Students came pouring into the large entrance of the academy's main building. The building was several times larger than the dorm building both in height and length, the campus grounds itself consist of multiple hectares.
I walk into the building awkwardly, not knowing what to do. We had an orientation just before the welcome event, but with everything that happened, my mind couldn't recall what had been said. There's been way too much going on, and I couldn't keep up, especially with my own thoughts being all over the place. I walked around the crowded halls of people talking, walking alongside each other, and people who got to know each other from the welcome party getting together. With me being absent for the latter half of the event, I felt out of place. And once again… Alone.
I assumed that I had already resolved myself through and through, finding new confidence in what I could do – yet the thought made my mind go blank, freezing me in place. Even when others passed by me brushing shoulders, all they did was glance at me briefly before moving on. Seeing the sea of students moving through the halls was overwhelming. All the plans I had in my head already seemed to come crashing down. If I couldn't get myself together here, what makes me think I could see it all through? It crushed me, and I wanted to run.
...
Suddenly–
"Come with me." A voice came from behind me, the person grabbing my hand and leading me away.
The wind blew through his golden hair as he guided me through the halls. The crowds moved to the walls, parting like the sea as we moved through. Though locked in a daze and still recovering, I knew who it was. It was none other than the third prince. Once I realized and snapped out of my trance, I broke off his hold on me.
**Fwip**
"Hey! Where are you going?" He called out.
"Away from you!" I said, already a ways away in the opposite direction.
I kept running into the bastard I didn't want anything to do with. I roamed the halls, clutching my bag, following the wave of students wherever they went. Eventually, I reached a large auditorium that could hold hundreds of people. Despite being lost awhile, I got to where I needed to be.
At the auditorium theater's entrance were rows and rows of tables lined next to each other, multiple lines of people gathered on each. Each table was manned by a member of the student council, the top students of the academy. They held crystal balls used to measure and record Mana and Magical Power. This was how we were to get our assigned classes. Since Divinity can only be measured through the church, Mana is what was used to relatively gauge and assess a student's potential career. The assignments work as follows:
If your Mana and Magical Power is considered high, they assume that your Divinity is also potentially high and assign you into classes that focus on nurturing these aspects. These students usually end up becoming Saints and Paladins at the latter end of their career, post-graduation.
If your Mana and Magical Power is considered relatively high, but not as high as the former – then you are assigned in classes that nurture talents in Mystic Arts or Chivalry. People who end up in these classes usually end up as high-end mages, Knight Captains, or Grand Knights.
If your Mana and Magical Power is considered mediocre or standard, then you are treated as a "jack of all trades" where they inquire about your aspirations, assigning classes for you on the spot based on your answer. These people usually tend to join the church, becoming an adventurer, or joining a Knight Order as a Chevalier, or Knight Aspirant, eventually becoming a Knight. Some classes in this category are elective and can be taken on by others, regardless of their assessment.
If your Mana and Magical Power is deemed below standard, you are assigned classes in general studies, with classes that specialize in research and development, business creation or production focused careers. These people usually end up becoming Blacksmiths, Runesmiths, Alchemists, Merchants, or get into managerial positions and much more. All of the classes in this assessment can be opted into and taken by everyone.
These assignments are only mandatory for the first year in the academy. Afterwards, should you believe that you are fit for other classes, or the career path is not to your liking, you can take a test to join classes above what you are assigned and potentially change the trajectory of your future career. Of course, many tend to not do so as the higher classes are much harder and more demanding than the others, with high standards to keep you in their classes.
Nobody has a "destined" career – in most cases that is…
I am a victim of circumstance, and my path has been decided by cruel fate itself. They had already planned to make me a Saintess – the church, if not the empire, will make sure of it. With my Divinity, I was bound to be placed in the higher classes. I myself see this as an opportunity that I could seize to learn from the best. Maybe I could even choose an elective class or two in medical research? If I worked with Instructor Conroy, I could maybe find a cure for Ophelia's condition. I'm sure she'll be proud of me if I did…
"Lady Estelle, please follow me here." A soft spoken voice came from beside me.
A refined-looking female instructor approached me, asking me to come with her. Once again, I am being approached by people I do not know, and dragged somewhere I did not want to go. Regardless, with hopes of getting the assignments I was promised, I followed.
As we walked, I began to reflect on this morning.
Despite all my efforts, it seems that I keep backsliding into precarious mindsets. I can't seem to keep my shit together and it's getting to my head. I don't know – what am I to do?
Should I be more assertive?
Should I be more stern?
Should I be more independent?
Should I learn to say no?
Can I even say no?
**Sigh**
What a bad first day…