VIP Suite

One look into their eyes was enough for Principal Douglas to know that they were trained.

Both had actual battle experience before this.

However, Principal Douglas laid his eyes on Alex longer, feeling a unique sharpness that his eyes were emanating. 'She must've had undergone extensive training to prepare herself for the Trial, but this one... It seemed like he had actual battle experience between life and death'

An air of certainty could be felt from Alex's aura.

Not knowing why, Principal Douglas feels like he is looking at a fearsome soldier.

"Yes, Principal. These two are Natalia Taine from Planet Llois and..." Hesitated as her eyes landed on Alex, she then sighed. "Xander Zich Sitradus from Planet Tannara. I'll send their biography details to you"

Upon hearing this, Principal Douglas nodded his head.

Soon, the device on his wrist glowed, and he waved his hand to summon a hologram.

Reading the biographies sent by Ms. Joselyn, he remained silent for a solid minute before eventually shifting his eyes to Alex. "Is there some kind of mistake? Why is not a single record of enhancements stated here?"

"No, it's not a mistake, Sir!" Alex replied with a clear voice.

Principal Douglas stayed still for a couple more seconds before he understood the situation.

Knowing Alex's background, it's better not to probe around too much.

Leaning back on his chair, he clasped his hands together with an unreadable expression, "I have no problem in accepting the two of you as I trust the instructors' judgment, especially Instructor Joselyn. Both of you may go, Sergeant Major Corey will show you your lodgings"

Upon being dismissed, Alex and Natalia saluted before they left the room.

On the other hand, Ms. Joselyn stayed behind.

When the door closed once again, she turned to Principal Douglas with raised eyebrows.

"Is there a specific reason for you to meet them personally, Principal?" She asked.

Principal Douglas cracked a meaningful smile, keeping his gaze fixed on the closed door, "I just wanted to see the oldest son of the Sitradus Family. Rumors stated that he has an extremely low Bio-aptitude, and was abandoned by his father. So when I received your report, I was quite surprised. Such a feat should've been impossible for that kid"

"If his Bio-aptitude is low, how did he pass the initial assessment?" Ms. Joselyn was puzzled.

But this made Principal Douglas laugh heartily.

"Oh, that..." Raising his index finger to point at himself, he continues shamelessly, "I was the one responsible for that. Fredrick asked me to let him have a shot in the Trial, and I accepted since I thought, he won't be accepted anyway. But here he is, proclaiming an incredible feat..."

"P- Principal...?! That would cost other aspirants' chances!" Ms. Joselyn retorted.

For a moment there, he forgot something crucial.

Ms. Joselyn is such a strict textbook instructor who isn't fond of any kind of cheating.

"Spare me the nag, Instructor Joselyn" Principal Douglas waved his hand.

Meanwhile, Alex and Natalia head to their lodgings.

Following Sergeant Major Corey closely behind, the two passed numerous sections and halls dominated by the color pristine white, grey, and blue, alongside numerous professors who were busy handling the matters of the academy.

Some wear neat white blazers while some wear white and blue combat suits.

In addition to that, Alex also noticed that despite the entire place looking to be futuristic, teeming with advanced technologies, vibrant green plants could be seen decorating each room, adding life to the choking academy.

While walking through the crowd, they found themselves entering the aspirants section.

Young aspirants could be seen hanging around this big hall.

A completely new sight for Alex, he saw the aspirants using technologies he had never seen before. One has mechanical spider arms attached to their back, some wear smart glasses, some have ever-changing tattoos, and some could even float.

Floating is a trait that powerful mages have, it's a sign of power.

However, in this academy, there are at least 6 people who could float like a godly expert.

Surely this was done not through magical means, but technologies instead.

Due to their distinct attires, deferring from those of the Orion Institute of Mech-Soldiers, Alex and Natalia inadvertently became the center of attention. Murmurs and whispers rippled through the crowd as onlookers noticed the newcomers.

It was more so because their arrival was uncharacteristic for the academy.

Next generation of aspirants would come next month or more, but these two came right now.

Alex didn't pay the onlookers any mind and kept his gaze straight.

Even though he looked nonchalant and undisturbed, he was in truth regulating the Body Mask spell so that his physical points wouldn't garner attention. Anyone who doesn't have any enhancements like him shouldn't be this strong, so he needs to hide it for now.

Soon enough, the three reached the aspirants' dormitory.

A sole big building located at the back end of the academy, connected to the lecture halls. 

But Natalia and Alex couldn't help but notice that there was only one room on the entire floor, situated on the twentieth floor. 'Must be the privilege of having the Sitradus last name, this must be a VIP room for me. Good, there are not many eyes around here'

Just then, Sergeant Major Correy turned to face them and handed them a key.

Upon seeing this, Alex and Natalia looked at each other before turning to Sergeant Major Correy with a questioning look. "Since the Trial has not been finished yet, and your cohorts are not here, you two are going to be attending classes with your upperclassmen until the others arrive. Take this as a privilege, a sneak peek of the classes before your actual classes"

"Because of that, the two of you will be temporary roommates" He explained clearly.

On the other hand, Alex and Natalia have different reactions.

Alex massaged his throbbing forehead as this defeated the privilege of having a VIP room, Natalia wasn't reacting much, but she seemed to be excited judging from the curl on the corner of her lips.

"What's wrong? Is there any problem?" Sergeant Major Correy asked.

It was then his eyes widened in realization before he laughed out loud, "Are you worried that something might happen between the two of you for sharing a room? Just bear with it until next month. Also, even if something did happen, the academy would not punish you. The academy is strict, but we have some leeway in this part"

"Now, I must go. Get comfortable, you will only attend one class today" he added and left.

Clearing her throat, Natalia then takes the card key, "Shall we get inside?"

"Hmm..." Alex nodded, sighing lightly.

Natalia swiped the card key before entering the room, she gasped in amazement at the sight of the spacious room that was only served for the VIPs. It was equipped with everything a student would need throughout their academy years.

Meanwhile, Alex stayed in front of the room, gazing at Sergeant Major Correy's back.

'Seems like it's also the same here...' He pondered.

New students, whether they were enrolled in academies within the domain of the Hyperion Empire or the Adudal Principality would be pleasantly surprised to find that there are no rules prohibiting them from forming romantic relationships with other students, much like a typical academy.

It would make them feel the excitement of freedom.

However, the meaning behind this is much darker than the new students anticipated.

For instance, in the top academies within the Adudal Principality, students were permitted to pursue relationships freely because the graduation examination was a perilous test with an alarmingly high mortality rate, claiming the lives of 1 out of every 4 students.

Due to that very reason, relationships are not prohibited.

Students would die at an early age in this dire time which is why they are given this freedom.

Natalia probably wasn't aware of this, and thus doesn't seem concerned at all.

Upon entering the room, Alex was greeted by a luxurious white and grey colored VIP suite, complete with a cozy living area featuring plush grey sofas and a white table. A large window wall provided a holographic view of a snowy mountain landscape. To the left, there was a kitchen fully equipped with utensils, while a spacious king-size bed occupied the center of the room.

Such complete facilities are definitely only present in VIP rooms.

However, one look is all it takes for Alex to know the fundamental problem of this VIP room.

'It's only made for one person living in it...' He pondered with a sigh.

Despite the room's comprehensive amenities, it was evident that it was designed for a single occupant as there was only one bed inside. Its open layout also offered no privacy, making it easy for two people inside to maintain constant eye contact.

"What are you doing standing there?" Natalia, sitting on the sofa asked.

Alex glanced at her before he sighed, "Yeah... This won't do, we can't live here together. Wait here, I'm going to ask for a different room with two beds at least" he turned around, intending to catch up to Sergeant Major Correy again.

"Wait!" Before he could go, Natalia stopped him. "I don't think that's a good idea"

Stopping abruptly in his tracks, he looked over his shoulders with one of his eyebrows raised questioningly. Under his intense gaze, Natalia stuttered as she stopped him without much thinking earlier.

"E- Err... Oh! We are new here, if we demanded too much, it wouldn't look good" She added.

Upon hearing this, Alex was still hesitant, "But still, it's not suitable for us"

"Relax, we can make do with this. Technically, we already slept together. Also, it's only for a month anyway, we wouldn't even realize it" Natalia replied, trying to convince him that it was fine. But in truth, she wanted to stay like this as she needed to get on his good side after what transpired between them.

Even though still hesitant, Alex eventually yields, "Fine, we'll just have to make do with this"

A moment later, Alex heads out of the room.

Checking the class schedule for the two of them through a calendar device on the wall near the door, he still has about three hours before the class begins. 'No time to waste, I need to learn about the military hierarchy and requirements first'

Just as he planned, he would need to learn the requirements for having a spaceship.

Contrary to the Adudal Principality where one only needs to be strong enough to purchase a personal spaceship, Alex is almost certain that the Hyperion Empire's structure is way more complicated, and there will be requirements that he needs to fulfill.

Due to that, he needs to know it first before advancing forward.

Looking at the map of the academy, he scans it before his eyes landed on a section.

'Maybe the library is the best place to check first. Alright, I'll go there...'