Chapter 31: Chapter 30 - Return
The Mandatory Teaching Academies are advanced educational institutions that are specifically designed to train children and young people to survive the world after the Red Night. However, they are also institutions of intense preparation for those who may or may not become Awakened in the future, creating opportunities for universities and other branches, including internships in associations or in some department of the greater Alliance.
These academies are a fundamental part of the educational system established by the Alliance, and aim to provide a complete and balanced education for young people.
In these academies, young people have the opportunity to combine their regular academic studies with specialized training and classes aimed at improving their fighting and battle skills. In fact, this last characteristic is the reason why even someone like Kaito, a sedentary ex-obese man, knows only a minimum of how to use a dagger or a sword, since in the Celestial Abode and the portals advanced technology does not work.
In other words, the global compulsory education curriculum is tailored to meet the unique demands of today's world, covering both standard academic subjects such as mathematics, history, but also specific subjects related to the theory and practice of how to kill monsters. Obviously, this spread of information on how to kill has certainly created a more aggressive society in some respects, which Kaito has suffered in his own skin.
In any case, in addition to the Mandatory Learning Academies also providing an environment for bullies to excel not only socially but also academically, students are encouraged to form bonds of cooperation and discipline to the practice of martial arts, which made Kaito even more excluded because he didn't care much for it.
The academies are supervised by people directly connected to the local association or government, and have specialized teachers who are able to guide and mentor the students in their development academically and as fighters. These institutions may also offer additional facilities and resources, such as specialized training areas, research labs, dojos, and so on, but it all depends on the donors of the institution.
Since there are no Mandatory Teaching Academies in the Forgotten Zone, Kaito will need to walk a few miles to the school district in the middle of the Commercial Zone.
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Thanks to a letter with a stamp from the association, Kaito was able to return to the Mandatory Teaching Academy without much trouble. And since the director of the academy thought he was someone very generous, he granted Kaito the perk of being able to study in the same class he was in before, thus ignoring the one and a half years of teaching Kaito had missed, after all until six months ago, at the turn of the school year, they hadn't even noticed his absence.
So, two days after his visit to the office of the Z4 Safe Area association, Kaito is already walking towards the district where his old school is located.
As he approaches, his steps gradually slow down and a mixed feeling of nostalgia and apprehension takes over him. It is as if the memories of his past and the uncertainties of the present are mixed together, creating a dense atmosphere around him, like a stormy cloud over his head.
Incredibly, returning to his studies was causing Kaito more fear than fighting the Shaman Goblin.
Finally, as Kaito approaches the front of the school, he notices the imposing building. The building is made of weathered metal, with tall, narrow windows that seem to peek out at the students who pass by. The main entrance is marked by classic glass doors, and in the entrance hall are the lockers where they must change their shoes.
As Kaito stares at the facade of the school, his mind begins to be invaded by memories. His eyes unwittingly fall to the left side of the main building, where there is a separate shed where they usually keep the sports balls. Behind this shed Kaito has already had to involuntarily fight against other people who were also suffering at the hands of the bullies, only to make them laugh at his lame techniques. Then the bullies would make a point of showing them how a fist twist should be done or how the most effective way to kick balls was.
Kaito remembers all this perfectly.
Anxiety begins to take over him as he faces this place once more, and his heart races.
As Kaito stares at the facade of the school with a fearful countenance, he wonders if he will be able to fit into this environment, if he will be able to overcome the traumas of the past.
At the same time that Kaito is occupied with his internal conflicts, he sees the other students arriving at the Academy looking at him. In fact, most people who pass by him easily notice his presence and continue to stare at him for some reason.
'Did I not adjust the uniform right for my new size?' Kaito mentally asks himself.
People stare at him and then whisper among themselves, which only makes him even more afraid.
However, contrary to what Kaito is thinking, people are not looking at him because they think he is strange or ugly like they used to in the past, but rather the opposite.
"Who is that boy?" A girl inquires to her friend next to her and continues to stare at Kaito as she passes by his side, to the point where she bends her neck to stare at him some more.
"He must be a new boy, a transfer." Her friend replies, a little shyly.
Deep down, Kaito still doesn't understand how much he has really changed. Not only has he gotten taller and thinner, his hair is much silkier and shinier, as well as his eyes, which now stand out very much with a vivid glow on his thin face and smooth skin.
Taking a deep breath, Kaito takes the first step toward the entrance of the school, and as he strides with cautious steps toward the entrance, he feels the stares of the other students upon him.
As he enters the building, Kaito notices that the conversations around him abruptly cease and everyone seems puzzled by his presence. He says nothing, but sweat begins to drip down his forehead.
'Easy, they are not looking at me. They are looking at someone behind me.... That's it.' Kaito tries to think rationally.
As Kaito changes shoes, three girls passing behind him exchange curious glances and only a few moments later begin to comment in whispers about him.
"Have you guys seen the new student?"
"He's really impressive."
"Gyahh! That redheaded bangs of his..."
"I wonder if he has a girlfriend?"
"Ow! Are you already interested at that point, Amy?"
Unfortunately, Kaito doesn't hear that. Although he has enhanced basic senses, he is too busy with his internal war. Nevertheless, Kaito can hardly imagine what lies ahead for the rest of the day.
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