"A group tour, that's right, this is where our protagonist gets placed in a group with those popular characters," I muttered to myself, watching Wade as he stood with his group—Lisa, Miko, Hugo, and Anna.
Everything seemed to be going according to the game's original storyline, except for one person, Fiona. She wasn't supposed to be here, yet there she was, standing with another group made up of what looked like normal students. It didn't make any sense. She wasn't part of the main cast in the original story, and her presence threw everything off.
I sighed, shaking my head. I needed to stop worrying about her for now and focus.
"I better go and find my group before they start the tour," I muttered, quickly glancing around.
"Yo, are you by chance part of Group 6? My name is Lucien. It's a pleasure to meet you!" I introduced myself as I approached a group of four students. Every other group had five members already, which made it clear that this would be my group.
I walked over to them, hoping they were the right ones. As I introduced myself, I scanned their faces, quickly realizing they seemed like normal students—likely NPCs. However, there was something different about this group. They seemed like the quiet, withdrawn types, the kind of group that would be overlooked.
There were four boys, including me, and one girl. Their expressions were reserved, and they didn't say much. It was as if we were the "gloomy group," the kind of people who naturally separated themselves from the rest of the class.
It seemed like this was the type of group Lucien would naturally belong to.
"Hey, why don't we all start going? Look, I think that seniors will guide us around the school!"
I quickly spoke up, trying to break the awkward silence, and pointed toward the senior from Year 2 who was approaching us. The others looked in the direction I pointed, still quiet but nodding in agreement. It was clear no one was in the mood to chat much, but at least we could get moving.
We left the classroom and began the tour, tailing behind the senior who led us through the academy. The corridors were bustling with students, some familiar from the game, others just normal faces I didn't recognize. The atmosphere was lively, but within my group, the awkward silence lingered.
I kept glancing around, half-listening to the senior's explanations about the academy's history and facilities, while trying to process my situation in this world. Every detail seemed to match the game, but there were still things that didn't add up—like Fiona's sudden presence. It bothered me, but I pushed the thought aside and keeping up with the group.
As we walked through the academy, I couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu. The layout was exactly as I remembered from the game—towering buildings, advanced facilities, and sprawling training grounds. The academy was enormous, designed to cultivate the best adventurers in the Dominion. It was the kind of place where ambition either thrived or crumbled under pressure.
Our senior guide led us past various sections: the combat training arena, the Eureka research labs, technology research facilities, and the massive library, which was filled with ancient texts and advanced technology manuals. I remembered these places from countless hours of gameplay, but now, standing here in person, everything felt more tangible.
As we passed by the Eureka Enhancement Center, a familiar pang of envy hit me. I still hadn't received my Eureka, and it was frustrating knowing that most of these students had already unlocked their abilities. Without Eureka, I couldn't help but feel like I was lagging behind.
What caught my attention the most was a large map displayed in the center of the academy. Standing before it was the grand status of an old man, likely the founder of The Eastern Dominion. The map itself detailed the entire Eastern Dominion, its sectors, cities and borders. It was a stringking reminder of how vast this world was.
"Here we are at the heart of the academy," the senior said, gesturing toward the map. "This map shows the five major sectors of the Eastern Dominion, where everyone comes from."
He pointed at the center of the map.
"The Central Sector is the political and research hub. The capital city, Thaidia, is where you will be living for the next three years."
Based on the map, the Eastern Dominion was divided into five distinct regions, each with its own unique role. The Central Sector, the heart of the Dominion, was where the story began. It housed Thaidia, the capital city, where the academy was located. Thaidia was a blend of traditional architecture and cutting-edge technology, symbolizing the Dominion's balance between history and progress.
To the north was the Northern Highlands, a rugged and mountainous region known for its rich material and power resources. This area was crucial for the extraction of raw materials that fueled the Dominion's technological advancements.
Next, to the east, lay the Coastal Sector, the economic hub of the Dominion. Located along the shores, this sector handled trade and commerce, connecting the Dominion to the rest of the world through its massive ports and bustling markets.
Further down the map was the Southern Plains, the agricultural center of the Dominion. Known for its flat, fertile lands, this region focused on food production and agricultural innovation, providing the food supply for the entire Dominion. It was a hub of research into advanced farming techniques.
Finally, to the west, was the Western Borderlands, a heavily fortified region that served as the primary defense zone against the Western Federation. This area was a militarized zone, home to military research and defense operations, constantly on alert to protect the Dominion from external threats.
It was cool to see every detail come to life when you got inside the game. Not only was I captivated by the map, but my group mates were also drawn in, staring at the different regions. Some of them probably came from distant areas, maybe even from poor backgrounds, as three of them were scholarship students like me, except for the girl.
The tour concluded by noon, and each group of students was directed toward the lunch hall, where the academy provided lunch for everyone. The hall was spacious, filled with rows of long tables, and students from different groups were already seated, chatting and eating. The smell of food wafted through the air, a mix of traditional dishes and some modern meals.
As we walked in, the atmosphere felt a little more relaxed. After a long morning of introductions and the campus tour, it was a chance for everyone to unwind and connect with their new classmates. I couldn't help but wonder how things would unfold from here.
"DON'T come close to me, you poor commoner!"
"Just because you're in the same group as us doesn't mean you're one of us!"
The heated exchange echoed through the dining hall, drawing attention from nearby students. A group of noble students, seated together, had singled out one of the commoners in their group. Their voices dripped with contempt, and the tension in the air was intense as the argument escalated. The commoner stood there, eyes wide but silent, caught in the middle of the conflict. Whispers began to spread throughout the hall as more students turned their heads toward the scene. It seemed that despite the academy's promise of equality, old prejudices still ran deep between the nobles and commoners.
Wade, who was sitting at the next table, glanced over at the commotion. His expression shifted, and I could tell he was about to do something.
"Here it comes, the first main event of the game!" I muttered under my breath, waiting to see Wade stand up for the commoner, just like in the storyline I remembered.