[ Varsity Notice ] - You have gained +1000 merit points
Current balance - 1000
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The principal's announcement was exactly in-line with what was worrying Max.
He had a strong feeling that the dorms were built far away from the university by design and now he understood why.
The university was a much more brutal place than Max initially thought it would be, with there being only 3000 - 9000 who could avail a safe passage to classes, while the other 210,000+ students had to claw their way to the classes.
However, even if one did avail a safe passage to the University, unless they had enough merit points it would still be pointless as the only way one could actually take advantage of the facilities would be if they could pay for them in the first place.
The university had given the students a safe place to stay, and a guaranteed meal provided they had enough money. If one wanted to take a day off and had the money to pay for it, they could even go to the recreational centre, exactly like living a civilian life inside a city.
However, to become a warrior and to graduate from the University one had to earn everything that they wanted to learn.
One had to fight for the knowledge they gained, fight for the right to graduate and fight to use resources.
Despite being a university where only the rich could enrol, the university was a brutal place where only the hungriest could pass with distinction.
It had perfectly recreated the real universe in a mini-model because this was pretty much how the world worked too.
As Max was pondering over these matters, the metal window connecting the two rooms snapped open as he saw Asiva peeping through the gap.
" Yes? ". Max asked Asiva, who remained silent for a while but then laid back down on her bed keeping the window between them open.
Asiva said in a firm voice " Let's set some ground rules, and talk strategy "
Max smiled as he said " I'm listening "
Asiva said " We should be out sharp at 6 from the dorm every morning, so from 5-5:30 I will use the bathroom and from 5:30 to 6 you can.
Hold your horses, and never try to peep on me, because the day you do is the day you die "
Max nodded as he said " Sounds fair ".
Asiva continued " The semi forest outside the dorms will become a bloody battlefield, I don't know the full strength of the people gathered here, but I'm confident in my own strength and feel that you are not so bad yourself despite being at tier 0.
The two of us should manage to reach the university grounds by 8 am if we really try ".
Max said " I have your back, but if we are going to work together you need to stop talking to me as if I'm your subordinate and start talking to me with a little respect ".
Asiva was silent for a while before she said " You get my respect, when you earn my respect.
You have saved me before, which is why I'm giving you the chance to become a team member.
You are not my subordinate, I don't consider you to be one, but you are also not someone I hold in high regard.
I will cover for you, but this is pretty much how I talk ".
Max sighed then waved it off as he realised it was not something worth arguing over, they should gel-up overtime if they stuck around each other anyways.
Max anyways preferred someone like Asiva to be his team-mate who would speak the bitter truth rather than the pretty lies. At least he could trust the words coming out of her mouth at face value.
Asiva continued " You are free to pursue your own classes within the university, I'm free to pursue mine, we shall meet once everyday between lectures to tell each other how long the other has to wait before we get out of university grounds.
We wait for whoever has to come out latest, and head out back for the dorms together ".
Max nodded this plan sounded fair as he said " Alright ".
Asiva was silent for a while after this, and Max picked up the conversation now
" There will be a lot of PVP, especially as the end of the year season rolls around, lots of fights means making a lot of enemies, as well as getting lots of items as loot from the dead bodies.
For loot distribution I propose that whoever contributes more to the fight gets the first pick, and then on we pick alternate ".
Asiva thought for a while and replied " Fair "
Max continued " You are the only person to know my real name in this place, and I intend to keep my identity a secret. So please call me ' Ravan ' when we are in public ".
" Fair "
" If either of us ever brings a date in the room, let's have an unsaid rule about giving the other privacy ". Max said
Asiva scoffed at this comment as she said " I'm not here for fun and games, I'm here to hone my skills and become stronger for my revenge ".
Max respected this resolve but he still said " Well then when I bring one…. Give me privacy ".
Asiva slammed the metal window between the two rooms shut as she said " Have all the privacy you want. Just be ready to fight at six ".
Max chuckled, it seemed like university life was going to be full of hardships and struggles, but also a lot of fun.
' Congratulations boy, your life's dog days are here '. Drax said, reading his emotions.
Max wanted to reply but the ancient A.I. cut him off reminding him that it was already 1 am, and he needed to wake up in about 4 hours.
The very first day was sure to be a tremulous one.
/// A/N - This bonus sponsored by patron Kano_Shuuya. Thankyou for the support! ///