"Luckily, Lily came by; otherwise, I would've had no clue," I muttered, stepping out of the bathroom with a towel draped over my head, still drying my hair.
Glancing at the clock, I realized I still had some time before the orientation. "I've got an hour or so to relax," I said to no one in particular. Turning toward the window, I caught a faint whiff of the vanilla-scented air lingering in the room. It wasn't unpleasant, but it was starting to feel a bit stifling.
'Fresh air will help,' I thought, walking to the large window. With a firm push, I swung it open, letting the cool morning breeze rush in.
The fresh, crisp air was a welcome change, carrying with it the faint scents of grass and flowers from the surrounding hills.
The wide window sill looked inviting, and the thought of soaking in the breeze and sunlight sounded too good to pass up.
"This looks comfy enough," I murmured, hopping up and settling into the space. Leaning back against the frame, I propped myself up and let the sun hit my face.
"Man, that morning sun mixed with the breeze feels amazing," I sighed, letting my eyes close. Taking deep, slow breaths, I felt the tension in my body begin to melt away.
I lost track of time as I let myself relax. The sunlight grew warmer, seeping through my skin and spreading a soothing energy through my body. It was as though the very air and light around me were alive, filling me with quiet strength.
Knock, knock, knock.
The sudden sound jolted me from my calm, and I blinked as I registered the voice coming from the door. "Hey, Drey! It's time, we gotta go!" Lily's unmistakable tone carried through the wood.
Rubbing my eyes and letting out a groggy sigh, I called back, "Yeah, I'm coming!"
Sliding off the window sill, I stretched out my arms, still feeling the remnants of the sun's warmth lingering on my skin.
I grabbed my shirt and headed toward the door, "Hey, how'd you sleep?"
"Fine, now hurry up—we're gonna be late," Lily quipped from the other side of the door, her tone sharp but teasing.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming," I replied casually, running a hand through my hair before swinging the door open. With my hands tucked behind my head, I strolled past her, a grin tugging at my lips. "Let's go."
Lily rolled her eyes but fell into step beside me as we made our way through the wide corridors toward the grand hall.
The quiet murmur of voices grew louder as we approached, and soon enough, the sight of my classmates chatting away came into view. Some were seated, others standing in small groups, their energy buzzing with a mix of excitement and nerves.
As I stepped inside, Alex emerged from the crowd, his ever-present confidence radiating from the way he carried himself. "Hey, Drey," he called, walking up with an easy smile. "How'd you sleep?"
A little caught off guard, I paused before answering, "Ah, it was good. The bed was comfortable."
"Yeah, you can say that again, man," he said, chuckling. "Those things are like sleeping on clouds."
I smirked, shaking my head. "Guess I should've skipped the floor then."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "The floor? Don't tell me you actually—"
"Nah, I'm kidding," I interrupted, laughing softly. "But I did spend a while hanging out by the window. Morning sun's amazing here."
"Ah, window guy," Alex teased, crossing his arms. "Figures. You always gotta do things your own way, huh?"
"What can I say?" I replied with a shrug, leaning slightly on the edge of casual. "It worked. Felt pretty great."
"Glad to hear it," Alex said, giving me a knowing look. "You're gonna need all the energy you've got. Today's gonna be... interesting."
I tilted my head, curious. "What do you mean?"
He smiled faintly, glancing back at the crowd. "Let's just say the instructors seem pretty serious about making sure none of us slack off. Orientation might be the easy part."
"Great," I said, half-sarcastic, half-intrigued. "Looking forward to it."
"Good attitude," Alex said, grinning as he clapped me lightly on the shoulder. "Keep it up, man. You're gonna be fine." With that, he turned, heading off to join a group of our classmates, his easy charm already drawing them in.
I stood there for a moment, watching him go before Lily nudged me with her elbow. "He's right, you know."
I glanced at her. "Right about what?"
She smirked, her gaze steady. "That you'll be fine. You're tougher than you give yourself credit for."
I turned my head, confused by what she meant. I opened my mouth to respond, wanting to ask her what she meant, but before I could speak, the sharp tap-tap of a staff striking the polished floor echoed through the hall.
The chatter of my classmates faded instantly as all eyes turned toward the raised platform at the front of the room. Archibald stood there, his posture impeccable as always, the gleam of his monocle catching the light.
He surveyed the room, his commanding presence enough to silence even the liveliest conversations.
"Heroes," he began, his voice calm yet authoritative, carrying effortlessly through the vast space. "Your attention, please. The time has come to begin your orientation."
"Staff will arrange your seats so you can all see what I'm about to show you," Archibald announced, his tone calm but authoritative.
As he spoke, maids and butlers swept into action, efficiently rearranging the chairs into neat rows facing the platform.
Their movements were precise, almost rehearsed, and within moments, the room was perfectly organized.
I settled into my seat, watching as the lights dimmed slightly, drawing everyone's attention to the stage. From the center of the platform, a massive map suddenly projected into the air, glowing softly with vivid colors and intricate details.
"This is the world map," Archibald began, his voice resonating through the hall. "Take a good look. This won't be the last time you see it, but I strongly suggest you take care to remember it."
The map was vast, far larger and more detailed than anything I had ever seen back on Earth. It displayed numerous large continents, sprawling seas, and countless smaller islands.
Two massive continents dominated the projection, their sheer size dwarfing the rest. One was a lush, deep green, and the other, a menacing garnet red. Thin land bridges stretched between the two, barely connecting their jagged edges.
Archibald gestured to the green continent first. "This large continent, colored in green, is the one our kingdom currently resides in—the continent of Everwyn. Our kingdom, as I mentioned before, is the Primrose Kingdom, located here." He tapped a glowing point on the map, and a small golden crown icon appeared, marking its position.
Then his hand moved to the garnet red continent, his expression darkening. "And this... is Draemoria." His tone grew heavier, and the atmosphere in the room shifted.
"Draemoria is the home, and the birthplace, of all that is evil in this world. It is where the monsters originate—creatures of unparalleled power, driven by a singular hunger: the destruction of humanity."
His gaze swept over us slowly, and I felt a chill run down my spine. "Under normal circumstances, their existence is a threat we can manage. But for the past fifty years, humanity has been losing ground. Continuously."
He raised his arm to the map and tapped it again. "This... is what human territory used to look like."
At his touch, the green expanded, spilling across both continents. Once, the green of Everwyn had extended into Draemoria, leaving only a small peninsula of red in the easternmost region.
A collective gasp spread through the hall. Seeing how far humanity had fallen in just fifty years was staggering. Hundreds of kilometers of territory, land that dwarfed even Earth's continents combined, had been overtaken in the blink of history's eye.
I turned to Alex, who sat calmly in the front row. His face remained composed, betraying none of the shock or awe radiating from our classmates. 'Of course', I thought. 'He already knew this.'
When I turned back to Archibald, I noticed the sadness in his eyes. It was subtle but unmistakable, a quiet weight that seemed to press against him as he continued.
"I will be honest with you all," he said, his voice steady yet solemn. "Your role here is not easy. You will be asked to make sacrifices, to push beyond your limits. And I remind you…"
His voice softened, his gaze sweeping across us once more. "If you were not here, you would not be alive."
The room went completely still. A silence so profound that even the softest sound could've shattered it.
"You will be trained," Archibald continued, his tone regaining its strength. "Not just in your strengths, but in your weaknesses. You will face challenges unlike any you've ever imagined. You will be asked to play vital roles in many battles, battles with the ultimate goal of pushing back the monsters that have invaded our land and taken so many lives."
He stepped back, gesturing to the map once more. "This is now your home as much as it is ours. The people of Everwyn are now your people. We ask, no—we urge you—to train your hardest, to prepare yourselves for what lies ahead."
His final words carried a quiet but undeniable power. "Please think carefully, because your efforts, your resolve, will decide whether this world is saved… or falls."
A long silence prevailed over the hall.
Archibald stepped forward and addressed the room with his usual commanding presence. "We will conduct tests on your abilities and classes," he began, his voice steady and clear.
"These tests will determine your aptitudes, and based on the results, you will be placed into groups that correlate to roles vital in battle."
He gestured toward the projected map, now shrinking to reveal an array of symbols and diagrams. "For example, a Vanguard Group will consist of those suited to frontline combat, excelling in defense and melee strikes.
Meanwhile, the Artillery Group will focus on long-range attacks such as sniping and large-scale destruction, delivering critical damage from a distance."
Murmurs rippled through the room as the implications sank in. My mind was already racing, trying to imagine where I might fit.
Archibald raised a hand, silencing the low buzz of conversation. "Understand this: the skills and classes you chose when you arrived are not the be-all and end-all of your potential. They are simply a foundation."
That caught my attention. I leaned forward slightly, listening intently as he continued.
"Skills and classes can be worked for and learned," he explained. "Heroes—unlike ordinary people—have the exceptional ability to learn multiple classes and the skills that come with them."
His gaze swept across the room, settling on a few faces before moving on. "That said, the skills and classes you initially chose will shape your tendencies and leanings. For example, if you selected a healing skill, you will naturally find it easier to learn other healing abilities or skills that complement them. Similarly, if you chose an offensive skill, you may find yourself more attuned to combat-based abilities."
Archibald continued his tone firm but encouraging. "This process will take time and dedication. You must work hard to refine your initial strengths and build upon them, while also identifying and addressing your weaknesses. Remember, your growth will be determined not just by the abilities you possess, but by the choices you make and the effort you put in."
"Prepare yourselves," Archibald said, his voice cutting through the quiet. "Your journey begins today. The trials ahead will not be easy, but they are necessary. Through them, you will find your place and purpose in this fight."
Archibald's voice rang out once again, drawing our attention back to the stage. "Looking behind you, you'll find Sir Brook and our Court Mage. They will escort you to the training grounds for your aptitude tests."
Curious, I turned around, and my eyes immediately fell on the imposing figure of Sir Brook. His broad frame and the polished armor he wore gave him an air of authority that was impossible to ignore.
Standing next to him, however, was a stark contrast—a younger-looking man with long platinum hair cascading down his back, dressed in robes that seemed distinctly foreign, similar to a Chinese Hanfu.
The flowing fabric shimmered faintly, catching the light in a way that made it seem almost enchanted.
He held an intricately designed fan, the delicate patterns etched into it glinting as he moved it slightly to cover the bottom half of his face.
Round silver glasses perched neatly on his nose, giving him a scholarly, refined look. Despite the gentleness of his appearance, there was something about him that exuded quiet power.
When he spoke, his voice was soft, yet it carried effortlessly across the room, as if the air itself obeyed his command.
"It's lovely to meet all of you. My name is Aristo Kay'alis," he said, his words flowing with a calm elegance. "I'm looking forward to working with each and every one of you."
The room remained silent for a moment, his unexpected presence seeming to command attention in a way that was entirely different from Sir Brook's raw presence. But before anyone could respond, Sir Brook's gruff voice broke the spell.
"Let's get moving," he said curtly, his tone all business. "We've got a lot to get through today, and not much time to waste. Not all of us can stay up all night." His sharp gaze swept over the group before lingering on me for a moment, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
I stiffened slightly under his gaze, wondering if he'd caught wind of my late-night training session.
"Follow us," Sir Brook barked, turning on his heel and striding toward the doors. Aristo offered a small, amused chuckle behind his fan before gliding gracefully after him.
The rest of us exchanged glances before hurriedly falling into step, anticipation buzzing in the air.