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  11 years ter (present time).

  Location: Magi Prep Academy.

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  Spsh, spsh, spsh. I can hear the sounds of the water coming out from the fountain behind me. The spring breeze slowly runs through the crevices of my clothing as I hear the distant chirping of birds.

  Clomp, clomp, clomp, clomp.

  “Hey, Jun!”

  I look up, “Oh, mornin, Xavier.”

  “Woah, your voice is even more dead than usual,“ says Xavier, flinching backwards.

  “Yeah, yeah,” I say.

  “Y’know, it took me a good while to find you.”

  “Didn’t I send you a picture though?”

  “Jun… Do you know how rge this pce is? It’s humongous! You could’ve gotten up and looked for me. That would’ve made things much easier for the both of us!” Spouts Xavier.

  “Alright, alright. I’m sorry. I didn’t really get enough sleep st night,” I say, rubbing the side of my neck.

  “How te did you stay up st night?” Says Xavier, slightly leaning forward.

  “Probably… past midnight?”

  “Geh. I could never,” he shivers, taking a small step backwards.

  “You should quiet down. We’re outside,“ I say.

  “There’s no one here, I don’t think it matters. Anywa-“

  “ATTENTION ALL 100 FRESHMEN, PLEASE REPORT TO THE AUDITORIUM. IF YOU ARE LATE BY 10 MINUTES, YOU WILL BE ESCORTED OUT OF THE SCHOOL GROUNDS. THAT IS ALL,” says an automated voice through the universal magic PA system, it bres throughout the area. I feel my ears ringing. I look at Xavier, his index fingers plugging his ears.

  “That came out of nowhere,” says Xavier.

  “It was really abrupt,” I say.

  “We should get going before we get kicked out. You got anything else you need to do?”

  I don’t really have anything in mind that I need to do. Most likely having to use the bathroom, but trying to find where buildings are located is already confusing enough. It’s like going through an open world map in a RPG without the map unlocked. Now that I think about it, I don’t know where the auditorium’s location is. I face Xavier, “I don’t pn on doing anything. Did you happen to pass by a building that looks like an auditorium on your way here looking for me?”

  “I’m not sure, but I did see a few staff members near a rge marble-like building,” he closes his eyes, his fingers on his chin.

  “I’m positive that’s probably where we need to go.”

  “Yeah… you’re probably right,” he says, rubbing the back of his hair.

  I stand up. “Lead the way,” I say.

  “Yes, sir!” He says enthusiastically, marching forward. I follow behind. Xavier is the only person I’m the closest with. If I remember, I met him at a park, he was sitting on a swing. It was the dawn of spring, the weather was mildly hot, and the breeze was chilly. I vividly remember seeing tears around the edges of his eyes. He was wearing an orange shirt and had dark green shorts on. A very mismatched fashion sense. I was about to walk off and head home, but I had decided to walk over to him. I didn’t know the reason as to why I did so. Might have been because I didn’t like the fact that he was about to cry? I will never know. At some point we eventually became lifelong childhood friends. Walking, I feel the warm heat of the sunlight beam running along my cheek.

  “Do you know what’s going to happen?” Xavier asks.

  “I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen,” I reply.

  “That’s unexpected. Aren’t you always on the top of your game?” says Xavier. Between me and Xavier, I would say that I’m the better brains when it comes to gathering information. Giving away an opportunity to gain more knowledge is just pin stupid. Why would anyone give up that chance? I wouldn’t.

  “I did try and search it up on the web. Only got useless results about how to apply for Magi Prep Academy. Nothing about the entrance ceremony, it’s almost as if it’s purposefully hidden,” I reply.

  “Purposefully hidden, huh. Oh, looks like we’re here,” he says. Seeing the building, we stop. There seems to be two staff members on standby at the front doors. There’s a few students entering the building. We both enter and continue walking. We reach what seems to be the Foyer. I stop in my tracks and see groups of people walking into the auditorium. I follow behind the second group. I look up at the ceiling. It stretches above a few meters tall. The miniature chandeliers hanging from the ceiling in an orderly manner gives the auditorium a rich and cssy feel. Reminds me of the fancy restaurants back in the city. I find two open seats and gesture at Xavier. Plop. The cushion of the seat is soft and firm. Sitting here makes me want to do nothing for the rest of the day. “Woah, these seats are nice,” says Xavier.

  “Yeah, real comfy. I could almost fall asleep,” I reply.

  “You’re just joking right? You’re not going to really fall asleep, right?” He says frantically. Xavier once told me that whenever I try sounding sarcastic, I usually end up sounding the exact opposite of sarcastic. Is it because of how my voice naturally sounds? I tried asking him why once and his brain broke down trying to expin it to me.

  “It’s just a joke, don’t worry,” I say. I sink into my seat. Whoever made these seats, props to you. You should really deserve a raise. I hear the sounds of chittering slowly dissipating. I look at the front of the stage and see the red curtains passively opening up.

  “Looks like the entrance ceremony is about to begin,” says a whispering voice.

  “Shh! Be quiet, you’re going to ruin the speech!” Replies another whispering voice.

  “Hey, hey, what do you think they’re going to say?” I hear a female voice whispering behind me.

  “Probably the usual welcoming speech? I don’t know,” says another girl.

  I really am unlucky. Got stuck with the worst possible seat in the auditorium. I gnce at Xavier, his eyes focusing on the stage.

  THUN, THUN, THUN, THUN. The sounds of the stage lights turning on makes the auditorium immediately silent. It’s so quiet that I start hearing a faint buzzing in my ears. Cck, cck, cck, cck. A person with a masquerade mask and blonde hair walks out from the side of the stage onto the center. He stands in pce for a few long seconds - most likely observing the crowd. He gestures his hands over his masquerade mask, making it disappear into mana particles revealing his defined face. “Welcome to Magi Prep Academy. You all are the leading future of students for this new generation. It is an honor to finally see all 100 of you in the flesh. Some of you may know who I am, but for those who do not know me. I go by the name of Alexander Hughes. I am the Vice Principal of Magi Prep Academy. I know that for some of you, it may have been a challenge to even make it here. Though, I’m sure all of you knew what you were getting yourselves into when applying for Magi Prep Academy. Still, I congratute you for making it this far. Now then, to begin things off. Are there any questions in the audience? Great, looks like we can just jump right straight into the topic at hand,” he clears his throat. “Now then… since you all made it past the application phase and got accepted. That must mean that all of you here possess a Magical Weapon, correct?” He takes a few steps, “You all will be participating in an assessment test before walking on campus grounds. A test that will utilize your combat abilities. You all will be fighting one another, in real time. This test will be used to determine what css you all will be formally assigned to for the starting semester. There won’t be any differences academically, but there will be differences between each css in their combat capabilities. Now, are there any st questions before I move on?”

  It’s quiet, the buzzing in my ears comes back. I see a raising hand from the left side of the auditorium. They stand up from their seats. “What’s the point of separating students in their own designated csses? Isn’t this just creating a hierarchy between students?” Says a female student, her voice resounding throughout the auditorium.

  “It's nice to see you again, Ursu Vergs. How’s your older brother doing tely?” Asks the Vice Principal. No response from Ursu. “Well, to answer your question. It’s fairly simple. In this world, not every human being is created equal. There will be humans who are better than others, it’s inevitable. Also, Magi Prep Academy has been doing this for generations. It has been proven over the years that when paired up with others who are at the same level, it can improve your understanding of combat and the theory of combat itself drastically over the course of the semester. And, don’t forget that Magi Prep Academy is not a school. It’s a training facility to get you all prepared to be a part of the Magicasters - to put you all out to the real world. It’s all about improving your ability to fight and react in a battle. Does that answer your question?” I see Ursu sit back down. Walking back to the center, the Vice Principal looks down at his watch. “Looks like we’re about to run out of time here. I’ll now be introducing Magi Prep Academy’s most esteemed combat css teacher, Andra Leopold to expin the rest.”

  So that’s the Vice Principal. He really does have a cssy and rich-like vibe to him. Especially with the entrance he gave earlier. I hear more whispering. I probably am the unluckiest person here today. Too much whispering, it’s becoming irritating. Click, cck, click, cck. I see a tall figure walking to the center of the stage. She’s taller than the Vice Principal. She’s wearing a long bck, unbutton coat, and her long messy berry hair compliments her tall figure. Her attire gives her a lion-like aura. Reminds me of a certain character I know from a show. “Tch… why do I have to do this?” She says to the Vice Principal.

  “The Principal specifically chose you,” he replies.

  She sighs and looks at us. “Alright, you Lot heard him. I’ll get straight to the point. This is going to be a pure combat ability assessment test. As he said before, this test will determine the css that you will be ending up with for the rest of your first semester. For this assessment test, there are going to be two phases. The first phase allows for each and everyone of you here to decide who your opponent will be. That means, you Lot will be deciding who in the crowd you will be going up against. It can be the person right next to you or anyone who you wish to challenge personally. It’s better if you choose someone who you have beef with, it makes it all the better for us and you. Once you both have mutually agreed with one another, both of you will go register your match to one of the many test assistants waiting in the Foyer. Since we want everyone here to find an opponent. We’ll be giving you a time limit of 24 hours. This means you Lot will be staying here overnight. If you still don’t find an opponent within 24 hours, the Management team will pair you up randomly with the left overs that also didn’t find an opponent. After all, there’s 100 of you here. This means there should be about 50 matches registered. If you’re wondering how we’re going to gauge your power level, it’ll be expined on the day of the first phase. Once the first phase is over, Magi Prep Academy’s Management team will overlook everyone’s power level and pair you up with another person who’s at the same level as you. This leads into the second phase of the assessment test. Now, that’s all you Lot need to know for now. The smaller details will be expined on the day of the tests,” says Ms. Leopold, her intimidating voice bouncing off the walls of the auditorium.

  “Thank you very much Ms. Leopold. That will conclude the entrance ceremony… for now. You all will be getting a designated temporary room. These will be assigned just before this afternoon, so please look out for an email sent by Magi Prep Academy’s Management team. If you don’t receive any sort of email within 5 minutes, please contact one of the test assistants in the Foyer. They will assist you. Feel free to stay here or roam the building and entrance of the school. Maybe even explore the shops here. However, you are prohibited from getting near the official school grounds. That is all, enjoy the rest of your day,” says the Vice Principal, elegantly bowing. The red curtains slowly close up. The lights of the auditorium are turning on.

  I get up from my seat stretching. “Ugh…” Now that is a long entrance ceremony meeting. At least my bottom isn’t aching from sitting down. Now then, choosing Xavier is the safe and easy way, but... Looking around the left side of the auditorium I see a tall male student with clear square gsses. His sharp jawline compliments his deep sharp eyes. He’s reading a book, no cover title on the front. Further to the right of him sits a petite female student half asleep. Her glossy brown hair is her key feature, making her standout. Her head is slowly bobbing back and forth. I look to the opposite side of the auditorium seats. Two male students talking to one another. The right one is slightly taller. His hair is dark purple, complementing his dark green eyes. The left one’s hair is a darkish red color. His sharp and lifeless eyes give him an intimidating aura. They both stop talking and walk out of the auditorium.

  “Jun, I won’t be choosing you as my opponent. I’m sure you understand where I’m coming from,” says Xavier. I turn around, facing him.

  “Looks like we have the same idea,” I say.

  Xavier stands up from his seat. “Even if we don’t end up in the same css by the end of all this. I’m still gd that we both managed to get into Magi Prep Academy together. Even if we both have different goals, I trust that you and I will become a part of the Magicasters by the end of all of this,” he says, clenching his fist with determination.

  I chuckle slightly. “You’re not wrong, we’re finally starting our journey,” I say. Xavier brings his clenched fist towards me. I might as well follow up. Raising up my arm, I form a fist.

  Bump.

  “Just so you know, this means we’re officially rivals now,” Xavier says.

  “I don’t mind a bit of competition,” I reply.

  “Haha, you don’t sound excited at all! Anyways, hope to see you in the same css, Jun.”

  “Yeah, likewise, Xavier.”

  I walk to the walkway that’s leading up to the exit. Leaving the auditorium, I see Xavier waving to me. I wave back and nod.