I walked out of the academy building and went to the town library. Along the way I saw many people eyeing me. News of me passing has spread and now people knew they couldn't mess with me since I was a cultivator.

  A tier 1 cultivator had increased physical capabilities as well and elemental powers. Not to mention they had training in martial arts. A tier 1 cultivator could easily defeat 10 normal people even without using their elemental powers.

  The gap in strength between the tiers existed but it wasn't too severe. A tier 1 cultivator wasn't that much weaker then a tier 2 cultivator and in certain cases they could even win but those cases were rare and usually came down to martial prowess, environment, preparation and sheer luck and determination.

  The gap in strength between the higher tiers was much larger. For example you need a few tier 4 cultivators to defeat a single tier 5 cultivator but the higher tiers are much harder to reach. The Moon Flower Sect had around a hundred tier 1 cultivators and it had 16 cultivators who were tier 2.

  Due to such a low number of cultivators the sect made sure that each cultivator was extensively trained in martial arts.

  As I made it to the library I walked to the receptionist desk and asked the female receptionist about books that talked about the Frontier. I wanted to learn as much as possible before my first expedition into the Frontier.

  The receptionist gave me a few books which I bought and carried back to the academy.

  ...

  As I closed the door of my room I put all the books on the table before picking one which I would read. Even though the book had over 100 pages I read through it at a quick pace. Since bonding with Will my brain functions were now quicker and more advanced which allowed me to read and comprehend information at a much faster rate.

  The next 7 days followed a pattern. I would wake up, eat. go to the battlegrounds to practice my elemental powers and then start and finish a book by the end of the day.

  After these 7 days passed I flipped the last page of the last book that I bought.

  Satisfied I let out a sigh and laid on my bed. But before I could fall asleep I heard a knock at my door. I walked towards the door and opened it to see one of the academy elder's assistants standing there.

  "What is it?" I asked.

  "The elder wants to see you. It's an urgent matter. Follow me."

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  I followed the assistant to the elder's office and walked inside while he remained outside.

  I saw the Elder sitting on his desk but there were also other's in the room. Adam was there and so were many other people. I came to the conclusion that they were the other student who passed and became cultivators. The question now was why the Elder called us all here.

  After I walked into the room the Elder spoke in a calm voice.

  "I suspect that certain students who failed to pass might try to break into the academy's treasury and steal the elemental spirits." the elder informed us.

  Everyone was a bit shocked about this, including me, but we didn't interrupt the Elder and instead we let him continue speaking.

  "This has happened many times in the academy's history. About every 15 years or so is when the event occurs. The academy has kept it hidden from the public in order to keep the public from doubting the academy. I suspect this is the year it's going to happen again. I want you all to guard the treasury in shifts. Meanwhile I'll inform other cultivators about this and get them to investigate the students."

  The Elder then stood up from his desk and addressed all of us at once.

  "Do you understand the assignment?" the Elder asked.

  We all spoke in unison.

  "Yes Elder. We understand."

  All of then walked out of the room while the assistant who was waiting outside walked into the room.

  After we all left the assistant asked the Elder.

  "Did you really have to fabricate this entire story about students breaking into the treasury?" he asked.

  The Elder looked at him and let out a sigh before explaining.

  "It's their first test as cultivators so I decided to teach them how to work together. But students breaking into the treasury is a real possibility that we have though of so if it turns out there is one happening this year then at least we will be ready."

  "I understand." the assistant said before walking out of the room.

  ...

  I and the other passing students walked towards the treasury. As we opened the door with a key we gazed at all the stuff that was located inside the treasury. There were weapons, armor and black crystal boxes which contained the elemental spirits.

  Adam then turned to us. His green eyes reflecting us.

  "We don't know each other very well and we don't even know each others abilities so how about we begin with a few introductions. I am Adam Fatestar and I am a Earth Core Cultivator."

  The others, as well as me, agreed that this was for the best and so I decided to introduce myself next.

  "I am Richard Sunborn and I am a Storm Core Cultivator."

  The others also introduced themselves.

  "Alice Redgrass. Water Core Cultivator."

  "Jonathan Joestar. Storm Core Cultivator."

  "Julia Leaf. Earth Core Cultivator."

  After the introductions ended we decided on the shifts.

  From 4 AM to 2 PM Adam will be standing guard at the treasury.

  From 2 PM to 10 PM Alice and I would be standing guard.

  From 10 PM to 4 AM Jonathan and Julia would be standing guard.

  Since I was going to be standing guard with her I decided to get to know Alice a little bit better.

  But when I turned to walk towards her I noticed she was also walking towards me. Our eyes met and we both stopped in place.

  "Did we both think of getting to know each other better?" I though inwardly for a moment before walking forward.

  Alice was a beautiful girl by all means. She had raven black hair which extended past her shoulders and her eyes were a light grey.

  I extended my right hand and greeted her.

  "I'm Richard."

  "I'm Alice."