The Unveiling

Each introduction revealed unique talents and aspirations, from mastering specific elemental affinities to aspiring professions like Spirit Alchemist, Mystech Alchemist, Astral Warrior, Dual Jorin Cultivators and many more.

Imani Bantu, a member of the renowned Bantu Clan, introduced herself with confidence, her brown eyes reflecting determination.

"Hiiii (^o^)/," she greeted with an enthusiastic expression and a smile, her gaze sweeping around the class. "My name is Imani Bantu, and I aspire to explore the path of Spiritual Tattoos and my element is Water."

Tenzi Ruvagi, with a calm but electric look in his eyes, shared his interests, "My name is Tenzi Ruvagi, I aim to become the strongest Jorin Cultivator and my element is Storm." He didn't bother looking at anyone and confidently took his seat next to Nailah, who stood up with a fiery gaze and a melodious voice.

"I am Nailah Ashanti," she declared, her confidence evident. "My goal is to become both an Astral Warrior and a Spirit Alchemist. I detest those who bully others but fear the strong. My element is Hell Class: Inferna."

Her words resonated, and I noticed her pointed glance towards Kazi, who rolled his eyes and looked away.

As the introductions continued, I couldn't help but observe the dynamics within the class. Friendships were forming, and rivalries were simmering beneath the surface. Kazi Nia, despite his earlier altercation with me, clearly attracted a few of our female classmates, including Imani.

"My name is Kazi Nia," he stated, his tone sharp and cold. "I plan to shatter my Clan's belief of only cultivating the Ori. I will cultivate my body and my soul to bring my Clan to the top. I control the Ice Element" Coldness filled his eyes as he shot a challenging look at me when he finished talking. I couldn't help but smirk at his bravado.

Professor Elara, clearly exasperated with our little face-off, interrupted, "We don't have time for this, you two. The girl next to Antaeus, please introduce yourself."

Avery shocked at being singled out, looked at me, her eyes wide with nervousness. I reached under the table, giving her hand a gentle squeeze, and whispered, "Remember what we talked about. You have my support. Show them the real you. I'll be behind you all the way."

Following the advice from both her parents and me, Avery and I decided it was time to reveal her true identity and gender to the class. She took a deep breath, gathering her courage, and spoke.

"H-Hi, I'm actually a girl," her voice now more feminine. With her admittance, a stunned silence fell over the classroom. Her words surprised everyone, including Professor Elara (ﾟ〇ﾟ).

Avery, now more confident, ignored their reactions and continued, "My real name is Everley Adisa, and I want to gain enough power to protect myself and those I love. I control two elements, Fire and Ice."

Her voice carried a determined tone, and as the words left her lips, a sense of authenticity filled the room. I watched her intently as she reached behind her neck and unclasped the necklace. In an instant, her true form was revealed.

Avery had striking features. Her hair was a pristine white with bold, dark streaks running through it, resembling the contrast between snow and shadows. Her eyes were a mesmerizing shade of golden, reminiscent of molten gold in the sunlight.

The combination of her unique hair and eye colors accentuated her beauty, making her stand out in any crowd. Avery's facial features were delicate and refined, giving her an air of elegance that matched her newfound confidence.

The room, initially shocked into silence, was now filled with murmurs of awe and admiration.

"Wow...I would have never thought we would have someone who rivals Nailah and Imani's looks combined in the class. I wonder why did she pretend to be a boy," a handsome boy tall for his age and one who clearly was enamoured by Everley.

"What did you say, Dan!?" Imani and Nailah glared at him with clear animosity and anger.

"What!? Look at her! Those eyes are to die for!"

"That's enough! For a class of supposed geniuses, you guys act like nevermind," Professor Elara scolded, her frustration evident.

"Everley, I won't ask any details about your reasons. I hope everyone else also does the same, unless she chooses to share," Professor Elara stated firmly, her gaze sweeping across the room, setting the expectation for respect and understanding.

"Antaeus, please—," Professor Elara warned us and motioned for me to introduce myself.

By now, Everley had sat down, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. I grinned at her, "I told you they would love you!" She looked back at me, shyness in her eyes.

I realized that despite the challenges, I would enjoy my time here at the academy. I glanced around the class, taking in the diverse group of students, each with their unique aspirations and talents.

My eyes then met Professor Elara's, who stood with calm but spirited blue eyes, observing me intently.

Professor Elara had a commanding presence, her skin fair, and her figure curvy. She wore black pants and a shirt, the fabric straining slightly to hold her sizable bust, in my humble opinion.

"Are you just going to stare at me, Antaeus, or are you going to speak?" Professor Elara said with a glare, clearly not amused by my prolonged gaze.

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I quickly averted my gaze from Professor Elara. "My apologies, Professor," I stammered, feeling a bit flustered. "I got lost in thought for a moment there. I'm Antaeus Mustafa, from the Mustafa Royal Clan. I aim to explore both Jok and Ori cultivation paths to their fullest potential and prove that one can master both realms."

"I plan to also master all elements. I have the element of fire, and as you all know, I bear The Divine Mark of Laws," I declared, my words sending shockwaves through the class. A mix of awe and disdain reflected on my classmates' faces.

Professor Elara shook her head at my bold declaration.

"Tch, you? Mastering all elements? So hilarious, I can't even laugh," Kazi mocked, his eyes filled with contempt as he looked at me.

"Antaeus, I have to agree with Kazi. Mastering all elements without having an affinity towards them is a foolish endeavor. A thankless task. I urge you to focus on your awakened element," Professor Elara advised, her tone cautious.

"Unless he has an affinity for all elements," Imani chimed in, her eyes sparkling with playful curiosity.

"Impossible! Only Everley has unlocked more than one, and that too is the limit," Professor Elara shot down Imani's suggestion.

"Then I will prove you all wrong. I will control all elements and challenge the Gods that dared to curse me, Antaeus Mustafa," I proclaimed, my voice resonating with unwavering conviction and passion.

I sat back down as I looked around the class meeting Nailah's and Tenzi's encouraging gazes. The rest of the class had a mix of disbelief and awe in their eyes.

Professor Elara sighed disappointment filling her eyes as she shook her head once, before motioning for the introductions to continue. As the introductions progressed, I couldn't help but feel an eagerness to prove her wrong.

...

"Now that the introductions are over, let's move on to the rules and your syllabus," Professor Elara announced, her voice carrying authority and command. The room fell silent as we all focused on her.

"Firstly, attendance is mandatory for all classes. If you miss more than three classes without a valid reason, you will face disciplinary action. Punctuality is also crucial; tardiness will not be tolerated," she stated firmly, her eyes scanning the room to ensure our attention.

"Your core classes include Elemental Manipulation, Astral Energy Control, History of Alkebulan, and Jorin Cultivation. These are compulsory subjects that you will study throughout the year. Your proficiency in these subjects will be evaluated regularly," Professor Elara continued, her tone unwavering.

"In addition to these core subjects, you have the option to choose specialized classes based on your interests and talents. These include Spirit Alchemy, Mystech Engineering, Combat Strategies, and Elemental Mastery. You are required to choose at least one specialized class, but you can take up to four if you are confident in managing the workload," she explained, her gaze sweeping across the class.

"Furthermore, there are extracurricular activities available, such as Faction Challenges, Inter-Class Competitions, and Field Trips. Participation in these activities is encouraged but not mandatory," Professor Elara added, her tone softening slightly.

"As for exams, you will have mid-term and end-of-year assessments for all subjects. Your performance in these exams will determine your progression to the next year. Failure in any core subject will result in repeating the year," she warned, emphasizing the importance of our academic responsibilities.

"Lastly, the Academy has a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and discrimination. Respect your fellow classmates, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities. Any violation of this policy will result in severe consequences," Professor Elara concluded, her eyes narrowing with seriousness as she glanced at Kazi and I.

I shrugged my shoulders and Kazi just snorted and put his head down.

"Now, please review your course guidebooks for detailed information on class schedules, teachers, and classroom locations on your Desk Tab just double tap and the UI will pop up. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Let's make this academic year a fruitful and enriching experience for everyone," she said, her voice resonating with authority and encouragement.

With that, the room buzzed with discussion as we eagerly delved into our course guidebooks, preparing ourselves for the challenging yet exciting journey that lay ahead at Alkebulan Spirit Academy.