2 Arcanists and Singularities

The amphitheater used for the welcoming ceremony of the new students was crowded. Although Sora was about ten minutes late, the ceremony had still not started when she arrived: the stage was empty.

However, the ceremony did not seem to have been postponed: the lighting was on, and the speech seemed to have already been set up on the glass lectern. Her gaze turned to the crowd, slightly agitated. Some were just chatting, while others were tired of waiting.

At this point, she was standing in a sort of pit that separated the stage from the stands. Of what surrounded her, a staircase was situated on her right, which provided access to the seats. The stage itself was technically inaccessible because it was 1.40 meters high, although, with a little bit of brain usage, it was easy to climb up.

In any case, the stage was of little importance to her. She quickly climbed the stairs leading to the platforms, while remaining discreet.

Sadly, with such long hair and her eye color oscillating between intense red and crimson, it was difficult to go unnoticed.

So she decided to give up all discretion and hastened to sit where no one was sitting: at the top of the bleachers. No one was around her. Neither in front of her nor to her right or left. That didn't stop some people from looking at her, but she didn't pay any attention to it, because someone had finally decided to show up on the stage.

She was a high school student, like Sora, although a little older. Her hair was blonde and cut half-length, stopping just after her shoulders. Her snow-white skin and perfect face filled the hearts of some girls with jealousy, while many boys looked at her relatively developed forms, not without ulterior motives. She wore the uniform high school skirt, red and black. On her chest, there was a small crest, symbolizing a fox. Her presence easily invaded the room, without putting pressure on the new pupils.

She took the microphone from the lectern, activated it, and began her speech:

''Nice to meet you, my name is Anna Erenis, I am the president of the students' association. First of all, I would like to apologize: Mr. Teiki Aunii, director of this establishment, who was supposed to preside over this welcoming ceremony for new students, has been retained and therefore cannot be present. As the president of the student council, I will ensure that the smooth running of this ceremony is respected. ''

Tsss... . Although the desire to slip away from this ceremony already invaded Sora's mind, she ignored her impulsions and listened to what followed.

"Well, to begin with, I welcome you all to Xenia, Fiji's largest school. Here we study neither science nor literature, but the future: singularities. All of you, without exception, have a little something inside you that makes you different from the common one. Something that diversifies you, that makes you special, that links you to the origins of this world, nature, life. In this school, different researchers and Arcanists of the first generations will teach you how to use these singularities, how to master them, so that you can use them for society. For at least three years, you will walk through these corridors, grouped by classes. You will live with your classmates, work alongside them, fight with or against them. Cherish these years, and be sure that they will leave a mark on you forever, because when you are alone in face of adversity, only what you would have learned here would help you achieve your goals."

A few seconds after the end of his speech, one by one, each of the future students present in the room stood up and applauded. Although it was without much motivation, Sora stood up and applauded as well.

As the most impatient ones were already leaving the room, she took a piece of paper out of her pocket. This was the program for the day.

The speech was only the beginning. Following this was the distribution in the classes, which was normally written on the blackboard of the events located behind the amphitheater according to a small map. Then, the presentation of the locations and activities was led by the headteacher.

Sora got up and walked to the exit closest to the class distribution board. Even though she quickly left the room, the area around the blackboard was already crowded.

'I should never have sat at the back of the room...'.

Sighing slightly, she entered the group of students, trying to get to the board.

After five long minutes, spent pushing and elbowing people on her way, Sora managed to get close to the painting and was finally able to find her name.

On the third column of the painting was inscribed as follows:

'Sora Akane: 1C'.

' I'm from 1C, so... Well, any class would have done anyway. It doesn't make any difference to me, who doesn't know anyone around here. '

So Sora sneaked out of this mass of people pushing each other, each one trying to find out if she'll be in the same class as his friends. Once out, she sighed again and took the map of the place from her pocket.

'Well... The classrooms are in the northeast building... and the cafeteria is right next door. It's already lunchtime, I should go and have my lunch, the class meeting doesn't start for more than an hour anyway.'

It only took a few minutes for Sora to reach the cafeteria. As many people were stuck in front of the blackboard, there were only a few people in the cafeteria at the time. Sora was the only first-year student present, the others were mostly seniors or even people who appeared to be teachers. Sora bought a simple dish of rice and pork and sat alone at a table.

No sooner had she started eating her meal than a second person sat down at her table.

''Nice to meet you... I introduced myself earlier, but my name is Anna Erenis. You are Sora Akane, aren't you?''

Surprised, Sora didn't answer, but she quickly regained her composure and began to stare at the newcomer.

'' Indeed... ''

Sora couldn't help but stare at her with a dark look. However, Anna was not disturbed at all by this aversion and remained calm:

"Don't worry, I'm not here to bother you, I just wanted to meet the famous Japanese student. So, how are things going? Do you manage to integrate?''

Sora continued staring at Anna for a few seconds, before she sighed, and redirected her attention to her meal.

''Well... I'm here eating by myself, is that enough of an answer for you about my integration?"

''Come on, come on, it's only the first half day, there's nothing to panic about. I'm sure you'll make friends even before the end of the day."

Sora continued to eat her meal for some time before stopping again:

''But tell me, why are you so interested in me? Don't you have better things to do?"

Anna smiled a slightly embarrassed smile, as she began to eat her meal in turn.

"To tell the truth, the school management has given a task. I'm supposed to look after you and act as a guide for your first day here. ''

''I see... So, if I ask you any questions, will you answer me?''

Anna nodded in agreement and promptly ate her meal. Sora was surprised since even if she was eating, Anna kept her graceful aura capable of charming anyone, even girls.

Sora decided to take advantage of Anna's presence to learn more about the school and its organization.

Sora was the first Japanese student to study as an Arcanist in Fiji. Since the end of the war, international relations have been tense, especially due to the appearance of the Arcanists. Some of them possessing the military power of an entire country, international negotiations and treaties have become difficult to implement. Everyone thought that their arcanists were better than those of their neighbor, and the world was in the grip of a true cold war.

But people like Sora represented a future of peace between two of the world's greatest nations. With the peace treaty between Japan and Fiji having been signed a few years ago, the two nations saw fit to exchange a few students to strengthen their ties. Among these students, Sora Akane was the Japanese representative at Xenia High School, the largest school specially designed to accommodate Fiji's Arcanists.

Daughter of arcanists, and orphan since she was seven years old, she was the perfect candidate, since nothing linked her to her country except perhaps a sense of patriotism, which is rare even in these post-war times among young people under twenty years of age. After a year's preparation with a private teacher, Sora moved to the ghost quarter, as it was the only place where one could still find any semblance of vegetation in Suva.

Following this discussion, which lasted about 15 minutes, Sora decided to go to her classroom, where the next stage of her integration was supposed to take place.

Sora arrived only ten minutes before the meeting started, yet the room was empty. Although at first she was surprised, she soon realized that this was not that strange: she arrived in the cafeteria before almost everyone so it seems normal that she left it first. So it was normal that she arrived before everyone else in the room.

The classroom was of optimal size: neither too big nor too small, the number of places seemed to be calculated. This was not impossible, as the number of enrolments in this elite high school was limited. Although the classes were small, the students were generally part of the elite.

Exactly twenty interactive tables were divided into four columns of five, facing one table. Sora walked to the table at the far right of the room, next to a window.

'I've been living in Suva for a week now, but I haven't yet seen any big differences from Japan. It has to be said that, in terms of the management of the Arcanists, the Fijians have copied the Japanese a lot...'

Sora looked out the window in the distance. The megalopolis of Suva offered itself to her eyes. In the distance, huge buildings were rising into the sky. Above them, a slight halo overlooked the city. It was an anti-aircraft shield above the clouds.

Since the appearance of the Arcanists, it was rare for towns and villages to be without means of defense. Although direct conflicts had become rare, the war had unfortunately left its scars on society: people had become paranoid and were constantly looking for ways to defend themselves.

Sora, lost in thought and with a vague look in her eyes, did not realize that the room had filled up. The time for the meeting had arrived.

Most of the students were already seated, while a few latecomers were gathering at the front door.

A few eyes were fixed on Sora, but she ignored them, as the teacher had already arrived.

The teacher was a woman in her thirties. Her hair was as dark as a winter night and her eyes as deep as the abyss reflected the sunlight. Her graceful movements were expressed in a soft, yet imposing voice that gave the impression of a certain elegance:

''Hello everyone, my name is Lorena Melany. I am an Arcanist of rank S, and from today I will be your headteacher''.

While the pupils stared at the teacher, Lorena's gaze momentarily stared at Sora. In the surrounding area, many pupils reacted:

''Eeeh, Aren't you the Bloody Princess, the last Arcanist of the ancient nation of England?''

''No doubt, it's her, I heard she was in the country these days, I didn't expect her to have ambitions to become a teacher.''

Sora, who didn't know much about international affairs, turned to her neighbor and asked him if she was some kind of celebrity.

"Excuse me? You don't know her? She's a world celebrity! She is the last Arcanist of a nation invaded by the New USSR: England. Although she never lived there, since the country disappeared before she was born, her parents were fugitives who chose Argentina as their home. After becoming one of the strongest arcanists all over the world, she swore in the name of her homeland that she would take back the English lands. Since then, she has hired her services to countries hostile to the USSR, namely Japan and Fiji. She is a living legend among the arcanists!''

Sora widened her eyes and looked again at Lorena who was about to continue her speech. She was surprised not to know at least the name of such a person.

"Well... Normally the program includes a visit to the premises, but, honestly, it's not very interesting, so let's move on to the next part''.

Although everyone was shocked by her decision, no one questioned it. Lorena left no room for protest and continued:

''So, we'll do the magic particle compatibility test. This will allow me to determine your rank, and to better adapt your training".

In an instant, a gigantic uproar resounded through the classroom. Magic particle compatibility determined the extent of an Arcanist's abilities. This compatibility was ranked from 'E-' to 'S+'. This was the main way to recognize the strength of an arcanist.

It was possible to know whether a child could become an arcanist from birth by analyzing the presence or absence of magical particles, scientifically called <Enkainias>. On the other hand, it was impossible to determine the extent of this compatibility before the age of 15, as it varied greatly, although these differences diminished from the age of 13 onwards.

It was therefore customary in all countries of the world to assess this statistic when Arcanists entered high school.

''To evaluate you, there is nothing simpler. Your tables have been provided with a software to measure your magical ability. All you have to do is put one of your hands on the table and concentrate on it. The software will automatically detect the presence of particles and measure their concentration. After the measurement is complete, the screen will display a letter. This letter will correspond to your rank''.

Little by little, each student in the room reached out their hand towards their table. After a few minutes small sounds from the tables, followed by a few exclamations, could be heard in the classroom.

The board behind Lorena, which had been switched off from the beginning, lit up and displayed a graph with 20 lines and 3 columns. This graph included, for each student in the class, his or her name, rank, and a number assigned to him or her.

"Within Xenia, each pupil has a place in a ranking. This year you will only be ranked within the class, but from your second year, you will join the overall ranking of the school. For the moment, you can see your current ranking here. This will change throughout the year, mainly following your results, both in theory and in practice''.

Sora observed the board by reflex, even though her results were displayed in front of her eyes. Her name was in the seventh position:

7 Sora Akane B+

Whereas the first in the classification was of rank 'A+', the average was at the level of rank 'B-', and the person with the lowest rank was of rank 'D+'.

Tears were rising in the eyes of the girl with a 'D+' rank, while the boy with the highest score was bumping his chest, proud of his score. Sora was not very interested but instead turned her eyes to her table, which was detailing the results of the measurement.

In terms of magical compatibility, Sora was in the upper average of the 'B+' rank. Unfortunately, this was the only information that Sora could understand. The rest was based on the knowledge that she did not yet have.

So she turned her eyes to Lorena, who was about to start speaking again:

''I want to reassure those who have had weak ranks. You should know that 40% of the Arcanists have a rank lower than 'C-'. So apart from the lady of rank 'D+', you are at least among the 50% Arcanists of higher rank. Less than 1% of Arcanists have a rank higher than 'A'. On the other hand, I would like to warn you just as much. Talent does not necessarily hide a genius, and conversely, a low rank does not make you a dunce. Hard work is the key to success. Train yourself, and become one of the most powerful arcanists of your time. Only then will you have the opportunity to influence the world around you''.

So everyone looked in admiration at the woman in front of them who, from nothing but her own strength, managed to establish herself in society as one of the most powerful arcanists of her era.

''Well, now, we have only one last step left for today: to determine the nature of your singularity''.