29 - Surprise!

Surprise!

Jon found himself in his modest room in Wing F of the Imperial Academy. The space was functional but devoid of any luxuries. A twin bed, a small desk with a chair, and a dresser for his belongings. A compact bathroom rounded out the setting.

Right after the Director's speech, a notification popped up on his interface, detailing his initial 100,000 points, his room location, and the academy's full schedule. Jon noticed that the dorms weren't segregated by gender, but there was an option to negotiate changes. The Director had been clear: "In a dungeon or on a battlefield, there won't be tents separated by sex." A truth that bothered some female students, but the system was so comprehensive that it included an emergency option. Triggering it would summon the student council in less than a minute.

'Who on Earth designed such an intricate system? And why the hell am I here?' Jon wondered. The complexity of the world made him question if he was in a game. However, his experiences, especially with Nexus, the most advanced VR MMORPG in terms of immersion, told him that the comparison was almost insulting. What he had experienced over the last six years was incomparably more real.

'Damn it, why am I going through this again?' Jon caught himself thinking. Whenever he encountered situations of extreme surprise or complexity, questions about his own existence and circumstances resurfaced, like ghosts that refused to be exorcised.

-Beep Beep Beep-

The shrill sound of the system's alarm broke the silence, jolting Jon from restless sleep. "Crap, it's already morning!" he groaned, recalling how he had lost himself in a maze of thoughts the previous night until dawn surprised him.

After a quick shower, which did more to wake him up than to relax him, Jon followed the system's directions to the dining area. The space was open from breakfast to dinner, and best of all, it was free. Another feature that lifted Jon's spirits was the 24-hour access to the Academy. 'The freedom to come and go at any time is definitely a plus,' he thought.

It was the first day, and Jon didn't want to make a bad impression by being late. His class was first-year C, and the morning's agenda included a formal presentation. Moreover, the students would be informed about the first test, which would determine the class leader. But Jon knew the test was more than that; it was a preliminary assessment of each first-year student's potential. 'They want to know who's worth investing in,' he pondered. The Imperial Academy was no charity; at the end of the day, money and influence were still the true kings here.

With these thoughts in mind, Jon hurried through his meal. He grabbed a tray and chose balanced options, aware that he would need all the energy he could muster for the day ahead. As he ate, he couldn't help but notice the diversity of students around him, each absorbed in their own thoughts.

Jon walked through the hallways of the Imperial Academy at a leisurely pace, heading towards Room C for first-year students. As he neared the door, a wave of nostalgia washed over him. The classroom was set up like an amphitheater, with chairs arranged in an ascending semicircle and a space below for the instructor. 'This takes me back to college,' he thought, lost in memories.

"Jon?" A familiar voice snapped him out of his reverie. He turned around, and his eyes met Gwen's.

Gwen was a breathtaking sight. With her red hair cascading like a waterfall of fire down to her mid-back and sky-blue eyes that seemed to capture the essence of a clear day, she was the epitome of beauty. Though only 15, her physique was already remarkably mature, and the three years since Jon last saw her had been incredibly kind to her.

"My God, Gwen!" Jon exclaimed, almost breathless. "You look... amazing."

Jon noticed a subtle shift in Gwen's expression as he complimented her. For a brief moment, her face flushed, and she seemed genuinely pleased. But then, as if a cloud had obscured the sun, a hint of sadness overcame her.

"You shouldn't say things like that, Jon," she murmured, avoiding his gaze. "People might start spreading rumors."

The comment reminded Jon of something crucial: Gwen had vanished from his life for a full three years without a word. A pang of concern gripped his heart.

"I don't care about rumors, Gwen," he said, his voice tinged with worry and sincerity. "What I care about is why you disappeared. Why didn't you keep in touch?"

Gwen hesitated, as if weighing whether to respond. "Even if you don't care, I do," she finally said, her voice softer. "As for my disappearance... it was nothing serious. Just some personal matters I needed to sort out."

Jon noticed how she suddenly became distant, as if putting up a wall between them. "I don't see why I should have kept in touch. My family isn't in Riverwood anymore either," she added, her voice almost icy.

Without another word, Gwen walked past him, leaving Jon standing there, a mix of confusion and concern filling his mind. 'What happened to her over these three years?' he thought, feeling as if a chasm had opened between them.

He sat down, still bewildered, and tried to focus on what lay ahead. But the encounter with Gwen had left a mark, and he knew that somehow, he would have to find out what was behind her sudden coldness.

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