Chapter 2. Academy
City of Eretria. The so-called City of Beginnings. Even as midnight approached, crowds of people swarmed the streets.
Among them, a burly orc bellowed orders with a savage voice that boomed like thunder. "Don't let your guard down until the end. One slip and you could end up dead—!"
The people formed a wall around the vast plaza. It was to prepare for any unexpected incidents. It didn't happen often, but sometimes it did. No one knew what kind of beings emerged from the Tutorial.
Midnight was near. Arhobent Academy's manager, the orc Ralop, swept his gaze over the crowd and signaled to prepare. Everyone raised their shields, forming a solid barrier.
Soon, flashes of light erupted. The dozens of survivors suddenly summoned here looked around in bewilderment. Some quickly assumed combat stances, staying alert.
At that moment, Ralop on the platform roared at the new arrivals. "Congratulations on surviving the Tutorial, you lot—!"
All eyes turned to him, laced with fear, anger, and curiosity.
"You've probably heard the basics from the Tutorial Fairy. You've passed the selection brilliantly and finally arrived on the continent of Bahamut. Feel free to celebrate."
That's when hot-tempered Giranoshi couldn't hold back and barked. "Fuck that bullshit—cut the crap and just tell us why the hell we're here—!"
Manager Ralop smirked crookedly at his impatient kin. "Even if you've passed the Tutorial, you're still green as fuck. This continent is a death trap. Charging in blind is suicide. That's why we're taking responsibility to train you lot. ...Got it, you little shit?"
Tch. Kang Ji-hyuk, listening to Ralop's speech, let out a snort of laughter. A manager casually spewing profanity in an official setting—no matter how you sliced it, you had to respect how foul-tempered orcs could be.
Giranoshi bristled for a moment but held back, given the situation. Though his glare could kill.
Once the rough explanation wrapped up, Ralop ordered the instructors to take the survivors away. They were probably starved and exhausted, so serious business would start tomorrow morning.
The survivors were sorted by race. There were five humans: four men, one woman. Naturally, Ji-hyuk was the only Earthling.
"Follow me."
The five, including Ji-hyuk, trailed after a human instructor with a hulking, orc-like muscular build.
Even among the humans following the instructor, an invisible contest of auras was already brewing. What a sight. Ji-hyuk chuckled inwardly.
They soon arrived at the academy dorms. With room for ten but only five occupants, space was plenty.
"Get some rest for now. Details tomorrow. Anyone hurt?"
They just eyed each other, no replies.
"Then lights out. Early rise tomorrow. ...And a warning: don't cause trouble."
The instructor growled fiercely and slammed the door shut.
Silence fell.
"Fuuuck."
Some foul-mouthed prick flopped onto a bed, cursing. Ji-hyuk claimed a spot and lay down. He was too tired for anything else.
Soon, commotion erupted outside—from another dorm. Roars, furniture smashing. Fights had already escalated from posturing to fists. Instructors burst in shortly after.
Ji-hyuk used it as a lullaby and drifted off. ...Nothing changes here.
No nostalgia for the old days. He'd been through it too many times.
Yawn. Sleep crashed over him. His fatigued body sank into deep slumber.
· · ·
Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong!
The blaring bell jolted Ji-hyuk awake. He hated that sound every time. Like a military reveille.
"Rise and shiiiine, you maggots—!!"
The instructor kicked the door open, hands on hips, bellowing at them.
"Ah, fuuuck—." One guy, rudely awakened, groaned and muttered curses.
"Get up, you lazy fucks. No breakfast? Get your asses up now, or starve all day!"
They dragged themselves up and lined before the instructor, faces like they'd eaten shit.
The instructor grinned sadistically, amused. He led them out.
Similar scenes unfolded outside. Some got smacked for defying instructors. Looks aside, instructors were elites who could crush Tutorial newbies effortlessly.
...Though exceptions popped up sometimes.
Amid the chaotic morning, they enjoyed a hearty breakfast. Ji-hyuk finally felt human. Monster meat and larvae? Necessary for survival, not enjoyment.
Not just them—everyone in the cafeteria shoveled food like maniacs, venting a week's starvation.
After the proper meal in ages, the instructor herded them back to the dorms. Training clothes lay neatly on the beds.
"Wash up and change."
They brushed teeth and faces with fetched water, swapped into the drab yellow uniforms.
The instructor took the ready ones to the auditorium. All survivors sat in identical shit-brown outfits. Pathetic sight.
Ji-hyuk sat like a student awaiting the principal, praying for a quick end to the boring speech.
Soon as everyone sat, Ralop appeared. Grumpy as an old principal, arms behind back, he mounted the stage.
"Sleep well?"
No response, of course. He wasn't asking for one.
"Seeing you lot takes me back."
Ralop tossed in pointless old tales before the main point.
"For the next 8 weeks, you'll train here. Empire's agreement—we enforce it."
While Ralop spoke, Ji-hyuk scanned for familiar faces.
"Post-training, guilds recruit. Good ones picky, so work hard if you want an easy life."
That was the academy's purpose: forging talent. No free rides otherwise.
After the nutrient-void ramble, Ralop stepped down; lead instructor—a lizardman—took over.
"I'm Instructor Aslan."
He listed the 8-week regimen. Trainees looked disinterested; impatient ones fidgeted. Without seeing others pummeled, they'd have bolted.
"That concludes the briefing."
First day dragged with dull repeats. Ji-hyuk was bored to death.
Finally free from the auditorium, the human instructor led the five to a multipurpose room.
"You heard the briefing: Week 1's about orientation. But first, intros among dormmates?"
He started. "I'm Andre. You first—go around."
The pointed man huffed. "Rolshar von Kilbape. Second son of Count Kilbape, Kingdom of Kalia."
"Hold up." Andre cut in. "Here, all equals as trainees. Princes, nobles, slaves—starts flat. Climb later outside. Not here. Got it?"
"...Yes."
Rolshar scowled, displeased. Made no sense to him—noble equal to commoner?
"What? Beef? Speak."
"...No."
"Good. ...Don't break rules. I hate that shit."
Andre smiled, lightly thumping the table with a rock-hard fist. Silent threat.
"Next, you."
He nodded at the sole woman.
"Anna."
Arms crossed, she shut up. Arrogant bitch, same as ever. Some high-status, he vaguely recalled. Details fuzzy.
Next: Ji-hyuk.
"Kang Ji-hyuk."
"Earthling?" Andre asked.
Ji-hyuk nodded casually. "Yes."
"Lucky bastard. Rare for Earthlings to pass Tutorial."
"If I was lucky, I wouldn't be here."
Pfft. Andre snorted. Fair point—hard to argue.
Cocky Earthling, retorting coolly. Guts or backup? Too soon to tell. Probably latter, typical Earthling.
Andre gestured next.
"Hwang Ja-woo."
Fist salute. Obvious martial artist. Andre's eyes lit with expectation—martial artists hit averages reliably.
"Specialty?"
"Poorly, but sword."
"Sword? ...Show me sometime."
"Yes, sir."
Last: bright-eyed youth.
"Ungorap."
"Ungorap? From where?"
"Ktaba Halla. Shaman."
"Shaman? Curses?"
"Can, but usually this."
Ungorap lightly slapped the table palms-down. Subtle energy spread, buffing them.
...A buff.
Andre beamed. A rare buff shaman!
"You'll rise high. No worries."
"Thank you."
Rolshar's face twisted. Ji-hyuk smirked at it. Attention-whore hated others shining. Pitched fit for captain before.
Andre, pleased—buff shaman alone exceeded expectations.
Intros done, boring lessons resumed. Andre waved a map stick, lecturing fervently. Bored ones yawned hugely.
Only Ungorap sparkled, attentive.
"Ungorap fits captain."
Ah—! Rolshar's boredom flipped to zeal. Lifelong leader, he burned.
Hwang Ja-woo eyed captaincy too. Ji-hyuk? Zero interest. Handle it yourselves.
Anna? Utterly detached.
Lessons dragged. Lunch, then fitness. Week 1 rolled.
No big human trainee issues yet. But Ji-hyuk saw grudges brewing.
Like before, captain fight would explode. Kid fights are the best.
Ji-hyuk looked forward to it.