Previously on The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse...
Klaus solidified his connection with the Jade Queen and spoke with Princess Evren about an upcoming academy tournament. He then contacted Lord Flux to arrange a meeting with the second Supreme and plan to visit the Engineering Department headmistress. After parting ways with Rory and the others, Klaus traveled alone to Planet Biomat, the homeworld of the Milky Way Warrior Academy.
A young lady with short, blue hair, striking blue eyes, lovely features, and a petite figure extended a welcoming hand to Klaus. "Welcome to the Milky Way Academy, Renegade Hunter. I am Eiko, your guide for the day," she said, a radiant smile gracing her face upon meeting him.
She was dressed in the academy's student attire, a green leather outfit adorned with a visible green lotus emblem on her chest.
It was quite evident she was one of the many ardent fans of the Renegade Hunter.
Much like the Knights of House Klaus back on Earth, who worked tirelessly to defend his reputation online and off, Klaus had garnered similar devotion here. Instead of thousands, his supporters now numbered in the billions.
Klaus offered a smile and reached out to shake her hand. "I'm honored to finally be here. Please, just call me Klaus."
Eiko nodded, clearly delighted to be shaking Klaus's hand.
Though she appeared to be in her early teens, Klaus understood she was considerably older than him. She held the rank of an Immortal Monarch, a testament that her physical form and appearance bore no relation to her true strength.
"So, where shall we begin, Eiko? This is my first visit, and I'm eager to learn more. Since you're my tour guide, I trust you can assist me."
"Absolutely. I'm intimately familiar with the academy. Anything you wish to know, I'll gladly help you with."
Klaus smiled and nodded. "In that case, perhaps you could brief me on the academy's structure as we head towards the administration building?"
Eiko nodded and began leading the way.
"The Milky Way Academy is comprised of four colleges: the Warrior College, the Healers College, and the Engineering College.
These three colleges are further divided into numerous departments. For example, within the Warrior College, we have Offensive Warriors and Defensive Warriors.
Even among the Offensive Warriors, there are specialized departments such as Swordsmen, Mages, Spearmen, and various other warriors who focus on distinct weapon types.
The purpose of these departments is to better understand and support a warrior's specific talents. This approach allows them to concentrate solely on what enhances their growth, rather than wasting time on unrelated subjects."
Klaus nodded, feeling a sense of admiration for the academy's organization. If he were to enroll in the Warrior College, he would need to select a department.
The universe was already aware of his proficiency with scythes, swords, and spirit weapons, thanks to his performances in the Jade Nest.
While he possessed the ability to wield any weapon, he had intentionally revealed only these select skills. This strategy would allow him to astonish everyone in the future by unveiling his mastery over other weapons.
However, he doubted anyone in their warrior college could surpass his seventh incarnation, Magnus, in scythe proficiency.
"Which department are you affiliated with?" Klaus inquired, noticing Eiko's expectant gaze.
She smiled and replied, "I'm in the Engineering College, specifically the Array Department. I'm currently a Tier 7 Array Expert and am working towards Tier 8 to qualify for the Formation Department."
Klaus considered asking Eiko about the capabilities of a Tier 7 Array Expert but decided it would be more engaging to let her explain, as she seemed eager to share.
"Could you elaborate on the intricacies of Array and Formation Experts?"
"Certainly. Engineering encompasses various disciplines within the universe, and Array and Formation studies are among them. Unlike the past distinction between Array Masters and Formation Grandmasters, our proficiency is now measured in tiers.
A Tier 1 Array Expert can design F- and E-Class arrays. Tier 2 is capable of D-Class arrays. As a Tier 7, like myself, I can design SS-Class arrays. This places me in a department responsible for creating arrays for SS-Class weapons.
The same principle applies to Formation Masters. Although formations are significantly more complex, achieving Tier 8 in Array Mastery would enable me to become a Tier 4 Formation Master."
"Why is that the case?" Klaus inquired, feigning ignorance.
"Because formations are created by merging multiple arrays. Arrays themselves are derived from the combination of numerous array symbols, and sometimes even multiple distinct arrays. Formations, however, represent a further level of integration.
My expertise as an Array Expert allows me to draw arrays, but without the ability to integrate them into complex formations, I wouldn't qualify as a Formation Expert."
"Then, who is currently the most formidable Array Expert at the academy?"
Eiko paused, then turned to face Klaus. "That would be our Headmistress. She holds the rank of a Tier X Array and Formation Expert. She is one of the rare individuals in the human universe to possess such profound mastery."
Klaus nodded, slightly taken aback by her exceptional ranking.
From his recollection, mastery typically concluded at Tier 10, allowing an expert to design SSE arrays and formations. Tier X was an unheard-of level during the era when Efad (Star Monarch) reigned supreme among engineers.
’It appears much has changed during my absence.’
Just as he was about to voice another query, Eiko intervened.
"You must understand that even the Headmistress is not the pinnacle. She possesses the capability to design X-Class armaments, often referred to as Doomsday weapons. However, this title doesn’t solidify her position as the ultimate engineer.
From my last intelligence, within the Dwarven Universe, they have already mastered the creation of XS-Class and XSS-Class weapons and are currently advancing towards the subsequent tier, designated as XX.
Indeed, among the highest-ranking engineers at this academy, the entire top five are humans who received their tutelage under dwarven masters."
Klaus abruptly halted in his steps, his countenance paling considerably. "Wait just a moment, did you imply that beyond X-Class weapons, there exist XS- and XSS-Class armaments as well?"
This revelation left Klaus utterly speechless. He had only anticipated the existence of X-Class weapons but found XS-Class and XSS-Class weapons to be far beyond his wildest expectations.
It was as though he had just encountered the most preposterous concept the universe had ever conceived.
Eiko offered a gentle smile. "The Dwarven Universe is not without reason acclaimed as the most formidable. Their weaponry is legendary and carries immense destructive potential.
The last report indicated that they conducted a trial of one of their XS-Class weapons on the Ancient Battlefield, successfully eliminating a Foreign Race powerhouse on par with the Burning Angel."
"Unbelievable."
Klaus concealed a subtle smile, though the astonishment at the existence of such powerful armaments persisted.
’I must exercise extreme caution this time. If XS- and XSS-Class weapons are now a reality, then X-Class weapons, once considered ultimate deterrents, are likely now commonplace.’
’It is settled, I am determined to become an engineer and forge such formidable weapons. Even if I have no immediate need for them, my wives and loved ones would undoubtedly benefit from their protection.’
As Klaus was processing these profound thoughts, the void abruptly fractured, and three individuals emerged, exuding an aura of overwhelming arrogance and semi-divine might.
The instant his gaze fell upon them, an immediate premonition of trouble washed over him.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" one of them remarked, his expression laced with palpable disdain.
"If it isn't the Renegade Hunter," the second individual chimed in, while the third joined in with a resonant laugh. Their voices, seemingly amplified to ensure widespread audience, reverberated throughout, swiftly drawing attention.
News propagated rapidly across the academy regarding the arrival of the Renegade Hunter.
An increasing number of individuals began to congregate, transforming the area into a densely packed throng in mere moments. Outwardly, Klaus maintained a stern expression, yet inwardly, upon sensing the formidable auras of the three students before him, his convoluted heart swelled with a clandestine joy.
