Chapter 46
The largest university opened its gates to those who wished to gain more skills. As the number of businesses is also increasing, the manpower they were looking to have as part of the work force is also changing, and many new jobs are being created that require specialized knowledge and training. This university offers a wide range of programs to meet the demands of the evolving job market, providing students with the skills needed to succeed in their chosen field.
Many registered online and were accepted as the government continues to invest in education and training programs to support economic growth and development. This university's commitment to preparing students for the workforce of the future is evident in its cutting-edge curriculum and state-of-the-art facilities.
Like any other class, different people came from different social backgrounds. Many went to truly learn new skills to better their career prospects, while others were seeking a fresh start or a change in their professional path. The diverse student body brought a wealth of perspectives and experiences to the classroom, enriching the learning environment for everyone involved. But many came because they were forced by their wealthy parents to attend and earn a degree, regardless of their personal interests or goals.
This pressure to pursue higher education for the sake of status or tradition could hinder their ability to fully engage with the material and take advantage of the university's resources for personal and professional growth. Many were born rich and bore the troublesome ego and mindset of the privilege they were born into, which sometimes manifested in entitlement and a lack of genuine curiosity or passion for learning. This could create a divide between those who were genuinely invested in their education and those who were simply going through the motions to fulfill external expectations.
So like any other situation, the place is influenced once again by socioeconomic status and background, impacting the overall academic atmosphere and opportunities for collaboration and growth. Ultimately, it is important for universities to address these disparities in order to create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students.
This time, the students were no longer teenagers but young adults who were navigating the complexities of life, hoping to change their lives for the better, and using this opportunity as the university class was free of charge. This added layer of diversity and life experience brought a unique perspective to discussions and group projects, enriching the learning environment for everyone involved.
On the very first day, different cars came, and each owner was seen to be faunting their ego and riches, but to those who were commuting and had already survived their high school and college days, they were old enough to know to never get swayed by this kind of person anymore; they were just tired and unimpressed by material displays of wealth. Instead, they valued genuine connections and meaningful conversations with their classmates, regardless of their background or possessions.
But these people never change; they still view the world around them like a play ground to which they rule. One thing is for sure: Ethan was having the time of his life as he was raided in a rural farming town, and facing off with these spoiled brats was his cup of tea. Ethan trimmed their old school with all the bullies. When he was a student, he was quiet and a solemn person, but they assumed he was weak and easy to push around.
However, little did they know that Ethan had been honing his skills in martial arts and military training with his retired father for years, and he was more than ready to defend himself against their taunts and threats against him , his loved ones, and those who were weak and helpless.
As the confrontation escalated, Ethan's calm demeanor transformed into a fierce, savage beast to stand up for himself and show these bullies that he was not someone to be trifled with before.
His temper was unleashed, and his movements were precise and calculated. The bullies quickly realized their mistake as Ethan effortlessly took down each one of them with a combination of speed, strength, and skill.
The reason he chose to become an artist was because his mother recommended it to him, so he could find calmness and escape the harsh realities of the world through his art. Ethan found solace in creating beautiful masterpieces that allowed him to express himself freely and peacefully.
But rest assured, Ethan was not just a gentle artist; he was also a force to be reckoned with when provoked. His artistry was not just a means of escape but also a source of control that he wielded with precision and finesse. A white minivan was seen parking at the university grounds near those high-end cars, and out stepped Ethan, with his calm demeanor. Many of the rich people that were forced to enroll all laughed seeing he was driving a minivan. But Ethan just walked away and entered the building without paying them any mind.
He was old enough to just ignore those who he thinks were a bunch of weak, worthless, rich, and despoiled rich people , doing the same foolish thing when they were young; they never outgrew their immaturity. But unlike Ethan, who came in the most average manner,
Katarine Horn Sieger understands the inner workings of the social hierarchy. She knew that appearances could be deceiving and that true power and influence often came from unexpected places. Katarine had learned to navigate the complex dynamics of the elite with grace and finesse, making her known as she entered the university campus riding in the back seat of a Rolls-Royce Sweptail that is worth 12 million dollars.
Her ability to blend in with the elite while maintaining her authenticity set her apart from the rest, earning her respect and admiration from both peers and professors alike. Katarine's unique perspective and understanding of the social hierarchy made her a force to be reckoned with in the academic world.
She was like this, knowing that most of the arrogant elites would be forced by their parents to join this, as they were the ones that sponsored the governments that funded the prestigious university.
Katarine's independence and intelligence were her greatest assets; she didn't just spend her parents money and rely on their connections to succeed; she worked hard and earned her place among the elite through her own merit. This made her a role model for others who aspired to break free from the constraints of privilege and make their own mark in the world.
She was earning it on her own, allowing her to navigate the complex social dynamics with ease and grace. Her unwavering commitment to her own values and principles made her a true standout among the privileged elite. Ethan knew this would eventually happen; she is still Katarine and her strong, structured social walls are impenetrable, ensuring that she remains true to herself despite her elevated status. Her humility and authenticity set her apart from the rest; she was so socially complex and yet so grounded in her beliefs that she never lost sight of who she truly was. Her ability to balance success and integrity made her what she is now.
Ethan could only smile as she came out of the car, as her driver was Mr. Krauss. Seeing him was very usual because he was Grand Matriarch Helena Felicie Siegert personal secretary and right-hand man. Ethan knew that Mr. Krauss played a crucial role in maintaining Siegert legacies and ensuring that everything ran smoothly. Ethan admired the dedication and loyalty Mr. Krauss had towards Katarine family .
Mr. Krauss saw Ethan as the car was right at the bottom of the main entrance. He nodded at Ethan as he responded with the same gesture, acknowledging the mutual respect they had for each other. Ethan knew that Mr. Krauss was a man of few words, but his actions spoke volumes about his commitment to the Siegert family.
Everybody who was part of the social elite saw who came out of the luxury car; it was the hot blooded queen, and her notorious social scandals were well-known throughout the city. The air of drama and excitement followed her wherever she went, making her a captivating figure in high society circles. She walked toward the strarecase as most most the rich young adult men saw her, looking at her as they looked with desire to have her under their arms.
Unlike most young female women in the city, Katarine was different, as she didn't move nor require social self gratification from other people; she never paraded her wealth and never seemed to care about the opinions of others. She was never seen to act like the rest of the rich female socialites, always maintaining a sense of mystery and independence that drew people to her even more. Her aloof demeanor only added to her allure, making her a fascinating enigma in the world of high society.
They even wonder why she came, as she no longer needs to prove her worth as she was already well accomplished by their standards , but they were wrong. She did graduate with honors and took many extracurricular lessons growing up, from playing classical music to management seminars and even learning multiple languages. She simply enjoyed the challenge of continually expanding her knowledge and skills, regardless of societal expectations. Her relentless pursuit of personal growth only added to her enigmatic charm, leaving others captivated by her mysterious aura.
Ethan smiled as she was walking towards him. Many young rich guys that were looking at her were assuming so many things considering they were within the area where she was walking. The assumption that she was interested in one of them was evident in their lingering gazes and attempts to catch her attention. However, Ethan knew better than to underestimate her intelligence and independence, confident that she was not easily swayed by superficial displays of wealth or status.
As Katarine walked closer to Ethan, the atmosphere around her shifted, charged with an undeniable tension that drew attention. Guys began to converge around her, each one driven by a mix of hope and bravado. They wished to shatter the invisible wall of fear that often held them back, wanting nothing more than a moment of connection with her. Yet, for Katarine, this attention felt heavy—an emotional toll that she was reluctant to bear.
She wasn't about to extend her social circle to everyone clamoring for her notice. With a cool, decisive demeanor, she deftly sidestepped those who stood in her path, their eager faces caught off guard by her assertiveness. To them, her rejection felt like a cold splash of reality, yet she remained resolute, her focus narrowed solely on Ethan, the only presence she truly cared about in that moment. Amidst the chaos of hopeful suitors, Katarine demonstrated her strength, choosing to protect her emotional space in a world eager to invade it.
Many young adults in the working class saw this and gave out a small smile as they understood that these people were just taking up space. These working individuals had to sacrifice their rest time to gain more knowledge, and many of them openly accepted and thanked the opportunity to add more skills to their repertoire; nearly seventy percent of them had already spent a lot of time grinding to earn money. Having this free education even just for a month was a huge game changer in their world and provided them with a sense of hope for a better future. The working class adults recognized the value of continuous learning and were grateful for the chance to improve their prospects through education.
Soon, an elderly man came out to greet those who were waiting for the university main entrance to accept them. Many who were gossiping about what Katarine did suddenly stopped as the elderly man took out a megaphone and openly instructed them to listen and remain silent.
He pointed out that they would need to transfer to a more convenient location and pointed to the gymnasium for a proper introduction to the university. The elderly man emphasized the importance of respect and attentiveness during the orientation process, setting a tone of seriousness and professionalism for the new students.
After quickly walking into the gymnasium that was right beside the main building all 120 registered participants saw that the place was lacking in seating arrangements, causing a bit of confusion among them. The man quickly reassured them that more chairs would be brought in to accommodate everyone. For the time being, they just need to wait.
He introduces himself as the head master. And they will address him as Mr. Thomas. He told all those who were there that the university is currently vacant as it is still on vacation, and the government gave all 120 of them permission to participate in the survival class. All of them were shocked, as they assumed this was an academic class.
Mr. Thomas tone shifted from being mild to stern as he explained that the survival class was necessary due to the recent increase in unnatural incidents in the area. He emphasized the importance of being prepared for any situation and urged them to take the class seriously. Their age was the defining factor, as they were old enough to understand the gravity of the situation and young enough to learn new skills effectively.
The group quickly realized that in this unexpected turn of events , a few of those who were rich turned around and went toward the gymnasium exit. Sadly, to their dismay the entrance was locked, and they were instructed to leave as he wished to debrief them on emergency protocols. The instructor commended those who remained calm and focused, reassuring them that their safety was the top priority.
The gymnasium stage had a large projection screen where the survival training protocols were displayed, providing clear instructions for the group to follow. It was like a partial military training
Some were fine with it, as they would be rewarded with additional certifications and money upon completion. He pointed at the projector screen and showed all 120 participants the reason behind this fake academic class.
The phenomenon that recently happened concerning the semi-translucent floating ords that came from the sky and seemed to have shattered was not the first supernatural event; a few days before the orb manifested , something emerged from the sea thousands of miles from where we are currently located. Mr. Thomas added that all of the major cities with huge populations are also experiencing similar occurrences. These locations were also conducting the same survival class.
Those who were rich and arrogant were insisting that they should be let go. Mr. Thomas was hoping that he wouldn't resort to this final option of making everybody understand the current situation. situation, four fully dressed tactical uniforms entered the stage, they were pushing a trolley with a huge metal crate big enough to hold a wild animal.
Katarine was beside Ethan as they saw the metal crate moving, and a faint growling sound could be heard. Ethan, Katarine, and a few people among the 120 shifted their stance as they felt something vile was inside the crate. Nicole Hernandez was also among the people with her: her cousin Julio "Jax" Hernandez, who was just 19 years old and a part-time worker at the processing food factory where his cousin Nicole was working as an administrator.
This situation annoyed many, but they were all used to this kind of scheme; they just needed to act and comply for the time being, but the arrogant rich individuals just couldn't shut their mouths and let things be. They were always looking for trouble and causing unnecessary drama, making the situation even more tense for everyone involved.
Now, seeing those huge cages from a distance, this is something they never expected to happen. The projector screen was still open, as they could see actual CCTV video clips from different locations. While Mr. Thomas was already gone and they could only hear his voice, the four military personnel were holding high powered guns and were a few feet away. The moving crate was about as big as a freezer.
Panic and fear began to set in as they realized they were completely trapped with no way out. The sound of growling grew louder. Ethan reached into his side, hoping to grab hold of the hunting knife, until he realized he was no longer carrying it. He was so distracted and preoccupied with what was happening in his life that he never even bothered to check. This made him feel vulnerable and defenseless in the face of the impending danger. The realization that he was unarmed only heightened his sense of panic and helplessness.
Ethan felt his heart racing, pounding against his ribcage like a drum as panic set in. The growling echoed through the dimly lit gymnasium, reverberating off the walls and intensifying his fear. He could see Katarine and the others, their faces a mixture of confusion and terror, glancing around as if searching for an answer that wasn't coming. He had to think, he had to act—time was slipping through his fingers like sand.
As he scanned the room, his eyes fell upon a toolbox sitting haphazardly beside the stage. It was a promising sign, perhaps left behind by the construction team that had been busy repainting the gym in the days leading up to the event. The toolbox might harbor something useful—screwdrivers, wrenches, or even a hammer—that could aid in fortifying their position or fend off whatever was lurking inside that large crate.
Rushing towards the toolbox, Ethan felt a desperate surge of hope. Every growl that punctuated the air served as a reminder of the danger they were in, pushing him to move faster. He knelt beside the toolbox, fumbling with the latch, and frowned when he realized it had a hammer, a crowbar, and two screwdrivers. Frustration welled up inside him, but he couldn't let it overpower his determination.
He glanced back at Katarine, who met his gaze with wide, anxious eyes. In that fleeting moment, he could see her trust in him; it ignited a fire within him. He knew they had to work together, so with a steely resolve, he called out to her, grabbed hold of the tools, and dashed toward her as the crate was finally forced open, and the creature that came out was the same beast that attacked him. Ethan was holding the crowbar on his right hand and a hammer on his left,
The beast was scampering and was having a hard time running on the slippery gymnasium floor , but as soon as its claws caught traction, Ethan knew he had to act fast. With a quick glance at the tools in his hands, he made a split-second decision and lunged forward with the crowbar, aiming for the creature's vulnerable underbelly. The beast let out a deafening roar as Ethan's strike connected, but he held his ground, determined to protect himself and anyone else in danger.
While this was happening, panic consumed the sealed gymnasium. People screamed and scattered in all directions, desperate to escape the chaos unfolding before them. The sound of the beast's enraged cries echoed off the walls, adding to the sense of fear and urgency in the gymnasium.