READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 9: Opening Ceremony
"Finally back," muttered Shirakawa Yuki, his voice a mix of relief and exhaustion. The midday sun blazed over him as he approached the grand gates of the Spirit Academy. His tattered clothing clung to his sweat-soaked body, and his once-pristine bag was now long gone, likely abandoned in a ditch somewhere.
As he trudged toward the entrance, a guard blocked his path. "Hey, beggar! Where do you think you're going? This is Spirit Academy, not a place for your kind. Leave now, or you'll regret it!" The soldier's voice dripped with disdain.
Yuki paused, glancing at his disheveled appearance, then sighed. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a badge and held it up. "I'm a student here. I was out training and didn't have time to change before coming back."
The guard snatched the badge, glaring at it suspiciously. After a moment, his expression softened into reluctant acceptance. "Fine. Go in. But next time, don't come back looking like that."
Yuki took the badge and nodded silently, stepping past the soldier into the bustling streets of Spirit City.
The city was alive with activity. Streets lined with polished stone, pristine buildings, and elegantly dressed citizens stood in stark contrast to Yuki's ragged state. People turned to stare as he walked by, their expressions ranging from surprise to outright disdain. Yuki ignored them, his eyes fixed on the towering structure of Spirit Academy in the distance.
Within minutes, he reached the academy gates. Two figures stood there—Su Tian and the middle-aged instructor from his last visit. Both men looked puzzled as Yuki approached.
"What happened to you?" asked the instructor, his gaze flicking over Yuki's torn clothes and weary face.
Yuki opened his mouth to respond, but the man cut him off with a wave of his hand. "Never mind. Just go inside and change. Uniforms are in your room. Tomorrow's the opening ceremony, so make sure you're ready."
Without waiting for a reply, the man turned back to Su Tian. Yuki shrugged, grateful for the lack of interrogation, and headed inside.
In his dormitory, Yuki stripped off his ruined clothes and tossed them into the trash. Stepping into the bathroom, he turned on the faucet, letting the warm water wash away the grime and fatigue of his journey. For the first time in days, he felt truly clean.
Half an hour later, he emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. He wiped his damp hair with another towel as he walked to the wardrobe. Inside, neatly arranged uniforms waited. Yuki selected one and slipped it on, adjusting the fit in front of the mirror.
"Not bad," he murmured, straightening the lapels. The uniform, reminiscent of Western-style academy attire, was both elegant and practical. Though slightly restrictive for combat, it exuded an air of formality that suited the academy's reputation.
Satisfied, Yuki glanced out the window at the setting sun. The sky was painted in hues of orange and red, signaling the end of the day. He climbed onto his bed, crossing his legs in a meditative pose.
---
Hours passed in serene meditation. When Yuki opened his eyes again, the sky outside was dark, and the academy was alive with the hum of evening activity. His stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since morning.
In the cafeteria, Yuki ate a simple meal before wandering the campus. As he passed the main square, he noticed a high platform had been constructed at its center. Nearby, a large stone arena had also been set up, complete with thick stone pillars connected by sturdy wires.
"That must be for tomorrow's competition," Yuki mused, running a hand through his hair. He lingered for a moment, studying the layout, then stretched and yawned. "Time to rest. Tomorrow's going to be a big day."
Back in his dorm, Yuki lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep came easily—something rare for him. In his past life as a mercenary, rest was a luxury, and vigilance was a necessity. Yet here, in the safety of Spirit Academy, his guard finally dropped.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains, rousing Yuki from his deep slumber. He sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "That was the best sleep I've had in... forever."
A glance at the window showed the square below bustling with activity. Students were gathering, and the academy's broadcast system crackled to life. "Attention, all students. The opening ceremony is about to begin. Please make your way to the square immediately."
Yuki quickly dressed, splashing cold water on his face before stepping outside. As he joined the throng of students heading to the square, his heart raced with a mix of anticipation and determination.
Today marked the beginning of a new chapter.