Night Before Departure – Reflections Under the Moonlight
After one month…
Rudra sat on his bed, staring at the moonlight as it filtered through his window. He took a deep breath, his thoughts drifting.
*"It's been two months since I joined Medicine Hall Academy… My first mission with my friends—*the unicorn hunting mission*—was unforgettable. I fought two beasts at once… and even got my first Beast Core during that battle."*
*"Then came the Freshers' Tournament… That final battle—Rydin vs me—was the most epic fight of my life so far. We won. Team 113 became the champions."*
Rudra smiled faintly as he continued thinking.
*"Each of us got 25,000 Medicoins as reward, and Gouri Mu received a lower 5th Tier Beast Core."*
He clenched his fist slightly.
*"After that, I joined the special Beast Knight Training—they only allow those who've reached the 7th Chakra Gate. They taught us basic knight attacks based on our Knight Type. Since I'm a Spear Knight, they gave me a high-grade iron spear."*
*"No spiritual techniques. No elemental attacks. Just raw, close-combat training. Spear slashes, block rotations, target piercing—pure technique. The goal is clear: survive when your energy runs dry."*
He looked at the calluses on his hands.
*"After a full month of brutal training… I finally reached the Beast Spark Knight level."*
Now, I could join the Outer Academy without the entrance test. *Since we won the tournament, all of Team 113 had that right—but only if we reached Spark Knight level.*
*Naran also reached it, got his Shadow Bear Halberd Granth, and passed the entrance test. He already moved to the Outer Academy. I… leave tomorrow.*
*I'll miss my friends.*
---
### ☀️ Morning – Farewell to Team 113
Gan Mu stood at the gate with the others.
**Gan Mu:**
"You and I were at the same level when we met, but now you've reached Beast Spark Knight… and we're still stuck at the 6th Chakra Gate."
**Parshu Su (smirking):**
"Don't get emotional. You're just switching blocks in the same academy. We're still in Freshers; you're in Outer. That's all."
**Rudra (smiling):**
"I'll be waiting for you guys. You're the best teammates I could've had."
**Gouri Mu:**
"You better get going. We'll meet again soon."
They waved goodbye as Rudra left, stepping forward toward the next chapter.
---
### 🏞 Arrival at the Outer Academy
Rudra arrived at the gates and showed his badge. A senior guard let him in. Just then, Naran showed up to welcome him.
Together, they walked a long distance through the training grounds, past students meditating and sparring, until they reached a two-story house near the edge of a small cliff. A scenic backyard stretched behind it, hidden from view.
**Rudra (surprised):**
"This place is perfect—for both cultivation and peace."
**Rudra:**
"Where are our other teammates?"
**Naran:**
"There's no 'team system' here. Everyone's on their own. And more importantly… we need to pay fees now."
**Rudra (blinking):**
"Fees? I thought this academy was free."
**Naran:**
"It *was*. But here in Outer Academy, you need to pay 50,000 Medicoins per year."
**Rudra:**
"That's… not too bad. I have 25,000 saved up already."
**Naran (grinning):**
"Great. Send me 5,000 then."
**Rudra (narrowing eyes):**
"Wait, when did *my* Medicoins become *your* Medicoins?"
**Naran:**
"Room rent is 15,000. Split between three of us. So your share is 5k."
**Rudra (confused):**
"Three?"
**Naran:**
"You told me to rent a place for two, but when I found out about the fees and monthly costs, I added a third person."
**Rudra:**
"Who?"
Just then…
---
### 🚪 Knock Knock – Arie Joins the Team
**Knock knock.**
Naran opened the door. Arie stepped in, her usual calm aura following her.
**Arie (smiling at Rudra):**
"Hello again."
They all sat down in the hall as Arie pulled out a scroll.
**Arie:**
"Look. None of us have enough Medicoins. Since you both didn't spend much time doing missions in the Freshers Academy… and I joined just a month ago… we're broke."
**Arie:**
"But I have a plan. If we complete six D-rank missions, each gives about 10,000 Medicoins minimum. That's enough to cover our advance fees."
**Rudra (checking his badge):**
"I've got 27,000 Medicoins left."
**Arie (raising an eyebrow):**
"Are you joining or not—"
**Rudra (cutting her off):**
"How much do you have, Naran?"
**Naran:**
"6,500."
**Rudra:**
"And you, Arie?"
**Arie:**
"12,000."
**Rudra (thinking):**
"So combined… 45,500. Not enough. We still need at least 45,000 more."
**Naran:**
"Yeah, just to survive this month."
**Rudra (firmly):**
"Then forget D-rank. We'll take on three C-rank missions."
**Arie:**
"That's risky."
**Rudra:**
"We'll use 10,000 Medicoins to buy tents, food, and some explosive weapons. If we complete the three C-rank missions, we can earn 70,000 Medicoins."
**Arie (after a moment of thought):
**
"...Alright. Let's do it."
The three of them nodded, their first true mission as Outer Academy members set in motion.
**To Be Continued...**