<h4>Chapter 210: Front Office of the Academy</h4>


    One by one, the seven cadets from the helicopter stepped through the gate. Eleanor and herpanions followedst, unhurried. A burst of white brilliance engulfed her as she crossed the threshold, so intense that her instincts forced her eyes shut.


    When she opened them again, she stood in a vast hall. At first nce it resembled the reception of a powerful corporation rather than anything one might call an academy office. Directly ahead stood threerge desks in a line, each staffed by a strikingly beautiful woman. They were not the coquettish sort often ced atmercial lobbies, but middle-aged, dignified figures, radiating calmpetence. Their white robes lent them an air at once pure and authoritative.


    Floating above the desks hung three luminous signs: Reception, Help Desk, and Exchange.


    To either side of the hall, neat rows of leather chairs provided seating. A handful of young people sat there reading quietly. The seven who had entered before Eleanor were already queuing before the reception desk.


    "Step away from the gate. Make space for the next arrivals," came a firm voice from behind.


    Eleanor realised she had stayed too long at the same ce. She moved forward a few steps and nced back. Behind her shimmered the door of white light, guarded on either side by two imposing men. They wore same type of robes like the women, but ck in colour. Both of them radiated unmistakable draconic presence.


    The light of the door rippled. Kiara stepped out, eyes searching. "Eleanor!" she called, hurrying over.


    Momentster, Ophelia emerged. The three of them joined the end of the line at reception, falling into ce naturally behind their fellow passengers.


    Soon it was Eleanor’s turn. The receptionist before her gestured to a small scanner built into the desk. "Please look directly into the device."


    Eleanor raised her eyes. The woman’s voice remained calm but carried authority. "Eleanor Elizabeth Raynor. Answer my questions using more than three words. Did youe to the academy of your own ord, or were you forced?"


    Still staring into the scanner, Eleanor replied, "I came of my own ord."


    "True," the woman said without hesitation. "Do you intend to obey the rules and regtions of the academy?"


    "I intend to obey."


    "True. Our most fundamental rule is this. You are forbidden to discuss the academy’s training with the outside world. Do you promise to uphold this?"


    "I promise to obey this rule."


    "True," the woman confirmed. Then she handed over a thick, paperback volume. "This is the academy guide. Please read the first ten pages carefully. They outline the basic rules you must follow. Once you have understood them, you will sign a magical contract binding you to the academy. Take your time. When ready, return here to proceed."


    The guide was heavier than expected. Eleanor stepped aside and started to read the pages as instructed. Kiara and Ophelia soon underwent the same questioning, each receiving their own guides.


    But as Ophelia epted hers, Eleanor spoke, her voice even. "You don’t need to read. Let’s move straight to the signing."


    Ophelia agreed instantly. "Alright."


    The receptionist’s expression sharpened. "You cannot influence others. Every cadet must sign of their own free will."


    Eleanor inclined her head in apology. "Then let me rephrase. I have read the ten pages already, and I am satisfied. The terms are eptable. May I confirm... are all contracts identical?"


    "Yes," the woman replied. "Every cadet signs the same binding."


    "And if I were to refuse a use, or decline to sign at all, could I still enrol?" Eleanor asked.


    The answer came without hesitation. "No. Without the contract, there is no admission."


    Eleanor smiled faintly. "In that case, there is no reason to waste time. We came to join the academy; we ept that its rules must apply equally to all. Kiara is my cousin, Ophelia is my subordinate. They follow my lead, as you can confirm if you wish."


    Kiara said at once, "I have no objection."


    Ophelia added, "I follow my boss."


    The receptionist sighed softly, conceding. "Very well. Take your contracts. Read them carefully if you must. Then use a pin from the bowl to draw a drop of blood and mark the signature box. Dispose of the pin in the basket beside you."


    Each of them received a contract identical to the guide. Eleanor scanned hers quickly... nothing new. She pricked her fingertip, letting a single drop fall onto the signature box.


    At once, the parchment red. White light coursed across the page, consuming it until the entire sheet dissolved into countless shining motes. The sparks hovered a moment, then streamed upward, vanishing as though drawn to some distant, unseen presence.


    All three of them stared, caught off guard by the quiet majesty of the phenomenon.


    The receptionist allowed herself the barest smile. "Magical contracts are bound to Lord Yggdrasil himself. When you sign, the pact is delivered to him. In time, you will learn more of this."


    She then looked to the others. "You two, please proceed with your contracts."


    Eleanor took Ophelia’s document, scanned it quickly, and said, "No problem. You can sign."


    Ophelia pricked her finger without hesitation. By the time her contract dissolved, Kiara had already finished reading hers. Though not at Eleanor’s speed, she too could read with remarkable swiftness. As Ophelia stepped back, Kiara moved forward and signed.


    Once the three of them were bound, the receptionist asked, "Do you have magical pouches for your belongings? Nothing but your body may enter the academy, and we only store items already ced within pouches."


    Eleanor shook her head. "No. I don’t."


    She nced at Kiara and Ophelia; both returned the same gesture.


    The woman nodded. "Quite normal. Then please proceed to the Exchange desk."


    The three crossed to the counter marked Exchange. The woman there greeted them with a courteous smile. "You require pouches, I assume?"


    "Yes, please," Eleanor replied.


    The clerk’s smile tightened faintly. "Be aware, magical pouches are costly. Prices range from three hundred thousand to one million dors each. If your funds arecking, you may simply discard your clothing here. Upon leaving the academy, a basic outfit can be purchased for a thousand dors. Another alternative is that the three of you share a single pouch."


    Eleanor’s tone was calm, decisive. "I intend to buy three. What is the difference between those at three hundred thousand and those at a million?"


    "Pouches are lifelongpanions," the woman exined. "Once imprinted, only you may open them. No outsider can peer inside. Even if a powerful ascendant destroys the container, its contents remain sealed, irretrievable. Only upon your death will the imprint fade, allowing another to im it.


    "All we sell here are spirit-grade items... the lowest grade, yet suitable for cadets. There are three tiers avable. A low-tier spirit pouch looks like an ordinary leather pouch. It offers ten cubic feet of storage. Mid-tier spirit pouches appear as bracelets, worn on the wrist, with fifty cubic feet of space. They cost five hundred thousand dors. The high-tier option takes the form of a ring, often called a storage ring, with a hundred cubic feet within. Each ring is one million dors. Note that only inanimate objects can be stored."


    Sheid out the three examples on the desk: a leather pouch, a dark grey metallic bracelet, and a matching ring.


    Eleanor did not hesitate. "I’ll take three rings. Do you have any variation in design? This is rather in."


    The woman’s lips curved upwards. "They are forged of Soulsteel. Dark grey is the metal’s natural hue. Each will bond to you, resizing as needed, even if you transform into your true form. In auction houses you may find more borate designs. Here in the academy, we provide only this style."


    "That will do. Three rings, please," Eleanor said, handing over her ck card.


    The clerk swiped it across a small device, returning it with a receipt marked three million dors. She ced three rings carefully before them. "Imprint them now. A drop of blood will suffice. Pins are in the bowl."


    They each pricked a fingertip. As Eleanor’s blood touched the cool metal, the ring shimmered faintly. A sudden awareness bloomed in her mind... a hollow space, one hundred cubic feet in size, suspended in her consciousness like a hidden chamber waiting to be filled. She could feel it as clearly as if her hand had opened a door.


    At that instant, Nora’s voice rang within her mind. "I see it too. A new space has appeared in my vision."


    "Nora! I almost forgot about you," Eleanor eximed inwardly.


    "You were preupied with your thoughts," Nora replied. "I was observing everything. There was no need to interrupt, so I stayed silent."


    "Can you connect to your main body from here?" Eleanor asked.


    "No. All signals are blocked in this ce. Your mobile has nowork either."


    "I guessed as much... just checking." Eleanor’s thoughts sharpened. "By the way, did you find any hidden uses in the contract?"


    "None. Everyone is bound to the same agreement, so you risk nothing unique. But Master, if you doubt anything, feel free to ask me again."


    "It’s fine," Eleanor said. "Keep observing. I might need your help at any time."


    At that moment, the woman behind the Exchange desk spoke. "Look around you... there are thirty doors surrounding this hall. Since the three of you are werewolves, you must use any of the rooms numbered fifteen through twenty. Inside, you will find academy robes. Put on the uniform and store all your personal belongings in your storage ring. Once you have changed, you must return your ring here to my desk. When you leave the academy, it will be returned to you. Now, please select a room and change. Each chamber is equipped with its own service robots. They will guide you through the next steps."