After locating our teachers and securing a spot in the hostel, a loud bell echoed through the corridors, its sharp clang cutting through the chatter.
Before we could make sense of it, a tough-looking student barged into our hostel. His presence alone commanded attention as he barked, "Everyone out! That's the emergency bell it means all students are required at the assembly ground. Move it!"
The urgency in his voice left no room for questions. We shuffled out, joining the tide of students heading toward the open grounds. As the crowd grew, I found myself craning my neck, trying to catch a glimpse of the stage where a figure had just climbed.
It was the man from behind the desk.
He tapped the microphone, his voice booming as he addressed us.
"Hello, everyone."
A murmured "hello" hummed through the crowd in response, hesitant yet unified.
"I am Mr. Azazel, the school rector," he announced, his tone as sharp and commanding as his gaze.
He let the words hang for a moment before continuing. "This year's recruitment has been... different, leading to a higher intake of new students than ever before."
I didn't need to guess whose handiwork this was Thomas. Somehow, he always had a way of pulling strings behind the scenes.
"But let me make one thing clear," Mr. Azazel's voice turned cold, slicing through the crowd's murmurs. "The exams will be tough, and there will be no second chances. Fail, and you're out."
The silence that followed was suffocating. He left the stage, replaced by a student wearing the same uniform as us. Despite his status, his fierce demeanor made it clear he wasn't to be trifled with.
"Everyone back to your hostels. Lectures start tomorrow," he announced curtly before walking off, leaving no room for questions.
****
I woke the next morning feeling groggy, my body weighed down from a restless night. The other students, however, seemed energized. They laughed and chatted, showing off their skills, the air around them alive with sparks of elemental power. I stayed seated on my bunk, focusing on the pages of a book I had purchased, The Basics of Earth Manipulation.
Edith's voice played in my mind, explaining concepts from the text. Slowly, I began to piece together the basics of controlling the ground beneath me.
"Hey, man, aren't you getting ready for the morning workout?" a voice broke through my thoughts. I looked up to see a boy staring at me, already dressed and ready to go.
"I'm going," I muttered, though my body protested the very thought.
Before I could move, the same tough senior from yesterday barged in. His glare swept over us like a storm cloud.
"Out. Now. Morning workout starts immediately," he barked before leaving as abruptly as he came.
I sighed inwardly. I had already decided this workout wasn't for me, but it wasn't like I had a choice.
****
The workout was grueling. Five kilometers of relentless running, followed by weightlifting that made my arms feel like lead. By the end, I was drenched in sweat, my muscles screaming for mercy.
The only silver lining? I leveled up to Level 3 and earned a bonus of 3,000 MC.
After a quick shower, I donned the uniform issued the day before. The crisp fabric felt foreign against my skin, the name tag stitched onto it reading Rowan John. Below it was the name of my teacher: Mr. Asriel Blackwood.
I made my way to the hall where we were instructed to wait for our teachers. As I entered, the buzz of conversations fell away when the doors opened behind me. A teacher stepped in tall, with a stern expression that silenced the room.
"Who is Alisha Digmun and Rowan John?" he called out, his voice gruff and impatient.
A girl rose first. She was petite, with smooth, fair skin, striking white eyes, and pink lips that contrasted beautifully with her oval face. Her delicate frame radiated grace, but despite her beauty, I couldn't help but think she wasn't as stunning as Luna.
"Rowan John," the teacher barked again, his voice laced with frustration.
Startled, I scrambled to my feet. The laughter of the other students filled the hall, and heat rushed to my face as I quickly followed Alisha out.
The teacher didn't wait for us, his long strides forcing me to jog to catch up. After what felt like ten minutes of walking, we stopped beneath a large tree where three students waited. They were older, their confident postures hinting at their experience.
"Join them. I'll be back shortly," Mr. Asriel said before turning and leaving us.
****
I hesitated, watching as Alisha approached the group. One of the students, a guy with sharp features and an easy grin, turned to her.
"What's your name?" he asked loudly.
"Alisha Digmun," she replied, her voice soft but clear.
He nodded before his sharp eyes landed on me. "And you?"
Before I could answer, a girl beside him spoke up. She had the same sharp features, clearly related, but her beauty was even more striking. Her pink lips and flawless skin caught the sunlight, her presence radiating confidence.
"What about you?" she asked, her voice lilting but direct.
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I was overwhelmed not just by her beauty, but by the sheer intensity of the moment.
"Aren't you the one Veyra just asked a question?" another girl spoke up, her tone teasing but sharp.
Her name caught my attention Veyra. It suited her perfectly, but the third girl, the one who just spoke, was even more breathtaking. Her face was angelic, her movements graceful, and her gaze sharp enough to pin me in place.
I tried to focus, but my thoughts spiraled. How had I ended up surrounded by such stunning girls? My heart pounded as Veyra leaned closer.
"Hey, are you okay?" she asked, her touch light against my arm.
Her touch sent shivers down my spine, and I felt a sudden, mortifying reaction in my body. Before I could compose myself, the third girl stepped forward and kicked me squarely in the groin.
Pain shot through me like lightning, and I crumpled to the ground, clutching myself as their laughter rang out.
"I asked your name," the girl said coldly, her gaze unrelenting.
"R-Rowan John," I choked out, barely able to form the words through the pain.
"Good," she said, grabbing my arm and hauling me to my feet as though I weighed nothing.
I stared at her, stunned. Her beauty masked a terrifying strength and ruthlessness. As I stumbled to stand, I realized one thing for certain this was going to be far more challenging than I'd ever imagined.