“I know it is not your fault nor do you aim to steal my place. You just wanted to do what you could and took the alternative test. So I will give you a chance to give up now.” Number 2 looked at Miles and said arrogantly.

Miles was still feeling unadjusted. He was looking at the teen, but he was still searching for confirmation in his mind if what he was seeing or hearing was true or not. After living under an illusion for two weeks, he couldn’t even trust his sense of self. Although as soon as he entered through the gate, the bloody vision was gone, he was still not sure if what he was seeing was true or not.

“Coin, is he real?” Miles asked in his mind.

“Yeap, that idiot is real.” Coin approved.

Number 2 looked at Miles with anger and shouted, “Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance.” He then charged Miles with leaving afterimages behind him. His element was rare and powerful. The solar element was greater than regular fire-based abilities. Not only was it hotter than the fire element, but it also had speed enchantment abilities. Especially in Form-Rank.

Number 2, like Miles, was only in the low-tier of Form-Rank, so he wasn’t able to use his element freely yet, but he was a genius, after all, so he could change the form of his element already, although crudely, it was still an amazing feat.

But his base superpower was quite useless too. His superpower was Solar Lamp, allowing him to illuminate and nothing else. Although it had great potential thanks to the rare solar element, it wasn’t that great yet.

Miles looked at the approaching figure, and his mind shut off for a small second. He suddenly remembered all the life and death moments he experienced in the valley for two weeks. Constant danger, paranoia, and blade hanging on his neck.

His fists clenched without him noticing. He looked at the approaching figure but his old self was lost in memories of him killing beasts, and eating their flesh raw.

“MILES! WAKE UP!” He suddenly trembled with a loud voice in his mind and raised his fist slowly. But in the eyes of onlookers, his arm vanished. A half-second later bone cracking was heard, speeding Number 2 moved even faster in the opposite direction. Miles looked at him blankly and lowered his clenched fist.

Other students looked at where the speeding Number 2 ended. He had crashed into the gate and was lying on the ground twitching. There was a fist-shaped depression on his face where Miles punched him. His eyes were all white, and his mouth was foaming.

“That concludes our first challenge. The ranking hasn't changed.” The bald man said and looked at the students. “Now I will introduce myself and explain the merit system.

My name is Milosh Boris, I am the creator and headmaster of the Beast Breeding Academy. Ever since you entered here, your past identities have lost their meanings. Your rankings are your new names now, but if you can make a name for yourself in this place, and earn a title, you are allowed to use that too.

My academy doesn’t deny anyone from entering. Be it, criminals or saints. Anyone can enter here as long as their ultimate goal is protecting Earth from monsters. So, you will see a lot of people from rival factions in your stay here, but you are not allowed to battle them outside of the rules.

There are old members of Starve Cleric and old soldiers living in harmony here. In my home, no one is allowed to discriminate against others. The only thing worth anything in this place is, the merits you earn by killing anything that threatens humanity. Is that clear?” Milosh said, looking at teens listening with complete attention.

“Yes, sir!” All answered at the same time.

“Good, now the merit system. Anything you buy here requires merits. Housing, dining, and all other necessities can only be paid with merit points. If you don’t have merit points, you will starve to death and sleep on the streets.

The accommodations we provided are free for 1423 people for three months only, after three months you are allowed to rent them for 9 more months with your merit points. But after a year, you will have to move to the sophomore area and live there.

The priority of renting and buying are decided according to your ranks. So, if Number 1 and 2 want to rent the same house, although both can afford it, Number 1 has the priority of renting or buying. It is also true in case Number 1 doesn't want to rent the best lodging, so Number 2 can rent it.

So if your ranking is below 1423, you have to battle with those above you and win if you want to stay in those apartments, or you can work hard and rent in the city. But let me tell you this, rents in the city are merciless for students.” Milosh said and looked at students wincing in pain of coming days.

“There are many ways to earn merit points. You can work in the city or you can hunt in the valley. Every hundred walking dead you kill will earn you merit, while every hundred Grunt-Rank low-tier monster cores worth merit, fifty middle-tier monster cores to merit, 20 high-tier monster cores to merit, and 10 pinnacle-tier monster cores worth a merit point. Animals are all considered high-tier monsters, so prove your killings by bringing an ear and get your merits.

As for the Frenzy-Rank monsters, they are much more profitable. You will learn when you first visit the Portal World through the portal we control.

I know how some of you have designed to get these from your friends in the Portal World so you can earn Merits easily, but let me tell you, anyone caught doing that will be sent back in a flash of light, and believe me when I say this. We will know.” Milosh looked at teens with a knowing smile while most sweated. There were indeed some thinking of it.

“Alright, all students are granted 5 merits for you to get used to the academy for a few days. After that, you have to earn merits or you can wait to starve to death.

Number 1, Number 2’s five merits will be sent to your account. He will have to pay 5 more later. Each week, you will earn a merit interest. Any problem?” Milosh looked at Miles and asked.

“No, Sir!” Miles said.

“Good—” Milosh was about to turn around, but Miles stopped him. “Hmm?”

“But, I am not the Number 1,” Miles said.