"Is that all you know?"
"…Yeah."
She sighed.
"Anyone who gets into the Gods Academy is guaranteed the chance to become a citizen under one of the gods."
Luis's expression shifted slightly in surprise.
"Which also means receiving their blessings," she added.
He stayed silent, listening.
"There are trials held across all continents to select students," Selene continued. "Clans and empires send their best candidates because of how effective the academy's training is."
A small pause.
"Even if there's a risk those candidates end up joining a god's faction instead."
Luis frowned slightly.
"So they just… give up their people like that?"
Selene shook her head.
"It's not that simple. Strength matters more."
She looked ahead as they walked.
"And the academy is also a place where alliances are formed. Most major clans participate for that reason alone."
Luis nodded slowly.
Then Selene spoke again.
"Since you don't know much… I'm guessing you also don't know that the gods are aware of the real Xoliti clan."
Luis glanced at her.
"Not just the merchant front we use," she added. "They know about everything."
A small pause.
"They also know about you."
Luis stopped walking.
"How?"
Selene stopped as well, turning slightly toward him.
"It's too hard to hide from them," she said simply.
Luis's brows furrowed.
"They haven't used that against us?"
"They don't need to," Selene replied. "They believe they're stronger."
She continued walking.
"And the gods are limited in how much they can interfere in the world anyway."
Luis caught up to her.
"What do you mean, limited?"
Selene shook her head.
"I don't fully know. I've just been told that I'll learn more later."
A brief pause.
"They also don't interfere much because we trade with them."
Luis processed that quietly.
"That's also why we don't need to go through the trials," Selene added. "We can enter directly."
Luis glanced at her.
"Most people have to compete for a spot," she continued. "But the Phoenix and Xoliti clans were each given two slots every year."
"Were?" Luis asked.
Selene nodded slightly.
"The Phoenix clan lost theirs due to its decline."
Luis's expression didn't change but he understood.
"That's why you're going with me," she said.
They continued walking through the forest, the city slowly coming into view.
"At the academy," Selene continued, "no one will know you're from the Phoenix clan."
Luis looked at her.
"You'll enter as a knight of the merchant faction."
He nodded slowly.
"The higher-ups might still figure it out," she added. "If they can sense the Phoenix essence."
"And the gods?" Luis asked.
"They won't care," Selene said simply.
"The Deity will place a stronger concealment on your essence anyway. Only the gods should be able to detect it."
Luis exhaled quietly.
"When does it start?" he asked.
Selene didn't look at him.
"Five months."
Luis looked up at the sky as they walked.
"I see…"
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Luis said,
"So the gods aren't our enemies."
Selene slowed slightly.
Then answered.
"I've always been told to be wary of them."
Her voice was quieter now.
"Never let your guard down around them."
Luis glanced at her.
"Why?"
She shook her head.
"I was never told."
Silence settled between them again.
Luis looked ahead.
They didn't sound like enemies. But they didn't sound safe either.
Luis looked ahead quietly as they continued walking through the forest.
"So people from every continent go there?" he asked after a while.
Selene nodded.
"The strongest young aura users from every major power. Clan heirs. Empire nobles. Temple disciples."
Luis's eyes shifted slightly.
"How big is it?"
Selene thought for a moment before answering.
"Bigger than this city."
Luis blinked.
"The academy itself?"
"Yes."
That genuinely surprised him.
Selene noticed the reaction.
"There are entire districts inside it," she continued. "Training grounds, forests, combat arenas, artificial realms made specifically for cultivation and sparring."
Luis imagined it silently.
People from all continents.
Countless blessings, Different factions, Different fighting styles.
To Luis's own surprise he had greatly enjoyed the spar with someone strong his own age and to know that there was countless more individuals he could fight, made him even more excited for the academy.
"So basically…" Luis muttered.
Selene glanced at him.
"…everyone there is strong."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Yes"
Luis looked upward slightly through the gaps in the trees imagining all the strong individuals.
After another few moments of walking, Luis spoke again.
"What happens if people find out I'm from the Phoenix clan?"
Selene's expression changed to a more serious one.
"That depends on who finds out."
Luis frowned slightly.
"Meaning?"
"Some people would only be curious," she said.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"And others like the four empire alliance would want you dead so they can have the Phoenix essence."
Silence followed.
Luis looked at her.
Luis listened quietly.
"The alliance fears anything connected to the Phoenix," Selene said. "Even now."
A small pause.
"And if they learned the Phoenix might fully reincarnate through you…"
She didn't need to finish the sentence Luis understood what she meant.
Selene looked ahead again as the distant outline of the Xoliti city became clearer through the trees.
"That's why concealment matters," she said quietly. "At the academy especially."
Luis exhaled slowly.
The academy sounded exciting and dangerous.
And far larger than he originally imagined.