After the decision was made, we basically had to attend all these meetings and deal with a bunch of administrative papers. Not sure why, but Lascavall took us with him. It was a bunch of boring stuff so I'll skip over it.
"Tomorrow is your big day, guys! Are you excited?" [Lascavall]
I forgot to mention the Spear KIng had already left. He actually went to get Leynha before taking off again.
"So we're going to check out the knight's academy first?" [Solace]
"I'm looking forward to it." [Leynha]
"I don't mind either, so I'm alright with it." [Fina]
We spent some time before this buying class necessities, which consisted of the usual stuff like pencils and notebooks. …Except for the part where we needed to purchase swords, staffs, and a few other materials mostly for magic. In the end, I was responsible for carrying everything in my |Item Box|.
("Why does the mage school need so much stuff?") [Solace]
I feel like we bought nearly a quarter's worth of all the monster materials I already have. As a matter of fact, how did the stores acquire their merchandise?
("What a surreal experience.") [Solace]
The shops were modern too. We basically went into a shopping mall where some stores sold exclusively preserved monster parts for magic. The other stores sold weapons, clothes, perfume, and a bunch of other random unrecognizable things. The food court was nice though.
("I don't even know what I ate. I wonder if it was monster meat?") [Solace]
After our shopping spree, we met up at the factory where Lascavall was. He had emptied out a few rooms we could use as our own, which I wasn't so sure was fine so I ended up asking him.
"Huh? Yeah, I basically wasn't using those rooms for anything really. I originally used them for storage, but Number Zero cleaned everything up when I first made her. I never have to store anything anymore with Number Zero around." [Lascavall]
To be honest, I still don't know what Number Zero does here. She does maid work I guess, but she also pampers Lasc. I'm really not sure how I feel about it.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
"Three… Two… One… Cheers!" [Lascavall] [Solace] [Fina] [Leynha]
The day before school, we celebrated our enrollment. Leynha planned on taking the knight's course, so we decided to go with her today. Afterwards, Fina and I will visit the mage's academy.
("If I remember correctly, we have to go to the auditorium.") [Solace]
The schedule was a bit weird for us. Our admission method made us skip a few things. The first of them was an orientation about a few days ago. The second was the admission test. Unlike modern day, Naballia's education system was based on a form of talent. They would test students and put them in classes that rank from 1-10. The closer to 1, the more advanced the class is.
("What could they possibly teach in each of those classes?") [Solace]
Swordsmanship can only go so far, right? In any case, we were automatically placed in class 1. I'm more than sure some strings were pulled for that. In any case, the next day came and we had to dress up in our uniforms. …Is what I'd normally say, but turns out uniforms aren't really a thing here. The only thing to prove that you're a student is an ID card. Something similar to the Adventurer's Guild card.
("Good thing it doesn't use blood for this one.") [Solace]
I would've hated to bite my tongue again for that. Unlike the Adventurer's Guild, this card is able to register the owner by holding onto it for 3 minutes. After registration, it cannot be configured. It also reads the owner by their mana.
("Naballia really is advanced.") [Solace]
We showed up to campus wearing semi-casual clothing. Fina and Leynha dressed up somewhat formally, if you include workwear. I just wore a casual navy blue long sleeve shirt and black sweatpants. Courtesy of Lascavall.
("They're wearing gear that we'd do small quest outings on.") [Solace]
Fina and Leynha wore hardened leather armor parts around their bodies. Bracers, shin guards, heartplates, and shoulder pads. They wore something light, but durable. It was as if they were expecting to get dirty in physical activities.
("Maybe I should've worn something like that too.") [Solace]
I brushed it off knowing my body is more durable than steel. …Though I still felt like I was missing out.
"Do you guys know where the auditorium is? I didn't memorize the campus layout." [Solace]
"What? Each student is given a copy of the campus map. Didn't you bring it with you?" [Fina]
Pretty sure I left it back at the factory, but I just shrugged.
"Dunno where it went." [Solace]
"You're so irresponsible. How could I ever entrust Fina to you?" [Leynha]
"You're one to talk. Your mom ratted you out the very instant we met." [Solace]
"What?! When was that?!" [Leynha]
I glanced at Fina.
"Ah… We met her during the Hero's journey. We captured some bandits and handed them over to the knight's order." [Fina]
"And that knight's order had to be my moms…?" [Leynha]
Fina nodded quietly.
"...Let's just go to the auditorium guys." [Leynha]
We remained quiet the whole walk. Sure there were many sights worth admiring as we passed through the campus, but it wasn't anything special. Fountains, rest areas, agricultural reserves, a smithy, dedicated club buildings, and more. It didn't exactly feel like a knight's academy. If I had to say, it felt more like a college campus. Among all these places, I found that the auditorium was the only circular shaped building. From outside it reminded me of the colosseum, but just not as big. It was still pretty large though. I'd say it could easily fit around three thousand people and upwards to ten thousand?
("All that space for what?") [Solace]
There were several lines at the entrance. From what I could tell, they were categorizing students by year.
"This way. Softmores are over here." [Fina]
Apparently Lascavall was able to transfer Fina and Leynha's credits from Metus over to this academy. Since I had no record, they just copied Fina's previous classes to mine.
("I told them I'm not going to attend the classes though.") [Solace]
We argued a while ago about how following Fina doesn't require me to be regarded as a student, but Lascavall registered me regardless. Anyway, we took around fifteen minutes to get into the auditorium where we were ushered down a row of seats to fit uniformly.
("This… feels like a concert. If the room wasn't well lit that is.") [Solace]
Unlike the colosseum, there was a stage on the side of the building rather than the center. In the circular structure, it was designed to have a descending row of seats facing the stage. The walls inside were dark gray with red curtains hanging near the stage, so I could assume that the auditorium was used for music or theatre related activities when not in use.
("They even have stage lights up there.") [Solace]
There were giant unused beam lights hanging from the ceiling, but they weren't that different from the ones on earth. After I stared at it a little, I realized they had a lens over a large mana stone to make it work.
("Are they powering it with the mana stone or using the illumination of the mana stone as light?") [Solace]
After around thirty more minutes, nearly every seat was filled. I saw a few adults walking around and communicating, so I guessed that they were checking if all the students had arrived. After another five minutes, an elderly man walked onto the stage. I only judged that by the wrinkles on his face since I don't think hair could turn gray or white because of the blessing of the gods.
"Hello there students. The knight's academy and I are honored to have you join us today." [???]
The elderly man wore white and gold, making it look almost regal. It looked like a somewhat modern military officer uniform, just a little more flashy. Still, I'm not sure if it matched his brown hair. The uniform had a white cape covering his left shoulder, firmly held by a shoulder plating. The cape itself was decorated with seven medals, each unique in their own right. Certain sections of the clothing had symbols embroidered onto it, which had no meaning to me. However, I could tell the students around me were surprised to see the man.
"I am Baltross, vice principal of the knight's academy. Some of you may know me from another name, but I ask that you only call me Mister Baltross here." [Elderly Man]
I could hear whispers among the students speaking of the old man's reputation.
"The Walking Fortress himself?" [???]
"Will he be teaching us his swordsmanship?" [???]
"Please tell me he has a class!" [???]
From here and there I could pick up that he was a war veteran of high standing. I heard something about holding off a powerful hero himself for Naballia's lord's sake.
("So he's a benefactor to my senior disciple?") [Solace]
The speech was pretty generic. He spoke about ideals, what values the students should learn, and how we should work hard. Mister Baltross also spoke of how he gathered all the students to see our underclassmen and upperclassmen so we could ask for help if we ever needed it. Then there was talk about how bonds grown together under learning are nearly as solid as ones forged under the threat of death. After around fifteen minutes of speaking, we were dismissed.
"What are we doing now?" [Leynha]
"Head to class, obviously." [Solace]
Even I knew that, stupid. …I never said that to her face though.
"We're in class 1, so that way." [Fina]
There were sections of the campus for each class. It was like a whole plaza and theme, so it was obvious they were trying to make each class look better as you went up from ten to one.
("Must be a psychological tactic.") [Solace]
The visual improvement must motivate students more. Anyway, our section had marble bricks for roads, and buildings made of painted glass.
("Glass for buildings?") [Solace]
In reality, the buildings were made of reflective metal. I'm not too sure how it works, but I later learned that the metal was glazed with certain chemicals or compounds that change how they look when they come in contact with light.
"This place is so… beautiful." [Fina]
As I took in the view, I came to a sudden realization.
("The lights reflecting from the buildings aren't shining into my eyes?") [Solace]
With so much reflective material, obviously I'd get blinded by it. However, I found that the marble flooring had some kind of absorption effect that controlled the excess light.
("No wonder the floor almost looks like it's glowing.") [Solace]
I wonder if this is a private institution or that taxpayer money went into this. Putting that aside, our class for the day was in a building they called "the mat room". The buildings here were hard to differentiate because of their painted glass design, so we found it by the sign.
("I wonder why it's called the mat room?") [Solace]
Upon entering, it was quite obvious.
("...It really is a mat room.") [Solace]
No desks, no chairs. Just a room where the entire floor was black mats. I could see several students already inside with shoes off, so we did the same.
"Oh… That's pretty comfortable." [Leynha]
"I wonder what material this is." [Fina]
I could feel my feet sink into the mats as I walked. It felt off for my sense of balance, but it felt cool and comfortable. As I looked around, I could also see wooden weapons lining the walls alongside armor. This was without a doubt a training room.
"Is that him?" [???]
I could hear whispers among the students as they eyeballed me. I guess it's hard not to stick out when everyone knows that you're considered a criminal.
"Don't mind their stares, Alt." [Fina]
"It's fine. I never cared in the first place." [Solace]
After I spoke, a few of the students clicked their tongues.
("...The hell is up with them?") [Solace]
From what I could see, the students were split into three categories. The first, indifference. There were about three of them like that. The second, anxious. They looked like they didn't want anything to do with me. They actually weren't that much either. The last, annoyance. It looked like they hated my guts or something.
("Whatever, I'll just ignore them.") [Solace]
I was keeping my patience, yet they kept muttering random shit.
"...Spoiled brats." [???]
That made me raise my eyebrow since I can't say it was much of an insult.
"Thinks he's tough shit." [???]
Cause I AM tough shit. Not like I was actively trying to act like it though.
"Of course he's sticking around a filthy forsaken." [???]
"Oh?" [Solace]
I wasn't letting that one slide.
"If you're gonna talk shit, at least say it to my face." [Solace]
They ignored me.
"Alt, it's fine. You don't need to provoke them." [Fina]
I made a hand motion to tell her it's alright.
("Is that how they're going to play it?") [Solace]
Two can play at this game.
"Oh man~, I can't believe this is class 1. I'm put with these low level weak bums. Ain't that right, Fina?" [Solace]
I said it loud enough for all to hear. Maybe that was a bit much since even the indifferent ones started to look at me.
"Uh… What are you trying to do right now, Alt?" [Leynha]
I waved her off.
"Plus they're such cowards~ I get that I'm a criminal, so I'm probably untrustworthy, but man… These guys are something else. Like, I wouldn't even bother considering them as potential allies. Like, what is the Lord of Naballia thinking?" [Solace]
"What did you just say?" [???]
I mean, they weren't really hiding their hostility either… However, they were way more open about it now.
"You heard what I said." [Solace]
One of them approached me. Of course, it was the biggest one.
("His size must give him confidence.") [Solace]
"How dare you insult the Lord of Naballia." [Big Guy]
"When did I ever do such a thing?" [Solace]
"You called the Lord stupid a moment ago." [Big Guy]
"I never explicitly said the Lord was stupid." [Solace]
"You made it sound like it." [Big Guy]
"I said that YOU guys make the Lord look stupid. Big difference. Like the space between your eyes." [Solace]
He didn't actually have a space between his eyes, but it was funny watching his confusion.
"Why you…! You're just all talk anyway! You only got into class 1 because of your connections! We all know that you're special admissions. We're different from you! We worked our asses off to get here!" [Big Guy]
The good 'ol switching of topics when you're losing in an argument. My favorite. Also, he wasn't wrong.
"I agree. If it were up to skill, I'd have already graduated." [Solace]
I thought he'd lose his cool and throw a punch straight away, yet the big guy was able to restrain himself. Instead, he pointed at the door.
"Let's step outside." [Big Guy]
"Oh? Do you want to fight?" [Solace]
I pointed at the weapons on the wall in response.
"There's plenty for us here. We can deal with our problems within the mat room." [Solace]
The big guy's brows narrowed.
"I was trying to make things fair by giving you the option to run." [Big Guy]
"That's nice. Don't need it though." [Solace]
He then approached one of the weapon racks and took out a wooden greatsword.
"Come. Take your pick." [Big Guy]