Miles and Alex walked through the valley as they hunted. The perimeter of the academy had the lowest number of monsters and animals, but the walking dead were mindless. They would be drawn to the academy like flies to honey. Thus they were easy to find. Miles and Alex didn’t want to carry human ears with them in the Portal World, so after killing them they left them on the ground.

Miles was carrying a bow and arrows. Alex said Miles could be the rear support while he was fighting with the monsters. Although Miles didn’t want to admit it, he was weaker at the moment, and without armor, he was quite unguarded at the moment. He didn’t have the capital to buy a Frenzy-Rank armor orb nor did he have an opportunity to find one. He wanted to forge one for himself, but the armor he would don wouldn't be a simple one. He had one in mind, but it would take really rare and expensive materials to forge.

After scaling the area for 15 minutes, they reached a military compound on top of a mountain. It was covered by mountains from all sides. The portal was inside a cave, and the compound itself was carved into the mountain. It was as safe as it could be as the military already placed sealing devices. If things got out of hand, soldiers could seal the mountain and defend the cave from the single opening. It was the perfect defense. There was also a similar structure on the other side of the portal defending the portal. When the density of the monster diminished, soldiers would lure them to Earth and let them go into the valley.

There were only a few Frenzy-Rank monsters in the valley, and they were being tracked by one of the higher-ups all the time to prevent it from killing students. After all, unlike humans, Frenzy-Rank monsters were at their second phase of energy practice so most of them had weird abilities similar to ultimates.

After showing their wristwatches, the duo passed the barriers and saw the portal. This was Miles’s second time seeing a portal, but the last one was half-sealed already.

The amazing marvel in front of him was a slowly spinning vortex pinned in the air. The color was mostly black and the rest was shades of black. The spinning part looked gray, so it was still noticeable. Miles was wondering how did humans dare to step into portals after they were able to clear Earth from monsters for the first time.

Miles gulped and looked at the vortex. ‘There is Portal World behind this thing.’ Although he had been into Portal World many times, this was different. Walking through a portal was a whole different experience. This experience almost started a second renaissance when people passed through the portal for the first time.

Miles looked at Alex, and both nodded. He took the lead and walked into an abyss with his heart palpitating in his chest like a mad boar trampling the grass. As soon as he put his step into the portal, he felt the air around him change. When he opened his eyes, he was looking at endless meadows. The sun was different, the air was different. One step changed everything around him. This feeling was indescribable.

It was Alex who brought him out of his stupor. Alex too passed the portal and patted him on the shoulder. “Yea, yea beautiful. Let’s move.”

Miles looked around and noticed soldiers were looking at him with not-so-kind smiles. They were enjoying his bewilderment. But he didn’t care at all. The feeling was really breathtaking.

Miles walked into the small base with Alex and met the Post Commander. Because the Academy was a unique existence luring even Frenzy-Rank monsters, the Post Commander was the peak of Form-Rank.

Miles and Alex took a map from the base to Academy’s stronghold and left the base. There weren’t many monsters around because monsters were especially keen. When the peak of Form-Rank post commander was around, monsters would run as far as they could. That was fear imprinted in their genes.

Only after small distances did monsters start to attack them because that was the border of G and F-Circles.

The portal they passed through was the farthest natural portal ever recorded. All the others always opened from the middle or outer perimeter of the G-Circle, as this one was almost at the middle of the F-Circle, the distance wasn’t that far away.

Miles and Alex reached Stronghold without encountering any strong Frenzy-Rank monsters. It wasn’t that far from the portal, but still separate from it. In case of a sudden stampede, the stronghold could still defend, but if the portal was amidst the stronghold, it would only increase the hazard.

After signing up, Miles and Alex left to hunt some monsters. The stronghold was livelier than the academy. Most students wanted to hunt monsters to earn more merit points, so Portal World was more alluring than the valley.

“You must be the freshmen.” As Alex and Miles were walking in the garden of the Stronghold, a hunky man stopped them with a burst of laughter.

“Yes, it is our first time in the stronghold,” Alex said with a smile.

“Oh, welcome to the Academy young beasts. We, as your elders are here for you if you need anything okay.” The guy then hit his forehead with his palm and said, “Where are my manners? Name is David, David Ramos. I am a sophomore. Anyway, if you need anything, you can always look for me, all right?”

Alex and Miles looked at each other and thanked David as they walked away. Both had seen a glint in each other's eyes.

“I would be careful if I were you.” Before they could walk too far away, a girl stopped them. Miles looked at the girl, she was a natural red-head with cute freckles on her face. She was looking at the duo with sympathy as she sighed.

“Thank you, miss. We will be careful.” Miles thanked with a smile. He and Alex already sensed that man was up to no good. Although his words were kind, the blatant scheming in his eyes was clear as day. But to be warned by a stranger still made Miles feel grateful.

“Hmm. As long as you are aware how vile this place is.” She said as she rose on her feet gracefully. “I am Maya, I have to go now, just be careful.”

Miles and Alex noticed a party of four people approaching. Maya joined them, as they left the stronghold together.