Teacher Remy chatted about random topics until they finished breakfast.
"You'll face too much trouble if we go to the War Faculty's physical combat arena today. Everyone in the school expects great things from you right now. That's why I'll evaluate your first experience and combat skills in the Hunting Zone or a Mock Dungeon. Which do you prefer?"
"The Hunting Zone seems like the better option. I heard it has real animals instead of monsters." Orion felt relieved knowing he could finally level up.
"The Hunting Zone is this way." Teacher Remy pointed.
As Orion walked toward the Hunting Zone with Teacher Remy and Kalista, his all-black attire drew heavy attention.
The 'S-1' stamped on his clothes made heads turn wherever he went. Everyone who saw him did a double-take.
"You need to understand this clearly. In a normal year, the top position is left empty even in a supreme academy like Midka. The entrance ranking and potential order usually start from S-2."
Teacher Remy continued, "Once the S-Class students are selected, the list continues. For example, this year it lasted until S-7."
"Then thousand-student quota for A-Rank starts at A8 and continues until A1000. Then B1001. It goes like that.
Ah, D-Rank students are outside of this system. They focus purely on academics or production. Keep that in mind and don't bully them."
Teacher Remy saw the nodding head but still looked at him seriously. "You carry a title that was last awarded ten years ago. Being a Champion and known as S-1 raises expectations immensely. They'll expect you to be the dark lovechild of a demon serial killer and a killer whale."
Teacher Remy looked pleased with himself for that analogy.
Orion felt sure the man had rehearsed this speech before meeting him. It was probably because he used to be a soldier before becoming a teacher.
"Do you normally have to get permission from teachers to enter this Hunting Zone?" Orion asked while looking around.
"Sometimes clubs and special groups use it. Usually, teachers only allow first-years in for serious reasons. Only second-years and above are free to use it."
At that moment, Orion noticed Kalista's clothes. She was wearing a thin satin dress. It looked more like a dance costume than a bodyguard or warrior outfit.
Orion decided they needed to go shopping.
When they passed through a few central roads, he saw there were no vehicles resembling bicycles or skates. Everyone was walking.
It was hard for him to accept that not a single person was flying in a school that taught magic.
A few minutes later, they left the dorm area and arrived at a central location. Orion had passed here a few times on the evening of his Hell Maze adventures but hadn't paid attention to the surroundings.
Now looking more carefully, he saw something strange on the roof of a small, round building.
Getting a little closer, he saw a balloon on the roof. It was inflated and ready for use. Since the roof was enclosed, the top of the balloon looked like part of the building at first glance.
"Mini Balloon. It's expensive..." Kalista couldn't help but speak when she noticed Orion's curiosity.
Teacher Remy looked like he was struggling not to laugh. However, he eventually nodded in agreement.
"They can't make it cheaper because of fuel and maintenance issues. It's a private business started by alumni. If they can't find a solution, they'll have to hand over the entire operation."
This balloon was the first sign of scientific development Orion had seen.
Almost everything else that worked with Mana and looked like a machine was fundamentally different. However, a device filled with gas that rose via hot air worked on the same logic as the ones on Earth.
As much as Orion wanted to examine the balloon, he turned away. They had more urgent business.
Walking a little further, they saw a building moving around a small lake. It looked very impressive with its rectangular shape, completely surrounded by glass.
This time, Orion got even closer. He saw people chatting inside the building as it moved at the speed of a gondola.
People sitting at tables were smoking tobacco or watching the scenery. There were also those reading books, drinking, and studying.
"Hubble's Moving Cafe. Opened five years ago. I've never tried it..." Kalista looked even gloomier this time.
"Why haven't you tried it, Kalista? Is this also expensive?" Orion wasn't sure about the money issues yet.
"It was built just after she graduated." Teacher Remy didn't smile this time. The sadness was clearly visible on Kalista's face.
He added softly, "I haven't tried it yet either."
"The wheels underneath must be very sturdy." Orion was still thinking like a modern person.
"It flies!"
"It flies!"
Their faces showed they weren't joking. They corrected him at the same time, as if claiming it had wheels was an insult.
Orion struggled to keep himself from running up to the flying cafe to look underneath.
About twenty minutes later, they left the classroom area and passed the buildings related to student affairs. While walking on a new path Orion had never seen before, they entered an area with shorter, single-story buildings.
It was a residential area, and the houses had their own gardens.
According to Teacher Remy, this was an area where anyone who had worked at the school for a certain number of years, or shown success in their field, could own a house. The best part was that they built them from scratch according to your wishes.
"Two more years of service or one more accomplishment, and I'll get one for my family."
Orion wasn't sure if he meant a wife or his parents. "Are you married, Teacher Remy?"
"Ah! You must think I'm young! I'm over forty. Warriors age very slowly because our bodies develop with Mana. We show very few signs of aging during the first half of our lives.
Then he shook his head slightly. "Later on, the physical changes accelerate rapidly. It's actually a bit scary."
Orion visualized it and admitted it was terrifying. It must be psychologically draining for a handsome, strong person who looked twenty for fifty years to suddenly age rapidly.
"That sounds really bad."
They approached a wooded area where there were no more houses or high buildings. Paths went in different directions, marked by gates in strange colors.
Orion and Kalista walked for another ten minutes on the path starting behind a black fence.
Orion saw small ponds and a few fenced farms along the path. The route was very sheltered and enjoyable.
There were many students of different sizes and hair colors walking the same way. Some of them were talking to each other. Orion wouldn't say no to some useful information.
"They say the Grand-master of the Eastern Isles has advanced to Demi-God rank."
"Even whole cities must be kneeling when he walks, right?"
"Too bad he is an Elf."
"Yeah…"
Orion heard the students whispering but didn't care since he lacked the context.
However, he missed the astonishment on Teacher Remy and Kalista's faces. This was the biggest display of emotion Kalista had shown since they met.
Neither expert commented on what they heard, but they understood that political shifts were coming.
While the students moved quickly and disappeared from sight, Orion's group didn't hurry.
The walk was enjoyable, filled with trees, small animals, and other students carrying strange weapons. Orion constantly peeked at people or marveled at the different sights every few steps.
He saw new animals crossing the path on this wooded road. But from what he heard in the following minutes, these creatures were no different from the cats and dogs of his old world.
They were here because these species loved wooded areas, though others lived in more urban places.
When they finally arrived at the Hunting Zone, they reached a gate where dozens of students had already queued up. Long, imposing walls and a barrier of light rose toward the sky.
Orion noticed that the barrier of light was only visible from certain angles as it shot straight up. It was astonishing to witness such a thing with his naked eyes.
Minutes later, the gate opened for a student and closed again. Orion watched with full focus.
Students entered the gate in turns, disappearing into the hunting grounds one by one. Even close groups had to separate and enter alone.
They simply stated their names, and the person inside checked them via some unknown method. After a short moment, the doors would open to allow the student inside.
Orion wondered if they had a computer-like system but wasn't very hopeful.
His eyes were fixed on the hunting grounds.
If the system worked the way he guessed, this place would answer everything and allow him to level up crazy.