Kestevere entered the cafeteria behind Lydia. The two of them got some odd looks, but that was only because Lydia rarely went around personally introducing students around the academy. She was well respected throughout the academy for her abilities as an administrator and, when she felt so inclined, as a tutor. Seeing her take an interest in a student was rare, and some of the students who had been around for a while understood that Kestevere was special without even knowing his name.
"Just know, today's special Kestevere," Lydia began, stepping up to the bar where the cooks would make the food, "you wouldn't normally get to enjoy the food here initially and would normally be given a nutrient shake that somehow comes in different flavors despite having the same ingredients."
"Oh, really?" Kest responded, noticing the odd chill that Lydia seemed to have upon mentioning the shakes.
"Just avoid them, okay? Get strong as soon as possible, and don't look back. Look, these academies are multi-faceted. They're building the kingdom's citizens up with skills enough to protect themselves and using the power of those that volunteer or have the talent to go to war if necessary," Lydia said, a dark shadow passing over her gaze.
"I guess that makes sense. What am I supposed to do though? I'm just trying to go home faster," Kest responded honestly.
"Look," she began with a sigh, "I'll level with you. You're stuck here, probably for years. Going home is a dream that will take years to fulfill. We occasionally allow students to go home via teleportation stations, but it's only during small holiday blocks. Alright? You'll be here until you become a soldier or until you can defend yourself and your Barony."
"So what's the gauge of if I'm strong enough?"
"Easy. You begin at a beginner academy, move up to intermediate and advanced, and then, if you've got the stuff for it, a soldier academy. Maybe thirty percent of the people enrolled in the beginner academy make it to the soldier academy, but that's thirty percent of the total population. That's why Graeden doesn't lose wars," she said with a tight smile.
Kest thought over what she'd said while he ate. He needed to do well, but not too well. If he did too well, then he'd never make it back home and would be sent off to war as just another body. On the other hand, his father would expect him to excel or at least perform to the best of his abilities. Fulfilling his roles and responsibilities was the Avalon way.
"What's the process of getting to the other academies?" Kest asked after he'd finished his food and wiped his mouth from eating the tender meat and vegetables.
"It's pretty simple to start with. At first, it's just a tournament in which you must place within the top four. That'll get you transferred to one of the intermediate academies. From there, you'll be expected to know the information being taught in the beginner and intermediate academies, as well as having complete control over your mana and completing low-level missions. Most trainees are around Human silver or gold level. You're familiar with the levels of strength, correct?"
"No, particularly," he said, confusion evident on his face.
"Each level is guided by the strength infused within us by the system. Think of it as tiers and levels. Tiers are human and above, while the tier level is bronze, silver, and more. You'll learn more as you grow and learn in the academies, but just know that it'll take a certain amount of strength to go beyond the intermediate academy and the requisite knowledge," Lydia explained before continuing.
"From there, you'll be expected to strengthen yourself more, reaching the human platinum level at least. You'll be tested on military knowledge and tactics, and there are practice battles throughout each cycle. The goal is to lead your people to victory by utilizing your learned tactics, playing to your strengths, and exploiting the enemy's weaknesses like a general would. That's beyond your current capabilities, but everyone who leaves the advanced academy does well with this. Beyond that, it depends on your talent or the choice to join the military and attend the final place of trials, the soldier academy. That's where you'll become the person you're supposed to be. We make it a rule not to send someone to the academy who hasn't ascended, though, so you don't have to worry about attending until you're at least eighteen," Lydia said with a smirk.
"So I've got at least eight years until I get there? And what's the ascension you're talking about?" Kest asked, his excitement beginning to rise. The prospect of gaining strength was a surprisingly tantalizing ideal.
"You don't need to worry about all of that. Just do your best, and you'll continue to rise through the ranks. Getting stronger and smarter is the name of the game, and that comes with its own reward. Just look at me; not everyone can become as strong as me," Lydia said with a self-satisfied look.
Kestevere couldn't help but laugh at what he assumed was some form of mistaken pride. He assumed that she'd have to be at least a little strong to be the test administrator, but he had no way to gauge the strength of someone else.
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"Come on, I'll show you to your room. Each room already has two sets of the study materials you'll need. Each new student is paired with someone that has either taken a tour or completed one cycle," she said, rising from the table and motioning for him to do the same.
The two of them went down the marble-tiled halls until they were again outside. Kest could feel the heat of summer approaching and the sunlight reflected off the various buildings. Everything here was much brighter than he was used to because of the marble or sandstone blocks. His home was just a typical village in a forest where everything was made of wood, so the colors were often darker and more varied. He found himself wishing to learn how to create such beautiful buildings. Still, before long, his walk with Lydia ended in front of a building with four floors and regularly spaced glass windows. It looked less like a dormitory and more like a prison, but he thought he might be thinking too harshly about his new home.
"Welcome to the dorm. I'll show you to the front desk, and then we'll go to your room to ensure everything is in order," Lydia said, smiling softly.
The two walked into the building, and Kest felt the air cool. Somehow, they were cooling the building, likely with mana-powered utilities. A student sat at the front desk, looking bored, as they flipped through one of the textbooks on the desk. Lydia requested a key for Kest's room on the third floor, and they went up the stairs to his room. Upon opening the door, Kest could see all his possessions on one side of the room.
"You've got a desk and bed in one room, and the bathroom and shower are within that side room. Each of you has a place to store your uniforms and personal items. You're expected to act like young adults, but that isn't something we will be too strenuous about. You're kids, so stuff happens. The beginner academy is a time for adjustment, so just take everything in stride and do your best. Your roommate should be here before curfew, so I'm sure he'll take you around tomorrow. If you have any problems, find one of the professors on duty in the building," Lydia finally finished, leaving me with more questions than answers as she left the room.
"What am I supposed to do now? I wish there were some kind of instructions," Kest thought out loud while looking through the books on the desk until he found a new student guide. It had a list of places, a corresponding map, and rules and regulations to abide by. It also had a list of duties to complete before the start of the cycle, and there was even a rubric for all of the classes he'd have to complete.
It looked to him like there were enough classes that it'd take at least a year to complete them all. He could test out of some classes, though he'd have to attempt the test before the start of the cycle. He had a week to figure out how to function here before the beginning of the cycle, so he'd just mull over the books in that time. He looked over the ones he'd scattered on the desk and picked up the most interesting one.
"I guess it's time for some 'Magical Theory and The System' light reading," he said, chuckling. He spent an hour reviewing the magical theories, which all had some form of warning about them, before looking more into how levels worked. He had already seen the basic stats that everyone blessed by the system had, and he learned that experience was gifted by the system. Each time enough experience was gathered, someone would level up, and they would grow more statistically. Each level provided two points into each stat, which is why his stats were so much higher now, and the base for each stat could be raised to two hundred even before leveling. Each point was just a minor increase in ability, but they would stack over time.
As Kest was about to get to the next portion about tiers, the door to the room opened, and a boy who looked a little older than himself walked in.
"Oh, guess you're replacing Allen. At least I don't have to deal with his snoring anymore," the kid said, pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose.
"Um, hey. I'm Kestevere Avalon. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mister…" Kest began, awkwardly bowing slightly.
"Gerold Voltin, son of Duke Draeton Voltin," Gerold said, smiling slightly as Kest's mouth dropped open.
"Wait, the same one that my father fought with?" He nearly yelled in response.
"The very same. It seems like we're destined to be intertwined, Kestevere. I'll be looking forward to growing with you," Gerold responded, dropping into the chair on his side of the room and wrapping his arm lazily over the back. It seems like we've both awakened earlier than our fathers. My father awoke at sixteen, and I heard that your father was a few years behind my father but that he awoke at fourteen, right?"
"Yeah, I mean, yes. That's correct. My father awoke at fourteen, at least that's what I was told," Kest awkwardly said, stumbling over his words as his brain tried to derail his mouth. He was speaking to the son of the major who rewarded his father, albeit indirectly, with the Barony in which he was raised. "I guess we're luckier then."
"Maybe. We're going to be under less pressure to develop quickly. Still, pressure tends to require a change of us," Gerold responded while idly picking at his fingernails. I've spent too long at this level already. Indeed, I could have learned everything I learned during the last cycle at the intermediate academy, but I'm glad I stayed behind. It seems like I've finally found someone who'd be a good friend," he said while smiling at Kest.
"I surely hope so. I'd like nothing more than for us to become strong together. I know it takes roughly a year for most people to leave the beginning academy, but I'd like to make it through the first cycle. Seems like you'll be leaving after this cycle, right?" Kest asked hesitantly.
"Yes. It's time for me to rise to the next level. If you can follow, then all the better, but if not, then I won't hesitate to leave you behind. I don't know if you've read through the entire handbook yet, but the top five percent of students become the leaders and elite soldiers of the army. I'm out to prove myself," Gerold said, his brow lowering and causing his eyes to darken.
"Oh, I see. Well, I suppose I should follow your lead," Kest said in response, a nervous smile appearing on his lips. The two continued to speak briefly about the school, classes, and other things Kest needed to learn about. He was glad he'd found someone to help him, even if it was someone that intimidated him greatly. The two were fast to bond, though, and by the end of the night, Kest felt as if he could begin to belong within this academy, if only due to meeting someone he could consider a peer.