“I’m known as Maple Tilly, but all of you can call me, Tilly,” the Sanguniem Vorpal said. “I am also the Matron for the dormitories and for most of you, I will become your counselor, friend, rule enforcer and even punisher should you break the rules.” Some of the student blanche at the last description, but continue to follow as they gape in awe at the halls.

“Most of our students will be returning or arriving within the next few days. We ensured that your scheduled arrival was earlier than the rest as you are this year’s batch of first years. You will be properly tested and graded, some of you will enroll into a higher level of class and others into entire grades entirely,” Tilly said as the students nod in understanding.

“You are brightest minds and best talents that Earth has to offer. Please carry yourselves with pride,” Til sincerely said gathering smiles from the more nervous members of the group. “Now all of you are registered and selected a department to join, however a few of you have yet to select a department. Hopefully, this tour will aid in that retrospect. First, we will stop in our Science Department, this is where genetics to creating new science occurs. Be aware that some Departments overlap such as the Engineering Department with the creation of a new technology and that of the Science Department.”

The group moves in a neat file as they enter the first building, that resembles an upside-down coliseum, the Science Department. Groups of graduate students or seniors, work on projects in the laboratories. The prospective members of the Science Department gaze with awe and envy even going as far as pressing their faces against the glass to gain a closer look.

Tilly giggles and says, “Alright children onto the Engineering Department.” The group heads to the next Department over to find mechanical inventions being made in large halls and that of new inventions being built or tested. The nerds or geeks of the group are fascinated, while the rest of the student’s eyes begin to wander in boredom.

Tilly upon seeing some of the male students being rambunctious breaks the bored atmosphere. “Please remember that every department that exists at the academy is important. However, the most important fact to remember is that it is up to you, whether you can make your department shine and become a star,” Tilly persuasively said.

The students flush with embarrassment and are mollified by her words. Tilly takes the initiative and cheerily says, “Onto the Culture Department!” Several students perk up at her words as they move towards the warm colored building that looked like a half of the yin and yang symbol. The Culture Department is the only department still relatively full of members. The entire purpose of the department was to create friendship and exchange knowledge with different members of Earth societies. This was one of the reasons why large concentrations of political of power clustered in this one Department. One could easily be fooled by the placid atmosphere of the swan lake, but underneath the still waters, the swans were furiously pedaling to stay afloat.

The student group continues to move throughout the rest of the academy visiting the cutthroat Business and Trade Department, the happy, sweaty Military Departments and so forth until the tour is done by 14:00. Seeing her students tired and hungry, Tilly chirpily says, “Alright everyone, we will head back to your quarters to eat and rest for the day. Tomorrow, we are to meet up at 7:00 sharp in the center hallway.

Dormitories having been already been assigned. For those residing in the dorms, you will have a roommate. For the rest of you who have other arrangements, there are vehicles at the entrance waiting to take you to your new residencies. Are there any questions?” Not seeing any, Til leads her flock of new students away, while eleven individuals leave the group and head towards the entrance.

Eleven students race back towards the entrance, while #017 slowly trails at the back of the group heading towards the dormitories all the while eyeing the talking figure of Albert Cross and the fading figure of the young man who caught her eye at introductions, Lucius Faye. Mr. Wilkins whispers, “Why didn’t you buy a house considering our position?”

“Because I don’t want to cook and the school must provide food for students at all hours. Besides our things are already here and a couple of added bonuses that were paid for, so be happy. And let’s not forget, we have a job to do,” #017 dutifully replied.

Mr. Wilkins pouts in sullen silent as #017 frowns and makes an effort to cheer him up. #017 asks, “So are you looking forward to classes?”

“Of course, I’m going to crush the little brats,” Mr. Wilkins confidently said.

#017 raises a not so surprised eyebrow up. “What a shocker,” #017 sarcastically said.

“Really, aren’t you excited at the bonuses of the job?” Mr. Wilkins asked.

#017 ponders the question for a moment, before answering, “It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.” Mr. Wilkins opens his mouth to contradict the statement as #017 rapidly adds, “I’ve seen countless worlds and lived countless lives, that are no less real than this one. Sometimes I wonder if they weren’t real in the end. Maybe we just that we have yet to understand that virtual reality is merely a gate to another reality.”

Mr. Wilkins is silent before saying, “Okay, in which case, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“No, it won’t, because thankfully the brat was automatically registered to be in the same department as us,” #017 seriously replied causing Mr. Wilkins eye his girl but is unable to get a read, before they arrive at the dormitories. The dormitory buildings are large leaping into the sky like skyscrapers.

#017 eyes the tall buildings as Tilly, the Dorm Matron says, “Male and Female Dorms are separated by floors. A single floor is dedicated to males, while the next is to females and so forth. Everyone has a roommate no exceptions. Your room assignments are registered to your VEX watch, please check your watch for more information. The cafeterias are housed on the first floors and other recreational floors exist between dorm room floors. Please check your floor map or VEX for more information. Now, then wiggle, wiggle away, go make friends with your new roommates.”

#017 had already checked her VEX watch and makes her way to room #113 with her roommate, Mr. Wilkins. Despite being or having chosen to be male, technically, as an AI, Mr. Wilkins had no gender. And as such, Mr. Wilkins had become her roommate and registered attaché.

Tilly hurriedly rushes towards #017 and says, “Miss Starr, I am so sorry. I hadn’t noticed you were included in the student tour and dorms. If you would like I can have your things moved over to the teaching dorm immediately!”

“It’s all right, besides, I this way I will be able to gain an insight into the student’s minds. I am sure that Mr. Wilkins will agree,” #017 calmly replied. Tilly bows apologetically to the teddy bear, before rushing off to take care of a very pale student who looked about to throw up.

Mr. Wilkins makes a pleased sound and says, “I like her. She clearly knows who’s the boss.” #017 snorts in reply and heads towards the employ elevator in the corner.

Most of the students have gone up, but a few students stare with curiosity at the gray-haired female. The remaining students snicker and wait for the elevator to make the rejection sound and for the female student to return in embarrassment. To their shock, the identification panel accepts the presented VEX ID and the elevator doors open and allow her to go up. The students stare at each other in shock trying to figure out who the female student was. By the end of the day, there was a rumor that one of the students wasn’t a student but a member of the faculty. Most of the students laughed it off, but those that had witnessed the even swore it was true.