Oliver arrived at the school, which relied heavily on financial support from the royal family and noble houses. They funded everything from the monthly salaries of the teachers and trainers to the maintenance and repairs of the building.
The modest structure, made of brick and stone, stood three stories tall, crowned by the majestic flag of the Kingdom of **"Awa."** The flag featured a white background with the royal family's emblem at its center—a red sword and shield, topped by what appeared to be a symbol representing **"Tayo,"** the Island of Life.
To the people of the kingdom, this emblem signified the royal family's readiness to protect the populace and crush anyone who dared threaten their peace. It also served as a reminder of the island to which they owed their lives, for without it, survival in this dark world would have been impossible.
The building was divided into several sections: a dining hall (since classes often lasted more than five hours straight), classrooms, and a physical training courtyard.
Oliver headed to his classroom, with a few minutes left before the lesson began. He sat next to his friend **Augustus**.
Due to his distinctive hair, Oliver had often faced teasing, bullying, and being ignored. However, Augustus was the only friend he had ever found trustworthy enough to confide his deepest secrets in.
With his blonde hair, striking eyes, and somewhat feminine features, Augustus greeted him, "Good morning, Oliver."
"Good morning, Augustus. What do you think we'll study today?" Oliver replied.
Augustus had always been a diligent student, curious and eager to learn. His dream was to venture beyond their small town, hunt monsters, and explore mysterious places. This was his motivation for joining the **Legion**, unlike Oliver, who was primarily focused on the financial aspect.
"I think we're about to have a lecture with Professor Henry. It'll probably be about history and geography. After that, we have practical training with our new instructor. I don't know who it is," Augustus remarked, his face lighting up with excitement and enthusiasm.
"Why are you so excited? Henry will probably just ramble on about things we've heard a hundred times before," Oliver replied, his voice filled with boredom and weariness.
After a short while, the classroom began to fill with students—young girls and boys, all under seventeen—taking their seats as they waited for the professor to arrive.
"Sit down!" A deep voice boomed, cutting through the noise and chatter that filled the room. The voice belonged to a man in his forties, with black hair, azure eyes, and a beard that looked somewhat unkempt.