I quietly caught up with Professor Silas Grande who gave me a curious look and asked.
“Did you know Professor Lee?”
Did I know a crazy lady who sniffed me on the first meeting? Hell no. Of course rather than saying that, I gently replied.
“Something like that.”
“Ah, I see.”
Professor Grande nodded to himself, then led me through the enormous campus while I did my best to memorize the path of where we were going.
Seeing me look around intensely, the professor laughed.
“Don’t worry Student Martin, when we get to the student depo, you’ll be given your device that will contain a map to help you get around. Until then just follow me. I want to get you signed in so you can catch breakfast at the cafe.”
“Okay. Thank you again.”
We walked for another 10 minutes until the professor led me to a large building with the words 'Student Depot' written on a large signboard. The building was a mix of old-school European architecture with modern touches which seemed to be the common theme.
As we walked through, the door automatically opened and the professor led me to a large counter. Behind it was a young woman with long blond hair tied up in a ponytail. She was wearing a white school uniform and was absentmindedly flipping through a book.
“Good morning Professor Grande. What brings you here tonight?” the girl asked cheerfully with a bright smile.
“A new student came in and was lost. Could you find his information and provide him with the basics for the day? Everything else can be delivered between tonight and tomorrow.”
“Yes of course. May I please have your ID? I’ll get you squared right away.” She smiled softly at me before taking my ID and scanning it.
“Student Asani Martin. Rank…1000. Thank you, student.” Her tone immediately became cold as she read out my details and handed the card back.
She got up without saying anything and went through the door behind the desk. A few minutes later she came out with a small box that she carelessly dumped on the counter.
“Your assigned watch is inside and can be used as identification on campus. As your information says you have no form of communication, the watch has been linked to a basic cell plan and can be used as a phone. When on campus you should always have it or your ID on your body at all times. All your student information and internal academy forums and sites can be accessed from your watch or any other computer on the school network. All that's needed is your student ID. You can ask a supervisor if you have any questions. Your assigned dormitory is called The Grotto, follow the directions on the campus map to get there or anywhere else. Will that be all professor?” she asked Professor Grande without glancing at me once.
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Professor Silas Green looked her over and sighed. “That will be all thank you. Student Martin, please put your watch on and I shall lead you to your dorms”
“Okay. Excuse me, student, what was your name?” I asked the girl with a gentle smile while Analyzing her.
“It’s Rosalie Hersch. Third year. Rank 189. Remember it well black rank and watch the way you speak to me. I’m only forgiving you because the professor is here..” She responded with a prideful smile.
“Oh, I will. Thanks again for your help.” I smiled back and gave her a small wave before picking up my box and turning to leave.
Rosalie Hersch
Age: 18
Rank: D
▷Stats:
[Strength – D]
[Stamina – ?]
[Speed – D]
[Perception – ?]
[Vitality – D]
[Magic power – D]
[Intelligence – D]
Gifts: ▷Earth Manipulation(D), ▷Seismic Sense(D)
Familiar: None
Mana attribute: Earth.
As I placed the electronic watch onto my hand and flipped through the contents, I couldn’t help but mentally roll my eyes at Rosalie. If this was the stats of a top-ranked third-year student, I couldn't help but be disappointed. For some reason, I was expecting more from her, especially as a student here at the academy.
Lost in my own thoughts, I quietly followed the professor to the dorm.
“You know, you don’t need to take her behavior to heart.” The professor’s voice gently sounded out.
“Pardon me?”
“Although there are some students like that, as long as you raise your rank nobody will treat you badly anymore. You just need to work hard and you can become a white uniformed student like her. I’m sure you can do it.” I could see that he looked concerned as he stared at me but I wanted to laugh in his face.
Instead, I gave the professor a cold look. “Is that right? Well even if I do increase my rank, there is always a top and a bottom. I could work myself to death and if I’m not blessed and talented, I’ll stay at the bottom for the rest of my life. If I do make it to the top, someone else will get that treatment. I don’t think it’s right to treat people rudely just because they’re of a lower rank because nobody knows that person’s circumstances or when it might change."
Seeing the professor looking shocked at my words, I reverted back to an innocent smile, “But I appreciate your words and will keep them in mind. I don’t plan on remaining at the bottom for long so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“…right. Well, we’re here Student Martin. I hope to see you around.”
“Same here. Thank you, professor.” I waved him away.
Once he disappeared, I removed the smile from my face and snorted coldly. It seemed that even in a fucking fantasy world, people are discriminated against by status.
Even though it was a magical academy that accepted students who could be considered the best of the best, discrimination by rank existed in all the academies and in fact, was somewhat encouraged. Although class placement was random and students could take any additional classes they wanted, the quality of materials they received would differ depending on their rank. Their room, board, stipend, and meals were all dependent on rank.
As a student’s rank went up, the quality and quantity of stipend, room, materials they could receive, and even the uniform they wore, everything would go up a level. Of course, if a student was wealthy, certain things could be paid for regardless of rank but for a near penniless student like me, it meant that the only way to get the good stuff was to increase my rank.
Although I didn’t disagree with a ranking system that distributed resources by performance, I didn’t agree with the lackadaisical approach of the professors to the inherent biases and bullying lower rank students went through. But thinking about the fact that I had to commit a crime every day, maybe it was better to be grouped together with the low-ranked kids. There were bound to be some troublemakers I could beat up daily to relieve some stress.
Well, things would play out how they played out. Although I was confident in my brain, this wasn’t my own world after all. Even if I was harassed, as long as they kept things cute like the girl from today, I wouldn’t retaliate against anybody. The only thing I had to keep an eye out for was that annoying shortie professor who liked to sniff people.
Sighing, I turned and took a good look at my dorm. I was assigned to a residential called The Grotto. It was the farthest from the center of campus where the main facilities were. It was a simple 10-story building located in the woods. Although it wasn’t shabby especially compared to the apartment I came from, in comparison to the other buildings I walked past, it was mediocre at best.
Still, it was clean and free so I really couldn’t complain.
My watch stated that my room was on the first floor, so I roamed around with my box until I found it. Thankfully there were no students around since I was not in the mood to talk to anyone.
The room was the last door on the first floor. When I opened it, I was quite impressed. It was about 1000 sq. ft with a small bedroom, living room with a couch, desk, and computer set up, a TV, a bathroom, and kitchen.
I quickly went through the box, noting that there was a pair of pajamas as well as baggy gym clothes with a pamphlet that had instructions on how to order uniforms, details about classes, and general information about the school facilities.
Since tomorrow was the opening ceremony, I quickly placed an order for the uniform that would be delivered overnight and left everything else for later. It had been a long 24 hours and I was mentally and physically tired.
I quickly took a shower before changing into the gym clothes and throwing my body on the bed. Before I knew it, I was unconscious.