Snake Calendar, Year 2025
7th Day of August - Morning
The City of Nova Asta - Unity College of System Studies
The sun rose over the busy city of Nova Astra, filling the streets with a warm light. People rushed by—workers heading to jobs and students excited for their first day of college. Among them was Accel Winchester, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Today marked the start of his college experience at Unity College of System Studies, where people's abilities shaped their futures. Accel held his backpack tightly as he looked at the college gates, hoping no one would discover his less impressive system.
The large gates of Unity College stood tall, their polished metal surface reflecting the morning sunlight. Above the entrance, bold letters read: "Unity College of System Studies – Forging the Future." Accel took a deep breath and stepped inside, blending into the crowd of students. Some walked with confidence, chatting loudly about their systems, while others, like Accel, stayed quiet, keeping their thoughts to themselves.
The main courtyard buzzed with activity. Booths lined the area, each representing one of the four factions. Upperclassmen with faction badges pinned to their uniforms called out to students passing by.
"Join the Vanguard! Strength is everything!" shouted a burly senior as he flexed his arms. A group of first-years stopped, looking impressed.
"Don't listen to them," a student in a sleek suit countered from the Scholars booth nearby. "Your mind is the ultimate weapon. The Scholars faction offers unparalleled resources for those who value intellect."
"Pfft, nerds," muttered a girl near Accel. Her faction badge gleamed with the symbol of the Seekers. "Exploration is where it's at. Who wants to be stuck in books all day?"
Accel pretended not to hear, his eyes scanning the crowd. Groups of students gathered around faction leaders, asking questions or signing up for activities.
"Hey, what system did you awaken?" a voice suddenly asked. Accel turned to see a boy about his age, his expression friendly.
"Oh, uh… nothing special," Accel replied, scratching the back of his neck.
"Must be nice keeping it private," the boy said with a chuckle. "I awakened a Common Tier system, and the Vanguards already told me I don't belong. Guess I'll try my luck with the Seekers." He waved and walked off before Accel could respond.
"First-years, please proceed to the auditorium for orientation!" A staff member's voice boomed from the speakers.
Accel followed the crowd, his heart beating fast. The auditorium was massive, with rows of seats stretching back to the walls. He took a seat near the middle, surrounded by students excitedly comparing their systems. One boy proudly demonstrated his "Flame Manipulator" ability, conjuring a small ball of fire, while another boasted about her "Engineer" system and its potential for creating advanced tools.
Accel kept his head down, pretending to scroll through his phone. He had no flashy abilities to share, and the thought of revealing his "Archivist" system to strangers made his stomach churn.
"Did you hear? Someone awakened a Divine Tier system this year!"
"No way. That's insane! Who is it?"
"Probably some rich kid."
"Shhh! Orientation's starting!"
The chatter died down as a tall man with silver hair and a commanding presence stepped onto the stage. His voice carried authority as he spoke.
"Welcome to Unity College of System Studies, where knowledge and systems converge to shape the world. Today, you begin a journey of growth, discovery, and self-mastery. Remember, it's not the rarity of your system that defines you, but how you use it."
For a moment, Accel felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this was where he could prove himself.