Hiro woke up early, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Sleep had eluded him, thoughts of the day's events swirling in his mind.
The room provided to him was simple yet elegant, with oak furniture polished to a shine and a large window overlooking the bustling courtyard.
Through the glass, he watched students, their robes fluttering in the morning breeze, gathering in clusters and exchanging greetings, their laughter echoing faintly in the crisp air.
After getting ready, Hiro met Priscilla at the entrance to the dormitory. She was dressed in her usual practical attire, her expression determined but with a hint of curiosity.
Her red hair was tied back in a neat braid, and her piercing red eyes scanned their surroundings.
"Ready for our first day?" Hiro asked, trying to sound more confident than he felt. His own attire was a mix of practicality and formality, a nod to the importance of the day.
Priscilla nodded, her eyes never stopping their survey. "Let's get to the Great Hall. We don't want to be late for the entrance ceremony."
They walked together, retracing some of the steps from their tour. The academy was buzzing with energy, students hurrying to and fro, engaging in animated conversations.
The Great Hall was already filling up when they arrived, the long tables now replaced with rows of seats facing a grand stage.
The ceiling was high and adorned with chandeliers, and the banners of the four houses hung proudly along the walls.
Elise spotted them and waved them over to a pair of seats near the front. "Glad you made it.
The ceremony is about to begin," she said, her smile welcoming. Her blonde hair was neatly styled, and she exuded an air of confidence.
The hall fell silent as Headmaster Aldenoir stepped onto the stage. His presence commanded attention, and a hush fell over the crowd.
His robes were a deep blue, embroidered with silver stars, and his eyes shone with wisdom and authority.
"Welcome, students, to a new year at Albion Academy," he began, his voice resonating through the hall. "To our returning students, welcome back. To our new students, we are honored to have you join our esteemed institution."
He paused, looking out over the sea of faces. "Albion Academy is a place where the extraordinary is nurtured and the impossible becomes possible. Each of you has a unique potential, a gift that we aim to help you understand and harness. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Use your abilities wisely and always strive to better yourselves and the world around you."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the audience.
"This year, we are pleased to welcome two special students," Aldenoir continued, his gaze landing on Hiro and Priscilla. "Hiro, and Priscilla. Please join me in welcoming them to our academy."
The hall erupted in applause, and Hiro felt a blush creeping up his cheeks. Priscilla remained stoic, but Hiro could see the slight shift in her posture, the acknowledgment of their importance settling in.
After the applause died down, Headmaster Aldenoir continued his speech, the atmosphere in the Great Hall shifted.
The room darkened slightly, and a series of fireworks exploded overhead, casting brilliant colors and patterns across the ceiling. The students gasped and cheered, captivated by the display.
As the fireworks died, Headmaster Aldenoir continued with the ceremony, outlining the values of the academy, the expectations for behavior, and the opportunities for learning and growth.
He introduced the faculty, each receiving a round of applause, and detailed the various houses students would be assigned to.
With a wave of his hand, the headmaster summoned a large, ornate hat that floated gently down to the stage.
The hat, known as the Arcane Sorter, was a centuries-old tradition at Albion Academy, enchanted to read the essence of each student and place them in the house where they would thrive.
"The Arcane Sorter will now choose your houses," Aldenoir announced. "Step forward when your name is called."
"The house system is designed to foster community and camaraderie," Aldenoir explained. "Each house has its own unique traditions and strengths."
"You will be assigned to a house based on your abilities and character, where you will find support and challenge in equal measure."
One by one, new students were called to the stage. They placed the hat on their heads, and after a moment's deliberation, it would announce their house in a loud, clear voice.
The students then received their house badges and descended from the stage amidst applause.
When Hiro's name was called, he walked up to the stage with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
Placing the Arcane Sorter on his head, he felt a strange sensation, as if the hat were peering into his very soul.
"Blue Dragon!" the hat proclaimed.
The Blue Dragon resident students cheered, and Hiro received his badge with a sense of pride. He returned to his seat, feeling a bit more confident.
Next, it was Priscilla's turn. She approached the hat with her usual composed demeanor. After a brief pause, the hat announced, "House of Crimson Pheonix!"
The Crimson Pheonix resident students erupted in applause, and Priscilla accepted her badge with a nod, her expression unchanged but her eyes betraying a hint of satisfaction.
As the sorting concluded, Headmaster Aldenoir raised his hands, and a serene silence fell over the hall.
From the rafters above, ethereal figures began to descend, their wings shimmering with light. These were the Guardian Angels of Albion, protectors of the academy, and symbols of its ideals.
The angels hovered above the new students, their presence calming and inspiring. Each student felt a gentle touch on their shoulders as the angels blessed them, a symbolic gesture to mark the beginning of their journey at Albion Academy.
"With the blessings of our Guardian Angels, let us embark on this new academic year," Aldenoir declared. "May you all find the courage to explore your potential, the wisdom to make the right choices, and the strength to support one another."
The hall resounded with applause, and the students stood, energized and ready for the challenges ahead.
Hiro and Priscilla exchanged a look, a silent agreement to face whatever came next with determination and resilience.
After the headmaster's speech, the hall buzzed with excitement as students mingled and found their way to their respective houses.
Hiro and Priscilla were approached by several students, curious about the new additions to their ranks.
A tall boy with sandy hair and a mischievous grin stepped up to Hiro. "Hey, I'm Aiden. Heard you're the new guy. Pretty cool stuff."
Hiro nodded, a little overwhelmed. "Yeah, that's me. Nice to meet you, Aiden."
Priscilla, meanwhile, was approached by a girl with short, bright red hair and a friendly smile. "I'm Lily. Welcome to Albion. If you need any help, just let me know."
Priscilla nodded, her guard still up but appreciative of the offer. "Thank you, Lily."
As the ceremony concluded, Elise reappeared and guided them to the house assignment area. Large boards displayed the names of students and their respective houses.
Hiro scanned the list and found his name under "House of Blue Dragon." Priscilla's name was listed under "House of Crimson Pheonix."
"Looks like we're in different houses," Hiro noted, trying to hide his disappointment.
Priscilla nodded. "It's fine. We'll still see each other during training and classes."
Elise handed them each a small badge with their school emblem.
"Congratulations on your house assignments. You'll find your house common rooms down this hall. Blue Dragon is to the left, and Crimson Pheonix is to the right."
As they parted ways, Hiro felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension. His first day at Albion Academy had begun, and the journey ahead was bound to be filled with challenges and discoveries.
But with Priscilla by his side, even if in a different house, he felt ready to face whatever came next.
---
Later that night, as Hiro lay in his bed, the excitement of the day replaying in his mind, a strange noise drew his attention.
He sat up, straining to hear. It sounded like a soft whisper, carried by an unseen breeze.
Curiosity piqued, Hiro quietly got out of bed and slipped on his shoes. He glanced at his roommate, who was sound asleep, and carefully opened the door.
The corridor was dimly lit, casting long shadows that danced with the flickering lights.
Following the whisper, Hiro found himself drawn towards the end of the hall.
He descended a narrow staircase he hadn't noticed before, leading him deeper into the academy. The whispers grew louder, now distinct enough to make out a few words.
"...the prophecy... awakened..."
His heart raced as he reached an old wooden door, slightly ajar. Pushing it open, he entered a dimly lit chamber. Ancient symbols covered the walls, glowing faintly.
In the center of the room stood a pedestal with a large, ancient book bound in leather and adorned with strange runes.
As Hiro approached, the book's cover began to shift, the runes rearranging themselves to form a message:
"To the one who seeks the truth, beware the shadows that lurk within."
Before he could process the warning, a sudden gust of wind slammed the door shut behind him, and the room plunged into darkness. The whispers turned into an eerie chant, and Hiro felt a cold hand on his shoulder.
He spun around, but no one was there. His breath quickened as he heard the chant grow louder, the symbols on the walls glowing brighter. He was not alone.