Practicing Non-Possession -1
Chronos Academy. The largest institution among all academies on the continent, and the core of them all.
There were other academies scattered around, but Chronos Academy had its own unique flavor. An isolated island setting combined with the diverse races of its students. That fusion had created this place.
And in such a place, there was one guy who stood out more than anyone with his personality.
"Ugh... crowded places are too much..."
"Hey, what kind of top scholar acts like this?"
"Even top scholars struggle with people..."
Luca, this guy had been hiding behind me and trembling non-stop. Put nicely, he was cautious about making friends; put harshly, he had severe social anxiety.
I couldn't help but burst out laughing at the sight.
Who the hell would dare mess with him anyway?
They'd just end up smashed to pieces themselves.
With no choice, I grabbed his hand and led him toward our destination—the grand auditorium.
Coming to the academy meant going through the obvious procedure everyone had to face, the one that made everyone nervous: the entrance ceremony.
You had to have one if you were at an academy, right?
But the guy who had to go up front as the top scholar and receive his commendation was acting like this. It might tarnish the Steel Tower's name or something.
Not that our backwater tower had much of a name to tarnish in the first place.
"Come on, let's hurry."
"Got it. But you gotta shield me good."
"Yeah, yeah. So let's go."
I dragged Luca toward the academy's grand auditorium.
Luckily, my experience navigating markets back home made weaving through crowds a breeze. The problem was still the guy behind me.
"You sure you can handle academy life like this?"
"D-don't worry. I'll be fine."
"This bro is full of worries."
I was seriously concerned if he'd make it through academy life unscathed. Being strong and handling daily life were totally different things.
Still, as top scholar, the academy would probably look after him.
'Here's hoping.'
I took in the academy streets myself. As a country bumpkin, the flashy sights caught my eye.
'This is an academy!'
A page of youth and vigor. Strong, cool-looking seniors welcoming the fresh newbies!
They mingled, creating a sea of people. And among them, the clubs stood out the most.
"Magitech Research Club. Where explosions and innovation happen. Invent magical tools and snag patents. Join the glorious evolution!"
"Ancient Dragon Tongue Deciphering Club! Decode forgotten dragon speech and roar like a dragon yourself!"
"Ocean Hunting Club here. Hunt in nearby seas, or chill with some boat fishing. Try our club's fish cake hot bars on your way~"
I took a hot bar and looked around. Everyone was busy promoting their goods and merch.
Truth be told, this was what I cared about more than classes right now.
Academy tuition was insanely expensive.
Master had shelled out for the first semester, grumbling the whole time.
Thanks to that, I didn't start in debt, but from next semester, I'd have to pay with my own earnings.
So how to make money?
'Patents? Never invented anything. Not into pure magic... Ocean Hunting? Contribute to hunts, catch fish, sell 'em? Might work if I save up.'
Anyway, time to try something new. Gotta learn skills to survive out there.
As I walked thinking that, I felt a tug on my cloak.
Worried my precious cloak—meant to last forever—might rip, I turned around.
"What's up?"
"Hungry. Smells good."
"Oh, right, you puked your guts out on the ship and couldn't eat."
He'd emptied his stomach completely, so no wonder he was starving.
But no food stalls in sight. There was probably a dining club, but with the ceremony starting soon, no time for a proper meal.
I handed over my half-eaten hot bar.
"Here."
"Thanks for the meal!"
The guy chomped into it like it was the best thing ever.
"Spicy...!"
"You sure love it."
"Y-yeah! Whoa, so good."
"Sorry it's leftovers. Next time, I'll buy you a fresh one."
"Uh... uh, yeah!?"
Why's he acting weird now? "That... that...!?"
"What?"
"Indirect..."
"Indirect?"
"N-no... nothing."
Genius brains are impossible to read. Maybe that's why they're geniuses—you can't understand them.
I paused, then kept walking. His grip on my cloak tightened.
'He better not be into that kinda thing.'
Ignoring the chill down my spine, we arrived at the auditorium before long.
We got there right on time, so seats were scarce.
We grabbed what we could and waited.
About five minutes later, a professor stepped onto the stage.
"Welcome, students."
The ceremony kicked off with light greetings. The woman, a magitech professor, ran it smoothly.
It wasn't exactly thrilling—couldn't even call it interesting. Just some mindset talk, welcomes, and guidelines.
True to Chronos's emphasis on student autonomy, it seemed. Follow a few rules, and no complicated BS.
"Ending quicker than I thought."
"Yeah. Wanna grab food after?"
"My treat."
"Cool. Next one's on me."
"I-I'm a scholarship kid. Got money."
"It's a pride thing."
Chatting away, time flew. Soon, it was time for the top scholar to shine.
"Top entrant, Luca Amadeus, please come to the stage and shake hands with the professor as student rep."
I shoved Luca's back.
"Go get 'em, top dog!"
"Uh, o-okay!"
He moved like a rusty machine. Laughter rippled around, but he climbed up dead serious.
Eavesdropping, I caught their chat.
"Welcome to the academy."
"Th-thanks, p-please take care of me!"
"Don't shake so much. The real scary part's next."
"What do you—"
Luca's words cut off as a massive boulder dropped from the sky.
I shot up, glaring at the stage.
"Kuh!"
Luca dodged with a mana burst and flew my way—fast, but no issue.
"Anton!"
"Gotcha!"
Unlike him, I'm all about physical prowess.
"Kuh!"
I barely caught him princess-style—
"Eut..."
Why's he blushing like that?
"Down."
I dropped him on the floor. Friend's got that side, huh. Awkward.
"Phew. Get up, Luca. Not the time for weird thoughts."
"Y-yeah!"
Seconds after catching him, the marble golem's eyes gleamed.
Ziiing— High-heat beams from its eyes sliced the auditorium in half. Its massive shadow swallowed students.
"Monster. It's a monster."
Someone's mutter sparked chaos.
"R-run!!"
"Help! I don't wanna die!!"
"Get the professors! Hurry!!"
Screams erupted as everyone bolted for the exits. The golem lumbered toward them.
But we stayed put.
"Luca. That thing."
"Yeah. Fake."
"Less 'fake' and more..."
"Totally controlled."
No killing intent. That's why.
Monsters can't hide their bloodlust—instinct-driven, organic or not.
"Oh. Right."
I recalled hearing this batch was a golden generation full of talents.
Professors must've prepped this event for them.
"Hazing ritual?"
"Dunno."
"Genius boy. You got this? Time to show why you're top scholar."
Put another way, an event for the top scholar.
"Hey, Anton."
"Yeah?"
"I'll bind it. Chains, wrap it tight so it can't move."
Luca stared, then looked away.
"You finish it."
"Me?"
"Yeah. Gotta be you."
Why this? Must be a reason.
...Ah, got it. Proving even toys like that are no biggie, build some confidence.
Or score points with the profs.
Sheesh.
"Don't baby me—smashing one toy won't make me a genius."
I slung an arm around him and pointed at the golem.
"Bind it good, then. I'll smash it."
"Eut... okay."
Alright then.
"Let's go."
"Yeah."
"Kuhahaha!! What do you think of this! My lovable child from Stormhammer!"
Golem Studies professor, dwarf Stormhammer, was brimming with confidence.
"My masterpiece!! The pinnacle of my golem career—that one's it!"
He laughed heartily, eyes on the screen. Around him, professors gathered, assessing students.
Students showed varied patterns: fleeing, shoving, scheming for gain. They'd take hits in evaluations.
Good ones existed too: cool analysts, leaders directing escapes, and...
"Lots trying to fight this time."
Those using their specialties.
"No chance! Dare challenge my masterpiece, my lovable child, with that weak shit?!"
"That's just a war machine."
"Perfectly controlled, so not a war machine. And my baby! Baby!"
Stormhammer was an eccentric, but a damn skilled dwarf. That's how he got the professor gig.
Problem was, he'd cranked it to A-rank output—too much for freshmen. But no one complained. Bigger disasters just made standouts shine brighter.
"That kid's solid."
"That one's directing retreat well."
Checking notable names, one said:
"Huh? Top scholar and... who's that?"
"Steel Tower kids."
"Lemme see. Luca Amadeus. Anton Salieri."
The star appeared.
Steel Tower's top entrant, Luca Amadeus.
"Let's see some skills."
"Kuhahaha! Skills? Crush 'em, my lovable baby!!"
"Don't actually crush them."
Stormhammer's laughter rolled on endlessly.
"Golem Studies at the academy will be divided into before and after me. After my baby appears, the whole field changes. Respect me—I'll rack up five imperial commendations and endless honors—"
His words halted at the next scene.
Hundreds of chains flew from behind Luca, binding the golem. Anton leaped high, axe forming at his fingertips.
And cleaved its head clean off.
"No!! You psycho child-killers!!!"
Stormhammer's scream echoed through the office.