"Hello, Cadets," the woman behind the help desk greeted them politely, her tone calm but practiced. "I believe you are ready to enter the academy." She had already noticed their robes and the direction they had come from was the exchange desk, so her conclusion was certain.
Eleanor gave a short nod. "Yes. We were asked to report to you from the exchange desk."
"Then please enter Room Number One. All three of you may proceed together."
The words caught Eleanor, Kiara, and Ophelia slightly off guard. They had carefully observed the layout earlier, yet none of them recalled ever seeing a door marked one. The numbering had begun at two.
"Master, Room One is in front of you," Nora said in Eleanor’s mind.
Almost at the same time, the woman smiled knowingly and gestured behind her desk. "Room Number One is this way."
The three looked ahead, and there it was. A single door set apart, standing quietly behind the help desk as if it had been waiting for them the whole time. All three exchanged wry smiles at their own oversight, then walked past the counter to the lone door.
The moment they pushed it open, they found themselves facing another teleportation gate. Two protectors stood stationed on either side, their imposing black robes unmistakable, silent and immovable as statues. Without hesitation, the trio stepped forward, and the door behind them closed with a soft click.
"Cadets, over here." A clear voice drew their attention to the left. Five small desks were arranged in a neat row, each attended by a woman in a white robe. An empty chair stood before each desk. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
The three walked toward them. One of the officials gestured. "One person per desk, please."
The trio exchanged glances, then separated. Eleanor moved to the first desk and stopped before the official seated there.
"Please, sit down," the woman said evenly.
"Thank you." Eleanor lowered herself onto the chair, her robe falling neatly around her.
The woman glanced at her tablet, then spoke in a precise, measured tone. "Cadet 659, this is the final stop before you officially step into the academy. Since you have already been assigned a cadet number, your identity as a cadet is confirmed... even if you should fail at this point onward."
Eleanor listened quietly, her expression steady.
"My duty," the official continued, "is to inform you of the basic rules you must know before your first day. As cadets are arriving from different time zones, today is considered an adjustment day. Your academy life will begin formally tomorrow morning at six o’clock sharp."
She paused, letting the words settle before continuing.
"In the academy, we operate on a strict twenty-four-hour schedule. Every dormitory, classroom, corridor, and office is equipped with synchronized wall clocks to ensure consistency. At 5:30 every morning, an alarm will sound in your dormitory to wake you. From that moment, your schedule begins. Each activity is allotted its time until you return to your dormitory at ten o’clock in the evening. Please review the details in your guide when you have a moment."
She paused briefly, her eyes flicking across the tablet before returning to Eleanor. "Now, I will explain your routine for today. After entering the academy, you will be guided directly to your dormitory. Inside, you will find supplies prepared for you by the academy. These are listed in your guide. Please check every item carefully. If anything is missing, you must inform academy staff immediately."
Her tone was steady, but not unkind. "At eight o’clock this evening, you are required to attend dinner in the dining hall. Do not be late. The officer in charge there will explain the etiquette and rules you must observe during meals in the academy. I strongly advise you to review the dining hall manners section in your guide before you attend. In fact..." she tapped her stylus lightly against the tablet "you are expected to read the entire guide today. Tomorrow morning, the principal will meet you at the assembly. That will mark the true beginning of your cadet life. By then, we expect you to know and follow the guide’s instructions."


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