The academy was split apart by walls and most of the important buildings in the academy were in the inner area of the academy. The Core area of the academy was not open to many and only elders, teachers and core students resided there and nobody could enter without permission.

In a large, expensive Red Ranked Residence sat a large youth at his desk with a frustrated expression.

"What do you mean he noticed you watching him. I told you to sneak up on him and bring him back to me. But you not only didn't capture him, but you were also noticed by him" he shouted angrily.

"Sorry boss" they both apologised in unison.

"Get out" he ordered angrily.

The two Red Ranked Students scurried off.

"Ah, I have to everything myself. We want to get him to join our faction before the others approached him and I was hoping to capture him and scare him into joining us, but he will be cautious from now on and that won't be a possibility. So just like the other factions, we need to use diplomacy and offer him benefits for him to join us" stated the youth to himself.

Ever since rumours of the Newbie Competition had reached the Inner Academy, the factions were eyeing up Damian who seemed to be the leader of the top students and also the most capable out of them, in the hopes of gaining 5 strong subordinates.

There were 4 main factions, the Wolf Faction, the Eagle Faction, the Tiger Faction and the Bear Faction.

Each of them was led by students that were in the top 100, but weren't yet Core students, and had formed their own factions within the academy granting their members protection and opportunities, while also collecting a tax.

If one was not to join a faction, they would be vulnerable and wouldn't have any protection that would deter other students from stealing from them.

Damian had heard about the factions from Utsusu, but he didn't have the intention of joining any of them and relying on others to protect him.

[Utsusu do you know who was watching me] asked Damian.

He was finding it hard to focus on his cultivation and he could feel that it was hindering his progress, so he decided he would pause to ask Utsusu about it.

{Yes, you being followed and watched by two Red Ranked Students. They seem to be scouting you for a faction} informed him Utsusu.

[If you knew this, why didn't you tell me] screamed Damian within his mind frustratedly.

{The host sensed it by himself and needs to be independent. But from now on you must be more cautious as you know the rustic rules of the Academy just as well as I do} warned Utsusu.

Akegria Academy was an academy that gave its students freedom, and it was like a prison on the inside.

It was survival of the fittest and the strong would prey on the weak and steal contribution points and valuables from the weak.

Which was why most students resorted to joining a faction and paying taxes to the leaders of the faction.

The Academy had formed a hierarchy of its own within it.

[Life is unfair and as of now, there is no equality. Only with strength will I be able to do what I want] stated Damian to himself.

[Utsusu what rank are Inner Academy Students] asked Damian.

{After reaching or surpassing the 5th Rank of the Mortal Rank and passing the Inner Student Test, students may become inner disciples. It also had other requirements like earning 1000 contribution points for the academy, entering the top 10,000 students from all the academies that they have in the Gobe Country and having High Level Mastery of at least one F Rank Skill.

While a Core Student must be in the top 50 and has to also be recognised by an elder as a loyal, talented and worthy student. They also must have earned 10,000 contribution points and must have completed at least 10 missions of a high difficulty to show their ability} explained Utsusu.

Hearing Utsusu, at first Damian thought it would be easy for him to become an Inner Student and even a Core Student, however, he didn't understand the use of the skill that he gained and wouldn't be able to master it if it was in a different language, that he didn't recognise. He also only had 90 contribution points, which he hadn't earned and were rewarded to him.

"It looks like I have a long way to go" mumbled Damian to himself seeing how much he had yet to do to become an Inner Academy Student.

A faction would lift talented students and help them easily complete the tests and the requirements for becoming an Inner Academy Student, while also making the students indebted to them and loyal to the faction.

However, Damian without the support of a faction had to rely on himself.

[Utsusu activate the Maxwell Fire Soul Spirit] communicated Damian within his mind.

Damian could feel a flame form within his dantian beside the copy book as his changeable energy began to change.

It was a sensational feeling as his previously clear energy became red with a golden tint and began to circulate around his body.

Forming a small red flame within his hand, Damian could feel his strength had risen quite massively.

"I can now begin to use Pyrokinesis at a minimal level, and can begin to see the golden tint in my flames" observed Damian.

Damian was beginning to understand more and more about how the fire element could be used after only learning the first 20 pages of the Golden Flame Method.

The fire he was controlling was fueled by his energy, that after he ignited would rely on his energy to sustain itself, and with his mind and will, he could manipulate the flame to do his bidding.

It was an incredible feeling to be in control of the burning fame he felt within his dantian.

Retracting his flame, Damian felt his mind had been cleared after Utsusu's words and his drive strengthened, after seeing how much he was yet to accomplish.

"Time to continue cultivating"