DREAMS

'Today should make it a year huh?' A boy thought sluggishly while he laid down on a bed in a simple bedroom that comprises of four beds in total.

This boy has a slender build that hinted at more time spent in the library than on the sports field. His ash-colored hair, often tousled and unkempt, framed a face marked by a certain quiet intensity.

Dark eyes, deep and contemplative, contrasted sharply with his pale complexion, often giving the impression that he was lost in thought or observing the world with a silent curiosity. Though he blended easily into the background, there was an understated depth to his gaze that suggested he saw and understood far more than he let on.

Right now he wore a black blazer with blue piping along the edges and a matching black tie adorned with thin blue stripes. Underneath, he wore a crisp white shirt tucked into tailored black trousers which is complemented by blue accents.

The school emblem which has a roc symbol on it is embroidered in blue and silver, stood proudly on the left breast pocket of the blazer, completing the sleek and polished look.

"Kaelen!!" While the ash haired boy was going deeper into his thoughts, a shout suddenly came into the room as the door to the bedroom got slammed open

Bam!!

But the ash haired boy didn't seem to notice or even care as he continued laying on one of the bed lazily. But what happened next couldn't let him to remain that way.

"Why the hell are you still on the bed!!? Don't you want to become an internal student!!?" That same voice that loudly came into the room before sound out again as a boy stood at the bedroom's entrance.

This boy is an an average-looking high school boy who has a mop of unruly blonde hair that fell just above his limpid yellow eyes. These eyes, clear and bright, gave him a striking appearance, often catching the light in a way that made them seem almost golden.

He wore the school uniform with a casual ease—the black blazer with blue piping sitting comfortably on his shoulders, the thin blue stripes of his black tie neatly knotted against the crisp white shirt underneath. His black trousers were well-fitted, and the school emblem on his left breast pocket stood out, adding a touch of formality to his otherwise laid-back demeanor.

"Is it time already Morris?" Kaelen slowly asked while still lying on the bed. When the blonde haired boy saw this, a vein suddenly popped out on his forehead as he quickly rushed into the room while saying.

"Will I be behaving like this if it hasn't? Will you just get off that bed!!?" Morris answered as he forcefully held Kaelen's right hand and dragged him up to his feets.

"Now let's go, we don't have much time left" Morris said quickly as he let go of Kaelen's hand and began to run towards the bedrooms entrance.

But Kaelen didn't follow him immediately. Instead, he just stood there and looked towards the ceiling as Morris zoomed out of the room

'I wonder if I will even be qualified for this test?' Kaelen suddenly thought with a wry smile on his face. But he didn't dwell on it for long as he began to walk out of the room.

As soon as he walked out of the room, he saw many people who are his age grades running out of their dormitories and going towards a large building that is some distance away.

"The Pacesetter Academy...." Kaelen muttered while he was going towards that same building that is a fair distance away from him.

Apparently, Kaelen is an orphan ever since he was just ten years old. The reason for that is due to his parents losing their lives in a mysterious way inwhich he still doesn't know till date.

How he got into this academy is due to the principal of this academy taking a liking to him when he was still at the orphanage 2 years ago. Due to that, he acquired a scholarship to study at this prestigious Pacesetter Academy.

"Hey look, it's Kaelen"

"What? Where?"

"So he actually had the guts to come and participate in the internal student entrance exam?"

"Bah!! I can bet he will be disqualified to even participate in the exam"

While Kaelen was getting closer to the solitary and solemn building, he began to here some whispers and discussions from the other students nearby. But he didn't mind at all as he continued going closer to the building while he thought.

'Lets get this over with'

After a while, he finally arrived at the front of the building where a considerable amount of people could be seen gathered there while being seated.

The Pacesetter Academy's building stood tall and majestic, its exterior a blend of ancient and modern architectural styles. The walls were constructed from smooth, black stone interwoven with shimmering blue veins that pulsed with an otherworldly light.

Large, arched windows with intricate stained glass depicted scenes of the legendary roc, casting colorful reflections on the ground below. At the building's peak, a spire topped with a glowing blue crystal sent out a beacon of light, symbolizing knowledge and power. Enchanted ivy, which shifted colors with the seasons, climbed the walls, adding a touch of natural beauty to the otherwise imposing structure.

"Kaelen! Over here!!" Morris who have caught sight of Kaelen coming hurriedly called out his name which obviously caught a fair amount of people's attention.

"Kaelen? He's here?"

"He actually came to participate in the exams?"

"Doesn't he know shame?"

'Oh, there he is' While the people that is gathered in front of the building began to discuss amongst themselves, Kaelen thought as he shifted his gaze towards the area Morris is and quickly began to walk towards that direction.

"I kept a seat for you" Morris said as he patted on an empty seat next to him as soon as Kaelen approached him.

"Thank you" Kaelen said calmly before he sat down on that seat. As soon as Kaelen sat down, the people who sat down at that area quickly began to give Kaelen some cold stares, but Kaelen himself didn't seem to mind as he just kept his gaze forward.

But that kind of behavior didn't apply to Morris who as soon as he was noticed the people around him were giving Kaelen a cold stare, his demeanor instantly changed as he spoke up in a cold tone.

"Do you guys have a death wish?"

When they heard what Morris said along with how Morris's demeanor has shifted, they instantly shuddered before they quickly removed their gaze away from Kaelen. But Kaelen didn't even notice all this as his attention is fixed on the three people who have appeared right in front of the group that is seated.

One of the people that has appeared in front of the group is a boy who wore a uniform similar to Kaelen's own but has a black shirt underneath. The boy had a face that was both striking and intense, characterized by his sharp, penetrating gaze.

His eyes, a deep shade of green, seemed to pierce through anyone who met them, exuding a sense of unwavering determination and focus. High cheekbones framed his face, leading down to a strong, angular jawline. His eyebrows, dark and thick, arched slightly, further accentuating his piercing look. Topped with neatly styled dark hair, his face conveyed an air of confidence and keen perception, making him stand out in any crowd.

The second person that has appeared is a girl who is also wearing a uniform similar to the one the boy is wearing. The girl had a face that radiated warmth and kindness. Her eyes, a soft hazel, always seemed to sparkle with a welcoming light, drawing people in with their gentle expression.

Her cheeks were often tinged with a natural rosy hue, complementing her warm smile that rarely left her lips. Light brown hair framed her face in soft waves, adding to her approachable and friendly demeanor. Her features, though delicate, were animated with genuine emotion, making everyone around her feel comfortable and at ease.

As for the last person that appeared who apparently is at the middle of the boy and girl, that person is a middle aged man that has a very robust build which is covered in a simple white body hug and blue jeans.

The middle aged man had a face that exuded strength and authority. His piercing blue eyes were set deep under prominent, slightly furrowed brows, giving him an intense, unwavering gaze. His nose was straight and pronounced, adding to his commanding presence.

High, defined cheekbones led down to a strong, square jawline, often adorned with a well-trimmed salt-and-pepper beard. Faint lines etched around his eyes and mouth hinted at years of experience and resilience. His hair, short and graying at the temples, framed a face that conveyed both wisdom and determination, making it clear that he was a man of great resolve and capability.

"As you all might have already known, today is the day the Pacesetters Academy internal students entrance examination will commence" The middle aged man said with a thick and manly voice which drew the attention of everyone that seated except from Kaelen.

'I can't believe I got to see the person who I dreamt of reaching that stage together to be way ahead of me' Kaelen thought with an awkward smile on his face while he looked at the girl that is standing beside the middle aged man.