As Varg walked toward the academy gates, his spirits were high despite the nervousness bubbling inside. Wow, the academy at last! Look at all the people around here, he thought as he scanned the crowd. But a sudden realization hit him, Wait... isn't there anyone I know? He glanced around, but there wasn't a single familiar face in sight. Shit! No one?
And then another thought crossed his mind. Where are the girls? Why am I only seeing dudes everywhere?
Just then, a voice crackled over the academy's speakers, "Good morning, students. Welcome to Ward 26 of Bager's Boys Academy. Please make your way through the main gate and proceed to the assembly hall for the inauguration ceremony."
Varg froze. What!? Only boys? His heart sank as the words sunk in. I'm going to be surrounded by dudes for the entire year? He groaned internally. Why the heck was I assigned to an all-boys academy? A small tear formed in the corner of his eye as his once grand "playboy" dreams crumbled into dust. He tried to pull himself together. Stay calm, Varg, he thought, forcing himself to head towards the assembly hall.
As he approached the entrance, a robot with a sharp, mechanical voice reminded him, "Students are advised to wear their bracelets before entering the academy grounds."
"Oh right, the bracelet!" Varg suddenly remembered the device his mother had handed him before he left. He slipped it on, feeling a strange comfort from the familiarity of the gesture.
Upon entering the assembly hall, he was hit with a wave of nervous energy. Students from all over were gathered, each with distinct appearances and personalities. He noticed senior students, towering in their sharp white and red uniforms, adorned with badges that signaled their many achievements.
Before he could take it all in, a booming voice interrupted his thoughts, "Gold morning, students!"
Varg looked up, startled. Gold morning? Don't they mean good morning?
Standing before them was an imposing figure—easily over six feet tall, with a physique that looked like it was chiseled out of stone. "My name is Vanord Ricatzo," the man bellowed, his voice radiating power. "I am the principal of Ward 26, Bager Academy. I hope your journey here will be nothing short of epic."
The room fell silent as Principal Ricatzo continued, "Bagers are the last pillars of our species. One does not merely strive to be great; one must surpass greatness itself to truly become a Bager. I have high hopes for this year's class. Make our Ward 26 proud—make it shine with glory."
As the principal finished his speech, the hall erupted into applause. Varg felt something stir inside him. His earlier disappointment melted away, replaced by a fierce determination. The energy in the room was palpable. Every student there was filled with the same spirit, ready to conquer whatever challenges lay ahead.
After the speech, a soft chime rang out from the speakers. "All new students, please proceed to your respective classes," came the announcement.
Varg glanced at his bracelet—it read Class A3. Following the flow of students, he wandered through the hallways, absorbing everything around him. Finally, he found his classroom. As he stepped inside, he noticed the desks were already filling up with students.
Immediately, one boy caught his attention. He had a sleek, robotic arm. Varg's imagination ran wild. Whoa, that's so cool! I bet he could brush his teeth while holding five different things at once. I have to shake his hand. Grinning at the thought, Varg moved towards his seat.
Just as he sat down, his gaze fell on the student seated in front of him. The boy had dark skin, long black hair, and intricate tattoos of tigers snaking up his arms. A necklace of strange beads hung from his neck, adding to his mysterious aura.
This guy's definitely not from around here, Varg mused, trying to figure out where he might be from. And, damn, he's handsome too. He probably went to a co-ed academy—definitely has a girlfriend. Varg pouted slightly, though he quickly assured himself, I'm not jealous though, nope, not at all.
Just as Varg was lost in his thoughts, the sudden sound of an explosion rang out from outside.
Boom!