Chapter 274 - 274: Take Another Mission Or Swim (1/2)

The distinct, pleasant smell of salty water wafted around the air. Under the bright sky, the crashing sound of waves hitting the stone wall, and loud cries of seagulls flying across the vast and shallow, glistening blue ocean welcomed the group of unusual crowds, who stood by the pavement above the calm water to wait for their turn to enter the small ship.

Each wearing different color-coded uniforms that defines their rank, this group are students from Soaring Dragon Academy who were returning from their missions. Among the mix, you can also find some people in casual clothes.

This either meant they're enrollees that are on their way to the final test before being officially recognized as students by the academy, or special visitors that were granted access personally by the headmaster or one of the grandmasters.

Visitors are a very rare occurrence, however. There's a strict rule that was decreed, dating back since the first opening of the academy by the first headmaster in the early dynasties;

No outsiders are allowed to enter Soaring Dragon Academy. Not even the royal family had the privilege as the academy is not attached to anyone but the headmaster alone.

As generations passed, that rule was still followed but was slightly altered over the course of years until a more lenient headmaster took over. In current period, the academy had permitted special visitors to enter, but with the permission of mentioned individuals.

Standing in a long queue under the blazing sun, all are required to wait their turn as the school's staffs check the group's identification and have their IDs—that also acted as a credit card—scanned to get a ride in the ship.

”Argh, what's taking them so long?” Said a female student in a pale yellow Tang suit [1]. The tunic had a beautiful embroidery of the sun, with its rays coiling around like golden fire, sewed on to where the heart is suppose to be located.

Behind her was a male with similar tunic, indicating he was a fellow student of same ranking and probably her partner. ”Seems we have a lot of enrollees today.” He said, glancing at the people in casual clothes.

”Tsk, why can't the school separate the students from the enrollees to make things quicker? It's unfair for us to wait in this long line.” The female student grumbled as she furiously wiped the sweat dripping from her cheeks.

”Patience is key. I know you're tired and you wanted to go back quickly to rest, but you mustn't let your anger run off. Remember, we're like them before.” Her partner wisely said.

”I hate it when you're right. But how could you not be annoyed? Especially in this heat?”

Her partner just shrugged and look ahead, waiting patiently. With a final groan, the female student straightened and copied him.

”What?!” Everyone snapped their attention in the forefront of the queue to where they heard the loud exclamation. ”What do you mean I had to swim all the way to the island?!”

”I said what I said, young man. Your ID doesn't have enough points to afford a ride.” The bearded man sitting by the table under the canopy said after scanning the enrollee's ID card.

”But I have that filled up to its limit! It's impossible that I can't afford it!”