''It's the Young master from 'the Pantheris family.''
''I didn't expect him to say that.''
Students whispered among themselves.
''Well, I support him. It's obvious she had used her family's connections to get in.''
''I heard Guildmaster Blackthorne depises rich families using underhanded methods to work at his guild. Looks like he's no different with his own daughter.''
All eyes turned towards to the set of rows behind, landing on the student with dark hair and crimson-red eyes. The identity of the 'anomaly' was clearly obvious to everyone in the hall.
Who hadn't heard by now that the Beastless daughter of the powerful Blackthorne family was a student of the Western Beast Academy, where Beasts were the number one criteria to take the entrance exam?
''….''
Under the weight of countless gazes, Anima calmly locked eyes with the student, who had called her out.
The Young master of the Pantheris family.
A boy with dark blue hair like the color of a moonless night, neatly slicked back with every strand in place, and a faint sneer on his lips.
''What do you have to say for yourself, Young miss Blackthorne?'' The young master Pantheris continued in the tense atmosphere. ''The first criteria for taking the entrance exam is to be a Beastmaster. Rumors has it that you have no Beast. Perhaps you can prove the rumors false by showing your Beast to everyone here.''
''That's enough, student.'' Instructor Noctalis immediately interrupted, his voice stern. ''You must take responsibility for your words towards Miss Blackthorne.''
''…Then pardon my words, Young miss Blackthorne.'' Following a small pause, the Young master offered his apologies with no argument, but anyone could tell from his sneer and hostile eyes that he was anything but apologetic.
''Thank you, student.'' Though Instructor Noctalis was a bit displeased with the lack of sincerity, he knew this was the most he could get from the Young master Pantheris since he understood the latter's perpesctive and that of the other students.
Hmm…Her composure is quite admirable.
Instructor Noctalis has been curious about the Beastless child from the Blackthorne family. To say he wasn't disappointed when he heard the rumors would be a lie. After all, a child from the famous Guildmaster Blackthorne was bound to recieve a lot of expectations.
Though he and the other Instructors had been against the headmaster's decision to admit the Young miss Blackthorne as a student through the backdoor, her steady composure in the face of all students against her, did impress him quite a bit.
This aspect of her certainly reminded him of the Guildmaster Blackthorne, who was a former student of the academy.
''I understand how the academy's decision may seem unfair to you all, but Miss Blackthorne is on a special admission by the headmaster. Whether she remains a student of the academy will ultimately depend on her own efforts.'' Instructor Noctalis knew the students still wouldn't accept his words, but he had spoken the truth.
Whether the Young miss could remain as a student of the academy would be determined by her performance during her first year. If she failed to keep up with the other students, even without her own Beast, she would be removed from the academy without hesitation.
Instructor Noctalis knew this might seem harsh, but this was the only way he and the other Instructors could overlook her admission.
''Isn't that right, Miss Blackthorne?''
''Yes, Instructor.'' Amina replied the Instructor Noctalis. Though she hadn't been told anything yet, Amina still went along with the Instructor's words.
''Alright then, we have exceeded the allocated time for this orientation and many of you have travelled from distant locations. You'll need to get some rest before classes begins tomorrow.'' Instructor Noctalis closed the topic on Amina's admission, and got back to the focus of the gathering. ''Please check your Beastcoms, everyone.''
Amina and the other students did as he instructed and several floating screens appeared in the air.
''When you scanned your Beastcoms at the checkpoint, your data has been registered as a student in our academy's database. The academy also has limited access to your Beastcoms with your student information. As our student, you have access to the academy's forum and other resources that might be helpful to you.''
…This is it.
As Amina listened, she noticed a new icon on her floating screen; miniature replica of the building she was currently inside. When she clicked on the icon, she saw her information displayed on the screen, along with some other features.
Name: Amina
Last name: Blackthorne
Age: 16 years
Beastmaster rank: ??
Beast: ??
Beast class: ??
Year admitted: 5120
Expected year to graduate: 5124
Year: First year
Department: ??
Dormitory: Veneris-1-dormitory (female)
Room number: 200
''Damn it…''
Amina glanced up to find some students glaring at their floating screens with disgruntled looks on their faces.
''I see most of you have already seen the departments you have been registered under. The Academy has placed you all in departments deemed most suitable based on your performances in the entrance exam. For those without a department, do stop by the counsellor's office tomorrow morning. Further information will be communicated to all students tomorrow before your classes. From here on, the academy robots will be at your service around the academy. Have a pleasant day, and welcome to the Western Beast Academy once again, new students.'' Instructor Noctalis finished his speech, and left the stage with the other nine Instructors.
Amina applauded with the rest of the students until the last Instructor walked out of the hall.
''Hey, what department did you get in?''
''The Beast Medicine department, and I chose the Beast Combat department!''
The hall immediately erupted into chatter in the absence of the Instructors.
''You're lucky it's Beast Medicine department. Mine is the Beast Guild and Management department. What am I suppose to do with that in the future?''
''Open a Guild?''
''Do I look like someone with a lot of money?''
''I chose the Beast Arts department and I got in!''
''I chose Beast Combat department, but I was given Beast History and Culture department.''
''Why didn't they put me in Beast Combat department?! That was my choice in the entrance exam!''
''Mine is the Beastology department…Urgh!''
''I chose Beast Technology department and I got in.''
''You're lucky…''
Amina watched as some students rejoiced, while others frowned and cried over their given departments. She, on other hand, had to stop by the counsellor's office by the next morning.
''Announcement: Students in Leon-1-dormitory, male, should follow.''
''Announcement: Students in Luminar-1-dormitory, female, should follow.''
''Announcement: Students in Veneris-1-dormitory, female, should follow.''
''Announcement: Students….''
if I were to choose, what department should I go for? Amina wondered as she closed off her Beastcom and stood up to meet the academy robot guiding students to the Veneris-1-dormitory.
''I wonder what department she got in?''
''The Beast Combat department?''
''Pfftt! With what Beast?''
''The Beast Combat department is highly competitive. Even her family's connections can't get past Instructor Virelia.''
''I hope she's not in my department.''
''Same here. I don't want to see her in mine either.'' Some students had already formed their cliques, talking behind Amina's back as she walked past them.
Meanwhile, the center of their gossip was debating on her choice of department, and not bothered by them.
Amina and some students followed the academy robot to the Veneris-1-dormitory. On their way, the academy robot gave a tour around the Western Beast Academy before they arrived at the dormitory.
''Hmm…new students.'' A woman with folded tattooed arms stood at outside the checkpoint of the Veneris-1-dormitory, a rat perched on her right shoulder.
squeak!
''Instructor Skrit is the name and I'm the dormitory head of all Veneris dormitories.'' She introduced herself with a casual smile on her lips.
squeak!
''This pipsqueak right here is my War beast.'' She gestured to the rat squeaking from her shoulder. ''Troublemakers should do well in hiding from him.''
squeak!
squeak?
The rat tilted its head for a moment, then leapt down from her shoulders before scurrying through the students.
''A-Ahh!''
''Where's it going?!''
''Don't step on it! It's the Instructor's Beast!''
The rat immediately caused a commotion by weaving through the countless pairs of shoes until it paused before a particular student behind other students. The rat's whiskers twitched a few times before it climbed up the students's body until its furry body was comfortably perched on her shoulder.
''....'' Amina quietly turned her gaze to the beady eyes of the War beast on her shoulder.