24 Mark Master

Arnin became confused after Xillar's exclamation. What was pink level? He could also see that his mark was pink, but what did that mean? Was it strong, weak, or extremely rare? Xillar noticed Arnin's blank face. He couldn't help but sigh at Arnin's talents.

"There are different levels of Mark Masters and marks. This is something that you should have already guessed. 'Being a demon talent'." Xillar whispered something under his breath that Arnin couldn't catch, but he decided to ignore it. "The marks one creates are separated into eight strengths: orange, pink, yellow, green, blue, purple, white, silver. The first is the weakest and the last is the strongest." Arnin began to understand what was going on. He was able to create a pink mark which was the second type of mark one should be able to create.

"Then what I created is not something a beginner should be able to make? That's understandable. My method is unorthodox so things would of course be different. I am also guessing that each level of mark determines the strength of a Mark Master." Arin basically understood how a Mark Master's strength was determined.

"Umm… yea. Arnin you are a little too smart for your age, you should make sure that you are careful though. Some don't like the smart." Xillar gave out a friendly warning. He didn't want Arnin getting killed prematurely because of his wits. (Author note: Didn't you just want to kill him? Faker!)

"What? Are you saying that there may be people who want to get rid of me? If they come after me, they might not be able to return, so I don't mind. Now, back to the test. What is the strength of my Animo?" Arnin knew he could handle many people, but that could only happen if he relied on his sealed strength. He wasn't worried about his life, rather he was worried that he would have to one day release his powers, which would ruin his whole reason to reincarnate.

Xillar couldn't help but widen his mouth because of Arnin's confidence. However, after he felt Arnin's terrifying aura, he knew that Arnin was not as weak as he seemed.

"Of course! So the way Animo is measured is very similar to cultivation levels. Just as the first level of cultivation is Orb Birth - Earth, the first level for Animo is Animo Birth - Earth." Arnin nodded his head when he understood this. Although both Animo and the Orb were related to an individual's power, they were still separate systems. Animo was spiritual power that used the mind, while the orb was more physical that used the whole body.

"Well, what level would I be at?" Arnin understood the basics', so he just wanted to know where he stood.

"Your Animo is difficult to understand because of the way you made the mark. Usually, Animo is unseeable until one reaches a frightening stage, however I was able to see a form for your Animo." The more Xillar spoke, the more Arnin understood the saber. He didn't know what the blade was at first, but it seemed like it was related to Animo. If the orb was his power, then that could only mean that the tattoo were his Animo. If his orb and Animo were able to mix to create the saber, then that blade was possibly something frightening that could use the powers of both Animo and the orb.

"The what about my Mark Master level? We can discuss Animo later, but what I want to know is whether I am able to be called a Mark Master." Arnin figured that his tattoos were his Animo holders, which explained how they had the ability to control other things. Animo was based around one's ability to control the essence and other powers.

"Your Mark Master rank is pink. Just the like the eight colors for marks, the Mark Masters are also differentiated through those colors. You really are a talent Arnin, I have never heard of someone skipping Mark Master levels on their first trial. You are the first." Xillar couldn't help but praise Arnin's talents. Not only did Arnin create his own method of mark making, but he also skipped a level of Mark Masters. Xillar couldn't help but self-mockingly laugh. He wasn't able to even pass the test, let alone skip a level. Arnin was just too talented.

"Oh yes, Arnin. I got a message from Kelnorin saying that the three conditions don't have to be discussed anytime soon. He said to just proceed into the academy after you finish with your test here. You are officially a student of Lepidoptera Academy!" Xillar took his hand out and brought it in front of Arnin for a shake. Arnin raised one eyebrow, but didn't move his hand.

"What happened? What's with the sudden change?" Xillar was surprised that Arnin didn't shake his hand or even seem happy.

"I don't know what happened, but it seems like the three conditions are to be given at a certain age. You are not of that age, so you don't have to receive them yet." Xillar went ahead and made up a lie. He couldn't tell Arnin that the principal made the decision when he saw him.

Seeing that Xillar wanted to hide something, Arnin thought that he would investigate the issue himself. For now, he was considered a student of the academy so they had to have some resistance towards him. Arnin brought his small hand into Xillar's and moved it up and down.

"Well, thanks then. You can explain the rules of the academy tomorrow. I have to wait for some people who will be arriving tomorrow, so I am going to find a place to stay. Unless you have a place that students can reside in?" Arnin questionably looked at Xillar. As an academy, they must have a place for students to stay, at least in the town that they protected.

"Of course we have a place for students. I will have a student lead you there. I am going to go and get you a student robe and identity card. I will come back tomorrow." Xillar quickly explained the plan. Arnin was okay with being led by a student. He didn't mind who led him, as long as he made it to his destination.

"Just to clarify with you, my beast, Vilis, will be staying with me in the academy and in the student houses. This is not me asking you, but telling you." Arnin didn't give Xillar an option when it came to Vilis. Xillar didn't hesitate and nodded.

"That is no problem. We will just need to assign a 'tamed beast' card. It will tell others that Vilis is under your protection." Arnin nodded.

Xillar turned around and rushed to find a student to lead Arnin to the student quarters. Ten minutes passed when he came running with a group of students. When Arnin saw the group, he couldn't help but release a smile. It was Dane's group.

"You guys are already heading over to the student housings, so take him there as well. Tell the people from the front desk that he will be getting a free room, and put it under teacher Kelnorin's name. Hehe!" Xillar smirked when he thought of using Kelnorin's name for the housing and how he would react.

Dane looked at Arnin and couldn't help but nod. He already knew about what happened between Arnin and Brajus. Dane understood that Arnin was extremely strong, and Brajus didn't have the same hate that he did before. Brajus only disliked Arnin because he assumed that Arnin was a danger, but he later found out that Arnin was actually going to attend the academy. Dane's group however, did not have the same thought process. They only remembered surrounding Arnin and getting ready to attack him.

"Teacher, this kid is dangerous. We can't take him to the student house. We found him alone in the forest that was under our school's protection. He is too suspicious." The young boy with the spiky black hair spoke out. He was the one that looked similar to Brajus and was the one that Arnin heard when he was by the lake.

"Student Lekro, this is Arnin. He has passed the requirements to join the academy and is now a fellow student of yours. You will treat him the way you treat your other classmates, do you understand?" Lekro shook under the yell of Xillar. He never thought that Arnin would become a student of the academy.

"Yes, teacher Xillar." His voice came out like a whisper. Lekro couldn't help but glare at Arnin for getting him trouble.

"Dane, you will be in charge of Arnin until tomorrow. I know I can trust you, so make sure he gets his room and comes to the academy after meeting with whoever." Xillar spoke to Dane with seriousness. He understood Dane's quiet but mature personality.

"Got it." Dane agreed without any hesitation. He didn't have hate for Arnin, only suspicion, but now that Xillar was able to confirm that Arnin was a student of the academy, his suspicions dropped.

----------------------------------------------------

Arnin and Vilis silently followed the behind the group.

"Why didn't you tell us that you were going to the academy?" Lekro pulled back and spoke to Arnin questionably.

"I've always wanted to speak to a person with short term memory." Arnin mocked Lekro.

"What did you call me? I have a great memory!" Lekro defended himself. Anger was written all over his face. Why was Arnin teasing him for no reason?

"Lekro, Arnin did tell us. We just didn't listen to him." Dane spoke up before things got worse. Arnin mentioned the reason he was in the forest alone, but they were just too blinded with suspicions to even listen to him. Lekro became extremely embarrassed. He asked a dumb question and thought that Arnin was mocking him. He scratched his head and became silent.

"Arnin, since we are now fellow students, let me brief how the academy works." Arnin nodded his head while he walked. "The academy has two groups of people; the butterflies and the moths. The butterfly are the normal students who receive normal education and are the largest group in the academy. My group falls under this category. We have normal talent and have average cultivation rates. The Moth group consist of the talented students. They recieve much higher education and resources, however it is harder to survive there as well. The talented have to earn their resources and education, they don't just recieve it." Dane spoke about the two groups for a bit. The others had a look of worship when the Moth's were mentioned.

"From what I know, you will most likely enter the Moth group in the near future, however you will begin in the butterfly group." Dane's words were like a lightning strike to the others. Lekro couldn't help but look at Arnin with surprise. He lifted his finger and pointed at Arnin, trembling slightly.

"H-he is going to the Moth group? How? He doesn't seem talented." Lekro went into denial. He couldn't accept the fact that Arnin was going into the Moth group.

"It is true, Lekro. He defeated Brajus during the battle test. He has more than enough talent to go into the Moth group." Dane confirmed Arnin's talents.

Dane looked at Arnin for a few seconds before turning his head. He was also surprised when he heard that Arnin was able to defeat Brajus in a fight. He felt Arnin's cultivation when he first met him. He knew that Arnin was only in Orb Birth - Sky level. However with the Brajus confirming that Arnin truly did defeat him, Dane had no choice but to believe it as the truth.

"Arnin, I am not in the Moth group so I can't explain much about it, but I am able to tell you some things about the butterfly group. We are larger in number, but by the time we leave the academy we will either be in Orb Birth - Heaven, Essence Manifest - Earth, or even Essence Manifest - Sky. However, the last one is rarely seen." Arnin understood that the students of the Butterfly group did not have high talent.

"What about the Moth group? What is their cultivation in the end?" Arnin needed to know how fast they grew so that he would understand the speed he would grow at, or at least approximate the rate of growth for himself.

"The Moth group is special. The talent there is very different. The lowest of the talents graduated with Essence Manifest - Heaven. Everyone else would usually graduate by entering the Elemental Formation realm." Everyone in the group released a sigh. They couldn't help but feel dejected about the fact that they would not achieve that realm, any time soon.

Arnin nodded his head and silently remembered the realm's name. He finally found the name of the realm after Essence Manifest. If a student was able to achieve such a realm, then that meant the world had many realms that he could achieve. He became excited about increasing his cultivation to levels that were only achieved by the strongest.

Dane noticed Arnin's excitement and didn't say anything. Who wouldn't be excited after learning that they would join a group where only the talented gathered?

"Arnin, you have to remember this though. The Moth group is very competitive. Fights happen very often because resources are limited. Only the strong are able to receive anything in that group. I recommend that you join another party so that you can receive some resources as well." Dane warned Arnin from the goodness of his heart. He didn't have any negative feelings towards him anymore, so he was willing to provide some tips.

"Thanks Dane. Your information is helpful, I will keep this favor in mind." Arnin decided that he would spare Dane in the future if they became enemies, but it would only be a one time spare if he decided to fight him again and again, then he would of course rip him to shreds.

Dane felt that Arnin didn't look that thankful. He also felt Arnin to look somewhat frightening when he smiled at him.

As the group proceeded on, a large building came into sight. It was very tall, and was shaped like a small castle. The materials looked like limestone and glass. The windows were tinted with red, which Arnin assumed was a defense mechanism. The white walls also had some black symbols here and there. Arnin gave them a short glance before turning his head towards the towering door.

"Arnin, this is the student building in the town. It is well protected by a barrier and is hard to invade. We will be staying here until tomorrow." Dane walked up to the large doors and grabbed onto the handles. He pulled and the doors slowly opened.

The creaking of the door seemed to annoy Vilis greatly, as he went prone onto the ground, covering his ears with his giant paws. Arnin ignored the actions of the beast and only stared straight ahead. When the doors finally completely opened, the group walked in, Arnin following behind.

Entering the large building, what met Arnin was not an open area or high ceilings, rather it was a closed space where there was nothing but a front desk and two doors. Dane walked to the front desk and pulled out his identification card. The rest did the same thing.

"Dane we will meet you in our rooms later. Hurry up though!" Lekro spoke out before walking through the door on the right with the rest. Dane stayed behind to get Arnin sorted out.

The person in the front was a woman with long, brown hair. She looked to be around the same age as Ashia, probably a little older. She had toffee brown skin. Her eyes were black like charcoal. She carriedsmile on her face which reached her ears. It was a pleasant smile that made people feel welcomed, other then Arnin. He didn't like her smile. he felt it was too forced and even somewhat annoying.

"Miss Fae, this is Arnin. He is a new student that was appointed by Teacher Kelnorin and Teacher Xillar. He is going to be staying here for a night before heading to the academy tomorrow. The beast beside him is his and will be accompanying him. Teacher Xillar told me to get him a room in this place under Teacher Kelnorin's name, so would you mind getting that ready for him?" Dane did the introduction without missing a beat. Arnin stood by the side in silence. He just wanted to get a room and rest.

Fae nodded. She looked at Arnin before walking through the door behind her. A few minutes later she came out with a purple key in hand.

"Young man, you will be staying in a room that is on the lower floor. Since you have a beast, you will get a larger room, however it will be on the lowest floor. Are you alright with that?" Fae asked Arnin with an apologetic tone. "You see, we don't get people who have beasts with them, so no one has ever used the lowest room. If you would like, I can make the room yours permanently?" Arnin nodded his head and walked through the door that led downstairs.

"I will take the room then. Thanks. Dane, you can go. I like the quiet, so I will be good. Vilis, let's go!" Arnin nodded towards the two before disappearing with Vilis.

"Miss Fae, just put everything under teacher Kelnorin's name. He will make the payments. Remember to look after that kid, he will be joining the Moth later on. He is very talented." Dane said his piece and went through the door on the right.

"Another Moth? That kid looks stronger and… more dangerous than the rest. Let's see what happens in the future." Fae smiled wickedly before walking back into the room behind her.