The Next Morning
Luke cracked his fingers and yawned loudly, stretching his body as he woke up in the morning. What’s the time? His fuzzy brain wondered, almost panicking that he might miss the first day of the academy.
Ah yes, it will start late. As some of the details of the night returned to him, he fell back on his bed comfortably. After a while, his eyes were staring at the intricately beautiful chandelier hanging by the tall and decorated ceiling. There wasn’t a hint of sleepiness in his eyes.
“Fuck!” he rubbed his eyes as he stretched once again, sitting right up. Right in front of his vision was something akin to a French cartel clock attached high up a wall.
6:37 a.m. He repeated mentally as he couldn’t help but regret the fact that he was a bit too early. Sigh! After lamenting over it, he had no choice but to move on as he moved his body out of the bed, scratching his arms as he walked towards the bathroom.
After brushing his teeth and making sure every corner was clean, he zipped up his casual jacket, giving himself a quick once-over in the full-length mirror that adorned one wall of his overly extravagant dorm room. Satisfied, he stepped out, his footsteps muffled by the plush carpet that lined the hallways of the C-Ruby dormitory.
As he descended the grand staircase leading to the lounge, he noticed a solitary figure engrossed in a book. It was Lorian, the Canthros dorm supervisor. Every time he flipped a page, his well-built bicep muscles flexed. The man glanced up as Luke entered the room, their eyes meeting for a brief moment before Lorian returned to his reading, seemingly uninterested in small talk. Luke gave a respectful yet quick nod before moving on.
The lounge was otherwise empty, its lavish furnishings untouched, almost as if waiting for the day to truly begin. Luke decided not to disturb the quietude and headed for the exit, his sneakers squeaking softly against the marble floor.
Stepping outside, he was greeted by the crisp morning air, tinged with the scent of blooming flowers. The gardens surrounding the dorm buildings were immaculate, a testament to the academy's attention to detail. Manicured lawns stretched out like green carpets, punctuated by flower beds that showcased a riot of colors. Trees lined the pathways, their branches swaying gently in the morning breeze.
Luke started jogging, his pace steady but unhurried. As he moved, he couldn't help but marvel at the beauty around him. The gardens were not just well-maintained; they were a work of art, each plant carefully chosen, each flower bed meticulously arranged. And the air—oh, the air was like a fragrant symphony, a blend of floral notes and the earthy smell of damp soil, all carried on the wings of a fresh morning breeze.
An hour later, he made his way back to the dorm, his body flushed from the exercise but his mind was clear and focused. Just as he was about to enter the dorm building, a soft chime sounded in his ears, followed by a holographic notification that appeared in front of him.
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[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/852793029303468083/1147585019100020896/2904d4fe-3494-4595-9af1-e6fc23d57ac4.png]
Congratulations! You have met the requirements to unlock additional functions.
‘Quest’ and ‘Sub-quest’ have been added to the system.
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Luke looked at the screen, and his mouth opened slightly. Ah! Of course, there are quests if there’s a status window. Is there a shop too?
Luke called out a few times but nothing like a shop window ever opened.
Hmm. He mused a bit. Suddenly, another window popped up.
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[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/852793029303468083/1147562880846266501/b1d754e0-4709-4679-b4dc-98d60b9bf735.png]
A New Quest has been issued:
Pass the first grading test with a B or above grade.
Failure penalty: None
Reward: +2 Dex, Magic Infused Bullets (x6)
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“Finally!” Luke almost jumped in joy, but he noticed a few people in the lounge and controlled himself. He couldn’t help but feel elated. So far, he had received no skills or anything even close to that after gaining his class. Now he would be getting some bullets.
He didn’t know how good they were, but he assumed that it was going to be better than average gunpowder bullets. After all the reading he had done previously, he had obviously learned all there was to learn about guns in this world. Sadly, there wasn’t much to learn to begin with.
In the past, people had made magic bullets and tried to utilize guns, but the method was far too inefficient when compared to just using magic directly, so no one even tried to research more and find better ways to utilize it. In the end, it ended up becoming something that was handed out to foot soldiers. Even archers who used normal bows and arrows were more valued than gunners, as they could buff their bows and arrows, as well as their bodies with magic.
Luke turned back toward his room. The first order of business was a bath, I stink, and then breakfast.
After a refreshing shower, Luke donned the academy's official suit. It was a tailored ensemble in deep navy, adorned with a golden logo on the left breast pocket—a stylized 'BG' entangled with arcane symbols, signifying the academy's focus on both academics and magic. Looking at himself in the mirror, he nodded in satisfaction at this world's sense of style. It suited his taste.
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The dorm's dining area was a spacious hall with high ceilings and ornate chandeliers. Long tables were arranged in neat rows, each covered with a pristine white tablecloth. A buffet was set up at one end, offering a variety of foods that catered to the diverse student body. Luke filled his plate and took a seat, savoring the flavors as he thought about the day ahead.
At precisely 12 p.m., a sleek tram arrived to ferry the students to the academy building. The vehicle glided smoothly, and within minutes, they were standing in front of a colossal structure. The academy building for first-years was humongous, a blend of gothic spires and modern glass facades. It was as if someone had taken a medieval castle and given it a futuristic makeover.
They were led to the academy hall, a grand auditorium with a vaulted ceiling and intricate murals depicting various magical scenes. The seating was unlike anything Luke had ever seen. Chairs of varying sizes and shapes were arranged in semi-circular rows, accommodating the diverse anatomies of the student body. From large, cushioned seats for the bulkier races to sleek, low-profile chairs for smaller beings, the hall was a testament to the academy's inclusivity.
The inauguration program began, and Luke quickly realized it was as dull as any college orientation he could imagine. "Well, that was as exciting as watching paint dry," he mused, grateful when it finally ended. Most of the useful information they were told could be found on their wristbands anyway.
He found his classroom and was immediately struck by its sheer size. The seating arrangement was even more diverse than in the academy hall, a clear indication of the variety of species that would be sharing the learning space.
As he scanned the room, a few familiar faces caught his eye.
There was Roy, engrossed in conversation with a group of students, and Jasmine, looking nervous, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for a friendly face. And then there was Lucas, who upon making eye contact, offered a smile and a wave. His eyes curved in a way that made him look as scheming as ever. Luke nodded back, his gaze shifting to the ‘commotion-orc’ from yesterday. The guy was slumped in his seat, his face buried in his palm, clearly annoyed.
Lastly, he noticed the silver-haired beauty talking amongst the girls in the class while maintaining a prideful attitude. She didn’t notice his entrance and continued to chat with her newly made friends.
Luke found an empty seat and sat down.
Just then, the door opened, and a man in his late 20s walked in. He had dark gray hair, neatly combed back, and wore a pair of stylish glasses. "Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Professor Elric Voss, and I'll be your homeroom instructor for this year," he announced, his voice carrying a tone of authority mixed with approachability.
Is there no one who’s not good-looking? Luke couldn’t help but feel annoyed. He felt like he was getting robbed of his only redeeming trait. He had seen so many good-looking people since he came to this world that he was starting to feel like his face and his smooth talking might not be as effective as they were back on Earth.
Sigh! A sigh couldn’t help but escape his lips as he lamented the loss of one of his few trump cards.
Professor Elric Voss navigated through his wristband's interface, projecting the curriculum onto the classroom's holographic screen. "For the first year, we'll focus on theory and practical applications. After that, theory takes a backseat," he explained, his voice a blend of authority and warmth. "There are two major exams, numerous mock tests, and practical evaluations. If you're not sponsored, this is your year to prove your worth and start earning Sils.”
According to Elric, Berch Gyara had various earning programs for the students unfortunate enough to not receive sponsorships even in the second round. Most of their living expenses and such were made free for the first year, and they could start earning within that year. And then they could start paying for things from the second year going forward if they weren’t selected for sponsorships even after a year.
Luke listened intently, his eyes occasionally drifting to Roy, who seemed equally engrossed. The financial dynamics of the academy were becoming clearer. Sponsored students like himself and Roy had a leg up, not just in resources but in the academy's social hierarchy as well.
"As for today," Elric continued, "we'll start with 'Magic and Its Applications.' I'll give you an overview so as not to overwhelm you on your first day."
The class unfolded smoothly. Elric's teaching style was engaging, his voice modulating to emphasize key points. Luke found himself nodding along, some information confirming what he'd read, while other insights were entirely new. The concept of 'magic gathering systems' and the various methods to enhance mana and skills were particularly enlightening.
When Elric mentioned elixirs, fruits, and mana crystals that could accelerate one's magical growth, Luke's eyes widened. These were shortcuts, yes, but fraught with risks if not properly understood.
The class concluded, leaving the Earth students visibly fascinated. In contrast, the natives of Eldoria, as well as orcs and such seemed unimpressed, already familiar with the basics of magic.
"Lunch break, everyone. Good luck, and see you soon," Elric said, exiting the room and leaving a buzz of conversation in his wake.
Just then, Luke felt a poke on his arm. Turning, he met the eyes of the guy sitting next to him. A smug, almost malevolent smile stretched across the young man's face.
"Hey, aren't you the guy with the trash stats that got a high sponsorship?" the guy asked loudly, enough to gather the attention of the others around.
Luke's eyes narrowed slightly, his lips curling into a half-smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Ah, the first prickly interaction of a normal academic year. He had been noticing the glances he was getting and the murmurs of people trying to confirm if he was the same Luke they had heard of.
"Seems like my stats are interesting enough to get people talking," Luke responded, his voice tinged with a casual indifference that belied his alert mind. "Guess I am a bit famous, huh?”
The guy's smug smile faltered for a moment, clearly not expecting such a relaxed response. "You call that being famous? You’re more like a clown around here."
Luke chuckled, "Well, every clown needs a circus. Glad you’re right here beside me."
The room erupted in suppressed laughter, and the guy's face flushed a shade of red that almost matched the academy's logo. Luke gave him a final, dismissive glance and stood up, his movements fluid and unbothered. "If you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than entertain jesters."
With that, Luke coolly walked out of the classroom, his steps leading him to the academy's canteen. The dining area was expansive, with rows of tables and chairs set under a high, vaulted ceiling. A variety of food stations lined the walls, offering an array of dishes that catered to the diverse student body.
Luke picked up a tray and filled it with a selection of foods that caught his eye. Finding an empty table, he sat down, ready to dig in. Just as he was about to take his first bite, a figure approached him. It was Jasmine, the hazel-haired girl who had looked so nervous earlier. She hesitated for a moment before taking the seat opposite him.
Luke raised an eyebrow, momentarily surprised. "Jasmine, right? Didn't expect to share my first meal here with company. To what do I owe the pleasure?"