Before the grandiose entrance of the Player Academy, piercing spires were noticeable as they peeked from the towering walls of the premises. While the twin tall gates were carved with coiling creatures of majesty, there was a hidden awe within Leonard that he couldn't express.
Behind him were Athena and Zeus. Although they were his summons, they had become his companions since his magic points were regulated well by their controlled power output.
Standing before the two guards at the gates, Leonard raised his chin and greeted them politely. "Greetings, sirs. I am here to inquire about enrolling at the Academy."
The two guards, tasked with security rather than client greetings, glanced at Leonard without moving their heads, then looked back into nothingness. They remained silent, almost making Leonard feel ignored.
He gritted his teeth in annoyance and introduced himself again.
"I am Leonard Volt, a newly awakened Player. How can I enroll at the Academy?" Leonard put more sincerity into his politeness, yet he was still ignored.
Athena stepped forward, irritation palpable on her face at how they treated Leonard.
"Answer him, or I will destroy this place," she declared, pointing at the hidden establishment of the academy behind the walls, her killing intent chilling the guards' sweat.
Hearing her hostile remark, they stepped back with one foot lowered in a defensive stance. The movement was so precise and swift that Leonard was almost shocked by the contrast to their lifeless stance earlier.
By now, they had their swords unsheathed, pointed at Athena with poker-faced expressions. She couldn't tell what they were feeling; they were like statues.
"Alright, if that's what you want, then keep ignoring Leonard." A grim, dark smile appeared on her face as she raised both hands. Leonard felt a chill from behind and instinctively stepped in front of her to stop her.
"Shh... calm down. This isn't you," Leonard said.
Athena was caught off guard. Indeed, this wasn't her. The sudden behavior surprised even herself. She almost clicked her tongue in disappointment. Athena knew composure was important in every situation. To act this way just because someone important to her was disrespected—she couldn't be more disappointed in herself.
She sighed and stepped back as the guards scrutinized her actions. Their swords remained raised, and their stern, unwelcoming expressions did not falter as they watched her retreat.
"Tsk. What a shame. Why won't they let us in?"
Athena's brows remained furrowed, yet her eyes darted everywhere, looking for any gaps to enter the Academy. She knew how important this was for Leonard.
Zeus, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward. With his fingers at the tips of the guards' blades, he pinched the metal, forcing it to bend. Alarmed, the guards tried to pull their swords back but failed to summon enough strength to overpower Zeus. The vigilance in their eyes revealed that they recognized Zeus was not ordinary.
When Zeus noticed them stepping back, he knew he had established his authority. His presence commanded respect, and despite his actions, they didn't perceive him as hostile.
"Who could this master be?" the guards asked in unison.
Zeus's stoic expression intrigued them further, drawing them to speculate about his identity. Fearful of offending someone important, they lowered their guard slightly, unsheathing their swords as a sign of respect. They returned to their post, but their imposing presence remained.
"The name is not important," Zeus said, his voice calm yet firm. "But can you treat this young fellow with some importance? He's a new Player, hoping to excel in this world."
"We don't care," one of the guards replied, their tone unyielding. "There is a regulation that requires one to register with the Association. Judging by the detectors' reaction," he gestured to the smaller gates on the lower side of the right giant gate, "none of you are considered Players."
Athena struggled to keep her composure. Their condescending tone, as if they knew no one of importance, grated on her nerves. Still, she understood the logic behind their actions. They were just doing their job, even if it irked her.
Sighing inwardly, Athena thought, 'It seems like creating a connection might be the better way to enter the Academy.'
However, that idea wouldn't work on the guards. They had likely been so indoctrinated that their jobs had become their identities. Their roles were their lives now, and Athena doubted anything could sway them.
Still, without testing her charms on them, she was confident she could find important individuals within the city. After all, when they had first entered Brington City, the capital, the luxury and scale of it had left a lasting impression.
In every direction, it was clear this was the center of commerce and activity in the country. Not only that, but unique establishments and various types of businesses dotted the landscape. The architecture, a mix of pre-Romanesque, Romanesque, and Gothic styles, set it apart from the other, more common cities, which only had Romanesque designs.
Size-wise, one couldn't walk from one end of the city to the other in a single day. Spires towered above, visible even from a distance.
Considering the size and activity concentrated in one place, Athena knew the chances of encountering an important individual connected to the Player Academy were high.
Of course, there was the option of registering at the Player Association to gain access to the Academy for enrollment. However, Leonard and Athena both suspected there were disadvantages to joining such associations, which was precisely why they existed in the first place.
Stepping away from the gates, Athena whispered to Leonard, "Leo, I'll investigate this matter. Find a place to rest for the day, and I'll look for another way to get you into the Academy. There's no need for you to register with the Association."
Although Leonard had his reservations about joining the Player Association, he was also aware of the potential benefits. Still, he couldn't ignore the peculiarities of his class.
As he pondered it further, he shook his head. 'There's no reason for me to hide my class. There's nothing wrong with it. Sure, by the norms, I'd be ridiculed, but do I really care about that?'
"I… Okay, go for it. But if you find nothing, then registering might be our only way into the Academy."
Joining an organization undeniably had its benefits, but even with the Player Association's promising support for Players, Leonard couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that came with linking himself to an institution with a history of superiority over regular humans.
There wasn't anything inherently wrong with the Association's existence—it was simply the way the system worked, giving Players certain advantages. Yet Leonard couldn't bring himself to join without hesitation. He had an internal struggle, a nagging sense that there was something off about the Association, which effectively controlled the world's norms.
On a practical level, he knew he shouldn't be concerned about what the Association might do, even if he joined. He wouldn't be directly tied to them. But that ominous feeling, that gut instinct, still weighed heavily on his mind.