Eldertree—the biggest tree in the Mortal Online, located in the center of the twenty-fifth
floor.
It was so big and tall that it went over the cloud layer, and rumors say that its peak might even reach the outer space. There were many mysteries surrounding its origin and purpose.
Its enormous roots protrude out of the ground and seem to stretch on endlessly. Those roots were wrapped around the entire floor, and between the roots were thick forests that still hadn't been fully mapped out.
That wasn't all.
Sohow, it was unclear who built it, but inside the Eldertree, there were stairs, living places, and hidden passageways that led to unknown parts of the tree.
So experts said that it must've taken soone thousands of years to build all of that.
The institute was created inside the Eldertree, thus receiving the na Eldertree Institute.
There, rcenaries from all corners of the world gathered to train.
It was also a place where the children of rcenaries co to train.
Before undergoing the tutorial, it was possible to visit the institute to train for it.
However, not just anyone was accepted into the institute. It was a very competitive environnt.
Ron, for a brief mont, thought that Adam had to co from the institute, but after checking his report papers, it wasn't ntioned anywhere, even though it should've.
He thought only his kind of genius could co from the institute, so it was a pretty big surprise for him.
Currently, in the office room, Digby took a book with a tree on the cover and showed it to the young man who was sitting across from him.
"Eldertree Institute," Digby turned the pages. "I want to send you there, if you want to."
Without letting him answer yet, because he thought he didn't know what it was, Digby started to explain the ins and outs of the Eldertree Institute.
"When a rcenary reaches a certain age, they'll start to grow weaker. Their strength will flicker away like a sad little candle fla, and during that ti, those rcenaries usually quit.
"However, those who have beco strong, very strong, also decided to choose a different path, to beco teachers in the Eldertree Institute to keep teaching the new generation.
"Magick Masters, Kraft Masters, and Kiryoku Masters-there's all of them. They're the best teachers one could ask for.
"Unfortunately, we don't have a good enough Magick teacher to help your talent blossom and reach its full potential."
Adam listened closely, even though he knew all about it.
However, he never went to Eldertree Institute to learn. It was because it wasn't a place where everyone could just go.
He tried to apply and even took a test, but he failed miserably.
His talent was not good enough to get accepted, apparently.
"So, what do you say?" Digby asked.
"How long will I stay there?" Adam asked.
"It's up to you," Digby said. "I would say three years."
"Three..." Adam thought deeply.
'It would be a perfect place to grow strong. Since it is a place located on the twenty-fifth floor of the dungeon, it's a very dangerous place, but that gives more opportunities to grow in strength.
'All of the S-rankers had visited that place, and they entered that place as weak but ca out as strong.'
Digby looked at him with a deep expression.
He was conflicted.
The Eldertree Institute was a dangerous and highly competitive place.
Since Adam was S-ranker, he would definitely get targeted by others wanting to take him down a peg.
There was also the fact that the twenty-fifth floor was an extrely dangerous place for soone like Adam, who was still rather weak.
Digby could tell that his strength had incredibly leapt during the Gathering, but that still wasn't enough.
However, without danger, he would never beco strong enough to fit his status as S-ranker.
Every rcenary had to deal with their own share of deadly encounters, and those who weren't brave enough never made a na for themselves.
"Alright." Adam raised his head to stare Digby straight in the eyes. "I'll do it."
A small smile crept onto Digby's face, and he nodded. "Alright, then. I'll send a letter over to the Eldertree Institute's Headmaster. It might take a month or two before you can take your test."
"There's sothing else I'd like to ask," Adam said. "The Ordergiver test. It's soon, right?" "In three weeks." Digby said with a nod. "You want to participate?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very well," Digby said.
He could tell that Adam was more than strong enough to undergo that test.
Digby was also going to do his Royal Prince test, which he had failed many tis already. He didn't have a lot of hope of succeeding.
Adam then stood up, bowed, and went to the door, preparing to leave.
"Tell your friend to go find Valora; she'll get her sorted."
Adam nodded and left the room.
Outside, Alia was standing by the wall, fidgeting nervously while the guard's sharp gaze was on her. She didn't really feel welcod by anyone.
"Alia, let's go," Adam said.
"What did he say?" Alia asked and followed after him with quick steps.
"He allowed you to join," Adam said. "I'll be taking you to Valora. She'll get you sorted.
"Yay, thank you!" Alia hugged Adam's arm, pushing it intentionally against her plentiful soft chest.
Adam didn't show it in his face, but he was very annoyed. She felt like a fly buzzing in his ear. A short walk later, Adam found Valora by the central courtyard. She was training by herself, dressed lightly with her sword slicing through the cool air.
"Miss Valora." Adam nodded.
"Adam." Valora showed a smile and took a towel, then wiped her sweat away.
At that mont, she noticed that there was a young woman beside their young genius.
"This is my friend, Alia, and she is the new mber of Crimson Hounds," Adam said.
"Oh." Valora looked at her with her round eyes.
Usually, she was thrilled to have more won in the guild, as they were outnumbered by n,
but now she wasn't.
She had a bad feeling about Alia-a very troubling feel.
"Digby accepted her?" Valora asked, just to be sure.
"Yes," Adam nodded.
"Alright then..." Valora shook her head, and she thought she was overthinking it then.
She very much believed in Digby's ability to make sound judgnts, so if he accepted her, it
must be for a good reason.
"Then, co with ." Valora said to Alia and headed to the armory.
Alia smiled at Adam and then skipped after Valora.
"Oh, who was that?" Knoxx asked and wrapped his arm around Adam's shoulders. "A
girlfriend of yours?"
"No, just a friend..." Adam said in a low voice and then shrugged off his arm and returned to
his quarters.
"Why is he in a bad mood?" Knoxx wondered as he watched Adam walk away.
He hadn't seen Adam have such a look in his face before. It was like a storm was brewing
inside him.
...
Weeks flew by, and the winds of the sumr ca alongside a heat wave that made the air
stifling and heavy.
By the gates of the Dawnwatch, a carriage that carried a sigil of the Crimson Hounds, wheeled
away, leaving behind a cloud of dust that settled slowly on the ground.
It was ti for the promotion tests.
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