The next day after the tournament, I went to the Academy as if nothing ever happened.
However, there's one huge difference, my social standing. People are boldly approaching me, apologizing for the way they treated me in the past, buying me some expensive gifts, etc.
"Fuck off," I say.
The students smile brightly and nod as they leave.
At that moment, Mina appears in the classroom, wrapped in bandages.
Our eyes met for a moment as Mina quickly looks away.
?
She walks to her seat, avoiding eye contact with me.
Okay...
The first lesson is monster biology again, Mr Ostz steps into the classroom and his eyes jolt to me first before looking away.
I walk up to Mr Ostz. "Hi, Mr Ostz."
"Uh-... Hello student Loi."
He is being very respectful. As punishment for what Igniz did to sabotage the tournament, the Igniz family were stripped of their Baron status and expelled from the capital. Although it is not a satisfactory result, the king used the Igniz family's previous contributions as an excuse to lighten the sentence so I cannot do much about it.
That is also why I need to quickly become stronger. When I step out into the wild, they will be coming for me.
"Mr Ostz, I have something I want to say to the principal, may you help me convey my desire to him?"
"Y-Yes, no problem. Class is starting, take your seats," says Mr Ostz.
This fat guy is sweating buckets. After all, his only backer, the Igniz family, is gone.
During the break, I was escorted by Mr Ostz to the principal office on the highest floor, above the classrooms.
I arrive at a brown double door, made from the wood of a category 5 Ent.
Mr Ostz knocks on the door twice.
"Come in," says a child's voice.
?!
Mr Ostz opens the door and ushers me to enter before quickly leaving the room.
A young girl with reddish-brown long hair and two buns at the sides of her head is sitting behind a large desk and on a large black chair.
...
Her red eyes stare at me as I stare back.
What the fuck? The principal of the Academy does not show up in public. That's why many students do not know what the principal looks like but there is a huge rumour of her being 200 years old.
Not only that, she is dressed up in a "Kimono", clothing that outworlders such as the cultivators wear, and looks like a young child in her 10s.
---------------
A Main Character of {???} has been detected.
[Mei Xiaolin]
(Information blocked)
Extraction locked, conditions not met.
Conditions:
-Stage 7 of Core Formation.
-Sword Soul stage 2
-Be acknowledged by Mei Xiaolin
-----------------
What? There's even a condition now?
She sighs. "I know this will happen. This is why I don't appear in the public. I am Mei Xiaolin, an outworlder and the founder of the Akatski Academy. Is there anything you want to talk to me about, Top 1 student?"
...
She is suppressing it but I can feel it... Her suffocating aura, a Nascent soul realm.
"Did you use your cultivation to preserve your youth?" I accidentally thought out loud.
"H-Huh? What are you talking about? I am naturally beautiful. Hey! If you are here to tease me get out!" Xiaolin says.
I look up at her from head to toe. She finds a young girl attractive?
I take a sit on the chair opposite of her.
"My apologies, I have no reason to attend the Academy anymore but I came here to make a deal," I say.
"What?"
"I need you to provide me with the Academy's 'protection' and I will provide your Academy with fame. Register me as a squire for the Army under the guise of a joint admission exercise."
...
Xiaolin rests her head on her arm. "So you are saying there is nothing more for you in this Academy?"
I nod.
She stares into my eyes.
!!
She is staring into my sea of consciousness, checking my soul.
...
"Fine. But will you be leaving the Academy after you are done with whatever you want to do?"
I scratch my head.
"I can stay for a while but I need to leave in the end. Treat it as an early graduation as I am eligible to take the graduation test." I say.
Xiaolin taps the desk with her finger. "Uhh, where is it..."
Xiaolin opens the drawers on her desk. After some time, she takes a golden plate and throws it at me.
I catch and look at it. A carving of a griffin is on it, the Academy crest.
"Just show the army guys this and say you want to join them as part of an academy programme. Now shoo! Don't disturb me! I am very busy!"
Phew...
Now that I take a look around the principal office, it's full of video game disks and weird devices. It doesn't particularly look like she is "busy".
"Thank you!" I say.
I quickly take my leave.
Once, I close the doors. The immense pressure lightens and I take a deep breath. My shoulder can finally relax.
------------
The imperial army infrastructure and camps are north of the Capital. On the way, pretty sceneries of nature can be viewed with small buildings like a windmill once in a while.
The smells of spring in the air coupled with a cooling breeze. Spring is approaching.
The walk lasted around 10 minutes before I can finally see some cobblestone structures.
Some banners were held up on poles nearby, indicating the recruitment season of newbies in the army.
I look at the black watch on my wrist, it's almost March. That means that I will finally meet Julius here.
I smile.
The Army Area is separated into three sections. The first section is the Dormitory area. The second is the headquarters, Arsenal, Canteen, Toilets, Showers. Necessities and administrative buildings. The third section is the training area, the biggest out of the three sections.
I walk to the Headquarters on the west. A large, mouldy cobblestone building with the Army Logo carved, a huge sword facing upwards behind a shield. How original...
Around me are candidates for the examination. The majority are dressed in ragged clothes and have an untidy appearance. I am not surprised.
For commoners who do not have money to admit into the Academy, a second way to become rich is through the military.
The entrance test admission is a cheap fee of 2 silver coins. However, whether one can get into the army will be based on their Aptitude.
As the army is like cannon fodder for the empire, nobles rarely apply for the military.
The person at the entrance is collecting the entrance fees for admissions.
There's a middle-aged man in very ragged and torn clothes. His shorts have holes and are very tattered. Not to mention how skinny he look...
The guy at the entrance, probably a knight assigned to the administrative department since he is dressed in full armour, smirks at the man.
"10 silver coins for you if you want to take part." He says.
"What?! Wasn't the fee 2 coins?" The middle-aged man gasps.
The knight clicks his tongue and spits on the middle-aged man. "Too bad, I make the rules and decide who enters. Besides, look at yourself, do you think you will pass the test? Might as well donate the coins to the army. We protect all of you after all."
Despite the commotion, no one dared to step up and help him. I sigh.
I walk to the knight. He notices me instantly due to the difference in attire.
!!
"Y-You are Loi? The winner of the tournament! Haha! What an honour to meet you, you were incredibly cool during the tournament!" The knight instantly changes his tone and behaviour. "I wonder what brings the winner here today?"
...
The power of status is terrifying.
I give him 2 gold coins. "Do me a favour and let everyone participate alright? I will pay for their fee."
"Ah! Uh, sure! No problem, anything you say." He takes only one gold coin. "I wouldn't dare take so much from you, you can keep that." He says.
This fucker is already trying his best to suck up to me.
"Rejoice, peasants, you are lucky our kind rising star is here-"
"Shut up," I say.
"Ah... Okay."
He moves his finger across his lips, indicating that he zips them.
The knight gives everyone a brochure, stating the procedure candidates have to go through and what trials they should be expecting.
The first trial is potential. Candidates will have to place their hands on a crystal that measures one's aptitude.
I walk into the building and turn right before entering a room. Inside is a huge hall with many seats, some are occupied. In front of the seats are a stage and a table with the crystal sitting on it.
I look around.
!!
I finally see him! Julius!
A frail black hair and eyes boy. Signs of obvious malnutrition can be seen from his small physique and boney appearance.
------------
A protagonist has been detected.
[Julius Linux]
A beggar who is an Orphan. His family were killed by nobles after his sister rejected a noble's hand in marriage.
Unbeknownst to everyone, he is someone with a godly spiritual root and heavenly luck. The son of God.
Godly Spiritual Root
Luck rank S
Extract plot armour?
[Yes][No]
--------------
Jackpot number 2!!