The sun goes down. Peter and Aiden stepped into their dorm rooms. Aiden looked around, his eyes scanning the space. Four wooden beds lined one wall, their sturdy frames providing a sense of comfort amidst the plain white walls.
In the room, two boys about the same age as Aiden and Peter, looked at them with bright smiles. One with a shock of green hair, stepped forward, extending his hand. "Hi, I'm Cedric," he said enthusiastically.
The other boy, dark skinned with a short, dark cropped hair with a serious expression nodded in greeting. "And I'm Marcel," he introduced himself.
"I'm Aiden." Aiden said as he shook Marcel and Cedric hands.
"I'm Peter by the way," Peter said with a smile on his face. "I hope we will all get along." They all smiled at each other.
"Well then," Cedric said I'm a Healer type, Marcel here is a Mage type what about you guys?"
"Warrior type." Peter said with a proud expression on his face.
"Same." Aiden said.
"Oh i see," Cedric said. "So where did you come from Peter?"
"Witherlands." Peter replied.
"Marcel and I come from Anchiron village." Cedric said with a warm smile.
"What about you Aiden?" Marcel said as he noticed Aiden has been quiet this whole time.
"Nara town." Aiden said with a light smile on his face.
Cedric and Marcel looked at each other with a shocked expression.
"You mean where the Yaijuu....," Marcel breathed his eyes still in shock.
"Yes," Aiden nodded solemnly. "Yes I'm the only survivor."
There was a long moment of silence in the room as the two boys process the shocking information.
"I'm really sorry for your loss." Cedric said.
"We just spoiled your mood didn't we?" Marcel added.
"No it's okay, it's not your fault. I just wasn't strong enough." Aiden said.
"Ehm guys let's just leave that aside and talk about something else. So Cedric what do you like?" Peter asked.
"I ehm I love reading books, discovering new things. Cedric said in a happy tone.
"Similar to my sister I see," Peter turned to look at Marcel. "What about you Marcel?
"I love training my body and facing challenges head on." Marcel said with a serious expression.
"That's it!!! That's it right there!!" Peter exclaimed, his face lit up with excitement. His eyes darted on Aiden, as if searching for a similar spark of enthusiasm.
Aiden and Cedric exchanged confused glances.
"I'm very sorry I overreacted, but I am very happy that you feel the way I feel Marcel." Peter smiled brightly.
"Oh...right." Marcel gave a light smile.
"It's getting late," Cedric yawned, stretching his arms. "I think it's time for sleep"
"Yeah, me too," Aiden agreed, rubbing his eyes. "We can continue this tomorrow.
"Definitely," Marcel chimed in.
"Goodnight, everyone." Peter said.
The room fell silent as the four boys prepared for bed. As sleep claimed them, their minds raced with the events of the day and the anticipation of what tomorrow would bring.
***********
The first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and gold. A booming voice roused Peter from his slumber. "Rise and shine young ones!" The voice echoed through the room a beam of sunlight, almost blinding the intensity, pierced through the window, revealing a floating, ethereal figure. It was the dorm guardian sprit Elara followed by a chuckle.
Peter recognizing her voice, groaned and pulled the covers over his head trying to block the morning light. "Five more minutes" Peter mumbled into his pillow.
"Get up, come on!" Aiden said shaking Peter's shoulder repeatedly.
Peter groaned and opened his eyes, blinking slowly at the morning light. "Ow!" He complained, rubbing his eyes.
Cedric, already wide awake, jumped out of bed and stretched. "Let's go take out bath guys," he said, his voice filled with excitement.
After spending several minutes preparing themselves for the day ahead, Marcel bid farewell to his roommates and headed directly to the mage class. While Cedric left the room and went to the healer class. As for Aiden and Peter, they walked together along with Pelia who they met on their way to the training hall.
They entered the hall, which was filled with bright lights and echoes of students practicing. There are thick mats on the fall to cushion any falls. It's a place where any class can learn to fight, defend themselves and develop their special abilities. Some students were excited about the training, while others were nervous. A bald- headed man in his sixties, dressed in a white sleeveless shirt and black trousers walked in, immediately silencing the room. Despite his age, he had an impressive physique that surprised Aiden.
The man cleared his throat, his voice echoing through the silent hall. "Welcome, young warriors," he began, his eyes scanning the room. "My name is Isaac Ironheart, and I will be your instructor for combat training. Today, we'll start with the basics. I want you to find a partner."
"Ironheart??" Peter, Aiden, and Pelia exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with disbelief. Aiden was the first to recover, his eye wide from astonishment. "Wait are you telling me that's.... Rhea's father?"
Peter's mind raced as he tried to process the information. "No, it must be her grandfather," he suggested, uncertainty evident in his voice. Before anyone could respond, Pelia's finger shout out, pointing towards the entrance of the hall.
All eyes turned to the doorway where a twelve- year-old girl stood, her presence commanding attention. It was Rhea Ironheart.
"She came?" Pelia muttered under her breath, her eyes wide with surprise.
A murmur of excitement and curiosity rippled through the crowd of students. Everyone seemed eager to see what Rhea is capable of.
Isaac's voice cut through the noise.
"Silence!" He commanded, restoring order to the hall. "Rhea, you can stand alongside your fellow mates," he instructed.
Rhea nodded, her face a mask of composure, and moved to stand with the other students. As she passed Aiden, their eyes met for a brief moment.
"Did she just look at me?" Aiden wondered.
"Hey hey hey focus." Peter elbowed him playfully.
"Yeah, let's do this peter," Aiden replied a determined glint in his eyes.