Published at 28th of September 2024 8:32 pm

Chapter 2277 New Year

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Will Shinta join Hall 33?

The truth was, just a few days ago, the academy was shaken by disheartening news.

The top 10 third-year acolytes, who were sent to compete against the Beta and Charlie Quadrants' best acolytes, returned with a crushing defeat. The loss was unexpected and a hard blow to the academy's pride.

Many watched the recordings of the competition, and it was clear to all that the power and skill levels displayed by the other academy were much higher. Even Shiryu, Shinta's most respected senior, was shown to be greatly outmatched. This stark reality was a wake-up call for many, and Shinta.

As Shinta watched the recording, something within her shifted. This new revelation ignited a competitive spirit she never realized she possessed. Seeing her revered senior struggle made her confront the gap between where she was and where she needed to be. It was about pushing her limits, surpassing expectations, and standing among the very best.

At the same time, Lucius had his own plans brewing. He was determined to elevate the half-blood hall to new heights, focusing on its top five acolytes. For him, Shinta was the linchpin, the key to unlocking their full potential. He made his intentions clear by offering her a substantial amount of resources, a tempting incentive to take up the leadership position.

Despite recognizing that Lucius was orchestrating these maneuvers, Shinta couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility toward her fellow acolytes and the half-blood community. This sense of duty, coupled with Lucius' tempting offer, led her to a crossroads, one that required an awkward conversation with her father.

She had prepared herself for an argument, perhaps even disappointment, but there was none of that. Instead, Emery fully supported her decision. "I understand" Emery smiled a rare, soft expression, realizing how much they were alike.

"But… we will still have our weekly training," he added, insisting on this small time together. Shinta felt a mixture of relief and warmth in his response.

"Yes, Father."

#####

"No, she won't be joining us this year"

Emery responds to He Ron's question with clarity. He turned to face the young acolyte, his expression thoughtful. "Why?" he asked, his tone probing. "Do you all really need her to fight and defend this hall?"

The question lingered in the air for a moment, reminding them of the troublemaker Shinta was, and without hesitation, they all answered in unison, "No, we don't!"

Emery watched their unanimous response with a smile, understanding that they were better off without Shinta. He, too, believed that such a decision was for the best.

With half of his acolytes having graduated, Emery knew he needed to dedicate time and effort to rebuilding his team. The task ahead was daunting: recruiting new acolytes, training them, and fostering a sense of unity and teamwork. It would be a slow process, but a necessary one if they were to rise through the ranks and challenge the top halls in the academy.

Emery had seen the strength of the top 10 halls firsthand. If he wanted Hall 33 to compete with them, he needed a solid team of 20 acolytes, and at least three of them needed to bear the prestigious gold insignia.

His gaze drifted to He Ron, Kingrig, and Blaine, the three acolytes with the most potential. They had the makings of future champions, but they were not yet ready. Each of them needed time—time to grow and hone their skills.

At the same time, Emery knew he had to continue improving himself aswell If he was to stand a chance against Lucius and other instructors like him.

With a renewed sense of purpose, the new academic year began, marked by the bustle and excitement of acolyte registration.

The first month was dedicated to this process, and Emery's Hall 33 was ready to welcome its new members.

As planned, the 10 insectoid half-bloods arrived on the very first day.

These weren't just any recruits; they were the top talents, selected from among billions of their kind. Each one possessed unique abilities that made them invaluable additions to the hall. There was a beetle-gene acolyte with an incredible defensive capability, his toughened exoskeleton practically impenetrable. There were a few fliers, their natural wings granting them speed and maneuverability in a battle that few could match.

However, the one who truly stood out was a female acolyte of the spider bloodline, distinguished by her rare S-grade talent aptitude. Her presence alone commanded respect, even among the elite ranks of the academy. These new recruits were not just strong—they were determined. It took them only three days to conquer the Perseverance Mountain, a grueling challenge that tested both their physical endurance and mental resilience. This achievement alone spoke volumes about their potential. With their successful completion of the challenge, Hall 33's numbers were restored, meeting the minimum required for a hall.

Beyond the insectoid recruits, Emery's reputation had grown immensely following his spectacular defeat of a grand magus instructor. This victory, combined with the prestige of the higher halls, made Hall 33 one of the most sought-after destinations for new acolytes. The effect was immediate and overwhelming: more than 90% of all lower acolytes who successfully completed the Perseverance Mountain challenge applied to join his hall.

In just the first week, Emery was inundated with notifications: [Application received - 182]

The sheer number of applicants was staggering, and the majority of them—about two-thirds—came from the lower realms, eager to learn and grow under Emery's tutelage.

Realizing the magnitude of the task ahead, Klea stepped in to assist Emery with the daunting process of sorting through the applications. With her usual efficiency, she devised a system to manage the influx. Assisted by VIA, the artificial being that helped streamline their operations, Klea created a straightforward yet effective selection process.

The first test focused on character personality. She looked for truthfulness, a willingness to learn, and perseverance, traits that would ensure the acolytes not only fit in but also contribute positively to the hall's culture. The second criterion was potential, assessing the applicants' aptitude for growth and the promise they showed for future greatness. Only after these were considered did they evaluate the applicants' current strength, which, while important, was deemed less critical.

After a meticulous review, Klea chose the 10 best applications. These acolytes were allowed to join immediately, while the remaining applicants were encouraged to continue proving their worth. Each week, new challenges were set for them, allowing them to demonstrate their abilities and determination, all while they awaited the next round of selections.

During this time, Emery also took the opportunity to communicate with the Zodiac outpost regarding the incoming wave of talented half-blood acolytes. He knew the importance of bolstering Hall 33 with fresh talent, especially from among the half-bloods who often brought unique abilities to the table. However, just like it was last year, Lucius used his influence and strategic cunning to intercept the best candidates.

"You already have ten amazing half-bloods. You don't need more!" Lucius declared, dismissing Emery's attempts to recruit additional talents. Emery had initially planned to bring in all the new wolf acolytes, hoping to build a stronger pack within Hall 33. But when Lucius offered to take them into his own top halls, Emery reconsidered. Rather than creating tension, Emery chose to let them go, trusting that their path was most likely to merge toward becoming part of his daughter's pack.

When Emery returned to Hall 33 with no new half-blood acolytes, Klea's reaction was surprisingly positive. Far from being disappointed, she was thrilled. With a bright smile, she saw the situation as an opportunity rather than a setback.

Klea proposed a plan to use the remaining acolyte placement to further develop their newly reformed Lower Realm Alliance calling out Kat to come and help.

Her persuasive arguments led Emery to make a bold decision: rebranding Hall 33 as the Lower Realm Hall. This strategic move was designed to solidify its image and deepen its commitment to building a stronger alliance with the lower realms.

Klea's proposed that unless an acolyte possessed a unique talent or came highly recommended by trusted contacts, Hall 33 would no longer accept recruits from the mid or higher realms.

Her rationale was clear: there was little benefit in nurturing talents who might simply return to their original factions after graduation. This policy was intended to build a cohesive and dedicated team that would remain loyal to Hall 33 and the lower realm alliance, rather than splitting their allegiances.

Despite the seemingly exclusive nature of this policy, it aligned perfectly with the overarching goals of the newly built academy. The intention was to foster strong, lasting relationships between factions with similar visions.

By the end of the month, the results were evident. Hall 33 had successfully filled its roster with 50 acolytes. Besides the insectoid halfbloods, 90% of the recruits hailed from the lower realms.

This demographic shift laid a strong foundation for a unified and dedicated team.

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