The Awakened Academy operates on a tiered system with three distinct classes: Class A, Class B, and Class C, each receiving varying levels of treatment and amenities.

Class A: is the elite tier, enjoying the finest privileges. Students in this class have private rooms equipped with personal showers, comfortable beds, dining areas, and other high-quality furnishings. Their lifestyle is marked by luxury, with free meals and a monthly allowance, ensuring full privacy and comfort.

Class B: is a mixed group, comprising both commoners and nobles. These students are provided with dormitory rooms within the academy. They have access to two spring baths—one for girls and one for boys—ensuring they can maintain their hygiene and relaxation needs within the campus facilities.

Class C: is mostly populated by commoners who experience the most basic conditions. These students live outside the academy in hotels that, while built by the academy, charge extremely low prices to be affordable. Their external accommodation highlights the disparity in treatment between the classes.

Esdeath, despite not having taken the entrance exams, was expected to be placed in Class C due to her baron status. However, given her noble title, it was unlikely she would be relegated to the lowest tier. Thus, the probable outcome was her placement in Class B.

This arrangement posed a significant challenge for Esdeath. In Class B, she would have to share her room with another student and use the communal baths with other girls. This situation increased the risk of her secrets being exposed, as the shared living and bathing conditions offered little privacy.

"Then the only way I can hide these marks is with a tattoo," Esdeath thought. "I'll cover up these scars and cuts with permanent tattoos." She didn't waste any time and quickly put on her frock, hurrying out of her room. As she rushed through the corridors of the palace, she called out, "Mary... Mary..." urgently seeking her personal maid.

Within seconds, Mary appeared, running towards her and bowing her head. "What happened? Do you need anything?"

"Yes, I want to engrave tattoos on my body. Go to my father and get some money, then call an artist immediately!" Esdeath ordered. "My parents are so overprotective; they'll definitely agree. I have to depart for the academy tomorrow; there's no time to waste," she thought, planning frantically.

Mary hesitated before responding, "I'm afraid Master won't give you money for this." Her words shocked Esdeath for a moment.

"Why?" Esdeath asked, puzzled.

"Why? Have you forgotten? With all the savings, Master bought this luxurious mansion. Other than for very important things, he doesn't have any money to waste. That's why he was arranging your marriage to a no-name baron; he couldn't even afford the wedding cost," Mary explained.

"Oh, now I understand why, despite being a baron, we have such a big and luxurious mansion," Esdeath thought, surprised as the situation became clear.

"Then why did Father even buy this mansion?" she asked, hoping to uncover more information.

"It's because of Lady Mariette. She visits here every one or two years whenever she has time for a vacation. Last year, she even built her palace at the border between Swann and Milton and declared that after the third year of her academy, she'll live there. So Milton's ruler, Aretham Clandestine, also built a palace at the border and sent Lady Claus Clandestine to live there. In short, they were trying to build a political relationship by befriending Lady Mariette. That's why Master didn't want to look small and used all his resources to build a luxurious palace at Swann's border," Mary explained.

After hearing this, many points cleared up in Esdeath's mind, but many new questions arose. "Oh, that's why there are three palaces. Last time, that mid-boss said, 'Call me by my first name.' Are Esdeath and Mariette close friends?" she thought. "But that's not the main point. "What now? I have no money, so where do I get a tattoo?" Esdeath thought hard, but no answer came to mind. Fortunately, her luck wasn't entirely bad, and Mary spoke up.

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"Don't worry. I also have a passion for drawing tattoos and have learned many techniques. But due to financial constraints, I've never had the chance to showcase my skills. If you promise to pay me if you like the tattoos, I can do it," Mary said with a smile.

"Okay then. I'll be in my room. Come in a few minutes but don't be too late!" Esdeath replied, turning back toward her room. Mary didn't say anything and went to retrieve her tools for making tattoos.

Esdeath entered her room and immediately took off her clothes. She grabbed a pen and began scratching at her skin, trying to obscure the written words. The logic was simple: she wanted to hide all the inscriptions on her body. If Mary saw her like this, she might scream in fear and inform Esdeath's father, so Esdeath also took a knife with her. If Mary didn't keep quiet, Esdeath would have no choice but to silence her permanently.

About ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Without a doubt, it was Mary. Esdeath went to the door and slowly opened it, allowing Mary to enter.

Mary carried a tattoo machine, a unique device powered by mana stones with no negative effects on the skin, preventing blood pollution. But when she saw Esdeath's naked body, her eyes widened in shock and bewilderment. Esdeath had scratched out the written things, but the ink was still there, not erased. Mary could see the cut marks and some of the letters Esdeath desperately wanted to hide.

"Umm... I suddenly remember a very important task. I'll be back in a few minutes, hahaha..." Mary stammered, making an excuse as she tried to escape and inform Esdeath's father.

She backed away and hurried toward the exit, but before she could escape, a knife appeared at her neck. Esdeath held it, her eyes cold and unforgiving. Mary gasped in fear, frozen in place.

"Don't you dare tell anyone about this. Just do what I told you, or else you'll die," Esdeath whispered menacingly, her voice chilling.

Mary trembled, her eyes wide with terror. The room was filled with a suffocating tension, and the threat was clear. Mary had no choice but to comply, knowing her life depended on it.

"Y-yes!" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her entire body shook with fear; for a commoner to be killed by a noble was not uncommon. No one would complain if she were to die right now.

"Hmph... Don't worry, I'll give you your money in the future. I'm not someone who goes back on my word for little things. Just do what I told you to!" Esdeath's chilling voice only heightened Mary's fear.

Mary dared not say anything further and followed Esdeath to the bed. Esdeath sat cross-legged while Mary, trembling, positioned herself behind her and began working on the tattoos.

The hours dragged on, the afternoon light fading into evening. Normally, this task would only take a few hours, but Mary's hands trembled so much from fear that she took extra time to ensure she made no mistakes. Despite the delay, the results were impressive.

From Esdeath's neck down to her chest and covering half of her abdomen, red dragon tattoos coiled and twisted. Her back bore an intricate design of two dragons facing each other—one blue, one red—along with other ancient patterns, giving her the look of a mafia boss.

If anyone saw her now, they might think she was some kind of gangster.

"Okay then, I'll be going now!" Mary said, bowing her head low.

"Hmm, okay. But if anyone finds out about this, you'll be the first one to get killed," Esdeath warned, her tone menacing.

Mary nodded her head quickly, three times in rapid succession, before hurrying to the exit and slipping away, the fear still etched on her face.

The tension lingered in the air long after Mary left, the room still heavy with the weight of Esdeath's threats and the desperate measures she had taken to conceal her secrets.

Esdeath watched her maid retreat from the room, then stood up herself and walked towards her large, ornate mirror. Her reflection stared back at her, showcasing her pale skin adorned with intricate tattoos. The designs gave her an even more menacing and badass appearance. Without wasting any time, she headed to her shower room.

As the warm water cascaded over her body, Esdeath felt a strange sensation. Washing her own breasts with her hands felt oddly intimate, almost unsettling. The feeling intensified as she cleaned her private areas, leaving her with a mix of embarrassment and curiosity. This was something she rarely allowed herself to ponder.

Within a few minutes, she stepped out of the shower, wrapping herself in a plush towel. She walked over to the window, gazing at the fading golden light of the evening. "Sigh... I thought of working out every morning, but it's already evening!" she muttered to herself. Regardless of the time of day, she knew she needed to maintain her routine to build her strength.

Esdeath moved to her cupboard and began searching for suitable workout clothes. After a brief struggle, she found a sports bra and tight, thigh-high leggings. The modern attire contrasted with the world she lived in, where a few contemporary items like guns and plastic had found their way into existence.

As she dressed, her tattoos remained prominently visible, enhancing her tomboyish look. "For the awakened, there are many ways to increase strength beyond human limits," she mused. "Exercise alone won't suffice or should I say, Exercise is for just beginners, There are many other ways to increase strength without working out. That's why I need to focus on flexibility more than brute strength. In this girl's body, flexibility is key."

Determined, she left her room and began her flexibility exercises. She started with a few simple moves, not wanting to overburden her body at the outset. Despite the limited routine, she felt the stretch and pull of her muscles, a reminder of her body's potential.

Next, she decided to go for a run. Leaving the palace grounds, she aimed for the nearby mountain cliff. The mountain wasn't vast, only a couple of kilometers long and modest in height. However, its steep drop was lethal, a fall from the cliff would be fatal. Esdeath chose this route to get a comprehensive view of the ground before her departure to the academy.

As she ran, the cool evening breeze brushed against her damp skin, invigorating her senses. The rhythmic pounding of her feet on the path, the sound of her breath, and the steady thump of her heartbeat grounded her in the moment. Each step brought her closer to her goal, not just physically but mentally preparing her for the challenges ahead.

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Damn, only Fourth day of college and I'm already exhausted. 😩 it took me four days just to write two chapters.