The journey to the academy was a long drive, but this gave us time to talk about a lot of things—about this world and how it works.
The first thing I learned was what it meant to be nobility.
With nobility came influence and territory. They weren't just like other guardians; they were families that wielded chunks of America's military power.
I was only an Honorary Baron for now, so I wasn't given territory or loyal troops, which I supposed Sergeant Skull would eventually command since he was the one who discovered me.
However, I came to understand why territories beyond New York weren't developed. This was because they were managed by individuals who sought profit over everything.
These territories belonged to nobles, along with the people and resources found in them. The people were used as laborers to mine resources, of which 70% was given to the government while the nobles kept 30%.
This explained why they didn't bother improving the living conditions of their slaves. These nobles were trying to cut costs and increase profit since most of their income already went to the government.
Because of that, people like me and my family were forced to live in dilapidated buildings, wear sack clothes, eat porridge and old bread, and sleep on cardboard.
The thought of this would have driven me mad with anger—if not for these damned Xenovian genes that have robbed me of my emotions.
According to Skull, when I finally become a full-fledged S-ranked guardian, I'll receive a territory and can choose to run it however I please.
But becoming a full-fledged guardian wasn't easy. Turns out, while we were sent into the mines at age 10, children with abilities were sent into the academy at the same age.
They were expected to spend eight years in the academy, learning anything and everything necessary to be a guardian. This ranged from physical training, martial arts, and ability training, to tactics, beastiology, and so on.
After the eight-year program, everyone would be graded, and based on their capabilities, they'd be given their ranks.
My potential only proved I was certain to become S-rated, but that didn't mean I couldn't go beyond it.
Our vehicle rolled up a hill where the academy was built in the central district. Its 30-meter-high wall was hard to miss, but the majestic gates—which had two heroic figures bearing shields—were even harder to ignore.
Once we entered the gate, all I could see was a mini-city within New York, built just for students who would end up spending the rest of their lives here.
We drove to the center of the academy, where a skyscraper stood, but this time I didn't have to leave the car. Sergeant Skull was gone for a good hour before returning with a half-bald old man dressed in a tight-fitting black suit with a red tie.
Even though he looked like a man in his 90s, with wrinkles in places I didn't even know wrinkles could exist, he stood upright and had a physique that would make women lust over him.
His suit failed to hide his muscular body, and he walked with a serpent-head cane he used for support—which he clearly didn't need. The old man spoke energetically and laughed at every word Skull said. But what caught my attention were his eyes, which remained closed at all times.
They approached the back seat, and my window was lowered, revealing my face to the man.
"Aaah, you are Lord Blackwater?" the man laughed. "When I heard my academy was blessed with another S-rated potential guardian, I had to see it for myself."
Saying this, his eyes slowly opened, revealing pitch-black eyes with a red slit like that of a snake. Naturally, this should spook a ten-year-old child, but I just stared at him calmly.
"Ooh?" The old man smiled sinisterly at my lack of reaction. "You really outdid yourself this time. He's the real deal."
The old man laughed out loud with Sergeant Skull, and this time I noticed fangs, causing my eyes to return to the snake cane.
'Is his power related to snakes in any way?' I couldn't help but wonder.
"Lucius, this is Vice Chancellor Albert. He has been in charge of this academy since its founding and has trained the country's greatest guardians," Sergeant Skull explained, his eyes pleading for me to act properly.
"Hello." I nodded, and Skull paled.
He quickly turned to Sir Albert with an apologetic smile.
"The kid's been this way since his sister died during the beast horde incident in Ohio earlier today. He's been like this ever since." Skull hurriedly explained, and Sir Albert patted his shoulder and shook his head.
"It's alright. I actually prefer students who speak less and act more. I'm sure he'll fit in here." Sir Albert laughed.
[What is that even supposed to mean?] the voice asked, but how was I supposed to know?
"Take the kid to the Sovereign Wing. I'm sure he needs some food and some rest," Sir Albert said to Skull before turning to meet my gaze.
"Eat well and sleep well… Tomorrow is officially the first day of your life." The man smiled, but I found his words offensive.
[Tomorrow is the first day of your life?] the voice sounded as confused as me.
[What is that even supposed to mean?]
Apparently, my entire life up till now meant nothing. Time spent with loved ones meant nothing. Only now that I have special abilities does my life mean something?
These people aren't even trying to hide their resentment for normal humans.
"I'll keep that in mind," I said, while mentally adding this old man to my kill list.
My only prayer was that I become strong enough to take his life before he dies of old age.
"Good lad!" Sir Albert laughed.
He and Skull conversed a bit more before bidding farewell. From what I'd seen, even though Skull was only a sergeant, he seemed to know a lot of people.
I waited until he returned to the vehicle and we started moving before asking the question I had bottled up.
"What is the Sovereign Wing?"
Skull looked at me, surprised, probably because this was the first time I had taken the initiative to speak to him. Usually, it was him trying to get words out of me.
"The Sovereign Wing is an estate reserved for S-rated potential students. Every other student of lower potential has to stay in a dormitory," he explained.
[Even amongst the wealthy, classism exists!] the voice was amused.
"I see." I nodded and looked away.
The drive to the Sovereign Wing took several minutes, but when we arrived, I was shocked to see a 20-meter wall sealing off the area from the rest of the school.
Manning the gates were several soldiers who stopped us, and only after Skull pulled out a black card did they shoot me shocked glances before saluting and opening the gates.
"Hold on to this until you get your school ID." Skull passed me the black card with a red viper design.
That was it.
There was nothing else on the card, but it seemed to mean a lot.