A microphone was activated and one could hear the screeching sound of a loudspeaker that followed.
Ensuing, a deep baritone male voice began speaking;
'Greetings everyone, thank you all for arriving on time for your departure,' the voice was full of confidence, continuing, 'please all students should convene at the meeting hall located by the driveway for briefing on what is to come next.'
'Please make haste.'
Grayson looked around to ascertain the direction of the voice, but he didn't succeed at that.
Turning back to Kiefer, he said kindly;
'Well, it's a pleasure meeting you, we should move now.'
Kiefer flashed a bright smile,
'It's a pleasure meeting you too, Grayson,' he said.
He watched as the son of a politician trotted away from him to retrieve his luggage.
Earlier, Grayson had caught him staring and felt the need to introduce himself, so he did just that.
He walked up to the young boy and introduced himself, after all hadn't his father told him being two steps ahead is always best?
That was why he decided to be two steps ahead in making quality friendships with people he deemed to be polished.
Not long ago, Kiefer had been speaking to Grayson and came to the surprising realization that not only was he full of pride and seemed very intelligent, he was also quite friendly.
This made no sense to him as he hardly met such people who didn't have a superiority complex.
Kiefer marveled at how he was approached and wondered sullenly if all children of parents in political positions behaved as such.
With the announcement from the speaker, Kiefer began moving his boxes towards the hall where every other person seemed to be moving towards.
He had made a mental calculation on the approximate number of people around him and came to the conclusion that the Weave was possibly more selfish than selfless, if it had a mind and body.
Thrusting vast numbers of individuals into a toil such as this for the protection of the greater world only to possess an even sinister side effect on these people who were exposed was nothing short of horrendous to Kiefer.
Catching up with Grayson, they walked next to each other as they advanced towards the meeting hall.
The surroundings were tidy and the air was soft.
In the distance, one could see more than four handful of individuals dressed immaculately and pulling along with them their traveling boxes walking towards the direction they were both headed.
The sight was as impressive as it was crushing.
Such young people, myself included, he thought gravely.
He felt that fist in his chest.
Not an actual fist but that tightness in his chest that made him aware of how burning his anxiety and feelings of unsafety presented.
He tried to calm his racing thoughts and still his turbulent mind.
******
On the approach to the meeting hall, it's entrance exuded luxury and opulence at every look.
As the crowd of students neared the building, they could see the grand, ornate double doors of the massive structure.
It was made of rich, dark mahogany, carved with intricate floral designs and adorned with golden handles that glinted in the golden rays of the fleeting noon.
Nearing the steps that led to the doors of the white colossal building, they were greeted by a spacious foyer with marble floors that gleamed under the crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings.
The walls were lined with velvet draperies in regal shades of deep burgundy and gold, and the air, filled with the scent of exotic flowers and fragrant candles to an astonishingly exquisite taste.
A large arrangement of seats could be noticed in the smack middle of the main hall, extending outwards from the center of the grandiose settee.
Each circular table was draped over by a white linen table cloth with a vase of flowers in its middle.
Such desks that littered the marble floors were rounded by even more beautiful chairs that screamed of an exaggerated luxury
Kiefer could only gasp.
He swore he heard someone else in the stationary crowd do the same as well.
To the far end of the grand settee, one could notice a rich red carpet leading to a sweeping staircase with a plush red velvet runner, flanked by marble pillars and ornately carved banisters.
The grand hall itself was a sight to behold, with intricate moldings and frescoes adorning the walls and ceilings, and massive crystal chandeliers casting a warm, golden glow over the room.
Plush velvet seating arrangements were scattered throughout the space, inviting guests to relax and enjoy the luxurious surroundings.
Someone else drew in a sharp breath amongst the crowd of onlooking students.
Clearly, such extravagance wasn't widely found.
As the individuals exposed to the Weave bathed in the luxurious hall, there was a scraping sound and a thick and rich
baritone voice followed.
'Welcome, young people,' the voice started, attracting their attention, 'we are pleased to know that all of you decided to take up this prestigious institution as the next line of course in your lives.
'Please check-in your luggage with the baggage belts, they will be flown to Qichi Lake Academy where you will meet them.
Do have a seat, you will be addressed soon.'
Forming a line, the students queued as they placed their respective luggage on the belts and walked away to take their seats.
Kiefer found himself standing behind Grayson.
He once again noticed the powerful scent of the perfume he wore and decided it must cost a lot.
Turning backwards, Grayson said to him;
'Beatiful, isn't it?'
Kiefer glanced around once more,
'It sure is, the ambience is definitely one of a kind.'
Grayson smiled and turned forwards, leaving Kiefer surrounded by his thoughts again.
After a while, everyone was seated.
A few seconds after and a brown skinned man well into his thirties walked briskly from behind a long drapery of curtains and climbed a few steps to stand on what appeared to be a pulpit
He was clothed in white t-shirt, a black tailored trouser and a deep blue tweed trench-coat.
Everyone looked on
Tapping the microphone twice, Master Lorenzo began speaking into it.
'Good day everyone,' he said, 'I am Master Lorenzo and standing before you all is the director of the prestigious academy, QLA.
'It is obvious that you all have been exposed to the Weave and we are proud that you chose QLA as your final destination, I assure you that you will be safe from the extreme side effects of the Weave but I must warn,it only gets much harder.
'Do not fret, young ones, as skill and perseverance is in line with success.'
Master Lorenzo flashed a bright smile, a round of applause followed.
Adjusting his trench-coat, he said in a deep and eery voice;
'Please, do enjoy your croissants.'