The moment Adam crossed the threshold into the room, an unusual, pungent scent overwhelmed his senses.
"What's with this odd smell? What's this guy up to here all day?" Adam pondered to himself.
Behind the cluttered desk sat a man, the daylight streaming through the window behind him, revealing a scenic landscape. Papers and assorted items littered the desk's surface.
With a sudden snap, the clutter vanished, and the unpleasant odor diminished.
"Haha, sorry! Our species sweats a lot to establish dominance. The stronger we are, the stronger our scent gets," the man explained, seemingly apologetic, acknowledging Adam's reaction to the smell.
'That sure a hell way to show dominance, knocking others out with body odor. Just take a bath and brush your teeth, or you'll knock others out at the doorstep,' I mused internally.
"So, you're the Outside, huh? You look as weak as a bug," taunted the man, who Adam assumed was the dean.
Observing the dean's unique features — a single, strikingly large eye, four robust arms, and fiery red hair against dark brown skin — Adam listened as the man boasted, "Aren't we Genos an attractive breed? I'm considered one of the most handsome of our kind. It's no wonder you're charmed."
'This bastard..., the most handsome? Nah, he's more like the most unpleasantly odorous among them. Falling for his charm would just knock me out, thanks to your disgusting smell,' Adam said to himself, holding his augre to curse him.
"Geno race?" Adam inquired about the dean's lineage.
"Yes! We are Genos, an intermediate species, and a distinguished part of the divine justice union," the dean proudly pronounced.
"Ahem, I am Egomere Geno. I am your dean. What might your name be, outsider?" Egomere asked, extending his attention to Adam.
"Adam."
"Ah, Adam! Please take a seat there. It's just a quick scan for registration, and we'll be all done," Egomere gestured towards a chair softly radiating a subtle blue glow.
"AI, initiate a scan for his registration," Egomere instructed. A beam of blue light enveloped Adam, leaving him taken aback.
"What was that?" Adam asked inquisitively.
"It's a specialized scanning technology that records age, physics type, and specific identity markers like eye and fingerprint details, etc. Now, our registration process is complete," Egomere clarified.
"That's all?" Adam probed.
"Yes! Your information is now in our system, and your permit card is an elite one, making it easy to certify you as an enrollee. Come closer," Egomere gestured.
As Adam approached, making a concerted effort to tolerate the lingering, pungent odor, Egomere handed him an elegant wristwatch. "Here, put it on."
As Adam secured the watch, a subtle pricking sensation fused it snugly onto his wrist.
"This is your permit card now. It is like an ID card. A simple scan of your wristwatch will let others identify you. Also, it's a tracking device. If you try to remove it, it will explode along with your wrist and nerve in the wrist which leads to your heart, resulting in your death. You can get more information about it and other staff, such as academics, due to AI linked to it," Egomere elaborated.
'This Mf, you could have told me about the pain and tracking device. Taking this off would put me in deep trouble!' Adam grumbled, a mix of frustration and disbelief evident in his tone.
"AI?" Adam questioned.
"Yes, it's an advanced artificial intelligence that offers extensive information. The higher your rank, the more access you'll receive," Egomere revealed.
"Hmm interesting technology" Adam mused to himself, "'AI.' Sounds like something I've encountered before."
"Step toward that circle, I am gonna teleport you outside the dorm department. Remember that your dorm building number is 77 and your room number is 7. Just double-tap the wrist and ask Ai, she will guide you toward your room," said the dean.
"Is the teleport thing that easy? Seems everyone can teleport," Adam asked.
"No, no! It is a technology built by Elvens that allows you to teleport things at record small distances. Anyway, leave this thing; it has nothing to do with you," said the dean.
"The last two questions," Adam said.
The dean looked toward Adam, smiled, and nodded as he agreed to answer.
"First, does anyone know I am an outsider? Since I want to hide the fact I am an outsider," Adam asked.
"Despite your strength, weak bug, you are an intelligent one. No one knows, and that is a good idea; that way, you will avoid a lot of trouble," replied the dean.
"Last question, why are you so kind to me, an inferior, answering all my questions?" Adam inquired.
"Simple, it's my duty. I can't afford to be harsh with students here, right? Also, for you, it's because you are favored by a higher being. I answered your question, so thanks to them. Never think they will always help. From now on, you are alone," said the dean.
Elsa? She went all out to help. Thank you, but he's right; she can't help with everything. I need to depend on myself instead if I want to survive the upcoming war.
As the dean touched the crystal, it began to glow, and the circle brightened up. Adam's vision blurred as he got teleported, hearing a voice, "Good luck and welcome to the academy of Enclave."
.
.
.
.
Egomere let out a weary sigh as he watched Adam disappear through the teleportation circle.
Once Adam was gone, the dean, Egomere Geno, settled into his chair, a perplexed expression on his face. "I wonder why he asked me to show him a favor and keep an eye on that weak outsider, specifically an Inferior race. I can't comprehend the divine beings' will," he murmured to himself.
Without delay, Egomere reached for a piece of paper, the rustle of his movements filling the silent room. Swiftly, he transcribed a detailed report about Adam. After finishing, he scanned the document and promptly accessed his contact list to send the scanned report to a recipient named 'Sir Garp'.