Chapter 123
Lamberton Dormitory Building, Cornell Academy, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2036, Planet: Grimoire
Once the dust settled and he relocated to another set of rooms in a complete suite, Grifton completed the class determination exams without issue. He was given the official documentation and student ID card that would allow him access to all kinds of training facilities, arenas, workshops, and blocks where classes were held.
A week later, the official welcoming ceremony was held. It was the first time Grifton had attended such an event. He wasn't pleased with the mandatory attendance, but whatever. There had to be a reason why everyone was showing up now, he supposed.
The place was freaking huge. "Uh, wow, how is anyone supposed to know where they're going?" Grifton blinked in horrified bemusement. This was worse than the Orphanage. He gazed at the enormous hall where everyone gathered for the ceremony. "Will we all fit in this place?"
The entrance welcoming ceremony was held in one of the biggest and far-flung multi-story buildings that Grifton had ever seen. "I thought the orphanage was bad; this is worse," he reflected wryly.
It was a mix of Victorian and Gothic architecture, and numerous cultural buildings from other empires, kingdoms, and nations were included as a gesture of amity. "Sheesh, what a nightmare to maintain," Grifton shook his head in amusement.
Well, now that he remembered, Cornell Academy was one of the few places considered neutral in its approach and outlook to education of all types. Now that he recalled, it didn't discriminate between non-magical students and mages. "This is going to be interesting and complicated."
Now, as he approached the vast complex, Grifton swallowed hard. "Wow, this is rather intimidating." It quickly overshadowed the Orphanage complex.
A sigh escaped Grifton as he studied the building with a pang. "Will I really be able to fit in here?" He shrugged, continued walking forward, and saw the large crowds of prospective students.
"Hmm, what is going on now?" The sight surprised Grifton and made him rather queasy. No matter how much shielding he raised, he could have done better in crowds.
However, seconds later, the nausea building up in him eased. A slightly pungent fragrance similar to citrus and avocados caught Grifton's attention. It gave him some peace. He blinked. What the, there was an Alpha who didn't care to stir up trouble?
It took a few minutes before the queasiness wore off. Still, when it happened, Grifton recognized the scent immediately, making him wary. He glanced around in surprise.
Oh, that group of Alphas hung around the various marketplaces in Grifton's street days. Jesso, was it? Yep, the entire gang was there, and none of them were really pleased to be at this academy.
At least from what Grifton could notice of their faces, though he could be wrong. There was so much weird stuff going on that he found it hard to keep track of what was happening all around him. There were other complications he could sense if he hung around them, but it was not something he was inclined to do.
Grifton determined that he better be polite for now. Later, he would figure out a way to ditch all of them. Not only that, but it seemed a few more faces joined the clique. "Uh, hello." He greeted them cautiously.
"Hi, Grifton. It's been a while." Firenze Jesso inclined his head. "I'm glad you made it through your internship without issue."
This was strange. How did Jesso know about Grifton's tenure with the Lamberton merchant caravans? "Yes, that's right. It was part of my requirement to attend this academy." Grifton didn't remember being so friendly with any of them at all. "Since when did you decide to join up here? I could've sworn you were headed to Tremont or Fang's Cliff Institutes." He looked around in confusion.
The alphas shifted uncomfortably at his recollection. None of them wanted to answer that. "Can we talk somewhere else, after the opening ceremony?" Firenze realized they were attracting attention.
"Yeah, we should split up here for now." Troy concurred. Next to him were Kyle, Gladys, Lilac, Molly, and two others Grifton didn't recognize were clustered nearby.
"Fine by me." While Grifton appreciated what they'd done, they were rather flashy in what they wore. "I'll see you around." He headed to the area where the first year were supposed to sit.
From the corner of one eye, Grifton watched the Alphas head to another section. So, they were second, third, and fourth years. He reckoned. Their appearance here made no sense to him whatsoever.
Not only that, but they had fun with their uniforms, and none of them met the dress code. He didn't want to be associated with that. Grifton turned his attention to what was happening where the podium was located.
Once the Headmaster began speaking, everyone settled down. The speech itself could have been more inspiring. There were introductions of all the instructors and mentions of do's and do not. That was all very normal. He was starting to fall asleep, along with others who were bored mindlessly with the dull drivel.
What startled Grifton, and shouldn't have, was the reminder that all students had to join the competitive combat and artisan annual and biannual festivals that were two weeks long and had various categories to enter.
"In conclusion, I must remind you all that we're in an international competition. It is an event that occurs every six months, and there are two sections in which participation is mandatory..." The Headmaster droned on about the reasons why students had to participate and the mandatory requirement. "...Further instructions will be relayed at the beginning of the preparation time before each competition begins."
The Headmaster surveyed all of them with a frown. "You'd be wise to begin preparing for all of them right now. It is intensely fierce competition that rivals anything you all have endured before now." His warning made more than a few students blanch.
"Man, why are we being included in that mess?"
"We have to compete against magic artisans and warriors?"
"That's totally unfair."
"Sheesh, what bad luck."
"This is happening to all the academies and institutes, right?"
"Maybe we should go to another city in that case."
So, some of them weren't prepared to hear that part? At first, Grifton was shocked at their naivete and shook his head in disbelief. Then, he caught sight of the mages frowning in contempt at the whiners.
"Who do these normal people think they are?"
"Why should we have to put up with their limitations?"
"Should we just go somewhere else?"
"We can't, though; it would be a waste of the tuition fees."
"Damn, all these warmongers."
"Why can't they just be satisfied with the lands that they already have?"
"Don't any of us have a hard enough time managing to get in on scholarships and work-study credit programs?"
They just thought it only encompassed regular studies? Oh, that's right. Grifton had forgotten there was a sector that only held typical students. None of them were part of this academy geared toward artisanry and warriors.
Grifton frowned when he heard a few of the complaints and sighed quietly. He couldn't blame them, really. So why did that group wound up here? Could it have to do with the war already starting against the Bellonia Empire once more? Grifton caught others frowning because they must've had the same concerns. He shook his head in frustration.
It would be so irritating if that were the case. It meant that mages such as Grifton must be careful around them. Ah, man, and I hoped I could blend in with my natural appearance. He grimaced. So much for that pleasant dream that just fizzled.
Grifton was disgruntled, to say the least. He, in particular, had to wear an enormous number of artifacts to maintain a facade of normality. Grifton would be so glad if that facade wasn't necessary.
"Hey, Tinroy, there you are." Firenze appeared just as the atmosphere was getting tense and heavy with apprehension. He didn't touch Grifton; he just alerted him to his presence.
Grifton was just glad to have a reason to escape the mood. "Hello there, guys and gals." He nodded to them politely.
This situation was bizarre, but he couldn't wait to escape. "So, what brings you to seek me out?"
"Well, you're among the few people we recognize," Troy told him. "We also need to talk to you about future projects."
"We'd like to collaborate with you." Molly was watching him uncertainly. "Besides which, we need to apologize to your sisters and brother about something that happened before that damn Alpha ruined all our reputations."
That's right. Consuenos wrecked societal opinion of Alpha big time with the scandals surrounding his lewd and deviant behavior. "How would collaborating with me work out in that fashion of reputation repairing?"
That part confused Grifton. "I'm pretty sure I don't have an excellent reputation." He reminded them. "In fact, I'm pretty sure I was referred to as a 'terrorist or insane bastard that didn't know his limits.'" After mimicking a few of their complaints, Grifton glanced at Gladys, Molly, and Troy pointedly.
The trio blushed in embarrassment and coughed. "Well, you were crazy at that time." Molly retorted.
"We had every right to think you were nuts." Troy didn't back down.
"You're terrifying when pissed off." Gladys pointed it out mildly. "I wouldn't go so far as to call you a terrorist," she objected strongly to his wording at that time. Instead, she insisted. "That's insulting someone who's just insanely powerful."
Grifton merely looked at them in dubious silence before shrugging in disbelief. "If you say so." He wasn't going to get into an argument right there; there was no point in doing so.
That's when Firenze laughed. "We'll tell you more when we go to a restaurant." He named a place that surprised Grifton.
"You want to go to Jade Palace and Orient Palazzo for other entertainment afterward?" Grifton shook his head in surprise.
Firenze's gratitude was genuine when he nodded. "Yes, we just want to thank you for putting up with our behavior after all this time."
Well, that sounded alright, but still, this was so awkward. "I guess this won't hurt," Grifton remembered that he needed to make friends with people his age. Right now, he only trusted a few adults. "Sure, why not." He walked with them to the different streets. He was surprised to see other omegas, betas, and alphas in the restaurant. The owners saw who Grifton was accompanied and chuckled in amusement. He shrugged in rueful acknowledgment of how rare it was to be this friendly, but he wasn't going to turn down this opportunity.