Ash, Baro, and Noana part ways shortly after entering the school. Baro insisted it'd be better if people don't see them together, and make random assumptions which will inevitably lead to more trouble. Noana felt the same way, she gave a polite bow with thanks before taking her leave.
"Now let's go show you the dorms," Baro said, leading Ash through the cramped halls once again. If Ash had unlimited freedom in this world, the first thing he'd do is break these suffocating walls down. It's so restrictive and boring, whoever designed this clearly had no passion or love for what a place of education should be like. There is great power in the feel of a place, or "the vibe" as Sect Leader Khan used to say. A school that makes you feel restricted and bored, versus a school that makes you feel grand and purposeful, which is better? It isn't even a question. The Khal sect academy was magnificent and glorious. High walls, with detailed patterns depicting garbage in every shape or form. Whether food, plastics, wood, metal, or human waste, they are intricately carved into greatly detailed landfills, and the halls are lined with engravings which depict the heroic journey of the forefathers, where they collected trash across the land, putting smiles on the peoples faces of people from all walks of life. Yes, this is an academy which creates heroes. Heroes who go across the world and make it better for the people in it. Merely walking down the Khal Sect Academy halls was enough to make you feel greatness coursing through you with each step. Every disciple, like the four forefathers, is there with the intention of growing strong and making the world better, and that intent is built into the very architecture of the academy.
What intent was built into this school? These bland boring halls feel small and insignificant, they're cramped and offer no space for creative architecture. Just a bland stop between A and B, with no thought or respect put to the image this senseless design puts out. The kids cramped in these halls all wash into eachother, leaving no one the room they need to stand out. Even anomalies like Ash and Baro fade into nothingness in that massive sea of people. What intent went behind this dreary design, what is this the purpose behind it? Halls like these instinctively teach each and every student that pass through them that they are one of many others in this bland purposeless world. Look at them all opening and closing their lockers, countless nobody's performing the same thoughtless actions in an endless sea of likeminded people in a bland uninspired environment. Where is the feeling of unity and purpose amongst the students, the only common goal here seems to be some pursuit of martial arts, but WHY is it being pursued? There is no why beyond the pursuit here, and that emptiness is reflected in this bland architecture. It's fine for the students to trailblaze their own path, but at least make them feel like they're trailblazing somewhere great. Between the attitude of spoiled nobility, and the bland, uninspired, restrictive architecture of this school, Ash just wants to leave.
The dorms aren't any better. Rectangle rooms, with small beds and chests by them for storing personal belongings. Wooden and undecorated, with creaky floorboards. At least twenty kids are crammed into this room, the bunk below Baro conveniently empty. Chances are no one is sleeping there because no one likes Baro. It's awful what a poor reputation can do to a decent person. Ash doesn't have anything to put in the chest, not even coconut shampoo and body wash. He's going to have to make more tonight, there were a lot of whispers about a pleasant scent as they were walking here. There is without doubt a massive market in this academy for coconut aroma. Actually, there is one other thing he's been meaning to do, might as well get that over with too.
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"This bed is yours. From now on, we'll be bunk buddies," Baro said with a smile. Ash settles on his bed, it's firm and lacks a blanket. This Ash didn't mind, hard conditions help cultivate a disciplined mind. Baro gathers a few papers and rapidly signs through them with precision and focus. Ash has a few questions for Baro, but seeing him so focused, it's not the right time to voice his questions. Still, he can't help but wonder.
Is the minimalism at this academy on purpose? It's true that martial arts does not need to be represented in any grand way, and what truly matters is dedication to the craft, but at the same time some of the most prestigious sects in his old world were known for their lavish architecture and stunning culture permeating through the environment which the sect was founded on. Those prestigious sects don't need to speak a word about how prestigious they are, because the nature of their prestige is evident from a mere glance. Every stone which lines their halls was carved and placed with intent and purpose, and every student there trains their utmost as one, always competing but never as enemies, but rather allies chasing the same goal, perfecting their martial art form. Still, many in his world have argued that an expensive looking academy, built with a sense of purpose and unity might be nothing more than a waste of resources. The argument is that why someone practices martial arts does not matter as much as the martial art itself. These people believe that martial arts thrives equally in both a shed, a trash heap, and a brilliant academy. They argue that in a fight between good or evil, it is not purpose which wins, it's fighting ability. If that's the case, maybe this school is just dropping all the superfluous elements of a proper educational establishment in favor of focusing solely on teaching technique. Yes, it must be so. Ash must merely be underestimating the integrity of this facility, an act of arrogance and self importance on his part. Maybe it's just the case that a vast majority of the school's budget is spent on hiring peak experts to guide the new generation. How exciting! It makes him look forward to his classes.
Tomorrow at the start of the first class, Ash will see exactly what it is this martial arts school is all about. He prays that his thoughts up until now were all just misconceptions, formulated after a horrible first impression from people who don't reflect the academy and it's ideals in any authentic manner. Though Ash hopes, he isn't confident. Deep within him is a sneaking suspicion that there'll just be more disappointment. Even if his hopes aren't high, there is no value in letting it go and affirming all of his fears about this Sec academy. For the sake of his growth, it would be better if he's just been wrong about everything, that he's been seriously misrepresenting the nature of this academy. It would be best case if Sec is a place committed to seriously nurturing and cultivating martial artists.
"You've had a long day, how about you get some rest while I go drop off your registration papers?" Baro said, taking his leave before Ash could even form a response.
It's been a long day. From hunting a Thunderhoof in the morning, using qi for the first time to pierce and sow Thunderhoof hide, journeying to town, meeting the alley folk, finding the key for beginning the poison demon ritual, getting new clothes, waiting in line for hours, making enemies and friends, touring the school, grabbing a bite, getting in a fight, and lecturing a little girl. Baro is right, it has been a long day. The other kids are looking at him strange, no doubt they'll stir up trouble if he sticks around. Too bad for them, he's got plans tonight, and can't stick around. The alley ways are calling for him. Ash scribbles a note and leaves it by his bed, before sneaking out the school.
Sorry for disappearing, I have an errand to run, I'll be in bed by morning so don't go waiting or looking for me.
-Ash