The next morning, accompanied by Albert, I made my way to the imposing gates of the Bright Light Academy. The cool breeze of dawn whispered promises of new beginnings as we ventured into the heart of the academy.
Before departing, I diligently completed my daily tasks, a routine ingrained in me by the ever-demanding System. As a reward, I acquired a newfound technique: the Water Flowing technique. This advanced mortal-level movement technique promised to enhance my agility with its focus on one-step leaping.
Arriving at the academy bright and early, anticipation coursed through my veins. Albert and I stepped inside, greeted by the serene atmosphere of the academy grounds. We were met by a disciple, their demeanour formal yet welcoming.
"Hello, gentlemen. What brings you to our humble abode?" the disciple inquired, extending a courteous handshake.
Albert, always adept at navigating social interactions, took the lead. "We're here to enrol him as a student," he responded, gesturing towards me.
The disciple nodded in understanding. "Very well. Please follow me to the Administrative Office. We'll conduct an entry test to ascertain his cultivation level," they explained.
As we traversed the inner halls of the academy, I couldn't help but notice the disparity in the facilities. The administrative offices, in particular, appeared neglected and overcrowded.
Observing my perplexity, Albert leaned in and whispered, "The state of the Administrative offices is a testament to Master Bowan's influence."
I furrowed my brow in curiosity. "And why is that?" I inquired.
Albert explained, "According to my sources, the head of the finance department is a close relative of Master Bowan. As a result, Bowan manipulates the resources for his own entertainment, leaving little for the administrative department's upkeep."
Disgust etched across my features as I absorbed this revelation. "Master Bowan's behaviour is reprehensible. Fortunately, his reign won't last much longer."
As we approached the enrollment counter, I introduced myself, "Hi, I'm Danial, and I wish to enroll myself in the academy." However, the person behind the counter responded with a sarcastic smile, "Oh, wow, I didn't know that. What do you think we're doing here, selling movie tickets?"
I furrowed my brows in response to the condescending tone. Beside me, Albert, visibly furious, slammed his hand on the counter and sneered, "You know how to talk trash, don't you?" The man on the counter chuckled and retorted, "Oh, now who the heck are you? Do you think you're something around here? Speaking of which, I've seen you somewhere."
Albert, wearing a cunning smile, replied, "Why don't you ask your boss about that? Maybe he knows." The counter attendant, now intrigued, questioned, "How the heck do you know Thomas?" Albert seized the opportunity and dialed Thomas, stating, "Thomas, you think you're some big shot, huh? Here, your subordinate doesn't know how to respect his elders. Do you want me to come to your house?"
Thomas, evidently alarmed, responded, "Boss Albert, tell me where he is. I am gonna beat the daylights out of him." Albert handed the phone to the counter attendant, saying, "Here's the call you wanted." The counterman, now realizing his mistake, sneered on the phone, "Yeah, who's talking now? Remember, my boss is Thomas Matt, and he's more powerful than you think."
Thomas, not holding back, roared, "You piece of trash! How dare you think you're talking to your equal?" The counter attendant, now fully grasping the severity of the situation, quickly apologised, "Sorry, I made a mistake. Please forgive me." Thomas, revelling in his newfound dominance, declared, "I don't care; you are hereby fired, and you will be blacklisted by our company, you piece of garbage." With that, Thomas hung up, leaving the counter attendant trembling on the floor, pleading for forgiveness.
I looked at Albert and urged, "Give him a chance and let's hurry up." Albert, displaying an unexpected sense of mercy, addressed the man, "Hey, stop crying and hurry up; we have no time." The man behind the counter quickly completed the necessary procedures and stammered, "Now, you have to proceed to the training halls to measure your strength."
With a sense of anticipation, I smiled.