"Greetings, aspiring mages and knights of Verdentia! I, Alfonso Verdiant, Head Magus of the prestigious third-ranked academy within the seven human kingdoms alliance, extend a warm welcome to you alongside our esteemed faculty. As first-year students, your immediate responsibilities may be light, but let this time serve as a foundation for growth and preparation for the upcoming interschool tournament. Achievements recognized by the council will be rewarded with merits – hold them dear, for they hold significant meaning within these walls. There will be a mandatory uniform during the school term."
Behind the old wizard, a projection appeared on the wall, it showed the outfits of both male and female students.
I couldn't help but be impressed on how much effort was put in them. The first picture showcases the academy's standard attire, a crisp white polo neatly tucked under a sleek black vest. Both pieces are adorned with the school's emblem, a blazon featuring a Fae nestled within rugged hands, all surrounded by a halo of wheat. We had the choice between a simple black school skirt, a short or pants.
Transitioning between seasons and activities, the uniform adapts. For winter the shoes were replaced by boots and the best had a warm coat on top. Another variation of the uniform was adapted for the battlefield since instead of the vest there was a chest plate with the school emblem engraved, military boots, leather gloves and steel knee protectors. The image started morphing into another variation without the chest plate w most likely to show how it would look like when doing physical activities.
Among the images, one outfit stood out, a long white robe with green ornaments, it had a ceremonial air to it. This robe, the headmaster explained, was reserved for those who attended religious events.
"You must have noticed that the uniforms differ between the students and professor. We decided to use colours to separate every ranks. Amongst students, the first years are green, the second are yellow, the third is blue, the fourth is red and the fifth is purple. When a student graduates, some still remains on academy ground, they will wear purple robes.
For your professors, most of them are in grey robes or wear an emerald version of the academy's emblem. Mages or warriors, aristocrats or common folks, there will be no distinction between your uniforms other than the colours. I will now leave you to the student union representative who will give you a tour of the academy. " He said before opening a portal in front of him and exiting the conference hall with it.
A nervous rustle swept through the room as a short figure in the purple uniform of a senior student hurried onto the stage. His short green hair barely brushed his brow, and his voice trembled as he spoke,
"H-hi everyone. I'm Roy, the vice chairman of the... uh... s-student council. Your... your guides will be... be waiting for you... outside. So... thanks... have fun... bye!" His words tumbled out faster and faster, culminating in a mad dash off the stage, leaving everyone blinking in stunned silence.
Suddenly, the hall's double door opened, and a small group of senior students entered. They seemed to have in mind which row was theirs to tour.
For my row, an energetic pink haired girl pushed through the crowd "Alright, fresh faces!" she declared, pointing directly at us. "I'm Illya, nice to meet y’all. Looks like you lucky ducks get the fantastic me as your tour guide today!". On top of her head, a comfortably sat white duck kwhaked enthusiastically. It had a top hat and a red bow tied around its neck. "The distinguished Mr. Waddle and I, know all the places to be in the campus! En route ducklings!"
When we exited from the building, the intoxicating aroma of sizzling skewers and exotic snacks ambushed our noses. Senior students, some flanked by familiars, others wielding vibrant signs, had transformed the entrance into a culinary marketplace. "Free skewers for future occult masters!" one yelled. "Join the great hunt and snag a roasted boar leg for free!" another shouted. "Calling all archaeology enthusiasts!" a third clad head-to-toe in camo chimed in.
Before anyone could get hooked, Illya's voice broke through the noise, "It's a trap!". Her out of place remark snap most of us back to reality. "They're trying to force freshies into joining their clubs. But those that do that outside of the club fair day are usually shady or straight out fake with the sole goal of farming merits or funding for legit clubs while you get nothing. You can only join 3 clubs at a time anyway, so wait for the official recruitment event!".
Illya and her duck protectively escorted us out of the reach of the makeshift stalls. Our tour continued along meticulously paved paths and seemed to be within the Haussmannian quarter we'd admired from the carriage when we first travelled to the academy. Gated gardens, each boasting charming greenhouses, encircled the luxurious apartment complexes.
"This, my friends," Illya announced, gesturing towards the large complex of buildings, "is the heart of student life: the housing district. Now, I know what you're thinking," she added, her voice laced with mock sympathy as she observed our collective hopeful eyes. "You're not going to live here, for... at least a month".
Mortified, everyone stared at our guide.
She grinned, " That's where merits come in! Everyone starts at the Dormitory and buy their way to better rooms! Don't worry, we'll first go through what's accessible to everyone before getting to your accommodations, so cheer up ducklings! There are plenty of good stuff that will keep you busy all day!"
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Reaching the edge of the housing district, a diverse array of buildings unfolded before us.
"Behold the activity core!" Illya declared, her arm sweeping across the impressive structure. It was a towering building that definitely looked like those football stadiums, but on steroids. "Training grounds, natural reserves, sports facilities and more await you, and most of them are free to access!" until she pointed to a side building that had mist coming out of it "with the exception of the sauna and massage parlour, where once again, the merits will be used as currency for the right to enter".
We pushed open the grand doors, leaving the fresh air behind for a cacophony of smells: sweat, smoke, and a potent, almost suffocating presence of mana. Illya, ignoring the momentary pause we took, wasted no time. "Alright, listen up," she warned, "stay on the path with the white arrow. This is the combat training complex."
The air crackled with mana. Around us, students battled holographic monsters in arena-like rooms. Green bars flickered above the beasts, reflecting the simulated damage. Despite the virtual like nature of the monsters, the wounds they inflicted on the participants were very real. Soldiers on the back of giant lizards scurried to the injured, whisking them away for treatment.
Obstacle courses of all shapes and sizes weaved through the complex, some winding around towering pillars, others submerged in a swampy landscape. Robed individuals, identified as "staff" by the labels on their backs, monitored these challenges, conjuring spells from platforms just out of reach. The deeper we ventured, the more intense the simulations became. Suddenly, a rogue fireball from a panicked student whizzed past, heading straight for one of our group. It harmlessly dissipated against an invisible barrier.
"This place attracts its fair share of lunatics," Illya commented dryly. "That barrier protects passersby from stray magic." She stopped, her gaze sweeping over us. "The rooms closest to the reception halls offer the hardest challenges and highest merit potential. They're also the leading cause of student injuries and from to time, death, during their academic years. Think carefully before attempting them."
With a chorus of nods, we continued our tour. The path took a turn, until we arrived at a gate guarded by two guards that were playing dice. They did not even pay attention to us as we passed them. The smell of sweat and magic were quickly replaced by the one of grass and farm animals. Lily stretched, a playful glint in her eyes as Mr. Waddle nestled back on her head.
"Okay, so this part is for the summoners and tamers among us, don’t ask me why they put such a nice place next to the lunatics, never got an answer from the management" Illya said, a hint of excitement in her voice. "Anyway, this is where you'll find your starter courses and, potentially, your first companions, like Mr Waddle!" She gestured towards the calm animals. After a bit of time spent running around and caressing ducks, horses and rabbits, Illya gestured to us that it was time to go to the next facility.
When we arrived at the next gate, the environment shifted drastically. The guards of this entrance were way more disciplined and serious, they scanned us with glowing orbs, while keeping a scrutinizing eye during the whole process. When they were done, one of them solemnly announced “Students, beyond this gate, silence and respect is required. Have a nice visit” before the heavily reinforced gate opened.
Here, the world teemed with magical creatures. Some enclosures housed exotic birds, while others showcased schools of iridescent fish. There were even fiery and frozen habitats, their inhabitants coexisting in an unnatural harmony. But the quiet shattered as roars echoed through the air, revealing giant enclosures with far more dangerous inhabitants: leviathans, wyrms, drakes, and colossal arachnids. Predators hunted and fought, while others lounged languidly.
And then, amidst the chaos, we saw them: doebbits, looking exactly like ours, only the size of trucks. An arachnid was trying to sneak attack one of them, only to be propelled by a brutally quick rear kick from one of the big bunnies. Lily and I exchanged a stifled chuckle, earning curious glances from our companions.
As we neared the exit, the fearsome creatures gradually gave way to others of legendary rarity. Unicorns and pegasuses grazed alongside giant turtles and ethereal whales. This gate followed the same security process as the previous one, leading us into another reception hall.
"That was a little detour," Illya confessed with a wink. "Don't tell your classmates!" The rest of the tour followed a more expected path, showcasing the more “novice friendly” training facilities. When this was done, we had to walk for about half an hour before we arrived at the gates of a magnificent castle with a cloud-piercing tower in its center. A griffon landed nearby. A fifth year jumped off it's back and after seeing us, puffed up his chest before strutting towards the castle, a grin plastered on his face.
"Tch, show off," Illya muttered, amusement tinged with annoyance. She distributed maps, explaining that most facilities were closed for renovations and that all the info we needed should be easily found in the document she gave us. Then, with a flourish, she called two carriages that were passing by. "Hop on, ducklings! The ride is on me." she announced.
The short ride ended at an orphanage-like building. "Terminus! Welcome to your accomodations, hopefully, you'll have a blast here. Your luggage should've arrived. Enjoy! And bu-bye~"
With a cheerful wave, she left us. We entered the building, where maids awaited us in the hall, ready to guide us to our dorms. Lily's maid, the one the Baron had sent with us to the academy, quickly reunited with us and led us through the hall.
The dormitory itself was a stark contrast to the grandeur of the academy. A large, communal room housed several curtained cubicles, each one revealing a simple but functional living space. Ours were positioned side-by-side.
"Better than expected," Lily murmured, though a frown creased her forehead. "But we definitely need to find a way to get a more private room. Anyway, we walked too much today, I need some rest. Do whatever you want I guess” she said.