Saint Joseph's Academy, known as the go-to academy for all those who wish to make a name for themselves, is an elite establishment meant to nurture the next generation of young leaders. Be it politicians, scientists, doctors, and yes, even farmers, Saint Joseph's Academy is the place you need to go if you wish to succeed in life. Do you want to be the best in your field? That is the academy from which you need to learn from. Enrolling there isn't an easy task. Apart from the perfect academic scores one must require to apply, you must also possess a certain amount of influence that will help you pave the way towards your ultimate goal, getting accepted there that is.
Being one of the most prominent schools in the country, producing elites after elites each year, for a mere commoner to join is something difficult to outright ridiculous to accomplish.
Wearing the handmade tailored uniform of the academy, sporting its crest on my back as some low-budget anime hero, I stepped towards the entrance hoping the rumours of it being a viper nest were untrue.
I sure as hell didn't want my first day at this pompous school to be a total disaster. Just keep walking, reach the entrance, say my name, give them the necessary papers and move on. how hard can it be?
Boy oh boy was I wrong...
Five guardsmen dressed in black, sporting their crest on their shoulders, huffing their chests like some proud roosters, were standing watch at the gate, blocking the entrance while looking down on all those who came by foot or bus.
''Stop young man'' a guardsman proudly said, pointing his baton towards me, making some swinging motions.
''papers and ID'' he continued while his colleagues tried to stifle their laughter, thinking I was just like one of the numerous kids whose parents forced to sneak in hoping to get accepted by sheer luck.
''Here you go sir'' I replied, handing him my ID along with a file that had the documents needed for my enrollment. Even though they looked quite ridiculous in their outfits, at least they were professionals, I guessed.
''Jonathan Conrad? your name appears familiar. Hey Marcus, check this name for me real quick'' he barked to one of the guys standing a bit beside me, annoyed he had to close his phone call to do his job.
''His father used to work here as one of the librarians, Rogal Conrad, died some months ago on the job. poor fellow. He was a good man, kid'' Marcus said, getting a bit touchy-feely, before handing me over the papers.
''Seems the academy decided to compensate you for your loss with a spot here, your luck is pretty good I dare say, considering the death and all. Most kids here wouldn't hesitate to kill their whole family, much less their parents just for a chance here'' Marcus mumbled before receiving a light jab on his shoulders from one of the guardsmen.
''Move on young man, there are plenty more kids we need to check, we don't have the time right now.'' a big muscular guy snapped, shooing me away so they could continue their work.
Wandering around the campus for over thirty minutes must have done the trick since I could finally witness for myself the first academy buildings that I hoped would spell the end of this charade.
''Such a prestigious school, no, academy, and they couldn't have arranged for a minibus or something? you have to be kidding me,'' I grumbled, moving myself to what seemed like the report office or something.
Had to walk for so long, getting sweaty all over only so I could sign up and enlist myself. They better have some water at least or I will be even more pissed, I said almost out loud, attracting the gazes of some snob-looking guys like I was some kind of peasant.
Maybe I am but that's not the point here, I thought before the loud toot of a horn suddenly roused me up from my trance allowing me to jump away from its speedy way, landing head first into some well-trimmed bushes.
Not today truck-Kun, not today, I mused before getting up, trying to clean my now sullied uniform as best as I could.
''Didn't your parents teach you not to walk in the middle of the road?'' An angry moustache-wielding guy screamed while simultaneously trying to park the minivan full of kids of various ages just a couple of meters in front of me.
''THERE WAS A MINIVAN? ''