A cool wind blew in Ferinhal city. Even though it was early morning, the sun was hidden by the clouds and the atmosphere was chilly. January was a kind month to Ferinhal bestowing the city and its citizens with a cool month in contrast to the cold in December.

Shops were still closed and few cars could be seen on the streets. However, there was a huge crowd today in front of the gates of the martial sector.

Parents could be seen with their children. Some were crying while some had proud looks on their faces. They all had come to drop their children in the academy. Today was the day the new batch of cultivators entered the academy.

Marriane knelt down and hugged her son as she cried while Edward was rubbing her back consoling her. Their son was going to start a new chapter in his life and a dangerous one at that. James also cried as he hugged his mother tight.

"Now now dont cry Marriane. Our son is strong and he will be back in the yearly holiday break. Look James is crying as well. We wouldn't want him to go in with such a face. He might get teased inside for it." consoled Edward.

Marriane let go of her son and gave a kiss on his forehead.

"Make your Ma proud, but most of all take proper care of yourself! All I want is for you to achieve your dreams and be a man respected by others." she said as she looked at her son.

"Mm!" replied James, his eyes still watery.

"And don't forget to brush your teeth! I've already put in your toothbrush, sunscreen, powder and soap in your backpack! "

Suddenly all James could do was gawk at his mother. He smiled helplessly and said," Yes Ma" while his father rubbed his forehead.

" It's time now son. You wouldn't want to be late. Remember this James you will encounter many geniuses inside and sometimes you might feel inferior, but that's how life is. It shouldn't stop you but instead motivate you to work harder. "

" Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard! " said Edward as he patted his son's shoulder.

After a few more minutes James went inside the gate clutching a small suitcase with him. There were some children who were empty handed as well but they all had a ring in their fingers.

Spatial rings was used by people to store their goods to take it with them comfortably. However these rings had very limited space and were quite expensive, hence, they weren't seen much in public.

James reached the academy gates where after confirming his identity with the comm watch he was let in. As he walked towards the huge building in front, which was were his examination took place in, he felt a tap on his right shoulder.

James smiled and looked to his left but he saw no one.

"Where are you looking bro I am here. " came a cheerful voice.

Gus stood behind him on his right, with an amused expression at having fooled James again.

James looked at him with wide eyes and sighed.

" I saw you outside the gates all teary with you parents. Missing your mommy already? " grinned Gus.

" I saw you too hugging and crying with your dad. " replied James as he grinned back.

Gus became flustered and quickly said," I never you could tease as well! Haha looks like we will have lots of fun together! "

They both talked a bit and reached the reception inside the building. Many students could be seen today, all wearing their light blue uniforms.

After a while a middle aged man with a staff in his hand entered and approached them. He had black hair with slight grey streaks in it and had a stern look on his face. He looked towards the crowd of students and spoke,

"I hope everyone has gathered here. It's almost time for your Orientation. I'll be taking you to the auditorium so I request everyone to follow me. " saying this he turned around and walked towards the other side. A similarly huge glass door was located on the other side of the building opposite to the entry door beside the reception.

As they all got out James was astonished as he looked ahead. In front of him lay a breathtaking view.

Huge structures could be seen as far as the eye could see.

Each building had a huge gap between them and the area was covered in lush grasses and trees with stony pathways around connecting each area.

"This is just a small view of the academy. The academy is way larger than what you see in front of yourself. Come we don't have much time right now. You will all have plenty of time to move around the academy grounds later. "

Suddenly a hover disc appeared and landed in front of them. It was a huge disc with a radius of 50 meters. The middle aged man got on the gestured for everyone to get on as well.

James and Gus stepped on the disc looking around each other. The disc was purple in color and had no covering around it. It was completely open!

These hover discs were the primary mode of transport in the academy. In fact, many academies around the world used it as the primary mode of transport withing the academy grounds.

These hover discs come in various sizes as well. Generally students are given a hover disc of 1 meter for their personal use for travel inside the academy grounds. These discs can fly up to 50 meters above the ground and travel at a max speed of 100miles per hour.

They work on magnetic repulsion technology where it is able to maintain flight by acting against the magnetic property of the planet.

Hover discs are very expensive as well. The one the group was standing on was a premium class hover disc which could fly up to a height of 500 meters above ground and at a speed of 400 miles per hour!

When everyone had stepped on, the man gave a slight tap with his staff and suddenly the hover disc shook and rose up in the air. James was awed by the view below. He could see the academy campus and was astonished as he saw that even now he could not see the entire campus.

Suddenly with jolt the hover disc moved at a breathtaking speed towards the northeast and by the time they realised what had happened, they had already reached near a building.

The disc came to a halt and descended. In front of them was a semi circle shaped building. It was blue in color and had a square cut in front which was also the entrance point. The doors were large enough to allow at least 10 people to walk in together. Above the doors 'Auditorium' was written in huge letter pieces.

Large trees and plants were planted around the entire perimeter of the area for beautification.

The group left the hover disc and entered the auditorium. Inside was a huge stage and seating was done on the ground in front of the stage and on galleries built on either side of the stage. The auditorium could probably hold over 10000 people but such a capacity was rarely reached in even a 10 year span.

The group sat in front while the middle aged teacher handled the discipline. Soon footsteps were heard and everybody looked towards the stage in anticipation.

A man who looked to be in his early fifties appeared from behind the stage and walked in front. He stood there and looked at the crowd in front with a sharp but calm gaze.

James felt as if this elder was looking straight through him and analysing him. After a few seconds the elderly looking man cleared his throat and spoke in a loud and clear voice,

"Good morning to one and all present here. I welcome you all to Sky Blaze Martial Academy! "

" My name is Felix Storm and I am the headmaster of this Academy. The academy came into being over 20 thousand years ago and has a deep heritage and legacy which has been maintained by the generations of cultivators who have graduated from this Academy."

" Similarly you as the future generation will have to keep the tradition going by shouldering the responsibility with your deeds and actions in the inside and outside world."

"I must congratulate you all for having made it here but this, is just the starting point of your journey. The path of martial cultivation is not only extremely difficult, but also a ruthless one! "

" Lowering your guard for even a second can cost you in battle, similarly if you don't work hard here you will not gain anything by being a student in this Academy. "

" Here the rule of the jungle is followed where the strong rules over the weak and only the strong and deserving ones will be the one who will monopolize on the benefits this Academy has to offer. "

" Steel your heart and your mind as these 5 years are one of the most crucial point in your life. With that said I wish you all the very best! "

The audience listened with rapt attention to each word spoken by the headmaster.

" For today you will be given your dorm rooms after your orientation. Your classes will begin from tomorrow. As of now the comm watch in each of your wrists have been updated with the academy map."

" Within a few days you will get acquainted with the academy grounds and each one of you will receive a hover disc for travelling within the academy. "

" The person who brought you here today is Prof. Darel Kroft who will also be your teacher teaching you, about qi manipulation when all of you have stepped in to the Azure realm "

" I see that everyone here has broken through the 4th stage of Form realm. It will now take about another month for you to form your core and step in to the Azure realm."

" So for the first month here you will be taught on various subjects, basic knowledge that you will need such as history, various pills and their effects, spirit beasts etc.

" I think I have covered everything. Further rules and regulations have been sent to your rooms along with your hover discs. I won't take any more time now."

" Remember that each one of you here is a genius in their own right and hence you are nothing special! Only through hard work will you be able to differentiate from your peers. Now it's time for you to leave. Prof Kroft will escort you to your dorms. "

The headmaster suddenly disappeared from the stage and before anybody could react the professor who stood beside a wall behind, called the students to follow him.

The hover disc descended down near a group of buildings. The students looked ahead and could see 2 storey buildings packed in a sort of residential complex structure.

There were about 20 buildings 10 on the right and 10 on the left. A large pathway ran in between them. There were no security guards present but the entire area had CCTV cameras installed.

As they got off the disc the professor spoke in a loud voice,

"The buildings you see on the left are for the boys while the ones on the right are for the girls. Each building has 5 rooms on each floor. Each one of you will get 1 room for yourselves."

" There are no preemptive selection, you may choose whichever you want as they all are the same. As you advance you will be shifted to newer areas with even better rooms. It all depends on your performance! "

" None of your seniors live in these dorms. They have already shifted to better ones as these are the most basic rooms. So work hard and you may also leave this place as well. "

" When you settle down go through the information provided in your comm watches and a package will arrive at your doorstep in the afternoon which will contain your hover discs. "

" With that said I hope to meet you all in my class tomorrow. Your first class will be with me, details are already provided in your planner. "

The professor got on the disc and soared up disappearing into the sky.

The students quickly decided to choose their rooms. James and Gus chose rooms near each other and settled down. They took rooms in the second building on the ground floor.

The room had a bed, a table, a stool and a small bathroom. The professor was right when he said these are basic rooms thought James. He winded down and settled in.

After a while a knock was heard on the door. James went up and opened it and saw a robot stood outside which looked similar to the delivery bots. It had a package beside it.

"Please show your watch for identity check"

James brought his comm watch towards the robot and a red light flicked on it.

"Identity confirmed. Student James Walter, year 1."

"Here is your package which contains your hover disc and a spatial ring."

James was surprised as he knew about the hover disc but didn't know he will get a spatial ring as well. He received his package and closed the door.

The disc was red in color and was a meter in radius. It was the standard travel disc given to students to traverse the academy grounds quickly.

He looked at the spatial ring next. It looked simple and ordinary with a silver shank and black centre stone. It had a space of only 2 square meters inside. James understood that the ring was meant for him to carry his disc with him and maybe a cloth or 2 on top of it.

A knock was heard and as James opened the door he saw Gus standing outside.

"Cmon man how long will you stay inside! Let's test out our disc's. I can't wait to test this baby out. I'd say we should visit the cafeteria and get something to eat while were on it"

" Sounds good. Ok give me a sec. " said James.

He put on his ring and took out his disc. They went outside and saw a couple of students as well. After a few tries James finally got the hang of using the disc properly which he found to be surprisingly quite easy.

" This is so easy bro! I can even do a flip on it. Let's race to the cafeteria! I already feel like I'll die from hunger. " said Gus. He was fidgeting with his disc trying various flips as he rode it.

" Loser pays" replied James as he grinned towards Gus to which Gus gave a smirk and nodded back.

The sun was setting down. The skies had a orange tint to it and two boys raced through the skies. A new life begins, a life of adventure, joy and sorrow.

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Notes- Here's the chapter for today. I never knew world building can take so much time, which is why I decided to write longer chapters to fit in more stuff. The next chapter will be released tomorrow as I haven't even started writing it yet. In fact I just finished this one. The novel has crossed over 1k views so yay!!! :) but no responses yet :(. If you find any mistakes or have nay suggestions please do comment and tell me. Enjoy!