'Chapter One: The Ritual of the Dark Side's Army…' Saryn began to read.
'The Ritual of the Dark Side's Army originates from the Ancient Sith King, Dathka Graush. Despite its method having been lost to time, it remains one of the most powerful rituals ever used to this day.
Dathka Graush combined his extensive knowledge of Alchemical Science and Sith Sorcery to create this ritual.
The ritual's powers were relatively simple to understand. It raised the dead as undead monstrosities, utterly loyal to the person who performed the ritual.
Imperial Archivists often credit this ritual when they talk about how Dathka Graush was able to be the final winner of the civil war and ultimately be crowned a King.'
"Interesting."
"While this does not raise one's own powers, it could be helpful when it comes to conquering worlds."
"If the Empire still knew how to use this ritual, defeating the Republic would only be a matter of time." Saryn couldn't help but let his mind wander for a bit.
"Anyway, let's see what's next." Saryn kept on listening to the knowledge held in the Holocron.
'Ritual of Holocron Binding… Sith Alchemy of Beast Creation…' Saryn listened to the introduction of the following few rituals but wasn't very interested.
Saryn understood the importance of rituals such as Holocron Binding, which allowed the Empire to transmit its knowledge throughout its history.
But he already knew how to do that. In fact, most of the nobles on Dromund Kaas learned how to when they were still children.
'Ritual of the Dark Side Nexus Communion.' When Saryn heard the name of the 3rd Ranked of the Great Rituals, he couldn't help but pause.
"What is this ritual about?" Saryn, of course, knew what a Force Nexus was. After all, the Sith Academy itself was located on a Dark Side Nexus.
What he did not know was what the ritual was about.
'The First Dark Lord, Ajunta Pall, was the first ever recorded user in history to commune with a Nexus of the Dark Side.
It happened in the Valley of the Dark Lords.
According to what Ajunta Pall's followers recorded at the time, he emerged far more powerful and attuned to the Dark Side after completing the ritual.
Imperial Archivists, to this day, believe that the vast majority of the Dark Lord's dark power came directly from this one ritual.
The last recorded user of this ritual was the Dark Lord, Tulak Hord.'
"This is what I have been looking for!"
"A ritual that would allow me to deepen my connection to the Dark Side to an unimaginable level!" Saryn couldn't help but get excited.
He had always been superior to others his age and even to most of the people older than him.
The reason was simple, and he knew it full well.
His connection to the Dark Side ran much deeper than others. It was as if he had been chosen by it to be its champion.
'Deepening my connection to the Dark Side would make me even more powerful!'
'Who would be able to stand in my way then?' Saryn's eyes immediately focused as he began to think.
'There are really only two ways to learn how to use this ritual.'
'Find a Holocron from either Ajunta Pall's or Tulak Hord's era that has records of the ritual.'
'Or, I can deepen my mastery of Sith Sorcery enough that I can actually recreate it myself.'
Saryn, of course, leaned more toward the second option.
After all, it would mean he had reached mastery of Sith Sorcery if he was able to recreate such a ritual.
Sith Sorcery was one of the most profound arts recorded throughout the galaxy. It literally had the power to raise the dead.
Having such an art in his arsenal could prove instrumental to his future path.
'Once I become a Lord, I will have much more freedom to explore the tombs of Tulak Hord and Ajunta Pall. I'll see what I can find then.'
Looking at the data flashing on the datapad in his hands, Saryn realized he had been so immersed in the knowledge he had acquired that half the night had already passed.
'Too late to get some sleep. I'll meditate on the Dark Side till morning,' Saryn decided, looking around the room.
Saryn began his meditation, the air and light bending around his body, crushed by the strength of his Passion.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, Saryn slowly stood up as he finished his meditation.
He took a quick cold shower to shake off the grogginess.
When he exited the shower, a red light was flashing from his datapad, emitting a constant beeping sound.
Saryn approached the datapad and opened the holo message he had received.
'Acolyte, the rest of the batch has arrived. See me in my office and we will begin.' The message was concise but clear.
"Let's see what Rance has in store for me." Saryn quickly put on clean clothes and departed from his room.
As he walked through the cold, metallic corridors adorned with Imperial Flags of the Sith Academy towards Overseer Rance's Office, he passed other acolytes who were going about their business.
Still, it was early in the morning, so not many of them were present compared to the previous evening.
'I can't believe how weak those people are… How far has the Academy fallen…' Saryn lamented with a shake of his head.
'Plus, some seem interesting.' Saryn couldn't help but remember the blonde human woman he saw yesterday.
She had deeply disguised her true self, and Saryn could applaud that.
After all, it was a thing many Sith Lords did before her.
Hide your powers until it is time to strike and take your opponent by surprise.
Aside from acolytes, only various droids were present, cleaning and repairing the infrastructure of the Sith Academy.
'Hopefully, the future training sessions won't be too boring.'
Saryn wasn't impressed with Korriban as of now.
The biggest challenge he had faced since arriving had been a giant bug.
It was far from the image he initially had of Korriban.
He had come here expecting to fight for his life at every turn, yet he overcame every obstacle without even trying.
'Well, that Master Spindral was somewhat decent. He would qualify as one of the stronger Sith Lords I met.'
In Saryn's eyes, Sith Philosophers were equally, if not more, important than Sith Warriors, because it was their teachings that allowed future generations to interpret the Sith Code in new ways.
That, in turn, led them to become increasingly powerful.
'Rance better keep his word, I don't want to waste any time.' Annoyance briefly flashed in Saryn's eyes as he arrived before the Overseer's office.
He didn't bother to knock. He just entered.
The room still had the same ordinary atmosphere, except that this time, there were more people inside.
With a quick count, Saryn discovered that only five of the acolytes, other than himself and the blonde human, had managed to pass through the Tomb of Ajunta Pall.
'So of the fifteen that arrived on this world, only we seven survived.'
'How pathetic.' Saryn sneered internally.
"I see you have arrived, Acolyte. I will now explain to you what is going to happen in the next few months." Rance nodded as he saw Saryn enter the room.
Seeing this, all the acolytes turned around to look at who had just entered the room.
They were met with Saryn's sharp, yellow eyes looking at them as if daring them to keep their eyes on him, causing them to turn back the other way quickly.
The only one that didn't bother to turn around was the same blonde woman Saryn had met in the hallway the previous day.
"Allow me to repeat it,"
"Welcome to Korriban, Acolytes." The Overseer began his speech the same way he had the previous day at the landing pads.
"From now on, the seven of you have officially become Acolytes of the Sith Academy and will be trained so that you may one day become true Sith."
"You will be taught several disciplines in which you are expected to excel."
"The first will be Sith Philosophy and Understanding of the Sith Code. This will cover everything from understanding the Force to its practical application."
"That is the first thing that is taught to every Acolyte in the Academy."
'What a waste of time it is going to be...' Saryn couldn't help but shake his head. He already knew those things.
"Next will be Conceptual Tactics and Sith Diplomacy. This will prepare you to lead the Imperial Military in wars once you are ordered to, and to interact with the representatives of the other galactic factions that you may encounter throughout the galaxy."
"And the last subject you will be taught is Practical Combat."
"As the name implies, you will be taught to fight and kill your opponents in preparation for the time when you will get your own lightsabers."
"This will be enough to keep you busy for a while, Acolytes."
"I expect nothing but obedience and discipline from you. If you fail to meet my requirements, you will be dealt with according to the rules of the Academy." Rance finished his introduction of the Academy's curriculum.
"I'll stop you right there, Rance." Saryn's voice resonated from the back of the office.
"You will not decide on how I spend my time." He informed, leaving no room for negotiation.
The other Acolytes' eyes seemed to nearly pop out of their sockets as they turned around to look at Saryn.
This time, even the blonde woman whose name Saryn still didn't know couldn't help but look at him with surprise.
"This, of course, does not apply to you, Acolyte Seake."
"You are of noble birth and from Dromund Kaas. I know full well you have already been taught about those things."
The Overseer, on the other hand, expected this answer, which is why he replied with indifference.
'Anyway, I'm not powerful enough to force him even if I wanted to…' Despite his apparent indifference, Rance couldn't help but think.
"How is that fair?!" As the heavy atmosphere in the room began to dissipate, another voice resounded.
Saryn, who had already closed his eyes, couldn't help but open them again as a smirk slowly appeared on his face when he looked at the human who had just complained.
"I don't remember asking for your opinion, Acolyte Canara," Rance said, his eyes hardening in fury.
"I will still talk."
"How are we supposed to have a fair chance in the trials if he gets preferential treatment?!" Acolyte Canara continued despite the warning.
"Hahahahaha!" Before Rance could reply, a loud laugh was heard from the back of the room.
"Canara, my dear."
"Since when was becoming a Sith about fairness?" Saryn was the one who replied to her.
"I didn't ask for your opinion, Seake!"
"Stop pretending to be better than me when you barely arrived before me yesterday!" Acolyte Canara looked furiously at Saryn.
"I have an idea, Rance."
"Since she believes she deserves special treatment, how about we go to the training ground to see what she can do?"
"I'll even volunteer to be her opponent." Saryn ignored her and addressed the Overseer instead.
"That is indeed a good idea."
"We will do that."
"Acolyte Canara, you will face off with Acolyte Seake in a duel. If you win, I will let you have the same privileges as him." The Overseer seemed amused by the idea.
"Just what I was waiting for!" Acolyte Canara didn't seem afraid of the fight and was the first person to leave the office.
"I can't wait to see what makes you so confident, Canara."
"I hope you will entertain me a bit. I've been dying for some good fights since I left Kaas City." Saryn followed closely behind.
"Let us go as well, Acolytes." Seeing the two of them leave, Overseer Rance followed, instructing the other Acolytes to follow behind.