Placing down his backpack inside his room, Raon laid his back on the inn's bed.
"How uncomfortable..."
The last few years of his life have been filled with ups and downs, yet now preparing for potentially the most important test in his life, Raon fell surprisingly calm.
"How are you feeling?"
A young boy who looks to be sixteen years old steps into the room, his hand left holding a book while the other holds a bag filled with treats.
"Fine... It's a bit weird, though. You know the whole thing about attending the most prestigious academy on the continent. It is quite overwhelming, but now I feel very... tranquil now that I'm here. Do you feel the same?"
"I think anyone would feel the same. Well, for me, my glass is still shaking from shock."
"Heh? That wasn't what you said yesterday. What about the whole speech about how easy it is to get into Nexus with the written exam score alone?"
"Ehem. It's called bravado, bravado you hear me? Besides, I am confident about my effort."
"I guess reading a hundred books a day can be considered effort..."
"What about you? You were pretty confident in your practical test score."
With Raon's recent achievements as an adventurer, he does have the privilege to say that he would easily passed the practical exam even if they throw in an Esoteric...
'Maybe not that far.'
"Yeah, I should be fine for the most part. It's just that the written test can be a hindrance to my score due to my disability."
Dain fixed his glasses and reached inside the bag he was holding.
Munch.
With his superhuman hearing, Raon picked up on the munching sound.
"Munch- Well, don't worry about it too much, there still the special admission, even if your written exam is poor despite all of your studies then it would still be okay."
Raon scratched the side of his head.
"I guess you're right."
Dain then took out another macaron and held it out.
"Want one?"
"Nah, let wait for Stella. I'm sure she's fussing over the room right now. A clean freak like her would go mad in this kind of environment."
"I guess these could be used as consolation gifts."
Dain then eat the pink macaron on his hand.
Though all three of them have the same upbringing as orphans, their personalities can not be anymore different from each other.
"Anyway, we should get going. We have application forms to fill out. The faster we're done, the more time we have to explore the Academy City."
"You're right."
Dain nods.
Placing the book on the table, he then took out another book from his bag.
With a new book in hand, he then uses his other hand to reach inside the bag of treats and pull out another macaron.
"Have some. There are plenty left."
"... Thanks."
Detecting where Dain is, Raon reaches out his hand to take the macaron. Since there are plenty left, there should be some for Stella.
It wasn't because he gave in to his appetite after Dain ate the second macaron. Definitely not.
Putting the piece of macaron inside his mouth, the sweetness spread around his mouth as if melting. The macaron wasn't too sweet, but with the lingering freshness of citric, it was a very tasty treat.
"Where did you buy this?"
"Just outside, this inn is quite close to the main street."
The inn the trio currently resides in is a popular inn with many modern facilities imported from the Tower in the West. Of course, the price of one night here is exorbitant for most commoners, not to mention orphans like them.
It was Terrisa-Their mother- idea of reserving a night here.
-It was a nice place, so I hope that you reserve a room there, even for a night.
That was what she said.
"Then I'll have to remember this place for the future then."
With a relaxed smile, Raon stood up from his position.
"Let's go fill out our applications first."
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Using his sword as a cane, Raon walks outside the room with Dain munching on snacks while reading a book that is floating.
Moving through the corridor, Raon and Dain reached Stella's room.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Stella! Let's go!"
"Wait a minute! I'm... busy!"
Stella, who was taking out her luggage to organize, panicked.
Her hand slipped, and the hammer she was holding dropped on her foot.
"Ah! Ow!"
"Are you okay? Did you just drop something?"
"I-I'm fine! How about you guys go first? I still need some time to organize my stuffs"
Raon hand twitched. He wanted to open the door to see what was wrong. But respecting Stella's privacy, Raon relents and decides to go to the academy first.
"Then do it quickly. The application period ends today, so we must be quick even if it is still early in the morning."
"Jeez, I know it already. You nag me the entire way we came to this inn, after all."
"Well then, we'll be going first."
Dain, who was still focused on his book and snacks, ignored the shenanigen that had just happened.
Raon and Dain then started to walk away from Stella's room, which is still a mess.
Clank. CRANK. Bam.
'Is she seriously setting up her mobile forge inside the inn's room?'
Raon is now starting to consider her obsession with blacksmithing a mental illness.
'If only that damn old man hasn't gifted her the hammer back then...'
Raon walked slightly faster and dashed out of the inn.
Dain stayed behind for a bit, and his gaze lingered on the slightly open door of Stella's room.
Silently, a small macaron squeezed through the gap of the door. It entered Stella's room discretely and laned on her disheveled hair.
Picking up the macaron, Stella put it in her mouth.
The sweetness melted in her mouth as she carefully set down her mobile sharpener.
"...Tatsy."
***
Walking through the street of Academy City, Raon marvels at the vibrant sounds and the liveliness of the road. It was a lot different from what his hometown, Ragon, had; for one, the street wasn't filled with adventurers and merchants seeking to make it big.
Though still as chaotic as ever, since the Academy City is filled with students from Nexus with occasional outsiders, the atmosphere feels less stuffy for someone with high sensitivity like Raon.
'It's quite nice.'
Since Raon expects to be living here for the next four years of his life, it was important for the environment to not be a detriment to Raon's comfort.
'Still...'
"Don't you think this is too much, Dain?"
Raon pointed in a particular direction where he heard a commotion.
"Fight! Fight! Fight!"
In the distance, a crowd is gathered and chanting enthusiastically.
"Huh? I'd didn't know that the academy allowed for an open fight like this?"
"Well, me neither."
"Actually, the academy doesn't allow you to do that."
Out of nowhere, a voice resound right next to Raon rear.
Startled, Raon quickly put his hand on the hilt of his blade.
"Woah there, calm down, I'm a student here."
With a sly smile and his eye half close, his appearance screamed absolute untrustworthiness.
"What? Anything on my face?"
Dain scouted the senior face with indignant. Though being brought up sheltered, Dain wasn't exactly unfamiliar with suspicious people.
"Ehem. Sorry for staring, senior. Then what are they doing?"
"Well, they are dueling. Though it is correct that the Nexus doesn't allow for open skirmish , the duel is highly recommended as it is an effective way to resolve conflicts."
"Don't it just breed more conflicts in the long run?"
There is no way to guarantee resentment would be resolved just by being stronger than the person you are fighting.
Dain thought that it was an idiotic solution for such a problem.
"Are you new here? Wait, right. It is now the recruitment period, then you should an applicant... Hmm... it is not certain you going to join Nexus but I'll give you some information."
The senior shrugged.
"For Nexus, resentment is the drive for improvement. It may seems crude now in a relatively peaceful era like now, but Nexus goal is to raise elites, if you was beaten down without the drive to raise up then you would never been admitted here in the first place."
Side-eyeing Dain, who was looking at the crowd with a complex gaze, he continued.
"Personally, I don't like it as it is still a very outdated way of thinking. But as long as it's not affect me too much, I couldn't care. Anyway, good luck, on your entrance exam, I'm sure you will need that, especially the blind kid."
The senior looks at Raon, who still remains vigilant despite he has been talking for a bit now.
"My name Kohawk, if you manage to get in Nexus, give me a hello 'Kay?"
With his last remark, Kohawk walked away from the two siblings. His steps are steady yet...
'There's no sound...'
Raon, who was on guard the entire time, filled a sense of dread that was unimaginable even for him, who has many encounters with Beasts and Outsiders.
'Is he perhaps an Esoteric?'
Raon tried to focus on Kohawk, but to no avail. He has already gone.
Dain, who was keeping an eye on Kohawk, is also baffled by his sudden disappearance.
"Let's go, Raon."
Taking one last look at the crowd of students, Dain pulled Raon's arm forcefully and dragged him away from the commotion.
'Forget it. It's not like he has done anything.'
Relaxing is demeanor, Raon tries to separate himself from Dain's grasp.
"I can walk by myself."
Dain silently weakened his grasp, his hand pulled out a macaron, and put it inside his own mouth.
The duo kept walking in silent, and occasionally, Raon would look to his side following the smell of food.
It has been long since he has had any good food. In recent years, when he is active as an adventurer, the only source of nutrients for him was a soldier ration sold by merchants.
"Can I have another one?"
Raon's mouth felt icky after smelling the various delicious smells of street food.
"I already ate all of them."
Eating the last piece of macaron, Dain replies.
"..."
Walking slightly faster than normal, Raon zoomed past the crowd, leaving Dain behind, still reading the book absentmindedly.
It was petty, but knowing Dain, he would already have the map memorized up to the alleyway. So he didn't feel guilty.
'He should be able to take care of himself.'
Dain has only awakened recently, so he was only in the early stage of Grand Status.
But Academy City has a low crime rate, both due to its excellent security and the fact that the residents here are students.
For Raon, after considering everything, this is simply a harmless prank-not for Dain's heart, though.
'This will surely spook him.'
Smiled sastifyingly, Raon picked up his pace and headed east.
'I'm really getting more childish as time passes. I'm not sure if it is a good thing or not...'
His feet are as light as feathers, and his movement can only be described as inhuman.
With such speed reaching the heart of Academy City, Nexus would only take roughly five minutes.
...
Today is the day he has been waiting for since four years ago, the day when he is old enough to study at the most prestigious academy on Emiya—the continent name.
For most, the thought of joining Nexus Academy is no more than a mere dream, so distant that even the stars above are closer than becoming a student at Nexus.
The Nexus Academy has a lengthy history; from its conception three hundred ago till now, many incidents have happened.
Despite adversities, Nexus is still being considered the most prestigious academy on the continent. It spoke volume about their impressive achievement over the centuries of its existence.
Nexus Academy has given birth to many legendary figures renowned throughout the continent as kings or sages. One of the most prominent figures in recent history would be Emperor Arcule, the current emperor of the Ignis Empire.
Due to this, the vetting of Nexus is incredibly strict. Only nobles with intense adolescent training or royalty throughout the continent could have a chance to become students there.
Needless to say, their education excels in most other academy in the world, be it in terms of dungeon exploration, rift exploration, general studies, weapons studies, magic studies, etc., even art.
Raon, an orphan with unknown origin, is going to be admitted in as a student.
'I need to hold my horse. I haven't written the application form.'
For Nexus, which can be considered the second frontier of the world in terms of technology, it is strange that old traditions like on-site written applications haven't been changed.
But it wasn't a coincidence that this method was kept throughout the long years of history of the Nexus. It was a test—a test of status, wealth, and / or dedication.
'Only the rich, the insane, and the desperate would be here at this time.'
Currently, today is the tenth day of Decay. Just the name of the season only already sounds ominous.
The Nexus chose this specific season for the entrance exam because of its harsh weather.
It was obvious why.
'It is a test of sort, we are already been tested the moment we think of joining Nexus. But of course, this problem can be solved with money.'
In the past four years, Raon has been diligently doing his quest and accumulating capital copper by copper, silver by silver. It was all to prepare for his trip to Nexus.
With the help of Terrisa, Ruben, Ethan, and Ema, the orphanage has gathered enough money to send Raon, Dain, and Stella to Nexus.
'We even have spare money for personal uses.'
'Take a left turn here.'
Raon slows his steps.
With the map memorized through an incredibly tedious process, it was no wonder Raon was as if the city was his backyard.
Whirring.
It was a sound he was all too familiar with.
'A portal...'
The pure white portal stands broadly at the street end. Swirling in a marvelous pattern. This is the gate to Nexus.
He doesn't have the qualification to step inside yet, but soon, Raon believes that he would be able to confidently stride in as a student.
Taking one last look. Raon turned away from the portal and went looking for a receptionist.
'Where is the reception table...'
Despite all of his training to enhance his senses, without sight, some tasks are simply impossible.
If he were to release too much mana outside of his body to scan the area, there's a risk he would be handcuffed and brought in for inquiry.
'Let's look for a guard.'
Raon detected a present near the gate of the academy.
'It should be a guard.'
Raon the walk toward the knight.
"Excuse me?"
"Huh?"
The guard, who was absentminded, looked at the rows of lines filled with appliances, startled.
"Is this the venue for application, Sir?"
The guard took a good look at the boy who had just asked him the question.
He was tall, around 170 cm, with face as if carved by the Moon God, his eyes covered by a layer of clean white cloth.
"Ah yes, this is the place. Turn to my far right, you should see... you should be able to hear the receptionists who are handing out application forms."
"Thank you for the help, sir."
With a polite bow, Raon makes his way to the right. His Mana Sense spotted a man sitting behind a reception table handing out paper-like objects.
Walking by, Raon overheard many small talks. Despite focusing on their own form, many still find time to take notice of Raon peculiar appearance.
'This will grow old fast...'
Raon isn't unfamiliar with the gazes most people looks at him with, he, who have been active as an adventurer for three and a half years have had his fair share of prejudice due to his blindness.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Though he has already developed his Mana Sense to a comfortable extent, he still prefers to use his sword as a walking cane.
Tap.
Stopping in front of what he thought is the queue for the application form, Raon quickly takes a sniff. The smell here seems odd, but other than that, there was no problem
'... But why does this place smell like beast?'
He may not be an expert in smell as it was quite under ultilize after he has Mana Sense, but the smell of beast is something he has ingrained in his memory and mind.
'Am i in the wrong line?'
"Next!"
Raon steps forward by one.
"Excuse me, but aren't you human?"
Behind his back, a young girl with hair white as snow and a pair of bunny-like ears spoke to Raon with a cheerful voice.
Her voice was sweet and clear. It was a friendly and approachable voice typical of bunny beastmen.
"Indeed."
Raon nods.
"Then, I think you are in the wrong line. This is the line for beastmen."
She said, pointing ahead of her, oblivious to Raon's blindness.
In front of Raon and the girl was a line filled with beastmen of varying type.
Due to having little experience with beastmen, Raon didn't manage to pick up their disticnt smell, which led to this situation.
"Oh? Is that so... then could you point me to the correct one?"
Brushing his hair in an awkward movement, Raon internally feels embarrassed.
"Sure. Walk a bit more to the left. There, you would be able to see the line for humans. Honestly, I don't even know how you could mistaken beastmen with humans."
"... I'm blind."
"Was that a joke or... oh my... sorry."
Finally noticing Raon's blindfold, the bunny beastmen fluffy ear drop down. Her hand clasped on her wide, open mouth.
"It is okay, thank for the direction."
"SORRY FOR THE MISUNDERSTANDING!"
"You don't have to yell!"
People nearby started to look at the commotion, seeking entertainment.
Walking out of the line, Raon blushed. His step this time was more hurried than before.
'Why am I still making dark history at this age.'
Zooming through the crowds, Raon unleashed his mana regardless of consequences. This time, there would be no mistake.
"There!"
Thankfully, the line for human applicants isn't as long as the beastmen.
After a while of waiting in queue.
Finally.
"Here your form, please go to the table over to your left and write down your information. Seeing that you are blind, I could offer to transfer the information on the form directly into your brain. Or you could ask one of our staff to help you with the form. Of course, those services will cost extras. "
The receptionist politely spoke, his voice was monotonous, as if he had said the exact same thing for the hundredth time.
'Maybe I'm not the only with disability here.'
With so many applications each year, the number of applicants with disabilities is not small. After all, Nexus is almost the go-to for many people, including commoners, because Nexus offers an attractive scholarship program for talented commoner.
"No, thank you, I can read just fine."
The receptionist gave Raon a weird look, but he said nothing more.
"Next."
Making his way toward the nearby table, Raon sat down and started writing.
Back when he was ten, his Mana Sense was so pitiful that it could barely be able to discern ambient mana from internal mana of a living being.
But now, with insane practice and a couple of shortcuts, Raon manages to create a way to feel object at a micro level, which means that he could notice the differnt between the ink and the paper.
Similar to Braile, he now could touch the surface of a book or, in this case, application form with a man imbued finger and read the content on it.
'Compare to just seeing with my eye, this is thousands of times more complicated.'
Reading using the sense of touch was hard even with Braile, and having to read letter by letter and stroke by stroke with his new method is hundreds of times harder than Braile
Moving from such thoughts, Raon slowly wrote in his information, excluding optional ones he answered all the questions truthfully.
Step.
Step.
"Hey! Is this seat occupied? The other seats are full."
Raon turned his head toward the source of the sound.
Standing there is an incredibly beautiful boy with a blue-ish silver shade of hair. His eye shines brightly as if a crimson moon is inside his eye.
'The other tables are not full yet, though.'
Seeing Raon's look, the boy then followed up.
"Ehem. I men that the other applicants don't welcome me, they keep saying their table is full."
"... I see. Sure, the seat is empty anyway."
"Thank you a lot! I thought I would have to stand to write my form."
The boy then sits down with a relieved expression.
"By the way, my name is Regulus. What's your?"
"It's Raon."
Raon replies bluntly, ignoring Regulus attempt to start a conversation.
"Then... can ask you a frank question, Raon?"
"... Sure, what is it?"
"Are you really blind? Or is it some kind of sense training? I heard that some swordsmen use blindfold to enhance their sense of hearing."
"It's not something that grand. I was born blind. This blindfold is just an indicator."
"Wow... just like the novel..."
What was that?
"What did you just say?"
"Nothing! I just mumbling to myself. Anyway, thank you for sastifying my curiosity."
"You're welcome?"
It was an odd conversation, but Raon paid it no mind.
Continue to write on his form. Occasionally, Raon would try to probe Regulus with his mana, but it was ineffective.
'Everyone here seems to have artifacts that prevent mana probing.'
Time passes.
"Raon must be here already. Shit! He almost gave me a heart attack."
"Calm down now, Dain. Your blood pressure is going to spike again, grandpa. Pff"
"I don't need you to make fun of my silver hair also... seriously, Raon is a bad influence."
Dain massages his temple while Stella continues to hold off her laughter.
Walking inside the reception building of Nexus. Dain looks around to spot Raon.
In a table near the rightmost corner of the building, Dain sees the familiar black hair and blindfold wearing young boy.
But what caught his attention was the companion who was sitting beside Raon.
"That..."
Raon, who was diligently filling out the content of the application form, suddenly noticed Dain presence.
He turned to his back and wave.
"Hey, Dain, you make it! It took much longer than I thought."
Ignoring Raon greeting, Dain eyes locked with the crimson glow of Regulus.
"I would be mad at you. But first, why are you sitting with a demon?"