Class 1 -A -12
"Good morning, all of you. My name is Sia Walker," the instructor introduced herself.
Her words, though casual, held a peculiar undertone.
"I will be your instructor for this year, or perhaps even in the future, for those who manage not to drop out or die by the end of the year."
She delivered this rather grim statement with a disconcerting smile. I couldn't help but wonder how someone could say something like that with a smile on their face. Her words hung in the air, and the classroom remained in a stunned silence.
" I am just kidding no one's going to die. But your life is certainly going to become a living hell."
"Today being your first day, we won't delve into much. Let's begin with a simple attendance check," Sia announced.
Sia Walker, I knew this name. She is a recurring character in the novel.
"Lady of silence, Sia Walker" I muttered under my breath.
Her vibrant scarlet hair flowed gracefully over her shoulders. With a figure that could drive any man to madness, she captured the attention of every boy in the class, igniting a fiery passion within their hearts.
Yet, her physical beauty wasn't the only thing that set her apart. It was her enchanting emerald green eyes that had an almost hypnotic quality Gazing into them for too long could make anyone lose themselves in their depths, like getting lost in a lush forest.
Why am I even wasting time admiring her beauty? I am not gonna hit on her. Hitting on her would be like signing my own death sentence.
Although no one here recognized her true identity, I remembered from the novel that she was one of the 67 A+ rankers in this world.
She waved her hand, and a holographic panel appeared. She called out each name, taking attendance one by one.
" Rank 58499, Mabel Thornfield"
"Present"
"Rank 52288, Caleb Mercer"
"Present"
"Rank 49000, Ethan Blackwood
"Present"
...
...
...
The ranks were announced in ascending order, with the numbers dwindling lower and lower as she progressed.
I waited patiently as she worked her way through the list. My name would come eventually, and I had no choice but to wait my turn.
I let out a sigh. Nonetheless, I remained composed and waited for my name to be called.
"Rank 24, Aria Asher"
"Present"
"Rank 19, Kent Hall"
"Present"
"Rank 7, Emma Graves"
"Present"
"Rank 5, Ethan Blackwell"
"Present"
"Rank 3, Michael Garhan"
"Present"
"Rank 2, Owen Regulus"
Finally, the moment arrived. "Rank 2, Owen Regulus," Sia announced. I responded with a simple "Present" like others.
"Rank 1, Ryan Stern"
"Present"
"Now that everyone is present, I will now distribute the list of important rules of this academy and the Academy guide." Sia addressed the class.
The guide, titled "Rules and Order of New Order Military Academy," made its way around the classroom, passing from hand to hand.
This academy had its own set of unique rules, setting it apart from other military academies.
Despite the strict regulations, the academy offered various amenities to ensure students' well-being and comfort during their stay.
She went on, explaining, "Each of you will receive a smartwatch from the academy. They'll serve as your ID cards, granting access to all facilities. Remember, without them, you won't be able to use any of the academy's resources."
"The watches will be sent straight to your dorm rooms," she added, ensuring everyone understood how they would receive them.
"Now, the only thing left is choosing your weapons. Follow me, and I'll take you to the academy's armoury."
***
We gathered in front of a spacious room, and Sia took her place at the forefront. She clapped her hands to grab our attention. "You'll find a variety of weapons in there," she announced, ensuring that all eyes were on her. "Feel free to choose the weapon you believe suits you best. Today, you'll be selecting your primary weapon for training."
Sia confidently entered the passcode and scanned her eyes to unlock the massive doors. As the doors slowly creaked open, we stepped into the room.
The sight that greeted me was nothing short of fascinating. The vast space was brimming with an astonishing array of weapons, more than I could have ever imagined. From simple daggers to futuristic lightsabers, the selection was mind-boggling.
It felt like the room extended endlessly, with row after row of weapons disappearing into the distance. The sheer size and variety of the armoury left me in awe, making me wonder just how extensive this collection truly was.
Sia's voice snapped me out of my daze. "Quit gawking and get in here. We don't have all day." she urged, her tone commanding. We shuffled inside, still dazzled by the vast selection of weapons surrounding us.
As we entered, Sia continued, "Feel free to choose any weapon you like but make your choice wisely. Once you've made your selection, you won't be able to change your weapon until the year-end final exams."
One of the boys in the group raised his hand and asked, "What will happen to us if we lose or break the weapon?" Sia's lips curled into a smile, a smile that I still found rather unsettling.
"Well," she began, her voice holding an air of mystery, "if you happen to lose your weapon or it gets damaged beyond repair, your private point will be deducted. The deduction will be in proportion to the value and rarity of the weapon you've lost."
The same guy raised his hand again. "Ma'am, what are private points?"
"Well, I assumed you would have read about the Point system in your guide, but since the question has come up, let me explain," she replied.
"It's important to understand that, here at the academy, your background or any outside support you might have doesn't matter."
"Money won't help you here, so there's no point in trying to flaunt your family's wealth to anyone."
"If money doesn't work here, how does the academy's economy function?" the students wondered.
"At the end of each month, you'll be given 'private points' based on your performance during that month."
"Each student will receive a different amount of private points, depending on their performance."
"These points are a reflection of your skills." she continued.
"You can use these points to buy almost anything in the academy, from basic necessities to luxury items."
"For the first month, you will be provided with 100000 free private points. But after that, you'll have to pay for what you use with the private points you've earned."
"How you use your points is up to you. Spend them on things you want or need. If you don't need all your points, you can transfer them to someone else. But remember, bullying others for points is strictly forbidden. The academy takes bullying very seriously."
"The academy is designed to prepare you for service in the New Order Military. It provides a competitive environment to help you become stronger and more resilient."
After delivering this information, Sia paused, causing the entire class to fall silent with anxiety. Then, in a nonchalant tone, she said, "That's all for the rules."
I sighed inwardly, recalling how the academy used 'private points' as currency. It seemed like a complex system to navigate, but it was something I would have to get used to.
She looked around the room.
"It seems like no one has questions. Well then, Please start choosing your weapon and after choosing enter your name in the database of armoury. Your weapon will directly sent your room with your belonging. You have two hours. If you didn't choose your weapon by the end you will not be able to choose until the end of your first year."
We walked into the armoury, and I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. I knew I had to choose a weapon, and since I already had some experience with swords, I headed straight for that section.
The armoury was massive, with rows upon rows of weapons lining the walls. It felt like stepping into a treasure trove, especially for those who hadn't seen such high-quality weapons before.
Some of the students, probably commoners, looked amazed by the variety and craftsmanship on display. Meanwhile, the wealthy and noble students seemed unimpressed, as if they were used to having access to finer things.
As I made my way through the armoury, I couldn't help but admire the different kinds of weapons available. There were gauntlets, bows, daggers, guns, and more, each with its own unique appeal. Finally, I arrived at the section dedicated to swords.
The sight was breathtaking. There were all sorts of swords—shortswords, sabres, claymores, and many others—each with its own distinct style and history. It was like being in a museum dedicated to the art of combat.
Amidst the array of options, one sword caught my eye—the katana. Its sleek design and balanced weight seemed to call out to me, aligning perfectly with my preferences and fighting style. With a sense of certainty, I reached out and selected the katana as my weapon of choice.