The entrance exam has a real death risk!
It didn't seem strange at first since it was a game, but seriously, what kind of school has monsters and dragons in its entrance exam?
What kind of school is this?
"What about my memory loss? Will it be a problem during enrollment? I seriously don't remember anything." Orion kept pushing the memory loss narrative like it was the cornerstone of his concerns.
People always seemed more willing to believe a lie if it was overly simple and technically possible.
So he had to act like someone with amnesia. Also the important thing in this was acting worried.
If Orion didn't look concerned about the memory loss in the first place, he'd look suspicious and be exposed immediately.
While he was devising a plan in his head, Thalia handed him a water bottle while shaking her head gently.
"It won't be a problem. I've heard of candidates who got accepted into the knight division with missing arms or legs. As long as you passed the exam, nothing else will be a trouble anymore.
"Besides, the best doctors of humanity are working for this academy."
After Orion drank, she took the bottle back and shove it inside her bag. And she pointed at the images on the brochure again.
"Let me explain the basics. Right now, you're in the most important place in the Human Domain: Midka Academy.
And as I said before, your exam is already over. So no need to stress."
She was overly enthusiastic to explain the basics.
What a nice voice for an tutorial NPC. She must have a talented voice actress.
"Once we leave here, there's no need to find your family either. Because those who pass the entrance exam aren't allowed to leave the school for their entire first year.
So even if you want to go home, you can't. And..-"
Thalia was still speaking excitedly, full of joy and passion. She was incredibly pure, despite being the Headmistress of the Academy and the strongest human alive.
She was too pure in the most twisted ways possible.
Thalia truly believed that she'd get to spend time with Orion as fellow students. And that they'd flirt, maybe-no definitely fall in love, and live out some beautiful romantic school-life together.
Orion reached over, brushing her hair with his fingers.
When she paused mid-sentence, he smiled. "Don't stop. Keep going. Once we start school are we going to attend the same classes?"
Thalia nodded, her face lighting up. "Yes! We both passed the exam, so we'll be spending tons of time together. There's dormitories, many interesting dining places and huge training fields, theaters and so many other fun places!"
Orion paused, then realized he didn't have anything. No wallet, no clothes, no books.
"I should probably go shopping for at least some school uniform and school supplies."
Thalia was enjoying Orion's hand on her hair. It was the first time a man- actually anyone was caressing her head.
"That won't be an issue. Actually, it's the last thing you should worry about.
Midka Academy doesn't allow outside currency during the first year. Instead, you're given a certain number of credits. Everything you need for your classes are given to you based on your entrance exam ranking.
If you need extra things like boxers, alcohol or body cologne, you can use your credits to shop."
Orion didn't see the excited look in Thalia's eyes or what her examples really meant. He was still thinking about game mechanics and money issues.
"Also when the damn game will allow me to access "Settings", so I can log out?"
He had a family wedding to attent in a different city. His cousin was getting married, damn it!
Orion decided to rush to the true beginning of the game to access to settings menu. Ending Tutorial was the real beginning of the game right?
Even if he didn't know how well he did in the tutorial exam, Orion felt confident he'd have enough to cover his basic needs until game lets him log out.
Its just a game anyways, I wouldn't die from hunger.
"What about you, Thalia? You said this area is dangerous, but you're here…"
For the next several minutes, Orion continued to sit with her—changing their posture from time to time, holding her hands, stroking her hair. No matter what kind of physical contact he initiated, the sexy NPC never once resisted.
Even when he touched her cheeks or neck, there was no reaction to stop him.
He tried to do more actually, but there was the stupid metal armor covering her body.
After a while he realised something important.
This sexy NPC Thalia had no programming to say "no" or "stop".
She must be a starting zone exclusive NPC. Like a companion character. Probably assigned to the protagonist.
She'll stick with me through the entire game, answer my questions and do whatever I want.
The devs really thought of everything.
God, I love this game.
…
With all his questions answered, Orion was now sure this was a magic school and slice of life type game.
Especially after hearing the school lasted five years, it was obvious he'd be playing here for most of the story of the game.
As far as he could tell, they were still within the Academy grounds. But in a dangerous and forbidden sector that was used for entrance exams each year.
The full name of the school was something long and boring like "Midka Imperial Academy of Arcane Sciences and Applied Essences". After a few hundred years, everyone had just shortened it to Midka Academy.
It wasn't just a Academy or College, it was a weapon according to Thalia.
Midka Academy was the most powerful military, technological, magical, and intellectual institution under human control.
Princes, tycoons, nobles, and elite families all sent their children here through various channels. Also all geniuses, accomplished people and individuals with promising abilities were sent here if they were above certain criterias.
There were other schools for other talent levels but this place was the top school to unite the whole Human Race.
This was where the best of the best came to become even better.
All humans between the ages of 18 and 20 could apply to enroll in the school.
Candidates on the ages of 18 and 19 could delay taking the exam to increase their chances for a better entrance rank. All because you only had one shot in exams. If you fail, too bad, you can't try again for Midka Academy.
Students mostly would join the exams at 20 years old for the purpose of scoring at the maximum possible high level.
And it wasn't just because of one-chance thing. Student's class placement affected too many other things; like resource allocation, privileges, money, cloths, personal trainers, dormitories and even the quality of food.
As far as Orion understood from Thalia's words, everything in this school-game was determined by the player's entrance rank.
The quality of your daily items, potions, weapons, magic instruction, teachers and even the quality of your underwear, all depended on that score you had in the beginning. Orion didn't understand the "underwear part" but still trusted Thalia.
And lastly, this red-haired innocent NPC was Headmistress's niece.
Even though Orion hadn't seen a single road or school building yet, Thalia's enthusiastic explanations calmed his nerves.
"—also, since I'm in the Warrior Training division, we probably won't share classes in morning time. The campuse are spread pretty far apart.
But don't worry! We'll still hang out and have fun every evening."
She nervously squeezed her fingers together, gazing at Orion's long lashes and kind smile.
Dimples.
He has cute dimples!!
Thalia wasn't acting like a 55-year-old Immortal War Queen. She was behaving like a young girl meeting her idol.
The way Orion touched her, played with her hair, held her hands. It made her heart race.
He must like me too.
Is this how "love at first-sight" feels like?
Thalia Arken, the feared Immortal War Queen was blushing as she looked at Orion's lips and bare chest.
"If teachers try to recruit you as a personal student, just ignore them. Surviving in this central room of the exam zone is already a huge achievement. And now that we're in the very heart of the labyrinth. I mean...."
She was about to say something sweet and hopeful about their future school life together, but Orion's body suddenly glowed.
And he vanished.
Thalia stood up in a flash, staring at the spot where Orion had just been. It was like she disappeared while sitting and suddenly showed up standing on her feet.
After a brief pause and a blush spreading all over her face, she shook her head with a sigh.
"Can't the damn exam last a few more hours? Or a few days.."
I guess I'll sniff—I mean talk with him later. He smells so fresh and clean though.
I wonder what his sweat tastes like… But his manly smell already made me an addict! I want to smell him more..
But what about his pillows?
Armpits!
His underwear!!!
Thalia was trembling with her imagination.
Grabbing her bag and taking out the water bottle inside, she slowly and carefully opened the cap. As she looked at the mouth of the glass bottle, her face got a crazy look.
After a few seconds, she stopped daydreaming and opened her mouth and started licking the bottle.
Although she knew she had to attend the entrance ceremony, she didn't give a damn. What she was doing right now was more important than a boring entrance talk.
It was alright to hang out here a little longer. She wasn't supposed to be seen as a headmistress by Orion.
Her face changed into a perverted grin while enjoying the bottle.
This is an indirect kiss with Orion, right?
I hope it counts.
Next time I see him, I will sniff his whole body.
I think this is true love.
I love you Orion.
( ´ཀ` )
She didn't stop licking the bottle for a long time.