''Why is that?'' asked the Counsellor.
''I grew up in the orphanage with no proper education.'' Amina explained briefly. ''I have no deep understanding about Beasts and Beastmasters like other students. I simply wish to fill the gap in my knowledge, and the Beastology department is the best one for me.''
Asides that, the villainess wasn't as privileged as the other students from top families despite her prominent background. She had no unique skills that Amina could benefit from through memories. She also had no Beast to join a top department like the Beast Combat department. Other departments were not options for Amina asides the Beastology department.
I also studied Zoology in my previous life.
Amina added silently. Though she had completed her first degree with a low passing grade, she still found the Beastology department a perfect fit for her.
She had done some research on the academy forum and found the Beastology department her best option.
''You don't wish to enter the Beast Combat department?''
''No, Counsellor.''
''That's very mature of you.''
The Counsellor smiled approvingly at her choice.
''I also believe the Beastology department is a suitable one for you. I assumed you may have wanted to enter the Beast Combat department, but it seems that won't be a problem.''
''Welcome to the Beastology department, Student.'' As she spoke, Amina watched as another counsellor suddenly materialized before her gaze, making them two Counsellors.
''…!''
Once again, Amina was reminded that she was truly in an utterly different world.
''This is my mimic.'' The Counsellor gestured to the other Counsellor near her. ''She will guide you to the Beastology department.''
The mimic silently nodded at Amina before walking around the Counsellor's large desk towards the door.
''Thank you, Counsellor.'' Amina took that as a sign to stand up since the the appointment was probably nearing its end and moved to follow the mimic.
''You're most welcome, my dear.'' The Counsellor said with a kind smile. The door slid open after her words, allowing Amina and the mimic to step outside.
''If you do find the academy very hard, there's always an option for you leave anytime, dear. Just come to my office, and I'll help you.''
The door slid close before Amina could reply with a 'Yes ma'am.'
Meanwhile, on the other side, The Counsellor stared at door in brief silence. Her smile slowly faded and she called out to other existence in her room.
''What do you think of her?''
''Like her father.'' A voice immediately answered and a familiar figure with long beard and scholarly robe appeared on the chair that Amina previously sat on. ''She acts just like him. Stiff yet calm.''
''And guarded as well.'' added the Counsellor.
''Hm…Hm…because she refused your candy, didn't she?'' Rulven, the headmaster of the Western Beast Academy intentionally clearned his throat to hide his amusement.
As far as he's aware, his old friend wasn't one to easily offer candy to any students. It was quite a shocking sight to watch her offering candy to the child from the Blackthorne family.
The Counsellor scoffed lightly at Rulven's poor act of hiding his obvious amusement
'''What do you think of her choice of department?'' She asked after a moment.
''Hmm….'' Rulven thought for a some seconds before nodding. ''It's a good choice for her.''
''Like she said, she needs to fill her gap of knowledge on Beasts and Beastmasters. The Beastology department is a good department for her.'' He added. ''Though the Beast Guild and Management department is a better choice for her.''
The Counsellor frowned slightly at his words. ''Will Beastmasters listen to a Beastless Guildmaster?''
''If she builds a fearsome reputation like her father's, then yes, they will obey her, Rowena.'' Rulven replied without a thought.
In his opinion, the Beast Guild and Management department was a better choice than the Beastology department. The Blackthorne family had its own successful guild and if the child of the Blackthorne family did not give up along the way, she could be a more successful guildmaster than her father, even without a Beast.
''I believe the Beastology department is the best department for her.'' The Counsellor, Rowena, argued with no hesitation. ''I assumed she would have chosen the Beast Combat department like her father, but I was proven wrong.''
Rowena couldn't forget how the Young miss Blackthorne had chosen the Beastology department over all departments without a second thought. She had even expected the Beast Combat department to be mentioned at some point. After all, that was the strongest department in the entire academy, and a very popular one as well.
''Instructor Virelia would be very hard on her.''
''….True.'' Rowena agreed after a thought, and then let out a sigh. ''I hope she finds a way to prove herself and remain a student.''
''Why?''
''Why?'' She repeated, staring at Rulven incredulously. ''Your reputation as headmaster is at stake here! When the media eventually finds out that you admitted that child, who knows what kind backlash you may get!''
The academy's reputation was also at stake as well. This was one of the reasons she was against the admission in the first place.
''That's nothing new.'' Rulven dismissed her words lightly. ''They always criticize every decision I have made for the academy.''
''This is different, Rulven.'' Rowena insisted as she could feel another headache coming at her friend's careless and unbothered ways. Many Beastmasters saw him as the reputed founder and headmaster of the Western Beast Academy, but she saw him as an annoying yet unbothered old man.
''But, aren't you curious?" Rulven said mysteriously.
''About what?'' She scowled, wondering what kind of scheme he had in mind.
''Her journey.'' He replied. ''If someone like her becomes recognized as an official Beastmaster, Animyth may as well turn upside down.''
''…..''
''She can also create a path for others to follow like Virelia.'' He added and sharply pointed out. ''Isn't that why you offered her candy?''
''…..''
''She reminds you of him, doesn't she?''
Rowena's expression hardened instantly at his words.
''Shut up and get out of my office.''
Rulven stared at his old friend's disturbed countenance for a moment and decided it was best to end here and not to push her nerves.
''Alright. I'm going, Rowena.'' He stood up to leave the office.
Rowena let out a light snort. ''Good riddance.''
But then, he turned back with sheepish countenance.
''Can you turn me invisible again?''
''….''
~~~~
''Hey, look!''
''Isn't that….''
''No way.''
''She's coming to this department?''
Under the guidance of the Counsellor's mimic, Amina stepped into the Beastology department. Murmurs rose among the students as she made her way through the hallways.
The mimic led Amina deeper into the department before stopping at the first year lecture hall. Through the doorway, Amina saw rows of students seated with an Instructor before them.
''Counsellor.'' The Instructor turned towards the doorway looking a bit startled. However, her expression shifted slightly once her gaze landed on Amina.
The mimic gave a silent nod of acknowledgement before turning away. It had already fulfilled its Beastmaster's order.
Now, Amina was left alone at the doorway.
''Come in, student.'' The Instructor said and Amina stepped inside the lecture hall under the countless gazes from the students.
''Why is she here?''
''Is she going to be in the same department as us?''
''Can she even pass the courses without a Beast?''
''She obviously can't survive the academy without a Beast.''
''I heard the Beastology department is the weakest and least popular department. It's obvious why the academy put her here.''
''That's enough, students.'' The Instructor shut down the murmurs in firm tone as Amina took an empty spot on the first row
''Welcome to the Beastology department, Student Amina Blackthorne. I am Instructor Corvina Mehee, the coordinator for first year students.'' She introduced herself.
''It's fortunate you arrived on time before I left for another Instructor to take the first class. I will go over what I have explained to everyone else. This is also an opportunity for students who did not understand my words clearly the first time.''
''In the Western Beast Academy, students can only graduate after earning four full stars from the heads of each respective department.'' Instructor Mehee began. ''Each year, a student receieves one full star after passing the first and second semester examinations. Students who pass one examination will receieve a half star and must rewrite the failed examination. Should a student fail a second time or refuse to rewrite the exam, they will be required to repeat the academic year. A third failure will leave the academy with no choice but to withdraw the student.''