" There are 12 vast continents on this planet. And when I say vast it means vast because even the smallest of continent is about a billion sq. kms. And every continent is a home to one unique race. Ours is called Medes meaning the 'first life' as life originated on this continent and spread out. So every race wanted to have this continent as their own and with the help of evolution each and every race evolved some kind of natural talent and advantages only the human race was not evolved in that way as we were the last intelligent life to be evolved." Rafael began describing about human race in length to which Kian listened very carefully as he was a person who was very much interested in knowledge and wisdom so he never found listening boring.
The man was very keen on describing the atrocities committed against humans by various races but didn't said any specific race at the moment and only said that 7 races were against the humans and only the two races helped them fight with other races namely Dragons and Elves the other two races Dwarves and Donas that were neutral because they too were subjected to racial discrimination and the crimes against them were as prevalent and atrocious as towards humans but these two races still had their own continents where they were dominant because they were skilled craftsman and skilled smiths.
But nonetheless they were still hated by most of the races because of their demure and ugly appearances. This all happened 10000 years ago and the war was fought for more than 1000 years and after there were heavy losses on the both sides they mutually agreed to stop the war and promote peace. But the tension was never erased and there were still time to time conflicts happening between humans and other races over the period of time. There had been accounts were the race war on the verge of breaking down but somehow stopped. After the war was ended the human race was given this continent by the dragons which was the greatest help the mankind ever received from any other race.
Shortly after the Akila Empire was established 8500 years ago which was just a country for humans at the time after that it started the conquest conquering neighbouring countries and becoming this behemoth which we call the Akila Empire.
In the 1st Imperial Year the academy was started to nurture young talents with potential. So the imperial family started to invest heavily on the academy to make it more efficient and to produce more human powerhouses in every walk of life.
Actually the whole Nara Province is THE ARBAN ACADEMY. Because there were so many students and other staff so to accomodate everyone and everything even in the future when there would be more population the first emperor His Holiness Arban dedicated all the land of Nara Province to the Academy and from then on the status of this academy has remained same. The academy has no governor as the whole province directly comes under the governance of Empire as per The Akilian Constitution's Imperial Article no. 8.
This law states that the head of the institution will always be the emperor and in his absent the Chancellor would oversee the matters in the Academy in his stead. This Academy will have its own set of constitution and governance. No outside laws can be imposed in the premises of the Academy. The point of this article was to make the Academy have its own autonomy and governance and no external force could sway its decision not even the emperor himself so to provide merit based education as well as it also upholds it's motto"Imparting Wisdom, Building Character and Transforming Men."
The current emperor is the defacto supreme leader of the The Academy and is also the Chairperson of the SCA( SUPREME COMMITTEE OF ACADEMY). But even he had to obey the academic constitution because it had a provision on how a supreme leader should act and if the leader does not adhere to its law the council can remove him from the position.
The academy is divided into three parts and after you get admitted you will stay in the outer region of the province for the first 5 years and in the middle region for the next 5 years and in the third region for the subsequent 5 years. The rules are very different in each region and the competition is cut throat because only when you perform will you get the preferential treatment as well as the resources to cultivate.
Rafael said all this while Kian was listening and he asked whenever he had some doubts.
" What is the structure of academy in the outermost layer in the first five year?"
"The moment you enter that Divine Shield you will not be able to come out for 5 years and I cannot enter it so we have to part our ways. The structure is that there are 5 classes from first year to fifth year. In each year you are required to take atleast 3 test in whatever subjects or fields you choose to study and whatever field you choose cultivation in compulsory along with one combat class. This was because the people from non combat field were not able to defend themselves in wars and other situations of crisis so the academy made it compulsory for every student to learn combat though cultivation was an integral compulsory course right from the beginning."
Kian had no reaction regarding this as he had guessed it that he would have to fend for himself after the test. "Every year one big competition happens in every field where you are required to participate and try to win the competition because if you win one such competition then you..." he paused.
"Then what?" asked Kian.
" Well you must find it yourselves and by the way after 3 months the competitions will be held so you must prepare for it as soon as you enter the academy."
So like this Kian got his first goal to achieve "He must get a good position or rank whatever it is in the competition or try to win the competition."
While talking like this they came to a tavern and went inside as they wanted to eat something. The atmosphere inside was lively as there were many people from different races. And most of them came for the assessment test. Rafael directly went to the bar and ordered himself a drink well for Kian. Nothing for Kian because he couldn't drink alcoholic drink and there were no non alcoholic drinks.
The two of them sat down in a table and ordered some food and snacks and started eating. People were busy talking, eating, laughing some were crying (maybe failed the assessment test) some where happy. But every one was on their own. Then suddenly two dragons approached the duo.
The dragons surprisingly had a humanoid figure actually they looked very much identical to humans if not for their protruding horns, canines and different eye and hair color. One of them had a cyan colored eye and hair and the other one had red colored.
They came beside Rafael as they knew he was a powerful being. The dragons had very strong senses and perception. So even those who had just started cultivation would be able to tell if one was powerful or not. This was an inherent draconic trait.
" Sir may we sit here as you can see all other seats have been occupied."
Rafael just simply nodded because he was not a petty person and there was ample space for them and it could certainly accomodate these two young dragons. They were of the same age as of Kian's.
The two dragons said thank you and took their seat. Ordered some food and started conversing with Kian. Dragons were very powerful being and were very prideful you could almost say arrogant but since they had a very good relationship with the human race they were pretty respectful towards humans. Most of the time they would like to keep to themselves but they were not shy and some had very approachable attitude. All in all they had a range of personalities as diverse as humans.
"Are you here to take the assessment test or have you already taken?" asked Valor: the cyan one.
To which Kian replied " No I am here to take the test and I have not yet taken test what about you two?"
They both looked at each other and said" We have taken the test and passed with flying colors, tommorow we will be leaving. Today we just want to enjoy."
Kian was genuinely interested very much in the assessment. He asked "What kind of test is it by the way ?"
They both were bewildered because they never thought that a human kid would ask about the assessment from them.
Marak: the red one asked" Do you really not know how you will take the test?"
To which Kian denied. He really had no idea what the test will be and what was required of him. Rafael did not bother to tell him anything and even he asked most of the things about the academy but never asked anything about the test. He then asked "Could you tell me what kind of test is it?"
The two of them looked at Rafael as if asking his permission and Rafael didn't bother with them and simply nodded to be honest he himself would have told him today about the type of test he was going to take before sleeping but now his work was done by someone else so why would he have any qualms.
Valor then said "So the test is divided into two areas namely potential and character. The test for potential is simple because you just go on a platform and start you cultivation, and once you finish your cycle the platform would glow in different color
like Blue, Green, Red, Silver,Purple, Golden and White. Blue being the lowest and White being the highest. But the main test is not the potential test but the character test and no one can say what one might encounter in the character test as it was one of a kind test for every test taker. You are given a very different situation that you never thought of and are asked to respond accordingly. So it is a very subjective kind of test."
Now it was Kian's turn to be shocked because he had no idea the test would be so varied and subjective for every candidate. But it didn't falter him but he had a burning resolve to do great in the tests.
" So when is your schedule for test ?" asked Valor.
"Tomorrow morning." replied Kian.
The duo nodded and bid their good bye and gave him luck to do well in the test. In the meantime Rafael and Kian also had their fill and they went to the hotel after paying the bill as Kian wanted to have an adequate amount of rest before giving the test.
He was ready for the test.