Chapter 144 - Visiting The Academy (1/2)
”Regarding this ...” Leon seemed to be in difficulty about how to answer. He knew that Hei's question was legitimate, but inside of him, he couldn't help feeling awkward. It was a question that touched a sore point.
”If you don't want to tell me, it's okay. I didn't want to get involved in your private life. I apologize. You can freely answer without revealing your situation.” He who had noticed that reaction hastened to remedy the indiscreet question he had asked. They had just arrived, and he wanted to avoid making enmities, not to mention that Leon seemed to be an approachable person. After all, he had been the only one to propose himself as their guide. As a result, it was the least Hei could do to respect his spaces and his secrets.
Leon seemed touched by the apologies of Hei, and his mood improved. Inside he thought that he would have to overcome that inner demon that tormented him, but he wasn't yet capable of it. Returning to his usual warm smile, Leon answered Hei's question.
”Don't worry; it's not your fault. However, to answer your question, registrations have been running for almost a month. Those with external connections accelerated the application form and have been registered even before the registration period began. Therefore they took all the best rooms. But it's not something that we martial artists from nowhere can prevent or change. In the end, even if it isn't the maximum of luxury, the important thing is to have a place to sleep.”
'So it comes from a normal family. Although Lian and I don't have an important background either, our strength is due solely to Mother's teachings. The fact that Leon managed to enter the academy is proof of his determination as a martial artist.' Hei thought to himself. Unconsciously, he who was suspicious of others felt an instinctive sympathy towards that future fellow student.
”Walking from the entrance to the academy, I guess it took you a long time to get here. As you can see, the territories of the academy are immense. If you continue to walk sideways from the path you have followed previously, on both sides, you will find a series of structures. Those are the training grounds assigned by the academy. They are gigantic square-shaped structures divided into smaller cells. Each cell can accommodate up to ten people. There, you can freely train whenever you want. You just need to show your personal recognition token. You can set a temporary code and close the cell to any spectators or let inside only the people you want. The cost is free, but it is also possible to temporarily join more cells to include more people or have a larger battlefield. However, that has a cost that can only be paid with contribution points. You guys know the contribution point system, don't you?”
Hei nodded yes with his head while he and Lian followed Leon to the training grounds. The young man with the warm smile then continued with his explanation.
”Each month, the academy awards us a total of contribution points based on the personal evaluation of the teachers. It applies not only to compulsory but also secondary lessons. It is no coincidence that martial artists who focus only on fighting are mainly those from the most important families as they can reduce their expenses to a minimum. Incidentally, I am a blacksmith. Do you and Lian practice any secondary activities?”
”I am an alchemist while Lian is a formation scholar. We were educated in one of the big sects on an island in the Forgotten Ocean. However, I think our knowledge of the subject lacks compared to what is taught at the academy.” Hei answered sincerely.
In truth, he had always been curious about the blacksmith's trade and how they managed to create weapons capable of hurting martial artists. However, Bao Bei had advised him on his career as an alchemist. Therefore he hadn't paid much attention to it after that. The reason for this choice was, in addition to the fact that Hei was a plant scholar, that Bao Bei had already prepared a weapon capable of accompanying Hei throughout his journey. She, therefore, deemed it useless to make her son learn the blacksmith's work, and the same applies to Lian, who, however, was more suited to the study of formations.
'If I asked him, I could make him tell me about the peculiarities of a weapon created with the remains of a divine beast or what is the spirit metal found in the treasure of Hae Seong. However, it is certainly not something I could ask about when we just met.'
With the death of his mother, there was no longer anyone trusted to answer Hei's intense curiosity for new things. Now he had to find the answers on his own, paying attention to the dangers that arose from asking too many uncomfortable or unusual questions. For now, he decided to follow the part of the martial artist who came from afar, with almost no knowledge of the Sun Empire customs.
”You said that teachers assign us contribution points based on our results in the classes. Is this the only way to get contribution points? Aren't there no others?” Lian from behind the two young men spoke her doubt. It was a legitimate question that Hei hadn't thought of right away.
”No, it isn't the only way. If you go around the Main Building, you will notice that the long road from where you came continues from behind. Going further, always on the sides, you will find other structures. They are the structures designed for secondary activities: alchemy, formation, blacksmithing, cooking, music. As with the training camps, you can use these facilities whenever you want, and you can book a workshop just for yourself if you pay. If you produce well-made items, you can sell them to the Exchange Center for contribution points.
Follow me; I'll show you. One thing, though. I don't know if they told you, but the sky above is actually closed by a protective system. So, you'd better avoid flying too high, or you'll get into trouble. Remember that this only applies to the academy's airspace; outside the walls, it is better that you refrain from flying; it is the law that imposes it.”
Leon, at that point, began to ascend high up to five meters from the ground. Hei and Lian also did the same, and together they started to head beyond the Main Building. As Leon had said, on the other side of the big pagoda, the long road stretched again for miles and miles. While flying at a continuous but not too fast speed, Hei turned to their guide.
”Leon, you first included cooking and music among the secondary activities. What did you mean? In the Forgotten Ocean, there are only alchemy, formations, and blacksmithing.”
”I see, then you have never met a Martial Artist Chef or a Martial Artist Musician.”