Academy Tour

"Or as most call it, 'The Academy'."

He puts a lot of emphasis on 'most'. I have a sneaking suspicion that he was trying to make a joke. There isn't any reaction from the crowd, but he continues unperturbed.

"I am Professor Marcus Zeal, I teach history here at Shaca. I will also serve as your guide today."

He gives a deep bow and a blinding smile. Did he just abbreviate 'Shancross Academy' on the spot?

"But before that, how about I demonstrate my professorial worth."

He pauses for a moment, as if collecting his thoughts.

"Many years ago, these grounds served as the premier training grounds for Athelaya's military. For instance, those dorms in the distance were formerly barracks. The arena behind me was built last year, and it stands on top of a memorial commemorating lost soldiers. It is called the Fire Saint Memorial Stadium, named after the greatest warrior that ever lived. Carved in its walls are the names of every single soldier that has ever died in the service of our country."

He pauses for effect, his smile having disappeared. The crowd is completely silent.

"Look around you. This scenery did not exist 50 years ago. Your parents, who likely attended this academy, didn't have as much here as you do now. When you're here full-time in the fall, I implore you to treat it as you would your own home, so that it may continue to grow grander for the next generations."

With that, he steps off the stage, which promptly disintegrates. This professor is quite the orator to say the very least. That speech, though brief, seems like it would be better suited to orientation. Even then it left quite an impact.

"Come! We have a quite the distance to traverse."

The professor waves to the crowd, his smile returned. I didn't realize when he was on the platform, but he is very tall.

He turns and begins walking with vigor, while everyone obediently follows behind.

We are quickly brought around the campus, and presented with every important facility. I think he may have taken longer with the speech than planned.

"These are the dorms I mentioned before. While the idea of living in barracks may upset some of you, know that they have been refurbished. They are very high quality, and frankly I am jealous of the few who will be living in the Ranker Rooms."

"This is the training hall, most combat classes will be held here. It is always open, and students are free to use it at any time. Just don't spend all your time here, as no bath would ever be able to remove that smell."

"This is the auditorium. Any performance or competition not held in the arena will be held here."

"These are the buildings that contain your classrooms."

"This is the..."

I couldn't tell if we were running out of time or if he was running out of steam. In either case the explanations got shorter and less detailed with every minute.

Now we're back where we started, just outside the arena. The professor seems to have one last thing on his checklist for the tour. He steps up onto the air, a platform phasing into existence beneath him with each footfall. Most of the crowd is amazed, myself included.

If that isn't magic, then I don't know what is.

"Although it is something that will be fully revealed later, I have been given permission to give a sneak peek at something new that will be occurring this year. You all will be the first to learn about it, even among students, since it will be revealed to your upperclassmen during orientation."

My sixth sense is telling me that something annoying is coming.

"This coming school year, we will be introducing a Ranking system for seven subjects."

Not what I expected.

"The placements for these ranks began before you all even knew you were accepted into the academy. Do you remember the entrance exams you took? Those have been compiled into the starting ranks for this year."

"I won't be going into how the ranking is determined in detail, I will leave that to the others during orientation. I will however, reveal who it is that you have to beat, and the things you have to beat them in."

He scans the crowd, smile glowing.

"The subjects that have Rankings are, Science, Math, Arts, History, Magic Theory, Combat Theory, and Practical Combat. We expect a few of these to be far more competitive than others."

"On that note, I'd like to introduce your front runners in the same order I gave you the subjects. If your name is called, please come on stage."

At this point, the platform has fully formed, complete with stairs facing towards the crowd.

"Ana Hubek, join me!"

"Julius Manseth!"

"The Royal Princess, Marcella De Varas!"

"Morgan Du Pryce!"

What.

"Cerelia Von Grandell!"

No, hold on, slow down I didn't quite catch that one just before.

"Wow... again, Morgan Du Pryce! Taking first place on two of seven subjects! Very impressive."

WHAT.

"All who were just called, please come to the stage! So that everyone can get a good look at you."

In a daze, I don't move a muscle. Mom lightly pushes me from behind, and I stumble into a walk.

This can't be happening.

I didn't want to stand out from the first day, it's literally the only thing I prayed for. SCHOOL HASN'T EVEN BEGUN AND I'M ALREADY BEING PUT ON A STAGE! WHAT KIND OF BULLSHIT IS THIS!?