"Welcome to Avalon academy"
The sound of their voice of lingered in my mind as I crossed the gates.
Footsteps followed closely behind me, i didnt need to turn to know the boy was still there walking quietly behind me, i didn't mind as long as he stayed quiet
I wasn't a big fan on coversations.
The first thing that came to view as I crossed the gates was a large field stretching endlessly, with roads branching towards different parts of the academy.
I paused to admire the view
"Magnificent"
Just behind the gates, a make shift market had sprung up. Traders spreading their wares from impressive magical artifacts to the most absurd items…
From the corner of my eye, I spotted a man selling underwear.
This i found rather unusual because
'Who doesn't bring enough underwear to campus' I wondered
'you are clearly in the wrong business… no business acumen'
He clearly didn't hear my thoughts and if he did, he showed no reaction. He sat in the shade provided by the academy's tall walls, on a comfortable rocking chair, smoking from a pipe like the wares had nothing to do with him
I walked around the makeshift market, just looking at the wares with no intention of buying anything. I had no money
I noticed that the only those nobles heirs attempted to buy artifacts and whenever I moved close to any stores, the traders flashed me suspicious looks as though I was planning on stealing.
With my look, they probably already guessed that I wasn't a prospective buyer
After wandering aimlessly for a while, my gaze settled on the building ahead.
Just across the field lies this building and guessing by the crowd heading in that direction, I could infer that this was my direction, taking one final deep breath I started walking.
"Why did you do that"
I turned around finally acknowledging the boy from the gate that had been trailing me. He was a head taller than me, around 6.3 if I had to guess. His skin was unnaturally pale suggesting he was very likely of foreigner descent or has spent his life in a state of perpetual shock
Another thing I noticed was his green eyes, it wasn't the kind of green that suggested life and growth but of a darker shade, something more attuned to being poisonous
His slightly slanted eyes which gave him a lazy look or maybe just like me he had a sleepless night.
He was handsome no doubt, with a unique kind of look that made me feel a little insecure about my below average appearance.
"Do what" I asked my tone sounding harsher than I intended
"Pay?" He asked
"Why did you pay for my entry"
" Don't mistake me for an overly generous man" I replied flatly "I payed because coins have no value within avalon anyway"
I had known earlier that the academy only accepts credits as currency within the school premises
" Hahahaha" he laughed like I told the funniest joke of his life
"What?" I asked
" You said you are a man... you don't look up to thirteen" At this point I could feel smoke rising in my lungs
"What nonsense, I turned 16 last week. Besides is that your way of saying thank you "
"Eh… really?" He blinked at me clearly surprise " you are sixteen? How?" He asked like it was unbelievable
This was infuriating, so I just kept walking without answering.
I am going to mind my business and hopefully I won't attract any other ungrateful fellows
The boy continued following from behind me.
I walked faster; he increased his pace.
I slowed down; he slowed down.
I stopped, so did he.
I held eye contact with him for a full minute. In that one minute the vilest words crossed my minds but my mouth refused to open
I turned around and just kept walking deciding to ignore the boy.
Reaching the building, I was able to observe the features more closely. To someone of my status it seemed luxurious, yet I preserved it was built more for practicality than display.
I walked inside, blending with the crowd already gathered, and waited.
I haven't been in the hall for long, yet I could already see signs of marginalization. The nobles stood together in a part of the hall. Although they didn't say a word, all commoners realized they shouldn't go there for their own good.
I also noticed that unlike the commoners who just kept quiet, silently praying that they awaken even an unuseful talent, the nobles were chatting subtly forming alliances that could prove vital in the school.
Two hours later, the doors behind the halls were finally locked.
It was then I saw her, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, this would not be a big achievement considering that I came from the slums where most women wear rags and often have skin deseases.
She came from a door I hadn't noticed earlier because of the crowd gathered, somewhere at the left side of the hall. She wore blue robes that were designed with beautiful flowery patterns I had never seen before.
Her style seemed elegant, her poise magnetic and even the robes could not hide those curves. Her presence demanded attention.
As walked up the stage, she had a look that screamed focused!!, her eyes gave an aura of sharp. Her posture radiated authority
At this point, the nobles were quiet, but the commoners became rowdy
She stood behind the pulpit and waited
No words, no movement… she waited till everywhere was quiet yet she still didn't speak. Only when it seemed like the tension was about to break did she speak
"Good afternoon everyone
I am Sage Abigail a student of Avalon and I would be introducing you all to the academy.
Firstly I'd like to congratulate you all for making it here,