12 Arena Ten: The Phoenix Burns III

Grey came back after a few minutes, and we left the facility together. Instead of blindfolding me, this time we left via an open gate that was near the room I was in, and found ourselves on an empty highway.

A car soon stopped in front of us, and we got on.

"The Academy."

"Got it, Sir."

The driver nodded and sped up. It was past midnight, yet countless lights were blinking and lighting the inner city. Even the highway we were in soon became crowded as we proceeded deeper into the city.

As expected of the core city of the empire, I guess.

"Isn't it late?"

I asked Grey, who was untying his tie with a tired expression.

"It is, but we made an exception for you."

"That's..."

"It's the only time. You'll be treated as a normal student from tomorrow... I think."

"You... Think?"

"Well, you know that your rank is unprecedented, right? Unless we do something about it, you'll be either revered or ostracised."

"... Neither sounds particularly appealing."

"Haha, I know."

Grey laughed it off, but honestly, I was starting to worry...

...

The car stopped in front of a large gate. Walls made of brick extended to its sides, going beyond what I could see.

As expected, the total area of the First Academy was tremendous.

Though... Brick walls? I thought these types of walls disappeared long ago?

Sensing my confusion, Grey laughed and answered.

"The First Academy is based on the old style of a country of the past, Britain."

"... I don't know that country."

"... Well, just think of the academy as a western fantasy-like setting... You'll get it... I hope."

"... Your words make as much sense as a dead man walking."

"Well. Phantoms are a thing."

"You..."

I grumbled and leaned back.

The iron gates opened, and we entered the academy.

The first thing I felt was the serene atmosphere. Trees and flowers were abundant, unlike in the other parts of the empire. The buildings that stood among those trees looked so old that I thought I had stepped back in the past.

Though they looked old, they had a certain majestic aura around them. The academy seemed oddly dignified.

The driveway we were on soon ended in front of a small, stone path.

"Come on, we have to walk the rest of the way."

Ushered by Grey, I got down and started walking.

I had expected guards and other security measures, but oddly enough, there wasn't a single soul in the vicinity.

Seeing me looking around, Grey smiled.

"Are you trying to find the guards?"

"Er... Yes."

"You won't find them. There aren't any."

"What? Then what about the security? Many noble children study here, right?"

"Well, just because there aren't guards, doesn't mean that it's not secure, you know. For example, you see that owl there?"

Grey asked, pointing at a branch of a tree. True, there was an owl, glaring at us with its glowing eyes.

"That's a drone."

"..."

"And you see that rock there? That's an automated turret."

"..."

"And that small rock over there? When the emergency mode is activated, it turns into a landmine."

"... I see. Sorry for doubting this place."

This was absurd. Well, I guess I could expect nothing less from the top academy.

"Haha, everyone gets surprised when they see these for the first time. Now, let's go."

Saying that, he started walking again.

"Where are the students?"

"In the dorms. Those are further inside."

Soon, we walked through the campus (or, some portion of it) and reached the main building in the centre.

"This way."

Instead of going through the front door, Grey circled around and went to the back, where he tapped on a wall twice.

The next moment, the wall slowly parted in front of us, revealing an elevator.

"We can't have people knowing that you have a connection with the principal."

Grey explained as we got on. The elevator slowly rose to the third floor, and this time the wall on the other side opened.

A long corridor was in front of us, with old, western-style windows letting in the moonlight. It felt extremely surreal.

We walked down the long corridor and approached the heavy wooden door at the end. Grey politely knocked on the door.

"Come in."

A sharp, cold female voice replied from inside.

"Mind your manners. For Anastasia's sake."

After whispering those concerning words, Grey pushed open the door, and we stepped inside.

In front of us, sitting behind a large desk, was a beautiful woman in her late thirties. Her hair was silver, and her eyes were emerald coloured.

Her thin lips and nose gave her an extremely cold aura, and her glaring eyes didn't help much to diminish that feeling.

"So he's the boy?"

"Yes, Lady Valentina."

Valentina? Wasn't that Anastasia's family? Then... Was she perhaps Anastasia's mother? Or maybe her older sister?

The latter seemed unlikely, though.

"My name is Flora Valentina, current head of the Valentina family. A pleasure to meet you, Arnold Tilgen."

"Ah... A pleasure to meet you, my lady."

I hurriedly bowed and replied to her in a respectful tone. Nobles, while we didn't interact much with them in the middle city, were much more prideful and harsh than the other officers of the empire.

Which was why, basic etiquette was a mandatory course in the schools of us "commoners".

"What a surprise. You seem to know the basic manners."

"We were taught in our school about them."

I said while keeping my head low.

Lady Flora went silent for a few moments, before speaking again in a frigid tone.

"It would do well for you to remember this, do not reply if you are not asked any questions or greeted first."

"..."

I nodded, not answering.

"I heard that you had risked your life to save Anastasia."

"..."

"I would appreciate it if you do not put your life at risk for unnecessary reasons. You are a rough gem, so it would be troubling if you were to die before showing your true worth."

"T-that's..."

Hearing her call Anastasia's life an unnecessary reason, I couldn't help but want to reply.

But she glared at me with her sharp eyes, quieting me down.

"Now then. We need to do something about your rank."

She said, opening the drawer of her desk and pulling out a bracelet.

"This will confuse the scanners and change your rank to A for the time being. It can not confuse the higher rank scanners, so be careful."

She said, pushing it towards me.

"You may take it and wear it."

"Thank you, my lady."

I slowly reached out to the silver bracelet, and donned it on.

A surge of electricity suddenly rushed through my veins, making me wince in pain.

"To make the scanners think that you are indeed an A-rank, this bracelet will also limit your abilities. You are to keep this on inside the academy premises at all times. Failing to do so will result in immediate expulsion. Do you understand?"

"... I understand, my lady."

"Try to stay out of trouble, Arnold Tilgen. I do not tolerate mistakes."

"... Yes, my lady."

"Dismissed."

She waved her hand, and both I and Grey bowed before leaving the room.

Just as the door closed behind us, I turned to Grey.

Sensing what I'm about to ask, Grey opened his mouth with a sigh.

"She is indeed Anastasia's mother, but at the same time, she isn't."

"What does that mean?"

"... I won't say anything more than that. If you really want to know, ask the people concerned."

"... You know I can't do that. Not yet."

"Then you'll have to do it when you can."

He said, turning away and walking down the corridor.

I hurriedly reached up to him and started walking by his side.

"But..."

Grey suddenly muttered, looking outside at the moon.

"Anastasia is an unfortunate girl... If you can, save her. She's burning out... from the inside."

"..."

I couldn't reply to his words. I just stared at him, frowning in worry.