Zero to Hero (Prequel/prototype)

Chapter 60. Ostrium Academy

"Repeat after me. I will not look at any girls no matter how cute they might be." Alice stated.

"I will only look at the cutest of girls but try my best to not have any feelings." Ken replied as he got smacked.

"KEN! It's not time for jokes. You better be training hard and training alone and stay away from any and all girls!" Genesis added.

"Calm down! I am not going to Ostrium for sightseeing or recruit new lovers." Ken replied as the girls all tried to get in some last minute affection.

"Why did you decide to go to Ostrium?" Cecilla asked as the clock ticked closer to Ken's departure.

"There is someone I am interested in at Ostrium." Ken replied.

"Since when did you have your eyes on someone from Ostrium?" Clare jumped into the conversation, not liking where it's going.

"Had eyes on him since I watched my first tournament live from the stadium." Ken replied casually.

"Were you not joking when you said you slept with my brother?" Seraphina asked, not sure what Ken meant with his statement.

"Seraphina! I can be curious about other things you know. Just because I am interested in someone, doesn't mean I want to sleep with them!" Ken replied firmly, crushing any doubts about his sexuality as the girls looked on with suspicion.

"Be careful Ken. Don't do anything dangerous." Emma warned as she handed him his packed clothes for the trip.

"Thanks Emma! You know I don't look for trouble on purpose. The last thing I want is trouble!" Ken replied as he graciously took the sack from Emma.

"If you don't get involved with any girl, I think you can avoid most of the trouble you get into." Lovetta added while giving Ken a tight hug.

"Hey Ken. You still remember that you said you will come with me to Atlantica for the break right?" Indra asked timidly.

"Of course! I am very excited to visit the city under water and your father sounds like he is super strong so I am exactly to see if I can learn from him!" Ken replied happily as the necklace started to glow, waving goodbye to all of the girls one final time, they watched him disappear reluctantly.

"Welcome to Ostrium!" A deep manly voice said warmly before Ken had time to look around as he got teleported onto the school grounds of the Ostrium academy.

"Fernard! Dang! You are one huge dude who's even bigger up close! It's nice to finally get to chat with you." Ken said happily, shaking the huge hand of the 7 foot tall giant grizzly beastman, who Ken had been rooting for in the tournaments since his first semester.

Ever since he spoke and trained with Yvette, Ken had been thinking hard about who and where he should train so he could get stronger as fast as possible. The obvious first choice was with Lovetta's father and training boost with Boris had proven to be great in aiding Ken in his growth as he continued to push his body little by little ever since his lessons with the wolf beastman.

Yvette's words that Fernard was the person in his age group that was the closest to reach stardom has really stuck with Ken and the when the request sent to Ostrium for exchange was accepted by Ostrium Academy, Ken has looked forward to his time here and hoped Fernard would still be around.

"Congratulations on reaching holy level Fernard. Sorry I stole the spotlight from you in the last tournament. I knew you were supposed to be the main attraction for reaching holy level but it ended up being me who was in the spotlight. I am glad you are still here instead of taking a job too! The main reason I wanted to come here is to train and learn from you." Ken apologized to the giant of a man.