Chapter 29 - New Beginnings

The dragon roared when it appeared in the city of Perivion. The city was famous for been the home of the great Dark Star Academy that housed warrior darkas gods and gamarax manipulators. Sharaina looked down and admired the Great Academy. It had two separate campuses on the same land that were divided by a 160 meter long brick wall that had six closed gates.

The whole academy was further surrounded by another 160 meter long brick wall. There was one large black gate that was twenty meters long and thirty meters wide. Sharaina marveled at the buildings inside the walls. A few looked like mini castles, some were six story tall buildings, a good number were semidetached and others looked like mansions.

Sharaina also saw a large green ground and she assumed it was for sports. She could also see sandy grounds at the far end of the sporting grounds. There was a hospital in both campuses. Sharaina looked in awe at the restaurants and shops in the campuses.

The dragon landed and everyone got off. Sharaina put her bags down and looked around. The dragon had brought them to an area full large dorms that were all neatly made out of pan bricks. They looked beautiful with their big windows and white tiled floors.

Inside one of the dorms were other students who had arrived earlier than Sharaina's group. They were all getting accustomed to their surroundings. The dorm had 100 bunker beds that were covered with matching beddings. These beddings consisted of a brown blanket and plain cream white bedsheets with matching pillow cases. Along the walls were wardrobes that had to be shared by two. Dancing with the cool wind were the navy blue curtains that enveloped the windows.

A young man with dark blue hair lazily scratched his chest and gave a yawn as he lay on the top bunk. For some reason he just wasn't feeling so excited to be at the academy. He peeped down at his friend who was reading on the bottom bunk. His friend caught him staring and he closed his book. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and jerked one of his eye brows up to which the dark blue haired man smiled back at. He sighed at him and asked.

"What's on your mind, Naraygeous?"

"Oh, nothing really Zentz. I am just bored. Nothing interesting has happened since we got here this morning." Naraygeous answered and stroked his hair.

"You'd be surprised at how quick time flies when you crack open a book." Zentz answered him and picked up his book again.

Naraygeous laughed. "Zentz you know how much I hate reading."

"And you know that I am a reader. I would like to get back to my reading if you don't mind." Zentz curtly answered and opened up his book.

"Alright carry on reading your boring book." Naraygeous teased and Zentz rolled his eyes.

Naraygeous sat upright and took a look at everyone in the dorm. They all chatted with each other with so much excitement in their eyes. Naraygeous looked away and opened the curtain right next to his bed. He saw that some more students had just arrived. He took a bored look at them and when he saw Sharaina, he exclaimed in shock. Zentz groaned at the sudden noise.

"What the fuck Naraygeous?" he asked with annoyance.

"Man you will never guess who is here." Naraygeous blurted out, clearly amused.

"Is it one of you many ex girl friends?" Zentz asked with an unenthusiastic tone in his voice.

"Get up here and see for yourself." Naraygeous told him.

"I would rather not." Zentz answered and turned a page.

"Man if you don't get your ass up here, I will never give you a chance to read again." Naraygeous threatened him.

Zentz grumbled as he got up the bunker bed. When he got there, Naraygeous was still looking out the window. Zentz opened the curtain and he looked around. Folds formed on his forehead when he failed to see what got Naraygeous so excited.

"Is this a joke?" Zentz asked him through his teeth.

Naraygeous ignored his question and pointed at who he was looking at. The moment Zentz saw Sharaina he was surprised. The last time they saw her was many years ago in Gemhules. The both of them were good friends of Naian in their childhood. After school they would go pick Sharaina up from her junior primary school.

On the way Naraygeous would tease Sharaina and she would tackle him down to the ground. Naian and Zentz found it funny to see Naraygeous get pinned down by Sharaina. Zentz remembered how Naian would visit Naraygeous and him in their neighborhood. Most times he would have Sharaina with him because there was no one home to watch her. That was because their mother picked up a part time job in the village in order to meet the expenses.

Sharaina would play along with the boys and before she knew it, Naraygeous and Zentz became her friends too. The three of them separated when both Naraygeous and Zentz's parents got employed on Earth. They hadn't seen either Naian or Sharaina since. He wasn't expecting to see her there.

"Is that really Sharaina?

"Yeah, she is man." Naraygeous answered.

"Naian's little sister?" Zentz asked again.

"She is not so little anymore." Naraygeous said as he ogled at her.

"Naraygeous seriously?" Zentz looked sternly at him.

"I mean look at her." he pointed. "She has grown into a babe."

"What I don't get is what she is doing here." Zentz said and his eyes suddenly became wide. "Man I think she is the one people have been talking about. Remember the rumors about a 'not of age' warrior enrolling this year?"

"You know what I think you are right."

****

Sharaina stood in a queue to the very dorm where Naraygeous and Zentz were. Everyone was looking at her and whispering amongst themselves.

Is she lost?

Probably stole the uniform.

So, the rumours are true? Look at her, she isn't of age.

She won't last a day once the training begins.

Sharaina paid no attention to what they were saying. She knew why she was there and that was enough. While her ears ignored the whispers, her eyes focused on a stern looking man at the door who was handing out pieces of paper. When it was Sharaina's turn, the man looked at her unamused.

"Aren't you a little too young to be here?" he asked her and she heard a few giggles behind her.

Sharaina said nothing to him and handed him the letter Sharumez gave her. The man read it with a serious look on his face. He gave it back to Sharaina and handed her one of the papers he was handing out. 'Red-20-BB' was what was written on the paper. Sharaina didn't make any sense out of it but when she got into the dorm she did. The bunker beds were labeled with numbers. The name of the whole dorm was Red.

Sharaina, like everyone who had just entered the dorm, started looking for her bed. In her quest to find her bed, she did not see Naraygeous and Zentz staring at her. Naraygeous got excited as she drew closer to them in search for her bed. Sharaina walked to the bunker bed right next to Naraygeous and Zentz's and was relieved that it was her bed.

"The BB must stand for Bottom Bunk." she concluded.

Sharaina sat down and let out a silent sigh. She pulled out Alainara's doll out of her pocket and stared sadly at it because it reminded her of the home she was forced to leave behind. Sharaina felt so low that she didn't see Naraygeous sit on her bed with a wide smile across his face.

"Sharaina." Naraygeous called her and she got startled.

Sharaina covered her mouth with both her hands in surprise. "Naraygeous is that you?" she asked him with wide eyes.

"Not only me but Zentz too." Naraygeous pointed at Zentz who waved with a smile.

Sharaina hugged Naraygeous. "I can't believe it you guys. It has been so long." she mirthfully said.

"We can't believe it either. You are the last person we expected to see here." Zentz said and Sharaina hugged him too.

Sharaina chuckled softly. "I know right? My powers activated early so King Raglan told my father to send me here." She said. "I am so happy to see you guys. At least I have seen familiar faces. How are your parents?" she asked them.

"They are fine. I have a brother and sister now." Naraygeous answered. "Zentz has twin brothers."

"That's really nice." Sharaina smiled warmly at them. "I have a little sister." She warmly looked at the doll and set it on her pillow.

"How is Naian?" Zentz asked.

"He is fine and married now." Sharaina said and Naraygeous groaned. "What is it?"

"Why did you people let him get married so early?" he asked.

Sharaina chuckled. "It wasn't up to us." she said.

The three continued catching up and they were soon joined by a gloomy looking but pretty young lady. Her brunette hair had a dark shade to it and it went over her shoulders. She took one look at them with her lifeless eyes before averting them back to the paper in her hand. The trio watched her compare what was on the paper to what was indicated on Sharaina's bunker bed. She then proceeded to put her bags on the top bunk.

"Hello." she greeted them with indifference.

"Hi, how are you?" Sharaina greeted her back.

"I am alive." She bluntly answered. "Are you my bunk mate?" she asked Sharaina and she nodded her head. "What's your name?"

"My name is Sharaina Sharumez. This is Naraygeous Etta and Zentz Fanil. What's yours?" Sharaina answered.

"My name is Yolin Alamva." she replied.

****

In one of the classrooms of the Gamarax Manipulator campus, Light was writing on the board. Light was in his fifth year out of eight at the academy. Because of his excellent grades, he was appointed as a tutor by the administration. On that particular afternoon, he was tutoring four second year ladies. They giggled as they ogled at him when he wasn't looking. Light heard what they were doing and he broke his chalk.

Light then proceeded to sit at his table and he looked at the ladies. The ladies were stunned that he had stopped tutoring them all of a sudden. Been unable to stand the awkward silence, one of the ladies raised her hand and Light gave her permission to speak.

She whipped her long red and curly hair back before asking. "Sir, why have you stopped tutoring us?"

"Yes please tell us." another one answered in a flirty tone while one more pulled out a lollipop from her mouth.

"I'm not sure if you four understand just how low your grades are. They are so bad that should you fail one more test, you will be kicked out of the academy." he calmly said to them.

"Yes, we know all that. That's why we are here isn't it? You are an excellent tutor." the one with a lollipop said and winked at him.

"Sir, can you come with us after class? We would like to take you out for lunch." the curly red haired one purred.

Light stood up and rubbed the board. He picked his books and started to leave. The ladies were stunned to see him head for the door.

"Sir, where are you going? Don't we have 45 more minutes?"

"Please stay."

Light turned the door knob and opened the door. Before walking out, he turned to them and said;

"I'll be here tomorrow at the same time. Come only if you decide to grow up." he closed the door leaving them irked.

Due to his popularity on campus, Light was greeted by several students and some instructors. He was making his way down a corridor when he bumped into the shoulder of someone. He was surprised to see that it was Nelex.

"Oh man Light! Buddy, how are you?" Nelex slapped a handshake.

"I'm doing fine." Light replied with a boyish smile.

Nelex took a step back and inspected Light's uniform. "You're a tutor? Wow."

"Yes I am. I can't help but notice that your uniform belongs to the group that was sent to study on Earth." Light remarked.

Nelex flashed a quick look at his uniform of a white shirt and coat with navy blue pants with matching boots.

"Yes we actually just transferred here. Our program there was concluded." Nelex confirmed. "I was with Geren over there. I'm on my way to meet up with him right now."

"Oh, that's nice. I'm actually on my way back to my quarter. I could use some rest before my next class." Light commented.

"Alright, see you around Light." Nelex waved at Light and they both walked happily in opposite directions.

Light made his way to his quarter. The gate keeper opened the gate for him and he thanked him with a nod. Light walked through a neighborhood of several identical quarters. They were painted white and had black roofs. The quarters were separated by neatly cut bush fences and spread across the ground were rich green lawns.

Light pulled his four inch wire gate open and pulled out his keys from his pockets. He got to his door and unlocked it to his small sitting room. Because he was a tutor, he was given a personal house at the tutor's quarters. The house consisted of a self contained bedroom, a living room and kitchen. He threw himself on his bed and stared at the ceiling.

"She is finally here." he smiled to himself.

****

It was finally night time in Gemhules. Akirexer was setting up the table for dinner. Sharumez and Naian were already at the table talking about business. A new school was to be opened in the village so they received a huge order for furniture. This was very fortunate for them because the wedding took up most of their savings.

Emelinia helped Akirexer put food on the table. When the table was set Akirexer called Alainara to the table. Sharumez was about to start eating when he noticed that Akirexer had set a plate for Sharaina. Naian too caught sight of the plate. They both looked at Akirexer who was busy putting food on Alainara's plate. Naian was about to ask Akirexer about that when Sharumez shook his head in disapproval.

Everyone was quiet throughout the dinner. It was evident that they were all missing Sharaina. It wasn't the first time they ate without her but the thought of not knowing when next they were going to see her at the table made them feel depressed.

Alainara had the biggest appetite in the house but she barely touched her plate. She just sat there frowning at it. Alainara scooped some of her potatoes and put them on Sharaina's plate. Everyone was stunned by her actions. Alainara added some of her green beans and then proceeded to eat slowly.

Emelinia looked at everyone before putting some of her food on Sharaina's plate too. Her actions made Naian do the same. Sharumez also put some food on it and Akirexer added the last spoon to it. When they saw how ridiculously full the plate was they cracked up laughing.

"Sharaina wouldn't eat a plate so full of vegetables like this." Naian laughed.

"She would whine about all the extra vegetables in her plate." Akirexer added and laughed hard.

"She has always hated too many vegetables on her plate." Sharumez wiped his tears of laughter.

"One time she picked up meat from my plate with her folk because you refused to put more on her plate." Emelinia said to Akirexer and everyone burst out laughing even harder.

"Do you think that she has had her dinner mama?" Alainara asked Akirexer with a hopeful smile.

"I am sure that she has sweetie." Akirexer answered her warmly.

****

Sharaina went along with Naraygeous and Zentz to the cafeteria. They soon sat down with their trays of food. To Sharaina's dismay, most of the food on her plate were vegetables of different kinds. They were all nicely cooked but Sharaina would have enjoyed the meal more had there been more meat and less vegetables. Naraygeous shared her sentiments while Zentz was very pleased with the menu.

"I don't understand why you two are whining. The more the vegetables you have on your plate, the better." Zentz remarked.

"So, you wouldn't mind if I had your meatballs?" Sharaina asked him.

"I wouldn't mind." Zentz replied and Sharaina forked up his meatballs.

"Hey I was going to have his meatballs." Naraygeous complained.

Sharaina stuffed her mouth with a meatball. "You snooze you lose." She said to Naraygeous with a mouth full of meat.

Naraygeous opted to fork the balls off Sharaina's plate but she poked his hand with her fork.

"What was that for you idiot?" Naraygeous asked her as he rubbed his hand.

"There are two things I take seriously in my life foolish one and that is booze and meat. Touch my plate again and I will shove this fork down your throat."

Naraygeous scoffed. "Just share the meatballs."

"I would rather die fat head." Sharaina answered back and Zentz with the people behind them started to laugh. Sharaina and Naraygeous joined everyone laughing. In the midst of the laughter, Sharaina gave some of the meatballs to Naraygeous.

"Don't expect me to do this again though." Sharaina giggled.

"Sure whatever you say." Naraygeous laughed and sank his teeth in a meatball.