Academia (1)

Now that he had settled his business in Indonesia, Arthur drove back toward the private jets depot.

As expected, the jet of Axel had long left the area, leaving Arthur's jet the sole occupant of the depot.

Waking up his pilot who dozed off, Arthur mulled over his episodes in Indonesia.

He had met a returnee and secured the S-grade key fragment. He had also hunted criminals and experimented on his skills.

'3:05 am, it is a worthwhile trip.', Arthur checked on the time.

In just a few hours since regression, he had obtained considerable power. Concluding his business in Indonesia, Arthur signaled Echo for departure.

'If I remember correctly, no prospect S-grade and higher grade awakened had appeared in this country. The strongest being the A-rank support.'

As they had limited slots in guild members of 20 for "Guild Battle to Death", Arthur was reluctant to escort A-grade awakened.

'I should focus more on escorting at least S-grade.', he resolved.

With everything settled, Arthur and Echo departed from Indonesia, gazing at the country for one last time as events from the past drifted into his mind.

'This country... It would fall in the third challenge.', Arthur felt a minute sting in his chest.

Indonesia had a small number of A-grade awakened, thus surviving the third challenge was near to naught. Along with other countries, an imminent demise would soon befall them.

'Of course, that is if things went the same trajectory as the past.', Arthur pondered.

Gazing one more time at the amusement park congested with active nocturnal humans, Arthur etched the imagery into his mind, carving the euphoria of Indonesia.

'Now then, what would be my plan later this day?'

Arthur closed his eyes as he set his agenda for the upcoming hours.

Orange-tinged rays gradually seeped into the glass pane, soothing the image of Arthur. The morning daylight rose from the east, giving Arthur and Echo a picturesque scenery high up in the sky.

He had witnessed how a new day dawned upon them, filling his stature with endless vigor.

"Mr. Echo, is today a school today?", Arthur vaguely recall the school days of the week.

"Affirmative, young master. Do you intend to attend the school?", Echo queried, receiving a nod from Arthur as a response.

From constant threats from monsters, school days are intermittent. Students had their irregular schedules that were deemed safe by the Department of Education.

It was also during this time that the government assigned awakened to secure the facilities during class hours.

Pre-regression, Arthur didn't enter school after awakening. He focused solely on hunting and increasing his skill proficiency.

'Besides, I was too afraid to enter school because of those awakened bullies. Shame on me.', Arthur shook his head in dismay.

Had his past self known that there were far more horrifying creatures than those bullies, he might have stood his ground.

'Well, how about a little child play while I wait for news?', Arthur pondered.

It would take his father nearly a week to exit his basement. With that, his awakening would be delayed for the time being.

He was also oblivious to the whereabouts of the prospect guild members.

Checking his calendar, the earliest most notable event would be the third challenge a month later.

As he had no urgent matter at hand, Arthur could take his time entering the school.

'Besides, there is someone there who is an SS-grade. I should escort her.', he pondered.

With that set, he finally succumbed to rest, dozing off in his private room inside the jet.

---

Three hours later, Echo knocked on the room of Arthur.

They had arrived at Arthur's mansion and prepped for school.

Getting permission, Echo pulled open the door and handed over Arthur his suitcase.

Arthur glanced at the mirror one more time, beholding an image of a young man clad in dark blue inform. His cloak, with collars adorned with dark green accents, was unbuttoned, unveiling a khaki sweater underneath and a tie of identical hue.

His black shoes emitted luster as his styled hair.

Echo had been stern about clothing each time. His uncompromising stand didn't yield against Arthur's, eventually making Arthur succumb and prepped for half an hour.

"Well, that is half an hour wasted."

Arthur grew alienated from hygiene during the Ten Countries Era. For years, they had endured evolving battles, growing unaccustomed to bathing or sort.

"Please don't say that, young master. You may catch a disease if you don't take care of yourself.", Echo didn't give in to Arthur's stubbornness.

Heaving a sigh, Arthur took the suitcase from Echo and checked himself one more time, walking forward after.

---

"Do well in school, young master."

Echo bowed his head toward Arthur upon arriving in the area, pulling open the door of the limousine.

Arthur scratched his head, shame crept on his body at being treated like a child.

He had instructed Echo to stop doing trivial work such as these but the butler was unwilling.

'He just keeps saying that this is part of his work.'

*sigh

"I will go then. Take care, Mr. Echo"

Sure enough,

Despite his words, Arthur couldn't help but feel warmth at Echo's actions.

Even before regression, Echo had been acting as his mother, performing housework and motherly gestures.

'This old man...'

Arthur hoped that Echo would take some time to rest.

Glancing ahead, facilities barred with magic-imbued fences stifled his sight. The wondrous image of ten-story orthogonal facilities, and golden borders illuminated with glass panes, spurred nostalgia.

It was the academy he was acquainted with.

"Academia"

Harboring individuals of large influence, the Academia was the largest academy in the Philippines, centered in the city of Pasay.

10 years after the dimensional storm, the educational system was adopting and still evolving in a new era of extraterrestrial powers.

At present, academic schools both awakened and non-awakened, with a curriculum integrated with magic history and lessons, inclined to foster the young awakened.

Unawakened could take their time learning magic lessons in preparation for their awakening.

A separate curriculum for those who failed awakening was built as well, receiving less attention and nurturing.

Resistant these students might be, enticing a public resistance storm was worthless. Apparently, even society discarded those who failed to awaken.

They were branded the lowest of the low, performing menial societal works and contributions.

'Harsh truth it might be but that's the reality now. The powerless will be trampled on.'

Drifting to his mind, Arthur reminisced about his school days. A child he was, immature and childish playful acts kept wafting into his mind.

Apart from good times, recollections of his struggles resurfaced.

His hellish days under a gang's day-to-day extortion.

The tears he shed.

Blood he lost.

And friends who turned a blind eye.

Arthur shook his head as to thwart these dreadful recollections.

'It was a thing of the past. But...'

Scanning the vibrant students walking toward the academy's gate, Arthur walked forward.

'Now that I think about it. I've never had my revenge.', Arthur wryly smiled.