"These are the rooms where you'll be residing. Starting tomorrow, ensure you wear the uniforms placed in your rooms for attending classes," announced a middle-aged man, adorned in a golden robe with three stars denoting his Rank 3 Martial artist status.
"Boys' dorms are on this side, while the girls' dorms are separate," he added, as a woman, also donning a golden robe with three stars, ushered the female students away.
"Classes commence at 9:00 tomorrow, so don't be tardy. Your assigned classes will correspond to your rank, and the locations are provided in your rooms. Now, disperse," concluded the old man, prompting the students to go their separate ways.
Examining the key in his hand labeled with the number 60, Newt located his room on the third floor, tucked away in a corner. Observing from the corridor, he noticed Ryan, the fat boy, training in his room (number 50). Their eyes met briefly before Ryan shut the door using his aura, and Newt proceeded to his own room without much acknowledgment.
Surveying the interior, Newt found the room to be surprisingly opulent, boasting ten rooms arranged in a straight line. Satisfied, he took a moment to inspect his surroundings before reclining on his bed.
During this respite, his physical transformation unfolded, evolving from a rugged physique to a more refined, slim, and robust figure. Hair, eyes, and skin underwent color changes, achieving a porcelain-white complexion.
"They couldn't even discern my transformation. Despite the abundance of Rank 1's, annihilating the entire empire would be a walk in the park, as long as those two individuals are absent. Even if they are here, I have my ways," mused Newt, gazing out the window that offered a view of the Imperial palace in the distance. While a considerable distance separated them, this marked the farthest one could reach without belonging to a prestigious family.
"Prestigious families may enter the Imperial palace on special occasions, like celebrating the emperor's birthday, but students and commoners are restricted. An interesting distinction," reflected Newt, contemplating the limitations imposed on those outside the elite circles.
Newt stretched out, granting himself a brief interlude of repose—a luxury that had eluded him for an extended period.
***
A day elapsed, and Newt underwent a transformation, donning a rugged, sportsman-like figure with dark skin. Clad in a white shirt, pants, and a golden blazer adorned with three silver stars, symbolizing his status as a Rank 7 martial artist, Newt emerged from his room.
Exiting, Newt navigated to the location designated for his classes. Upon arrival, he found himself in a jungle-like environment, surrounded by fellow students equally bewildered about their destination.
'Is this the place?' Newt contemplated as he observed a figure enveloped in aura, seamlessly blending with nature. The person, with two golden stars on his shoulders, signifying Rank 4 martial artist status, walked among the students undetected.
'A Rank 4 Martial Artist,' Newt discerned, confirming his suspicion. The individual, likely an instructor, scrutinized the students with a sigh.
Newt surveyed the surroundings, noting that only five students, excluding himself, had sensed the instructor's presence. Maintaining an unaffected facade, Newt went unnoticed as the instructor passed by, dismissing him as an average student.
The instructor, having identified the perceptive students, addressed the assembly. "I will be your instructor in this academy. Firstly, you are all going to change your Aura breathing techniques to the another breathing technique, specifically the Imperial Family's technique. Yearly assessments will gauge your progress."
"For your monthly main mission, each of you will be required to defeat a monster beast corresponding to your level, forming groups of five for this purpose. I expect you to finalize your groups by tomorrow," the instructor continued, offering additional guidance.
"Your mission is to form groups by tomorrow," the instructor announced. "Follow my breathing technique, but remember, disclosing this technique outside the academy has consequences, even if the individual is a member of an Imperial Family."
Newt diligently followed the breathing technique during the demonstration, his expression growing serious. However, he reserved his true practice for later, opting to showcase his adherence to the instructor's guidance without unveiling his full capabilities.
After an hour or two, the students dedicatedly practiced the Imperial Aura Breathing technique, successfully transitioning their aura techniques to align with the Imperial Family's method.
"Now, you should sense the aura more intimately, feel its presence around you," the instructor remarked, addressing the students.
"Practice diligently; achieving Rank 6 or even Rank 5 before graduation is entirely feasible if you train hard," he added before departing, leaving the students to form groups of five, encouraging interaction and mutual understanding.
Out of nowhere, Ryan, the fat boy from the previous day, approached Newt and asked him to join his team. Newt examined Ryan closely but eventually nodded, signaling his agreement.
Observing Ryan's behavior, Newt couldn't help but find him peculiar. Ryan seemed to have an aversion to being the least appealing member of the team. Sweating profusely and anxiously looking around, he appeared uneasy and inexperienced in social interactions. Newt maintained his composure, scanning the surroundings to find that some students formed groups based on shared origins or friendships.
However, Newt and Ryan faced exclusion. Newt's origin beyond the ridge and his dark skin led to his isolation, while Ryan, deemed unfit due to his weight, became a loner. Some students formed groups of four, others in threes, contemplating the necessity of collaborative efforts in defeating monsters. Grouping meant sharing achievements, and not everyone was willing to compromise.
While Newt pondered this, he remained indifferent, focused on his ultimate goal: finding the culprits who had orchestrated the demise of his family. In contrast, Ryan's decision to join Newt stemmed from a fear of standing out negatively in public, driven by his concerns about looking ugly. This fear guided Ryan to Newt, whom he recognized from their confrontation the day before.
***