After the welcoming ceremony concluded with a traditional, tedious introduction to the academy's layout. Even though Henry Nox's voice had already become rusty and exhausted after the long speech events, Nathan listened carefully and attempted to catch every detail.
The academy was structurally differentiated into four layers, with the bottom three layers providing territories for each grade. Supported by the central tower in the middle, these layers assembled an irregular pyramid, or more precisely, a fountain-like shape that radiated thoroughness and sophistication. The central tower was the only way to traverse between the layers, and its summit contained the academy's most prestigious chambers, including the student council, staff offices, advanced Rune Arts training rooms, and many others. On the other hand, the outer ring that enclosed the academy grounds served as diplomatic buildings where guests were acquainted and ceremonies were held.
In Nathan's eyes, the Imperial Academy was more like a hypermodern town unique in its own designs rather than an academy in the traditional sense. Most of the school grounds were exposed to the air, and the classrooms formed the houses, monuments, stores, and towers. It was unbelievably big for an academy—there were probably more buildings than the number of students enrolled.
Weirdly, the configurations of these buildings were visibly contrasting to one another. Nathan observed the different styles as he walked towards the soaring tower in the center of the academy grounds. While the ordinary students usually dwelled in the outer layer of the academy grounds, the representative students were given the privilege of accessing the areas surrounding the central tower, with more luxurious and convenient equipment and rooms to use privately. The only way other students could enter these prohibited zones was to earn permission from a representative student.
Ultimately, he managed to distinguish four different styles among the properties. One was round and smooth, perfected with the use of direct, simplistic colors. One exuded auras of danger and authority, featuring complex, sharp corners and dark, emotionless armor on the walls. One was uptight and reserved, either square or rectangular; these buildings seemed to be constructions from a future timeline, complete with impressively high-tech gadgets adorning the exterior. The last type had unique, quirky appearances and showcased a greater variety of forms than the others of its kind. The only way to classify them was by their total disorder. The architects who designed them were not deemed professionals, it seemed as if they only followed where their hearts took them.
In Nathan's memories, his father told him that Rune Artists had developed different approaches to their studies throughout history. He couldn't remember the details, but Nathan guessed that these buildings must be representatives of the four major paths Rune Artists of different beliefs chose.
"How long are we going to walk for…" Charlotte complained to herself quietly.
The seven representative students were instructed to walk to the central tower by themselves immediately after the conclusion of the ceremony. Nathan didn't even have any time to catch up and explain the previous occurrence to Daniel, Joseph, and Jay. The atmosphere between the representative students was awkwardly tense. Monica and William chatted quietly with each other, their voices so low that Nathan couldn't even perceive them. Leo Blanc attempted to start a conversation with David Edmonds but almost instantly gave up after hearing David's innocent response. Nathan was standing at the center, with Jennifer Lumendra behind him, staring at him with concern and agony.
"You already went past your destination," a voice from behind lazily stated. "Speed up your pace next time; you are two minutes late."
Nathan turned around. Leaning against one of the buildings was a short boy who seemed to have blended into the landscape. His face was so ordinary and unrecognizable that no one noticed him in the empty streets of the first layer.
"I'm Nicolas Terrast, student council secretary," the boy introduced himself, his eyes filled with disdain. "Follow me to your dormitories." He valued the scarcity of his words, unwilling to say anything more than what was necessary.
"Thought student council members would do something more fascinating," Jennifer Lumendra scoffed out loud, never one to bother hiding her irritation.
Nicolas lifted his eyes.
"Hmm, you are right," he said blankly.
"You guys take care of yourselves, then. I'm off doing more fascinating stuff."
Before he sank back into the shadows, Nathan quickly stepped forward.
"Wait, Mister Terrast, please!" Nathan desperately called out. Nicolas didn't look back, but his actions were temporarily halted.
"We need your guidance!" Nathan bowed deeply. ""I apologize on her behalf. Please give us another chance. Next time, we'll be on time and show you the respect you deserve. In the name of Nathan Modernson, I promise this won't happen again."
Nathan's voice was clearly apologetic, but there was also a subtle tone of assertiveness.
Everyone fixed their stares on Nathan. A mixture of surprise, scorn, and admiration landed on Nathan's bent back.
"Nathan Modernson… Surprising…" Nicolas spoke quietly with a faint feeling of uncertainty. "Very well, I like your apology. Now, follow me."
At Lostburg, there were sophisticated people like Nicolas Terrast too—proud and socially inhospitable—but to Nathan, they were no more challenging than common bullies.
Apologies were meaningless to people who rarely felt human emotions. Rather than undignified flattery, it was important to get straight to the point and focus on changing in the future, not on the missteps of the past.
But to others, all they could anticipate was that Nicolas was also afraid of Nathan's identity. Some of them, namely Leo Blanc and William Schwarz, still saw him as a foolish puppet that could be manipulated as an asset for themselves.
Nicolas Terrast, with efficiency as the most notable characteristic of his reputation, led them to their dormitories at horrifying speed. The living areas of the representative students completely blew Nathan's mind—he couldn't even tell what some of the rooms and equipment were used for.
The interior decoration wasn't the elegant, palace-like features he expected; instead, it was simplistic yet spiritually calming. With gentle, warm light installed on the railings and screens, it created a comfortable orderliness that Nathan found appealing.
"What kind of life was I living?" Nathan lay on his bed with his arms wide open. The bed was big and soft—he felt that he was going to fall asleep at any moment.
The room wasn't necessarily enormous, around the size of one floor in his old house. Following a similarly simplistic design, its serenity truly made Nathan feel at home.
"Dad, you've lived like this before, haven't you?" Nathan asked, more to himself than as a question needing an answer from Eric Modernson.
With his mother as the first seat of the Rune Arts Federation, his family was meant to live royally from the start. Why did it all end up like this? Why had Nathan lived in Lostburg for 16 years? And why was it that his father stayed in Lostburg?
Nathan knew, in one way or another, something had gone wrong. He sighed, thinking about his father and the way he lazily traveled through the chaotic streets of Lostburg, caring about nothing but his dear son. It didn't seem like he was forced to live in poverty.
He got up and made his way to the window. Outside, the academy buildings and ongoing construction gleamed in a miraculous, opulent light. It was a view so depressingly at odds with the streets of Lostburg.
A gentle breeze brushed against his skin, causing his gaze to soften as he lost focus.
"A life like this, a life that could only exist in Lostburg citizens' dreams."
"Father, what made you give up all this?"