Fearless

Krain's POV

"I expect you to say no."

"Why?"

"Dauthi has zero population."

I opened my palm and he put the book in it.

"Thank you," I said before exiting the admission room but I was pulled back and door shut close. I twitched the doorknob but it was covered by soil. "It-"

"Shh!" He aggresively said. He pulled me down so I ended up sitting beside him.

"Nash? Nash!" A voice from outside called.

"You were the guy in the bathroom?" I asked the guy. He must be the one from the bathroom and he is still running away from the two. I assume he did something unrightful.

He stared at my eyes before looking down at my lanyard. "You're a Gelarian." He took out a piece of cardboard like paper and handed it to me.

"Pass card," I read. It is a white card that is as big as my palm and is designed with golden font color.

"Keep it for me."

He went out and talked with the guys outside. I remained sitting in the floor while listening to their conversation.

"I told you, I don't have it."

"Your sister needed it for the ranking event."

"Tell her that she needed to request a pass from the headquarters. She can't just steal it and appear in the event as an uninvited guest."

"Nash-"

"Do I have to bury you and repeat myself a hundred times?"

I didn't hear any response. I stay still for ten minutes before deciding to go out. I looked out of the window first before totally going out of the admission room. I confusedly scanned the area when the tree that fell in front of the admission room is upright again.

"Are you hurt?"

I put the pass card in between the pages of the book before facing a small girl with short hair. She checked my arms even though it can't be seen since I am wearing long-sleeved shirt.

She's probably at the same age with my sister.

I gave her a small smile. I bend down to reach her eye level.

"I'm fine. How about you?" I asked softly.

"For real? You are not hurt?"

I tacked some strand of her hair that cover her face. I laughed a little when I caught her staring at my face.

"You're good at controlling the air."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know that I could control air?"

I hide my smile. I know she's the one who followed me since a while ago.

"Hmm, just a wild guess."

She seems convinced with my reasoning because she nodded in awe.

"What's your name? Are you waiting for someone here in the admission?"

She shook her head a couple of times. "I saw you passed by my house so I went after you. What's your name?"

"Krain."

"Krain?"

"No," I denied. "I'm kidding. My name is Chimsy Morgan."

"Chimsy. I am Chiena Ortega of Kauma."

I talked with her all day. Chiena is from Kauma, the place where my dad came from. I feel like she's family.

"I'll see you home." I offered.

"We'll do it, Chimsy," Draceline said. "Neym will go with you in your house. You should have some rest."

Worry is still evident in Draceline's eyes. The headquarters remained firm with its decision regarding the house assignment. They said that Euxilla is the only house available since the others are under repair.

"Let's meet again tomorrow, okey?" I said to Chiena, earning a smile from her.

Chiena is also new in Quintessence and we have the same schedule. There's a general orientation tomorrow so we agreed to come together.

Just like what Draceline said, they accompanied Chiena back to her house while Neym walked me to my assigned house.

"Just call me if you feel something weird or off," he instructed while walking beside me. He is looking at the stars with his hands on his pocket.

"Will I really die if I stayed in that house?"

"Not really," he answered shortly. "Just don't stay outside of the house. Each house has a built in barrier so as long as you keep your door and windows closed, you'll be safe."

"Copied," I replied, ending the discussion. "Euxilla is right there. You don't need to go any further."

He stopped so I stopped.

"Chimsy.."

"I'll be safe," I assured before walking towards the house with the signage that reads 'Euxilla.' When I stepped foot on the front yard, the lights turned on.

The living area is the first thing when I entered the house. In the far end is a kitchen, just behind a counter table. Dining area is on its right side. On the left side are the two rooms.

"Lavender," I pointed at the room that I've chosen and went inside. "I'll arrange my stuffs tomorrow," I said to myself before lying down and dozing off to sleep.

The next day, I woke up early to prepare myself. Based on what I know, they serve free food in the cafeteria of the academy. But we have the freedom to cook in our house if we want but I chose none of the two. I don't feel like eating.

I opened a little walk-in closet with five sets of white long-sleeved polo. A name 'Chimsy Morgan' is embroidered on its left chest side and the black skirt is just above my knees.

Not my type.

I closed the closet. I sit down on the edge of my bed and took the small backpack out of my pocket. I pulled its ends and it stretched out until it returned to its original size. I get a pair of hoodie and jogging pants and wore it instead. When I feel comfortable, I pressed the gemstone on my ring.

"I refuse to wear the uniform. It feels uncomfortable for me. Can I have a bigger pair or any alternative uniform that is comfortable to wear?"

After a few seconds, a knock was heard from the main door. I hurriedly opened it and was greeted by a familiar face.

"Newbie," he spoke. "They assigned you to live here?" His eyes roamed the house. "Of course, they will. Why wouldn't they?"

As to why he is the one who is here, I don't really care. He might be the nearest one around when I called for help.

"May I check the uniform that they gave you?"

I pushed the door open. He went inside and go straight to my closet. He took out the uniform and raised it in front of me, checking the size.

"They gave you the right size."

"I prefer a bigger size."

He returned it to the closet and shook his head. "Bigger size is not the right size."

"But I prefer to wear something bigger."

"But we prefer to make you wear the right size of clothes," he reasoned out.

I sighed, getting annoyed with his stubborness. "Look, the size is so uncomfortable, really. I am not even exaggerating but... just give me something bigger."

"Look, newbie. The uniform for female are meant to be fit and just above your knee."

That is so uncomfortable. First of all, it is so short for a skirt. Second, the shirt hugs my body tightly and I don't like it like that. It is just... uncomfortable to wear.

"I may sound like a repeating machine but it is really uncomfortable. Can't I request for something else? Like a short in the same length of that skirt and a slightly lose shirt?"

He stared at me. "You'll get comfortable with it over time."

I looked at him in disbelief. "Are the one who'll suffer with uncomfortable clothes?" I asked, loosing my patience.

He sighed, surrendering with his argument.

"I'll take you to the headquarters. You can say your concerns there."

Upon saying that, he went out of my house. I run back to my room and took the book with me. He is waiting for me at the door so I walked faster.

"Move close to me."

I blinked twice, getting confused. "Why would I do that?"

"So you could have a ride?" He said with a sarcastic tone. He pointed his feet and that's where I see the circular platform where he stands.

"This..." I stood next to him. "Will take us to the headquarters?"

Instead of answering my question, he hold my shoulder and pulled me closer to him. He snapped his finger and the platform moves down. It took us a few minutes before the platform moves up and light surrounded us. I let my vision adjust to the blinding light and just found myself standing in front of a tall, white building. It is the headquarters.

We are not in the village anymore.

The guy went into the building so I walked after him. The girl in the front desk stood up upon seeing us.

"It is..." she looked up at the wall clock and smiled. "7:31 in the morning. How may I help you?"

I saw how her smile slowly disappeared when she saw me behind the guy.

"A newbie has some concerns regarding her uniform."

He made way and motioned me to come forward so I did.

"Yes, I have a problem with it," I said directly. "Can I request for other version of the uniform, if you have? I find mine very uncomfortable."

The woman's eyes travelled from me to the guy then back to me again before she took out a piece of paper and a pen.

"It is the first time someone is complaining about the uniform in Quintessence. Students commonly love the uniform. But we'll find a solution for that." She gave me the pen and paper. "We would love to hear your preference in clothes and we'll customize a uniform for you based on your preference."

Rather than explaining my preference, I draw my desired deign. I made sure that it would still look like the original design of the uniform so I would'nt stand out when wearing it.

"A fit shirt with a collar and buttons instead of an actual polo shirt, and a skirt with a shorts inside. Or a short that looks like a skirt in the outside, if that is possible." I gave her the drawing. "I would very much appreciate if you could put my preference into consideration."

"We will," she said before going inside a door behind the counter.

While waiting for her to return, I sit on the waiting area and started reading a few pages. The first pages were about my family. It is the family tree of the ruler of Dauthi. It starts off with my great-grandfather-

"You have concerns other than that?"

I looked up at him who is standing beside me, focusing on his wristwatch. Nothing changed in his expression. He still looked bored and yes, I could tell he his despite not seeing his eyes. Isn't it uncomfortable having your hair cover your eyes?

"I-"

The sound of alarm prevailed in the surrounding. I throw him a questioning look since I have no idea what it is for.

"Someone breaks a rule. It means we need to gather in the field."

He walked out so I walked out of the building too. His two hands are on his back and he is calmly taking his time, maintaining good posture.

"You could run pass me if you want," he permitted.

I looked around saw other students running towards the center of the field. They are in their uniform but here I am, wearing the same hoodie and jogging pants with this guy. Maybe he just woke up when I called for assistance.

"You could run and leave me if you want," I retorted.

"I only run unless it is important."

When we reached the middle of the field where a girl is crying on her knees. My eyes widened when I recognized that it is Chiena.

"Chimsy!" Draceline called when she saw me. Fries is beside her.

"What happened?" I asked.

"There was a missing 'pass card' in the academy. A lot of people are saying that it was Chiena who stole it."

"What?"

A mere 12-year-old girl? Really?

"Where is the 'pass card?', Chiena of Kauma?" An old man asked coldly. He has white beard and white long hair which complements with his with dress-like clothes.

"I-i... I d-don't know."

She fell on her face when the old man pointed his wood to her. Her cry became loud but not a single student stood up for her.

"A rat from Kauma? What a disgrace!" He raised his wood and hit Chiena with it, getting out gasps from the witnesses. "Where is the 'pass card'?!" He asked in gritted teeth.

"I-I... I r-really... don't k-know."

The old man raised his wood again to hit Chiena but this time, I raised my hand and made a barrier out of water to protect Chiena. I took huge steps toward her.

"Chiena, it's me," I whispered as I carefully tapped her shoulder.

"Chims-y."

"What right do you have to-"

I raised my hand and directed it to the old man's neck. He hold his neck where I am choking him using the water that I am controlling. I stood up straight, staring at his soul.

"You. What right do you have to hurt a single soul?" I asked monotonously.

"Chimsy!" Draceline shouted while shaking her head but I ignored her.

"She stole the 'pass card?' Do you have proof?"

I dropped him in the ground. I opened the book that I am holding and took the paper that is in between the pages.

"You should have come to me if this is what you are looking for."

I showed them the pass card, garnering a variety of reactions but one voice overpowers the others.

I searched for him in the crowd and found him staring at me with a small, proud smile.

"Fearless newbie. Not bad."

...