After the talk with the Emperor, Ezra went to bed.
He was about to, when a dresser came to take his measurements.
Apparently, Elisa determined that he'd wear a cloth issued by the academy. Ezra had no qualms with it.
Only then did he sleep.
Ezra woke, cleaned and went into meditation.
His closeness to death last time had him more cautious, and his appetite for risk had waned considerably.
He hadn't gotten used to his explosive strength and enormous mana reserves yet.
His mana pool had expanded so much the runes on his body now worked passively.
Reminiscing, he chuckles. 'I thought I kept it well hidden, but father still found out I was Expert rank huh'
After an hour of meditation, he walks to his door, where he meets a girl in a purple and black uniform a bit taller than him standing at the door.
"Yes?"
Her expression was one of discontent. And the presence she emanated was of Expert rank. "The director asked me to deliver this to you"
She hands him folded clothes and leaves.
'Already? She sure is resourceful' he thought, unfolding the cloth.
Full black it was, embroidered with gold fabric to make for a stylish yet elegant look.
'She sure outdid herself with this one' he thought, but he wasn't complaining.
A prince was to look good, you know.
Thankfully, he had the shoes to match.
A comb in his hair a few times had it rising to the sky, and a look or two in the mirror had him got to go.
With but rings in his finger and the element sealing bracelet embedded in his arms, Ezra takes a carriage to the academy.
While walking, he couldn't help but feel that the city felt bigger somehow-or was it wider?
The distance between the academy and his lodging seemed to have increased-or was there something wrong with his senses?
Eventually they reached the academy.
Unlike before, he found the front gate filled with many passing through.
Unlike him, they wore uniforms of red and blue, their faces filled with so much enthusiasm Ezra wondered if something was wrong.
The gates were opened to him without any drama while those around him had stared and whispered.
He couldn't be bothered since he didn't feel any hostility. More importantly, the illusion barrier was nowhere to be found, the buildings within were visible above the gate.
Only then did he realize how spacious it all was.
It was crowded with students sitting by the fountains and standing on the stone-tiled grounds.
Looking around a bit, he sees Theron Ashton and Johan at a far corner, talking to some unknown faces.
At that moment, space seems to warp, messing with Ezra's senses, and then the Director appears.
He accrued a headache in those short minutes. Only to look around in surprise, others were unaffected.
Without delay, the academy head began her speech.
"Good morning everyone. What a great day to start your academic adventures isn't it?"
"I welcome all of you to Path academy-the best academy. If you're here it means you've proven yourself worthy" she pauses. "BUT. That was only a teaspoon of the hardships you'll to go through throughout your stay here"
The student burst into murmurs.
Elisa raises her palm and decorum is restored. "If you have problems with that, I suggest you leave right now. We have no need for weaklings. Let me tell you now, you will be battling beasts without supervision by the end of this semester"
Murmurs burst once again.
"Yes. If you're ill prepared, you will surely die. And be assured, your parents had assigned your lives to us the moments you came here"
"If you're lucky enough to survive, you are liable to be expelled pending your failure to reach the expected targets"
"Listen and listen well. We have ten thousand students here, but the academy only needs an exceedingly remarkable five hundred"
Gulps resound all around.
"So, take a very good look around you and observe your competition"
"Your titles are worthless here and your accolades meaningless. Only with true strength will you triumph"
"At other times I might have been nicer, but with the mismatch we have this year. If you're not ready to either grow strong or die trying, you're not going to survive. It's not a prediction-it's a guarantee. Displeased? Simply step out the gates, and we make sure you arrive at your home untouched"
She looks over at the students…"No one? Seems you've all made up your mind" she sighed. "Now, since we're not all cruel, we won't throw you to beasts early on. Those with either inferior manuals or none at all will be given new, better ones. Those with manuals on par will begin polishing their skills"
She huffed. "That is all. Your professors will brief you on the details"
A warp later, she disappears.
'Well, that was eventful' thought Ezra.
Three people-obviously adults-came out to the crowd.
One was a slim man, light complexion with Auburn clothes to match his Aurburn hair with 'smart teacher' glasses, the other man was straight up buff, dark complexion with brown eyes in an armless black coat and…well, it had the shortest sleeves Ezra had ever seen.
Heck, if you could even call it sleeves-it was better described as armless.
His lower body was covered in long black trousers.
The man had zero hair, his head proudly shining while on his jaw lay a long black beard. Obviously well combed.
And the third was a petite female, she couldn't be taller than Ezra by more than five inches. Her hair long, rich yellow in colour and her eyes light green.
Her clothes were long. A mix of quality purple and black fabric. Last but not least, light blue almost transparent gloves.
"Hello student's" Even her tone was enchanting.
Ezra was unimpressed, his mom was far more beautiful.
He found himself nodding at such thoughts.
He measured their power levels. It came as expected.
'All three are masters'
This was Niton's best academy, it was expected.
That moment…"Eh?" "Huh?" "Hmm?"
All three made weird sounds, staring intensely into the crowd.
Ezra held his breath. 'I almost got caught!'
He forcefully brought his pounding heart to calm, looking around like any other person until the three stopped looking a minute later.
He placed his hands on his chest. 'I still have a lot to learn'
The runes on his body-including the concealment runes-evolved as did his body during his breakthrough to master rank.
That was why he was able to avoid being spotted by the Emperor and now, by the professors.
"Ahem"
The woman coughed to call back attention.
"As I've said. Welcome to Path academy. We are the heads of the three faculties"
"Faculty of Knights, Sir Morn Drew" She points to the bald man, who accepts the gesture with a slight nod.
'Morn Drew? What kind of name-who named him?' wondered Ashton.
"Faculty for Shifters, Sir Milos Lambert" she points to the man with Aurburn hair.
"And of course, your's truly. The head of the Faculty of Mages. Montera Zatchet" she points to herself and bows.
The students burst out clapping, a few whistling in appreciation, which Montera accepts in strides.
Then, she suddenly turns serious.
"Line in front of the professor according to your preference"
'That's my cue' thought Ezra. Getting out of line and walking away.
He wasn't a student of the school.
The students rushed to pick a professor.
He could see the wistful eyes of some boys as they rushed to line up in front of Montera and couldn't help but shake his head.
'When you do things without thinking…it almost never ends well' he sighed.
But since it was none of his business, why interfere? Not like they were going to listen to him anyway.
From the little he gleaned about them. Montera was not the harmless goody-to-shoes she pretended to be.
'Goodluck to them' he thought, walking away.
Getting out of the crowd, he walks to the library.
Right then, "Young man. Where are you going?"
A deep tone called to him.
'Seriously?' he was irritated. 'Why can they not notice me?'
Explaining himself was just a chore he wasn't willing to do on this day.
Turning around, he sees the speaker. The bald dude.
"The library" Ezra replied.
"What for?"
"I'm not a student here"
"And you were allowed in?"
"Ask the director for the details. I'm off" he turned without a thought and walked off.
"Excuse me? Young man I'm talking to you"
"Young man come back here"
Unbothered by the voice calling his attention, with his hands in his pockets, Ezra walked out of sight.
The buzzing crowd had silenced, communicating with glances as many wondered just what person could be so audacious.
Morn stopped yelling after the third call. Veins popping all over.
'That child!'
He'd dealt with many of such types. But none of them was ever this blatant.
'To be ridiculed on the first day…that's a new record' Montera covered her mouth to close shut the erupting laughter.
He'd been made a fool before he could cement an image in the minds of the new kids…'I'm gonna kill him!' he thought.
He Looks at the students in front of him with a face unfazed.
What decided the effect of mockery was the receiver's reaction.
Taking it in strides like a pro, the effects won't be as much.
But his ego was already wounded. The kid needed to be taught a lesson.
His gaze was cold.
Theron and the rest didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
'The assassination and now this…it seems he's getting better at attracting trouble' thought Theron, making funny looks.
If nothing else, it seemed this semester was going to be eventful.
And it just started with a bang!
