After fifteen minutes of Hendrix and Priya remaining silent, Priya sighed.
"Hendrix, just so you know. I have no combat experience. However, I'll do my best to rectify that weakness here and learn different combat techniques and magic spells." Priya expressed.
"Alright, and Priya, I wonder what kind of trial will occur." Hendrix asked.
"I'm not sure, however, no matter what. I'll do my best to keep you safe." Priya comforted before patting Hendrix's head.
"Thanks." Hendrix replied.
After Forty-five minutes, the Tyber Sceptim stopped, and the stone hole opened. However, the see-through covering stayed down. And many people got off out and left for their destinations. Meanwhile, a loud, obnoxious sound woke Priya, and a masculine voice sounded from the top of the room.
"Welcome to the Okrian Bazaar district, If this is your stop, please hurry off and have a great day." The voice stated.
Hendrix and Priya stayed inside and rested.
Not long after, the stone opening closed, and the Tyber Sceptim began moving again. Eventually, the duo waited for eight hours and passed eight stops before stopping again. Additionally, the voice spoke again.
"Welcome to Palmerth Academy. This is the last stop, so please hurry off the Tyber Sceptim." The voice spoke.
Almost immediately, Priya gently scooted over, placed Hendrix on the bed, got out, and finally pulled him out.
"We're here. Let's head inside the academy, Hendrix." Priya stated before walking towards the academy with Hendrix in her arms.
"Wait for me." Maverick hurriedly stated while running after Priya.
Priya sighed and waited for Maverick.
"What's your name miss?" Maverick questioned.
"I'm Priya." Priya replied before starting to walk again.
"Well, hello, Priya. May I know why you're bringing Hendrix? Is he too young to come here? It's against the rules for anyone to apply who's under sixteen years old." Maverick asked while following Priya.
"He is sixteen and has a small white mustache." Priya replied before sighing and continuing to walk
"I see. Perhaps I'll get to know Hendrix well too." Maverick stated before turning his head and grimacing.
Priya didn't answer and continued to walk until she looked at the academy.
The academy looked eerily like a cathedral mixed with a castle. It seemed held up by many pillars that seemed to arch at the top and connect. And it was ten stories tall, and its width seemed to go on and on in both directions.
It had rustic symbols engraved into its curved pillars that seemed to glow a faint orange hue. And it was impossible to see into the windows. To the side was an even more enormous amphitheater.
And many people wearing uniforms walked about the campus. However, some teachers stood before the Academy, and one approached the potential new students.
"Hello, newcomers, my name is Quintis Regillus, but you can call me Mr. Regillus. I welcome you all to Palmerth Academy. Please follow me to the temporary place you'll be staying until you all have your stats talent rank assessed, your affinities and stat physiques revealed, and your soul prisms opened." Mr. Regillus announced before walking away.
Mr. Regillus had short gray hair and a goatee, was skinny, and wore a suit.
All the students that heard Mr. Regillus heeded his words and followed him, Hendrix and Priya among them.
The group entered through the academy's double metal doors and inside were many winding marble paths leading down different corridors. However, Mr. Regillus went down to their left, and the group followed suit.
After about fifteen minutes, the group arrived at a gym-like place where many people lay on makeshift beds. However, the amount staying in this room was ludicrous.
"This room can hold ten thousand students comfortably. And it's the first of ten rooms." Mr. Regillus announced before motioning the students to enter.
"Mr. Regillus, will there be a hundred thousand students?" A young girl asked.
"Yes, and we open our doors monthly, allowing a hundred thousand more students to join. Additionally, we charge no tuition for anyone." Mr. Regillus stated before smiling.
"That sounds too good to be true, Mr. Regillus." Another girl replied.
"Oh, we provide all the necessities, classes and basic needs free of charge. However, everything else costs academy credits. Unless you enter the X class, then you will be heavily spoiled by the academy, and you will gain some opportunities we can offer you." Mr. Regillus responded while smirking.
"How long are we waiting until our class placements?" Another applicant asked.
"Well, young man, you have a week before it begins, so relax. Also, you can eat in the guest cafeteria when you're hungry. Otherwise, stay in here until the week passes. And I'm out of time to answer questions. See you in a week." Mr. Regillus replied before chuckling.
"Alright, Mr. Regillus." The applicant acknowledged this.
'I'm getting tired. Perhaps I should sleep soon.' Hendrix thought before closing his eyes as his face sunk into Priya's chest.
Priya felt what Hendrix was doing and kissed his head before meandering around and surveying the beds, looking for one unoccupied. She saw many people in groups, all talking to one another to pass the time. However, everyone who looked at Hendrix had a mixture of expressions, jealousy, annoyance, disgust, adoration, etc.
Afterward, she spent about ten minutes before finding a makeshift bed without anyone on it and lying down.
"Hendrix, are you okay?" Priya whispered into Hendrix's ear while loosening her grip.
"Yes, I am Priya. Thank you." Hendrix replied while smiling as his white mustache smushed before yawning.
"I'm glad, that's good. Wait, are you sleepy?" Priya asked softly.
"Yes, I am." Hendrix responded.
Meanwhile, a silhouette walked by Priya. However, when they saw Hendrix, their pace halted.
"Hendrix, is that you?" Kiannah asked with wide eyes as she hurriedly knelt and looked at Hendrix.
Priya's yellow eyes glowed as she protectively held Hendrix.
"Hey, I'm not going to hurt him." Kiannah hurriedly clarified while holding up her hands.
"How do I know this?" Priya questioned in her emotionless tone.
"I just wanted to say hello. And thank him for saving my life twice." Kiannah replied while wearing a red dress and shirt, and heels.
Priya narrowed her eyes before letting Hendrix see Kiannah.
"Y-Your welcome. Please leave me alone now." Hendrix replied before he clung to Priya and began to shake.
"He's still afraid of me, huh." Kiannah stated before sighing and choosing a bed nearby.
Afterward, Hendrix fell asleep quickly.
'Hendrix, please be okay.' Priya thought while pulling the covers over them and watching him sleep, ensuring he was alright.