The East Combat Academy or most famously known in the whole world as Central. An institute solely dedicated to nurture and foster the most talented fighters of the Human Realm. Located at the very heart of the Eastern Continent, hence the name, it has produced the most successful and celebrated heroes.
A school not shackled by any kind of specialization. The curriculum has been refined to teach their students the basics of combat and become the fighters that will one day defend humanity.
Thousands of years since it was founded, the reputation and prestige shined as bright and untarnished till this day. This fact is largely attributed to the powerful individuals they have recruited throughout their history. These people have both defended the school and became the mentors to the students.
Another reason for the continued stability is the Central's complete autonomy from outside forces. Not even the Council could control an aspect of it. Even emperors, kings and sovereigns must leash their arrogance in the presence of Central.
Central is not just famous in producing dazzling talents and heavenly geniuses. What the people almost ignored is the fact that during its existence, Central has survived crisis terrible enough to destroy the continent. Many people have tried to control, even destroy the lofty institution, but none of them succeeded. One could say that the Central is a slumbering beast never to be disturbed.
Because of the reputation and strength of Central, various families and organizations have tried to enroll their younger generation in Central. They hoped that those youngsters would use the knowledge and power they've gained inside the school to help their respective roots. But being enrolled in Central is a very difficult challenge to accomplish. To distinguish themselves from other schools, they only accept the best of the best. They would employ tests and evaluations, separating the genius from the ordinary, with each test different from each year. A fully-fledged graduate of central is sure to bring a lot of attention from clans and other forces.
It is not just the prestige and grandeur that makes the people feel awe towards central, it is also their annual tournament. It is an event created during the time of the founders. The purpose of the tournament is to recognize the absolute talent and set a blaze of improvement in the hearts of other students. It is also a gateway for the students to showcase their talents to the outside world and provide organizations scattered across the continent means to scout for talents.
With the tournament set months later, Central is currently busy with countless preparations. Announcing the event way ahead of time is not a bullsh*t thing. For them to stay at the top, perfection I something they must strive for. That's why crucial and intricate planning must be utilized to ensure a satisfactory result.
***
"I've got bad news."
The one who just talked is a kindly looking old man. But a heavy expression painted his face.
The other people inside also felt the seriousness of the situation. A dark atmosphere permeated in the air.
"We don't have enough manpower."
The gorilla looking combat teacher let out a sigh. "I will not become a referee. Watching a bunch of amateurs fumble their way to victory is something I don't want. To top it off, I'm in very close proximity with them, it makes me sick. Definitely a no-no, better find someone else."
"What on the actual f*ck Ferd?! I am the one who gives you your salary and this is how you repay me?!" But contrary to the old man's kind look, the words spewing out of his mouth is pure venom.
"Shut up! Even if you're the headmaster, you are not the one who's giving the salary. It's the goddamn accountant that is paying me. You better think before to speak Steiner!" Ferd is not about to go back down against the old man. His words contained equal amounts of venom.
"Now you're disrespecting me?! The Headmaster of Central, the man that is on par with the emperors of the continent?!"
"That's right! I am challenging you. What you gonna do now? Cry?"
Instead of apologizing, Ferd began to taunt the old man even more. This further infuriated the angry Steiner. His grip to the handle of his chair tightened until it broke into fine splinters.
The initially heavy atmosphere turned into a bloodthirsty one, as literal sparks coming from the two crashed into a brutal brawl.
The other members of the meeting couldn't help but groan in exasperation. They were not worried about the two fightings, for them, this scenario is a normal occurrence every meeting.
The headmaster can no longer take as he whipped his battleaxe out, clearly ready to chop the insolent creature in front of him. Not to lose out with the old man, Ferd materialized black gauntlets in both hands, he then clashed both of his fists with each other producing heavy shockwaves in its wake. The woman beside him, Ye Han's homeroom teacher, blew the stray hair that landed on her face due to wind generated by the shockwaves.
'Where is the secretary when you neede her the most?' They all thought in unison.
"Can you stop this childish act Ferd, Headmaster." A voice belonging to a woman articulated inside the room. The heated and bloodthirsty earlier suddenly subsided like it did not exist. It was clear that whoever owned the voice is someone that both men do not want to piss off.
"If it isn't Doctor Rose! Come, come! There's a seat for you here!" Steiner immediately recalled his battleaxe as his demeanor matched his kind-looking face.
Ferd also disengaged the black gauntlets covering his hand. "It's just simple misunderstanding, easily resolved by a casual talk. We are all adults here."
'Casual talk? Adults? Who are you trying to fool?'
"Good." She said. "Tha last thing this meeting needs are two arguing man-child."
The faces of the men took on a scarlet hue of shame. Both of them embarrassed by the earlier spat.
"Ehem. As I've said earlier, we lack manpower. With the preparations for the upcoming tournament, the number of staff avaible for teaching the students is severely lacking." He then showed a bunch of pictures with most of them having the same watermarks on top of them. "These are the assh*le- I mean people who are busy and cannot fill in the positions. As such, if we do it according to plan we are left with no one to teach the students."
All of them did not show any reaction to the headmaster's report. They've already felt the pressure. All they want is a solution.
"I am open to suggestions. But if no one gives something, I have a set of solutions already here and from that, we could create the best solution."
There was a moment of silence before Ferd decided to yap his mouth again. "Let's just not tend to them at all."
"What the f*ck?" The headmaster appered to be annoyed by the suggestions. Looks of surprise and bewilderment appeared on the faces of the staff.
"Let's not teach them anything at all."
"What the hell are you saying? Do you want to die?!"
"You got a problem with my suggestion?!"
"Ehem." The eventual brawl was thankfully stopped by the solemn Doctor Rose. "Can you please elaborate on the idea?"
"What I'm saying is we ignore them for now. We all know that they're the best students out there, so we give them freedom. But not complete freedom. I'd say give them something to work on while we are gone."
The headmaster sunk deep into contemplation after he heard Ferd's suggestion. No one dared to bother the old man. And after a minute of complete silence, he finally exclaimed. "That's right! We could have them do some project of some sorts so that they could busy themselves. And while we are busy preparing for the tournament, the students will also be busy with whatever we would make them do."
Everyone voiced out their approval of the solution. Even Ferd appeared happy knowing that his proposed solution could actually of use. Initially, he just volunteered to piss the heck out of the headmaster. But seeing the strict Doctor giving him a harsh glare, he worked his brains making his absurd solution plausible.
"And I have just the idea." A piece of paper and pen suddenly floated in front of him. From there, he furiously scribbled something of a plan on to it. "I declare the very first Cultural Festival of the Easter combat Academy!"