The young man who had asked the question frowned slightly as quiet laughter spread throughout the hall.
Even Dante found himself wondering who the idiot was.
Deputy Headmaster Oblivion merely smiled. "The academy will not deliberately send you to your deaths."
He lifted a silver bracelet from the podium. "But you can still die."
Thousands of eyes immediately focused on the bracelet. "This," he continued, "is your Academy Bracelet. It serves as your identification, communication device, academy wallet, map, schedule, examination record, and emergency lifesaving artifact."
He paused deliberately. "It will also allow you to experience death." Silence filled the hall. "If you are killed within academy territory, the bracelet will activate and reconstruct your body at the nearest Revival Sanctuary."
Several students visibly relaxed. "...Provided," Oblivion added calmly, "that you still possess Revival Charges."
The hall immediately became quiet again. "Every student receives a limited number of revivals each semester. They are not infinite. They cannot be purchased. They cannot be transferred. They cannot be replenished except through academy-approved methods. If your charges reach zero..."He smiled. "...then death becomes permanent."
Even Dante's expression became slightly more interested. "Furthermore...The bracelet records everything. Combat, duels. Skill usage. Location. Time. Participants. It also distinguishes murder, accidents, examinations, monsters, and self-inflicted deaths."
"So before anyone considers exploiting loopholes..."
He looked around the hall."...understand that trying to deceive an artifact created by Midvest Academy is generally considered... optimistic."
Several instructors quietly chuckled. "Now then. If you are killed by a second-year before the Final Selection Examination...They will be punished."
"You will lose nothing. If you voluntarily accept a duel...You accept responsibility for the outcome. If someone 7 skill levels above, at max... manages to kill you..."
"You will suffer the consequences. You cannot claim incompetence as an excuse. This applies specifically for the Legendary tier students. The Mythical tier.... its 5 but, you're a mythical being.... manage your life and safety with respect to that dignity" The students visibly stiffened.
"As for coercion... We investigate. But remember what I said earlier. We are instructors. Not babysitters. If someone is making your life difficult... Deal with it. If it exceeds academy regulations... Then report it."
The old elf raised another bracelet. "There are several areas where violence is completely prohibited. Residential Districts, Academic Buildings. Transportation Terminals. Medical Facilities. The Central Forum. The bracelet will warn you before entering such locations."
"If you attack regardless...The bracelet itself will restrain you in serious situations."
Murmurs immediately spread throughout the hall. "It is also capable of recording whether a duel was entered voluntarily. So forcing someone into a duel through intimidation, threats, or mental manipulation is also punishable."
His expression hardened. "Sexual assault. Forced contracts. Mind control. Body manipulation. Any skill used for sexual crimes and such purposes. These are crimes Midvest Academy does not tolerate. The punishment is immediate expulsion. Or execution."The atmosphere instantly became heavier.
After several seconds, Oblivion continued as though nothing had happened. There are also several regulations unique to Midvest Academy. Mythical Tier students may not forcibly recruit Legendary Tier students below Level Forty-Five. The academy recognizes talent. It does not permit monopolies."
Dante clicked his tongue. 'Figures they'd stop me.'
"Students who entered the academy already bound under registered master-subordinate contracts..."
His eyes briefly shifted toward Dante. "...may attend both the classes appropriate for their own Tier and, where permitted, accompany their master. This exception exists because such contracts are verified before admission and include confidentiality clauses recognized by the academy."
Lexa silently nodded. Vexion looked incredibly pleased.
"The Upper Academy..." He gestured somewhere above."...belongs exclusively to Third and Fourth Years. You cannot enter. You will not enter. If you somehow manage to enter..."
He smiled. "...then whatever happens afterwards is no longer our responsibility. A few students nervously swallowed.
"The bracelet must remain on your wrist at all times. If it is damaged...An Academy Supervisor will appear. If it is destroyed...You will be located immediately."
"If you intentionally remove it...It will be treated as an attempt to evade academy authority."
Someone raised a hand. "What if we lose it?"
Oblivion answered almost instantly. "You won't."
Another hand rose. "What if someone steals it?"
"The bracelet cannot be used by anyone except its registered owner."
"What if—"
"It cannot be copied."
Another student frowned.
"What about disguises?"
"The bracelet recognizes your soul ...Next question."
Even Dante had to admit..."That's actually pretty airtight. They dont want me to cheat the system? tsk These people don't encourage...creative solutions '
Oblivion continued. "You will eventually learn about Academy Points...and Credit Points. They are different."
"Credit Points determine whether you pass your courses."
"Academy Points determine the quality of your life."
"You may possess enough Credit Points to graduate...while living like a beggar...or possess enormous Academy Points...yet fail every course.They are intentionally separated."
Dante raised an eyebrow. 'Smart.'
"It prevents wealthy families from simply buying academic success. The details can be learned through your bracelet after today's orientation. No one here will remember every rule I could explain. So there is little point explaining everything."
He waved his hand.
A massive illusion appeared above the stage.
The academy.
Or rather... A fraction of it. Gasps immediately echoed throughout the hall. Towering cities and enormous Mountain ranges. Entire inhabitant forests and kingdoms. Merchant ports and countless rail lines. Floating stations and a sign indicating Pocket Realm Gates. And other reading Ancient ruins The map stretched far beyond what the eye could comfortably follow.
"This..."
Oblivion said quietly. "...is the portion of Midvest Academy available to First and Second Years."
The hall became deathly silent.
Someone finally muttered,"...that's an academy?"
Oblivion smiled. "No. This is merely your campus."
Even Dante's expression stiffened slightly.'...You've got to be kidding me.'
"The complete map," Oblivion continued, "will only be unlocked on your bracelet as you earn the authority to explore it. There is no purpose in showing you places you cannot yet survive."
The illusion disappeared. "As for your provisional estates... Mythical Tier students have each been assigned one. They currently allow two registered guests. If you possess more than two subordinates..."
He shrugged. "...solve the problem yourselves." A few Mythical students immediately frowned. Dante simply chuckled. 'Sounds like this place was built specifically to make people fight over resources.'
Oblivion placed both hands behind his back once more. "That concludes today's orientation. The rest...you will learn by surviving."
"Welcome..."
"...to Midvest Academy."