the water sect has created a formation tower near Venus. The air sect built a talisman tower near Jupiter. Other sects created towers according to their elements," Adrian admitted. "But that does not mean we lack any profession."
He spread his hands.
"We poach talent. We offer fair terms. Every house has the best of every category. And anyone may use towers created by other sects."
He then raised his voice.
"Eighty percent of you are fighters or sorcerers. The remaining twenty percent are alchemists, formation masters, talisman masters, and blacksmiths. Our offers will differ slightly."
"For fighters or weapon users," he said, "we provide a peak wood-stage talisman capable of shielding against late-to-peak wood-stage cultivators. You'll receive three hundred middle-grade spiritual crystal stones, an early wood-stage weapon, a training partner, and even personal guidance from senior students—if you impress them."
"And for alchemists, formation masters, talisman masters, and blacksmiths," he added, "you will receive everything above—plus additional ingredients to practice with."
Gasps quietly echoed among the students. Some looked tempted, their resolve visibly wavering.
But they had to hear the others.
Darius and Wesley delivered nearly identical speeches, refusing to back down or increase their offers. It was as if everything had been carefully planned. If one house raised the stakes, the others would be forced to do the same—and chaos would follow.
Not all new students were tempted. Some wished to join the top-ranking house, while others chose to remain loyal to their original houses, knowing no extra rewards awaited them for staying.
Ray listened quietly.
The similarity between the three speeches made his brows furrow slightly.
This feels deliberate… he thought. Almost like the work of someone who understands how crowds behave—someone who carries knowledge from another world. A reincarnate from Earth, perhaps.
Inexperienced leaders would have outbid one another, driving the students into a frenzy.
But this?
It was controlled.
Finally, Aries stepped forward once more.
"Last year, we were champions," she said softly. "This year, we were on the road to victory as well—until an accident occurred."
She sighed, the sound carrying a rare hint of fatigue.
"Two of our top students, along with several of their allies, were poached just three days before new students entered the academy."
Her eyes suddenly sharpened, cold and piercing.
"This labeled them as traitors. They are gone—and Venus will never accept them back."
The air grew tense.
"They will soon understand how wrong their decision was," she continued. "But now, this chance is for you. Choose your house wisely. Once chosen, do not change later—lest you be branded traitors by those you abandoned."
She straightened, her composure returning.
"My offers remain the same as the others."
Her smile slowly brightened.
"However… there is one additional offer."
Whispers erupted instantly.
"I will not reveal it now," Aries said calmly. "I will announce it only after everyone has chosen. Only members of Venus will hear it."
Her gaze swept over the students.
"So," she concluded softly, yet firmly, "what are you waiting for? Go. Choose your house."