It wasn’t long before Robin and Caesar, guided by a servant, arrived at the institution. The towering walls and imposing gate alone were enough to fuel Robin’s ambition and stir a sense of awe in Caesar’s heart. The servant bowed respectfully and announced,
“By Lady Mila’s order, I carry a message for Mr. Felix Bradley, the esteemed President of the Institution.”
Two guards arrived at Level 10 and, after a brief exchange, escorted the trio to the President’s office. Along the way, Robin and Caesar observed their surroundings, trying to get a sense of the place they would call home for the next ten years.
The institution was spacious and well-organized. Robin noticed luxurious villas nestled in private yards, smaller residential buildings, and towering complexes under tight security.
Soon, they reached their destination: a medium-sized building guarded by several men. After verifying identities, the escorting guards withdrew, leaving one of the building guards to take the message from the servant’s hand.
“Please wait here,” he said, disappearing inside. A few minutes later, he returned and called out, “You may enter.”
With the servant stepping back silently, Robin and Caesar entered the office. A moment later, the head guard exited, revealing a middle-aged man with a student-like appearance seated behind a desk, smiling calmly. Once they were alone, the man spoke.
“I must admit, I’m curious. Who exactly are you, that Lady Mila herself would personally recommend you and offer such a generous monthly sum? Even that solitary girl doesn’t receive this much.”
Robin responded calmly, “Lady Mila owes me a favor, and this is her way of repaying it. She’s a remarkably generous woman.”
He didn’t bother hiding anything. Ever since Mila had recognized him, Robin understood that with the Burton family’s vast network and thousands of members, many would still remember him. Unless he changed his appearance entirely, it was impossible to hide his identity—and there was no reason to do so.
“Mila… owes *you*?” Felix raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. He eyed the boy before him—barely twelve years old, not even at the first level of cultivation. Just an ordinary mortal! There was nothing impressive about either of them. But he didn’t pry further. If Mila hadn’t mentioned the details herself, it wasn’t his place to ask.
“Very well. You’ll be assigned numbers 207 and 208. You can collect your student badges and house keys with those numbers from the coordination office. Lectures begin daily at 10:00 AM. As for this document, it allows you to withdraw your monthly allowance—either in cash or cultivation resources. Your choice.”
He stamped a few papers, slid them across the desk, then gestured for them to leave.
Robin gave a respectful nod, followed by Caesar, and they exited the office.
—
The process of receiving badges and keys went smoothly. At the treasury, Robin chose to exchange all 200 operations for energy stones. The sight of the two boys lugging massive cases full of stones quickly drew attention. Groups of students passing by stared in surprise, laughed among themselves, and moved on.
Eventually, Robin and Caesar reached their assigned house.
Inside House 207, Robin let out a laugh.
“What a day… but finally, we can begin proper training!”
Caesar nodded in agreement. But before they could settle in, the doorbell rang.
Robin answered the door to find a group of young men waiting outside. The one in front had a polite smile at first, but upon seeing Robin, his expression changed.
“Go call your master,” he said curtly.
“I don’t have a master. I live here. Is there a problem?” Robin replied calmly.
“You?! A mere van like you? How could someone like you have the same rights as us? We heard there were two new arrivals… Don’t tell me the other one is like you too?” the young man sneered in disbelief.
“He’s just like me. That’s all. If there’s nothing else, we’re busy right now,” Robin said flatly, motioning for them to leave.
“Tch… I don’t care where you or that other trash came from. I’m Remus, son of Marcus Rufus—so you’d better show some respect! I thought maybe we’d be meeting nobles, but you’re clearly not worth the effort. No matter… it just so happens I’ve outgrown my current house and need a new one to turn into a party space for me and my friends. You don’t mind if I take 208, do you?”
Robin met his gaze, unflinching.
“Actually, I strongly object.”
“Oh? Are you planning to fight over it?” Remus raised a fist threateningly.
“No,” Robin replied. “I’m just stating my objection. If you insist on taking the house, I’ll hand you the keys.”
“…Give me the keys.” Remus still didn’t believe him. No commoner could make it into this institution. He had expected at least a little resistance—this was just a test, after all.
Robin tossed him the keys without hesitation and closed the door behind him, leaving the group stunned. Seconds later, their laughter rang out through the halls, and soon, the sound of clinking glasses and revelry echoed from House 208.
Caesar looked at Robin.
“He could’ve at least asked them for some money in return…”
The house wasn’t a big deal—they could easily share the other one. Caesar understood there was no way to defend the property now, and Robin’s response was perfectly in character.
Robin chuckled.
“We may not need it now, but we *will* later. If I’d taken money or accepted the deal, I wouldn’t have the face to reclaim the house. Let them enjoy themselves for now… when you’re stronger, I’ll send you to clean them out and have it ready for me.”
