Chapter 47 - Class

After a short wait in the Administration Building, it was finally Wang Zi's turn to register. He stepped forward to the reception desk, where a recruiter was seated, his uniform stretched tight over his ample belly.

The man glanced up, offering a cursory smile as he prepared his tablet for Wang Zi's details.

"Name and age?" the recruiter asked in a bored tone, not bothering to make eye contact.

"Wang Zi. Eighteen," he replied evenly.

The recruiter tapped a few buttons, pulling up Wang Zi's profile from the Nexus Academy's records. As the man scrolled through the data, his eyebrows shot up when he saw the 100% compatibility score listed under Wang Zi's stats.

His mouth opened slightly, as though to offer some words of praise, but then his eyes flicked down to Wang Zi's class - Artist - and his expression immediately soured.

"Huh," the recruiter grunted, sitting back in his chair.

Wang Zi noticed the change in demeanor, the shift from potential admiration to dismissal. His lips curled into a smirk, but he said nothing.

"Another retard that only sees class huh. Nothing of value was lost then." Wang Zi thought to himself, keeping a smile on his face.

It wasn't the first time someone underestimated him based on his class, and it wouldn't be the last. Besides, he didn't care what this guy thought.

The recruiter handed Wang Zi a digital keycard, its screen displaying his dorm number and building location.

"You're assigned to the North Building, Room 84. Take the elevators to the top floor, and your room's on the east side."

Wang Zi raised an eyebrow at the mention of the top floor but didn't question it. He grabbed the keycard, nodded his thanks without a word, and left the desk.

The North Building was one of the sleekest dormitories he'd ever seen.

A holographic projection above the entrance displayed the academy's emblem alongside the words North Dormitory. Inside, the elevators were silent and fast, shooting him to the top floor in mere seconds.

When Wang Zi stepped into his assigned room, he was greeted by an expansive space that could easily pass as a high-end apartment. The east-facing wall was entirely made of reinforced glass, offering a breathtaking view of the campus below. Rows of training buildings and lecture halls stretched out in perfect order, surrounded by a lush forest that bordered the Violet Tower itself in the distance.

After exploring his room and storing his belongings, Wang Zi glanced at the sturdy floor beneath him. The polished, metallic material seemed strong enough, but a twinge of anxiety crept into his mind.

The memory of how he'd died in his past life, an overloaded barbell and a collapsing machine, flashed vividly, making him shudder.

"Not exactly my dream scenario," he muttered to himself, stepping gingerly on the floor.

Beside him, Hua'er floated silently, watching his cautious movements with an amused smirk.

"Master, are you afraid of breaking the floor?" she teased, her tone playful but gentle.

Wang Zi shot her a disdainful look.

Hua'er giggled softly, twirling midair.

"Relax, Master. This is advanced future tech. They've probably designed it to withstand all kinds of stress." She paused, her grin widening.

"But if it does break, I'll make sure to record it. For posterity."

"Great. Thanks for having my back!" Wang Zi deadpanned, rolling his eyes as he resumed unpacking.

Once his room was set up, Wang Zi retrieved the class schedule he'd been handed during registration. The holographic sheet flickered to life, displaying a neatly organized list of courses:

Mana Theory and Application

A foundational course exploring the principles of mana manipulation, its integration with technology, and its combat applications.

War Tactics and Strategy

A class dedicated to teaching the art of large-scale battle strategy, including simulations of interplanetary warfare scenarios.

Galactic History and the Silent Ones

Covering the history of the Federation's expansion, its alliance with the Consortium, and detailed studies on their enemy, the Silent Ones.

Combat Dynamics

Practical combat training, focusing on physical combat techniques, weapon usage, and integrating mana into fighting styles.

Survival in Hostile Environments

Training on how to endure and thrive in hostile planets, including survival skills, resource management, and evasion techniques.

Advanced Breathing Methods

An elective focusing on specialized breathing techniques to enhance mana control and physical performance.

Personalized Class Development

A course tailored to helping students unlock the potential of their unique class. Wang Zi chuckled at this one, imagining how little they'd actually help him as an Artist.

Wang Zi leaned back on his couch, scanning the list.

"Well, at least it's better than the classes in the Nexus Academy." he mused.

"And if they let me do my own thing in that last class, maybe I'll even surprise them."

Hua'er floated beside him, peering over his shoulder at the schedule.

"Advanced Breathing Methods? Isn't that exactly what you're working on with your training?"

"Yep," Wang Zi said with a smirk.

"From what I've seen though, it probably won't be of much help."

After this little chat, Wang Zi decided to go to bed, excited for the classes tomorrow.

The day began with Wang Zi waking up in his dorm, dressing himself in his baggy clothes. He stretched lazily, glancing at the schedule pinned to his virtual watch.

Today was the day he would attend every class to see if this prestigious academy had anything worth his time. His expectations weren't high, but he figured there might be a gem among the rubble.

Making his way to the lecture hall, Wang Zi arrived early, slipping into a seat near the back. The classroom was expansive, with rows of sleek, metallic desks embedded with holographic displays. Students murmured among themselves, but no one paid him any attention.

Wang Zi's sharp eyes scanned the room, noticing something curious. He narrowed his eyes but decided not to draw any conclusions just yet.

Before long, a hunched figure shuffled into the room. The professor, a bearded man with a white mane and a permanent hunch, stepped to the podium and activated the holo-projector.

"Mana," the professor began in a raspy voice, "is the lifeblood of every ability we wield. But understanding its flow is key to mastery. Today, we'll be focusing on channeling mana through conduits, whether weapons, tools, or your own body."

Wang Zi leaned back, listening intently at first. The lecture went into detail about the basics of mana flow, the importance of mana circuits within the body, and how conduits amplified specific elemental affinities.

Diagrams flashed on the screen, showcasing how mana could be directed to weapons for more powerful attacks or into barriers for defense.

For most students, this class was insightful, offering practical techniques to improve their control. For Wang Zi, it was utterly useless.

He tapped his finger on the desk, half-listening.

With the Rinnegan and his talent [Ultra-Mind], he could already see mana flows in perfect detail and control them with unmatched precision. His talents rendered the professor's carefully explained techniques obsolete.

And as for weapons? Wang Zi had no intention of relying on one. His goal was to make his body the weapon, far beyond what even these theories could account for.

When the class ended, Wang Zi sighed.

"One down," he muttered, "and nothing worth my time."

The next class was held in a simulation chamber, where holographic maps and virtual armies replaced traditional desks. The instructor, a stern-faced man with a cybernetic arm, began the lesson with a booming voice.

"War is won not by strength alone but by strategy! Today, we'll analyze the Battle of Aurion!"

The class was more engaging than the last, with students splitting into groups to devise their strategies for simulated battle scenarios.

Wang Zi found the exercise interesting but not applicable to him. The strategies focused on commanding large armies, calculating supply lines, and coordinating mass movements.

"This would be great," Wang Zi thought, "if I wanted to lead an army."

But he didn't. Wang Zi's ambitions lay in being a powerhouse on the frontlines, not barking orders from a safe distance.

And as he listened to the strategies, they seemed utterly pointless compared to the abilities he planned to cultivate in his team. If he assembled a squad of individuals with anime-like powers, conventional war tactics wouldn't even apply.

Another letdown.

Wang Zi was optimistic about this next class - Combat Dynamics. Surely a course with such a name would focus on fighting techniques, right?

Wrong.

The students lined up in a massive arena, each taking turns demonstrating their flashiest skills. Whoever had the biggest, most devastating attack was celebrated the most.

There was no sparring, no strategy, just an explosion of mana and ego.

Watching the displays, Wang Zi frowned.

"What the fuck is this?" he thought. "Real combat isn't about who can scream the loudest and throw the biggest fireball."

When his turn came, he stepped forward, but instead of unleashing any mana, he simply raised his hand and dismissed himself.

"Not worth it," he muttered as he walked out, ignoring the puzzled looks from the other students.

The breathing method class was no better. Wang Zi sat cross-legged, listening to the instructor drone on about techniques meant to harmonize mana flow and physical stamina.

The methods were poorly structured, inefficient, and lacked any real substance. When Wang Zi tried one, he felt his stomach churn in disgust.

"This… this is garbage," he thought, almost gagging.

Compared to the breathing techniques he had learned and developed from Demon Slayer, these methods were primitive. He left this class early too, unwilling to waste any more of his time.

The final class of the day - Personalized Class Development - held some hope, until Wang Zi learned that there were no Artist instructors at the Violet Tower. The academy had nothing to offer him in terms of guidance or growth for his class.

After a long and frustrating day, Wang Zi returned to his dorm. Tossing his bag to the side, he flopped onto his couch, rubbing his temples. Hua'er appeared beside him, her tiny form floating with an amused expression.

"So, how was your first day, Master?" she teased.

"Did I get tricked into coming here?" Wang Zi groaned. 

"It sounds like you had fun." Hua'er giggled. 

"Fun?" Wang Zi sat up, glaring at her.

"Mana control? Useless. Strategy? Boring. Combat Dynamics? A clown show. Breathing methods? Absolute trash. And the Artist class? Doesn't even exist here!"

Hua'er tilted her head, pretending to be thoughtful.

"Well, at least you have a nice dorm, Master. And me, of course."

Wang Zi sighed, falling back onto the couch.

"I swear, if I don't find something worthwhile soon, I'm just going to focus on my training and leave the rest of this nonsense behind."

Hua'er floated closer, patting his shoulder.

"There, there, Master. At least you'll be the most muscular artist the Violet Tower has ever seen."

Wang Zi sat slouched on the edge of his bed, his expression one of frustration and disappointment. Hua'er floated nearby, her small wings fluttering as she tilted her head curiously.

"What's got you sulking now, Master?" she asked, her voice laced with playful teasing.

Wang Zi waved her off and stood, pacing to the window of his dorm room. Pulling aside the curtain, he gestured toward the bustling campus below.

"Take a look at the male students down there. Really, look."

Hua'er raised an eyebrow but complied, flying over to hover just beside his shoulder. Her small eyes scanned the crowd. Students were mingling, chatting, and going about their business.

"They seem… normal? What am I supposed to be looking for?"

Wang Zi sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Normal? Hua'er, not one of those guys looks like an actual man to me."

"What do you mean? They're obviously male." Hua'er looked at him, puzzled.

"Sure, biologically," Wang Zi said with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"But look at them. Long hair, soft features, lean bodies. If you dressed half of them in women's clothing, I bet you wouldn't even be able to tell the difference."

Hua'er squinted as she focused on a group of male students. Indeed, many had flowing hair, delicate faces, and slim, almost fragile builds. She turned back to Wang Zi with a thoughtful hum.

"Now that you mention it… some of them are kind of… pretty."

"Pretty," Wang Zi echoed, disgust evident in his tone.

"That's the problem. They're prettier than half the girls I've seen here. And the worst part? The girls actually seem to like it."

Hua'er looked closer and giggled.

"You're not wrong. Look at that one," she pointed to a student with waist-length hair tied in a delicate ribbon, "he's got two girls practically swooning over him."

Wang Zi groaned, leaning against the window frame.

"How do they even live with themselves? If I looked like that, I wouldn't even show my face. I'd hide until I either built some muscle or figured out how to stop looking like I belonged in a cultivation world romance novel. The only thing they're missing is the stupid hats!"

Hua'er laughed, landing on his shoulder.

"Oh, Master, you're so old-fashioned. Maybe that's the trend here, you know? Girls like their guys lean and… uh, delicate?"

Wang Zi shot her a look.

"Delicate? Delicate is for porcelain vases, not men. If you're going to call yourself a man, you should at least look the part."

"You mean like you, Master? Big, tall, and baggy? Very manly." Hua'er smirked, poking his cheek. 

"Hey, I'm working on it. Besides, at least I don't look like some cosplay reject." Wang Zi flicked her lightly, causing her to tumble midair.

Hua'er floated back up, still grinning.

"So what's the plan, then? No delicate boys for you, huh? Does that mean you'll never find a girlfriend here, Master?"

Wang Zi huffed, crossing his arms.

"Probably not. I'm not changing for anyone, least of all for this generation of walking make-up ads. If I'm the last real man left, so be it."

"Well, Master, at least you're consistent. Big, bold, and stubborn." Hua'er laughed again, patting him on the head like a child. 

Wang Zi looked out the window again, shaking his head.

"I'll never understand it. But hey, more room for me in the gym."

"Speaking of gym, let's take a trip there. I hope at least their facilities are good, or else I've really screwed myself over..."

Wang Zi stretched his arms as he left his dorm, deciding to check out the gym. If the classes were a bust, at least he could still rely on the facilities to improve himself.

Hua'er floated lazily by his side, occasionally throwing teasing remarks about his grumpy mood, but he paid her no mind. As they entered the gym, Wang Zi's eyes lit up with approval.

The place was massive, easily three stories high, with rows upon rows of advanced equipment neatly arranged. Machines designed for every conceivable type of training were lined up, from standard weights and cardio machines to futuristic contraptions that looked like they were made for cyborgs.

The highlight of the gym, however, were the gravity chambers along the far wall. Each chamber was marked with a glowing numerical display indicating adjustable gravity levels, some going as high as 200 times normal gravity.

"Now we're talking!" Wang Zi said, a grin spreading across his face.

Hua'er zipped up to one of the gravity chamber doors, inspecting it curiously.

"Impressive, Master. Looks like you've got everything you need to break more muscles."

"Exactly," Wang Zi replied, rubbing his hands together.

"With this, I don't have to worry about running out of weight to lift. This gym might actually save this place for me."

As they walked further in, something caught Wang Zi's eye. A sign above a door read: I.S. Room. Curious, he approached, trying to peek inside.

The door was opaque, but through a small window, he could see a faint shimmering light and faint silhouettes moving inside. Before he could investigate further, a heavy hand tapped him on the shoulder.

Wang Zi turned around, his eyes widening slightly as he took in the man standing before him. This guy wasn't like the other students.

He was built, broad shoulders, thick arms, and a barrel chest that made him look more like a bodybuilder than a student.

His face was rugged, his hair short. For the first time since arriving at the Violet Tower, Wang Zi felt like he was looking at someone who could match his own physicality.

The man grinned and extended a hand.

"Odaeus. Second-year. You must be new here."