Rise Above Academy

Serene saw the name of the college engraved on the gate,

"Rise Above Academy, Slyvien"

A strange name but the name itself shows the power and prestige of the college, and what made Serene even more confused was such a college is in a place that can't be found without prior knowledge regarding this place.

Rather than calling college, she felt Academy is more suitable just like the nameplate.

Just as she was lost in the world, where she felt as though someone was calling.

Someone suddenly tapped her shoulder,

"Young lady, who are you? What are you doing in front of the Academy?" It was a man in his forties with an amiable face and a kind voice.

Serene was startled, then felt a little bit embarrassed. After all, who in their right mind will stand on the road and close their eyes like they're sleeping?

But Serene who is already stoic faced didn't show anything like that,

"Sorry, I was lost in thought, I am a new student, Sir, can you please tell me where I should go for registration?"

"New student!!? Young lady, may I know where are you from? Don't mind me asking as I haven't seen you in this town" The man asked by the way of his dress, it can be seen he is security here.

"Sir, hello I am from Country A, I came here to continue my further studies" Serene saw the kind face of the security, her way of talking was also eased with the hint of politeness and kindness.

"Country A? Did you come here from such a place to study here? Young lady, it is not I do not believe you but that was one of the leading countries. Rather than staying there, you came to such a small place" The security was in disbelief even though there is no disgust for this town still but people know that she came from a big country to a small unknown town to study that is worthy of pondering over.

"There was nothing much, I had some health issues, so my doctor suggested that I should move to the place where I can be closer to nature, so when I was searching this place was one of those which I applied, and got selected to join the college" Serene plainly explained the reason in a greater manner with an honest face.

"Oh.. that's nice, this place is perfect for recuperating" The security also knows where to stop asking.

"Okay, after entering if you go straight in for 200 meters, then you will see on your left there are several buildings so go there, from there you will be led by someone there do not worry" Security gives directions to Serene for the registration office.

"Okay Thank you Sir" Serene after remembering the way thanked the security and moved towards the gate with her luggage

"No problem Young lady take care of yourself" Security warmly smiled and then opened the gate.

Serene went straight inside without turning back, if she turned around then she would have seen something which may make her afraid and shocked.

Because just as she entered the gate, the whole gate suddenly shined golden and seeing that security face was filled with shock.

He suddenly closed his eyes, and with that whole aura of him changed from the amiable middle-aged man to a ferocious and powerful person, he was chanting something.

His brows furrowed a little bit, and he went backward by two steps when he gained his standing he coughed blood.

After that, the gate which was shining went normal, and then slowly the security opened his eyes. In his eyes, there is an unknown glint,

"It's been years….."

Then he suddenly vanished from that place like no one was standing there.

All these things weren't known by Serene because right now she is standing in front of the building, when she looks around the whole building is deserted.

Just as she was contemplating, whether to go in or not, someone from inside came out. Seeing a woman in retro and conservative suits, looking like a person in her thirties came out.

That woman suddenly looked towards Serene who was standing at the entrance.

"Until when are you going to stand there?" A hoarse voice sounded, as the whole building was empty her voice echoed.

If it is night time then anyone would be shouted at in fright.

"Hello, I am here for registration. May I know where the administration office is for new students?" Serene asked with politeness, she doesn't know anyone here so she doesn't want to be called rude by anyone.

After all, this is an unknown place and she doesn't want to be targeted or pointed out. What she wants is being a low-key student and just pass out from here without any issues.

She has already had her fill in the past. Now here what she wants is just to enjoy the tranquillity.

"New student?" After that, there was a pause for a few minutes.

Serene was looking at the woman in confusion,

"You can go up, there is a board of the administration office."

After that, before Serene could say anything that woman went inside without looking back, if anyone who knows her was there they can see her steps are hurried.

"Th… strange" After shaking her head Serene went up the stairs, as she was stepping the wood was making a screeching sound.

Serene just stepped on the floor, she looked sound, on this floor also no single soul was present. Serene, doubting whether it is this college or some ghost house.

She felt that her decision to come here was a mistake, and she also felt like turning around and leaving.

But as she turned something flushed in her mind, a flash passed through her eyes, then her expression hardened.

Rather than turning around to go out, she started to search for the administration office. As she was looking, she saw the administration office at the end of the corridor. She went there as the door was slightly ajar, she knocked twice.

No sound came from inside, she started to doubt that the lady who showed her pat was pranking her.

Serene sighed herself and turned around, only to see the enlarged face which made her shout.

But before she could cry out loud, out of instinct she muffled her cries with her hands, which she placed against her mouth.

She closed her eyes, then took a deep breath. She started to survey her surroundings with her eyes closed only, but when she didn't hear anything she slowly opened her eyes.

Still, that face was in front of her eyes, this time rather closing her eyes open wide.

After a minute of silence, she realized that in front of her face was nothing but a human.

She sighed in relief inwardly,

The person in front of her opened his mouth.

"Who are you?"

A man with a mustache with a serious face, Serene started to have doubt,

'What the hell is with this serious face? Everyone she met today was all with serious faces'

She cleared her throat,

"Well, argh, I am in new student, I just came to get myself admitted here for the year"

"New student?" That man in front of her asked in shock.

Even though his face is still taut, the shock in his eyes didn't get concealed.

Serene just thought in her mind,

'What's there to get shocked about new students, didn't this college never get any new students or what? Did I get myself admitted into some crappy college that is not even doesn't have any new students, where did I get myself into'

Seeing the weird and guarded look in the person in front of him, the man suddenly realized that he had overreacted, and with that, he tried to clear the doubt of the girl in front of him.

"This college didn't have any new students from outside that's why I was just curious that which student came here"

Even though Serene knows this is a lousy reason still she didn't ask any further.

"I came from Country A, I applied for this college and got selected." Serene gave a brief and vague explanation.

"Oh, I think you came here for registration right? Come in, I am the administration officer here, you can call me, Mr. Harrison"

With that opened the door wide, and let Serene in first,

"Hello Mr. Harrison, I am Serene"

With that Serene turned around to shake hands with Mr.Harrison.

Seeing Serene's hand forward for a handshake, Mr.Harrison didn't forward his hand for a handshake, but after a minute or so, he shook Serene's hand.

This made Serene feel even weirder, at this moment, she started to feel like she did wrong by coming here, she doesn't know anything about this place, nor did she know anyone here.

But she also knows that she doesn't have any retreat for herself from this estrangement because she has no way back anywhere.

When she came here she decided to make this her home for her whole life, never going back, or looking back.

But one thing she is sure about being ignorant is bliss.

When she shook hands with Mr.Harrison, Serene felt so cold that it made her tremble, even though Mr. Harrison took the hand back in a few seconds, still there was touch like she was in an ice cellar.

"Okay, Ms. Serene, please have a seat." Mr. Harrison sat on his chair while pointing at the chair in front of his table for Serene.

Serene sat down on the chair and looked at Mr. Harrison.

Mr.Harrison, a name may sound like someone old, but the person in front of her is not at all old, just over thirty or thirty-five, with no freckles on his face, but with the mustache, he is looking much older than he is.

This person from start to end no expression was revealed on his face, other than one time when he knew me as a 'New Student'.

But there is something that is not fitting just like all the people she has met today, every single person is weirder than another.