"Welcome to the Academy," Buji whispered to himself, searching the hall outrightly with his eyes.
The hall was indeed a marvel of architectural intelligence. Its inside was very spacious and well-lit with massive columns of floating orbs soaring high above acting as the wall's ceiling.
At first, Buji had thought he was watching the real atmosphere above and orbs hovering in its air and wondered why it had to be directly atop the hall. But he was wrong. He noticed the orbs were just part of the column ceiling which portrayed an otherworldly atmosphere that was rather illusive than realistic.
It was just a ceiling even though it seemed as though the hall was open-roofed.
The hall was, however, circular in shape with its seat arrangement in the same form. Allowing a large circular platform in the middle space created by the arrangement of seats.
In front of Buji and on that circular platform, just in the middle of the stage's platform was an instrument standing tall, with a platform where students could stand.
The instrument was made of a spinal metal that supported two metal-like pincers above, holding a circular orb that occasionally swirled itself.
'What could it be?'
Back to the seat arrangement, the students were arranged according to five sitting positions. Buji learned from the murmurs around him that the sitting position was according to how they were recommended.
Putting, the hall consisted of students recommended by Four Hunter families, and the remaining was combined with students recommended by establishments.
Emra was wrong again. He had told him that the four families were only allowed to recommend at least five students, but here he was, sitting amidst a larger number of students.
He looked behind him and saw Emra, sitting with another crowd, then he noticed something. Immediately after each seat arrangement, there was a large space that demarcated it from the other arrangement.
'Guess that is to demarcate the students according to their recommendation.'
Buji was sure of something at the moment. The row where he sat represented those recommended by Mr. Zin and the crowd sitting immediately behind him, where he had found Emra, were old students. Those with him in front were new students.
'And that is it. Although I don't know other family names.'
But he guessed that the row with the largest number of students contained those recommended by different establishments.
"Pheew," he sighs and rests his back against the comfortable seat that was provided for them in the hall.
The admission hall bustled with activities of students, ranging from murmurs to exchange of pleasantries especially from the old students. The social gurus among the newcomers tried to get along with others and that was not for him. He preferred to stay on his own.
On the far wall hung a massive tapestry depicting the Academy's group of scholars. Emra's father was inclusive. The pictures were used to show the representatives of each Hunter family, with their names boldly written on them: Zin Family, Nico Family, Wallos Family, Adhit Family, and the last one, Yin Family.
But something was odd about the last picture frame. The picture on it had been totally blurred, with a red painted X-sign running diagonally on the frame.
'So, there are actually five hunter families. But…'
Buji was distracted by the noise that came from the other end of the hall, followed by utter silence.
A young man had entered the hall through a side door at Buji's left corner. He was of average height and his presence was commanding despite his unassuming attire.
He wore a long robe of shady blue, trimmed with silver threads that shimmered upon his movements. His eyes were piercing and bright, as though they could see into a person's soul. Either way, his eyes made the young man good-looking.
'This man's arrival abruptly stopped the noise, from especially the old students. Who is he?'
As if in response to Buji's question, the man who had stopped in the middle of the circular platform had started speaking, his voice echoing around the hall. "I am Instructor Haylian. You can call me Hay."
He paused for a moment, to allow the students to download his name properly for permanent retention and continued, "I am here to guide you, the new students, through the awakening process as it is the first and most crucial step for your journey here in this Academy."
At this statement, he went further, closer to the instrument that stood straight on the platform.
"This," Hay said, rubbing his hands against the object as if he were examining it, "is the Kyrexis."
A murmur followed at the mention of the word, Kyrexis. It was certainly among the newcomers. Most of them grasped in amazement while some who had known about it attested to its existence and would like to clear their fellow's confusion but were interrupted by the instructor.
"It is the key to unlocking the latent potential hidden within each of you. The object standing here beside me is as ancient as the Academy itself, and its power of awakening is incomparable. Through it, the spark of abilities that lies within your souls will be awakened."
Noticing the confusion on the face of the new student grew each time he mentioned awakened, he decided to take a new dimension of his speech.
"Awakening you doesn't mean we are initiating you. The process is just geared to test your will, strength, and ability to embrace the unknown. Kyrexis will channel its light orb of energy to your chest, revealing the essence of what you are. For most, it will manifest as light, but for a few, as shadow."
Then with a low but audible voice, he added. "Do not fear what you see—it will just be merely a reflection of your inner self. But the real problem sets in when you awaken no talent."
'No talent? Is it possible?' Buji thought.
"The process is profound but simple. You, students, will march out one by one upon being called. When you climb this stage, you place your hands on the glittering part of the object's stem and allow its light to reflect on you."
"Some may feel as though they are stepping into another world, others might be a surge of power. But whichever happens, just trust the process." Hay said and paused.
'Surge of power? I did like to be among this category.'
Buji didn't speak out, he thought in his mind. But other newcomers in the hall mumbled words that were best known to them. Once again, the hall came quiet with Haylian's voice.
"Since there's not much time, the process will begin at the expiration of my third count."
"One! Two! Three!"
"…"