"World Academy" I mumbled, reading the intricate letters etched on a big arc above a massive school gate. Just gazing at those letters conveys the immense grandeur of the school hidden beyond those silver gates.
I became more aware of the size of the school gates as our car drew nearer. The school's walls and silver gate, which is shaped like wings, are each roughly 35 feet long, according to the brochure that was enclosed with my acceptance letter when it was delivered. But I don't know why a school requires such huge walls. When I read about it, it kind of made me think of a fortress rather than a school.
The gates slowly opened as we approached in a way that made me think of an angel extending its wings. I was in awe of the stunning scene.
My father exclaimed, "As anticipated, this is the most desirable academy in the country!" I could only agree with a nod.
I've never actually visited the academy. The World Academy does not permit anyone who is not enrolled in their school to enter their premises, in contrast to other schools where you must visit to enroll. Instead, they conduct a nation-wide examination called WAR (World Academy Recruitment) each year, held in every city of our country.
The fame of the WAR examination is greater than that of the licensure examination and is broadcasted nation-wide.
A guard in a black suit stood in our way as we entered. "Only students are permitted from this point on. I'm sorry, sir, but this is as far as you can go."
"Well, Liz, it looks like you'll have to go on your own."
I exited the vehicle while nodding. I looked around me and was perplexed to discover that there wasn't a single building in front of me. In its place, I see a huge forest and a straight asphalt road.
The guard assured me that someone would pick me up later. He must have recognized the uncertainty in my eyes. As I took a closer look at the guard's face, I was quite shocked to find a young man in his early 20s.
Curious, I inquired, "Is the school beyond this forest?"
The guard responded by nodding.
"But perhaps calling it a school is an understatement." I looked at him, confused. "Instead of a school, it's more like a world simulation," he added with a big grin. The look of amusement in his face tells me that the bewilderment I am showing is a usual occurrence.
The World Academy is well regarded for being both the most sought-after school and the most enigmatic school there is. Even the alumni kept quiet about what occurred on the school grounds, and nobody knew anything about it.
Despite this, many students still want to attend this institution. This is due to the fact that nearly every academy alumnus and alumna has achieved great success in their respective fields. In comparison to other universities and academies, the World Academy's students achieve a nearly 100% success rate once they enter the working force.
Graduates of the academy are also exempt from taking the licensure exams. Along with your diploma, you automatically acquire your license upon graduation, enabling you to start working in your desired industry. Furthermore, employers are lining up to hire students from the academy, so your future is assured.
Parents are naturally more than happy to send their kids to such an academy.
Unfortunately, because the exam is so competitive and difficult, only a few people pass each year. Additionally, a number of students are expelled annually. Therefore, even though little was known about what occurs inside, it was simple to infer the type of environment that kids were exposed to. As a result, only the finest of the best make it to the finish line, demonstrating that the school emphasizes quality over quantity.
My father and I said our goodbyes after retrieving my belongings from the trunk and giving a few reminders. Not long after, I noticed a golf cart emerge from the woods.
The golf cart driver looked at something on her clipboard and said, "Are you Lizelle Laurier?"
I responded by nodding.
The girl had wavy mahogany lob hair. It complemented her lovely face and made her appear both charming and appealing. You can tell she came from an affluent family by the way she carried herself and by her silky smooth skin, like that of a child.
"I'm Genevieve, but you can call me Gene. You'll be under my guardianship for the next few months or so. So I hope we can be comfortable with each other. "
"Guardianship?"
"Uh huh. You may have already noticed, but our school does not operate the same way as other schools do. One of the fun features of our school is our guardianship. It's where senior students who can afford it can adopt first-year students to care for."
My brows furrowed. Afford? Adopt? What the hell! Is this a school or an orphanage?!
Genevieve let out the most elegant chuckle I've ever heard from a human. Just like that young guard earlier, she has this certain look in her face. It seems that my confusion is amusing to them.
"Why don't you hop in and I'll slowly explain to you how things work in our academy. However, it is best if you erase all previous school concepts from your mind. That way, things will be easier for you to accept. "
I could only heave a deep sigh as I firmly grabbed my luggage. When I decided to attend this academy, I was aware of what I was getting myself into. Even though this doesn't adhere to the usual concept, I'm confident that its regulations and other aspects are not illogical. I therefore have a good chance of accepting it.
"Is that all your things?" She inquired, her gaze drawn to the suitcase beside me.That bag belonged to my granny. When she found out I'd been admitted to the academy, she gave me this old luggage she'd kept for years. It's a little faded and definitely many generations old, but it's full of my grandmother's love, so I cherish it.
"Yes," I replied.
We aren't rich. My clothes and a few used books that I purchased on sale are the only items I own and brought. The only way I was able to get into such a prominent school was because of the full scholarship that I was awarded. Even seeing those massive gates would be a pipe dream if it weren't for that.
Genevieve waved at the guard and shouted, "All right, let's go! Bye, Conan! See you in self-defense class!" before we sped off. Conan the guard returned the wave.
"Is he a student too?"
She said, "Yup!" with a smile. "He's a third-year criminology student and a second officer in the student police. The student police are responsible for maintaining peace and order at our school. Just like real police officers in the real world, they maintain order, solve crimes, and are stationed at various locations across the campus. What you witnessed earlier was one of the responsibilities they undertake."
I turned my head outside and stared at the nearby forest. The golf cart doesn't exactly move at a slow or rapid pace. It was just right—enough to enjoy the fresh air produced by the forest and immerse oneself in the serenity it offers.
The forest is larger than I anticipated. We'd been out of the gates for a few minutes, but I still couldn't see the end.
"What is the point of that guardianship thing?" I inquired.
"As you know, little is known about this academy. Thus, freshmen that aren't products of our high school department often have trouble adjusting. Although, the academy only wishes to nurture the strong, it would also be a waste to kill a seedling before it could even sprout. That is why the guardianship program was created."
"So every freshman gets a senior as a guardian?"
Genevieve shook her head. "Of course not! "Only those deemed to have the greatest potential by the academy are chosen."
"And I was chosen."
My brows furrowed when Genevieve suddenly gave me a sly smile. "Girl, we did not just choose you. Passing the hardest entrance examination known to our country with a perfect score, you made us choose you." "Luckily, that trick worked, and I ended up becoming your guardian."
I didn't quite hear the last sentence she said, but the way she's smiling to herself is making me feel uncomfortable. I unconsciously edged away from her. This girl is weird.
"What benefits do you get from this guardianship?"
I don't believe that this setup is out of pure goodwill. I'm pretty sure the guardians get something from this too.
"What benefits? This is done in good faith!"
"Stop lying. No school can change human nature. I don't believe anyone would just agree to a cumbersome task like taking care of a stranger, without them gaining anything from it."
Genevieve fell silent for a moment.
"You're right, we do get certain compensation for it—compensations that are hard to decline. But those things don't matter to me. The only reason I wanted to become a guardian was because I wanted to understand why my mom kept saying that parenthood is hard and should not be taken lightly. hehe. "
Her speech had a privileged cadence.
Only the wealthy are unrestricted by options and can act however they wish—just like how this girl beside me thinks that the guardianship is just some game.
I couldn't help but feel bitter. As a poor person, my options are constantly restricted. I need to put in a lot of effort if I want to broaden my options. So seeing someone be so casual hurt a little.
The injustice of life is awful!
"Wait, if you can choose who to adopt, why aren't I given a choice regarding who I want as a guardian?"
"Well, did you choose your parents, or was it your parents who chose to give birth to you?"
Her retort made me lose a couple of brain cells. I almost fell from the golf cart when we made a turn because I was too stunned to move.
"What kind of logic is that?!" I blurted, exasperated.
Genevieve giggled at my expense. At this point, I think she's just making fun of me.
"The logic of this world," she faintly answered. "Often times, you don't really get what you want. So you need to learn to deal with what you're given. This brings me to the most important lesson you should learn as a freshman: assimilation. It's quiz time! What happens when an organism fails to adapt in an ecosystem?"
"They may need to relocate to a more adaptive environment or face extinction. Wait, I don't really get the connec~"
"Exactly! The World Academy is a new ecosystem, far different from the habitat you are used to. Your survival depends on how much you can adopt. And if you fail to do so…"
I grew quiet. She didn't even need to finish her sentence for me to know what she meant. I don't have the option of failing. As a result, my only option is to evolve.
"You're fortunate, though. Since you have me as your guardian, your chance of survival is far greater."