In the next hour, Vale was able to understand the basics of the Military College, and he couldn't help but be impressed.
Unlike most colleges that operate on a school-like basis, this was different.
Each student would be under the supervision of a specific professor—most likely the one who invited them to the college—and that professor will be in charge of their training. A professor could have multiple students, and the upper limit depended on their position in the college.
Vale had asked Athena–or rather, Roxy—she had been very insistent on being called that—about her position in the college. All he got in reply was a chuckle.
He didn't press further, letting her continue her explanation.
According to her, the main reasons why the MC wasn't packed with students—apart from their lack of exposure—were the insufficient number of professors, and the higher than average mortality rate.
The requirements to become a professor were high; one had to be on the verge of entering the third tier.
This made it hard to get professors. If each professor had too many students it would also create more problems, rather than solving any.
The high mortality rate, on the other hand, could be solved more easily. It was a result of the location of the MC.
The MC was located near the border of the Kingdom, beyond which was a monster-infested land mass.
These monster-infested grounds were used to train the students, and in such conditions, casualties were bound to happen from time to time.
"Such an environment is necessary for exponential growth," Roxy said with a proud look that made it seem like they were cultivating warriors and not killing people for no reason.
Well, they were doing both, so Vale couldn't fault her.
There were also exams that happened every three months. It was to determine if one was fit to continue learning at the college. If a person failed the exams, they would be given a month to train, and if they still failed after a month, the college would let them go.
"You won't have to worry about the exams though. I'll make sure you get a badge in your first three months," she said with confidence.
At first, Vale thought this was a good thing until she explained how getting a badge worked.
In the military college, if one had a badge they could completely ignore all exams. But to get it a person would have to kill fifty common demons and five predator rank demons.
Vale had fought a predator demon once, although it was almost dead; and even then, it had almost taken his life.
Although at that time he was just an ordinary human.
Still, five predator rank demons was asking for too much, considering a single one had eliminated Glenda's entire team.
Roxy had wanted to explain a bit more, but when she realised it was getting really dark she had to stop, fishing out two sandwiches from her breast pocket.
Vale wondered how that was even possible, but didn't reject it when she offered him one.
"Eat up, it's going to be a long night," she said.
Vale nodded and took a bite from the sandwich. It tasted fresh, surprisingly fresh, almost as if the bread and fillings had been made a few minutes ago. It was more delicious than anything that inn had to offer, and he tried his best to savour the appeal.
A few seconds later, everything was devoured. Vale then watched her take out a crystal card and after a few incantations, a man's face appeared on it.
It was the same blonde and handsome man Vale had seen before. He was also in one of the carriages, specifically the one spearheading the group.
"Miss Athena, how may I be of help," he muttered with a smile that looked genuine, too genuine perhaps.
"Let's stop here for the night, Darion. So the newcomers can get a chance to rest."
The man on the crystal card raised a brow. "But we're almost at the teleportation formation. We'll definitely reach it before true nightfall."
"I'd rather we continue moving tomorrow, let's rest for now. Even you need some rest, Darion," Roxy insisted.
Darion frowned for a second, but with a long sigh he gave in.
"Alright. If you think that's best."
A bright smile then formed on Roxy's face as the connection cut off. The crystal card went back to reflecting her face.
"We're stopping?" Vale asked.
Throughout the journey, he had gotten closer to her. Although not close enough to identify as anything other than mere acquaintances, Vale still felt he could make inquiries when he needed to. After all, she was his master, somehow.
If someone from the military saw this, they would only feel Vale was ignorant, as no one who had seen the lady's dark side could be so carefree with her.
"Yeah. The horses and humans need to rest."
Vale had a feeling that their reason for stopping was more than that but it wasn't in his place to ask any more.
The carriages went forward for a while, before stopping at a rogue inn. There were a number of these stationed at intervals on the roads between cities.
This one in particular was named Road Keep. And although it didn't look worn down, it was the type of place one went to out of necessity.
Entering the building, what hit them was the smell of burnt onions and alcohol.
It wasn't empty as usual, but that was predictable. During the period of the Hunter Exams, numerous people from different places came to watch it.
And since most planned to leave that same day, there were bound to be a few stopping at this inn.
But still, the people present weren't more than four, and they didn't look noteworthy.
Athena led the group past the bar and at the reception counter she purchased a room for each person.
Aside from Darion and her, there were a number of other people who had come with them. They each had a new candidate with them.
After he was given the keys to his room, Vale went straight there and threw himself on the bed.
His body was still strained because of the fight. Even after taking the anti-fatigue serum, he could still feel the effects of using Blitz. It would be best if he didn't get in a fight for the next two days.
Only then would he fully recover.
In another room, Athena was sitting on a chair with an open journal in her hand.
Her fingers were fast, and the pen she held scribbled numerous words onto the blank pages. She wrote: «Disciple 51: Vale Vance.
Class: Unknown.
Talent: —.
Useful? Maybe.
Note: Is currently being chased by an assassin and is oblivious as to why.»
She thought for a moment, but decided she needed more time to get more information.
"Persistent, huh." She whispered to herself when she felt the same aura that had been tailing them the entire journey finally enter the inn.
Well that was a good thing; if the assassin had given up it would mean that this stop was just a waste of time.
If Vale could survive the night, then she would officially take him as her disciple.
If he couldn't… well he'll be dead so there wasn't much to it.