A new story

"What's the need for a bus" Jake who was unfortunately near Seth said in an annoyed tone, it had already been thirty minutes and he hated it.

Seth too wasn't comfortable, but he didn't really hate Jake more he just hated it when he started slandering him. "To move on the road…"

Jake turned around and stared at him. "I know what vehicles are used for little bastard?!"

Emily who was behind their seat was holding her laugh, Thally was also with Emily she was of course enjoying the fact Seth was interacting with Jake. " Those two seem like good friends."

Emily said with a smile. "Hardly" Thally answered rolling her eyes.

For the rest of the three hours, they were brought to the designated area for portal transportation.

The principal then stood in the middle of the bus. "Ok, from now on" the principal announced, her voice cutting through the chatter and grumbles of the students, "you will be transported directly to the academy grounds via the portal. No more complaints about the bus ride. This is the last one you'll be taking for a long while."

The students exchanged glances, some relieved, others still irritated. Seth couldn't help but feel a mix of both. He was glad the bus ride was over, but the thought of what awaited them on the other side of the portal kept his nerves on edge.

Jake muttered something under his breath, but Seth didn't catch it. The principal continued, unfazed by the restlessness in the bus.

"This portal will take you directly to the academy's orientation hall. Remember, once you step through, you're officially a student of the academy. There will be no turning back. Whatever challenges await you, face them with resolve."

Emily leaned forward, her voice a whisper in Seth's ear. "Are you ready for this?"

Seth swallowed, feeling the familiar weight of Thally shifting slightly on his arm. "I think so," he replied, trying to sound more confident than he felt.

The principal clapped her hands, and the bus door opened with a mechanical hiss. "Alright, everyone off! Form an orderly line and proceed through the portal."

The students began to file out, murmuring among themselves. Seth, Emily, and Jake found themselves in the middle of the line, with Thally moving her roots discreetly under Seth's sleeve.

"How do you think the academy is?" Emily asked Jake, his face twitching. "Why are you asking me, you have a brother in the second year, ask him"

"Tsk, talking to you is difficult sometimes," Emily replied with a sigh, though there was a hint of amusement in her tone. She turned her attention back to Seth, her eyes searching his for any signs of anxiety.

Seth shrugged. "I guess we'll find out soon enough."

The line moved steadily, and before long, they were standing at the portal's threshold. The shimmering, swirling vortex of energy pulsed with a strange, magnetic pull, almost as if it was alive and eager to swallow them whole.

Seth took a deep breath, feeling Thally tighten her grip around his arm in silent reassurance. "Here goes nothing," he muttered.

As they stepped through the portal, the world around them twisted and stretched, colors blending in a dizzying array of light and shadow. For a moment, Seth felt as if he was floating in a vast, endless void. Then, with a sudden jolt, his feet hit solid ground, and the disorienting sensation faded.

The academy's orientation hall was massive, its vaulted ceilings and marble floors gleaming under the soft glow of enchanted lights. Banners displaying the academy's emblem hung from the walls, and a large stage stood at the far end of the hall, where several faculty members were gathered, waiting for the students to arrive.

The hall buzzed with the chatter of new students, all eager and nervous in equal measure. Seth glanced around, spotting a few familiar faces from his hometown, but most were strangers, each one a potential rival or ally in the days to come.

"Welcome, students!" A voice boomed across the hall, drawing everyone's attention to the stage. An imposing figure, likely one of the academy's headmasters, stood at the center, their gaze sweeping over the crowd. "You have been chosen to join our esteemed institution, not just for your potential, but for your resilience, your courage, and your willingness to push beyond your limits. The academy will test you in ways you've never been tested before. But remember, only those who persevere will thrive here."

Jake huffed beside Seth. "Great, another speech. Just what we needed."

Emily nudged him. "Shh, it might be important."

The headmaster continued, outlining the academy's rules and expectations, emphasizing the importance of discipline and unity. As the speech went on, Seth's mind began to wander, his thoughts drifting back to his father's warnings about the academy. The dangers, the hidden agendas, the corrupt teachers… He couldn't help but wonder how much of it was true and how much was just paranoia.

"Hey, Seth," Thally's voice echoed softly in his mind. "Don't lose focus now. We've got a long way to go."

Seth nodded subtly, shaking off his doubts. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he knew he couldn't afford to let his guard down. Not here, not now.

"With that, I welcome you all to the Seven Moons Academy" The headmaster's final words echoed throughout the grand orientation hall, leaving a heavy silence in their wake. The weight of the academy's expectations settled over the students like a thick blanket, suffocating any remaining chatter.

Seth glanced at Emily, who gave him a reassuring nod. Jake, on the other hand, looked as though he was ready to bolt at the first opportunity.

"Stay close," Emily whispered, her voice just barely audible over the murmurs that were starting up again. "We should stick together, at least until we get our bearings."

"Yeah, sure," Jake grumbled, though his eyes darted nervously around the room. "But if they start throwing us into some sort of crazy battle royale, I'm out of here."

Seth managed a small smile despite the tension. "I think it's too late to back out now, Jake."

Before Jake could retort, a loud chime rang out through the hall, drawing their attention back to the stage. A different figure stepped forward this time, a stern-looking woman with sharp features and piercing eyes. She wore a robe adorned with the academy's crest, and her presence commanded immediate respect.

"Now that the headmaster has welcomed you, it's time for your orientation assignments," she announced. "You will be divided into groups and led to your respective quarters by your assigned mentors. Each group will have its unique challenges, and how you handle them will determine your initial ranking within the academy."

The mention of rankings caused a ripple of whispers among the students. Seth felt a knot of anxiety tighten in his stomach. This was it—the start of the real tests his father had warned him about.

"Group assignments will be displayed on the board behind me," the woman continued. "Once you find your name, proceed to your designated area. Your mentor will be waiting to guide you."

As soon as she finished speaking, a large, glowing board appeared behind her, names and group numbers rapidly scrolling across it.

Emily tugged on Seth's sleeve. "Let's find our names and stick together, okay?"

Seth nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. They quickly made their way to the board, scanning the list for their names. The hall was a flurry of movement as other students did the same, some finding their friends, others groaning in frustration at being separated.

"Found mine!" Emily exclaimed, pointing to the board. "I'm in Group 12."

"Me too," Seth said, feeling a wave of relief. He didn't want to face whatever awaited them alone.

Jake cursed under his breath. "I'm in Group 7. Great, just great."

"We'll catch up later," Emily assured him. "Good luck, Jake."

Jake gave a half-hearted wave as he was swept up in the crowd moving toward the Group 7 area. Seth and Emily exchanged a glance before heading toward their own group's gathering point.

When they arrived, they found a tall, lean man with a sharp gaze waiting for them. His hair was dark, with streaks of silver, and he wore a long coat that billowed slightly with each movement. His presence radiated an aura of experience and authority.

"Welcome to Group 12," the man said, his voice calm but carrying an undertone of steel. "I am your mentor, Professor Ardus. The academy has high expectations of you, and I expect nothing less than your best. Understood?"

The group, now assembled with about ten students, nodded in unison, though there were varying degrees of confidence on their faces.

"Good," Professor Ardus continued, his eyes narrowing slightly as he scrutinized each of them. "Our first task is a simple one, meant to gauge your current abilities. Follow me."

With that, he turned on his heel and began walking toward a set of double doors at the side of the hall. The students quickly fell into step behind him, the tension in the air thickening with each step they took. 

"the air in this world seems more fresh than on earth" Thally transmitted to him.

'Yeah it is, but may I ask why exactly you are concealing yourself, you have been quiet ever since we came here' Seth said with concern.

Thally pouted under his sleeve. "Ok, I am not hiding anymore, I was just giving you alone time and you were also lost in thought for a while"

He heard her voice near his ears and felt her sitting on his shoulder. He gently whispered so only she could hear. "…Sorry for ignoring you"

Thally then chuckled. "Funny, even if you tried you can never ignore me"

After going out of the double doors, the group was welcomed by the outside, The sky was a slightly dark shade of blue it had a sun and surprisingly two moons.

This wasn't Seth's first time seeing such celestial bodies, but it was his first time seeing it up close. He was still mesmerized by it and so were the others.

The group continued to walk towards a field where three cylindrical-looking objects with numbers on top.

Professor Ardus stopped in front of the cylindrical objects, turning to face the group. "These are your first test," he said, his voice firm. "This is a strength test, you three at the back come out"

He called three students from the back, one was a girl with light blue hair, and The other one was a boy who looked to be arrogant and had black hair. The last one is…

"Teach~, My name is Haiki" It was a girl with golden eyes and white hair, on her fair skin were golden markings that seemed intentional.

A girl with golden eyes and white hair with golden markings on her skin caught the attention of the group. Her voice was light, almost playful, as she introduced herself.

Professor Ardus nodded, his expression neutral. "Haiki, you'll be first. Approach the cylinder and place your hand on the marked area."

Haiku bounced forward, her golden eyes shimmering with excitement. She placed her hand on the designated spot, and the cylinder hummed to life, its surface glowing faintly. "Use your abilities and physical strength to punch the gauge meter"

"Okie dokie," She said but the next second, for some very unknown reason the light both dimmed and increased at the same time near her fists. Suddenly before she could make an impact with it, the light seemed to have hit the cylinder already.

"…Not bad, you got a perfect fifty, the last time we had that kind of score was…." The teacher did not continue his sentence and gestured for the next person.

The light blue-haired girl gracefully walked towards the second cylinder while occasionally glancing at Haiki.