Julian woke up to bright light pouring through the window. Stretching and groaning, he got out of bed and glanced around. The room was bare: a table, a chair, a cupboard, and the bed he had collapsed on last night. When he opened the cupboard, he found several sets of black robes—like the ones worn by the guide the day before.
The design was simple, a robe that tied at the waist, with slim-fitting trousers underneath. Functional and modest, perfect for blending in. There was also a black shoe that seemed to be his size.
Beside the cupboard was a small door. He pushed it open to reveal a bathroom with running water. He spent longer than he meant to in the bath, scrubbing away dirt, sweat, and traces of dried blood. When he finally got dressed, the robe fit snugly around his lean frame.
He glanced at the bed. The sheets were dusty and streaked with blood. He'd have to clean them later as he couldn't afford to get sick.
A moment later, a voice echoed through the room, instructing everyone to head to the administration hall.
Julian stepped out into the hallway and found the other three residents waiting. They finally introduced themselves properly.
Nathan was the youngest—seventeen, sharp-eyed and wiry. Julian himself was eighteen. Elijah and Mark were in their twenties. Mark had a heavy build and a thin moustache while Elijah carried himself like a man used to long hours and little reward.
They were all dressed in the same black robes, which made them look like mismatched soldiers of an army.
Outside, a slow-moving crowd of similarly dressed people walked toward the fog-veiled mountain Julian had barely registered yesterday. Now that he was seeing it in daylight, he realized how massive it truly was. The peak disappeared into the clouds, and the slopes seemed to hold countless hidden paths and buildings. Huge trees adorned the mountain as far as the eye could see.
"I wonder if they'll give us something to eat. I haven't eaten since last night," said Mark.
Julian's stomach grumbled in agreement. He hadn't noticed it until now, but the hunger was real. The academy hadn't even bothered to provide a meal yesterday.
"Same here. I'm starving," Nathan added while clutching his stomach.
"Look—there it is," Elijah said, pointing ahead.
They reached a tall stone structure that resembled an old church, complete with spires and arched windows. Its stern facade loomed over them as they entered.
Inside, the air was cool, and long lines had already formed. The group joined one of them and waited.
Eventually, Julian found himself in front of a desk. A sharp-eyed woman sat behind it with an impatient look.
"Name?"
"Julian Cross."
She tapped something behind the desk, then slid a small, green crystalline card across to him.
"That's your ID. You're assigned to Garden 31. Go there. You'll receive food and supplies on site."
She handed him a thin booklet as well.
"This contains everything you need to know. Now move."
Julian stepped aside and waited for the others to finish registration. Each was assigned a different worksite: Mark to Forge 7, Elijah to Garden 22, and Nathan to the South Market. Comparing their books, they found their work areas scattered across the outer mountain ring.
Realizing they would be separated, they exchanged nods and went their separate ways.
As Julian walked alone, the reality of his situation hit him again. Just yesterday, he'd been an office worker on Earth. Now, he was on a foreign planet about to start manual labor in a garden.
"At least this planet is green and kind of beautiful," he muttered.
He skimmed the booklet as he walked. It explained Agate Academy's structure: at the top sat Lord Triton Davaris, the reclusive Headmaster. Eight professors and over two hundred assistant professors supported him. The academy had different classes of students—direct students, internal students, and finally, external students like himself.
External students worked five days a week, from morning to evening. On the sixth day, they received a lecture from an assistant professor. The seventh day was a rest day.
He also came to know that there were 48 other gardens like Garden 31. He wondered what was grown in the gardens as the booklet did not mention any details.
Everyone else seemed to be walking in groups. Julian noted that no one else appeared to be assigned to Garden 31.
After a while, he reached a gated entrance with a mossy plaque labeled Garden 31. Beyond it was what appeared to be a dense forest, wild and vibrant. The path ahead was narrow and lined with low huts.
As he neared, a man about twenty, also dressed in a similar black outfit, stepped out from one of the huts. He was short and heavily muscled like some kind of a bodybuilder.
"Hey! You must be one of the first generation from Earth. I'm Phatt. Phatt Tryker. I'm also an external student."
Julian froze for a moment. Phatt Tryker was certainly a memorable name.
"I'm Julian Cross. What do you mean by 'first generation'?"
"Those that are newly blessed by mana. Unlike you, we are born with mana in our bodies. I don't know how you Earth folks lived without it, but the rumour is that you will get stronger real fast." Phatt said, beckoning him forward. "Come on, let's get you something to eat. You look starving."
Julian liked the guy instantly. He then followed him into one of the small huts, which turned out to be far roomier inside than it looked outside.
While he wanted to ask more about the academy and what he was supposed to do here, he kept quite as saw Phatt bring out food.
Phatt hummed as he placed bowls of steaming soup and rice on a table.
"This is all I have for now. I'll treat you to something nicer for dinner."
Julian mumbled a grateful thank-you before digging in. Maybe it was the hunger, but the simple dish tasted heavenly.
The answers can wait.
I just hope Phatt has more of these, Julian thought as he ate.