A Loud hiss was coming from inside one of the cutouts in the walls. A purple line appeared in the cutout's center and grew wider, and then an older woman with a kind face walked out.
"I am Tina the highest-ranked rescue member in the entirety of the rescue squads." the elderly woman standing about 5 ft 2 said while looking at the students to see who she was going to be taking." If I had to guess I'd be taking you all she then accurately pointed at all of the students who were planning on going to Maglion.
"H..How did you know?" one kid yelped out in confusion
The Granny grinned and said something astonishing "I've been working as a rescue squad captain for over 200 years. I think by now I would know what a rookie looks like and with a snap of her fingers all of the students vanished. "Young boy next time teach these students to respect me."
Mark knew he was talking to her and promptly responded "Yes granny, sorry."
"Good" As soon as Tina said that she vanished and the purple split in space disappeared.
Eram was dumbfounded and the only one with the courage to speak." Are you two related, if not then why were talked down to?"
"First no we're not related and to answer your second question She's saved me more times than I can count. Tina could also hand my ass to me without even trying.
Eram's mouth went agape since he had already heard about Mark's past." I understand." As soon as Eram finished talking, two more spatial gates appeared, and out came one old man and one young man.
"I'll go first since I have fewer students." the old man said " My name is Elias Goodwin and I am the principal for Ann." he then pointed at two students and said, "Are you the ones coming to my school?"
"Yes, but there is one more" The young girl with a disheveled appearance spoke solemnly and pointed at another girl who looked raggedy and poor.
"Damn, I'm still not as good as that old hag," Elias said with a laugh.
The other young guy that came through the other warp said confidently "I guess it's my turn, you, you, and you" he pointed at all but 2 students.
Mark laughed at him and said "Incorrect these two" he then pointed at Kalla, the girl with the dimensional sphere, and Gunther the one that could lift the light object by what seems reversing gravity a little bit. "Are coming with me. Don't forget to introduce yourself"
"Damn, I had a feeling, got a little greedy. And you are right my name is Liam Strider and I was the most talented of my generation, i am the youngest of all four of the Divine explorers you saw today though I am only slightly weaker than that geezer there" He then pointed at Elias and smiled.
"You jest, though we don't hold a candle to Mark or Tina." they both laughed and then directed the students to go through the warp.
"Neither of us has the ability or skills to just warp you to ourselves so you'll just have to follow us back through the warp," Liam said and the kids followed both of their guides through their respective gates. As soon as all of the students passed the warp gate disappeared.
"You 4 are coming with me your going to the first day of your Future." he then put his hands on a spot on the wall and just like the others a purple line appeared and spread open to make a purple oval. "Just follow me young ones," Mark said with a smile as he thought about when he first went to school.
Mark walked through the gate and the four students followed.
As soon as Eram touched the gate he could feel how cold it was and was stunned when his hand went through and it got warmer. His eyes then hit the purple liquid or whatever it was and it turned into a blinding light forcing him to shut his eyes.
As soon as he passed what was the cold feeling and in the warmth he opened his eyes and before he was a massive super Complex that seemed to be over 10 stories high. He looked around at the View which was a layer of beautifully dark green grass with bountiful trees around it and a nice stone path that lay to the giant building which words can't even describe.
Eram then looked around at the other students and noticed their mouths were drooping and open like a bunch of idiots. He then looked at himself and found his mouth was also agape, and quickly shut it.
Mark started walking towards the building after letting the new students look at their new home for the next two years. The students didn't notice Mark walking for a second and noticed him leaving and quickly ran to catch up to him.
The stone path was minimally bumpy and the air smelled like what you could picture the perfect summer. The trees around spread out the best shade one could ask for, and then there was the steady breeze which kept everyone including Mark feeling comfortable.
About 3 minutes of walking went by before they got close enough to see other students there, they looked older but seemed to be spending their time practicing their cores. The students kept walking admiring the views and the people around.
They finally reached the doors and Mark spoke up "Welcome to Xell Academy, as one of the professors I am excited to have every one of you guys."
Eram quickly spoke up after finally gathering the courage "This pace is Huge, I heard we were going to be living here but where like how?" Eram confusingly grumbled.
"Boy relax. We will get there but first, we have to visit the principal's office. Just follow me and we will explain everything." Mark said with a laugh and the other students nodded and followed.
Mark opened the massive doors and then let the students in then he shut the doors behind them. Upon entering the building they were greeted with a gigantic hallway 70 feet tall and 50 feet wide adorned with statues of all the statues paintings and little info plaques with information about the statues they were attached to of all the past and present teachers. On the ceiling, there are massive chandeliers and giant columns designed to support the ceiling there as well. The flooring was a giant slab of polished marble. One could even hear the echo of footsteps as the group walked.
Eram looked at some of the statues and was in awe feeling the magic in the air. The entirety of the hallway was covered in prizes trophies and the occasional door. Mark then turned to one of the doors Eram saw and there was another Warp already there.
"We are going to enter this warp and it will send us straight up to the principal's office so we don't have to go through the stairs. I hate climbing stairs." Mark said.
Eram led the students through the gate as Mark held open the door for everyone. After everyone entered the gate they found themselves inside a room about 30 feet tall and 50 feet in every direction and a man sitting at the desk on the far end of the room.
The room had decorations and tapestries everywhere and a gold-lined marble floor but what all the students were paying attention to was the standing man in the middle who started to talk." My name is Cedrick Thorn, you can call me Principal Thorn."
Cedrick had Beautiful thick silvery hair, his voice sounded like gold. He stands at about 6 foot 7 and wears flowing robes in shades of silver and gray, an embroidered sash that shows his authority and achievements stitched in. He had on glasses that were round and had Many rings on his hands which could be when he lifted his hands off the table. He looked to be around 60 years old and had the kindest smile.
"Hello Cedrick, have have four amazing students here who need a board and instructions," Mark said.
Cedric gave a gentle smile and calmly said "Of course." he waved his hands and small lights of all different colors appeared in a beautiful ensemble and slowly formed into square shapes. Within a few seconds, they became physically bored with writing on them. Mark had on a child-like smile while watching. " I have just created each one of you a board with your core affinities on them. I know you do not know what that is yet but you will go to the courtyard here in a second and you will join, or create a party or group of 5 people. There needs to be at least one of the words Body, Heart, Mind, or Soul on there. As you can see Eram has a Body Mind and soul so all he has to do is make sure at least one person in his party has a heart word on the board. Do y'all understand?"
This time Gunther spoke up before Eram and said "Of course we understand sir, I will make you proud!" he then looked at his board confused as to why he only had Heart written on it.
When the other students noticed Gunter looking at his they decided they should look at theirs. Kalla had Heart and soul, the other student just had Mind.
"Well since you all understand good luck," Cedric said with a smile and waved his hands and all of the students vanished.
Mark started laughing at the situation and said "They didn't understand but they should figure it out. That school had a ton of talent in it didn't you see."
"I got a call from Tina she got some amazing students as well I'm proud of you finding them."
"No problem had a friend in one of the classes that's why I was able to get to the school before school started."
"Good we need to teach them as much as we can, too many people die every year,"
***
In the courtyard that the students just appeared in.
Eram looked around at the insane number of students.'There has to be around 18 thousand people here this place is packed, how am I supposed to find the people who think like me."
"Hey Eram Kalla want to team up," Gunther said with a huge grin.
"No thanks," Eram said to Gunther leaving him dejected.
But much to Gunther's surprise Kalla said "Of course Gunther you were always good in class this should be no different Let go find others"
"See ya stinky!" Gunther yelled at Eram causing Kalla to laugh.
"You the one that smells like poop!" Eram said back with enough venom to kill an elephant but to his dismay, they stuck their tongues out at him before walking off
Eram started walking around through the crowd looking at groups trying to see if he got a feeling from any of them, but unfortunately not. He kept looking and trying to find anyone or anything that would help him, it got to the point where he started feeling dizzy and stressed. He was about to panic and give up but instead,d he decided to close his eyes and breath.
He kept breathing and feeling the air for about a minute and then opened his eyes. He saw some Hair that was white and had grey streaks. He was confused but most importantly drawn toward the hair direction he had to see what was up.
Eram walked over there feeling his hopes rising as well as his confidence. He then reached a group of four with their boards flipped over so no one could see them. Eram looked at them realizing this was the feeling he was looking for. These were the people he needed to team up with.
"Hi, my name is Eram can I join?"