143 Chapter 143

The practice class involved training in arts other than cultivation arts. The building meant for this class was the largest among the other buildings. Inside the building were several training halls that allow students to practice their arts. Teachers were inside this building to give pointers to students as well as watch over and organize so the students didn't hurt each other while practicing. Those who did not wish for others to know about their secret art could rent special rooms where they could train in private. However, these private rooms cost academic points to use. The practice class was graded by the tutors. There would be a sparring session for each student against the tutors every three months. At the end of the sparring, the tutor would give academic points based on the student's performance. The specialization class contained subjects on special occupations in relation to cultivation. This was divided into alchemy, engraving, smithing, and talisman making. The specialization class was not compulsory. A student could choose not to study any of the four occupations. But of course, they lost an avenue for extra academic points if so. At the same time, students were also allowed to take all four occupations. But this, of course, meant that the students would spend a lot of their time on this specialization class. This might instead cause them to neglect their cultivation and art practice. Li Niang strongly suggested the students just focus on one occupation. The building for this specialization class was not one building, but an interconnected complex of four buildings. Each building housed one subject of the occupation. Li Niang informed once they graduated to the Junior and Senior levels, more specialization classes would be available to them, such as spirit beast taming and battle puppet creation. The gradings from this specialization class were from the products they produced during the class. More academic points would be given for a product of high quality. Fewer points for the lesser quality, and none for failed products. All products belonged to the academy because they were made using the academy's resources and equipment. For one with talent among the four occupations, this specialization could be a good place to collect academic points. But even so, the best source of academic points was the fifth class, missions. It was not exactly a class, but it was a huge part of the academy's curriculum. A mission was where one interacts with the real cultivation world outside of the academy. The mission was divided into five ranks. From one star being the easiest to five stars being the hardest. Within a year, one student was required to take either twenty one-star missions, ten two-star missions, five three-star missions, two four-star missions, or one five-star mission. The student had the freedom to decide when to take the mission, as long as they submitted the mission report before the end of the year. If the student wished to take more to accumulate extra academy points, they were allowed to. Depending on the mission, students might have to go solo, in a group, or accompanied by an appointed tutor from the academy. The missions could be found in the mission center, another building around the plaza. Students could read about the available missions there and apply to undertake the missions. After completion, that was also the place to submit the mission completion report. Aside from those five main buildings, Li Niang also informed about the other prominent buildings within the main section. The library, arena, information center, infirmary, shop, and mess hall. However, these buildings were not limited only to the Freshman grade. All students frequent these buildings, so these were the areas where students from all three grades were able to intermingle. Those areas were also the ones that people mostly spend their academic points on. The library contained many books on arts, but one needed academic points to read the books. There were also common books on many different subjects, those books were free. The arena was where one could do friendly sparring, or settle grudges between one another. A referee was present in the arena to make sure the fight didn't go too far. The arena also provided a protection barrier so the fight inside didn't affect the spectators outside. Additionally, the arena was the only place where the students were allowed to use a weapon under the supervision of the referee. Fights were allowed inside the academy, not just in the arena. However, weapons were not allowed to be used. Using a weapon had a high potential of causing death or permanent wounds. A student that caused a death to a fellow student would be expelled from the academy. While one who caused a permanent wound would have to buy a regrowth pill for the victim, which was not cheap or easy to buy. Additionally, the perpetrator's academy points would be deducted as well. The Information Center was the place if students had a question. The place was also where students could find out about the latest events in the outside world. The infirmary was right beside the arena, with the best equipment to treat wounded students. The shop was where the student came to look for various products, from weapons to cultivation pills. Mostly these products were the works of the specialization class students, and this was the only place that accepted payment using aer stones instead of academic points. The mess hall was where the students go to have their meals. It was provided free of charge. But some stalls inside the mess hall provided special foods that were beneficial to cultivation. Such food required academy points to buy. Li Niang informed the students that there was a map showing the entire layout of the royal academy. The students could find this map beside the message board outside the Theory class building. After finishing her introduction to the academy, she gave the stage to Lao Zen, who was holding a large crystal ball in his hand. "Everyone, please queue up!" Lao Zen uttered. The other academy staff by his sides moved forward and helped organize the students to form a neat queue. Everyone was wondering was this another trial again? While the student rearranged themselves, Lao Zen explained the purpose of the crystal ball in his hand, "This is not a trial. This crystal ball helps to detect your elemental affinity." "Elemental affinity?" Some of the students murmured in confusion. While some others from more prominent clans or sects were not as uninformed. Amon had also read about elemental affinity from books. Almost everyone had an affinity for a certain element. Those with an affinity for an element could faster learn the arcane arts from that element. Additionally, the output of the art would also be stronger. The affinity itself had multiple degrees. The applied scale was C, B, A, and S. For someone with C affinity to the fire element, the power of the fire arcane art he executed would be 50% more powerful than those who had no affinity. B affinity produced 100% more power, which was two times normal. A affinity was 150%, and S affinity was 200% more, which was three times compared to those without affinity to the element. S affinity was very rare. Usually, one with such an affinity was because he or she possessed a special constitution body that aligned with that element. Most everyone should have an affinity to at least one element, but there were also rare occurrences where someone had no affinity. Such an unlucky person would have more obstacles in their cultivation road, as they had no advantage in any arcane art. Lao Zen's explanations of the elemental affinity were more or less the same as what Amon had learned from the books. The others who didn't know about it before were now aware of its significance. They were eager to find out about their affinity. "This will influence your practice class," Lao Zen continued to explain. "Everyone should make sure to choose arcane art of the element that suits your affinity. If you want to learn other elements as well, it's fine. But honestly, it will just be a waste of your time. You will spend too much time learning elements that you have no affinity with while you can do it at half the time on the one you have an affinity with." Sima Fang lifted her hand for an inquiry. Lao Zen nodded as a sign for her to ask. no(????(e)lbi????.n(et "But isn't every element counter one another? If we only learn a single element, won't we be in trouble when we face an opponent that uses an element we are weak against?" She asked. "That is a sound consideration," Lao Zen replied. "That's why we always suggest our students pair up either in missions or in lives. Being in a team with members who had elements that can cover one another will boost your success rate. I know everyone here are proud individuals who like to think they can solo everything by themselves. Let me tell you a life lesson. There is no such shit!" "Soloing everything in life is just wishful thinking and a fairy tale told to the dumb and the uneducated. Even as a cultivator, we still need others. In the past, there were many spirit beasts that were much more powerful than any single cultivator. But in the end, humans became the primary ruler of this world. We occupy most of the land. There were still many spirit beasts, but they have been pushed to the deepest part of the wilderness and there they stay. How do you think we humans achieve that? By working together! If those powerful spirit beasts learn to work together as we did, we will be the ones who are doomed." "If you waste your time trying to learn every single element, you will just be a mediocre practitioner. Others who practice the elements they have affinities with will always be one step ahead. Even if these cultivators are attacked by the element they are weak against, his weaker element can still triumph as long as it has enough power. A metal wall that is three times more powerful due to affinity boost can still block a mediocre fire attack that is not supported by affinity." Lao Zen saw the queue was taking shape already. "All right. Let's not waste any more time. You, come up!" He pointed to the first in the queue.