บท 10: Points

"Angus, we need to talk." said Jacob.

After that, Angus and his father go into one corner to have a private conversation. As soon as they arrive, Jacob flicks his hand and creates a barrier made of fire around them. [3rd circle – Fire barrier]

"Alright, with this, the others could not hear our conversation." Said Jacob while looking at Angus, who looks like a kid marvels about his spell.

But, Jacob knows that Angus not only looks at his spell because he keeps looking at the weakest spot around the barrier. Even after changing its location a few times, Angus manages to keep locating them easily.

Before long, "Ehem… Angus." As he tries to gather his son's attention.

"Ahh… Yes, What is it, father?" While Angus changed his expression to the lazy one.

"Learning inside of the royal academy is different from the one at the mansion. I can't always back you up. However, starting tomorrow there will be some people to protect you if you get into some problem. So, you can try and learn peacefully here."

"Alright, Father. *yawn* Is there anything else, father?"

Looking at Angus's nonchalant response, "Haa… No, that's it for now. I need to go back to my work. Just send me letters if you need something." Jacob changes the fire barrier into a small fire dragon before riding it.

Before the fire dragon flies away into the sky, "Angus, I expect something from you."

Angus only could wave his hand with a fake smile, 'Just go away, you show off troublesome Dad.' thought Angus inwardly.

After having their 'talk', Angus goes back to Vergil, who is waiting for him nearby. They planned to tour the royal academy together. The royal academy ground is very large, almost like a small town itself. It has a complex area that some people usually lose their way.

Fortunately, there is no lesson on the first day of the semester. The older students only need to re-register and check their scheduled class in the main hall area.

As for the first year, they need to attend the test and put their belongings in their assigned dorm while also checking their schedule in the main hall area.

After sightseeing around the academy, the two brothers go towards the main hall area. During the way, Vergil also explains some essential rules inside the academy, such as no killing, maimed, thievery, or other malicious deeds.

Apparently, the rules are quite strict that even the noble titles are useless unless you are the son or daughter of Marquis/marchioness noble above rank.

Besides that, the academy will punish harshly toward anyone that breaks the rule according to their offense. In some cases, they may get expelled.

The main hall is very crowded with students from different years. They could see a board with glowing words. The board shows their ranking and the class schedule. There is also a big receptionist desk that gives the dorm key to the first-year student.

The dorm will be used until they graduate or there is some unexpected accident. Since Angus is the son of a duke, he got the privilege to get a luxury dorm.

After getting the key room from the long queue without any hassle, he approaches Vergil, who seems to be having some sort of argument with another boy that many followers surround.

They seem to notice Angus as he approaches them, "Sorry for the wait, brother. The queue is very long. Umm… did I interrupt something?" said Angus in an innocent attitude.

"Nah, just some bugs flying around." said Vergil while dragging Angus away.

Hearing Vergil's sentence, the other boy immediately flared up by bad-mouthing Vergil, but the two brothers were already gone.

After going outside, "Who is that, brother?" asked Angus.

"Ohh, that's the son of Marquis Dane, Gabil Dane. Just ignore him if he approaches you. He is just such a sore loser since I got the first rank in our year. Come to think of it, did you already see your ranking list?" asked Vergil.

"Nah… Probably near the last or at the last rank." Replied Angus with a carefree attitude.

"Hahaha… I already expected that, Bro. Well, you still need to pay attention to it because…" Vergil begins to explain the importance of ranking.

From Vergil's explanation, the student at the royal academy is used to having transactions or doing daily life by using points. One of the ways to acquire points is by having a high ranking. Each month students will get points based on their ranking.

The first ranking gets 500 points.

2nd to 5th get 200 points each.

6th to 10th get 100 points each.

Below ten only got 50 points.

The last place got 30 points that were barely enough for their daily life.

Students that break the rules will be punished and also get their accumulated point deducted. If the points reach minus for a certain period also could lead to expulsion.

The student is also free to have barter and trade points from one with the others, except with the teacher.

They also have trading centers that exchange points with money but have limited amounts for each person. One person could only trade for 50 points within a month.

Each 1 point is traded for ten gold coins which are very expensive even for a noble. An average ordinary family of four could have lived a luxury for months with ten gold coins.

Before leaving his home, Angus got many allowances that will ensure him for a long time. By trading this money with 50 points for a month, he didn't need problems with his daily life inside the academy. So, Angus didn't think much about it.

Arriving at the luxury dorm called Spring Dorm, the two brothers say goodbye to each other before Angus goes inside the dorm.

The dorm has quite a lovely garden and yard with a lot of big areas around the perimeter. Angus could even find some protection barrier around the dorm. Although it is not as strong and sophisticated as in his manor, it is still quite sturdy.

The moment he entered the building, he found two kids glaring at each other. The first one is Ian. He almost aces the first-year ranking board while the other student is Jayna Heart, the 4th princess of the Heart kingdom.

"You commoner should bow down your head when talking to this majesty princess." said Jayna proudly.

Then, "Hmp… If you could beat me. I will bow down to you. But if not, you should be the one that kneels before me." replied Ian

"What did you say, Commoner?!" shouted Jayna.

Then, both of them begin their argument while the other two girls and one boy inside the room could only look from the side.

Before long, one of the two girls with black hair realized another newcomer, "A-Angus, are you also staying here?"