I entered the campus for the first time. The exterior resembled a vast garden, with a towering fountain at its center, spraying crystal-clear water into the air. As I walked through the pathways, I noticed statues carved from marble, reminiscent of those displayed in museums back on Earth.
The air buzzed with conversations among the incoming students, accompanied by the melodious chirping of birds flitting across the crowd. Suddenly, a loud voice boomed, amplified as if through speakers.
"Welcome to Aetherfall Academy! Congratulations on being admitted to this prestigious institution that fosters the greatest talents," the voice announced.
In an instant, a figure materialized out of thin air a female Feykin, resembling a cross between an elf and an elemental, her presence ethereal and commanding.
"Oh, students of the Aether, please proceed to the function hall for your opening ceremony and orientation," she announced, raising her arms toward the sky. "I am Lenara Yvain, your Student Head Caretaker," she added with a warm smile before vanishing just as abruptly as she appeared.
"Whoa, she's amazing!" one student exclaimed, clearly dazzled by her presence.
"A Feykin!" another shouted in excitement, the murmur of awe spreading among the crowd.
The students broke into animated conversations about Ms. Lenara's appearance. Meanwhile, I quietly made my way to the function hall, guided by one of the campus guards, leaving the excited chatter behind.
Upon entering the hall, I was stunned by its sheer size. It was enormous, resembling half a football stadium, clearly designed to accommodate thousands of students in one gathering. As I admired the grandeur, a guard approached me, handing me a form along with a pen.
"This is your class evaluation assignment," he said. "Fill it out with your details: name, age, sex, race, and level."
I nodded and began writing:
Name: Ezekiel Rhea
Age: 17
Sex: Male
Race: Human
Level: 28
I hesitated for a moment, realizing I hadn't managed to reach the benchmark level of 30. However, the guard's indifferent expression suggested it wasn't a big deal.
"What's your specialty?" he asked, pulling out another form and pen.
"Specialty?" I asked, confused. "Do you mean my Unique Ability or my expertise in certain skills?"
"Your specialty magic, combat, arts, or any proficiency based on your UA or skills," he explained. "Don't worry; we don't ask about your UA directly, as it's against our protocol. Your class will be assigned based on the value you provide."
I thought about it carefully. My Mimic Eye allowed me to analyze and decipher data with precision, but revealing its replication ability or my connection to Karna was out of the question.
"Well, I can decipher data effectively, and I have some experience in close combat," I replied with a chuckle, attempting to sound casual.
The guard sighed and jotted down my response. Handing me a card, he said, "Here's your identification card."
I glanced at the card and saw my assigned class: Class E. My heart sank. That was way too low. I had hoped my ability to analyze data would at least place me in Class C, given its versatility in combat and non-combat scenarios.
"May I ask why I was assigned to Class E?" I inquired.
"Your ability doesn't stand out much here," he replied. "We already have more efficient methods for analysis and data interpretation."
I realized then that my skill, which seemed extraordinary elsewhere, was considered commonplace here.
A commotion on the other side of the hall drew my attention. A student was causing a ruckus.
"How am I only in Class C? My fire magic is far superior to these gimmicks!" he shouted angrily.
"Understand that your element is common here, and others have proven talents that surpass your fire magic," the guard responded calmly.
"Huh?" The student's anger boiled over. "Are you saying I'm weaker than them?" he roared, beginning to chant. Flames crackled as he prepared to hurl a fireball at the guard.
"As a fellow student, I am disappointed," came a calm, commanding female voice from behind him.
"Learn to humble yourself before your superiors," she continued as a beam of light struck the aggressive student, leaving him sprawled on the ground, battered and paralyzed.
"Let's see," she said, retrieving his identification card from his pocket. "Inka Ventiar, level 36. Yet your behavior is that of a street-level delinquent," she declared with disdain.
The onlookers were awestruck by her presence. Her blonde, silky hair flowed gracefully, and her sharp, luminous eyes seemed to pierce through everything. Her aura was angelic yet intimidating, radiating a strength far beyond anyone else in the hall.
Before anyone could react further, another figure appeared on the stage. The sheer authority of his presence silenced the hall. He emanated an aura that screamed of dominance and control.
"First, I congratulate you all on being admitted to Aetherfall Academy," he began, his deep voice commanding respect. "I am Sylas Regalia, the headmaster of this academy," he introduced himself, slamming his hands on the podium for emphasis.
"For 300 years, Aetherfall Academy has produced exceptional talents. We look forward to seeing you grow into symbols of power for the Gods and Goddesses of this world," he said. "May the Gods and Goddesses bless you on your journey of greatness," he concluded.
The hall erupted in applause. I, however, kept to myself, carefully observing the notable figures among the students. Avoiding trouble would be essential in my time here.
Ms. Lenara reappeared and began guiding students by class to their respective facilities. The quality of accommodations varied noticeably based on class. While our Class E facilities weren't bad, they paled in comparison to those assigned to higher classes.
Our dorms were located near the academy's walls, in a small town-like area. For someone who grew up in an orphanage, this was more than adequate. Each student had a personal dorm room, small but comfortable, complete with amenities. It resembled a modest apartment back on Earth.
As I unpacked, I found several items prepared by Mr. Ishtar, including clothes, food, drinks, and accessories like jewelry. One box caught my attention. It had a note attached: "This is for the concealment of your Mimic Eye. Remember, your UA is an anomaly. Always wear this and only remove it when absolutely necessary."
Inside was a magical lens. Though the guards and students hadn't noticed my left eye, I decided to wear it as a precaution.
[Eyes of Deceit Equipped] [Your actual stats will be hidden by fake stats in accordance with your need.]
The lens tinted my left eye to match the brown hue of my right, masking the Mimic Eye's presence.
Among the jewelry, a particular ring caught my attention. It was crafted from the same material as Erythrotenebrae, but instead of ruby, it featured a pure diamond. Out of curiosity, I slipped it onto my finger.
[Ring of the Great Guardians]
[The overseer of spirits shall protect you from death.]
[When your life is in imminent danger, the spirits will grant you protection.]
Was Mr. Ishtar that worried about me? I smiled at the thought. It seemed he had equipped me well for my journey.
After finishing my unpacking, I lay down on the bed, preparing myself for the start of classes the next day.