"Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them" - Napoleon Bonaparte.
The Tokyo International High School, perched on a secluded island provided by the Japanese government, is a beacon of ambition and innovation. Its mission is clear, to forge the leaders and pioneers who will shape humanity's future.
After deliberating extensively, I opted to walk to my newly enrolled boarding school, Tokyo Inter. Uncertainty surrounded what awaited me. Having relocated due to my parents divorce, I chose to reside with my mother.
This move necessitated transferring from my former school, where life had been stable, to Tokyo Inter. Honestly, I hesitate to form new connections or engage with unfamiliar individuals I'd have to bear with. Upon arrival, I noticed numerous students already present, all adorned in the identical attire as myself, confirming my presence at the school I was meant to be in.
The uniform, straightforward yet elegant, consisted of a crisp white shirt accompanied by a sleek black coat, complemented by a black tie and matching jeans for male students.
Female counterparts, equally impressive, wore a pristine white blouse paired with a chic black skirt and coordinating tie. The sight of these elegantly dressed young ladies remarkably enhanced my visual experience, their beauty twice illuminating my surroundings.
The campus stretched before me, majestic trees lining the lengthy approach and sleek concrete embellishing the entrance. A five-minute stroll through the gateway captivated my refined sensibilities. Massive structures, 700 in total, towered above. Yet, uncertainty plagued me: unknown classroom, unfamiliar layout. With no guidance provided, I awaited passing students to solicit directions.
A tall guy walked up to me; he had dark hair and looked a bit intimidating. I hesitated to ask him, but I decided to go ahead anyway.
"Excuse me, I'm new here and didn't receive a schedule. Could you tell me where I should go?"
"Go to the hall. They'll assign you to your class and go over the school rules."
"Thank you for your time."
The exchange went well—smoother than I expected. Luckily, I knew where the hall was since a big sign marked "Hall" was right in front of me.
After a short walk, I reached a large staircase leading down to the hall's fancy glass doors. As I stepped inside, a cold breeze from the air conditioning hit me, bringing instant relief. I had worried I'd be stuck in a crowded room with hundreds of other students, sweating through a long, boring talk from the teachers.
I sat at the very back, where I had a full view of the hall and could feel the cool air from the air conditioning. The hall had a sleek, modern look with black walls and polished floors that gave the room a clean, professional feel. Up front, there was a large stage with deep red curtains pulled to the side, and a tall podium stood in the center.
Behind it, a huge screen displayed the school logo, bright and bold against the dark background. Rows of seats stretched out neatly, all facing the stage, making it clear that this was a place for important announcements and events.
At exactly 8:50 a.m., the doors closed. A man in his forties, with brown hair and a neatly trimmed mustache, stepped onto the stage. He wore a sharp suit that exuded authority and approached the podium confidently.
"Settle down, everyone," he began. "Welcome to Tokyo International High School. You may address me as Principal Tera. This institution is unlike any you've attended. Here, we reward effort, discipline, and strategy."
He gestured to the screen, where the words Honor Shards and Aegis Marks appeared.
"At Tokyo Inter, success is measured through two systems: Honor Shards and Aegis Marks. Let me explain."
"Honor Shards: These represent your class's standing and influence privileges, such as better facilities and resources. They're earned through Special Exams, weekly participation in academics, sports, and volunteering. However, rule-breaking and ethical violations result in heavy penalties."
"What about the other one?" a student asked.
"Aegis Marks: These are individual points reflecting personal achievements. They're awarded for academic performance, leadership roles, and strategic contributions. However, failure to meet expectations results in deductions."
During the explanation, a student raised his hand with a question, hoping Principal Tera would notice and respond, which he did.
"How do we know which class we're in?" the student asked.
Principal Tera nodded. "I'll explain that now. Please take out your phones and download the school app, TIA, created for students to view their overall abilities."
He continued, describing the categories the app tracks:
Academic Ability: This score is based on your exam performance throughout the year.
Physical Ability: This score reflects your performance in physical education, club activities, special exams, and other physical tasks.
Adaptability: This score assesses how well you adjust to different situations. It includes skills like quick thinking, communication, the size of your social circle, and how you present yourself within that circle.
Social Contribution: This score takes into account your overall behavior, attendance, participation in class, and any involvement in programs like the student council.
Overall Ability: This is a comprehensive score calculated from the four categories above. However, Social Contribution affects the overall score less than the other three categories.
"All of your information and grades will be displayed in this app," Principal Tera added. "You can also look up information on students from other classes."
I looked up my name in the app and saw that I was placed in Class D, the lowest class. This was based on my previous school behavior and academic records. After the briefing ended, we checked the app for our assigned classroom locations. Mine was listed as Room 14, so I knew exactly where to go.