Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

She tapped the earliest marker on the timeline. "Year zero. The Cataclysm. The arrival of the demons that created the reality we know today."

The professor's ancient eyes swept the classroom, ensuring she had everyone's attention.

"Our world was that of prosperity when the demons arrived. They filled the land with corruption, killing hundreds of millions of humans in the first wave alone."

Arthur felt a jolt of shock run through him. He had always thought demons were native to this world—dark creatures born of its natural magic. The revelation that they were invaders, foreign entities that had broken through from elsewhere, changed everything.

His throat tightened as the implications sank in. If demons could breach the barriers between worlds and enter Caldera...what would stop them from entering his world?

The thought made his heart race. Not fear, exactly—Arthur was beyond simple fear.

'What if Adam and Gates are wrong, what if the merging isn't the merging of both worlds. But the entrance of the demons?' He thought.

"The demons came in legions," Professor Aldergate continued, her voice dropping to an almost hypnotic cadence. "Led by thirteen Demon Lords, each commanding powers that could level mountains and boil oceans. They sought not just conquest, but transformation—to remake our world in their image."

She moved along the timeline, tapping year twenty-five.

"The Breaking of the First Seal. When humanity realized the demons weren't simply invading—they were trying to bring something worse through."

Some studenrs shifted uncomfortably in their seats. This wasn't the sanitized history they'd been taught as children. Whilst others, did not show any reaction, clearly having been told the real history from before.

"After years of desperate battles, pushing back the tide of demonic forces, a hero amongst heroes emerged. Nova Ashborne, ancestor of our royal family and the First King."

Elara sat a little straighter at the mention of her bloodline.

"Nova was among the greatest heroes of the old world. While others fought defensive battles, he traveled the world seeking a solution—a way to save what remained of humanity."

The professor traced a path across the ancient map.

"His journey took him across ruined continents, through corrupted forests, where humanity itself grew thin. And there, he discovered something miraculous."

She paused dramatically.

"Upon his travels, he discovered the secret realm within Caldera—a place of concentrated magic and power. A realm that you all, as Academy students, hope one day to access."

Students shifted forward in their seats. The secret realm was legendary—supposedly the source of the most powerful magics, accessible only to the most accomplished mages.

"After months of trying to firgure it out, Nova came to find out a few things about the realm. Only people under the age of 18 could enter the realm. And…the rewards inside were enormous, just like the risk."

"After figuring that out. Nova made a decision that would shape all of our futures. Rather than continuing the losing war, he would protect this final sanctuary. He built the first walls, established the first wards, and created a haven where humanity could endure."

Professor Aldergate moved to the next marker.

"The founding of the Academy of Mera. Nova understood that knowledge was as important as swords in the fight against demons. So he gathered the remaining scholars and mages to preserve and expand humanity's magical understanding. He then placed his knowledge in those people and books. He taught them his skills, strategies and everything they needed to know."

She looked directly at Arthur. "Which is why the more powerful skills are heavily guarded. Unless you are loyal, and perform very well, it will be impossible to learn those skills."

Arthur met her gaze steadily. Was this a warning?

Professor Aldergate moved to a later point on the timeline, where the line bent sharply downward.

"But securing our future came at a terrible cost."

She swept her hand along the timeline.

"Over the generations, our king fought tirelessly against the demonic forces. But in year 115, now old and with his power waning, Nova faced two of the most powerful demon generals in a battle that shook the very foundations of our reality."

The classroom had gone completely silent. Even the usual fidgeters were still.

"During this final fight, the king managed to grievously wound both demon generals, inflicting injuries that would take a lifetime to heal."

She tapped a faded illustration showing a white-haired man standing against two red figures, light emanating from his outstretched hands.

"But victory demanded the ultimate sacrifice. King Nova fell that day, his life force expended to drive the demons back."

Elara's face had gone slightly pale. This part of her family history clearly affected her deeply.

"What few records tell you," Professor continued, "is that Nova's final spell wasn't meant to kill the generals—merely to bind them. To trap them in a state between life and death, where they could do no further harm."

She fixed the class with a severe look. "A binding that, according to certain ancient texts, was designed to last exactly one thousand years."

The implication hung in the air like a thundercloud.

"And how long ago was this battle?" A female student asked, her voice unnaturally steady.

The professor smiled thinly. "An excellent question. According to our calendar, it occurred nine hundred and ninety-nine years ago."

Whispers erupted across the classroom.

"One year," someone muttered. "The binding breaks in one year? Maybe less?"

"If you believe in such things, that is," the professor replied with a dismissive wave. "Many scholars consider this portion of our history to be more legend than fact."

Arthur felt a chill run down his spine. Unlike the professor and the so-called scholars, Arthur had personally witnessed the previous protector of Village 420 seal a demon inside the mountain.

'If the protector could do it, the first king of Caldera would also be able to do it.'

The memory flashed vividly in his mind—the mountain trembling, chains of light binding the howling entity, the protector collapsing afterward, life force depleted by the effort.

Not a legend.

Not a myth.

It was reality.

Elara leaned closer. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Just thinking," Arthur replied, mind racing.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class.

"We will continue next time."

Professor Aldergate said, before leaving the classroom.

Students gathered their materials, chattering excitedly about demon generals and thousand-year binds.

"That was... unsettling," Sarah said as they filed out. "Do you think there's any truth to it?"

"About the binding breaking in a year?" Elara shrugged. "Father never mentioned it, but he doesn't share everything with me."

Arthur remained silent. The discrepancy was troubling.

"Our next class is Creature Taxonomy," Sarah said, checking her schedule. "Professor Blackthorn's specialty."

Arthur nodded, mind still churning with what he'd learned in History.

The Creature Studies section was modern and practical—walls lined with specimens in preservation tanks, diagrams of monster anatomy, and trophy heads mounted above doorways.

"I've heard Blackthorn actually hunts what she teaches," Sarah commented as they entered the room. "Spent a long time in the field before joining the Academy."

The classroom tables were arranged similarly to the history classroom. Various cages covered with black cloth stood on pedestals.

"Live specimens," Arthur noted. "Interesting first day."

They found seats near the front as one more Elite Class student entered alongside them.

Ash Ashencroft.

A door at the back of the room slammed open.

Professor Blackthorn strode in, and Arthur immediately understood why she was legendary.

Nearly six and a half feet tall, built like a warrior, with skin tanned like leather and crisscrossed with scars. Her dark hair was pulled back in a braid.

Most striking were her eyes—one amber, one silver.

"It's said she was born that way," Sarah whispered.

Professor Blackthorn surveyed the class with those mismatched eyes.

"Creature Taxonomy isn't about memorizing names and habitats," she began. "It's about survival. Knowing what can kill you—and how to kill it first."

She yanked the cloth off the nearest cage, revealing a small, fluffy creature that resembled a rabbit with iridescent fur and red eyes.

"What is this?" she demanded.

Several hands shot up. She pointed to a student near the middle.

"Corroded rabbit," The student answered confidently.

Professor Blackthorn smiled grimly. "Correct."

She tapped the cage with a metal rod. The "rabbit" hissed, revealing three rows of needle-sharp teeth.

"Although it appears harmless, it's nothing like it. It mimics harmless creatures to lure prey closer."

"First lesson: appearances can be deceiving."

She moved to the next cage, pulling away its cover. Inside was what appeared to be a large dog with thick, golden fur.

Arthur stiffened. It was the first time he'd seen a dog since entering Armageddon.

"This specimen," Professor Blackthorn continued, "despite its small frame, is actually a Pseudo-Elite boss creature. They're an extremely rare species—it's highly unlikely you'd encounter one in the wild."

The dog tilted its head, looking deceptively innocent. Its eyes, Arthur noticed, weren't the warm brown of normal canines but a deep, unsettling violet.

"Can anyone identify it?" Blackthorn asked.

The class remained silent.

"No? Not surprising." She tapped the cage. "This is a Luminous Hound. They were once companion beasts to mages, bred for tracking magical anomalies."

The dog's tail wagged, as if pleased with its introduction.

"Don't let that friendly demeanor fool you, because just like the corroded rabbit, they are incredibly fierce," Blackthorn warned.

She fixed them with her mismatched gaze. "How many of you would have approached this creature if you'd encountered it outside?"

A few students reluctantly raised their hands.

"And that's why they're successful predators. Despite their cute looks, they are, in fact, pseudo-elite bosses, mostly."