BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM

One by one, the students registered at the Red palace under Amanda Smith's and Professor McAllister's supervision. After they were done, Miss Smith's smile bloomed.

"Well done, guys, you are now proud members of the Red Palace Dojo. I don't think I have to explain what kind of honor this is, but I will actually do it for the ones who don't know much about this institution," the woman said.

Professor McAllister nodded at that with a faint smile on his lips as well. "The Red Palace was founded in 2993 by Michael Reid; you may know him by another name, though, Red Heart." Those who didn't know this fact stared blankly at Miss Smith.

Red Heart was one of the strongest generals that Frant ever had. He led the nation's armies against countless Thaid invasions and protected the borders from Hin and Etrium during the border war between 2950 and 2960. It could be argued he single-handedly saved Frant's from being wiped out from known maps.

She smiled and continued: "He started out teaching only a few people here and then later welcomed others, who became the institution's first teachers."

"Nowadays, only the nation's strongest can teach here. The instructors provide specialized and specific training regimes to our students. Now, I suggest you read the email we just sent you to the address you provided. You will find all the other rules, courses, lessons, and teachers there. And there is a detailed section explaining each of their specializations," the woman said.

"As an institution dedicated to training young people to fight Thaids and repel the bordering nations, you will find everything you need here. Resources, knowledge, weapons—we've got 'em all," she said, putting great emphasis on her words, "and we'll train you until you are strong enough to face any enemy. Clearly, the education here is complementary to the military one, so be sure to put effort also there!"

She then explained the place's history, its contributions to the nation, and the like. She explained the multiple agreements the Red Palace had with the government and what this did mean for them.

"The students are required to join missions issued by the Red Palace; of course, you will receive some compensation. You must fight at least once a week against students challenging you, and if you receive none, you must challenge someone yourself," the woman said. "Each one of you will be assigned the Peasant rank, and you will be further graded internally after a short evaluation."

She then started explaining the rules of the institution. Most of them were simple: do not steal, do not fight outside of the designated moments and places, and so on.

She finished her speech with an emphatic gesture toward Professor McAllister's face. She gave a quick nod before looking down at the papers on which the students' names had been written.

"Now follow me..."

Then she turned away and began walking toward the elevator, followed closely by Professor McAllister and the rest of the students. Their footsteps echoed hollowly through the empty halls and passages of the ground level where no student lived or studied. Then they stopped again when they reached the elevator and stepped into it. The woman quickly pressed the first button.

Once they arrived at the first floor, the woman started to talk again.

"You will all stay here on this floor. Remember, the first ten floors are reserved for peasant-rank students, while the others are reserved for higher ranks. You are not allowed to go higher than the tenth floor. Here you can find gyms and dormitories" —she pointed at two doors on either side of the hallway. "Study areas, and such. There is also a cafeteria somewhere along this corridor. If you have questions regarding anything related to food or shelter, ask the staff." She then continued.

"Every morning, you must join the hand-to-hand training session taught by Master Rook, who will teach you the Kyokar training style. Most of you already know it, but I assure you that you will have a lot to learn from him," The woman said.

"Then you will need to perform weapon training. The teachers will explain why to you. Be it learning how to wield a sword, a spear, and many other weapons. However, you won't be free to choose what to learn since the masters will do this for you. After that, you will have weightlifting and an obstacle course training, then you will be free to do whatever you want. Lastly, the neural link training will be on you. "

The woman then handed the students some papers indicating the rooms they had to sleep in. She then looked over each of them in turn. However, when she looked at the man beside her, she suddenly became more at ease. Her voice grew softer as she spoke.

"'It's good to see you, Sean," she said.

Since professor McAllister brought new students every year, it was clear he knew who miss Smith was.

"Glad to meet you too, Amanda," he said.

The two then started a conversation, but then Miss Smith suddenly said.

"You can all go to your rooms now. They are all on this floor..."

Professor McAllister looked at the students before they left the hall.

"Don't do anything stupid, guys..." the teacher said.

After that, the students each went to their rooms. Erik was assigned room 214, almost at the end of the corridor. The room was rather spacious and much nicer than his actual house.

A bathroom and two rooms were placed in front of each other with a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe. It was like a mini apartment but without a kitchen. Erik guessed that wasn't a problem since there was a cafeteria on each floor.

"Well... let's get unpacked, shall we?" Erik said aloud and then went toward the room on his right. However, he found another person sleeping on the bed once he opened the door.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Erik said as he saw the young man wake up due to Erik's intrusion.

"Who are you?" The unknown young man asked with a foggy mind.

"I think I'm your roommate. I just got assigned this room by Miss Smith."

The young man stood from his bed and came to the door to greet Erik. "Welcome, I'm Benedict!" The young man said.

"Hi, Benedict. A pleasure to meet you."

"Did you just arrive?" Benedict asked.

"Yeah..." Erik said. "And had to listen to an impossibly long speech by Miss Smith..." he added.

"Yeah, I went through it too when I came..." benedict replied.

"Sorry if I ask you, but how come you came here before me?" Erik asked.

"Well, I came from Xanta, and since I had to travel for many hours to come to New Alexandria, I decided to come here early," Benedict said.

"Xanta?" The city was located south of New Alexandria, and it was a large industrial city, one of the biggest ones in the nation.

Xanta's main export was gold, but it was also full of natural gasses, making its economy very good. However, the city was located in a region where Thaids were insanely strong, so the city was also one of the main weapons providers of the nation.

"What about you? Where did you come from?" Benedict asked.

Erik replied in earnest, "I'm from New Alexandria," he said.

"Did you take the room on the right?" Erik finally asked.

"Yeah, I guessed it wasn't a problem, but we can change rooms if you want..." Benedict suggested.

"There is no need," Erik said.

He took his backpack and placed it on the desk in the left room. Seven pairs of the Red Palace uniform were already inside, folded neatly and put aside on the bed. All he needed to do was take them out and hang them up in the wardrobes.

"Did you already read the email the Red Palace did send?" Benedict asked.

"Not yet," Erik said.

"Well, then I suggest you do it. The lessons will start tomorrow. Before starting the training, we barely have enough time to get accustomed to the place. Take a look at the email; there is also a map of the campus."

"Thank you very much, Benedict," Erik said.

"I already gave a quick look around. Do you want me to show you the place?"

"If you don't mind…" Erik said.

"Let's go then."