RLRD Chapter 7

On Kryo's first day, he was instructed to visit the principal's office in the morning. There, he would receive all the necessary information to kickstart his academic journey: his class schedule, textbooks, and much more.

Since he was joining mid-term, it was decided that instead of disrupting an ongoing class, it would be best for him to get oriented this way. The other students had already settled into the routine, after all.

Wandering through the corridors in search of the principal's office, Kryo noticed the lively chaos around him: kids sprinting down the halls, slamming their lockers shut, and engaging in carefree banter.

"What is this unruly place?" Slith exclaimed, unable to hide his dismay. "I understand that humans tend to be uncivilized, but the knight academies were never like this. There, silence reigned supreme, unless one was given permission to speak."

"There was diligent training, and the space was divided into different sections for various classes!" he continued, his voice filled with indignation.

Everything about the building seemed to sour Slith's mood further. Initially, he had been curious about the technological advancements of the modern era, but this chaotic educational setting was definitely not one of them.

"Hey, could you keep it down in my head when you're complaining?" Kryo interjected. "Times change. And, as the new guy here, I already stand out enough. The last thing I need is to accidentally voice your thoughts and come off as a lunatic!"

As Kryo meandered through the chaos, another student on his way to class caught a glimpse of the unfamiliar face that had just joined their midst.

"That's the kid who was dashing around this morning," Dan remarked, eyes tracking Kryo's movement through the crowd. "So he is from Westment, right? I've never seen him before; I guess he must be new."

The further Kryo wandered, the more he felt the piercing gaze of his new peers. While most students typically ignored those outside their cliques, the rumor of a new arrival had somehow made him the center of attention. It seemed, in their mundane student lives, the arrival of a new face was the highlight of their day, sparking a flurry of speculation about the kind of person Kryo might be.

Fortunately, no one had approached him yet, and just in time, he found himself in front of the principal's office.

After a light knock, Kryo waited until a voice from the other side invited him in. Turning the handle, he stepped into a spacious room, filled with the rich aroma of strong wood. His eyes wandered, taking in the shelves lined with an array of items and books, some of which appeared as if they hadn't been touched in years.

"You seem quite the curious boy," a soft voice remarked.

Kyro's exploration was cut short as he turned to face the speaker. An elderly man in a grey suit, with small, round glasses and a thick, white beard, reminded him vaguely of a slimmer Colonel Sanders.

But then, his attention shifted to a woman standing before the principal's desk. Her straight-cut bangs framed her forehead, and her large, round eyes met his. Clasping several books tightly in her arms, she exuded an aura that immediately captivated him.

'Oh man... I wish I were those books,' Kryo thought, momentarily lost in his admiration.

"Teenagers, I swear, if she heard you say that out loud, you might end up with a slap across the face or worse, a kick the in the nuts!" Slith chimed in, ever the candid critic in Kryo's mind.

"Kyro, is everything okay?" asked the principal, breaking through Kryo's internal dialogue.

"Ah... yes, all is good," Kryo managed, snapping back to reality, his attention momentarily stolen by Slith's commentary rather than the conversation at hand.

"Very well," the principal continued, "I've called our top student to assist you—Scarlett Springer!" he announced, his voice filled with pride. "She excels in nearly every area, not just academically but also in sports. She has generously volunteered to guide you around the school during the first period, so you don't feel so isolated."

Scarlett flashed a radiant smile, and all Kryo could think was how fortunate she seemed. At first glance, she had it all: beauty, brains, and athletic prowess.

'Why does everything sometimes go to just one person? Can't the universe distribute its gifts more evenly?' Kryo mused internally, feeling a pang of self-pity. 'And then there's me, seemingly dealt a less favorable hand.'

Despite his envy, Kryo knew it wasn't Scarlett's fault that life seemed so unbalanced. Recognizing this, he mustered a smile and prepared to follow her for the tour.

As they left, the principal tapped his pen against the desk, his gaze lingering on the departing figures. 'I hope this new kid doesn't bring trouble,' he thought, wary yet hopeful. 'We've got enough to handle as it is. But given his circumstances, he probably won't stir up too much drama.'

Wandering through the hallways, Kryo absorbed the vibrant morning activities around him. Everything felt surreal compared to his limited early education and the fragmented images gleaned from television shows during his hospital stays. The neatly arranged desks and uniform-clad students matched his imaginings to a tee.

Occasionally, his admiration for the school's bustling environment would shift towards Scarlett. 'And there’s another thing that looks even better in person,' he thought, momentarily diverted.

"The blood is rushing to the wrong area, I believe. Stay focused, young boy!" Slith said.

"You seem very curious," Scarlett observed, catching the direction of his gaze. "Were you raised in some isolated village or something?"

"Ah, no!" Kryo stammered, his cheeks warming. "I was sick," he added quickly, his words tripping over each other. His nervousness prevented him from elaborating further.

Scarlett's response was a gentle laugh, a sound that, to Kryo's relief, lacked any mockery. She then continued leading the way with a smile.

'A warrior must remain focused on the objective; distractions cannot be afforded,' Slith reminded him sternly.

"Oh, calm down, grandpa," Kryo retorted silently. 'I'm not a warrior, and times have changed. My aim here is to secure a future for me and my family with money, and a little diversion won't derail me.'

Scarlett showed Kryo around the campus, detailing the locations of various facilities: the restrooms on each floor, the library, the cafeteria, and the expansive outdoor areas. They were now making their way to the separate building housing the sports hall.

"There’s something else you should know," Scarlett mentioned as they walked. "Our school requires each student to join an after-school club. It's mandatory, but don't worry, clubs only meet for an hour, so your day will end at four. Normally, there's a fair where clubs recruit new members, but since you're joining us late, I'll arrange for a teacher to give you a list of available clubs."

"Thanks for the heads-up. A club, huh?" Kryo mused, intrigued yet unsure. "I have no idea what to join. Which club are you in?" he inquired, curious about her interests and seeking a starting point for his own involvement.

However, Scarlett didn't respond to Kyro's question about her club affiliation because at that moment, she was sliding open the door to the gymnasium. Almost immediately, the conversation was drowned out by loud, repetitive thuds echoing through the large space.

Kyro peered inside, expecting the typical scene of students dribbling basketballs or kicking soccer balls. Instead, he was met with a completely different spectacle.

"Why... are they doing this?" Kyro murmured, puzzled by the sight before him.

"What do you mean?" Scarlett asked, turning to him.

In front of them, students were energetically engaging in martial arts, delivering forceful kicks and punches against padded targets and heavy bags. A teacher demonstrated various techniques, guiding the students through their movements.

"You guys have martial arts as a lesson?" Kyro asked in disbelief.

"Most schools do," Scarlett replied as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "I mean, you should know, right? Everyone wants to become a Purger or at least improve their skills in Shira Online. There's a belief that strengthening one's physical body enhances their performance in the virtual world."

She continued, "And to become a real Purger, you need to enter Shira through the portal. Many students train in hopes that a corporation might notice them, allowing them to be selected as actual Purgers."

Kyro absorbed this new information, realizing the intensity of the VR game's influence on school activities and aspirations. He was still processing this when he heard the teacher call out, "Hey, Scarlett, come here and show these guys how to perform a proper kick!"

Scarlett gave Kyro a brief look before joining the instructor. A student prepared to hold a large pad against his leg as Scarlett positioned herself, assuming a fighting stance. Then, with precision and power, she unleashed a kick that sent a booming sound throughout the gym, knocking the student holding the pad to the ground despite his bracing.

Returning to Kyro with a triumphant smile, she said, "You asked which club I'm in, right? Well, I'm part of the martial arts club."

As they wrapped up their visit to the gymnasium, with Scarlett exchanging final words with the instructor, Kyro was left in awe of her unexpected display of strength. The elegance she carried in her demeanor belied the formidable power she wielded—a stark contrast that fascinated him.

"That was an exceptionally powerful kick, and she's not even a Purger!" Slith exclaimed, his voice brimming with enthusiasm before a tinge of melancholy crept in. "I wonder what it would have been like if I had her capabilities."

Kyro responded internally, "I'm sorry you're stuck with a loser like me," his words tinged with a blend of humor and self-deprecation.

As they continued their tour, something caught Kyro's eye, bringing him to a sudden halt.

"What's this?" he inquired, pointing towards a sign that read 'VR Room.' "There's a VR room here? So we can use these pods whenever we want?"

The excitement in Kyro's voice was palpable, a spark of possibility igniting within him. This could be the opportunity he had been looking for—a chance to leverage his skills and perhaps start on a path to financial independence.

However, Scarlett's response came with a hint of hesitation, "Oh, that... that's the room for VR Club members only," she explained, her tone shifting slightly, her demeanor tensing. A noticeable chill seemed to pass over her, her usual composure faltering momentarily.