The academy.
An independent entity that accepted students from all over the world.
It contained a library consisting of numerous ancient texts, research papers, spells, grimoires, cultivation plans, and countless other objects of interest.
Due to that, numerous leaders of scientific fields flocked to it, with teaching as part of the conditions required to access this library.
Master Mages, wizards, artificers, and immortals also flocked to the academy for the same thing.
What followed were the riches that these giant figures possessed.
Magic inscriptions, cultivating formations, and autonomous bots tended to gardens and fields, cultivating materials required by those in magic and cultivation. One of the only areas where the three vocations have synergized in harmony.
Labs were created to help scientists put their theories to test, along with blacksmiths and other crafting vocations.
With such a force at its disposal, the Academy was also responsible for the sole organization exploring the untamed wilds.
The age of exploration had ended long ago. Those giants that fought against the beasts and demons of unknown stopped after claiming so much land for civilized life.
Content with the space they have, the world lost its desire to conquer the unknown, thus redirecting its attention inward.
Competition, intrigue, espionage, the civilized world only left the bare minimum to defend its land while it started attacking itself.
All in the name of advancement.
Knowing this from his time serving on the CFA, Blake didn't have such a reverent perspective on the academy, but understood those who did.
"With classes starting for those age 5 all the way to professional school. The academy sure has a large pool of resources." Blake commented.
Using his underworld profile, he then started looking up any hidden or suppressed news about the academy, things that would ruin its reputation.
Unfortunately, other than a handful of teachers and professors having scandals, there wasn't much news.
Frowning, Blake then decided that the forces behind the academy, or hidden by it, were exerting their influences much deeper than he thought.
As he was coming up with theories and ideas about the hidden organizations, Blake made his way to a long empty building, where he began construction of a semi-permanent portal to the academy.
With only a few more days until his first class as the combat instructor, Blake contacted the academy with his request and they obliged. Creating a reciprocal portal in his teachers lodging.
Finishing his portal and connecting them, Blake stepped through and was greeted with a small welcoming party on the other side.
"Welcome to the Academy!" A middle aged man and woman greeted him as soon as he stepped through the portal.
Slightly surprised, Blake returned the greeting as he shook off the effects from portal travel.
Even though it hasn't affected him, he still faked the effect to add the illusion that he was a typical instructor.
With a look of understanding, the man offered a bottle of water to help with acclimating to a new environment, before asking Blake to follow him on a short tour through the academy.
"My name is Arnold." The man introduced himself as they walked down the giant academy. "This is my assistant Elise. The two of us will be responsible for any questions and concerns you may have during your stay here."
Raising an eyebrow at that, Blake stared at the man while he continued his monologue.
"We've had many combat professors come and go recently." Arnold spoke with a difficult look on his face. "A couple of our students are quite. How would I put it… Unique? I guess."
"All of your predecessors have resigned after being defeated and trounced by some students." Elise explained as she trailed both men.
"Looks like you have quite special students then." Blake commented as he understood their pain somewhat, thinking about the kids in his house.
"That's why we are switching to a more theoretical approach, than direct confrontation." Elise continued.
"With your experience serving in the CFA, we will build our coursework off of that and teach the students from there."
"Hmm." Blake contemplated on the feasibility of that plan as he watched a couple videos of the students challenging the combat instructors, before they filed their resignation and fled the academy.
"What are these students' backgrounds?" Blake asked as he watched a short video of a student overpowering the professor with magic.
"Complicated." Elise responded with a grim look. "There's quite a few trouble makers, but a couple of them are repeat offenders, spouting things like 'these people aren't worthy to teach me.' or 'I will only learn when they break my magic.' Stuff like that."
"..." A nasty look appeared on Blake's face as he listened to the unique behavior's these students have.
"By the way, the youngest trouble maker is about 12 years old; while the oldest is about 20, in the middle of going through the officers course." Arnold added once Elise finished the introductions for the students he needed to look out for.
"This is quite a mess you guys have left me with." Blake commented.
A helpless face appeared on both of their faces as they couldn't respond to that comment.
"I thought that current education standards would've handled those with attitude and superiority complexes." Blake stated as he remembered the quick research he did the previous night.
Arnold and Elise exchange glances before Arnold stepped forward with a response.
"Well, even though the academy has its reputation, sometimes we aren't able to deal with those students with immense backgrounds." Arnold let out a sigh of frustration before continuing. "Especially for those hailing from magic towers belonging to arch wizards, sects founded by ascended immortals, and those sponsored by the mega corps."
"Those students are also enrolled after being homeschooled." Elise added on as she brought over several cups of coffee. "In the past we were able to handle these students since there were only a handful for each generation. But this generation, almost everyone enrolled their 'prodigies' and 'geniuses' at the same time."
Silence falls upon the trio as they savor the coffee as a little break.
"So, when do I start?" Blake asked as everyone finished their drinks.
"In a week." Arnold replied. "You have free access to the entire academy, save for the areas that only senior professors, researchers, and other authorized individuals are allowed to enter."
"Alright." Blake sighed as he resigned himself to dealing with a troublesome group of kids. "How are my classes structured once I start next week?"
"For now you are dealing with grades 6-7. The older grades are currently on field trips with other professors regarding their other subjects."
"So what was the previous professor teaching these kids?"
"Teamwork, building a foundation, and physical activity."
"..." Blake gave a blank stare at Arnold. "Isn't that just physical education?"
"Well, yes. We have the combat instructor handle these things to get a better grasp on what to teach or advise on once the kids get older and ready for more strenuous tasks."
Letting out a helpless chuckle, Arnold answered more of Blake's questions about the academy before he decided it was time to explore the academy himself.
"If anything comes up, here is my contact as well as my assistants. I will try my best to reply, but I might not be available, Elise will reply in my stead."
"I will definitely contact you if anything comes up." Blake got up and extended his hand. "It's time for me to get a first hand look at the academy, so I won't take up anymore of your time."
"It's good to meet you Professor Blake, Good luck. On everything." Arnold replied, clasping Blake's hand with both of his. "You are our last hope before the academy resorts to much more drastic measures."
Walking away from the two, Blake strolls around the academy, observing the students shuffling along between classes and the general atmosphere.
[One thing's for sure, there definitely is discrimination going on.] Blake thought as a pair of students rushed past him. [Those running around the place look way more haggard and worse for wear than those kids that are treating the place like it's their backyard.]
Blake stopped at a campus map to figure out where the combat grounds were, only to discover that he was still in the general campus, much to his distress, as he had been exploring for a good 6 hours since he parted ways with the academy representatives.
[No wonder they gave me a whole week to get used to the academy.] Blake thought as he downloaded the campus map onto his AI assistant.
Noticing the sun setting past the buildings, Blake had the AI direct him back to his campus lodging as he called it a day.
Passing by a general courtyard, he noticed a girl asleep in the small pavilion nestled past the shrubbery.
"Hmm." Blake frowned as he walked by.
Shaking off the decision to disturb her rest, Blake continued on his way to his lodging, not noticing the girl waking up and watching him walk away.
As he entered the professor's lodging area, Blake hummed a tune to himself as he thought about what to eat for dinner.
"Guess it's about time to introduce the kids to ramen~"