A World of Monsters, The Grand Academy of Arcadia wasn’t a school. It was a crucible. The moment Batman crossed the threshold, the world shifted. The academy grounds stretched infinitely, an entire city built for war. Towers of arcane energy spiraled into the sky. Floating ptforms carried students across vast courtyards. Dueling arenas crackled with magic. The air itself was heavy with power, saturated with Essence from thousands of students training, fighting, evolving. It was overwhelming. But Batman didn’t falter. His eyes scanned everything—measuring distances, escape routes, vantage points. Every structure, every movement, every whisper of wind. This was hostile territory. And he had just stepped into the lion’s den.

  The Hierarchy of Power A golden screen appeared before him.

  Grand Academy Ranking System

  – Apex Css (Top 10) – Untouchable rulers. Gods among students. – Royal Css (Top 100) – Future kings and conquerors. – Elite Css (Top 500) – Prodigies of noble bloodlines. – Common Css (Ranked 501-5000) – The ambitious and the desperate. – Abyss Css (Below 5000) – The expendables. The nameless. The prey. Batman’s gaze hardened. At the very bottom, one rank stood out.

  Rank: Shadow Initiate (Unranked)

  Status: Abyss Css (Untested) Abyss Css. The lowest of the low. A bel reserved for those deemed too weak to matter. He clenched his fist. He had spent his entire life rising from the abyss. Gotham’s shadows had tried to consume him, just like Arcadia’s system now sought to crush him beneath its weight. But Batman was no stranger to impossible odds. His mind had already accepted it. This was his battlefield now. And he would rise.

  The Strongest of Arcadia The academy wasn’t just divided by rank. It was ruled by monsters. As Batman walked through the colossal halls, he felt them. Predators. Watching. Measuring. Their gazes were suffocating. Then— A voice cut through the air like a bde. “You’re the one from the gates.” Batman stopped. Ahead of him, lounging against an obsidian pilr, stood a figure exuding effortless dominance. Golden hair. Crimson eyes. A casual smirk that didn’t hide the sheer power radiating from him. He wasn’t just strong. He was ranked.

  Lucian Aurelius

  Rank: Apex Css (4th Seat) Title: Arcadia’s Golden Tyrant Batman said nothing. Lucian chuckled. “Unranked, yet you survived the Trial of Shadows.” His gaze sharpened. “You’re interesting.” His instincts screamed. This was the type of person who crushed empires. And yet, Lucian’s interest was already fading. “You won’t st long,” he mused. “A Traveler with no Essence? Arcadia will eat you alive.” Batman didn’t respond. He just kept walking. Lucian raised an eyebrow. Then—he smiled. “Heh. Maybe you’ll entertain me for a while.” Batman ignored him. He had no time for kings. Not yet.

  The First Challenge The academy didn’t welcome the weak. And it certainly didn’t tolerate an Unranked nobody walking through its halls without consequence. He barely made it past the main square before the first attack came. A blur of motion—an unseen strike from behind. Batman spun, dodging by instinct. A bde sliced the air where his neck had been. A voice sneered. “Tch. Fast for an Unranked.” Batman’s eyes locked onto his attacker. A lean, sharp-featured student with emerald green hair, dressed in the uniform of the Common Css. His Essence crackled like lightning, raw and votile.

  Rank: 4812

  Name: Ryo Fenrir Css: Lightning Swordsman Around them, a circle had already formed. A fight. No. A test. “Let me make this simple,” Ryo smirked. “You’re at the bottom. That means you either challenge someone and take their rank—” He raised his bde. “Or someone takes your life.” Batman exhaled slowly. He understood now. This wasn’t just about power. It was about dominance. He would never be left alone until he proved he belonged. The tension snapped. Ryo lunged. Batman moved. The battle had begun. ---