The Academy was incredible…
No, calling it an Academy would have been hella wrong! Gray had expected a gigantic Tower of stone with a scholarly feel. IT WASN'T!
What appeared before his eyes was an entire world! Or at least that's how it felt.
When he exited the Array, he saw lush grass that even the most reclusive no-life gamers would have killed to touch!
Then there was the crowd. It was so colorful and vivacious! On Earth, Gray had seen plenty of busy plazas, but this was different, WAY fucking different!
A youngster was heating snacks with fireballs.
A young lady was fighting off would-be suitors with a LITERAL lightning gaze.
A scholar-looking man was strolling around hands behind his back as he gently narrated, a flying quill beside him enthusiastically noting his every word.
And they were a dime in a dozen, magic present everywhere. Gray found himself overwhelmed, not knowing where to look! But just as he was gawking, a laugh resounded:
"Brother, if you gawk any more you'll turn into a toad!"
"Wait, what? Is there really something like that?!"
"I was joking, but polymorph spells are real…"
A youngster with a smile as big as his belly came closer. The latter seemed jovial and was even wearing an armband that said "Academy Guide."
"Anyway, you're obviously new here, so let me explain a few things. While the Academy is freely available for everyone, the time visitors can stay is limited. See this?"
The man pointed at Gale's wrist… a magical wristwatch had appeared! It glowed with golden energy, a counter inevitably going down.
30 minutes and 55 seconds
30 minutes and 54 seconds
30 minutes and 53 seconds
Gray suddenly had a very ominous feeling.
"Yep, you guessed it. In 30 minutes, give or take, you'll be kicked out of the Academy for the day. Ah, and this will DRASTICALLY go down if you try anything funny."
"Funny?"
"Take those mad Jehodah's witnesses. The second they started trying to convert people, they got kicked out instantly. Anyway, cough cough, let yours truly explain everything!"
Glowing, the youngster went into a rant about all the services offered by the Academy! He even had made a brochure to explain it all visually:
Know the Baby's Sex! → Our Mages are Always Right! ~ Or baby refunded!
Reliable Potential Test! → Destined to be a Farmer or a Mage? Crush your son's hopes now!
Academy Entrance Evaluation! → Passed the Potential Test? Good luck with this now; you'll need it! *PS: Yours truly is offering tutoring lessons!
When he saw the last one, Gray's eyes glowed like crazy.
"Evaluation, I'm here for the evaluation for sure! As long as I pass this, this timer will disappear, right?"
"Sure, but tough luck, the next student's test's in two days as far as I know. Do come back then!"
Gray's eyes flashed with panic. If he went back out there, he'd never come back! The Death Knights would instantly catch him since only the Academy was out of their jurisdiction.
How could he solve this?! Wait, there were public and private examinations in most Academies, right? At this moment, he crossed his fingers, going all in…
"No, no. I'm definitely supposed to take a test here today. Can you double-check, please?"
"Fine by me: more community time served. Besides, you're not annoying. The worst are the ones begging you in tears to bless their newborn. What am I supposed to do?!"
"Community time? Welcoming people is mandatory?"
"Hehe, I successfully raided the school's kitchen but got caught. Still, it was so worth it. Look at those results!"
He jumped up and down, his belly quaking, showcasing disturbingly amazing jiggle physics. Thus, with his guide bragging, they soon reached a building with a big "Admission" on top.
The entrance… was an energy barrier?!
It blocked the wind, sound, and passing through it was akin to hugging the fluffiest blanket! Then his guide swaggered to the counter, a cute receptionist furrowing her brows as he did.
"No, I'm not interested in having BBQ with you."
"What?! I'm obviously here on official business! Can't you see this brother of mine? He's here for an exam! Also, it's fine if it's not BBQ. We can go for a drink too, or twenty!"
She rolled her eyes, chuckling: this guy! Still, she couldn't help but glance at Gray. What was up with his look, a beggar? But why would a beggar even come here?
Still, looking down on people wasn't her job. So, she diligently looked at the glowing screen filled with glowing runes. She kept scrolling until she suddenly froze, trembling.
"Y-You, are you sure you have an Exam today?"
"Of course! I'm 100% certain, or my name isn't Gray!"
"A-Alright, Sir. Please follow me! I'll show you to the Evaluation!"
Her tone did a sudden 180! If she had previously considered him a weird beggar, she now didn't dare offend him! A cunning gleam even passed in her eyes as she reviewed the facts.
1. He knew about today's super secret exam!
2. He was so destitute and smelly. No one would show up at the Academy looking THAT bad! No, it had to be a disguise for sure. He wanted to see their honest reactions!
3. He had directly stared at her monitor, greedily taking in all the info. Anyone not used to a glowing monitor screen would get a headache... except a hidden expert!
She never could have guessed that Gray simply came from a world where staring at a glowing screen for days on end was a skill that even babies possessed.
Anyway, this was an opportunity for her to make a good impression on this Young Master in disguise! Thus, she showed so much professionalism that it bordered zeal.
"Sir, would you like anything to drink? Or perhaps a snack? Do you wish to wash up before— No, I'm sure you're fine as is." He waved her good intentions away, confused.
Thus, she quickly guided him to a room in the back...
"There you go, Sir. I wish you great luck. See you in a few hours!"
A few hours? That intense? In any case, Gray entered the room, instantly feeling the PRESSURE.
It was a circular-shaped space, with glowing jade pillars placed in a clockwork pattern and individuals before each. But as Gray observed them, he almost had a heart attack.
So handsome!
So tyrannical-looking!
So aloof, with the airs of a scholar!
So old, looking like a dried-up raisin!
The people here looked ANYTHING but normal! But what made him despair was how focused they seemed, as if preparing themselves for their greatest battle.
"H-Hello, everyone. Good day for an evaluation, isn't it? There's a couple of pillars left. Should I just stand at one? Is there an order or anything?"
As their gazes washed over him, he felt naked. It was as if they could see through his very soul. Following that, their eyes showed only disgust and contempt.
As for his query, only silence answered him, so he took a random spot, as far away as the others since they kept glaring him away.
As time elapsed, the atmosphere became tenser and tenser until...
— Swoosh! The room's door opened, and a newcomer came in, one that was the complete opposite of Gray. Young, neatly dressed, like a model, and mysterious-looking.
As he observed the room, his eyes glowed blue, like balls of divine energy, finally resting on Gray. His mouth opened wide in shock as he went to stand right next to him!
The disdain the others had? He showed none of it!
"Wow. I thought I'd be the youngest by far, yet here you are. Impressive!"
Gray suddenly felt so much relief. Finally, there was someone he could talk to! Without even wasting a second, he hurriedly spoke to his new "friend."
"Right back at you, you look young and handsome. But say, do you have any tips for the exam? Any secret tricks? Or even better, can I copy off you? I'd be eternally grateful!"
Gray had said it as hushed as possible, yet the entire room broke out in flabbergasted coughs. What the hell was he trying to pull here?!
But before the shocked Young Master could reply, a glowing countdown suddenly appeared in the center of the room. 3… 2… 1… Only then did his new friend finally speak.
"Remember, the most important is to—"
— WHOOSH! —
Gray found himself in a golden prison. All he could see were energy walls around him and a display on the pillar before him, one that showed a powerful title.
[1307th Academy Evaluation! Good Luck!]