Time – 11:23 a.m.
We stepped down from the bus into a quiet street. I scanned the area, squinting, but still saw nothing that looked like a school.
"Uhh… Mum?" I said cautiously. "Didn't you say we've arrived?"
"Of course I did," she replied calmly.
"But I don't see any school," Elrith added.
"Oh, come on," Mum said. "Schools don't always have to be beside the road. Some are located inside streets."
"Oh… I never thought of it like that," Elrith said, holding onto Mum's hand.
Me neither, I thought.
"You're right, Mum," I said, forcing a cheerful tone. "Onwards to Elite Academy!"
About ten minutes later
"Finally," Mum and Elrith sighed at the same time.
"Here we are," Elrith said, looking down at his feet. "At your school."
"I guess…" I muttered. "It should be big, right, Mum?"
"It is. Come on in, boys."
The school gate was beautifully decorated with a banner displaying the school's name. Strangely enough, I had always imagined Elite Academy as green… and I was right. Most of the surroundings were covered in different shades of green.
The gates were tall iron bars like most schools used. Once we stepped inside, the scenery became even more breathtaking.
The first thing I noticed was how much it resembled a park — a huge one. Fresh green grass stretched across the grounds, rows of flowers lined pathways, and tall trees stood like silent guards. The environment felt peaceful, almost wrapped in nature itself.
The second thing I noticed was the buildings. There were two major ones standing far apart. One was clearly the library. The other was the reception building — our destination.
It was painted a warm brown, similar to dried autumn leaves.
Inside the reception, several small groups of people sat around, most likely here for registration too. Mum walked over to the counter to fill out some forms while Elrith and I sat down to wait.
She returned shortly after, and we waited for about 20 minutes. Elrith gave me the silent treatment the entire time, which was frustrating… but honestly, I couldn't blame him.
Soon, a woman stepped forward.
"Good morning, everyone," she announced. "I am Mrs. Hilda, the receptionist handling your registrations today. I apologize for the delay, but we will begin exactly at 12 noon. We have only five minutes left. Thank you."
I silently thanked the universe it was only five minutes.
"Excuse me," someone asked. "After registration, can we tour the school?"
"Yes, of course," Mrs. Hilda replied. "As long as you stay out of sensitive areas in Districts 7 and 8."
"Districts?"
"Yes. But don't worry — you will each receive a map of the school. That way, you can easily identify each district and stay safe."
"Oh… okay, thank you."
I leaned toward Mum, already excited about touring the school. She agreed easily.
Elrith, however, stared intensely at the clock, watching it move toward noon.
"Alright, everyone," Mrs. Hilda announced once the clock struck twelve. "We shall begin. Who is Peter Harryson?"
"Here," a boy said, walking into the office. He came out about five minutes later.
"Jarrod Linkdil."
"Yes, ma'am." He went in and returned quickly.
"Michael Thompson."
"Yes." He walked in confidently with his father and came out just as confidently.
"Ashley Brownlow."
"Over here."
Is this an all-boys academy? I wondered, about to ask Mum, when a girl walked in with her mother.
Okay… never mind. Case closed.
Ashley walked out as the new woman approached the counter, apparently to register her child.
Then—
"Christian Arter… Oscar Theodore… Meffi Isleton."
Wait. Another Meffi Isle—"…Isleton?"
"Uhh… over here, ma'am," I said, raising my hand awkwardly.
Mum gestured for Elrith to remain seated as we entered the office.
The room was surprisingly cool. It smelled like a calm winter morning, with the air conditioner set to sixteen degrees. The noise from the reception instantly disappeared.
Only one word came to mind.
Soundproof.
This school was definitely rich.
"Meffi?" Mrs. Hilda called.
I snapped back. "I'm here, ma'am."
"How old are you?"
"Sixteen… ma'am."
She scribbled something on her clipboard.
"Do you have your grade certificate?"
"Yes," Mum replied, handing it over.
While they spoke, I casually observed the office from the corner of my eye, while listening to everything.
"Good," Mrs. Hilda said. "Are you applying as a hostel student or day student?"
"Which do you prefer, Meffi?" Mum asked.
"Day student," I answered instantly.
"Alright. Any medical condition we should be aware of?"
"No, I—"
"Oh yes," Mum interrupted.
I looked at her in suprise, I have a medical condition?
"My son is a bit fragile," Mum continued. "He gets feverish easily… sometimes even after being scolded."
Mrs. Hilda glanced at me from the corner of her eye. I caught it and flushed with embarrassment. Unfortunately… Mum wasn't wrong. My illnesses usually started with fevers, but I never actually thought it a medical condition.
"I understand," Mrs. Hilda said, handing Mum a brochure. "We'll ensure your son is properly monitored, Mrs. Isleton. This is the school map."
She explained the school layout thoroughly. There were twelve districts in total, each one nearly twice the size of my previous school — maybe even larger.
Districts 7 and 8 were the girls' and boys' hostels respectively. She also advised me to tour the boys' hostel, just in case I changed my mind later.
We stepped back into the noisy reception hall. Elrith quickly joined us as we prepared to leave.
But before we could walk away, Mrs. Hilda called out another name.
A name that would become permanently carved into my life story from that day forward.
"Michael Tony."
We left the reception building and continued down the pathway. The surroundings grew quieter the farther we walked. Trees lined both sides of the path, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. Carefully carved flower bushes decorated the walkway while birds chirped overhead.
The only other sounds were our footsteps… and Mum's voice.
She was talking, probably trying to ease the tension she sensed in me. Unfortunately, it wasn't working. A creeping dread was slowly tightening inside my chest.
That's a sign Elrith is plotting against you. Are you aware? my brain whispered.
I mentally shouted, Shut up! somewhere my brain hopefully couldn't hear me.
Of course I know that, I argued internally. But maybe for once he won't. We should try being optimistic.
I even smiled while thinking it, which made Mum assume I was responding to whatever she was saying. To me, her voice was just background noise.
You've been saying that for ten years, my brain continued. Don't you get it? He's never going to change.
"We are here," Mum announced. "District 1."
My hands clenched so tightly they turned pale, but I forced my lips into a tight smile, behind my eyes… a storm of tears waited to spill.
Then I saw District 1.
And my brain completely short-circuited.
District 1 looked like a full-blown amusement fair. A massive open space was divided by a central pathway.
On the right side stood a huge snooker table surrounded by excited students and parents. A few yards away was a large tennis table. Just beyond that stood a decorated podium.
On the left side were six different swing sets, each shaped differently. A short distance away was a racing arena — not for running, but for remote-controlled vehicles. Cars, bikes, and even miniature planes zoomed around the track.
How did I know?
Because I could literally see them racing.
This school… had a toy racing court!!!.
My eyes widened in pure amazement as the path ahead split into three directions — one leading to District 2, one branching deeper left, and another leading right.
My feet twitched eagerly, ready to run forward. Every worry in my mind vanished instantly.
"I'm going to get you boys some popcorn," Mum said. "Meffi, meet us back here in ten minutes."
"Yes, Mum. Thanks."
The moment she finished speaking, I bolted toward the left.