"Now you may all leave. Congratulations once again for you are all students of the Imperial Academy: Imperialis. "
The words echoed in Izana's head as he got ready for his first day of school. He smiled as he remembered how tired he was when he arrived at his lodge.
He almost collapsed on the staircase, the scene drew attention from the people in the inn.
In the end, someone had to help him walk to his room.
"Yesterday was so embarrassing. Can't believe I almost fell. " Izana felt the sting of embarrassment as he recalled yesterday's incident.
"Yosh! Today is the first day gotta make a good impression. " Izana muttered as he arranged his luggage and left his room.
Coming down the staircase with ease he paid the innkeeper before leaving the inn and boarding a carriage. The academy was on its on island and was as large as a city so it would take a while before he reached it.
"They didn't give us any identification as proof of joining the school what if I'm stopped at the gate? " Nervous, Izana closed his eyes and mentally formulated a plan.
Reaching the school gate, the carriage was allowed entrance easily shocking Izana. "Of course they will make contingencies. " Izana felt like a fool. He wasn't usually shallow minded like this, so he blamed his nervousness.
Stepping out of the carriage, Izana was guided towards a massive auditorium. On his way he couldn't help but marvel at how big the school was.
The auditorium was spacious, even after all the new students entered there was still more the enough space.
Izana found a seat very quickly, by his side was Sasaki who gave him a nod before looking at the stage, Izana looked at the stage and saw the chief Examiner of their test and another younger man who looked like he was in his middle to late thirties.
Forceus started first "Good day new students and welcome to Imperialis. You all are very lucky to enter this school, out of ten thousand participants, you all are the lucky one hundred and twenty. " The number echoed in the hearts of the students, considering themselves as the lucky few.
"But don't get complacent. This academy is the best in the Crysheim Kingdom and we demand your very best. This man beside me is the principal of this school, Mr. Darren. " Forceus gestured to the refined man by his side.
Whispers were heard throughout the hall as the man stepped up to address the students.
Darren clear his throat and started "Good day students, as Forceus said, once again welcome to Imperialis, I hope you all work hard to prove your place in this school. Also to make sure you all don't become lazy, a ranking system based on how high your score in this test and other future events with the top 50 receiving prizes.
Now a few of you performed beautifully during the test earning a spot in the special class will the following students please come to the stage;
Ryan Guran
Adam Samdler
.....
Izana Raiden. "
Izana was the last to be called up as he walked with a steady gait, a small smirk on lips as he bubbled up inside. He looked up at the other "Seven Pillars " who unsurprisingly made it into the special class.
A total of forty students made it into the special class, forty who performed the best in the test.
"The special class is a class for elites, the curriculum is packed with real combat training and other combat related activities.
It also comprises of intellectual activities and history classes on our world.
There will be a special class rank for you all in the special class. " Darren let the words settle in their heads before turning to the rest of the students.
"Even though you all didn't make it to the special class that doesn't mean you aren't special. There are so many types of magic and so many ways to use them, with proper training, even a new mage could defeat someone from the special class.
So don't be down and work hard so you can truly be an ELITE! " He shouted the last word with gusto earning cheers and claps from all the students.
"Finally, your dormitory assignments has been done, outside this building you will be given your student ID and dormitory keys, then you will be directed to your rooms. If you can become first in the midterm assessment you will win the deluxe suite dormitory.
Your classes begins tomorrow so today will be the day you have to rest before classes begins.
If any of you need help you can visit my office or the student councillor Miss Priscilla's office. I wish you all a good time in our school. " Darren ended the orientation with that and took his leave.
The students all lined up outside to collect their room keys and student ID's. After taking his ID, Izana was about to leave before hearing a familiar voice.
"Izana wait up! " He turned around and saw Scarlett running at him full speed only stopping before colliding with him causing a large amount of wind and dust to be displaced.
Izana felt his mouth twitch ' Her physique is strong almost stronger than mine. ' This came as a shock to him.
He sighed "So why did you tell me to wait. " continuing to walk.
"Because as friends we should explore the school first. " She replied almost immediately still following him.
"Last I checked, I don't remember us being friends. " He looked her before looking forward.
"Oh come on, we survived a life or death battle against those ice monkeys so we have bonded through camaraderie. " She said with a smile on her face.
"Technically it wasn't a life or death battle because it was just a test, we wouldn't have died. " He said in an amused tone before sighing again. "Fine we can be friends. "
"Yay! Now let's find somewhere to eat, oh and you are paying what are friends for. " She said as he draconic eyes glinted with appreciation.
Izana felt his mouth twitch again "For food? "
"Yes, a girl's gotta eat. " She nodded shamelessly.
'Damn! I was played. So she wasn't just a battle junkie but an intelligent battle junkie. '
"You win this round, but the next time we are eating out you are definitely paying. " He replied with a grin "Now let's go eat. " He started sprinting.
Scarlett smiled before sprinting towards him again.
***
After a massive meal that threatened to empty his (cough) legal money, they separated after saying their goodbyes.
Izana arrived in front of his room and swung the door open instantly, three pairs of eyes turned to look at him. Izana recognised one of them, Sasaki the half haired kid.
"Wow! The first pillar Izana Raiden it's an honour to have both the first and third pillar in our room. " A black haired youth with an easygoing smile said with an excited tone. "I am Josh from the normal class. "
"Alright Josh, what about you? " He turned the other student.
"I am Mark " The student spoke in a low tone. Izana looked at him with interest.
"Sorry if it annoyed you but Mark is usually like this. " Josh apologised.
"There is no problem. " Izana replied. Turning his head to Sasaki and gave a curt nod before going to his bed and lying down.
'This year is going to be interesting. '