The start of a new school year. The gates are opened wide, welcoming the new students of the 'Academy of the Far East - Jiemi City Branch'. Smiles are on the faces of the students as they stride with pride. They all wore their navy blue uniforms as if it was an honor to do so— After all, it was the prestigious school everyone sought to enter.
Jiemi City, a city in the Kingdom of Shaldeia is located at the epicenter of the country as its 'capital'. The main branch of AFE is located in this very city.
In truth, there is a branch of AFE in each city of the kingdom. Indeed, it is a prestigious school. But that doesn't mean it could only have one branch, unarguably.
A prestigious school that is known for its students being the cream of the crop. No one can reject an application form from a graduate of the academy. All colleges would gladly accept those who came from the aforementioned school. There are even rumors that a student can work at the palace directly after finishing high school.
The history of AFE goes way back in time when the kingdom was still a strong empire. Its reputation was built up little by little, and of course, after a considerable amount of time, it became the center of excellence in the four courses: Sports, Art, Literature, and Academics.
There were both cars entering the school, and students who are walking.
A student was leisurely walking towards the Sports Building after being dropped off by his chauffeur. Lane Roscete enters the building with an indifferent expression.
He was looking quite distant, as he stared into space. However, he was attracting quite the attention. His greyish, near silver hair, was reflecting the light from the sun as if it was sparkling. His sharp black eyes are a little intimidating. For a 16-year old boy, he was quite an eye candy. Whispers can be heard, but he chose to ignore it.
'Isn't that the son of Dr. Roscete? I saw it on TV once.'
'But I heard he got a quite nasty attitude? He looks unapproachable.'
In reality, he did not 'choose' to ignore them, but rather he didn't hear as he was thinking by himself. He is mumbling how he wanted to sleep more, but then he needed to attend the first day of classes.
'I could have just attended class when the lessons actually start.'
Lane thought that it was not that important to attend the first day of classes, as it'll only be an introduction to the school. However, he thought that he should at least be a good student in return for his mother letting him do as he pleases.
Lane was actually pretty smart, as he inherited his brains from his mother. But he was a little— well actually no. He was kinda lazy. He enjoys basketball as there is never a need to think about complicated things. You just have to, you know, run around, shoot the ball, and score.
His mother never pestered him to take on the hospital. He doesn't know why, but at least he's thankful he doesn't have to be suffocated with the pressure of becoming an heir.
In fact, his mother never pressured him to do anything. He was free and was always left alone to do what he wanted. Nonetheless, he knew that once he is in college, he'll voluntarily study Business Management or Medicine. Whatever works. But for now, he's doing what he wants to do.
As he opens the door to the lecture hall, he is greeted by the smile of a curly brown reddish-haired student beyond the door.
'Oh–'
"You surprised me! I was just about to open the door."
The student laughed.
Lane flinched in surprise. But he instantly returned to his stoic face as he simply nodded to avoid being rude and went inside. He took a seat around the middle row and put his belongings on his right side.
"Ho... How unfriendly."
The student from before sighed while laughing a bit. He exited the lecture hall and walked towards the bathroom. He returned just before the bell rang and sat behind Lane.
The lecture hall currently has about 40 students inside. It was pretty quiet as the students were still unfamiliar with each other. But there are also some students that are already acquainted with each other as they came from the same middle school, or they have already met in inter-school competitions.
The tense atmosphere was broken when a tall man entered the room and cleared his throat to catch the attention of the students. The man had a crew cut hairstyle and had a rough-looking face. He was wearing a white button-down shirt and black slacks.
He looks as if he's from the military.
"Good morning, and congratulations on entering AFE. My name is Zahl Von Danohwitz and I am the adviser for Class 1-S3. I teach Language and Reading."
Lane chuckled inwardly. First impressions can really betray you. A man who looks like he's made for combat actually teaches a quite 'delicate' subject.
"I'd appreciate it if you guys introduce yourself. Let's start from the back."
The students one by one introduced themselves. Lane finally decided to stop his wandering thoughts and look around the room. There wasn't really anyone standing out. Most of the students in the class are guys, but there are also some girls.
"Hello, classmates! My name is Eon Lagdameo. I'm 16 years old and I play basketball and swimming. My dream is to be a singer. Nice to meet you!"
The student introduced himself childishly. He was the same person who called Lane 'unfriendly'.
In contrast, he thought that Eon sounded like a cheerful person. Someone that could easily befriend people.
Zahl curiously asked him why is he in the Sports Course despite dreaming to become a singer. Lane thought the same.
"Well, sir... I can't become a singer due to some reasons."
Eon sighed and instantly changed his expression from a happy one to a face that was lamenting as he looked down. The students also became curious with the way Eon was acting.
"Is it a personal reason you can't tell anyone?"
A classmate asked.
Eon stared at the person who asked for a moment before answering him.
"Not really. The reason is actually simple."
"?"
Everyone in the room was waiting for him to talk. They were all expecting a melodramatic story that could make the day a bit more interesting.
"...I'm bad at singing hehe."
Eon scratched his head while his classmates sighed in annoyance. Although it was not as if Eon was joking around. He was actually serious with his reason and his dream.
"Let's just continue the introductions. Next student please."
The boring introductions continued until it was Lane's turn. Whispers were once again heard. It was as if he's the most popular first year in the school despite the number of achievers enrolled in the academy.
"My name is Lane Roscete. I play basketball. Nice to meet you."
His introduction was simple and short. As much as he tends to think a lot, he was a person who didn't speak much, unless necessary.
His classmates wondered why he was pursuing sports when his mother was a known doctor. Isn't he supposed to be in the Academic Course? However, it's not like it is a question they can openly voice out since they weren't even acquainted with Lane.
—
The first day of classes was simply an orientation about their schedules, the school calendar, and their new teachers. They were simply gonna meet their subject teachers and tour around the school for a bit. This was the main reason why Lane thought it was unnecessary to attend school for the first day.
'I could've just slept.'
He frowned.
"Every Friday, classes are only until noon. After the lunch break, extracurricular activities will proceed. Joining a club is mandatory. The list of clubs you can join is in the bulletin board in the lobby down the first floor."
Another troublesome thing to do. He wondered what club would he join. There is no sports club in the academy after all. There are teams, but clubs are different. Lane was hoping that there would be a club that doesn't do many activities. He was wondering whether there was a go-home club.
And as to answer his thoughts, Zahl continued talking.
"Lane Roscete and Eon Lagdameo, will you two please come here and take this invitation."
The class erupted into noise.
'An invitation!'
They all thought.
They immediately assumed it was an invitation to the 'Elite Club'. A club with many privileges and incentives within the school. No one really knows their standards and what qualifications were needed to be met in order to receive an invitation.
Lane opened the invitation in his seat and thought that it was another bothersome thing he needed to attend to. He could hear people, not even hiding their thoughts and was openly talking about this 'Elite Club' and how special it was. He could even hear people asking if he was invited to join because he was rich.
[ ACADEMY OF THE FAR EAST – ELITE CLUB
Dear student,
May your day be blessed by God Reimh and may your evening achieve peace from Goddess Shini. We, the Elite Club, scouts for upcoming first years that may join our club, and you have been invited. The Elite Club is directly under the AFE and has the same power as the student council. By joining the club, you may receive incentives on different subjects from different events.
Before you decide, you are invited to an orientation later at 4 o'clock in the afternoon at the Academics Building, Lecture Hall 301. Attendance is mandatory.
Once you've finished the orientation, you are free to decide whether to accept or join.
Thank you! And prosperity to the East. ]
Though the 'privileges' were quite tempting, the name of the club is pretty cringey. He wondered what kind of activities this club held.
'I guess I'll find out later.'
He sighed in annoyance.
—
It was almost 4:00 PM. Lane took his belongings and started to walk outside the building.
"Wait!"
He looked back and saw Eon walking quite fast towards him.
"Let's go together since we're invited together."
Eon smiled at him. For someone who thought of Lane as unfriendly, he was really the opposite. Lane wondered if this person was so kind he wouldn't mind approaching someone who was always being talked about.
Lane then nodded.
He isn't really a cold person, he simply chose to be indifferent about certain things. If he was asked to walk together, he has no reason to reject the offer, especially since they're going to the same destination anyway.
The curly-haired boy walked beside him and tried to put an effort to strike up a conversation by asking Lane various questions as if it was an interview.
"Why are you playing basketball? Is it true that you're the son of that famous doctor? Do you even have pores?? Why is your skin so flawless? I'm a guy but I have to do my skincare!"
'Wow.'
'He sounds annoying.'
His opinion of Eon jumped from a friendly person to an annoyingly talkative person. Nevertheless, he still answered his questions.
"I'm playing basketball because I enjoy it."
"You don't look like you're the type to enjoy sports."
"I get that a lot."
He said without a change in expression.
"Yes. My mother is a doctor. And I do think I have pores since I'm a human being. Why are you asking that?"
Lane furrowed his brows.
"Life is so unfair. I wish I was born as good looking as you are."
Eon laughed.
When they arrived in front of the door of Lecture Hall 301, they were held back by an adult woman who looked as if she was guarding the door. They were stared at for a few seconds, and that awkward silence broke when the woman spoke.
"You may come in. Sit anywhere you like. And please refrain from being too noisy."
Lane wondered why they had to be stopped. Did she verify their faces or something?
Inside the hall, there were about 23 students inside, including them. It was 5 minutes before 4. Once they took a seat, more students came in until there were exactly 40 of them inside. It's the same count as one class.
A thin bespectacled middle-aged man walked in front of the lecture hall and reached for a microphone.
"Good day to everyone."
The students inside the room stared at him, wondering who he was.
"...For hundreds of years, the Kingdom of Shaldeia has been enveloped by a mysterious aura."
Lane was wondering what this guy was talking about.
"One which couldn't be seen and can be only felt by those who are sensitive to it."
He spoke with dignity despite his words sounding like it came from an internet novel.
"And you all have the qualifications and need to know this information."
He paused for a while and stared at his audience. He smiled, revealing the wrinkles in his face.
"For you, students, are extraordinary beings."
Lane blinked and thought deeply...
'...What is this lunatic saying?'