Chapter 8

Power neither good or evil, it's the tool man uses to justify their actions.

As everyone was caught up in the excitement, Elara raised her voice to get their attention. "Listen up, everyone. Since you all have been courteous and respectful during these proceedings, I'll give you one piece of advice." She paused, looking around at the eager faces. "The school has many factions. In two days, the student government will review your entrance exam grades and will assign you to one. Whatever you do, don't make things worse for yourself by fighting them."

Her tone turned serious, and there was a hint of worry in her words. "Each faction has its own rules and dynamics, and navigating them can be tricky. The best thing you can do is to understand and respect the structure here. Fighting against the system will only make your life more difficult."

The group followed Elara as she led them towards the administration building. As they walked, whispers and murmurs filled the air. Some students looked anxious, while others seemed intrigued by the idea of factions and the power dynamics within the school.

Erick glanced at Glory, who appeared deep in thought. "What do you think about all this?" he asked quietly.

"I think we need to be smart about it," Glory replied.

"Understanding how these factions work might be crucial for us. We should find out more before making any moves."

Elara stopped in front of the administration building, a grand structure with intricate carvings and an imposing entrance. "This is where you'll find all the administrative offices, including the office of the student government. If you have any issues or need assistance, this is where you come."

She turned to face the group one last time. "Remember, the choices you make in the next few days will set the tone for your time here. Stay focused, be respectful, and don't let the factions intimidate you. If you have any questions or need advice, feel free to reach out to me."

With that, Elara dismissed the group, leaving them to digest the information she had shared. Erick and Glory exchanged a determined look, ready to face whatever challenges the school had in store for them. They knew they would need to rely on their wits and each other to navigate this new environment successfully.

As everyone exited the administration building, their faces were marked with pensiveness, still digesting the information they had received. The excitement from earlier was now tempered with a sense of caution and contemplation.

"It seems you'll be heading to the girls' dorm," Erick said to Glory, pulling a pair of iron knuckles out of his pocket. The sight of the weapon caused some students to look at them in disbelief.

"Put it away," Glory insisted, glancing around to gage their reactions.

"No, take them," Erick pressed, his tone serious. "I have my own. They'll bully you, unlike everyone here..." He gestured to the other students milling around them.

"We aren't like them, and they will never let you live it down. You need to fight, and I'll come to check on you as often as I can."

Her eyes searching her brother's face. "Erick, you know how bad this can get. We can't just start fights."

"It's not about starting fights," Erick replied, his voice low but firm. "It's about being ready if one comes your way. I've a good guess how vicious they can be, especially in a place like this. You need to be prepared."

Glory took the iron knuckles, slipping them into her bag. "Fine, but let's try to avoid trouble as much as we can."

Erick nodded, though he didn't look entirely convinced. "Just promise me you'll stay safe. We're in this together, remember?"

"Always," Glory replied, giving him a small, reassuring smile.

As they parted ways, each heading to their respective dorms, the weight of their new reality settled over them. The school, with its complex hierarchy and hidden dangers, was a far cry from the safety of their once thriving family home. But they were determined to face it head-on, armed with their wits, each other, and, if necessary, a pair of iron knuckles.

*...Meanwhile...*

The administration officer stood in front of an assembly of students, heads of their respective factions, and their staff. "Respected members of the government body, I bring the exam reports. We have an impressive stock this year, with some students from prominent families, a few scholarship recipients, and some late admissions. All in all, 120 students passed this year."

The room was filled with murmurs as the various faction leaders exchanged glances and whispered among themselves. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation and curiosity about the new arrivals.

"Madam President, what do you think about this year's students?" Klaus, the head of the noble faction, asked. He was a slim, well-rounded young man with black pupils that showed distain to anyone without the right heritage as he calls it.

The Madam President Viola is the 12th daughter of Duck Ridem Valic, a composed and authoritative figure, took a moment before responding. "This year's batch is indeed remarkable," she began, her voice carrying a tone of measured approval.

"We have a diverse group of individuals, each bringing their own strengths and potential to our institution. The prominent families have sent their best, and the scholarship students have proven themselves through sheer determination and talent. The late admissions, though fewer in number, show promising abilities that warrant their place here."

Klaus nodded, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Prominent families always add an interesting dynamic.Any notable names among them?"

The Madam President glanced at her notes. "Indeed, there are a few names that stand out. Erick,Glory, Daniel, Sara, Roger, David…. Etc. Their entrance exams were exemplary, and they have shown resilience that is rare even among our elite but with the exception of Sara all of them are not from the nobility."

Another faction leader, Selene, head of the Academic business faction, interjected, "Erick and Glory, you say? I've heard whispers about them. Apparently they're siblings and the brother gave his sister a metallic weapon of sorts."

Marcus head of the robotics lab faction,"I've heard whispers about them. Their background is... full of haze . I'm trying to access the school servers but they're school file is blacked out , someone went to a lot of trouble."

"Only the dean and vice president of the school can have authority to those kinds of files." Replied Annabell head of the wise one's."but David seems interesting though."

The Madam President gave an annoyed look at the assembly. "their integration will be something to watch. Some of them are rough as you've seen They bring a blend of raw talent and personal drive that could either lead them to greatness or plunge them into conflict either way our school them over instead of the others."

With a final nod, the Madam President concluded, "Very well. Let us prepare to welcome the new students and ensure they understand the responsibilities and expectations of this esteemed institution."

The meeting adjourned, and the faction leaders dispersed, each contemplating the potential and challenges the new students, would bring to their domains. As the main reason for building this government body was to foster a sense of unity and cooperation between students of the school.

As the morning light struck his face, the alarm clock he had set went off like a siren, its noise hitting his brain like a hammer. Erick groaned, fumbling to turn off the relentless beeping. His head pounded, and he rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the fog of sleep. The room was still unfamiliar to him, its grandness a stark contrast to his previous home.

He sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed, and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. The memory of yesterday's orientation and the looming first day of school weighed heavily on his mind. He knew he had to get up and face whatever challenges lay ahead, but the comfort of his bed tempted him to stay.

Why did I ever set that alarm so early?" he muttered to himself, finally managing to shut off the cacophonous device. As he stumbled to the bathroom, his thoughts wandered to Glory. He hoped she was doing okay in her dorm, adjusting to the new environment. Erick splashed cold water on his face, the shock waking him up slightly more. He brushed his teeth and got dressed, donning the school uniform that felt both foreign and restrictive.

Just as he was about to head out, he remembered the iron knuckles he had given to Glory. He hoped she wouldn't have to use them but knew it was better for her to be prepared. He grabbed his bag, knuckles and took a deep breath, steeling himself for the day ahead and headed to the dining hall of the school.

As he approached the dining hall, he saw other students making their way to the hall for breakfast. The grandeur of the place still felt overwhelming, with its high ceilings, elaborate chandeliers, and polished marble floors. Erick was impressed and a little intimidated by the aesthetic.

Entering the dining hall, he spotted Glory sitting with a group of girls, looking more at ease than he felt. He gave her a small wave, which she returned with a reassuring smile. It was a silent promise that they wouldn't get in each others way.

Erick grabbed a tray of food from the kitchen staff and started to turn around when he was confronted by a group of girls led by a tall brunette with a figure like she had been sculpted by an artisan. The leader of the group sneered at him, "Out of the way, commoner," before shoving his tray of food into his new uniform.

For a moment, Erick was stunned by the audacity of the girl. Who would be so reckless as to test him on the first day of school? His body began to react instinctively, a surge of anger bubbling up inside him.

Just then, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning, he saw Elara, the senior student who had guided them during orientation.

"Ready for your first day?" she asked with a warm smile.

That smile conveyed a silent warning: if he acted on his anger, it would only make things worse. Erick took a deep breath, swallowing his pride and frustration. He gave Elara a small nod, acknowledging her unspoken advice, and moved out of the way, letting the girls pass.

The encounter left him with a bitter taste in his mouth, but he knew there would be more challenges to face. As he cleaned himself up and found a new tray of food, he resolved to stay calm and focused, ready to prove himself in this new environment.