"Today, I shall explain how royal power is constructed across the land." The knowledge Scholar Haide imparted today piqued the interest of every student.
"First, we must understand that sustaining a nation inevitably requires three pillars of support: population, force, and economy.
"Force can be subdivided into three aspects: public security, military strength, and high-tier combat capability.
"Public security is easy to understand. The patrols and guards in villages and towns—those you see every day—all belong to this category.
"Military strength generally encompasses the personal guards of nobles, knight orders, legions directly subordinate to the realm, advisory spellcaster corps, and so on.
"High-tier combat capability, however, is known to far fewer people." Scholar Haide tapped the blackboard with a thin wooden rod.
"When the difference in order between extraordinary attributes is greater than three, it produces an utterly terrifying, crushing disparity.
"For instance, when a fully armored, steel-clad third-order knight charges, even a dense phalanx of five hundred men would be easily pierced through—like a boulder rolling over grass, with no possibility of obstruction.
"When that third-order knight swings his sword with full force, the whirling cold gleam of the blade can slaughter ordinary people within twenty meters in an instant, even if they wear iron armor." Scholar Haide described the terrifying might of such a knight.
"Therefore, if a nation lacks sufficient high-tier transcendents to hold the line, it can easily be routed in a one-sided slaughter on the battlefield."
'No wonder reaching the knight stage earns recruitment from various nations to become the lowest-ranking lords,' the girl mused silently.
"Some among you have already reached the first order and should understand the gap I speak of." At these words, many eyes converged upon the blonde girl in the front row.
Iona (First Order—Blazing Sun). She was a rare transcendent who cultivated the Blazing Sun attribute; the resources demanded by this path were precious and scarce, far beyond what ordinary people could dare hope for.
"Master, besides knights of the Castle path, aren't there high-tier classes in other attributes?" a commoner student asked curiously.
"Of course there are. Every attribute has higher beings; it is simply that your chances of seeing them are very slim.
"For example, transcendents of the Conch Fish attribute are mostly found around lakes, marshes, and coastlines. Those who cultivate the Mist Shadow attribute are often assassins, thieves, illusionists, tricksters, and the like. Cultivators of the Dead Cinder attribute are mostly outcasts shunned by others—gravediggers, bone-piecers, dark sorcerers, and their ilk."
"How can we come into contact with these classes? I mean, where did they learn them? Did they all figure them out on their own?" someone pursued.
"There are hidden organizations and schools that teach these secret arts and abilities.
"I know you are curious about how to find these organizations and schools. In truth, they are not far from us at all." Scholar Haide raised a finger in an uncharacteristically mysterious gesture.
"Heh heh. The Candle Fortress School to which I belong is actually such an organization, except we frequently appear in the public eye.
"Put it this way: organizations and schools like these are extremely strict when admitting new members. Because certain resources are extraordinarily scarce, they are only willing to nurture the talented." Haide shook his head slightly.
"In a sense, I am actually a failure. I was never able to break through to the class of Third-Order Secret Words, and only later did I turn to cultivating the Second-Order Castle scholar class.
"If any among you are truly the finest, there should be hope for you to go to such a place and touch upon this world's truly higher-dimensional power and knowledge." He slowly closed his eyes, stroking the white beard upon his chest.
Then, the old man opened his eyes, his deep gaze sweeping slowly across the room.
"Viscount Xuefeng and I can jointly recommend one student each year to go to the Hidden Woodland within the Raygas Principality. Numerous schools and organizations are stationed there. You can touch upon a world unimaginable to ordinary people, and there lie extraordinary paths leading beyond the fifth order of attributes.
"However, that place is also entirely different from the outside world. You will no longer possess your current identities, and if you die inside, no one will look into it—because the law cannot bind powerful entities that exceed common sense.
"Fortunately, even schools as powerful as these require fresh blood. They need to pass down knowledge, secret arts, and even certain convictions. If you meet their liking and criteria, you will be accepted by these schools, become one of them, and leave the mortal state behind."
'Has it finally come?' Iona looked at Scholar Haide, suppressed excitement surfacing in her eyes.
The reason she was willing to come to this remote city was not merely because Viscount Xuefeng was a distant relative, but also because Burnt Stone City held a recommendation slot for the Hidden Woodland. Only there could she come into contact with high-tier secret knowledge and have a chance to become a truly powerful transcendent.
If she advanced beyond the fourth order, even Grand Duke Raygas would respect her and release her father from the dungeon. If she went a step further and became a fifth-order entity, she could even sway the affairs of this entire nation.
Other cities had similar recommendation slots, but those were usually reserved internally for high nobility or special figures, making them nearly impossible to vie for. Had nothing happened to her father, she would have gone to the Hidden Woodland this year, but now...
She had no choice but to live under someone else's roof and remain in this impoverished backwater. According to what she knew of the schedule, the next recommendation slot would open in another five to six months.
Not only Iona, but the other students also looked at Scholar Haide with eyes full of fervor and yearning. As for the dangers Scholar Haide mentioned, no one took them to heart.
Where wasn't there danger? Even at home, one could be carried off by a passing Ti Wolf. In this era, the average lifespan of ordinary people was barely thirty-odd years, and genuine old folks were exceptionally rare.
The Hidden Woodland... Mick clenched his fists, nails biting partially into his palms, and swore silently.
'I must go there. Brother Jieluo, this is why you sent me to Scholar Haide, isn't it? Yes, it must be.'
Hearing his teacher mention the Hidden Woodland, Yelu was excited at first, but quickly grew dejected. This was not the first time he had heard the term, and the experiences of the past two years had made him realize that he was by no means a genius—he would never receive such an opportunity to go.
'If it were me...' Suolin straightened his posture, his eyes fixed on the old man upon the platform, his heart surging.
'Father, I know you have always harbored regrets, having never truly crossed the threshold into the third order. I will definitely overcome that regret and walk a path you never set foot upon.'
There should be inheritances of the Radiant Moon there... Thinking of this, a spark of anticipation rose within Xilutaiya's heart.
'Still, everyone is longing for it. The competition is going to be brutal.'
Each harboring their own thoughts, the students found their previously relaxed mindsets rekindled with fierce ambition.
Whether for their own future, their families' expectations, or to explore more possibilities and witness a vaster world, this was the best choice before them.
A nameless nobody, or someone whose name resonates across the world?
The answer had long since formed in their hearts.
Chapter 24