It had taken nearly two hours to trek from the point where he had been dropped off.
Yet the journey never felt tedious. The tranquil scenery stretching along the path was calming enough on its own, and the constant banter with his viewers made the otherwise silent trip far more enjoyable.
As the academy finally came into view, the man beside him spoke.
"You’ll need to go through a security scan before you’re allowed inside."
Kyle nodded.
Naturally, the security would be strict. From everything he had heard, this was the only academy dedicated to training Nightwalkers from an early age.
Not every Nightwalker studied here, of course. Many were raised under private tutors or trained by veteran Nightwalkers within their own families. Even so, the overwhelming majority of active Nightwalkers were graduates of this academy.
Up close, the academy walls were even more imposing than they had appeared from a distance. Towering stone ramparts stretched high into the sky, radiating an unshakable sense of authority.
The surroundings appeared deserted.
At least to the naked eye.
With God’s Eye active, Kyle easily spotted several concealed figures stationed at carefully chosen vantage points, silently observing every approach to the academy.
"You may enter through that door," the man said, pointing toward a massive arched entrance built directly into the wall.
Kyle glanced at it before looking toward the enormous main gate farther ahead.
That entrance was clearly reserved for something else.
Without asking any questions, Kyle walked toward the entrance.
The door let out a soft hiss before sliding open, revealing a compact chamber beyond.
With God’s Eye, he carefully swept the room for traps or hidden mechanisms. Finding nothing of concern, he stepped inside.
Three people were waiting for him.
One man sat behind a desk while the other two stood silently beside another set of doors that led deeper into the academy.
"Please stand on the marked spot."
The seated man rose to his feet and gestured toward a circular mark on the floor to his left.
Kyle gave a slight nod and stepped onto it, standing perfectly still.
A faint green beam descended from above, slowly passing through his body. It lingered briefly around his waist before continuing downward and disappearing at his heels.
The man studying the monitor frowned.
"You’re not carrying any weapons?"
There was unmistakable surprise in his voice.
Kyle simply shook his head.
Why would he?
He could materialize Aquilla whenever he wanted.
The man gave a satisfied nod before speaking.
"Before you enter, you should know the academy’s entry and exit regulations. The reason I’m explaining them is simple. I’m the officer in charge of the academy’s perimeter security."
Kyle nodded. He had no intention of asking why the man was the one explaining the rules, in the first place.
"You are not allowed to leave the academy after six o’clock in the evening. If you wish to go outside, you must first submit an application to me stating your reason for leaving and your expected return time. If you fail to return by the time you’ve specified, disciplinary action will be taken."
Kyle acknowledged it with another nod.
That wasn’t an issue.
He had already discussed his special circumstances with the headmaster. Unlike the other students, who were only permitted to leave during the short breaks following each semester’s examinations, he had been granted permission to return home on weekends.
"Understood. Anything else?" he asked.
The man shook his head.
"The remaining rules will be explained later. For now, head to the administration office and collect your dormitory access card."
"Where is the administration office?"
"I’ll take you there."
The guard picked up his identification card from the desk and walked toward the inner door.
It slid open with a quiet hiss.
The moment Kyle stepped through it, he felt as though he had entered an entirely different world.
Broad stone pathways stretched neatly in every direction, connecting elegant buildings that blended modern architecture with timeless craftsmanship.
Glass walls reflected the afternoon sunlight while pale stone facades gave the academy a calm, dignified appearance. Rows of carefully maintained trees lined the walkways, their leaves swaying gently as students passed beneath them in small groups.
Some students chatted while walking to their next class, others sat beneath the shade reading books or discussing something over tablets.
In the distance, Kyle spotted a massive dome surrounded by several sprawling buildings. Among them, one structure towered above the rest.
The clock tower.
It had been visible even from deep within the mountains, standing like a silent landmark that guided travelers toward the academy.
"Come with me."
The guard turned left without another word.
Kyle followed at an unhurried pace.
"How many buildings are there?" he asked.
The man answered without slowing down.
"Two dormitory buildings. A training dome. An academic building. An administration building, which also houses the faculty offices. Another building serves as the common hall and auditorium."
He paused for a moment before adding,
"And one building dedicated entirely to books."
Kyle wasn’t surprised.
From what he had seen from afar, the academy occupied an area roughly the size of a small village. It was only natural for every major facility to have its own dedicated building.
Before long, they arrived at a pale blue and white building. Its sleek glass exterior reflected the morning light, while multiple floors rose high above them, giving the structure a modern yet imposing presence.
As they passed through the sliding doors, the guard spoke without looking back.
"You are not permitted to enter this building unless instructed by a teacher or unless you require assistance from the administration. The administration department occupies the first floor. Every floor above it belongs to the teaching staff."
Kyle nodded.
In other words, stay away unless there was a legitimate reason to be here.
A moment later, he asked, "Where can I find the headmaster?"
Aside from discussing his permission to leave the academy on weekends, he had also been instructed to meet the headmaster regarding his decision to join the government.
"The Clock Tower," the guard replied in the same matter-of-fact tone. "Assuming he agrees to see you."
Kyle gave a faint nod.
They climbed several flights of stairs before stopping outside an office.
"Wait here."
The guard opened the door and stepped inside, leaving Kyle alone in the corridor.
Letting out a slow breath, Kyle walked over to the floor-to-ceiling glass wall.
The campus stretched out beneath him in its entirety. Students could be seen moving between buildings, while the towering dome and the distant clock tower dominated the landscape.
He rested a hand against the cool glass and released another long, quiet breath.
"So... this is where it begins."
He believed his life was going to change a little from here on, not only because of the academy but the proposal the Defense Chief has extended towards him.
If there was something bending his decision into accepting it was Veronica’s safety.
He knew Sentinel was her one of the biggest nightmares. And she would be facing them once again.
Yes, there would be other warriors too, but he couldn’t trust them.
’Haah...if I am going to join them anyway, don’t I need to train more?’
[Ding! Quest Generated]
[Task: Path To Mastery]
"...."