Chapter 155: Welcome

Chapter 155: Welcome



Thump, thump!

A group of wagons and carriages rattled through a dirt road, leaving behind the bustling city of Dawnwatch.

A sigil of Crimson Hounds adorned the side of each carriage and wagon.

The mercenaries watched as the Dawnwatch hid behind the hills and disappeared from view.

It was a place where they had spent countless years to make a name for themselves and for their guild. Now, they were leaving it behind.

They were riding towards the unknown-Ebonreach.

Some of these mercenaries had never visited it before but had heard countless tales about that place.

It was the only place where one could leave to go beyond the wall, where Chaosbeings and Wildlifers dwelled.

It was the first line of defense against the dangers of the unknown.

Most of them didn't want to leave Dawnwatch and their beautiful villa. They were already missing their rooms and the safety of the familiar.

At the frontmost carriage, Knoxx and other young recruits sat eagerly, chatting amongst themselves about Ebonreach.

"So, Adam is going there..." Hana said out loud while looking out of the carriage window at the passing scenery.

"Oh, you're missing him already?" A young woman beside her elbowed her playfully.

"Stop it." Hana blushed in embarrassment and quickly looked away, but she couldn't hide her pink cheeks from her teasing friend.

"Eldertree Institute." Knoxx said with a deep sigh. "I remember when I was there."

"You were on Eldertree Institute?" Alan asked in surprise.

"For one summer," Knoxx said. "Couple of years before I took my tutorial."

"I thought that only the elite could enter that place." Alan said in surprise.

"My family is rich, like mega rich." Knoxx said. "With good connections, they managed to apply me there. It was a very enlightening experience..."

"How did it go?" Alan asked in excitement.

Others were equally curious.

"There's a reason why I only stayed for one summer." Knoxx said, and absentmindedly looked out of the window. "That's as far as my talent could take me."

"You were kicked out?" Alan asked in shock.

It took all of them by surprise because even though Knoxx couldn't be compared with Adam, he was still a very talented individual.

They knew that Knoxx had great success back in the real world as a track and-field athlete, winning many national tournaments.

His physical prowess and talent were clearly amazing, but even he couldn't survive in the Eldertree Institute!

"It might look like a paradise from outside, but that place is the worst." Knoxx said with a serious look. "It's where dreams go to die, where the talented get broken and the weak get crushed."

"What happened to you there?" Alan asked.

Knoxx had never spoken to them about the Eldertree Institute before, and it was now clear why. It looked like he got some very deep scars there.

"There's a thing called the Culling Event there. If you undergo it, you'll get broken, and it's nearly impossible to put yourself back together."

They all stayed quiet, gulping at the thought of it all.

originated.

"W-what was that?"

In that moment, a dark-hooded figure stepped out between two trees and raised a hand in

greeting.

"Hello."

"Who are you?" The two men asked while not lowering their weapons.

They then whispered between each other.

"All the students should be back by now."

"He doesn't look like a student."

At that moment, the figure removed his hood and revealed his face to the two men.

He didn't look too old and looked like an ordinary student from the institute.

"My name's Adam, and I am here to join the institute." Adam said with a smile.

"A new student?" The two men exchanged frowns. "Have you heard of someone new

coming?"

"Wait..." Ilkin pulled out some of the papers and looked at the young man. "Palestar? Are you

Adam Palestar?"

'They were expecting me?' Adam looked surprised and nodded. "That's me."

The two men exchanged shocked gazes.

They received a special order from Renard a day ago. If a person named Adam Palestar arrived,

they should allow him to enter immediately and take him to the Culling Chamber.

"Do you have an ID?" Willibert asked.

"Wait." Ilkin said and looked at the sky. "It's turning dark. The night is about to start!"

"Damn it!" Willibert, scared to his wits, opened the door and shouted. "You there, young

man, come in!"

Adam looked at the dark sky, then followed the two men through the wooden door, which closed immediately after.

They entered a small room with wooden walls, wooden furniture, a wooden floor, and a faint

smell of smoke in the air.

"Ah, sorry about that; we don't want to be outside during the night." Ilkin said with a chuckle

and asked. "Can we get your mercenary card, please?"

Adam nodded and gave him the card.

The two men looked at the card and nodded.

"Well then, welcome to Eldertree Institute, Adam Palestar."

The end of the Second Volume-New World.