The call wasn't meant for Ray.
Before he could turn to look, a youth strode past him.
They looked to be around the same age. The youth wore blue from head to toe, his brown hair neatly trimmed. Ray only caught a glimpse of his side profile as he passed.
Fair skin. A straight nose. Slightly sunken eyes framed by long lashes. Deep green pupils that seemed cold and distant.
Just then, someone shoved Ray from behind.
He stumbled forward and bumped straight into the youth's shoulder.
The youth staggered a step, steadied himself, and turned.
He was handsome, but his expression was icy. His gaze swept over Ray briefly before turning away again, filled not with anger but with pure disdain.
"My apologies!" Ray hurriedly said.
The man in black stepped forward and shoved Ray back into the crowd, nearly knocking him over.
"Watch where you're going, you hick," the man snarled before returning to the youth's side.
The second man opened the car door.
The youth entered without a single glance back.
The soul engine hummed softly, and the black car rolled away, disappearing into the distance.
Ray rubbed his stomach. It didn't hurt, but his chest burned with indignation.
"These city people are way too arrogant," he muttered to himself.
He followed the crowd out of the station.
When he turned around, the massive sign above the entrance read: West Ocean Soul Train Station
Staring at the towering structure, Ray couldn't help but sigh in amazement. Compared to the largest building in Ironspire City, this place was on an entirely different level.
Turning back around, he took in the scene before him.
Wide streets. Skyscrapers stretching into the distance. Soul cars racing past in constant streams. Endless crowds moving in every direction.
The sheer scale of it all made him feel small.
Ray shrank his shoulders slightly, dug out his water bottle, and took a quick drink.
Then he pulled out a folded slip of paper from his rucksack.
His father had written instructions for him on it.
The first line read:
Don't trust strangers easily.
Just then, a slim middle-aged man approached with a friendly smile. "Little friend, is this your first time in West Ocean City? Where are your parents?"
Ray glanced at the paper again.
He raised his head, looked at the man briefly, then shook his head and walked away without a word.
The direction he headed toward had a tall building with large characters above its entrance: Administrative Law Enforcement
Approaching two uniformed officers standing nearby, Ray asked politely, "Hello, uncle police officers. Could you tell me where the bus to West Ocean Academy is?"
During enrollment season, special buses were arranged to transport new students directly to the academy.
One of the officers pointed ahead. "It's over there. Kid, where's your family?"
Ray straightened his back. "Uncle, I'm not little anymore. Thank you."
Then he turned and ran in the direction indicated.
Sure enough, past the crowd stood a blue sign with white letters: West Ocean Academy
Below it were a few chairs, and behind them stood several youths around seventeen or eighteen years old, all dressed in blue sportswear.
When Ray approached, a black-haired girl smiled warmly.
"Little brother," she said kindly, "are you here to register?"
She had phoenix-shaped eyes, a balanced figure, and a gentle expression that immediately eased Ray's nerves.
For the first time since arriving in West Ocean City, he felt a bit less lost. "Hello, Senior Sister. My name is Raymond. I'm here to report," Ray said politely.
Estella Silver was slightly startled as she sized up the boy in front of her.
Judging by his height and build, he looked eleven or twelve at most, yet he had come alone to register as a new student. Since he possessed an academy recommendation letter, that meant he was actually only nine years old.
Despite his age, his features were exceptionally delicate.
In fact, Estella could only think of one word to describe him.
Pretty.
Large, clear eyes. Long eyelashes that even made her feel a little jealous. Standing before such a refined-looking junior, she felt momentarily flustered and had to steady herself before speaking.
"Hello. My name is Estella Silver," she said with a gentle smile. "I'm a first-year student at West Ocean Advanced Academy, and I'm responsible for receiving new students this year. That makes me your senior sister. Come, fill out this form first, then show me your recommendation letter from your elementary academy."
She handed him a form.
Ray felt his heart ease slightly as he took it, stealing a cautious glance at the senior sister in front of him.
As he filled in the information, Estella Silver unconsciously read it aloud.
"Ray. Nine years old. Graduated from Ironspire Elementary Academy in Ironspire City. Rank 11 plant-system Soul Master. Martial soul: Silverfalls Vine."
She paused, eyes widening slightly. "Ah? Your martial soul is Silverfalls Vine?"
Ray nodded.
Estella Silver smiled warmly. "Reaching rank 11 at your age with Silverfalls Vine is really not easy at all."
Hearing no trace of ridicule in her words, Ray's impression of her improved greatly. He scratched his head and asked honestly, "Senior Sister, the academy even accepts Soul Masters with Silverfalls Vine?"
"Of course," Estella Silver replied without hesitation. "The academy doesn't discriminate against martial souls. Soul Masters have developed for tens of thousands of years. Martial souls aren't as decisive as they were in ancient times."
She continued patiently, "With spirit souls, martial souls can be improved. And once you reach higher levels, you'll find that the martial soul itself matters even less. What truly matters is your soul power rank and your talent with mechas."
"A mecha can turn a Soul Master with an ordinary martial soul into a true powerhouse," she said encouragingly. "So cultivate well, little brother. You can just call me Senior Sister from now on."
"Thank you, Senior Sister," Ray said sincerely.
Her words dispelled much of the anxiety he had felt upon entering this vast and unfamiliar city.
Estella reviewed his recommendation letter, stamped it, and returned it along with a small metal placard.
"Wear this around your neck," she instructed. "It's proof of admission when you reach the academy gates. You'll still need to check in and collect your supplies later. For now, get on the bus behind me. We'll head out once a few more students arrive."
Ray thanked her again and walked toward the large bus.
An upper-grade student standing nearby glanced at Ray and curled his lips. "Estella, why are you saying all that to a country bumpkin? Silverfalls Vine is trash. Not every Silverfalls Vine carries the lineage of the Silverfall Vine King like our senior's."
Estella Silver shot him a sharp look. "Don't discriminate against our junior brother. He's only nine years old and already a Soul Master. How do you know his Silverfalls Vine doesn't have kingly lineage?"