By the time Regulus exited the grand hall, the sun had set, and darkness prevailed throughout the campus. Hordes of students trekked in varying directions with varying expressions on their faces.
Five recognised classes represented Karta Academy acting as pillars that held up it's reputation. The Royals being the strongest, followed by Hearts, Diamonds, Spades and Aces.
'The reasoning for this order is likely due to the dominance of magic within Immisso. But to think I ended up in this class, it seems I can't do anything normally.'
Looking at the card he possessed once more, Regulus could only sigh before trudging forward to the lodging he had been allocated.
The Jokers of Karta Academy are an unofficial class not recognised by the outside world. Known as mutants and irregulars, it is the only class that has never seen changes in its ranking.
Although Karta Academy has seen the Royals dethroned once before, the Aces have always suppressed the Jokers. The reason for this Regulus could only guess at.
'Just because they are irregular doesn't mean they are talentless. In some cases, the defective can become monst-.'
His thoughts were cut off when he felt his instincts, sharpened to a razor edge from a life of combat, screaming. Regulus's eyes widened as his body moved on muscle memory.
Klang
A pillar of earth surged forth from behind Regulus, his 'Prince' rank sword blocking it just before it could skewer him. Any 'Ace' rank would have shattered upon impact, yet Regulus's sword didn't display a singular notch.
His eyes darted around the path. Regulus found himself utilising all five of his senses to attempt to locate the threat.
'Whoever it is, they are far stronger than the current me. If they really wanted to kill me, this battle would be over by now.'
Regulus was no fool; the lack of killing intent behind the strike was plainly apparent; he was being tested. Scanning the landscape, Regulus noted an oddity at one point in the terrain.
"If you are finished with your little game, why don't you tell me what you want."
His exterior remained serene as if a surprise attack had never occurred. Regulus pointed his sword and spoke in a cold tone.
Clap, Clap, Clap
The sound of slow and timed applause rang throughout the clearing as a man emerged from the ground Regulus had been pointing at.
The strongest person Regulus had met in Immisso was standing before him, maintaining his trademark stone-like expression.
"Congratulations, Regulus Cosmos, you have far exceeded my expectations; stand proud."
Despite the praise he was giving out, Erwin Croft's expression remained a blank slate as he observed the Cosmos child before him.
'In truth, I didn't expect him to block that earth strike, let alone find out where I was hiding.'
When Regulus pointed his sword at Croft's location within the earth, he struggled to keep a look of surprise off his stoney face. Regulus wore an unimpressed expression, which showed he didn't enjoy the headmaster's games.
"Are you going to keep clapping, or will you get to the point?"
Not expecting a student to shrug off his praise and speak to him so bluntly, Croft cleared his throat before his eyes turned serious.
"I can see how you beat someone like Ria Soleras; we need to talk, Regulus."
---
"Huh? We are all staying in that thing?"
When the teachers handed Azrael a Joker card, he could only wear a bitter smile as he accepted it. As a dark angel, even if Azrael was a genius in the eyes of others, he was still from a fallen race.
'If I knew the living accommodations were this bad, I might have protested.'
In front of Azrael was the building provided to the Joker class at Karta Academy; although it was a manor, it was smaller than the one he had stayed in with Regulus.
Built in front of one of the academy-owned forests, the house was in such a state of disrepair it appeared straight out of a horror story.
In an attempt to encourage competitiveness, the resources available to students got worse the further down they went. The house Azrael was walking towards was representative of the resources provided by the Jokers.
'We don't even get maids? I knew the Jokers were considered an unofficial class, but to think it's this bad.'
Coming from angel nobility, Azrael had been tended to from birth, causing him to take things he considered normal for granted, such as maids.
"Are you going in or what? It's not going to get any cleaner from being stared at."
Azrael's internal turmoil was interrupted by a familiar voice; spinning around, he saw a young, blonde man grinning at him.
"Looks like we are in this together. Although I wouldn't be too happy if I were you, the real training starts now."
While Azrael was torn between joy at having someone he knew in the Jokers and fear at the training Regulus had planned for him, Regulus strolled towards the manor.
'To think I would be staying in such conditions already.'
The manor before him reminded Regulus of the war camps where he spent most of his past life, constantly moving and swallowed by dust.
His eyes caught movement from the second floor, drawing his attention to a window. Two blobs of fur, one white and one black, were staring at Regulus and Azrael.
Fox's ears twitched on top of the two figures who were so short the bottom half of their faces were hidden by the windowsill. The two pairs of large eyes carried a cat-like curiosity regarding Regulus and Azrael as if they were shiny objects.
When Regulus made eye contact with the two, the twitching fox ears froze before they ran away from the window in perfect synchronisation.
'Fox girl twins of some kind? That black and white hair and ears can't be found anywhere in the Soul Doctor's memories.'
Whilst Regulus was thinking about the peculiar first roommates he had spotted, he couldn't help but anticipate what other surprises the Joker class contained.
'Let's see who else is in this house of irregulars.'
Followed by the nervous angel, Regulus opened the door to the house containing the people he would spend the rest of his time with at Karta Academy.