An Extra’s POV

The Draconic Imperial Academy.

It was a haven of greatness, sponsored directly by the Emperor, and supervised by a Dragon Lord. No other institute, besides the military, boasted of such prestige in the entire Empire, which spoke volumes of its importance.

Most Dragons either went to Centers or were homeschooled for their primary education, but the Academy was only attended by those who had the potential to be of proper use to the Empire through official means.

Those who attended this place were the ones who had the most respectable jobs in the Empire, and the ones who excelled were the ones who had access to the most prestigious occupation a Dragon could ever have.

—A Military Officer.

It was the dream of every Dragon to serve the Emperor on the battlefield, so it was the highest standard.

Not just anyone could go to the battlefield.

It was only the best of the best.

To reach such heights, however, the bare minimum would be to graduate with sufficient merits accrued within the Academy.

This meant graduating in as little time as possible, and also in the highest possible Class.

In the Academy system, each Class was divided into Rank A to F, and depending on the results of the Entrance Test, students were placed in their respectively ranked Class. Points were allocated per week based on results and challenges, and if the students in a particular Rank Class fell short, they would be demoted to a lower ranked class. Those who failed to meet up at Rank F were naturally expelled from the Academy. In essence, the Entrance Exams were merely the beginning. There were 3 Basic Stages in the Academy, and once one passed all 3, they became a fully fledged Soldier. One could also take the Advanced Stages—also 3 in number—and be promoted to a Commander.

Then, only the exceptional ones could climb the ranks once more and take the Final 3 Stages to become a General.

This meant the Imperial Academy offered a total of 9 Stages.

Some could clear these 9 in a decade or two—signifying great talent and potential—while others could never hope to accomplish it in a century.

Even among Dragons, the strongest race in the world, there existed unfairness in status and power.

***************

"Hey, are you excited for this batch of newbies?"

Within the grand central building of the Basic Stage's Classrooms, on the first floor of the massive structure, was Class 1-A.

number of students that were inside—a total of thirteen—and just how neatly

walls shone like marbles, and the seats—both empty and occupied—were arranged in a neat

of twenty

students standing and gathered together in a group, talking constantly about the new students

noisier as

It's been a while since we've had

you put

"Of course, I'm excited!"

"Hahaha! Right?"

do you think they'll

not they're worth their salt once

"True… true…"

so long since we've had fresh blood here—ah, well, not so long, but

"Shhh! You're too loud."

wait! I think

their seats, not waiting before their instructor got too close before

the only one raising your voice now, Class Rep!" A few students whispered to the girl who stood on her feet to organize the class in response

and

was standing, and only her voice echoed loudly in the classroom, causing a pink hue to appear

"A-ah… sorry…"

she could sit, though, the Instructor entered the

couldn't even properly process this information before a certain

are you on

and somewhat scary face caused the girl to shriek

just… you see… erm… n-nevermind…

she seemed to melt as she collapsed

essentially the bottom of the food chain. Class 1—A or not—were

already a Commander,

was everything

Instructor would demand utter silence, but the students couldn't help but gasp as

flustered Class

the boy contrasted heavily with the pure white of the girl, creating a cathartic harmony that made them all shiver in silence as they watched