After successfully sneaking away from the assembly, Jihu found himself strolling lazily through the Academy grounds, hands behind his head, taking in his new surroundings. The Academy was massive, practically a city of its own, filled with towering structures made of gleaming metals and reinforced glass. Floating platforms transported students from one building to another, and artificial rivers of light coursed through the sky, illuminating the paths below.
"Not bad," Jihu muttered to himself. "Definitely an upgrade from the labs back on Earth... though I still miss my cat."
As he wandered, his mind switched to information-gathering mode. He overheard students talking about their families, the Academy's ranking system, and which professors to avoid if you wanted to live a stress-free life. He was mentally compiling a list of useful tidbits when suddenly—
Ding!
A holographic announcement flashed in the sky.
[Attention all new students: A grand banquet will be held tonight in the Starfall Hall to welcome this year's entrants. Attendance is highly encouraged.]
Jihu's eyes sparkled. "A banquet? That means food!"
All thoughts of information gathering vanished. He immediately turned on his heels and bolted toward the banquet hall, moving with the kind of speed one would expect from a man who hadn't had a proper meal in days.
The Grand Banquet
Starfall Hall was a sight to behold. Crystal chandeliers floated mid-air, refracting prismatic light across the grand dining space. The ceiling was an artificial sky, shifting colors to mimic a breathtaking nebula. Long tables stretched across the hall, filled with the most extravagant dishes one could imagine—alien meats, shimmering fruits, and desserts that looked like they belonged in a museum rather than on a plate.
Jihu's mouth watered.
But while he was ready to eat his weight in food, the other students had a very different focus. The hall buzzed with conversations as nobles and elites formed social circles, discussing alliances, power structures, and potential rivalries. Everyone was trying to cement their standing within the Academy's hierarchy.
Jihu, however, had a much simpler mission.
Operation: Eat Everything.
He grabbed a plate, stacked it with everything within arm's reach, and found an inconspicuous corner to feast in peace. He was halfway through what tasted like intergalactic fried chicken when he heard someone muttering nearby.
"Ugh, this food is so basic. It's like it was made for commoners."
Jihu nearly choked.
"Basic?! Are you kidding me? This is the best meal I've had in years!" he thought. He took another bite just to prove a point to himself, then turned toward the voice.
A group of noble students were gathered, sneering at their plates. A particularly arrogant-looking guy, dressed in extravagant robes lined with energy-infused gold thread, scoffed. "If this is what they serve to welcome us, I dread what the normal meals are like."
Jihu raised an eyebrow. "Bro, it's free food. What more do you want, a personal chef?"
The noble's eyes snapped to him, noticing him for the first time. "And who might you be? Some bottom-rank noble sneaking in for scraps?"
Jihu waved his fork dismissively. "Nah, just a guy who appreciates a good meal. But hey, if you're not gonna eat that—" He reached for the noble's untouched steak.
The noble jerked his plate away, looking utterly offended. "You—!"
Before the noble could explode, the sound of clinking glass silenced the hall. The head teachers had taken the stage.
"Attention, students. We will now begin the distribution of the Basic Supplement Kit, which contains the essential tools for your training at the Academy. Each student will be called forward to receive their kit."
Jihu's ears perked up as the teachers continued.
"This kit contains Gen-1 Nanobots, a standard Academy uniform, and various personal training equipment to assist in your growth. Each name will be called in order. Please step forward when you hear yours."
One by one, students were summoned. The process was routine—until they reached the final batch.
The 10 Great Families.
The hall fell into a hush. The 10 ruling families were the pillars of the galaxy, their descendants carrying the weight of legacy and expectations.
The names were called, each sending murmurs through the crowd as the heirs of powerful families stepped onto the stage.
And then—
"Jihu Kang, heir to the 5th ruling family."
Silence.
Jihu, still chewing on a piece of roasted meat, paused mid-bite.
The entire hall turned to look at him.
Whispers erupted.
"Wait... the Kang family? That Kang family?!"
"He's an heir?! But he was just stuffing his face in the corner—"
"No way. I thought he was some random commoner."
Jihu swallowed his bite, stood up, and smirked.
With absolute confidence, he strutted toward the stage, his expensive uniform catching the light just right. The shock on everyone's faces made the moment chef's kiss perfect.
As he reached the stage, he tilted his head, looked down at the noble who had insulted the food earlier, and raised an eyebrow. "You were saying something about scraps?"
The noble's face turned several shades of red. Jihu grinned, turning his attention back to the teachers as he received his kit.
"Well," he thought, enjoying the sheer absurdity of the situation. "I guess that's one way to make an entrance."
To be continued...