NOMA, known as the New Order Military Academy, stood as the pinnacle of military training in the human domain.
This prestigious institution was meticulously designed to forge the next generation of exceptional soldiers who would spearhead humanity's defence against external adversaries.
Situated within the heart of Reddison City, the capital of the human domain.
The academy's significance extended far beyond ordinary educational institutions. It was an epicentre of rigorous training, honing combat skills, and nurturing tactical brilliance. Cadets who passed through NOMA's hallowed halls emerged as elite warriors, equipped to face the countless dangers that lurked beyond the bounds of human domains' protective barriers.
In a world where the line between safety and peril was thin, NOMA played a pivotal role in ensuring the continued survival of the human race. The relentless training and discipline upheld within its walls were the bedrock upon which the defenders of humanity were moulded, standing ready to face the unknown challenges that awaited them.
NOMA sprawled across vast expanses of land, encompassing an area that extended for kilometres. This colossal establishment laid claim to nearly 5 districts worth within the sprawling urban expanse of Reddison City.
Within its imposing boundaries, NOMA boasted a formidable array of state-of-the-art training facilities, rivalling the most advanced institutions of its kind.
Housing an impressive number of facilities to cater to the needs of its extensive student body, NOMA featured over 300,000 dormitory rooms, ensuring that cadets had a place to rest and recharge between their rigorous training sessions. The academy's vast campus accommodated 30,000 specialized training areas, designed to sharpen the combat skills of its aspiring warriors. Furthermore, NOMA included 4,000 classrooms where students would receive a diverse education in various fields. Overseeing this sprawling institution were 5,000 highly skilled professionals and educators, dedicated to nurturing the potential of the cadets and preparing them for the formidable challenges they would face.
NOMA's commitment to producing exceptional soldiers was exemplified by its grandeur and the resources it provided for its students, signifying its role as the ultimate training ground for humanity's defenders.
***
I found myself within the esteemed walls of the academy, positioned in front of a classroom labelled as "1 - A - 12."
The number '1' indicated my year, 'A' denoted the floor, and '12' specified the particular classroom.
As I stepped into the classroom, all eyes turned in my direction. Whispers and hushed conversations filled the air.
"Isn't that Owen Regulus?"
"Do you think he's aware of it?"
"I doubt it; he doesn't seem furious."
"Yeah, with his personality, he'd probably barge in and confront that guy."
I could hear the students whispering about me, and I understood exactly what they were referring to. This was the pivotal moment when Owen Regulus was first marked as an antagonist in the novel.
In the story, it was revealed that he wasn't the top-ranked student among the first-year students, which infuriated him. Owen's character couldn't stand the idea of anyone surpassing him.
The trigger for his transformation into a minor antagonist occurred during a practical combat class. Owen challenged the protagonist to a spar, confident in his abilities.
However, he ended up losing the fight. It was this defeat that fueled his resentment and led him to embrace the role of an antagonist in the novel, becoming a rival to the protagonist, Ryan.
As a guy came up to me, his hand landed on my shoulder, as if offering comfort.
He started talking, "Hey, Owen, I know you must feel bad about what went down. You gotta show him who's in charge here."
I felt a surge of irritation at his attempt to console me.
But who was this guy? Was he a friend of Owen's? The thought seemed unlikely, as Owen Owen was never one to make friends easily. His suggestion only fueled my annoyance further.
It seemed he was trying to push me into the role of antagonist on the very first day, disrupting my plans to avoid entanglement with the protagonist.
In response to his unwanted touch and unsolicited advice, I shot him a glare and issued a warning, my tone dripping with hostility.
"Remove your hand or I will kill you, mongrel."
He seemed taken aback and responded, "Hey, Owen, just because you come from a ruling family doesn't mean you can talk down to me. I was just trying to help, you know?"
I chose to move to an empty seat and sat down, ignoring his continued attempts to argue. As I sat there, I contemplated how my words had changed ever since I had taken on Owen's character.
Listening in on the hushed conversations nearby, I caught wind of a group of girls showering compliments on my appearance.
Their words floated to me like whispers in the wind, praising my looks with phrases like, "He's really handsome,"
"He's such a good-looking guy."
It seemed they were discussing Owen's appearance, noting that he was often considered more attractive than the protagonist in the novel.
Rather than acknowledging their comments, I opted to keep a low profile, not wishing to draw undue attention to myself.
Just five minutes into my presence in the classroom, I was disturbed by a sudden commotion erupting from the back. It seemed some students were making quite a ruckus. I couldn't understand why they couldn't just let me have some peace. Annoyed, I turned my head to see what was going on.
What I heard wasn't pleasant. Three girls, seemingly from noble backgrounds, were mocking and belittling another girl who appeared to be a commoner. Their words were sharp and filled with disdain.
"She actually thinks she can sit with us."
"Right, Martha. Unbelievable."
"How dare a commoner think she belongs among nobles."
"All I did was find an empty seat."
"She needs to know her place. There's a clear difference in status."
As I watched, feeling a mixture of irritation and pity, my gaze shifted to the girl they were targeting. She had light blue hair that cascaded down to her hips, with curls at the ends. Her eyes were a striking shade of green, and her overall appearance exuded an undeniable charm.
She wore her hair partially tied up, with a single lock framing her face delicately. Despite the situation, she seemed unfazed, her expression calm yet determined. Despite the unjust ridicule she faced, she exuded an aura of innocence and charm.
She was like the embodiment of cuteness
And then it hit me – she was Aria Asher, one of the heroines from the novel.
I couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for her resilience in the face of adversity. It was clear that she wouldn't let the words of these arrogant girls affect her.
"Damn, this is turning into one of those predictable scenes where the protagonist swoops in to save the day. I should probably just stay out of it," I muttered to myself, feeling annoyed by the cliché unfolding before me. It seemed like something straight out of a children's storybook, not a real-life scenario.
Rolling my eyes, I contemplated minding my own business, but then another voice interrupted my thoughts.
"If you have a problem with her being a commoner, do you have the same issue with me?" The voice belonged to a boy, It was strong and assertive, unmistakably the protagonist, Ryan Stern.
With his fair skin, jet-black hair, and striking blue eyes, Ryan Stern was undeniably attractive, drawing the attention of those around him effortlessly.
His demeanor exuded kindness and approachability, making him even more appealing but he's often seen wearing a cold expression.
As the three girls tried to justify their actions, claiming it was all just a misunderstanding, it became evident that their behaviour stemmed from their admiration for Ryan.
His speech during the entrance ceremony (which I didn't attend) had left a lasting impression on many of the first-year girls, with more than half of them developing crushes on him. Afraid of falling out of favour with him, the girls quickly tried to smooth things over.
Ignoring their attempts to explain, he turned his attention to Aria. With a calm demeanour, he offered her a seat beside him, leaving the decision entirely up to her. True to the cliché, she accepted his invitation, marking the beginning of the bond between the first heroine and the protagonist.
The commotion finally settled down, and I glanced at my smartwatch. It read 7:59 and then instantly switched to 8:00.
" Attention"
My attention was drawn to the front of the classroom as I heard a voice. There, at the podium, stood the instructor who had just captured everyone's focus. The classroom, which had been abuzz with various noises, fell silent in an instant.
"Good morning, all of you. My name is Sia Walker," the instructor introduced herself.
Her words, though casual, held a peculiar undertone.
"I will be your instructor for this year, or perhaps even in the future, for those who manage not to drop out or die by the end of the year."