"Everyone!" Jack cried out to them.

Ashe opened his eyes, looking slightly peeved for being interrupted.

"Yes?" Ashe asked coolly.

"We've made on the shortlist for Professor Clemson's combat team!" Jack shared.

"What!" Ashe sprung up from his bed. "Who is on the list?"

"I said EVERYONE!" Jack repeated. "You, me, Nico and Vincent. Oh, and that Anya girl too."

Ashe was shocked as the combat team was very selective. There were usually only 32 students on the short list, and only twelve students could join the combat team.

"What is the combat team?" Nico turned his head, but his hands were busy petting the twins.

"I have no idea, but everyone seemed to be impressed!" Jack stated proudly.

"Cool!"

Ashe slammed his hand into his forehead, his roommates were idiots. "The combat team is basically the team that represent the Windel Academy in the compet.i.tion against other academies in Kinbarl. The compet.i.tion starts in the second semester after summer break."

"So we fight against other students?" asked Nico.

"Yes, against students from our age group. Professor Clemson is the coach of the junior youth division combat team consisting of 13 and 14 years old students."

"So it's a tournament style compet.i.tion?"

"Yeah, there are solo and group rounds."

"Do we get anything if we win?"

"The winners will receive a Terror Manacore and 100 gold pieces."

Nico didn't feel too excited about the rewards. "Ah, wait, this continent is also called Kinbarl?"

Jack and Ashe both stared at Nico in disbelief.

"Wow Nico, it's no wonder I did better than you in geography and history," said Jack as he slapped Nico in the back. "You should try attending one of the lectures."

"Who the f*** has the time?!" Nico retorted.

In addition to cultivating, Nico had been reading about the different fields of magic, learning different magic spells, working as an a.s.sistant to Professor Stance and going off to Arango Forest to study the manacentipede. The only chance he got to sleep was the 3 hours during the Academic lectures.

Geography and history may be useful, but they were the lowest on his priority list.

The only thing Nico had learned during the school year was that the name for the world was called Darbi, after the G.o.ddess of creation. However, different empires had different names based on their culture. Nico used the word ManEarth to describe the world.

While Ashe schooled them about the combat team, several top rankers in green robes a.s.sessed the combat team shortlist. There were the usual suspects in the top 50, but there were also unknown names on the list.

"The Four Heavenly Kings are on the list, surprised, surprised," said one of the green robe students.

The Four Heavenly Kings were the first four rankers of their age group, all foundation staged students.

The Academic Branch set up a stall with information sheets. They sold information for the Academic Branch budget.

"Come right up! Come right up! Get your pamphlets everyone! 5 silver pieces for valuable information!" Cried Xavier from the stall. He was one of five students selling pamphlets for the Academic Branch treasury. "Valuable information on the top ten in the next combat team tryouts!"

Some of the rich students were curious and bought the pamphlets.

1. Hobin Lancet- Dark Sword Warrior - Professor Aseroth

2. Prince Keras Kelser Raging Sun Magician - Professor Tessa

3. Sir Ian Camber- Lightning Tiger Warrior- Professor Aseroth

4. Juliana Pinaton- Winter Ice Archer- Professor Aseroth

5. Baron Randall Carrigo- Earth Turtle Magician - Professor Tessa

6. Obi Conway- Metal Hammer Warrior - Professor Aseroth

7. Marcus Yulu- Shadow Dagger Scout - Professor Aseroth

8. Norick Nomer- Green Earth Tanker - Professor Aseroth

9. Princess Toria Gordon - Fire Staff Magician - Professor Tessa

10. Ashe Hartley - Aqua Fox Magician - Professor Tessa

"Hobin and Prince Keras were on the team last year, so it's obvious they will make it in this year," the students speculated.

"Juliana and Sir Ian will likely make the team. This will most likely be a compet.i.tion between the green robes in Professor Aseroth and Professor Tessa's cla.s.ses."

"Ooh, that's going to be interesting to watch. When is the tryout?"

"It's a week before the semester ends."

"Who's Vincent, Jack, Anya and Nico? I've never heard of them?"

"Have you been living under a rock? Vincent is the new ace in Professor Aseroth cla.s.s. I heard he's getting a green robe before the end of the semester."

"Seriously? Well, I'm in the Magic Branch, so it's not like we pay much attention to the Cultivation Branch students."

"Oh right, I have heard of him. He's the one that p.i.s.sed off Sir Ian the other day?"

"How did that happen?"

"Apparently Vincent took his seat and completely ignored Sir Ian. You know Sir Ian's personality, he has to have it his way, or else."

"Geez, this new kid sure is b.a.l.l.sy, or just dumb to go against the House of Camber. How about the other three?"

"Never heard of them..."

The students in Professor Quin cla.s.s remained silent. No one wanted to talk about Nico defeating them. It was embarra.s.sing to lose, but to lose against a blue robe student was shameful.

"He's on the list," Corby spoke quietly to Badan. "How do you think he will do against the elite kids?"

"I overheard Professor Quin talking to him about being a berserker," Badan replied. "Who knows how he will do against them."

In a room on the fourth floor of the Duccen Immediate Dorm, a foundation staged student in red robe sat before a large mahogany desk and read through a report. Underneath his red robe was a royal purple tailored jacket lined with gold. Standing next to him was a man in light armor.

A green robe student entered the room and knelt before the desk.

"Your highness, the tryout for this year combat team have been released," said Obi, a tall muscular boy with auburn hair.

"You may rise," Prince Keras, the 4th Prince of Kelsera, didn't seem too interested. "Anyone unusual on the list?"

"There are more commoners on the list."

"Hm?" Princes Keras nodded. "I am a.s.suming Vincent is one of them. He's being trained as a magic knight. It's one of the toughest roles to fill, but it is also the most useful. Professor Clemson will likely add him on."

"What sort of team do you think Professor Clemson will build this year? Last year, from the cultivation branch, we have four warriors, two scouts, one archer and one tank. From the magic branch, we three magic dealers, one support and one healer."

"It will be similar. Professor Clemson favors combat offense and quick victories."

"Your highness, have you heard that there might be a berserker this year?"

Prince Keras eyes s.h.i.+fted toward Obi. "Really? A pure offensive fighter? Professor Clemson is probably thrilled. What's his name?"

"Nico, he's studying the Chaotic Devil Cultivation Technique."

"It will be interesting then. I really want a good team this year."

Obi noticed that Prince Keras was distracted by the report.

"Your highest, you've information from father?" Obi asked.

Prince Keras slowly nodded. "General Tairun has sent spies over to the Teragin Empire camp. So far, they are sending scouts to Mindan Peak. It's one of the most dangerous areas, so he's cautious about sending people out."

"Are you concerned about another beast attack?" asked Obi.

Prince Keras shook his head. "No, General Erju has arrived at Fort Hendrix."

Obi knew that General Erju was the Crowned Prince Kember closest ally. Prince Kember request to send out General Erju was an indicator that they had some intelligence on the Teragin Empire plans. It won't be long before the 2nd Prince Kalvin makes his move. Although Kalvin didn't have much military backing, he had many advisers supporting him.

In an elaborate room across the courtyard, a maid served tea to a princess.

"Princess, you have made it on the combat team shortlist," said Lina.

"Of course," Princess Toria yawned and continued drinking tea.