Day 0

As Aymon approached the entrance on the left of the gathering circle, he noticed that Z234V5 accompanied him, even though it remained silent throughout the entire briefing.

Upon reaching the entrance, the doors slid open, and he stepped inside. The exterior design seamlessly matched the interior, creating an incredible open space with a 24.4-meter tall ceiling. In the center was a crystal roof that allowed natural light to stream in, illuminating the entire area. The architects seemed to have seamlessly integrated nature and modernity, incorporating ancient structures into the design. Tall indoor trees and vibrant plant arrangements were strategically placed, bringing a touch of the outdoors into this architectural marvel.

Four elevators were on the right, and four others on the left, allowing students to access one of the four floors of the Z-building. Just under the crystal roof, in the middle of the lobby, were sofas in rather peculiar geometrical forms. It wasn't very crowded, as second and third-year students were either on missions or in classes, but the few in the resting area...

As Aymon analyzed and appreciated every detail of the masterful design of the lobby, Piccolo initiated the guidance to his dorm.

"Student Aymon Kriegsschaten, head to the third elevator on the right and scan your wristband to activate the elevator."

Aymon followed Piccolo's instructions, reaching the specified elevator. The crystal doors slid open smoothly, revealing a sleek modern design. Inside the elevator, Aymon located the panel for wristband scanning. Placing his wrist in front of the sensor, he activated the elevator, awaiting the ascent to his designated floor.

While the elevator ascended, Piccolo provided Aymon with information about his room.

"Your dorm is on the third floor. Once you arrive, follow the corridor to room 334. Your assigned roommate is a second-year named Erik Voss. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to ask, as I will accompany you for 2 more hours."

As the elevator reached the third floor, Aymon followed Piccolo's guidance, stepping into a well-lit corridor. The dormitory area exuded a sense of order and efficiency, characteristic of the academy's overall design philosophy. As Aymon walked down the corridor, passing rooms, he began thinking up a short action plan for the remaining two hours to maximize Piccolo's assistance.

"I'll reach my room in 2 minutes and 4 seconds at this pace, considering the distance between each room. Then I'll probably spend another 45 seconds registering. After that, I'll ask Piccolo where the library is and the location of the private training rooms."

After precisely 2 minutes and 4 seconds of walking, Aymon found himself in front of his room. In milliseconds, he noted that, like next to the other doors along the hall, there was a smart panel with multiple sensors installed. Now that Aymon had reached his room, his guide started explaining what this smart panel was.

"This is the panel that will allow you to officially register in our database, allowing you to access all the facilities of the academy without your wristband. It will scan your iris, fingerprint, and even your voice to ensure maximum security. I would recommend that you go register now for easier access."

Aymon proceeded with the database registration and then entered his room. As he stepped inside, he was welcomed by the crystal window in the center of the front wall, serving as a great source of light and providing beautiful scenery of the path to the main building. There were two bathrooms, one on each side, and two beds. Both beds were on the side of the crystal window at a 2.78-meter distance each. Erik's bed wasn't well made, indicating he was in a rush. His side of the room was cluttered with personal items, including books, electronic gadgets, and scattered clothes.

After a short look around the room, Aymon started unpacking. He began by putting his clothes in the wardrobe, organizing them neatly to make the most of the available space, and categorizing them properly. Then, he took his LP-67 from his bag and placed it on the desk. The LP-67 is the latest model of a personal computer, capable of changing size depending on the environment, with numerous upgrades compared to its predecessors like the laptop.

After a short while, Aymon finished unpacking and decided to put his plan into action.

"Piccolo, could you please guide me to the library and show me where the private training rooms are?" 

"Student Aymon Kriegsschaten, both the library and the private training rooms are located in the other part of the building. Would you like me to guide you there?" Piccolo responded.

Aymon nodded in affirmation, appreciating the convenience of having a reliable guide. As he followed Piccolo's directions through well-designed corridors, he couldn't help but marvel at the architectural prowess permeating every aspect of the academy. He also pondered how much he would be able to progress with the knowledge he'd acquire from the library—information that couldn't be found elsewhere on Earth.

Upon reaching the library, Aymon was astonished at the immensity of information it contained. There were a few hundred books from decades ago, but even more amazing was the vast number of H-Codices. The H-Codices were hologram books that could be borrowed from the library and connected to one's device to access them. Invented to store information not meant for everyone, the academy's library was like a haven for Aymon.

As much as he wanted to read them all now, he had to postpone it to reach the training rooms, as the time he had with a guide was limited. He made a mental note to return to the library tomorrow to start expanding his sea of knowledge.

"Piccolo, could you guide me to the private training rooms now?" Aymon requested.

"Of course, Student Aymon Kriegsschaten. Follow me." responded Piccolo.

As they traversed the corridors again, Aymon contemplated the challenges that awaited him in the 進路判定試験. The private training rooms represented an opportunity to hone his skills and familiarize himself with the unique facilities of the academy.

This time, it didn't take as long as it took to reach the library as they were in the same part of the building. When he arrived, Aymon was greeted by a sight that exceeded his expectations. The rooms were equipped with state-of-the-art training simulators, each tailored to specific combat scenarios. The advanced technology promised a realistic and immersive training experience.

Now that Aymon had familiarized himself with the locations crucial to his daily activities, he decided to return to his room for a well-deserved rest. The next day would be the first proper academy day for him, so he needed a good night's sleep.

As he made his way back to the dormitory, Aymon reflected on the events of the day. The academy held mysteries, challenges, and opportunities that fueled his curiosity. Leif Bjornsson, the enigmatic instructor, and the technological marvels within Institut de l'Éclat Astral hinted at a journey filled with discovery.

Back in his room, Aymon took a moment to relax and process the whirlwind of experiences. It didn't take long for him to fall into a deep sleep, as he had a tiring day filled with activities out of the ordinary.