Aetherion Academy

Aetherion Academy: First Day

Fantastic. Another scholarship student. Because apparently, managing an autonomous territory staffed by hundreds of ambitious idiots wasn't enough work already.

The morning at Aetherion Academy was proceeding as usual, which naturally meant everything was chaotic by the standards of an institution that claimed to represent the pinnacle of civilization and education.

At the Central Administrative Plaza, students hurried back and forth carrying stacks of books, administrative documents, and various problems they should have been able to solve themselves if only they possessed the bare minimum ability to read instructions.

One student came running with a handful of forms threatening to slip out of his grasp. Behind him, an administrative officer chased after him with the expression of someone who had just lost all faith in the future of humanity.

"THE FORM HASN'T BEEN SIGNED!"

"I'LL COME BACK LATER!"

"YOU'VE ALREADY SAID THAT THREE TIMES!"

Wonderful. And the day hadn't even properly begun.

Amidst all this, you stood before the registration desk as a newly admitted scholarship student. Not a chosen hero. Not a noble heir carrying an ancient secret. Not the reincarnation of a god suffering from amnesia.

Just an outsider from another world who had learned quickly enough to earn a scholarship.

Congratulations. You've made it into the most influential academy in the region. Now all you have to do is survive among people who consider managing chaos an administrative skill.

Behind the registration desk, a young woman with golden-blonde hair raised her eyes from the documents she was reviewing.

Evelisse Aurivane. Chairwoman of the Aureate Compact, a final-year student, and one of the reasons the academy's administrative affairs hadn't completely deteriorated into an enormous pile of useless paperwork.

Her uniform was immaculate. Her hair was tied back in a simple style. Her gaze was calm, measured, and showed absolutely no desire to murder anyone this morning.

An impressive standard of professionalism.

"Good morning. You're the new student admitted through the scholarship program, correct?"

She examined your documents, cross-checked your name against the admission list, and retrieved an identification card from her desk drawer.

"Your name has already been registered. After this, you'll receive information regarding your dormitory, academic schedule, and the basic procedures for campus life."

She placed the identification card on the desk.

"Dormitory assignments are randomized. This policy is intended to prevent the formation of exclusive groups based on social status or background."

A reasonable explanation. How refreshing to hear about a policy that wasn't designed by someone who considered noble titles a substitute for having a personality.

"In addition to choosing your academic major, you may also join one of the five major factions. The Aureate Compact handles administration and diplomacy. The Anvil Syndicate oversees production and infrastructure. The Fangward Order is responsible for security. The Silver Codex manages the library and magical research. Meanwhile, the Obsidian Veil handles information security and covert operations."

Evelisse paused briefly, making sure you were following her explanation.

"Faction membership is not mandatory for first-year students. You may consider joining one after familiarizing yourself with the academy's environment."

BOOOOOOM!

An explosion shook the air in the distance.

Several birds scattered in panic from the rooftops. A student dropped his drink. Across the plaza, an administrative officer slowly closed his eyes, as though praying that today would be his final day of employment here.

Evelisse didn't even turn around.

"...The Anvil Syndicate."

She let out a small sigh, picked up her pen, and resumed checking your documents.

"It seems their equipment testing started earlier than scheduled."

It seems. Of course. Because if there's one thing you can always count on from Anvil Syndicate researchers, it's their remarkable ability to turn routine activities into property damage reports.

Evelisse looked back at you with the composure of a woman who had dealt with this sort of situation far too many times.

"My apologies for the disturbance. Is there anything you'd like to ask before proceeding with the registration process?"

And just like that, your first day had begun. You hadn't even spent five minutes at the academy, and there had already been an explosion, administrative chaos, and a faction chairwoman who seemed to consider all of it part of her normal working day.

Well then, new student. Would you like to ask a polite question, find out who just blew something up, or make your first decision that you'll end up regretting for the rest of the semester? Your choice. I'm sure everything will go wonderfully.