Lunch, as it turned out, was chicken soup. The far end of the Yellow building was made up into essentially a school canteen. Long wooden tables with benches lined up across the building, in front of a serving window and large kitchen. Allen was at least comforted by the fact the food was mildly mana infused, but there wasn’t much in it. It was only because he had both his stomach and throat meridians open that he got anything from the meal at all. Given the fact the testing here only looked at the hands and feet, he wondered if people were getting anything from the meals at all. With nothing better to do, Allen found himself exploring the training hall. Cultivator grade treadmills and weight sets lined the walls, while the centre was set up for group exercise and combat. With nothing better to do, Allen ran for an hour then did three sets each on the different types of weight sets, all under the supervision of an older student clearly assigned to make sure none of new kids hurt themselves on the first day. Allen wasn’t really used to weights, having largely used farm work and his martial arts to keep himself in shape over the years, which led to a few simple mistakes. Still he knew they would be important going forward, at least they would if he wanted to keep in shape. Following an ice cold shower, Allen returned to his bunk and laid back on his bed. He hadn’t even bothered to unpack. Instead after changing into one set, he packed the rest of his new yellow clothing into the provided chest and grabbed just underwear and toiletries from his storage ring. the rest he left where he could get it if needed. As the day wore on more and more people arrived, most on their own but a couple in pairs. The largest group came near the end of the day and was a whole three girls, all of whom clearly knew each other by the way they were actually holding hands with nerves written all over their faces. Allen wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad thing that the bunks were grouped together by year. That meant each of the boys next to him were just as new, and therefore completely unimpressed. It was also somewhat better that the men and women were on different sides of the room. It didn’t do much for privacy, but it was a token effort at least. As much as the idea should sound like an eighteen year olds dream, all Allen could think of was his mothers reaction if she ever found out he did something wrong. That terrifying possibility alone meant he would be very careful where his eyes went.

“Alright fall in first years, time to go for a walk” came a familiar voice from the front. Priya, the girl who had guided him from the front entrance, was now standing at the doorway into dorms. “Once the speech is done we can bring you back here for dinner.”

If any of the new students were still excited, the boredom in her voice would have killed it off without mercy. She announced it in much the same way one would a replacement bus service on a long trip. Still Allen climbed onto his feet with everyone else and made his way to the door. The matching yellow uniforms making them look like extras from a children’s TV show. With no order or structure, the group walked out the yard from House territory and made their way back through the same streets as earlier. With the sun now set, only the lights from the occasional territory entrance lit up the streets, meaning there was a lot of bumping and apologies within their crowd. Finally they were guided into the main arena, taking seats in a section right up near the very top.

“Alright just stay silent and try not to bring any attention our way. Let’s get through the speech and then we will go over things back in the hall.” Priya said, still with the same bored tone.

Their entire group was studying the arena. It was one of the most famous buildings in the country, but only former students were allowed inside. Even the camera operators that filmed the combat tournaments each month were low levelled cultivators in service to the royal House. Cultivation duels were the most popular sport around the world, and the global television rights went for billions. A large part of that money went into making the arena as sophisticated as possible. Even their seats so high up gave good views of advertising boards around the sides of the fighting pit. Allen could see the large healers door, with several carts parked outside for transporting unconscious or dead contestants. Hanging in the air above them were giant screens which showed the ground down below them, just in case they couldn’t see. All around the arena people were filing in, huge groups taking up their own areas while being careful to leave gaps between them and anyone else. Eventually a group in a familiar green uniform arrived before them, sitting much lower though. The yellow group had maybe eighty students, whereas the green were just shy of twenty. Allen was tempted to ask, but got the feeling he wouldn’t like the answer, and Priya wouldn’t like giving it to him. After a few seconds deliberation, he decided to hold it until they were back in the dorms. He did make a note however that theres wasn’t the only section seemingly separated by colours. Or that the worst colours seemed to be the ones highest up. He honestly wasn’t sure if his bright yellow was better or worse than the collection of oranges and purples he could see dotted around. Even in a world of cultivators, many of whom were eccentric due to their long lives and general power, it was hard to imagine any of these colours being popular with anyone.

“Welcome first year students”

There was suddenly a man standing in the middle of the arena. Allen hadn’t seen him walk out, mainly because he had been playing fashion critic.

“You have all been blessed with the talent to study the royal arts here at his majesty’s academy. Through the training you receive here, many of you will see your lifespans extended far beyond their mortal limits. You will learn to bend the elements to your whims, and most importantly you will learn how to strike down any that would threaten this country or its people.”

The man paused for applause and cheers. Not feeling particularly at risk of being noticed, Allen didn’t bother faking it. Instead he studied the man speaking. Even from here he could tell the speaker was more powerful than him, which meant he was almost certainly either a Lord, related to one, or a member of the royal House. Given his slightly pudgy frame, gray hair and horrendous dress robes, he was probably from the later. They did love their bright colours and outdated dress styles, plus they were the only ones who could get somebody up to the higher levels of cultivation through resources.

“Those of you who work hard will find the academy offers you resources to progress. We have had students finish their four years here at the fourth level, and we have equally had students leave after failing to ascend at all. His majesties blessings come for those who work for it.” The man continued, his raspy voice revealing he must have been old when he started cultivation, as even the extended lifespan could not repair it. “For every task you complete, you will earn contribution points. These can be redeemed in the library to access new techniques, or the alchemy labs to gain resources. Our stronger members may wish to invest in weapons or armour from the enchanters.”

The man carried on speaking for a while, but Allen had stopped listening after the mention of contribution points. He now understood what Kyle had meant about earning points per people earlier. Being as discrete as he could, Allen cast out his senses to the front of their group, eventually finding Priya. Despite being a second year she was still a mortal. So either she hadn’t made the same effort the previous year, or it took an insane amount of points to earn techniques. Either way she was clearly making a real effort now.

“Alright first years. Time to go.”

Allen snapped to attention, suddenly realising the speech was finished and the majority of the arena had emptied out, he really needed to stop doing that. Rising to his feet, Allen followed behind their guide as she marched through the now pitch black streets. When they reached their territory, the familiar yellow uniform stood out as they guarded the entrance. It wasn’t until they got into the dorm building itself that Priya turned and spoke to them.

“Things you need to know. Contribution points are everything, but you can lose them just as easily as earning them. Keep your head down and work hard. Breakfast starts at 5, and you need to be in the training hall by 7. Welcome to the academy.”

She turned and walked away, leaving a class of people stunned into silence.