Chapter 3 - Dragon Academy
As the carriage neared the Dragon Academy, Dave couldn't help but contemplate his situation.
"Looks like I need to become a villain to get stronger."
"Considering the Sin of Lust, I feel like my nickname as a playboy would shine."
Dave laughed, and his evil smile caught the attention of the butler, who was managing the carriage and guarding his safety.
The butler seemed weak, but in truth, he was strong enough to be trusted by Lucas to protect Dave from harm.
Young master must have some evil plans, he concluded, but he didn't dare to probe, given that his role was to protect him and send him to school safely.
After that, he would return to the mansion because once Dave was inside the academy, he could not enter anymore.
.................
Dragon Academy
The Dragon Academy, renowned for its illustrious history and powerful instructors, was the top educational institution in the Dragon Empire.
Many of its teachers boasted statuses of King Level and beyond, making it the ideal place for Dave to continue his journey of self-discovery.
The academy's prestigious name was derived from the first Emperor of the Dragon Empire, who founded it.
Its reputation extended far beyond the boundaries of the Dragon Empire. People from other continents were eager to gain entry, recognizing the immense opportunities it represented for personal growth and mastery of powerful techniques.
This attraction turned the academy into a diverse and dynamic hub of knowledge and martial prowess.
However, not just anyone could gain admission. The institution was highly selective, graced by royalty, nobility, and exceptionally gifted individuals.
Yet, there were exceptions; some remarkably talented but poor individuals managed to secure a place within the academy's esteemed walls, offering hope to those otherwise excluded by their social status. This diversity contributed to the rich tapestry of talents and backgrounds on campus.
Dave's first year at the Dragon Academy marked a new chapter in his life.
His father had dedicated significant time to his training, and under the guidance of someone as powerful as him, Dave's combat skills were extraordinary for his age.
He had surpassed many seasoned veterans and seldom found peers who could match his prowess.
Recognizing his rapid growth, his father decided to enroll him in the academy, even though Dave had already attained the strength to challenge the city's martial masters.
His father's intention was clear: he wanted Dave to socialize, broaden his horizons, and focus on his personal development rather than constantly seeking romantic pursuits.
Enrolling in the Dragon Academy not only provided Dave with the chance to socialize but also allowed him to meet other prodigious talents.
These individuals posed unique challenges, giving Dave opportunities to hone his skills and broaden his knowledge.
It was a chance to test himself against equally exceptional peers, fostering an environment of growth and competition he had yet to experience.
Bored with his daily routine, Dave accepted the opportunity the academy offered. As his carriage came to a halt at the entrance, a guard respectfully bowed and warmly welcomed him.
"Welcome to the Academy, Young Lord Dave," the guard greeted, acknowledging his noble status.
The guards stationed at the academy took great pride in their roles, holding themselves with authority.
They were known to be indifferent to other nobles entering the academy, as those nobles were under the academy's protection and didn't warrant special attention.
However, upon spotting the carriage bearing the emblem of the Alexander Clan, their attitude shifted.
They chose to pay utmost respect, recognizing Dave's paramount importance, which even surpassed that of many princes and princesses.
If it was a child from noble or even royalty, they would still respect them but not to the same degree they showed Dave.
The Alexander Clan held a unique and revered place within the empire's hierarchy.
The butler offered a warm smile to Dave and informed him, "We have arrived, young master. I'm afraid I cannot accompany you inside, as it is not permitted."
"It's okay."
Dave waved his hand, assuring the butler that he could manage on his own from this point. The butler nodded and departed with the carriage.
Standing alone at the academy entrance, Dave took a moment to gaze upon its magnificence.
The towering buildings exuded vitality and a powerful aura that drew anyone who beheld them. It was a place of great allure and grandeur.
With a smile, Dave turned to the guard who had greeted him and retrieved a pouch of gold.
"Here, buy something good," he instructed, encouraging the guard to enjoy the unexpected gift.
He casually tossed it to the guard as a token of appreciation for the warm welcome.
The guard accepted the pouch with delight, excitement evident on his face.
He knew that refusing the gift would be a sign of disrespect and couldn't be happier with his decision to greet Dave respectfully, as it had resulted in this unexpected reward.
The guard expressed gratitude for the generous gift of gold coins, his admiration clear.
"As expected of the Guardian's Son, he is generous," he commented.
The other guards couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy as they glanced at Dave, recognizing they had missed an opportunity that might not come again.
Witnessing the rewards of showing respect to Dave, they silently agreed to greet him respectfully from that day forward.
As Dave walked through the bustling academy grounds, he suddenly received a series of notifications from the Primordial Sin System:
[Ding! You've gained Sin Points]
Envy + 5
Envy + 5
Envy + 5
In just that brief interaction with the guards, Dave had acquired his first Sin points, accumulating a total of 25.
'That's easy.'
Tempted to show off and gain more skill points, he exercised restraint, choosing to remain low-key for now and understanding the importance of balance in not drawing unnecessary attention to himself within the academy.
Navigating through the lively academy grounds, he observed the vibrant interactions among students—conversations, laughter, and even heated disputes filled the air.
Despite his attempts to remain inconspicuous, his innate charm had other plans. Many female students looked at him with admiration, while some male students couldn't hide their envy as they watched from afar.
Dave's presence had unintentionally caused quite a stir among the student body.
His charm was undeniably potent, effortlessly captivating those around him. Amidst the buzz, whispers and exclamations filled the air:
"Who is he? He is very handsome."
"Yeah, I want to be his girlfriend."
"He is the perfect boyfriend for me."
"I've found my destiny, oh my gosh!"
Dave's presence ignited a flurry of admiration and intrigue among female students, many expressing their fascination openly.
Yet, none dared to approach him. His royal aura signaled that he was no ordinary individual, acting as a natural barrier keeping captivated admirers at a respectful distance.
Meanwhile, the male students seethed with resentment as they watched their crushes drawn to Dave.
His stunning features amplified their feelings of inferiority, leading them to cast blame on their genetics and upbringing.
"Why does his face seem familiar?"
"That's right!"
"You don't know him? He is Young Master Dave from the Alexander Clan."
The one who spoke was a beautiful woman who appeared to be a campus crush, yet she looked like a maiden in love with Dave.
When the students heard the voices, everyone was shocked, and the girls' eyes lit up with intensity, while the boys started to feel fearful of offending him.
Just one word from him was enough to make their clan disappear if they displeased Dave.
Suddenly, Dave was taken aback by more notifications from the Primordial Sin System:
[Ding! You've gained Sin Points]
Envy + 30
Lust + 10
Wrath + 10
It appeared that his presence had triggered a complex array of emotions among the students, resulting in a substantial increase in Sin Points.
Despite the envy, lust, and even wrath directed at him, Dave remained unfazed, accepting it as part of the territory when one possessed extraordinary charm.
Dave understood that the increased attention and emotions were natural consequences of activating the Primordial Sin System.
The system had explained that his charm had risen to new heights, accounting for the heightened reactions from those around him.
Intriguingly, he hadn't even taken any deliberate actions yet was already attracting attention and emotions from others due to the system's effects.
With 75 Sin Points and counting, Dave felt a growing sense of satisfaction. He quickly discovered that accumulating them was more manageable than he had initially thought.
"Looks like it's easy to gain points," he mused confidently.
Shortly afterward, an elderly man with a long beard appeared on stage.
Due to his appearance, the attention shifted away from Dave.
His gaze swept over the new batch of students, pride evident as he recognized them as the future pillars of the Dragon Empire.
"Hello, young ones. I am the principal of the Dragon Academy. You can call me Professor Julius," he introduced himself, radiating warmth and authority.
"Welcome to the academy. I am grateful to see so many young seedlings entering this esteemed institution," he continued, addressing the new students with pride.
"All of you are the future pillars of the academy, so do not let me down," Professor Julius added, setting clear expectations for the student's potential and growth.
As he spoke, he exuded an aura of a low-tier Heavenly Sage, leaving many students in awe of his formidable presence.
In contrast, Dave remained composed, unfazed by the display of authority.
He knew Professor Julius's strength, though impressive, was still considerably weaker than his father, Lucas Alexander.
Dave had never witnessed his father display his full aura or become truly serious, yet he held a deep understanding of Lucas's incredible power.
That knowledge left a profound impact on him.
Professor Julius proceeded to outline the school rules for the new students, emphasizing that even those with status within the empire were expected to adhere to them.
"The number one rule is no killings. You can engage in fights, but taking the life of another student within the school will result in expulsion or execution," he stated firmly.
He went on to detail various other rules, stressing the importance of punctuality and obedience, speaking for 25 minutes to ensure the students were well-informed about the academy's expectations.
As Professor Julius concluded the presentation of school rules, a noticeable divide in student reactions became apparent.
Some grew bored, while others eagerly absorbed the information, recognizing its importance.
"Now you can go to your respective classrooms. I hope you enjoy your time here at the Academy," he said before departing.
Before leaving, he cast a nod in Dave's direction, acknowledging him with a subtle gesture.
Then, with a sudden and remarkable display of speed, Professor Julius vanished from the crowd.
'He looked at me?'
Amazed by the principal's departure, Dave commented to himself, "As expected from a Heavenly Sage; I can't even see his movements."
Filled with determination, he mumbled, "I'll reach that level of power one day."