Chapter 20
Sharp rays of sunlight had Ana rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she woke up the next morning. Her hands felt around her bedside table for her phone. She awoke with a jolt when she realized she had thirty minutes to get ready. As if on cue, Meghan knocked on her door.
"You look like hell." Meghan blinked vacantly at her disheveled hair and puffy eyes.
Her body ached from training and she had a dull headache as her thoughts lingered from the previous day. "An astute observation." She muttered, pulling an outfit from her closet and running into the bathroom to wash her face. She didn't even bother closing the door in case she'd need Meghan's help.
Making her bed, Meg continued talking. "We've to assemble in the auditorium at 9 AM. The Dean is going to address our whole year and then we three hours of classes."
"Three hours?! How're we going to sit through that?" Ana cried as she brushed out the knots in her hair. She combed it back into a loose braid, pulling some pieces out front to fall on the sides of her face.
Slipping into her white sundress, she started to unwrap her dressing so Meghan could help her change it. Considering how little she slept last night, she suspected she'd be able to sit through three hours of class at a stretch.
"They're split into ninety minute intervals with a fifteen minute break in between. We should be okay. It's the first day, I bet they'd go easy on us. And the dean will take up some time in the auditorium anyway." Meghan mumbled on, wrapping up Ana's wound tightly so it would stay put even when she was training later.
"How was training yesterday?" She asked.
"I don't even know where to begin Meg. It was…exhausting. Let's go."
Not wanting to talk about it, Ana grabbed her tote that held her laptop, a notebook and some stationery. Closing the door behind her, the two girls quickly walked down the stairs, making their way to the main building.
She could sense Meghan's curious gaze on her, but she ignored it. They followed a steady stream of students walking in through huge double doors.
The auditorium was designed to create a sense of grandeur and elegance. The ornate design and architecture matched the eighteenth century it was built in. Two flags with the school symbol fell from either sides of the stage. Large windows were spaced evenly, high on the walls, allowing for sunlight to pour into the room. The stage held a lone podium, facing rows of chairs that were being occupied by students buzzing with excitement.
The Healers were seated on the left while the Wahrens took their places on the right. Ana spotted Lindsay, a girl from Bellevue, waving towards them.
"I just got here yesterday! Isn't this place beautiful?" Lindsay gushed excitedly.
"It's so good to see another familiar face. I thought I saw the Merrill twins somewhere." Ana looked around, craning her head to find them in a sea of students.
"There they are!" Meghan pointed to the twins sitting two rows behind them, grinning and waving at them. Their year had a total of one hundred and sixty students, but only eight came from Bellevue.
Ana looked to her right at the Wahren's and spotted Sean. Her stomach twisted uncomfortably when she saw him looking straight at her, as if he was waiting for her to meet his venomous gaze. She quickly looked away. Subconsciously, she started to look for Khai. She spotted him sitting in the front row, next to Austin, but his back was turned to her because she sat several rows behind him.
Simply looking at his broad shoulders and black messy hair made her lips break into a soft smile. She immediately felt the fear from earlier starting to dissipate. Taking deep breaths, she focused on the stage, waiting for the Dean's arrival.
The students fell silent at the beautiful woman that walked on stage, immediately commanding their attention. Her heels clicked on the stage as she made her way to the podium.
Dean Athena Wilders was a fifty two year old Healer with tall stature and long limbs. Her silver-gray hair was combed back into a elegant bun, her fair skin held slight wrinkles that did nothing to diminish her vitality. Her face showed that she carried a wealth of knowledge and experience within her. She was known to be an expert in her craft as a Healer. Her contribution to the Healer research community was unparalleled and most students saw her as a mentor and role model.
Although she was a Healer, Athena Wilders' athletic build matched with some of the smaller Wahrens. Rumor had it that she took down several undead, vampires and werewolves during her time on the battlefield.
"Students." Her deep rich voice held authority as she addressed them.
"Welcome to he start of a new academic year. I am honored to be standing here today, as your Dean. As you all know, our school is a place of learning, growth, and discovery. We have an outstanding faculty who are dedicated to providing you with the best education and training possible. We aim to consistently push you to your limits as you develop the skills to succeed in your chosen fields. As Healers and Wahrens, you will be called upon to serve and protect your communities. You will be responsible for the well-being of others, and you will be required to make difficult decisions. That is why we place a strong emphasis on ethics, morality, and compassion at Arcane Academy."
Ana felt a strange thrill surge through her bones as she listened to Dean Wilders. Her speech served a strong reminder as to why they were all here. Their communities were consistently in danger. It was upon them to protect their loved ones.
"I want to remind you that the path of a Healer or a Wahren is not an easy one. There will be unimaginable challenges and obstacles that you will need to overcome. But I have faith in each and every one of you, and I know that with hard work and determination, you will be able to accomplish great things. I encourage you to take advantage of all the resources that our school has to offer."
She finished her speech in a grave tone. "I am here to support you, but I'm also here to discipline you. My door is always open, but facing me may not always be a good thing. You represent Arcane Academy from this very day, move with intention."
Her speech made every student feel like she was talking only to them, looking straight in their eyes. Inspiration swept the auditorium showing everyone that Athena Wilders was dean for a reason.
"Allow me to introduce your Commander and High Healer." She beckoned on the two people that stood at one corner at the bottom of the stage. Two teachers, a man and a woman, with distinct personalities joined her on stage, bowing to the sea of students.
Gordon Sanders, stood tall, with his intimidating build and strong presence. He nodded at the students with a stern expression. Margarett Sanders, his twin and the academy's High Healer, looked timid in comparison. Her frame was small and lean. Her kind eyes hid behind round glasses and they crinkled when she greeted the students with a warm smile.
Never seeing a set of powerful twins with such contrasting personalities, all the students stared at them in awe.
"You may now proceed to your respective classes. May good fortune favor you, always."
With that, Dean Wilders, Gordon and Margarett stepped off the stage. Students scrambled from their seats, collecting their belongings and moving out of the auditorium. Ana saw Gordon and Dean Wilders stop to speak to Khai as she made her way out.
Khai shook hands with Dean Wilders, watching her assess him with keen eyes.
"Khai Heathcliff. When I last saw you, you were eight years old."
"Dean Wilders, it's a pleasure." Khai intoned. He last saw Dean Wilders at his parents' funeral. The Dean was close friends with both his parents and Khai remembered that they spoke of her fondly.
"Gordon tells me he's ready to make you captain by the end of the term."
"I'm confident I won't disappoint him." He looked her in the eyes as he spoke to her.
"I worked with both your parents on the battlefield. Your father was a formidable force, but it was your mother's spirit I admired the most." She spoke gravely. "Being captain is not just about physical strength. You will need the skills to guide, not just lead, your unit of Wahrens."
She turned to Gordon. "I know you will take this exceptional young man under your wing. Train him well."
Gordon nodded and they moved on to address the other legacies one by one. Khai looked back at where he saw Ana sit when she walked into the auditorium. He'd been training since before dawn this morning, but he didn't feel the least bit of exhaustion. He walked out to his first class, wondering if she looked forward to seeing him at least half as much as he did.