Principal shepard's welcome speech.

Gavin leaned forward with interest. That was definitely a way to get everyone's attention. Gavin looked around and noticed everyone's gaze locked onto the principal's hologram image that floated in the air. 

Several teachers and staff walked up behind Principal Shepard as he spoke those words. 

"Wealth. Fame. Power. Everyone here seeks at least one of these aspects in life. Magic can be the great gateway to many things. However, you must apply yourself every day," Principal Shepard's voice was soft, but his tone was commanding and fierce. He paused to look out at all the gathered students. 

"We will push you to your limits. Break you down, then build you back up again. We will mold you into a powerful Magi." Principal Shepard's voice filled the auditorium as he spoke. No one talked among themselves or showed any disinterest. In fact, some students looked almost fearful over the thought of what was to come. They paled, faces losing some of their natural color. They never imagined that the academy would be that difficult or extreme in their curriculum. Some of the students that sat near Gavin began whispering to each other. "Was it worth attending such a dangerous school?" 

"Surely it's safe enough to attend, right?" These and other questions were being asked among themselves as the principal continued. 

"Many who attend this academy go on to accomplish great feats in life. There are governments and corporations that look to our graduating class to fill vacancies in their organizations. They seek powerful members to join their ranks. Therefore, it is up to our staff to provide the best Magi we can. For you see," Principal Shepard smiled warmly in the hologram image. He rested his hands on the wooden podium on the floor in front of him. "Magic is so much more than simply offensive or defensive spells," he said. One of the professors that stood in line behind him walked forward. 

 It was a dark-skinned man who stood head and shoulders above the rest of the staff on the floor. He had his hair in long dreadlocks tied down past his back. His dark skin was flawless except for a single scar in the shape of a cross over his right eye that somehow managed not to damage the eye itself. He wore a simple black shirt and dark pants. He raised his arms and, with a snap of his fingers, brilliantly beautiful fireworks shot out from his hand in hues of green, blue, red and yellow. The excitement of the crowd was palpable as cheers and shouts filled the room. The tension seemed to fade from the worried students. 

Principal Shepard smiled warmly at the reaction of everyone. "This is Professor Okeeba Okinawa, one of the heads of the fire element magic department. As he just displayed, magic can be used in all sorts of daily tasks that do not revolve around battle."

Principal Shepard smiled back at Professor Okeeba, who stepped back in the line of staff members. "I truly believe that magic is a right that anyone with the ability to learn, and should have full access to. But with great power as a Magi, comes even greater responsibility. Responsibility for one's actions is of paramount importance. Once you unleash a spell, you are responsible for the results of whatever happens. So, if you launch a spell at an enemy Magi, you miss, and it hits someone nearby. That is on your shoulders. So, I implore you to always be mindful of your actions and spells." Principal Shepard's voice dropped slightly, and his tone was filled with a grim warning as he stressed the importance of control over their magic. He had to make sure the students understood the dangers of using magic.

"There will be four large events throughout the school year. There will be competitions with other magic academies. There is one such event each quarter of the school year to constantly test your growth and skills. Push yourself through your studies and show us how far you have come. They will include a variety of events. Some practical and others combative to showcase the diversity of your skills. It is imperative that you do well during all the events if you want a good future when you graduate from the academy," Principal Shepard informed them all. 

Gavin leaned forward, his mind was racing. Cross-school events? Actual combat practice? Now that was what he wanted. A chance to go against other strong opponents and improve his strength. To show he had the power to protect the girls and complete the task that Koray had given him. He would need a lot more power in order to go through the heavy ordeal that he was assigned. What better way to test and see his growth than combat against other Magi? He thought to himself. His excitement was growing as he listened to the Principal's long-winded speech. 

Jackson looked over as he felt Gavin move. His eyes and attention were trained on the principal. His eyes had a look of fire and determination. Like the thought of the tournaments was the best thing in the world to him. He nudged Gavin softly in the side. "Hey man, you seem really excited all of a sudden," Jackson said softly as he whispered to his friend. 

Gavin looked over with a grin spread across his face. "Heck yeah man. The chance to test my strength against other people and see the growth first-hand? Now that is excitement." Gavin said softly in response as he looked at Jackson. He couldn't even begin to explain the mission that the god Koray had given Gavin. He would just have to play it off differently if asked by Jackson about his interest in battle. 

Jackson shook his head. Apparently, his new roommate was a battle junkie. Go figure man. "Yeah, maybe for someone like you. I'm just here for my own reasons, man," Jackson said, laughing softly as they returned to their focus on the principal. 

"When you all return to the dorm rooms tonight. There will be a package on each of your beds. It will contain a metallic arm band for your use. The arm band will be used to assign a rank from zero to ten. The higher the rank, the more powerful and capable Magi. They will also be used to send messages out if needed from myself or the staff," Principal Shepard said as he held up an armband like the one he just described. On the front was a number displayed in bright green. It was the number ten. 

"This is a new program we are trying out this year, so I appreciate some patience while we work out the kinks in it. Tomorrow, all the students will undergo a series of tests to show their aptitude and current limits of magical use. Once all the tests have been concluded, you will be assigned a rank according to your skills observed. So I implore you not to hold back anything. Give it your all. We will start with the first-year students at eight in the morning. Once they have completed all the tests, we will move on to the second and then third year students. Please make sure you get plenty of rest tonight," Principal Shepard announced to all the students in the auditorium. 

"One last piece of wisdom before we depart for the evening. The staff behind me are trained in many different forms of fighting, both magical and normal. They will not hesitate to intervene in any unofficial fighting on campus. The punishments for such actions will be severe and include up to expulsion from the academy. So hear my warning well, young students." as Principal Shepard said this final piece, Gavin felt a shiver run down his spine. The principal turned his head, and it felt like he was looking right through his soul. As if he knew exactly where Gavin was seated in the stands. If Gavin didn't know any better, he could have sworn that a flash of red flickered in Principal Shepard's eyes on the hologram in the air. 

"Now that is enough of speeches and warnings I think. You are all free to have the rest of the day as you see fit. Explore the academy. Meet new friends. Rest and relax for the hard work begins in the morning," Principal Shepard announced as he clapped his hands together and the lights went out in the auditorium. The sudden darkness scared a few students as they cried out in shock and slight fear. Even the hologram image of the principal was gone. Total darkness bathed the auditorium for a few moments before all the lights turned back on and the principal and staff behind him were now gone from the floor. 

There was quiet for a few moments as the gathered students took in everything that was mentioned by the principal. Tournaments every quarter. Frequent competitions and tests to go through. This was going to be exciting, Gavin thought to himself as he ran through the possibilities of what his rank would be if he actually went all out tomorrow during the tests. Should he go all out, or hold back? From what Erza told him, it was unheard of for someone to be able to use all six elemental magics. If he demonstrated that ability, would he become a pariah at the school? A target for those wishing to test themselves constantly against? Or would he be kept at arms' length out of fear of how strong he could potentially become? Gavin's mind raced with these types of thoughts as he blocked out everyone else around him momentarily. 

Jackson sighed as he tried calling Gavin's name repeatedly. His roommate appeared to be lost in his thoughts for some reason; Jackson reached back and slapped the back of Gavin's head softly, forcing a breath in his thoughts. 

Gavin felt the slap on his head and looked around somewhat startled. He found Jackson glaring at him as other students had already filed out, and a steady stream were walking back out the hallway they entered from. "Come on man, let's get going," Jackson said as he hiked his thumb over his shoulder toward the exit. 

A slight blush crept over his cheeks as he realized he was lost in his own little world again. "Right, sorry man. I was lost in my own thoughts. That was alot of info to take in at once," Gavin said. He knew that was a weak excuse. But it was the truth to an extent. 

"It's fine man, let's go get some grub though, before we head back to the room. I'm starving," Jackson said as they both could hear his stomach let out a soft growl in protest. 

Gavin laughed as he stood and let Jackson lead the way back out of the hallway and towards the fresh outdoor air. The sun was blinding as they walked out through the double wooden doors of the main entrance. The chatter and excitement from nearby students was a loud cacophony. Gavin shielded his eyes until they got adjusted to the bright afternoon light as they walked outside. Gavin lowered his hand from his eyes as they walked down the concrete path. The air was nice and warm finally as they walked back towards their dorm building. Apparently, Jackson found out each of the dorm buildings had their own commissary areas on each floor. This was to help with the flow of students at the main cafeteria building.

 "So, do we head back to the dorm commissary or check out the main cafeteria building?" Gavin asked. He didn't much care which spot they tried for food. 

Jackson pursed his lips in thought for a moment before he spoke up, "Let's check out the commissary at the dorm for now," he suggested. It was closer than the main cafeteria building and Jackson felt like he was starving. 

"Sure, it sounds good to me," Gavin replied as he put his hands in his pockets and started walking back to the first year campus dorm building. As they continued walking towards the first-year dorm building, they chatted away nonsensically about the upcoming tests the following day. They both wondered what kind of tests they would include. Neither of them really had any idea for sure. 

"I imagine, at the minimum, they will have us use crystals to confirm what elemental magic we can use. then, based on the way the principal spoke, maybe some type of combat exam?" Gavin wondered aloud as they walked into the first-year dorm building. Gavin just really couldn't wait until the next day. He still wasn't sure just how many of his abilities he would reveal tomorrow, but was excited nonetheless. 

Suddenly, a snarl sounded from behind them as a pair of hands shoved Gavin from behind violently and another set grabbed Jackson from behind into a loose headlock. "It's time we finish what we started earlier kid," a familiar voice filled Gavin's ears as he stumbled forward. 

He wiped around and eyes narrowed in anger as he saw Bradley and his cronies there in the hallway. Jackson held in their grips as Bradley starred him down. 

"Let him go," Gavin's deep, gravely voice filled Bradley's ears as the hair on his neck and arms. There was something unknown about this kid that set his instincts on edge. Brad didn't understand why or how, just that every time he saw him, his inner canine shook with fear and anger and that set Brad off even more. 

"I don't think I will punk. It's time you understood the pecking order around here," Bradley said as he took a menacing step forward.