5:Orientation I

'What did he just say?' I thought then glanced over at Iris and Jane to make sure they heard it too. Judging by the confused looks they both had they'd heard it too. A low murder started to rise in the theatre but Dean Baxter silenced everyone simply by raising his hand.

"For those of you that are confused by my words let me explain. Andromeda Collage is the more prestigious and recognized school of Splicing in the entire world. As such we simply can't allow just anyone to earn a education here…" The dean stopped and motioned to everyone that was in the main floor of the theatre.

"Many of you come from good, well respected, noble, maybe even royal families but your connections and background aren't enough for you to secure a place here. It merely got your foot in the door. If you want a place here, you'll have earn it."

'I don't like where this is going.' I thought, a quick glance at the other two showed that they had the same thought.

"From year to year we change how many freshman make it past orientation every year depending on the quality of the group. This year of the two thousand eight hundred and ninety-one of you that were accepted only one hundred will be accepted into classes, the rest will be sent home."

The theatre erupted in loud protests. A few people yelled that they knew their entrance exam scores were good enough to keep them there but I heard do you know who my dad is or mother is more often than not.

'I haven't even been here a day and I already have to deal with the possibility of getting kicked out?!' I thought.

The dean simply waited while everyone voiced their grievances for a moment then held up his hand. The theatre grew silent instantly.

"Those of you sitting in the boxes on the balconies don't have to worry about that. Your places in the school are assured. "

"Oh thank the gods!" Iris exclaimed. I let out a relieved sigh and slunk back in my seat.

"All of you received perfect scores on one or multiple subjects that you were tested on in your entrance exam. Thus your mastery of knowledge will be rewarded. You will not have to fight for your place here at Andromeda. The rest of you however your fight starts now. In the lobby you'll all receive instructions on your first test."

The theatre erupted into protests with many of the students arguing about having to prove themselves. As if arguing with the dean was going to change his mind. I saw a few student take advantage of the chaos and sneak out the theatre to the lobby, getting a head start.

Dean Baxter saw this and smiled when the first few students snuck out amongst the chaos and merely gave the protesting students disappointed looks. After about ten minutes the dean finally spoke up.

"You know while all of you were complaining about having to further prove why you deserve to be here several students left already and probably have a huge lead on all of you."

The theatre fell silent for a moment as everyone looked at each other then at the door. A split second later it was like a herd of bulls started running as people made a mad dash for the exit. Pretty soon the main floor was empty and the only ones left were the dean and all of us in the boxes.

"The rest of you are probably wondering what happens next. I'll let the next speaker explain that." Dean Baxter said then turned as a woman walked out on stage and stood right next to the dean.

"Oh my gods! That's Baset Paragon!" Iris squealed.

"Who?" I asked blankly. Both Iris and Jane looked at me like I'd grown a second head.

"That is Baset Paragon! As in one of the twenty-four Paragons of Splicing! She is one of the strongest splicers in the world!" Jane explained.

"I see." I replied and watched her with renewed interest.

Baset was tall for a woman, she was at least a few inches taller than the dean and he had to be about my height. She had long black braids that had strands of gold fabric woven into each braid. Admittedly she was gorgeous and the diamond shaped crystal on her forehead didn't take away from that beauty.

"Thank you Dean Baxter. You are all probably wondering what I am doing here. The answer is simple: I am here to pass on my knowledge to the next generation of splicers. I will be teaching a advanced class. For the next four years I will preparing my students to become authorities in whatever field they chose to go into when they graduate, be it research, breeding, refinement, or military service. When I am done teaching you will be heads and shoulders above you peers." Baset explained.

The theatre box seats which had been basically buzzing with excitement when Baset walked out on to the stage exploded cheers. Even I joined in. I didn't know what I wanted to do as a splicer or what I was fully capable of but I wanted to learn and I wanted to learn from the best. It's why I finally decided to bite the bullet and apply to Andromeda.

"This is of course a advanced class so I will only be taking the best of you. Of thr thirty of you still present u will only take six into my class."

A silence fell over the theatre at Baset's declaration. I looked to Iris and Jane, each eyes burned with determination. They they wanted to be in this class just as much as I did.

"Now I should probably explain how you can earn a spot in my class. I already know you all posses the most intellectual skills out of your class in splicer knowledge, now it is time to test your practical skills. You will compete in a series of tests designed to push you to your breaking point."

'Practical skills?! FUUUUUCK!' I thought.

"A wide variety of skills will be tested and among teamwork being one of them. Everyone look at the other members in your box, they will be your team members from this point on!"

"What?!" Iris and I screamed on unison. Our voices echoing throughout the theatre and bringing everyone's eyes on us.

"As only six people will be allowed to take my class the top two teams will earn the privilege..." Baset carried on, unfazed by our outburst. "…But worry not even if you're one of the losing teams you will still be allowed to take the normal classes offered at the school. As Dean Baxter said your place is guaranteed."

"And before anyone asks, no you can not switch who is in your team." Dean Baxter added Glaring directly at our box. Iris and I slid down in our seats a little.

"Now…" Baset snapped her fingers and the crystal on her forehead began to glow a dull violet.

Glowing symbols giving off the same violet light suddenly appeared at my feet and formed a circle around my chair. The circle glowed brightly as a second set of symbols formed above my head. Once formed the two glowing circles shrunk down and flew to my left arm. There was a sudden bright flash and when it subsided I had a strange tattoo on my arm.

It started from at my wrist and ended at my elbow. It was a indecipherable string if symbols and numbers coiling around my arm that moved in a slow never ending pattern. Upon closer inspection I could see a feint glow of the violet energy uses to create it.

'Whoa!' I thought then looked over to see that both Jane and Iris had identical tattoos on their arms.

"Those tattoos are special sigils of my own creation. For all of you they signify which team you are on and for the two teams that make into my class it will act as identification to let anyone in the school know you are the student of a Paragon, this will come with various bonuses but talk of that can come later." Baset said with a wicked smile the pointed to the exit. "Outside the stadium are steed carriages, one for each team. They will take you to the first test. I'd wish you all good luck but a true splicer makes their own luck!"