It was as another great day at the empire, everyone resumed their busy work after months of worrying about the Zerg war, now that the 1st army is back, this only meant that the dangers in the north had stopped.
Seven was walking on the school campus. He had turned 11 years old, months ago and was officially adopted by Cross and Maddox who had registered their marriage. His name was then changed to Seven Arias Maddox Cross, his last name became his second name, while he took Cross as a surname and Maddox as a middle name.
This was the first gift he received that day, he was surprised not by his adoption but by the sudden marriage, he had wanted to ask when they started dating but felt that he shouldn't. If he did ask, Maddox would have answered 'the time Cross was carrying you like a baby who was sleeping so peacefully after blowing up my house.
The students at the Imperial Academy were particularly busy. It was time for their practice match, and they needed to train even harder since their performance is broadcasted live for the empire and will be held at the Imperial academy stadium.
The Imperial Academy is the only school in the empire, this was done to stop discrimination in terms of education. When everyone came from the same school, companies won't have to treat those who have attended a lower class school over a well-known academy.
The school had three levels, 6 years of elementary basic education, 6 years of high school advanced course, and major courses.
The school not only teaches theoretical classes but also prioritizes practical training to help stimulate students' advancement. The exam is one of the practical training they had.
This exam is a must-see event, people can find more talents and let younger generations find inspiration for what they'll do in the future. Students also wanted to show their skills and get an invite from the famous group like the military, the association, and the academy itself.
The practical exam procedure is to have students from the same major/course battle one another and the winner gets a recommendation from the school. The recommendation helps make your chances of getting your dream job in your preferred company. Of course, elementary students aren't included in this, only advanced and major courses students have this event.
Seven was still homeschooled but he needed to attend examinations just like this, not as an elementary student but as a high schooler. He was the 1st ever to skip elementary education and was pretty famous among the students. Many scientists and military personnel had vetoed this. They had admitted that Seven had already surpassed the elementary course and it would not be good for his development to delay his studies, anyway he was only one year away from graduating. The Emperor agree not because of them but because he had promised Seven he would do him a favor after he developed the infuser.
He was not only the son of two prominent figures, he was also the youngest soldier in the empire. He was a genius with a 3S mental power and he was friends with the newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel Magus.
But if there are people who admire him, there will also be those who hated him. Some senior from the high school branch of the imperial academy gossip about how he only got his position thanks to his parents. Seven chuckled upon hearing this, noble children are funny, they were clearly describing themselves when they said that.
The moment Seven reached 11 years old, he had his sudden growth spurts and was already 5'6 by the time they measured him so he was on the taller side, he had his mask on and was wearing an article of customized clothing inspired by the military uniform. This was a gift from the designer who had asked for his design before. It turned out that the design became a hit and so when they ask what he wanted in return since he refused the money, he asked for this.
Everyone who saw him said hi, some even offered to tour him around but he declined politely saying he was with his parents and was only waiting for them to get back. Well, he wasn't lying, Maddox and Cross did come with him but they separated after arriving. The moment they reach the school, everyone stared at them like vultures, if they weren't scared of the cold-faced Cross they might have surrounded them. Teachers and board directors immediately welcomed the three but Seven didn't want to disturb them and decided to take a stroll.
The school was huge but it was still crowded. There were stores lined on the side, balloons, and flowers decorated all over the place, fireworks staining the clear sky. They have floating lanterns but the candles were replaced with electric lights. You could say that they put all their time into the decorations since it was well made. This output isn't something that a smart robot could achieve.
He stopped at a stall and saw them selling various ancient clothes, Seven who still remember earth knew all these clothes. Looking around it, he sees people wearing them. He smiled and enter the shop.
The students managing the store were shocked to see him. If it weren't for his mask, which had become his trademark, people would not have known who he was, the empire has only seen him with this mask, it was also patented so no one was allowed to use them. Because of this, no one have seen his face, even the soldiers had forgotten his face. Even Magus, his friend, didn't know what he look like now.
Seven got excited and ask if they have something about the Edo period of Japan. They enthusiastically entertain him, they took at the most design they had and show it to him. He chose a plain white one with no decorations on the hems, but the material was one of the best.
He could feel their curiosity in their stare but he didn't answer.
He was planning to alter this later, that way people wouldn't be able to recognize him, if he just chose an obvious design from this store they can easily trace back his whereabouts. He also bought a wig from another store and hid in a blind spot and enter the black hole to change.
The clothes were then painted with red flowers with intricate golden highlights. If this was made by an amateur it would appear that he had come to a murder scene and his white clothes were splashed with blood but thanks to his artistic talent, the outcome was really beautiful.
His long hair was dyed black. He changes his shoes and presses a button on his mask to show his mouth, he then alters the design and makes it look like a fox mask that was displayed on the stall.
After adjusting it a little bit, he went out and continued his tour. People did still look at him but not with his identity as the son of Cross and Maddox but due to his beautiful looks.
He seems different from everyone here, ethereal and mesmerizing, people couldn't help but be attracted to him, yet for some reason, they can't seem to get a hold of him. He was like the wind, free and unbound. His sudden arrival was just as magical as he vanished. It wasn't even wrong to call him immortal.
The Imperial student council immediately released the news about the appearance of an immortal and used this opportunity to entertain the students. They had established a tag game, anyone who could take a photo of the mysterious person would be awarded with the brand new infuser of their own choice of weapon made by the Famous Maddox himself. Maddox had allowed the used of infuser on the market and would receive royalties for his creations.
Students became even more excited, though they were rich and can afford to buy one, a product personally made by Maddox was different.
"the clearer the better, there will be 1000 winners, so students do your best" the winners may sound a lot but the Imperial academy houses over millions of students from all over the star alliance, so this alone couldn't even reach half of the overall population.
The school premise has become a hunting ground for the students, Seven who was about to be persecuted didn't knew about the activity. He went to eat on a food stall that was selling curry bun, there was only one person who was managing the store and he was the inventor of this dish whose family who had a long history about ancient earth, though he didn't produce auxiliary the food taste great. However people was adamant on eating it. When Seven smell a familiar scent his brain tinged.
"curry" he whispered, with his highly sensitive smell went looking for it. He found himself staring at those buns.
Zanse has been sighing for quite some time now, he had opened this stall all alone, trying to prove that his creation was the next big thing, but it has been 5 hours yet no customer.
Previously his friends refused to try the food since the food industry is quite difficult to venture to. He didn't listen and continued. The buns he cook were delicious, he himself tried perfecting it so many times.
Just as he was about to close for today, he saw a man standing in front of his counter, he was wearing a mask and an ancient clothing.
He immediately asked his first customer,
"ahm... are you perhaps interested?" he was nervous as he waited for his answer.