Cassian and Selene had high expectations in the Academy after all the praises they heard from others. Furthermore, since there were several Immortals within the Shadow Domain, they believed that they would also attract better professors or instructors who would guide them…

However, they couldn't really say much for first-year students like them since everything taught in this grade was all just basic. Although they already learned most of them through the Church's Tutors, they still have to take these classes, which was quite a pity. Still, they would surely get better grades because of that.

[ 6. Rudimentary Usage of Mystical Artifacts

Hands-on training with basic artifacts, focusing on safe activation, maintenance, and integration with spells. ]

[ 7. Practical Spell Application

Field exercises to apply Mystic Arts in combat, healing, and support scenarios. ]

[ 8. Mystic Harmonization

Training in harmonizing spirit, mind, and environment to stabilize Mystic Arts and prevent backlash. ]

"Only eight subjects, but only four classes per day…" Cassian commented.

"Ahhh… Wait. The Practical Spell Application subject is only once every sixth day of the week…" He added.

"Really? I guess this subject will be difficult… or it takes a lot of time? Probably a five-hour class or something." Selene muttered.

"There's even a note that we should join an Academy Club or something… Interesting. I heard about this from the tutors… They said we can improve our connections if we join the perfect club for us." Cassian added.

"That's true… But let's not decide too quickly on that. We can't waste our time joining a terrible club."

The two then talked more about the Marshall Academy based on the notes written on the paper.

Soon, they rolled the parchment back up, feeling satisfied with what they learned.

Now, the two decided to explore the Academy Grounds…

***

Cassian and Selene walked around the Academy Grounds, and they noticed the other group of Mystic Arts Practitioners already roaming around…

While the two of them still wore the robes with the insignia of the Church of the Divine Sorcerer, the group they saw had a familiar insignia.

It was definitely the crest of the Order of the Illustrious Liquidator of the Mystic Arts Faction!

These people also realized the identity of the two…

There was no need for introductions.

The tension was immediate, Cassiand and Selene felt it through the way these students looked at them…

After all, their supporters weren't quite in peace right now…

The Church of the Divine Sorcerer had raised Cassian and Selene to treat Mystic Arts as sacred, a gift to be wielded with reverence and balance.

Every spell was like a prayer, every ritual was a communion with higher forces. Their training emphasized restraint, discipline, and the preservation of harmony.

The Order of the Illustrious Liquidators of the Mystic Arts Faction, on the other hand, had been taught something very different.

To them, Mystic Arts were weapons. They were instruments of judgment meant to purge corruption and enforce order…

They could also be a bit more ruthless… They considered mercy as weakness, and compassion was a flaw. They were completely different from the teachings of the Church despite using the same Mystic Arts!

They operate on different principles! And because of that, it created a conflict that started getting more and more significant over the past few years.

"It's them… Are we going to just ignore that?" Cassian whispered. He wasn't really sure if they should fight them if they started provoking them.

"The classes haven't started yet. Let's just stay out of trouble for now." Selene replied as she looked at the other group of students.

Their doctrine demanded absolute control and eradication, and their disciples felt like they were some sort of executioners. Selene or the Church didn't like such an attitude at all.

Although there wasn't an open conflict that would lead to killing each other, they always tend to have some showdown to show the other party whose path was correct.

Now, their disciples stood face to face within the walls of the Marshall Academy.

Cassian noticed that they were approaching...

***

The four students backed by the Order closed the distance with loud steps to announce their presence.

Cassian and Selene straightened instinctively, their hands brushing the hems of their robes as if ready to draw upon their spells at a moment's notice.

The leader of the group, a tall youth with cropped black hair chuckled after seeing how tiny Cassian and Selene looked.

"So it's true. The Church of the Divine Sorcerer sent its little saints to study here. I was wondering when we'd meet. Do you even eat properly in that place? I think you have to eat a lot, that why you both aren't growing. Hahaha!"

The others also laughed as the two were indeed a lot smaller compared to other 12 or 13 years old students.

Cassian frowned at this…

"We're here to learn, just like you. Stop being a kid."

"Learn?" another Liquidator scoffed. "The Church teaches prayers and restraint. We were taught judgment and eradication. Tell me, which do you think will win in a real fight?"

Selene frowned. She could easily have guessed that they were already influenced by the adults of the Order… They were probably taught that they were superior to the Church's disciples.

"Mystic Arts are not weapons to flaunt. They're meant to preserve balance." Selene could only add.

The youth chuckled even louder... "Balance? Weakness disguised as virtue. We've already mastered the three foundational spells of the Order! Piercing Ray, Binding Seal, and Cleansing Flame. Each one is designed to crush corruption and enemies alike. What do you have? A healing chant? A protective veil?"

Cassian's Mystic Energy triggered faintly, but he kept his voice calm. "The Church teaches Spirit Veil, Resonant Pulse, and Harmonizing Light as foundation spells. They're not meant to kill, but to protect, to stabilize, and to strengthen allies. That's what makes them superior."

"Superior?" the apprentices of the Order of the Illustrious Liquidator sneered.

"Then prove it."

The four of them exchanged glances, and one of them stepped forward, pointing toward the practice grounds visible beyond the courtyard.

"The Academy has a dueling arena. It's open for students to test their spells before classes begin. Why don't we settle this now? A simple challenge. No killing, no permanent harm. Just a demonstration of whose path is stronger."

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