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Rosanna's P. O. V:
Walking down the streets of St. Francisco and listening to my favorite music, I went on google to search for my symptoms. There I find odd trending searches.
And even some of the other apps were probably sending in the wrong news.
'Breaking: Gigantic seagull on the loose!'
I scoffed.
'Professor Martin makes alarming speech on the increase of foreign race infiltration'
'Occult groups busted out! Level 3 demons summoned'.
'Yellow signal in City of Cungrow'.
'Top five geniuses at Ultra University'.
Um... are the journalists short on what to post?
Seeing a post on Ultra University, where I'd be studying at, I clicked it.
A video played after. Viewing a technological room with five people dressed in... battle suits?
??
Martial arts hall??
Skipping some parts over, what I saw left me amused.
Colorful lights flashed as two of the 'students' engaged in a Wuxia like battle. Hitting walls here and there and landing deadly fast blows.
Nice art. I commented in the comment section, soon finding a whole bunch of confused people.
'The rate at which Axel grows compared to the last four years is frightening.' littlebug_lady
'F*ck! I'm at the intermediate level! Yet a friendly spar with Oma can get me killed in a second. What's his true stage?' tamarrr
'It's one thing for a normal person to work hard but wtaf are we supposed to do when even monsters do same??' Beryl49
'A spar with Axel and Noelle will surely ignite the room. :-D' isawyou
Okay... I'm just gonna leave this odd bunch. It's just some video though? Will, the editor put considerable effort. Seeing how realistic the people and effects were.
Shoving my phone in my pockets, I enjoyed the 20 minutes walk to the institution.
The cold winds of winter brushing against my exposed skin, sending odd pleasures to me. As I dived into my made up fictional world. No nothing, just me. And this relaxing walk.
I arrived at the gates of Ultra University, admittedly praising the structure and design of the institution. More beautiful in reality than pictures. Having yet to tour the university due to moving in recently, this is my first time here.
In here I saw tall buildings at far ends, with innovative designs. Some like the letter 'O', others in a curvy yet artistic kind of way. Modernized enough to still be a beauty after centuries.
With deep breaths of relaxation, I made my way to the hall with the use of the school map. Taking me for a 10 minutes walk though it was the nearest building.
And passing by strangers who seemed straight out of a beauty competition. Man, was my ugly self feeling lonely.
I got to the Hall an hour to eight and showed my student ID to the guard- or more accurately, 'ninja'. Thereby given permission to enter.
Fancy placing a ninja there, I thought.
Cosplay artist in black, looking like a member of some terrorist association.
The hall was beautifully decorated. Screaming grandiose and luxury in the wide space.
Neatly arranged black chairs and a red carpet placed from the entrance to the podium.
I took a seat at the third role, recognizing some people had already arrived.
Gorgeous and punctual people may I add.
Seriously! Watching these individuals sitting and chatting like the ancient days aristocrats, I felt one of the criteria for getting accepted was looks. And maybe the Admissions office took a dice roll while choosing me. Joking.
I let out a wry smile as I leaned into my seat and closed my eyes. Embracing the comfort of possible lalaland visitation.
Now was not the time to feel sleepy, Jael.
I chastised myself. But my body wasn't listening. And neither were the opposing brain cells.
This chair is way too comfortable...
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Blinking my eyes slowly, I suppressed a yawn as I came to a realization that I fell asleep.
Opening my eyes, I saw the hall packed with students. And as a matter of fact, one was sitting near me.
With a book in hand, she had red hair, green eyes, ivory skin and freckles. A rare beauty.
Perhaps noticing my stare, the beauty turned to me with a smile.
"Hi."
"Hey." I responded with equal courtesy, soon debating whether to drop this conversation or take it further.
A little silence ensued after that greeting as she turned her head and resumed reading the book.
Eh, too late to continue. Might as well do other things.
Checking my watch, it was 7:55AM. Five minutes to eight, the designated time for the freshman address by the Vice Principal Nicole Evadore.
Time passed by in a blink of an eye and while I was engrossed in reading a novel, I heard a loud voice from the stage. And the entire hall quieted down.
"Attention students," A middle aged woman with black hair and grey eyes said.
Oddly, she didn't use a mic. But her voice was everywhere and as loud as one would using a microphone.
Vice Principal Evadore? Should be. She must've dyed her originally brown hair and put on contact lenses.
Nice taste, I guess.
"I welcome you all freshmen to your start in Ultra University. It is as a testament to your hard work, talent and uniqueness. And a great joy for the institution to develop more outstanding Magicians, Warriors, Assassins and much more."
...Huh? I stifled a laugh as I thought this was a prank or comedy. For whatever reasons they'd make such a joke, it's funny. I was never told of this when I researched the academy.
An entertaining welcome speech for students? But... what's with this serious expression on everyone's face? No one getting the hang of this?
Suddenly Mrs. Evadore's eyes clashed with mine. Staring intently at me. Ah??
"Something funny?" She said.
Feeling heat go up my cheeks, I fought the urge to make an expression other than a blank one.
"No, ma'am." I responded with as much seriousness as I could muster.
There's nothing wrong at all with training magicians, warriors and assassins in a college for scientists, athletes and journalists. I completely understand.
The corners of my lips twitched but I suppressed the urge. It's quite difficult to laugh when you've got a number of eyes staring at you in pin drop quietness.
Narrowing her eyes at me, Vice Principal Evadore turned her sights away and resumed talking.
"As your academic session begins, I wish to see you all improve under the vast amount of resources allocated to each student. And with the support from the Instructors and school instruments, none should disappoint. Is that so?"
The students responded with diverse expressions. Most of them with a 'yes', some nodding while few including me didn't show a thing.
Improve in grades?? Um... yes?
"Good. I wish you all the best. Your student council members will address you all on what next."
And so concluded the short speech from the Vice Principal. Not the best but eh.
Claps echoed in the hall as the black haired woman stepped down and moved to some place where the staff members were seated.
The following address from the upperclassmen left me feeling bored and weird.
Wasn't this fantasy joke a bit too much? The Battle Arena will begin as from next three months? You mean the exams? What's the Alchemy shop? Bookshop??
Don't wander into the restricted zones lest you meet a demon? Uhm... okay.
Finally, at the end of it all, we all were dismissed.
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With furrowed brows, I followed the crowd out. Thinking deeply about the weirdness of it all. And what's with the student's expression? Am I the only one that didn't know about this fantasy academy roleplay?
Seeing the familiar red haired beauty leaning by the outside walls with the same book on hand, I walked up to her. Maybe if I talked this out with someone, it'd eliminate the odd tingling of my sixth sense.
"Hey!" I smiled. She raised her head up and stared at me in slight confusion.
Topping the charts of the cutest bookworm I know other than myself.
"Need something?" She asked.
"Not exactly. Just wasn't anticipating the fantasy academy role play. Some effort there in the whole speech."
"Huh?" Her green eyes flickered in obvious confusion.
"Y'know... The warriors-"
A loud boom came from the side and dust rose up in the air.
Red light flashed and an alarm rang through the academy