Yuto soon nodded. "Well, first let me tell you this: every year after first year has 10 levels up until the graduation class. The reason for first years having 20 levels is because they need more attention, and there are also a lot of first years, so there's a lack of room.
But after the second year, a lot of first years end up quitting, unable to take the pressure or training and leave, so it's a way to tell whose strong and who's not. If a first year can handle that first year, it's guaranteed they're going to stay until graduation."
Nian nodded, he understood this meant his largest hurdle was this first year. Yuto then led him in the large housing building that was tidy with many rooms down what seemed like an endless corridor. Yuto took Nian to the 4th level and led him down until Nian's room was found.
He then handed him a map. "Nian, if you train hard you can make it. I went ahead before I arrived to look at your classes, you will be level 1 and will be starting with the basics."
Nian nodded, frowning a bit as it meant he was the lowest of the low; he had a bad feeling regarding the question he was about to ask, but went ahead anyway. "What level are Lucas and Tessa at?.." Yuto was quiet for a moment before he pulled out a small device from his pocket and did a quick search.
"Tessa is in level 11 and Lucas in level 17, I'm actually quite surprised, he truly is a genius…" Nian's body shook a little before he nodded. "Well then Nian, before I head off. Every month, the clan will send you an F rank devourer core. This is a great treasure for our clans, as common people can't even dream of such a thing. Cores can be used as currency between students in the Academy, but if you're a bit of gambler there are several Fate links within each building. But I don't recommend it.
When you arrive at the ceremony you will receive your fate card, so it's best to save your cores." Nian nodded, and soon Yuto left as the room's security check identified Nian before opening. Nian was then left alone within the somewhat decent room.
He walked over and laid on the bed "damnit to hell...at every step he surpasses me...why am I treated like this…" Nian felt irritated at being looked down upon continuously. Within 2 hours, a voice echoed across what seemed to be the entire Academy.
"All New generation students, please make your way to the central ground's main hall level 0 of the main building to prepare for the ceremony" Nian jumped as he walked over and prepared to leave, exiting his room as soon as he opened it, he saw Lucas who laughed.
"Ah you're already prepared to go? This is great, I just got here until I saw we were neighbours, this is great hahahaha! Lets go check out the competition" Nian blinked before also laughing quietly; the odds were incredibly low.
As they made their way across the area towards the central hall Nian spoke, "Did you hear the cores we get can be used as currency? What is there even to buy here.." Lucas snickered as he spoke "my senior told me you can get a few services, you can request an extension on certain projects, or even bribe a senior who owns a Mancer for advice and a ride in one"
Nian was astonished as he rubbed his head. Before long, both he and Lucas looked shocked as they saw nearly a thousand individuals of the new generation flood into the main building. The central area itself had many green areas with gardens, benches and fountains showing; they took pride in their Academy but that was less of a surprise than seeing so many students.
"I..is 20 levels going to be enough?..." Nian mumbled and Lucas laughed before he rushed in "Come on, let's go!. " Nian then followed after him as they entered the incredibly large main building that was larger on the inside.
"Shit, this place is huge…" Lucas spoke as he looked up the ceiling was so high compared to their height. "Ah, never mind, if all rooms are like this, even if there were thousands more it wouldn't be a problem.."
"Lucas!.." hearing the voice both Lucas and Nian turned; they saw Tessa with a smug look, being followed by their fellow clansmen. As Tessa got closer she didn't glance at Nian. "We are at the front half section D lets go." Tessa spoke.
Soon, as each person took their designated seat, one could see the thousand students chatter away with excitement. Soon the lights dimmed, before nearly a hundred adults wearing the school colors and similarly styled clothes stood a few meters behind a podium were a bald headed man with glasses giving a piercing look stood. he also wore the school colors but he's outfit seemed more significant.
the man gave a soft laugh breaking he's serious expression. "students please be quiet." soon the students settled down and remained silent. he began to speak. "greetings new generation i am the headmaster Leon Phelps i want to first welcome you to Star Mancer Academy. we indeed welcome you with open arms. whether you are from a clan or not as long as you put in effort we will treat you fairly.
i hope you all have found you're designated buildings if not than please see Mr Gerid who handles these matters with his assistants standing to my far left."
from their the man began to explain several things such as the levels and what they separated into as well as make up classes and what sort of things the new generation would be learning. Nian could almost fall asleep listening and in fact he did before Lucas woke him up.
The headmaster than spoke "because this first year is to show you all the ropes and prepare you as well as make sure you learn all the basics representatives will not be chosen that will be for the second year.
that being said this is a good chance for you all to train hard as the representative of each year will be given a E rank core every month."
as he spoke those words the student body erupted in chatter but as soon as he raised his hand they all settled down. "every year we also hold a tournament to decide the representative whether you are a hyper ability user or not to us it just means you need to work extra hard. we reward students who show progress and effort.
i want to make something clear. you are free to drop out whenever you please but you're family pay quite a bit to have you come here. this means that you have to make the decision to train and push yourself meaning we won't force you to go to class.
you could reach your tenth year but you will never graduate which means you're only option is to drop out and fail on your tenth year"
Lucas whispered quietly. "that's harsh… it's like those who slack off are purposely left to reap what they sow if they do so to much." Tessa sitting next to him nodded. "this is good it means no one wants to go through that and they drop out before that happens."
Nian whispered to himself. "work hard...i'll work hard…" as time soon passed the they separated and left the entire day would be left for the new generation to get used to the layout as class would Start the next day.
as Lucas and Nian were heading back from the central area Nian spoke "level 17 that's really something i need to push myself if i want to reach you." Lucas then laughed. "don't worry when we are second years the same thing applies for the 1-10 levels there but at least it's not 20 which means you can reach me quicker just make sure you work hard. and before you know it we will be getting famous in shift battles together."
Nian nodded with a smile but as they began to leave a voice called out. "Lucas!..." both Nian and Lucas stopped gazing to see a female wearing a uniform showing the colors of a second year. as she approached she folded her arms.
her hair was tied in a longer ponytail hairstyle than Lucas. the female grinned as Lucas than spoke. "uhh do i know you senior?.." the female grinned before walking over to Lucas and taking him in her embrace.
"finally i found someone with great talent!. know me?. you will soon because one day we will marry." Lucas's mouth dropped as his eyes twitched a little. Nian stood silent as he watched curiously. "marry..me?..who are you is this a joke?"
the female then shook her head before grinning. "nonsense...my name is Mita from the Pulse clan. you are the greatest genius of the new generation haven't you heard?. with that said i'll be sure to snag you as my future husband hahaha so lets both work hard!"
Nian felt this was a simple joke so he called out as the female tugged on Lucas's arm to lead him to the nearby cafeteria to eat. "ahh you go on i'll see you tomorrow." Lucas was reluctant to leave but he had no choice as he was dragged by his arm away.
Nian began to make his way back to his lower block. as he did he came across a 2 meter machine that looked like a vending machine. although it gave a weird feeling and looked strange.
the center had a spherical slot while the bottom had a wide exit.
as he approached it he spoke with a soft laugh. "fate link huh. must be a gambler's heaven." before he turned and left a female was gazing at the machine poking it and looking over it confused.
to Nians eyes she seemed fairly beautiful with short black hair wearing casual clothing which showed she was of the new generation. "that's a fate link.." Nian called out to which the female gazing at it laughed and nodded. "oh! so this is what it is back where i'm from i wasn't allowed much so i couldn't see many of these other than from afar."
Nian raised a brow. as he wondered what sort of home she was living in. as he turned to leave after finishing talking to her she walked over beside him and bowed. "thank you anyway. my name is Alexis." Nian gazed at her.
with her being up close he could see her skin was somewhat fair with her eyes a deep azure Nian was to young to feel and understand love but his heart couldn't help but weirdly tremble. "n..Nian….Nian meris." alexis smiled at him before cupping both her hands over his and smiling. "Nian nice to meet you! i don't know anyone here so lets be good friends ok?." Nian nodded with a soft smile.
to him it wasn't the attraction of her appearance that made him smile it was the fact that other than a few people like Lucas and mr.flays who treated him kindly there weren't many so he was happy to be looked at nicely.
alexis and Nian decided to chat for awhile until she soon left. Nian went back happily to the student room happy to have made a new friend. on his way he met several of the meris clan who glared at him as if he were contagious.
making his way further down he saw 3 students make their way down. they were all familiar to him being from the wilford clan. Nian had felt something bad and rushed towards his room but was spotted by the one in the middle.
"oh is that Nian?... the meris trash?." one spoke while the other two laughed. the larger bulkier one spoke out. "i heard you ruined you're dumb clans perfect streak of hyper ability users hahahahaha destined to fail i'd say."
Nian glared as he turned and looked at the bulkier one before snickering. "i'd also say that you're mum must of beaten you silly with the ugly stick." hearing this the two wilford clansmen looked at the bulky one and laughed at how he was teased in such a way. the boys face seemed to turn red with anger but Nian wasn't done. he turned to look at the one in the middle.
"you seem to enjoy laughing a lot right? does that make you wilford clansmen descendants of hyenas?." in a few moments after the 3 stopped laughing they rushed towards Nian the bulky one pinning against the wall near his room by his collar.