It did not take long before all the first years were settled and there were only two elders around. There was the one familiar elder who seemed to be in charge of all the first-years orientation. Lyren and Julian were somehow at the back seat and it appeared they were already finding their preferences.
The elder was audible and everyone was paying attention to whatever he was saying but it was doubtful how much they were memorizing in the first place. He had started with pleasantries which no one was interested in. Just say whatever was relevant. No one wanted to know some of the basics.
"I am now going to give you the schedule on how things are going to be. You have all toured the academy and now we can get to serious business. First of all, I will start with telling you the classification of classes. You all are of different elements which means that you are to go to different classes.
"There are going to be classes where you will attend together and they will focus on general knowledge that is required for every cultivator. There will be professional classes which will depend on your interests. We mainly focus on weapon forging and some geniuses can try alchemy.
"You are going to find out that some classes are taught by your seniors but do not be deceived as all seniors who are to teach you will have a special badge. Classes range from two to three a day and first years will mainly have three classes a day. It is for your own good so there shall be no complains.
"Another thing I want to touch on is about factions. Some of you have already joined factions but those of you who have not will have to try your luck in joining one. It is a requirement for you to join a faction or else you will get expelled. The rest you will find out on your own and there shall be no complains.
"Another thing I want to touch on is about resources. DO not think that since you are now academy students that you will get resources for free. It is our policy that everything is traded for points. That is starting from cultivation resources to even study materials. You will not be able to enter the library without enough points.
"As freshmen, you have all been awarded 500 points and someone among you has a thousand points." The elder said and looked around but he did not look directly at Lyren. Lyren also looked at the elder intently and their eyes did not meet. Julian gave one glance at Lyren and then back to the elder.
"Points are earned through contributions to the academy. Depending on your hard work, you will allotted points. There are many ways to earn points and one way is through doing some basic chores such as cleaning.
"Other methods involve personal duels and you can steal points from your opponent. Another way is ranking. Those who are ranked first in your assessments or any place will receive points. The rankings of all students for those who are among the top one hundred, they are also given points.
"Another way to earn point is carrying out missions. Every mission is ranked from A grade to E grade and for first years, you can only do the E grade missions. You will have to improve in order to undertake better missions.
"The last thing I will touch upon is the library as this is where you will find study materials, cultivation materials and even cultivation manual. All points will be awarded here and also subtracted here. You already know where the library is and we expect that you will take your time to visit it.
"With that, I would like to conclude but before that, I wonder if you have any questions?" The elder asked and looked around and it seemed that they were all content with the information. He walked back to his seat and there next to him was a female elder who came to the lectern and started her speech.
She started with more boring introductions and 'echoed' what the elder had said and emphasized on points as this was the currency of the academy. It was not gold, silver or even copper. Points could not be bought so no matter the background, everyone here had a starting capital of 500 points. It was now about management and how well one could utilize the points.
"Do not forget any of the information that we have given you. We are very strict with our rules and if the seniors bully you, you are free to report them to relevant authorities. Until you are six months old, no one in this academy can dare lay fingers on you. If any of you has been bullied, it is not too late to stand up and speak out. Anyone..?" the female elder spoke and looked around.
Julian looked at Lyren and he could not help but wonder whether Lyren had been bullied or he had bullied the three seniors after the amphitheater scene. He could not help but chuckle at this but he pursed his lips and looked but at the elder and through the side glance, he could see Lyren's lip twitch.
"Since none of you has been bullied, you are expected to start your classes today and there shall be no complaints as you will be having three classes even for today. You are going to be in separate groups as of today and I would like you all to arrange yourself in groups according to your elements. You have two minutes for you to have found all those who have elements similar to yours," she said and they all stood up and started asking each other of their elements.
Lyren and Julian quickly sat up and they could not find those with fire element. Asking around was not going to work and he was thinking of a way to find those of the fire element but Julian was quicker than him.
"All the fire affinities should come at the back and form a group with us!" Julian shouted and all eyes landed on him and he wore a sheepish smile when he saw this but at least, everyone had heard him and some were already making their way.
Lyren could not help but shake his head but he was tempted to do something too and he did something. He was about to raise his right hand when he remembered his rule to only use the left side and he stopped himself. It appeared that he was going to take this defeat. He could only sigh as he watched the other make way.
Julian's tactic was the most effective and all the others started using it too.
"Wind here!"
"Water here!"
"Earth here!"
They kept saying out loud but the only problem was that there were several people saying the same thing so in o time, there were very many groups of different elements but the fire element was the only one that was organized. After that, they started saying out their elements once again and finally, there were four groups.
The elder smiled because they had done this in two minutes which was not usually the case. This was the advantage of having one yappy type kid. At least everything was done quickly. She clapped her hands together and all of them were silent and they looked at her. Awaiting the next instruction.
"Now I want you all to elect your own representative…"