The Palace of Receding Tide. It was one of the gigantic palaces Oscar observed from on top of the airship. Great spiral pillars surrounded its walls, supporting the great arches above. All around the walls were pedestals that held the statues of past Exalts.

They lined around the entire palace, like eternal watchers eyeing the next generation of students. Oscar felt overwhelmed by the presence these statues emanated. These statues gave him the feeling they were alive.

"Fred. These statues…"

"My aunt told me each statue is carved in the likeness of great Exalts and given the power to move and fight. They will come to its defense if the Blue Ocean Pavilion is ever under attack." Frederick explained and bowed to the regal figures.

Oscar also bowed before the statues. Although he did not know who they were, they were famous enough to be engraved here as protectors and worth all their respect.

"There's no need to be so stiff. Let's get inside." Frederick moved along.

Oscar nodded and stepped onto the paved marble path to the palace entrance. As they approached, Oscar asked, "Why is it called Palace of Receding Tide?"

"Do you know about the different tides?"

"Yes, they were described in a book." Oscar remembered the details from a book he had about the seas. One of his dreams was to visit them.

"The tides recede in warning of a great calamity. Some records indicate a huge tidal wave spanning miles high and wide swallowing entire cities into the depths."

Stunned, Oscar stared at Frederick to see if he was joking, but he could tell it was the truth.

"The name is Receding Tide because we need to expect the worst once we enter through these doors."

"Sink or swim?" Oscar looked at the ominous entrance with no carvings or sigils. However, he was determined. The Trial of Heart honed his bravery and will, so Oscar gathered the courage to move on.

The pair went inside to see a man waiting for them. The stranger wore the uniform of the Blue Ocean Pavilion with glasses. He had wavy blond hair with blue eyes. Although he looked young, Oscar felt as though this man was ancient.

"Congratulations to you both. Passing the two trials requires great strength and will. I, the Vice Pavilion Master, welcome you to the Blue Ocean Pavilion." The stranger introduced himself as the Vice Pavilion Master, John Williams.

Oscar and Frederick immediately greeted him back.

"Vice Pavilion Master graces us with your presence."

John waved his hand, and the two boys felt an invisible power forcing them up.

"It's the duty of the Vice Pavilion Master to welcome all newcomers. Now take your sacred oaths."

The sacred oaths. Once a person becomes a member of the Blue Ocean Pavilion, they have to swear never to betray it and never to tarnish the Pavilion's prestige.

Thankfully, Ivanka's guidebook mentioned it, so Oscar wasn't completely clueless.

The sacred oath was inscribed on the wall behind John. Each character felt unusually magnetic, as though Oscar could not peer his eyes away.

Oscar and Frederick placed their right arm across their chest to their heart as they recited the oath.

" I swear my allegiance to the Blue Ocean Pavilion.

I swear to be a proud member who will live, fight, and die for our name.

Never will I betray it

From this moment onwards to the end

"

Vice Pavilion Master John looked pleased to hear them swear the oath. Although it was slightly annoying to come here every year, it was worth it to see the new students.

"Here are your new uniforms and badges." John flicked his fingers as two pairs of neatly folded blue uniforms went to Oscar and Frederick. Next came two bluestone tablets with their names engraved.

"Continue to the Outer Hall."

"Thank you, Vice Pavilion Master."

Oscar tightly gripped his badge and uniform, his eyes began to water slightly, but he quieted his emotions down. This was just the start. He would cry once he became a powerful, accomplished Exalt.

The Vice Pavilion Master pointed to the hall on their left. Oscar saw the words 'Outer Hall' labeling it and turned towards it.

He reached the exit where the sunlight poured into the halls. There were arrays of rivers, flat plains with small hills, and several humongous palaces scattered over the fields.

What a difference! Oscar felt as if the air here was exceptionally clean and refreshing, the plants were so vibrant with many colors, and the skies were like a painting with their clear blue color and fluffy clouds.

"It's amazing. Aunt said it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen."

Frederick was speechless from the view. It was like walking into some fairy tale land of wonder.

"Isn't it amazing, Os?"

"Yes."

For some reason, Oscar felt like laying down the hill right now onto the tall seafoam-colored grass. His desires were interrupted when another person approached them.

"Hey, newcomers. Welcome to the Outer Hall." A person approached them, wearing the uniform of the Blue Ocean Pavilion.

"I'm Nicholas, your guide. I've been in the Blue Ocean Pavilion for three years." Nicholas greeted the two.

Oscar and Frederick followed Nicholas as he explained the Outer Hall.

"The Outer Hall consists of hundreds of students, a dorm for girls and boys, lecture halls for classes, though those barely happen in the Outer Hall."

"Why is that?" Oscar asked.

"Instructors are also Exalts, so they prefer to focus on training themselves. Additionally, they feel their efforts are better spent in the Inner Hall to find the best personal disciples and make connections."

"Only Inner Hall members are allowed to become disciples of an elder or instructor. Those in the Outer Hall have to make do with themselves."

Oscar sighed helplessly. It seems the disparity of treatment extended far. Although he understood the rational thought, he still felt it was somewhat heartless.

Nicholas noticed Oscar's behavior and said, "It's the norm for Exalts. The more powerful you are, the better treatment you receive. In the end, it's all so the Pavilion can field the strongest Exalts."

Nicholas knew what Oscar felt. He felt the same when he first entered the Pavilion. However, three years passed, and he was stuck in the Outer Hall while the Inner Hall continued to excel.

For a time, he believed it was because the Inner Hall enjoyed most of the benefits. However, after a failure in a mission, he realized he was simply just outmatched from the start.

He grasped Oscar's shoulder and looked down.

"Don't obsess over it. You'll feel better by not thinking about how it's unfair. They're better; it's just that way."

Nicholas witnessed many new students come in with hopeful aspirations only to crash harder due to reality. He did not care for them, but their woes of grief always annoyed him when he just wanted to let the years pass on.

"Thank you, Senior. But I must still try." Oscar shook Nicholas's hand off him and stared straight at Nicholas. His eyes were unyielding, full of determination.

"Hmph, that's right. We'll be in the Inner Hall before you know it." Frederick wrapped his arm around Oscar's shoulders like a good brother. He did not appreciate how Nicholas was trying to put out their drive.

"If that's what you feel. I only hope you don't break down from it."

Nicholas shifted back to his role as a guide, explaining the different facilities in the Pavilion. Finally, they stopped at a small house-like building.

"Good afternoon, Old Saul." Nicholas greeted an elderly man on the chair outside. The elder, Saul, did not glance at Nicholas but eyed Oscar and Frederick.

"They are new students and will need the Ein Gathering Technique."

Ein Gathering Technique? Oscar never heard anything like that.

"Here." The elder's voice was immensely deep and aged. He snapped his fingers, and two scrolls appeared in front of Oscar and Frederick.

"Let's go" Nicholas led them away from the elder, who went back to resting on his chair. Oscar glanced back towards the elder, who noticed his gaze and opened his sleepy eyes. Oscar trembled in a cold sweat as he felt like he was falling into an endless pit.

Thankfully, Oscar experienced much in the trials and pulled his eyes away. Nicholas and Frederick did not notice what happened.

"Who is that elder?" Oscar felt that Elder Saul was most likely a terrifying Exalt.

"Old Saul? He's been here for a long time as the courtyard keeper. He maintains and cleans the Outer Hall. He is also an Exalt, but he's not strong, so he's left here."

"Not strong?" Oscar doubted that. Although he had little experience with Exalts, the feeling the elder gave him was much more than Lewis, Ivanka, Robert, or even Vice Pavilion Master John.

He put his thoughts away as he needed to focus on the Outer Hall. Maybe he would never find out more about Elder Saul.

"Here are the dorms. My job here is done, and good luck as future Exalts." Nicholas said his farewells and walked away.

"That guy irritates me." Frederick looked indignant about Nicholas' attitude.

"No need to be so angry. Let's see our room."

Luckily, Frederick and Oscar were placed in the same room. The Dorms themselves were one of the largest buildings in the Outer Hall.

They received their keys from the receptionist and made their way to their room.

"Room 3407. Just how big is this place?" Frederick gasped for air as they traveled up many flights of stairs to the 34th floor.

"Be thankful we didn't get a room on the 40th floor. I don't think we can last more flights of stairs." Oscar was sweating heavily. Although he worked many manual labors on the farm, he never went through so many stairs.

They arrived in front of a room with the numbers '3407' etched on it. Oscar unlocked the door and entered inside. There was nothing but two beds on opposite walls with two tables.

"This is it?" Frederick was confused about the state of the accommodations. "Are they skimping out on us?"

The beds were simple wooden beds with a soft pillow and thin blankets. The tables had only one shelf. There seemed to be two closets for their stuff and clothing.

"It's pretty big!"

Oscar was a commoner, so a room like this was amazing. It was clean, and the beds were well made with clean fabrics. There was nothing Oscar could complain about.

Frederick was speechless at Oscar's enthusiasm. He remembered Oscar probably never had experienced luxury, even to this small extent. So he did not spoil this moment.

"It sure is." Frederick said with an awkward face. His room back home was bigger than this.

The boys got settled in and chose their beds. Oscar had many books to put away, while Frederick did not have much, so the closet was almost all of Oscar's stuff.

Oscar changed into the Blue Ocean uniform. Well-fitted blue trousers with a linen dress shirt. He wore a sharp blue jacket over it; on its back was the sigil of the Blue Ocean Pavilion, the swirling waves with a trident in the center.

"Hmm, you don't look too bad in it. It's a shame you aren't more handsome. I'd bet you would have stolen the hearts of many girls." Frederick chuckled.

Oscar was not handsome, nor was he ugly. He had a somewhat aesthetically pleasing face but gave off an ordinary impression.

"You should wear your uniform more properly." Oscar looked at Frederick, who wore his sleeves up, and his top buttons were left unfinished.

"It's fine. Anyway, let's begin our Exalt training."

Oscar was excited to start.