Road Of Advancement

Theodore was picked up early in the morning as he would finally start his journey to KMU.

Even with all the abilities of the present, the examinations were held on KMU grounds.

They could not afford to have anyone tamper with the results and the test was held in highly optimized grounds.

Not just anyone could attend these entrance exams. You either had to have a great background or stellar results. The KMU was a second-tier university and attracted talents from far and wide. The competition was bound to be fierce; so many applicants were refused before they could even take the entrance tests.

Theodore was escorted to a family carrier which brought him to one of the large space-stations that orbited Regus 2. Here, a large space-vessel from the KMU was present to pick up all the applicants that were allowed to undergo the entrance exams. Therefore the space station was currently a beehive of activity. Many sh.i.p.s came and went, many bearing family crests of important families from the surrounding planets.

Regus 2 was one of the main planets in the star system and had been chosen as a pick-up point for a large piece of the surrounding. With the KMU's influence, no one dared to interfere with vessels that declared they had business with the KMU.

Theodore's transport vessel was halted and went to cursory inspection. With his prestigious background and nationality, none of the security officers could be bothered to go through a lengthy check-up. Other space sh.i.p.s escorting less prominent nobles or from more distant planets were screened thoroughly. They did not wish for any disturbances to happen on this day!

He was then escorted by one of the security officers to the check-in near the KMU's spaceship. From inside the space-station Theodore had already spotted the humongous spaceship that belonged to the KMU. Its grandeur was unmatched by any vessel that currently ported at the space station.

Its sharp contour and sleek look coupled with its enormous size and esteemed identity had everyone take a second look at it.

The check-in went smoothly as his identity was checked and his invitation to the examination was valid. A kid before him had tried to sneak in with someone who passed the identification and was then detained and carried of by the dutiful security guards that were scrutinizing the line.

Being accepted to KMU was a huge deal. Even if most people would fail to complete their four-year studies, they would still be considered as one of the brightest students in their region. Therefore, more than a few uninvited guests would try and sneak in every year, hoping to get a chance at entering the prestigious schools and becoming dragons overnight.

Theodore had immediately stamped the kid as a fool. Trying to pass by the discerning eyes of the security detail would be impossible. Forging an invite, impossible. Impersonating someone else? That would have you sent to jail for a long time.

The examinations were of great importance to the KMU, they would make sure the arrangements were impeccable. Not to mention that states supported the stringent control, as they did not want to step on the tails of the KMU. The best and brightest of many states graduated or attended KMU so it naturally held a special place in their minds.

Theodore then had to wait for a bit until a group of ten examinees had gone through the identification process. In batches of ten would they be escorted inside the massive spaceship as they would be instructed on their way in. This made sure that the attendants of the KMU had the time to pick up and deliver the examinees and give them the proper instructions without having to haste themselves too much.

Theodore did not mind the arrangement as he understood the logistical purpose of it.

Another examinee, however, could not help but lament that he had to wait in order to enter. He even complained to the stewards and tried to kick up a fuss in order to try and hasten the process.

The staff, however, was not impressed with his attempt and cordially explained to him that there was no alternative to waiting unless he wanted to be kicked off the examinee list.

Theodore had spectated the incident and could only shake his head. Being impatient would not help, and having a background would solve nothing here. Who would be ordinary if they could attend the examination? Naturally, the staff did not give a crap.

"What are you looking at?" The impatient kid had seen the disapproval in Theodore's eyes and decided to come to look for some retribution.

"Are you referring to me?" Theodore casually entered, not at all worried about the angry look of the kid.

"Who else dumbass. Do you find something funny? Cause I don't mind playing with you for a bit." The kid rudely remarked.

"I was looking at a dog that was barking up the wrong tree. I don't want to waist mu breath on you so I'll make myself clear. You're a disgrace to all examinees. Just stand by and shut your mouth as we wait for the party to be complete." Theodore laid it into him like a savage.

He did not resort to violence or cursing but did not care about offending the other party. He did not want to be friendly with such a boor anyways.

"You dare call me a disgrace? We'll settle this later you -"

"By the time I enter KMU, you will be on your way back. They won't accept such uncouth people at the university. Don't mistake yourself for something that you're not. Your background stopped mattering the second you accepted the invitation for the examination, and I doubt you could be a threat to me. Now step aside as we will be moving to the ship since we're now complete." Theodore made short notice of the kid and moved along when he saw their group was complete.

As he made his way over to follow the attendant he left the kid fuming and trailing behind them. He was so furious at being slighted he didn't listen to all the explanation that happened along the way to the 'Common Room' inside the ship.

"This is what we call the Common Room. Aboard this ship, this is the largest consecutive space. Its thirty-one stories high and spaces across several kilometres long. As the 'Charles D.i.c.kens' is mostly engineered as a p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e travel ship it comes with its own entertainment and commercial district. You will find all of that here; from casinos and shops to swimming pools and even ski slopes."

"Don't mistake the 'Charles D.i.c.kens' for a cruise-ship however, even though it has such a large section of commercial and leisure, the ship is also armed to its teeth. During our trip, we will be protected by a full company of space-mechs and the ship also has its own teeth in the high-grade lasers and ballistic rifles mounted along the hull. This ship truly is a miracle of engineering and you can only imagine the cost of this flagship."

"The ship is the flagship that the KMU uses for all official occasions. During tournaments and other lengthy trips, the Charles D.i.c.kens is the prefered vessel. Naturally, this is because it is unique in its nature because of the mixed utility and massive size. During tournaments, about sixty to seventy procent of all students travel along and are still able to keep up with their studies. The headmaster once called the Charles D.i.c.kens a "One of a kind monstrosity that fulfils only a very specific purpose, but it's unmatched in this very purpose".

"It is named after the famous late headmaster Charles D.i.c.kens who also ordered the creation of this ship. He had all sorts of quirks, but he is definitely the most loved headmaster of all time."

Theodore was fascinated by the story and even more impressed by the sheer size and interior of the common room. He felt the Charles D.i.c.kens was a very odd space ship. It was nothing like he had anticipated and he could not help but think that the sh.i.p.s arrangement - a combat ready cruise ship was just a stupid arrangement. The price of this thing must be incredible. He would have rather bought designated dreadnought class destroyers to accompany a luxury cruise ship. He could not help but think back on his lessons with Redford.

After being delivered to the common room and introduced to the ship's facilities, they were given instructions on where to finds their cabins and they were given digital maps of the sh.i.p.s to help them navigate as the ship would move to the academy in the next seven days.

One of the girls in the group of ten that had accompanied him approached him as they all said their goodbyes as they made their own arrangements,

"I saw you had a run-in with Louis at the gate, do you happen to know him as well?"

"The impatient kid throwing a tantrum? No, I do not know him."

"Hmm, I thought you conversed with him rather familiarly. In that case, I have to give you a fair warning. Louis is a very vengeful person. He's the second-in-line to Duke Carson. He's as arrogant and spoiled as they get. However, with his genetic aptitude at 87, his ego has truly blown up since his aptitude test. He won't take your reprimand easy, be aware of him - he might try something during the examination." She kindly explained and warned him of the potential danger.

"Thank you. I don't see a true threat in someone who does not know how to use his brains - aptitude or not, idiots are idiots" Theo smiled

"Anyways, - Miss... I think I missed your name, what is it you are called?"

"My name is Evanna Lynch, it''s a p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e." She sweetly smiled back

"The p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e is all mine, Miss Lynch."