Chapter 5 – The Imperial Academy Pre-Trial: The Measure of Potential
Narrated by Valen Veridian
4 years Had passed since the cruel truth
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The Imperial Academy stood before us, an unyielding fortress that had shaped generations of rulers, warriors, and strategists. It was not a place for the weak. Those who could not endure would break before they could rise.
This was the path of the strong.
I adjusted the insignia of House Veridian on my uniform, my expression unreadable as I stepped forward. Around me, the gathered heirs of noble families whispered among themselves, their gazes shifting between awe, fear, and determination.
It was here that the future of the empire would be decided.
The academy was where the greatest of our generation would clash, not just with each other, but against the trials designed to break us. And yet, I knew one truth above all:
I would not break.
I had already endured the worst that the world had to offer.
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Potential Stages
The Blessing Pillar determined not just our blessings, but also our potential—the highest realm we could ever hope to reach.
Mortal Tier – The limit of ordinary humans, destined to remain insignificant.
Knight Tier – The level of trained warriors, capable but replaceable.
Elite Tier – A step beyond, where talent begins to shine.
Grand Tier – A rare level, marking those with the potential to lead.
Saint Tier – The realm of prodigies, those who could change history.
Divine Tier – A level so rare and powerful that only a handful in history had ever reached it.
No one here had the Divine Tier.
But that did not mean it was impossible to surpass our limits.
We would see who could defy fate.
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The Arrival of the Noble Heirs
Each noble house carried its own legacy, its own ambition. This was not just a gathering of students—this was a battlefield, where the strongest bloodlines sought to carve their names into history.
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These were the ones who would shape the empire’s future.
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1. House Veridian – The Empire’s Sword
Heir: Valen Veridian (Me.)
Blessings: Ares (War), Thanatos (Death) – S-Rank
Potential: High Saint Tier
House Veridian did not rise through inheritance—we forged our destiny through strength. We are the shield of the empire and its most loyal guardians.
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2. House Evernight – The Shadows of the Empire
Heir: Selene Evernight
Blessing: Shadow Empress (Stealth & Illusion) – S-Rank
Potential: Mid Saint Tier
Masters of espionage and intelligence, the Evernight family ensures the empire’s enemies remain invisible corpses before they can strike.
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3. House Vortigern – The Empire’s Shield
Heir: Galahad Vortigern
Blessing: Archangel Michael (Holy War) – S-Rank
Potential: Mid Saint Tier
A warrior of unshakable honor, Galahad carries the legacy of the empire’s mightiest knights, those who fight not for personal glory, but for duty.
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4. House Caelum – Lords of the Sky
Heir: Lucian Caelum
Blessing: Storm Deity (Wind & Lightning) – S-Rank
Potential: Mid Saint Tier
Rulers of the skies, their aerial cavalry dominates battlefields with unrivaled speed and precision.
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5. House Dragunov – The Dragon Slayers
Heir: Siegfried Dragunov
Blessing: Dragon Slayer (Fire & Strength) – S-Rank
Potential: Mid Saint Tier
A warrior without equal, forged in battle, feared even among his peers for his sheer strength and tenacity.
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6. House Morvan – Masters of Wealth
Heir: Cyril Morvan
Blessing: Merchant King (Wealth & Schemes) – S-Rank
Potential: Low Saint Tier
Power is not always found in swords and magic—Cyril controls the empire’s wealth, and through it, the future.
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7. House Lysander – The Divine Vanguard
Heir: Seraphina Lysander
Blessing: Goddess of Light (Holy Magic & Purification) – S-Rank
Potential: Low Saint Tier
A warrior-priestess said to receive divine revelations, a beacon of light in a world filled with shadows.
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8. House Albrecht – Masters of Alchemy
Heir: Vesper Albrecht
Blessing: Philosopher’s Gift (Alchemy & Transmutation) – S-Rank
Potential: Low Saint Tier
A genius whose knowledge surpasses even the greatest scholars, seeking forbidden truths that others fear to pursue.
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The Commoner Contenders
Then there were the commoners.
Among them, I saw Marcus Alderwood.
A name that should have been forgotten, a remnant of a dynasty long erased. But he would not let go of the past.
Where I sought to protect the empire, he sought to tear it down.
He was strong—there was no denying that. His presence alone had earned him a place among us, and the academy’s trials would forge him further.
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1. Marcus Alderwood – The Rebellious Flame
Blessings: Lucifer (Rebellion), Goddess of Light – S-Rank
Potential: High Saint Tier
He was a contradiction, a warrior blessed by both divine light and the archangel of rebellion. A symbol of conflict.
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2. Ellis Runestone – The Hawkeye Archer
Blessing: Artemis (Archery & Precision) – S-Rank
Potential: Mid Saint Tier
A master archer whose arrows never miss their mark.
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3. Michael Ollivier – The Battle Strategist
Blessing: Hermes (Tactics & Speed) – S-Rank
Potential: Mid Saint Tier
A genius on the battlefield, able to predict and counter his enemies before they even move.
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Their presence was a reminder—the empire was changing. Strength was no longer limited to noble bloodlines.
And that was why this academy existed.
To separate the worthy from the weak.
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The Pre-Trial: Measuring Potential
The first test was not a battle, but a simple truth.
A stone pillar stood at the center of the courtyard, ancient runes glowing faintly across its surface.
This was the Blessing Pillar, an artifact that would measure both our blessings and potential—a reflection of what we were born to achieve.
One S-Rank Blessing – Low Saint Tier.
Two S-Rank Blessings – High Saint Tier.
The crowd murmured as the results were revealed, each noble heir standing tall as their destinies were confirmed.
And then, it was my turn.
I stepped forward, placing my palm against the pillar.
The world seemed to hold its breath.
For a moment, there was nothing—then, golden-red light erupted from the pillar, tendrils of energy crackling through the air.
Blessings: Ares (War), Thanatos (Death) – S-Rank.
Potential: High Saint Tier.
Then, Marcus stepped forward.
His fingers brushed the stone, and instantly, radiant and abyssal light clashed, forming a storm of opposing energies.
Blessings: Lucifer (Rebellion), Goddess of Light – S-Rank.
Potential: High Saint Tier.
The crowd fell silent.
Marcus and I were equals in potential.
For now.
But potential was not the same as strength.
This academy would test more than just our talent—it would test our resolve.
And I would prove that strength alone is not enough to change the world.
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End of Chapter 5
