Welcome

Chapter 14: Welcome

Today is the day.

The day.

Eliana patted the wooden box luggage beside her all the while staring at the two horses leading the carriage. She was standing slightly afar from the rig waiting for Jury Wistal who was still inside the house.

It must already be 7 o'clock.

Millions of thoughts played inside her head. 'How will she get through? Will the other kids be nice to her? Are there mean girls there?' She was obviously nervous, but her external state concealed it.

"Apologies for the waiting Eliana..." Jury Wistal appeared from behind causing Eliana to look from his direction. "Let us depart."

"It's okay, let's go." Eliana replied.

They took off on carriage wheels.

The travel was fast, it was almost a blur and that was because Eliana was twitchy. Soon enough they were already in front of the Fortem Academy's office, the one she was in yesterday. They both got off the carriages. She was looking around the others while the Jury grabbed her luggages down from the back.

Why didn't they directly go to the Academy? Albeit confused, Eliana kept her thoughts and questions to herself. She was going to find out anyway.

Carriages, luggages and people scattered everywhere outside the vicinity just in front of the chocolate building. Probably students with their families sending them to Fortem Academy as well.

"Companions are until here."

Eliana turned to see all the luggage on the ground. Jury Wistal had his arm rested above the piled boxes, he scanned the area. "Mmm, just as I thought. The students are growing in number, talents are emerging!" He exclaimed with a half smirk displayed on his lips.

Eliana followed his eyes. Indeed they were a lot alright. "I guess I'll be meeting more of 'Larsanels' then." She mumbled.

Jury Wistal turned to look at the girl missing her statement. He snapped his fingers and took two of Eliana's luggage in both hands. "I'll carry this until the entrance. They have trolleys there, that should help you with all these." He pointed at the boxes and started walking.

Eliana followed from behind after grabbing one last luggage that resembled a sling bag. She wore the sling and walked quietly along Jury Wistal.

True enough there were a handful number of trolleys inside the lobby. Her luggages was less than the size of space inside the trolley. After everything was set up Eliana turned to Jury Wistal who had his attention around the interior of the building.

She cleared her throat, grabbing the Jury's attention who raised both eyebrows. "Well, thanks for everything Jury Wistal since day--"

"Call me uncle." He cut off. "It's day one and you're already blowing your cover." He chuckled.

Eliana broke into a smile slightly embarrassed. "Yeah, well. Sorry... Uncle." The term was foreign to be called towards the man. "Anyway, thanks. I hope to see you soon. Do visit when you have the time, I'm still new around here, Praediti in general I mean."

Jury Wistal patted Eliana's head with a small smile. "Don't worry kid. You'll be alright."

Eliana felt assured. That was what she needed. Admittedly, everything was still unreal to her and it was growing realistic as days passed. She had no choice but to put her trust on the Jury, after all he proved his good intentions by offering her comfort since the beginning.

She nodded grateful.

"Students, the portal will open in two minutes."

A voice boomed around the building talking. It was an announcement, she was surprised they had that there but it was odd since she couldn't find speakers or some wires on the walls.

'Portal?'

"That is the cue." Jury Wistal informed. Eliana met his look. "And that is my cue as your guardian as well."

"I guess I'll see you then." Her voice was small. She didn't want to be alone, once the Jury left she was completely by herself.

"Take care." That was the Jury's last word.

Eliana replied with a slight nod.

She watched as Jury Wistal turned to leave, disappearing among the rest of the parents and guardians heading out the door.

"It is time."

The voice emerged once again.

"Students, enter the door of the grey crystal."

She felt a shiver run through her body. She heard gasps among the rest of the students. Eliana noticed everyone had their surprised eyes fixed on the front, she followed their gazes.

She blinked in shock and in awe at a large crystal attached above a white door. She never noticed this yesterday. The crystal was slowly glowing brightly until it reached its maximum brightness that the door below it created sheath sounds glowing in the process. Seconds passed by and the door's gleam died down.

A woman in her late 20's stepped in front of the crowd, the door behind her. She looked beautiful and fierce with her knight uniform which was closely similar to Knight Jester's outfit. The only difference between the latter was that instead of pants, the Lady wore a navy blue skirt with skin tight black stockings and a dark belt holding her scabbard in place.

Praediti knew fashion alright.

"Good morning. Behind me is the portal leading to Fortem Academy. To cut this short, everyone in this room will not last until the first half of the year, at least one fourth of the other half will graduate. One-eighth of them will most likely graduate late."

Eliana gulped, her emotions swarming of negativity. She was however, mostly scared. Fortem is a prestigious school for honing excellent knights, the strict process came with the end product.

"A sword will not cut if not melted, moulded and pounded." The Lady added her eagle eyes meeting every gaze she found.

Eliana dared not to blink when her eyes met hers. "I am Astrid, a product of the Academy, one of the Fortem Knights." Eliana's breath hitched, another Fortem knight. "Training will be tough... To be a knight is to be tough. Believe that you'll make it. Join us students."

The lady's words held pride and an extended invitation to motivate the newcomers.

Astrid tilted her head towards the door behind her, "This... " She paused dramatically before returning her gaze to the students' mixed reactions. "Is your starting line." Lady Astrid made a one-eighty degrees turn, now facing the door. She opened it, entering inside, revealing a bright environment.

Eliana was a bit far behind from the crowd, she couldn't wholly see the inside.

Students left no seconds entering the door one by one. There was no pushing nor shouting to be the first one to enter.

Everything was in order, they all went in with excitement and in awe reactions. A thing which earthlings are not good at, Eliana noted.

It didn't take long before it was Eliana's turn to enter. She was with the last few people. The subtle change of environment between a step away from the office to the portal was unnoticeable and impressive.

They found themselves gathering in front of a ginormous beige castle. Wind blew on Eliana's face softly sliding through her half pony tailed hair. The sun was out but it wasn't hot due to the cool wind.

A castle.

The building was definitely an old medieval castle. On the right side was another group of buildings in an old structure. On the left side a big, almost modern looking white colosseum. The buildings, all of it, were complimented with intricate ocean blue swirls creating a Victorian vibe. It was beautiful like a fairytale.

The vicinity scattered on the ground were grasses and hints of flowers. There was of course a path for carriages and horses to go on. But overall the scene was insanely like a fictional place stretched out from the books.

Eliana looked around visibly impressed.

"Trainees! Gather here in my area!" Astrid raised her hand to grab their attention.

Eliana quickly heeded the Lady's instructions. The crowd brought themselves in front of the humongous entrance door of the castle where Lady Astrid stood by.

"I am sure you received your transcripts yesterday from the office. If you read over it you must know by now it has a map of the school." Astrid made her voice loud enough to be heard over the strong wind. "Behind me is the main building. This is where the classrooms are located."

Students nodded their heads looking over the Lady still in disbelief over distinguished reasons.

Astrid turned her back on them. "Follow me."

They walked around the building missing the chance to enter the main building.

Astrid led the crowd to the four buildings beside the main one. There was a fountain in the middle of the four buildings surrounding it. They stopped in front of the fountain. It resembled a mini village.

"These are the dorm buildings." Astrid pointed to the first building on the right. "That is the faculty dorm building, next to it is the girls' dorm house, the boys' dorm house. The last one belongs to the Ethereal Seven." Astrid explained pointing to each of the buildings.

Eliana stared at the last one. The building was rather different; it was much classier and a bit bigger compared to the Boys' and Girl's building.

'Ethereal Seven?'

"Now, go to the buildings according to your gender. Your room numbers are in your transcripts. We will have a program in the afternoon. That is all." The Lady left without another word after that.