The night was worst for everyone, and the day their only solace, when they could sometimes forget about the constant threat.
This was a giant continent. It was a country of its own and also a city with eight districts. Three hundred years ago, before the Red Day, this place would have existed between three different continents.
Now, it was nothing but a giant city filled with no less than two million people.
Each district chose its own building style. The fourth district, like most others, went with brick and concrete. Areas like Scar's had uniform buildings; same height, same structure, simple with a balcony on top.
If they collapsed, it would be hard to survive. But they were just as hard to topple.
The streets were neatly paved with bricks strong enough to withstand the heaviest cargo and smooth enough for the worthiest carriages.
Audio amplifiers were installed every fifty meters beside the street lamps, ready to alert citizens to any uncontrollable attack from the Scarlet Kins.
Scar had walked these streets countless times. Though when his parents were alive he only went in their luxurious carriages and automobiles, now he couldn't even afford a packed wagon.
Instead, he walked with his sword tied to his waist, dragging his small luggage and wearing a uniform that made everyone stare at him with admiration and respect, though some only showed concern and disgust. After all, some don't consider people like him humans. He was nothing but an Akuma.
Strange. Ordinary humans were supposedly equal to those some called devils—just as important, just as valued. Yet they despised them anyway.
Soon enough, he stood at the entrance of the Supreme Academy. His head was tilted high toward the sky, standing still as he never imagined he'd find himself here.
Well, Isaac had his constant remarks about how he'd become the most powerful God Killer even before he got his Inheritance a week ago.
Even so, this was a privilege most dreamed of but never achieved, while some loathed the idea entirely.
But with all the memories, the memories of six people spanning across three hundred years, the Supreme Academy had never been a good place for him.
The academy building was built in a circle, surrounding three different arenas big enough to house over ten thousand individually, and a waving emblems perching on the buildings. Until he stepped into any of those arenas, he wasn't fully a student of this academy.
After much thought, he glanced at the card in his hands again.
'Room 266… great. I just hope he's a slacker. Anything else would suck.'
Without wasting a moment, he began heading to his room.
Scar would have skipped the academy entirely if he had the chance, but once you had an Inheritance, enrollment at the Supreme Academy was a must.
It was ideal since no one above twenty-five could get an Inheritance, but even a child as young as three could receive one.
But almost two million humans had no Inheritance, no ability. So to make sure the world didn't fear the privileged, and to ensure all those with Inheritance used it to fight against the Scarlet Kins, it was best to have them enrolled at this academy.
It had been etched into everyone's memories, even those without Inheritances.
'Penalty for refusal was death, and though it was obvious the world wanted to control us, keep our progress in check, and know how to tackle each of us whenever things went south, no one wanted to die. It was also an opportunity to grow.'
After climbing endless stairs and going through disgusted stares and looks of rivalry and annoyance, Scar finally got to Room 266.
However, something had him frozen in place. A loud noise was coming from the room, making him question if he truly wanted a slacker.
With a heavy heart, he opened the door to see a brown-skinned boy around his age with red eyes and cream locs, wearing nothing but his boxers.
Worse, his entire body was drenched in sweat as he was deeply invested in having a conversation with himself. Even so, he looked almost chill, the kind anyone could get along with.
Actually, his posture, hands slightly positioned mid-wave, and that bright awkward smile, it was obvious the guy was practicing how he'd interact with others.
But then, he immediately acted despite the awkward atmosphere.
He waved enthusiastically and reached out for a handshake.
"You're my roommate… I'm Julien. Uh, nice to meet you, I guess?"
With a confident smile, Scar embraced the handshake, closing the door behind him.
The room had two separate beds, each with a wardrobe beside it. A door by the wardrobe probably led to the washroom.
"Well, call me Scar."
Julien immediately sighed in relief, wiping the sweat off his face. Scar couldn't tell how long Julien had been working on his introduction, but he didn't need to. He could guess for himself.
The moment Scar dropped his luggage, he rested for a moment, thinking about how much he'd miss Isaac and hoping nothing would happen to the old man.
But his thoughts were interrupted.
"I've been around all the streets, but I don't think I've seen you before. Where do you stay?"
Scar frowned.
That was practically impossible. All the streets? Even someone who walked for a living couldn't boast such a feat in their own district.
But then again, he knew Julien was just exhausted but still wanted to get to know his roommate.
"I live in the lowly suburbs of the Third District, Barbados."
Hmph.
"Around the baking area, by the bread shops. You can't take a step without your stomach screaming at you from all that butter… tsk. I'm itching for one myself."
Julien only nodded, adding nothing to move the conversation forward, before finally speaking as though conducting an interrogation.
"How many victories are you counting on? I don't intend to give up even one."
Scar responded with the most sincere words he could muster before taking control of the conversation.
In the Supreme Academy, the board trusted everyone to learn the world's history, train, and handle almost everything on their own.
The memories most Inheritances came with were enough to replace entire courses. Wasting time on formal studies would be redundant.
However, staff only existed to manage duels, order, and conduct tests. The academy held random duels, and each student fought at least once a week.
This allowed them to monitor the students' progress and fish out anyone who lied about their Inheritance.
Losing a duel came with a penalty.
"Only one person has ever wielded my Inheritance. He never lived long enough to decide who it should go to next. The ability chose me."
Julien said as he lay on the bed with his eyes on the ceiling. Scar kept his expression neutral.
"My power doesn't compare to the Founders of Magic. Hah… their arrogance is ridiculous." Julien snorted.
Scar's body trembled. The person he both sought and fled from possessed an Inheritance from one of the Founders of Magic. Every Inheritance was born from those magics.
"Tomorrow's the arena. Can't wait for some action." Julien said.
Scar had been managing the conversation for quite some time, easing Julien's anxiety, and now Julien spoke as though they'd known each other for years.
Because of his lineage and history, Scar wasn't allowed to make friends or even leave the house with Isaac when he was younger. This was a pleasure.
But now, he went quiet, bitter.
Each time an ability was passed on, it grew stronger, but despite the accumulated knowledge, the Inheritance was always beyond the previous person's understanding. Every new inheritor had to learn to control it from the lowest rank, Tier 7.
Because of this, Scar had no idea how to use his Inheritance properly, and yet he could remember each of his predecessors' worst enemies.
'This is where Cartel died… he lasted just a month. Hmph. You guys really couldn't wait for me, could you? I'll handle it.'