The Aster Academy can be said to be as big as a city which is why it's called a city inside a city. Everything that is essential for a student's learning was already prepared inside.
"The map said we should head straight towards the....wait this place is!"
"What? What place McKenzie?" Blair asked while taking a peek at the map.
"Wait it says Melandis steps"
There was a silence among them, they were too excited a while ago but suddenly felt discouraged to continue.
"So does this mean we will go back?" Alicia asked but immediately Mckenzie interrupted her "No we will continue!..right guys?"
"Y-eah! Of course!"
"Sure it's just some old stairs"
"We will be fine so it's okay!"
Apollo felt amused seeing their frightened reaction. The four excited fellows now began to stutter as they spoke.
So what are the Melandis steps?
It's a long stairs found in a secluded forest inside the academy, the said steps lead towards an old shrine which is believed to be haunted.
"What do you think about the place Jeremiah?"
[I sense some spiritual entities here]
"Ghost?"
[Yes but they are harmless Creator]
"I see that's good to hear"
They were harmless so the boy felt assured however when a floating white lady walked in front of them, a series of screams could be heard within the secluded part of the academy.
"The temperatures dropping"
[It's because of the ghost Creator their presence causes the temperature to drop]
"I see...hmm?"
As he continued to walk he realized that it was only him and Alicia that continued walking, their classmates ended up getting stuck because the white lady kept floating in front of them.
"Help" Arabela almost screamed as she said those words.
"Apollo bro help us out"
The boys shouted while trying to hide their shaking bodies.
"They are hopeless" Alicia voiced out before using her aura to scare the ghost away.
[She can use aura?]
Apollo too was surprised but he maintained his expression.
With Alicia's devilish aura, the ghost flees in fright.
"I never expected that I'd be able to witness how a ghost can get scared" Apollo spoke feeling that Alicia was doing something she usually doesn't do.
[She is revealing too much of her abilities which she usually hides]
"What is she up to" he wondered but remained observing.
"Are you all okay" he spoke not minding Alicia's previous action.
"Sorry, my body froze when that white lady suddenly stopped right in front of us" Aaron couldn't help but say while the previously excited people Casper, Vesta, Alya and especially Mckenzie were silent due to shock.
The way the place was built is highly similar to a temple. The way the pillars are designed and the architecture can still be seen despite the ruined state it has. Following a specific path they witness a lake with the clearest water they have ever seen. Even with some parts of the temple being submerged underneath, it didn't degrade its beauty but instead highlighted it.
There were trees and some exotic plants that they first time seeing.
"Are those crystal mana?" Braiden asked when he traced the source of light in the place.
"It is" Apollo replied
"The mana here is quite potent than the mana outside"
"It's because of the crystal mana Alicia"
They kept walking until they arrived at the only decent room. When they entered, a room full of books welcomed them. The place was like the Academy library but besides books, you could also see food and training equipment.
"This is a very calming place" Vesta commended while sitting on one of the futons lying on the ground.
"It seems we aren't the first one to arrive here"
Apollo removed some dust on an aged wall and noticed some letters being engraved there.
"Welcome lower class students, this place was discovered and maintained for the sake of finding solace in this chaotic place"
"We may be pressured and get swept by the strong force of this academy but this place is made to escape those judging eyes, so please keep this place as it is"
Apollo read the passage feeling a bit sad about how the previous lower class were being treated.
"On the noisy and unsafe ground may you find peace here" Apollo read the last sentence.
They stood where they were looking through the things that the previous class brought. They found books, diaries and even grimoires written by previous students, who wanted to help the future lower-class students.
"Lower class year 300-301 of the imperial calendar"
Alicia read one of the engraved words on a bookshelf.
"Look at these guys"
Mackenzie called out gaining his classmates' attention.
On one of the dusty walls of the room lies the engravings of each year of the lower class. Every time they discovered this place and successfully passed the entire year they would leave their class year, letting the future generation see them.
"Something is missing on this wall," Apollo noticed.
"Really?" There were too many writings that they didn't notice what was missing.
"The last year's lower class, their class year is not here"
Mckenzie said as he realized what Apollo meant.
"Does that mean they weren't able to make it?" Alya asked feeling a wave of sadness.
"I heard they gave up due to the pressure of the Higher class" Braiden said while looking at another wall which bore the messages of the last year's lower class and the previous years.
"We are sorry" that was one of the messages said.
A gloomy atmosphere envelopes them as they read each word from their messages.
"After we safely escape the Monastery"
Suddenly Keith began to speak surprising his classmates. He is usually quiet often observing and writing the things he wants to say.
"After all the problems we have right now disappeared, let's make sure those who look down on our class will pay the price for it"
His voice was resolute earning respect from his classmates.
"We will do that but for now" Apollo took one of the perfectly arranged pillows and recklessly threw it to Alicia.
"For now let us loosen up!" he happily said while raising another pillow.
Just for now Apollo wanted to make them happy because he knew tomorrow might bring them the greatest grief they ever experienced.