I wasn't the first to arrive in the lecture hall, which caught me off guard.
In the back row, one leg crossed over the other, Alma Hwon was already seated, chatting sweetly with another newcomer. I didn't remember his name—I'd tuned out everything after mine, too distracted by the weight of those stares I could practically feel on my skin.
When she noticed me, she waved and motioned for me to come over.
There was no hostility in her eyes.
So I decided—having at least one ally here wouldn't hurt.
"Hey, Alan," she said, smiling even wider as she shifted to make space.
"Hey… Alma?"
"You remembered my name? I'm flattered! So, what do you think of the academy?"
"Too early to tell," I admitted. "But it looks impressive."
"Right? And there are so many opportunities here!"
I had no idea what she meant by that—and I didn't get the chance to ask.
Robert dropped into the seat beside us.
I sighed.
"Trying to run from me, aristocrat?" he asked lazily.
"Not at all. Listen—"
I didn't get to finish.
Our new teacher walked in, and the room fell silent instantly. He scanned the class, then took his place beside the large board.
"Good. Everyone's here. That's a start," he said. "Let's get straight to it."
"Classes begin at nine every morning. The first half of the day you'll attend lectures with the elite class. Then lunch. The second half will be practical training."
"Sunday is your day off."
"You are not allowed to leave academy grounds until you can maintain a protective barrier. That usually takes… more than a month."
"Questions?"
A girl of about fifteen, her head nearly shaved, raised her hand.
"Teacher Wong—why do we have to study with those stuck-up elites in the morning?"
"First of all, Amelia—and the rest of you—remember this once and for all," Wong said calmly. "The elite class is your future."
"If you prove yourself, you may earn their favor before graduation—and that's your ticket to a better life as a personal bodyguard."
"But if they dislike you…" He paused. "You'll spend your life crawling at the bottom."
"These people are here to rule over you."
He let the words sink in.
"To you, they are gods. Act like it."
"Any harm, attack, or even insult toward an elite student is the gravest offense. The punishment may cost you your life."
"Understood?"
"Yes, Teacher…" several voices replied, clearly unhappy.
"As for your question," he continued, "the morning sessions are theory. You'll learn what power is, its types, how to use it."
"You'll also study entities—their classifications and how to deal with each type."
"This knowledge is essential not only for defenders, but for those who will manage them."
"Next question?"
"Teacher," Torrent spoke up, "you said aristocrats are untouchable."
"That's correct."
"What if an aristocrat studies in our division? Do those rules still apply?"
I froze.
Held my breath.
Wong didn't answer right away. He frowned, glanced at me, then looked back at Torrent.
"As a rule, aristocrats never enroll in the gifted division," he said slowly. "Even if they possess power, they neither use it nor develop it."
"There are exceptions," he added, and several classmates looked straight at me. "But they are extremely rare. In fact, this has only happened once before in the academy's entire history."
"The rules clearly state: elite-class students—and academy staff who graduated from the elite division—are untouchable."
"So," Torrent pressed, "if an aristocrat studies among us, that protection doesn't apply?"
"…Yes. That's correct," the teacher admitted reluctantly.
The ugly grin spreading across Robert's face made me shiver.
"Let's move on," Wong said sharply.
Silence settled over the room.
"Next. I'll hand out your study materials after this session, along with the academy regulations."
"Every violation is punished."
"Now, about rewards. You've probably noticed that senior students' uniforms differ from yours."
"Yes," someone replied. "They have white badges—and different amounts."
"Correct. For gifted students, those badges are your currency. You earn them by standing out."
"For example?" Alma asked.
"For example—being the first to master a protective barrier. Winning a training duel. Achieving the best result on a theoretical test."
"Or receiving a badge directly from an elite student."
"There's another way—duels. You can challenge a classmate, or be challenged."
"The only condition: both participants must wager a badge."
"So we can't challenge anyone until we have at least one?" someone asked.
"Correct, Neil. Next question?"
"How long does training last for us?" I asked.
"As you know," Wong said, "elite students study for exactly five years."
More glances in my direction.
"So… we also study five years?"
"No. The gifted division follows different rules."
"One year is mandatory. During that time, you will master—or at least learn—the basics."
"To graduate, you must collect thirty badges."
"And how long does that take?" Miguel asked.
"That depends entirely on you. Some graduate in a year. Others stay for ten and still fail."
"Most finish in three to five years."
"So if I challenge everyone and win," Robert said, "I can graduate quickly?"
"To win duels, you'll need more than fists," Wong replied dryly. "And don't forget the penalty system."
"Fail an exam. Fall behind in practical skills. Show the worst results—and your badges will be taken."
"And if you don't have any yet?" Emilia asked.
"You may go into debt—up to three badges."
"And if you lose more?"
"Then you are expelled. And assigned labor to repay the cost of your training."
"What kind of labor?" I asked before I could stop myself.
"Many kinds," Wong said calmly. "Cleaning up after high-level entities. Acting as bait."
"Or cleaning city sewers. Or serving as a test subject for new techniques and abilities."
Silence.
So.
Today, I realized two things.
First—I could not afford to get expelled. Under any circumstances.
Second—I couldn't afford to earn badges yet.
Not until I was sure I could at least survive—or avoid ending up crippled in a duel.
Because I was almost certain—
There would be a line of people waiting for their turn to beat the aristocrat out of me.
Core Regulations of Gordinstreet Academy
General Rules
Once a selected candidate crosses the threshold of the induction hall, they officially become a student of the academy and must follow all rules listed below.Every student must wear the designated uniform and identifying insignia appropriate to their class and year.Students may enter or leave academy grounds only with a valid pass issued according to class regulations.All assigned classes are mandatory unless there is a valid excuse.During lessons, students may not speak unless addressed, leave their seats without permission, arrive late, or skip classes without a valid reason.Physical aggression outside of an official duel is punishable. Force is permitted only in self-defense.The consumption of alcohol or use of hard drugs is strictly prohibited on academy grounds unless authorized in writing by the headmaster or deputy.Disciplinary action is taken only if a formal complaint is filed. Otherwise, the academy does not interfere in student conflicts unless they result in death or irreversible harm.To file a complaint, a student must provide undeniable proof in the form of bodily memory.Every Friday after classes, all students must gather in the main hall. Weekly results are announced, and students are rewarded or punished regardless of class or year.Each June, the Special Authority hosts an inter-academy exhibition. Attendance is mandatory for selected students. Absence without a valid reason results in immediate expulsion.Punishments are not fixed and are determined at the discretion of the headmaster, deputy, or responsible instructor.
Elite Class Rules
Elite students may assign tasks to students of the gifted division.Tasks may only be assigned after obtaining verbal consent during a handshake.Tasks must not cause physical or psychological harm unless explicitly agreed upon. Elite students may not force gifted students to harm others or perform actions that would lower their standing or cost them badges.Elite students may grant favor or express disfavor toward any gifted student.Disfavor must be supported by evidence in the form of bodily memory.An elite student may grant only one favor badge to a gifted student.Each elite student may grant one favor badge and up to five merit badges during their time at the academy.A favor badge may be revoked if the elite student provides evidence that their favor has been lost.Merit badges cannot be revoked.Merit badges require proof that the gifted student has demonstrated outstanding ability.If an elite student wishes to recruit a gifted student as a personal bodyguard, they must obtain verbal consent via handshake and submit a formal request to the headmaster.Elite students have priority in recruiting personal bodyguards for themselves and their families.If a contract is formed but the gifted student has not completed training within six years, the elite student or their family may terminate the agreement, compensating training costs up to the moment the contract was made.Upon recruitment, the elite student or their family must pay the academy the full cost of training and provide a regulated minimum salary to the bodyguard for ten years. After that, compensation terms are determined by the bodyguard.
Gifted Division Rules
Once a gifted student crosses the threshold of the induction hall, they fall under the protection of the academy. No one may forcibly remove them, regardless of status.A gifted student may withdraw voluntarily by paying full compensation for their training, as determined by the headmaster.Expelled students must either repay their training costs in full or work off their debt through assigned labor.Grounds for expulsion include rule violations, justified complaints, severe physical or psychological harm, or exceeding the allowed loss of badges.A gifted student may incur a debt of up to three badges. Exceeding this limit results in expulsion without the possibility of reinstatement.Badges may be earned through exams, awarded by elite students, won in duels, or granted by instructors for exceptional actions.Graduation requires at least one year of study and the collection of thirty merit badges.After graduation, gifted students must serve at least ten years as defenders.Service includes any role related to protecting aristocratic families, both those who can see and those who cannot, as well as eliminating entities, recruiting new students, or teaching.A gifted student with a favor badge must prioritize tasks assigned by that elite student.A favor badge is equal to ten merit badges. It cannot be wagered. Only the issuing elite student controls it. If revoked, the gifted student loses the favor badge and ten merit badges in addition.If an elite student recruits a gifted student as a bodyguard, the favor badge counts as ten of the thirty required for graduation.If the elite student does not recruit them, the gifted student must still earn twenty-five additional merit badges.A gifted student may refuse a task if it would cause harm or risk their standing or badges.If they accept, they must give verbal consent during a handshake.Once accepted, the gifted student bears full responsibility for the consequences.Punishment for harmful actions differs between elite and gifted students and is determined by academy authorities.A gifted student chosen as a future bodyguard may not accept tasks from others without permission from their designated patron.Only gifted students endorsed by at least five instructors and senior elite students may participate in inter-academy demonstrations.Candidates must demonstrate at least minimal control over their power.Selected candidates are required to participate in demonstration battles.During such events, any non-powered individual capable of payment may recruit a participant.Representatives of special divisions may recruit participants and offer internships as part of training.A gifted student may decline continued cooperation with a division if their training period has not yet ended.A recruiting representative may refuse future employment only if they provide proof of the student's incompetence in the form of bodily memory.
These weren't just rules.
They were a system.
A hierarchy.
And a contract you couldn't escape once you stepped in.