Golden Badge

Burdened by the thought of being broke again, Luca could only greet the staff manning the stands shyly.

"Hello, Ma'am. Is this where we register after getting the ring?"

The normally strict instructor had to clear her throat because of how pitiful this incoming student was. He was like a sad puppy that wilted after passing.

In her years of serving as an exam proctor, this was the first time she'd seen someone react like this after passing the Empire's most grueling assessment test.

"Ehem, yes. Scan the ring over there." She pointed at the device by the corner.

Luca thanked her and continued trudging towards the corner. He looked for anything that remotely resembled a scanner on the machine but apparently didn't have to put in the effort because the machine would search him for it.

[INITIALIZING REGISTRATION]

[NAME: Luca Soren Kyros]

[Division: Mecha Combat Division]

[Class: Class A]

[Examination Rank: 4th]

[Overall Rank: N/A]

[Spiritual Power Rating: C-rank]

[REGISTRATION COMPLETE]

[WELCOME TO THE ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY!]

The holographic screen flashed with his details before the machine made a beeping sound. Then Luca noticed an opening that had a small badge.

"That's the official badge for students who make it into the Mecha Combat Division. The badge contains your identity as well as an emergency locator. Note that your badge may look slightly different from others because you passed the assessment exam."

Luca was surprised to hear that there was such a designation for people who passed the assessment.

"But don't we all have to pass the assessment exam to be students of the Mecha Combat Division?" His mind retraced this morning's wake-up call where they said those who don't make it would be booted out.

Oh.

Wait.

They only said something about not getting to the venue within the time limit.

The staff smiled as Luca's expression changed as if in understanding.

"If we were only to take the students that would pass the entire assessment, there may be years where we won't have any students."

Luca was taken aback. No students? As in, no one passed the assessment exam?!

"There were years when no one passed? Then, was our exam easy, considering four already made it through?" Luca's head was tilted, pondering if that exam that almost killed him was considered easy by their standards.

But the staff had a different expression. She was even worried that others might overhear this kid and get mauled on the way out.

"I assure you, this wasn't easy by anyone's standards. So congratulations. Your terminal should display the pertinent information. So refer to it for your schedule as well as the other guidelines."

This exam was particularly difficult because the Empire was in dire need of talents and had no time to cultivate the students like before.

They expected the number to be close to zero. But it's not even lunchtime, and yet they already have four fully qualified candidates.

And those students who would normally pass with the more manageable assessment exams would be spewing blood at this kid's question. But he didn't seem to mean anything malicious by it. He just looked curious.

And Luca was really curious. So, he planned on asking Ollie about it later.

"Thank you, Ma'am. Are we allowed to leave once we're done registering?"

"Yes, you may go. But if you want to stay, you're also free to do that. Classes start two days from now. So, remember to rest well."

Luca nodded and thanked her profusely before he left. Not only because she was generous in guiding him but because she didn't ask for payment nor did he have to sign any IOUs.

But he didn't want to take his chances, so he wanted to leave the premises right away.

"Host, it seems like we managed to keep your wallet intact!" D-29 said, relief evident in its tone.

"Don't jinx it. We need to save money in case something like that happens in the future!"

Luca was sure that with his luck, there may be more things that would self-combust just by being near him.

"Yes, Host! And maybe once possible, you can open the barrier so we can earn more money!" D-29 sneakily reminded him about the barrier that was yet to be opened.

"Ah, there's that. I almost forgot."

D-29 was glad it reminded the Host of its waiting Dungeon. If not, they may not have the time to open it with how scary the assessment exam was.

"Let's go to the room and prepare. We'll try to open it by tonight or tomorrow if it's impossible today. We'll have to check first how much energy we'll need for it to open!"

"Thank you, Host. I promise to help once I have access to more functions!"

But before Luca could reach the dorm, he was stopped by three people, nearly colliding against them if not for D-29's prompt.

"You. You're Luca Kyros?" Asked the girl who stood in the middle of two young men.

Hmm… Aren't these the three people who finished the exam before me?

"Yes? What seems to be the problem?" Luca wanted to actually step back, but he didn't want to be bullied even in this life, so he tried standing his ground even on his trembling knees.

Hopefully, it wasn't too obvious.

"Hmm… You seem different."

"Yeah, different."

Luca felt like he was being circled by two vultures for reasons he didn't know.

"Is that so?" That surprised him. Do these people know the real Luca?

But he doesn't remember seeing or hearing anything about these people.

"But we don't care about that. What's that thing that you used earlier called?"

"Oh, that?" Luca's heart clenched, but hearing them say they didn't care made him relax even just a bit.

"I know it as bandalore or a yo-yo." It was only after that that he realized he might have done something wrong.

What if they had a different word for it here?

Was he going to end up exposing himself just like that?

But surprisingly, the male with strawberry-blond hair, who now looked obviously similar to the girl, found listings for yo-yos on the Star Mall.

"That's all. See you in class, Luca." The young woman had a glint in her eyes as she looked back to wave at him.

It was rather creepy, and he was still in shock after being stopped like that. They even left without making any introductions.

"Host, maybe you should consider learning about the social hierarchy of this place. It seems like many people know you."

"Yeah, I think so too."

Hopefully, Ollie, his only friend, would have an idea of the Academy's inner workings.

But for now, he had to focus on getting back and eating. All that hard work made him feel like he was about to faint.

But he did well.

He deserves a pat on the back.