Assessment (1)

There was absolute silence in the hall as everyone stood rigidly, not daring to move a muscle or make a sound for fear that they might end up being an example and a scapegoat for the rest of the new students.

The Commander saluted at the end of his speech and stepped away, letting someone else take over. A strict-looking woman stood proud and tall in front of them, her green eyes scanning the crowd as if searching for someone, preferably a scapegoat.

She was a tall woman, almost six feet, with a head full of wavy brown hair which fell in locks past her shoulders, almost reaching her waist, dressed in the standard blue uniform. She has perfectly symmetrical features and a perfect jawline which makes her all the more stunning. She was a true sight for the eyes, an unwavering beauty, but had an intimidating aura as she stood in front of them which scared everyone from even daring to stare at her for any longer than necessary.

"Now, I would like you all to settle down and come into the enclosed space when you hear your name," she said with such a smooth voice that anyone would want to listen to her talk for a lifetime. The words rolled off her tongue so smoothly like they were laced with honey and even though she wasn't yelling like the Commander did, her voice was heard easily but all. It was almost dreamy.

"Do you understand?" she asked and for a few seconds, silence prevailed in the hall. No one could decide on the right words or the best tone with which to answer. Everyone believed they couldn't yell at this beauty like they did with the Commander.

The silence only lasted a few seconds until it was broken when a random person yelled. "Marry me!"

All heads turned the way of the source of the voice but the expression most of them had were scowls and hisses at the crude behaviour he portrayed. They were also pretty sure that his actions would make him a scapegoat and they wished he was so he could learn his place.

"I assume that means you all understand then," the woman said. "There will be people waiting in there to attend to you. I wish you good luck on your assessment."

"What's your name, please?!" the voice yelled again, this time forcing Ian to look for the source as it sounded uncomfortably close to him.

A few seats to his left was a red-haired guy who seems to be only a few inches taller than Ian. He had the sides of his hair shaved and held the rest of it in a hair band. It was pretty obvious that he was the source as everyone had their eyes on him while his eyes were glued to the woman on the raised platform.

"You'll be briefed on that later," she said smoothly with an expressionless face as she walked away.

An air of silence lingered in the hall for about a minute after she left before everyone got back to their normal routine. It felt like a unanimous decision to respect the angelic presence that just graced their eyes.

Ian on the other hand, sat down quickly as his eyes were already becoming blurry and he was becoming dizzy.

"You don't learn, do you?" the boy asked as he launched his elongated fingers towards Ian's face. Ian saw the attack coming and already determined that it was easy for him to avoid since three of the elongated fingers already missed his face, and just a little head movement from him would leave his fingers hitting the chair.

He was almost ready to move his head at the right time when a hand held the fingers, gripping them tight. This action caused a frown from Ian.

"Isn't that a little too extreme?" the stranger asked. "I've been listening to you yell before the Commander came in. Can't you just find another seat out of the many presents here?"

"No!" the fat guy yelled. "I want that seat so he will have to move!"

"Make him," the stranger asked, letting go of the fingers and standing intimidating in front of him. "I'd like to see you dare."

"I-I will get you for this, Ian!" the fat guy said as he tracked back, obviously afraid of a confrontation.

"I don't even know you," Ian mumbled as he facepalmed. "What a truly stupid life I live."

"Are you okay?" the stranger asked.

"I am," Ian said, not even looking at the stranger as he just held his head in his palm. "I know you just helped me but you only gave him time to come attack me when he gets a group because he thinks I have found one. Even though I appreciate your help and concern, you've only caused an even bigger problem for me. I would appreciate it if you leave me right now."

The stranger stood there for a few minutes, stunned at the blunt telling-off he got after helping someone. He couldn't possibly believe the guts of the silver-haired kid in front of him.

"This is the problem with helping people like you," he sighed, running his hand through his ash blond hair. "You all end up whining about what happens later instead of appreciating the help you just received. I should learn my lesson from this."

Ian thought about arguing, letting this stranger know and understand that just one telling off isn't going to stop anyone from bullying him whenever they want to. He wanted to give this guy an education on the life a weakling like him has had to endure, but he felt like it was best if he kept his mouth.

"It would be better to keep any involvement with him at the minimum level possible," he thought. "An argument would only blow things up and that would mean more involvement.

The stranger stood in front of him for a few more seconds and eventually walked away, making Ian breathe a sigh of relief.

That breath was soon sucked back in his throat as the first name was called.

"Ian Yaeger!" a male voice boomed around the hall. "Please make your way to the stage for your assessment."