As they drew closer, the scale of the so-called academy became evident. It was less a single institution and more a sprawling city.
Towering walls encircled the entirety of the settlement, their surfaces reinforced with intimidating fortifications and dotted with sentries keeping a vigilant watch.
The carriages passed through an ornate gate, its grandeur a fitting prelude to what lay within.
Inside, a wide road stretched ahead, flanked on both sides by a variety of buildings.
Apartments rose beside bustling shops offering a dizzying array of wares. The streets were alive with people—some clad in rugged armor, their weapons glinting under the sun, and others robed in intricate attire, exuding the aura of masterful wizards.
Seeing this many people, Ashen could only conclude that they were not the only participants in this academy.
'We might not be as significant as we thought ourselves to be.' He thought bitterly.
At the end of the road stood the city's centerpiece: a massive, imposing structure.
Its sheer size and prominence signaled its importance, dwarfing the surrounding establishments.
Above its entrance, a bold sign declared its purpose to all who approached:
The Academy.
Ashen couldn't help but think that even back in Esperra, where noble estates and grand cathedrals were the norm, he had rarely seen a sight as imposing as this.
The sheer scale of it was almost overwhelming.
"This place is huge! Oh wow~" Seraphine whispered beside him, her wide eyes sparkling as she took in the grandeur.
No one answered, but their gawking expression was enough indicator that they thought the same.
*
The carriages slowed to a stop near the academy's entrance.
As the passengers disembarked, staff members stationed nearby approached almost instantly as if they were ambushing them and started distributing some kind of documents.
Ashen took one, his eyes catching the title on the front page:
What You Need to Know About Tutorial City.
He raised an eyebrow. 'Really leaning into the tutorial gimmick, huh?' he thought.
A lanky man climbed onto higher ground to address the crowd, his voice cutting through the murmurs of conversation.
"Attention, everyone! Everything you need to know moving forward is detailed in the document you've been given."
Waving his document around for emphasis, he continued.
"For instance, your lodging details are listed on the first page. Note that rooms are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis."
Ashen flipped to the first page, spotting the name of a building along with the note about individual rooms.
The speaker continued, "On the second page, you'll find your schedules, starting tomorrow. Signs throughout the city will guide you to any facility you need. If you happen to get lost, don't hesitate to ask a nearby staff member."
The man's tone turned slightly grimmer as he concluded, "Lastly, I strongly advise you to read your documents thoroughly. They contain essential information, including the rules you must abide by during your stay here."
Pulling the document under his armpit, he waved his hand.
"That's all from me. Good luck over the next six months. Most of you will need it."
With that ominous remark, the man stepped down, leaving the crowd to disperse and absorb the weight of his words.
Braun flipped through his document before addressing the duo. "Looks like I'm in Block A, second Building. What about you guys?"
Seraphine glanced at hers and groaned. "Ugh… First Building, C Block…"
Ashen checked his own and nodded. "Same as Sera. Looks like we're splitting up for now, Braun. But we'll probably see each other in class or afterward."
Braun shrugged. "Fine by me."
As they walked toward the lodging buildings, they compared schedules, discussing the courses ahead.
Braun eventually veered off when the signs for his building pointed in another direction.
Still flipping through the document, Seraphine's eyes widened. "These classes are unbelievable! I get subjects like weapon handling and physical training, but what's this about Mana Theory and Humanity's System? Is Mana actually real?! I can't wait for tomorrow!"
Ashen scoffed, skimming his own schedule. "Hah. Forget that—Laws and Concepts? I doubt that's about physics. And what the hell is Life Force Manipulation supposed to be?"
Seraphine hummed thoughtfully. "Hmm… looks like these are advanced studies that only start in the second half of our stay. So if we want answers, we'll have to wait three months."
"True." He muttered. "Let's focus on tomorrow first. Class starts at 7 AM."
Seraphine visibly winced. "Ugh… I've never been a morning person. Ash, I'm leaving alarm duty to you. Pretty please~~?"
Ashen smirked at her poor attempt at acting cute—it came off more ridiculous than endearing. Still, he replied with a faint smile. "Only if we get rooms next to each other."
"Deal! Let's go!" she cheered, practically dragging him along.
*
When they arrived, the buildings were mostly occupied, a clear sign that they weren't the only newcomers.
Fortunately, they managed to find two adjacent apartments on the top floor.
Ashen grabbed the key from the door and stepped inside. The room was minimalist, containing only the basics—a small bedroom, a compact kitchen, and a washroom. Lastly, there was a cozy living room.
Curious, he checked the kitchen and was relieved to find ingredients stocked in the fridge.
After whipping up a simple meal and taking a quick shower, he settled onto the bed, flipping through the academy documents with growing curiosity.
He stopped at the rules section and focused on the instructions
They were concise. First, every student must keep their uniform and identification on their person—the administration usually provides these items.
No absences were allowed, and punctuality was mandatory; even a slight delay could have consequences.
He turned the page, reading about the next item: mandatory missions. Each student was required to complete at least one task weekly, posted in the Mission Hall on the academy grounds.
These missions took place in designated areas—either within the city limits or in controlled sectors of the nearby wild forest—designed to test weapon handling, survival tactics, and resource gathering in realistic conditions.
Next, the document outlined that personal combat was to be held only in the designated arena, supervised by a professor or administrator.
This rule was meant to prevent spontaneous brawls and ensure that every conflict was resolved in a controlled environment.
Then, a final section caught his attention—a stern warning. Repeated breaches of these rules would result in severe punishment.
The penalties ranged from physical punishment and mental conditioning to forced labor.
For example, a student caught missing a class might be assigned grueling tasks at the training grounds, while habitual tardiness could result in isolation and rigorous reconditioning sessions.
Such measures, the document warned, were not merely for discipline but to ensure that every individual was fully prepared for the brutal challenges ahead.
Ashen let out a low whistle, shaking his head. 'They're really not messing around… Miss a lesson, and you're stuck hauling bricks or worse? Guess I should count myself lucky that waking up early is the worst of my problems.'
Folding the document, he placed it beside him with a sigh. 'I may not like all these rules, but they're our lifeline here. He exhaled through his nose. No point complaining. Follow them, get stronger, and survive.'
With that thought, he lay back, staring at the ceiling. The distant murmur of students settling into their rooms drifted through the walls, muffled footsteps echoing in the hallway.
The cot beneath him was stiff, the faint scent of aged wood lingering in the air. He let out one last slow breath before closing his eyes. Tomorrow would be the real beginning.