The Pluto Academy was founded by the First Stratum Lord's father, Pluto himself—a Saint... long dead.
This was his final 'gift' to humanity...
The Colosseum, or as it was officially called, Olympia, was as well...
A place where the true Olypmic games were held...
All to better the realm...
Or so the plaques said.
Xenos stared at the archway entrance and squinted like it had offended him somehow.
"Gift my ass. He just made a place for Gods to entertain themselves."
Eris's soft laugh echoed in his head.
Honestly, Xenos didn't care much for the Saint or his legacy; he planned to drop by the Academy only when the Colosseum held Colosseum Games to get his lovely rewards.
Of course, it was also because it was going to be fun, but that was besides the point.
To him, that was all that mattered.
Still… being a Disciple 'mattered.'
Yes, he didn't care for what they'd teach here; he already knew what he wanted to know, and none of it came from a dusty hall or some Shepherd who never fought one tough battle in their life.
But that didn't mean that his plans weren't directly hinged on him being a Disciple here.
If he wasn't one, he couldn't enter half this realm's restricted zones. He couldn't reach certain Runes his Rune Path required, and couldn't fight certain monsters he'd love to fight.
Xenos could NOT have his Calamity fuck him over here!
And so, he rushed forward to the Colosseum—
'Ah...'
Only to pause once more.
Xenos had arrived on time.
Before him were two stations, both with long queues waiting to pass through.
Seekers lined shoulder to shoulder, sweating under the golden light.
Guards watched and clerks stamped.
Judging by the setting sun, however, they weren't going to accept them for much longer.
Those far back in the queue wouldn't be able to get through, and that went for Xenos as well...
'Too bad for them~.'
If he were someone who abided by the rules.
Xenos walked past them all and reached the front of the queue.
"Hey!"
"Get back here!"
"Where's your place in line, bastard?"
Seekers complained and cursed as he passed, but no one did anything, and neither did the guards watching him.
"I'm Xenos of House Kharon, son of Veynar."
That was enough for them.
The 'All people are equal' bullshit didn't work here; everyone knew better.
No one was equal, and they at least had the decency not to parade that lie.
Lower Houses, Main Houses, and Great Houses were treated specially and in that order.
Anyone else who got through and joined them in the Academy was lucky to even be there.
Nobility mattered.
Power mattered.
And in this realm...
House Kharon mattered a lot.
Of course, that didn't mean that the Houseless, or as they were officially called, the Unnamed, didn't complain; no, they certainly did, as once they got in, they became comfortable.
But those who were trying to get in?
Oh, they'd let Debtors of Oaths walk all over them even for the opportunity to take the test.
A system most would aim to dismantle, maybe even Xenos himself, but for now...
He'd like to enjoy such benefits for once.
Xenos entered the Colosseum, passing sets of stairs on both sides that led up to the stands, and after ignoring another queue, he paused at the entrance to the arena of the Colosseum.
His eyes locked on the center of the Pluto Academy's trials.
There, he saw Arc leaving, his guard Aspen a step behind him.
The wolf-boy had his head lowered, with obvious signs of tears.
He seemed sad, despite his obviously successful Ascension to Disciple.
Perhaps he thought his new friend was dead.
'Huh.'
Xenos almost laughed.
'How cute.'
How surprised would they be to see him here~?
Chuckling at that, Xenos waved an apology at those behind him and stepped forward, this time their grumbling not even reaching him.
While walking, he tugged his hood over his head, hiding both his face and hair.
He stopped before the Shepherd in the middle of the arena, a Class Eight, who awaited words Xenos was happy to deliver:
"I ask to be a Disciple of Pluto Academy."
Nodding, the Shepherd scanned him from top to bottom and then pointed at his own heart.
"And you understand what that entails?"
Xenos did the same, pointing at his own heart, and the Shepherd raised his right hand.
"Then survive this test, and you will acquire a Rune tailored to your..."
His words stuttered.
"Your Luck."
That one word detonated across the Colosseum, sending the stands into a frenzy.
"An Ethereal Element is trying to get accepted?!"
"Even worse, Luck?!"
"Is he that Khanos kid?!"
"Xenos, right?"
They seemed to have quickly deduced who he was.
"No, no, I heard he ran off."
"Yeah, I heard his House abandoned him or something."
"Wasn't he sent to jail?"
Or maybe not.
"You heard that rumor too?!"
"Shut up, House Kharon wouldn't allow that!"
"There's no damned way that's true!"
"He's from a Main House!"
"I know, right? No way they'd arrest him."
"I'm serious. Someone saw him get dragged off by Hierophant."
While they went on and on, Xenos focused on the hand, hearing nothing of what they said.
That was for good reason, as from the hand came a pressure that was intent on crushing him to paste.
"Survive, boy."
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!
He gritted his teeth, his feet nearly instantly digging into the ground.
His back begged his mind to bend, yet he didn't move an inch.
Xenos needed to stand straight and strong.
The crowd went silent for a heartbeat.
...Only a heartbeat.
"He's not even flinching?!"
"Did he move?!"
"No—he—he looks fine!"
"He's… smiling?"
"I can't see!"
"This guy has to be from a House!"
And before they knew it...
"TEN SECONDS."
Ten seconds had passed.
Once more, the entire crowd cheered.
And oh, did they cheer loudly, deafening themselves.
A noblewoman near the front covered her ears.
"Even Lady Deianira didn't last this long unaffected!"
"Ha! Lady Deianira never stood straight in the first place!"
There was laughter, applause, and shock, until...
"Boy..."
The Shepherd's eyes narrowed.
"Twenty seconds."