Golden Star Academy was the only academy in [Universal Descent], located in Star City.
It was mainly used as a hub for players to grow stronger and learn new things about the game.
Because other than the fact you could finally actually meet with some [Mentors], there was also lots of information to acquire by going there.
Even Alex in his past life went there, and it had been useful.
The Golden Star Academy is a school for players from level 100-250, and of course, there were also hundreds of powerful NPCs there.
The teachers for example were tier-7 or tier-8 depending on each one.
This yet again brought memories to Alex, but not good ones: you could leave the academy at any point, but there was a harsh entrance examination, meaning most people didn't want this opportunity.
But inside the academy, bullying of the weak and trash talking were rampant, both among players but also other human NPCs.
"Oh well," he sighed, "Not like this affects me now."
It could be useful to other players, sure, but Alex had absolutely no reason to go to the academy whatsoever.
Not only was he already past the recommended level to attend, but he also had all the information he could possibly need.
Basically, no need to attend.
Though, on the other hand, the reason he came to this city was because of the people themselves.
But in contrast to Aiden and Tolkien, who he wanted a good relationship with, the powerful NPCs in this city were enemies.
Yes, Alex knew that they would join other factions and the gods later on, causing havoc.
[Star City: 1/100,000 players.]
Once 100,000 players joined the city, then the entrance examination would begin, though by the current timeframe, it would only happen around a month from now.
At that time, the [Beta Testers] restriction would be completely removed, anybody on Earth unlocking the power to enter the game.
Regardless, he advanced forward, wanting to at least check out the academy from its exterior.
Would anyone believe Alex if he told them that the chairman of this academy, along with some of its esteemed teachers, were members of the Hatred Sect?
Likely not.
But Alex knew the truth.
He'd seen the carnage their actions would bring in his past life—how they used students as sacrifices to fuel a grand ritual to summon the Hatred Demon.
But Alex wasn't going to allow that.
He had already interrupted their plans a little by getting the [Vial of Undead Blood], but it wasn't enough.
His goal was clear: grow strong enough to eliminate every threat to humanity.
Even if he had to pick them off one by one, the more powerhouses he destroyed, the higher humanity's chances of survival.
Alex approached the Golden Star Academy, its grand structure gleaming under the midday sun.
The massive campus was surrounded by towering walls lined with runic carvings that hummed faintly with power.
Enchanted banners waved in the wind, displaying the academy's crest—a golden star wreathed in silver flames.
"Alright, I saw what I need to see."
As Alex turned to leave the academy gates, his shoulder bumped into someone.
But right as he was about to continue, he suddenly heard a feminine voice behind him.
"Impressive."
He turned to see a striking woman in an instructor's outfit.
Her sharp green eyes and confident stance exuded authority, though the faint smirk on her lips suggested amusement.
Her name hovered above her head:
[Melami - Academy Instructor, Mid Tier-7 Mage, Level 800]
"Got rid of them without lifting a finger," she said, crossing her arms. "Not bad for someone who isn't a student."
Alex narrowed his eyes, sweat dripping from his brow as she appeared.
"..."
He needed to be very careful.
Because, after all, Melami was one of the members of the [Hatred Sect] from his past life.
"Not interested in joining," Alex replied, keeping his voice even. "I was just passing by."
Melami chuckled softly.
"A pity. Someone with your strength could rise quickly here, and you seemed to know how to control your emotions in front of them."
Alex shrugged. "They weren't worth the effort."
Her smirk widened, though it didn't reach her eyes, which were cold and empty, "Fair enough. Just remember: not all threats are so... harmless."
With that, she turned on her heel and walked back toward the academy gates, her presence commanding respect among the bustling students.
Alex watched her leave, his mind racing.
Was she merely curious, or had she already identified him as a threat?
Either way, the encounter had left him uneasy.
Knowing that he couldn't stay around here for long after talking to an instruction, he immediately teleported to the entrance of [Star City] using his [World Map].
The "teachers" and "chairman" should stay relatively calm in the beginning, as the game was only starting.
But slowly, they would reveal their intentions while making sacrifices.
Every teacher was a Tier-7 NPC, meaning that they were above level 700.
But on the other hand, the chairman was tier-8, which is level 1000.
There were little people that could go against him, and even when he was found out before, he simply vanished back to the sect.
Soon after his disappearance, the [Hatred Demon] had been unleashed on the world of [Universal Descent], causing havoc.
And worst of all: they weren't able to kill it in Alex's past life, meaning that it had still been roaming the land.
When Universal Descent and the Earth merged, it was a true disaster.
Every single entity that Alex didn't kill had the potential of destroying whole countries in the real world, and he wouldn't let that happen.
He would either stop the entire ritual to summon the [Hatred Demon], or kill it after it appeared.
No other choice.