16 Departure

The day of the departure to the academy had finally arrived. Michael and Liz got all their things ready to leave their family's estate. A carriage and six people can be spotted outside the mansion. The sun had not yet risen, so it was rather dark.

"Be careful at the academy. Many things might change from now on. The duel with the Clithford might just be the beginning of many other things to unfold slowly. Don't focus only on the strength and studies but also learn how to navigate yourself through the ploys and machinations that will surely come your way," said Aragon as he watched his son and daughter ready to leave.

"Your father is right. Careful of who you befriend. Your next years at the academy will be detrimental," finished Amelia Aragon's words.

"Mother, you already told me all this stuff last year. I don't have to listen to them again," said the rather rebellious Liz.

Neither Aragon nor Amelia replied to Liz. They just shook their head as if saying you don't understand anything, which further irritated Liz, but she did not comment on it. After the final goodbyes were said, Michael and Liz got in the carriage with the two guards that will be accompanying them to the academy. One of them was a high B-rank awakened, while the other one was an A-rank awakened, so their journey will probably be a smooth sail.

Inside the carriage, a girl can be seen sleeping while the boy on the other side is lost in his thoughts.

'The academy has three stages of testing. The first test is just a written examination based on history, some mana theory, and some basic mathematics from my previous world. Nothing to be overly concerned about. The second test is the talent assessment pretty self-explanatory, and the final test it's a fight among the contestants who successfully passed the first two exams. Now about the fight, every year, it changes from a battle royale to a one on one fight or a fight in a forest where the contestants have to fight among each other and mana beasts and gather tokens which are converted into points. Hmm, anyway, there is no use in thinking about it further since the first place is almost certainly guaranteed," after he finished contemplating his life, he closed his eyes and also drifted to sleep, joining his sister.

After two hours of sleeping, Michael woke up and noticed that his sister was still asleep. Deciding not to wake her up, he just sat there, not thinking about anything in particular. After about half an hour of just sitting, the carriage came to a sudden stop, Michael opened the window and asked the guards,

"Why did we stop?"

"We sensed two high-ranked mana beasts. We don't know the ranks yet. David will guard the carriage, and I will scout closer," said Paul, the A-rank awakened.

"Okay, but still be careful. Don't engage in a fight if we can just bypass it," advised the 'highly' experienced Michael.

"Of course, young master," replied Paul and vanished from their sight.

After the carriage stopped and Michael conversed with the guards, Liz seemed to have woken up,

"Why did we stop Michael?" asked Liz, still groggy from her sleep.

"It seems that two high-rank mana beasts are fighting near us, so Paul left to assess the situation," replied Michael.

"Hmm, I see. I should sleep again then since we have a lot more road to cover till we reach the academy," said Liz as she remembered how long the trip to the academy was.

Just as she was about to sleep once again, a deafening explosion was heard in the forest, startling both Michael and Liz. Immediately, David, the B-rank awakened, said to the siblings,

"Don't leave the carriage. Paul seems to be returning," ordered David while the respectful tone left his voice.

A few seconds after the explosion was heard, Paul returned to the carriage and informed everyone about what had happened in the forest.

"It was just two B-rank beasts that were fighting for the turf. I took care of both of them, so there is no need to worry. You can rest. We still have three to four hours until we arrive," said Paul as he got above the carriage and started to move it again.

Liz closed her eyes again to sleep while Michael was thinking how nice it would be if he, too, could just kill two B-rank mana beasts as if it were nothing.

Finding nothing better to do since Liz would sleep through the entire trip, Michael relaxed and started his mana breathing technique. The hours seemed to pass as he heard the voice of the guard,

"We have arrived," said Paul waking up Liz and also getting Michael off his mild training.

"That is all we can do for you, young master and mistress since when entering the academy, you are on your own," both the guards bowed and started to leave, not before both the siblings thanked them.

"Michael, you should go and start the admission process since it's first come, first served here. You don't want to be the last one. I'll go now and meet you later when the first two phases of the exam are over. Good luck, even though you won't need it," said Liz, hugging Michael and finally leaving.

"Thank you, Liz, see you later," said Michael, and as soon as Liz left, he just stood there, taking in the mesmerizing view of the academy. Just the entrance was monumental. A golden gate seems to be the separator from the outside world to the academy. Every building was huge, and it was all made of marble which reminded him of the structures of ancient Greece back in his previous world. The only way that the whole academy could be described was breathtaking.

Getting out of his stupor, he started by guiding himself to the admission center while still enjoying the view from around him and sometimes catching the other participants stealing a few glances at him, not only from women but also men, each one for different reasons, though.

'Hmm, it seems the academy is going to be fun,' thought Michael while a smile adorned his face.