Seff sat on the front row seat of the auditorium, all silent. His right side was occupied by his team and team 2 neighboring his neighbors.
Under Seff's unrelenting attitudes, the group had to miss the drama unfolding with the Nobel and the ordinary boy.
Seff's ears, with time, twerked alongside the increasing hustle and bustle in the auditorium.
New sounds, noisy chatter, some quarrels, and the throbbing anticipation that soothed the skin, embellished in the warm air, all came about the point where the opening ceremony commenced.
On the broad stage in front of the thousand or so seats, the teachers, Student Council, and the Vice Principal all appeared one by one with the newcomers like Nein and some older students applause.
The announcer stepped back after calling over the Vice Principal to the lectern and initiating another round of clapping from the onlookers.
The Vice Principal tapped the mic to make sure it was working fine before clearing his throat and commenced, "First and foremost, welcome to our humble institution."
The old students, well accustomed to the trend, began clapping. Followed by the newcomers and after a bit of hesitation, Nein, too.
With stern blue eyes whose charmed mirrored in his square glasses, the Vice Principal took in the first row of students. His hair had been neatly cut into the trendy army haircut. Despite not wearing his uniform, his presence demanded others' attention and discipline.
His callous, thick finger tapped the mic again. His dark lips gave way to his words, "From today onward, you will find yourself competing with talented and cunning students. Grinding through strict training regiments and taking part in training as well as academic events.
"You will likely make friends during your stay. Most likely rivals as well. But throughout the time that you are spending here. I sincerely wish for you to fully accept all your classmates, and schoolmates as your brothers. Make bonds with them. Make healthy relationships with them. Spread brotherhood and healthy rivalry. Because, in the end, that's all this institution was built for. To build union in the future pillars of the empire!
"All of you, I wish you the best of luck and success in your journeys. And hope for you to come out on top of this academy and lead the future generations as role models!"
The newcomers, moved by the sincerity and compassion in his voice, clapped.
And with that applause, welcomed back the announcer.
"Now a few words from the Student Council members!"
Again, with claps, a member of the Student's Council stepped to the lectern.
"All the newcomers, the student council sincerely welcomes you all on this road that you have chosen. And I would like to apologize to you all for the absence of the Student Council President." The boy bowed slightly.
Rua, remembering 2nd team's Captain's words, noticed the color of the boy's collar to be white. 'He's a commoner like us?'
He had a humble tone and a charming smile that had all the girls' hearts captured. His dainty physique and short curly hair had their own charm. With his light brown eyes, he scanned the crowd like a hawk in a well-practiced manner.
"As Vice President asserted, the student council and I, Jesse, especially hope for all students to abide by the rules and try to maintain full punctuality in not only your studies. But also in your military training. Thank you!" With a slight bow, he departed calmly.
The rest were some welcoming words from the teachers and with a little parting encouragement from the announcer, the ceremony concluded.
"Now," Seff glanced toward Rua who was sitting right beside him, "Remember that journal I gave you, it has a map of the institution. You will get to know most of the things from your teachers later, so I won't waste your time, as I am busy.
"Check your phones, you should've already been invited to a group on Univia, you will get your apartment number there.
"In your room, your uniform and some necessities will already be present." Seff stood up and began walking off, "Aw, yes, almost forget, Nein, you don't have a phone right?"
Under his inquiring gaze, the latter nodded.
"Here, a gift from Captain Qeff. Ask whatever you want from your teammates." Taking out a thin box from somewhere in his coat, he chucked it toward Nein and walked away.
"Ho?" Nein fiddled around with the phone in surprise.
"Hey! Noqa 13 Pro model? T-That ain't a cheap gift." Duth bit his tongue.
"Hmm! Open it, open it!" Rua urged. As he began giving Nein a rough summary of his phone, Nein posed a question, "What did he say about this... Univia?"
Duth gave the latter a strange glance.
"Oh!" Rua peeked into his eyes, "It's a mailing app." Closing into his ear, he whispered, "I added my number. Don't ask too many such questions or people will get suspicious. Just text me whatever."
"Hey, hey! What're you guys waiting for? Let's go explore!" Haien glanced at the three sitting like ducks in bewilderment. "You can test out your phone later."
"Huh?" As Duth gazed up, he saw the whole of team 2 standing up and glancing at them in impatience. Even Mika and Srid were also looking at the three like clowns.
"Come on! Don't dawdle!" Jenny giggled and dragged Nein to his feet.
Rua helplessly sighed and stood up on his feet, 'This is for the best.' The earlier scene of himself being aided by Nein flashed past his eyes, 'I don't know the guy. His past or whatever. But, he doesn't seem a bad guy and if he even is, then that's just more reason to get closer to him. If he's strong enough to kill a Mantis, then he's far beyond the current me. And will just grow stronger with time.'
'Overall, getting into his good books is the best.' With that, Rua tagged behind. Somewhat excited to explore himself.
***
"How terrible! We can't use outside money here and have to use IP coins?" Mika murmured, looking at the melting ice cream, she shoved the thoughts under the rug and began licking.
"Not really. I think it's to give everyone a fair chance. The nobles won't be able to use their money. The poor have a chance to be rich." Rua chuckled at his delusions, inviting a weary shake of the head from Srid.
"But, I guess, the institution doesn't care if we are on a team together in the army. Our rooms are all separate after all." Feddi spoke.
"Yes, I think the army matters are to be left with the army people. We are just students here for now." Asae nodded.
"But still though, can you imagine we can't visit our families but once monthly? And that under a strict time limit too?" He added in irritation.
"I am more impressed that it actually is as I was told, within the boundaries, the Institution is like another working city." Srid chuckled, "Speaks volume of the whole hectares it occupies I guess."
They were loitering inside a mall with all sorts of shops imaginable, from ice cream to grilled fish and clothes to toiletries. This was one of the biggest malls of the Imperial Academy and only here, a few shops could take real money.
The group's size was large but they tried their best not to catch attention due to seeing nobles with puffed chests trampling around as well.
Just like the one in front of them.
"What a scumbag," Feddi muttered, his eyes trying hard to unsee the boy hogging two girls on both his side and openly enjoying himself.
"A rich one!" Haien muttered.
"Both those girls are commoners. I bet he's forcing his way with them." Mika grimaced.
"Should we help?" Asae halted and gazed at his teammates.
"N-No way!" Srid shook his head, "Involving ourselves with nobility will only bring about our misery."
"Huh!?" Jenny scoffed, "I bet if I such hurl some ice cream over him, all that haughtiness would puff away." Shielded from behind by his teammates.
He imitated throwing his cone over at the bastard's hair in utmost seriousness. Trying to amuse his friends.
"Don't! You know you always mes--" Just as Haien tried warning him, Jenny's cone slipped from his grip and beautifully flung to the Nobel's head.
The group instantly froze. Clenching their teeth in disbelief, one of their eyes glared at the cone slipping down the Nobel's head to his clothes and one to Jenny with his jaw drooping to the floor.
A ghastly aura blew out of the Nobel, as he turned his seething red eyes behind, Jenny felt the ground slip from his feet.
In panic, without even looking, he tugged the shirt of the guy next to him- Nein- and asked, "Hey! What the heck did you do?"
Nein, amused by the whole situation, suddenly felt two deathly eyes lock onto him. 'Ho? Have I been made into a scapegoat?'
Seeing the nobel glare at him, he knew his conjectures were true, 'Holy shit!' His eyes lingered atop Jenny in bewilderment. 'Why?'