"Enter."
Nox entered the director's office with Silas. The office was spacious, with bookshelves lining the walls, filled with all kinds of books. In the center was a desk and a chair, where the academy director was seated.
The director immediately drew Nox's attention — a massive man with pure white hair and a full beard. His eyes were blue like the ocean. But what impressed Nox the most was not his appearance, but the overwhelming pressure he radiated simply by being present. Nox barely managed to stay standing; if he weren't Awakened, he would doubt his ability to even remain upright.
While Nox was thinking, Silas spoke:
"Greetings, sir. I have brought the Dark boy here."
Nox was surprised by Silas' polite behavior. He had assumed the man might be crazy, but even a madman would submit in the presence of such power.
"good. You can leave, Silas," the director said in the same calm manner.
'What could make a man like him lose his composure? Wait… why the hell would I want a Stage Five person to lose his calm? Do I want to become a lab rat?! No thanks,' Nox thought.
The director turned to Nox after Silas left.
"Nox, right? You can sit"
" thank you, sir."
Nox walked over and sat in the chair next to the desk.
The director observed Nox's nervous movements.
"There's no need to be tense," he said.
Nox nodded in response.
'Is he trying to be nice? Has he looked in a mirror? Heard his own voice? Just the sound of it makes you feel like he could kill you in the next second,' Nox thought.
While Nox was lost in thought, the director dropped a bombshell:
"let me to introduce myself. I am Nikolai Whitehaven, the Academy Director."
"Whitehaven!!"
'Holy hell… why am I sitting in front of Nikolai Whitehaven himself, the former head of the Whitehaven family, one of the first Awakened? Why is someone considered one of the strongest in the world working as a director for just an academy??'
"From your reaction, it seems you know me. And if you're wondering why someone of my rank works as a director, the answer is simple: I prefer to protect the future of this world," the director calmly explained.
Nox tilted his head.
"Future?" he asked, puzzled by the director's words.
"Children are the future of this world, son My duty is to protect them until they mature and can protect the world themselves," Nikolai answered calmly and confidently.
'Amazing… a powerful old man speaking with depth. By "future," he only means the Awakened children, who mostly belong to those fu*king families like him . But what about the children who die like flies because people like him control the world? Isn't he the same person hiding the gate that could save millions of lives?'
Nox understood how people like him think — they believe their actions are for the greater good, they chase ideals, and speak deep, philosophical words. But in reality? They are just lying to themselves, justifying their arrogance with weak excuses like "I can't change the world alone." Nox knew he wasn't better than them, but at least he wouldn't act like he was always right while everyone else was wrong. He took pride in being aware of himself and his thoughts.
"Anyway, you will be registered in the academy. You will learn three core things: survival, controlling your Shard, and combat."
The director handed a small card to Nox.
Nox took it; it appeared to be a normal registration card with his information.
"This is your academy card. It allows you to access the academy's private facilities and is also the key to your room. The academy provides a room for all students. You can also visit the cafeteria and eat as you like. I see you haven't eaten in a while," the director explained all the card's benefits to Nox.
"Thank you, sir. You are right — I haven't eaten in a while," Nox said, scratching his neck awkwardly.
"Alright, you may leave now. The academy begins in a week. You can go to your room — clothes should be ready. You may explore the academy, just don't cause any trouble," the director said, advising and warning him simultaneously.
"Understood, thank you, sir."
Nox stood, bowed slightly, and walked toward the door. When he reached for the handle, he heard the director speak from behind:
"Nox, it's natural for a Dark user to see in the dark. It's the same for an Ice user withstanding the cold."
Nox froze in place, panic rushing through him. His hand gripping the door handle trembled violently.
'Damn… he found out. But how and when? Could he have known from the beginning?! But why didn't he do anything? Ugh… mother it seems your son is officially becoming a lab rat. No… stay calm, Nox. He might know you're lying about night vision, but that doesn't mean he knows you're immortal.'
Nox turned to the director and spoke innocently:
"Is that true, sir? I didn't know that. I'm wondering, then, why my attribute says I can see in the Dark?"
The director smiled at the boy's words.
"Oh, I don't know… seems you're an unlucky boy to the point that your Shard's attribute is natural thing. Anyway, you may leave," the director said, returning to his papers.
Nox stared at him for a moment, then turned, opened the door, and quickly left.
...
"Ugh."
Nox groaned as he lay on his bed in his private room. The room was in the adjacent building. Nox had rushed here, trying to keep his mind from collapsing. The room was average — a small bathroom, a wardrobe, and some scattered belongings.
"Damn… what's with that old man? Is he trying to manipulate me?!"
Nox shouted, pounding the bed with his hands.
"Ugh… there's no use overthinking. I'll try to avoid the director as much as possible. That way, I'll preserve my life, which I tried to end myself. Yes… after all, the only person who can truly kill me is me. Only a great person like me deserves the honor of my death. I won't let scum like you end my life. Got it??"
...
'Have I finally lost my mind? Well, it's a miracle I stayed sane after everything happened to me '
He took the card out of his pocket and looked at it.
"Look, Mom… your son entered the academy. Seems your dream came true."
Nox thought, feeling sorrow for his mother. She had always wished to see him in school.
"Anyway, the academy starts in a week. I must learn how to survive no matter what and I'll try to avoid drawing attention. I'm too weak to protect my secrets."
'Damn everything… I'll head to the cafeteria. I'm starving,' he thought, standing and heading to the wardrobe to get new clothes, better than his torn and worn ones.
'I wonder how good the food is… how much meat? Soup? I'll eat everything — why not?! I don't need to pay a thing, hehe.'
Well the cafeteria is supposed to be this way.
nox walked through the halls wearing a new outfit, a white shirt and black pants.
"This is supposed to be the cafeteria. " Nox thought as he stood in front of a large door with the cafeteria's name written on it.
"Let's go in and eat the food of these rich people"
nox was greeted upon entering a very large hall that could accommodate hundreds of people. On the right was the dining area and the kitchen, and on the left were many tables and chairs, each table seating more than four people.
"Ohh I didn't expect that " I muttered as I approached the food section. I don't know why, but I haven't seen any students yet, only employees.
"What's your order?" The cafeteria lunch man asked nox about his order.
"Oh I want all of these plz" I said, pointing to all kinds of delicious food
"W-what all of these " The man was surprised and showed signs of confusion.
"Yeah all of these " nox smiled as he confirmed his words.
...
"Wow What a delicious smell! " After I had my food, I sat at one of the tables in the corner. There were all kinds of food in front of me.
'Chicken, soup, rice, BBQ, And many other dishes. It was a feast for one person. '
"Hahaha I will enjoy the academy " I laughed as I reached out and quickly grabbed the food.
'It's so delicious. Is this heaven itself? Now I'm happy that I'm not dead. I can enjoy all kinds of delicious food'
Nox was smiling like an idiot as he ate all the dishes in front of him, even the lunch gay thought he was crazy.
'Ah... another greedy one. First that girl came, and now this strange boy. Are they trying to bankrupt the academy?' The lunch man muttered as he remembered a certain girl whose family background made him feel terrified.