Chapter 16: The Academy's Grand Beginning
Standing before the full-length mirror in my hotel room, I took a long, measured look at myself.
The black and gold-trimmed uniform of Velmoria Academy fit surprisingly well. The high-collared jacket was tailored to perfection, emphasizing my lean yet athletic frame, while the sleek pants and polished boots completed the regal look.
It felt… foreign.
I had spent most of my life in hospital gowns and loose clothing, and even after arriving in this world, I was more accustomed to casual wear. Now, draped in formal academy attire, I looked almost like a noble.
I shifted slightly, rolling my shoulders. A little stiff, but manageable.
But what really caught my attention was my hair.
Over the past few days, it had grown noticeably longer—thicker, slightly wavy, and now reaching my shoulders. The unruly strands framed my face in a way that made me look… different.
Not quite the same Alden Blackwood from before.
I grabbed a hair tie from the dresser, running my fingers through the strands before tying it back into a low ponytail, leaving a few loose locks to fall naturally at the front.
I tilted my head, observing the new look.
"Not bad. Looks a bit mysterious… or maybe like a wannabe swordsman from an anime."
A familiar voice snorted in my head.
"At least now you look less like a lost street rat."
I sighed, already regretting engaging with him. "Good morning to you too, Kurenai."
"Morning? I've been awake for an hour."
I ignored the smugness in his tone and pulled up my status window for a final check.
---
[Status Window]
[Name:] Alden Blackwood
[Race:] Human
[Rank:] E- (Mana Vessels Expanded)
[Basic Stats:]
Strength: E
Agility: E+
Intelligence: C
Mana: E+
Stamina: E
[Weapon Arts:]
Crimson Moon Strike (5-Star | Katana) → Proficiency: 5.7%
Phantom Edge Sword (2-Star) → Proficiency: 30.6%
---
I had grown stronger, no doubt.
But Velmoria Academy wasn't an ordinary school. It was a place that housed prodigies, geniuses, and monsters in human form. Compared to them, I was still at the bottom.
And yet…
I had no intention of staying there.
With that thought, I grabbed my things and stepped out the door.
---
The Entrance Ceremony
The Grand Hall of Velmoria Academy was a sight that could humble even royalty.
Towering marble columns, enchanted crystal chandeliers, and intricate arcane engravings lined the vast chamber, creating an atmosphere of sheer magnificence. Thousands of students were gathered in perfectly arranged rows, their murmurs filling the space like a restless tide.
But the moment he stepped onto the stage, the hall fell into absolute silence.
At the center stood a man draped in deep violet robes, his aura alone enough to command the room. Silver-streaked hair, a sharp gaze like a blade, and a presence that made the air feel heavier.
Headmaster Aldric Valtorin.
A shiver ran down my spine.
In the game, he wasn't just an NPC headmaster. He was a living legend.
A Rank: SS existence.
A former war hero who had single-handedly fought off a Demon Duke.
One of the strongest humans alive.
And right now, I was breathing the same air as him.
"Try not to look so nervous," Kurenai muttered in my mind. "You're acting like a fanboy."
"Hey, you would too if you knew what this guy was capable of."
As if sensing the attention, Headmaster Valtorin raised a single hand. The entire hall fell into an eerie, absolute silence.
Then, his voice rang out—calm, yet carrying an undeniable weight.
---
[Headmaster Valtorin's Speech]
"Welcome to Velmoria Academy."
His gaze swept over the assembled students, sending a wave of unease through the first-years.
"You stand here today because you have been chosen. Chosen to represent your families, your nations, and your races. But make no mistake—your past achievements mean nothing within these walls."
A slight smirk touched his lips.
"Here, you will be broken, tested, and rebuilt. Only the strong will thrive. The weak..." He paused, letting his next words hang in the silence. "Will be discarded."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd, but no one dared to openly object.
I, however, internally groaned. "Damn, this guy really knows how to welcome students with positivity."
"Well," Kurenai chuckled, "he's not wrong. Survival of the fittest, and all that."
The speech continued, outlining the academy's rules, expectations, and the ever-present threats of demons that loomed over the continent.
Then, as if granting a final mercy, the Headmaster lifted a hand.
"Now, retrieve your Academy Smartwatches. This will serve as your identification, class schedule, and personal ranking tracker."
His gaze sharpened.
"Welcome... to Velmoria Academy."
---
The Beginning of a New Chapter
With that, the ceremony concluded.
The hall erupted into motion as students rushed to retrieve their smartwatches, eager to explore the features that would dictate their academic future.
I stood still for a moment, watching the storm of movement around me.
Kurenai hummed in my mind. "So… what now?"
I glanced at my wrist, where my newly acquired smartwatch gleamed under the hall's enchanted lights.
"Now?" A slow smirk tugged at my lips.
"Now it begins."