The academy didn’t consist of one building. Instead, it was more of a cluster of about a dozen buildings. Each of them had a special purpose of its own, but the first years were only allowed to access seven of these. 

First was the hostel in which they were housed. The second was the educational building in which most of their theoretical courses would take place. The next one was the combat arena, it was the same building where the examination had taken place. it was generally used by the second and third years, but the first years were free to use it during combat training classes. 

The fourth building was the armoury. Here the students could buy or sell equipment to and from any kingdom on the continent formerly known as Asia. Though they would have to pay a certain amount of tax deepened on the rarity of the equipment bought or sold and also to which kingdom the transaction was taking place. 

Also, since this transaction could be easily tracked, not a lot of people preferred to use the armoury and instead used the services of the black market instead. 

The fifth building was more of a supermarket than anything else. The students could buy anything they wanted from there. From things to eat to furniture and potions. The sixth building they had access to was the library. You know, to make sure the students have enough material to learn from and grow.

And last but not least was the administrative building. Although the building was named and used for administrative purposes of the academy. It also used all of its staff and hence it was by far the biggest building in all of the academy, 

Although Ashton did not have the opportunity to visit inside the admin building, Rose was quick to give him a description. But she didn’t need to say much other than the fact that the admin building was a culmination of all of the other buildings. 

In other words, unlike the students, the staff did not need to visit different buildings to accomplish different tasks. They can do everything right under one roof.  Ashton wasn’t sure why she was telling him all that, but he thought it might get useful sometime. 

After telling him all that, Rose decided to call it a night and headed back to her room. 

“I guess the director has a weird choice in picking professors… just like the students,” Ashton mumbled to himself before heading to sleep as well, “I wonder if she knows about Rose’s secret as well? Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me even if she does.”

However, as soon as his head touched the softest pillow he had ever felt, someone knocked on his door. Ashton was tempted to ignore the knock and go to sleep, he went ahead and opened the door. 

But there was no one outside. Ashton was alarmed and quickly activated his perception skill. Still, he could not sense anyone. 

“Weird… I swear I heard someone knock on the door.” Ashton looked into the empty, dark corridor one last time before turning around.

It was then he saw a note under his foot. Intrigued by what it was, he carefully picked it up after using his detection skill. He simply wanted to make sure the paper wasn’t rigged to explode or anything.  There was something written on it… with blood.

“Welcome to the Academy, the place where you will be broken. With love, your end.”

Ashton stood there with the paper in his hands. A moment later he was shaking. If anyone would have seen him, they would think he was shaking with rage or fear. When in reality was he trying his best not to laugh. 

“Who the fck wrote such cliche stuff? ‘Welcome to the academy, the place where you will be broken, blah blah blah’.” He finally broke down laughing before tearing the note to bits, “Is this really an academy of battle arts or drama? Why give these idiotic warnings and shit? If you want to fight just come at me. Like you did during the examination.”

Ashton yelled at the top of his lungs. He was pretty sure whoever had placed the note at his doorstep must have stayed behind to check his reaction. That’s why Ashton made sure to give them a piece of his mind before walking back inside.

  ***

The next morning Ashton woke up with a bright face. Although he didn’t need to sleep thanks to his genes, sleeping was always a fulfilling experience. He got up and was about to get dressed when he realised that he still didn’t have the academy uniform with him. 

Just then, a notification went off in the watch he was wearing. It was an official message from the director to all of the students. Their orientation ceremony would start in an hour at the admin building and they would be provided with their daily necessities items like uniforms, after that. 

“Well, I guess I should get going then,” Ashton mumbled to himself and headed out. 

He knew everyone would be more or less hostile towards him, thus he had also made his peace with it. However, walking with hundreds of eyes on him was more uncomfortable than he had assumed. 

Still, as he was an S ranker, none of them tried to pull any stunt. All they could do was to whisper behind his back. This included the Gruntas who were already being accompanied by half a dozen servants, even though they were only allowed to have two servants each. 

Other than that, even some of the professors were looking at him with disgust. As if he was a pig who had had a mud bath. Just looking into their eyes made Ashton want to rip them off. But he kept his emotions within his body. 

He went inside the auditorium and sat at his designated place when he heard someone walk up to him. It was Anna, she was looking great kempt as it was expected from a noble. However, unlike the rest of them, Ashton could feel she was not having any repulsive thoughts about him. 

“Do you mind if I sit here?”

She asked in the politest voice Ashton had ever heard. It was in complete contrast with the voice of ‘Bella’. If Ashton did not know for sure that Anna and Bella were one and the same, he could have been fooled quite easily. 

“Sure, if you’re comfortable with everyone hating you, then be my guest.”

“I’m already used to that.” Anna smiled and took the seat, “By the way, congratulations on achieving S rank.”

“Congratulations to you-“

Ashton was about to congratulate her as well, but their small talk was interrupted by a mountain of a man whom Ashton had never seen before. But it was clear he was a second-year student. 

“Look at this mutt. It hasn’t even been a day and he’s already flirting with the nobles.” 

‘I guess I should get used to all this now..’ Ashton sighed and ignored the senior.