The busy streets were filled with participants. Some were hectic in their last-minute preparation, hoarding items and foods one after another whilst a large portion was composed, stars dazzled in their eyes as they looked forward to their days in Academia.
Amid these, a small portion was enigmatic. For them, it was the same day as usual. Among this was Alab who followed Anastasia, Han Seo Yeon, and Girth as they scribbled food stalls. They didn't know what was in store in Academia thus they had to prepare beforehand.
While on it, Anastasia was generous and treated them to a luxurious breakfast in the store that sold Earth's cuisine. A stretch of desserts was then served after.
With a little half an hour remaining before the admission ceremony commenced, Anastasia halted her shopping and hurriedly flew toward South, steering her griffin modestly.
Alab and two others then followed. Their inventory was brimmed with treats by Anastasia.
Steering South, the grand scenery of Academia satiated their sight.
"It is magical as usual", Anastasia was bewitched by the alluring magnificence of Academia.
Getting closer, they had to squint their eyes as strong daylight rushed their way. It took them little time to grow adept at intense rays. The multicolored feathered creatures danced in the tranquility of the sky, bathing under the morning daylight.
Their melodic hymns filled the area with inviting symphony.
"Keke, Do you think they will taste good?"
"Girth!"
The group drew closer to the edge of the quadrangle, unraveling the pointy castle atop a mountain of fluctuating hues. Kissed by daylight, the castle emitted golden tints, giving it an aristocratic ambiance.
At last, the group reached the mystifying Arch Bridge. Their bodies smoothly passed through the filmy barrier that no longer hindered them.
"This... It's the Lost Paradise", Anastasia was mystified by the arches. She eagerly hopped off from her griffin, swiftly landing on the golden pavement of the Arch Bridge.
Her heels kissed the pavements, furthering her elation. Alab and the others similarly unsummoned their griffins. They then trailed behind the participants ahead who were equally mesmerized by the picturesque.
"It is too good to be true", Han Seo Yeon couldn't deny the grandiose of Academia. It was too mystifying that he grew dubious about it.
Anastasia shrugged.
"It's the other world. The Land of Magic so it just right.", Anastasia was bewitched.
She then shifted her head below where a cascade of water fell from a cliff, meeting a clear river with gems of ranging pigments underneath. It sent a chilly and soothing waft.
Anastasia felt euphoria.
Before they knew it, the procession of participants had reached the end of the Arch Bridge. A stretch of other early participants dotted the expanse before the 15 meters height barricades, concealing and safeguarding the inner quarters and the pointy castle at the center.
'It seems that I was right. Power struggle is the theme of Academia', Alab examined, looking at a myriad of participants in the expanse.
Varying hues filled the area, reflecting their individual strength with their uniforms of different colors.
"Tsk, why do we have to wear this disgusting uniform?! KE!", Girth was infuriated by the color coding.
It was clear that their black uniform was the least powerful. It just appeared like scrap amid the vibrant hues of others.
Aside from black, red, and blue uniforms, Alab had witnessed another color. Some students wore green blazers and a trouser with red linings on the edges. It was dimmer than Anastasia's but glossier than Han Seo Yeon's.
It was even a waste of time to compare it to Alab and Girth's.
"Black, Red, Green, and Blue. It seems that the power ranking goes like that, with black being the LOWEST", Han Seo Yeon enunciated the word lowest rather strongly.
Girth furrowed his brows at his words.
"KE!", he rolled his eyes.
The group then found an open area and loitered there. Girth was idle as he waited for the admission ceremony to start.
Han Seo Yeon on the other hand was observing the surroundings with his cat eyes.
"It's weird, there are only about 700 or so participants", Han Seo Yeon estimated.
Anastasia shrugged her shoulder. "Maybe the others are yet to arrive?"
"Maybe..."
While Girth was growing impatient and Anastasia and Han Seo Yeon observed further, Alab was in a lotus position in the rear. Apparently, he was restoring his mana. His ears were sharp to the remarks of Han Seo Yeon and Anastasia.
Alab didn't feel the need to observe and analyze the surroundings or other participants. He actually found the analysis of the two to be more meticulous than his.
'Well, Han Seo Yeon is from the military, and Anastasia is older and definitely has more potential', Alab pondered. He even discovered that at times, Anastasia was more keen on details than Han Seo Yeon which came as a surprise.
'It seems that Anastasia has an interesting past on Earth'
With their analysis, Alab didn't loiter for more as he just shut his eyes and sat in a lotus position. His black trouser kissed the golden plants, as he began inhaling the waft of soothing air.
Alab felt his mana restoring each second and after some time, his mana was replenished and then he converted an item right away.
[Your converted points have increased!]
[C-grade points +1]
[Available Converted Points:
- E (×1)
- D (×3)
- C (×5)]
His converted points had increased!
All this while, Alab had an intriguing discovery. The sudden vanishing of the items in his hand, being converted into points, was cunningly identical to the ceasing of items when stored in the inventory.
This way, overlookers inferred that he was just taking and storing items in his inventory. No one suspected him of utilizing a skill.
"You really love showing off your items, don't you? Reckless boy! KE!", Girth scorned as Alab pulled out another C-rank item.
Alab ignored him and proceeded to convert an item. Girth felt ashamed and then rolled his eyes.
"KE!", he snorted.
At last, before Alab could replenish his mana pool once more, a golden smoke erupted atop the towering wall. Silhouettes of three people were apparent through the smoke.
As it subsided, the figures of an old man, a handsome man, and a voluptuous woman were unveiled.
"KIKIKIKIKI! Welcome, participants! Before everything else, let me congratulate you all for passing the entrance examination! You, who survived, are now granted the honor to deprive yourselves of your exile and participants' titles. From now on...", the old man paused.
"From now on, you are official students of Academia!", the old man, Empre - the dean of Academia - proclaimed.
"WOOOH!!!"
"FINALLY!!!"
Reluctance no longer loomed in the students. An ethereal enthusiasm filled their souls.