The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.
Most of the students, including Lucien, felt a strong urge to lower their heads. However, with all his strength, he managed to resist, though cold sweat began to trickle down his temple.
"An interesting way to make a first impression," he muttered softly.
Lucien glanced around, observing the reactions of his fellow students. Some had immediately fallen to their knees, while others, like him, could only endure the pressure with tense bodies. There were even a few who seemed entirely unaffected.
"At the very least, this method is quite effective," he murmured again.
Vulcan Draegor cast his gaze over the gathered first-year students in the square. A slight smile played on his lips, while his dominating aura made the air feel even heavier.
"He's really releasing a massive amount of mana… Looks like Grandmasters do have a habit of showing off," Lucien thought. But this didn't particularly surprise him. He already knew someone who did the same thing to him regularly.
Unconsciously, an image of Aldric with his goofy grin appeared in his mind. Lucien sighed.
Then, Vulcan spread his arms wide.
"You have all stepped through these gates, leaving your old world behind. From this moment on, you are no longer ordinary children. You are the future wielders of the Forge Sigil!"
The silence deepened.
Lucien could feel that the weight in Vulcan's voice was not just a threat but an undeniable truth.
"You come from different backgrounds," he continued. "Some of you may hail from noble families that have inherited the Sigil Hammer for generations. Others may just be children from small villages, but with hearts of steel. However, in Sanctum, your origins no longer matter. The only thing that will determine your fate here is…"
Vulcan's eyes gleamed like embers as he raised his hand. In an instant, a massive Sigil Hammer appeared in the air.
Duum!
He slammed the hammer into the ground, sending ripples of sigil energy across the square, startling many of the new students.
"Your strength and your ability to forge sigils!"
Lucien remained silent, though he could feel his heart beating slightly faster.
"If you want to survive here, hone your skills! If you want to be remembered, forge your sigils into legends!" Vulcan lowered his hammer. "And most importantly, never forget the spirit of a blacksmith!"
Some students looked intimidated, while others appeared even more excited.
On the other hand, Lucien simply absorbed every word calmly.
After a moment of silence, Vulcan took a deep breath and continued in a more relaxed tone.
"Now, before you begin your journey at Sanctum, there are a few things you need to know."
---
A woman with long red hair stepped onto the podium, replacing Vulcan.
She was Selene Varian, one of the academy's chief instructors and a Master Blacksmith.
Lucien briefly noticed a resemblance between Selene and an important figure in the empire—the current Queen. However, the similarity was limited to their hair color. In comparison, the Queen possessed a far more charismatic aura.
"You have heard the Headmaster's welcome… and felt his greeting," Selene said with a neutral expression, her voice firm yet emotionless.
"I don't need to congratulate you for being accepted into the academy."
Her gaze swept over the students, who listened attentively.
They knew this part was the most important.
So they waited patiently for Selene to continue.
After a brief silence, she glanced at her notes and spoke with a sharper tone.
"These are the rules you must follow as long as you hold the status of a student at the academy."
"In Sanctum, rankings determine your status. Those with higher ranks have greater access to academy resources, including private training rooms and rare materials for Forge Sigils."
This rule was nothing new. Even outsiders knew about it.
Only a few students whispered among themselves.
Selene immediately shot a sharp look at those bold enough to speak.
"Don't think that connections or family background will help you here. In Sanctum, only skill matters."
"At this stage, you are still Novice Blacksmiths. I will assume that you have not yet forged your first mystical weapon," she continued. "This will be covered later."
"The second rule: duels are permitted, but with certain restrictions."
Selene went on, "Official duels are only allowed with approval from the Academy Council and must not result in fatal injuries. If you engage in combat outside of an official duel, you alone will bear the consequences."
Her voice sharpened, delivering an unspoken warning.
"Sanctum is not a place for those who only boast. If you challenge someone, be prepared to face the consequences."
Some students looked hesitant, while others seemed even more eager.
"The third rule: unauthorized sigil experiments are strictly forbidden."
Selene's gaze narrowed, scrutinizing a few students who seemed overly enthusiastic.
"Forge Sigils is a dangerous art. A single mistake in forging can cause a sigil explosion, spiritual damage, or worse—loss of control."
"If anyone dares to experiment without permission and causes harm… the punishment will be severe."
Lucien unconsciously clenched his fist.
He knew all too well what happened when someone lost control…
A dark memory flashed through his mind, but he quickly pushed it away. There was no use dwelling on the past.
"The fourth rule: only students with permission may enter the Abyssal Labyrinth."
These words immediately caught the students' attention.
"The Labyrinth is a place where spirits live and grow. It is not only a source of sigil materials but also the most dangerous trial ground in the academy."
"You will have the opportunity to enter the Labyrinth when the time comes—whether by reaching a certain rank or obtaining permission from the Labyrinth Security Committee."
Selene paused, then looked at the students with cold eyes.
"Anyone who enters the Labyrinth without permission… will be considered a violator of academy law and expelled."
Lucien remained silent.
The Abyssal Labyrinth was one of the main reasons he agreed to join the academy. That place could be the perfect escape—maybe, he could find what he was searching for there, something that could reignite the wheels of his life.
"The fifth rule: respect your instructors and seniors."
Selene emphasized, "The instructors at Sanctum are not just academics. They are former warriors and legendary blacksmiths. Underestimating them, or challenging them without reason, will only bring unpleasant consequences."
Her voice made the atmosphere even colder.
Some students tensed up, perhaps imagining the heavy punishments awaiting those who broke the rules.
At Sanctum, even a Grandmaster like Aldric was just an instructor, while Vulcan held the highest position as Headmaster.
Lucien showed no particular reaction to the rules. Everything seemed clear and structured, though there were still some details yet to be explained. However, so far, nothing seemed unreasonable. In fact, compared to his expectations, these rules felt lighter than he had anticipated.
"The final rule… those who commit serious violations will be expelled."
Selene's tone was firm and absolute.
"Sanctum will not tolerate students who endanger the academy, other students, or themselves. If you commit a major offense, do not expect mercy."
Some students gulped nervously.
After closing her notes, Selene continued,
This rule was clearly the one that made the students the most anxious. It was well known that the academy had expelled many students throughout its history. For those who did not come from noble families, the possibility of expulsion was a nightmare that could ruin their future.
Selene turned her gaze to the students, who still listened in silence.
"Sanctum is not a place for the lazy or weak. Life here is harsh, and only those ready to be tested will survive."
She paused, letting the tension linger before adding,
"And for that—tomorrow morning, the ranking exam will be held."
A moment of silence filled the square before she added,
"Before that, you will be guided by Star Papers to your dormitories."
As she finished speaking, a flock of sigil-patterned papers shaped like stars suddenly floated into the air, moving like a flock of birds in flight.
Among the students, Lucien watched as one of the papers drifted down and landed in his palm.
The moment he touched it, a soft voice echoed in his mind.
"I will guide you to your dormitory."
Lucien instinctively turned, searching for the source of the voice. But he quickly realized this was not an ordinary voice—it was a direct transmission into his mind. Some form of telepathy.
"Who is speaking through this?" he wondered.
His eyes returned to the bird-shaped paper in his hand. The sigil patterns on its surface pulsed faintly, like a heartbeat.
Glancing around, he saw other students also receiving their papers. Some looked curious, while others followed the instructions without hesitation.
Rather than overthinking, Lucien decided to follow the Star Paper's guidance.
As if responding to his decision, the sigil bird in his hand flapped its wings and soared into the air, heading toward a path leading to the dormitory district.
Without a word, Lucien stepped forward and followed.