The East Mansion was a well known and highly desired residence by students. It had one of the best cultivation rooms and a huge rent to go along with it.

James met up with Gus after the seniors left them. They began discussing about the upcoming party.

" I heard a rumor that every year this so called welcoming party is hosted by seniors. "

" Apparently if we don't show up, we might get marked by the seniors." said Gus.

" Hmm, where did you hear it from? "

" When you were out on your mission, I had spoke with some others from our batch. There are 2-3 of them who have a family relative in a senior class. "

" My sources are 100% accurate. " replied Gus.

" I see. Any other info? "

" Yep. The most important thing about this event is that we get to meet up and know many seniors. "

" However, the downside being some of us might be ragged if we caught the interest of one of the seniors in a bad way. We have to lay low " said Gus in a serious manner.

James nodded in understanding. The academy never bothered with student problems until it was an escalating matter. They encouraged rivalries instead.

This is why the 1st years were given a different area to live. The academy saved them in this way for a year and let them out in the jungle the next year.

Students being thirteen in age should be able to cope up in changing environments and situations. If they can't, then cultivation is not a future prospect for them.

James had to make sure to lay low and not catch a senior's attention. But, it was difficult for him as he was one of the few who had broken through to the mid stage Azure realm, a fact that was bound to catch the attention of other seniors.

He didn't want to be on the bad side of a senior so he had to go. Not going would mean disrespecting the seniors and not accepting their kind gesture.

" Looks like we don't have a choice. Let's leave after a few minutes. It's almost time for the party anyways. We might as well try and enjoy it as a new year celebration. " replied James.

Gus nodded and they left to get ready. James wore a t shirt and jeans. He didn't have any flashy clothes, neither did he expect that he would be attending parties in the academy.

He looked at himself in the mirror. His body had changed quite a lot. He had grown taller and had quite a lean figure. Veins could be seen on his arms and his face now lacked baby fat. Due to constant training, he had gained a muscular frame

He went outside and met up with Gus who was also in t shirt and jeans. They left for the East Mansion quickly as they didn't want to be late. Bring late meant having the spotlight on them which they didn't desire.

On their way, they could see the beauty of the place. The entire area had a brick lane passing through it with grass covering the grounds beside. There were lamp posts after every few meters.

James admired the beauty of their new dorm area. It looked quite peaceful and welcoming compared to the city environment that he usually gets to see. The academy was in itself a sight to admire.

Soon they saw a large two storeyed house with a huge garden around it. It encompassed a large area and people could be seen walking in through the main gates. Music could be heard from outside as they neared the gates.

James could see many seniors in fashionable clothing. The guys mainly wore shirt and jeans while the girls were in dresses. He felt a bit nervous ad they entered through the gate.

Even though it was a two storeyed building, it had a huge length compared to the normal residences. The building had a modern look to it. James could spot a small pool on the second floor situated in the balcony from outside.

Looks like it was a very lavish residence thought James. Students weren't allowed to bring money from homes. They were required to earn by completing missions and through academy events.

To have been able to afford such a residence, the present owner of this mansion was guaranteed to be an amazing student.

They walked along the brick lane and entered the mansion. As James entered inside he could see a thin layer of smoke around the room. In front of him was a large area with sofas and chairs lined up around small tables.

A larger table was located in the centre and there was a kitchen and a bathroom on the far end at the back.

On his right was a spiral staircase leading to the upper floor where he thought must be the bedroom of the owner and the cultivation room.

All around him he could see many people going around holding drinks and having snacks as they chatted amongst themselves. Many looked towards them as they discussed as well.

The tables had a pot like structure upon it with a pipe coming out of it. He could see many seniors sitting around and smoking through it in turns.

" That's a shisha " said Gus as he noticed James's gaze.

" A what? " said James.

" I've seen it before. Many miners take it after their shift. The pot is the base with cold water and flavor mixed in with a charcoal piece on top. "

" You can smoke through the pipe, but my father says it's not very healthy " replied Gus.

" I see"

" Let's not stand here near the gates though. We are attracting attention towards ourselves. Let's go someplace else inside. " said Gus.

James nodded and they went to a corner.

The room had wooden flooring and exquisite patterns on the walls. It had a club like atmosphere with EDMs playing loudly.

James had never been to such a party. He was a bit fascinated as he looked around. He could see many from his batch, some socializing with seniors and even sitting around the small tables smoking shisha.

There were also some who looked like they were being ganged up on by a crowd of seniors talking and laughing at them.

James wished he didn't end up like the latter. He could see that the small noble group mixing in pretty well with the seniors especially Luke who seemed to have gelled in.

" Hey look at those two. The way they are trying to keep themselves low here, I'm sure they belong to the new second years"

A group of seniors looked towards them. They were on the table nearest to them. Suddenly one of them who was smoking the pipe spoke,

" Hey you two! Come over here, we won't bite. "

" Hahaha" the group laughed at them.

" Yes, yes come join us! Won't you introduce yourselves to us seniors? " another chipped in.

Looks like they won't get out of this smoothly thought James. He gave a smile as he looked towards the group and spoke in an amiable way

" Hello seniors. My name is James and this is my friend Gus. " said James. He wouldn't show weakness, he wasn't the type to be bullied easily.

" I see. Wait I've heard this name before. Are you James Walter and Gus Light? " asked one of them.

" Yes we are. May I know how you came to know about us? " replied Gus.

" Ah! Looks like we have two stars amongst us from the new batch. Brothers these two won the Virtual Test I've heard and one of them that James has reached the mid stage of the Azure realm! "

" Oh it seems brother is right. These two are certainly geniuses then! " came another voice. The person who just spoke had a thin figure with a glass in his hand. He had a strange glint in his eyes as he looked towards them which alerted James.

'Not good' thought James.

" Why don't you join us? We are just a year senior to you. No need to be afraid." continued the guy as he put his drink down. He got up and approached them stretching a hand out towards James.

"Hi my name is Sean Fraser. "

James shook his hands and he welcomed them towards the table. After being seated Sean offered him the pipe.

" Hey have a puff"

" No thanks senior. I don't smoke. " replied James.

" You won't accept a kind gesture of friendship from out brother Sean " said someone in the group.

Hearing this Sean's expression changed a bit, but he appeared calm on the outside and spoke,

" It's fine brothers. Looks like our juniors here haven't grown hair down there yet. "

" Hahaha. You are right brother!" the group roared in laughter at the insidious remark.

" Would you like to check it for yourself? " said Gus suddenly with anger. He couldn't such a remark.

James quickly held his shoulder and spoke

" I am sorry, it hasn't been a good day for him. "

" Tchh these kids think too highly of themselves. What do you say brothers" said Sean.

" Looks like they haven't been educated well in their first year. " said another.

James started sweating. He knew the seniors have found an opportunity now and won't leave them easily.

" Look what we have here! Looks like you guys have already started picking on these poor juniors " came a voice suddenly.

" Ah senior Kyle! We were just having some fun that's all. Thank you for hosting such a wonderful party! " said Sean his expression suddenly changer to one of earnest. He never expected senior Kyle to appear. If Kyle wanted to save James he couldn't do anything.

'So this is the senior who owns this mansion' thought James. Kyle Hammersworth was one of the best students in the academy. A final year student who has been living in the East Mansion for about a year now.

He was from a very prestigious family and was highly respected amongst the students. He had a muscular build which even his shirt couldn't hide. He had a large frame and a square face.

" How boring! As soon as I came you all turned into a bunch of kitties, and here I thought I'd get to see some action" said Kyle.

" Since brother has said so, how couldn't we? Let's give these two a good welcoming " said Sean as he smiled and looked at his group. The others nodded and raised their glasses. Sean was happy as it seemed the senior had no intention of interfering.

Things did not look good for both of them. Looks like this senior never planned to help us thought James.

" Ah brother James I've been looking for you! So it seems you were with brother Sean" came another voice.

James looked around and saw that it was senior Ritz! He felt relieved on seeing him.

" Oh you know them Ritz? " asked Kyle as he looked at Ritz curiously.

" Haha, yes. Pretty fantastic juniors they are. I hope there are no problems? " asked Ritz. He had watched the entire scene and thought senior Kyle might interfere and save them but it didn't look so.

Ritz was pretty popular in his batch and he himself had a considerable influence especially now when he was a fourth year.

" Nothing much senior. We were just planning to 'educate' these juniors. That's all. " replied Sean. Since senior Kyle didn't have a problem so he didn't have any fear of Ritz.

" Hmm, I think we should keep this fair. Brother Ritz himself has vouched for James so why not have a fight? "

" Sean is in the mid stage of Azure realm and so is James. They can have a sparring season. " said Kyle.

" I wouldn't mind that as well. As senior Kyle suggests" said Sean.

Seeing Ritz supporting James he decided to lend him a hand and avoid embarrassing the two second years. A sparring season was the most he could do as he did not intend to openly support James whom he didn't know at all.

" Ah but James just broke through recently while Sean has been in the mid stage for over six months now. " said Ritz. He was trying his best to help James.

" Sean is average compared to the others in third years " said Ritz as he transmitted it through qi privately to James for only him to hear.

" Even if you are at the same stage, he has more experience than you. It is still disadvantageous. "

" I understand brother Ritz" replied James.

After giving a moment of thought James looked at Sean and said,

" I accept the fight. However, I would like to fight brother Sean in the Annual Tournament instead. "

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Thanks and enjoy! :)