I quickly ran downstairs and greeted the one I called mom, even though I knew she wasn't my actual mother. She turned to me with her usual bright and cheery smile "Hello and good morning child! Mind going to get Ezra? your sister already left and you two are going to be late!" she handed me two bagged lunches and I ran upstairs with a slight grin as I bang on Ezra's door.
"Up asshat! We're late!" id set his lunch down and start to walk off as he sleepily opened his door and walked out, following close behind me.
"First day ain't it?" he yawned, clearly still tired "New school? Wait.. We got accepted?!"
I'd shake my head a bit as I reply "yes, yes, and yes, now shut up and come on!" I'd grin as I reach through what looked like a portal, pure black in coloration with a bright blue rim. Pulling out a backpack and breaking into a sprint from the house I'd call back to him "I'll race ya!"
Ezra laughed "Bring it on you lousy demon! you can't outrun a spirit kitsune even in your dreams!" he laughed more and chased after me, patches of frost following him as he ran.
We both ran across town, never breaking a sprint. A large blue and white building came into view, it seemed to be in the middle of town and it towered over all the other buildings around it.
"First one to touch it wins!" Ezra yells as he speeds up more to try and pass me
"Understood" I'd pick up speed as I grin, speeding towards the building. Ezra laughed and kept going, picking up speed with every second that we ran. I'd quickly slow to a stop a few feet away from the building as Ezra went flying past, crashing into the wall.
"Dipshit, slowing down when you're close will keep you from hurting yourself.."
"Bullshit!" he huffed and stood up "I WON! YOUR JUST JEALOUS!"
"Uhuh.. Sure Ezra, do whatever to make ya feel better" I'd laugh and walk towards the gate, a tall and burly guard standing in front of it.
The guard looked at us with clear disbelief "IDs and letters of acceptance otherwise no entry" I'd look up at them and then back at Ezra.
"very well.." I'd dig into my backpack and pull out two letters and pull my ID out of my pocket as Ezra walked over "Ezra ID I already gave him your letter"
Ezra pulled out his ID and gave it to the guard as we both waited "I don't see why we have to do this, I get it that some people will try to sneak in but our IDs?" I'd scoff and shake my head.
"idiot its so people don't try to impersonate you"
He rolled his eyes "well I didn't know that asshat... And i'm not an idiot!"
"you are" I laugh
The guard gives our IDs back and moves aside for us to walk in. I'd go through, watching the guard cautiously as Ezra follows and we glance up at the large building ahead of us. I'd sigh and just think to myself 'this'll be fun.. I hope..' id close my eyes and sigh as well enter the building.
It was crowded and quite loud, making me growl a bit as my ears twitch from the noise. I'd open my eyes and look around seeing multiple people all around mine and Ezra's age. "its to loud here.." I'd let out a low growl.
"I agree, that's one thing we have in common.. sensitive hearing.." Ezra scoffed a bit as his blue and black foxlike ears flicked back.
A short, blonde woman walked out from behind a curtain and everyone goes silent seeming to stare at her. Who was she? Did everyone fear her? I'd watch cautiously yet a bit curious as she began to speak.
"Hello and welcome! You all have been selected to join us due to your skills and studies, some of you from family or species. You all have an equal chance in this but only a few will pass! Prove you are worthy, prove your loyalties, and most importantly do your best!" she flashed another bright smile as she left and a group of guards walked out.
The guards approached the other people in the room one by one, handing them pieces of paper of different colors and the people grouped up according to their colored papers. Ezra an i were separated which he didn't really take much of a liking to, i was put into blue and he was in green. the people of my group were talking with each other casually as i just stood near the wall listening in on what they were saying. All i really caught were introductions, there weren't many people in each group maybe 10 or 15 each? The people in my group seemed to be quite friendly although you really cant trust anyone here. I've heard about the introductory tests at the academy most were about IQ, others on tolerance or physical abilities, there were also the magical ability tests, the rest I've heard are quite deadly. A tall blue haired girl walked up to me and waved, smiling brightly. "hey whats up? I'm Jessica, though you can just call me Jess if you want i don' t mind"
I tilted my head slightly and watched her cautiously, she was somewhat familiar did she know who i was? What i was? Did i even look approachable? I sighed and shook my head "I'm Eris nice to meet you i guess?" her smile brightened at the response and she grabbed my arm, dragging me into the group of people.
"Okay guys i got them, this is Eris" she pointed to each of the other people listing off their names starting with a shy looking ginger kid "that's Michael, the tall one over there is Xane but he prefers Xanny, the two over there with the fire hair thing, love it by the way, they are Sarah and Sapphire" i sighed as she kept going, not really wanting to be near so many people at once. "The one over there with the fire tips, also love it, hes Alexander, the one next to him is Catherine but she likes to be called cat, and the two matching love birds over there are Aria and Adrian. Most of us are friends because we're all neighbors but Sarah and Sapphire are new"
I'd shake my head and wave, pulling my arm away from Jess. they'd go back to talking and i slowly make my way back to the wall, putting my headphones on and turning up my music. A taller guard approached the group and started explaining our tasks.
"You have all been assigned to your specific groups due to what we've observed from you, i'm gonna take what would be considered roll call. When i call you please respond with 'here' or 'present'' they looked down at one of the papers on their clipboard "Adrian?"
The tall blond kid in the middle of the room raised his hand "here"
"Alright, Alexander?"
"Here"
The guard kept calling names, counting us afterward. "alright, now its time to explain" they mumbled "As i said before you've been split into your groups, each group has 10 contestants only five will pass these tests and those five will continue into the next set of tests. Not all of you will survive these tests so if you want to back out now, there's the door" the guard pointed to the door that we all came in through where a few other people were leaving from. "In the next room you will be given your group uniforms, good luck contestants"
The guard moved aside and we all moved towards the blue door that symbolized our group. Once in the room we were given our uniforms, a bright blue t-shirt, a jacket to match with our names on the backs and team names on the arms, the pants of course matched the rest of the uniform. The guard that had handed out the uniforms stood in front of us. "Welcome contestants, i hope you are ready for your first set of tests. Before the tests begin you will be lead to your temporary dorms where you will stay for the duration of the tests" They turned around "Follow me contestants"
We all started to follow the guard and the group was split in the dorms, the girls were lead towards the west wing while the boys were lead towards the east. Once we'd reached the dorms the guard that lead us there spoke up "Get yourselves changed, your first test starts in 10 minutes out the south doors and into the arena don't be late or you're eliminated" The guard walked off and we all got changed into our uniforms, oddly my uniform was a bit big bit i didn't mind it that much. I left my backpack on one of the top bunks before walking out and heading towards the south doors. I'd take a few mental notes on the hallways, the building was almost like a labyrinth, it's so easy to get lost in here. The south doors were a bit bigger than the entrance of the building though they were still a dark coloration like the first set of doors. I'd slowly walk through the doors, a bit blinded at first by the light outside. A few guards stood outside with some contestants from the other groups. Well I guess this is where the test begins.