The Sleeping Dragon, Liam thought as the headmaster began his speech.
The elderly man stood at the center of the stage, which was covered in wood paneling tapered off with metallic edges, circular in nature, and raised a few meters above the carpeted floor.
He used to be a member of the Elite Hunter Division, and on top of that...
Liam smiled at the sight of the old legend being bathed in colorful light, his smooth, sonorous voice filling the hall.
He was the former number one. The Kynigos. After retirement he became the Chairman of the Hunter's Association, then a year after that he became Dawn Academy's new Headmaster.
"Luke Garcia, The Sleeping Dragon," a curious voice piped up. "Can't believe I get to see a legend up close and in the flesh."
Liam turned his head sharply, eyebrows raised.
"Are you a fan?" he asked, a bit of excitement leaking into his tone.
The girl shook her head. "Not really. I just did some research on him before coming. Apparently, he retired after getting injured during a Surge."
A Mo Surge. An incredibly large wave of the monsters due to migration, reproduction, and other factors, Liam thought absentmindedly.
Liam sat back in his chair. "Yeah. He fought over three hundred Teiki and Asura grade monsters by himself. As expected of a Kynigos."
"Hmm...," the girl turned to look at the man up on stage. "Those ranks, what do they really mean?"
Liam pursed his lips for a few moments, and the girl flinched when he began to speak.
"The ranks are separated into six levels, covering both Mo and Hunters. Heroes don't use any rankings apart from their positions. Also, people have given letters to the rank names, since it makes it easier.
The lowest and weakest are Heishi, also known as E-grade. Killing one would require a large metal club, a lot of stamina, and strength.
The next up are the Taisa, also known as D-grade. Killing one would require a blaster rifle with high penetrating power and minor explosive effects.
Next are the Sutai, also known as C-grade. It would take a ten-man team of fully armed soldiers with the best of training to beat one. It's also known as the 'Transition grade', because they can grow stronger and climb higher in grade.
The next is a pretty large jump in power: Teiki, B-grade. It would take a small platoon of top-of-the-line soldiers armed to the teeth and a battlefield filled with traps. Even with those advantages, some species could still come out on top.
This one is basically the equivalent of legendary boss monsters in games: Asura. A-grade. You would need a small army loaded out with the best gear possible and a tank, though the effects differ with species.
Finally, Broken monsters. S-grade Mo. Their name is exactly the kind of power they possess. There have been very few recorded in history, ten to be specific, but all of them were so terrifyingly powerful they were enough to coin their title: The Titans. One of them lives on the Land Down Under, Australia I think, and it's the reason no human life is present there..."
Liam let his voice die, realizing that the girl was staring at him.
"Uh...am-am I boring you?" he muttered, a difficult expression woven onto his face.
"No," she shook her head vigorously, causing her long pink locks to bounce around. "You spoke with a lot of passion in your voice."
Liam blinked in surprise, and the girl smiled warmly at him.
"I respect that. And thanks for telling me all that. You're pretty smart."
Liam's ears went red, and he turned his head sharply towards the stage. "Thanks...," he mumbled.
Immediately filling in the gap of conversation was the heavy voice of the headmaster.
"Finally, to the students taking the Hunter and Hero courses," Luke turned to look at the aforementioned group of students, who were on either side of the stage.
"Your year group is the first to record over twenty students in either course. Due to the unexpected number of applicants, and upon much discussion, each and every one of you has been given the opportunity to walk along the path you've chosen for yourselves."
Hold up, Liam's eyes darted back and forth, counting the students taking his course. Twenty four?! You mean to tell me that this is the exact number of people who applied for the Hunter course?!
"You all will grow up to become great men and women in future. Before you set out to do something, remember this: for everything there is a season, a time for every matter. There is a time for birth, and a time for death. A time to plant, and a time to harvest. A time to work and a time to rest."
The headmaster nodded with a small smile. "Don't forget, education is about gaining the knowledge and skills required to go through life with open and observing eyes. Take the lessons you will learn here to heart, and the benefits you will gain from them will begin to show soon enough.
"That concludes my little speech. Thank you for giving me your undivided attention, and once again..."
Luke Garcia put his left arm against his lower back and his right hand on his chest. He leaned forward in a little bow and winked.
"Welcome to Dawn Academy."
With those words, The Sleeping Dragon vanished.
*****
"That was crazy!"
After the large buzz the headmaster had caused, his assistant came up to dismiss the gathering. The parents, friends, guardians, and media who had arrived all began to take their leave.
Liam had decided to check out the school's classroom area, and for some strange reason the girl had followed.
Now that we're outside, I can now one hundred percent tell that she...is a hell of a lot cuter than i thought.
Now that they were in the soft light of the sun, Liam could now fully appreciate the view before him.
The pink hair that touched the area between her shoulders framed her heart shaped face perfectly, the light of the sun making it look glossy. Her soft ivory skin shone brightly, and it helped accentuate her purple, gem-like eyes. Much like him, she wore a long sleeved shirt. Much unlike him though, she was wearing a black skirt that reached the tops of her knees. She was shorter than Liam-who was roughly 168 centimeters in height-by a full head, and when she smiled up at him he gulped and looked away.
Why is she still talking to me?
Liam was genuinely confused. He didn't really get along with girls, except for a few old friends, and to an introvert who had little to no proper social skills, he was perplexed as to why someone who was so obviously popular was hanging around him.
There's this strange nagging in the back of my mind...like this isn't the first time? No...it's like I've met her before...
"Are you listening to me?"
Liam flinched and focused his kaleidoscopic eyes on her. She was rolling up her sleeves and staring at him with narrowed eyes, her pink lips in a pout.
Liam tried not to focus on them and looked away. "I'm-huh?"
He froze as a light pressure was applied to his cheek, and when he looked to the side the girl's eyes stared back.
He glanced down to see her finger buried in his cheek.
"You know, girls don't like it when they're being ignored," she sighed as she continued to walk. "You should write that down."
Liam blinked, too confused to feel embarrassed. Holding his cheek, he looked down.
Should I go up to her?...maybe not.
"Hey doofus."
Liam rose his head to see her standing, as if waiting for him.
"Let's go," she smiled, mischief bright in her eyes.
*****
"That was quite impressive headmaster," said a shapely woman in an all black suit of clothes: blouse, pencil skirt, the works. She wore spectacles with a circular frame, and two antennae twitched atop her head. "You had them all riled up."
The Sleeping Dragon chuckled. "It was your idea after all Cynthia."
The woman smiled and pushed her glasses up her nose with a finger. "Yes. As your faithful secretary it is my duty to come up with the best plans possible for the future."
Luke shook his head, smiling. "Your strange sense of humor is always refreshing."
The two were walking in a long brightly lit corridor with Luke slightly ahead of his subordinate.
"So, about that other matter..."
Sensing the change in her boss's tone, Cynthia immediately switched gears.
"Yes sir. They are scheduled to arrive a day before your son's group."
The powerful old man smiled quietly, brushing his hair back.
"Good. They will fall in line, no matter their status in society. I won't tolerate misconduct from my future staff."
"I can assure you that respect will be given were respect is due sir," Cynthia stated.
"Oh, it will," Luke smiled, a hint of something deadly behind it. His eyelids widened ever so slightly, revealing gold reptilian eyes.
"No one would dare disturb a dragon resting in its lair."
*****
"Well, here we are. The classroom area."
Liam took another glance at the girl beside him before looking back at the large space.
The two stood at the foot of a large fountain, which was the center of a park-like area dotted with benches and trees. Behind and around the 'park' were paved pathways leading to four classroom units.
The two directly opposite the fountain were both 3-Storeys, and each storey had six classrooms in them. The walls were mostly blue, reflective glass, and both buildings had their own entrances.
The ones to the side however, were 3-unit 1-Storeys. Three large classrooms along the hall-like buildings.
Behind those buildings, arranged in a horseshoe, were several more structures with various uses yet to be discovered.
"Hey Liam," the girl pulled on his sleeve. "Our classroom's that way."
As she pulled him towards the building on the left, Liam frowned.
When did I tell her my name?