The sect sprawled along the cliff like a leviathan, looking massive even from a distance.

  ‘It looked big even from the top of Alnilam Peak, it’s truly a wonder up close,’ Orien thought.

  From where he was seated in the carriage, he was able to see broad swaths of walls where red softened toward pink, and roofs that shimmered a dark bluish green, each tile catching the light like overlapping fish scales. This must have been intentional in the design given the name of the sect.

  Buildings could be seen over the walls; some were plain, stone-gray blocks with the same scale-like roofing. Other buildings looked ornate, their eaves carved with curling waves and seemed to have some bronze accents.

  There were plants he had not seen before near the gate, twisting upwards and looking more exotic than anything he’d seen before. There were some with vibrate colors, others with odd shapes, yet they did not seem out of place.

  Another key detail he noticed was that to the absolute right of the sect was a huge fish tail, and at the absolute left of the sect, there was a huge fish head, giving the appearance that the entirety of the sect was the fish’s body.

  As they approached the front of the sect, there was a massive metal gate framed by two reddish-pink ramparts that also led an arch to the top of the gate. The gate must have been fifteen feet tall.

  ‘I can’t imagine why they would need gates that big but it sure is impressive,’ Orien thought.

  They finally approached the gates, and they opened. CREEEAK. The guards in the area saluted towards the carriage.

  "As expected, traveling with the previous number one disciple of the sect, we are given such preferential treatment!" Haruki praised, and Ling Yun proudly and playfully raised her chin, "That's right!"

  Upon entering the gates, they were let off the carriage and were finally able to marvel at their surroundings. The gates behind them had already closed, and the carriage was moved by a horse tamer, leading the horses into an area nearby that was filled with stables.

  Orien and Haruki stood around, gawking at everything in the vicinity like country bumpkins.

  Vergif didn’t look as bad, but he was still looking around, fascinated by all that he was seeing.

  Some white robed disciples up ahead turned to look at them and seemed to be laughing at them, whispering to each other about the newbies to the sect.

  “I’m not sure why they’re gossiping about us, but it would seem that they think we’re weak or trash because we didn’t pass the first evaluation. I mean, just look at them. They’re obviously looking at us, right? What’s so damn funny?” Haruki was annoyed by the looks being cast upon him by the disciples afar and vented openly.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “I don’t know why they’re looking at us like that, but it’s whatever. They’re white robed disciples, aren’t we also white robed disciples as of today? Hmph.” Orien answered Haruki.

  Vergif was aware of what was going on but did not seem to care in the slightest, facing the other direction.

  Ling Yun turned her head to the disciples and upon seeing this, they quickly turned around and pretended nothing was happening.

  “Hmm... well, that may happen from time to time. The sect can be competitive, and it does promote activities and events in which you will be competing against others. They’re probably viewing you as easy targets. It’s your job to prove them wrong,” Ling Yun said.

  She began to walk ahead and then led them into a nearby building where they registered their names, and each was required to put a drop of their blood on a paper.

  "Senior sister Ling Yun, the drop of blood is for identification purposes, or...?" Haruki was the one to ask this question.

  She smiled sweetly, but her eyes remained serious, "Mostly identification, also in the case of traitors to the sect."

  The boys didn't say anything but nodded. They assumed there must have been an incident, or a few, in the past.

  "Well, that will be all for today. Tomorrow, Orien and Vergif will have to go to the sect's advanced evaluation stone to confirm what the mystery affinities were. You're free to roam and interact with other sect members, just don't cause any trouble. Lectures for you new members will begin tomorrow afternoon, but you are not required to join any if they don't interest you. Be sure to check out the bulletin board to see what missions or requests are available. The male outer sect dormitory is that way," she pointed off into the distance before rummaging around a bag on her waist.

  She then locked eyes with Orien and said, "Orien, please hold onto this, as it will allow me to locate you and also prove that you are acquainted with me, elders will recognize it."

  She handed him a small jade flower ornament.

  Orien inspected the jade ornament, but he was unable to observe anything remarkable about it besides a sigil of an unknown character at the back. ‘Woah... this is supposedly a communication device?’

  "You two, I'm sorry. Please don't take it personally if you do not receive one. I don't hand these out easily,” Ling Yun added.

  Her expression made one wish to forgive her right away. The boys all nodded again, and she was just about to depart when she suddenly whipped around.

  "Also, boys are not allowed in the girl's dormitory, don't forget! You can interact with the girls inside of the sect all you want, but it's strictly forbidden to enter there. Don't get into trouble!” Her warning was stern. Little did she know, only Haruki would get into trouble for something like that.

  She then left, and the boys stood around, unsure of where to go first.

  "Guys, I'll head to the male dormitory first. I'm tired and really wanna rest,” Orien said.

  He waved to Vergif and Haruki as he started to move. Vergif also began to move in another direction as Haruki whipped his head back and forth between the two before saying, “Don’t leave me, I don’t know where to go! I’ll just go to my designated room as well. Who knows, maybe we’ll be roommates?”

  Orien didn’t mind the company, but he absolutely needed some privacy behind closed doors. He hadn't forgotten that Wisp wanted to speak with him urgently.