The Next Day
Eastwood City — Knight Order Military Base, Training Grounds.
Aether was currently standing among a group of people in the vast training grounds of the Eastwood City Knight Order's military base.
At a glance, there were at least five separate groups gathered across the grounds, each consisting of approximately ten to fifteen individuals. All of them were candidates who had been selected by the military.
Aether curiously surveyed his surroundings.
In front of the assembled candidates stood a raised platform, approximately one and a half meters above the ground. It was large enough to accommodate several people, and its elevated position allowed anyone standing upon it to overlook the entire training ground.
However, what caught Aether's attention was not the platform.
It was what stood behind the assembled groups.
Military Trucks.
At least ten military trucks were parked in an orderly formation behind them.
Aether couldn't help but stare at the enormous vehicles with fascination. He had seen military trucks before, but only from a distance, whenever military personnel visited his village of Inkdon.
This was the first time he had seen so many of them gathered in one place.
He curiously examined their massive wheels, sturdy bodies, and imposing appearance, momentarily losing himself in his thoughts.
However, his little moment of fascination didn't last long.
"ATTENTION!"
A sudden, thunderous voice echoed throughout the training grounds.
The loud command immediately snapped Aether out of his daydreaming.
He quickly turned his attention towards the raised platform.
A tall man was standing there.
He stood approximately six feet tall, with black hair and a long, hideous scar stretching across his face, beginning at his forehead and extending all the way down to his chin.
His appearance alone was enough to make anyone hesitate before approaching him.
He was Rowan Brooks, the Commander of the Eastwood City Knight Order Military Base.
Standing on the platform, Rowan surveyed the assembled candidates.
His gaze was cold and intimidating, carrying the authority of someone accustomed to commanding soldiers and facing life-and-death situations.
"Today, I will be announcing two important matters."
His deep voice travelled across the training grounds, ensuring that everyone could hear him clearly.
"First, I will explain the power system of our world, which we commonly refer to as the Cultivation Realms."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Second, I will announce the military bases to which each of you will be assigned."
After making his announcement, Rowan slowly swept his gaze across the assembled candidates.
One after another, his cold eyes passed over the people standing below.
Under his intimidating gaze, several candidates couldn't help but tense up. Some even began sweating despite the relatively cool atmosphere.
When his gaze eventually fell upon Aether, a strange sensation crept down his spine.
For a brief moment, Aether felt as though he were standing before a terrifying beast that could devour him at any moment.
He instinctively straightened his back.
Only after Rowan had finished surveying the candidates did he finally speak again.
"Before we discuss your assignments, you must first understand one thing."
His voice grew slightly heavier.
"Power is the foundation upon which everything in this world stands."
"In this world, countless beings possess supernatural abilities. Some are powerful enough to level entire cities, while others can stand against the Demonic race, fight them on equal footing, and even kill them."
"These individuals are what we call Cultivators."
He paused, allowing his words to settle among the candidates.
"However, no one becomes powerful overnight. Every cultivator must begin somewhere. Whether you possess extraordinary talent or an ordinary aptitude, everyone must take their first step."
"To make the process of cultivation easier to understand, we have divided the path of power into Ten Great Realms."
Rowan raised one finger.
"First Realm — Body Tempering."
"Second Realm — Mana Awakening."
"Third Realm — Mana Refinement."
"Fourth Realm — Vein Awakening."
"Fifth Realm — Core Condensation."
his gaze across the assembled candidates before speaking.
"That's all you need to know for now. Once any of you reach the Fifth Realm, you will be introduced to the realms beyond it."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"As for cultivation training and the techniques required to advance your cultivation, those will be provided to you once you arrive at your respective military bases."
Having finished his explanation, Rowan turned towards a knight standing beside the stage and gave him a slight nod.
Understanding the signal, the knight immediately stepped forward.
He held a sheet of paper containing the names of several military bases, each listed alongside the group numbers of the candidates who would be sent there.
After unfolding the paper, the knight stood ready to announce the distribution.
Rowan glanced at the assembled candidates before speaking.
"Now, let us move on to the second matter. The military bases to which each group will be sent."
He then gestured towards the knight.
"Let's begin."
"Group One will be sent to Frontline Base No. 8, Battlefield No. 3."
The moment those words reached the ears of the candidates belonging to Group One, their expressions changed drastically.
Their faces turned pale, and some couldn't help but exchange uneasy glances with one another.
It was no wonder they reacted this way.
Battlefield No. 3 was one of the most dangerous battlefields in the entire Eastern Dukedom. Countless battles against the Demonic forces took place there, and casualties were an almost daily occurrence.
But what made the announcement even more frightening was their destination.
They weren't being sent to the main base.
They were being sent directly to a frontline base, where the fighting was at its most intense and the chances of encountering Demonic forces were considerably higher.
For the candidates of Group One, this was hardly the news they had hoped to hear.
After all, there was a significant difference between being stationed at a main military base and being sent to a frontline base.
And unfortunately for them, they had drawn the latter.
In the Eastern Dukedom, the military had established five major battlefields to defend its territories against the Demonic invasion.
Each battlefield consisted of one Main Base, which served as its central military command and supply hub, along with ten Frontline Bases positioned across different strategic locations.
While the Main Bases handled military coordination, logistics, reinforcements, and other strategic operations, the Frontline Bases were responsible for directly confronting the Demonic forces.
In other words, the candidates of Group One were being sent straight into the heart of the war.