14.) The Orientation Ceremony

The orientation ceremony hall buzzed with anticipation as the students settled into their seats. The teachers, emanating an aura of elegance and power, occupied positions on the stage. In the center stood the podium, a focal point where the students eagerly awaited the arrival of the principal.

To their surprise, the figure the drifters had initially mistaken for the doorman entered the ceremony hall. As he approached the podium, the truth unfolded — he was none other than the principal of Solaris Academy. The revelation hit the drifters like a shockwave, expressions of disbelief written across their faces.

All, that is, except for Ijaz, who seemed to have foreseen the twist. Always one step ahead, he maintained an air of calm assurance, ready for whatever revelations the academy had in store. The principal, an apostle of the trickster God Loki, held the attention of every student in the room, setting the stage for a ceremony filled with unexpected twists and turns.

As the principal acknowledged Ijaz with a nod and prepared to commence his speech, the ceremony door swung open. In walked Rajinder Singh Mahal, the fifth division captain of the Drift Demons. Spotting him, Ijaz, Yoshi Hakai, Akira Shinigami, and Liam Romell couldn't help but break into smiles.

"Took you a while to join us, mate," Ijaz teased, welcoming Raj with a friendly remark.

Raj, with a brown complexion, stood at 5 feet 10 inches. His black hair, green eyes, and sharp jawline added to his charismatic appearance. Muscular and adorned with semi-permeable gloves, Raj showcased a scar on his nose and a distinctive tiger chest tattoo. Golden teeth complemented his unique features. The left side of his waist bore knife scars, telling tales of past encounters.

"Hey there, Raj!" Dev called out, eager to include him in their circle. Raj responded with a nod and a faint smile. The enigmatic aura surrounding him made the drifters even more curious about the adventures that lay ahead in Solaris Academy.

With his dissociative identity disorder and genius intellect, Raj was an enigma wrapped in the mystery of his own making. His scarred physical appearance and the presence of his sentient robot, Walter White, or "Wally," added to his distinctiveness.

Despite his somewhat unsettling demeanor, Raj's brilliance in engineering and his kind, albeit hidden, nature intrigued the others, although the drift demons themselves seemed to have gotten used to it.. They couldn't help but be curious about the depth of his knowledge and the potential of his partnership with Tesla's constellation.

***

Raj took his seat, the enigmatic Wally by his side, as the orientation ceremony unfolded. The vast hall echoed with the buzz of anticipation, and the drifters settled in, eager for the principal's opening address.

The principal, Loki's chosen apostle, stepped forward with an air of mischief and wisdom. His presence was captivating, and his eyes sparkled with the essence of the trickster god. The drifters, their attention fully captured, listened intently as he began his speech, weaving words that hinted at the unpredictable journey awaiting them at Solaris Academy.

"As you embark on this journey," the principal's voice echoed through the hall, "remember that in every twist of fate, in every cosmic turn, lies the opportunity to discover your true selves. Here at Solaris Academy, where constellations illuminate the path to greatness, you'll find challenges that test your limits and triumphs that redefine them."

The drifters exchanged intrigued glances, sensing that this academy held secrets beyond their imagination. The principal continued, his words a symphony of inspiration and mystery.

"You are not just students; you are apostles, chosen by the celestial constellations. Embrace the power within, but remember, true strength lies not just in might but in understanding. Uncover the mysteries of your constellations, for they are the keys to unlocking your full potential."

The drifters absorbed the principal's words, a mix of excitement and curiosity dancing in their eyes. The challenges and revelations hinted at promised a journey unlike any other. The principal concluded his speech with a playful grin, leaving an air of intrigue lingering in the hall.

As the drifters looked around, Raj and Wally included, they couldn't help but feel a shared sense of anticipation. The orientation ceremony had set the stage for a year filled with exploration, growth, and the unraveling of the celestial mysteries that bound them together in Solaris Academy.

 With a resounding cheer, the principal, teachers, and students joined their voices to echo the academy's motto: "Seize the power of the constellations and forge a Divine Legacy!" The spirited proclamation reverberated through the hall, uniting the newcomers and seasoned students in a shared commitment to their extraordinary journey at Solaris Academy.

The drifters, Raj, and Wally included, couldn't help but feel the vibrancy of the moment. It was a call to embrace their destinies, to unravel the mysteries of the constellations, and to leave an indelible mark on the tapestry of Solaris Academy. The cheers echoed in their hearts, signaling the beginning of a year filled with challenges, friendships, and the forging of a legacy that transcended the ordinary.

***

As the principal concluded his speech, the anticipation in the hall was palpable. He revealed the unique tradition that would determine the house assignments – a crystal ball infused with the essence of their constellation powers. Whispers rippled through the crowd as students exchanged curious glances, intrigued by the mystical process that would soon unfold.

The drifters, Raj, and the rest of the assembly listened intently, eager to partake in this age-old ritual. The principal gestured towards the crystal ball, an ethereal orb shimmering with a cosmic glow. It beckoned, a conduit to the mystical realms that governed their destiny at Solaris Academy.

Before the crystal ball could take center stage, the ceremony hall's doors burst open once again, catching everyone's attention. A figure entered, conspicuous in his absence of the academy uniform. Alongside him strolled a baby elephant, an unexpected companion that added an element of surprise to the already mysterious entrance.

The newcomer, with an air of casual confidence, made his way to the front, drawing curious glances from the students and faculty alike. The baby elephant, unusually calm and composed, followed its human companion as if they were a natural pair.

His presence seemed to defy the formal atmosphere of the orientation ceremony. The baby elephant by his side added an element of surprise, earning both bewildered and amused reactions from the gathered students.

As the student strolled into the hall, the drifters, Raj, and the others exchanged puzzled glances. The unspoken question lingered in the air: Who was this eccentric newcomer, and what role did he play in the unfolding narrative of Solaris Academy?

Indeed, as the mysterious student paraded into the ceremony hall, one thing was abundantly clear, normalcy was not part of his repertoire. An 8-foot-long Tathagata staff clutched in his hand hinted at an unexpected and unconventional choice of weapon, while his attire further underscored his departure from the academy's standard dress code.

Decked in sliders, shorts, and a whimsical tank top proclaiming "meow," the enigmatic student exuded an aura of eccentricity that set him apart from the crowd. Whispers of confusion and amusement spread through the audience as they tried to make sense of the peculiar scene unfolding before them.